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?? ;-)

Hezra's Thoughtful Spot

Today we read again a chapter in "The house at Pooh Corner", and a chapter of Hank the Cowdog.(our current read aloud books) In reading the Pooh book, I have discovered some very realistic, and surprisingly modern- day characters. Bear with me a minute or two (yes, pun intended).
Okay, so we have Rabbit. He is so obviously OCD it isn't even funny. He has serious control issues and is just sadly, not as smart as he would like to think. I think that poor rabbit could use some Prozac and a weekly meeting with a kind therapist.
Then there is Owl. He is quite narcissitic (okay I know my selling is off!!) I think he tries to cover up his inadequacies with big words and lots of talk. He needs to see Dr Phil and just get REAL! Go on Oprah OWL!
Next, we have poor little Piglet. That little guy has such bad anxiety issues we need to start him on a pretty high dose of anti anxiety meds JUST to get him functional. I think that might help his stuttering too!
Eeyore is obviously very depressed! He needs a good round of anti- depressants and again, a good therapist. A few friends and a night out here and there wouldn't hurt the poor guy either!AND maybe a MRS EEYORE?? Just a thought.
Of course there is Pooh Bear himself. That fluffy little bear has a bit of an eating disorder. He has serious food issues. I mean, he plans his whole DAY around food. All the while calling a whole pot of "hunny" a "little something." Portion Control and Weight watchers could help. But he needs to be honest about his amounts! Oddly, they call him the bear of very little brain. BUT he is a creative(if not so talented) songwriter and poet. He figures out almost all of the solutions to their problems. AND he is good at making and keeping friends. Not a bad bear if you ask me.
Kanga is the sweet bio and adoptive mom who took Tigger in under her wing(er pouch as it were) and cared for him so well. Calling him Tigger Dear and all.
Speaking of Tigger! THAT is an obvious case of ADHD if I ever saw one! He needs Ritalin --not that stuff Kanga gives him!!(energy stuff??!! She is sweet but I think she may be a little ditsy) Roo. Roo may be the only normal one in the hundred acre woods. He is the bouncy but happy little fella. He loves his big brother(Tigger) and obeys his mom. Very sweet kid.

Ahh, it makes on feel very sorry for Christopher Robin. He has to the what 5 year old ringleader of that strange crew??? Kind of a lot to put on a kid!

So, that is my take on the characters of Pooh corner. I wonder what Milne was trying to tell us?? Maybe he made these quirky characters to remind us of aunts, uncles moms, dads, sisters and brothers(and let's not forget friends) That is why they have seemed so real. So memorable. AND so timeless. They are like family. Ya gotta love that!

A trip (getting there was NOT half the fun)

Last weekend we were heading to OKC. My twitter/bloggy friend lives there and it was her birthday. AND it was the Arts festival(which we had never attended before) Getting packed was tricky. Friday(the day before) was Riley's laundry day. He was slow or negligent. Whatever. He had not finished his laundry. USUALLY, I have them bring their backpacks, and I tell them we need two daytime outfits, two underwear,swimsuit, socks a pr of pjs. . .etc. But this Friday, I felt all out of sorts because it had been a rough week. AND my laundry system was messed up. (did I mention there was a kid holding this parade up?? Ok, I will let it go now) So, the night comes, kids are in bed. Dan says , lets watch a movie, you can relax. I watched. I fell asleep. Morning comes like a jet-- way too fast. He wakes me with coffee and breakfast and a slightly concerned look, saying, "um, honey? we kind of need to hurry." this is where adrenaline kicks in. I say, "oh CRAP!! What time is it??" He says, oh, calm down, it is ok, we just need to get a move on. BUT don't worry , the kids are all packed. (!? Don't worry?? who packed their stuff? Who told them what to pack? WHAT ON EARTH DID THEY PACK!? I jumped up, showered quickly and packed my stuff. All the toothbrushes went into my bag and all personals and meds.
I had everyone bring me backpacks and checked them. Sure glad I did, because half the crew would have been naked by the second day. They had 1 outfit, some had no underwear, others had no socks. Moriah had only 1 outfit and a swimsuit. Nothing else. OH but her dolly had a weeks worth of clothes!
I quickly cleaned the kitchen and had kids taking out trash and feeding animals. Dan had the two littles helping him clean out the van. About 20 minutes into this routine, he brings in Isaiah and has a sheepish look. Saying, ok now stay calm. . . "WHAT HAPPENED NOW?!?" I failed at the stay calm. Apparently while Dad was cleaning the van, Isaiah found scissors. He cut his hair!! HE is FIVE years old!!! He cut his hair only in the front/top, and it was long and so cute long. But now he had a crew cut on top only and the sides were long. I growled and took him to the bathroom. He was sad because he knew I was angry, and yes I felt guilty about it. I said, you have to get mommy or daddy to help with hair cutting it is the RULE!! I looked him over for a good five minutes trying to figure out some way to save some length. But I could only see it ending up a mullet, so therefore it is all short now. *sigh* and so, he had a haircut, a shower, and we left for our trip. And that man told me to stay calm. . . . Why does he say that? Doesn't he know I automatically assume it is worthy of being upset about when he says that??
When we were 30 minutes down the road, 9 yo Elijah says, "um mom?" what? " I accidentally left my backpack." WHAT??!!! "Well, I was so excited, when dad said load up, I just ran to the car." So, our first assignment on arrival was to check in our hotel and then head to Ross and get him clothes.
That night as we were watching TV and Riley was getting showered, he screams, "MOM!" I ran to the bathroom, to find him wrapped in a towel and looking desperately through his bag. "I forgot to pack shorts!!!" lolol his was the only bag I didn't check(aside from Dans of course ;-) So, from now on, we pack this crew MY way. No movie and falling asleep the night before. No relaxing. No getting lazy on the laundry. AND WE Get our bags to the CAR! oh. and no last minute hair cuts would be very nice too. And that man wonders why I get a little anxious sometimes. sheesh.

