Blessed Nativity

A very Merry Christmas to one and all.
This adorable picture sums up the reason for the season....the birth of Christ.
The children are cousins. The oldest boy is our Godson. The boys are siblings and the little girl is their cousin...all of them are children/grandchildren of our dear friends. I love this photo and had to "steal" it for my blog.

Merry Merry

Who wouldn't enjoy Christmas while looking at this face?

Got It!

It's been weighing on me like a ton of bricks. I've done a Christmas card photo and letter every year for the past 13 years. This year it just wasn't happening for me. I was out of time and out of energy. I decided to go with an email card and photo. Saves me time, money and it's green for the environment too.
Once I got my act together this morning it didn't actually take much to get a good photo. A few Santa hats, basic jeans and white tees...oh yes, and candy canes for bribery. You can see Sis and Baby George slurping on them in the photo. A big taboo to have candy in the living room...but worth it:)

Santa Visit

We have had a super busy week. Imagine getting ready for Christmas, having your house on the market, getting ready to go on our big trip, AND...all the dental appointments, doctor appointments, hair cuts, etc. that I couldn't get done before Cam's quarter ended. It was a busy week!!!

There are a few holiday things that I insist we do each year. One of them is a visit to Santa to get the kids' photos taken. Every year I put all the photos out in chronological order. I love to look at them! Nobody...ie: Cam...thinks it's very much fun to get 5 kids all fixed up in matching fancy clothes and then stand in line for what could be a VERY long time:) But, each year I'm so glad we did it.

Tuba LOVES Santa! My favorite photo of him with Santa is the year that he kept smelling Santa's beard and then looking at him nose to nose. It's the cutest photo. This year Tuba went right up and cuddled Santa...of course.

This is the photo I took...so not the official one from the photographer. Nobody cried! Amazing! I think handing the little ones a candy cane right away helped a bunch;) Plus, they sat on chairs at Santa's feet. They didn't have to see that big scary guy.

Next we went out for a holiday meal...and balloons...hmmmm....I like balloons about as much as I like bubbles:) If you've been a reader of my blog for long you'll know what I mean! Just picture our mini van...and I stress the word MINI...with 5 kids, 5 balloons and 2 very annoyed parents...NOT pretty. Cam was planning the popping of those evil kid loving things the second the kids were in bed:)

On the way back through the mall we put some money in the Salvation Army can. The bell ringer let Busy Guy shake the bells. It was a hoot. He launched into a full throttle Beyonce booty shake! I wish I had it on video. He is a crack up!

Cookin'

Isn't this how all moms cook dinner? I've always got someone on the hip, someone on the leg and someone...or two running through. Cam laughs and tells me I'll be sad some day when they all go away to college! I just give him the squinty eye....cause I know he's right:)

Pretty!

Finger Painting....with....Desitin!

Birthday Bliss

My BIG day! I turned 39 yesterday! Only one more year of the 30's!!! It was just yesterday that I entered the 30's. Wow, it's gone so fast.

I had a really fun day....here's 39 things I did yesterday.

1. Slept in!

2. Had tea

3. Went out to breakfast with the family

4. Took a drive and enjoyed the water view.

5. Opened presents

6. Received tons of wonderful birthday wishes.

7. Read the newspaper in peace:)

8. Took a shower without anyone needing me.

9. Spent 1 hour home alone!!!!!!!! This hasn't happened in over a year...or two:)

10. Blew dried my hair, flat ironed it, put on makeup and got dressed in my hour to myself.

11. Went to the salon.

12. Got a manicure.

13. Got a pedicure....oh, yes!

14. Went to the grocery store.

15. Made dinner.

16. Ate steak...

17. ...Caesar salad...

18. ...sourdough bread and butter...

19. ...and baked potato with the works.

20. Had happy birthday sung to me...by the most angelic choir of kids.

21. Gathered the kids for a birthday picture with my cake.

22. Wrangled kids fingers away from MY cake.

23. Cut and passed out cake.

24. Shared cake with two toddlers.

25. Ate my own piece of cake.

26. Ate Tuba's piece of cake.

27. Felt sick and regretted that third piece of cake:(

28. Got kids ready for bed.

29. Watched the Shrek Christmas show with the big boys.

30. Read books to the big boys.

31. Said prayers as a family.

32. Put on snuggy pj's.

33. Washed my face.

34. Put my hair in a ponytail.

35. Brushed my teeth.

36. Picked up the house.

37. Licked some frosting off a plate...why?

38. Watched a movie with Cam! I NEVER get to pick the movie...but it was my special day.

39. Went to sleep at 9:00!!!

Happy Birthday to ME:)

