Roses for Ten

 I don't watch the Bachelor.  I am vaguely familiar with the rose ceremony idea though.  I'm participating in Mama Kat's Writing Workshop for the first time.  I'm going to share with you the ten people/things I want to continue pursuing a relationship with. On a Monday before some nasty weather heads our way I could use some levity.

The first rose goes to Travis.  Obviously.  Who else is going to roll the trash bins to the curb and clean our floors?


The second rose goes to my iPhone. We are total BFF's y'all.


My third rose goes to unsweet iced tea.  This beverage is what gets me through my afternoons.  Happily the Sonic by my house now sells their tea by the gallon, so I have some in the fridge to help me get through the  next three days.  This is important because I don't plan to leave my house if at all possible.


Rose number four will go to our Wii and the Wii Fit Plus.  Since I joined the 100 Days Challenge it has been very important to me to have some exercise options at home.  Now, doing the steps on the Wii Fit is not all that strenuous, but it is better than nothing.  This rose can be revoked if the Wii starts talking trash to me though.


The fifth rose is for my children.  They point out my less savory character traits on a daily basis, and so help me to be a better person (or so I tell myself).  Also, I can buy them cute clothes that I could never pull off on my own (think color and mixed patterns).


The sixth rose must go to the internet. Duh. Where would I be writing?


Rose number seven goes to my WOWO girls. We've held tight for ten plus years now. Plus, you taught me to love the color pink.


Rose number eight goes to Taylor Swift.  Yes, her music is pseudo-country pop.  Yes her lyrics are a little juvenile. That's precisely why I love her and her music.  Also, my girls sing along in the car and it is pretty stinkin' cute.


The ninth rose is for my running shoes.  I'm not doing a ton of running in them, but I put them on every day and do something.  They wait patiently for my attention and give me the support I need when called to duty.


And finally, the tenth rose goes to baseball.  Our relationship will be reignited when pitchers and catchers report in 15 days!!!  Ours is a relationship that started in my childhood and is sure to last until death.  You brought me closer to my dad, and then helped me hang with the guys and eventually land Travis, so it is only fitting that baseball gets the final rose.


Visit Mama's Losin' It for more writing prompts and posts.

I Have a Blog?

 Hello friends! That is, if you are still out there.  So much for posting three times a week.

I have lots on my mind these days, most of it silly and inconsequential I'm afraid.  Some of it all thoughtful and introspective.  Likely none of it interesting. 

Blissdom is happening right now.  It is a blogging conference. I really wanted to go this year.  It was really irresponsible to even consider it.  I thought that I wanted to go just to meet some of the people I've "known" for over four years now.  But as I read the tweets and posts about what is going on, I think I would have gotten much more out of it.  In fact, surprisingly, the thing I am now saddest about missing was a workshop on writing.  I don't really consider myself a writer, normally.  I've never kept a journal or a diary.  This space here has always been a hobby.  I don't feel that all-consuming desire to pour my heart out on the page (or screen, as the case may be).  Yet I feel a stirring to try.  To push myself a little bit and see where it takes me.  I can do that without going to a conference, obviously.  I'm going to try.

I told Travis that I really want to go to the conference next year.  I'm thinking about ways to make that happen.  I might add some kind of ad network here, although that is not high on my list of ideas.  It would be fantastic to get sponsorship of some kind from businesses that I could really, genuinely support in this space.  I'm telling you this so you won't be surprised if things start to look a little different.  I won't let this blog become a space just for pushing products or other websites, promise.  I just want to see what I can do with it.

In the  meantime, if any of you have any suggestions for material, share!  What do you want to know?  What brings you back here?  Help me make it worth your while.

Casul Friday Take Two

 1. LILY IS USING THE POTTY!!!!!!!!!!!!  She had been saying for a few weeks that she would wear underwear on her birthday, which is in "evuaries" or February to the adult world.  I told her that was great and so on. But on Wednesday she decided to wear underwear.  We were going to a playdate so she wore a pull-up in the car.  Yesterday we stayed home all day and she only had two accidents.  Today she forgot to tell us in the morning, but otherwise is doing great.  She tells me when she needs to go, she is excited about going, she even kept her pull-up dry during her nap.  Those of you who know us in real life know that this is huge.  None of my kids has learned to go to the bathroom before 3.5 or so and usually only with much encouragement.  Lily just decided she was done with diapers and she is.  So, so, so happy about this.

2.  I think I have written about this before.  Maybe not.  I'm doing a 100 Days Challenge.  I saw it on Facebook.  The challenge is to do at least 30 minutes of intentional movement every day for 100 days.  It doesn't have to be exercise, per se, but that is what I am doing.  I have not missed a day!  I've done step on the Wii Fit, boxing, and lots of Zumba.  I finally got back on the treadmill too this week and it felt good and I want to work more running into my schedule.  This challenge has been perfect because it has somehow made it easier for me to do something, without thinking it has to be intense.  Usually my mindset is to not do something unless I can do it all the way.  But I know trying to keep that intensity 100 days in a row would not be smart.   So I'm feeling good (except for the fact that a woman in Zumba asked me if I was pregnant today).

