Half a Dozen or the Other

Six Years Ago, Today

2009-09-03T08:57:00.003-05:00

Six years ago today, I was lying in a hospital bed in the maternity ward, exhausted from a VERY quick birth. I was so anemic, I couldn't raise my head up to eat. My dear mother sat by my bedside and fed me my turkey sandwich. And we were the only two in the room. That precious bundle we had waited so many months, was somewhere else in the hospital complex. Sitting on the table in front of me was a picture of a chubby, adorable baby, with countless tubes, monitors, needles, and other paraphernalia strapped to him. And the words still ringing in the air, "He's not responding the way we want him too. We think it is better to transfer him to Children's Hospital."

Our family spent the day separated from one another. Heath and my Dad stayed by our son's side, watching him being tested time and again, and never getting any answers. Mom and I quietly sat in my room, completely rocked to the core by the days events. The worst part of the entire day, was when the hospital needed room for more births, and asked if I would mind moving to one of the observation rooms, "since it's just you and no baby in this room."

I could go on for a very long time about the next 17 days. My amazing mother-in-law, Sue came and lived at our house for those three weeks, and took care of my three older children, while I spent my days hovering at the hospital. Our little gift was put on ventilator three different times, and I lost count how many times he needed small amounts of oxygen, feeding tubes went with the vent.

The joyous day came when our six and a half pound son, Heath Jr., was allowed to come home. We spent the entire winter in a quarantine of sorts. They did not know what had caused all his problems, so they were sure that a minor cold could very well be deadly. It was a rainy September day when I put our son in the car and drove him home (His father was home, sick).

I look at my never ending ball of energy this morning and cry fresh tears. Tears of joy, of appreciation, of love. Tears that my Father knows and understands. For He was there, healing my son, healing my heart, holding my husband up. So rejoice with me today. Rejoice for six years. Rejoice for a God who loves us. Rejoice for the Father who holds us. Again I say it. REJOICE!

In the Blink of an Eye

2009-08-14T09:00:00.003-05:00

My sweet child, just a few blinks ago.

Be still my heart! Where did the time go?

Blink again, and he'll be out the door. *sigh*

Pretty in Pink

2009-08-13T15:16:00.004-05:00

Look at what I discovered in the bathroom this last weekend. I had been outside for the briefest of moments, and walked in and could smell something. What was that smell? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. "WHERE'S PAULEE?!!!!!" Of course all the kids did were look at me blankly and shrug their shoulders. I, on the other hand, went racing to the bathroom. Yep. There she was. In all her glory. "Look Mommy! Cuke!" It was all over her feet, her knees, some of her hands and fingers, neck, face, hair, thighs, potty chair, floor, toilet, sink, tiles, shirt, and shorts. Thankfully the only thing she painted that was not nail polish proof was herself. Yep, that's right. Can't use nail polish remover on the skin, as it has acetone in the remover, and her skin would absorb the toxic stuff. I scrubbed that poor child for ever in the tub, until she started in with, "Ouch Mommy. That's Paulee's leg! Ouch Mommy! That's Paulee's toes! I SAID OUCH!" Figured I'd have to stop with only scrubbing of the top five layers of skin. Maybe the rest would come off tomorrow with the next scrubbing. She got very angry that we took all her "pinks" off. And my poor oldest daughter. "I swear Mom! I put that stuff up! I don't want to get any of it thrown away anymore!" (This isn't the first make-up incident. When Paulee gets into lipsticks and such, it ALL gets thrown away. Jeffie Jean has to learn to put things away.) And sure enough, Paulee had used the potty chair and a book to get tall enough to stretch into the cabinet where all of big sister's things are kept. I guess nothing is safe now!

Check it out!

2009-08-07T16:40:00.003-05:00

So, someone else wanted me to write for their blog! I know, I know, did they really know what they were asking?! Well, it was Teri Lynne, my amazing sister (in-law if you want to get technical. But I'm all for dropping that part), and she has a new feature on her blog, call Fe Fridays. if you haven't already seen her blog, head over there and check it out. She is full of all kinds of inspiring words, and is gracious enough to share with us!

When it's cold outside....

2009-07-28T14:20:00.003-05:00

My baby girl turned two yesterday. While the party isn't until Saturday, I captured a few minutes of alone time with the birthday girl and thought I would share.

She does have a little attitude from time to time.And ALWAYS has personality to boot!

Her favorite place to be. In Mommy's bathroom. What a character.....I've got my Paulee Rae. I guess you'd say, what can make me feel this way? My girl.

What's a girl to do?

2009-07-24T23:09:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe how behind I am! I still have two more days of vacation to give you, a half written post about a dinner conversation with the kids, and just the nefarious stuff of day to day around our house. But alas, that isn't going to happen today. I'm not at home, and my pictures would be there, not with me. And I really don't want to post about our trek across New Mexico to Arizona without them. But do be sure you stay tuned. It's one for the history books!

Who was the worst creature?

2009-07-08T22:38:00.010-05:00

Our little vacation is now up to day four. We have had all kinds of adventures, so we thought that on this day, we would do one of our favoriteactivities. We went to the Albuquerque Zoo. We LOVE zoos. Go to the OKC Zoo enough to pay for the family pass ten times over. (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

So we left camp early, (I know. It was only a two hour ordeal this day!) and drove the hour or so to Albuquerque. Now, I need to make a disclaimer here. I am not being cruel, hateful, or judgemental. I'm just going to tell you how the day went for MY family this particular day. Please don't send me hate mail if you do not agree with me. We had the wonderful surprise of getting to use our zoo pass for a huge discount on entrance fees. So much so, that my family of nine got in for the same price as my Mom and Dad. Sweet! (Doesn't seem fair considering who gave us the pass.) Once inside we thought we'd ride the train first and then see the rest of the zoo. They have like two or three different trains and such, but we chose the one that was running that day, and quickly got on. I wasn't impressed. It was okay, but we were looking at the backside of most of the buildings and exhibits. We did however get to spend loads of time at the elephant exhibit due to a train being broken down further up the line. Thankfully we were in the shade. So our 20 minute train ride that lasted an hour was soon over, and we decided it was lunch time.

Of went Heath to get the coolers and such that were packed with lunch. It took him FOREVER to get back with them. I was beginning to think he got lost on all the winding paths, but he eventually found his way to us. And was NOT happy. Apparently, he ran into the first of a long line of rude people. We quickly ate lunch, and Dad volunteered to take the cooler back to the car while we started in on the rest of the zoo. What seemed like ages later, he caught up with us. And was NOT happy. He must have ran into the same group of people as Heath.

Mom and I were having a pretty good time with the kids. My kids are the ones that read all the signs, spend all kinds of time hunting the exhibit over to find the animal, and then try to educate the general public on all they have discovered. Well, we were having a good time until we got to the sea lion exhibit. My kids were asking me which animals were the seals and which were the sea lions, and how you tell them apart. To which they were told by a passerby that how ignorant I really was. Now I edited the actual words, but really. I just ignored them, and thankfully Malcolm did to. He prides himself in his science knowledge, and of his Pop's and mother's as well. And I wasn't wrong. He quietly walked over to a sign and read it, and then innocently looked back at me and announced what the sign said to all that were standing there. It sounded vaguely familiar to something I had just said....

But that wasn't the worst. We had not been having a great time with the locals in New Mexico. Generally it had been a rude reception. And the winner of them all was here at the zoo. My Mom was standing with my kids at one of the underwater windows watching the sea lions and seals swimming all around. One of her favorite attractions. And there were hoards of people at this one exhibit. When all of a sudden a woman pushed her child in front of Mom and looked at Mom to tell her, "You need to move and get out of the way. This should be for kids, and you are too old to be standing here hogging all the space." I was so proud of my Mom at that moment. She did not retort with all the things that were fighting to get out of my mouth. (Yes, I said my mouth. I knew exactly what she wanted to say) She turned and stood at the back by my Dad. And I went to run interference for my kids who were so polite, they all moved to let the little girl and her mother in front to see the animals. Some people!

It was mostly a good day from then on. We were tired, hot, and ready to go home by the end of the day. And ready to be among polite people again. RV camps have some of the most polite people in the world! Literally the world, but that is a post for a different day.

Bread Anyone?

2009-07-07T10:15:00.005-05:00

Sorry it's taken a while to get back to the vacation. Heath and I went to the Southern Baptist Convention. Then I had Heath's wonderful sister, Teri Lynne, and her family in, have been working on a new blog, and now we are in the middle of Vacation Bible School. But I have a few minutes this morning, since I am ignoring the laundry.

It was a great night of sleep on the second night. We already had our extra sleeping bags, I was ready for Anderson (he went back to his own bed), Paulee had been drugged (only benedryll people!), and we were so very tired from the day and night before. Of course we were up at the very crack of dawn. Little Heath was great at that. It was cold every morning. You can see that everyone wore coats, long pants, and if we'd have had gloves and ear muffs, I know of a couple of kids that would have worn them.

But the mornings were usually good. Heath figured out to just make all the boys go to the bathroom at the same time, whether they thought they needed to our not, and breakfast was never hard. I think this particular morning was cereal. The breakfast of champions! It still took us forever to get out of camp that morning, and on the road to that days activities.

We headed to El Rancho de los Golendrinas, better known to us as The Ranch of the Swallows. It is a living history museum, dedicated to the time period of the 1600s to 1700s along the El Camino Real. It was a really great place. I didn't know if the kids would enjoy it or not. But we were there during their Spring Festival, and it was a blast. The kids helped make bread in outdoor ornos, watched women spin yarn and weave blankets, made tortillas, washed clothes, saw a mill grinding corn into meal, and various other workings of a farm.
We stayed at this ranch the entire day. Lunch of course was an hour long ordeal, but was shaded and cool, so I was thankful. And since the kids stayed with the bread maker for so long, she gave us two loaves for our family to take. They were wonderful! Oh, and we did witness a run-away mule and cart. No one was injured or hurt, but it was kind of spooky. It had a long straightaway, and just took off. But there was a worker on horse that knew what to do, and had the mule and cart under control after it had a good run.

We stayed long enough to help close the place down. The kids just loved it. This was also one of the hotter days while we were in New Mexico, so we decided to take the kids swimming when we got back to camp so they could cool off and get rid of the outer layer of sand. Well, cool off they did. I think the pool temp had to have been forty degrees. It was SO cold. I just sat on the side and put my feet in and they turned purple! Terry wouldn't get in, but that was more because he's afraid of water, the cold temps just helped his cause. The four older ones just had to swim. They were chattering, purple, and cold. Heath-er once again went to far into the pool, and got in over his head. I think I may ban him from pools all together. If you don't remember my earlier post about him and pools check it out. Terry was sitting right next to me on the steps and somehow ended up face first in the pool too. Needless to say, he refused to go near any pool again. Won't even put his swim suit on. So out of the pool for everyone. We trekked back up to camp, while we re-coated ourselves with sand, and got ready for bed.

