Joy Made Full

I'm Just SO Tired All The Time

2010-06-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe what a difference more children and a few years make when having another child!

I have always had easy pregnancies, and this one is no exception, but...I'm always tired! I fell asleep on the couch around 6 last night and two hours after I got up this morning I couldn't keep my eyes open.

I've been tired the other times I was pregnant but I didn't have four children to take care of nor was I 29. Friends of mine that had babies before and after turning 30 have told me how much of a difference their age made in the way they felt but I never understood...until now.

I cannot keep up with the house. The laundry is a mess. If I get it washed, that's if here people, then maybe I'll get it folded, but even if it's folded, it probably won't be put away. The dishes, whoa, they are something else. I NEVER get them done the same night and wake to a full load in the sink in the morning. Grrrr! Clutter, clutter everywhere.

I did move the kids' toys to their bedroom. They were all in our living room (we have a tiny house and it had seemed like the best place for them at the time) but after moving things around the kids' room (one room for all four, can we say cramped) it's opened up my living room some. I still have all flat surfaces covered with papers, crafts and odds and ends, but I just don't know how to tackle them.

Even with all this, I'm loving this pregnancy. Every little kick and movement, every thought of holding this precious bundle in the future, anticipating the bonding between baby and daddy (always special for me to watch)...I love it all and cannot wait.

Just 1-2 months left. I figure my due date is around July 26th but I've always gone two weeks late so I'm planning on August. If I'm early or "on time" it'll be a lovely surprise and if I'm late, not disappointment. I figure it's win/win.

Everybody is hoping for a girl except me. I'd love one and wouldn't complain if I had another little girl, but there is something so very special about having just Abigail and I be the only girls in the family. Girls can be more sedate than boys which would make things easier around here in the early years, but adding in another rambunctious boy could mean an easier time of teen life. ;) So we'll see.

If we have a little girl she'll be Zoe Zipporah and a little boy would be David Jeremiah. Tim picked the girls name so I got to pick the boys. It will be interesting to see who God blesses us with!

Baby #5

2010-05-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm finally writing about this. We held off on telling anyone I was expecting our 5th child for so long while WE got adjusted that now it's hard to believe almost everyone around us knows and it's coming soon!

So when am I due? In about 10 weeks, end of July but I've always gone around 2 weeks late so I figure August. We started telling people really just 2-3 weeks ago. There were a few people that have watched me closely over the last few months since all my babies are close wondering if another would come along, and those people suspected but otherwise most everyone else had no clue.

I've always wanted a large family, particularly 5 babies, but after our 3rd we thought we'd be done...however we never did anything permanent to prevent them. Each have been a welcome surprise though a surprise none the less and though this was the biggest surprise of all, it is indeed an exciting one. However, at first we were in shock. Like many people today, we're facing a tough financial situation and the idea of one more baby is pretty daunting.

The first person we told was Tim's sister. She'd had her last one back in September and I needed maternity clothes in a bad way since I'd gotten rid of all mine. Then we decided that instead of announcing it like we have with all the others, we'd just wait till people started noticing and had to ask. It's actually been pretty funny to watch people's reactions.

The last person I told though was Tim's mom. As of yesterday morning he still hadn't told his parents and being that I'm going on my 8th month, I figured it was getting pretty ridiculous, so I told her.

I know, we're weird like this.

So my children are all excited. They love touching my tummy to feel the baby move. They've already have names for it, be it boy or girl since we always leave it as a surprise. Not once have we found out what we were having...it's pretty fun. Caleb is sure it will be a girl and Abigail would love to have a sister, but Ben is hoping for a boy, Zechariah of course doesn't care! I just love watching them learn to love this baby before it's born.

Come July, or August, this will be the ages of "all my children" (no I do not watch that, never have):

Caleb - 7 (May)

Benjamin - 5 (6 in October)

Abigail - 4 (June)

Zechariah - 2 (3 in December)

Baby #5

WOW! What a blessing!

Blessings,
Jacquie

Motherhood Changed My Life

2010-05-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

My little loves

With Mother's Day coming up it's made me think a LOT about how my life changed after my first child was born and then changed still more after each of the other three.

At the time Caleb, my oldest, was born almost seven years ago I was such a selfish person! I was a full-time employee of a large telecommunications company, able to work from home when I wanted. I slept in till about 8:30 just about every day during the week (I know it's not super late, but it was better than the 6:30 I'd have to get up on days I went into the office!), I ALWAYS got a full nights sleep, and ate hot meals if that's how they were supposed to be. I was reading a new book all the time, able to sit uninterrupted through Sunday School and our main worship service every Sunday, not to mention restaurants. Tim and I saw movies often and traveled a lot. I showered daily, fixed my hair and put on makeup. I felt pretty.

But after Caleb it all went down hill. No sleep, no showers, no hot meals, not much time out. I tried resisting, but really, when you have a new little baby there's only so much you can do about these things. Eventually I gave in and accepted my lot :D We were still able to make a few trips, Southern California when he was an infant.

When Benjamin was born, just a mere 16 1/2 months later, I already knew what to expect so things were "easier". However, while one baby didn't create that much more laundry or maybe it did but everything was so small so I didn't notice as much, adding in a second one made my head reel! Where was it all coming from? Every time I turned around there was a mountain in my laundry room that I needed to climb! Oh yeah, lets not forget that by this time Caleb was sleeping through the night so again, midnight feedings with Benjamin were my undoing! Still wanting to travel, we did make it to Puerto Rico though!

Then it happens again and about 20 months later, comes Abigail. Her daddy's joy! At this time, I have a 3 year old, an almost 2 year old and an infant. We're not sitting through much, be it church, restaurants, or what have you, but again, we did still manage a trip to New York City! However, my house is now ALWAYS a mess. Toys, toys, toys, everywhere. Pictures and creations that need to be saved that I'm not so great at putting away were cluttering up my tables and other flat surfaces. Cheerios and cracker crumbs all over the floor. WHAT happened?!?!?! Oh yeah...three kids real quick.

18 months later, here comes Zechariah who I lovingly call my terror of all terrors. I'm almost positive someone gave him an energy drink IV in the hospital, most likely one of those Monster ones! Caleb, Benjamin, and Abigail were all so full of energy which I know they got from their daddy, but Z by far is the worst! He keeps me on my toes like no other. With the other three I feel like I had a little bit of down time. They all played well alone or together. Zechariah? You better not leave him alone! He was the first one that prompted me to put the kitchen garbage under the sink. The others stayed out of it, but oh no, not Z. Same with the toilet. EWWWW!!! I never bought a toilet lock when Caleb was born and never needed one with the others either. Z? It was his favorite place to splash :( Thankfully he's finally outgrown that one! I have to keep a constant eye on him. He's my climber, pincher, hitter, toy grabber, temper tantrum thrower, doesn't want to sleep in his own bed child! Oh, and he doesn't like to keep his clothes on either. Still not wanting to give up traveling, we did make a trip to Japan. Quite a trip, but I'm tired just thinking about it.

I snuggle with these runny nosed, dirty faced urchins. I kiss their grubby cheeks and hold their sticky hands. My clothes usually have some kind of spot from various things being wiped on me and their clothes don't always match. I read them the same stories over and over and over and over and over, and did I mention over and over again? Same thing with their videos. I can sing every song in our BOZ video, the theme song to Phineas and Ferb and I know almost every line of Cinderella. I mop up after bath time and get up to walk 1 or 2 of them a night downstairs to the bathroom because they just needed that "one last drink" and...I'm a pushover.

I may not always get a shower, don't always have clean hair let alone get to fix it, I don't wear makeup except on Sundays when I go to church or if something special is happening during the week, or I just want to look nice for Tim. I wake up every night for something or someone, or have an extra body in my bed. I don't see too many movies unless they can be rented and I'm well acquainted with my microwave to reheat my dinner, often after the kids are in bed. I've learned to read my books fast, usually skipping a few parts I don't have time for, and I wake up at 6:30 to get Caleb ready for school.

But my children are loved and I know they love me! I feel beautiful right where it counts. I have a special purpose and that's to take care of them and do my best to raise them knowing what is right and wrong in God's eyes and yet teach about the grace and mercy shown to us so we can show it to others. I have so many roles in their young lives, from cook to doctor to teacher to supporter to enforcer, and more. And I wouldn't change anything. I cherish all the moments we've spent together and I eagerly look forward to the time ahead of us.

These have been the best 7 years of my life.

Well, maybe I would change a couple things...get more sleep and I'd have a housekeeper!

T-Ball Started

2010-04-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

T-Ball finally started and I'm so excited! I love sports and as long as my children WANT to participate I'll encourage them to try them out. Currently my oldest is the only one able to play and he was the one I thought least likely to enjoy sports, but let me tell you! That kid's been amazing!

So maybe there is a bit of bias here, but still he has surpassed my expectations. I just wanted him to have fun and try his best, but he's proven to be pretty athletic. Soccer was a huge hit with him. He's fast, good at getting the ball away from others, and has pretty good aim when kicking into the goal.

