Halloween-y

Two day's before Halloween and some little ones where expressing, continuously, our lack of Halloween preparedness. So a pumpkin for everyone and craving tools in hand these amazing kids (and Daddy) whipped out some pretty spectacular pumpkins. In 2 hours and 15 minutes we accomplished 7 jack-o-lanterns and dinner! 

Unpacking

We unpacked a box yesterday. I thought it was full of pillows-it was not. We found all the early picture cds from our marriage, which included a lot of Paul Thomas' first few months. Goodness that was a trip to memory lane. I want to say it was all rosy memories, but the truth is when I saw pictures of me, I saw so much pain and confusion. I saw me desperately wanting guidance and protection. 

The first is so very, very hard. I relived how the most important day of my life was tainted by misguided intentions. How I, as a person, was completely disregarded the moment my child was born. 

I remembered thinking that day, "Why don't you protect me! I am strapped down unable to move, I've been through the ringer, protect me!" Honestly, I thought it again yesterday. 

Yesterday, I actually got enraged thinking about how this very most intimated family time was shattered by self seeking individuals. Individuals that never once stop to ask if we were okay with what they were doing, just that they were doing it regardless. Yesterday, I vented to Philip and then cried and then vented. He is the best. He apologized for not protecting me, he is not at fault, he needed protection and guidance too. 

Maybe one day I can look at those pictures and look in awe of that young woman who endured so much more than 18 hours of pictocin induced labor, but endured it while being trampled on and as she wanted to scream and yell, she kept it together. Maybe one of these days not only will that strong and capable woman be seen, but she will influence growth and peace in this woman. Maybe those wounds will turn into scars. Scars are simple reminders of life lived, wounds seep pain and frustration. Maybe someday soon I'll be more like her.

Wiggle Worm

The other morning as Philip and I sipped our coffee and prayed together his lap was infiltrated by our wiggliest child to date. As he juggled his coffee, book and thighs from extremely bone bits he jokingly exasperated, "Annie, your entire body is moving!"

In her cute little chipmunk voice she responded, "But, not my toes."

Annie K: movement wrapped in skin since conception.

(The only baby I actually thought would break through my belly.)

Family Expansion By the Numbers

Oh I like numbers and patterns. So it should come as no surprise that this new little one has me a bit confused...we were even 3 girls, 3 boys. And we had a little pattern or sandwich of sorts with the birth order. 

So Little TB will just have to have a new set of numbers...

In April we will hold 7 babies, 

that have been born with 6 different home addresses,

in 5 different towns,

in 3 different states.

to 2 parents,

and 1 amazing family. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Our Michigan Family.

Truly one of the biggest blessings to moving is being closer to family...well most family, this family.

We are blest to truly build relationships with our nieces and nephew and watch as Uncle Stephen marches deeper into his vocation. And my goodness look at that tall handsome man on the left...He's mine!

Friday Photo Favorites

I never understood how parents could so willingly and even longingly let their little ones sloppy kiss all over them. Then, I had PT who was too much like his mother and gave kisses by gently touching his forehead to yours. Then came Avery who smiled and nestled in for a book early on, but did not give kisses. Mary Colette was the daintiest little one who by nine months had the perfect little peck and was so girly and sweet and lavished only her Daddy in the softest kisses. George came and he finally warmed us up to some the best cuddles and a few sloppy kisses. Followed by a few more sloppy kisses, only for me, from Annie. She would look at everyone else in the room get their attention and then grab my faces and just slobber and pull pack so proud of her obvious display of affection. Now for Eleanor, oh this little one gets so excited and happy she grabs the closest face and just lets loose. She gives very intentional kisses to her mommy and daddy, but every now and then she gets caught up in the moment and just plants a real doozy on a sibling, which of course shocks and delights them. They keep track of how many each has received and beg her for more which then she laughs and simply shakes her head no. Oh how we delight in her and her in us! 

Welcome

Sweet Eleanor Rose

Born July 6, 2016

7 lbs 5 oz

Welcomed by:

 Five adorning big siblings.

And one very exhausted Daddy.

You are a very sweet little one and hopefully soon I can process and write your birth story. 

You surprised us all in timing and in gender and we look forward to many more surprises to come. You have stolen our hearts and captivated prayers. We all give thanks for you, new life and God's miracles big and small.

Manic Monday

What does it take to get get this?

This

Thank You Daddies!

Much Love

"I much love you, Daddy!"

"I love you as much as Mommy!"

-Mary Colette

Celebrate as Usual

8 years ago we celebrated with a four week ago and being more scared than ever at the whole life and parenting thing.

7 years ago we celebrated via phone in two different states with a strained conversation about finding a new apartment quickly.

6 years ago we celebrated with our two sons and whirlwind of family coming and going to meet our newest.

5 years ago we celebrated by pinching every penny so we could celebrate with newly weds a month later.

4 years ago we actually did something. We celebrated with a rare date that resulted in labor and delivery of our first daughter the next day.

3 years ago we celebrated while on the road making another cross country trip; family, friends and sacraments.

2 years ago we celebrated in the mists of laundry and packing for book end sacraments, baptism and wedding.

1 year ago I thought you brought me flowers-they were for you other girl. We celebrated with "all is well" with our newest blessing.