Pierced ears

MY little girl is growing up. When she was turning six, Aunt Sheila gave her a gift card to get her ears pierced. She was a little scared and saved it for months in my purse. Every time went to Wal-M*rt together she would mention it, but then say no. Finally,she spent the gift card on other fun stuff MONTHS later. We have talked about it so many times. She asked once, "Mommy, can they just knock me out so I don't feel a thing?" I said, um, no, not for ear piercing. AND, by the way, I need you to remember a hard word, "epidural". lol I was muttering and walking away so it was more for my husband I was saying it. But thirty minutes later she said, "OK Mommy, am ready now!" I said, for what? She said, "For that EPIDURAL thing". Then we can get my ears pierced?? She is a crack -up. Anyway so a few MORE months go by. The night before her Daddy's birthday, she says(at 8 PM) "Mommy, I am really ready to get my ears pierced." So I grabbed my purse and threw her in the car.(BUT I have to say, I was kind of a cheater pants. I gave her Ibuprofin before. AND I dabbed oragel on her earlobes, then washed it off with wet wipes RIGHT before walking in the place) She was so brave and after seeing the first one done, and crying a single tear. . .she was so excited-- she was all smile and dimple. She just kept saying "I did it I did it!!"

Crazy love

crazy love

MY life is a tad insane. I know it. I admit it. I have right now, a plastic box with rocks and frogs in my entry. I have two new kittens who feel the need to BE everywhere all the time. Add to that the five current children. My brooding preteen who needs constant toddler-like reassurance of my affection. My very practical 9 year old who keeps us all balanced and tries to maintain peace(emotionally that is-- he literally bounces off walls physically!) My adorably sweet 7 year old who has become a little, um, emotional. She prays every day for her "two new sisters to come quickly," but I think she is very nervous about their coming too. My #4 asked me yesterday if I could change his name to Miguel.(?!) He is , hm, words escape me. He has been rough today, and every day for the last 5 yrs. He is a "challenge to parent,""strong -willed", "spirited" those are the terms the books call him. He requires so much of my attention, emotions and constant discipline that I feel like a wrung out sponge some days. But I also see his growth and improvement and feel grateful for my boy. The first I did not birth, but the very first to come by adoption. Then there is my baby. Who lately hates being called that. She is quiet and shy and her brother's faithful minion. Those two are biologically linked (they share a birthmom) and so spiritually linked it still baffles me. When she was a newborn and he was 14 mos old, I had their cribs in the same room, end to end. I would wake up to check on them early and find him curled up around her!! With one chubby arm protectively over her and his other around his night night. This sight was terrifying night after night, but at the same time, comforting. They needed me, but just as importantly, they needed each other. How lucky am I to get to see that. She is 4 and FINALLY warming up to people. Family members are saying she is "coming out of her shell". She says, "mommy, I yoves(loves) you!", AND. . .(dramatic pause) I YIKE (like) you!!" Well, thanks Sweetie, that says it all. I like you too AND I love you. Love is like. . . a yo yo we let it go we roll it up. . . over and over and it always thrills me when it comes back. Love is like opening a present, every time a kid says I love you to me, I feel like someone just gave me a present. Every slobbery kiss. . . sticky handed hug. Crazy wild and lovely.

Gotta Gush and say thanks

OKAY! I cannot remember any and all who may have talked about "Teaching Textbooks" for math, but I had to gush a little and say a broad generalized thank you to the ones who did. This is an answer to prayer!!
I ordered their 5th grade math for my oldest. We have tried several math programs out there and last I had heard TT was only upper grades so I hadn't even thought of it for real yet, but knew I would check it out when he got to 6th. BUT THEY HAVE 3rd and up.(third is being released soon) So I ordered it Monday, no lie here, and it was here this morning(WEDS!!) My boy, (who hates math with a passion) has said thank you mom for trying another one for me a thousand times before it got here. When it arrived, he was so excited, he got up and did lesson one while still in his pjs. He finished it with missing only 1 problem and that was a typing error. I would post a pic but he didn't want me taking one of him un-showered and in pjs.(whatever, kid!)
So, for the first time EVER in our 9 years of homeschooling, I feel a fit with math. He said,"I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!"(ELF quote there) lol so because he "don't care who knows it" I thought I would share. He said, "mom, can you feel that? That weight being lifted??" Yes, Son, I can. lol We are doing the happy Snoopy dance here. The "give math a chance dance." thanks ladies!

the Zen of sarcasm

I got this as an email. Not sure where it came from originally. . . so sorry to "steal" it but it is so funny.


The Zen of Sarcasm


1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either.. Just pretty much leave me alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broke fan belt and leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day .

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving .

