Quick Takes #135

1. Summer has almost assuredly taken up residence as we are experiencing our third day in a row above 90, aka heat wave; surviving with a/c, ceiling fans and lots of lemonade!
2. Caitlin while definitely growing and changing ~ is still sporting the cradle cap which we are really hoping to clear up before her Baptism in a little over a week ~ knowing ironicly that the Chrism will be just the ticket if we don't have cleared by then.
3. Yes she has yet to be officially initiated into the Church; don't ask ~ I'm still not completely clear on how waiting till after Lent somehow lead to the date being after the Easter Season too; a weird  yet ultimately boring tale of busy families/busy time of year, etc.
4. We have yet again plunged into the fun realm of home repair/improvement; very excited to see the end results, not happy to be down a bathroom ~ and really hoping it is all done by the time out-of-town family arrives for the Baptism!
5. Author Father Andrew Greeley who has been 'living in the twilight' since suffering a brain injury in 2008 died yesterday.  Did not always agree with his conclusions but appreciated his writing and commitment to ask the tough questions.  
6. Rules regarding screen time (TV and iPad) went very lax recently what with school finishing and the weather alternating between pouring rain and swelter heat.  We have a couple weeks until officially summer activities start for Lisbeth, I torn between thinking we need to get back into better balance regarding screen time and thinking that balance will come as other activities start happening and not let this become a power conflict.
7. Having the good weekend!

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes

Five Favorites Vol 5

Linking up with the wonderful Hallie and sharing my faves in summer:

1. Swimming:  The best way to beat the heat, get some exercise and have great fun.

2. Reading outside; some books on my summer reading list are: Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, The Corinthian (a reread) and Between Heaven and Mirth

3. Being by the ocean; truly I love this anytime of year but it lasts longer during the summer!

4. Picking and enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables

5. Eating ice cream: I love ice cream especially homemade ~ small shop ~ eat outside cones

Please head over to Moxie Wife and share some of your favorites.

5 minute friday: View

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:

View

     I think it is sort-of amazing how some views or vistas become the touch-points places in our lives.  This sea-wall with steps down to the ocean, waves crashing at high tide or seal sightings at low.  I'm watching as this place, with fish & chips or pastry and coffee, become for my kids an essential part of a trip to visiting G-ma, and where I take so many heart-pictures of my family smiling staring out to the sea. 

DONE

Please visit LisaJo's for more 5 minute friday

Why I Love My Husband Vol 8

     Back from a wonderful, exhausting and crazy weekend where we packed as much family time and memory lane visiting as we could given sold-out hotels, rainstorms and 3 small children ~ and the requirement that it begin after a workday (shorten) on Friday and end in time for Mass back in PA on Sunday evening.  Some of the ways my guy made it all work:

1. He insisted that we take time for cards & presents before we left because he didn't want my actual birthday to get lost in the packing/getting on the road craziness ~ and he thought (correctly) that I might want to take one of my presents, a book I wanted, with us.
2. In addition to wanting to attend the graduation of a young cousin the other reason for the trip was to mark a milestone birthday.  When I was twenty my mom and I journeyed back to Rhode Island where she married and I was born; and in the waters off Point Judith is also where we released my dad's ashes.  The graduation celebrations were wonderful but more time consuming than either of us had anticipated but Charlie would not let me back out of going to a Galilee Beach or Point Judith.  We first opted for the lighthouse because it was already growing dark but when we learned that it won't be lit due to repairs, to the beach we went ~ so glad, so grateful.
3. He suggested we find a morning Mass by our hotel so I could attend in relative peace ( I had Caitlin who is generally low-key) since he wouldn't be able to help me much at our home parish given his music commitment this week ~ and while I was at Mass he made good on our beach promise to Lisbeth who had been asleep the night before when we finally made it to the beach.
4. Did the majority of the driving on Sunday in the oh-so-fun stop & go traffic getting home.

Looking to make the trip better.

Quick Takes #134

1. Yesterday with help from my mini assistants managed to throw a fun mini-party for the Birthday Daddy ~ and still get everyone to bed nearly on time. Score!!!
2. Gosnell case: I'm glad he was found guilty and will be accountable for his actions (many of them) ~ and that there will be time to sit & think about those actions.  Still praying for the victims; working my way to praying for him.
3. The kids finished up school this week, it was a wonderful year for both of them.  I am so happy for both of them ~ they seemed to have learned a lot and grown while having a great time: Excellent!
4. Today is my birthday ~ I've always liked having a May birthday; during the school year so I could celebrate with my classmates but usually warm enough that outside things were an option. And given that it is the day after my husband's, it is easy for him to remember.
5. I don't yet have any profound thoughts about changing decades (so to speak), but since I keep feeling as if I should ~ I'll keep working on it.  
6. Road trip this weekend for a cousin's graduation and some birthday fun.  Lisbeth and Liam are good travelers and are excited about staying in a hotel.  We will see how Caitlin handles her first long car trip.  Is there a patron Saint for car trips?
7. He never reads here but I still want to give a birthday shout-out to my birthday neighbor and favorite husband!

