A super quick reunion

My "little" brother, Ben from CA was in town on business. I enjoyed a little mommy-son time with Thomas who joined me on the drive to meet up with Ben at Uncle Jim's cabin. We had a nice time catching up, whipping up a delicious 20 minute recipe in 2 hours, being treated to Thomas' a.m. omelets, deer (& bear!) watching, exploring by the streams, playing Monopoly, Domino's, & having our own Twilight Zone marathon....

and Uncle-supervised sledding....

(Yes, Thomas is fine....he came up eating snow & laughing)

Thomas' words: Life doesn't get much better than this- I won the Pinewood Derby and the next day I got to go to Uncle Jim's cabin.

Thanks, Jim & Allison. We had a great time!

Thank Heavens for 1/2 Birthdays!

I'm finally at a good place mentally to write about my 40th. I'm still more than fine with turning 40, but the actual date was something else....

We have a standing tradition that there is some flexibility as to when we celebrate. Sometimes we've spread out celebrating over a week due to work schedules, trips, etc. In the case of my 40th, someone was sick in the house nearly every day that week. As I've already mentioned, things were messy around here.

So, my birthday came up and it started off great. Lots of birthday notes, wishes, a couple surprise visits, cannoli (chocolate covered mini's are my new favorite treat---better than cake!)...so fun! After Wayne got home from work, our family went out to dinner and the kids all behaved; it was wonderful....no messy kitchen, no dishes to wash, no coaxing kids to eat, etc.

We pulled in the driveway and Wayne said, "Everyone go to the family room!" The kids gathered 'round, and as I walked in the room, Thomas threw up---in a huge way. I hurried him to the bathroom where he threw up all over the floor, all the while apologizing for getting sick on my birthday. I felt so bad for him. We were all gagging, so I cancelled any dessert party. Wayne was busy cleaning up the front room while I was on my knees cleaning the bathroom thinking, "This is what I signed up for." ...and as gross as that moment was, right there I felt completely satisfied with my choice to be a part of this family through thick and thin. (Although I saved my birthday cannoli for breakfast)

Although he wasn't feeling great, Wayne took me out on a birthday date on Saturday. As we sat there reviewing the week and my birthday, the barf toll was at about 35, including locations like the grocery store floor and all over Christina. Clearly there was no party at our house, so I asked, "Can we just scratch that celebration and do something fun like go to the beach on my 1/2 birthday?" Wayne was on board (& I sensed relief too).

The moral of this gross story is, sometimes the pressure of making YOUR day full of celebration is just not going to happen for one reason or another. Sometimes your birthday week may be out of the question as well. Sometimes it's best to pick another date all together when the sun will be shining and it's not the middle of stomach virus season. I'm starting a new family tradition of celebrating my birthday in July from now on....and now my future grandkids will know why.

Healthy Wishes to all,

Rebecca

Celebrating 40

Most birthdays seem to come and go, but this one, my 40th, has brought lots of reflection and fresh perspective.....

No doubt about it, I may wear the same size clothes I wore before having kids, but they don't fit the same. I wake up in the morning to dark circles and extra cargo under my eyes. Even short jogs test my bladder control. Let's not get started about the belly that refuses to tone....SO stubborn. Aging is no picnic. I know that. However, something changed in my soul recently in church when a young 13 year old, David, gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting. He shared that just the other day he was sitting in school and glanced at his hand, and appreciating the miracle of his body, he was reminded of the reality of God. I wondered how often I look at my body as evidence of God's existence. I'll continue to look after my health, but the aging microscope seems to have softened, bringing the aging process into a healthy, spiritual perspective. I'm thankful that David shared this simple, profound experience. I've taken it to heart.

This morning as I was showered with birthday kindness, Grace said, "The best birthday gift in the whole wide world is LOVE." My heart feels like it could burst when I contemplate the love I have in my life within the walls of my home, among my extended family, and my dear friends. I'm looking forward to going out to dinner with the family tonight and sporting my birthday down coat, but Grace is right on....Love is the greatest gift.

(Photo Credit: Macy Robison Photography)

While for just over a decade I've loved welcoming our 5 beautiful babes into the world and mothering them, this coming decade will bring mothering changes.....I'll have 2 kids in college! I love every day I have to mother my children. My mom died at 49, and I just know that each day is a gift.

I'm excited to fulfill a personal dream of going back to school once my kids are all in school---this is the year! I'll get started once Wesley enters pre-school in the fall. I'm thankful for my family's support. I have no idea what I'll study, but I'm hoping to find an avenue I love.

