Rice Crispy Treats

The View...from a heart transformed

2011-12-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

To say I was unlike this story would be a lie -- the Grinch Whole Stole Christmas But the message of the Christmas pageant

The songs of the cantata

The patience of a loving father
The exuberance of the children
God's gift of family

The challenge of learning to parent each individually--even that little fellow who hides there on the left

The swift passage of time

Love coming down then

Love promising hope for the future

Love overcoming hate now

All these conspired together and brought my heart a bit bruised and tattered by life, a bit squeezed by the long-reaching tentacles of sin's curse to lean against the rough hewn timbers of the manger. To rest there gazing.

To wonder

at a Father's love for His only Son,

and the great love that acted to the benefit of mankind.

To challenge me to believe that the Light that has come is greater than the darkness.

That faith means believing in the Power of that Child-King.

Calling me to

"Come"

"Bow"

Making the story new.

Making it more real than ever before.

This is a story not for the Holidays, but for the every days...

It is so large I wonder how I could have missed it even in the bustle

But like this lovingly covered resting dog that I almost stumbled over as I worked in my kitchen

it seems the truth of Christmas is something I have for so long overlooked.

This is THE STORY.

God did not ignore the difference between us and Holiness.

This is THE STORY.

God did not let us go on without hope under sin's weight.

This is THE STORY.

He became ONE OF US to do something about our problem.

This is THE STORY.

Because He did we can have not only a certain future, but hope for today.

And so this Christmas I can relate to that fabled Grinch -- finding that Love has enlarged my heart -- and I can celebrate like never before.

Perhaps I too shall carve the Roast Beef.

..."It came without ribbons!

It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes or bags!

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas", he thought, "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And what happened then...?...in Who-ville they say

That the Grinch's small heart

Grew three sizes that day!

And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight..."

Quotable

2011-12-09T04:39:00.000-08:00

From Yesterday's Bear Hunt:

The Wild One was efficiently tromping through the bedrooms from stuffed bear to stuffed bear shooting them with his Nerf Gun and hauling them back to their hunting camp.

At one point I walked by their room to find the Tbone sitting and tenderly holding the largest and fluffiest of their teddies. He sat patting him on his back, a tender look on his face, his voice filled with caring he crooned, "You will be O.K."

I asked if the Wild One had killed the wrong bear.

He reassured me that "He will come alive again."

The View ... from precious preschool days

2011-12-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

What to do?

What to do when you're 4 and the weather is cold, the yard is wet and there is nowhere to go?

Lie down and talk to your new 2nd best buddy.

Wrestle with your 1st and 2nd best buddies.
Make a hunting camp in you bedroom. Complete with lots of little hidey-holes in case you hear Daddy's is on his way home (in 10-12 hours) and you need to hide from him.

Gather your guns, ammo, and lots of pre-stuffed animals

(from the looks of things up there it is bear season)

Go to "Mommy's restaurant" and get take-out breakfast to eat at hunting camp.

Yep, that's pretty much what you have to worry about--when you are 4.

(Niiiiiice!)

Advent

2011-12-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

Don't you love when you look back and see the Teacher had arranged a unit study. You didn't know all the pieces of life had been precisely arranged -- it didn't feel that way as you wandered along. But His Hand is mighty and His Plan precise. And sometimes as you look back on what seemed to be a wandering trail, you see your footprints took you to specifically arranged spots -- spots where you were given lessons. Needs you didn't even know you had were met.

Nearly a year ago I read the book A SHEPHERD'S LOOK AT PSALM 23. I loved it so much I bought a copy and sent it to a friend. The author fleshed out the Psalm with lessons from his own life as a shepherd.

As I continued on with my Bible Study this year I finally arrived at the prophets. Never been here before. Loving it. The imagery is stunning, the applications numerous, the reminders of God's care comforting.

If you have a moment to pause, it would be my honor to share the thread of verses I found that have meant so much to me in these past 3 months. Looking back I see I had a lot to learn. Seeing yourself as a sheep trying to be a heifer is a rather troubling and humbing discovery. Finding my Shepherd ever ready to remove my burdens and care for me in all my sheepness -- that is comfort, peace, rest, relief.

Hosea 4:15-16
The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow?

Hosea 11:4
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.

Micah 5:2-5
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times....He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strenth of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.

Mica 4:1-5
In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it....He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths...He will judge between many peopoles and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears in to pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword again nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. All the nations may walk in the name of their god; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

Luke 2:30-33
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdon will never end.

The Shepherd whose birth was announced to shepherds.

Not So Quotable

2011-12-04T04:05:00.000-08:00

Boys...will fight, and stand their ground, and make each other scream in agony if they can.

Boys...will make you forget the pre-kid vow to never be the kind of parent who hollers at her children.

Boys...will make you pray prayers like, "Lord, could you help us to have a peaceful home again, without all the bickering and hollering. Give me wisdom."

And boy oh boy will you be shocked, when the very next morning you wake up with laryingitis.

Is it just a virus or is God trying to show me something about myself as part of the noise problem?

Hard to say (no pun intended), but having to whisper forces me to call each one close to quietly give instructions, it prohibits me from venting frustration with their antics and requires that I measure my words. I shall learn some things from this unexpect Quiet Time.

Our Adventures with a Dog

2011-12-02T04:38:00.000-08:00

A little dog name Dottie ended up in our backyard one afternoon as she was taking an unsanctioned jaunt around the neighborhood. As I watched the boys boss her around the yard, I realized maybe little boys really do need a dog. The kids owe that wandering little beagle for being the one to make me even begin to consider getting a dog.

Here are a couple highlights from our "Adventures with a Dog"

The Tbone follows her around trying to hug her as she walks. When she escapes his clutches he shouts with a laugh, "SunDee Babeee, come back here." His gait and voice reminds me of a drunk little man who has lost his grip on a pretty little girlfriend as he hurries to catch up with her.

The Wild One comes to gently pet her on the nose where she sits by my knee whining to be pet, then pronounces in a sad voice, "She misses her family." To which his dad replies, "We are her family now." Then he flops down on his belly and rests nose to nose with his new dog (who has tucked herself into a corner near where I sit and fallen asleep) and gently reaches out and opens her eye. His eyes glow as he tells her in a sweet voice, "We are your family now." Then rolls over and rests his head on her stomach.

CB hurries to get dressed (if you know him hurry was not his strong suit) this week since it is his duty to feed and give her water before breakfast. I love how he was challenged to figure out a solution for the water that he always spills in the process.

The Sunshine girl wanders from her room half asleep, and sees SunDee lying on the landing at the top of the steps, with a sleepy smile she drops to her knees to scratch "Good Morning!" onto a doggy belly, which earned her a whole body tail wag.

After a long day of playing outside over Thanksgiving Break, I collapsed in the living room once all the kiddos were tucked into bed. It made me chuckle to watch my new counterpart flop down on the other side of the room -- looking as ready for a break as myself. At least someone else here besides me truly understands how exhausting those children can be.

Daddy, a firm believer that people usually look like their dogs, declared: "She is just right for our family."

Granted she hasn't cleared the counter yet, stolen the butter dish off the table, pooped on the new carpet, or emptied the bathroom trash can. I expect she will...thankfully she has first endeared herself to us all....and made me admit that I was wrong about how much of a pain a dog might be.

Advent

2011-11-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Visit our home and you will see several Nativity sets the children have helped me set out in preparation for Christmas. All the figures are gathered close to the manger, with their focus solely on the Child. Every time I walk by I adjust them so they look more like a well planned play -- no backs to the audience, spaced to fill their whole little shelf.

The next time I walk by I find that someone has put them back the way they were.

Today though, I stop myself from rearranging them for the thousandth time, and wonder. Maybe, just maybe, their childlike placement is right. Do they remember something that I so easily forget. Instead of being set out artistically-- just so--perhaps it would be better to just get as close as I can to this Child King. The Maker in the manger. God incarnate. Baby Lamb. Innocent Savior.

Perhaps I'll leave them this way this year, as a reminder to myself each time I walk by.

The View from... Loved to Death

2011-11-24T06:04:00.000-08:00

Sometimes love makes you do things that you might rather not.
Sometimes you realize what is easy is not what is most needed.Often it brings great reward...

...rewards greater than the sacrifice and the work.

At this point...we (the adults) are making a few sacrifices....

so they can learn this in the micro-laboratory of our home...

...hoping it will be a lesson that will serve them well in the great wide world.

I Cor 13 4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Quoteable

2011-11-23T06:43:00.000-08:00

He woke up smiling and increased in happiness as he ate his favorite food -- cereal.

When I suggested his older brother might want to return to bed instead of sharing his grump with us all, he took up the chant with a giggly voice, "Go back to bed grumpy pants!! Back to bed...Grumpy Pants."

His brother cried, and insisted that he stop.

He flopped himself across my bed and exclaimed he was, "Calling Mommy Grumpy Pants...NOT YOU!"

He stubbornly kicked his older brother who also lay on my bed -- the pile of misery on the pillows a stark contrast to the bundle of energy quivering near the foot board.

He chortled at the idea that his yellow sweatshirt made him look like mustard and his twin's sweatshirt would be red. The idea that together they would be a ketchup and mustard duo tickled his funny bone.

He gathered his sword and battle gear to cart along to the babysitter's.

He bounced down the stairs and announced with a jump and a twist: "I'm winded up today!"

(In case anyone had missed the obvious.)

The View from a s.l.o.w Sunglass filled Sunday

2011-11-20T06:12:00.000-08:00

He's Got Personality

2011-11-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

What is he doing?

Wearing both pairs of slippers......and that cheetah hat?

Who knows, but it cracks me up.

Quoteable

2011-11-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

I love to read, but it is a real treat to find an author who makes artwork of a novel. I recently discovered Traci DePree. I splurged by staying up way too late finishing a can of peas.

Right at the beginning of the book -- which ended up being a delightful story about people you could almost imagine you know -- there was a great conversation between a young boy and his grandfather.
I thought it fit well with these pictures.
"'What will I be when I grow up, Grandpa?' Peter lifted his blue eyes to his grandfather's...

...'You'll be who you are now, plus or minus the choices you make along the way....

...Now, what you do, that's another matter altogether. You'll have to follow your heart...and God's leading. But it'll come to you, Peter.' "

Petty Peave

2011-10-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

A house is something you have built, buy, sell, acquire, dispose of...it is something altogether different than a home.

It may seem petty, but the misuse of the word home in every day conversations grates.

A home... can be wherever God has you...you cannot build it from concrete or wood...you cannot buy it with piles of money...you cannot sell it for a profit...you cannot acquire at closing...or dispose of it with a realtors help.

A home is made of hard work, servants' hearts, love, politeness, caring about each other, stacks of dishes because you took time to look at a child's newest toy -- closely, the random sock on the bookcase next to the fancy looking books, safety for those who live there to enjoy when they enter the door after a day in the fray.

You cannot buy one, but with care you can make one...the good news is, if you don't have a lot of money...you can still give one to the ones you love best...even while you scrimp and save to buy a house someday.

The View...from the penthouse

2011-10-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

The unusual good pictures of CB
Waiting for the railing to be installed
Snug as sardines in a tin can.

Isn't he just "hot snott"? -- he thinks so

A Noreaster Blew threw today -- we enjoyed it from our cozy house for the most part.

CB keeps this guy in his bed -- it used to keep the Tbone from climbing up...but he is brave now.

