A Christmas program for preschool and breakfast with my kids

This morning I did not hear my hubby leave for work. He always bends down to kiss me good bye before he leaves. I do not remember this either. The fact that he showers, dresses, and rumbles around for 45 minutes prior to this tells you just how tired I am!

Anywho, at 8:15am my phone rang. Apparently this was enough to wake me from my drug induced slumber of the night before and make my brain function enough to think
"OMG! It is way late and I have to have 6 kids out of here to go in 2 seperate directions in 15 minutes! Yikes.

8:35am. (okay, 20 minutes but really, who is counting!)We are now traveling out of our neighborhood in one vehicle. The older sons van has no gas, I mean NO gas. We will attempt to drop off 2 jr. hi age children for their Mops babysitting duty early with a cell phone in hand in case something comes up and they are not needed or whatever and then get to the grandsons Christmas program by 9am.

Being the stroller addict I am, I think it will be wise to plop the wee one (who is now just over 20 pounds and not so "wee" any more) into her pink polka dotted umbrella stroller(complemented her outift nicely if I do say so myself) for the "hurry up let's get in there before we miss the opening" wild ride across the street and into a very old church I have no knowledge of floor plans for. . .

Forunately another poor soul was arriving just as late as I but knew the layout and got us in and to a elevator that would put us right outside the sanctuary where said program was beginning!! Unfortuanately, it was right outside of the front of the Sanctuary full of people in very tight pews and all inclined to wondering eyes (what? the live Nativity and beautiful baby couldn't hold their attention?) .

Alas, I am prudent enough to shove the stroller under the coat rack and tromp, ummm, I mean tiptoe in and make my way 3/4 of the way back with my 6'1" son, my loud nearly 4 year old son, my heavy 1 year old daughter and her blanket and bottle. oh my. Fortunately, the hubby was at work and did not have to witness this!

In retrospect, I think we were one of the more quiet parties arriving actually! After three somewhat bland songs, and one Christmas story where we almost got the point, we were dismissed to said grandsons classroom for one egg free, nut free sugar cookie and paper cup of juice. Oh, and communal play dough and other such stuff. I think I homeschool for more than one reason. 'nuff said.

I wouldn't have missed it for the world though, being my grandson was so cute and all and in the very front row!

Haven't mentioned yet that the other cell phone rang 4 times, each with a more dire message than the last, "Mom, no one is here, no one is coming, it is cold, when can you come get us? , they must have cancelled." aaahh, sent older brother in my precious car back out to pick them up (yup, he got turned around and lost!) and they all make it back in time to meet us leaving. Oldest son (Daddy to grandson) gives them each a glittery sugar cookie sans nuts and eggs of course which they all take with trepidation and much thanks!

We decide maybe a late breakfast out might be a good idea.

Off to Bob Evans and the next series of misadventures. . .

Me, my 6 kids, my daughter in law, and my grandson.
(Hubby is still happily at the office having his own Christmas lunch with his department.)

Yup, good times. Merry Christmas.

Here's our Emory (on the right) with his cousin Dusty enjoying the wild ponies on Assateague Island during our family reunion. We drove around a wildlife loop for nearly 45 minutes before we spotted even one pony! Thrills a minute let me tell you but once we found them, the kids did enjoy seeing them.

The kids craft of painting frames for all the pony shots and family pics was just as big a hit!

Movie night was fun. . .

The hike up to the lighthouse, game night, and the family auction were all memorable moments as well.

But the best part? Being together for more than a few hours. What a nice Thanksgiving and no one had to cook. . .(yeah for me!)

My calendar tells me it is December. My clock tells me it is the wee hours of the morning on a Friday. My body tells me it is so out of wack from the tyranny of the urgent that I may never sleep a full 8 hours again.

I am incredibly thankful that November is past. And although December is equally as daunting, at least it has some joyful interludes to be anticipated.

I have spent at least 3 or 4 time slots of 30-60 minutes on this blog in the past few months "posting" interesting and even inovative stories of our life and times only to have them dissappear in heartbeat of unreliable and ornery internet access! bother!

Such good memories lost to my middle age muddle of a brain!

I'm thinking some sort of a list may be a good way to go to try and catch up. . .

1) currently residing under my roof:
one husband which I send off each day to an office to enjoy his work, get a break from the craziness of this home, and bring home a paycheck to keep it all running;
one grown child residing with us trying to balance out being a child in our home, being an adult in our home, being a missionary in our home, being a missionary headed for Cambodia in a few short weeks, being a sibling to his brothers/sisters, and being half a dozen other things to at least a half a hundred other people;
one 14 year old son trying to find his way with his family, his church, his peers, his acquaintences, and a half a dozen other people who would like his company;
one 11 year old daughter trying to be the very best daughter, sibling, follower of Jesus, and friend she can possibly be and learning sometimes, it is enough to just be you if you are thinking of others and following Jesus the best you know how;
one 3yr,11 month old son who one is never quite certain what new insight the day will bring forth from said son's little lips;
and finally one 19 month old daughter who is moving in leaps and bounds toward being a bonified toddler in most every way!
oh yes, and then there is me. what to say about that. one stay at home Mom, trying to keep her sanity in balance with her love for family, love for organizing and planning events, love for shopping and a Christmas budget (okay, so love there may be a stretch) and finally and "firstly" her love for her Savior and King, Jesus Christ.

I'm on overdrive folks and sometimes after a particularly hard run when an engine doesn't get proper care, it just shuts down and needs to idle for a while to cool off and be ready to run at full capacity again. . . oh, and this model is slightly older than she likes to think about and remembering what I used to be able to handle in my 20's comes back to haunt be regularly!

2) currently working on
I think I just decided to post what I have written before my connection is lost and post more seperately.

putting stuff in it's place

Hi Again,

I've obviously not given up completely (yet) on blogging. I can't seem to fit it in but I sure want to.

The picture relates to nothing in genreal. Just a day with a box full of Kiley's clothes that needed to be gone through and gotten out of my house or put into the "Jillie may use this" catagory.

Tip #1 If your girls are 10 years apart in age, you really should not be saving very many things at all! What was cute and in style and couldn't be parted with in 1996 doesn't look quite the same in 2006! Yikes!

So another box sorted and a few pieces saved or put into circulation (do you like the vest?) . I have figured out that at the rate I am able to go through these boxes which are taking up the entire storage side of my basement, I will have a neat and organized basement somewhere in the neighborhood of 2010. Yup, just in time to wonder what to do with every last one of these Fisher Price and Little Tikes toys I have been saving, recycling and letting my kids hang onto for oh. . 20+ odd years.

This is so nuts. I actually participate in resales, consignment shops, give things away regularly, and keep the donation boxes at goodwill quite full on a regular basis so where oh where does this all come from? Guess the secrets out of the bag, I love to shop and love even more when I get a bargain. oh bother. (which reminds me, picked up 2 winnie the pooh tapes videos for 1.50 today. . .)

So all of that to say this, it's just stuff. Having 6 kids sometimes really makes you stop and think. Tonight the thoughts are how precious each one of them are. Different, unique, even trying but precious, absolutely precious.

Sometimes stuff clutters my life so much I lose sight of what matters most. I get busy with cleaning or sorting or shopping or even attending Bible study or church and before I know it another day is gone. Finished. Over.

This week baby Jillie had a one day stomach flu. Yuk. Just plain yuk. But not completely. I found myself relishing the entire day of holding her, cuddling her, knowing she needed me in a big way and then, even though I was dead tired and not feeling so good myself, I found myself looking at each of my other children and wondering how it would be if I never forgot what a special gift they were and never thought about tomorrow with them but focused on today?

Guess I needed that "slow down" more than I wanted to admit. Sure am glad the good Lord knows what I need and when. I never seem to on my own!

And so tonight, after Jillie was in bed (well, Daddy put her down after we went out the door. . .)
Kiley and I had a little bit of Mommy and daughter time at the Old Navy and the WalMart. Yup, she doesn't fit into any of the clothes in her closet at the moment so we have to pack them all up in a box ( no, just kidding, we are over that! really! just save one or two of the bestest things) and go hunt for more! Fun stuff! But so tiring. Good shopping, good company, good memories.

Not sure what the point of this post was but just wanted to think through my fingers maybe. . .

'nite.

Jillie's 1st camping adventure

So, did I mention Mommy and Daddy took all five of us kids camping (yes, that would be tent camping) for an overnight?

Isn't Jillian adorable in her gap denims and white fallish turtle neck and her red goose leather hiking boots? After all when you are one and Mommy can still afford to dress you this way, you must take advantage of it! (um, shh! don't tell Jillie Mommy is an excellent shopper and gets most things at 75% off or better!)

Anywho! We got scrumciously filthy and no one cared, we ate way to much sugar in the form of toasted marshmellows and hot chocolate with whipped cream and it was okay. We played in the dirt, picked up nasty things off the ground and even tasted a few and it was still okay. Then we burnt the baked potatoes in the campfire and they still tasted good! We slept in two different tents and one of us even ended up in the car but that worked out too. Oh and then we also got to see stars, play with flashlights, take hikes, play on the playground, eat ice cream bars, and it was so fun! Daddy makes really good eggs and bacon and Mommy can sure mix up that quaker instant oatmeal with the best of them. . .we even had toast and juice!

