He REALLY is listening...sometimes

So, many of you who are my friends and family know that we have a VERY active son, my almost 5 year old David. If you are looking for a new comedy show to produce I strongly recommend filming my family at church. Whenever we sit in the row and new people are around us I always say to them, "Welcome to the circus, it is free of charge." They laugh, but then 10 minutes into the service they know I am serious.

I have a calling with our children's classes (which we call primary). I sit with my son David, more like chase him and his friends around the room to try to get them to sit down and listen. This past Sunday was a challenge. First he pretended to kick the music leader in the shin while singing, "Socks and Sandals" from the Disney channel show "So Random" (I think I laugh at that show more than my kids do.) Then he kept trying to stick up his middle finger because he has been told NOT to stick up his middle finger. Lastly he made a farting sound on his arm and then yells, "Mom, stop farting!! Sister Gillon (his teacher) stop farting!!" Are you laughing - I hope so, because I am. But, it was not too funny at the time, unless you were watching.

Amid all of this chaos and craziness, he leans his head over on his teacher who had been gone for a few weeks visiting her mother who is having heart problems. He says to her sweetly, "Sister Gillon, how is your mom feeling?" She said, "Her heart is hurting." David matter of factly says, "I know that if she could touch Jesus's robe her heart would get better." Her heart melted, and so did mine when she told me. I read scripture stories with him often before bed and wonder if he ever really listens. Obviously, he did for the story of the woman who had an "issue of blood" and touched the Savior's robe and was healed.

"Drop by drop" we are helping to fill their lamps.

The Dinner Time Work out

You moms, and maybe some dads know what I am talking about.

You prep the meal, get it to the table, and as soon as you sit down, you know you inevitably forgot the salt and pepper, cups, milk, napkins, ketchup - any other array of items that are ESSENTIAL for dinner for everyone else.

As soon as you sit down, someone spills, or thinks of something else that is high on a shelf, or in a cabinet you don't want kiddos to mess with.

Seriously, if I took away my chair and just did a wall sit while I ate, then I could break and run back and forth and do another circuit of squats, while I feed the baby spoonfuls of something in between my bites of dinner, all while drinking several cups of ice water. Maybe while I do dishes I can do squats for each dish, cup, and fork I put in the dishwasher. Wow, my legs will be pumped. Time to lace up the shoes for the dinner time work out.

Can someone please put together an estimation dinner workout for burning calories, please?

Making Christmas Easier

Christmas is a time to reflect on the gift of Christ and enjoy time with family and friends, not a time to be overwhelmed by a crazy to do list that never ends. This was the most stress free Christmas that I have ever had. I want to share with you what made it easier this year. Make sure you do the things that are most important to you and your family. Don't feel pressure from someone else to do something, just because. Like the Christmas card. If it is too much to get it out before Christmas, do it around the New Year, or even Valentine's Day. Here's what helped me this year:

Focusing on Christ - Our gifts to teachers were very Christ centered. We put together a book of 12 stories that they could read before Christmas. We also did a scripture chain, I printed out a scripture and then a question to go with it, or an act of service that the kids were suppossed to do. We also played with the child friendly Nativity Scene a lot (too much, they figured out how to take it apart and catapoult the figures all over the front room. So much for reverence.)

The Christmas Card- This year over Thanksgiving, my Dad was in the hospital in Las Vegas with some heart problems. I put my stress to work and ordered our Christmas cards on line at Shutterfly. It was really easy, took about as much time as it would have in the store, and I did it in my PJ's. I got free shipping, pluse 35% off. (You can google coupons for Shutterfly, it saved us an extra 5%). Then I wrote and printed our letter. I also took the time to get all of the addresses off of the hundreds of scraps of paper in my Christmas folder and entered them into the computer. Now I have them for labels instead of having to hand write everything.) So, I had the letter and envelopes addressed before the cards got here. If you don't get it done before Christmas, don't stress, do a New Year's Letter.

Make a list and On-line Shopping - My mom had a knee replacement in early November, so she got her shopping done in October. This forced me to get a list together. I knew what she was getting the kids. Then I gave a list of 2 or 3 things to Mike's parents, his mom let me know what she was getting them. I had my wish list made up at Amazon.com, so on Cyber Monday, I ordered everything and was done. (I only had to pay shipping on 2 items) When my dad told me to shop for him for the kids, I still had my wish list and did it all on line again. We became friends with the UPS man.