The View ... from daddy's camera

2011-10-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Daddy's been playing with his lathe a lot in the past few months. He's "turned out" a few quirky pieces like this giant Hamburger complete with toppings...but he's also made a few really beautiful bowls too.
The boys are getting really big. Except for routinely waking us up at night ... there is little trace of baby in them.

This is a big button art thingy in Grand Rapids, MI
This is just down the sidewalk. The grave of President Ford and his wife Betty. Transitioning from climbing on the button towalking in a quiet and respectful manner...challenged some of us.

This is some strange animal we saw on our trip to the zoo...he comes up in conversations regularly. We can think of a few jobs he might be able to help with if a machine were hooked up to the wheel he seemed compelled to run on...it really was a compulsion...if you know what kind of animal it is please let us know. We can't remember

He remembered to get back to school photos...I am notorious for not remembering these things.

Quotable

2011-10-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

I took the boys to ride bike at the dam.

We got out of the van and the Wild One exclaimed, "MOM MOM!!! We saw this same caterpillar at Kelly (the baby sitter's) house. He walked all the way here BY HIMSELF."

I didn't have the heart to explain; he was so impressed with the journey that caterpillar had made.

Then we got to a pavilion where we stopped to eat our lunch and we started talking about Abraham (he's the Bible character that goes along with the poem for the letter C). I had just hoped to review the story quickly so we could get started on Isaac and Rebekkah and the letter D. But the Wild One, caught up in the details of the story, kept interrupting me.

Me: God told Abraham to pack.

Wild One: Just like us -- we packed.

I surveyed the lunch and our little pile of schoolbooks, the bike and the trailer and nodded.

Me: Abraham was God's friend, and he obeyed God.

Wild One: We obeyed God.

I thought back over the morning and couldn't remember getting direct orders about taking them on an adventure from my quiet time, but the boys had obeyed me as we got ready. No point in splitting hairs, so I forged ahead in our review.

Me: Abraham went on a long journey

Tbone: (sings as he hangs over the picnic bench) Father Abraham had many sons...right arm!!!

Wild One: We went on a long journey, and then (he looked around) Jesus told us to stop...right here.

Tbone: Faaaaaatherrrrr AAAAbraham.

I looked around, I wasn't sure that our 3 miles bike ride exactly correlated with Abraham's journey to an undisclosed location with all of his earthly possessions, but I suppose in the mind of a 4 year old it jived. So I just smiled.

Me: Then when Abraham and Lot had to separate, God gave Abraham blessings because he was not selfish.

Wild One: Blessings are the good stuff ... being selfish is the bad stuff.

Tbone: Father Abraham, Father Abraham (and he climbed up on the bench and plopped himself in my lap).

So glad I didn't get caught up with stuff that didn't matter this morning...

Family Night 10/13/2011

2011-10-14T11:47:00.001-07:00

Family Night went undocumented for the past 2 weeks:

We took a quick trip north to see the show the elk put on each Fall.

Then last week the event got lost, we might have done it, I can't remember.

This week, we kept things pretty low key as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday had been...well, you don't want the details...but none of us was really up for anything too complicated.

We had an informal family meeting and did some research on this website:

http://www.justdogbreeds.com/good-with-children-dog-breeds.html

Apparently we have lost our mind!

In short we kept family night uncomplicated, but we might have opened up a can of worms that will add complications to the next who-knows-how-many years of our already insane lives.

Quotable

2011-10-13T07:19:00.001-07:00

The Wild One, was being particularly W.I.L.D.

I'm not sure if he was wanting attention (he is generally troublesome when he feels he'd like some) or if he was overly tired and therefore going COO-COO at our expense.

Whatever his underlying reason, he decided that the Tbone was the target that was least likely to do damage in return. As a result, he'd been doing his level best to annoy and hurt him at every chance all through dinner, and clean up, and getting ready to go out the door.

I opened the door to head out to the van to find the Tbone hunched over trying to put on his shoes, perched on the back stoop, sobbing about how the Wild One had hit him -- on purpose.

After comforting him and helping him to the van I informed the Wild One that if he was going to have some very regrettable consequences if there was one more incident...the consequence that bothered him the most was that he wouldn't be allowed to play with his new friend in the nursery at church...the other was a meeting in the bathroom (which my kids all know is reserved for the most serious offenses).

We pulled into the store where I needed to grab a gallon of milk and I knew that in his current frame of mind it wouldn't be safe to leave him in the van with his siblings, so I informed him that he was going in with me.

I was surprised to hear his contrite little voice informing me, "I won't be mean to [the Tbone] any more OK Momma!"

I replied, "OK, it is very sad when a nice big boy like you is mean to your brother. I want you to be a good boy, not a mean boy."

"OK Momma!" (His inner monster suddenly tamed, he was all sweet and agreeable now--almost unrecognizable from 15 minutes before.)

I reminded him, "You know, you need to say your sorry."

"OK Momma, I will!"

As we climbed back in the van 3 minutes later he was quick to offer his apology to his still disgruntled and obviously annoyed (and similarly very tired twin).

I heard the Tbone mumble a reply.

As I settled in my own seat I turned and caught his eye.

"What was that you said Buddy when he said 'Sorry!' "

The Tbone replied, "I said NO THANK YOU!"

How often I see in them the miniature of the great problems that I regret to recognize as my own.

Distracted

2011-10-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

Gray clouds loomed low. Chill permeated the air. My foot pressed the brake as I slowed for the last red light before I turned toward home. Metal bands of a headache wrapped my brain; my eyes stared unseeing at the taillights of the car in front of me.

A bright patch of yellow distracted me from the grayness of the moment and drew my glance over the rail, across the stream. In the middle of the park lawn a boy wearing a bright yellow rain jacket sat upon his father's shoulders. The man stood grasping an old bread bag. The distance blurred the features of the boy, but energy emanated from every limb as he perched there, above the persistent snapping duck beaks crowded in a great circle around his father's knees. He was pure pleasure as he tossed handfuls of crumbs down to the anxious crowd. The moment enchanted me as I watched the antics of the child.

Perplexed, I squinted as I watched the father begin to play with something else in his hands. Finally I realized he was texting. I suppressed the urge to shout. "Pay attention! Don't get distracted in this is a magical moment."

The light turned to green and I eased through the intersection and turned toward my own black and white house...where so often I see the distractions instead of the main attraction.

Until, a moment comes and I glance again:

When did his feet get so big? They once swam in those tiny socks now tucked quietly in my dresser drawer.

When did she learn to think these deep thoughts, to turn a phrase in that way, to understand the humor in such a complicated joke? I know we have that tape where she was content to giggle for an endless hour simply because it was funny to slap the tray of her high chair.

When did this hair grow another silver thread? There is wisdom in his eyes. My hands slow gently as I trim his hair, and I resist the urge to wonder at the two so young in their wedding finery on the living room wall.

When did they learn to talk, and take responsibility, and dream, and think and notice so many details?

Was it in all the moments I missed--because of distraction?

Lord, help me to notice and love these moments of color with which You've infused my life. How shall "I Live, to Finish Well, Without Regret" if I cannot learn to ignore the unending distractions?

"...The corrections of discipline are the way to life..." Proverbs 6

The View from the "computer lab"

2011-10-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

Came home to find that the dining room had been converted into a computer lab...

...and the big kids are doing school with the little(r) boyz. (They keep reminding me that they are big now.)

OOPSY-DAISY

2011-10-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have those moments when what your brain wants to say gets a bit twisted as it comes out of your mouth. Here's a couple doozies from this past week:

Despite our oft repeated rule about "no potty talk at the table" there was an excessive amount of discussion about "pooping" etc. during dinner the other evening. Trying to offer a quiet but firm reminder I lowered my head to CB's eye level and said in a serious voice, "Do you really need to eat poop while you are talking about dinner." UM - yeah, it ended up that I was laughing so hard I could hardly eat myself, much less have my reminder about dinner rules be taken seriously.

I'm sure you've all seen that video with the lady singing the phrases that moms repeat ad-neauseum during the course of a day...week...lifetiime. I have a few that I'd like to record so I could just hit a button as they are needed. They include:

"Are you responsible for that?"
"Eat your dinner"
"Don't run in the house"
"Do you have homework?"

Apparently I should record a CD for our morning routine as well, because the other day I was reminding CB the things he needed to do once his breakfast dishes were in the sink. He asked me to help him snap his jeans, I bent down and said, "Once I'm done you need to put your swimming suit on." He started laughing and I groaned, "shoes, shoes, shoes...not swimming suit."

If nothing else they can chalk all their adult problems up to their crazy mother some day.

Family Night 09/21/11

2011-09-25T17:28:00.001-07:00

We tossed around a couple ideas, but the the brilliant Sunshine Girl suggested we stay home and just play. Could we do that? I mean seriously, are we capable of just hanging out at the house without company, without agendas, without a looming deadline we should be rushing towards? Turns out we could, and we all found it to be quite delightful.

I'd cooked a GINORMOUSE turkey (as in 18 lbs) that had been in the freezer for awhile on Tues...so for family night we made BBQ Chicken Pizza (using turkey breast) with mixed reviews from the illustrious (read: short of stature) panel of critics who dine with us each evening.

Then we cleaned up the kitchen.

Then we adjourned to the living room where the big and small kiddos played with Legos and mommy laid on the couch and read to them from the 2 books we are currently reading together.

Then we tumbled up the steps and collapsed into bed.

Despite the somewhat lackluster response to the delicious pizza (apparently only half of us like BBQ sauce-how I didn't know this is a mystery)...the evening was declared a tremendous success. It turns out, that after 6 people have been rushing to meet all the BACK TO SCHOOL + busy work week deadlines for 2 weeks, the best thing they can do together is NOTHING.

Oh, and if you haven't clicked away from this site and it has crossed your mind that no "back to school pictures" were posted...that would be because it is my personal tradition to wait until at least the third week of school before getting around...I mean...whatever...I'll take them someday.

Family Night 09/15/2011

2011-09-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Dinner -- we had one of those "we need to tell them this but really never want to think about much less talk about this" conversations. In the past year or so I've seen articles about:

A known child molester seen hanging around the restrooms at the back of OUR Walmart

Men who are being sought for stealing purses out of other shoppers carts at OUR Walmart

A (nasty) man who is being charged with following a woman and her young daughter while sneakily taking pics of the little girl for his own sick pleasure at OUR Walmart. (OH GAG ME!)

Since my kids tend to be reserved in public and also generally don't fight against ADULTS...I decided to bring it up:

They have been instructed to scream and scream and scream and don't stop if someone tries to touch them or take them. And I even told them what things to scream...not "Help"...but instead loudly to scream, "This man is not my daddy! Get him away from me! Call the police!"

They've been told to scratch and scratch and scratch until they scratch the person's eyeballs out.

Their dad showed them how to poke a "bad" person in vulnerable spot.

Note: Don't sneak up behind them if you see us at the store...who knows what they might do.

After that sobering discussion where somethings that they said back reminded us exactly how innocent and vulnerable they are in a world of selfishness and perversion... I swallowed my longing to lock them away from evil's darkness and never let them go to the store or school or ANYWHERE again.

And we divided into 2 teams and put together 2 different jigsaw puzzles we picked up at a Yard Sale. A fun time was had by all. We are always surprised to see how they improve at things like this as they mature...and we marvel at the excitement and pleasure of sharing such a simple task.

Luke 2:52 is our memory verse this week: And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.

