Cornfields & Chaos

Mattress Surfing

2010-01-27T22:24:00.005-06:00

Today we moved the crib out of Eric's room and replaced it with a twin bed. Jonathan was to take the crib mattress downstairs to store in the basement with the other parts of the crib. He decided that sliding down the stairs would better and faster. A whoop and a holler later and everyone wanted in on the fun. We did discover the lighter kids slid better. Kalynne wanted a turn. Her brothers were overjoyed at the chance to try to shove her down the stairs. Well, she tried and managed to go down the stairs without the mattress when it got stuck and she didn't.

Joanna wasn't thrilled to have to bring up the mattress, but the fun afterward more than made up for it. Work before play, right? Eric absolutely love mattress surfing and seems to have no fear. I hope I don't catch him trying to do it solo!

Here is a video of Joanna and Eric taking a turn (just tilt your head a bit). Too bad there is no sound but just imagine delighted screams that have a uh-uh-uh feel to them too. I think there was only one crash into a wall and none into the piano at the bottom of the stairs. I think the kids like this better than sledding. It is definitely warmer!

Eric's New Glasses

2010-01-24T21:21:00.003-06:00

School is in Session

2010-01-23T18:15:00.005-06:00

The winter break is over not from winter but from school. Except for a snow day, the kids are back in school. I am also back in school. I do not get any snow days either. Clint suggested, and I agreed that perhaps the timing is right that I go back to college to finish my Elementary Education degree.

I am using one of the local community colleges in the area. Since Eric is still at home all of my classes this semester are strictly online classes. It saves on childcare costs as well as gas and travel time. That option, online classes, wasn't available when I was first pursuing my degree. Maybe if it had been, I would already have my degree. I think it is better now though while I am busier with life and family, I am more responsible and like to think mature. The kiddos remind me on occasion that I am not which is usually after pulling some prank.

I have finished my first week. So far so good as my homework has been turned in already. Most was due tomorrow (Sunday), but I wanted to keep that day for church and family. One assignment (Intro to Psychology) received full marks plus an extra credit point. The other while not graded received good remarks from the teacher. It was for Intro to Art and was a self-portrait box (pictures below). I am also in a Political Science class.

I enjoy the art class so far and find the political science class interesting. The psychology class is by far the hardest. I make sure I do that class reading in the morning after I have woken up a bit. I was nervous being the oldest student or being too dumb. I don't know if I am the oldest, but I am not the only mother in my classes or education major. Hopefully the success of the first week will keep me going. I am just wondering how I am going to handle Spring Break as the children's break is not the same time as mine. I am pushing for my own laptop but so far have been told to keep wishing.

My first art project --

2010: The Year of Repairs

2010-01-17T20:26:00.002-06:00

Just over two weeks into the new and I am ready to scream, "DO OVER!" The joys and blessings of owning a home have allowed us to pay for furnance and dryer repairs, buy a new dishwasher and now septic tank repair.

The dryer was dying when the furnace and dishwasher decided to break on the same day. We do not live in a warm climate like Arizona or Hawaii. We do have friends with space heaters, plenty of quilts and a fireplace to ward off the chill. The furnance was repaired (new blower motor). The dishwasher was pronounced DOA (burnt out washer motor that would cost as much to repair as a new model). The first dryer repair (DYI) was some help but not much. The second fixed the problem. I think I am helping pay for the appliance repairman's daughter's wedding. Oh yeah, I had to buy a new toaster too that week.

Yesterday started with a flat tire on the van. It was discoverd after I tried to back it out of the driveway and got it stuck on the ice. It culminated into a broken stereo with the library's CDs stuck in it. The climax was this morning when it was discovered the septic tank had backflowed into our basement. ICK! The huge electric because of 3 hour drying time or constantly on dishwashers or even really cold temperatures did not help cheer our spirits.

Blessings, blessings, there's got to be blessings in all this. I know there has to be blessings.
1. I love my new dishwasher. It is sooo cool. It was also on sale and a cheaper price we found was matched (savings equaling over $200) plus it was the last one in stock so we were able to take it home that day.
2. I paid $5.79 for a new toaster thanks to a gift certificate and free shipping.
3. The furnance was repaired the day before the snowstorm and following negative degree temperatures.
4. We had friends offering us a place to stay as well as space heaters. Also we do have a second furnance upstairs so there was a place to warm ourselves while watching some good movies.
5. The flat tire was discovered at home and not as a blow out or out while driving.
6. We have a camping potty in our trailer to use as a toilet plus a outdoor port-a-potty at the park behind our house (not to mention lots of trees).
7. Thank goodness for equal pay so we can slowly pay off the electric/gas bill.
8. We haven't lost electricity in addition to lack of ability to flush or use the sinks.

*Knock on Wood* for that last one.

Yeah, it could be worse. It could be so much worse. It just seems to be overwhleming paying for all these repairs on top on my tuition right now when there are no raises or incentive pay for employees at Clint's company. At least he is still employed!

Here's hoping that this year has done it's time coming in like a lion and now it can be a lamb. Studying Psychology this semester doesn't seem very lamb-like though.

Zeke

2010-01-13T09:16:00.009-06:00

I have enjoyed watching the different relationship dynamics since having Zeke. Since we have had some super cold weather as of late, Zeke has been inside so it makes watching him more fun. His antics are funny as he not the most graceful dog. His ear has a habit of turning inside out giving him a lopsided look. He loves the outdoors, and I think the snow is his favorite. He just runs and bounds through with a doggy grin on his face. The outdoors only comes in second to being with his family. We are glad to have saved him from the shelter as he brings us much laughter.

Zeke has a different relationship with each family member. Take me for instance, Zeke is just like my children, I swear. I am the Alpha, the one in charge and the disciplinarian. When Zeke is doing something wrong, I am usually the one that punishes him. What is funny is when I haven't caught him in a no-no situation, but he will see me and start running away. Zeke will keep out of my reach or hide behind another family member when he knows he is in trouble. The dog acts guilty even if not caught (just like my kids). It is not all fear as Zeke does find me me a suitable companion albeit boring sometimes.

Kalynne is the caretaker, and Zeke adores her. He knows she is a pushover. She is his playmate and whimpers when she leaves his sight. It makes going to the bathroom or even piano practice difficult for Kaly.

Clint is Zeke's buddy and best friend. Both Zeke and Eric wait at the door to greet Clint when they see his car drive up. It is hard to tell who is more excited. Clint is pretty enamored himself and loves having Zeke.

Watching and whimpering while his playmates head back to school

Charissa is the one who rough-houses with Zeke. He loves wrestling with her, and it is quite funny to watch. To knock down his opponent Zeke jumps at and hits them broadside. Also Zeke doesn't fight fair if he is losing and goes for the toes. That hurts!

Eric and Zeke are quite the duo. Eric loves Zeke while Zeke tolerates him. The only incident was when Zeke nipped Eric on the lip. Eric was repeatedly poking Zeke in the eye. A poor dog can take only so much. Zeke knew he was in major trouble when he did it. Zeke has come to the understanding that Eric is not low man on the totem pole here. Now to solve the being contstantly bothered, Zeke has learned a method that is acceptable. He nibbles (lips only) Eric's toes or fingers. That grosses Eric out and stops the annoying action.

I witnessed it when Eric was holding on to the tip of Zeke's tail following Zeke around. Zeke tired of the game quickly and nibbled Eric's fingers to stop the game. Zeke does give Eric kisses and once Eric realizes whiskers are not meant to be pulled, perhaps Zeke will not run from Eric so much. There are times Zeke looks so worn out from entertaining and avoiding Eric. I think he is almost begging to be locked in the crate to be able to sleep. I can so sympathize, Zeke!

And just when life slows down...

2009-08-30T16:18:00.004-05:00

I don't think life in this household ever stops. If you fall off, you just have run and try to jump back on. Summer is over, and the first term of school has been wrapped up. Soccer season ended this weekend at least until Spring. Cross Country is over (Jana did that). Life is starting to take a manageable pace or as manageable as it can with 8 kiddos and their activities as well as mine and Clint's.

Clint's activities are going to change a bit. At church he will now be serving as the Stake Young Men's President. It looks like stake youth dances are going to be re-added to our cheap date nights. Clint says that he and I do the same job now -- Nursery Leader. Hahahaha!

I still work in the nursery at church. I enjoy it, and the kids are really set to the routine. I can leave the door open and not have any escapees or distraught children if a parent walks by. That is the biggest accomplishment. I am still the PTO President at the elementary school too. I get to add one more hat though come Spring. I will also be a college student. I am going to the community college here for an Associate in Arts & Science to transfer to a 4-year college. I then will pursue an Early Childhood Education Degree.

It is something I have always wanted to be. It will be done at a pace so not to add any real hardship to my family. I am hoping that by the time that the kids start becoming college students and missionaries that I will have my degree. Eric will be in school too. I can then substitute teach at the kids' school (or area schools) to get my foot in the door. If needs be, I can get a job at the kids' school when the position opens up. That way I can be near my kids and on the same schedule. It always pays to be prepared at least.

I ought to get our pictures posted from our summer and other trips. I guess life hasn't slowed down that much.

SURPRISE!

2009-05-07T18:20:00.003-05:00

Our family will be growing. No, not that way ... sort of. We are hosting an exchange student for the 20099-2010 school year. Our information packet arrived this week. I guess there was no criminal records found and our references were nice. Gotta remember to mail them the check.

Her name is Jana. She will be 17 this month and currently lives in Germany. She shares a lot of common interests with us like love of reading, music and nature. That is good because other things like family size are different than with what she is aquainted. She has just one brother and lives in apartments so even the large house in the country will be different.

We have already exchanged a couple of e-mails as we try to get to know her more, answer questions and let her get to know us. I think it will be a good experience for all of us. We are impressed with what we know so far about Jana. And what is one mouth mouth and body around here?

Life Happens

2009-03-07T23:21:00.002-06:00

Geez, it has been a while since I posted anything. There has been plenty going on though, mundane along with the not so mundane. Where to begin?

The weather can't decide if it wants to be Spring or Winter. I am just glad for our new sump what with the rain and thawing we have been having. It has most likely saved us a few wet floors in the basement. Thank goodness for tax refunds that can pay for it too.

Thank goodness for tax refunds that can cover the loss of income from a temporary lay-off too. All those kids and deductions can come in handy. It seems that Clint gets to take a week off of work and not be paid for it. It most likely will be two, but at least it won't be back-to-back ... sort of. The first one is at the end of March. We had just bought a trip to Branson for a 15th anniversary get-away. We were going to take it when the kids had Spring Break. We are going to go when Clint doesn't have to work now. We found a sitter and made our reservations. Something good besides the enormous amount of yard clean-up has to happen that week.

We also bought a porch swing. We have only been here 6 years. We finally found the right one. We ordered it, and it will be ready in time for Mother's Day. You know where to find me (with my nose in a book) this summer.

Eric is quite the chatterbox now. He has plenty of examples around here. He can say school (when he sees the bus come and the kids get on). There is thank you, welcome, bye-bye, night, and what's that? as well. Oh, I am "mom" now unless Eric is showing his imp-ish sense of humor. Then he goes around the house calling every dad and just laughing about it. I get "What!?" when I call his name. That is also due to the plenty of examples around here. I heard him say stuck the other day as well. He can also say Charissa's and Kaly's names or at least an understandable variation.

I am surprised I don't hear stuck more often as Eric is a climber. I am always have to rescue him. He loves water too. Toilet seats have to stay down and bath tubs emptied. I found out the hard way about the tubs when I found towels, blankets, clothes, toys, and a couple of pillows thrown in the water.

Scholastic Bowl season is wrapping up. Charissa did well as JV captain. Kalynne has her last meet this coming week. both girls love it and earn their team plenty of points.

Oren didn't make it to state for his National Geographic Geography Bee. The poor kid was so heartbroken. He studied really hard too. We are all smarter now, because he shared all his information with us.

Joanna busted her chin open in PE a couple of weeks ago. It is to match the back of her head, I guess. She also was out this past week for three days with a bug that just made you feel yucky and lethargic with a low grade fever.

Jonathan had Pinewood Derby last month but didn't win any races. He was so bummed, and then broke his trophy since he won a specialty category. It was just not his night. He is looking forward to summer camp so I better get him signed-up!

Cara has stayed free of injury, illness and disappointment unless you count having been made to practice piano. She is struggling with that right now. I get to teach her as her dad is about as exasperated as she is.

I am staying busy with PTO (finished one project last week and moving on to the next, a fundraiser next week). Church keeps me going too. What with my responisibilities, the activities and everyone else's responsibilities and activities ... ugh! Okay, it is not bad just busy. I also pamper myself by working out three times a week. I started attending Curves. So far the effort has paid off with 11.5 pounds and 14 total inches lost. The photo from Thanksgiving was motivation and a shocker about how I let the weight creep back on again. I actually enjoy exercise or maybe it is the me time. A friend watches Eric 2 hours twice a week so I can workout and run errands during the week. I also go Saturday mornings. I try to squeeze in walks the other days. hopefully the weather will decide on sunny spring days so it is possible.

Now I better get to bed. I just realized I had typed this entire rambling news bit in my cooking blog. Thank goodness for copy and paste!

