Neck and Neck!

Well - I have to say that Emma, Zack and Ares are all progressing with their toilet training. In fact you could say they are currently neck and neck, with some days better than others. But I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel! Read more!

illness abounds...

I have not had time to post the last three days since in addition to the normal, (usually joyful), chaos that abounds in our life ,we have various children running temperatures from 39 - 40 c or 103 to 104 f. (I guess I really did have the flu last week, and not just an "allergic" reaction to puppies!)

I feel blessed that so far we have not had stomach heaves or any other complaints - just a general malaise and high temps. Mind you, I am keeping a close eye on Bethany, my 7 year old, who started with the fever last night. Last November, while my husband was on the road, and I was without a vehicle and did not have 911 activated on my phone yet... she had seizures as a result of a very mild fever! Praise be to God she survived with no lasting side effects, while I (alas) gained a few more gray hairs!

So far her body is dealing well with the fever and responding to the Motrin - but I am still keeping a close eye on her!

My cartoonist has just sucumbed to the fever today - but still a cartoon is in the making and will be posted later today or early tomorrow. She has been hinting lately for a raise - I really should consider doubling, or even tripling her salary, after all 3 times zero is still zero - no? On the other hand - a night out with mummy for an icecream, or a soda might please my artist!

With this new onslaught of illness I have just remembered one very important way to know when you are a large family...

When you have enough members in your family that by the time a virus ciruclates through, it has mutated enough that the first victim falls prey to it a second time and the party starts all over again!

I would also like to thank Saint Anthony publicly for prayers answered. We have been looking for some time now for bunks - the ones with a double on the bottom and we are being blessed with not just one set, but two! These will come in very handy as we are currently squeezed into a 3 bedroom home!

Blessings to all and please keep us in your prayers the next few days, esp Bethany!

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Before you know it...

Before you know it the tables will be reversed.
Yes – before you know it, your 18 yr old son will be following you as you walk to the gas station, because he is worried for your safety.
Before you know it your oldest daughter will be sending you to bed for a nap because you look tired.
Before you know it, you are not needed to make dinner for Thanksgiving.
And then before you know it, one of your oldest daughters starts baking the birthday cakes instead of you…
And before you know it the oldest, instead of calling from the kitchen table - "Mummy - can you help me with this algebra question?" is calling you on her cell phone and asking; "what's the difference between a POS, an HMO, or a PPO insurance plan?"
Yes, before you know it – the oldest of the bunch are almost all grown up, and you feel misty eyed. Where did the time go? Wasn’t it just yesterday you were bandaging their knees, and changing their diapers?

And while you feel a little stunned at this reversal, you put your feet up on the coffee table and gratefully accept that cup of tea while you ask hopefully - "Are those oatmeal cookies I smell in the oven?"

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Meet the boys...

Zac & Ares 12 weeks

Here are our little orphans that we "adopted" a week ago! Zac is on the left and Ares the right. I'm sorry to say that these two mites are doing much better at their 'toilet training' than Emma is with hers!

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We have lost control...

“We have lost control” stated my husband helplessly as he stood there stunned by 2 yr old Emma’s determination to go to the store with him. Her happy little jog down the stairs in her cargo blue jeans, hippie t-shirt and good shoes was followed by a determined little shove past her daddy as she announced “Hey – I’m tumming!” in a voice that was irresistible.

He was standing in the doorway about to slide out hoping she would not see him. Already the little red head, who had quickly whipped his bathing suit off and replaced it with his cords and t-shirt was sitting expectantly in his boaster seat in the car. Emma having noticed him change in the middle of the living room (without his customary – “Hey duys – no lookin, I’m donna be naked!”) had immediately caught on that a trip was about to be made and had dashed up the stairs with a big sister in tow to help her change. In a voice strangled with laughter he stated; “We’re getting too old for this! It’s time to be grandparents!” (Please note however that I am NOT ready to be a grandmother!)
While Emma pranced down the front porch stairs, completely sure of herself, we choked back our chuckles and went out the back door to retrieve her car seat from the van. We know when we have lost, and this time the battle didn't even have a chance to get started.