20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

AND

22 . Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
-

Everything I need to know I learned on vacation

The deep and not so deep.
1. Do not give out Dramamine to the hubsy when you are 2 hrs into a 7 hr trip.(no matter how whiney, I mean how much he begs) If you do, realize there is a NON drowsy formula. He popped those pills so fast. I was amazed. I said did you take them already? He said, well you gave them to me. I said, how did you ever survive high school. He smarts off "with a little help from my friends" HAH! So the moral? Say no to drugs.
2.If you accidentally DID do number one, you can let him have MT Dew and no doze. He survives the over the counter drug mix pretty well. But make sure you are dealing with a guy 220 or so.
3.USE the GPS from the beginning. E says it means Getting places safely. Good job son. But we came up with a few more, get pleasantly surprised? (as in stumble onto a store while lost) going precariously somewhere(as in lost on a swerving mountain road), and many others the kids and I thought of in the moment. Here is the kicker with GPS. Trust the darned thing!! IF you are going to use it, then trust it. Do not take a turn cause it "feels right." No I was not the driver. I tell you, I think a trip was good marriage counseling and therapy all in one. TRUST each other? NO! Trust GPS? YES!!
4. When a person says"please dispose of this" it means quietly, and skillfully GET RID of it. as in, it is something at least slightly revolting. It does NOT mean lick it off! (no I did not do this, and yes the spider on the butter knife was saved from untimely death.)
5. Trash cans in every seat, or every room, or well, everywhere you can fit one, is the way to go!
6.DO NOT attempt to make your family stay at a hotel where there is caution tape! This involved threatening him. I am sad to say. Thus be flexible. JUST because you had plans to stay there and actually had them "hold" two rooms for you, doesn't mean you have to stay. (hold? Hold up? holding drugs? why did they have caution tape?? I was not sending out scouts!sure, maybe they DID just paint the porch but I am not sticking around to get the scoop!)
7. Air freshener. 'Nuff said.
8. Canoeing with your spouse is a great form of therapy. Add three kids into it, and just "float" with the conversations. . .
9. Have snacks all the time readily available. For some reason, people begin to act as though they were raised by wolves when the food supply gets too low. They quickly turn on one another in some prehistoric type of display. Fascinating but I am thinking unhealthy. It is easier and kinder to all to JUST FEED the animals!often.mommy too.
10. Listen to music. . . rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river. . . Music is the soundtrack to life. Get it going and watch everyone become a bobble head.

Listen. Love. Laugh. Sing. Dance. Eat. Drink. Be happy and do fun thing, then rest a lot. Life will be like a vacation every day.

My Moriah

My sweet baby is no longer a baby! Now she is a little girl 4 years old. No longer in diapers or strollers or slings. This was our first vacation to realize we are past those things. I have to say, I am kind of glad. I LOVE babies, and there are moments when I miss that, but really, truly I am glad. My littlest one is getting to be a bigger girl. She talks, squeals and giggles. She runs to her daddy, she pesters her brothers and borrows clothes from her sister. . .wow! it is going by all zoomy!
kickin' it up at the lake: something about a lemony yellow Dora suit makes a girl get frisky and brave.

Summer Vacation 2009(part 1)

The first part of our vacation was Monday. We went to Beaver's Bend State park here in OK. It is a couple hrs from home. Since the hotel we were first going to stay at had caution tape around it. . .(no I am NOT kidding)Mom promptly said Dad better find us a new nesting place fr the night, when he said he could just check it out, I said I would personally make sure he was outlined in chalk within the paremeters of that caution tape. He decided to side with me. So we stayed at a lovely lodge with a gorgeous view of the lake. Had a 24 hr stay. GREAT food(catfish) and had canoe and paddleboat fun. Oh, and go karts.





The other end of the canoe! Um, sort of looked like the D Man was resting. . . but then again, I was taking pictures so oh well.





The big boys got to do the paddle boat. And they took off!!




This is what Olivia does every time we go to the hotel. She finds the Bible there and begins to look up her favorite verse.(Ps 4:8, which we have painted onto her bedroom wall) She loved reading out on the balcony at the lodge.




This is what D man does every time we go to a hotel. lol But to be fair, he HAD driven a few hrs.

mom is feeling slightly human

In case there are any who are wondering. . . I AM feeling slightly more human. I can gulp water now. Praise the LORD! I can eat some food too. And the great thing, it actually tastes a little like it should. Faintly. I am less queasy, and in MUCH less pain. Thank you for your prayers.(thanks mama! I got your message on email but the guys have taken my phone so I can "rest." HAH! )
I had to share something kind of funny. . . My lunch(canned chicken and rice soup) was my first real meal. It was served in a 2 qt mixing bowl and with a small serving spoon.and an appology about the dishes. My supper( soft bbq beef and some mashed potatoes! YUMMY) was served in a saucer. I am guessing there was a shortage of clean dishes. Ha ha. But hey! They are feeding me and I can eat. I just had to ask for seconds on my saucer. That is okay with me. He did get them to clean up, and I heard dishes banging recently so I am guessing they had to load the dishwasher. He took them to the library(so what if it was for more movies and books to keep them quiet?) and then took three to the college pool. Riley babysat Moriah.(really funny!She was bossing HIM around.) So, I thought you might like to know I am feeling better. Maybe tomorrow I will actually be out of bed! And Dan is keeping the kids alive, and feeding me. Not bad, not bad at all.

mommy's sick. . . . nooooo!!!

