Getting down to crunch time...

I should really be wrapping presents, but there is time right? Paul and I look at each other and wonder not only how we have accomplished what we have but how we are going to seal the deal. By the time we get everyone to sleep, we are usually asleep ourselves; yes, we have the bad habit of laying with our little ones to get them to sleep, and we end up falling asleep right along with them. While I love the cuddle time, especially with my Georgie, it renders me useless to complete projects like wrapping presents.

Do you have any idea what it is like shopping for 6 kids? I mean trying to keep things looking fair and all is a task itself. Last night, I finally laid everything out. Each kid had a pile, and then I scanned to see who looked a little heavy and who might look a little jipped. I have to say I did pretty well, and I will add that I did almost all of it in one night. I was a woman on a mission. I had done some research online and had a list of people and ideas and then headed to my favorite stores. It was way overwhelming to shop that long, and things were falling off the pile in my cart. I must have looked nuts, but hey, I hear I'm crazy. I think I actually spent less money doing it this way because I didn't have a chance to forget what I had already gotten for them. All in all, I am pretty pleased with myself. I think I picked out some neat stuff, and I don't think we went overboard.

I am totally excited to be bringing Santa back. For those of you who may not know, we have tried out some new traditions over the last few years. We would do our stockings on the Feast of St. Nicholas and would celebrate our Christmas with just us on Epiphany. Essentially, we took Santa out of the picture; I guess I was fighting commercialization and had some trouble connecting Santa to Jesus. I can admit it, I was too serious for the fantasy, but I really wanted our kids to know the true meaning of Christmas. Please refrain from judging.

Well, we have done some rethinking, and are happy to report that cookies and milk will be waiting for jolly old St. Nick this year. It is very exciting to have the magic of Christmas in our home. The kids know the true meaning, and they also know that God can in fact make reindeer fly. The kids can't wait to see what kind of presents Santa brings to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Isn't that just like Jesus to give us presents on His birthday?

Not sure what the plan will be for tomorrow, but it will probably involve some type of baking and maybe some frosting. Happy crunch time!

 

Dear family and friends,

We hope this update finds you all well, and hopefully cozy warm; we are currently getting more snow. This is such an extra busy time of year. It can be so hard to keep the stress level down and keep our eyes on the true meaning of the season, Jesus our Savior. We hope and pray that you are all feeling the calm and loving presence of Jesus in your life, and we pray that the new year brings you even more love, peace, and joy. We hope you enjoy a little update from our family to yours.

Paul continues to work for County Market grocery store. He actually just celebrated 10 years with them and over 18 years in the grocery industry; that must mean he is getting old. The gray hairs don’t help, and are most likely a result of his wife and kids; what a handful. He reports he is extremely content and happy with his life which spells success.

Meredith has taken on a new title of home management engineer; it just sounds so much better than homemaker, and of course there is her other jobs of child educator and dutiful wife. Life is busier than you could imagine and more than she thinks about all in one sitting-might make your head spin. Thankfully, she too is content and happy and knows God will provide all she needs for the undertaking He has entrusted to her.

Elizabeth is in the 6th grade now and seems to be changing more and more into a young lady everyday, complete with mood swings and all. She is an amazing big sister and very devoted to her family and her faith. She was just trained in as an altar server and is anxiously awaiting her first Mass. She is really enjoying going to Youth Group events at church. She is in dance and continues to enjoy playing the piano as well as teaching herself to play the guitar. She also learned how to knit and is trying to peddle her wares for extra spending money; she would have more to sell if she could get her nose out of her books.

Olivia is in the 5th grade. Life has brought her some changes and challenges this year. She was diagnosed with ADHD and depression early spring and got partial braces this Nov. We have found some amazing resources for her, and we are looking at half days at the public school for her to hopefully build her skills and self-esteem academically. She enjoys regular outings with her mentor, and she is still taking dance and piano lessons. Livy continues to amaze us with her fashion sense and creativity with colors and patterns- maybe she will be a fashion designer someday!

Pauly is in the 2nd grade and he is considered a “shared” student and goes to the public school for half a day to get special services and gets his core curriculum at home in the afternoon. He is really blossoming; it seems like so many things are clicking for him, and his confidence and abilities are really soaring. He has an in-home therapist come twice a week, and he too has a mentor that he goes out with weekly; he loves baseball and bowling now that it is cold. Today, he said, “I think I’m going to be like R*** when I grow up.”