The adults had a brief conversation as to whether or not we should head home after New Mexico, or still go to the Grand Canyon. I only mention this, because it will be important in a couple of days. Trust me! Until tomorrow!

New Blog!

2009-07-05T15:05:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note. I have started a new blog in which I am chronicling my sewing projects and such. Click here to see my first post, and be sure to join my blog as a follower. You never know when I'm going to do a give away, and I'm sure you'll want notice when I do.

I really appreciate all the work my sister-in-law did to help me get it started. It was really her idea anyhow to get the whole thing up and going. Then she was so sweet and designed the header for the blog. I love it! Be sure and check out Teri Lynne's blogs as well. They are worth your time and effort!

Don't forget! Check the blog out! I really think you'll like it!

Beth

Day Two!

2009-06-19T14:20:00.006-05:00

Here's a quick rewind to day one. We stopped at a rest stop in the Texas panhandle for lunch. It was a really nice place! The entire place looked out over Johnson Ranch (not L.B. Johnson's ranch), and was breathtaking! You can see the spectacular toy the kids played on while we fixed lunch, and some of the other shots as well. And of course, there's a picture of the baby who never complains. He's so cute.

So by the morning of day two, we were exhausted. Remember? Anderson ate the entire night. Not to mention how late it was getting everything set up and all to sleep. But of course, the moment the sun came up, seven little heads all popped up ready for the day. So much for gaining an hour with the time change! We were up and at 'em at 6am. SIX! I didn't realize their were two six o'clocks in one day! So it was a breakfast of omelets the campers way. The kids got to make up their omelet in a ziplock bag, adults too, and all got tossed into a pot of boiling water. I know. Boiling eggs? It just sounds gross. But these were great! And we didn't have to spend two hours making 18 omelets! (We only had 11 people on the trip, but I know my kids, and there would have been seconds!) The bathroom situation was something to be worked on. The moment Heath or my Dad came back from taking a boy to the restroom, another one would have to go. It went that way through all four boys, and then I think started over again at the top. I had to giggle. I only has one girl that used the restroom, and she always went with my Mom. My ears were still ringing from Terry's screams the night before, so it was a twisted little bit of justice in my tired mind.

We decided to go to Old Santa Fe that day and see all the neat things that were there. We left camp finally at like 10:30 or something like that. Seriously. Those kids got us up at 6am, and we didn't leave camp until 10:30? I was having issues.

I have these amazing memories of my trip to Santa Fe when I was in grade school. It's one of the reasons I so wanted to take the kids this year. What a difference 20 some odd years makes! The Governor's Palace was not what I remembered, nor was the shopping on the Plaza. Don't get me wrong. All the Navajo jewelry was amazing, and painstakingly made, but I would have to sell a kidney to buy much of anything. And all the cute little shops were replaced with pricey, high art stuff. Nothing for the kids to hunt and find treasures in. See how much fun the boys were having while use girls looked at the jewelry?There are immaculate lawns in the middle of the Plaza that were the perfect picnic spots. Those are all roped off now so that no one can walk, sit, much less lunch upon. So we found a building with built in benches (a perk of adobe) and lunched along a sidewalk. The kids loved it. We met loads of people, and ended up having a traveling priest from India sit with the kids to listen to them talk and play. Personally, I thought it was really strange to begin with, but the kids talked his ear off. He asked them all sorts of questions, and they were able to ask and learn all about his ministry and struggles in India.

After lunch we went into the Palace of Governors. They just opened the New Mexico History Museum that is now connected with the Palace. By this point I am dragging. The kids studied all there was to see in the Palace, actually read many of the signs and explanations, and attracted the attention of the Palace guards. Not in a bad way for once. The guards were very impressed with the kids behavior, so they were showing them "insiders" stuff.

When we finished the Palace, I decided that we didn't need to go through the History Museum. That was met with the biggest whine from my five year old. That's right. Little Heath wanted to see more museum stuff! So of course off we went, and it turned out to be great! There were many hands on, interactive stuff for the kids to do, and they were sad to be leaving when we traversed it all. Then came the kicker. I asked Heath-er what was his favorite part of the entire museum.

That's right. The cardboard cut out of an old beat up truck, that was in a breeze way left over from some event. Of all the things.

And that was day one. We didn't have major mishaps. Just minor ones. Things like where on earth are we going to park. Are there any bathrooms in this town? What road are we supposed to take? And did you know that it takes an hour to make sandwiches, get munchies, and hand out drinks for 10 people? That was the goal for day three. How do we leave camp in less than four hours, and can we make lunch go any faster?!

Vacation!

2009-06-18T00:07:00.009-05:00

We are now home from our vacation. It was wonderful, long, rejuvenating, and crazy. We decided to take our seven children camping. Camping. Sounds crazy already, huh. My Mom and Dad decided to come along with us without me having to twist their arms or anything. Bet next time, I'll have to promise prizes or something. Anyway, we packed up our family and headed out west Thursday morning to see what New Mexico and Arizona had to offer.

We made it to our destination of Santa Fe that evening. The kids were great. Of course the massive amounts of cookies might have had something to do with it.

But then the fun began. We got to camp a little later than expected, so by time we got pulled in, got the tent set up and the camper all pulled out, it was late for dinner. But never fear. I had made up meat pies and froze them during the previous week, so we just had to heat them up. The kids thought they were great, and as soon as they were finished it was time for the whole nightly shower ordeal.

Heath was in charge of the three older boys, while I had Jeffie Jean, and the three youngest as my charges. In theory it was a fair split. I had the easiest child and the three most difficult children, and Heath had the three boys you have to double check to make sure they didn't just stand in the water and get wet. Plus, I had my Mom helping me. We took a plastic tub with us to bathe Paulee Rea and Anderson, plus his Bumbo so he would have a place to sit after his bath. Terry was the conundrum. How do you bathe a three year old who hates showers and is way to big for the make-shift tub? Mom took the reigns with the two babies, while I tried to convince Terry the shower wouldn't drown him. I was VERY unsuccessful. We're talking the screams were so loud, Dad heard them back at camp. Maybe even part of Texas too. It was unreal. I can't believe Child Services didn't show up that night. And to make matters worse, as the soap and water slid down his leg, we discovered he'd been attacked by a cactus. Really. The screams multiplied in volume, strength, and urgency. By now all the dogs in camp were howling their discomfort. All the while, Paulee and Anderson were splashing it up with Gram, and oblivious that Terry was dying a thousand deaths.

Then the ardent task of plucking the cacti spines out of Terry's ankle ensued. I checked my watch to make sure it wasn't quiet hours yet, and took him back to camp where I laid him out on my bed with lots of extra hands available to pin him down if necessary. He laid there and never moved while I took each spine out one by one. Of all the insane things. Water running down his back causes pandemonium, but yanking cactus spines out of a swollen ankle is no big deal.

It took a little bit to get the little pistol named Paulee to sleep. The boys were having a wonderful time sleeping in sleeping bags in a tent. It is a guy thing. Anderson decided to get up in the middle of the night to eat. And eat. And eat. And eat. I do not exaggerate. It got so cold that night, I didn't have the heart to put him back in his crib. Boy was that a mistake. He would have been warmer there, and I would have gotten sleep! Nearly every hour he woke to eat. I think at some point he was just testing me to see if I would still feed him. But what was I to do? I couldn't let him cry. He would have kept up our camp, not to mention the others around us. Needless to say, when the sun came up, and everyone got up (UGH!), I was exhausted, and Anderson was the happiest, round baby in the world!

I have so much more to post, and many pictures to share. As I'm looking through them I have left out some things from day one. So you'll just have to indulge me. I want to post this, but also want to go to bed. So we'll backtrack a little tomorrow!

A New Gadget!

2009-06-13T20:17:00.003-05:00

Aren't I so cool?! If you are an observant reader, you will notice at the bottom of the page is a PayPal button. I am in the process of selling my very first "Name Pillow"! All home made of course, by yours truly, and custom made for you. And someone out there in cyber land wants to purchase one from me! Thanks Christina! I'll always remember you as my first. And thanks to Teri Lynne for passing her along to me!

And for any of the rest of you readers, here's my niece modeling her pillow. (and the pj's i made her too!)

Have a great evening. I've got work to do!

Its the start of a LONG short week.

2009-05-26T22:07:00.002-05:00

How uncool is this? ( I use the word uncool, not because I'm a dork, although I know at least one reader that is giggling, but because unfair is equal to a cuss word in our house.) This is one of those rare short weeks. Some holidays just happen and that's that. May's holiday seems to just make the week seem extra short even if you don't officially do anything to celebrate. But this week has suddenly been anything but. Heath, Malcolm, and Jeffie Jean all three left this morning for our associational children's camp. Wow has today gone on forever.

The kids were up WAY to late last night. We won't go into detail about the irresponsible adults that were involved, but it was far beyond reasonable for children to still be awake. Heath got up early, got the two oldest up, and of course the ball of energy bounced right up out of her bed to join the big kids. Paulee Rea was of course a ray of sunshine as she always is in the morning. But we'll get to what she was later further in this post. All the campers were out the door by eight. Jeffie Jean had to come back into the house four or five times. She is always so sure of herself and never afraid of anything, but she was nervous about going to camp. At one point she was shaking. Of course, she'll have forgotten all about that as soon as the bus and she is let loose to rule the bunkhouse.

So I then turned around and had five children looking at me, and wanting me to instruct, entertain, and direct for the rest of the day. Ugh. Not that I don't do this, but the older two and Heath do quite a bit each day. The morning wasn't bad. I had some "school" things for Heath-er to work on, and Daniel, Terry, and Paulee played, colored and entertained themselves until it was time to go to the bank and post office. Going to the post office is a huge adventure. Huge. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get them all into the van, buckled in, all my stuff collected, keys found, and pulling out of the drive. All for a 15 minute errand. But, it broke up the morning, and put Paulee to sleep. So off to bed she went upon our arrival home, and I finished helping Heath and got Daniel started on a new art project.

Lunch was leftovers, thank goodness, and fairly uneventful. But then the afternoon started. I swear we entered some kind of time continuum and for like every 5 seconds of life, only one clicked off the clock. Paulee got up too early for her normal time, so was off all afternoon. Terry got into everything. He bounced the rubber balls all over the kitchen. They landed in the sink, on the stove, on top of the 'fridge, under the stove. Not to mention the trucks that were being driven all over the floor and underneath me. Heath and Daniel were allowed video game time, and were good as long as they both wanted to play the same thing. I hate mediating arguments over what game to play. Let's just say I usually don't. Don't come whining to Mom, or it all gets put up. Daniel finished his art drawing. It's awesome. Paulee and Terry colored on papers as well. Heath ran around yelling and laughing. I was thinking it was about time to start winding down for dinner and nighttime stuff, but the clock thought differently. It was only two o'clock. TWO! P.M. You have got to be kidding me!

