Happy Birthday Curtis!

Five years ago today my "baby" was born. Labor was LONG and HARD and emotionally and physically draining...and we were just dying to see if we were having a boy or a girl! As soon as Jacob lifted the baby into my line of vision I was able to make my exciting announcement "ITS A BOY!!!!" and he was finally in my arms! What a glorious moment it is to see the love husband and wife share manifested into flesh! Jacob and I fell in love all over again as we shared these first glimpses at our precious son. We were absolutely delirious with excitement and exhaustion all at the same time. I knew it then but I know it so much more now that we are so very blessed by this baby! As I look at Curtis today I can not believe I have been a mommy for five years! I can still picture my enormous belly with two little bumps sticking out just under my right ribs, he was such a kicker then, now hes our little kangaroo kicking his way to sleep every night. He is ever our cuddle bug constantly nursing back then and sleeping nestled into mommy's armpit every night. And does he ever still loves his snuggles with Mommy and Daddy! I pray he never grows out of that personality trait! You have such an honest and gentle soul I pray that God gives us the wisdom to protect your innocent heart always. We love you so very much sweet boy and are so proud of the little man you are growing to be! You are our constant joy and delight and we are honored to be your parents. Happy fifth birthday love!

December 18th Daybook

Outside my window... its nice and cold. Its not always cold here for Christmas but it looks like thankfully this year it will be. I love being able to wear sweaters everywhere...especially now when I am outgrowing most other things.

I am thinking...about having a lazy Sunday morning with my boys. We have been having mostly lazy days lately. We went to mass last night with my family so this morning we are going to stay in our warm jammies and read lots of Christmas books. Maybe I will even get out some hot chocolate...yummy!

I am thankful...For help from my parents yesterday. Jacob has been out of town since Wednesday and I was thankful to have some help with my sweet and energetic boys. I went out to a super long lunch with Father Drew. It was a wonderful lunch full of fruitful discussion and valued advice from a dear and holy friend! He definitely left me with lots to ponder!

In the kitchen...not too much cooking going on here. I took the kids on a date Thursday night. Friday night we had movie and pizza night (read...mommy was super sick and trying to survive until bedtime :) ) Saturday night we had fuzzys tacos with my family. Tonight we are having dinner at my parents for Aunt Kristy's birthday. And my amazing friend Kesa dropped off a meal unannounced yesterday...I am so very thankful to have dinner ready for another "Mommy's super sick and trying to survive until bedtime" day! I absolutely realize how very blessed I am to have friends like her! What a giving heart she has!

I am wearing...warm and comfy PJ's and am unashamed that I will most likely be in them the majority of the day :) that's pretty much the usual around here until I get back to feeling human again.

I am creating...gingerbread houses this week with my boys. With graham crackers of course...really who likes gingerbread anyhow?!

I am wondering...if we are having a boy or a girl. Also wondering what we will name this sweet baby. We usually have names set by now but we are far from that this time. We will definitely decide between now and our next appointment on January 10th as we may find out the sex of the baby that day. Any ideas?? We are trying to decide between Catherine or Emily for a girl and have no clue for a boy...

I am reading...my Magnificat and thats it. I bought Jacob a Kindle Touch for Christmas so I am hoping to get a book for myself on it in the next few weeks. I would really like to read the book that Elizabeth Foss is recommending: Grace for the Good Girl.

Towards living the liturgy: Jacob has been calling every night at eight so he can read us our Jesse Tree scripture for the day and say an advent prayer for us. Its so hard to have him gone and especially during this wonderful tradition. I'm thankful that we have the ability to pray as a family still though.

I am looking forward to...lots of fun Christmas activities this week! The nutcracker ballet with Curtis and my mom tomorrow, making gingerbread houses, going to the Alvin Christmas Train, looking at Christmas lights, Schwartz family Christmas at Uncle Denny's, and of course Jacob coming home on Thursday!

One of my favorite things...snuggling under a warm blanket with my boys next to our Christmas tree and reading a classic Christmas book.