Have a "Battery Night"- My friend, Em in WI, and I started a Christmas tradition of "battery night". Pick a night close to Christmas, call your girlfriends, and go out to dinner. Then go shopping for batteries for the toys your kids are getting, and stocking stuffers. The stores are usually open insanely late, and we would ususally stay until closing. I remember a few nights when they started turning the lights on and off as a signal for us to check out. I guess we missed the "We will be closing in 10 minutes" announcement.

Wrapping - It is no secret that this is my least favorite part of Christmas. I remember one Christmas we were up until 3 AM wrapping, I was not too happy the next day. I enlisted my husband for help, he is good at wrapping, but not very fast. We started wrapping mid-December this year and finished Dec 22. I have to admit by the last 5 presents my pieces of tape were 4 to 5 inches long and the gifts looked like my 4 year old had wrapped them. I stopped writing who presents were from, because I was too tired to remember if it was us or Santa giving them. Oh well, they loved unwrapping them.

Christmas Treats - something I love to do at Christmas is make treats. This year I did 2 or 3 things that produce a lot of treats. I made cranberry bread, which I need to post, it was really good. I also did caramel popcorn, and my favorite new cookies. I will post links to this later. I had them ready or in the freezer too. When someone stopped by with something, I had a treat for them. I had to deliver a few, but it was nice to just have them ready.

Hope these suggestions will be helpful to someone, and I will certainly do this next year. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

The Joy of Motherhood Comes in Moments

I have often heard this said by several wise mothers who I admire. Today was one of those moments, and it was great.

I really enjoyed working with my kids today to take care of the yard. My two oldest mowed their share of the lawn without complaint.

I weeded the flowerbeds with my 5 year old and learned that she loves crickets and worms, but is afraid of spiders.

My 4 year old is great at picking up sticks.

My 2 year old brought me every piece of play food she could find to feel to her new baby sister.

I painted my 11 year old's nails.

I helped my 10 year old write a talk for church about how Jesus is a God of Miracles. I really just had to type it. He knew his stuff.

My newborn smiled at me.

EVERYONE ate dinner.

My husband took the oldest 5 kids for a bike ride.

The kids played in a huge dirt pile after dinner, and were totally filthy. They had a great time, and of course, I had just cleaned the tub that morning. But that is okay.

I got to go for a 45 minute walk. A police car drove by and DIDN'T go to my house. Thoughts and fears I had about that when I saw the car drive by are for another entry.

These are the days when I am okay with school NOT starting so soon. My prayers will be full of gratitude tonight for the great day I had with the family.

SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! T minus 17 and counting

One of my favorite, (I say that about just about all of them) episodes of Seinfeld episodes is when George's dad tries to lower his stress by saying "Serenity Now" to himself when he feels stressed or upset. By the end of the episode he is raising his fists to the heavens shouting "SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well, school starts in 18 more days and I am shouting from my roof top "SERENITY NOW!!!" I love having the kids home and spending time with them. But it is the:

"Mom. can I get up yet? Are you awake?" at 6:30 ( I have made a rule that before 7 AM is my quiet time, but it is not adhered to.)
"Mom, when can I play the computer?" at 7:15 AM My new answer is "never o' clock"
"Mom, what are we having for lunch?" - Seriously, we just finished breakfast, I'm not telling (because I have no idea).
"Mom, can I hold Maddy when she wakes up?" I just got her to sleep for a 3 hour nap (I hope).
"Mom, I'm bored." We had a family home evening and made a whole list of what you can do besides watching TV and going on the computer. "But I don't want to do any of that." Well, then I guess you need a job to do. Here's the broom.
My threat for when they refuse to work together and get along is: If you can't work hard and get along with your brother/sister I am going to take you to an Amish farm where you can wear hot (not attractive, but uncomfortable) clothing and work outside in the sun all day. Is that what you want? Their eyes get big, No, I don't want that.

I know, I know, "I will miss these days." I am enjoying summer, most of it. We have just had a crazy time between moving and the baby coming that it is hard for me to get out and do all of the fun things that I would like to do with them. They are great kids and I know I will cry the first day of school, I always do.

