Memorial Day 2012

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Without the great sacrifice made by every Fallen Soldier and the families they have left behind, I would not have this beautiful life with my own.  Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. 

Freedom is not free.

Happy Pentecost!

Why, yes... that IS corn and rice all over the table.  Thanks, Ben.

We went to Mass today after what felt like a very, very long time.  It felt like coming home.  I'm so very glad that these recent difficulties have passed, and we are back where we belong.

During the homily, Ben leaned over and whispered: "I love God because He made you and Alice."

Life is good, and God is GREAT!

A Quick Catch-Up

My computer is still broken.  I'm starting to think I will never get a new one in working order.  I miss posting real photos... but for now, the camera phone pics will have to suffice.  I've been too busy to blog, and here is why:

 May 17: Took Alice back to the doctor to follow up on her kidney infection. Test results were good, and she has another appointment on June 1st.

May 18: Ben graduated from preschool. It was quite bittersweet.

May 19th: Bella was invited to a "Spa Day" for a friend's birthday.

May 20th: Bella had her first ballet recital, and it was absolutely everything I thought it would be and more. 

May 21st: Adam and I celebrated our 7th year anniversary of our Catholic Wedding Mass.

May 22nd: Lucy turned three years old, and there was a rather homely Peppa Pig cake that her Mama made with lots of love. 

May 23rd: Bella wrote her first knock-knock joke.

May 24th: My parents left for home (Tulsa) and I miss them already.

May 25th: We remembered the feast day of Sophie's patron saint and namesake, St. Madeleine Sophie of Barat. Lucy celebrated her birthday with her playgroup. Ben got a haircut.

May 26th:  I spent a lovely evening downtown with David Beckham.  Actually, that is my wordsmith-y way of saying that the whole family went to the Houston Dynamo vs LA Galaxy game.

And because this is my little family blog, I am sure I will eventually share the real photos of these events... and video too!  :) 

Alice Again

My sweet Alice spiked another temperature today.  Because she is so young and just got out of the hospital, 101 means a doctor's visit.  :(  She is still dealing with a UTI and has a moderate cold.  We are going to have to take her to Texas Children's for a test to check for kidney reflux and I am really nervous about it.   

I am trying to find out how to keep our family healthier.  It seems that we are sick so often and I am looking for ways to fix it! 

Weighty Wednesday

I've been working really hard at losing weight since March.  Since I am nursing, I am taking it super slow and doing it the natural way.  I am just counting calories and exercising.  I hit the 20lbs lost mark and was so excited!  20 lbs feels like I am 'really' on my way to getting fit again.

However, we spent the last two weeks dealing with a sick baby in the hospital followed by strep throat for me... so... I'm afraid it is back to just 17 lbs lost.  Tomorrow, I will be back at the gym with my amazing trainer Mariana and get this ball rolling in the right direction again. 

It really is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is way past time for me to be healthy and happy again!

Painting

Our two big girls are down for the count with confirmed strep throat, just like Mommy!  The kids brought out their suncatcher crafts, and Lucy wanted to do some painting of her own.

I love the way she sticks her tongue out, reminiscent of Charlie Brown, when she is really concentrating.  ;)

Happy 10TH Birthday, Madeleine Sophie!

‎10 years ago, Madeleine Sophie was born! I was reborn that day too as a Mother, something I had never been before. My beautiful baby has grown up into an amazing young lady. Words cannot express how proud I am to be her mother, and how dear she is to me. ♥ Happy birthday, Sophie!

What a difference...

A decade makes!

Mother's Song

My heart is like a fountain true
That flows and flows with love to you.
As chirps the lark unto the tree
So chirps my pretty babe to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

There's not a rose where'er I seek,
As comely as my baby's cheek.
There's not a comb of honey-bee,
So full of sweets as babe to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

There's not a star that shines on high,
Is brighter than my baby's eye.
There's not a boat upon the sea,
Can dance as baby does to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

No silk was ever spun so fine
As is the hair of baby mine.
My baby smells more sweet to me
Than smells in spring the elder tree.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

A little fish swims in the well,
So in my heart does baby dwell.
A little flower blows on the tree,
My baby is the flower to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

The Queen has sceptre, crown, and ball,
You are my sceptre, crown, and all.
For all her robes of royal silk,
More fair your skin, as white as milk.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

Ten thousand parks where deer run,
Ten thousand roses in the sun,
Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea,
My baby more precious is to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby!

Mother's Song, by Sabine Baring-Gould (1890)

Isabella's Thoughts on Her Mommy

At the Mommy's Makeover Day in Isabella's kindergarten class, we were presented with these bookmarks.  I loved mine! 