3.  We are Steelers fans, at least for now.  We have family that loves the Steelers.  Cheering for them is fun because our family is fun. Since we have no real affection for the NFL anyway we don't feel too bad about cheering for a long-standing rival of the local Dallas Cowboys. We're going to a watching party this weekend and we have to wear black and/or gold.  We're all good except for Timmy and Caleb.  Will have to remedy that somehow.

4.  I bought UnPlanned and can't wait to read it.  It is a book written by a woman who ran a Planned Parenthood clinic and eventually quit and has volunteered in the Pro-Life movement since.  I don't talk about politics or life issues here much, but I hope that my beliefs are clear through my writing in general and more importantly in my life.  I think there is hope on the horizon for how our culture views the unborn and books like this should go a long way in igniting that hope.

5.  Finally, I love my new phone.  I have a Sports Illustrated that has barely been touched because I can't stop messing with my phone.  It is kind of sad that the video quality on the phone is better than our camera and our TV.  If you play Words With Friends I'm asmanyasgiven and would love to play.  Thanks for the app suggestions too.

Go to Dawn by Design for more Casual Friday posts.

Spoiled

 I am a lucky girl.  I've wanted an iPhone for a couple of years now.  But it is purely a luxury for me, not a need.  My phone was working just fine.  I could access the internet if I really needed to, but it was difficult and frustrating.  But since I mainly make phone calls and text it more than got the job done.  However, Travis knows that I've wanted a new phone.  I was finally due for an upgrade and he agreed that I could get an iPhone!  Woohoo!

So tell me what apps I must have.  I already have the obvious ones, like Angry Birds, Words With Friends, Instagram and so on.  But I want to know what I'm missing out on, preferably free apps.  I like games of course.  I have a Rosary app, I have the Magnificat, but our good Lord knows I can always use more things to help me get on track spiritually too.

Share your iPhone/iPod Touch secrets!

There is a Light

 I've been writing this post in my head for a couple of days but just now have the time to sit down and get it out.  I hope I can convey what I'm thinking about.

People naturally express surprise when finding out we have six kids.  There are many questions, some honestly curious, some that arise because the person doesn't know what else to say.  I think I am starting to realize why so many people think they just couldn't do it with six kids, even though they absolutely could if that is what life gave them.

When we hear news of a person expecting their third or fourth or fifth kid, we have a tendency to think of all of the kids as babies.  We think that the family must be swamped and overwhelmed and how will they ever manage it all?  We don't stop and think about our own children and how they are at different stages and levels of need.  We just imagine a family with five or six babies. 

I myself am guilty of this in my own life.  I think "I have six kids, I'm so busy, there's no way this will get easier" all the time.  But I am here to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!  I have to remind myself of this, but things do get easier. At least physically.  My four big kids can dress themselves! Sometimes they don't match very well or they choose an outfit I wouldn't necessarily pick, but I have learned to let that go.  My big girls can help get Lily (using real names, see about page) dressed if she'll cooperate.  I've let go of my slightly anal tendencies and let them make their own sandwiches.  I can put cups on the counter and they can get water for themselves.  I'm still not brave enough to let them pour their own cereal and milk (all I can see is a box of cereal and gallon of milk spilled across the kitchen floor), but I'm getting closer.  My big kids just don't need me as much in the same ways these days.

Of course, there are other challenges and the emotional needs of some of that can be harder to navigate and meet.  We still don't have perfect days (who does?) and there are still times when I feel absolutely overwhelmed, but that is as much about me as it is about them.  I'm not one of those moms that is great at pretend play and pointless games like CandyLand and Chutes and Ladders.  Finally my big girls are at an age where we can run errands together and enjoy each other's company without needing snacks and drinks and distractions to keep them happy.  We ooh and ahh over pretty shoes and cute baby clothes.  We laugh at silly things.  My big boys and I can watch sports together and get excited over them (my girls too actually). 

It gets better.  A large family is full of different challenges every day, but we also get to experience the joy of a growing relationship with our older children and the fun of having a baby in the house when we have a better idea of what we are doing.  I never expected to be a stay-home mom to six (!) kids, but here I am, exactly where I need to be, and, most of the time, exactly where I want to be.

Elaine and Stephanie also wrote about this parenting journey recently, much more eloquently than me I think.

Casual Friday

 Dawn is hosting a blog carnival and it is just right for me this Friday afternoon.  I don't have seven quick takes, but I think I can muster up five thoughts.

1.  I've done at least 30 minutes of exercise every day in 2011! I joined a Facebook fitness challenge to do 30 minutes of "intentional movement" every day for 100 days.  It does not have to be exercise but that is what I am doing, just to be mindful of the time.  Some days it has just been the step workout on Wii Fit, which is not all that strenuous, but it is still something.  So far I have not lost any weight, which is a tad frustrating, but I need to work on what I eat.  I'm focusing on the positive fact that I am exercising though.

