Fill the Pantry Challenge... Again!

Today is a very special day for America. It represents a time that we came together as a country and shouted to the world that we are united and we get stronger when confronted. We fight to protect each other. United we stand, right?!

Well, I've always believed that you need to care for your family, your neighbor, your community before you try to help the more global charities. You need to keep your base strong, healthy, happy, and united. So I am reissuing the Fill the Pantry Challenge.

It costs only as much as you are willing/able to spend. Very basically, you can keep a box in your pantry, kitchen, hallway, whatever. Each time you go to the grocery store pick up one or two items to put in it. Or you can start a Fill the Pantry fund and put a dollar or two in it each week. Then pick a local charity, food bank, shelter to donate the goods or money.

The most important part is that you are making a commitment to help... and if you have children, you make them take an active role. I used to have my kiddos pick the items. I have to admit, even we got out of the habit of doing this for a while. BUT - we are breaking out the box again!

So help us unite again to make our community stronger! When people work together, talk together, get along it creates a safer, healthier, stronger environment... that YOU helped build :)

My prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims and heros of 9/11. I will ALWAYS remember!!

The Final Run!!

Tomorrow is Labor Day... marking the 99th day of the Summer 2011 Run Challenge! We only have 3.8 miles to go.

We WORKED hard for this!!

We overcame sooo much.

We survived 2 surgeries, multiple injuries, sick kids, WAY too hot days, vacations, and well, just a couple days of just pure laziness.

Our mileage per run ranged from 1.6miles - just a little over 7!

We honestly didn't know we were as strong as we actually are. We amazed ourselves more than once. We finished strong on days that we didn't think we could move.

Mostly, we proved to ourselves that we could do it :)

AND... we raised money for the Shepherd's Pantry while doing it!! woohoo!!

It's not too late to help though. Feel free to sponsor us by clicking the "Donate" button on the side bar. Every little bit helps!

Next summer we will be doing this again and we're hoping that more people will join us :)

Reading...

A lot of people talk about reading.

I was in a bookclub - that I actually started! But it was soooo tough for me to sit down and read.

I didn't even finish the book I chose!!

So yeah, thankfully, my kiddos love reading :)

Anyway, we've been going to church and praying and talking a lot more about religion, the church, where we fit it... all that stuff. I'm still debating the whole conversion to "Catholic" from the Episcopal Church. It's actually a silly debate I have in my head.

To be honest, I think that most of my beliefs are Catholic, but I remember the comfort of the smaller Episcopal Church. As I had stated previously, my grandmother taught us catechism at home for many, many years between making first communion and joining St. Peter's. I remember reading her book of "moral" stories, directed towards kids that always ended with a bible verse encompassing the meaning of the lesson,etc.

I also remember that every time she came, she brought Ring Dings!! wooo hooo!!

Anyway, I've drifted WAY off track... I remember having confirmation classes at St. Peter's and constantly being corrected on my beliefs. Apparently, even when I didn't think I was paying attention, it was sinking in. So, since these beliefs are ingrained in me, the answer should be easy, right???

NO!!

I started reading Catholic Answers and Catholics Come Home based on a friends advice and well, I freaked out!

I am the perfect little parishioner in the Episcopal Church, but if I convert to Holy Name, I'm doomed to hell by a mortal sin. How is that far??

So, I stopped reading those sites and decided to open the Bible.

OH my GOODNESS!!! How the heck does anyone get through that?!?!

I'm sorry, I tried to pick it up and read it... I tried. And to be honest, I even cheated a little. My grandmother actually gave me a copy of the Good News Bible. It's written in "today's language" so it's supposed to be easier to comprehend.

ummm.... yeah.

I understand the words, but the stories are pretty overwhelming. So I talked to Henry and asked him what he thought. He showed me that many people pick up the bible and turn to page each day and read from there. Wow, that's cool!

So I started doing that. I started reading random passages each day and it seems better. I feel like I'm getting something out of it. I have a question though... Is this cheating?? Am I playing the "magic 8 ball" with the bible?

Does anyone have any other tips? And, are mortal sins forgiven if you really are sorry, while at the same time, standing behind your decision??

This is definitely one time that ignorance is bliss!!!

Cryptic, I know...

Oh my goodness... I can't get my brain to stop!! 

I grew up with Calvin and Hobbes and

I keep trying to tell myself...

 

I hate transitions.