Basketball I KNEW would be harder. We'd play soccer outside as a family, but basketball we never tried. However, by the end of the (short, seemed like only 2 weeks) season he was making baskets which were the real baskets on their lowest setting. I thought they were going to use those plastic play hoops that adjust up and down, we're talking kindergarten here, what did I know?

Now we're into T-Ball and he's hitting off a pitch most times. Again, this was not a sport we'd tried at home. He's also getting pretty good at catching and has a great arm when it comes to throwing. One thing that I love, love, love too is that he pays attention. I've always thought it cute when you get those little guys out in the field and they're all off looking at the grass, up into the sky, or at another player close to them. Caleb's done a great job at each sport paying attention to the coach and where the ball is.

I think part of his attention comes from the swimming lessons Tim and I had our kids in since they were each 10 months old. Their teacher was great about instilling in them the need to pay attention to her and their friends when it was someone elses turn!

So with T-Ball we spend Tuesday and Thursday after school at practice, and soon it's going to be a game once or twice a week. It's been so nice because it gives my younger children something different to do on those days too. Speaking of which, it's time to get ready to get up there!

Husband Turned 40!?!?!

2010-04-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow! My husband turned 40 yesterday!?!?!? He wasn't so pleased and didn't really like the idea of it, but I think today is going much better for him. At the very least I'm excited for him! It's a big birthday!

I'm planning a surprise party for him in two weeks. I can say this because he never reads my blog :). I'm hoping, hoping, hoping, he feels much better about it by then or at least sees his friends that have already reached 40 and feels better knowing he's not the only one! I'm looking forward to it so much.

The number changed but he's no different than he was the day before yesterday, so I can't say I understand the way he feels. I haven't gone through any of these big milestones yet, but I just don't see myself as one that cares about getting older, finding grey, or noticing some wrinkles. With four kids, I figure I'll have earned every bit of it...then I can blame it all on them!

Everything Public Nothing Private

2010-03-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

We hear so much about celebrities - what they're working on, where they've gone to, who they've talked to, etc. But it makes me so mad that details of their personal lives are splashed across the front page of newspapers, headlined in magazines and can be top stories on news shows.

I realize there are people out there that thrive on shows like Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood, need their copy of People magazine, and google celebs on the computer, but I don't get it. I hate watching those shows, I can't remember the last time I looked at one of those magazines, and the last celeb I googled I did so because I was looking for a hairstyle.

I enjoy hearing about what they're working on but really people, I don't need to hear about the latest marriage breakup! Why can't these people dealing with an unfaithful spouse, something so hurtful, do so in private? Do we have to know exactly what the "other woman" looked like? Do we need to know what their occupation is or how many children they themselves have? Do we need to know what their actions were or how everyone is dealing with it?

My goodness, are we so depraved that we thrive on the failure of people that seem to have it all? I'll be the first to tell you the last thing I want to see is the marriage of one of my favorite movie stars fall apart but really, do we need all the nasty little details? Let them sort it out, let them hurt or be angry in private.

Leave them alone.

A{nother} Good Day

2010-03-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

My house is still cluttered but I figure it always will be. All the flat surfaces have papers and stuff on them, the couch and rocking chair have laundry to be folded, and it's really not very attractive but...everything else is clean!!!

I got my living room and dining room vacuumed, swept, mopped, kitchen swept and mopped, and the bathroom was swept, mopped, swished, and scrubbed!!! I just cannot believe it!

I almost wonder who's taken over my body because it just CANNOT be ME! Oh well.

Oh my goodness, my husband said the most wonderful thing to me. To me it is HUGE! I've been praying about a decision at church but held off talking about it with Tim because I wasn't sure how he'd feel. I've been the head of a ministry at our church for quite some time and have wanted to step down for a break but I worried he would encourage me to continue for "just a little longer" since we're a small church with few that want to take on this specific ministry.

But wow, when I mentioned it he was in total agreement and completely supportive. I was shocked! I worried and struggled over this for some time and praise God, it was for nothing! I married a wonderful man! I was so sure God was telling me that stepping down at this time would be OK, and getting such a different answer from my husband than I expected confirms to me that it was indeed where God was leading me.

Leaving this ministry will not be 100% easy but is 100% necessary right now. I'm so thankful for a loving God and a caring husband!

Friend Makin Mondays - Random Thoughts

2010-03-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

Amber has got some random things for us to think about today - Enjoy!

I am: Driving myself crazy half the time

I think: About my children all day long

I should: Do housework (but at least I hear the laundry in the background, so something is getting done)

I dream: A lot during the day about different things

I want: A maid, cook, and occasionally a nanny

I know: More about my children than any other person (Mother's, can I get an Amen to that)

I don't like: Spiders and can tolerate bugs but not when the fly at me or jump on me

I smell: Minty floss

I hear: Zechariah pushing a toy stroller on the wood floors

I fear: My children not following Christ when they grow up

I usually: Have a hard time getting up and getting busy in the morning

I search: For all the things online that I cannot afford right now - new house, Cricut

I miss: Caleb everyday when he's at school

I always: Yawn when I read out loud to my children (starts putting me to sleep)

I regret: Not spending more time cuddling with and rocking my babies to sleeping

I wonder: Where God will lead our family over the next year and if we stay in the same place, what's in store

I crave: Love and affection from my husband, but it's a good crave like chocolate - there's never enough - love the hand holding, hugs, I love you's

I remember: A time when I thought parenting was a cinch, but I only had one child at the time and he wasn't even a year old

I need: To do the dishes...I can barely get to the faucet for water

I forget: Things all the time, Tim laughs when I start a sentence with "I forgot..."

I feel: FAT but I'm adamant I won't say anything in front of my children, especially my daughter

I can: Play the piano mildly well, but wish I were so much better

I can't: Sing without following another person, so when they go off key, if I'm not there already, I follow right along - Tim deliberately starts singing and when I join in switches to an off note to hear me

I am happy: Most days

I lose: Things rarely, not even sure what the last thing would have been

I sing: In my head all day long and often out loud

I listen: To the TV and radio too much when I'm trying to read or fall asleep so I cannot have anything on during those times

I shop: More for my kids than I do myself, I love finding them new things

I eat: Too much - portion control is not my strong suit

I love: My family

Dinner and the Smoke Detectors...

2010-03-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

I LOVE to cook!

I grew up in a household where dinner was all about putting a meal on the the table {or rather dinner trays or floor (pizza nights) since we ate in the living room} quickly and with the least fuss as possible. Hamburger Helper was HUGE in our house. My mother worked full-time and raised 3 children by herself. I look back on some parts of my childhood and though I know I didn't have some of the things other children had {like those sit down dinners} I can say without hesitation that my mother loved us and worked herself to the bone...we didn't help her out much.

Now that I have my own family I've had choices to make. One choice my husband and I made was that I would stay home. Another was how I would feed them. Though I grew up on Hamburger Helper, I can probably count on one hand how many times my family has eaten it. Instead, being a SAHM has allowed me more time to experiment with recipes and find foods my children will like. I'm not the greatest cook and I don't always succeed though I rarely burn whatever is cooking like you see on TV.

So...going back to dinner and the smoke detector...

Around Christmas I decided it would be "fun" to make my Grandma's party mix and while mixing it in the oven some spilled out. At the time I didn't realize I didn't get it all cleaned up as some fell to the back corner and I'm not really an "oven cleaner". Since then, without fail, whenever I use the oven the smoke detector goes off from the little pieces burning away in the back.

I can prepare the best pot roast or chicken cooked to perfection, yet there goes the loud "beep, beep, beep".

Any other person might actually clean out their oven for the cleanliness factor or for simply not having the detector go off anymore. Me? I still leave it. Even as I sit here writing about it, knowing the oven is cool so I can stick my body in and wipe it out, I know I won't.

So, while I grew up with memories of Hamburger Helper, my children will grow up with memories of home cooked meals and the smoke detector going off like clock work. I doubt they'll know what to do when when they move out or get married, cook and have...silence. They've been conditioned to it. Around here, dinner is synonymous with the smoke detector!

Oatmeal or Candy

2010-03-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

I like having oatmeal for breakfast {when I eat breakfast that is}, mostly in the winter because it's warm and I'm always so cold.

However, I've been wondering if it's more like candy than hot cooked oat cereal. I don't like it plain {that should be forbidden}, it's okay with blueberries and milk, but the way I REALLY like it? With butter and brown sugar. YUMMY!

That brings me to the question is it more like candy than healthy cereal?

For about one bowl of oatmeal I add a dash of milk, 2-3 tbls {yes tablespoons} of butter and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. I figure if I'm going to eat healthy I might as well enjoy it right? But healthy?!?!?!? That is so NOT healthy, but oh boy, it sure tastes good!

So now that I've eaten my breakfast and am warm, I'm ready for my day! I should probably stop off at the treadmill a little later, but we'll see if I make it there...

Motivation Is Not Easy To Come By

2010-03-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

It's already after 2 pm here and I feel like I've accomplished very little today, and I had a whole list of things that needed (maybe I should say need) to get done, but I just have no motivation.

I managed to empty and fill the dishwasher but I still have two big pans sitting on my counter to wash and since they're sitting there the counters haven't been wiped down, the washer and dryer have been suspiciously quiet, and the clean clothes on my bed have not managed to put themselves away let alone fold themselves.

