Well, the kids and I spent an awesome afternoon and evening with our "cousins." Yes, for the first time in 14 years we are actually less than an hour away from relatives...Ricky's dad has a cousin who lives in Youngstown, NY. It's less than an hour from here right on Lake Ontario. The wife of Ricky's dad's cousin (that's a mouth full) invited us up today to swim in their pool with her granddaughter, and later 3 of her kids (she has 4 grown children all around Ricky's age and younger) would come over for a cookout. It was so much fun and Ricky even came over after work and ate and visited. They live in a very beautiful part of WNY... I took the scenic route today, which was very cool, because 1) I avoided those blasted toll roads and 2) I avoided all those crazy NY interstates which at times scare the bajeevas out of me because I've posted how these people drive up here... I swear they have spare cars somewhere...
So the scenic route took me up several small back roads and seriously into Amish country, an Indian Reservation, and about 2 dozen little side of the road stands with all kinds of fresh veggies...man I need to carry cash...
It was beautiful. But the drive home, we thought it would be better if we drove the interstate and of course, there are two seasons in WNY when it comes to the road system, snow season and construction season. I have a hard time driving across a bridge that should have two lanes of traffic flowing the same direction, but instead it has two lanes of traffic driving the opposite direction. FREAKY. Anyway, it took a million years to get home and Ricky got a phone call that he had to go to work. I swear, I think I married a night shift worker...so he's at work again and yes, you read the blog time correctly, it's 11:35 pm. Why am I up? Why not...
So we got home at 10:30pm. Kids are exhausted, but the concrete dude has been here and the extra driveway pad is poured, and my back porch steps are poured, the pad for our future shed is poured and tomorrow they'll pour the patio pad!!!!! And in a week I'll be able to put my table and chairs out back and have dinner on the patio and the next day we'll pack it up for the snow.... Just kidding, but it will seem like that...
I'll try to post some pics of today and the concrete on my next blog-but until than-you sit tight...
Have a very blessed Wednesday and God bless you!!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday Evening...
Things are quieting down here on the home front... laundry is "caught up" not that laundry for 7 people is ever really "caught up" but after being gone a week, it's in a controlled state again. House is straightened up, (yes, I even cleaned like a mad woman the night before we left, but you know what happens after a trip, everything gets dumped right in the middle of the family room), yard mowed, kids cleaned, mom and dad refreshed after finally sleeping in our own bed... (even though we desperately need a new one...any ideas out there?)
So it's Sunday evening and I just LOVE Sunday evenings. We always cook a big family dinner (yea, that term is relative considering the size of us), eat on our fine China (might as well, it's getting no other use) and pray the family Rosary. We offer our prayer intentions for anyone/anything we might be thinking of and tonight, as usual, that stinkin' little G says, "And all those with fires in their homes." I don't know. I personally think she's an absolute loon. I know what this stems from, whenever we pray for anyone we know, or if someone has asked us to pray for them or someone they know, she always distorts the prayer request and for about six months after, her prayers involve some of the most bizarre requests. Tsunami? Yea, for six months we prayed for people who had water in their houses. It's so completely sweet and innocent I love it... too funny... that G.
But tonight Ricky is in the shower because for the umpteenth time this month, he is working a midnite shift. For those of you who know what he does, this is pretty much normal since moving to WNY... I guess in his line of work, you can't really do the stuff he does in broad daylight. People might get suspicious.. but he's helping to protect America and I'll be honest, some of this stuff scares the daylights out of me... so send prayer requests our way any time, day or night...
I hope you have had as blessed a Sunday as we have. I am so blessed beyond what I deserve. Mass this morning was awesome. I can't get enough of it. I am tickled with our new church. Have met some really awesome families, I hope that trend continues...
God bless you. Say a prayer of thanks today. God has blessed you, too.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
We are back!!!
We are back from an incredible whirlwind of a trip... We arrived in Knoxvegas last Saturday and Sunday started the crazy festivities...
Had a birthday party for JT and little ME. They had a ball. Got to play with their cousins for the SECOND time in one season-never happened before!!
Visited my Mamaw who will be 91 next month. She still lives on her own and she is hysterical. I get a kick out of talking to her. We enjoyed our visit.
Had dinner at Ricky's moms. We also got to visit with his Grandfather who will be 98 in October. WOW. He's doing good, but his memory is not as good. He didn't know who we were, but that's OK. He still looked good and to be alive almost a century is truly amazing to me! (what's in HIS Wheaties??)
