Busy Mama Bee

Hmmm.....COOL birthdate!

2011-01-11T10:40:00.001-06:00

After I posted that last entry, I realized that today's date is "1-11-11", which would actually be a very cool birthdate to have!.....but since Marite IS making the effort to come out here for the birth, I guess I can at least hang on a couple more days......ha! ;)

ALMOST THERE musings

2011-01-11T10:10:00.003-06:00

Well, here I am just a few days away from my "guess date" for my 7th child. WOW! I am still rolling that around on my tongue, "mommy of SEVEN", oh my goodness! I feel soooo blessed; as I was growing up, I seriously projected my goal of having a dozen children.....I guess as an adult I didn't REALLY think I would attain that, but now I am starting to believe that maybe the Lord will get the last laugh! :D

Of course, usually near the end of a pregnancy I have moments of PANIC realizing all that still needs to be taken care of in preparation for a new little one, and a few weeks of upside-down schedules for our normally well-planned-out lifestyle.....I have been frantically tackling the "piles" and "projects" that have sat around and collected dust since Daniel was born 2 years ago! My mom has been helping me---she even cleared off my entire desktop, and if you have ever been to my house, you KNOW how HUGE that is! ;)

Jason (6) saw Scott bringing in my suitcase so I can prepare for my eventual trip to Labor & Delivery....he said, "Mommy, are you going somewhere?". I said, "Yes, honey, I am going to the hospital to have a baby!". Jason looked shocked---I imagine after so many months of asking "When?" and being told "After Christmas, in January, after Natalie's birthday..." he had given up on there ACTUALLY being a new baby!

Soooo, here I sit, TOTALLY ALONE in my house, probably for the last time for a long while! Scott has taken Tuesdays as his day off for a few weeks, until after I have the baby and get back on my feet, so he can take the children to our homeschool co-op for me (Tues. is our crazy-busy day of the week, and really wears me out at this point in my largeness!).

Tomorrow is full and busy, as is every other day for the immediate interim until Birth....and Thursday my dear, bosom friend Marite Clifford will arrive! As a missionary, she is usually out of pocket (read: out of the USA!) wheenver I have a birth; currently she is on furlough in North Carolina, so I strongly suggested she hightail it out here, since I *am* advancing in age (ahem!) and we don't really know how many more times the Lord might let me do this....! :D I am so thrilled that she will be here to celebrate with us!

...and now I will get off this computer and go pack my suitcase! :) Stay tuned for more blog updates!

Java anyone???

2010-12-23T15:03:00.002-06:00

Hey friends, my friend Marye Audet-White is offering a giveaway over at her blog
www.restlesschipotle.com
She is reviewing the new Tassimo Brewbot, and they let her keep the one they sent her! BETTER YET, they told her to give one away on her blog, WOO HOO!
SO, I am telling you about it, NOT because I want YOU to win it, lol, but rather because blogging about it here gives ME another entry! ha! :)
Tis 'the season to be selfish, right? ....oh wait......
:D

YIKES!

2010-12-23T15:00:00.002-06:00

I just ran into a friend I hadn't seen in awhile in Aldi (yes, I am crazy enough to go to Aldi 37 weeks pregnant 2 days before Christmas!). She asked me if I am still blogging......since I had been mulling this over already, I told her it had been awhile, but I was intending to renew my blog in the immediate future.

Imagine my shock when I logged in to realize that it has been OVER A YEAR since I blogged anything at all.....YOWZA! There's so much to talk about, too......

So, here I am again, for anyone who is following. :) I will try to add stuff here at least weekly!
Stay tuned immediately for the next post about a wonderful coffee-machine giveaway!
Merry Christmas!

Me, myself, and I!!!

2009-10-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

I returned from running errands alone, and was nursing the baby. Rachael came in the den and said, "Mommy, I missed you! Where did you go with Daniel?" I said, "I did not take Daniel." She then said, "Where did you go with yourself?" heehee

Cleanliness is Next to Vocabulary Lessons!

2009-09-29T23:53:00.002-05:00

Natalie is working very hard to earn her badges in M-Pact Girls (formerly Missionettes, for those of you familiar with it---for those of you who are not familiar, it is a church-based program for girls, similar to Scouts).

Last week she came home with sample sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner that her teacher had given the girls. I said, "Oh, are you earning a Hygiene badge?".

Natalie replied earnestly, "No, Mommy, we are learning to keep ourselves clean!".

I love my little Word Girl! ;)

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

2009-09-27T01:24:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of myself!
I figured out the glitch and FIXED the time date stamp!
This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but to ME, it is in fact monumental!
Yay, me!
Okay. Goodnight already!

I hate technology!

2009-09-27T01:18:00.000-05:00

WHY is the time and date stamp incorrect on my posts????
I posted my birthday musings at a little after 1am on Sept. 27.
The time date stamp says 10:55 p.m. on Sept. 26th!
this is so FRUSTRATING!!!
Grrrrrrrrrrrr.....I am too old to figure this stuff out, HA!
I am going to bed now. :(

Happy Birthday to ME!

2009-09-27T00:55:00.000-05:00

Okay, here I sit at nearly one a.m. on September 27th, 2009....my (gulp) fortieth birthday.

Just TYPING that word nearly made me cry!
FORTY years? You have to be kidding me. HOW can I be forty years old? I feel like I am just a kid. I don't feel like I know anything! Surely my whole life is still ahead of me, an unwritten page....

Wow. I am moving into middle age. I just can't believe it!

I have never been one to balk at birthdays. Never! In fact, the whole family jokes about how I have always done the countdown until "my" date arrives on the calendar...you know the type---when the clock on the microwave reads 9:27, I announce to everyone that my birthdate is on the clock. I then conveniently add "Let me take this opportunity to remind you that you have only 55 shopping days remaining until my next birthday!"

NOT this year. For some reason, I have faced this dawning of my new decade with a feeling of ambivalence, sometimes disbelief, and at times even panic! Seriously.

I feel I have finally pinpointed a bit of the reason for my dread of this new age I am forced to become: I don't feel like I have done or become all that I should have by the age of forty! I feel like I have dropped the ball somewhere, or I haven't finished my assignment on time...something!

I am realizing, through this mild "mid-life crisis" of sorts, that it doesn't matter. Who I am today, and what I have become, and what is left undone is NO surprise to Him who made me and guarded over my birth, forty years ago today (which was a miracle in itself in 1969, at 3 months premature---but that's another post!). He sees my heart, He wrote my days before I breathed my first breath, He sees the end from the beginning.....He knows me. HE knows ME! He KNOWS me.

For that, I am thankful. For everything I am not yet, HE IS. His Grace is more than enough to take me there.
I think I will sit my forty-year-old bones down and REST in that a spell! ;)

(Thanks, too, to my many dear friends for all the birthday wishes!! I am so grateful that I have met each of you on my journey!).

Anyone impressed???

2009-09-24T11:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I have been very remiss in updating my blog....I guess 'remiss' isn't even close! I had not put anything up here since the end of APRIL for crying out loud, YIKES! It's four months later, and I pledge to do better......stay tuned to the Busy Mama Bee blog for more updates!
I have a lot of things to say! :)

Brotherly Love

2009-09-24T11:03:00.000-05:00

This morning as I nursed the baby, Rachael was standing close to my chair, still in her pajamas, looking adorable (as usual!). She was also wanting to nurse, so I was making attempts to distract her (she turned 3 three weeks ago, and was supposed to wean, but that is another blog post! For memory's sake, go back to my 2007 posts and re-read about Jason's weaning, sigh!).

