Come on in

We've just returned from a energy packed time in the gym. "We" consisted of Brandon, Jonathon, James, Jeff, and me. When we got there we shared the time with Dan, Ruth, Timothy, and Peter. For those of you who don't know these people, the first two are parents, and the later two are toddlers- 3 and 1. There were balls flying all over the place and it was a good time for just getting some energy out. Now the three of them are content to sit on the couch and listen to a story on CD. There are blocks on the floor and baby toys spread out in a corner. The room is fairly orderly since Brandon cleaned up while I was making dinner. We've turned off the overhead light and switched on three lamps and that gives the room a nice warm glow without making things too bright.
So...the boys...each of them is staring off into space. Jonathon is staring at different parts of the ceiling with his mouth half open and is tugging at his shirt. Normally he would be sucking his thumb as well, but he's too concentrated to remember to put it in his mouth. James is on the other end of the couch, sucking on the first two fingers of his righ hand. I think he's staring at my socks across the room and blinking hard as if the time in the gym was enough to put him back to sleep. He's been whiny since he awoke from his nap this afternoon and it's a relief to see him happy and quiet. Jeff is sitting in the middle of the other two boys and there is a blue fleece banket across all three sort of giving me hope that they will be more buddies and less enemies someday. Anyway, Jeff is feasting on the two middle fingers of his left hand and has a stack of Mega Blocks in his right hand. He goes back and forth from sucking to playing with the blocks.

At the very end of the couch is the fourth boy- or Brandon. He's not quite into the CD of "Wee Sing Nursery Rhymes" so he is reading an exciting book called "The Power of Tithing"- something he's suppose to talk about soon. He's been reading all sorts of books lately, the last one being a textbook on Negotiating Skills. This was fun because when I asked for something he would sometimes grin and say something like, "I don't know about that, you don't have very much leverage in this situation." Anyway, all four are on the couch and relatively quiet. The best part is that they all go to bed (not Brandon) in less than a half and hour!

In case you were wondering where the girl is in the picture. Rachel is up in her playpen asleep. She's due to eat soon, but for now she's quiet. I'm sitting in the recliner in my cozy clothes right down to soft socks with my feet propped up and of course the laptop in my lap.

It's times like this that I think, "I can do this." Earlier when I was trying to cook dinner and it took me 20 minutes just to get the can opener out of the drawer (not because it was lost, I just got interupted that much) I was thinking that I was ready to hide under a log in a dense forest, behind a waterfall and on the otherside of a large mountain. It's good that God gives us the calm in the midst of the storm to help us regain perspective. Afterall, it's not about the moment. It's about raising an army for Jesus and that takes more that just a couple of minutes with the kids!

Hope your evening is enjoyable. I'm determined mine is going to be so.

Happy Thanksgiving a little belated!

Thanksgiving and all that goes with it has truly been great this year for us. Though we didn't go and visit family, we had a good time together and plenty of food and fun! Diane and her parents were here due to the snow on the roads and we had our Thanksgiving feast in the dining room beside a very toasty fire in the fireplace. I'm sure some people would have gaped in horror at our table, for we had reheated, leftover turkey, NO STUFFING (YES!), and nixed the cranberry sauce as well. We did have cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, lots of gravy, and four pies, but no apple pie! I guess we're just odd, but it was fun.

And...in honor of the holiday I'd like to mention a bunch of things I'm thankful for this year:

