I'll be home for Christmas...(and not only in my dreams)

Yay! We are in! Our beautiful new house! It is a distant memory, the old rental house (except for my deposit that I am still waiting for, but that is another blog post for a diffferent day). I love this house. I love the proximity to my kids' schools. I love that I have a kitchen than more than one of us can be in at a time. I love that Regina LOVES her new room, and is sleeping very well at nights! I love my neighbors. I love walking to Sunday Mass for three weeks in a row. What a blessing it is to live here, in this place. I am in love.

CRAZY DAYS!

Hi all!

I just wanted to let you know not to give up on me. I have been very busy. My dad had major surgery this last Monday with some complications, needless to say, that has added to a crazy week, as I try very hard to get there everyday. Throw Thanksgiving travel and Black Friday in there, and nuts! Oh, and did I mention that I went to the Nebraska game on Friday?? Oh, and...we move in 2 and 1/2 days. Oh, and I am building a baby, 28 weeks along. Geesh, no wonder I am exhausted!

I am seriously looking forward to my children (3 of the 4) going back to school tomorrow after a 5 day weekend! Maybe, then I can pack. YIKES!

Anyway, love to all the bloggers, next time I am on, I will be settling into my new house! Cheers to that!

~Sarah

I hope I never forget this...

The measure of a man is how he treats those at his mercy. -Plato

CRAZY TUESDAY

FOR TODAY ... November 9, 2010

Outside my window ... the temps are dropping. It was 72 today, and will be 53 tomorrow.
I am thinking ... I should go to bed soon.
I am thankful for ... family.
I am wearing ... tshirt and jeans.
I am remembering in prayer ... my friend and her son.
I am going ... to sleep well tonight.
I am currently reading ... not much, just packing.
I am hoping ... that we close Monday.
On my mind ... MY NEW HOUSE!!!
Noticing that ... friendships are complex, and that our insecurities can run very deep.
Pondering these words ..."mama".
From the kitchen ... My very generous dad brought us a Popeyes chicken dinner! Yummo!
Around the house ... boxes everywhere!!! Love it!
One of my favorite things ...quiet.

Monday mumblings

So, I am sitting here at my computer in my "never-done yoga" yoga pants, and black tank top reflecting on my day, and things happening around me. I mowed today. The entire yard. It was 75 degrees out, and beautiful, and the GIANT yard just sat there, calling my name. So, I went. And as I mowed, I got this amazing satisfaction, knowing that this would be the VERY last time I would EVER have to mow this particular yard. We move in 23 days, not that I am counting...

Fox news is on the tv in the background, and the current news is all about Nancy Pelosi putting in a bid for House minority leader. I realize that it is 8:43, and remember that I havent eaten supper yet. But, I had such a late lunch, that I am not sure that I care. I am enjoying a Hy-Vee grape pop.

Life seems great in the mundane tonight. I just read my friend's blog about her new baby boy, and it makes me yearn, yes yearn, to hold my new baby son, when the time is right of course. I wonder how it will go down, the ol' labor/delivery thing. #5, and I am still scared, I still re-read all of the books about childbirth. Funny how things go.

I need to pack or do laundry or something, but I love the bliss of hanging out in the same room as my husband, and just doing nothing. I like brainless activity. I especially enjoy it with some downtime after the kids are in bed, and I can just zone in front of the tv.

MMMM... grape pop, a good change up from my normal cola.

Sucker for a good deal!

I am a sucker for a good deal! I love free things. I recently received a coupon in the mail for a gallon of free milk, because I wrote an "essay" about my love for sour cream! Ha! And that is why I am shamelessly going to promote Shutterfly, but can you blame me?!?... Look at all of the beautiful photo products that you can create!!!

As you may know, I am a crazed photographer (more on that later), I even shot my first wedding this past summer, and this is such a great site! It's easy! Just upload the pics, arrange your pics on the premade cards, add text, and VOILA, gorgeous photo cards!

I am planning on using Shutterfly for this year's Christmas cards! My husband is adamantly opposed to anything that says Happy Holidays, so we also opt for a Merry Christmas-type card. I love pictures, the more the merrier, so I hope to use a template where I can use at least 7-8 photos. This is also quite compatible with my children, especially Regina (who has autism), because I can never get all four children to sit still and look at the camera. So, I love that I can put individual pictures on the card!

