2 HaHa's

Josiah was having a very hard time staying in bed. He had been up several times for a drink, or to potty, or because he just loves us. The last time he got up he came in to the room with a "baby," crying (not hard), and saying "I scary! I scary!"
We agreed with him. And asked why? "I scared the dark!"

We giggled him back to bed.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

The big boys received Airsoft guns from Santa. They are ecstatic!

 

There is a short story here, but the shorter version is that by Wednesday afternoon those guns, and all gun paraphernalia, began to reside amongst the mess that is my room. Oh joy (said sarcastically). (There were rules laid out - we just hadn't thought of all the rules until stuff happens).

 

Fast forward to Thursday morning.

These sweet boys are BEGGING for those guns back. They had siblings asking that I give back the guns. I informed them that they needed a "good long talking too" before that happened. 

 

First, this act of "transfer of possession" would needed the Dictator's (that's Gene's) approval.

Second, I was still annoyed.

 

(Here comes the funny part).

I had sat down at the computer (watching YouTube) and can feel little boys behind me.

"What do you want?"

"Mumble, mumble, something about just standing here."

"No, you want something. What?"

Looking all sweet and innocent, "Well, we thought maybe we could get that 'good long talking to' now?"

"HA! Rattle, rattle, guns, blah, blah, blah, guns, yada, yada, ack . . .(I'm sure that's what they heard). . . and you'll just have to wait!" (giggle quietly as they walk away dejected).

 

Don't feel sorry for them. They will get them back (eventually). Just as soon as we remember to sit them both down and write out the rules.

 

(Maybe this one was funnier when it happened). Glad I got that written out before I forgot.

Christmas 2012

At the beginning of the season Gene commented something about me being all in the Christmas spirit. Well, the flu and having to finish shopping the weekend before Christmas while still recovering sorta changes all that. I was more "Bah Humbug" than "Merry Christmas". But we made it through the DAYS of Christmas doings and got it over with . . . again.

Perhaps I'll catch that Merry bug again next year and not lose it.

I've narrowed down the mass amounts of pictures  from the last three days to highlight all the loved ones that took time to invest time in us (and spend a butt-load of money).

Sunday Grandmother, Rick, and Tara (who gave us the sweetest card) came for presents and desert after lunch.

The gaggle with Aunt Tara and some grand folk.

For precious Aunt Juanita - She cried! It is BEAUTIFUL!

Monday Papa and Uncle D.L. joined us for dinner. Uncle D.L. barely got in the door without being attacked by happy (greedy) little people.

Life for the bigs and UNO Moo for the littles.
I now think that everybody should play UNO Moo - fun times.

Uncle D.L. then spent a few hours playing with bigs and littles. Mostly because we (Gene and I) got up WAY late and therefore lunch was WAY late.

Papa stayed to help Santa, and watch the kids take their annual Christmas-PJ's-from-Grandmother picture.
I'll post all the pj pictures because, well, just watch the four year old - and remember that often our "good" pictures are the product of 20 really bad/weird/funny ones. You try getting these people to just stand there and smile - just for a few seconds!

Well, at least they are cute.
After they endured picture taking they got to open their "secret Santa" gifts - they drew names last month and got something ($5 or less) for each other.

They patiently took turns opening each one. And seemed to enjoy each other.

The Daddy threatened them ever so sweetly just before bed about getting up at the right time the next morning.
They started waking each other up at 6:15. This was NOT the right time.
I got up and played tree guard until 7 am (the right time).
This is them waiting (notice Elijah's blue watch he got from Jacob and that he used to count down).

Then we woke up Josiah, Daddy, and Papa and dug into the 24, big, taunting, green and red packages Santa left behind. Plus stockings.

The Daddy was the official pass-er-out-er and only gave them each one at a time. Then made them pick up paper between gifts (it kept us from losing any children).

Then they got to open gifts from Daddy/Uncle Paul and Wendy. (They weren't actually there. Nana's stuff is in here somewhere - she came last month).

Then Papa.

Then those boring gifts from Mama and Daddy (they give clothes - except this year Jacob has lots of really nice hand-me-downs [Thanks Lyn] and only needed socks - so he got a booster seat).

Notice our homemade wrapping paper. Made from all the paper than came in shipping boxes. The kids decorated it.

About 3 hours later I took a really long nap.

They played and played and played and played . . . then they slowed down long enough to hug GrandMaMa and Granddad, open presents and eat supper.

Then they played and played and played . . . until we forced them to go to bed (late - again).

Here is a really disgusting picture (its pretty - but well, we don't really like this "they sure are getting big" stuff).

This is the present they "knew nothing about" because they "weren't" at the thrift store
(with Santa) to pick them out, try them on and walk away while they were paid for
(and they got blue jeans and shirts the same day).
13 year old girls still need dress-up stuff - just bigger.
Disgusting!