You should try it sometime, it makes home look oh so good when you get back there!

pondering my blog life

I've been reading blogs on and off for most of the day. I haven't done that in a while I guess, usually just an hour or so here or there once a day or every few days.

I'm busy you see with life. I so wanted blogging to be a part of that and to be honest it has but in a different way.

I started out reading Lisa Whelchel once a week and getting so much from each of her daily journals. Occasionally I'd have time to play around and look other places on her site but mostly, I just read her once a week journal. Ben doing that for at least 3 or 4 years.

Then she sent me over to Sarah's blog, In the midst of it, and I got steamrolled into something so addictive I was up to my ears in reading and trying to write. Yikes.

As a mom of 6 (only 5 at home now, actually soon to be 4 again in January) I have more than enough to do with my time.

Actually when ever I hear people make comments about "well, in my down time. . ." or "sometime when you have nothing to do . ." or "when you are looking for something to do. . ." I just feel so insanely jeoulous it is almost unbelievable.

I truly do not ever have a time with nothing to do. Don't get me wrong, I do quite often choose to do one thing over another but there is never just "nothing" on my plate.

Like today I am suppose to be cleaning, laundering, getting packed to go away with hubby, getting kids organized to stay home without us, etc. . .and instead I have chosen to slip into this chair every hour or so and read between folding, giving instrustions, making list, picking up, feeding lunch, etc. . .

Thankfully, she says with sarcasm in her voice, my wireless interent connection has been out for several weeks on and off so I've had very little ability (using dial up) to upload pictures and other stuff I would typically like to put on here.

I am of course ramblnig but it does have a point I think. Instead I've had time with my books again. I do so love to read. I've had time with my Bible study and have even caught up on my scriture memory and gotten the kids memorizing along with me. I've emailed a few in the flesh friends and gotten back in touch and it is good.

But I have to amit, I am addicted to this blogging. I love to put my thoughts into words, remember and record stuff, and most of all I love to read the insights everyone has. So I know I will continue to read blogs for now. I hope also to post. But pray for me (if you get this far in this epistle!) because I want to use my time wisely and do feel the need for a break here and there but so many things call my name and yet the daily responsibilities do overwhelm me at this point in my life.

So in the never boring, always consuming, never ending, always enlightening adventures of parenting which go from here to there and across the board and back again it seems, I'm just typing for pleasure today and parenting as I do it from 1 year old to 19 year old. How fun is that.

Keep up the good work you faithful bloggers. I so envy you and enjoy my peeks into sanity every now and again.

Oh and to Tammy I think it is, thanks for tagging me for that meme a long time ago, it was just to long for me to get to but a short one would be fun. I've seen a couple of those lately. I'll be around lurking and learning from you all and commenting as I can.

time to switch the laundry . . .

Badlands or God's Sandbox

How fun to see landscape the likes of which was alien to us east coasters. As our 14 year old son put it as he explained it to the 3 year old. . .

"Emory! Look what happens when God plays with sand! This is like God's great big sand box and this is what He built!"

Wow. On the landscape (Badlands) and the 14 year old son.

We did lots and lots and lots of this.

Thank you Father Above for some very very nice (read clean here) highway rest stops and van seats that recline nearly flat! Oh and those wonderful disposable changing pads! I'll never go back to the cloth/vinyl diaper bag ones.

This little sweetie (just a tad bit of sarcasm in Mommy's voice there) on average (read sometimes more!) went thru 3 yes, 1-2-3! changes of clothes a day! Not because of her sweetness factor let me assure you.

Oh and thank you Jesus for those little blue smelly bags to toss used up boppers in because it's just not nice to leave that kind of smell around even in trash recepticals.

and just because I have such a fact I feel I should share it, she went through 102 of those diapers in just under 13 days! That does not count swimmie diapers!

Her brother only used up 65 in the same amount of time but twice as many swimpers!

ah well. . . we did know who we were taking on this trip before we started!

back and busier than ever

and we are back. 5000 road miles later, we are home and Mr. Independant decided now that we are home again he would use the potty!

3 years, 8 months. do you think he just didn't like the idea of any more rest stop diaper changes?

just going to try and post little snippets here and there. not able to find time in my life for more than "lurking around" and a comment or two on the "faithful ones" sites.

gotta run, timer is going off for dinner! enjoy the fall and cooler weather if it applies to you! In the 50's last night here in Delaware! woo-hoo!

time flies when you're having fun . . .

Well, it appears to be August 29th ( I only know because I just asked my husband) and my 3.5 yr. old is making me a blanket cake (?), strawberry of course with the pretend kitchen things while the 11 and nearly 14 year old do math. The 19 year old is "in house" and the 1 year old is in bed for the night and that is all I know for now.

I will be back once I get my vacation pictures uploaded and have so much to write about! Nearly 5000 road miles produce a host of interesting writing topics to be sure.

Enjoy your week,Kim

He's home, Safe and Sound

Yes, he is home, not much else besides the clothes on his back but home.

Took another 24 hour stint awake/traveling to get him here but it is oh so good to have him home.

Thank each and everyone of you who commented and prayed and checked back in on me. God's answers are not always so easy to understand but this time, I'm thanking Him I can humanly understand His ways. Thank You Jesus!

Can't share much more without some sleep so I'll try again tomorrow.

PS Did I mention he's home and sleeping in my bed right this very minute?!!!

He's on his way

I sat down at this computer the minute I had changed diapers, and nursered the baby. Oh, and had taken my BP and meds (cringe) ~not even reporting what that number was.

7:24 am here. 12:24 pm there.

Hubby has arrived in Birmingham by high speed train w/o incident and after getting some lunch will start off to find the hotel he booked there. He leaves on early flight tomorrow to Frankfort, Germany. That will be a relief to have him out of England! Even if he does have to fly out. Not so relieved that his passport promotes him as a male, US citizen, traveling alone for first time out of country, My brain keeps saying "target". I know, dumb.

New prayer item. His car keys are in his luggage so I will be driving the 45 minutes up to the airport to pick him up and take along the spare key. I do a lot of drving, even city driving but I do not like driving to PHA. ah, well, for this, I'd drive in my underwear and slippers! Except I don't own slippers. . now where did that come from??


Again, thanks so much for praying, I'm being a wimp I know but what a scare.

Kids need Mommy to shape up now and get going with the day.

He's stuck, but safe

Can not even believe on his first trip "across the pond".

In a Heathrow airport hotel is where he stayed last night to fly out to Dublin this morning.

Not sure if anyone heard the news this morning but a terrorist attack was thwarted at Heathrow (the likes/size of 911 they believe) and the airport is chaotic. Closed down for now.

Still stuck at airport, trying to retrieve luggage. Alternate plans (for now) have him getting in a day late with no further buisness happening, just trying to get home.

Thank You in advance for all your prayers.

UPDATE: I was able to keep in touch via cell phone/e-mail most of the morning hours but than I did not hear anything until 5pm this afternoon. It was a long day no matter which side of the ocean you were on today I think.

Latest update is this.
He was finally able to leave Heathrow Airport this afternoon. His luggage had already been checked through to Dublin so is being rerouted back here to the states, home in fact. He asked me to watch for it, like lugage matters to me at this point! Tracking down luggage and finding alternative means of travel home took all day.


Latest travel plans for now.
He will stay overnight in London again but not at airport, closer into the city. He will then take a train to Birmingham (and yes that is the city where several of the suspected terrorist have been picked up and arrested) and spend the next night there. On Saturday he flies out to Frankfort, Germany and then on to Philadelphia and home. Still not much more than a day or so late, if all connections happen and flights don't get cancelled again.


Praises: He has been able to keep in touch with me for most part. He almost checked his phone thru (no taking it on plane now) when he heard his flight cancelled.
Although his words this morning were "It is pure chaos here." He seemed very calm and ever reassuring to his wife.
He was able to make alternate travel arrangements.
I have only cried twice, away from the children and remained mostly calm and in control. What else is there to do really?

Prayer: He has only his phone, no charger, it is in checked luggage. Pray his phone will hold a 3 day charge!
He has only the clothes on his back for the next two nights in hotels/planes/trains and he is a male. Will he shop? Doubtful.
Please pray Birmingham is peaceful and calm and there is no trouble with the train, etc. as it seems to be a hot spot for this group of terrorist.

Thank You again. Kim for my clan.

PS after I heard from him around 5pm (10 pm his time) I just had to get away from this computer for a while. I piled the kids in the van and took them to Friendly's. Dinner and ice cream. Then I went to Old Navy for some shopping therapy. I needed to get my hubby a new swimsuit but did not do it before he left and felt the sudden need to do it today,the mind works in strange ways hhhmm.

Home and exhausted.

He called!

Now, we had e-mailed a few times and that made me feel good.

And I've been keeping up with the time difference and all so I knew he was just about ready to turn in for the night and still no e-mail for the day. . .probably couldn't get computer to work or something or just way tired.

