Why Complain?

Sometimes I get really frustrated about things and just like to call the store to complain. Often times I just forget about it but now my daughter often reminds me now. I truly don't except anything expect and apology, which often times I don't even get. A few weeks ago, when I called Walmart, after my daughter reminded me, it was even more fruitful than an apology. I went to Walmart a few days after we got home from the hospital in preparation for Easter. While I was there I noticed one bag of jelly bean was opened. I put them back but when I got home I notice another bag was opened. It was anoying to me that two bags of jelly beans were open. When I called to compain the manager offer me some free products in the seasomal department the next time I came to the store. I made that visit today, I had to buy conditioner and it is was on sale at walmart. I got a cooler, 3 pair of sandles and freeze pops. Sometimes it pays to complain. Also, this fall I got a $20.00 gift card, A 5 lb bag of coffee, and a 16 oz hot cup from Dunkin' Donuts, because the women at the register was rude when I went in at 10 o'clock at night. I called the corporate office to complain. It doesn't happen often but I am a stickler about good customer service.

P.S. I do also call when someone goes above and beyond. Managers are surprised by that call. I went to Market Basket about 2 weeks ago and one of the bag boy, Danny was his name, saw that James was upset and helped me load my groceries onto the belt. After I paid he offered to help bring my groceries out to the car, then loaded my groceries into my car. When I got home I called Market Basket to thank them for Danny's help. They were surprised and said he was just doing his job. Have you ever had a bag boy load then store grocery belt, walk you to your car, and then load your groceries to you car? That was more than above and beyond.

Visiting Friends and Post Baby Dinners

We are so grateful for the many vistors and dinners we recieved the first 2 - 3 weeks we were home from the hospital. Thanks you to everyone who provided us with a dinner and took the time to come to visit us, especially James. I didn't make dinner for three weeks, Michael only made dinner once (hamburgers and hotdogs). It is awesome to live in a community that understands and supports the importance of being a new mama. No one looked at me funny for not having my dishes done or for my house being upside down. Many people even ask to help clean the house or run errands.

Cioci Anne and Uncle Peadar came to visit Baby James when we was only 4 days old. They brought a tasty chicken pot pie.

Clara and Eion enjoyed Baby James.

Joseph (used to be Baby Joseph) loved Baby James too. He even got a turn holding him. He so sweetly said "Joe's turn."

The Hougham's came over when James was only 5 days old. Anne couldn't wait for Baby James to be born. Briana and Michael (not pictured) each got a turn holding James. They had exausted themselves making dinners for us, 3 other families, and themselves. There was another baby boy, William Smillie, born the same day as James. Also, the Kelly's had a boy, Robert, and the Hughes had a girl, Greta, a month earlier. Anne had made us all dinner. What a trooper Anne. We all ate cream of mushroom flavored pasta with bread and pasta, delicious. - Thanks.

Rebecca's Dinner (AMAZING)

(Ben's portions taken from Rebecca's Blog )

I have to say that above all the friends that supported us one stands out most of all. Thank you so much REBECCA. It all started before James was even born. She listened to me go on about whatever I needed to go on about, she walked the mall with me (to try to start labor),. She, also, came to the hospital and not only brought us pizza (shhh don't tell the nurses) but she also brought our daughter. The first night we came home from the hospital she came over and brought us an amazing dinner of spinach ricotta ravioli with a salad and some buttermilk biscuits. While at our house sorted baby clothes. She brought up a bus load of clothes and toys. A few days later she brought over medicine for James, she offered to take me to my midwife appointment to take me staples out and I'm sure there is so much more. All this and Rebecca has a little one, Leo, of her own. He was less than 6 months at the time. I don't know what I would do without REBECCA and other friends like her. -THANKS A BUNCH, REBECCA!!!!

I am so GRATEFUL and know I APPRECIATE all of you.

A Catholic YouTube

Check out this site it is a Catholic style YouTube called GloriaTV.

http://www.gloria.tv

This is a quick 1 minute message about GloriaTV

Why is the Pope Benedict in the USA?

