Here are some pictures from today. You would think by now I would know how to do this better, but I don't. Anyway, enjoy!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
My clowns
Jordan and Claire got these glasses at school today. Right before I snapped the picture, Claire went, "HONK!" I could hardly take the picture from laughing so hard. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Verse from the shower
God gave me a verse in the shower today. I know, weird. We are in the middle of a financial crunch. If most people saw our budget, the would say, "And why aren't you working?" But I feel like God has called me to be at home. I have look at working on paper, but the numbers don't work. After paying a babysitter/daycare for two kids, one being an infant, I wouldn't be bringing any money home. So for now, home is where God has me. Anyway, I have been thinking a lot the last couple of days about excess. Even in our struggle, we still have more than most of the world. I have a three bedroom house, with a bathroom, with clean water, with a computer, with two TVs, we have clothes, and food...I could go on and on and on. So with all of this, why do I feel like I should have more? Is it because most of my friends have more? Is it because our culture tells me I shouldn't be content with what we have? Is it because I love cokes from Sonic, so I feel like I should have one at least every other day? Seriously, it adds up.
OK. I am rambling. I guess what I want to say is that my heart's desire today is to be content. The verse God gave me is 1 Tim. 6:8. "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." This is what I want. Contentment. God is enough. He is all I need.
OK. I am rambling. I guess what I want to say is that my heart's desire today is to be content. The verse God gave me is 1 Tim. 6:8. "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." This is what I want. Contentment. God is enough. He is all I need.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Bragging rights
I just wanted to take a minute to brag on my kiddos. It is raining here, like it has been for two days now, and I desperately needed to go to the grocery store. I had put it off as long as I could. I was going to go before Jordan and Claire got out of school, so I would just have the younger two, but Luke fell asleep on the way there. O well. So I went after I picked them up. I was dreading it since it was raining. Taking 4 kids to the store by yourself is hard enough without it raining. But they were soooo good. I told them before we went in not to ask for anything. And I really wanted to get them a treat for being so good, but I had been talking the whole time about not spending extra money and buying the cheaper items. So I didn't. Anyway, then when we got home, they helped me put all the groceries away and they actually enjoyed it! I guess I have great kids after all!! I love being a mom.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sacred
I actually copied this from a blog I read today. The song is by Caedmon's Call. I have actually never heard the song, but I love the group, so I bet the song is pretty good. The words really spoke to me today, especially since this has been a really tiring one. Campbell isn't feeling well, teething I think, and Luke has been, well, Luke. So anyway, I have always known, since I have been a mom, that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. I love that God chose me to be the mom of my kids, and I would never dream of being anywhere else. Thank you, Stephen, for working so hard to let me stay at home with our babies. You have made my dreams come true and I love you.
Sacred
this house is a good mess
it’s the proof of life
no way would I trade jobs
but it don’t pay overtime
I’ll get to the laundry
I don’t know when
I’m saying a prayer tonight
cause tomorrow it starts again
could it be that everything is sacred?
and all this time
everything I’ve dreamed of
has been right before my eyes
the children are sleeping
but they’re running through my mind
the sun makes them happy
and the music makes them unwind
my cup runneth over
and I worry about the stain
teach me to run to You
like they run to me for every little thing
when I forget to drink from you
I can feel the banks harden
Lord, make me like a stream
to feed the garden
wake up, little sleeper
the Lord, God Almighty
made your Mama keeper
so rise and shine
rise and shine cause
everything is sacred
and all this time
everything I’ve dreamed of
has been right before my eyes
this house is a good mess
it’s the proof of life
no way would I trade jobs
but it don’t pay overtime
I’ll get to the laundry
I don’t know when
I’m saying a prayer tonight
cause tomorrow it starts again
could it be that everything is sacred?
and all this time
everything I’ve dreamed of
has been right before my eyes
the children are sleeping
but they’re running through my mind
the sun makes them happy
and the music makes them unwind
my cup runneth over
and I worry about the stain
teach me to run to You
like they run to me for every little thing
when I forget to drink from you
I can feel the banks harden
Lord, make me like a stream
to feed the garden
wake up, little sleeper
the Lord, God Almighty
made your Mama keeper
so rise and shine
rise and shine cause
everything is sacred
and all this time
everything I’ve dreamed of
has been right before my eyes
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Bring the Rain
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am yours regardless of
the clouds that may loom above
because you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me
suffering your destiny
so tell me whats a little rain
I can't tell you how much this song has spoken to me over the last couple of days. I wish I knew how to download it on here so I could share it with you. This really describes my walk with the Lord. I have gone through stuff in my life and people have actually said, "I just don't know how you can go through this with a smile on your face." And I just don't get it. Could my circumstances really change my dependence on the Lord? Could they really change who I am in Christ? No. Nothing can change who He has made me. Nothing in my past makes me that person anymore. I am changed, forgiven. So why in the world would I want to turn my back on Him when I go through rainy times? The fact that people atcually do this is unfathomable to me. It really has never crossed my mind to turn my back on Him. He is what gets me through rainy times. Yes, I have doubted before. But I have taken those doubts to God and He has reaffirmed my faith everytime.
I don't know why God wants to have a relationship with me. I am flawed, broken, imperfect. But that is what makes me useable. God doesn't use perfect people, THANK THE LORD!! Because none of us is perfect. I am humbled beyond words that God loves me and wants to use me to further His kingdom. I don't understand it, but I wouldn't want to serve a God that I could understand. I am thankful He is bigger than my pain. I am thankful He is big enough to handle my problems, my questions, my doubts, and love me anyway. I am thankful that He has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. Like I said, I don't understand it, but I am thankful. Grateful. Humbled. Blessed. When you are going through something you have a choice to make: to run to Him or away from Him. Please run to Him.
So, if my problems are what it takes to praise Him and bring Him glory, bring the rain.
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am yours regardless of
the clouds that may loom above
because you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me
suffering your destiny
so tell me whats a little rain
I can't tell you how much this song has spoken to me over the last couple of days. I wish I knew how to download it on here so I could share it with you. This really describes my walk with the Lord. I have gone through stuff in my life and people have actually said, "I just don't know how you can go through this with a smile on your face." And I just don't get it. Could my circumstances really change my dependence on the Lord? Could they really change who I am in Christ? No. Nothing can change who He has made me. Nothing in my past makes me that person anymore. I am changed, forgiven. So why in the world would I want to turn my back on Him when I go through rainy times? The fact that people atcually do this is unfathomable to me. It really has never crossed my mind to turn my back on Him. He is what gets me through rainy times. Yes, I have doubted before. But I have taken those doubts to God and He has reaffirmed my faith everytime.
I don't know why God wants to have a relationship with me. I am flawed, broken, imperfect. But that is what makes me useable. God doesn't use perfect people, THANK THE LORD!! Because none of us is perfect. I am humbled beyond words that God loves me and wants to use me to further His kingdom. I don't understand it, but I wouldn't want to serve a God that I could understand. I am thankful He is bigger than my pain. I am thankful He is big enough to handle my problems, my questions, my doubts, and love me anyway. I am thankful that He has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. Like I said, I don't understand it, but I am thankful. Grateful. Humbled. Blessed. When you are going through something you have a choice to make: to run to Him or away from Him. Please run to Him.
So, if my problems are what it takes to praise Him and bring Him glory, bring the rain.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Thoughts...
I have many thoughts running through my head tonight. But the main one is this:
I am craving simplicity. Right now, with money tight, I still find myself with too much. Too much stuff. I am overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that I have in my house. And I am overwhelmed with the fact that I have a house at all. I think about Dowensky, a little boy in Haiti, waiting to come home to his family. I think about how little he has. I think about sweet Ashley Adams who is in the hospital fighting for her life at age 2. I think about the things I complain about and it makes me sick to my stomach. Why can't I get it together!?! I think about my kids and their constant begging for more, and I wonder, "What am I teaching them?" Right now, I see that I have taught them the importance of things. The importance of toys. The importance of restaurants. The importance of going places. I want so badly to just be still. I want so badly to clean out my house so that I can keep it straight and clean, peaceful, for my family. But I find myself struggling to know where to begin. What do I do with my stuff once I clean it out? Why would anyone else want to deal with my junk when I don't even want to deal with it?
I don't know where all this is going, but I know God is teaching me something. I feel him working in me. This morning in class, Bobby shared this thought with us and it really hit me. He was talking about how we go through things. Like our financial situation, for instance. He was saying that sometimes, if we don't give our situation over to God, he will take it to get our attention. He will take it to teach us. Sometimes I feel like God is saying to me, "I really wanted to bless you with this, but you wouldn't just give it over to me. I had so much more in store for you." He used the illustration of disciplining our kids. "I really would have rather spent the day at the zoo with you, but because you wouldn't obey me, now you have to spend the day in your room." I don't know if this makes any sense to you, but it really did with me. I don't think I conveyed it very well, though. Sorry.
I will write more on this later, but for now, Campbell calls...
I am craving simplicity. Right now, with money tight, I still find myself with too much. Too much stuff. I am overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that I have in my house. And I am overwhelmed with the fact that I have a house at all. I think about Dowensky, a little boy in Haiti, waiting to come home to his family. I think about how little he has. I think about sweet Ashley Adams who is in the hospital fighting for her life at age 2. I think about the things I complain about and it makes me sick to my stomach. Why can't I get it together!?! I think about my kids and their constant begging for more, and I wonder, "What am I teaching them?" Right now, I see that I have taught them the importance of things. The importance of toys. The importance of restaurants. The importance of going places. I want so badly to just be still. I want so badly to clean out my house so that I can keep it straight and clean, peaceful, for my family. But I find myself struggling to know where to begin. What do I do with my stuff once I clean it out? Why would anyone else want to deal with my junk when I don't even want to deal with it?
I don't know where all this is going, but I know God is teaching me something. I feel him working in me. This morning in class, Bobby shared this thought with us and it really hit me. He was talking about how we go through things. Like our financial situation, for instance. He was saying that sometimes, if we don't give our situation over to God, he will take it to get our attention. He will take it to teach us. Sometimes I feel like God is saying to me, "I really wanted to bless you with this, but you wouldn't just give it over to me. I had so much more in store for you." He used the illustration of disciplining our kids. "I really would have rather spent the day at the zoo with you, but because you wouldn't obey me, now you have to spend the day in your room." I don't know if this makes any sense to you, but it really did with me. I don't think I conveyed it very well, though. Sorry.