What happened to the day of the Jetsons? I thought "in the future" we were going to have automated appliances, you know, ones that did more than brew coffee at a specific time, and robots to clean up after us. Maybe we're just not "in the future" yet. Oh well, I guess.

I look back over my day and I'm not sure what I spent all my time on. Apparently nothing important since I can't remember. It's amazing how little I can do some days since I always feel so good on the mornings I jump and and go. I LOVE listening to the sounds of the dishwasher, washer, and dryer. Walking through my living room without tripping over toys, slipping on papers or crunching on crumbs is heavenly. Smelling clean floors instead of a dirty diaper...well do I really need to say much about that?

When I think on these things in the morning, sometimes they are motivation enough. I think, "Do it because you know you'll feel great."

So the day is half over and now is the time I should be able to relax a bit more, but what is my plan? Switch the laundry and head up stairs to fold. After that it's time to sweep away those nasty little crumbs and if all goes well, maybe I'll get at least the kitchen floor mopped before dinner.

Off I go, wish me luck!

By the way, did I even mention what the bathroom needs? Maybe it'll wait till tomorrow...

I'm Baaaaaack!!!

2010-03-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

Yay, my computer is working again!!! It's only been a little more than a month since I've been able to use it and I tell ya...I've forgotten how to type. I've never been particularly fast, but at least I could hold my own and now I seem to be all thumbs. I guess I could just say I'm so talented I'm hitting multiple keys at once, except it's not like shift and "l" it's more like "l" and "k", then delete, delete, delete, and delete, delete, delete again. Ha!

Though it's still winter, spring has sprung around here! My daffodils have bloomed, birds are twittering every morning before any sane person should be up, and the sun shines high in the sky. However, being in the Northwest the rain is inevitable and is surely on it's way again.

It's been the perfect weekend for our church to hold a rummage sale. About a month ago a wonderful lady in our church lost her husband to cancer and it left her almost penniless. We know it's not going to go far but wanted to have this sale to raise money for her and what a success it has been! We're a small church and we haven't had a whole lot like a larger one might but just under $600 was raised for her yesterday! The Lord is so good!

Speaking of spring, many of my friends have had babies here recently so I've had the pitter-patter of little feet on my mind and it got me thinking, with four children I've never really known the pitter-patter of little feet. How can that be? Instead of the pitter-patter of little, we've heard the stomp, stomp, stomp of four little elephants! I don't know if it would make a difference if the house had carpet or not, but the floors are all old hardwood which makes the noise level go up significantly. There's certainly never a dull and quiet moment around here for more than an hour at a time. Oh, how I love my herd!

Blessings to you all!

Jacquie

Crazy Life

2010-02-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

It's been so crazy around here the last couple weeks. My poor kiddos' stomachs are probably churning due to all the mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs they've eaten.

I was purposely off the computer the week before last because my husband was going out of town for the weekend and if you don't know he's a pastor, which meant he needed to find a speaker. We're a small church and have a few people who will fill in but for one reason or another couldn't that particular weekend. That left us with a couple choices, he could stay home from this commitment he'd already made or I could do it. We'll just bypass the whole topic of women speaking in church because I know there are differing views, but I really didn't want to do it because I am not a public speaker. I've always figured my role is as supporter to his ministry and taking care of our children. However he kept asking and I kept saying no, but he was on the verge of having to cancel is trip so I finally relented. In the end it worked out very well and I spoke on a topic that had been on my heart for quite some time, giving praise to God because of who He is.

I also started a new Beth Moore bible study with a group of women. This is the third study we've done by Beth Moore, second one following her study guide. We're going through Breaking Free and I'm sure it's going to be great but it's been hard to get into. I'm know part of that could be blamed on being busy the first week putting together my Sunday message, then I was behind and trying to catch up with the first week while intending to get the second week done before we met again! AHHHHHHH!!! Just too much.

Then last Thursday was a sad day for our family - our kitty, Sheba, died. She'd started getting sick just a few weeks ago, it was really quite quick. Tim and I got her within the first year or two of getting married, so we had her 8-9 years. Our oldest is only six so she was here their entire lives. Caleb took it the hardest being the oldest as he'd considered her his cat. My husband was real sweet and gentle with them as he told them but it broke my heart to see them so sad.

On top of all that, I think all four of my kiddos are getting colds and not sleeping well...so neither am I, and I'm dealing with a sinus infection! I'm just praying we all get better soon because I don't know how much more I can handle in this fog! Although, in the end I guess I'll handle however much is given to me! Praise the Lord that mother's were made to be strong!!!

Thank You Followers!

2010-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

I wanted write a short post just for you!

It's been a while since I've been able to get on here however, I've still had people stopping by, leaving comments, and have gotten a few new followers!

You ladies are GREAT!!!

Sometimes I wonder why I even have a blog. I don't write consistently and when I do post, even I don't think it's the most interesting thing to say...just my ramblings - which many of you say is what your blog is about! I enjoy reading what you write, but I'm just so amazed that you guys are reading what I'm writing!

So, THANK YOU very, very much!

I have lots more to say, things have been going on around here that I want to write down so I don't forget, but I've got to get lunch for a few special little people in my life.

Friend Makin Mondays - Hairstyles

2010-01-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

So Amber over at aefilkins wants to know what your hair would like if you were to cut it.

My hair is not super short but it's short enough. However, if I cut it more I wish I could pull off this look:

Maybe I'll try it out this summer. It's only hair anyway, it will grow back if it doesn't look good.

If I didn't cut it, I would simply like to try highlights. I haven't done any since high school because I know I wouldn't keep up with it and my roots would start to show...I HATE seeing someones roots!

This makes me want to get something done with my hair very SOON...not so sure if I can wait till summer to try out something.

What would you do with your hair?

Thank You...Thank You...Thank You...

2010-01-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

"Thank you"...that's what I hear all day long and I love it!

Abigail got one of those dress up boxes for Christmas that comes with a few dresses, crown, and jewelry, a handful of that sort of stuff. My husband Tim actually picked it out. He thought and rightly so, that she would love it!

She puts on something new every day. I say it that way because she will wear one dress all day long, putting it on after she's dressed and taking it off only when it's time for bed. My favorite is one that looks like she belongs walking around as mistress of an old castle. However, her favorite is a little pink think that's also sort of pretty. Can you sense that I have less enthusiasm about it...but it's not mine.

Little Miss Abigail posing in my favorite dress

So...she walks around here with one of her dresses on, comes up to me and says, "Mommy, thank you for my princess box."

Like I said I love it, but my husband is the one that picked it out and bought it, and to my knowledge I'm getting ALL the credit. I'm so simple and easy to please that I just eat it all up!!! I'll certainly take credit for something my wonderful little girl loves. I'm her mom, it's what I do.

Opinions

2010-01-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

I don't mind the opinions of others. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't, and sometimes they just plain hurt. But I don't mind other people's opinions. Everyone is entitled to them, everyone has them, but when people share such negative comments on something you feel differently about, it just seems plain WRONG!

I'm sitting here wanting to cry, and I'm sure some of you reading this are going to think I'm being ridiculous, and that's the lovely thing about opinions, you can. But after you're done reading, please don't tell me you think I'm stupid.

I want to home school but both my husband and I feel it's not the right decision. Whether that means for now or forever, only God can tell us. The one thing I know for sure is that He put us in charge of our children's education, be it home school, public, or private school. That's for us to decide and whatever decision we make now doesn't mean it has to stay that way or be that way for each individual child.

So this morning I make a comment on Facebook {probably mistake #1} about not being at a place where I can say I'm happy sending Caleb back to school. I enjoy him being home. You have to understand he's my firstborn, there are a lot of feelings that go into sending off your first child, as I'm sure many of you already know! Maybe by spring break I'll feel different, but not yet. So a friend makes a comment that "there's always homeschooling", another says "he likes school Jacquie", and another tells me {in regards to homeschooling} it's not healthy for your children, what about their social skills. I re-read these and sure they sound like nothing, but the last 2 just make me cry.

My children are so very socialized and yes Caleb loves school, but neither argument makes it any easier to send him off nor do they make it the right decision. If we decided to home school, that would be the right decision because only Tim and I can determine what's right with God's guiding.

Have your opinions against homeschooling, that doesn't bother me, but use reasonable arguments and don't be rude!

I need to go give my emotions a break.

10 for 2010

2010-01-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

I hate New Year's resolutions and the one thing I can count on is that I will break them. Usually all of them since I don't normally make but 1 or 2. However with this being 2010, I figure it's a good year to think about 10 things I'd like to change or add. So here goes...

1 ~ Read my Bible and pray more. Every time I get real crabby for a significant amount of time, I can look back and see it's been a while since reading my Bible or praying.

2 ~ Get more done around the house on a daily basis. I have a tendency to let things go till the evening and by then I don't want to pick up the living room or switch the laundry. I mean really, who wants to do all that when they're tired?

3 ~ Do more art crafts with my kids. I'm constantly being asked if they can paint but I make excuse after excuse as to why "right now" is not a good time.

4 ~ Compliment Tim daily. He works hard at three jobs (2 paid, 1 volunteer) to support our family and our community. He deserves my thanks and appreciation, probably more than I give.

