On a more positive note, the 2008 baby count is on. I'm excited for the arrival of:
Baby Archibald due in February
Baby Cousino (my brother Liam and his wife Katie's second) due in March (my 7th niece/nephew)
Baby Lawson #2 due in April (I think)
Panning McNugget due in July
Love Child #3 due in September
and more to come I'm sure... people making seems to be quite a popular hobby among my friends and family.
Friday, January 18, 2008
January
In my head, January means things will slow down, you finish the craze of Christmas and 8,000 events surrounding it, and then it will slow down and you can catch up... catch your breath, see friends you haven't seen because its been too crazy, finish a few projects, spend an evening doing nothing at all, catch up on filing, go through your financials so you can do your taxes early, etc.
In reality, January is almost as crazy as December, only you start out already exhausted. The past two weeks continue to be a flurry of activity... dinner/wedding dress viewing with my future sister in law, hosted family for birthday party, epiphany celebration (official end of christmas), took down the tree and most of the christmas decor, lots of Life Teen stuff- life nights, Masses, retreat planning, and more; dinner with Collin & Beth, dinner at Brad's with a bunch of peeps, dinner at my house and an evening of wedding planning with bro, sis in law to be, and maid of honor / sis in law in law to be; girls night with my sisters (combined with ironing linens for church); more Life Teen ... and don't get me wrong, its not like any of it is bad stuff, lots of it has been great, but i am tired and really need to regain some balance. The coming few weeks don't offer any promise of a slow down.
And yes, BALANCE continues to be one of life's greatest challenges for me.
In reality, January is almost as crazy as December, only you start out already exhausted. The past two weeks continue to be a flurry of activity... dinner/wedding dress viewing with my future sister in law, hosted family for birthday party, epiphany celebration (official end of christmas), took down the tree and most of the christmas decor, lots of Life Teen stuff- life nights, Masses, retreat planning, and more; dinner with Collin & Beth, dinner at Brad's with a bunch of peeps, dinner at my house and an evening of wedding planning with bro, sis in law to be, and maid of honor / sis in law in law to be; girls night with my sisters (combined with ironing linens for church); more Life Teen ... and don't get me wrong, its not like any of it is bad stuff, lots of it has been great, but i am tired and really need to regain some balance. The coming few weeks don't offer any promise of a slow down.
And yes, BALANCE continues to be one of life's greatest challenges for me.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
50 acres and a poodle
I seriously love the book 50 Acres and a Poodle by Jeanne Marie Laskas, it might be one of my favorite fun books. I found it this summer and sped through it on vacation, laughing out loud on numerous occasions, and even shedding a tear or two when... nevermind, i can't tell you who dies. About a week ago I got it back from a friend who was borrowing it and needed to re-read it. Its a great pick up, especially with the past 2 weeks being soooo gloomy and sunless here in Michigan. Anyway, sunny or not, you should read it, its a fun book... as are the sequels Fifty Acres and a Family, and Growing Daughters... although I think the first one is the best of the three.
One of the reasons I love the book is that Laskas weaves the deeper issues of life into her fun, upbeat story. One of my favorite parts (and I do have a lot of favorite parts) is at the beginning of the book where she is conversing with her cat Bob. She then goes on to explain she isn't a crazy cat person who talks to her cat and believes he responds, she never says anything out loud. She and Bob are a unit, they belong together, they've been through a lot together and are a comfortable unit.
That is exactly how I feel about the bitches (and now I have a nice descriptive word for it - we are a "unit"). I don't consider them my children, or even my "family", they are my dogs... and yet, they do play a very important part in my life. Maggie and Suzie are a good reminder, excuse for me to take care of myself. They let me know when they haven't seen enough of me, which generally means I haven't seen enough of me and need some down time at home anyway!! They are just my pets, and yet, sometimes they are the visible love of God for me... a listening ear (or four) when I need to vent, a head on my lap when I'm stressing out, a reminder of the value of a nice walk, a shadow never letting me out of her sight when I'm lonely, an exchanged knowing look from Maggie when crazy people are pushing me over the edge (somehow she can always tell)... yeah, they're definitely an important part of my day to day life... We are a unit. Its a Reenie-and-the-bitches sort of unit :) In fact, you could almost lump my home into that same unit. Not that I couldn't be complete without my house per se... I've lived several places, and each is home in a different way. "Home" is my safe place, my down time place, my haven... and the BOC are part of that... maybe its a Reenie-and-the-Bitches-and-the-Nichols-Homestead sort of unit, I don't know... that might be too deep for me to figure out right now :)
Anyway, back to my post... so, I love that book and if I had it here on my lap I'd be tempted to type up whole sections that i love... the ladybug episode... her realization of her inner princess... the mums for the wedding... read it and let me know how you like it :)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Its a New Year
The new year is over a week old and yet, i haven't even sat down to list my "resolutions"... I've been pondering a lot of things, but sitting down to list them is almost too overwhelming right now... thus the procrastination :)
Christmas is officially over now. We had a family celebration on Epiphany that sort of closes the season. It was a great time of celebration and I am greatly relieved that its done now. Not that life ever slows down to the extent that I hope it will, especially in January with a bunch of birthdays to celebrate, as well as just the regular life stuff. The tree needs to be at the curb on Thursday evening, so somewhere in the next day or two I need to take all the ornaments and lights off. Sad to see it go, and yet ready for some ordinary time.
