Happy Mother's Day!

I'll be taking the advice of one of my oldest BFF's and limiting my Mother's Day celebration to just one glass of wine. Thanks Cassie, your advice is always sound, and I love you!

And thanks to all the great moms I am lucky enough to call my friends -- thanks for always being able to talk me off whatever ledge I'm on; thanks for listening when my kids won't; thanks for showing me by example the way to be a great mom; thanks for teaching me how to face hardship with grace and dignity. You guys know who you are, and I love each of you.

Last night I had the pleasure of being with some of the most extraordinary moms I know -- my cousins and my aunt. Their daughters are teens now, and I can only hope that my children are as socially graceful, well-spoken and polite when they are in their teens as these girls are.

And even though my mom doesn't know what a blog is, so will most likely never read this, I of course will mention her, the best mom I know. She showed me, throughout my whole life, what it is to be a remarkable woman. I want to grow up to be just like her.

So, I'm off to start drinking my wine, and I wish all these great moms a very Happy Mother's Day. I'm sure all of our husbands and children have already shopped for us, and will be presenting us with some beautiful new bauble tomorrow, after they let us sleep in and bring us breakfast in bed...or not.

Happy Mother's Day!

Doubting Thomas...From Me No Less!

Even though I feel as though I have a very strong and deep faith, I rarely share its impact on my life. But I had to share this tidbit...and for those of you who know me personally, you can now pick yourself up off the floor...

The readings at mass yesterday were about Jesus' rising, and one dealt with Thomas and his doubt.

The priest said this: "Everyone knows, Thomas gets a bad rap for doubting. But I don't believe that there's anyone here who has never doubted their faith, who has never questioned something about our faith. And how could you not? Because once you experience the dark, when you do see the light it will shine even brighter."

He went on to explain Thomas' words once he did see the light "My Lord, and My God" which is what we were taught to say during the consecration. The revelation each time, the light after the darkness that shines so much brighter and brings us home with the sigh, My Lord, and My God.

I have some friends experiencing some dark times right now, and I was there a few short years ago when my brother was battling cancer. So these thoughts yesterday spoke to me louder than perhaps they would have before. I know that the light is brighter for me now, now that my little brother is cured of the evil disease that coursed through his body. And even though we're all the same people, I'd like to think that, because I experienced that darkness, I see the light more clearly, and that I am able to see it shine brighter.

Not only because he is better, although that makes the light really, really bright; but also because of the light that shone during the darkness itself. The light of friends and relatives who were there for us at a very dark time; the light of strength that we didn't even know we possessed; and the light of self-reflection that the darkness insisted.

I remember my mom's dear friend, who has an incredibly deep faith, calling me back then. I was so sad talking to her, and I finally admitted that I was having trouble praying. I was so ashamed. I didn't know what to pray for, because the only thing I wanted was for my brother to get better. I couldn't, I wouldn't pray for strength, or for God's will be done, or anything like that. There was only one acceptable thing for me -- remission, and it felt so selfish, so I didn't pray. And she said to me "That's what we're here for, we'll pray for you." Again, the light in the darkness.

And for now I can sit at mass, and say "My Lord, and My God," and bask in that light. And for at least the time being I can be the person offering the light and the strength to the ones I love who are in a dark place, and hopefully help bring them home.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Yesterday my 5yo says

"Mom, when you go to heaven, are you standing or laying down?"

"I don't know, I think standing?"

"OK. And do they have Legos there?"

"I'm sure they do honey."

"If you get there first you won't play with them will you? You always break them."

"Yea, no, OK I won't play with heaven's Legos if I get there first."

Then last night, my 3yo son says this:

"I want to go to New York and be a queen."

I'm pretty sure he was thinking Cinderella, but either way it should be interesting.

Thankful...and Mutilated Chocolate

First of all, thank you to all of blogosphere for talking me off the ledge with my 7yo. I appreciate your kinds words, suggestions, and book recommendations. I took all of the advice, and although he doesn't have the Legos back yet, he's definitely been watching his behavior. I have been able to point out, calmly, each time he starts to fall back into the "I don't care" yelling mode, and I say, "this is the type of thing that has to stop before you get the Legos back". So far so good, thank you all again!

So, on to bigger and better parenting problems, specifically those associated with being a holiday superhero.

Knowing that today was the last day of school before break, and knowing that the Easter Bunny would not want to take 5 kids "shopping" for Easter candy, I did it yesterday. Shopped for all the Easter necessities and candy needed, and just stuffed into the back of the minivan. Where it sat until this afternoon, when it suddenly dawned on me that it was warm. For the first time in like a gajillion days, it was sunny...you know where I'm going with this, don't you...

Just in case the photo isn't clear, I did not purchase mutilated bunnies with sunken eyes. The good news is, I'm not a waster, so I'll have to eat the chocolate myself. Bummer!!

The Grinch that Stole Legos

OK, I could use some parenting advice here...

We struggle with our 7yo son...he is a wonderful child in so many ways, but he has always, always, been stubborn and headstrong beyond what we can easily deal with. Many times I think of him as just needing more "control" over things than most kids. So we try really hard to give him control wherever we can.

But lately it isn't enough for him. Mostly it comes down to homework and chores around the house. This weekend was no exception. And it ended on a bad note last night.

Our kids are still young enough that we have a simple evening routine - dinner, bath/shower, independent reading, being read to, lights out. Always the same. Last night our boys were playing with brand new Legos right before dinner, and as a treat we let them go back to playing Legos after dinner. After about 1/2 an hour we got them all upstairs and into the shower.

We told out 7yo that it was time for him to either read or work on his project (he has a project, a big one, due tomorrow at school and won't start it. I'm letting the chips fall where they may on that one, making it his responsibility when it's not ready tomorrow) Anyway, we got one of his famous tantrums, and screaming "NO! I'm playing LEGOS!!" I calmly told him if he didn't do his reading/project for 15 minutes I would take his Legos away today. He said he didn't care.

So, I took every friggin' Lego out of his room this morning. Packed them in big boxes and put them in the attic. But I felt horrible doing it, and I don't know what to do. I want to say to him, until you show me that you can handle your other responsibilities -- homework and reading in particular -- I keep the Legos.

But then I struggle. I hate the homework. I think a 7 year old that spends 7 of 12 waking hours in school should not have to do more at home. But, he does have to, and that's just life. How can I be understanding and firm at the same time? How can I stress the importance of independent reading and still give him freedom? I hate the threats, and the tough love, but I can't figure out how to get through to him, to let him know that some things aren't negotiable.

Any thoughts?

The Trap Was Set...

Last night, our 3 oldest boys set this elaborate Leprechaun trap, hoping to lure the wee one in with promises of a Leprechaun Amusement Park. The Park held the excitement of several Lego vehicles for the lucky green guy to play with...

But, alas, that Leprechaun somehow got the Lego man inside to hold the box up for him while he escaped!

But not without leaving a trail of treats!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hereforwith I Shall be Called...

PENTAMOM...cousin Sheila suggested it. I'm jumping on the bandwagon, and claiming this as my own before anyone else calls it.

And to celebrate my new name, please watch the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKdutIhvQ28