Charting a new course

This past weekend, Bill and I made a big decision.  One that we have wanted and needed to make for several years, but we have let excuses get in the way.  Wishes, hopes, always looking for the 'right' place to land.  We are pretty confident that we have found the right place, although it will be a big change for us.  We found our new church home! 

We have belonged to the same catholic church since we got married, and I have belonged to it since I was 7 years old.  However, the feasibility of getting our kids there for catechism and youth group and any other family event they might have has proven next to impossible, the drive is 30 minutes each way.....and that has led us to make plenty of excuses for not going.  I know, as a Catholic, you're not supposed to have any excuses for not going to church, but realistically, we have 5 kids and it does happen.  For a while Bill worked on Sundays too.  Over the past several years we have tried to fit in at other churches and have tried to talk ourselves into liking different churches. Let's face it, you either like a church or you don't. Or you like a church and then sit through a couple homilies that you cannot believe your children had to listen to because the topic was not appropriate for anyone under the age of 18.  I mean really, why would a priest do that?!!  SO offensive!

The church we found feels like it's where we need to be.  And the ironic thing about it?  The priest that presided at our wedding is the priest at this church!  After years of inconsistent consistency in regards to church attendance, we are in for a wake up call, and a calling of the church.  We have enrolled the kids in the catechism program there and it is run like a school......they keep track of church attendance and if we attend another church for mass, the kids have to get a bulletin signed by the priest or deacon at that church.  Definitely new.  And the kids will have homework.  Eric has already voiced his opinion about that one! 

And yet, it is a relief to have made a decision, to have joined a growing parish with young families and family events, with a youth group and a priest that wants nothing but the best for our children and their religious upbringing.  Our hearts still belong with church we have called home for 16 years (and the wonderful priest whose homilies we always enjoy) and there's no doubt we'll still attend there with my parents now and then, but it's time to settle in.  It feels like church boot camp!

In other news around the home front this week, Laurel lost her first tooth last Saturday

*insert picture here that I failed to take*

and got $6 from the tooth fairy.  This evening, she and Luke were playing towel tug o' war WITH THEIR MOUTHS and guess what?  Luke's wiggly tooth got yanked out!

*insert picture I failed to take*

 (actually I did take a picture of each of them, but I used my phone and I don't know how to download them yet) So within a week, 2 teeth have been lost, and once again, L and L set the record for being the youngest of the 5 to lose a tooth.  They were the youngest teethers as well.  The older three boys didn't lose any teeth until second and third grade!

Gregory and Jacob have been very busy with Robotics meetings nearly every night.  Gregory is part of the website design team and Jacob is on the game playing field construction team.  I don't totally get it, but they seem to like it and enjoy the challenge.  They are being exposed to ideas, thought processes, and creativity that is really unique.  Scouts has kept them busy as well with popcorn sales and other volunteer responsibilities.

Soccer is a big part of our week, with practices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between Luke, Laurel and Eric.  Eric is on a brand new team with a brand new, VERY young coach-he's still in high school-and he seems to have found his niche with some pretty good defensive moves. His playability was often times overshadowed in the past by other really good players on his team, but now he is able to shine all on his own.  It makes me smile to see him out there putting in great effort and focus!

Luke loves his team, and he has developed the ability to play with his tongue sticking out.  He's so funny!

And Miss Ruby, our newest little girl in the family?  Well, she and Parker are about the cutest things EVER!  They love each other so much already.  They sleep like this-

 and play like this!

 and then sleep like this again-

 Ruby has nearly mastered the whole potty training thing, and for that I am SO GLAD.  Getting up in the middle of the night after so many years is cruel and unusual punishment.  And Bill sleeps right through it.  Some things never change!

Next week, more of the same insane schedule...we'll see if we survive!