A Marathon.

Today is Wednesday. 

I am sure you're a rational and normal human who already remembered that. So don't worry. This reminder is for me. 

Last week it was C's tech week for his show. Late nights for him. And for me as the driver. Also, last Wednesday we had our final Faith Night at church. So that's where this story begins. 

M gave her speech for BizTown Mayor.

That evening, we stayed late at church and talked about the Holy Spirit. 

Thursday was the election, and she did not win. The disappointment was hard. But a good learning experience. 

Thursday, I also spent some time marveling at the Easter candle, which I believe may be the prettiest candle we've ever had. This picture isn't great, but it's a Marian rosary. Also, bear in mind I am a sucker for blue. 

Friday was C's opening night! But before that, I got to go to a second show... the 4-year-old preschool program to see my favorite Goddaughter. Who is a natural on stage, let me tell you! 

You know how Olympian parents are fun to watch because they get just as stressed out? I was fine on Friday night because I didn't know what to expect. 

Saturday morning was our First Communion Retreat. I got to work at 7:00 to get that set up. 

And then, due to all the things going on, I got to stay at work when it ended at noon for about 4 hours to get everything else ready. 

By the time I could leave, we had time to eat some frozen pizza and salad and take C to the theater. There was time to kill, so Husband and I sat in the car and finished some of the work I had. (Sticking stickers on packets. And stickers on cards.)

Saturday night, C had quite the crowd to support him. Teachers (and a teacher's daughter). 

My parents and brother. 

Husband's dad and his brother's family. 

I was there too. I was much more of an Olympic parent, though, on Saturday after seeing it once. It's nerve-racking! 

Sunday, we got up early even though we had a late night before, because we went to the 7:15 Mass. It's a very efficient Mass you see, and we had a lot to accomplish. 

We left church and went straight to Flipps for some pancakes with my parents and brother before they left town. 

Then we went home and let C rest up a bit before his next show. M and Husband went to hang out with his family. 

I took C to the show and then ended up taking a nap in my car. I was reading but kept drifting and decided to just own in. I leaned my seat back, set an alarm and slept! 

Sunday's show was lovely. He had 2 friends from school come. (And some other people as well who either didn't stay to see him or didn't get their picture taken.) 

These are some of the publicity pictures I was given access to. I promise I didn't take pictures during the show. 

I am not even lying when I tell you that even though I am so biased, the show is truly so lovely. And C and Abby, the young gal who plays Mary, absolutely just steal the show. It even says so in their review. 

I got C home and went back to work because we had a Confirmation Large Group night. Of course! I didn't take any pictures of that. 

Monday morning came far too quickly for my liking, and with it came the 7th-grade retreat. Which you know, what? Overall went really well! We took them off campus to the cathedral because they have a very nice set up. 

We had some great high schoolers give some lovely talks. 

And each group had an adult who was not one of their teachers and a high schooler leading their conversation. 

I was in charge of food and keeping people on track. Since this was C's class and I have known most of these kids since preschool, there wasn't a whole lot I was going to bring to the table. 

Some of the feedback from the kids was so positive. "Can it be longer?" "Can we do another retreat?" 

I mean... that's really something. 

After school on Monday, C had student council, and next year he will be the student council president! Then I rushed him to his choir practice, and finally we were home for the night! I slept like a rock. 

Yesterday it was Tuesday. You might be imagining I took the day off because I had to have been over hours will all of the things. I was actually significantly over hours, but there was the worst meeting of the year to get to. The calendar meeting. 

It was long. And we always discover problems. But good news... we have actual leaves growing on our tree. 

And M was quite funny with her personality. Taking selfies is her favorite. 

And now here we are. It's Wednesday again. 

Gearing up for C's second weekend of his show. 

And that is what we have been up to. 

Things I Am Done Apologizing For

Have you seen the videos of the lady who says, "Welcome to the We Do Not Care Club"? 

She's a hoot. Look her up. 

Here is my own version with the 3 things I am no longer apologizing for caring or not caring about: 

1. Lucky Charms are delicious. If you had asked me what my favorite cereal was, I would have tried to say something fancy and adult. But why am I lying? I love Lucky Charms. I do. I like the oaty balanced with the marshmallows and milk. (But eating those marshmallows plain would not work for me.) So Lucky Charms is my favorite cereal. I am declaring it. And I am not sorry.

2. I don’t like basketball. I am so happy for all you March Madness fans. I know that this was your Super Bowl or whatever. And I did make a bracket, but only because my internet provider gives away a free month of internet to the winner; shockingly, I’ve never won. 

But I don’t care what team wins. I don’t care about upsets or even “underdogs.” (They’re already playing good collegiate basketball, which makes them better than all the players who didn’t even get to go to big universities to play ball. Show me a tiny D3 school win and we can talk about underdogs.) Please don’t make me watch the squeaky shoes and the back-and-forth. It gives me a headache. It’s just like an hour of the same thing over and over and over again. I do not want to go with you to a game or even go to a sports bar where the sport is on. No, thank you.

