Indianapolis, Indiana

Nick and I took this weekend to take a mini-vacation to Indianapolis. It was 3 days of non-stop fun.

First, on Thursday the boys had their Halloween Party at School

On Friday we went to the Fort Harrison State Park. Where we rode ponies, again. This time they were name "Magic" and "Cindy".

We also went on a hike through the woods.

 We then went to Connor Prairie a Smithsonian Museum that featured a Halloween themed fall event.

The boys enjoyed the haunted hayride complete with headless horseman.

In the morning we started our daay with biscuits and gravy!

Then spent the ENTIRE day at the Indianpolis Children's Museum. This place was so much fun. We enjoyed every moment of it!

 We wrapped up our trip with dinner at the Indianapolis Colts Restaurant. It was within walking distance of our hotel and the food was really good. The Ohio State game was on and the boys like that the walls were made of football leather.

This was our last trip as a family of four. Next time we hit the road there will be 5 of us!

Fall Fun 2011 - Part 1

We have had a really great fall. Here is a look back at some of the fun things we have done. 

 At Parky's Farm (Winton Woods) we learned about Honey Bees and rode on Ponies.

 Although Elder had a disappointing season we had a ton of fun going to 4 Elder Home Games.

 For the 3rd year in a row we went to the Pumpkin Festival at Minges Farm

 This year Nicholas and Jack were big enough to participate in the games....and Daddy too.

 Jack won a blue ribbon for the Cow Chip Throwing Contest. Way to go Rooster!

 Another, farm means another chance to ride horses. Which we did.

 Of course we picked out pumpkins too!

Today's Gospel Reading

Matthew 22: 1 - 14
1	And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,
2	"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son,
3	and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come.
4	Again he sent other servants, saying, `Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.'
5	But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,
6	while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
7	The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8	Then he said to his servants, `The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
9	Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.'
10	And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11	"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment;
12	and he said to him, `Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
13	Then the king said to the attendants, `Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'
14	For many are called, but few are chosen."

"I bet you want a girl this time"

"I bet you want a girl this time"

Oh my, I can't tell you how many times I have heard this. I'm not complaining, or disagreeing. I would love to have a girl. I just don't know what I would do with her.

I have some pretty strong feelings about women, women's rights and the role of Catholic women in particular. I don't think it would be easy to be my daughter. Its probably not easy to be my son.

It would be nice to have a little pink in our house (or my mom's house). In particular I have some pretty grand ideas for Baptismal Gowns and First Communion dresses. But thats no reason to have a daughter.

More than anything I am just happy to be blessed with another one. Blue or Pink I just pray for another healthy sweet little baby that will fit right in with the other two. I always thought of myself as a boy's mom and so far thats been the case. Next week we will find out if the streek continues.

So go tell John I love my boys and will take however else God will bless us.

Yes, we are having another baby!

You read that right we are having another baby. And to be honest its kind of old news. We are 18 weeks in and I really haven't announced it. I kind of let people find out and only told my family and friends I've seen in the last 12 weeks (ok well I guess telling my family was kind of an announcement).

This week I told everyone at work (or just my department and kind of let my belly tell the rest). My clothes are starting to not fit, but I can still sleep on my belly at night which I have a hard time giving up.

18 weeks, only 22 more to go (or as my track record has shown...only 20 more weeks? we will see).

But lets talk about the last couple of weeks.  As of Wednesday our house is listed! Everyon chipped in to help get the house ready, even Nicholas and Jack.

The boys are pretty well settled here. They love their new school. I went to pick them up on Thursday and Nicholas said "can you run som errands and come get me later?" That never would have happened at the old school.



Its nice to be back to the West Side. Everything is so close. We were able to play with Gracie and Noah on Friday night and yesterday we spent the ENTIRE EVENING at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. I swear our kids were the last little ones there. We had a ton of fun even though I found myself getting "west side" on my kids and yelling at them in public (but they just weren't listening :-))

I went on a "retreat" for work yesterday and heard all about the the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Charity. It was really inspiring. I like to be humbled and reminded that the acts we do are in the tradition of Christ. I'm so blessed to be in this place at this time. I just pray that God continue to let me know His Will and help me to have the grace an courage to do it.

Go tell John, things are going well!

Todays Gospel - The Last Shall Be First

Matthew 20: 1 - 16
1	"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2	After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3	And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place;
4	and to them he said, `You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went.
5	Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.
6	And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, `Why do you stand here idle all day?'
7	They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, `You go into the vineyard too.'
8	And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, `Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'
9	And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
10	Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.
11	And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder,
12	saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.'
13	But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14	Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you.
15	Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'
16	So the last will be first, and the first last."