Matthew was sitting in the rocking chair across the room. I whispered, "Rachael, go over there and give Matthew a big hug!". She immediately wrinkled up her face as if she had just bitten a sour pickle and said, "What for?"

Trying not to laugh, I said, "Because he's your brother and you love him!" and she covered her little mouth with her hand and said, "Oh yeah, I forgot that!"
:)

Twinly IQ Test

2009-09-24T11:01:00.000-05:00

This morning at the homeschool table, Patrick asks me in a conspiratorial tone, "Mom, you don't have to tell us, but do you know in your brain which one of us is smarter???!".
How could I not laugh out loud?? :)

Stay tuned!!!

2009-04-30T00:13:00.000-05:00

....for all those wonderful, supportive, amazing friends of mine who have walked with me through my birthing journey----YES I am still going to write out my birth story! No, you haven't missed it, I just haven't found the time to WRITE it yet! sigh....

I think now is the time.
I am inspired to write it, having just returned home from an amazing 3 day trip to the ICAN conference in Atlanta!! I was privileged to MEET many of the beautiful, precious women who have helped me the past two years in my journey towards birthing the way God designed me to birth.

LOOK for the birth story, coming soon to a blog near you! :)
(and meanwhile, here is a sweet picture of my inspiration, the birth-ee if you will, HA!).

Tis the Season---for BLUEBONNETS!!!

2009-04-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

Here are some lovely pictures of my children in the blue bonnets, taken just 3-4 days ago. I wanted to have more time to craft lovely images, gorgeous pictures that were magazine-worthy....but we all know how tricky it can be to get SIX people looking decent in a photo. Add a couple doggies and grandparents into the mix, and well.....you understand! :)

THIS is the time of year in which I LOVE living in Texas (pretty much the ONLY time of year I love living in Texas, LOL).

Recent Daniel pictures

2009-03-26T22:33:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple recent shots of Daniel Charles, taken within the past week or so. He weighs 17 pounds and will be four months old on Monday! He is soooo dear, and so chubby and kissable! He looks just like pictures of Matthew and Patrick as babies, and favors Natalie's baby pictures, too----although I have to say, his sweet brown hair seems to become more blonde daily!!! :) Just thought any viewers who have not given up on my blog should see current images. :)

(Honestly, gonna try to post updates more often!!).

ALL the "in" girls have 'em!

2009-03-26T22:28:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Linda H. posted some SWEET pictures of her two girlies wearing darling Children's Place pajamas----and since her daughters are sooo precious, I thought I would "borrow" them for MY blog! :)

Mainly I wanted to post the pic because our dear Rachael has the exact same jammies---except, Diva that she is, she felt they needed more accessorizing. Hence the scarf, gloves and ski hat! :)

Just thought everyone would enjoy some kissable children! :)

,,and now, the photos for which you've all been waiting!

2008-12-21T15:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, people have been requesting more photos of our sweet baby Daniel. (In my defense, can I just say that my camera cord was missing for nearly the first two weeks of his life? :) Thanks for letting me deflect blame).
Here are a few! These are all taken within the past week, so they are recent.
I cannot believe he is three weeks old already, WOW! (This time three weeks ago, I was getting ready to start pushing, yikes!!!).

I am ever reminded, DAILY, of God's faithfulness in giving us such a successful, wonderful birth experience. Did I mention that we had a completely unmedicated birth? (NOT bragging, because believe me, I sure gave that epidural some consideration about this time, haha!----but I knew that any interventions that *I* allowed were going to take me one step closer to that Operating Room, and I did NOT want that! The pain was worth it; I'd do it again!). God has been so good! He IS good, all the time, anyway....amen.

So, here are some pictures! :)

Updates on the Shoplifter

2008-12-21T15:26:00.000-06:00

Okay, first of all, let me say that I printed the wrong thing in my last post, when I referred you back to Natalie's previous trouble with lying---it wasn't the post I mentioned, it was an incident from last February, and the post was called, "Liar, liar!"---THAT was when she told half the church that her daddy had died and her mommy was pregnant (the month before I was---as one friend said, maybe Natalie is prophetically gifted, HA!).

The trip back to Great Clips was okay. I was a little disappointed that the shop manager didn't make a bigger deal about it, but they were very busy at the time we returned, and she was in the middle of cutting someone's hair, so she probably felt distracted. I did make Natalie pay for the chapstick, and she did not get to keep it, she had to give it to Mommy. There were a bunch of people in the shop, too, and we stepped back from the front (my goal was NOT to humiliate her!), but I'm sure most of them figured out what was happening.

I am not really sure how seriously Natalie took it all. I know that it's "normal" for children to do stuff like this, and test limits, and see how much they can actually get away with....I just want so badly to be sure I am reaching their hearts! :)

Here is a sweet photo of my Natalie and her new baby brother. Aren't they cute? :)

ThE uP aNd DoWn AdVeNtUrE oF pArEnTiNg!!!!

2008-12-15T14:29:00.000-06:00

HELP!
As if lying isn't bad enough (see my post from October entitled "What Day is Today?" ), now my precious, challenging daughter has taken up shoplifting! AArrggghhhh!!!!!!!!

Scott took dear, sweet, I-don't-always-know-what-to-do-with-her Natalie to get her haircut on Friday afternoon. Today is Monday. I was gone this morning to my 2-wk checkup after Daniel's birth (Can you believe that baby is already 15 days old??!!!!), and while I was gone, my hard-working mama was catching up our laundry.

Apparently, she discovered a chapstick in the dryer---thankfully, the lid did NOT come off, but the chapstick was obviously melted, so she put it in the fridge to re-harden. When Scott saw it in the fridge, he questioned aloud why it was there, and to whom did it belong? Natalie claimed it, but from my seat nursing the baby across the room, I did not recognize it as 'ours' (most all of our chapsticks are Carmex, with red lids, and this one was not!). I asked her to let me see it, and then I realized the ugly truth: it had a "Great Clips" logo on it, and I immediately deduced the situation. After much giggling and blushing, Natalie admitted to pocketing the chapstick while she was there on Friday. (Giggling?? GIGGLING??? My daughter steals AND finds it amusing?? GULP!).

Help! This precocious and precious daughter of ours grows ever more challenging. I have already put a call in to the manager at Great Clips, who knows us by name from my monthly trips there with my shaggy brood and our 15 passenger van, HA! I requested that she make a Big Deal out of the situation to dear Natalie Ruth, so she will NOT repeat this behaviour......we will be returning to the shop tomorrow so Natalie can admit her sin, pay for the chapstick, and ask for forgiveness from the manager.

....sigh.
I feel like I take two steps forward and three steps backwards in my parenting of this sweet daughter! I want so badly to channel this bold, adventurous spirit that she has, because I know she is destined to be a leader and a "mover and shaker" in the Kingdom of God.....
HELP!
Further updates after our trip to Great Clips tomorrow! :) Prayers appreciated!

To GOD be all the Glory!!!

2008-12-02T17:05:00.000-06:00

Great things He has done!
WE DID IT!---Our sweet baby boy, Daniel Charles, was born Sunday evening, November 30th, at 5:16 p.m. He weighed 10 lbs 6 oz, and is 21.5 inches long----and he was born WITHOUT surgery, and without any meds!