I murmer prayers that they too will grow in wisdom...and that, as they inevitably face challenges we haven't thought to prepare them for, they will always know that God is with them, and that they will choose the path that lets them walk in the favor of His blessing.

Heavy....Light...Happy...Scary Serious... all rolled into one lighthearted evening.

That's How We Roll

2011-09-14T15:06:00.001-07:00

A Second Time for US but First for Him.

2011-09-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

It is challenging to keep in mind that though our eldest has experienced some things already ... and therefore we've already dealt with some of the mental / emotional stuff that goes with the "FIRSTS" FOR HER, the second born of the family is experiencing a lot of firsts right now and we need to be sensitive to him in the same way we were with her.

He has been having to remind us for about 2 weeks that certain things are hard for him to eat. And he has been enthralled with the possibilities of eating spahetti, having a spit water battle, and sliding a straw through the much anticipated gap between his teeth.

And this morning he came in to my room before I was fully awake to ask me if his tooth will fall in or out. Which isn't something I'd ever really considered before.

I suggested he work on it a bit today. He insisted he wants it to just come out on its own. And as he went to run upstairs to get something for me in the middle of the "get ready for church chaos"...it did just that. And we had our answer...when it falls out...it fell "out" not "in". The whole incident was made even more special (read: cute) by the cheer and congratulations we all offered AND the fact that he was dressed in this black suit with a white shirt and diagonally striped tie ... looking like a miniature lawyer on his way to court. (I've decided that given his penchant for ALWAYS finding a point to argue that is his most likely career path -- either that or a negotiator for a Union ... oh I wouldn't want to be the CEO on the other side of that bargaining table.)

He looks completely adorable with his new smile...

A Small Tale

2011-09-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today there was a small tale that unfolded, that parrallels the greater story unfolding.

Several weeks ago we found a few caterpillars that we put in a small screen enclosure along with fists full of milkweed leaves. We went away on a trip and then came home to all that the next week held and the little caterpillars and their mision to transform almost completely forgotten...

...we'd left them in our neighbor's care, while we chased sunsets and wandered on sandy beaches... ...took a turn on the lathe at a "wood turners' expo" we stumbled on. Making a beautiful pen which will be sent to one of the men or women serving in the mililtary... ...we went about our days...

...pursuing our interest... ...playing our games... ...some of us even sneaking off for the now expected early morning "back to school soon" breakfast with daddy... ...some of us had never been included in this special treat before. It was extra special to be going along for the first time...

AND

THEN

...KNOCK...

Our neighbor stood on the back stoop carefully holding the screen enclosure, as his daughter bounced up and down. They were excited to show us that they had just discovered...

...the caterpillars had completed their metamorhasis mission. They were tranformed.

And behind the buttefly...who the children named Gracie... you can see the boy, who I will be surprised to see climb into the yellow bus. Metamorphasied from baby to boy in the chrysallus of our home.

As I watched Gracie hang upside down while her wings dried I marveled as "she" (as I've been assured she is a she) began to move about on the top of her small enclosure...

I pondered Grace (you know the every day enabling God gives us)

...and growing...

...and wings stretching...

...and the small tale God gave me to tell as...

...I marvel at the greater story he has blessed me to be a part of...

...the story of the lives of these ones...

...wild and energetic...

...bold and beautiful...

...delicate and strong...

...wing stretching...but still needing time...and care...and a gentle touch.

I was thankful for the all day rain that kept the butterfly here a little longer, perched on the bouquet of flowers sitting on my back porch table...

...and I was thankful that though tomorrow is yet another step from the cacoon...

...it isn't time to watch them fly away forever...

...and I was grateful that for now some years remain to enjoy...

...these precious ones...awhile longer...as they learn to use their wings.

And tonight I set their alarms so they would turn on to Uncle Charlie (who we were pleased to meet on our recent trip) and Key for Kids and I wondered...

...at the way God provides...

...and the Faithfulness that He is...

...and the faithfulness that He requires...

...and I marvelled that we are a small tale in His Grand Story.

And that He gives us Grace.

Crash

2011-08-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

Upon arriving home yesterday evening I hurried into the dining room to put my purse away only to stop in my tracks upon discovering that this little boy, who is always quick to assure me that he does not need a nap, had held still just a moment too long while driving his motorcycle across the carpet.

Despite his siblings gathering around to comment on the way he was drooling, he stayed here unmoving for over an hour. These busy summer days take their toll on even the most stubborn and resilient among us.

The View from...here

2011-08-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

People
People

People

That is why blog posts over the last month have been nonexistent. We've had a constant flow of people -- mostly small, many blond, all busy, and very noisy. I've truly enjoyed this summer - one unlike all the others I've ever experience. Somewhere in the last year I'd changed my internal title from "full time mom" back to "computer programmer for the UBO"...somewhere this summer I realized I didn't like my part time job title to preempt the title I have for my full time job. In my mind I switched my mental name plate back. The title "full time mom" now takes precedence, though part time programmer is a role I thoroughly enjoy. It was a small mental adjustment, but as a result I have been able to relish this summer in a way I'd never imagined.

****

Here is one word picture describing one of my favorite views -- but I could never do it justice with a camera. Several mornings each week I get up insanely early to go running. The bathroom blind is pulled low and the sun rays slant through the bamboo, making the morning light even more delightful. The house is quiet and calm and hanging in a row against the dark wood on the wall haphazardly flung are 4 white towels. It catches my eye, the calm chaos of the way their little child hands hurried to "put away" their towels, the shadows and the light, the quiet that will soon be broken as they start to wake. There are no people in this view, but it represents these days so well: chaos and calm, quiet and noise, rest and energy, dark against light, magic and mundane all together in the smallest space of time.

Quoteable

2011-07-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

Some days you read something and you realize -- the wrong stuff is getting to you...and the right stuff isn't even getting notice...and you are so far off track that you are spending most of your energy not even aiming in the right direction. These passages from Knowing God by J.I.Packer stepped with combat boots on my bare toes of late -- a timely reminder--demanding refocus.

"...When Paul talks of the Son as having emptied himself and become poor, what he has in mind, as the context in each case shows, is the laying aside not of divine powers and attributes but of divine glory and dignity..."

"...The Christmas message is that there is hope for the ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear...."

"...The "Christmas spirit"...ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all the year round."

"...It is our shame and disgrace today that so many Christians --I will be more specific: so many of the soundest and most orthodox Christians--go through this world in the spirit of the priest and the Levite in our Lord's parable, seeing human needs all around them, but (after a pious wish, and perhaps a prayer, that God might meet those needs) averting their eyes and passing by on the other side. That is not the Christmas spirit. Nor is [the Christmas Spirit] the spirit of those Christians--alas they are many--whose ambition in life seems limited to building a nice middle-class Christian home, and making nice middle-class Christian friends, and bringing up their children in nice middle-class Christian ways, and who leave the submiddle-class sections of the community, Christian and non-Christian, to get on by themselves."

"The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor--spending, and being spent--to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others--and not just their own friends--in whatever way there seems need."

"I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. (Ps119:32)"

In response I humbly mutter, "Lord, enlarge my heart ... it has grown so small."

Shoes Two

2011-07-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

The wild one: Mom, can you get the rock out of my water shoes.

Me: Ok

The wild one (talking slowly in case I wasn't too smart): It is only in one shoe not in both shoes.

Shoes

2011-07-16T21:06:00.001-07:00

We'd gone swimming in the mountains. We'd walked the 3/4 mile trail around the "lake". We were back at beach and enjoying walking in the sand. We called the boys to come use the restroom before we headed back to the van to find a snack and then settle down to watch the stars come out and the moon rise. CB and the Tbone headed toward the bathhouse, the Wild One replied to our summons, "I have to get my shoes!"

I called back, "Where are they?"

Head bent low, shooting sand up between his legs in a stream behind him he hollered, "I buried them."

"You what?" I gasped as I surveyed the long expanse of sand.

I made my way over to where he was digging furiously, "Where did you bury them?"

"I don't remember."

The Culmination

2011-07-13T04:03:00.001-07:00

This week is the culmination of many hours of work bya large group of people in our church. Vacation Bible School has been fabulous this year, so many people working together to make it exciting and, hopefully, life changing learning for the ~70ish kids attending.

Lazy Summer...mornings

2011-07-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Playing together in the most lovely fashion

Making/Catching Bubbles with the new bubble machine.

We have not had much in the way of lazy summer days since the ugly yellow bus stopped showing up to steal away our girl each morning. And we know that the next time that monster shows up it will be gobbling CB up too. So these few and far between, rare and lovely lazy summer mornings where we are rediscovering all our toys, catching up on reading, practicing the piano, doing the mountain of laundry that sprouted by daddy's dresser, putting away all the stuff we haven't had time to put away, running the vacuum and cooking some real food are quite precious...especiallly pleasant...and unbelievably enjoyable.

Hope your summer is full of such interludes...I'm off to make us a couple pitchers of iced tea and pink lemonade, a big bowl of mashed potatos and some stir fried veggies from our garden.

Every Silver Lining...

2011-07-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Every Silver Lining Has It's Cloud

For example:
There are no shoes lying around on the dining room floor this morning.

There is always some reason to smile...and if you can't find one...

...Know this one thing--God Loves You and as He works out the pieces of the grand puzzle of the universe and all time He is also working out the intricate details of the puzzle of your life. What a Grand and Mighty,
Jawdropping, Heart Clenching,
Brain Boggling, Hope Inspiring
Bright and shining when there is no silver lining,
Truth this is.

Check out this video or read Luke 1 & 2 and be reminded.

The View from...my lawn chair

2011-07-03T04:11:00.000-07:00

On his first cast the dad~ster pulled in a big mouth bass which inspired awe in the short crew.

I think the last time we went fishing CB said something about "wanting to use a marshmallow" as bait. Not sure how that got interpreted by the Wild One, but the whole time we were fishing he kept hoping that he'd "catch a shmarmellow"...it felt kind of sad to explain that that wasn't gonna happen since he was so excited at the prospect.

Then after they'd almost reached the end of their attention span, the Tbone looked at me with the saddest look and said, "I don't have any fish." This was seconds before his pole--I mean with daddy's help -- He caught a perch (pardon me--it was a blue gill).

They finally reached the end of their attention span...and decided to go exploring. I snapped this shot just before the Tbone decided to climb back to the bank from his perch on the rock. Of course he slipped and fell in the slimy-muck. This of course made him cry and declare, "I don't love this place. I want to go home."

This of course made me laugh. Thankfully his dad is nicer and he went down and helped him wash the goo off his hands so we could go.

We were about a mile down the road when a wail emmitted from the back seat and the Wild One cried, "But I didn't get to hold a fish."

So I suppose we'll have to go again soon.

Say What?

2011-06-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

We were sitting around the picnic table after the first supper of our 5 day camping trip.

Wild One: Did God make this place?

Tbone: God made everything.

Wild One: Does this place belong to God?

Me: Yes, this belongs to God.

Wild One & Tbone -- look around at the beautiful woods in awe

Me (trying to make them think): Who made our house?

Tbone: God made everything?

Me: So who does our house belong to?

Tbone (the agreeable one): God (said decidedly)

Wild One: (reluctant to turn over THAT much control to God) It belongs to me!!! (firmly)

Tbone: (with disgust looks at his brother as though he is a confirmed idiot and firmly declares) You are not God!!!

Fishing Conversation

2011-06-26T05:09:00.001-07:00

Dusk was settling over the small pond.

