Seven Quick Takes Friday (25)

Thanks to Jen for hosting over at conversiondiary.com.  Today, December 30, 2011, being the occasion of my 6th wedding anniversary, this is going to be a 7 things I love about my husband.  There are so many more things that aren't even listed here.  What can I say, except he's the best.

-1-

His sense of humor:  There is nothing like having someone by your side who can make you laugh, not only at yourself, but at the world around you.  He has a wonderful silly side and loves to poke fun.  He makes me smile and laugh every day. 

-2-

His sensitive and vulnerable side:  He can get emotional during those tear jerking parts of movies or TV shows and isn't afraid to show it.  When he is having a hard time, to the point of tears, he lets me see that too.  I think it is so important to let your loved ones know how you are feeling and he isn't afraid to let me see the bad alongside with the good.  He has helped me to be more in touch with that side since before getting married I was hardly ever as emotional as I am these days.

And he definitely has a knack for being sensitive to my concerns.  I still recount to almost anyone who will listen, how when we were first dating and I told him something that could potentially be a deal breaker on a long car drive at the START of the date. He just squeezed my hand and listened.  The next day he brought me flowers and a beautiful hand written sentiment in a card.  I knew that he was someone who I could entrust my heart to.

-3-
His ability to consider my point of view:  For anyone who knows us, you know we hardly ever fight.  This isn't because we never disagree.  Rather, this is because both of us try to put ourselves in the other person's shoes.  We may not like what they are thinking, or what they have to say, but both of us can always understand where it is coming from.  Again, we don't always agree, but we are understanding of why the other feels the way they do.  Huge with me, since I am definitely not someone who likes confrontation.

-4-
His willingness to sacrifice:  My hubby doesn't like his job and hasn't since almost day one.  However, he realizes that he is providing for us as a family through his work, so he goes to work despite being unhappy.  In a world of, "If something doesn't feel good, don't do it," or "I have to do what's best for ME" he is sticking it out.  Doing a good job too I might add, getting a bonus all quarters since he started except one.  He may complain about it a fair amount, and joke and talk about how much he doesn't like it, but he goes and he works.  In my book, that is what shows me he loves me.

-5-
His strong commitment to the Catholic faith: Since returning to the church with me in the spring of 2005, he has continued to grow and learn about the Catholic faith.  Together we have made big changes in our lives to align ourselves with our Catholic faith.  We even teach the Catholic teaching on sexuality to teens.  Quite a turn around for both of us.

 -6-

His willingness to change:  This one sort of stems from QT#5.  Read the following:  hubby's blog post on porn.  But this isn't the only change he's made.  He is continuously trying to become the best version of himself he can be.  He's trying to change and working on the things in his life that need a redirection.  I applaud him for being willing to take a look at himself and see where he can make some changes for the better.  I am definitely one blessed woman.

-7-

Watching him play with our daughters:  I cannot say how often I watch him play with our girls and I am just amazed.  I really enjoy watching them together, the girls climbing all over him, playing with their toy dinosaurs or playing board games.  It doesn't matter what they are doing, I almost always can learn something from him: how to be more silly, how to be sure to incorporate praise where it's due, how to be excited about something that really doesn't seem all that important.  He is an amazing father and you can tell with the way our girls are so excited to see him walk in the door around supper time.  He is helping me to be a better mom and I am thankful for that every day.

Seven Quick Takes Friday (24)

Thanks to Jen for hosting over at conversiondiary.com.  Christmas traditions edition.

-1-

So I have to confess that I have been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving.  Alicia has a cute little kids Christmas CD that has her name in it, telling her about the real meaning of Christmas.  Of course, it started making some odd noises, so I ripped it and then burned it, now the songs are all out of order.  May have to re-recreate the CD for her.  Can I also just say that I watched the CMA Country Special on Thursday night and I love that the musicians will actually wear crosses (some of the ladies might do better to dress a little more modestly) and sign REAL Christmas songs.  You know, ones that aren't afraid to mention Jesus...  Rudolph and Frosty are ok, but traditional carols are the ones that mean the most.  When listening to my daughter's CD this year it took me by surprise that I was finally struck by the line, "Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, til he appeared and the soul felt it's worth."  HOW BEAUTIFUL!!!  And how true!

-2-

We went to the Christmas parade in Derry the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Had a great time with the girls, hubby and my mother in law.  We also met up with hubby's niece and her daughter and nephew and his son.  His nephew's daughter was in the parade for her school's band.  Beautiful weather - I wore short sleeves...  Glad that the people marching in the parade were not afraid to actually say "Merry Christmas!"  That's the spirit!

