Yesterday we went to the semi-ghost mall. It was lovely not to have to worry about crowds, or have a huge agenda. The kids could run fifty yards ahead and I didn't have to worry about losing them. There were play structures in the hallway. Bob was just so fascinated by the little "picture booths in the hallway." The toddlers thought they were peek-a-boo toys. I tried to entice our oldest into some early clothes shopping for school. He responded with appropriate pre-teen apathy. It was a day just to hang out with my kids, and see what there was to see.
What there was to see was a food court with a playground, a movie theater, an arcade, and an indoor playground/inflatable place from the kids point of view. From the mom's point of view, there were outlet stores, unique little crafty places, and a new purse on the horizon. So we compromised. I bought a brand new K-State purse with matching wallet in reverse color scheme, and they got to play for a couple of hours in the arcade and have lunch in the food court.
Lunch out with five kids in a food court can be an adventure of it's own. Thankfully, I had the right kid combo, one that included the one who's almost old enough to babysit. Unfortunately, he was being a spacey goofball. There was only one way in and out of the play area where I'd herded the children to wait while I ordered. His instructions were simple. No escapees allowed. About halfway through my order, I felt a little boa constrictor around my leg. Sure enough, it was Si guy. Where was big brother? Jumping off the bridge in a game of tag, even though he was almost a foot over the height limit for the play area. So much for watching his siblings because he was "too big" to play there. Who made those rules anyway? Are ten year olds really that big? Heck, even my six year old maxed out the height limit. What am I supposed to do when he's seven? Fortunately the parenting police were elsewhere, so my kids were allowed to play in peace.
I tried switching places with the big boy, and letting him order his own food. What does he come back with? About half a special ordered pizza. He said "I didn't know the pieces were going to be so big." That's okay. He shared. Somehow 3 extra large pieces of pizza, three grilled chicken breasts, an order of nuggets, a hamburger, two orders of fries and a large order of onion straws all disappeared, even with two kids only eating the chicken. (They got their fries at BK on the way home, so I guess that's four orders of fries.) What am I going to do when they're teens? Next time we're bringing lunch.
After lunch we find the "game hall." There are several businesses, all geared to the school aged child, ranging from a movie theater to an indoor gym with inflatables. Today, we hit the arcade. 500 FREE tickets with a $20 token purchase. Well, how long can it take six people to burn through 80 tokens? Well, when two of those people only want to play skee-ball, where they throw a ball, it rolls back, then mom rolls it in for the points,....it can take a while. So two hours and 725 tickets later, we are about ready to leave.
"Boys, you can pool your tickets and share a dart gun and a ball."
"Nah. How many are mine?"
Yeah. So they each have 100-150 tickets to spend. Just enough to get plastic bin stuff to be lost in the carpet and break the vacuum. Great. 3 disc shooters, 5 erasers, 10 army men, two sticky walk the wall men, two sticky lizards, two paddle balls, and 1/2 hour later we are ready to go. That is when they see "Monkey Business."
Can we go? Can we go?
Umm. Well...no.
"Why not?"
"We just spent two hours in an arcade. Mommy needs a rest." (Not to mention it's after three and neither tiny tot has had a nap, and Princess P is out of pants and lost her shoes. No I am NOT going through the whole mall again looking for them....)
Kids loaded in the car, slusheed up from BK, and headed out. Toddlers asleep. Mom has a new purse. It's what I'd call a successful day.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
All things work for the good.
It does not look like we'll be getting our "dream house" right now. Seven acres is a lot to care for with six smallish children anyway, and no ac in August may not have been that enticing. So why I mourn the absence of my ideal, I know God has a more permanent solution for us in his time.
The miracle that came out of this is our current landlord is going to fix our house. Things we mentioned in time frames from the last month to over a year ago are going to get taken care of.
If he does what he says he will do, our current home will be quite habitable for another year or two, until, maybe, we can BUY our own old farmhouse somewhere in the country. Then it would be our permanent home. What could be better?
The miracle that came out of this is our current landlord is going to fix our house. Things we mentioned in time frames from the last month to over a year ago are going to get taken care of.