There were 6 children and 4 adults and SERIOUSLY at least 4 fishing poles that need something at all times...knots undone, bait changed, hooks unstuck.

I settled with the Wild One on the wall and on the first cast attempt his new (as in we took the packaging off of it right before we sat down) reel turned into the most massive mess of a knot I'd ever seen.

After a few moments -- we used a knife on the knot -- and started from scratch.

I feared his disappointment if we didn't even get the hook in the water before darkness ended the outing.

The first successful cast -- as the dark was edging in on us.

Me: OK buddy, reel it in slowly

Him: Oh yeah!!!! Like this?

Me: (Grabbing the rod at the last minute to maneuver around the tall grass at the pond's edge. Eyeing the slime hanging on the hook)
O!! Look!! What did you catch?

Him: A worm, I caught a worm YES!!!

Me: Let's try again.

Him: YIPPEE!! (said quietly but quite enthusiastically)

Me: (handing the pole overs so he could reel it in) What do you think we'll catch this time.

Him: A rabbit!!!!

Me: (giggle)

Him: Oh YES!! Look it's a snake.

Me: (snicker)

(removed the slime... cast again)

I've never had more fun fishing and catching nothing IN MY LIFE.

The darkness fell...we left for home...no fish to clean...but light with laughter...and memories stored...tucked...treasured...in my heart.

Nostalgia

2011-06-19T17:13:00.001-07:00

2006

***

2009

****

2011

One small, worn, glassless, wood-framed window in a stone pavillion lost in the mountains of Pennsylvania...for me...a marker of a place, a time, a few moments when I tasted the richness of

life.

The View from the End and the Beginning

2011-06-11T04:21:00.000-07:00

The End of Second Grade

Mr H's Class Talent Show where SG demonstrated 2 magic tricks...

...And participated in a Reader's Theatre about Moe Mouse (a rendering of Aesop's fable where the mouse saves the lion who let him live)...

...And competed on the RED team, which was the winners of the field day events....
The Beginning of Summer
The boyz and I have gotten a jump start on all things
wild and wet.
He was determined not to be in any of the pictures -- I have about 10 with either his eyes purposely closed ... or of nothing because he dashed as I took the shot -- but he underestimates the power of my camera's zoom.
(HA-So in this exchange of wits we have: Mom 1, CB 0)

In matters of potty training --

this big guy has pretty much nearly conquered the throne....

...and this crazy dude has the power to bring a trip to the park to a screeching smelly halt (which he did this day)...I know, I know... he'll get there (and if he doesn't I checked at Walmart and they sell disposable underwear in the adult sizes so even if he doesn't get there before college he can still go)

Wet and Wild
It has been fun to open this summer chapter with each of the children still loving time with mom and dad, but also so much more independent in many areas than last summer. They are all getting really good at the beginning chores around our house and the older two have the goals of learning to clean the downstairs bathroom and learning to do a little more helping with food prep.

They are old enough now to remember some of the fun things about summer and the list on the fridge of things we want to be sure we remember to do is growing.

The day these pictures were taken by my coworker Patty, many of my other coworker friends said, "Oh I miss those days," as they watched my boyz tear up the park.

I vacillate between feeling

"AAAAAHHHHH how are we going to survive everything on the calendar this summer." and "This is the most fantastic moment of my life" and

"Oh my word...I'm so tired I'm gonna die"

(About 5 times every day).

I love this little interchange from Gen 33 and even in the midst of my vacillating emotions -- I try to keep the attitude of Jacob's response as my own:

Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. "Who are these with you? he asked. Jacob answered, "They are the children God has graciously given your servant."

Free Entertainment III

2011-06-06T19:17:00.001-07:00

This series is really something I've been thinking about for awhile. Oh we will still pay to go to the zoo this summer (hopefully) and eating at a restaurant is still lots of fun and I don't doubt that we'll still have the occasional movie night. But I've been doing a little evaluation of my own thinking as I hear myself remind the kids that real life is more fun than a computer game or cartoon.

This week I've been reading about the Shunamite woman who was well-to-do...but not too busy to offer hospitality to the man of God "when he came by"...somehow I imagine he probably wasn't real good at scheduling his visits in advance. She wan't too busy to see a need and meet it. She didn't let her position or possessions keep her from what mattered. It has given me a bit to ponder.

I wonder who could benefit from my time ... if I refused to pay to be entertained...if I were less busy with _____________
And so the list grows

Volunteer to do our part to help make VBS a place kids will want to come to

Play with carboard

When I prayed last summer asking the Lord to give us wisdom on how we could increase our income to match the ever growing expenses of raising a young family in a world where the plywood industry that we depend on was sluggish I never expected the answer I received. Within 10 days of that prayer my "old" boss called "out of the blue" and offered me a really sweet position doing what I did before the little boyzies came along. We've been able to make this new schedule work, it has forced us to choose how we use our precious moments as there never seems to be enough in a day, but it has also given us some really wonderful things in addition to the extra income:

focus...

connections with people...

the chance to do something I love (didn't really miss, but truly do love).

At the beginning of this new venture I felt a little saddish...ok, I'll be honest it was more like resentful...because the one thing I'd wanted to be was a STAY AT HOME MOM...a fun mom...a there mom. I wasn't sure if giving up these hours every week might cost me more than I was willing to give.

Silly me -- why would I think that God didn't know what we needed.

While I work one of my great pleasures is being a spectator in my own home on Monday nights. I love watching the influence my husband has on our children when my interference is minimal. I love listening to the jabber in the background as I perch on the porch with my fingers flying over the keyboard. I love seeing the challenges the kids rise to as their dad requires more from them than I might. I love hearing them chatter manly over a bedtime snack that he produced from...I'm not sure where.

This night I looked up to see that the boyz were having the time of their lives "helping" their dad as he works on the props for our church's upcoming Vacation Bible School. Theybecame trains and turned his supplies into a railroad station (complete with a tunnel, branch lines -- seriously I snorted when I heard them jabbering about that part -- and tracks which were destroyed by an avalanche).

Use your skills to help others
The dad~ster gets a thrill out of power tool and projects and hanging with a bunch of men conquering a project -- whether it is helping a friend move or renovating a bunkhouse. This past weekend he took CB (who is a whiz with a drill) with him to a men's work day at a nearby camp. Some old bunks needed to be taken apart and remade. Just the ticket for a bunch of guys who like to socialize over tools with a lot of perspiration to create bonding. They were as happy as pigs in slop...got a lot done...and got a few special treats too.

A chance to play with some fun power tools while getting a workout and hanging out with a bunch of other men. (Rumor has it that at lunch CB ate a 12 inch hoagie by himself and was still hungry.)

They discovered a new game
Oh -- and they tried out the zip line AGAIN. Who knew serving the Lord could be so fun.Thanks to our friend Leroy for these really great shots.

Free Entertainment II

2011-06-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

If you refused to pay to be entertained--what would the implications be?
Here are some things we've done recently.

Visit your grandparents - play in the garden ALL DAY

Help a neighbor in need

Chinese checkers on the back porch while drinking frozen strawberry lemonade

(The boyz favorite) Make MUCK

Work on projects for Vacation Bible School

Teach the kids how to use tools in the shop -- and then teach them how to make something

Create a KIDS COOKBOOK where you can collect family favorites as your child(ren) learn(s) to make them.

Read a chapter book out loud

Here is the recipe for MUCK

Materials needed:
**1 sandbox with sand
**Containers for carrying water -- if your mom has a nice cleanish watering can that you aren't supposed to use...that is an excellent selection
**Garden hose

Wait for the optimum time (this would be the day your mom is cleaning the house--it works best if you begin making MUCK about 35 minute before you need to pee).

Use the garden hose to fill your containers

Haul the water to the sandbox

Repeat until you have 2 inches of water standing on top of the sand

Step into the sandbox...make a mountain of sand above the standing water...you may need to kneel in the sand/water to do this most successfully

Squat down...drive a car or dump truck through the sand/water

Begin to do the pee-pee dance

Realize you cannot thrwart nature and run to the house hollering I...n.e.e.d....t.o.....g.o.....p.o.t.t.y"

Take the longest route possible from the back door to the bathroom. For best result stop and lean against the sofa, drag your feet across the living room floor, smack a few keys on the piano. Begin pulling your pants down as you go through the kitchen (this way you won't leave all the sand in your pants on the bathroom floor--it is better to spread that much sand out).

Pee.

If your brother has to pee at the same time try to make a "PEE X" by doing a little synchronized peeing--it is best to do this AFTER your mom has finished cleaning the bathroom so the resulting stripes on the toilet and bathroom wall aren't wiped off right away.

Run back outside (but choose another route to achieve this -- like the wise men in the Bible, you never know if HEROD will be waiting).

Go back to the sandbox...repeat beginning steps until you are called for dinner.

Free Entertainment

2011-06-01T17:19:00.001-07:00

I'm curious what the implications would be if all across the country people began to refuse to pay to be entertained.

What do you do to entertain yourselves that cost basically no money.

I'm starting my list and hope to add to it as the summer goes on:

Play in the river on a 90 degree day

Grow a garden from seeds

Sit on the roof and watch the moon come up

Perfect a new song on the piano

Birdfeeders and birdwatching -- learn the songs of the birds in your yard

I'd love to hear your ideas

D.O.N.E

2011-05-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

As of last Tuesday the bathroom project that we've been putting off since the 2nd week after we moved into this house 8 years ago...was FinaLLY completed.

Some of my favorite parts: the bamboo curtain, and enough hooks that are just the right height so everyone can now keep a towel in the bathroom...and be responsible for putting their towel away after using it. The new-made-to my specs-toothbrush holder...which has enough room for all the toothbrushes...the custom built medicine cabinet...and the (splurge) vanity light. Finally the new cabinet...because if 6 people are going to use a bathroom this size for most of their potty/bath/beauty needs...a little extra storage is really quite handy.

The nicest thing of all is that now I have wonderful incentive to clean the bathroom each week...because I wait till everyone is in bed and then take time for a bubble bath when it's done. Aren't I spoiled?

And isn't the Dad~ster quite the handy bathroom renovator?

The View from a Zip Line Adventure Part Deux

2011-05-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

After getting in line and back out...she felt she could do it too...and the boyz were determined to not be left behind

...so we made it a family affair...and we all survived...

CB - walked w/ his head up high cause he'd done it alone the 2nd time

SG - begged to do it again and signed up for camp so she can

The Wild One - two foot tall and bullet proof declared, "He'd never been scared."

The Tbone (and his mother) - after a bit of a mishap where she dragged him a bit and then sat on him during the takeoff and landing...took a bit to decide they'd enjoyed...but won't go together again.

Oh & the dad~ster- Chuckling and reminding the mom~ster that we are raising boys and she better get used to this kind of crazy stuff.

The mom~ster -planning to invest in a nice big first aid kit.

The View from a Zip Line Adventure

2011-05-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

In Line - Bravado Waited long enough to feel a little nervouse R. T. G - ready to go.

Going as buddies the first time

As the Tbone puts it, "Walking in the air."

Now ----> Addicted.

The View from the Throne Room

2011-05-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

What's left to be made: 1 cupboard, 1 medicine cabinet door, and 1 door for the linen closet, and 1 toothbrush holder that will fit 6 toothbrushes (turns out these are UNHEARD OF at the store?). When those are done we'll post how it looks with the lights and towel hooks (which are up but not photographed) and the hall which is painted and has most of the carpet removed so we can see the lovely hardwood floors -- instead of the puke pink carpet.

