Sunday Morning Breakfast

Guess what we had?

Cold cereal. No. Not homemade Granola. Store brand cornflakes. But there were local blueberries too. . .and we got to church on time and fed!

I'm also simplifying in other areas:

• Pig killing will be ASAP.


• Paper plates are SO in style.


• Child labor laws don't apply to chores--despite what the girls say.


• Excessive volunteer work is not on the to do list.


• I'm begging Mom to come down in November to help.

Despite the challenges, and missing John, I can see the blessings emerging. Mostly I see myself learning to be with the children in a new, more relaxed, more playful way. When "fun Dada" isn't around it falls to me to play the games, go on walks, maybe even wrestle with this lovely brood of babies.

Pros and Cons

Husband gone Pros:
Search all his pocket and find $40 extra cash.
More room in the bed.
Fewer parenting conflicts.
Time alone to pursue personal interests after kids are asleep.
Less cooking.
Less Laundry.

Husband gone Cons:
More room in the bed.
Can't delegate difficult parenting situations.
Too much time alone gets lonely after 2 weeks.
Dishes and laundry are more fun with a friend to help.

Lessons Learned #1

When you have to get 6 people dressed appropriately for church by 8 am don't expect to cook breakfast also. Be very thankful for the local fast food drive through! In future, cook/plan something the night before.

But they sure do clean-up nice!

Hello from the left coast! I'm still surviving in school and doing very little else. My classes include biology, general science, geometry, and Latin and I'm responsible for organizing the Monday farm day. This Saturday I'll try to get out to the farm to have some time to myself there to get work done that won't happen when the students are there.

The photos from the air show are great! Did you take those MC? Big hugs from Oregon . . .

At the Air Show

This past weekend was the "last" airshow at the soon to close Naval Air Station. We do love the blue Angels. We are Navy people. BUT--I can't give much vital info about the planes. Quote of the day goes to Thalia ; "I wish Dad were here. He'd tell us all about these planes." I tried to fake it with things like "That one is really grey. Look that one says NAVY on it--must be a Navy plane huh?" But they weren't fooled. John is the expert.

The Good the Bad and The Ugly

On the good side of things--I have educated, fed, and clothed several people this week. All dishes are done, and the downstairs is decluttered.

Bad: My neck is hurting like it hasn't hurt in years. I have an appointment with an osteopath in 3 weeks! I may visit my old chiropractor out of desperation.

Ugly: My bedroom. I think there are 5 or 6 loads of laundry (clean) up here, along with some of the remnants of the downstairs declutter job.

but. . . John is getting me a cell phone today!! (visualize clouds parting and a beam of brilliant resting on yours truly!) Alleluia!

Here I am . . .

I made it folks! Because the settling in period has been so hectic, I haven't had time to log on but here I am! Everyday I fight butterflies as I head off to school but everyday I've survived and am even beginning to thrive. The students enjoy the novelty of a new teacher and I suspect that being in my class doesn't hurt too much yet.

Paul and Shelley, my brother and sister-in-law have welcomed me very warmly and generously, and I enjoy the time I spend with them. Tonight I wrestled with Cam and Jack and all of us survived. I miss the time spent wrestling with my kids. Good night and God Bless all of you left back in Maine.

Fun on the Farm

How to get the kids to work really well together and follow directions well? Just have all three well fed pigs escape from their yard at 6:30 pm. The well fed part in important since they were not influenced by the yummy food we were trying to lure them with.

Everyone did a great job herding them--especially MC and JH. A neighbor friend who was over held baby. I have no idea what Tadeu was doing--staying wisely out of the way I guess.

Pig are back home.

When it was all over JH summed it up well,"That was like war Mama!"

Only 2 months till their date with destiny!

Word From John

He called me on his new cell phone. He did not get a two for one deal so I do not have my own cell. . .I controlled my disappointment and covetousness fairly well I think. I'm also thinking of getting my own trakphone as a way of licking my wounds.

As for John--all went well on the planes. He had a 4 hour sunset to gaze at. Was warmly welcomed by P and S. Went to Mass and hobnobbed with teachers and parents today. And was headed off to a meeting when we spoke.

When he asked how things were here I was truthful--great! The house was clean before we left for Mass. The children were well behaved during Mass. We had a great lunch, watched a movie, did chores, have "creative time" during which cars were drawn and guitar was played. Ended with a light dinner, family rosary, boys asleep by 7 ;30, and a chess game with my daughter which I won by accident (we are both beginners). So far so good!

(but I suspect it won't always be this easy. . .and there are those dinner dishes and that laundry.)

John on the Road

We drove John to the airport today. He almost posted last night--but stopped when he realized he was just saying that he's not too good at the blog thing. But I think we'll hear from him more when he's settled into the left coast.

We all prayed over and blessed John this morning. I thought of a really loving, sensitive post about that. . but I'm going to take my sister's advice: "Don't get sentimental. It's all good."

I will not listen to James Taylor or the Indigo Girls. I will laugh every day, play with the kids, and stick to a schedule. I will pray! Pray that I am patient, loving, disciplined, and getting a cell phone soon! Really--holiness and my having a cell phone are directly connected.

Packing and Such

We went to our last Mass as a family (not forever--just 3 months!) this evening. Fr. Fred gave us, and J especially, a special blessing before the closing prayer. Lots of parish members were surprised and moved--I was crying, but that's nothing very unique. The gospel reading was the bit about Jesus asking Peter to "put out into the deep." Even though he worked all night and caught no fish. I wouldn't say that we've "caught no fish" here in Maine. But not having steady work is hard, and we are definitely putting out into the deep with this move.

Dinner with the D's and J's goodbye to his best friend.

It's all good. Good to have such friends to say goodbye to. Good to have so much to loose and so much to look forward to.

The Beginning

It will be a long goodbye. J leaves on Saturday. We've decided on a curbside farewell--since it would be hard to heard 5 crying children out of the airport. . .then I will begin my 3 months of lone parenting and homeschooling. I've always said God gives you the grace you need WHEN you need it. Guess we'll be testing that one out! So for three months I will look at all my friends, and usual errands around town with the eyes of one living on borrowed time. But maybe I'll be too busy to brood too much. That would definitely be a grace!