Gabriella is 4 ½ and loves to “do” school just like the big kids; when they take out their crates, she takes hers’ out too. It’s the best when the older kids start teaching her. She got glasses a couple months ago after she failed the eye exam at her check up. We found out she has a lazy eye which will hopefully correct itself. She’s totally about her glasses now, but we endured 2 ½ hours of tantrum the first day home with them. She’s a whole new kind of stubborn, and we know stubborn. Thankfully, she’s cute and we love her.

George is 3. He is our little man; he is like and old man squished into a little body. He is just funny and oh what a flirt; he takes after his Papa George and is quite a hit with the ladies. George is fully embracing being 3 and has intense and mischievous energy all the time. His favorite past time is pushing chairs around the kitchen so he can “help” with whatever you are doing, especially cooking.

Cecilia just turned one. Unfortunately, the big snow storm of 2010 got in the way of her party. Someday she will say it is because she is the sixth child; and we didn’t have time to do anything special for her. For now, she is a source of pure joy and delight. She is always smiling and is extremely silly. We love her personality; she has brought back a playful energy to our home.

We wish you all a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!



Our Baby Is One

One year ago, our family was blessed with Cecilia Louise. It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by. She is an amazing addition to our family and has stolen all our hearts. We love you Chi Chi Lou. I'll post throughout the day with pictures of our birthday princess.

Today was ferociously busy, and we were not home all at the same time until late. Needless to say, Cecilia crashed and her cakes wait for her to devour them tomorrow.

She did wake up for a short time and had a bottle and some cuddle time with her daddy.

Blessed Mother, today we honor you and your Immaculate Conception. May you always guard and guide our precious Cecilia Louise

Feast of St. Nicholas

 St. Nicholas, you spent your life doing good works for God's  children and the poor. Help us to be courageous to defend the lives of children born and unborn and to be generous to the needy of our world, especially those lacking in faith and hope.

Last night, we all lined up our shoes for St. Nicholas to fill with some goodies. An impressive lineup.

This morning, we woke up to find that St. Nick had brought us some sweets.

Mmmmmmmmmm

Cecila went back to see if there was anything more; she is now clinging to her shoes.

Today, we will be celebrating by decorating the house and getting it all festive for Christmas. It is so fun to be getting into the spirit. Come Lord Jesus, come.

As Promised

 Cecilia holds her own around here. George was getting a little too up in her face, so she responded by a full on attack with her new set of choppers.

 The kids got all dressed up for our church's All Saint's Day party. Not sure how, but I pulled off getting all 6 in costumes and out the door on time for the party. Elizabeth is Our Lady, Olivia is St. Bernadette, Pauly is St. Padre Pio, Gabriella is St. Gabriel the Archangel, George is St. George the dragon slayer (yes, he was wearing the dragon and proudly carried around his sword) and Cecila was St. Cecilia of course. They had a great time.

 Cecilia has everyone wrapped around her chubby little finger.

Cecilia is walking everywhere. Only she and Olivia have walked this early. Cecilia is definitely determined to get to where she wants to go and do what she wants. I'm thinking I just cannot create any other type of child. It is pretty fun to have her toddling about the house.

And Gabriella got new glasses today. She was super excited until we got home, and then I couldn't get her to get out of the van. She thought everyone was going to laugh at her. Many tears, brownie baking, and a few encouraging words later, she finally put them on. She's adorable! I cannot even count how many times I cleaned. The dr said she could put them to bed after dinner if her eyes were tired, and they were, so we put them nicely in her pretty pink purse for the night. This should be interesting; she is a whole new kind of feisty and stubborn, and I know both well.

Sorry Folks

Sorry it has been so long since I've posted about our beautiful family. It is on my mind, but let's be honest- lots of stuff is on my mind. What I actually accomplish other than insuring my beautiful children are kept fed, clean, and safe, oh yeah and educated, is all just icing on the cake. I had a pretty tough spell with some depression and am thankfully feeling so much better, but now I have to make up for the time I did not. So, I am painting the house, yes again. I need fresh and clean walls; makes me happy. I promise to post pictures soon. Cecilia is walking almost running around the house after all the kids now, and I have some pretty cute pictures to share. Offerring up prayers that you are all well.

Our Little Man turns "3"

We love you George. You light up our day with your smile and your flirty eyes. May God bless you through the years.