For Owen and Suzie's birthday on Jan 5th, I hosted the family party. We went bowling (I got my butt kicked) and then came back to my house for dinner. Owen turned 12 and Suzie turned 3, exciting birthdays for both (although Uncle D insists that Suzie has no idea what birthday means). A few funnies from the evening:
Lucy (age 2), petting Suzie who was chewing a bone on the floor next to her: "oh look, happy tail, happy tail" (I always say that when she's wagging her tail excitedly)
Reenie: Lu, do you have a happy tail?
Lucy: Yeth
Reenie: Where is your happy tail?
Lucy, in a very monotone voice (like "duh"), not pausing for a moment: Net to mine butt.
Geno had a mishap in the bathroom and his shirt ended up getting soaked. Naturally he didn't want to get in his PJs yet, nor did he want to wear one of my shirts, nor did he want his wet shirt. So I took him down to the laundry room to put the wet shirt in the dryer and we planned to wait for it. Plans changed when Geno realized how cold the basement is, so when I offered him a grey tshirt of mine, he took it willingly. As he is a bit smaller than me, the tshirt fit him like an alb... thrilled, he looked at the flowing sleeves, and watched his hands and how the sleeves fell as he folded his hands on his chest like a priest. "Reenie, I think I should take this home so I can say Mass in it" he told me seriously. Later he informed me that "grey is for Easter." He may not be quite up to speed on liturgical colors, but he sure does love the way those sleeves look when he spreads his hands, and folds his hands, and moves his hands... it was a rather entertaining evening.
I've recently discovered a new trick to keeping Suzie from licking the kids to her usual overwhelming degree. If she has a bone in her mouth, she can sniff them, stand next to them with her tail wagging excitedly, she can follow them around, but, unless she is willing to set down her precious bone (which is rare) the kids are free from her overly affectionate tongue. It works quite well all the way around. Suzie spent most of the evening out of the cage and playing nicely with the kids (aka chewing her bone while they snuggle with her, or walking around with her bone hiding when the kids got too loud). Anyway, Ellie is about eye to eye with the Suze and can be a bit intimidated by this large wagging creature. She likes the idea of being buddies with Suzie, but up close and personal (especially with no crate between them) it can be a little much. Well, Geno and Ben started feeding Suzie her dinner one piece at a time and Ellie wanted to get in on the action. Long after the boys had moved on to other activities, Ellie continued walking over to the dish, grabbing one morsel, walking to the living room and yelling "Dooogggg" and then chucking it at Suzie, delighted when Suzie would eat it. A few times Suzie would come too close for the food, and little Ellie, with a panicked expression would start backing up quickly. Then, after surviving the up close and personal encounter, she would give an excited yell and grin and head back for another bite of dog food. Apparently its kind of like being on a roller coaster for her, the thrill of the terror is exhilarating!!
Christmas is officially over now. We had a family celebration on Epiphany that sort of closes the season. It was a great time of celebration and I am greatly relieved that its done now. Not that life ever slows down to the extent that I hope it will, especially in January with a bunch of birthdays to celebrate, as well as just the regular life stuff. The tree needs to be at the curb on Thursday evening, so somewhere in the next day or two I need to take all the ornaments and lights off. Sad to see it go, and yet ready for some ordinary time.
For Owen and Suzie's birthday on Jan 5th, I hosted the family party. We went bowling (I got my butt kicked) and then came back to my house for dinner. Owen turned 12 and Suzie turned 3, exciting birthdays for both (although Uncle D insists that Suzie has no idea what birthday means). A few funnies from the evening:
Lucy (age 2), petting Suzie who was chewing a bone on the floor next to her: "oh look, happy tail, happy tail" (I always say that when she's wagging her tail excitedly)
Reenie: Lu, do you have a happy tail?
Lucy: Yeth
Reenie: Where is your happy tail?
Lucy, in a very monotone voice (like "duh"), not pausing for a moment: Net to mine butt.