OK, so I was feeling pretty bad Tuesday. Slight sore throat... a little weak. Then Tuesday night I had severe chills and high fever. Hubsy had to go to work for an early meeting then he was heading back home. He said YOU are going to the Dr! I said, no, I just wanna go back to bed. My throat hurts. BEsides, I know what strep looks like. After I got off the phone, I thought, oh, but I haven't looked at my throat. So I did. Um this was an obvious case that there will be no need for the culture swab. I began getting dressed in an almost laughable hurry. He took me to urgent care. The Dr. . . (picture Will Farrel in "Elf") said, "ohhh, that looks like an ANGRY case of strep!" Then he proceeded to wash his hands extra long and sat 5 ft away. . . thanks for making me feel like a freak. Could have used a hug, but no. . . So I said, um, I am in serious opain. Can't swallow, even BREATHING hurts. Is there any pain medicine I could have? I can't swallow Tylenol of Ibuprofin. He said, "oh I highly reccommend you take something for pain. I will get you Loritab Liquid". I almost cried with relief at the THOUGHT of relief. So, he said, "REST, take your meds and go to BED! Drink as much water as you can. Get better." I said, "Roger that." Then I go to pay my bill. They take my insurance card, then my debit card. THEN SHE AIMS A WEBCAM AT MY FACE!!! Hello?? She said, "I need your picture id for your chart." I said, um, "when I am sick???" She said, "well, that is the only time we see you here at urgent care." So, adding insult to injury, they took a picture of me with frizzy bed head, no make up, and looking a translucent shade of white.(which make my freckles stand out even more) OH and I had my thick lenses glasses on too!! MY outfit was halfway cute but they didn't get that! It was like Jr high picture day all over again. But I took my drugs and went home. Today, I could use your prayers. I am feeling pretty miserable. Even with pain meds, I am hurting. And I have begun feeling queasy(please Lord, NOT THAT! This throat cannot handle that!) and I woke up with a rash. I still can barely swallow. I haven't eaten much. I woke up in baggy pjs, which means I am losing weight rapidly(that could be a good thing but I need food a little!) So, please pray for me? thank you. Sorry, I do not have their webcam photo of me to post here. . . lol I can only imagine how lovely it was. I offered to bring them a glamor shot later but they said no. . . meanies. I found them to be very unsympathetic nurses!

Big boys take first trip with Non and Pop

My kids call my parents, Non and Pop. They don't get to spend a whole lot of time together. I know it seems awful, but at the same time, my parents have had a bad run of health issues. Things are looking up though! My dad had his 5 month after surgery cancer scan, and there is no cancer! Praise God! Because of this my parents wanted to snag some grandkids and get away to thei favorite state park. They were gone awhole weekend, which is kind of a big deal. My house was oddly quiet with only three kids. I used the time to rearrange and organize their room.(MUCH easier to do with them away!)
Elijah informed me on night two. . . when he gets on the phone, there is no "hello mom, I miss you. . ." nope, he says in his dry tone, "your dad's a cheater at paddle boats!" OH dear! I forgot to warn the kids not to ride with dad. It is true, my dad relaxes the entire time, hands folded behind his head and feet propped up on the front of the boats.(while the paddle boat buddy is paddling feverishly around the lake) My childhood came rushing back. I said, oh man, I am so sorry, Buddy. Then he informs me he had to ride with Non on Go carts(double whammy!)She has the record for the slowest driving on go carts and he's my daredevil, need for speed guy. It was devastating to him to be ONE inch too short to drive one alone. But regardless of that one getting the raw end of both of THOSE deals, they had fun.

Here are some pics from their trip:

Home study panic

These are the kinds of messes that happen every time I walk out of a room. A war zone in one room and a teddy teaparty in another. . . I know I should just assume the social worker knows kids live here. They seem happy in their clutter, but still. . . CAN'T we have it all clean for a little while????



I am officially in panic mode! Thursday is the big day. We still have a few things on hubby's side of the paperwork to get done. . . because he waits until the last stinking minute for ANYTHING! So, my panic levels get higher. He had to work in the city three hrs away today. So he was gone all day, then came home to nap. Meanwhile, I woke up sick! NOOOO! It is a cold of gargatuan porportions. My throat feels as though I have swallowed a flaming sword. Water tastes odd. Even though I know I need it, it is hard to drink. So, that means kids did a lot of TV viewing, and made messes I was unable to follow after and get to. My littles are in bed though, and D is up. So maybe there is still hope here. I got rid of everything in my closet that doesn't fit or that looks awful. Ahh the freedom! (unfortunatey that freedom may require going naked three days of every week for a while.) I did have lots more room in my closet though, so I moved sewing stuff there and organized it. My sewing table is clear! My bedroom is swept and mopped. And we move onward to other rooms.I can tell there are people praying though, because my anxiety levels are not as high as they COULD be about now. So thanks to any and all who are praying.

who knew?

So we all know a trampoline can be a fun thing. It is also useful for getting into shape, burning excess boy energy and staying healthy. BUT who knew it could also be a way of getting a stinking great hair do?



My niece Audrey Kate 3 yrs

kitties and kiddies

What can you do with a kitten?? Well, you can carry him around in a bucket of course! Bucket o kitten. Should come with a drink and fries. . . but look at those faces. Better than a happy meal for making them smile. Should I add we do not, nor have we ever eaten a kitten? Ok, so Moriah DID lick his ear. When I asked why she licked kitty's ear, she said, (in a very serious voice) "HE licked ME first!"

