Reconciliation and Frozen Soccer

Friday evening we went to the elementary school prepared with beach chairs and blankets for family movie night on the floor of the gym. The 3 big girls and I watched "Kung Fu Panda" for a 2nd time while Jim went Christmas shopping with Bridget. Jim laughed that night as he told we how he would show Bridget things as they shopped and she would respond "Put it back, Papa". I guess she has heard us say that a few times. Megan did really well staying up late watching the movie and was proud she got to hang out with the school kids. Saturday afternoon I found her asleep face down on the carpet in the middle of her room. She's not that big yet.

Saturday Rachael had a Reconciliation Workshop as part of her preparation to receive the Sacrament on 12/06. Rachael is excited about this Sacrament. Her actions weigh heavily on her conscience and she will still be talking things over with me weeks after they took place. I don't know why guilt is heavy on her but it does seem to temper her impulsiveness some. After Religious Ed last week she excitedly told me about the Sacrament saying that she could tell all of the things to God and "they will be gone forever and ever".

She and I went up to church for the workshop at 9AM. It was a well run program that included the Zacheaus story and a song, a craft, and a tour of the reconciliation room, which we all know as the confessional. At the end of the 1 1/2 hour workshop Rachael's group all sat on a carpet in the back of the church to review the steps of the Sacrament. It is times like this when it is plain that Rachael is wired differently than most kids. She was up, she was down, she was leaning, she was touching the pew next to her, she was kneeling then squatting, and putting her arms in every configuration as the others sat and stirred only slightly. It was tiring just watching her. Amidst all of that movement though she heard, understood and answered questions correctly.

From the workshop she and I stopped at 7-11 to pick up hot chocolate and coffee for the whole family because we were meeting Jim, Megan and Bridget at the soccer field to watch Emma's soccer tournament. When we arrived Jim and the girls had already been at the field for 30 minutes. The temp on the van dash said it was only 30 degrees out. Jim met me at the van with a crying Bridget. She was refusing to wear her mittens and her hands were frozen and obviously hurting. We decided it was too cold and I should stay in the van with the girls. Luckily I got a good parking spot and could see the game from the car. Rachael sweetly leaned her head into Bridget and shared her hot chocolate with her. Bridget's tears stopped as she sipped the hot chocolate through Rachael's straw. I held her little hands in mine till they warmed up.

Emma's team played a very good game and it went into overtime. I was grateful for the DVD player in the van. Emma had Jim's Eagle blanket on the sideline so she and her teammates huddled under it while they weren't on the field. We were disappointed that the coach had Emma and a few others on the sidelines more than he should. Still tied after overtime it came down to penalty shots. The other team won with their last shot on goal. It was a tough loss but a really good season. Pink-cheeked Emma found fault in some of the ref's calls as she came off the field but conceded the game was won fairly.

Celebrating Life

As I write big snow flakes are falling from the sky. Nothing is sticking but it sure is pretty. This past weekend we had wet and cold weather. Rachael's last soccer game was canceled so the season was very anti-climactic. We were very proud of how she played and cheered for her team. Emma's tournament was also rained out but hers is rescheduled for next weekend.

The Saturday turned into a nice stay at home kind of day. As we ate dinner, Megan suggested we build a fire that evening and everyone gave a big "Yeah!". That set the evening in motion. After dinner Jim started the fire while I made brownies with the girls. Then they all took quick baths and got into jammies. We put on the movie "Kung Fu Panda" and snuggled in for a family movie night.

On Sunday, the 3 big girls and I headed over to Joe and Magaly's house for Kelly's baby shower. She is due Dec. 19, and we were really excited to have the opportunity to throw her a baby shower. It was a fun girl's afternoon with my mom, aunts, sisters and cousin. Becky brought 6 week old Benjamin and Heather brought 3 week old Lillian, so there was lots of baby and pregnancy talk. Emma had been excited when I suggested bringing a group game and made lots of attempts to get us to play it, but we were all so enjoying the conversation and food that we never got around to it.
 

All of us were eager to hold the little ones. Emma stayed upstairs taking turns holding Lily and Benjamin, while Meg and Rae played downstairs with Sophia. Toward the end of the shower Meg was asking for a chance too. Lily and Benjamin were happy to be held and slept through most of the passing around. Rachael was the last to ask for a turn to hold the babies since she was busy playing with hippos and enjoying treats. When she held them she did it well and looked intently at their little faces. The babies are both perfect and neat mix of their families. Each is so individual and I know has been right from the moment they began growing in my sisters' wombs. It is a wonderful oppurtunity to share this with my daughters and emphasize how special they each are and have always been. I am looking forward to seeing baby Nava-Blake.

Getting together with multiple generations has such benefits, I wish we did it more.

Changes at Home

We enjoyed the long election weekend, since The girls and I all had off Monday and Tuesday. I always enjoyed having off school around my birthday when I was little and since I was changing jobs I decided to take a few days off again. We were busy with Soccer games and Girl Scout cookie sales in front of Giant, but I also decided to take advantage of the long weekend and finally paint the big girls room. I had been wanting to do it since the girls moved in there before Bridget was born and jumped on the chance when I got it. We had purchased new quilts for the girl's beds that were all similar color tones but each different so it was a challenge to find colors for sheets and walls that I was satisfied with. Luckily Jim hung in there until I made up my mind. I wound up buying sheets from 3 places before I decided on the first ones. The whole family went to Home Depot to pick out paint and I think we did pretty well. We decided on blue walls with big dots in Chocolate brown, tan and green.

