Ode to My 40 Year Old Body

Not bad today, I say to my reflection in the mirror,

Grateful for the dust and smudges that don’t make it much clearer.

I remind myself that the belly which grieves me when dressing,

 Has housed and nourished my most wonderful blessings.

The wrinkles and lines near my mouth and eyes,

 Could tell stories of laughter and tears, life’s lows and highs.

Though I often wish they were a bit more thin,

Those thighs are crazy strong from hours in the gym.

My children marvel at my large biceps,

Though they’re less from weights lifted as babies schlepped.

The pants that were too tight today, the ones that raised my voice?

I can’t blame you body, you are just the product of a bad choice.

But then again, would I call a nice weekend “bad”?

Good memories were made, so much fun was had.

Suddenly the physical flaws become badges of honor,

This body has lived a good life and I’m not yet a goner!

A strong foundation covered in some soft layers,

From babies and for babies who need retreat from naysayers.

Scars and creases that give character to an otherwise boring existence,

Are things to cherish, not try to extinguish.

When I sat down to write this Ode to my Body,

I knew not how much gratitude I Owed to my Body.

So keep on keeping on, this body o’ mine.

I literally wouldn’t be me without you and you’re doing just fine.

TGIF with GIFs

I *think* we're settled into our school routines.  Some notes for memory's sake (because Lord knows I'm losing it fast!)...

1)

We spend less on groceries during the school year because the elementary school kids get free breakfast and lunch at school.  They complain about it, but there's enough variety each day that I know they'll eat something, even if it is just a "meat and cheese sandwich" everyday (that would be Declan).  Every night, we pack two snacks in the lunchboxes and call it done.  Every morning, they whine and complain as they watch their high school siblings eat breakfast at home ("They're eating allllll the good cereal!") and make a real lunch to take ("It's so unfair!") so that's been fun.

2)

I haaaaaate that the chunk of time I have with my little guys is also their worst acting time of the day.  I have them from after school until bedtime, which is roughly from 4-7pm, though we've been putting them to bed at 6:45 because they're so exhausted.  I know their crankiness can be cured with some quality time and food in their bellies, but I am busy making said food and employ the older kids to take them outside to play, or pull out a game during this time.  Then it's dinner, cleanup, bath and bedtime and I am left feeling like I barely saw them.  Tis the working parent's life, but it's still hard on them and me.

First Comes Marriage

I found this photo from our trip to Story Land in New Hampshire this summer.  Alexander was very persistent in asking me if he could take a picture using my "real camera" which is expensive and normally a no-no for the kids to touch.  But, I finally agreed, and showed him what to do, and he snapped this photo of Phil and I.  It's blurry, but I love it sooooo much because of that little boy sitting and smiling at his Mom and Dad.  He just looks so happy to see us together.

It was a good reminder for me that if Phil and I are working on our marriage, trying to make each other happy, serving one another, and keeping each other on the path to Heaven...it ultimately makes our kids happy.

Seven Students in School (It's Surreal!!)

1)

School started for Brendan this week.  Brendan is our new three year old, and also "the baby" of our big, crazy, loud family.  He has been so very excited to start school like his siblings, and besides a few potty accidents on the first day, seems to be thriving!  Gammy gave him a "Baby Shark" backpack for his birthday, and we had a shark lunch box, so he's in oceanic heaven.

2)

I loooooove that I have five kids at the Catholic P-8 school, and two at our Catholic high school, where both Phil and I work.  We are so lucky to have these schools available for our kids and I'm forever grateful.

I am also shocked that ALL of my kids are in school.

Guys.

Nobody is away at college, nobody is at daycare, nobody is in utero (that I know of!).

#goals

(It's only taken us 16 years to get here.)

From L-R: JP is a Junior, Eamon is in 7th, Xander is in 3rd, Brendan's in P3, Declan is in Kindergarten, Maggie's in 6th, and Andrew is a Freshman.  Five kids in one school, two kids in another - all the same colors!

7 Random Friday Thoughts

Linking up with Kelly with some Quick Takes...

1)

My new Kindergartner loves using the work "random" whenever possible.  We were at the playground last weekend and he kept hanging around me, so I told him to go play, and he said "I don't want to go play with random people!"  And the introvert in me totally gets it.

Thoughts on Being An Older Mom (After Years of Being a Young One!)

My my, how perspectives change with age.

I remember dropping off my first born to preschool when he was the ripe old age of 3 and I was only 27.  I distinctly recall seeing a mom in active wear with her 3 year old son that looked much older than me.  We later became friends, and I learned she was *gulp* in her 40s! 

A year later, I was still one of the younger moms dropping off my second child to preschool.  Two years later, I said goodbye to child three, and a year after that, child number four began.  There I was, 30 years old with four young kids, all in school.