If he does what he says he will do, our current home will be quite habitable for another year or two, until, maybe, we can BUY our own old farmhouse somewhere in the country. Then it would be our permanent home. What could be better?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Operation birdie rescue.
This morning started out so perfectly. Mildly warm weather with a gentle breeze. The kids watering their seeds in the back yard, then playing w/ a shoebox full of sand and their riding toys. A toddler making it known he wanted to walk to the park. I was feeling indulgent, so off we started to go. We made it about three houses before it happened.
"Mom! Look! That birdie is only flapping one wing. He's in the street! We have to help him!"
Okay. Deep breath. "We need to find a box."
He brings me an old lego carton.
"It needs to have a lid."
His eyes start welling up. "This is all I could find."
"Hang on a sec." I run into the house, and grab the pull-ups box. Dump the pull-ups into a plastic tote, grab an old towel and come back out.
"You found one!" No more tears, just joy.
That was one lucky bird. Two trucks had already steered around it. I headed into the street while kids 2,5, & 6 stared from the sidewalk. The fledgling hopped towards the box. I put the towel behind it to hem it in, and it hopped the rest of the way. I then put the towel on the box and secured the flaps.
"Everyone in the car!"
"Can't we keep it?"
"No honey. Wild animals have to stay wild. It's not a pet."
"Where are we taking it?"
"I'm going to start at Animal Haven. They'll know where to get it help."
"I'll bet God is really happy we're taking care of his creation." Bob piped up.
"I'm sure he is." I smiled...and kind of sighed.
So off we go with a complaining bird in a box. When we arrive at animal haven....
"Doggie!"
"Can we have a cat?"
"Can we play with them?"
"Why are there so many animals in cages?"
I explain that this like a homeless shelter for animals waiting for new people to take them home. No, we can't get a cat. Dad is allergic to them. No we can't get a dog. Our home doesn't allow pets. Yes, there are nice people who volunteer their time to come play with and care for the animals.
"Can I volunteer?"
"Sure, when you're a little older honey."
When we get inside, we get a reference to O.W.L. Next stop, the Wildlife refuge.
On the door is a sign stating "No skunks, PLEASE."
When we walked in they were discussing the medical care of a chipmunk who had been caught by a cat. I have to admire people who have empathy for chipmunks. Personally, we've considered getting a snake to eat them in our garage.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the cheerful desk dude asked.
"Uh, fledgling robin. We think he might have an injured wing. My son says he can only flap one side." (Yes, we knew it's a he. His red feathers were just starting to come in under the fluff.)
A mother earth type lady comes to get him. "Hi birdie. Let's go have a look at you."
I fill out some paper-work while Princess P happily plays with wildlife beanies, and Bob peers over the counter to see everything that's going on. We get a flier about O.W.L. and what they do. I temporarily lose track of Si.
Earth lady comes back out. "Come here everyone! It's education time. This birdie gets to go back home!"
Princess P and Bob come very close to her, where she's holding the birdie. Si Guy, well, he's behind the sales counter with the breakable, collectable plates of course. Seeing the live bird out of the box draws him back to where he belongs though.
"This little guy can't quite fly up yet. He can probably fly down and coast horizontally, but that's about it." She stretched out his wing. "See these feathers. They aren't quite long enough yet. His wing is not injured. He just hasn't really mastered using them yet. Just put him back close to where you found him. Mom and Dad will recognize him by call."
"Oh, okay. Thank you. I guess I made a mistake." Bob looked kind of embarrassed.
"No. No. You didn't know. You did the right thing. It's important to take care of nature.'
My crest-fallen child started to smile again.
So we returned home with the peeved, frightened bird and let it loose again in the neighbors yard. Sure our morning was shot, but my mama feathers were fluffed with pride. It's good to see that our children understood the life lessons we'd been trying to teach them about compassion and stewardship.
"Mom! Look! That birdie is only flapping one wing. He's in the street! We have to help him!"
Okay. Deep breath. "We need to find a box."
He brings me an old lego carton.
"It needs to have a lid."
His eyes start welling up. "This is all I could find."
"Hang on a sec." I run into the house, and grab the pull-ups box. Dump the pull-ups into a plastic tote, grab an old towel and come back out.
"You found one!" No more tears, just joy.
