Monday Morning Musings (Included: Why We Are Nothing Short of CRAZY)

I'm feeling very much compelled to write a post even if I don't say all that much for the simple reason that all my morbid self can picture is something tragic happening to me and it'll be all "and her last post was about the plans for her funeral..." and I can't have that.  So it's a Monday morning and we survived our camping trip (Take that, bears!) and I'm going to write so that my last thoughts are random and not creepily foreshadowing and such.  Besides, I really need to get off the idea that I must have The Perfect Topic in order to write.  I can just...write.  And we'll see how that goes.

Yes, we went camping and instead of glorious hikes through the majesty of God's nature we got this:


It rained the entiiiiiire day on Saturday.  Which was a bummer.  The kids still had a blast getting soaked and playing with fire and wading in the creek and going on a treasure hunt planned by my super fun brother in law and sister.  It ended with a piñata filled with smoke bombs and those snapper thingies so you know, that was pretty much the coolest thing ever.   Most of us adults spent out time all huddled in the one cabin or trying to keep the littlest ones from slipping in the mud and/or falling into the fire.  Except, of course, for some dancing to Michael Jackson by the light of the evening fire which is a requirement of any good camping trip, obviously.  And I spent most of the weekend avoiding both liquids (because outhouse) and looking into a mirror.

We left early Sunday morning because we were pretty done and the campsite was still completely soaked and muddy.  Today the five loads of laundry are already done, Luke slept until after 5 a.m. (!), and I already know what's for dinner so it's going to be a good day.

Oh, and we came home to two emails informing me that we sold two books on Amazon!  Did you know I did that?  Sold books on Amazon?  It's not really a thing, in fact it's been almost a year since one sold, but we have a bunch of totes in our loft of rare books that we listed on Amazon years ago (that we got for freeeee!) and once in a great while we sell something and it's fun.  So we sold two books and if you ever need extremely obscure books on Shakespeare, English theatre, or Joseph Conrad, I'm your girl.  I should tell you about that story of how all that happened sometime.  God always provides even if it's in unconventional ways.  He totally does.

What else?  John Paul has been waiting and waiting to go on a date with me.  We had big plans last week for a trip to get ice cream, go to Dick's (for arrows and baseballs), get some much needed clothes because he insists on growing, and go to Lowe's (I'm not sure what he needs there but it is VERY important).  My client called an hour before we were supposed to go last time and she was in labor so our plans got diverted for a bit.  I'm hoping this weekend will work.  That boy is growing up and it is all so crazy wonderful and can I tell you how much it rocks having a big kid?  It is so neat to have conversations with him and watch him figure out the world and I am so excited to see what God has planned for him. He reminds me so much of his namesake.  I always think of him as our little Renaissance child.  He's one of those kids that no matter what he does, he can be good at it.  It's going to be hard for him, I think, to figure out just what gifts he wants to refine, you know?  I picture the late JPII during his growing up years like that kid in school that you want to not like because they are good at everything but it's impossible not to like him because they are really genuinely nice and friendly and open and unassuming about it all?  Anyway, it's pretty amazing seeing your kids develop their own personalities and coming into their own a bit and with that comes a whole new world of parenting to navigate.

 Oh.  SPEAKING OF BLESSED JOHN PAUL II and sort of the entire point of this post because I just realized I can't keep it in anymore and I need to share it with you.  Can I tell you why we are the most absolutely insane and yet crazy blessed family in the world right now????  The other night we bought. tickets. to. Rome.  

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROME.  I mean, I don't even...you guys, ROME.  Hold on, while I breathe in my paper bag again.  
But really.  ROME.  For realz!!!!!!!   FOR EASTER AND THE CANONIZATION.  Totally the most insane thing to do with four kids and all but ROME.  
Do you know we have dreamed of going to Rome since we met?  And then we made the super most regretted decision ever and cheaped out and went to Maine of all places for our honeymoon.  (Not that there's anything wrong with Maine, of course, but neither of us had ever really thought about going there and it's. not. ROME.)  That's one time when a little bit of debt would have been SOOO worth it.  But at the time the tickets were thousands of dollars and you know, Theology degrees.  We got an awesome deal on airfare and you guys, we clicked the button and now  
WE ARE GOING TO ROME.  
ALLLL SIX OF US.  
We've watched friends and other people go and have always been so happy for them and NOW WE GET TO GO, TOO!!  We are totally viewing this as a pilgrimage.  It will be insane and difficult and amazing and borderline terrifying and crowded and we're going to need to give up a lot of other things in order to make this work and I will totally need to bring my paper bag to deal with the craziness but from what we can tell, 
God wants us there, you guys.  
And it's ROME.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breathe.  Okay.  Monday, lessons, dinner, children, must tend to these things still.  In the meantime, more pictures of camping:










Also, ROME:


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

21 comments

  1. Ok first - I am so so excited for you guys!! That is gonna be just amazing!!! Second, this is so weird, but we totally wanted to go to Rome for our honeymoon and get the papal blessing, but it didn't work out and we went to Maine instead! Pretty funny, huh? You guys are gonna have an incredible time!:)

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    1. So funny! That was totally our plan. Hey, do you think if I can squeeze into my wedding dress that we can still get the blessing????? I mean, is there a time limit on it? Or will the four little clones of my husband give us away? I WILL TOTALLY DO IT.

