Not the list of what to get others, your kids, or anyone else. But YOU.
What's on YOUR Christmas list?
I'm a day late, probably a dollar short, but thankful nonetheless!
Thanksgiving was at my in-laws' this year. The food was delicious, the drinks were plentiful, and the company lovely. We ate a ton, drank a bit much, and it was a great day. Cillian's 1st Thanksgiving, by the way. :)
I'm finding it hard to be positive & happy. I know I am blessed and am thankful for those things.
Lately my mind plays tricks on me, disabling me from seeing the good, and only noticing the bad.
I feel guilty over not brining in any income. Then I absurdly panic over the fact that there is no money to my own name.
I complain of our small house. I am so very frustrated by the tiny house that is ours, the lack of space, which truly prohibits me from organizing well.
I get irked by the garage being our only storage, which has resulted in us never, not even once, parking our car in there. Always more annoying in these months of needing to warm up the car.
I get frustrated at praying & looking for opportunities to increase our income, decrease our spending, and to save so we can buy a car and bigger house. Almost a year after my husband graduated with his MBA, and nadda. I don't want to give up on the prayer, but obviously it's doing nothing.
Cillian is a horrible sleeper at night. As in for the past month or so, I kid you not, he's been waking 8-10 times. It is beyond exhausting and excruciating, and I envy my husband's ability to sleep through any crying. On both Cillian's end and mine.
I hate cry-it-out, yet nothing else seems to work.
I'm annoyed by the school and some changes this year. I love my kids and want what's best for them, and I'm not so sure our current school is the answer to that.
I used to be disciplined and diligent in exercising and eating well.
Not any more. I suck.
I hate money. And not sleeping.
See? I told you I'm having a hard time giving thanks.
I always get "homesick" this time of year for my side of the family, too, and it makes me feel more lonely and a bit sad.
I should slap myself & snap out of it, I know. But this is a way of venting; maybe it will help me gain a more positive perspective.
I want to feel thankful. I want to see what is right in front of me as a blessing, not an annoyance.
Tell me: what do you do when you feel like this?
I'm in disbelief that Cillian is already 9 months old, but he is!
Though not a fan of sleeping, he is adorable and quite the happy baby (unless we dare change his diaper or confine him in any way).
Happy 9 Months, Cillian!
We Love You so much!!
I clicked over to my good friend Bethany's blog today, and she did this fun little A to Z post.
Acknowledging that imitation is a form of flattery ;), I copied Bethany and did one, too.
There should be a law against rainy Mondays.
Mondays are heard enough, starting another week filled with work and obligations...rain is no help.
If I could control the weather, there would be no rain on Mondays.
I did manage to already clean my room, the bathroom, put away a load of laundry, get another washed, and load the dishwasher.
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It's a busy week. It's Red Ribbon Week at school.
Tomorrow Aidan has a Scout meeting, and a friend is coming home with him to ride with us for Scouts.
Wednesday I have a meeting in the morning, then later I'm helping to prep stuff for Secret Santa at school.
Thursday Pat has Lifeteen, and then Friday is the parish Feather Party! And then holy smokes, it's already a week until Thanksgiving! How did that happen so fast?!
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I don't have a menu planned for this week. I looked in my kitchen, and this is my general idea:
Scrambled egg & sausage sandwiches on English Muffins.
Italian Rice & Beans or Refried Beans over rice.
Crock pot creamy chicken.
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I'm still feeling "homesick" lately for my side of the family. I am looking forward to going to SC for Christmas.
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Speaking of Christmas, the stores area already chaotic and filling with rude, greedy customers. I want to finish my shopping asap.I need to get the game Sorry, some books for the kids, and I want to get them one of the Lego games. I really want to not do this alone. I'd love to leave the kids with the sitter and Pat & I go together. Think it will happen?
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How's your Monday? What's on your agenda for this week?
We sat in the church pews, waiting for Aidan's turn to enter the confessional.
I looked over at him, as he nervously sat, trying to pray and relax.
In his dress pants and dress shirt, neatly tucked in, belt on and nicer shoes on.
He looked mature, all of a sudden, and more grown up.
Not like the kid who started at our parish school 2.5 years ago.
A bigger kid, now grown and mature, understanding things on a deeper level.
First Reconciliation doesn't get the same hype as Baptism and First Communion, understandably so.
But it's still important. It's still a Sacrament, and a wonderful opportunity to learn about mercy and infinite love.
I think I'll always feel a bit choked up as my children receive another Sacrament.
Aidan making his First Reconciliation is no different.
I am proud of him, and welcome this new part of his life where he can now join us for Confession.
Cillian's 1st Halloween, too. :)
Halloween was colder this year, and by the time October 31 actually arrived, we were kind of burned out from trick-or-treating. Sad, isn't it?
It was our FOURTH Halloween event.
We had trick-or-treated at an outdoor mall, in the downtown of the city where the school is, and at our parish event. By Monday night, the boys were just drained and the excitement wore off.
Now I know: next year, we skip some of the business events! (gladly)
Halloween was still fun, of course. We did our Mummy Dogs for dinner, hit the good houses, and watched some of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown once back home.
See for yourself how adorable my boys were (no bias, of course;):
Spaghetti & Meatballs!
We had this on Tuesday, and I have to say, my meatballs were quite good. It was a delicious dinner!
Why Spaghetti & Meatballs for All Saints Day?
I have two Catholic cookbooks that have been given to me, and I was in a menu-planning rut. I have never used these cookbooks before, but I picked them up to see what they suggest that goes with All Saints Day.
According to Building the Family Cookbook, All Saints Day became formalized in the year 731 (dang that's some time ago). The Pope then (Pope Gregory III) consecrated a chapel at St. Peter's Church, honoring all the Saints. The fest day was started in Rome and of course is still celebrated there. In the book Suzanne Fowler writes, "what could be more Italian and Roman" than spaghetti & meatballs? I agree!
So alas, a great tasting, kid-pleasing meal will now be our tradition on All Saints Day. :)
Another fun thing: during dinner we looked up each Saint and learned about his life again. The kids really enjoyed reading about their Saints, and it was one of those good family moments. If you already know the Saint of your first name, try looking up your middle name, or another relative's name.
Spaghetti & Meatballs: our new All Saints Day tradition.
