Laughing Early

Essy received a gift at church yesterday. It is the coolest thing. It's called Magnetic Poetry. These magnets have one to four words on them and you put them together to make a story or a funny sentence. She was excited to use them, so right when she awoke this morning, she started creating. This is the story she created today. (there are no capitals or punctuation included with this toy. I added periods where she would take breath.)

the old king files a plane with dreams. he reads a book. the cat makes a scary noise in the lake before the monkey eats hot dogs or laughs. is too funny. the pirate sails a boat but is quiet and then chases the dog but digs a hole on the nice queen. later that day on t.v. a farmer swims with me.

Mine was; sometimes I eat under my bed and I laugh.

The other children awoke to Sis and I laughing at our silliness. Summer break rocks!

Fun in the Sun

We had the pleasure to spend yesterday afternoon with our cousins and second cousins. (?what do you call the child of your cousin?)

Kari and I had a nice time visiting and our kids played great together! Both our girls are the only girls in their families so they understand each other =D

Es (9) & Brianna (5)

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Little Isaac (10 months). Side note: this guy is the most inquisitive boy I've seen. You can't tell in this photo but he was grabbing the dirt and squeezing it then watching it fall as he drooped it down. Such a boy!

Anderson Landeen

I had the privilege to witness the birth of a blessed baby boy today.

Aaron and Anna, your son is blessed to be your child. You are also blessed by him! I pray that he will be held in God protective mighty hand and grow in God goodness and grace. I pray that he "Will not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates both day and night." Ps. 1:1+2


Love you all!


















After we all saw Andy the kids got to play together in a cush family waiting room!

Strawberry Fields

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We went berry picking this morning with my Mom. The kids did so great! What good helpers. They were told to pick 10, eat 1. We picked a total of 32# in 1 hr. 15 min. My portion was 20 lb's for just $19! Such a great price!

Two funny things the kids said; After picking for about 10 min. Sam said "This is strawberry heaven!". And when we were just about done Zach said he knew why they were called strawberry's. "Because they're so juicy, you can put a straw in them and suck the juice!"

Esther's Baptism

She told me right as the church service was starting (the event wasn't till after service) that her tummy hurt =( I all could do was pray for her. Once Sunday school was over she was fine. YES!

She was so-o brave! Our Pastor asks all the baptisee's why they're being baptised. Es said "Cause I want to love God more." Ahhhhh! Music to a mother's ears.

This is where my photo's end. My batteries died. Bummer!

Just in case you needed company...

...in the restroom, here he is! I walked into our powder room yesterday and found this.

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He's a Veggie Tales character (Lenny or Jimmy, don't know which.) I'm almost positive Zach brought him in. Zach's the one I can hear talking or singing to himself as he 'does his business'. Silly boy!

Oh yeah, I'm open to considering the rental of our bathroom buddy if you or a loved one has need. =)

One Word Survey

You can only type ONE Word!



Where is your cell phone? pocket

Your significant other? completing

Your hair? dirty

Your Mother? 60

Your Father? determined

Your favorite thing? love

Your dream last night? nonexistant

Your favorite drink? mar-mar-margarita

Your dream/goal? (only one?!?) surgery

The room you're in? t.v.

Your hobby? reading

Your fear? persecution

Where do you want to be in 6 years? hawaii

Where were you last night? tub

What you're not? superficial

One of your wish list items? adoption

Where you grew up? Tigard

The last thing you did? talk

What are you wearing? glasses

Your TV? dusty

Your pets? imaginary

Your computer? ecru

Your life? blessed

Your mood? humbled

Missing someone? Sarah

Your car? 1987

Something you're not wearing? ring

Favorite store? TARGET

Your summer? non-hot

Like someone? yeah!

Your favorite color? blue

When is the last time you laughed? earlier

Last time you cried? 6/05/08

Who will relpy? huh?



Tag you're all it! :)

Twitterpaited

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I am twitterpaited! with my girl! She's nine today. Sam remarked this morning that something magical happened for her to go to sleep when she was 8, but wake up to be 9. Ta-da! Magic.

