Answer Me This: Because Kendra Told Me To

Since my friend Kendra so kindly tagged me in Answer Me This, I can hardly deny her and her blogging power. Her wish is my command, although she may regret it!

See my perplexed face?

1. What's something you won and how did you win it?

I sincerely wish I had a dramatic answer to this one. I'm drawing a giant blank though. I will say that I've won several lovely blog giveaways that always makes my day. But I enter blog giveaways by the thousands I swear so it really is no luck or talent, or even good odds. I always dream of winning a big 50/50 from a hockey game or something though, because I think that would be the best. You could spend on something you hadn't planned to, or pay things off, or give good gifts, and maybe give a lot away. Maybe one day.

2. Do you save old greeting cards and letters, or throw them all away? Why?

This answer may horrify people, but I usually toss all greeting cards even though I really appreciate them and love receiving and giving them. I just find that they're usually needless clutter you never look at again. But I do save personal cards with notes in them, and every letter I've ever received.

I loved having pen pals when I was young, and I believe I still have boxes full of letters in the basement from when I was 12. I love writing letters! My husband and I spent most of our pre-marital (boy, that makes me sound approximately 98 years old!) long distance and we wrote each other copious amounts and that's all saved of course. He also sent me cards for no reason, wrote on packages of candy he'd send me at college, and made me the most amazing personal music cds and would write on the actual disk. He was pretty romantic come to think about it.

3. When you're at home, do you wear socks, shoes, slippers, or go barefoot?

Here in Canada we never wear shoes indoors. Most likely because we're mostly wearing snow boots, but it's true. When I'm at home I wear my slippers mostly and it makes me both feel and look like a grandma. But they're sheepskin lined and I have awful circulation in my feet so they keep my feet at the perfect temperature which I kinda love. I also have noticed I spend a lot of time on my feet at home, and that it's getting harder to go barefoot. So that bodes well for my future old age...

4. Who's the most famous person I've ever met?

This is where I should have an awesome story and I really don't. For some reason Kate Middleton still hasn't met me, or Father Barron, or Jennifer Fulwiler. Or the Pope. Or Jamie Oliver. Honestly, I have no good stories, I'm not going to list all the politicians and minor Catholic speakers I've met, although shout out to Michael Coren!

5. What has been your best work of art?

I so wish I was artistic and could come up with something tangible to show. I spent most of my childhood and all the way through high school playing piano and singing, so that counts for my artistic ability but I have no great recording or even a memory of a piece I played the best. Which is alright, I never had the talent to be a professional but the beauty of the art, what it taught me in the process of coming to know it, and how fulfilling it was to play, even at a mediocre level, was/is lovely.

And to write a book as a piece of art seems completely out of my scope but I do hope that those who write books that really are art take pride in that crazy ability.

But of course I'm also going to say my children....because....

6. What's your strongest sense?

Did Kendra mean one of the 5 senses? Because I'm almost blind, not great at hearing things, my sense of smell has been pretty decimated by 5 children, my taste is decent, and my sense of touch is not at Helen Keller levels.

I will say though that my gut instincts and ability to perceive and judge a situation/people is pretty good. I occasionally have to apologize and repent of my first impressions, but on the whole my first impressions usually prove accurate or at least on base. And my gut instincts have never failed me and I can tell right away when I think something is wrong. I've also come to just accept this and see it as a strength even though it's not a cool gift.

So there you have it. Not too exciting but honest!
And for the bonus question - here's what I wore Sunday, or Saturday in my case:

Everything is from J.Crew Factory, but I didn't plan it that way honest!

Now say hi to the FLAP girls for What I Wore Sunday...

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What I Wore Sunday, before falling down the stairs

Since I'm wearing a new dress and haven't posted an outfit in ages, might as well post today on this belated Feast of the Ascension!

Dress: Modcloth

Denim Jacket:  Old Navy

Shoes: Just Old

 

I'm naming this dress my Joan dress because the crazy retro pattern just screams Joan to me.