5 ~ Turn the TV off more. I don't watch much except the news and the kids watch a few cartoons, but even when everyone is off and busy, the TV stays on and adds unnecessary noise to an already VERY loud household.

6 ~ Plan out our meals in advance, better than I have been. Have you ever noticed it's impossible to plan dinner when it's 4:45? It doesn't work and I'm not really into eating a bunch of mac n' cheese {neither are my kids}!

7 ~ After the morning I've just had, one thing that needs to change is parenting intentionally. I can't just assume it's all going to work out on it's own as we go about our day. For one thing I like schedules {I use them more as guidelines than anything} and we've gotten away from ours. Time to go back to it.

8 ~ Exercise : I want to try getting in exercise 3-5 days a week. I'm trying to lose weight and things have been going well but I KNOW nothing is going to happen if I don't move. Yippy skippy. Can you feel my enthusiasm?

9 ~ Read more. I love reading but fill my time with so many other things that I don't get to read much anymore. Maybe before bed so it will make me sleepy.

10 ~ Try to have a positive attitude. By the time bedtime arrives I'm so tired I just want the kids to listen and get in bed which makes for a grumpy mommy in the evenings. I love how it used to be where we would sing, read stories, and have fun. My children need that back.

That's it. Those are the things I want to do or change. I wish they were more lighthearted but 2010 needs to be a year of change for me. I guess we'll see how it all goes. At least I have a whole year to work on these things. If I break them now, I can start them right up again, all the way up till 31st December 2010.

First In Years

2010-01-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

This was the first year in a long while Tim has not had a New Year's Eve party for the youth group so he planned a special evening for me.

With a couple friends, we saw the movie Avatar, great movie by the way. I was sure I was going to hate it but LOVED it. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out and see it in 3D!

We had dinner at an Italian place and still made it back by 9 so our babysitters could go do their things.

Since the 4th of July we've been hording fireworks so the kids (7 total) had lots of fun. Well, except Zechariah really. He kept pulling his hood down over his head when they popped, but it was actually kind of cute, even if a little sad. Poor guy.

Around 10:30 we set the kids up in Tim's office to watch a movie hoping they'd fall asleep while we watched one in the living room. No such luck. They were all still bouncing off the walls when bedtime finally came, around 12:30/1:00. That's not such a horrible time for some adults, but not me. I am not accustomed to staying up late anymore and felt dead the 2 next days.

So for the first time in a LONG time, it was a wonderful New Year's Eve.

The Goings On

2009-12-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while since I've made it on here...it's just been so busy!

I hope everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas! Ours was nice, visiting family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We also have a Christmas morning service at church that was an adjustment when we first moved here. The first year Tim was told we had one but was never told he did it, so we showed up and everyone just looked at him waiting for him to start. Thankfully the night before we'd been to the church I'd grown up at so he used my pastor's message idea. After 9 years I have to say, it's a great way to start Christmas!

SO, for the last two weeks this is what I've been up to:

I'm still trying to lose weight and woohoo I've made it to around 10 pounds (that's my way of saying it's closer to 8 or 9, but 10 just sounds better!)

This was the first year I made Chex Party Mix. My grandmother does it every year and it's eaten so quickly I don't know why we don't make larger batches. I told Grandma I'd do it for her (she does everything else for Christmas Eve dinner) and I really had a good time. I made two batches and for each batch I tripled the recipe. You can imagine how much I've had around here. What Grandma makes for the holidays are not anything particularly spectacular, but it brings back the memories of helping her as a little girl and I'm able to build more memories of her and Grandpa with my children in their final year (sniff, sniff - I hate thinking about that).

I took Caleb, Ben and Abigail to see the new chipmunks movie - Ben wouldn't get in the picture!

Zechariah surrounded by gifts from Grandma Pam. One for each of her eight grandchildren.

This isn't a particularly wonderful picture, but we had friends over for dinner. Caleb and Laina are great friends from school.

We've also had our first snow. Teddy (white dog) and Pupup (black dog) checking it all out. Being in the Northwest the snow was pretty well gone by morning. So sad!!!

Do Things Happen In 3's...What's Next?

2009-12-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

So first, we went to the beach and I had those computer problems. I already wrote about them so I'm not going to go into that again. They weren't horrible but definitely annoying!

So now...I live in Oregon. Here we get all four season's but lately it's been like Alaska. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but it's been COLD. (By the way...where's that global warming people are talking about?) We've been in the 10's to 20's all week long and now today started getting precipitation and icing in certain places. I can live with all that...but not without heat!!!

Our furnace went out so I've been trying to keep the living room/dinning room (they're connected) and the kitchen sort of comfortable with space heaters. I have firemen in my family, I always hear the dangers of those things, but a person's gotta do what they can to stay warm in this weather!

So my problem, Tim and I live in the parsonage of the church he pastor's (if you don't know exactly what that is, it's the house provided for the pastor and family, owned by the church. Boy that could be a whole other post.) Anyway, I had the guy in charge of buildings and grounds come over to see what could be done about the furnace and he said it needs to be serviced. I can live with that...but I've gone a whole 24 hours without hearing from him. I have no idea if he's called someone to come out on Monday, if he's got something else in mind, or what. We're not freezing but I don't want to stay like this for too long! It was 57 degrees in our living room this morning! Praise the Lord our bedrooms have electric wall heaters that are not affected by this so we're all warm at night!

Now I ask you, if that was 2, could #3 be lurking around the corner? Oh how I hope not!

Okay, that's my rant...sort of short and maybe not so sweet!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to post a couple of the crafts the kids worked on at the beach. Mind you, I'm not a crafty person and I am completely all for kids doing their crafts 100% by themselves (to make it their own) unless they want help or need adult supervision! Keep that in mind when you see these...

This one looks a bit like an alien

I actually did this one for Z -

I'm a minimalist

She really got into decorating it

This is a candy wreath. Usually they're bigger and you can see the hole,

but I chose a smaller size that the kids were less likely to get tired of making. So it's more of a candy ball.

Aside from not being a crafty person, I am also not a decorative person...my mom wonders where I came from. My sister used to tell me I was adopted when I was little...maybe? However, here are a few pictures of our house decorated for Christmas. It's nothing like what other people post when they say "It's not perfect..." but yet it actually is. Mine really isn't! But it's all mine.

One of my favorites

My village, I did fix the snow so it didn't look quite so bad.

I have to leave the oil candles behind them, nowhere to put them.

Z is trying to blow out the lights!

These reindeer are pretty though with all the white in the picture it's kinda washed out.

My table has to be against the windows to make room for the couch, to make room for the tree - small home living.

If this were my grandmother's or mother's home, it would all be very colorful, festive, and tasteful. I don't mind what I have though, it works for me and makes me feel like Christmas really is coming!

2 Years Old Today

2009-12-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

Zecahriah is 2 years old! It just blows my mind.

Here are some photos of how he's grown from an infant to a toddler.

A very cold day

Poor guy had chickenpox

"Yeah, I'm cute"

"I want this one"

Super Goggleman

Pretty flower

Too cool Einstein

"I'm so confused"

A swinging' good time

My little monkey

The last two years have been a ride with this one. He's my climber, my sneaker, and my fun loving wild boy. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Happy Birthday Zechariah Ezekiel!

Friend Makin Mondays - Emabarrassing Moments

2009-12-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Friend Makin Monday Amber has us remember embarrassing situations. I hate those times, but they sure can be funny.

I think it's a defense mechanism, but I have a tendency to block out those times so I can't recall them and be embarrassed anymore, but Amber mentioned a time in Walmart that reminded me of something earlier this last summer.

(The kids on their ride - not a one of them looking forward at me)

Tim and I had taken the kids to a fair and I'd given the kids their tickets for the ride they were standing in line for. I never really glanced at the person running this particular ride, just glanced very briefly past them.

Now you have to understand every other person we'd seen so far was a man, so I never gave it a thought just told the kids to give their tickets to him. SHE was not amused and pointed out that she was a female.

I was SO embarrassed and I apologized and tried to say I just hadn't looked, not that she looked like a man, but I think at that point she stopped listening to me.

I just wanted to disappear.

What kind of embarrassing things have you done?

What a Week!

2009-12-05T23:16:00.000-08:00

This last week has been both great and frustrating!!!

The great part ~ I got to spend the week with my family, mother and grandmother at the beach at Grandma's timeshare! Woo-hoo!!! We had such a great time there overlooking the water from our condo {though there was no beach access, which didn't bother ME in the least as I would much rather look than be down there!}, swimming in the pool everyday, and playing games till midnight a couple times. It was such a relaxing time that our family needed so much. God truly blessed us with this mini-vacation!

I'll be posting a few pictures tomorrow if I can get back on here to show a couple of the crafts we did with the kids to keep them busy...as if they really need help staying busy. If you've not met my children...they rarely stay still!

OK...so the frustrating part - I took my computer down there thinking they'd have free wi-fi. NOPE and I wasn't going to pay for the access, but a few days later I found out Tim did pay for it for his computer (his was a working vacation) since the business center also did not have free wi-fi.