A 9 Year Old's "Train of Thought"

While I was cleaning out my clutter bin and trying to organize for our move I came upon this assignment that Joe wrote earlier in the year. It was his "Train of Thought" assignment, basically he had to write a paragraph, and they use pictures of a train to help them see where different sentences should go in a paragraph. Here it is:

My Family:
My Family is very important to me. First, I would like to tell you about my parents. They are both good cooks. They both play basketball well (he should have written that mom's jump shot rocks, and dad has the leaping skills of a gazelle, but I will forgive him on this one). Second I want to tell you about my pet. My dog, Jeter, likes to play fetch and barks a lot. Third, I'd like to tell you about my brother and sisters, Sam, Danielle, and David (he left out Abby). They are sometimes mean and gross. In conclusion, my family is awesome.

A barking dog and mean and gross siblings make for an awesome family. Glad he likes us.

"See, Mom..." Part 2 of "The Bat"

To see part one of "See, Mom..." click here.

The saga continues. Yes, my son was right about the bat, again. His coach even said that he should use it (in spite of the fact that it clearly says it is a SOFTBALL bat, not BASEBALL).

After striking out the first at bat, Joe came to the plate again with determination in his swing. The pitches flowed and after a couple, CRACK, he hit a double to right field. He was so excited, it was the first time he had gotten on base in a long time. When he come in from running the bases, out it came again..."SEE, MOM, I TOLD YOU that I could hit with that bat."

Okay, I am still trying to figure out how he is hitting with this bat that is definitely too short for him and the barrel of it is smaller than a baseball bat. It would make a great physics problem, maybe I should have paid attention more in Mrs. Manic's class. I have no idea how to figure it out.

Oh well, I guess it is okay for him to be right. I am just glad he is hitting the ball. I am sure there will be many, many, many more times when I hear that horrible phrase that is like finger nails on a chalk board, "See, Mom..." I am glad I NEVER said that to my mom, yeah right. She is such a good sport.

"See, Mom..."

I loved saying this to my mom when I was younger, and it still gives me some pleasure today. "See, Mom..." and then telling her some how that what she had said was wrong, or a theory disproved. Well, I have had a few of those moments where my children really are right, in humility I admit. However, I was not expecting this to be one of them.

My 9 year old is playing baseball this year. He has not had a lot of luck hitting and decided that this purple softball bat with pink writing on it that he found in our garage was now his lucky bat. I bought this bat 3 years ago for my daughter to use during t-ball, it is definitely TOO SHORT for him. He insisted on taking it to the game. (Now, I have to admit, in all humility, that I do know my stuff when it comes to softball/baseball. I played, was pretty good, on 2 State Championship All-Star teams. So, I know what I am talking about here.)

I thought, "Surely, his coach will see this bat and realize it is NOT a baseball bat and IS WAY TOO SHORT." It is Joe's turn to bat and I see him swinging this bat around. I quickly waddle up to the backstop and tell him, in front of his friends and coaches, "Joe, that bat is way too short and it is a softball bat, you need to pick another bat." He refuses and his coach says, "He was hitting with it during practice, just let him try it." So, whose team is HE on anyway? Doesn't he know I am the BOSS???

Joe is in the batter's box and I am praying he hits the ball, just because it has been so long since he connected. And...he hits a grounder, right up the first base line. Unfortunately he was out. But as he trotted back to the bench, just glad to have hit the ball it came out. "See, Mom, I told you that was my lucky bat." I congratulated him and then waddled back to my seat trying not to look too embarrassed. Seriously, that bat is so short I do not know HOW ON EARTH he hit that ball. His next at bat, he used a different bat and struck out. I didn't make a scene that he had to use a different bat this time, because of my embarrassment last time. He has vowed to use the purple bat with the pink writing every time now.

Okay, so that was the one time this month that he is allowed to be right, I am sure there will be many, many, many more times.

The Cup, Answered 2 Questions for Me

I have often wondered why men complain about have to buy feminine products for their wives. Just get the box, pay for it and go. It isn't like the cashier has never checked out a box of tampons and will laugh at you. Well, now I know why.