The Exciting Life

2009-02-11T07:44:00.004-06:00

According to a recent letter from family, your life is mundane, dull and quite normal if not plagued with flood, pestilence and famine. Well, I thought my life was dull, but I guess not. We have had floods (in our basement), pestilence (mouse took up residence in my car) and famine (my kids always think they are starving).

The flooding was taken care of with a new sump pump. It was a tricky endeavor for the contractor. It seems our basement flooring is three times as thick as normal. The guess was it chipped and cracked at first laying so a second layer was added. The poor contractor worked the entire day just breaking through the concrete.

The stupid mouse in my car ruined a coat, outfit of Eric's, bottle nipple and my stash of McDonald's napkins and ketchup. It ate a hole in my backpack I use for a diaper bag too. I was not a happy camper. I discovered the nest (see photo) in my glove box as we were driving. I had asked Oren to get me a tissue. He opened it, and I was hollering at him to close it fast. The last thing I needed was a terrified mouse and screaming boys as I do 70 down the interstate.

The mouse is gone though. Oren set a trap slathered with peanut butter. It caught the mouse and sprayed peanut butter all over the driver side when it went off. What it even grosser (skip to next paragraph if you don't want to read) is it was freezing outside. Okay, that isn't the gross part, but the mouse frozen to the trap is. Clint was trying to get it out of the trap to feed to the cat. I think Clint was quickly becoming sick judging by his facial expression. He finally threw the whole kit and kaboodle at the cat who gnawed the mouse off and had a nice breakfast. The kids were grossed out but couldn't keep their eyes away too long.

You, that is the excitement around here. We are back to the dull, mundane life. Our yard is a bog with the warmer temps melting the snow but not quite the frozen ground. The rain yesterday and today is not helping to dry out things. Just don't wear slip on shoes. You will become shoeless as the mud sucks them off your feet. At least our basement is staying dry. I just need to figure out how to stop the supposed famine as the plague of locusts descend on my food each day.

Deja Vu

2009-01-20T09:40:00.002-06:00

I think I need to copy and paste the post from when the kids went back to school after their Christmas break. It feels like it all over again. Due to thing beyond our control (which soon would include the children), the kiddos had a 6 day weekend. Yeah.

We had snow Wednesday that closed the schools. Then we were all frozen with sub-zero temperatures and nasty windchills. I think the high on Thursday was only -13. The windchill had gotten down to -36. Ick! Due to the extreme cold school was cancelled Thursday and Friday since the temperatures stayed low. Then you have the weekend, and my kids had yesterday off from school for MLK day.

The worst part about being home for so long was that it was so cold, you can't go outside. At temperatures like we had Thursday, frostbite can happen in minutes. At least we are having a heat wave now. It is supposed to be up to 32 tomorrow.

That ice storm we had earlier really helped as we had firewood from downed trees and also from the dead ones we cut down since we were already outside cutting up fallen trees and limbs. The fires have kept us toasty warm as long as I remember to add wood to it.

Oh yeah, we didn't have any frozen pipes since ours are mostly inside due to our full basement. The water main in town isn't though. It decided to burst after Clint's shower Sunday and before mine. So we are scrambling (Clint actually had left already for meetings so was blissfully ignorant until I called to complain) to get water to take care of the animals and sponge bathe. On the way to church I grabbed our 5 gallon container and a couple of gallon ones to fil at the church. I also borrowed 2 five- and a three-gallon containers from our scout troop supplies so I could have water on hand. The water was back on by the time we got home, but we are on boil order.

Yeah, I almost could enjoy that we have water to do laundry except that I ran out of laundry soap. I am definitely enjoying the quiet. I think that deserves a nap.

Extreme Home Makeover

2009-01-13T08:10:00.003-06:00

I always find it cool to read a book or see a show and know exactly what or where it is. I was able to see the EHM show about the Grys family in Pekin (finally). As the show opens I knew where all of those landmarks are located. I pass by the new house often. I know one of the workers at Sears that helped shop for the family. She was able to pick out clothes for Jake. I know someone whose son was in Jake's kindergarten class and know the family. It is so neat to see and adds a bit of reality to the show for me because I can relate. Yeah, I saw the excavators cleaning up after demolition. I even went to see the house as it was being built. Some of the flooring trucks arrived while I was there. It was so cool to watch and there was a party at our area civic center for the show.

The only thing I didn't like was not seeing anyone I know personally caught on camera-- not that I wasn't looking!

Guess what! Guess, guess, guess!

2009-01-05T07:54:00.003-06:00

What is that sound? No, not Eric crying or the sound of Cheerios being thrown ... bbrb ... Oh, sorry. That took longer than I thought. It seems my dear son has learned all about the spirit of giving these past few weeks. He gave me a blow-out and coated my arm with ... you don't really want to know, do you?

What was I saying? What is that sound? It is the is the sound of silence. Eh, quiet is more like it. I don't think my house will ever be silent with washing machines, dishwashers, dryers and various other appliances running. The kids went back to school today. I was a bit more excited than they were.

Don't get me wrong. I like my kids. I even love them. It isn't having them home that is the problem. Well, when they won't share our new Wii, it is. Besides that, I like having them around. It is what happens to my schedule. I do not handle being off schedule over an extended period very well. What with hubby and the kids home for two weeks that constitutes an extended period. I am just going to enjoy getting back on my schedule. So what do I do? Why, I sit here on the computer telling you all about it. Hey, do you know how hard it is to get computer time with 9 people in the house? Like I said ... Back to the regularly scheduled program.

He's Walking!

2009-01-03T19:26:00.003-06:00

Okay, I know I need a video but since mine stink posting without one is about the same. Eric tried his hand or rather feet at walking this week. He still prefers crawling as his mode of transportation, but he is getting more confident on his feet. He has a Frankenstein or zombie walk which is funny. Each step he takes, his legs get further and further apart which poses a problem, but he hasn't done the splits yet.

Eric loves to climb. If he can climb it, he will. Stairs are a snap. He often gets stuck on a stool or in the pantry trying to get to the goodies. My time is coming when he is going to be everywhere at once and unable to be contained. Eric has already started cutting his naps short.

At his doctor appointment the 30th, Eric weighed in at 21 lbs 6 ounces and 30 inches. He is as healthy as can be. He is so mellow and calm too. The doctor asked if that was normal for Eric. When I said it was, the pediatrician said he would take a full day of little boys like Eric. The only fuss Eric made wa his shot, but that lasted less than 20 seconds. He was back to his chattering self quick.

I have noticed Eric is a bit obsessive when it comes to food. He eats one food completely before moving the next type. He picks apart soups that way. I made him a cheese-less pizza tonight. He ate all the meat off before licking the sauce and eating the crust. LOL! He ate two slices, the porker!

After having a houseful for the holiday, I am so glad one of my children is mild-mannered. I would say quiet, but Eric has discovered the shriek.

Christmas Funnies & Riddles

2008-12-23T08:43:00.004-06:00

Charissa shared these with me after she got them from her school newspaper. I got a chuckle out of them. I hope you will too. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Christmas Carols for the Psychiatrically Challenged

Schizophrenia - Do You Hear What I Hear?

Multiple Personality - We Three Kings of Disoriented Are

Dementia - I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas

Narcissistic - Hark the Herald Angels Sings (About Me)

Paranoia - Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me

Mania - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Office and Town

Personality Disorder - You Better Watch Out, I'm Goin' to Cry, I'm Goin' to Pout, Then MAYBE I'll Tell You Why

What do you get if you deep-fry Santa Claus?
Crisp Cringle

Why did Santa Claus trade Rudolph?
He wanted change for a buck

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
Claus-trophobic

Ha-ha-ha and Ho-ho-ho ... Have a safe holiday season!

Funny Kid Videos

2008-12-20T12:08:00.003-06:00

Sorry about the darkness, but Eric was so funny thinking he was pulling Charissa in our rolling desk chair. MUSH!

Oren and Kalynne goofing off ... think being cooped up indoors is getting to them.

Ice Ice , Baby!

2008-12-19T01:43:00.010-06:00

There is ice everywhere, coating everything. It makes for some fast sledding and cool wipeouts. The landing isn't as soft as snow though. It was funny to watch the slipping and sliding from a warm house thanks to good insulation and a warm fireplace. Eric loved the show and stood at the window watching the kids who had an extra day added to their Christmas break.

The ice storm sent tree limbs snapping and breaking because of the accumulation. Nothing like being woken up from sleep from the trees snapping outside your window. We lost power about 5 a.m. and didn't get it restored until 1 p.m. We were prepared (food, generator and fuel) and fared well. We didn't have to bring out the generator, but will have to bring out the chainsaw.

The clothesline was a casualty of a fallen tree branch (the branch behind the one trunk that looks like it is suspended is resting on the line). I had been after hubby to cut the branch for the last two years. He can check that off his to do list now.

They're dropping like flies ...

2008-12-18T06:00:00.006-06:00

Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me ... NOT!

First it was Charissa as her dad sped her home from seminary. She had her head hanging out the window. Hubby's car made it, but my stairs were not so lucky. BLECH! Then it was Joanna last Sunday who missed church and was nursed by her daddy.

Then it was Cara, but she was faking it although I still let her stay home. I made sure life was boring as possible for her. You need plenty of rest when sick, right? Yeah, she won't being repeating that anytime soon.

Now it is the biggest baby of all ... hubby. I know he is sick when he doesn't fight when told to stay home from work. That means he will hog the computer, and I actually gotta look like I work all day. I think I might leave him and Charissa home (she has a free pass on finals due to good grades and attendance so is out of school until January) with Eric so I can finish some shopping. Eric takes a 3 hour nap from 9:30 to about 1 p.m. or so. Yeah, I'm spoiled.

I guess it is better that hubby be sick now since on Sunday I have to teach two lessons (10-12 year old) and my 12-13 year old young women. Clint also got us into a family musical number that we are performing. I don't whether to wish that they all get sick now and not ruin my holiday (but wouldn't mind not singing) or just hope for the best that hubby is the last hit. Our room is under quarantine as I hang on to hope.

Sigh ... I better start acting ... er ... cleaning.

Edited to Add: ARRRGGGHHHH! Not 15 minutes later another bites the dust ... Oren had to make sure my two sets of stairs were a matching set. He just nailed the downstairs ones.

Geography Bee Winner

2008-12-16T16:00:00.007-06:00

Today was our middle school's Geography Bee. Every student in the 6th-8th grades takes a geography test. The top 30 scorers then compete in the school's geography bee. For the third year, Oren made it to the school's geography bee. His first year he scored 11th, inched out of the finals in a tie-breaker.

This year hubby was unable to make it due to lack of any vacation time so I continued to text him the results as the bee wore on ...

Top 12 - still going

In finals! won tie-breaker

Top 3 so far!

HE WON!!!

Some of the questions I would really have questioned if Oren had not gotten them correct. One of the questions in the semi-finals was asking in which state the city of Galveston was located. We went there two Spring Breaks ago to camp and show the kids the ocean. I did realize we need to take the kids to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina as Oren was the only one to miss that question in the semis.

Now that Oren won at the school level, he will take an intense test after Christmas Break to try for qualification for the state bee. The top 100 scores on that test participate in the state's geography bee.

Oren won a trophy with certificate from the school and a really cool atlas from National Geographic. He might have to hide the atlas from his dad. Oren displayed good sportsmanship after which a slightly inflated ego surfaced. That is okay though because it isn't too bad, and he is almost as excited as I am about all of it.

The 30 Participants

The 10 Semi-Finalists

The 2 Finalists

Oren Wins!

The 3 Winners

Congratulations, Oren!

A Brrr...thday Party

2008-12-15T08:35:00.006-06:00

Jonathan's birthday party was Saturday even though his birthday was the first of December. Jonathan wanted an Antarctic Party. After much research (gotta love google), I came up with some cool game ideas. The games were catered to 10 year-olds.

These are the invites that I made. For privacy and security issues when dealing with the internet, I blacked out certain information. I used a font called Frosty and found the cute penguin clip art on-line.

Decorations consisted of snowflakes hanging from the light/fan and on the counter. I had a snowflake tablecloth and bought blue plates with cup and napkins which also had snowflakes on them. The snowflake decorations as well as the cups, plates and napkins were bought cheaply at our dollar store for a dollar a package. I spent $7 for decorations. I already owned the tablecloth.

We served pizza and soda for dinner at the beginning of the party which allowed any late comers to not miss out on the fun and games. After dinner, we had games. All the games kept with the theme of the Antarctic/Arctic. Following the games was refreshments and gift opening. We did away with the traditional cake. Instead we had powdered doughnut holes (snowballs) and ice cream. Goodie bags were snowflake covered bags filled with candy.

Game #1: Ice Cube Relay - Mark a start and a finish line. Each player is given an ice cube. At go, each person pushed their ice cube with their nose across the floor to the finish line. If an ice cube melts before the finish line is crossed, a replacement one is given.

It was funny to watch as one boy scooped the ice cube up in his mouth and pretended to push it. he then spit it out at the finish line. Boys were getting tangled up in each others' legs, and the spectators were laughing pretty hard.

To change this up for a party later this week, I am having a set of mittens per team (2). The first player puts on the mittens, grabs an ice cube (kind you buy in a bag) and runs it to the other side to dump it into a pail. The player then runs back and hands off the mittens to the next team member. It continues a bucket is filled. I bought cute metal buckets at our local Wal-Mart.