Every year I have a few sleepless nights about this time... Football starts tomorrow.

This year, there are a few more hurdles than I am used to and I am hoping to conquer them as easily as my brother used to in his hurdling days. 

I am telling myself that I rock. 

I have worked for everything that I have ever gotten.

Nothing worth it, ever comes easy.

And then I found this one...

I love this one!!

It drives me...

Don't take anything for granted and remember to spring through the finish line.

Our Summer...

I have to apologize for being so absent from the blog this summer. I really meant to stop in more to post about our adventures and stuff, but it's been going by so quickly that I was kind of lost in the whirlwind of events.

I will try to give you a small glimpse of what we've been up to :)

We went camping for an entire WEEK! Loved it!! Of course, we did have pretty much a full kitchen setup and a tent with it's own sun porch, oh and a basket ball hoop... lmao!!!

Ooohh yeah, and a portable DVD player for when they all just about had it...

And amazing friends to spend some time with... Thanks guys it was awesome (and Laurie, Dave and Audrey too!!)

 Rebel LOVES camping too... especially, because he usually helps clean up after dinner...

Then there were the playdates... this is right after Henry PAID them to clean the playroom. I do NOT do that... EVER!!!! So they were extremely excited. Can you tell??

 Then my big brother and niece visited... SOOO exciting... don't know why I can't fix the pics though... sorry

Most recently, we made our way up to Vermont to the MOST amazing place ever!! The Inn at Essex... It's a Culinary Resort and Spa and everything about it rocks! 

Check out the cake they made custom for Phoebe's birthday...

 Immediately following dinner, I got to enjoy a massage that Chef Hubby had booked for me :)  Then I tried out the eucalyptus steam shower AND the sauna, before heading to the indoor pool and hot tub with the family. Seriously, the best time EVER! Next time we definitely need to go with friends though... and spend more than 24hrs there.

  On the way back, we stopped at the Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop for a tour and of course some samples!

 So now we are back home and Monday starts Phoebe's Suessical camp at the school in preparation for the drama club performance she will be in this year. As well as, the first day of Pre-season at school for me. Man oh man, I hate transitions and this year is turning out to be a little more dramatic than usual... more on that later ;)

 Will be trying to stay more on top of this - AGAIN! It seems I've been saying that a lot lately, huh??? lol

Very Busy...

I apologize to the few people still reading, about not posting anything in a LONG time!! We've been very, very busy lately and I promise I will try to post about it all very soon :)

Today, I'm home with the kiddos and their friends... baking!

OK - I'm baking. They are playing relatively quiet in the playroom.

We've already discussed that there will be quiet time later. Naptime for the younger ones and reading time for the older ones. They all agreed (for the most part).

Payton begged for a tea party and since it's one of the things on our summer list, I've decided we might just need to do it for lunch. Wish me luck! Now I have to look up tea party menus for stuff they will actually eat!

The Baptism

So we were able to get the kiddos Baptized today :)

The church was warm and the kids had a bunch of friends and family surrounding them... so they were less than behaved, of course! Isn't that always the way?? Dress them up, take them out, and they go INSANE... but I love them :)

After the mass, we moved up to the front and gathered near the baptism "area". Laurie and my brother, Donald are Payton's godparents and Mary and Kevin are Phoebe's godparents. My Brother and Sister in Law were unable to attend, but they were definitely in our hearts as they are now even closer to the girls in this bond.

The girls are in Catholic school and understand that baptism is when you accept God into your life and become "one of his children". Also, thankfully, they have been absolved of all their sins. phew! 

 

Payton was thrilled about this baptism thing until Henry picked her up... actually, she was OK..

Until he went to pour the water on her... then she took a minute and settled in...

Phoebe was big enough not to have to be picked up...

I was so proud of my kiddos!! I love them so much and know that we are on the right path for our family. We have amazing friends, family, and teachers... both of the girls asked to invite their teachers for this event and they were both able to attend. YAY!

I looked into the Catholic schools in the area and picked Holy Family-Holy Name for so many reasons. For the most part, it seemed the most "kid-friendly", but I was sold when we went for the tour and the teachers welcomed my girls with open arms, and even hugs!  HUGS! yes... these teachers legitimately care about the students... and the parents. OK, OK... moving on... Here are some other shots

Is there a reason these candles need to be 8ft tall???

I think they looked like little angels in their dresses :) It was a great day with great people and amazing food - of course! Crashing on the couch now... so needed.