Here is picture thought worth sharing...

2011 Photoshoot

Seriously this is THE BEST picture I think we have ever taken together. Really, I think its even better than our wedding pictures!

We are thinking of using this one and making it into a canvas to hang over our mantel...its between this one and the other one of our whole family standing in the trees. Would love your input on which one to choose!
Love this one of our sweet boys!
our big (almost) 5 year old!
too cute for two!
the Christmas picture :) Love how the boys are holding hands here...couldn't be any sweeter. Our amazingly talented friend and neighbor took these pictures for us again this year. Thank you so very much Sabrina (Sabrina K Photography) for your generous giving of talent!! We couldn't be happier with our pictures!

Baby #3 Update

Saw our beautiful baby again yesterday :) we are 12 weeks on Thursday!!!! Praise be to God! The baby was really moving around during the ultrasound. The boys came with us and really enjoyed seeing the sweet little one. Nicky said "baby swimming" and Curtis loved that the baby had his/her hand up by its face just like he always did in his ultrasounds. He says the baby is going to be just like him. I told him "I hope so!" cuz he sure is a sweet big man! We go back to the dr. in four weeks and he said he thinks we will find out the sex of the baby that day. We are really excited to see if this awful morning sickness lives up to the old wives tale and its a girl. I think I may be the only one not surprised when its another boy though. Even the dr. and his nurses are guessing girl this time. We shall see what the Lord will provide. Obviously we will not be disappointed either way! I am just so very thankful to have a healthy baby. Its been such a miracle watching this perfect little baby just growing by leaps and bounds between every appointment. I feel so fortunate to be with a dr. that is so ultrasound happy. We get sneak peeks every single visit!

Random Updates

Curtis finished up his soccer season last weekend. The crocodiles had a great last game and a really nice team party at Spring Creek BBQ. The kids on this team were really spectacular and we were all a little sad to see the season end. I have already seen some of the parents since then and am sure we built some lasting friendships. Coach Jason had some really wonderful things to say about our little Curt Burt too. He commented on how he was always there with a cheerful heart ready to listen. I couldn't care less at this point how well he can play soccer but it was sure nice to hear that his character is whats making him shine. He really is a darling little man. It was really neat to see him cheer his friends on at the games and I am so very glad we signed him up. He says he wants to play T-Ball in the spring so we are looking forward to trying something new.

Morning sickness is still in full force for me. I keep thinking its going to let up soon (11 weeks yesterday) but so far its only getting worse. To say its been a challenge to manage the house, kids, school, extracurricular events, and advent while trying to manage the morning sickness would be an understatement. Jacob is going out of town next week on Tuesday and will not be home until the following Monday. I am not quite sure how thats going to work for us. He is really working hard to provide for us and help me in any way he can. Not sure how I can do it without him next week but I guess I will have to figure it out! I did have a wonderful surprize this week though as two of my dear friends popped by with little baskets of love. One brought a delicious pot pie ready for dinner that night and another brought a package full of common remedies for morning sickness. I am so very blessed by the beautiful friends I am surrounded with!

Speaking of beautiful friends I hosted a wonderful feast of St. Nicholas party here on Tuesday. I absolultly didn't think I was going to be able to pull it off this year. Jacob helped me out a ton with the grocery shopping and craft preparation. Jessica came early to help me get it all thrown together. And the house was clean enough to be full of 28 beautiful bustling children :) It was a new record crowd this year! It is something we all look forward to each year and I am so thankful to have had enough help to not have had to cancel it. The kids enjoyed painting St. Nick ornaments, eating brunch, listening to St. Nicholas stories, and watching an adorable St. Nicholas movie. It was a great morning!

I had lots more I wanted to post about but honestly I don't have the energy today. Praying I'm out of the worse of it next week...will write more then :)

Happy Birthday Nicky!

