Giving clues

Tonight we played games with our kids. The boys have fun doing charades, but we weren't sure how well they would do at Pictionary. Daniel quickly gave Grace & I clues so we could guess his stick figure. "He's gots spiders on him & he's a man." Can you guess who it was? ;) We had a good laugh about that one.

Traditions

Recently, a friend asked what holiday traditions our kids look forward to each year, and we were hard pressed to think of any. I'm not sure that is a good thing. There is something comforting about the "sameness", the "we do this every year", the assurance that some things never change.

On the other hand, not having set traditions allows for spontaneity and creativity. Phil's friend brought over wild goose & Phil made "goose nuggets" for the kids on Christmas Day. (He would like to think it will be a yearly tradition...but I'm hoping I can talk him into something more appealing by then!) This year we had fun making peppernuts (a molasses German-Mennonite cookie), and even though they're fun to roll out & cut, they require quite a bit of time. My Grandma used to make gumdrop fruitcake, and I've tried to carry on the tradition for my Dad, though some years he doesn't get his fruitcake until Valentine's! Last year we had fun making New Year's cookies (Mennonite fried doughnuts) w/ friends, and our kids have already begged to make them again this New Year's Day. Watching the parades was always my Grandpa's tradition, and hosting lots of company was my Grandma's. Christmas is very important to Phil's family, who recites Luke 2 together before opening gifts. I know many families who give their kids three gifts each, in honor of the 3 wise men. I've always aimed for four. Don't ask me why.

I got the movie Fiddler's Roof for Christmas. (Okay, the truth is I spotted it for $5, bought it & asked the kids to wrap it for me. That's just how things work around here.) Abbie was really interested in it & we had some neat conversation about why traditions are important to some, and what happens when they walk away from that foundation. If anything, our lack of traditions have allowed our kids to think for themselves, and express their own opinions about what is important to them. We may not do the same things in the same way each year, but at the core, there are things that are important to us about each holiday we celebrate. And hopefully we will pass those "traditional values" on to our children.

A Story of Redemption

Well, after a cooling off period (for Mom & Dad), we sat down with the kids to read the Christmas story & open presents. We reminded them that we give them gifts, not because they behave, but because of our love for them. And we decided to make an "object lesson" out of it. "When did Jesus come to die for us?" Grace: "When we were wicked." Noah: "And we get presents even when we're wicked." (giggle, giggle)

Peace & Joy

The presents are piled under the tree, but I'm beginning to wonder if it should look more like this. Since we will be with the Voth family for Christmas Day, we decided to celebrate a couple of days early. But this morning we woke up to an all out verbal war, and things like, "I'm never gonna talk to you AGAIN!" and "you are the MEANEST person!" were being thrown around. There was no peace or joy in the house. Now after the discipline, it's hard to know how to transition toward harmony & a mood of celebration.

I realize each phase of childhood has its joys and challenges; our family apparently is in the midst of the "sibling rivalry" phase. Now I know how we brought my poor mom to tears on a few occasions. We could be downright mean to one another. But we had our moments of caring and affection too, when we lived at peace with each other & even managed to work together on occasion. So I'm doing my best to deal with things calmly, when my true inclination is to lose my mind and start bagging up the gifts with a declaration of "if you kids don't start getting along there won't be ANY Christmas this year!" Something tells me that wouldn't help to restore peace & joy.

Today I...

...hid my funky bed head under a stocking cap until noon. I only fixed my hair because I would be seen in public. The taco salad I ate for lunch was totally worth the work.

...took a moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery outside. I tried to take a picture of the snow on the tree limbs, but I'm not that great of photographer.

...jarred honey with my boys. Man, Daniel can screw those lids on tight!

...painted an 18" orange strip around my boys' room. My friend helped me out. If it wasn't for her, I would never be brave enough to start half the house projects I do!

...had fun making gifts for my Sunday school class (thanks for the idea, Lisa!). It's a hot chocolate "kit", complete with 2 packages of cocoa, mini marshmallows, Andes mint, and candy cane.

...did not make a single meal for my family. I am so lazy.

...went for coffee with some friends while the kids were at AWANA. Caffine @ 7pm...not a smart idea.

...laughed so hard I thought I would wet my pants. Honest.

...went to Wal-mart. Twice. Pathetic.

...decided I would be uncreative and bore my readers with what I did today.

I met a door last night...

Poor Grace. She's had a rough last couple of days. She walked off the bus Friday afternoon with a bad sore throat and high fever. A visit to the Dr. Saturday morning confirmed it. She had strep throat. And if that wasn't enough, she was throwing up through it all. We got her started on antibiotics & she was well enough for the church program on Sunday night. Last night was her school program & she sang her solo beautifully. We were getting in line for cookies & she was cold, so I told her to run back to her class & grab her coat. On her way back, she met the metal door to the gym full-on when someone was headed out. That door has always been an accident waiting to happen; and it did. Thankfully, there was a Dr. and several nurses on hand, so she was well taken of, but she's got quite the "shiner" this morning. I assured her, she's still as beautiful as ever.

So...where's the snow?

You can tell my kids have grown up in Oklahoma. The only reason it should even be this cold, is if there is snow in the forecast, or at least an ice storm & a school cancellation. But no, it's just freezing cold. Literally. It was 11 degrees this morning. I thought about complaining until I saw how cold it will be in Montana where Phil's cousin lives. I've quit now. I actually don't mind the cold. It has a certain smell. Reminds me of Chicago & college days. My first "date" with Phil, we walked around downtown after Candlelight Carols; I was wearing a skirt, nylons & flats. I was too shy to tell him I couldn't feel my legs after 15 minutes. (Thankfully, I got bold after that!)

I'm feeling in the Christmas spirit this morning. (Really, I'm just in a good mood, but don't tell anyone.) It might be because I took a four hour nap yesterday. Or it could have to do with the fact that I'm listening to my first-ever downloaded CD (this could get addicting!). I love Third Day & I'm rocking out to their Christmas music this morning. It motivates me. Not that it motivates me to do something productive, but it's motivating none the less. We had our church Christmas program last night & it went really well. I have to say, I'm glad it's done. Not because I don't enjoy; I do. I get all choked up; it's ridiculous. But when you help with a project like that, it's wonderful to see it come to completion.

Well, I'm getting distracted by this music. I can't stop singing. And I don't do two things well at once. I'd dance too if my mother-in-law wasn't around. That would just be embarrassing.