Shared Birthday

Maybe I've posted this picture on my blog before??? I can't remember what I did yesterday let alone what photos I've used in the past. This is my beautiful grandparents. They were the best grandparents!!! They shared a birthday and I was born just one day later. So special. Here we are in 1985 celebrating. I was a freshman in high school. My grandma died the summer after this photo was taken. She died too young....58 years young. I still miss her so much. I want to be like her. She was an awesome person...happy, outgoing, giving and strong! She and my grandpa were always on the go with their grandkids. I can't wait to be a grandparent and do all the fun things they did. They took us boating and camping, cooked with us, built projects with us, we spent the night at their house with our cousins, had huge holiday celebrations, and celebrated birthdays. My favorite cake is the barbie cake my grandma made me:) My grandpa died in 2001. We all miss him so much. Cam got to know and love my grandpa as did Tuba. Tuba was his special boy and loved to walk over to his house for visits. I cherish all the photos and memories with him. Happy Birthday to my incredible grandparents. Thank you for all that you did for us and the legacy that you left us.

Partners in Crime

These two have become fast friends. They run around together mostly getting along. Baby George hangs onto his big Sister's sleeve as she runs through the house. They giggle and giggle together. About a billion times an hour they have gotten into something forbidden...unlocked child proof locks, pulled food out, emptied the toothbrush bin, emptied dresser drawers, the list goes on and on. While I'm scolding them...sternly...they look at each other and one of them will say, "More???" and they will start laughing. OH! Sometimes it makes me laugh too...sometimes NOT!
They have both been carrying around Beanie Baby Bears. Baby George calls them his "baby" and Sis calls them "bear". They insisted on having them at breakfast the other morning. They had yogurt and held their bears. Sis kept kissing her bear on the head. Good thing those beanie bears can go in the washer!
Now, I'm off to duct tape a few things closed. The child proof locks I have are NOT working for these kids. Duct tape at least slows them down...for now;)

Simple Christmas

This Fall I read the boys Little House in The Big Woods. They really enjoyed it. I especially loved the chapter detailing the family's Christmas. I would love to have such a simple and joyous Christmas. One without all the commercialism and rush. I'd love to make all the gifts and get the same in return. The celebration of Christ's birth and the special visit from family was the main focus...as it should be. In today's world it is unimaginable that a child would receive mittens and a piece of candy...a single piece...and be content. And...the fact that Laura received a doll and the other children weren't jealous but happy for her is just amazing.

Each year I try to simplify things. To put the focus where it should be. It's hard! This year our decorations are about as simple as they've ever been. Since we are leaving on a trip we didn't want to have a big live tree and all the decorations out. So, this year we put out our tiny table top tree. Mr. P and Busy Guy made all the decorations for it. It looks beautiful and it was free...got to love that! The only other decoration is our Advent calendar. My mom bought it for the kids this year. I really love it. Each day a new piece is added to the scene (stars, angels, holy family, camels, wise men, shepherds, sheep, donkey, inn-keeper, cow and of course baby Jesus). The kids are very excited each day taking turns and talking about Christ's birth. So much better than one filled with candy. I had contemplated putting candy in each door along with the Nativity piece. I'm so glad I didn't. The kids would have looked forward to the candy and the message would have been lost. Loving this new ritual. Now, wondering if I can make the kids mittens for Christmas and have them be overjoyed with them;)

The world is her orphanage

Check out this link and read the wonderful article about Merrily Ripley, AAI's Director. I'm so thankful to have found AAI. What an amazing agency...and amazing woman!

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/11/30/profile/doc4b11fd6233650413599817.txt

Hawaii.............

None of these clothes will be coming with us:)

Hawaii is near!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!! So exciting!!!!!!!!!!! In case you haven't heard...Make A Wish Foundation granted Tuba a wish and he chose Hawaii!!!!!!!!!! So soon we are off to learn the hula.


But, right now I'm in the midst of figuring out what to pack...who needs shorts, suits, sandals, hats, etc. Yikes, packing for 7 people (yes, 7, no, I'm not letting Cam pack himself;) is really daunting. Yesterday we tried on sandals and suits to see what fits and what I need to order. I've ordered a few things online...okay, really more like 100 things and we'll try it on as it comes to our door:) Luckily it's cold outside so I can pack all these warm weather outfits early.


On top of Hawaii planning we are getting in the Christmas spirit too. Because of our trip (and the toddlers X 2) we have opted to not get a big tree and instead put out a tiny one on our end table. The only other decorations we put out is a beautiful new Advent calendar. I'll post pics later...so fun and cute. So, for those who know me well....this is a great Christmas for me:) Less to do and less to clean up.....Yeah!!!! More time to enjoy the people and the season.

