We went to the 9 o'clock Mass this morning and it was wonderful! We always feel very welcomed at Saint Mary's in downtown Phoenix. Today was especially different because we were all up and ready to go before 8:30 a.m. - which, by the way, in and of itself is somewhat of a miracle for us.
Near the beginning of mass, the priest invited the children up to the front and we told Carli she could go. Little did I know my Carli would be going somewhere else in the building. She was gone for quite awhile and of course, ever the nervous, worried mom, I wondered about her. I tried to concentrate on what was happening in front of me, but it wasn't easy.
Eventually she did come back with the rest of the children and sat down between us once more. We listened to the sermon and sang and prayed some more before heading downstairs to celebrate Brother Jeff's leaving the parish.
We ate hot dogs, macaroni salad and potato chips...yummy food that we normally don't ever eat, so it was a nice treat. We drank strawberry lemonade and even had a bottle of water. People were so nice! A lady named Kelli took our picture. We met some other parishioners who were very nice to us and made us feel very welcomed.
I think we'll keep going there and learning about what it is to be Catholic, start RCIA and in August start Carli in Religious Education classes so she can learn too.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Saturday edition - 5.22.10
It is now 0720 and I have just finished my cup of espresso. Ok, cappuccino really...I had steamed/frothy milk and sugar. It was delicious and the best part is that I made it myself.
Usually on a Saturday I would still be in bed sleeping with my daughter. Yes, we co-sleep. We each have our own blanket and it is the best thing in the whole wide world. Not everyone can co-sleep, nor should everyone. It is a personal decision that needs to be made by the entire family - it isn't for all families.
Some might say that co-sleeping will continue until the child goes to college. I say, I doubt it. Eventually the child will stop co-sleeping and move into their own bedroom. Co-sleeping, I believe, promotes healthy, happy children, who are comfortable in their own skin, feel secure and safe and know that they are well-taken care of. Not everyone thinks so.
I say this because my daughter is content knowing that her mommy and daddy love her and enjoy spending quality time with her. Is this the only time we talk about things? Absolutely not! We talk all the time about her day at school and what she's thinking and what she wants to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner - well, during the weekend anyway.
Our daughter has pretty much co-slept with us since the day we brought her home from the hospital. I nursed her for the first few months of her life and having her in bed with me made it simpler. Some might say I was being lazy, not wanting to get out of bed to get her out of her crib. Perhaps, but more like being proactive. Whenever she cried to be fed, she was right there beside me and I was able to nurse her faster. She cried less, got upset less and knew her needs would be immediately taken care of.
Of course, I never changed her diaper in bed. We would get up and go to the changing table and take care of business. Then, sometimes we would head out to the living room to sit in our rocking chair and have conversations. Ok, I'd talk to her, she'd listen and then coo in response.
As she got older, we decided to move her to her own crib (at around 6 months of age). She adjusted nicely to the new routine and since I was no longer breastfeeding, there really wasn't any real need for her to continue co-sleeping.
This lasted for a couple of years. Until her father's work schedule/habits changed. He started working a different job and was no longer around as much. This deeply affected our daughter and she began co-sleeping with me again. I wasn't too bothered by it, because she's such a good sleeper, sleeping through the night and only getting up once or twice at the most to go potty, then climbing back into bed and falling back to sleep immediately.
Then we moved into transitional housing, for reasons beyond our control and since there was only one bed, the only option was for the three of us to continue co-sleeping. So, we did. I guess the habit is hard to break and when she was diagnosed with asthma just a month before her 5th birthday, I knew she would continue to co-sleep so I could keep an ear and eye on her, listening to her breathe. Thank goodness she was in bed with me the night she had her first and only major (so far and I pray to God there will be no more nights like this one) asthma attack. Had she not, who knows what would have happened, because, quite possibly, behind her closed door, I would have never know she was having trouble breathing.