Winter wimp

I tried to tell my kids it was too cold to go outside, but they wouldn't listen to me. Snow is rare enough in Oklahoma, that you have to take full advantage of anything you get. Never mind that it was beautiful yesterday and in the 60's! It was warm enough to wear a Tshirt. Today it's in the low 20's with wind chills in the teens; the wind is gusting and snow is blowing everywhere. My kids couldn't care less! I'm the one who's a winter wimp. Maybe if I had a chance to adjust to the temperature change...say a few degrees a day, but Oklahoma weather is never that consistent or predictable. I'm content to enjoy the beautiful snow from the comfort of my kitchen, with a cup of hot coffee in hand, while my kids brave the cold & savor these rare moments in the snow.

Guys are not like women when it comes to friendships. They don't go out of their way to pursue them, and close friendships tend to be few and far between. At least, that's my husband's case. We've lived here for 6 years, and just recently Phil has been spending time w/ Jim. It all started over a common interest in honeybees, than wine making, and now hunting. Jim's wife called to apologize for the time they spend together, but I don't mind. It's long overdue. Jim & Phil went hunting last night, the last night of gun season, and Phil got this buck.



Women bond over movies and chocolate. Men bond over guns and dead animals. We may have different ways of going about it, but we both need people that understand and can relate to us. Jim & Phil will come up with plenty of crazy ideas in the future between the two of them, but at least they're having a good time, growing a friendship.

Birthday boy...

Last week we celebrated Daniel's fourth birthday. I still can't believe my last baby is four years old. I know, I'll still be saying that when he's eighteen! We celebrated a week and a half early, while my parent's were here with a firetruck cake, but I still wanted to make "the day" special in some way. We ran errands in the morning & he got a doughnut @ the grocery store, a sucker @ the bank, and McDonald's for lunch. We had church that night, but we bought four balloons & tied them to "his" chair in the fellowship hall @ church. I baked another cake & had just enough to share with all the kids @ the meal. His Sunday school teacher also had Little Debbie cakes on Sunday & a birthday hat, so he was thrilled to have THREE birthday parties, and wants to know how many he'll have when he turns 5!

Guess what we did last night?

Our family embarked on a covert operation to retrieve discarded pumpkins. We collected 21 in all. The scouts would spot potential targets, we’d pull alongside in the van, Abbie would jump out the side door, and hand them through the window to Phil.

We may be weird, and a little crazy, but it was fun to go driving through neighborhoods looking for pumpkins that were being tossed after the Thanksgiving festivities. We love pumpkin seeds, but when you only get about 1 c. per pumpkin, it can get expensive quick. And I’m too cheap to pay $4 per pumpkin! Instead, we’re passing on the “dumpster diving” phenomenon to our children, and teaching them it’s okay to be a little weird sometimes.

It's quiet around here...

...sort of. Yesterday, my brother, Aaron & girlfriend, Lydia arrived from Midland, TX about 4pm to pick up my parents & head north to Peoria, IL. Their ETA was around 5am, and then Aaron & Lydia would continue on to Chicago, since Aaron had work today. We had a fun time with my parents here; we realized later that aside from talking a walk around the neighborhood, we never really left the house! But I think they were okay with just enjoying a relaxing time together at home.

Phil & the girls left last night around 7pm for Chouteau. Phil plans to install a gas heater in his parents' home, as they have been without power twice during ice storms. So I'm at home with the boys, and it's quiet...except for the fighting, the cars crashing, the jet noises, the wrestling, you get the picture. :)

I moved the furniture around in our bedroom. It makes it look bigger. Dad & Phil installed 3 more windows & we just have the one in the girls' room left. I love the new windows & though it may sound silly to some, I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present! (In case you're wondering...it's true; house projects are our gifts to each other.)

This afternoon, I have a friend coming to do tie-dye with me. I need to enlist the boys' help to get the backyard picked up, among other things. And I want to get some Christmas decorations up. It's been a great week off from school, a nice change from the ordinary.

What part of Thanksgiving are you?

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

A gaggle, a gang, or a rafter?

It's pouring...

You know the old saying, “When it rains...”? Well, it’s pouring around here, and I want to be the old man snoring. He at least gets plenty of rest!

After our house recovered from the flu, I came down with a nasty cold.

The filament in our oven burned in half one evening while I was making granola. It took a couple days to get the part in, but Phil was able to replace it without difficulty, only to discover that wasn’t the only problem. Apparently, our oven’s computer panel had a glitch; Phil ordered that part, but we're not sure whether it will arrive in time for Thanksgiving. So I've been making lots of soup & getting creative with stovetop & crock-pot meals. Thanksgiving dinner will be interesting this year...memorable, for sure.

Progress is being made in our bathroom. Phil really went to work on it when we heard we'd be having 14 people @ our house. The toilet is installed & the walls are ready for texture & painting. Speaking of company, my parents arrived this afternoon with my brother, Aaron, & girlfriend, Lydia. Lydia's family is driving down from CO & will spend the night here tonight, then continue on to TX after breakfast, taking Aaron & Lydia with them. Phil's sister & her husband are stopping in Monday over-night on their way to NE. I'm thinking of opening a bed & breakfast.

Though I'm thankful for all the work Phil has done on the bathroom, I'm ready for it to be finished so I can get a peaceful nights' sleep again. The other night I slept with earplugs in, one night I woke up to country music @ 1am, and I'm growing tired of all the drywall dust in our bedroom. I try not to complain too much. My husband has always been a night-owl & it's when he gets most of his work done. So I'm attemping to remain focused on the bigger picture - a beautiful & functional bathroom.

Our internet has been down & I was on the phone the other day for almost 2 hours with a nice lady in India. I explained Thanksgiving traditions & food to her, and she explained how she prepares potatoes (with hot chilies).

The kicker this week was having the "joy of womanhood" arrive on just the right day. Not only am I bloated & crabby, but my husband has been complaining that my congested nose is keeping him awake (with all my snoring)! So see...I might as well be that old man in bed, enjoying the sound of the storm & getting my beauty rest!

Quarantined!

Our house has been invaded by the flu bug & for the first time in our family's history, we've had 3 come down with it at the same time. I'm fighting a cold & a case of the snotty nasties myself, so I'm not the most cheerful care-giver. But I'm working on it. I'm hoping that all the mugs of hot tea I've consumed will make me feel all warm & fuzzy inside, and that will translate to my bedside manner on the outside.

We'll see...

but don't hold your breath.

Hurray for House Projects

I am so thankful to be married to a handy-man. It saves a lot of money on house projects. However, it also requires a lot of patience. House projects are always at the end of the list, and as "the list" has no end...you can see my problem. My bathroom has been "in process" since January. Despite having bare walls (to the studs, no drywall), I still had a usuable sink & toilet until 2 weeks ago. The sink & toilet were the end of the "demolition" phase before reconstruction could begin. And now I'm actually starting to see some progress. The materials have been purchased (even though we don't agree on the vanity), but it's another step toward completion. I'm doing my best to remain patient & compassionate toward my dear husband who has been remodeling 3 bathrooms in the past month, each with their own set of challenges. He's sick of doing bathrooms, but he is still plugging away at ours.

