Consider the Lilies

My blog has MOVED!

2009-07-18T21:15:00.003-06:00

Here is the link to my new blog home:

http://lilyandherlife.blogspot.com

Don't worry; everything is all there from before. I just moved the contents of this blog to the new location. I have to slowly redo the look of the old posts, because it is ugly ugly ugly with the new layout.

See you there!

The roosters are such slackers

2009-07-11T18:03:00.002-06:00

A couple weeks ago, I woke up every morning around 4 a.m. for no particular reason. That happened... oh, probably 5 or 6 mornings. So I gave up and adopted the if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em outlook.

And I now go to bed around 8:30 with my children and get up at 4 a.m.

I am not a morning person by nature. I prefer to hang out with the owls each night and join folks for lunch the next day. (Of course having children has changed how late I stay up and sleep in.) But this is working remarkably well. This way I am getting at least 3 hours of solitude every day, guaranteed.

By the time the kids get up in the morning, I've had some serious alone time. I've read my Bible, exercised, and conquered any projects that I wish.

I never thought I'd be living the "early to bed, early to rise" lifestyle!

I made homemade bread!

2009-07-08T13:14:00.005-06:00

Recently I got a grain mill and a Bosch. So now, I am making homemade bread! After 2 failed batches, this was my triumph! Behold, and marvel!

Fresh from the oven!

See the beautiful waffle pattern on the lower half of the loaf? That is a nice touch from the bread pan.

Ooh, what lovely bread slices. Moist, soft, yet firm enough to make a great sandwich!

YUM. Don't you want some?

All sliced, bagged and ready to be frozen or used!

Thinking of changing my blog

2009-07-05T15:14:00.003-06:00

I was thinking TOTAL makeover.

New pseudonyms for the kids, for myself. New title. New look.

LOL whatcha think about that?

Just want to essentially start over. Something light and fun.

Yes, I know. I'm fired.

2009-07-04T22:04:00.002-06:00

But if you fire me, then there won't be a blog. Not that there will be a loss of posts or anything if you fire me.

Let's see... since I last posted, not much has changed. Just one tiny thing: I'm starting to make my own bread. I'm cheating a bit and using a Bosch to do the dirty work for me. Shhh, don't tell!

Even grinding my own flour. I can't believe I'm doing that. But it is so easy. Dump grain in one spot. Turn dial. Flour comes out in a different spot. Voila. Fresh flour.

So, am I fired?

On to the adventure!

2009-05-15T22:06:00.002-06:00

We said goodbye to my husband the better part of a week ago. It was very difficult, but now we are marching on. We'll be okay.

He's called 3 times so far, and it is so good to hear his voice. It's amazing he can be so far away and yet I can hear him so clearly. And to hear his laugh... that is like music.

My older kids have mentioned a few times that Daddy is going to die. That is sad to hear from your children's lips. I have talked it over with them, reassuring them as much as I can. They seem to understand a bit more that death isn't inevitable, but I'm sure we'll have to cover it again.

And we're going to have an adventure while he is away. He'll have his own adventure, and we'll have ours. Lots of field trips and exploring the area we live in. Starting some new traditions for us to help fill the lonely hours, which I hope will make some great memories.

All in all, I feel hopeful, even if a bit lonely for him. Oh, the things we will have to share with him! And then he won't have to worry about us back here. He can do his job, knowing we are ok.

Saying goodbye

2009-05-06T19:17:00.003-06:00

Don't worry - I'm not leaving blogging.

I just have to send my husband off to a different country.

This is very hard. I'm trying so hard to hold on to the hours, but they are slipping through my fingers. I am praising God, because I was supposed to drop him off tonight with his unit, but we've been given a bit more time. I'll take every bit I can get!

Once again, I wish I could bottle up certain moments to keep for later. Wouldn't it be wonderful?

Projects!

2009-04-12T18:06:00.002-06:00

Today, hubby and I started ripping the carpet up in the living room/dining room/great room area. We had no idea what sort of state the hardwood floor underneath would be in. But let me say, it is beautiful!

We will be calling for an estimate this week, though, for some small repairs and sealing to be done. Not much has to be done, but we want it done well, as we need to sell this house when the Army moves us on.

I also have some other projects that are screaming for their turn, so once this is done, it's on to the next thing. Isn't it always?

Mixed greetings

2009-03-24T21:26:00.003-06:00

I tell ya, when you go out with 5, you get all sorts of reactions.

Several older ladies got lots of enjoyment from my bunch.

One man chuckled everytime he passed us, especially when Emily discovered something inside her mouth was bleeding... she kept touching it, looking at the blood, wiping it on her shirt, and exclaiming: "I'm bleeding!" Then she'd repeat the entire process. Goofy kid.

One mom was eager to talk to me, as she is expecting her 3rd. She is hoping for 4, but her hubby says no.

Then this one... two young women out, one of which was the mama of 2 little ones. The mom who had no kids says (upon seeing me and my bunch), "Girl, and you think you have it bad..." and then they both looked at us with disdain. I wanted to speak up, but they weren't actually talking to me, just loud enough for me to hear. And they allowed me to see their reactions to my family. But still. I figured with their reaction, nothing I could say would be taken well.

Oh yeah, and the lady today who told me that she appreciated the sweet manners that my kids have. That made me feel really good!

Squeaker is now a YEAR OLD!!

2009-03-19T22:29:00.002-06:00

Are you ready to hear the cliche things we all say at this point in our babies' lives?

"Where has the time gone?" "I can't believe my baby is one already!" "It seems like he was just born!"

And yet I mean all of them.

As for an update on the little guy, he has 5 teeth for sure. Not sure if that one tooth that has been bugging him has popped through yet. He still has his blue eyes, which makes me happy. (I have a brown-eyed boy, and I was hoping for a blue-eyed one, too. I think it's fun when they are so different.) He has been taking steps for a bit now, but isn't truly walking yet. I think he probably could, but he is too chicken to go for it. Oh! And he has a small dimple in his right cheek. None of my others have a dimple, so it excites me. However, the sort of dimple it is, I half wonder if it is the chub in his face that is giving him the dimple... guess we'll have to wait to find out for sure.

He's actually super shy. He hides from other babies, lol! I admit that I love how he curls up on me when another person comes near. But if you are at home with us (and he is used to you enough), he is so fun and active. He talks and talks, even seems to sing sometimes. He goes up and down our stairs with the older kids to the playroom. They can't shake him, but they actually love it. Sweetheart (my 4 yr old) will actually get down on Squeaker's level to ask him to play with him. It's pretty sweet.

Oh yes, one more thing - he has a trade mark growl when he is happy, of all things. I suppose for him it would be akin to a cat purring. He just growls and growls. It's pretty amusing.

The weird thing for me is... no new baby in sight. I'm trying to savor his each and every... everything! I wonder if he'll be the last or not. If he is the last - what a way to end that season! He is just SO wonderful. I cannot complain a bit!

Let's play the Opposite Game!

2009-03-17T22:41:00.004-06:00

Okay, to test you, let's start off easy...

What is the opposite of happy? If you said "sad," give yourself a sticker.

Let's try another: the opposite of hot? If you said "cold," consider yourself smart!

Here's the toughie: the opposite of closed eyes? If you are my 2 yr old daughter, you said:

"Close your eyes open!"

Thought for the day - from a 5 yr old

2009-01-21T23:42:00.002-06:00

At dinner tonight, Sugar-n-Spice said:

"I wish bad manners were good." All with a wistful expression on her face.

This girl really lives up to her name.

Girls vs Boys

2008-12-02T21:05:00.002-06:00

I was tucking Sweetheart in tonight, and as I left the room he said, "Wait! I didn't kiss you!"

He threw his arms around my neck and gave me a sloppy kiss. I smiled into his hair and said, "You are wonderful."

"No, I'm not!"

"You're not?"

"No. I'm not a girl who is wonderful. I am a boy who is cool."

Oh, my mistake. Girls are wonderful; boys are cool. Got it.

Kid funny - Sweetheart

2008-11-18T13:38:00.003-06:00

I told Sweetheart to go use the bathroom. While he was sitting there, I told him to try to po*p.

He made some grunting noises, then said, "Nope. My po*p's not crawling out."

What Thanksgiving traditions do you have?

2008-11-17T14:24:00.003-06:00

So far the only real tradition to do with that specific holiday is that we make a Thanksgiving tree.

This is NOT a decorated tree, like a Christmas tree. It is a brown tree made out of construction paper or posterboard. We hang it on the wall - bare. Not a leaf on it. Then every day, we each write on a fall-colored leaf (made out of orange, yellow, or red construction paper) something we are thankful for. By Thanksgiving, the tree is full of beautiful leaves.

We start this tree on November 1st and add our last leaves the day before Thanksgiving.

A serger!!! A SERGER!!!

2008-11-10T19:07:00.004-06:00

I may be crowing prematurely (and I hope not!), but my mom called tonight to tell me that my grandma (actually a friend of the family that we call Grandma) will be giving me her serger!!!

She says she just doesn't have anyone to sew for anymore, and neither of her two daughters will use it, so she is giving it to me for Christmas!! She also asked Mom to help her go through her stash of fabric to pick stuff out for me.

I am THRILLED!!

Can't stop smiling!!

I think I may not be touching the ground when I walk...

Finally, some progress! bodily functions alert

2008-11-09T15:17:00.005-06:00

Sweetheart is finally, finally getting there. He only does well if he is naked... at peeing, that is. Pooping is another story. Naked, he will start to and then run to the bathroom to finish. So then I have poop in various places and down his legs, plus the bathroom is a disgusting mess. But if I don't have him naked, then he will pee and poop in his britches.

This does not a happy mama make.

Especially when Squeaker is near Sweetheart, because Squeaker crawls around now and has actually eaten (yes, eaten!!!) his brother's yuckies.

Mothering is not for the faint of heart... or stomach.

Hidden Costs of Peaches

2008-09-01T11:48:00.003-06:00

When we bought this house last year, we discovered a peach tree in the backyard. It didn't produce fruit last year, but it has this year. I wasn't able to put away as many peaches as I wanted to, as it's my first year figuring out when to pick them, and I think I picked a bit late.

However, I have lovely fresh peaches sitting in my freezer, swimming in their juices and a bit of sugar. I tasted the juice and YUMMO!!!

But I was wondering... seeing how I didn't even plant the tree, and the tree does all the work for you (we didn't even spray for bugs), would you call these the cheapest peaches I've ever gotten? Or, considering the fact that we bought this house and the tree came with it, would you say they are the most expensive peaches I've ever gotten? *wink*

Glimpses of the kidlets

2008-08-28T21:09:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd let you in on how the kids are doing. It's amazing when I think about it how fast they are growing.

Sunshine is in first grade this year. She loves loves loves school. In fact, the girl *enjoys* tests. Can you believe that? Her reading level is wonderful. Tonight she brought the newspaper to me, pointing to an article she had gotten about a couple paragraphs into. And speed drills for math excite her. I love my little nerdy girl! (Made in her mama's own image. I was in Math Club in high school, where I voluntarily spent my Saturdays at math contests.) She's got a couple permanent teeth now and more on their way. I see braces in our future... Also, she has discovered that she loves sewing on my machine. She made a purse the other day for herself.

Sugar-n-Spice is doing preschool and loving school as well. So far, I show her things pretty much once, and she has it. I know it won't always be that way, but it is an encouraging beginning. No one wants the initial experience to be like pulling teeth. She is ever so much like her name, too. We go from sweet moments when she tells me that she loves me even more than she loves her friends (lol) but then we are disciplining her for telling one of said friends that if they don't share, she is going to kick their *ahem*. (I know everyone deals with their kids picking up a few unsavory phrases here and there, but I kinda hoped we'd avoid it for a couple more years.) A roller coaster ride with her for sure, but hey, let's all admit it: we love our rides, don't we?

