Thirteen years ago on this day, after five months of writing, emailing and phone calling Brian and I shared our first meet, first date, and first kiss. Since then, he has given me a little taste of heaven every day that we are together. I love you, Sweetie! This song always makes me think of you. xoxo
Yesterday I looking over this post from last year.
When it comes to Christmas tunes, I am a sucker for the classic crooning of Bing Crosby and Nate King Cole. Today, however, I have been in the mood for a change of pace and have been loving Christmas a la Relient K and Sixpense None the Richer. Falalalala!
This year (2011) I am in love with Michael Buble's Christmas album. Love it.
Next, when I am in the mood for a coffee shop Christmas, I listen to A Very She & Him Christmas. I love Zooey's voice and it makes me think of my little sister J. :-) (But it also makes me want to watch Elf. ;-)
Lastly, I've been enjoying this older album I got from my mom - Third Day's Christmas Offerings. It's been re-released as a CD & DVD combo pack of the concert. I really like the lead singer's gruff voice and their take on Christmas classics.
What are your favorite Christmas albums?
Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary.
I'm writing this Quick Posts while listening to Mat Kearny's new album Young Love. "Hey, mama. Hey, hey, mama..." (Funny, that's the same thing Bella said to me when she saw me dancing around the kitchen. Only she said it with that "omg, what is mom doing?" tone. LOL!)
Speaking of the kitchen, the freezer section of my fridge has always been jam packed with stuff so I have been thinking about getting a stand alone freezer for the garage. I asked Brian if I could get one for my birthday and he laughed. (It was like Ethel asking for a toaster for her birthday, for you Lucy fans.) But since I had the money saved, he agreed. I debated over a chest unit or an upright and went with the upright since it seemed easier to organize and more importantly, it was the perfect size for the space we had in the garage. The freezer finally arrived this week and I've been doing a happy dance ever since! It is so nice to buy bulk items and make double dinners and be able to freeze them. Yay!
Speaking of organizing, since I had to rearrange the garage to make room for the freezer, I've be organizing the pantry out there as well. We have wire shelves that we bought at Costco and since the shelves have rollers they are easy to move around. I was going to make a master pantry list when I saw these freezer and pantry inventory lists through a link at iheartorganizing.blogspot.com. Although I could create them myself, I wanted to support a mom by purchasing these from Jennifer's etsy shop. (Plus it saves me the time!) They were just what I needed.
Speaking of the pantry, I have been trying to use up some of the items that have been sitting there for awhile. I had two cans of this canned chicken meat that my father-in-law bought when he went to Costco. It seems a little weird to have chicken in a can (even though I eat tuna from a can) and frankly, I had been saving it for emergency food in case the "Big One" comes during my lifetime. (For you non Cali-residents, the Big One is the major earthquake that will supposedly cause part of CA to fall into the Pacific Ocean. But now that I think about it, I live near the ocean so I may not survive in the first place. But never mind that, I digress.) Anyway, the chicken needed to be eaten so I made chicken salad with it and it actually wasn't bad. I added a little light mayo, some chopped red onion, some chopped sweet red pepper (I love red peppers!) and a few dashes of Spice Hunter's Fajita Seasoning. Brian actually loved it so thanks, Dad.
Speaking of spices....last week my mother-in-law and I were talking about how we couldn't find the Spice Hunter salt-free seasonings as easily as we used to be able to. I could sometimes find them at Trader Joe's or World Market but they stopped carrying my favorite Fajita Seasoning and her favorite Fish Seasoning. I went online and luckily found them available through the company. I stocked up on what I needed plus I got free shipping and a free Grill Shakers as a sample. Cool!
Speaking of my mother-in-law, I have to get off of the computer and get the house cleaned since my in-laws are coming over for dinner this weekend. And the house has to be not just guest-passable but mother-in-law passable. ;-) So off I go.
Oh, wait. I need one more post....um....okay...speaking of cleaning, I also purchased the cleaning list from iheartorganizing to help me stay on top of keeping everything orderly. I tell ya, I am getting so on the ball I hardly recognize myself! LOL!
Have a great weekend!
I'm listening to Adele. I am in love with her voice.
Matthew is drifting off to sleep in my arms. After the 4th baby, I'm getting pretty proficient at typing with one hand.
