Random Grace

Long Time, No See

2011-04-19T12:19:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I know it's been forever since I've been on my blog. I'm bad. I know it.

We've had crazy storms in this part of the world today. Lot's of downpours, thunder, and lightening. Thankfully no hail and no tornadoes...yet. They are saying we will probably get hail during tonight's round of storms. We are however under a flood warning currently, and looking at my backyard makes me wanna put my swimsuit on and take a swim.

Bowzer is so funny during thunder. He sticks as close to me as possible the entire time it's thundering. It's quite laughable to see a moose-sized dog scared of something.

The boys had a field trip this morning to the state park nearby here. Total, there were probably 200 or so kids that went. We were supposed to be observing the creek that runs through the park. It's normally a fun place to go. The creek is really wide, but in many places it's very shallow and perfect for wading and observing wildlife and plants in and around the water. Today? The water in our normal observation spot, which is normally at the most a foot deep, is currently about 4-5 feet deep and flowing really fast. Quite scarey. So, we found another location along the creek to set-up our observation area for the day. The water was much more shallow, and because of the flooding the was an additional area off the the side that doesn't normally have water in it. So, it seemed to be perfect. About the time we walked far enough back on the trail to get there, it started to thunder and lightening though. Soooo, we turned around, walked back to the buses, and were planning to wait it out on the buses until the storm passed, deciding that we'd stay if it was "just" raining. But the storm got bigger as we watched it on radars on everyone's Iphones, so made the decision to call it a day and sent the rather disappointed kiddos back to school. A few of the teachers and parents walked back to gather up all the stuff from the observation site before we headed home ourselves.

It was muddy. It was cold. It was wet. All in all though, the short time we were out there, was actually fun though.

This evening there in nothing on our schedule and I am going to completely enjoy all 5 of us being home the entire evening. Maybe we'll make a fire in the fireplace while we sit around listening to the rain fall. Sounds like an awesome evening to me.

She Is Polly...She Will Always Be My Friend

2010-08-05T01:19:00.003-05:00

Last Friday morning, my best-friend Polly Baker was murdered. That's a word nobody ever wants to use in a sentence containing the name of someone they love. We had just moved away one month before, so I hadn't seen her for an entire month. I was missing her already, and now...

Another best-friend from here in Ohio called Jeff so he could tell me personally instead of telling me on the phone. We headed back to OH a couple hours later. I'm still here staying with our best-friend Crystal. Jeff and the kids will be here tomorrow night. After they get here, we have to tell the kids what happened. We told them that she died, but not how. Tomorrow night, I have to look at my babies and watch as their little minds adjust to the fact that their world is a screwed up place. See, not only was their Miss Polly murdered, but it seems that the man who professed to love her and fathered her six beautiful children, is the one that did it...and then he took his own life.

As a grown-up, I can't get my own mind around this. How the hell is a child supposed to? But yet we know we have to tell them. I don't want them to hear someone say something about and feel lied to.

Polly was the most amazing woman. She gave the most incredible hugs. She'd latch onto you and hold tight. She had a sense for how someone was doing without really asking, she just knew. She was such an emotioal woman that rarely was there a week go by without at least one conversation involving tears. That was just our Polly. She loved to cook for people, and it wasn't unusual for her to have 3 or 4 crock-pots plugged in places around the school building so she could feed the masses. My counter top was the recipient of crock-pots of food made with her sweet hands on occasion. Her best and most famous dish was Lava Cake made in the crock-pot. Every child at the elementary school where all of our children go to school loved Mrs. Baker's Lava Cake.

Polly was known to break into Spanish at any time, leaving the majority of us around her completely clueless. Then she'd laugh when we told her to knock it off, or sometimes someone was around that could speak it as fluently as she, and they'd just start jabbering while leaving the rest of us in the dark!

She was the incredible mama of 6 children. The oldest will be in 8th grade, the next one 5th grade, the next 4th grade, 2nd grade, 1st grade, and the youngest is 4 and in preschool. She lived for those little ones. She spent all her time with them. Even when they were all at school, she was there volunteering more days than not. She proudly drove around a huge, red van that held all her children, with the plates "BakerBus" on the back. Most in town knew that van. She loved to pull out her phone and show everyone pictures of her kiddos, and then she'd always have to share a stupid joke she'd gotten in her email or texts recently. She could have the strangest sense of humor, but you had to laugh because she so obviously thought it was funny.

The very last night we were here in Ohio before we moved to Indiana a month ago, Polly stayed up with me until 3 am helping me finish packing and cleaning. She was upstairs working, and I was downstairs. The entire night we were talking back and forth between the two floors making cracks at each other and just chatting about the past, present, and future. We made plans to help Isaiah (our oldest) and her second oldest, stay in touch through the years. They have some serious crushes on each other and were both brokenhearted about having to say goodbye. We stopped to hug each other and cry about every 30 minutes most of that night. Neither one of us obviously had any idea that the hug, kisses, and tears we shared at 3 am on that morning were the last we'd ever share. We made plans to get together the weekend of the fair when we came back for a visit.

I will never be the same person I was before Polly Baker became part of my heart. She showed me how to be a patient mom. She showed me that everyone deserves to be accepted. She showed me that everyone needs a chance. She showed me that it is possible for one person to love the entire world and make a big impact. I will love her and miss her the rest of my life.

May your spirit soar my sweet, sweet Polly-girl.

Reach Out and Dance May 2010

2010-05-16T19:57:00.000-05:00

This is Isaiah's class. It's a little more difficult to point him out, but I bet if you watch close, you'll find him. He did soooo amazing!

Reach Out and Dance May 2010

2010-05-16T19:26:00.000-05:00

Last week Isaiah and Jacob participated in a dance program called "Reach Out and Dance". This is put on by all the fourth and fifth graders from the elementary schools in town, plus a few of the sixth graders. A dance company from up around Cleveland comes to each school starting in October of the school year and works with each group once a week. The program is based on the idea the children who participate in the arts do better in school academically and behaviorally. After almost an entire year of working, the kiddos get together at the high school and do a show for all of us to see. They bus in all the younger students from all the schools and lots of parents and family show up to watch. Just like last year, I cried. I'm so proud of all of them. When I see Isaiah Michael perform so well, all the memories of the beginning of his life come flooding back, and I'm just that much more proud.

This video is of Jacob's class. He's the front kid in the group to the very right.

We Got Seriously Dumped On

2010-02-06T19:36:00.002-05:00

I wish I had the camera here, but Jeff took it with him to Charlotte. When all was said and done, we ended up with around 16 inches of snow. Wet and heavy snow. The kind that makes your back scream "mercy" while your shoveling it away. What I wouldn't do for a snowblower right now. I mean, really, who lives in northeastern Ohio without a snowblower?... Oh yah, us po' folk. I'm just dreading tomorrow morning when I try to roll out of bed and every muscle in my body is screaming at me to just forget it and stay in bed. The boys helped alot, but I still had to do quite a bit. Our neighbor finally felt sorry for me because Jeff is gone right now and finished off the last two feet or so. Ya know, the nasty stuff that gets shoved into your driveway when the snowplows go by. The dirty, icy stuff that is rockhard. The kids have been out several times today to play and shovel. Each time they come back in, they'd throw their stuff in the dryer, and then head back out when it was all dry again. I realized last night that my boys' boots are alot easier to put on than mine are, and since they fit me perfect, that what I used most of the time. Which meant that many time one of them was waiting for their boots to be removed from my feet so they could go back out! Bowzer has also had a blast today in the snow. His 12 year old self goes out and bounds through the snow drifts that come up to his back and then he explodes out of them throwing snow out of his mouth and into the air. It's really quite entertaining to watch!

We had soup made from all the leftovers that have been collecting in the fridge this week, so it was quite a hodge-podge of stuff, but Bee declared it the best soup she's ever had. Too bad, she'll never have that exact soup again. :) We're gonna have ice cream to cap off the day and then watch a movie in the family room while we go to sleep!

2010-02-05T20:35:00.002-05:00

It's snowing here in northeastern Ohio. Alot. I'm sick of all this fluffy, white stuff. Spring needs to get here really quick! Ugh!

It Only Seems Appropriate That This Post Would Be About Vampires and Pat Robertson At The Same Time (He Sucks the Life Right Out of Me)

2010-01-13T23:12:00.006-05:00

It's late. I really should be in bed. After a comfort dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, I went out with a friend this evening to see "New Moon" again. It leaves town tomorrow, so we got one last hurrah in before it goes. I'm a total Twilight junkie. If you actually take the time to get past the whole vampire thing, they're actually awesome books. The love story that takes place throughout the four books is entrancing. If only more couples were that much in love and dedicated to taking care of one another, our world would be a different place.

Just in case anyone wants to actually hear my opinion on Pat Robertson tonight... I can't stand the man. I actually feel sorry for him. To think that his life is based in a faith that is so shallow, and so void of compassion, that while and entire country has been brought to it's knees in horror, that he would use his platform, his "fame", his "power", and his need to control to actually stand there and say that it all happened because their ancestors sold their souls to the devil is absolutely appalling to me. Is there really any wonder that the world looks at Christians the way they do? I mean really,come on folks. That's sickening.

I spent several hours at the school today working. Can I just say that lunch duty was horrible today? The fifth graders (my boys' class) have been awful during lunch all week. They started lunch today "on red". Which means a silent lunch for them. What's wierd is that's so unlike that class. They've always been "the favored child" so to speak in that school. They all love each other and don't get too horribly petty with each other. I think that one of two things... or both... is happening in there. Either they have decided that the "good boy" act is up and they are taking advantage of it, or it's the teacher. One of their teachers is not an easy one, and I thinks it's making a big difference in the class dynamics this year. It's probably both things though. But even though they were supposed to be silent, they still got into alot of trouble talking! Ugh! On top of that, we had about 8 milk spills today. Two kindergarten kids dumped their entire carton of milk down the front of them... with their coats on. Yuck!

Well, I'm off to bed! Morning comes way to fast! Love to all.

BTW... if you don't agree with me about P.R. that's fine, but seeing how this is my blog, don't argue with me. I'll delete it.

Happy New Year and Yes I'm Still Around

2010-01-12T22:35:00.002-05:00

With the brand new year I'm gonna try to post on here a little more often than I have for the last year or more. Unfortunately for this blog, life gets in the way and Facebook's just quicker and requires less thought.

The school year's going good for the kids. The boys unfortunately have a really tough teacher this year and it's not unusual for them to have two hours of homework in the evening. Not bad if your in high school, but they're fifth graders for crapsake. Bee is learning to read and doing amazing with it. We are seriously considering homeschooling next fall. Not because we don't like the school they are in, but because it's something we always wanted to do and just never done. We're looking at a couple of online academies to see what we think of them. I would love to have them home learning with us. We shall see.

Bee is in Daisy scouts again this year. This is the first year they've had first graders be Daisies instead of moving up to Brownies. Cookie sales are going right now. They started on Sunday,(although there were girls selling door to door before that who apparently thought they were above the rules), and Bee had sold about 70 boxes before the day was up. She's a good little salesgirl.

Prophet is still loving soccer. This time of the year, there are no leagues playing, but he starts footskills on Wednesday here soon. Both the boys are playing instruments this year at school. D.K. is playing the trumpet and Prophet's playing the clarinet. If they'd just practice more often, they'd actually be pretty good. Can't figure out how to convince them of that though.