I could never have done it without the prayers and support of all of you precious friends and family. We came home from the hospital last night.

I will post more details and a full birth story within the next week or so! Feel free to give us a call or stop by and meet Baby Daniel. :)

You can see Daniel's picture at www.our365.com, and enter the password below:

Click here to go to your baby's Newborn Portrait gallery in WebNursery®

****** Here's your Visitor Password: 14461252194423 ******

Let me know if you have any trouble with the link! More detailed birth story soon, right now, I'm tired! :)
GOD IS GOOD, all the time!

NO MORE volunteers to share your December Birthday, please!

2008-11-29T09:05:00.000-06:00

Okay, I have now officially passed up all the November dates of birthdays of friends and family members.
THANK YOU so much for all of you December people stepping up to gallantly volunteer to share your special day---I am still holding out for a November birthday for this child! Sheesh. The 29th or 30th is FINE with me! :)
----and for you who are out of the country until December 21 (you know who you are!), THANKS for commenting that you might not miss the event after all, but I will deal with THAT in person, haha, get your cheek ready. :)
....if I can't have a baby, at least I can have a sense of humor! ha.

Anyone else noticed this?

2008-11-29T08:21:00.000-06:00

Has anyone else noticed that on my pregnancy ticker widget, the days to 'count down' are now going back UP??? I noticed this a couple days ago...LOL...this is not a good sign, HAHA. :)

WAITING is worse than labor!

2008-11-29T08:17:00.000-06:00

Okay, I was just telling the Lord in the shower that *I* think I have been very patient here!
Sigh.
Honestly, the WAITING and the TRUSTING is always the hardest part, isn't it? This has been a very long journey for me, if you count the entire eleven years of my birthing history, and I have to say that THIS is the hardest part! I think this is tougher than spending 8 hours with double-peaking transition contractions, as I did last time.....

I am so glad that He is faithful.
I am thankful that He gave us this child!
I am so blessed to be a mommy and receive His mercies newly each day, even when I mess up!
I am so tired of waiting to have this baby....OH I mean, I am so grateful that He trusts me to wait and obey.
I am trying to be faithful!
(But today would be a great birthday for a baby, Lord! :) Just let me know!).

Thanks to all who are standing with me and encouraging me!

Nothing to report so far!

2008-11-24T09:26:00.000-06:00

Just popping in---or popping OUT, as the case may be!---to say that I AM STILL PREGNANT!
Sigh.
I don't know WHAT made me think this Baby might come early.....has that ever happened to me before? Nope!
At this point, I am avoiding all calendars, and thinking of avoiding the phone, too, HA.
I am just focusing on getting done what needs to be done to be ready for the Baby's arrival, and ready for the upcoming holidays thereafter....which is actually quite nice, because I am DONE with all my Christmas shopping, and most of it is already wrapped, woo hoo! Now THERE'S something to relax about! :)
I'll let you know when there's something to know!
Sigh!
(Praying I won't be in the hospital on Thanksgiving this year, but if so, so be it! God is in charge! ...also sort of starting to wonder if Baby is wanting a December birthday after all?? YIKES!).

Happy RE-Birth Day to my dear friend!

2008-11-16T22:43:00.000-06:00

I just got off the phone with a very dear, precious, special friend of mine, Patti.
I have known her for (gulp!) TWENTY years this fall, and she has been an amazing gift from the Lord. Friends are a treasure that I will NEVER take for granted!

We were blessed to be able to see Patti this past summer while we were in Colorado on vacation. This photo was taken that afternoon.

Patti has always been a support to me, no matter what I was doing or what I was going through. She helped me learn Sign Language when I was in college (she is hard of hearing), and patiently put up with all my attempts to interpret for her, both in college while learning, and in church services over the years. We have had a lot of good times, and shared tears, too--through my divorce, and ups and downs in her life. I had the privilege of praying for years for the salvation of both her mom and dad, and seeing that prayer answered before both of their deaths. God is good!

I am so grateful for my dear friend! Tonight she told me on the phone while we talked that today, November 16th, is her Spiritual Birth-day---the day she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, WAAAAAAAY back in 1982! (heehee).

Happy RE-Birth Day, my sweet Friend Patti!
Your friendship is a gift to me from Him! I love you!

It's boiling! :) heehee

2008-11-16T22:41:00.000-06:00

Okay, so sometimes I guess we just need to TRUST GOD. Period.
He IS good, all the time. Period!

It was confirmed by sono tonight that my dear Baby is HEAD DOWN!
WOOO HOOOOO!!!
I am sooo relieved and overjoyed and excited!
SOOO grateful to the Lord for His tender mercies.
For 24 hours I have been having much more intense contractions, and now I know it's because Baby's little head is doing its job! :)
THANKS to everyone for your prayers and encouragements and support.
I can't wait to post our successful non-surgical BIRTH story!
Now let's pray for the Lord to start labor this week before Baby gets wiggly again, haha!

A Watched Pot Never Boils!!!

2008-11-15T21:26:00.000-06:00

Okay, so here I am, still pregnant, and yes, yesterday was the "official" due date (although my charts tell me probably a few more days yet before I hit 40 weeks, but for practical purposes we will follow the Dr.'s little round chart!).

Baby, stubborn as the rest of my children, apparently!, is STILL breech, and does not seem to want to turn head down! We are waiting for that blessed somersault in utero, and meanwhile doing EVERYTHING that has EVER been suggested to get the baby to turn! I have been lying upside down on an ironing board propped on the couch, I have crawled around the house on my hands and knees, I have done pelvic tilts and pelvic rocks, I have visited a homeopathic doctor for a dose of Pulsatilla, I have regularly visited the chiropractor---and of course, more importantly than anything else, we are praying faithfully for the Lord to turn the baby.

I am having a hard time waiting.
I'm being honest here!
I don't like to wait. I don't like not knowing the outcome! I do NOT like the possiblity of another surgery (c-section #5 was not in the plan, Lord!!).
...but He is in control.
I am living on HIS timetable.
I don't always understand what happens in my life, and certainly not WHY, but He's in charge.
Compared to the trials some of my friends are living daily, this is pretty darned insignificant.

No matter what happens, I WILL PRAISE HIM!
HE will receive all the glory!
He gave us this child, and He knew from the onset of my pregnancy how the baby will be born.
So.
I guess I will just have to wait and see!

Thanks to all who are joining us in prayers of faith. I so deeply appreciate your support and encouragement!

Look for more updates soon! :)

What day is today???

2008-10-13T21:44:00.000-05:00

Okay, I haven't told any stories on Natalie for awhile, so here is a good one!

Today is Monday. The children really look forward to Monday evenings, because they attend Royal Rangers and M-Pact Girls at church on that night each week. (For anyone not familiar with the groups, it is a faith-based alternative to Scouts).

This afternoon, as I watched from the kitchen window, I witnessed a terrible and frightening display of temper from my dear 5 year old daughter. I saw her grab her 4 year old brother by the shirt, pull him closer to herself, and then reach out with two arms extended and shove him to the ground as hard as she could! He hit so hard, his head bounced, and I went flying out the door as fast as my 35 week preggo body could go! (I was soooo relieved they were not standing on the cement patio when she had this outburst!).

I sent her to my room. I was so angry with her, I couldn't even deal with it for a long time! I finally went in and told her to turn off the light and lay on my bed for a nap, until I decided how to handle it. I did tell her that at least part of her discipline would be to miss M-Pact Girls tonight----this caused a whole new outbreak of tears and pleadings!