I watch a lot of Mad Men ok?!

Right after the lovely Gemma photographed me and my cute dress, I changed into some schlubby shorts because I thought I'd get some a sundry painting and gardening done outside. But first the entryway rug was filthy and begging to be cleaned and stored away for the summer so I thought I'd throw it on the stairs to the deck and hose it off quickly. It took only a minute, I turned to walk down the four or five steps to the lawn and slipped, falling on my back and down the rest of the steps. I fell banana-peel style and have been laid up since. I'm fairly certain it's just badly, badly bruised and nothing is seriously damaged but most of my back is so very sore. I'm hoping I'll be able to walk and sit by tomorrow morning or else...there's going to be a lot of cartoons around here.

And since I'm lying here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon - Kendra's questions for the week:

1. Do I have a smart phone?

I'm sure if you put up with my Instas ad nauseum you know it to be true! I probably love it more than I should. And I almost never talk on it unless I'm driving, with bluetooth of course! But I do text my friends more than speak to them on the phone, because it's just easier with 5 kids constantly needing things. I wish I could just speak face to face, but I'd rather keep in touch any way I can!

2. Which is your favourite meal?

I think I like snacking more than a meal these days. Mostly because it's just less work for me. If hummus and french bread were a meal that might be my fave. But I'll go with breakfast, but eaten after being awake for several hours. I reeeally enjoy brunch. Breakfast food, but not early! 

3. Shower or Bath?

Bath. Bath. Bath, bath. When we moved into our little house right after we were married the upstairs main bathroom's shower wasn't functioning at all. We thought it a major inconvenience and spent months searching plumbing stores for the proper piece that would fix the malfunctioning shower spigot. But by the time we found the part we were both hooked on baths. I shower maybe once a week and bath 6 times a week! It's a perfect proportion. We have a beautifully deep bathtub though, and having a good bath tub is now on the must-have list for future homes.

4. Think of a person you love. How many days have you been in love with that person?

I don't know the exact date, because I can't remember a time where I wasn't in love with my husband. (Gah. So much public affection, I'm disgusting myself. ;) ) But I'll go with over ten years ago, the date we officially began dating, June 25, 2003 = 3994 days.  A little over a third of my life. Not too shabby, I'm up for many more! 

5. What's the best church you've been inside? 

It would probably be St. Peter's just because I haven't been to too many extravagant places and because I can't pick a church from Rome, because there's too many! I wish I had spent enough time in Europe to get to know one particularly spectacular Church. Because there really is nothing like becoming familiar with the beauty of a particular church. Like dear St. Hedwig's in Barry's Bay where I spent many a quiet moment, and daily Mass during university...lovely!

6. Happy Feast of the Visitation! Has anyone ever come to help you? 

My mom has always come to help me out with my babies. Of course, she doesn't have to leave the comfort of her own home, she just walks down the road, so it's especially wonderful for me! But we all know I'd be hooped without the help, and I think that on a daily basis! Especially though, those tough few months after Gemma was born and I was never sleeping, and recovering from a rough birth, and had so many complications getting used to motherhood. It was all a blur so really, my mom rescued me there! Thanks be to God, and Mary's intercession I'm sure! 

Visit the FLAP ladies for better outfits and Kendra for better answers!

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Great Books for Lent and a What I Wore Sunday

It's that time of year again, when Lent rolls around and we have the inclination or urge, or prompting of the Holy Spirit to read something to challenge us spiritually for Lent.

Obviously it's a good practice, St. Benedict was probably never wrong when it came to this type of thing, and I love reading so I really enjoy the practice of picking some type of spiritual book especially for Lent. But I know it can feel a bit intimidating as well, because there's just so much and we don't want to fail or be bored to death or not understand some heavy piece of spiritual writing. We want to feel recharged, or revitalized, or reencounter our prayer life and relationship with God in a new way.

I've come up with some books that I've read myself and which I thought were the most beneficial in one way or another. I'm giving a short description because I think the Holy Spirit will try and grab us if something jumps out at us, and if it something does jump out at you just go for it, what can you lose?!

