And the Winner is.........

I haven't been blogging as much because I have been enjoying my mother who is visiting for a few weeks. But I couldn't resist blogging this......





Camryn "awarded" me the Oscar for 'best school lunch'. My mom won an award too for 'best new haircut'. My mom cut Camryn's hair a few days ago and she LOVES it. I will take a picture of it and post soon.
And, here is our Lacrosse star...Cade. He scored a goal this past weekend. He loves it and it could be his sport.
At Saturday's game, one parent remarked as we were all crowded under a tree for shade, "this really should be a winter sport".

My life in just six words...

Me love God. God give everything.


Could you sum up your life in six words? There is a new book out that challenges writers both obscure and famous to write their memoir in six words. If you are reading this I tag YOU to send me your six word memoirs either by e-mailing or commenting and I will post them in a week.

UPDATED..Thank You Sally, Lilly and Emmy for the Cupcakes! What a nice treat for Doug and all of us!! You're the best.

Happy Birthday Doug!! After the week we've had which included but was not limited to: colds, parties, lessons, dinner, friends, celebrations, marathon nights, rain and sunshine I would say you have a very full life indeed! Here's to another great year... I love you big!

Yea! Sprouts are sprouting! It is so exciting to see what our seeds have done in just 1 week.


We are growing peppers, cherry and hothouse tomatoes, and strawberries....

Jeepers Creepers...

Where'd you get them eyes!

Here is Mony or Muneca as my friend calls her. I thought this was just how she pronounced Monica (she has a heavy Columbian accent) but I was reading a book on Spanish first words with Ana and Muneca means "doll". So now I call her Muneca too.

Happy Birthday Camryn!




We have had gorgeous, sunny, warm weather for weeks. But of course it would rain because we planned a camping party. And every time we plan anything camping it rains. It rained when we camped in Grand Junction, Co. It rained when we camped in Letchworth, NY and now it rained here in Delray Beach, FL. But the bright side was it was a party after all, AND we had a solid plan B.

Me trying to get our campers outfitted and organized.
This party was yet another example of how totally awesome it is to be married to a football coach. They can command the attention of a group of 8 year olds, get them organized into teams, and keep the games moving so everyone has a great time. Even when they don't feel good. Did I mention that the morning of the party Dad started feeling bad and got progressively worse as the day wore on. I am sure the rain didn't help either. But football guys are tough don't you know and my husband is no exception. The tough coach is still human and did spend most of today in bed.

I pulled it off and this cake was such a hit with the kids. Seconds after she blew out the candle this cake looked like an abandoned car in NYC.

Love you sweetheart!

Happy Valentine's Day (early)

Here is my gift to all you devoted readers....A few links to fill you with love.

I have told ya'll about this site before but in case you totally ignored me....here's your chance to check it out. It is a blog for cheap.. uh, I mean frugal people like me. Today she has a great find...free photos from Walgreens. I mean who doesn't need that?

Another site I just discovered for baby stuff.....


And since I feel so linky today...From my friend Cathy here is the link for Valentine's bookmarks for your little sweethearts to color. I don't know about you but a book mark is the perfect gift for me because I usually use scraps of newspapers or worse...toilet paper (does this give away where my favorite place to read is?).

Have a good one! (day that is not, uh never mind)

2 things I read today

this one made me laugh....

this one inspired me

Can you believe it?!! Ash Wednesday is tomorrow?! I am planning a camping theme party for Camryn's birthday on Saturday, and I invited the whole class. I know I am insane but she has had very small family type birthdays the past few years and I thought what the heck? She asked me if it would be ok if she could begin her Lenten fast (no candy) the day after her party. Which is a good idea since this is the cake she wants me to make her.

But lucky for her I proposed this idea to the family: instead of the self denial the Lenten season always suggests, I thought it would be a great idea to add things to our daily lives to bring us closer to our Lord. In the past making a daily Mass once a week during Lent has been our way. So, we could add another day to that. Add the Stations of the Cross to the week. Add a family Rosary. Add a daily meditation in morning. Add, Add, Add... The self denial I believe will happen naturally as a result (sacrificing the extra hour of sleep on the mornings we go to Mass, the time we spend on the Rosaries and Stations rather than selfish pursuits). And hopefully, the preparation of our hearts for the Resurrection will happen naturally too. I hope my kids will have a more full-filling Lent and Easter as a result of this. Also, we will do the 40 fishes. I have to mention I borrowed the idea from another blogger last year. I cut 40 fishes out of purple material and hung them on fishing wire. On every fish is written either an A for alms giving or F for fast or S for sacrifice. The kids have to incorporate into their day and interactions what ever letter is on the fish for that day. For fast maybe they "fast" from TV or some other activity or treat they enjoy. For alms, they give of their time to their younger siblings or parents or teachers. And sacrifice can be of the Friday ice cream they get, etc. The fish also help us count down to Easter much like an Advent Calender does Christmas.

And lastly,

Pray for us, we will most certainly be praying for all our family and friends this season.

Sideline Superbowl Predictions

Cade: Giants, because Patriots have won 4 Superbowls and Eli Manning's brother won a Superbowl last year, so I think it's the Giants year. 24-17

Camryn: I like both teams I don't know. The team I like the best is the Giants because I like Peyton Manning and his brother.

Dad: Giants 31-10

Ana: Giants

Mommy: Giants I love the underdogs

Monica was asleep during this conversation. Cade thinks she likes the Giants though. And Camryn thinks the Patriots because she won't want to copy everybody.