Today Phil installed 2 windows. I can't tell you how much that means to me. Nothing says "I love you" like that does. Truly. Last winter I lived in a cave with thick blankets on each window to keep the breeze out. It was miserable. I'm so glad I'll get to see the sun, or at least the daylight, this winter.

A note of clarification: Phil says you will all think we're destitute or something for all my complaining. But you all know well enough that's not true. We live in a wonderful home, and like most homes, it can stand for some improvements. If you're really feeling sorry for us though, just go right ahead and send us that check. We won't complain. :)

I don't want to be a chicken!

I honestly feel like my head's been chopped off & I'm running wild & spastic through my house, not accomplishing anything, aside from looking ridiculous! There are so many things I could be doing, I just don't know where to start. Well, that's not completely true. I start on something, only to see another mess of higher importance that I "should" take care of, so I run to do that, only to be distracted by something else...and on it goes in a vicious cycle. The fact that my stress level is at an all-time high may have something to do with the fact that I just helped my husband frantically search for his keys. He says he's sure he's cursed...I chalk it up to being disorganized, but what do I know? I just needed to calm down & pull myself together. Deep breaths. Okay...so I'm starting to feel better & desperately trying not to think about all that awaits me in the "real world". One mess at a time...

Trying something different

Abigail Mae, our firstborn. She still is our tip-toe girl, light-hearted and full of creativity, completely unconcerned with athletics, addicted to reading, and sensitive to other's feelings. It's hard to believe she's 10 already.

As parents, we realize we're on the brink of adolescence; with that realization comes the weight of responsibility, of how little time we have left. These past 10 years have flown by & we know that the next 8 will go by just as quickly, if not faster. We aren't in the midst of teenage years just yet, but we're dealing with plenty of attitude & eye-rolling already! Thought I don't want to be a nag, I realize that it comes all too easily for me. Before I know it, I'm whining at my children as much as they are at me! I want to teach them responsibility, but nagging doesn't teach them to do it themselves. Instead it gives them the hope that I will soon get tired of reminding them & just do it myself! Smart little buggers. I love charts & organization, but I'm not good at consistency. But I thought I'd try something different, so I made charts for each of the girls that included morning & evening responsibilities, as well as a different chore for each day. Friday night we're looking forward to pizza & a movie. They can watch the movie, provided they completed their work for the week. We'll see how it goes; we're only on Day #3. Oh, well. It's worth the effort to try something new to get through. Even if it might be a failure, it's better than doing nothing. I can't tell you how many times Phil & I have looked at each other & said, "Man, this is hard work!" Sometimes I wonder what God was thinking giving us four children that are like us in so many ways. :) I guess he has a sense of humor.

Random things about me...

A friend asked me to supply a list of 6 random things about me, and so I gladly oblige her.

#1 - Most moments I love being a mom. I don't like being a mom when I have to lay down the law & stick to my guns. Some of my cowboys can be downright unruly at times! I don't like fighting with my eldest, only to realize she's too much like me. And I don't like to see (or listen) to my kids throw fits. Those are the moments I want to look around & say, "Whose kids are THOSE, because they're certainly not MINE! Hey...I'm just keeping it real. But I do love being a mom in those snuggle-and-read-a-book moments, when I get down & tickle them, when an encouragement offered brings a light to their eyes, when I catch my children extending kindness, & when the lessons I have painstakingly taught are finally starting to stick!

#2 - I love having friends. I can't live without them. Whether it's my first-born mentality or my golden retriever personality, I'm not sure. Intimate friendships may be few, but I get along with just about anybody & my life is enriched by the variety of friendships God has brought into my life. Even better, he has blessed me with sisters. Okay, so they are sister-in-laws, but they might as well be biological, that's how I love them.

#3 - I love to laugh and I love to make people laugh. I should have killer abs for the amount of laughing I do. (But then Santa is plenty squishy for all the "Ho, ho, ho"s he belts out each Christmas! So much for that theory!) Laughter is probably the best part of our marriage - being about to laugh with Phil about life, at & with each other, and our kids.

#4 - I'd rather make it than buy it. That is, unless it's cheaper to buy it. It's probably why I have so many unfinished projects lying around. Whether it's restaurant food, a painting, craft, or flower arrangement...I'd rather figure out how to make it myself. Somehow that makes it seem worth the time & money spent. I will hang on to something someone took the time to make for me much longer than I will something that was store bought. (Now that doesn't mean I don't like store bought stuff!! I'm just trying to be honest here.) ;)

#5 - I'm a home body. I may be outgoing, but when it comes right down to it, I'd rather stay home any day than go out shopping...or whatever it is that people who leave the house do. And by the way, I really don't enjoy shopping. It's true; just ask my mom. When all the other kids were excited about back-to-school shopping & new clothes, I could care less. She had her work cut out for her, dragging a grumpy teenager around, trying to do something nice for her! Bless her heart, my saint of a mother. My husband, on the other hand, is perfectly content with my aversion to shopping. :)

#6 - Sometimes writing on this blog is too much pressure. There, I said it. I can't think of a #6, and anything I think of won't have the bang! or pizazz I'm looking for in a last point. Maybe my last point should really be..."I'm a perfectionist, and I put too much pressure on myself when writing this blog." If you all weren't such great writers, this wouldn't be such a problem. But all my friends and relations (whose blogs I read) are just too proficient & I can't quite measure up to their caliber. Or, better yet, by not giving you this last point, I will remain a bit mysterious. I've let you know 5 random things about me, but that way I'll keep you wanting for more. So for now, I've given you a little bit...of Amy.

It all intertwines...

It's crazy to me how things intertwine & relate to one another. Either that, or maybe God's just trying to tell me something, but it takes Him saying it in a dozen different ways for me to get the message. For a few years, I have enjoyed being part of a women's Bible study on Thursday mornings at our church. It is a wonderful mix of women, including some close friends of mine, and I especially appreciate the wisdom & perspective offered by the older women that attend. It has never been a waste of time, and I have always walked away feeling encouraged & challenged. This year another study was offered on Wednesdays & I decided to attend it as it was a Beth Moore study. Since I had never done one of her studies, I kind of wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Now I know. :) Personal issues have pushed me to really seek the Scriptures; what does God say about his plan for me? And to top it off, I'm reading a book that is stretching my brain & forcing me to think about what I believe, my theological views, etc. So, even though I'm not getting any skinnier, I'm convinced my brain is shrinking from all the exercise!

