Hum.

I am so honored that Queen B gave me a shout  in her blog at http://happilyeverjohnson.blogspot.com/. I will make sure I complete the meme soon. Also, I received my order from Clay Rosary Girl at http://theclayrosarygirl.blogspot.com/. Worth every penny. Everything is so delightful.

I want everyone to know I am not perfect. Nor do I think that I am. If you tell others what you believe as a Catholic, does it give off the impression that you are better than them? A holier than thou thought? I know that if anyone, even today, were to tell me I need to be closer to God, I am certain I would become defensive. However, its true.  I grow in my faith everyday.Through life's struggles I have made choices that took me away from God and closer to God. The choice has always been up to me. I look back on times in my life and I wonder what would have happened if I had someone to guide me. Someone to tell me something maybe I didn't want to hear, but needed to hear. I am in such a better place than the year before and the year before that. I have grown remarkably in my faith. Everyday I will continue to grow. This growth is credit to everyday life challenges. The challenges that we ALL go through. Some talk about it, others don't. But trust, we all have 'em.

I wonder what different choices I would have made if I had a strongER faith example growing up. My parents were Catholic and went to church every week. But, just because you attend mass doesn't mean much. Its a step, but you have to live it. That's the hard part. I think about my bloggy bud Queen B. She is on her way to becoming an ObGYN. She is strong in her faith.
***MEMORIES****My first visit with an OBGYN was when I was about 16. My mom didn't attend but she knew I was going for craZY period crampage. TMI. Anyhoo, at 16 I was then promptly put on birth control. It alleviated the situation, but at 16, I was not at an age to understand what path that could possibly lead to. I see nothing wrong with  making a point to show your faith in your work and to advise accordingly. I do know that there is fine line. But, I would love to have had  a doctor who could have supported my health and faith.

In the OBGYN world the doctors work hand in hand with God. Bringing life into the world. They also have the ability to prevent that life from flourishing as well. For example, last year, a family member found out that he and his wife were expecting a baby. After much testing, they discovered that the baby had a rare deformity. When born, she would be in a vegetative state for her life. I was disappointed in my Catholic family. Disappointed because they did not want to step on anyone's toes or cause hurt feelings, so they mostly kept their feelings quiet. My family member decided to induce her labor at 6 months. They decided not to do anything to help their daughter live after she was born. Thus, after a few hours their daughter died. I have struggled with their situation. I have struggled with the doctors whom advised them. I have struggled with my family's choice to stay quiet. What did I do? What did I say?  I spoke to the "higher ups" in my family. I expressed my sadness and wondered why we weren't stopping them. But, ultimately it was the couples' choice. I kept quiet.

So folks, when do you step in? Is it possible to tell those you love your feelings?  If I was given guidance at an earlier age I am sure I could have made better choices growing up. If someone would have spoken up. Ultimately, I made choices. Now, I feel that God is walking with me in the choices that I make.

When I speak about my faith or tell others about it, I am not coming from a "I am better than you or I know better" More like, this is what God has done for me and what I(and God) have done to GROW here.I want everyone to have what I have.Especially those I love. I am stumped. God's uses us all to help each other. If we ignore what God is asking us to do, how are we living in HIM?  And Scene.

Yippie!

I have been MIA for a while. My sitter had to take some time off. So, I have been blessed to spend extra time with my kids. This time has been such a blessing. They are all at an age where it is a bit easier to go
places. We have done so many fun activities. We did our own little bible school and made Pope miters. The kids got to make their own giant sugar cookies.Compliments of http://www.holyheroes.com/ We went to the children's museum.Took a stroll downtown and went to a pretty cool popcorn shop and "Jesus store" I also took them to out to eat to "flower garden" Any guesses at the real name of the restaurant? The kidlets have enjoyed getting out. All have been healthy and it is so nice to have these times with them.

Later this week we plan to see Toy Story 3, make our own pizzas, and make/take cookies to our parish priests. Again, so happy. My business is slow. Stressed about that. But, as always, I cant keep worrying about it. I do know I have to step it up a bit. I am really trying hard to strike up that balance. I know what I have to do to achieve the career goals I have. But it comes at such a high cost. So, I pray.

