Happy Days

I burned my hand the other day on the oven and this morning it broke open in one place. I am not sure what to do to help it to heal.

Today is the last day of the quarter for Rick, although he said that it does not feel like it. This quarter has just been so different than usual.

Our family pictures are ready for us to pick up. I can include those with the other pictures that I am sending to friends.

I was worried about Frannie yesterday because I had not seen her (or heard her) all day, only to find out that she had been asleep in the attic all along. What a silly cat!

I would like to get some laundry done this afternoon and perhaps do some sewing. We shall see what little Joey allows me to accomplish. He is such a sweet baby, he just loves to be cuddled. I think there is nothing he enjoys more than sleeping in my arms. How precious.

I cannot believe how much Jacob has grown up in the last six months. He has become such a polite little helper, and such a gentlemen. He is so full of boyish energy, and yet he loves to drink tea from a pretty cup with his mommy. He is such a neat person.

And Joshua is really the most tenderhearted person I know. He cares so much for his brothers and he loves animals so dearly. He loves Frannie and he would play with the "mice" for hours. He is so sweet and tender with baby "Doe-doe", he just adores him.

I had to bandage my hand to protect it since it opened up earlier. It actually really hurts and unfortunately it is my right hand. :(

Pax Christi,

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I burned my hand the other day on the oven and this morning it broke open in one place. I am not sure what to do to help it to heal.

Today is the last day of the quarter for Rick, although he said that it does not feel like it. This quarter has just been so different than usual.

Our family pictures are ready for us to pick up. I can include those with the other pictures that I am sending to friends.

I was worried about Frannie yesterday because I had not seen her (or heard her) all day, only to find out that she had been asleep in the attic all along. What a silly cat!

I would like to get some laundry done this afternoon and perhaps do some sewing. We shall see what little Joey allows me to accomplish. He is such a sweet baby, he just loves to be cuddled. I think there is nothing he enjoys more than sleeping in my arms. How precious.

I cannot believe how much Jacob has grown up in the last six months. He has become such a polite little helper, and such a gentlemen. He is so full of boyish energy, and yet he loves to drink tea from a pretty cup with his mommy. He is such a neat person.

And Joshua is really the most tenderhearted person I know. He cares so much for his brothers and he loves animals so dearly. He loves Frannie and he would play with the "mice" for hours. He is so sweet and tender with baby "Doe-doe", he just adores him.

I had to bandage my hand to protect it since it opened up earlier. It actually really hurts and unfortunately it is my right hand. :(

Pax Christi,

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Sweet Jacob

My Jacob is so sweet! This morning he was in my bedroom as I was getting ready and when he saw the dress that I was planning to wear, he said, "Wow, Mommy, that is beautiful."

He also has told me several times today that he loves me, and keeps giving me hugs and kisses. And when Joey was crying at one point he said, "Oh he must need a hug".

He also told me that he wants to play the violin like John-Paul.

He has been such a wonderful helper this week! Yesterday he volunteered to go and get an empty laundry basket so that he could empty the dryer, which he also volunteered to do.

Things are going really well following our revised schedule and family covenant. The whole atmosphere of our home seems more calm and joyous, not that it was bad before, it is just even better now.

Joshua is practicing to walk. He keeps walking with his hands along the wall, but is afraid to let go.

I finally had the time (and the photo paper, lol) to make copies of our latest pictures to send to the Schumachers and Thompsons.

I found two great Bible studies. One on gossip and one on purity in speech. I really do enjoy studying.

With Love,

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My Jacob is so sweet! This morning he was in my bedroom as I was getting ready and when he saw the dress that I was planning to wear, he said, "Wow, Mommy, that is beautiful."

He also has told me several times today that he loves me, and keeps giving me hugs and kisses. And when Joey was crying at one point he said, "Oh he must need a hug".

He also told me that he wants to play the violin like John-Paul.