3. School Moon Journals are from the devil. I know that we don’t trust the internet. I get it. And I am a parent who backs up teachers 97% of the time. But we do a stupid moon journal in 1st grade. And 5th grade. And 7th grade. The moon. The internet can show you what the moon will look like for whatever specific date, years and years into the future. But let’s keep kids awake so they can jot down what the moon looks like tonight? Yeah no. 

The amount of stress this has caused my 5th and 7th-graders is insane.

"I can't write, it's too cloudy again." I cannot move the clouds for you. Go ahead and write that down.

"What do you mean the moon isn't visible until late?" That's what time the moonrise is. I can't solve it.

Why do I have 2 different moon journals going? Did you know the moonrise today isn’t until 1:38 am? But I am supposed to just “wake them up quick to look at the moon.” We will not be doing that. 

This morning, I found C wandering around the yard at 6:30 am trying to find the moon. I love that he cares, but I do not, and the whole thing is dumb. How is your teacher going to know if you actually observed the moon or just looked it up online?! Who cares?! Why do we keep doing moon journals?!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter! 

My Holy Thursday started with the middle school seder meal. I always go early and help with the setup. 

I am honestly only comfortable with this because it is so wildly unauthentic. I am not a fan of seders that feel too Jewish, as we are not Jewish, and I have read accounts where those of that faith background feel like it's appropriation. 

The middle school version feels much more like learning how the Seder became the Last Supper and how much it parallels the Mass. 

Then that afternoon, I went to the Live Stations of the Cross put on by the 6th grade. Jesus, is a family friend and actually is at my Seder Table. (The way it works is you get the same kids for all 3 years. I will miss my 8th-grade girls very much, but it was nice to get some fun 6th-grade boys.) 

Our Triduum started with a bang. It was severe thunderstorming and tornadoing all over our area. We left C's voice lesson with just a wall of black clouds behind us and sunshine ahead. Luckily, we drove towards the sun. 

Was I impatient at every red light? Yes. Yes, I was. I luckily got C to the theater safely and without incident. Then made it back across the bridge and to the church, where I planned to celebrate Holy Thursday before it started really getting going. I was so relieved. 

It was a very light crowd at that Mass because of the weather. We, M, Husband and I, were asked to bring up the gifts. I even said "oh we aren't parishioners" and they said "we know" and there it was. The Universal church churching. Community is community after all. 

M and Husband went home/to the theater to wait for C. 

I stayed and waited for my friend so we could 7 Churches. 

We actually just did 5 churches. I am sure Jesus isn't mad. I was very hungry since I never had dinner and knew if I didn't stop and go home to eat before it was Friday (and a fast day), the next day would be miserable indeed. 

We met our friend at the last church we were at. 

How blessed to pray with Jesus and see friends. 

Good Friday was good. In the way that it is. Quiet. 

Husband wasn't feeling well, he actually came home from work and went right to sleep so we decided not to venture out for a service as we had planned. Sometimes uniting our suffering to Jesus looks different every year. 

Saturday was also quiet. 

We made our traditional bunny butt cookies.

And took naps before the Vigil. Several hours later, we were waiting in darkness. I do not remember taking this picture... 

And several hours after that... it was Easter! 

Then we went home, put kids to bed, and got baskets set out. 

And then we crashed. 

Before waking up to look at baskets and eat a breakfast while watching "It's the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown" 

Then we headed off to do Mass again. (Because different readings and different music!) 

And it was a delightful, low-key day with a ham dinner. And I love a ham dinner. 

And that was that. Happy Easter! 

Happy Holy Week

Popping in on Wednesday to wish you all a Happy Holy Week. 

Today is my friend's dad's funeral. It's at neighboring church A. As it happens, I was in the process of scheduling a meeting with that church and neighboring church B, and it was meant to be this morning at Church B. 

Once the funeral was scheduled, we moved the meeting to church A to directly follow the funeral. So two birds, one stone, and a bright spot after sadness. That's how the Lord works, surely. 

Here are some things that made me laugh this week: 

Some book humor for you. I have been back into reading a lot this year, and it has brought me a lot of peace. I think it's a sign of wellness for me: if I am not reading or have a desire to read, I need to take a good, hard look at myself. 

We've also been preparing for M's BizTown Mayoral election: 

The last name really lends itself to a campaign slogan. Her speech is written, and it's pretty good. Pretty much every single friend she has is running for mayor, so I don't know what her chances are. BUT, M has great pull with the boys because she's just one of those kids who's friends with everyone. It's also 4th and 5th grade, and she has been working the 4th-grade angle pretty hard. There are no 4th-grade girls running, so she's been talking with them during recess. Whatever the outcome, I am proud. 