But no, HE CALLED! Sometimes little things like that just mean a lot to me. It's been a great trip so far and he has been able to fit a lot in and see so many things as well.

So tomorrow he is off to Dublin, cool. Hope it is another spectacular day. I miss him but no way I would want him to miss this experience.

Kind of makes me feel like I should be doing something really great here too, like cleaning a whole bunch or organizing our never ending paper trail or getting ready for this trip that looms ever closer but it's not happening. So frustrating.

I have had lots of giggle time with the little man, snuggle time with the walker, talk time with the preteen and no knock down drag out fights with the resident teen ager so I guess something has been accomplished! Oh, and visit with the parents, phone call to the in laws and the college boy, cooked dinner two nights (of course you'd have to know me to know what a big deal that is and "cooked" is a relative term) and well, survived without that break in my day that always says to me "okay, this part of the day is done and there is only so much more to go" . . .you know without hubby coming home, my day just never seems to end and that's just exhausting!

So anyway, I'm just happy he called!

She Walks!

Yup, Little Miss Jillian Elyse Walks! I know I said I would not be excited by this because of all the extra work involved and added freedom and all that other stuff but ... well...

There is just something so precious about those first little steps. And to couple that with her rocky start in life and her excruciatingly slow weight gain, well... it's just so fun to see her do something so normal and cute and sweet and and well, you know, so precious!

She gets this little look on her face like "hey, look at this, look what I can do, hey did you see that?"

She had been cooped up in a stroller, our arms, a hotel room and the car for the better part of 2 days and when she hit the family room floor after that at 10pm she just had a look of sheer delite on her little face.

She has been standing randomly for a while now so we had produced the required "walk behind toys" and all of that. She mostly just pushed them for a few minutes and then squealed for someone to come do it for her. Smart woman I say.

I think little Miss Jillie decided that since Daddy was going away for a whole week she should preform for him before he left. And what a grand preformance it was.

Jillie took several jaunts of about 3-4 steps each time. So cute to watch.

Since Daddy's been gone she has progressed rapidly! Tonight she "walked" about 8-9 steps across the room to her big sister while her MomMom and PopPop were here. wow!

Wait until Daddy sees this!

He's Off

After almost an hour delay, his flight has departed.

That means by my time 2am, the hubby will be arriving in Frankford, Germany at their time, 8am and hit the ground running, so to speak. I pray he was able to sleep across the Atlantic. I pray he can function properly at 2am, his body pretending it is 8am and checking out of the airport and customs and going straight to the office there. . .

He is actually one incredible guy, this hubby of mine. As he held me in his arms as I bawled last night for no apparent good reason other than my fear that he would not come back safely from this international week long trip. It is an irrational fear right? Lots of people do this all the time I know but not my hubby.

So, although he has never been overseas before and had to be ready to go into work (here at home) this morning (he left before 6am this morning) before he came home to pack and leave for airport this afternoon, he spent all week end with his family, away from home. And let me tell you, home is most often where my hubby wants to be when he is not at work. He never seems to have enough time here. Yet, instead of "puttering" around here, we were off to a Family reunion 3 and 1/2 hours away.

We often make the trip a "day trip" albeit a long one. This time hubby let me book a room to make it a bit less rushed and a little more leisurely. The reunion itself was neither great nor awful so average is kind of nice for a change. We were able to get away at a reasonable time, drive over to our hotel and check in before we headed to a local amusement park. What a fun time that was as well. And the late night swim after. And the nice big suite and the super comfy beds, the wonderful breakfast buffet, and then back to the amusement park for a few more hours. I thought we would head right home but no, hubby wanted the kiddos to have more time to enjoy trip. We ended up leaving there much later than I thought we would, and hubby still had to drive home. We made it home inside of 10pm but that was still plenty late after all week end. Only a guy totally committed to his family would try to fit in all of that right before going away!

And now, he's off. I cried again, when he left. I already miss him. And, well, one incredible guy.

It's Friday

And I'm so sad because I had a great post on time all written out and my Internet connnection went out on me.

Bum.

Not nearly as poetic but it's been a busy week, it's going to be an even busier week end and even busier month overall if you can even believe that!

And the one precious statement I just have to retype is this,

Each time my 3.5 year old ask me what time it is or is it time for ________. No matter what my response is, every single time his response back to me is the same.

But Mommy, the hands just keep spinning round and round.

Oh my goodness, they sure do and time just keeps on moving but his statement always reminds me how precious each and every moment with my little ones really is.

No matter how tired, or how busy or how many minutes there are. . .each one is a gift to be thankful for.

signing off for now, but treasure each moment because those hands just keep spinning.

One more room and a precious one year old!

Okay, so I've been a little busy lately (I'm sure to hear murmurs of aren't we all?) And as much as I truly want to have you over and invite you in. . .there has just not been time to clean up anything! And when I don't clean, you really don't want to see what happens around here (think two Jr. Highers watching two pretot/toddlers and Mom ignoring not only the housework but the kids and nutritional needs of her family as well [um, McD, Pizza, and Pop Tarts nearly everyday] and then Dad throwing in some "more fun than all this work, let's go! suggestions" and you have a sorry looking mess!

Confession time! The pic of my daughter is from the State Fair and is as close to live animals and their surroundings as I go all year long. My 11 year old once called horses "big dogs" because her Mother had not taught her any differently at the age of 4 years, opps. So now, come rain, heat or whatever, we head down to the rural part of my small state and see horses, cows, pigs, goats, chicks, rabbits, and on and on it goes I'm afraid. We even climb on tractors. My favorite part? Touring those mega motorhomes and double wide modular houses! They'd be perfect for a place at the beach. . .so I like to dream! Guess there's just not much country in this girl.

Now the 3 yr old is properly versed in all domesticated, farm and wild animal names so you could say I'm reformed, sort of. I still do not have any pets and leave no hope in my children's minds that I will change my mind anytime soon.

But isn't it a cute picture? Barefooted and hay! so cute.

uh-anyway, confession number #2 I actually threw stuff off the couch onto the floor by the couches so you could not see it in these two pictures of my family room!! Don't look to close or you'll see lots of stuff I didn't move at all or look hard and have a grand time seeing the lovely toys my children drag around each and everyday from all over this obnoxiuosly large house (yup, I don't feel guilty and I love it! Hey, 7 of us fill it up).

The shot on the left is taken from my kitchen (which you will not get a picture of today for sure) into my backhall and family room. Down the hall is my powder room and to the left you can see my overflowing bookcases in my office. There is a 3 year old being babysat by public television and a 4 foot pink stuffed bunny from Easter that the little ones think is a great chair. Otherwise I love my big chair and halfs as we call them. These shots are from early in the day. I have morning sun in this room which is wonderful in the winter streaming through my double french doors and 3 Palladian windows (they match the window over my front door). You can just catch a corner of them in shot number 2. Oh, before I leave shot #1, notice the back hall has been painted. woo-hoo! It only took me 5 years to convince hubby that I could not stand builder white any longer. I guess shot #2 is pretty self explanatory. We sit in here everyday. We read in here. We occasionally watch the news or tv in here (only once or twice a week actually for the adults) Seeing the 3 year old in here is kind of deceptive and not of my choice. His Daddy has started a morning routine and I can not seem to break either of them of it. Every morning while I am still in bed (yup, he does not want me up and under his feet he says, I'm happy to oblige.) before he leaves for work, this little guy hears his Daddy putting his shoes on (He drops them on the hardwood for goodness sake as he comes down the steps! We all hear him!) and gets up out of bed to say good morning /goodbye to him. This also includes Daddy indulgently making him a cup of choch-ey milk and turning on PBS. Not a big deal? AAHH! This is builder grade carpet. This is a 3 year old prone to spills with no supervision, this is the big people family room, the kids have their own finished basement family rooom with a perfectly good tv down there. . . .oh , never mind, I have given up and besides, it is kind of cute that they have their morning thing going on. . . even if I'm not invited.

Other points of interest? My antique barn box, my grandmothers 100 plus year old quilt, one of many oil paintings ( Hubby I like to shop for art) and a stack of library books. The couches do not even have their throw pillows or throws on them (heaven alone knows where they are this morning) . The french doors need dressing up but I can't really decide which unobtrusive treatment to apply to them. All suggestions welcome, under $20 of course which is about how much my decorating budget would be this month! And please make it colorful, it's a very brown room (which I personally love but hubby thinks I'm nuts) . Can't quite see in picture, but accents are there in red and blue and yellow! Fireplace was suppose to be between those doors but we built it in the basement family room instead and now don't really want another in here so we must decide what to do.

So there you have it, the center of all activity in our home, the family room not the kitchen(I avoid the kitchen whenever possible to be honest except to entertain or buy pretty things for it or cook with kids . . .it's that regular meals thing that flusters me) . It's a lovely kitchen though, so keep checking back and I'll show it to you!

still blog illiterate I guess

what in the world have I done now???

Every time I try to click on my blogspot I only get a link that takes me to blogger and then I have to hit view blog to get here??

oh man. and just when I was thinking up some good stuff to share, as if anyone comes to visit much anyway (thanks Diane for persevering and checking back often.)