Brotherly Love

The thing that stresses Cam and I out more than anything in life is thinking about what will happen to Tuba when we are gone. It's so painful and scary to think about that usually we cannot discuss it for long. We do have a plan though. We hope and pray that Tuba's brothers and sister will take care of him. We know that this starts with how they treat him and each other here in our home. I was so touched the other day by something my boys said. I know for all the worrying Cam and I do it isn't necessary.

I was talking with Mr. P and Busy Guy about when they grow up and go to college. I was teasing them and telling them that I would miss them so much and I would come visit them and ask them things like, "are you taking enough baths, eating veggies, doing your homework, going to bed on time, dating nice girls, etc." They were giggling and reassuring me. I suddenly had the thought that Tuba will be here at home with Cam and I. I told the boys that Tuba will miss them so much while they are gone to college and when they move out. Mr. P got a very serious face and announced that when he comes home on break he will take Tuba to the beach. Oh! My heart just filled with joy. Busy Guy chimed in with an offer to take Tuba to the toy store:) So precious these boys. They know what Tuba loves. They will of course take care of their brother. I am so blessed. Thank you God for these beautiful children and their love for each other.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving today! Take time to enjoy family and friends and good food too:)

Cam is working. I'm sad about that but it's a fact of our life. I'm thankful for all the medical, fire, police, military men and women keeping us safe today. I know there are others too that have to work today...so leave it in the comments section for me to read. God bless all the families who are without their loved ones on this holiday...especially the military families with loved ones so far from home. Prayers for safe keeping go out to all of you.

Thank you also to all the people who spend this holiday serving those in need. The homeless, the needy, the impoverished around the world. God bless you.

Cam-the kids miss you! Have a nice day:) Mr. P is reminding his siblings why you have to work today..."people are sick, even on holidays". Love you and am so truly thankful for you and our family.

Is it time???

How and when a mother decides to wean her baby from nursing varies greatly.

With Mr. P I weaned him...cut him off at 19 mos. He was waking once a night and I'd bring him into my bed to nurse him. The final straw for me was when he let go of the booby, said "I shirsty (thirsty)", and proceeded to take a big gulp from his water cup that he brought with him. After his big gulp he went right back to nursing...burrrr!

Today I think I had the same sign from Baby George. He was nursing and let go to quickly pop a piece of bread into his mouth...a piece of bread he had locked up and hidden in his little fist. Then after chewing for about a nano second he went right back to nursing:) Sheesh!

ABC's of it..

I love these photos. Mr. P was holding Baby George on the scenic train ride at the OR coast. I keep revisiting these summer beach photos...if you know where we live...rain/dark/cold...you can see why!

Baby George has some new words this week. He added baby...he says it while he holds a teddy bear, milk, Sis, and Busy Guy's name.

And...the big news is that Mr. P is reading!!!! Whooohooooo! It's so much fun to see it click in his head. He is doing so well sounding out the letter and words. He is eager to learn more and Busy Guy is eager for him too...so that big brother can read him some books:)

A few more things I'm thankful for today:

Sunday paper

My MIL's friends...great group of gals!

Kids singing

Boots

Pantry of food

So Vain

Here I am as a little girl with my Marsha Brady hair. Really, it was the begininng of my hair love. Aren't my Sis and I cute???


I'm so old. How did this happen? I feel so young. I have young children...doesn't that mean I'm still young? My husband is a college student...that means I'm young, right?


I have found grey hairs! UGH! I'm a little stunned. I've been thinking about it all day and I've realized that I just never thought I'd get them...ever...well, maybe not until 80. I showed the to Cam and he quickly said, "no, it looks blonde to me". In the next breath he says, "it's okay, I've got tons of them in my beard". Okay, so which is it Mister?


I pride myself on my hair. I'm downright vain about my hair. It's the one thing on me that always looks good...well, mostly good...except when I go WAY overdue for a foil and cut:) I have good hair....lots of it too. But, now it's got greys...hmpf! I take good care of my hair. I use Aveda shampoo/conditioner/styling products. I visit a high and mighty salon.


In fact I take such good care of my hair that my own mom pointed this out to me recently. I was complaining about how I don't take care of myself...lack of sleep/don't floss enough/don't take my vitamins/don't exercise enough/eat all my veggies/etc. My mom was quick to point out that I do take good care of my hair. OH! She was right. Nothing like your mom calling you out on the carpet to get a point across;0


Not loving these greys. Sorry, I'm not embarrassing it. I keep thinking of the commercials for hair dye and I get it now! I'm vain...I admit it. I don't want these grey hairs. GO AWAY GREY. I'll take my usedtobenaturallyblondebutnowIpayatonforexpensivefoilsandcutstolookgood:) I'm feeling not happy about this.

