What a bummer!

Well, we had a great time with our family over the Thanksgiving holiday. For as much work as it is to get ready to go, it is always worth it. It was so fun to see everyone and we played *lots* of card games. It was good, also, to sort of "meet" my newest neice/nephew...it even waved goodbye to us :-)

The bummer is that I am busily preparing to fly to Iowa on Wednesday to attend my Aunt's funeral. I'm glad that I can go. SHe was just diagnosed with cancer about 3 weeks ago. SHe went fast.

At any rate, I am totally frustrated by the lack of service in the customer service field. I remember my brother saying once that he hated people. I thought that was a bit harsh, but after today and waiting on hold and talking to rude people and having to do a bunch of shaningans just to go on a trip, I think I have to agree!! I just took 800 mg of Motrin, I'll feel better soon...

Almost Thanksgiving

Well, I am busily getting ready for our annual Thanksgiving trek...doing the laundry, packing the bags, etc. I really wish that we did not have to travel, but that is one of the disadvantages of living far away from family. I'm trying not to be bitter that there were hardly any visits to our house this year, but that's another post! This post is for my thankful list.

I am thankful for a growing, dynamic relationship with Christ. He never ceases to amaze me with His love, mercy, and grace. The ride is never boring.

I am thankful for an awesome husband who works hard for our family and always tries to be a better husband and father. (as if that were even possible)

I am thankful for the four beautiful, amazing children that I have. I see the way they are growing into really neat kids and I blown away...I know I did not do that! I am thankful that Jaden has been very healthy and we are nearing two years without a surgery. I am thankful that they go to a great school and are getting a great education. I am thankful that they have friends and I am also thankful for the times that they struggle....wouldn't want them thinking life is just all fun and games.

I am thankful for my girlfriends. SA~for being an living example of Christian social justice ( I love that!), PW~who else could I both go to a toy party with and have in-depth talks about Jesus with, PF, AD, MP, CG, MW, my small group buddies, and others...love ya all!

I am thankful for my family and the fun we have at fantasy football. Thankful for supportive parents and talking with my sister every week. I am thankful for a new brother-in-law and a new neice/nephew on the way.

There's lots to be thankful for!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

I don't really know why the thought of going to P/T conferences has me in such an uproar. It's probably because I got totally slammed/blind-sided last year. I mean, no matter what the teachers have to say, I know I have great kids. We are a different family. I'm sure the teachers don't run across too many families with four kids including a set of triplets and a boy in a wheelchair. I understand that sometimes judgements are made about the way that we do things, but these are generally made by people who haven't walked in my shoes. I also understand that we as a family value certain things that may seem foolish to others. FOr example, we value church and God and center our lives around Him. We value the needs of others and of recognizing that none of us is the center of the world. We value working together as a family team. Teachers don't always like that...they like indivuality above all else.

As it turns out, though, this year I had nothing to worry about. This year, their teachers see the same great things in my kids that I do. They see that Trisha is bright, compassionate and self-motivated. They see that Jonathan is a clever thinker and a funny kid. They see that Jaden is a hard worker and has a unique ability to bring a class together. And, they see that Ryan, although he started off slow, is creative, fun, and really, really bright. This is such a gift from the Lord. I am so thankful that each of my kids has a teacher "in their corner", they have a teacher that "gets them" and they have a teacher that really wants them to succeed.

YAY!!!

Just put the finishing touches on our Disney trip...it's official! I can hardly wait :-)

65 days until we leave!!!!!!!!

soccer pictures

I Love being a soocer mom

Our last soccer games of the fall season were this past Saturday. I just love soccer. I love watching the kids play and work together as a team. This past weekend Ryan scored a goal that would have made the ESPN highlights had they been taping it. That was very exciting, but what was more exciting was the look of pride and accomplishment on Ryan's face. Both boys played on (how shall I put this gently) not your best teams. We don't keep score in our league, but don't tell that to Jonathan. He knows the score of just about every game. This last game was close, but it started off with the other team scoring several goals right off the bat. The opposing coach thought it would be a good idea (apparently) to cheer on his team by saying, "Easy Game! Easy Team!" I wanted to punch him. However, the first thing Jonathan said after the game was, "that game made me smile in my heart!" Awww....he makes me smile in MY heart.

I hate my cats!

I just had to get that off my chest....I hate my cats. Were it not for my bleeding-heart, animal-loving daughter they would be sooooo gone!

A Pet Monster Manual by Jaden

Five Favorite MOnster Foods are: Lava and cheese sandwich, dirty water, soda with worms, cheeseburger with mudpies, salad with garbage.

Monster like these foods becasue: its gross

A really fun trick you can teach your monster is: how to do jumping jacks

another really cool trick is: how to play basketball.

Just to be on the safe side, you should never let your monster: do backflips

You know a monster is sick when: it gets hyper

The best way to cure a sick monster is: let it take a rest

One thing you should never do a sick monster is: squeeze it's neck

The best way to exercise a monster is: let it lift weights and play basketball

One thing you never want to do is: let it get too strong

A monster needs to be exercised: 10 times a year.

A Pet Monster Manual by Trisha

Five favorite monster foods are: pizza, syrup on spegeti, snow in the winter, flowers int he spring, mint choclate chip ice cream.

Monsters like these foods because: They said there absaloutly delicius.

A really fun trick you can teach your monster is: how to shrink

Another really cool trick is: he knows how to grant wishes

Just to be on the safe side, you should never let your monster: stay home alone

You know your monster is sick when: it sticks its tongue out and always wants to go outside

The best way to cure a sick monster is: to give it it's favorite ice cream an then leave it in its room for an hour.

ONe thing you should never do to a sick monster is: to give it everything it wants

The best way to exercise a monster is: to go on the swings with it.

One thing you never want to do is: let it jump off of the swings.

A monsters need to be exercised: because it needs energy to grant wishes.

More Halloween photos from school

This first picture is Jaden with
Mrs. Bucci, his parapro and
Mr. Conlon, the librarian!

This was fun to dress up with the other room moms from class. Although, I have to admit, I was a little taken aback when some people thought my costume was a stretch :-)


Here's Ryan in his Kindergarten class...such a cutie!


Jonathan looks very intimidating. Good thing Darth Vader returns to the good side before he dies!
Unfortunately, none of the ones of Trisha from school turned out well!

Here's the scamps in their costumes!! Jonathan is a little bored with my picture taing as you can see :-)