My baby turned two today. Hard to believe its been two years since we became a family of four...and now we are looking forward to being a family of five! Nicky had a great day that included "ice ream" twice, chicken nuggets for lunch, spaghetti for dinner, and lots of family around to spoil him he was a happy boy! We told Curtis last week that he could decide on what present he wanted to get for Nicky and we would help him use his piggy bank money to buy it for him. Last night Jacob and Curtis headed to Bass Pro Shops to buy a pop gun...those little guns you pop a cork in and out of and it makes a super fun sound. He gave the cashier five dollars in quarters :) and she gave him a gift bag and wrap for free. He could hardly wait to give it to him this morning. It was a really special brother moment. Curtis told him that he had to be really careful with the gun because he spent a lot of money on it! I love you my sweet baby boys! Thank you for lighting up my life and keeping me laughing always! Always kiss me goodnight!!!!

Psalm 127:3

I have a beautiful plate with this special Psalm on it: "Children are a gift from the Lord." What a spectacular gift they are! Tonight we were sitting down to dinner and as I glanced at the table next to us I noticed a young teenage girl glowing in her seventh month of pregnancy. My first thought was thank God that she had made the choice to carry her child. Thank God that she was mature enough to make such an adult decision. Thank God that she has a support system where she feels like she has the option to give life to this child. My heart aches for the millions of women who didn't make the same choice. I thought about all the millions of questions this young woman must have had when she took that pregnancy test. What ran through her mind as she sat there realizing that her life had dramatically changed at that very moment? Did she feel alone? Scared? Shocked? Distraught? How did she tell her family? What was the reaction of the father? I can't even begin to imagine all the ramifications she has experienced at each step along her pregnancy. How many hateful looks and comments has she received from the world? What courage she has! I asked myself, Does she realize what a miracoulous gift her child is? Does she realize that no matter how he came into existance that he has a soul and a purpose and a design and was hand picked by God to be given life through HER. Maybe his will is for an adoptive family to be blessed by her gift. Maybe she will have the resources and the courage to raise him as her own. Maybe he will bless the world in ways she never dreamed of. Thank God that this beautiful young woman choose life! I wanted to tell her how precious her baby was. How thankful I am that she had enough courage to carry him to term. I wanted to hug her family and thank them for sticking by her through times I am sure they never hoped for their baby girl.

I thought of my own pregnancies. I have taken five pregnancy tests in my life. Each one has been positive and each time I have jumped with Joy at the life within me. I have monetary and spiritual support. I have an amazing family and husband who squeals with delight with me as I share the news. How truly blessed I am. This child growing within me is such a delight to my entire family. Fear, shock, distress, anxiety, those are all things have never been a part of my pregnancy tests.

As our family lit our advent wreath tonight we read about Mary and Joseph. Their engagement, their plans for marriage, and the angel Gabriel who rocked their world. What was Mary thinking when she heard she was with child? Did she ponder how this would affect her family? Her engagement? Her friendships? Her life? The bible says she was frightened when she heard the angel. He told her not to worry that God had found favor with her. She courageously said YES to God's will. She stopped in that moment realizing that her life was not her own and focused all energy into HIS will. Becoming a tabernacle to the precious body of Christ. May she give us all the Grace to do the same. May she bless these courageous woman who have chosen life and all those who support and embrace her in her time of need.

God help me to remember that my children are a blessing. Help me to remember those women who could use my support and assistance to give life to their children. Help me to always say YES to God's will immediately, without thought of myself, with perfect obedience, and courage. Bless this Advent to be a reawakening to the gift of life. A time where we can SLOW DOWN and enjoy one another and focus on the gift of HIM.

My joy and my delight these children are. Thank you Thank you God for finding me worthy!!