I looked outside and saw the tent that Heath put up yesterday and left up. So it was off to the great outdoors for the four to play. I stayed in to feed Anderson, and the others took the sleeping bags out to the tent to play and pretend. Although these are bags that are rated for freezing weather and it was like 90 something out there. So they were told to NOT get into them, but to lay on top of them as they imagine. They mostly listened, and no one had a heat stroke, so I guess it worked. By the time Anderson finished eating, burped, puked, and I changed clothes, I figured it was time to hand out popsicles and then let the kids inside.

As I walked outside, Paulee Rea stared yelling. As usual. That's her common form of communication. I didn't really pay too much attention to her. They were all running around barefoot because they had taken their shoes off at the tent door, and of course didn't put them back on, so when she was favoring her foot, I just figured Terry ran over it with his truck. So I sat down on the porch, and bribed her to come to me with the popsicle. I gave the other three their treat as Paulee hobbled over to us. When she sat down I looked at her foot. Oops. She had a splinter. OOPS!!!!! That's no ordinary splinter! There is something fuzzy connected to it. WHAT?! Oh good gravy. That's a bee butt! She had stepped on a bee and gotten stung. So being the good mom I am, I sat there and made sure she got her popsicle, and that everyone knew the rules of eating them, then went inside and got the Benedryll. Her heel was all red, and had this huge white whelp growing out from the sting and up her leg. Just my luck. Did I think pleasant thoughts? Was I concerned for her well being? What was my main worry? "I'm going to have to load all the kids up again by myself and make an ER run without any help. How do I get so lucky?" Of course, she was fine, and I just was guilty of being uncaring.

Dinner finally came. Showers and baths were given, and everyone was in bed at a normal time. Heath just called. Kids are doing well, although Jeffie Jean apparently has a new vocabulary word that she decided to use when she kicked a foul ball. Great. As usual, it's the PK that is the hoodlum. Actually, she did use very inappropriate language, but doesn't know what she did. Other than that, they are doing very well. And I'm tired. It's about time to put this Momma to bed. And it will all start again first tomorrow when the sun comes up!

Never fear!

2009-05-18T10:41:00.002-05:00

Dum, dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum, da dum da dum dum (to the tune of Superman's theme). I'm also hearing the calvery's bugle, and "Underdog! Underdog!".

My sister-in-law (OK) is coming tomorrow. Or Wednesday. Either day, I don't care. She is coming to rescue me from all the children's clothing! That's right. Darcy is going to sort all seven children's clothes, put the too small stuff into bags, organize what still fits, make lists of what they need for the rest of the summer, and cart off all the give aways when she leaves. All while I put my feet up and hold my seven week old niece. Okay, well, maybe I'll make the list. I'm getting good at that these days! Oh, as if she couldn't get any cooler, she's bringing her vacuum cleaner with her so I can finally clean everything else other than my carpets! (I'm just figuring out linking to other blogs, not my own yet, so you'll have to look back at previous posts to see what I'm talking about.)

So spring cleaning will get back into full swing this week. I'm NOT doing the happy dance, but will be thrilled once it is all done. One of these days I'll get the post up that I've started about the kids and what they want to be when they grow up. But I have to get the time to finish it. Maybe once I'm done cleaning and I'm all organized and such. Oh wait. That will be never, so we'll shoot for the end of the week.

Now I have to go untangle Paulee and Terry from the contraption they made out of trucks, dolls, strollers, blankets, and something wet. Just keep focused on the help that's coming!

More Cleaning

2009-05-15T12:55:00.002-05:00

I'm still kicking and screaming. I don't want to clean. I don't want to sort through our stuff. I don't like getting rid of my things. I like the dust bunnies. Well, okay, maybe not that. But I don't want to do the work to get rid of them.

I am so far behind the cleaning schedule. If you have been following Simple Mom's cleaning plan, you are way ahead of me. I'm still stuck back at the living room stage. The plan isn't hard. It's not like she has made cleaning up unrealistic, I just can't seem to keep up. I often wish that I could call my sister-in-law to clean it for me. I know I could get my other sister-in-law here and she would delve in whole heartily. But I think that's is why my house stays in a state of clutter. I don't do the work myself. I always have someone else help or do it for me. I do not appreciate the work that has been done. So I am being determined (some may call it stubborn), and am going to do this myself. The kids did a great job helping me de-clutter. Of course, with nine of us in the house, it didn't stay that way long. But it is WAY better than what it was. There is just something about having a clean flat surface that apparently demands stuff to be deposited upon it. Oh well. I can have it picked up every evening now, so that's what matters. And it is something I do every day now. So there is a lesson learned.

I started on the living room. I just can't seem to finish it. It has been sorted and put away. Heath was wonderful and went through the bookcase and we now have a box full of books to give away. And I cleaned the blinds. But that's it. I still have to brush down the ceiling, the fan, somehow move the TV and clean the dust dune that has grown back there, move out all the couches, vacuum everything and dust all the frames and pictures. Ugh. That is usually what I like to do. But I keep finding myself finding all kinds of other things to do. Life is revving up right now and getting ready for the busiest summer we have ever had. I have GOT to get this done! And there is so much more to do. Maybe that is what's wrong. I think I'm being defeated before I ever begin. Well, today is a busy day. Life keeps going on despite me trying to shut it out so I can clean. But tomorrow, there is nothing. My goal is to finish the living room, bathrooms, and most of the kitchen. I have always been a minimalist when it comes to the bathroom, and the kitchen cabinets I am actually pretty OCD. So I'm expecting to just go into those two rooms and deep clean.

Then we get to start the dreaded kid's rooms. I think Nikki has the best idea. Move the kids into different rooms. What a great way to make sure everything is sorted, gone through, and found a purpose and place. I doubt Heath goes for that here, who wants to take apart two different sets of bunk beds and a large full bed of the girls. Oh well. I'm actually looking forward to the rooms. I am so tired of the mess. Things don't have places anymore. There are so many broken toys, out grown toys, and stuff they just don't want or play with anymore. And I've decided that no child needs 20 t-shirts. So, the clothes are going to be pared down. The toys will have to be important to keep, and I may like going to their rooms again! But I'm ahead of myself. That is next weeks chore. I don't know when my room will get done. It's the scariest room of all. It looks like a storage unit. I am trying to appeal to Heath's OCD personality and get him to split the tasks with me. I know, I know. I said I was going to do this myself so I would be appreciative. I'll argue the whole two becomes one on this one. I really don't want to tackle our room. It's just too overwhelming for me. I need to start small, and that's like tackling Mt. Everest on your first hiking trip.

My progress isn't impressive, but I will keep trying. You eat an elephant one bite at a time. And maybe by the end of all this, I'll have developed new habits and changed my lifestyle of messiness.

This could get scary.

2009-05-04T20:26:00.004-05:00

I have entered the world of spring cleaning. With a gentle nudge from my dear sister in law, I am following a plan laid out by a fellow blogger.
It's really not too difficult yet. Today our goal was to declutter all surfaces. I didn't have to clean any of them. Just throw away all the stuff that collects on anything flat. Or put it in a box for a future sale. Or just actually put the stuff away like I should have in the first place. So today I got all the extras that were sitting on top of the books put away and thrown away. The speakers, TV, and windowsill are all DVD, CD, Wii games, and book free. I realized today that I actually have an end table. I just thought the books, magazines, and dinnerware were glued together in some sort of artistic show piece. My bathroom counters are WAY bigger than I imagined. Some smart person figured out to put drawers under the counters, and if you put things in them, you have counter space! And my room is the mother load. We filled two of those commercial sized trash bags that you can fit two grown adults in with trash just from our room. Heath and I both have side tables that are functional again. The copier and table are no longer booby trapped. And I am currently writing to you from a cleared desk. I cannot begin to describe to you the condition it was in, nor the joy of seeing the surface. It's black. I'd forgotten that fact. Now, I did not declutter my kids' rooms. They have no hope. Actually, I'm going to tackle them all on the day(s) set aside specifically for them. And the top of my fridge is still in need of a clean sweep. Don't yell, I'm taking baby steps.

By the end of the day, I had three trash bags, full drawers, and no give away box. That's just sad. We were living in a garbage can! On to the next days. I'll get plenty of stuff to get rid of then. I'll be hyperventilating by that point. Pack rats have serious attachment issues.

P.S. I PROMISE Teri Lynn I will get pictures up of the befores on the kids rooms. I found the camera, charger, but no disk! Even if I have to go borrow a camera, I'll post my pictures. But I have to say, I have Casiday beat. My room is ten times worse!

What's a girl to do?

2009-03-25T21:52:00.002-05:00

It's bed time. Actually, it's a couple hours past bedtime. But on Wednesdays, getting to bed comes a little late because of church and such. But even by this point, they should be nestled in their beds, quiet, and at the very least pretending to sleep.

So you can understand my shock when I kept hearing all this noise from down the hall. Don't they know Heath and I are about to sit down to some tuna fish salad and some T.V.? Oh wait, maybe they do, and that's what all the commotion is about. I holler at Daniel once and all the kids twice to hush and get quiet. But still, the disturbance continues. So I finish making the salad (because it was important to finish it before I made my children obey), and head down the hall to correct some children. Now mind you, I'm thinking that little Heath and Malcolm are goofing around, or maybe Daniel and Terry. Probably all the above. What a surprise to the system when I turn the corner and discover it is Terry, and Terry alone. He has swiped his older brother's book lamp, is under his covers head to toe, has a stack of books waist high, and is reading them with all the vigor a two year old can muster. He's growling with the beasts, counting all the flowers, pretending he knows his ABCs and is reciting them. He's talking in girl voices, and boy voices, mean voices, and someone's laugh that kind of scares me. Now tell me, what am I supposed to do? Do I get on to him for disobeying and squash his imagination and enthusiasm for reading? Or do I let him get away with being up past bedtime, but kindle his new found love for books?

Too bad for him he's the sixth of seven children. I'm not taken in by much. Excuses for staying up late are just that. Excuses. And to abolish any doubts I may have had, when I said his name, he jumped nearly eight feet in the air, shut the light off lickity split, threw all the evidence in the floor, and proceeded to tell me how much he loved me. Um hum. Busted.

What is that?

2009-03-21T21:07:00.004-05:00

So for those who regularly read my blogs, I have posted a link right over there ->. It's for a new site to the sewing group I regularly visit. So for all you quilters, or those who think they might like to learn, or for those who are bored and need something to pass the time, click on the link and check it out. This awesome pic shows one of the projects that I bought from my favorite site.

Oh, and just to brag, I also made the pj's my niece is so beautifully modeling. Thanks for looking! OH! And as much as I don't want to tell you, they are having a contest as part of their grand upstart. Just follow the link and it will tell you how you can enter. But if you win, you have to share the prize with me!

