Better Parenting Tools....

I am trying these tools for becoming a better parent.....coffee, naps and an occasional cold beer/cocktail, time with girlfriends and oh yes..shopping (without the toddler)!

Paul and I had a lovely morning at the zoo. We arrived around 9:45...not too many cars in the parking lot...humid and the fact that school is back in session. We saw the two black bears..he loved them and then off to see the really wild and fun animals. Paul's favorites...still...the elephants and the giraffe...or as Paulie pronounces it now "ger app." Even the kangaroos were able to get a smile and a laugh from the young lad.

Aha, as I type this brief entry...down comes the rain! I heard thunder about 45 min ago, but then the sun came out. Ever so quickly, back to dark clouds and rain!

My mother's helper, Jennifer, is coming over at 5:30 to hang with Paul so I can go to St. Mark's and get orientated for Paul's pre-school days--which start Tuesday! I need to do some reading and writing down my questions for tonight's meeting with the teacher and directors.

Alas, I will not sign off before leaving you wonderful people with something that might help you..it tends to help me.....AMEN

"Because of your faith, it will happen." Matthew 9:29

Double Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow is indeed a grand and surreal song. Means even more to me since the Wizard of Oz is one of the all time favorite movies and I attended college in Kansas. This evening as I was driving home with Paul from dinner with Danny, not one, but two rainbows existed in the SA sky. As I got closer to our house, the rain came down..sunny skies of course..hence the rainbows. The lower rainbow was much more clear, but nonetheless, the second rainbow was evident and oh so pretty. Am I the only one feels tranquil the moment I see a rainbow in the sky..or do others get overwhelmed with a feeling of peace and harmony?

My sweet, creative and amazing friend Maile has an awesome blog. She is a professional photographer too. **Dan O--you and Jennifer need to check out her work and have her take some pics of you two and Miss Lauren. She has a new logo and design and it is oh so pretty....fabulous really! Her latest 2 entries are so fun..as usual. I love TLC baby....No Scrubs

www.dailyrelish.squarespace.com
www.relishportraitstudio.com

***And if have never seen FACING THE GIANTS....rent it and watch it! And after the movie, reflect and think about these questions....
1. What is the value of giving your best? Are you wholehearted in your endeavors?
2. In what areas of life are you willing to attempt the impossible?
3. What does it mean to live for a higher purpose?
4. Do you tend to criticize others of are you an encourager?

MOPS starts tomorrow morning

MOPS= Mothers of Pre-Schoolers This will be my third year! I will have a new small group and a new discussion leader and cannot wait to meet all my new Mommy friends!

I went to our Life Teen mass tonight at 5:30 and sat with my friends Jena and Philip..and John, Ben and Little Sophia. Visited briefly with Naomi and Paul and their daughter who starts eighth grade tomorrow. She did not seem too thrilled...poor baby. Just returned from HEB...my least favorite place. I don't see how anyone can find grocery shopping relaxing. Maybe what has happened for me the past few years is that I am so disgusted with my weight and going to the grocery store only reminds me that I am 30 lbs overweight. And *atan really knows how to put all the yummy and high calorie food in front of my eyes. You see, he wants me to be chunky and all.....so I just need to tell him to GO TO HELL. :-)

From an email Tina sent me tonight.....

"Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen."

1-16

Well, I think we can say that Master P can count from 1-16 and he seems to recognize numbers. So even though the past 8 weeks have been challenging for all of us....I'm still teaching and he's still a learning... thank goodness!

I am headed to bed soon and was reading the bible to help prepare my heart for this upcoming week. I wanted to share His word with those who read my little old blog.

Matthew 5:8 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you." God knows where we are. Sometimes we forget this. When you are afflicted with those not so nice feelings, (and I say Satan puts them there!) when you're on the verge of throwing a pity party, thanks to those despairing thoughts, go back to HIS word. God says, "I know where you are."

Love to all of you!

It's Friday..it's Friday...field trip day!

Statement above from a movie Paul and I have seen MANY MANY times..Madagascar!

This morning Paul and I went to Rhonda's house for a play date. Miss Caroline Grace is 2 months older than my guy....and I think they are cute together. Caroline has a new baby brother too..Crawford was born in April, so I suppose he is not so new anymore. :-) After hanging out for about an hour, we loaded up the kids and went to a nearby playground. Then on to McDonald's for lunch and more playtime. As usual, Paul didn't wish to play on the playground there because of all the wild kids. He prefers smaller groups. So, is he really my son?! People know I love a big group! Above are 2 pics of the kids at the community playground --near The Palmer Course. And Cedar Creek golf course.... Can you tell, I am itching to play some golf!!