The Practice of the Presence of God - This is a great foundational book to the life of prayer that I can't say enough about. It is so simple, beautiful, and short but completely revolutionizes the way you see God and prayer.









 Abandonment to Divine Providence - Another wonderful foundational book that I found really helpful in regards to our view of God's will in our lives and how to live as closely to it as possible as well as living in the moment. The writing is a little more difficult, but it is well worth the read because there are treasures on every page. This was also a very influential work to St. Therese of Lisieux.






Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, Third Edition - Again a great read for anyone! St. Therese's philosophy and spirituality really is a game changer for anyone at any stage of their spiritual journey. I have to admit I went into reading this initially a little skeptical, and thought St. Therese would only apply to the very, very seriously spiritual. But not so - a simply amazing book.





Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter - A book of writings by Catherine Doherty on the meaning of Lent leading into the Easter season. Catherine had a very unique yet mystical view of the liturgical seasons and any reading of her writings will add so much to your understanding of Lent in the broader context of the worldwide Church, while at the same time challenging your own heart in many ways. This is also a good introduction to different themes that Catherine wrote much one. Very short, easy to read meditations for a weekly basis if I remember correctly.




  

Pope Emeritus Benedict wrote so much that there is a huge wealth of his knowledge to read, probably enough to last any of us a lifetime. I've read Journey to Easter: Spiritual Reflections for the Lenten Season, which contained great shorter meditations on Lent specifically. His trilogy on the life of Christ is so insightful and really worth a deep study or 40 days of dedication, more pertinent to Lent is the second book, Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem To The Resurrection. I'm hoping to get to his writing on female saints Holy Women, a collection of various homilies, talks, and reflections, this Lent.








If you're looking for a more contemporary, yet still very insightful book about prayer, the struggles of faith and friendship I'd highly recommend Love & Salt: A Spiritual Friendship Shared in Letters. It's an amazingly well written book of letters between two friends, one in the process of conversion and the other deepening her Catholic faith. Very Lent-fitting!








This year I'm also reading Lent and Easter Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton because I clearly can't get enough Chesterton. But really, I thought this would be a little lighter and it is a daily devotional which shouldn't take too much out of me, but will hopefully get accomplished everyday. This book comes from a series about Lent and Easter with compilations by tons of amazing saints and spiritual writers, if you've got another favourite you'd like to journey with through Lent this might be a series to look into.

And now for a bonus outfit! 

The temperature when we got to Mass last night was -25 C. On March 1. All ye abandon hope for every wearing a skirt again! Since our old, old church also has an indoor temperature in the single digits it was a chilly Mass. But this is what I mustered!

Can we talk about the half-tucked-in-shirt look for a second? Because I tired it with this outfit and it was a miserable fail. For the record.

I'm also working on not looking so short in photos, but impossible!

Happy Sunday, and visit the rest of the best dressed at FLAP.

And look at that...7 Posts in 7 Days! Major Accomplishment! 

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Dressing for the Stay at Home Mom: The Rule of 3

 

Happy Monday everyone! Today the wonderful Jenna of Call Her Happy is over for a visit! We had a little post swap and she was nice enough to post something I wrote on her snazzy blog, but I'm even more excited that she's at my blog abode today.  She's one wonderful blogger and mom who writes on a great mix of everything that should be in everyone's top reads. I think we'd all like to go out for coffee with her, right? 




Ever since I started reading Laura's series on Style & the SAHM, I've been inspired to get my act together, and by act, I mean my wardrobe. I have SO MANY clothes. But, you know what? I never wear them. It's the same faves day in and day out.

So, I set out to do two things:

1. Pare down my wardrobe so I only own things I will wear

2. Wear them!

Let's talk about the second part of that since Laura did a swell job with the first.

Why Should I Bother?

