A normal day...

Ok, I just wasted time typing out what's going on around here - but it was so boring I just couldn't post it.

Here's a quick re-cap:
*blood drawn today for uric acid. should know something this coming week.
*took Selah w/ me to the hospital - it was a nice field trip w/ lots of questions.
*my mom & niece arrive tonight to visit for 1 whole week - fun times!
*my laundry is finally under control. I made up another container of homemade laundry soap from my first batch - this stuff is going to last FOREVER!!
*I have spent a few days organizing kids' clothes - Salvation Army, here we come!
*my house is...um....not all that clean. Even with my mother arriving tonight, I just can't will myself to mop. *big ol' sigh*

See?! Just not all that interesting. Oh well, I'm still praying for February to *fly* by!! I'm ready to meet this little one~

With the Super Bowl this Sunday, our evening services are cancelled, which lessens the hectic-ness of the whole weekend. I'm not a football fan per se, but I'm excited about this game for that reason alone. Since we added in Saturday night services, our weekends have become crazy and hectic and tiring. YEAH FOOTBALL (who woulda thunk it??)

Hope you all have a great weekend~

Worth the time!

Let me tell you, with four little ones (and the tiredness that comes from that 5th pregnancy) I am all about convenience.

Now, obviously, I try to have a balance. I don't want to feed my family a bunch of JUNK, all processed to there and back, everything out of a box, etc. That would be....well...gross.

Then again, I will pull out a box of mac-n-cheese as quick as the next gal - not for every lunch, but often enough.

Yet there are some things that a box simply can't replicate. Take biscuits. We all have those baking mixes that come in the big ol' yellow boxes. They make like simpler - they save us time.

They are *not* the same as homemade.


I made biscuits & sausage gravy the other night for dinner. I had just enough biscuit mix left in that yellow box for one batch. I don't use it all that often, and we're trying to use up stuff in the pantry (that stuff that gets lost in the back of all our *normal* pantry items). So I mixed it up - easy as pie - and we had your basic meal.

It was fine.

Today, I came across a recipe for homemade biscuits. It was Alton Brown's "Good Eats" recipe. Well............I HAD to try it ~ it's Alton Brown. That man rocks!! (good thing my dh thinks so too!).

Yes, I had to "cut in" butter & shortening. If you are anything like me, that is just the WORST part. I'm not sure why, but I hate that part. So I mixed the dry ingredients, cut in the butter & shortening, stirred in the buttermilk...........you know, made biscuits!

The recipe said to cook them until they were golden brown - not even an estimate of time. Ugh. Hello??? Doesn't this man know as soon as I close the oven door, I have already forgotten what just went in, and have moved onto the next momma-task?!?!

Yet, I was able to keep an eye on them (like 20 min worth, hello?! Yet I *did* open the oven door often, checking on 'em) - even while reheating leftovers, pouring drinks, changing a diaper and tucking a child into bed. (yes, I even amaze myself sometimes)

They were EXCELLENT!

I'm sitting here right now, devouring one with a big ol' slab of butter melting everywhere. I'm thinking how much better my sausage gravy would have tasted on *these* biscuits. I'm thinking why I even *bother* with stupid mixes anyway.......


Oh ya.......cause I have a ga-gillion other things that need my attention around here. Oh ya.......*that*!

Good Eats Biscuits

*Mix together dry ingredients*
4c. flour
2Tbl. + 2tsp. baking powder
1/2tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt

*Cut in*
2 oz. butter (1/2 stick)
4 oz. shortening (I used 8Tbl. butter flavored Crisco)

*Make a well, and add*
2c. buttermilk (I made up some milk+lemon juice beforehand = 2Tbl. lemon juice + enough milk to equal 2 cups)

Stir just until mixed. Knead slightly, just a few times, being gentle.
Pat down to about 1/2-3/4 of an inch - then cut with biscuit cutter (or a glass like I did).
Put on greased baking sheet (I used a deep dish baking stone), making sure biscuits are slightly touching. Push down slightly on each biscuits, making an indentation with your thumb in the center (I forgot to do the thumb thing - both batches...duh).

Bake at 400* until golden brown - umm, for me that was like 20 min. - but I *did* open the oven door quite a bit during that process, so your time may be less. Just watch 'em like a hawk the first time and you'll be fine.

It said to let them cool for 10 min. before serving. In fact, I just let them rest IN THE BAKING DISH for 10 min. before I even tried to extract them from the pan. Worked like a charm!!

Slather with butter, or honey, or jam, or whatever............and enjoy!!
But don't say I didn't warn you ~ these just may be worth the "cutting in butter" process!!




p.s Thanks to Michigan Mommy of Many who posted this recipe for all to know about!!

It's still working....

My kiddos have been consistantly staying in their rooms, playing quietly, until 8am (or later). Some days I sleep until 8am, some days I get up earlier than they do. Either way, my home is not destroyed before my day has even begun - WOW!!

Here's a funny:
Yesterday (Wednesday), I left for an OB appointment fairly early. Even though it was after 8am, no one had gotten out of their rooms yet. The boys were still asleep. The girls were awake, but still playing quietly. My dh was getting ready when I left.

Everything went fine that day. Later, we had church in the evening. As I am dropping off one of my kiddos at their class, I hear, "Hey Lori, did you know that I yelled at your girls this morning??".

Hmmm??

