Time Warp

So I had a moment of quiet on this, my 42nd birthday.  I sat down to the computer and decided I would return to my blog. I was shocked. November of 2013?? That is the last time I posted? I absolutely cannot believe that nearly 3 years have passed.  It makes me sad because looking at old posts, I really like having a little record of the day to day life around here.  Well here is a quick recap of the last three years and what made it difficult for me to blog.

In the fall of 2013, Sr. Raphael asked me if I would consider chairing our school's annual auction.  I knew this was something I would eventually do but I was not expecting to do it YET. Well long story short, I agreed, along with my friend Michelle and we chaired it not only that year but the next as well.  It truly was a lot of fun and very gratifying but needless to say, it absorbed me a bit.  I also tried out a part time job during the 2014-2015 school year which was another great experience but when they asked me to go full time I realized that not only would that be stressful on the family but it would keep me from being home, where I have my true vocation and peace.

This school year was an absolute whirlwind.  Ava started kindergarten so I had an empty house during the day which was new for me.  I enjoyed the freedom and calm and felt more prepared for the kids when they came home than I ever have.  Things will change though as we await the arrival of baby #6!  We are having a baby girl this summer and while I am a little anxious about making the adjustment back to being the mom of a "little", I can't help but feel excited and so in love already.

Another thing made this year a bit different is that Mark's mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.  She was very sick and we almost thought we were going to lose her, but she pulled through and has begun treatment.  She will have a stem cell transplant next month and we are all praying that this can be a distant memory.  Her illness has helped put a lot of things in focus though.  At 42 I feel so blessed.  I am part of TWO amazing families, I have a wonderful, devoted, fun, loving, successful husband (chief now!!), I have 5 beautiful children with one on the way.  I am still able to do what I love and feel called to - motherhood.  I have great friends from so many different parts of my life. And I have faith - my Catholic faith which can be difficult at times but drives me to love more, be better, and help others.  Life is GOOD!

This and That

I found this around the house the other day and I thought it was so precious.  Paolo painted it and I love the way he chose three words for each one (not to mention the awesome spelling!)  I am assuming they are some kind of sword?

Elise and her sweet friends Ella and Ali decided to have a bake sale.  They wanted to raise money for funeral expenses for the son of a custodian at SSJ.  He lost his life when the ship he was on capsized.  It was a ship full of people trying to escape their country in Africa.

They raised almost $50!  I love that they are conscious of other's sufferings and want to do what they can to help.

We attempted stiffy ghosts again with the Gaynors.  The kids have fun making them but they never stand long.  Maybe we need to make them smaller.

This little girl is at such a fun age.  Every day she says or does something that puts a smile on my face.

Talents

Juliana has been taking some amazing pictures lately.  I was trying to pick a few but there were so many good ones!  Most of these were actually taken on my phone.  The first set she took inside her Tata's Joe's greenhouse.

In San Diego she was at it again.

And my favorite one yet....

It is fun as a parent to watch your children discover their talents.

Summer Summary

This summer felt short and seemed to go by very fast.  I think that is just going to be my new normal now that I have kids at different schools with different schedules.  It was, however, a wonderful summer.  The big family got together again in Mission Bay and as always we all had a marvelous time.

It is a little frightening that my son rolled down the boardwalk looking like this.

What can you expect when his uncle rolls this look!

It is so fun to have a whole week with Becky, Tyler and the kids.  Liam is a sweet heart.

And these two were hilarious together.  Could be the dynamic duo.

We did not totally rough it on the boat but it sure is nice having it.  Sometimes I still can't believe it.  Already so many good times aboard the "Better Life Style".

I really need to get better about getting pics with Mark and I.  The only one I got from the whole trip is from the Toga party.

Potential Christmas card?

This place feels so much like home and I am so thankful that we have been able to go so often.

We did not make it up to the cabin very much this summer but we were there for the 4th!  Everyone looks so excited - that parade is cute but it is starting to get a little looong.

I was able to get up north one other time with the kids.  Mark was not able to go and it did not work to have the Fahrendorf's so I was worried how it would go.  We had the best time - played games, hiked, read, watched storms roll through.  So glad I went.

Jules turned 13 this summer - WOW!  Time flies.

Lunch at good ol' Mr. Sushi.

Celebrating with Family and Friends.

Happy Birthday to our mighty mite :)

Braces - before and after....

We were lucky enough to go back to Mission to hang out with Chris and Kristie and their kids.  More great times!

Paolo was quite the fisherman.

Mark turned 40 this August so we had a little shindig.  Great food and great friends.

I have officially celebrated 23 birthdays with my hubby.  Not bad.  School started up shortly after and I am sad to say I have no pictures.  I took them on my phone and somehow lost my memory card.  Here's to a great summer and start of a new year!