Friday, May 16, 2008

Lots of pictures and less talk then usual!

I never posted the rest of the pictures from Katie's christening so some of them are at the bottom. I am exhausted but realized I hadn't posted in a while so decided to update with the latest pictures and the boys baseball schedule - see the column to the right.



Peter and Tyler had basketball together every Tuesday after school - this week the mom's and dad's got to stay and watch because it was the last week. Both boys did terrific and the mom's even got to join in!
Tyler dribbling down the court - it was amazing the progress the boys made in just a few short weeks - they also had a blast!
I'm usually a daisy kind of girl - nothing too fancy but Bob got me these beautiful flowers for Mother's Day and my brother Ed also got me lillies. So my house smells like a funeral home but aren't they gorgeous?
I let Molly take this picture of Annie with the big bow in her hair - I'm not sure if you can read her shirt but it says "I am not a boy"! Yes - people constantly tell us we have a beautiful little boy!

Katie's christening - everyone laying their hands on her for a blessing.
Abby was bored out of her mind but cute as a button!
Patrick looks like he is doing a good job holding Katie but Bob is still keeping an eye on his goddaughter just to make sure.
The grandparents and our holy little girl.
Kelly and Bob with Katherine Shannon - she was so peaceful and sweet all day!

Uncle B and Annie - she adores him!
The whole family ready for Katie's big day!
Katie at the post party - too cute!
Gabrielle and Abby at Katie's christening party!
The kids table - the kids were wonderful the whole day and too cute!

One more cute Peter story - he had to write a story about someone special and he wrote about me. " My mom is special because she is a director. She works because people need her and need help from her. The people are sick." Both kids always perceived my job to be that of a doctor or nurse - I just recently explained to them that I am just an adminstrator and help hire the doctors who take care of people but that description works for me - he is such a thoughtful kid! Molly's recital is next week and we just had our last class before dress rehearsal - Molly is so excited and even better - she and the other Molly - Molly Garrahey - are next to each other so she is very happy!
GNM - ILY!




Tuesday, May 13, 2008

More Mother's Day pictures and Peter on his field trip!

Mother's Day was a bit chaotic - I think the kids were tired from the baptism party the day before but for whatever reason mine were really cranky. It was still a nice day because we got to see my Mom and Karla and Pat and Uncle Ed brought me beautiful flowers! Bob worked hard to make the morning very special (with a little help from KK) and as I said in my previous blog it was heavenly to get all the kids and Bob to myself with no interruptions and breakfast in bed. I just thought you might enjoy a few pictures.

We had a Mother's Day toast with sparkling cider (the kids thought it tasted gross!) I don't remember what all of the kids said but I'll give you a few highlights. Yes - we are using paper cups because we are the classiest family around!

The idea behind the toast was for the kids to tell what the best thing about their Mom and their grandmother was. Molly's favorite thing about Grammy was her tea parties - Abby's was that Annie is always at her house - Peter's was that Grammy is always grateful (we weren't sure what he meant exactly but to him it was obvious and made perfect sense). Unfortunately I can't remember what Tyler said about Grammy (although Grammy probably does!) but his best thing about his Mom was that she reads books to him. As her only daughter and firstborn the thing I love best about my Mom is her unconditional love - crying fits, anger, unreasonable behavior and craziness and my Mom is there and actually seems happy to be there - she is the best. Karla's best thing about my Mom was great (A little bit of a kiss up, if you ask me!) - that she raised a wondeful, caring son - can you hear me puking? I should have thought to do a toast for Karla, too, but I was cranky and nasty on Mother's Day - since its my blog I'll do it now - Karla is truly one of the best mothers I know, she is patient, kind, caring, loving and affectionate - she stays calm in situations that would drive me insane and best of all she adores my brother and brings out the absolute best sides of him!

Grammy's gift was a Pedicure with the girls - I know what you're thinking - the girls make out in the deal too right? - But we're all mother's so leave us alone! And the babies made her a stepping stone with their hand and footprints - the four big kids helped us decorate and print the names on it and it was adorable. A comment was made that the stepping stones were now complete because all of the kids were accounted for and Karla pointed out that it will only last for another 6 months!

My mom has done many wonderful things in her life but being a grandmother is a gift that my mother has - loving the kids and making them feel special at all turns - good and bad, knowing when one kid needs special attention and doting on them or being more patient than their mom's are able to be, and affirming her children about their parenting skills so that they can be even better are just a few of the things my mom does incredibly. In short - having my mother as a mother is a blessing and some day my kids will be saying the same thing about their grandmother.

Karla obviously had a long and tiring Mother's Day - she needed a little snooze with Katie at one point! Katie was feeling very holy the day after her baptism!

Peter had a field trip at the 4-H farm today - he was very cute looking at all the animals and planting his own seeds. He had a rough day in a way because his routine was off - not easy for my uptight son but by the end of the trip he was getting into it and enjoying himself.
My little Ham with the magnifying glass to his eye - he was supposed to be looking at seeds!
2 of Peter's friends from school, Victoria and Trinity!
Probably one of Peter's best friends at school - Carlos. He has come over to the house a few times and we just love him and his family!
I have to give a shout out to Mrs. Nelson because she had a REALLY bad day today and we LOVE Mrs. Nelson. I asked Pete what his favorite thing about Mrs. Nelson was and he responded that it was her crazy orange hair and how she dances and sings all the time (he misses the singing this year) Molly's response was even cuter - Mrs. Nelson loves and hugs all of her kids - even the bad ones! (I did explain to her that there are no bad kids just kids who behave badly but.......)

Another Annie video - this one is her discovering herself in the mirror - I personally have trouble not just kissing on this kid every minute of the day - she is amazingly happy and serene all the time. I love at the end when she kisses herself in the mirror - I just want to eat her up! Bob says that she is excited because she finally found someone as cute as she is - that's our proud Daddy!

I'm off to watch American Idol - if you're trying to reach my mom tonight - wait until after 11 because from 9-11 the phone will be busy while she votes for her favorite American Idol 100 times!

GNM - ILY

Sunday, May 11, 2008

The Luckiest Mom in the World!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's, grandmothers and godmother's! It is only 11 a.m. and I am already overwhelmed with the blessings of the day. I slept late, got served breakfast in bed with balloons and flowers, and had all 3 kids and Bob snuggled up with me for an hour while I ate. My Mother's Day present is coming in a few weeks in the form of a big beautiful kitchen sink that will be large enough to bathe my babies in - at least Annie and the new baby! Bob is off grocery shopping with the kids while I shower and get dressed so that we can go spend the afternoon with my beautiful Mom, sister-in-law, brothes and nieces and nephews - and Bob and the kids , of course. So I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day!

The Chefs!
Mommy and her babies sharing breakfast in bed - check out Annie trying to pilfer my breakfast!
I'm ending with a prayer that Bob and I have always loved! It reminds us of the main responsibility we have as parents!
Happy Mother's Day!

Parents' Prayer

O Father, our hearts are filledwith a great happiness.
For you have seen fit to bless us with children.
You have sent us your own little angels to love and protect.
We are aware of the great responsibility that is ours and we are humble.
We realize the honor you have bestowed upon us and we are grateful.
Great that we may be ever patient and loving,
living in such a way as to set a shining example for our little ones.
And as we seek to set those tiny feet upon the paths of righteousness,
be ever with us.
May our home be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit is ever present.
And may our children find you in each activity of our family life.
Bless us, we pray,and walk beside us through all our days together. Amen.
- Norman Vincent Peale