Keep it Simple

This is Gonna' Hurt

2010-06-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, my 7 year old daughter went with her grandmother, my mother, to Oklahoma to work at a charity race. On a whim, Princess decided that she wanted to run in the one mile fun run. She ran a 6 minute mile, and my cousin who ran with her said she could have run it faster if Princess hadn't had to wait on her.

This past Little League season, Princess played baseball for the first time. She played in coach pitch, she was the only girl on her team, she had the coaches wrapped around her little finger, she could outrun the boys on her team around the bases by a full second, and there were at least two times that I saw her beat the ball to first base.

My friends, my daughter is showing natural athletic ability. MY daughter! I have no athletic ability. I will trip over an air current. I am 35 years old, and I have never made contact between a ball and a bat. The only think I have ever managed to do with a vollyball is get my nose broken. But, my daughter is athletic...and that means that I'm gonna have to suck it up, and encourage that in her by at least being an example of someone who tries. This, my daughter, is my impetus to getting off my tuckus and doing something about all that baby fat.

The last time I was at a healthy weight for me was in November 2001, when I found out I was pregnant with Princess. Since then, I have fluctuated somewhere between 40-50 lbs overweight. Or, to put it painfully, I have fluctuated somewhere between obese and obese +10 lbs. This hasn't really bothered me, because also since November 2001, I have given birth to three children, and Rock loves me more than he did when we got married. So, I am fat and happy.

I am still happy, but I cannot remain fat. Not only do I need to encourage my daughter, but I also need to take care of myself. This last year, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he is doing fine now, but during the course of his treatment I found out a lot of family health history that I did not know. For instance; my maternal grandmother died from congestive heart failure, and so did her mother, and so did her grandmother. Also: Every generation on my mother's side has had insulin dependent Type 2 diabetes. You know this information can really make you think..."Hey! Maybe I should shed a few lbs."

Yesterday, I finally came about and realized that I have to do something...and I have to do something now, today, right this very instant. And I did. Stick with me because, folks...This is gonna' hurt.

Day 1 of the Hurt

2010-06-17T12:00:00.002-05:00

I'm a couple of days behind on my getting healthy updates, but I promise you will get over it.

I am a very goal oriented person. If I don't have something for which to work, the things I want to do will simply languish in the abyss of procrastinated enterprises. To thwart the demons of delay, I have laid out several short and long term goals. Let's start with weight.

6/15/2010: 198 lbs
Goal Weight: 150 lbs
Goal Deadline: May 15, 2011

This is a goal of 1 lb a week. When I look at 48 lbs, I overload. When I look at 1 lb a week, I'm pretty sure I can handle that. I have downloaded a calorie and exercise tracker to my phone to help keep me on track, and Rock is in full knowledge and support of what I am doing.

Next, lets deal with fitness. My body hasn't seen any real exercise since college...I graduated in 1998. Then top that with 4 c-sections and gallbladder surgery, and you can pretty much guess that my abdominal muscles have forgotten that they even exhist. Cardio? Please! My sides!Wait, let me catch my breath.......just a minute more.......no, not yet......okay. I hate running, but I'm thinking that is going to be the best remedy for me, and apparently the more you run, the more you can eat!!!! I'm going to be following the "Couch to 5k" running plan by Cool Running. I have downloaded an Ap to my phone that takes me through the paces of each run.

Short Term Goal: Finish week 1 of the plan
Long Term Goal: Run in the 5k of the Cow Town

I must be crazy.

2010-06-16T21:52:00.002-05:00

Okay, sooooooo...somehow I manage to blog about once every six months. I mean, it's not like I have anything to write about. You don't really want to hear about my kids....do you? Or, what we are doing around the house?

Well, in reality I am suffering from writers' block. Not the kind where you can't think of anything to write, but the kind where there are so many things about which to write that you just completely shut down and quit writing altogether. Then when you do sit down to write, not only do you have things to write about now, but there are also things you wish you had written about earlier. Then you play this gigantic game of catch-up and keep-up, and if you are anything like me, whatever you write must, must, MUST, be in the correct cronological order. It's enough to make you want to just pull your hair out.

So, how have I been coping with my writers' block? I have been reading books, reading blogs, reading magazines, and reading curriculum catalogs. Now, I have reached a point where I want to write again. So, I tried yesterday, but that stupid wall of ideas was just too intimidating. There are too many ideas, too many thoughts, and too much stuff to catch up. Hence, I am going to start where I am, and not begin at the beginning. I may take a time trip or two, here and there, but for the most part I will simply be moving forward.

Paper or Digital

2010-01-21T15:48:00.005-06:00

It's been a while since I have blogged, and I know I am going to get into some kind of trouble from someone because this isn't about the kids or the family. However, I have been in the mood to read and write lately, and I don't have time to upload pictures and make sure we get caught up. So, here is what you are getting for now.

I have been reading some about the new e-readers, and how so many people are excited about them. Now, I am not a person who shies away from new fangled and button-y gadgets, but I still haven't decided how I feel about these inventions.

For those of you who may not know, an e-reader is an electronic device to which you can upload reading materials such as books or newspapers. These marvelous machines allow you to carry several books, magazines, and/or newspapers in a single device, the largest of which measures slightly smaller than a piece of paper and just over 1/2 inch thick. To me this sounds pretty cool, especially if you are a voracious reader who spends a lot of time out and about, a vacationer planning on sitting on the beach, or a student who wants to avoid back problems before their thirties. The readers also allow you to take notes, highlight passages, bookmark pages, change the font size, change the font, and one of them even has a read-to-me function so that you can "read" your book/magazine/newspaper while you drive.

But, and this is a pretty big but, I am not completely sold on them for several reasons. The first reason being price. These things range in price from $259 up to $489. That's not exactly chump change in a one income household, and I could buy a-whole-buncha paper books for that price. However, the majority of the downloadable books cost around $10, and many libraries carry e-book resources. You pay for the cost of that library care whether you use it or not.

The second reason I'm not completely sold is actually pretty small. Not all of the books I read, or the writers I read, are available on e-books. Now, granted, when I read history or nonfiction, I prefer original documents or works as opposed to treatises on those documents, and those can be difficult to find in the first place. It actually looks as if a very large majority of books are being offered for e-readers.

Thirdly, there is still some question regarding property laws on these devices. In July '09, Amazon remotely deleted some editions of George Orwell's books, Animal Farm and 1984, from their owners Kindle's. Now, in their defense, the editions were added to the store by a company who did not have the rights to the books, and they did refund the Kindle customers' money. However, if someone sells you a paper book, that you purchased in good faith, then the book is yours. The seller must remove all unauthorized copies from their shelves, but they cannot come and take your property. But, in this case that is basically what happened. Amazon has since changed its terms of service agreement. I pray that the literary irony of this particular incident in regard to these particular books is not lost on my readers....down the memory hole.

Finally, my largest reservation about these devices is simple romance. There is just something very satisfying about a paper book. To me, books are beautiful, and nothing looks as good on a shelf as an entire row of books. Unless it is a stack of finished books by the bedside table. There is a certain feeling of accomplishment when you can see that you are nearing the end of a very heavy, thick tome. There is a feeling of relief when you see you are nearing the end of a short book written in stream of consciousness. Then of course there is the way you can inspire your children to read, when they see you holding a book, that does not come when they see you reading from a computer screen. Plus, that little bit of an ego boost when your oldest, who has discovered his own love of reading, is impressed that you have read "that huge book." It's fun to turn heads when you and your four children leave the library carrying arm loads of books. It's encourages your children when they can bring you their book and say, "Look how much I've read, Momma!" That is the romance of paper books.

All in all, I say these devices are going to be a big hit, and I will probably get one (though not any time soon). On a Kindle the words of classics will ring just as beautifully, on a Sony the history will be just as enlightening, on a Nook the theories just a thought provoking, and on an Apple Tablet the theology just as humbling, but for all their conveniences they will never replace the beauty, history, and romance that is a paper book.

Balancing Act

2009-07-28T22:44:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, but you, see things have been out of balance. And when I say things...I mean most everything in my life. Let's begin with the moving of the weights.

First weight: I have only recently been having a daily Bible and prayer time on a consistent basis again. This was the first weight on the wrong side of the scale. Christ promised, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you," and he has always kept his promise. I also made a promise to Christ to be faithful, but I have time and time and time and time again done exactly that. I have left. I have forsaken. But God is so good, so merciful, so gracious. He sent his Son to die on the cross so that I could have life, and continually I toss it aside. But, He stays. He never leaves. He loves me, and most miraculously of all He pulls me back into his arms, holds me close to His heart, and puts me back in my place of honor as His child as if it never happened. Now? I still disappoint my Father, but I am not ignoring it. I am more aware of my sins, am more appalled by my own sinfulness. God has put a much larger mirror in front of my face, and though I still see my own reflection instead of His, "...I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."(Phil 1:6)

Second weight: I became more interested in what was happening on Facebook or in politics than I was with my family and my home. Some of you know this about me, but I love to learn. I am a fount of sometimes usefull information because I read everything. Search engines are a dangerous tool for me. I may begin by searching for a recipie, but I will end up 3 hours later learning about vermicomposting and how to use the resultant product. During this time, I would kinda sorta take care of things. I would keep the kids fed, clothed, and safe, but I was not being their Momma. Thank God, this part started after we were finished with school and my children's education did not suffer. But my relationship with them did, and that is far more important. The housework? Well, it suffers still, but for a different reason. I'm snuggling on the couch with my babies and a book. How did I get past this? Rock. He is truly my rock. I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for him. He fulfills his job as my spiritual leader. I thank God he has given me Rock. Rock basically grounded me from the computer for almost a month. I still go to my favorite websites to read, but I am only allowed a certain amount of time.

Third weight: This part is physiological, and I have an appointment with my Dr. at the end of this week. Please pray for my Dr. that she will have wisdom to be able to help me. My hormones are all out of whack. Which basically means that I am fighting for control of my emotions 2 weeks out of each month. This is new ground for me. I have never really had many of the symptoms of PMS, and only slight cases of Baby Blues for a couple of weeks right after my babies were born. Now? Rock has to rescue me at least a couple of days a month, and I am fighting tears the rest of the time. The symptoms have gotten worse, but since I have been having a daily quiet time I do not have feelings of panic.

Slowly but surely, the scales are tipping back into balance. I understand the reality of weight one and weight two. These are direct results of my disobedience to God, but again He restored my soul, and He will lead me down the paths of righteousness for His names sake. I do not understand the whys and wherefores of weight number three, but I do know that He is saying to me as He said to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9)

Have a Blessed Day Everyone!

2009-04-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Coloring Eggs

2009-04-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

In our family we have always loved coloring eggs. Why? I don't really know, but we do. I know that my brother and I would color eggs and hide and hunt them when we were in college. We of course did this indoors, because we wouldn't want people to think we are weird or anything.

Well, Rock and I have now passed down this love to all of our offspring. It is a big deal when out come the dye, stickers, crayons, and anything else we might want to try.

Professor makes sure that all of his eggs have something to say. I believe that one of them even said, "I am yummy!"

Princess is a decorator. Her eggs had designs instead of sayings.

Look at those eyes!

We honestly didn't expect Warrior to get this involved, but he was very quiet and focused throughout the whole thing.

This was Baby J's first foray into egg decorating, and as you can see he was a natural. Nothing gets by this kid.

And Daddy had to get some baby loves while waiting for the eggs to dry.

This is what fun looks like!

Almost done...

Next year we plan on getting more creative...I think they are ready for it.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Radical Here

2009-04-15T17:29:00.001-05:00

Well, apparently I am a "radicalized right wing extremist," and should watch out for the DHS (funny how Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Human Services have the same initials...and the same incompetence. But I digress),who now view me as a threat to national security, because I dare to think on my own. But, even worse, I teach my children to think on their own. That whole independent thought thing really scares some members of ~~the Roman Senate~~ Congress, because we are actually beginning to questions their viability as ~~advocates~~ representatives of the people.

The fact that you may have now been declared a radical is not new news to some of you, but for those of you who haven't heard about or read the DHS Office of Intelligence (snicker)and Analysis report. I have provided a pdf file of it for you. After you read it, I think that most of you will find scary similarities between this piece of propaganda and those of the Nazi SS. As in there are no statistics or evidence to support their fears only suppositions and generalities. It targets our Veterans as potential victims to be recruited and radicalized. It demonizes law abiding citizens who believe we should be granted our rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, by deeming us all racists and anarchists. And while I believe that federal/state/local Government has no place in my home, and the smallest amount of Government possible should be utilized, I also believe that no government leads to...well, anarchy.

I am now going to leave you with this link to the article by Michelle Malkin addressing this new "threat." She is much more well spoken than I, plus she has sources and resources. But don't take her word (or mine) for it. Check it out for yourself.

Tax Day Tea Party

2009-04-15T17:25:00.004-05:00

Today I took my children on an extreme field trip. "Where to?" You ask. Why we went to one of our local Tax Day Tea Parties. We are talking citizenship in action. The exercise of "free speech" and "lawful assembly." And Oh the irony that we are studying the Boston Tea Party in our school right now. Yes, I know, there was no tea thrown into a harbor in the middle of North Texas, at least where I was there wasn't. And we weren't protesting taxation without representation, but we were protesting the spending spree our congress has been on since January. I was, and so were several others to whom I talked, also protesting HB 1444 which will form a bipartisan committee to research the feasibility of a "mandatory volunteer" program for all citizens of certain ages (since it also includes Seniors who are retired). Even my 9 year old son said, "Mandatory volunteer? Hey that's an oxymoron!" I wanted to say, "Exactly son. An idea made by a bunch of morons," but being a responsible Mother, and wanting to teach my children a healthy respect for our government, and at that moment not being inclined to kindly explain to him why it was wrong, I simply praised him for his prowess in grammar.

Now, there are some of you who would say, "Are you crazy? You took 5 children to a political rally/protest where there could have been violence?" And I would say to you, "Darn tootin!" You see, here in the great state of Texas, we are charged, as homeschoolers, with a mandate to teach our children citizenship. Well, here you go...Citizenship 101. A government for the people and by the people cannot exist without the people. If all we do is sit around and wait for something to happen, something will happen, but we will have no right to complain about it if we didn't at least make our voices heard. However, because I am a responsible mother I also had an exit strategy. Before we even left the house, I talked to the kids about where we were going, and what was going to happen. I also told them that there would be people there who did not agree with the protest, and that these people could say ugly things to us while we were there, but they probably wouldn't. So, if this happened, then they were not to say anything back, not to respond in any way, and were to stay within arms reach of me. I also told them that if I said "Let's go!" then they were to immediately and as quickly as possible come with me. Then I made sure to position myself where I could get away quickly if at all necessary.