My 9 year old is playing baseball and needed a cup. So, I went to the store with it all, Walmart, to get this necessary piece of protection. I do want grandchildren to spoil, so we have to protect the equipment.

I pick up the cup, looked at it. Is it big enough. He is a youth large pants, does that mean he would take a youth large cup? Looking at it longer I think, this thing is huge, I don't even know that it will fit into his pants. But if I get the small one, it might be too small. Decisions, decisions.

I go for the larger size and think, "He can grow into it."

He tries it on, clearly it is too big. He can wear it on the outside of his pants and does during dinner, just to make us all laugh. My husband told him he couldn't wear it. Fearing that I have to return the cup that I had purchased, I over ruled (never, ever happens) and told him to go put it on. He said it felt ok and he wanted to wear it. I had visions of him running around the bases with this cup down around his ankles. So, now he is the one on the field adjusting himself all of the time.

Which answered my other question. Why during baseball games are the players always adjusting something in their crotch? Now I know, their mom's bought cups for them that were too big.

THE SOCKS!!!!!!!

I really don't mind doing laundry. It is part of my job as a domestic engineer and that is why I earn the big bucks, right? I even hang my wash to dry a lot of the time, I enjoy it. However, there is one aspect of doing the laundry that I despise....matching the socks.

Meet my sock hamper. Yup, all of those are clean socks that I have put off matching up for about 4 weeks now. Seriously, the last time I went to Walmart I was so tempted to buy everyone a 10 pack of socks. Then I looked at what was in my card and realized that would double what I was going to spend there that day and refrained.
I would rather deep clean all of my bathrooms, change and wash all of the bedding (7 beds is a lot), and clean out my car, including removing the seats and getting all of that crud out from under them, than match up the socks. So, lots of other things are getting done at my house right now, just not the matching of the socks. I used to match them while watching TV, I am having a hard time multitasking right now. My skill to do that will return, soon, I hope.

Is it that is requires too much concentration (like the matching game that I refuse to play right now because I will lose every time and look like a dumby)? Maybe. Is it that I will undoubtedly have 7 to 10 odd socks left over, therefor leaving the job unfinished? Could be. Oh sock hamper, I HATE you. You sit in the corner mocking me. I think I will have the kids go barefoot for the rest of spring and summer just to avoid confrontation with you. You will sit there and children will ask, "Mom, where's the sock hamper?" and will rifle through you, I refuse to look at you anymore... until...I need some socks.

What is your hated house chore?

The Word Ass-U-Me

One time I had finally had it with my kids fighting. They were continuously thinking the worst of the other's intentions. You know the "he looked at me like this" and "she meant this when she said that, blah, blah blah". I told them to "Stop assuming the worst of each other."

They looked at me and asked what that meant. I sounded out the word and said, "Do you know what it means when you break the word assume down? Assuming makes an 'ass out of u and me', you both look and feel like jerks when you ass-u-me the worst about each other."

They looked at me shocked that I had used the "A word" as we really try to have good language in our home. (The S word is stupid, the D word is dumb and the H word is hate. I had to tell them the real bad ones so that they wouldn't say them if someone told them to.) But, it worked. They stopped fighting for while, but then started to tell each other to stop "ASSuming" the worst. Oh well, at least it worked for awhile.

I Want a Big Fat Mommy...

This has been my 5 year old's way of describing things the past few weeks. Here are a few examples:

Mom, I want those big fat Mommy strawberries. The one's that are fat like you.

Mom, I went a big fat Mommy poop. Look how fat it is, like your belly.

Mom, I want a big fat Mommy cookie, round like you, please? (At least there was a please, right?)

Seriously, she said all of these. Yes, I have grown out and around quite a bit. I keep telling myself it is swelling, wishful thinking. I still love her to death and she makes me laugh when she says these. I just never thought of describing a strawberry, poop, or cookie as "a big fat mommy" type of thing.

My Little Hurricane, Soon to Combine for "The Perfect Storm"

I have my own little hurricane and I don't even need a weather forecaster to tell me when she is coming (he would be wrong half the time anyway). She is here everyday, her level of destruction differs on any given day. This particular day she was at level 5. I took a few pictures, and from them you can guess what else she did to my front room, basement, book cases, putting her own artwork on the wall, and pulling clothes out of her drawers and those of her siblings. I love my little hurricane, but hope she tames down into a mild tropical storm sometime soon.
By the time she calms down I will have another hurricane destroying everything. I have a feeling they will combine forces to become "The Perfect Storm". Oh well, this is temporary, right? I disagree when I see my 9 year old's closet. Someday the chaos will subside, but then what will I do? (At least she didn't start pulling trash out of the trash can for this picture).