With this being my first year in over 12 years of not having anyone at home during the day since Bee started school all day, this stay at home mom had some adjusting to do. I volunteer at the school 3 days a week. Clean the house on one day, and try to run errands on another. My health still has its ups and downs but I take it as it comes and just keep trodding along.

We absolutely love living here in Ohio. I have made some wonderful friends that I love dearly and know I can depend on no matter what. This is the best little town in the world as far as we're concerned. My hubby is now working for Goodwill as well as being the youth and children's pastor at the church. Both have pretty much full time hours, so there are some days that he's exhausted, but still manages to pick up the kids from school and eat dinner with us most of the time.

I've really been into Facebook lately and have found many old friends. I also love keeping up with all my local friends on there too. While FB is a great thing, it also has the ability to cause arguments and such when you write something that others don't agree with, and instead of letting it go, they just keep going with it. Such was the case last month so I stepped away from it for awhile. The internet's a great thing most of the time, but sometimes you just have to know when to step away.

Anyway, I know this is pretty boring stuff, especially if you're one of my FB friends who I "see" everyday. Love to you all, and here's hoping I get on here more than twice in 2010!

Bethany's New Haircut

2009-11-22T14:56:00.002-05:00

Before. We had already cut her bangs here, that's why they're wet.

After haircut, bath, and change of clothes. I love the pixie look on her.

I Will Always Remember

2009-09-11T08:45:00.007-05:00

I will always remember exactly where I was when I found out that the twin towers had been hit. I remember the exact layout of my living room in our little house in Winchester, KY on that September morning eight years ago. EIGHT years ago. How is it possible that it's been eight years since that horrible thing that changed not only the physical landscape of our nation, but the emotional, and dare I say the spiritual. How is it possible that time has continued to move forward eight years. On that morning, I couldn't see past my fear, my dread of what was to come for my children, or my intense grief for those who had lost husbands and wives, sisters and brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends...for those of us who lost all trust in our world. I learned that day what it was like to mourn for people I had never met. I shed tears that day for all the souls lost from the earth and all the spirits that were broken.

I remember getting in my car with D.K. and driving over to Prophet's school, simply because I needed to be where he was. I remember walking into the church and there being two other mom's that needed the same thing with their little ones. I remember the teacher looking at the tears in my eyes with question and having to ask if she knew. I remember saying, "You have no idea, you haven't seen it yet, " through my tears. I remember standing in the hallway outside the chapel while our little ones finished their chapel time that morning and the questioning looks us moms got from our little ones' eyes as they walked past us to go back to their classroom.

I remember the hours and hours of coverage. I remember all the channels either going off the air, doing tributes, or following the news stories. I remember the depression that took over for many of us as reality set in that our perfect little corner of the world had actually been invaded by this heinous person. I remember the anger, the disbelief, and then the urge to make it all right again.

I remember going into church the very next Sunday morning, getting up on stage, and singing "God Is In Control" through my tears, in front of a crowd full of people looking at me through their own. I remember not being sure I actually believed that He was in control. I remember that being the start of my questioning God...that was the time when my unquestioned belief that God would always make things right quivered and has never completely returned. I remember that being the time when I realized that prayer doesn't always make things happen the way we want them to. I remember that being the time when reality hit that we aren't God's little puppets on strings and no matter what someone prays for us to do or not do, it's ultimately up to us to do or not do it....which is what happened on this day eight years ago.

A man decided of his own free will that he didn't like us, so he made the decision to change our country forever. God does not control us. He doesn't "sit up there" and zap us down here to make us stop doing things that are bad for us or those around us, or to make us do the right thing. He created each of us with our own free will. Our right to choose is our God given right. What we choose to do with that free-will is our own choice. A choice that should not be taken away by anyone, and unfortunately more often than we want to admit, our choices, like his that day eight years ago, make other people's lives change forever.

So whats the point of God then? He's my Father. He's my Creator. He's the source of my strength. He's the Shelter I seek. He's the only One who knows all there is to know about me. He's the One Who Loves Me Most in this world....and because I believe all of those things, He deserves my worship. He deserves to have my love. Because I love my god, I try to live for Him. I try to be His hands and feet while I'm on this earth. I try to take care of the hurt and pain I see around me. Because He's my Creator, my Father, my Source of Strength, my Shelter, the One Who Knows Me and Loves me the Most...because He is all those things to me, I have the strength to get through a day like 9/11 was eight years ago and arrive at today a more confident woman, a strong mother, a loving wife, a good friend, and a humble servant of God.

That day changed me in so many ways. I am not the same person I was when I woke-up that morning eight years ago. Thankfully, my Father held on to me tight through all of my questioning. He never let go, and never will.

First Day of School (from the last three years)

2009-08-30T22:39:00.002-05:00

First day of school this year. Boys are in fifth grade. Bee is in 1st.

First day of school 08. Boys were in fourth grade.

Bee's first day of school in kindergarten. 2008.

First day of school 07. Boys were in 3rd grade.

Look how much the boys have grown and changed in these pictures from year to year. Look where their heads are compared to the fireplace mantle and the picture above it. Crazy!!

Pics for My Grandma (Happy Birthday)

2009-08-30T22:26:00.003-05:00

Fourth of July Pictures.

The boys playing tether ball on the school playground.

Walking to the ice cream shoppe.

In Illinois visiting with Grannie and Paw

2009-07-22T22:17:00.002-05:00

Little brother turning big brother on his head!

Big lollipop from Grannie.

Prophet lovin' on Jessie.

At Meadowbrooke park.

Playin' In the Creek

2009-07-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Our Bee.

Prophet trying to be debonair.

D.K. trying to rest in the cold creek!

Prophet trying to cause trouble by pushing D.K. in.

Bee getting splashed.

D.K. getting ready to throw Prophet down.

He got him down....

...but then Prophet turned around and knocked him on his butt!

Playing Ball in the Rain

2009-07-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

The boys were out in the driveway playing basketball when a big storm came in. They just kept playing.

They finally decided to come running in the house. Not sure what the hurry was, seein' how they were already soaking wet!

Farmer's Market Day

2009-06-30T12:00:00.001-05:00

These were taken last Saturday on the way to the Farmer's Market.

Prophet looking very handsome.

All three of my little people before the walk over.

D.K. once again carrying Miss Bee. He's a sucka'!

Prophet carrying D.K.'s honey for him while he carries Bee on his back.

The Last Day of School

2009-06-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

These were taken during the last day of school with the boys' class. They played all day long, and had lots of fun!

Prophet working on his tie-dye shirt.

D.K. twisting his shirt to get ready to tie-dye it.

D.K. dying his shirt red, white, and blue.

Bee and I ate with the boys' class. She sat there and chatted up a storm with the big girls. It was funny!

Miss Crystal... she awesome. She's the reason the entire class of 45 kids got to tie-dye a t-shirt. She set it all up and it all went off without a huge mess or any catastrophes. Now all of us have new tie-dye t-shirts.

Kids' Day

2009-06-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Each year, our little town has "Kids' Day" downtown. These are some pics taken that day.

Bee having an ice cream cone painted on her arm. We waited in line for at least 30 minutes to have this done.

Making a sun visor.

D.K...

Prophet...

I love this picture of her.

Our Family Trip To PA

2009-06-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

All of Smart Guy's family met up in a little campground in PA last week. We rented a couple cabins. We swam, played b-bal, sat around the fire, made smores, had a weinie roast, walked, and just had a wonderful time. The trip went way too fast and I think most of us would have stayed several more days.

Grandma and PawPaw with all the grandkids on one of the cabin's steps.

Bee climbing the playground's rock wall in her swimsuit after being in the pool.

Bee and my niece Nini sharing the love.

My crazy boys!

Enjoying the pool! That water was soooo cold, but it was warmer than the air, so once you got used to it, it actually started feeling warm.

Bee's 1st T-ball game

2009-06-17T19:29:00.000-05:00

The very first game of the season was with a team that a classmate plays on.

She's such a stinker.

Runnin' to first base.

It cracks me up how they all run for the ball at the same time and end up in a heap of 5 and 6 year olds, and then one of them will suddenly pop up with the ball in their hand.

Sittin' down on the job!!

2009-06-14T22:43:00.006-05:00

Okay, I know it's been forever since I've been on here. I've been doing all my stuff over on Facebook. I can't believe anyone's still actually checking my blog, but apparently there are still a few. I'm gonna try to be better about putting pictures on for my Grandma, but other than that I won't be doing much here.

These were all taken on field day at the end of the school year. This is Miss Bee with a little girlfriend from her class. They were tossing water balloons.

Bee jumpin' a bale of hay.

Bee with her best-friend!

D.K. jumpin' the same bale of hay that Bee jumped in the earlier pciture. It was a little worn out by the time the boys' class got there.

Prophet and some of his classmates just as it started pouring down rain. It rained so hard that the kids were all soaked by the time they got inside. The entire school tried to get in the building using one door and it took forever.

What Easter Means To Me

2009-04-12T22:26:00.004-05:00

This morning I had a sick kiddo, so I didn't get to go to church on Easter morning. I'm not sure that's ever happened before. Not in my memory anyway. So, I've been sitting here thinking about what Jesus did for me and what it means.

Because Jesus was killed on that cross...

It means that I'm not bound by any type of religious rules and traditions. It means that by His grace I'm a free woman. It means that nothing I do can get me into Heaven. It also means that not doing something isn't gonna keep me out of Heaven. It means that I don't have to keep track of my "religious tallie marks". It means that I am simply free to be His hands and feet while I am on this planet by taking care of those who are unable to take care of themselves. It means that when I die, I go to Heaven for the simple fact that I believe in Him and accept that His death was for me.

Grace. How awesome is that?

Big Brothers Can Really Come In Handy

2009-04-09T21:44:00.003-05:00

By the time we got back to the house and took a hike, Bee's legs were tired and she didn't waste any time telling us all about it. So, D.K. volunteered his services to pack her about like so many lumps on a camels back.

Those two little specks are of Prophet and D.K. still carrying Bee on his back.

Still hangin' on.

Finally put her down at the top of the hill. Oh my achin' back!

Climbing Trees

2009-04-09T21:39:00.001-05:00

Prophet in a tree.

D.K. in the same tree.

Mudd, Glorious, Mudd

2009-04-09T21:22:00.007-05:00

Alot of this...

Swampy stuff..

More swampy stuff...

Yet more of the swampy stuff...

And again...

You're catchin on, more of the swampy stuff...

Again...

...equals alot of this...

I've realized that Michigan at this time of the year is a big swamp. I've gone thru an entire bottle of spray n wash this week. Which is a small price to pay for having wonderful, icky fun with my kids!!

Our Day In Cutouts

2009-04-09T20:27:00.009-05:00

We got up and drove into Lansing this morning to go to the State History Museum and the Potter Park Zoo. Every time the kids (and Smart Guy a few times) saw a cutout, they went running for it while yelling for me to take their picture. Here's all of them!

Through It All by Hillsong

2009-04-08T21:23:00.005-05:00

Thia is a beautiful song. My favorite line in the song is "you see me through the seasons". How true is that? He has seen me through so many seasons of my life, the good ones, the bad ones, the easy ones, the tough ones, the ones when He was silent, and the ones when He was in my face and obvious. He's always here and He's always carrying me. Always. No matter how it may feel sometimes.