To take or not to take

We saw our beautiful little baby again today :) he/she looks beautiful all curled up in there! Beautiful quick little heart beat just chugging away. Its been almost two years since I have seen my regular Ob/Gyn...is it weird that I was excited to see him and his nurses today? Everyone there was so very excited for us as we walked out of the ultrasound with a picture of a 8.5 week healthy baby! They remember those two times when I walked out sobbing, and they are so supportive and so thankful right along with us. He asked how I was feeling and without going into too much detail I told him pretty darn awful. He recomended that I take some Zofran to help with the nausia. Now I am just not sure what to do. I would definetly love the break from this awful feeling but should I take it??? The doctor kept telling me "its not going to hurt the baby...take it!" I think he thought I was crazy for not being sure. I just don't like to take anything unless I have to. Remember, I'm one of those crazies that tries to have unmediated births whenever possible. Sigh....but I can't even remember what it felt like to be normal. And maybe I could actually eat a more balanced diet, and maybe I could swim again without making the lifeguards tremble with my gagging...or should I just tough it out? I am almost nine weeks now so it can't be too much longer...

Most important, our baby is HEALTHY! Praise be to God!

Big Brothers

That's right folks baby number three is in the oven! We had an ultrasound today and saw a beautiful strong heartbeat just ticking away. The entire family is of course overjoyed to be welcoming a new baby. The boys have been petting my tummy since the moment we told them and Curtis says he can't wait until I get bigger and bigger and bigger! Nicholas likes to remind me that he can't jump on mommy anymore and always says "no no jump, baby tummy!" then gives my tummy a little pat and moves on to jump onto big brother or daddy. I have been feeling the presence of this little one in the form of morning (...more like ALL DAY) sickness starting at about week five. Each week its getting progressively worse...but its definitely something I am willing to live with if it means a healthy baby. Hopefully I only have a few more weeks of sickness to overcome. Here are some pictures of my boys I took the morning we found out. I showed them to Jacob that night when he came home from a trip with his best friends to Baton Rouge. Praise God for his abundant blessing!!!!

Minnesota

Our family has had a fantastic and super busy two weeks. Last week the Groves family trecked it back to Texas and we had an absolute blast catching up with them. The kids just can't get enough of one another which allowed for some great Mommy chat time too! We are just so thankful for such wonderful friends!!!



The day after saying goodbye to the Groves we headed to Minnesota to visit Grandma Curtis and the rest of the Curtis family. We stayed at our dear friends Mike & Emily's house and got to spend some great quality time with them too. It was a really wonderful and relaxing week hanging out with our family.

No time

No time to post anything real. I'm working on an awesome project right now that's taking a whole lot of my energy. I can't wait to post all about it. But not now. Off to get back to work. Here are some festive pictures since this isn't a real exciting post :)

October 20th Daybook

Curtis is definetly completely over his pain. We are so thankful that he is completely healed and no longer hurting. It was rough to see him go through that healing process. So thankful that he is back to our sweet, happy, energetic, big man again!

I'm Thinking: About the stages of life. How quickly they pass by and how I want to savor every second of each one with both of my boys. My neices and nephews and my boys just grow up way too fast. Sometimes I find myself ready to "move on" to the next phase (read...challenging twos) but really I LOVE watching kids grow and change and I am most definitely going to enjoy the entire journey...not just the "easy" phases.

I'm listening to: The sounds of a curious...sometimes mischevious little man playing with everything in our house that isn't a toy. And the leaves rustling about outside. Love having the window open!

From the Kitchen: A pot roast and sweet potatoes tonight. Jacobs last night in town so we are going to enjoy this cool weather with a nice warm meal. I'm eager to get out my taco soup recipe soon too. Also, been thinking about making my sweet potato bread soon. This cool weather makes me want to bake something for sure.

Outside my window: Its cold! Yesterday was the first day we could finally open up our windows and enjoy fall. I'm sure it wont stick around for too long so we better soak it up while we can!

I'm wearing: my favorite PJ's. I got really excited this morning when I realized it was finally cold enough to pull out my winter PJ's. I love my super soft long sleeve black ones. Definitely going to be wearing those as often as possible.

To live the liturgy: We FINALLY got back to our evening family rosary. We have missed this terribly and tried to bring it back a few times already. We are forging ahead with this instrumental prayer and making it happen. No. Matter. What.

I'm praying for: Safe travels for the Groves. We CAN NOT WAIT to see our dear friends!!! We discuss the plans and the timeline at least three times a day around here. Everyone is eagerly anticipating the reunion.