It was Pastor Dan, the Jr. High Pastor, who also happens to live in the other side of the church duplex. Apparently, he was having some issues getting his vehicle out of the snow-packed driveway. His own two girls were talking to him from the car: Daddy, we're going to be late. Daddy, why aren't we moving? Daddy, do something. Come on, Daddy, hurry up. You get the idea...

Well, my girls happened to see the commotion outside from their bedroom window. They unlocked and opened the window so they could "talk" to Pastor Dan.

Hi Pastor Dan, what are you doing?

What are you doing? Hi! Pastor Dan, what are you DOING??

Hey, Pastor Dan, we can see your BUTT!! (said as the poor man is trying to spread salt out under the tires)

Well, apparently, *that* was hilarious to my girls! A boy's butt - HA!! They then had to repeat the offending sentance over & over & OVER!!!

Hey, Pastor Dan, we can see your butt! We can see your BUTT! WE CAN SEE YOUR BUTT!!!

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha........

Ya, really funny, girls.


So between the freezing cold, the stuck vehicle, his own girls telling him to hurry and my girls telling him they could see his butt (poor man), he had HAD enough!

He turned to my girls and yelled, "GIRLS!! Pastor Dan is *NOT* in the mood right now. Get your heads back inside and close the window!".

My girls, luckily, did as they were told.


My Selah later told me, "Pastor Dan is a nice man. He just wasn't in the mood. I think he was frustrated (ya think?!). He yelled at us like you do sometimes when you are frustrated with us. He told us to stop talking, like you do when you are frustrated. But he's a nice man, right Momma??"

Yes daughter, he's a nice man. Thank goodness.....

Tackling the *beast*

You *do* know what I'm talking about, right?!

LAUNDRY!

The inordinate amount of clothing in this house is just crazy! And I'm not a horder, we actually *enjoy* tossing stuff around here, going through piles, donating, sharing, just throwing away, etc. Yet somehow, my children have *crazy* amounts of clothing.

I know this is a blessing, actually. We have *great* grandparents and other relatives who shower our children with needed items whenever they hear about the slightest need. We also have a WONDERFUL church family who listens to the Lord's prompting - as we always seem to get a bag of second hand clothes (or even brand new stuff!!) in EXACTLY the right sizes that we need. Amazing!!

Yet still......along with all the needed items we receive, we also gather lots of UN-needed items as well. How many turtle necks can Selah actually wear? Especially considering her sweet little body can't wear skirts properly, so she is my dresses-only girl for the most part. And how, exactly, did my 7yob get addicted to jammies?? I'm working on it, but he feels the NEED to put on a fresh new pair each and every night - *sigh*....

Soooo....

Yesterday, I began to tackle the girls' clothes. My sweet Isaac was helping me out. He also was playing "Radio Show" of some kind - so there was a running commentary of my actions into his microphone. He also was telling his listeners how hard his momma works, how much work she does everyday, running through his 7yob list of important jobs I do every day. *huge ol' sigh* That really made my day!


Yet as far as I got yesterday was a HUGE ol' pile of dirty clothes (remember, I've been sick this week, so it piled up on me more than normal) just waiting for me by the laundry room door ~ plus a large basket of girl clothes that need to be sorted: give away, throw away, save for next baby girl.

In case you're new here, I have large bins for each size, according to sex: Boys 0-3months, Girls 12-18months, Boy Shoes, Girls 3-4T, etc.... I limit myself to ONE bin though. If I find I have more clothes than my Girls 6-9months bin can hold - I *have* to give some away! This system has worked for me for years, although I do believe it will need some tweaking here soon (as my kiddos get bigger, as we decide what house to buy soon, how laundry will be set up there, etc.)

~ Here's a pic from our last home, but at least you can see the type of bins I'm talking about~

Today, I will attack the huge ol' pile of dirty laundry, sort through the girls' stuff, and begin the boys' clothes as well. Elijah has more clothes than ANY almost 2yob should EVER have!! It's crazy~



And for the record, I don't have any "preset" idea of how many outfits per child, how many pairs of shoes/jammies/undies....etc. Every once in a while, like now, I go through the hanging clothes and the drawers, pulling out what just isn't getting worn. Not only do kids only NEED so many clothes, kids only WEAR so many clothes. Lots of times, you end up only using the few items on top in the drawers, or only the clothes hanging in the front of the closet. The other stuff hangs there, MAYBE being used once or twice per kid. Just not needed!!



So I sort through those items, trying, trying, TRYING not to be sentimental about certain items, nor hording things we just aren't using. It's just not worth it. And as the kiddos get older, less clothing is easier for them to handle to. If it's easier for *them*, I have a better chance of passing on some of this laundry care on to them as well!! Whoo-hoo!




So wish me luck! I would post a pic of the piles around here, but....well....I have *some* dignity left...........

OB report

Here's the lowdown...

*my blood sugars are great: 103 - and my OB just wants them under 140, so no problem there.

*weight gain is fine - I mean, I'm overweight, but my *gain* is fine - in fact, she gave me a nice hi-five, which makes a gal feel good, ya know?!

*baby's birthday will be Wednesday, March 11th - kinda cool to be able to figure that out already.

*I have to have another ultrasound in two weeks - the baby was measuring too big. Since my blood sugars were good, and my babies have always been fairly small (7.0, 6.10, 6.11, 7.5) - she believes it's just a fluke, baby lying funny, belly fat, whatever....but she wants to check it out. So I get to see this little one again in two week - whoo-hoo!! (but no, dad, not the baby's sex!)