Sweetheart is soooo enamored with Spiderman/Peter Parker. Mistakenly, some days I call him by his given name and am quickly chastized for not remembering to call him Spiderman/Peter Parker. And it has to be the entire name of "Peter Parker" if that is the day's alternate identity. I can't get away with a simple "Peter." Part of the obsession (or maybe the reason for the obsession) includes all 3 Spiderman movies. We are also still working potty training this little turkey. And just today I found out why it is going so slowly - he prefers the diaper route. He would rather just not be bothered with the toilet, thank you very much. Bribes of candy do not entice him. So we're off to try something he might be interested in: Spiderman stickers. Think it'll work?

Shortcake has become quite the singer. And it is so adorable!! Just today I heard her ask Squeaker if he wanted to hear the song "Fishers of Men." It came out something like, "See Fishuh Men? I may fishuh men, fishuh men, fishuh men..." etc. If you know the song and can figure out toddler-speak, then you totally just understood that! I also canNOT keep that girl out of the refridgerator. She has also found a stubborn streak when it comes to naps and bedtimes, as well as wanting to sit in a regular chair instead of her booster chair. She is two and wants to be seen as a twelve-year-old.

Squeaker is 5 months old now. He been rolling over for awhile, grabs anything within reach, growls in pleasure (hilarious), and loves to watch Shortcake. He is no longer breastfeeding and seems to miss it. He won't take a bottle from anyone else if I'm around - he only wants Mama to give him that bottle. I think he is also entering the separation anxiety phase. I admit sheepishly that I love that he wants me. Oh yes, and if you should elect to hold the kissable bundle, wear waterproof clothing; he drools.

Projects, projects

2008-08-16T22:13:00.002-06:00

Don't know what is going on at your house, but ohsomuch is going on here.

I have a to-do list that I've been working on. It has 28 items on it. Oh yes. 28! And that doesn't include the big projects I'm working on slowly, either. Big projects like repainting the kitchen cabinets, taking down the wallpaper in my house, or trying to get ready to do a yard sale. None of those 3 will be accomplished this summer, I'm afraid.

Ooh. And I just thought of another two things to add to my list. LOL That wasn't a joke - I did!

It's self-inflicted. Brilliant.

2008-07-16T05:57:00.002-06:00

Last night I started feeling icky. Then the nausea turned into stomach cramps that have wakened me off and on all night. I have spent many minutes wondering what is going on. I recounted how one of my kids had been barely sick on Friday. Thought about what we had for dinner. Should be no problem there - I pulled frozen meat from the freezer that was precooked.

Suddenly, it hit me. Oh no. Not good. Earlier in the day, I'd taken a drink of water from a bottle that had been used to feed a baby bird with a dropper. ACK. I kept thinking I needed to throw that bottle out. And forgot.

So what do I most likely have? Salmonella. From contaminated water. In other words: food poisoning. Yippee.

The good news is, no one else will get it. Not even the baby, as you can't pass salmonella through breastmilk. And the other good side is: hubby is on leave, so if I get it really badly, he is here to feed and tend to the kids whilst I languish on the couch. LOL

So far though, just cramps and nausea. The last time I had food poisoning was when I was preggy with Sunshine. I know what to do: keep from getting dehydrated (throwing up/diarrhea) and wait it out.

Guess what fun is going on at our house?

2008-07-12T12:50:00.004-06:00

We are potty training!

I had tried it about 6 weeks ago (or so), and it was a total bust. I'm giving it another go after changing some things, plus Hubby is home for more than a week on leave. That makes a huge difference!

We are training both Sweetheart and Shortcake at the same time. They are 3.5 and 2 years old, respectively. So it is time. Especially for Sweetheart. Can I get an amen?

It is a funny little ritual. All 5 of us - the 4 older kids and myself - go into the bathroom. One of the trainees sit down. We sing two songs all the way through, then practice wiping. Then second trainee takes a turn. Repeat with two different songs. Repeat wiping practice. Then we all file out. So far, no one has successfully made it in the toilet. But as soon as they do, we'll be getting candy. Yay!

Anyway. Wish the kids luck. Pray for me. And my carpet.

Oy Vey

2008-07-08T20:48:00.003-06:00

I told Sunshine tonight that her new name was gonna be Scissors.

Why? Oh because of the little matter of about 12 inches. That is roughly how much of her beautiful hair I'm gonna have to cut off to fix what she did today.

She has the most beautiful hair down to her rearend. It is just gorgeous. We get comments on her hair almost every outting. And now, it will be up to around her shoulder blades.

Not only that, but she took the same scissors to her sister's hair (Sugar-n-Spice) which has literally taken us YEARS to get to a decent length. S-n-S's hair doesn't grow. She still has a patch in the front of her head that is only ONE inch long (yes, that is correct). She will be 5 in a few months, and it still hasn't grown past an inch long. Her hair is finally to her shoulders, after 5 years of growing and growing. She has had two trims in her entire life! And Sunshine decided to cut it.

When I discovered it, I felt like laughing and crying at the same time. Still do.

Kids. What do you do with them? Take pictures first, then get angry, right?

Wallet World

2008-06-28T04:26:00.003-06:00

Yet again, the van atmosphere leads to deep questions in the back seat.

Sugar-n-Spice: "Sunshine, do animals have wallets?"

Sunshine: "No. Everybody but God and animals have wallets. If they did, it would be a wallet world! Except China. They don't have purses in China."

The only thing we can assume is that since all she really has seen of Chinese pictures are the women in traditional garb, she thinks they don't carry purses.

But oh, how I laugh when I remember this conversation!

The most wonderful news!!

2008-06-20T04:48:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Sunshine got saved!!

She has prayed to accept Christ as her savior several times in the past, but I've always wondered which of them were sincere, since she could answer all sorts of questions about salvation and sin correctly, but something didn't feel right. However, only God can truly judge and know her heart, so I kept hoping that she was saved.

But this last week, she has expressed an interest in it several times, and finally yesterday she asked some really intuitive questions, especially for a 6 yr old. We had a GOOD talk, maybe 15 minutes long or so, and despite the many interruptions from her siblings, she kept focused on the topic. That tells me it was truly important to her.

So we prayed together, and afterward, I told her that she is God's child, and so that makes her and Mommy and Grandma all children of God, which would make us... "Sisters?" When I told her that was right, she got a real kick out of it. Then I pointed out that if God is the King of kings, then she would also be a... "Princess!!" Oh, the grin that spread across her face!! She couldn't stop smiling!

So I am thinking this time is real. Oh happy day!!!!! And I got the honor and priviledge of pryaing with her, leading her to Him. Can there be a greater honor for a mom?

You'd be SO proud of me

2008-06-20T04:37:00.003-06:00

(Btw, before I start, I could have sworn that I had posted since I got home...? Guess not, Mater.)

Ok, before I can tell you what you should be proud of, gotta tell you the background. The hubster was gone a month (military stuff) to a state far,far away. He just got back last week. Well, being the only grown up in the house during that time, I got a little tired and in need of a breather, especially since the baby still isn't sleeping through the night.

So I took 24 hours away for a little recharge. I went to a hotel for a night and slept in a marvelous bed, with ten pillows!! I lounged in that bed for hours. I slept in. Around caring for the baby, of course - since he is a nursing baby, I took him, but he is easy to care for, so it truly was a break. I went shopping here and there, and even bought myself a couple things.

And, I've not allowed the guilt monster to attack me over the money thing. It has tried to creep in there, but I've kept it at bay.

So, are ya proud?

Heading home today

2008-05-28T05:46:00.003-06:00

I had toyed with the idea of staying for another weekend, but I'm going home. Well, and the Bahamas sounded good, too, but I don't suppose that would work too well. Imagine the look of horror on other people's faces when I would board the plane with 5 tiny children. LOL!!

As far as the sickies, someone has been sick all week. I just checked Shortcake a bit ago, the child this all started with, and she has a fever again! Ugh. Hopefully going home will allow her to rest better.

(Oh, and hello, Tami! It's nice to "meet" you! Thanks for the comments you've been leaving! You've made me smile. )

I despise this guilt I seem to fight!

2008-05-23T08:24:00.003-06:00

I am so tired of the Guilty Monster whispering in my ear!

I am referring to the stuff we wives and mothers carry around when we aren't doing anything wrong. While we are here with my parents, I had decided to allow myself to do a few things just for *me*. But spending the money is plaguing me - before I actually spend it, while I am spending it, and after I'm spending it!!

And in case you were going to ask - yep, hubby is totally fine with me spending it. He even said, "Do not feel guilty!" to me. But it's there anyway.

I feel the same way about asking my parents to watch the kids while I go get out alone. Mom told me not to feel bad, especially since they adore the kids and look forward to taking care of the kids. Yet, there it is again.

Argh. Am I not allowed to do anything to recharge or give myself a treat? Where does this come from? Who started this nasty cycle? Is it part of being used to putting the kids and husband first, so to do otherwise is hard for me/us?

Saying hello from my parents' house

2008-05-23T08:12:00.003-06:00

We took a break and drove to my parents' home on Wednesday. The kids did great for the drive, including Squeaker, who slept the entire way! We plan to be here for a full week.

Now, this trip was to serve a few purposes: to let friends and family see the new baby, to attend a cousin's graduation (he was my ringbearer when I got married), to finally end our sort of quarantine while baby was so new, and to give me a chance to grab a break here and there.

The funny part about it all is that we aren't getting a chance to see several of those friends and family and right now, plus two of my kids have gotten pretty sick since we arrived. So I guess it is just as well that those folks are not available.

Shortcake starting running a vicious fever yesterday before dinner (it is being managed, but it goes sky-high quickly), and she has diarrhea. Sunshine started vomitting early this morning. So I guess you can say our quarantine from germs is definitely over!

Hopefully, Squeaker will be spared this nastiness and everyone will be well by the time we head back home next week.

Follow the sound of my voice...

2008-04-29T13:15:00.002-06:00

You're getting closer...

...closer...

... I'm over here! *one arm is sticking up out of a pile of clothes, waving madly* Can you help me out of this pile?

You see, I'm in the middle of a major reorganization of clothes. I have clothes I never put away properly because our stuff was in storage the entire time we lived with my parents, so organization was next to nil then. And then we moved here and had all that comes with moving got in the way of that...

And now we have a big change in seasons, so I need to get the clothes put away properly.

And I'm drowning. Ever have water up your nose? Well it's like that, only it's a blend of cotton and various other materials. And I'm not making very fast headway. Partially because I'm trying to do it around the schedule of a newborn. And partially because I keep finding clothes that the cat found a way to get into the box and pee on the clothes, so now I'm doing major laundry on top of that.

Someone throw me a life preserver. Made from brownies. Thanks, doll.

Do you ever just get overwhelmed with the mothering thing?

2008-04-25T22:16:00.002-06:00

And I don't mean the upteenth try at finding the perfect schedule or routine. I mean, seeing all the things you want your children to know or to be when they leave your home?

I want my girls to be better seamstresses than I am by the time they leave the house. I want them to know more about cooking and meal planning than I did. (And how to pick out good meats, which I still don't know too well.) I want them to have a fire in their heart for God and a true desire to know Him and serve Him, not just be obsessed with the latest celebrity or boys. I want them to realize that while being God's child carries many blessings with it, the greatest blessing is that you have the enormous priviledge of getting to know God in an intimate way. I also have so many things to list for my boys, not the least of which is how on earth do I teach them to be men of God who guard their eyes and thoughts, when I do not truly understand their struggles or how they think? And those are only the tip of the iceberg. There are so many things practical, spiritual, and otherwise, that I want them to learn.

I just sit down sometimes and think, "Oh, today I wanted to do x,y, and z, and I didn't even get close! How will I fit all these life lessons in?"

It all comes to living life with a purpose each day, living life intentionally. Would it be crazy to list those goals and post it somewhere in my house? My first thought is, what if company sees that list? And my hubby would most surely mock the list. (He is just a teaser that way - nothing is sacred. *wink*) But if I don't post it, I won't see it. And if I don't see it regularly, I will get caught up in the day-to-day of laundry, dishes, and diapers.

Thoughts?

Goings on

2008-04-23T11:05:00.004-06:00

Squeaker (who lately has earned the name of "Screamer" instead) had a wonderful night of sleep last night, and consequently, so did I. The first stretch was almost 6.5 hours!!!!! So far this morning, he seems to think he can only nap in my arms. Silly boy. Yet, I love it!