He has been such a wonderful helper this week! Yesterday he volunteered to go and get an empty laundry basket so that he could empty the dryer, which he also volunteered to do.

Things are going really well following our revised schedule and family covenant. The whole atmosphere of our home seems more calm and joyous, not that it was bad before, it is just even better now.

Joshua is practicing to walk. He keeps walking with his hands along the wall, but is afraid to let go.

I finally had the time (and the photo paper, lol) to make copies of our latest pictures to send to the Schumachers and Thompsons.

I found two great Bible studies. One on gossip and one on purity in speech. I really do enjoy studying.

With Love,

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Coloring Easter Eggs

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My Three Blessings

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Family Covenant and Hot Tea

We decided to write a family covenant. It's basically something that lists our priorities and standards and the general direction of our family. It gives us focus to remember what we should be doing and why.

Rick helped me to get a few things done around the house this weekend. There's been so much to do with a new baby and school, so the help was much appreciated.

The new book we'd ordered arrived on Friday, along with a pair of white lace gloves. It is a book by Stacey McDonald called Passionate Housewives Desperate For God. It's quite good. I think keepers at home can use all the encouragement that we can get. (so long as it's the right kind of encouragement ;)) It can be difficult at times, but it is also so fulfilling.

We have discovered that we both really like drinking hot tea. Rick had a sore throat this weekend so he tried drinking tea to soothe it. We bought several new varieties to try and are really enjoying it. It is relaxing and the warmth feels so comforting. It feels nice to drink tea, especially from a pretty cup.

We had to push finishing Jacob's room out until next weekend. But we will finish it then, there isn't much left to do.

Hugs,

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Easter DInner and an Eager Helper

There is such joy as a mother when the children actually behave the way you have taught them, without being told. This morning, after I put away Jacob's clean laundry, I asked him to pick up his dirty laundry and put it in his basket. He immediately obeyed, and even put them in neatly and then without being asked, put his laundry basket into his closet. He helped me to make his bed without complaint. He was eager to be my helper when I was getting the little boys dressed. At one point I was kind of looking around and he asked me, "What do you need?" He picked up Joey's clothes, without my asking, and then went and put them in our laundry basket. It just makes a mother's heart happy to have an eager helper.

Frannie is in the attic again. That crazy cat! What are we going to do with her???? I've just never heard of such a thing.

Yesterday was Easter. We went to Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel. It is such a pretty church. Their choir was beautiful.

We had a wonderful Easter dinner. I made a ham, green bean casserole, and my macaroni and cheese. We even drank a bottle of Australian wine. We decided that we really like listening to classical music during dinner, it just adds a nice atmosphere. Joshua discovered that he really likes my macaroni and cheese. He called it "bananas" which means he really likes it.

With Love,

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Cat's in the Attic Again!

Frannie is in the attic again, that crazy cat! I do not know why she insists on getting in there, but she is meowing at me through the vent above my head. Jacob said that she was meowing at him this morning. That cat is so strange. Who has ever heard of a stray cat becoming so attached to a family?

Tomorrow is Good Friday and Rick has taken off of work so that we can attend Mass. We are going to at Latin Mass at three o'clock.

We have scheduled Joshua a doctor's appointment because he has a rash and we cannot figure out what has caused it.

Little Joey has been so sweet today, he really likes to be cuddled.

Joshua has started calling Joey "Doe-doe". He is trying to say "Joe" but just can't get it quite right. He sure loves baby Joey.

Hugs,

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Revised Schedule

We decided to make a few revisions to the schedule after trying it and seeing a few areas that weren't working as well as we wanted. So this is the revised version.

