So FINE to be NINE

So, at 9:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, our Amelia Rose turned nine years old.  Nine is an important year for me because it was the first really significant year in my own life.  Nine days after I turned nine, my sweet little sis' Tara was born.  Well, not always sweet but forever mine to watch over.  I remember promising that day that we would be best friends forever just as my dad and his nine years younger brother Rick are best buds.  I sense that Mia's day was a bit less intense but just as much filled with love from all of her family.   And, at the end of it all, all I can really say is that I'm proud of this life Chris and I have made together.  We have a happy family.  How did that happen?  Thank you God.  All for You.

As part of Mia's special day, I took her for a mommy- daughter date to the paint your own pottery place

Her special piece

I asked her if she was going to kiss him

No kisses but she's definitely pleased

fun with mommy

 Nine is fine!

 We had a pack of fake mustaches for the occasion.

I call mine the Larry Kreitzer special.

Sophie's crawled right off her face.....

 ......onto the cheese

 too cool for school

 impromptu piano concert
Madeleine and Grace participated as well

 then---cake pops

 Happy Birthday to Mia!

 bringing in the gift

 cozy

 present envy

 The Fab Five say Tata for now!

Life in the Forest

So, occasionally, Chris and I are reminded that the signs we pass on the way home to Casa Doyle about entering the livable forest are true.  We are most definitely living in a forest.
This morning, Chris walked out to the driveway to find a banged up, poop covered van.  The roof was scratched and the back wiper and Odyssey ornament were torn and broken.  He surmised that there had been a scuffle between some of our "wild critters" neighbors, and our van was the battleground.  When a sleepy Sophie wandered out as he was cleaning up, he showed her the van and all the evidence and asked what she thought had happened.  After pondering the question for a moment, she answered, "Maybe Grace did it".  The fact that she had equated her sister with a wild animal was lost on her but not on her dad and me.  When Chris told me about it, we looked at each other and smiled--yes, it is within the realm of possibility that Grace would break an ornament and wiper blade off the car, probably in some zany attempt to climb on top of it.  Not being purposely destructive really just because...well, she was "just curious".
As you might imagine, the phrase "Grace did it" is heard often here at CD.  Knowing that she is sometimes unjustly accused, I have a tendency to watch out for her.  Of course, the truth is that Grace doesn't need me to watch out for her.  She is tougher than I was at her age and has the kind of resilient, bounce-back personality that is sure to make her a happy person.  Still, I'm her mom.  Fretting a bit comes with the job.
There are too many wonderful things about Grace to list them all and if you know her, you could probably add some yourself.  But a couple of examples of her good heart-- recently she gave her miniscule allotment of bacon to a sister who wanted it, she traded seats at dinner so both Ella and Sophie could sit next to a parent, she hopped up from the table to get everyone another round of milk, and more than once she has offered to take Ella's spankings for her because she can't bear to see her little sis' getting a few swats.  Below, you can see her doing one of the things she does best--dote on Ella.  Grace is a very fun and protective big sister.  I'm proud of her (and am glad that the damage to the van wasn't her fault--this time  :)

Grrrrreat times till we meet here again.

In Need of a Grandmother

Lately I have been finding myself very much in need of....a grandmother.  Of course, like most of you, I have two grandmothers.  Mine are both named Margaret and both are in heaven by now after dying of cancer in 1999 and 2002.  I feel blessed to have known them for at least a bit of my adult life.  That's more time than many people get.  Still, it wasn't long enough.

So really--tell me--when does a girl stop needing a grandma?  A woman who is--old-fashioned, who understands about good manners and values in-person relationships over online ones.  Someone with wrinkles and laugh lines, the most beautiful woman I know because of her character and a lifetime of good living.  Someone with plenty of secrets about how to do and make all kinds of things.  Someone whose opinion I trust.  Someone who still makes the time for a long, handwritten letter.  Someone with a little padding for the best hugs around.  Someone who takes life as it comes, consistently and with a great sense of humor.  Someone who shows me how to grow old gracefully.  Someone who has walked with God for awhile and shares her wisdom.  Someone who believes I'm better than I really am.  Someone who loves fiercely and forever.

I was telling my SIL Jes the other day that when I think of the three babies we lost, I always imagine them with my two grandmas.  And when I think of dying--something that I'm ashamed to admit really scares me--I always hope that my grandmas will take my hand and show me the way.