For NFP at St. Laurence. We are really hoping to get all three classes required for all engaged couples and have a meeting set up with our priest in December. Wont you please join me in prayer for that?!

For Jacob, Travis, and Mike as they head to New Orleans to celebrate their 30th birthdays. I'm praying this trip is as epic as the trips they took for their 18th and 21st birthdays. They are such a wonderful testament to true friendship. They have been through a lot together and we are so thankful for their continued presence in our family!

I'm thankful for: Jacobs job. It has been really busy and stressful and overwhelming this year for Jacob. Yet, I know that we are so blessed by the perks of the travel and the flexibility of being "his own boss". He got an award yesterday and his sweet boss made sure to tell him that his wife and children were recieving the award too. Its nice to realize that as hard as he is working, he is being appreciated and that they realize he is making a lot of sacrifices to provide for his family.

Around the house: Our kitchen table is absolutely filthy. I think Nicholas has shoved yogurt in every crevice of his corner of the table. I have got to get on that today! I finally got out my fall decorations yesterday too. All five of them :)

Some plans for the rest of the week: Soccer practice tonight. Sending Jacob off to New Orleans tonight. Zoo Boo tomorrow with Jessica. More Soccer this weekend. Seeing my first God Daughter next week. Been way too long!

A picture thought worth sharing: Nicholas loves nap time. This particular day he couldn't wait for us to be ready for naps. He found a nice place to rest :)

Hanging in there

We found out all too quickly that day one post surgery was the easy part!! Apparently when you are doped up on medicine a hamburger goes down no problem! Curtis has been totally melting down every four hours on the dot for the past few days...just in time to get his medicine again. Poor guy isn't eating much still and cringes as he swallows. Its awful to see him in so much pain. So we are taking it easy and drinking lots and watching lots of movies.

I feel like I am surrounded by baby girls these days. My cousin Megan just delivered her first little joy, baby Claire. Tommy and Kelli found out they are having a girl (the first girl on our block!). And a dear friend from highschool just delivered her baby girl today. Ohhhh as if my four nieces weren't enough to make me want to make bows and bedazzle everything in sight! Here I am bedazzled for my job as "manager" of Curtis's soccer team, the Crocodiles.

I made a shirt for Nicholas to cheer on Curtis's soccer team as well. Its as masculine as I could made it. Jacob says it won't be long until I can't bedazzle him anymore. So be prepared all you loved ones with squishy little girls. I am on a creative pink rampage!! Heres the shirt. Isn't he adorable???

He cheered the entire game. And danced. And ran on to the field at least a dozen times. "GO DILLES" (crocodiles) adorable!

Bet you're wondering what about Jacob?! I asked Jacob if he wanted a shirt and got a less than polite response. Then we showed up to the game and wouldn't you know it, there was a bedazzled dad with a "billy's dad" shirt on. Oh he got an ear full about that one. It is super hard to homemake mens shirts though. I tried to convince him to at least let me add a soccer ball to his polo. Got a big "NO" on that one too! So instead he just cheered twice as loud!

We are nearly certain that Curtis will be able to play in his second practice and game this week. We thought it would be a struggle to convince him not to play last week. Fortunately/unfortunate he felt so awful he had no desire to run or kick at all. But he did enjoy having his name announced before the game started. The coach said he was on "injured reserve" it was pretty cute.

Best moment of the game was by far when the coaches daughter refused to play goalie. She sat by the goal and watched while the other team scored twice in 10 seconds :) Oh and the little guy that scored the first goal of the game in his own goal. That was pretty cute too! I can't wait to see what Curtis does next week when he finally gets to play.

Such a TROPPER!

