glogger

this blogging thing i like to sometimes refer to as glogging......and i'm considering quiting it because i get really irritated when i have to spend too much time at my computer typing up a post and including pictures, or trying to figure out how to get the spacing right on my posts!....like the previous post with the poem.....somehow when you type it doesn't neccessarily mean that's they way it's going to look on your blog. I assume that the blogs where you actually have to pay, (not this free one), might be a little better in that regard. that's just an assumption, I haven't actually checked it out though. So, so far, I like blogging, but I don't like how much time it takes me & some of the frustration it's caused me. It can be such a glog sometimes. I've also been a bit anti-computer lately.......arrrrgggg. I'm going to go rock my baby.......(; I'll 'see' you later......maybe (;

Song for a Fifth Child

Around the time of Levin's birth we had received a card & note from Levin's Great Grandparents Ross & Evelyn Shingledecker of Caledonia, WI. They are John's dad's parents who are now in their mid 80's still living in their own home in WI surrounded by lots & lots of family as they raised 10 children of their own & have many children, grandchildren & great grandchildren nearby.

Included with the card & note was a lovely little poem, titled "Song for a Fifth Child". Adding to the sweet nostalgia & sentiment of the poem, it is typed on some old paper with some hand drawings of a baby bear, baby blocks, and a rattle. I think of this poem a lot, as it seems to suit me to a tea lately. I also think of the other women in her family to whom Great Grandma Evelyn has most likely sent a copy.....and I consider myself blessed to be among the ranks of those fine women.

Song for a Fifth Child

Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing and butter the bread,

Sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby. Babies don't keep.

1958....Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Red Envelope Project

I found out about this PROJECT through our Catholic Homeschool group a few months ago.....since I'm not very on top of things outside of feeding my children, schooling them, and laundry, I haven't actually sent my red envelopes yet.....

but here's a very cool update on the grassroots RED ENVELOPE PROJECT.....

2.25 million so far, and counting........ WOW. AWESOME.

St. Joseph Feast Day

Today, March 19th is one of the 2 feast days of the foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph. One of the few things he is a patron saint of is a happy death because it is said that he had Mary & Jesus at his side when he died.

St. Joseph took care of my Abuela at her passing from this earth & through his prayers blessed her with a happy death.

With the deepest gratitude, I can't thank you enough, our Dear St. Joseph......

My Abuela.....

Adelina Ramos Arias 12.1.28 - 3.13.09

She passed away in the quiet of the night, surrounded by her loved ones, her 3 children, her husband, her son-in-law, and countless grandchildren.

Her funeral was this afternoon, and according to my family, it was incredible. My Abuela was a much admired woman. The church was packed & her casket was covered with a mountain of flowers that people layed on top before setting her into the ground. I wish I could have been there.

It's so so sad to lose a loved one. There is an incredibly powerful vacant feeling inside of myself, and I know much of my family feels the same way. One of the hardest parts is just knowing they are not there anymore.

As I look at these pictures from my most recent trip to see her I'm filled with so many memories & emotions, and tears. I'm just so thankful that I got to see her alive one. last. time. And most importantly, that she got to meet Levin & give him her blessing.

I love you so much Abuela. Thank you for passing on so much love, and joy, welcome, and so much more, to us. We can't wait to see you again someday........nos vemos pronto, que Dios te bendiga y te acompane.

+May the soul of this Faithful Abuela departed, by the Mercy of God, rest in Peace.+ May your soul, Abuela, find rest in the Lord.

Muchos, muchos besos, y abrazos. Con mucho carino, te quiero.