I've been hearing a lot of people talking about Amazon prime and I have been interested but didn't want to spend the money. However, we order from Amazon so often I thought I'd give it a try. I love it. The roughly $6 a month it costs for 2-day delivery and easy/full refund returns is worth it. And I just realized we have free streaming of movies on our TV as well. Nice.
UPDATE: After reading this my sister recommended that I try Amazon Mom
Speaking of movies, Brian and I recently watched St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor. Although it was in Italian with English subtitles (meaning I had to make sure the kids were asleep so I could pay attention) I really enjoyed it and was touched by his life story. I'd love to read a book about his life but I haven't seen one. If you get a chance, check it out.
Life with Bella and the three little guys has definitely kept my hands full but I have managed to find a few me-moments to take a look at other mom blogs. Lately I have loved my sister's blog Barefoot and Sometime Pregnant. Partly because I love keeping up with my little sis but I also love to read about other things than non-moms would find incredibly boring. :-) She recently updated the look of her site and has been posting quite frequently. Part of me loves the frequent posts and the other part of me wants to freakin' know where she finds the time! LOL!
Last weekend was Matthew's baptism. Unfortunately, the priest we had scheduled became ill the day before the baptism and was unable to perform the ceremony. We scrambled to find another priest but everyone we knew had a prior engagement. Finally we were able to get the new priest who just came to our parish, although we had never met him before. We were pleasantly surprised to find him very devout and holy. He performed a lovely baptism and we rejoiced that our little one now shares in the life of Christ.
Here is a pic of our holy little man. (Don't laugh at the cheezy bow tie! LOL! It was originally Andrew's and the only outfit we could find that would fit him. Since then each boy has worn the same outfit and has become a funny tradition.)
Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary.
Wow, it's been nearly two months since I've last posted. That's pretty bad, even for me. All I can say is that daily life has just kept me extra busy lately. However, we are all doing well and the baby is growing, along with my belly. I'm in my third trimester now and so far so good. There are a few times when the Braxton Hicks contractions come too close and I have to stay off my feet but so far it's been manageable.
Speaking of babies, congrats to my sister EML for giving birth to her third child Greta Anne. (Love the name. :-) She had a successful homebirth even with Greta being over 9lbs. Ouch. ( Fun fact: EML was my mom's first home birth and I witnessed her birth. Pretty cool.)
Brian and I have been trying to have a few outings before the baby comes and we were blessed to spend last weekend at Pebble Beach. It's certainly not the normal place we could afford but since Brian works there he had the chance to "test the product" for free. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Tap Room and stayed at The Lodge in one of their gorgeous rooms overlooking the ocean. Hey, they can call me anytime to test out the food and accommodations!
This weekend is the Super Bowl and normally I wouldn't pay much attention to it. However, this year since Brian's beloved Packers are playing we've got to support him and his team. So the Brian and the kids are ready with their hats and shirts and I've got the party food ready to go. Hopefully it'll be fun, whatever the outcome.
The other night I came across the indie band First Class Hope. I really enjoyed their single Tonight so I downloaded their EP Love and Redemption off itunes. They are Christian and in fact, I think they may actually be Catholic. Anyone know if that's true?
Well, John-Paul just came over and turned off the computer while I was typing this so I guess that means my time is up. (And you wonder why I don't post more often!) I'll leave you with our Christmas/New Year photo. Have a great weekend...and Go Pack!
It seems that I hardly ever post anymore. Family life consumes all my time, which is good I guess. I just don't know how those super Catholic moms do it all - raise 10 kids, homeschool, write books, run the household...I get stressed just thinking about it! LOL! Right now if I can get through the day and care for the kids and get dinner on the table and maybe even get some laundry done and still keep a relative smile on my face, then I call that a heck of a day!
My sister EL (who sometimes contributes to RoL) is expecting Baby #2. She's in VA and we were worried that the baby would arrive during the blizzard but it's past her due date and still no bambino. Say a prayer that all goes well!
Tonight Bella and I will attend her Little Flowers Catholic Girls' club. We haven't been in a couple months because there was so much going at home with the new baby and the holidays etc. Things are still busy but JP is much easier to care for and Bella misses her friends. I have to admit I am just as excited to go because I miss talking with the other Catholic moms. It's easy for a busy mom to fall into a duties-only rut and forget the importance of some female companionship!
And for the LF Valentine's party we needed to make a home-made item to share. I saw these Double Chocolate Cookies on Barefoot Contessa this week so Bella and I tried out the recipe. They are sooo yum! Make a quick batch before lent starts!