Chocolate Chips, you have been my friend, and will be with me FOREVER .

The last year of my life has been a bit of a stress, I am wondering if it ever won't be stressful. Probably when I am in a coma or dead, the stress will end. So, I guess it is a good thing to have the stress, it means I am still kickin'. Through this time, of a huge pay cut, finding a new job, selling a house, moving half way across the country, pregnancy #6, and trying to buy another house, I have had many friends who have helped along the way. But, there is one friend who is there waiting for me whenever I am in need. It is my bag of Nestle chocolate chips. (Sorry for all who work at Hershey or who are loyal because we are so close, I prefer Nestle). I call this friend Nessie. She was there for me when my husband got his pay cut and all throughout our move. She was there for me when I found out I was pregnant with baby #6. She was there for me, waiting for me to munch, in the cabinet when my son's friend told me my house was a mess (yes, that really happened, sad thing was I had just cleaned up a bit). She will probably be with me forever, on my hips, under my chin, on my cheeks, and around my belly. I will have a constant reminder of what a good friend Nessie has been to me. My other friends have been there as well to listen and make me laugh. But my chocolate chips are there, hidden in the cupboard, freezer, and fridge waiting for whenever I am in need.

I Think This Is What It Is Like To Get Old (No offense to any seniors)

For some reason, maybe because this IS baby number 6 and I will be 37 this year (okay, so the truth is out, I am really not 29 anymore, but I still report that age on every survey I take except, the census). I feel like this pregnancy has been the hardest for me. But I have come to the conclusion that this pregnancy is what it is like to get old.


Forgetting where I put my keys, while they are in my pocket.


Not knowing where my glasses are, while I am wearing them.


Having to pee all of the time.


Grunting when I get up, sit down, get in and out of the car, bend over to pick something up (it could be worse, I could be peeing when I do this, or farting, that would be way worse. I guess that is what I have to look forward to).


Falling asleep 5 minutes into the show I have been excited to see all day long. I am toast after 9 PM. (I am really struggling with LOST not having the "pop up" rerun before the new episode. I forget what happened the previous week because I was half asleep watching it.)



Body aches of all kinds


Forgetting where I put my keys, did I say that already?


Sucking wind after walking up the steps.


Calling one child the other child's name and then getting frustrated when the child I was referring to does not answer (even though I didn't say his name (usually a him that I am frustrated, glad this one is a girl)).


Sneezing and peeing at the same time.


Teeth falling out. (Seriously, the crown I had put in about 5 years ago fell out in January. I will need dentures at age 40, these darn kids.)


Varicose veins, all OVER my right ankle and lower leg. VERY attractive. It looks like I seriously sprained my ankle. I really hope they go away. If they don't go away, maybe I will get a tatoo or something. "mom of 6" or a big "S" for Supermom (or Supercrazy Lady, that's more like it).

ALL of my hair coming in is grey, I guess that is why I have so many red highlights when I color it. This is probably more from my 29+ age, rather than pregnancy, but it sure grows fast.

Losing my keys, in my pocket, I think I may have said that, but not sure. Did I mention memory lapses?


All of these things are what I look forward to in 25 years. I don't know if I will remember I have been through it before or not. It may just seem like de ja vu in that much time. I know it is worth it in end, I just don't think my body can do this again. 11 more weeks, I can do it.

