Mikey is 7

   My sweet Mikey is 7 today.  We are just finishing up, late for us, but we had a nice day, went shoppping today with Joe and Evelyn to pick out a few things for him, a few video games, a mitt, ball and bat and shooting play guns, so tomorrow he'll have lots of fun.  We had a nice cake Carolyn decorated that looks like a video game. haha. 

When I think of Mikey I can't help but to recall the year of sorrow before he came, the loss of Marilyn, my grandmother and my father all at once right before he came and the joy we felt the moment they put him in our arms.  We also had the scare of his stomach troubles, he really was a gift of prayer and gave us some wonderful happiness back into our lives.  I have often thought about how much my dad would of really adored Mikey, especially since Mikey is my one child that is so much like my dad.  He stis like him, he smiles like him, his mannerisms, he looks so much like him, its so beautiful to my heart to even just watch Mikey do the things he does. 

Mikey lost one of his front teeth this week and his smile is so funny.  I'll be posting pictures tomorrow or Monday of the birthday week-end.  We are still going strong!  We are having a teen party for Katelyn tomorrow being that she turned 18 so I will have pic's to share of their cake and birthday pic's for both Katelyn and Michael...  and now after tomorrow we rest a bit from birthdays, atleast until October!  haha.

Alex Edward, my sweet first baby

   22 years ago this day, my vocation in life was set, and I gave birth to my first born that was so short for this world but he filled my heart with love and a desire and a motivation for one thing and that was to be a Mommy.  I haven't always been the greatest Mommy but I've always loved my job no matter what that means I'm doing. 

Happy Birthday sweet boy.

Happy 18th Birthday Katelyn

   Love you Katelyn, you are all grown up, it happened all too quickly, I would of loved to do a million more things with you while you were little, but I loved you with all my heart from the moment you were conceived.  You are my heart and I love you.  You can count on me and your dad's prayers for all times. 

Birthday was a bit hectic and things didn't go as planned but we had some yummy chocolate cake and chocolate fixes everything. haha.  Sunday we are having a party for you and know you are just going to love hanging out with your friends. 

Dress Nicely for Job Interviews

   I learned a long time ago and my mother was very big on this, dress nicely for job interviews, it does matter.  Sometimes our teens don't really know this stuff and its our job to help them.  Carolyn came out for her interview in very casual clothing, I told her to change, that you want a great first impression, show you are responsible, etc.  She balked at me a little and changed.  She looked very nice in a skirt, blouse and nice shoes. 

She had two job interviews at two different stores.  Now here is the funny part, she got the first job and we were happy because its the store we wanted her to get.  The manager asked for me to come in and sign a paper giving them permission for a drug test for her.  So I went in and this is my regular store where all the cashiers know my face, but they didn't know Carolyn was my daughter.  So I go to customer service with my usual, "hi sweetie, my daughter got a job here and I need to sign a paper for her to get a drug test"  And the manager says, "yes, your daughter, the very smart one that is a college student at 16, repsonsible and the only one that wore a skirt and looked nice" 

Ooooooh, Yeah....bonus points with the teens....  haha. 

So the moral of my little story, first impressions matter!  Tody the other store called to give her a job.  She turned it down, but it felt pretty good to know out of two stores she would of been hired at either one by her first impression.  Good job Weezy! 

College Week

  Carolyn started on Monday.  So far, so good.  We have a plan, I drop her off and I pick her up when her class is over.  On Mondays, Wednesday and Friday she is only there for an hour so me, Tony and Gwen found a park, or we drive around.  On Tuesday and Thursdays she is there for the school day and she goes from class to class with a break for lunch and still we have a plan of where she is to go to eat and I pick her up outside her building, so it seems we have figured out our plan for this first semester.  This will be her schedule until Christmas.

On Mondays after her hour class she goes back to Mater Dei and teaches the Geometry class and then also teaches Jaclyn and another student Advanced Math and also gets to attend P.E. with her friends and has some normal time with kids her age.

Learning a few things about college and I'm sure we will keep learning.  I think its a rotten shame they sell so many students parking permits for hundreds of dollars only for their to be no spaces available.  They do not provide a visitor parking or a place to wait for students to come out, so we have to time it just right and that can be very frustrating when you are juggling all the kids schedules. 