That was one lucky bird. Two trucks had already steered around it. I headed into the street while kids 2,5, & 6 stared from the sidewalk. The fledgling hopped towards the box. I put the towel behind it to hem it in, and it hopped the rest of the way. I then put the towel on the box and secured the flaps.
"Everyone in the car!"
"Can't we keep it?"
"No honey. Wild animals have to stay wild. It's not a pet."
"Where are we taking it?"
"I'm going to start at Animal Haven. They'll know where to get it help."
"I'll bet God is really happy we're taking care of his creation." Bob piped up.
"I'm sure he is." I smiled...and kind of sighed.
So off we go with a complaining bird in a box. When we arrive at animal haven....
"Doggie!"
"Can we have a cat?"
"Can we play with them?"
"Why are there so many animals in cages?"
I explain that this like a homeless shelter for animals waiting for new people to take them home. No, we can't get a cat. Dad is allergic to them. No we can't get a dog. Our home doesn't allow pets. Yes, there are nice people who volunteer their time to come play with and care for the animals.
"Can I volunteer?"
"Sure, when you're a little older honey."
When we get inside, we get a reference to O.W.L. Next stop, the Wildlife refuge.
On the door is a sign stating "No skunks, PLEASE."
When we walked in they were discussing the medical care of a chipmunk who had been caught by a cat. I have to admire people who have empathy for chipmunks. Personally, we've considered getting a snake to eat them in our garage.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the cheerful desk dude asked.
"Uh, fledgling robin. We think he might have an injured wing. My son says he can only flap one side." (Yes, we knew it's a he. His red feathers were just starting to come in under the fluff.)
A mother earth type lady comes to get him. "Hi birdie. Let's go have a look at you."
I fill out some paper-work while Princess P happily plays with wildlife beanies, and Bob peers over the counter to see everything that's going on. We get a flier about O.W.L. and what they do. I temporarily lose track of Si.
Earth lady comes back out. "Come here everyone! It's education time. This birdie gets to go back home!"
Princess P and Bob come very close to her, where she's holding the birdie. Si Guy, well, he's behind the sales counter with the breakable, collectable plates of course. Seeing the live bird out of the box draws him back to where he belongs though.
"This little guy can't quite fly up yet. He can probably fly down and coast horizontally, but that's about it." She stretched out his wing. "See these feathers. They aren't quite long enough yet. His wing is not injured. He just hasn't really mastered using them yet. Just put him back close to where you found him. Mom and Dad will recognize him by call."
"Oh, okay. Thank you. I guess I made a mistake." Bob looked kind of embarrassed.
"No. No. You didn't know. You did the right thing. It's important to take care of nature.'
My crest-fallen child started to smile again.
So we returned home with the peeved, frightened bird and let it loose again in the neighbors yard. Sure our morning was shot, but my mama feathers were fluffed with pride. It's good to see that our children understood the life lessons we'd been trying to teach them about compassion and stewardship.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Oh, what a beautiful morning........
It's a quarter till nine, and the three kids I have home are all still sleeping. The house is cool and quiet. What a wonderful time to reflect on our day yesterday.
Yesterday we took a big step around here. Mr. M & I turned in an application to live in our dream home....an 1860's white brick plantation style home w/ hardwood floors, a large kitchen, tons of storage, boiler heat, & two outbuildings on a treed seven acres. We'll find out if we get to live there tomorrow. So my day today is focused around staying calm, and trying to trust God. He knows what's best for our family after all.
Then Mr. M went to a meeting at work, and I went home. The kids got some r & r indoors, and we found our swimwear to proceed to Splash Cove.
Bob went down the big slide 40 times! He was kind of excited to finally be tall enough. Princess P took on the water playground w/ all the mini-slides with gusto! She wasn't real crazy about the bazillion gallon conch shell bucket, but soon figured out it's cycle and darted up to play in between. She was amazed there was an entire water park just for her.
Si Guy wasn't so sure about the whole thing. His first response was to cling to mom and cry. That playground sprayed your face! What nerve. We eventually headed over to the mini-wave pool, and the change in his face was amazing. THIS was baby nirvana. Gentle fountains, water splashing over your feet that's warm, and mom always within touching distance. And hey, this place has snacks. It can't be all bad.