I really think she thought I would change my mind, but I did not. I bathed her and put her jammies on her before dinner, so she AND the boys would all know I meant business. At dinner, after the boys had left the table, Natalie was still finishing up, and commented about having to miss her class. My mom and Larry were eating with us, and my mom asked her if she remembered why she couldn't go.

Natalie hung her head. "Because I threw Jason down on the ground when we were outside!"

I said, "Natalie, what you did could have seriously hurt your brother! I bet you won't do that again, will you?"
Natalie nodded her head emphatically and said loudly, "Not on Mondays!"

WHERE am I going wrong???? :)

The World As Jason Sees It!

2008-10-05T21:29:00.000-05:00

Well, Jason (4) has really come out with some humdingers lately! I could probably keep a whole blog busy with just Jason-stories.

About 2 weeks ago, I realized that Jason really does Get It when I talk about good/evil, and how sometimes we do things even though we know it's wrong, because we are human and often make wrong choices. I try to explain to the children that because of Christ's work on the cross, we CAN overcome sinful desires, because Jesus lives in us!

One afternoon, Jason lied to me---for the first time! I was so shocked, and I knew he was lying, but I wanted him to tell me. I asked again, and again he lied when he answered, with a silly grin on his face. Then suddenly, his face changed to a look of sorrow and repentance, and he said, "Mommy, I yied!" (he can't say his 'Ls' yet, they always sound like 'y').

I said, "J, I am so disappointed! Why did you need to lie to Mommy?" We discussed it and dealt with it appropriately, and then, fully expecting an apology, I said, "Jason, do you want to tell Mommy what is in your heart?". I waited for his little voice to say, "I'm sorry!".

He looked up at me with big tears and very seriously said, "HELL is in my heart!".

This was one of the few times in my career as a Mommy that I had to LEAVE THE ROOM because I was trying so hard not to LAUGH!!!! :)

That same evening, when we were ready to pray the blessing over our dinner, the children were debating WHO should say the prayer---since Daddy wasn't home that evening. Rachael (2) said, "Me! Me!" so I agreed that she could pray. We all waited for her baby-talk prayer, which nobody understood, and then Matthew patiently tried to coach her to repeat a prayer. Jason was apparently very hungry, because he blurted out, "Rachael, just say 'oh Dear Jesus can I PLEASE just eat?'!!". Again, we were all cracking up!

This morning, while getting ready for church, Jason looked down at his legs, which are suddenly covered in blond peach fuzz. He looked happily surprised, and said, "Mommy! Look! My legs are growing daddy-skin!". He is sooooo darned cute!

I am a little TIRED! haha

2008-09-28T09:01:00.001-05:00

It is 9am on Sunday morning.
My hubby is working out of town right now.
Since 6:55 this morning, I have:
Showered myself (yay!).
Encouraged 2 reluctant 10 yr olds into the shower.
Bathed, blow-dried, and dressed 3 preschoolers.
Made oatmeal for 6 people.
Made egg salad, and then made 12 sandwiches (egg salad, pimento cheese, and PBJ) to take to the nursing home immediately after church so we can have lunch with Gramma.
Cleaned up the kitchen!
How can it be that we are not going to be late for church??? :)
What has happened here this morning??

I have learned in the past month of my New Big Van Ownership that I MUST arrive at church at least 20 min early, or I cannot find a parking place from which I can then back out of AFTER church! haha Those big ol' 15 passenger vans are NOT that easy to maneuver, especially when one's church parking lot is full of TREES, ha!

I am tired.
It is 9:05.
YIKES! I knew this was too easy---I guess *I* better get dressed; they might not appreciate the 8 months pregnant woman in the sanctuary in her bathrobe! :)
heehee.

WHAT? No posts since JULY??!!!

2008-09-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

Good grief, what kind of a blogger am I, anyway???? I realized today that I couldn't even remember myself what my last post was about, and so I came to my own dear forsaken blog to find out....only to then realize that I have not posted since JULY!!!!!!!

WHERE does the time go, exactly???
I haven't posted since BEFORE our trip to Colorado, before we started our new homeschool year, before Jason's 4th birthday, before my dad's cancer surgery, before Rachael's 2nd birthday, before my dear, dear friends the Duncans in OH tragically lost their oldest child to a drunk driver, before my hubby had the shingles.......I have a lot of catching up to do!---but at least you can see why I haven't been on this computer much recently.....

Please stay tuned for blog updates THIS WEEK! I have a lot to say! :) (SOME things never change!).

"Voice" recognition??? haha

2008-07-28T00:50:00.000-05:00

I have a very dear friend, since college, who is hard of hearing. Her name is Patti, and we have kept up with each other regularly in the (gulp!!) TWENTY years we have known each other; 17 years of communication past graduation. Quite an accomplishment!

Patti knows and loves each of my children, and they also love and admire her in return. Currently residing in Colorado, we are all excited that we will get to see her next week on our Big Adventure Out West!

I was talking on the phone to Patti a few nights ago, and Matthew entered the room. Always inquisitive (read: nosy!), Matthew asked, "Who are you talking to, Mom?". He then paused, and said, "Oh, never mind! I know it's Aunt Patti---you are yelling!!".

HAHAHAHA! I shared this story with Patti and she got a big kick out of it! ;)
See you soon, Patti dear! Three days until we are Colorado-bound, woo hoo!

I am such a TECHNODOLT!

2008-07-18T16:12:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I tried to update the family picture on my blog, and as you can SEE to your left, I have no idea what I'm doing!! Is there anyone out there amongst my cyber-savvy friends who can help me figure out HOW to configure the photo to fit in that space? My last one looked great! I am sooooo sorry I deleted it, HA! (rolling eyes) Thanks for bearing with me as I figure all this out!

Sibling rivalry, in utero! haha

2008-07-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

The children all love it when they can finally start feeling our new baby kick within me. I have been feeling it for a long time, of course, but it's only been in the past few weeks that "outsiders" (outside of my body, haha!) can feel it.

Jason (3) was standing in front of my chair talking to me a few days ago, and I felt the baby moving around. I said, "Jason, put your hand right here! do you feel that?" He said, "yes!". I said, "Do you feel that, too?" and again he said, "Yes!" and then he asked, "What is that, mommy?". With a big excited smile, I anwered, "It's our new baby kicking you!".

Jason said, "Oh." He hesitated a moment, and then asked "Mommy, WHY does our new baby want to kick me??!".

There is just no end to the amusement around here! :)

The Greatest Sacrifice---"Slave" Labor!

2008-07-12T08:45:00.000-05:00

I have been very blessed in my life with MANY dear, what I would call "bosom" (if you don't get that reference, go watch "Anne of Green Gables") friends. A few days ago, one of my lifelong friends called me up out of the blue. It was my friend Kim U., whom I have known since we were Jr. High age.

Kim's hubby is in the U.S. Navy (THANK YOU for serving, Carlos!), and they are being re-assigned to a base in Hawaii. She was calling to tell me that on her way there, she and her two boys (ages 6 and 2) had a 4 hour layover at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. She wondered if there was any chance I could drive out to see them?

