BAPTIZED!!!

For the few people who actually follow this blog...I thought I would share some super exciting news!!! The baby who we got as a temporary foster on April 12th 2012...well, we got legal custody of him. Than his birth mom said we could baptize him...So we had him baptized on the one year anniversary of him blessing our lives!

It was a very emotional day for me...this was so fantastic having all my babies with me in this special place!!! Rob and I were married in this chapel almost 24 years ago...I can still hear Monsignor Hogan say, "Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?" After we said "I do" the entire congregation started laughing. Now it was no surprise that Rob and I wanted lots of kids...but to hear them all laugh was so funny and made us smile! We also have had our other 12 children baptized at this very spot!!! To be holding our little miracle in our arms was so fantastic and to think he may otherwise not of been baptized...wow!!!

So with the thoughts above...

I was trying to thank everyone for all their prayers this year...

and I started to cry!

With daddy!

In the vestibule getting the opening blessing

The other super cool fact is that this holy priest...who I actually babysat when he was five...was baptized in this very chapel and baptismal font!!! This was his first baptism in this special place!!!

Love Barbara's face...and our little miracle pushing away Father's hand!!!

Our social worker from the very beginning!!!

God parents!!!

This statue has always been one of our favorites...but this photo someone took on my camera is really special because it has our Baby Steven Thomas's grave in the very back right corner.

What an amazing day this was...God you are so good to us all the time...

help me remember this in my times of sadness and stress!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Last year on this date:

My husband and I have been really trying to move on but with the passing of two babies this year, 

we sometimes get weary. 

Sometimes when we sit at holy hour or in bed at night 

the tears and sadness just overwhelm us. 

On Nov 3rd, 2011

On Nov 21st, 2011

Of course two major blessing and miracles happened this year too. 

In April 2011 we became unofficial Foster parents of a 10 week old who 

has brought more joy to this family than anyone could ever predict! 

Then in Sept. 2011, we paid off our house after only 12 years!!! 

Yeah for living dept free-

now just need to pay off that 15 passenger van...happening soon!

So, we still intrust our family and fertility to you dear Lord, 

knowing your plans are way better than any of ours.

JESUS WE TRUST IN YOU!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!!

Trying to heal my broken heart:

As I try to heal from our loss of Steven 

God continues to hold me in the palm of HIS hands...

He puts many cute faces in my path daily 

to remind me the importance of continue my work of being the best christian, 

wife, and mother I can be...

so I press on and wipe the tears from my eyes 

only to find a sweet child in front of me looking for the love of a mommy! 

Thank you Jesus for my husband, kids, 

and a huge community of people who pray 

and help us in many ways!

It was my son's fifth birthday 

and all my kids were home for a family dinner...

so of course we pulled out the camera 

to catch them all before some of them head off to college and life...

we had to catch my son in love after work...

but we still got him! 

Nothing like a Christmas picture 

when the kids are all tan!!!

MY GIRLS!!!

MY BOYS!!!

My son in love...surrounded by my beautiful daughters...

My oldest and her hubby!

Thank you Lord again for a great day...

a wonderful husband...and super kids...

please help me to continue to heal in soul 

and body help me grow closer to you each day 

and be a better wife and mother to my family!

Now if I could just get out of these maternity clothes!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Sports: what to do with a large family?

We have 12 children who are all very competitive and my seven boys are very athletic. We have a couple of rules that help tame this problem.

This is a great article here on the Marathon Mom blog:

1. Must be age 9/10 before playing on a game team. (we have let them play on a group activity that involves many of our kids that is mostly for fun...no uniforms, no games...just skills and fun...all on the same field and the same time) We have early dinners and early bedtime so we can sometimes squeeze in dinner before practice then home for showers and bed.

2. We try to find teams that more than one kid can play on...so many of our boys have played up...so finding a coach who is flexible is key...(btw...those boys who play up become the best players!)

3. No travel teams or expensive tournament teams with traveling far away with hotel accommodations.

4. If a coach really wants one of my kids...they find a ride to and from practice and games...this happened with my son who was a great goalie...the coach wanted him so bad that he came and drove him to every practice and most games.

5. The kids have to realize that we just can't be at every game...and if it is too hard to understand than they can wait to play another sport or on a different team. (they always deal with it)

6. I usually ask the coach about commitments prior to team...explain our family dynamic and if they are still on the phone...we try to work something out...like if we have church activities during practice and game time...God Comes First!

7. I always ask for a team list or send an email with our address to see if anyone lives near us to carpool...most of the time I can help another parent who is stuck to and then we have two happy families!

