Tiny Graces

I have spent the last couple of weeks doing all sorts of things for all sorts of people.  I feel as though my schedule has to be cleared with everyone I know to make sure that I am not letting anyone down.  Between the Mother-in-law, recovering from back surgery, Aunt on hospice and limited to only three more short monthes, brother's wedding just around the corner and sick children, it is all very overwhelming. Let's just say that preparations for the baby, the race and how I am feeling all take a back seat.

My parents have left to travel cross country to take my youngest brother to college.  They will return with maybe a day to spare before traveling the  two and half hours north for my other brother's wedding.  Wedding plans are coming together, but not with out plenty of "Drama".  I will just say that there seems to be alot of animosity between my future sister-in-law and my mother.  While my mother can be a bit much at times, even I feel that the problem is more the fault of the Bride than my mother.  I don't want to spend this entire post complaining.  The Bride may not be completely at fault, this may just be evidence of being raised in a small divorced household.

I also went to two funerals this week.  One for a priest friend of the family.  He was the cutest, and sweeteset man.  Confession with him always took a long time, but the stories he told were amazing.  The other funeral was for the grandfather of one of my students.  I took all five children to both.  Why?  I know that I am crazy sometimes.   I also know that it may appear that I am asking for punishment.  My thought is this.  I want my children to know how to behave.  I want them to value life and the eternal reward of heaven, both of which we celebrate at funerals.  While it is difficult, and some of them are still working on mastering the behavior, I feel that they gain grace for their presence and for the soul we pray for. 

I saw a tiny sign of this on our way to communion.  Max, now two and a half, wanted to walk alone.  Since I was already carring the baby I tried to get him to hold my hand.  "I do it myself."  he said firmly.  And do it he did.  He walked just in front of me and he clasped his hands together folded neatly.  I was shocked.  He didn't run, he didn't step on anyone else.  And when he returned to the pew I was praising him for doing so well  and he said " I eat one too, Mommy".  I just said to him, "believe whatever you want baby, you did very well."  I will take all the tiny graces I can get.  Thank you Lord, it makes all the struggle to get them there and to have them sit still worth it. 

Change

I do believe that I have made a similiar post before.  I have this overwhelming sense of change.  It may have everything to do with my ever expanding belly.  but then agian it may have more to do with how very busy we are with so many things.  And it is still summer.  Just wait until the fall.

We have about two and a half weeks until my brother's wedding.  Everyone has clothes except me.  I blame the belly.  I am working on alterations for the flower girls.  I need also to paint the unity candle, iron out plans for the rehersal dinner, make a ring bearer pillow and guest bags for those in the hotel. 

My mother-in-law just had surgery Friday on her back.  So this morning we baked her sugar-free (she's diabetic) chocolate zucchini bread.  I wish I could say that I am sure it is amazing, but I can't get past the after taste of artificial sweetner.  I am sure that she will like it.

The race is getting closer.  Last Sunday at Festa Italiana in Milwaukee my family handed out over 300 flyers for the event.  This Thursday is the German Fest run.  We have a team of 12 runners, including my pregnant self.  And yes I plan to run the entire thing.  We will be handing out hopefully another 300 or more flyers.  I want to move forward with planning, but I am finding it difficult.  Once people register I can start to order supplies.  It is expensive to put up all the start up cost myself.  Please Lord send my some corporate sponsors. 

As if all of this is not enough the children have been sick.  Not all at once.  They are each sick for 2-4 days about a week apart.  Our children have all had it and now my sisters have started.  I am running out of patience.   God give me strength.  The good news is that I get to go home and not deal with it in the evening.  I also have to start the final preparations for  the baby.  Going into the final trimester, time is running short.  I fear that with school starting time will run out all together.  I also want to do some prep work for Max's B-day and Christmas which will follow very quickly once the baby comes. 

Let me leave you with this inspired idea.  Yesterday while the children played in the kiddie pool I brought a tub of warm water and foot scrub.  They played in the pool and I did a little pedicure on my self.  I never got as far as painting my toe nails, but soaking, scrubbing, and rubbing lotion on my feet was divine.  Added bonus was that when we came inside the children sat to watch a movie and ave quiet time.  Heaven times 2.  Multitasking is a Superpower!!!!!

Summer Funk

I am ashamed to say that the summer is getting to me.   I am definately experiencing some depression with the pregnancy.  The summer heat and humidity is not helping.  The mosquitos seem especially nasty and I am forced to keep children in doors more and more.

Aside from all of that there have been a great many events that have made it very difficult to stay on track.  My grandfather visited for his 80th birthday party.  This was complete with relatives from across the nation and lengthy discussion of grandpa's failing health.  My brother was home on leave from the Marines.   This prompted a family portrait of all my siblings.  Have you ever tried to get fourteen people dressed and looking nice in one place, on time, and smiling all at once?  It really was comical.  My brother will be deployed for nine months including time in Afganistan. 

My Mother-in-law is having big problems with her back which is leading to complications with her breathing and insulin.  My father has had some form of infection in his knee that has made it painful to walk, but is slowly getting better.  Unfortunately he thinks that the cancer has returned to his mouth.  And on top of all that my sister whose children I care for, spent an evening in the emergency room.  Evidently she has some intestinal dysfunction that caused and infection.   She is only 32.  This problem is common in people over 60.
That evening happened to be the one before her daughter's 4th birthday.  We spent the next day with the children away from the house so that she could rest.  We shopped and baked the cake my sister had planned.

We have had bridal showers and family reunions.  I think that If I had a weekend with nothing to do I would be beside myself  and not know what to do with it. 

Tomorrow we have a recital to close out Piano camp week.  Next week starts two weeks of swimming lessons.  

I have to keep working on the race.  And reminding myself that time goes fast.  18 weeks until the new arrival.  That is not very long when that time includes school starting, and two weddings. 

Here's to looking up and trudging on!