*my iron is low. Not too bad, but she wants me to take iron pills and pump my iron up, since you lose so much blood in a c-section. Also explains a bit of my tired-ness...

*as to the itching: she told me to take Benydryl (sp?) at nighttime to help with all-over itchiness. She is also having me do a 'fasting uric acid' test sometime this week ~ which would tell us if this was liver related (PUPP). That would mean my uric acid level are too high, baby would basically be swimming around in too much uric acid and I would need to take some meds to bring those levels down. She did not think it was the really bad, deliver the baby asap kind of thing - but this test will tell us more of what is going on. She did also believe it *could* just be dry, itchy, preggo skin in winter.

I'll probably get that test done Saturday, so we'll see....

Is that it? I think so. I asked her how many c-sections she had done on one woman before. She said I really didn't want to talk about that - basically, the only other woman she personally has dealt with that was like me (many c-sections) ended poorly. Momma & babies are fine, but after many (she didn't say *how* many) c-sections, this woman's placenta grew through her scar, probably/maybe into other organs. Ick, not pleasant. I'm pretty sure the stuff I've read says that leads to either a very tough surgery, lots of blood loss, and possibly a partial hysterectomy.

While my OB said that's not happening with me this time (they can see where the placenta is attaching fairly early on, through ultrasounds - mine is nice and high, up away from my incision site), you just never know about next time. She is also ABSOLUTELY fine with me having as many babies as we want - as long as my uterus isn't getting paper-thin and threatening to tear open. She told me she will take her time, check things out really well, she believes she does GREAT WORK during the surgery and that will lead to good recoveries. Yet if she sees a HUGE ol' *window*, seeing the baby clearly waving at her through my uterus - she would be concerned.

As would I!!

If that happens, if my uterus looks all stretched out and in danger of busting open - dh and I would have some praying to do and decisions to make. But I'm fairly certain we wouldn't make ANY decision while I was still laying there on the OR table. Unless it was an emergency situation, we would wait. My OB wants me to sign papers ahead of time, in case things look terrible - so she can just go ahead and do the tubal (she sees not point in going back in later, when she can just do it then) - yet she is respectful of my not wanting to (even if she doesn't agree). I just don't want to make a rash decision, lying there all drugged out on a spinal and not thinking clearly and not having time to pray and see what God has to say.

I am confident my OB will respect my decision - I really like her!! We are on the same page - lots of babies are wonderful, yet we both just don't want me (and a future baby) to be in danger. If five babies is what God wants for me, that is wonderful! If six or more is what God wants for me, I just want to be open to that as well......

*sigh* if you can avoid c-sections ladies, DO IT!! This would all be a lot easier if my uterus wasn't being cut open each time.....I'm thankful c-sections were/are available in needed situations (like my transverse & full-breech babies).........but if you don't need it - DON'T DO IT!!

Lastly, I also got to request a pediatric cath for the surgery, inserted AFTER the spinal in the OR room. Whoo-hoo!!! She wasn't phased by that request at all (you were right, Brooke). So I get my pediatric, small cath, put in AFTER the spinal so I won't have to feel it at all, I can wear a bra during the surgery (and in recovery - PTL!!), I get my IV stuff out asap - at least some good comes of many c-sections. I know what I want and I can request it ahead of time!!

Ok, enough baby-talk for today........later~

just sick.

I'm sick.

That's all - just a bit of sinus-y gunk, some muscle aches, a bit of coughing....gross....

Oh, and itchy....going to the OB on Wednesday morning though, so I'm hoping she can help me out in that department. I read that only about 1% of mommas get this horrid itching. Wouldn't you know it....

And lastly, I did something to my pinky. Weird. Yesterday, while lying in bed all day (my WONDERFUL dh stayed home and played Mr. Mom for me - yes, he truly *is* amazing!), I noticed my right pinky was sore. Not bad, just sore. Like, I couldn't quite make a complete fist. Yet it's not broken or bruised or red or anything. I didn't think much of it.

Then today, I wake up with more pain. Now I can't quite bend my pinky finger all the way down to my palm, and I think it's a bit swollen - yet here I am typing with minimal pain - so it's not broken. What is going on??? AND....I can't remember hurting it at all?! What is going on???!?!?

Weird.



p.s. I'm lining up 500 calorie or less recipes and planning out a new menu plan. Anyone care to join me?? I'm going to try some of them here before the baby arrives and then really kick it into gear after that. I make milk like a crazy heifer (that sounds terrible) so I'm not concerned about milk supply (for those of you who would be worried). I would never "diet" to my baby's detriment....puleeeeease!!!
Anyways, anyone interested?? I'll post some recipes soon. They're all fairly simple and family-friendly.
After I stop snotting and hacking, I'll be back. Gross.
~lori

You know who you are ~ THANK YOU!!

Ok.

My mom has a friend, who has a daughter, who has four children, who is married to a pastor, who also lives in Michigan. (I believe all that is true)

She is currently my HERO!!

Apparently, she put a small princess light - with a timer attached to it - and told her girls they are not allowed to leave their room until the light comes on. She set the timer to turn the light on at 8am. It took some training, but now her girls play quietly in their room until the light comes on - 8am - and then they know they may come out of their room.