One of these days

2009-03-19T22:50:00.003-05:00

I so wish I had a digital camera. I know. For those of you who know me, I have resisted for such a long time. I have clung to my 35mm, "real" film camera for years now. But there are just times that a digital is needed. I get that now. Like tonight when I went to shake up the Parmesan cheese, and it exploded all over little Heath, the table, and the floor. Or the quick shot of Paulee and Terry covered in brightly colored, tiny hair bands that have been glued on with baby lotion. Or Paulee in the bathtub fully dressed, water running, washing herself, and the walls with the washrag. Of course Anderson is always a photo opportunity. He's just so cuddly and chubby.

I could say that I was working on getting a camera. But I have to confess. I spent my savings on a new serger. So, the envelope is empty. I'll just have to start a new collection. Wonder if there is anyone out there that needs a product tester? I have plenty of subjects to practice upon!

So, since I don't have a camera, I do not have any pictures from our zoo trip yesterday. But don't worry; the entire populace of Oklahoma was at the zoo (with the exception of my mom), so just find one of their blogs and you'll get to see our wonderful zoo. It was absolutely crazy! We took our family, Jeffie Jean's best friend, and some youth from church. And the friend's family met us at the zoo. It was wall to wall people. And most were rude! It was all well until someone grabbed Daniel and tried to separate him from our human train so that they could shove their way thru. Let's just say this Mamma Bear raised her hackles and put a stop to that. And also got the lady to stop her foul language as well. What a mess.

We are currently trying to spring clean around here. It's not going too quickly. The laundry room is organized. But that's about the only room that is done. We're going to start painting the rooms in the house, but want everything sorted, cleaned, and organized first. It may be Christmas before the first swab of color goes up. Of course, Paulee and Terry have done a wonderful job of decorating the walls themselves. I have never had a problem with kids writing on walls or anything other than what is appropriate. But these two have changed all that. It doesn't matter where I hide writing implements either! And it's so hard to get on to Paulee Rea. She is so cute concentrating so hard and being so serious as she finishes her masterpiece. Well, not really. I cannot stand writing on walls, shades, doors, floors, couches, beds, desks, window seals, cabinets, counters, or shelves. And it doesn't make it any worse if she uses pencil, pens, markers, crayons, colored pencils, sharpies, or highlighters. It's all really bad! Now to break her of this horrible habit. I'll post pictures as rooms get painted. I'll find a photographer. Having my Dad and Mom visit with their camera is cheaper than buying my own at the moment.

And lastly for today. Pray for my sister-in-law and her husband, Teri Lynne and Scott Underwood. Scott goes in for surgery tomorrow, and it is quite risky. Teri Lynne is having physical issues due to stress and anxiety. We know God is in control, so we appreciate them being bathed in prayer.

The days keep marching by!

2009-03-05T22:36:00.002-06:00

I got up early this morning. Well, by my standards it was early. I was awake by 0630 and cuddling with Anderson, and out of bed by 0645. Now I know for so many of you out there, these times are either regular times, or if you see the alarm clock reading 0645 and you are still in bed, you jump five feet in the air, heart bursting, yelling like a little white rabbit about being late. Not me. I have a horrible habit of sleeping until eight. My older kids are mature enough to get breakfast for all, cereal albeit, but they do. And I get up in time to avert disaster with the little ones.
Needless to say, I was really stoked to be up before anyone else! I had the chance to be the "proper" Mom. Psh. I went to the kitchen to start breakfast and found that some storm must have blown through last night. I mean, surely I didn't leave the kitchen in that state! So I began to clean the kitchen so that I could get to my stove. So, 21 plates, 19 forks, 8 spoons, 4 butter knives, a case of glasses, and Top Chef's inventory of pots and pans later, I was able to start the scrambled eggs. By this point the kids are up, thanks to their alarm, so there went my whole idea of surprising them by me waking them up. They sit down to eat, and I keep washing the ever reproducing pile of dirty dishes, and notice that the laundry room has exploded. Again. Like it has every day this past week. I'm pretty sure that they just put their clean clothes straight into the hamper. Totally bypass the drawers, throw it in the laundry room, where it becomes Mom's problem, not theirs. So I start yet another load of clothes, run down the hall and back with today's outfits for Terry and Paulee, and drop everything because Anderson is on the brink of death due to starvation.
Just as he is finishing up, I notice Paulee and Terry look a little different. Upon closer inspection, I am puzzled to find my children have began to turn purple. They both have big purple lines down their necks. Terry has a big purple circle on the back of his left hand, the palm, and the webbing of that hand is also strangely purple. Paulee has the rash of purple dots on one leg, and her chest has a curious array of purple marks. Guess what. They found a marker in Daniel's room that had been left out, and it was purple! And it was the worst washable marker I've ever known. The marketing director for that company should be lashed for that lie. Into the tub they both go to try and scour these markings off. The whole time I get to answer Terry's question. Yes, one question, not multiple questions.
"What are you doin' Ma?"
"I'm washing the marker off you and Paulee"
"Oh, get it off. It's dirty."
"Yes, that is my whole intention. To wash off the marker."
"What are you doin' Ma?
"Still washing the marker off you two."
"Oh. What are you doin?"
This goes on the entire 10 minutes they are in the tub. With Paulee's occasional opinions inserted into the conversation. It ended by me saying, "Apparently NOT washing off the marker. Just sitting here swiping a washrag over you for your enjoyment!"
"Oh. Fanks Mom!"
So, I get them dressed, run through my typical "Stop playing. Stop reading. Stop sitting. Get dressed. Clean your room. GET MOVING!", get myself dressed, switch the laundry over, and just happened to glance at the clock. It's only nine o'clock. NINE! What a sense of foreboding comes over me as I realize that my day of being up and at 'em and head of the game, is just going to be a day that I fight to stay above water.
Oh, and did you notice? Not a single second has been utilized for school. So we drag it with us to a church function in the hopes that they will complete the assignments. But the day was not a loss. We came home and spent hours outside playing. I got out the baseball equipment and played catch with each child individually, watched Paulee get blown over by the wind a couple of times, and just thoroughly enjoyed my children. Terry was mesmerized by the tractor that drove past. Yes, I live in a town where people just drive their tractors and 4-wheelers from place to place. And to finish the evening, I cooked with Jeffie Jean a recipe she picked out from her first cookbook. It was a birthday present from her Aunt Teri Lynne, and she has spent hours devoted to reading the book.
So, I may not have crossed much off my to-do list, but I accomplished more than I could have hoped.

One of those days

2009-02-16T23:23:00.005-06:00

It just started bad. Ever have a day that you just wish you could do over? Let the Ground Hog Day fairy do it's magic, and rewind the day to do it again. Some may call it a mulligan. Well, that was my day today.

I woke up and thought that it was going to be a great day. Anderson woke me up, he got to eat while I snuggled with him, and the kids were already starting breakfast. Without fighting! Should have known! That was like some kind of omen or something. The moment my feet hit the floor, trouble started. I went to get my breakfast, but had to clean the kitchen up first. Couldn't get that done before I rearranged some cabinets to make room for new glasses. Then had to totally sweep the floor because I was stepping all over little O shaped cereal. That was the pre-sweep portion. Started to unload the dishwasher only to have to stop and untangle Paulee from the vacuum cleaner cord. Again. Went to go back to the dishwasher but got distracted by the clothes that needed folding in the living room. Was finishing that about the time I remembered my breakfast, and quickly removed my bagel from the oven in the nick of time. Ate standing up because I found more cereal that needed picking up, not to mention the mess the highchair was in. Got a couple of things out of the dishwasher and put up, before Heath needed me to find something for him. Can't even remember what that was now. Probably something important like keys or the like. Went back to the dishwasher to be interrupted by Daniel with an armload of wet sheets. Ugh! Turned and pointed to the overflowing laundry room, so I stopped working on dishes, and headed for the washer. Just got his stuff in, and here comes little Heath. "Um, ya know, I think my sheets maybe might be just a tiny bit sort of well I'm not sure but when I was asleep it might have happened but it's not fair because it's not my fault, um, what was I saying?" I think a turtle crossed the state of Nevada during that explanation. "You were saying that your sheets are wet too?" "Um, well you know..." I just stopped him there and went and removed the sheets and added them to the washer. Back to the dishwasher. By this point it's only 9am and I just want the day to end. Paulee and Terry are wailing at each other. A very rare occurrence. But she's not feeling great, so I give her some Tylenol for the left over fever and new tooth pain, and put her back in bed. She was asleep instantly. I get on to the boys for not cleaning their rooms, pick up more dirty clothes to stash somewhere until I get the laundry room approachable, and try to get back to the dishwasher.

If it was laundry, it was dishes. If not dishes, then a meal. If not a meal, it was breaking-up/entertaining/prodding/disciplining/or just plain glaring at the kids. And if not the kids, Heath and I were bickering. Oh, and there was pee everywhere in the house today. I'm so tired of pee! Potting training has taken the inevitable turn for the worse. He was almost perfect up until this week. I just have to remember this too will get better. But that's not what I want to hear when I'm up to my elbows in dirty, wet laundry! I never got ahead today. Not once. The kitchen is still dirty, albeit with tonight's dishes and not last nights. The laundry is at the same level as yesterday. Maybe even higher. And I never did get to my sewing machine.

There was one glimmer of sunshine. I ordered new slipcovers for the couch and loveseat. I guess the best response I can have is "tomorrow's another day" and close my eyes on this one. But not until I finally go run that pesky dishwasher!

Love is in the Air!

2009-02-14T10:08:00.001-06:00

We are busy putting our Valentine's Day plans into full swing. This is a first for us. My hubby has always been anti V-Day. He has lots of reasons. Refuses to celebrate a martyr's death; doesn't need someone telling him when to tell his wife he loves her; you know, typical stuff. I really haven't minded too much. Just meant I didn't have to worry about the day.

Well, this year I was a little sneaky and used the kids against him. In all reality, I wanted a special day! But since we are now schooling our kids at home, I decided they needed us to acknowledge Valentine's Day. I told Heath all about how they aren't getting to give valentines to friends, or have a party, or any of the things they do in public schools. Hehe. So I've planned a big time special dinner for the family. With candle light and everything. Of course the kids got involved, so as we speak, Heath is at the store picking up all the things they have by conniving behind the scenes to get Mom. We're having soup and grilled cheese sammies for lunch, and of course the sammies are heart shaped. And for dinner, I've put together place card holders that are plastic cups filled with conversation hearts, and topped with a heart shaped sugar cookie with their name on it. Isn't that sweet? And we splurged and bought some shrimp so I could make shrimp scampi for dinner. Now the shrimp was a little pricey, but didn't cost anymore than a trip to Micky D's. So we are having a very fancy dinner, for the fast food price!

For those of you who know me, this is very unusual for me and our family. I'm not the "fancy" kind of person. But we are having so much fun with this! And really feeling like we're a tight-knit, function as a unit, kind of family that we really are. And Heath has really jumped right in and been a part. I worried he'd throw a kink in things, but I shouldn't underestimate him. Just hold on to your hats sweetheart, St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner...