I was soooo excited! In the past eleven years since Kim married a serviceman, we have only seen each other ONCE since her wedding, and that was last summer ('07) at our Class of 1987 2oth High School reunion!! (We have kept in touch by email and U.S. Mail sporadically, and the occasional phone call over the years when one of us has a baby!). See Kim TWICE in a year's time? OF COURSE I was going to drive to the airport! (It isn't really that far for me, about 30 miles from where we live).

So the children and I got all packed up, drove to the airport, met up with Kim and her boys and had a delightful time, even though we actually had only a little more than an hour to visit! I made muffins, and we took a picnic blanket and juice boxes and activities for the children---we actually attracted QUITE a bit of attention in the airport, haha! (Several passersby inquired if we were a day care center!! HAHA!). It was so fun!

On the way home, the children were wondering why Kim wasn't very excited about moving to Hawaii, which seems like a very exotic and exciting destination to THEM! ;) I was explaining that she was glad to be in a nice place, but Kim felt sad because she knew that she wouldn't be able to return Stateside in the next three years to visit her family, because it is not cheap!

The children wanted to know why she was moving there if she didn't want to go? Then I had to explain that Kim's husband and their whole family were blessing the rest of us because of the sacrifices he makes to serve our country.

I said, "They are re-locating to Hawaii because that is their new assignment for the next three years".

Natalie was indignant! she said, "What?! Is he a slave??".

HA! (Out of the mouths of babes!). Yes, Natalie, it's something like that.

God bless our U.S. Servicemen and their families, all over the world!

If you come to visit, lock up your toothbrush!

2008-07-12T08:33:00.000-05:00

Patrick and Matthew arrived home, after being gone for a month, on June 29th. Please keep in mind that yesterday was July ELEVENTH as you read this story. That means TWELVE days had elapsed since the boys came home. This fact will bear more relevance as you read this story!
As we were getting ready to leave the house yesterday, I was under the usual pressure of trying to get six people completely cleaned, dressed, combed, and appropriately ready to face the rest of the world. The older boys had helped me by brushing the teeth of the younger ones, and I had already reminded Matthew and Patrick several times to brush their OWN teeth. I was in the hall bathroom curling my hair, when Patrick finally came in to brush his teeth.

He looked at the toothbrush holder, and wanted to know WHERE his toothbrush had gone. I suddenly remembered that several WEEKS ago, while they were away, I had thrown away ALL the toothbrushes, which I do every other month or so, in the interests of hygiene. I always have a large supply of brand new, spare toothbrushes under the sink.

I stopped what I was doing and stared at Patrick as this realization hit me.
"Son, " I asked, "Your toothbrush has been gone a long time! What have you been using to brush your teeth the past two weeks???"

He innocently pointed at the tall purple toothbrush in the cup, the ONLY adult toothbrush in there (do you see where this is headed??). He said, "I've been using that one!".

I swallowed and tried to be calm. For some reason, when I am pregnant, the oddest things can gag me unexpectedly, and I could feel that reflex happening in my throat! "Patrick, that is MOMMY'S toothbrush. Have you been using it the whole time you've been home???" He nodded. I continued, "WHY did you not ask me for another toothbrush? You know I always have lots of new toothbrushes!!" I was so completely grossed out, *I* was trying not to whine!

Patrick shrugged. "I didn't want to bother you, and I never thought of it unless I was trying to hurry up and get ready to go somewhere, or get in bed!".

Matthew was in the doorway by this time. I looked at him. "What have YOU been using to brush your teeth??" He grinned and answered "Mouthwash!".

I give up!!! I'm calling the dentist to see if I can have my mouth disinfected on Monday. :)

Funny Money!!!

2008-05-31T23:44:00.000-05:00

This evening, I was preparing to change Rachael's diaper. As I begin to "unwrap" her, I chuckled to myself. My mom's husband, Larry, was in the kitchen.

"Lar, come here and look quick!" I said. He came right over, and I pulled down the top of Rachael's diaper to reveal the "hidden treasure"----a shiny quarter pressed down into her abdomen, just below her belly button, under the diaper! "That's her latest trick," I explained. "She's been putting coins in her diaper all week."

He laughed, too, and said immediately "Now THAT'S what I call a 'private investor'!".
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

All the news that's fit to print!!!

2008-05-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

Several people---thanks, Lord, that I am truly blessed with people who care and are interested about me!----have inquired about my birth plans, provider plans, etc over the past few weeks since I announced my pregnancy. I decided that rather than trying to type so many emails (at least ten or more!!!), I would just "group update", haha. Please do feel free to email me back if you have another question or need clarification!!

For those who don't know, a bit of background:
I have had FOUR (unnecessary!) c/sections.
First one, twin preg, 39 weeks, out of ignorance was induced on an unfavorable cervix, resulted in c/s.
Second one, again young and ignorant!!!, had a repeat c/s because doc said 'that's what you do!"
Third pregnancy, attempted hospital VBAC, but went in too early (4 cm), and was strapped to a bed and bullied into MANY interventions, resulted in ANOTHER c/s after reaching 8cm!
Fourth preg, saw my OB the whole preg (she refused me any kind of TOL), also hired a midwife, planned a lovely homebirth, and ALMOST succeeded!!! Got "stuck" at 9cm for 8 hours, completely exhausted, requested transfer, poor hubby didn't know what to do! Off we went to the hospital, doc (not MY doc) was FURIOUS, wouldn't let me finish my labor, boom---c/s!

It has been a difficult journey, and in many ways continues to be!!!
After much prayer and consideration and consulting with MANY trusted birth professionals (mostly midwives, but also a doc!) here is our plan:

I am seeing Dr. Frederick Cummings in Denton for my prenatal care. He is very "old school", and really avoids cutting women unless TRULY necessary. He will deliver many types of unusual circumstances (all breeches, twin VBAC, VBAMC etc etc). I went to see him mainly to get his "professional " opinion about my chances/wisdom in VBACing, and he is amazing! He was truly grieved over ALL of my c/s after I explained them to him and gave him all my operative reports; he really LISTENED to us (hubby went with me). He did NOT make me feel patronized, or treat me as if "the little woman THINKS she has done some research" KWIM??

Dr. C assured us that regardless of who is on call, HE will be the doc who comes in to stay there with me for the duration of my labor. He assured me that he is willing to wait it out if I get stuck. He assured me that I will be allowed to move around, with periodic montitoring only, and can birth in whatever position I like! etc etc

He was highly recommended to me by more than one midwife, and more than one fellow birthing woman!
Hubby and I decided prayerfully that, since I have had no previous vag births, it would be prudent after 4 c/s for us to birth in the hospital, since the conditions seem rare and ideal! (Okay, so we have to drive 50 miles, no big deal, HAHA!).

The Lord further confirmed it by allowing my dear friend and midwife from my last birth to offer to come back to Texas for several weeks to "wait it out" with me until labor, and then be with me at home until my labor has progressed well (6-7 cm) before going with me to the hospital in a doula role! That is so reassuring, too, because *IF* things go faster than we expect based on the past, I know she is well-qualifed to help in VBAC births, and can certainly help me birth, even if its on the way to the hospital, haha!
SOOOOO, that is my update in a LONG nutshell!
I feel great, I am starting my 2nd trimester already, and very excited about the birth! Saw a sonogram this week on Monday, and baby was very busy and active and actually appeared to wave at us, ha!
THANK YOU to all of you supportive friends who believe in me and pray for me and have asked how things are going!

God's design is the BEST one!

2008-04-26T22:38:00.000-05:00

As a mommy of FIVE children, isn't it WEIRD to think that *I* have never seen a baby born in real life????