In the midst of all this mind-activity, several things have intertwined. I am reminded over & over again that I need to love others as God loves them; something that is definitely easier said than done. I'm totally fine with loving my friends the way I should. No problem. But when God asks me to love someone that is difficult to get along with, I drag my heels and make excuses for why I don't need to. (And deep down I wish he would understand why it's just not possible & leave me alone already!)

So just when I had everything figured out, life comes up & slaps me in the face. It the midst of nagging my daughter this morning with, "How many times to I have to tell you before you learn...?", I was reminded of God's patience with me. I'm thankful that he doesn't leave me as I am (even though it's not fun!), but encourages me to keep learning, growing & maturing in him.

Where did the week go???

Can anybody tell me why some weeks just seem to go faster than others? I'm not sure that time is completely consistent. It seems like I blinked & there went my week. I don't know how that happened, but I'm already making lists to get a jump on next week & all that I hope to accomplish. It helps that the kids all pitched in to get the house picked up before bedtime. America's Funniest Home Videos is a great motivator! They knew how much time they had until the show started & they made quick work of the mess.

We had fun trick-or-treating Friday night & came home with more "bootie" than I've ever seen. Somebody come rid my house of the temptress CHOCOLATE! We visited a few houses on our street - neighbors that would be sad if we didn't stop by, then drove over to my friend's neighborhood & walked around with them. The girls all dressed up in their "prairie girl" outfits & were Mary, Laura & Carrie from the Little House series. The boys dressed as cowboys & had fun running wild & shooting at anything that moved. After we collected more candy than we could possibly consume in one year, we went back to my friend's home to pass out candy. We weren't getting many takers, so the kids decided they should stand out front & do some advertising. Unbeknownst to us, some boys came along & starting teasing Abbie, calling her "little princess" & making fun of her outfit. They grabbed fist fulls of candy & took off running...only to have our daughter follow suit! One of the kids came running to us, declaring, "Fight, FIGHT!" And pretty soon, here came Abbie back with the rescued candy. The boy that had been teasing her tripped & fell, so she pinned him down & told him never to do that again! When she got back, Phil lectured her about the dangers of chasing after strange boys & the possibility of retaliation. But unfortunately, his speech fell on deaf ears. After all, she was just trying to defend herself & protect that precious chocolate. I had to work hard to stifle my giggles. I remember what it was like to be a forth grader. I had a terrible reputation for kicking the boys that irritated or teased me in the shins...hard. They learned their lesson quick, that's for sure. I guess that poor boy won't come looking for candy anytime soon. And I'm glad to know I don't have to worry about my daughter being interested in dating...at least for a while.

11 years ago today...

...I married this good-lookin' man.
Daniel wanted to know who babysat him at our wedding. I told him that on the day we were married, God laughed & said, "Those two kids have no idea what I have planned for them!"

To commemorate, I made this anniversary cake. The kids love any excuse to eat cake (okay, I do too). And with sweet strawberries on top, who can resist?

Last night

Well, it goes without saying, that last night was a lot of fun. I got to spend the evening with my husband...alone...with my husband. Phil loves to drive & we have some our best discussions when we're traveling. Okay, so we've had our share of fights sitting in the front seats of the van too, but we won't talk about that now. We drove an hour north of Enid to pick up the tickets from the radio station, then another 2 1/2 hours southeast to Tulsa. We got into Tulsa just after 5pm & had a delicious dinner @ Macaroni Grill. We made it to the concert in time & thoroughly enjoyed it. Steven & Michael opened with my favorite song, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." That was it for me. I cannot get through that song without crying. Phil & I talked about it later. I always get choked up @ "He gives and takes away...my heart will choose to say...Lord, blessed be your name." It's not the fear of what might be taken away, the uncertainty of struggles that may come, but it's the realization that God is in control. As much as I want to hold tightly to things, my kids, our futures...in the end I must come to the place where I realize that it was never mine to begin with. And it is when I realize that, that my heart cries out with joy, "Lord, blessed be your name."

I have always enjoyed Steven's music, but with the loss of his daughter, Maria, & the struggles his family has endured these past months, the songs took on new meaning. They are not just words on paper, or songs for sale...they are a declaration of faith. "God is God and I am not...I can only see a part of the picture he's painting. God is God and I am man, so I'll never understand it all, for only God is God..." Our ride home was pretty subdued. We didn't get home until around 1am. Today was a busy day & I feel like I'm still digesting everything from last night. It's amazing to see how God continually brings things to the surface - through Bible study, in classes @ church, in a concert, and in personal experiences. Some days I want to say, "Okay, enough already! I see what you're wanting to teach me, but do I really have to go through all this to learn it?" Unfortunately, I know the answer. Growing is painful, and discipline is never fun...but the reward of being in relationship with the One who created the Universe is well worth it.

Mom's day off

Any mother will tell you that it's impossible to take a day off "work"...unless you leave town! Even Sunday, a day of "rest", can be a crazy day for mothers...at least it is for me. Well, today I took half a day off "work" & it was refreshing. I had (what my mom loves to call) a "pajama day". After I dropped the kids off at the school bus, I came home & slept for another hour (Daniel hung out with Phil until he left for work). The rest of the morning I crocheted, drank hot chocolate, and enjoyed the cool, rainy day, while Daniel & I watched way too much TV. By 2pm I decided that I should probably get something accomplished (plus I didn't want to show up to the bus stop in my pj's!) So I hopped in the shower & then Daniel & I went grocery shopping. After school I spent the next hour picking up (it's amazing how a little picking up can make it seem like you were productive all day!). I also was a good wife & made my husband's favorite dinner - salmon patties. I can hardly stand the smell of that stuff and picking out the bones grosses me out, but he & the kids love it, so what's a mom to do? Plug her nose & bear it!

A first for everything

I'm so excited!!! This morning I won two tickets to Steven Curtis Chapman's & Michael W. Smith's concert in Tulsa. Wah-hoo! I think I've worked out all the details so my husband can come with me. With our anniversary this Saturday, it's a great way to celebrate & do something fun together.

On another note, I'm showing a 4 year old how to tie-dye, as requested by her mother...so pray for me. :) There may be a first for everything, but I can about guarantee it will be the last time I do that!

Do you ever wonder how Michael Phelps got his start? I mean, when he was little, was he enamored with famous swim stars? Did he get his start swimming laps in the bathtub?
I don't know whether my boys will ever be famous, but one thing is for sure. They love swimming, and they love Michael Phelps. They watched each swim race intently & were a cheering force to be reckoned with! Even though it has been over 2 months since the Olympics, Michael is a part of every bath time. A bath just isn't complete without a "Michael Phelps" - a face down plunge into the bath water & the most fun way so far to rinse off. Daniel scared a life guard at the pool this summer because he could stay under for so long. Noah will go under & then wiggle around - his version of the butterfly; there's just no room to swing his arms forward. I love that my boys have role models, and if their hero is a 6 foot 4 inch man that happens to be half fish, then so be it. At least they get the shampoo out of their hair without any tears!