Well, I am glad to say that I did not need my exit strategy. I was also pleased at the atmosphere in and around the rally. One of the speakers mentioned the counter protesters and made it known that they also had a right to make their voices heard, then he made his voice heard. Not only he, but others as well. He even talked about the fact that this protest was not just Republicans, but also Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, and Constitutionalists, and that even though we do not all agree on everything 100% of the time, we can stand together when there is something (insert bill passed in the last 86 days) this heinously wrong going on. " Those with the counter protest that I encountered were as gracious as they could be. They had their signs and literature. We had our signs and literature. And at no time was I harassed. I was offered literature, which I read and promptly put in the recycling bin. It was a good example of how a protest should happen.

My only regret about this day was, that I didn't bring the camera. Mamma's babies at their first protest rally! Awwwwww!

My First Born

2009-04-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Poor Professor, his Mother was sick on his birthday and the week following. So, it has taken me a week to post about my boy turning 9.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Look how big he is...

And he didn't complain when I couldn't make him a decorated birthday cake. He got canned icing.

Resurection Day

2009-04-13T09:20:00.002-05:00

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus my Saviour!
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watched His bed,
Jesus my Saviour!
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep his prey,
Jesus my Saviour!
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,
with a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose the victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose!
He arose!
Hallelujah!
CHRIST AROSE!

I've got more to say but...

2009-03-31T15:00:00.001-05:00

Just so you know I haven't dropped off the face of the earth...here is a little video I liked.

Thank You Notes

2009-03-05T15:03:00.006-06:00

So, God has been dealing with me and my independence. "Thanks, but I've got it." Used to be my mantra. I was raised to be sufficient, to do for yourself, to take care of others, and to not be a burden. The problem is that I sometimes have a problem distinguishing between "being a burden" and "needing help."

Last Monday, Rock woke up feeling a little puny. So, he stayed at home and worked here. Then that evening he had a big region meeting. When he came home, he was more than a little puny, he was sick and in pain. By the middle of the night he was really in pain, as in literally writhing in pain. So we decided the next morning to feed and clothe the kids, and go to the Dr. We were at the Dr. by 10 am, and by 11 am Rock was out of the Dr.'s office with orders to go to the ER.

Okay, now what.

I have to find someone to watch the kids. I can't take them to the ER. Who knows how long we'll be there. So I called one of the lovely young ladies in our church, we'll call her Angel. I didn't give her much time, but since she is such a sweet young lady she was ready in less than 10 minutes, when I picked her up from her house. One problem...she had a play rehearsal at 4:00. Well, at least the kids were taken care of for now.

Off to the hospital, and while on the way, I was making phone calls to Rock's managers, his boss, our pastors, and our family. We arrived at the hospital around 12 pm, and they promptly called Rock in to take his vitals, put him in a room, and came in to take blood and fluids for tests. Then the waiting happened. Rock was so tired and in so much pain he didn't want to talk, and didn't want to be talked to. So, I read a book I thought to take with me, every now and then remembered someone I needed to call, and fielded calls from Rocks phone to his Area Managers.

Wait, who was going to relieve Angel. I'd think about that while I called our neighbor (remember the one who rescued me from my migraine), to let her know I wouldn't be there to watch her son after school. Well, not only did she not need me to watch her son, but she immediately offered to watch the kids. She would be home just after 3 pm, so Angel would easily be able to get to her rehearsal. Okay, kids taken care of. More waiting.

Then the nurse came in and started an IV in Rock. He was extremely dehydrated, and he needed antibiotics because the blood tests showed his white blood cells were very elevated. Next the Dr. came in and asked questions and examined Rock. The first Dr.'s office had done an X-ray, but they decided they needed to do a ct scan. So a little while later they came in and took Rock for that scan. After he returned, it was less than an hour, and the nurse and Dr. were back in to tell us the bad news. Rock had diverticulitis, and had it bad enough that they were going to admit him to the hospital. Okay! Now we wait for a bed and a room. I called our neighbor to let her know that I was going to wait until Rock was settled in a room, and then I would be on my way home. It was 5:00. Not a problem, she was feeding them, and they were playing with her kids. More waiting.

For some reason this time the waiting seemed to go on forever. Around 6:45 I realized that it was going to be well past the kids bedtime before I got home, and our neighbor's sons had school the next morning. So, I called one of our pastors and his wife. They love taking care of the kids. They weren't home, but I left a message knowing they would call ASAP. Around 7 pm my parents called and said they were coming down to help. Around 7:15 our pastor called. It wasn't a problem, they would love to help. So, I called my neighbor to let her know they would be picking up the kids. They picked them up, took them across the street, read them a couple of stories, a Bible story, a Proverb, and put them to bed. And in true Grandparent style, they let Warrior wear his Mr. Incredible costume to bed.

Well, we got Rock in a room around 9 pm (in the maternity ward because the rest of the hospital was full), and they promptly came in, and gave him some pain killer. Nighty, night Rock. I got home, in time to eat something and go to bed.

The next morning, Z-Man's father called. "Did I need him to keep Z-man so that I could take care of Rock?" No, Z-Man is great, and really easy to care for. So as soon as he got to the house, I loaded all the kids in the suburban and headed to the hospital with Rock's stuff to see Daddy. You should have seen the looks on the faces of the volunteers and staff when I came into that hospital with Baby J on my hip and my 4 little ducks all in a row behind me. The kids were perfectly behaved. My parents showed up later that afternoon, and my neighbor cooked dinner for us. Then because my Mom and Dad were there, I was able to spend the evening at the hospital with Rock.

Thursday was pretty much a repeat of Wednesday, and Friday we were able to bring Rock home to actually rest. During this time, I tried to keep people up to date on Facebook, and through phone calls. We had more offers of help than I could accept, and more prayers than I could have ever imagined.

My parents when home on Saturday, since my Daddy had to be in the pulpit on Sunday, but the help didn't stop there. A little later that morning, Angel's father showed up at our house where he proceeded to mow and weed-eat the yard. How's that for a servants heart?

Now, what is the point of this terribly long tale? I wouldn't have been able to take care of Rock, without the generous help of my friends and family. And, I didn't tell you that along the way, I was often tempted to say, "Thanks but I've got it covered." I did say that to my parents, but they came anyway. And even though Rock's illness was not necessarily life threatening, because of the knowledge that I would have more than enough help, I was able to take care of my family.

I can truly say to each and every one of my friends and family, I am so blessed that Christ has given you to me.

Thank You

Proverbs brought to life

2009-02-23T15:08:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Proverbs because it is always timely and true. Whenever I need to correct behavior in my children (or myself), I can always find the words and authority I need in this blessed book of wisdom. This time they came from Proverbs 27:10

Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.(NKJV)

Now, I have a great relationship with my brother and my sis-n-law, but they live 5 hours away. So when I came down with a sick headache on Friday was I ever glad to have a wonderful neighbor nearby.

My headache started as, what I thought was a sinus headache, but quickly turned into a senses dulling, stomach turning, light and sound amplifying, lying on the couch with your face in a pillow and your hands over your ears, hoping that the kids don't destroy the house because you can't stop them, would rather be giving birth migraine. I called Rock, who was in Dallas at a regional meeting, to tell him I had a headache and I might need him to come home. Or, at least I tried to let him know that. I'm not real sure my words were all that coherent, as it hurt to even try to form a complete thought. Then I proceeded to try to get lunch on the table for my children. Well, the room began to sway. Then it began to be covered in purple and green spots. So...I wisely begot myself to the couch, and called on my neighbor.

Me: S___.

S: Well, Hi!

Me: I have a huge favor to ask of you.

S: Sure. What do you need.

Me: Can you come over and put lunch on the table for the kids. I can't get off the couch.

S: I'll be right there.

My darling neighbor came over, fixed lunch - from her own fridge no less - for the kids, changed Baby J's diaper and put him down to bed. All while I lay on the couch praying for sleep or death whichever would come fastest. Now, while this is an awesome act of service and kindness, let us not forget that during the day I have 5 children ages 8-17mo in my care. I am so blessed to have such neighbors and to be able to call them my friends.

Now, lest I forget, let me commend my own children. During the time that I was incapacitated, Professor and Princess kept the younger ones entertained, changed diapers, fixed snacks, and picked up messes. How's that for good kids?

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

2009-02-11T11:33:00.002-06:00

It could be termed "cruel and unusual punishment; " the fact that I made 265 cupcakes last night, put them on a table that Baby J can now reach, and then said the dreaded "n" word. And, if you ask Baby J he would tell you that it is indeed torture.

This is what 265 cupcakes look like all laid out on a table.

This is what a 17 month old looks like after being told, "No, no. You can't have the cupcakes."

This is what happens the very minute that Mommy turns her back.

Good thing there were extras.

I'll let him finish it later.

Christmas Day (Catch-Up #2)

2009-02-09T16:38:00.004-06:00

Christmas morning began rather calmly. I woke up, went into the kitchen, put the breakfast casserole in the oven (all without waking CarlDog, who was asleep on the sofa), and waited. I didn't really have to wait very long, as my nephews are early risers ( a trait I have successfully trained out of my children). I then began the task of keeping them fairly quiet until the rest of the kids woke up. It didn't take long, and I want you to know that those kids waited very patiently to open their presents until all were assembled in the living room.

Here the 5 older grandkids wait patiently for the adults to assemble...with Bohemian being the last one up.

Then chaos ensued.

I didn't manage to get very many pictures of the kids opening their gifts, as they were all to excited and moving faster than even my SLR digital could comprehend. Plus, I have decided that I like to watch the proceedings without a camera lens between me and the action. Baby J wasn't too sure about all the hubbub, but of one thing he was sure...He now had a ball.

I had to include this picture, because very seldom did we see Baby J and Lil' Spitfire sitting next to each other where one or both were not yelling and/or screaming at the other. We're not too worried as Warrior and Mr. Goldencurls couldn't get along at one time either, and now can't wait to play together.

It didn't take Baby J long to figure out how to use that Batman sword. Bonus: it makes noise (Bonus for Momma: it has an off switch)

Now, I know you are wondering why there is a picture of all the ladies in the house, and the grandkids sitting on top of a big lump. Well, the thing is...my baby brother is a huge night owl. Remember how we played Wii after the kids went to bed. Around 1 am those of us with a working knowledge of clocks and time, went to bed. Bohemian and Carldog...well they were still playing when I woke up at 4 am because of one of my children getting sick in their bed (Poor Warrior ended up with a stomach bug on Christmas day. The rest of us had it a couple days later). After the festivities of the gifts, Bohemian decided that he needed to take a nap. Well, Busybee and I decided that he needed to be up to help coral all the children so that all of the adults could get ready and could get the kids ready before the rest of the family arrived. So, being the thoughtful wife and sister that we are, we recruited the children to come and jump on their Uncle/Papa until he got up. Of course, we couldn't let them have all the fun, and did a little bit of jumping, tickling, and pestering ourselves; and my loving mother, of course, felt it incumbent upon her to also help.

Eventually we got him to this position, and called it good.

Now every year, since I can remember, we get up on Christmas morning, open our gifts, get ready, get in the car, and drive a minimum of 2 hours to my Grandparents' home. It is something I always enjoyed. However, this year my parents and grandparents wisely decided that it would be easier for my Grandparents to drive the two hours, than it would be for our family of 13 to pack up and travel. (Yes, 13 people in my parents 1900 square foot house. 7 adults, 6 children all 8 years old and under, and 5 dogs. It was fun. Honestly.)

Now, most people would panic at the thought of suddenly having to cook Christmas dinner for 20+ people (my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and their offspring came later), but I have this little demented side. I think I could kick Martha Stewart's uppity little tush when it comes to entertaining. It may not be as fancy and formal, but the food will be good, the company entertaining, and I won't be rushing you out the door. I love to have people over, and if it involves a really complicated timetable...Bring It On. So, with help from my Mother and Sister we got dinner served, a little late but served none the less. We opened a few more presents, and generally had a wonderful visit with our family.

Christmas Eve (Catch-Up #1)

2009-02-09T15:57:00.005-06:00

In our family Christmas Eve is called Dad's Birthday. The only thing for which my Father asks is that his family be there to eat dinner with him. However, because my brother, Bohemian, is a Youth Minister, it can be difficult to get us all there on that day as Bohemian usually has Christmas Eve services at his church. For some reason churches expect their ministers to be at the church when they have services. Go figure. I digress. I also got off subject. So, we all managed to be there this year, and it was way fun.

I spent all day cooking for Christmas day, and my fantastic Mother and Sis-n-Law, BusyBee, spent the day helping me and keeping the kids and dogs out from underneath my feet. The kids played, the adults visited, and pretty much a good time was had by all.

After dinner, but before bed time, we allow the kids to open one present...that present is (drum roll) pajamas. And believe it or not, it is actually a present that they kids look forward to getting. Then of course we have to put them on the couch for that all too important group photo of the grandchildren. After 15 or 20 (million) attempts at getting all 6 of them to look in the general direction of the camera, we will manage to get at least one passable picture.

Here they are! Aren't they cute?

Lil' Spitfire, Professor, Baby J, Warrior, Mr. Goldencurls, and Princess

And being the very sophisticated family that we are, we had to get a picture of all of them sticking their tongues out. Because we are very proud parents.

Now, all the kids got really cute pj's, but I think that Baby J's took the cake.

Nana-nana-nana-nana. Nana-nana-nana-nana. Batman!

complete with cape!

Now, of course, after all the frivolity of getting to open presents, and getting to change into new pajamas, the kids are very calm and ready for bed. And everyone who believes that...we now know you do not have children.

How many grandkids can you fit into an expandable ball? The world may never know, but you can fit 4 into this one.

Here Professor and Baby J "help" CarlDog work on his computer. For those of you who do not know, CarlDog is my adopted brother. Not legally, but who needs papers when your family!?

Here Grandpa and Mr. Cash Pugface try to help Mr. Goldencurls calm down for bed. Mr. Cash was a new addition to our family this year...he made himself right at home...and what's more we all loved him.

Now being the wonderful grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles that we are we did play Wii...

After the kids went to bed.

The Sweetest Words

2009-02-06T16:25:00.005-06:00

The sweetest words in all the world are

"I u u"

Especially when spoken by this face.

For those of you who do not speak toddler, he said

"I Love You"

I'm a Goober!!!

2009-02-06T11:24:00.006-06:00

I Sooooooooo want this book!!!

I am a true goober, because I am (and have been for as long as I can remember) a Miss Piggy fan. Maybe it's because she remindes me so much of ...well, me. She is demanding, vivacious, bossy to the point of irritating, she eats like a...well, a pig, and she can drop kick the nearest person/frog/muppet who happens to tick her off. Plus, unlike me, she manages to be all those things with style and every hair in place. Okay, so I'm not all of those things overtly, after all I have to live in polite society. But...I still want this book.