I will write more on this later, but for now, Campbell calls...
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Bedtime Battles
OK. Here it is. When Campbell was born, she was in a crib in our room. We didn't want too much to change for Luke when she came home, and we didn't feel like he was ready for his "big-boy bed" just yet. So we left his nursery just like it had always been. Then, about two months ago, we moved Jordan and Luke into the same room with bunk beds and Claire and Campbell in the same room. We also decided it was time to get rid of Luke's pacifier. Huge mistake. Doing it all at once was not a good idea. So, we gave the paci back. We told him that if he stayed in his bed, he could have it. He is able to climb in and out of his bed; obviously he sleeps on the bottom bunk. Anyway, he gets up and comes out all the time. So, we have just been letting him fall asleep in the living room because Jordan has to get to bed for school.
My point is this: now the paci trick doesn't work. He still won't stay in his bed. I have stood beside the door and watched for his feet to hit the floor so I can stop him then. I have tried the paci trick. I just don't know what to do anymore. But it is really bothering me because bedtime for the kids means date time for Stephen and me. That time we had to talk, watch TV and just be together by ourselves is gone and I really miss it. Should we put a crib back up until he is more ready? Should we just keep working with him to sleep in his big bed? I know in the whole scheme of things, this isn't that big of a problem. But for right now, to me, it feels like a huge problem. Help!!!
My point is this: now the paci trick doesn't work. He still won't stay in his bed. I have stood beside the door and watched for his feet to hit the floor so I can stop him then. I have tried the paci trick. I just don't know what to do anymore. But it is really bothering me because bedtime for the kids means date time for Stephen and me. That time we had to talk, watch TV and just be together by ourselves is gone and I really miss it. Should we put a crib back up until he is more ready? Should we just keep working with him to sleep in his big bed? I know in the whole scheme of things, this isn't that big of a problem. But for right now, to me, it feels like a huge problem. Help!!!
Addictions...
I will be dealing with my two addictions today: Carbonated beverages and the internet.
I love coke/diet coke. I tried to quit drinking coke and switched to diet coke, but I really just like "fizzy drinks." I know they are bad for me. I haven't had one in two days. I am going to my friend's house this morning and she always offers me one, but today I will have to say no. It will be hard.
The other thing I have to be careful of is my time surfing the web. Or I guess I should say surfing blogs. I love to read about other people's lives. Especially other moms. But I lose track of the time when I am on here. I could spend hours, literally. So, today, once I go to my friend's house, I am going to try not to turn it back on. My kids only have three more days out of school, and I really need to play with them. I want to play with them. They are showing signs of craving family time/attention. So, that is my plan. I will probably check e-mail because I am waiting on confirmation for my plans for tomorrow, but other than that...
I hope everyone has a great day. The forecast is "Sunny with a high of 75". If you don't know the song, that didn't make sense. See ya!
I love coke/diet coke. I tried to quit drinking coke and switched to diet coke, but I really just like "fizzy drinks." I know they are bad for me. I haven't had one in two days. I am going to my friend's house this morning and she always offers me one, but today I will have to say no. It will be hard.
The other thing I have to be careful of is my time surfing the web. Or I guess I should say surfing blogs. I love to read about other people's lives. Especially other moms. But I lose track of the time when I am on here. I could spend hours, literally. So, today, once I go to my friend's house, I am going to try not to turn it back on. My kids only have three more days out of school, and I really need to play with them. I want to play with them. They are showing signs of craving family time/attention. So, that is my plan. I will probably check e-mail because I am waiting on confirmation for my plans for tomorrow, but other than that...
I hope everyone has a great day. The forecast is "Sunny with a high of 75". If you don't know the song, that didn't make sense. See ya!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Starting a new book...
I am getting ready to start Shepherding a Child's Heart. A friend gave it to me and I started reading it, and then I had Campbell ;) Not much reading has happened since then. Anyway, in light of these changes I need to make that keep coming back to me, I thought I would read this book now.
My kids are great. And for the most part, they are really well-behaved. But I have talked before about only teaching them the outward behaviors and not getting to their hearts. Well, I feel like they aren't getting it because I have to keep teaching the same things over and over again. I don't feel like I am getting to the heart. I want them to do the right things because they want to, not because they are afraid of being punished.
So, tonight, I will begin this journey yet again. Maybe this time, I won't just talk about it but actually do something about it.
My kids are great. And for the most part, they are really well-behaved. But I have talked before about only teaching them the outward behaviors and not getting to their hearts. Well, I feel like they aren't getting it because I have to keep teaching the same things over and over again. I don't feel like I am getting to the heart. I want them to do the right things because they want to, not because they are afraid of being punished.
So, tonight, I will begin this journey yet again. Maybe this time, I won't just talk about it but actually do something about it.
Monday, October 08, 2007
It really is magic!