Game #2: Seal Game - For this game you need paper cut-outs of fish. Each player gets on his knees. As the fish is dropped the player tries to grab it with his "flippers" (aka hands) slapping together. He can bend his body but cannot move off the spot or his knees.

We didn't do this game due to time constraints which disappointed the birthday boy. We might have to give it a try at a later date.

Game #3: Polar Bear Tag - One person is selected to be the polar bear. That person is on his hands and knees in the middle of the room. The rest of the players are penguins. Their job is to waddle from one side of the room to the other without being caught by the polar bear. The last remaining penguin becomes the new polar bear.

This game was a favorite and fun for all ages. I played the polar bear once even. We had some high jumping penguins trying to escape the swipes of the polar bear.

Game #4: Penguin Relay - The only supplies needed are players and plastic eggs. I used paper mache' eggs found at my local hobby store. Depending on the number of eggs, divide the players into teams. The eggs are placed at the feet of the players who are now parent penguin taking care of their eggs. At go, penguins waddle their eggs to the next player on their team. The game continue until the first team has all gone.

Some boys were not careful parents and ended up playing soccer and kicking their eggs across the line. It was fun though, and funny to watch those eggs go every which direction. There are also foam eggs available, but the mache' eggs held up really well.

Game #5: Iceberg Races - Players partner off. One is the pusher while the other is the pushee. The pushee sits on an iceberg (carpet square). At go, the pusher then pushes the team mate on the iceberg around the room. Depending on the size of the room, a number of laps can be set to win the race.

We had boys sliding off their icebergs, being dragged by their team mate and general fun chaos. I used felt squares which worked on my wood floors. The squares were not big enough though so I would change that to the size of a carpet square or at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Quilt batting would also work depending on the flooring.

Game #6: Feed the Penguin - Supplies needed are goldfish crackers or the like. Players pair off with one being the penguin and the other the feeder. Each team is given the same amount of fish crackers. At go, the feeders try to toss as many fish crackers as possible in the "penguin's" mouth. The penguin's knees are together with flippers (hands) at their sides.

This was the favorite game of the night. I will be paying for it as I am still finding fish crackers to sweep. It was worth it, and a definite keeper for games.

Game #7: Blizzard - White balloons are blown up. Players are divided into two teams, one on each side of the room. At go, the teams try to blow the balloons to the other team's side.

We also were unable to do this game. I am using it for my daughter's kindergarten party though later this week.

Game #8: Snowball Fight - Crumbled paper becomes the snowballs (balled up socks can work too). It is an all out war. Forts can be constructed from blocks, tri-folded cardboard or whatever the imagination can imagine.

The furniture in our living room was enough to provide make-shift forts for the boys. I had "snowballs" everywhere! I had hoped it could be taken outside with the real stuff, but we had warmer temperatures which melted everything. This game was a hit and is being used for a witner games activity with our church youth.

A fun party that had the boys excited and talking about it! Yeah!

O Christmas Tree

2008-12-11T08:53:00.011-06:00

You would think they (aka family) would now the routine by now. It happens the same way everytime. Maybe they are just slow learners. Or maybe they just block the traumatic experience from their minds. They could just be gluttons for punishment or hopeful that this time might be different. Remind me not to send them to Vegas.

This past Saturday we went to get a Christmas tree. We left Eric at home because of the cold weather. Charissa was more than willing to watch him for us. Oren wanted to stay home too. They probably lost hope.

We don't just get a tree. We go to a tree farm and hike around for 30 minutes to find the perfect tree, but are so frozen at the end of 30 minutes that we settle for any tree so we can end the fun family adventure. Looking for Mr. Right has got to be easier than looking for the right tree.

First, we ride to tractor and trailer out to the far reaches of the farm. We are headed to the soft needle trees. What happens next is Mom spots "The Tree". We all hop off in high hopes that in deed it is the one. Upon closer inspection, the needles are the wrong color, the tree is too skinny, the tree is too fat, the tree isn't full enough, etc. The first tree is NEVER the right one. You would think we would have learned that.

So off we trek to find the one tree destined to grace our living room. This year Cara has a checklist. Hubby insists on soft needles. I insist on the right shade of green. Joanna says it can't be too fat. Hubby asks her if she loves him anyway which earns him a mighty eye-rolling. Jonathan and Kalynne insist the tree be found soon. So on we go walking halfway back up to the entrance eliminating tree after tree while the cold eliminates all feeling in our ears, fingers and toes.

Finally when are about to grab the nearest bush and pass it off as a tree, we find THE TREE. It is the perfect shape, color, not-too-fat and has soft needles to boot. We freeze some more while the children try to cut it down. It is hard to do that with frozen fingers.

Hubby finishes the job, and he and Kalynne haul it to the side of the road so we can ride the tractor back. Kalynne is a big fan of creating family memories. She wants to hurry and end the family activity so it can be a memory.

There the tree is shaken, tied and paid for by hubby while the rest of us enjoy some hot cider and try to get feeling back in our toes (and tongues after scalding it in a hurry to warm ourselves up). Once the tree is tied to the car, we head home proud of our find and hoping it doesn't fall off. One tree-hunting adventure a year is enough.

More Vacation Pictures

2008-12-09T05:06:00.004-06:00

Just some random pictures from Thanksgiving Day ...

Eric (like the shirt?)

Eric and his cousin Austin (Austin is 6 weeks older)

Eric using Charissa as a climbing tool

The Feast

There were 35 people there and that still wasn't everyone.

Eric with Grandpa and Grandma

Me and my girls goofing off

Sand Dunes

2008-12-08T08:57:00.003-06:00

The Sand Dunes are huge dunes of sand. (Duh!) By huge, I mean huge and really tall, really big. I am about a third of the way up when I took this picture. If you want to work off that Thanksgiving meal, climb one of these suckers afterwards. I don't know how my kids kept going up and down so many times. One time up about killed me. The kids loved to roll down. How they didn't lose their lunch is another mystery.

Kalynne, the forever drama queen

Grandma, Charissa and Eric

Cara

Joanna was being buried too but didn't like the sand in her underwear. After a couple of seconds she was hopping around trying to shake it all out. Judging by the bathtub after they washed up, I don't think she got it all. The other half was still in the kids' jeans.

Below is a clip from the Dunes before we headed home. Hubby is going to rescue Joanna who got a mouthful of sand. Both ends were loaded, I guess. The goof in the red is Jonathan.

Must be all the wind ...

2008-12-06T18:42:00.004-06:00

It swept me away. That is why I have been absent from my posting. Actually it is the whirlwind of activities that have happened in the last 3 weeks. The wind is strong and bitterly cold enough though right now to sweep you away.

For Thanksgiving we all travelled out to SE Utah to see family and spend Thanksgiving week. The kids thought missing two days of school was an early Christmas gift. For the week before I was busy cleaning, washing clothes, packing and taking care of obligations I have at church and with our school's PTO.

Then there was the travelling. We left Friday (21st) about 5 p.m. and drove into Iowa. We took off the next morning to be hit with a snow storm on I-80. The snow was creating icy and slick roads. Some of the kids thought Dad was just being cool by swerving all over the road. I was trying to not have a full-blown anxiety attack. We made it through the storm and had good weather, perfect travelling weather in fact, the rest of the way. We arrived in Utah early Sunday evening. That many hours with that many people smashed together in a van and hotel rooms gets old fast.

While the kids had grandma and grandpa all to themselves, we rode the four wheelers, went hiking to see ruins and had a picnic at the sand dunes. I was dumping sand out of jeans for days. On Wednesday, everyone started showing up. The excitement of the evening is when Joanna split the back of her head open. There is no hospital in hubby's small hometown, and the urgent care was closed early. Super Glue, butterfly bandages and a trained Brother-in-law go a long to fixing up a distraught little 5 year old.

Joanna didn't even know she split her head open. She was trying to get outside to be with her cousins when the door handle came off in her hand. She fell. She was more upset she broke grandpa's door. It was her uncle that noticed the blood running down the back of her head. I think it was the mention of staples that made her hysterical.

For Thanksgiving we packed 35 people in one large room. It was full of fun, food and laughs. We had a family white elephant gift exchange later followed by games. The major entertainment for the young kids was taking a foam mattress down the stairs at grandma's house. Joanna tried to get back into the game after we patched her up, but I was a meanie and made her wait until the following day.

Joanna was the only major injury. Hubby was sure there would be one with Cara on the four-wheeler. It amazes me that the child that tattles on every little slight can be so fearless when it comes to rides and roller coasters. Cara was driving with Clint riding on the same four-wheeler behind her. She took a corner a bit fast and had two wheels off the ground. She laughed, and her daddy informed her to slow down. I think he invoked a speed limit after that. ;)

Coming home we took the I-40 route home since I-80 through the mountains in Colorado was going to be in poor travelling condition. We didn't need a fishtailing van on mountain roads as the flat roads occurrence was scary enough. That lengthened our trip home a bit. We avoided snow until our last day which was spent the entire day (8 hours of driving) in it.

Once we got home, we stretched our limbs and enjoyed our rooms and own beds. The next few days were catch up with laundry, unpacking, doctor appointments and all of our normal obligations. Things are still slowly returning to normal or what is normal around here for us.

Pictures will be posted soon throughout next week.

Bullies

2008-11-11T04:49:00.006-06:00

I don't like bullies. I dealt with them as a child and teenager. I hated my high school years because of some of the things that they did. What I hate more though is seeing my own children being bullied.

We had a family home evening (our weekly family night) with a lesson on bullying. I have a child who is bullied at school. That issue has been called to the attention of the principal and teachers and is being addressed. The problem I see is my own children being bullies to each other. I do not like the atmosphere that creates in my home.

We sang "Love One Another" for the opening song. The scripture for the lesson came from 1 John 2:10. I read the story of "Bullies and Brothers" for the lesson. Each time someone exhibited what was thought a bully behavior a picture of a bully was held up. If a good or hero behavior was shown, a picture of a superhero was held up. I had found the two pictures through a google search on the Internet. I had enough for each child in my family.

After the lesson we discussed what we thought constituted a bully. I was given the answers of physical harm, name-calling, teasing, put downs and the like. I told them being a bully was whenever you made someone feel inferior and belittled. A hero was someone who made your day better. That could be anything from a simple smile or compliment to standing up for someone.

Before the lesson I researched a couple of sites about bullying so I could discuss bullying with my family. The two sites I used are here and here. I have found having discussion with my family about what we learn and their feeling or opinions really helps. It is interactive and allows me some insight into my children.

No lesson is complete without homework though. The family homework for the week (or however long it takes) is to fill a mason jar with M&Ms. For every kind or "superhero" word or deed a M&M is put into the jar. Once the jar is full, we make a batch of cookies with the M&Ms and have a special family activity. Activities that the kids want are a pizza and movie night and a carnival night. The carnival night is when dinner is carnival food (hot dogs, pizza and nachos, lemonade, funnel cakes and cotton candy). It isn't healthy per se which is why it is a special treat. The breakfast bar becomes a concession stand where the kids order their food and pay with pretend money. The younger ones love it.

To help remind ourselves to not be bullies this week I posted the below picture on our refrigerator since that seems to be the family gathering spot. Below the picture I put the scripture from 1 John 2:10. The jar is on the counter, and hubby has orders to keep his hands out of it (he has a major sweet tooth).

I think I caught sight of myself

2008-11-10T20:43:00.005-06:00

coming as I was going. Man, oh man! It has been hectic and then some. I have had to pick up the slack in some things which has added to my load and stress. November will probably be my busiest month this year.

For November, I have:

Kalynne's Birthday

Church Lessons

Church Meetings

Youth Fireside (at my home)

School Meetings

Orthodontist Appointments

Family Game Night at the Elementary (planning and running)

Dentist the & Doctor Appointments

Youth Wednesday Night Activities (planning and running)

Church Activities (just attending)

Hosting Company

Planning a Birthday Party for Jonathan

22-hour Road Trip

Normal Mommy Stuff (cooking, cleaning, chauffering, shopping, etc)

The bright side is I have to teach one less Sunday this month due to our trip. I am off the hook for one school meeting due to travelling as well. I guess the hardest part is that I have over a week cut off my month. I am trying to do all of this in weeks. At least we can relax with family the last week. I will think of it as a reward for making it until then. What I won't think of is the 22-hour road trip back home at the end of the month. Or Jonathan's birthday the day after we get home with party later in the week (at least it will be planned out ahead of time).

Whew! I feel like this frog sometimes with life being the stork ...

Election Day!

2008-11-04T07:17:00.002-06:00

Today is election day. Please remember to vote. We live in a great country. True, America has her share of problems right now. Ya know what? I married a great guy and think we have a good marriage. Does that mean he is without his faults or problems? Heavens no! America is like that. She has her problems, but we are blessed as a people to have the freedoms that we do. They have been given to us at great cost. Remember that when you find yourself unable to take 5 minutes to vote, there are men and women who died for our freedoms. How many of them would want just five more minutes?

Student of the Month

2008-11-03T07:54:00.003-06:00

Kaly... er, Kalynne (as she likes to be called now) was October Student of the Month at her school as well as receiving this certificate. It seems our little drama queen is doing quite well. She turns 12 this week and will enter the Young Women program for youth 12-18. I teach and lead the 12 & 13 year-olds so that ought to be fun.

