From Chaos Comes Happiness

Well, we have survived our Royal Wedding Party, and I am so excited to share some photos of our tea with you! I am so glad the girls were on spring break this week - they have had lots of adventures all week long, but I have to believe that today's Royal Wedding party was truly the highlight of it all. The girls had such fun . . . and me? I really felt like royalty. I think we did a fantastic job celebrating the new bride and groom, and I think the wedding was just spectacular. Here are a few snapshots of our Royal Wedding celebration. We started by hanging the Great Britain flags that we colored, and the chains of red, white and blue, all throughout the family room. We even colored some of the flags and taped them on skewers I found in our kitchen drawers . . . just perfect for cheering as we watched the procession route! I cleaned up some of our china dishes and we set the table - all ready for our tea. Some delicious cranberry ora...

Happy Wednesday, dear blog friends! I hope this post finds you all enjoying your days to the fullest! Just a quick little post to share our latest adventure with you . . . you see, we are getting ready for a special party in our home this week. Oh, let me be a little more formal, shall I? Eh-hem . . .  . Here Ye! Here Ye! Ok . . . that's better. Preparations are well underway for our very own Royal Wedding Celebration!!! Because . . . well, why not??? The idea came to me the other day at work, as I thought through our plans for the week. Knowing that the wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton will be taking place on Friday, and remembering how I (a young 10 year old completely fascinated with the royal family) watched the wedding between Prince Charles and Princess Diana in complete awe and amazement, I decided that I wanted to make this 2011 Royal Wedding a special time in our home. So, I printed out a little invitation for Katie and Ella for our very...

“You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'” - George Bernard Shaw

I should have been a pianist. Really. I don’t know what happened. Ok, I know what happened. But I think I really could have been an amazing pianist. I had thoughts of playing the piano while at work today. Wondering . . . what if? I started thinking about how similar typing on a computer keyboard is to typing along the keys of a piano. And I am darn good at typing on a computer keyboard, I must say. But piano keys . . . something all together different. I wish I was musically inclined. I can sing like no body’s business (especially in the shower), and follow along with music enough to get pretty close to the notes. But playing the piano . . . it’s like a foreign language to me. And while typing today (which is what my day time job primarily consists of), I found myself in a groove. In a rhythm. Selecting the keys with a pep and jump in my step that had me wonder why I never fell into piano playing. But then I was reminded of my enemy. . . I took piano lessons when I was in ...

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter!

As the Easter holiday quickly approaches, I went back through some photos taken last Easter, and realized that I never shared my lambs with you. Yes, I have lambs. Every Easter. Usually two. And sometimes they are injured. Sometimes they can't hear a darn thing, because their ears have fallen off. Sometimes they can't see out of one eye because a certain four year old has eaten one of their eyes. Sometimes they have a furry coat, sometimes not. It all depends what stage you get to them. Oh, and we have come to universally agree in my family that the best part of them, is their butt (because that piece always gets lots of frosting!) Sorry to be crass, but it is what it is . It starts with their birth . . . compliments of my mom. Mom makes the lambs each year . . . and let me tell you, there is nothing like my Mom's pound cake. Seriously. Once they have been take out their pans, they arrive to my home. Next, we call on the spirit of Grandma Josephine for Gram's ...

I’m tired today. Absolutely completely and totally exhausted. All day at work, I wished and wished I could put my head down on my desk and float off to some La La Land. One where Mr. Big (Chris Noth from Sex and the City) would come down rub my feet. Oh, he’s so handsome, isn’t he? I’ve been fighting a cold this week, and yesterday I felt like I lost a little bit of the fight. Not all of it, just a little. My Mom offered to take Ella to her ballet class, so I just slept . . . for a few hours in the middle of the afternoon. It was heavenly. (I can’t even tell you that last time I did that.) Boy oh boy, I sure could do that again. At 10:45 PM last evening, as I was just about the lay my head down for the night, I remembered that I was in charge of bringing Easter napkins to Ella’s pre-school celebration today. Augh. Of course. Always at the most inopportune time, right? I contemplated getting out of bed and venturing out at that time, but my struggle took on a whole new fight whe...

PG loves to travel. His job is absolutely perfect for him, because he is able to see some really great places in this country of ours, and enjoy some really great food. And if you know anything about PG . . . know that he really enjoys food, and loves to tell you all about it.  And if you know anything about me . . . know that I am working hard at living a healthier life this year ( and I am going to Weight Watchers), so most of his stories make me sort of mad. Not really. Just a little. ;) Last week, when he returned to tell me all about the Peanut Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast he had, I wanted to deck him. Not really. Just a little. ;) I guess he went to some restaurant that had been featured on Food Network, or some garbage like that. ( Side note: I say that in jest, as I am a Food Network Junkie and my television is often set to that channel.) He ordered the PB&B Stuffed French Toast, and said it was the best thing he ever ate. EVER ...

