Real Men Ski in Sub-Zero Weather

Criminy it's cold here in Montana! But did that stop my boys from freezing their tooshes on the slopes...heck no! The cold weather only made it more of an adventure, something to conquer, something to brag about and put hair on your chest (that last point, by the way, is why I chose not to ski, but rather to stay warm and cozy in the lodge sipping on hot cocoa). Despite the sub-zero temperature, the sun was beautifully shining on the slopes, with no wind whatsoever, so my brave skiing boys claim that "it wasn't even cold at all" (I just took them at their word and stayed inside and ordered some hot nachos to go nicely with the hot cocoa). Seriously, Joseph and Michael were in snow-covered heaven. They stuck together and skied pretty much non-stop and would have stayed until closing time if we let them. Paul stayed with Dominic to teach him how to ski. Dominic was so proud of himself on the bunny hill, finally learning (but not quite conquering) how to make "pizzas" and "french fries" with his skis. He was in his glory when Daddy agreed to take him on "the big lift" after his lesson on the bunny hill. Dominic loved the lift and doing a real "run", but Daddy said once was definitely enough (in other words...Dominic still needs some serious time on the bunny hill before trying that again!) I was so proud of all my brave boys. Someday I really hope to join them on the slopes...someday when I'm not either pregnant or nursing...sometimes I wonder if someday will ever come... Until then, I'll just be content lounging in the lodge with my cocoa, nachos, Nathanael, and a good book :)

Here's Dominic, covered in snow from falling, nearly frost-bitten cheeks, but delighted nonetheless!

Here's Michael, embracing skiing no matter the degrees!

Here's Joseph, proudly posing, perfectly "cool" even in the cold!

Here's Mommy and Nathanael braving the weather just long enough to get a few shots for my blog!

Here's Dominic proud of his "pizza"!

Here's me, perfectly content with a good book and a very good baby!

Rainclouds and Umbrellas

Last week was one of those grumpy bear, raincloud following me weeks. Not sure why. Perhaps because it's been a long winter and I'm suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Perhaps because my husband was gone on a long work trip and I was feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Perhaps because I'm a bit sleep deprived from nursing nearly every 3 hours around the clock. Perhaps because my older boys were showing some not-so-virtuous qualities which caused me to feel a mixture of guilt (for apparently not parenting better) and sadness (for realizing that no matter how good I parent, they might still make poor choices). I know that all sounds heavy and dramatic. That's just the way I am (just ask my mother!). I have one of those Anne of Green Gables personalities---which is to say that when I'm happy, I'm floating in the clouds, and when I'm not, I'm wallowing in the depths of despair :) Unfortunately (for myself and those who are forced to live with me), I seldom find myself in between those two extremes :} Perhaps I'm being over dramatic, which is likely, because I also have the annoying tendency to exaggerate things a wee bit (just ask my husband!) :)

Anyway, in case you were worried, I am better this week. Each of my boys made up for last week's below-average behavior by reminding me in a number of ways that they are indeed better-than-average boys---actually they are quite exceptional most of the time. Joseph and Michael won me over again with these beautiful drawings that warmed this Catholic-to-the-core mother's heart...

I also caught the boys doing many kind deeds for each other this week, which made up for the not-so-kind deeds I caught them doing last week :) And Dominic brightened my week with countless quips in the car that make it impossible for me to stay grumpy for long, such as: "Mom, did you know that after I become a priest, I'm going to become a cowboy!" :) Totally random, totally made me laugh out loud. My, how I love how his little mind works! :)

Anyway, I just felt like sharing these thoughts for any of you mothers out there who feel like a raincloud is following them like the one that hovered above my head last week. Blogs usually seem to be filled with only the "happy thoughts," the "scrapbook perfect moments." But that's not real life. Life has rainclouds. Reading other blogs that only show seemingly Utopian lives frankly depresses me. I avoid them because they only succeed in making me feel like a failure. So, just in case my blog is guilty of giving the illussion that my life is all rainbows with no rain, I thought I better clear up that complete misconception :) May it encourage each of you kind readers to know that my life is far from perfect. Just ask my friend Jenny who gets an earful of all my rainclouds nearly every morning on the phone. She's the sister I always wished I had...the glimpse of sunshine on my cloudy days!



I think Jenny and I are such good friends because we share our imperfections, while at the same time encourage each other to keep our eyes focused on Him Who is perfect. She has been the perfect friend for the past 10 years. While our husbands were stationed together at the same Navy base, Jenny and I stationed ourselves at each other's houses almost daily because God was kind enough to make us next door neighbors (and I'm so glad He did!) Many children and many duty stations later, we're still kindred spirits :) How I hope everyone has a Jenny in their lives! :) A true friend is like a trusty umbrella when rainclouds come our way!

Our Bloomin' Boy!

Nathanael turned 3 months last week, and I am awed by how quickly he is growing before my eyes. I almost feel like I'm watching one of those fast-speed, time-lapsed clips like you see on TV with a flower unfolding its petals, beautifully blooming at warp speed, or a tree full of vibrant green leaves quickly changing hues, then losing its autumn leaves, only to have its barren branches quickly covered in icy frost, and just as quickly budding again in the spring. Part of me wants to click "Pause" or even "Rewind" because this sweet little boy just seems to be blooming too fast, but at the same time it is such a blessing to behold. I guess I will simply try to enjoy and embrace each season as it time-lapses by!