I'm in the midst of the reorganizing of the kids' clothes. Not my favorite chore, but it sure does feel good to see it all slowly come together. Once that undertaking is finished, we'll get back into the swing of things, meaning we'll get into a routine again that includes school.

Hubby is gone for a good stretch. He wants to take some time off in July so we can all just enjoy each other again. Poor Shortcake asks every morning, "Daddy home?"

I still have a few thank you notes to finish. Oh, and must have the children write a couple - they've been given presents lately by friends and family. One of which was a child's Schwinn bicycle! We certainly are blessed over here!

Also, planning to go visit some online friends in the southern part of the state this weekend. Hopefully the price of gas will not cancel the trip for us. I'm super excited, and the children don't know yet. They will be giddy when they do know. It's to be a picnic in a park with other families, some of whom I know already and some of whom I do not.

Well, that is us for now. Hope you are doing well!

Can you believe it?

2008-04-17T21:25:00.004-06:00

I've done the usual precautions with bringing germs into the house, what with the new baby and all. We been around no one who is sick to our knowledge, and yet...

I have a sore throat, I'm sneezing, and I just feel all over yucky. Nice, eh?

Go figure...? The blessing in this right now is that tomorrow we are having a meal brought to us for dinner, so I can just relax tomorrow. I'm going to rest, rest, rest on the couch, and I'm not going to fret over the sty my house will quickly become while I do nothing to keep up with the kids and their messes. *smile*

Oh, and can you please pray that our little Squeaker does not get what I'm coming down with? Thank you!

Oh dear me - please forgive me!

2008-03-27T15:41:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe I've been MIA for so long!!

I seriously thought it had only been at most a month since I posted. GULP.

As an olive branch, may I offer the news of our baby's birth???

We had another BOY! He weighed in at 8 lbs, 10 oz and 20.5 inches long. Labor was fast and and furious at the end, going from 7 cms to birth in just 15 minutes. I ended up going all natural without pain meds, which was not in my plan, lol.

The other children are very happy and pleased to have another boy in the family. They love his squeaks and tiny baby parts. They all love to hold him and give lots of kisses. Watching my children joy in another sibling is such a wonderful thing!

Hugs to you all!

Comedy from our house

2007-12-28T23:14:00.001-06:00

~ My favorite memory from Christmas this year: Sweetheart was opening a present, which was toys in the store's packaging. Even though he could see the toys in the box, he jumped up and down shrieking, "A BOX! A BOX!" He was so giddy over a box. Too cute.

~ Sunshine said of her daddy when he was goofing around with a lampshade on his head: "Look, Mom! Daddy's lightbulb is burned out!"

~ And when Sunshine was asked why she was picking at her food, didn't she like it, she replied with, "Not excessively."

Whew, dodged a bullet this year

2007-12-08T08:49:00.000-06:00

My shopping was done about a week ago. Got it all done in a couple hours.

Now before you turn green with envy, let me say that I only had to buy for my kids this year. Hubby and I are not exchanging gifts, nor are we giving gifts to extended family. It's just a rough year financially, so we are keeping it simple.

And may I confess a guilty secret? I am relieved that I don't have to buy a gift for hubby. Okay, do you think I'm totally awful?

It just that the man is horrible to buy for. Horrible. The only things he would be thrilled with would be waaaaaay outta our price range - expensive man toys, you know. Like firearms. Seriously. Even my sisters and parents struggle with buying for him.

One year I just said straight out for him to tell me what he wanted for Christmas that we could actually afford. So he picked an electronic gadget that he said he would get lots of use out of. Perfect. Only he never used it. Not once. It has long-since disappeared.

I used to get super stressed over his gifts, planning even sometimes a few months ahead to find the gift he would surely like. Other years I procrastinated in dread of the whole thing. Either way, it has turned out the same. He is neither impressed nor depressed over his gifts. It's just something he opens and then simply says, "thank you." That's it. And then he never uses them. LOL

So the last year or two I gave up. I started just walking through a store and if I see something that seems decent and might get used, I get it. I think the most successful gift I've given him is an insulated coffee mug. LOL

So does this make me a horrible person? I hope not. Because we're still young, and I have lot of Christmases and birthdays to shop for!

"When I was your age"

2007-12-08T08:46:00.000-06:00

We all heard lots of those sorts of things from our parents and grandparents when we were growing up, right?

Well, in my house, you get to hear it from your older sister, who is a mere 6 years old. LOL

The fun of pretending with Sweetheart

2007-11-26T17:46:00.000-06:00

When I was growing up, Dad said he loved to sit and listen to us pretend. I have only sisters, and Dad says that none of us ever wanted to be the daddy when we played house. It made him laugh, but I'm sure part of him would have loved to hear one of us be excited - or at least willing - to be the daddy.

Well, it has been more of the same around here, until very recently (the last week or so) when Sweetheart started being willing to pretend with his sisters.

The first time he was pretending to be Daddy, complete with a military outfit. He was actually lowering his voice a bit to be Daddy! He walked around holding Sunshine's hand as they pretended to be married.

And today, he was pretending to be "Papa" as he calls my dad. I just had to call Dad to tell him. As you can guess, he found that pretty cool. This new little "Papa" was reading books to his "granddaughters" and tucking them in. Pretty sweet.

Update on why I'm not here much lately

2007-11-11T08:06:00.001-06:00

We finally got my computer back from the Geek Squad a few days ago, and they found absolutely no problems. I have no idea how they did that considering it is still crashing! So we will be taking it back again and telling them to look again. The beef I have with them at the moment is that when we picked it up, they said, "Well, you should be able to get on the internet now. We fixed blahblah setting." Um, I could get on the internet before. That wasn't the problem, folks! Did they write down ANYTHING I told them?

Anyway, so with the crashing and absentee computer, I'm limited to dh's laptop, which means I'm limited in how often I can get on here. The man lives on his computer, and even takes it with him at times, so that is why I just am not posting much. But I promise... we get that computer fixed, I'm back, baby!

Hope to see you SOON. *mumbles under breath about the mixed blessings of computers*

To those whose blogs I frequent

2007-10-22T16:58:00.001-06:00

I'm sorry I haven't read anyone's blog lately... which means I haven't commented, either. See, my computer has been with the Geek Squad for about 3 weeks now, and all my favorites are in that computer. I'm using hubby's laptop, so the links to your blogs are lost to me right now.

Just wanted you to know that I'm not being rude, lazy, or neglectful. Just not able to get to most blogs now.

Hugs to all... and you could say a prayer for my computer! Sniff.

Sleeping... Beefcake?

2007-10-15T12:09:00.000-06:00

Last night, our two girls (ages 5 and 4) decided to put on a play for us. This was their first time, and I knew it was likely to be comical, but it was beyond hilarious.

First, they each took a part - one took Sleeping Beauty and the other took Snow White. Snow White had her turn first. She was to sit down and scrub the steps and sing. Well, the scrubbing lasted 2.4 seconds, and then she was off singing and just kept walking until she completely left the room... and never came back. (Snow White is our 4 year old.) This frustrated Sleeping Beauty very much!

Well, then it was Sleeping Beauty's turn, and she enlisted the help of her 2 yr old brother to be the Prince who kisses her - but she insisted it be on the cheek, thank you very much. He walked over to her, looked down at her and said, "No kiss," and walked out. More frustration from Sleeping Beauty.

So Sleeping Beauty asked her daddy (who was in the audience) to be her prince. He walked over, kissed her on the cheek, and then proceeded to fall over limply next to her.

"Daddy, what are you doing? Are you dead?"

And Daddy, keeping his eyes closed says, "No, I caught it from you and now I'm Sleeping Beefcake."

I think I might have found a groove

2007-10-15T05:41:00.000-06:00

The routine that has turned out to be working isn't one I'd choose. But if it works, you go with it, right?

More serious homeschooling on 3 days a week, with a laid-back fun art and music day on Saturday
Tuesday is library and errand day (full day! includes taking all the children grocery shopping)
Cleaning marathon on Friday

Also, I'm sad to say I've discovered that having an actual school room doesn't work for us! GASP! At least, not now with so many other tiny ones about. Surely one day it will, right...? I do so love the idea of having an entire room dedicated to school - bulletin boards, charts and dry erase boards, etc. Ahhh, one day when they are older.

And maybe it's because the room is in the basement right now. But I'm chasing my tiny ones up and down the stairs and can't see what they are getting into, etc. No real way to gate off the stairs, you see. So it will wait.

Also, our daily routine is looking different than I thought. But it is flowing and that is the important thing!

Now, if I can just figure out a magic solution to all this laundry...

Twins? Update

2007-10-12T07:05:00.000-06:00

I won't keep you in huge suspense... only ONE baby in there. Whew! The thought of twins was so overwhelming to me, so I'm relieved.

Dh said he wasn't nervous or scared, but when I came home grinning, his eyes got HUGE and the look on his face was saying otherwise. His shoulders dropped in relief when I said, "Just one!"

It's not that we don't know that twins would be loads of fun in some ways and two babies - why, that's twice the blessing that one is! It's the knowledge that twins are also a lot of work and take real adjusting, at least by watching the few other people we know with twins, anyway. My father is a twin, and my grandma has some stories, I tell you!

Anyway, I had joked with the tech that my theory was that my muscles were just waving the white flag, and she laughed in agreement. Turns out, it is my uterus itself that is larger this go around. It is just already "in the groove" and knows what it is doing! So that is why I'm showing earlier, etc. I truly am bigger, but not because of fluid or two babies, or anything. My body is just a pro at this.

I do have one funny for you - *embarrassed cough*

There was a second sac-looking thing next to the sac the baby is in, and when it wasn't in focus, the different markings I was seeing DID give me a bit of a shock, and I did ask her, "was it that?" Thinking, oh my... there IS a second baby. She just waved it aside and said, "Oh, that's gas." Well, it didn't LOOK like it! LOL

I got the usual picture to take home, and it is a good shot (I think) - you can see the baby's face and a little hand. I had told the children before I left for the appt that I'd have a surprise for them when I got home. (Even though I'm showing already, they did not figure out yet I'm pg.) So they were very excited, jumping around me, "What is it? What is it?" I showed them the face and the tiny hand and the baby's body, and my 4 yr old did not make the connection even after I giving her some clues, but my 5 yr old did right away! She started grinning and looking "knowing" if you know what I mean by that. She touched my belly, hugged it and said, "But I wanted TWO babies!" (She has been saying for weeks that the next time we have a baby, she wanted twins.) We laughed and told her sorry, God only sent us one this time. I'd share the u/s pic, but my computer is in the shop, and dh's laptop won't work with my scanner. Sorry!

YAY!!

2007-10-04T11:25:00.001-06:00

I went this morning and bought a dryer! And they are delivering it today!! I expected to have to wait a couple days - not a couple hours! Praise the Lord!

I don't think I've ever been happy to do laundry before... LOL!

Things are a little off-kilter here

2007-10-02T07:27:00.000-06:00

My dryer is no longer usable, and we have no laundromat in town, according to the phone book. Can you believe that? What town has no laundromat? So limping along until this weekend when we can hopefully find a cheap dryer.

I'm trying to find a good groove for us, and it is still eluding me. So I think we will stay home today from our library plans and just work on stuff here. Gotta try to get some stuff under control in the housekeeping department.

Also, I had all but decided to get rid of 90% of the kids toys. They just don't play with them. They have their favorites and that is all they play with. But dh wants me to just pack them up and stick them in the garage. So, that is what I will do. I'm hoping to do that today...

We are down to a very little tiny bit of food in the house, lol. It's comical when I go to the kitchen to fix a meal. I need to go to the store, just haven't made it yet. Maybe this afternoon...?

Oh yeah - and my computer is down, so I'm using hubby's laptop. As I sit here at the table, my youngest (14 months old) is eating toast and making a fiiiiiiiine mess of herself and the toast. She is cracking me up - letting the whole piece of toast hang from her clenched teeth while she growls. What a NUT.

Got a giggle for you!