Jesus!
1 Awesome husband- who's willing to pitch in around the house at a moment's notice.
3 Rambunctious boys- who are a handful, but I wouldn't trade for anything
1 Precious little girl- who just cut two teeth today!!!
All of our needs met- food everyday, housing, clothing, and much more.
Financial needs met- everything paid for, no debt!
The joy of being a Christian- it's real and it makes a difference in my life (Smile)
Learning to depend on God emotionally.
Immediate answers from Him- just today I prayed, "God, I need help. I'm not even sure what help I need, but I need some." Seconds later, the phone rang: Mary, it's Diane. I was wondering if I could take the kids for a while. Me:Uh....YEAH! Praise the Lord!
Blogging- It's been a great outlet and a comfort to know I'm keeping in touch with people a little.
A Godly family- I have all immediate family that loves Jesus! My parents sibilings, and all my inlaws. Support on every side!
New Appliances in the house this year- bathtub, bathroom flooring, a fan in the bath, stove/oven, refrigerator, kitchen faucet, blinds, curtains for James' room, hand mixer, and many small items.
Help from Sisters- for almost 2 months Jane and Diane slaved away for me while I was busy trying to figure out how to be the mother of 4.
Help from God with Fairwood work- many times it seems that I've bitten off more than I could chew, but time and time again, God finds a way to make things work.
Holy Spirit's work in my life- I'm learning not to yell, and be respectful more often, and realize that everyone comes from a different frame of reference and that just because they don't see things my way doesn't mean they are stupid...they're just ignorant...haha, just kidding...most of the time it just means we've had different experiences and come to the table with opposites on "I'll never let that happen again".
Vacation to Maine for a week with the kids and Diane- what an awesome getaway!
Fun times with the children- the zoo, a couple of children's museums, the park with the train, going to the library, slip n' slide in my parent's back yard, picnics, visiting old friends, and rough housing in the living room.
Going to Georgia for a grand total of 9 weeks this year!!! Wooohooo!
Grandparents keeping the kids for 2 weeks and 2 weekends total!- Quality time with Brandon!
Care over the vehicle and all our travel.
Good health.
Many friends and family willing to encourage and love me over and over!

Thank you Jesus for your bountiful care over me and those around me!

On a happier note: Here is Rachel performing her newest trick. She did this all by herself. She was laying on the bench here and then just decided to stand up and look out the window. She's 5 1/2 months now! 

Say it Now, Believe it Later

It’s amazing how quickly one can go from feeling on top of the world to feeling like someone actually laid the gutter pipe on top of you in the ground. One minute everything is going smoothly. The children are happy, the home is tidy and pleasing to the eye. Bad habits are being held at bay. Relationships are at an all time high. Communications are caught up with. And for a moment I start to feel like I might not ever want to die because I might have to come “down” to experience Heaven. (For those of you who take me seriously- that last comment was not serious) Then, almost as fast as I can blink things are at the opposite end of the spectrum. The house is a wreck. The dishes are dirty. I have not the slightest idea for dinner. The kids are disobedient, restless, mischevious, and dirty. The husband is busy. I’ve finished several days in a row of unexpected events, unusual commitments, emotional efforts, and hidden insults. I’m tired, I’m stressed, I’m having problems with my skin disease (which no one knows how to cure or even quite what it is but everyone has ideas on how to cover up the symptoms- none of which have worked) and I suddenly find myself contemplating how in the world I can get myself out of this mess! I mean, not just get back to normal, but drop the whole GREAT MOM thing and pick up the next train bound for Siberia and bury myself in a cave with nothing but a pile of good books, an unlimited supply of good coffee and a cozy pair of socks. I might add a pillow.

Sometimes these feelings come because I’ve changed my priorities and they are now out of balance. Sometimes this happens when the kids have just been cooped up inside too long because of bad weather. Occasionally we have the unexpected bout with an inoperable household appliance and that can throw everything off. Then, there is also the spiritual angle: The “I testified of God’s power in my life” and now it’s “Day after Testimony” time to live it out in a difficult circumstance. Today has all of the above!

The truth is…the break from it all, the emotional break down, and the irritability and anger usually don’t help. Sometimes it gets me a little help from someone else and sometimes it releases some pressure from inside like a kettle boiling and whistling out its tune of steam. Most of the time though, it just results in hurting some feelings of others, making my kids more unhappy, and leaving me less time to get back to where I need to be.

Just now I’m desperately trying to remember what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me recently about these times: They don’t last for long. Ask for help from Jesus and then DO something- even a little something to move it in the right direction.