My mom mentioned this to me - awhile back - but I never really tried it. She mentioned it again, probably when she got sick of me complaining about the messes my children were CONSTANTLY making every morning. She said she had seen both a small light and a timer before at second-hand stores and would start looking again for both items.

I was impatient and wanted to try it NOW! So I came up with an alternative plan (which I wasn't too confident would actually work).


I talked to the 3 oldest children right before bedtime (which has gotten more consistent recently as well). I told them we had a new rule that would really help Momma & Daddy in the mornings. They were excited! (mornings were not a pleasant experience around here) I explained that I would put an alarm clock in each of their rooms (boy room & girl room). It would be set for 8am. They would *NOT* be allowed to leave their room in the morning before the alarm went off.

Ummm....ya, not so excited about that part.....

I then had to spend about 10 minutes letting Selah listen to the alarm (it progressively gets louder and faster) and teach her how to easily turn it off. She is my little chicken and was afraid it would "be a loud noise". When she finally saw how easily her little sister was able to turn it off - she calmed down.

The boys have a digital clock, which plays nice chimes when it goes off - Isaac was excited about that! The boys' door has a child-lock on the INSIDE that Isaac is able to work, yet Elijah is not (at this point). So even if Elijah wakes up early (which he does a lot), he is not able to get out and can play quietly (or wake up his brother).


ANYWAYS~First Morning
Girls are up before 6am (ugh). Dean gets up, tells them it's WAY too early (we don't *do* 6am around here), and to go back to bed - not to get out of their room until the 8am alarm goes off. We go back to sleep. Dean gets us at 7am, gets ready to leave, reminds the girls not to leave their room until 8am, kisses me good-bye (I'm still in bed) and is gone.

I wake up about 15 min. later - to silence (the girls room is right down the hall from ours - very close). I sit up to see their door is open, light on, girls nowhere in sight. Ugh.

I go downstairs, only to find them playing with their brothers in the boy's room. Grrrrr!

Anyway, I scoot them back upstairs, reprimand them for disobeying the new rule, specifically disobeying their father (who had *just* told them to stay in their room) and tell them they must now stay in their room - playing quietly - until 9am! (I'm such a mean momma) The boys are praised highly for staying in their room and playing quietly.


Fast forward to this morning - GREAT!!! No one wants to have to stay in their room 'til 9am. I wake up at 7am, hear the girls playing quietly (actually quietly!), and nothing from the downstairs boy's room. I go to lay back down (I don't *do* 7am either), but honestly felt the Lord nudging - pushing - shoving me to get up. I jumped (well, okay, slowly stepped) into the shower and got myself together. I got my coffee going. I read through my devotional. Just before 8am, I heard a small girl at their door, kinda wimpering.

I opened the door to see Tali laying in front of the door - holding the alarm clock, waiting for it to go off (it was just before 8am). Selah had turned off the light and gone back to sleep (good girl) - and Talitha had allowed her to sleep (very good girl). I praised Talitha up one side and down the other and allowed to come out.

At 8am, I went downstairs 'cause I heard the boys' chime alarm going off. The light was still off, Elijah was playing by the toy box and Isaac was still sleeping (even through the alarm). Isaac woke up and wanted to know if it was 8am yet! They were great!!



ALL THIS TO SAY ~ if you are like me, if you struggle with early mornings, if the thought of arising to many small children who are taking over your house drives you back under the covers ~ TRY THIS!!

I have been known to stay in bed until past 9am - just dreading getting up to a mess, to whining children (who are hungry, duh!), not being able to get a shower in, nor a cup of coffee, before my patience was truly tested by four small children! Yes, I said 9am (and it's been later).

Yet these last two days, I have been up since 8am and 7am respectively. It has been wonderful! By 9:30 this morning, I had showered, had breakfast, done a devotional, started the laundry, started the dishwasher, had two kids in the bathtub, hubby had been fed and was at a meeting, chores were being done by my children, bread was going in the bread machine..................and I was looking for something else to do!! WHAT?!?!?

I now know I have time today to make sure the older kiddos get their phonics lessons in the afternoon - and I don't have to worry about when I will be able to fit a shower in! I've got the meat browned and seasoned for tonight's meal. I've checked all my mail online and blogged! I've painted Tali's & my nails. I could keep going - because I can't believe how much I've done!! All before lunchtime!


So please, I BEG YOU, if you are *anything* like me - give this a try. Be consistent and firm. IT IS *SO* worth it!! There's just something about a quiet house, with no small children begging for my attention "quite yet" - that draws me out of bed and into the shower! Amazing!! I didn't know ANYTHING did that?!?!

And you - sweet sister in the Lord - you know who you are.......You are seriously MY HERO!!!!!
God bless you & yours today~

"At the Well"

I found a new site ~ wanna hear about it??

Actually, I don't know all that much yet myself - but it looks interesting. Here's a bit from their "about the well" page:

Our communities have grown and we are spread out. Technology has discounted the need for a well to draw our water. However, it is still possible for us to meet
At the Well, in true Titus 2 form. It has just now become a virtual well.