2007-09-28T13:52:00.000-06:00

While at my appointment the other day, I saw this hanging on the door:

When I was a kid, I went skinny dipping, but now that I'm older, it's called chunky dunk.

News on the pregnancy front

2007-09-27T06:39:00.000-06:00

Am I carrying one baby... or TWO?

I'm 14 weeks at this point, and at my appointment a couple days ago, I was measuring nearly 18 weeks. Also, I typically do not gain any weight at all until a bit into my 2nd trimester. Um, I've already gained 5 pounds. And dh says I'm already showing. Also not normal for me.

So... I have an ultrasound on the 10th to find out what exactly is going on. If it isn't twins...?
Honestly, I'm just hoping it's a lot of fluid or that this pregnancy is different. I'm overwhelmed at the thought of twins...!

Some "chinese" funnies

2007-09-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

For some reason, Sunshine is a bit preoccupied with the Chinese. I am not sure where it came from, but it sure is giving us some laughs!

First, she keeps leaving the final "z" sound off the word. Pronouncing it "Chinee." Giving us lots of giggles.

Yesterday, I was dressing her little brother for church, and she bounces over, "Hey! He looks kinda Chinee in that outfit!" LOL, which he did NOT. I'm really not sure what her line of thinking was there. He was wearing navy pants and a light blue dress shirt...? But - this made her little brother pipe up indignantly, "I not Tinese!" Well, Mommy begs to differ. While he may not be Chinese, he certainly IS Tinese! (If you are having trouble seeing the humor, think "tiny" in association with Tinese. He is a wee boy.)

And a final funny, Sunshine was acting out some scene in her imagination with a bunch of animals, one of which was a moose. Her daddy was sitting close by, and after she had said something apparently in her own little form of Chinese, Daddy said, "I didn't know you knew Chinese!" Her reply was, "Oh no. That wasn't me. That was [insert name of moose, which I can't remember], because he is a moose." Ahhhh. Because, all moose naturally speak Chinese, right? LOL

Had to expand modesty discussion with my oldest

2007-09-12T11:30:00.000-06:00

We were reading yet again the story of creation. And of course, there was the pic of Adam and Eve naked. Well, we've pushed modesty so much here at home with the girls that she was appalled that they were naked together. She has always pointed out the fact that they are naked, and I'd always sidestepped the issue.

But today she pushed it, so I just took a deep breath and told her that it's ok for husbands and wives to be naked together. Which led to the *very simple* discussion that God says husbands and wives are one, so it's ok. She asks if she can be naked with her husband one day, and I say yes. She had a bit of trouble understanding, but the simple answer seemed to suffice her, anyway... it's just that these sorts of things tend to come out in her play, so I know I'll be hearing her say to her little sister, "You be the naked husband, and I'll be the naked wife." I know I'll deal with it when it comes up, but goodness.

"If I've told you once,

2007-08-28T18:11:00.000-06:00

I've told you a thousand times...!"

We probably heard that a time or two growing up. We might have even said it to our kids. I personally haven't yet, but then, my oldest is only 5. Give me time.

But the thought occurred to me today: what if God were to say that to me? How would He finish that sentence?

Hmm. So here is my list, in no particular order. I'm sure it would be even longer if I mulled over it for a few days.

"If I've told you once, Lily, I've told you a thousand times; _______________ !"

Meditate on Me, not those things around you like inconvenient circumstances, annoying people, and wrongs done.
Stop lecturing people in your head. Let Me deal with them in My time, My way. You mind your own problems. You've got enough of your own sins to be concerned about.
Talk to Me first, before friends and family. You'd be surprised with how fully I can satisfy your need to "get it out." Release it to Me. Let Me be your everything.
Live in the present. Remember you don't know how many days I will give you.
Be patient with your children like I am patient with you.

So how about you ladies? What would your list look like?

Happy update on the vacuum!

2007-08-28T14:47:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm not so incompetent after all.

It took 3 men and a half hour to figure out how to put my vacuum back together! They had trouble getting the panel back on, too, and finally wound up replacing two of the screws with better alternatives. And... the best part?

It didn't cost me one red cent. They didn't even charge me for the screws they used. Happy day!

And, my pride is fully intact. No wonder I struggled - 3 men who are handy at this sort of thing had trouble, too!

Errands and vacuums: someone rescue me!

2007-08-28T08:30:00.000-06:00

I'm so tired of errands!

First it started with Sunday - HAD to go grocery shopping, no choice. Was also out of important stuff that had to be gotten at our little town's version of Walmart. (That's right - no Walmart/Target/Kmart in my town. Gotta drive for that.)

Then yesterday I had other business that had to be taken care of on yesterday, no other choices. And today? The same.

I also have vacuum woes. The belt on the brush broke, so I took the vacuum apart to replace it. No big deal - only 4 screws to remove and one panel. Very easy. But to put back together? Night.mare. It will NOT go back as it came off, and while putting it together again, I lost one of the screws. I was so careful to keep track of it, but somehow it is gone. I have searched the floor like a crazy woman, and even looked inside the vacuum. No luck.

So guess what one of my errands will include today? Taking my vacuum to our local friendly hardware store, so one of the fellas there can be my hero.

Have my hubby fix it you say? Well, I would, except the man is out of town on a mission, as the military calls it. And I need to vacuum. Badly.

The cute thing is I called the hardware store and talked to one of the guys there, and I admitted that I felt very foolish for not being able to put the stupid thing back together. When I asked him how much they charged for that sort of thing, he said, "Oh, it should be less than $200." LOL - I told him I should hope so, or I could just buy another vacuum. He did assure me it couldn't possibly cost me much for putting in 4 screws... but I have a sneaking suspicion that it will cost me a bit of my pride.

"Hello, I'm a mother of 4 who daily navigates the complexities of rearing children and managing a household. I can follow a recipe and solve the world's problems with a kiss - but I can't put a few screws back in an appliance."

MIA no longer

2007-08-26T14:07:00.000-06:00

Since hubby was home recovering from surgery, I didn't blog at all. It was a lovely time, once the first few days of recovery were behind him. Thank you for all the prayers!

Stuff is gonna get busy around here soon... my parents will be visiting the first weekend in September. We're starting school Sept 5th, or at least some day that first full week of September. And then the last week of Sept, my inlaws will be here for a week.

Prayers would be appreciated for Hubby

2007-08-16T08:32:00.001-06:00

He had eye surgery yesterday and the pain is supposed to be bad today, but then horrible tomorrow. He has very strong meds right now, but they've been wearing off before he can take another, so he is in lots of pain. And, too, last night he got a tiny fiber or eyelash or something in his eye, and it was even more painful, of course.

Could you please keep his pain level and recovery in your prayers? He's around the house for at least a week to recover. (And pray for no more things to get into his eye!)

Did she redeem the earlier comment?

2007-08-14T19:32:00.000-06:00

Sugar-n-Spice told me tonight:

Mom, you are a strong lady. You are a beautiful lady.

I'd much rather hear that stuff, lol.

Yet another blow to my self-image

2007-08-10T22:16:00.000-06:00

Says Sugar-n-Spice to me tonight:

Mom, your butt is huuuuuge! It's the biggest I've ever seen!

Hmm. Perhaps I can hang my hopes on the fact that she just hasn't seen that many derrieres, at the ripe old age of 3?

It's ok. Revoke my membership.

2007-08-10T21:41:00.000-06:00

I think I must be a freak of girlish nature. At least when it comes to movies, anyway.

I prefer comedies and drama. There are a few rare romance movies that I like; although, of course, most movies have some level of romance in them because... well, that's life. Right?

Take last night. I went out with a new friend to a movie. The only real choices (in our opinions) were The Bourne Ultimatum and No Reservations. She was completely up for either one... I was not so much. Though I would have watched No Reservations if that is what she really wanted. Thankfully, we watched the Bourne movie.

I'm just not up for the average chick-flicks. The sappy, real-life-isn't-like-this stuff just irritates me. Makes me roll my eyes. Now... I do love Pride and Prejudice in just about any rendition, which seems to violate my rules, doesn't it? I don't know... it is somehow different. Maybe because most of the movie they hate each other, LOL! But this latest version that was out a couple years ago, with what's-her-name who always sits around with her mouth open... oh, what IS her name??? Keira Knightley! (Why do they insist on so many shots with her mouth slightly open??? Doesn't matter what movie she is in... ok, I'm digressing.) Anyway, this last version I liked until the very end. Kissing her fingers, Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy... ad nauseum for moments almost unending. I think I remember saying something like, "Oh hurl." Yes, I'm 10 years old sometimes, I think. LOL

I know I will forever ostracize myself with the following statements, but... *deep breath**... here goes anyway. I do not ever want to watch Steel Magnolias again. Nor Forever Young. Nor Stepmom. Nor Beaches. Nor Always. I think there are a few more, but you get the idea. And some of you are lying panting on the floor right now, gripping your chests, not even reading this sentence because I've just sent you into cardiac arrest. I'm sorry. I'm sure I just broke some horrible code of womanhood or... something.

It's not that I can't see they are fantastic movies. They ARE. Some are classics. Some are just so doggone funny! Like Steel Magnolias... so many great lines have come from that movie. And yet, I despise how hard it makes me sob at the end. I'll never watch it again.

So, I suppose this is where I turn in my membership card to the Normal Women Society? I promise, I won't reveal the secret handshake.

New blessings, new beginnings!

2007-08-05T20:03:00.000-06:00

I am very happy to announce to you gals that I'm expecting another wee blessing. According to every due date calculator I can get my grubby fingers on says that the due date is March 22, 2008. My first spring baby!! No going through a hot summer while sporting my best hippo look! LOL

This baby is a baby of new beginnings, new promises, new hopes. Isn't God GOOD?

Inexcusable vs Unforgivable

2007-07-31T06:20:00.002-06:00

"You can't forgive him! If you do, he's getting away with it!"

That's what I heard every time I felt convicted about forgiving someone who hurt me. It's certainly what it felt like. But thankfully, as a wise friend once told me, emotions are not truth. Just because my feelings tell me he gets away with something if I forgive him doesn't mean I have to believe it. Because it's not true.

Really think about those words: inexcusable... unforgivable. Are those words interchangeable? Well, some people use them as synonyms, but they aren't. Inexcusable means there is no excuse, that it can't be waved away as if it were nothing.

Forgiveness does not magically turn their sin into something that was alright to do. Is that God's attitude when He forgives us? That it's only a sin until you're forgiven, and then it's just unfortunate? No. It's a sin before and after the forgiveness. The difference... is in the forgiveness.

The first thing I did, when I realized that forgiveness wasn't making those sins against me "ok" was I said it out loud. It was so freeing to do that! I said it over and over. It was WRONG. Inexcusable!

"But not unforgivable!" says another voice.

To forgive someone is to not punish them for their wrong. To allow them the grace and room to change. And if I didn't forgive him because I thought he shouldn't be let off the hook, well, then whose place was I in?

Punishing his sin isn't my job. It's God's. Those who wrong us aren't getting away with it; He knows, is watching, and is working, though we may not see it.

Forgiving someone isn't easy, especially the deeper the hurts go. But it isn't impossible. It starts as an act of the will. "I choose to forgive him. I choose to lay down my anger, and I will not punish him, not even in my mind." And at first it has to be done at least once a day. In cases like mine where that person is such a basic part of your life, it has to be done many times a day. Oooh, that just was hard.

But soon God begins to soften our hearts. The anger and hurt begin to fade, and eventually those painful memories become facts, not open wounds.

Forgiving isn't easy. But who wants to shrivel up into a bitter old woman? And if I want to be a sweet old lady someday, I gotta start being a sweet young woman today.

How it went: entertaining

2007-07-30T09:25:00.001-06:00

It went really well!!

Of course, things went wrong (don't they always), but I found a way around it. I had baked banana bread, but it didn't cook all the way through. The center was still pretty raw. It's a new oven to us, so I have some tweaking to do. I just ran to the store and picked up a cheesecake and topping. Wala!

