The Adventures of The Merschmans

Toxics Gone In My House!

 

This is what you see when you walk into my laundry room from the garage.  I am done having anything toxic in my house.  You have to leteverything GO, in the laundry room closet....do not bring it into my house.  If you really feel you needs those negative feelings, you can have them back when you leave.  This is my way of helping Eddis with a Lenten promise, he has not made. 

 

 

I Have A Few Minutes....

that is all really!  I did want to write what a wonderful Gospel Reading from today.  I was sitting at Mass really enjoying the fact that I am a Catholic.  I get to share the wonderful experience with my children at Mass on Wednesday mornings.  Today's Gospel was about fasting, giving things up, and praying.  I felt the reading was just for me, these are the things I am doing this Lenten Season.  It was about how you should not look as if you are fasting, put a smile on your face, brush your hair....yes, these were the exact words.  Pray, in private, don't be egotistical about prayer.  It really made me think about about how so many people want everyone to see them pray, whether in church or in bible studies, or pray groups. 

Now, off to more appointments....reality, living in my car, running all over, that is what my life is like...but it is so, OK!

Lent....

is a time for reflection and spiritual growth.  I have decided, as my Facebook friends have already seen, this year, I am saying the Rosary everyday, fasting once a week (having one meal only) and not eating anything "unhealthy" between meals.  I will try to not eat unhealthy, anyway. 

I will do this for the Lenten Season.  I was raised, you gave something up, it was until Easter. Some people "cheat" on Sundays, I am finding that more and more and it really bothers me.   Thankfully, our school and church do not have that belief.  I call it cheating, they simply believe the Sunday's do not count in the 40 days.  That is fine, for them, but my family is not allowed to "cheat".  Jesus gave his life for us, God gave his son for our eternal salvation.  The least we can do is something for Him, our Savior. 

I am sure most of think I am getting a "little too deep".  Well, this is the way I feel and the way I have always felt.  It has just been bothering me lately and with 2009 CEW finished I am feeling the Holy Spirit.  It makes me a better person.  I feel better when I am in that wonderful community. 

Oh, as for Eddis, he usually does not give anything up for Lent. 

GOD IS GREAT!

Those are Father Marty's words, not mine, although, I believe them with all my heart and soul!  Yesterday, was the final day of the Lourdes CEW for 2009.  What a wonderful day it was too.  The amazing men that attended, the amazing CEW community, I am so proud to be a part of that community.  I can't express in words the feelings I had yesterday after seeing my baby brother walk through that door. 

All I have to say, is that we are such a wonderful faith-filled community.   You could Jesus in everyone of those men's faces.  I just love seeing the transformation of people.  Again, words cannot describe how wonderful it really is...it is something than has to experienced!

I have stopped asking my wonderful husband to go.  He promised he would go, when the time is right for him.  I have to honor that promise.  It may not be next year but we can only pray.  I would just love to be able to share this wonderful experience with him. 

Just For Jay!

Look, Jay, a post just for you!  I know how much you miss my smiling/cringing face.  My doctor appointment went as planned.  He will probably end up scoping my knee after spring break.  I got another shot and yes, of course, it is hurting worse today.  I know it will get better, and I will be able to walk the beach everyday while on spring break.  I would say, I will have glass of wine for you but since you don't drink, I will have to have two glasses or better yet a bottle.  No worries, we will be on the beach without any Y chromosomes to bother us!  Life will be oh so good!

So, this is where my knee stands right now.  You are the BEST therapist, as therapist go.  Is that what they call a "back-handed compliment"?  Oh, and don't erase me from your favorites.

Guess What Today Is....

blog catch up day!  Maybe not so wordy, because a picture says a trillion words!!!!  or so they say!

This is the "infamous" "glow stick lady", she sat in front of us at the Brad Paisley concert.  All Eddis kept saying, "the poor thing doesn't leave the trailer very much"...that is Eddis' quote, NOT mine, so you don't need to leave a nasty comment!  For those that know Eddis...it was so Eddis to say that!

Do you think someone was excited!!!!

 

When glow stick just were not enough!!!  That is her hubby next to her.  He had a beer in his hand the entire concert. 

 

I just LOVED those big martini glasses...I told Eddis he would have to make one for the lake house...not holding my breath!

 

This is my view EVERY night (when Eddis is not at the bar), after dinner he pops his popcorn and puts it in the VERY masculine pink bowl and eats the entire thing himself.  He gets so mad when someone else wants a handful!  He is like a Mama bear protecting her baby!

 

This was a hawk I saw at a stop light one day...I just thought it was really cool!

 

Beautiful moon rise in the trees. 

 

Teddy's birthday cake...I just love this wonderful bakery in Moline...they are the best. 