She still suffers from asthma, but might outgrow it. Her brother did and I'm praying she'll do the same. I am very much for co-sleeping, but only if it's what both parents want to do and it doesn't work for everyone. We only have the one child and so it is a non-issue. I'm guessing that sooner, rather than later, our daughter will want to return to her bedroom and start sleeping in her own bed and not ours. But, I'm not pushing the issue. That is a choice she can make on her own. That's not to say that I won't broach the subject on occasion. Especially if she's getting close to her teen years. Nah, I doubt she'll be close to being a teen-ager before she decides to sleep in her own bedroom. I'm guessing it'll be a lot sooner than that!
Usually on a Saturday I would still be in bed sleeping with my daughter. Yes, we co-sleep. We each have our own blanket and it is the best thing in the whole wide world. Not everyone can co-sleep, nor should everyone. It is a personal decision that needs to be made by the entire family - it isn't for all families.
Some might say that co-sleeping will continue until the child goes to college. I say, I doubt it. Eventually the child will stop co-sleeping and move into their own bedroom. Co-sleeping, I believe, promotes healthy, happy children, who are comfortable in their own skin, feel secure and safe and know that they are well-taken care of. Not everyone thinks so.
I say this because my daughter is content knowing that her mommy and daddy love her and enjoy spending quality time with her. Is this the only time we talk about things? Absolutely not! We talk all the time about her day at school and what she's thinking and what she wants to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner - well, during the weekend anyway.
Our daughter has pretty much co-slept with us since the day we brought her home from the hospital. I nursed her for the first few months of her life and having her in bed with me made it simpler. Some might say I was being lazy, not wanting to get out of bed to get her out of her crib. Perhaps, but more like being proactive. Whenever she cried to be fed, she was right there beside me and I was able to nurse her faster. She cried less, got upset less and knew her needs would be immediately taken care of.
Of course, I never changed her diaper in bed. We would get up and go to the changing table and take care of business. Then, sometimes we would head out to the living room to sit in our rocking chair and have conversations. Ok, I'd talk to her, she'd listen and then coo in response.
As she got older, we decided to move her to her own crib (at around 6 months of age). She adjusted nicely to the new routine and since I was no longer breastfeeding, there really wasn't any real need for her to continue co-sleeping.
This lasted for a couple of years. Until her father's work schedule/habits changed. He started working a different job and was no longer around as much. This deeply affected our daughter and she began co-sleeping with me again. I wasn't too bothered by it, because she's such a good sleeper, sleeping through the night and only getting up once or twice at the most to go potty, then climbing back into bed and falling back to sleep immediately.
Then we moved into transitional housing, for reasons beyond our control and since there was only one bed, the only option was for the three of us to continue co-sleeping. So, we did. I guess the habit is hard to break and when she was diagnosed with asthma just a month before her 5th birthday, I knew she would continue to co-sleep so I could keep an ear and eye on her, listening to her breathe. Thank goodness she was in bed with me the night she had her first and only major (so far and I pray to God there will be no more nights like this one) asthma attack. Had she not, who knows what would have happened, because, quite possibly, behind her closed door, I would have never know she was having trouble breathing.
She still suffers from asthma, but might outgrow it. Her brother did and I'm praying she'll do the same. I am very much for co-sleeping, but only if it's what both parents want to do and it doesn't work for everyone. We only have the one child and so it is a non-issue. I'm guessing that sooner, rather than later, our daughter will want to return to her bedroom and start sleeping in her own bed and not ours. But, I'm not pushing the issue. That is a choice she can make on her own. That's not to say that I won't broach the subject on occasion. Especially if she's getting close to her teen years. Nah, I doubt she'll be close to being a teen-ager before she decides to sleep in her own bedroom. I'm guessing it'll be a lot sooner than that!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday Musings 5.21.10
Remember my "Tuesday Musing"? I ended up giving my ring that I'd purchased for a dollar to my friend (co-worker). She absolutely loves it and was shocked when I gave it to her. I let her try it on first to make sure it fit and it did.