We went to the GREAT Smoky Mountain National Park and hiked the Chimney Tops. My dear sweet Ricky had asked me to marry him exactly 15 years ago on the day. (And yes, he made me climb all the way to the top). I'm ashamed to say I didn't make it up the rocks to the very top...I'll say that one of us needed to be rational and not climb up a slate of rocks where one false step and you're a gonner...yea, that's what I'll say...
We went to visit my grandmother who is not doing as well as you would think an almost 90 year old should be doing. She has congestive heart failure and she's getting more frail, but I'll tell you, after spending a few hours with her Thursday, you'd never know it... She still lives on her own and gets around fairly well all things considered. She was fun to talk with and catch her up on all my kiddos. I do love my grandmothers.
Friday (yesterday) we spent 12 hours in the car with 5 nutty & sick (4 out of 5 have some nasty sinus issues) kiddos. It was grueling, but we made it. Little G only threw up once. (she gets car sick terribly when we travel). I must look into Dramamine. (or something similar!!!)
So that's it! I'll post some pics!!
Have a great and blessed weekend. Don't forget Church on Sunday.
Had a birthday party for JT and little ME. They had a ball. Got to play with their cousins for the SECOND time in one season-never happened before!!
Visited my Mamaw who will be 91 next month. She still lives on her own and she is hysterical. I get a kick out of talking to her. We enjoyed our visit.
Had dinner at Ricky's moms. We also got to visit with his Grandfather who will be 98 in October. WOW. He's doing good, but his memory is not as good. He didn't know who we were, but that's OK. He still looked good and to be alive almost a century is truly amazing to me! (what's in HIS Wheaties??)
We went to the GREAT Smoky Mountain National Park and hiked the Chimney Tops. My dear sweet Ricky had asked me to marry him exactly 15 years ago on the day. (And yes, he made me climb all the way to the top). I'm ashamed to say I didn't make it up the rocks to the very top...I'll say that one of us needed to be rational and not climb up a slate of rocks where one false step and you're a gonner...yea, that's what I'll say...
We went to visit my grandmother who is not doing as well as you would think an almost 90 year old should be doing. She has congestive heart failure and she's getting more frail, but I'll tell you, after spending a few hours with her Thursday, you'd never know it... She still lives on her own and gets around fairly well all things considered. She was fun to talk with and catch her up on all my kiddos. I do love my grandmothers.
Friday (yesterday) we spent 12 hours in the car with 5 nutty & sick (4 out of 5 have some nasty sinus issues) kiddos. It was grueling, but we made it. Little G only threw up once. (she gets car sick terribly when we travel). I must look into Dramamine. (or something similar!!!)
So that's it! I'll post some pics!!
Have a great and blessed weekend. Don't forget Church on Sunday.
A Pooh Cake for little ME and a Cars cake for JT...
He LOVES the remote control police car...
If you're gonna live up north-you gotta learn how to play hockey... This is the easiest way to learn at this point (before we try the ice version of the game!!)
Yea-Aunt Erin won the "best gift" award. He was so excited. Is listening to it right now, too!
Little ME opening some of her very fun gifts. She hasn't taken the dress up shoes off since we got home...
My most awesome Mamaw and 5 of her great grandchildren.
Grandma Blair! A delicious dinner of ribs, corn on the cob, broccoli and salad... yummmm.
At almost 98, I would say he looks pretty darn good, wouldn't you?? Great Grandpa Burriesci!
The hiking crew about to set out...
The view of the Chimney Tops below...
The view of the Chimney Tops from above...
Cooling off in the water at the Chimney Tops picnic grounds. We had a ball. (not to brag, but I fell in quite gracefully...) ha.
My grandma Grace. She is one awesome lady.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wow! 5 days and counting!
I am on a ROLL here! Five days in a row? I must be doing something good... :)
Today was a great day. The weather was absolutely perfect. Mid-70's (I'm sooooooo very sorry to my friends down in LavaLand, Arkansas who are melting...but up here? WOW. Tonight the low is expected to get in the mid-50's! Isn't that CRAZY? I LOVE it!
But swim lessons this morning were a tad chilly. Poor things. They were shivering and had purple lips. Only little Gi really is effected by it, the others shake it off and keep on swimming, but poor little Gi has to get out and wrap herself up. It's probably because she is just skin and bones...
Little ME played in the wading pool. I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with my BFF (as my children call her) from AR. It was a good day.