Kalynne also keeps busy with church, school, band (percussion), piano, choral, and caring for our animals. She also is joining the middle school's newspaper that is just starting up. I would add cleaning her room to that list, but by the looks of it she doesn't do that. Overall, she is a keeper, faults and all.

Extreme Home Makeover

2008-10-26T18:05:00.005-05:00

Extreme Home Makeover is building a home for a family 15 minutes from here. The kids and I like watching the show so had to go look at the building site. The road where the house is situated is closed off for 8-10 blocks. In order to see the home, you need to park and walk. There is a spectator shuttle site where you can ride the shuttle for a donation of canned goods that will be donated to area food banks. It has been nasty weather-wise this week. We have had rain half of it. Cold all of it. The wind is really bad today making it feel colder. It has been miserable for the makeover workers, I bet.

On demolition day the kids and I drove by and could see the large equipment cleaning up the lot. Cement footers were poured later that night. Just tonight I conned hubby into driving by the house. We parked and walked to take a look. It was neat to see all the people. There is a lot of behind the scenes stuff going on to that doesn't make it to television. We passed by an area food business that had a food station open to feed the volunteers/workers. There are the law enforcement workers that direct both vehicle and people flow.

When hubby and I looked at the house this evening, the landscaping was being installed. As we were leaving we saw the flooring being brought in for the new home (carpeting, tile & hardwod flooring) to some cheers of the workers. It is amazing to see it all come together so fast.

The community has been coming together too. There are collections and fundraisers to raise money to help pay off the selected family's mortgage (for old home). There is the can drive as well as a blood drive tomorrow. The family is to come home tomorrow. Watching when the episode airs later will be a must watch for us. We might see people we know!

Charissa

2008-10-23T07:57:00.004-05:00

I gotta brag about my oldest. Charissa is 15 (16 in 4 months) and a pretty good kid. She is helpful. She does have the ocassional mouthy attitude, but overall she is a keeper.

Charissa is talented musically and plays the piano well. She plays at church when asked. She is a voracious reader and loves to write. She is a good student (much better than I ever was) which I knew. She surprised me with how good of a student last night.

She brought home her Honors English grade for the quarter yesterday. She showed me the grade. I couldn't believe it. I gave her the parental spill about trying harder and improving next quarter. It was all tongue-in-cheek though. She had a 99 for her grade. That is so awesome!

She also showed us her practice ACT she took in preparation for next year when she is a junior and takes the real thing. She had a score of 22 for the practice run. She will do well. She has a good head on her shoulders and a great mind in that head.

I am so proud of her!

Cara's Paper

2008-10-22T10:34:00.003-05:00

This is the paper Cara read at the school board meeting (see previous post). Cara's teacher is just wonderful. She is always praising Cara which has really helped Cara blossom and have more confidence. In case you can't read the paper above, here it is typed out with original spelling still intact.

We learned Lots of thing about the desert. The Australan desert home to the bandicoot. The Gila monster is the only poionous lizard in the American desert. The dromdary is a one humped camel found in the sandy Arabian desert. It sure was fun reading about the desert.

She Has It Covered

2008-10-21T06:11:00.003-05:00

Last night we went to a school board meeting. As part of a new tradition, a few elementary students are asked to share some of their work at the beginning of the board meeting. Cara along with two of her classmates were given the honor of being the first ones to kick this off. They also led everyone in the Pledge of Allegience.

As we started the pledge, I looked over at Joanna. She switched her hands a couple of times trying to remember which one went to her chest. I watched her shrug to herself before putting both hands on her chest. I guess she figured one had to be correct.

He had a dream ...

2008-10-16T07:59:00.003-05:00

so now I have a bruised calf muscle. Hubby had a dream last night so he kicked me ... hard ... twice. He was apologetic when he realized it was me he kicked. He kept telling me it wasn't me he was trying to kick. I asked him what it was then. His response? An evil, porcelain doll. Yeah. It had been a coyote but turned into the doll so he was kicking it to kill it. He missed the first time so kicked again. Well, he didn't miss me the first time or the second either.

So what do I do? I faked being asleep when Eric woke up at 4 a.m. I guess hubby was still feeling guilty, because he got up without even trying to wake me. He took care of Eric even though I usually do during the week. I sure didn't feel guilty as my leg was throbbing and tender by then.

That was worse than the falling Christmas tree dream. Early in our marriage hubby dreamed a Christmas tree fell on him. He jumped sky high which scared me awake since I was in that semi-conscious state right before fully asleep. I frantically asked, "What?!" "A tree fell on me ... zzzzzz" UGH!

Another funny thing about dh is that he talks in his sleep if he is stressed at work. He did it all the time when he was in the military. He would bark out orders at me (or who he was dreaming I was), but I just laughed at him which translated to insubordination from his men in his dream. He blew someone up too once (in his dream that is).

Dh usually doesn't act out his dreams. I can count on one hand in almost 15 years that he has. Maybe I shouldn't have given him that chocolate caramel bar to eat before bed. That stuff is dangerous for more than your hips.

Things Gone Bad ...

2008-10-10T08:04:00.003-05:00

A field trip gone bad ...

A driving lesson in parking gone bad ...

A home repair project gone bad ...

Happy Birthday, Eric!

2008-09-30T07:46:00.007-05:00

Eric loves noodles. Eric loves peas. Eric loves chicken. So for his birthday dinner I made some chicken and noodles (with peas and carrots thrown in). It was tricky as Eric is allergic to dairy and eggs. I found egg-free noodles and used soy milk in place of regular. Seeing him scarf it all down was worth it. Funny thing about Eric is that he loves green veggies. He will eat those first so the peas were the first to go followed by noodles then chicken. It looks like he eats like his mama, one thing at a time.

Unlike his mama though, Eric is a huge fan of chocolate. Keeping allergies in mind (good thing the kid is so cute), he had a yummy egg-free, dairy-free chocolate cake. He didn't care. All Eric knew is that is was chocolate. He was fascinated by the candle although he seemed puzzled by it. Joanna helped him blow it out and seasoned the cake a bit more with flecks of spit (had to make sure that candle was out) ... ick!

Oren made Eric a heart shaped pillow (crocheted it) complete with Eric's name. Mom and Dad (Mom bought and Dad said "yeah, sure") got him a Bug Jar. He loved it and was quite mad when it was taken away so the chocolate could be washed off him. The older kids like it too.

Oh yeah, sorry about the video, just tilt your head to watch. I thought the clip was funny since we couldn't tell if Eric was trying to smell the cake or eat it off the plate.

Happy First Birthday, Little Man!

Cyclops

2008-09-26T12:55:00.004-05:00

So I have no picture which would make it even funnier. I was going outside to hang clothes on our clothes since the day is just gorgeous. I glanced at Cara and Joanna who were busy eating lunch at the table (they have today off from school). I did a double-take. Each one of them had huge goggly eye stuck to their foreheads.

I guess they got into the craft bin I keep for the days I hear "I'm bored!" or rainy days or too hot days or ... you get the idea. They stuck one of the eyes to their forehead because they asked, "What?" when I shook my head and sighed. The lightbulb went off though as they reached for the forehead at same time. I was rewarded with a couple of cheesy grins.

Cheap entertainment, I guess. Speaking of cheap entertainment, I had to go to the elementary school Thursday to set up lunch for the teachers. The PTO provides lunch for the teachers on conference days which was Thursday (we did breakfast for them this morning). I had to take Eric with me as school wasn't out quite yet. He wasn't a happy camper especially when I put him down in the school office. I managed to get him quiet and ran out to my car for the last load of stuff.

When I came in, the office staff asked where Eric went. I said he was still in here. They asked what I did to get him quiet. A pacifier, perhaps? No. I had to confess. I put a visitor sticker on each of Eric's thighs. He was busy trying to get them off and quite content (until I pulled them off for him).

Yeah, sticky things are great entertainment. That 80 cent roll of tape can amuse most children for quite a while. It has foiled many a fits too to have a piece of tape stuck to the nose.

Pictures of the Past Week

2008-09-24T07:42:00.025-05:00

Eric has a new love, Oreos. Unlike his mama who eats Oreos just by mouth, Eric also ingests by osmosis.

Toothless in Illinois, Cara lost her first tooth on her own. She has lost her two bottom teeth, but they had to be pulled because of permanent teeth already in place. You'd think the tooth fairy would remember to visit. Hubby says we need to fire our tooth fairy. At least she is fair and pays interest.

We have two playing soccer this year, Cara and Joanna. Joanna is into it more than Cara who aims an occassional kick in the direction of the ball. Joanna is more gung-ho sometimes overly but it makes for amusing entertainment.

Is That a Challenge?

2008-09-23T08:01:00.006-05:00

I read an on-line article and watched the video for a local article about raising awareness for the area food banks and raising funds. I have no problem with helping out so that isn't the issue. Things happen and change in the blink of an eye. I realize that there might be a time I need help.

What gets me is the article and attitudes expressed which is why I had to comment on the article. The article/video "$25 Challenge" comments how hard and near impossible it would be to live on $25 per person per week. I find it really realistic as I do that every single week for my family. I even blogged about living for under $100 a week for my family in my Cornbread & Cookies blog.

That isn't what I budget normally for food alone, but I wanted to find out if my family could make do on less if required. We can. It takes time and planning which is one problem I perceive with people not being able to make it for $25 a week per person. We are busy people. Forget the busy as a bee cliche. It needs be busy as a human. Society as a whole seems to have a I-want-it-now-I-can't-wait attitude.

What does that have to do with the article? People buy convienence. It may because we over-schedule ourselves. It may be we just don't know how to cook from scratch or plan a menu. Those all can create havoc with the food budget.

The reporter said she tried the challenge. The first two things I noticed that set her up for failure are (1) she went shopping without a plan (no menu, no list), and (2) she went shopping at one of the higher priced grocery chains in the area. There is an Aldi right across the street from that Kroger she used. I find some great loss leader prices at Kroger. Their brand chocolate milk is the best (when on sale). Their brand of milk also freezes well when I stock up on a good buy. So I do shop Kroger just not only Kroger.

Other things I have issues with (I got a lot of issues actually ;P) is the reporter's comment of having to buy store brand or generic. There is nothing wrong with that. There are some items I do buy name brands because of quality or whatnot. Some generics are gross and poor quality. I got that. Not all of them are though.

Another issue is the Food Bank Director saying how unrealistic $25 is. Yet when I watched the video I saw Chex Mix (love the stuff btw). It never struck me that was a staple and neccesity. No wonder the budget is shot. Junk food will eat the budget up fast. Do I have junk food? Yeah, sure I do. Sunday nights are for sundaes in my house so I have ice cream and toppings. I have pretzels in a jar on the counter for snacking along with animal crackers in another. Off-brand Honeycomb are in a third jar. My kids snack on those, and I don't have to answer the I'm-hungry-what-can-I-eat question seven times an hour. I do buy junk and snack foods. I just don't buy a lot for nutritious reasons as well as cost.

How do I cut costs? One is where I live. I live in the midwest in an area that has a lower cost of living than say the east or west coasts. I grow my own produce and herbs. I buy locally for things like produce and fresh meat. While meat might costs a little less at the store, I find the quality makes it far suberb in taste. We drink "clear kool-aid" for dinner. That is our nickname for water. I tell the kids it has no added sugars, colors or preservatives. It was funny until a wiseguy added flavor to list of don't haves. LOL! Almost a funny as the time we did really serve clear Kool-aid. The kids' reactions were hilarious when they took the first swallow.

I also don't generally cook meat and potatoes meals. A grilled steak or pork chop tastes good, and boy you gotta have it sometimes. I find that taking that same steak and making Fajitas or Broccoli-Beef are also yummy meals. I use up leftovers as a different dish. Oren says it is a leftover for a reason. Haha ... Leftover green beans and mashed potatoes become Shepherd's Pie. Leftover roast is shredded to make BBQ Beef Sandwiches. I use leftover scrambled eggs and bits of veggies to make Fried Rice.

I plan. That means I make a menu though some weeks are better than others. I check out the local ads. I can do that on-line even. I find what is on sale and plan my menu around it. Right now I have a freezer full of meat so I haven't had to buy too much meat lately. Then I check my pantry to see what I have and what I need. The shopping list is made and off I go. Another budget saver is using area programs like AngelFood Ministries. For the units I bought (3 of them this month for $90), I will get 14 dinners out of them for my family. I plan how I can best use what is included. With the leftover money in the food budget I supplement with fruits/vegetables and other perishables I might need. I also use SHARE foods which supplies me with 3-5 meats and fresh fruits/vegetables for $16 a unit.

There are classes offered at local churches, home extension offices, libraries to teach these things. You can find inforomation in books, magazines and the internet which are all offered for free at libraries. There is a wealth of information out there that can help living on $25 a week a bit easier and very realistic.

A Day of (un)Rest

2008-09-21T15:08:00.005-05:00

I knew I would be watching 4 extra children this morning. I was to get them to church. That was it. As the story of my life goes, that changed as fast as the weather here.

I got a phone call from my hubby at 5:30 a.m. saying that the extra children were on their way (an hour earlier than planned). You see I watched these kids yesterday too. Their mother is expecting twins and was put into the hospital with pre-term labor this week. Their dad is military and had drill this weekend. I volunteered to watch the children. I was the only one with a big enough vehicle to haul everyone in one trip so I figured I qualified.