Doing well

I thought an update on Tuba was in order. He is doing really well at school. He has been coming home with all smiley faces on his daily chart. His morning time behavior has been very good too. Seizures have been good. Not perfect...but okay. I see maybe a couple of seizures a week. The flu left Tuba pretty skinny. He doesn't have any extra fat so any time he gets sick and loses weight it really shows. He's 4'10" and weighs about 88 lbs. normally but is now down to 84 lbs. He's almost my height (5 more inches) but certainly no where near my weight;) He has done such a nice job going with me to pick up kids from school each day. I worried that he would give me a hard time and that doing it every day would become a huge problem. But...he has been perfect. Even better than I could have dreamed of. He helps me with the stroller and waits patiently. Yeah Tuba! I love this boy. I'm thankful for him.

A few more things I'm thankful for today:

A new recipe that was yummy, easy to make AND inexpensive

Freezer in the garage

Shiloh...my cat

Dreams...big and small

Naming the Child

I have been wanting to write this post for a few weeks now. Finally, I have time to sit down and write it. Some may wonder why I share such a personal story from my life. I share it because I hope it gives comfort to someone. I think if we share our sorrows it helps each other.

A dear friend of mine just suffered the loss of her unborn baby at 19 weeks gestation. Everything was seemingly fine until a routine ultrasound discovered that the bay had died. This precious baby was a boy and his parents named him Aidan Job.

I had a miscarriage about 4 and half years ago. It was terrible. I was 9 weeks along and on vacation when I started to bleed. We went to the emergency room after phoning my doctor. The doctor treating me at the hospital was awful and insensitive. He told me that it wasn't a baby I had inside of me. I was floored. At first I thought he meant that I hadn't been pregnant. Then I realized what he meant. He didn't consider my 9 week old fetus a baby....just some tissue and cells. After he left the room the nurse profusely apologized to me...telling me that yes I was pregnant and this was traumatic and awful. I did have a baby inside of me. The medical community has all kinds of terms for each stage of growth...the embryo, the fetus...etc. But, I wasn't pregnant with a goldfish or a kitten...no, it was a baby. I was in the exam room alone because Cam had the other kids out in the waiting room. It was scary and lonely. The doctor sent me home and told me there was nothing he could do for me....only time would tell if I'd miscarry. We phoned our doctor and decided to stay at the hotel on vacation. I laid around, took it easy, prayed and waited. After two more days of spotting I woke up soaked in blood. When I went to the bathroom everything came out of me. I took my baby and wrapped it in tissue. I couldn't flush it down the toilet. I took it home with me to bury.

I buried our baby under my rose bush in our backyard. I can stand at my kitchen sink and look out at this rose bush. It was a terribly sad time and Cam and I both mourned the loss. All the plans we had made and all the love we already felt for our baby. At times I felt so much sadness that I felt like I was going a little crazy. After 6 weeks of bleeding I had to go in and have a D&C. Just before the surgery my doctor told me that know matter how much time goes by every woman who has had a miscarriage can tell you exactly how old her child would be. I was so moved by this. It's so true.

After that surgery I slowly crept out of my depression. Of course I had and still do have moments of sadness over our loss. I wonder what our child would be like now.

A few months ago I heard about a book called Naming the Child. When my friends' baby died I quickly ordered this book for them and one for myself. The book is amazing. I recommend it for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage/stillborn/infant death. It was very healing to read...even after all this time. It is also a great resource for husbands, clergy, family and friends. In the book the author talks about naming your child even if you do not know the sex of the child. I have decided to name our baby Gabriel. I think God spoke this name to me. I can feel it in my heart and know it is the right name regardless of the sex of the baby.

This story is not complete without telling you about my rose bush. I was given a rose bush as a gift after I gave birth to Mr. P. He was a summer baby and I never got around to planting the bush until the next summer. It had no leaves and I'm no gardener but I put it in the earth and watered it. It did get a few leaves and then when fall came it went dormant. The next summer in July is when I buried our baby under this rose bush. About a week after the burial the bush began to bud. It bloomed the most beautifully huge rose. It gave me such peace and comfort. I took pictures of this first bloom. The next time the bush bloomed was the following year. It bloomed the day we got Busy Guy's referral from our adoption agency. Once again I felt such happiness and peace. Many times a day I look out my window and gaze at my rose bush. The rose bush is very special to me and I'll be digging it up and taking it with me when we move.

