{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

Rose playing with her pretty pink kitchen while Bud napped and I cleaned their room.

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Last week I spent most of Monday sitting in waiting rooms.  Back when I was pregnant with Bud I had a mechanic look at the brakes on our Sienna since it would shake badly when I would use the brakes.  He said that the pads still had some life to them, but the rotors were warped.  He said we could get away with waiting a year to replace them. That was two years ago. We set aside some of our tax refund to finally fix the brakes and really needed to do so before any summer trips.  Despite the "one hour" wait (which turned into four followed by a trip to the tire store for new tires too, which were also needed "as soon as possible!") and a very cranky toddler, I was very happy to have them finally fixed. and can hardly believe the difference!  Now to see if we can still afford the gas for all these upcoming summer plans... 

{funny}

I just noticed that half of the pictures on my phone from the last week are of us all sleeping!  This photo is my favorite and was taken Sunday afternoon, on our way home from Catholic Family Camp, as we were trying to wake them up for the annual stop at Dairy Queen on Father's Day with all our friends.  I still can't believe that Snuggles can actually sleep like that... And Twinkle Toes' hands?! lol

{real}

We actually didn't plan to go to camp this year... It was a last minute decision after a generous scholarship was offered to our family at the last minute!  The kids were all so excited, but it left me scrambling last week, trying to squeeze in the car repairs on top of packing, grocery shopping for camp, rescheduling some prior appointments, and trying to find new shoes for some of the kids.  I was in town until about 10:30 on Wednesday night, and then had a conference (Teaching Writing with Structure and Style!) I was scheduled to attend starting at 8am Thursday morning.  Camp started Thursday night and I thought I could try and go to at least the first day of the conference.  I made it until noon and then headed home to finish packing.  (I was definitely sad that I missed the rest of the conference, but I do own it on DVD so hopefully I can finish it this summer.)  It was a good thing too, after seeing some of what had been (or had not been!) packed.  Since we had to take two cars anyways I decided to stay home with the two little ones and head to camp the next morning.   Oh, it was heavenly!  Rose and Bud both fell asleep by 7pm and slept until 8:30am!!!  They also napped most of the drive to camp!  Of course I can't say the same for that first night camping, but at least I had gotten some sleep the night before! ;)

I do hope to post some of the pictures from camp, and then get back to all the other posts that have been piling up in my draft folder as well as all the emails in my inbox, but we have golf camp every day this week, tomorrow is the kid's Golf Tournament and Snuggles' 6th birthday, then we have plans to meet up with friends at the coast this weekend!   The two little ones and I both came down with fevers last night, so please say a prayer that whatever this is passes quickly... We don't have time to be sick at the moment!   I really miss visiting with you all and hope to get back to blogging soon.

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{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

Last weekend we spent most of Friday and Saturday deep cleaning the girls bedrooms.  After we had finished, and after a bike-ride with the older boys, I took the girls out for dinner!  

It was a gorgeous day, so I choose to take them to a restaurant on the river. I had been there before, but it was a first for the girls. 

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We had a 30 minute wait, since I asked to sit on the deck overlooking the river, but that gave us plenty of time to walk around and explore! 

They were also very excited to be able to choose something off the children's menu (usually when we all eat out Sean & I choose a couple meals off the regular menu for them all to share).  Twinkle Toes choose the hamburger with fries, Chiquita choose the grilled cheese with Salad, and Rose asked for the Grilled Cheese with FRESH FRUIT! "I LUV Fruit-uh!"  Yes, she sure does! 

After dinner we walked around some more before heading to the store to pick up popsicles to share with the boys, and then home.   It was such a fun evening, and so nice to spend some special time with just the girls.

*For those that have asked on Instagram, Twinkle Toes skirt (and Chiquita's as well) were both hand-me-downs from a friend.   Twinkle Toes' is the Sunflower Fields Yellow Skirt from Gymboree in 2007.  It is so comfortable and cute, and can still be found on ebay. (Or scroll here for other sizes) 

{funny}

While we were walking around after dinner, none of us noticed this goose standing on the pillar, until I saw him hiss and nearly peck Twinkle Toes on the head as she walked by!  It was then that I noticed the older couple standing nearby laughing and enjoying watching the aggressive goose react to everyone who passed.  

