The Adventures of Bittyman and His Sidekick, Ittyboy!: April 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Dear VP of Marketing for Build-A-Bear

You are welcome to use this photo of Ittyboy in your advertising. It was taken by me this past Saturday at our local Build-A-Bear store. Not only will this adorable little face undoubtedly sell thousands of your stuffed animal friends, but Itty's outfit perfectly matches your brand colors.

Itty requests for his modeling fee a Build-A-Party for himself, his big brother Bittyman, and 15 of his friends and cousins. (You're getting off cheap - only 3 of his 23 cousins will be in town anytime soon.) Each guest will receive one stuffed animal friend and complete outfit for said friend, including appropriate accessories.

For my photographer fee, I request enough Build-A-Bear staff coverage at said party so myself, my SIL and my Mom friends can go upstairs to the mall Starbucks and enjoy one hour of child-free socialization. (And if we're not at Starbucks look for us at the Chevys Fresh Mex bar.)

Sincerely,
Diva Mom Vicki

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Dr. Thomas Dillon

Yesterday we were devastated to learn that our sister-in-law's father was tragically killed in a car accident in Ireland:

In Memoriam: Tom Dillon, President of Thomas Aquinas College

Our prayers are with Christine, her husband (Dan's brother) Tom, their 5 children and the rest of the Dillon family.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Happy Easter... Tuesday!

It was a whirlwind Holy Week, Triduum and Easter. In the past 7 days:

Christopher was diagnosed with an ear and sinus infection.
Our vacuum cleaner broke.
A water leak appeared in the wall between the water manablock and the boy's bedroom, thus flooding their bedroom. (OK, so it 'appeared' only after Dan tried to anchor a bookcase into the wall... but the darn stud finder thought that pipe was a stud!)
A tire separated on our Nissan Altima and needed immediate replacement. (Thank the Lord for Costco tire service.) Then the Altima failed the state smog test. (The car is being dropped off at the dealer tomorrow. Pray for a cheap fix, please.)
I tripped coming down the stairs rolling my ankle, severely bruising my knee and broke or sprained my middle toe (don't know for sure - haven't had time for an x-ray).
I undertook a frantic search for flat, comfortable (and affordable) shoes I could stand in for countless hours of cantoring. (Sadly, I had already bought the cutest heels to match my Easter dress!)
Discovered our Wii broke after I busted my foot and needed a way to occupy the boys inside since I could hardly walk, let alone carry or run after a sprinting Ittyboy out in public.
Dan played the funeral Mass for a family friend who passed away after a long illness.
I cantored for the Good Friday service, Easter Vigil and 2 Easter Morning Masses (plus attended several rehearsals earlier in the week).

In spite of all the stress, we had an absolutely wonderful Easter. Probably even more meaningful than had we not had these small crosses to bear. As I venerated the cross after the Passion service on Good Friday, my 'problems' were immediately put into perspective. The Easter Vigil was especially moving hearing the Exsultet beautifully chanted by a Dominican Priest who serves our Diocese, regularly presiding at the Shrine where both Dan and I are musicians. And it was a thrill to have brass, strings and timpani in addiction to the usual organ/piano accompany me for the Easter morning Masses.

My Lenten journey was very fruitful. I gave up a lot of 'noise' in my life - all talk radio, FOX News channel, reading political blogs - and limited my time online. After my initial panic of being so disconnected, it was amazing was how much my overall stress level decreased. (Not to mention how happy the Heroes were since Mommy wasn't ignoring them to facebook , how clean my house became and how many times that dusty Bible sitting on my nightstand was actually read.)

I'm going to continue giving up most of the 'noise' I gave up during Lent... with the exception of Glenn Beck. I really missed watching Glenn. And I will be blogging more often again. (But if you want the most immediate news on the Heroes, friend me on facebook if you haven't already!)

Our family hopes everyone had a Blessed Easter Sunday! Remember, the Easter season lasts 50 days - which is a good thing since Bittyman just reminded me that we forgot to dye Easter eggs!