The View from awhile back

2011-05-04T04:50:00.000-07:00

The boyz theme verses: Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor;

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be over powered two can defend themselves. This is where those toys belong...as you can see when they put their mind(s) to it they can accomplish a lot.

So Big

2011-04-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that just a few days ago...

we played that game and giggled...

..."How Big is Baby?"...

...So Big...

And now we turn and gasp...

...because 'tis true.

Multipurpose

2011-04-26T04:52:00.000-07:00

Some people would see only a chair and a counter
But our little bird watchers...

...see a ladder and a seat...

...that offers them access to the binoculars and a window for viewing the birds that come...

...to perch in our yard and eat at our feeders.

Just the Action Shots

2011-04-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't get shots of:

The Sader meal where we learned of the visual aids of Passover - snapshots of hope

The children in their Easter finery - now in the laundry

The chocolate bunnies - now devoured

The eggs - we never got around to coloring

The resurection rolls - that didn't get baked

The flowers - brought by our neighbors

The sunrise through the trees at the lovely early morning service shared with friends - all family because of the cross

The sanctuary - filled with worshippers

The muscians and singers - who rang out salvation's song

The dinner tables laden with food and surrounded by people we love - and strangers become friends

CB's 1/2 dozen enchiladas - eaten

The Wild One's cupcake - and the resulting icing beard

The Tbone and I walking - he asked if he could eat his chocolate bunny after Jesus gets done rising from the dead.

The Sunshine girl - giving us often glimpses of the lady she's to become.

Thankfully I have the memories that my mind captured in snapshot...and imperfect though it was and I am...Easter was a lot like reality...The necessary ... The mundane...The great...The small...Heartwrenching reminders of sin's black blot on mankind and time...Glimmers of love actions that shine in darkness...Grace in the midst of Chaos...Reminders that in the every day we are called to live out the story of Easter...

The View from the Boyz Play Area

2011-04-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

So despite the fact that we have a play kitchen...rarely does anyone prepare a little tea party.
Despite the fact that we have many LITTLE PEOPLE...no one is interested in anything but their garage. Basically the only people my male children are interested in are SUPERHEROS (and only because it gives them a reason to pretend to have rocket boosters attached to their tails...and the opportunity to fight and destroy)

I'm a little slow, but it is finally dawning on me that in addition to superheros... boys like things with wheels. Actually like just doesn't seem like a strong enough word for this passion they display. I don't get it, but I do acknowledge that it is true. That being said, I've decided to stop fighting reality. So I am moving to a less prominent role the toys I WOULD PLAY with (if I were to play with toys) and giving center stage to the ROAD RUG...and its associated VEHICLES.

If I were playing with these I would prefer that they be sorted by type...no one else cares...so once again I have stopped fighting reality and have provided one gigantic tub for all wheeled toys. I believe if they are all put away at the same time we have 9,345,654 give or take...
I don't get the fascination...
but whatever...
I think I can now say...
"Put the cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, bulldozers, tractors, trailers...oh, and the little skateboard... away and everyone should be able to find where they belong."
They might even put them away if...
I provide them with a giant vehicle-slingshot...
and affix a target to the tub...
Because the other category of toys that we seem to have a lot of is...
WEAPONS...

Artist Reception

2011-04-20T07:46:00.001-07:00

We are particularly impressed by the piece on the top left.

We were all proud and excited that our Sunshine Girl was one of two children from her school who had art work selected for display in our school district art show at a nearby restaurant.

We decided the boyz were old enough to join in the fun and they were well behaved and rather impressed with the "snacks" and restaurant itself (an old mill that has been converted to a super high class restaurant).

We all enjoyed the evening where we saw some really amazing work by students of all ages...we also discovered the SHIRLY TEMPLE...and are hoping to find all the ingredients for our next gathering of cousins (YUMMY).

Twin Day

2011-04-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

April 12, 2007 was the day I went to the Dr's office thinking I was going to find that the pregnancy that we hadn't yet shared with anyone was going ending in a miscarriage...but I came home to surprise my husband with a picture of two little heartbeats. It is also the day I stopped taking life so seriously...and I think that has been a good thing. That day of surprises has become part of our family lore -- and it is fondly referred to as TWIN DAY. A few months ago I found a slip of paper that had fallen between the fridge and the wall. To my delight, under the dust I found the picture from that day's ultrasound...which contained far too much information for me to scan and put online without concern that I might be giving away my identity. But the bit I can share with you, is that it contained the date of the ultrasound -- a tidbit of information that we had lost in the swirling vortext that time has become...and now we have a day to officially celebrate the beginning of this crazy ride we've been blessed with tickets to. Thanks for stopping by now and then to laugh along with us.

Potty Party

2011-04-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

POTTY PARTY PART I

The great challenge of this bathroom project that loomed constantly in our minds was the reinstalling of the ... POTTY.

Saturday afternoon we cleaned the ... POTTY.

Saturday evening back upstairs went the... POTTY.

But the evening was too late for a final run to the (horror house) hardware store for the one last piece need for the ... POTTY.

So it sat in the bathroom... waiting....and we commenced with our Saturday evening ritual of "EVERYONE HELP CLEAN THE HOUSE...and NOW GET A BATH."

Do you know what naked little boys pause to do ... just before climbing into the bathtub.

OH yeah...they pause and empty their "tiny tank" into the... POTTY.

Thankfully, we caught the TBONE Porkchop Child just just before he began...since he was standing in front of the ... NOT HOOKED UP POTTY.

Poor guy...all our hollering about scared him to death.

Potty Party Part II

I was busy gargling so I couldn't answer when the dad~ster asked if I ever got the feeling that the POTTY downstairs was leaking. He looked pretty dejected just thinking about having another POTTY that needed his attention.

When I finally could answer him a little later I said I'd seen the puddle as well, but thought he might want to delay in his panic as I'd heard someone stirring before he was awake and I thought that was more likely the source of the puddle. (Let us not stop to examine that I saw the puddle...but didn't clean it up...I was not quite awake at this point.)

Later, puddle cleaned up and now fully awake, I thought to inquire during breakfast who had come down to use the potty early that morning. The Wild Child declared it had been him (not likely)...and we all smiled and didn't believe him. (It was later discovered that he had peed early that morning--but he hadn't gotten out of bed.)

I was awake by this point, but only just, so it wasn't until a few minutes later that I realized that CB was wearing different PJ pants than he'd had on at bedtime. So..I asked, "WHY?"

He explained that his pants had been wet but that I shouldn't worry because his bed wasn't (I always find it amusing that from their perspective they just woke up and things were wet--as though they were absent when this wetting occurred--but I've learned to refrain from arguing concerning the bladder function of boys...it is not necessarily connected to logic.)

When I asked him if he'd come down to use the bathroom before mom and dad were awake he said, "Yes."

I said, "Were you awake?"

He said, "Yes."

I said, "Did you pee into the potty."

He said, "I had to go so bad that it hit the side and came back out."

I looked at the dad~ster and said, "That's the source of your 'leak'."

With loud enthusiasm he declared, "That is GREAT. I'm so glad."

CB--understandably-- looked just a little confused that his dad was happy that he'd peed on the floor.

Potty Party Party III

Sunday afternoon the dad~ster made one final stop (at least at that point we thought it was the final stop) at the (house of horrors) hardware store. We came home and after lunch--was the long awaited POTTY installation.

He whooped with joy that it installed so easily.

We took pictures and celebrated.

We went downstairs.

He gave it a flush....he started hollering...the water came out all over the new floor...instead of disappearing into the place where toilet water is supposed to disappear to.

He went back to the (house of horrors) hardware store.

He came back.

He conquered his nemesis...and it is now ... his throne.

(That was probably a lame last line--but who could resist.)

Potty Party Part IV

And to end this TMI story about Potty Particulars. I am officially announcing that the Tbone Porkchop Child -- appears to be POTTY TRAINED -- at least during the day.

Commence with the Celebration!

Today's Venture

2011-04-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd try to make a contribution to this bathroom project. Went to the store and bought a new bathmat last night. Thought that was inadequate. Decided to clean the ITEMS (see previous post) that await attention on the back porch. Realized the faucet needed to come off the sink. Realized tools were required (I believe these are referred to as wrenches). Ventured into the shop. Realized I would fare better in a foreign country. Had to wait for the shopkeeper to get back from the hardware store (thankfully he didn't send me--hate, hate, hate the hardware store.) Got the faucet off once I located the wrenches (there are like 27 sizes...annoying). Should probably put the tools back....but... I think I lost my passport...perhaps I should just put them on the porch in his way and he can take them on his next trip.... ...it is a strange land that shop. Things I know about in my head make me clueless when I deal with them in person.

Making Progress

2011-04-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

We are now the "proud" owners of a lovely lawn ornament...of course, we wanted to share the loverlyness with everyone...so it is prominently displayed in the FRONT yard.

Ya know how heavy a cast iron skillet it....well this bad boy...is cast iron too...and HEAVY. It took 4+ guys to haul it out of the bathroom and the plumber said...sometimes you have to blow a whole wall out to remove it...so we consider ourselves fortunate. (But would still think it might look better in a location other than the front yard.)

As you can see -- Crew Destructo worked hard....

...and got things down to bare bones... ...before the plumber came and used his expertise to save me from a mental breakdown by installing the new tub/shower etc. He did a great job...but as is usual for me...there was one thing. He forgot to tighten a set screw on the faucet. So when I went to take my FIRST shower...the faucet came flying off and I had to resort to ducking under the stream of water shooting out of the pipe in the wall to wash. Thankfullly we had used a reputable company who was SUPER QUICK to show up and set things right. Since his departure the dad~ster has been working hard on the walls, floor, trim...etc. I did my part by deciding on a paint color and picking out a curtain...I'm certainly not a powerhouse contributor on this project. There remains a few items on the back porch that are still to be addressed... ...but progress is being made.

Crew Destructo

2011-03-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday - I, with the flu, was sent to drink tea and read a book -- while they with the drills, hammers, crowbars and various sundry other items of destruction began to dismantle our bathroom that is in serious need of ... how can I say this without boring you to death...it needs...HELP. Despite my best attempts to bury my head in the proverbial sand and ignore the fact that this project was on the calendar...and that it needed to be done...and that it was scheduled to commence...Despite the fact that I drug my feet as slowly and as long as I could in ordering the stuff from the Hardware store. (I am naturally blond-- and just stepping into a hardware store makes this evident to all as I stutter and stammer and feel completely out of my element.)

It is now begun. They removed the trim and closet door and the ... whatever that stuff is called that was on the walls...and tomorrow...I am told that the tub and shower are next to go.

I do not like construction projects...I do not understand construction projects....some see them as potential for something grand to unfold...I tend to see them as a chance for things to go wrong...the budget to be gone over...damage (that is to me irrepareble) can occur...and in this instance...several days without access to a shower. (I seriously rely on a shower each day to keep my sanity.)

I know I grew up in a place where our warm shower came from manually heated water poured into a 5 gallon bucket with a faucet on the bottom which hung in our bathroom...I keep telling myself that a shower is not a necessity for one to have a good day...

We shall test this theory.