You're probably all too familiar with the fact that staying at home can be so isolating. I don't have to see a single person besides my kids and husband for weeks on end if I choose. And, if I'm not seeing people, then obviously I can - say it with me - sit in my pajamas all day! And, I've done that. I still do that sometimes. But. But, it's not as much about style as it is about feeling good. Dressing makes me more productive and motivated during the day. I am much more likely to get out of the house, run a few errands, or heck, just get off the couch, if I am not slobbing around. I might even go as far as to say that dressing in real clothes while staying at home is good for my marriage and my kids. Mike reallllly doesn't care what I look like or what the house looks like when he gets home. I love him for that. But, I like it better when I look like I have things together when he gets home (even though I totally do not). And the kids? I may or may not let them wear the same outfit three days (or more) in a row for the sake of my sanity, but...teaching them about good habits and hygiene and yada yada stuff like that.

Saving Things for a Special Occasion

And I know. I know. You're saying, "Jenna, I change my underwear and brush my teeth. What else do you want?" You're preaching to the choir. I do that all the time. But, it doesn't mean that putting in a little effort doesn't go a long way on the days that I do. If you tell yourself you're going to save your cute outfits for a special occasion (like grocery shopping), you'll never wear them. Staying at home is the definition of Not a Special Occasion. It is monotonous life. But, the work you do is amazing and wonderful and important, so dress for it. And the days you don't? Take it easy on yourself, alright?

The Rule of 3

After that inspiring speech, let's take a look at my wardrobe this past week. I like to dress by the Rule of 3 - just made that up: pants + top + something else. Something else can be a scarf, a chunky necklace, a cardigan, a vest, another layer on top, or a child strapped to you. Three just looks like an outfit. It looks pulled together.



 


And because I stay at home, I don't have the luxury of a professional photographer. I just get my choice between a 2yo and a mirror. Mirror it is. So, here is a closer look of things I wear most often. These images are pretty darn similar to my very own.

sahm by callherhappy featuring tall jeans

tall riding boots - Aztec leggings - moccasins - oversized hoodie - plain t-shirts - dark wash skinnies - cardigans - puffy vest - magenta scarf - gold studs - equestrian jewelry - big bag to throw my junk in

I get a lot of my clothes on sale or from Twice. So, go out and buy yourself something affordable and nice today, and wear it! You'll feel better. Pinky promise.

 .

Call her Jenna. Call her your daily dose of Catholic living. Call her mom. Call her funny, approachable, curious and a lover of beautiful things. Call her what you will, but always Call Her Happy. Find Jenna on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Bloglovin'.

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The Freedom of Home :: Weekends with G.K.C

I've finally gotten around to joining Sarah for a link up of one of my favourite things -- G.K. Chesterton! 

This quote from G.K's book of essays The Thing is the quote the epitomizes his philosophy of the home. And really, if this epitomizes Chesterton's thought on the importance of the home, then it perfectly encapsulates his philosophy of, well, everything.

It's also a quote that is truer now than when he wrote it almost 100 years ago. 

G.K. goes on to talk about how the world is good at imposing it's will upon the individual as soon as we step out our door. Laws tell us what we have to adhere to, what we can buy, what we can eat. Jobs control how we speak, how we spend our time, even our uniform of what we wear. Society at large becomes massive, impersonal, and uncaring. All these evils are only counteracted in one place; the home. 

Home is where we can be blissfully and wonderfully unique, original, even weird. We can use our time as we will, pursuing the interests and passions that make us happiest, loving those whom we love the most. It is where true freedom is experienced and enjoyed. 

This truth is one that we acknowledge in the depths of our souls but it is also one that seems easy to forget. It can feel awfully hard to see freedom and liberty under piles of laundry, dirty dishes, meals to cook, children to love and clean. But I think it is in continuing to strive for the ideal that we'll become the happiest we can be especially in our vocation as stay at home moms.

Happy Sunday!

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Grey January Days

Oh, thats right...now I remember what January feels like.

I do believe I've already hit the January wall and its only January 8.