The reason my hubby called me is because he left for Vegas yesterday afternoon. The children's dad called him to let him know. Unfortunately, Vegas is 2 hours different so Clint got the phone call at 3:30 his time. So the message was relayed, and the children arrived just after 6 a.m. The reason for the phone tag was the hospital had called our friend with the news that his wife's water broke. She is just 30 weeks gestation.

So I had to feed 11 children breakfast. We had French toast, bananas, apple juice. I got them all ready for church or at least the ones that needed help. We were not only on time but ten minutes early too. We took up a whole pew. Charissa was at one end while I was at the other. That was to block any wandering strays.

Back to getting ready ... I went to check on Eric. Complete nastiness awaited me. Eric had a major, major blow-out. It was smeared all over the bed and him. Did I mention how nasty gross it was? So in the tub Eric went. After he was ready and clean, I had to do a load of wash. Then I got ready while Eric ate some dry cereal in his chair. The carseats (5 of them) went into our 12 passenger van. That took some planning arranging seats. I had to take into account of who fights when together and all that fun stuff. I couldn't have any "His leg is on my side!" or "She's looking at me!"

I get through church which I had a lesson to teach too. I got as many kids in the van to go home as I did coming. I think they are the same ones too. I made some pizza for lunch even. Whoever said neccesity is the mother of creativity is right. That sauce I had in the freezer was not tomato sauce as I thought (lesson on labelling things better). It was enchilada sauce. Ya know what? With some Italian Seasoning it makes good pizza sauce. I had just enough cheese and toppings (crumbled leftover breakfast sausage, canadian bacon & pepperoni) for a meat and a cheese pizza. I was even told it was the best pizza.

So now I am about to take my well-deserved nap. To be sure that I get it, I told my oldest that if she made sure I had at least a good hour nap, I would lift her computer grounding. I think I am going to get a good nap.

Creepy Crawly

2008-09-20T15:16:00.006-05:00

Eric is on the move. Despite his odd way of getting from Point A to Point B, he is fast. He is also my floors-need-mopping indicator. Or vacuuming as the case may be ....

More Niagra Falls Pictures

2008-08-06T09:39:00.003-05:00

Is that your final answer?

2008-08-05T13:12:00.004-05:00

No. I would like to change it to ...

Two

and a half

with an assortment of branches

We are really blessed there is no damage. The heavy portion of the tree missed the garage because it snapped higher up on the trunk. Any lower and we would have had damage. I am glad tree number two fell into our yard and not across the road and on the neighbor's trailer. At least the third tree split on that side away from the house. We did lose a patio chair. The leg was broken when it was thrown off the porch. At least we will have plenty of firewood. Clint might not think that a good thing when he has to cut it in the heavy humidity we have been having.

Thunderstorm

2008-08-05T08:24:00.004-05:00

Thunderstorms are fairly common here in the midwest. A really good one sends us scurrying to the basement pretty quick. We had another one last night. The wind is what woke me up. My first thought and question was how many trees would go down. Then I heard the older two girls whose room is upstairs haul their pillows and blankets downstairs once the thunder and lightning started.

When checking the news this morning, I found we were on the outskirts of the storm that moved through central Illinois. Some areas received penny-sized hail, 60 mph winds and lost power. We just had this to deal with ...

The answer is one, by the way.

Bumper Cars

2008-07-30T05:42:00.007-05:00

Bumper cars are hard to take pictures of especially if they are moving everywhere which they usually are. They are fun to drive though. It is more fun to watch the kiddie ones though. Nothing like putting a bunch of 3-4 foot kids who have no clue how to drive in some cars. The ensuing chaos leaves you laughing. You shout too especially if your child is tired of being bumped and tries to climb out and leave the ride. Thankfully it wasn't my child that pulled that stunt.

I don't have any pictures of the kiddie bumper cars since my camera batteries died by then, but I do have some of the bigger ones. Joanna hated the big ones though. Charissa thought it was time to take out some hormonal frustrations on her dad, siblings and strangers.

Clint with his passenger, Joanna, are in the middle of all the cars for the first picture. Oren is in the second one. Perhaps he was looking over his shoulder to get away from his sister.

Okay, now a video. Watch close as you will see Charissa who was driving Cara around. She leaves stage right. Clint and Joanna then come into the picture (green car). Catching a video is almost as hard as taking pictures. It is really just complete chaos. Maybe that is why my kids like it. They are used to the chaos.

Summer Vacation Pictures - Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)

2008-07-29T12:13:00.006-05:00

While at Cedar Point we let the older three kiddos (who were all tall enough to ride any ride) take off with a cell phone and orders to stay together. Hubby and I handled the other four kiddos. After lunch we stuck together or at least tried so hubby & I could get a chance to ride some rides. Cara went on the big Ferris Wheel with Oren and Jonathan. The boys didn't think being so high up was too cool after looking down. Cara loved it and even swayed the car enough to freak out her older brothers, laughing the whole time.

This ride was the coolest as long as I didn't have to ride it. Cara wanted to though. Thank goodness she was too little. Who woulda thought my li'l whiny tattle-tale wimp adores roller coasters. She went on every one she was able too and still was asking for more. The roller coaster was called Top Thrill Dragster. It started from a dead stop and hit 120 mph within seconds. Up it went and came down spiralling. uh, no thanks!

Joanna's favorite ride

Oren

Charissa (trying not to smile)

Kalynne looking just thrilled

Eric rode in style too

Mom and Joanna one of of the many whirling rides

Cara accompanied Jonathan on one of the smaller roller coasters

An Excuse for a Party

2008-07-28T13:46:00.002-05:00

We like to have parties. Actually, we just like to eat ice cream. Which is why we have a fun family tradition of Sundaes on Sunday. We eat sundaes for dinner. I could rationalize that with the ice cream (dairy), strawberry topping (fruit) and nuts (protein), we almost have a balanced meal.

I find that making memories and laughing together doesn't have to cost a lot of money. We have fun at home without spending lots of money. We have restaurant nights. We have movie marathons with movies checked out from the library. Another fun way we can create memories is through bizarre monthly holidays. I posted all about it in my other blog.

We are also planning on having un-birthday celebrations each month since only 5 months out of the year don't have birthdays for us. We will have weird themes like cowboy, frog, yellow and whatever our brains can think up.

Vacation Pictures

2008-07-18T06:24:00.007-05:00

or at least a couple of Niagra Falls. I have a ton more pictures and stories to post later.

Gorgeous, isn't it? Pictures do not give justice to this amazing site ...er... sight (spend too much time on the computer, I guess). The Falls are simply breath-taking to behold in person.

Okay one story now ... This is how it really is for a dozen shots or so when you want a family picture taken. Our vacations are not spent sight-seeing. They are spent trying to get 7 kiddos to take a decent picture to remember all those happy memories (hopefully forgetting how many trys it took to preserve those memories).

Eric's Update

2008-07-03T08:51:00.003-05:00

My baby is 9 months old already. He had is well-baby check-up the 30th (Monday). He is healthy and such a mellow li'l dude. He does have some allergies, namely any grapes, milk lactose, pet dander. I am hoping I don't discover any new ones.

Eric weighed in at 17 lb 1 oz. (5%). He is a light-weight, but most all my kids are. He weighs what Joanna did at a year plus. He is 27.5 inches long (25%). Then we have his head circumference. That is 45.5 cm which is the 57%. Hubby says it because I tell Eric how handsome he is all the time.

Eric sits up like a pro now and can inch worm wiggle his way to what he wants but doesn't crawl. He won't stand on his legs long either. He thinks it is more fun to be bounced up and down as you try to get him to do it. My others were that way too.

Eric also has two bottom teeth barely breaking through. He doesn't like teething so his normal mellow self is a hit and miss if the teething is bothering him. He rolls all over the place and has people pegged for certain jobs. Kalynne is the best at extracting belly laughs from him.

Eric has discovered the joy of Strawberry Chex. He loves those things. I even catch the older peoples eating them. They are pretty tasty. Eric likes food in general. It is just the food that doesn't agree with him.

Fresh Berries

2008-07-02T08:51:00.008-05:00

With the price of groceries steadily rising in time to the appetites of this plague of locusts that live here, I try to find ways to coax some pennies from our budget. Gasoline ain't very cheap around here either and is needed to go to the store. I could ride my bike, but it is 7+ miles of hills which really doesn't appeal to me. I am imagining the steep hill right before my house with bike trailer full of groceries to feed my crew for two weeks. Can you even cram that much in a bike trailer?

One way I coax pennies from our budget is to grow my own food or find a place I can pick some for free. Luckily the place loaded with fresh berries is right on our own property. We have some woods on our property that houses a few blackberry vines and a couple of mulberry trees. We have some blackberry vines we transplanted in beds next to our house too. The biggest, juiciest and most flavorful blackberries are in the woods though, right in the middle of a huge patch of poison ivy.

That is why I take my kids with me. They think it is because of bonding experiences. You see, I am highly allergic to poison ivy. I can walk near some on a windy day and catch it. And when I catch it, I catch it. It goes beyond a patch of itchy skin. I am one of the lucky ones that it goes systematic on ... joy! So not to eat up our savings in doctor and prescription costs, I have the kids pick the berries while I yell encouragement like, "You missed one" or "That snake is harmless." We have a three foot black rat snake that lives in our woods.

See? It's harmless. Remind me not to share that bit of info of where it lives with hubby though as he freaks out even more than the kids when it comes to snakes. I was just trying to show him how cool it was and he went inside (rather quickly) and tried to lock the door on me.

Snakes are not the only obstacle though. I like to make granola and have the berries on top on that. Yum! There are so many berries this year that I can even have enough to make a cobbler. I picked just shy of a pound of berries last night alone. By getting the ladder I could even pick the higher up ones. I hate being short some days. I would have enough for cobbler except for this obstacle. He loves berries too.

My what lovely children you have ...

2008-06-20T13:43:00.002-05:00

All the better to embarrass you!

1930's Housewife

2008-06-20T07:56:00.005-05:00

I am a very superior 1930's housewife. I do better in the fall when school is in since I make regular breakfasts then and do better at sticking to the budget. LOL! Having a baby doesn't insure early bedtimes or a pleasant attitude upon waking either. ;)

115

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

1930's Marital Quiz (one for you husbands too)

Five year-olds and Fireflies

2008-06-16T21:37:00.006-05:00

Hubby and I were returning from a quick errand trip into town. When we drove up the driveway, we saw our two youngest girls in the front yard with big red drinking cups. They saw some of the first fireflies of the season so were outside trying to catch them.

When we asked Joanna (5) if she was catching fireflies she replied a bit down-hearted that she was. When we asked what was wrong, she informed us that she clapped her hands (showing us as she told us about it) too hard and squished her firefly. Hubby and I started laughing quietly at her poor face. Joanna told us she had caught it once but let it go. "I accidently squished it when I caught it again. Like this ... *claps hands* ."

Hopefully Joanna will have better luck next time although maybe it is the fireflies I should be wishing luck.

Why I try not to venture into teenage girls' rooms ...

2008-06-12T11:04:00.004-05:00

Ignore the really cute kid for an instant and check out the background. UGH!

There are no pictures of the closet because those who ventured to do so were never seen from again.

Why every teenage girl needs a baby brother ...

2008-06-12T11:00:00.003-05:00

Thoughts and Rambles

2008-05-17T21:57:00.007-05:00

Sometimes what is said is not what is really meant. My 5th grader (Kalynne) had a play. The entire 5th grade put on various Aesop's Fables. I planned to make the 9 a.m. show, but had the 1 p.m. one as a back up. It was a good thing since I missed the 9 a.m. one. I showed up a few minutes late but just in time to see Kalynne's parts. Kalynne told me that I didn't have to come if I was too busy. I am glad I did because after she left the stage I saw her scanning the crowd from the wings. I was at the back so she couldn't see me. I saw her shoulders droop a little.

About halfway through the plays when another 5th grade class was performing their chosen fables, Eric started fussing so I stood up with him. Kalynne heard him and turned to scan the crowd on the other side of the theater. She found me, and her smile said it all. It said, "I know I told you you didn't have to come, but I am really glad you since that is what I wanted. Thanks, Mom."

My kids like to perform. They love the theatrics and drama. They must since they practice it all the time at home. Joanna had her chance to shine too. On her last day of pre-school a Mother's Tea was put on by the class. The children greet their mother's at the door and show them to their seats. They then take their drink order and serve their mothers. It is quite cute. There are gifts the children made. They love to help open them. Next comes the performance of songs and rhymes. Joanna kept making sure I was watching. When I would wink at her, she would wink back. The Mother's Tea is then finished with the handing out of certificates for those moving up to kindergarten.

I was watching one little boy sitting forlornly waiting for his mother. She was running late, and the look of relief on his face when she arrived was similar to the one I saw on Kalynne's at her play. The little boy, Hunter, is also Joanna's shadow and playmate. The teacher said he was rather wild when the year began, but Joanna was a big help in mellowing him out. I think that is the polite way of saying she put him in his place.