Then after I went to Barnes and Noble.com to find out how much it was and if it was in stock, I found these.

Wouldn't these make a great addition to my library? I mean who needs Bronte, Melville, or Austin...Bring on the Pig.

Oh, there you are...

2009-01-24T00:43:00.003-06:00

I have just found my way back to my computer. As I have not had any time to actually sit down and write a post, I have been keeping up with friends and family the old fashioned way...the phone. You see I have Blocked Writers Syndrome; not writers block, as that would mean that I have nothing to say, and that is never the case. I mean Blocked Writer's Syndrome; I can't seem to get to the computer to use it for more than a couple of minutes. I have so many things rolling around in my little head just waiting to be published, and I assure you they are going to be worth the minutes and minutes you are going to be wating with bated breath to read.

So, just be patient with me because it is late and I am going to bed, because I think it has forgotten who I am.

Okay, okay...

2009-01-06T14:36:00.003-06:00

So, over the Christmas Holiday I sent out Christmas cards and told everyone to "keep up with us on my blog" However, if you will look at the date on my last post it has now been one month since I posted. Can anyone say slacker? Well, hopefully things will slow down soon, since Rock has started Tax Season, and we are back in the swing of school. Believe it or not, I have ideas for several posts, and am wanting to share more day to day and home school stuff. In the mean time (or is it meen time?), if you want to read someone who consistently posts either check out Monks Wife or Virginia Guthries and you will have more than enough to read.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2008-12-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Other than the fact that my baby wants to sit in a big boy chair.

Extreme Fieldtripping

2008-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

While to most kids field trips are becoming a thing of the past, to homeschoolers they are very real and happen quite often, or when Mom can manage. I have been trying to get a trip to the fire department planned for quite a while. However, due to time restraints, scheduling conflicts, and just plain confusion it hadn't happened. Then on Thanksgiving Day the kids and I got an awesome gift.

My cousin, J.B., is a fireman with the Tahlequah (Pronounced "Tal a Kwa") Fire Department in Tahlequah, OK. He told us to come by the station after we had eaten. We didn't tell the kids until we were getting ready to walk out the door. They were so excited, but this trip was well worth it.

When we got to the station J.B. let the kids simply wander around. They were in awe of all of the different trucks, hoses, tubes, ladders, etc. Although, I was disappointed that there was no fire pole. J.B. told me he was also disappointed, but said he tries to not let it affect his job.

Here the kids are climbing all around one of the trucks.

Then of course they had to try on a real fire helmet
Warrior

Professor

Princess

Then they all got their own hats.

Then J.B. pulled one of the trucks out of the garage/bay, and the fun really began. He let the kids run the sirens. They got to open doors, touch equipment, pull on hoses, and ask more questions than one adult could keep up with, but J.B. did pretty well. And to top it all off, J.B. took the kids for a ride around the block in the truck. How cool is that?

Here Professor and Warrior are buckled in with one of their cousins to take that ride.

One really funny thing was that Professor was completely fascinated by the windows in the truck. They rolled up and down using a handle instead of a button (ugh! How old am I?).

Baby J got to participate, too. Although, he was content to do it from the safety of Rock's arms.

We did put J.B's first aid skills to the test when Professor shut his thumb in the door of the truck. Praise God it was equipped with a safety feature that keeps the door from being able to pinch the finger off. Professor got off with a sore skinned thumb.

Here are all the kids with J.B. For that day he was the "Best Cousin EVER!"

Before we left we had to check out the antique truck from 1901. It is still in working condition, although J.B. said it is an all day event to get it started. This truck was also featured in the movie "Where the Red Fern Grows," which was filmed in Tahlequah.

Here are my Mom and Dad with Princess on the truck. My Mom grew up in Tahlequah, and my Dad met her while they were both attending Northeastern State University which is in town.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good day, and what a terrific adventure!

Thank You J.B. and the Tahlequah Fire Department! Keep up the good work!

Our Princess

2008-12-03T13:00:00.001-06:00

Someday she is going to kill me for this.

This is what happens when you let the kids use your camera.

Why I Love Gift Cards

2008-12-02T15:42:00.003-06:00

I come from a very pragmatic family when it comes to gift giving.
1. You don't give expensive gifts if you can't afford them.
2. You keep your personal feelings out of what you give someone (If he wants a singing fish and you can get it cheap, buy the stupid thing.).
3. The cheaper you can get the gift the better, and bragging about your bargain is totally acceptable; because that person should be completely impressed that you gave them exactly what they wanted and saved yourself money in the process.
4. Things that you have taken the time to make are always better than anything store bought no matter how inexpensive the materials.
5. Gift cards are absolutely okay to give. Especially if you didn't have time to make anything.

Our family especially likes to give and get hand made gifts. One of my favorite gifts my sis-in-law, BusyBee, at The Beehive gave me were some handmade paper Nutcracker Christmas Tree ornaments. She gave them because she and my brother were newlyweds, and she could make them cheap, but I think they are awesome (Plug: you can see many of BusyBee's handmade paper products at her Etsy store The Beehive). I spent $15 my first Christmas I was married and made crocheted tree ornaments, and for the past few years I've had complaints that I haven't been giving ornaments. My Grandmother and Grandfather are always making awesome things for we grandchildren and the great-grandchildren, and we will fight over them, steal them, hide them, and try to get out the door with them even if they aren't ours.

However, I also have to say that I love to get gift cards. Why? Well, it is simple really. It is money that is designated for shopping! It is a card that says, "You cannot spend me on groceries, car repairs, bills, or anything necessary. I must be spent on something you don't really need, but you have always wanted." As a mother of 4, I can tell you that a little guilt free shopping is always welcome, and it doesn't matter if it is a card for $5. I promise you that there is something that I will love that costs just that amount. This goes for my darling Sis-in-Law, BusyBee, who sells handmade paper products at her Etsy store The Beehive and takes special orders, who loves to get that Hobby Lobby gift card, and my Mother who loves to get that Sonic gift card. For me Creative Memories, Hobby Lobby or Barnes and Noble are winners.

So just keep these ideas in mind when you are buying gifts. And did I mention that my wonderful Sis-in-Law, BusyBee has an Etsy shop, The Beehive, where you can buy many pre-made or special order handmade paper crafts and the link to her store is in my side bar. I'm just sayin'.

The Natural Balance

2008-11-26T18:39:00.002-06:00

Well, it has been done. The natural balance of the universe is now out of kilter, and Rock is to blame for this catastrophe.

Since we drive from TX to OK and the drive is five plus hours long, we often employ a portable DVD player. In the past, Professor has been in charge of loading DVD, starting the movies, pushing buttons, etc. However, because of the way that the screens had to be attached to our car, this trip Princess is in charge of the DVD player. Oh Mercy Me! Professor has done everything he can think of to try to get back into the drivers seat (so to speak). Princess is of course most gracious in her new found power, and is not at all letting her older brother know that he now has no power.

And how do I know that this is really getting to Professor? From the back seat I hear him ask Princess for the remote (yes, a remote for a mobile DVD player). After she so kindly refuses we hear...But I haven't gotten to push one button.

Behind the Camera

2008-11-26T07:50:00.002-06:00

There are never any pictures of me. Well, at least any pictures that I would share with the greater world. Not that I run and hide from the camera, but because I am usually behind the camera.

As I work on scrapbooks, I really become aware of this fact; and wonder, if in about 3 generations, my great-great-grandchildren will look through the memories so lovingly and carefully preserved, see one of those rare pictures of me, and wonder...Who is that lady?

...And We're Off

2008-11-25T08:51:00.006-06:00

This was the scene at our house last night. Warrior was eating a piece of bread, when his baby brother pulled up to him and demanded a bite. Sharing ensued. It was so cute I just had to take some pictures, but eventually the bread was gone.

Warrior left Baby J standing alone. Then...

He took his first step!

This is a picture of his actual first step. I was already taking pictures, and he took this step just as I was taking another shot.

He got just a few more steps in after this. Then we had to get the video camera and see if we could get it on moving film.

He stood for Rock, but he wouldn't come to him.

He would however come to big brother.

And big sister...as long as she had bread.

I'll post the video as soon as I figure out how to do so.

Momma's Night Out

2008-11-21T22:56:00.002-06:00

I love my job!

There is nothing more fulfilling that having a career that centers around the husband and children with which God has blessed you.

Now, with that being said...tonight I needed the companionship of my girlfriends, and to not have to answer to my blessed title for a couple of hours. My very compassionate husband sent me on my way to my friend and Creative Memories consultant's (we'll call her Joy) home where she was having a scrapbooking get together. I didn't complete much on my album, because the pages I was working on were rather complicated. However, I did get to spend some time in the company of other women who know the joys and frustrations of Motherhood.

God blessed me when he led me to Joy. I found her on the Creative Memories website, and she has been a blessing to me. She is bubbly, vivacious, and loves God, her husband, and her daughters. And not only that, but her spirit is infectious. You cannot leave Joy's home without being lifted up. She is one of those who is for me another piece of iron and a Titus 2 friend.

After having been in her company I am being resolved to be the kind of person Joy is for me. One who's friends find comfort, joy, and encouragement in her presence. One who points the way to the foot of the Cross where we find true joy. Not necessarily by pointing to it outright, but who leads others there because they can see the true joy that only dependence upon God can bring.

So tonight, because of the encouraging words of my friend, I am going to bed, not frustrated and tired, but feeling truly blessed to be a wife, mother, and friend.

EWWWWWW!!!!!!

2008-11-06T19:04:00.006-06:00

Everyone say it with me, because it just has to be said, along with a shiver up your spine. Now, I am not the housekeeper that my mother is, but I'm no slouch. I mean the crumbs under the high chair and in the corner are only one or two days old. So I was completely shocked, horrified and, well totally grossed out when Princess says to me, "Ew gross! Momma there is a worm on the floor." Of course I didn't think much about it, and told her I would get it after I had finished explaining what an outline was to her brother. However, almost immediately she says, "Eww there's another one. And there's another one. Momma, there are a whole bunch of them on the floor." About this time I figure it is time to investigate. And sure enough there were a whole bunch of them, but they weren't worms. No, they weren't fuzzy little caterpillars. No, they weren't grubs. No, on my kitchen floor were maggots. EWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

Immediately I sprang into action, and after I had done my gross out dance I got everyone out of the kitchen. I put Baby J in his room, and charged Warrior and Z-Man to play with him in there. A task they undertook, but were loathe to do so because the prospect of inspecting those little white worms was much more interesting. I then had Princess and Professor put on their shoes and gave them the task of squishing the vermin. I figured this was the best way to keep maggots out of my carpet, because that was the general direction they seemed to be headed.

The children took to their assigned tasks. Warrior and Z-Man took turns coming out of the nursery to check on progress, and Princess and Professor flooded me with questions about maggots and flies while I frantically emptied the trash and searched every possible place from where they could be coming. That means I cleaned out the bottom of the pantry (nothing there but dirt from potatoes, onion skins, and dog hair). I cleaned out the bottom of the coat closet (nothing there but a vacuum, a bag of wrapping paper, a bag of unopened McDonald's toys, and dog hair). I cleaned out from underneath the fridge (a spoon, a ball, and dog hair). I cleaned out from underneath the stove (popcorn kernel, Polly Pocket shoe, and dog hair.) I cleaned out from underneath the sink (fish tank supplies, dish detergent, bucket of cleaning implements, no dog hair). I could not find where those things came from, and I decided that the dog needed to be groomed.

Just about the time I got the entire kitchen/dining room/entry way torn apart it was lunch time. Are you kidding me?!?! Time to pay a visit to the local $5 for a medium pizza place.

Needless to say I spent the entire day on my hands and knees washing all the tile in the house. During this time I was also teaching the older two. I somehow managed to have the floor finished by the time Baby J got up from his nap, but the kitchen was in chaos and I was dangerously close to becoming a blathering idiot. Because, I forgot to mention, this day was Wednesday. Which meant that I also needed to take a shower and try to at least resemble a female human, I needed to do prep for the little kids Bible study class I teach on Wed, I needed to have dinner ready early, I needed ............the list at that time seemed endless. I even called and cried to Rock who was ready to let me stay home so that I could make some sense out of the mess of the house, and maybe get a shower and a nap.

By the time Rock got home I was a little more in control, but still teetering on the edge. Rock advised going to church and leaving some of the mess, because I needed to be with my church family. I managed to get in a short shower (had to wear the do rag and make-up?), we opted for dinner at Sonic, and got to the church a little early so that I could get my lesson completed. You know, Rock was right. I needed that time with the kids in my class, and the sympathy and love of my fellow Christians. By the time we got home, I was better prepared to get that kitchen whipped back into shape - with Rock's help of course.

Call Off the Angry Mob

2008-11-06T19:03:00.008-06:00

After many threats to my health and complaints about how little I blog here are the cutest Halloween pictures you will every see. Every year Professor makes decorations to go on our door. He draws them, he colors them, he cuts them out, and he puts them up. I think he does an excellent job, and they get more complicated with each year.

Here is Rock lighting the Jack-O-Lanterns we carved "for the kids." I'll bet you'll be able to guess who the Superman belongs to in a minute.

There they are. Aren't they cute/cool/pretty?

Baby J dressed as Little Caesar. Quite appropriate since he rules around our house. And the laurel wreath lasted just long enough for me to get this picture.

It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's SUPERMAN!!!

Complete with curl.Up, up, and away!

Princess is what else...

a princess

Complete with Momma's sparkly earrings and a crown with "real" diamonds.

"Hey, Lady! You call him Dr. Jones!"

By the way did you know that the beard isn't real? Professor made sure to tell everyone. So that they wouldn't be deceived.

Yes, I actually bought him a whip, and yes it has now been confiscated.

Now put away the pitchforks.

The Rock Gets Older

2008-10-24T08:46:00.002-05:00

Right here I would love to post a picture of Rock and I, but the problem is that I don't have a picture of Rock and I together that isn't a few gazillion years old or on anothe computer. Anywho, Rock's birthday was yesterday, and I love to celebrate his birthday. Why? Because the way he wants to celebrate is so simple and lovely at the same time.

We ate dinner together as a family. Then opened presents. We got him a nice leather Bible cover,because he wanted to be able to carry more than just his Bible to church. And we gave him "The Apple Dumplin' Gang" and "The Apple Dumplin' Gang Rides Again," because our family is just corny and campy enough that we love the old Disney movies. Plus it just doesn't get much funnier than Tim Conway and Don Knots.

After presents was cake, marble with canned frosting. I have yet to figure out why he would rather have canned frosting than my homemade frosting. I make a killer chocolate cake and frosting. I think he is just trying to save me a step - which I appreciate. Finally, we stayed at the table and played Sorry as a family.

It was a perfectly simply and perfectly perfect end to the day.