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Happy Birthday Tanny Paul!

Guess who turned five this month? Nathaniel Paul! Now, although five technically, he is a teen in spirit. Also he is "han'um and dood lookin" But he is not, I repeat, NOT cute!
Babies are cute - Nathaniel is not!

But I say - look at those pictures have you ever seen a more cute - err, sorry, dood lookin', han'um red head?
Happy Birthday Tanny!!!!

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Good News Bad News, Bad news Good News

The Good News is that Sam's Club took care of my husband's laptop - no questions asked!

The bad news is my husband lost his wallet with THREE green cards in it, his license and social security card. OUCH! This is going to be a challenge and prayers are heartily welcomed!

Bad news - again.... the transmission went on our "new to us" van - again prayers heartily welcomed! :-)

Good News - this has forced us to go to Mass seperately, which means I went with only three of the girls tonight and actually got to concentrate on the Mass instead of on children 5 and under. What a peaceful experience. I do enjoy attending Mass as a family and I am impatient that we get the van repaired, but at least I have found a silver lining in this problem.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Sunday!

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NICELY!!

Earlier this week Emma, two and a half, had finished her dessert and decided she wanted down. This she proclaimed to everyone in general with a bellow. Given all of us were still busy eating our own dessert, we did not all immmeadiatly jump up and respond to her highness. Miss Emma proceeded to bellow;
"I want DOWN! I want DOOOOOWWWN!" This was varied with "I want OUT!", this was usually followed by a grunt as she pushed on the highchair tray in an attempt to free herself.
At last, tired of her screaming and whining Noah, 10 years, stood up and with his hands on his hips yelled back; "How about maybe you ask NICELY?!"
Emma paused, drew in a deep breath and in a sweet voice sang "Nicely!"

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Prayer Request to any and all who may read my blog...

I have a wee favour to ask. Please pray for our lap top. My husband is self employed and the lap top is fairly integral to the business. This morning my husband was getting out of the bath and had the lap top a safe distance (he thought) from the tub so he could listen to Rush.
As he was getting out, he slipped in the tub and thank God is okay. However, a small tsunami ensued and flooded the bathroom. As a result his laptop got wet and immeadiatly shut down.
He has gone online and read what to do, and we have taken all of the steps. Please pray that it will turn back on in 24 hrs when we are to try again. And NO, he will not be listening to Rush in the bath anymore!

Many Blessings
mum2twelve

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Call me crazy...

...because I am!

Yesterday I claimed to have the flu and I certainly felt flu like. Aches and chills, and a certain feeling of confusion. But was it a virus, or was it PUPPIES???

Yes, that is in the plural. You see on Sunday, out of the blue, a small thin man walked up our drive and he had with him two small animals on chains. They loped along tiredly beside him in 90 plus degrees. Who was he, and why was he coming up our drive and with such purpose in his stride. In a hurry to head him off, I went out onto the porch and sat down on the front door step. With a tired look matched only by the pups’ drooping chins, the gentleman wiped his brow and asked for my second oldest son. By now, excited faces were pressed against the porch door and one child raced off to find said son.

While he waited patiently for my son to appear the puppies flopped down and chewed on my sandals and each other until my husband joined us. As Hugo scratched the puppies’ humongous ears the man finally divulged his business.
“Y’all give me ten dollar, and a’ll give ya them dawgs.”

I looked at the exhausted wee things and said in Spanish to my husband – give him the ten dollars and we’ll take the poor things to the SPCA. My husband nodded and the fellow continued to chat in a language foreign to my understanding. I understood a few words, but his southern accent was so heavy it was difficult to decipher much of what he said. We did understand one thing – “Don’t fed ‘em all ta'geder or them'll fight!”

Small wonder I thought – the poor things are skin and bones. I asked him if they were maybe 12 weeks, he nodded and wiped the sweat off his brow again. It was obvious he was ready to go. I asked the kids to get the poor puppies some water while my husband dug into his pocket and pulled out a five and four ones. We were a dollar short.
“Never you mind,” he said, “I see yo’ son around all da time. He can give me a dollar any ol’ time. “

Stuffing the loose bills into his pocket he called to one of the pups gruffly, causing it to lean into my young son’s side.
“C’meer dawg!" Sssvet he whistled. "Get over here dawg. You be good booboo – you be good now!”