8. We only do a couple of seasons of sports...most of the time it is fall soccer...no winter...really relaxed tennis lesson/tennis team and swim lessons in the summer...spring we are flexible if we find a low committed team. We are very blessed to live in an awesome neighborhood with sports going on everyday.

This is a constant battle and one to take to prayer with your spouse. Many of my friends husbands would die if their kids weren't doing a sport each season...more power to them...no way in our family!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!1 +JMJ+

Exercising with kids:

Exercising with kids is always interesting...probably why I haven't done it all these years. Well this spring I tried all different times to get to the gym. Since the babies in my house started to wake about 6:15 I would go early. Well...I thought that was early.

I would get up at 5 crawl into my gym clothes and head off to the gym.

Then...the time change came...and my baby started to wake up even earlier. 5:20 to be more specific. I tried going to the gym at nap time, but my four year old would need me. I tried going at night...but I was exhausted from being up so early.

So, since I am a morning person...I got up a little earlier. I go sometime between 4:15 and 5:30am. This morning I went from 4:30 to 5:30am...came home, showered, and had my meditation time.

Guess what...the little bugger didn't wake up till 7:55am! Go Figure!

BTW...when I was a young mom with 7 kids under 10, I would hear people talk about getting up super early to exercise or pray. It was super discouraging to me. If you are pregnant or nursing or have a house full of needy kids...sleep and take naps as much as possible!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

POTTY TRAINING:

First time in 21 years and 9 months...that I HAVE NO ONE IN DIAPERS...don't tell my husband, but it is kinda sad...I know I am a sick woman!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

50 Mile Trail Race:

Yipee, he ran 54.5 miles in a TRAIL race...what a great accomplishment!!!

My Husband ran a 50 mile race today:

It was crazy...He started at 6am, the kids and I got there at 3:50pm waiting for him to finish about 4:30pm...then the runners were finishing and complaining that the route was messed up... the course was 54.5 miles instead of 50. They didn't have their lights with them cuz they figured they would finish before 6 pm...and then they had to run in the dark in the woods which took them twice as long!!!

The stinking hill they had to run to get to the finish line...these race people are crazy!!!

Then they had to run up this hill that was super, super, steep...I wanted to punch the race coordinators!!! Rob was too excited to be upset!!! HE DID IT!!! YIPPEE!!!

FROM MY KIDS FACEBOOK PAGES:
From my two oldest children: (so sweet)

Alexandria says:
Not only is my dad an Iron man AND qualified to run in the Boston Marathon this spring, he also just finished running a 54.5 mile race! Very proud of my daddy. He is so awesome I can't even tag him in this post because he is too cool for Facebook!

Joshua says:
Just in case you weren't sure that my dad can beat up your dad...my dad just ran a 54.5 mile race.

THY WILL BE DONE!!!

Library:

Years ago, my oldest daughter had the opportunity to show off her Lady Bug display at the library in their display case. Not remembering how important she felt...I never thought about asking again to do a display. Well, my eight and five year old daughters rush to the display cases and love seeing what "topic" is being shared with each month. So all I did was ask and they said we could have the floor case in November and the corner case in Dec. The girls were so thrilled.




THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Slow and Steady...

My marathoner/Iron Man husband woke up this morning to wish me luck on my kinda first race. (He talked me into one when we were dating when I was 18) His advice: Be the TURTLE...slow and steady!!!

Then I sat to have my morning devotion to see what the Lord had to say. I opened my Small Steps for Catholic Moms book for Oct 30th...

This is what it said:

THINK:
"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose you inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." St Francis De Sales

PRAY:
When I rush, I forget you, Lord. As many times as you need to today, push my "pause button." Slow my steps and turn my heart toward you.
ACT:
Any time a child seeks your attention today, stop what you are doing and give it. Turn off the computer, hang up the phone, put down the dish towel, and listen. Through that small voice, God is speaking to you.

Well, what can I say? Running the Marian Corps 10K for VOCATIONS was great. I finished in 59.38. I froze my toes off. i had some great praise and worship music on and didn't kill myself. I was happy I didn't need to walk. Over all I am happy I did it.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

RUN FOR VOCATIONS:

I am doing my first Run for Vocations 10k tomorrow morning...I ran a 10k about 24 years ago when I was young and dating my husband...I think I thought I was gonna die...well, now I am 43 and gave birth to 12 kids and for some reason I am gonna do it!!!

About 6 months ago someone asked me if I was gonna run it...I said, "No, I will hopefully be pregnant!" No luck...so I am running.

So nervous...this is not my safe little treadmill at the gym with controlled weather and my stuff right next to me...crazy weather...what to wear...what not to wear...Good Night...Pray for me!!!