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You

I will sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

A Furry Little Friend

2009-04-08T20:20:00.003-05:00

As we all walked back up to the house for dinner, Bee and I took a different route so she could collect rocks as we walked. I saw the guys all stopped ahead of us, and heard Smart Guy yell something that I couldn't understand over the wind. When I looked closely, this is what I saw. See the small creature on the ground?

When I got up close, this is what was there...

Yes, that a opussum. It just sat there and watched us walked around it. It was really wierd. I've never seen a live opossum up that close. After we walked away, it slowly made it's way down the hill toward the lake and disappeared.

D.K. Crossing The Creek

2009-04-08T20:08:00.004-05:00

Once he got across, he decided that he couldn't get back without the log breaking and sending him into the freezing cold creek, so he followed the creek on the other side until he got to the bridge and met up with us there. That orange speck in the picture is him following us on the other side of the creek.

After Lunch Today

2009-04-08T19:45:00.002-05:00

Prophet trying to fish with a fishing pole he found that didn't actually work. He did however succeed in hooking his pants quite well.

He seems to always have a ball in his hands.

Standing in the gazebo that sits on top of the creek running out of the lake.

Bee going down the steps crossing the creek to the trail.

Daddy and D.K. once again trying to fix the fishing pole so it would be usable. Bee and D.K. even dug up some worms to use as bait.

Playin' in the Snow

2009-04-08T19:09:00.003-05:00

We were able to get a little more snow play in before lunch this morning, then it all melted away into a beautiful sunny day.

Prophet threw a snowball a Smart Guy as he took the picture.

If you blow-up this picture (click on it) you should be able to see Smart Guy at the edge of the woods as he came up behind the boys from the woods with armfulls of snowballs to "ambush" them!

D.K. rubbed Prophet's face with snow to get him back for all the close range snowballs he had taken in the face the last two days. Brrrr! Look at those red cheeks!

Smart Guys... actually I'm not sure what he's doing here!

The beginnings of D.K.'s snow fort that he affectionally named "Fort Grace" in honor of his favorite mom!

2009-04-07T16:46:00.003-05:00

On a happier note. "Race To Witch Mountain" was very good. It didn't get very good reviews, so I wasn't sure, but we really enjoyed it. It was funny in spots and intense in others. We downed two large pops and a huge thing of popcorn while watching. Now we are back at the cottage and the kiddos are bundled up running around outside.

I'm getting ready to put together a homemade chicken pot pie (no ruby I didn't make my own crust, those roll-up things are just fine for me, I'm on vacation). But the gravy is totally from scratch with fresh veggies. Everyone in the family got to pick one dinner while we're here and the chicken pot pie is D.K.'s pick. Last night's meatball calzones were Smart Guy's choice. We'll be making brownies here in a bit for sundaes later, just what my thighs needs, I know.

Oh Brother

2009-04-07T16:25:00.002-05:00

Last Thursday we left Ohio and headed for Illinois to see Inkling. We used our debit card to get gas before left Ohio, and then again in Indiana for dinner. On Saturday we once again used the card in Indiana, and then again in Ohio. On Sunday we used the card in Ohio for gas, and then in Michigan for groceries and dinner out right after we arrived. Apparently the use of our debit over three states in two days signaled a red flag. When I went into Aldi's to get a few extra things and the candy for the kids' Easter baskets, our card was denied. Huh? What's that all about? It's a debit card, either the money's there or it's not, and we know that it is. The manager at Aldi's told me that she thought it was their system simply not accepting the out of town card. Since we knew there was denitely money in our account, we decided to go over to the bank and try to withdraw some money! Ha... note to self, if card is denied by store, don't put card into an atm, because the machine will keep your card. Ugh!

Of course this all had to happen at 5:00 when our bank had just closed and the one that just took our card. So Smart Guy's gonna be in their parking lot as soon as they open in the morning to try to figure out what the heck is going on. Here's hoping.

More Pics from Spring Break

2009-04-06T16:48:00.008-05:00

Thankfully once it actually stopped snowing late yesterday morning, it immediately warmed up a little, so the snow started to melt. It's still not gone, and now it's snowing again, but you can still see the grass. Last night we made meatball calzones for dinner, watched the deer out the windows while we ate, and then we had a fire in the fireplace and all hung out in the living room watching the championship game. My family is currently sitting behind me playing another game of Life (for the fourth time) without me. After lunch today, we're gonna go into town and see "Race To Witch Mountain", and then we're gonna stop and get stuff to make brownie sundaes tonight.

Here's a few pics of yesterdays adventures.

Everyone played a longggggg game of Life yesterday morning. Two hours long to be exact.

Bee wanted everyone to see her wiggle her bottom tooth. Notice the hot chocolate ring around her mouth.

Bee and the young lady whose parents own the cottage we're in playing on the swingset by the house.

The boys playing in the snow.

I think it's cool how you can see the snowball explode on D.K.'s face.

Smart Guy was standing in front of them taking pics while I was behind them, so he got a pic of the snowball still flying thru the air.

Grasshopper

2009-04-06T09:39:00.003-05:00

Here's a few pics of Grasshopper (best-friend's baby boy) and Bee from last weekend. We have several more pics, but I still need to get them from my mom. As soon as I do, I'll get them on here.

She's tickling him here.

Isn't he just delicious! He's got perfect baby rolls everywhere.

We Got Snow

2009-04-06T09:23:00.003-05:00

Yesterday on the way up here, we stopped at a state park on Lake Erie. This is Bee diggin' in the sand even though it was freezin' and windy outside!

If you look you can see a heron standing in the water in the center of the picture.

This is what we woke up to this morning. I didn't feel like sticking my arm outside first thing this morning, so you get water drops from the window and all.

You can see the lake and gazebo down at the bottom of the hill.

Happy Spring Break

2009-04-05T22:06:00.002-05:00

We left after to church this afternoon to head for a little cottage out in the countryside of Michigan. We got here around 6:30 this evening, unpacked, went out for dinner at a little ma and pa place that was recommended by some locals, and then headed to the grocery store to stock up for the week.

Bee has been wanting to see a beach, so on the way up here, we stopped at a state park right on Lake Erie and got out so she could see the beach. Not exactly beautiful this time of the year, and the wind and cold left much to be desired, but she loved it anyway. As soon as we got close enough to dig her fingers into the sand, she did.

As we drove-up we were listening to the radio and discovered that the entire area is under a late winter storm warning! Yippee! When we got the computer hooked up, I got on and discovered that we are forecasted to get 6-8 inches of snow by morning! Yah, happy spring break, huh! I know, that's what we get for going to Michigan for spring break. We've been told before that it's the wrong direction.

I have a question for anyone who lives up here in Michigan... We noticed when we've been up here before that all the items in the grocery store are individually tagged with their prices, even in big places like Walmart and Meijer. Is this a Michigan thing or is it just something that this particular county does? The only stores in other places we've been that individually label all the stuff are the little tiny ones, and even then not all of them do it. Silly thing to wonder about, but I thought I'd ask.

Maybe I'll post some pics of the deer in the snow in the morning! Goodnight!

Still Around

2009-04-04T21:14:00.006-05:00

Yes folks, I'm still here. It's been busy around here lately and I've basically been in a blog rut. I just haven't wanted to write anything.

Thursday we took the boys out of school at 1:00 and headed for my parents' house in Il to visit with Inkling. For my local readers, she's my best-friend who lives in Canada, just had a baby boy in January and has had a horrible time healing from a major birth injury. Inkling, her hubby Henry David, and their new baby boy, Grasshopper have been in the states for over a week and drove to IL to see her IL family this weekend. We were able to visit for them for several hours yesterday. I was able to love on that precious little boy as much as I wanted to for about four hours. That meant that I held him the entire time except when he was nursing. I even changed his diaper three times, two of those being poopy diapers, seeing how I owe his mama many, many diaper changes from the many years of helping with my own little people before she met her beloved hubby. The poor little guy was suffering from a double ear infection brought on by our lovely midwestern allergies. He had just been to the walk-in clinic an hour before they came over, but he was a sweet and pleasant as can be and shared many smiles with us. I definitely did my share of kissin' a bald spot on the side of his sweet little head. He even took a nap for about 90 minutes in my arms during which time I chatted with Henry David while Inkling took her Sara Orange Gang (my children) downstairs to share one of her famous stories with them. Oh the bliss! It was so awesome seeing my best-friend as a mama. I knew she'd be amazing in her new roll. You can see how smitten mama and little boy are with each other when they look at each other.

And once again, seasons in a friendship change. (past post about seasonal changes in our friendship when she got married) But that's a good thing. Life changes. Now we have motherhood to share. God put us in one another's lives for a reason. We need each other. We don't always agree with one another, but we try to respect each other. The older we get, the more I realize what a treasure it is to have a lifelong friend like Inkling.

Happy Birthday

2009-03-23T19:55:00.002-05:00

Thirty-seven years ago today a baby boy was born that would one day become my incredible husband. Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

2009-03-13T18:59:00.002-05:00

i'm typing with one hand while cuddling a five pound miracle girl in my other arm. A few minutes ago i gave my sweet nephew back to his mama. this evening i have eaten pizza while crowded into the living room at mountain mom and grizzley dad's house nwatching the wvu game. i have been grinned at. i have been given a sweet belly laugh. i have given many rasberries (one of which scared him to death and made me feel horrible... note to self, don't blow rasberries on his feet). i have passed babies around. i have kissed the fevered forehead of a sick niece (she supposed to come home with us tonight). i have smooched fuzzy little heads until i think i wore off some hair. i've been spit-up on. i've pretty much worn a certain nephew's entire diiner tonight...these jeans will have to be washed a little sooner than normal.

I love my family.

Random Pictures At the Hospital

2009-03-07T11:03:00.001-05:00

Daddy changing baby's first diaper. Notice all the crazy women standing in the window staring.... myself the craziest of them all.

My niece Nini proudly sporting her "Big Sister" shirt.

She wanted her fingers in her mouth so bad. Occasionally they made contact and she'd suck and suck on 'em.

I think this is such a sweet picture. She looks even tinier when her daddy holds her because he's such a big dude.

2009-03-06T01:30:00.004-05:00

I'm up with a sick child. Bee woke us up screaming in pain about 20 minutes ago. I ran upstairs to see what was going on. When I got there, she was laying on the bed screaming and saying how "uncomfortable" she was. I personally thought that was an odd/wierd choice for a 6-year-old to use, but okay. I helped her sit up and she started screaming that her head hurt. She was burning up with fever (she's had one on again/off again for the last 36 hours), so I was gonna let her come downstairs and sleep where I could watch her more closely the rest of the night. As soon as I started to lift her out of bed, she threw-up all over the bed. I called for Smart Guy, who came up and took care of her while I stripped the bed and got that stuff going in the washing machine. As I was stripping the bed, I could hear her talking a mile-a-minute downstairs. When I got in to her, I took her temp and it was 103.3 again ! Ugh! She talked for about 15 minutes non-stop as if nothing was wrong with her at all. It was almost as if she was possessed. She talked her daddy into sleeping in the family room with right outside our room. She looked at me and told me it was fair because I get to sleep with him next to me all the time, so she could have him for the night.

Now, I hope I can get back to sleep after that jolt awake.