The big boys got weapons of whelp making proportions and spent as much time as possible having fun shooting at each other and sword fighting OUTSIDE. The camera and I did not.

The 4 littles all got roller skates. Since it was raining, and the living room and schoolroom were covered with bits of paper, boxes and assorted toys, they got to turn the long hall into a skating rink.
There is a video but it won't upload. Oh well! You'll just have to come visit and see them for yourself.

Gene and I got a few presents too. We REALLY like new socks and underwear (more then we should maybe). We are also having lots of fun playing with the kids junk (one of the better perks of parenting).

Catch up post

Because I was SO sick I've missed a few quick updates.

1) We finally have Recess pictures! We host recess the first Tuesday of every month (except January) for local homeschoolers. Sometimes we have a fairly decent turn-out but usually its just a couple of families.
Thank you Alex for taking the camera and getting some great pictures of every-single-thing-you-saw.

Here's a small sampling of Alex's "work".

Some of the little kids

The Mamas

I think there was a total of 15 or 16 kids between 3 Mamas. Me, an OLD friend and a new one. (Your welcome Sam).

2) The Big Girls and I went to a ladies Desert benefit at our church. First the dessert was from a local, wonderful restaurant called 211. OH MY WORD! If you haven't been to 211, make it a priority (great for dates).
The music was provided by our very own Dr. Alan. And the speaker was one of my favorites missionaries from Rahab's Rope. It was a hard talk for two 13 year old girls but it was great.
It was also nice to take the big girls to something "biggish" - even if I did "define" a few words before we went.

Ava's a little blurry but that's them.

3) There are NO pictures for about 2 weeks. We all seem better now. Thank goodness!

We do have babies hyped up on Christmas candy. Just when they've eaten it all, here come a punkin' head with some more.

Next post . . . (drum roll) . . . Christmas pictures.

Merry Christmas!

The Mama has been under the weather. WAY under!
But I'm perking a little better now. Just can't shake this stinking headache.

Christmas pictures coming soon!

And CONGRATULATIONS to the Petitts who just arrived back home from Russia. Catch up with them here.

Merry Christmas!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

~Isaiah 9:6~

 

 

The Joy of Motherhood

Today it was snowing in Maine.

Isn't that a lovely winter thought.

Here, in the deep south, it smells like tamiflu and lysol. And it's warm. (For those who don't know me, "warm" has two syllables "waar-orm").

I'm in the middle of another bout of flu season. Elijah is on the mend. Jacob is regaining color. Alex is beginning to open his eye. But poor little Josiah is the most pitiful baby.

If your counting, that's four down and four to go. So far, so good. At least they seem to be taking turns.

Our sweet little doctor commented on how wonderful motherhood seems on days like today. She said that in the exam room full of little boys, right after that pitiful baby puked down my left boob.

But when they are sick nothing will do but Mama ('cause Daddy is at work).

In the last 5 hours I have been puked on, pee-ed on, wiped a slimy . . . (you know what, with "Mama's Magic Clean-All Hand"), I've been coughed on, sneezed on, spit on, got puked on again . . .All because my boys love me.

And I just sit there, under a pile of sweaty, pitiful, little boyhood . . . and love them right back.

(And I'm really thankful for big kids that have learned to cook a little and be my gofors).

It's beginning to look alot like . . .

. . .CHRISTMAS!

Gene commented tonight that it does seem more Christmas-y this year. Why? "Because your more into it this year."

That's right. I'm in the spirit, the holiday spirit . . . do do do do do do do . . . (it's a song too - I don't know why you can't hear the same voices in your head).

I get that way about every two years. The other years I think we should only celebrate every other year. These holidays seem to come way to close together.

So, Saturday, to kick the season off, we bought a tree. It has become a tradition.



We always go to the same place.

We search out just the right one.

So many trees . . .

ADD moment - look at this leaf, its a heart.

There was a little walking.

We narrowed it down to 3.

Daddy's boy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I've tried making this our Christmas card but it keeps coming out fuzzy. We'll re-take some this week elsewhere.
 

You'll see pictures of the chosen tree later. We have all new ornaments each year. We re-use very few "real" ornaments.
8 kids + crafts done everywhere = LOTS of precious.

 We got some Christmas lights out over the summer for VBS and discovered that we needed new lights. Family Dollar had some for $2 = I got LOTS!

The tree got new colored lights and I wanted something for the window beside the front door.
$2 lights to the rescue. I've got about $6-$8 there instead of the $25-$35 pre-lit tree I was eyeballing.

I need to fluff my wreath - but I've had it awhile, the excitement is over.
I put up the "tree" lights with a few well placed push pins.
 

It looks way better from the road, this picture is too close.
And I'm trying to hang a curtain behind the front door and window (which I've been wanting to do for a while). My extra curtain rods that are big enough are stuck in the too small position (another job for the honey-do list). Your not going to see pictures from the inside because our Foyer is the junk room. It was painted earlier this year to make me feel better - now the mess leans against better looking walls.
When you come visit, come on 'round back like a good friend. You can't get in the front anyway.