So the children are about to get up from the naps they haven’t yet taken, it’s almost time for Brandon to eat, and I’m tired from the nap I tried to take but was unsuccessful, yet GOD IS FAITHFUL! And I can start with something- maybe 5 minutes to clean up in the living room…

short and butchered

As I write this, james has wet his pants, jonathon has been exerting big brother authority over his brothers, jeff’s air is stcking up due to over use of mayo for styling gel and rachel is eatting a little early because she was so tired she couldn’t wait 15 moe minutes. But things are ok…really. Actually we just got back from a nice weekend away and rachel is making fabulous strides in her physical abilities. Alas my brain goes much faster than I can type one handed. So I’m changingto bullet point style here:
-Rachel is crawling and actually climbed two steps today!
She’s five months old.
- Jonathon just succeeded in fighting the screen door to the death with a new sword and the sword one leaving the door with no less than 10 fatal stab wounds. Arg!
-James has succeeded in scrubbing out his stnky underwear in the toilet without my knowledge until later- twice – he did this voluntarily, lest you think I made him do it.
-Jef throws five star temper tantrums and does it so often, if you are interested in seeing one, feel free to stop by anytime, your chances are good that one will be in session.
-we went to the children’s museum in portsmouth and it was a great success aside from standing outside for 30 min cause they were full to capacity. The kids were very miserable and I even let them scream right at the feet of the lady telling people when to go in. she told us after about 30 seconds that maybe we could stand right inside until it was our turn. Oh??? Thanks!!!
-we had a bonfire sat. night and discovered jonathon loves them-especially the throwing wood into the fire part.

Ok, that’s all for now hope this was slightly intelligible.

Resist the urge to say, "Yes, you may play with the packing peanuts"! 

Poochie Lips Anyone?

This week's highlight has been my two older boys singing the song, "The Poochie Lip Disease" almost nonstop. When they tire of that one, they switch to singing the ABC's. That's a new one here also. James has a solo in that song that he bellows out. While the rest of us sing, "H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P", he sings, "H-I-O an O an O an O an O an P" He puts a lot of effort into his part and as many of you know he can whisper sound like he's shouting in your ear.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Poochie Lip Disease, it's a song from Patch the Pirate Goes to the Jungle CD and the chorus goes like this:

The poochie lip will get you if you don't watch out.
The poochie lip will get you if you start to pout.
So take this little tip,
Please control your lower lip,
And chase away the poochie lip disease.

It also has two verses about King Ahab pouting over not having the vineyard, which both boys also know word for word. Anyway, they seem to want to sing this song morning, noon, and night. It's fun, but I've found myself humming it when I'm trying to sleep, when I'm in the shower and when I'm doing all sorts of housework. It might be getting to be a little much!

For the remainder of the time this week things have gone fairly well. I am intentionally leaving out today because I'm sick, I've felt miserable, things have been a bit hectic, and it seems to be trying to take over my happy feelings about the rest of the week- which I think actually has been marvelous.

It started after a refreshing weekend away from the boys, then I went to pick them up on Monday. That took most of the day, but I also managed to fit in a town trip that evening for groceries and other such things and took Jonathon with me. We had some good one on one time.

Tuesday we did a little school with the boys, we're on the letter "C" and I decided to take them to the library for books about things that started with "C", but when we got there, the cupboard was bare, and so the...oh wait, we were talking about the library. Um...it was closed. For some strange reason, our library is only open from 4pm-8pm Mon- Thurs. and Wed and Sat mornings. So, we came back home and went later that evening. Then I made flour bags for a Flour Bag War for Fellowship Mtg. with the students. (For those of you who are not familiar with this game, it's a variation of Capture the Flag with little bags of flour as weapons that you throw at the enemy) It went over pretty well except one girl got smacked in the eye with a bag and had a nasty black eye later that evening.

Wed. was productive with lots of housework done and a good meeting that night. We've been watching varioius DVDs about topics of today and I've enjoyed it so much I've made some extra efforts to attend. Normally I don't try to go on Wed. nights cause I either take the kids and spend my time just watching them, or I leave them in there beds and go, but have to check on them regularly because they are not always faithful about staying there. Lately, they've been behaving, so I've been going. We watched one about bacterial flaggellum (sp?) and how DNA and stuff can only be explained by intelligent design and NOT evolution. Next, we watched a DVD about the amazing things that God does to make a baby, all the little things down at the cellular level- WOW. Last Wed. we listened to a man give his testimony about standing for God even in the most difficult of situations. I was encouraged and impressed by his choices. Pretty amazing stuff and it's for ALL of US!