So anyway, seeing as it is the middle of the night (hubby came up later than me and woke me so I just got up since sleep didn't seem to be returning) and since the baby girl went down early last night which means she will be up early. . .

guess I should try to get some sleep.

So wanted to brag on my shopping bargains this week but it'll have to wait. and update on my VBS week, and about a dozen other life things. . .

Please come back! I would love the company!

'nite

Okay, so this really is as far as I got! Ta-Da, the front door.

Which we never use. Now, the Shwann Man, my kids friends, my in laws (who are not allowed to see my garage!), and various and assorted other folks do use it from time to time.

The front door was the same green as the shutters and I hate, hate, hated it for the first 3 years we were here. I tend to use "occasions" to pull work from my already over worked hubby and a party with many guest who had never been down to our new place, did the trick this time!

Now I love the paint color but am not happy with the current wreath. I change it often though so for now the purple flowers on the undersized wreath help you find us when you visit. Because there are no house numbers and I finally took the paper with the number on it (in sharpie!) out of the transom window above the door you'll have to look for our mailbox.

Since I'm not sure I'll know how to link this anyway, I'll stop now and go on over toBooMaMas and see what I can do. If it works, I will be thrilled and post more pics within a day or two!

Please come back and visit soon. Just use the garage entry okay?

13 things I've done in the last thirteen days

I've seen this kind of thing on other blogs and since I have no idea how to link into any of that or any time to try and learn right now . . .I suppose this is merely to amuse myself and anyone who happens to stumble onto it. (grin) So, enjoy!

1. Driven my Father in law to the hospital for a cat scan.

2. Purchased and delivered a new matress set to my parents.

3.Written, copied, folded, stuffed, stamped, mailed over 100 invites to Hubby side family reunion and recieved back 17 of them including one very nasty note from a perfect stranger who did not like my junk in her mail!

4. Collected money for reunion on my side of family and not deposited one cent of it into ING account as promised as of yet. Also have managed to not book rooms yet either. But have made headway on weekend schedule and craft for said reunion. Did I mention I am a perfectionist in many ways and just can't be a happy person about crafts?

5. Collected, compiled, and culled names and contact info on more than 200 people to be entered into data base in order for sons missions support letter to go out in mail asap. This work was done while program kept losing/not saving my data.

6. Proofed, edited, praised, and corrected above sons support letter for Missions Internship to Cambodia begining in Jan 2007 for 1 and 1/2 years. Ditto for pledge card. Purchased envelopes and stamps for said project as well.

7. Attended a graduation party for dear friends daughter.

8. Visited a dear friends newborn and held coliky baby to give Mom a break. To many memories there gotta tell you.

9. Made dinner at home at least 7 of those 13 nights, amazing actually.

10. Picked up European travel guide from Triple A for husband who is going to Dublin, Ireland, London, England and Frankfort, Germany . . .without me.

11. Booked ten nights in 5 different cities and as many states for our road trip in August which entaled countless hours on the Internet.

12. Picked up the family room a minimum of 42 times and told 13 year old to do the dishes (his lone chore) at least this many times as well.

and finally13. spent way to much time reading blogs and not enough time reading Gods Word. Also read 3 books (fiction) to stay sane, it is my escape, I admit, even when it means losing sleep!

gas prices and choices

At $3.03 a gallon at the gas pump there are some subtle changes around here.

Do I really need to run to WalMart because I'm out of diet soda?

Do the kids really need to go to Gamestop to price new games or look for accessories?

Should I go to the Moms in Touch brunch on the other side of town?

Should I really try to do more than 6 errands at a time with a cranky 15 month old missing her nap?

Should we skip the State Fair this year (good hour+ drive away) or pop over to the beach after for the evening (another 45 minute drive)?

Should we hang out on opposite side of town for an extra two hours to go to 6 'oclock worship service just because I missed it this morning due to kids colds? (otherwise it is another 50 mile round trip to go home and me come back alone). . .

and on and on it goes.

Has anyone else been second guessing their usually straight forward decisions about where to go and when?

I don't drive a huge SUV ( I would though if I could afford one, hey! I have 6 kids!) but I also don't drive a compact either.

I'm not poor by any standard: world or US but I'm sure not rich either.(monatarily anyway)

In the middle of making all these decisions comes Bible School. Now any good christian Mom knows it is a given you will allow your child to attend such a wholesome activity. I normally would be on staff in fact. Not so with Jillian's health this year.
Built in excuse right? or no?

My oldest at home is to old for VBS, my 2 youngest are still to young if I'm not on staff. So we are talking one child. (huge sigh) Not just any child. This is to be her last VBS year then off to Jr. Hi. This invovles many after VBS trips. It is built up to an unbelievable measure.

I resist signing her up and she is handling it well (so far as I hear/know about) but at the last minute the guilt is eating me up. After all, we did drive down to the fair, (skipped the shore after) I did run to WalMart for non essentials a few times, and I did go out one night and pick up/drop off a friend who has a tighter budget than mine just to socialize. . .

Oh boy! So we are going to VBS. (9am-12:15pm) Monday they are to meet back at church for tubing down the river ($$)at 1:30pm-4pm) what to do??? Remember 50 mile round trip.

Tuesday again (9:00am-12:15pm) except my meeting with missions staff member goes over a bit and I still have to get gas (any wonder) and stamps on way home (wouldn't want to go out of way) .

Wednesday "graduating" kiddos have a field trip ($$)which will get them back to church late, around 3pm.

Thursday is pretty straight forward, 9:00am-12:15pm, oh and the 7pm program for parents to show them what we've been doing all week.

Friday we're done. It's big fun day, bring your younger sibs and enjoy the rides, moonbounce, etc.

It's only Tuesday and I'm to tired and poor to think about it anymore! Did I mention hubby and I pay($$) teenager to babysit when it is "over and above" regular duties/hours. . . more money. It is just not worth 1 and 3 year olds missing 5 days worth of naps and their regular schedules have them still in bed for another 1/2 hour after we've left in morning.

all that to say next week we really will eat beans and spaghetti I suppose!

But here's the thing. Both days so far my 11 year old daughter has thanked me profusely for taking her, letting her go, told me I am the best Mom in the whole world and offered her own money to pay for activities. She loves Jesus and getting to go hear about him for 3 hours is just a huge deal to her right now. How could I say no? Where are my priorities? Guess I may be scimping on the diet coke for a bit too.

My pie melted in the freezer!

I am not even kidding here. I spent way to much time on this thing for my beautiful whipped cream dollops to just ...just melt!!

I found myself complaining (isn't this where so much trouble begins?) about a jar of peanut butter and how oily it seemed and then went on to say I thought it might be good to make up a batch of my peanut butter bars (this is quick and I can practically do it in my sleep and they always get rave reviews) to use it up quicker. However, my completely and totally deprived husband says "How about a peanut butter pie" . I'm thinking now this is probably something his mother made (my MIL is a fabulous pie maker BTW) and mine would be nothing like it and why would I want to do this and I would definitly need to go get some ingredient . . .on and on it went in my head...but all that came out of my mouth was something like "are you crazy? have you no idea what you ask?" Well, I do love the man, I just do not love cooking anything that takes to much time or effort unless I get to show it off (oh dear, downfall number 2- pride).

So, yup, after dinner, I put the little one in his arms with a bottle and said I'll be back. I googled a few recipes and came up with pie filling and crust recipe that looked straight forward enough.

Now mind you, I simply can not follow a recipe as it is written. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes I just don't read it right! oopps!
Sometimes I am clueless as to what an ingredient is.
Sometimes I simply do not have time and take shortcuts. (this worked great more than once and now we have a few new casserole recipes, if I could just remember what I did!)
Sometimes I just don't have all the ingredients and I substitute (um-hm, you know what's coming) . This can be either disaster-ish or quite brilliant.

Tonight I decided that a peanut butter pie should definitly have a chocolate crust and surely I had just the thing. A bag of on sale Mickey Mouse chocolate graham crackers. Just enough for 2 cups finely chopped. I quickly hid the bag in the trash before anyone could moan about the tragedy Mickey had faced. Then said peanut butter was crunchy not creamy as it was suppose to be for crust, oh well. And wa-la. The perfect crust! Oh and I forgot it should have gone in a 9 inch pie plate , I put it in 8 inch. So nice thick chocolate crust. I'm tasting it already. Except it was suppose to freeze for one full hour before I filled it. . .bother. It was already almost 9pm by now.

On to the filling. Whipping cream? Surely not. That stuff in the can you top ice cream with would be fine. (substitution #1) Yup, it says whipping cream on the can. Now my brain does work and all the time I'm workiing on this I'm thinking about how it will come out, if my substitutions will work, blah, blah, blah. Hey, this filling really looks great! Now I'm suppose to fill the crust, top it with more "whipping cream" , and freeze for two more hours! oh dear. I decided to make my whipping cream (hey! there were 2 1/2 cans in the fridge, I do shop at warehouses with this crew) look pretty. I dolloped it on in an ornate and oh so nice looking pattern and showed hubby before I put it in the freezer.

