silly signs

Okay, we are weird. We know it, but our family thinks it is really funny when signs are out and/or spelled wrong. This was their favorite. Tacky, yes, I know. But my tacky kids and I laughed pretty hard nonetheless. And what is life for if you can't laugh your way through a drive- through every now and then.

Club food

We have now become a part of a club. The S@ms club. The "buy your food in Gi-normous sizes because you have more than two kids" club. We buy peanut butter in what appears to be a a 1 gallon can, and gatorade, and lemonade and nesquick. ALL in the same size cans. If I can figure out how to wash, and decorate those cans.... well, that will be another craft project blog. Anyway, we bought paper towels in a sz that looked like we could throw a fitted sheet and comforter over it as a guest bed! I am not exaggerating here. And of course triplet ketchups and jelly. Orange juice in big 4 can pack. The possibilities of huge food there is endless. But the biggie(yes, pun intended)... Kr@ft MAC n CHEESE. So the next morning, this is what Moriah wanted for breakfast.

I would say, this is the cheeziest please mommy EVER. (again, full of puns today. But yeah, she is cute.( And don't worry I only made her hold that incredibly heavy box for a few seconds. No children were actually harmed in the shooting of this photo and we ARE doling out the heavily processed macaroni over the course of a month and not, say a single week. Just thought you might need to know that.)

Birthday bash!

My Isaiah turned six! We had cousin Audrey sleep over, then our plan was a birthday at the cinema! We had not done one, but we had attended one. So this was a new thing for our crew. We only invited my niece Nikki and her kids(she is more like a sister than a niece-- we are only several years apart)her two are the same ages as our youngest two. They are dear friends AND cousins. So in all it would be 8 kids, and 4 adults. Going to see "Alvin and the chipmunks--the Squeakuel"(sp?)
Nik called me that morning(this would be the morning Audrey and Moriah were in my bed but that we got to sleep late) She said," um, can we ride with you? Our van has issues" Now, we have a 12 passenger van. Then we have the mini van. I had hopd to take the smaller version of big family vehicle. But what can you say? We took the gi-normous big old party wagon.(oops THAT pic is on the hubster's phone!)
It was loud, crazy and fun. But did I mention loud?? It was Audrey's first movie.Nova could not figure out why her seat kept going up. Isaiah wanted to go home to see his big gift(a bike surprise). I wanted to NOT offend the others who came to see that movie. But we had a good time. And My Little Bear, is just not quite so little anymore. Six years ago, we brought him home. I had 4 kids ages 6, 4, 2 and a newborn. My first adoption had left me far more emotional than I ever thought possible. I had fallen in love with the first child who came to me without having been born of me. It was miraculous and wonderful and eye opening. I am so grateful God saw fit to make me this kid's mom. He is an amazing fireball of activity. He is bright-eyed(and the only blue eyed!!) and always in motion. He does everything with intensity and spirit. He lives so fully in every moment. He forces you to see that moment too. 6 years have gone by in a whirly swirly tornado of fun.

First sleep-over

My Sweet Niece Audrey came over for her first sleep-over with us. It was for Isaiah's birthday party. We wanted to take her along but her parents needed to be out of town. So Mi Mi kept Baby Henry and we took her. It was a hoot. MY big guys have dubbed her "the informer" one said, " I am going to kick butt on THIS game" she says(always at top volume by the way) "WE DON'T SAY THAT WORD AT MY SCHOOL-- IT IS A BAD WORD" (um, so that means Daddy says it still, right?? lol) and then, " RILEY SAID HATE AND THAT IS A BAD WORD" ( he hates when the game stops like that) and this was all in the car on the way home. The boys promptly hid out in their room playing legos and transformers and probably saying "hate" and "butt" profusely. At one point she heard "stupid" and "shut up" through the door.(which actually ARE bad words here) so she sort of helped me out. Not gonna lie, it was handy.
We ate a bedtime snack and I put the girls in a bubble bath. Three girls in the tub. Yes it was adorable.
Then pajama time. And reading time. And praying time. And kissing time. Then apparently it is singing time. As I kissed her, she started singing "Just a few more weary days and then...." Then Moriah started singing "it's gonna be a good good night"... aren't they sweet?



As you know, we had the bedroom bylaws going here. Well they have a bedroom issue at Audrey's house too. A new baby means mom and dad are sleepy and Audrey climbs right in their bed. Are you seeing where this is going? put one kid who likes getting in mommy's bed, with another kid who likes getting in HER mommy's bed... what do you have??? TWO kids who patter around at night.(and remember one has volume issues-- and we ain't talking hair here!!) So, at 5 am, I hear "AUNT HEZRA I CANNOT FIND MY SOFT BLANKIE!!!" I was lazy, because I had already been up with them once on a potty party.So I say, "look under the bed, I'll bet it fell." I hear thumps as they run away, then thumps as they return. "NOPE, IT WASN'T UNDER THE BED!" "ok, can you talk softer please? Try looking around in the covers." They, thump away. They thump back both yelling "WE FOUND IT!" I knew this would not go well, we would be up for the day at 5 am. So I said, how about you two lie here on my side? so I moved over, they cuddled in, and we got three more hrs of sleep. Which I needed because that was the day of the actual party. Which required xanax and Midol. But I am pretty sure the kids had fun. To be continued for Birthday Bash.

falling down on the job

Riley has been unloading the dishwasher for a while now. He is FINALLY doing it well, without complaints and as a routine (and bless his heart about 3 times a day.) This week, we had a casualty. I heard an awful crash. I heard him say, "oh no!" So, I did what any good mom does. I screamed, "everyone ok?" he said "yes, but stay there" heh heh. Not only did I come, but I brought the camera. Because he was saying, "well, mom, I have never lost a dish yet, it is the first one down"(what is he? a DR??) So I took pics of the fallen and the boy. Then I assured him it was ok. It was after all a cheap one. Now, if it had been the pink depression glass. . .