Called my high school classmate Dan, who lives here in SA and works for AT&T. We've tentatively planned a play date for Sunday, Sept. 2. And I mean a play date for Paul and his daughter Lauren. :-) He did not sound the same as I have not spoken to Dan for 20 years. We've emailed a little the past month or so, but to talk with him..first time today! Another high school friend, Robb, doesn't sound the same either. I guess they are really grown men and not boys anymore! Less than 2 months now for my 20 year high school reunion in St. Louis. I cannot wait!

The Knights of Columbus are hosting a luau dance at our church tonight and I offered to child sit for anyone who wanted to attend. Meliza and Bill snagged me quick and so tonight I will be entertaining Michelle and Robert---sweet and adorable children. It really won't be hard at all--they are easy to deal with! They were in MI the same week I was. Bill is from Midland, MI and so I plan to ask the kiddos all about their vacation. The rest of our weekend will be chores and planning events for September. Another busy month is approaching and I need to be certain Danny and I are on the same page. Right ladies...?!

And a shout out to Jessica and Jaime (friends from Frost Bank--I trained then both and then they fell in love and married). Many marriages are made at Frost Bank. Just ask Pat Frost.... Jessica and Jaime had a baby boy in early August. Now, note he was to be a SHE..Chloe Marie. However, the drs and techs were repeatedly wrong when they told my friends.."you're having a girl!" He is healthy and Jessica and he are doing well. I am going to see them on September 6. Oh..his name is not Chloe Marie, but Cristian Alejandro. I hope I spelled that correctly. Jessica told me his first name has no H.

Back to folding laundry and going through papers and bills. And remember this peeps....

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Home Sweet Home

Back home in San Antonio... we missed Daddy and Oreo a lot! Master P and I traveled to Michigan last Mon and spent a week with my Mom and Wayne. They live in Crystal Mountain Golf and Ski Resort in Thompsonville, MI...which is about 45 min southwest of Traverse City....near Lake Michigan. http://www.crystalmountain.com/ They are living in their condo while their new home is built. Completion date is the end of September. I say good luck with that folks! From the looks of the home...I don't see how it can be done and ready for move in on Sept 29...but then again, I am not the builder! I would tell you in detail about our 8 hour (unplanned) layover in Chicago last Monday, but to rethink all of that would only make me angry and pissy!

Northern MI is beautiful....lots of trees..and I do mean A LOT of trees. Pretty natural lakes that are crystal clear and so lovely when the sun shines on them. Winding roads, slow pace, sand dunes, cherry and apple orchards, golf courses, rivers to tube on and canoe, horseback riding, walking in the woods, bike trails, great restaurants all around, and awesome weather..in August anyway! :-)

Suffice to say, we did a lot and had a lot of fun! Paul took to Grandad again more so than my Mom. Paul and I slept together in the guest bed. He sure does like to snuggle up to me during the night. I must admit, I really did love sleeping with my little boy. So many funny moments with Paul....remember, he is 2 and learning and saying new things everyday! I want to write so much detail, but right now I have some things to get done before going to bed. So, I will write more about our trip tomorrow.

I will tell you that one day my Mom stayed home with Paul and I went to Glen Lake with Wayne. That is where they keep their boat and we went out on the lake for a couple of hours. I love being on the boat..so peaceful...tranquil. Oh yeah...their boat's name is Tranquility. And another day, my Mom stayed with Paul again so Wayne and I could go for a horseback ride on a trail near Bear Lake. Wayne's horse was named Stryker and mine was a sweet 7 year old gal named K.C. She is beautiful and I wanted to bring her back to SA! It was a lovely trail ride and it only made my longing for a horse stronger! Watch out Danny, instead of shoes from Nordstrom, I might come home one day with a horse! K.C. is shown above. Her mane is an awesome auburn color. Shoot---us women have to pay big bucks for that color every 6 weeks...KC had it naturally. She responded well to me and did I mention that I wanted to put her in Wayne's trunk and bring her home?! And one night Wayne took Paulie for a 45-60 min walk so my Mom and I could enjoy a lovely and yummy dinner at Wild Tomato..located on the resort where they live. My Mom had a martini flight and this old gal from TX settled for a cold beer! It was a heavenly dinner and good girl time!

Peace out gang....