January is such a perfect storm. The Christmas come-down, the deep cold, the lack of light, the far away feeling of spring and warmth, the disappearance of big events to look forward to on the calendar, the bitter cold...oh wait...I said that already...I think it all adds up to putting me in a giant winter malaise.

Yesterday turned out to be a perfectly rotten day even when it had gotten off to such a promising start. We were up and running again at a decent time, school work got accomplished, dishes were washed, but somehow by 2 in the afternoon I was completely done. Done with the disciplining, the asking people to listen 500 times, the talking, the noise, the questions every five minutes, done. Done, done, done.

I pretty much lost it, I stormed out of my mom's house and put everyone to bed, unkind words were said, frustration won out. Then of course came the spiralling out of control of my thoughts. I start wondering if I have deep-seated unhappiness, if I'm doing everything wrong, if I'm living the wrong life, if we're living in the wrong place, if I'm drastically off-base in my daily routine. Then, a skewed look at reality; I've got five babies all under the age of reason and its impossible to go anywhere. Not only is it a million degrees below freezing out and requires hours of effort to get us all out the door by myself, but two of them can't walk on their own and/or need to be constantly supervised, the others need what feels like constant discipline and correction and guidance, and where would we even go? We live so far from civilization and/or real friends it becomes a day trip going out for a few hours. And let's not forget the baby who's still nursing.

One thing I'm not good at is imagining any other stage than the one me and my kids are currently in right this second. Maybe I'm just not goal oriented enough, or imaginative enough, or hopeful enough, but I can't possibly imagine a time when they'll all be able to dress themselves, or cross the street, or be able to stop fighting with each other for longer than 4 minutes. I mean, sure, eventually they'll become adults and hopefully have learned those things, maybe through some trial and error, and maybe some of them will move away to different cities so that I will no longer hear their bickering, but honestly, I just can't imagine what that would be like!

Then I start to wonder if this can all be solved and all should be solved. Maybe this is a symptom of things I'm doing wrong, of choices we've made that are all wrong. We should move somewhere with people. But that would mean moving away from my parents who are really the only ones I can call on whenever this stuff hits the fan, anytime, day in day out. Sure, friends would be nice, but would I constantly depend on them like my parents? Maybe I'm just way too co-dependent in the first place? Maybe I just need more gumption and energy and just get out of the house more? Even to the play groups nearby with people I have zero things in common with. Would that all be worth it? Would that somehow help me avoid these awful days?

I think I spiral into these crazy thoughts because most of the time I'm fairly even-keeled. Most of the time I don't mind everything even when the tough gets going. I find it very hard to believe that God would want me to completely change my life which 99.9% of the time goes amazingly well because of a couple bad days. I don't think he bullies us into things through discouragement and anxiety and freaking out. Actually in all of my experience of the things which were most certainly what God wanted, they were always there in the back of my mind in times of calmness and regularity.

But it is tough going. It's tough having five kids most of whom are very, very small and very, very dependent. I feel in dangerous stereotype territory when I can't get out of the house. I feel as if I'm right smack dab in the middle of the dreaded and awful life of motherhood that everyone is viciously and steadfastly terrified of and sworn to never have happen to them. The truth is that its not a horrible life but a horrible couple days. The truth of the matter, however, is that this may be my toughest winter. I may have to dig deep and just get through this one alive. This is the winter where I'm going to have a baby, a two year old, a four year old, a five year old and a six year old. By next winter everyone will be a year older and doing completely different things. Hopefully all my children will be independent movers! Maybe a seven year old will be able to help a three year old! Maybe I'll be able to leave them all for more than two hours! Maybe I'll even have the gift of perspective and marvel at my own survival skills - that is, if I make it out of this one alive.



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Because having kids gives you a sense of humour...

I'm guest posting at the wonderful Jenna's place today!

Jenna was sweet enough to let me attempt humour and life with a bunch of kids. I hope I was at least middlingly successful!