On his birthday Rock makes me appreciate him even more. I can't say enough about how wonderful this man is. God gave him to me because I needed him, and God doesn't make mistakes. I am the stronger personality, but Rock is the stronger person. I am lost without him, and don't want to know what my life would be like if he wasn't around. He loves me unconditionally, and I give him alot of conditions. I'm sure he gets frustrated with me (I get frustrated with me), but he loves me inspite of all my shortcomings. I thank God that he has given me such a man as Rock. He is a man who loves his family more than his work and loves God more than his family. He is my better half, my completion, my Rock.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

The Mouth of Babes

2008-10-22T08:03:00.002-05:00

I know I should be posting things about school, and the things that Baby J is doing, and all the wonderful things in my life, but right now I only have time to post this.

Warrior came into the kitchen this morning and after giving his Daddy and I a hug and kiss, proceeded to climb up on a chair in the kitchen to cook his own breakfast (toast). As he stood on his chair, I noticed that his pj pants were on backwards.

"Warrior, you silly boy, your pants are on backward, " I said. And without missing a beat he quipped, "That's okay. My underwear is on backwards, too."

Homeschooling Blues

2008-10-09T10:33:00.006-05:00

Yes, we get them. We all get them. You know one of those mornings where you are ready to pack up the whole lot of them, march them down to the local public school, and forget that it was ever your responsibility to educate them.

All I asked Princess to do was to write a journal entry. There would be no grade on spelling (as if there ever is, she dictates I write) or handwriting. All she had to do was tell me about something she was excited about doing, or something she had done, or... just anything. Well you would have thought I had just asked her to write her Doctoral Dissertation.

Since it was her journal, I asked her what she wanted to write about. She decided that she wanted to write about her friend's birthday party that is happening tomorrow. For the past three days the child has done nothing but talk about what is going to happen at that party. "We are going to go swimming because they have a heater in their pool. She is going to have a Hanna Montana cake. Can we go to the store on Thursday to get her present? I want to get her a Princess doll. She has Bratz dolls, but I don't want to get her a Brat (thank goodness)." On and on and on this child has gone about this party. But heaven forbid that I should ask her to sit down and write it. Now in all fairness, she was willing to write it, as long as I sat by her and told her how to spell all the words. But, the assignment is for her to write it, misspellings, bad grammar, incorrect punctuation and all. So that by the end of the year, we can look over all of her journal entries (one every 4 weeks) and see how much of a better writer she has become.

Well, when she asked me how to spell Birthday, and I would only ask her, "How do you think it is spelled?" and then proceed to help her sound it out. That was when the tears started to flow. She could not get past not spelling the words correctly. She is having a conniption fit over invented spelling. I am about to pull my hair out, because my daughter is having a weeping fit over spelling. Spelling in a journal entry. AAARRRRRRGGGGGG!!!! Now she is so upset that we have put the assignment on hold until she can calm down and do it. Because I am refusing to give in on this.

Honestly, I have no idea where this girl gets her drama and stubbornness.

Later that same day:

Okay, the drama is over. Princess did her writing assignment, and as predicted it was pretty much unreadable. Not illegible, because she has beautiful handwriting, but she doesn't know how to spell most things and many of the words were misspelled/mispronounced. After she handed it to me and I read it with her help, I put a sticker on it and we put it in her language arts folder. Then we settled in on the couch to read Pollyanna. Now that is what homeschooling is about.

I Hate this Book

2008-10-07T21:53:00.004-05:00

Not everyone knows that I am a reader. I love to read, and I have been trying to increase my reading of not only fiction literature, but also of history and theology. Unfortunately, my life being what it is (wonderfully busy), I haven't been able to read as much as I would like. For the past month I have been reading a book called Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges. So what is a "respectable sin"? You know, those ones we Conservative Evangelical Reformed Christians cultivate in our hearts. I'm not talking about the gross flagrant sins of "the world," but those that you can hide from the others around you (ie. worry) or those that we excuse (ie. pride in our own spirituality and impatience with the spiritual immaturity of others).

The reason I am beginning to really dislike this book is that it is making me really look at my own sin. It is making me have to admit that I am not a good as I think I am. That I have actual sin in my life. It is making me have to be more patient with my own children, and realize that many of the sins that I try to correct in them are still in me; and though maybe not seen by men, most definately seen by the thrice Holy God. The problem is that even though these sins may not be evident to others, or even to me, they are sin. I have missed the mark. I have violated the whole law of God. I am a sinner, and I need to remember, before I judge my brother/sister/child for their more flagrant sins, that "There but the Grace of God go I."

"Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner."

You Won't Believe Your Eyes

2008-10-07T13:36:00.003-05:00

Everyone wait with bated breath. Are you ready for this astonishing announcement? It is a miracle of miracles, a triumph of the ages, and may never happen again in this lifetime.

I started and finished the laundry all in one day.

Now husbands pick your wives up off the floor, and assure them that, while it can be done, it was most certainly an extremely freakish happenstance and that next week that woman will most definitely be taking 3-4 days to finish what she finished in one this week. However, I just had to celebrate this wonderful occasion with you all.

Now off to mop the floors.

Redecorating

2008-09-30T15:23:00.006-05:00

Well, we started the redecorating/painting process in May, and now nearly 5 months later I have finished the projects we started, and for the most part everything is like I want it. I know you have seen the bathroom, but we also painted each childs room, moved Baby J from our room to his own room, moved Princess to a different room, painted the living room, painted the entry, dining room and kitchen, and I made window dressings for our entry, dining room, living room and kitchen. So here are the finished results for those areas.

Before

After

And I breathe a sigh of relief...until next spring when I tackle the office.

Day in the Life of a Jedi

2008-09-25T18:39:00.004-05:00

Warrior and Z-man play so well together, and this is the dialogue that we hear from the other side of the galaxy.

W: DarthMal

Z: Yeah.

W: You're the bad guy.

Z: Yeah, I know.

W: That means I have to kill you.

Z: Not right now. I'm busy.

W: DarthMal.

Z: Yeah.

W: Are you cleaning up?

Z: Yeah.

Very shortly thereafter both warriors enter the living room where the Imperial modes of transportation are a True Value metal pick-up truck and a farm tractor.

It's tough being a Jedi on a budget.

Look Who's One!

2008-09-12T21:41:00.008-05:00

Here is my Big Boy...Baby J!!!

We all know it is coming. Every parent knows that their babies will grow up, and with both excitement and trepidation we look forward to that happening. Excitement, because God has given us such a wonderful gift, a huge responsibility, and a glorious opportunity. We get the privelage of training one of God's creations to love and serve Him. We also get the privelage of loving that little person and seeing how God uses them to grow us. Trepidation, because we know that our time with them is short, and they become so much a part of our lives that we almost hate to see them grow.

One year ago, the Lord blessed Rock and I with the birth of our fourth child, and oh how much we love him. We can't imagine what our lives would be like without him. Thank you Lord for the blessing of our Baby Boy.

We celebrated Baby J's birthday in Oklahoma with my parents. And what a Birthday celebration it was...my Brother, the Bohemian, who Baby J is named after, and my Sister-in-Law, Busy Bee, and their two boys, Mr. Golden Curls and Lil' Spitfire, were there as well. Baby J got a double whammy of grandparents when Rock's Mother, Nan, came down for the celebration.

Here is a picture of Baby J's Birthday cake. We had us a zoo theme.

He was excited about the cake and candle, until...

We took him out of his chair to remove his outfit in an attempt to save his clothes and then put him back into his chair. Then he wasn't so happy.

Daddy soothed the savage beast by giving him a tast of the icing

He gave it a try himself and then...

I think he liked it, don't you?

Presents? Well, he got lots of neat stuff, but wasn't really sure what to do about unwrapping them. I would show him how to unwrap by tearing a little here and there, but he was perfectly happy to play with the little piece of paper he tore off. He did, however, know how to unload the gift bags.

Here he is with his Grandma Bear. My Mom always takes the kids to Build a Bear for their first birthday. She lets them choose the one they want, and that is the one they get. Baby J really likes his Grandma Bear.

All in all, I'd say it was a really good day.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

ARG!!!

2008-09-11T21:28:00.002-05:00

All right, all right...I am really in stop and go mode. I am going to have to actually open up my laptop in order to post pictures, but right now I am in the midst of trying to get my home back together, conduct school, and basically just survive. I'm off to a scrapbooking day all day on Saturday. From that I am hoping to gain some sanity, and hopefully post something on Sunday. Now, someone tell me...What day is today?

Where to begin...

2008-09-04T14:43:00.003-05:00

Okay, I have been completely repremanded by everyone I know in real life and on-line for not posting for the past month and a half. So much has happened, and I honestly haven't stopped to even think about a blog post. So...let's see where do I start catching everyone up...

We finished 95% of the painting that needed to be done indoors. That means that every room in the house has been repainted with the exception of the office and my bathroom. Both of those rooms will just have to wait until next spring. I finished making the window dressings for the main areas of the house this past weekend, and am now trying to decide what needs to be done to the big wall behind my kitchen table. We have bought a few decorating things and hung them up, and basically finally put our mark on the house we have now owned for nearly 2 years (September 8). I promise I'll post pictures later, but I'm riding in a car right now.

We have started school, and finished half of our 4th week this week, and will complete the rest of it next week when we get home.

Professor is in the 3rd grade, and that is completely blowing my mind. He is really into Legos and has also learned how to do stop action photography where he makes his own little movies using Lego's and Transformers. He has gotten so long and lanky. It makes me sad that he is growing up, but at the same time it is really exciting to see what the Lord is doing in his life.

Princess is in 1st grade, and is starting to become quite a reader. She hasn't realized that she can read yet, but it won't be long before I won't be able to stop her. She is becoming quite the little mother and a terrific helper to her mother. I have alot of help with folding laundry, cooking dinner (she made the spaghetti sauce one night), dusting the house, and even cleaning the bathrooms.

Warrior is really coming into his own. He plays with Z-man (the little boy we watch during the week) during the week, but loves to play with his big brother and sister. He has become my right hand man in the kitchen, wanting to see what is going on, and doing little odds and ends for me. He has even graduated to making breakfast for us (toast) on a few occasions. I'm thinking that any little boy who likes to watch the bread bake may have some culinary skills that just need to be unearthed.

Baby J is growing like a weed, and will be 1 year old tomorrow. I can't believe that one year has already passed. He is crawling everywhere, pulling up to everything, and beginning to eat us out of house and home. This kid likes his meat. Sure he only has six teeth, but that hasn't stopped him from yelling at his Daddy to put more meat on his tray. As far as he is concerned, baby food is kid stuff.

In August we helped my brother, Bohemian, and my sister-in-law, Busy Bee, move into their new home in Hot Springs. It was a long hot process, but something we were happy to do because they had lived apart for 6 months while both trying to find a house and trying to sell their old house. Well they are back together as a full family and, according the Busy Bee, things are much better now.

Right now Rock and I and our little brood are headed for Oklahoma again for two different celebrations. The first is for Baby J, who will turn 1 tomorrow. We are going to have a really fun family party where he will be ooed and aahed over, and will blow out a candle and have some more cake (come on people he's my 4th did you really expect me to wait to give the kid some cake?) and open some presents that people will promptly take away from him so that he can open another present that will be taken away, etc. Let's face it...this party is for us, but we are going to enjoy it none the less. The second celebration is for my Daddy's 25th Anniversary celebration at Bethel Baptist Church. It isn't often that a pastor sticks around for 25 years, and it is even more unusuall for an Associate Pastor to do so, but my Dad has been a stable source for Bethel through so many of the good and bad times. He's just that kind of man.

Yes, we are busy, but as Rock gears up for Tax Season and the kids and I get into the groove of school things may calm down enough for me to make more regular posts...but I make no promises.

Trial by Fire

2008-07-26T13:19:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was privileged to be able to play TAPS at a funeral for one of our Veterans. I waited for the rifles to finish and present arms, and I began the first notes. At that time I also felt a stinging/burning sensation on my foot, then another, then another. I had been discovered by a small group of fire ants, and I because I was playing, I couldn't get away from them. I really wanted to jump up and down and swat at my feet to squash the vicious little things, but I wasn't about to stop playing and draw attention to myself... so being the good marching band geek that I am, I simply took it. I would have sworn that my foot would be covered with the filthy little insects, but when I finally finished playing I counted only 4 of them. I have six bites on my right foot, and two on my left so wearing shoes is out of the question today. On the upside, the Marine detail was impressed that I stood and suffered. Stupid Ants.

Decorating update...

2008-07-24T11:25:00.002-05:00

I have been painting since Saturday. I have been painting the same rooms since Saturday, and this morning I finally finished. Now, granted it was a big job with alot of cutting in, but it has never taken me 4 days to finish painting anything. Today, I will go forth and search for window coverings. I may actually get these areas finished before the beginning of next week. Then I can finally open my Sonlight boxes, that I have been faithfully leaving alone until I was finished with these rooms.

*************************************************

Tuesday, I sent Princess out to some storage cabinets in the garage to retrieve a plastic cup for my use in painting. While she was looking for the cup, she found some party hats from past birthday parties.
"Momma, can I have this hat to play with?"
"Yes."
"Can I get one for Professor and Warrior?"
"Yes."
"Can we play with the other party stuff?"
To this I started to say "No." but for what else was I going to use it? So, they retrieved the bag from the cabinet and delved into the treasures therein. About 2 minutes later they had set up their very own birthday party with, a table cloth, Princess's dishes, party guests (stuffed animals) in hats and masks, and even a few decorations. They then spent the rest of the morning playing party games.

This morning I found one of the guests in my closet who obviously won at Hide-n-Seek. I wish I could have found my camera in time to take a picture, but as with all of childhood you have to be fast to catch the moments because they dissipate all too quickly.

No No

2008-07-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

The one thing I know that I have given my children is their ability to be Drama-Kings and Queens. And it has now evidenced itself in Baby J. Check out this face.

Now, you would think that we had swatted his little tushy or yelled at him, but no. All you have to say is "No, no." You don't even have to say it in a harsh way, you can be all sweet and gooey, but if you say "no, no" you will get that priceless look and a whimper and/or crying with real tears in his eyes. Now that is what I call D-R-A-M-A.

Switching Things Up

2008-07-14T06:00:00.007-05:00

We have been busy around here. I am finally finished painting and moving Princess and Baby J into their current locations.

Princess was moved into my former work room - more on that later - so that she could have more floor space. She has a Queen sized bed so that we have a guest bed. In her former room, even though it is a nice size room, she just didn't have any space to really play. Also, the walls were painted a flat pink paint that was D-I-R-T-Y. I chose this room for her because it had a walk-in-closet, but because of the floor layout her dresser had to be in the closet so she didn't really have alot of space in there. With this new room her dresser is in the room, but out of the flow of the room, and even though her closet is smaller it actually has more space. I painted it a really pretty color called Sauted Mushroom in satin finish and then stenciled a diamond/flur de lis on one wall with pink. I also found a terrific all wood headboard on Craig's List for $25 to complete the look. Finally, Rock switched the ceiling fan in the room that the older boys share, which was white and frilly, with the one in Princess' current room that was far more masculine. All in all I think it turned out beautifully.

