A little of this and a little of that

So, I found some cool new Catholic blogs that focus on crafts, cooking, and baking ideas for the liturgical year. The best part is that they are actually ahead of the game with the ideas and post before the actual feast day, which means I can be prepared with some ideas for us. This first one is Ascension Jello which I made an brought to a gettogether at a friends. I totally screwed up the first batch of whipped cream. I was preoccupied trying to turn it into a little science lesson on the states of matter and good homeschoolling mom stuff like that, and I added enough sugar for like 10 batches. Like I said, I got preoocuppied and a little overwhelmed with all the helping hands and questions and forgot to double check the directions. 

I got really into Pentecost this year. I love making birthday cakes, and when I was reminded that Pentecost is the birthday of the church, I had to make a cake to celebrate. The kids made a ring of fire of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit with the help of my niece Heidi for a centerpiece for our table. It has been fun hearing all the questions about the different words on the flames, and Pauly is showing an interest and is actally trying to read the words and asking what they mean. And yes, we even sang. I told you we've lost it, right?

Elizabeth is really getting into drawing lately and wanted to make her own interpretation of the Apostles and Mary in the upper room on Pentecost. She spent hours on it; this picture does not due her or her picture justice. It was good to see her so proud of herself.

The girls had their spring dance recital Sat. They have been working so hard, and were so excited to perform. They did a great job dancing for Jesus.

The highlight of the day was getting a ride in a convertible with my niece Heidi.

 

We also celebrated Gabriella's birthday with the grandparents on Sat. It was a full day. I had a lot of fun with her cake. I decided to go with a ladybug after finding out that the ladybug is actually named after Our Lady. Story has it that back in the Middle Ages, some farmers prayed to Mary that God would send help because bugs were eating all their crops. Just after they prayed, the red spotted beetles appeared and became known as Our Lady's Beetles which has been changed over time into ladybugs. Since May is the month of Mary, I though it was a fun tribute and interesting fact. I love when I can relate our faith to real life things for the kids.

Just some fun random shots.

We've officially gotten a little crazy

As I type this, Paul is making homemade laundry detergent. After doing some math, we figure we will be spending less than a penny per load; the frugal shopper had to at least give it a try. Next on tap is homemade cleaner; it's safe, cheap, and kind to the environment.

Our faith and hope baby turns 4

Gabriella started her day off with her present from Auntie Missy. A pretty party dress for pretty little lady on her birthday. She quickly wanted it on and never took it off. I think yellow is her color.

Paul took Gabriella and the others for a little birthday shopping trip. This is how she greeted me when she got home.

"I love my birthday mom!"

We love you Gabriella Rose. You are such a blessing and an amazing testament to keeping faith and hope (I'll write more another time about her story). May Our Blessed Mother wrap you in her protective care and intercede for you to her son Jesus. May the Holy Spirit fill your heart with joy and excitement for Jesus.

Hanging on and holding out

"Peace. It doesn't mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

(author unknown)

So, it's been quite a while since I had a cyber heart to heart. I guess, I just haven't much felt like spewing out the junk going on in my head and in our home, but for some reason tonight I'm feeling led to share.

Life has been pretty challenging since the new year. Maybe I shouldn't have declared it the year to strive for peace. I say that tongue in cheek. I want to have peace in my heart even when things are tough, so I will name it, claim it, and God willing I will attain it. Some would think that maybe the new baby was the cause of things orbiting out of control, but I really don't think so. Sure, she has added to the work load and makes me less available at times, but she also brings a lot of joy. Truth be told, we really hadn't adjusted to our new schedule of therapies, activities, etc. before she was born.

Pauly was going along pretty well, and we were seeing steady improvements. In the words of our social worker, "We had stabilized." He goes to school in the morning and comes home just after lunch. We then work together in the afternoon on subjects like math and religion. I'm happy with the progress academically. He has occupational therapy every Monday. A family therapist comes to the house twice a week to work one on one with not only Pauly but the girls as well. She does a lot of educating about autism, and helps Paul and I implement strategies and make our goals a reality. I have been humbled. She has seen the good, bad, and the ugly. But, like I said, we had stabilized; emphasis on the had.

Olivia started having emotional issues and started to really struggle coping with not only daily life, but with her academics as well. Olivia was diagnosed with ADHD in March. She was also diagnosed with adjustment disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. I know what most of you are thinking, but trust me when I say I have complete peace with the diagnosis. My only concern is how much her lack of concentration is due to the anxiety versus ADHD. We are currently working with a child psychiatrist and with the family therapist to help her, and I am confident she will be OK.

Unfortunately, her mood and resistance has greatly affected Pauly. Although he couldn't articulate it, Olivia is his best buddy. He craves her attention, and her unwillingness to give it took it's toll on him, and he began to regress. His aggression has increased. It had been a long time since I've had to put him in a hold, but I am having to do it again which is getting increasingly difficult as his size and strength have increased. We are working with the same child psychiatrist with him as well, and of course this is a huge part of what we work on with the family therapist. I am hopeful that he too will again stabilize and start progressing.

Paul and I are clinging to our faith and each other. Some of this is so far from what I thought being a mother would be like. I figured I would have kids get mad at me and dislike my rules, but I never thought I would be a punching bag. It's just not a good feeling in my motherly heart, but I am hopeful, and I am going to press on with confidence that the Lord will provide. We just need to hang on and hold out and trust that God has a plan and none of this will go unmerited. We would appreciate your prayers.

"Patient endurance of the cross is the highest work."

St. Katherine Drexel 

Our little overachiever's 5 months old

So the other day, Elizabeth wanted to see if Cecilia could sit up. To our surprise she did pretty well. She's obviously still a little tippy, but she is our earliest sitter. I'm really not interested in her rushing things, but I think she might have other ideas.

Little Miss Cecilia likes food

Cecilia is showing a lot of interest in food, so today I gave her some of her own. She liked it as you can see.

Time to celebrate

Yesterday, my mom turned "70." Looking pretty good, huh? God is good, and He blessed us with a very nice evening together to celebrate. She got to be with all 5 of her children, two of whom had to travel from out of state, and be with or at least speak to all of her 14 grandchildren. We ate, drank, laughed and had a great evening together.

Thank you Lord for the gift of my mom. Even though she can drive me crazy sometimes, I  love her and am glad she is in my life and in the lives of my children. Please bless her Lord in the days and years to come with good health, peace, joy, and fulfillment.