Oh, and Ricky came home, too...
That makes any day a spectacular day!
God bless you this weekend. Don't forget to go to church. If you can give everything else in your life a piece of your time, why not worship with others of your faith for 1% of your week? Try it, you might like it.
Blessings to you and yours.
Today was a great day. The weather was absolutely perfect. Mid-70's (I'm sooooooo very sorry to my friends down in LavaLand, Arkansas who are melting...but up here? WOW. Tonight the low is expected to get in the mid-50's! Isn't that CRAZY? I LOVE it!
But swim lessons this morning were a tad chilly. Poor things. They were shivering and had purple lips. Only little Gi really is effected by it, the others shake it off and keep on swimming, but poor little Gi has to get out and wrap herself up. It's probably because she is just skin and bones...
Little ME played in the wading pool. I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with my BFF (as my children call her) from AR. It was a good day.
Oh, and Ricky came home, too...
That makes any day a spectacular day!
God bless you this weekend. Don't forget to go to church. If you can give everything else in your life a piece of your time, why not worship with others of your faith for 1% of your week? Try it, you might like it.
Blessings to you and yours.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Should I or Shouldn't I???
That is the question. This really has been you're lucky week, getting two blogs on Thursday even though the last one was written when it was Wednesday night for me technically.
The question. Should I or shouldn't I.
My 5 children are playing Barbie's and Lego's (yes, didn't know the two went together so well, but when you have one boy in the mix, it can!) and they are having SUCH a wonderful time. They are cooperating, working on math skills, (sorting Lego's), decorating skills (dressing a barbie is decorating in the finest sense), building, laughing, working out issues, BARBIE DOES NOT DO THAT, is a phrase I heard. I'll not worry about it, since they usually run up here pretty quick if it's anything "bad."
But the problem? It's 8:30! It's getting late and Mary really needs to go to bed, and the others need to clean up and wash, brush, and read books, but they are playing SO WELL...
I should end it now before it ends in a disastrous fight. You know how that goes. Kids are playing so nicely together and then WHAM, one slight problem and suddenly chicken little is running like mad because the sky is falling.... "he did this, she said that, I don't like her, she bit me, he lied, she stole that from me..."
You get what I'm saying...
Alrite. The tension is starting to rise a bit in the basement (I am in the office right above where they must be set up because I can hear them perfectly...), so I shall take this opportunity to end the game...
Daddy is coming home tonight!!! YESSSSSSSSS....
God bless you today and always.
The question. Should I or shouldn't I.
My 5 children are playing Barbie's and Lego's (yes, didn't know the two went together so well, but when you have one boy in the mix, it can!) and they are having SUCH a wonderful time. They are cooperating, working on math skills, (sorting Lego's), decorating skills (dressing a barbie is decorating in the finest sense), building, laughing, working out issues, BARBIE DOES NOT DO THAT, is a phrase I heard. I'll not worry about it, since they usually run up here pretty quick if it's anything "bad."
But the problem? It's 8:30! It's getting late and Mary really needs to go to bed, and the others need to clean up and wash, brush, and read books, but they are playing SO WELL...
I should end it now before it ends in a disastrous fight. You know how that goes. Kids are playing so nicely together and then WHAM, one slight problem and suddenly chicken little is running like mad because the sky is falling.... "he did this, she said that, I don't like her, she bit me, he lied, she stole that from me..."
You get what I'm saying...
Alrite. The tension is starting to rise a bit in the basement (I am in the office right above where they must be set up because I can hear them perfectly...), so I shall take this opportunity to end the game...
Daddy is coming home tonight!!! YESSSSSSSSS....
God bless you today and always.
Why is it...
It's 12:30 Thursday morning. I have been visiting with my neighbor across the street on my front porch until the wee hours with a few glasses of wine. So when I say, please don't reply hatefully to the post, I mean it. But I was glancing over my facebook page (why did I create a new page? It really stresses me out, but for some reason, it's like I'm afraid of missing out on something), I found a post from someone that posted-Way to go California. Prop 8 sucked.
Ok, call me an idiot. But didn't the people of California vote for prop 8? I mean, seriously, what is an election for if you can't vote, and then have all the votes counted and then have someone (judge) over turn the vote?
I'm sooooooooooooooo sorry, but marriage has been defined long before all the crazies in the western world decided to delve their little hands into it, as a union between man and woman. It's a sacrament in the Catholic church to be taken very seriously. I don't understand how you can look at the definition of marriage as a sacrament and think otherwise.