I submit to these plans because I'm supposed to be a grown up and I can admit that letting things go on longer will just end up being worse...and because SUPPOSEDLY(you can see my confidence lagging and pessimism poking through I'm afraid) we will soon have a bathtub that won't leak into the walls and the ceiling of the living room below...a bathtub in which I can SUPPOSEDLY take a bubble bath...that will have a door...which SUPPOSEDLY will contain the monsoon that occurs whenever the Tbone decides to attempt a belly whopper during his bath.

In the spirit of attempted optimism...I promise pictures of our lovely new bathroom...hopefully somday soon.

Are You Praying For Patience

2011-03-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

If you are working on getting better at being patient. Here is a great way to improve in that area. Borrow 2 boys -- twins, 3 years old -- for about 6 months. (No worries -- their parents won't mind -- they probably need a break.) Make delicious vegetable beef soup once a week. Require that they follow the house rules concerning meals (Rule: "You must eat as many bites as you are old to get down from the table. You must finish what is in your plate/bowl before eating other food.") Respond in a kind and patient and loving manner, "You may eat your soup." Each and every time an inquiry is made by either boy concerning what they can eat. (Even when said child is experiencing a meltdown of nuclear proportions.) This can go on for an indefinite amount of time. I assure -- you will grow in the area of patience.

Collapsed

2011-03-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

WHA!?!?!?!

2011-03-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

I think it is pretty exciting that we know where two different pairs of bald eagles are nesting within 15-20 minute drives from our house. One of my goals for this spring is to see the eagles. The closest nest is also on the way home from many of the errands we might run in a week -- so I'm hoping to plan a buffer of time into our outings so we can pull off the beaten path and stop for the boyzies to do a bit of exploring while I watch for the eagles.

Mondays are a good day for me to spend a little slow time with the boys, so after the FIRST DAY OF SPRING rain stopped and the sun came out we stopped for a bit on our way home from the library.

The Wild Child had succumbed to sleep on our drive, so he stayed in the van napping, while the other boys played along the creek bank. I drank my coffee, chatted with a man who watches a half dozen eagle nests in our area, listened to the little eaglets (you know the babies) in the nest screech...and watched the skies for their mom and pop (to no avail).

Hearing the eagles screeching only 250 feet away was pretty cool, so I called the dad~ster to let him know. As I chatted with him briefly I glanced over to see the little Tbone Porkchop Child with his pants around his knees watering the grass embankment. !!!!There are some things that you just don't even need to teach boys!!!!! As I opened my mouth to say something to him--a screech split the air and I turned quickly to find CB half upside down, twisted like a pretzel submerged up to his arm pits in the stream.

I'm still looking for the eagles but remain well entertained in the meantime. Silly boys -- I'm thinking if we spend as much time there as I'm hoping, this might only be the first of a series of dips and spills.

Crazy Winter Fun

2011-03-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

Loud Music Booth -- Where Alvin and Chipmunks (circa 1980) blare on an old cassette player

Target Shooting Booth

Bowls of cereal $5.00 for larger, $3.50 for small

To the left you see the haunted house...where CB's light up skeleton tennis shoes were hid. Once you crawl under the little boyz's dinner table and the piano bench and through several curtains, someone outside would bump the tennis shoes and you would be greeted with a flashing skeleton--actually a bit frightening if you aren't aware of the plan.

Tea Party

2011-03-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

Soon We Will Be 3.5--We Are Eager

2011-03-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

Now We Are Six

2011-03-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

Quotable

2011-03-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to cook with my kiddos is from-scratch-chicken fingers.

It is pretty hard to mess up,
There is lots of stirring and moving around of ingredients to keep everyone occupied,
It comes together very quickly--which is especially important for people with short attention spans.
They all like to eat it, which means everyone is happy while we cook, instead of inspecting ingredients for what they plan to boycott.
Finally, due to the dish's popularity -- I know that my helper will get lots of compliments on the dinner s/he helped prepare.

Until this particular occasion I've only invited one child to help me at a time. However, there was great wailing when I asked one of the boyzies to help me stir some eggs and the other one felt SAD (with the drama that can only be produced by a preschooler who hasn't napped).

So --

When I only inteded to let one of the boyz help me

...as is often the case with them...

I got a 2 for 1 kind of deal.

We stood at the counter, with me in the middle and a boy on each side.

The Tbone (who after helping make Jello over the weekend not only knows what a whisk is...but now considers himself a pro) was in charge of "whisking" the eggs and milk and flipping the chicken pieces over so they got lots of eggs on them.

The Wild Child adeptly manned the pie plate that contained the crumbs. (Just prior to starting to dip the chicken I realized he'd added 4 red jelly beans that he preferred not to eat to the crumbs...but I digress...they had not entered his mouth...so we were safe to remove and continue.)

I was in charge of cutting the chicken and transfering it between the two dips...no pun intended...and getting it into the baking dish (and basically keeping all "you know what" from breaking out).

As we worked I said, "Guess what?"

"What?" they replied in their sweet-squeaky little voices.

"I'm so glad you are my boys. I'm glad God gave you to our family."

The Wild Child then declared in a voice that brooked no arguement:

"Yep, and then He gave you coffee."

*chuckle*

I think the best blessings in life are sometimes easier to appreciate if you have plenty of coffee nearby.

A Cozy Little Place

2011-03-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

This place has changed quite a bit since we moved here nearly 8 years ago. The number of people has doubled ... along with all the stuff that seems to go with the pack rat gene they inherited from their father's side of the family. *smile*

This room started out a lovely little blue and yellow nursery...for this, no longer so little, girl. All the boys have had this space at one time or another, but it has come full circle. Now no longer a nursery it contains the treasure of a stylish young lady in the making. This furniture rearrangement was her idea. We've lost track of the different ways we've tried to fit a bed with drawers on both sides so that you can move through the room without tripping over yourself.

Her knack at making things look right-- from an art project to putting together an outfit -- often impresses me.

At first I was skeptical about turning this already smallish room into several even smaller "rooms". But she thought having an office and bedroom area would work when we used her dresser as a wall. So far it has. We'll see how it works out for every day living. If nothing else this arrangement clears out the largest area yet for playing....

MEANWHILE

The boys used up a box of band aids on imaginary boo-boos, beat each other up, and pretty thoroughly trashed the rest of the house while we worked.

Clarification

2011-02-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

This is an emergency that warrants calling me to come from the bathroom:

The Tbone was jumping from the piano bench to the sofa (we will not stop to examine that his enthusiams at times exceeds his intelligence). He overshot in his jump and ended up hanging upside down by his knee caps. Lucky for him his big sister grabbed his leg and kept him from plummeting onto his head behind the sofa. She was strong enough to stop him, but not haul him back and they both began to scream. This propelled me from the bathroom.

This constitutes an emergency!!!

*********

This is NOT an emergency that should cause anyone to scream and open the closed bathroom door:

One of the Wild Child's siblings either by the way s/he breathed, crossed her/his eyes, moved her/his thumb or spoke indicated that s/he had a thought. This was interpreted by the Wild Child as a command. He came screaming to the bathroom and opened the door to inform me with great drama that said sibling "thinks s/he is IN CHARGE...s/he is NOT IN CHARGE" and most definitely NOT IN CHARGE OF HIM (IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT, or ANY POSSIBLE FUTURE EVER.)

Just to clarify -- NOT AN EMERGENCY!!!

Monday August 24, 1970

2011-02-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

We had fun looking at an old newspaper published in our town on that date--40 years ago. There was an article about the board of directors of the local hospital receiving a phone call to begin the process of terminating services at the "old" hospital and working with architects etc. for the building of the new hospital...which is the hospital where 2 of our 4 children were born.

The item we found most interesting was the add for a SUBARU.

"Standard Subaru Equipment:

4 speed transmission
heater & defroster
safety package (headrests, seat belts, shoulder straps, turn indicators, hazard lights)
Foam cushion reclining seats
Windshield Wiper (2 speed)
Windshield Washer
Vinyl Interiors
Back-Up lights
Padded Sun visors
Chrome Wheel cover
Direction signals
Courtesy lights
Adjustable louvre vents
Padded dash
Flow-through air system
Rear opening windows (WOW)
Tool Kit

Subaru Start 2 door -- $1957.40

Subaru Star 4 door --$2059.40

Subaru Star Wagon --$2161.40

Words that come to mind:

Relative -- Standard

Expected --Noteworthy

Luxury -- Necessity

Adequate -- Exorbitant

Need -- Want

Affordable -- Excessive

Spoiled -- Entitled

Perspective.

Being Thankful

2011-02-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

When I find myself struggling it is often helpful to work on being thankful...that seems to chase away the clouds of gloom. After this past week which included:

3 children sick with the puke your guts out flu,
Some related issues on the bottom end of some of them,
3 nights in a row with effectively no sleep (these children were completely incapacitated--the Sunshine girl who normally has quite a logical and attentive approach to life does not recall emptying her stomach in my lap--not the bucket I was trying to manuever under her face),
The resulting INSANE amount of disgusting laundry
And -- oops -- the garbage that accumulated as a result of the above (along with cleaning out the basement before the flu hit -- compounded by the fact that I just didn't get the garbage out out to the curb last week).

So here is what I am thankful for these days:

My mother -- I remember one night when I was little and had the flu. She provided a bucket on the left side of the bed. I used the floor on the right side of the bed and at the foot of the bed instead. I am thankful that she (despite what had to be a horrific mess) took care of me...I remembered that night as I sat covered with vomit...As I squelched the urge to gag -- I responded more gently to my sick daughter as a result of her example.
*
The garbage men who come faithfully each week (as long as we send in our payment every 3 months) and remove our garbage. Holy Moley...we make enough of it that the property values in our neighborhood would go down swiftly if these men failed to come very often.
*
My washing machine -- and to think I laughed and mocked the SANITIZE cycle that I used at least once a day for the past 2 weeks.
*
The skeleton of a mule...see Coaly at this link
I suppose they keep his bones around because of the whole reported rumors thing. But in the middle of the night as I was struggling...
*
... because everyone around me seems to be part of BIG THINGS...and what I do seems rather NOT BIG....when I wondered IS THIS OK?...CAN I BE DOING GOD'S WILL...WHEN I AM PART OF NOTHING BIG...but I know I am where I am supposed to be? I mean I think I do ...
*
...in the middle of the night I remembered these old mule bones I'd seen on display the last time I took the kids adventuring on campus. And I couldn't help but wonder if the Lord didn't have them put them there to remind me
*
... that that mule probably never felt like he was doing anything big at all. Mostly just plodding and pulling, working, pushing, hauling...step...by step. He didn't know he was building an iconic structure where great men and minds would one day gather...he was just doing ...what was there to do...cause he was a mule...and he was being a mule...and that was all he was ever supposed to do or be.
*
Yeah -- it probably seems a little flaky -- but God used those old mule bones to encourage me...and for that I am thankful.
*
Finally -- there are rumors that it will "soar into the 40's" next week. Soar---40's!!!!!! ROFL
I am thankful for this because I'm tired of winter...and because the idea of soaring into the 40's...made me laugh. Whatever the case, we are hoping for some outdoor adventures next week.
*

Secrets of a Career Mom

2011-02-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

I do not have a god-complex -- however, I do control the cards when we play Candy Land. This game from the pit has recently become very popular. We play it slightly different than the written directions. Instead of putting the cards in a draw pile -- the mommy deals you one card each time it is your turn. The Secret to enjoying these games is to keep an eye on the cards, rearrange them when needed for doubles to appear (especially if letting them fall as they would means moving one silly square at time). Additionally it is a good idea to keep the ice cream and lollipop cards handy -- cause after you get a quarter of the way up the board you can make sure they get dealt out within two consecutive turns to two different players -- to shorten the agony.