My friend Tamara gave me a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser last night. I have been seeing them forever on TV but just never thought they would work because most things on TV don't. Anyway, I tried it in two places that have been driving me crazy because I couldn't get anything to work on them. One of them was my front door. It is white and metal, and I had tried everything to get scuffs and fingerprints off of it. Yes, the magic eraser took the marks right off without any scrubbing. The other place was beside my dishwasher on the wall. I used to have one of those dry erase boards with the magnet on the back on my dishwasher so Luke could draw there. Well, he drew on the red wall with a black dry erase marker. I couldn't get it off with anything, and the eraser worked there, too! It took a little more scrubbing than the front door, but hey, it worked!! At first I was worried because when I looked at the eraser, it had red on it and I thought, "Great. It is taking the paint off!!!" But it didn't. Not that you can see anyway. I am thrilled!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
New pics
Stephen and Jordan playing a racing game at MTSU tailgating
Jordan, Claire, Luke
My sweet little thumb-sucker
I don't even have any words for this one-sweet Campbell Anne
First year playing soccer
More tailgating
Luke at the fire station for a playgroup field trip
This is the only picture I had of me and, honestly, I am only posting it because I thought I looked skinny;)
I don't even have any words for this one-sweet Campbell Anne
First year playing soccer
More tailgating
Luke at the fire station for a playgroup field trip
This is the only picture I had of me and, honestly, I am only posting it because I thought I looked skinny;)
Friday, October 05, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Changes
Obviously, I have changed the template for my blog. I was bored with the other one. And since I am not computer savvy, this is the only thing I knew how to do to update my look ;)
Changes are happening in my life. Most of them are too small for anyone but me to notice. But that is a good thing. They are personal and honestly, they are about me becoming more like Him. I feel like if I said what I was working on, it would be about me and what I can do, instead of being about Him and what He is doing through me. I want it to be just about Him. I don't know if that even makes any sense. O well.
We are having a good fall break. Today Jordan got to spend the whole day with our nephew, Tristan. They have had a ball. Tristan is spending the night with us tonight. Claire is feeling a little left out, being the only girl. Well, at least until Campbell can play. Right now, to Claire, Campbell is not a very fun sister. Right now, Claire is standing beside me telling me that she doesn't want to sleep in her room because in the mornings, Campbell makes noises and doesn't let her sleep. Sorry, girlie! I guess she better get used to it because we aren't moving any time soon. And for Luke, well Luke is two. All of two. He is so cute, I could just eat him up. But every once in a while, he gets a mean streak in him. Tonight, I heard Jordan saying, "Stop Luke! STOP LUKE!" I went upstairs and Jordan was lying in the floor and Luke was standing behind him kicking him in the head. Why? Who knows.
I am getting a new kitchen and bathroom floor tomorrow!!! I am so excited. We rent our house from my mother-in-law, and she graciously agreed to get us new floors since ours were in such bad shape. Not to mention u-g-l-y! Anyway, I love the one we picked out. It reminds me of the floor that used to be in my grandmother's kitchen.
Well, I think that is enough rambling for tonight. I am trying to get my thougts more organized and purposeful for this blog, but for now this will have to do. I hope everyone has a blessed night!
Changes are happening in my life. Most of them are too small for anyone but me to notice. But that is a good thing. They are personal and honestly, they are about me becoming more like Him. I feel like if I said what I was working on, it would be about me and what I can do, instead of being about Him and what He is doing through me. I want it to be just about Him. I don't know if that even makes any sense. O well.
We are having a good fall break. Today Jordan got to spend the whole day with our nephew, Tristan. They have had a ball. Tristan is spending the night with us tonight. Claire is feeling a little left out, being the only girl. Well, at least until Campbell can play. Right now, to Claire, Campbell is not a very fun sister. Right now, Claire is standing beside me telling me that she doesn't want to sleep in her room because in the mornings, Campbell makes noises and doesn't let her sleep. Sorry, girlie! I guess she better get used to it because we aren't moving any time soon. And for Luke, well Luke is two. All of two. He is so cute, I could just eat him up. But every once in a while, he gets a mean streak in him. Tonight, I heard Jordan saying, "Stop Luke! STOP LUKE!" I went upstairs and Jordan was lying in the floor and Luke was standing behind him kicking him in the head. Why? Who knows.
I am getting a new kitchen and bathroom floor tomorrow!!! I am so excited. We rent our house from my mother-in-law, and she graciously agreed to get us new floors since ours were in such bad shape. Not to mention u-g-l-y! Anyway, I love the one we picked out. It reminds me of the floor that used to be in my grandmother's kitchen.
Well, I think that is enough rambling for tonight. I am trying to get my thougts more organized and purposeful for this blog, but for now this will have to do. I hope everyone has a blessed night!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
How true!
I copied this from another blog. This so accurately explains why I don't take my four to the grocery store! It is kind of long, but worth the read in my opinion. Enjoy.
Hilarious e-Bay Listing by Busy Mom
Not sure how long e-Bay will leave this out there, but here is the listing of Pokemon cards we were laughing about last night! :)
Her is her item description:
I'm selling a bunch of Pokemon cards. Why? Because my kids sneaked them into my shopping cart while at the grocery store and I ended up buying them because I didn't notice they were there until we got home. How could I have possibly not noticed they were in my cart, you ask? Let me explain.
You haven’t lived until you’ve gone grocery shopping with six kids in tow. I would rather swim, covered in bait, through the English Channel, be a contestant on Fear Factor when they’re having pig brains for lunch, or do fourth grade math than to take my six kids to the grocery store. Because I absolutely detest grocery shopping, I tend to put it off as long as possible. There comes a time, however, when you’re peering into your fridge and thinking, ‘Hmmm, what can I make with ketchup, Italian dressing, and half an onion,’ that you decide you cannot avoid going to the grocery store any longer. Before beginning this most treacherous mission, I gather all the kids together and give them “The Lecture“.
