Daycare...please pass along

Collin attends daycare at Elim Christian Learning Center in Anoka, MN. The current economy appears to be affecting enrollment, which is drastically down from 6 months ago.

If you happen to be looking for a daycare in the Anoka area, or know of anyone that is, I would strongly recommend this program and ask that you pass this information along. Collin has been there for a year, since his original daycare was damaged by a fire (overnight, thank God), and we intend to remain in that program until he starts kindergarten. Those of you that know us well realize that means a lot, as we were never fans of the "daycare" idea but found ourselves in a position that required us to consider it once my maternity leave was over. It is facilitated through a Baptist church, but the daycare itself is simply "Christian" and is non-denominational. They offer a low child to staff ratios, a lot of space, Christian staff who clearly love children, and a superb learning environment. You can contact them at (763) 427-1833.

Technically if we refer a family that enrolls, we would receive one week of daycare at half price. I believe so strongly in this center that if any referrals happen because of our recommendation, we would work to pass that savings onto the enrolling family.

If you are not looking at daycare options for your own family, please do pray for increased enrollment at the center so that they can continue to meet expenses for staff and the kids.

A matter of perspective...

So, I have had a really hard week at work so far and there is no end in sight for the drama I am stuck in. I am still committed to the work that we do and overall I really appreciate where I have worked for the last 12 years...but this week has been very challenging for me there personally and professionally. Tonight at dinner I finally "broke down" and some tears escaped without my consent.

Needless to say, our very observant and empathetic son noticed mommy was in distress. He promptly hopped down from where he was sitting and came over to give me a hug and kiss. He patted me on the back and said "It'll be ok, mommy".

If that were not enough to replace my tears of frustration with tears of joy, he then promptly walked to the bathroom. He returned with tissue and said "I wipe your tears, mommy" and had me bend down to do just that.

Talk about putting things in perspective! Screw work, my son is wonderful and so is my life!

St. Patrick's Day at the Rosenau House

Long, long ago (ok, maybe not that long...) St. Patrick's day for Doug and I was about hitting some Irish bars with friends enjoying Irish beer... In more recent years, the St. Patrick's beer tour at Old Chicago was a staple for the whole first part of March.

This year we played outside with our son, who apparently enjoyed starting his own St. Paddy's tradition.

For dinner we had corned beef and cabbage, made at home and shared as a family.

So, again, Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Rosenau's.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

May you always have

Walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!

---Irish Blessing

Practically tropical!

It was a balmy 69 degrees by our house today...practically tropical!

To celebrate we played outside before dinner and had fresh pineapple for dessert.

Yummy!

There is such a thing as too much St. Paddy's...

A man stumbles up to the only other patron in a bar and asks if he could buy him a drink.“Why of course,” comes the reply.


The first man then asks: “Where are you from?” “I’m from Ireland,” replies the second man.

The first man responds: “You don’t say, I’m from Ireland too! Let’s have another round to Ireland.” “Of Course,” replies the second man.


Curious, the first man then asks: “Where in Ireland are you from?” “Dublin,” comes the reply. “I can’t believe it,” says the first man. “I’m from Dublin too! Let’s have another drink to Dublin.” “Of course,” replies the second man.


Curiosity again strikes and the first man asks: “What school did you go to?” “Saint Mary’s,” replies the second man. “I graduated in ‘62.” “This is unbelievable!” the first man says. “I went to Saint Mary’s and I graduated in ‘62, too!”


About that time in comes one of the regulars and sits down at the bar. “What’s been going on?” he asks the bartender. “Nothing much,” replies the bartender. “The O’Malley twins are drunk again.”

Heaven?

Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and says to the first man he meets, ‘Do you want to go to heaven?’ The man said, ‘I do, Father.’ The priest said, ‘Then stand over there against the wall.’


Then the priest asked the second man, ‘Do you want to go to heaven?’ ‘Certainly, Father,’ was the man’s reply. Then stand over there against the wall,’ said the priest.


Then Father Murphy walked up to O’Toole and said, ‘Do you want to go to heaven?’ O’Toole said, ‘No, I don’t Father.’ The priest said, ‘I don’t believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don’t want to go to heaven?’


O’Toole said, ‘Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.’