The Hike

Our family enjoyed a lovely day together. Neil abandoned his typical “Whatever you want to do,” way of thinking and suggested we spend the day at a local nature museum. I appreciated that I didn’t need to decide on the plan this time. And to my amazement not a single fight over seats or radio station transpired as we traveled to our destination. This may actually work out the way I envisioned it I thought to myself as we pulled into the parking lot. How nice to escape the hustle and bustle of life and simply relax and enjoy beautiful scenery together as a family

We explored and observed for a while, (We all loved watching Allyson’s wide eyes. She found everything fascinating…especially the otter. He was very cute!) Then we decided to go on a mile hike up the mountain. Boy was that an interesting adventure! Ryan (above) climbed up a tree in the middle of the woods! (Which was hilarious because when he reached the top, his cell phone rang and he actually answered it!  Now I couldn't exactly express my amusement at that moment because I didn't want the rest of the crew to attempt a climb too...but it was pretty funny.) And sweet Allyson nearly made it the whole way up the mountain but ran out of steam right before we made it to the top! Em, Zach and Lindsey effortlessly dashed the whole way! ("Oh to be young again!" Ryan said.) I will admit that I became a little unnerved at times when we needed to scale huge rocks with Allyson in tow but luckily Neil was his cool as a cucumber self.

After our enthralling hour long expedition we said farewell to our new friend the otter and ventured back to the car…Where the kids proceeded to bicker over seats and radio stations. Well, at least we had a fleeting period of tranquility.

Ick

As I lethargically set foot into the kitchen this morning the stench of something entered my nostrils. I cleaned the cabinets (all two of them), scrubbed the floor, emptied the fridge, yet was unable to find the culprit. Maybe Neil is hiding a dead body under the floor boards? Or perhaps Allyson needs a bath.

Update:  I discovered what it was...forgotten broccoli.  Man was it stinky.

Devastation

Here are a few pictures from an area fairly close to us.
We had three days of pounding rain and these poor people have lost almost everything. For some, not only did their basement flood, but
it seeped up into their homes, their cars, campers, boilers...all ruined. Many of these families are friends of ours and classmates to our children.
Just days before, we were together at a special gathering sharing laughs and great conversation.

It doesn't seem fair. Prayers just don't seem enough.

(Above)

The water came so quickly that it surprised these poor souls.  They were unable to

safely leave their homes without help. 

This pool belongs to a co-worker of  Neil's.  That fence is a six foot fence!

     Neil took this one at the top of the hill.  On the far right is the park where our kids like to play, it looked more like a river.  If you attempted to go down that hill, you would be up to your shoulders in water.

It is a blessing that everyone made it out safely, but devastating to observe such destruction. 

One of the teachers from the school stopped by tonight and mentioned a fund raiser to help the families from our school.  That is a start, I suppose. 

Miracles Happen

As I frantically scrubbed the floor this morning (I do this when I am stressed out) toiling over an important decision, something unbelievable happened!

Since elementary school, our oldest son has asked to attend a local private school. I am not sure where the idea came from since Neil and I hadn’t planned for our children to go to private school. We merely encourage our children to try their best in school and make it a priority of ours to give them all of the tools necessary to succeed. My guess is a teacher may have planted the seed. (I say this because on more than one occasion his teachers have mentioned in passing that he would be a great candidate for this particular school.) Ryan is entering high school in the fall and he asked if he could take the entrance exam and apply. We agreed that he could, but cautioned him that unless he received a scholarship or some significant financial aid to cover the tuition, he would not be able to go.  I deliberated with myself… What am I setting him up for? Is he mature enough to understand this? But then I thought, How many children do I know beg (and I mean beg!) to attend a specific school?

Wouldn’t you know it, he scored extremely well on the exam. In fact they (school) called him and encouraged him to apply! Oy! All of us were incredibly proud, as well as hopeful that he may have earned a significant scholarship and would have the opportunity to attend. As it turned out, Ryan was awarded an honorable merit scholarship and our family was also given financial aid that we are appreciative. Yet, even with the help, being a large family on one income isn’t conducive to a private school education.

Alas as we toured the school and spoke with students, parents, and faculty, I inadvertently fell in love. I understand the endorsement that Ryan’s teachers offered him, and I completely understand why Ryan would want to be a part of this culture. It is truly amazing!

So this morning I was lamenting and praying about this difficult choice before us. In all honesty, I was about to just give up when something caught my ear on the radio. It was an enthusiastic Jesuit priest discussing
St. Ignatius. My sunken heart skipped a beat. The school that Ryan wishes to attend is a Jesuit school and the scholarship that he earned was named after St. Ignatius of Loyola the very same person that was now being discussed! Needless to say, I got my answer. There has to be another door that I haven't opened yet and I am determined to find it.

Happy Birthday Lulu!

I hope that you enjoyed your "cake for breakfast" and your special dinner.  You make my heart smile sweet girl.  Happy sixth birthday!

Scott Brown Wins!

I am overjoyed! Never in my life has my heart been filled with such pride, enthusiasm and excitement as it was while marking my ballot tonight. Massachusetts voted THE PEOPLE'S seat back. Are you listening Washington?

GO SCOTT GO!


Now I realize that my above entry sounds a bit dramatic, but my heart has been broken twice in some recent local elections, and this one was my third swing. Luckily it was a homerun! This race was nasty! If you do a search on Youtube for Martha Coakley ads, you'd be stunned and embarrassed. Not only were they untrue, they were just plain appalling. But this wasn't just about the ads. Scott Brown is a voice. Our voice. Many of us here in Massachusetts felt hopeless as we watched our country turn in a direction that we strongly opposed. Healthcare here in Massachusetts has become outrageously expensive since the law changed for us in 2006. In fact, Massachusetts has the most expensive family health insurance premiums in the country, according to an analysis that highlights the state’s challenge in trying to curb medical costs after passage of the law that mandated coverage for residents. So we know first hand what this proposed healthcare reform bill would mean. We need health insurance reform not health care reform. We also want our elected officials to stop their entitlement mentality. I mean no disrespect to the president when I say, “Take your Czars and shove it.” And to Congress, “We need you to hear us, so LISTEN. You work for us.”

I Just Threw Up in my Mouth

Nice title huh?



Today my papa (He is my step father, but he is the only real father I've ever known.) was having surgery. Thankfully, my brother offered to spend the day with my mom, and then Neil and I planned on going in later. I begged my mom to call me right after the surgery (Sadly, she has a history of forgetting.) All of us have been on edge this week. Papa is well into his seventies and has a history of heart problems and this is a fairly complicated five hour procedure. I understand this isn’t about me, but I just missed the dang call and she didn't leave a message! If everything was fine wouldn’t she leave a message?!



Most of the blame falls on me. I had the phone in my hand but put it down to answer the door and then Allyson called me from upstairs and that is when (of course) she called. What is really sending me over the edge is that she shut her frickin’ phone off and doesn't know how to get voice mail. So now I am left pacing (and blogging to pass time)  and assuming that something went terribly wrong.



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During my rant, the phone rang and it was my mom. 



He is out and okay. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful and need to go back in on Wednesday. Out of respect for my papa I don't want to plaster his medical history here, but I must say, this is extraordinarily disappointing. At least he is all right.

I am going to have to have a cell phone intervention for my mom later, but right now I will resume my Hail Mary's for papa and stop my online temper tantrum. Thank you for reading this (uncharacteristic of me but absolutely needed) rant. And please, if you think of it, say a little prayer for papa. Thanks.