25 random things about me

1. I was born in this small town and have NEVER moved. Durant, OK. Not sure why, but I sort of like it here.
2. I loved school. well, I liked it until the 4th grade when I had to move. I hated that school. Otherwise I am the nerdy love sharpend pencils and new notebooks and pointy crayons type.
3. I really love kids. I know it is weird maybe, but I actually enjoy other peoples kids. (usually. . . there are a certain few who will remain name less who irritate)I love their take on life. refreshing, honest and funny.
4. Just because I like them does not mean I enjoy teaching children's church. I actually hate that to a spectacular degree.
5. I am passionate about adoption and it started with my first cabbage patch doll. Whom I really believed NEEDED me or she was doomed to life as an orphan in a cabbage.
6.Now my adoption thoughts run deeper and way more serious. I feel every kid deserves love and family.
7.I love being funny. Getting a laugh is some sort of high for me. Joyfully, my kids have inherited this and we all laugh alot.
8.I seriously HATE cooking. I like to bake for gifts or holidays or just to be nice, but I HATE making three meals a day- day after day after day.
9. I have two brothers and one sister. I remember wishing my little brother would be a sister. Even dressed him up like a girl(so sorry Joe), but I am now so glad I have him. He is an awesome and valuable wealth of information on the guy side. ;-) My spy.
10. I love my parents.
11.I adore my little brother(who is now almost thirty). I took care of him when he was a baby, then well, as a toddler. hm, now that I think about it-- as a teen too. . . well darn I have spent a HUGE portion of my life taking care of that boy. What thanks have I got??? ;-) Oh yeah, he loves me.
12. My kids are awesome. They have problems. They are not always obedient. They are real. I adore them for that. (ok well, sometimes the say anything but say it respectfully bites me in the butt)
13. It really bugs me that no one ever comments on my blog. It is like I am posting just to hear myself think.
14. I hate religion, but really love God.
15. I really enjoy teaching my kids.
16. I love reading, writing and thinking
17. I love sewing, crocheting and making pretty things.
18. I love painting. I mean like painting rooms. Murals. LOVE picking the colors and swipingthem on and watching the mood of a room transform.. . yes I know I am a bit weird.
19. I have a problem with containers. I a m addicted to them. I LOVE the idea that every thing has a little home. Unfortunately, I am alone in this quest here at my house. Others ould care less about WHERE their things are until they need them to walk out the door. Then I hear, "do you know where my _______ is?" At which point I lose it and scream YOU HAVE A BOX FOR THAT!!!
20. I love Mexican food.
21. I love Tiramisu. . . ahh with a cup of coffee with half and half. . . hmmmmm
22. I hate a messy house, but I seem powerless to fight the current.
23. I hate having people over. (see #22)
24. I love great literature.
25. I one day want to be a writer that actually gets published.

The birds and the bees. . .child #1

I am stealing an idea from my bloggy friend and doing a True story this happy Tuesday.
Our story begins with our eldest being 8. It was Christmas. Our kids were 8,6,4,23 mos and 8 mos. We were discussing the story of baby Jesus and his birth over supper. I was planning to read the story and bathe the kids, then put them in their fresh new Christmas pjs. Well, it went a little . . . off my plan. I got to the part where Mary was expecting and Joseph didn't know what to do. Riley said, WHAT? They weren't MARRIED?(uh oh) Elijah said, you are kidding?(huh?) Olivia says, "baby Jesus had no daddy???"(sweet kid). The babies happily munched on, but then Riley said, oh, so there was no sperm? Dan and I stopped midbite. I swear I could hear crickets. Isaw 4 prs of brown eyes looking expectantly at me.(one set was a grown up pair of my hubby) I said, um, Riley where did you hear that word? We haven't , um, talkred about that with school yet.(we homeschool) He shrugged and said casually, "oh I havebeen readin' the encyclopedias." Dan muttered something about--"store them on a higher shelf", and no one else asked any more questions. I thought we were done for a while. But then a few months later. . . the real questions came.
Dad and Riley were on KP duty. Washing dishes. I hear, "Dad, are sperm amphibians or reptiles." Lots of silence. Dan said, "um, amphibians, I guess" Riley laughed and said, "no dad, I know WHAT they are, I was just kidding. What I don't know is, how they get from the guy to the uterus. HAH! Dad was sufficiently scared away, because the word uterus had arrived on the scene from his 9 year old son. He stammered. . . "um, well, I bet your mom would tell you that." I said(through gritted teeth)
I think that is the DADS job!" This went on a bit and Riley said exasperated, would SOMEBODY tell me??" I said, "ok, go to my room and we will have a grown up chat." I gave D a last glare. . . So when we sat down, I said(wisely I might add-- God provided this one) "well, Riley, you tell me what you know about reproduction and I will answer any questions and fill in the gaps." Well, I won't bore you with embarrassing details. Let's just say, he asked all the right questions. We left no stone unturned. The whole story of the birds and the bees was let loose. He took it well. He even said, "mom, thank you for telling me the truth. Why didn't dad tell me?" I said, well, you just shocked him. We weren't expecting these questions so, um, soon." He said, "oh." Then, "well, you know, after all this time, I thought moms had the hard job." I said, "what do you mean?" He said, "well, the mom has to carry the baby, then birth the baby, then breastfeed the baby. She doesn't get much sleep. . . Now I know the dad has a hard job too." I said,"um, really?(trying to figure out where I had gone wrong)" He said, "well, yeah, How that man EVER convinces that woman to sleep naked I will NEVER know!" Then he scampered off like the normal 9 year old kid. Like he hadn't just blown me out of the toddler pool into the deep waters of preteen ocean.

The Sweet Stuff Shop!

Here are a few of the things listed in my Etsy shop. Please check it out? Thanks! Oh and a yarn sale means new dishcloth colors coming. I am as busy as a shoemakers elf here. . . crochet hook whistling away. . . Please check them out. The store is :
www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6847699

new pjs!