Baby J is now in Princess' old room and, although I lost my work room, Rock and I are the only occupants of our Master Bedroom after 10 months. Since moving Baby J, Rock and I have slept better and Baby J has slept better. And Momma with better sleep is a better Momma. I painted the room a very neutral light kahki color, and moved his crib out of my room (giving me more space) and his changing table out of the boys room (giving them more space). It looks really nice but I'm not going to get to settled with it, because come April we are going to be moving the boys around again.

Bathroom Re-Do

2008-07-11T09:29:00.009-05:00

Now I know that you are wondering what I have been doing that has kept me so busy, well...aside from being on vacation and throwing a birthday party for Princess, Rock and I have been busy painting the inside of the house, and moving children around to different rooms. Today you get to see what I have done with the kids/guest bathroom. I really do like how it came out.

Before

When we started, the sink area was a light yellow and the original construction white with a flag/heart border, and the tub/toilet area was a navy blue. All flat paint and all impossible to clean. Plus we had that terrific light fixture and even though you can't see it...carpet. Yes, carpet. Whoever decided that carpet in the bathroom was a good idea obviously didn't have children, let alone little boys.

After

Now the wallpaper border is gone and both rooms are a really pretty Wedgwood blue-ish color in satin paint so that we can clean it. The carpet is gone and the floor is now painted/faux finished, and sealed. There are some nice Red,White, & Blue accents (some with a Texas spin), and a great new light fixture (which we bought on clearance...WOOHOO!!!).

All Hail the Princess

2008-07-10T06:41:00.005-05:00

I can't believe she's 6!

Isn't she beautiful folks, and she is just as sweet on the inside (most of the time). We usually do the big birthday parties on the 1st, 5th, and probably on the 10th, but this time we made an exception. You see, Princess is the only girl in our family. Last year we had her big blowout birthday party with family, and as we set down to the table to open presents and eat cake we noticed a severe lack of females in the relatives her age. Amid all the princess decorations and the dolls, earrings, and pink bibles sat our little girl and one, two, three, four, five, six stinky little boys. So, we decided this year we would have an all out girls-only-no-boys-allowed party.

We handed out princess themed invitations, the girls dressed in their princess attire, we did distinctly girly activities, and we had a great time.

All the Princesses in all their girly glory!

Princess and our friend from afar decorating their cakes.

Momma Monk's ladies and a next door neighbor.

You should have seen them decorating. It was quiet...actually quiet they were so engrossed.

Just what every princess needs...more shoes...The girls decorated flip-flops and most of them wore them home.

Princess with her Ladies in Waiting.

We had such a good time and she loved every minute of it. It was a good day.

The Wisdom of the Young

2008-06-16T18:58:00.001-05:00

I am constantly amazed at the spiritual zeal that I see in many of my young friends. In particular one young lady who is a member of my parents' church. She is a sweetie, and I have known her since she was just a little girl. As a matter of fact I used to babysit for her and her siblings.

She has grown from a sweet little girl into a beautiful young woman of 19, and she is in the early courting stages with a young man. I hadn't gotten to talk to her since they started courting, and I, of course, took the opportunity to put my nose in where it didn't necessarily belong while I am visiting my parents and their church.

I expected a very mature way of looking at her relationship, because this young woman is anything but boy crazy. However, I did not expect it to be quite so spiritually focused. When I asked her about her young man, she flooded me with examples of his character, of his spiritual maturity, and of his love of the Lord. As a matter of fact if I didn't know what he looked like, I would have had no idea what he looked like.

Then she told me of how she was keeping up with her friends, using Facebook, and how they were supporting each other in their spiritual walk. She told me of how the Lord was working in her life, of how He was growing her daily, of her struggles in her sanctification process, and of God's strength in those trials. Suddenly, I realized how shallow my own relationship with Christ had become, but because of her eddifying words I was encouraged to go before my Father and begin again (not for the last time I'm sure) the relationship that He had started and not abandoned.

How often do we as "adults" think that we have so much wisdom to give and share simply because we are older, when if we would simply listen to the praise of God that flows from the lips of the young yet completely sold out, we would see how far we have to go.

I thank God for my friends, of all ages, and pray that he will keep me ever humble and constantly looking to the Throne of Grace.

Busy, busy, busy...

2008-06-13T11:04:00.002-05:00

Well, it has been almost 3 weeks since I last posted, but in my defense I have been extremely busy.

The Bathroom is nearly finished. The floor and walls are painted, and all we have left to do is replace the light fixtrue, put up the towel hooks and rings, hang the shower curtain, caulk the tub, and put down quarter round. After that list it doesn't really sound like we're close to being done does it.

Rock and I just got back from Las Vegas where he had a convention. We left the kidos with Grandma and Grandpa and went on this little trip by ourselves. We went to see Blue Man Group. That was a show worth seeing, it was really fun, and most of it wasn't at all what I expected. And, while we were there, we decided that Vegas was really kind of lost on us. We don't party at clubs, we don't gamble, and, since having kids, we aren't night owls. I did however get to sleep in and also managed to read 1.5 books. It was a good trip, but I am so glad to be back with my babies. I needed the break, and the time alone with Rock, but it is sure nice to be back as a whole family.

Life Goes On

2008-05-21T14:09:00.001-05:00

Well, Monday I was going to post about laundry day and stuff like that, but I also knew that if I wanted to have a coherent post I was going to have to wait until after the small fry went to bed. However, Rock got energetic and took the carpet and tack strip out of the kids bathroom. This being done we decided that we needed to go to our local Home Depot and Lowe's to get ideas on how to paint the bathroom and the bathroom floor. Needless to say we didn't get home until late, and I just didn't feel like posting.

Tuesday morning Rock got up and took Professor to Wal-Mart to buy a new baseball glove. Professor was not happy about it. You see, he has now learned a very valuable lesson about taking care of his stuff. Two weeks ago he left his glove at the ballpark, last week we hoped that it would still be there or that the coach had found it and picked it up - it wasn't and he hadn't. So, Professor had to buy a replacement glove with his own money. I'm thinking he is going to keep a closer eye on this one.

Today, I have a migraine so needless to say I'm done for the day.

Home-Working

2008-05-16T08:20:00.000-05:00

In response to my darling Sis-in-Law's request, I have decided to go ahead and post about how Rock and I run our household. We live in a reasonably clean and tidy home, with four children aged 8 to 8 months, we homeschool our children, and also have the care of another boy during the week. Now, here is the big reveal, I am absolutely not perfect in respect to running a household. I was born to a family of planners and organizers, I mean, after all I am descended from my Mother and Grandfather. However, the planner and organizer that I am, I have a hard time staying on track, and will often find myself up to my chin in stacks of paper, old toys, and school work that needs to be graded. This will result in a breakdown of the tearful type, followed by 3-4 days of me raging through the house cleaning and organizing everything in site, and basically driving poor Rock up the wall. So, while I offer these steps, please do not feel that I am some Superwoman or that I have arrived, because that particular destination is not even in sight.

Schedule, schedule, schedule

I have a schedule for keeping my house clean. Actually, I have a schedule for pretty much everything. It is short and simple and includes daily and weekly chores. I've had this schedule since Rock and I got married simply because I will forget to do something or let something slide if that something is not written in list form for me to check off . Actually, it is more like this, I believe that my head will explode if I do not check off everything that is on my to-do list for the day.

The first thing I did was to make a list of chores and put them in the categories of daily, weekly, and occasionally. As in, daily - make beds, feed dog, clean kitchen, etc; weekly - laundry, vacuum, etc; occasionally - clean window blinds, clean out coat closet, wash base boards. Now some of you are saying, "This chick has a serious problem keeping to her tasks." Well, yes and no, I do have a tendency to procrastinate, but it drives me nuts to think that there is something on my to-do list that is not done. Plus, there is something very satisfying about actually marking something or anything off of a to-do list. I mean face it folks, there are days when you seem to get absolutely nothing done, and trust me with five children in the house all day long, some days I am surprised that I even manage to brush my teeth in the morning. So by making a list like this I am able to cross even the little daily chores off my list and know that I accomplished something for the house that day. Now I won't bore you with my daily list today, but I will give you the highlights of my weekly list.

Monday - change sheets on beds, laundry
Tuesday - dust, vacuum, sweep, mop
Wednesday - bathrooms
Thursday - dust, vacuum, sweep, mop
Friday - occasional chore
Saturday - vacuum, sweep (Hey, I've got a shedding dog and dark furniture)

Recently I tried doing these weekly chores all in one day, but care of the children turned into a frustration with the children. So, I am back to my good old schedule. Why is my schedule this particular way? Well, it just works with our family schedule. There are somethings that need to be done more than once a week, but not necessarily every day, and there are somethings that need to be done that I hate doing - the person who invents the self-cleaning toilet will win a Nobel Prize. Some of those things take longer than others, so they are put on days when our daily schedule is lighter and the reverse is also true.

For my occasional chores, I made a revolving list. Then at least one gets done per week and then it moves to the bottom of the list. Eventually, it will reach the top of the list again.

About this time all of you good parents are asking, "Why doesn't she teach her children to help her with the chores?" I do, but in case you have forgotten or just didn't know, it takes just as long and sometimes longer to teach and supervise the chore process as it does to do it yourself. Professor and Princess are only sometimes on auto-pilot, you have to work alongside Warrior, and for some reason Baby J is using the excuse that he can't walk to get out of doing work.

Well, this post is getting long, and the children are awake and seem to think that they need to be fed and supervised. Your assignment: make a list of your daily, weekly, and occasional chores and see if you can put them in place for your weekly schedule.

Encouraging Words

2008-05-13T02:37:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you just can't seem to get anything done...even though you got up at 5:30 am, and haven't stopped working since then? This was my day this past Thursday. I was in my PJ's until noon, and it seemed that the work was mulitplying instead of getting done. Now mind you the kids were helping me. They finished their school work and chores in record time, and were running all those little errands around the house that seem to take up most of your time. However, they were also bickering, getting on each others nerves (and mine), and just not getting along. I think this was my biggest problem.

By the time that naptime/quiet time rolled around that afternoon, I was almost in tears, I was irritated at my poor husband (who was driving back from Oklahoma) because he wasn't home, I was impatient with the kids, I was tired and cranky, and basically feeling like a total failure as a wife and mother. Then God sent me a message from the sweetest Sister-in-Law in the whole world, mine. She didn't know what kind of a day I'd had, but simply sent me a request to post something about how I run our household along with the compliment that I am good at what I do. That was the end of the holding back the tears. I remembered, it is not my strength, knowledge, wisdom, etc. that keeps my home going. It is God and God alone, doing his work through me that keeps things on track. God runs my home inspite of me. What an encouragement her words were for me. I was then able to remember to seek the face of God and have a true quiet time. After I had taken that time, I was able to complete the tasks that God had set before me, and I finished just in time to greet my husband - cheerfully.

Mother's Day Weekend

2008-05-12T13:57:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was a terrific one to be sure. Rock, who had been gone since Sunday night, came home on Thursday bringing my parents with him. We went to Professor's ball game, and they won.

Friday, Rock and I got up early and went to the Homeschool Book Fair. It was really alot of fun, as Rock and I perused the booths and decided on the minor little things we wanted to use for the kids for school, and decided which books we wanted to buy for simple reading purposes.

Saturday brought the Ladies Luncheon at our church. Accompanied by my Mother and my beautiful daughter, we had a terrific time of fellowship with our church family. And I managed to make it though the little devotional I had prepared without passing out. Mom and Dad had to head back home that afternoon as they needed to be in their church on Sunday.

Sunday was a glorious day. The weather was beautiful, and it was Mother's day. My children woke up and greeted me with "Happy Mother's Day, Momma! I love you!" Then they gave me a card that made me cry, and a enamelled cast iron dutch oven that I have had my eye on for quite a while now.

After a weekend like that, I am giving thanks to God above for the wonderful life he has so graciously given me.

Momma's Growing Up

2008-05-07T09:31:00.000-05:00

There are many things that hint at you growing up, age, number of children, mortgage, etc. And all of these things are pretty easy to take in stride as they come up on you slowly. However, there are some things that just take you by surprise and make you realize that you are actually an adult.

The first time this happened to me was when we first brought Professor home from the hospital. I had done alot of babysitting, and Rock and I had done some babysitting together as well. But when we brought Professor home, I just kept feeling like I was waiting for the parents to come pick up their baby. Then I would realize that I was the parent, and no one was coming to pick up this baby. I was responsible for him. Scarry!

The next event I remember was when I turned 30. 30! That is like an adult! Never mind that I had been married for 7 years and had 2 children with another one on the way...turning 30 was what made me realize that I was a adult. The feeling soon passed.

Because the next event that solidified my journey into adulthood was in August of 2004. The church where I had grown up, where my father had been an Associate Pastor for 25 years split. It broke my heart, but I got to see Rock for the man he had become and not just the boy I had married. And I began to appreciate him all the more.

Now, I am facing one of those moments head on, and while it may seem a little silly to some, to me it is a real wake-up call. I have been asked to lead the devotional at the Women's Luncheon at my church. I was more than a little taken back when I was asked. I mean, this is what my Mother and her friends do, not me. I'm not old enough or mature enough to lead in this way. But apparently our Elders' wives think I am. Although, I am very anxious about the devotional, I am really enjoying preparing for it. I have started and stopped, written and rewritten, picked a topic and changed the topic many times, but I am learning so much. I am also anxious. I want to make sure that what I say is Biblicaly correct, and in doing this I am having to examine my beliefs and practices to make sure they are Biblicaly correct. I really have new respect for my Pastors and my Daddy, and do not envy their position even the slightest bit.

I know that there will probably be many more events that make me realize that I am no longer in my early twenties, but for now I am taking this next maturing thing one step at a time.

Varoom! Varoom!

2008-05-02T08:42:00.000-05:00

Well here it is folks...gas prices have gotten so bad that my poor husband had to buy a motorcycle so as not to send us into the poor house while doing his job. I know it broke his heart to have to do such a thing, but I think he will get over it.

Now before all you Momma's out there have heart attacks...Yes, those are our children on the motorcycle getting ready to take a ride. No, Baby J doesn't ride with him. and Yes, I'm okay with it. The only problem is that I haven't been able to go on a ride yet as someone has to stay with the children. Stupid responsibilities.

More Gaps in Education

2008-05-01T15:43:00.000-05:00

Guess what I did today....Go ahead...guess....You will never guess in a million years because it is one of those things that most people just do and don't think about.