By eight o clock the adults had experienced enough of Babes in Water-toy land, so we gathered the troops and headed to the car........to find that we had locked the keys inside. We don't take our cells to the pool, so we had no keys and no phone. Nice.
God looks after us. We attend church across the street. It was open. So we duck in, get a dry diaper for Si, use the phone to call our insurance, and are invited to stay for the forty minutes until help arrives. So even though we were stuck out at bed-time, with tired kids, God provided us a dry place to hang out. We spent the first 20 minutes hanging around the library, changing,etc. We then headed out to the playground. When the kids tired of that, Wonderscope's garden was across the street, *and* there were fireflies. A little after 9, the lock-out service arrived, and to the kids it wasn't scary at all. They just got to stay up late and play at some of their favorite places. They were totally oblivious that they "couldn't" go home. They were safe and happy where they were. Now they're getting their rest at home, and it feels so good to be here. I wonder if this is what it will feel like in heaven.
Yesterday we took a big step around here. Mr. M & I turned in an application to live in our dream home....an 1860's white brick plantation style home w/ hardwood floors, a large kitchen, tons of storage, boiler heat, & two outbuildings on a treed seven acres. We'll find out if we get to live there tomorrow. So my day today is focused around staying calm, and trying to trust God. He knows what's best for our family after all.
Then Mr. M went to a meeting at work, and I went home. The kids got some r & r indoors, and we found our swimwear to proceed to Splash Cove.
Bob went down the big slide 40 times! He was kind of excited to finally be tall enough. Princess P took on the water playground w/ all the mini-slides with gusto! She wasn't real crazy about the bazillion gallon conch shell bucket, but soon figured out it's cycle and darted up to play in between. She was amazed there was an entire water park just for her.
Si Guy wasn't so sure about the whole thing. His first response was to cling to mom and cry. That playground sprayed your face! What nerve. We eventually headed over to the mini-wave pool, and the change in his face was amazing. THIS was baby nirvana. Gentle fountains, water splashing over your feet that's warm, and mom always within touching distance. And hey, this place has snacks. It can't be all bad.
By eight o clock the adults had experienced enough of Babes in Water-toy land, so we gathered the troops and headed to the car........to find that we had locked the keys inside. We don't take our cells to the pool, so we had no keys and no phone. Nice.
God looks after us. We attend church across the street. It was open. So we duck in, get a dry diaper for Si, use the phone to call our insurance, and are invited to stay for the forty minutes until help arrives. So even though we were stuck out at bed-time, with tired kids, God provided us a dry place to hang out. We spent the first 20 minutes hanging around the library, changing,etc. We then headed out to the playground. When the kids tired of that, Wonderscope's garden was across the street, *and* there were fireflies. A little after 9, the lock-out service arrived, and to the kids it wasn't scary at all. They just got to stay up late and play at some of their favorite places. They were totally oblivious that they "couldn't" go home. They were safe and happy where they were. Now they're getting their rest at home, and it feels so good to be here. I wonder if this is what it will feel like in heaven.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Babes and boy...
are all I have home this week. 3 kids at G'mas. It's kind of hard on boy not to have his brothers around, so I let a friend spend the night last night. The boys seemed to have fun. We walked to Game Stop and Wal-Mart and I was reminded how quickly they grow up. Not too long ago, we'd all be visiting side by side. This time momma was just trailing along, the boys running ahead 50 yards or so, stopping until I had almost caught up, checked in, ran ahead again. In the stores I kept a respectful few feet ahead or behind them so they could feel like they were "on their own." Funny how they always are so quick to claim me at the checkout though.
I walked a few yards behind them on the way home too to give them some "privacy." They then proceeded to eat about 1 quart of ice cream (soy for Bob of course!) and watch "Open Season 2" we had gotten from the redbox. I finally sent them upstairs around 11, and they took Life upstairs with them. There was much whispering and giggling still when I went to bed.
They got theirs this morning though. No one sleeps in with a three year old around. Princess P woke them up at 7:00....So again, they retreated outside w/ their ripsticks to play on their own. They stayed in front of the picture window so I could see them. I wonder how much longer they will allow me to even observe? I guess I just have to trust in the Proverb "Raise up a child in the way he should go......" because in the end, they all choose their own path.
