PLC

Whew! It's over. After months of planning...didn't we start planning before Lent?!...the Parish Life Conference is history. I personally feel like it will go down in history as one of the best in recent years. Ok, ok. I have only actually ever been to this one. BUT, it was really well done, and the speaker was quite something. Met. Kallistos Ware- check him out on www.ancientfathradio.com if you have never heard him. Incredibly intelligent, well spoken man of God. And, seriously, the best voice. Listen to him!

My small part in this huge conference of 400 people was to come up with the decor. On a pretty tight (but also generous- if that makes sense) budget. Thankfully, I had a partner in crime, and we worked pretty hard, but kept things very fun. We also had several volunteers through the weekend for set-up, clean up, cutting fruit, arranging topiaries, lighting candles, you name it. These pictures do not do our decor justice, but I wanted to share these anyway. I pray that God continues to bless all of our parishes.

These pics are in opposite order, so it will be a bit of a let down at the end of this post, but blogspot is not being nice to me today, and I don't want to spend any more time on this! OK, this is Saturday night...the big hoorah! The Grand Banquet:



This is Friday afternoon at the Women's luncheon (tea pots and local flowers from Whitton Farms):

This is the Men's brunch:

Ok, one last Women's lunch! We sold these arrangements, with tea pots, in order to raise funds for the Women's philanthropy. It was pretty successful!

What a wonderful weekend- I am still thinking about a lot of what Met. Kallistos had to say. thank God for him and his words.

Oh, and I want to do this for a career. Come on, Trish, Liz, Marj and Cait- you KNOW you want to!!!

Well, hello there

Not going to start in the typical way..."it's been a long time..." Y'all know how I operate by now.

So, let's get down to it. This will be a choppy, "nap time" post, with a little of this and a little of that so we can catch up.

The summer is here. So is the heat. Being pregnant in your second and third trimesters in the Southern summer is interesting. You don't want to complain all the time...well, you do, but you don't want to be "that person." But, man it is hot. Thankfully we have friends with pools and generous hearts!

Being pregnant while staying home with a toddler is also...interesting. I love it, but it is absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done. Trying to remember to pray! Pray, don't get mad. Pray, don't worry. Pray, don't lose hope.

My baby sister graduated (grad-u-ma-wated) from college. I know, I can't believe it either. Isn't she 13? Oh, 16? Hmmm...this is not going in a good direction for me, her 10-year older sister. While a lot of her friends seem to be moving closer to home, she is making her way in another big city. I desperately want her to be near to me, since we are the closest family we have, but we each have to make our own paths. I know I wouldn't move out there just to be close to her, so why should I expect her to conform to my life stlye and schedule? Well, the answer to that is actually quite easy. Beacuse I'm the big sister. and that's how we think. and act. Hmmm, better work on that one too, along with the praying. Perhaps those goals will go nicely together.
After 2 years of fairly steady work, we are enjoying our house. We have a table and chairs on the back patio, zinnias blooming almost daily, sunflowers towering near the fence, and several new plantings along the back. It has been wonderful to be outside as much as possible. One of my favorite times of day in late spring was after work. daddy's home, dinner is ready, and I ask, "Where do you want to eat?" "OUTSIDE!" comes the unanimous response. I love my outdoors folks around here.

As someone said: It's summertime, and the livin is easy.

Parenting isn't for wimps

Zoe is in tears. So am I.
Daily tally:
Hitting? yes
Pushing? yes
General sauciness? Oh, yes.
Kicking? Yep.
Corner standing- 3
Spankings- 3
Yikes.

It has been one of those days. I haven't had one of these in quite some time. Is it worse because I am pregnant, tired, and my patience is thinner than ever? I guess so. It's also the fact that parenting.is.hard. I have done some hard things in my life- this is by far the most trying thing I've ever been a part of.

I had that moment today where my kid- MY kid for heaven sakes- was the bully. She pushed, pulled, hit, and eventually kicked, this little boy today. Of course, HE was being a little angel. It would have been so much better if he was antagonizing her or SOMETHING! Nope. She was just being mean. I almost took her to our priest for her first confession- I needed to make mine too, of course, for my anger. After standing in the corner and getting a spanking, she went to the little bpy and said she was sorry. The mom didn't seen too impressed. Can you blame her?

I remember when Zoe was getting pushed around in the church playroom- I still keep a "hawk eye" on those kids when I see them in the playroom.

I know, I know. It's age...it will pass. Or so more experienced moms tell me. I cannot stand the obstinate disobedience that we have been going through lately, but I REALLY can't stand just plain, old rudeness.

I tell her, "We are kind to other people because we love Jesus, and Jesus tells us to love everyone else, too," or, "Mommy and Daddy have to obey God, and you have to obey us." I also try secular/social logic, "You don;t like it when people hurt you, so you shouldn't hurt other people," or, you have to be kind to your friends or they will not want to play with you."