5:30~ Wake up, get dressed
6:00~ Morning prayers
6:15~ Prepare for day
6:30~ Children wake up, Breakfast
7:00~ Children get dressed, morning prayers
7:30~ Lesson preparation
8:00~ School/structured play
9:30~ Morning Snack
10:00~ Little ones nap/School
11:30~ Clean up school
11:45~ mid-day prayers
12:00~ Lunch
12:30~ Children play time/Housework
2:00~ Nap Time/ Tasks
4:00~ Afternoon Snack
4:30~ Dinner preparation
5:00~ Cook/Children play
6:30~ Dinner
7:00~ Children's baths, bottle for baby, Story time, prayers
7:30~ Little one's bedtime, Scripture reading, Rosary
8:00~ Older one's bedtime
8:30~ Clean up, Prepare for next day
9:00~ Free Time
9:3o~ Prepare for bed
10:00~ Bed time

I think this schedule will allow for more productive school time and for me to possibly have time to work on some crafts or more detailed projects around the house. The boys definitely prefer being on a schedule, especially Jacob.

Happy Homemaking!

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A Good Day

I am feeling a little sick today, I think I may just be very tired.

Jacob and I started making an Agnus Dei keepsake box in school today, the project is taking a while, so we will have to finish it tomorrow. It was a little difficult to get things done during school because Joshua was needing extra attention.

Cerner sent Joseph a silver piggy bank. What a thoughtful gesture.

Rick had a big deal come in today, so that is good news. We were wondering how this quarter would shape up with his new management position, but it is looking good.

I was looking at some ideas for toddler lunches to spruce up our lunch menu.

My friend Amy sent some new pictures of her son, Ryan. He is such a big baby!

Blessings,

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New Schedule

5:30~ Wake up, Get dressed
6:00~ Morning prayers
6:15~ Prepare for day
6:30~ Children wake up, Breakfast
7:00~ Children get dressed, Morning prayers
7:30~ Lesson preparation, Children play
8:00~ School/Structured play time
9:30~ Morning snack
10:00~ School/Structured play time
11:30~ Lunch
12:00~ Mid-day Prayers
12:15~ Children's naps
12:30~ Clean up from lunch and school
1:00~ Baby's nap
1:30~ Housework, Tasks
3:30~ Children wake up, afternoon snack
4:00~ Play time
4:30~ Dinner preparation
5:00~ Cook dinner, Children play time
6:00~ Dinner
6:30~ Dinner Clean up
6:45~ Scripture reading
7:00~ Rosary
7:30~ Children's baths, bottle for baby, Story time, Prayers
8:00~ Children's bedtime
8:30~ Prepare for next day
9:00~ Free Time
9:30~ Prepare for bed
10:00~ Bedtime

Happy Homemaking!

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I am feeling a little sick today, I think I may just be very tired.

Jacob and I started making an Agnus Dei keepsake box in school today, the project is taking a while, so we will have to finish it tomorrow. It was a little difficult to get things done during school because Joshua was needing extra attention.

Cerner sent Joseph a silver piggy bank. What a thoughtful jesture.

Rick had a big deal come in today, so that is good news. We were wondering how this quarter would shape up with his new management position, but it is looking good.

I was looking at some ideas for toddler lunches to spruce up our lunch menu.

My friend Amy sent some new pictures of her son, Ryan. He is such a big baby!

Blessings,

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We had a lovely start to the morning. The boys really enjoyed having breakfast together as a family and seeing Daddy off to work.

Jacob painted me a beautiful picture this morning. He was so excited to paint today.

Joey woke up many times last night, he seemed to be extra hungry. I suppose he must be having a little growth spurt.

Little Joshie seems so sleepy today. He is begging to go "nigh-nine" since this morning. He has just been extra tired the last few days. Perhaps he is hitting a growth spurt as well.

We got a phone call this morning from a veterinarian in Cullman saying that a woman had called him saying that Allie is running loose. Tony and Shauneen had given her to an older man with a goat farm. Rick is going to call and see if he can figure out what the situation is. I certainly hope she is alright, I love that dog and it broke my heart to give her away.

This afternoon I am going to do some laundry, there are always so many clothes to wash that I never quite feel caught up.