Dealing with the financial aid departments gets a bit confusing and you are constantly asking people to repeat or explain the terminology to understand.  Sometimes I feel like they are talking a different language.  The book situation is hard, they don't give you the titles until almost time, basically guarenteeing that you are buying from them and not elsewhere.  So we have much to learn around some of the things that we have to do.

She was happy to see that their were familiar faces in her sign language class and her nickname of "kiddo" is still alive and well.  :) 

She is taking Calculus, Speech, English Comp., and Sign Language history class.  And the good news is she got a job.  Actually she got two jobs within a day of each other but chose the grocery store by our house.  She starts sometime next week.  So good times, good plans for Weezy!

Gwen is one month old

   One month of sweetness!  Gwendalyn is starting to smile and react to our voices.  She reaches for us and grunts a whole lot.  She is a cuddler and loves to move, kicks like crazy and wiggles.  She grabs onto me with her cute little chubby hands and is happy to just be close.  She has made a rather decent schedule for herself.  She is sleepy in the mornings, wakes up for a while then sleepy for naptime, then she is up all evening to tire out for bed at 9pm and then wakes to nurse and back to sleep rather quickly all night long....now that's a perfect newborn schedule. 

First week of school pic's

  

First week of normal??????

   Normal?  So what exactly is normal?  We've never had normal so not sure its normal but guess its as close to normal as you can imagine. haha.  So school started this week.  Been a whirlwind and have to admit I'm glad the weekend is here. 

So first Rosalyn started school and lets just say it was a hit.  She loves it and looks so tiny and cute in her uniform, she is the smallest child in the school. haha.  She says evreyday is so different.  She really likes Sr. Jacinta and the two appostulants, Miss Brodman and Miss Wertish that help in the classroom.
First week the letter of the week was "B" and so she enoyed looking for something that starts with a b for show n' tell.  All these little things that she has watched her brothers and sisters have are now her's and she couldn't be more happier.  She has a backpack, a lunchbox, school shoes, a school veil and I'm not saying this outloud, but she has taken better care of her "things" then all the kids put together, I'm shocked that her veil has been in her back pack each day, thought for sure that would be a losing battle.  Kind of really reminds us how we take for granted things we don't have yet and sometimes when we finally get them, we really take very good care of it, sometimes it lasts and sometimes its short-term appreciation but seeing this from a 4 year old is quite inspiring.  Maybe we should all take better care of our things????  hmmmm. 

Michael and Madelyn stayed with their same teachers and its more of the same but first day Madelyn was nervous of a new subject called "Wordly Wise" actually what it is is vocabulary and I really like this series, but by second day she figured she has 4th grade in the bag!  Michael is handling peer pressure very well.  His favorite playmate is sitting next to him and so I reminded him he must not talk to him during class, and so far so good, by George I think he finally heard me. 

Evelyn is also with the same teacher and she just loves Sr. Cecilia so all is great in her world.  And she got her new school supplies and some of her dad's old ones that she took out of an old box so the girl is one happy little girl. haha.  She is so funny, she actually took her Dad's old crayons.  She cracks me up.

Joe is liking highschool and Jaclyn is back to her normal school self and taking the hunter safety course tomorrow and next Saturday that the Bishop arranged for her and a few other students that have interest in hunting, etc...  So of course she is super excited.  I'm happy for her and thankful to the Bishop in being so good for the kids and helping them find things they are good at. 

Katelyn is a senior and having a good time so far, she is taking home ec and made bread yesterday.  She works friday and saturday still but her schedule is working well for her. 

And Carolyn is set for next week to start at the University of Nebraska here in Omaha. 

Now for me,  my schedule is insane keeping up with the above, my days end in a blur and I'm sure it will take me some time to adjust to everyones activities juggling a toddler and a newborn.  I don't really care for the super busy but if I stay organized, hopefully the girls will be driving solo soon and can help out a bit.  Steve went to work this week, not the job we really wanted but a job all the same, so thankful while we are still praying for the right position to open up to him.  All in God's time.  (someitmes I sure wish he liked my timetable-hehe) 

Tony is working on potty training and I'm so excited its finally happening.  He has been using the potty on and off all day for the last two days from 5-7 times.  He is getting it, and for me to stay consistent is key.  I'm pretty pleased with how he is finally getting it.  He calls Gwen his "friend" and likes to sit next to her to play.  We play cars and sing songs during the day and has been dealing with being without Rosie just fine.  Gwendalyn is so sweet and changing everyday.  Today she was awake more and reaching more, loves to cuddle with Mommy and is so sweet how happy she is in my arms, really is thrilling to see this sweet baby all cuddled up in my arms. 

