RIP Jo McGovern!!!

I lost a dear friend to cancer last night. She had been in remission from breast cancer until last summer when it returned in her spine and brain. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to her passing. It's just plain wrong. My heart is weeping for her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, and family. There are no words to express the deep sense of loss I feel.

Jo was the life of any party! Her smile would light up the room. And her sense of humor--let's just say that there is a celebration going on right now in Heaven. She and I could talk, laugh, gossip and she would always leave me in stitches. I have so many great memories to hold on to.

I will never forget one year at the Blessing of the Bikes in Derby when she decided at the VERY LAST SECOND that she wanted to ride in the poker run. So she hopped onto the back of a bike with a total stranger and took off. That was her spirit!

Then there was the time Kelly took me and her out to dinner during parent/teacher conferences one year. We went to a Chinese restaurant and were enjoying dinner when the shouting started. Apparently the cooks in the kitchen were fighting with each other AND in Chinese so we didn't really know if we were in any danger or not. I almost peed my pants, but she just kept on eating like nothing was going on. One tough lady!

I'm feeling pretty lost today and couldn't think of any other way to pay tribute to a precious friend. So here's to you, Jo. May you enjoy every second in your new glorious home and tell Sr. Margaret Ann hi from me! ;)

I love being Catholic!

Last night, I had the pleasure of participating in Eucharistic Adoration and confession with a group of about 20 high school kids. I am always amazed at the reverence shown by that age group. From the outside, they seem aloof, maybe even unconnected. But put them in front of the monstrance and they change before your eyes. Fr. Roger began the Exposition and out came the incense. Now I have a love-hate relationship with incense. I really love incense, but my allergies don't like it a bit. But as I prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I noticed that the incense "fog" was lingering in the air. It wasn't moving. At first, I thought, "Wow! Just another visible sign that Christ is present here with us." Then it hit me.

We were all gathered to pray and adore our Lord, but also to cleanse ourselves in the confessional. As each one of us made our way to Fr. Roger to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the fog seemed to lift just a little more. After about an hour and a half, most of the kids had gone to confession, so I headed for my place in line. I was the last person to go in, and when I came out, there was no fog left. We had each shed our ugly, sinful selves and been clothed in the light of Christ once again. Satan's fog had been prayed away and all that was left was the sweet smell of forgiveness.

When was the last time you met our Lord in Adoration? Confession? Maybe it's time to mosey on back. Christ is waiting!

What's in your purse?

I've been holding on to some money I was given at Christmas, just waiting for the perfect "something" to buy JUST FOR ME. All you moms out there know how hard that is. There were so many things I could have used it for around the house--new bikes for the kids, a mini-vacation for the weekend--the list goes on and on. But my wonderful husband talked me into using it on something that I wanted, not needed. So I finally splurged on my dream purse, the one I would never walk into the store and purchase, the one that costs more than my electric bill. I found it new but much more reasonably priced on ebay (who doesn't LOVE ebay???) and just bought it. Some may say I'm crazy, maybe wasteful, but it was quite exhilarating to open the box today and unpack the gift I gave myself. My hubby's first reaction? "That's a beach bag!" My reply? "No, honey, it's a mom bag!"

So what's in your purse? I carry the obvious wallet, cell phone, checkbook, etc. But I also find miscellaneous items from time to time. I seem to have an unending supply of ponytail holders, loose change, and straw wrappers. And my wallet is ALWAYS overflowing with receipts--grocery store receipts, post office receipts, restaurant receipts.... I usually have my digital camera for those candid moments and my rosary is always in the front pocket, ready for action. I could write pages about stuff I carry, just in case I need it (hand sanitizer, nail clippers, female products, lip balm, dental floss....).

As I prepare to "move into" my new purse, I realize just how much I carry with me day in and day out. No wonder my shoulder always hurts! So believe me when I say that I will be purging so my beautiful new purse won't be stuffed to the gills. Which leads me to wonder about other things in my life that need to be purged. My dear husband would say Facebook would be a good start, but he knows that will never happen. But I do see where the laptop robs me of time. And as much as I love my DVR, it allows me to record too much too easily, thus also stealing my time. Will there ever be a day when I won't be connected to the internet or stop watching TV? Ummm, no. But I can strive to find a little balance. I can use a little self-control. I can edit those things into less of a priority. God help me as I try to purge the straw wrappers out of my life! ;)

Happy Father's Day!