-3-
This year our traditional day after Thanksgiving putting up the Christmas tree was delayed to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Our "fake" tree is one that we won from our church back when we first moved into our home back in 2006.  We have put up our family tree in my parents' house this year and it takes up a good amount of room.  Alicia helped to assemble the tree and helped put on a few ornaments while Hannah took a nap.  Hannah has enjoyed looking at the tree though.  She now looks out the window and says tree so I think she's confused by the tree being inside.  I do love sitting by the tree at night with the lights off for a few silent moments with a glass of egg nog.

-4-
We have an Advent wreath that I have never been very good about using, but this year it is out on my parent's dining room table and I read from a book every night at the dinner table.  I am pretty sure Alicia doesn't get it, since it's advanced, but maybe next Advent I will find a more kid friendly daily advent book.  I've really enjoyed doing this as a family.  I think it helps that hubby is finally on a day shift, so the tradition is a new one that I am pretty happy about.

 

-5-

We have a Little People Nativity that we got for Alicia for her second Christmas.  She and Hannah are having fun playing with the animals and the other figures too.  Still mostly into the animals though, but I like having religious toys that they can play with.  Little ones mostly understand the toys and presents, so it's difficult to find things to fit in that make it more about the true meaning of the season for them.  Maybe someday they will play more with Mary, Joseph and Jesus.  But we have books that we read about Christmas.  Maybe we will try to get to the live nativity.  I have to take the time to figure out where and when it is around here.  I think they do it in Windham.

 -6-

Driving around to look at Christmas lights is another holiday favorite.  There are a few houses that have a TON of lights around here.  Alicia was cute about it last year and this year with her talking so much, it should be really cute to see what she says.  We may take a trip to the Enchanted Christmas Village sometime during the week if we get the chance.  Not sure about timing of it all, but I would like to bring the girls this year.  Lots of lights in there that we could walk around to see.  We went a few years ago, before we had Hannah, and enjoyed it but the lines were long.  Hannah is a bit more active than Alicia, so I think she'd have a hard time waiting in the lines.

-7-

The Christmas season should truly be marked by the beauty of God sending his Son to us in such simplicity.  Jesus came into this world as a helpless newborn, totally dependent on Mary and Joseph.  Jesus was born into a humble family, in a stable, placed in a manger.  He wasn't born in a palace, he wasn't raised by rich, well-to-do parents.  He didn't come down from Heaven blazing in almighty light to show who He was.  He came to us simply, humbly, knowing that we all too often do not feel or know our own worth.  All God wants from us is an open heart to receive Him.  God wants us to feel His love.  May we use this Christmas season to open ourselves to the gift of Jesus and remember that HE is the reason for the season!

Wondrous Wednesdays (17)



In the spirit of gratitude, I’m listing wondrous things happening in my world every week on Wednesday.  If you are a blogger and want to list what you are grateful for, feel free to do the same on your own blog every week and please be sure to link back to my blog.   If you are not a blogger, feel free to comment here on my blog with your own three wondrous things you are grateful for on Wednesday. 

(1)

Baby monitors are a wondrous invention.  Right now, as I type this the girls are supposed to be napping, but Alicia is telling Hannah, "You're not supposed to throw your toys out of the bed."  I knew that Alicia asking to go for a rest at the same time I was going to put Hannah down for a nap would be trouble.  At least Alicia informed me that Hannah had to go potty so I could change Hannah's diaper...  It's actually really cute.  However, this is why bed time is usually staggered.  Otherwise they'd never go to sleep in there.  Now Hannah is laughing in there.  I don't know what's going on.  I'm guessing they are playing rather than sleeping.  So I'm going to let them have some fun before I go break it up!!!

(2)

Even though the girls are sick this week and we haven't been able to go anywhere to visit friends yet, I am so thankful for the change to our schedule.  I really am enjoying this first week being home with the girls during the day.  Hoping that by Friday they are both better so I can head to 9am mass with them and possibly followed by the moms group at our church.  Thank you hubby.  Someday it will be a different job too!

(3)

It is wondrous how much Alicia is excited about Elfie, the name she gave the Elf on the Shelf.  She has watched the movie I don't know how many times.  And it makes asking her to do something much easier.  I'm not normally one to go with the secular holiday traditions, but this one is pretty cute.  She will go look for Elfie through the day to check to make she she is still there.  She hasn't woken up thinking about looking for her yet, but I'm guessing that will be soon.  Thank you Santa for sending the girls their elf.