For the next hour, my 3 year old won't stop asking when he can have pie with Daddy. (why isn't this child in bed yet?) Then hubby starts asking when it will be done. I decide an hour surely is enough. uh, not. I open the freezer door and low and behold my pretty whipped cream dollops have melted! I am shocked! I think cry or laugh? (actually what I think is thank God this wasn't for company!) And ever logical reasonable hubby says, yeah, that's what that stuff always does on top of strawberries too? But in the freezer? So I'm thinking oh well, it'll eat. I pull it out to cut a piece and the whole thing is still like pudding! Now I'm worried, I had added that can stuff to the filling as well. hhmm. Better let it freeze some more.

Emory goes to bed crying for pie which he will eat for breakfast tommorow no doubt. Finally at midnight I cut a piece for hubby and he proclaims it good.

You know, those frozen pies in the WalMart freezer section that say just "thaw and eat" for $2.99?? Don't you think they taste nearly as good as the 4 hour homemade version that looks not so fancy by this time? Yeah, me too.

And my 13 and 11 year olds? Mom can you still make those peanut butter bars?

Gotta love 'em.

Meet Zachary

While I'm sure this is my son, the almost 19 year old college sophmore, I'm not sure just how much he favors this one and only somewhat decent picture I have.

I think he is marginally taller than this 6'0" shot.
I think he looks a bit older too after 12 months of living on his own, well, sort of on his own.
And I definitly think there is way more facial hair.


Zach (and don't even think of spelling that with a "k" on the end) (however if you'd like to use the syrillic equivalent as it is written in Russian feel free, Zach himself often does after several trips to that part of the world!) is child #2 in the line up. To hear him and his older brother tell it, these younger siblings just do not know how good they have it!

Zach is our independent thinker. Material things matter little to Zachary. Sometimes appearances matter even less. What matters to our Zach is how real and true and relevant someone/something is. He is passionate about his relationship with God. He has a deep desire to share that Faith with others by showing them his faith lived out in love. He is a peacemaker and prefers sayings such as "Oh, it's okay" "Oh, don't worry about it" and "What really matters about ____?".

Zach carries his independent spirit over to other areas of his life as well. He likes to spend time skateboarding. After graduating "homeschool" (a topic I will rarely discuss or bring up) he chose a less than main line college because he was certain it was were he would be best equipped to do whatever his future held.

There are so many funny stories from his youth but suffice it to say , he is no longer a youth in many ways.

Tonight I spent a couple of Hours trying to load a new label program onto our newer computer so I could attach a new mailing list (couple hundred names, and contact info's) to an e-mail for Zach so he would have it in time to turn in for an assignment due Friday. How many people do you think I would do that for?? Probably not even myself to often!

Love You Zach! Can't wait to see all God will do in and through you in the next few years.

Meet Cameron on a hot day

Well, only the one pic was suppose to make it into this post but I guess she's cute enough to not only introduce one of her big brothers but also show you our silly pool situation.


Cameron, is our 3rd born child. He will be 14 in August. Due to the size of our family (suffice it to say, large)Cameron is often called upon to be not only the perfect playmate (or personal slave to hear him tell it!) to his 3 year old brother but also the strong armed babysitter for his 1 year old sister (who he declares has a head much to big for the rest of her body, do you think?)

Cameron can be found most days in one of three ways. Playing his gamecube (which he earned the money for fair and square by babysitting "above and beyond" the regular family responsibility amount of babysiting for his siblings.) or reading a book (Huge Narnia, Lord of the Rings fan right now but has read so much I can't keep up) or on the computer IM-ing his brother at college or like minded Narnia cyber friends. He does like to organize kickball or capture the flag or whatever on our cul-de-sac with the neighbor kids or just hang out and shoot the breeze or hoops as well.

At 14, Cameron has left the "my little guy" phase behind and is heading into those deeper waters of figuring out what he really wants, who he really is and how he might get to those places. He is definitely a thinker and evaluator like his Dad so I am often feeling out of the loop with my boy these days, I am just to female to "get it" I'm told. ooookaaaay, whatever.

So days like today are to be cherished for however long they last. The sun was out, it was hot, way hot for these parts of the country, and Dad had dug out the "blow up pool" so the kids could have some fun. It became obvious it needed a patch but exactly where was the question we pondered as we continued to add water to the pool and air to the ring. . .eventually our pump died and we just gave up and then the summertime fun began.

Lazing around in a big puddle of water can be oh so fun. With snorkel and googles and imagination even more fun. Every now and then the pressure of the water in the pool would overcome the sides and the not quite filled ring and slosh over the sides like a waterfall. At one point, Jillie's little whale floaty was well on it's way to sailing right on out of the pool, baby and all! So comical albeit a bit scary as well. I don't take time enough to get out and play with the kids like that so it was a great day today.

hate to close it down but . . .

How fun was that? A little piece of blogging success and I'm to tired to stay up and continue. I'll try to recreate this success next time and introduce you to the 1st three in the line up!

Now to figure out how to link others to my post. . .any hints?

The Ultimate Big Sister

Meet Kiley. 10 years old (0pps, 11 now) and the best big sister anyone can claim.

Notice the love. None of us were able to hold the newest addition very much due to her hospital stays, medications and just under 9 foot cord hooked to her heart moniter. (notice the cords by baby Jillie's leg)

So this was a rare shot taken by big brother.

This love exemplifies my daughter. She is not only a great big sister she is the best daughter hands down. After 3 sons, who I love to pieces, this fourth born child of ours was and is such a wonder to me each and every day. She is female! She understands me! And she is so caring and compassionate about everything and everyone around her. She also loves God with her whole heart.

wow, isn't God good?

Amazing, truly amazing. I better keep going while I'm on a roll.

But first, Meet Jillian, better known as Jillie for now or actually that would be Jillie-Bean.

She is our last gig. Shows over baby. Arriving 2 months early by emergency c-section, she has kept us on our toes for nearly 15 months now. Just out of sz 3-6 months clothes, she is as petite as she is adorable.

She's been called "Fiesty" by nearly everyone who has ever had to "deal" with her. It is just the best word to describe her. And Thank God he made her that way or she and/or I may have given up more than once along the way.

More about our darling soon in new and interesting blogs coming your way. Keep checking back!

Meet Emory

Well. . .I have no idea how I did this or if I will ever be able to do it again (can't you just hear the confidence oozzing out of me !) but here is one of my precious little ones (oh and the arm and chin of another one (hehe).

Meet Emory, he walks to the beat of a different drum then the rest of my clan let me tell you. He is a constant source of joy and a constant source of just as much concern!! Never mind Elmo's World, Emory has his very own world and let's us in only when he deems it appropriate.

At three and a half years old he has the vocabulary of a 5 year old easily and does not hesitate to use it.

He has an attachment to a stuffed animal that goes way beyond reason and a love for his siblings that is nearly as strong.

He truly believes pants/shorts are only to be worn outside of the house, never inside.

I could go on but I'm sure as I continue to blog you'll meet Emory in many different ways!

acrosstheboard

I found these questions to be interesting so thought I would join in since I'm new around here.