Children are so trusting which makes their naivety really fun at times. Oren told me that he asked his dad why it is called the "Birds & Bees". Supposedly his dad told him it is because birds and bees don't get along just like males and females. Oren had to check that bit of information with me. Usually I am the story-teller and get away with it since I have the better poker face. After 14+ years of marriage though my hubby is getting better. It is just that darn dimple that gives him away if he is up to some mischief. I am usually the practical joker too. I figure a bit of fun makes my day go by faster. Besides I consider it payback for giving birth, nursing, changing diapers and potty-training the li'l hoppers. And that is just by age three and not taking in the teenage hormone years.

Mother's Day Memories

2008-05-14T08:39:00.003-05:00

I wasn't home for Mother's Day. Most of the day was spent somewhere dealing with airplanes. Hubby and I flew out west to attend a wedding of our niece. We took Eric with us and found a good soul to care for the other six children. She hadn't done it before so that is why she agreed, I think.

After the hour delay in departure, hour and half wait for our luggage and three hour drive from Chicago's O'Hare to home, it was about midnight. It had been a long day. It wasn't so bad though that I didn't smile when I saw the goodies laid out on the kitchen counter. There were homemade cookies, homemade poems & cards, a flower and handmade gifts. My 4 yo even made me something with every return address label we owned. The house was clean. As long as I stayed out of the laundry room which one couldn't really walk through anyway, I was happy. Hubby had gotten me a card for Mother's Day. It told me to forget about the cooking, cleaning and laundry because ... it would be there tomorrow. LOL! So true!

I wanted Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner, but the time we got out of the airport the ones we found were closed. Hubby issued a raincheck to me. We had some KFC last night instead so I didn't have to worry about dinner. I even got another gift last night since my 6 yo hid my gift but forgot where. It just made the day's celebration longer.

I did miss my breakfast in bed I usually get though. I didn't miss the soggy cereal portion. When my kiddos bring me breakfast in bed, they fix the cereal first and then get the rest of the items. That means the cereal is a bit soggy. Unfortunately, my gag reflex goes into overdrive on soggy cereal. For my kids, I eat it. That is what it is all about, I guess. There are more important things being being said just not in words per se.

My family loves me even if some one did snitch one of my cookies. It was louder than the jet engine I sat next to on the flight home when everyone woke Monday morning and saw me (& hubby) home. In our house surround sound is when everyone at the table is talking at once. It is good to be home and feel loved.

If I only had a brain ...

2008-05-14T08:31:00.003-05:00

My brain is small. I guess it is so small that one of my kiddos didn't see it and sat on it. You see, my brain is my pocket pc. I love that thing. It just hasn't been working right since someone sat on it and cracked the screen. I guess I wouldn't work right if something several times larger than me sat on me either.

I keep my grocery lists on my pocket pc as well as contacts' information, appointments, tasks and general information that I need to survive or at least remember. The one time I lost my pocket pc for a couple of days (my kids also like to play the games on it) I forgot more than one appointment. I forgot more of them when my dear hubby wiped it out too.

Right now my brain isn't working right (either one of them), and I can't access the several appointments that I have tomorrow. I would really hate to go to the chiropractor when I should have been at the dentist. I think the dentist is at 11 tomorrow though.

I guess I better dig out the ol' paper and pen planner I have still. Too bad I can't play solitaire on it though.

Eric Update

2008-05-13T10:10:00.004-05:00

Eric was wonderful. For a guy who hadn't eaten since 10 the night before, he was a real champ and not fussy at all. He smiled and flirted with the nurses who loved it. The doctor (an ENT) said that the clipping released quite a bit. The skin was to his gums as well as to the tip of his tongue. Eric is still getting used to it. I can tell the local anesthesia is wearing off because I was watch Eric getting used the new new freedom his tongue has.

I knew when they were bringing him to me as he was fussy. I heard him in the hall and met him at the door to our room. He practically leapt into my arms and promptly tried to nurse. Although I wasn't fast enough for his liking, he got his meal. He didn't have to try as hard to nurse or nurse as long. Poor kid wasn't used to it and snorted milk out his nose. That didn't make him happy.

Once his belly was full, he was happy and back to normal. That means grabbing everything trying to shove it in his mouth. Besides being a bit sleepy (napping now), he is just fine. I think I might just join him for a nap too. Sleeping next to him will help alleviate some mommy nerves that he is bouncing back just fine. It will also help that 3 a.m. wake-up this morning.

Mommy Nerves (aka waiting for Eric's out-patient surgery)

2008-05-13T04:42:00.005-05:00

I am up way too early. I have been tossing and turning for a couple of hours so decided to get up. It is a quarter to 5 a.m. now. My alarm isn't set to go off for almost an hour. I finally just got up so at least hubby can sleep. I figured to catch up on some housework. Then I decided to catch up on the blog. Maybe typing out things will help alleviate my nerves.

Eric goes in for out-patient surgery at 7 a.m. He is having a lingual frenalotomy. Besides being unable to pronounce the medical term this early in the morning, it sounds more serious. Eric is having the skin that attaches his tongue to the floor of his mouth cut. Ya know that piece of skin? Eric's is attached to the end of his tongue as well.

At first it wasn't a problem. Most of my other kids were born with it as well. Cara had it pretty bad too. I am not one to rush into medical intervention for (1) cost and (2) putting my children through perhaps unnecessary things. What mom likes to do that anyway? Like I said Cara has it, but she never had problems nursing. It was a dream with no pain, cracking, infections for a full year. Yet if you ask her to stick out her tongue, it will curl back into her mouth before getting much past her lips. It is kind of funny. She isn't talented like a friend's child who can pick her nose with her tongue. Ick! Maybe that is a good thing (the attached tongue not picking your nose with your tongue).

Anyway, I noticed Eric's attached-tongue-thingy problem pretty quickly. I decided to wait and see with him. Nursing was horrible for the first 6 weeks. I stuck it out because I figured I was out-of practice. It got better so I figured it wasn't bad enough to warrant clipping. Then he was nearing the 6 month mark. It started going downhill for me. Nursing hurt. I take 3 Ibuprofen so I can deal with the pain which is what I take following childbirth. I deal with pain fairly well, but was getting to the end of my endurance. I couldn't wean Eric either.

On one particularly bad day, I tried to offer Eric some formula. He refused (couldn't properly suck on the bottle's nipple or attach which was our problem too) the bottle so I nursed him. I just grimaced and bore it. It was a good thing though. As I was watching him eat, I noticed his face getting red, a bit swollen and developing whelps. I couldn't decide if it was the formula or baby food seeing he had gotten both all around his mouth. I put a drop of formula on a clear part of facial skin. It had the same reaction. It seems Eric is allergic to formula. I guess it was a good thing he refused to take the bottle.

I really don't want to pay more money for the expensive hypo-allergenic formula. I also figured since I produce a cost-free meal for my baby that it was the better route. Eric loves nursing. It is just me that is having issues. Since he was so tongue-tied I figured this was the next step. I just decided it too "late". Up until 2 months, the doctor can clip the tongue in the office. After that the babies get too strong. Eric is over 7 months now. So that is why he has out-patient surgery today.

I am told he will receive a bit of gas to make him sleep so the procedure can be done. The medical staff says it is easy and quick. I see nothing easy about it. Not only can I not nurse or even feed my baby for 6 hours before the procedure (not to either of our likings), but I have to sit in the room and fret what ifs. What if there is a reaction to the gas? What if things don't go as planned? What if ...? Then there is the after part. What if it really doesn't help? What if the problem was me and not Eric and putting him through was ...? I better stop now.

I guess that is what happens with being a mommy. I am not even a worrier by nature even, but I can't help myself. This is my baby. It is just what I do.

Babies and Bunnies

2008-05-05T17:50:00.010-05:00

We raise rabbits and kids. Both species are rather cute. We have a litter of four that are about 4 weeks old (one pictured below). Another doe just had SEVEN babies a week ago. I will take mine one at a time, thank you very much. Eric loves all things furry. The poor creatures don't return the sentiment especially when Eric is poking an eye or pulling an ear. Please note that I do chores on occassion. I am drying my clean laundry on the line which means I do manage to keep on laundry most days. It is the folding that I hate. Anyway, back to what I was saying. Aren't babies and bunnies just so cute?

Look, Ma! No Brakes!

2008-04-27T17:54:00.005-05:00

Wanna know how up your stress level? Drive a big ol' van with 9 kiddos having a grand time. Not enough stress for you? Drive that big ol' van filled with 9 hyper kids down a big hill. More you ask? Drive that big ol' van with 9 hyper kids down a big hill and have your brakes fail. Oh yeah, that is not for the faint of heart. Heck, it isn't for me, and I have a healthy heart.

I will try to positive and look beyond the bad things. I will look beyond the cost of towing and repairs. I will look beyond being cooped up in the van with the 9 hyper kiddos as I wait for my hubby to come get us (he was 40 minutes away). I will look beyond that the brakes went out on a steep hill with no warning.

What I will see is that hubby was not travelling so at least he could come get us. Rather it was me because I couldn't see cramming 11 people in a 5-person Prius (one being an infant in a carseat). We went and got our other car so we could divvy up the kids and continue on to church. I guess it is a blessing we have three cars having bought the hybrid Prius when gas prices started sky-rocketing.

Another blessing is that the van brakes failed when they did. If they failed the day before, I would have lost our new piano hubby was hauling. If they failed any sooner, I would have hit a house or seriously re-landscaped a neighbor's yard. If they failed any later, I would have gone on to a highway unable to stop or in town with more people, cars and buildings. Neither of those scenarios appeal to me. There could have been some serious injury and damage. Although the "Hulk" (aka my van) seems to be indestrucible from the couple of other things that have hit it like a mailbox and the car that rear-ended us. They didn't look too pretty afterwards.

It is hard to not say what if. I am just glad I didn't have to worry about the what ifs. When I realized I wasn't stopping although my foot was about to go through the floorboard, I let the van coast while still trying to get it to stop. I didn't make my turn. I don't think I would have anyway having either rolled or driven the van into the deep culvert. I am glad we are safe. I am glad my heart rate returned to normal (and that it was strong enough to withstand the fright).

They sure do talk funny

2008-04-24T11:11:00.003-05:00

I was reminded of how words/slang and the meanings change over the years. I was reminded this morning by an almost horrified 15 yo. Charissa left her shoes (flip-flops) by the door. Her little brother (the 9 yo Jonathan) came by and saw some ants. He put Charissa's shoes on and smashed them.

I was telling Charissa about it a few minutes later, but heaven forbid I used the word thongs instead of flip-flops. So I basically told Charissa that Jonathan borrowed her thongs. Given the meanings of the words now (a thong being a piece of floss guised as underwear), I guess it does sound rather alarming not to mention funny.

I think they change the word meaning to keep parents on their toes and like totally un-groovy ... er cool.

EARTHQUAKE!

2008-04-18T05:05:00.003-05:00

I was shaken awake at 4:45 this morning. Actually, I don't know what woke me, but when I did awaken I heard the items on a bookshelf in our room rattling. When they stopped, my first thought was wind or a tree fell. I checked outside. There was no wind. My hanging plant in our sunroom was still swinging. I started checking on other things. I guess I was thinking that sure felt like an earthquake. I live in the middle of cornfields so it couldn't be. We get tornadoes not earthquakes.

Oren came up saying his parakeets went beserk waking him. This isn't looking good. So I call hubby who happens to be travelling and on his way home soon. He says it sounds like an earthquake. He ought to know as he has been in one. So to relieve all doubt I googled it. I found a site and yep ...

A 5.4 earthquakes struck Illinois this morning. judging by the responses it was widely felt too. We are over 200 miles from the epicenter so fine, but what a wake up call!

TimeTraveller

2008-04-16T08:56:00.004-05:00

My oldest says she is a time traveller. I laughed at her. Then she showed me this picture. Look at the young woman on the left.

Now I wonder as this is my oldest here and now.

I read about the first young woman. She is referred to as Big Nose Kate. Interesting history to say the least. Charissa is worried about the photo of Kate at 40. I didn't like the reputation of being a prostitute and common law wife to a gun slinger. So glad I don't believe the time traveller theory to explain the look alike.

Eric

2008-04-16T08:38:00.009-05:00

Since Eric was born late September, he hasn't had a chance to see green grass or even stay outdoors for very long. Since the weather kinda cooperated (it was windy) yesterday, I took him out to get his first taste of grass. Thankfully, that wasn't meant literally. I think he was more interested in pulling the cats' fur. Eric has a fetish for hair. It doesn't matter to whom or what it belongs really.

It Made Me Smile

2008-04-15T09:22:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was miserable. I had chills. I had a fever. I had a pounding headache. I was miserable. To add woe to my misery Eric was feeling better and not using me as his comfort so I was a tad uncomfortable too.

Yet in all this misery of mine (I am feeling better now. Thanks for asking!) I was able to smile. I smiled when I saw my 13 yo's detention slip. It wasn't at the slip itself but who signed the parent's signature line. Joanna (4 yo) gave her permission for Oren to stay after school. The teacher got a kick out of it too.

I smiled at Eric's baby laughs (even 3 a.m. ones like this morning). There is a reason why we call Eric "Chuckles". He is even more hilarious when he is tired. Everything strikes him as funny and worthy of a laugh.

I smiled when my oldest came home telling me she was able to arrange class work with her teachers if I needed her to stay home. I was that miserable. Hubby would be travelling and was worried about me. I guess so was my oldest. That was really sweet of her being willing to stay home and care for me. Alas I am feeling better, and she is bummed she has to go to school.