Fall Recipes

I am loving the cool weather these days & it looks like Fall might be here to stay. You never can tell in Oklahoma. There have been years we've worn shorts for Thanksgiving! I'm keeping an eye out for a good price on pumpkins. The kids have fun carving them & we all enjoy roasted pumpkin seeds. I don't know if I should admit this :) ...but the day after Halloween last year, Phil reverted back to his dumpster-diving days & collected 7 whole pumpkins that were being discarded. We scooped out all the seeds, then set them out with our trash. I think those seeds tasted even better because we hadn't spent any money on them! Here's a really simple recipe...not the best for you, but so addictive and yummy!

Rinse pumpkin seeds. Boil in water for 5-10 min. Drain well. For each cup of seeds, combine 1 Tbsp. melted butter & 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce & sprinkle over. Sprinkle with salt or seasoned salt (we love Lawry's). Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes until nearly dry, stirring every 10 minutes. Check seeds to make sure they are crunchy/crispy & not chewy.

My sister-in-law makes some of the best food I have ever tasted, and I fell in love with this stew the first time I tried it.

Harvest Stew

1 1/2 lb. boneless pork, cut into 1" cubes

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp. butter

3 c. chicken broth

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. dried rosemary

1/4 tsp. rubbed sage

1 bay leaf

1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (3 c.)

2 medium apples, peeled and cubed

In a large saucepan, cook the pork, onion, & garlic in the butter until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the broth, salt, & spices. Cover & simmer 20 min. Add squash & apples; simmer uncovered for 20 min. until squash & apples are tender. Discard bay leaf. (Yield: 6 servings)

What's your platform?

With the upcoming election, Grace's 2nd grade teacher decided the kids should hold an election of their own to better understand what it's all about. They talked about the candidates (Grace informed us she would vote for Obama because he has two girls & one is her size). Grace & Emily were chosen as the class candidates. With all the talk of change these days, our practical daughter ran on the platform of "I will keep things the way they are". She wrote that in her speech. Her opponent ran on having Show & Tell every Friday, as well as the class' favorite Math game twice a week. I'll let you guess who won. Just put yourself back in second grade...it's not too hard. :)

Fun with cousins!

I love being part of a large extended family. Growing up, most of my cousins were younger than I, but that didn't (and doesn't) stop us from having plenty of fun when we're together. Phil & I were married just 6 months after his oldest brother, and 3 months after the next oldest brother. By our second Christmas together there were 2 grandkids; Abbie & her cousin, Judah, are just 2 weeks apart. After that, about every 2 years, there was another "set" of cousins to join the family. In Phil's family there are 10 cousins & more to come. In my family we've doubled the numbers; from 1 girl & 2 boys, to 2 granddaughters & 4 grandsons. Now that you're up on our family tree... :)

Last weekend we went camping at Lake Thunderbird (southeast of OKC) with 2 of Phil's siblings & their families. Here are the guys with 5 cousins heading off on a 2 hour canoe ride. About halfway through Daniel was done, "When are we going to be there?!?! I really need a nap!"

Daniel with "his" cousin, Ella Joy.

Grace with Hadassah Faye ("Haddie"). It was so fun to see Grace in a "big sister" role, taking care of Haddie & walking hand-in-hand.

This past weekend, we doubled our household size when we welcomed Phil's oldest brother & family into our home. The cousins each have someone their own age, and we have had countless arguments when it comes to sharing..."No...he's my cousin!" They had a blast playing on the swing set, in the sandbox, riding bikes, beating Uncle Philip at soccer, and being silly together.

Martha Stewart, here I come!

The other day I was watching Martha Stewart. That's about all I do...watch & chuckle at her obsessive-compulsive "ness" - things all in order, perfect projects, need for control...

Anyway, she had a guest on that had published a book on how to make no-sew or low-sew purses. She & Martha created a tote bag with material, iron-on vinyl, staples, & duct tape. I was fascinated. I even took notes. A week ago I had eyed some cool fabrics at Hobby Lobby that reminded me of scrapbooking papers, but I couldn't think of anything to make with them that would be quick & easy. I couldn't find the iron-on vinyl (to make it water proof & stiff), so I had to modify. I modified a lot. I decided against the staples & duct tape, for the traditional sewing method. And I loved how it turned out. In all it took me just a little over 30 minutes to make. So now I'm dreaming of what I can scrimp on so I can buy more material to make more cute bags!

Good friends and late nights

This past weekend I felt like I was reliving my college days: footloose and fancy-free. Well, as free as you can be going to a Bible school in the middle of Chicago. Friday I went to a friend's house to watch Made of Honor. We made brownies & popcorn, kicked back in our recliners, and enjoyed a genuine chick flick. After the movie, we talked. It's what women do best. You can't just always jump into serious conversation; sometimes you have to warm up to it, either over dinner, shopping, or a good movie. After a while I asked what time it was, thinking it was a little after midnight...it was 3am! It took another hour for us to wrap things up & then I was headed home. I had a hard time rolling out of bed the next morning, but the kids were thrilled to have their cartoon time extended. Sat. night I felt like I was sneaking out of the house again when I put kids to bed, kissed my sick & tired husband goodnight, and drove to meet 3 friends for a late night movie at the only theater in Enid. I had read Nights in Rodanthe over Labor Day weekend & was looking forward to seeing the film. The book is always better than the movie, but I was pleasantly suprised. I won't spoil it for you...go read it for yourself (before or after you see the movie).

This weekend we're going camping with Phil's brother & his family, as well as his sister & her husband. It will be another fun weekend filled with laughter, late nights, and talking around the camp fire. The only problem is...I'm getting too old for this! My college days are 10+ years behind me & I need my beauty sleep. And it's not for beauty anymore; it's simply a matter of sanity & survival!

Yeah for the little guy

Noah is the smallest boy in his class. The biggest boys tower a head above him. But he doesn't seem to mind much, especially since he can out run them. He's pretty proud of that fact. We had friends over for supper a few weeks ago & their 5th grade son had fun running away from the "little boys" - Daniel, Noah & Sam (another friend). Thomas came inside, out of breath, and exclaimed, "Man, Noah's fast! It's hard to get away from him!"