Geno had a mishap in the bathroom and his shirt ended up getting soaked. Naturally he didn't want to get in his PJs yet, nor did he want to wear one of my shirts, nor did he want his wet shirt. So I took him down to the laundry room to put the wet shirt in the dryer and we planned to wait for it. Plans changed when Geno realized how cold the basement is, so when I offered him a grey tshirt of mine, he took it willingly. As he is a bit smaller than me, the tshirt fit him like an alb... thrilled, he looked at the flowing sleeves, and watched his hands and how the sleeves fell as he folded his hands on his chest like a priest. "Reenie, I think I should take this home so I can say Mass in it" he told me seriously. Later he informed me that "grey is for Easter." He may not be quite up to speed on liturgical colors, but he sure does love the way those sleeves look when he spreads his hands, and folds his hands, and moves his hands... it was a rather entertaining evening.
I've recently discovered a new trick to keeping Suzie from licking the kids to her usual overwhelming degree. If she has a bone in her mouth, she can sniff them, stand next to them with her tail wagging excitedly, she can follow them around, but, unless she is willing to set down her precious bone (which is rare) the kids are free from her overly affectionate tongue. It works quite well all the way around. Suzie spent most of the evening out of the cage and playing nicely with the kids (aka chewing her bone while they snuggle with her, or walking around with her bone hiding when the kids got too loud). Anyway, Ellie is about eye to eye with the Suze and can be a bit intimidated by this large wagging creature. She likes the idea of being buddies with Suzie, but up close and personal (especially with no crate between them) it can be a little much. Well, Geno and Ben started feeding Suzie her dinner one piece at a time and Ellie wanted to get in on the action. Long after the boys had moved on to other activities, Ellie continued walking over to the dish, grabbing one morsel, walking to the living room and yelling "Dooogggg" and then chucking it at Suzie, delighted when Suzie would eat it. A few times Suzie would come too close for the food, and little Ellie, with a panicked expression would start backing up quickly. Then, after surviving the up close and personal encounter, she would give an excited yell and grin and head back for another bite of dog food. Apparently its kind of like being on a roller coaster for her, the thrill of the terror is exhilarating!!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
"Break"
Christmas "break"... the week between Christmas and New Years we close the office, I think that is all i mean by break, since most of it passed in a flurry of late nights, lots of events, general celebrating and insanity all around. And now I'm tired. Let's see... a few highlights from that time...
Dec 28 was an exciting day for many reasons... I slept in late (it was incredible). Then got the phone call to announce the arrival of Eleanor Rose to a good friend of mine. And I got to go visit at the hospital, which was fun. I really think newborn babies are one of the most incredible things... its such a miracle, all of it! This little person has been forming and growing over the past nine months, and all the sudden (usually with much pain and blood) they're here, they are out, the mystery is revealed... or at least part of the mystery... the rest will unfold a little at a time for the rest of her life... wow... May God bless little Ella and her family as they uncover the mystery of her sweet little person. The next excitement was finding out some good friends of mine are expecting a new baby!! Yay! I've been waiting for them to make such an announcement, and I am excited to meet this new person in about 7 months :) and then the day ended with a movie night with my two beautiful sisters. I really love those ladies, and am so blessed to have them in my life and the privilege of having them not just as sisters, but some of my best friends.
One day (don't remember which) I worked, ran errands, worked some more... and then a crowd of college kids (and a few older ones) came over to hang it. It was nice and low key and fun to catch up with people. We also made room for performing some talent- Donal and Linds sang and played bass and guitar (respectively)- great job, Garrett sang and played- he is quite talented!, MaryBeth and Ani sang a beautiful armenian song, and Kara and I did a duet, playing one long note on the beer bottle and kahlua bottle (respectively). It is such a gift to be part of the lives of teens and young adults. It is cool to see them all growing and maturing through the challenges and experiences they are living. Its another phase of life where you see more and more that unfolding mystery... who they are as adults, what they want to do with their lives, how they make decisions now that shape that for a long time to come... anyway, they are great. God is good!
The Kennedy party happened, meaning my mom's extended family gathers at my parents place for another Christmas celebration. It was a smaller crowd this year, missing all the out of town family and a few of the in town family. Nonetheless, it was great to see and celebrate with the family. Its especially a gift to have my grandparents with us again this year. They are getting older and have some health challenges... its a hard reality to face that they might not be with us next year, and it makes the time we do have even more precious. I am so thankful for my grandparents who are such heroic and faithful examples of living the love of Christ day by day. I'm thankful for each day and each moment we have with them and I pray that we get a lot more of those moments in the days and years ahead.
