A Sign or Just a Crazy Catholic mind?

As a Catholic, I have many quirks. I wonder if things that happen are a sign, meant to be, related to something else or something I should be guilty over. One of the many believes is in Saints. This is one of the many things I love about Catholicism. One thing that I found the other day that both surprised and scared me, I had to share.

I got a new book from the library called The Memory Keeper's Daughter. In summary, it's about a man who gives his baby with Downs to his nurse to take to an asylum and she doesn't. Instead, she moves away and raises the baby as her own. So, I get the book home get in bed and open it up and something falls out of it. I look down and it's a St. Anne prayer card. I look at it and think, "Oh no! Someone left their prayer card and will be looking for it." I read it and it says (excerpt of what is says), "Glorious Saint Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee under thy special protection..." Then I think, is this a sign that I'm going to need the prayer card for myself and pray to St. Anne? What is going to happen? Then I think about the book, the card and think, is my next child going to have Downs and I'm going to need to pray to St. Anne to take away the weight of it all? Then you keep going down that road and think, what if? Could I? What are the chances of someone being Catholic, reading the book right before I do? I mean there can't be that many Catholics in Charleston. Then I start all over, what is if means this, I wonder if that is what He's trying to say.

I guess I'll just stay on my path and hope that whatever God has in store for me, I can handle. Right? Right? Or do you think it means this... :) Enjoy your week.

Thinking Caps On...

I have a lot of really creative readers out there and I need your help. My department (marketing) here at work has a small get together every Friday. One person is the "host" and they come up with a theme and provide food and drinks to go with the theme. In a month, it is my turn. I can't come up with anything that hasn't already been done.

Here are a few examples:

"movies"- milk duds, popcorn, sodas and a movie playing on a projector,
"fancy"- wine, cheese, etc.,
"lunchbox"- teddy grahams, zebra snack cakes, fig newtons
"college" pizza and beer
"pink theme" everything pink, cupcakes, drinks, everything.

I think you get the point. It's only about 15 of us. I haven't a CLUE what to do. Please either post your thoughts or email me. I'm desperate. By the way, alcohol is encouraged (not hard liquor though).

What's Really Great...

Do you know what is really great? When you're coming up on your third wedding anniversary and you meet your husband for lunch and you spend the entire lunch laughing hysterically. When you can stop being a mom and a dad and be husband and wife--best friends. To be able to look at your husband in exactly the same way that you did on the first dates, that's a gift from God.

I'm so blessed to have such a beautiful, wonderful and hysterical husband. I adore him and he just gets me. I love that the most.

I hope everyone finds the one that just gets them. Once you do, it's such a beautiful feeling.

Much love this week.

End of an Era..

You know you are officially a mom when you go out and buy a minivan. That is exactly what I did this weekend. It was such a great move. We have so much room and the people at Honda have thought of every little convenience. I now know why so many mom's drive them. I've suffered though the comments of "I can't believe that you bought one" and "you're a soccer mom now". I am happy with it and you will be too when you come and visit and don't have to be wedged in the backseat of a two door coupe.

Hope you had a good weekend and were able to enjoy the easter bunny!

Shameless Plug Again

I went to high school with Hayley. She takes amazing pictures, especially of kids. She took pictures of my Godson, Isaac, and I love looking at her blog at new pictures. So, if you're in the Michigan area (she's located in my hometown), have her take your kids picture. I wish she could take Hayden's.

http://hayleyhamlinphotography.blogspot.com/

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

We had a great weekend with my parents. We went to the Charleston St. Patrick's Day parade and went to O'Malley's for fish and chips and I even got a beer. The picture attached illistrates that my son, decided that he too wanted a drink of it and put his finger over the ledge and pull it towards him. No, I didn't give him a drink! As if I would share.

It was great to have my parents here. They were stunned at how big Hayden had gotten since Christmas. I kept trying to tell them, but until you see it for yourself, I guess you don't really understand. It was sad for them to leave, but knowing I will see them again soon, I was happy and at peace with our time together. Robert and I even got to go on a date last night. It consisted of dinner, ice cream and a trip to Barnes and Noble. Yes, I know we're an exciting bunch, but it was good.

I also went and test drove a mini-van this weekend. Yes, I know a mini van. Think what you want, but I was highly impressed and said, this is the best invention ever!! You're perspective changes when you have kid, let me tell you. They've thought of everything. Think about it people-- I drive a 2-door 2001 Honda Accord. Which I get my 20 pound kid in and out of the back seat multiple times a day. It's like riding around in a shoe box with a HUGE baby seat in the back. So, a mini van is like going from a apartment to a mansion! Tough I didn't drive away with one, I at least got to see what it was like.

I hope you all get a green beer. Enjoy your day and your week.

Fun, Sun-- The Vacation Destination

Well, the Jones' Inn is starting to fill up. When we dreamed about moving to Charleston, I said to Robert, "you know, if we move to the beach everyone will come and visit US!" Little did I know that statement would be so true. Spring break, family vacations, grandparent trips, etc. The Jones' Inn is now welcoming summer bookings! Though we can't guarantee we'll be with you (we only have a certain amount of vacation days), we can give you a map and send you on your way. I love where we live and for those repeat visitors, they obviously love it too.