I have a party trick. It goes a little like this:

I’ll be having a casual conversation with a stranger. Maybe someone at a kid’s event, a cashier at Costco, a new hairdresser, those strangers you meet throughout your not too exciting day of running errands and the like who are friendly enough to strike up the conversation train. We’ll be chit-chatting about the weather, or the roads, or hockey, or Arcade Fire and then somehow get around to kids. Maybe they’re already a grandparent, or a new mom, or someone with older kids and I’ll mention that my girl/boy/baby/toddler did something similar or worse (usually worse) and how wonderful/horrifying/embarrassing/exhausting it was. We’ll share a little moment of kid bonding and sometimes they’ll say “Oh, so you have two kids then. The six year old and the six month old?” At which point I’ll drop the bomb – “Actually, I’ve got five kids.”

Go visit Call Her Happy to read the whole thing!

I'm sure you all read Call Her Happy already, because its such a great place for all things Catholic, and mom, and funny, and honest, but if you don't already do go over and read, read, read! In my mind my blog is a cool as hers, in reality not so much!

And to you all clicking over from Jenna's for the first time: Thanks for coming by and I hope you stay a while - its great to meet you!

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Happy Advent and A Sunday Outfit

Happy Advent!

It feels so exciting to have Advent here. No more prepping for the prepping, we can just live Advent now.

Here way up north, the days are very short and the nights oh-so long which makes the world waiting in darkness aspect of Advent very apt. When you feel as if you're living half your life during the night you notice how needed the light is. But the darkness begins to feel eerily magical and anticipatory when Advent begins...

Last night we went to Mass for the First Sunday of Advent in the dark and returned in the dark. So please forgive my dark photos!

(I know....you all think I use What I Wore Sunday as "Weird Face Practice" and I'm beginning to think the same thing. But I'm going to stick with blaming the photographer. I also staged these shots to include that laundry on the floor...to draw in more random google searches for "messy fashion models homes" because thats where the money really is.)

The cute grey cotton jersey dress with sequin peter-pan collar was generously given to me by eShakti for an honest review. I sent in my custom measurements and poof! this fun dress arrived made for moi. I don't know about you but every since having those bambinos it's be extra tough to find dresses that fit. Usually a certain half of the body is now grossly out of proportion with the cute dress sizes I find on the rack and it gets maddening after a while. But this dress fits like a glove, and its nice midi-length feels so nice on these blustery and cold winter evenings where tights don't quite cut it. I'm really impressed with the dress's quality in comparison with its relatively reasonable price. And it was so hard to choose because their great selection makes you wonder at a lot of different dress possibilities! Right now they're having a great 35% off sale which I'd highly recommend you take advantage of - they even ship to Canada for a reasonable amount! 

I'm wearing my little booties in these photos because that's what I wore to Mass, but I think the dress looks cuter with my wedges, its just that it was really cold and I can wear a pair of socks inside the booties without anyone knowing. Except you, of course.

Now, off to find my Advent wreath! I hope you all have a blessed and restful first Sunday of Advent!

And I was just looking at my past advent posts in case you are looking for more Advent reading:

G.K. Chesterton and How to Celebrate Christmas - G.K. always sets you about looking at things in a new and wonderful way and he really loved Christmas

The Beauty of Advent Music - Give Advent music a try, cmon please!

Advent and Waiting - Written by me as a very, very, preggo lady.

And I just noticed that all my pictures from my Ugly Advent Wreath round-up aren't loading which is a tragedy! So I may have to post again this week with an updated version - except to counteract the ugly, maybe we should simultaneously have an Advent wreath link-up too? That way I don't feel so bad making fun of the ugly ones...

As usual I'm linking with the wonderful FLAP ladies - you should too!

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What I Wore Sunday - November edition

Hope you're all having a blessed couple of holy days!

This whole extra hour of sleep last night was also a pleasant little surprise...of course that is, if that extra hour involved sleeping by the small people in your home...but I digress.

I thought I'd just pop in with a little What I Wore Sunday contribution because I was wearing new boots. And basically that's all the impetus I need to get back on the bandwagon!

My husband said of my clothing: "Hey, I don't even mind that outfit."

