Distractions and throwing up

Today at Mass there was this high pitched beeping noise that was so loud. No one ever figured out what it was. Someone thought maybe it was a hearing aid. Whatever it was, it was so distracting. It started right about when Father started his homily and continued through a large part of it (which was really good by the way). It finally stopped and then started up again several different times. It was the kind of noise where you have to squirm a little just listening to it. On the upside, things like that make me pray a little harder. Distraction are only as powerful as we let them be. I know taking the little ones to Mass everyday has given me the discipline to keep a close eye on them and yet really focus on what is going on. Well after Mass, the PTO had a breakfast and now I have an hour or two then it is off to a ball game which I will leave early to go to Holy Hour (my kids know I will not miss a Holy Hour for any ball game, and I have never heard any of them complain). Then, I will relax with the kiddos. They got back at 10:30 last night and two of them were sick. I was nice and comfy on the couch with Monica and Cecelia starts throwing up! Not quite the homecoming I was thinking of.

Library

The library is almost up and running. I hope people take advantage of it. I thought it would be so great spending the last few days reading books. The hard part was which book to read. I have taken and put back at least 15 books and now I am down to three I am going to finish before I get more :) They are "The Lord" by Romano Guardini (he is amazing), "A retreat with Edith Stein" by Patricia Marks (never heard of her before) and "Perfect Prayer & Adoration" by Fr. Joseph-Marie Perrin. It was nice being able to read for hours, but I REALLY miss my babies! They will be home in a few hours. YEEEHEEEEE. I think it is about time to get the house clean. Like I have a chance. Any suggestions on good books to add to our Catholic Lending Library would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I have to go make a coffee cake for a breakfast after Mass tomorrow. And I have to lead the rosary if I can't get my Mary to do it. My CCD class leads it before Mass each week, but we don't have class tomorrow, and of course I didn't plan ahead.

Thanksgiving

Mark, Anna and I went to my sister's for Thanksgiving. She always has it because she has twins and a younger daughter and her own birthday this time of year. The food was great. My brother Rick came. Sometimes it is really hard to see him in such pain and so different from his normal self. He has brain tumors and is really suffering. Say a prayer if you get a chance. Also, my nephew has a bearded dragon and usually it sits there and does nothing, but today for some reason I was watching him and they let me hold him and pet him and then when we put him back in his cage he followed me from one end of the cage to the other. I have never seen him move so much. He was really cool. Maybe one of my kids will get one for Christmas??? Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Anna

Now that Basketball season if almost over, I finally scanned Anna's volleyball picture.
Here is my soon to be teenager (in January)

Thanksgiving Break

I just finished the ironing. UGH! I really don't mind ironing, just the time it takes to do it. Mark is taking the five younger kids to Texas with his mom from Wednesday thru Saturday for Thanksgiving. I will be home here with Anna and Mark. I am trying to start a Catholic lending library at our church, and so will be able to do so while the little ones are gone. Nothing major, just anyone who wants to bring their books for others to borrow. Father has lots of books, and I have a decent amount, so I think we will be off to a good start. I really look forward to spending some of the days going through books.
As I am trying to type this, the cat will not leave me alone. Now, I am not a big fan of cats in general, but the two we have are really great (although annoying at times like now).

Life is SOOOO Busy

Wow, I never thought I would post again. Things have been so crazy these past few weeks. I took Mary to the doctor on Monday with a broken finger. On Friday she was back at the doctor with strep throat. She is the last one to be treated for strep so hopefully we will go all winter without anyone getting sick. HA! We took Anna to the ER on Saturday because she hit her head really hard during a basketball game. She is fine, but it is rather scary to have seen her grabbing her head and crying because she was in such pain. Monica now has a therapist coming to the house to work with her for her CP. She will fit her for a brace for her leg soon. It is great that we do not have to go to Lawrence to therapy anymore. The therapist is really nice and works well with Monica. And she has been my nephew's therapist and my sister really loves her.

Father's Party

We planned a surprise Birthday Party/Roast for Fr. Jon's 50th birthday. It was so much fun. During the roast he was laughing so hard he could not read the letter his brother sent. That alone was well worth all the work it took to plan a party without him finding out. It was really neat. I got a bunch of pictures from when he was a kid and the principal of the school made a video that was amazing and watching it made me realize how blessed we are that he is at our parish. I actually got up in front of everyone and roasted father. I have never got up in front of anyone before and spoke. I don't even like it when they make the CCD teachers go up in front of the church for a blessing. But, I expect my Confirmation kids to get up and say the Rosary before Mass and do things in front of people, so I figure I need to put my money where my mouth is. Considering I have never planned anything more than a kids birthday party or sleepover, it turned out very good.