2009-03-05T20:38:00.003-05:00

This is my baby nephew who was born at the end of October weighing 9 1/2 pounds (give or take), and my brand new niece curled up beside him ! He looks like a beluga next to her petite little self !

Happy 15 Anniversary

2009-03-05T18:16:00.002-05:00

Today is our 15th Anniversary ! Wow! I remember when that seemed so far in the future. Now, it's a reality . It's a been quite a wild trip on occasions. We've been thru alot together.

So Honey after 7 states, 15 homes, 9 ministries (geez), 2 cats, 2 dogs, 7 cars (and vans), 3 children, 1 miscarriage, sickness and health, sanity and complete mental instability, I'm proud to say that I think we're better than ever. God knew what he was doing when he put me with you. I can't imagine what my life would be without you, nor do I want to.

Thank you for being my husband.
Thank you for being an amazing dad to our children.
Thank you for loving Jesus.
Thank you for always be steady when I'm about to crumble.
Thank you for always putting your laundry in the laundry chute .
Thank you for all the times you've emptied the dishwasher knowing I hate it.
Thank you for always hanging up your towels.
Thank you for the many things you do that I know many men don't.
Thank you for being an incredibly strong man who makes me a better woman just by being mine.

I love you. Happy anniversary!

My 600th Post

2009-03-04T14:47:00.003-05:00

I'm sitting in my little sisil's hospital room. When I got the phone call yesterday morning, I was at the school working in the boys' classroom. I already had my stuff packed, so I took off about 30 minutes later. By the time I got here she was two centimeters dilated and having good contractions. Unfortunately, the baby's heartbeat wasn't doing too well, so that combined with my sisil's blood pressure, put her in a c-section. They had to do her spinal twice before it finally took. But finally she had a beautiful baby girl. I've had many chances to hold her, including while my little sisil was showering. So, I had her to myself for several minutes and was able to unwrap her and take in all that is so amazing and precious about the smallest members of our world. Babies are just so.... well, you all know what I mean. I cried when I held her for the first time last night. Partly for the sweetness of her small self and partly for the memories of my own very teeny, tiny babies that came flooding thru my mind while I held her miniature head in my hand. It's hard to believe that mine were once that small when I look at them now.

Life passes before us too damn quick.

I'm An Aunt Again

2009-03-03T19:58:00.002-05:00

As of 5:18 pm we have a new baby girl in our family!

She weighs 4 pounds 11 ounces and is 18 inches long. She's tiny, but she's doing great!

The Butt Dialer

2009-02-25T19:42:00.003-05:00

Everytime I see this commercial I think of Inkling's hubby! I had to post it for it so she could see it since she doesn't have a TV (smart couple they are).

WARNING... STRONG OPINION AHEAD...

2009-02-20T00:29:00.004-05:00

... IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT, QUIT READING IMMEDIATELY!!

Ya know what I can't stand? When I go into Bee's kindergarten classroom to help every Wednesday morning and I have to see several little girl's hiney's hanging out of their pants when they sit down on the floor (which they do for quite awhile each day). Please don't put such low cut pants on your little girls with regular length shirts!! I don't want to see your child's plumber's crack! Thank you for listening !!

(No Angela, you're very properly attired daughter is not included in this soapbox. She is always dressed so sweet and little girly)

The Donut Cake

2009-02-20T00:11:00.002-05:00

On Saturday we celebrated Bee and DK's birthdays with a little party at Mountain Mom and Grizzley Dad's house. This is the cake I made for them. We've got better pics of it with the candles in it and lit, but those are on little sil's camera because mine had gone missing at that moment and I forgot to get them off of there. So, here it is. Very easy to make. I did preorder the donuts just to make sure they'd have enough. This is 21 donuts.

Another Baby Shower

2009-02-19T23:53:00.007-05:00

It seems like everytime I turn around the last few months I'm doin' another baby shower for another little one joining the world. My little sil is due real soon. The doc could actually feel the baby's head when she checked her last Tuesday. When I talked to her this afternoon, she was having contractions, but very sporadically. It could still be days or even weeks. I've got my bag packed and ready to go, so if she calls at 2 am, I can get out of here quick. I'm so looking forward to being there. Hopefully I make it in time. This is her second baby, so she may get here faster this time. Please, baby girl, just let Aunt Grace get there, it's only two hours!!

This was taken of all us girls at the shower. My little sil is the short one with the round belly in the middle! The little girl standing next to Bee is her little girl Nini! The one on the left is Mountain Mom (Smart Guy's mom).

The Mighty Ohio River

2009-02-19T22:23:00.006-05:00

Bee and I drove to WV last Friday when the kids were out of school to help with a baby shower for my little SIL. As we drove over I noticed many creeks out of their banks and other places where there were ice chunks as big as my couch along banks of creeks that had since gone back to their banks. When we pulled into Mountain Mom and Grizzley Dad's place right on the banks of the Ohio River, I noticed how high the water was. While it's nowhere near the highest it's ever been, it was still way up from normal. Some of these were taken around 3:30 Friday afternoon. Then I took some of the picks on Monday afternoon around 3:30 as we pulled away from their house to come back home.

Friday afternoon.

Same spot (see the blue thingy) on Monday afternoon.

Friday afternoon. There's actually a dock about 40 feet from the edge of the water and down a hill that's normally completely visible from this shot.

Monday afternoon. The dock is still way under the water.

This was taken Friday afternoon. If you look closely, you can see a volleyball net down in the water. My camera died before I could get the same shot on Monday, but the net was totally out of the water by then, and back on dry (well, super muddy) land by then.

Bee's MRI

2009-02-19T21:22:00.013-05:00

Bee had one of her twice-yearly MRI's last Thursday to check-up on her optic glioma (tumors around her optic nerves). Her appointment was scheduled for 10:40 am. We arrived around 10:00 am (okay, pick up your jaw Mom) hoping they were actually on time. At 10:45 they came in to tell the other parents in the waiting room that the little one before them was taking more time than anticipated and their wait would probably be at least another hour and a half ! Then they turned to us and told us that we probably wouldn't get in until at least 1:00! Yikes! Poor Bee was starving already and very much looking forward to lunch on the way home, then we had to break it to her that she had to wait even longer! They at least gave her some apple juice, which I had her drink out in the hallway away from the other little boy who's test would be sooner so he couldn't have any! These little people with medical issues are expected to be so brave, and sometimes it's just not fair ya know! We went out and got the mini DVD player out of the car, and put on a video for her and the other little guy waiting. That soon became boring though. Thankfully we had taken the laptop so I could work on Sunday School material while we waited, so Smart Guy tapped into the Cleveland Clinics wireless and got her on Playhouse Disney, which kept her occupied and happy until it was time to go back !!

Waiting....

Waiting...

Yep, still waiting...

Finally, we go back, she changes into her green gown, and the nurse brings her a warm blanket straight from the warmer. We wrapped her up in it and then added her blankey (Sara Orange's gift when she was born) and her bunny and she was a happy camper!!

After waiting for a while longer, the anestisiologist (yah, butchered that one I know) came in and told us all the things we've already heard about ten other times during all of her other MRIs, but they have to repeat them again. I do have to say, that the nurses up there are great. They now recognize us when we come in and totally respect the fact that we know what we're doing at this point. A couple of the nurses even remember the circumstance surrounding Bee's last MRI and my own health status at the time. Pretty amazing considering all the many patients that they see in there. So anyway, when they do an MRI on a small child, they typically put them under sedation so they'll be still and not be scared of all the noise. Most of the time they also give Bee something to drink beforehand to make her groggy to relax her. Bee calls this stuff "happy juice". The last three times she's had her MRI done , she has opted out of the "happy juice". She says it tastes bad and she couldn't be anymore relaxed than she is. She's old hat at this stuff by now, and just walks right back there. So, then they ask what kind of lipgloss she wants put in her gas mask, so that it smells good as she's dozing off. This time, she chose to have all of them smeared in there together. It was very yummy smelling.
They brought the mask in for her to hold onto after they put the lipgloss in it and you'd have thought she'd never seen one before, she was so fascinated with it.

I love this picture.

Afterwards. There's not a whole lot of things funnier than a half-drugged Bee. After one of her MRIs, I had her say her ABCs to me (she totally messed it up, it was hilarious ), so now everytime she wakes up, one of the first things she does is recite her entire alphabet. This time though, she did it perfectly!!

Drinking her apple juice. They make her drink 1/2 cup of juice before they'll take her IV out. They put the IV in to give her the sedating drugs. They do it after they've already knocked them out with the gas, so she never knows their doing it.

We finally arrived back home around 5:00. It was a longggggg day!!

Warm Day

2009-02-19T21:08:00.004-05:00

I took these pics on one of those strangly warm days that was in the 70's sometime during the last two weeks. Bee and the little girl next door played outside until it started raining. They both started out in tennis shoes and quickly realized that boots were need to play in the mud. They were a mess, but they got some much needed time outside to run around.

Cleveland Clinic Day

2009-02-12T13:35:00.003-05:00

Greetings from the Cleveland Clinic. Bee is having an MRI done, and so we sit here and wait. They usually have her back there about an hour before they call us back to be with her while she wakes up. Her original appointment was at 10:40, but one of the little ones before her took much longer than anticipated, so here it is almost three hours later and she's just went in about ten minutes ago.

We had some horrible wind last night. They were saying it could reach sustained winds of 30-50 and gusts up to 65 or so. It sure sounded like a train was coming through the house a few times during the night. I almost woke the kids up to have them sleep downstairs a couple times, but then it would let up for awhile. There didn't seem to be any major damage as we left town around 8:40 this morning. All the traffic lights were working, so I'd assume that nobody lost power. Ours dimmed a few times, but never went completely out. Once we got into Cleveland, there were several traffic lights out, which was of course causing trouble. It's amazing how many people apparently don't how to go through an intersection when the traffic light is out. If there wasn't a wreck somewhere in the city this morning, it's a miracle.

Bee and I are supposed to be heading for West Virginia after we get back home from this appointment today, but we may wait until tomorrow morning now that everything pushed back later in the day than we'd planned. We're having a baby shower for my little sis-in-law tomorrow night and then on Saturday we're having a small family birthday party for D.K. and Bee. D.K.'s birthday was last Saturday (yes I missed posting about it, I feel like a horrible mother), and Bee's is Saturday on Valentine's Day. I told the two of them that they needed to discuss what kind of cake or dessert they wanted to have and decide on something for me to make. Ha! The one thing that Bee said she didn't want was the only thing that D.K. wanted! Oh brother!! So I told them I'd pick something myself. I was thinking about a hoho cake, but just remembered this morning that they had mentioned awhile back that they'd like to have a donut cake. A donut cake is where you take a bunch of cake-style donuts and frost each one individually and then put sprinkles and funky candles all over it. I made one for Prophet's 9th birthday party. It was something he came up with himself, and it turned out really cool!

Well, later!

Valentine's Day Party and Beautiful Weather

2009-02-11T16:15:00.006-05:00

I have two little girls in my backyard playing in the mudd that really needed the outside time and fresh air. I know it's gonna be shortlived fun, but it wonderful while it's lasting. As I type, the sky is getting darker and darker while another storm front moves in. It's currently 67 degrees, but a cold front is supposed to be moving in this evening bringing with it winds up to 60 mph! That could make for a fun night and even more fun trip up to Cleveland tomorrow morning. The snow is finnaly almost completely gone! Our town looks so strange now... it's actually not white!!