Thursday was um....I don't remember, but it was fine. Another day of school (we got three of those this week!) and work. I've spent lots of time with the children and oh, I went on the outreach trip with the students. That was interesting. I handed out cards with two other girls to various neighbors telling them about our church, our radio station, and asking them if they had any prayer requests we could take up. The people we spoke to were generally reserved, but willing to share a prayer request when we asked. Many people were not home. But I have to believe that it was a positive thing. Otherwise, I wasted my time and I refuse to admit I wasted my time doing such a thing!

The other thing that happened Thurs. was that T. Murray gave a talk that morning on overcoming the World. He referenced many verses that talked about how we, as sons and daughters in Christ HAVE overcome! One thing he mentioned that has been helpful was some comments he made on victory. There are so many places that talk about us being victorious now and overcoming sin and the world NOW! Many people see us as Christians being perfect and victorious in Heaven, but fewer see us as being victorious now, but I appreciated something he said, "The Bible, the Word of God trumps our experience!" AMEN!!!! And well it should! The Bible says that we are victorious now, so regardless of my experience, not matter that I think I may fail tomorrow, I AM A VICTOR over the World, because the Bible SAYS so. I believe the Bible and if I only believe it after what I experience and see, then how can I believe God is real and here? I HAVE TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE FIRST! And since I do, I can believe that I am successful for Jesus and that I HAVE overcome the flesh and the Devil by Jesus.

Ok, so Praise the Lord and that's all the sermon you have to endure for one day. I need to go pay attention to my children. Tata.

FREEDOM!!!!!!

The boys are GONE for the weekend. Oh bliss! Oh, joy! Oh, may it last forever and ever...until they come home because I miss them, that is.

So they headed off to the grandparents just after lunch yesterday. I was able to tidy up the house, take an early start on Sabbath, and have some quality time with Rachel. Then Brandon and I headed up to Diane's house for some pizza eatting and movie viewing. We had a grand time and even though we watched two movies, we were in bed before 11pm! We had a continuous night of sleep (a rarity these days) and then when I awoke around 8 am, I was almost wide awake! What a wonder! Of course, among the wonders of the day, going to bed before 11pm and waking up at 8am means that Rachel was an angel and decided to sleep for 10 hours straight before needing to eat. Oh, it just doesn't get much better than this! The question is, what will I do with all the free time on my hands?

I often have this dilema when the kids are away. Not because I can't think of things to do, but because I could fill the time 20 times over with things to do and I don't know which thing to pick. Do I just sit and vegitate the whole weekend? Do I furiously cook, clean, and organize knowing that it will be the only time it happens between now and the next time they disappear? Do I go out with friends and socialize my time away since I have the chance to have an ADULT conversation consiting of words larger than one syllable and facial expressions that do not include tongues protruding, eyeballs crossed, or slober? Or perhaps, I should pull out one of those long lost projects that I would love to work on...like reorganizing the attic junk, or my cross stitch that I have not touched in at least two and a half months (and even then I only did about 4 stitches) or painting the patched up spot on my bedroom ceiling, or .... ok, well, let's just say that list is about forty items long.

So, as result of not being able to decide what best to fill my time doing, I am now sitting here typing away on my blog- which was none of the above, nevertheless, quite enjoyable. It's enjoyable because I get to use BOTH hands at the same time to type, I don't have to stop and help with emergency potty issues, the cord has not been yanked out of the wall the entire time, and I don't have three people sitting on me begging to look at pictures or "watch the cards jump down" (a reference to winning a solitare game). Ahhh...this is the life...and people say they need a cruise to get away...I'll take the living room recliner anyday.

Of course, if someone's just dying to give me a cruise vacation, I'd have to work hard at passing it up.

Yesterday's Quote of the Day

James was standing in his chair at the dinner table. He had a pile of food in his mouth and was grinning from ear to ear. He looked at me and with a chuckle in his voice asked, "Mama, are you my conscience?"