Little Boys

2009-02-07T23:43:00.003-06:00

My house is filled with little boys. They range from the age of 2 months to 34 years. There are six of this species with which me and my girls co-exist. So we have plenty of excitement around here. I sometimes pray for the chance to be inside the mind of a boy for an hour or so. But then, I come to my senses and pray that I just learn to cope and interact with that little boy mind. Take for instance the bathroom wars. My three oldest boys have been banned from going to the bathroom at the same time. Did I hear someone ask why? Well, you know the game flashlight wars, or possibly you call it flashlight tag? Everyone has a flashlight in a dark room and you chase each others beam of light around the room until you "catch" it. Well, my boys play this game in the bathroom. Picture three boys standing around a toilet, chasing each others pee until one catches someone else's stream and wins the war. I refused to clean up after the last game. Made them clean their own mess, and then put a "take-a-number" device at the door so they had to wait their turn.

Maybe you can answer this question. Why do boys shove their dirty socks and underwear under the bed? Since you are already taking a shirt and pair of pants to the dirty clothes room, is there a reason the socks and underwear get left behind? Are they too dirty for the hamper? Is it embarrassing to trek your unmentionables through the house? Maybe they think that underclothes are disposable, and will trash them all when the underside of the bed is full. Or is it that special weapon that keeps all bedtime monsters at bay? Whatever the reason, I'm really tired of the toxic fumes that seep from there and just wish the clothes would get to the basket so I can bleach them.

My favorite and also my most cursed moment was a few years ago when they made up a new game. Malcolm, Daniel and Jeffie Jean were in need of entertainment, and invented powder tag.. That's right. Sounds exactly what the name implies. Each one of them had a bottle of baby powder, and chased each other around the house squeezing the powder out at the other players. It looked like they had the time of their lives. My house looked like the North Pole. Where was I? Taking 30 seconds to go to the bathroom.

I'd like to start something new in my blog. It's the "Funny things overheard in the Buster house". Just thought I'd share a few quotes with you.

Daniel: "Hey, is Anderson old enough for a bottle now?
Beth: "Sure. We're going to try and see if he'll take it."
Daniel: "Good! Now you can let your chests have a rest."

Terry: "Leave me 'lone, Momma!"
Beth: "Don't you tell me 'leave me 'lone'!"
Terry: "(sigh) No say no, no say leave me 'lone. What I say?!"

I know there were more, but I didn't think about this until late in the week. I'll write them down this week so I can share next weekend. I'll leave you with one last quote.

Heath Jr: "Hey Momma. You know, um, well, is God ever going to stop giving us babies?"

Makes me tired just thinking about it.

2009-01-21T12:47:00.002-06:00

We had a great Christmas. It was an uneventful, very relaxing week. Took some time for my family, and then spent a week with Heath's parents. It's nice to look back over the holiday and not be relieved that it is over, but to be thankful and rested. We have hit the floor running now, though. I just celebrated my 32nd birthday, we've started back to school with the four older children, am potty training Terry, trying to keep Paulee out of trouble, and I am busy with keeping Anderson fed and diapered.

Then of course there is my list of sewing projects. It has been exponentially growing by the day. I just finished one of Miss Casiday's gifts, and am hoping I can get to the other project I'd like to send her way before her birthday. I'm currently working on the girls Valentine skirts and shirts, and finished up Paulee's pillow. I'll post pictures of Casiday's gifts, but that will have to wait until after February 17th, or whenever I get them to her, whichever way ensures that Teri Lynne can't cheat and look at them early. Oh, and there is a shirt for Heath-er, two jumpers for the girls, and shirts and dresses for the family picture coming up this spring. Whew, my fingers and shoulders hurt already!

Heath is busy with our associations Director of Missions search committee. They are meeting very regularly as they are finding the man for the position. With that, work at the church, and projects here at the house I keep finding for him, he stays busy. That and the Wii that Tim let us borrow. Heath claims it is not wasteful entertainment, but a healthy diversion to reality. I don't know about all that, but it is fun. And does make you sweat!

But that is just about all there is for news. We stay busy no matter the time of year. That's just the life of a minister's family and a family of nine.

Catching up

2008-12-10T18:24:00.004-06:00

So it's been months since my last blog. For those who know me, it's been a hard few months. Nothing terrible. Quite the opposite. I was finishing up my seventh pregnancy. Yes, for you math whizzes out there, that would mean I've been a human incubator for 5 years of my 12 years of marriage. It was by far the longest pregnancy of all. I think I got stuck in some kind of time continuum and was actually pregnant for 12 months this time. I was beginning to feel like an elephant. But after getting through a few complications, and a very normal labor and delivery, we now have our newest addition to our family here with us. This picture was graciously taken before they took the bed apart and made it some kind of torture device they call "The Throne". It is also before my family began looking through a baby name book trying to help us come up with a girls name. I do not find out the sex of the baby, so we have to have two names pick out. We were short one. So my husband, Mom, Dad, and Brother-in-law started looking for one. They came up with some of the funniest names. Unfortunately for me, who does not get epidurals, it is like ripping your stomach apart to laugh when having a contraction. There was a point that I thought I was going to deliver this child through a spontaneous, non-surgical, c-section, but my Dad had mercy on me and didn't go into his Wanda routine.

Anyway, I'd like you to meet my youngest son.

This is Mr. Anderson Dean Buster

Born November 14, 2008 at 8:36pm

He weighed six pounds, 11 ounces, and was 20 inches long. He is a really good baby, who eats and sleeps. He doesn't fuss, and as you can see, is so adorable, you could just squeeze him to death. His siblings love him, and Paulee and Terry think they are his surrogate parents. I really have to watch those two, but that will be another post.

Life is quickly adjusting. I am feeling like a new person now that I am no longer pregnant. I still do not have my temperature regulator working right yet, but I guess with the winter coming on it will be better to be sweating than to be freezing.

Oh, and for those readers who have read all my posts. Remember the one about the car? And having to pack it up for a trip? Well, we have a new vehicle as well. A big, white, ugly, churchy van. You know what I'm talking about. But there is room for all, plus a few extras. Which of course I am known to have, because trying to keep track of my own isn't hard enough. It's still quite a site seeing everybody disembark, but no longer a circus clown trick. And I promise this year, I will remember to bring the portable crib when we go see Heath parents. Because I never forget anything, and I know how important it will be to have a place for Anderson to sleep. It won't get left!

The things children say.

2008-10-03T23:11:00.003-05:00

I had a doctor's appointment last week. Now, unlike normal people, I can no longer go to the doctor by myself. I live and hour and a half from him now. And it is important that Heath is at my appointments, because we never know what may come up. So we get to load the whole herd into the car, and go traipsing into the office with six kids in tow, a diaper bag, toys, books, snacks, drinks, and whatever else they deem unleavable. Of course the first time we went, we sat in the waiting room way past my appointment time, because hey, it's an OB/GYN and he has to deliver babies in the middle of office hours sometimes. Just after I suggested that Heath and the kids go for a ride in the car, here comes my doc. And then I was only there for like ten minutes flat. When you have to travel so far for an appointment, ten minutes is a huge disappointment, and not worth the time. But who am I to be complaining. It does get worse. I just chased a huge rabbit, so let's get back to my appointment last week. Saw my doctor, took all of five minutes, and was sent off to another doctor who is the ultimate ultrasounder, and specialist of weird, never-heard-of pregnancy disorders. Ours would be that I have Big E antibodies. Heath has weird blood. So we are getting to watch this great ultrasound, on a huge flat-screen TV hanging up on the wall. The kids are enthralled. The technician was very thorough, and explained everything to the kids. They thump, thumped with the heart, laughed at the baby cringing, and were amazed they could see the spine. When she was finished and we were waiting for the doctor to come in, Heath mentioned that we needed to think of some names for a boy or a girl. Daniel began to worry a little. He finally confessed, "Well, I know three really good boy names and two good girl names, but I don't want to tell them to you. 'Cause see, I want to save them for when I'm grown up and have my own kids." So I swore to him under penalty of death that I would not use them and he told me his names. If he has boys, he wants to name them Thunder, Laser, and Blaze. The girls will be Abby and Lucy. His poor wife. What will she have to fight? And then, he suddenly had a great idea for us. "I know! You could name the baby John if it's a boy!" Apparently he used all his creativity for his unborn, future children.

Two nights ago, Terry kept getting up out of bed. He just would not go to sleep in his bed. This has been somewhat a reoccurring fight. It seems more nights than not, we have to pick him up, sound asleep, out of the hallway floor and put him to bed. Well, I decided I wasn't going to fight. He was going to obey. He snuck down the hallway, and was laying in the floor, when I told him to go to bed. He promptly replied "NO!" I was dumbfounded. This was his first "no" to me. I quickly (as quickly as a rotund pregnant woman can move) stood up, and before I could do anything else, he shot up out of the floor, yelled "OH NO!" and ran off to bed. I had to sit back down to finish laughing for fear of wetting myself, then went down the hall to swat him for telling his mother no.

And just one more because it's the absolute funniest. Early this summer, my parents bought us a subscription to National Geographic magazine. I love these! And we figured that the kids would have a great time looking at the pictures and we could use them in school as well. So we were telling Malcolm about getting the magazine, (which by the way, he loves to read) and showed him the first one we had received. We reminded him that they were like the ones his Gram and Pop have at their house. "Oh yeah. I remember those. But these will be even better. Gram and Pop's are from the 1900s, so it will be good to read more current magazines!) Was he kidding me? Those issues were from the '80s and '90s! They're younger than I am! And yet, he was correct. They are from the 1900s. Wonder what his opinion is about his parents, and what century from which they come?

Tidal Wave!

2008-09-22T11:06:00.003-05:00

I have never seen so much water in my life! Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration. How about I have never seen so much water covering my bathroom in my life.

It started off as a wonderful morning. The kids were only yelled at twice while getting ready for school today. Paulee and Terry eat quickly, and were actually diapered, dressed, and ready for the day before school started. Heath taught Bible and Math without any hindrances. In fact, we had a blast watching the younger Heath figure out he could figure out simple math problems, and make up his own. We sent Terry and Paulee off to the bedrooms to play, while I taught our morning classes and Heath went to work. They were so good. Played together, didn't fight over the one toy out of a hundred, laughed, were just two peas in a pod. The other four were learning quickly, not playing around, kept talking to a minimum, just generally a breath of fresh air. Oh how stupid and naive I was being! What Monday is ever this good! Monday?! What morning period is ever that good? It was so good I even got two loads of laundry folded, and more started. And the kitchen is relatively clean as well. I should have known I was in for a doozy.

For whatever reason, I thought I'd go see what Terry and Paulee were doing. They had been fairly quite for a while, but then again, they'd been that way most of the morning. But there was just this oppressing sense of needing eye contact with my two youngest. As I start out of the kitchen, I realize that there is sunlight streaming into the hallway were the bathroom door is supposed to be closed. Then I heard the noise that can only be described as pure, unmolested joy. Oh what a site that met my eyes. Why did I think I needed eye contact. What I need is that machine from the movie "Paycheck" to erase my memory.