“The Lecture“ goes like this…
MOM: “We have to go to the grocery store.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“
MOM: “Hey, I don’t want to go either, but it’s either that or we’re eating cream of onion-ketchup soup and drinking Italian dressing for dinner tonight.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“
MOM: “Now here are the rules: do not ask me for anything, do not poke the packages of meat in the butcher section, do not test the laws of physics and try to take out the bottom can in the pyramid shaped display, do not play baseball with oranges in the produce section, and most importantly, do not try to leave your brother at the store. Again.”
OK, the kids have been briefed. Time to go.
Once at the store, we grab not one, but two shopping carts. I wear the baby in a sling and the two little children sit in the carts while I push one cart and my oldest son pushes the other one. My oldest daughter is not allowed to push a cart. Ever. Why? Because the last time I let her push the cart, she smashed into my ankles so many times, my feet had to be amputated by the end of our shopping trip. This is not a good thing. You try running after a toddler with no feet sometime.
At this point, a woman looks at our two carts and asks me, “Are they all yours?” I answer good naturedly, “Yep!
“Oh my, you have your hands full.”
“Yes, I do, but it‘s fun!” I say smiling. I’ve heard all this before. In fact, I hear it every time I go anywhere with my brood.
We begin in the produce section where all these wonderfully, artistically arranged pyramids of fruit stand. There is something so irresistibly appealing about the apple on the bottom of the pile, that a child cannot help but try to touch it. Much like a bug to a zapper, the child is drawn to this piece of fruit. I turn around to the sounds of apples cascading down the display and onto the floor. Like Indiana Jones, there stands my son holding the all-consuming treasure that he just HAD to get and gazing at me with this dumbfounded look as if to say, “Did you see that??? Wow! I never thought that would happen!”
I give the offending child an exasperated sigh and say, “Didn’t I tell you, before we left, that I didn’t want you taking stuff from the bottom of the pile???”
“No. You said that you didn’t want us to take a can from the bottom of the pile. You didn’t say anything about apples.”
With superhuman effort, I resist the urge to send my child to the moon and instead focus on the positive - my child actually listened to me and remembered what I said!!! I make a mental note to be a little more specific the next time I give the kids The Grocery Store Lecture.
A little old man looks at all of us and says, “Are all of those your kids?”
Thinking about the apple incident, I reply, “Nope. They just started following me. I’ve never seen them before in my life.”
OK, now onto the bakery section where everything smells so good, I’m tempted to fill my cart with cookies and call it a day. Being on a perpetual diet, I try to hurry past the assortment of pies, cakes, breads, and pastries that have my children drooling. At this point the chorus of “Can we gets” begins.
“Can we get donuts?”
“No.”
“Can we get cupcakes?”
“No.”
“Can we get muffins?”
“No.”
“Can we get pie?”
“No.”
You’d think they’d catch on by this point, but no, they’re just getting started.
In the bakery, they’re giving away free samples of coffee cake and of course, my kids all take one. The toddler decides he doesn’t like it and proceeds to spit it out in my hand. (That’s what moms do. We put our hands in front of our children’s mouths so they can spit stuff into them. We’d rather carry around a handful of chewed up coffee cake, than to have the child spit it out onto the floor. I’m not sure why this is, but ask any mom and she’ll tell you the same.) Of course, there’s no garbage can around, so I continue shopping one-handed while searching for someplace to dispose of the regurgitated mess in my hand.
In the meat department, a mother with one small baby asks me, “Wow! Are all six yours?”
I answer her, “Yes, but I’m thinking of selling a couple of them.”
(Still searching for a garbage can at this point.)
Ok, after the meat department, my kids’ attention spans are spent. They’re done shopping at this point, but we aren’t even halfway through the store. This is about the time they like to start having shopping cart races. And who may I thank for teaching them this fun pastime? My seventh “child”, also known as my husband. While I’m picking out loaves of bread, the kids are running down the aisle behind the carts in an effort to get us kicked out of the store. I put to stop to that just as my son is about to crash head on into a giant cardboard cut-out of a Keebler elf stacked with packages of cookies.Ah! Yes! I find a small trash can by the coffee machine in the cereal aisle and finally dump out the squishy contents of my hand. After standing in the cereal aisle for an hour and a half while the kids perused the various cereals, comparing the marshmallow and cheap, plastic toy content of each box, I broke down and let them each pick out a box. At any given time, we have twenty open boxes of cereal in my house.
As this is going on, my toddler is playing Houdini and maneuvering his little body out of the seat belt in an attempt to stand up in the cart. I’m amazed the kid made it to his second birthday without suffering a brain damaging head injury. In between trying to flip himself out of the cart, he sucks on the metal bars of the shopping cart. Mmmm, can you say “influenza”?
The shopping trip continues much like this. I break up fights between the kids now and then and stoop down to pick up items that the toddler has flung out of the cart. I desperately try to get everything on my list without adding too many other goodies to the carts.