Our little man was SUCH a great patient today! We were so very proud of him as he got his tonsils and adnoids removed at Texas Childrens Hospital. We spent a lot of time preparing him for what he was going to experience today in hopes of a good experience. He was above and beyond brave today...honestly I could have taken a lesson from him...I was definitely not as brave for my surgery! He never complained about not getting to eat or drink for over twelve hours. He said "yes mam" and "yes sir" to all the nurses and doctors and rode off on his tractor to the OR happy as can be after a kiss from Mom and Dad. Soft Dog, his loyal companion, even got his own hospital bracelet so he could go to the OR with Curtis. He had a few tough minutes coming out of the anesthesia and was in a lot of pain and very much "out of it". Thankfully this passed as soon as the nurse gave him some extra pain medicine. Honestly he has hardly complained since and we haven't had any tears since then. He ate a hamburger for lunch! What a big boy! Now the trick is going to be getting him to sit still for a week...lots of movies in his future! Thanks to everyone for their prayers!
Here he is with Mom and Dad just about an hour after surgery. We left about an hour after this picture was taken. He still looks a little out of it but mustered up a bit of a smile.And here is the king in his chariot! He was pretty excited about getting to ride in the wheel chair and kept asking me to take pictures of him. I LOVE how tiny he looks in this big chair, look at his little legs dangling there!

Daybook September 24th

I'm reading: Hooked on Phonics? I'm still trying to balance myself with my home school responsibilities. I am totally floundering this week. I am still a newbie so I will remain patient with myself...that's my mantra these days :)

From the kitchen: Lots of Italian. Padre Pio party was fantastic and left us with some great left overs to recreate into fun new dishes. I am definitely trying to get creative :)

I'm thinking: About how to better utilize my time. I'm really trying to keep our family reigned in so we can stay on course and get a great start to schooling. This week took us out of the house A LOT so things felt a bit chaotic. Things didn't go the way I was hoping they would this week so now I need to reassess and alter.

I'm thankful for: Survival. The Melanoma run was this morning. I stood in line waiting for an awareness bracelet for about ten minutes. Next to the bracelets was a sign for people to write the names of people they were walking in memory of. Lots of names on that board and lots of tears by those who wrote them. There were also far too many children wearing lavender shirts (survivors) vs. white shirts (supporters) not to get choked up. I was so very happy to be able to run for such a great cause. It is really surreal to be running in this race just four months after my surgery. There was A LOT to be thankful for this morning!

I'm hoping and Praying: For Lila & Jeff & Gianna and a great start for a beautiful family!
For Kelly as she chases three boys and gags back her breakfast (#4 on the way!)
For Curtis and his meanie tonsils...hes really struggling to manage his pain and his behavior...
Safe travels for our family to ABQ next week
For hope and RCIA

Around the house: I hosted a fantastically fun party here on Tuesday. We had a crew of 23 kids aged seven and under. It was an absolute blast, a houseful of kids brings such sweet innocence and joy into a home it really is infectious! My roomba worked overtime trying to collect all the sand after everyone left. It was a really good excuse to scrub the floors and I'm happy to say things are no longer "beachy" around here.

Growing Up

Oh how my sweet boys are growing up! This picture was taken for their joint super hero birthday party last year. I took this one yesterday during a dress up session. My what a difference a year makes! Don't you love Nicks "smile" that's his awesome little cheese face. It is the new face of Nicholas in every single one of the pictures we have of him recently. Cracks. me. up!

Rebirth, Revival, Really fun RUN!

yahoo for free beer! I run and they all drink :)

Just after finishing the run
Here I am waiting for the race to begin notice I was right up there with the big guys :)

Lots more pictures up on our Shutterfly site

I had the joy of running the Galveston Re-birth Revival Race again this year. I ran it last year and it was my very first race. This year it was my first race after the heat stroke and after the melanoma. I had an absolute blast and exceeded my own expectations as far as time goes. I was super happy about running 2 minutes and 17 seconds faster than I did last year. It was a wonderful day surrounded by my super supportive family.

September 10th Daybook

Outside my window: is a beautiful morning! I could really get used to fall being here! The boys and I have lived outside this week and we are all happier because of it!