New Year's Eve I went to Mass at CTK and then headed for the Loves for a small gathering. As it turns out, it was even smaller than anticipated since there was a winter weather warning with a lot of snow expected. Nonetheless, it was great to see Clare visiting from South America and Cora, Steve and Maria until around 10 pm. Also nice to catch up with Baby Archie's parents :), Kyle, and of course, the Loves. At around 1 am John looked out the window to realize that it had in fact been snowing (the weather advisory was from 7 pm - noon the next day) and last we'd looked around 10 pm, it hadn't snowed at all yet. Anyway, there was significant snow and it was coming down fast. Time to head home... and I did make it home eventually, although it took almost an hour to get home since there was so much snow. Thankfully, everyone else was taking it slow and I made it home in one piece. Happy New Year!
Dec 28 was an exciting day for many reasons... I slept in late (it was incredible). Then got the phone call to announce the arrival of Eleanor Rose to a good friend of mine. And I got to go visit at the hospital, which was fun. I really think newborn babies are one of the most incredible things... its such a miracle, all of it! This little person has been forming and growing over the past nine months, and all the sudden (usually with much pain and blood) they're here, they are out, the mystery is revealed... or at least part of the mystery... the rest will unfold a little at a time for the rest of her life... wow... May God bless little Ella and her family as they uncover the mystery of her sweet little person. The next excitement was finding out some good friends of mine are expecting a new baby!! Yay! I've been waiting for them to make such an announcement, and I am excited to meet this new person in about 7 months :) and then the day ended with a movie night with my two beautiful sisters. I really love those ladies, and am so blessed to have them in my life and the privilege of having them not just as sisters, but some of my best friends.
One day (don't remember which) I worked, ran errands, worked some more... and then a crowd of college kids (and a few older ones) came over to hang it. It was nice and low key and fun to catch up with people. We also made room for performing some talent- Donal and Linds sang and played bass and guitar (respectively)- great job, Garrett sang and played- he is quite talented!, MaryBeth and Ani sang a beautiful armenian song, and Kara and I did a duet, playing one long note on the beer bottle and kahlua bottle (respectively). It is such a gift to be part of the lives of teens and young adults. It is cool to see them all growing and maturing through the challenges and experiences they are living. Its another phase of life where you see more and more that unfolding mystery... who they are as adults, what they want to do with their lives, how they make decisions now that shape that for a long time to come... anyway, they are great. God is good!
The Kennedy party happened, meaning my mom's extended family gathers at my parents place for another Christmas celebration. It was a smaller crowd this year, missing all the out of town family and a few of the in town family. Nonetheless, it was great to see and celebrate with the family. Its especially a gift to have my grandparents with us again this year. They are getting older and have some health challenges... its a hard reality to face that they might not be with us next year, and it makes the time we do have even more precious. I am so thankful for my grandparents who are such heroic and faithful examples of living the love of Christ day by day. I'm thankful for each day and each moment we have with them and I pray that we get a lot more of those moments in the days and years ahead.
New Year's Eve I went to Mass at CTK and then headed for the Loves for a small gathering. As it turns out, it was even smaller than anticipated since there was a winter weather warning with a lot of snow expected. Nonetheless, it was great to see Clare visiting from South America and Cora, Steve and Maria until around 10 pm. Also nice to catch up with Baby Archie's parents :), Kyle, and of course, the Loves. At around 1 am John looked out the window to realize that it had in fact been snowing (the weather advisory was from 7 pm - noon the next day) and last we'd looked around 10 pm, it hadn't snowed at all yet. Anyway, there was significant snow and it was coming down fast. Time to head home... and I did make it home eventually, although it took almost an hour to get home since there was so much snow. Thankfully, everyone else was taking it slow and I made it home in one piece. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Christmas - part 2
Christmas Eve, we gathered as the immediate Cousino clan (which gets less and less immediate). I think we are at 25 now for those immediate family things. Anyway, we started out with a family picture, thanks to yours truly, the family photo nazi. This year Lindsey got to be in the pic for the first time (once you're engaged you're eligible for participation in said photo as decreed by said photo nazi). So... the last few years, Lindsey took the pic, so this year we were back to my tripod and camera... we set up a big mirror so the little kids could smile at themselves (since there was no one behind the camera to watch). I would push the timer button, run, climb up on piano bench, and try to look relaxed before the beeping quicked and the camera flashed. It was a workout :) Anyway, I'm quite pleased with the result... see for yourselves.
After the photo, we had an appetizers dinner, and opened gifts between all the siblings. Thankfully, we draw names between siblings and inlaws. Owen got me a great new pair of LLBean slippers, just what I wanted, and a dark chocolate bar... very nice. Kathleen liked her gift from me of knee high boots. The nieces and nephews generally liked their homemade gifts, which i was able to finish at the last moment :) Mostly it was fun to spend time together, amid the craziness, and celebrate the birth of our Lord. After the gifting, several of us rushed off for 8 pm Mass at CTK, which was absolutely beautiful. I love Christmas Mass!! 
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