Well, that was true until YESTERDAY!
My very dear friend Christine had invited me several months ago to attend her birth. She phoned me EARLY Friday morning to announce labor had begun! She usually has fast labors, like 3-4 hrs, so I went flying out to her house (75-80 miles away!) at 3:20 am---I sped the whole way there, and I have NEVER done that in my life! I arrived at 4 am on the dot, hoping I had not missed it.....
...and then my fast-laboring friend proceeded to have a 14 hour long labor, HA! (I could have roller bladed out there, ha!).

She birthed her beautiful 9 lb baby boy in her big bathtub yesterday afternoon at 4:14 pm.
I am still so moved by the experience, I don't have the words yet to express it all.
I saw a baby come out the intended exit, in real life! It was amazing.

Welcome to the world, Baby Aiden!

Happy 7th Anniversary to Us!

2008-03-31T12:07:00.000-05:00

Today is our seventh wedding anniversary! In many ways, it seems like it should be much, much longer---although not because we're miserable, LOL! Mainly because Scott and I have known each other for over 20 years, so sometimes it seems odd that we have only been husband and wife for seven short years!

It's true what they say, marriage is not to make you happy, but to make you holy!...but I'm thankful to report that we are also very happy indeed! Scott and I went through some pretty rough turbulence; not the kind you end a marriage over, but just the kind that makes you think you will never have the true intimacy you so deeply desire. It was difficult! The Lord is so faithful when His children cry out to Him---He (I wanted to say 'finally' here, but decided that it was HIS perfect timing and His will, so it was only human-me who was rolling my eyes and saying, "FINALLY, Lord!!", haha) gave us a major breakthrough a few months ago at Christmastime.

The past few months brought so much growth in our relationship! It really feels like we are on our honeymoon all over again. He is so good!

I just wanted to post and tell the world how much I love my husband! I wanted to try to find a photo of us from the late eighties, just to make you all chuckle, but I'll save that story and photo for another post sometimes! ;)

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Bartholomew! I love you forever!

Who loves a RIDDLE???

2008-03-19T09:18:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!
---really quick, here's a riddle I sent to Scott last week:

What do the following sentences have in common?

The glass balanced precariously on the edge of the table
A mangy dog slunk down the alley looking for scraps of food
The two political candidates were in a dead heat in their race for the nomination
Yesterday was the first day the old man felt like himself after his illness
The social and economic climate in the nation gave many people unrest
Each child received a small gift for attending the birthday party

They have no periods! (Me neither!)
---and there's TWO BLUE LINES!!!! (Wow! Me too!!!)
heehee!!!
get it?

Liar, liar!!!

2008-02-18T21:40:00.000-06:00

Have you ever just wanted to DIE of embarassment??
I don't think I can EVER step foot in our (relatively new) church home again!

We have recently become members at a new church home. We love it! We are really enjoying getting to know people there, and becoming part of the church family. We have been very welcomed, and feel right at home. The children are also happy about having some wonderful, Godly activities in which to participate.

Tonight, my mom went in my place to pick up Patrick, Natalie, and Jason from Royal Rangers and Missionettes. Rachael was fussy, trying to break two new molars through tonight, and I stayed home to nurse her and try to calm her into sleep. Matthew had also stayed home with me, but that's another blog post. :)

When Mom returned with the children, the first thing she said was, "You are not going to believe what your daughter did tonight!" This is not exactly what every mom wants to hear! I asked her, "Am I going to be able to go back to church on Sunday?", and then my next thought was "I wonder how much this is going to cost us??"

Mom said that my friend A. had pulled her aside as soon as she arrived to pick up the children. With a look of deep concern, A. said, "WHAT happened to Natalie's daddy???"
My mother said "I beg your pardon?"
Apparently, during the opening prayer time in Missionettes, while they were taking prayer requests, Natalie announced to everyone present that her father had died on Friday!!!!!!!!!!
let me just type a few more of those!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry! We are having such trouble with dear Natalie's truthfulness---or complete LACK thereof! It really *IS* quite funnny, but I did NOT want to laugh in front of all the kids, and trivialize what she had done. The other half of me wanted to bawl, because I feel so discouraged in dealing with this; I really don't know what to do next!

I gravely told Natalie to go get her pajamas on, that this was Very Serious, so serious that I needed to talk to Daddy so we could pray and then decided how to discipline this misbehavior.

Here's another small chuckle: when I was tucking her into bed, and reminding her that she would indeed receive discipline tomorrow for this monstrous fib, Natalie said, "Mommy, I'm sorry I told that lie! I"m sorry I said that about Daddy. I told them my daddy died and that you have a new baby, too!"

Great. So now I am a PREGNANT widow!
Sheesh Louise!!!
(Not pregnant that I know of, haha!).

Smellin' like a rose!

2008-02-18T21:28:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update on the hair saga----I washed it really thoroughly with my Aveda Rosemary Mint shampoo, and then I rinsed it with white vinegar, and then rinsed it again with warm water. It smells fine now! WHEW!.....although I do keep getting whiffs of 'eau de pickle', HAHAHA!

Sounds like a personal problem to me!

2008-02-16T23:17:00.000-06:00

Okay, this is a weird topic. This has certainly never happened to ME before.....

....I think my hair is mildewy! EEEWWW! I am serious here! I cannot figure it out...

I did hear of this happening to a missionary friend previously----she had really thick, curly hair, and she lived in the tropics, for crying out loud! Right now it is forty degrees in the Lone Star State. Sheesh!

I am in a "long hair" season right now. You know what I mean---every few years, I grow my hair out, then after a couple years I get tired of it and bored, or I think I look frumpy, so I cut it off again so I can feel sleek and chic for awhile.....and then I get bored with only being able to wear it ONE way, so I grow it again......etc etc etc etc. You know the drill!!

Right now my hair is actually probably longer than it has been in quite some time. A week or so ago, I noticed a strange smell one day when I let my ponytail down. I had washed it that morning, blowdried it mostly-dry, and put it up out of my face. That night, I felt like it smelled strange when it fell towards my face when I let the ponytail down.

I asked Scott to smell my hair. Mistake number one! This man LOVES the way my hair smells when I return home from having it chemically worked on at the salon, okay? He did not notice any odd smells.....but *I* still did several days later!

Today, the same thing happened again! I dried it mostly-dry, put half of it up in a barrette, and went about my day. In the afternoon, I took the clip out, SAME THING! I asked my mom and Larry to smell it, and let's just say my mom was a bit over-the-top in her melodramatic reaction.

My hair is mildewed.
Anyone have any suggestions???
This really stinks!

Today's Quote

2008-01-30T07:40:00.000-06:00

Okay, here's a great chuckle to start off your morning!

I was reading another blog this morning, another homeschooling mom, and her blog offered a chance to win a copy of the "Grammar Key" software. I was just pondering how best to instruct my two young men about the intricacies of grammar yesterday, so I was thrilled to see this contest---giving away 25 copies! (Guess that's a good chance, huh?).

The twins entered the room and asked what I was doing---I told 'em.
Patrick said, "What's 'grammar'?"

.....and Matthew answered, "It's the opposite of 'redneck'!"

(I don't think I need to make ANY more editorial comment on THAT one!! snort!).
:)

If at First You Don't Succeed.....

2007-12-09T23:54:00.000-06:00

I am so happy tonight!