I Heart Teenagers

Many of you know that I taught high school in Wichita, KS way back in my 20's. :-) I love teenagers and am privileged to know and be around many as I approach 40. The last several months have started me thinking about going back to teach high school. Tish, will you move Bishop Carroll to San Antonio?! Tish is Paul's Godmother and one of my best friends and she happens to be the President of an awesome Catholic High School in Wichita, KS! Golden Eagles rock! This of course is where I taught Government, World History and English!

Two responsible, polite and super sweet teens are my mothers helpers. Ryan and Jennifer. Happy Birthday to Miss Jennifer who turns 12 tomorrow! They came today for about 3 hours to play with Paul so I could venture out and do some fun things! Yeah---I had a great time and appreciate their help. Another teen..Miss Audrey is very sweet. She is the daughter of friends from church...Julie and Diamond David. David is studying to be a Deacon at our parish...so Julie is a Deaconette in training too... Audrey is 14 and about to enter high school..Aug 27 to be exact. She is fun to be around. She reminds me of her mother!

Paul is napping and once he awakes, we're headed off to my friend Destiny's house to pick up a book she has for me and then probably to the playground in Canyon Springs. It is SUPER hot, but I like to think of myself as a fun Mommy. What is a little heat and sweat if it wears your kid out..oh, what I mean is if it keeps him laughing and having fun! :-)

Go Light Your World

This afternoon I had the privilege of visiting the "older" community in North San Antonio. Part of my Stephen Ministry is going to The Haven and The Laurels http://www.rsl-al.com/ to offer communion to Alzheimer patients and those who are mentally still here, but need some help getting around physically. In the assisted living unit we conduct a 30 min service which includes the day's readings and a reflection on the readings and the Our Father and communion. My partner today was John Dulske. He is a neat man...almost 69 years young and very nice! Kinda silly like me! One elderly man named Jesse wanted us to stay longer and visit with him about prayer and biological science. All of the ladies and gentlemen really do appreciate us coming and it is very humbling to visit with them. The evening, after Paul went down and Danny began studying., I decided to wrangle up my ipod and Miss Oreo (our premier blend puppy dog) and go for a nice, brisk walk. Dang--it is still hot out there! We were gone about 30 min and when I came home..well, let's just say Danny asked me.."going to take a shower?".....

I listened to so many different songs in my ipod and naturally moved along thru ones I wasn't in the mood to hear...one of the last songs before I made it back home....Go Light Your Candle by Kathy Troccoli. A beautiful Christian song with a beautiful message. We all need to light the world, share love and our talents. Don't be selfish with what you possess..share and share it joyfully! Below are the lyrics....

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Crazy Eights

My friend Maile has been tagged by 2 fellow bloggers and while she did not tag me, I decided to follow suit and list 8 random facts about me. You can check out Maile's on her blog...
http://dailyrelish.squarespace.com/

1. In the 80's I wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer and after high school graduation, I was going to CA and audition...but they canceled the show in May 1987!

2. My Mom first tweezed my eyebrows when I was 10. A couple of kids started calling me UNI BROW! Not so nice...

3. I am infamous for a joke I have been telling since I was about 20 years old. Math is involved and those of you who have seen me tell this joke..know which one...dime, dime, quarter, dollar

4. I cannot watch people put contacts in or take them out. Gives me the heeby geebies!

5. When I was about 9 and 10, I wanted to grow up and be a coroner....one who investigated the possible/probable crime..like Jack Klugman in Quincy.

6. One of my life goals is to become an incredible tennis player.

7. One day I would like to get a tattoo....the Kansas Mascot...a Jayhawk! However, Danny said no way girl! And since he pretty much lets me do almost anything else I want..I MIGHT allow him to dictate this....time will tell!

8. During my senior year in college, I moved out of a townhouse over Spring Break I shared with 3 girls and did not tell them beforehand. It was an icky situation and I had to get out!

and one more for extra credit..I was a teacher once....
I think that Maile Wilson is someone I could easily be around all the time! She is sensational and a real class act! If you live in San Antonio or nearby---call her for a photo shoot! You won't be disappointed! http://www.relishportraitstudio.com/

A Ministry near and dear to my heart...