Blurry Bedroom Bylaws

The nights have begun to run together. My days are a bit of a blur. One night in the middle somehwere, my little girl climbed over my head to get in my bed. Then cried when I said, "come on, back to your bed." Not only did she cry, she held the headboard and screamed. So, I took her back to bed, and sat by her. She was asleep pretty fast in spit of her anger.
Then last night, she fell asleep in her bed, AFTER I read, and after I left!! She was asleep in her own bed without ME!!!! Woohooo! Then when she woke up, it was about 3. She didn't even ask to get in my bed!! She just pulled her blaket and pillow to my floor and lay beside the bed. Then after realizing her bed was cozier, she asked if I would come to her room please. (please??) So, since it is a well-known fact the hubster can sleep in any conditions, I sent him. He got up early though and came to our room, so she once again fell asleep and woke up all by herself. And happy. YAY!!!!!

The lengths boys will go to NOT to do laundry

This would be my two oldest boys after I said, "which one of you has the most dirty clothes?" They knew whichever laundry basket was fuller(most full?? fullest?? Darn! grammar goes out of my head by 9 pm), would be the unlucky guy doing his laundry today. This was their plan: smash it down as much as possible. They got a moment of bloggy fame, but I won in the end. For all their cleverness... I am cleverer. (cleverest? Most clever --gah!well at least more than those two) I made them both go today. So HAH! Mom's score (again. not that I am keeping score, cause that would just be a wrong and petty thing for a mom to do.)

Night 1 of the new bedroom bylaws

This is what we want to have happen. (her in her own bed-- tu tu optional)

Okay, night one. Well, the little girl has a cold and sounds terrible. So she knows I feel pity on her. But I was strong! FIRM! I gave her cold meds before bed, I read the Secret Garden to the girls. She was happily snoring in her bed by 9:30. Mission accomplished. She fell asleep in her own bed(step 1).
Then the hubster and I watched a couple of episodes of our favorite sit com on NetFl*x.(by the way, you should check that out! Totally saving us $$ and we can watch some things instantly) Then the little girl comes back out about 11(hmmm early. Well "mess up her midnight habit"-- step 2 ACCOMPLISHED!) So I said, ok, sweet, go back to your bed, I will come there in a minute. She went. I went about 20 minutes later. She was sound asleep! So the hubster and I got to fall asleep WITHOUT HER!!!(step 3 accomplished!!) Then at some point in the night, I wake. Uncomfortable and hearing her cough, snore and snort next to me. I realize I have a foot in my ribs and before opening my eyes realize... SHE IS BACK! (ok so step 4 not accomplished-- the sneak attack still worked) So (not wanting her to pee on my unprotected mattress) I took her to potty, then to get more meds, then to HER BED.Where I lay next to her from 3 am to 8. I woke up in the stupid uncomfortable bottom bunk. Thinking a new mattress??? Maybe THAT would help?? So I got up before her and she woke up in her own bed by herself.(step 5-- accomplished!)
Report? I have a dry bed. The hubster had a few hrs of blissfully alone sleep in a super cozy(dare I say it? Heavenly king sized bed) I am sore, and weary-- I feel as though I were in a fight. But I feel it was a semi successful 1st night. A few of our issues went well. That, my friends, is the update! stay tuned for the next installment. This will be where she wants to know if I AM SERIOUS. And where my weariness will be tested. I might need a nap when the hubster gets home. Then I will be READY for battle... dum da dum dum... (this is what we usually see-- this is MY bed)

Letter to a child- "Bedroom Bylaws"