"Absolutely!"

We aren't sure if this is from Finding Nemo or Pinnochio, or just a random statement, all are possibilities I suppose.

Diane as....HOMESTAR!!!!!! (and an awesome cook, if I don't say so myself...many thanks to her for a great Harvest Party!) 

Kimberly and Bethany as the stupid guys on Pirates 

Andy as the climbing guru. Of course, he looks like this pretty much everyday :-) 

Adam as...well...just look at him...isn't he incredible? Oh, and his "pet kitty" is "Fluffy Face" 

Elizabeth as...Elizabeth from Pirates (sorry Liza, not the best pic) 

Sara as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean 

Sarah as WIll Turner from Pirates of the Carribean 

Harvest Party Pictures: 

A happy Rachel picture. 

Mama and Rachel 

Rachel at 4 months. She's actually 4 1/2 now, it just took me that long to get a pic up here. Sorry. 

Children Go Where I Send Thee!

Hmmm...6 straight days of rainy weather and several more in the forecast. Anyone want some hyperactive monkeys? They can climb your walls instead of mine! While I was feeling cramped and caged, I was obliged to read an email Brandon sent me. (Yes, we do communicate by email sometimes. Sad but true.)

Periodically he stumbles across an article about a family with tons of children or a bunch under 5 or something and shares it with me so that I have my perspective enlarged. Just in case I thought I had it bad, there is always someone with more work, more kids, and more opportunities to take advantage of God’s grace since there is NO WAY they could do it on their own. So here’s the article he sent me:

Arkansas Mother Gives Birth to 16th Child
12, 1:55 PM (ET)By MELISSA NELSON

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Michelle Duggar just delivered her 16th child, and she's already thinking about doing it again.
Johannah Faith Duggar was born at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and weighed 7 pounds, 6.5 ounces.
The baby's father, Jim Bob Duggar, a former state representative, said Wednesday that mother and child were doing well.
He said Johannah's birth was especially exciting because it was the first time in eight years the family has had a girl.

Jim Bob Duggar, 40, said he and Michelle, 39, want more children.
"We both just love children and we consider each a blessing from the Lord. I have asked Michelle if she wants more and she said yes, if the Lord wants to give us some she will accept them," he said.
The Discovery Health Channel filmed Johannah's birth and plans to air a show about the family of 18 next May.
The Learning Channel is doing another show about the family's construction project, a 7,000-square foot house that should be finished before Christmas. The home, which the family has been building for two years, will have nine bathrooms, dormitory-style bedrooms for the girls and boys, a commercial kitchen, four washing machines and four dryers.
Jim Bob Duggar, who sells real estate, previously lost his bid for the U.S. Senate. He said he expects to run for the state Senate next year but isn't ready to make a formal announcement.
Michelle Duggar had her first child at age 21, four years after the couple married.
Their children include two sets of twins, and each child has a name beginning with the letter "J": Joshua, 17; John David, 15; Janna, 15; Jill, 14; Jessa, 12; Jinger, 11; Joseph, 10; Josiah, 9; Joy-Anna, 8; Jeremiah, 6; Jedidiah, 6; Jason, 5; James, 4; Justin, 2; and Jackson Levi, 1.

Go here to check out the article and a couple of pictures:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051012/D8D6KS7O1.html

For more family updates, James is turning into quite the shrewd character. I don’t think this is necessarily a good thing right now. Three times he has snuck out to go to Diane’s house. Twice he has succeeded in getting there. Then today, when he was playing on the couch with Jonathon, he told Jonathon, “Look I found a track (train track piece) in the couch!” Jonathon came over to look and James moved away in order to crash the pillow down on Jonathon’s head while he was underneath. Fortunately, Jonathon moved just in time, but as you may have guessed, there was no track. Just a slick little boy! Down with the deceptive qualities of sin nature!

Perfect Days or Not...