My dear friend from another list had her VBAC today! It is her 5th baby, and her 4th child was a truly emergent c/section (one of the few!) because of the threat of cord prolapse due to polyhydramnios (sp?). She emailed this morning a bit after 7:30 that she was having regular contractions and hoped it was the Real Deal, and her baby was born at 12:28 p.m.!!!

WOW!

I am sooooo relieved for her that she VBACed successfully. I guess part of ME is always really NERVOUS, having had FOUR stinkin' c/sections---and two of those were CBACs!

I'm wondering if there is a mental block for those of us who have never had a vag birth?Do you think that it presents a different challenge? Does the fear of the unknown hang us up somehow???I mean, my friend KNEW she could do it, because before her c/s she had successfully pushed out three babies.

I don't know if I'm making sense.....
I'm not even pregnant right now, but I think about this EVERY DAY.
I wonder EVERY DAY what will I do next time?
I question my past births EVERY DAY, and analyze what I might do differently next time....

Then I deal with all those around me who blindly (ignorantly?) schedule their inductions, not realizing or maybe not admitting that it GREATLY increases their chances of surgery. A friend of my mom has a pregnant teenage daughter who plans to induce her baby next week if it hasn't come by her due date!!!!! I am so appalled. That young woman could be changing her entire birthing future, having NO IDEA what her life holds down the road, how many babies she might have, or how many surgeries she could end up with because TODAY she is an impatient teenager who want to have Christmas pictures with her newborn.....I surely wish that *I* had never scheduled that induction with my first pregnancy!!! Four surgeries later, here I am moaning about it at midnight like a war veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder!!!
...sigh.....
I really should stop ranting and GO TO BED! I think that's the best idea.......

At any rate, I am surely REJOICING for my friend Chelsey----welcome to the world, Baby Noah!!! Happy BIRTHday!

Laughing all the way, HA HA HA!!!

2007-12-06T12:58:00.000-06:00

My children were busily writing letters for Language Arts assignment today. We have several people we needed to encourage (namely a nephew in the Army, currently serving in Iraq!). As they wrote, they frequently asked questions about spelling and grammar.

Patrick asked, "Mom, do we always capitalize the word 'Christmas'?"

"Yes, always!" I answered. "Can you guess why?"

The twins both answered in unison, "Because of His name, 'Christ'!!".

Always curious, Patrick had a new question: "Do we capitalize 'merry'?"

Again I said, "Yes, usually we do."

"OH!" he said, nodding in understanding "because it's his MOM's name, right?"

I couldn't help it. I cracked up! heehee

"..and the Conscientious Mom Award goes to--!"

2007-11-26T23:36:00.000-06:00

My sweet girl, playing with things MEANT to be played with!!! heehee

Okay, this may not sound as funny READING it as HEARING it, but I hope I can adequately communicate the scenario.

This evening, I was home alone with Rachael briefly while Scott drove the other four children to the church to Royal Rangers/ Missionettes. I have a favorite chair in our den, that has a nice big matching ottoman, which is where our babies usually end up getting diaper changes.

Just after everyone left, I changed Rachael's diaper, and then I just laid back in my chair while she played for a few minutes around the ottoman. She bent down and picked up what I thought was a rock Jason found a few days ago that happened to be shaped and sized just like a matchbox car. She played with it, put it on the ottoman, played with it some more...

....meanwhile, I was thinking to myself "Wow, I sure can smell that diaper I changed! I guess I'll have to take out the trash...didn't think it would be so strong!".

Just as this train of thought progressed, I continued watching Rachael playing with the rock, and suddenly it broke in half! I sat up in shock that she could break apart the rock, only to realize that my daughter was PLAYING WITH A PIECE OF POO-POO that had fallen out of the diaper while I was changing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really don't know what else to say!
You never saw a baby's hands get scrubbed so fast!
I antibacterialized EVERYTHING in sight!
I emptied the trash!
...and then I realized how HILARIOUS this was and fell apart laughing until I cried. Of course Rachael joined me belly-laughing, which made it even funnier, because SHE had no idea with what she had been playing!!!

Just thought I'd dispel any thoughts of anyone nominating me for "Mommy of the Year" in 2007. Better luck next year! ;)

"Would you like fries with that?"

2007-10-18T10:41:00.001-05:00

My former nursling and his sisters

I am definitely a supporter of long term breastfeeding. In fact, I have become quite the "Crunchy Mama" as my mothering career has progressed! I never knew I had it in me, haha. I breastfed my twins until they were close to three years old, and Natalie nursed until she was 18 months old (had to quit unexpectedly due to a NASTY yeast infection and Jason's imminent birth---had to heal up to nurse the newborn!).

I have nursed through my last two pregnancies, and until recently, Jason was still happily nursing, albeit only at bedtime. In July, I started preparing him for The End. I would say, "Jay, you are such a big boy! Just think, next month you will be THREE YEARS OLD! Wow! You will be so big, you won't need to nurse anymore---so after your birthday, no more nursing!". I told him this every night, while he was having his bedtime nurse. I thought he was "getting it". He would nod and agree that he was too big to keep on nursing.

When his birthday rolled around in August, he was indignant at the mere suggestion that he couldn't continue to nurse! He acted shocked and totally unprepared for this transition......I was disappointed, and beginning to be a bit frustrated. (After awhile, you know, you just kind of want your body back SOMEWHAT---and of course Rachael will still be nursing for a long time). Being the crunchy mama that I have become, I gritted my teeth and followed the advice of the LaLeche League: "Don't offer, but don't refuse." We continued our nursing relationship.

Finally, about a week ago, Crunchy Mama had had ENOUGH! I told Jason one night that he had one week left, and then that was IT. No more nursing!! I held my ground, too, even though for three agonizing nights he threw unbelievable oscar-winning fits at bedtime---AND told me "Mommy, I am mad at you! I do not love you anymore! You told me 'no more nursing'!". It is NOT fun for your sweet, adorable, normally affectionate 3 year old to tell Mommy he does not love her! My heart was breaking!.....but after about 3 days he got over it, and resolved himself to this new level of maturity. (He even told me he loves me again, whew!).

Last night as I was putting Natalie and Jason to bed, he asked me to lie down and snuggle with him for a minute. I climbed into the bottom bunk with him, having just finished clearing up the dinner dishes and putting the food away.

Jason said, " Mmmmm, Mommy, you smell good!"
I said, "Do I smell like dinner?"
He immediately said, "No, your nurses smell YUMMY!!!! The mommy milk smells good!"

I was crying I laughed so hard!
(I won't even get into where the conversation ended after that---let's just say I heard a long rendition of ALL our friends and family members, and which ones are blessed enough to have a male body part, HA!).

Out of the Mouths of Babes!!!

2007-10-10T23:22:00.000-05:00

Here's an interesting (and ENCOURAGING for Mama Bee!!!) conversation we had in our van yesterday afternoon:

We were on our way to a picnic/playdate with some friends at the park. Patrick was playing with some coins he had discovered in the van seat. He asked, "Mom, why does our money say 'in God we Trust' on it?".

I answered, "Well, you remember as we began studying the history of America, our country was founded by Godly men who wanted this to be a Christian nation. They founded our country on God's Word and His principles. Unfortunately, we have gotten away from much of their plan!".

Matthew jumped in, asking, "Why have we gotten away from it, Mom?".

I said, "Because as humans, we have gotten away from God's wisdom and begun to think that we should depend upon our own wisdom."