"Butterfly, Fly Away"

(This actually happened a few weeks ago and I thought I posted it.) The hormones are in full swing if Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray can make me cry. Today we had "Parent/Teacher Conferences". My kids have both improved markedly this past quarter and I was very proud of them for their hard work. But I was more proud when my 5th grade daughter's teacher told me what a nice kid she is and how impressed she is with the choices she has made in friends and how she treats other students. (I was also proud of my son, but this entry has more to do with my daughter). I then had to take her to get her picture taken for her passport for a trip she is going on this summer with one of her grandmothers. As she posed for the photo I was struck by how she has grown and how beautiful she is. I can't believe middle school is next year, don't think I am ready for that. As I was paying for the photos she wanted to use my phone to text her dad, another "more grown up" thing to do, rather than just calling. Then on the way home we were listening to the Miley Cyrus CD and the song, "Butterfly, Fly Away" (don't know if that is the real title, but that was the chorus) came on. It is Miley C singing about how her Dad used to tuck her in at night, and how he cared for her growing up and how she is now growing wings to fly away. Then they sing together. I had to hide the tears because I am seeing this beautiful young woman blossom and grow and it will be time for her to fly away before I know it. It was seriously like a slide show that went through my head of her from when she started walking through the years until now. This is one of the days that I took time to give thanks for the honor it is to have all of these kids and see them grow. It is a lot of work and mundane at times, but it is totally worth it.

"Mom, You're Not Doing That Exercise Right!!"

I like to get up in the morning and do a workout video, I have mentioned before "Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred", still have yet to feel shredded, but I do feel stronger. I do it in the morning because usually no one is awake and trying to talk to me as I am sucking wind and sweating bullets trying to keep up with the 3 totally fit trainers who do the workout. However, the past couple of times my 5 year old daughter and 3 year old son have been up and laid down on the couch to watch me workout (probably much more entertaining than any show they have watched, including America's Funniest Videos"). I modify the workout so that when they do the really bouncy stuff I just march in place, so yes, it is quite different than what they are doing. These are the comments I get from these two nuts of mine (that I love dearly):
"Mom, why aren't you doing that exercise like her?"
"Mom, why aren't their bellies really big like yours?"
"Mom, her but is not big like yours."
"Mom, you are doing that wrong."
"Mom, why is she wearing that shirt?"
"How come that girl is brown?" (we live in a VERY, VERY rural area).
I also have times when doing girly pushups and my 3 year old tries to climb in between my arms, saying, "Hi Mommy" or they try to do the workout with me, stealing my weights when I am not using them. Not distracting at all, right? Working out in peace and quiet has become a novelty, like going to the bathroom without anyone opening the door (because I cannot remember to lock it until I am sitting on the pot), or taking a shower without anyone knocking and asking if they can watch TV before they eat breakfast or are ready for school (is the answer ever different?). Someday my nirvana of a workout in peace will come, but not anytime soon. That's OK, just so I can get some time in.
Updated 4/16 - the other day my 3 year old told me that the girls on the TV were jumping like penguins. As I am sucking wind our conversation was like this: "Mom, those dirls are like penguins. They look like they are flying. Do penguins fly?" "No, breath, breath, penguins don't fly." "Mom, why don't penguins fly?" "Because their wings don't (breath, breath) work like that." "Why, Mom?" "Go ask your (breath, breath) Dad." He was so fascinated with penguins NOT flying.

The Government Should Hire Us

A couple of weeks ago I decided we would take a trip to the dairy to get some ice cream as a treat. I did manage to fix the shirt my 3 year old had put on backwards. However, as he was running into the dairy I noticed his pants were on backwards. Oh well. We ordered our ice cream without incident, and then it began. My 3 year old climbed up on the table where there is a puzzle that the workers put together when they are not busy, starts taking the pieces apart. Note to self - I need to order his ice cream first next time. As we are finishing ordering a young couple walks in. I have my 21 month old on my hip, my prego belly sticking way out and 4 other kids slurping up ice cream, with my mom there helping as well. I could just see the pity in their eyes. I got my shake and went to the table. My 21 month old decided she wanted to hold the shake, which I tell her, "no" and gave her a spoon. She decided to throw a fit, laid on the floor, screamed at the top of her lungs, tried to push over a chair. What a nice family outing, right? The young couple went outside. When we are about done my 9 year old decided he wanted to get goat food for everyone to feed the goats, very nice of him. So, we went to feed the goats, my 21 MO still screaming and on my hip. I put her down and let her roll around on the grass, continuing to throw this tantrum. Finally, when I was done I picked her up and took her to the car. I looked over and the young couple just stared at me. I seriously think we put a damper on their romantic outing to the Mennonite dairy. They will think twice about having unprotected sex, let alone 6 kids.
Another incident involved getting my 11 year old her passport to go on a trip with one of her grandmothers this summer. We only had 4 kids with us this time. She was well behaved, but the youngest three acted like they had just all had a 32 oz. Mountain Dew. My 3 year old was break dancing, doing "the spin" on his back on the floor. They were playing tag, I was so thankful we were the only ones in the office and very glad my husband was there to help. I thought the passport lady was going to volunteer to give all of us free passports and get us out of the country. She was very polite about it, but the kids were CRAZY.
Seriously, instead of funding planned parenthood and abortions, the government could hire us to follow people around Walmart, or go into McDonalds, or try to pick a video at the red box (I don't bring anyone with me any more for that one) or any of the other everyday things that I don't like to do when I have everyone with me. But, if they came to our house for the campfire we had last night, or for family scripture study (most of the time), or when the kids are working really well together, they might think that a houseful is not so bad. I wouldn't trade any of them. They all bring something important and vital to our family. I hope this new one arriving in June knows what she is getting herself into. It is going to be a bumpy ride. I remember watching the movie "Parenthood" and the wife telling the husband that life is like a roller coaster and that is what makes it fun and Steve Martin just looking at her like, I want to get off this ride. We are in it for the long haul. At the end he realized that too, and it is worth it.