I Spoke Too Soon

A mere few hours after writing that last post I was down and out with this most horrible stomach flu. I have never in my life felt so bad and threw up so much. Pretty picture...I know:) I locked myself in my room which has a half bath. After about 2 hours I was writhing on my bed after going back and forth to the...well you know...when I heard Cam in the kitchen. Yes, it had begun for him too. Great! Two parents both sick at the same time. My poor hubby was getting sick in the kitchen while trying to feed our tribe dinner. I was too sick to even get up and help him. We had the same idea...just get these babies in bed! He got pj's on the babies while dodging the restroom...or bucket in hand and put them to bed. It was at least an hour before their already early bedtime of 7:00. Oh well, what else could we do? I passed into sleep and woke at 8:00. I found Cam lying in the hallway outside the bathroom. The boys had put a blanket on him and brought him a pillow. The boys were watching a movie. I called for them to come to bed, stood in their room while they got in bed and then stumbled back to my room.

It was a horrible night's sleep but at least the vomiting had stopped. We awoke to a house of hungry kids. I thought I was feeling better until I stood up....whoosh...dizzy with a bad headache!!! I started toaster waffles for the kids and quickly had to pull out a chair to sit on. With my head laid on the counter I buttered waffles and threw them out like Frisbees. The kids started to complain about them not being cut up...I gave them a death glare and that was the end of it.

Basically we spent the day taking turns attending to the kids. There was no school due to Veteran's Day so we had a houseful. Cam put in a call to his mom early in the day. She made a drive-by and drop (aka...run for your health) of pizza, Gatorade, and Popsicles. At least the kids wouldn't starve. They enjoyed pizza for lunch AND dinner. During nap time Cam and I crawled under the covers and slept. I think it was the longest day of my life...surely one of the longest and sickest....blech! We made it until 6:30 and when we couldn't take any more we put the kids to bed. We laid on our bed together and ate Popsicles. After sleeping all night we are better today. Able to care for our brood. Still dizzy and shaky but moving, dressed, and showered:)

The most amazing thing...dare I type this...is that the only one (in case you weren't counting) that hasn't fallen ill...is our pint sized dynamite....Sis! I'd like to know her secret???

A few things I'm thankful for today: (I almost forgot to do this...I wonder why?)

Getting better

Not having chronic illness

Freezer waffles

Pepto-bismal

Cam

The Sick House

Thinking...this family could use a trip to the beach:)

I've been absent from my blog...I have a house of sick kids. When we first became a family of 7 I remember Cam and I talking about how busy things were going to be. We specifically talked about what would happen...if God forbid...all 5 kids got the stomach flu!!! Well, it's taken 16 months but it has happened. UGH! Tuba started in on Sat. night at bedtime. He was in the bathroom every 15 minutes all night long....which was so awful. He could barely move the next day. Mr. P started yesterday morning followed by Baby George at nap time. Same thing for those boys...every 15-20 minutes of wretching dry heaves...poor babies. Lethargic little ones all around. One hour after bedtime last night Busy Guy was hit with it full force. Poor guy. Had to change his sheets 4 times last night. Today everyone is laying low. Watching more movies and resting and trying to re-hydrate.


Sis on the other hand is her usual spirited self. She is running circles around us all. I've said a millions times, "get away from your brother's barf bowl". Now, that's not a sentence I envisioned myself saying in this lifetime:) She was up this morning carting two coats around wearing her shoes a diaper and pj top. He was carrying around a purse stuffed with junk and wanted to go "bye-bye". Cam just took her to run an errand and have a special treat. They can get some fresh air and enjoy getting out of the sick house. In all of this I'm so thankful for many things:





I haven't been hit....yet?


Cam was home yesterday to help me as we held limp sick wee ones.


Cam stayed home today to help me....God bless this man.


The vomiting didn't last more than 12 hours.


Our huge library of kid movies.


Snuggle time.

All I Want

I'm so thankful for the times I get to spend with my family. When Cam is home and I have all my children around me. I am especially thankful for the family outings we take. On Thursday night Mr. P was starring in his Kindergarten play...he was the turkey! How wonderful that Cam wasn't working and was able to attend with us. It was a dark rainy and quite blustery night to venture out but I felt so happy. I loved taking the kids to see their brother and having Cam able to attend. I've done lots of activities on my own with the kids so it makes me really appreciative of the times Cam is with us.

Mr. P did a fabulous job. He wasn't even nervous. Huge difference from the kid he was two years ago. Back then he wouldn't sing any of the songs at the pre-school concert...he told me he sang them in his head. The kids loved hearing all the songs and watching the play. The sideshow was Sister...who kept pinching the lady in front of us...right on her exposed fat roll! Yes, so embarrassing. She did it about 5 times. I just couldn't stop her quick enough. I would see the poor lady flinch and then realize she had done it again. OH!