Ahh. This is one of those perfect times in my life. It’s also one of my favorite. I have long since decided that Mondays are my favorite days. Now that weekends aren’t really that much slower than the rest of the week, Mondays are great. They are often my most productive day of the week. For instance, this morning, I folded two loads of laundry, made pancakes for breakfast, went to staff meeting, cleaned up all sorts of toys, had a friend over for the boys, helped them paint with water, read 6 books to them, made macaroni and cheese for lunch and fed them. They all went down for a nap at 1pm, Rachel got up and ate (oh, the friend went home at noon), I went to a women’s work meeting, and then came home, fixed some wallpaper issues in my bathroom, puttied some nail holes, bleached the mildew and mold off the ceiling, took out the trash, and I am just sitting down to rest for a bit before I prepare dinner (which is going to be turkey and dumplings, collard greens and mock hollandaise sauce, salad, and a dessert if I can swing it. Rachel went down for a nap about 30 min. ago, so all is quiet and peaceful in the house. It’s just great….

I wish everyday was like this one…J

Don’t worry…it is rarely this perfect and I am stopping just for a moment to revel in it before it quickly disappears into the chaos of tomorrow. Tomorrow doesn’t hold anything particularly overwhelming in it, I just can’t believe that I can have two days in a row like this- or even that this one will last…we’ll see.

Hehe, the irony of it…I can’t seem to connect to the internet to post this. So far I’ve been sitting here for 45 min. trying to connect. Alas…perfection down the drain….with a smile of course.

Zip-i-dee-doo-da, Zip-i-dee-ay

My, oh, my, what a wonderful day....

Today went great! I had a bunch of help from a friend (KA) in the morning piling things into her car to donate and then she drove them to town for me. It was great to see all thata stuff that we didn't need going out the door never to return again! Makes more room for new stuff...haha.

Then this afternoon, to Bible School girls were assigned to help me for a little while and I got some vacuuming done, the kitchen floor scrubbed, the bathroom cleaned and the trash can washed (when does that ever happen!?!) So, all in all it was a good day. I also got to watch the men dig a rock out of the driveway with the back hoe. That was pretty impressive and it wasn't even a very big rock (compared to some they've dug out!).

Health wise, I'm feeling better today, though I'm not "running on all eight cylinders" yet (Ode to Dad). My nose has ceased running full blast and the mack truck got off my face, for which I am very thankful.

And now, this evening I'm looking forward to a fun time at the church activities for the evening and then getting a little bit of shut eye before the BIG day begins tomorrow... For those of you who don't know what tomorrow is, I'll tell you!

IT'S BRANDON'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!! He will be a mere 28 years old!
So, now's the time to break down an send him an email, or a card, or a small yacht letting him know just how wonderful, funny, or odd you think he is. Ok, don't go too far with the odd idea. Or, I suppose if you just want to, you can just comment here...he'll read that too.

And since he just demanded to see what I was writing, you are now officially allowed to let the "odd" comments fly!


Ok, just enough time to wash dishes before Wed. night meeting.

Oh, I remember a funny story...James came home today with a bag of cotton candy and I asked him where he got it. He said, "From the daddy on the roof." I figured out later that I was obviously supposed to know that was TJ! And he didn't steal it, it was given generously into his hand. (It's TJ's B-day tomorrow also, but you need not send positive comments to me about that! :-)

Now I'm really leaving..tata.

Today is Done, Tomorrow will Come...oh Goody!

Well, here I am, waiting for the wash to finish so I can put it in the dryer and be off to bed. My mother always taught me to pull out the clothes from the dryer as soon as they are done so you don’t have to iron them…well…sorry mom. I just need them clean and I guess they’ll have to be wrinkled…and I might just wear them wrinkled too. Alas, I have wandered from the truth!

So, the feast is over, I’m digging myself out from under the load of unpacking, crazy house, children in different size clothes, and oh…I’m sick! DayQuil is holding the symptoms at bay while I tread water in the housekeeping department, but I hope it will all pass VERY soon. Oh, it’s nothing major, just cold and flu stuff, but man- that stuff can make you feel like you just got ran over by a mack truck!

Change of subjects here: I just realized the other day that when James sucks his fingers he makes a loud slurping noise at the same time! And Jeff busted his mouth on a pipe in the ground the other day. I wish I had a picture of his big fat monkey lips, but I don’t so you’ll have to imagine. He actually knock the bottom half of one of his front teeth off and he’s been whining ever since. I think I might need to take him to a dentist…I’m starting to wonder if it’s being really sensitive or something. We’ll see.