This site is having a "Grand Opening" at their new site, on Monday, February 2, 2009. They are also giving away some great 'door prizes':

A brand new blog facelift valued at over $50 donated by Doodlebug Designs

A custom blog card (or mom card, if you don’t blog) design, valued at
$30. You’ll receive a high quality .jpg, .png or .pdf file – you can do the
printing yourself or have them printed online or locally – the options are
endless. Print only as many as you need!The file is yours to keep.donated by Simply Amusing Designs

"Fill 'Em Up!" ... a "cookbook" for parents to use with kids which includes a
devotional/Bible study that goes along with each recipe.donated by Heavenly Homakers

A signed copy of the book "The Devil in Your Garden"donated by
Natalie Witcher from I AM not)

A digital scapbook dowload package donated by The
Digital Scrapbook Place

A $25 Starbucks gift certificatedonated by At the Well

Sounds great, huh?? (I'm especially lovin' the "blog cards").

So now, head on over there and check it out for yourself. You too can enter to win one of these great door prizes, plus just maybe find a great new resource on the web! Cool~

SOS?

Anyone want to give me a quick review of Switched-on-Schoolhouse curriculum?? It's from Alpha Omega (just like my current stuff: The Weaver).


It's just an option I'm considering when my little ones get a bit bigger. Sounds like a good option for busy homeschoolin' mommas of many ~ at least for some children. It also seems they are fixing many of the "tech" problems that I've heard about in the past editions.

**click on the above pic to go to their "Overview" page**

Anyways, just checking things out. Let me know what you think~

She said WHAT?!?!

Ok, I couldn't help it - I added on the "Follow This Blog" gadget. If you want to, go ahead and click on the link..........right side-bar under my "E-mail" button. I just thought it would cool to see who's reading around here.



Fun lil' gadgets~

My brilliant hubby!

Oh, my brilliant hubby did *something* to our computer and now it is working! We are still going to donate it to the church, but for now, until tax return time ~ I can blog!! Yeah!!

Go hubby~

Wintertime

It has been *cold* around here. Seriously cold. Maybe it's always been like this, but I don't remember it as a kid. Maybe living in Colorado for 3 1/2 yrs turned me into a 'winter wimp' (even when it snowed, you hardly needed a huge ol' winter coat....it was very mild where we lived).

Anyways, cold.

~My sweet Selah~

So cold, I have been chicken to really let my kiddos play too much outside. The other day, even with really low temps, the sun was shining brightly - so outside my two older ones went. And they didn't seem to be bothered by the cold - I ended up having to call them in for a cup 'o' hot chocolate. I'm really glad they got that time outside - I just love winter and want them to love it as well (okay, well, I love it except for all the bundling and un-bundling of many small children).

~can you see that big ol' gap of missing teeth? Go Isaac!~

With all this cold weather, I have also been baking more (does that happen with everyone else?). Here is a loaf of my Cinnamon Raisin Bread - a big hit with my kids & my dh! Btw, the small, white microwave in the background ~ it was a gift from my mil. I believe it was a 'camper-size' microwave - it's pretty small. Yet it's *perfect* for us! We really only use it for reheating foods, leftovers, etc. It doesn't take up huge amounts of counter space either - which is seriously lacking in this house.

Well, lacking if you are trying to cook from scatch while entertaining/teaching four small children who all want to "sit up there and SEE!!". Adorable!

Here's my newly found Bluetooth. It has become my bestest friend. It may seem weird for a SAHM mom to use a Bluetooth - but I challenge you to find any business person busier than a SAHM with many little ones!! With this little contraption, I am able to get some baking done while also talking to my mother on the phone. I never get the time to simply sit down and talk on the phone. Now I can change a diaper, or make my bed, or stir the soup - and actually answer the phone!

Uh-oh, speaking of which.......I'd better check my minutes for this month....sorry honey.....:/

~can you see my sweet lil' redhead on my phone's wallpaper? Cutie-pie Talitha~

Another topic: Picky eaters. I told my dh it's a bit unfair to firstborn children. New parents just don't realize how picky their children may be becoming. I know I didn't. Yet now, with four - going on five - small children, I don't have time nor money nor energy to figure out *exactly* what my children want to eat. They eat what I put on the table (which, btw, is tasty & nutritious - well, most of the time).

Elijah will never really have to go through this (most likely) 'cause we have a standing rule - you eat what we put in front of you. If you don't even *try* it, you eat it again at the next meal (or when you get hungry).

Which is what this next picture is - Tator Tot Casserole (Hello?! How more kid-friendly can you get than Tator Tots!?!?!). My eldest wouldn't even touch it!! When I told him he would be eating it for lunch the next day, he stubbornly told me he wouldn't be hungry - Humph!! And then he added on, "and I won't be hungry for supper either!!".

Of course, I'm his momma. I know my little man. I simply made up a batch of pancakes for lunch......and Isaac promptly ate up his leftover casserole so he could have some pancakes. Then he told me how good it tasted.....*big ol' sigh*

And lastly.....

~my entry-way area~

Here's a great pictorial example of why I need a mud-room. I want a mudroom with cubbies or open lockers....or *something* to organize lots of coats, mittens, boots, bags, papers, etc.

Someday.......

Bummer.

No pictures.

I have various pics to share here, but my computer won't upload anymore pics, so no sharing pics on the blog for a while. Bummer.

Another bummer - I just want to state, for the record, that in our country we should be allowed to express our disappointment or our disagreement with our elected officials - WITHOUT it being considered "pouting" or a "lack of trust in God".

I don't agree with Obama. Unless God changes his heart on many issues (which is my constant prayer), this isn't going to change just because he became our president.