Terry and Paulee had completely flooded the front bathroom. Now for those of you who have been to my house, you know this is a fairly decent size bathroom. All of it. Every last square inch of tile was covered in at least an inch of water. And was it water from the shower? Maybe the sink? Oh, of course not. It was all toilet water! My gag reflex was so great, there was almost a semi-liquid added to the floor. Paulee was standing in the middle of the floor, squealing with delight, as she played the stool as a water drum. She was soaking wet from head to toe. And those cute little toes? Yeah, they were pruned they had been in the water for so long. Terry was desperately running to grab the hand towel to "clean-up Mamma." He was smart enough to go put his shoes on first, and to hike up his pant legs. Of course, that didn't help the parts of him that sat in the water, and from what I guess, he tried to take a swim as well. Malcolm ran over to get Heath, while I started cleaning up the adorable children. Next time, I think I'll figure out how to unclog the toilet, and clean the mess before Dad can see it. Let's just say it didn't go over very well. Yes I know, we had like 20 gallons of water everywhere, it was soaking into the hall carpet, and the toilet was full of water and an entire toilet paper roll. And did I mention it was toilet water? But it was so bad, it was beyond the point of anger. At least I thought. It took every last towel in our house, both clean and dirty, to mop up all the water.

And for the reason they were not playing in their rooms? Terry had masterfully put the baby gates up so they could not get in to the rooms. They only one available was the bathroom which he smartly opened up for them. What a wonderful capability for problem solving with which God has gifted him.

It's official.

2008-09-19T10:58:00.002-05:00

Well, she finally did it. Paulee decided to take a couple of steps the other day. Of course it was totally on her own terms. You know those commercials you see of two parents sitting in the floor, baby standing between them, being encouraged, and she finally takes those couple of steps to one of the parents? Everybody is so excited, the mom cries. You know. Hallmark stuff. Not this Buster baby. She was standing up at the end table, and actually looked around the room to see that no one was looking. Lucky for me, I'm just as tricky as she. Then she just let go, and walked across to the other couch, for a grand total of six whole steps. Of course we tried to get her to repeat it, but that was a futile exercise. She took one step when trying to get her Dad's cell phone back, but then plopped down on the floor and screamed so loud, it made the dogs outside howl. So much for trying the reward system.

In other news, Heath is now "a dolt. 'Cause you know Mom, I turned five, so I can't be a kid anymore." It thrills me to know his opinion of adults. Makes me think of the Smothers Brothers and their less-ons and more-ons.

I am thrilled to be going to my niece's third birthday party tomorrow. I cannot wait. One of these days, we're going to have her and Daniel collaborate on a book together. It should prove to be the funniest, most imaginative story to ever be written. The other day I was being silly and stuck my lip out to pout. "Aunt Beff. Don't do that. Bird gonna poop on your lip." She is very fascinated by my incredibly expanding stomach. She talks to it almost as much as Daniel. They just found out a week ago or so that Darcy and Thomas are expecting. YEAH!!! Anyway, Caydence is thrilled. She's going to be a big sister. And her Mommy is going to have a baby girl, which Caydence is going to name Darcy. She's leaving it up to me to have the boy. Anyway, I have pictures of her birthday present, but I will wait until after tomorrow, just in case Darcy stops by to read this.

I hear no noise in my house, so I'd better go find out what mishap is occurring this hour!

I need my mama!

2008-09-09T23:23:00.002-05:00

I'm sick. I hate being sick. I don't do sick. I have three sweet, adorable children who are oozing green and yellow stuff out of their noses. And of course, they shared with me. My eyes hurt. I can feel great big globs of gook sliding down the back of my throat. My throat burns. My ear canal itches. And worse of all, my joints ache, and my body is sore. I took my temp hoping that I wasn't feverish, but secretly wanting to be so I could curl up in my bed and ignore the world for a couple of days. No fever. In fact, according to the thermometer, I'm dead. My temp was 95.2 degrees. Maybe that's why I am so cold. But no rest for the mom. Don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful husband who has taken over most of the kid stuff. But even then, Mom has to be mom. Especially when Dad is a pastor. Sometimes duty calls. So here's hoping for a fast recovery. I'd hate to be bad company this weekend. But I'll be happy as long as I can properly taste my food. :)

updates, updates, updates

2008-09-09T11:34:00.007-05:00

There has been so much that has gone on since last I posted. I'll try to start at the beginning. Paulee can now stand on her own. Of course the key word here is can. She somehow has gotten this trait that makes her want to do things her own way. She does not perform. Does not do things because other people want her. No, she'll do things when she wants, how she wants, no matter what anyone else thinks. I wonder from where did that inherited gene come. I plead the fifth.

We celebrated two birthdays just this month already. I am waiting on pictures so I can share, so I'll blog more about that horrible, I mean monumental two days. But I can share this with you. Malcolm is just too grown up. I mean, look at him! He wanted to help make his birthday cake. No, I do not believe in child labor, but it really meant something to him. So I caved and let him help, but only with the making of the batter. After that, I was on my own. But if you will notice, he is wearing an adult sized apron. It's just wrong. Heath's parents sent that to us from their church's 175th anniversary, and it fits him like a glove. Oh, and I would also like to point out that my kitchen was clean. Just was nice that I have proof that it does get clean from time to time.

The kids have been doing well in school. Most days are uneventful, and productive. We have those days that parent and child need separate corners, or even possibly separate rooms, but the kids still like us and school, so I guess we are doing alright.

We finally caved, and cut Daniel's hair. Most people weren't sure who the child was. He just looks so different! But as you can see, his personality is still intact. If nothing else, it has just magnified his persona. He is so much fun to have around. You can see in the background some of my sewing projects. I will post pictures soon. I've got one of Paulee's jumpers finished, but want to get Jeffie's skirt done first before I show off.

So, we were in the car the other day coming home from grocery shopping, when Heath Jr. asked, "Dad! Am I rich?" Heath just started laughing.

"What?!"

"AM I RICH?!" (because we all know that saying the same thing louder makes the question SO much clearer)

"Um...well, I guess it depends on how you look at it." (way to be non-committal!)

"Well, am I or aren't I?"

"I guess I'd have to say....no?"

"Well, yeah I am!"

"Then if you know you are, why did you ask?"

"You know Dad. Sometimes I'm rich!"

"I really don't know. How are you rich?"

"That's easy. If you take off the erd (that's how he said it), I'm Rich! I like to be Rich. Why don't you?"

The child never got an answer. We were just laughing too stinking hard.

So Gross!

2008-08-27T13:51:00.002-05:00

So, you know how when you get sick, and are puking your guts up? If you happen to throw up soon after eating, it's like months before you can ever eat that particular meal again. It doesn't matter if it's your favorite bowl of Cherrios, every time you think about it, your stomach does some Lukin gymnastic move, and you put the box right back on the shelf. Heath got sick after a Christmas party 10 years ago, and he still will not eat salmon. In fact all you have to do is say the word, and he starts in gagging.

Well, this morning, we woke up to two sick children. It was quite the morning. Woke up thirty minutes before the alarm (curses!) and almost stepped on Terry who was sleeping in the floor by my side of the bed. That's a first for him. Went to go get the kids up an hour later, and couldn't find Daniel. Seriously. Not until Malcolm went to the bathroom did we find him. He looked like he was passed out cold. Been watching "House" the last few days, so I went into doctor mode. He suddenly woke up with a start, and went on like nothing was unusual. Said his stomach hurt, but I figured it was because he didn't like dinner last night, so he didn't eat much. They all ate breakfast, and suddenly as soon as it was over, I hear "Mooooooooom! I fink I need to frow up!" Why do they stand there and tell me? Just go get the business done! I look up to see Heath Jr. standing in the hallway, holding his mouth for all he's worth. Wasn't it the other kid that spent the night hugging the toilet? Does Heath make it to the toilet? All mom's should know that answer. For those of you who don't, the answer is a big, fat, NO! So the tired, pregnant lady gets to clean a mess first thing in the morning. I can't hardly bend over any more! We keep the bathroom door closed at all times, because Paulee believes the toilet bowl was installed for her personal pleasure. I opened the door and began to swoon. Remember the beginning of this post? I wasn't the one that puked up my life's worth of food, but I will not be eating Bacon wrapped chicken stuffed with parmesan cheese and spinach for the rest of the year, and possibly the rest of the century. UGH!

It's love

2008-08-17T21:15:00.002-05:00

So, am I really strange that I get so excited and pumped up over a new sewing project? I dream in fabric patterns and color lately, with scissors, and needles, and dresses twirling about the room. I think I've just come up with the next Fantasia song. Oh the joy of sitting in a fabric store looking at countless stacks of pattern books. Walking up and down all the aisles of fabric, soaking in the colors, the feel of the fabric, and yes, even the sound and smell. I think fabric selection is my favorite part. It can make or break a pattern. The hunt for the perfect yardage, it's intoxicating! But the fun hasn't stopped yet! Oh, no. You then get to come home and cut out the pattern pieces. This is a great project to do while watching TV after the kids are in bed. Trust me, don't try this with a one and two year old still awake. It's not pretty. I have heard that I am a really big nerd, because I cut out every piece that comes in a pattern set. Just the other day, I got out a pattern I haven't used in a couple of years, and I had to stop and cut out pieces. That was very aggravating! I was ready to begin the next step, but no, had to go back to the beginning and cut out pieces. Trust me, it's worth it to cut them all out to start. Back to my bliss. Putting the pattern piece and the fabric together and cutting out the shapes of a finished product. So very nice. Then comes the best part. Sitting down with the machine. It really becomes like a friend. The first one you ever own will always have a special place in your heart. And no matter how up-to-date you may get in machines, you will always pull out the first one, talk with it like a dear friend (since it is), and sew with it on occasion just to remember the sounds and the feel of it. And don't get me started on getting to go back and use a different generations machine. Just thinking about and my tears start falling. I can hear the rattle my Mom's makes, smell the special something about my Grandma's. I guess it's because my machine becomes an extension of me. My thoughts, creativity, my love for all those for which I have ever created. And my Mom's and Grandma's are/were the same just for them. Anyway, I'm just being a little nostalgic tonight. Better get back to that pattern piece cutting so I can get on with this seemingly magical process!

Birthday Parties

2008-08-16T19:37:00.008-05:00

So we attended a birthday party for Jeffie Jean's best friend/twin today, at a little place made up like a doll house. I don't know who had more fun. Jeffie, her friend, or Paulee. So here are some numbers for you from the day.

60 - minutes early we were, since Jeffie Jean lost the invitation and got the time wrong

36 - bobby pins used to make Jeffie Jean's princess bun

5 - little girls who were very tired, and extremely excited when we ran into each other afterwards at the local JoAnn's.