We signed Noah up for soccer this Fall & he loves it. He scored a goal in his first game last Saturday, and again at practice last night. He oh-so-nonchalantly explained to me, "Yeah, it's not really that hard to score goals; you just have to be a good kicker." You think he'd be tired after an hour long practice or game, but he comes home for round #2 - a soccer game against his brother in the backyard. It usually ends in tears...Daniel's...because Noah keeps stealing the ball away from him! Daniel prefers football rules: find your opponent & tackle him. That's something he can beat his skinny older brother at!

This week Noah learned how to tie his shoes. I have to say that as much as I love their independance, how it frees me up a bit, I miss being needed. I guess that's the way it goes. You long for the day when they don't demand your attention every second, but cry the minute that day arrives. Still, it's melts my heart to see that big ol' smile on his face once he's got his shoes on.

Getting started

It's the beginning of another week. I don't understand why Mondays can be so challenging. Maybe it's all about expectations. Or maybe it's because I'm trying to catch up from a weekend filled with activities and responsibilities. I'm always trying to find my footing on Monday, to get started on a new week. And usually my Monday dictates how the rest of the week will turn out. If I'm organized and on top of things, the rest of the week seems to go so much smoother. But if I'm running scatter-brained and senseless, so it goes.

This morning I couldn't find my planner. I am a list maker. You know the Toad & Frog story? Toad makes a list, then loses it, but can't look for it because that wasn't one of the things on his list, so he & Frog sit & do nothing all day until it is time to go to bed, when Toad remembers that was on his list, so he writes it in the dirt, crosses it off & goes to sleep. I can relate. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to lists...okay, so I'm a little anal...okay, a lot. But anyway, I like them, and I feel lost without them. I just remembered something I'm supposed to write on my list - meat thermometer.

Alright, I'm getting side-tracked. See what happens? ;) And now I have boys fighting & homework to supervise & supper to make...so my thoughts will have to wait for another day. I'll be sure to pencil it in my planner.

My favorite time of year

There are things I love about each season, but Fall is by far my favorite. Maybe I'm partial because I was born during this season, but when Phil & I were choosing dates for our wedding, I knew I wanted to be surrounded by colorful foliage, thick sweaters, and cool nights. We spent our honeymoon in Door County, and through our wedding was after their "peak season", God surprised us with an "unusually late Fall" and beautiful landscapes. I don't even mind the gray, cloudy days when all you want to do it curl up with a warm cup of tea & a good book. This past week Gustav brought us much needed rain, and combined with a cold front from the North, it has really felt like Fall.

We spent Labor Day weekend with Phil's folks & drove over to AR on Sunday to see Phil's brother & family. Matthew, Jenny & their two girls are serving at a home for pregnant girls. It is a neat ministry with unique challenges and amazing rewards. It was fun to spend the day, meeting the girls, holding a newborn (how long has it been?), playing with cousins, and living life with them.

Last night we had friends over for supper - 4 families w/ 11 children = lots of noise & lots of fun. I laughed until my sides hurt. When we moved here 6 years ago, it felt like it would be impossible to put down roots again. It's not easy to meet new people, and never easy to develop deep relationships. But God has blessed us with friendships, and camping together with this crazy bunch has bonded us for life, I'm afraid. We have too many incriminating stories among us!

Next week we're looking forward to traveling to IL to spend 4 days with my family. My brother, Andrew, & his family are home from Italy for 2 months. We'll be staying at a cabin (thanks to one of their supporters) and we're excited about having this time away together as a Debelak "clan" (a first for us).

Because I live in Oklahoma, I'm not guaranteed consistent Fall weather. There is always the possibility that you will be wearing shorts on Thanksgiving Day! But with my Fall decorations up and tea bags out, it doesn't matter. I can celebrate this new season regardless of whether the temperatures agree with me or not!

New Look

Thanks to this site, I found a new layout. Check out all the cool layouts & instructions on how to put them on your page. This one came from this site. I had so much fun, I changed my look three times this morning. No joke.

My son, the chef

I was in the kitchen this morning working on lunch & Daniel asked, "Are you makin' lovin' carrots, Mom?" I replied with, "I've never heard of those. How do you make them?" I didn't really expect he would have an answer for me, but he surprised me with, "Well, you cut them up and put sugar on them, and then you put them in the oven until they turn brown, and then you take them out, and then you put them on the stove in the sauce...and that's IT!"

Call me crazy...

...or pathetic, at least. :) We drove to Goltry, OK today to pick more apples. Yes, you heard me right. And the crazy part about it is - it was my idea. We brought home about 150 lbs. or so. Don't go getting all impressed with me. I never did process all 350 lbs. we collected last Sat. I know...you're sitting there wondering WHAT in the world possessed me to go get more! Trust me, I'm not masochistic. I just know we will be gone next weekend & with the hot weather, I worried that they might not be that great 2-3 weeks from now. (Plus I knew if I went on a Saturday, I would have Phil's help...and his ladders.)
My Dad always told me "It's not what you know, it's who you know." and it's proven useful. I met this Mom through attending MOPS 3 years ago. We picked apples a few years ago, but since then I had lost her phone number. Thankfully I ran into her sister at Wal-Mart (the "melting pot" of America!). I was excited about the prospect of going out there. They spray their trees & the apples were beautiful - no bad spots or worms, nice & big, and delicious. So I'm back at it again. Only problem is...I'm running out of freezer space. I guess I'll have to take up canning!

I've spent my week with apples...

...hundreds & hundreds of apples...three hundred and fifty pounds of apples. I've made applesauce; we've eaten about a quart each day, and still there are 30+ quarts in my freezer. I've dehydrated apple slices (so yummy with cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top!). I've made apple pie, apple turnovers, cooked apples, and apple cider (okay...Phil made that). I'm seeing apples in my sleep. I finally called it quits, collected a 5 gal. bucket of the best ones & insisted Phil take the remaining apples to the dump. Thankfully, he agreed he had his fill of apples too...for the time being. Despite all the work, I know that it will be wonderful to enjoy them all year long...and believe me, we will be enjoying them all year long!

Anyway...I'm glad it's Friday & that I can clean up the sticky mess on my kitchen counters & off my kitchen floor. I just don't know what I'll do with all my free time next week with no apples to keep me company!

Another week has gone by...

In some ways this week went by quickly with the flurry of starting the school year, getting caught up around the house, anticipating time with friends...but there were moments to be savored listening to kids' stories & school adventures...times to reflect & relax. Wed. I got to spend time with my friend, Lisa, & her daughter, Addison. We went shopping together, ran errands, and enjoyed lunch at Pizza Hut. Thurs. we spent the evening with friends of ours that work in China. It was neat to hear about what they have been doing & the changes that await them when they go back - a life so different from ours, and yet we relate to the challenges in parenting, marriage & communication, and living a fruitful life. Friday afternoon the kids had their all-school swim party at Splash Zone. I even went down the slide w/ Sam - Noah's buddy, whose Mom (a teacher) was busy supervising kids. I decided I'll just stick with the Lazy River. It's been a fun week of adjusting to a new schedule. I'm not in a hurry to add more to my plate; I've finally just taken a few things off & it feels wonderful.