2.  We are not going to spring training this year (did I already write about this?).  We were going to try to go to Surprise, AZ to see the Rangers for our tenth anniversary, but it is not smart to do that. Instead, we are going to try to see the Rangers on a road trip in Los Angeles in August!  I get a beach!  This is better because I have lots of family who will let us stay with them, so we just have to get there.  Husband thought this would be my anniversary present, and it obviously is, but he also generously agreed that I could buy myself the Vintage Silver charms necklace for a gift (I had a coupon code).  I got our initials.  I just got an email today saying it shipped--hooray!

3. I found some workout shirts on clearance at Wal-Mart the other day. They are more fitted than  my normal t-shirts.  Since there are mirrors all around the room at Zumba I am constantly reminded to stand up straight.  That alone makes them worth the five bucks I paid. 

4.  The MP3 device I got from the library, a book on tape essentially, does not work.  I was so disappointed.  I wanted to be see if listening to a book would make running less boring.  I will try another one, but the selection is not great. 

5.  I made up a Parmesan cream sauce for dinner last night!  It was not healthy, but it was yummy.  Nice and creamy and flavorful.  I was very happy because I am not great at improvisation in the kitchen.

I Tried Something New!

 I finally found some boots I like.  I bought two pair and returned them.  I was beginning to think I would be returning the skinny jeans I bought after Christmas. My other boots have high heels and I felt a little weird wearing them with the jeans.

I wasn't sure what kind of shirt to wear.  I tried several different looks.  I rejected them.

Finally settled on something.  Husband kind of chuckled when I got dressed for a party.  He said it was just because it was a look I've never worn.  TMS told me I looked cute and daddy didn't know about fashion because he's a man (where did she learn that?)!

I love the boots and I think I will even wear them with skirts and dresses in the spring.  What do you think?

Edited to add: Boots are Born Concepts, style Mari, color brown.  I got them at Macy's but I have been unable to find them online.  They are so comfortable!

BETTER in 2011

 I'm choosing a word for the year again.  I'm not letting go of Hope, my word last year.  That has become my word for life I think.   But I want to mark this year as well.

"Sanctity does not consist in ecstasies.  It is rather, the perfect union of the creature with God, in complete conformity to his will and loving performance of daily duty." Venerable Thecla Merlo (emphasis mine).

This quote was given to me at the start of a retreat team process last week.  I don't mean to say I will achieve perfection, or eve aspire to it.  But I can do a whole lot to get closer to God's will.  This year is not about being better compared to some mythical perfect woman.  This year is not about being a superficially better person.  Kristen Welch's post at (in)courage seems to capture some of what I am trying to say and work on this year. (Please go read her post, the second link, because it is so good.)

I want to serve my family with a loving heart.  I want to have a clean and peaceful home.  Not because anyone expects it of me or will love me less if I don't do it, but because the people I serve are worthy and deserving of my time and attention.  I need to go about my daily life with an obedient spirit, thankful for the life I've been called to live. 

I want to take care of myself.  I want to treat my body like the beautiful creation it is, regardless of how I feel about how I look on the outside.  If I take care of myself I am BETTER able to take care of my family.

I want to be a BETTER friend.  Words are not sufficient to express the ways we've been gifted in friendships. God has placed so many amazing, wonderful, generous people in our lives and I need to tell them that.

I want to be a BETTER daughter and sister and daughter-in-law.  Again I've been gifted with loving family.  Family that is constant and supportive.  I need to be the same for them.

I know not every day will be a victory.  I know I will hit bumps in the road.  But I want to try to be

BETTER.

8 Months of Joy

BTS is 8 months old!  I took some pictures yesterday in our bathroom because the sun was shining in so nicely.

He makes funny faces.

 He eats his fingers.

He is all smiles almost all of the time.

(I know you can't really see his face but I just really like this picture.  He was doing something cute with his arms).

So handsome.



(edited photo)

We love him!

Motherhood is a Funny Thing

 Being a parent is full of contradictions.  Well, I suppose that is true of life in general.  But I'm here to talk about being a mom.

BTS is no longer nursing.  I knew I would wean him before he was a year old because a close friend asked for my help on a retreat and I couldn't say no.  He's been taking a bottle every day since birth, more or less.  It was always in the evening.  Once we started baby food he was nursing less enthusiastically during the day as well.  Finally, last week he would nurse when he woke up in the morning, but immediately would cry for more food.  So he has been taking a bottle three times a day for about a week.  He hasn't nursed in about five days.  I have not felt any discomfort from that, so I think my body was already producing very little milk.

I try not to dwell on how quickly and easily he stopped nursing.  It really is better for our family at this point in time to have the flexibility we get with him not being dependent on me to eat.  With three kids playing basketball and me going to a meeting once a week for the retreat and all the other things going on this is for the best, probably. 

Still.

I'm sad.  I kiss him as much as I can while giving him a bottle and whenever I am holding him.  I am so grateful for his happy and loving personality.  I love that he loves attention and snuggles from all of us.  And still my heart aches a little bit that we don't have that one special connection.

I've done exclusive bottle-feeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and both with the kids.  So none of this is especially new to me.  But he might be out last child.  And will I look back and wish I had held on to this bond a little tighter?  Hopefully not. I'm not one to live with regret and wistfulness.  But for the next few days you might catch me with a tear in my eye.