Easter

Today started early, but it was GREAT!

The boys were so excited when they woke up and the Easter bunny had been here. Typically he comes while we are at Mass, but since we were going out to eat instead of coming home to cook he came last night while we were sleeping. The boys were so excited about what he wrote on the eggs that they dyed, all of the candy that he brought, he also brought a few small toys and $10 gift cards. They were excited which makes my heart VERY happy!

We went to Mass at 8:30 we actually got there a little before 8 so I could get some pictures of my boys. I always love the Easter Mass. I hope to take the boys' to the Vigil Mass one year, but right now I am just concentrating on John Michael sitting still for an hour and that one is usually about 2.

We went to the church's Easter Egg Hunt right after Mass, and a quick change of clothes. The hunt was on the playground and since Danny was in his suit that he is wearing for his First Communion we did a quick clothing change.

We went to lunch at Logan's, and I have to say it was great. There was no fuss over cooking, cleaning, anything. I think we might have a new Easter tradition. We were there about 11:15 and there was no waiting, it was seriously great. Well the service today left something to be desired, but other than that it was great.

We came home so that we could all change clothes so we could work outside. Brandon finished up the front flower beds. He got the plants that we have been collecting for 2 months now planted. It looks great. Of course there is a lot to do, but it will take some time, and money. We figure a little each year and we will get there, and appreciate the new additions each year. Plus it is about the only way that we can even pretend to afford it. I also cleaned out the van, I still need to detail it, but other than baseball stuff there is nothing in there. We also had another egg hunt at the house! It was in the backyard, but a lot of fun.

Danny is out of school tomorrow for Holy Monday, but John Michael has school so I think that he and I will vacuum and wash it and detail it. Well, we will see. Of course he is ready to spend these gift cards. I also think that we will work in the den. I have so much to do and still 2 sets of pictures to finish editing, not to mention the personal ones. I will get there though. We will just have to see how tomorrow goes to decide what we will do.

Well, I am off to bed! Before I go I will say a prayer for all of my family and friends. Please remember a friend of mine whose husband lost his mom this morning. While it was expected it is never easy when it comes. Thanks everyone. I hope that you all had a blessed Easter!

Good Friday

Today was Good Friday. It is a day that we stop and should remember that Jesus died for our sins.

Today was a busy day for all of us but it was a great day spent with my family and ended on a positive note being spent with my best friend.

John Michael and I got up this morning to run some errands. We went to find me something to wear for Easter and for Danny's First Communion. I really figured it would be a bust but it was definitely a success and I am glad I went on and went as I actually found a few outfits. Which is always good news for my closet especially. We also had to go to the grocery store. Danny wanted Chicken and Dumplins and tomorrow John Michael wants spaghetti and Brandon wants homemade bread. I also needed a few things for the week. I am glad to have this done.

While we went one way, Brandon and Danny headed to Home Depot to rent a tiller. They tilled the front and back flower beds so that we can plant the things that we have gotten. We plan to add to the yard each year, but this year we have done a lot, basically getting them ready. I cannot wait to see the finished product. So far everything looks great. Brandon even dug up my favorite daffodils so that we can replant them. They are definitely my favorite flowers, I just wish that they would bloom more than one time. Oh well, I enjoy them while they are here.

We have several trees that we planted this fall and I have been amazed with the peaches that are being produced on one of them. Obviously the peach tree. I did not know that one so young would produce.

When the tilling was done we all went to Sam's to get some more of the weed stop covering stuff. We also got drinks and a few things that we needed.

We got home and ate dinner. The Chicken and Dumplins were yummy. I love them, but do not make them often and usually not at all unless it is winter, but they are Danny's favorites! Then Brandon went back to the yard and I started cleaning the kitchen.

My best friend Amy came over to scrapbook. I have overwhelmed myself with the back log that I have and the things that I have collected for them over the years. I am getting there though, it will all come together soon. I need to bring all of mine upstairs and make a list of what I have and what I need. Progress is being made though. I think that tonight we talked more than actually worked, but it was great. Just spending time together and letting our kids wear each other out! No matter what I have going on I hope that Amy knows I am always here for her! We have been friends since high school and no matter how much time goes by between us talking we always pick right back up. I am glad that we are getting better at spending time together though!