My days with Daniel

This is the first time in over 7 years that I have been a stay-at-home mom to one child. I am loving it. And the best part is I get to spend my days with Daniel. He stays pretty close by & doesn't like to be alone for too long, but I don't mind. He chatters non-stop & is always thinking of...something. When we baked cookies, he wanted to know why I had to scoop them out with my scooper, and why daddy couldn't build a machine like the applesauce maker that would just "crank" out flat cookies. He was pretty amazed to see that balls of cookie dough could come out of the oven flat as pancakes. This morning he had me laughing out loud when he decided, "I am not going to do any jobs for you today!" "Ha! Have I got news for you!" was my compelling reply, then trying to change the subject, "Do you hear the rain outside?" Daniel asked, "Is THAT the news?" At lunch I told him that we were having company for supper & that a boy his age would be here. "What's his name?" "Daniel." He gave me a blank look. I explained, "He has the same name as you." A giggle. "Huh. I thought it was ME! I thought I was coming over!"

A moment of victory

Any parent will tell you it's not about being in control of your child, but sometimes it is necessary to "win" in order to prove a point & show him who is in charge. My moment came this morning. Daniel has coasted for too long on the coattails of his siblings - at least in the area of picking up. He mastered the art of moving at a snail's pace or looking busy while being completely unproductive. This morning he had a dozen items strewn on his bedroom floor. I know he is fully capable of picking them up & putting them in their rightful place, but he wanted nothing to do with it. I should have had my camera (but that would have probably encouraged him). He lay prostrate on the floor, his cute little hiney high in the air, whining & moaning, "I'm too little, I'm so tired, I need Noah, I can't do it..." On and on...and on. I told him he could do it & if he would cease his whining & start picking up, I'd be glad to help him. That didn't help. He didn't quit. I didn't think you could reason rationally with a 3 year old, but I was wrong. I calmly explained to him that if he quit & picked up, he would have time to watch a cartoon. If he didn't quit, he would still have to pick up, I wouldn't help, and there would be no cartoons. The tears turned into giggles & he was finished in no time. Addison was over today & he asked her not to make a mess in his room. I smiled to myself, "Victory! Point made." Later on he disobeyed & I told him to stop. He kept on. My moment was officially over.

The first day of school

Today was the first day of school. It was foggy & misting, but we had to get our "in front of the bus" picture. It was so dark outside the reflectors on the bus shone each time my flash went off. The bus driver let Daniel ride with his siblings. He thought he was in hog heaven. With all the excitement, he couldn't contain his inner pirate.
Mrs. Means (the kindergarten teacher) had home-made play dough for each one of the kids that changed colors as they played with it. Noah shares his table with his best buddy from Preschool - Rachel, and another boy, Garrett. Garrett may be a foot taller than Noah, but Noah assures us that he can run faster!
Grace's teacher, Mrs. Streck, is a "new" face to school as this is her first year back teaching after a 10 yr. break. Grace's class is the smallest at school with just 9 kids in 2nd grade. She admits being relieved that Mrs. Reid isn't her teacher this year, as her name indicated that she would have high reading expectations.
Abbie has Mrs. Haymaker for 4th grade & is excited about all the reading & book reports they "have" to do this year. She will be involved in the Science Fair & is looking forward to doing an experiment her Uncle Greg "created".
Noah had been sick with fever Sat. night - Sunday & we wondered if he would make it through his first day of school. When he got off the bus that afternoon, he triumphantly declared, "I didn't even throw up today!"

Saturday

Yesterday was a good day, despite getting off to a rough start. We were @ Hillsdale Christian for parent's orientation last night & to meet the teachers. It's hard to believe school starts on Monday! This morning we've been lazy, watching the Opening ceremonies we recorded last night. Wow. That's all I can say. It was an incredible thing to watch. The only one who didn't care for it was Daniel, who kept asking, "WHEN are they going to have the Olympics?" All the dancing, symbolism, and choreography didn't impress him, he wanted to see some sports action. They're watching volleyball, fencing & swimming now, so he's happy.

Last night I went out with 2 girlfriends to see The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. We didn't do dinner or hang out later as there were kids & obligations, but it was a fun 3 hours spent together. I enjoyed the movie a lot & it was time well spent. Phil had our 4 kids & my friend's 2 here at home. They had a water balloon fight, played video games & Yahtzee, made beeswax candles, & told stories. Phil kept the kids plenty busy & they all had a blast. But as a result, this is what confronts me this morning:
So, I'm sitting here, eating my yogurt with wheat germ & taking deep breaths. I took plenty of them last night before bed. Then I'll pull myself together, clean up the wet clothes in the bathroom, pick up the toys & balloons from the backyard, find my kitchen counter, accomplish something today, and move on. There's no sense hangin' onto it. Fun comes at a price. Although I have to admit that right now...I'm a fun-hater. But I'll get over it. In about an hour or so.

It's been HOT here with temperatures in the 100s. Yesterday was a high of 107 & still 105 by 8pm. Today was just a high of 101 degrees, but even with the cooler temps (haha), I decided to take the kids swimming this afternoon.

When there's not a pool available, we make do with what we have & find a way to cool off!

Just call me Susie

My good friend, Shari, loving calls me "Susie Homemaker" anytime I do something domestic...like make supper...from scratch. She shakes her head at me when I bake bread. Yesterday I found strawberries for $1/pound at ALDI's, so I made freezer jam. She's starting to make me feel like something of an oddity. Many women I know don't cook or bake anymore. They don't follow recipes. They don't dream of meal plans. They order take-out. And though I must admit it would be wonderful to afford to eat out more frequently, I'm often disappointed when I do. I find myself thinking, "I could have made this at home...for less...and it would have tasted better!" Now, this isn't as much a testament to my cooking (I'm not that great!) but more indicative of the quality of restaurant we can afford. :) Trust me, McDonald's is not that fabulous!