Sunday, we went to the town Christmas Parade. We hung out with our friends, the Browns, of no known relation.

This is my gaggle waiting patiently for the parade to start.

Two little boys and a good friend.

We changed our Family Devotion time to an Advent study. We've done Jesse Trees in the past (even more ornaments) but this year we are doing a pretty (and so far not terribly time consuming - until we sing and pray) Advent Activity Calendar called Knowing Him by Name. Each day we study a different name for Jesus. And we, for the first time, are doing an Advent Wreath - only ours is not round, it sits on the window seal. (I know there is a reason it should be round but I just can't do that until we have bigger littles).

AND tonight we went to Lights of Hope. We saw some lights (it's not very big, we drove around twice) and Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas.

Did I mention they dress themselves?
I love how Josiah is eyeballing Santa - he had just woke up and buried himself in me until we left.

 Josiah and Autumn did not sit with Santa - guess they won't get 'nuttin.

What have we learned this week?

*We like having Nana stay and miss her already. Very Much!

*We ALL really should go to sleep earlier. (The exhausted mama was in bed at 8pm last night - and didn't roll out until after 8 this morning - and feels great about it).

*Daddy is the most wonderful Daddy. He has to be to live with Mama.

*Some perfect stranger asked one of those dumb questions that I've ranted about before - one of those stupid remarks about lots of kids - and Mama was very polite and changed the subject (it is not I but the Spirit who lives within me) - but she has been thinking of all the impolite and only mildly humorous comebacks she could have used since then. So, praise the Lord anyhow.

*We have mixed emotions about the Crystal Sea, which is before the throne of God . . . will there be a "No Swimming" sign or is swimming aloud? Would that be fun or distracting? (this was an actual conversation at supper one night)

*I like spending money. I even like to spend it in virtual stores. Pushing those virtual carts at 3 or more stores at the same time is really the way to go. I have just a few more presents to procure (like 12 or 15- here, thats not many). WooHoo! Last year I was NOT this on top of it.

Another big day tomorrow, and the next day, and . . . well, we have nothing on the calendar for this time next week. Stay tuned!

Call Your Senator!

Because I believe ALL human life is precious and worthy of protection from conception until natural death . . .

Because I believe that parents have the foremost responsibility to see to the "best interest" of their own children . . .

Because I believe we do NOT live in a socialist nation and don't want to . . .

Because I believe we have good laws already in place (like ADA & IDEA) . . . laws made by Americans for Americans . . .

I have to share this information with you.

http://www.patriotvoices.com/crpd

 

Because the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities IS contrary to the above beliefs . . .

 

I have to ask you to call your two senators and ask them to OPPOSE the UN's Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Find your senator at http://www.senate.gov/ or by calling the US Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121.

Don't know what to say? How about:

"I urge you to oppose the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This treaty surrenders U.S. sovereignty to unelected UN bureaucrats and will threaten parental care of children with disabilities. Our nation already has laws to protect disabled Americans. This treaty is unnecessary and will hurt families. If the Senate ratifies this treaty that obligates us to recognize economic. social, and cultural entitlements a rights under domestic law."

Because God is still in control AND He gave us a voice and expects us to do something with it.

Don't believe me, watch these fellers for the first 20 or so minutes of this video.

* As of this writing the CRPD is slated to be voted on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.
Make that call. It MIGHT take 2 minutes. Easy, peasy.

Update: Tuesday, our calls made a difference. The CRPD was NOT ratified. YEAH!
Stand Firm.
Thanks to those who helped make a difference.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

"I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look up, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fact, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, stored up, and stayed up the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear."

--African Christian Martyr

Gene found that. Thought you all'd enjoy it.

 

Meet the Author

Mrs. Sandra Thurman was Ava's 2nd grade teacher. A really great teacher!

She recently had a book published Georgia's Chilly Winds & Warm Breezes.

So we went to the libary to talk to her and . . .

 . . .get our very own autographed copy.

We are so special.

Horsing Around

Papa had planned for months that on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (which is when we "do" our Thanksgiving thing and invite EVERYBODY - put it on your calendar for next year) there would be horses and/or ponies at our house. (He knows a guy).

For the kids.

I was afraid that Papa may be disappointed. But I had no need to worry. The horses came. And guess who got lead around on the big one like a little child first.

ME!

 The children just had to wait.

 Then they all got to ride.

Autumn got some good pictures with GrandMaMa and Granddad.

 We had lots of fun with them, and Aunt Audrey, and Sarah, and Daniel, and Caleb, and Papa, and Mr. Jan, and the Mitchells, and Ben and Jesse (the horse fellas).

 Later that evening, Jorja lost her first tooth!
WooHoo!

 That evening, after everyone left, and before eating leftovers, we watched a movie.
This is how Josiah watched it.

Yum!

What a lovely day we had!