I walked a few yards behind them on the way home too to give them some "privacy." They then proceeded to eat about 1 quart of ice cream (soy for Bob of course!) and watch "Open Season 2" we had gotten from the redbox. I finally sent them upstairs around 11, and they took Life upstairs with them. There was much whispering and giggling still when I went to bed.
They got theirs this morning though. No one sleeps in with a three year old around. Princess P woke them up at 7:00....So again, they retreated outside w/ their ripsticks to play on their own. They stayed in front of the picture window so I could see them. I wonder how much longer they will allow me to even observe? I guess I just have to trust in the Proverb "Raise up a child in the way he should go......" because in the end, they all choose their own path.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday family fun day.
Yesterday was a day of rest, recovery, and family for us. It was great. Mr. M let me sleep until almost 11am, so we missed church. We had a "whatever" brunch, some of us having cupcakes, others canned ravioli or cereal. Every now and then a relaxed start to the day is so nice!
Bob practiced riding his new Ripstick. The little kids watched noggin. Mr. M cleaned the front hall, and the front living room. The older kids all folded their laundry. Then 3pm rolled around...
and it was time for bowling!
I don't know if any of you have ever watched a two year old bowl, but to me it's about the funniest thing on earth, closely followed by watching a three year old bowl. A parent or sibling places the ball near the line. The toddler in question proudly jumps up and down, points to it, runs in circles, then pushes or kicks it down the lane. They then jump and point shouting "'ook! ook!" as the ball slowly crawls down the lane, bouncing off a bumper every now and then. Everyone claps and cheers as a couple of pins wobble over. They then practically stick their face into the ball return watching for THEIR ball to magically reappear again. Repeat process....then it's "my turn? my turn?" until Mom pours them another soda out of the pitcher or buys some skittles out of the vending machine to help them bide their time. Yeah, the bowling alleys know what they're doing giving kids "free games." They KNOW they'll make it back off the concessions.
Teeny tiny bowling shoes are adorable, kind of in the same way garbage pail kids used to be adorable. I know I'm not the only crazy parent out there because they go down to a size 6...two sizes smaller than what Si guy wears.
After bowling, we dropped off half our kids w/ grandparents, and proceeded to Price Chopper w/ kids number two, five, and six. We bought steaks, chicken, and corn to grill for dinner with surprisingly few goat-like incidences and proceeded home. (Whoever invented those "car carts" should be sainted!)
We almost never have corn on the cob anymore, because corn is not princess D's friend. She was at Grandma's this time though. There we fired up the "barbie" (See Australian is still in my head!) and had a wonderful time. The kids were bribed into waiting w/ Noggin and grapes. Dinner wasn't ready until almost eight, but oh so worth it!
The kids all went to bed without incident too. We were so blessed yesterday. May the blessings continue throughout the week.
Bob practiced riding his new Ripstick. The little kids watched noggin. Mr. M cleaned the front hall, and the front living room. The older kids all folded their laundry. Then 3pm rolled around...
and it was time for bowling!
I don't know if any of you have ever watched a two year old bowl, but to me it's about the funniest thing on earth, closely followed by watching a three year old bowl. A parent or sibling places the ball near the line. The toddler in question proudly jumps up and down, points to it, runs in circles, then pushes or kicks it down the lane. They then jump and point shouting "'ook! ook!" as the ball slowly crawls down the lane, bouncing off a bumper every now and then. Everyone claps and cheers as a couple of pins wobble over. They then practically stick their face into the ball return watching for THEIR ball to magically reappear again. Repeat process....then it's "my turn? my turn?" until Mom pours them another soda out of the pitcher or buys some skittles out of the vending machine to help them bide their time. Yeah, the bowling alleys know what they're doing giving kids "free games." They KNOW they'll make it back off the concessions.
Teeny tiny bowling shoes are adorable, kind of in the same way garbage pail kids used to be adorable. I know I'm not the only crazy parent out there because they go down to a size 6...two sizes smaller than what Si guy wears.