Dear little Moriah,
My sweet 4 yr old. My darling tiniest daughter. My "baby." May I begin with telling you I love you with every fiber of my being. I absolutely adore the God of the heavens who brought you to me. I love that you remind me to live, and laugh and dance and sing.
There is, however a problem in our relationship. You must STOP climbing into my bed every night. You have more predictable timing than a clock! Every night at midnight, like some strange Cinderella story, you are running down the hall. Then once there, you kick. You pull hair, you snore(as loud as Daddy, I might add), and you occasionally pee on me. I do not enjoy waking up wet, and feeling abused-- emotionally, physically and psychologically. I have lovingly and willingly provided you with attachment parenting. You lived in the sling attached to my body for your first 6 months. You crawled following my every move for weeks after that. Then you walked at 9 mos and followed me even faster. I have had you near me to bathe, you have followed me to the bathroom.... I have had few private moments. By three you were handing me my underclothes as I got dressed. NOW, we must learn a new, hard lesson. It is called "tough love" my sweet baboo. It does not mean mommy does not love you. Just that I need to be tougher than you. We now begin a teensy bit of DETACHMENT parenting. This will be where you and I no longer sleep in MY bed. So, here are the new Bedroom Bylaws. I understand you are scared of your windows, but we will cover, adorn and block the said windows until they are no longer visible from the inside. You may have a lamp on ALL night long. Even if your sister has to have a spa- like sleep mask.If you have a bad dream, I will lie next to you on YOUR bed. I will pray for you, hold your hand and kiss you. I will not let you in my bed! All naps will heretofore be on your bed, nI hope this has been clear and loving enough. I am now going to order a new bedpad from Overst*ck, because there was a small hole in mine I was unaware of, and your last lake Erie managed to make it through. I also must go spray my mattress and let it air. When we make the bed together (because I know you love that!) please refrain from saying "our" bed? It really will make e feel like you understood this whole new set of rules. Thank you, love you so much, Mama

Please pray

A family with the last name of Smith lost their ten yr old son, Kolton, in a car accident last week. His funeral was yesterday. Please keep them in your prayers. He was on Elijah's baseball team, so it has been our kid's first brush with death of a young person. I baked bread for the family meal, and must have cried a hundred tears in the process. I wrapped the bread before bed and went to give my kids extra kisses while they slept.Please join me in prayer for this grieving family.

The dance of time

They say(by the way, who ARE THEY??), that time goes by fast. They say that we will miss these moments with our kids. They also say I should put my kids in public school so I get a break. They say that I will one day miss my kids being little. This is all so weird to me. So confusing. My intent is to soak up every moment I can. Not to smother them, but to enjoy the time with them. My mom always use to say, "let's make a memory." And we did. LOTS of them. Granted, my brother and I have very different takes on them, and we remember stuff mom has forgotten. Sometimes we remembered the wrong part. But the point is, we made family memories. And I don't really think my mom wishes we were little again. I just think she wishes we weren't so busy and we could see each other more now.
But for my crew, even though there are incredibly stressful moments, I love the teaching. The re-learning. The challenges and the changes. It is simply my way. Though not many understand it, it is the choice I have made. I want to teach them at home. This is my way of soaking up the time with them. My intent is to enjoy every possible moment with them, and for me that includes being a part of their learning and their figuring out life and their place in it.
My goal is to snuggle every chance I get, kiss every cheek I can, and hold every hug as long as possible.(all while taking as many pictures as possible) This way, I don't think I will miss or long for their baby days-- just remember them fondly. I know time moves quickly, but I can be just as fast. I will just dance along. So, if you are worried about missing moments with your kids, or that they are growing up too fast-- Don't worry, time doesnt go anywhere if we are soaking up the moments. It just moves and we dance with it. So put on your dancing shoes and get grooving.

(these are Moriah's "dancing shoes" from last year. They were just inexpensive black dress shoes that she decided were tap shoes. She danced,spun, flitted and fluttered until she wore them out. I had to hide them then throw them away because they were so tight they hurt her. But before I did, I got this picture to remind me to dance so hard I wear out my shoes. and yes, I did buy her more. and this year she has her very own REAL tap shoes--which she calls clapping shoes-- and they are very loud. and kind of annoying. but we dance anyway, I just need earplugs, Thank you.)

Bedtime rituals

Every night we have rituals. We have these crazy routines that we do... they have changed over time. The have outgrown their lullabies and moved on.
They dont want to sit in my lap and snuggle. AND I AM GLAD! They are as tall as me. This is getting crazy! 10 and 12 and they are as tall as me??
The littles dont get arn baths and full body massages like they did when they were babies either(oh to have the life of a baby in this house. I have to say, it is pretty darn good)
So, life changes. We have to change with it.
Riley has begun a ritual of a kiss on the cheek and awkward side hugs.

Moriah still loves her song,
"her eyes are like chocolate, hair like the night, skin like the sand on a warm summer night... she's my beautiful baby girl...." but she whispers after(you know I am not a baby, right?)um, so that may be drifting out too.

Olivia's thing is to say "I love you more" and see who says it first.

Elijah still gives sweet kisses(even though he told me at age three he was too big for other people to see this ritual) and tight hugs. He has never been one for snuggling or singing. But his love runs deep and strong. He is so secure and determined about life and who he is it can be intimidating. But it leaves you feeling lucky you are a part of it.