With that, he rumpled the pup’s ears, and sauntered off into the hot Sunday afternoon.

I stood up and shooed everyone out of the heat into the house and amidst the excited giggles and yelps I said determinedly;
“Now, the pups are only here until we can get them to the SPCA. “

The pups now named, Zack for Zackaria and Ares, are STILL here and while the aches and pains are fading – I am still experiencing a sense of confusion.

What can I say – except… call me crazy.
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Mum2twelve is ill...

...just the flu bug so there will be no post today and possibly tomorrow. But prayers are gratefully accepted!

Heaps and Heaps of Blessings from
mum2twelve

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You know you are a large family when...

You can’t sit everyone around an 8 ft long table.

It takes over two dozen eggs for everyone to have their fill.

Two fridges can’t hold a weeks worth of groceries.

A dozen rolls of toilet paper won’t last a week – so you switch to single ply, hoping that will help.

You are buying two sizes of diapers and pull-ups…

It takes 45 minutes to make enough grill cheese sandwiches and 10 minutes for them to disappear, only to realize you forgot to eat one yourself.

A 15 passenger van only allows you one guest – if you don’t bring anything with you on the trip.

Not everyone can have a turn leading a decade in the Rosary – even if you were to pray it twice in one day.

You find yourself surfing the restaurant supplies online in hopes that you might find a soup pot large enough to hold your family's favourite soup.

After you give your order at McDonalds, they look over your shoulder for the soccer team.

It’s been 23 years since you have slept through the night, and you realize it will be another ten or so before you do.

It takes two crock pots to hold a recipe you have quadrupled with the vain hope you might have leftovers.

You have more joy and blessings in one day than you feel that any one person deserves.

Read more!

It Takes a Family...

Here is a book I intend to read very, very soon! At this time, more can be learned about this book here... http://www.isi.org/ Read more!

I have been replaced...

Lately I have noticed that when I try to talk to my husband he seems distracted. Often he is grinning, and sometimes even chuckling a bit. So I will raise my voice.
“Ahem – did you hear that last thing I said?”

“Yup.” – he continues to grin and chuckle.

“What was it?”

“Err, something about the dog needed a walk or…”

“Not Quite. I said that Teddy took the dog for a walk and … are you listening?” I ask again – as his grin broadens even more, and he starts to talk in a low voice in Spanish. “Hola Chicitita! Linda, sinverguenza!!”

“I’m sorry,” he says, looking guilty. “What did you say? I’m trying to listen, really I am!” But his eyes are not on me as he speaks. They are glued on this lovely picture before him.

Feeling even more annoyed I try again, but within seconds I realize that it is useless. After all – what is my story compared to the beautiful baby balanced on his lap? Sighing, I give up, and then laugh.

“Honey!” –I say as I join him in his worship of this chubby little Buddha. “It looks like I have been replaced by a younger woman!” Read more!

side bar lost....

For some reason the side bar, with my profile as well as links, has dropped itself way down to the bottom... so you will need to scroll waaaaaay down to find it... for now. Possibly it will return back to the top - where it belongs. All by itself - just as it moved down ~ all by itself...

Crazy! Read more!

It's all a matter of how you look at it...

I stared at the pile of laundry and it stared back. It sat there, huge, and looking as though it would grow another five inches if I let it. I sighed and felt burdened and annoyed. Why did I always have all of this laundry to do – no matter how many loads I did – there was always another one waiting for me… How annoying, why can’t someone else wash it. Why me? But then another thought played around in the background, and I pushed it away. But it came back. Maybe this wasn’t a burden if I looked at it another way. Maybe this was a chance to do something loving, a gift if you would, for my family. This laundry was possibly a means to elevate myself – to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. Perhaps this laundry was only a burden – if that is how I treated it. Read more!

Meet Judge John Roberts...

