Choices

Here is a card I like to keep around since it reminds me that I can choose realign my thinking.  When I read the top, it gives me a stomach cramp, but the phrase below is so powerful and peaceful.  Looking at the 2nd phrase gives me a calmer frame of mind and gives my mind the clarity I need to give myself more options than just to freak out when adversity comes.  I unfortunately tend to be a reaction type person, so I have to watch myself and take the time to stop, breathe and think before doing things.  It is very hard for me to do that as a Mom since things fly at me faster than I can think.  

Last year, two of my youngest kids decided to would be a good idea to paint my newly renovated bathroom with white paint.  They painted EVERYTHING...the floor, the walls, the bathtub, the blinds, the toilet, themselves...you get the picture.  

Recently, hubby took the time to go to our local Home Depot to get stuff to remove the paint (for the most part) from the bathroom.  He did not yell at them while he was doing the job, (unlike me, I would have been yelling out loud in frustration while cleaning it) and my youngest coyly approached him in the bathroom.  "Uh, Dad?" she said. "Vincent and I are sorry that we painted the bathroom."

Wow.  Just wow.  No provocation, nothing.  She just up and apologized. 3 years old.  She gets it.  My solution would have been on the "making them feel guilty" side, assuming that they don't even give a crap, much less feel remorseful!  I would have handed them their head and probably make them feel the pain by scrubbing alongside me!! Thankfully, I was at work and hubby got the gift of realization on the part of a 3 year old.  I on the other hand am grateful that I was working and we could both see that something is sinking into our children.  

Thank God.

Loudly yours,

Alicia

Lucky Leprachaun....

I have no idea why, but we have been bit by the Leprechaun bug at our house, a week late.  What can I say, my kids can sometimes be late bloomers.  It all started when my 2nd eldest Daughter, Yanni, (I like to call her) left a note for the Leprechaun on the coffee table in our living room. The note reads: Dear Mr. Leprecaun, Here is a gift for you. I tried to make it for days. So please, take it. From Vianne (I think she is referring to time when she say she tired to make it.) 
So, lo and behold, the Leprechaun came and left a note: It reads: THANK YOU!

 

This morning, she found the note and was very excited!

(She also informed me that her cousin got a charm with her initial on it from her Leprechaun)

We got into a debate with Rach, my 11yr old about Leprechauns being real and I pointed out the if fairies were real and Leprechauns were the ones who made their shoes, wouldn't they be real, too?  I told her that I would ask the Leprechaun to help me get lucky and book another party! Guess what?  A phone call came this morning. Guess who has a party tomorrow?  Me. Guess Mr. Leprechaun is real, after all!

Loudly yours,

Alicia

Reminiscing....

I have to say, music is a huge part of my life and music has a way of sucking me in or bringing me back through my life.  Lately, there have been some songs that have hit home for me in the "bringing me back" department.  One song in particular is Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac was a "life soundtrack" band for me throughout my high school years. Stevie Nicks was one of my favorite artists and I would just hang on every word she sang and loved to dance around to her songs, especially Gypsy.  (A favorite pet name given to me as a child)
Anyway, listening to Landslide today just tugs at my heart because it is one of those songs that brings back memories (not always the best ones, but memories, none the less.) and is relevant to my life today.  When I was in High School, the words "I'm getting older, too" did not mean much to me, but now that I have kids, it is way more relevant to where I am today.  Sometimes when I hear a song, it make me think happy thoughts and at times, my memory reveals why, sometimes, not.  Funny, how life is like that.

Loudly yours,

Alicia

Wordless Wednesday....

It;s time for 5 question Friday! :)

 

 

1. Have you ever testified in court? For what?

No, thank God!.  Hope I never to have to!

2. Do you still have your wedding dress?

Yes. I hope to make it into a Christening Gown for my future Grand-babies or a Communion Dress for Gabriella.  Hopefully, both!!.

3. Is there a special place you like to go when you’re happy, sad, stressed, etc.?

When I am happy, anywhere is good, but if I have time, I love to run at the Golf Course down the street from my house. When I am stressed, right to my next door neighbor's to borrow some wine. Sad? Bed.