Bee had her Valentine's day party at school today. As always, there was lots of sugar and fun! After I came home and loaded my pics into the computer, I realized that none of the pictures of Bee by herself came out clear enough to post, so most of these have Mady in them (Angela's youngest).

Mady and Bee playing bingo with pink, red, and white candy corn.

Mady with frosting on her tongue!!

Playing "Who Stole My Valentine?". Mady on the floor with the pink shirt. Bee in the chair in the purple.

The kids sorted thru about 1000 foam hearts this morning. I had one stuck on the bottom of my shoe. The hearts on Mady's shoes here were on the bottom of hers. The white one with red dots is still currently on the front of my shirt where Mady put it as she was leaving school this morning.

The pillows are vultures. They go along with a story that the teacher read to them first thing this morning about two vultures drinking vinegar at a Valentine's Day dance. There were about 20 different v-words in the story. Very funny!!

Ang as her usual "sweet and quiet" self! Ha! Half the pics I see of her, she's got this same look on her face with her head tilted to the side, as if to say "I'm so shy". If you know her, you know she's anything but quiet! :)

2009-02-09T21:23:00.002-05:00

Folks we have a sighting that few have seen in Northern Ohio for weeks and weeks, quite possibly almost two months....

We have grass. I was beginning to wonder if it had all gotten up and walked down to the southern part of the country, but it's actually there. I'm so thrilled. Of course, it's a soggy marsh around here from the frozen tundra thawing it, but that's okay, at least it's supposed to be in the 60's tomorrow. It's also supposed to rain in the morning... floods here we come!!

Pics From The Weekend

2009-02-09T11:18:00.005-05:00

What can I say?

D.K. quietly contemplating something.

Prophet after a shower.

Grannie and Paw with everyone.

New Look

2009-02-09T11:11:00.003-05:00

So, I've been looking around for a new template to match the header that I made awhile back, and hadn't had any luck finding something that I liked. Then I came across the LeeLou blog templates, and there it was! I'm so excited. I absolutely adore this new look! The link to the website is over on the sidebar. They are easy to change and you don't lose any of your info when you change!!

Lots to Do (Read... My House Is A Horrible Mess And My Parents Will Be Here Tonight)

2009-02-06T10:25:00.004-05:00

What I need to get done today...
- wash sheets, put back on beds (done)
- wash towels (done)
- dust (done)
- sweep kitchen floor (done)
- mop kitchen floor (done)
- clean both bathrooms (done)
- sweep kids' rooms (done)
- vacuum downstairs (done)
- make pot pie for dinner (done)
- make and take b-day treats for D.K. (done)
- have kids put their laundry away (done)
- finally put away boxes of Christmas tree ornaments (done)
- have kids clean up the family room (done)
- take a nap (yeah, right)

What We Ate

2009-02-03T17:21:00.015-05:00

The first evening we were down there, we ate at Bubba Gumps. The signs on the table were there to let the servers know if everything was okay (Run, Forest, Run), or if we flipped to the red sign underneath, they knew to stop and check in with us.

The shirt and braces that young Forest wore in the movie.

My already eaten plate of fried shrimp and fries. I thought the Greenbow, AL newspaper was a cool touch. (that's where the movie took place)

Smart Guy drinking a beer. He looks bombed in the picture, actually he'd been awake for over 36 hours by the time of this was taken, so he's just exhausted.

Yet, another picture of my husband and a beer. This was a The Crescent City Brewhouse.

My shrimp po'boy... yum, it was so good! The mound that looks like mashed potatoes is actually potatoe salad. It was a little wierd.

Smart Guy's alligator sausage, sauerkeraut, and potato salad.

Friday night we met up with a youth ministry exchange formunite that happens to live down there, and had dinner at Pat O'Briens on Bourbon Street. These are alligator bites and honey mustard sauce. They were actually quite tasty... although very chewy.

Bread Pudding at Pat O'Briens. Wow, I'll be dreaming about that stuff for along time. Next time we go back to New Orleans, this will definitely be one of the first things we get!

Our last day, we went to The Red Fish Grill. This is a 1/2 eaten shrimp and bacon club sandwich! Another amazing meal!

This is Cafe Du Monde. The original coffee house. It's been in business is since the 1930s if I remember correctly. Pretty much the only thing they sell is coffee, milk, juice, and beignets.

One of their world famous beignets.

Smart Guy enjoying his beignets.

This is the inside of the bag. There was probably 2 cups of powdered sugar left over in the bottom of the bag when we were finished.

Ruby told me to eat a beignet for her at Cafe Du Monde, so Ruby, this bite was for you.

This is looking down thru the top of our wire-top table to the ground. I was covered with powdered sugar. It was everywhere. Of course some of what's on the ground was already there. They must hose that place down every single night with as much sugar as there was on the ground everywhere.

We ate really well while we were down there. I had shrimp at almost every meal. Yum! The ELCA (The Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America) also put on a spread for us twice in our hotel with several "New Orleans" type foods... mufelattas, jambalya, creole meat pies, cajun glazed ham, and a few others. Most of it was way too hot for my wimpy taste buds, but Smart Guy loved it.

New Orleans

2009-02-03T14:13:00.015-05:00

The view from our room on the 47th floor of the Sheraton, which is on Canal Street.

There are streetcars that run along the river and up Canal Street bordering the French Quarter.

This jester welcomes you to the ferry across the Mississippi.

The entrance to The Riverwalk marketplace.

Fountain just inside The Riverwalk.

Paddleboat docked at the Riverwalk.

The middle one is our hotel as seen from The Riverwalk.

A palm tree...duh!

The ferry.

My shadow on the Mississippi.

The Hardrock Cafe, New Orleans style!

Our hotel.

I thought D.K. would enjoy these pics, but all I got from him was a big helping of guilt.

Smile, Smart Guy. Really folks, he's not stoned!

The French Quarter...mostly Bourbon Street...during the day when it's not so wild and crazy!

A band playing in the middle of the street. They were very entertaining.

A partial view of Jackson Square.

A "tin man". He was griping at the crowd around him for standing and watching but not paying for the entertainment.

Smart Guy put some money in his can, and he's celebrating in this picture.

Artists selling their wares around Jackson Square.

Inside Jackson Square, a statue of Andrew Jackson.

The beautiful St. Louis Cathedral just behind Jackson square.

2009-02-01T22:13:00.003-05:00

Wow! What a game! Steeler tradition lives on, baby!!!!!!!

We're Back

2009-02-01T21:15:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to let everyone know we arrived back in Pittsburgh around 2:00 this afternoon!! We made the 30 minute drive to Mountain Mom and Grizzly Dad's house just across the WV border to watch our Steelers play in Superbowl! We'll be headed out for home right after we watch the game!!!

The trip was absolutely wonderful! I'll post about our crazy adventures and put pics on tomorrow or Tuesday!

My Everchanging Plans

2009-01-27T19:34:00.005-05:00

Quick note to say that we have a change of plans because of all this snow and ice coming through. Smart Guy moved my flight up to tomorrow morning at the butt crack of dawn, so I could drive over with him tonight instead of waiting until tomorrow night and chance driving by myself in the snow. So, in about 20 minutes we're out of here to drop off the kiddos with friends and head to Pittsburgh to catch our planes (still separate, about 40 minutes apart on each end, with separate layover spots)

Bee's appt's all went good today! Her new brace is cute, I'll get pics on next week when we get back. Awesome news.... her scoliotic curve hasn't changed at all since last August! What an unexpected blessing, huh!

Please pray for safe travels as we are still gonna be driving and flying in snow and possibly ice. Smart Guy's layover is in DC, mine's in Cincy!!

I'm So Sick

2009-01-26T22:24:00.003-05:00

You heard me right, two days before I'm supposed to leave on my trip with my hubby, I'm horribly sick... sick of sliding on ice when walking through parking lots, sick of snow in my shoes because I'm sick of wearing my boots everywhere, sick of shoveling snow, sick of my boogers freezing everytime I step outside, sick of stepping in the melted snow on my kitchen floor with just my socks on (I particularly hate that one), sick of wet boots at the back door, and sick of keeping track of gloves and such!

Lucky for me, I'm leaving this place that warmth forgot and moving on to warmer lands! New Orleans here I come! Okay, so it's not the Bahamas by any means, I mean the warmest it's supposed to be while I'm there is somewhere around 68, BUT THAT'S STILL A HECK OF A LOT WARMER THAN HERE! Shoot that's almost 85 degrees warmer than it was last week!!

So, one of two things is going to happen. One, I'll be refreshed and come back to the frozen tundra a new woman ready to face the cold head on for another two months or so. Or Two, I'll come back after enjoying the freedom from the dreaded cold and end up with spring fever so bad that I'll sell all of my children to pay for another plane ticket back down south*!! We shall see!

We head up to Cleveland tomorrow to pick up Bee's new brace and have some x-rays done before we head to the orthopedist's office so he can give us the news that Bee's back has once again gotten several degrees worse! If this child doesn't end up in surgery by the time she's ten, it's gonna be nothing short of a miracle! It's gonna be an all day event with three separate app'ts going on. Of course they couldn't all be in the same building, they are totally spread out. If you've never experienced the Cleveland Clinic you don't know what you're missing! That place is huge. Of course it's also one of the best hospitals in the world so I'll deal with it!

Well, we've got a big day tomorrow, and I also have to finish packing and get this monstrosity of a house somewhat cleaned up before I head out on Wednesday afternoon!! Later!!

*disclaimer... For any morons thinking about calling child services on this warmth deprived mother,I wouldn't really sell my children, it was a joke, so don't bother.

You've Gotta Hear This

2009-01-24T09:49:00.001-05:00

Someone sent this to my hubby's email knowing he's a major Steelers fan! These kids are only 11, 12, and 13! They're amazing!

2009-01-22T17:46:00.005-05:00

It's been a relatively quiet day here in Ohio. I haven't left my house one time today. I've done laundry, cleaned out the boys' closet (I'm talkin' nightmare people), fixed a dinner of pancakes and sausage links, kept making pancakes after dinner to freeze (37 in all), and cleaned the kitchen three times (as usual). Overall a fairly productive day. Although my house is still a mess.

Next week Smart Guy and I are headed for New Orleans. He's been invited to teach a seminar at the national convention for Lutheran youth leaders, and I'm going with him. We decided to make this trip our Christmas/Valentine's Day/ 15th Anniversary/ Birthday trip. We'll be taking in some ma & pa dining while there, which is the best as far as I'm concerned. I can't wait for multiple days of alone time with my hubby (yah, read that however you want to)!! We're actually flying down separately because he's taking a course that starts super early, and I just can't leave then, but we'll be flying back together. Because we're flying separately, that means I get to navigate the airports by myself. You're all gonna think I'm nuts probably, but I love busy airports. I love the thrill of the rush and then sitting down to catch my breath when I get to my terminal and reading a book while people watching. I don't think I've ever flown when I didn't meet someone interesting. I love to fly. I don't however love to stand and wait for my luggage to make it off the plane, so I'll be packing everything I need into my carry-on! Yes, it can be done!

The kids will be staying with our music pastors for the first two nights we're gone, and then Mountain Mom will be driving over to get them all and taking them back home with her. She wants to be in Steeler country for the Superbowl, not Browns' country!! Then Smart Guy and I will fly back into the Pittsburgh airport on Sunday afternoon and hopefully make the 40 minute drive back to his parent's house in time for the game!! We'll have to dig out our terrible towels for the game!!