accent: I pick them up easily so quite a blend I am certain. Fought hard to rid myself of eastern shore MD/VA accent as a teenager and now I enjoy hearing it spoken (very slow southern type draw with old English accents thrown in!) Have grown up near Philadelphia,PA so you will hear that as well. . son in college in Minnesota, don'tcha know? ya betcha! And finally, have had teenagers in my house for last decade so "whatever" is in, rad, smokin', cool/hot, wicked, righteous, you get the picture!
Bible Book I Like: Just can't pick one, I just can't! Romans, John, Galations, Phillipians, Psalms, Proverbs, Luke, Job! aahh!
Chore I don't care for:OH! you are suppose to like chores?? well maybe cleaning floors, most kinds. I have eagle like eye sight and can not stand for any crumb or smudge to remain therefore no one but me can satisfiy me, yuk much rather delegate! or maybe dealing with paper, yeah that's a killer. can not control, tame, organize or get on top of that one at all no matter how much time I devote to it.
Dog or Cat: Are you kidding? I have six kids to keep alive and I kill house plants. Neither thank you.
Essential electronics: love this new qizmo, remote start for my car on hot days that turns on car which turns on a/c! and my cell phone of course, digital camera, and wireless internet, oh is that electronic? hehe
Favorite Movie:Not sure I have one but anything with Harrison Ford is good, Julia Roberts flicks, Sound of Music, Gone with the Wind
Gold or Silver: Gold in the bank and silver on the body.
Handbag I carry most often: Change for the seasons. Love all bags though. Leather in winter, Linen in summer
Insomnia: Oh my yes. worse with each child and with age
Job title: no one has really given me one I like yet? what day or hour is it? it may change repeately as I move through my day or week. Daughter of the King, Wife of One Fine Christian Man, Mom to several individually wonderful kids, and whether by choice or by defalt, Homemaker. The buck stops here.
Kids:yes, 3 sets of 2 OR, 2 out of home, 2 in jr. hi, and 2 little ones OR 4 boys and 2 girls, BUT never 6 unless I can watch the reaction on your face. hehe
Living Arrangements: A single family unit (Dad,Mom and kids) no pets, house on 1/4 acre in nice suburban neighborhood or in other words, very comfortable.
Most Memorable Moment: Lots I think. Each time I feel undeserved and extravagant love for me, a reprobate and repeat offender in the many relationships of love. Those are the times that stay with me, everything else pales in comparison.
Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Skipping out of band class for 2 semesters because I knew I could and not get caught.
Overnight Hospital Stays:Several ER visits with family members that just go on forever, a few with my older parents who needed someone as their advocate, and 6 personally, one for each child.
Phobias: Getting Lost in Strange places. My sense of direction is not so great. Being in Water situations I'm not familiar with.
Quote: so many good ones come to mind. . .but the lifesaver for me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Phil 4:13
Religion: I can be religious about my diet(well sometimes anyway) and religious about my cleaning before company and relgious about my medication schedule but I think what you would want to know is out of all the world "religions" , systems to believe in, I choose the one and only that affords me a place in heaven after death based on my personal belief that I can do nothing to earn my way there or make myself good enough to deserve to be there, rather my "religion" ,my system of belief, is based on a personal, one on one realtionship with God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit, the triune Creator of the Universe who indwells me with His goodness and grace so I can live for Him and bring ultimate Glory to Him forever more. Me, a worthless sinner, saved by the matchless grace of an eternal Father who died just so I could live forever. wow! One of the few things I'll climb up on any soap box to tell you about.
Siblings:Oh yeah. 4. One "big" sister, ten years older than I, two brothers, 6 and 8 years older than I, then me, and a "little" sister 3 years younger than I.
Time I wake up: Naturally? around 9:30am but could sleep longer. . .Forced? whenever the little ones come and get me via standing at my side until I open an eye (3 year old) or calling from her crib. . .7-8am?
Unusual Talent: don't feel very talented. or skilled. Forgetfulness I have found can be a blessing though as you can never remember those who have wronged you or what they did wrong anyway for very long at all!
Veggie I refuse to eat: Depends on who's serving it! Brussel sprouts, cooked cabbage are two not so appealing ones.
Worst habit: Taking care of everything/everyone but myself. oh, and Procrastination .
X-Rays: ???can't really remember any except dental and my daughters arm (one week after the fact. .what?? she wasn't complaining until she fell again!) when she reinjured it and then told the ER staff "Mommy pushed me off the swing!" and yes, it was broken in 3 places.
Yummy stuff I cook:again, who's asking? great Amish Oatmeal cake, handed down 3 generations rice pudding, hubby thinks from scratch Apple pie is good, personally, I find the best tasting stuff (and fancy too) comes out of the freezer at Costco!
Zoo animal I like most:Since I am certain it has been 10 years since I was last at a zoo excluding Animal Kingdom in Disney (5+ years ago) you can see I have a deep love for animals. . .coughcough...uh maybe a panda or a giraffee? Natural history museums are nice, all the animals there are nice to pet, no oder and are stuffed so pretty like!

and that would be a peek at me!

love to hear about any of you too!

Random thoughts on a random day.

Laundry is almost caught up! What a thing to be joyful about!
I did not leave the house for any reason today, that sure does make a difference but I have to say, I'm itching to get out of here come tomorrow morning.

I pulled weeds tonight. I do not like this chore. It was very muggy and warm outside as well. I do not like this weather.
I also cleaned out my car today. I do not like a messy car so this is a good thing. It was very hot when I did this.

My 13 year old washed my car for me tonight. He did so to earn a few dollars. He had never done so before (car washing I mean) . It showed. He was later given a few pointers by me and re-did some of the "bad spots". Now my car looks pretty good. And the 13 year old has learned a new skill and has $5 in his pocket.

I organized my stroller collection today. I love strollers . I currently have 6, no 7. One is my snap and go and it is already tagged for resale but it will be missed . It is a very light stroller. I recently sold my Graco duo glide. I only ever used it in Disney and at the mall a very few times. It is a very heavy stroller. I am having a hard time deciding if I should return my new Joovey (sit and stand) or try out the new Fisher Price sit and stand or just give up on the one stroller for two kids idea altogether. I would go for lightweight umbrella type strollers for both if only I could be assured my hubby and two older children would not run off and leave me with two hands, two little ones, and two strollers as well to manage. This has happened often on family trips. Little ones can't do something older ones want to do so Dad takes them and leaves me with the enterage. . . what to do. But, my stroller collection is nice and neat and lined up against the garage wall now and I do feel better knowing I still have options. . .hehehe. Yes, I am a stroller addict.

I have spent hours of late on the Internet planning our next "trip". Trip is a very broad sort of word don't you think? Not vacation, not road trip, not traveling, not sightseeing, not visiting, just trip. And what a trip it seems to be turning out
to be. With more than 3000 plus miles to cover and gas at $3 a gallon and climbing...it's not something I take lightly, this planning I mean. Since most of the joy for me will be in finding the best things to see and do, the best bargains, and the most luxurios accomadations I can reasonably afford there is much to do.

Last year we actually flew to Florida because ticket prices and gas prices were nearly equivalent (with 6 of us) even when we figured in the rental car. This year, no matter how I try to book us, flying is out. So is Florida BTW since we have to be in Minnesota for a graduation. So a road trip is in. We've done many road trips over the years and the older boys enjoyed them. The middle two and our little two are pretty good travelers as well... I think. It's just a long way out there on limited time and money so . . .this is huge. The planning I mean.

Lots to do and complete in the next several weeks.

So, staying home today was a good thing I think. Altho, my list for tomorrow is huge.

Determined to get to bed at a nearly reasonable time tonight.

Oh and one more random fact. My daughter in law passed her nursing boards today with flying colors! woo-hoo. Now the job is totally secure and she's officially an RN!

things we do for our kids and movies with no end. .

For instance, we are not a "watch tv regularly or go to the movies" type of family. We are just usually way to busy for such. However, occasionally, it's a big deal if a new movie comes out in theaters or on video (or is that DVD that I should be saying these days?) that we have particularly been looking forward to or heard about, etc.

Such was the case a while back. I was actually kind of excited because hubby had agreed to sit with the kids and I and we would all watch the just released on DVD, first in the series, Lord of the Rings movie. Now see, I was excited for very different reasons than my childen I am certain.

Some pride was involved here. I mean, after all, my childern had chosen JR Tolikien and CS Lewis (yup, did the whole Narnia thing too) over some other type reading (no comments on what that would have/could have been) . Anyway, back to the big movie night.

So it is a Saturday night. My children have already seen this movie in the theaters and are anxious to watch it again to pick up on even more of the minute differences they have already found in it and the actual book. Oh, and maybe they are kind of interested in the actors/costuming and the action stuff too (so they are teen agers!) . Popcorn is done, drinks are had all around and the movie begins.

This is not my favorite kind of movie at all mind you. And apparently I have not read the complete works of Tolikien so I am asking really lame questions as we go along. So it is at least an hour into this thing when I think to ask how long it is and am greeted with silence. So again I ask doesn't anyone know? Where is that box? Okay so it's 3 hours long. . .and it is Saturday night (ya know, before church??) and we started well after 9pm . . .groan.

And to cap off the night, this movie has no ending!! It totally leaves you hanging for the next movie which is not to be realeased for like another year or something! I was just dumbfounded. How could I be so clueless my family wonders. I mean it is like reading half a book or something and putting it down for a year or so?! I rarely read a book in more than one sitting anyway. Just have to finish them. ie-yi-yi!

But my children are quite happy that we had a family movie night after all so I get over it. Flash forward to tonight.

College boy is going back to school tommorow, he flies out in the late afternoon. Church is in the morning and then we eat, and pack and off he goes. What would he like to do for his last night home we ask? We decide on dinner and. . .you got it, a movie. Besides forking out top dollar for Saturday night movie tickets, (I did not have time to go to Costco and pick up discounted ones ) This movie is sold out until 9:45pm. That's okay, it's a sequel the boys really want to see.

I should be wiser by now, but no, I have not seen the first movie altho it has sat on our shelf for over a year I believe. So I think oh well, just go with the flow.

Dinner, btw, is great. We tried a new place and loved it. Plenty of time to get to the movie. Even time to stop at dollar store for yummies. And 9:45 doesn't sound so late. The last 7 shows have been sold out all day so we think we should get there a bit early to secure good seats. I think 9:10pm is more than a bit early. I am proved wrong by the more than half full theater. And then there are the half hour of commercials after the 9:45 start time . . .all this before I think to ask how long is this movie anyway?? "150 minutes I think Mom." oh. Saturday night again. . .

Okay, so I call home, check on the babysitting daughter who assures me baby #1 is down for the night and #2 is on his way.
Oh, well okay, I can sit back and relax. Might as well enjoy, I did pay for this. . .

I can't follow a thing for the whole first hour! I'm lost since I did not see first movie I'm thinking. I finally become engrossed enough to forget the hour/length of this thing and decide even though it is really kind of ugly/scary it's okay, I'm into it. But you already know what is coming don't you? There is no ending!! aaahhh! Can you even believe? A shameless 2 and a half hour flick to get me to come back and see the third movie?