I'm just making this stuff up as I go along. I mean, how do I know what I'm telling her makes any difference? or if it's sending the right message?

I don't think that every little thing I say will greatly impact her life, but we are at a whole new stage in parenting. I see her mimicking me constantly, yet I tell her to be kind and generous with people, and my temper flares up with her after 2 minutes of disobedience.

I try not to write this too often, but I am hormonal and feeling a semi-crisis coming on: Mom, I need your help! I wish you were here to give me parenting advice. How did you do it? Did you intuitively know the right things to say? Do I just remember all of the wisdom and none of the mistakes you made while parenting me? Does it get easier? (wait- don't answer that one.) And while I'm asking questions- how on earth did you always look so good and have 2 kids? Seriously.

I realize this is a little less upbeat than my usual post, but I thought I'd be "real" in the difficult moments as well as the joyous.

Lent is nearly upon us, so I hope to use this time of the Fast in practicing patience and love, being slow to anger and quick to prayer. I hope the same for you.

Good Eats

When I was typing the title to this post, I originally left out one of the "o"s. This will be a slightly less theological post...

In an attempt to be a better meal-provider (aka Stay at home Mom) I decided that I needed a plan before venturing out to the inexhaustible choices of Super-Lo (that'd be the best grocery store 'round these parts, if you're not familiar.) Yes, I needed to meal plan.

So, I called up my dear friend, Chef Caitlyn. As I suspected, it was better than googling "recipes" because I automatically weeded through the nonsense. One of the gems she passed to me is http://www.simplyrecipes.com/.

It's a blog that really is just recipes. Thank you. I am sick of looking at sites that are the MTV of the cooking world...where are the music videos, I mean recipes, again?!?

I made an entire weeks menu from the site- all recipes under the heading "Budget Meals." The goal of meal planning, after all, is to feed your family good meals on a small budget.

The first night, I chose a recipe for Tuna Pasta with Capers. The "capers" part is what caught my attention. I was more than skeptical about the "tuna and pasta" part. But, she swears by the "Italian-ness" of it...and I can't really argue with an Italian about food; it'd be like starting a land war in Asia.

Skepticism gone. I will be bringing this light, lemony, tart dish to Palm Sunday potluck. I subbed lemon juice (yes, people- fresh) and vinegar for the white wine. It was Sunday. Liquor stores are closed. Oops... However, the combo of the fresh lemon, tart vinegar and capers was fantastic! I also used the whole-wheat, protein pasta that one smart mommy, Meribeth, told me about a couple of years ago. Vitamin C, protein, fiber and tarty-yumminess make for a good family meal. Try it.

The meal tonight was- HOLA enchiladas! I adore any Mexican food. Seriously- does it get better than white cheese dip? The recipe is for cheese enchiladas, but I had black beans on hand, so I mixed those up with some of the leftover green chilies from the sauce, to add a little more fiber and protein. Plus, like my grandmother said, "It'll stick to your ribs longer."

I made my own salsa, given the suggested ingredients, and followed the recipe for the enchilada sauce. It is chunky, but very tasty. I added cilantro and light sour cream to the top. Also- a MUST is to do the marinated lettuce in vinegar and salt. Wow- I have never done this with my Tex-Mex dishes, but I will do it from now on. It's an interesting way to get more greens in (besides the boring salad) and it adds so much flavor to the dish.

Thanks for the new-found favorite, Caitlyn! I hope you're tempted to try a recipe or 2 from the site.

Now...where'd I put that margarita...

Sweatin Like an Oldie

I mentioned my recent rediscovery of exercise in a previous post, but wanted to discuss it a little more. Yes, I realize how completely UNoriginal it is to talk about exercise in January, but I never promised this would be a ground-breaking blog, did I? I'm more of a trend follower than a trend setter, anyway. At least I can admit it, and reap the benefits of other, smarter, more creative people's ideas.

Speaking of stealing people's ideas- that's how I came up with my new workout routine. I noticed that my Mom's best friend, who happens to turn the big 5-0 pretty soon, looked absolutely FAB-u-lous. I mean, the kind of fabulous that makes normal people like us a little sick to our stomachs, thus making us drive through Chik-Fil-A for a quick fix to our jealousy. Theoretically speaking, of course. So, I asked my friend, "What on earth are you doing?" "P90X" was her reply. I thought this was some in-shape person's code that I didn't know about. It was.

