Where I've been

Well, hello! It's been a while! 6 months have flown by and so much has happened. I think I am ready, and able, to start blogging again. I have missed it, because I do like documenting things for the sake of remembering them, but then again I haven't missed it because I'm sanguine. I love people and conversing with them. It's so much easier for me to share my life with people in front of me and share my heart with them. It's actually not as easy for me to do here. But I'm terrible at writing things down and I never have time to scrapbook so this is still a way for me to "store" it all. And, let me just throw in that life is short. And if anything were to ever happen to me, I want my children to be able to see and read this and know how much I cherished every day with them.

So in the next few weeks, expect a major dump of pictures and stories from the wonderful summer we had. And then I hope to blog about life as it currently happens - in all of it's crazy, wonderful, messy chaos. 

But here is a quick update! During my absence from the blog...

- We retired from FOCUS. This was a huge deal, and although we had a great deal of peace leaving staff, it was still difficult. FOCUS changed us, forever, for the better.

-Luke took a new job as Director of Development for Mount St. Mary's Seminary. Also a huge deal, the way it all came about was truly incredible, and was so clear to us this was God's plan.

-Since for the past 3 years, Luke has been the FOCUS team director at Mount St. Mary's University, we got to stay in our house, making this the first summer that we DID NOT MOVE since we have been married, and since 2006 for Luke.  We are pros at moving, and to NOT move felt weird, but SO good!

-I had to wean Owen from nursing at 9 months old and learn how to make rice milk formula. Much much more on all that later though.


So hold me to this ok? I hope to blog at least three times a week. I think that is manageable for this mama :)

Peace,
Megan

This week's recap

So on Sunday, I got mastitis. Again. Which I think means (according to what I've read) that the infection didn't really clear up completely from the first time, which was around Christmas. And yes, I did finish my whole antibiotic. Still, it came back on Sunday and despite my best efforts I wasn't able to pick up the prescription my doc called in for me till Monday morning. We don't have any 24 hour pharmacies very close to us. So that was fun to wait for. Doing much much better now.

Owen rolled over! Stomach to back, which I think is easier than back to stomach but still! He's only 3 and a half months old. And he is close to doing back to stomach. He gets so far on his side, I'm sure it won't be too much longer for that one too. We weighed him yesterday and he's 16lbs. Yup.

Luke came home today and told me that the atheist guy he has been getting to know for the last three years (and debating with over lunch ever now and then) is joining RCIA. So awesome and exciting.

Also incredibly exciting news is that for this semester Luke's lacrosse bible study is going to discuss theology of the body. They are using Dr. Ted Shri's book, "Men, Women and the Mystery of Love." Tonight while I was making dinner I was helping him come up with some good discussion questions to kind of get them thinking and start the conversation before diving into the book. Some of them were: how many of you think you will get married one day? what are some qualities you look for in a wife? what is love? what were you made for?

I'm just waiting for him to come home and tell me how it went!

Yay! I just heard the garage door! Later! :)

Daddy/Daughter date

This was totally impromptu one day, Luke stopped home briefly late in the morning and asked the kids, "who wants to go to Mass with me?!" Miss Hailey immediately jumped at the chance to go somewhere with Daddy and told Casey, Owen and I, "You stay here. I go with Daddy, see Jesus, back soon!" She was already prancing around that day in a fancy dress and after putting her coat and shoes on, they both looked so sweet on their way out the door I had to snag a quick photo.

What a beautiful girl she is, and so blessed to have a daddy who strives so hard in loving her (as well as our other children) to show her the love of God the father.

This is our life

Tuesday night is Luke and my date night. We don't always go out, in fact, we probably go out once a month. But date nights in can still be special and great too, not to mention, easy on the budget :) I love knowing that no matter what the week looks like, no matter how hectic, I can count on some quality time with my husband on Tuesday night. Especially during the first two months of school when Luke's hours are insane and irregular.

This past Tuesday we didn't have anything planned, hadn't talked about it, I actually thought he had something on campus to go to that night. Turns out he didn't, so at 7pm when he got home and was eating dinner, I asked him if he wanted to go to a movie with me. He was shocked and immediately asked who I got to babysit! I told him we were going to a movie in our living room, (silly goose) at 8:30. I had bought a movie off DirectTV. This is something we rarely do, usually we try to find something on Netflix but I didn't like anything they had. And it was soooo my turn to pick a movie so I didn't even run it by him.