I bought a new tablecloth last week. You know, one of those vinyl ones. The kind that I grew up with, that my Mom and Dad had. The kind that I swore I would NEVER use when I had a house of my own. The kind that smells all plasticy when you first open it. The kind that you can wipe off quickly with a sponge or towel, and is totally kid-proof because even a tall glass of milk won't go through it. The kind that makes me think of jello, avocado colored appliances, and casseroles. Yes, I bought a new tablecloth last week. And I love it. The colors are my new spring/summer palette. They make me happy. And the little flower I bought at Michaels matches perfectly. It makes me feel happy . . . and like Martha Stewart. Although, do you think Martha Stewart has any vinyl table cloths? I think I want to leave it on our table all of the time. You know, just like thought I would NEVER do. All day and night long. Because I love it. Is it still  a table cloth ...

I have been writing a great deal outside of this blog lately. Writing words and sentences that come to my mind about this life of mine. Little inspirational thoughts that appear in the midst of my happy chaos. It has been a good exercise for me - to put words together in a way that touches my soul. The other day, when Ella asked if we could paint, I decided it was time to try and do something with some of the words that I have written. Thus, the following piece of art was born . . . I have never tried a collage like this before. It was truly the coolest creative moment. Free. It's a little busy. A little chaotic. Part of me really likes it. The other part of me passionately dislikes it. My brain is struggling with the artist inside who desperately wants to find a way to come out. But the words . . . they are true. I may have to explore this avenue a few more times, and I'll certainly share with you, I am sure. I like this journey I am on right now....

Disclosure: This is a long one, my friends. I hope that you will take the time to read it - if not now, than perhaps in a day or two. It meant so very much to me to be able to tell you this little story, and I appreciate any time you give. This truly changed my life. And I wanted to share it with you. We are going to see the movie "Hop" this afternoon. PG has just returned from a trip to the west coast, and Katie, Ella and I are looking forward to spending the afternoon enjoying a fun family movie with him. Ella has been hopping around the house for days now, telling me all about the rabbit that poops jelly beans. (Joy!) I can't wait to see their reactions as we watch it on the big screen. (Gotta love the cinema!) While getting dressed this afternoon, I reached in my underwear drawer and pulled out the first thing I touched. I wasn't looking for a specific bra or pantie to wear (it's a Saturday afternoon and we are going to see a family movie, after all.) So...

Artwork by Katie There are times in my life when I like change . Changing my furniture around, the color of a room, or my hair style. For me, change is good. It’s refreshing, it’s something new, and it’s an opportunity to reinvent. But there are other times in my life when I like consistency . My favorite toilet paper, my coffee, my job. For me, these things bring me great comfort, make me feel safe, and usually are just as they are. But consistency is never a given . Really. And lately, I’ve been thinking about making some changes in the things that are usually constant. What stops me? The fear of the unknown . Darn, that ‘unknown’. Always lurking around, telling me to ‘go back to what is safe.’ I’m in a strange mood this week. Feeling a little out of control. Control . That’s a whole other ball of wax, isn’t it? While talking to my sister earlier today, she hit the nail right on the head with the whole ‘control’ thing. I feel like things are spinning out of control ...

Any day now . . . Any day now . . . we will see you in all your glory, and the memory of past Springs will become our reality once again.  Any day now . . . I will walk passed you and be reminded of that scene in "Willie Wonka" . . . Gene Wilder as "Willie Wonka" image obtained from Google Image Search. Original site unknown. . . . when Gene Wilder drinks something (that I like to imagine is the sweetest, butteriest, most amazing thing) from a buttercup, and I'll wish just once I could do the same with you. Any day now . . . I will turn the corner of our block and find you waiting for me with your petals wide open, as if wanting to give me a Spring hug, and your scent will make me feel as if the heavens have opened up and sprinkled sweet smells over us all. Any day now . . . can't come soon enough.

" It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." ~Henry David Thoreau Here's wishing you all a wonderfully creative Wednesday!

