whoa... mommy of a teen!

Sunrise: February 13, 2010

It's a party!

For: Sean

Where: Sean's house

When: February 12th after school

Why: Sean is turning 13!

Stay until you can't stand playing together any longer :)

The forecast: 3 inches of snow...

Reality: 8 inches of snow accumulation!

The night of the 12th (approximately 11:00 pm) -- Sean asks me, "if you're (I'm) going to put all the decorations and stuff up, Mom?". No rest for the weary!

Sundaes for all... 8!!

Daybreak: 8 boys in need of outerwear... comatose mother complies!

Strike a pose with some attitude!

Let the hot chocolate begin!

2 dozen doughnuts for 8 (did I mention that already?) famished young men!

Whip cream -- forgot to pick up Ready Whip!!

La Voila! Hot Chocolate for all!

Four of Eight. :)

5:30 pm: round 2!

Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and Grands -- ribs for all. Birthday boy's menu of choice!

Lighting the way...

Bright accomplishment.

Cousins doing what cousins do best: joy!

Another birthday behind us, and teenage years ahead!!

sweetest valentino

Happy Valentines Day!

Life doesn't get much sweeter than spending time with the ones you love. Yesterday was Sean's birthday. My sister, her husband, and three children joined us for dinner and cupcakes. Nan and Pops came too, of course!

I had the honor of cuddling with precious Weston (11 days old!). He is every bit of sweetness, imaginable! What a blessing to have another healthy nephew in my life. Even more of a blessing: the fact that I get to love him without limits, and send him home to be cared for (read: middle of the night feedings!) by my sis!

Today was a day of recuperation for all of us. After having spent two days with 8 boys, and dinner guests, I was in need of some down time. The fact that it's Valentines Day, kind of escaped my mind. Not habitual on my part, as I'm usually pretty on-the-ball with holidays, and special events.

My boys, however, remembered! They returned home from church bearing gifts. Each had chosen a bunch of their favorite flowers for me. How sweet! I enjoyed every moment of arranging them.

Tonight, as I sit here writing this new post, I've been given a chance to reflect. Time to think about all of the blessings in my life that bring me love. My husband, children, sister, brother, in-laws, extended family, and friends; a wealth of love.

Thank you, Lord, for filling my life with love and joy. I am so very grateful. A Happy Valentines Day, indeed.

welcome baby!

Weston Grey

7 lbs. 5 oz. 19 1/4" long

February 2, 2010

Big Brother, Zephaniah

Big Sister, Finlay-Rose

Proud Aunt: ME!! :)

My sister (Christina) has blessed me and Jim with another sweet nephew. Cousins, Sean and Conor, are elated!

Christina's baby shower was celebrated on Saturday, as Weston made his debut a month early! God is so good!! Both baby and mommy are healthy and well.

Pictures from Saturday's baby shower to come!

love and yesterday

If you were to walk up to a candy dish (filled to the brim with candy!), would you pass it, and keep on walking? Let me rephrase that question with one more detail: you're 7 years old; now, would you keep on going -- or stop?! Next question: it's out in the open, so would you free to help yourself to a piece of candy out of the dish?

After school pickup yesterday, Conor and I spent some time with one of my friends, and her daughters. The kids played, and my friend and I spent the time catching up on lost time. After about an hour of playtime, I realized we needed to get home. We said our goodbyes, and off we went! As we pulled into the garage, Conor came up to the front of the car, and laid a handwritten note next to me. He grabbed a pen out of the console, and handed it to me. "Mommy, sign on the line, please. If you don't sign, I'll have to go to the principal's office tomorrow.". Seemed urgent. I read the note. It was a note from Conor, himself. (see below (: )

I told Conor to show Daddy his note. His face got flush in color. Taking the note from my hand, Conor went inside to (meet his destiny!) find Jim. This is what I heard, "but, Dad, I didn't take the candy off of Father Toole's desk; it was on the lady's desk!". Father Toole, beloved priest, and friend to all. Doesn't get much sweeter than that. Love... would never allow you to steal a piece of candy!