SO, What's NEW?!?

So, what's new since I have last posted...

much!

Summer was a warm one, but the children got to enjoy swimming at the Minersville pool, two trips to Knoebles, a trip to Hershey park, Crystal Cave, Roadside America, trips to Rickett's Glenn Sgtate Park and World's End State park, the Reading Muesum, a Reading Phillies game and multiple playdates with different friends. In August, we had the bittersweet reunion of the Mills family here in 

Pennsylvania as we had to say goodbye to "Grandfather Lance".

We welcomed Timothy Michael to our family on

Sept. 18, 2013 after an early delivery by 3 weeks,

he was considerably small...7 lb 10 oz, 20" long.

We had a lot of help from friends with the children while I was in the hospital, for which we are thankful.


 Upon hospital discharge, we celebrated Marcus' 8th birthday with a party at home 

complete with friends and a chess cake, again without our friends help, it would have not been possible.

Then on Sunday, Sept. 25, we celebrated Timothy's baptism.

Brian had to go back to work on Monday as the paper was short staffed to begin with, so I was 

back to mommy duty, HOWEVER, I did let school go for a while...something had to give.

Needless to say, life was a bit crazy for a while, but we are all pretty well settled into being a family with 7 children.

Timothy is a delight to all of his siblings, we wouldn't want it any other way!

Our princess has decided to rename herself, "Sugar Plum Princess".

Thomas has become "Bomb".

The rest of the children seem to like their names which is a blessing!

The autumn left us with some fun activities, including festivals and hayrides. Halloween this past year was very wet, but the children had fun, none the less.

We walked around town with some friends, but ended up having to throw the 

candy away as there was a pin found in a piece of candy that was handed out in one of the

areas in which we were, we figured better safe than sorry...the kiddos didn't seem to mind terribly.

We had a Roman soldier, Robin Hood, Ninja Turtle, Bomb the Angry bird, Sugar Plum fairy and 

a cute little guy in the first Halloween sleeper.

Thanksgiving was spent at my father and stepmother's home and was very nice.

On Dec. 6, we celebrated John's 5th birthday at the Pine Grove Theater and watched "Planes".

He had many friends at the party, and everyone seemed to have a good time! This is the cake he had on his "real" birthday..at the party for convenience it was cupcakes.

  Christmas was a good time as well...we had our traditional Christmas Eve celebration here

with family and friends. However, I did go to Mass early, and Brian took Marcus and Luke to midnight Mass.  In the morning, which wasn't until about 9 am, the children woke up and opened their gifts, everyone seemed pleased.  We had our Christmas day dinner with some friends then 

Luke's godparents came to visit in the evening.

For New Year's Eve, we stayed home..again I went to Mass early, and Brian took Marcus the following morning.  My father, stepmother, and Brian's mom came for dinner.

Throughout the holiday, we had to deal with the fast moving stomach virus. And the week before the holiday, Timothy was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, it must work itself out as it is viral as well.

Here is hoping that we have seen the worst of the sickness for our family, but if not, we will 

handle it as it comes.

School officially started back on Monday, January 6 for us, and the boys were anxious to

get back into a routine, which made life much easier!

That is a brief overview of what has happened to us as we bid farewell to 2013 

and welcome in the year 2014.

                                      
We look forward to the year of 2014 and in it, our family is hoping to grow more spiritually
and to do things even better than before....
may you all have a spiritually blessed New Year!

With all my love to you!

God Bless!

An eye opener

On Sunday, February 16, 2013 after Mass, I wanted to go over to Renninger's Market for some meat.  I decided to take PoohBear and Tootlehead with me for a change. Big deal, yeah, actually, it was.

You see, that day was my mother's birthday...she would have been 62 years old, if she were still alive.

I haven't been to my mother's grave for many years.  Never really felt the need to go there until this specific Sunday.

I told the littles that mommy needed to go to the cemetery where her mommy is for a few minutes to say some prayers over her grave.

They didn't really get it, it was cold, the littles waited in the van very near by.  I took the short walk to the grave.  Once I got there, I said my prayers for the dead, then really talked to her, as though she were there, meaning alive.

All at once, I was very sad, for many reasons....One was because I miss my mom more than I realized I did.  However, that isn't all.  My mother will not know my children (her many grandchildren) and their crazy antics in this world, she isn't able to interact with them, watch them grow up.  This made me very sad.

My mother's life was a difficult one, I know that.  I truly wish that things could have been different for her in this world, but God was in control even if she didn't think so or see it. 

At the time of her death, I grieved, and questioned God's reason, but knew that in general, it was better that way and kind of pushed her death out of  my mind.  Sure I have re-lived the whole day of the death and tried to let go, but it never worked.

I was finished saying my prayers, and was heading back to the van, but realized more needed to be said to her, so I turned around, marched back to the grave and talked more. After talking to her on her birthday, I told her I was sorry that she had a hard life, that she never got to remarry, or be able to see her grandchildren. 

Once I was finished, I felt a sense of peace wash over me that I haven't felt before when dealing with her death.  It will be 10 year in November that she died.  I understand I will always miss my mother (some times more than others), and even have regrets for things that were left unsaid, things that were said, or even feelings that shouldn't have been.  But after this special Sunday, I know, I can go to the grave and tell her what is on my mind and get it out there.  I may not have an immediate reconciliation with anything, but at least I know I'm able to do something to help me when it comes to missing my mom.

Even though it is late, I want to wish my mother a happy birthday, and I want her to know I love her, and always will...I am now at peace with things and feel like it will be ok.

I guess the big thing for me to tell you today is if you have said something, or not said something that is of importance you need to say it whether it is in person or by letter, just let them know what is on your mind, you never know if you will be too late.  I know I was.

 

God bless!
.

Weekend is for family time!

As we are coming to the end of the week, I can only say thank goodness.

It has been a long week, with many trials.  I am learning to take these trials that God is giving us

Chocolate World 

2012

and seeing or trying to see the good in them.

Having said that, I am truly looking forward to having 

family time!

We will spend our Friday evening being together in the house, maybe

doing different things in different rooms, but in the same building.

Only time will tell what Saturday will bring for our family to do.

If there is snow and it isn't too cold, maybe a sledding trip

or playing outside.

It could be a trip to Cabelas or Chocolate World, or just

staying home and playing games-time will tell!

 Sunday is a special day for us. We will go to the Traditional Latin Mass in

Girardville. On that day, we will celebrate with Father Connolly the fact

that he recently celebrated a birthday AND Sunday is our

anniversary.

The boys are looking forward to a cake to celebrate their parents,

and I'm looking forward to celebrating a bit myself, nothing big, 

just a cake but that is fine with me!

Christmas 2010, In love

So, as I sign off the blog today, please say a special pray for Father Connolly to 

have many more happy years, and for Brian and I as we celebrate our marriage.

I will pray for you all that you have a wonderful weekend and find time

for some

FAMILY TIME 

time of your own

trust me, you'll enjoy it.

God Bless,

Marie