Then there is Isaiah. His life changes more and faster than anyone I know. If you have ever seen the movie "Dennis the Menace" you have seen my son. He is not really a menace, just a crazy active little boy with a fast moving brain. A brain that moves not as fast as his body sometimes. Well, by bedtime, this can put me into a stupor. A fog sort of. By the time I am getting everyone to bed... I can be a little ditzy. So every night for a whole year, he comes to me(he has begun using mouthwash-- I know he is young but it is the nontoxic type and he can do it well and has supervision by dad) EVERY NIGHT! He comes to me, and I pucker and close my eyes and lean in. Assuming it is the sweet full lips kiss of last year. But no, it is the "my-mouth-is-wide-open-for-you-to-smell-my-breath" move. So I open my eyesto see him and I have matching wide blue eyes and are (again) in this awkward position of my puckered lips are fully inside his wide open mouth. Again.I back away, sigh, and say, oops. I did it again, huh? He simply says, smell!!! with a big smile.(like this is a big surprise) and I sniff, say the regular, "wow! That smells minty fresh! Good job" (meanwhile thinking, we need to have a talk about the dating years)Then comes the sweet puckered kiss and the super tight hug. Then Dad reads to the boys, I read to the girls and we are all in bed. Sort of. Until Moriah wakes about 12:30 and says "mommy, I am scared in MY bed alone" and she climbs in with me and pokes her cold toes under my warm behind. She sighs big and smiles bigger as she wedges herself between daddy and mommy. Making herself quite at home. Then when I am thinking, GAH! I need some space!!!!! She says "I yove you mommy!" And I roll over and say, I love you too honey.

What is at my core?

I have been doing more cooking this last few weeks. Baking breads and making things from scratch. I have taught the kids a few lessons with it all, and I have learned a few as well. I have been chopping, slicing and dicing. When I chop an onion, I see its many layers. With an apple, it is simply skin, meat, then core.(oh, and some seeds in that) I have always known people are like these two things. Some people are onions, layer after layer of emotion, and thought and feeling. Others are apples(some sweet or some tart maybe) but they have a solid sort of self. What you see is what you get. Neither onions nor apples are bad. Nor are they always good. But they are what they are. And each has a center. The core. I have been thinking so much about who I am. Who I am in God, through Christ... who am I. What am I made of. What is it at my core??
You can figure out a lot about people by judging their fruit.(NOT JUDGING THEM!) What is it that they place top billing in their lives on? What is it that each of us sets as a main focus? I feel regret that there are days that I dont set God as the center. There are days when I feel life has steam rolled me before I can stop to pray! But there are days when I feel His sweet presence and the confirmation of His love... and am awed.
My core is obviously desiring to trust and obey Him, and glorify Him with my words and actions. My core values from there are to figure out myself, makes sense out of and enjoy marriage, and raise my kids to be seeking the Truth for their lives. My hope is that my priorities and actions will actually line up WITH that. May we live authentically, love enthusiastically, and celebrate endlessly.

Things I never did BEFORE children(BC)

I never had trouble finding time to shower.
I ate slowly and without interruptions.
I slept when I was tired and got up when it was time to go to school or work.
I never woke up in a puddle of pee.
I never woke up with little feet INSIDE my pajama pants.
I had the option of sleeping "au natural"
I never fought a man over who got the Tylenol PM.
I never did rock- paper- scissors to determine responsibilities.
I never knew there had to be systems for every darn thing we did in a day.
BUT to be fair,
I never knew what I was missing:

snuggles in bed with warm cozy bodies
the smell of baby hair
the relief of nursing a hungry baby
the relief of being done nursing
hearing your almost teen say, "mom, you said I could talk to you about anything" then hear him say things that he must have had such a hard time saying(and that I may need therapy to get over)-- but it was normal teen stuff, just awesome he was comfortable enough to talk to ME!!!
having your little one say, "mamas are for lovin"
hearing your kids read to each other and know how to spot good books at the library.
watching a giggle fit from the latest joke
having weekly pillow fights
making bubble hairdos in the bath with your daughters
and, hearing them pray every day for their two new sisters to get here quickly...

Beginnings

Beginnings always are easy for me. I can dive right in with a happy attitude. It is the midway on that get hard. By the end I am usually saying "ugh, just get DONE!!" I have been this way my whole life. I remember a coloring book at age 4. I hardly finished any of them. I would start this page... then realize my color choices did not reflect my imaginings... and get sad or mad and stop. At age 10 I would bake cookies. I got the first batch out of the oven. ate half, then stopped. leaving the dough in a bowl in the fridge. I HATE baking for no reason! I have done this with countless things my entire life. Mondays I look at with hope! I think, ahhhh a new week. Fresh with no mistakes. Then by weds I am thinking, MY goodness!! WHEN will the weekend get here!!??? I HATE having my lesson plans go awry by weds. I hate not having all the little squares checked off... I know it is a problem. and it is on MY end. I see that and it is one of my aspirations to deal with that this year too. But for now, I am simply aspiring to finish what I begin. If I am hating something, I will walk away for a moment, then come back refreshed or turn on music or something to make that thing better, til it is done. And I will learn to be ok with imperfection. In me, in my projects, my kids and my hubby.... I WILL. Here's to new beginnings! and also to happy (finished) endings

in case you wondered if my tummy always showed

Yes. almost always. But I will NOT make that my aspiration.lol Showing my belly button more. Definitely only a thing I could get away with at age 5 or 6 tops.

2010

This would be a picture of me at about age 6. I am wearing an outfit of my choosing and eating not only 1 but TWO hot dogs and sticking my tongue out at the photographer. Not a clue who (but if it was my aunt she deserved it and not even my mom would have spanked me) I am also getting a dirty look from my brother behind me. But I was actually not a bad kid. Just had a wild moment. My hair refused to stay in a pony-tail. I had a too short shirt and my belly always stuck out, and THIS was my thin days. But what I love about this picture is that I was uninhibited and could care less what I looked like. I was happily enjoying junk food with both hands. I was barefooted at the lake and loving life. THIS is what I intend for this year. More moments like this!


