Upon looking through some of the recently uploaded pictures on the computer, I happened upon a series of shots that look like this.

I just know that these girls told me that they were working on their math when this was taken...



Foo, on the other hand, proved that Math U See can double as Math U Sleep. This was the day I knew we needed antibiodics.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARISSA

Just had to take a moment to say a BIG HUGE HAPPY SWEET 16TH BIRTHDAY to my wonderful niece, Karissa.

I found out tonight that she and her mom look at my blog so, I promised to say hello.

Please keep Karissa in your prayers as she enters a new phase in her life... DRIVING!! Of course more prayers are probably needed for the drivers on the road with her! Just kidding...well, maybe not.

My dear brother, Kirk and sister in law, Donna will also need prayers. Their baby girl is not such a baby anymore, though I know they will always look at Karissa as their sweet little girl.

More Firsts

Aside from my firsts this weekend, we experienced a few other significant milestones around the house.

Yesterday marked the true passage from babyhood to toddlerdom as Boo had his first real haircut. I was very teary-eyed through the event, and towards the end, he wasn't the happiest of babies either. (He'll still be a baby in my mind!!)







Fish also made a huge leap this weekend. He learned to ride his bike sans training wheels! (Look out ER... I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll be visiting soon!)

Thankful Weekend

I am very late in posting this week, especially for Thankful Thursday, but I am not any less Thankful!

This weekend has been a new experience for me. Thursday, I had the great pleasure of running in the GE Run Thru the Woods 5 miler. My goal was to finish. That is all, just to finish.

With the encouragement and pacing of my neighbor, Rick, not only did I finish, but my time was better than expected.

I met several very nice folks like, Holden, Jon, John, and many others whom I can not recall their names right now. Thanks to all for your friendliness and willingness to share your experiences with me.

I thought about getting up the next morning and trying to Conroe 5K, but passed on it. I did however run a mile last night with Lem. She proceeded to run two, one with me and one with her dad and Foo.

This morning I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K again. I think I ran 29:44, but not too sure. If so, then I broke 30 mins total and ran under a 10 min/mile! Big news for me! This also means I have completed the "Double" that Jon keeps stats for.

I was also the proud winner of a new ball cap! I feel bad that I've been sweating all over Mark's the last few runs.

So my thankful list is as follows this Thanksgiving weekend:

1. Thankful for hot showers and baths to rest my sore muscles and joints.

2. Advil. An endless supply right now.

3. My neighbor Rick whose encouragement and knowledge have helped me to reach personal goals that I was starting to think might never happen.

4. My entire family. For allowing me the time to get out and run, and then show up for Turkey Dinner, even if the turkey wasn't completely cooked...

5. For tons of dirty dishes. I've been blessed with plenty of food and family to dirty those dishes.

6. Lem, my little coffee cup filler-upper.

7. Stretching. Especially when Mark helps. It really does make a difference.

8. Memories. Memories of mom through-out this weekend abound. She was with me on my runs. Her fight to live helped me to put that foot in front of me over and over.

9. Faith. Without my faith, nothing would make any sense.

10. Comfy socks. Keeping my feet warm now and always.

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving Weekend, keeping in mind that which you are grateful for each and every day.

Update on Hans

Just stopped by his blog and his mother has posted that he has entered the hospital for his second round of chemo.

Please continue to keep this family and their doctors covered in prayer.

Thankful Thursdays

I'll admit it. I've not been very good about reading some of my favorite blogs the last three weeks or so. I've missed out on a new carnival that has started up called "Thankful Thursdays".

Apparently it is only in its second week, but to miss a week of being thankful is missing a lot.

Since I missed sending mine in, I'll post them here...

1. Heat. We woke up to a bit of a chilly morning here in Houston and the smell of the heater turning on to warm us brings back all the memories of happy winter days past.

2. Sore knees. I am able to run longer distances and actually enjoy doing it. Not only am I striving to stay healthy, but it gives me time to pray, something I tend to not do enough of.

3. Autumn. Honestly, the weather the last few days has been remarkable.

4. Clinging babies. Even though he's heavy, he makes me feel so important. He only wants me.

5. Tissues with lotion. To help soothe those red little noses that are clinging to me...

6. Health. We've been battling a nasty cold for about 3 weeks now. I think we may finally be seeing the other side of it. The 1st day of feeling better is always wonderful, isn't it?