I mowed the lawn today!

I told you you wouldn't be impressed, but I am severely allergic to grass and have asthma. When I was growing up, I would have an asthma attack if I went outside to give my parents a glass of tea while they were mowing. Needless to say, I have simply left that chore to the other members of my family. However, today, Rock was needing to mow, but he also needed to check on one of his managers who is in the hospital, and have a conference call, and take Professor to his Little League game, and, and, and...he was a little overwhelmed. So, I volunteered to mow, he was a little leery, but agreed when I found some dust masks in the garage. So to shorten a long story...I mowed the yard today, have a real sense of accomplishment, and only had one short sneezing fit. Now that I have learned this chore, it is time to teach Professor so that maybe I won't have to do it again.

April 16

2008-04-16T10:30:00.000-05:00

IT'S OVER!!!

Yes, I am shouting. Tax season is over, and that means so many wonderful things around this house.

1. No more having to work on Sunday. We have always been able to attend Church on the Lord's Day as a family, but the afternoons were usually taken up with some kind of work thing for Rock. Now he can actually rest and focus fully on Sundays.

2. No more having to work on Saturday. That means that he can sleep in, and he and the kids can lay in our bed and watch cartoons until I call them to breakfast.

3. No more late night phone calls from employees who have an irate customer on their hands. This one is a loo loo as it usually results in someone threatening to picket Rock's business because Rock's store won't prepare a falsified return.

4. Getting to go out on a date knowing it won't end suddenly because some customer is complaining that they actually have to pay the person preparing their taxes. This one gets me all the time. People actually get mad because they have to pay for services rendered. Go figure!

and probably the most selfish of all...

5. I can get out of the house by myself without wondering if Rock will have to call me home because there is an emergency at one of the offices.

Yes, I know number five is very selfish, but hey lets face it folks, I'm human, and there are times when I really, really, really, need to have a couple of hours without someone calling for me to dress a Polly Pocket, ask for a snack, referee a fight, or suddenly need me urgently while I am in the bathroom (I think they have radar for this one). Rock does his best to make sure that I can get out every now and then during season, but I just never know if he will suddenly be called away.

Now don't get me wrong, I actually like the fact that Rock works in the tax business because it means that most of the year he is pretty much free to do and be with our family as he wishes. But, it also means that from January 1st to April 15 we are usually short one very important man in the house.

I usually take the onset of tax season with a smile knowing that it will be over in a few short months. By mid-season I am beginning to feel a little alone as Rock has to work late nights, and even if he is at home, may have to leave in the middle of a meal to take care of a problem at the stores. Then, by the end of tax season I am ready for it to be o-v-e-r, and to have my hubby back.

So, that whoopin' and hollerin' you hear coming from Texas.........................that would be me.

Gaps in Education

2008-04-11T15:15:00.000-05:00

I am now making up for a severe deficiency in my children's life experience education. I had a craving for some real fried chicken. You know the kind you either eat out of a bucket, or you spend the rest of the evening cleaning grease from every horizontal surface in your kitchen. I'm talking the REAL thing in all its greasy fattening glory. Well, not being willing to spend my evening scrubbing counters, and having a few extra dollars in my back pocket we called upon the Colonel to provide said feast. As we were sitting down to eat, I began my feast as my children stared blankly at their plates.

"I thought we were having chicken?"

"That is chicken."

(puzzled look)

It was then that my three year old promptly picked up his drumstick by the eatin' end put the entire bone end in his mouth and tried to bite down. I was stupefied, mortified, aghast! I had neglected an integral part of my children's childhood experience. They didn't know how to eat chicken with a bone! When the shock from the realization that I had deprived my children subsided, I was able to give a quick lesson in proper fried chicken eating (i.e. Don't use a fork, and make sure you lick your fingers). They caught on pretty quick, and in no time became fried chicken fans doing justice to their southern heritage.

The moral of the story? You cannot avoid gaps in your children's education, but you can make up for them.

The Best Day EVER!!!

2008-04-07T22:58:00.000-05:00

Professor had his third Little League game this past Saturday, and with it he scored his first run. Not only that, but he also brought in two other runs with his hit. It was so fun, everyone was jumping up and down and yelling at the top of their lungs. He was so happy and his Daddy couldn't have been prouder. Professor declared it

"The Best Day EVER!!!"

He swings and......CRACK!!!

Hey Momma!!! I hit the ball!!!

Rounding 2nd!

Almost Home

Now at this point you may be wondering why I don't have a picture of him rounding 3rd...well, he wasn't supposed to keep going. The 3rd base coach was signaling him to stop, but Professor was so excited that he just kept right on going. I've never seen him move with such purpose. Usually, he has the urgency of a napping cat.

Crossing Home Plate (You can see his knee just to the left of the coach)

Celebration! He was so excited he was completely jumping off the ground. Rock (in the white T-shirt) was so proud of Professor, and I'm glad there aren't buttons on T-shirts or I'd be sewing right now.

I wish you could see his whole face, but you can at least tell he is excited. I would have loved to have had the full shot of his face, but I can't be mad at someone who was telling my boy what a great job he did.

Here he is with that great big grin on his face. He was so excited, and I was just giggling with joy. I'll have to agree with the Professor on this one...this was a glorious day!

Oh yeah...CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

They're Reading Folks

2008-04-03T11:08:00.000-05:00

SUCCESS!!!

Yes, folks it is finally happening. My children are becoming lovers of books, and I am as thrilled as I can be. Yesterday afternoon, when we usually have a free time, Professor and Princess asked me to read some more out of Wizard of Oz. Usually, they ask me if they can play a video game, or watch a little TV, or play Wii, but yesterday they got out paper, crayons, and Legos and played quietly while I read three chapters. Then they wanted me to keep going, but the two littles got up from their naps and had to be taken care of.

Today, Professor had a breakthrough. He read an entire chapter book this morning. It was so funny, because he was just reading along (and I was letting him) and when he got to the end of the book he exclaimed, "Momma! I just read this whole book!" He was surprised at himself. Not only did he read the book, but he also gave me a synopsis of what he had read, and it was very accurate. Then he wanted to read another book. I promised him he could, but first he had to finish his math and take his spelling test.

Looks like I am going to be doing alot of reading to keep up with him. Whoopee!!!

Easter and the Egg Hunt

2008-03-25T14:25:00.000-05:00

One of our favorite times of the year is Easter. We look forward to it almost as much as Christmas. From the reading of the stories from Palm Sunday to Resurection Sunday, to the coloring and hunting of eggs we really enjoy this time as a family.

On Saturday we spent most of the afternoon coloring eggs. We really have alot of fun doing this, and it can take hours as each child, including Baby J, has their own dozen eggs. Out come the crayons, markers, and dye as well as the newspapers, rags, and vinyl table cloth.

The kids had a blast coloring and experimenting. I finally came out from behind the camera. Baby J just kind of took it all in, and believe it or not, the Warrior managed to keep all dye and ink on only the washable surfaces of himself. Princess and Professor were a little more artistic, and really came up with some cool looking eggs.

Here is what the kids looked like before we left for Church on Sunday.

I had grand designs to make Princess her Easter dress, but Easter snuck up on me this year. I barely had the patern cut out, and was envisioning late nights in front of the machine to get it done. However, my Grandmother in her infinate wisdom made this pink dress for Princess and we recieved it in the mail on Tuesday. Princess asked me if she could wear that dress instead of the one that she had picked out. Naturally, and relievedly (is that a word?) I said yes. Oh, and the dress I bought to make...it's still uncut in the sewing room.

Here is what they looked like hunting for 48 eggs in our living room. The weather was beautiful, but our back yard was a swamp. It is amazing how creative you can get with hiding that many eggs in a small space. Baby J? Well he could have cared less, as he decided that he would rather nap than hunt eggs.

Now, I know that no good Mother would let their child consume large amounts of chocolate, but hey what can I say. When it comes to chocolate, Warrior is just like his Momma...The more the better. Check out this chocolate grin.

Daily Musings

2008-03-21T11:05:00.000-05:00

I just thought I would get caught up today.

The New TV
I have to admit that I was worried about the new TV becoming a big draw for the kids, and my having to constantly tell them "No, you can't watch TV." However, I am pleasantly surprised as they have only asked to watch TV (actually to play Wii) once a day. Then they have played for about 30 min, and turned everything off to go play a game or play outside. I'm still getting used to the look of it, and am planning a trip to the garden center for plants to make the technology spot look more homey. We did purchase "Enchanted" and really enjoyed watching it on the "big" screen. I highly recomend seeing it even on a little screen.

The Wii
For those of you who are wondering about the purchase of the Wii, I am proud to say that I had very little to do with it. If you will remember my previous catch-up post, I told how we had instigated child labor. Well, to tell the full truth Professor and Princess did the work of their own accord. They even escued playing with their friends for 3 days. They would work on and off all day long for those three days, and managed to work 4 hours a day per child. They worked, got paid, and purchased the Wii on their own. And, I get to play with it...Have you ever raced a cow?

Homeschooing
That time of year has come again...Sonlight mailed out their catalogs on Monday. Now I am waiting for the mailman with great anticipation. Rock says it really isn't fair of our Christian Curriculum Co. to cause such coveteousness in their clients.

Now those of you who do not homeschool are probably wondering why in the world I would be so excited to get a catalog of school stuff, and those of you who do homeschool, but don't use Sonlight are probably wondering why I would be so excited about this particular catalog. Well, for one thing there are the books, and I mean tons of books. I start reading the catalog and realize what wonderful books we will be adding to our library. I envision shelves full of books tht my children will read, and maybe even read to their children and I get so excited that I am almost giddy. We are pretty much strictly Sonlight users, and I can hardly wait to see what books we will be reading next year. Professor will be starting Core 3, which is the first part of American History. Princess will be starting Core 1, wich is the first part of World History. I just love the books, and the kids and I get a huge kick out of seeing how many books we consume over the course of the year. Now, if I can just figure out how to get the Mailman to bring my catalog TODAY.

Motherhood
I have decided that children have a sensor in their brain that lets them know when Momma is on the phone, on the computer, nursing the baby, and/or trying to take a short nap, because it is then and only then that all of them need your undivided attention all at once.

Irony Update

2008-03-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I know you are waiting with bated breath to know what happened yesterday while TV shopping...but you are going to have to wait. I have a much more exciting story to tell first.

Yesterday, as we were headed out into the rain to find our new "black hole"(just kidding sweetie). We came upon a car that was stalled half way in the street and half way in the drive of a shopping center. We passed it, but Rock found another turn in and pulled up to help the person push their car out of the street. The driver was a lady, dressed to the nines for a meeting. Rock tried to push her up the drive, but it was raining and he was wearing dress shoes. He found a strap in the back our our Suburban and was able to tow the car onto a level surface before it broke, then he was able to push her into the parking lot where she could safely wait for the tow truck. Now, this is a good story in and of itself, but the really neat part of it was happening in the Suburban where we were staying dry.

The kids asked me what Daddy was doing, and I told them he was helping the lady in the car because her car was broken down. Professor asked me why. I reminded him about the story of the Good Samaritan, and while this lady was not in a life and death situation she still needed our help. Daddy was helping because it was the right thing to do. We watched as many cars went around Rock in the street, as even more cars passed on the other side leaving the drive, as perfectly capable people (even men dressed to be in the rain) went in and out of the stores right there by the drive, and no one helped the one person trying to help another person in a pouring rain.

The kids were extremely impressed with their Daddy... "Wow! Daddy can push a car?!" "Daddy is doing what Jesus would want him to do."... And we got to talk about how we are to help people even when it isn't convenient, fun, or easy. What a terrific example of Christian behavior Rock was to his babies.

Now to leave the wonderful and go on to the simply material.

Yes folks, that is 47" of TV. We got a great deal, and of course Rock is thrilled with it. As far as the Wii goes, well that is another post.

Oh the Irony....

2008-03-18T11:20:00.001-05:00

So, last night Rock goes to our local hardware store and gets some new backer board to fix our wabbly TV cabinet. After he fixes the cabinet we are going to rearrange all the electronics, hook up our new ClearPlay DVD player, and the Wii (more on that later). So everything is running smoothly, the cabinet is fixed and very sturdy, and we put the TV in the cabinet. Well, lets just cut to the chase.

The TV fell out the front of the cabinet! I hear this loud thump that sounds like a toilet lid slamming down and come into the living room to find my very irritated husband setting the TV upright on the ground. Okay, so the irony is...we have a very sturdy TV cabinet, a brand new DVD player, and a brand new Wii...all of which we can't use because we no longer have a TV. Well, we're going shopping in about half an hour so I'll let you know what happens when we get back.

Fruit

2008-03-13T10:31:00.000-05:00

You never really know what God is up to in the lives of your children, until you see the fruit there of.

Christ laid claim to Professor's life Sept 8, 2006, and since then we have seen many battles going on with his flesh. However, we have also seen him soften to the commands of God and we have seen him heartbroken over his disobedience (even when we didn't know he had been disobedient). More recently we have seen Christ working in Professor's heart about his concern for other people. For example:

This past Tuesday Professor had his first Little League practice. During that practice one of the boys was just being a little bit of a pill, kicking dirt, throwing sand, giving little shoves. Aparently, I'm telling this second hand via Rock, during the huddle at the end of practice this little boy began focusing his efforts on another little boy, and Professor called him on it. "You stop picking on him. You can't treat people like that. You need to be nice to people." Well, when Rock told me this story, I was a little giddy. All that teaching, all that hard work was finally paying off.

Then last night Professor told me about the boy on his team who was "being a bully." He didn't tell me about what he had done, but he told me that he wanted to be friends with this boy, but didn't know if he should because the boy was being mean. Then he said the words I didn't expect to hear, "I think (boy's name) needs to have Jesus in his heart." Blow me down and pick me up! He's getting it! He is beginning to really understand the difference between a heart for Christ and a heart for self.

It is humbling to realize that it was not my discipline and teaching that made that difference in his life, because I fail far more often than I succeed. It is amazing to see God work in the lives of your children. I am excited to see what Christ has in store for Professor.

Playing Catch Up!!!

2008-03-10T17:09:00.000-05:00

I didn't realize how much had happened in February until I started trying to publish a post that encompassed everything that had happened. Needless to say I don't think I have that much time...at least not today.

So to sum up...

Baby J had his first solid food. Brown rice cereal and milk, and really liked it. He also likes apple sauce and carrots, but his favorite is avocado. The jury is still out on green beans.

We spent an evening with some friends, and needless to say Baby J

was in the center of the action.

February also saw the return of Z-Man. Who fit right back into his routine with us after a 4 month sabatical for me to take care of Baby J.