This year will be much of the same, no fancy celebration or date. Just us and our littles doing what we do, eat, laugh clean up, bed and maybe, maybe if we are lucky we can have some uninterrupted time to talk tonight.  Or rather put together a birthday cake and decorated our dining room. (I doubt it though, our birthday girl is in transition and hasn't let us sleep for awhile.) Somehow all of this is comforting to me. These little people are our fruits of what took place 9 years ago.

Thank you for letting our family take up this time in our lives right now. Thank you for not being upset when we don't get to do what we had planned because someone is scared or sick or had other plans. Soon enough our littles won't be little anymore and won't need us as much, so thank you for being present in the moment God has given us. Thank you for having patiences when mine is out and for giving me time every morning to start my day without people underfoot. Thank you for showing our children what authentic masculine love is. Thank you for being their go to for all things facts and faith. Thank you for dancing with the girls and making bows and arrows with the boys. Thank you for letting me focus on this moment in life too. You make me better. You make us better.

I love you, Philip.

You Must Be SuperMen

Five and half years ago I sat in Mass and felt a small squishy hand slide as far around my back as it could. The little boy sat quietly beside me watching not me and, well, not the priest, but his Poppy. His Poppy had his Gia wrapped in his arm, the same way I grew up seeing him do. The way, as a girl, I longed for him to put his arm around me in the same study embrace. The way I eventually longed for a husband to embrace and love me. It was a quiet, yet powerful symbol of love and protection and my little boy was trying his best to emulate it. He saw the meaning as well and knew it was powerful, somehow that action reflected a strong masculine love and he desired to show a love like that.

That was the first time it hit me...You men must be SUPER! Always, always, always there are eyes watching you, wanting to be just like you. There is no room for being super just around the littles and then being your regular old self the rest of the time. You see, my littles pick up on that lie all too quickly. Therefore, you must be super all of the time. 

No I'm not just talking to Daddies, I'm talking to all men; Uncles, Godfathers, Grandpas, Priestly Fathers and even Big Brothers. Someone is looking up to you and wanting to fill your shoes someday; make sure your shoes are worthy. 

Yes, I realize I left very little room here for you to be anything but super. I see no reason to. You men impact so very much of our future. Your examples set the stage for all the other young men in our family and society. You must be Super.

With all that said, thank you to all the men in the lives of my young men for being just that - Super.

For being worthy of emulation.

For wearing shoes well worth filling.

Thank you for being more than enough.

For being tender.

And patient.

And fun.

And brave.

Thank you for teaching lessons I can not.

Thank you for guiding Our Faith.

Thank you for being SuperMen for our children, especially our boys.

Happy Father's Day to all Men!

A New Tradition

We decided to honor Our Mother, you know the big one, on Mother's Day with a May Crowning. It is a great reminder to what we as mothers aspire to be. 

 We gathered roses, made a crown and Philip put together a really beautiful procession and, ummm, carried us through the Salve Regina. 

We took roses to Mary in both honor and petition. 

Mary Colette was so excited to crown Mary and did such a wonderful and reverent job.

This picture really captures how delicate she can be.

Of all the gifts my parents have given me, this is the most powerful and the best of all-a foundation in my catholic faith! With it they are also securing anchors for my children in the faith as well. Philip and I constantly are in awe of God's blessing to be able to rear our children surrounded by family rooted in our Catholic faith.

This was such a lovely and tangible way to honor Mary, Our Queen and Mother and a way to make our faith more than just Sunday Mass. Think this is a keeper.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for Us.

Friday Photo Favorites

Flight

Trust

Delight

A lovely day

Sunday was such a lovely day. We went to Mass, had brunch with my beautiful Momma and hers then honored Our Mother with a May Crowning. As I stood outside with our two year during the Mother blessing (and most of Mass) I thought this is what Motherhood is about. It's not standing in the front to be acknowledged, no, it's shhhing the baby and rocking in the quiet corner. Motherhood is never about praising self (though you will not hear a louder voice than a Momma cheering on a cub), I learned that the moment my first was born...18 hours of labor and really, really hard work physically, mentally and spiritually became a complete afterthought once my boy was born. There was no medal waiting for me, no instead the entire ordeal was meant to give me the confidence to venture on into the most rewarding, challenging and amazing gift-motherhood. Oh yes, we mothers are bonded together with shared knowledge that we are doing some of the most menial and meaningful work daily and most of us are just winging it. We too often criticize one another, however I think this a lack of confidence in our self, but when one of us is criticized by an outsider only the bonds between mother and child are thicker. We understand what it is like to be running on a few hours sleep, dirty clothes and leftovers. We know and have been through those tough weeks. We get it. So as I stood there on Sunday holding my protesting two year old and caught the "I'm sorry" glance from Philip, I felt more than blest. My arms were full, our pew was full, my heart was full.

And I was not alone as the other Momma with a little one stood beside me in solidarity. 

Texas Tour First Stop

We just got back from a little Tour of Texas, taking us to the the Gulf and back.

Day One, stopping for a picnic lunch in Texas often means fighting wind. Solution: cram everyone into the back and enjoy what you can.

                  

Now I know where she gets her stunning good looks.

Amazed at all the big trucks.

And a little Gia loven to fill up his touch tank before hitting the road again.

We had a very short visit in Austin, where the ladies celebrated Aunt Mae-Mae's newest little boy to arrive early June.

Annie K enjoying special time with her Aunt Mae-Mae.

We had a great time at the "Sprinkle" celebrating Mae-Mae's third boy and her friend's third girl. 

After getting this one hyped up on sugar we loaded the car and drove on to Galveston.