Below is a linky list if you’d like to add a link to your own Wondrous Wednesdays. (1) Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your post and not your main blog URL. (2) Include a link back here.

Seven Quick Takes Friday (23)

Thanks to Jen for hosting over at conversiondiary.com. 

-1-

Alicia and I had a lot of fun helping memere cook on Wednesday for the Thanksgiving festivities.  She was enjoying getting the ingredients and trying to mix them too.  She ended up making a huge mess with the flour at the beginning, but she really had a good time.  It was so sweet.

-2-

I had a really nice Turkey Day.  So thankful for my hubby, our girls and our family and friends.  Lots of love and support from so many people have made the tough times a little bit less stressful.

-3-
Unfortunately, on Turkey Day my hubby and Hannah and I missed mass.  Alicia did make it with memere, pepere and aunty "k."  I like starting out Thanksgiving day with our church family thanking God for all he does in our lives.  But Hannah has been sick and wasn't even awake by the time we would have needed to head out the door and neither hubby nor I woke up feeling well.  We eventually felt better, but it was probably best to stay home.  I hear that our church was packed, which will probably mean that Christmas masses will be jam packed as well.  So sorry we missed it!

-4-

Some pictures from Turkey Day:

Watching the Macy's parade. Ok, vacant stares, I know
but it's the only picture they are looking in the same direction!

I was trying to get them both to do touchdown. 
Hannah sometimes doesn't play for the camera.

But here she is cheesing it up!

Alicia having a great time with her cousins!

-5-

Hannah is back on abuterol with her nebulizer.  For a child who was breastfed, she sure gets sick a lot.  I think the whole breastfeeding-is-great-for-a-baby's-system truly depends on the child.  Hasn't seemed to help her.  Alicia was a lot less sick as a baby and she was on formula almost from day one.  It seems as though Hannah is getting back to normal, although she still doesn't seem very interested in real food.  Probably has to do with her teething too!  She's still sleeping worse than she did as a baby.  Two hours of sleep is not enough.  Good thing I don't have a job, well if this not sleeping continues that is... 

 -6-

Speaking of no job, for my current job search, I think I'm leaning towards applying to work at restaurants rather than retail.  We will see what happens but truth be told I'm worried that without recent experience I will get no one to speak to me.  I've worked both retail and restaurants, but it was probably over five years ago.  Ok, maybe more like 10 years ago... Jeeze, has it really been that long!?!

-7-
Black Friday is today, but there is NO WAY that I am going to do any type of shopping today.  Craziness!  Instead, I am going to try to get some things accomplished at home that have been long overdue.  And try to figure out where most of our Christmas decorations are in my parent's basement.  Weekend plans include: Christmas parade with the girls on Saturday and getting the tree up and hopefully decorated on Sunday.  I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!!  So excited it is here!

Wondrous Wednesdays (16)



In the spirit of gratitude, I’m listing wondrous things happening in my world every week on Wednesday.  If you are a blogger and want to list what you are grateful for, feel free to do the same on your own blog every week and please be sure to link back to my blog.   If you are not a blogger, feel free to comment here on my blog with your own three wondrous things you are grateful for on Wednesday. 

(1)

So this happened on a Saturday, but I still feel grateful for the compliment today. My hubby, girls, parents, sister and I went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday Saturday night, which by the way was a lot better than I expected it to be.  We walked to our table and there was an older couple sitting nearby and as I was settling the girls in I heard the gentleman mutter under his breath, "We just can't get away from it."  I thought it may have to do with young children in a restaurant, but couldn't be sure.  But he definitely looked aggravated.  As they got up to leave, we were still there enjoying the last bits of our meal.  The man leaned over to me and said, "Your children are very well behaved.  You should be proud."  I thanked him and thought to myself how nice of him to say something.  I guess making Alicia and Hannah sit at the table while we all eat and finish our meal is worth the effort.  There are days it does not seem to be. 

(2)

Hubby has made it to my Wondrous Wednesday list again, merely for his love and support.  He  always seems to know what to say when I need it most.

(3)
I think it is wondrous how God works in our lives, behind the scenes.  Even when we do not know what it is He is doing, it is revealed to us in due time.  Praise God for all the wondrous works He does in my life.  Truly blessed!

 

Seven Quick Takes Friday (22)

Thanks to Jen for hosting over at conversiondiary.com. 