UPDATE:
finished...very cold...59.38 min

THY WILL BE DONE!!!

Nine/Eleven Memories:

I bet everyone has a memory of what they were doing on 9/11 ten years ago.

I was about 7 months pregnant with my eighth child. I started the day off with my seven little kids by going to 8 am mass. I remember like it was yesterday when Monsignor said his regular prayer intention. "For all those who will die today, for the policemen and those who serve our country..." Who would know that about an hour later that prayer would be needed like never before.

After mass I packed up my youngest five to head to Alexandria, Virginia for a midwife appointment. My oldest two stayed home to do school work.

As I was driving over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge my eight year old son said, "Mom, what is all that smoke over there?" I looked over and saw the sky full of smoke. I had no idea what it was from. Little did I know it was the Pentagon.

I walked into the midwife office and saw everyone staring at a small TV with live footage of the first tower that was just hit...then we all watched in horrow as the second tower was hit. I couldn't comprehend what was actually happening. In my life time I had never really encountered a national crisis before.

My midwife checked the heart beat real fast and suggested I get home as soon as possible. I packed up the kids and got on the bridge home. The traffic was starting to get crazy and the cell phones weren't working.

I finally got home and my kids ran out and said the phone was ringing off the hook. My neighbor ran out to fill me in on what was actually happening. I was in shock and we just went in the house and became numb like the rest of America.

The rest is history. God Bless and keep America safe.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Summer memories:

My summer was full of loosing weight, preparing for my 25Th High School Reunion, and most of all the wedding of my oldest daughter.

As we started school this week two very small memories stuck in my mind.

First, was from the beginning of the summer. We were at the beach and I was going on my early morning walk with my baby. As we walked the board walk about 6 am I heard loud stomping behind me. When I turned around I saw about 50 young people who were in the Army Reserve training. My son and I stopped as they all ran past the stroller. When we were at the end of the board walk they were standing there waiting for the rest of their group to finish up. I tried to push the stroller past them and the captain announced for all to make way for this mother and child. As I sheepishly passed by them the captain said to the recruits, "people this is what we are doing this all for...for mothers and their children!" I had chills down my spine as I reflected all the lives that have fought for our freedom. GOD BLESS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THEIR SACRIFICE.

The other memory is more recent. After five days of being without power and hearing the constant drumming of the generator, my husband and I were headed to bed grouchy and exhausted. We then realized that our 11,13, and 15 year old were outside without permission. Instead of gently reminding them the rules we both let them have it...we started yelling at them for not telling us they were out there, told them they were in trouble, and then started giving them a list of jobs to be done right then and there. As my 11 year old (who doesn't usually get in trouble) was sweeping he started crying. I went over and said, "what's wrong?" He sadly said, "I don't like being a big kid."

It was just so much more fun and innocent when he was with the little guys and he saw that he was crossing over to the "teen scene" with the other family trouble makers.

Of course I melted and gave my "baby" a hug.
Boy being a parent stinks sometimes.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

NO POWER:

We lost power around late Sat night/early Sun morning...
Thank God the weather is perfect because the windows are open and we are very comfortable.
There are power lines laying all over my back yard, as well as my neighbors. So, one of the hardest things during this adventure is keeping the kids from going near the area. Especially since the weather is perfect for playing outside.

What we miss most:
cooking!!!
playing in our back yard
garbage disposal
dish washer
washing machine
tape/cd players at night

Thy Will Be Done!!! +JMJ+

Pantry organizing day...

I love my pantry...when we redid our kitchen I just had my hubby put a wall 2 feett out from the wall and added two doors. I just reorganized everything and it feels so great.

THIS IS THE LEFT SIDE:

THIS IS THE RIGHT SIDE:

My hubby is a AMAZON NUT...he orders everything from amazon. He is on the PRIME membership and even gets shipments automatically sent to him...for instance...spaghetti sauce...well, since I haven't been eating much pasta and he realized he has a wheat allergy...we need to stop that shipment.

This is some of what we have:
42 cans of sardines...don't ask, amazon deal
28 boxes of pasta
18 rolls of paper towels
14 jars of BBQ sauce
6 bottles of cooking oil
23 cake mixes
10 tubs of icing
16 boxes of jello/pudding mix
9 boxes of various crackers
9 bottles of salad dressing
6 containers of parm cheese
18 jars of peanut butter
13 bags of pretzels/gold fish
7 boxes of gran bars
2 jelly
9 cans of green beans
7 cans of pineapples
8 cans of baked beans
23 jars of spaghetti sauce (another amazon deal)
4 jars of mayo
11 jars of salsa
10 four pound containers of drink mix...what was my hubby thinking?
20 boxes of cereal
10 bags of nacho chips

So, come on over for some food and we will have a great time!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

My first earth quake:

I experienced my first earth quake today...it was kinda freaky...the house started shaking and the big bell in the back yard rang...the kids were running around like crazy...my husband yelled everyone outside...I ran upstairs and grab my sleeping baby as the rest of the family ran outside.