In case you can't see, it says:

My mom's name is Lerin.

She likes to play outside.

She is afraid of bats.

She is funny when we make jokes.

My mom is the greatest because she takes us to the mall.

I love you!

Isabella

This sweet paper also melted my heart.  It says:

Mommy by Isabella

Mommy

Pretty, Nice

Loving, Kissing, Hugging

She helps me and loves me.

Mommy

Bella gave me a makeover, complete with nailpolish of the hottest, pinkest variety:

And the lipstick was just a little bit crooked:

But I truly felt beautiful, because I am Bella's Mommy and that is how she sees me!  :)

It was such a fun and special time together.  I am so glad I could go.  I never want to forget.

Quick Takes Friday #24

It has been one crazy week.  I'm going to give the short breakdown, day-by-day, for those of you who aren't Facebook friends! Join more 7 Quick Takes Friday Fun at www.conversiondiary.com!

--1--

Saturday, May 5th

I took Alice in to the Emergency Room, because the stomach bug had gotten out of control.  My poor 3-month-old baby was emplting her stomach both ways at least 12-14 times in a single day.  She was lethargic, spiking fevers, and only had two wet diapers all day.  We'd taken her to see the pediatrician on Friday and recieved a list of "warning signs" to watch for.  Once we saw them, it was to the ER we went. 

--2--

Sunday, May 6th

After spending the remainder of the day and all night in the ER, Alice was admitted to Texas Children's Hospital around 2AM on Sunday morning.  She was so sick, that it was extremely scary.  She was refusing to eat ANYTHING... no nursing, no bottle, not a drop.  I have never, ever had any of my other children become THIS ill, especially as such a young baby!  Lucy (2) was home with strep throat, so she couldn't be left with anyone but Daddy.  Although it was the hardest thing I've ever done, I was alone in the hospital with my baby for 2 days and long nights.

--3--

Monday, May 7th

My parents drove all night so that Adam could be with us in the hospital.  I had only slept about 30 minutes in two days, so was emotionally and physically wrecked!  I was so relieved to see him.  They did some more testing and ultrasounds, and it turned out that Alice had a kidney infection on top of the virus she was fighting.  It was a very difficult day.  She was in a lot of pain.  She didn't nurse all this day either.

--4--

Tuesday, May 8th

Alice slept all day.  She started nursing for about five minutes at a time, which was the beginning of her turnaround.  We just took turns cuddling her and got her to nurse as much as she possible could.

--5--

Wednesday, May 9th

Alice continued to improve by the hour, increasing her amounts of nursing with every feeding.  I took an hour away to attend Ben's preschool "Tea Party" for Mamas, and I was so glad I did!  I hadn't seen my little boy for four days and I know how hard he'd been working on the songs.  They waited on us hand and foot, and it was quite possibly the cutest thing I'd ever seen.  I spent the rest of the day at the hospital with Alice and was overjoyed when we were discharged around 8 PM.

--6--

Thursday, May 10th

Alice slept much better at home, and began nursing regularly again.  She still isn't herself and will be on antibiotics for the next 10 days, but she is doing so much better.  I am so thankful for the care we recieved.

On a happier note, Isabella also had a special program for Mother's Day at school.  The kindergarteners had a "Mommy's Makeover" day.  I was pampered with hand massages, a manicure, brushing my hair, and she even did my makeup. 

--7--

Friday, May 11th

All of the sleepless nights caught up to Mom!  I had to go in for a left ear infection, eye infection, and yes... strep throat.  Alice and I are taking a nusring vacation... spending the days in bed together, taking our medicines, and getting well as soon as we can.

We got wonderful news today that Ben's name was pulled in the lottery for the Two-Way Immersion program offered as a magnet school option in our public school system.  There was probably only a 10% chance with the number of applicants this year, and we feel EXTREMELY blessed that he got in!  Ben will be in a classroom with 10 English speakers and 10 Spanish speakers.  He will rotate instruction... one day in Spanish, one day in English.  It is a HUGE commitment on the part of the parents, and he must stay in the program though 5th grade for the best results.  By 2nd grade, we will have mastered social Spanish... meaning he can play on the playground and communicate effectively with a Spanish speaker.  By 5th grade, he will have a good grip on academic Spanish too.  Since siblings are in the first round draft, this paves the way for Lucy and Alice to enter the program too when their time comes.  I still am hoping we can get Bella in for first grade, too.  SHe is on the top of the waiting list.

Have a wonderful weekend and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  :)