Goodbye August. September, Welcome!

Starts fall, my favorite season
Enjoying cooler weather
Planning for school activities, 2 kids now in school
Time to celebrate birthdays: brother, brother-in-law, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, & nephew
Evaluate what's in this house & declutter. Happy New School Year
Make plans for those holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving & yes, Christmas
Bake pumpkin spice muffins. Delicious
Eat said muffins, along with candied apples and homemade apple pie
Rest up, with darkness falling earlier & earlier. Recall summer, which officially ends in 21 days.

Clocking Out

I'm clocking out.
Well, not really, since I'm home.
But instead of doing what I should be doing, (walking for exercise, cleaning up dinner), I'm opting for early pajamas, red wine, and playing Ms. PacMan.

My mind feels heavily consumed by stressful thoughts today. From finances, to schooling/homeschooling, exhaustion, gaining weight too easily, working hard to lose weight & not, having a small house, not working, being a SAHM, the value or de-value in said choices....all of these things are floating in my head today.
Heavily.

I'd love to scream, run, and hide in a gigantic bowl of creamy ice cream and hot fudge.
Not having that, I'm settling for a night in with kids in bed (asleep? That's another story), a glass of wine, and my friend Ms. PacMan awaiting.

As much as I can, I am clocking out early today.
Hopefully those heavy thoughts will clock out, too.

Menu Plan Monday--August 29, 2011

Sunday: Grilled Eckrich Sausage, potato rounds, veggies
Monday: Ground Beef Stroganoff (similar recipe; I adapt using my mom's version, which uses cream of chicken soup).
Tuesday: Pasta Night (meatless)
Wednesday: Sausage, eggs, toast & fruit
Thursday: Crock pot Tacos (black beans for us)
Friday: Frozen Night due to First Friday/Pat working

Menu Plan Monday...on Sunday. :) Have a wonderful week!

Fill Me with Joy

What's your source of joy today?

Second Grade!

 Hi, I'm the mom who takes too many pictures of my kids. ;)
Monday was Back-to-School Night. My kids happily went, saw the renovations at their school, met their teachers, dropped off their school supplies, and caught up with friends. Above is Aidan unpacking at his seat. I'll say this: his teacher this year is super organized & I am impressed!
Notice (above) his name in yellow on the table? Their table is the yellow table, which coordinates with the yellow section of the closet for backpacks, etc. Smart lady, his teacher.

Yesterday was Aidan's 1st day of school...of 2nd grade.
Aside from the lump in my throat, it was exciting to take him. He was looking forward to it and all in all,  he had a great first day. I'm still in denial that it's back-to-school season, but hopefully this is the start of a very good year. (but at any given moment, I'm on board to homeschool!;)

 Aidan & Cillian

 all 3 of my precious boys (fighting over who gets to hold most of Cillian)

 Aidan--2nd grader!

 outside his classroom (greatly annoyed w/ me by this point at taking pictures)

 Even Patrick joined us in taking him on the 1st day. 

It felt weird when Brennan & I returned home, but we enjoyed some school work, crafts, and making a surprise treat for Aidan on his first day of school: snow brownies (brownies sprinkled w/ powdered sugar).

Here is to the 2011-2012 school year!

Be Still, My Heart

School starts tomorrow for Aidan.
My mind is going a mile a minute, perhaps even more.

He's a 2nd grader...2nd grader already.
He's getting old & big & more & more comfortable away from home.
He's learning cursive this year, receiving his First Reconciliation and First Communion.
He & Brennan have become such good friends this summer.
Will that change w/ school starting back? Please God, don't let it.
Will his friends from last year still be good friends for him?
Will he make any new friends
His teacher seems great. I hope she gets my sweet, sensitive son.
Brennan will miss him. He'll suddenly seem even older to me, being the "big kid" at home.
Aidan was a huge help this summer, with Cillian and Brennan.
Brennan will have to learn to cut open his own gogurt.
Who will Brennan play with?
Will Aidan be comfortable?
Will Brennan be happy?
Will Cillian finally get back on a good schedule?
My heart is heavy, my throat with a lump.
I hope we like the new principal.
I hope she cracks down on the dress code.
Summer is unofficially over. Already.


My mind is racing with oh so many thoughts.
I feel anxious for tomorrow, for the school year.
I am so going to miss Aidan being home all day, I'll miss watching he & Brennan play, entertaining Cillian.
I want to just hold them tighter, longer, and not let them go.
God, give me the strength to let go, and please bring me a sense of peace in doing so.