Have you ever prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy? http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm
There are many promises that come with the prayer and the novena. I had said several novena's months back for the health of my eldest son. When his fever came back, I just brushed it aside as his fevers are God's will. But, after the novenas, I was motivated more than ever to make a change in my boy's health.I decided (the Holy Spirit directed me) to take him to Mayo hold the lettuce. There we were given a remedy for his situation. Although, that is not how I--- I--- was looking for him to be healthy,  it was how GOD planned to heal my boy.  I was so blessed to see that work in my life and to notice it. I know that I have missed God's work in my life. I just try to be thankful everyday to him.

More exciting news, if you haven't gone to Clay Rosary Girl's website you are missing out. Beautiful work. I have ordered a few gifts for Christmas( never too early). I also ordered 3 rosaries for my kidlets. My plan is to say the rosary for each on of them every day on their own rosary. When they are older,  I will give it to them to pray with. I am so excited. Take a look http://www.clayrosaries.com/. She also has a blog that is so neat.

Hope you have a blessed Monday. Peace!

Maybe Cake Supervisor? not Boss

My twin babies decided that they needed to turn 3 yesterday. So sadly I let them. They have grown up so quickly!  2 birthdays means 2 cakes. I decided to make my baby boy a baseball hat cake. My baby girl a princess cake.  ( THIS IS NOT A TUTORIAL) I just wanted to show you the mess :)

I did bake 2 dome shaped cakes in glass bowls. One turned out well...

And one pretty much fell apart..

 Alas, no worries yet. I can sew with no needle, so i can surely conquer this.

I also baked 2 8 inch round cakes as well. One would be the base of the princess dress. The other the bill of the baseball hat. I will jump to the finale of the baseball hat....

The princess was another story. After much trimming cussing and icing eating I was able to get a nice enough shape for the cake. However, because this dome didn't stay intact, it was a bit smaller than needed.

Wonder how I knew?

So after much anguish. I was able to kill 2 birds with one stone. I could fix my cake and relieve some of my frustration.  

WARNING---- MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR BARBIE LOVERS----

BAM!!!!!  TAKE THAT!  I bet if you were real you would be

like " OH I need to watch my figure so I wont have cake" So what eve. I made sure my daughter was out of the room on this part. BTW- Barbie legs are a lot harder to break now. I remember as a kid those trunks would come off if you tried to fit her in her little shoes. Now, I almost need pliers or cousin Vinny to "Go breaka her legs"

FIN

Ya wouldnt even have known the trama this Barbie went through. She is so strong and graceful. I know she went right to her legal advising, beauty shop, bakery that is located by the pool where she is also the lifeguard. Busy girl .

Anyhoo,cakes were a hit, with the kidlets anyway. The kitchen got a bit of action too.  Have a great weekend! PEACE

Na Na Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Good bye

Ok. I am really taking the organic scare seriously. So far, my family has switched to organic milk. All of my kidlets cereals are organic and gluten free. Mac and cheese is organic. Eggs, bread, meat,cookies (all of the food groups) are slowly but surely making it to organic. Now, i will tell you "natural  is not the same as organic. But, I have kind of had to make due with some products because my town is not privy to cool kids Whole Foods or Trader Joes. In fact, I think I may have to www. some of my new needs. I have also started cooking with coconut oil instead of olive oil. Coconut is supposed to be much better for you. But what really freaked a sister out... check out ewg.com or cosmeticdatabase.com. WOWZA. My pediatrician has always told us to by Vanicream sunscreen (we do) but the baby shampoos and bath soap. SO  scary.Johnson and Johnson... all linked to cancer??????? My husband thinks I am crazy. But, I want to do all I can to give my babies a healthy life. Hubby says : we didn't have organic and we are fine" But my response is .....fine for now.....

My fam and I were out taking a drive and we stopped an talked to some friends of my husband. I guess mine too. They are Catholic but don't take it seriously I guess.  We were all discussing our day. The fam and I just had left church. They said  something along the lines of "oh so boring, father so and so's homily's are all the same that's why we don't go"  I didn't say a word. In an effort to be nice. But, I really think I should have. What I wanted to say...OHHHH...what I wanted to say! I was angry. Angry that they didn't show respect. Part of me thought, do I really want to be around people like this(when I really don't hafta)? Don't we need to be around people we support us and our family in the growth of our faith. I send my Big Boy to Catholic school so he can have that additional  support( along with his family). I LOVE my faith . Granted, maybe I could have said something productive. Something that could have made them think and want to be closer to God. I want them to know that I go to mass to HEAR what father has to say. I go to be with God and my family. Mass is so beautiful. I just don't know what to do. It would be too judgy to not be friends with these people.They are really great people otherwise. But, I will not tolerate someone talking about my family's faith that way. Even if they are Catholic too. If everyone likes you, maybe you don't talk enough. Hum.