She arrived at 1:00 on the dot, with beautiful flowers in hand. She had done her hair up in rollers and was just a cute curly guest! But her hubby wouldn't come - said it was a "woman thing." LOL So when the afternoon was over, I sent some cheesecake home with her for him. Turns out the kind I served is his favorite and the only kind he will eat. (smile)

We chatted nonstop for 3 hours! We laughed and laughed, and laughed some more. It really was fun. And she read books to my kidlets, which I wondered who it was more fun for - her or the kids? Her grandkids live far away, and she just ate up my little crew.

When she was leaving, she kept saying again and again how we have to do this again because it was so much fun. And it was! I'm very happy with how things went... just really enjoyable and relaxing.

Entertaining tomorrow...!

2007-07-26T11:16:00.000-06:00

It's been on my heart a lot lately to be hospitable. I came upon a verse about hospitality in the Bible that just really grabbed me. It is a simple verse, and the wording doesn't seem to be something that would convict a person, but it convicted me. "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." - 1 Peter 4:9

Within days of feeling the pull from that verse to entertain, I found the blog 4 Reluctant Entertainers, written by Sandy, a fellow Christian woman. Her blog is just loaded with examples of being a hostess and full of lots of encouragement. It will be a long time before I can aspire to her level of hostessing, but after this post especially (on Irish hospitality and pride), I was encouraged to just jump in, with SIMPLE being the thing. We're finally settled in our new home, so now is a good time, right?

Here is the invitation I made to a sweet couple who live two doors down. They are a retired military couple (well, he was the soldier, but hey, we wives are "in" the military, too!), and I simply invited them over for goodies in the afternoon. I think I said, "cookies and milk." Although we are also gonna have banana bread. Also on the invitation, I invited them to "chat the afternoon away" with us. It'll be my kiddos, the neighboring couple, and myself. Hubby will still be at work.

After making the invitation, the kids and I walked to their house and personally delivered it. Since then, we've seen the wife out in the yard, and she was so excited! I've never seen anyone in their 60s so giggly before! It was the sweetest and most wonderful reaction. I never would have thought that cookies, milk, and conversation would bring such a response. She said she "can't wait!" I can't wait, either, and I will definitely let you know how it goes!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-25T07:24:00.000-06:00

How a boy plays house...

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click on the button to the left. It's lots of fun! And you just might find a few cool blogs to enjoy.

A little note about posts and pictures

2007-07-21T09:06:00.001-06:00

I have hundreds of adorable pics of my kids and even a couple of me and the kids, but... I don't post them for privacy reasons.

One, I have posted about our marriage issues, and very few people in our families and face-to-face friends know. I'd like to keep it that way. If I post pics that are easily recognizable as my family, then the cat is outta the bag.

Two, I am leary about having too much info out there about my kids and their identities. We live in a small town right now, and with my dh often gone, it seems wise to not put ourselves out there. I try to be vague about our location anyway in posts. I don't even post about the weather because it could lead to someone pinpointing the area I'm in.

Of course, this significantly narrows down my Wordless Wednesday selections. Or adding cute little photos to add "awww" value to my posts on what the kids are doing lately. But I'd rather be safe and less exciting than sorry.

Just FYI.

Growing up is so much fun!

2007-07-21T08:57:00.000-06:00

Shortcake now drinks from both a sippy and a straw. She learned both skills in the last few days. Man, does it make things easier. Now when we are out, I don't always have to nurse her, if it's not a good time. Sometimes she still insists, but often she is content with the other options.

Goodness, I just can't believe how big she is getting! She walks pretty quickly now. And she loves to play chase. I chase her by crawling behind her, slapping the ground behind her really loudly, which makes her shriek in glee, while growling at her. She loves it. She gets so excited that she'll get all tangled up in her own legs and crash. Then I attack her and tickle. I do SO love that belly laugh!

A first for me: being tagged

2007-07-19T20:20:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by Christi at Jealous Hands for this, my very first meme. Like Christi, I'd seen it around. And now, it has come to me.

Four jobs I’ve held: (How far back are we going here...?)

High school - Wendy's
College - various positions in the distribution center for A Beka Book
1st grade teacher
Camp counsellor

Four movies I can watch over and over again: Ok, I know that there are a TON I could watch over and over, so just picking what pops into my mind first...

Man from Snowy River (and it's sequel, Return to Snowy River)
Kate and Leopold
Topper Returns
Philadelphia Story

Four places I have lived:

Florida
Georgia
Maryland
Missouri

Four tv shows I watch: (well, we don't have tv right now, but when we did...)

Gilmore Girls (I was an addict!!!)
The Unit
Everybody Hates Chris
Whose Line is it Anyway? (Love, love, love those reruns!)

Four places I’ve been on vacation: You know, I can't truly answer this as others have done. I've never been on a true vacation. Didn't even have a honeymoon. Shocking, I know. So, when we got small amounts of time off or a bit of money, we...

Went canoeing for a day
Went camping for a night or two
Visited family

Four of my favorite foods:

cheesecake, plain or fruit topping - but fave topping is fresh blueberries!
brownies
mashed potatoes
french toast

Four websites I visit:

Amazon
Land's End
Truth for Life
Old Fashioned Christian Music Radio - disclaimer: I don't agree with the man's viewpoint on music, but I enjoy the stuff he plays. If you love old hymns, this is a good site.

I'm tagging Michelle, Melissa, Debi, and Kugoi. No worries, though. Participate if you wish; sit this one out if you like.

Did I ever tell you about the time...

2007-07-18T19:50:00.000-06:00

WARNING: The end of the story is not for the squeamish, although I'll try to not be too gross. So if you're pregnant... maybe skip this post.

Rewind my life a few years - back to when I was pregnant with our first baby, and we lived in Florida.

One night, I came home from work (I was a first grade teacher) and was soooo exhausted that I went to bed right after dinner. Not long after, hubby is shaking me hard and telling me to get up because he needs my help. I'm thinking that this had better be doggone good to interrupt this pregnant woman's sleep!

He takes me into the kitchen and asks me to help him look for a possum he just scared.

A what???

Yes, a possum. Aka the opossum. (And did you know it's the only marsupial in North America? Just some trivia for ya.)

He had heard some knocking around in the cabinet that held our pots and pans and had immediately thought, "Great, we've got a mouse." He opened the door, to find a possum sitting right up against the cabinet door, staring at him. It was so NOT what he expected that he slammed the door shut. So now he needed me to help find it.

Well, we "chased" the thing around the hiding places and crevices of our kitchen. I say "chased" because he'd run in and around the cabinets, finding places to get through that we didn't know existed, and at one point, he was behind the stove, climbing up the mechanical whatsits of it. Somehow, hubby hooked its tail and tried to pull it off the stove, but this thing had more of a tenacious grip than two desperate women fighting over a blouse on sale. We couldn't nab him and soon he disappeared into the cabinets for the rest of the night.

It didn't appear to be full-grown, so hubby and I figured that after that scary experience, the little guy wouldn't be back.

We figured wrong.

A few nights later, I was sitting on the floor, watching my hubby play a computer game. Out of the corner of my left eye, I saw some movement. When I turned, there was the possum. Sitting in the middle of my living room, about a foot or so from my knee (I was sitting somewhat Indian style). Looking at me. With those big, black eyes. Just looking at me.

Normally, I'm not a screamer. If you come up behind me and grab my sides, hoping to get a girly scream, you'll be disappointed. I might yell. Or jump. But no screaming.

Until that possum was that close to my knee! I mean, come on. How often does a wild animal do that in your living room? Hubby was a bit peeved with me, because that possum turned tail (groan, pun police are arriving) and ran down the hallway and into our bedroom.

Oh.great.

Hubby cornered the wee fella in the closet... but NOW what? How do we get rid of this thing? We had no guns at the time, and even if we HAD, do you know what a gun of any sort would do to a small possum at that close of range? Then hubby says, "Remember those homemade arrows your dad bought in Uganda?"

Uh oh. You know what's coming next, don'tcha? *gross alert*

Yes, he stabbed the possum a few times, because folks, we had no other choice. It was around midnight, and no conservation agent is gonna come save you that late at night from a young possum. Then he took it outside. I don't know how, because to be honest, I was hiding in another room, covering my ears and squeezing my eyes really tight. But he took it outside and beat it to death. Not pretty. Hubby came in with ... stuff on him, shall we say.

Now, hubby is a hunter. So he's done his share of killing an animal and cleaning it. But there is a world of difference between killing an animal quickly with a gun yards away and then what happened to that poor possum. Hubby was very grossed out about every part of it - the arrow, the beating.

We had wanted to let the fella go, but he obviously wasn't scared of US. He came back, even after we showed we were a threat to him. And we didn't know if he had a disease or what. I was pregnant, and when you know a wild animal isn't scared of you and you have a child to protect (born or unborn), you do what you gotta do.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-18T06:48:00.001-06:00

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click on the button to the left. It's fun, it's easy, and you'll make new friends!

Gentleness

2007-07-16T06:12:00.000-06:00

I've not been very patient with the kids lately, as you know. I'd love to say that after I wrote that post that everything righted itself, but it did not. That fix was a temporary one. I'm still hormonal and grumpy. And tired. And short-tempered. And tired. And hormonal. And tired. LOL

But as I was having my time with the Lord this morning (a challenge for me, but I can't keep my evening routine of studying because with dh here at night now, it isn't working out), my attention was caught by this phrase in Psalm 18:35 - "thy gentleness hath made me great." David was speaking of God's gentleness. That's a rather unique phrase in scripture, isn't it? And it caught my attention. I mulled over it awhile, thinking how did God's gentleness make David great?

Hmmm, well, David (and I, for that matter) did not deserve God's gentleness. What we all deserve is God's immediate judgment for the sins we commit, right? But He is gentle with us. Long suffering. Patient.

God was gentle with David, instead of harsh, and through time and patience on God's part, David slowly became what he was.

Hmmm. This is what my children need of me. Gentleness. Not snapping at them when I've told them 100 times... or on my snippy days, told them twice and now have no tolerance. They need from me a lifetime of gentleness, mercy, discipline, and love to mold them into what God would have them be.

That brings up a question: how is discipline gentle? What is the alternative? With God, discipline is the gentle option. Loving guidance that, yes, sometimes is SO upleasant and painful. Is it fun when He brings us through difficult trials to bring us back to Him? Nope. Unpleasant and painful. But what is the alternative? Do you know where I'd be without Him? Do you know how horrible my life would be without Him? And my ETERNITY without Him? *shudder* Oh, His discipline IS the gentle option.

So it is with us as parents. Our discipline is the gentle option, or else our children will grow to be unruly, disrespectful, disobedient... and unhappy adults. But also, practically speaking... if I'm being harsh, I'm getting in the way of my children actually seeing where they were wrong. If their eyes are HUGE because I'm wigging out over their 300th argument of the day, how can they see anything but my hissy fit and frustration? How can I ever get them to focus on their part in it all if they are just intimidated by Mom and thinking they don't want to cross me again?

I do think it is ok for our children to see us angry over their sin. God gets angry with us. But my discipline and my treatment of them should never be in the heat of my irritation or anger.

Sigh. I've failed miserably lately. Yeah, I know, the hormones aren't my fault and make things harder. I know you've all been there. But it doesn't excuse being a shrew. My hormones aren't their problem. It is mine.

Military Mommy has a great post that is along these lines, too. Her prayer at the end is so right on. It is wonderfully convicting and encouraging, all at the same time. Take the time to check it out.

Ahhh, the power of love and chocolate

2007-07-12T23:29:00.001-06:00

For the past 2 or 3 days, I've not quite been myself. I've been really on edge with the kids, been having to force myself to talk, and very, very restless.

Hubby has commented several times about how "odd" I've been, and am I depressed? Nope, just in some kind of weird funk. A funk that I'd really like to get out of.

So tonight, after a few days of this, he was giving little affectionate touches as he'd walk past - a squeeze on the shoulder, a quick rub of the back, etc. Then he later put the kids in front of a Veggie Tales video and gave me some real 1:1 quality time as only a hubby can do. And then - he bought me some chocolate chip cookies.

And I tell you, after our quality time, I did feel a bit better. The funk started to lift, but would hit in waves. Very odd. I'm so weird! But then - about a half hour after the chocolate, wow, was the funk GONE.