Today, as I sit in my pj's listening to the kids playing I'm so thankful that Cam is home this weekend. It's rare and I'm cherishing it:) I can't wait for him to be done with grad school and get a "normal" work schedule that allows for more of these family times together. It's really what I love best.

A few more things I'm thankful for today:

Candles

Humor

Marriage

Music

Water

Water. Clean fresh drinkable water. It's so easy to take it for granted here in the US. Water comes out of a tap...hot OR cold. It's safe to drink. Not only do we have water to drink but to wash our clothes and bodies..and even cars. When I was in Ethiopia I saw first hand what it's like to not have this luxury. I saw women with plastic buckets getting water out of mud puddles and creeks that looked like a garbage dump. I saw men washing their hands and hair in these same rain filled puddles and streams. The water is not clean. The water is filled with waste and parasites and disease. People around the world do not have the luxury we have...that I have. This is the time of year to be thankful for what we have. It's also the time to give to others. I encourage you to give to charities that bring clean drinking water to those who don't have it. Every time you turn on the tap be thankful for what you have.

http://www.globalwater.org/
http://www.worldvision.com.au/ourwork/Solutions/WaterHealthLife.aspx
http://thewaterproject.org/

Some more things to be thankful for today:

Cam will be able to come see Mr. P's Kindergarten play
Warm dry house
Leftovers
Tea time

Funny Times

I'm thankful for all the times I get to laugh. All the times my kids make me laugh...even if it's only on the inside.

This morning Busy Guy was up too early (happens a lot). Cam put cartoons on for him while I was nursing Baby George in bed. When I got up and started breakfast Busy Guy told me he wasn't hungry because he had a bar already. Sometimes he will get out a protein bar and eat it while he watches cartoons. Okay, fine with me....I asked him to bring me the wrapper because he often doesn't finish the whole bar and then when the babies find it it's a real mess. So, up comes Busy Guy with a Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate wrapper! Huh, you had this for breakfast I asked him. Sheepish little face....Uh-huh, he says. LOL! Nice breakfast. Later after telling him that NO, that is not the same as a "bar" I found a second wrapper...mmmm....two dark chocolates for breakfast.

A few more things I'm thankful for today:

Girlfriends

Steak

Fall leaves

New slippers...and flannel pj's

Month of Thankfulness

November is one of my favorite months. I love Thanksgiving. A holiday to reflect on being thankful (plus no crazy decorating/shopping). The kids love to name all the things they are thankful for too. Plus, yummy turkey dinner....mmmmm:) I can't wait.

A few things I'm thankful for today:


Sunshine
Quiet time
Snuggly kids
Books

Speaking of books....Here's Sis at nap time. She loves books too....although I can't leave them in her bed anymore since she has discovered how to tear them up.

Happy Halloween!

The boys on the move with their costumes on. The dragon was carrying around icons of Christ and Mary and kissing them.


Double Spiderman in our house this year....and a little Bumblebee.


Getting everyone to hold still...not so easy:)

We started the day with Mr. P's soccer game. Cam gathered his strength and came with us to the game. Because of his work schedule this quarter he could only make 3 of the games...so he really wanted to be there. After the game we came home for naps/quiet time. Cam and I got to lay in the livingroom and snuggle and read. Wow, it was so nice...and doesn't happen very often. After naps I took Mr. P and Busy Guy to Target to pick out a movie. We usually go to the kids' godparents' house for Halloween but since everyone has been sick it was cancelled. While at Target I got the brilliant idea to bring home Subway for dinner. Yeah! We had a nice yummy dinner and then got the kids in their costumes. I took Mr. P, Busy Guy and Sis to the local mall for trick-or-treating. Cam was too tired and still not feeling so great so he stayed home with the other boys. Since it was pouring down rain the mall was super crowded. We spent about an hour going around the mall getting candy. It was fun to see so many costumes. The bad part was all the candy was the same!!! The kids didn't mind but I do;) I want my annual butterfinger, snickers, almond joy fix! All we have is tootsie roll (that's the kind of lame candy that never tempts me...you know...the one that is the last resort when you need a sugar fix and everything else is gone...even the chocolate chips), dum-dums, gum balls....nothing to make me happy!!! When we got home we put on the movie...Ice Age 3. What a hoot. We really liked it. We snuggled up, ate popcorn, and candy...okay, even I ate some of the less than standard candy. The kids went to be happy. What a fun Halloween.

Oh, NO!

