Day by Day

We did our traditional blueberry picking today, only Connor was not with us this year; he went to Ohio with Bob. Every year I hold my breath that everyone will still want to go-blueberry picking and pumpkin picking on Columbus Day-it's our tradition. Brendan, the big tough 16 year old, was so proud he had picked a whole quart of blueberries, which he won't eat plain, but will put into pancakes (and he will cook them himself too.) I guess he hasn't out grown blueberry picking. Then there's 12 year old Katie, the beauty queen who is so obsessed with style, etc, anymore, and yet she couldn't wait to go pick blueberries because she loves them plain. She didn't have a whole quart full, but she picked the biggest and best blueberries in the field. They were almost all gone by the time we got home. She has not out grown blueberry picking either Being four, everything is an adventure, so Keera was so excited to go. She even wanted to pick the big green apple, whic...

I'm actually headed to work on time today (summer schedule is a bit lax) because I have a meeting with the new principal. When I close my car door, I hear a noise and immediately think....there's an animal in my car. I turn around expecting to see small little beady eyes, but find a missing window instead. The vibration of closing the door caused the last few little specks of glass to fall out. We call the police just in case there are other reports in the neighborhood; however, it is apparent that it was not vandalism...especially with Bob's car right next to it, untouched with a visable laptop in the back seat. The police arrive - nice officer - his explanation is that the window self-combusted due to extreme heat inside....I'll buy it. Insurance covers it, but it won't be fixed until tomorrow. So, off the family goes in the car with no back side window. I guess it is something you have to see for yourself, but Brendan in the back seat without a window is ...

Brendan turned 16 today (wow), so off we go to Appleby's for dinner. We got the big booth in the corner; however, it was not big enough. Keera was under the table and climbing over Katie who wanted to sit next to me. Bob and I were not even remotely near each other, but we could see each other. Connor and Katie were texting on their phones and Brendan was enjoying his day...but threatening us that if we had the waitresses sing to him he would never speak to us again...at which point Katie said, "Is that a threat or a promise?" (That was a good one-she's usually on the bad end of those types of comments from the boys.) Keera was peering over the booth to the elderly men next to us, who said hi and scared her away. Connor was texting. Brendan was continually asking if his friends could sleep over, being his birthday and all (Monday night????). Katie was complaining that since she is a vegetarian (who doesn't eat vegetables, by the way) that Chilis (across the...

The best mass to go to is the one at which the Deacon gives the sermon. He is well spoken and reaches out to people. It seems as though lately the messages of the sermons, in general, have been catching my ear-must be a certain time in my life. In today's sermon the Deacon used a common phrase, "God broke the mold when he made him/her." Based on the readings, he explained that although that phrase is commonly used for famous people, (personally I use it at times for my kids when I am not sure who was supposed to be able to handle them), but it is really meant to apply to all people. He went on to say that all of us are unique and were given something to offer and share with other people. When I think about my own children, although similar in some ways, not one is at all the exact same as the other and they all have very special things to give (becoming more apparent the older they get). Sometimes I think I know what I am meant to contribute and other times, I think ...

Katie and Keera were playing with Legos. Keera kept calling something her "spyer" thing. Katie asked, "What is a "spyer" thing?" As Keera started to talk, I also started to say something. Keera said, "Mom, how can I "esplain" my spyer thing if you are interrupting me"? Then she went on to say "the "spyer" thing was something you could spy through and spy with it....another name for it is binoculaurs."

This past weekend was so much fun...we spent it in Rochester NY with my cousins, aunts, uncles, the Petites and Dad for Pat and Bethany's wedding. Let's start with Brett, Karen and the girls. We have spent a little bit of time with them in the last few years and it gets better every time we see them. Brett knows how to have fun - he must have made five trips in the boat in order for the huge Reed and Petit clan to ride the waves in the raft. You know when the black hole is coming, Brett is going to get you. He is witty, fun, humorous, kind and sensitive all in one. Karen is very down to earth and interesting to talk to and the girls are very cute. I have not seen Todd, his wife Jennifer and their two boys (the youngest being a spitting image of Todd) in maybe ten years??? Todd has as much of Uncle Tom's wit as Brett does. He knows how to make the children laugh (even Keera, who is fickle at this age). I didn't know that I would have anything in common with Todd ...

So....did I ever think I would be living in this setting of our new house? No. I remember someone saying to me, "when I lived in the hustle of things, the sirens would drive me crazy-constant." I thought about it and, yes we hear a lot of sirens on our road because it forks off of a main road that all the ambulances and fire trucks use. But to me, it reminds me of how fortunate we are that we are not being brought somewhere by an ambulance; that we are safe and sound; that we don't have to, at this point, deal with that scenario. It grounds me in that all my children and Bob and I are basically healthy and can enjoy everything we have. Sirens driving by are good; they remind us that we are in a good place.

You know that feeling like you have no idea where things are going to take you and what will happen next? You have no control over anything and you have no clue how it is all going to fit together or come together in the near future? Yet, despite the insecurity and fear, you can't help but thinking all has placed you where you are now and no harm has been strong enough to break you. I guess it's called faith in something or someone. When I was a teenager my favorite poem was footprints....the one about walking alone and then discovering that there were two sets of the footprints in the sand, so you weren't really alone. I often think that when my children are feeling their worst that I can't make it better, but I can be there for them and let them know they are not alone. I actually think I feel worse than they do because I hurt for them. That must be what it is like for Jesus when we are in pain or feel hopeless and alone. I will try to remember the footprints in...