Don't these places understand by now you catch more flies with honey than vinegar? Is that how you say it? Anyway, people want free wi-fi! We're more likely to use that than to pay unless we absolutely HAVE to! Alright, I took a big deep breath and am ready to continue.

I decided to hook up my computer to say hello to a few of you, see what was going on and respond to some of the lovely comments I received, but my computer wouldn't work! Just sat there doing nothing. I've been having problems with the battery lately and I know I need a new one, but I just couldn't believe this thing wouldn't work. So I was without for a WEEK! I know some of you are just as addicted as me...don't try to deny it!

So thank you everybody that stopped by with such nice comments, I was able to post them via my phone, but I couldn't access anything else.

Now the biggie and very exciting part...I won a beautifully hand embroidered table runner from Julie at Come Have a Peace. What a blessing - thank you so much! I cannot wait to put it out with the rest of my Christmas decorations!

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully in this next week I'll get caught up reading all the new posts!

p.s. I just did a quick search for my phone to see if I could upload a quick picture...nowhere to be found. Urg. I think it's just time for bed. Have a great Sunday tomorrow!

Ready for Christmas

2009-11-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

I'm ready for Christmas and when I say that I do NOT mean all the shopping is done, the house is decorated, the cookies are baked, the cards sent out, etc.

However, Thanksgiving is over!!! It's not that I'm really excited to have Thanksgiving done with, but now it is socially acceptable to sing Christmas carols in public and I don't have to worry about the funny looks people give me. I can know with a clear conscience that it's due more to being off key than actually singing Silent Night or Jingle Bells!!!

I've got all the Halloween/Fall/Thanksgiving decorations put away. I'm trying to get my laundry folded and off my couch (a pretty typical location for all of it) so we can rearrange the furniture and get a tree! Yay!!! I love having the tree in the house. The lights, the music (I like the lights that play music) and the smell. Nothing says Christmas more than the smell of a Christmas tree.

So now it's all about getting the decorating done, figuring out which cookies I'm going to make, crafts with the kids, and enjoying the season!

Are you ready for Christmas??? I AM - fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!!!!

Friend Makin Mondays

2009-11-23T17:20:00.000-08:00

Amber has another fun one this week! It's all about THANKSGIVING!!!

1. Turkey or Ham?

It's not Thanksgiving without the turkey...but I usually eat ham. If the turkey were to be missing though, I'd probably complain! ;)

2. Favorite side dish.

Mashed potatoes and gravy...yummy.

3. Favorite dessert.

Chocolate pudding pie with whipped topping. So simple, so bad for you, so GOOD.

4. Black Friday: Are you going or not?

No. I would like to, but I never have. I don't really even know what to do, I'm not a shopper.

5. If so, what's on the top of your list?

A bunkbed would be.

6. Going out of town or staying close to home?

Close to home. Everybody we'll see is about 45 minutes away. We usually cram in both my husbands side and mine. Kind of hectic, but makes us both (and the families) happy.

7. Hosting or helping?

Helping. It would solve a lot for our family (husband, kids and I) if we hosted, but our house is too small and I would want everybody there.

8. Name one family tradition at Thanksgiving.

Cards. On my side when we get together there is a lot of card playing. Everybody sits around the big table playing or watching.

9. What do you do after dinner?

More talking, visiting, card playing while football is on in the background.

10. What are you most thankful for this year?

God watching over our family. This has been a hard year for many families, ours included, yet I still see God at work, taking care of His children. Even now going into Christmas struggling, I still see God's hand upon our family, blessing us with loving children, a hard working Daddy, great friends & family, a home, clothes, and food. We may not have a Christmas like years past, but that just means we'll be able to focus more on other things.

Happy Thanksgiving All!!!

Marco Polo

2009-11-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

Daddy is out of town for the weekend, I'm out of ideas and counting down to bedtime.

The kids are getting bored and running around with "nothing to do", so what do I hear throughout the house?

"Marco."

"Polo."

"We're getting closer to him, Marco!"

"Polo! Mom, they don't know where I am."

They didn't know where he was but boy the shouts I heard when they did find him!!!

Caleb was hiding under the buffet behind the train boxes

I love their imagination...especially when mom's runs out! Now I think it's time to pull out a board game!

Our Trip to Japan - Long and Pic Heavy

2009-11-19T23:25:00.000-08:00

One year ago our family (all six of us) made a crazy trip over the big blue (Pacific Ocean that is) to Japan. My oldest is 6 now but when each of our children turned 10 months they were enrolled in swimming lessons at SWIMBABES. It started out as a way for me as a new stay at home mom to get out of the house and have time with other adults.

Since then it's become something so much greater! All four of my children now know how to swim and (for Zechariah) turn and float on their back in the event they were to ever fall in the water, even fully clothed. They've all had to go through what we call their 5 minute float which is fall in the water fully clothed and dry and floating for 5 minutes. As they say at SWIMBABES, the children are never drown proof, but it buys a little extra time to get to them. That has been the biggest motivator in continuing our lessons.

It has also been amazing watching my children's ability in the water grow as they did. What was once just a turn and float is in the older three now racing down the length of the pool doing the backstroke, breaststroke, or freestyle. Even Zechariah is working on kicking his chubby legs and waving his arms in an attempt to move three feet!

So Japan...SWIMBABES was invited to present what they've been working on at an international convention and our WHOLE family went along. We had such as great time practicing with the Japanese mother's and babies and demonstrating what our children could do too! Check out this video, it gives a glimpse of what we did through pictures, but I couldn't download the video of the demonstration.

SWIMBABES - Nagoya, Japan

Listening to traditional Japanese music

at the welcome party

Abigail, Caleb, & Benjamin

getting ready for their demonstration

Taking a walk around the city of Nagoya

Making new friends - Caleb, Benjamin, & ...William!

(I had to ask about his name,

his mommy is Japanese & daddy is Australian)

Tim found a Seattle's Best - yay Tim!

We got to know the subway system VERY well

After our 5 days in Nagoya, our family headed south on the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) to Fukuoka where some missionaries we'd met earlier that year ran a ministry called Agape House.

This one is called the Nozomi - the fastest bullet train

They showed us around, included us in some Bible studies and fellowship, along with letting us sleep on the floor for a few nights!

Our beds in the Agape House - it really was pretty cool

Visiting Fukuoka was the best part of the entire trip to Japan. We made new friends, got a better feel for the Japanese people, and got to go orange picking!!! The orange picking day was the best. Pastor Yano and his wife "rent" an orange tree for a year and when they are ripe they get every orange on it and have a picking parting. After the oranges we had a picnic in a beautiful park near thousand year old houses.

Visiting a traditional Japanese garden

Orange picking!!! We got to eat all we wanted first!

At the park for our picnic with

Pastor Yano & his wife and Rowena

who started the Agape House ministry

This house is REALLY old. We got to walk in,

but didn't walk far - too afraid something would collapse.

A real toilet at the park - trust me, it's real!

We travelled up north to Tokyo for one last night before having to head back to the states. What a trip!!! It's something I'll never forget and through pictures and a few memories, my children will remember also!

Our hotel in Tokyo dressed up for Christmas

View from our room

Weight Loss Wednesday

2009-11-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

My goal is to lose 25 pounds and I am merrily on my way. I don't have a set time to meet this goal but I do hope to lose about 2 pounds a week. OK, I guess that would put my time to about 12 weeks out...hmm where does that put us?

{Calendar coming out & calculating}

OK, seriously? I never thought this out, but 12 weeks from today is my birthday. I can either look at this as a great birthday present to myself or a horrible one. {Rolling my eyes} Good grief, what a way to set myself up!

On to more pleasant items...since last Wednesday when I started this I have lot about 2 pounds so I'm right on schedule. I've really had to watch what I eat because I'm a foodaholic. I've said on a number of occasions that (while not pleasant) I would make a good bulimic. Now don't get me wrong, I know bulimia is a huge, devastating and very real issue; I'm not making light of it. What I am saying is that I like to eat to feel full and often I feel so full I think I would feel much better if I could just get rid of it. However, I don't go that route so I just consume a TON of calories for what my body actually burns - therefore putting on the pounds or at least not losing them.

Aside from watching how much I eat, I have to watch what I eat. I'm not a sweets person by nature. I could pass up a bowl full of candy, pie, cake, or even brownies (though maybe not ice cream) if instead I could eat another helping of mashed potatoes, chips and salsa, crackers and cheese, or BREAD and butter!!! Anybody else getting hungry? I guess I better hurry this up.

Having four kids and a house to take care of I'm busy but still not getting the exercise I need. I wouldn't say I loathe exercise, because I really don't, but I can come up with excuse after excuse as to why "right now" just isn't a good time to jog or watch one of my many videos. So I came up with a simple plan that I've bounced around before but never put into action. I now take an hour a day to walk on the treadmill while watching a favorite show. Usually it's the Today Show in the morning since I don't watch much of anything else in the afternoon or evening. Walking for that hour at the speed I go - not too fast or too slow - I'm able to accomplish 3 miles. NEVER did I think I'd say I do 3 miles a day.

Since I'm at the beginning I'm pretty excited but I know it's not always going to feel like this. So to all you that are praying women, would you stop and say a little prayer for me right now as you read this? That I would "stay the course" and keep on keepin on. God is my strength and I know HE can see me through this!