This has allowed us to make some wornderful memories...without me loosing my mind.

Silliness

2011-02-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

We did this Wii dance game at grandma's and now for no particular reason at all, other than it fits the feeling of the moment...little voice can be heard to sing:

We've gotta jump, shake, shimmy them out

We've gotta jump, shake shimmy them out

We've gotta jump, shake shimmy them out.

Let's get the sillies out

Get the silies out

Let's get the sillies out

Get the sillies out

Let's get the sillies out

We've gotta jump, shake, shimmy them out

We've gotta jump, shake, shimmy them out.

*Words from a song by Yo Gabba Gabba ...

The View From EIGHT

2011-01-31T21:23:00.000-08:00

I remember just yesterday thinking that 8 years is a long time to need to use a carseat...but actually...it is merely a moment...

Ah, Yes.

2011-01-28T20:41:00.000-08:00

CB wears his (stupid) snow boots everywhere. They are ugly and pretty beat up...and he never buckles them unless forced to do so....come to think of it he doesn't change his underwear, button his jeans, go to the bathroom or comb his hair either -- unless forced to do so....oh, and have I ever told you about cutting his fingernails...you know -- I guess he's a normal boy (glad I remembered that I was starting to think maybe we should check the warranty)....

But I digress...the boots...They make such a clomp clomp clomp clomp clomp clomp everywhere we go.

Tonight we took the gang to a concert - I dressed up. I required presentable children. This included NON-SNOWBOOT-FOOTWEAR from the department of CB.

I helped him put his cowboy boots on -- which were crazy tight.

After a bit of wrangling and muttering and threats with ... well, whatever.

I discovered the problem was really MY FAULT.

Turns out -- when I told him to, "Please put clean socks on today", I failed to mention that he should

T.a.k.e

T.h.e.

D.i.r.t.y

O.n.e.s

O.f.f.

(silly me!)

Quoteable

2011-01-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

I was met by my somewhat amused looking husband when I arrived home from a bit of taxi driving. He pointed my attention to the area behind the sofa where our INSANELY HUGE collection of toys lives...in some semblance of order.

The space behind the sofa ------

was COMPLETELY EMPTY?!!!?!!!?!!!????!!!!!!!

In awe, I inquired, "What did you do with all the toys." (Inside I was groaning a bit because our evening schedule didn't have room for a major living room rearrangement--and I was a little shocked 'cause spur of the moment furniture rearranging is more my game ... not HIS???)

He said he'd been...indisposed...and he heard little feet running back and forth downstairs and little boy voices declaring,

"One more destruction".

Then when he came downstairs he found the toy area completely clean--I mean really like every single thing was gone...only bare floor and the back of the sofa were there....

.....and one GIANT heap of toys piled in the middle of the dining room floor. Buckets, boxes, crates, bags and baskets of every toy type all dumped together in one happy bit of chaos.

I guess it was pretty hilarious...thankfully I was able to enjoy the second hand account and not the first hand experience...by the time I got home our toys had been nicely sorted and were back in their appropriate containers...except for the final handful of Lincoln logs that two short little crazy boys were returning to their crate, while their daddy chuckled and waited to help them carry everything back.

I may post the pictures he took later...his other wife - Androidia has them.

Pathetic

2011-01-23T11:26:00.000-08:00

As I was cleaning the kitchen (the real kind of cleaning that meant removing silverware from the drawers so I could wipe them out and dump the crumb collection...emptying the fridge to wipe up the remnants of many spills...you know that tedious mindless kind of cleaning that takes awhile)....anyway, as I was cleaning I got to thinking what I would do with three wishes, were I to stumble upon a golden lamp that houses a geenie. I realized that if I were given three wishes, I would quickly WASTE one to have the boyzies suddenly and permanently potty trained. I was perturbed with myself that this was the greatest things I could wish for. However, if I could have that wish granted and no longer pay for their disposable pull ups (which is rather like taking money and using it for toilet papet) I'd probably have enough money to purchase pretty much anything else I might wish for.

Dance Party 24/7

2011-01-20T16:57:00.000-08:00

This is the prehistoric version of what Wii has made so popular...keep in mind that our tv blew up awhile ago...they just make up their own choreography and dance...about 50 times a day.

Quoteable

2011-01-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

While reading to my older two children after the younger two were tucked in bed I heard the Wild Child call out from his bed... across the upstairs landing...into the room where we sat.

"Momma!"

"What?" I called back.

"Momma, my blankets...(his voice trailed off)...my blankets...they...", and he didn't finish his sentence as he sought words to describe his problem.

We read a few more sentences and then heard him call again.

"Momma, my blankets are Uh-Oh! Can you fix them."

On the Subject of Television

2011-01-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

I remain convinced that we have too much fun to bother with it more than just occasionally.

Simplified Part IV

2011-01-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

I rarely remember to take pictures of the big events, get together etc. But my sister was in town for the past few days and she takes magnificent pictures. We managed to have some really great times doing the simplest of things -- which is probably a good thing considering the crowd we were corralling.

I'm thankful for the great pictures -- what a lovely way to preserve a few of the special memories we made.

Simplified Part III

2011-01-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

Simplified Part II

2011-01-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

Simplified Part I

2011-01-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010

2010-12-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

The dad~ster read this article at a recent family gathering -->click here to check it out. It is the message of Christmas we hope you know. This waiting for Christmas morning is just a reminder of the greatest thing we are waiting for: seeing the conclusion of redemption, the removal of the curse of sin, the meeting of our Saviour face to face, the experiencing of God's creation unmarred by sin.

Merry Christmas to you from us, it is our heart's cry that you know Him, the Christ of Christmas. Stop and be in awe with us that God would wrap Himself forever in flesh and offer Himself in our place bearing through all eternity the marks of His sacrifice on the cross so that we might know Him and never know an eternity separated from Him -- and all that is good and peace and joy. He says if you will seek Him you will find Him. If you don't know Him, cry out to Him and ask Him to help you find Him. If you know Him -- ponder anew the truest meaning of Christmas...and rejoice.

Family Night 11/24/10

2010-12-10T03:32:00.000-08:00

Family Night usually has a pretty low budget, but at the request of CB and SG we did something special the week of Thanksgiving. It was a special treat ... full of great memory making moments.

Fluffy Friends

2010-12-08T03:30:00.000-08:00

We got this idea at the Christmas Tree Festival last year. It was a fun change from the traditional decorations (some of which we've had since the parents in this family were celebrating their first Christmases -- makng them antiques.) We like it! What do you think?

My Mantra

2010-12-04T10:34:00.001-08:00

If you had the misfortune of being caught inside my head, you would hear this repeated many times every day. And though my mouth might be silent these words blare through my mind as I often fight against the panic that threatens to overwhelm when the many parts of life get all tangled up and threaten to avalanche on top of me:

"If God has given me a job to do, I must surely be able to trust Him to supply what I need to do it."

Sometimes it is hard to tell myself this...
Sometimes it is hard to hear myself say this...
Sometimes it is hard to live like I believe this...
Hard or easy -- it is none the less true.

Monday's Are Marvelous

2010-12-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

When Daddy is in charge...see the shots he's captured and sent to me while I'm sequestered away with my computer.

One Monday night a month they all go together to the Planning Meeting for the Kid's Club at our church, where they join the other leaders for a supper that everyone brings a dish to share.

And now that the weather is cool...strike that ... COLD...they often end up out in the shop where he is finishing up projects...or they work together to make pens.

The boyz love to play in the sawdust and drill and sand scrap bits.

The View from a Thankful Heart

2010-11-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

When you combine the yummy food (can you spell PIE) and tons of pleasant company, with the delighted feeling I have on the rare occasion when the WHOLE house is (albeit briefly) clean at the same time...and add in a few afternoons when the temps are cool and crisp and the sun casts slanting rays early in the afternoon....with a whole week of "no school routine-less routine" it isn't even a little difficult to think of things to be thankful for....cause there are tons.

I am particularly grateful for these -- my blessings.

Eyes to see -- the white birch bark and the blue blue sky.

For health -- legs that run -- the resilience of youth.

Pleasant places to go exploring...and even more the pleasant companions with whom I get to go.

New playground equipment at the park closest to our home.

The pleasure of laughter...and secrets...and giggles -- that come so often to interrupt the stress...and keep me from taking things (and myself) too seriously.

For plenty of warm clothes to wrap these precious gifts in each day.

For shoes to wear on our many adventures.

For the food we have in abundance...so we do not need to know the pain of hunger pangs.

For sweet voices calling "push me higher".

For warm snuggles.

For the knowledge that God loves these little ones a million times beyond what I am capable of ...and for the Savior He sent that first Christmas. Who brought salvation into a world cursed by sin. A thankful heart at Thanksgiving leads to a heart worship filled as we turn toward Christmas.

Though I'm certainly not opposed to the whimsical and colorful at Christmas ... this year, even more than in the past, I felt compelled to focus our attention deliberately...

... on the true reason for all the celebration.

There are so many things that call to us...

and distract us from the most Holy and most beautiful

God -- become man. The pivotal moment of history. Prelude to the cross...the source of all that is good and peace and love. The Promise of salvation fulfilled that brings light to a world darkened by sin.

The Sunshine girl had fun spelling out C H R I S T M A S (which she recently learned to spell...she said you spell "Christ and then Mas"). We displayed this above the white china angels that once belonged to my grandmother. I love this little display because it reminds me what a special privilege I have of being part of a long line of godly, strong, resilient, beautiful, and beauty loving women. Had I been born at some other time in history, I would not have had the chance to know both the women who came before me in this line -- and the women who will follow me. It awes me to see pieces and glimpses of others glittering in my daughter's life...to be part of a great heritage.

This year we are doing a Jesse Tree for our family's advent devotionals and looking forward to the first day of December when we can begin lighting our new advent candle centerpiece. One of my favorite traditions for the holidays is eating supper in the dining room each night with the candles and Christmas lights. It certainly adds warmth and cheer to these dark, cold winter days.

Soundtrack of My Life -- track 6

2010-11-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

Been trying to be a little more unplugged around here lately and use my energy for the real stuff instead of the "virtual". I find -- I might have become a little addicted to the view from this window from my world. It's a challenge to change.

Anyway -- maybe you'll enjoy this song as much as I do ... until I divert a little energry to writing blog post again...someday.

Take a listen: CLICK HERE

Perfect Fit

2010-11-13T17:59:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I look at my kiddos -- and am acutely aware that they will someday be adults. This gets me to wondering what professions they will be led to pursue. In moments when their weaknesses are more glaring than their strengths I try to think of how the most annoying parts of them might be strengths and might help them someday when they have a family to support. (Don't even think this is mature or spiritual or inspirational of me -- it is really and truly, plain and simple WARPED...and very fun.)

For instance, this evening it dawned on me that if CB's career as a criminal attorney or nit-picky police officer don't work out....he would make a wonderful narrator.....

....After all, who else gets paid to tattle on other people while being a know-it-all and seeming to be in control of everyone's destiny...and refusing to get their picture taken. (Seems like a perfect fit for the little boy who sometimes makes me analyze the pros and cons of moving to a deserted island faraway without leaving any trace for someone to follow or find me.)