Still, I wish they were here on earth today in flesh and blood.  Now that I am in the throes of mid-life and the real guts of parenthood, I long for their wisdom, their patience and their long perspective.  I also know my life would be so much richer if I could call and hear Grandma Schneider talk about the birds or recite one of the hundreds of poems she knew by heart.  And what I wouldn't give to climb into one of the beds in the house my dad helped build on Cherry Hill Road after eating the popsicles, pot pies and pop tarts Grandma Kreitzer always stocked for us.  Even so many years later, those treats equal love for me.

There really is no one like a grandma and I miss mine so much.

Afternoon at the HB

So, today, while our kitchen was getting a big facelift, five of the six Doyle Dames got all dolled up and headed downtown for an afternoon at the ballet.  It was a bit of a last minute thing.  Late in the week, while Chris and I were fast forwarding through commercials during our regular show, we caught an ad for the Houston Ballet's production of Sleeping Beauty.  The next day, thinking of Sophie's particular love for that princess, I checked out the details and found that ticket prices were very steep.  I told Chris it was a no go.  He decided to do some calling on deals through Shell and, like a true Prince Charming, came through for us.                                                                  Not surprisingly, of the five of us, Madeleine and I got the most out of the ballet.  Sophie was next up in enthusiasm, wanting to return some time soon.  Mia and Grace thought it was "good but too long". Which was true.  There were three intermissions and the finale alone lasted forty-five minutes.  It was definitely a marathon performance.  The girls also struggled to understand the story in the absence of dialogue.  The obvious parts like when the prince killed the bad fairy and kissed Sleeping Beauty, were their favorites.  I delighted in the beauty of the production as a whole--the set, the costumes, the music, the grace and the way the company was able to dance so much in sync.  Truly incredible.

I believe this ballet was a first for all of us--myself included.  I saw a lot of plays as a kid because my aunt was in "the business" but I never went to a ballet.  I'm sure Chris is sad to hear that I liked it as much as I did because that means there will probably be a few ballets in his future.  Of course if we alternate them with trips to Minute Maid Park, he may be just fine.

 I like this picture a lot despite the problem with the focus.

I would really like to get a lens that performs better in very low light for times like this afternoon.

I used the flash on the picture above of Madeleine, Mia and Sophie and as you can see, it totally wiped out the curtain in the background.

 More blurs--"sister love"

Out front

The HB will have a new home as of the second week in April so if we do come back, it won't be to this theatre.  I thought it was gorgeous and can't imagine how they'll improve on it.

 It was almost dinner time when we left the theatre so I drove us over to Rice Village.

We ate at Le Madeleine and shopped at Half Price Books.

I bought a CD of recordings of Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales by famous folks for $5.48.  We listened to it all the way home.  It's really great.  I also bought a few other children's books on CD.  I am always amazed by the selection and prices at HPB.  $9.99 for unabridged recordings of The Secret Garden and The Wind in the Willows.  Our drive to VA this year is pretty much taken care of.

Oh and I took the above picture because I love the manicure Sophie gave herself recently--not so much the mess in my bathroom.

 Sophie the bird stalker.  She does this everywhere we go.

 picture of the bird stalker with Grace doing some bird stalking behind her

And another one, wind blowing.

Mi Bella Sofía

See you back here next time.

Forty Shades of Green

 As we do every year, the super seven of Casa Doyle celebrated St. Patrick's Day.  We have a big box full of fun hats, necklaces, buttons and all kinds of green gear thanks to a St. Patrick's Day themed birthday party we threw for Mia a few years back.  We also have an Irish flag and a huge leprechaun puppet name Sunny--because that was what his tag said and we haven't changed it.  Chris does an excellent Irish accent so he's always in charge of Sunny.  Most of his jokes are over the girls' heads--except Madeleine who has gotten much taller in the last few years.
This year, I asked Madeleine if she wanted to be in charge of planning our activities.  She got an armload of books out of the library and went to work.  We gave her a little money to buy what she needed in support of the evening be it treats, prizes, crafts whatever.  She ended up writing a quiz to go with a little presentation on Ireland that she did for us.  She also came up with a scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt.  Her clues were very clever and rhymed.  She did such an outstanding job that she is now my official in-house party planner.  I am retiring.  Not entirely but I think I will get her input on Mia's birthday party next week.  It's sure to be spectacular!
And in case you want to put your knowledge of all things Irish to the test--here is Madeleine's quiz.