1,687,942,386 - pieces of glitter from Jeffie's eyes, fingernails, and hair I have found so far all over my car, couch, floor, blanket,....the list goes on forever. I'll spare you.

Jeffie Jean really enjoyed all the primping and pampering. They got to get up on a runway and do a fashion show, and then do a dance routine to of course a High School Musical 2 song. Jeffie was nearly in heaven. Paulee decided the dancing was way to much fun. And as usual, she just about stole the show. But, when you are that cute you just can't help yourself. And then as I said earlier, we drove over to JoAnn's and had a blast looking at fabric and patterns. I can't wait to get the new stuff sew so I can show all what we put together. That's been about it for today. Definitely a girly day!

First Day of School

2008-08-15T11:14:00.014-05:00

First, let me just say, THE OLYMPICS ARE KILLIN' ME! I had to get that off my chest. I stay up way too late to watch, and if it was an event like last night (women's gymnastics all-around competition), I'm so keyed up and aggravated, it takes me forever to get to sleep. Then the obnoxious alarm goes off way before I think it should, and it's time to start school. I'll be glad when the games are over, although I'm sure I'll find something else to keep me up and then will complain then as well.

Yesterday, we started our first day of home school. I had a blast. The kids may not have, but it's not about them anyway, is it? I'm just kidding of course. Heath started his first day of Kindergarten. He sure makes a cute little guy starting school! He worked very hard and was rewarded at the end of the day with a first day of Kindergarten award.

I also had a child start second grade this year. Daniel decided geography was pretty fun after all, but still isn't sure he likes math. He did enjoy getting to draw, and cannot wait until we start our art lessons. We'll see how that goes, since this non-art person is his teacher. Give me some fabric and a pattern any day, but a blank piece of paper, and a pencil, and I just freeze up. Don't really enjoy it much either, but we do what we must for the betterment of our children.

Miss Sassy, a.k.a. Jeffie Jean, started third grade. Blows my mind. I remember how old I thought I was in third grade. She is blooming right before my eyes, and becoming her own person. Don't get me wrong, she's never been one to need someone else's opinion, and has always done what she wants. But now instead of just doing the opposite of what someone else said, she thinks through things, and forms her own opinions and thoughts. And she is really thriving in our new format and curriculum for school. I'm not one to advertise or tote brands, but the curriculum put together by "MY FATHER'S WORLD", is really good. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

And then after Jeffie, I come to my oldest. I don't know if I should cry, pout, beam, or shout. Fifth grade. Fifth grade people. My son will soon be "two whole hands" old. He is so excited about this whole double digit thing. I told him the newness of that wears out really quick. And look at him.

It's just so wrong. In this picture, he is taking notes from our science lesson about environments. He shocked himself at his own ability, and that his most loathed subject (writing), wasn't a hindrance.

Then you have out little ones. What a mess they were yesterday. Terry was bound and determined to go to school too. Paulee was equally determined to make sure we didn't forget her presence.

Oh, and they weren't always this cute. We were constantly trying to keep Terry out of the crayons, pencils, and what-not. Paulee entertained herself with the contents under my kitchen sink, telephone, and other odds-and-ends. And then they began to tag team. At one point I realized there was just a stillness about the house that was screaming warnings to this mom. It wasn't quiet, just still. I head to the living room to find them both wearing my sunglasses at the same time. Terry ripped them off and ran away screaming. Paulee joined in the fun by rolling all over the floor laughing and screaming as loud as she could. Now tell me, how did she know to laugh at the situation? She's just 12 months old! Not long afterward, they get real giggly. We're talking way too much laughter for anything normal. What do I find? Paper clips. Everywhere.

The picture doesn't do the mess justice. They were "sorting", and counting them. "Two, two, two, two,...". And when I walked in the room? Terry immediately jumps up, shakes his finger at Paulee and declares, "Lolly, no no!" We had so much fun yesterday!

And if I end up with any calls to China to wish the Olympians good luck, I'll be writing and asking for help to defray the cost!

Time keeps on slippin'

2008-08-12T18:10:00.004-05:00

So, when I started this blog a couple of weeks ago, I had full intentions of writing everyday, or every other day. But next thing I know, it's been nearly a week since my last posting. How do people do it? One of my favorite reads is from a mom of six like me, and she posts everyday! And she almost always has a hilarious story to tell. Well, to those who have been waiting on baited breath for my next post, I apologize.

We made it home without any real incident from vacation. Well, if you call the front half of the air conditioner going out again and Heath and I losing 5 pounds in sweat no big deal. The kids were wonderful, and believe it or not, I almost enjoyed the drive home. I did say almost. I just don't understand the thrill of the drive. The thrill of sitting in a confined space, with little to occupy one's self with, for 8 plus hours. It's not my cup of tea.

So we had a pretty restful trip to Heath's parent's place. I've got to thank our friend Kris for the use of their pool. And more importantly, for taking such great pictures, and being kind enough to only take pictures of the pregnant lady while the larger half was covered by gallons of water. As you can see, the kids had a blast. Paulee loved being in the water. I think she drank half of the pool. She frog kicked when held in the water, and had her tongue sticking out the whole time. Of course it was always the person holding her fault when she shoved her head underwater, and came up sputtering and coughing. Boy would she get mad! But no worry, she quickly remembered all the fun of splashing, kicking and playing in the gigantic tub of water! Terry was terrified of the water. We had a life jacket/floating swimsuit we normally kept on him. Didn't matter. He had a death grip on whomever was stupid enough to grab him and make him get in the pool. Eventually, like when there were only two days left of vacation, he was a little more accepting of the pool, but still wouldn't get in without someone helping. At the left here, you can see the little one who caused such heartache. After his incident with the deep end, he choose to not dive or let his head go underwater. But he had lots of fun. He's the first kid I've ever seen that can swim in one place. Not tread water, swim. He would swim for all he was worth, and never move from one spot. Unless he got in the path of the current, then he'd swim backward, sideways, or whichever way the jets pushed him. It was quite cute. Daniel learned to love jumping off the diving board. He would look like he was in slow motion half of the time. He also decided it was difficult to dive how he wanted to with floaties on, but also determined the risk was too great to actually take them off, much to his mom's relief. Jeffie Jean is so close to not needing floaties. I think all that she needs is a little more practice and a touch more confidence. She was all over the place swimming, diving, and having a blast. Malcolm, as I said earlier, has become Mr. Swimmer. He would dive some, but spent most of his time swimming back and forth. His ultimate goal was to touch the bottom at the deepest point. Not quite strong enough to do that just yet. But the highlight was when

Dad let Malc hitch a ride on his back and swim down with him. Malcolm was thrilled.

We are quickly getting the last of our school stuff ready for Thursday. We will begin our first full year of home school. The boys are looking forward to most of the year. Jeffie Jean is not quite as happy as the boys. It hit me the other day that for her, the start of school is going and meeting your teacher, finding out who is going to be in your class, new school clothes, all the social stuff of starting a new year. This just isn't the same. And while getting to learn a whole new curriculum is really a fun thing, it's just not the same. I just keep thinking that she will settle in just fine once we get started.

That's about it from us. I'll try really, really, really hard to be more faithful in my posts.

2008-08-04T11:27:00.003-05:00

I should go on vacation more often. Yes, it means loads of prep work, hassles in getting everything packed, and last minute rushing, doubting that everything will get done on time. But the trade off is that we have been so relaxed there has been nothing of worth to write about for the last two/three days. What day is it anyway?

The kids have been uncharacteristically quiet, friendly, and caring toward each other. Heath's parent's house must be stuck in some sort of a vortex where laundry shrinks and rarely needs to be done. Or maybe it's just in normal time and it's my house that's in a time continuum and the dirty clothes reproduce threefold every hour. Oh, and the pool is now peaceful, cool, and so very relaxing. But that's probably because I handed over all responsibility when we are there.

The only funny stories that have occurred have been being told by the adults somewhere around midnight every night. And unless you were hear playing the card games with us, you probably wouldn't find the humor in a story about a paracoot, discharging cards, or the fact that my husband grew up living in places like a funeral home, McDonald's, and most peculiar of all, a crazy, circular, pink house they are not even sure had a bathroom.

Times of rest are good. Now if I could only motivate myself to get my homeschooling lesson plans done...

Not funny at all

2008-08-01T18:15:00.003-05:00

Writers note: Just letting the reader know, everyone is fine, no more need to worry than that which has already happened. I know personally that someone, remaining un-named but with the initials GRAM, will need this knowledge before reading further.

I'm not really sure where to start. I have waited three hours after the incident, and I am already shaking and tearing just trying to put the day into words. Please do not mistake the small attempts at humor as being uncaring, or crass. It's just this mamma bear's way of trying to not come apart at the seams. I"ll start at the beginning.

Today my grandfather is having his pacemaker replaced. Well, technically grandfather-in-law, but he's just too dear to add that part. Anyway, my father-in-law was going down to Jeff City to be with his dad and more importantly, to sit with his mom during the procedure. My mother-in-law decided to go as well to support them all, and since Heath never gets to be with his family during important events, he went as well. No big deal. Well, the kids and I stayed home, and were going to have just a normal day at Granny Sue and Papa's house. That did mean one terrifying detail for me, but I was going to be the cool, sporting Mom, and proceed despite my fears.

I have two great fears in life. My children swimming, and then anything else that could harm my child. So great is the fear of my kids being in any place of water that is more than six inches deep, that I have never taken them somewhere to swim without Heath. I am not that great of a swimmer. I do just well enough to enjoy a diving board, but just keep my head above water. Heath on the other hand is like a marine mammal. I never worry when we swim because I know that no matter what danger might have to be faced, he will save my child.

I did not want to be a party pooper, so I decided I would face my fear, and take the kids swimming at a friend's house. Whoever said you should face your fears, should be forced to face a firing squad! So from the moment I woke up today, I pleaded with God to just let it rain. It had been overcast and dreary all morning, it wouldn't have been anything miraculous. And then I wouldn't be the bad guy, but at the same time would not be a basket case either. But to no avail. So off we went. I was consoling myself with what I had learned from our swimming trip yesterday. The kids were pretty good. Malcolm has discovered that he can swim on his own, even diving of the diving board without floaties. Huge accomplishment for this child. Jeffie Jean is just a little shy of enough confidence to be right there by his side. She uses floaties when in the deep end without an adult, and does well. Daniel isn't quite that brave this year, but still wasn't a worry because he never takes of the floaties. Heath, the younger, is the same as Daniel. Terry is terrified of the water, wears a full body life jacket thing, so even if he were to slip and fall into the water, he would be perfectly safe. That left me with Paulee, who at twelve months old, gets to stay in mom's arms. So I was feeling as confident as I possibly could, and we set out.