That's when I said, 'It's yours.' She was astounded and surprised, but very happy. She gave me a really big hug and today at work, showed me the copper earrings she said it would go with oh so nicely. And it does. It is beautiful. I'm so glad I was able to give something to someone who loved what I had and that I was able to share it with her.
I remember once, a long time ago, someone giving me a ring that I thought was beautiful and how surprised I was at the gesture of the person giving it to me.
It was nice to return that feeling/gift to someone I felt close to.
That's when I said, 'It's yours.' She was astounded and surprised, but very happy. She gave me a really big hug and today at work, showed me the copper earrings she said it would go with oh so nicely. And it does. It is beautiful. I'm so glad I was able to give something to someone who loved what I had and that I was able to share it with her.
I remember once, a long time ago, someone giving me a ring that I thought was beautiful and how surprised I was at the gesture of the person giving it to me.
It was nice to return that feeling/gift to someone I felt close to.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday musings 5.18.10
I'm bad. I neglected to blog yesterday and yes, I had plenty of time to do so. Why didn't I, you may ask? Well, to be honest, I didn't even think about it. Do I feel guilty, no, not really...silly, perhaps. Although I know it doesn't really matter if I blog or not.
Nothing of great significance or importance happened yesterday. Not much worth mentioning, except that I did something yesterday I've never really done before. I went shopping with a female co-worker of mine.
The shopping trip ended up being a bust for my friend. I may end up giving her the very thing she was looking for. Back in March, during Spring Break, I went shopping with the girls (Carli and Sierra) and met Sierra's mom at Tempe Marketplace where we ended up shopping together for a little while before ending our nearly week long time of having Sierra spend the break with us. But I digress.
Anyway, I had bought a really pretty gold ring to wear on my left ring finger and over time the gold came off and revealed a most gorgeous copper ring underneath. Why, again, you may ask, who cares that its a copper ring? and how much did she pay for this piece of jewelry anyway? Well, the ring says 'dream', 'faith', 'love' all around the outside. It's really pretty, and if I could take a picture of it, trust me, I would.
Remember, I said earlier that my co-worker and I went shopping?? We went to find that exact ring at the store where I'd purchased it and remember I'd said the shopping trip was a bust? It's because the ring was no longer in the store. My friend (co-worker) is from Colombia and apparently loves copper! Now, I must tell you, I only paid $1.00 for the ring.
Today, my friend said to me, "Sell me the ring." I told her, "But I only paid a dollar for it." She said, "You can sell it to me for $2.00." I talked it over with my husband, asking him what he thought. He told me if I was that attached to it, to not let her have it. If I wasn't that attached to it, let her try it on to see if it fit, and if it did tell her she could have it. She's going home in July and is hoping to maybe find something similar. I don't know if she'll be able to or not. Now, I'm mulling it over.
I quite possibly may never see her again and wouldn't this be a wonderful goodbye gift? hmmmmm...
Nothing of great significance or importance happened yesterday. Not much worth mentioning, except that I did something yesterday I've never really done before. I went shopping with a female co-worker of mine.
The shopping trip ended up being a bust for my friend. I may end up giving her the very thing she was looking for. Back in March, during Spring Break, I went shopping with the girls (Carli and Sierra) and met Sierra's mom at Tempe Marketplace where we ended up shopping together for a little while before ending our nearly week long time of having Sierra spend the break with us. But I digress.
Anyway, I had bought a really pretty gold ring to wear on my left ring finger and over time the gold came off and revealed a most gorgeous copper ring underneath. Why, again, you may ask, who cares that its a copper ring? and how much did she pay for this piece of jewelry anyway? Well, the ring says 'dream', 'faith', 'love' all around the outside. It's really pretty, and if I could take a picture of it, trust me, I would.
Remember, I said earlier that my co-worker and I went shopping?? We went to find that exact ring at the store where I'd purchased it and remember I'd said the shopping trip was a bust? It's because the ring was no longer in the store. My friend (co-worker) is from Colombia and apparently loves copper! Now, I must tell you, I only paid $1.00 for the ring.