I'll be posting my weight loss journey every week on my Weight Loss Wednesday, so please come back and see how things are going. Maybe as I go, I'll start adding in a picture. At this point about all I'll post is a head shot!

The Wild Boy and The Crazy Dogs

2009-11-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

Zechariah keeps taking off his pj's and he insists on wearing his sister's pink goggles. After fitting them just right so he can see through the lenses he yanks 'em off and wants you to do it again. We're the only two home since Daddy took the other three to a movie at the school tonight, so I don't mind putting them on him again a few times. After the sixth time, well let's just say I'm done!

The dogs are running around inside tonight. Usually when they're in the house the other kids are home to keep them busy or they're in their kennel. Without them here, the dogs are tearing apart their potty training pad, a wooden magnet and anything else they can get a hold of! Do I get no break from insanity? Perhaps if I were to get off the computer and pay attention, ya think?

Instead while Z locates another piece of candy and the dogs tear apart a box, I'm going to sit on here and blog hop. Hey, why not? Sometimes it's just easier to pretend everything is normal.

Visit Ann's Virtual Girls Night Out and let us know what you're doing tonight.

23 Months

2009-11-12T23:45:00.000-08:00

I just realized that today my baby turned 23 months. Funny how after so many children and "monthly" birthdays you just kind of push it to the back of your mind. If you don't do that, my hat is off to you!

One more month and Zechariah's going to be 2 years old. It blows my mind!

Some (cruddy camera phone) pictures:

Happy almost Birthday, Little Man ~ Love Mama

Time Out For Mocha & Me

2009-11-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

I used to think time just for me meant getting out of the house without any kids to do whatever I wanted. Sounds nice, but being a stay at home mom of four with an incredibly busy husband (he practically has three jobs), living pretty far from family, and not always being able to hire a babysitter, I would get so frustrated to never be able to have ME time! Really made me a crabby person.

However over the last few months I've realized I can be a fully functioning, loving and whole mommy without being out of the house without kids. That was a hard one for me. I just have to plan into my day some time to do what I want.

Back in July Tim and I started talking about his addiction - Starbucks. Anybody relate? Well we decided to buy an espresso machine and it has been the best purchase we made in '09! Tim no longer feels any desire to stop for a mocha unless we are out of town without the machine. (We took it camping 3 times, hooked it up in the trailer - told you it was an addiction.)

So when I wanted my alone time the other day, after the kids were in bed I made myself a nice hot pumpkin pie mocha (usually pumpkin goes with a latte, but oh, you've gotta try the mocha!) and read a book which I had not done in a very long time! It's these simple moments that help me keep my sanity.

That's how I spent my hour, what about you?

Weight Loss Journey

2009-11-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've not lost a single pound since my fourth (and LAST) child was born. I've always heard that after the third child and the closer to thirty you are, the harder it is. Let me just say, OBVIOUSLY! So I'm starting on my journey to loose 25lbs. For any of you that have struggled with weight and LOVE food, you know how difficult this can be. Let's hope I keep up with it and take it seriously.

Chrissy at I'm Gonna Lose It! and Life as a CEO has started her weight loss journey for anyone to join in. I am and if you want to, I hope to see you there!

It Just Never Crossed My Mind

2009-11-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

With all of us sick around here I've been pushing liquids, rest, veggies & fruits. When a fever hits the kids I pull out the Tylenol and Motrin right away to nip it in the bud. Cough drops are being given out constantly (or so it seems). I'm doing everything any mother would do when her children are under the weather.

But what about me? Tim came in for lunch; I wasn't feeling well and basically whining over it. You know what he said? "Well have you taken anything for it?" What? ME take something? To make ME feel better? Like what? "DayQuil," he says. Well I just never thought of that and I admit it to him...something I really should never do. It's just not pretty the way he laughs at me!

Then a couple minutes later while I'm talking with my mother on the phone and thinking about what to make for lunch, I'm relating my most unfortunate conversation with Tim when it dawns on me that chicken noodle soup is supposed to help. Again, I just never thought about it. Again I made an admission, "I never said I was smart!" Again, she laughed. Will I never learn?

Seriously, it just never crossed my mind.

Beep, Beep

2009-11-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

Zechariah's been running around here switching between crying from not feeling well and laughing at random things. At one point he was sitting on my lap looking behind me at a short vowel's poster and started pointing to a bus. What did he call it?

Zechariah - Beep, Beep!!

Mommy - The bus?

Zechariah - Beep, Beep, yes!

Too cute!

Friend Makin Mondays

2009-11-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

Today Amber has us listing our favorite candle scents. I love candles but haven't burned any in so long! I will need to get them out!

So my faves:

#1 Favorite all year long

#2 Without a doubt anything that smells like Christmas,

but this one in particular

#3 French Vanilla

And my least favorite:

Anything Beach

So what's yours? I'd like to know!

Serving Within Our Homes

2009-11-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

If you haven't checked out her blog, go to Women Living Well and see what Courtney is up to. I think it's great that she's serving her husband and God like she does. How many times have you heard your bedroom should be a sanctuary for you to relax. Well why not your home a sanctuary for your husband? Why not serve him by trying to make things as nice for him as possible? You CAN do that without being a doormat!

I've always felt blessed to be able to stay home with my children, but what I forget at times is that it really is my job, taking care of all things that are included in the home, including the children, housework, myself, and my husband.

Courtney's blog shows how we can bless our families and be blessed ourselves. She encourages women to serve in their homes to the glory of God! Check it out.

We Finally Got It

2009-11-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

We have the bug. What bug, I don't know exactly, but we've been touched by something. A cold bug for some, a flu bug for others. Benjamin had a fever last Thursday and Friday, poor guy. He was miserable when the fever started but Motrin and Tylenol took care of it. Now he has a persistent cough. Zechariah woke up with a fever around 5 this morning {yeah, fun times} and Abigail has a cough with a runny nose. Caleb? Nothing yet. I think he's waiting for the school week to start. Isn't that always the way?

I knew we'd get something at some point so I'm not surprised. I'm just happy that as of yet, nothing has been so horrible. It's so sad watching your babies struggle with not feeling well. We're usually pretty healthy around here, giving Motrin and Tylenol for fevers, but I hardly ever take temps. I figure if I know they have a fever and the meds take it down, I don't need to know what it was at. Now if it persisted that would be different. However this time with swine flu around as soon as I noticed they were warm out came the thermometer. You can guaruntee I'm going to be vigilant this season like never before!

So if you wouldn't mind and feel so inclined, please pray for our family. With the four kids, along with myself and my husband, when sickness hits, it can take a while to cycle through everybody. I'm hoping we're all ok by the holidays. They're about the only time we really see family.

Hope you're all staying healthy!

Humidifier Giveaway

2009-11-07T23:44:00.000-08:00

Check out this way too cute humidifier being given away at RaisingMy4Sons. What child wouldn't want to use it? Check out this RaisingMy4Sons and enter the contest!

He Can Read!!!

2009-11-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

About three years ago I bought a book my friend Wen recommended to teach my children to read, Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Sounds hokey, right? It did to me, but oh well, I went ahead and got it. It seriously sat on my shelf for over a year. Sure I pulled it out on rare occasions to look at it, but mostly it sat.

When I pulled it out Caleb and Ben liked it well enough and were excited at first, but then they hated it! There was just something they didn't grasp. We struggled for about a week when it all of a sudden clicked. Going through the lessons was so easy and actually pretty quick. The book estimates that each lesson would take about 20 minutes, but with 4 kids in this house it took more like 30 (and that's still not bad). We didn't make it through all 100 lessons before sending Caleb off to kindergarten, but at least I knew he understand the sounds each letter made, what they were actually called, and could sound out simple words. I figured if I wasn't going to home school (something I still want to do) then at least he would have a jump start on reading.

I love reading and have wanted my children to grow up seeing me read and wanting to do it themselves so I try to read with them a LOT. As many experience, life gets in the way at times and we have days like today where I don't think anybody picked up a book, except maybe to put one away from yesterday. Some have not felt well around here {myself included} so it's been a relaxing day.

Anyway, bedtime means story time around here so I'd picked out three that I knew would be hits. However, when I sat down Benjamin had a book in his hands that he wanted to read to us. Benjamin just turned 5 on October 1st and he read us a bedtime story! How cool is that? Can you tell I'm excited? Watching my children learn has been one of the best experiences I've had. They are so excited when they figure something out and love to tell anybody that will listen about their newly learned ability or fact.

Benjamin reading a book!

Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Watching Abortion on Ultrasound - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

2009-11-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Watching Abortion on Ultrasound - Local News News Articles National News US News - FOXNews.com

Posted using ShareThis

Check out this article if you haven't heard about it already. I find it truly amazing. Having four children it makes me so sad to think about all the babies that were never given an opportunity to live, laugh and play, sing and give hugs and kisses. My children bring so much joy to my life, I can't imagine it without them. When I hear about something like this I praise God that more people are cherishing life. I have to say, I do know some people who've had abortions and I recognize that they were in situations where they felt they couldn't keep the baby and had no other choice. As strongly as I feel about abortion, I would never condemn anyone who's had one. I certainly can't cast the first stone, I've done plenty wrong in my life! I just wish more and more would understand that aborting the baby is not the only way. I'm thrilled to hear about the change of heart this woman had.

