It seems that I hardly ever post anymore. Family life consumes all my time, which is good I guess. I just don’t know how those super Catholic moms do it all – raise 10 kids, homeschool, write books, run the household…I get stressed just thinking about it! LOL! Right now if I can get through the day and care for the kids and get dinner on the table and maybe even get some laundry done and still keep a relative smile on my face, then I call that a heck of a day!

My sister EL (who sometimes contributes to RoL) is expecting Baby #2. She’s in VA and we were worried that the baby would arrive during the blizzard but it’s past her due date and still no bambino. Say a prayer that all goes well!

As I type I am listening to the new album from Fair – Disappearing World. Perfect mellow music. Love it. (Now I’m just waiting for the new Lifehouse. Hurry!)

Tonight Bella and I will attend her Little Flowers Catholic Girls’ club. We haven’t been in a couple months because there was so much going at home with the new baby and the holidays etc. Things are still busy but JP is much easier to care for and Bella misses her friends. I have to admit I am just as excited to go because I miss talking with the other Catholic moms. It’s easy for a busy mom to fall into a duties-only rut and forget the importance of some female companionship!

And for the LF Valentine’s party we needed to make a home-made item to share. I saw these Double Chocolate Cookies on Barefoot Contessa this week so Bella and I tried out the recipe. They are sooo yum! Make a quick batch before lent starts!

Okay, what other random thing can I talk about? Oh wait. Big news. We’re adding on! No not to the family (give the body some time to heal!) but to the house. We’re going to convert the garage into another bedroom. (Right now we only have two.) It took months to get through all the red tape and now we were given the go sign. The contractor told me that as soon as we clear out all the STUFF from our garage and the storage cabinets, they can start building. So guess what I’ll be doing this weekend?? I think I better sign up for Danielle’s 40 bags in 40 days for Lent!!

Lastly, here’s a recent pic of John-Paul, now 5 ½ months.