So I have to go by Jellybeans first thing in the morning and boil eggs for dying tomorrow afternoon. Then we have a ballgame. John Michael has an off day but Danny plays and then home for more housework and yardwork. It is going to be busy day, but will also be a productive one! I am looking forward to a family day!

Headed to bed now, well after I put up the leftover food. I will be praying for all of my friends and family as always before going to sleep. I hope that this Lenten season has been blessed for all of you.

Holy Thursday

Today was Holy Thursday and it was a busy day.

This morning of course we woke up late so were running around like some crazy people trying to get out the door and where we needed to be on time. Brandon was off so at least we were all going to the same places.

We made it to Danny's school with just a few minutes to spare. I was taking cupcakes to his class and while his teacher knew his friends did not so they were all quite excited to see me come in with cupcakes. I left them with Mrs. Hayes so that she could pass them out when she was ready for them to have them. I was glad that Danny came home and said that they were delicious! I love it when something works out and I always worry that it will not. He was actually supposed to be out today, but they were making up the Friday that the school lost power so he was out early at 12.

We headed to John Michael's school and made it with a few minutes to spare. He had a regular day so he was there till 2. I made cupcakes for his class too and he said that they were yummy. He was really glad that we had a few left over at the house. When we picked him up they were picking up liter for Earth Day, which I thought was great. Danny wanted to walk down and get him so I stayed at the top and watched and let the big brother have his fun. I felt so bad that I was unable to take pictures for the school this morning, but I had promised Brandon some help in the yard and I also had to be back to get Danny at 12. Hopefully they understand. I did let them know that even though my boys will not be there next year that if they needed pictures all they had to do was call. Hopefully they will, I love doing things for the schools and would love to do even more.

Well, tomorrow is Good Friday, and Earth Day and I am having a scrap night with Amy, which I am VERY excited about. I cannot wait. Today I was also able to get Danny's shoes swapped out so now we are ready for Easter and First Communion! A definite plus and a lot of deductions from the stress levels. We also went by one of the nurseries that is close to our house and we got a tulip tree, FINALLY! I am SO SO excited. We should be planting on Earth Day and if all goes as planned we will be!

Well, I am off to bed. I am pretty tired and tomorrow will be a busy one. I am excited about a three day weekend with my men. Before I go to bed I will be saying a prayer for all of my friends and family. The holidays never seem to be without loss, please remember my mom's friend who lost her brother, and my friend whose husband lost 2 aunts in your prayers as they get through the next few days.

New Clothes and Baseball

No, I did not get new clothes, but it would be nice to have some in my closet. Oh well. Danny got his First Communion/Easter outfit, and let me just tell you my baby boy looks good in it! The first feat was finding one and the second was it fitting. SCORE! John Michael also got an Easter outfit. It is so cute and again it fit! TWO! They also got dress shoes. John Michael's fit, Danny's did not so I will be taking those back tomorrow and hoping that they have another pair that will work. He is at such a strange size! Now I still have to tell you I have no idea what Brandon and I will wear, but we will make something in our closets work.

Both boys had games tonight. John Michael's team lost, but the boys seemed to have a good time out there which is what matters. We are hoping to have a mandatory practice next Monday, but we will see if the fields are available. BTW, John Michael was catching and he actually seemed to do much better tonight. I guess he is following in his big brothers footsteps!

Danny's team won and it was an awesome game!

Well, we are home. Easter party with John Michael's class tomorrow so expect an update soon! I am headed to bed very soon. I am exhausted and these boys have to get to sleep or it is going to be a rough morning tomorrow. I will remember you all in my thoughts and prayers tonight. Please pray for one of my mom's best friends, and a woman who I love dearly, she lost her brother this morning. Thank you all!

Running Around

So today was Sunday, which is never a day of rest. I am hoping that one day it will be, but the important thing is that it was a great day.

The boys both had practice from 3-5. I did not go so that I could get some errands done that I cannot do with the boys and do not know that I will have time to do this week. I am proud to announce that it was a success. It is all done! After visiting 6 stores, I can say now I can relax a little, well about that part anyway.