Here are some of my favorites!
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/picture-tree-christmas-4x8-photo-card-4x8-photo?sortType=1&storeNode=93480

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/merry-dots-christmas-4x8-photo-card-4x8-photo?sortType=1&storeNode=93480


Check out these Christmas cards--
Christmas photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

I have a beautiful friend here who makes a photo book every year for each of her children, I want to get there someday, and I would use this template--
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books

And maybe, just maybe when I have this new son in February 2010, I could get around to making announcements (like I did with my first child)--
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements/baby-boy-birth-announcements?c=60375

And one last plug...If you Twitter or Facebook, help us spread the word: Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, follow the arrow à  http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Shutterfly.com   Check it out! You will love it! Brought to you by: Infomercials by Sarah

CRAZY Thursday!

FOR TODAY ... November 4, 2010


Outside my window ... Brrrr...it's supposed to get down to 29 degrees tonight, and possibly snow next Saturday...

I am thinking ... that true friends are excited for things that make you excited!

I am thankful for ... the grace of Confession.

I am wearing ... Husker hoodie and swishy pants.

I am remembering in prayer ... my dad.

I am going ... to sleep well tonight.

I am currently reading ... friends' blogs.

I am hoping ... that our move goes well.

On my mind ... MY NEW HOUSE!!!

Noticing that ... cleaning the tub for 2 hrs straight yesterday made me sore today!

Pondering these words ...

From the kitchen ... Jeff "cooked" sliced ham and chips. I am not complaining.

Around the house ... getting ready to move!!

One of my favorite things ... my nice warm bed.

From my picture journal ... sorry, coming soon.

I'm back!

It has been quite a hiatus, but I am ready to blog. Have to get things back in order on this ol' blog... be patient with me!

CRAZY THURSDAY??

FOR TODAY ... March 25, 2010 Outside my window ... Sun, sun, sun...probably 50's~ I am thinking ... that God is good, and our Blessed Mother cares for us so much!!

I am thankful for ... my faith. I am wearing ... jeans, tshirt, flip flops. I am remembering in prayer ... Emily and Paul, and J.D. and my dad. I am going ... to watch the KSU advance tonight to the elite 8! Go cats!. I am currently reading ... cookbooks. I am hoping ... that J.D. takes every opportunity that he is given. On my mind ... I want to buy a house! It is constantly on my mind. Noticing that ... This solemnity has been ESPECIALLY good to us!. Pondering these words ... Fiat! From the kitchen ...TACOS! and dessert...God loves us!

Around the house ... fairly clean despite Regina's best efforts this morning! ditto. One of my favorite things ... my kids' cheeks... peferct for nuzzling!

From my picture journal ...

St. Paddy's

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Rare moments

This is a precious picture in my heart. These two sisters rarely get along. It is beautiful to see them together, with Regina's arm around Libby. May they grow to love each other more every day, and may they be kind to each other...

Oldies, YET goodies...

Regina loving the fall leaves, Atchison

Itty Bitty Libby Thomas, right before Midnight Mass

Look at those kids!

CRAZY TUESDAY

FOR TODAY ... March 9, 2010

Outside my window ... Fog and RAIN!! I'll take it! The snow on the ground is G-O-N-E!

I am thinking ... that addiction is an awful thing.

I am thankful for ... my faith.

I am wearing ... Husker jacket and swishy pants.

I am remembering in prayer ... Emily and Paul, and J.D. and my dad.

I am going ... to make it through this evening without Jeff.

I am currently reading ... A Priest is Not His Own, by Fulton Sheen, and Hero of the Underground by Jason Peter

I am hoping ... that J.D. is safe where he is at right now.

On my mind ... J.D., my brother, who was just sentenced to a prison term.

Noticing that ... I'm sometimes lonely.

Pondering these words ... SODA IS LIQUID SATAN! (From Skinny B*%#^), another book I am reading!

From the kitchen ... the best chicken strips I have ever eaten, and I make some with buffalo sauce, I might as well be sitting in Chilis!

Around the house ... fairly clean despite Regina's best efforts this morning!

One of my favorite things ... Maddie cuddling up on me and falling asleep, yay for babies!

From my picture journal ... Picture of Emily, J.D. and me from 3 Christmases ago... (see above)

Madeline Mediatrix

SPRING

There is bird poop on the hood of my van! Yay! Never been so excited for that! Tell tale sign of Spring! That is how bad this winter was, I am excited about bird droppings! So it is.

