Can I get a shout?!

If you know me then you know I detest winter. Snow at Christmas is acceptable and then on January 1st I am ready for spring. Somehow living in the Midwest tends to drive me a little bonkers several months of the year.

I am thrilled to have arrived at summer weather and all things related to enjoying spring and summer at our house. Memorial Day weekend around here includes fishing with Daddy, planting flowers, and enjoying the pool. This weekend the weather is fabulous and the traditions continue.

The littles are ready to go fishing with Daddy

Marco helps Daddy with flowers

Renewing her trust in the life jacket

The 5 year old's dive - we think he might be part fish

The boys can spend the entire day in the pool

Swinging is always fun when you need a break from landscaping


Gus has proven to be quite the hula hooper


Notice that Ana is holding Wolfie in the video. Yes, Wolfie went fishing with her.

13 more days of school - I hope we make it!

Three weeks from today we will be in Guatemala - can't wait!

Ode to Wolfie

You know when your child has a special "lovey" and it gets really worn, or worse yet lost? Tragic.

Ana Lucia's "Wolfie" has become her special friend. Wolfie goes most places with us. Occasionally he stays behind in the car seat. Truthfully I'm not even sure the poor little animal is even a wolf. Ana Lucia says it is so it is! She has gotten so attached to Wolfie that I decided it was time to purchase a back up. The problem is I have no idea where I found Wolfie. No problem, I just looked at the tag and found the company online. I'm smart like that! Problem is I cannot find Wolfie on the company's web page. Crap.

I have lived this nightmare once before. Gustavo became attached to a cute little bunny when he was a baby. REALLY ATTACHED. He rubbed the bunny's ears across his face when he went to sleep. Once I noticed he was becoming obsessed with Bun-bun I decided to buy a back up. It was made by Ty so I assumed I could find one anywhere. No such luck. I finally looked at the Ty web page only to learn that Bun-bun had been retired. What?! Ebay saved the day. I almost had to buy one from someone in England but a domestic Bun-bun showed up on Ebay and I snatched it up. Pitiful.

Back to our current dilemma - no Wolfie. I looked for the blasted creature under every animal classification on that darned website...cats, dogs, farm animals, forest animals, cold weather animals. Yes, those are actual classifications on a stuffed animal company's web page. Wouldn't you love that job?

So we surfed through the website as I showed Ana Lucia their selection of wolves. There were several to choose from. I think I may have her excited about ordering a different wolf so that Wolfie can have a friend.

Dear Lord help us.

Ana Lucia and the very loved Wolfie

Happy Mother's Day...one day late

The official holiday is over. Allow me to wish you a belated Happy Mother's Day! I hope yesterday was a fun day for all moms out there. Isn't it fun to have a day devoted to us?

Of all my roles and responsibilities in life I must say being a mother is one of my favorites. It is exhilarating, exhausting, fun, frustrating, rewarding, overwhelming, and soooo much more. I have learned so much since becoming a mother. I have learned that I would go to hell and back for my children - and felt like I was on that path a few times. I have learned I am a "mother bear" and would take on anyone or anything to protect my kids. I have learned that being a mother has absolutely nothing to do with sharing DNA. Mothering is being given the blessing of parenting a child entrusted to you through God's plan for your family. I have discovered that a lot of parenting is learning as you grow with your children. I have learned that mothering 5 children is an adventure of a lifetime! Remember those "my child will never..." or "I will never do/say..." statements? Yeah, those comments come back to haunt us don't they?

At the end of my life my desire is that my children will know I loved them more than life itself and tried to lead them to a life of living for Christ and fulfilling God's will for their lives.

Our Mother's Day weekend highlights consist of a Cincinnati Children's Choir concert of Katie's, Zack's high school baseball end-of-season tournament, Katie's Freshman dance, and the little ones swimming in the freezing cold pool. My family gave me a beautiful card, trees and flowers for the pool area, and my always favorite Barnes & Noble gift certificate. They know what I love! I also received adorable handmade cards from the little ones and precious gifts made at school.

Due to the baseball tournament being on Mother's Day weekend Zack's coach gave each of the players a huge chocolate bar and insisted they give it to their mom along with a hug. Chocolate and a hug from my 17 year old son - awesome!

I'll share a few pictorial highlights:

Zack - our baseball player



Katie and friends before the dance

Our girl


Of course no holiday would be complete without at least one child having a fever. Yeap, Gus mystified us with a come-and-go fever throughout the weekend.

23 days of school left! Wahoo!!!
33 days until we leave for Guatemala! Holy moley!!!

Time Well Spent

Winter is behind us. This spring has been chilly for the most part. Summer is coming. How do I know? Our pool is uncovered and we are happily getting it ready for swimming. It is a group project.

Putting the pieces back together after a long winter...


The little boys were assigned grounds clean up. Creating an adventure is key to making it fun! If you look closely you will see Marco and Gustavo beneath the deck. They thought it was very cool that Mommy sent them under the deck with a trash bag. I told them to pretend they were Indiana Jones.


"Help! Our parents sent us under the deck. Can we come out now?"


Starting them young - Daddy showing Ana Lucia how to sweep


Miss Independence is a quick learner. Doesn't every 3 year old clean the pool while wearing her High School Musical 3 pajamas?


The first camp fire of the season was enjoyed tonight. S'mores before bedtime is always a hit!

Bring on the sunshine and warm temperatures - we are soooooo ready!