We have been sick for a whole stupid MONTH!! The entire month of December!! Now we are finally getting better.(yay!) and I am thinking about the plans for the new year.


I give up on resolutions...I do not get along well with them. I kill them too quickly. They are like houseplants. They look great for a week or so then die sad deaths of neglect. I am choosing aspirations instead this year. That means I don't fail... I simply aspire to do better. My aspirations for this year:( the top one being to aim for a better relationship with God. Obviously any blunders are not on His part, but mine... so I aspire to fix MY end only.)
1. to enjoy my kids MORE and not stress about their safety, behavior and clothes choices.
2. to dance more, sing more, love more and laugh more.
3. to give more.
4. to be myself more. I give up trying to fit other people's expectations and please everyone else. Not that I intend to be intentionally rude or always selfish, but just be REAL and love life.
5. to figure out this crazy little thing called love.
6. to be healthier
7. to bring home my girls!.!! Hopefully in the newer part of the year rather than the later part.
8. to save money by learning to be a better cook.

May our New year be filled with the things that make us happy and help others and share the real love of God.

wedding day Dec 16th 1995

Merry Christmas 2009 !!

Happy holidays from our crew to yours! May your Christmas be full of peace and joy, and your new year filled with blessings! (((Hugs)))

Making a house a home. (safely)

I have been using a company's products for 7 years now. Melaleuca.(yes you can google that) I just wanted to share a teensey about what WE have experienced with their products. First, I will say I HATE selling things. So don't think I am. lol really and honestly. I am simply sharing because right at this moment I am sitting here with cotton in my ears trying to fight off what I assume to be an ear infection beginning. To do this, I use a product of theirs. Tea tree oil!! The home remedy for ear infections is so easy and it really has saved us so much money and of course kept the kids from so many antibiotics.
(use a children's medicine measuring cup or other tiny container)
mix :
a few drops of olive oil
a few drops of hot water
a few drops of tea tree oil
* then dab a cotton ball in the mix until it is soaked. Squeeze it out well. Then put in ear(you may have to tear it in half before dipping)
Do this as much as possible and especially at bedtime. Do this at first sign of ear ache if possible. This will kill infection and heal the ear. If you have a full blown ear infection, be sure to squeeze the cotton ball well, because it may sting if the ear is really inflamed. I have had to wait until kids were asleep to put theirs in sometimes.
Aside from their top grade tea tree oil, this company sells home cleaning products that are safe, and non-toxic laundry and dish care. They have the BEST laundry stuff. Really. If you look at their prices though, it may seem expensive, but their stuff is super concentrated. I use 1 TABLESPOON in a large load of clothes and they are super clean. I once got ink out of a new quilt(pale pink quilt) by using their stain treatment and then detergent.
They have safe body care products. Beauty products. PET products. Diet products. dish care products, Nutrition etc. I have to share about their vitamins. I was super anemic after having my third baby. I had colon problems that we could not get a clear diagnosis on. My liver tests were elevated to hundreds of times what they ought to have been. My Dr wanted me to have a full blood transfusion. They gave me iron supplements but my body could not absorb ANY nutrients. at. all. These vitamins have a different make up that allows the body to absorb them quickly and more efficiently than most vitamins. My bloodwork improved very quickly after beginning to take them! They are really amazing supplements.
They have candles which wont emit harmful things into your home air.
It really has saved us money to use this company. It has saved our environment locally by NOT having such harsh chemicals in our home. It has affected MY bloodwork(removing toxins from the home causes my liver to not work as hard), it has given me products I feel good about my children using.(I can have them clean and not worry about fumes or skin burns!) Just today I realized how many of their items are in my daily routines. I was thinking about how much money I have saved, how much cleaner our air is, and about how much better I feel. And I had to share!
www.melaleuca.com
If a person were wanting to buy, they can sign up like at S*m's with a 30.00 fee. Then there would be a requirement of about 45.00 a month to keep the PC or "preferred customer" status. So, look at the PC price. It is well worth signing up, to detox your home, and make you feel better. AND your cleaning will be easier, and your clothes will be cleaner! OH(speaking of clothes!) their laundry stuff is actually helping to keep our clothes looking newer. It does not fade or tear or wear out your clothes. We have clothes that have been passed through family after family... and they last so well.
If you are interested in their products but are unsure about signing up, I can order things FOR you and have them shipped to you, then you can pay me through paypal or check. I would not make anything for this-- just getting you the stuff at my cost.I just want everyone to realize the value and effectiveness of this stuff. I think it could help save lives in fact. I feel very sure it played a vital role in saving MINE. if you have any questions, email me : hezra_at_home@yahoo.com Have a happy FRIDAY!!

BAH HUMBUG!!