Well, gotta get going! Later.

Oh yah, btw all you Brown's people, did I mention..... THE STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! Oh, I did already, sorry, my bad :)!!

My Best-Friend

2009-01-22T00:48:00.010-05:00

Ya know, some nights I'm just not sleepy, and unlike when my children say they aren't sleepy, I can stay up if I want to. Tonight would be one of those nights. Tonight is also one of those nights when I absolutely hate the physical distance between my best-friend and I. For those of you that don't know, she lives in British Columbia, Canada. Everyday for the last two weeks has been hard, but it just gets more difficult for her by the day.

Ya see, she had her first baby two weeks ago tonight. She, like most of us moms, had dreams and visions in her head of what life would be like with her new babe. Much like me, she's been dreaming those dreams since she was five years old, and pulling up her shirt to nurse her baby dolls. Well, while the dreams of a beautiful, amazing gift from God have come true in her blessed little Grasshopper, the visions of what life would be like have not yet come to pass.

Her recovery from childbirth has been rough to say the least, and just as she wanted to be able to lay her eyes on my children and I two-and-a-half years ago when we had our nasty wreck, I want to be able to lay my own eyes on her and put my arms around her and tell her that it will be okay. The difference is that she was at least able to send her parents to my house so they could be her eyes and ears in those days after our wreck.

Once again, her mom is being eyes and ears for one of us... for which I'm grateful. Inkling's parents are with her, Henry David, and Grasshopper while she recovers. I'm so grateful that they are there. I'm glad that I'm getting reports from someone who is looking at her.

Each and every time Inkling or her mom has asked me to pray, all I can say is "I haven't quit yet." She's never out of my mind. I'm praying constantly. I'm praying for quik healing. I'm praying for her mind to be eased. I'm praying for comfort. I'm praying for Henry David to be able to endure. I'm praying that God wraps his arms around her and holds her up until healing comes.

Since last summer, Inkling and I have had plans for me to fly out to visit in February. About 3 days before Grasshopper was actually born, we changed those plans. We decided that since my little SIL is due at the end of February and she has honored me by inviting me into her birthspace, and that we really wouldn't be able to do anything fun together in February with a brand new baby anyway, that we were going to wait until May for my visit to take place. Well, that sounded fine at the time, but now...

I know her mom's there. I know her hubby's taking good care of her. I know her dad is there too. But, as her best-friend, I need to see her. This sucks...bigtime!

Please be praying for my dear, orange-headed friend.

Snow Day

2009-01-15T09:43:00.002-05:00

We have our first official snow day!! Of course it's not for snow, it's for the horrendouly cold wind chills. Now, for those of you that aren't locals, that certainly doesn't mean we haven't had any snow yet this year. The problem (for the kids anyway)is that it keeps snowing on Fridays or late afternoon so they have plenty of time to clear the roads before school. That being said, there have been a couple of times that I was amazed that they didn't cancel school. School just simply doesn't get canceled in our little town unless a child could possibly freeze off some appendages walking to school. Last year there were many days that every single school system around us was out, but our kids still had to brave the elements!! Of course, a few of those schools also went to school alot longer than we did in the summer because they had to makeup calamity days at the end of the year, which would really stink!!

So, today we're hanging out here. It's actually up to about -1 degree right now without the wind chill. It's only supposed to get colder by tomorrow, so I'm sure tomorow will be another day off of school. I just talked to my mom and she took Dad to work this morning so he wouldn't have to stand and wait for the bus. It's about
-10 degrees without the wind chill there and that stuff is headed our way. BRRRRRR!

Clarification

2009-01-14T19:55:00.005-05:00

To clarify my last post for my newer readers who may not know Miss Bee's history... sorry about that!! Bee has scoliosis caused by a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis (NF). NF can cause learning issues, tumors thata form on nerves causing pain, optic glioma (tumors around the optic nerve), which Bee has, lisch nodules (Prophet and her both have these), pseudoarthrosis (my niece has this of the tibia and is about to have her fifth surgery in as many years to correct it), scoliosis (Bee has it), and many other things. Bee was diagnosed with scoliosis at around at 18 months old when I noticed a lump on her chest and suspected it to be a rib protruding from her spine curving. I took her in and my suspiscions were right. Her curve has increased to 57 degrees as of last August. She's been wearing a brace for about 16 months now. She's grown out of her last one, so it was time for a new one. These pics are of the old brace that she has worn for the last 16 months.

These pics were taken the day we brought her brace home back in September of '07.
When I look at these pics, I realize how much she's grown since these were taken. Also how worn her brace looks after all these months of use. Yuck!!

The leg braces in this pic are just an example of the colors and pictures that will be on her back brace when it is finished. Sorry about the confusion guys!!

A New Brace

2009-01-14T12:51:00.004-05:00

Here's some picks of our afternoon at the Cleveland Clinic having Bee's brace made.

In the waiting room waiting patiently!!

Putting on the "stocking" dress to prepare for the nasty wet plaster.

"I am woman, hear me roar."

The water bucket and plaster wraps getting ready.

Not sure what exactly she's doing here, but it's funny whatever it is!!

Prophet and D.K. watching the action (the part that I videoed)

Trying to decide what designs to put on her brace. This was an incredibly tough decision. She looked and looked, changed her mind a few times, and finally chose something.... that the orthotics dude forgot to point out was the only thing on the page not available for her type of brace! Man!

In the end, she decided that her brace will look like these little leg braces for a little girl who was picking them up the next day. He thought maybe if she could see something in real life, it would be easier. She had thought about haveing the swirly,colored stuff on it, but hadn't considered the horses around the top, but when she saw these, she knew that was what she wanted. Her's will have blue straps. We have an app't with her ortho doc with x-rays on January 27, so we'll be picking it up on that day instead of making a trip up there a few days before and then going back up a few days later. So, in a few more weeks, we'll have a new brace to show off!!

Snow, Snow Go Away...

2009-01-14T12:49:00.002-05:00

I just accidently posted this on "Watcha Got Cookin'" and hit publish. I hit "view blog" and then realized my mistake! Geez, I need some sleep!!

The batch of snow that is currently falling here in northeastern OH is falling in seven different states. That's how big this thing is! It's snowing from west of Springfield, IL to the northern panhandle of WV! I'm so ready for the snow to go away! It's not that we've had any super deep snow, just everytime we turn around lately it's doing something with white stuff falling fromt the sky! And now it's also "booger-freezin'" cold, so it's not even fun to play in! All the kids were hoping for a wind chill of 15 below this morning so they would cancel school, but the wind they had predicted never happened, therefore it was a balmy 0 degrees when we wokeup this morning! BRRRRRRRR!!

I was awake for about three hours last night. I fell asleep easy, but then woke-up around 12:45 and didn't go back to sleep until after 3:30! Maybe I'm having sympathy for Inkling and Henry David and the lack of sleep they getting because of their new little Grasshopper! Or maybe I just couldn't shut my mind off once I woke-up. I don't know, but I was ready to scream!! I finally got up and moved to the couch in the family room, because I was afraid that Smart Guy would sense I was awake and he'd wake-up too!

Bee had a new brace made on Tuesday. She wanted her brothers to see how it was made, so we picked them up from school an hour early. She threatened them about laughing at her. They did pretty good. When they did giggle, it was because she had said or done something wierd, not because of what they were seeing. I videoed the process, and I'm planning to get it posted soon so that Grannie and Grandma can experience the whole thing. Bee's had so much done to her in her short life, that she just talks during the whole thing like nothin's happening, and occasionally throws in a question if she doesn't remember something from last time! She's a hoot!!

I have a friend who is in desperate need of prayer right now. I'm not going to elaborate on her story, because it's not mine to share, but please be praying for her. God knows the story.

He's Here

2009-01-10T14:58:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the world little Grasshopper! We've waited and waited for you to join us on this earth. I can't wait to get to love on you and for the "Sara Orange Gang" to meet you too! I love you, so much.

p.s. I'm so incredibly proud of your mama too!!

2009-01-09T00:48:00.002-05:00

BTW, I'll be changing my background from Christmas to something else as soon as "Cutest Blog on the Block" gets their site back up and running. It's been down since I started trying to change a couple days ago!

Daisy Scouts

2009-01-09T00:39:00.004-05:00

What do you get when you put a five-year-old who has not a shy bone in her body and a Girl Scout cookie order form together?

Sixty boxes sold in just over 24 hours!!

I'm being totally honest when I say that I didn't sell a single one of those boxes. She did it all herself. There was only one person she asked that didn't buy from her and that person has a scout himself. She approached every single person herself and asked them without my help. She was able to tell them when they would be in, when they needed to pay, that the new "dulce de leche" cookie is good because she tried one last night at her troop meeting, and that each box is $3.00. I would have never been that good when I was a kid. I'm still not, which is why selling Tupperware didn't work out for me back in the late '90s. I always felt like I was bugging people. Of course, Girl Scout cookies sell themselves. Between that, her blue Daisy Scout smock, her big brown eyes, and her amazing sales pitch she was bound to succeed!! Of course, now I have to sort and deliver all those cookies at the end of February,and who knows how many more she'll end-up selling before January is over!!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc.

2009-01-08T23:55:00.004-05:00

Let's see, since I posted last we've all had the stomach monster, then passed it on to all the grandparents in WV and IL. I know they loved us for that! Ugh, it was awful!! We had a wonderful Christmas, in which we managed to have no one sick on Christmas day. Well, not in my house anyway. My poor, pregnant little sis-in-law had it on Christmas day and was feeling awful for several days. Thankfully she's over it. We had a very quiet Christmas day and didn't leave the house until 4:30 when we went to help prepare and serve a meal for the downtowners. After everyone was served, we all made plates and sat down with them for dinner. It was an awesome meal and I ate entirely too many mashed potatoes.

The day after, we went to see "Marley and Me" at the movies. It was a wonderful movie. Very emotional. If you've ever had a beloved dog, you'll laugh until you cry and then cry until all the nasty smashed tissues in the bottom of your purse get pulled out and sobbed on. We took the kids to see it with us thinking with the PG rating and the doggy storyline that it'd be safe for them to see without us previewing it first. Don't do that. There were mentions of s**e**x many, many times. I don't think they caught any of them, but now they all want the DVD, and I know if they watch it again and again as they tend to do with loved movies that they'll start saying "Mommy dearest, we are innocent and have no idea what they are speaking of, please enlighten our little minds." While I know these discussions are in the close future with the boys, I AIN'T READY TO GO THERE JUST YET, OKAY!!

The Saturday after Christmas, Prophet had his last Upward basketball game of the season. Unfortunately they lost. It was only their second loss of and it was an amazing game. They ended losing by one point in the last 5 seconds. I've never seen so many people standing and cheering at a basketball game being played by 9-11 year olds.