I told dh that it is amazing what a little lovin' from the hubs and chocolate will do for a girl! And a little thought occurred to me... I'm due for my period in the next few days. So THAT'S what's wrong with me and why those things helped!

Sometimes, being a girl is just so... (what would you put in this blank?)

A little exercise in counting

2007-07-12T14:15:00.000-06:00

As we were sitting at the table today over lunch, Sweetheart began picking up his pieces of food and counting them. Then we played a counting game that went like this:

Sweetheart: One!

Mommy: Two

Sweetheart: Three!

Mommy: Four

Sweetheart: Five!

Mommy: Six

Sweetheart: (paused, looked up at the ceiling in thought...) APPLE!!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-11T07:25:00.001-06:00

This is my first entry, as I join the ranks of "Wordless Wednesday" participants...

For more pictures that make you smile or go "awwww," visit Wordless Wednesday headquarters! (You can click this link or click the WW button above.)

Shortcake's busy week!

2007-07-09T11:52:00.001-06:00

The biggest news is that she is now ONE YEAR OLD!!! She had her birthday July 5th. Poor girl was too tired to enjoy her cake. So I forsee a reinactment one of these days. I want some good pics of her digging in!

She also experienced her first fireworks display. She sat on Grandpa's lap and STARED. She occasionally clapped and shrieked in delight. Very.cute. Boy, did it bring back memories of last year's experience at the fireworks show. I was doing my best impression of a hippo. I'm short - between 5'3" and 5'4", carrying my babies straight out front. People stared at me as I'd work my way up and down the concrete steps. The next day she was born, weighing 10 pounds, 10 ounces. See what I mean when I say hippo impression?

As if a birthday and your first fireworks weren't enough, she also started giving us kisses, saying "uh oh" and cut her 6th tooth. Oh yeah, and walking more and more. The week before, her walking to crawling ratio was probably 50:50. This week, we're looking at 75:25.

Dad affectionately calls her "Sookie," which you Gilmore Girl fans will recognize instantly. He says it in this special tone of voice that makes her grin. And although we hadn't seen my parents in about two weeks which made her look at him like... "I think I know you," she instantly threw herself at him when he did the "Sookie" thing. You could just see her little light bulb turn on.

And here I will leave you with a picture of Grandpa (my dad) and his "Sookie."

Friendly customer relations

2007-07-02T14:49:00.000-06:00

Don't you just love it when a company goes the extra mile to be friendly and personable? It makes you feel so much less like just another number or another dollar sign, doesn't it? Takes you back to the good ol' days when people not only did business together, but also took care of each other. Ahhhh, the good ol' days.

But sometimes, you can try too hard. Like when I received this in the mail today...

"Welcome to your monthly mortgage statement."

Hmmm, if that were in a list of top ten least-likely-events-to-welcome-someone-to (this being number 10), what else would be in there?

9 Welcome to going to the prom with your first cousin.
8. Welcome to your first eye-gouging.
7. Welcome to totalling your car.
6. Welcome to stretch marks.
5. Welcome to identity theft.
4. Welcome to losing the superbowl. (Not a sports fan, but I hear that's awful.)
3. Welcome to bankruptcy.
2. Welcome to gray hair.
1. Welcome to root canals.

Dh re-enlisted yesterday

2007-06-27T20:45:00.000-06:00

For another four years. I knew it was coming, so there is no sadness or being upset. I was fully prepared.

Besides... at the moment, I have this huge peace about it all. I've been asking God to change my heart regarding the whole military thing. I believe He's begun doing that. Some of it, too, is that He has blessed me with a wonderful home in a great little area, and that certainly helps the emotions, lol. But beyond that I feel a peace that THIS is where God wants me NOW.

I don't know how to put this into words... but I almost feel an impression on my heart each time I pray that God has some sort of ministry for me somehow in this. Oh, not officially, of course. I keep getting this (I hate to say "feeling"...) feeling that He wants me to be ready for something.

I think it was confirmed since we arrived here. My hubby came to me, saying he has a soldier whose wife is really really struggling and she needs someone. He asked me to call her and reach out to her. Well what do you know? Turns out... he just joined and she strongly didn't want him to (does that sound like me??), she is pregnant and she has 3 very small children (Uh, I think I've been there, lol), and is a sahm for the first time (well, I'm not new at that part). Poor woman; she got hit from all sides, didn't she? Now, I'm not super wise or anything, but I've got ears to listen and I can understand her feelings without condemning her, you know? So maybe God has this sort of thing in mind for me. To help other military wives who just really feel alone, like I did and sometimes still do?

Our men will be deploying in the future... we got a tentative date. Nothing too soon yet, but our turn is coming. Again, it's tentative, so it could be put back or it could be moved forward. Who knows? But we'll likely be needing to lean on each other when that time comes. What's even better... she's a Christian. Now is that a God-thing or what?

Praises and progress!

2007-06-22T21:15:00.001-06:00

ETA: My lovely daughter made me accidently post too soon, so I've added to this post.

Thank you to all who prayed and sent well wishes for our move! God has been soooo gracious to us!

Our funds for moving were not what we had hoped they were, and I had a pretty strong feeling that it wasn't going to be enough. But there was nothing I could do about it. So I just asked God to make our funds sufficient, no matter how small they were for all the planned expenses. And we all know that there are always UNplanned expenses, no?

Well, He was good, once again, as He made our money stretch. We were also blessed by the kindness of others. I'm quite sure He had a hand in that, too. *wink*

Here are some examples: a company refunded us some money after overcharging us, my mom surprised us with a whole pantry-worth of groceries, and when we had to call a plumber right away, he shocked us with two little words: "No charge." Not to mention, I had a friend mention something to me about moving, which saved us about $400 just by her comment. Thanks, kugoi!

The kids were really quite good. Of course, they've been more hyper, but that is completely understandable, considering all the stress and excitement they've had. We all also got the obligatory "new move sickness." If you've not moved very often, perhaps you don't notice it when you move. But every time we move, we all get sick. New germies and whatnot, plus the stress. I've still got one with a nasty cough that is breaking up, and one with a gooey nose. It's on its way out.

Pets... we ended up with only one of the kittens - Theo. My sister decided to keep Callie. Theo is a cute little guy. Black and white and mischievious! He loves to attack toes, especially when you are sleeping. And his favorite spot to sleep on is my neck. Which is fine now... but wait til he weighs a bit more, lol. And the poor guy is being loved to death by Shortcake and Sweetheart. We have to regulate their time with "kitty."

Shortcake has learned to walk since we moved. Today she took 13 steps in a row! Her first birthday is in less than two weeks!

I managed to get the kitchen COMPLETELY set up in the first two days! Now the house is mostly unpacked (already!!) and it's just working on the odds and ends. But that is gonna take me awhile, as the kids are badly needing us to return to our old routine. So it's back to homeschooling, regular chores, afternoon walks around the neighborhood, etc. I'll just have to work on a box a day from here on out.

How I feel about my new home in a word? Thrilled. We have so much room to breathe! Sunshine said, "Mommy, this house is better than our old house and better than Grandma and Grandpa's house." I agree! It is so much easier to keep things clean now - no clutter because of lack of space is a big help. Ahhh, thank you, Lord!

Getting settled in our new home

2007-06-20T18:51:00.001-06:00

and back ONLINE! Whoopee!!!

I'd love to post more, but as it is, the kids are late to getting to bed. Smoochies to you all, and I hope to post more soon - as in, tomorrow, lol.

Here's the week's schedule... and new pets!

2007-06-11T12:33:00.000-06:00

Before I start, let me say that I have a little guy hanging on my back at the moment. His arms are resting on my shoulders and his sweet soft cheek is on mine. Doesn't get any better.

Ok, the schedule:
~Monday and Tuesday: packing up our belongings in my parents' home
~Wednesday: loading up the kids and driving to a hotel near our new home
~Thursday: doing the walk-through and signing the papers! Getting the keys!!!! Also setting up our electricity, water, etc.
~Friday: back here again and loading up the truck!

The weekend should be pretty straight-forward. Unloading, unloading, unloading, unpacking, unpacking, unpacking!

Also, we'll be having two additions to our new home: two 9-week-old kittens. They are brother and sister. We are naming them Theo and Callie.

As soon as I'm back online, which will be very soon as we must have the internet with all we do online, I'll post pics of our pretty new kitties!

Got lots of projects lined up!

2007-06-07T16:14:00.000-06:00

To start decorating my home, I've been browsing and brainstorming... and I've got some great ideas, if I do say so m'self. All are cross stitch projects, but there is one that is quilted, which means I'm gonna have to learn how to quilt!

MaineMom gave me a quote on joy that was the inspiration for doing "The joy of the Lord is my strength" project. It's framed with cross stitched ivy.

Have you seen word clouds? Well, I'm gonna make my own in cross stitch! I came up with some words that mean home and family to me that will all go into the piece. Thing is... I've gotta design it myself. Eeek! Never done that before, so this will be a creative adventure!

Then I found this beautiful saying online to cross stitch (thank you, Candi!):

Having someone to love is
FAMILY
Having somewhere to go is
HOME
Having both is a
BLESSING

Also to be done:
"Wildflower Trio. " Isn't it wonderful?

This mini quilt - won't it be darling in greens, blues, and yellows?

"Tulip Trio" - another gorgeous picture of flowers

"Peony Blossom" - The peony is my favorite flower in whole world!

And one day, when I've gotten those finished, I hope to do several of these!! Do you think I'll be busy for awhile? LOL!! Not to mention, I've got throw pillows to sew, some curtains to make for the kids' rooms... hmmm, getting rid of the tv is probably wise...

Gals, a bit of creative help?

2007-06-05T20:17:00.000-06:00

I'm working on a cross stitch piece to hang in my kitchen. Inside the frame of stitched ivy, there will be some sort of saying - be it scripture, a quote, or a fitting saying. I'd prefer it not be too long, as the space available for the words is roughly 4x6 (inches). Or perhaps just a phrase that conjurs up a feeling in a homey and cozy kitchen?

What would you suggest?

New blogs on sidebar

2007-06-03T16:34:00.000-06:00

I've found a few new blogs over the past few months, and they are finally posted on my sidebar. Some are friends in real life that I've met along the way; others are new friends online. But they all have something special about them that I enjoy.

2nd Cup of Coffee - Linda is a hilarious woman who makes me laugh, laugh, laugh. And she is a great encouragment in the Lord, too!

All Day Night - Candi is a very caring woman and great friend. She also posts some great recipes and lets you know how they turned out. And her boys are c-u-t-e.

For Reluctant Entertainers - This site is awesome! I am not a great entertainer (remember, no domestic goddess here!), so I love Sandy's ideas!

Military Mommy - As a fellow military wife, I really enjoy Michelle's blog. Plus, she's a fellow homeschooler and stay-at-home-mom. Her blog offers several things: humor, Godly encouragement, ideas, and touching posts.

Hope there is something in there for you, too!

Sniff... I'll miss you, dear friend!

2007-05-31T20:03:00.001-06:00

If you see me hugging the TVs at the nearest electronics store, don't be surprised.

Hubby decided that we are not going to get the cable hooked up at the new house. I haven't told the kids yet, lol. I'm having enough struggles at the thought myself!! How will I get fresh ideas for decorating my new abode if I can't watch those decorating and decluttering shows? *insert ringing of the hands and loud wailing*

Seriously, I have my shows I will greatly miss. (At least Gilmore Girls had their series finale before we cut the tv off!) And it will be requiring some creativity on my part, as now I sometimes use the tv to distract the kids while I do a chore they cannot be a part of. Or if I need to doze on the couch for an hour. Or if I need a shower. LOL

On the flip side, I won't have tv tempting me away from those other projects that I've wanted to do for awhile. Or needed to do, lol.

So I've included a haiku entitled, "Farewell, Boob Tube." Enjoy.

Farewell, Boob Tube.

How I will miss you,
Little box of phosphorus.
Say hi to tivo.

Jeopardy question of the day

2007-05-31T19:53:00.000-06:00

Question: What is, "Throbbing?"