Momma Monk and I attempted a sewing marathon while our Darling Hubbies went to a hockey game. We had grand ideas that we could sew 3 simple little girls' skirts while taking care of 8 children ages seven and under (2 of whom are nursing babies). Needless to say, it took us 7+ hours to finish one skirt. I finally finished the Princess' skirt, and here is what it looks like.

Baby J got to see snow for the first time. He was only mildly interested.

The kids are saving money to purchase a Wii, so we institued child slave labor. Believe it or not the kids actually put the stamps and lables on straighter than either the Rock or I. They are saving their money to buy a Wii.

Now for some beautiful pictures of my beautiful family.

AWOL

2008-03-07T18:09:00.000-06:00

I had no idea that so many of my family read my blog. As far as I knew it was only read by the people who's blog is linked to mine. However, I have been reprimanded by my Mother over the phone and by my Sister-in-Law via comment to my last post.

Things have been a little crazy around here. Kids have been sick on and off, I've been sick on and off, Rock's in the middle of tax season, homeschooling, the little boy I babysit is back after a sabatical, and I am in conquest of keeping my house and myself clean using only natural cleaners. So needless to say, something had to go by the wayside.

The cleaning stuff is pretty cool. I first made my way to my local library and checked out a book called Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck. It was very helpful, although I had to be convinced to actually read a housekeeping book. There was a lot of scientific information that is way cool, but at the time, all I really wanted was a recipe for an all purpose cleaner. Well once I finally got over my expectations and read the thing I really got interested. I mean, who knew that vinegar is pretty much the best thing to clean anything.

Right now in my cleaning arsenal I have baking soda, borax, vinegar, a small piece of copper wire, Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap and hydrogen peroxide. To tell you the truth I was expecting it to clean. But, I was not expecting it to clean as well as it did. Not only did it remove the regular every day dirt, but it also cleaned off the residue left by the chemical cleaners I had ben using. I even made up some of my all-purpose cleaner for the church nursery, because the nursery coordinator and we mothers didn't like the idea of washing the toys that go in our children's mouths with chemicals that they would again put in their mouths.

So, here is the recipe that I use.

Sarah's Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp castile liquid soap - like Dr. Bronner's - or dish soap if you don't have the latter
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
2 cups hot water
spray bottle

Combine the baking soda, soap, and vinegar in the bottle. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to react and some of the bubbles to subside before pouring in the water. It is important to allow the bubbles to subside before adding the water as this little amount of soda and vinegar fill my 24 oz spray bottle with bubbles. Adding the water to early will give you a nice pile of bubbles flowing out of your bottle.

To use simply spray on surfaces and wipe with a cloth. Then let your house smell like you have been coloring Easter eggs until the vinegar does it's job. Then once the vinegar has dried completely you will be left with fresh smelling house because after all, vinegar is a natural air freshener as well.

Why Buy Expensive Toys?

2008-02-08T20:09:00.000-06:00

Thought you could use a laugh...Blessings!

Recovery

2008-02-04T15:48:00.000-06:00

Having a bad head/chest cold will put you out pretty fast, but not as fast as having that same cold while trying to take care of four chilren who also have said cold. We have all been sick here, even Rock, and I am so glad that it is over. It has been three weeks since I have been able to go to church because of sickness, and I am missing it so much. However, because I am a staunch believer in keeping your germs to yourself, we stayed home yesterday.

Everyone woke up in a pretty good mood, though still caughing and hacking a little, and Rock and I decided that it was time to do the post sickness cleaning. So, everyone got a bath, all the bed linens got changed and washed, and the house got a through cleaning. Today, we are all up to about 98%, and I'm praying that tomorrow will bring us back to 100%.

Now, the thing that I give credit to helping us along our recovery is that in typical Texas freaky weather style it is 80 degrees outside. I have the windows open and am enjoying that awesome fresh air. It's amazing how much better you feel when you aren't breathing recycled air. Can you feel that nice coolish breeze? You know the kind that just flutters the sheers over the window. I know that some of my readers are going to be jealous, but don't be. Tonight it is supposed to rain and be 40 degrees tomorrow.

The Magic of Mom

2008-01-31T17:23:00.000-06:00

Okay, I confess...I am an organized mess. What exactly do I mean by that? I mean that I want to be organized, that I strive to be organized, that I can usually get the organization done, but that when a room gets unorganized and messy, I become paralized. Solution: find something for Rock and the kids to do away from the house so that I don't have to worry about anyone else, or utilize my Mother when she is in town.

I had a list of things that needed to be done. Nothing big or expansive, but stuff that required another set of hands - don't forget Rock is in Tax Season or he would be helping me - or one uninterupted day. Seeing as that isn't going to be happening until sometime around mid-April, I was resigning myself to not having shelvs and hooks hung and closing the door to the very cluttered and unused used-to-be school room (we moved that to the office). I wanted to use the room for scrapbooking and sewing so that I might actually get some other projects done, but it was in a state of transition and a total mess. However, my glorious slave driver of a Mother came up for Warrior's birtday and stayed around to help me finish off my list. All that being said...Here are the results.Here I have placed my Grandmother's mirror over the fireplace instead of the portrait of three of my children that is 18 months out of date.Here I set up the crib that my Grandfather made for me when Professor was born. Yes, I said made. Those are hand turned spindles. I had to get it back from my brother and awesome sis-in-law. Baby J had been sleeping in a bassinette and was quickly out growing it.
Here is the shelf that holds all the baby care goodies in the boys' room. Yes all three of them in one room. Don't feel sorry for them it is a BIG room. As of January 28 my bedroom is baby stuff free with the exception of the crib.
Here is the coat rack that is hanging just inside my entry door. Now maybe the coats will quit just laying on the kitchen table...as long as they magicaly hang themselves.

And for the grand finalle...drum roll please.

Check out my newly cleaned and organized work room.

Scrapbooking Corner

Sewing Corner and Organized Craft Closet

And what little space I left for the kids. I guess they do need a place for their games.

2008-01-25T21:41:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!!

Isn't he cute?

Today is the Warrior's 3rd birthday. He shouldn't be three. I was holding him the other day and could hardly believe that he was getting so big. What a sweetie he is, and what a total mess at the same time. I forsee many trips to the ER in the future.

We had a pretty good day, although the poor baby woke up sick. He spent most of the day laying in Daddy's chair watching "The Magic School Bus" or "Larry Boy," and getting pretty much what ever he wanted; thanks to it being his birthday, his being sick, and the fact that his Grandma is here as well. Actually, most people would consider this a pretty good birthday even with being sick.

We had to have a Transformers Birthday Cake. You would think I would have at least bothered to take it out of the pan before I decorated it. You would also think I would have at least bothered to make the decorations out of icing. You know the saying about the shoemaker's children...the same goes for the cake decorator's children.

Now, most people would wonder why we make such a big fuss about a 3rd birthday, but in our family when you turn three you get your bracelet. It is just a family thing, but it means that you belong to us. Only family and friends we consider family get them.

Grandma putting his bracelet on him.

Happy Birthday my Big Boy!

Free Stuff is Good

2008-01-24T10:44:00.000-06:00

Look what I got for F-R-E-E.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen it is a breadmachine. Now, I usually do not buy gadgets like this because I have an awesome Kitchenaid Stand Mixer that I can and have used to make our bread for at least the past year. However, when your neighbor calls and says, "I have a breadmaker that is practically new. Do you want it?" it is my duty as a frugal woman to say "Why yes, I do think that I would like to have said breadmaker."

I gave it a try this morning and this was the result.

It isn't as pretty as my hand formed bread, but all I had to do was put the stuff in the machine and press the button. I did eat the funny looking heal, and it tasted pretty good. The real test will be my Mother who is coming in today. I'm still going to have to play with it before I decide if I like it. If I don't, then it may be getting passed along to someone else I know who likes free stuff.

Sugar and Spice...

2008-01-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

I know that most if not all 4 of my readership are as frustrated as I when it comes to finding dresses for our daughters that look like little girls' dresses. I'm not talking about modesty, although it is an issue, but about my five year old looking like a five year old instead of a sixteen year old. I have been able to find dresses that cover, but I am getting irritated with my choices either being REALLY expensive or something that would look really nice on a teenager. My solution to the problem...tell my Grandmother. She is a wonderful seamstress. I was venting to her at Christmas time and late last week a package arrived with a beautiful little girl dress tucked inside; complete with bow sash, matching purse, embroidered hankerchief, and tag bearing the words "Made Especially for you by Great-Grandmother." If it wasn't for her I'd have to sew.

Aren't you supposed to twirl when you get a new dress?

Call Me Suzy HomeMaker

2008-01-22T15:15:00.000-06:00

I L-O-V-E being a homemaker. I revel in all there is to being a homemaker. I fall short of the ideal (You know that perfect person in Proverbs 31), but I really do try.

And while I love what I do, I do not like being called a housewife. There is a connotation that drips out of this word, and you can hear it every time someone says "Oh, your a housewife," followed by the all important "so you don't work." This is never a question people, it is a statement. This idea of a woman in her perfectly pressed frock daintily dusting with a feather duster and easily keeping the house spic and span, or the other repugnant idea of the woman dressed in her skin tight leopard print spandex pants lounging on the sofa watching soaps and eating bonbons.

There is so much more to being a homemaker or better yet a keeper of the home than is encompassed in the word housewife (cringe). I have so many wonderful examples of what a homemaker looks like, but the one to which I refer the most is my maternal Grandmother. I was named after her. Our name, Sarah Elizabeth, means Princess Dedicated to God and the title fit my Grandmother to a tee. She oozed hospitality. She was so happy being at home that she never learned how to drive. She was her happiest when she had her family and a huge number of strangers to feed. She made people feel at home in her house. My Grandmother was such a good Homemaker that, even though Parkinson's Disease had kept her from going to church for 10 years, when she died it was standing room only at her funeral. Her children and grandchildren, and if I can help it her great-grandchildren, did arise and call her blessed.

My grandmother was a Homemaker. Housewife just doesn't fit the bill. It is flaccid and cheap compared to what a Homemaker does. My house may not always be spic and span, and you most assuredly will step on a Lego or two, but I pray that I will always have a home where my husband feels comfort, where my children play, grow, and learn, and where friends, family and strangers feel that they are welcomed and wanted anytime.

Bear with me...

2008-01-17T13:11:00.001-06:00

Okay, I have some stuff that I want to post, but I am not a quick writer. I have to write and re-write so I promise I will post something soon.

By the way: I re-wrote this post 3 times.

Reflections of a Tax Season Widow

2008-01-11T08:11:00.000-06:00

Now hear the collective groans of families everywhere! For those of us who's husband works in the tax industry we are termed "Tax Season Widows."

For me this means that Rock will leave the house before the kids are even awake, and many times get home just in time to kiss them goodnight. It also means that during peak time the kids won't see him for a couple of days every now and then, and I will only see him when he falls into bed and when he gets up. While I bemoan the loss of my beloved during this time period it also makes me more grateful for the wonderful man that God gave me.

Rock is not just my Husband, but he is also my Friend. He recognizes Mother-in-Distress Syndrome and takes action to cure it by locking me in the bedroom by myself for a minimum of two hours. He is the spiritual guide that I need, always making sure that I take time for my own Spiritual growth. He is definitely my better half. During tax season, he doesn't get to be at home like he wants, and therefore I have to take care of pretty much everything without the help to which he has me so accustomed. He doesn't like being away from his family any more than we like having him away from us, and often feels guilty for having to be away. Then I get to be the one who comforts; assuring him that, although we miss him, we do not blame him nor are we angry at him for taking care of his family.

This time also reminds me of the Friends that God has given me. I have the most wonderful friends in the world. God has been so good to us since we moved to Texas a year ago. We have an awesome church, and through that church awesome friends. I have many, many, many standing invitations for babysitters so that I can go grocery shopping unimpeded or get out of the house for a little while by myself.

This time of the year also leads me to reflect upon those who are in my temporary situation permanently or for a much longer period of time. To those who are single Mothers and do not get to take a break, ever. I pray that you will find peace and comfort in God and that your friends will offer you the same standing invitation for babysitting that I get during tax season. To those who's husbands are away for the military for a year or two instead of just kind of out of the picture for 4 months; I pray that you also will find peace and comfort in God. That he will keep your other half safe and bring him back to you and yours. I also thank you for the precious gift of your loved one.

When this time of year comes around I get a little distressed because my safe little life gets a little disturbed, but when I really think about it...I've got it easy. Tax Season will be over in a few months.

Behind the Times

2008-01-07T07:25:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm off to a late start with posting Christmas pictures, but hey, better late than never.

Christmas Morning

The kids with their favorite gift.

We had a small Christmas as far as gifts went this year, and to tell you the truth I think it was lots more fun.

That evening Momma had a photo shoot. I think I got some really good pictures.

Baby J

Warrior

Princess

Professor

Aint they purty!?

Have a terrific year everyone!

10 Year Annie-Very-Sorry

2007-12-20T22:07:00.000-06:00

Today, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the Rock and my 10 year Annie-very-sorry. I have been blessed to be married to my best friend for ten years, and tonight I was promised a great night out without interuption from children or Rock's cell phone (and if you know him at all that is a rarity).

When I was ready, we walked out the door where my darling husband had arranged for us to ride in style. I was greeted by a black streach limo and our limo driver John. From my parent's house we drove to a favorite restaurant, Ti Amo Italian Restaurant, where I had a steak that I could literally cut with my fork, and an uninterupted adult conversation over a meal.

Then we spent the rest of the evening driving around town looking at Christmas lights, with a quick stop at a favorite ice cream place about the middle of the tour. All in all it has been a terrific anniversary. I promise I will post pictures of the limo when I get back to our home and I can upload them.

Home School Humor

2007-12-18T12:00:00.000-06:00

Home Schooling families have their own brand of humor. We relish in the "weirdness" that makes us unique. Here is a video that was sent to me by my friend Sunshine at Raw Life.

Make sure you have your sound on, and have a great day.

You better not pout...

2007-12-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

It has happened. I have caved. I have never sent out Christmas cards before. My Mother never did so I never have, but this year the Rock and I decided that we needed to do so. This past September was the first September we did not move in the past three years, and we have lost touch with some friends who still think we live in Northeastern Oklahoma. However, that was three houses ago.

Now, if you have children you know how difficult it is to get one good group picture. You can always get a good picture of them individually, but trying to get four pairs of eyes on the camera, four faces looking in the same general direction, and four children not whining about being finished is nearly impossible. All I can say is "Thank goodness for digital!"

I finally got a decent shot of all of them

But this one was my favorite...
I will admit that I used the first one for the card, but I really wanted to use the second photo. I mean those kids are gorgeous, and isn't that just the cutest pouty face you have ever seen?

What important thing happened today?