Corolla'08

Have a good weekend, and please visit Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes.

Wordless Wednesday: My Girls at 4 months

7 Quick Takes # 133: Caitlin at 4 months

Please excuse a blog as baby book post

1. Definitely rolling, and lifting head well when on her stomach ~ currently finds it funny to suddenly be facing a different way.
2. Our suspicion of teething was right, she marked turning 4 months by popping thru a tooth, maybe 2.
3. Cooing, perhaps even babbling a ton ~ not quite so adorable at 3am but always cute.
4. Still happy to hang out in the sling, especially outside which makes taking the older 2 to the playground so much easier.
5. Her opinion of both the carseat and baths continues to improve; which is good considering we have a road trip coming up.
6. Eyes are still blue, perhaps to stay. 
7. Happy, growing and such a blessing ~ here's to the next four months.

Please head over to Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's round-up

Theme Thursday: Mom

Linking up again with the lovely Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Mom

A couple of my favorite shots of me with my munchkins,

August '08 with the little one who made me a mom

with Liam

and one of them with my mom.

Please head over to Clan Donaldson for more Theme Thursday.

Five Favorites Vol 4

The brain child of Hallie Lord, this week hosted by Grace of Camp Patton

1. Sun bleaching: Someone mentioned to me when our first was an infant that sunlight works wonders on clothes with poop blowouts ~ get the stain wet and put in the sun and the stain largely fades. LOVE THIS!






2. Self-feeders for ice: Caitlin has recently started some major drooling and chomping down on her fingers and our knuckles, we are wondering if teething is around the corner ~ so I'm bringing back out our self-feeders, which I have never really liked for food (find really tough to clean) but LOVE as a way to let my teething baby safely suck on ice.



3.  3 minute retreats: a wonderful site by Loyola press which offers the opportunity to reflect on single bible passage with some guided reflection and suggested prayers.


4. Mini ice cream cones: Big enough for a kid treat, small enough that I feel ok saying Yes to this treat a couple times a week.

5. Lily of the Valley:  Since I have a May birthday it has long been a tradition with my mom to await the first blossom of the month's official flower Lily of the Valley.  Having successfully transplanted some of hers; behold as of this week in my yard:

Quick Takes #132

1. Happy May! (how is that for quick)
2. Netherlands has a new king which would already be newsworthy made even more so as it is the first reigning king since 1890, who was followed by the present king's great-grandmother, grandmother and mother.  King Willem-Alexander has 3 daughters!
3. Caitlin is rolling, mostly by accident still but with increase frequency and purpose ~ which means the times of leaving her laying on the couch or changing table are coming to an end.
4. I will be 40 this birthday and interestingly Anne Voscamp of Holy Experience posted the 40 things one needs to know before you're 40.  I find I need to take in her writing a little at a time, so perhaps these are some of the ideas I will ponder in my 40th year.
5. The end of year performance for our nursery school was this week; it is always interesting to watch and see who is shyly singing and dancing or even just standing still, and who like Lisbeth; sings, dances and waving shouts "MOM" while waiting for the music to start.
6. I've been meaning to write a post about Dr. Gosnell, the trial, and most of the media largely ignoring it all; but I still can't put it coherently in words ~ my heart aches so much for all the women and babies harmed or killed and given that it happened at the edge of the campus where I went to college, within view of the church I attended I feel guilt even though I honestly never heard of him or the clinic until the raid and his arrest.  So I will start with a small but vital point, the defense keep saying he should be excused for all of the violations because he was providing a vital service for low cost. WRONG, that excuses old beat-up chairs in your waiting room, no art on the wall and very long wait times, it does not absolve one from not sterilizing instruments and  using untrained and unlicensed staff.  If you say you provide a service you are obligated to provide it safely and correctly!
7. A picture for sitting my ranting in #6. Guess who is Bumbo big?
   
   
   
   Have a good weekend, and please visit Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes.

Theme Thursday: Play

Linking up with Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Play

It is always fun in those first few spring visits back to the playground to see the invisible progress over winter, those ladders and slides that were too hard in the fall are suddenly easy & fun!

And there is so much scope for the imagination, just ask Pirate Captain Liam

Please visit Clan Donaldson for more Theme Thursday Fun

Five Favorites Vol 3

I really enjoy linking up for 5 Favorites, but before another round of current favorites I would like to establish a few all-time favorites:

1. Month: May, my birthday, my husband's, Mothers Day, and the unofficial start to summer; what is not to like!!

2. Hot Drink: Mocha, my mom used to let us put a little coffee in our hot chocolate and so for me nothing has really changed except the ratios.

3. Movie: The Philadelphia Story, Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart & Cary Grant all at their bests; it does not get any better!

4. Book Series: Anne of Green Gables ~ Eight beautifully written funny, inspiring books about an orphan claimed and loved grown to wife and mother.

5. Perfume: Arpege by Lanvin, not for everyday but when dressing up and kicking life up a notch ~ my absolute favorite!

Please head over to Moxie Wife hosted by the lovely Hallie for more Fave Five!