I am so frustrated!!! I cannot stand the icky consumerism one more minute!! AND it is only DEC 3rd!!! I look at online stores and just think, sheesh, really? Do my kids need that? I get emails, and catalogs daily. FREE SHIPPING! 25% off!! BUY BUY MORE MORE..... your kid NEEDS this. Your home can't be without THIS for the holidays.
GAH!! I can't take it! I want a home for the holidays. A home where there is love, warmth, family and friends. Laughing, eating, and lots of reading and snuggling. I want my kids to see that the REAL meaning of Christmas is Christ. Love, honor, respect,sacrifice... Not getting MORE STUFF!!!!
I waded through the boys' room today. It was a MESS. The only toys they have in there are legos. But there are SO MANY! But what do they want for Christmas? a 3000 piece set of star wars lego STUFF! It is not that I do not wish to bless my kids. It is just that I am tired. Tired of tripping over the same toys. Tired of hearing them say, "do you know what I want for Christmas?", and tired of feeling the pressure to buy at every side.
Maybe my Moriah has it right. She said, "mommy? Here is what I want for Christmas. A toy pony, and for Audrey(my niece) to come over. Something to play with and someone to love. Ahhh... if only everyone on earth could get THAT for Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2009

I am so very thankful for my kids!! They are funny, adorable and amazing little(well ok, some are not so little) people. I feel so lucky to have them!

Riley ( he is 12 yrs old)



Elijah (9 yrs old)



Olivia (8 yrs old)



Isaiah (5 yrs old)


Moriah (4 yrs old)

bunk bed building

Compromises. Why does life have to be filled with them? Esp in a large family. It feels like we are constantly compromising about something! The most recent was bunk beds for the girls' room. I wanted these adorable white ones with sweet little spindles AND they came with 2 "free" mattresses. But the hubby thought 5 hundred something was too much for said beds. He said we should keep looking. Even though I had been looking for two years for those exact beds at under six hundred. But the mattresses??? Did I mention they were FREE!!?? My usually optimistic hubby became all cynical, scrunched his eyes and said "nothing is FREE-- remember the FREE puppy??" ahem, I think we were talking beds here, NOT dogs. So I looked around online and found free bunk bed/ loft bed plans to BUILD them. It is a basic set. No spindles. But it did look sturdy(very important in my house). The picture showed 6 adults on a top bunk.(I know practically WHEN would that need to happen?? but still it meant STURDY!!) So I asked him what he thought. He wanted to build them. He was excited to build them. I said, if you build it, I will paint them white. It will be our compromise. Here is the breakdown.
The supplies-- 180.00
The plans-- free
The labor-- free but several hrs of building then several hrs priming and painting

This is Dan building them. The boxes were assembled in the garage, then the posts and extras were actually put on IN the room. It is a really heavy set!



This is with the ladder on the end. IT is built. Now ready for painting!



This is the set fully painted and ready to move and get the mattresses on(which WERE free because we already HAD them.)


Moriah's bed! Made and ready for my little Ninja sleeper so she can sleep HERE and not with mommy!!! wooohooooo!!!!!(not that she did not have a bed before. and not that she stayed in it very much the first night, but I keep calling it her "special new bed with high hopes)


awwww, my sweet petite ballerina enjoys her new bed. At least for the super cute photo session.

The finished product is a bed that is simple, takes up little space and works. Not bad for under 200. The ladder is built into the end which makes it easier to build (and did I mention thereby taking up less space?). The girls love it. So that makes this one successful compromise. BUT the biggest problem now? We have to do another set for the new sisters.

the hair cut "After"

These are the photos of my boy AFTER his hair cut.

bad hair day

As we were getting ready for a trip in Sept, my hubby had #4 out with him. I can run a house, pack for 5 kids and myself and do the dishes literally AT the SAME time, but not if that one kid is in the house. He has the ability to be a kink in every chain. I love him to pireces but sometimes it is required to have breaks.(for my sanity and his probably) So he was "helping" Dad clean out the car. Dad had left some scissors on the front seat of the van. He had a few hairs hanging in his eyes. He saw a problem. He fixed the problem. Just a few days before my niece said, "oh I love his hair long-- it is so cute! Please don't cut it." I actually said, yeah it is starting to hang down a little I better trim a teensey. UGH! What is that saying about a day late? Here he is before the hair cut. Looking all surfer dude cute. My ONLY blue eyed blond in the entire clan.


MY husband brings him in, saying, "DONT FREAK OUT! He is ok!" I of course freak out. I thought he was hurt. This is the kid who has been to the ER every year of his life. The daredevil. The uninhibited one. Then I see him. I thought for long minutes about this. I tried not to cry. He is a boy, short hair is fine for boys. I kept trying to figure out a way to have some length remain, here he is while I assess the damage and try to figure out WHAT to do. We were supposed to be pulling out of the driveway at this moment. He was not happy about the picture, but I said, it is required if YOU cut your hair YOU are getting pictures!


I will post the afters as soon as I can. But imagine his fine blonde hair cut to about 1/2 inch all over. It looks nearly bald because his hair at that length is practically clear! This was not the first hair cut gone bad in our home, but it had better be the last kid done job!