Although many are upset by the Pope's visit to the USA (I have been listening to talk radio all day and the only good comments I heard were from Pat Buchanan. Nobody else seems to know what it is to be a true practicing Catholic.), I am praying that his viist is successful. I pray that there are conversation back to the Church due to his visit. Check out this 20 minute video from EWTN's Raymond Arroyo. He is interviewing Cardninal Pietro Sambi on the overview of the papal visit. For those of us not lucky enough to see him in NY let us pray for his success and follow his visit at uspapalvisit.org or on EWTN. They have live streaming videos. There is a great video of the Pope getting out Sheppard 1. Check them out. God Bless this is great.

It is great to know that we don't have to watch this visit through the mainstream media. I'm sure it will be seen a whole different way throught their eyes.

One of our Playgroups

Today we had, what I call, our Catholic playgroup. Adriana is the oldest child in this group and one of our members is missing because she just had a new baby. Congrats again Chrissy and welcome Baby Naomi. We meet bi-weekly, have lunch, the children play, and the moms chat about lots of different subjects.

Lindsey our gracious host for this playgroup and she is excepting soon. We had a delicious lunch of black bean quesadillas. Thanks for hosting and lunch Lindsey!!!

Mothers and their sons!!!! Benjamin and Leo and only 10 days apart. When Erin and Rebecca were excepting the were due one day apart. The boys will have fun growing up together.

The cowboy is petting the horse. Benjamin was wearing a cowboy outfit and he even took a ride on the horse.

Children playing at their playgroup. FUN!!! Nicky looks like he is loves riding the horse. I saw him on the horse more than he played with any other toy.

Andrea totally entertaing Benjamin.

Adriana holding James. Clare watching Adriana and James wondering what it is going to be like to have one of those in her home.

Before we left I gave Erin's car a jump. It took us a few tries to jump her car because the jumper cables we were trying to use were to thick to connect to the battery. She learned which cables not to buy. Adriana thought she would try to entertain Benjamin. Andrea did a much better job because Benjamin was crying, she was scaring him.

Spring Day, Family Fiesta, and Adriana in a Diaper

Today was a great spring day. The weather was great as Adriana kept saying "Mama I'm going to go out with no coat (or a jacket). " It was so nice I decide the back yard was good enough we went to the park.

After dinner we went to the 5th Annual Clinton Family Fiesta. They had alot of fun activities for children. The fire department was there, Adriana loved the fire engine. The Jr. High Band played , our upstairs neighbor (Joe) was in it. Adriana also love watching Joe. Watching him was her favorite part of the night. It was hard to get her to leave the tables to see the other activieties around. When we finally did she played with fubor for a long time. She also got a whisle, won a bracelet in a bean bag toss and made some planter with veggies in them.

Flubber is a type of playdough. It was a funny but cool texture.

When we go home Adriana decide she wanted Daddy to change her diaper after he changed James. She has been potty trained since I can remember.

Smile and Giggle

James gave mama his first smile the first morning we were home from the hospital. It was great. Luckly Daddy caught it to other most would think I was crazy and it wasn't his last either he smiled throughout the day. Awesome!!! Here are some pictures of James smiling and giggling yesterday as he sat on mama's lap. He is funny because sometimes he will smile at just the right moment, when mama needs cheering up. He also loves to pause in between nursing to give mama a glowing smile.

Adriana had to have a smile picture too. That is what we call her crazy hair!! We love her crazy hair but it is crazy like mama's hair.

How to make Flubber

Combine

1 cup water

1 Cup white glue

Combine

1 1/2 tsp. Borax

1 cup HOT Water

Food Coloring if desired

Add hot water mixture to glue mixture. Mix together with your hands. Take glue Blob out of water mixture. Knead with hands coated in water mixture until not sticky. Store in air tight container. Have FUN and ENJOY!!!!

Having crazy fun!!!

This one is for Ms. Tara.

Adriana is spirited, high energy, and daring little girl. She fell a number of times, scratched up her knees, but kept getting back up and going agin!

James First Bath

Yes it is sad that it took us a month to totally bath him. He has had a few sponge bathes but we just started to get life a little back to normal. A little bit of a routine going on. He loved the water it was fun.