It turns out, P90 has been around for years. It was a big craze last year around these parts, and I tried to jump on board after getting the referral from my fit friend. I got the pull-up bar (yikes!) and my husbands free weights (you should have seen the dust on those things- ha!) and was ready to go.
One issue for a flake like me is that you have to commit to 6 days per week, one hour per day. Yeah, I know- it's so much, right?! SO, I started and felt awful for the first 4 days. I mean, too sore to pick up my child, irritable because my body hurt even at rest, hungry, tired and did I mention sore? After that, though, I started feeling great. I noticed that the videos I could barely do the first week, I could do about half of the second week! I was also feeling more energized and less sore- well, I was constantly sore, anyway. Why no ripped, toned and tanned "After" pic, you ask? Well, that'd be because I quit after 2 weeks. Don't be so surprised...I already told you I'm a flake. (Let's not discuss nursing school...)

So, after going through old pictures on my computer, I realized that I couldn't use the "I gave birth, so give me a break on my looks" excuse. You see, when Z was only 12 months old, we went to the beach. I wore a bikini. and there are pictures to prove it. Plus, a friend, while wishing me a happy 30th, mentioned that, among other things, her 30's were her best decade because she was in the best physical shape of her life. I want to be able to say the same.

SOOOO, I'm throwing it out there- much like Kirstie Alley or Winona on Oprah- I'm starting P90 again. That's right, folks. It's in writing. I actually started with my sister several days ago. SO far, so good!

A couple of things are different this time. First, I have an exercise accountability partner in my sis. For someone like me, it's invaluable to have someone encouraging me everyday to follow through.

Second, I am being less stringent on completing every workout for the full hour. Example: the first day, Zoe came into the room, having woken up early from her nap. I had only worked out for 30 minutes. I stopped, took care of her, and never came back to finish the workout. I'm going easy on myself because any exercise is better than none. Yes, I'm sacrificing my other nap-time chores (or shower or eating lunch in peace) for P90. I think it probably a good trade.

The amazing, action shots in this post are from my sister's January visit- when we started the P90 journey together. I know. We look awesome.

Talent

We're having a talent show at church in a few weeks. I jokingly asked my husband what he would be doing for the general entertainment of the parish? He joked he would do a monologue, including his best imitation of a certain person-of-influence. I will not name names.

That actually got em thinking that I want to share one of his many talents with the blogisphere.

He is a natural photographer, and put his instincts to work for some Christmas cards photos for friends. Check out the entire session shots here: http://www.argentum.zenfolio.com/, but look at these samples of some of my favorites.

December and January

I am quite possibly the.worst.blogger.in.the.world. First of all, I don't finish what I start (see NDaD) Can I say that I'll get back to that in the Spring when I can actually wear it? No? Oh, well. Chalk it up to another remnant piece of fabric in my ever-growing collection.

Secondly, I only write about twice a year. Ha! I guess I truly have nothing to say on a regular basis. Consider this my semi-annual posting...

December was quite the whirl-wind over here. Why does motherhood suddenly transport you into a freakish time warp, where days turn to months and all of a sudden you turn around and your baby is having a fairly lengthy conversation with you, while pretending to apply your mascara and wearing your flowered flats? I digress.

My twin sister (well, not really, but it makes me happy when people tease us about that- mostly, because she's 10 years younger than I, but also because she's gorgeous) came for a long visit after Christmas. Actually, she came on my 30th birthday. ugh. That may be a whole other post, people. She stayed for a fun-filled 2 weeks. She slept on a less-than-comfortable air mattress on our playroom floor, got hit in the head with flying vegetables at 8 am (hint: Z got a kitchen for Christmas), rocked P90 with me, made a new friend and had a generally wonderful visit. Sisters are priceless. I definitely want to have at least one boy, but Z needs a sister, too. Here are a couple of highlights from her stay:

The ZOO!

P90- this photo is too amazing for words...

P90 VICTORY!

Skating at the zoo. If you have not done that- DO IT! The zoo is one of the greatest things about this city, and the skating rink has added even more fun this winter. It ends at the end of January, so get going! Can you handle these teeny, tiny skates?! Me neither! She loved it, and went around the circle 5 or 6 times. My back will never be the same, but it was worth it.

Another fun thing in the winter months was our first snow! Z helped us build a snowman last year, but this year was completely different. She wanted to use "coal" for his eyes and mouth and a "carrot nose" and a "scarf. He needs a scarf, Mommy." Apparently he needed a duck on each shoulder, too. Here are the proud architects of Frosty:

Things are not all fun, laughs and snowmen, of course. We are going through another family tragedy. We are at the beginning of a difficult battle with cancer. My father-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma a couple of days before Christmas. He started chemo today, and will be staying with us during the several day recovery from the treatment.

He is up and down, as anyone would be, but he is mainly focused on the Lord. He is an extremely faithful, devoted man, and through his highs and lows, he is depending on God to see him through this time of trial. Oh Lord, please have mercy upon him. I really appreciate your prayers!