Thursday Afternoon Tea

2009-10-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's Thursday and the day is already GONE!

Here's what Richele had for us today at Thursday Afternoon Tea!

Today, we are going to play a little game where we finish the following five sentences. Try not to over explain or write a story. lol.

1. Hearing a scratching noise, she dashes into the kitchen, opens the...cupboard and finds her 22 month old son sitting in it playing hide-n-seek!

2. It started out like a normal visit to the grocery store until she noticed a man standing by the frozen section...opening random packages of Popsicles checking to see if the flavors really tasted like what they were supposed to be.

3. She answers the phone and to her shock...it's her 6 year old son using the house phone to call her cell phone to make her believe Daddy is calling. A dangerous thing, teaching young children to use phones!

4. As she walks into the bathroom to mop the floor she finds...someone stashed a cheese stick behind the toilet. I mean, really? Why?

5. Peeking from behind her curtain, she secretly watches her neighbor...doing some funky dance that resembles the potty dance because "nobody is watching"!

Now you can copy these 5 questions and answer them your way! Have fun with them.

Living With Blurred Vision

2009-10-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

I like to take pictures of my family, friends, funny situations, etc, but I have to use the camera on my phone as frankly, I'm not sure if we even have an actual camera anymore. We purchased a new camcorder for our trip to Japan last year and use that but only when video taping something.

I've come to the conclusion I need a camera. My phone is just not doing the job it once did. When I first got it Tim and I were amazed at the quality pictures it took, it's a blackberry and did a good job. Now, not so much. Hmm...is it just me? Maybe my hands are shaking too much. Or maybe the kids just keep moving. I don't know, but I rarley get a decent shot anymore!

Take a look!

I've missed many moments that promised to be keepers and great memories to blurry pictures!

Friend Makin Mondays

2009-10-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

It's the end of Monday, but as this is usually the best time for me to get on the computer, here I am finally getting to my Friend Makin Monday! This week's topic from Amber is: If life were a movie, which movie would you want to live in?

Without a doubt Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as my Mr Darcy. I love that era and the way women were ladies and men were men! The country estates and horses, the dances, the Ton, the Season in London, I love it all!

So, now that Monday is almost over, already is in some time zones, continue this on into Tuesday. What movie would you choose?

Blessings, Jacquie

Heartfelt Award

2009-10-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

WOW! Jenny at Southern Institute for Domestic Arts and Crafts passed the Heartfelt Award on to me and now I get to send it on to some others.

The Rules for the Heartfelt Award are:

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.

2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.

3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.

5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I'm still pretty new to the blogging world, but here are a just a couple I've enjoyed reading:

joeypouch (The first line of the Saturday post may offend some, but it's worth reading)

Leah

Check out their blogs!

Lazy Daze or Maybe Not

2009-10-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

I like autumn. Usually by the time spring rolls around I'm sick of the lack of sun and, being in Oregon, the rain in the winter (is it too much to ask for snow, no rain?)! But until then, the rain and I get along great. I love the fog in the mornings and it doesn't bother me needing to turn on lights so we can see in the house when it's dark in the afternoon.

It's days like today that I love curling up with a hot cup of tea, or coffee if the tea flavors are limited (I'm picky)! On days like today, I like the TV to be kept off so it's relatively quiet and read a book while keeping an ear open to the voices playing in the other room or occasionally running past me attacking the empire with light sabers! Ladies with boys, you know what I mean, don't you?

We don't have a fireplace of any kind, wood, pellet or gas, so when it gets cold I have to rely on our oil heating - let me just say I'm thankful for heat but I HATE oil heating. No snap, crackle, pop coming from a fireplace, just the furnace coming on after it's already gotten too cold and staying on till the house is too hot! Oh the joys.

On days like today I enjoy using the crock pot and letting dinner take care of itself while enjoying the delicious aroma it puts off. Usually it's a stew or soup, maybe chili with black beans! Yummy.

But what is today like?

After waking up and getting a slow start, which is perfect for Fridays, I decide today is a great day to bake! What am I going to bake? Muffins, cookies and bread! There goes my lazy day. That might still be a lazy day for some but not when I'm in the kitchen. You see, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, or perhaps a better word is uptight. I love having the kids helping me, but I want all the batter in the paper cups, not on the counter or all over the muffin tins. I want the cookies evenly spaced. The bread? No problem. Just beat the heck out of it kids! They were great and honestly didn't really make a mess, but I just want it done a certain way. Needless to say my harping took some of the fun out it for them! No worries though. They still had fun, loved the goodies, and Benjamin still tells me I'm pretty! Gotta love that!

But I didn't get my crock pot going so I'll be popping a lasagna in later. Still that's better than mac-n-cheese, so no real problem there. The reading, no way is that going to happen. Too many things to do now. The TV is on - Zechariah is watching BOZ (and if you've never seen him, he's like a green Christian Barney - don't knock it till you've experienced it) since he woke up too early this morning and is in need of a nap but I'm trying to put him off a little while.

So my lazy day is gone and I'm just trying to keep the natives from turning on each other. Now I'm off to fold laundry. Yippy.

Blessings, Jacquie

Thursday Afternoon Tea

2009-10-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, so technically it's still morning here, BUT it's time for Thursday Afternoon Tea. Richele's just started this, so please join in!

This afteroon let's make it really simple. Let's have fun getting to know each other with a questionaire.

Simply copy and paste then answer the questions! Have fun!

1) What color is your toothbrush? Blue and White

2) Name one person who made you smile today. Abigail

3) What is your favorite candy bar? MilkyWay

4) What is the last thing you said aloud? "Please don't sit on the back of the couch."

5) What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate

6) Ever go camping? LOTS and LOTS

7) Are you a cat person or a dog person? Always been a dog person, but with puppies not too sure now

8) What was the last thing you ate? Piece of ham lunch meat while making Caleb's sandwich

9) How long have you been blogging? Just under 2 weeks

10) What or who is your inspiration for your blog? My children

Now it's your turn. Let us know your answers and link up to Richele's blog.

Field Trip

2009-10-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

I have not been on a field trip in so many years. I can't even remember my last one, but with Caleb in Kindergarten now I got to go today!!! Where? The Pumpkin Patch of course! Where else would we go in October?

Here are a few pics...though the ones of the actual pumpkins didn't turn out. Arg!

Caleb and Neliah

Caleb, Jan & Neliah

Soccer Coach Lisa & Hailee

Making apple cider

Feeding a goat

Going into the tunnel with Austin

Neliah, Caleb, and Sam

Mrs. Rediske's Kindergarten Class

Friend Makin Mondays

2009-10-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

I've just joined in with Friend Makin Mondays, and if you've not been a part of it yet check it out over at Amber's site. This week it's all about what brings you JOY.

My Savior

My Family

My Puppies

They're a bit blurry, sorry.

Outside Play

Fresh Baked Bread

Bubble Baths with a Good Book

Teaching Children's Church

Jesus is my Rock!

Time in the Kitchen

2009-10-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

One of the best places I've found to spend time with my children in a fun manner and in teaching is without a doubt the kitchen. For one thing our kitchen is so small that we are practically right on top of each other so we are all forced to get along REAL well! Another is that you often have to follow directions when reading recipes or loading the dishwasher, something I'm very particular about, so good listening is must!

The kids are constantly wanting to make something, usually cookies and since I don't like lots of sugary stuff like that all the time, for myself or the kids, we don't do it as often as we should. I have to remind myself I can always send extra up to the fire department with Tim!!!

Tim had been gone all day Saturday and as bedtime approached I needed something for all of us to do so we made chocolate chip cookies. What's better than that right before bed? Maybe a whole bunch of things, but at least this is something they'll remember!

Start with a little flour, measure carefully!

Cream butter and sugar.

Benjamin spooning it on.

Caleb and Abigail working with determination.

Yummy!

Cool 'em on the racks.

Ever watchful Abigail.

My First Award

2009-10-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

I just received my first award from CityGirl GoneCountry, a newbie in the blogging world like me. Check out her blog My Crazy Life at http://daysnoctober2009.blogspot.com/. A BIG thank you to her!

I'm supposed to send this on to a few of my favorite blogs, here you go, check them out:

http://awomansjourneyhome.blogspot.com

http://homemakersguidetothegalaxy.blogspot.com

http://thegeracifamily.blogspot.com

Housework or Workout?

2009-10-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

My husband bought me a very nice vacuum a few years ago that I absolutely love. Why I would love a vacuum, I don't know, but I do. In fact, what do I usually want for Christmas or my birthday? Some sort of appliance or cleaning thingy to make life a little easier or "fun". My vacuum works very well getting all the junk out of the carpet and has a hose to get to the places the base won't fit into and all the little attachments too.