I smiled because I didn't clean house and had a good excuse. Actually I wasn't smiling as I crawled back in bed, but I was relieved I had a card to play on why my chores weren't done. In my experience the being-sick-card works better than the playing-on-the-computer-all-day-card.

I smiled because the kids eventually all went to sleep. The house was peaceful. I crashed before hubby could start snoring too loudly. That was definitely worthy of a smile.

National Library Week Fun

2008-04-10T07:50:00.006-05:00

Next week is National Library Week (April 13-19). In celebration the kiddos' school is re-naming their school lunches after books. Running with that idea, we are celebrating in our household too. It will make the week go faster at least especially the couple of days hubby travels. It also annoys my hormonal 15 yo. I have earned quite a few eye-rollings from her.

We are actually going to kick off the week the day prior with a story-teller featured at our local library that day. On the way home, I'll pick up some strawberries. That will be for Sunday's feature. Each day that week features a book or author we enjoy.

Sunday: Angelfood cake with strawberries and cream in honor of The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big, Hungry Bear (a favorite of Joanna's). We can even make funny disguises to hide ourselves too. I don't think the older hoppers will go for it, but it will amuse the younger set.

Monday: Dinner will be alphabet soup and bread shaped into letters. After dinner we are going to our library. The older hoppers can get books while the younger ones can listen to storytime.

Tuesday: We are honoring the author Laura Numeroff. For breakfast, we are having Cookie Crisp cereal (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie). For snack, we are having muffins (If You Give a Moose a Muffin). Dinner will be a pancake meal (If You Give a Pig a Pancake).

Wednesday: This is our busy day, but we will make time for some Teddy Grahams snacks. My oldest remembers a book she enjoyed at bedtime called Bears in the Night by the Berenstains. We love the Berestain Bears. I have used them to teach many a lesson about picky eating, too much TV, gimmees and such.

Thursday: This will be our dog party night. We will make silly party hats and have hot dogs and cake for dinner. This is all in honor of one of the all time favorites in our house, Go, Dog. Go! by P. D. Eastman.

Friday: We have a school carnival this night. Perhaps just an extended dog party? LOL!

Saturday: Dinner will be in honor of How to Eat Fried Worms. All day long I will be using gummy worms added to our meals. They will be swimming in the syrup for our waffles. In our sandwiches or soup for lunch. They will even be coming out our meatloaf for dinner (added after cooking). Of course, you have to finish the day with dirt cake for dessert. We will be watching the movie too.

Turnabout is Fair Play

2008-04-08T12:55:00.002-05:00

Do you know what a pain it is to write sentences? Maybe that is why it is used to punish children for misdeeds. Parents too.

This past September 11th we took the kids to deliver some goodies & thank yous to a police officer and returned soldier we know. We made a stop at a ice cream place on the way home for treats. It was raining when we returned home. Grasshopper #2 was standing in the rain refusing to go in the house. What do I do? I picked up a rock and tossed it against the back of his leg and told him to get moving. He did but not before stopping and whipping around.

"Mom, did you just throw rocks?" Uh-oh! This is the kid who had to write sentences for throwing rocks at his little sister to annoy her. He also received a gash and trip to the ER for a couple of staples courtesy of an older sister defending a little sister. "I think you need to write sentences." Dang punishment! It was such a good idea when I enforced it.

So at 8:30 that night I was writing "I will not throw rocks at people" 25 times. I gave the sentences to #2 who promptly declared that they were his most prized possession and wanted it laminated. Whatever, kid. Don't push your luck. Fair play is just grand.

Cheap Entertainment ...

2008-04-04T09:14:00.005-05:00

Unless they drop my camera, of course. It wouldn't be too cheap then to repair or replace it. I mentioned in my food blog, Cornbread & Cookies, that we are easily entertained in this household. My 13 yo decided to have fun with my camera and entertain himself.

Note: No cameras or 13 yo boys were harmed (for harming the camera) in the making of this video.

Linguistic Intelligence ...

2008-04-03T07:37:00.003-05:00

Heck, I am just glad to have some intelligence. I am really doubting the functioning of any remaining brain cells lately. I did always want to be a teacher (actually teach children music at the church I attend). I do like to write too and even learned a new language, ASL, to help translate a few years back. Now if I could just convince my hoppers that clean rooms are best.

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.

An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.

You are also good at remembering information and convincing someone of your point of view.

A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

A Child's Prayer

2008-04-02T07:25:00.004-05:00

We raise rabbits and do so for selling them or meat. We also say family prayers each morning together before each heading off our separate ways (hubby to work, kids to school and me back to bed).

This past winter all three of our does gave birth. There were 17 bunnies born but due to a cold snap we lost all of them. We held off mating our rabbits until it warmed up a bit so not to repeat the sad misfortune. My 11 yo was heartbroken as she takes care of the rabbits and has a soft spot for all the baby bunnies.

Minnie, one of our does, had a litter yesterday. It is windy and chilly (at least it isn't freezing or below zero) so we have been careful to keep the nest box well insulated. The new litter made it through the night. We hope they continue to make it. It doesn't hurt to ask for help either.

This morning my 11 yo offered the family prayer. She prayed that Minnie's babies could live and grow old ... pause ... "at least until Dad gets a hold of them." There a few irreverent snickers around the table (myself included and hubby was trying hard not to laugh).

Go, Mom, Go!

2008-03-29T13:07:00.000-05:00

Okay if you have never read Dr. Suess' "Go, Dog, Go!", you have no idea what the title means or even caught the try at a joke. It has been all of my kids' favorite book. Well, maybe except Joanna but only because our copy died. After countless readings, our copy was falling apart and 5 times the thickness when we first bought it. We couldn't let Joanna not be exposed to the book so found a copy at the library (really gotta buy another). I am happy to say the tradition lives on.

My children are quite the backseat drivers. Something about getting driving advice from little people who can't even reach the pedals is rather annoying. My children see no need for stopping at red lights. When I do, I am told to go. So I quote from the above mentioned book -- "Stop, Dog! Stop! The light is red now." When it turns green, the kids say, "Go, Dog, Go! The light is green now."

The is nothing about yellow lights in the book. That is okay though. Joanna knows what those mean. As I was driving the other day, the light turned yellow right before I got to the intersection. Joanna pipes up from her carseat, "That means speed up, Mom!" LOL!

So red is stop. Green means go, and yellow means go faster. She might not reach the pedals yet, but at least Joanna knows that much about driving.

The light at the end of the tunnel

2008-03-20T09:38:00.002-05:00

just might be a train. I feel like I missed the train this week and am just barely hanging on, kind flapping back behind it like you see in cartoons.

It has just a whirlwind week. I will be grateful that we are healthy again. Wait! No, my oldest has the cold now, but she is holding up well. I just hate it when my baby or hubby are sick. Those are the worst. I don't anything done if either are. LOL!

We are in the middle of a basement remodel. Last year about this time part of our basement flooded. We had to rip up the carpet. That is when the nightmare started. It seems the carpet was glued in place BEFORE the walls were built. The walls were built on top of the carpet. So out come the walls too since we had to get the carpet out. What a fiasco!

A year later I am waiting for our new carpet to arrive and be laid. Our basement now sports two new bedrooms where we divided our huge family/game room. We still have the family room. The game tables will go in the third bedroom so those who might want to watch TV won't be bothered by the hollering of "CHEAT!" when people are playing ping pong or air hockey.

Tomorrow my hubby and I will be going out for a belated anniversary date (he had the nerve to travel on business on our anniversary) and shopping for trim for the basement. A cook-free meal for me and trip to Home Depot for him, the ideal date! Saturday will see us finishing the basement. That will be just in time for a visit from my mom and her husband.

Since there is life beyond the remodelling, not much but there is a little, we have been swamped in other areas of our life. All areas of our life except the sleep category that is. I never have an over-abundance there lately. There have been meetings both for church, work and school activities. I chaired a successful fundraiser for our school's PTO. I have been busy most nights and definitely days. Here's hoping life slows down the next week so I can at least get my footing for a more comfortable ride.

14 years and counting ...

2008-03-17T09:46:00.002-05:00

Today is my anniversary. It has been 14 years since we said "I do." Those 14 years hold a lot when I think back on them.

When we first married, hubby was an Army officer. In our first year of marriage, I would graduate from nursing school, have a baby and hubby would be gone almost half of it. He missed our first anniversary.

The second year was even rougher as I experienced a miscarriage and broke my foot all while hubby was gone playing soldier. We would close out our second year of marriage with a career change as hubby went civilian, a 1,000+ mile move from Texas to Illinois and finding out a baby was on the way.

The fourth year would involve another 1,000+ mile move. This time out to Nevada. Hubby also would begin his Masters degree. The fifth year saw another addition to our family. The sixth year hubby received his degree and yet another move (back to central Illinois).

Since being back in Illinois we have added three more kiddos, lived in two different houses and lived the life of chaos. Hubby has travelled the world with his line of employment. He has been to Indonesia, Australia, France, Belgium, China, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States. I am sure there are places I have forgotten too. One of these days I will be able to travel with him and not just send along a souvenir wish list.

In the next 14 years, I will be able to join hubby on his travels and be a grandmother. ACK! I think I will focus on the here and now and smell the roses I was given this morning.

Creative Discipline

2008-03-08T14:56:00.002-06:00

Just when I think I have this parenting thing down decently enough, I have another child that throws all my previously learned tricks out the window. You would think with seven kids that I could at least use some tricks again. I mean the personalities are bound to repeat. I have three with brown eyes so why not a few with the same personalities? I guess life just isn't meant to be fair.

I had to be creative the other night with some discipline. It seems hopper #3 likes to mean to hopper #5. Perhaps she forgot what it felt like to be bullied. It was going to take more than just remembering the Golden Rule to curb the behaivor. Then I felt down-right brilliant with the idea of the needed plan of action.

We like to stress positive. I like to tell my kids to look for the positive in others and not be so degrading. Kind of like what mother always says, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So to deal with the verbal bullying, I told hopper #3 she had to do three nice things whether in action or words for hopper #5 each day for a week. The kicker would be having to do more if caught being a bully again.

She is up to five, but she is learning. Right after she got busted again, I heard her about to say something. She never said it and just trailed off. I wasn't in the room so enjoyed a good chuckle. Perhaps they do listen after all.

Nah ...

Sniffles to go around

2008-03-06T09:08:00.002-06:00

and around and around and around. That can be a down side to a large family, passing around all those germs. We are blessed to be pretty healthy in our family. Illness is rare and usually occurs only once or twice a year. When it does strike, it just seems like forever until it leaves our house. It takes a while to get through everyone.

Right now Eric is sick. I hate it when my baby is sick. Poor thing can't tell me where is hurts. He just looks at me almost begging with his eyes for me to make it go away. I wish I could. He is getting better. At least he hasn't lost his appetite.

Joanna (grasshopper #6) was sick last week. She came home Wednesday and promptly went to bed. She missed school the next day and would have for the next few days if it hadn't been a four day weekend for her. She refused to eat. In 4+ days she only ate a bite of applesauce and a couple of bites of ice cream. She finally had half a dozen bites of cereal Sunday. She was able to handle fluids at least. She is so little and petite as is that we were watching her close.

She back up to speed and attitude now. I might be soon when I can catch up on sleep. I like to sleep close to my sick kids so I can hear them. It doesn't make for a restful sleep, but my mind is more restful being close.

My Messy House

2008-03-04T08:23:00.011-06:00

In the mornings it is quite hectic. There are 6 children running about trying to catch the bus. There is just one rushed mother to handle it all. So this is what my house looks like after they leave for school, main floor at least. I wouldn't want to lose you in my older girls' closet due to the piles. They are higher than the piles of snow outside ... well, almost.

Since I have no airs I can admit defeat and go back to bed. After all I was up since 5 a.m. with a nighttime feeding (for the baby not me) as well. I also can clean really fast since the baby can't move from where I put him yet and the others are in school. I clean better when I am more rested anyway.

Since I live out in the country I don't have many visitors. So who do I have to impress? There might be the mailman. Actually, ours is a woman. There is the occassional UPS guy, but I haven't ordered anything lately. I think I am relatively safe for now.

There is the risk that I over-estimate my abilities and sleep too long. Can you ever do that with an infant in the house? Today I am safe at least since my hubby has a dinner meeting after work so I have a bit longer than usual to restore order ... only to repeat the process again tomorrow.

Now excuse me, I need a nap. Perhaps it is just to hide my head under the covers since I showed the world my dirty laundry. After my nap I will clean out of mortification and so there will be no proof (except the clips I posted). I do that quite often, cleaning out of mortification that someone saw my messes. Then after it is all clean again, I want to call the person and invite them back over. They probably won't though because of those dang first impressions. They might too scared not because of the messes although once is enough but I am nuts to do something like that.

Because, because, because ...

2008-03-02T14:43:00.005-06:00

Because I birthed them ... Because I feed, clothe and clean up after them ... Because I chauffer them ... Because I pay for their braces ...

Because of this I have the right and privilege to embarrass my children. I have the right to have some good, ol' harmeless fun at their expense. The biggest reason is I had one of those weeks. I had cranky, sick kids. I had a travelling hubby. I had two snowstorms making the cabin freezer worse. The only thing I didn't have was enough sleep.