The kids were wonderful. No running off, no running around the pool (probably had something to do with the threat of not swimming for two days if they did), and eerily enough, no fighting. Paulee was mesmerized by the pool, and I really had to watch her. She'd just crawl right off the edge into the pool if I let her out of my reach. We had been there an hour, when I look up and see Heath twirling like a top on the diving board. No big deal to most people. The child did NOT have his floaties on his skinny little arms. That's right did NOT. That boy got the full force mom speech. Not just three full names escaped from my mouth, but the entire fourth one too. "RICHARD HEATH BUSTER, JUNIOR! WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!" He jumped so high, I thought he was going to go straight in the pool. I lectured him big time on the dangers of playing on a diving board when you cannot swim and you do not have any safety devises strapped, duct taped, and glued to you. I thought I would puke. The child was shaking like a leaf, and decided to play in the shallow end for a while. Good, I can play with Paulee, torture Terry as I pull him in the pool, and keep my hands on Heath. Wish I was an octopus.

Heath eventually wondered off to play catch with Malcolm, and I rested on the steps with Paulee and Terry. I started my 1,292nd head count, and that's when the world stopped. I sat there for what felt an eternity watching my four year old desperately trying to swim to the edge of the pool, but not even successfully keeping his head above water. He didn't have his floaties on his arms. Finally, his name came thundering out of my mouth, and I leaped into action. What a wonderful blessing that the owners of the pool were not home. It is everyday a six month pregnant woman, in a bathing suit none the less, goes running around the pool as fast as this ex-track star can go. Poor Paulee was probably being held around her neck. Couldn't put her down, she'd just fall in the pool too. But then came my hero. I yelled one more name. Malcolm. He was swimming on the deep end. Yes, the same ten year old whose mind I just don't understand. He turned around, saw his little brother, swooped in, and drug him up and over the side of the pool. The images I have flashing through my mind at this point will only be understood by our closest family. Vent tubes, IVs, scarred heels, a bull. I can't make them stop. This child, the one I blew up at just half and hour before, is now laying next to me gasping and sputtering for all he was worth. The water finally comes gushing out, and he grabs me and clings to me as an opossum. Through my tears, I begin as softly as I can, what I expect to be a very solemn, scary conversation.

"What happened, sweetheart?"

"I couldn't swim."

"Why didn't you yell for Mommy?"

"It was kinda too hard. My mouth had all the water in it.

And the question I was dying to ask:

"How on earth did you end up in the pool?"

"Well, I jumped in of course."

WHAT! Did he not listen to one word I said? I could have pinched his beautiful little head off in that moment.

"Jump in?! I told you never without your floaties!"

"Um Mom. You said I couldn't jump off the diving board without my floaties. Malcolm and I were playing catch, and I needed to get the ball, so I jumped off the side of the pool to get it. Not the diving board."

I look over at Malcolm, and he is laughing. LAUGHING! How dare him. I asked him what he thought was so funny. He just giggled. "You're crying, Heath's crying, but he's fine. No big deal." Oh that mind of his.

So we all played in the shallow end for quite some time. Terry even allowed me to pull him away from the sides, and Paulee kept shoving her head underwater, then yelling at me for letting that happen. Malc and I were sitting next to each other for a moment and I asked him, "Do you realize what you did today?".

"Yep."

"No really, Malcolm. Do you understand what you did?"

"Yeah Mom. I virtuously saved Heath-ers life."

He then drew in a huge breath, pushed it out very quickly, and laid his head on my shoulder. Yeah, guess I'll have to lay off that mind of his. He knows exactly what is going on around him.

As for Heath? He was so effected by the event, he put his floaties on, jumped in the deep in, and sang a made up song about how he was drowning again. If only we could all recover that quickly. Not me. I am letting you know right now, this is one fear I will not face for the rest of the year. Who am I kidding. It probably won't happen next year either.

Where is that rascally shoe?

2008-07-30T21:30:00.005-05:00

I am amazed at the mind of a ten year old. Make that a ten year old boy. I think if I were to live to be 104 years old, I will not understand this quagmire that is the male mind. Everyday our children are required to pick up their rooms right after breakfast. Mind you one of the last things they did the night before was pick up toys, but I guess we have a ghoul of some sort that comes out at night and plays with my kids favorite toys and leaves them to be picked up in the morning. Sorry, that was just too cute of a rabbit to not chase. Anyway, I went to get clothes from Malcolm and Heath's room to start our packing process. The closet is crammed with whatever the two boys did not want to actually put up. So they got to come put all the toys where they belong. I clean out drawers while gritting my teeth, because if they would have put their clothes away the right way, I wouldn't be refolding them at this point. Huge pet peeve. I then ask Malcolm to finish cleaning up the closet. It would be nice if the drawers would actually close, the shoes be matched up, and all the "stuff" that is shoved between the wall and drawers be put up where they belong.

In record time, Malcolm is done with this despised job. That should have sent alarms clanging in my head, but I guess I was preoccupied. I went back to get socks or something, and asked about a backpack that seemed full. I get some vague, non-reply as I see my son disappear suddenly out the door. The backpack is full of single shoes, hats, trash and what-not that he didn't feel like putting away anymore. Ugh! It took more time to fill that bag, cram into the little space Mom wasn't suppose to look, cover with other things, then it would have taken if he would have just put the stuff away. Then I went back tonight to get shoes, and can't find the match to two of his shoes. Our conversation went something like this:

"Do you know where your other flip flop and tennis shoe are?"

"Um, my what?"

"Look. Right here. Two shoes, don't match. They are huge. Can't miss them. Know where the pairs are?"

"Um . . ."

"Listen. You have one more chance. I know you know that you have two feet, and therefore, two shoes that match to cover those said feet. DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE OTHER SHOES ARE?"

"Um, I think"

He crawls between me, the closet door, a toy bin, and the bed. Half disappears behind the bed and comes out with the flip flop. Then repeats the procedure to produce the tennis shoe. Why were they there, and how did he know they were there you ask? He put them there because he didn't want to turn around and take a half step and set them on top of his clothes drawers.

I just don't comprehend.

Car blues

2008-07-28T20:46:00.005-05:00

Have you ever owned a huge massive car? One that you know has to be huge based upon the negative bank account balance every time you fill up the car? But, of course, they don't make cars that seat eight as energy savers. Having the big SUV was really nice at first. We bought the car when we had five children. so we still had one empty seat. An empty seat that in theory could be used to separate arguing children. They soon figured out they could still argue half a car away. They were using there words just like mom said, not their fists. Anyway, I digress. Now the car is completely full. I mean completely. Three car seats, twelve arms, twelve legs, six very verbal mouths (even if it's not actual words that are coming out), 60 fingers, 16 half-read books with torn pages, 26 lost toys, and enough left over fast food wrappers to paper the kitchen. Oh, and of course Heath and I. And when we travel Heath somehow stuffs every last thing we own into the car, because you never know when you may have need for a half broken, never played with, we're not really sure what it is toy.

So we are taking our last vacation in this particular car soon. There will be eight suitcases, two strollers, a travel crib, three car seats, toys, pillows, blankets, two boxes of diapers, a case of wipes, and the eight people all in the car at once. This is why Heath and I opted to travel at night a few years ago. We load up late at night, and everyone sleeps while Dad drives us to our destination. It's great. No one fighting over their territory. No drink mishaps. The only bathroom breaks involve the one adult who can stand to relieve himself, so no incredibly disgusting germs to have to scrub off for the next week. And when the kids start waking up ready for breakfast, we are miraculously a few miles away from our stopping point. Of course, Heath will then sleep for the next six hours, but it works.

But I mentioned that this is the last trip for this car. Not because the car is old and breaking down. No, we soon will have a family so big it will no longer be able to legally ride in the car together. That's right folks. We have maxed out the largest SUVs that are made. So guess what is our next option? You know those scary vans that drive down the road? The ones with no windows that you know have to be doing something illegal? Yeah, that's what we get to look at to drive. Not only drive, I'm going to have to actually pay someone so I can have the pleasure of driving one! Can they make uglier vehicles? Boy I can't wait for the first trip to Wal-Mart in my sporty 12 passenger van. I can see it now. No one will park anywhere near us, and mother's all over the parking lot will be warning their children to never go near a van like that one. Only scary, child-nappers drive vehicles like that. And they are just waiting for you to get close enough to grab. Ugh. Well, I guess if I were to try to look at the bright side, we shouldn't have any of those huge gashes in the side of the car where someone threw their door open and took out the side panel of your door.

So, the hunt begins. Finding an automobile with enough seats for our growing family, space to pack suitcases and such, without it being too terribly ugly and scary. I think we shall call this "Mission Impossible"!

Friends

2008-07-28T09:02:00.002-05:00

Woohoo! My best friend is coming today! And guess what is so cool about her? I haven't treated her like a best friend in a year or more, but she still is taking a day out of her busy schedule of visiting family, and driving over an hour out of her way to come see me, and share her three children with me! I can't wait. Told you she was a best friend!

Firsts!

2008-07-27T22:56:00.005-05:00

Well, I am officially joining the world of bloggers. It looks like loads of fun, and yet scares all the moisture right out of me! So, to encourage myself to begin this journey, I came up with a list of reasons to have a blog.

10. All my extended family can keep track of us much better.

09. Household of 8, living on one salary, this looked like free therapy.

08. Doesn't everyone want to know all about my life and my family?

07. Everyone else is doing it.

06. I have a need, periodically to brag. Just a little. Not too terribly much. Okay, so you will probably read one every blog, but I won't keep a count.

05. Where else can I have a well organized, all in one place, never lost record of my kids childhood?

04. I wanted to see if I was funny.

03. Something that is all my own. That doesn't happen very often!

02. I wanted to make my mom laugh, so I made a list.

01. Did I mention free therapy?

So, I figured that with today being my baby's first birthday, this would be a great day to start. We have birthdayed since we got up this morning, earlier than usual of course, until very late. It was so much fun, and very sentimental for me. The older four kids wrote and sang a song for her, which was so surprising and uncharacteristic for them. Well, very uncharacteristic for my oldest Malcolm. He was the one that instigated the whole thing. Paulee somehow knew I think that the day was all about her. She held the spotlight quite well. And I have to brag just a little (refer to number 6). I sewed her outfit, and she made it so absolutely adorable!

We are also in the process of getting things ready for the new school year. We will be homeschooling for the first time. Kind of scary, but the fun will so out weigh the fear. I hope. Heath is starting kindergarten, and can't wait because he will finally find out from where raisens come. Daniel is in second grade and drooling to start an art program. Jeffie Jean is a third grader, and doesn't care what she learns in book knowledge as long as I teach her to sew this year. And then you have Malcolm. He is technically in 5th grade, wishing he was in high school, and working daily to get there. He's getting close too.

I have blogged about everyone except our two year old, Terry. But don't worry, he'll get plenty of publicity. From him wearing his sisters heals, playing with her dolls, the run-by hitting to his dad, to the list of general mayhem and distruction, he'll see plenty of blogging space.

That's the start. Before I know it, I'll be writing everything down so I can "blog" about this later!