Fat Tuesday

Traditionally, we have a rather large party every year on Fat Tuesday.

Which is today.

We eat. We drink. We are merry.

We discuss what we are giving up for Lent, which begins tomorrow, and it usually involves something that we are eating, drinking or making us merry.

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This year; however, we had our Fat Tuesday party last Saturday because we are old and all of us have way too many children. Who have things like homework. And places they need to be. For us, tonight is the 1 night in the next few weeks on our calendar where we are all home together. And I just need for us to be together.

This season, I am choosing to not give anything up. Instead, I am adding something.

Exercise.

40 days worth.

I always try and choose something, whether it be to give up or add to my daily life, that truly gets my attention. That makes me think about the sacrifice Jesus made for me.

And exercise will make me think. And be a little (or a lot!) uncomfortable. It'll make me sweat.

So, my iPod is ready to go with lots of MercyMe, Chris Tomlin and Third Day. I even threw on some Bruce Springsteen from his really, really great newest album. Them are some mighty fun spirituals on there. I've planned my walking routes and I have my back up plan for rainy days.

So tonight, we feast. And tomorrow? Tomorrow we walk!

Therapy

Or a night out with girlfriends.

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Thankful For...

tulips on the table,

beautiful cloudy skies,

Claros in the backseat,

a prime rib during half-time (and garlic mashed potatoes...YUM!),

and a very special kitten, home safe and sound!

Tom Petty

...is much older than he used to be, but he still sounds amazing!

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Superbowl Sunday

Tis the day when there is absolutely no way I will ever get possesion of the remote control.

At least not until after the Superbowl.

I've made paninis. I've made platters of nachos...3 to be exact. I've refilled drinks. I've got a prime rib warming in the oven.

And now?

Now I am hiding.

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It poured rain all last night and on and off today. My heart is aching for my kitty, but I just need to trust that she has found shelter somewhere, with someone. I am still hoping she will find her way home.

This morning we went to our former church because M's choir was performing. It was great to be back...kind of like coming home. Too bad the boys and I had to rush out after because Alex had a game down south.

And let's just say...I almost, almost became one of those mothers. Those mothers who scream and yell and run onto the court. The other team played so physical in the jersey pulling, elbowing, kneeing, shoving sort of way and the ref's totally overlooked everything. Alex was physically tackled more times than I could count and the final straw for me was the elbow to the mouth. In front of the ref. After the ball was out of play. Alex was gushing blood and nothing was said to the other team.

So, he...of course, finished the game. His front tooth is loose, so we'll be at the dentist tomorrow. I may just send the bill to the ref.

I came home, fed the boys and ran to do a quick visit with a pregnant woman.

Most of you know that I suffered from a condition while I was pregnant called HG...or Hyperemesis gravidarum. It basically means that I was beyond sick for my entire pregnancies...debilitatingly sick. Like, on a good day, I only threw up 12 or so times. On a good day. For 9 months. IV's became my best friend.

I wasn't tested for HG until my 3rd pregnancy and it was such a relief to know that it was not all in my head. The DR's were shocked that I was going through yet another pregnancy, but in all honesty, I just kept thinking it was going to be better this time.

When I went through it we had no family, and in Matthew's case, no friends to help out. We were new to Boulder and it was awful. So, when I finally found out that I really did have something, I began to volunteer with an organization called HER after Brian was born. Every few months I get called to do moral support visits with women who are going through HG.

Sometimes, it just takes someone who 'gets it'.

They...these boys of mine, who are currently alternating between screaming at the TV and raiding the fridge, were worth it. Well worth it. But I'm sure glad that part of it is over!

Missing

One very, very loved cat named Maggie.

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Hike

This morning, Brian had his very 1st vioin concert. I honestly believe that Jingle Bells never, ever sounded so good.

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M went back to work this morning and after an hour came home. He is still feeling awful. Poor guy.

I met up with Kath at a local park and we went on a hike...a short hike. Except we took a wrong turn and it became a 5 mile hike! It was so worth it...we had a lot to catch up on and the time flew by. We've decided to do this same hike twice a week since we usually meet up for coffee anyway.

The big, big hill near the end.

The view at the top was worth it! See the lake? We went all the way around it!

Lots of pretty bridges going over the stream.

After, I picked up Alex's new million dollar contacts, bagels for breakfast tomorrow and cat litter. Can't live without cat litter. I used to feel that way about good wine.

This afternoon is a crazy driving day, but in a few minutes I will make a huge pot of spaghetti 'gravy' and meatballs for supper tonight. We will hopefully watch Lost from last night...why we keep watching that show I'm not sure. Probably cuz I like Sawyer. =0)