Somehow I manage to complete my shopping in under four hours and head for the check-outs where my kids start in on a chorus of, “Can we have candy?” What evil minded person decided it would be a good idea to put a display of candy in the check-out lanes, right at a child’s eye level? Obviously someone who has never been shopping with children.
As I unload the carts, I notice many extra items that my kids have sneaked in the carts unbeknownst to me. I remove a box of Twinkies, a package of cupcakes, a bag of candy, and a can of cat food (we don’t even have a cat!). I somehow missed the box of Pokemon cards however and ended up purchasing them unbeknownst to me. As I pay for my purchases, the clerk looks at me, indicates my kids, and asks, “Are they all yours?”Frustrated, exhausted from my trip, sick to my stomach from writing out a check for $289.53, dreading unloading all the groceries and putting them away and tired of hearing that question, I look at the clerk and answer her in my most sarcastic voice, “No. They’re not mine. I just go around the neighborhood gathering up kids to take to the grocery store because it’s so much more fun that way.”
So, up for auction is an opened (they ripped open the box on the way home from the store) package of Pokemon cards. There are 44 cards total. They're in perfect condition, as I took them away from the kiddos as soon as we got home from the store. Many of them say "Energy". I tried carrying them around with me, but they didn't work. I definitely didn't have any more energy than usual. One of them is shiny. There are a few creature-like things on many of them. One is called Pupitar. Hee hee hee Pupitar! (Oh no! My kids' sense of humor is rubbing off on me!) Anyway, I don't there's anything special about any of these cards, but I'm very much not an authority on Pokemon cards. I just know that I'm not letting my kids keep these as a reward for their sneakiness.
Shipping is FREE on this item. Insurance is optional, but once I drop the package at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility. For example, if my son decides to pour a bottle of glue into the envelope, or my daughter spills a glass of juice on the package, that’s my responsibility and I will fully refund your money. If, however, I take the envelope to the post office and a disgruntled mail carrier sets fire to it, a pack of wild dogs rip into it, or a mail sorting machine shreds it, it’s out of my hands, so you may want to add insurance. I will leave feedback for you as soon as I’ve received your payment. I will be happy to combine shipping on multiple items won within three days. This comes from a smoke-free, pet-free, child-filled home. Please ask me any questions before placing your bid. Happy bidding! :)
Hilarious e-Bay Listing by Busy Mom
Not sure how long e-Bay will leave this out there, but here is the listing of Pokemon cards we were laughing about last night! :)
Her is her item description:
I'm selling a bunch of Pokemon cards. Why? Because my kids sneaked them into my shopping cart while at the grocery store and I ended up buying them because I didn't notice they were there until we got home. How could I have possibly not noticed they were in my cart, you ask? Let me explain.
You haven’t lived until you’ve gone grocery shopping with six kids in tow. I would rather swim, covered in bait, through the English Channel, be a contestant on Fear Factor when they’re having pig brains for lunch, or do fourth grade math than to take my six kids to the grocery store. Because I absolutely detest grocery shopping, I tend to put it off as long as possible. There comes a time, however, when you’re peering into your fridge and thinking, ‘Hmmm, what can I make with ketchup, Italian dressing, and half an onion,’ that you decide you cannot avoid going to the grocery store any longer. Before beginning this most treacherous mission, I gather all the kids together and give them “The Lecture“.
“The Lecture“ goes like this…
MOM: “We have to go to the grocery store.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“
MOM: “Hey, I don’t want to go either, but it’s either that or we’re eating cream of onion-ketchup soup and drinking Italian dressing for dinner tonight.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“
MOM: “Now here are the rules: do not ask me for anything, do not poke the packages of meat in the butcher section, do not test the laws of physics and try to take out the bottom can in the pyramid shaped display, do not play baseball with oranges in the produce section, and most importantly, do not try to leave your brother at the store. Again.”
OK, the kids have been briefed. Time to go.
Once at the store, we grab not one, but two shopping carts. I wear the baby in a sling and the two little children sit in the carts while I push one cart and my oldest son pushes the other one. My oldest daughter is not allowed to push a cart. Ever. Why? Because the last time I let her push the cart, she smashed into my ankles so many times, my feet had to be amputated by the end of our shopping trip. This is not a good thing. You try running after a toddler with no feet sometime.
At this point, a woman looks at our two carts and asks me, “Are they all yours?” I answer good naturedly, “Yep!
“Oh my, you have your hands full.”
“Yes, I do, but it‘s fun!” I say smiling. I’ve heard all this before. In fact, I hear it every time I go anywhere with my brood.
We begin in the produce section where all these wonderfully, artistically arranged pyramids of fruit stand. There is something so irresistibly appealing about the apple on the bottom of the pile, that a child cannot help but try to touch it. Much like a bug to a zapper, the child is drawn to this piece of fruit. I turn around to the sounds of apples cascading down the display and onto the floor. Like Indiana Jones, there stands my son holding the all-consuming treasure that he just HAD to get and gazing at me with this dumbfounded look as if to say, “Did you see that??? Wow! I never thought that would happen!”
I give the offending child an exasperated sigh and say, “Didn’t I tell you, before we left, that I didn’t want you taking stuff from the bottom of the pile???”
“No. You said that you didn’t want us to take a can from the bottom of the pile. You didn’t say anything about apples.”