We spent several hours cleaning out the Christian education wing at the church during break. Our children's pastor retired, so now Smart Guy is also doing her job. She'd been there for 14 years and it doesn't appear that she changed anything the entire time she was there. So, we did some major changing around of rooms, throwing out stuff that was beyond use or repair (aka an old 6 foot tall paper mache tree that we are still finding pieces of all over the upstairs two weeks after being thrown out and cleaned-up after) to make it more in tune with the new program we've started. We are doing a family sunday school now. Families spend the first 35 minutes together, and then the children split up into age groups and the parents spend 15 minutes talking about what we've just learned together. It seemed to work out really well. My heart is heavy though for the former children's pastor. For the last 14 years she has been using a rotation model for our SS program. She started doing it back before it was the thing to do, and there was a time in the past when we've been told that it was an amazing program. It's needed to be changed for awhile now, but every time Smart Guy suggested something she didn't want to change the old way. (he's actually in charge of the education department as well). So, she decided to retire because she didn't like where he was taking the program. While I know we needed the change seriously bad, I know she's still hurting to see the change and all of the stuff she did go away. She's currently undertaking the daunting task of cleaning out her office. If you've never seen a children's pastor's office, then you have no idea what a chore this is, but if you have, then you'll know how long it takes to clean it up. Every single CP we've ever worked with has gobs and gobs of stuff stashed in their office. It's just the nature of the beast!!

We made the trip to WV to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of one of Smart Guys Aunt and Uncles. There were probably over 75 people there and most all of them were family. That's what happens when your FIL in one of ten children. I love getting together with everyone as it's the only time the boys have boy-cousins to play with. I also got to love-on a cousin who just lost her third baby. They thought they were "in the clear" so to speak, when they went in for the routine ultrasound at 16 weeks and found out that the baby had died three weeks previously. I don't understand why this has to happen so much. She and her husband are so heartbroken right now. Would you please keep them in your prayers and thoughts?

New Years Eve was spent in our home with just our family. Everyone stayed up late and toasted the New Year with sparkling apple cider (which all three kids turned their noses up at after one sip, which meant more for me 'cause I adore the stuff). They even stayed up long enough to watch the new Wizards of Waverly Place that started at midnight on the Disney Channel.

On New Years Day we had friends over for a brunch of sausage soufle', fruit salad, donut holes, biscuits, and OJ. Us grown-ups had fun talking at the table while the kids all ran around playing after we had finished eating. After we cleaned up a little bit, we all headed to the movies to see "Bedtime Stories" by Disney. It was really cute and the kids all loved it.

We all recieved Barnes and Noble cards for my Uncky (thank you so much). We've recieved these before from him and I think it's one of the most cherished gifts we get. So, we set off for the bookstore the day after New Years to use the cards. We had so much fun in the huge, two-story B&N store looking at books. Bee changed what she had picked out about 6 times before we finally checked out.

Monday, after everyone went back to school at 8:40, I hate to admit it, but I climbed back into bed and slept until 11:30 in perfect silence. Actually I can't complain because my kids did't get up before 10:00 one morning last week, but I needed a nap to start off my new week. They've been back in school for 4 days now, and everything seems to be back to normal in this House of Greatness!! (for now anyway)

2008-12-19T18:14:00.002-05:00

Well, my house is clean. I got everything on my list done. The only thing left is Prophet's comforter still drying in the dryer (someone else is sleeping in his bed tonight and tomorrow night). Smart Guy and D.K. are at swim practice until 7:00, and Prophet, Bee, and myself and awaiting the arrival of my little BIL and his family. Most of important of which is my new nephew that I have yet to meet. They live three hours away and the weekend we were supposed to go visit, Prophet ended up getting sick. I can't wait to get my hands on him!!!

Today was another one of those freaky, crazy days. I got out of bed on the run this morning and just stopped a few minutes ago when I sat down to blog while I wait for everyone.

Well, they just pulled in! Later, Taters, I've got a baby to love on!!

Yuck

2008-12-19T08:57:00.002-05:00

It's one of those mornings when the television was turned on before 6 am just to see if we still have school or are on a delay. Unfortunately for my children they do have school, and even worse they have to be there at the normal time. You'd have thought that Prophet was having all his Christmas presents taken away from him the way he went on all morning. All we kept hearing was "I bet Cleveland doesn't have school. I be the kids up by the lake don't have school." etc. We currently have freezing rain, and it's really dark out for this time of the morning. It's supposedly going to turn to rain for a little while and then back to freezing rain and possibly snow later. Smart Guy's doing our Meals on Wheels route this morning by himself because I've got Bee's Christmas party at school at 10:00, so it's gonna take him forever to get it done in this weather by himself.

Smart Guy's family is supposed to be coming over this weekend, but I'm not holding my breath at this point. This will be the second year in a row our Christmas with them at our house has been ruined because of the weather! My MIL and FIL are actually here in OH at one of the Amish inn's for a mini-trip. Hopefully they'll be able to travel back home today safely!

Oooooops!

2008-12-18T18:19:00.004-05:00

I'm one of those cooks that quite often cooks without a recipe. Most of the time this is okay and works out just fine, but on occasion it doesn't work out for me!! Such is the case today!

I signed up to take the frosting and sprinkles to Bee's "Holiday" party tomorrow. She wanted me to make my cream cheese frosting. So, Monday we bought all the stuff and this morning after everyone left for school, I got the cream cheese and the butter out of the fridge, so it would be soft by the time Bee came home from school around 11:45. I was planning to double the recipe, so when the time came she unwrapped to blocks of cream cheese and two sticks of butter and threw them in the bowl. I started the mixer and she put in powdered sugar a 1/2 cup at a time. After almost an ENTIRE bag of powdered sugar, I realized that it wasn't looking like the frosting that I normally make, it was much too runny. That's when I realized that I must normally use a 1/2 stick of butter and a 1/2 block of cream cheese with one box of powdered sugar. So, basically instead of doubling the recipe, I quadrupled the recipe! I've got enough frosting for the entire top floor of the kids' school to frost a cookie!! It ended up taking two full bags of powdered sugar to make my cream cheese wonder! That's FOUR STINKIN' POUNDS OF SUGAR FOLKS!! That's approx. 9 cups of frosting!! Yikes!

So, if any of you local girls need frosting for anything, find me tomorrow at school or leave me comment and I'll find you and I'll gladly give ya some!! Seriously!!

What I Needed To Accomplish Today and Tomorrow by 4:00

2008-12-18T18:05:00.009-05:00

WITH PROGRESS REPORTS

If it has a * by it, it must be done today!!

1. Bake 4 apple cakes.* (DONE)
2. Make 4 jars of caramel sauce (to pour over above cakes, then making them into caramel apple cakes!!*(DONE)
3. Make two 9X13 pans of scotcheroos.*(DONE)
4. Make a double recipe of cream cheese frosting.*(DONE)
5. Put together breakfast casserole for company on Saturday morning.(DONE)
6. Wash every towel in house. (DONE)
7. Dry said towels. (DONE)
8. Fold said towels. (DONE)
9. Put away said towels. (DONE)
10. Make sure all cloth napkins are washed, dry, folded and put away!! (DONE)
11. Strip beds, wash sheets, put sheets back on beds. (D0NE)
12. Clean both bathrooms. (DONE)
13. Sweep wood floors upstairs. (DONE)
14. Sweep kitchen floor. (DONE)
15. Vacuum all carpetting. (DONE)
16. Mop kitchen floor. (DONE)
17. Dust every surface in the free world! (DONE)
18. Set up pack n' play for new nephew visiting this weekend. (DONE)
19. Clean up the playroom in the basement (Bee)! (NOT PERFECT, BUT OKAY)
20. Wrap presents for niece and nephews!! (D0NE)
21. Finish jumpers for Bee and my niece!!
22. Dip a bunch of pretzels into melted candy for boys' party!!* (D0NE)
23. Go to Bee's party! (DONE)
24. Go to the Boys' party! (DONE)
25. Make dinner.* (DONE)
26. Sleep (when? this one is optional for tonight) (DONE)
27. Swim practice, swim lessons, and basketball practice?*(Smart Guy's doing this)
28. Go shopping.*(Again, Smart Guy to the rescue)
29. Take a shower!*(DONE)

Will I get everything done? We shall see!!

Please Pray

2008-12-18T09:02:00.002-05:00

I know it's been awhile since I've been on here, so I hate to come with this kind of news, but...

If you haven't noticed the button on my sidebar for Kayleigh Freeman and clicked on it, please do it now. Kayleigh is a little one who was born weighing 1 pound 1 oz. She's over five months old and has never left the hospital. She's been fighting so incredibly hard to live and yet at the moment it seems that she may loose that fight. My heart is broken for her parents who want to take her home so badly. Please pray for them and possibly leave a comment letting them know you were there.

Toothbrushes Are The Best

2008-12-03T15:19:00.008-05:00

For anyone that does not know my family and already know this bit of info... Prophet and Bee DO NOT get along. On a good day they put up with one another. On a bad day, there's alot of yelling between the two of them. IT DRIVES THEIR MOTHER (that would be me) ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!!A few days ago, I actually banned them from speaking to one another for the rest of the day. The funny thing was that they actually played together that day and didn't fight. They sat and played legos on the floor in the family for quite awhile (without talking). Wierd!!

That being said, Bee was given the job of cleaning their bathroom sink a few weeks ago. She's been doing a really good job keeping it up without being reminded. So, the other night, I realized she'd been in the bathroom for quite sometime, so I opened the door and went in. When I asked her what she'd been doing, she replied, "I was cleaning the sink." I asked what she cleaned it with. With a devilish grin and complete eye contact, her answer was "Prophet's toothbrush." It was one of those moments when as a mom, you know that you can't laugh, but it takes everything in you not to. I of course made her apologize to Prophet and actually give him a hug... oooo, not actual contact.

I think it's time to get Bee in on the "The Sibling Restitution Act of 2004"!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

2008-11-27T13:22:00.001-05:00

2008-11-18T15:39:00.002-05:00

Smart Guy brought home a bag of Jonagold apples this afternoon. Check out this very cool apple! It has a perfectly straight line around the center of it!!

Snow!!

2008-11-17T09:46:00.002-05:00

Here's what our backyard looked like this morning!!

The neighbors car!!

And it's currently snowing again!! None of it's sticking to the roads though! It's just enough to be pretty.

Tooth #2

2008-11-16T21:48:00.003-05:00

Well, Miss Bee lost tooth #2 this evening. It was barely hangin' on by a thread and she was just leaving it there. I finally told her I was gonna pin her down and pull it myself if she didn't just get it out of there. That did the trick. She had it out about 5 minutes later. I couldn't believe how much it bled. You'd think as loose as it was that it wouldn't have bled at all. The permanent tooth for the tooth she just lost actually popped thru about two weeks ago, right behind the baby tooth. It looked really wierd. Those new teeth are soooo big. I keep wondering how all her new teeth are ever gonna fit into that little tiny mouth.

We drove to Mountain Mom and Grizzley Dad's on Friday after school. We were supposed to drive on over and see our new nephew as soon as we ate dinner, but Prophet had an earache and a runny nose, so we decided we'd better not take the chance. So, we ended up just having a very quiet visit with everyone. Mountain Mom cut my hair Saturday morning, and I love how it turned out. It was in dire need of a cut!! I got to spend lots of time visiting with my little sis-in-law who is about 23 weeks or so pregnant. She's under five feet tall, so she's got a very round little belly. Her belly is absolutely perfect. Get this, she's on her second baby and has NO STRETCH MARKS whatsoever! Her belly could be a model, it's so perfect! I know she's rolling her eyes and laughing at me right now as she reads this!!!

Well, it's time to go in and cuddle with my hubby while we watch some televsion!! Goodnight everyone!! This weeks a crazy one, I probably won't be around much, so have a good week!!

