everyday Ann

living the ordinary seeing the extraordinary

Christmastime

Merry Christmas!! The season always seems to be here and gone before I even realize it. Trees are already out on the curb and lights turned off. While we are still in the octave of Christmas, the season is fleating.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day came and went and our long anticipated stay with family was over all too quickly. When I went to bed on Christmas night I was reflecting on how fast the time went, wondering if I really entered into the mystery. Was I fully present at Christmas Eve Mass or just distracted by the circus that Mass can usually become with 5 children.

Have I allowed Christmas to transform my heart or was it just another holiday I celebrated that won’t be given a second thought until it comes upon me again next year. Have I allowed the Christ child to change my life. Christmas comes and goes, but do we take the Christ child with us. The love that is poured out from the manger, has it truly radiated my being. I am still pondering these questions as I gaze on the tiny babe who transformed the world.

I proclaim to you good news of great joy:

today a Savior is born for us,

Christ the Lord. Lk 2:10-11

Waiting on Baby

Here we are 39 weeks and 6 days, wondering when this precious girl will make her debut. Some days I think it may be easier if I just stay pregnant. Feeling a little nervous about having 5 kiddos and trying to be present to each one especially between 4:00-6:00pm. And some days I feel like I will be pregnant forever, the reality of a new little one joining us has not fully set in.

I am not sure who is more anxious and impatient for the arrival, me or the kids. It is such a gift to see their excitement as they await their new sibling, who is already loved dearly by each one of them. We are going to be drawing names to see who gets to hold the baby first. A full out argument ensues as soon as the topic is brought up with even Caden saying, “no, me first!”

The other day as I was thinking out loud and said should I scrub the floors or make apple pie. Ethan chimes in, “well I would rather have a baby than apple pie, so you should scrub the floors.”

We decided to take the kids to a pumpkin farm yesterday, to have some family time before all of the dynamics change again. It was a blast with horse rides, cow milking, pumpkin patch, hay ride and holding every farm animal there is.

In addition to growing a baby these past nine months I have also been working on another exciting project, co-authoring a book. More details coming very soon, including how to pre-order. Cannot wait to share more with you and see how the Holy Spirit will use this book to touch many hearts.

So Long Summer

Chugging the caffeine today as I stayed up way too late finalizing last minute school details, tucking notes in their lunch boxes and waking up crazy early to make their favorite breakfast while still trying to snap a few pictures before getting everyone out the door on time.

It is here, the start of a new school year. I am definitely not ready for it this year, besides it meaning that I am closer to meeting our sweet little one. Not sure if it is pregnancy emotions getting the best of me or just realizing how fast time goes, but I was not wanting to say good bye to them this morning, longing for more time together.

Earlier this month I wrote about this very thing over at Catholic Mom. Ready or not school is here, which means summer is officially over. We had a very full and busy summer and as much as I wish for more time I need to be thankful for the time had and memories made.

Welcome Summer!

Oh summer how we have waited so long for your arrival, suffering through months of endless cold and snow in what seemed like a never ending winter.

School is out and with a couple of days of 80 degrees we have packed in as much as possible trying to already squeeze every last drop out of these summer days. I have a feeling this summer will leave me feeling exhausted and refreshed all at the same time. Complete with lots of memories and carefree timelessness spent with the ones I love.

In just two days we have managed to play at a favorite park, enjoy a bike ride, sit out in the sun playing board games on the deck, run through the sprinkler, have a water fight, go out for ice cream and stay up late for an outdoor movie in the park. Hence the reason for a little exhaustion.

I usually create a bucket list for the summer and while the kids have mentioned a few things they would like to do my bucket list is going to be creating moments. Moments of time together, whether it be in our backyard, having a simple picnic at the park or playing games with the older boys while the little ones nap. Moments where I am present and not consumed by my to-do list, the basket of unfolded laundry or the layers of dust collecting on the dressers.

I know these beautiful summer days won’t last and we will not be in this season forever. These golden days will slip away all too quickly just as quickly as they all seem to be growing. In what seems like a blink of an eye school will be starting and we will be preparing for the arrival of number 5. Leaving us looking back once again wondering where the time has gone and wishing it would all slow down.

Easter Prep

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It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through Holy Week and Easter will be upon us soon. My kids are counting down the days and Grace and Caden are practicing up their Alleluias!

I feel like so many efforts I wanted to work on during Lent didn’t all come to fruition, including making Lent more applicable for the little ones. So we are throwing everything into Holy Week.

I ordered Resurrection Eggs for the younger ones, although the older kids enjoy reading it as well. I debated about saving them for Grace’s Easter basket, but I am so glad I didn’t. These are perfect for Holy Week and telling the story of Christ’s Passion leading up to Easter. Grace asks to read the Jesus story before nap time instead of a book and we have gone through them at least twice a day since getting them in the mail last week. I highly recommend them for anyone with little ones.

We made it through Palm Sunday Mass without too much sweat, two long Triduum Masses to go. I wrote about taking our little ones to Mass a few weeks ago over at Catholic Mom in case you are in need of some encouragement before embarking on Mass during bedtime and naptime.

Ever since our first Easter with Kolbe and Ethan we have done the Risen Jesus search Easter morning. On Good Friday the kids will make a picture of Jesus on the cross. They will then put their picture in a tomb (decorated shoe box). Easter morning they will find the boxes open and empty and will need to go in search of the Risen Jesus. When they find Jesus they will also see another surprise, their Easter basket!!

Easter morning the kids wake up to the house transformed and full of bright color. I wait until they are asleep Saturday night to put up any Easter decorations or flowers and also set out a nice table setting for breakfast. Come Easter morning I always wake up insanely early to make a nice brunch and a pan of sweet pecan rolls for us all to sit down and enjoy before heading out to Easter Mass at 8:30am. This year I am going to add virgin mimosas to the early morning brunch menu, something I think the kids will really enjoy.

The following are true and tried family recipes that my Mom has made every Easter morning since I can remember. Since we won’t be traveling this year for Easter, but will actually be hosting some of Aaron’s family I will be making sure to keep the tradition alive.

Pecan Rolls
3 packages buttermilk biscuits (make sure to buy the regular size, otherwise they won’t turn out)
Pecans
Sugar
Cinnamon
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Butter
1/3 cup Cream

  • Grease bundt pan and spread pecans on the bottom. Layer biscuits in pan. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon between each layer.
  • Mix brown sugar, butter and cream in saucepan. Bring to a light boil. Pour over pan.
  • Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Chocolate Pudding Torte
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 1/2 sticks Butter
2/3 cup Chopped Pecans
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1 large Jello Instant Chocolate Pudding
3 cups Milk
12 oz. Cool Whip

  • Combine flour, melted butter and pecans. Press mixture into 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
  • Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and half of cool whip until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.
  • Combine pudding mix with 3 cups milk and beat until thick. Pour over cream cheese layer.
  • Spread remaining cool whip on top and refrigerate.
  • Garnish with chopped pecans.

I would love to hear some of your Easter traditions! This is the holiest week of the year and we are about to embark on the greatest moment in history of all time, Christ’s Resurrection!!