I'm pondering: the 10th anniversary of 9/11...where I was and what I was doing and what a crucial turning point this was in Jacob and I's relationship. I was blundering about only a few weeks into my freshman year at Baylor. Not really sure what a terrorist was and hoping and praying that maybe it was all just a flight pattern mistake (denial much?!)? I wanted nothing more than to be back at home with my parents that morning. I thought of my best friend from high school who was to be sworn into the Air Force on that very morning. I thought what in the world should I do on this historical day? So I sat in my room and cried and thought about my family and my friends and prayed no one I knew would be the next target. I'm not sure a single unselfish thought had yet entered my mind. In swoops my knight in shinning armor, as always Jacob was there with a clear mind. We (the large group of friends Jacob picked up and asked to join him) stood in a line around the Waco red cross waiting to give blood that day. I will never forget the way I looked at Jacob that day and realized what an outstanding MAN he was and always had been. I was so thankful that he took me out of my own selfish thoughts and focused me back on the bigger picture and how I could help. This was the first of millions of instances where my dear husband has saved me. I am so blessed!

I'm listening to: quiet...what a rare treat in a house of rambunctious boys!

I'm wearing: My PJ's its still pretty early and we have been up for awhile already :)

I'm thankful for: all of our service men and women. For the courageous people that put their life on the line everyday to assure another 9/11 never happens. For their heroic service to America. I am so thankful there are people SO much braver than myself who didn't retreat to selfish thoughts that day and ran right into that collapsing building.

From the kitchen: Lots of delicious meals this week. I made a new asian inspired salad and chicken dish this week. Its rare that I add a new menu item around here but I think the spicy peanut chicken is here to stay!

I'm thinking: About my come back to racing tonight. I am eager to get out there and RUN! I can't help but feel a bit nervous about the day. I have quite a few phone calls to make when I am done with my race, lots of friends and family casually threw in comments like "make sure you give me a call when your done...just to make sure your okay" The accident is still pretty fresh in my mind too. Its going to be a great day of physical and mental recovery. I am so looking forward to the thrill of a race!

Towards education: We had a great week of school around here. Lots of Seaton math, hooked on phonics K, hand writting without tears, Seaton Science...it was FUN! I need to throw in some calendar work next week and tweak the hooked on phonics a bit but over all it went really well.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: same as last week...working on a schedule that is flexible enough yet structured enough to keep us all accountable. Working on some beauty around here today too. Doing some re-arranging in preparation for our boys to get their bunk beds installed!

To live the liturgy: Friday morning mass was a real challenge this week. It means too much to me to give up going with my boys and I am so thankful we have made this a staple in our week. BUT...sometimes I think the graces I get from mass are directly cancelled by the sins I wrack up loosing my patience with a wiggly and screaming little monkey in the cry room!

I am hoping and praying:
For Jessica on her one year anniversary of her blood clot. Praising God shes here to tell the tale!
A safe and fun race tonight
Patience and diligence as we are homeschooling newbies
For Lily on her birthday week, our first birthday to not be with her....oh how we miss you all!!
For the horrendous forest fires raging all around us this week
For so many little friends that started school for the first time this week

Around the house: Things are looking good around here. I find that since we aren't here much I have gotten much more efficient with my cleaning time. This place was whipped into shape pretty quickly this week. Curtis is helping out a lot these days and that has been wonderful as well!

One of my favorite things: Looking at pictures of this day last year. Curtis and I were talking about my race today and he couldn't remember all the details. We pulled up the pictures on our computer and relished in the sweet chubbiness of Nicholas's cheeks. I hope Curtis has as much fun this year as he did last year!

A few plans for the rest of the week: School and hopefully lots of it! Zoo date with Kristy and Dan on Monday. SOOO looking foward to seeing the Schwartz clan! Ein Karim on Tuesday, Pastoral Council Tuesday night, Dinner date with friends Wednesday, and Baylor football next weekend!!!

A picture thought worth sharing:

Albuquerque

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures to sum up what we did in New Mexico this trip...check out all of our pictures at
http://thejjcountsfamily@shutterfly.com