Ever heard of STEPHEN MINISTRY?! It is Christian based and our parish has it! If you would like..check out more about it on the national website: http://www.stephenministries.org/

Any who, about 3 years ago I needed a Stephen Minister..aka-Care Giver-and was connected to a wonderful woman at my church who walked with me during my journey. Using many tools and this special, Godly woman, I finally got what God is all about and that I am worth gold..no matter what! I began to pray all the time and found myself wanting to be more like Christ. I don't always do a good job of it..but I try and need to still try harder! I struggled my entire life with self-worth and as a result, found myself in too many situations that I would have rather not endured. Our official caring relationship lasted about 15 months. She was present in the labor room with us and when it was determined I was to have a C-Section..she suited up with Danny and was there in the OR when Master Paul was pulled from my gut. (do you have a mental picture?) So, where is Susan going with this.....

So last year I decided to go thru the SM training and became a Stephen Minister myself. It is a blessing and I am ever so thankful that Monsignor Fater allows this ministry, b/c many priests and pastors do not b/c they want to be the ones who assist their church members. So, Holy Trinity is lucky to have this available to anyone who needs an objective companion to walk with them during a crisis, or even something that just is giving you a hard time. The Holy Spirit really does know what He is doing when he puts people in our lives and matches up the care giver to care receiver. And while people say.."wow...how neat that you are helping someone or you did a great job caring for that person"....truth be told... the Holy Spirit guides us as care givers and places the words in our brains and mouths to share with the person who is hurting. Sometimes, just listening and the uncondtional love/support does a lot for someone who is hurting.

To wrap up this rambling entry for tonight.....I ask those of you who are hurting...in any area of your life....What kind of God are you yearning for? And I know some of you will say.."One that allows me to be in control!"..sorry...just not so! Do you want a God of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, love? Think about how and when you have encountered Jesus. And finally....often times when we are facing a difficult situation we want and ask God to help us and get us through. We THINK we know what we need from God...but do we really?! Sometimes not. God will reveal himself in ways you never imagined, but you need to be open and aware. And if you surrender to God, the unveiling will be so wonderful...more wonderful that you could have ever imagined! Does any of this make sense?!

And another topic to discuss sometime is feelings. You too men!
For all of you who read this...emulate Christ by recognizing and befriending your feelings. Live for now. Don't live in the "sea" of regret. Herzclitus said, "You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on."

Peace be with all of you!

Poopapalooza

My friend Erin is pretty silly..like me! Anyway, she as a 4 year old active boy and twin girls who are almost 15 months old. Check out her latest tales on her blog.... If you are a parent--I know you have experience POOPAPALOOZA at least once..... this will make you laugh!! Enjoy. I know Erin doesn't mind if we laugh a little at her expense...
http://www.thepruetzfamily.blogspot.com/

"Go Out and play in traffic!"

My girlfriend Evin gave me this little book of MOMISMS and this one popped out at me....its translation: "I have had enough of you for the day. Don't even think about coming back inside until I am fully medicated!" One I plan to use on Paul when is a little older...."Would Jesus appreciate that behavior?"

Danny gave me ADOBE Photoshop Elements for my birthday. I attempted to install it last night and wouldn't you know....not enough space on my C drive! UGH! So I spent some time removing pics and other software that is not used much to make room! I am so excited to begin playing around with it and learn all the neat things I can do with pictures. This is going to be my therapy!!

The past few days I have enjoyed exchanging emails with high school friends. We're having our 20th reunion in October..in St. Louis! I can't wait. Let's see...Vince lives in Vegas, Jennifer lives in Washington (State that is).....Kristin lives in WI and is expecting child #3.....Annette lives near Boston, Barb lives in FL...another Barb lives in North Dallas and the most bizarre one is...Dan says he lives here in SA!!! And you know me..resourceful....looks like he lives in Alamo Heights. My oh my..a high school friend who lives in the zip code of 78209! I still cannot fathom the idea that he lives here. I can't wait to find out where he works and what brought him to San Antonio--we need to get together for a drink or dinner or something!!!!! Seriously, he must have been transferred here..maybe with Washington Mutual..who knows. So Dan, when will you email me back with all these answers?!

Paulie is napping now. Quiet in the house for at least 2 hours. Once he awakens--we're off to the pool for a little splish splash! No rain today...or yesterday..or Monday. I don't think we've gone 3 days without rain for a while now! I foresee Aug being HOT and DRY! The usual summer weather around here.......

My co-hort Maile is back from KY! Can't wait to hear about their family vacation!

I am off to do dishes and fold some clothes. Real exciting things I know..... but I like the house to be somewhat tidy when Mr. Danny arrives home.....

Adios Peeps! (stole that one from Maile!)