Dog days

Dear Sarah, It is freezing here, it has been that way for three straight months. The snow that won't melt, because it is too cold. The ice-ridden end of driveway that you cannot break through even with a metal shovel, or a jack hammer, for that matter. The wind-blown snow cheeks of your kids. The bus sliding trying to stop to pick up Regina. The ice crystals on the windows. The inability to go out without heavy coats, hat, and gloves for fear of cold-burns. You remember, the icky winter that you whine about constantly. The one in which you promise to many people, even strangers, that you will not EvEr complain in August about the horrible scorching heat. The winter that has you so down in the dumps, you wonder if you will ever recover. The dreams of the possibility of just walking down the street. The beauty of the blessed lawnmower! The excitement of getting above freezing! Well, Sarah, I write this, so that come blessed July and August, you are reminded of your promise, just a mere 6 months earlier. To not whine about the heat. To whine about the GLORIOUS sunshine. To whine about it being too hot for your kids to go outside. I'm going to hold you to it. How fickle you are! You will be so sick of the HEAT when September nears. No more complaining, Sarah of August 2010. Sincerely, Sarah

CRAZY TUESDAY

CRAZY TUESDAY FOR TODAY ... March 2, 2010 Outside my window ... Cold, but it's trying to warm up. I am thinking ... about marriage alot lately.

I am thankful for ... my lil Libby break yesterday. I am wearing ... long sleeve T and sweats. I am remembering in prayer ... Bishop Bruskewitz and all of the Bishop/Cardinals celebrating Mass in Denton today. I am going ... I was planning on GOING to the library, but dont want to take the kids out in the cold with their colds. I am currently reading ... A Priest is Not His Own, by Fulton Sheen, and "I'd Rather We Got Casinos." (My black history month reading.) same. I am hoping ... for a healthy delivery for my friends, Cacki and Andy. On my mind ... marriages, families, new babies. Noticing that ... friends make my days live-able. Pondering these words ... Referring to her wedding vows: Judie says,"I didnt do anything heroic with Norman's end-of-life issues, I just made a promise, and lived it out. I just did what I said I would." Love that! From the kitchen ... who knows!. Around the house ... getting ready to host Bible study tomorrow night! One of my favorite things ... Maddie sticking her tongue out. From my picture journal ...

Hidden treasures

My little hobby...photography...

CRAZY TUESDAY

FOR TODAY ... February 23, 2010

Outside my window ... Cold, cold, cold, and light flurries, YUCKY!

I am thinking ... about Jeff staying home, and no more traveling for awhile.

I am thankful for ... my childrens' guardian angels (they work overtime around here!).

I am wearing ... tshirt and jeans, exciting!.

I am remembering in prayer ... Baby Maria, baby Evie and Br. Innocent.

I am going ... to go to the dentist on Thursady for the first time in a really long time, yikes.

I am currently reading ... A Priest is Not His Own, by Fulton Sheen, and "I'd Rather We Got Casinos." (My black history month reading.)

I am hoping ... for ONLY cavities, not anything worse than that (see above).

On my mind ... Shireen's fun trip to Phoenix. and Br. Innocent.

Noticing that ... my dishes are endless!

Pondering these words ... Your Cross (see earlier post by Sr. Francis deSales)

From the kitchen ... spaghetti tonight.

Around the house ... TOYS EVERY WHERE!!!!

One of my favorite things ... 8 pm when the kids are asleep.

From my picture journal ...

This picture was taken from the back door of my old house in Atchison. It is a picture of St. Benedict's Church, Atchison, KS. *notice the rainbow*

Behold the Wood of the Cross

Your Cross

Our everlasting God has, in His wisdom, forseen from eternity the cross that He has presented to you as a gift from His inmost heart.

He has considered this cross with His all knowing eyes, understood with His Divine mind, tested with His justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it not be one inch too large, and not one once too heavy for you.

He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation and having taken one last glance at you and your courage, sent it to you from Heaven...a gift from the all merciful love of God.

-St. Francis de Sales

Almost Paradise

Oh to be there right now! I dream of this place during these rough Nebraska winter days. I took these pictures on a beach in Grand Cayman a few winters ago. What a beautiful place!