The boys thought it was great. My hubby agreed with me for once but also thought it had it's moments. All I could think is I should have gone home after dinner!

So, the things we do for our kids and movies with no endings.

BTW, this was not a movie from high literture if you must know. It was one of those movies I have no personal interest in outside of the Disney ride it ties itself too, because I do love Disney and I do love Disney rides. . .so for those of you who love adventure, this one was for you. All I have to say is

aarrrggghh matey, next time let me know how long the voyage is to be.

A quick but relaxing get away

So here it is Thursday night, oops! again, Friday morning!
??How does that happen??

First, you start the week by atending church, uuhh. . .make that attending church nursery, yeah that's it, with your family of 7, which involves 2 cars no matter what those car dealers say about 7 passenger! That is an urban legend to be sure when you are talking about 2 parents, 2 carseats (and appropriate gear), 2 jr. hi -ers, and one 6'1", 260 lb. college kid!
Anyway, 2 cars later, we had worshipped, (even managed to do that while visiting with other Mom's in nursery) , stopped at our favorite cajun/mexican restaurant for dinner, napped , and visited hubby's parents for our "every other week whether we have time or not" Sunday visit.

I know some day when we no longer have them, I will be glad we took the time to make this a regular part of the kids and our lives. Right now, it often feels overwhelming to lose a nap or keep a little one up so far past bedtime but we do enjoy the visits and know they look forward to them. My folks, on the other hand, never need an invite and stop at our place regularly, maybe to regularly? hehe. usually around dinner hour? hahaha. Just really very blessed to have both sets of our parents alive and in our lives really. And both living nearby as well. So nice not to have to plan yearly vacation time as a time to visit family but actually visit favorite places or go someplace new.

Ah, and off topic as usual!

Monday, hubby took day off work to spend time with visiting "college boy", aka, 18 yr old son, so off to the beach for the day for them and the 11 yr. old daughter and 3 year old son. Can't believe I opted out of that one since I'm the only one around here who even cares about what hue my skin is in summer! But maybe I mentioned before, "these two babies" as I often refer to them, have changed so many things for me. I'm sure some is age but some is just plain old tiredness! So baby girl and I stayed home to get ready for next 2 days, or so the theory went. Oh, 13 yr old son at home too but since I did not wake him, I never saw him before 1pm!

Monday: what actually happened at home, was this. I was so bummed about missing beach with a chair and a book, I played with the baby girl and fed her and as soon as she went down for morning nap, I hopped into my swimsuit, grabbed a cup of diet coke, ice and a book and hit my deck with a towel and a spray bottle of water! 1.5 hours later, I was nicely cooked, slightly burned but nothing serious with color I wanted to take away with me for the next two days! Oh, and then baby daughter was still asleep so I laid down for a nap!@! She actually woke a half hour into my nap, but by then the stay at home son was up and he watched her and gave her lunch for me so I got to sleep some more! Hubby called shortly thereafter and announced his ETA as shortly before 5pm with daughter who "needed to be back" in time for youth group!

Dinner for those left at home was sacrificed for my shower and a last minute fast food meal with a friend before we dropped said daughter at church and went baby gift shopping for a mutual friend! A date I'd been trying to fit in for several weeks! Back home by 10pm.

What a wasted and perfectly lovely day. But this is how it happens.

Haven't mentioned yet that I should have been doing laundry and packing for two? Well, hubby needed to be above NYC in a Connecticut office early am Wednesday so we decided to take the fourth to drive up and stay overnight so he could avoid rush hour on Wednesday am. Good decision! We were able to get up around 7am, get everything settled here and packed and ready to go by 9am! woo-hoo.

Breakfast at a world famous restaurant was so good and such a treat, I just love a good sausage buisquit from McD's! The drive was long and traffic on the fourth did get heavy going around the city but considering it is one of the largest cities in the world, not to bad. Arrived at hotel by 1pm, checked into a very lovely room (anyone love tripadvsor.com as much as I?)and then decided to go see what was in town.

Stamford, Connecticut is not a tourist meca to be sure but we eventually found the antique places we were looking for, all closed for the holiday, so a drive up the coast sounded like a good back up plan. Connecticut coastline is not what I was expecting at all! I'm so used to beach side houses and boardwalks and great restaurants but all along Interstate and even Route 1 all I saw was . . .industry? hhmm, time to ask for help. The guy in the service stop was very nice and tried to be very helpful but his answers were a bit vague. . .fireworks? uumm not really sure. boardwalks? mmm, parks close at dusk. . .restaurants? sure, if you can find one open on holiday (closed on a holiday is a strange concept to us, especially the fourth of July!, at home, everything would be booming until 1am at least!) and if you want seafood. . . oh well. We drove some more, got lost once or twice, saw some public sand, some Independance day signs for events that had taken place earlier in day, found one town we liked and it was mostly "open" (Milford). Unfortunately, aside from purchasing a few sale items in a fun but a bit out of my budget store, we did not eat here. We thought we would come upon more places like Milford. We did not. Both my hubby and I love architechture so we were able to comment about lots of that throughout our lengthy drive but a few more hours into this, we also noticed a severe lack of restaurants. And when we found one, it was closed up tight like most everything else around it? Yikes. Out of our element here. WE ENDED UP EATING AT FRIENDLY'S!! oh and a really horrrible one at that. Well, it was laugh or cry at this point so laugh we did, made it back to hotel in time for a swim anyway but I was just too tired! Hubby went and I enjoyed the wonderful pillowtop mattress and flipping channels. I rarely ever even watch tv so it was fun for me. What a day. Most of it in the car.

Wednesday found me in a mall with nice stores while hubby worked. He finished sooner than expected, and we went back to those antique places. Good decision. Talk about a shop until you drop day. And hubby was game through it all. Found a great cafe when our feet couldn't take another minute and had the best Turisumo (sp.?) Guess the shot of expresso in it gave us a second wind. We never headed out of town until 5 pm when everything appeared to be shutting down again. So Stamford is a great place for Antiques but a not so great place for much else from what we coud find in our brief stay.

Best part of travel? No traffic! Straight shot home in 3 hours flat which allowed us to stop for dinner on our own home turf before showing up back at home with all the goodies for the kids.

Lovely, Lovely to have almost two full days away with no diapers, no housework, no cooking, etc. And right smak in the middle of a week no less. Yup, this is how it happens.

And today was Thursday, back to reality. Invites must go out for reunion. Errands had to be run. Son had to be car pooled. Babies had to be changed and fed. Hubby had to work. House needs serious attention about now so I guess tomorrow will come all to soon. Oh and house company for afternoon tomorrow ups the anty even more.

Good thing those "almost two days" were relaxing.

That's my week. And that's how it happens.

Kim

Is this really who I am?

Well, fitting blogging in is a bit harder than I imagined. Now reading all these links and blogs is way to easy.

Today was a milestone day. The littlest one, managed to climb all the way back down the steps by herself. Cool huh? She's been going up for a while but just as she reached the very top step of 14 total (one landing in the middle) she paused, turned around with a huge grin and gingerly reached her piggy toes back down to feel for that last step she had just conquered!

How cute it was. Mommy at the top , Daddy at the bottom and all of us holding our breath! Big sister joined in the cheering session half way through. The 3 big brothers were off somewhere together enjoying something better apparently as they did not come when called to see the big event.

Seems like the older I get the more I enjoy these little milestones and the more precious they each become. Especially with these last two. Who by all rights should not even be here but are. What a gift from God that is!

Man plans, God laughts or so I am told.

He surely must laugh every time he thinks about what I thought my life needed to be full, content, happy, whatever. It was not 6 kids ranging in age from 24 years to 14 months!

I try never to tell anyone I have six kids unless I am looking for a reaction (those are kind of fun) rather I tell them I have 2, um sets of 3, or really more like, 3 sets of 2. "just 2 babies" I've been heard to say "oh, well , and two middle school age ones, and 2 grown and out of the home. . ."

Never quite sure what mode I'm in most of the time. Lots of my friends have only grown or high school age kids and are quite frankly giddy to be "almost done" the grind parenting can sometimes be. Their giddiness makes me gag on my plateful. Oh dear. The "car pool" gang is who I see most and most think I relate to the best. I disagree. They are all so busy running here and there and keeping up with so many "lessons/games" (don't even get me started with that one!) that this sleep deprived, nursing mother of two, age 3 and less, just can't relate. But then there are the newest "friends" in my life, those newest first time moms or Moms of preschoolers who really do know so much more than I and would love to tell me what I should try next. Pu-leeasee! And then when I try to realte to those mega super strength Moms of 5 or 7 or 10 children (they never call them kids btw) I just cringe at my inability to relate to how much they love their big family!

What a huge mess I am. I do love my family, just in pieces I think!

Did I mention our granson is 4 and a half and is older than those 2 newest babies? He played soccer this year for the first time and his Daddy and Mommy would love for our 3 and a half year old, "Uncle Emory" to join him next year. Are they insane? I tried with everything in me and only made it to one of the Grandsons games this season and thought I was doing well.