Here's a nice pic of Cam and Tuba when they are well. Nobody wants to see what they look like with this nasty germ! Eeeks...let's just say Cam won't need a Halloween costume. He's going as a Zombie...a crabby one!

The H1N1 flu has hit our house. Cam is very sick with both the flu AND strep throat! Sheeeesh! He has had a high fever and terrible aches since Tues. night. The hospital that he works for has NOT immunized their nurses for H1N1. I'm really mad at them....and do not really understand the reasons behind that decision. Cam was at work treating critically ill patients with H1N1. All other hospitals/doctor offices and even our local fire dept. have been inoculated. If I had two seconds to spare I'd call the CDC and find out why this huge medical center that my hubby works for did not have the vaccine???


Connor is also on antibiotics for strep. The three youngest kids had the vaccine last Sat. and the other two kids are going to get it tomorrow. There was a cutoff of age 4 last week for those allowed to be vaccinated. They won't vaccinate me until sometime in January...I'm not in a risk group. Tell that to the germs in this house:)


I am holding down the fort and hoping and praying to not get sick...or at least to get sick once Cam is well but not on a day when he has to work;) I'm sure God understands why my prayer is so specific. You know how the saying goes....Mom's can't get sick. Well, it's true especially in a house with lots of little ones that want their mama all the time.


Say some prayers for Cam and for the rest of us too.

Sister

Check out the hairdo! Snazzy;)

My sweet little girl is OBSESSED with shoes. I know it's a cliche to say that...but it's true. We don't wear shoes in our house...except that Sis will not follow this rule. She is constantly raiding the shoes rack and putting on shoes. She clops around in all her brothers shoes. She can't manage to walk well in Cam or my shoes. But, she did pee in Cam's sandal this week:) It was bound to happen since she loves to be naked AND wear shoes. Her very favorite shoe is this adorable snow boot. No, we haven't had any snow but Sis doesn't care. She asks for "boots" any time we leave the house. She can get all her shoes on herself...even on the right feet. Spooky. I'm thinking for Christmas this little girl needs some slippers...and maybe some dress-up shoes!

She is growing so fast. She's going to be 2 at the end of the year. Talking, singing, counting...all day long. She counts to 10 and then yells, "ready NOT, here COME!". She is right in the mix with her brothers but also is starting to love playing with her babies. She puts the binky in the baby's mouth and covers it with a blanket. She and Baby George are a hoot. They are so much like twins sometimes. They will hit each other on the head or pull each other's hair and then when the injured one cries they pucker up and kiss. So precious! First thing in the morning when Sis wakes up she calls for me. The second thing she does is YELL her brother's name until he wakes up too and can join her in yelling my name. They are in separate cribs in the same room. Double trouble.

Crazy

This week is conference week which means early release days all week. I've made it through one day and I'm already DONE with it! Here's the schedule:

7:00-Tuba on bus

11:10 pick up Tuba at school

11:25 drop Mr. P off at school

wait in preschool lobby with kids

12:15 drop Busy Guy off at school

drive around and have snack in car

12:55 pick up Mr. P at school. Yes, that was a whole 1.5 hours of school!

go home and have lunch, regroup

2:45 pick up Busy Guy at school

come home, put on pj's, deal with cranky kids who've had to be woken up from their nap...

The good part is I will get to go to Mr. P's conference on Thurs. I can't wait to hear how he is doing;)

The weekend was great. Cam was off both days. Tuba got sick but seems to be better now...just a little lethargic still. Probably since he didn't really eat anything. The kids are counting down the minutes until Halloween!!! And...we have once again found some great property in the country that we LOVE! Now, we have to see if we can swing it, if we can build a house on it, etc. More on that to come.

Back in the Classroom

I got to volunteer today in Mr. P's Kindergarten classroom. So fun!!! I love school and I love to spend time in a classroom. Especially one of my kids' classes. It reminded me how much I love teaching and why I got my degree in education. I haven't taught in a school in a long time but I do still love it. The kids were all adorable and sweet. It's very fun to listen to them chat and work on their projects. I was at a station where the kids made Oreo spiders...Yum! I came home smelling like frosting:) I'll be spending time in his class every other week. Thanks to my awesome MIL who is watching the youngest 3 for me!!!

Baby George

I love this photo...you can see in the edges of it that BG is surrounded by all his siblings. He's happy to be right in the middle of all the fun. He's holding a giant screw that he found in my desk drawer. Sis is to his left...naked except for her snow boots:) I'd like to share that photo but don't want to put any nuddy ones on the net.