Answer:

Sunshine told me, "Mommy, my cheek is breathing." After listening to the story of how she and her little sister had collided, we discovered she was feeling a throbbing in her cheek. Don't you love her attempt at describing the feeling?

Hello... Goodbye... Hello

2007-05-30T12:53:00.000-06:00

Life until we close on the house looks like this: hubby gone during weekdays 4 hours away at his new post, home with us on the weekends. He's staying in the barracks there while we are still here with my parents.

Knowing we are saying goodbye for only a few days at a time is so much better! It is a bit confusing to our 3 yr old, especially, but hubby and I are much happier. He called me last night and said, "This is our first night of just two nights apart." What a wonderful realization! He was teasing me that it was all for the best, easing back into seeing each other regularly. Because, afterall, there's all those socks of his to pick up now. :)

FYI

2007-05-30T12:48:00.000-06:00

At the gentle push and nudge of a certain bloggy friend, and you know who you are *wink, wink*, I added the option to email me to my profile. So if you'd like to drop me a line one day, now you may do so.

I wanted to add it directly to my blog, but I must be challenged in this area, as I could not figure out how to do it. Any tips would be appreciated.

Overheard the girls talking

2007-05-25T06:22:00.000-06:00

We have all sorts of ants around here - different colors, different sizes. The girls think that, in life, anything smaller is a baby and anything bigger is a grownup. So the girls saw a stray tiny ant exploring, and this is what ensued.

Both exclaiming over and over in tiny, adoring voices: "Oh, look at the baby ant! Mommy, did you see the baby ant? It's so cuuuuuute! That baby ant is so tiny! Mommy, did you see the baby ant? Awwwww!"

Sugar-n-Spice, in a very pitying voice: "That baby ant looks lost. Poor. baby. ant. It needs its mommy. I bet it's cold. It needs a pillow and a blanket."

Sunshine, who has suddenly lost her cutesy voice, now speaks in a scornful tone: "Ants do NOT use pillows and blankets. It's an ant."

Me these days

2007-05-25T05:59:00.000-06:00

I'm having so much trouble being motivated with hubby here. Do the rest of you experience that, too? Even when life was "normal" and he had a day off, it felt like I did, too, and housework almost always went out the window. And now? Multiply that feeling by about 3000%. I'm getting the absolutely bare minimum done around here. Which I feel guilty about. I'm the only one cleaning and cooking for this household of now 8 people. (Well, the girls help, but they depend on me for the prodding, and when you are having trouble prodding yourself, how much prodding of others do you get done? Exactly.)

I've even been slack on exercising. I just would much rather lie in bed with him in the mornings, instead of rising at 5:30 to exercise. Hmmm, cuddle with my man or get up and sweat alone before the sun is up? Cuddle? Sweat? Cuddle? Sweat? Yeah. It took me about 1.3 seconds to decide that one.

Emotionally, I'm a whole mess of weird. Excited about the new house, happy he's home, preoccupied with thoughts of what-color-will-I-paint-that-room, and then, outta nowhere, I'll feel like bursting into tears. I just want to sit down and bawl, but I can't do that. Then hubby would want to know what's wrong. And I just don't wanna have that conversation.

I dunno, maybe I'm just having a reaction to fi-nuh-lee having him home and the emotional stress it was to have him gone, especially under the circumstances. Or maybe its the stuff that I know isn't fixed between us yet. Or maybe its the stress (though exciting) of a new house and moving again... who knows. I just wish it would go away.

Speaking of an exciting move - I am SO eager to get going! That house is so big, and after being cramped up in our old place for so long, and now more than a year in my parents' home (too small for both families), I'm ready to breathe. I'm eager to unpack our things and rediscover all my own stuff again. I am so giddy at the thought of arranging the rooms as I like it and living in clutter-free spaces!!!!!!!!!

Sweetheart and Daddy bonding

2007-05-23T21:08:00.000-06:00

Sweetheart was only... let me do the math here... 16 months old when we moved here to my parents' home and hubby was gone in another state. From time to time, we'd get a short visit from hubby, but no significant "bonding" happened between them, really. Sweetheart does remember him, but Daddy means something completely different to him than he does to the older girls.

Sweetheart is very intimidated by Daddy. I can see why... Daddy is a big fella and has some pretty intense eyes. And Daddy just has that something about him that can be pretty intimidating.

When Sweetheart is scolded by Daddy, Sweetheart cries pretty hard, but tries to hold it in, like he's afraid to even cry. With Mommy, Sweetheart wails his little heart out and lets me know exactly what he is feeling. But he acts like a deer in the headlights with Daddy. And when Daddy tries to show Sweetheart lovin', it doesn't always go over well.

So Daddy has started something new in the morning - he makes coffee for himself and Sweetheart. Sweetheart's "coffee" is just a smidge of coffee with a more-than-generous helping of milk and sugar. They go out on the front porch together each morning and drink their coffee. I have to say it is the sweetest thing I've ever seen.

Hubby and his dad never were very close. Hubby's dad just isn't a people person (which is funny, as he is a pastor). He'd be very happy to be a hermit with his books. Truly. He did love his boys, but he didn't do dad stuff with them, and my hubby wants differently for his boy and himself. It's going to be a challenge with hubby gone so much. But I love that he is actively seeking to get that going.

I love that when the kids are outside, he runs at them and tackles them to the ground. I love their squeals of delight and surprise. I love that he "wrestles" with Sweetheart and does those chest-bumps that fellas do.

It does my heart so much good to see them together.

WE GOT THE HOUSE!!

2007-05-18T19:12:00.001-06:00

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I'm so thrilled! Our very first home! And, depending on the sleeping arrangements... I just may be able to make the one bedroom that is downstairs into a SCHOOLROOM! Yippee! I'll be picking your brains later.

Oh, this house is great - lots of room for us. Our last home was 900 sq.ft. And with 5 of us, that was c-r-o-w-d-e-d. This house? This house is 2480 sq.ft. - can you believe it?! We have an upstairs, main floor, and a partial basement. Hubby is gonna have himself a "man room," lol! (He cannot say "man room" without lowering his voice a few octaves, lol!)

And speaking of the hubster, guess who's home??? *insert huge grin here* When he drove up, we all went tearing out the front door, and the two older girls attacked him. Our fella went out slower, as he barely remembers who Daddy is, and there isn't that bond between them yet. But he did give Daddy a hug. Shortcake keeps smiling at her daddy, though she has no clue who he is. She is doing a lot of staring at him, studying his face, too.

My parents are not here tonight - they are giving us alone time as a family. (Hubby is in the shower right now, which is why I'm blogging now.) Aren't they wonderfully considerate?

Well, nothing else to report. Happiness all around here!

I left - did ya miss me?

2007-05-15T19:55:00.000-06:00

We left the state Monday night, and Tuesday looked at houses in the town we'll be living in... and drove home again... with all four kids in tow. It was a good trip! We were in the van a lot, but they were so good. I say we, because my mom went with me to help.

My mom had me in STITCHES. The jokes rambled from how she'll wind up as one of those old ladies who are greeters at Walmart ("Hi, HAWNey! Welcome to Walmartss. Did you bring back a return?"), good looking gay men vs ugly gay men (oh, don't ask!), and a few other oddball things that are only funny if you were there at that specific moment. You know the kind. The kind of moment that is very lame when you try to relate it to someone else? Yeah, that kind. But oh HOW we laughed at the time.

One of my favorite moments, though, was when Mom was talking about giving a strip T. A what? A strip T. I burst out laughing... "Mom? It's strip teaSE." More howling from me. Thing is, she misunderstands a lot of words like this. She is a smart lady, but somehow misses stuff like this, which makes it even funnier. If you read This Ain't New York, then you might have seen the post about the Allstate commercial. If you didn't, go quickly and read it - it is very, very short, but oh so funny. Ok... did you read it? Well, GO read it. Ok... now that you've read it, my mom thought the same thing. In fact, I was giggling and telling Mom about Melanie's hubby's mistake, and Mom just sat there smiling all the while. Then she admitted that she, too, thought it was Stan. Bwahahahahaha!

Anyway, so back to the house stuff... tomorrow we hope to make an offer. I'm very excited. Keep turning it over and over in my head. Let's see, do we put Sunshine and Sugar-n-Spice in that bedroom, or do we put them in the other? Do we turn the extra room downstairs into a schoolroom or do we use it for our bedroom? You know, all the life-altering, mind-blowing questions that will affect me for eternity. Oh brother. Still, can't seem to get my mind to stop twirling it over and over.

But the best part? The bestest? (Yes, I know that is not proper.) Hubby will be here Friday night! I won't be sleeping alone anymore!!! WHOOOOOPEEEE! It will be so wonderful to feel someone's arms around me when I fall asleep. Happy day... er, night!

Wonderful message from dh for Mother's Day

2007-05-13T18:05:00.000-06:00

My hubby sent me an ecard for Mother's Day. (Ecards are really awesome for us... he is horrible with a capital "H" at getting and giving cards. Plus, we are hundreds of miles apart!)

And inside the card, the message read:

"I love you, Babe. You are everything I could ever wish for in a Mom for my babies."

I think that's the best thing a man can ever say. Don't you?

Typing with Shortcake

2007-05-12T18:49:00.000-06:00

is a very hard thing to do. I thought I'd type and not fix the typose so you can see who she affects my writing. Ritght now she is playing with the mouse and keyboard, so letters are getting shifted around.

47iuIsn't it fun when they get curious about what you are doing and want to do it too?,

idea how she does some of the stuf fshe does. Like no? some how now I'm typing above where I was. Go figure. 76
JI\76ahv6e no
She pu41
lls up all sorts of swinowsd and programs with a smack of her tiny hand on the keyboard. I've been using computers for a very long time, and yet she knows shortcuets I do not.

Ok, I put her down. And she's none too happy about it, either, lol. But you can see all the stuff I have to fix when she is with me.

Sugar-n-Spice's 3 yr old "isms"

2007-05-11T19:42:00.000-06:00

Here are some cute mistakes Sugar-n-Spice has made lately when speaking:

"Mommy, I can hear Sunshine's heart beeping!"

"Mommy, can you scrap me in?"

...well, phooey. There was a third one and now I can't remember it.

Hard as nails... not

2007-05-11T18:51:00.000-06:00

We found a buyer advocate or buyer's agent or buyer brokerage... whichever term you prefer. Now the excitement is settling in for me! I've got about 3 houses that I'm more interested in than the others.

But I felt so sorry today... one of the realtor's called and I had to let her know we were working with someone now. She was very disappointed, and I felt horrible. She said, "Well, I could have done that for you." I had no idea. She didn't present herself as that. The lady we went with did from the very beginning and was very up front about her business approach and ethics. But I can't help feeling sorry for this other woman. Maybe that's silly, though. Perhaps I'd better get over it, as I've got a few other realtors I'm gonna have to tell. Not looking forward to that. Maybe I'm just too "soft." This is perhaps the reason my hubby has the most success with telemarketers and customer service agents? LOL

Seriously, if we have beef with a company, even though it is I who handles the moolah and sometimes have the bills in *my* name, when I couldn't get anywhere with them, he always can. Once we were having troubles with our bank, and he actually had the lady behind the desk shaking. I don't know how he does it!

Oh, and turning undesirable dates down? That was always so hard for me. Even the ones who were complete creeps and jerks. I didn't want to hurt their feelings, either. So I often said something along the lines of, "I'm so flattered that you asked; it's a compliment any time a guy asks. But no thank you." And sometimes stammered on after the no-thank-you, trying to make it better.

I'm just not a big meanie. But don't ask my 3 yr old. She'd beg to differ.

Laundromats and Realtors

2007-05-09T13:37:00.000-06:00

What do these two have in common? I dunno - but I'm blogging about both in one post. *snicker*

Today was errand day... we hit the laundromat (to wash two sleeping bags we used on the retreat, as our washer can't quite handle them), the post office (Candi, I mailed those clothes back to you today - thanks again!), my uncle's mechanic shop (to pay him for fixing the battery, remember?), and the storage unit. Oh, I have to tell you what I did there, too? Ok, fine. I dropped off the baby carrier I'd used at the retreat. It's one of those you use for hiking or camping. Anyhoo.