So normal?  nope probably not--my normal, maybe so.  I do look forward to maybe a weekend away sometime down the road, maybe we can just go to a state park or something before winter sets in, life has been so busy and seems to be getting busier, we're hoping we can slow things down a bit even if its for one day....until then....normal is what we got. 

Newborns!

   I just love newborns, for so many reasons but each baby I've had, I've sat back and said, "oh, yes I remember this, I just love this"  So here's a few of my favorites.

I love how a newborn knows their mommy and daddy's and cuddles up so completely with them with complete assurance of who they are.

I love how a newborn will hear their parents voice and smile even when they are sleeping.

I love how a newborn holds their little hands in a fist right by thier face when they are feeding.

I love the newborn stretches and how they seem to go on forever and their little kicks and as a new mother you remember that sensation from when they were in utero. 

I love how newborns cuddle up in balls and their little ankles and feet can contort in so many different directions.

I also love how they reach for your face, your neck and while they might not have the dexterity to grab perfectly you know they want to and are trying.

I love how a newborn is never in a hurry, nurses as they feel, cuddles as they feel, is just so happy to be in your arms or on your chest not distracted just complete contentment to be with their mommy or daddy. 

I love how just when you think you have it all figured out, your newborn will surprise you, maybe by peeing while you are in the middle of putting a new diaper on, making you stop whatever you are doing whether it be shopping or whatever to cuddle, feed or feel you, how they sometimes decide its time to go to the bathroom when you are bathing them and your time is not their time.  How newborns are in charge so if you are sleeping or eating or cooking or anything, when your newborn calls you come answering.  That is the life with a newborn and its one of the best times of your life. 

Gwen-da-lyn....Mommy loves you. 

Gwen's stretching...

and stretching

and too busy for pictures...let me stretch....hehe

Gotta get a mommy kiss....mommy says

Keep praying...

  

We started a Rosary Novena for a good job and are confident God will see us through and give us the patience      

Family visits

   We had a nice visit with Steve's family.  His parents and brother Dennis came for a visit.  The children enjoyed their time with ther grandparents, playing cards was their favorite part, even the youngest  of kids learned what a diamond, club, spade, and heart was!  I'm glad they were able to see the baby so little.  Took Tony a few days to realize that grandma and grandpa were two different people, he was calling grandpa both grandma and grandpa. I don't think he heard the different sound at the end of pa or ma.  He brought him his hat a few times and was quite comfortable doing his normal things during their visit.

   It was adorable to see how happy Rosie was to chat, chat, chat with her Uncle Dennis.  I think Dennis learned all about Dora the Explorer and princesses. haha.  Carolyn did a great job cooking and all the kids pitched in.  Joe loves his time with his grandpa and then the kids all got into some of Steve's old stuff and that was quite the highlight. 

    It was a very nice visit and happy they could come.  I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. 

End of Summer

   Well as summer comes to a close, a pretty tough summer, we feel a bit of sadness to know that free time is over and work time begins.  Back to routine and back to schedules.  Unfortunately going through an end of a pregnancy gave little "rest" and things did not work in our favor as far as a week-end get away or any sort of family trip.  But hoping we can fit something in at some point this year.  But as the children reminded me, we did grow a human and got our Gwen. 

So backpacks are yet again filled, clothes are bought, school shoes are found, and schedule is made for the year.  I do pray for a safe, happy and healthy school year as we begin a new chapter in our lives, Carolyn going to the University, Katelyn's senior year, Joe's freshmen year, Rosie's kindergarten year, so many milestones are ahead. 

Took a last swim day today and a nice walk with the children.  They are excited to see their friends, to have their outings, to see their classrooms, so here's hoping for a happy start to a happy year. 

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Babies First Bath

   Oh, how fun was this?  Her first bath was so neat.  She loved it for one thing, didn't fuss once.  The little kids all had to give a bit of help washing, everyone was very excited.  She smiled and acted like no big deal.  haha  It was sweet and the best thing of all, she did NOT pee on me or in the tub.  Woo Hoo!  haha.