With superhuman effort, I resist the urge to send my child to the moon and instead focus on the positive - my child actually listened to me and remembered what I said!!! I make a mental note to be a little more specific the next time I give the kids The Grocery Store Lecture.
A little old man looks at all of us and says, “Are all of those your kids?”
Thinking about the apple incident, I reply, “Nope. They just started following me. I’ve never seen them before in my life.”
OK, now onto the bakery section where everything smells so good, I’m tempted to fill my cart with cookies and call it a day. Being on a perpetual diet, I try to hurry past the assortment of pies, cakes, breads, and pastries that have my children drooling. At this point the chorus of “Can we gets” begins.
“Can we get donuts?”
“No.”
“Can we get cupcakes?”
“No.”
“Can we get muffins?”
“No.”
“Can we get pie?”
“No.”
You’d think they’d catch on by this point, but no, they’re just getting started.
In the bakery, they’re giving away free samples of coffee cake and of course, my kids all take one. The toddler decides he doesn’t like it and proceeds to spit it out in my hand. (That’s what moms do. We put our hands in front of our children’s mouths so they can spit stuff into them. We’d rather carry around a handful of chewed up coffee cake, than to have the child spit it out onto the floor. I’m not sure why this is, but ask any mom and she’ll tell you the same.) Of course, there’s no garbage can around, so I continue shopping one-handed while searching for someplace to dispose of the regurgitated mess in my hand.
In the meat department, a mother with one small baby asks me, “Wow! Are all six yours?”
I answer her, “Yes, but I’m thinking of selling a couple of them.”
(Still searching for a garbage can at this point.)
Ok, after the meat department, my kids’ attention spans are spent. They’re done shopping at this point, but we aren’t even halfway through the store. This is about the time they like to start having shopping cart races. And who may I thank for teaching them this fun pastime? My seventh “child”, also known as my husband. While I’m picking out loaves of bread, the kids are running down the aisle behind the carts in an effort to get us kicked out of the store. I put to stop to that just as my son is about to crash head on into a giant cardboard cut-out of a Keebler elf stacked with packages of cookies.Ah! Yes! I find a small trash can by the coffee machine in the cereal aisle and finally dump out the squishy contents of my hand. After standing in the cereal aisle for an hour and a half while the kids perused the various cereals, comparing the marshmallow and cheap, plastic toy content of each box, I broke down and let them each pick out a box. At any given time, we have twenty open boxes of cereal in my house.
As this is going on, my toddler is playing Houdini and maneuvering his little body out of the seat belt in an attempt to stand up in the cart. I’m amazed the kid made it to his second birthday without suffering a brain damaging head injury. In between trying to flip himself out of the cart, he sucks on the metal bars of the shopping cart. Mmmm, can you say “influenza”?
The shopping trip continues much like this. I break up fights between the kids now and then and stoop down to pick up items that the toddler has flung out of the cart. I desperately try to get everything on my list without adding too many other goodies to the carts.
Somehow I manage to complete my shopping in under four hours and head for the check-outs where my kids start in on a chorus of, “Can we have candy?” What evil minded person decided it would be a good idea to put a display of candy in the check-out lanes, right at a child’s eye level? Obviously someone who has never been shopping with children.
As I unload the carts, I notice many extra items that my kids have sneaked in the carts unbeknownst to me. I remove a box of Twinkies, a package of cupcakes, a bag of candy, and a can of cat food (we don’t even have a cat!). I somehow missed the box of Pokemon cards however and ended up purchasing them unbeknownst to me. As I pay for my purchases, the clerk looks at me, indicates my kids, and asks, “Are they all yours?”Frustrated, exhausted from my trip, sick to my stomach from writing out a check for $289.53, dreading unloading all the groceries and putting them away and tired of hearing that question, I look at the clerk and answer her in my most sarcastic voice, “No. They’re not mine. I just go around the neighborhood gathering up kids to take to the grocery store because it’s so much more fun that way.”
So, up for auction is an opened (they ripped open the box on the way home from the store) package of Pokemon cards. There are 44 cards total. They're in perfect condition, as I took them away from the kiddos as soon as we got home from the store. Many of them say "Energy". I tried carrying them around with me, but they didn't work. I definitely didn't have any more energy than usual. One of them is shiny. There are a few creature-like things on many of them. One is called Pupitar. Hee hee hee Pupitar! (Oh no! My kids' sense of humor is rubbing off on me!) Anyway, I don't there's anything special about any of these cards, but I'm very much not an authority on Pokemon cards. I just know that I'm not letting my kids keep these as a reward for their sneakiness.
Shipping is FREE on this item. Insurance is optional, but once I drop the package at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility. For example, if my son decides to pour a bottle of glue into the envelope, or my daughter spills a glass of juice on the package, that’s my responsibility and I will fully refund your money. If, however, I take the envelope to the post office and a disgruntled mail carrier sets fire to it, a pack of wild dogs rip into it, or a mail sorting machine shreds it, it’s out of my hands, so you may want to add insurance. I will leave feedback for you as soon as I’ve received your payment. I will be happy to combine shipping on multiple items won within three days. This comes from a smoke-free, pet-free, child-filled home. Please ask me any questions before placing your bid. Happy bidding! :)
Monday, October 01, 2007
I did it! Part 2
My friend Tamara said I should share this. After I went down the slide with Jordan, he said, "Wow Mom! That was like a thrill ride with you going down!!" So sweet.