Quotable

2010-11-10T00:17:00.000-08:00

SG on tithing:

I you have $30.00 and you give it all to God, that's all he wants..."

Sometimes you wonder how much is getting through -- and then you realize -- until they get to percentages in math class, the teaching on tithin is gonna be a leeetttlllle fundky.

Quotable

2010-11-08T00:07:00.000-08:00

"CB, I told you to get this out of the house. Wood does not belong in the house."

Said by the man I'm married to who previously stored his 1/2 finished shop projects, tools, and hunting supplies in the room that was supposed to be our dining room. He also thawed a deer in our guest room .... and ... left the head (unattached from its prior body) of a deer in the trunk of my car...which I found ... in the parking lot of the grocery store.

I heard the words above come out of his mouth this afternoon as he prodded the kids to take their half finished shop GARBAGE out of their mother's house -- and I smiled and patted myself on the back. 15 years of patience and gentle training are paying off. Somethings -- money just can't buy.

Quotable

2010-11-06T03:22:00.001-07:00

Sometimes -- being a part of their conversation (three boys that is) is .... um, surreal.

An example:

The setting: Our morning ritual, when I interrupt them from driving cars around on their road rug or building airplanes and tanks with their Legos, and force them to attend to bothersome (though needed things) like going to the bathroom, finding clean clothes and brushing their teeth. They find this to be excruciatingly annoying.

Me: (to a naked little boy) OK, Baby B, go in and go potty.

Baby B: I no stand up, I sit like grandma. (This cracks me up every time -- he means he'll sit on the potty like he does at grandmas -- no kiddie seat -- but it always comes out sounding like he's going to go potty like grandma does -- I find this highly amusing.)

Me: (after a lengthy pause during which I threatened CB with torture and the revoking of all privileges -- including breathing -- if he doesn't take his pj's off) Baby B, are you done.

Baby B: (Deep in concentration -- shakes his head -- just slightly)

Me: OK, I'll wait

(I make the bed and kick toys into a pile and grab dirty clothes and cups from our bedtime ritual when everyone was going to die of thirst if they had to go to sleep before having a drink.)

Me: [Wild Child], come get your jammies off. CB (in a voice which an adult could tell contains mounting frustration -- but a 5 year old boy hardly seems to hear) thank you for taking your pj's off, could you PLEASE (I beg you) put some clean underwear on...stand up...put THESE ON (hand him underwear). [Wild Child], let's get your clothes off. Baby B, are you done?

Baby B: (Deep in concentration -- shakes his head -- just slightly)

Me: OK, let's....CB (OK only a stupid person could miss that I feel a little annoyed at this point -- a stupid person and 5 year old boys, that is) Pull your underwear UP (seriously who gets distracted and starts to read a book with their underwear half way pulled up...oh that's right, 5 year old boys -- who else.) [Wild Child] here let's get your shirt on and then when Baby B is done you can go potty and we'll put your pants on.

We head into the bathroom -- where I see "things" have been happening. I respond with enthusiastic congratulations.

Wild Child: (angles himself so he can peer between his brother's cheek --the bottom one--and the throne seat) WOW, it looks like carrots.

Baby B: It's not carrots--it's poop.

Wild Child: WHOOOOOOEEEEE!

Me: Baby B, are you done?

Baby B: (Continues to look very serious and shakes his head slightly.)

Me: OK, we'll wait. CB ARE YOU DRE...

I'm interrupted by a loud noise emanating from the inside of the throne.

Me: Wow, you scared me.

Baby B still concentrating -- looks pleased with himself.

CB: (still only partially clothed -- but with his underwear at least pulled up sticks his head into the doorway and intently demands to know): WHO did that? Mom, who did that was it [the Wild Child] or [Baby B]? Who was it, Mom? Mom, who did that?

Me: Baby B (and I feel surprised at myself when I realize that I just responded to the question as though it was a normal one.)

CB: Wow, that was great Baby B. (Said LOUDLY and enthusiastically -- as though he just accomplished the most amazing feat.)

And this is just phase one of "morning routine: getting dressed". And I contain my laughter and prod once again for CB to "FOCUS and get dressed", and Baby B FINALLY completes his mission, and the Wild One (still only dressed on the top) is found -- downstairs back with the Legos -- and takes his turn shooting liquid sunshine in the general vicinity of the throne......and on it goes.

Apple Slosh

2010-10-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 bushels of Ida Red apples from Way Fruit Farm

+ 2 extra long nap-taking twins

+ 1 afternoon of colorful exhausting fun

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30 quarts of yummy applesauce in the freezer.

Pants Poses Per Request

2010-10-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

The View from Lately

2010-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Other than the fact that someone usually has a runny nose -- we survived the "back to school germ shake up"--and I think we might have even recovered from it too. Four out of six family members visited the Dr's and received a variety of prescriptions. This little guy managed to get the most mileage out of his 24 hour stomach bug. He got the carpet in the church nursery, a nice percentage of the new van, and a large section of his bedroom. In between cleaning up him and his mess from the 2nd round of vomiting, I briefly pondered changing out of my church clothes and making dinner -- only to witness the Tbone launching himself from the coffee table to the sofa -- totally missing and giving himself a gusher of a bloody nose. Within a few moments of getting the blood stopped and cleaned up...the Wild One was performing Act III of the the "Let's See What You Had for Snack Time in Sunday School" game.

Some days just get funnier the further away they are in the rearview mirror.

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I heard this rumor that the best part about twins is that they amuse themselves playing together. Three years into the madness, I can pause and say...Oh, Yeah!! Those rumors are true (except for when they are beating each other up.)

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The fire company in our town is very enthusiastic about having visitors. We also appreciate them immensely as we've had multiple opportunities to watch them in action over the past couple years. We have a real respect for the dedicated men and women who volunteer their time and energy and serve our community.

I love this picture where CB and his buddy are just having pure EXUBERANT fun pretending to be firemen. He's a natural at being the second born...always preferring to have lots of fun and friends. He's happiest when there something (anything) to do.

Checking out those fancy wheels.

She was elected Vice President of her second grade class this past week. Jumped up from what she was doing to go take the clothes off the line when asked -- and folded them as she took them down. Gave a speech in her class, brought home numerous papers with "Excellent", "Outstanding" and "Great Job" marked on them. She's a marvelous mixture of grown up , gangly and giggles. It's super fun to be her mom and witness this becoming.

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Our pumpkin from Pop Pop's garden was so big we decided to have just one--but make him two-faced.

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This year we took our fall excursion to see the elk with some good friends.

As usual we didn't get many shots of the elk because ... well because I'm just not that great of a photographer. However, we had a wonderful time with our friends...

on a perfectly spectacular Fall evening.

This shot of my Wild One is just so...appropriate. He's the kind that when given a boundary isn't happy unless he's at least 10 inches beyond it....I keep telling myself, "Nothing will stop him...he will go far...someday."

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The dad~ster's latest project has been making these beautiful pens. These are particularly popular as they are made from different bullet casings and gorgeous exotic woods.

To Do Today:

2010-10-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

I came to this place to take a walk with the older two children last Sunday. They were sad when we had to leave and begged to come back again when we could stay "long enough to explore everything".
I knew there was no school the following Friday and promised that, weather permitting, we'd come back.
So I refrained from jamming my To Do list with all the things TO DO and simply planned to head out for hiking and exploring and grand adventures as soon as our morning chores were done.
No one has ever had more fun.

We climbed a huge (moutain) hill and worked up quite an appetite.

We remembered that children 5 and under eat free at Hoss's so we took ourselves there where we enjoyed an all you can eat lunch for 5...for $12.00.

Then we headed off to the apple farm to get apples for our next fall tradition...applesauce. And now that we have them we'll certainly need to get that on the To Do list...sooner rather than later.

We stopped in at Walmart to restock a few necessities (milk and ketchup mainly...staples for a family where one believes the solution to life's greatest problems can be found in a bowl of cereal...and others know that ketchup can help with swallowing things you don't particularly like).

Then we hurried home just in time to "use the facilities" and head back out to go "eat deer meat" and hang with some good friends for the evening.

And we did the only thing we had To Do Today.

And it was grand.

And I may never forget...

that we made it to the top of that mountain (you'd think it was memorable too -- if you'd been pushing a bike stroller with 80 some pounds of little boys inside)...

found the perfect spot to eat a little snack,

and did nothing

else of note...

but enjoy the day together..

perhaps we should do it more often...

since no one noticed or cared...that this was all we did.

Quotable

2010-10-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

CB's orphan Pete look (from Pete's dragon) finally reached the point where I was getting nervous we might be out and about and someone would call someone to investigate as he looked rather uncared for and neglected.

While he was getting his (surprsingly long) hair cut we got chit chatting with Amy (the hair cutter lady --I guess you'd call her a beautician--but CB getting worked on by a beautician...sounds funny too). Anyway Amy told us about a trivet her mom had when she was growing up. It was the kind with a little saying on it -- and is too good not to share (especially in light of my latest challenge to find the balance between spending time with the kids,--appropriately divided between teaching/fun/individual/serious-- keeping house, working, being involved in a couple things outside of our home, and squeezing in time for my husband).

Here it is:

"We keep our house clean enough to be safe -- but dirty enough to still be fun."

I like that...

Every Bit of Lovely

2010-10-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

I love these first three pictures (that I actually did not take) because they remind me so much of how my memories are.......In the moment everything is so much ... the color, the noise, the emotions, the bubbling giggles, the whining, the messes, the happiness...and then you look back and it is hard to remember it all clearly...and you realize...as wonderful as it all is...the greatness of the intensity cannot be held... ...for long.
And so my fingers grasp around these swift-passing-sand-in-the-hourglass-of-my-life-moments...and I wring from them every bit of lovely that I can. I've begun to learn that before the page of the calendar turns...already... what I long to cherish forever... my mind has begun to blur...

Oh -- yeah -- and the last one. This is what showed up in my email box Sat morning. The dad~ster has stepped into the 21 century and now can just shoot us photos of his hunting expeditions from the woods...and we aren't left wondering...how things are going for him and his buddies. (I'll spare you the sarcastic comments that would fit so nicely here.)

Kitchen Capers

2010-10-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Sunshine Girl and I found this great recipe in a vegetarian cookbook entitled: "Salad People". There are a bunch of other cool ideas, but we started by trying this one.

You begin by making a person form from 1/2 a canned pear (or we also used peaches -- warning a peach reminds a little boy of a butt...we were treated to many (hilarious) comments that are probably not fit for public consumption...we also needed to remind people that boy salad people don't need.....how shall we say it...boy parts).

The head of the salad person is made from a scoop of yogurt or cottage cheese. Then I added to the tray of chopped veggies that I keep in the fridge in small containers or bags so we'd have plenty of things to choose from. Here were some of things things we tried:

carrots (sticks/circles/grated)

celery (w/ peanut butter and chopped)

olives (of course--black and green)

frozen peas

watermellon chunks

cheese (cubs /long rectangles/ triangles)

sliced turkey (cubes / long rectangles)
grapes

raisins

peppers

corn

(other ideas for another time include bananas, hard boiled eggs, bacon bits, manadarine oranges, jello cubes)

Anyway MEET THE FOLKS.

Building a salad person
Getting started

Olive-eee-aaa

Smallfeet (as opposed to BigFoot)

Ready to eat

Alien

Guy with cool socks

Cyclops

Cowgirl

Only rule: If you put it on your plate -- you must eat it...even if you set green olives in strawberry yogurt (gag).