I'm not a homophobe. That word is actually made up. There is no such word as homophobe Someone made it up and gave it a meaning. I guess you can do that in this world now. But I do believe that God created man and woman and created them to multiply. He didn't create Adam and Alan. He didn't create Eve and Eva. He created Adam and Eve.
But Amy, those are just STORIES. The old testament is just a collection of stories to teach the ignorant about God.
Regardless of how long it took God to create Earth, whether it was 6 days, or 6,000,000 years, the idea behind it was that God created everything and He created man and woman and He created them in His image and likeness. He created them to pro-create (sorry Oprah, but there is a necessity for men and marriage) and He created them to love each other as He loved them. And He created them to have children so that mankind would always be here.
So when I talk about Prop 8, which was voted by the MAJORITY of the people of California to keep marriage defined as a union between man and woman, I'm simply stating that there are obviously a LOT of people who feel marriage is defined as a union between man and woman, to be truth.
I do NOT hate people who feel attraction towards the same sex. I do not approve of the "act" of homosexuality. Hate the sin not the sinner, remember?
There are too many bible verses to go into about this topic, but I think the fact remains....
Why is it, that because I believe (my religious background) that an act is morally wrong and should not be upheld by a COURT system to be ok,am I considered a bigot or racist, when, others who support such actions, can call me such judgemental names?
Double standard?
You bet.
But, not to give into to way my husband use to think about things, we can not shoot them all and let God sort them out. I believe what I believe and I always will hold true to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is my light and my salvation. Of whom should I be afraid?
God bless you tonight, or today, or however you want to look at it...
Ok, call me an idiot. But didn't the people of California vote for prop 8? I mean, seriously, what is an election for if you can't vote, and then have all the votes counted and then have someone (judge) over turn the vote?
I'm sooooooooooooooo sorry, but marriage has been defined long before all the crazies in the western world decided to delve their little hands into it, as a union between man and woman. It's a sacrament in the Catholic church to be taken very seriously. I don't understand how you can look at the definition of marriage as a sacrament and think otherwise.
I'm not a homophobe. That word is actually made up. There is no such word as homophobe Someone made it up and gave it a meaning. I guess you can do that in this world now. But I do believe that God created man and woman and created them to multiply. He didn't create Adam and Alan. He didn't create Eve and Eva. He created Adam and Eve.
But Amy, those are just STORIES. The old testament is just a collection of stories to teach the ignorant about God.
Regardless of how long it took God to create Earth, whether it was 6 days, or 6,000,000 years, the idea behind it was that God created everything and He created man and woman and He created them in His image and likeness. He created them to pro-create (sorry Oprah, but there is a necessity for men and marriage) and He created them to love each other as He loved them. And He created them to have children so that mankind would always be here.
So when I talk about Prop 8, which was voted by the MAJORITY of the people of California to keep marriage defined as a union between man and woman, I'm simply stating that there are obviously a LOT of people who feel marriage is defined as a union between man and woman, to be truth.
I do NOT hate people who feel attraction towards the same sex. I do not approve of the "act" of homosexuality. Hate the sin not the sinner, remember?
There are too many bible verses to go into about this topic, but I think the fact remains....
Why is it, that because I believe (my religious background) that an act is morally wrong and should not be upheld by a COURT system to be ok,am I considered a bigot or racist, when, others who support such actions, can call me such judgemental names?
Double standard?
You bet.
But, not to give into to way my husband use to think about things, we can not shoot them all and let God sort them out. I believe what I believe and I always will hold true to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is my light and my salvation. Of whom should I be afraid?
God bless you tonight, or today, or however you want to look at it...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Your lucky day!
I say that because I am posting two days in a ROW! I haven't done that in a while! I'm sitting here recovering from my lunch spectacular with some new friends. WOW! We had 14 children in our house today! My new friend was watching a friend's daughter, and when the mom came to pick up the daughter, she stayed, too, with her youngest, which added up to 14!! It was awesome. I was so made for a big family and lots of friends. We had such a great time and speaking of time, it just flew by and we had to say good bye. I was very sad. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations in between the "plays" the 12 children put on (my almost 2 year old and my friend's almost 9 month old didn't participate in the plays). They did Cinderella and Snow White. The kids were hysterical. And they ALL got along. The entire time... It was such a nice time.