We will know by next week! 

Spending a lot of time at the Theatre this week and next. They added the pit orchestra, and it sounds just lovely. Wish I could capture that... I will try. 

And as we prepare for the Triduum, I am holding true to what I said last year, and I am fully jumping ship on my own parish. 

Though we will be back for Easter Sunday. 

See you on the other side! 

Oh What a Week

This week was busy. 

It started with Monday rosary as it usually does. 

Tuesday, this made me laugh. 

Wednesday was exhausting as 51 second graders painted their chalices. Well, 50 second graders and our priest. 

Thursday brought a busy day with work, straight to voice lessons, straight to rehearsal. 

The show really seems to be coming together and it sounds lovely from the lobby. C is rocking it! We are so proud! 

Friday. Today. 

My friend J had her naturalization ceremony and is now a US Citizen! 

It was such a lovely time to see the whole ceremony, and I love those little boys of hers so much! 

And in another act of friendship, I met some friends of mine at the hospital. We prayed a Divine Mercy Chaplet, our other friend's favorite. 

And while we were in the hospital chapel praying, our sweet friend's dad was passing from this world. What Holy Spirit timing. I am so glad we were there to pray and give her a hug in person when she was ready. 

Life is really something. Joys and sorrows co-exsisting. 

Much like this Holy Week we are about to embark on. 

Back At It

So, because the weather couldn't make up its mind, we started Spring Break with an actual Blizzard warning and ended it with a record high 83-degree day on Saturday. (Yes, Sunday was still a break... but since it was a school night, I am not counting it.) 

We made the best of it by having a bonfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner. 

Truly... I took no other pictures of Spring Break. 

I had to work Thursday and Friday. M went to camp at the museum with Husband. C stayed home and ate a lot of Girl Scout Cookies didn't do much. 

Saturday we sort've tried to redeem the break a tiny bit. We went to Hobby Lobby to get a needle and thread, so Husband could hem a jumper for M. 

**M only has one quarter left of wearing jumpers as they switch to skirts in middle school. But her current jumpers are too small both in the waist AND length, and there was no way they were going to make it to May. So I bought a big jumper because I have friends who turn jumpers into skirts, and that works great. Only M lost her mind because the jumper was "too big," which means long. So we hemmed it. And she's going to live in the one jumper for a quarter because I sure as heck wasn't buying more than one.**

We got the hemming supplies quickly but stayed to browse until it started getting too crowded for my liking and giving me a rash. 

Too many people do that to me sometimes. 

Then we went next door to Dick's House of Sport to get M some new shorts. Nike shorts are the BIGGEST racket. And we were browsing there until a whole bunch of kids in uniforms started showing up from their fields, and then that also gave me a rash. 

Also at checkout, Dick's asked me if I wanted to "Round Up for Youth Sports" and I have literally never wanted to give money to something less. It's a $40 billion industry. They don't need my extra 17 cents. 

To be clear: I am all about sports in terms of teamwork, sportsmanship, and being healthy. I am less interested in sports in terms of competitions, travel games, $$$ equipment, and matching bags/shoes/hats/jackets. 

Then we went to lunch where Husband noticed a business called YinzBinz nearby. 

Apparently, it is a warehouse full of bins (hence the name) of people's random Amazon returns. So it's like a treasure hunt. 

On Saturday, it's restock day, and all items are $9, and the price goes down daily to 99 cents on Friday. 

Here's how I describe it: 

• 45% horrifying
• 45% facinating
• 5% thrill of the hunt
• 5% gross 

We had no idea what we were doing. We needed an app just to walk in. There were so many random things. One could score a really good deal there, though. And the re-seller people were loading like actual wagons full of stuff out of there. We got one item for Husband at work that he was truly going to be buying anyway because $9 was cheaper by a lot. And then they gave me a bonus $5 for using the app for the first time so it was actually $4. 

Anyway... that was Saturday. (Followed by the bonfire at night of course.) 

It was a less-than-remarkable Spring Break on many levels. Ah well. That happens. 

And here we are back at it! 

Like a Phoenix...

On Friday night, after the show, we went to the opening of the Kalidescope Exhibit. 

And by Saturday in the wee hours of the morning, the 5th-grade tummy bug finally caught up with us. 

Sunday came in with a new victim falling. 

Monday, the remaining two were taken down. And we got a blizzard. So that's cool. 

Here's the thing: Husband was meant to be on a business trip this week. And then they decided not to go because of the blizzard. Did we get an extra few days of fun? No. Because we were dying. 

But we are rising from the ashes as better people with a lot of clean laundry and a very clean bathroom, so... there's that. Has it been the LAMEST spring break on record? 

Yes. Yes it has. I was meant to take 3 days off to do fun things with the kids. Ha. Well... good thing it's Spring Break anyway, and we didn't miss school or even work. Convenient. 

Anyway... that's been our start to the week!