Sticker mania

What is it with Toddlers and stickers?? Or markers? I feel like everytime I get a fresh coat of paint on something SOMEBODY puts something on it! Last night I found Moriah doing this to my freshly- painted bedroom door.
Me: ohhhh!!
Moriah: oh, you don't like it?
Me: well, it can take the paint off that mommy just put on!
Moriah:(sad face) oh.
Me: but I have to get the camera
Moriah: OOOH! You DOOO like it!!!
She graciously (in Vanna White style) pointed out to me the different styles of address labels. Snowmen, Christmas trees.. etc(thank you M*rch of dimes!)




Then after her photo shoot she sweetly removed them and carefully stuck them back to their original card.

little hackers...

The other day, I was looking online at our favorite websites. We order most of our Christmas gifts because it saves tons of time! AND we sort of love getting mail-gifts. Well, I started at Vision Forum. It is a GREAT place for Godly, toys and books and movies. Also they have real adventure stuff for boys. Last year we got the zipline, and the slingshot! The girl stuff is pretty sweet too. Well, I looked at the top of the page and it said I had 6 items in my cart! hmmm. can't remember adding things, but you know I haven't had a full night's sleep in like 12 years! So I may have but just forgot that detail. So I looked at the cart. hmm, yes, I remember thinking the spy gear would be good. Yes I looked at that for kid 2. hmm... yes I liked that too. then further down, "TOMOHAWK!??" I did not add that!!!!!! Who would give these three boys a tomohawk!? ohhh, it began to hit me ... THEY would. Yes a real weapon folks. These boys can maim one another with foam swords. They do it often. Plastic ones cause serious damage. and they think I'm gonna give them actual blades????? Those greedy little hackers.(hacking as in computer. lol no pun intended there!) if you have never seen the website, www.visionforum.com
Meanwhile, I am thinking foam blocks, bubble wrap and cardboard for my kids for christmas. hmm, no cardboard can give pretty bad cuts... better keep thinking.

More birthday!!(and a miraculous invention)

ok, so this is a joke-- don't be thinking I mean actual miracle. My daughter got a Barbie house for her birthday she has been wanting for forever. Isaiah(5) gave her one hint. He said, "Sis, your present...(insert dramatic pause) has A ROOF!!!" Surprise ruined. Or so I thought. She still must not have believed she would really get it because her look when she saw that GIGANTIC doll house was priceless:



This dollhouse is great. All the furniture she had but did not have room for(some was mine when I was a little girl) she now has room for. But my niece Nikki kept ooohing and ahhhing over the new stuff we did NOT have as kids. Apparently Barbie now needs a miniature toilet! This came with the bathroom furnitire. Nikki(who is more like my sister than my niece) says, "the only toilet in the world that does not need to be cleaned!"



Here she demonstrated for us, "seat goes up, seat goes down". But maybe Barbie won't need to explain that to Ken. Maybe Ken is the perfect man (as his perfect plastic coif and perfect chest muscles suggest) MAYBE he won't leave the seat up! I wonder...

the Par-tay

Today was the party!! We had 15 kids(it was hard to get an accurate count- they move so fast!) and several adults-- ending up to be about 25 people!! My baby girl turnes 8 years old. I have tried and tried to explain to her since about age three she really SHOULD stop this growing up thing. ;-) But every year she informs me it must occur. This morning said, so "Sweet Petite, are you feeling eight?" She says, "oh VERY!" well, I can barely remember myself being eight, but judging from the pictures and her sweet smile all day, eight must be feeling pretty awesome.
Her big gift was a gi-normous barbie home.(which by the way, Nikki and I decided we really are going to play with!!) My little niece Audrey hopped of Nonnies lap to throw herself in my arms and squeal, "oooh will you get ME one of those and bring it to MY birthday??!!" It was like the little rabbit on the Robin Hood cartoon, "come again, on my birthday!"
Olivia got to spend the whole day with our dear friends, who drove 2 1/2 hrs to see us! It was a great, busy, chaotic day full of fun and giggles.

Veteran's day 2009

Thank you thank you to all the American soldiers!! The men an women who serve our country and fight so hard for the freedoms we enjoy. The Moore family does not take it lightly!!

Birthday Bunny!

Okay, so we don't believe in the Easter bunny, BUT we are loving a birthday bunny!!
My Olivia turns 8 this month and has wanted a bunny for about 4 years. Of course with our littles as babies it was impossible. Now they are 4 and 5 we were thinking about it. But they are expensive at the pet shops. We were concerned a baby bunny might be too fragile. Well last week a friend of mine posted an ad on facebo*k about her rabbit needing a home. She GAVE us the rabbit, (who is neutered!!) and a cage, water bottle, litter box, shavings and food. EVERYTHING he needed! Olivia is so excited. He spent his first day being very skittish(who could blame him?) But today has been a giant furball of lovin'. We are so grateful that God grants us the desires of our hearts in such amazing ways-- even the somewhat crazy desires like a pet rabbit my little girl has prayed for. But I can tell you this little girl understands the power of prayer and love of God even more. She had tears in her eyes when she found out my friend GAVE him to us for FREE!!

New baby in the family

My new nephew!!! Henry Luke arrived today at 6:39 pm. He weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz and was 19 inches long. He is truly a beautiful baby!



Isn't he just a darling little fella?????


Seriously... are you overwhelmed by cuteness or WHAT????