I did it!
Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to be a "fun" person. I hate taking risks; I am not adventurous at all. I am a sit around and just hang out kind of person. I don't know how to play. And I hate that about myself. I am terrible at playing with my kids. I don't get down in the floor and play dolls with Claire. I don't know how to pretend. We watched a lot of TV when I was growing up. And that is what my kids do now. I don't like it, that's just what has become. Anyway, in light of what God has been teaching me the last few weeks about enjoying my kids and this life He has given me, last night I did something that surprised me.
We were at small group and the family that was hosting had rented on of those huge inflatable slides for their son's birthday. Everyone, including all the adults, had gone down the slide. My kids were having a blast, and they really didn't notice that I hadn't done it. Or so I thought. Well, I took off my tennis shoes, and I headed for the slide. I wish you could have seen the look on my kids' faces when they saw me getting in. They were THRILLED!!! I went down with Jordan on one side and Claire on the other. Twice! It was so much fun. I have to admit, it was extremely hard "letting my hair down," but it was worth every minute of it.
We were at small group and the family that was hosting had rented on of those huge inflatable slides for their son's birthday. Everyone, including all the adults, had gone down the slide. My kids were having a blast, and they really didn't notice that I hadn't done it. Or so I thought. Well, I took off my tennis shoes, and I headed for the slide. I wish you could have seen the look on my kids' faces when they saw me getting in. They were THRILLED!!! I went down with Jordan on one side and Claire on the other. Twice! It was so much fun. I have to admit, it was extremely hard "letting my hair down," but it was worth every minute of it.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Making do
WARNING: VENTING AHEAD
Well, I am struggling. There is a line between being thankful for every little thing I have and still struggling for the situation I find myself in. In light of my last few postings about Copeland Farley, this post will seem trivial. But eventhough I am trying to be grateful, and I have changed, my life is still my life. This is where the struggle comes in.
Because of our current financial situation, Stephen has to ref soccer to make extra money. This isn't something he has a choice about, but something he is doing to keep me from having to work, which I am so thankful for. But this means that he isn't home a lot. He was gone before we got up this morning, on a Saturday. And he won't be able to go to church with us tomorrow. Do you know how hard it is to take four kids to church by yourself? I do it, because I know it is important. But by the time we get home, I am so tired and that just makes me grouchy towards the kids, kind of like I am this morning. I am glad Jordan and Claire are playing soccer; I really am. But most of their games this season are at the same time, so I spend my time running back in forth between fields. Doesn't sound so hard, right? Try doing it with a 2 yr old who doesn't like to walk, or stay off the fields, and a baby and a stroller and a camp chair. Tired yet?
I love my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Satan is using this time, though, to make me complain. To make me wish I was somewhere else. He is making me mad at Stephen because, eventhough the reffing is work, he enjoys it. So he is getting to do stuff he likes to do and I'm not. Do you see why I am so frustrated? Not that Stephen is getting to do things he enjoys, but that Satan has me mad at him for it. I know Stephen would rather be home playing with the kids. He HATES having to be gone so much. But he is doing all of this for me and our family.
Well, my venting is over for now. At least until I have to get all the kids ready and in the car to get to the fields an hour early for pictures. Life goes on, and eventhough I struggle, I do know how blessed I am.
Remember the Farley's today at 1:00; they are having a memorial service for their baby girl.
Well, I am struggling. There is a line between being thankful for every little thing I have and still struggling for the situation I find myself in. In light of my last few postings about Copeland Farley, this post will seem trivial. But eventhough I am trying to be grateful, and I have changed, my life is still my life. This is where the struggle comes in.
Because of our current financial situation, Stephen has to ref soccer to make extra money. This isn't something he has a choice about, but something he is doing to keep me from having to work, which I am so thankful for. But this means that he isn't home a lot. He was gone before we got up this morning, on a Saturday. And he won't be able to go to church with us tomorrow. Do you know how hard it is to take four kids to church by yourself? I do it, because I know it is important. But by the time we get home, I am so tired and that just makes me grouchy towards the kids, kind of like I am this morning. I am glad Jordan and Claire are playing soccer; I really am. But most of their games this season are at the same time, so I spend my time running back in forth between fields. Doesn't sound so hard, right? Try doing it with a 2 yr old who doesn't like to walk, or stay off the fields, and a baby and a stroller and a camp chair. Tired yet?
I love my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Satan is using this time, though, to make me complain. To make me wish I was somewhere else. He is making me mad at Stephen because, eventhough the reffing is work, he enjoys it. So he is getting to do stuff he likes to do and I'm not. Do you see why I am so frustrated? Not that Stephen is getting to do things he enjoys, but that Satan has me mad at him for it. I know Stephen would rather be home playing with the kids. He HATES having to be gone so much. But he is doing all of this for me and our family.
Well, my venting is over for now. At least until I have to get all the kids ready and in the car to get to the fields an hour early for pictures. Life goes on, and eventhough I struggle, I do know how blessed I am.
Remember the Farley's today at 1:00; they are having a memorial service for their baby girl.
Friday, September 28, 2007
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