So, here's to 40---to more hopes, dreams, blessings, hugs & kisses, & lots of love! I don't care if 40 is the new 30....I simply and deeply appreciate being in a good place for this birthday. I know that the good in my soul and in my life comes from a loving and merciful Savior. The path He has blessed me with is far richer than any I would have made on my own.

Sick Days

The washing machine and carpet shampooer have been getting heavy use over the last 2 days. A crazy stomach bug has gone from kid to kid and it's been unbelievably MESSY. After a rough night, Wesley woke up at about 10am, and has been sluggish all day.

He fell asleep on the couch like this....

Nina's down. Grace & Caroline are recovered, but won't entirely admit it since the sick ones get Gatorade.

Hopefully we're on the mend. There's just so much that the senses can take.

Preview of a family meeting on Haiti Service

"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount

of love that is put into them that matters."

-Mother Teresa

There's nothing like viewing stark poverty and disaster to awaken one's self to deep compassion for the suffering, and gratitude for the comfortable life we have. The night after the quake in Haiti, I was watching Anderson Cooper report on the damages that were just coming to light. He spoke about areas of Haiti that already were in deep poverty which he'd visited and seen first hand- children selling mudcakes (which are exactly that- dirt/water) for FOOD. Mothers would feed mudcakes to their little ones because they were desperate to give them a full feeling in their empty stomachs. So, I'm feeling a little guilty that here I am spending hundreds of dollars a month on food for our family. I know that guilt isn't necessary, but the sorrow of the Haitians' plight has stirred up compassion in my heart and I know that as a family, we can and should help in some way. This is what our family meeting will be about when Wayne gets back tomorrow from his business trip..... What will we do as a family to help?

One thing we'll discuss is how we can help humanitarian relief long term. Our church works with the American Red Cross to offer humanitarian service wherever needed. They began sending relief supplies to Haiti soon after the earthquake (news report found HERE). Go HERE on our church website if you want to donate money to the humanitarian emergency response. You can set it up to donate any amount of $ each month. This reminded me of our monthly fast offering where we fast two meals each 1st Sunday of the month and donate the $ we would spend on those meals as a fast offering to help those in need. A couple ideas that have come to my mind to relate this to helping the people in Haiti....

• Fast a meal another time during the month & donate the money we would have spent on that meal to the Humanitarian Fund
• Have PB & J for Sunday dinner and donate the cost of a family pot roast dinner with all of the fixings.

I think we can do something along these lines to help not just one time in reaction to the earthquake, but long term to continually remind us of those in need & the opportunity we have to give. What makes this so powerful in my eyes is that this is our choice. I've talked with my kids a little about the earthquake and they are up for action, in fact Thomas' reaction was, "I want to go there and help!" I felt the same way, although we obviously will need to help, and can help from where we are in meaningful ways.

Our hearts and prayers are with the people in Haiti.

Beautiful Courage

We knew for some time that a new family was moving to our town. They would be attending our church and the same schools as some of our children. When Christina found out that this family had a girl her age, she took initiative and emailed her principal asking if this girl could be on her team at school. She then started spreading the word that a new girl was coming to the school. Christina was thrilled to find out that in fact this girl would be on her team and Christina's enthusiasm rubbed off on her classmates who all became excited for the "new girl" to arrive and it was natural to befriend her right away.

I told Christina that this act of kindness was no small thing. From a mother's perspective it is SO hard to know that a decision such as moving that may be best for the family, will also bring difficult transitions for your children. We went through that just a couple years ago, and my prayers were for my children that they would have at least one truly good friend, and a good teacher. In talking with the mother of this family, she said that their last move was hard on her daughter who is Christina's age. It took a while to make friends, and she was grateful and relieved that the move here was so much easier for their daughter because she was able to make friends right away.

I told Christina that many times the Lord answers our prayers through other people and in this case, she was an answer to this mother's prayer for a smooth transition for her daughter. Christina replied by saying, "I thought of Nicole. (a friend who moved away last summer) Nicole had a hard time making friends when she first moved, and she said, 'If you ever see someone sitting alone in the back of a classroom, go talk to them and be their friend.'"

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers.”

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Christina,

When you courageously share your beautiful spirit, you truly radiate happiness and real beauty. Thank you for your shining example of goodness. What makes this experience even sweeter to me is that you offered this girl more than others offered you when we first moved here and you first attended this school. You courageously followed your heart. I am so very proud of you.

With my love,

Dad's Snowboarding School

Santa brought new (to them) snowboards for Christina and Thomas. Today was DAY 1 of Dad's Snowboarding School. Christina and Thomas are skiers and weren't sure if they'd like snowboarding, but ended up having a blast. Thomas said he thinks snowboarding is "even more awesome" than skiing.