His sweet and strong mama Ashley, who worked so hard to keep him strong and so hard to get him here. I am just so proud of her!! This my friends is what WE did today. lol, ok, so I just held a hand and said Good job a lot and took a few photos, but still I AM quite proud. Tomorrow I get to have his big sister Audrey for the day. Can't WAIT to hear what that sweet baboo has to say about him. She giggled and said he was naked! And her mommy took clothes so the Dr would dress him up. lol

The homeschooling journey

OKAY, so we know that homeschooling will be a challenge sometimes. It is just a given. I had an amazing God brought opportunity though that came about for me to follow a personal dream and made it even MORE challenging! I have been thinking for 9 years now about pursuing a midwifery career or at least becoming a certified doula(labor assistant). I had asked a few questions a few years ago from some ladies I found on different yahoo groups, but then sort of put it all out of my head when our babies came along. Now that our littles are 4 and 5, I started thinking about it more. Then one day I got an email from a woman I did not know, but it was marked as a "reply." When I read it, it was about an online school for midwifery,and they have a doula course. We had a little extra money and enough to get the course and the books. I asked my hubby and he agreed and whoosh! I was enrolled in an online course! So I am in the final week of my 6 week course. I am on my way to being a certified labor assistant. I hope to be able to even teach childbirth classes someday. I am so excited to get to attend births, help women AND potentially make money with it!! Now that is the happy side.
The dark side of that issue is that it was SO STINKING Hard to TAKE classes, teach kids, run the house, etc etc. I could notr believe how many nights I was up at 2 am turning in online assignments! I have not been able to blog! I have not taken PICTURES! I feel so out of the loop!! But I have almost reached my finish line of a really important goal. Wahoooo!!!

Thankful thursday

Hmm, but it is really Friday MORNING. I have to say, there are so many things I am thankful for. When I get started I sort of snowball. I had the priviledge this week, to spend a night out with my sweet friend "L". Then my dear friend "I" and her little boy came today. It was chaos and I was so scared she would be scared away for LIFE. But she wasn't!! She asked if she could please come again next week!!(??) God is so merciful.
Then tonight I was swamped in clothes up to my knees sorting winter stuff, give aways, and washing EVERYTHING all five kids own(or so it seemed), my friend "T" said she was mom-napping me away for an hr. "E" and "T" took me to our fav. restaurant for coffee dessert and laughs galore. I am afraid we cleared our section because they were worried about us. We laughed so hard-- I am sure they thought we should be at the bar!
So, I am thankful for girlfriends. The ones who love us and keep us bolstered. The ones who pray for us and stand in the gap when we can barely stand. The ones who can look us in the eye and be honest. My sweet Kirsten,Lesley,Charity,Monique, Ingrid, Teri, Edna, Tammie, Joey and Jenn. Then my online buddies Linn, Jean, Lori, Chelsea and "the source" lol. I cannot begin to tell you how encouraged I am by you!
I am humbled and thankful.
I am so amazed that with 5 kids I have had to buy so few clothes! I have been so blessed with good friends who share. We have a bit of a routine now. A circle of moms who pass the stuff around. I Love that Monique,Kim, Kirsten, Lesley, Charity and I can say "hey do you have the girls sz 5s?? I need those or, I need the boys 10s. . . do you have those or does Lesley??" lol I love that we have dresses that we save and are so special because they have been worn by 5 little girls! I love that my friend Kim has tears in her eyes as she says every season, "thank you for clothing my boy, you have clothed him from the day he was born!" No my sweet sister, God has-- for all of us!I love the familiar scent of my friends when I open a bag of clothes freshly laundered from their home and it doesn't smell like Tide or Downy, but a hug from THEM!! I am so grateful for that.(even though I am knee- deep LITERALLY and have washed about 10 loads today! lol)
I am grateful for my kids, that they are not obligations, but little people. And people that I LIKE to be with!! They are hilarious, smart and so much fun.
I am thankful that my husband is trying so hard to be what God has called him to be. He is an awesome provider and has God's favor.
I am thankful for a home that is big enough for us all plus two more! And that God saw fit to make me a joyful mother of many! I am oh so grateful.
I am grateful for parents that did their very best and against so many odds, taught me compassion, love and mercy.
I am grateful for my sister who(God bless her!!) has "raised" so many of us and loves with such force it can take your breath away!
I am grateful for my younger brother, who shows me more and more every day what it means to love and live so fully and freely. And for the Sister in love who just amazes me with her strength and integrity.(and of course for the niece who is like a bundle of sunshine and the new baby nephew on his way!!!!!)
I am thankful for our childrens' birth mom. She is an awesome woman and loves us so much it amazes me every time I see it in action. There are some who say her job is easy. . . but I know better. It cannot be easy to be selfless enough to give a life to another. I am in awe of her.
God has been so good to me. When I was formed in my mother's womb, HE knew me. He KNEW ME. Called me by name and had good plans for me. I am so grateful that he ransomed me and his lessons of love and faith through adoption journeys. . .are so incredible.
I pray that as I listen to the rain tonight, I can swim in His Goodness. Feel the warmth of His love and spill over onto others. Have I mentioned that I am thankful?? ;-)