I call my youngest two The Babies...but really they are now The Toddlers. Baby George had his 15 month well child visit this morning. He is getting so big...23 lbs. 8 oz. and is 32 " tall. He is still not as tall as his big Sis but he does now outweigh her by almost 2 lbs. BG is talking more and more each day. He is very polite and says "thank you" when you give him food or help him. He now says and signs "more" when he wants food...much better than the high pitched scream he was doing. He has joined the ranks of the other superheroes in this house. He yells out "Batman" at the end of the theme song.

BG puckers up and makes kissy smacks at anyone who is crying...even if the one crying is in time-out for an offense against him. He loves Cam and yells "Dada" when he hears the garage door open. He snuggles up on Cam's chest all the time. BG is still nursing...and getting rather demanding about it. He pulls my shirt and makes a big fuss when I say no. I'm trying to wean him off...just nursing before bedtime but BG has other plans;) He is sleeping through the night now too...Yeah! It took me forever to try some tough love on him. He cried for about 5 minutes a couple of times and that was it. Silly me for waiting so long.

This little boy is a real joy and treasure to our family. He's growing so fast but he's still the baby.

The Good and the Bad

Mr. P made this adorable caterpillar a couple of years ago at pre-school. It gives me such joy to look at. It was during his green faze. He would bring home art project after art project and they would all be green.

Well, I'd say I usually blog about the fun, happy and charming sides of my family life. BUT, this is a very hard year and I'm having a VERY hard week. I debated whether to say anything here in blog land...as it is here for anyone and everyone to read. But, this is me, the good and the bad. I'm an honest person and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I do not have a good poker face at all so why have a poker face here on my blog too?


As you know my hubby Cam is in grad school. He has one year left....one long and hard year! UGH! Right now, this week, today, this minute that sounds like FOREVER. It sounds un-doable, it sounds downright rotten. I feel like throwing in the towel. I feel cranky, overworked and under appreciated. I feel lonely, yet I'm never alone. I feel stressed. I feel tired even though I'm finally getting some sleep at night. I feel tense and I'm snappy. I cried at the gym yesterday for the whole hour I was on the treadmill. I cried when the babies threw all their dinner on the carpet. I've yelled at the kids...more than once. I really miss my hubby. He is working so hard at both school and work. He sees the kids for a couple of nights (2 hours) a week and maybe one day a week. It's not enough for any of us. This quarter consists of 2 full days of clinical, 2 full days of classes, and 2-12 hour work shifts. When you add in studying that doesn't leave much time for anything else. On top of the craziness we have colds and Baby George is teething his eye teeth...yes, the dreaded eye teeth. He is cranky and clinging. I have little bruises all over my body from him biting me. By the end of the day I feel like I've been slowly pecked to death by chickens. My house is a disaster....I know what everyone will say...having a clean house isn't important but it helps me function better. I'm not talking sparkling clean but maintained and organized. Probably should get off here and start cleaning:)


I know this too shall pass and I'm going to put my head down and push forward...and do my best. Little things are helping me get through this. The highlights of the week were; coming home from the gym and finding Cam had cleaned the kitchen and dressed the kids...yeah:), a friend offered to bring Mr. P home from school on Friday so I didn't have to load the kids up and venture out into the pouring rain....yeah:), an email and phone call from a friend and her offer to help us out in any way, plus her encouragement....yeah:), my MIL watched the babies so I could go on a field trip with Busy Guy...yeah:). I feel better today than I did on Thurs. so these little things are helping. Cam and I working together and are giving it an extra effort to be kind to each other and be aware of the other's needs. I will pray more and read the Psalms. I always find comfort and encouragement in the Psalms. Pray for me. I could use the extra prayers.

Pumpkin Patch

We took our 5 little pumpkins to the pumpkin patch yesterday. What a fun time we had!

From left: Mr. P-6, Baby George-15 mos., Sis-21 mos., Busy Guy-3, Tuba-13

We are off to find some pumpkins in the patch. Love those boys in their twin coats! They both picked orange for their coat this school year.

Smiley Tuba enjoying the time together.

Sis found her perfect pumpkin.

Tuba found a good one too.

Busy Guy claims his pumpkin.

Mr. P carries his back to the wheel barrow.

I'm teaching Mr. P to use my camera. He took this great shot of Papa and I.

Sis was cracking me up. She kept trying to put her brother's hood up...such a little mommy. However, it was NOT appreciated by her brother;)

Baby George playing peek-a-boo on the pirate ship.

Tractor driving time.

We even got to ride in a speed boat.

A good time was had by all. And we went home with fresh pressed cider and a huge bag of kettle corn. YUMMY! Pumpkin carving night is tomorrow at the preschool. Cam has requested his pumpkin be turned into pie!