Ok, my laundry is done, so I shall run along. Hope this is enough to keep you checking in.

Back again...maybe...

Well, lest I get any more comments from people that I haven't posted, I'm posting. We are back home in body and unpacked, mostly, therefore- life is just as crazy as it always is! The convention began last evening here so this week will be kind of hectic. Don't expect too much from this site until it's over. THat goes for you too, Diane! :-)

Ok, that's all for now...perhaps life will be back to normal and I can write soon.

Home Sweet Home..sort of

I pride myself on having a place for everything. I don’t generally get everything IN its place these days, but at least it does have a home. However, lately, the children have been relocating things and I’m not sure if they think that their “new” locations are a better place or what, but I thought people might find their spots interesting. Here are a few examples:

Coathanger: Belongs in the closet…no the toilet bowl.
Mama’s Purse: Stays on the counter…or in Jonathon’s closet.
Buzz Lightyear: Lives in the toy box…and sometimes the garbage can.
Three blocks, a puzzle piece, and a K’Nex piece (along with a host of misc. Adams’ boys toys live in the air conditioning vent.
Pinestraw has moved from the flower beds to the trunks of their toy cars.
The cookie belongs on the windowsill now instead of the ktichen.
The play money now is housed in the refrigerator.
The bath toys go in the dishwasher.


So there you have it…based on these ideas, don’t you think they would make great professional organizers!!? No? Well…maybe in a couple of years!

Insanity Rules!

Well, the ambitious bug has bit again! In all fairness, I will say at the beginning that really things haven't gone too bad considering...

But I've decided that 6 children under the age of four is a bit much for long term. I invited my two nephews to stay with us for two nights so their mother could get some rest...she's a week away from her due date of #3. We've had a jolly time of playing outside, going to the park, eatting cookies, having a pizza picnic, showers with "Uncle Brandon", movies, laundry, and plenty of late night ups and downs. They really are good kids, and quite happy most of the time as well. Both are pretty obedient and a couple of times have been good examples to my children as to what a good attitude should look like. They are 3 and 1 1/2- both boys, and so my boys think it's one big party.

Night time seems to be the only negative time...I got up 7 times last night. Twice with Rachel, Once with Jonathon, Once with James, three times with Malachi. Considering ages, it's not really unexpected for any of them...but put it all together and yikes! Fortunately, four were all between 1:30 and 2:30, and the rest were after 5am, so I did get some sleep in there...but I'm praying for a good night tonight...we'll see.

I think what makes it doable is just throwing almost everything else to the wind and saying, "How can I make sure they have a good time?" Once I have the attitude of focusing on them almost totally, then the job is ok...it's when I'm trying to get all sorts of housework and stuff done that it becomes stressful...so praise the Lord for Mama's who teach their children to obey- it's a blessing to the rest of us who have to be around them!
Now I'm off to bed...cause who knows how long it will last!?!

You Can't Win Them All

At least, I haven't this week. Wednesday, I came home with the children from going to church with my mom and James immediately went to scrub out the toilet...with my hairbrush! Arg! Children: 1, Mom: 0. Then Thursday since we had been doing a lot of things during the week I needed to do some housework...so I told the kids I wanted them to help and made a little list of things to do- with pictures and we tackled the stuff. Jonathon vacuumed the living room, sort of, James got to scrub his toilets- with a toilet brush, they took the sheets off the beds, threw the launry down the stairs (great fun and actually helpful), wiped off the table, loaded the dishwasher, and picked up the toys. This evened the score to: Children:1, Mom:1...almost. I actually bribed them to do it with a movie as pay at the end...so Children:2, Mom:1.

Today, I decided to take a nap when they did and I fell asleep only to wake up 5 min. later to James coming out of his room. I went and "took care" of the problem, then went back to lay down...4 times. In James defense, he only got up three times, Jonathon got up once. After #4, I decided that they probably were just going to do this for the rest of nap time, so I resigned myself to being awake, drank an ice coffee, and then went to tell them they could go play outside. Jonathon was quiet and on his bed and was happy to get up and go outside, but James...was asleep! Children:3 Mom:1

Now I'm looking forward to an afternoon of cooking SOMETHING for dinner and then on to whatever kind of Sabbath I can get...relaxing or not..it does come every week and I'll take it!