Now, please note, I am not being a "non catholic playa hata" I have plenty people in my life, whom I love, who don't share the same religious views as I.  What I do not like, is people who talk ill about our family's faith, regardless of their own faith.  There are all walks of life. Since I have a choice of who my friends are, do these people really fit into my life? Fit in to what I am growing to be.  That is what I am trying to get across. Any suggestions?

Mini Post.

I strongly dislike relying on others to help me. Don't get me wrong, I have MANY very loved people in my life that help me tremendously. I have my assistant/bff Jet. This lovely maintains all of the details of running the office. She really is never wrong. I have my aunt who loves my kids for me during the day while I am at work. With that said, in general, if I need something done, I do it..... Jet is totally laughing right now... I am sure her inner voice is saying ( yeah right). In my home, if I need something hung. I hang it. If I need to get something done, I don't like waiting on others to do their step so I can cross it off of my to do list. I a m really just frustrated with the slowness of some of the processes here at the office..rather the main office. In general, it all boils down to doing your job and loving it, if you don't PLEASE PLEASE please....find another job.

I plan on attending adoration today. I hope to lay my frustration in God's hands. PEACE>

Smile!

PHOTO JUNKIE!  I take way too many pictures of my sweet little kidlets. I also feel that pictures must be printed promptly. So I do. No 98,756 pics hanging out on my memory card. I just uploaded 600 pictures from the past month...I think a bit excessive. We did do a lot of fun activities this month. So maybe it will slow down! Because of this mantra I have adopted since my babies, I have tons of albums. I cant continue. I wont have room!  So I have changed to photo books? They seem to be a slimmer way to print and view pics for the long term. I have been using shutterfly for this now. I have always been afraid that one of my babies will say" How come their aren't THAT many pictures of me?"  My dad has 5 siblings and I hear him say that all of the time. It is time for us to invest in a new camera. Soooo, suggestions are greatly welcomed.

I am in awe with how great this month has been. The kids have been healthy( except for my big boys fever). My hubby and I have gotten so much accomplished around the house. I feel like I have been nesting for 6 months!  I am not even pregnant! We have done so many fun activities with the kids. We have been swimming several times, museums, parks, fairs, and zoos. The Twins will turn 3 next week. My big boy will be 5 in a month. I can't believe how quickly it speeds by. Maybe that's why I take so many pictures. I am trying to hold on to every drop of sweetness.

Just feeling blessed today!

Perspective.

I keep telling myself...99% percent of what I am doing now will not matter in 99years. Point? What will matter is the relationship that I have with God.  One of the commandments is (in a nut shell) " Do not worship false Gods"  I received this today  via a daily scripture reading ( these aren't my own words) 

"We may not worship false gods like the people of Old Testament times but our false gods today include education, job status and success, power, an abundance of wealth in terms of our homes, cars, vacations, and the like, and even our own children. For instance, a child's Sunday sports schedule is more sacred than the Sunday Mass schedule. Because you are on vacation does not remove the obligation to celebrate Sunday Mass. "

GUILTY AS CHARGED!

Wow. I tell myself everyday nothing is more important than my relationship with God. But doing is another story. I am recommitting myself to daily mass and adoration. I am making a more structured prayer and faith life for my children. We never ever miss weekend mass. But that is the minimum. My intentions are always to go to daily mass. But so much (nothingness) gets in the way. Dah!  I know better, the more time I give to God, the better my life will be.

In other news, this might be boring..... How to freeze your credit.... Yes, boring, but essential. You might see those companies out there like Life Lock that charge millions to protect your identity. I did it myself and my hubby for $30, with all 3 credit bureaus. It works. My mom is in the banking industry. She tried to run my credit. BAM!  NA NA. Lock down. I have a code to remove the lock on it. But  no one else can access my credit or steal me, without me knowing. Doing this also cut down on preapproved credit card offers. This is the link that will give you step by step instructions.... http://clarkhoward.com/topics/credit_freeze_states.html

Ok, enough being mom to the Internet abyss today. WORD>