Now my house is two stories. The upstairs in completely carpeted. The downstairs has carpet in the office and an area rug under the dinning room table and a small rug in front of the front door, the rest are hardwood floors. My vacuum also has a nice little feature that allows it to go from carpet to "sweeping" the hardwood floors. I used to use that feature all the time, but don't much anymore as it's just simpler to get out the broom and take care of it. But even with all the carpet upstairs that NEED a vacuum, guess where I keep it? Downstairs! Does that really make sense? The thing is not incredibly heavy, but it's not a feather either, for goodness sake. When I need to use it in the bedrooms I lug it up all the stairs, vacuum, then bring it back down to put away in the closet. What?!?!?

Now, I know I could use more exercise so I really should suck it up and vacuum more often just so I'm going up and down more with "weights" (the vacuum in case you're like me and it takes a while to sink in). But by the time I'm done, I'm huffin' and puffin' trying to pull in a lung full of oxygen. It's just no fun.

I'm thinking I need to get a little one for the simple jobs downstairs that I can keep in the closet, allowing me to keep the really good one upstairs for the bigger jobs, like sucking up the ladybugs that invade this time of year. Guess I'll be watching the paper for sales. Hmmm...better yet, maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list.

Blessings, Jacquie

A Gift From God

2009-10-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

In a house with more boys than girls the times that it is quiet are few and far between. Our home is very high energy throughout the day. If they're sitting playing games you can bet there are some loud voices laughing, teasing or arguing points. But that's only if they're sitting. Other times they're running around the circle downstairs - living room, office, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, office, etc, over and over. Now, not only do we get the pounding of feet but also the squeals and laughter. I give the familiar reminders that running is for outside and loud voices don't belong in the house. But really, why do I say it? It's not like they can hear me!!! :) This kind of thing goes on and on with a few short breaks in between, but doesn't really stop until everyone is in bed, ASLEEP.

Often an hour or so after bedtime I can hear one of them in bed still talking or singing, trying to get someone else involved. We go through the whole routine of me walking in and asking that child to quiet down and go to sleep, and leave with reassurances that they will! HA! Usually by the time I hit that bottom step I hear a little voice floating down from their room, "ABCDEFG..." or "1234567...". "_______, please go to sleep now. It's not time to be singing." Again I'll hear an OK or yes ma'am, and finally...silence.

Earlier this afternoon was one of the rare moments I had peace and quiet during the day. Benjamin, Abigail and Zechariah were sitting on the floor. Benji and Ab were singing The Wheels on the Bus while Zecker was "singing" Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. All were in such soft tones, so simple and gentle.

My children are tiring...yet so very dear. "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward" Psalm 127:3. My children are a gift I treasure.

The (Small) Harvest

2009-10-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

I finally got my tomatoes out of the garden. It kills me that I had to take so many green ones, but there just isn't enough time left for them to ripen before we have a possible freeze. I've heard you can put them in a paper bag and they'll ripen or hang them in the garage, so I'm trying the garage. I've got so many I hope it works.

Ben and Abigail ate about as many as they put in the bowls. I can't really complain, they're a lot better to snack on than chips or candy! Later they wanted some cucumbers and had them dancing around with the little pumpkins we picked. The cucumbers of course were called Larry...from Veggie Tales!

Hardworkers

2009-10-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

I wish I'd taken a picture of the kids helping out today. They were so good and willing to jump in to do whatever was needed. Caleb wanted his special turtle to be washed which gave him an excitement to do the laundry. I'm thinking I may need to send some special animals to the laundry more often than is necessary! Benjamin was scrambling around the living room collecting trains that needed to head home to their box. What was his drive? Playing a computer game! Now Abigail and Zechariah weren't motivated by something they'd get or get to do. They simply had fun putting away the dishes and collecting small toys on the floor.

It's amazing how much gets done when everyone pitches in and helps a little bit. I'm still working on training them in many areas, but it is so rewarding to see the fruits of my labors in this way.

What to work on this week? Speaking with a softer voice. Who? Myself and the children!!! I've always been loud and they have certainly picked up on it. They are getting better though, in part because I've been making a point to talk with a softer voice. We enjoyed an hour or so of peaceful play this afternoon, no loud yells or crazy noises making you cover your ears. I have to smile just thinking about it. Benjamin in particular loves sound effects. If it weren't for his excitement and enjoyment of playing I think I'd be a little nutty from the noise! Oh, and Zechariah did so good during church this mornin! We made it through the singing. No screaming or yelling. I don't know how other momys (spelled that way on purpose) train their children to sit so well through service! In time...in time, I have to remind myself.

Now it's time for bed though. 'Night!

Blessing, Jacquie

A Good Day

2009-10-10T22:47:00.001-07:00

We started our day off with another of Caleb's games and what a fun one it was on a bright and beautiful sunny morning! We're technically not supposed to keep score, so I don't, but there are others that do and let me say, WOW!!! That's all I'm saying. Watching Caleb out there makes me wonder what he'll be when he's older, his hobbies and interests. We change so much as we grow older, yet you can get a glimpse of the person they will be. Hmm...

The ladybugs have invaded again. They don't "bug" as much as a room full of spiders would, but I get so tired of having to vacuum them. Really, it's just plain gross all those bugs in the kids' room, flying, falling, dying. We set off a bug "bomb" (as much as I hate to use them), so hopefully that will take care of the problem. And Tim very thoughtfully washed down the furniture afterwards.

We had a couple rousing turns of Hide and Seek after dinner. When Ben or Caleb were "it", invariably Abigail was the first one found. She'd find a place then talk to me and ask where the boys were just as they came around! Too cute. Then when it's her turn, I don't know what the boys were thinking, but they practically hid in plain site. I don't think she even had to search. :)

I don't do desserts around here all that often, really for a couple reasons. First, by the time I get around to thinking about it, it's pretty late and they need to head for bed. Second, desserts usually have a lot of sugar (at least the good ones do!) and the Ben and Caleb can get so wound up when they eat sugar. Evenings + sugar highs = NOT GOOD! However, tonight seemed like a good night splurge so we dished up a little green tea ice cream. There were pleas for more, but Mom stood strong on that one!

Time for bed.

Blessing, Jacquie

Gardening

2009-10-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

My tomato garden. I didn't realize you had to cut back some of the vines.

This summer was my first attempt at growing a vegetable garden and I don't think I did half bad. Certainly not great, but not bad.

One of the highlights for the kids when we were outside was to pick a snack. They'd look over the peas, tomatoes and cukes that were ready, and eat it right off the vine. Overall I think the peas were favored by everyone. It was also our first year with the blueberries and raspberries, so we had just a small bumper crop, but there were enough for each of them to pick a few. Zechariah got the most blueberries though. Maybe I shouldn't call them that; he never waited for them to ripen, always green.

The squash did really well. I only expected a couple acorn and butternut, but instead got about 6 of each! That was very exciting!!! With 4 kids I was so thankful when I noticed 4 pumpkins getting big and orange. No fighting over who gets one.

So now I'm already thinking about next year. I've been thinking about what I will do differently, and which veggies I want to plant again and/or more of versus what I will skip growing to buy at the store.

What I mainly expect to plant next year will be:

-tomatoes

-peas

-jalapenos

-squash

-pumpkins

-lettuce, maybe, I did get quite a bit this year

I'm skipping the beans because nobody wanted them. I won't get more carrots, beats or onions unless I get better soil. What I had in my raised bed this year was bad or something. I don't know what was wrong with the soil but those veggies didn't grow and I kept seeing little mushrooms popping up. URG!!!

If I had more space (and good soil) in addition to the ones I'm planning for next year, I'd also have potatoes, the carrots and onions, maybe some garlic would be nice, and zucchini. I didn't plant any zucchini this year because so many people from church bring it and it becomes very overwhelming. However, that didn't happen this year so I didn't get any!

Enough thinking about next year's garden!

Blessings, Jacquie

Cherish Every Moment

2009-10-08T23:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight Tim took Caleb, Benjamin, and Abigail to the football game leaving Zechariah and myself home alone. We had such a good time playing and reading books. It's not often that I get one on one time with the children, so tonight was special. Zechariah would barely let me put him down, something I don't normally fully enjoy, but it seemed sweet tonight. "Mama, mama" he'd say and smile. He'd hop off my lap to grab a toy or book then comr right back. "Up, up," and I'd help him up. He snuggled into me a couple times and we got to giggling when I kissed his cheek or neck, then sign "more". He's a precious little child that I don't often cherish enough, but soon realized I'd better.

A while before Tim got home with the others I heard about an accident up the road. Two high schoolers were crossing the street by the market when a drunk driver hit them. Let me just say right now, that they are "ok". Lots of bruising and some factures, but the Lord was watching over them. As soon as word spread about what happened, all I could think about was, "What if?" It could have been so much worse, but how are those two teens really doing; what about their parents? I even wondered about the driver. You know this is going to change his life in some way.

Hearing about this accident made me hold Zechariah a little longer, a little tighter. Bedtime came and went before I decided I could let him go, and even then I wasn't too sure I wanted to leave the room. Did I fear something would happen to him while in his bed? No, but I did understand it doesn't take but a second to have tragedy strike. If we're fortunate to go along our lives without something horrible, then it's simply a blink...then they're grown up and gone.

Hold your dear ones close, give them one more hug before you leave, and always be sure to tell them, "I love you."