While we were at the laundromat, we had a blast. I didn't know that was possible. We ate a quick lunch in there while the bags were washing, then we played. And went a bit nuts. But hey, no one was in the laundromat, and my kids needed to get some energy out. So, we had races. Really. I pushed the baby in the stroller as fast as I could in my straight denim skirt I'm wearing today, and the other three ran and s-c-r-e-a-m-e-d. I might have, too. (Shhh, don't tell. If there was a hidden camera somewhere, I hope it didn't have sound!)

We also did playdough on cookie sheets - it really works well! You don't have leave any mess behind for anyone else to get on their clothes when they fold them on the table.

At first, I felt guilty going out for errands. I kept thinking... what if a realtor calls? What if I miss an important call? Well, that is what my answering machine is for, right? So I put that little bugger to good use... and came back to 3 calls. None of which were emergencies, or I assume so because no one had an audible stroke while leaving their message. I don't know why I do that to myself. And no, I don't have a cell phone. I would like a trac phone (is that what they are called?) for emergencies when I'm away from the house, but that number would not ever be given out except to immediate family. I used to have a cell phone years ago, but found it was more money than it was worth at the time.

Anyway. Laundromats and Realtors.

You can't please everyone

2007-05-09T06:55:00.000-06:00

So only work on pleasing... Him.

I have some friends from college, "S" and "S," who have issues with infertility. Try as they might and pray as they did, no babies came. People at their church, friends, and family all made comments like, "Aren't you pregnant YET?" and "Don't you two want kids?" and "When are we gonna hear an announcement?" As you can imagine, this caused them MUCH pain. Then one glorious day, they travelled to another continent with intentions of adopting one little fella... and came back with him AND his older brother. Praise God!

People on the other end of the spectrum are not immune to people's comments, either. We've had 4 (and hope for more!), and I've gotten all sorts of comments. Especially because they've come close together. My grandma constantly brings it up, asking me to not have more. I've got an uncle who is convinced I'm ruining the kids' lives by having more kids. Yes, ruining. He's said so to my face. Not too long ago in a grocery store I got a comment from a man who told me he needed the number of my psychiatrist. Yes, he was meaning about my family size.

During the retreat this weekend, the adults kept saying over and over how lovely it was to go somewhere away from the house and NOT hear things like, "Better you than me!" or "Don't you have a tv?" or "Why would you want this many kids?" or "Don't you know what causes that?"

See, family size is a VERY personal thing. It is really ONLY between the couple and God. If you have no kids, fine by me. If you only have one kid, fine by me. If you only have two kids, fine by me. If you only have 12 kids, find by me. If you have 20, fine by me. I'm not you, or your husband, or God. It isn't any of my business.

You can't please everyone, so don't try. Pray about it; talk it over with your spouse, and do what you feel God is leading you to, whether that is a small or large family. And then ignore anyone who says hurtful comments. And remember... they may not mean to be hurtful. Oh yes, some DO know they are being rude and snarky. But some just stuck their foot in their mouth without even knowing it. They are curious and so want to get that across in a cute and funny way... but they don't actually make in the humor department.

And if you are one of the people who has asked some of these questions, please consider this: how is your question supposed to make those parents feel? Remember S and S? How did they feel when people asked those questions? I know how they felt, because we talked about it. They felt pain. Being unable to have children was on their mind a lot already, and to have those questions levelled at them was painful.

And people who have large families - would you believe that our babies are not always welcomed into the world? Yes. My other grandma doesn't want to hear our announcements. I've friends who, when announcing pregnancies or births, actually get told horrible things about how that baby was a mistake. Several people have had family members get up and walk out of the room in disgust.

The fact is, folks, that family size is so very personal. Just like how much money you make. Or how many times a week you and your spouse have s*x. Think that's not the same thing? Sure it is. Would you walk up to a family member (or worse yet, a person in the store) and say, "How is your s*x life? I've noticed your hubby is grumpy lately." Uhhh, no. And if you did, they'd ask you what business it is of yours. And it is the same thing - many people equate the size of the family with money and irresponsibility with their fertility.

So if you really want to know what is going on in their life regarding family size, whether you wonder why they have no kids or why they have 16, ask it with a genuine heart to understand. When the conversation is over, you may not agree, but so what? They still deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

2007-05-08T08:25:00.000-06:00

The good: I lost 5 pounds during the retreat, and I feel refreshed mentally and emotionally!

The bad: My van's battery died just before we were going to leave for the retreat and had to be replaced PRONTO, and once we got there, a mouse of some sort was in our cabin that kept leaving little dobs everywhere and woke me in the night because he was digging in our belongings.

The ugly: Sugar-n-Spice was not on her best behavior at all. I almost left the retreat early because of that.

Now, perhaps you are scratching you head about why I feel refreshed after reading the "bad" and the "ugly." Well, I'll tell ya: teenage girls who are servant-hearted and their parents who teach them to be so.

The retreat was held at a camp in a GORGEOUS spot in the hills of Missouri. The girls kept asking me, "Mom, are we in the forest?" We were surrounded by "forest" and huge green fields that held dozens of grazing horses. Beautiful sight. And to get to the horses, my Grand Caravan got to live out it's lifelong dream: to be a Jeep. LOL - seriously, there were some steep hills, and the roads where just gravel. I had to floor it to get up the hill, and man, did we c-r-a-w-l up that hill.

And that's where the 5 pounds of loss came in. We had to walk up and down hills all weekend, carrying our babies and pushing strollers. Can you say "workout?" LOL

This retreat was for families with lots of children. I had one of the smallest families, as I only have 4. The largest attending family had 9. It was such fun and BUSY! But it was also hard work. I had my 4 by myself, and so did my friend "M" - she had her 3 by herself. We had no hubbies to help, and on a thing like this, you really needed an extra set of hands. Especially when a child started acting up. (One of the mothers told me that "M" and I were awfully brave to be doing the retreat without our husbands, and I replied with, "I think I'm beginning to think so, too!") My Sugar-n-Spice showed a lot of her "spicy" side that weekend, particularly on Friday night. She would take off in the opposite direction, and I had to drop the other 2 and run after her (on a hill, lol) with a baby in my arms, then drag her back. Throwing a huge tantrum, of course. I was so frustrated and frazzled by the end of Friday that I told the kids we were leaving the next day. That was it for me. And then along came the mouse that night. Yup, I was going home.

On Saturday, I decided to give it another shot, but if it didn't work, we were indeed going home. But I didn't get that chance. Throughout Saturday, various girls came to "M" and I and would ask, "What can I do?" And it continued on Sunday. Those young women "made" the weekend for me. With them taking a child to the bathroom, holding a tired toddler, allowing me to go get my food, etc, I got to breathe a bit. One of the them, "H," asked me, "When do you take a shower?" LOL! Ah, the age-old question for mothers everywhere, but especially when you are far outnumbered by tiny ones and have no husband around to help. She is one of the oldest in her family, and obviously does not remember the time when her own mother faced that. Now in her family, they not only have the two parents, but about 3 teens! Talk about having help in that family!

One tidbit that had me laughing so hard... a mother there asked me how old I am, remarking that I didn't look any older than her son who was 19. I could not help but laugh. I've always looked young, but I've not gotten a comment like that in awhile - mostly just that I don't look old enough to have 4 kids. So when I told her that I am actually 30, her eyes got pretty big. So funny!

Another wonderful thing - I got to meet 3 families that I will be close to when we move!!! How fabulous! Ready-made friends! (And I got promises of a FABULOUS recipe that we got to sample. When I get it, I will post it for you. You will LOVE it.)

Such a wonderful weekend, though it started with bumps including a van that won't start. Talking with so many humble and godly women was a wonderful way to refill my tank, and seeing their teenagers gave me such encouragment to keep on working and training my little ones for Him. I hope that one day my own kids will be such great young adults!

Going away for the weekend

2007-05-03T19:35:00.000-06:00

The kids and I are heading out for the weekend. See you when we return. I hope to have lots of stuff to tell!

Something I never DREAMED I'd say...

2007-05-01T15:06:00.000-06:00

Mommy to Sunshine:

"You do NOT brush your sister's butt with your brother's toothbrush!!"

ETA: She actually had her sister's bare bottom exposed and was scrubbing the crack. EWWWW. (Glad it wasn't my toothbrush!)

Starting the process

2007-05-01T14:51:00.000-06:00

...of buying our first home!

Wow.

We are moving this month to another state, so we've begun the process for the loan. I am so excited! We really have NO time to do this. I can't believe we are going for it, but we are.

I laugh because hubby wants to be moving into a house June 1st. Those of you who have bought houses are probably shaking your heads at this, no? Well, in his defense, the company we are working with does things a bit differently. Usually people get preapproved for a loan, find a house, then have to actually get the loan. This company does it the other way around. So once we find a place, the money is ready to plunk down right away.

I spent most of the day today finding the financial documents they needed, learning how to scan them into my computer, attaching them to emails (yes, emails - it took 5 emails because there were 24 pages!!!), and talking alternately on the phone with my husband and the loan company. It took awhile, but was relatively painless. Unless you ask Sunshine, who was begging for a turn on the computer while Mommy worked and worked and worked. "Are you done YET?" "Is it my turn?" "Mom, you are taking FOREVER!" (We also had a few chats about attitude, waiting patiently, and speaking with a respectful tone of voice.)

I was joking with hubby that it must be really nice to say, "Talk to my wife; she handles all the paper stuff." I told him that I was his secretary, of sorts, to which he agreed. Then I popped out with, "Hey, and I even get to sleep with the boss!" (Wink)

Some great quotes

2007-05-01T14:42:00.000-06:00

From church bulletin:

"What have you done today that nobody but a Christian would?"

From Sting My Heart's post called "My Wander Years":

"Your life is already planned; don’t refuse to follow."

Consider the Lilies

My blog has MOVED!

The roosters are such slackers

I made homemade bread!

Thinking of changing my blog

Yes, I know. I'm fired.

On to the adventure!

Saying goodbye

Projects!

Mixed greetings

Squeaker is now a YEAR OLD!!

Let's play the Opposite Game!

Thought for the day - from a 5 yr old

Girls vs Boys

Kid funny - Sweetheart

What Thanksgiving traditions do you have?

A serger!!! A SERGER!!!

Finally, some progress! *bodily functions alert*

Hidden Costs of Peaches

Glimpses of the kidlets

Projects, projects

It's self-inflicted. Brilliant.

Guess what fun is going on at our house?

Oy Vey

Wallet World

The most wonderful news!!

You'd be SO proud of me

Heading home today

I despise this guilt I seem to fight!

Saying hello from my parents' house

Follow the sound of my voice...

Do you ever just get overwhelmed with the mothering thing?

Goings on

Can you believe it?

Oh dear me - please forgive me!

Comedy from our house

Whew, dodged a bullet this year

"When I was your age"

The fun of pretending with Sweetheart

Update on why I'm not here much lately

To those whose blogs I frequent

Sleeping... Beefcake?

I think I might have found a groove

Twins? Update

YAY!!

Things are a little off-kilter here

Got a giggle for you!

News on the pregnancy front

Some "chinese" funnies

Had to expand modesty discussion with my oldest

"If I've told you once,

Happy update on the vacuum!

Errands and vacuums: someone rescue me!

MIA no longer

Prayers would be appreciated for Hubby

Did she redeem the earlier comment?

Yet another blow to my self-image

It's ok. Revoke my membership.

New blessings, new beginnings!

Inexcusable vs Unforgivable

How it went: entertaining

Entertaining tomorrow...!

Wordless Wednesday

A little note about posts and pictures

Growing up is so much fun!

A first for me: being tagged

Did I ever tell you about the time...

Wordless Wednesday

Gentleness

Ahhh, the power of love and chocolate

A little exercise in counting

Wordless Wednesday

Shortcake's busy week!

Friendly customer relations

Dh re-enlisted yesterday

Praises and progress!

Getting settled in our new home

Here's the week's schedule... and new pets!

Got lots of projects lined up!

Gals, a bit of creative help?

Finally, some progress! bodily functions alert