4. If you have kids, do they sleep with you? If you don’t have kids…will you let your kids sleep with you when/if you have them?

I only let them sleep with me under unusual circumstances, like a thunderstorm or nightmare.

5. Do you watch late night TV?

Sometimes, but I usually fall asleep.  I like to watch George Lopez sitcoms on Nick @ Nite.

Wordless Wednesday....

Anniversary Weekend!!!

I have been away far too long from my blog!!  I have been so very busy and was packing and planning to go away on a very much needed trip to celebrate my 20th Wedding Anniversary!  We went to a wonderful place not far from home, called the Woolverton Inn.  It's up on a hill very close to the Delaware River and Mt. Hope, PA. You can see more info here: http://www.woolvertoninn.com/room4.html


It's a great, quite place where you can relax, see the stars at night and just enjoy life.  We left like two bats out of hell and arrived around 8:30 pm, Friday night. It was so nice to open up the door to a neat, clean, quite place to be together.  There is a fireplace, king-size feather bed, whirlpool tub for 2, a tiny kitchen in a closet...everything for a romantic little hideaway!  Having 6 messy children at home, it is a true treat to come "home" to a place you don't have to pick up a million things off the floor!  It can get frustrating, especially when Hubby get frazzled by it as much as me!

After a good night's rest, we rose to find the sheep at our window!  It is so nice to see them, eating grass and to hear them bleating.  It's so relaxing.  I could almost hear While Sheep Gently Graze in the background as they grazed from here to there.  After our fill of the sheep, we wandered over to the Inn for the nicest breakfast: freshly baked scones, fresh fruit, Fritatta  and Raspberry Oatmeal Pancakes.

As soon as our breakfast was done, it was off to Washington's Crossing Park for a 8 mile run as Daniel took pictures of the park.  After my run, we poked into the houses on the park property and listened to the people reenacting the occupation of some British Troops in the 1700s.

It was fun to watch them and ask them questions.  They even practiced some Military Exercises for us as well.  One of my favorite rooms was the Tavern since it was so big and there was much to explore!

Very tired, we went back to the Woolverton and got ready to do some window shopping and walking around at some shops that were very close to the Inn.  After a chilly round about that section of town, we returned for a nap and got ready for dinner.

Dinner at the Washington Crossings Inn was great with lots of fun bread, great music to sing along to from the Tavern in the next room, great food and a yummy chocolate treat for dessert.  It was a delicious night.

Our night ended with a final dip in the whirlpool tub, a couple sips of wine and a collapse in bed followed by an immediate sleep!!  All it all, it was an excellent weekend.  I look forward to our next trip alone!!

Loudly yours,

Alicia

Five question Friday!

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?

Not at school, but at church. Dan and I would go to the car, thinking we had them all and whaa laa.!  One is missing.  We would just run back into church and scoop them up. They were usually under some pew or running around while we were talking to friends.   We did lose Vianne when we went to see the Tree in NYC, but thank God, we found her.  

Sometimes, in frustration, when one of them is getting out of hand, I threaten to leave them on the side of the road.  I tell them, "See that patch of grass right there?!?  I am going to drop you off and leave you there if you don't stop your behavior!!" (Usually its Vincent)  I know I'd never do it, but it works...sometimes.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like…first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)

That's a tough one.  I really don't remember.  I know I had a boy I liked and we would see each other almost every week as our parents got together for prayer meetings.  We did not "go out" but we playing "Office" together and I think I may have kissed him, but it was very innocent.

3. What’s your “silly” fear? (We’re not talking water and heights.)

My silly fear is that my usefulness would run out.  I know it is bound to happen when I am really old, but that is probably why I am involved in so many things.  Keeps me feeling useful.

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?

It depends on the situation.  When its close to home, I can cause it.  When it is work related,

I do my best not to cause it and try to avoid it when possible.  I have been known to blurt 

things out and I am totally not shy when it comes to those close to me. I tell them like it is.

5. Wood floors or carpet?

So random!!!  Not sure. I like carpet to keep my feet warm, but these days, I am leaning toward wood floors.