a growing obsession

okay- thomas is certainly not new to me, as i have logged many a happy moment with the pbs show, but when our other kids were little, they had a wooden railway other than thomas (sue me, we were poor!)

now,thanks to some stealthy activity at the clearance aisle of target, we are the proud owners of a thomas set (that works with our old one!) and a train table- all at scandously discounted prices.

it has already paid for itself, too- c. was up sick during the night and the only thing that made her happy was to play with "my thomas"- at 2 am, you can do anything you want sweety!

along with these wonderful turn of events, i have now won my first ever two items off of ebay (shameless, i know), combed the factory websites for discounts (found!), and discovered a local close out sale, where tomorrow I will mercilessly interrogate the shop owner as to what stock he has left. oh yeah, also joined a chat forum on the subject, but don't tell anyone, because that is embarrassing...

gratitude

on friday, it was time to wrap up another school year- kiss those kiddos good-bye and head out to a well deserved celebration. my entire family was brought up short by the sudden passing of tim russert. an all too visible reminder that we can be called home at any moment, no matter how much we prepare or how deeply we love- we will be going home.

my family and i have a deep sense of gratitude toward tim russert because he provided a true-life example of what it means to be a good man, a good Catholic and a good American. to fulfill each of those roles it takes shouldering responsibility and living hopefully. each demand that you question, question, question and that you have faith in God and in your fellow man.

as we celebrated father's day and our anniversary, we reflected on tim russert's passing and the example he set in the pure joy he had for his family and friends. we, too, feel blessed and in awe at having a front row seat as our children grow and mature. we are thrilled to have so many to share our everyday events with. we are thankful for our parents and the gifts they bestowed upon us.

i think that tim russert leaves an enormous legacy for his friends, his family and all of us; and that it is remarkable that one person can so impact our lives in the most powerful of ways- by his example.

(photo credit: AP, Alex Wong)

Harry Potter Hangover

This is what you look like after you stay up until midnight reading Harry Potter #7...

In the past three days, J. & K. have put in about 5 hours a day, trying to beat the other to the finish line!

Joe and I are waiting patiently, avoiding all media accounts, and anyone who looks remotely like they would like to tell us how it ends...unless you are Joe's "special friend" who has told him everything- but, because it is her, I guess it is okay with him :)...he has been threatened with death if he tells me anything!

ed note: J. has, in fact, finished first. mooklettes is encouraged, as he is not crying! he did, however, say he can't believe it is all over...