7. Our Parish. For giving us the opportunity to serve others through the parish food pantry.

8. Friends. Those great people who support me in prayer, with pots of soup, phone calls and emails even when I am not always so good about calling, emailing, or visiting. You know who you are, and I love you!!

9. My children. All of them. They are each so wonderful in their own unique way. They always love me, even when I am not so lovable. They always forgive me, even when I burn the grilled cheese sandwiches.

10. My husband. He inspires me to challenge myself everyday. Most often I fail, and yet, he still loves me and NEVER complains.

I could go on and on...

I know you are wondering what the baby feet picture is doing on this post. I managed to miss this carnival as well...

Run the Woodlands- Run for Hans update

For a great read about the run, check out Jon's Blog.

Also, feel free to check in on Hans at his blog, but more importantly, please continue to keep he and his family in your daily intentions.

And yes, I did beat the cow, but Elvis had me by a few minutes... I think he had some help!

Why am I Catholic?

Thanks to Dumb Ox Academy for this link from her blog to Why Am I Catholic?

Beautifully done and worth watching.


While at You Tube, I discovered another video that I just loved. Mercy Me has a song that always makes me cry, I Can Only Imagine.

This song has moved me from the first time that I heard it and continues to do so still today. Often it brings me to thoughts of my mom and what those moments just after her passing must have been like. Did she fall to her knees when she met Jesus? Did she say anything? One thing I know for sure, she must have been and continue to be in total ecstacy.

Today, I am reminded that anytime I am in the Presence of Our Lord, I know longer need to imagine what it would be like, but rather, I should be flat on my face in awe of His love for me.

Sometimes I forget this... Enjoy this video.

I survived!

I was able to complete my first 5K today! It was a great feeling! Even better that I was doing it for something greater than myself.

I didn't come in last, and I beat the Chick Fil A cow, (who gets big bonus points for running in costume!!)

I think I'm hooked...

Announcing...

The grand opening of The Woodlands Learning Center!

Some of you may recall that sweet Em recently graduated from the program. She began the program as a "non-reader". After 3 years of phonograms, reading programs, etc, I was introduced to PACE/MTC and decided to have her tested. She had some real problems with her underlying learning skills that were keeping her from being successful. A few short months later, she graduated, reading above grade level and feeling much more confident in herself and her abilities. My eldest daughter also went through the program. At 18, she wasn't sure if it would help her at all, but decided to commit to it. She now has hopes of going to college, which would not have been possible before. This program has truly opened doors to my girls which would have stayed closed to them before.

A friend of mine and I had the pleasure of attending the training and certification of the PACE and Master the Code program two weeks ago. Admist a beautiful snowstorm, gorgeous scenery, and great company, we both became full-fledged licensed providers of PACE and Master the Code.

For now, we are starting slow, working out of our homes. Only the Lord knows what He has in store for us now.

If you need more information, please contact me.

Prayers needed

Please remember this sweet little boy in your daily prayers. This family attends the same parish that my family does and while I do not personally know them, I know that they can use all of the prayers we can offer.

You can read about his journey here.

If you are so inclined, you can help with a fundraiser going on this Saturday.

Belated Halloween picture

Finally blogger allowed me to upload a picture!

The Aftermath of Halloween... Fish aka The Phantom of the Opera, developed an allergic reaction to the face paint. His eye swelled shut and he continues to have a rash on his face. Foo developed a fever after his stint as Anubis, (from Stargate, not the Egyptian Book of the Dead, but honestly about the same thing...) and was sick for the rest of the week.

Dorothy and the Scarecrow fared well, with the exception of Scarecrow bumping into a few walls, oh, yeah, and falling all the way down the stairs! Thank goodness he is fine.

A new Fishism

"Mommy, mommy...."

"Yes, Fish?"

"Oh, great!" His eyes rapidly begin darting around looking to find the words he so wanted to tell me.

"The words went under my tongue..."

All Saints Day

Today we recognize all of the Saints that await us in Heaven. Through the Liturgical Year we are able to recognize many saints, but today, we acknowledge ALL of them. Those known, those unknown, those forgotten.

Pray the Litany today.

The kids and I sat around discussing the few saints that are named within our immediate family. A fun way to introduce the saints to the children.

There was one funny moment when Fish announced that he knew who St. Brendan was... "he was an alligator!!" ( I guess that can sound like navigator??)

Today's feast is joined with tomorrow's, All Souls. And Friday is St. Martin de Porres, my husband's patron saint. What a wonderful week for the saints!