And when our mutual pediatrican says to me in a moment of weakness in their office after a particularly trying week of illness, "Mrs. A. You are doing so well for being an older Mom and having to deal with all of this", I just want to curl up and die right then and there! I guess my daughter in law is the young Mrs. A. these days and what pray tell does that make my MIL??

ah well, you folks don't know me very well yet and I'm sure this post is coming across as very whiney, but as I feel very whiney at the moment perhaps it is a bit to real . . .However, I do love my kids, love my husband, love my life and all the privelidges and adventures it affords me and most importantly love my God who gave it all to me to because He must have known what was best for me even when I did not! Much easier to fully rely on God when there is so little of myself to rely on I'll give you that much!

Perhaps I'll recall that in the morning (okay later morning than it already is) as I try to bath, shower, dress and pack up all 7 of us for the 8:30am worship hour tomorrow morning! And here's a question. Why do the older folks who prefer traditional worship over contempory worship get to go to church at 11am instead of 8:30am?

I am a certifiable mess!! Happy to have the college age one home for a week though, so 7 is okay for now, but boy will 6 look good next week too!

a day in the life

Okay, so day two of this blogging thing.

I really should be in bed but this is way to fun.

I got my first comment as well! woo-hoo. Don't even know how she found me or how I find half of the blogs I've been reading of late but it surely is an interesting passtime. . .as if I have any time I need to pass

So today was quite interesting as most days are. It was also a rather quiet day (no place I had to be but lots I should be doing). The fact that it was 2pm before I stepped into the shower says a lot I suppose.

The baby (almost 14 months) thinks she should only nap once a day now for any length of time and I was so starting to count on twice a day breaks from her, hhmm, does nothing in this life last? She is truly turning into a pudgey little one these days. Considering she arrived 2 months early and spent a month in NICU, another month in and out of hospitals, labs, doctors offices, and then tied to a moniter by a very short 9 foot cord for the next 6 months, I should be prasing God she is healthy and growing finally! She's not quite on the charts size wise yet except her head (hehe, 5th percentile!) but she sure feels like she's gained 5 pounds this month alone. She's 17 pounds now and what a lug to carry around. Her big accomplishment is turning herself around and skooting off the couch/step/bed when she wants down. Not that she bothers to see exactly how far down that might be. . .she's been crawling up the steps for several months now (since 10 months~ all her sibs mastered them at 8 months so we are on target there anyway!) but hasn't yet figured out multi step down manuveurs just yet.

Oops, sorry, nothing about my day in that proud mama diatribe! Oh yes, the skipped afternoon nap.

Which led me to call the hubby and request a night out with middle 2 kiddos to do some returns, price adjust a table we just bought, try for yet a different "Cars" (cute flick by the way) Happy Meal toy, and order chairs for said table.

There was a bit of adventure in that 1) I got to go out without the 2 little ones 2) I did not have to prepare dinner (Daddy did pancakes I hear) 3) I found some clearance side chairs I was happy enough with for now ($39.50 for 4 chairs!! woo-hoo!)
4) the 2 Windsor arm chairs I ordered will be in on Monday (yeah!) 5) After speaking with 4 (no kidding) employees of table store who promised upon purchase of said table a price adjustment period of 2 weeks (for further mark downs) and then reneged on that promise big time I actually walked away with my rightful $72 dollar credit on my c.card! and last but not least 6) my 2 middle children got a night out and away from their sibling responsibilities as well. aahhh. . .

Upon returning home, the laundry fairy had not made an appearance, unfortunately, so that will be a first thing in the morning necessity if the 13 year old is to face his adoring public clothed properly and the rest of us would like clean undergarments! Also, the college age son will arrive at the airport shortly after midnight on Friday evening to begin his 10 day stay at home. More laundry for sure and I mean before he gets here. We had house company and they used his bedroom so now I must freshen everything up before he gets home and again once he leaves. Always, Always Laundry. . . not a chore I especiallly mind just an ever present one which is oh so rarely caught up.

And the evening ended (okay, almost ended) on a nice positive note with a chat (with the hubby) about family vacation (yup, 6 of us in a car for 12 days and 2500+ miles) and no real disagreements over places to go, things to see, money to be spent for once! Just waiting for some final details about specific dates and I can really get on line and start finishing up plans. We usual end up going some place were we are required to travel anyway either with hubby's work or this time college age sons 1-yr. graduation ceremony (1 year degree to be followed by on-line semester from home while he prepares for 18 months overseas internship) and then back to Minnesota for 4 year BA degree after that. (hard to keep that all straight sometimes) and "come help me pack up my apartment and travel home 1200 miles in this older vehicle" oh boy!

Back to vacation. Since we are traveling as far as MN, we have decided to go a day further and visit Black Hills of SD and see Mt. Rushmore and surrounding area. Probably head down to Colorado (Denver/Colorado Springs area) after that. Kids have never been further than MN one time and hubby and I have only flown over area on way to CA on buisness. Would love to hear travel tips for area or must do's .
We are born and raised East Coasters who understand fully populated areas, large cities, and driving up and down the coast but all this space with not much in it is very strange! Nature is great for an overnight family bonding camping trip or for hubby to hike or bike but it will be hotels and "attractions" this trip. My kiddos would be asking what they are suppose to see after the first 100 trees and the first true mountain range otherwise. So I admit it, we (I!) are not real nature people (except hubby and even he, as the years catch up with us, enjoys a nice comfy bed at night!) But museums are not a big fav either unless they are kid ones (and boy have we been to some great ones over the years) . We would all like to see a few "new to us" animals (that is anywhere but in my home that is, ) get the wow effect of the vastness of the midwest, and see things we can't see back home! All on a budget. oh boy.

We will meet up with college son to drive home together a week after we leave him to vacation. He will not be joining us as he is participating (best man in one) in three weddings that week.

Well, better shut it down for now. Want to finish 40 or so pages in a book I picked up off the clearance rack at Christian book store a few week back. It is what kept me from laundry today and just needs to be put to rest! Reading is definitely my escape from real life more often than not. This read was a suspense CIA/KGB kind of thing which intrigued me as one son has been to Russia 4 times and I always like to hear more facts surrounding any place I 've never been but know a little bit about.

aahh! time to go. Kim

1st attempt and Intro of sorts

Well, this cetainly feels a bit like space age technology to me, which of course, dates me from sentence number one of my newest venture, blogging!

I have enjoyed surfing around and even lurking a good bit on others blogs for several months now and admit to being blown away, amused, saddened, encouraged and yes, even enraged at what I've read. However, mostly I've felt connected and informed and fulfilled by what I've come across.

So without further ado, I enter a whole new world. . .

My e-mail buddies will think I've lost my mind, my family will wonder why I'm not spending this time on them, and I myself am feeling quite like I have nothing to say all of the sudden!

So perhaps I shall begin with a brief introduction which I admit could take several turns if it were all inclusive or sound terribly boring if I just listed names and places so perhaps a bit of both.

About my blog address ~ acrosstheboardandback ~ this sums up much about my life for now and in this place.

I am a Mom to 6. wife to 1. My children are grouped loosely in groups of 2's. 2 grown and mostly gone from the nest, 2 in the middle years, and 2 who I still refer to both of as babies.
On any given day I can be found lending my oldest our lawnmower, taking a cell call from nearly 1200 miles away from the next about some obscure question about life in general, arbitrating between an almost 14 year old and his younger sister of 11 about a friend, a phone, or a video game, all the while changing 2 sets of diapers for 2 very different size bums!

This is not an adventure I came upon in a planned sort of way (obviously! who would plan this?) or one that I am currently very fond of at the ripe old age of 43. I do love each of my children with what seems to be increasing fervor for each of them and yet I can't help but think of "what could have been" had I stopped at 2 or possibly even 4 total. So am I a bad person? No, just regularly overwhelmed by the responsibilities of my life!

My husband finds his life much unchanged with the passing of married years and the addition of family members. He gets up, goes to work (same stable job of as many years as our marriage), comes home, wants dinner(and sometimes even gets it!) and fulfills whatever husbandly/fatherly duties we place in front of him on a regular basis. Mind you I am not foolish enough not to appreciate this solid rock in my life of ever changing emotions and parenting crisises; however, there are times, I just long for him to understand more concretely what my life feels like to me personally!

I occasionally read a blog where the writer seems so in tune with what I am feeling in this area of "living life" I just want to shout "someone truly understands!" so I will share this with my husband who just truly does not get it at all! "where do you know her from ?" would be a standard comment! ey-yi-yi.

So here I sit trying to type out a few of my thoughts and doing less than a stellar job of it but enjoying a few minutes while my 1 year old naps, my 3 year old spills cocoa pebbles on the couch, my 11 year old tells my 13 year old how to clean it up, and my almost 19 year old calls once more to check his flight times home for a one week vacation before it is back to his 3rd semester of college life (yes, over the summer, the plan is a 4 year degree in 3 years including an 18 month internship overseas. . .).

Enough for now, I need to refill my cup with Diet Coke and lemon or lime and see if I can get a chore done before baby number 6 demands my time.

Anyone out there think I'm hopeless, helpless, or frighteningly normal? love to hear others are making the grind a bit more likable by sharing it with another somewhat isolated mom.

My first attempt, Kim