Update. Here. Yr wlcom.

I am amazed at how time gets away on me. So many times I think that my last post was but a few days ago only to realise that I haven't written a thing in nearly two weeks. However, comments like that of my sister: Update, pls. thx. give me the kick in the pants that I sometimes need.
I would post a few cute pictures but you will have to wait as my camera's battery is dead and I need to search for the recharging cord.
But, what is new? Well, it's Lent. That says it all, doesn't it?
This year I have chosen to majorly restrict my internet use (which also accounts for my poor posting). I have found that my surfing of various blogs has crept further and further into the time I should be spending with my children and my husband. Thus, I have put an almost all out ban on my blog reading. Only at nights and only sparsely. While this is always hard to begin, unplugging myself is definitely refreshing. Plus, there seems to be a lot more time to do what really matters ... like look my children in the eye.
Other than the Lenten penance, I was also away this weekend. What? Me away? By myself?
Yes. It's hard to believe, but it's true. Thank you, Dave.
I went on a weekend retreat (two whole nights) in a town an hour away with 39 other women. I definitely went for some spiritual refreshment but, truthfully, I think I went for the food. You see, this retreat is hosted at a very large convent that has been given over to various retreats, meetings, medical services etc. Therefore, it has a really good cafeteria.

A really good cafeteria= I don't have to cook

Three times a day we would line up at the cafeteria door to load our trays with salads, drinks, rolls, main dishes and desserts. And, I'm pregnant so I can load the tray, right?
I think that, other than the fellowship, the wonderful talks and the availability of the sacraments, the food was the real draw for me. OK, OK, if it wasn't Lent and I wasn't trying to appear holier than thou, I would put food first on that list. A pregnant mama thinks with her tummy, no?
I came home somewhat refreshed. Actually, I came home exhausted. I literally (slight use of hyperbole) had to prop my eyes open with toothpicks just to drive home. I kept repeating prayers like, "Lord, it really wouldn't be good to crash the car so close to home. Do you think you could at least get me to the driveway?"
He did. I arrived home. The kids were, ahem, glued to a TV program and only Jacob ran to greet me. Dave was very happy to see me and quickly listed off all the cleaning he had done over the weekend. The house did look good. I tried to respond accordingly but within 10 minutes I found myself asleep in my own bed. Ahhh, home.
So, there you go. That's about all. I am excited to see the end of February and the beginning of March, the season of hope. I am trying to take it easy as my blood pressure has been slightly high at both of my last prenatal check-ups (usually it is very low); and I am at that stage of pregnancy where I haven't yet decided about bringing out the maternity clothes or just sticking with the Bella band.
Dave is well and took his class cross-country skiing today. The kids are all healthy although the twins claimed to be deathly ill yesterday morning until they made miraculous recoveries once the bus had safely come and gone. I think they needed a day home with Mommy to account for the weekend without. Joseph is terrified of skidoos and refuses to go to the basement where he believes both skidoos and monsters reside. Jacob is perplexed at the fickle nature of grade school girls. Hannah is not. Benjamin is particularly interested by soldiers and priests lately. He continually comments that priests need to pray so that good soldiers will protect them from army bases. I think I need to work on clarification with our third child. And that's about all. Pictures to come. Yes, I had better go: I smell burning and Benjamin just passed me a knife.