Hey guys! It’s been a while, huh? House stuff, book stuff, school stuff, kid stuff . . . it’s all been keeping me pretty busy. But it felt like time to share an update with you, the good and patient people of this blog.
1. Ya know how when you’re a Catholic mommy blogger and you say you have an announcement, everyone just assumes you’re pregnant? Well, I’m going to go ahead and reinforce that stereotype.
Yep. Baby number nine is due July 4th. I’m about nine weeks along. The kids are super excited about their new little tiebreaker.
2. In related news, I’m NOT going to make my book deadline. Le sigh. I decided to spend the first half of my supposed-to-be-writing-a-book time remodeling the house instead. And, really, I can’t regret that. I’m really happy with how upstairs turned out, and it’s contributed greatly to my emotional well-being that at least PART of the house looks in reality the way all of it looks in my imagination.
Once summer was over, I tried to be responsible and made myself quit house stuff cold turkey, even though my closet and the husband’s office and the chapel aren’t done. I was booking right along on the, um, book all through September and October and I am happy with it as a first draft, but I know it needs a lot of polishing and a few more important chapters. I had five weeks to finish it. But then, at the end of October, I sat silently weeping at our homeschool parkday, after a crazy misunderstanding between moms about where the kids should stand to give their saint presentations . . . and I figured I should probably stop by the Rite Aid on the way home. Because there is only ONE reason I cry. And it ain’t long distance phone service commercials.
So . . . two lines. And here we go again!
I’ve been hanging in there with pretty regular-for-me fatigue and nausea. But when your business model depends on you only needing four or five hours of sleep and now you need nine or ten . . . something’s got to give. And the kids are louder than the book, what with wanting to eat and learn and be driven places. So the book is still in a very first-drafty stage.
My editor has been very understanding. Perhaps this sort of issue isn’t unheard of at a Catholic publishing house? I’m thinking I just need a good solid month with it once I get over the barfy part, which is usually right at twelve or thirteen weeks for me.
It’s kind of killing me to miss a deadline. But I’m trying to have some perspective. Better a few months late and coherent, right?
3. Also big news, also related . . . Betty and Bobby started “regular” school with Jack.
I started homeschooling pretty reluctantly, and only because I didn’t think we had another good option. But I grew to love it and truly appreciate it as a part of our family culture. I really never intended to homeschool the kids all the way through though. We always hoped we’d eventually be able to move closer to a school we could feel good about.
And we did! But when we asked Betty and Bobby over the summer whether they wanted to start at St. Monica Academy with Jack, they didn’t. They wanted to stay in their homeschool group, with their friends, and keep schooling in the way they were used to. With the move, we decided not to push it, but figured they’d start next year.
But they’ve both been involved with activities in which they’ve met kids from their classes at the school, and we were all finding that five kids in five grades, plus a preschooler and a toddler made for really packed days. I signed them up for a bunch of online classes, figuring that would lighten my load, but really it just made our schedules crazy and meant we couldn’t go on field trips. 😭
So, when I mentioned it to them again and they were interested this time, we figured we’d start them in January. But when I asked the school they said start them now! So . . . we did.
It’s been good. They’re having fun. I’m back to a manageable school day that can be done before naptime. We can go on field trips. And I still have a seven and a nine-year-old at home. Yay!
The high school is having an open house on December 7th. If you’re in the area, come check it out!
4. This one isn’t going to make ANY sense given the previous three announcements, except that we already had it planned and I’m no quitter. We went camping in Zion and Bryce Canyon, Utah for Thanksgiving again! (Here’s the camping last time. And here’s the fashion blogging.)
My parents didn’t get to come with us last time and wanted to. So we made plans to do the whole trip again. The boys were in a tent, and we had two little one room cabins with heat and electricity and wifi. So, it wasn’t ALL that rough.
It was cooler than two years ago, and snowier! But it really was comfortable hiking weather, and *I* was plenty warm in the cabin at night. And there was only SOME barfing.
So, here’s a photo dump for ya (don’t worry, none are of that last part).
And Lulu had her third birthday two days after Thanksgiving! (Can you spot the three blurry mule deer in the background?)
4. Last announcement is that I have no announcement about what’s happening with the blog. I miss it. I miss you guys. But I don’t know when I’ll be back. I can’t say I’m taking any particular amount of time off, because I’ll continue to pop up here when the mood strikes and time and other commitments allow.