Here is a brief bio for Judge John Roberts from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy, and below is a link to what Father Frank Pavone of Priests For Life has to say regarding this nomination to the Supreme Court. http://www.priestsforlife.org/judges/robertsnomination.htm

My apologies to President Bush for losing faith in him yesterday when rumours abounded regarding the possible nomination of Judge Edith B.Clement . My key opposition to her was due to her having stated that 'Rowe v. Wade is settled law and within the constitutionally protected right to privacy'.

Thank you to the Priests for Life for the prayer that Danielle posted on her website regarding the nomination to the Supreme Court. We need to continue to pray for this as well as future nominations. Read more!

The Many Faces of Anna!

Happy Birthday Anna Pies or Piesie, or Slimy Anna or AnnapiesKentuckyFriedChickenanaPizzahut!
You are twelve this week! We love you Anna!

Anna is the cartoonist for this blog! Look for more of her art soon. Read more!

So how is YOUR Monday going?

Hi - a comment has been posted that it looks as if blood is dripping from the mouse's finger! This picture is from a mug recently given to us, and I thought it would be a good post for a bad day - which today is! When I first saw the mug I just assumed that it was water dripping from a dam - but on closer inspection it does look a bit red. (Blush) However, I am prefer to pretend it is water, or grape juice! So anyway - Happy Monday! Tomorrow is Tuesday, and it can only get better, right??? I mean we have already broken a window, discovered our 9 month old vacum cleaner is dead, and it can't possibly get any hotter tomorrow - can it? Read more!

Why pray as a family?

Mary, our Mother in Heaven

The candle is lit beside my Italian statue of the Blessed mother cuddling baby Jesus in her arms. The rosaries have been handed out and Emma is dressed in the remaining ones. With Elsa dosing in my arms, I relax and close my eyes as we begin our family Rosary...

Hail Mary full of grace….

Mummy – can I go to the bathroom…

Yes .. the Lord is with thee

OUCH – you just stepped on my toes, watch it!

Blessed art thou among Women and…

Mummy – Tanny won't stop dancing with Emma.

I open my eyes and feel dizzy as I watch the two of them twirl endlessly as well as dangerously close to the fireplace. My husband clears his throat and asks them to sit.

Nathaniel does while Emma continues to swirl and my heart constricts as she almost topples into the unlit fireplace. The candle flame wavers as if her guardian angel’s wings have swished past it. Emma balances and then topples away from the stones.

"Where were we?" I ask.

We manage to get though almost the next decade without further interruptions and then Elsa wakes and will not settle down to nurse. Clearly she has a huge gas bubble. I stand up to jiggle and burp her while we sort out who gets to pray the third mystery.

'But I wanted to say the third. You ALWAYS get to say the third.'

'Uh uh – Noah said it yesterday.'

I sigh as I watch my clan argue over this momentous decision.
"Guys, guys – stop it! Teddy you say the third, and please remember we are trying to spend time with Mary. We are asking her to intercede for us – Please let’s be a little more polite in front of her. She is taking time to pray with us. Let’s show her a little courtesy, okay?"

We settle down again, and as I rock the baby she finally burps and several kids rush helpfully to grab the closet receiving blanket, towel or whatever will suffice to clean up my arm, now covered in baby spit up. I appreciate the help, but feel so frustrated by this newest interruption.
‘Why do we bother?’ I wondered. ‘Can this possibly be worth the frustration that is burning in my chest and tightening my throat. How many times have we lost focus, how often has someone lost count of their Hail Maries…’

But recently a friend joined us for the Rosary, with all of its customary interruptions and re-starts. He does not speak English very well and I am not even sure if he is familiar with the Rosary, but still he wanted to sit with us and listen as we prayed. When we were finished my 14 yr old daughter Gabriela asked him what he thought. “Did you like the Rosary?’ she asked. I had to translate his answer;

“I liked it for many reasons.” He said.

“First - it is time with the family spent together. And second during that time they are showing respect to God, and also to each other. It is important that the children learn to show this respect to God. And last, although I have many, many more reasons to like this prayer time – they learn to love God. “ Read more!