Do I believe God knew Obama was going to be the president? Absolutely! Yet I also believe that God allows us free will. He lets us make decisions, cast our vote, etc. and then we must deal with the consequences - such as they may be. As a country, we may have some serious consequences to suffer through due to how we, as a country, voted.

And now? I believe we should be praying for our country, for our president, for his heart. My kids said, "Obama's a bad guy, right Momma?". I had to take a deep breath and begin talking about how we should be praying for our leaders. How he has made some bad decisions in the past and we should be praying for God to touch and change his heart. It's not easy, when I honestly *do* want to say, "YES, he's a bad guy!" (sorry, but I don't like him) - but that's not what I should be teaching my children. I wish our country had chosen differently. Yet regardless, my responsibility remains the same. Prayer for now. Involvement as possible. Love always.

So no, I'm not "pouting". I haven't lost my trust in the Lord. I simply disagree. In a country where each person's voice & opinion is meant to be heard, I will continue to disagree - even (especially) if it is against the current leader (popular though he may be).

What a bummer of a topic. I've got some much "brighter" things to share later......but my computer is "done" for now. Later, my friends~

computer issues...

Just to let everyone know...we are dealing with computer issues. Our computer is freaking out - maybe a virus, maybe just something....weird, I don't know. We are able to kinda get on the computer, but it is annoying and frustrating, to say the least.

My dh is able to save our pics (thank the Lord) and back up his money management program (whew!).....then he is going to strip everything off (not sure of the technical terms). We will probably then donate this computer (without all the problems, we'll make sure that's taken care of first) to our Children's Ministry (we are actually getting a cool sound booth & t.v.'s for kid's worship - the computer will come in *very* handy) and get ourselves a newer one.

Isn't it amazing how quickly a computer becomes "old"????

Anyways, I have no desire to "deal" with this computer..........but we have to wait until tax return time purchase a newer one. Soooooo.........my posting here may be a bit sparse. Although....I really like my blogging. We'll see how much I can deal with.

Plus, I still have like a month and a half 'til this little one arrives. In winter. In Michigan. *big ol' sigh* It's going to be a REALLY long time without my computer. Yet my dh is a whiz at the whole tax return thing - so once he gets all the necessary "stuff", we get our $$ fairly quickly.

Oh, tax return stuff ~ arrive quickly!!

Honesty - 7yob style~

The honesty of a 7yo: humbling yet helpful


My Isaac was eating a late breakfast - all alone with his momma. His siblings had inhaled their own breakfast a bit earlier and were playing happily downstairs.

I grabbed my devotion book & my Bible and told Isaac I was going to read a bit. He nodded - whatever - he was eating waffles.

I read outloud: "...joyful mother of children..."

Hmmmmm....

Isaac looked up (he's ALWAYS listening) - "Momma! *You* have children! *You* are a mother!"

Why yes, Isaac, you are right. I *am* a mother.

(said kind of hesitantly by me): "Am I a JOYFUL mother of children, Isaac?"

"Nope."

Ouch.

"I think you need to work on that, Momma."

Me too, Isaac.

"How can you do that, Momma?"

I'm not exactly sure, Isaac - let's keep reading.....

Homeschooling: the 7yo & younger crowd

My oldest is 7. Then I have an almost 6yo, a 3yo and an almost 2yo. My new baby will be born in early March. We homeschool.

Sounds simple enough, yet.........

Sometimes I feel so pressured. I want to put a "good face" on homeschooling, I want other people to have a positive outlook on homeschooling and I wouldn't want them to look at our family and think, "well, if *that* is homeschooling, I would *NEVER* do that!". KWIM??

So I put this pressure on myself, I know. I realize that....well....people just aren't that interested! People do not sit around their homes wondering about OUR family, OUR schedule, OUR life. Come on, Lori....


Then there's the internet - GREAT for information, yet it can be another source of unnecessary pressure as well. Doesn't everyone seem to have it all together? The family that has "school time" regularly EVERY SINGLE DAY, same schedule, same curriculum......perfect.

That is *so* not me.

We are busy, yet much of our busyness is just day to day LIFE! If I get all four kids bathed & fed, work on some chores, do some laundry, get dinner together (or somewhat together) before my dh walks through the day - it has been a GREAT DAY!! If we fit in ONE lesson of phonics - WOW, we really had a great day! If my kiddos drew pics of whatever interests them (the other day, it was snakes for Selah - imagine that?!), asked me tons of questions that I hardly knew the answers to, then discussed their newfound "knowledge" with their siblings ~ I am one proud, happy, relieved momma. Whew....we did school today....


Yet every once in a while, I come across a site, a blog, of a momma further along this journey than I am. One such site is "Large Family Mothering". She has 14 children, and homeschools. I'm not saying she's perfect, nor that her children are perfect or that she has done everything perfectly throughout their schooling years. I'm just saying, well, she's been there, done that - and has probably learned quite a bit in the process.

Here are a few things she has to say about having lots of littles 7 year old and younger:

*Don't be afraid. You taught your child how to walk and talk, and reading isn't that complicated. Take the pressure off and you will do much better.