CRAZY TUESDAY

FOR TODAY ... February 16, 2010 Outside my window ... The sun really wants to come out! I am thinking ... about my sisters. I am thankful for ... a warm house and a warm shower. I am wearing ... tank top?, jeans and flip-flops. I am remembering in prayer ... Aubrey and baby girl, and the repose of the soul of Norman, my sister's dad (see earlier post). I am going ... to hold Maddie, whose just waking up. I am currently reading ... A Priest is Not His Own, by Fulton Sheen, and "I'd Rather We'd Got Casinos. (Don't ask) I am hoping ... for a healthy delivery for Aubrey. And for my own house. On my mind ... Jeff's root canal from this morning. Noticing that ... strangely, I am REALLY excited for Lent to start tomorrow! Pondering these words ... Don't you worry about a thing...every little thing's gonna be alright. From the kitchen ... Fat Tuesday tacos. Around the house ... better, not great. Though, my kitchen sink is empty and clean! One of my favorite things ... talking to distant friends...catching up... From my picture journal ...

GRACE

Today I am thankful for... *Die day and Rise Day being over. *My beautiful little Libby. She is such a helper. *Mascara smeared all over Regina's hands and face. It's all part of what makes her, her! *Bisquick *Healthy kids despite the weather's best try!~ *Pony tail holders *Friends who just help, without even asking or knowing! *Gere Public Library, I read a 400 page book this weekend, just ate it up!

President's Day

Ronald Reagan was given as a stump speech, on a memorable night in 1964 in support of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign... STRIKING GIVEN OUR CURRENT STATE!! I am going to talk of controversial things. I make no apology for this. It's time we asked ourselves if we still know the freedoms intended for us by the Founding Fathers. James Madison said, "We base all our experiments on the capacity of mankind for self government." This idea -- that government was beholden to the people, that it had no other source of power -- is still the newest, most unique idea in all the long history of man's relation to man. This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves. You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream--the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order -- or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path. Plutarch warned, "The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits." The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people. And they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing. Public servants say, always with the best of intentions, "What greater service we could render if only we had a little more money and a little more power." But the truth is that outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector. Yet any time you and I question the schemes of the do-gooders, we're denounced as being opposed to their humanitarian goals. It seems impossible to legitimately debate their solutions with the assumption that all of us share the desire to help the less fortunate. They tell us we're always "against," never "for" anything. We are for a provision that destitution should not follow unemployment by reason of old age, and to that end we have accepted Social Security as a step toward meeting the problem. However, we are against those entrusted with this program when they practice deception regarding its fiscal shortcomings, when they charge that any criticism of the program means that we want to end payments.... We are for aiding our allies by sharing our material blessings with nations which share our fundamental beliefs, but we are against doling out money government to government, creating bureaucracy, if not socialism, all over the world. We need true tax reform that will at least make a start toward restoring for our children the American Dream that wealth is denied to no one, that each individual has the right to fly as high as his strength and ability will take him.... But we cannot have such reform while our tax policy is engineered by people who view the tax as a means of achieving changes in our social structure.... Have we the courage and the will to face up to the immorality and discrimination of the progressive tax, and demand a return to traditional proportionate taxation? . . . Today in our country the tax collector's share is 37 cents of every dollar earned. Freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping from our grasp. Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? Realize that the doctor's fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can't socialize the doctors without socializing the patients. Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he'll eat you last. If all of this seems like a great deal of trouble, think what's at stake. We are faced with the most evil enemy mankind has known in his long climb from the swamp to the stars. There can be no security anywhere in the free world if there is no fiscal and economic stability within the United States. Those who ask us to trade our freedom for the soup kitchen of the welfare state are architects of a policy of accommodation. They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right. Winston Churchill said that "the destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits--not animals." And he said, "There is something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty." You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.