Overheard Conversation

2008-11-12T13:33:00.002-05:00

This is the conversation I heard from the family room while I was making dinner last night...

D.K. - Get off of his head!

Noise, yelling, general uproar.

D.K. - No,seriously Bee, get OFF OF HIS HEAD!

D.K. & Prophet - EWWWWWWW, GROSS!

You'd think that being the girly-girl that she can be, that gas wouldn't be so funny, but apparently it's alot funnier than anyone of us could imagine! Oh my!

Our Trip to the Columbus Zoo

2008-11-12T00:24:00.002-05:00

Last week the kids didn't have school on Friday, so we decided to use our zoo pass and head down to Columbus for the day. We had a really good time, despite the cold and rain that started 30 minutes after we got there! Now, if you know me very well at all, you know that I'm a weather radar junkie (Intellicast rocks), but I kept holding out hope that the rain headed our way was gonna go away. Hey, at least I took an umbrella!!

I adore pictures of my hubby with the kids from behind. This one's no exception. This is the dreariness that was our day at the zoo.

This is Bee sitting next to Fluffy, the 300 pound, 24 ft. long, 14 year old reticulated python. This sucker eats 10 pounds of rabbits once a week. He's the biggest snake on exhibit anywhere! The sign next to him says "Will Hug For Food"! He's an amazing creature!!

D.K. and the giant moose statue. The actual moose exhibit wasn't quite as impressive. Apparently moose are smarter than humans and get in out of the rain, as we only saw one of them out.

Prophet wrestling with the giant bear statue!!

Just bein' goofy!!

Funny story... The Columbus Zoo has quite possibly got the best gorilla exhibit in the world. The outside exhibit is a huge playground and the inside exhibits are split into three huge glass-walled rooms. Since it was raining, all of the gorillas were inside where we could watch them up close. We were the only ones in the building for the first 15 minutes we were there. While I was watching one of the females, I sat down on the wall sorta leaning my shoulder on the glass. Now, gorillas are very human-like (poor things) and they will actually interact with people thru the glass. This female was about 6 inches away from me on the other side of the glass, so I puckered up my lips and put them as close to the glass as I could. She did the same thing. She actually kissed the glass where my lips were. I was totally captured in the moment and then the little devil reaches up and smacks the glass as hard as she could right in my face. I just about wet my pants!! We laughed so hard! It was hilarious. Okay, so maybe you actually had to be there, but trust me here okay!!

Well, I really must go to bed now! If only I were actually sleepy!! Oy!

Here's a Couple of Projects I Just Recently Finished

2008-11-12T00:00:00.006-05:00

These are for my niece whose due to join us in March sometime! Yes, my sil reads this, but she's already seen them anyway. I made a towel and taggie blanket for my new nephew and for Grasshopper, but didn't get pics up of them before I gave them away. I've still got 3 jumpers, a towel, and bunch of burp cloths to make in the next two weeks! Can she do it? Well... I don't have much choice!!

The rag quilt. This was the first one I've ever done. Bee recieved one as a gift from a coworker of Mountain Mom's and I've always wanted to try one, so I finally did it. It was fairly simple, but my hand was in some serious pain the day after I finished it because you have to snip all of the seams a thousand times so they will fray and have the wanted effect.

The taggie blankie!!

This is Divine with the towel I made for my nephew at her baby shower. After previewing this, I also realized that Bee has on the jumper I made just for the shower. I was putting the hem in it as my little sil was bathing the girls (hers and mine) to leave for the shower. Yep, nothing like procrastination is there!!

Here's Inkling with Grasshopper's taggie blanket at her blessing a couple months ago. Geez,that seems so long ago now. I miss her!

Just Another Day

2008-11-11T22:18:00.006-05:00

It's late and I really need to go to bed, but I'm just not sleepy yet. I know I'll regret not going to bed at a decent time when it's time to roll out of bed in the morning so I can walk to school with the kids so I can work all morning in Bee's kindergarten classroom, but right now I've got things on my mind and I don't necessarily want them to go away just yet. Soooo, I figured I'd sit and blog for awhile. That way no one can start griping that I've gone MIA.

I got lots done today. I spent the morning like I spend every Tuesday morning, in the boys class. I love being in there. I really do. I pretty much do busy work the entire time, but it helps the teachers get stuff done, so that's what I do. I did the behavior charts for both teachers, graded, filed several papers into the kids' folders, hung some stuff on the wall, and chatted with the teachers more than usual because the students were having a lesson about how Wall Street works from a group of accountants who apparently go around trying to teach 4th graders how it all works. Maybe I should have been listening more closely. I mean, if they can really simplify it enough for a 4th grader to understand it, maybe I could understand it. It was apparently a very fun day according to my boys. They even had a pizza party afterwards!!

After I was done in there, I walked the school halls and staircases for about 10 minutes (about three laps from one end to the other with all the steps included for those of you that know the building), and ended at Bee's classroom just as they were lining up to walk outside to the parents. They had a sub today, so I wasn't sure she'd know who I was taking her out of the line, but all the kids yelled "Bee, there's your mom", when I walked up, so she believed them! We walked down, got my coat out of D.K.'s locker and walked home. After she ate lunch, Bee invited the little girl next door over to play with playdough. After playing for about 45 mintues and actually doing a fine job of cleaning up, they decided it was time for dress-up! So they ran around as Cinderella and a bride for about an hour before heading over to the neighbors house to play there while I walked over to get the boys!!

During the afternoon, I swept the kitchen, did about three loads of laundry, vacuumed the downstairs (except our bedroom), cleaned off the computer table (I swear it grows papers), started pork chops in the crock-pot for dinner, and talked to Ruby on the phone for awhile. It's been a fairly productive day.

For dinner we had nice comfy meal to go with the cold, cloudy weather... pork chops slow-cooked all afternoon, baked sweet potatoes with brown sugar and cinnamon butter, stuffing, and green beans. It was yummy! The only thing that could have made it better would have been a pumpkin pie, but seeing how I've been walking like a crazy woman I'd rather not totally undo any good I've done to my thighs, ya know!!

Well, I really should get off of here and go to bed. My mind is going nuts with something I know I have to do. Forgive me for being vague and please don't ask for more info, and no Grandma nothing horrible is going on. I just have to deal with something stupid that I did awhile back... so just call me "Chicken Little", okay!!

7 Wierd Things About Me

2008-11-05T16:39:00.008-05:00

Lauren has tagged me! So, I guess I should be a good sport and participate shouldn't I! I'm supposed to tell you guys 7 wierd things about myself. That should be easy...

1. I think leftover chili and spaghetti are fairgame for breakfast. I thought this was normal until I grew-up and left my parents house, now I realize it's more than a little wierd.

2. I've never used a sewing pattern in my life. I just find something similar to what I want to make and hope it'll turn out. I've occasionally had a mystery item in the end!!

3. I've been playing Christmas music for about 3 weeks already, but only when Smart Guy isn't here. He laughs at me and rolls his eyes.

4. I have lived in 7 states during my life. In those 7 states, I've had 17 separate homes. The longest I've lived in one place (other than my childhood home, my parents stayed put) is three years, the shortest 3 months. Ha, and you people thought I was stable!!

5. I've never carried a baby full-term. I've had a 28 weeker, a 32 1/2 weeker, and a 36 weeker.

6. I didn't have an epidural with Bee (the other two were so early they wanted me to have the epi just in case something happened and they had to do a c-section. nothing happened though) and it was an amazing birth that made me feel like one hell of a strong woman. I definitely recommend trying it.

7. The only time of year that I drink coffee beverages is now. I love anything with chocolate and peppermint.

So, are those wierd enough. Hope so!!

Life is Busy

2008-11-05T15:01:00.002-05:00

Bee is next door playing with her best-friend, so it's quiet enough to hear the Christmas music in the background. I've got a crock-pot of chili on in the kitchen, so it smells quite comforting in here. My house is fairly clean, so I don't have to feel to guilty about sitting in this chair clackin' away on the keys. I'm completely enjoying these last minutes before I walk over to pick the boys up from school. It gets totally noisy at that point. Then we have homework to get done, swim practice to get to, guitar lessons to look forward too, and Kids Kare Klub to be at. Yikes!! Then afterwards we'll all come home, light the candles at the dining room table and sit down to a bowl of chili with crackers and cream cheese.

This week's been busy. I've been over at the school every morning this week doing something or other. Our book fair is this week, so I worked that twice. I did my normal, every week volunteering, and had parent/teacher conferences for all three kids. Everyone's out of school on Friday. I'd like to get down to Columbus to the zoo (we have a season pass), but don't know if that's gonna happen or not. I'd also like to get over to see our new nephew in PA sometime. I've also got ALOT of sewing to get done in the next three weeks, which will ultimately end my whirlwind sewing that I've had to accomplish the last couple of months because I'll be without a means to sew come Thanksgiving weekend (don't ask), so I have to get all my sewing for next spring done early and hopefully have another machine by next summer (grrr).

Well, I now must walk up to get my boys from school, thus ending my quiet time! Hugs to all of you (yes even those out there I don't actually know about!)!! Have a good evening!

What a Daddy's Girl

2008-11-05T14:09:00.002-05:00

This is the pile of candy that Bee put aside for her daddy! There were several more pieces in his stash, which is being stored in one of her purses and hanging on the computer chair for him to dig into whenever he wants to. Apparently I'm chopped liver or something because she didn't feel it necessary to provide Mommy with the same!! Each day since Halloween she has brought me a Reese's peanut butter cup, broke it in half and then given me exactly 1/2 of it! I can't believe she hasn't noticed that her candy (the chocolate part anyway) is slowly disappearing thanks to the pilfering going on on my part!! She doesn't need that much sugar anyway does she? Of course, neither do my hips!!

HAPPY 33RD BIRTHDAY

2008-11-05T13:54:00.003-05:00

I don't know if the person this is intended for will ever see it or if she'll care, but I'm thinking about her and missing her alot today. I think about her and all the "stuff" every single day, but with today being her birthday I really want to pick up the phone to call her more than usual.

VOTE

2008-11-04T08:59:00.002-05:00

To all of my American readers... please go and excercise your right (or left) to vote today if you haven't already. Our country's depending on it.

2008-11-04T07:53:00.001-05:00

Is anyone else having a prob with their comments not coming thru their email? Mine hasn't worked for several days now and Smart Guy says he's having the same problem. Just wonderin' if it's us or if others have the same issue!!

The Votes Are In, The People Have Spoken...

2008-11-03T15:42:00.002-05:00

... the students at our school anyway. Obama came out on top 89 to 59!!

Bee's New Do

2008-11-03T14:14:00.000-05:00

Here's The Kids Halloween Costumes

2008-11-01T22:46:00.002-05:00

Prophet is a wizard.

D.K. is also a wizard, but of the more sterotypical type.

Bee is Dorothy.

More Field Trip Pics

2008-10-29T20:11:00.003-05:00

This is how much snow was on the ground when the bus pulled back into town after the field trip. This is October people!! BRRRRR!!

Angela, I thought you'd get a kick out of the next two pics. That's Mady bringing up the rear of the line in both pictures. She's so stinkin' cute!!

This is what Bee's bangs looked like when we took her stocking cap (or tobaggan as my hubby calls it)off when we got home from the field trip. Yikes!!