I was breaking out the blazer and pants because we're beginning the great season of "Mass in the Dark" and things are getting chillier around here. 

I broke out cords, a jacket, and striped shirt. Hopefully an ok combo that doesn't quite say "job interview" or "mom who gets out once a week". Both things I'm trying not to project to the 15 people at Mass, but then again one of those statements is true. And the little boots are new and I still kinda feel like a dork wearing them.

We're off to enjoy the first snow of the season...and by enjoy I mean begrudgingly make the kids go outside. 

Enjoy your Sunday by visiting the fashionistas at Fine Linen and Purple!

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Happy Sunday Lovelies...

Today I'm absolutely chuffed to be guest hosting for the fabulous, fashionable ladies at Fine Linen and Purple!

Do come say hi and link up the cute outfit you're wearing to Mass today so we can all celebrate fall fashion with its wonderful sweaters, boots, jackets, knits, and darker colours; because Autumn really is the greatest season of the year for clothes!

And I'm already feeling fantastically embarrassed by my "fashion" pictures...

I wonder why?

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A day late, and a full skirt-length short...

I'm back-cause I'm wearing a skirt!

Ok everyone, let's all collectively try to believe that the "midi" skirt length works on me.

And I even went all out with a pleated midi skirt. I'm not quite sure if I can pull off this trend because it makes me feel even shorter than I am but I guess thats what heels, or in my case very stable wedges, are for. I feel like this outfit still needed "something", maybe a better necklace or lack of belt. But I'm just starting on this midi train, it might take some practice. Of course I'm also implementing my tried and true fashion version of "put a bird on it" with "put chambray on it". I really like chambray because they go with everything. And I clearly love me a colourful skirt so they're perfect.

I got this skirt from a giveaway I won from Hallie so its officially awesome.

The chillin's were fairly good in Mass.

Nora-great, even lasted the whole of Mass with a mini explosion in her pants yet didn't get it on mom's wwis outfit, so double points!

Max-a solid F for failing, flailing, and wailing. And throwing daddy's wallet a good two pews away.

Luke-actually not a bad Mass for him, almost fell asleep on the floor during the after Mass reading of a letter from the Bishop

Dom-not excellent, made a piano out of hymnals on the kneeler 

Gemma-coerced into said piano playing, but stood up and said the Creed and Our Father so I let it slide.

So there we have it. A riveting wrap-up, go visit FLAP ladies for better fashion efforts, and Grace for better kids! 

wiws-I'm still alive!

So its been months since I've linked up with the FLAP ladies, I fell off the wagon to have a baby and then spared everyone my postpartum "outfits".

I  called those postpartum outfits "dark sack #1" and "dark sack #2". But yesterday I actually went to a little effort for Mass and thought I should at least document all that effort!

I think this could be my worst photo shoot ever. 

But it was a beautiful, post rainy day night.

And I had a beer.

See? I'm a terrible model. Thank goodness there were no close-ups.

And I definitely coulda used some heels but instead opted for the leopard print flats because they're uber-comfy and for some reason I still haven't mastered carrying a horrible baby car seat in anything else but flats...geezz Christy...five babies and you still haven't figured that out??!!

I look much more tipsy than I really was.

Do I think this outfit would be much better if I was 10-15 lbs of pregnancy weight free? Most definitely. But life is also too short to keep wearing dark sacks post preggo. 

Happy Trinity Sunday everyone! One of my favourite feasts, I think because I just love the mystery of the Trinity. Still completely mysterious to me and I've sat through quite a few theology classes on it. But I like that, I like knowing I'll never really get it. I like knowing God is a trinity of persons! 

This was my first Sunday back at the helm of doing music at Mass once again. The husband gets an A for effort with keeping 5 kids in line while I'm at the organ. We somewhat joke about the fact that we need to put five-point harnesses in our pew to keep our kids in line. Max only escaped the pew once and shot across the front of the church to St. Joseph. Nora slept thank goodness. And the other three only fought a menial amount of times. So that was all probably one giant miracle.