Splitting Hairs

I have been the recipient of plenty of splinters in my life, but lately, I seem to be attracting a different “thorn in the flesh”. How it happens, why it happens to me, and why no one else seems to have this problem is beyond me, but nevertheless, it is quite agrivating. This particular thing happened several months ago when I was home and I thought it was merely an off the wall, accident. Now, I’m beginning to think that maybe I just have some personal problem.

I get HAIR stuck in my feet! This is not a joke. Has anyone else had this problem, because Brandon thinks it’s worthy of a good laugh and snicker at the ridiculous. Actually, I think he has decided that it’s just my way of getting attention and creating something to do instead of housework, but HE’S WRONG!!!! Hahahaha!

Anyway, the point is, that twice today I have gotten a hair splinter. I cut the boys’ hair yesterday evening and swept up, but as anyone might know who sweeps up hair, you can NEVER get all of it. So, this morning I found a tiny little speck of it in my foot. I didn’t find it because of my over zealous desire to caress my foot mind you, I found it because I took a step and it felt like there was a needle poking into the bottom of my foot. Then, this evening, I had yet another one. ARG! HARRUMPH!

So, since I am a victim in this situation, in order to avoid any more hair balls and to escape being accused of hair brained ideas, I will go on a hair cutting strike…for at least 5 weeks…except for maybe W. C.- if he’s desprate. J

Hence, my tale ends.

And Ye Shall Know Them...

...by the quality of their communion bread.

Did you ever have communion and have the most delicious stuff ever. You know the kind that you secretly hope that they pass the plate down your row a second time, but at the same time, you wonder if there is something sinful about wanting more communion bread? Ok, maybe that's just me. Anyway, I've had some good stuff before and now I've been deligated the task of making it for church.

I made it last month, but I got into trouble because I used "Southern" flour. Now, before all you northerners start cackling away, there is a such thing as Southern flour, it has more starch and less proteins and thus, dilutes with less water. Last time I made communion soup and had to add quite a bit of flour to make up for it! This time, I had regular flour and it seems to be ok so far. Right now I am waiting for it to come out of the oven.

Anyway, the point of this blog is that I am ready to acknowledge that I am not cut out to be a "pastor's wife". Or at least, my impression of that role. I yell at may kids- even when I am living in a "parsonage". (Isn't there something sacred about that??) I also had major problems today- the Sabbath- the day of rest- no buying or selling. Ok, so we went to the grocery store THREE times today! Arg! Partly because I didn't plan ahead, partly because I ran out of a couple of key ingredients and partly because when at the store we forgot said key ingredient and had to go back!

I also didn't rest very much. I let my ambitious monster that lurks in the back corners of my brain get out and run wild. I have been gearing up for a baby shower for my SIL tomorrow and I needed cake, decor, and my contribution to pot luck dinner. I decided that I should to a cake, but also make little petit fours (minature cakes for each individual), and get flowers, and decorations, and fix it all up, and then there is the communion bread on top of all that. So, most of my Sabbath has been rather busy. I enjoyed much of it, but busy...

The cake turned out alright. After the grocery store trips, the fruit tray for pot luck was ok. I got the flowers and the balloons and set up decorations, but after quite a few hours of effort throughout the day, the stupid little cakes met the garbage can with a huge sigh of relief and no guilt! It was silly really- an untried recipe that didn't work as it should have. Alas, people really should TRY what they write down to make sure it works! I should give the writer the benefit of the doubt and mention that I could have misread the directions all seven times I read them, but I'm not in the mood to do so. So it's all done now, though I will happliy put the overly ambitious monster back to rest as soon as I get out of this kitchen!

And I'll leave the gourmet communion bread to more qualified pastor's wives who are "Practically Perfect In Every Way" (Ahem, dust off your halos now you wonderful saints!)