Today, my friend said to me, "Sell me the ring." I told her, "But I only paid a dollar for it." She said, "You can sell it to me for $2.00." I talked it over with my husband, asking him what he thought. He told me if I was that attached to it, to not let her have it. If I wasn't that attached to it, let her try it on to see if it fit, and if it did tell her she could have it. She's going home in July and is hoping to maybe find something similar. I don't know if she'll be able to or not. Now, I'm mulling it over.
I quite possibly may never see her again and wouldn't this be a wonderful goodbye gift? hmmmmm...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Sunday - we're going to Church by ourselves!
Carli and I are going to church alone, with each other...it should be interesting. We are riding the bus and I hope we get there without too many problems. I figured it out! Woo-hoo! We'll take our neighborhood circulator...the one we always ride on and get there no trouble. I'm so excited I managed to find out early enough.
So, we're back home now. We caught the bus in plenty of time, but it was going the wrong way - but, hey - it's all good. We ran into the driver (her name is Kim) that we really like. She's sweet and has a son Carli's age.
We had to walk a few blocks from the transit center to the church, but because it's so gorgeous outside today it wasn't awful. This is why I love living in Arizona! We have an awesome church to attend and I'm just not sure we'd be able to find the same thing in Washington State.
So, we had a great time at church...finding a ride home on the bus was just as simple and we were home in no time. I loved the weather that day. Thanks Lord!
So, we're back home now. We caught the bus in plenty of time, but it was going the wrong way - but, hey - it's all good. We ran into the driver (her name is Kim) that we really like. She's sweet and has a son Carli's age.
We had to walk a few blocks from the transit center to the church, but because it's so gorgeous outside today it wasn't awful. This is why I love living in Arizona! We have an awesome church to attend and I'm just not sure we'd be able to find the same thing in Washington State.
So, we had a great time at church...finding a ride home on the bus was just as simple and we were home in no time. I loved the weather that day. Thanks Lord!
Supposed to be blogging everyday
But life seems to have gotten in the way of that! And for that I'm sorry. Anyway, life has taken a turn for the better recently. We were finally able to buy a new car - well, new to us! A 1984 VW Rabbit Convertible we aptly named 'Raggit the Rabbit'.
He is gunmetal gray and has a beige convertible top. He is a racing vehicle complete with racing suspension, tires, wheels, engine and everything necessary to race - should we ever want to - but I think we'll keep it as our family car.
You might be wondering why we named our car. Well, it's a family tradition, first and foremost, and - how can you not name something with a face! Here's the first picture we took of 'Raggit the Rabbit'.
She has shoes and an engine and tranny, but the brakes are not operational and doesn't even start up. Poor Miss Sunny. I think she's happier now though that she has a friend. We tend to go a little ga-ga with our vehicles, I know...we're weird.
He is gunmetal gray and has a beige convertible top. He is a racing vehicle complete with racing suspension, tires, wheels, engine and everything necessary to race - should we ever want to - but I think we'll keep it as our family car.
You might be wondering why we named our car. Well, it's a family tradition, first and foremost, and - how can you not name something with a face! Here's the first picture we took of 'Raggit the Rabbit'.
She has shoes and an engine and tranny, but the brakes are not operational and doesn't even start up. Poor Miss Sunny. I think she's happier now though that she has a friend. We tend to go a little ga-ga with our vehicles, I know...we're weird.
Fortunately, my husband was able to secure a job as a cab driver and did so for about three years. Which provided us transportation until we were able to get our own car! Now, he gets to give up that job (and the cab) and is working part-time for the Post Office.
We are planning on going back to college full-time and online. Hubby is starting first and then when I am finished working at our daughter's school I will start college full-time, online. I can hardly wait! I had been attending college, but had to drop out due to no money.
That's all about to change in a few weeks and I am looking forward to being a full-time student and finally being able to take care of my home the way it should be taken care of. Working full-time and trying to take care of the house has not worked. It isn't easy, but will be better soon.
Well, I really haven't caught up on everything that's been happening in the last couple of weeks, but I will!
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