We had to postpone our trip to Knoxville to next Saturday (14th) so I was worried about not having anything to do, but God is sooooo good. You already know that, but if I just relax and see the bigger picture, He really does take care of me. We had our great lunch today, and all of us talked about taking a field trip to the Strong Museum up in Rochester, (about an hour 1/2 from here) one day next week. So my time is filling up with some fun activities... :)
It's so good to have friends. God puts them in our lives to help balance out the craziness of life. And to give us a different perspective. And to maybe sometimes bounce things off of when you know you can't talk to your family about. It's nice how He works that.
God bless you today!!
We had to postpone our trip to Knoxville to next Saturday (14th) so I was worried about not having anything to do, but God is sooooo good. You already know that, but if I just relax and see the bigger picture, He really does take care of me. We had our great lunch today, and all of us talked about taking a field trip to the Strong Museum up in Rochester, (about an hour 1/2 from here) one day next week. So my time is filling up with some fun activities... :)
It's so good to have friends. God puts them in our lives to help balance out the craziness of life. And to give us a different perspective. And to maybe sometimes bounce things off of when you know you can't talk to your family about. It's nice how He works that.
God bless you today!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
One week ago...
One week ago was my last blog? Was it really? I do apologize to my loyal readers who either get a kick out of me or would like to kick me... (remember, it's my blog and I'll write what I want to, write what I want to...) Sorry.
Anyway-it's 11:04 pm. I'm listening to EWTN radio (I LOVE the north) and Fr. Benedict Groschel is praying the rosary. What a peace filled voice he has. I could almost fall asleep except that Ricky is out of town for the week so I'm wired it being the first night he's gone...I don't know why I'm like that. But to get back to listening to the Rosary. Fr. Benedict said the joyful mysteries are a perfect way to see Jesus through Mary's eyes. What a fantastic thought. I just love our Blessed Mother. She's our mother you know. Oh yes. Deny it you might, but she's your mother as much as she's mine. The Divinity of Christ proves that. God the father, God the son. Mary the mother. And what a wonderful mother she is. She is always pointing us to her Son. Her good and gracious Son.
Tomorrow I have a "new" friend coming over. She is a wonderful person, who because the priest at our church called and asked a favor of her, willingly called little ole me and invited Ricky and I to a couples prayer group she has started up once a month. I have a great parish, with a very in tuned pastor. I was at confession and just had the best confession, even I bawled like a baby, (really, sometimes those are the best ones, the purest ones, where I feel so cleansed and forgiven!) My very sweet pastor told me to call him on Monday and so I did, and he asked if he could give my "new" friend my number to call me and she did call me!
Here is the best part-not only is she very devout in her faith, but she has LOTS of children, too. And I mean LOTS! She has two more than me!! (seven if you can't do the math!)
I am looking forward to getting to know her and her family more tomorrow.
I hope you are having a good week so far. I know it's only Monday, but pray for a peace filled week, for me and you! I will do the same!
God bless.
Anyway-it's 11:04 pm. I'm listening to EWTN radio (I LOVE the north) and Fr. Benedict Groschel is praying the rosary. What a peace filled voice he has. I could almost fall asleep except that Ricky is out of town for the week so I'm wired it being the first night he's gone...I don't know why I'm like that. But to get back to listening to the Rosary. Fr. Benedict said the joyful mysteries are a perfect way to see Jesus through Mary's eyes. What a fantastic thought. I just love our Blessed Mother. She's our mother you know. Oh yes. Deny it you might, but she's your mother as much as she's mine. The Divinity of Christ proves that. God the father, God the son. Mary the mother. And what a wonderful mother she is. She is always pointing us to her Son. Her good and gracious Son.
Tomorrow I have a "new" friend coming over. She is a wonderful person, who because the priest at our church called and asked a favor of her, willingly called little ole me and invited Ricky and I to a couples prayer group she has started up once a month. I have a great parish, with a very in tuned pastor. I was at confession and just had the best confession, even I bawled like a baby, (really, sometimes those are the best ones, the purest ones, where I feel so cleansed and forgiven!) My very sweet pastor told me to call him on Monday and so I did, and he asked if he could give my "new" friend my number to call me and she did call me!
Here is the best part-not only is she very devout in her faith, but she has LOTS of children, too. And I mean LOTS! She has two more than me!! (seven if you can't do the math!)
I am looking forward to getting to know her and her family more tomorrow.
I hope you are having a good week so far. I know it's only Monday, but pray for a peace filled week, for me and you! I will do the same!
God bless.
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