After bowling, we dropped off half our kids w/ grandparents, and proceeded to Price Chopper w/ kids number two, five, and six. We bought steaks, chicken, and corn to grill for dinner with surprisingly few goat-like incidences and proceeded home. (Whoever invented those "car carts" should be sainted!)
We almost never have corn on the cob anymore, because corn is not princess D's friend. She was at Grandma's this time though. There we fired up the "barbie" (See Australian is still in my head!) and had a wonderful time. The kids were bribed into waiting w/ Noggin and grapes. Dinner wasn't ready until almost eight, but oh so worth it!
The kids all went to bed without incident too. We were so blessed yesterday. May the blessings continue throughout the week.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
VBS reflections
VBS is over. The Boomerang Express has returned to the station. The preschoolers sang their songs, and expressed their personalities doing so. Princess D decided she had to be the star of the show, so she centered herself on the stage in front of a mic. Si Guy was dancing away. Miss E. in my class first cried, then hid, then decided to join my daughter in the attention hog spot. It was cute. It was funny. It was a tad embarrassing, but all the other adults loved it. My favorite preschool song was "God loves us and he sent his only son Jesus."
Then it was on with the show! Our oldest had a part in the play, and our next to oldest was singing and dancing his heart out in between scenes. I credit Chip with not destroying the set, and sort of paying attention. The A-B-C's were covered, (Admit your a sinner, Believe Jesus came for us, Confess and turn away from your sin) and there were great numbers like "On the Boomerang Express, it all comes back to Jesus" and "Get on your serve."
My in-laws were there and we celebrated after on the playground.
Snacks we prepared for the week varied from coral reef mix to kangaroo kibble. Kangaroo kibble was a HUGE hit! I'm sure there will be some bouncing around our house for the rest of the summer.
Here's the recipe
1 c Enjoy Life chocolate chips
1/2 c Sunbutter
3 T spectrum shortening
8-9 c Rice chex cereal
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1t powdered vanilla
Melt chips, sunbutter, and shortening in microwave at 50%, stirring at 30 second intervals.
In small bowl combine vanilla and powdered sugar. Set aside.
Pour melted mixture over cereal and toss to coat.
Sprinkle w/ sugar mixture and toss to coat. I find it works best in about 3 additions.
Cool and enjoy!
Wednesday night a new adventure begins, in ROME!....The Lord's work is never done. Have a wonderful summer all.
Then it was on with the show! Our oldest had a part in the play, and our next to oldest was singing and dancing his heart out in between scenes. I credit Chip with not destroying the set, and sort of paying attention. The A-B-C's were covered, (Admit your a sinner, Believe Jesus came for us, Confess and turn away from your sin) and there were great numbers like "On the Boomerang Express, it all comes back to Jesus" and "Get on your serve."
My in-laws were there and we celebrated after on the playground.
Snacks we prepared for the week varied from coral reef mix to kangaroo kibble. Kangaroo kibble was a HUGE hit! I'm sure there will be some bouncing around our house for the rest of the summer.
Here's the recipe
1 c Enjoy Life chocolate chips
1/2 c Sunbutter
3 T spectrum shortening
8-9 c Rice chex cereal
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1t powdered vanilla
Melt chips, sunbutter, and shortening in microwave at 50%, stirring at 30 second intervals.
In small bowl combine vanilla and powdered sugar. Set aside.
Pour melted mixture over cereal and toss to coat.
Sprinkle w/ sugar mixture and toss to coat. I find it works best in about 3 additions.
Cool and enjoy!
Wednesday night a new adventure begins, in ROME!....The Lord's work is never done. Have a wonderful summer all.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Happy 40th to my wonderful husband
As many of you know, I write a tribute blog to each of my kids on their birthday. This time, it's my husband I wish to brag on, because he is the best man for me on earth.
He is so amazing, and hard working, and calm. Calm says a lot when you have six children ten and under. The best part is, his calm is contagious. Every day when he gets home we can just feel the peace enter our home.
As a Dad, he's a great listener. He makes sure to listen to each of kid's highlights every day, and ask questions to show he's listening. He even refrains from offering advice unless it's asked for...an important skill in the tween years.
He sets a good example for the boys by pitching in around the house. He washes all the hand-wash dishes every night. He takes care of the kitchen floor. He washes all the laundry for the entire household, again no small feat in a household of eight.
