Still uh-live

Don't worry, guys. Don't wu-ray.

I'm still here.

Too bad for you.

I'll give you a run down of the recent haps since I like to offer all kinds of information that hasn't been asked for and may or may not be wanted.

Last Saturday-Monday, I got to go on an incredible (silent!ish*) retreat. I went last year for the first time and it was pretty life-changing. I think retreats are one of those things that you don't know you need until you're there, and then you're there and you cannot believe you didn't think you needed it because you do. Last year, I was pregnant with Peter and this year he was my roomie. It was bit harder to sink deeply into silent retreat mode with a six month old on my hip but the exchange was time alone with my baby for over 48 hours and that was the best. Aside from spiritual renewal, hours and hours to pray and think and reassess my life, receive the Sacraments and spiritual direction, make resolutions and spend time in quiet contemplation, I was able to soak in the gorgeous hills around the college where we stayed, hike in said hills, and lay in the grass in the sunshine with absolutely nothing else to do. It was all very, very the best.

Peter and I shared a room with one of my closest soul sisters, Hope. She is pregnant with her 7th baby, so our time together is usually peppered with lots of little voices and requests and distractions. It was so fun to fake like we were in college together. At night we would sneak out on a sleeping Peter and wander the grounds in the dark and talk and laugh and contemplate life. I think Peter and Hope bonded due to him being the only child between us when he is typically one of 11. They also bonded over the fact that both of their lives were threatened on an evening walk encounter with a mountain lion. Don't worry, the mountain lion didn't see them and just sauntered off but, still, THE SCARIEST and thank you, Jesus. Anyway, you are getting the picture, right? It was awesome. Dangerous and awesome.

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On top of all that, the cherry of all cherries, I found a super cute vintage couch next to the dumpsters at the college and managed to talk two college bros into tossing it on top of my car for me. Guys, I cannot stress enough the joy that finding (free) junk brings me! I don't know if you remember, but our couch has two busted legs and is currently supported by Moby Dick and Jane Eyre (Seriously. They are the thickest books we own.) ... so a new, free, non-broken, vintage situation was like delicious manna from heaven for this little retreat-goer.

You might also remember how I said I sometimes have to just spring home improvements/redesign/furniture on Kirby. Well, this couch was no exception. I roped it up and dragged it home and the whole family welcomed both a spiritually rejuvenated me and an old, yellow, tufted couch. Here it is, pre-oxy scrub. Cutest, right? I'm thinking a someday reupholster, but for now, a few throw pillows and perfect.

Being on a retreat for the second time in as many years made me realize a. How grateful I am for Kirby and b. how much mothers-going-on-retreats seems almost completely contingent on husbands. I never think I can leave for days at a time, and I hardly think I need things like retreats and sometimes I don't even want them. If it weren't for Kirby practically pushing me out the door with a smile on his face and an I got this all handled, lady on his lips, I would probably never, ever go, ever. I'm so grateful he pushes me towards what is good for my soul. Husbands- do this for your wives. Tell them you are taking care of it and shove.them.out. It is highly recommended.

We have more busy days ahead including Hero's First Holy Communion on Saturday (I am so excited. Will you pray for her?), an Irish Dance recital on the very same Saturday, and a refi which is bringing with it mounds of papers to scan, sign, scan, send and a plethora of home improvements which we have been putting off for as many years as we have lived in this sweet little house. Said home improvements have us running out to Ikea 30 minutes before closing and jetting to Lowes for exactly 43 1x4's in between breakfast and lunch with all five in tow and no husbands plus one brave grandmother. Not speaking from experience, of course, that's just what I've heard. The good news is that the bathroom that's always been a storage closet will now be a bathroom and our spider-webby oven vent that's been agape for 4 whole years will now have a grate over it.

******drunk in luv (w/ ikea)********

What else... (Cause this ramble could not possibly be complete)... OH YEAH!

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