Lord, That I May See

You know how many comments mothers get.  Whether you have one child or ten, people have many thoughts on children that they usually feel compelled to share upon seeing you.  "You have your hands full!" "What beautiful children!" "Uhhh, she's getting into your wipes." "That poor kid with 3 big sisters!" "I hope you're having a boy this time." "Wow, you're a brave woman." "Enjoy it now when they're little!" "I could never do that, I can barely handle two!" "Don't let her put that in her mouth!" I've heard the above comments several to many times each.  I usually smile and mind my business. People have opinions to express and are looking for connection and mothers with children are good outlets for those needs.  But, my favorite comment is one I heard last month. I was on the Amtrak train to NYC with Sparky.  He was fussing and I was bracing myself in the aisle of the crowded ...

our engagement day nine years ago today. :) And remembering my beloved Papa on his feast day! I love Pope Francis very much, and I love Pope Benedict too, but a special love I have for my very first Papa, John Paul II. Isn't this a lovely picture?  I like it because I pretend that I am that little girl -- she looks like I did.

5:37  I wake up. Start hollering and crying. 5:39  My big sister goes to my Mommy's room complaining, "He's wakin' up me!" Mom comes. I stop crying immediately.  5:40 Breakfast. Never mind that I ate a little while ago.  5:44 I'm done but I lie still. My Mom is starting to hope that I'm falling back to sleep.  5:45  Psych! I start talking. Loudly.  5:46-6:00 I talk more. Spit up on Mommy. Roll around.  My parents are in denial and try to ignore me.  6:01 I know they hope I'm gonna settle down but I want up and doin'!   I start whining and growling.  6:02 Daddy throws a couple random objects in my direction. Sure, I'll play with a fan remote and speaker box and a thermometer case.  For a few minutes.  6:07 I'm climbing on Mommy now. Daddy has turned on his glowing object and is doing something VERY interesting. 6:08 I'm getting mad. Can't have the phone. No one wants to play with me. And my teeth hurt. I'm gonna pitch-a fit...

About a week ago, Sparky and I took a fun trip to NYC with some of my friends.  It was almost a surreal experience and I still can't believe I successfully managed and even thrived in this big city with my amazingly cheerful little tag-along. View from the hotel room Times Square Sparky in Central Park, checking out the sights More Central Park The Cloisters Little Italy My Traveling Buddy Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge Best crepe I ever had -- or was I just starving? :) Top of the Rockefeller Center at night I love this juxtaposition of sleek and seasoned. My little guy was so patient and happy, and yet so, so tired. Riding the train