Okay, what other random thing can I talk about? Oh wait. Big news. We're adding on! No not to the family (give the body some time to heal!) but to the house. We're going to convert the garage into another bedroom. (Right now we only have two.) It took months to get through all the red tape and now we were given the go sign. The contractor told me that as soon as we clear out all the STUFF from our garage and the storage cabinets, they can start building. So guess what I'll be doing this weekend?? I think I better sign up for Danielle's 40 bags in 40 days for Lent!!
Lastly, here's a recent pic of John-Paul, now 5 ½ months.
I love fall! It is my favorite season. Although here on the central coast of Cali, it feels more like summer. We get lots of fog and cool weather in July and August then it warms up in September and October. But now that November is here the chill is slowly moving in and anticipation for the holidays gets stronger. I am especially excited because we always spend a week in So Cal during Thanksgiving and I am sooo ready to see my family again - some of who have yet to meet John-Paul! Only 17 more days! WooHoo!
I tried that recipe for minestrone soup that my sis EL recommended. It was so tasty! Lots of veggies and flavor. Here's the link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jamies-Minestrone/Detail.aspx
Brian and I recently saw two movies with a Catholic theme. The first was Ostrov (Sold at http://www.notofthisworldicons.com). "The story begins in northern Russia during World War II. A Russian coal barge with a two-man crew is captured by a Nazi patrol boat. The Nazis force the young cowardly Russian furnace stoker, Anatolii, to shoot his captain. The Nazis blow up the barge but Anatolii is rescued by monks from a nearby monastery. Anatolii spends the rest of his life repenting in sorrow, and through this repentance becomes a God-bearing Fool-for-Christ who, with his God-inspired insights into human hearts, gives miraculous help to suffering people who come to him for aid. Nearing death Anatolii's own suffering is resolved through a miraculous manifestation of forgiveness."
It is a beautiful story and heartbreaking to watch Anatolii's sorrow over killing his captain, but he never gave up hope on God's mercy. In his humility and wretchedness, Anatolii became completely dependent on God and grew in holiness. God was then able to do marvelous wonders with the "little fool." (ie. He could read souls or knew when something bad was going to happen.) The story is in Russian but with subtitles.
Speaking of where we bought the movie, if you are looking for icons, check out Not of This World Icons.com. It is our favorite place to shop. So beautiful!
The second movie we saw was 2008's Henry Poole Is Here with Luke Wilson. It is not a religious movie but it had a surprisingly positive portrayal of the Catholic Church. Wilson plays Henry, a stand-offish loner (with a bit of mystery about him) that buys a house in his old neighborhood. His desire to be alone is thwarted by a friendly (and persistent) Catholic Hispanic woman who believes that a water stain on the side of Henry's house is actually a miraculous imprint of Jesus' face. During the course of the movie Henry must deal with his neighbors' faith, his own disbelief and anger, and his growing friendship with a single mom and her mute daughter. The movie is low-key and never preachy but there is a definite underlying message of faith and (physical/spiritual) healing. (Note: The movie is rated PG, mostly for language. Watch it when the kids are asleep.)
I also really enjoyed the soundtrack on the Henry Poole movie. There were some cool songs; however, there are two from the movie that are missing from the official soundtrack. If you get it from iTunes you'll have to download the Bob Dylan song (I didn't mind skipping that one) and the Blur (Song 2) separately. (I did download the Bur song - I hadn't heard them in years!)
Okay, Andrew is up and ready for breakfast so I need to get off the computer. I'll end with a pic of the kids from Halloween. Have a blessed weekend!
I've been running around all day and now that I am home I have no energy to even get out of my chair. So I thought I'd give the quick take Friday thing a try.
I just received my order of Pampered Chef items. I am looking forward to trying them out. I especially want to make the mini-quiches we had at the cooking party. I have to laugh at the recipe since it lists all their products within it, but regardless, they were delicious.
My mom is flying up from Southern California on Sunday and she will spend a week with us to help me with some pre-baby things - finishing the nursery (which is a corner of our bedroom), wash the baby clothes, do some bigger chore housework etc. Most of all I just love having her around and hearing her laughter. I can't wait! (And as I think more about the upcoming labor, it is also comforting to know that if she could handle nine labors, I can surely handle my third.)