I like to play the “ What’s your favorite…?” game with Katie and Ella. You know, the “What’s your favorite color?” , “What’s your favorite TV show?” , “What’s your favorite pizza topping?” . . . those kinds of things. I like to keep up with their favorites in the ever changing minds of theirs, and they LOVE when I ask them these questions. However, I’ve learned that there are some questions I have to preface with additional rules. Like the other day, as Katie and I ran errands around town and I started asking her questions. “You can’t say recess or lunch,” I told her, “so, what is your favorite subject in school?” (Her 7 year old brain usually feels that recess and lunch are subjects and are both very deserving of her vote.) “Mom,” she answered, “I have to tell you that I really really love music class. Because when the music plays, it brings such joy to my ears.” Seriously. You have just got to love that child. "...Joy to her ears...," she told me. I love ...

Wow . . . where did that weekend go? I hope this post finds all my dear blog friends doing well and enjoying life. Me? I'm coming off of a week of craziness . . . lots going on, lots taking place, lots of " doing ." Doing . . . that's how I feel today. Like I've been . . . DOING   and doing and doing . . .  like crazy. "Doing what?" you ask. Well . . . here's a short list: Volleyball practice for Katie Spring "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" program for Katie and her Second Grade class Ballet class for Ella (getting ready for her Spring "At the Movie's" Program in May) Designing Munchkin houses for Ella's ballet program Religious Ed . . . First Eucharist Sacrament preparation for Katie Planning communion celebration for our family Buying paint for Katie's room Lots of snuggle time with Ella while we nurse her sniffles away Multiple viewings of " Tangled " and " Ponyo " (have you seen ...

I am not one to write about political things . . . never have been, and don't plan on ever doing it again . . . . but this news of a pending shutdown of our government has me . . . . enraged. I don't know all the facts . . . and don't really have the time this week to read all about it. Because I am doing my job . . . working, raising a family, attending meetings for my children, church activities, etc.. That is what I have decided to do with my life. Those are the choices I made. But the politicians . . . they made a different choice. They made a choice to run for office, to work hard getting their voices heard, to win their elections, and to continue to work for the American people (while earning their salaries and reaping the additional benefits that may come their way...and there are benefits, quite often, I would imagine.) Shouldn't they . . . play nice? I've listened to their promises and made decisions to support those I believed would make a difference...

Just a little Random Thinking Moment for those of you who have been around a while. It’s been quite some time since I’ve shared one of these random moments with you. Don’t worry . . . I still have them all the time. I just usually decide not to bore you with them. But this one, I just had to share. You see, I have come to the realization today that . . . I . . . am a baby. In my lifetime, I have broken a wrist, had countless scraps and softball injuries (and have scars to prove it), have given birth to two children (ok, so I had an epidural . . . but still, there is pain), have had surgery on my esophagus (now that’s a long story I don’t think I’ve ever shared with you), have slipped down stairs numerous times, and have stubbed my toe hundreds of times as well. And I survived it all . . . However, TODAY my finger is killing me. “Why, pray tell?” you ask? Well, quite simply, I have one of those sore little finger nail thingamajig injuries. Is there a formal medical term for t...

I've come a long way. . . and today, I was reminded just how far. Years ago when Katie was a young toddler, and long before Ella joined our world, I was an uptight mom. (Can you even imagine it? Crazy, I know!) But I wanted things . . . . perfect. No, let me explain it another way. I believed that if things weren't perfect , that it was a direct reflection of the type of mom I was. Crazy, huh? Crazy, but true. If Katie had a hair out of place, I thought people would think I didn't take good care of my daughter. If she had messy hands, it must mean that I didn't clean her. If she was chubby, I fed her too much. If she was skinny, I didn't feed her enough. I like to think of this time as the whole 'new mom syndrome'. It wasn't fun. I was surrounded with questions of "What If?" . . . What would people say  if I let her get dirty? What would people think  if . . . . you get the picture. ...

"Mom, I love Justin Bieber," Katie told me yesterday, as she taped pictures of him to her school folder, "I'm going to marry him." "Oh, you're going to marry Justin Bieber?" I asked. "Yep. Abby  [her friend from school] says we have Bieber Fever," she continued. "You have Bieber Fever?" I asked. "That's what Abby said," she answered. "But Gabe [a boy who takes her bus] said he doesn't know what Bieber Fever is . . . he said it must be some sort of a sick-ness," she said, "and I told him we didn't have a SICK ness. I told him we have a LOVE ness." A LOVE ness. I love that. Listening to Katie go on about her future husband, reminded me of my crushes. Chachi . . . . (aka Scott Baio . . . LOVED HIM SO!!) The boys from St. Elmos Fire . . . aDORable! All My Children's Tad Martin (aka Michael Knight) circa '80's Mr. "Say Anything"...