*A good book to have on hand that will teach you how to teach reading is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. My kids usually get tired of this book by lesson 50, but it lays a great foundation for more advanced reading.
(we are *slowly* working our way through these lessons and I have to say, I love it! My kids really like it thus far, as well)

*Don't have a schedule, follow a routine. Prioritize--what are the most important things that need to be accomplished? First, people need to be fed 3 squares a day. They need to be clean and rested. They need clean dishes and clothes. They need to be loved and listened to. Only after these basics are accomplished should anything else be added. It doesn't matter that Suzie Q. runs all over town and volunteers at church--you are not responsible for her. God has given you your family and that is all you have to do for now. The outward-focused life is for another season

*Read aloud daily, if at all possible. Even if it is the same book over and over. I think I have Green Eggs and Ham memorized almost completely.

*Answering questions is about the best thing you can do. You are the walking book that a child refers to whenever he is puzzled. Count it as a privilege!

*Use the necessary errands of life as learning experiences. Tell them stories about your childhood and God and sing together in the car. Teach them how to behave in public. Explain things to them as you are doing them so that they will feel included and important to you.

*Teach them how to tie, whistle, blow bubbles, hopscotch, ride a bike, fold a towel. These are both fun and inexpensive activities and help them to develop the fine motor skills necessary for all the other stuff.


She has many other good points about this time of "homeschooling" in a young momma's life. It does NOT look like public school, or formal schooling of any kind. If you are trying to FORCE it to look like that, you may be struggling. I know I have. I have probably done more "unschooling" in the past 7 years than I would have ever admitted to. Unschooling? Are you kidding me? Yet my kiddos are smart, and they are learning, and it rarely looks the same from day to day.

Yes, in the future our "school" may look more scheduled. Yes, we will have math every day, spelling words, history, subjects and all that. But for now, we have living. They are learning from life. They are picking up an INCREDIBLE amount of information, without me trying to cram in 7 subjects a day. I could never "do it all" and remain sane. I'm homeschooling FOR A REASON. If I'm trying to make it seem "just like school", then what's the point?

So go, read this woman's blog. If you are struggling with whether or not you are *doing* homeschooling correctly, go there right now!! Read what she has to say about early education. I'm not saying she's 100% correct on *everything*. I'm saying she has some good points. I'm saying homeschool will look different in your family than in my family.

Ugh...why do we push ourselves so hard, push our kids so hard??

One last quote from this blog (emphasis mine):
If you just live and love your child, he will gain a much better education than he could ever receive during these years in some institutional setting or with some formal curriculum at home. It's not "parental perfection" but loving response that is key here.


~ahhh....I feel better just having typed all that.....I guess it's what I needed to do - thanks for listening~

Sleep Sack

Or Baby Bag or whatever it is these things are called...

Basically, I saw this really adorable knit "sleep sack" on a precious newborn online. I wanted a crocheted version, so I began searching online for a free pattern (there's usually LOTS out there). After a while, I just began looking for ANY crocheted pattern for this item - but could only find ONE (the $10 one).

In my searching, I've seen them basically described as a way to keep a baby warm, without fear of the blankie coming up over a newborns head - plus they can't really kick the bag off. The bag only comes up to the baby's underarms - so the arms are free. Also, usually the bag opens at the bottom, either with a drawstring or a zipper or some such. That way, the parent can change the baby's diaper by pulling the sleep sack UP, keeping the baby covered and warm, then simply pull it back down. (I didn't really want this feature, I like to have all clothing FAR AWAY from the offending bottom while changing a poopy diaper, so mine do not open at the bottom).

Anyways, I never did find one that I liked - so I decided, hey, how hard can this be??

Well, in this process I've learned that crochet design can be VERY difficult and time consuming and frustrating............yet in the end, very rewarding. I spent one night, two plus hours I'm guessing, only to realize an error in my basic design (not to mention it was way too big, as my loving dh pointed out) - so I had to rip out all my hard work. It was frustrating, yet now I knew what NOT to do, and had a new idea for how to fix it!

So anyway, here are my first two COMPLETED "Sleep Sacks" (or baby bags, as my kids call 'em). They are by no means perfect - I can see every flaw in the design that I still need to figure out and perfect - but these are good, and usable.

Now I just need to get my hands on a newborn to see about sizing. I just guessed with these two so I could be WAY off. There's a baby coming tonight - let's see, a few months old - can't wait to get my hands on her.....*see ya tonight, Joann* ;)

Congratulations to you!

Yesterday, as I was putting my eldest son to bed, I mentioned what a great boy he had been that day. He told me that yes, he was trying to be good, trying to make good decisions - and that he had been "listening to God". I just got all choked up....

I kissed him and told him I might bake him up a snack cake the next day (mini-cakes made up in my new-to-me bread machine). He was very excited! So that's exactly what I did this afternoon.

As it was baking, as the smell was wafting through the kitchen into our homeschooling area, I told him that I had baked him his very own snack cake. Wow ~ he couldn't believe I was actually baking him a cake for being a good boy! Talk about excited!!

As it turned out, we did not get a chance to indulge in "Isaac's Snack-Cake" until AFTER Wednesday night services at our church - and by then, whew, he'd been dreaming about his very own chocolate snack cake for HOURS!!

So as we were bundling up in Dean's office at church, Isaac asked if he could get the very first piece of cake when we got home? Yes, Isaac, you can have the first piece.....

Then he says, "I've been thinking... (uh oh) ......maybe you guys could sing a song for me, for my snack cake, when we get home??" (said very modestly, not in a gloating manner - at least, not yet). Hmmmmm, a song, huh? Like what, Isaac??? Sing a little bit for me, so I know what you mean......