Wellll, I wish there had been a 9pm showing to choose, or 9:30.....8:30 was too soon it turned out. We were trying to rush through the kids bedtime routines to get them in bed in time. And they knew it. Casey threw a fit, Hailey threw a fit, there were lots of tears. And whining. But they were in their beds and our movie was starting.

Oh I'm sure you can imagine what happened. Hailey kept coming out, making Casey mad and therefore cry. We kept taking turns going in to tuck them in and missing parts of the movie. Then we'd be filling the other person in and missing out on what was happening at that moment. It was all frustrating. Because we couldn't pause it! grrr!!! Then Luke ended up carrying Casey out, of course Hailey followed and they were laying on our laps on the couch, totally sleepy yet curious as ever.

It was definitely one of those moments where you look at each other, laugh and say, "this is our life. Look at us."

And next time, we'll get a babysitter. Or at least something from Redbox that we can stop if needed! Lesson learned. Buying movies off of cable, not worth it.

(we watched Now You See Me and it was just ok. I'd give it a B. Maybe even B-. But the cast was fun - Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, the guy from Social Network, the girl from Confessions of a Schopaholic, and the old guy from Batman Begins)

Foam Party!

When Luke lived in California he saw a flyer for a foam party at a club in Hollywood. 8 years later, we're throwing a foam party in our yard! It's part of the team's beginning of the year outreach efforts. I had no idea what to envision until they were setting it up and testing it yesterday.

Check that out!! Ok, so this stuff is made of some crazy formula....it's light and airy, not sticky, you can rub it between your hands and it will disappear leaving your hands dry and not sticky at all. The machine uses water to make the bubbles so your clothes get wet but I just can't explain it, it's not gross. You don't feel like a gross mess. It's amazing.

Here, the foam is not being contained in anything. It's just creating a pile on the grass, and eventually with lots of walking through it, stomping on it, it goes away. Again, zero mess.

Casey took a bad and weird fall yesterday involving him pushing the fisher price shopping cart in the driveway and his entire finger nail on his ring finger ripped off. He won't keep a band aid on and even managed to get off the "gauze wrap/taped to his other finger" job we did earlier in the day. So we had to resort to the long sleeve pajama shirt with a mitten duct taped to the sleeve so he can't get to the band aid.

Bubble heaven.

Who needs pants?!?

Luke and TJ are outside right now finishing building a sort of pen to contain the foam for the party tonight and surrounding it with tiki torches. Add music, over 100 students, food and drinks....it's going to be crazy!

32 weeks and counting

So, baby is 32 weeks old this week! I'm starting to get really excited. And have moments of freaking out. And then go back to being really excited. I mean, you are excited all along, but as it gets closer and this little person is seriously getting their grove on all.the.time...and making you pee every 10 minutes and you can touch your belly and feel parts of their body and feel them hiccuping....it becomes VERY real that they will be here soon! I'm aching to hold and snuggle and nurse him. I love nursing my babies. Yes, it's time consuming, and I freak out thinking about what in the world the older siblings will be doing while I'm nursing all day long and how I will keep them happy and occupied. But I can't stop thinking about this little boy about to join our family. What will he look like? How is Casey going to react to him? Hailey is a pro at this big sister thing and acts like he's here already with how much she interacts with my belly, so I'm not as concerned about her.

Sunday Mass attire

side veiw, comfy lounging evening wear

I have been dreaming about his birth literally almost every night. In a good way, not weird or anxious. Some days 8 more weeks feels like an eternity and some days it feels like it could be here tomorrow. Mostly on the days I feel blah and my hips hurt and I get heartburn 5 minutes after eating lasagna I think "how in the world am I going to do this for 8 more weeks?" And it's going to get harder! My sweet husband reminded me, "you've done it twice already." At that point I think I became a puddle of tears and hugged and thanked him.

Oh yes, did I mention emotional? I feel like my mood swings are back to super crazy. Beginning and end of pregnancies seem to be worse for me in this area. The 2nd trimester is thankfully a breeze. But goodness gracious. I can cry at the drop of a hat these days. Or because I forgot blueberries at the store. Luke, who was doing work on his computer got up saying, "its ok, I'll go back and get them for you." Making me cry more....why is he being so wonderful? 

In fact, did you know that a man's testosterone decreases right before the arrival of a new baby and after? I think it's God's way of softening him a bit to meet the needs of his wife and new baby. Thank you Jesus.