Patrick immediately said, "Then that's NOT wisdom, that's self-righteousness!!".

Whoa!
I was so impressed with this astute observation, I am still pondering it!
Maybe SOME of the stuff I say *is* getting through??!!!! :)

364 Shopping Days Until My Birthday!

2007-09-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

Okay, I try to be a good mom. I try to be nice, I try not to yell too much, and yes, whenever it's possible, I try to be accommodating.....but I didn't see this coming! I guess I should have. My oldest child (older than his twin brother by just 2 minutes, he will surely point out that makes him the firstborn!) is Dog Obsessed. This began a few years ago, about the age when every normal red-blooded American boy decides he must have a pet. Patrick's obsession deepened until he could quote facts and statistics about almost any dog breed, recognize any dog you'd see on the streets or in a movie, and even understand and translate for the neighborhood strays---nah, just kidding, but the boy WANTED A DOG! So, in a moment of temporary insanity, we got him a puppy last December as an early Christmas present. He is a toy poodle, named "Samson" by his loving owner. (Samson now lives at Grammy's house, but that's fodder for another post, LOL!). When we got Samson, his papers said he was born on Sept. 25th, just two days before MY birthday. Anyone who has known me any time at all can tell you the Ritual of the Birthday. It is involved, it is ongoing, and it is effective----my friends rarely forget my birthday (it's okay Christine, really!). I started the brainwashing---er, tradition--- way back before I can even remember now; every month on the 27th, I tell everyone how many shopping days they have until My Birthday on September 27th. For example, on April 27th I'll say "Here's your friendly reminder that you now have only five shopping months until my birthday!!". It has become a family joke, and it's really NOT about the presents to me, it's about The Birthday!! We all love to have a day that's all ours, right? :) I had no idea that in 2007 I would be soooo upstaged: when I learned right after Christmas that I was pregnant and due in September, I knew that this year I would be passing on the Birthday Ritual Torch to my new offspring. I resigned myself to it, and I was okay with that. I can step down and let Rachael take the torch.....but this was before the DOG had to have a birthday party! I"m okay with my being overshadowed by my daughter, but the DOG????? When Patrick wanted to have a birthday party for Samson, being the good mommy that I endeavor to be, I grudgingly agreed. Having lots of leftover icing in the fridge from Rachael's birthday cake last week, I even magnanimously volunteered to BAKE THE DOG A CAKE (for his humans to eat, of course!). That was BEFORE I remembered, at 11 p.m. on the 24th, that my oven wasn't working. Fine, I decided to bake the cake at my mom's home first thing in the morning. I took the cake over, baked it, and my mom removed it from her oven when it was done. She left it to cool on the counter while she ran a quick errand, leaving my 84 year old somewhat senile grandmother at home. When my mom returned, Gramma had eaten a three inch wide strip of the cake! She probably ate 20% of the cake! My mom was mad, and Gramma got sick, and it was rather funny....it also made decorating the hacked-up cake quite a challenge! I cut it into the best bone-shaped cake I could, and it turned out quite well, if I do say so myself. Patrick was thrilled, Samson was oblivious to the whole Event, and we all ate cake. Happy Birthday, dear Samson!---but don't expect a party next year. :)

We All Love a Parade!

2007-09-28T23:25:00.000-05:00

The State Fair is a Big Deal in Texas. It happens every year, and every year I know it's coming, because it ALWAYS begins the weekend of my birthday (another internationally recognized holiday, but I digress!). Every year, on the Opening Day of the State Fair, I have the same "oh drat!" moment at about 10:05 p.m.----that's about the time that the local news airs clips of the festivities, and I realize that ONCE AGAIN I have forgotten about the parade!!!.....and I kick myself for another year, haha. My children LOVE a parade; there is a reason for this. Several years ago, when my oldest boys were just toddlers, they got on a jag of watching "The Sound of Music". Often. Too often. Daily. This went on for months. I can quote EVERY SINGLE LINE in that movie, and sing every song (when the children ALLOW me to sing along, that is)! In order to cure them of what was destroying my love of a great, classic musical, we introduced them to "The Music Man" (Thanks, Auntie Linda Lou!!!). heehee...I'm sure you see where this is going! We then watched, ate, slept, breathed, sang, and danced "The Music Man" for probably six months (Can anyone say "Shepoopie"?). After this the twins developed an obsession for marching bands, and percussion instruments. Soon after, we began our family tradition of attending the local Fourth of July parade, and it took me several years to even realize that we have a State Fair Opening Day Parade. I was proud of myself and thrilled that somehow my sleep-deprived brain recalled this tidbit of information this year, well in advance of the date. My dear honorary cousin Kathy works downtown, and so we decided to meet up and watch the parade. I made a picnic lunch, we enlisted my dad and stepmom Linda to go with us, and off we went! It was truly fun, a gorgeous Texas autumn (now there's an oxymoron!!) day, just perfect. We arrived in plenty of time, met up with our Downtown Guide, Kathy, and walked a couple blocks over to Main Street. We settled in on a nice curb and ate lunch while we waited for noon. The parade was worth waiting for! The children were delighted (Jason was not too impressed with the clowns!), and made several memorable comments ( Patrick, upon observing the collegiate drill team in their flesh-colored tights, said, "Their legs look like plastic!!"). It was really a pleasant family outing, and a memory of a fun date with my family that I will look forward to scrapbooking! To top it all off, if you check out the Sept. 28th page of www.dallasmorningnews.com and click on the video clip that says 'State Fair Parade', towards the end of the clip you will see a lovely full-screen shot of 4 of my 5 children! We're famous!

Blogging, Take 2--or, The Dangers of Blogging

2007-09-23T15:31:00.000-05:00

After a year-long sabbatical, I have returned to the world of blogging. My previous dalliance with a blog was brief, and devastating---it nearly destroyed several relationships that are very important to me, and to some degree the damage is not totally restored.

Last year, someone read my blog and took something I said completely out of context. Instead of contacting ME to clarify my position, said person called other people and perpetuated the misunderstanding, which soon grew to gargantuan proportions!

Without going into further detail, let's just say that a Big Mess ensued, and feelings were hurt, and Stuff Happened that cannot be undone. Several of those involved never actually READ the offending blog post, they merely leapt into the fray and passed judgment and then unsolicited advice my way.....and it surely didn't help that when this all went down, I was about 38 weeks pregnant, and more than a little sensitive!!!

I learned some things through that experience last year. I learned that you cannot take relationships for granted, big or small. The people involved in that brouhaha last August were Important People dearly loved by me! That's what made it so painful to go through. I ranted, I raved, I cried, I threatened to never blog again.....but as time went on, I realized that we cannot hide from the world when we have been hurt. The world is full of hurt (and hurtING!) people, and we need to use our hurts to spread compassion and empathy, reaching out to those around us.

Because of my hurts and the painful experiences through which I have lived (and believe me, some of them are MUCH WORSE than a misunderstood blog post!!), I am qualified to reach out to others in the same place of pain. A very wise and much-respected father in the faith once said to me, "You are not disqualified because of the things you have been through! You are more qualified than ever!". That statement was FREEDOM for me!

So, here I am, blogging again. Admittedly, I may be a bit more careful what sorts of things I say here, but probably only for awhile. I still stand on my original belief that those who know me well enough to read my blog ought to know me well enough to understand my intents----or at least well enough to ask me if something I say causes confusion!