 

 

 

 

Teddy's birthday and balloon launch...I stole that from a fellow blogger and LOVE the idea.  It is such a wonderful way to celebrate.  Poor Teddy, chalked this up to another disappointing birthday.  He does not realize he is getting older and part of it is my fault.  I want to have a surprise party for him next year for his 18th birthday.  Since my parents have been gone in the winters I don't really have too much of a "party" for him.  People get busy and forget that it is his birthday...my grandmother was even crying because he forgot his birthday.  Next year we are have a bash...PROMISE!

  He got a navigation system..AKA Garmin Girl.  He opened it and said, "hey babe", just like Uncle Tom.  Eddis has a way of making the boys VERY upset on their birthday because he has to spend money.  It is really bothering me.  He actually had the nerve to say that I have been so good lately with money, except for Teddy's birthday.  WHAT A JERK!

In addition, he got his bow restrung, some arrows, clothes including:

This really cool jacket/sweatshirt from A&F.

OK, this picture needs a huge explanation.  Sunday morning, February 15th Nicky comes downstairs in a cut off shirt, Eddis gave him a look and Nicky said, "it the kick off to NASCAR".  Eddis replied, "I'm going to wear a suit and tie".  So, this is what Nick came down in a little later!

 

Nicholas wore this sweater to school two days in a row.  Mrs. Delaney even let him be "out of uniform" because she loved it.  We met her son last night and he has the exact same hair as Nick.  She completely understands my dilemma with cutting that wonderful hair. 

Poor Nicholas has his mother for organization.  His closet is so organized.  It is amazing.  It took him several days.  He made a little joke, that he didn't realize he had blue carpet on his closet floor.  Funny guy!

 

Boy, Oh Boy!

We got a wonderful email last night.  Emmett's going to have a little brother.  How great is that, they will be so close.  Apparently, during the ultrasound, little Mr. Merschman, wanted everyone to know that YES, he was a boy.  Why do I not doubt that.  Doesn't that just go hand in hand with being a Merschman Boy!  The poor girls are getting really out numbered again.  Just when they thought they had a fighting chance with baby Lydia, we have another boy! 

I have to say, I love my boys.  Yes, I love my girl too.  But there is something about a mother/son bond that is so tight.  The daughter relationship can best be described as...oil and water, sometimes. 

Congratulations to the Merschmans in CT...Kate, Joe, Emmett, & Future Male Model Merschman!

Yes, It Is True.....

We have a temporary baby in our house.  She is adorable and is getting along pretty well the other girls in the house. 

That is Lucy on the right and Roxy on the left.  Roxy is one of my BFF's puppy.  They had to go to New Jersey for her grandfather's funeral.  She is doing so good.  She looks just like Lucy.  Little Miss Alpha Dog, Lucy, needed Roxy to know that she is the boss.  Annie wants to play with Roxy but Roxy is a little timid right now.  We only have Roxy until Saturday afternoon, so we are going to enjoy her while we have her.  She is so cute!

What Sport Are We In....

Nick starts baseball tonight.  Basketball isn't even over yet and baseball is beginning.  Eddis and my brother decided to take one of unused storage units and turn it into a baseball training center.  Last year we spent "big bucks" on pre-baseball lessons.  Thankfully, we will never have to do that again.  The guys did a really good job, it looks better than where we went last year.  It seems that Nick is just starting to really excel at basketball it is time for a new sport.  He is getting about 8-10 points and as many rebounds every game.  His team is so much fun to watch.  They have been together since 2nd grade and have really grown together.  I love the way they communicate without communicating.  It is amazing to watch.  Watch out in couple years when all these boys come together to play at Assumption.  They will be GREAT! 

It was a lovely day today.  Tomorrow is suppose to be nice and then more snow for the next 3 days.  This is why we live in Iowa...don't we all love these weather changes?  

My grandmother was so funny the other day.  She felt horrible because she missed Teddy's birthday.  She just got so busy she could not find time to call him.  For crying out loud, she is 93, she deserves a break.  She felt simply horrible, she loves Teddy so much.  She has no problem telling him in front of the others kids that he is her favorite.  I guess when you get to be that age you can anything you want...Right? 

 

President's Day

Or is it Presidents Day.  Do we celebrate more than one President or is the day their day, as in ownership?  Well, I don't think the kids really care, they get another day off of school.  Ya!!!!! 

Today started with MaryElizabeth and her girlfriends going to a dance camp at Assumption.  It was wonderful....845-noon.  We went for sushi for lunch and now Josie and Grace are here playing.   They were playing, "truth or dare", now they are banging on the piano.  The truth part of the game had really no use...they know each other's secrets.  Although, Grace did race a very good question, "if your brother, was not your brother, and he was your age, would you have a crush on him?"

The boys have been working for their dad today.  I can't wait to hear the stories from today.  I did talk to Eddis briefly, something was wrong with his phone, I think he had it on speaker and couldn't figure out how to get it off.  He is not very technically sound.  I changes his ring tone last week to Beyonce', "Put A Ring On It".  He can't figure out how to change it.  What I won't do for a little fun.