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    2. You will dress your sons up as Groomsmen, and you will say "No Holy Father, these are just members of our wedding party. Oh yes, I know. They look very young. Thats because the come from a family of midgets. My husband and I have many midget friends. Then VOILA!!!!!!! you will get the Blessing, hassle free.

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  2. Oh my gosh, I can't decide if I am insanely happy for you, or just insanely jealous. And, truth is, its probably both. We thought and thought about it but there is no way we can swing it this time! We will be with you in spirit and watching on EWTN. What a freaking blessing! I am so glad God said 'yes' to this for you ;) I can't wait to read about your adventures.

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  3. and oh my goodness, I just had flashbacks to our crazy camping trip! LOL!

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    1. Ha! That was epic. I don't think I can ever hear the word affirmation without thinking of you :)

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  4. I have had really good luck selling curriculum and school books on Amazon.

    And Rome!!! Awesome!!!

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  5. Wow! Awesome! All of you going! I just went went this summer to visit one of my dearest friends, who happens to work at the Vatican. Do you know anybody living or working there currently? I'm not kidding, email me if you would like help with anything, she knows tons of priests and could arrange for a private mass for your family in the Crypt of St. Peter's. Really!

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    1. Ohmygoodness, I may TOTALLY take you up on that, Rebekah!! We *may* have a priest friend going as well but if she can hook us up with anything, I will totally take advantage! And yes, ALL of us! Insanity, right?

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  6. Wahooo! Rome! Oh, that is so wonderful! Say some prayers for us while you are there. I would love to go sometime (hubby is on a plane there right now).

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  7. WOW!!! You are really going to do it. ROME.WOW.. Very exciting. Will Michael get his wish to make his First Communion in Rome?
    So you started this post as though you were just randomly writing thoughts as they came up and then BANG - By the way we are going to Rome. Seriously I am very happy it is working out for you.

    I was going to comment on the camping trip until I got to the BANG. What camp ground did you go to? The one picture reminds me of one we stayed at when we came through your area when Brian was still in grammar school.
    Grandma in Chicago

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  8. Oh Mary, that is incredible!!!!!! What an amazing chance to get to experience that as an ENTIRE family!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

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  9. We camped this past week too, but we went home on Saturday in the rain (started camping on Thursday). Beautiful pictures.
    Enjoy Rome!

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  10. I am so, so excited and happy for you!! Your dream is coming true! God is so good-what an unbelievable pilgrimage this will be to share with your boys! Do they know yet? I'd love to see their reaction when you tell them you're all going to Rome!

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  11. I'm new to your blog, and really enjoy reading your blog entries. I'm so excited for you all! Both my parents are from Italy and I have been very fortunate & blessed to been able to visit family in Italy numerous times during my younger years. It is a beautiful country. I've only been to the Vatican once during my honeymoon and it was truly a jaw dropping experience! You are going to LOVE it! It will be adventure for sure for the whole family. Lots of smiles and fond memories to look back to many years later. Have fun and we'll be looking forward to seeing some pictures. =)

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  12. I'm new to your blog, and really enjoy reading your blog entries. I'm so excited for you all! Both my parents are from Italy and I have been very fortunate & blessed to been able to visit family in Italy numerous times during my younger years. It is a beautiful country. I've only been to the Vatican once during my honeymoon and it was truly a jaw dropping experience! You are going to LOVE it! It will be adventure for sure for the whole family. Lots of smiles and fond memories to look back to many years later. Have fun and we'll be looking forward to seeing some pictures. =)

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  13. When is your trip? Oh wait...I just read it's for Easter. How exciting for you and for the boys. I have the same question Grandma Hall has - have you told the boys yet? Will you be stopping in Oregon on the way? (It's on the way if you go the other way around the globe).

    And your honeymoon....had you gone to Rome you couldn't have stopped at our house where we let honeymooners sleep in red, fake-satin sheets. I'm pretty sure they don't have those in Rome.

    The camping trip....rain and mud and kids....hmmm. Not feeling so bad that we missed it. : )

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    1. Haha! That IS true. Fake satin sheets did make the experience more memorable :)

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