I made the girls new pjs! They are simple camisoles with little appliques and flannel shorts. They had too much fun modeling! Btw, Jo*nns has their kids flannels 50% off!!

Mama's bed and strange bedfellows

I have no idea what magic excudes from me as I sleep. It DRAWS children of all sizes and ages. Dad leaves for work early in summer and as soon as he is gone, the bed fills up like it is the last life raft on a sinking ship. Not to mention the tiny tot that comes every night about 2 am. I am all for attachment parenting. I am just all for getting a space bigger than 12 inches for my much larger body. I have noticed that when they come, they bring things with them. Moriah brings her blankie,and a pillow. She clambers up and has this soft sleepy eyed smile as she snuggles, I mean pushes in between us. Then she drifts quickly back to sleep. One morning this last week I woke up to find a mini cinderella doll, and 2 stuffed kittens, a blankie, a pillow. . . and the girl was GONE. She got up to play with the real kittens. Then I looked around and saw Rescue Heroes hanging all over my metal scrolled footboard. Then there was the flock of stuffed sheep Isaiah sleeps with-- the night nights. There were a few socks at the bottom too. All from one night of crazy sleep.

Homestudy and cleaning. . .

Ok, Now I realize that since we have the home study update sort of planned for mid July. . . we need to do some MORE decluttering, and MORE deep cleaning. Please understand. . . we aren't total pigs. We just have 7 people living in this house(give or take a cat or two), and most of them are under 12. So, it makes for piles, messes, and STUFF everywhere. Yesterday I was finally feeling better after dealing with a sickness over the weekend, so I got it in gear, put on music, and tightened my running shoes. I cleaned with a vengence. I reorganized our school shelf which has bugged me for WEEKS. I cleared and cleaned the entry. I was amazed that somehow, these spiders up in the far reaches of my entry had passed my notice! I am really observant, but these guys totally flew under the radar.(or crawled! ewww) I swept a few cobwebs from the corners. . . and a spider fell on me!! Ok it was tiny but I HATE SPIDERS! I washed walls, baseboards(BY the WAY, a plug here-- the dishcloths are awesome cleaning rags too. They are like small string mops and get everything)I freshened the whole place with my new lavendar cleaner. It was one room DOWN! Conquered. I sipped tea and emailed. Then, my littlest said, mommy, there are ants in here.(livingroom) So we made that our next spot. WHY would there be ants??? Well, after moving the sofa, I saw. There was a half a poptart they were thoroughly enjoying. I JUST cleaned this out 4 days ago! I promise!! I move the furniture in there and mop weekly. lol But it looked like it hadn't been done in a year. There was popcorn. . . a patch of sticky kool aid dried. Ok, so someone has been breaking our rule of no drinking and eating anywhere but at the table. I waged all out war on that mess. I cleaned and scrubbed and conquered THAT room.(and eliminated the ants!) Then I went to the kitchen. I hate to even tell you what I saw there. Well, apparently,(even though I didn't clean behind my fridge) a giant wolf spider has been living behind my fridge and we scared him out. My 5 yo son killed that one and it was so big he said he needed DADS shoe.(lol it wasn't THAT big, Dad wears sz 14s lol) So, the kitchen was conquered also, but after that scenario, I gave up for the night. I was a little scared to continue and it was getting late anyway. After yesterdays "finds" I want to hide under the covers and not dig out anymore scary things. I know we live in the woods and all. . . but sheesh!! The wildlife is invading! Last month we found 3 snakes. One was on our fenceline and the neighbor found it. It was 3 ft long!!!!!(btw that one was a harmless one too) Oh, and there was a small lizard in my hubby's bathtub. We think our hunter kitty brought it. She frequently brings us gifts like that. Just usually on the front porch. I am worried I will have to tell our sweet social worker, wear tall rubber boots, and bring a fly swatter. . . oh, and wear a little Off, but please, for the love of all that is holy, let us bring two more sweet children into our home?

dish cloth update!

Hey! We have had 50 dishcloths ordered since that first post! Thank you SO much ladies! I have a buy now button on my blog in the top left, it(so far) will only allow you to buy 1. I am working on that. But if you would like to try one donate to our adoption at the same time, one is a good trial. I have had several people say they are hooked(pun intended!) on these and have thrown out all their other ones. Now I have solid Ecru,varigated mauve, sage and ecru, and solid red and solid white. All the blue and yellow are sold out at the moment. But I am making more!! We have added over 100.00 to our fund in three days! Thank you!

New baby

HAH! Did you think for ME?? Nope, for my brother. I should introduce you to my brother. His name is Joe. He is a not yet thirty, baby brother. He is probably the best brother in the world. Seriously. I hate stupid lines like "you were always there for me" so I won't use that. But he is an awesome guy. He is deep thinking and deep feeling and so smart it blows me away. His loyalty is as deep as the ocean. He is a journalist and his writing is incredible..He is one of my closest friends. He is a husband. He is a daddy. (a daddy to a sweet, smiley blonde who acts JUST like him. lol) So, this daddy and his bride are having a new baby. Yesterday they went to see the pre birth pics of their newest little darling. And it is a BOY!! But here is the fun thing. We are kind of different in some ways. My Joe plans everything. I list everything, but my plans go astray because of kids or hubby. He sets up a kennel THEN gets a dog. I fall in love with a mutt then build a kennel(um, while keeping the dog inside.) He plans to have a baby,when and all. lol Audrey did not follow her daddys plan completely. I adopt kids I didn't even birth. We are different. But we are similar too. Our kids are a CRACK up and we are fun enough to enjoy it. They decided to tell Audrey the news, so they bought a book and told her the news. (I really begged him to video this but I have not been told whether he did it or not.) I called him later, and he said they explained and she said she wants a sister. . . and a sandwich. I am surprised she did not say, do fries come with that? Combo #3, a baby brother, a small drink, small burger and a new toy please.
When MY firstborn was informed of his impending new sibling, he said thoughtfully "I don't know if I want a sister or brother. How about we get a big red dog named Clifford?"

