May!

 Happy Cinco De Mayo! Crazy that we are already 5 days into this lusty month of May. 

We started this month off with C's track meet. He did a track program through the Catholic High School for students in 3-8th. It's basically to be a training feeder program. But C has enjoyed running this past year so we thought we'd give it a whirl. 

Here are my takeaways: track meets are boring. (It was May 1 and very cold and windy, which may have had something to do with it.) 

This is my little guy running the 400m. He was the only boy in his age range who opted to run it so he actually ran with two 8th graders and they were obviously quite far ahead of him. One of the high school track guys ran part of it in the infield with him to encourage him which I really appreciated. 

To C's credit he ran the entire time. No walking, skipping or anything. Just focused and running. I was proud. I have no idea what his actual time was but it doesn't matter. He got his tee shirt and was very happy. I think ultimately, he will become a cross country runner over track, but what do I know?! He surprises me often. 

In other news M's class got to lead Mass yesterday. This was a big deal because they were the first first graders to lead since the 2018/2019 school year. 

C's first grade year they did 4th quarter, when they would have led, at home. 

C's second grade year they didn't have all school Masses with classes leading. 

And now we are in this school year, and both kids got to lead their masses for the first time. My heart is happy. 

Anyway, M had an intention during the prayers of the faithful. "For every child, that they will know God loves them, we pray." 

They also did a special song at the end of Mass. 

It was so wonderful! I was proud and I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. Their little voices leading the music? I mean, it really doesn't get any better. 

The big question over here is will there be soccer on Saturday? At the beginning of March we had a big storm and it destroyed all the soccer goals at our town's soccer complex. Like everything these days the were backordered and so the season was pushed back from starting April 2 to April 23. 

Well it's been so rainy that the field conditions are terrible and the last 2 weeks worth of games was cancelled. They haven't even played a game yet! 

Only thing is it's supposed to rain today and tomorrow. Saturday itself is supposed to be nice but if the field is mush... well we will see. This weekend is supposed to be pictures. (Rescheduled for the third time.) AND a a previously scheduled double header. 

I am torn between wanting M to play, not deal with the tears of disappointment and the utterly enjoyment of NOT actually having to go out to the complex for games. 

So Happy May! 

What's Up Wednesday: End of April

Last Thursday, I embarked on my girl's weekend in Wisconsin. And it was glorious. 

I mean seriously. Look at this gorgeousness?!

I always come back refreshed. Husband held down the fort masterfully. 

They even made these Minion Twinkie cakes. C had created a "recipe" for them and was very excited about it. So they went to Michael's, got the supplies and made them. C was absolutely delighted. 

I missed Husband's birthday as I do. But we went out to dinner as a family last night to make up for it. And guess what they had?! 

My purple coconut cake cider! 

I never thought I'd get it again. But I was not sad that I did! 

So that's the story here in Iowa. I hope you're having a good day!

 

Random Wednesday Roundup

 Lately, my boss has been rocking a little Easter Egg of a rental car. She typically drives a massive Yukon so this is quite the change. It's SO bright and little.

I had Husband make her this when she first got the car. Still makes me laugh now. Though I am going to miss the literal bright spot it's been out my window! 

Throwing it back to Wordle of Palm Sunday, I was quite proud of this one: 

Except here's the thing, BLACK has been my go to "A" in the middle word for a while and now I will have to come up with a new one!!

On Easter Monday, while I worked, the kids got to hang with Husband and they had a fancy lunch at Costco. 

M also had an eye appointment on Monday. I was convinced she was coming out with glasses but apparently not? Clearly I am not an ophthalmologist. But I am happy her eyes are healthy. She had to be dilated and it took over 24 hours for it to wear off. She was frustrated by that, my little arts and crafts girl just wanted to draw! 

This made me laugh out loud.

 

Turns out that Husband LOVES grapefruit and I am not a big fan of chips myself, but the sentiment was funny. 