Now I'm off to eat a bowl of cereal. Followed by tums I'm sure.

Boy in a cupboard

This was the night Daddy discovered Casey fit in the little cupboard. Casey thought it was the best thing ever.

Luke was sort of asking for it. haha, watch out!

Dads are the best.

The end. :)

4 Year Anniversary

Yesterday was our 4th wedding anniversary and although it was a low key day, it was still very special. Our anniversary tends to always be surrounded with craziness of life. Usually moving. We try to stay consistent. Our first anniversary, Hailey was only a month old and we happened to be moving that day. We moved from Loveland, CO, to Greeley, CO, which was 30 minutes east of Loveland to be closer to the University of Northern Colorado where Luke was serving with focus. We hauled our tired selves to a local Italian restaurant at 8pm that night where we sat in a booth behind the loudest group of adults ever. But the food was good. 

Our 2nd anniversary I was 6 months pregnant with Casey and we were getting ready to move back across the country to Maryland. I remember getting roses from Luke which I then proceeded to delicately transport in the front seat of the volvo when we moved on the 28th, 4 days later. They are still dried in a vase on my dresser.

Our 3rd anniversary we timed to be in Buffalo, NY visiting my parents and went out on a fancy date at this place called The Epic. We still talk about the insanely amazing food we ate. 

This year, I'm 7 and a half months pregnant, and getting ready to move again in a month. Just across town thankfully. And since the students and our team aren't back yet, we were without any babysitters, and therefore it meant a night in. Which honestly was ok. We spent the morning at the lake, let Hailey skip a nap (so she she would crash earlier), and had a nice steak dinner after the kids were in bed. Luke gave me a beautiful pair of earrings and we watched some of our wedding video. We have done this on our anniversary before (year 2 I think) and it's always really great to listen to the homily Father gave that day. 

And since I'm a sentimental gal and all, here are some pictures from our wedding:

Our Lady of Victory Basilica, Buffalo, NY. My dream as a little girl of getting married here came true.

the beauty takes your breath away

exchanging vows

my turn

married!

my sister made our cake (extra desserts were also on hand) and the cake topper was my grandparent's.

We had made the decision not to do the garter toss, and Luke surprised me instead by washing my feet, as Christ had washed the feet of the apostles as a sign of his humility, love and desire to serve. As our friend who was our DJ called me to the dance floor, and Luke escorted me to the chair, he explained what Luke was going to do, and why, (Luke had written out what he wanted him to say), and then he played the Matt Maher song "Your Love is Extravagant" while Luke washed my feet. There was not a dry eye in the room.

still makes me emotional looking at these pictures

So in love.

And 4 years later..... 

steak dinner in, 2 kids in bed, one on the way....

And the next morning, he brings me breakfast in bed saying, "Happy anniversary again honey."

Luke, I would marry you all over again. In a heartbeat. 

Moments to Remember

These two....

gosh, how they melted my heart that evening! So sweet! 

Changes

It is SO weird to not be with Luke at focus summer training. I have gone every year for 7 years. That's a long time! I miss it so much! I miss being there, seeing everyone, and the energy, zeal and love for God and the Church that exudes from every missionary. I am so filled by simply being around them, getting to know the new first years....not to mention sitting in on classes and hanging out with friends in the evenings. Even the years we have gone with the kids, I still got to experience all of the above. I'm so in love with our focus family.

And yet, I have a lot of peace. I know this was the right decision to stay behind this year. Luke is able to stay more focused (no pun intended), be way more productive with his time, and I was not really thrilled at the idea of being in southern Florida 5 months pregnant with a 3 year old and 18 month old. I know this is where I'm supposed to be, as hard as it is.

Today's highs were.... 8:30am morning Mass again! Yay! Then leaving the house after two days of rain to run errands. Errands which included the kids playing in the child play area in the middle of the mall, me purchasing two amazing pairs of shoes on clearance at DSW (Hailey made Casey laugh hysterically by trying shoes - women's heels- on him as he sat strapped in the stroller. If I wasn't trying to hurry up and make a decision on what to buy and get out of there, I might have taken a video. It was so funny), the kids enjoying the lunch I packed them, picking up a bunch of random items at Walmart that were needed, included new shoes for Casey who recently had a random foot growth spurt and has the worst blisters from him shoes. It was shoe buyin kind of day. Then the kids NOT falling asleep in the car on the ride home,  and going down for late naps at 2pm!