I do still have to find the boys something to wear for Easter. My plan is to find Danny a suit, I have a lead but the store is closed till Tuesday, thanks Tonya! Danny can wear this for Easter and his First Communion. For John Michael some plaid shorts and a nice shirt, or maybe even a sweater vest. We shall see what this week brings about while shopping. I also have to find them shoes. It will all happen though. This is going to be my goal for Tuesday after I drop them off at school. So expect an update then.

Brandon came home and said that only 5 boys showed up for John Michael's team practice and of course the one that Brandon really needed there was a no show. Of course I forget according to his parents he is an excellent ball player. Seriously...he is great at running across the field and fighting over the ball, but then he just stands there with it. That is what they were going to work on today. John Michael said that they got to run a little with Danny's team and he thought that was pretty cool. I think they had the same issue with a few no shows. Heck I know that my boys need practice and as long as we can be there we will be!

Anyway. We also went and got a Hibiscus plant for the front of the house, well 2, one for each corner. Hopefully we will get all of these new plants in the ground soon.

So I have changed our Easter plans. I think we are going to go out to lunch. I am just not in the mood for stressing over cooking, and entertaining. This way we can go to Mass, go out (and someone else cleans up), and then enjoy the day together. I did tell Brandon I would still bake a ham and he seemed happy because it means that we can work in the yard. If it is sunny that works for me, I love getting natural vitamin D.

So I am headed to bed. Tomorrow is craft day with John Michael's class so it will be a busy Monday. Before I go to bed I will say a prayer for all of my family and friends. I hope that this Easter week brings many blessings to you all.

Anything Else???

Wow! so I have realized that everyday is not a matter or making miles it is just making something happen. So that is all I intend to do. I want to do it all, but as each day has more and more responsibilities it is getting harder to keep them all. Letting others down is never in my agenda so I just do one thing at a time.

Today my dad would have been 63. Each year I think about how unfair it is that I cannot even call him and say "happy birthday" or "I love you." I told him, but it just was not the same not getting a response. It has not been in several years. I miss him so much.

Danny had school today and fortunately Brandon was off because I woke up a 4:20 with a blinding migraine! Not the way that I wanted to start the day, but he let me sleep while he took Danny to school and then even a few minutes after he got home. I was able to wake up (after some medicine) feeling much better.

I was determined to get one of the photography sessions that I had last week finished up and I am glad to announce that I did. Well, just now, but regardless it is done which is like a HUGE weight off my back. Now for the session from last weekend and I will be almost caught up. I do not like feeling like I am behind.

I was also able to finish Danny's 4K scrapbook. I went downstairs to get another box (2010) and started sorting it leaving nice piles in my living room. I have Danny's first grade stuff, John Michael's 3K and then all of our adventures from last year. I am trying to decide now whether to start with these or go through the rest of the boxes so that it is just a matter of picking a pile and getting it done! Decisions. Amy is coming over tomorrow night and we plan to play with the Cricut some more so we will see where that leads. Expect updates.

The crazy thing about Danny's 4K scrapbook is the last thing that my dad did with his school was go to the Pumpkin Patch with us. It was October 2007, and he dies December 2007. I have all of these pictures of the boys with my daddy, and it was hard to look at them and see him smiling and so happy to be with his boys. The last year that he was here with us he taught me so much about life and love and family and these are things I will never take for granted. Life is way too short!

I have decided that I will do Easter here again, I seriously like to entertain so it is right up my alley. But that means my house has to be in working order within a month's time. We shall see. I guess we need to let the mom's know that they do not have to worry about it and come up with a menu so we can tell everyone what to bring. This too could change, but we have the best yard for an Easter Egg Hunt so I doubt that it does. Plus I love doing it!

Baseball practice went great, just batting so it did not last too long. I saw an old friend and she is expecting. She is due in three weeks, but needs and extra 4 days so I hope that she gets it so she can finish up her student teaching! She looks great.

So we will be at the ballpark all day tomorrow. Contemplating a cooler full of beer? Hmmmm...

I am not long for bed, but before I go I want to wish you all a wonderful nights rest. I will say a prayer for everyone and I hope that you all do the same. We are joined in a lot of ways by what we pray for and it is the easiest most powerful thing that any of us can do.