We were all safe...I wish I could say the same for My Saint Maria Goretti statue...boo hoo...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Funerals, Reunion and a Wedding; Oh My!

I have been writing alot about my experiences trying to lose weight. It was all in preparation for this week.

My friends and I have been planning our 25^th Bowie High School class of 1986 reunion which was the end of July. We had a happy hour on Friday night with a bunch of Bowie grads from different years and the big evening was Saturday night in Annapolis.

It is always fun to reminisce with old friends. I especially enjoy seeing friends from my elementary school. To think we have known each other since we were five years old. It is fun when my kids hang out in houses that my old friends lived in so many years ago. I love driving around town with floods of memories going through my head of all my friends’ old houses and the fun things we did.

read more here:

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

COUNTDOWN till wedding day:

CUPCAKES MADE BY THE WOMEN WHO MADE MY WEDDING CAKE 22 years ago
Me with my girls: bride, two bridesmaids, and two flower girls

Bride and Mommy

Well, I just celebrated my 25th High School reunion is this weekend

with my old friends

and now I can concentrate on the wedding

in less than two weeks!!!

Please pray for my daughter and her fiance as they prepare for a life time of

love and all that comes with the sacrament of marriage!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Memories

The following was sent to me from a friend. I tweaked it a bit. My mother just died in February and I just spent the weekend with my friends for my 25th high school reunion. Some of us had been friends since kindergarten. So this seemed perfect to share.


Their marriage was good, their dreams focused.. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.

I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress; lawn mower in his hand, and dish-towel in hers..

It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there would always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear winter night, in her family room, with me so close by. I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away ...never to return.

So ..While we have it ...its best we love it ... And care for it .... And fix it when it's broken ... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true ...
For marriage ...
And old cars ...
And children with bad report cards ...
And aging parents ...
And grandparents,
brothers and sisters,
aunts,uncles and friends.

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special ...

And so, we keep them close in heart and mind and spirit.

Good friends and family are like stars ... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Friends from elementary school

25th high school reunion

My wonderful husband

I have known these guys since I was five!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Another Day in the Life:

This is what my day looked like yesterday…
4:50am woke up
5:00-6 am Gym: ran four miles
6:15am get home check email
6:20am baby wakes…cuddle!!!
6:35am make fruit salad and breakfast for kids
7: 00am shower
7: 30am rally all kids who have tennis to brush teeth, get dressed, and get ready to leave
7:50am kids in car
7:58am I get out ready to drive away (pool is 2 min away) and see kids looking for car seats and tennis rackets
8:01am I realized that the youth group borrowed our 15 passenger van on Wed for Hershey Park and we emptied the van
8:05 am very frustrated and grabbed rained on car seats and big siblings rackets to borrow
8:10am get to tennis (I hate being late)
8:30am get CC and go home to get little boys
9:00am have snack
9:20am go to bank
9:30am pick up from swimming
9:45am go for a quick grocery trip
10:10am go drop off dry cleaning
10:20am get home and get other kids ready for swimming
10:45am swimming
11:30am get all kids and some extras to go home for lunch
12:00pm LUNCH
12:30pm clean house for company
1:30pm do Laundry
4:00pm Dinner prep
5:00pm company over
7:00pm send kids to bed
9:00pm Company leaves
9:30 pm Do 100 sit ups for a contest
9:45 pm wrap wedding gift
10:00pm go to be exhausted!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

A Day in the Life of a mom of 12!!!

Another Busy Day ahead for our family on Friday.
First of all it will my husband and my 22nd Wedding Anniversary!!!
I will officially be married more than half my life to my best friend!!!

Rob and I renewing our vows on our 20th anniversary...yes, I was 6 months pregnant...

Secondly my oldest daughter is graduating with her masters in Social Work at 8:30am...

This picture was last year when she got her under grad degree...
Can't wait for this years picture...I am 24lbs lighter now!!!

Then, my forth child will be graduating from High School at 2:30pm...My Two Graduates this summer when Lizzie turned 16!!!

What a blessing to have so much wonderful stuff happen on a wonderful day!!!

Thank you honey for asking me to marry you and listening to God on how to raise our family!!!

God Bless you Alex and Lizzie!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+