"Con-gra-tu-lations to you,

Con-gra-tu-la-tions to you,

Con-gra-tu-la-tions to ISAAC,

Con-gra-tu-la-tions to you!!"

He cracks me up.

Yet wouldn't you know it, his siblings thought it was a great idea and sure enough, they serenaded him with his very own "congratulatory" song as he enthusiastically dug into his snack cake!!

Well.....he really *is* a very good boy. Honest.

**I just had to add in a pic of Tali - she didn't eat much cake, so I missed a pic of her - but here she is enjoying the huge "bubbles" that came in a box to Daddy's office. She *loves* popping those bubbles~~

~around the home~

Hi everybody~
We have been having a serious cold spell around here. Nothing exciting is going on, just playin' and cleaning and laundry and meals and schoolwork and being preggo. Yup, the normal ol' stuff. I took some pics around the house recently and thought I would post a pic blog. Here ya go: (in no particular order, since I don't want to take the extra time to move 'em all around)

Remember that "sitting/nursing area" I had talked about? Well, here is the "area" - obviously I still have to find the *perfect* chairs. For right now, we just have our extra dining room table chairs set up there. Not very comfortable.....but someday.....

Here's the new grater my dear hubby bought me so I could grate up the Fels Naptha soap for my homemade laundry soap. It worked great! And it's cool looking too (which is why it's displayed on my dining room shelves)!

Just your basic, everyday, generic laundry soap container. This is what my homemade laundry soap goes into once it is made up - I add in the lavender essential oil to this container as well.

Here's the homemade soap that's still sitting in my 5-gallon bucket in the laundry room. I'm obviously still working through the first large container of soap (see previous pic). What's left in this bucket will make up many more containers......so I'm thinkin' this will save us $$ big time!!

Here is my eldest son eating his breakfast one morning. I know it's a dark pic, but I wanted you to see his Ohio State hat. He literally wears it ALL DAY LONG. He takes it off only once he has gotten into bed (he then lovingly places it on the end of his bed) and when he gets in the shower (oh, and for prayers). He's adorable!!

Just a loaf of my bread machine whole wheat bread. The picture hardly does it justice, but it is just as soft as the store bought kind (hard to get with homemade WW bread) and has great texture. Yet, I'm actually not a HUGE fan of completely WW bread - so I'm going to try my hand at some 1/2 white- 1/2 WW loaves next.

Here's what on my kitchen island. A basket of lemons. I've been trying to get in AT LEAST one glass of lemon water a day. But let me tell you, when you first start this, STAY NEAR A BATHROOM that day! It definitely has a "cleansing" effect (sorry, kinda gross).

A new crockpot dish from A Year of CrockPotting (2008). It is crock pot enchiladas and it turned out really good. We'll tweak a few things next time (just to our family's tastes) ~ it's definitely going on our regular menu (and so easy).

So there ya go - just some random pics.

Here's some random facts as well:

*I found my old bluetooth and can now answer and talk "hand's free". This is a wonderful thing, as I usually just can't answer the phone 'cause I'm changing a diaper, or mixing up dinner, or folding laundry, or whatever.

*I finished my first prototype (sp?) of my very own crocheted "sleep sack". It turned out really cute, although I do want to try a few things differently next time. When I get one I really like, I'll snap some pics and show ya~

*My 3yog has finally begun pooping in the potty (and no, I don't want to hear all your success stories about training your children at 1 & 1/2.....please.....this is hard enough ;)

She has pooped in the potty before, then regressed and was "scared" for about 6 months or so (yes, a LONG time). We are on day two of pooping in the potty of her own accord ~ so I am thrilled!!

Thus is my life ~ ain't it grand!!

p.s. I'm a little freaked out 'cause I found out some people at my church have "found" my blog (not that I was actually trying to hide it or anything). I'm not concerned they won't "like" me or anything......I just would never want to reflect poorly on my dh or his ministry 'cause someone takes something I say the wrong way or I'm having a rough day or whatever. So if you are one of those people, take everything I say with a grain of salt - this is just my personal journal type of thing. I may not even agree with what I said a year ago or a week ago, honestly. Luv ya~

Lil' Sisters

So sweet....

They have a big ol' bunkbed from IKEA - the kind with a double bed on bottom and a twin on top. They usually start off sleeping in seperate beds (okay, they usually start off playing for an hour.....whatever....), but they always end up like this.

I walked in on them earlier that same night, to tell them it was time to quiet down and get some rest, when I realized Tali had her jammies unzipped to her belly-button.

"Get dressed" I said, in exasperation.

She quickly said, "No Momma, we have to feed our babies momma's milk, see!" as she grabbed her "baby" (which I think was a stuffed monkey).

I then realized Selah, whose back was to me, had her jammy-shirt hiked up in the front, also nursing her "baby" (a Care Bear maybe).

Oh... well.... then yes, go ahead, feed your babies, girls.....by all means.

The Latest...

Here's what I've been working on the last few days ~ aren't they adorable?!?

I got the basic pattern from my new crochet site: http://www.ravelry.com/ and I believe the pattern was from a free site before that. I'm still figuring out what parts I like, don't like, changing #'s of rows, edging, claspings, types of yarns, various flowers/no flower, etc.

I love this mini-scarf, as the last thing I need is to add a bunch of bulk to my neck & chest area, in addition to a warm winter coat - ya, right!!

Plus, the beginning of this pattern has given me some ideas about that "Sleep Sack" I talked about before.......we'll see.....