Anyway, we're just dancing through life over here in the Easter season. I am hoping that the actual warmer weather we're anticipating will stick around for a few days but time will tell. 

Spring really is my least favorite. At least with Winter you just know it's going to be cold and gross. Spring... needs to get it together. Is it going to rain? Sleet or snow? Be 75 and sunny? Windy as heck? Yes, to all of the above? 

Well whatever version of Spring you're experiencing, I hope your Wednesday is lovely! 

Easter 2022

 Happy Easter! Ours was lovely and spent well. My parents and brother came down for a visit.

My brother "babysat" (hung out at my house while my kids slept) so Husband and I could go on a little Easter Vigil Date. 

We had a lovely time on Easter morning. My favorite music team gave their swan song and I cried only a little. I love Easter so much! 

We decorated Eggs. They were just as much fun this year as last! Even my parents and brother who haven't colored eggs in years thought it was a hoot! 

We also made our traditional Bunny Butt Cookies. Because traditions. 

And we had a marvelous time. Happy Easter!

And Just Like That It's Holy Week

 

We has a busy weekend, Husband's Grammy turned 90! on Saturday so we went to visit and attend her big party. 

Here is Grammy, all her 4 kids, all her 11 grandkids, a few spouses and most of the 26 great-grands. (21 were there.)

We headed home Saturday evening to get ready for Holy Week. I am sponsoring an RCIA Candidate and so Palm Sunday was spent on a retreat. 

We were given a half hour to go journal and pray alone, I headed directly to the sanctuary. I sat near with the baptism font flowing behind me and Jesus in front of me. How thankful I am for the sacraments the holy water and tabernacle represent. 

I admit, I rather reluctantly entered into Lent. So focusing on Holy Week has been really good. I have been meeting with a small group of friends doing a Lent study and we capped off our time together with Adoration last night. So so good. Perfect for this week. 

Enjoy the Triduum and I will see you in the Easter season my friends! 

Wrap Up the Week

 This week felt busy. 

We had Matt Maher on Tuesday which was excellent. I didn't write about my purple cider. 

It's an Ube (hence the purple) Coconut Cake hard cider and it was delightful! 

Wednesday was a BIG day. Husband's work's big food show, the first one Post COVID. I am not articulating all the issues he had, first moving the show from October to April, then navigating all the normal things that come up when planning a big event. Another site had their show last week and the numbers of attendees were dismal. 

But it was SO good. They beat their 2019 numbers even! And for the first time we took the kids out of school to go see what Dad actually does. 

It was so great to both let them see how hard he works, but also to meet so many people who all told them how great their dad is. We are so truly lucky to have him. We are SO proud of him! 

The kids truly enjoyed ALL the samples. 

Oh we ALSO had the class pet this week. In first grade each kid gets to pick one little animal and take it home in a little carrier. Then the student journals about their adventures. 

This is Carol Corn. She enjoyed the food show, especially this big cheeseburger. 

Carol also went shopping, made pasta, and slept in a bed next to Veronica. (The American Girl doll.)

She went to mass, and saw some other first grade friends and went to lunch at Portillo's. 

Carol also joined us for Matt Maher. So it was a fun week. (And I am not even a little sad that the week is over, it's a lot of pressure coming up with some fun things for a stuffed animal to do.) 

Anyway, that's what was up with us. This next Holy Week will be busy too, but also good. 

Lord, I Need You

Last night we were so blessed to support our friend's charity as well as attend a fantastic concert with none other than Matt Maher. 

It was amazing. I am 90% sure Matt was looking right at me. (So would say everyone sitting near me I think.) But truly, we had phenomenal seats and he was directly in my sight line, I just got to stare straight ahead the whole night. 

The only thing he didn't sing that I wished he would have was "Hope For Everyone" which, being an Advent song, I wasn't actually expecting anyway. 

See, whether he was at the piano or standing... he was just right there. 

It was lovely. And hearing my kids sing along to Matt's powerful words was the best.