Madeleine's St. Patrick's Day Quiz

1)  What is Ireland's emblem?
a.  an eagle
b.  a harp
c.  a bathtub
d.  a shamrock

2)  What do the four leaves of the clover symbolize?
a.  latitude, longitude, width and length
b.  love, laugh, live, linger
c.  hope, faith, love, peace
d.  hope, faith, love, luck

3)  What is Ireland's famous nickname?
a.  Wee Land
b.  Four Shades of Greener
c.  The Emerald Isle
d.  The Leprechaun's Abode

4)  Who supposedly banished all snakes from Ireland?
a.  St. Patrick
b.  Patrick Bergin
c.  Jesus Christ
d.  Bono

5)  What three colors make up Ireland's flag?
a.  red, white and blue
b.  white, red and green
c.  orange, green and white
d.  purple, pink and black

6)  What does "Erin Go Bragh" mean?
a.  Go Celtics!
b.  a pot of gold
c.  just another day at the pub
d.  Ireland forever

7)  What is the capital of the Republic of Ireland?
a.  Washington D.C.
b.  Dublin
c.  Avoca
d.  Austin

8)  What is the name of the famous stone people kiss to be given the power of speaking well?
a.  The Kissing Stone
b.  El Amore
c.  The Blarney Stone
d.  The Good Luck Stone

9)  What is the special ring given between friends in Ireland?
a.  Promise Ring
b.  Engagement Ring
c.  Claddagh Ring
d.  Shamrock Ring

10)  What is the biggest day in Ireland?
a.  December 25
b.  July 4
c.  March 17
d.  October 31

BONUS:  Name the famous rock band from Ireland.

Ella, her dog Chaucie and I scored the highest on the quiz

How did you do?

Answers:  1)B  2)D  3)C  4)A  5)C  6)D  7)B  8)C  9)C  10)C  Bonus U2

A couple of the clues for Madeleine's hunt

That's it.  Is it just me or did all of that leave you wanting to visit The Emerald Isle?

Here's wishing you faith, hope, love and luck (and a great weekend).

  Erin Go Braugh!

Irish Lasses

Availability

So, after our romantic dinner the other night, despite the fact that we had a movie and an episode of House to watch, Chris wanted me to hear a talk on prayer by Father Michael Jamail, a priest we knew in Beaumont.  Chris had listened to the CD in the car over the weekend and wanted to share it with me as individual, couple and family prayer are three of the TEAMS endeavors we're supposed to be working on.
The talk was very good but for the most part presented ideas I had heard before.  One point was completely new though and I really liked it.  Fr. Jamail said that holiness can be defined as "availability".  
Which makes sense to me.  I've often heard people say that "holiness" means "wholeness".  I agree with that as well but I find it hard to use as a guide.  "Available" on the other hand is a word I can work with.  I already know that to do a good job in any one of my roles, I have to be available to the people in my life.  In thinking more specifically about what that means, I came up with the following:

What it means to me to be "available":
*being in the present moment
*actively listening and trying to understand
*saying "yes" as often as possible
*being ever willing to subordinate my desires and plans to a greater need (in a child, spouse, friend, stranger)*
*making our resources (treasure, talent, time) "available" to those in need
*opening the door cheerfully when someone knocks and welcoming them
*sharing openly, even difficult things, when it will help someone else
*making my worldly goods available to others
*making my affection available by considering every one I meet a beloved child of God and therefore, family just as much as my family and the family I was born into

*Obviously, we cannot be available to everyone at once.  For a good book on managing all of the competing--and important--demands of life, I highly recommend Life Matters by Roger and Rebecca Merrill.  It is excellent.

That's as far as I've gotten.  I think it's a good starting point for holiness in dealing with other people.  As for what it means to be available to God--at the minimum, I think it means setting aside time exclusively for Him and nothing else--something I'm not good about.  Partly because I'm a busy multi-tasker and partly because--and I hate to admit this but here goes--I do not really like being in the adoration chapel and that is the place I always think of when I think of spending more time with God.  There is a very good reason for that--at SM, we have perpetual adoration  and Jesus is present in the chapel--truly, physically present.  Still, for whatever reason, that particular chapel is not a comfortable place for me.  I've been wrestling with that for awhile now so maybe I'll focus instead on the word "available".  Setting aside time in my life just for God.  Opening my heart and mind to Him.  Whether it's time sitting at a picnic table or sitting in the front seat of the van with the doors locked and the windows up to get away from the kids (HA), it's God's time with me.  Wow.  Why would the God of the universe even want to spend time with me?  An awesome, amazing, crazy thought but there it is.  He does.  Scripture tells us that over and over again.  And I desperately need what He has to give me--every day.  I just need to be available.  I think I'll try a little harder.

May the Luck o' the Irish be with you today and always!!

(Oh--and for anyone who was worried about Sophie's yellow-green face in yesterday's photo--she's fine.  She just covered herself in pastels.  I wish I'd gotten a better picture but I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities!)