And the lows were....allergies that just won't quit. Hot dogs for dinner because I was too tired to make the ham and sweet potato dinner I had planned. Casey teething and wanting to be held constantly. The temper tantrum Hailey threw in the check out line. Because you know, Casey was holding a pail and shovel, and despite the fact that she was holding an identical, matching pail and shovel, she wanted to have his. Toddlers. So the woman behind me asks her, "oh sweetie, do you want a pink one?" Hailey, voice quivering, "yeeesss....." Thanks lady. Explain to Hailey there was no pink.

I emailed these to Luke so he could see them being their usual crazy selves.

Me: "too close you two, back it up." Them: Not listening.

isn't her hair adorable?! 

yoga pro

trying to be taller :)

Off to bed so I can try to greet their early morning crys and moans for "cereal NOW" with a smile. Try.

7 Quick Takes, vol 4

It's Friday! And since I am alone on this fine evening, I have the chance to spend some time on the blog and link up with the crowd via Jen.

1) What do you think of the new blog design? Or not new to you if this is your first time stopping over. Anyway, I mostly have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to techie things but somehow I got this much figured out. If I still like it in a few weeks, it just might be here to stay.

2) Tomorrow we are going down to DC to see the cherry tree blossoms! We're going to go on a little boat tour as well that we happen to have tickets for. It's with Capital River Cruises and is 45min long. I'm super excited and ever since we told Hailey about it tonight, she hasn't stopped talking about it. The girl is a little obsessed with water and boats. And friend we haven't seen in a while who lives in that area is meeting up with us for it as well. And we're packing a picnic lunch for afterwards. Can't wait! We hope to leave around 9am. I thought it was kind of early but.....

3) As Luke pointed out, we have been up every morning at 7am anyway, due to a certain son of ours screaming, so what's the point in hanging around? Let's just get out of the house and go! See, Hailey wanders into our room and into our bed at some point every night. So when Casey wakes up and sees she is gone from her little toddler bed, he is SO mad and freaks out and screams. Let me tell you, it is the most unpleasant way to wake up in the morning. Awful.

4) Luke and I love having a show to unwind and watch together in the evening. I know many couples who do the same and we love getting recommendations from our friends. Some that we've watched in the past are: Lost, Prison Break, Downton Abbey, and now our current show White Collar. Luke just admitted to me he is a little bored with it, but I really like. And we are about to start Season 2 so I think it will only get better. What do you enjoy watching?

5) I'll be 18 weeks on Sunday and have been feeling those little flutters of movement which is super exciting. I've already been having some lower back pain though which is not fun and the SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) that I had with Casey has the likelihood of showing itself way earlier this time around, I'm told this can happen....and may be happening. Please dear Lord, not yet.

6) This coming week is going to be intense. It's the last week of classes and Luke is swamped with end of the year stuff. I'm going to need to keep busy with the kids and plan simple meals to keep from texting him every hour with "when will you be home?" "I'm going crazy?" "will we ever see you again?" type of sentiments.

7) Today was full of messes. Water, pee, pretzels crushed on the rug, applesauce on the couch, and avacado that Casey pretty much decided to give himself a full body plaster with. Ohmygosh. He usually does ok eating with a spoon, he's 17 months old, but tonight was ridiculous. THANKFULLY, he was already naked because of having drenched his clothes with water (maybe it did feel good on his bare skin? who knows), so he simply ended up in the kitchen sink and getting hosed down afterwards. Those messes don't actually bother me that much. Its stains in their clothes I hate trying to get out. But I'm starting to get better at conquering those too!

Hope you and yours have a fabulous weekend!

Daddy's Birthday

A friend visited over this past weekend, so Saturday night we hung out with him and another friend and had a little pre-birthday celebration of chicken wing dip, beer and ice cream cake. Don't worry, no one was counting calories, holy smokes.

Every year Luke requests ice cream cake. Hailey helped me make it (Snickers and chocolate this year) so we let her have a piece before bed and of course I had to get a picture of our beautiful masterpiece uncut. 

Sunday, Daddy's actual birthday, he had an event with the students from 10am-12pm so I gave the kids baths, dressed them all spiffy, and we made daddy birthday cards and made the house look festive.

Where'd it go?

excited!

singing

blowing!

We love you so much as are so blessed God gave you to us! Thank you for all you do to serve, provide, love and sacrifice for us every day! xoxo