In no order, our March:
Jeff took the boys to Slade, Kentucky to rock climb and hike and Janey and I stayed behind. They had fun and so did we. Jeff always says, "Are you sure you don't want to come?" And I always say, "So positive." They Face "Fimed" (Janey's term) us, in a cave with a fire going. They didn't camp out but by the way they made their hotel sound, it probably would have been a better idea. (Gross!)
Took Isaac to get an interview suit and new shoes as graduation is a month away!
Still doing Whole30, so now it's Whole120? Or maybe just real life till I feel like it. I LOVE it. It has improved my health enormously. I send Abbey pics of my meals, and she is tortured by them at college. My newest favorites are zucchini chips, balsamic roasted brussel sprouts and chicken salad with guacamole instead of mayo. I love that I am forced to try new things and although I don't force the family, they all are willing to try "my" food.
When Abbey was home I helped her paint her room. (I told her she had to do it all herself, but could feel her pain when she had to do a second coat so I pitched in at the very end). Gone is turquoise, now it's a light lavender. And now she knows how to paint, which is a great skill to know.
Jeff went to camp for a week with Andrew's class. I received so many funny photos from other parents also on the trip of my husband who LOVES 6th grade camp. This must have been a fire starting contest?
Flat Stanley.
I owe my brother Joe big time, because he has pulled off Flat Stanley for every kid, as he has always lived in such interesting places.
Easter break and a plank contest. I won. I really did! Because Andrew wasn't there. And maybe some people laughed and fell. But I won, losing because you laugh is just your tough luck.
We went to Mass early because Andrew was assigned to serve at 9 a.m. There were some protests by the older ones but we pulled it off. We came home and found the Easter baskets and I made a huge breakfast. It was so fun. The night before we had a great dinner of steak, potatoes, asparagus, etc. We laughed so hard-it was one of those nights where it was just all of us, and that is rare. We discussed where we are going on vacation this summer (it was Seaside by vote, but thank you Rachel, it's now Kiawah, and I'm so excited as we have never been), and then we talked about all of our other vacation drives, and who threw up (what and where), and flat tires, and a couple times how we thought Dad might kill someone (that someone seemed to be Isaac quite a few times-think "Daddy is going to kill Ralphie" not really kill but it might sort of feel like it), and it's funny how all those moments become funny right? Because they aren't really when they are happening, you feel like the ONLY family, and it's so nice to laugh about it one day. It puts it all in perspective.
SO sweet. She loves this bunny.
Easter bunny brought a new bathing suit or shorts and shirt for everyone (and a little toy for younger ones) and enough candy to eat in a day so the sugar high wasn't dragged out to far.
Andrew.
Patty.
Matt.
I made these girls eat jelly beans in front of me, so I could feel like I was eating them too. I won't lie, I stayed strong but jelly beans and chocolate-that was a little bit of torture. I know I don't want a few-I want an entire bag and seven chocolate bunnies and a whole tray or two of Peeps, so I just can't start. It's not worth it for a few.
Piggies.
She got into the baby bin and found her old carrier which she now uses for her babies.
I had to laugh at this, as it was snowing a couple days ago. Janey looked out the window and said, "Snow go away, Mommy hates you!" I didn't realize I had been so vocal about it, or dramatic, but apparently I have.
But snow skies are beautiful.
Making apple chips. I've made sweet potato, apple, zucchini, and carrot. Sweet potatoes win, zucchini next.
And suddenly it's April and my calendar is filled up to the max with soccer, and the play, and all the spring stuff that makes spring exciting and busy and sometimes overwhelming. My life seems SO manageable now, with Janey being three and two at college. I remember the days well of feeling so stressed out, timing feedings with driving this one here and that one there, and narrowing errands down to one or two a week with fussy car seat babies and so much to do here. It's funny how parenting changes so much in just a matter of time, but seems endless when in the thick of the harder stages. I feel so much more peaceful now-maybe it's the calm after the storm of some tough years of baby/teenager/pre-teen etc all at once. It will all be okay. And when it's not, mothers rally. And pray. Prayer is the answer. I love my rosary, as corny as that sounds. There is nothing like Hail Mary's for me anymore, proven after the last year for sure. I swear, it's miraculous and even the littlest problem has been presented with a stellar solution after I pray to Mary. One day I went on a walk, and my Iphone ran out of battery, so no music. and I decided to say a few decades and when I got home the very same worry I prayed about was opened up to me beautifully with guidance and direction that I could give to a child in need. In a matter of minutes, peace and rightness. It's awesome.