2007-12-07T13:16:00.000-06:00

As long as I can remember I have been asked that very question on December 7th (Pearl Harbor Day) and on June 6th (D-Day). My Father has made sure that my brother and I, and now our spouses and children, remember that history and the events that shaped it are important. Of course it doesn't hurt that our family is steeped in military history for at least the last 3-4 generations.

I grew up believing that it was important to remember and honor the men and women who died on the battle field and the men and women who served in the armed forces so that I could be free. I was raised to never think cliche' the phrase, "Freedom isn't free." My Husband and I teach these same ideas to our children, we tell the same stories, and visit the same museums and sites so that the memories of these soldiers and sailors will not be forgotten.

Today let us thank God that we live in a free country. Let us thank God for the Men and Women who fought, and for those who fight still. It is important to remember, lest we despise and dishonor those who gave up everything they had so that we could have everything.

The Warrior

2007-11-27T14:00:00.000-06:00

My Warrior is the consummate almost three year old boy. He is loud, and rambunctious. He gives his mother heart attacks, by jumping from the back of the couch. He is constantly on the move and is into everything. He takes down his big brother, and almost takes down his Daddy, with a tackle to the knees.

He is also your stereotypical little brother. He always wants to play with his big brother and sister, and is included in their play, usually. He also gets into all of their things. Princess’s dishes and dress-up clothes get strewn around the room and/or house. Professor’s Legos get broken down and his “Treasure Box” gets rifled through.

He sings all the time, and has since he could make a sound. We have video of him singing his own songs, with drum breaks and hand claps included, that go on for up to fifteen minutes.

However, he is my sweetheart. He still wants his Momma’s undivided attention. There have been times that he has taken my hand and pulled me to the glider insisting that I sit and sing to him. More recently he has been known to tell me, “Baby J need go bed,” when he thinks it is his turn for Momma’s attention. He loves his baby brother, but isn’t about to give up his lap time.

Yes he is a handful, but I’m so much happier with my hands full.

The View from Grandma's Chair

2007-11-26T14:56:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I think my Mother has lost her marbles, gone off her rocker, and is generally insane. This Thanksgiving was no different. My family of 6 made plans to be at my parents house the weekend before Thanksgiving and stay until the next weekend. My Mom was thrilled that she was going to have four of her Grandchildren in her home for ten days. Then the Grandma came out. She decided to go get my nephews on Monday so that all six of her Grandchildren would be there, and they could play together.

Now, when you go from having four children to having six children all at once things can get interesting. All the kids are good kids, but they are kids none the less, and they require all the cajoling, pestering, and care-taking that all kids require. So, you would think that two grown women would have no problem feeding, dressing, and caring for that these children take. About day two I was beginning to feel the drain. It was 10:00 am and I was still in my pajamas. It had taken us three hours to feed, clean, clothe, and set to play the six youngsters, and my oldest two actually do most of that for themselves. I was tired, cranky, sleep deprived (the baby still isn't sleeping through the night), and looking for a third or fourth cup of coffee. I was cantankerous and thinking that my Mother had surely lost it, but she was in Grandma heaven.

The Residence of Grandma Heaven

Two Grandparents, Three Sons, Two Daughters, Five Grandsons, One Granddaughter, and Three Granddogs

Grandma Heaven has all the business and hustle of my life, but all of that work is done in joy and happiness. Grandma Heaven becomes happier the more family there is that needs her care. Grandma Heaven comes equipped with a resting place for Daughters and Sons. It has a prayer closet for every member of her family, and advice that comes out of the lips of one filled with loving wisdom she has gleaned from that closet. Grandma Heaven sees past all the harriedness and work, and sees the joy, love, and promise that comes from that work. Grandma Heaven fortifies her Daughter's soul to know that the God given work of Motherhood is never over, and that this work is worth more than any treasure this world can offer.

Giving Thanks

2007-11-21T13:33:00.000-06:00

So, I had this big profound and poignant post about Thanksgiving and what it means to me that I was composing in my head. I had planned to post it yesterday, but my nephew woke up that morning with an ear ache. Which ment that all plans to spend Thanksgiving at my Aunt's house became tentative.

My Mother took him to the urgent care center, and found out that the poor little guy had a very bad ear infection in one ear and a not-quite-as-bad-one in the other ear. He was running a temperature, and just didn't feel very good. We decided that for his sake we would just stay here. My brother and sister-in-law and a family friend were on their way to the house, and we were going to have Thanksgiving for 7 adults and 5 children.

PANIC

All we had in the house to fix for Thanksgiving were two side dishes, and suddenly I was going to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. While my Mother was getting medicine for my nephew, I began making a quick menu. That was pretty easy. Then began the search for recipes, the making of a grocery list, and the shopping for a complete Thanksgiving feast the day before Thanksgiving. I was back at the house at 3:00 pm, and by midnight:30 I had all of the side dishes prepped for the oven, the pies (made from scratch) baked and waiting in the pantry, and the turkey defrosted and in the oven for a slow cook.

Now, I am not necessarily going into all this detail so that you can marvel at my Housewifelyness, but to tell you I had a blast doing it. Although I love my extended family, I was so excited to get to prepare this particular meal for my family. There is something about all the planning and preparation that I just love. My mother and husband tried to talk me into making Stove Top stuffing and buying pies, but I really wanted to make it all from scratch. Yes, I am insane. I did buy the pumpkin pie, but the apple pie I made all by myself.

Dinner was a hit, and we spent all day today in each other's company. Just our immediate family relaxing and enjoying each other. I was all proud of myself for what I had accomplished with this meal, and then God began to work on my heart. I really began to think about what was important and the things for which I had to be thankful. I began to realize how ungrateful I am, that today is the only day that I dedicate to being fully thankful the Almighty God. I had an extravagant meal to prepare for my family, but there are families today that went without food. I have a warm home and bed to sleep in, but there are families that tonight will wonder where they will find shelter. I have my family, but tonight there are people estranged from their families or without a family at all. God has been so good to me. He has given me so much. He has given me excess, but I complain, argue, and ask for more. My heart was broken with the realization of my own pride and selfishness, with the totallity of my own depravity. The thing for which I should be the most thankful is for the salvation that God has bestowed on me through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Without Him, I could do nothing,
Without Him, I'd surely fail;
Without Him I would be drifting like a ship without a sail.

Without Him, I would be dying,
Without Him, I'd be enslaved;
Without Him, life would be hopeless, but with Jesus, thank God, I'm saved.

Jesus, O Jesus, Do you know him today? You can't turn him away.
O Jesus, O Jesus, without him, how lost I would be.

I pray that today will be the first day in a life that will be marked by contentedness and thankfulness.

The Princess

2007-11-17T14:39:00.000-06:00

Picture a 5 year old girl with enormous dark brown eyes, and blond hair that looks as if it was expensively highlighted and lowlighted. This same little girl has her Daddy’s gorgeous smile and his dimples, a knock-out in waiting, and she revels in pink, fluffy, ruffled, girly things. Over all she is the picture of all things Sugar and Spice, but appearances can be deceiving.

Now, Princess is petite for her age, and she has always been small, but her voice has always been L-O-U-D. Even in the hospital, the nurses would bring her to me and declare that they had never heard a newborn cry so loudly. We never have a problem telling where she is in the house, and I am constantly saying “Please don’t yell at me. You are right here beside me.”

She can also stand up for herself. When she was only about 12 months old she defended herself against her twin cousins who were twice her size, and were trying to take her balloon. She is tough, and I am never surprised when she tackles her big brother for taking her Grandma bear. However, I am surprised that the Professor hasn’t learned to not take Grandma Bear.

She is a little mother. Like all little girls she loves to play with her dolls. Not Barbie dolls, but Baby dolls. She puts them to bed, they take walks in the stroller, or she carries them around the house in her sling. She thrilled my heart when she told her Daddy, “I want to be a Mommy, when I grow up.” When she isn’t babying her dolls, she is mothering her brothers, using a tone of voice that sounds oddly familiar.

She is sweet, sassy, helpful, and totally fun and I love having her around.

Do What?

2007-11-15T12:33:00.000-06:00

This was the question asked by the Professor and the Princess when their Daddy said, "Any dishes that don't fit in the dishwasher you have to wash by hand." True to 7 and 5 year old form these two will fill the dishwasher, and then as far as they are concerned the kitchen is clean. It doesn't matter how many times we send them back to the kitchen to finish the job they still stop when the dishwasher is full. My thought was "How sad that my children don't know how to wash dishes by hand yet." Now those of you out there who are laughing at me, bear in mind that though I am not a new parent, I am new to having children old enough to actually wash the dishes.

Now the premise behind making them wash the dishes by hand is not only to make sure all the dishes are clean, but also to make sure they are actually filling the dishwasher. Because as we all know children never try to get out of doing chores. However, this one may have backfired. As they were washing the dishes we were greated with exclaimations of "Cool!" "Wow!" "I want to wash next time!" Ahhh, the blissfull ignorance of childhood. Let's see how cool they think it is in a couple of days.

Bugles Accross America

2007-11-14T16:54:00.000-06:00

The gentleman who's funeral I played today was Jeff Hoggarg USMC. How providencial that I would use a picture of a Marine saluting the flag. Other than playing TAPS, I was completely uninvolved with the funeral, but I was honored to be able to give a live bugler to one of our vetrans. Many funerals for our vetrans no longer have live buglers, but instead have tape recordings or MP3 players that look like bugles.

I belong to a group, Bugles Across America ,who is trying its best to put an end to the use of electronic devices to play TAPS. Our men and women deserve to have a real, live person, and this is the mission of BAA.

You can help provide real people to play by letting funeral homes, VFW's, civic groups, and even active military peoples and posts know of BAA. You can also help by telling people who know how to play bugle (trumpet, french horn, euphonium, etc.) about BAA. Let's do our best to put a live bugler at every military funeral. Our men and women deserve the best.

TAPS

2007-11-13T19:16:00.000-06:00

My fellow Americans, it is time to stand and salute. Another soldier has gone on to meet his creator. Who is he or she? I don't know. But I will be playing TAPS at the funeral tomorrow. It is a great honor to me to be able to say "Thank You" in this way.

No tune has so profound a meaning when played at a funeral. When those twenty-four notes sound, everyone knows that a soldier who served their country is being laid to rest, and,if they are any kind of an American, then a sense of gratitude will overflow their hearts. These men and women laid their life on the line to protect our country, our freedoms, our lives, and the lives of our children. They either gave the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields, or they bear scars on their hearts for the rest of their lives. And what is more is that they do it gladly. With fear they face their task, but they look fear in the face and refuse to let it keep them from their duty. Their families give them to us for a time, and many may never receive them home. Their spouses and children surrender them so that we can be free.

Thank you to all who sacrifice for my freedom. Thank you to your families for giving me your loved one, for sacrificing your joy that I may live to enjoy mine. I praise the Almighty God for you, and as long as I and my posterity live. You will not be forgotten.

It is never cliche' to say "Freedom isn't free." My fellow Americans, it is time to stand and salute. One of our soldiers has gone to meet his creator. Tomorrow, I will play TAPS for one of our heroes.

Utopia Found

2007-11-10T15:15:00.000-06:00

Who knew that the fearsom threesome could be calm. Now grant you they get along wonderfully, with only minimal sibling squabling. However, when they are getting along and playing, it is usually done in a general malaise of chaos. But today it has happened, they just sat and played at the school table.

They were coloring, playing some type of trivia game made up along the way by the Professor, and just getting along. I was actually able to sew without having to stop every 3 minutes to tend to some minor emergency. This must be what utopia feels like.

The Professor

2007-11-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

What is a mother to write about other than her children? And, while that may bore the sox off of you all, it is what you will have to put up with until my blogging skills increase.

My oldest is the Professor. He is a 7 year old, total nerd in training. Now before you come unglued about me calling my son a nerd, you must realize that around our house Nerd is a compliment. The Professor has been a nerd since pretty much day one.

He put himself on a schedule from a very early age. If he was supposed to eat at 3:00 pm he woke up at 3:00 pm, without fail.

School is play to him. If he isn’t learning it isn’t fun. Imagine a kid who would read an encyclopedia - if I had one for him to read.

He wants to know everything. Really. Literally. Everything. The questions this kid asks are mind-boggling, and really I am getting quite fatigued by either having to find the answers to his questions and/or pretending I already know the answer. By the time he is a teenager, he could quite possibly know everything.

He is the consummate big brother, and takes care of his brothers and sister. This is usually accomplished with a lot of bossing, yelling, and conviction that he is right no matter what.

He is a sweetie, who has a big heart. He hates to see anyone hurt or unhappy. He still cuddles up in my lap to watch TV, and he makes me feel old because he is growing up so fast.

Warm Fuzzys

2007-11-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

Baby J melts my heart with his first little smiles. One of the absolute joys of having babies is that first time that they really smile. You just become so excited to see that first real sign of recognition. However, you have to coax out that smile by being silly, or finding the right noise or expression. I thrill when that smile turns to a readily available commodity that no longer requires jumping through hoops to acquire. I love it when, as you are feeding them, you look down and they are smiling at you. Or when you are giving a bath or changing a diaper they simply give you a smile, when they see you they smile, when you simply talk to them they smile. Baby J is moving into that stage, and I am loving it. Talk about a gaga Momma. The camera is constantly at the ready, and I already have about a gazillion pictures that are exactly the same, but they are all different to me because they are all different smiles. And he is soooooooooo cute!!!

All that is required to turn me into a big ol' pile of goo is to see the smile of one of my babies. All they have to do is to look at me and smile, and I just want to give them whatever they want. I think it is because they have these big brown eyes with lots of long dark eyelashes. I also think it is because they all have their Daddy's smile which also melts my butter. If they only knew the power they hold with that little tilt of the head accompanied by a smile I would be in HUGE trouble. So, let's not tell them. Okay?!

Just Little O'l Me

2007-11-07T09:48:00.000-06:00

Okay, here is my dilemma; I don't know what in the world to write. I don't really know how to begin, but one must begin somewhere.

After pondering on where to begin the thought occurred to me as more why to begin in the first place.

Do I have something profound to say? I very rarely say anything to profound that hasn't already been said. After all what little wisdom I have has come from other sources.

Do I have something important to say? That would have to be a matter of personal opinion. After all, while toilet training my son is extremely important to me, you may wonder why in the world I would think you would want to read about all the little idiosyncrasies in getting a 2 year old to pee standing up.

or

Do I simply like to hear the sound of my own voice or in this case thoughts? I'd have to say that this is probably the most accurate account of why I would keep a blog. I mean I really only expect this to be read by my wonderful husband, a few family members, and a few friends, and they will probably only read out of politeness - and to catch a glimpse of a picture or two of the kiddos.

So, now that I have rambled on about my philosophy of blogging, let the journey begin. I hope you will all enjoy the ride. Just don't expect me to spell it all correctly.