Out of Hand: July 2024

Boys’ Camp #3

Saturday, July 27, 2024

The three amigos. Life was very different without them at home.

The Firstborn won the sportsmanship award in his cohort. He also won awards for Capture the Flag and a water slide competition.

Sweet Pea stepped in as second mom. She’s good at being in charge, haha.

We picked up the boys after Saturday Mass.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

“What is the case about?” -Eldest

“I can’t tell you anything about it while it’s being deliberated.”

“Can you at least tell us if it’s murder?!” the big boys asked with glee.

Thankfully, no murder; but that did remind me of the Jim Gaffigan Dateline bit.

Our Superior Court judges are elected, not appointed. This particular judge is on the last year of his fifth term. He had the personality you’d expect of someone who has to worry about reelection.

We got a tour afterward. He’s a 1982 ND grad and a huge sports/music fan. He hears solely criminal cases. I can only imagine how sad that gets.

This case was a criminal misdemeanor DUI case, which was “beyond a reasonable doubt” halfway through the witnesses testimonies. The rest was just painful. I do respect our justice system more, however. It takes great caution when deciding criminal cases.

And lest I forget this question on the exam, one is paid $15/day (except for the first day, which isn’t reimbursed) plus travel expenses. The jurors took a poll. Only one-quarter of the jurors were paid by their employers while on jury duty. I used my remaining vacation days and most of my sick leave. Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Yesterday’s Magnificat meditation answered so many questions for me. It’s challenging but consoling at the same time.

No one knew better than Mary what it felt like to carry deep sorrow which no one understood for the entire duration of her life. At least she carried it with the Lord; and we can carry ours with her and the Lord.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

She snuck in to be closer to me while I stayed up mega late finishing my homework. I didn’t mind because she was completely silent. I love my little girl!

Monday, July 22, 2024

They went to the beach no fewer than four times in the last week. There’s not a beach trip that goes by when I do not thank the Lord for bringing us here where we can wonder at His greatness.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

This is what they were doing instead of packing for camp. The half finished image of the Firstborn depicts the exact moment I opened the door to ask them if they were packing. So much giggling… Good luck, counselors!

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Imagine 200 girls in pink t-shirts walking silently in line to prepare for Mass. Sweet Pea’s first overnight camp was filled with talks about friendship and virtue. She saw several religious sisters speak and had a counselor so kind to her (even when she didn’t listen)that she’s been crying since she left. A second grader version of The Trouble with Angels. (And I’m sure DH wouldn’t mind if she became a sister. 😂)

Miss Mia:

She is to the right of the pole and the adult with short blond hair.

I ran into her principal and daughter whose granddaughter/daughter were in attendance and lots of people from school and the homeschool community. It’s nice to have some connections after 5 years of trying. 💪🏼❤️🙏🏻

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Better here than during the Consecration, which he’s also done.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

“We’re having a fight, Mom! It’s me and [Sol] bersus [the Fourth]. Want to watch us?!”

I asked him, “what?” a few times just to hear him repeat that.

Sunday, July 14, 2024

He told no fewer than twenty people that it’s his birthday! And he’s having a “cars cake!” And he’ll “be three!” The ladies at the gym made him a crown and sang to him.

His simplicity is beautiful. He’s so easy to please. Model cars and attention are all he needs.

He couldn’t even give us a birthday wish because all he could think about was the blue Ford Mustang:

Current Stats:

Weight — 32 lbs., 54th%

Height — 3’1”, 39th%

Previous Stats:

Birth, Two Weeks, One Month, Two Months, Four Months, Six Months, Nine Months, One Year, Fifteen Months, Eighteen Months, and Two Years.

Three Years and Counting!

On July 14, 2021, I received 23 units of blood and blood products to save my life. Placenta accreta delivery, which was harrowing by itself, was complicated by an aneurysm which burst in my internal iliac artery. My medical team worked diligently for 7 hours to stop the hemorrhage and stabilize me.

What I remember most is how the Lord made His presence felt. He arranged for the events to take place on my feast day. He answered my prayers for clarity regarding our family size. He inspired me to pray for particular people and gave me consolations greater than I have ever known. He showed me the fragility of my life, how much I would regret if I died in that ICU, and the determination to do better. I think about this day with awe and gratitude. My little man, who was separated from me for two days after birth, is my biggest fan. He completely changed my life. I am a better person because of him.

If you’re in a difficult pregnancy, know that the Lord has great plans for you and your baby — and you will be so much better on the other side.

I’m so glad we are both here!

Saturday, July 13, 2024

And planned this whole thing himself!

“So, do we have rowing chemistry?”

Friday, July 12, 2024

I never thought I would be a paralegal. I never thought I would live in Orange County. I never thought I would win a scholarship. This association has been so good for my professional confidence. These are just a few things we’ve done. They are serious about putting family first (most paralegals are mothers); and have many hacks and mentors who want to be helpful.