I was looking at a friend's photos of their trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and it made me miss not going there more often. So I finally bought an annual pass for the whole family. Bella has been excited to see the new Sea Horse exhibit and I know Andrew will love the hands on kid's zone. Hopefully I can take my mom while she is here.
What I Am Reading: I took a break from my Agatha Christy novels when I borrowed a copy of Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I had started it but never got to finish. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!
What I Am Watching: I love old B&W movies and am leery to watch remakes of the old classics. Case in point - I rented the new version of The Women and it was so bad I couldn't finish it. Don't even bother. Rent the 1939 version with Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford. It's an interesting (and at times heartbreaking and at times humorous) view of female cattiness, marital infidelity, forgiveness and the "bad guy" getting his (hers) in the end.
What I Am Listening To: Matt Kearney's City of Black and White. Loving this disc right now.
Brian will be home in a few minute so I have to keep this last one short. He works so hard for us and even when he is tired he'll help me out with the kids or cleaning the shower or scrubbing toilets because it is hard for me to bend over with my growing belly and he doesn't want me smelling cleaner fumes. Sometimes I forget that it's all the little things he does that says he loves me. So tonight I have one of his favorite meals and the kids are going to bed early so we can have a little one-on-one time after a long and busy week.
Have a blessed night and weekend yourself!
When it comes to Christmas tunes, I am a sucker for the classic crooning of Bing Crosby and Nate King Cole. Today, however, I have been in the mood for a change of pace and have been loving Christmas a la Relient K and Sixpense None the Richer. Falalalala!
Having just completed an 800 mile round trip with countless hours of kid's music being played, we have chosen a number one band in our house right now - The Imagination Movers!
We've been fans of the Imagination Movers for awhile but since their new show on Disney, Bella AND Andrew are loving them and we've been OD-ing on their music. And I've got to make my own confession - I like them too! The Imagination Movers show can be a bit corny (hence the genre - kid's show) but they've got a great sound, kid friendly lyrics, most are fellow parents (Scott & Dave each have two kids and Rich has five) and they've overcome tragedy in their personal lives (when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana they lost their studio and three of the guys lost their homes.)
So before you start your next road trip or if need an upbeat album to get you and the kids moving, give a listen to Rick, Scott, Dave & Smitty. (If you don't have anything of theirs yet, start with Juice Box Heroes.)
Welcome! Although Brian and I have our website Revolution of Love.com, we started this blog to have a little outlet where we could post about the smaller everyday happenings of life and our "just for fun" posts. I will probably be the one here the most since out of the two of us, I have the most trivial things to say. ;-)
I'll start things off by participating in my first edition of the infamous Friday Five Yay!
1. What was the first band you saw in concert? Let's see, years back it was a big Rock for Life concert in Orange County, CA. I think that first really got me into Christian alternative/hardcore music. But one of the first concerts I most vividly remember was when I drove to Santa Barbara, CA with my sister BC to see the hardcore band Focused. Oh, those guys were so awesome and so in love with God. They were the first band I ever interviewed (for the underground music zine I used to do.) Ah, such memories!
2. Who is your favorite artist/band now? Okay, you can tell I am a mommy now because at the moment I am listening to "Wags the Dog" by the Wiggles. (It is Bella's Wiggle's hour; that is the only time I am guaranteed some uninterrupted computer time!) But as far as I'm concerned, I have been listening to a lot of Jeremy Camp, Kutless, and Sixpense None the Richer. But I must say that I also loooove 80's alternative music - The Cure, The Smiths, Morrissey, New Order, Psychedelic Furs, etc. Plus, good old classics like Dean Martin (reminds me of our honeymoon. Sigh.)
3. What's your favorite song? This is a tough one. The song that always reminds me of Brian is The Cure's "Lovesong." I never tire of it.
4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Um, I always wished I could play the guitar, write my own music and sing my own songs. I may be able to get away with writing lyrics but the only instrument I can play is the Fisher-Price toddler drum set and my voice it not fit for anyplace other than the car while driving or perhaps in church if the choir sings real loud and drowns me out.
5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why? Back in my teen days I may have said someone like Morrissey from the Smiths but now I just see musical "icons" as regular joes and can't think of one in particular that I'd single out. So I'll have to think about that one.
Have a great weekend guys! See you Monday. Keep praying, b.
Brian & Bobbi
Brian and His Packer Buddies
Bella
Andrew
John-Paul (JP)
Matthew