On my birthday I was woken up at 7AM by all 4 girls and a smiling Jim for breakfast in bed. I don't know how early Jim got up to organize the breakfast making, but it was great and I don't think he was too late to work. I had prepped the room and painted the walls on Monday, so I was able to do the fun part, the dots, on my birthday. We went out to dinner to Outback together and started listening to election results. The girls had walked up to the polling place with me while I voted. Emma and Rachael were eager for results but we had to keep explaining that what they were seeing was only a small part of a few states.

Wednesday when they got up they were sad to see the results. Emma teared up. In the election run up we discussed abortion with her and she understood what was at stake. We have been praying a prayer for babies and parents each night since then.

Wednesday was also my first day at my new job. A 12 person company has such a different dynamic from what I was used to, but the feel was very good. It is apparent to me that there is a lot for me to do to get their books in order. I am enjoying the challenge and immediate results after 4 days in. The best change though has been at home. I get home before dinner each day and I get to help with homework much more. My first day of work, Jim was picking up the girls and I beat them home. I had started dinner already and when he came in he was grinning. He was so excited that he wouldn't have to do fast food on Wednesday's, or frozen chicken nuggets, or hot dogs any more. I think we are all happy to be eating better and more importantly all together. I wasn't a big fan of eating by myself at 8:00 while trying to help put the kids to bed.

We had another overly busy weekend, this past weekend, with 2 cookies sales and 2 soccer games. Rachael's troop was at 7-11 and Emma was at Giant. That night scouts also had roller skating. Then Sunday I took CPR and First Aid training for Girl Scouts so Jim had the girls most of the day. We also managed to take advantage of 70 degree weather and do most of the leaves in the yard. All of the girls had fun raking and jumping in leaves. I don't know why but they always put leaves on their heads. Bridget learned this family requirement quickly.

More leaves have fallen since then, but also lots of rain and temperatures. These leaves will be much less fun to clean up.

Jim started back after a number of weeks off school, for a required class for his degree program. He'll have 10 weeks of Tuesday classes and then a few elective classes. After that he will have his degree. He wasn't excited to be back in class but I do think there was some excitement because the end is so near.

Tonight we all went out to a school event at Barnes and Noble. Emma played her violin with the school orchestra who only had a months worth of practice. They did pretty well. The store was packed with kids and parents, but that added to the fun of cupcakes and story readings by teachers. I look forward to the next time Emma plays.

This is a season of change for our family, and we feel blessed that it is change for the good.

Halloween

Halloween Costumes were hard to decide on this year. Megan had lots of ideas many of which included costumes she had worn before including her orange M&M. She made up her mind to be an angel. We already had wings and a halo so I sewed a white gown for her and she was all set. Rachael was interested in being an Egyptian but decided on being a Chinese girl. I think her Chinese classes had something to do with that. I really wanted Bridget to wear the Spider costume we had, but she wouldn't go near it. I had everyone else wearing it over a few days and we pulled out the pictures of Megan in it, but the real motivator for her was chocolate. The day before Halloween we practiced Trick or treating. I got out some candy and explained if she wore the costume people would give her treats. That did it. She got in her costume and wanted to practice the rest of the day. Emma was all over the place with her costume ideas: witch, leprechaun, pajama girl. But with only a few days to go she decided to be a poker player. Jim set her up one night at his poker table, with chips, cash and her sunglasses and took a few pictures. I then turned it into a poker champ T-shirt for her. I must say she really had a cool factor this year.

On Halloween Bridget and I brought Megan to preschool and watched their program of poems and songs. I didn't have any video tape for the camera so after the program we went shopping and picked some up. After lunch Bridgie napped at home while Papa was working and Megan went with me to the elementary school for the parade. Rachael invited Megan to walk with her in the parade. It was fun to see them holding hands. It is a pretty rare occurrence so very special to see. We saw Emma's class and joined them for their party. I heard many kids ask Emma about her t-shirt. The boys seemed pretty impressed. Then we went up to Rachael's party for a little while.

It was beautiful weather and perfect for walking around the neighborhood. Emma really wanted to be with friends so she called a classmate and asked if she wanted to trick or treat together. They worked it out that Emma would go with them. I missed having Emma as we trick or treated but she had a great time and was safe.

Bridget was so excited to go trick or treating she got herself in her spider costume and had Meggy help put her shoes on the wrong feet. We took a few pictures and headed out. Our neighbor Tom and his 1 1/2 year old son joined us as we walked the neighborhood. The girls were polite and on task. Rachael was sweet and stayed back with Bridget some of the time, so Bridgie wasn't always the last one to the door. They came home after lots of walking and had lots of treats to show for their efforts.

My Mom came over that night while the girls were going down to bed, so Jim and I could go out to the bar to see Jimmy's band play. We dressed in costume as well. Jim put together a great Hagrid costume from Harry Potter. The beard and wig freaked Bridget out until after Halloween when Jim showed her the Hagrid toy Megan has and she connected the two. I went as Hermione and made use of the Hogwarts robes from last year. We had a fun night and appreciated Mom coming over.

The girls are talking about next years costumes already and I am sure we will have many ideas before the final one.