Shortly after taking this picture, a young man walked by talking on his cell phone and the goose came within inches of getting him too.  We did try to warn him, he was too distracted. 

{real}

My post on Facebook Sunday night:  

  We may be out of sandwich stuff, but at least Sean will have his favorite cookies for lunch tomorrow! #mustgoshopping

Yes, I probably should have been grocery shopping on Saturday, and we ended up having some pretty interesting meals the first few days of this week... Thankfully I was finally able to make it to town on Wednesday.    And that silver pot in the background?  Well, it has been sitting on my stove since Holy Saturday, filled with onion skins.  I'm still hoping to get around to naturally dying some Easter Eggs.  There is still time, right?! ;) 

We also had a very unhappy critter (a large grey squirrel) stuck up inside our car on Saturday morning.  I'm pretty sure our cat chased him up there, and he was squeaking like crazy for a couple hours.  That was an interesting call to animal control... They said they would call me back, and never did.  Thankfully he finally was able to escape.

And poor little Bud has been missing his Wheely Bug... I hid it last weekend, in an attempt to try and encourage him to start walking more often.  Who needs to walk when you can just cruise around the house all day?!  It has already made a difference, but he sure misses his wheels...

Here is a little glimpse of him in action...  My favorite part is his spin to a stop at around :35! 

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Made with Love :: A Birthday Cake for Mom!

Last night my girls had so much fun shopping for a few supplies to decorate a cake for me this year, after I wasn't able to find a cake pan I was looking for at three different local stores... (More on that later!)  This morning the big boys borrowed my camera and the girls kicked me out of the kitchen!  Everyone helped while Bud napped and I had some quiet computer time with my cup of coffee. I just had to hop back online to share a few of the pictures I found on my camera, along with the completed cake and a picture of seven of my greatest blessings!

I'm very curious to find out what is inside the gift Sean left with the boys... They are making me wait until I have blown out my candles to open it! 

Pink Roses from Chiquita

A beautiful bouquet of flowers just arrived from Sean (I miss him so much!), we are headed to town for a few treats, and my Aunt Bridget is coming over in a couple hours to make dinner for us all!  I've closed the comments on the giveaway and will draw a name tonight or tomorrow morning, after I have had a chance to finish printing and cutting all the entries!  :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday {Christmas 2004}

*It looks like it was 2004!  We had so much fun looking through old photos trying to figure it out. 

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti...

I just walked by my girls' closed bedroom door and my heart melted as I heard them independently start praying another (much needed) rosary for our country.   Love them!  ♥

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

Yesterday morning my husband was sent on an out-of-state fire assignment!  He will be working as a Radio Operator this time, which should keep him out of hazardous working conditions.  It will be a tough couple weeks (if they keep him for the full 14 days) for both of us, but we are so very grateful for the extra work and overtime!   I'm just praying life doesn't get even half as crazy as it did the last time he was out of town!  ;)

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Patiently waiting for our guests to arrive for this year's Mother-Daughter Tea Party...

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At our last Little Flowers meeting the girls all made Spiritual Bouquet cards to give to their mothers during our tea party.   While I was setting the table I happened to notice Chiquita's (age 7) card and her little list of prayers she had been offering, without any reminders on my part to complete the assignment.   It made me so happy to see that my she (actually both my girls!) had been praying for me!  Both cards are such a treasure!

{funny}

My kids always have so much fun looking through the old blog posts and saying "Ooohh!! Remember when..."  I'm always amazed at how good they are at navigating the archives.

{real}

I really don't like it when my kitchen counters are covered with stuff!  I usually avoid (for the most part) taking any pictures of these messes, which happen especially when I am trying to do too many things at once.  Last Friday night was definitely one of those times... Groceries and mail still needed to be put away, flowers needed to be arranged, various items all over the place to set the table, remnants of my cake decorating, and half decorated pretzel rods, and more...  Thankfully it didn't take too long to clean up and looked beautiful in the morning!

P.S.  My husband took the laptop with him again... That just leaves our super slow desktop, which the kids all use for some of their school work each day.  Just letting you all know that my computer time will be even more limited over the next couple weeks and I'll only be able to check my email on occasion. 

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