I also have a car that can swerve while hugging the road and traction control. I had rain puddles and windows that I can control and lock. I had boredom and a desire for some impish fun at the expense of my older kids.

Hubby and I had to tag team it this morning since we have a sick child. He went for the first part of church since he had obligations there. During the second portion He came home so I could go for the last portion when I had obligations. I brought the five that stayed at church home. The baby, sick child and another poor feeling child (who came back with her daddy) stayed home. Since the weather was a downright balmy 40-something, we had the windows down while I drove home after church with the kiddos.

When I turned down the first of 3 country roads to get to my house, I rolled up my window; locked the windows and rolled the two back ones down all the way. My oldest is a smart girl (and thinks like me) so she started screaming, "No, Mom! No!" I was laughing too hard. The second oldest girl (#3) is smart but didn't quite get it since was still laughing at her older sister. She was soon screaming when I hit the puddle. I got her good. Their poor little brother who was in back behind them (we have a 3 row Freestyle) just had his coat zipped up over his head. He looked like the headless horseman.

A few puddles and bullseyes later, I was really having fun. #2 was in front so he felt safe to laugh at his sisters' expense. The girls were huddle together trying to get away from each of their open windows. I was glad to be the reason to encourage such sibling bonding. Then came our driveway and the screams became louder.

There is a low portion in our driveway with TWO puddles, one for each window. I had stopped and revved the engine to cover the yells that were coming from behind me. Then I went for it. I have had more impressive splashes, but the look in my girls' eyes was worth it. It was fun even though I was promptly told on to their father. They tried to act aghast that I would do that to them, but they like my driving and were all laughing as they were describing our drive home.

They think I am fun.

Full Moon While the Sun Shines

2008-02-28T20:22:00.003-06:00

There really is never a dull moment around here. Let me illustrate by telling a favorite blackmail story from last summer ...

The little girls have been asking to swim in their little wading pool all day. It had been raining off and on all day so I told them when the sun comes out. At about 5 p.m. the sun showed itself so I let the girls go out. Joanna couldn't find her swimsuit and announced she would swim in her panties and shirt. I thought nothing more of it until dh came home. I could hear the girls playing and was rather irked when he sent an older kid to get me. He asked me if I knew what my girls were doing. I was about to snap at him when I turned and saw what my (why are they mine when they are causing mischief?) girls were doing. They had put their Little Tike slide halfway in the pool so they could slide into the water. Well, the sun wasn't the only thing showing itself. Joanna decided swimming in the buff was better. I see her naked little butt go down the slide. Of course, my first reaction was to bust out laughing. Dh (who was trying not to laugh himself) scolded me and said people at the park could see her. Eh, no one was at the park so we let her have her fun.

hmmm ... you know what the funny thing is? I've never been skinny-sipping but dh has. I wonder whose little girl Joanna really is!

You're never too young ...

2008-02-26T08:22:00.007-06:00

to have your big brother teach you how to play Uno.

Eric really enjoyed the game. He get something to hold (& chew) and a steady conversation (Oren likes to talk). Those are Eric's two favorite things, chewing and attention. According to Oren, Eric won both games and fell asleep during the shuffling of the cards for the third.

Eric must know the ropes of the game though. Oren tried to help Eric lay down one card, and Eric yelled at him. It could be that Eric was busy chewing on it. Perhaps it was just Eric's strategy since another card was used. After all he "won" the game after couples more turns.

I think both boys rather enjoyed the game (it was sure funny to watch).

Matches, Pens & Coins

2008-02-22T18:45:00.000-06:00

It is interesting what ends up in the wash around here. I can understand the pen and coins. I pocket the change pretty fast. It just gets recycled around here anyway. The kids earn money. The kids lose money. Mom finds money. Mom gives kids money again when they earn it. LOL! The matches is the questionable item I found in today's episode of climbing Mount Washmore. Why? Maybe I do not want to know especially since I was washing only the kids' clothing and linens.

I have found what things do not wash well over the course of 12 years of doing laundry. Crayons wash well enough but dry horribly. The same goes for lisptick or chapstick. Pull-ups and diapers are beyond your worst nightmare. Paper towels aren't too bad unless you dry them. They are rather friendly things and like to cling to everything. Kleenexes too. Toys will make it unless battery operated. That can be good though if the toy was annoying. Cell phones do not wash or dry well at all. They make a lot of noise as they dry too. Magnets will melt a bit and permanently stick to the inside of your dryer if you dry them. Compasses or watches don't do well. Gum loses its flavor. Pens are fickle and vary on type.

Washing money is not the same as laundering money. LOL! I grew up thinking I was breaking the law each time I accidently washed some cash. I would look over my shoulder just knowing the law was after me. I wish I laundered more of it now ... finders keepers, ya know. I think I earned a whopping 26 cents today. At least that washed well!

If I only had a brain ...

2008-02-19T08:24:00.005-06:00

It seems my brain has gone in to retirement. Hiding is more like it really. Even with my nifty little toys like a pocket pc and those good ol' stand-bys called calendars I cannot remember properly. I can't seem to remember orthodontist appointments. Actually, I did remember yesterday's orthodontist appointment. I just forgot who was supposed to be there. I took the wrong kiddos. I guess that happens with three in orthodontics.

Some higher power must love me though because I did have the correct child with me, but only because we were shopping for flooring after the appointment. We built two new bedrooms in our basement for the two oldest boys. The project is about done. We are to the flooring stage so I (& kiddos) went to meet hubby at the flooring store after the appointment. The boys didn't pick out the flooring anyway as they were having too much fun playing on the humungo carpet rolls.

Where was I? Oh yeah, orthodontist. Luckily, I still had the right kid. It really chapped my oldest who was drug along since I though she was one of the appointments. She doesn't like the cold (but is always complaining about being hot ... teenagers) and wasn't interested in flooring either.

So I guess it all worked out. At least I didn't forget it was my oldest's brithday today (and 2-3 day FedEx is helpful when you do forget to get her gift on time).

Why 4 year-olds shouldn't go shoppping ...

2008-02-16T21:29:00.004-06:00

My darling 4 year old had the day off from pre-school on Friday. I had some money burning a hole in my pocket. We loaded up the car and went shopping. Shopping isn't bad but clothes shopping is especially when it means trying on clothes.

First there is the cramming-the-cart-loaded-with-two-kids-into-the-dressing-room obstacle. Check. Then comes the trying on the clothes-that-look-good-on-the-rack-but-think-twice-about-it-doing-the-same-for-you obstacle. Check. The most mortifying is the loud-mouth-announce-to-the-world-your-mother-is-undressing-four-year-old obstacle. Check.

There is nothing like hearing, "Oh yuck! I see your boobs!" yelled by your child in a voice that can rival the sound system in the store. You then sound like a snake hissing out orders to be quiet.

To make the crammed dressing room more fun is having a nursing baby with you. The said baby gets excited when he sees your shirt lift thinking it is time to eat. So you have to manuever out of site of the baby as well as the 4 year-old or the baby's cries at being tricked will rival that personal PA system you claim as your child.

Since I can be a slow learner, I went to not one or even two stores but three. I must be a glutton for punishment. At least I found an outfit that looked as good on me as it did on the rack. It was almost worht it.

Joanna

2008-02-13T17:28:00.001-06:00

Joanna is my sixth child. She is a petite thing. The only thing petite though is her size. Her screams and fits when she doesn't get her way are large and loud. She has a pair of pajamas that read, "If all else fails, turn on the charm." Joanna can turn on the charm by batting her big brown eyes. She can roll them like a pro if you exasperate her too. Another thing about Joanna that isn't petite is her self-confidence.

A month ago as Joanna brushed her hair to get ready for school, she told me why she needs to brush it. Good hygiene? Nope! "So the boys will chase me and *kiss, kiss* (making the sound)." I shut my mouth which had dropped open. I did open it long enough to tell Joanna that she isn't supposed to kiss boys. She reassured me that she won't be kissing any boys, but they'll kiss her. I guess there is a difference, but not if Dad has anything to say about it.

It seems Joanna is sweet on a boy (or two). I've seen a couple sweet on her too. So Clint and I had a talk with Joanna that pre-school is really too young to be kissing guys or thinking of marriage (she brought that up too). I've always said that Joanna will be the child to give me gray hairs. At least I can rest assured she has a nice dose of self-confidence (and they make products to cover up the gray).

If you find butter knives in the bathroom ...

2008-02-10T14:44:00.001-06:00

When you brush your teeth at night and see four butter knives and a dish towel, you might scratch your head and wonder why. You will think real hard and finally remember ...

If your husband is out-of-town, he is going to call home.

If your husband calls home, the phone is going to ring.

If the phone rings, it will play "Old MacDonald".

If it plays "Old MacDonald", the kids are going to start singing too.

If all the kids are singing, it gets REALLY loud.

If it gets REALLY loud, you can't hear hubby on the phone.

If you can't hear hubby on the phone, you are going to go to your bathroom. The door locks, ya know.

If you are in the bathroom, you will see the counter to sit on. It is also convienent for laying things down.

THEN you will remember that you were drying dishes when hubby called home and started the whole fiasco. And that is how butter knives end up in the bathroom.

Now if I could only figure out how a full glass of orange juice got into the hamper. Better yet ... How did it not spill? We haven't had orange juice in the house for two days!!

Ahhh ... life on the funny farm.

P.S. The juice got in the hamper because Joanna hides her snacks (found spaghetti too) to keep her brothers and sisters out of it. Unfortunately either she hides it too well or forgets (out of sight, out of mind) her stash.

Stuck

2008-02-09T18:18:00.001-06:00

"Daddy, I stuck!" That was my oldest's first sentence. She was trying to squirm out of her carseat in a Houdini wanna-be attempt at freedom. She just managed to get herself stuck.

I heard screams of being stuck this morning. This time it was from the four year old. She was not a happy camper. That made it all the funnier which is why I grabbed the camera before rescuing her.

Oh, if looks could kill. She is really good in the dirty looks department. It seems dirty boots too. She wanted to go sledding but stepped off the porch into the quagmire. I did pull her free with boots attached even. She still hates that I took the picture.

Winter Wonderland

2008-02-06T11:24:00.001-06:00

Before I moved up north to the cornfields of Illinois, I lived in central Texas where I was born and raised. We never had snow like this and will get in one day an amount totalling what I saw in 20 years in Texas. It sure is pretty though, especially from inside in front of a warm fire sipping hot chocolate.

It wasn't always so pretty to me. Before I moved up north 12 years ago, I was tending my blooming roses in 78 degree weather only to immersed in -19 degree temperatures with plenty of snow on the ground a week later. I didn't like it, not at all. It has grown on me now. I enjoy the distinct seasons. I see the leaves change colors, snow fall and cling to the bare branches which will soon be budding with green in a couple of months. The farmers will be plowing fields which show a rich black soil (my favorite). I love it out here with all of the colors of nature.

Right now I will enjoy the quiet (until the kids come home) view sipping my hot chocolate and appealing to my pyromaniac tendencies having a big fire going to warm cold toes.

What were they thinking?

2008-02-04T11:48:00.001-06:00

My kids are smart. They really are. I have their report cards to prove it, but there is no slot for a grade on common sense. Maybe that is a good thing as it would bring down their GPA.

My 11 year-old came in asking me what the blue snow was. As I like to stay warm I really did not know since I didn't venture outside. She said when she tasted it (my mind is madly trying to assure itself that no bodily fluids are blue) it tasted like salty, moldy potatoes mixed with moldy fish. I personally have never tried those combined flavors. I just told her that was really stupid to do.

My husband comes in wanting to know what I was be-littling our daughter about. I make her repeat the story. Hubby eloquently stutters out, "That was just ... what your mother said." Yep, couldn't have said it better myself.

The mystery substance? Miracle-Gro gone bad hubby had thrown out on our snow-covered garden area. Kaly insists she spit it out (who would want to eat those flavors anyway?). Seeing she didn't shoot up three inches overnight, I guess she didn't swallow any.

What was her reasoning for sampling unknown substances on the ground, you ask? "That's what they do on TV."

a.k.a. Mom

2008-01-28T08:48:00.000-06:00

As I lay in bed listening to the night noises of snores and pantry sneaks, I thought on my job as a mom. I decided that being a mother has allowed me to wear many hats. I guess you could say I am a jack-of-all-trades.

I am also a:
Plumber
Maid
Chef
Veterinarian
Seamstress
Dairy Cow
Laundress
Short-Order Cook
Janitor
Nurse
Teacher
Student
Judge
Musician
Storyteller
Chauffeur
Editor
Chew Toy
Carpenter
Gardener
Writer
Magician
Dietitian
Therapist
Jungle Gym
Detective
Jury
Baby-Sitter
Fisherman
Secretary
Advocate
Volunteer
Manager
Computer Techncian
Grounds Keeper
Baker
Librarian
Photographer
Banker
Hair Stylist
Hostess
Actress
Chair Cushion
Security Guard
Comedian
Records Keeper
Counselor
Interior Decorator
Chaperone
Zoo Keeper
Events Planner
Barber
Chief Executive Officer

All this in just 15 years of motherhood. That is a rather impressive resume. Forget the college degrees and years of school. So what am I exactly worth? I am worth my salary in hugs, kisses, artwork and hand-picked noses ... er ... flowers. I am the world to my children. That is all I could ask for except maybe some more vacation time.