He encourages each of our children to develop their talents, even if it's our daughter who plays soccer and our son who just danced in the "Garden Ballet." He supports their activities by coaching, leading, cheering, and sometimes just by staying home with younger siblings so I can volunteer.
He is careful with his words at all times, never demeaning, never disrespectful, and expects the same from his children.
He has worked his way up professionally, from a crew leader at Burger King to a software engineer at an excellent company. There are times he has worked two jobs to support our family along the way.
He puts the children to bed every night. He reads the book of their choice to each of the younger ones, and discusses the chapter books the older ones are reading with them. He finds lost stuffed animals, and sits and reads in the room of whoever is lonely until they fall asleep.
He makes himself available at all times. If there is need, he will be there. He has shown this time and time again, including the three times we've had hospitalized children in the past four years. During those times, he let me stay with sick kid 24/7 so she/he wouldn't have to be alone in a hospital, while he worked and took care of everyone and everything else. He never broke under the strain. He never complained. He was just doing what was best for his family.
That is his primary motivation, is to do what is best for his family. He truly lives the theme of our marriage, "A heart to God, a hand to man" every day of his life. May his sons follow in his footsteps.
He is so amazing, and hard working, and calm. Calm says a lot when you have six children ten and under. The best part is, his calm is contagious. Every day when he gets home we can just feel the peace enter our home.
As a Dad, he's a great listener. He makes sure to listen to each of kid's highlights every day, and ask questions to show he's listening. He even refrains from offering advice unless it's asked for...an important skill in the tween years.
He sets a good example for the boys by pitching in around the house. He washes all the hand-wash dishes every night. He takes care of the kitchen floor. He washes all the laundry for the entire household, again no small feat in a household of eight.
He encourages each of our children to develop their talents, even if it's our daughter who plays soccer and our son who just danced in the "Garden Ballet." He supports their activities by coaching, leading, cheering, and sometimes just by staying home with younger siblings so I can volunteer.
He is careful with his words at all times, never demeaning, never disrespectful, and expects the same from his children.
He has worked his way up professionally, from a crew leader at Burger King to a software engineer at an excellent company. There are times he has worked two jobs to support our family along the way.
He puts the children to bed every night. He reads the book of their choice to each of the younger ones, and discusses the chapter books the older ones are reading with them. He finds lost stuffed animals, and sits and reads in the room of whoever is lonely until they fall asleep.
He makes himself available at all times. If there is need, he will be there. He has shown this time and time again, including the three times we've had hospitalized children in the past four years. During those times, he let me stay with sick kid 24/7 so she/he wouldn't have to be alone in a hospital, while he worked and took care of everyone and everything else. He never broke under the strain. He never complained. He was just doing what was best for his family.
That is his primary motivation, is to do what is best for his family. He truly lives the theme of our marriage, "A heart to God, a hand to man" every day of his life. May his sons follow in his footsteps.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Happy 9th Birthday my son!
Today is our second child's birthday. He's so excited to finally be nine. For a few months, he's only a year younger than our oldest, and a whole three years older than Chip. Exciting times!
It's sometimes hard to believe that our sensitive, sweet, delicate, boy was the largest of our babies when he was born. Every year, I am amazed by how much he has grown, how far he has come, and how well he's adapting to the world around him.
For a while I wasn't certain that adaptable would be ever be a word I used to describe this son. He used to get so upset every time things didn't go exactly according to plan, people didn't act in the way he thought they should, every detail wasn't in it's place. Being the second in a chaotic family of six wasn't exactly his ideal.
Yet the last two babies have changed him. He's softer, more patient, gentler than he used to be. When Princess P almost died, it woke up a part of him he didn't know he had. He's taken that curve ball life threw our family, and used it to start a change in his heart that has been amazing to watch. At first, his increased patience and flexibility only applied in situations involving babies and toddlers, but over time it's spilled into other areas of his life.
He still is a very black and white kid, but that's okay. It keeps him on the straight and narrow. He has the cleanest room and most structured devotion time of anyone in the house. He takes care of his clothes. He sets and accomplishes goals. In these ways his rigid way of doing things works in his favor.