CRAZY TUESDAY

CRAZY TUESDAY I would like to share a reflection with you every Tuesday. Thomas and Libby have nicknamed Tuesday, "crazy Tuesday." Here goes nothing! Thanks to my friend Aubrey for the idea! FOR TODAY ... February 9, 2010 Outside my window ... MORE SNOW! I am thinking ... about my Regina. I am thankful for ... the love of my husband, the protection and love he provides for our family. I am wearing ... sweats and flip-flops. I am remembering in prayer ... the repose of the soul of Norman, my sister's dad (see earlier post). And for a special intention. And for Evie. I am going ... to call Jeff soon. I am currently reading ... A Priest is Not His Own, by Fulton Sheen. And Glamour Magazine. Ha! I am hoping ... to know God's will for our lives. And for my own house. On my mind ... Maddie. Lunch. Jeff. Lunch. Being prolife. Lunch. I'm hungry??? Noticing that ... Nebraska seems constantly cold. I am tired of snow, ice and cold. Why is my street SO ICY? THE SCHOOL BUS SLID TRYING TO STOP! Pondering these words ... Regina SCREAMING, "I need a hug BAD!!!" From the kitchen ... Lunch? and smoothies...must...have...smoothie Around the house ... A HUGE MESS, C.ant H.ave A.nyone. O.ver S.yndrome CHAOS! One of my favorite things ... Maddie all curled up, sound asleep with her bottom in the air From my picture journal ... I don't know how to do this feature on my blog yet, so stay-tuned for a picture journal next crazy Tuesday!

Grace

*I am "stealing" this from my friend Staci!* I am thankful for... Mother Angelica's rosary on EWTN, Regina's favorite tv program, we even have it DVR'd. My little "putter" space heater in the basement, which makes it bearable to live down there. All three girls sleeping through most of the night. My Guardian Angel, and those of my children. Safe trips. The love of my family, especially the kindnesses of my sisters. Really darn fun friends! Ha!

Brady Bunch Family

When divorce and remarriages happen, it can get somewhat confusing. Im talking about my "Brady Bunch" family. Let's start with my mom, she was married three times. She first married a man that she met in India (on a student exchange trip.) He used to her to get a green card, they got pregnant, and then he was out of the picture. My mom had my older sister, Shireen. My mom then met a very kind man, much her elder, whom she married. He is a kind and gentle man, but it did not work our in the end. He is the dad that Shireen loves, knows, and calls her dad. He always loved her, and has always supported her. His name is Norman. After my mom and Norman's divorce, she eventually met my dad. They had me. On my birth certificate, was both Norman's last name, and my dad's last name, as my parents were not yet married. Eventually, they married. They came to the Catholic Church a few years later. Then, "out of that good ol' Catholic loving, came my brother J.D. Then quickly proceeded by my sister, Emily. My mom was diagnosed with cancer in July 1990, and died March 5, 1991. I was 12. Eventually, my dad remarried a woman who had two sons from a previous marriage. So, I am TECHNICALLY number three of six children, though I am the oldest of my full-blood brother and sister, and spent most of my life in that role. I write all of this why? Norman, my sister's dad (not her biological dad) is currently battling cancer, and probably facing the end of his life. And it is strange. I just wrote him a letter thanking him for loving Shireen, and supporting her. And I will grieve his death as a loved one. One who is not actually blood, yet one whom my beloved mother cherished once upon a time. One whose name I bore at my birth. And a good man who loved his family. What a strange web has been weaved. But, one that makes me uniquely me. I pray for families.

Stranded!

You know it well... that helpless feeling that comes over you when you are doing your bathroom business, and BLAMO! NO TOILET PAPER! You scour the defenseless little bathroom for anything...anything at all. You know there is a plentiful bounty of TP in the upstairs bathroom, which haunts you all the more. The mozarella-looking torn shreds of paper that grace the floor infuriate you. It could have been! Darn those kids. Frantically, you turn toward the poor little paper toilet roll, in its' shabby brown cardboardness...and curse it for having only an inch of white available. It is no match. There, like a shining beacon, the beautiful abundant Kleenex box...thank God...you stretch to reach it from the vanity...and to your horror...empty... Now as the sweat beads, mind dizzy, legs numb, you wonder, "Will I ever find resolve?"

If not now, when?

I woke up this morning with this in my head... I dont even know where it is from, or where I have heard it. But, today, for some reason, it is my mantra. If not now, when? I'll get to the laundry. If not now, when? I'll get to bathing Maddie. If not now, when? I'll go to Thomas' school. If not now, when? I feel like God is prompting me. Prompting me out of my laziness and sloth. I don't want to be that way. Darn that devil! Every time I have a conversation in my head about what to do next (and yes, I do talk to myself often), I find myself, head down, embarrassed asking myself, if not now, when? I guess God wants me to get to it!

Here Goes Nothing!

I have been wondering about this blogging thing for awhile now. I love to read my friends' blogs, and wondered what is all involved with this! I guess here goes nothing...bear with me as I stumble through this technology.