What a day we've had! The kids jumped in bed with us this morning to give hubby his gift--an Eat-Sleep-PS3 t-shirt, a new Wii game (that they really wanted!), and some candy. And of course, there was the card with the required fart joke. LOL He made such a fuss over everything. They were so proud of themselves. Then we headed to Mass, got takeout from Abuelo's, and put together our new TV stand for upstairs. The kids absolutely love "helping" him do a project around the house. I could not have asked for a better father for my children! I love you, sweetie!

Now we're just relaxing, giving me an opportunity to think of my own dad. He is one of the funniest people I know. He would hang a lantern from the ceiling fan in the living room so we could play Monopoly when the electricity would go out in the middle of a hurricane. He once took a nap during an IMAX movie on a field trip with my class. And he was always the one getting in trouble during Mass! ;) But more importantly, he was always there when I needed him and still is. When I needed someone to talk to late at night, he was there. When I was devastated by a break-up in high school, he was there. And when I wanted to gush over the incredible man I met that I knew would be my future husband, he was there, too. I cherish every memory I have and look forward to many more!

Daddy, I will never forget the way you took my face into your hands at the altar and gently kissed me before giving me away at our wedding. You made me feel so precious--just the way I feel about you! I love you, Daddy and Happy Father's Day!

Yes, Dorothy, we are in Kansas!

Summer has officially arrived. It's steamin' hot outside and we're spending four nights a week at the baseball park. One child is in summer school and the other is in swimming lessons. And worst of all, I had to shop for a swimsuit this morning. The kids are begging to swim, so it had to be done. And it wasn't fun!

I arrived at Kohl's with a suit in mind. You know, a cute tankini that would at least tame the tummy. Umm, apparently there is no such thing! After trying on numerous suits, all the while enduring the opinion of a five-year-old girl, I finally decided on a one-piece that was somewhat flattering. Is it just me or does it seem that only men design those darn things?

Lesson learned? Even though in my mind I'm still 21, my body is not! It has lovingly produced two beautiful children and bears the stretch marks to prove it. While I wouldn't trade those stretch marks and the reasons they appeared for anything in the world, I do look forward to the day when Jesus will restore my body to its former glory! ;)

Thank you, God, for Walmart!

Today was spring picture day at school for my little ones. My beautiful daughter had her dress picked out two days in advance, along with shoes and headband. Girls are so good at that! My wonderful son, of course, wanted to wear blue jeans and a t-shirt. Since our weather only recently turned spring-like, we headed to Kohl's for a new shirt. After MUCH discussion about which t-shirt to purchase (they all came with an attached "toy"), we agreed on a bright blue one with an FM radio as the prize. Okay, so we didn't really agree--I gave in. But he really wanted the radio! ;)

Fast forward to bedtime. The kids are tucked in and listening to their bedtime CD (right now it's the soundtrack from Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel). I went to lay out everyone's clothes for the morning and what did I find? Every pair of blue jeans in the house have holes in the knees--EVERY ONE! My kids go to Catholic school and wear uniforms. So in my mind, I thought he had a "good" pair in his closet. So I immediately became angry that he didn't tell me that his last "good" pair had holes in the knees. Yes, I know what you're thinking--he's an eight-year old boy. But in the moment, I was just plain mad. It was almost 10 o'clock and I had to get out of my comfy pajamas, get dressed, and go to Walmart. I cussed under my breath all the way there and the whole time I was searching through the almost bare shelves for just the right size. Still frazzled, I got in the car to go home.

First song I heard on the radio? Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood. First of all, what a beautiful song! Secondly, it is a wonderful reminder that we are only here on this earth for such a short amount of time. And I'm pretty sure that when my end is near, I won't be worried much about knee holes in blue jeans. So should I really let them get me all flustered today? I felt horrible, because I left my son in bed thinking that he was responsible for my anger, when in fact, I was mad at myself. I should have checked the blue jeans before bedtime last night. Then we could have picked up a new pair when we were out earlier in the evening. So of course I headed straight to his bed to apologize when I got home. He was asleep so I gently kissed him and apologized this morning.

What did I learn? First and foremost, my reaction to a situation of my own making should never place blame on my children. Second, I need to be a tad more organized so that I'm not always throwing things together at the last minute. And lastly, that God knows exactly where I am on my faith and parenting journey and has provided me with all the tools necessary to be successful on that journey. It is up to me to utilize them so that I can not only survive, but thrive in my roles as wife, mother, DRE, and student.

On a side note--one of my younger sisters is in labor as I write this. Please keep her in your prayers as she welcomes the newest boy into our family. Blessings to you!