Our church has also had a big influence on him over the last year. He just got baptized a few weeks ago. We are pleased he has decided to let God be the boss of his life. With Gods help, he'll grow in goodness even more.
It's sometimes hard to believe that our sensitive, sweet, delicate, boy was the largest of our babies when he was born. Every year, I am amazed by how much he has grown, how far he has come, and how well he's adapting to the world around him.
For a while I wasn't certain that adaptable would be ever be a word I used to describe this son. He used to get so upset every time things didn't go exactly according to plan, people didn't act in the way he thought they should, every detail wasn't in it's place. Being the second in a chaotic family of six wasn't exactly his ideal.
Yet the last two babies have changed him. He's softer, more patient, gentler than he used to be. When Princess P almost died, it woke up a part of him he didn't know he had. He's taken that curve ball life threw our family, and used it to start a change in his heart that has been amazing to watch. At first, his increased patience and flexibility only applied in situations involving babies and toddlers, but over time it's spilled into other areas of his life.
He still is a very black and white kid, but that's okay. It keeps him on the straight and narrow. He has the cleanest room and most structured devotion time of anyone in the house. He takes care of his clothes. He sets and accomplishes goals. In these ways his rigid way of doing things works in his favor.
Our church has also had a big influence on him over the last year. He just got baptized a few weeks ago. We are pleased he has decided to let God be the boss of his life. With Gods help, he'll grow in goodness even more.
Monday, June 8, 2009
IT's VBS Week!
My apologies for being off the last few weeks, but I've been very busy getting ready for the Boomerang Express! I am the snack coordinator for the preschool department, as well as the four year old teacher this year. Today was our first day, and we are blessed with 30+ children, and only three of them are mine this year. I love VBS. I love the energy, the focus on sharing God's Love with young souls, the crafts, the snacks, not so much the teaching, but God has blessed me with J as my assistant for the 4's, so she does that part.
Today's highlights:
In the car on the way.
"Hurry Mommy! We have to catch the Boomerang Express!"
"What's it about?"
"JESUS!"
In my class, we have four girls and two boys. We're the "green team." Our church provides each preschooler with their own T-shirt in their assigned color along with their leaders to help keep everyone together.
They are all so sweet. They loved playing "Trace a Mate", and blowing our train whistle. At the end of the day, every single child had already memorized our verse for the week. "God loved us and sent his only son, Jesus."
And about half of them could do a word for word on the verse of the day, "Grow in Him."
Our snack was especially successful, so I thought I should post it here for those of you who read for my occasional "allergy friendly" recipes. Today we had Train wheels.
Ingredients:
1 Rice cake per child.
1 hulled fresh strawberry per child
banana semi-circles
melted Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips.
Spread chocolate on hulled end of strawberry. Center on rice cake, pointy side up. arrange banana half slices w/ corner to center to look like the wheel is "turning." Decorate w/ chocolate stripes if desired. (Most of our kids desired!) Enjoy.
We are all so blessed to know God loves us! I look forward to continuing to share the Joy of the Lord this week! Peace be with you.
Today's highlights:
In the car on the way.
"Hurry Mommy! We have to catch the Boomerang Express!"
"What's it about?"
"JESUS!"
In my class, we have four girls and two boys. We're the "green team." Our church provides each preschooler with their own T-shirt in their assigned color along with their leaders to help keep everyone together.
They are all so sweet. They loved playing "Trace a Mate", and blowing our train whistle. At the end of the day, every single child had already memorized our verse for the week. "God loved us and sent his only son, Jesus."
And about half of them could do a word for word on the verse of the day, "Grow in Him."
Our snack was especially successful, so I thought I should post it here for those of you who read for my occasional "allergy friendly" recipes. Today we had Train wheels.
Ingredients:
1 Rice cake per child.
1 hulled fresh strawberry per child
banana semi-circles
melted Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips.
Spread chocolate on hulled end of strawberry. Center on rice cake, pointy side up. arrange banana half slices w/ corner to center to look like the wheel is "turning." Decorate w/ chocolate stripes if desired. (Most of our kids desired!) Enjoy.
We are all so blessed to know God loves us! I look forward to continuing to share the Joy of the Lord this week! Peace be with you.
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