-1-

So last week hubby got a shift change to work days FINALLY and I gave my notice last Friday.  Which means this is my last week working part time at the Currier Museum of Art (who by the way if you live in the NH area has a really great Rock and Roll photography exhibition running now through mid January).  I have really enjoyed my work at the Currier and have met some really great people.  I have to try to find something to replace at least part of my income, which hopefully will happen sooner rather than later.  My last day of work is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. 

-2-

WOW, Thanksgiving already?!?  Cannot believe how quickly this year has flown by!  I did manage to find a couple of cute matching dresses for our girls for Thanksgiving. 

-3-

I have also found two different sets of cute matching dresses for the girls for Christmas.  I should be frugal and return one of the sets, but one set has short sleeves and the other set is sweater dresses.  It is always super hot at my hubby's nana's house, so I may just keep both.  Besides, the girls could wear the matching sweater dresses at any time, not just Christmas.

-4-
Speaking of looking for work, 'tis the season for seasonal retail, but I don't understand why it is that every place you apply expects you to fill out a survey that is over half an hour long.  I realize they are trying to make sure they hire people with good customer service skills and people who won't steal from the company.  But this is not life and death - I mean it isn't like they are hiring a nurse.  Besides, don't most people answer these questions in the manner they think the company wants them to respond?!?  And what will we talk about in an interview anyway?

-5-

Hubby being home for dinner and for bedtime has already made an impact on the girls.  This morning Alicia asked daddy to take a "short work" like memere is doing today.  She must have missed her daddy more than we realized.  When I asked her if she liked him being home for dinner and bedtime, she had a big smile and was nodding.  So sweet and so glad that we decided this was a good change for us.

-6-

My scariest moment as a mom to date happened this past Wednesday.  I decided to take the girls shopping to try to find some matching boots to go with their sweater dresses.  It was an unsuccessful trip, but a very scary one for me.  We were in the parking lot and the girls were strapped into one of those two person shopping carts at Target.  I was putting Hannah in the car seat first and when I turned around to get Alicia she was no longer in the shopping cart.  I thought, "did someone take her (I watch too much Criminal Minds)?  did she wander away?  Did she get hit by a car?"  I screamed her name, no response.  I screamed her name again, still nothing.  So I ran to the back of the car and she wasn't there.  I pushed the cart out of the way and started up the other side...  still didn't see her, so then I screamed her name again and she came up to me and said, "Here I am mama!"  Scariest. few. seconds. ever!

-7-
I grabbed her and said, "You scared the s*%t out of me."  NOT my proudest moment, to swear like that, but it just came out.  I was so freaked out about it that I didn't really yell at her or anything, but I was almost in tears and she could tell something was wrong.  I tried to explain to her how scared I was and asked her if she would be scared if she lost mama or dad.  She said "it's ok mama."  Not the response I hoped for.  If this happens again, next time there will be some severe yelling going on if not a spanking. Good grief.  I thought Hannah would be the one to do this sort of thing...  don't know what I'd do if I lost her. 

Wondrous Wednesdays (15)



In the spirit of gratitude, I’m listing wondrous things happening in my world every week on Wednesday.  If you are a blogger and want to list what you are grateful for, feel free to do the same on your own blog every week and please be sure to link back to my blog.   If you are not a blogger, feel free to comment here on my blog with your own three wondrous things you are grateful for on Wednesday. 

(1)

It is truly wondrous that my husband, after three plus years of a night shift - basically since our first daughter was born, has made the switch to a day shift this past Monday.  I feel like I can already see a difference in his demeanor and happiness level, only after two days.  Sometimes a small change can make all the difference.  I am so happy for him that he can now be home for dinner and putting his little ladies to bed.  He was an occasional bedtime story teller on weekends and days off, but now he should be able to be there for all of that.  I think it will be great, not only for the girls and for me, but for him as well.

(2)

My husband has been doing a fast every Wednesday for the past month.   He is doing it as part of e5men - Husbands Fasting for their Wives.  Basically the plan is to

Fast on plain bread and water at least one 24 hour period a month for your bride for her needs of spiritual growth and/or  healing; preferably on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

He sacrifices a lot for us and this is just one more he does to witness to his love for me.  He's had people at work ask about it and he explains the idea behind it.  I am so blessed.

(3)

It is wondrous how much our three year old daughter enjoys hockey and, like me, enjoys Tuesday night with all the "funny hits".  Somehow we have to hope that it will not translate into a love of hitting her sister.  I am glad that my parents can share hockey games with her. I am sure most of why she likes it so much is that she gets to spend some quality time with her memere and pepere.


Below is a linky list if you’d like to add a link to your own Wondrous Wednesdays. (1) Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your post and not your main blog URL. (2) Include a link back here.