Childrens Theater

Here are a few pictures of my two theater kids. Riley played King Stephan, and Olivia played a singing bluebird. These were dress rehearsal. . . which means we aren't actually DONE yet. We have 5 shows in two days.(by the way, my Olivia is the bluebird on the left)

The three winners!!!

April, Misty and Angie are the winners of the free cloths! So ladies pick a color, and email me your mailing addresses. I will ship those out this weekend. I will get orders boxed up Monday. Thanks so far for the orders. Working on my paypal acct.More info coming I promise.

Mama's handy helpers

LOOK!! I can do pictures again! Ok, please take a look at these. (by the way, the blue one in the second photo is the truer blue. For some reason the first picture shows the blue as an aqua color)I am crocheting dishcloths to sell, to help add to our adoption account. We have two little girls, Joana (13) and Guadalupe(8) in El S*alvador waiting for us. They have been in orphanages since 2003! This is all I know of them. I have no pictures to share (YET!), but I do have God's promise that HE will move mountains on their behalf. He has asked us to "enlarge our tent, and spread wide our dwelling". I am spreading wide my arms and rearranging our home.(I almost have their room READY!!!) My heart is full and bursting with anticipation to meet them. our children pray everyday for their new sisters to get home quickly. Once Olivia knew we were working on the money. . . she immediately began praying, "thank you Lord for the money to come so our sisters can come home faster." Well, I am wildly working on home study stuff and paperwork. In the meantime. . . to pray and calm myself, I crochet. These dishcloths may appear humble. But as I was working on one this week, God was sharing with me a little encouragement. These are like moms. We are soft, but strong. We work hard for our families. We sometimes feel unappreciated(ok, so I don't know how my dishcloths feel, but I am sad to say they end up sort of piled in a heap at the end of a hard day. hmm. . . sounds like me.) Anyway, the widow woman was asked to give the last of what she had the "widows mite" was a small thing. But God takes the humble things to confound the wise. I have humble little dishcloths to sell, and they may seem like a small every day item. But everytime I use mine now, I thank God that he gives grace to the humble. HE will take my loaves and fishes and multiply them. He cares for Joana and Guadalupe even more than I do. I know when it is all said and done, HE will be glorified, and we will have obeyed, and the fatherless will be set in a loving home. Please consider helping our family by buying a dishcloth? (They make great gifts also!) They are 100% cotton yarn. They are economical because they last a long time and they cause you to use less cleaner or soap. They are SO effective, you really will clean faster and easier. And in the end. . . they are biodegradable. I am selling them for 2.00 each(plus a little extra for shipping) Right now I have these colors:
Poppy Red
Spring Blue
Snowy White
Sunny Yellow
I will be giving away three to the first three people to email me! If you are interested in an order, email me at : hezra_at_home@yahoo.com Thanks so much!!

New Computer, baby!

It is about to be Father's day, and my hubby wants to buy ME a new laptop. My current one has been a huge frustration. I haven't been able to use it for pictures,emailing, or blogging for over a month. Even when he reinstalled windows and added some anti virus stuff and "tweaked" it. So, this morning he wants to go get one. They are holding one! They only have 2!  It is a DELL. I said, oh, would you please ask them all the specs for me in computer geek lingo(he is the chief IT guy at our local univ.) then after it is all done. . . please? do this? it would bring me so much joy if me and the kids could see this. . . ask them this one question. . . "ok, so, um I gotta know. . . is there a farmer in the DELL?"  and look serious. Can you do that for me?