Rick talked to Shauneen and she called the man who they gave Allie to. She apparently got lookse and wandered down to a neighbor's house. So all is well.

I think the house seems so lovely when the beds are made. It just makes everything so much more tidy and neat.

The boys have had a good day today. I think that the new schedule has worked well. Our family seems to function most successfully in a structured enviroment. I think that things like a good schedule encourage us to be at our best.

I am making beef stroganoff and carrots for dinner this evening. I decided to set the table with our formal gold cuttlery. Jacob thinks it is so special when I pull out the box that it is stored in. It feels nice to eat with it and why nor make each dinner a special occasion?

Our "mice" are so cute. They are fun to hold. Rick said that he wants to get them a little play yard so that they can run around.

Lovingly,

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Babies, Homeschooling, Recipes, and a Funeral

I awoke this morning with such a sense of warmth and peace, as if any anxiety I had been feeling, and any stress, had vanished. I just feel a sense of calmness and reassurance that I am safe in my Father's hands.

I really do like writing with pretty pens. I bought this new black and gold pen with an angel on it. Such things encourage a girl to be lady like. Just as brushing my hair with my silver Victorian brush makes me feel pretty. I do appreciate beautiful things, they make this world so much more lovely.

Rick woke up with Joseph last night so that I would get a full night's rest. I don't think I had realized how tired I was. My back was hurting last night, which was the first time in a while it had given me such difficulty. But I woke up this morning feeling quite a bit better.

Papa's funeral is this afternoon. It still seems somewhat unreal. I suppose we feel so removed from the situation and like this is happening so far off in the distance. We are not very accustomed to having to deal with death and so I think we are somewhat unsure of how to feel.

I cannot believe that little Joey will be three weeks old tomorrow. Time is passing so quickly. He has become so much more alert. He loves to watch his brothers play. It is amazing how even when they are somewhat loud, it doesn't startle him, he is so used to the sounds they make. He doesn't even get upset when Joshua pokes him in the eye, or tries to grab his nose, or pats him on the head in a not so gentle manner, lol. He just loves his big brothers. Joshua just adores baby Joey. I think they are going to be so close.

I found a few new recipes that I would like to try. One is a bread recipe that has instructions for making brown and serve rolls that you can keep on hand in the freezer. That would be so nice. I also found a cornbread recipe that seems similar to how so many ladies I know made theirs, so I look forward to trying it. I enjoy looking for new recipes, it is like shopping, only free, and I can do it at home while drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate. :)

I was going over our pre-school lesson plans for next week and it looks like we have some fun art projects for Holy Week, and a few fun baking activities. Easter is so early this year, it seems odd to me that Spring is nearly here. So next week should be a fun week of school. Jacob loves art projects, so I am sure he will enjoy it. He has had so much fun playing with plastic Easter eggs this week, and several of next weeks activities include the eggs. Jacob really enjoys school, he loves learning and he really enjoys making things.

With Love,

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We have had a busy, on the go sort of day. We went out to lunch at Cracker Barrel. After lunch we drove out to see this furniture that one of Rick's friends had recommended. It was quite large, unbelievably so really. It had many nice things, although the prices weren't as impressive as we had expected. Afterwards we went to the pet store to buy some toys for the new additions to our family.

Yesterday we purchased guinea pigs for the boys, "Rascal" for Joshua and "Buddy" for Jacob. We felt that our family needed a pet, other than Frannie the adopted stray outside cat. We have really missed Princess and Allie since our move, but with a new baby and a toddler and a preschooler, we just don't have enough time or effort to commit to a dog and trying to train it. But, we love animals, and I think it is good for children to be around animals, so Rick did some research and thought that guinea pigs would be a good fit. Jacob calls them "mice". He instantly fell in love with them. Joshua likes them quite a bit also. He enjoys standing and looking in through the top of the cage. I think they are adorable. They make cute little squeaking sounds. We bought them cute toys and a bed and things and have their "home" all set up.