Making jam with Abbie took me back in time. When I was about her age, I got to "help" Aunt Frieda make orange marmalade. Aunt Frieda wasn't my aunt, she was a missionary "mom", but back then we called adults "Uncle & Aunt" instead of "Mr. & Mrs.". I'm not sure how much help Sarah, her daughter, and I were. She probably suggested we go play so she could work in peace. I still can't believe she cooked jam...in the Amazon...with 100% humidity & NO air conditioning! I loved watching her make it. I loved being the taste-tester. I loved playing with the extra jam, adding color to our hearts content until it turned a lovely shade of grayish-brown. I never heard of freezer jam until I stayed with Phil's family. My mother-in-law was the one who introduced me to freezer jam and strawberry pie and zwieback. It's so quick & easy to make...the challenge is finding cheap or free fruit to make it worth the cost. But when you do, it is definitely worth it.

Getting out of the rut

Well, my "blue-ness" probably had something to do with the stomach bug I contracted. It's been low-key (for the most part - except for when the kids are fighting) the past two days. My kids have been begging to go to the pool, but thankfully the sprinkler & makeshift slip-and-slide they created with painter's plastic kept them occupied. Phil got them all working this afternoon & I got a mopped kitchen floor out of the deal, so I'm happy. Phil is filtering 4-5 60 lb. jugs of honey tonight, and the plan is for me to jar it tomorrow, deliver some as "payment" to the farmer's whose land house our hives, and get the rest ready to sell.

I'm...so...BLUE-hoo-hoo...

We're on the heels of countless weeks full of activity & things have come crashing to a halt. I'm feeling a little lost & blah (for lack of a better word). I just want to curl up with a good Jane Austen movie & crochet...forget about cleaning the pee on the bathroom floor, or the honey stuck to my kitchen floor, or the junk strewn hither & yon throughout the house! Phil is finishing a job down the street & likes to check in periodically to see "how things are going". Really it's to see if I'm working as hard as he is. So I just have to look busy until after lunch when he'll be going to a job 20 min. out of town. :) haha. I am devious. The kids are ready for school too. Or maybe I'm ready for the kids to go to school. At this point in the summer, it's too hot to be outside & too many hours spent together inside encourages aggravation & irritation. We only have one week of summer vacation left & we should make the most of it. Time to find something to motivate me...

A boy & his bear

We have had many stuffed animals come & go at our house, but none has had quite the special bond that Daniel & Beary do. From the time Daniel could hold & cuddle his bear, they have been constant companions. It's true that Beary does endure some abuse - being left at the bottom of the laundry basket, thrown out of bed when Daniel is crabby, and stuffed into various suitcases. But most of the time he is well loved & is Daniel's nap & nighttime buddy.

Daniel is still our early riser & often climbs into bed with us for a few precious minutes. We had quite the interesting conversation about Beary this morning. Daniel explained that Beary was little when he was a baby, but now he's growing up & pretty soon he'll be really big. Then we asked Daniel why he doesn't sleep in like his siblings & he explained it was Beary's fault for telling him, "Wake up, Daniel, wake UP!" Phil said he'll have to have a talk with Beary. "He doesn't even listen to anything anyone tells him!", Daniel exclaimed. (Sounds like someone else we know.)

THIS is a story...

THIS is 1100 pounds of honey.

THIS is the honey that wouldn't fit in the honey room.

(An additional 700 pounds.)

THIS is the man that brought home this ridiculous amount of honey.

(I do love him so!)

THESE are the bees that are desperately

trying to find their way home.

THESE are the beautiful children we bore

to help us extract all this honey.

(The bucket - watcher)

(The jug - washers)

(The extractor - spinner)

Favorite things

I love it when things are simplified & organized. This is especially true in my kitchen. Though these days, anyone that walks through my front door would believe otherwise, as my kitchen is rarely clean & clear of clutter. (Welcome to summer & four kids!) For something to "live" on my countertop, it has to be useful & well-used. This summer I pulled this ice shaver out of the recesses of my cupboard & we've used it almost every day to make slushs. The kids love taking turns mixing the juice, picking out the cups & straws, shaving the ice & pouring the juice. We made orange juice slushs for lunch...so it's a healthy treat too!

Another favorite at our house are these Hawaiian sandwiches. Okay, so they're not an authentic Hawaiian dish, but we can pretend they are! We love whole wheat buns...two slices of ham, some pineapple, and Swiss cheese...just a touch of mayo & pop them in a 350 degree oven for 10 min. Yum! It's a perfect summer lunch...and one of our family's favorite things.

Sick kids

Warning: This post contains gross material. Please do not read if you have just eaten. :)

I personally have an aversion to vomiting. I try to avoid it at all costs. I'd rather force it back down than go through with allowing it to come up. It's what I hated most about my pregnancies. I think I was only really sick with Grace, the other three I just had to deal with nausea the first trimester...which is not fun, but manageable. Daniel's C-section was weird because I had a reaction to some medication & was dry heaving through the whole surgery. Okay...enough about that. As much as I hate experiencing it myself, it is much worse to watch my kids go through it.

For some reason Grace always seems to take the brunt of any sickness that goes around our house. She must have a weaker immune system or something. Noah got sick & threw up Sunday morning & by bedtime that night, he was running around the house & wrestling with Phil. Grace complained of her tummy hurting before they left for church, but this is not unusual, as her tummy often acts up when there are chores to be done or a meal she doesn't care for. So we dismissed her complaints, and sent her off to church with Phil, Abbie & Daniel. Half-way through the service, she proved her claims & Phil brought her home. Last night was rough as I was up with her about every 30 minutes, and she was a trooper to hang out in the van this morning while her siblings were at swim lessons. 36 hours later, she's started showing signs of improvement, but we checked her again before bed & she's running a fever. I teased her that she has to get better by Wednesday so we can all go swimming. Her sweet smile showed she's feeling good enough to get her sense of humor back. I'm just praying she's back to herself after a good night's sleep & that this vomitting bug leaves our home for good. And hopefully before it catches up with ME!

July...in a nutshell

We spent the 4th of July in Lexington with our Voth cousins. We took over the Pizza Hut & hotel pool...12 people have the ability to do that! It was a great way to start off our vacation.

After 25 hours of driving we arrived at our destination - Smithfield, Va - for a Narwold family reunion. If you thought 12 was loud...just imagine 57 people in 2 homes! :) We visited Williamsburg, got to ride a ferry, swam in the Atlantic at Virginia beach...




...we went on a major "group" date out for ice cream...

...and had a birthday party for all the kids.

What is it about kids in colorful shirts that looks so cute?

We left a couple days early & headed North...
...spent a few hours in Washington, D.C...

...then we reached our final destination of Hartford, CT where we spent a day with Phil's brother & wife. They took us canoeing & it was fun activity we got to do all together as a family. We left then next morning & made it safely the 27 hours home.

This week is VBS & a flurry of activity as the kids are also involved in swim lessons. It's hard to believe summer is coming to a close & school is less than a month away. It really has flown by.

If you're interested in more pictures from our trip, check out my facebook page.