It Could Be Worse...He Could Have...

This is how I think when my 3 year old my does something that bugs me. I try to think this, rather than getting mad at him (most of the time, it does not always work). He never ceases to surprise me. Actually, I guess he does cease to surprise me because when he does something like this I just roll my eyes now and go get the camera. This afternoon was so nice outside I sent the kids out in their swimsuits and splashy clothes and let them play in the creek near our house. It tires them out, they take an early bath before dinner and then are ready to sleep by 7. Works like magic. It is very marshy in our backyard right now, so rather than wearing shoes, my son goes barefoot. I am ok with it, just wash him off before he comes in and carry him to the bath. He decided he was going to wash his feet off himself. We have a hose out there, but rather than turning it on, he dumped his lemonade from the bottle on his feet. I asked him what he did (hoping that the puddle at his feet was water, rather than pee) and he says, "What, I washed my feet off with my lemonade?" The way he said it was "Duh, Mom, we always bathe in lemonade." So, when he does stuff like this I try to think, "It could be worse". I guess he could have peed on his feet in an effort to wash himself off (I am sure that will happen later in the week, as he is still adventurous when relieving himself.) That would have been way worse.

11

The age of my oldest daughter. The time that I usually start making lunch in the morning. I am usually asleep by this time in the evening. But that is not what this entry is about. I think the scale at the doctor's office was broken or something. I should have made them prove to me that it was balanced. After all, I did have the last appointment of the day and how many other hefty women had been on that scale. After all, I have been working out to a modified "Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred" DVD. Never mind eating half a chocolate cake last week (which did have zucchini and pumpkin in it) and half a dozen cookies on both Saturday and Sunday, or the chocolate icing I made and ate half of (that "eat half diet" is not working for me). If I do a work out that balances out my calorie intake, right? Apparently not. So, yes, I gained 11 pounds in 2 weeks, I did not think that was physically possible unless you are on the "Super size Me" diet and ate EVERY single meal at McD's (is that saying eating at my house is worse?). Maybe they should do an ultrasound and make sure there isn't a tumor the size of a large Easter ham on the inside of my belly. UGH!! Oh well, I know I do need to take better care of myself. I think my one friend, Macey, totally had the right philosophy as she snacked on a bag of chocolate chips while we were driving somewhere. She said, "By eating just the chocolate chips I am eating what I really want. If I were eating them in cookies, then I would be getting all of the added flour, sugar, butter, and other stuff, when all I really want is the chocolate." So, I think I am stopping my plan of only eating chocolate chips when they are in something, and going back to eating them straight from the bag. I have to give Kudos to my dear husband. When I told him my issue rather than saying the common sense "man answer" which I though would be, "Well, then don't eat so much." He said, "That just means there is more of you to love. You look FINE." (He could have said Phat, the good phat, the cool phat, but chose a better word) There will be much more to love because I still have 12 weeks left. He didn't start singing, "I Love You Just the Way You Are", which is ok, I liked his answer better.