Grace & Caroline whirled and twirled on saucers.

Oh, what fun!

Grace's heart update

Yesterday was an interesting follow-up cardiology appointment for Grace, who was born with pulmonary atresia with an intact stenosis. She hasn't seen Dr d for 2 years and really this is the first time Grace knew what was going on. She voiced the things that bother her....taking the leads off after her echocardiogram. I held her hand throughout the extensive, nearly hour long echo while Grace watched Barbie Nutcracker.

After the echo, Grace had a quick EKG. Dr. d came in and gave us good preliminary news that there didn't seem to be significant change in the valve leakage since Grace's last visit. So, we'll follow-up in another year. This is always so good to hear!

We're thankful to have more time before we have to talk valve surgery.

We're thankful that Grace is such a brave, strong girl.

We're so thankful for the care she's received for her heart condition; for doctors and professionals who take their time with us and make sure we understand.

We're thankful to KNOW what we're dealing with and have an idea of what lies ahead.

We're thankful for research and medical development that will make Grace's future heart procedures less invasive.

Grace reminds us to be thankful for and to really live each and every day!

We celebrated on the way home with some Blue Ribbon BBQ & IBC rootbeer for dinner. Happy Day!

A few gems

In 2009, I discovered a few new blogs that I've added to my sidebar & subscribed to.....take a peek!

• Little Green Notebook - Interior Design. Her post today highlights '09 projects.
• Anne Marie Horner- fabric designer. Here's her most recent Quilt Market booth.
• Sis Boom by Jennifer Paganelli - fabric designer. Here's my kind of office chair.
• Nesting Place- interior decor. I love this collection of robots.
• Cluck, Cluck, Sew- quilting. Here's her '09 project collage.
• Simplify, by Camille Roskelley- fabric designer, quilter

These ladies inspire me to create & to surround myself with beautiful (& fun) things!

A car play mat just for Wes

Dear Wesley,

I love that you're an easy to please, simple taste kind of boy. You love your cars and are content playing on the floor with them for good chunks of time. When you decided that the rug at the top of the stairs was a good car play mat, and started playing on it regularly, I knew we could do better. So, your special Christmas gift was this car play mat I made with much love.

I used your largest small car, the little people car to come up with the size for the white parking spaces stitched on each building. I left several buildings blank, so I can add more names later. The Christmas tree found at the town center needs decorating too. Did you see that our favorite cannoli maker from Boston's North End, Modern Pastry is right there? This play mat is about 62x40...a great size. It's like a quilt. The only thing I did to bind the front to the back was machine quilt around each of the buildings, the tree. each of the signs and parking spaces.

Zooming in on the embroidered signs & different buildings your cars now frequent:

your favorite park where you caught your first fish....

"the Chicken Store" is an inside family joke (should I add a Milk $2.19 sign?)

still to come: a "U-Pick" sign for our favorite orchard, Tougas...

and the CITGO sign for Fenway (maybe the bases too)

I'm so glad you have a new, fun spot to drive your cars around, and it's something that will always remind you of your Beantown roots.

I'm glad you like it!

Loves & Loves,

Wesley's lesson in independence

The other morning I was thirsty,

so I fixed myself some cocoa.

What, mom, I should ask for help? I don't understand.

I scooped a whole cup of cocoa powder and a bunch of

marshmallows in my mug ALL BY MYSELF!

It was missing something, but it was still yummy.

What? I made a mess? Where?

I'm not in trouble, am I?

I LOVE YOU!!!!

-"We-ey"

Mom's note: Wesley can't express himself in so many words quite yet, but his expressions are PRICELESS. We are all wrapped around his chunky fingers & adore our Wesley to pieces.

BUSTED!

Dear children,

Next time you gather to reek havoc....

Make sure you're ALL involved. Because clearly the one who took this picture (Caroline) is the only one who isn't BUSTED!

(PS. Don't you love surprises on your memory card?)

The dollhouse Dad built

Christmas 1974

Gotta love shingled roof, the damask wallpaper, and the shag carpet.

I love the colors & that my DAD built this amazing dollhouse

(for my sister, but that's beside the point).

Christmas 2009

Unfinished & awaiting the personal touches of the ladies in the house. We're so up for this task.

This pine dollhouse is about 5' tall, so us girls, mom included, can play with it at the same time.

There's even room for army men to come visit.

Made with love (& in about 2 days) by dad.

PS....Find the dollhouse plans HERE. We opted to omit the bottom drawer to enable more play space. We'll store all of the dolls and accessories in storage bins in the dollhouse.