Last night Jacob and I were having fun making silly faces at each other before bedtime. It is funny when we laugh together, I think his laugh is so contagious. I love when we laugh together.

It is lovely when we have been out for the day and then come home, it feels so nice. I just love our home, and it always feels so welcoming and comfortable, and I feel as if there is no where else I would rather be. I really like Kansas City, too. I just feel comfortable here and it is just a pleasant place to live. God really provided for us by giving us the opportunity and means to relocate here, and He provided us the perfect house in such a beautiful location. It has all been such a positive change. And it seems that moving here has also been a wise career move, Rick's boss told him that he has big opportunities and a bright future here. We do miss all of our friends. It was hard to leave the Thompsons and the Schumachers, and I do get homesick for the Shrine, but this is our home now, and it is a wonderful home.

Things are going so well with baby Joey. He has got to be one of the sweetest babies that God has ever made. I am just enjoying him so much. He is so precious when he wakes up at night, he stops crying the moment I pick him up. And he just snuggles in so closely. I think that I feel even closer to him with having had a natural birth, there is somewhat of a stronger realization that i carried him and nurtured him and then brought him into this world through my labor and it was my arms where he felt comfort in his first moments of life. It is just an amazing feeling and it really makes my maternal feelings even stronger for all of my boys. I am so thankful to be a mother. What a gift from God!

With Joy!

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Guinea Pigs!

We have had a busy, on the go sort of day. We went out to lunch at Cracker Barrel. After lunch we drove out to see this furniture that one of Rick's friends had recommended. It was quite large, unbelievably so really. It had many nice things, although the prices weren't as impressive as we had expected. Afterwards we went to the pet store to buy some toys for the new additions to our family.

Yesterday we purchased guinea pigs for the boys, "Rascal" for Joshua and "Buddy" for Jacob. We felt that our family needed a pet, other than Frannie the adopted stray outside cat. We have really missed Princess and Allie since our move, but with a new baby and a toddler and a preschooler, we just don't have enough time or effort to commit to a dog and trying to train it. But, we love animals, and I think it is good for children to be around animals, so Rick did some research and thought that guinea pigs would be a good fit. Jacob calls them "mice". He instantly fell in love with them. Joshua likes them quite a bit also. He enjoys standing and looking in through the top of the cage. I think they are adorable. They make cute little squeaking sounds. We bought them cute toys and a bed and things and have their "home" all set up.

Last night Jacob and I were having fun making silly faces at each other before bedtime. It is funny when we laugh together, I think his laugh is so contagious. I love when we laugh together.

It is lovely when we have been out for the day and then come home, it feels so nice. I just love our home, and it always feels so welcoming and comfortable, and I feel as if there is no where else I would rather be. I really like Kansas City, too. I just feel comfortable here and it is just a pleasant place to live. God really provided for us by giving us the opportunity and means to relocate here, and He provided us the perfect house in such a beautiful location. It has all been such a positive change. And it seems that moving here has also been a wise career move, Rick's boss told him that he has big opportunities and a bright future here. We do miss all of our friends. It was hard to leave the Thompsons and the Schumachers, and I do get homesick for the Shrine, but this is our home now, and it is a wonderful home.

Things are going so well with baby Joey. He has got to be one of the sweetest babies that God has ever made. I am just enjoying him so much. He is so precious when he wakes up at night, he stops crying the moment I pick him up. And he just snuggles in so closely. I think that I feel even closer to him with having had a natural birth, there is somewhat of a stronger realization that i carried him and nurtured him and then brought him into this world through my labor and it was my arms where he felt comfort in his first moments of life. It is just an amazing feeling and it really makes my maternal feelings even stronger for all of my boys. I am so thankful to be a mother. What a gift from God!

With Joy!

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Joey's First Bath

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Play Time

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Sunday Blessings

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Joseph's One Week Old!

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Joshie and Joe-Joe

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Animal Cracker Fun

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