Thanks for being so awesome. And have a very blessed Advent!
Love,
Kendra
Congrats!!!
Thanks!
Wonderful! Congratulations!!!!
Thank you!
Congratulations!! I miss seeing you on here but those are good reasons 🙂 I can't wait to see the house and I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks Mary! House updates are first on the blog to do list. It will happen!
Yay, congratulations!!! Get that bathtub ready to earn its keep 😉
Thanks for the update. Sounds like you're figuring it all out.
Hey, awesome! Congratulations to you too!
All I got was,"I was really overwhelmed and behind so I decided to take a bunch of kids camping." Bwahaha! Seriously, congratulations on the newest little one! We will still be ready to buy your book whenever it hits the online shelves!
Congratulations! Very exciting!!
Hooray! Congratulations!!! And you're awesome!
Congratulations!! You have a beautiful family!
YAY! I'm so happy for you and your family. Prayers and love sent your way.
Also, Jack looks like such a JACK! Like this cool teenager! Wow!
Congratulations! I have missed your more frequent posting, but it's totally understandable! Hope the not so fun parts of pregnancy pass quickly.
Congratulations! We are 2 weeks apart again! 🙂 My #5 is due June 16, and Mary Jane is 2 weeks younger than Ryan, my #4. So cool. Cheers to no more barfiness….I've had a good few days so today I've been in 'clean all the things' mode, trying to catch up from 5 weeks in the fetal position from 1-5pm every day. Ugh. But yay for babies! <3
Congratulations to you too! And ugh, yes. Down with the afternoon! It's the worst.
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing all of your exciting news! July 4th is an awesome due date. Chris wanted Ralph to be born on July 4th, but he came three days early. This time around he wanted Mary Rose to be born on his birthday (November 3rd), but I am old and developed preeclampsia, so she was born a month before her due date. Praying you get over the icky part pf pregnancy soon! 🙂
Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing with us, love following your sweet family. That's funny about the crying. Crying and foot cramps are my first two pregnancy symptoms!
Congratulations! I miss reading your blog, too 🙂
Kendra! Congratulations!!!
That's wonderful news! Don't worry about the book deadline – you'll get there. All things in their due time. Maintaining your sanity does count for something!
Yay! Congratulations, Kendra! It's been a delight following your family adventures these past few years, and at least we have Instagram for in-between the blog posts, haha. Thanks for hanging in there on the book, I can't wait to see it! (Well, I can — I did read the post — you know what I mean …). 😉
Congratulations!!!!!
Congratulations!!!!!
That is fun news -congrats! I here what you are saying about lightening themail load in the homeschool. My oldest is in 9th in an amazing high school and my next is doing well at home but I'm looking forward to having her in high school in a year and a half. But lately I'm thinking the 12 and 10 years olds might benefit from the homeschool tutorial we have nearby. Still need to stew on that for a bit longer. 🙂
Congrats!!!!! On everything. Wow. The camping trip looks awesome, the school sounds really exciting, and the baby is super epic!!! So happy for you guys. Prayers coming your way!
Love hearing from you 🙂 all the best with the pregnancy, hope the sickness passes soon.
Congratulations Kendra! So happy for you! I hope you start feeling better soon! Such big, fun changes going on all at the same time for you! Thanks for continuing to inspire! God bless
I've been missing you and waiting not-so-patiently for house updates, but I was actually hoping this was the reason you hadn't been around – congratulations!
Congratulations, Kendra!!
Priorities =)! Congratulations <3
How beautiful that everyone thinks having #9 is wonderful!! God bless you!! (and He will–grace abounds with faithfulness!)
Congratulations ❤️❤️
You are AMAZING – my first few months of expecting are always spent near a bathroom and here you are going camping. Mercy Me! Congrats sweetie! Pop in and visit whenever you can – I'll be waiting to hear about my favorite family. Hugs and blessings!
Hurray!!! Congratulations, Tierney family! God bless you. 🙂
Funny! Didn't you make a pregnancy announcement last time you went to Zion? Congratulations to you all, and for the two new "regular school-goers"! You have a great family!
I did! And Mary Jane was born July 25th! I think I found out just before we left for the trip? I can't remember.
This is just wonderful news!! Congratulations Tierneys! My Lucy, Sebastian, and Ignatius line up exactly with your Frankie, Lulu, and Mary Jane. And lo and behold we're expecting in June…so…as long as our babies are the opposite sex once again, I'd say we have a pretty good chance of an arranged marriage somewhere in the cards ����
Congratulations! What wonderful news!