Menu Plan Monday--August 22, 2011

Monday: Dinner at school for Back to School Night (thank you Lifeteen!)
Tuesday: Meatloaf Muffins, green beans, potatoes
Wednesday: Hot Dogs, baked beans, chips, salad (Aidan's choice-his 1st day of school)
Thursday: Chicken Fajitas in the Crock Pot
Friday: Pancakes for dinner (Boys' Night)

I'm in complete denial that school starts back this week. I don't feel ready, and I'm not ready for my boys to be gone so much.
Still, here is hoping for a great school year filled with many good experiences!

6ix Months!

My little cutie-patootie is already half a year old.

 HOW?
It's flying by.
He is active during his days, crawling, gnawing on anything & everything...smiling at his brothers.

It honestly, truly does not seem like it's been 6 months. At the same time, I can't think of our life without him. He's a sleep-depriving blessing, we love & adore him.

Happy Half-Birthday, Cillian! We love you so much!

You Don't Say

"Make Sure to get enough sleep. Being over-tired can be a trigger for snacking and overeating."
Tip #59, Weight Watchers Ultimate 3 Month Tracker


Um, yeah....
Funny I read that today. 
I have really been struggling lately with my eating and (lack-of) exercising.
Without a doubt, it's directly related to the major sleep issues happening over here. As in Cillian waking about every 2 hours most of the summer. 


I know, I know..."let him cry".
I have some issues with that, and quite frankly, I stink at it.
I can handle the 1st time he goes down for the night, but in the middle of the night?


That's where I am right now, up 3 pounds. :( Im not happy about it, but yesterday I got myself back on track. 
Now if only that cute 6-month old of mine would sleep again...

His 1st Tee-Ball Season!

Brennan finished his very first season of t-ball: 4 year old t-ball through our city's summer rec program.

He LOVED it! And bias-aside, he was adorable. 

When he'd get the ball in the outfield, no matter where I was or where the ball was supposed to be going, Brennan would run to me and proudly yell "MOM! I got the ball!". All surrounding parents would chuckle & say "he's so cute". 

Yeah, this mom agrees.

 getting ready to bat

 this kid is growing up so fast!

 Batter Up!

 Run to 1st Base!

 Proudly getting his very first trophy

 this doesn't come close to capturing his excitement

 on to business: trophy: check! Certificate: check! Freezie? yes please!

 Celebratory ice cream after the final game. Now a tradition.

 Enjoying the ice cream & the glorious mess

 Placing his trophy on his shelf. Just like Aidan's now. :)

 Me & my little player

The handsome men in my life

It was a blast & Brennan is already asking when he can play again. 

Hopefully sooner than later we can say "play ball!".

Menu Plan Monday--August 8, 2011

Monday: Crockpot Cola Chicken, baked beans, raw baby carrots

Tuesday: Pasta Night (meatless)

Wednesday: Tacos (ground beef)
Thursday: Sandwich Night (grilled cheese or fried egg for the boys; black bean veggie burger for me)
Friday: Zucchini Squares & zucchini sticks (believe it or not, Aidan's request)

2 weeks until school starts! AGH!!! I can honestly say I am not ready, and for those of you in the loop, I still don't feel 100% either way for this school year. I know one thing for sure: summer has gone by too fast, and I'm not ready to send my boys off.
When does school start for you?

Hello, I am the Cowardly Lion

I lack courage.

Where does this stem from?

From a summer-long debate about where God wants us to educate our children.
Our oldest is entering 2nd grade, our middle son starting pre-4.

To date Aidan has gone to our parish school, and both boys have been registered there since spring.
Yet homeschooling has heavily been on my mind, yet again.

One day I'm all pumped, buying bins to create their workboxes, choosing curriculum, and getting down right excited over the flexibility it will enable, the financial freedom, the new opportunities.

The next day, I feel God wants us to stick with the plan, at least for this year, allowing Aidan to receive his First Holy Communion with his class, appreciating the wonderful Catholic staff at our parish.

I see something that seems a sign for Catholic school.
I then see something that seems a sign for homeschooling.

I have had endless discussions about it with numerous people, attended the Homeschool Resource Sale, joined Yahoo groups...
It's interfered with my sleep. Brought butterflies to my stomach.
Tears to my eyes.

I believe that it's not one-size-fits-all. If you follow God's plan, it will ultimately be what's best for your family.
For some, that means traditional school.
For others, that means homeschooling.

One is not better than the other (usually), and homeschooling parents are not better than other parents, parents who choose traditional schools are not better than homeschooling families.

But UGH.
I'm torn up.
I feel perhaps this year, at least, God wants our boys at our parish school.
Much to my surprise, I also feel sad at that.
I enjoy lesson planning, seeing them interact so well together, grow, etc.

I'm between a rock and hard place, and I'm lacking courage to let go & let God.


I am the cowardly lion.
I just want what is overall best for my boys and my family.
I don't want to miss the special moments, I want them to have solid friends, to be safe, love God above all else, and when need be, I want to trust the people in their lives.

My heart is heavy.