Mixed nuts

I have always known that I come from a long line of completely insane individuals. All individual in their insanity too. Yet, my brother and I have gained a sense of humor (and we joke that we are actually, secretly adopted because we act nothing like our parents-mom says we are Frasier and Niles ahh well there are worst things to be) Lately though, I realize there are a bunch of mini- nuts surrounding me.  And the giant nut known as Daddy here. I did a completely stupid but necessary thing. I took three kids (while two were in their summer theater class) to a store. I had a few very specific items. It really should be a short trip. It was not. We enter. Moriah decides she is going to beg for walking privileges(AKA not sitting in cart). I see big brown eyes looking *almost* tearfully cute. I cave. "okay but stay close to me and OBEY."(that may have sounded a little like a hiss but I can't be certain.)  Isaiah decides as soon as we enter to head to the toys. Which has us all running like thoroughbreds at a starting gate already schreeching "Isaiah!" We collect him, give the speech, give the  "if it happens again. . ." Then begin our modern day  hunting and gathering. swimsuits for girls: check check. school stuff:check check. kid shampoo:check check. No honey we don't need toilet paper. To which she screeches YES WE DO NEED TOILET PAPER. to which I hiss, there is extra in the hall cabinet at home! I promise. SHHHHHHHH!  where was I? um, bread. . .check check. oh dear, Lord in heaven, the bread is by the cookies and doughnuts and all other gooey delights and why the heck are they at KID HEIGHT!? Why can't they store that stuff on the top shelf? So I become like an octopus and a soccer goalie all in one. Fielding the sweets and stuff from our cart and fending off whines at the same time. When I feel we have made it, I run with the cart and say HURRY we have to go get the others from class!!! We check out. The boys decide while I check out, they are going to check out stuff. Medicine? Why does that have to be by the check out?? Seriously.  They are touching so much stuff. . . handling the toys. . . I feel like the security cameras are probably zooming in on what they assume to be two mini cleptos(spelling?) . My patience is thinner than paper. I feel anxiety welling. . . I pay and herd my herd of turtles to the van.(by the way, when IN a store-- they move so fast in 5 different directions all screaming HEY MOM LOOK AT THIS! all the freaking time! But then get them out of the store where you want them to kind of hurry to the car-- they drag their feet and moooove sooo sloooowly. What is up?Anyway, we get to the car. I throw in stuff. Buckle those who can't do it for themselves. And we are off. We pick up the other two and head for home. I sigh with relief, then realize we have a baseball game in an hr! That one gets his gear together and I start unpacking our goods. There were TONS of unauthorized purchases! Three kinds of cookies, and a bag of giant orange circus peanuts for starters.  Sheesh. Well, make the best of it. We had milk and cookies for snack. HEY! I sound like June Cleaver for a minute there. Ok, so I feed them and get them to the game. I sink in my folding chair and watch the littles play with their friends in the dirt, and the big kid starts warming up. Dad arrives later. I was so relieved to see him, I leaned over and started telling him(quietly) about my awful trip around town and the store.  I said, then the kids even threw in what appears to be a 2lb bag of circus peanuts!!! We move on. The kids lose their game royally. We gather our dirty offspring and load them into the two vehicles. When I finally manage to get all of them bathed or showered(I swear Isaiah needed one of each!), and read to. etc etc. . . I sit to check email. Dan, though, was opening cabinets and banging them shut. He looked more and more frustrated. I said "honey what are you looking for?" He said, the peanuts. I said what?? He said "the nuts you bought today?"   "I did NOT buy nuts today!" He said, "YOU said you accidentally bought party nuts"  I said, "um, are you drunk?"  He laughed and said, "NO! Maybe you said the kids threw them in."   ahhhh, realization hits.  hee hee. I said, "um, NOT party nuts, CIRCUS Peanuts-- you know the big orange sugary things?" Big Man looks all dejected. Oddly the same sad brown eyes Moriah gave me earlier that day.  "oh, you mean they aren't really nuts at all?"(seriously, was that a whine??)  "um,nope, but YOU, my dear ARE a nut!"  I am living in a great big can of mixed nuts. and most of the time it does kind of feel like a party. And no I did NOT let them eat the whole bag today. But if I did, I should clarify that between 5 kids they don't , or wouldn't get that many anyhow.  probably.

Power rangers and ninjas. . .

AHH My batteries are dead in my camera. But I will work diligently to get pictures of them in these costumes. I have two ninjas, an elephant and a spiderman. . . and they are going nutsy! Why oh why did I allow root beers at the ballgame? And Laffy Taffy. . . oh, and there were cookies earlier today. shoot. I lost the healthy mom award. But they are having SO much fun.
On another note--our 5 yo got new power rangers undies today too. He is way to proud of these things. When Daddy walked in, he turned around and bent over in "full moon fashion" and said "look Daddy! Power rangers!" My stunned hubby stood there in shock. This kid never ceases to surprise us. You can never stay just one step ahead of him. I hated that when he was two because we could never keep up with him and never figure out what he was doing next.(he never planned he just DID!) Now though, I find myself laughing at his thought processes and the AWESOME thing is. . . he giggles about them too! He gets the funny stuff now. He has a sprouting sense of humor and screams "I MADE A JOKE ON YOU!!!" and I love it. Now, if only I could find his darned volume button and turn it down. . . .

thankful for:

I am soooooo loving my new comforter for my bed! (oh and my amazing softy pillows.) I went to overstock(I HIGHLY recommend btw) and found a plain white feather comforter, king sized, for 29.00! And two pillows for 24(I think). I got it all for 55, and 2.95 shipping!! It was like sleeping on clouds as Elijah says. My comforter is funny though. It came with 5 star reviews but everyone says, don't worry, it does fluff up. lol I wish I had taken pictures of how it came. It was packed so tiny and flat for a king sz comforter. Then over the last two days it gets progessively puffier. Isaiah (who dilikes touching people, LOVES touching softy things), keeps patting the squares just to hear the sound and watch it magically puff back up. So, not only is it comfortable-- it is amazingly entertaining! Who would have known that a 29.00 COMFORTER could bring so much joy?

The elephant in the room

Today, my 5 yo son who has some autistic sort of qualities. . . dislikes physical touch, can't do imaginary play very well(at least that we SEE), doesn't get humor very well, and he doesn't play all that great with other kids. . . had a big moment. He came in the kitchen while I was cooking and had on the elephant costume. He said, (hiding his face in the hood and waving the trunk around), I am an elephant -- pet me mommy!!! He was playing with his sister(who was dressed as a dinosaur.) They had a crazy big animal chase through the livingroom. And he pretended TONS of stuff! I was so excited. I can't get the dumb computer to post pics right now but when I do I will show off my cute little "elephante"(that is the spanish word-- see? We ARE learning Spanish. Today, I see Dios es Bueno. God is so very good. Just when I feel overwhelmed and at the end of my rope, (esp with this boy!) and feeling there is no fruit, He shows me a little. And I have to smile. Mommy, pet me. NEVER thought I would hear those words from him.