YAY! We need more Tierneys, because they rock! Love following your family and blog! God's Blessings on the newest Tierney!
Congratulations! Jamie visited the school today…he's discerning high school for next year. I was a few rows behind you in Mass this morning, and I thought, "Oh, Kendra looks so pretty in that pink coat, it really makes her complexion glow." Apparently that's not all that's making your complexion glow. 😉
Hah! Thanks Lisa, you're hilarious and too kind. I look forward to hearing what Jamie thinks of SMA!
Congratulations! Unfortunately/fortunately we won't be due date buddies this time around 😉
That's so great you all have found the perfect school situation for the older ones! Betty and Bobby look great in their new school uniforms!
I feel you on missing blogging but just not having the time right now! I keep hoping I can slow life down a bit and return to it properly. It's so nice to have that family record of events and sense of community.
Congrats to you and the family! So many things to be thankful for.
And even though I live in NorCal, your post about homeschool/St Monica has given me some things to think about… firstly, why is the school up here, called Cardinal Newman, *not* on the Cardinal Newman society honor roll? Mysteries, mysteries… 😉 In any case, always glad to see you on the blog.
So, so wonderful! Congratulations and many prayers! As the mother of nine as well, I can tell you that nine is divine!
Congrats Kendra!! Such excitement news for your baby. Sending loves and prayers as you continue to move in a new season.
St. Monica Academy in Montrose? Do any of your kids have Mr. Curtin (7th/8th grade)? We just lost him to St. Monica this year. He taught 5th grade at St. Andrew School in Helena, MT, until his move to CA. He was a favorite teacher around here! We love our Catholic classical education, and St. Monica looks like a fantastic school.
Congrats on the new baby :). I am so ready to have our 5th right after Christmas. Gained 50 pounds this time, which is brutal when you start at 106. But anything is better than that first trimester. At least I know it comes off.
Yes and yes! Betty has him for 7th and he's Bobby's basketball coach. He's really great. I'm sorry you had to lose him, but he's being appreciated here for sure!
I've heard writing a book compared to having a baby, but it takes a special kind of awesome to gestate two at once. Congratulations, friend!
Congrats Kendra and all the Tierneys! I love how kids are always excited for more kids….it's so life affirming!
Yes! It's so sweet.
Yay! Congratulations! This just made my day. Best of luck on feeling better and getting the book finished well.
So excited to hear this news!!
So, so excited about your news! hope you're feeling better soon. And great testimony about putting a couple more kids in "regular" school – we homeschoolers need to know that we can be flexible depending on the changing needs of our families. I've got one more going to school next year and then I'm down to my last one! We have homeschooled through 8th grade and gone to a wonderful Catholic high school.
Congratulations! I've been missing hearing from your corner of the internet. It's nice to have an update. 🙂 Do you have a list of blogs to recommend in your hiatus? Inquiring readers want to know.
Yay! I'm so excited for you! Camping is perfect when you're barfy, I mean you can just barf anywhere- no trying to make it to a bathroom, just lean a few feet off the trail and done! I hope you feel better soon though- i get miserably sick too. I love your blog 🙂
Congratulations! 🙂 May you be blessed!
Congrats, Kendra! Great to hear from you. <3
I have to laugh because I am pregnant with my ninth, due on July 3rd, and this will be a tiebreaker for us also! 🙂
Yay for babies !!!! Congrats!!!
Congrats Kendra!!! I miss your blog but you do what you gotta do. We'll still be here for you! 🙂
Congratulations! xx
Congratulation!! SO cool!!
Congratulations!
-Cecelia
Congratulations! I'm waiting my third baby as well from Hungary 🙂
So you have to rewrite the about me part 😀
Congratulations, Kendra!! Such a beautiful family!
I know I'm late to the party, but Congratulations, Kendra! God bless you and your beautiful family. <3
Can we resurrect this blog?!
Is that a Tennessee hat I see 1 of your daughters wearing??? (The white with orange trim)
It's so sad. Are you ever coming back to this blog. I miss it so much. Love your family!
Hope all is well!
Yay! Congratulations, Kendra! It's been a delight following your family adventures these past few years, and at least we have Instagram for in-between the blog posts, haha. Thanks for hanging in there on the book, I can't wait to see it!
Annie – http://fulltimemomma.com