My little girl is no longer little. She's growing onto a lovely young lady, full of righteousness and grace. She loves to walk on her tippy-toes, so much so that it's become a habit. She's always on her toes! She is the most forgiving person I know. She isn't shy about the fact she thinks her brothers have cooties. She's particular; if she's realised one of her brothers have sat in her spot at the table, she'll wipe down the table and her chair before taking her place. =) (we've had several discussions about the fact she'll always have brothers.) She also notices if the air in her room has been disturbed, much to the boys dismay. Yes, she is a tween of attention and detail. She is full of faith and wisdom. Oh, and her witt and comical timing are hilarious!

Sis, we love you. We're so proud to be your Mama and Dad. We're thankful that God decided to place you into our family. We would have been missing you if he wouldn't have! You are such a joy. We love you more than ever. Thank you for always doing and giving your very best. We are so excited to see even more of who God is making you. We ADORE you! Dad and Mom

For birth story and last years post: click.

Quiet and Reflective

The kids and I have been fighting a cold bug. I thought it was kinda comical, fighting a cold the week after school gets out =) The nice thing about all of us being stuck at home together; we get to become good, again, about being together. I was brought up short yesterday when I realised that I tend to be a 'quiet Christian'. Don't worry I'll explain.

The Steven C. Chapman song, Live Out Loud, was playing in my head when I woke up yesterday. I was convicted because, all to often, I don't let my excitement for God's love pour from me. In his song, he talks about wining a million $ an how excited and vocal we'd be about winning, yet we have something better than a million (salvation!) and we tend to be quite about it. As my Uncle would say, "If you didn't know I was a Christian, shame on me."

So, that train of thought brought me to parenting (I'm a girl, remember....rabbit trails all over the place!). I tend to be an ungracious, too firm Mama. I totally love my kids, every one, and I love to be affectionate. Yet, when I've told them to jump, they'd better say "How high?!?".
I realised that alot of what I struggle with as a mom, they struggle with towards each other. Uggg. Take interrupting, for example. I expect that when I'm in a conversation they say "Excuse me Mom. May I please interrupt you?". Even though we've been training the kids to do this (FOREVER!), I interrupt their conversations left and right! No wonder there's no progress! I spend a ton of time training and then tear all that training apart by my bad example. Talk about hypocritical AND selfish AND impatient AND, AND, AND! I was basically expecting more out of the kids than I was outta myself. That's one recipe for destruction. Oh yeah, this is just one example. There are many more, unfortunately.

I remember thinking, when the kids were toddlers, that my parenting job would be easier when they got a little older. Yeah, it's less physically demanding (no more diapers, potty training, less disciplining) but w-a-y more emotionally and spiritually demanding. It takes more time to parent these days too. I'm really not complaining. Just stating facts.

With our crazy schedule these past few months I'd just not taken the time to really think about this stuff. It's nice to stay home and reflect. Not always easy or fun, but good. I'm hoping for my job as a parent to eventually get easier, not really expecting, but hoping!
It's scary to think about doing this big job without God. No way I could do it with out Him.

The reason for this post? For one, a reminder for myself. And another, I'm hoping to encourage YOU! We all mess up. It's not winning the game that matters, but how one plays.

Heb. 12.1+2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."

Happy Father's Day

Ben, you are the best. You rarely complain about being at a job you don't love, you often suck it up and go in even when you'd rather stay home. I love that you never take a sick day when your not sick (even when you are sick I have to convince you to take one!). You are full of integrity. You've made sacrifices for us left and right, put off doing fun things for yourself so you could take us all out for dinner. You could totally go pro golfing, but you know it'd be hard on us.....so you keep golf a pass time; a hobby. You have taught me to go slow, enjoy the ride and have fun 'cause you never know what's around the corner. Carpe Diam, seize the day.
There is no man like you on earth. God tailor fit you for us. I cannot imagine this life without you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We love you.

And to all the other dad's out there, Happy Father's Day to you too!

For last years F'day post click here.

Photo at direct left taken from the Fourth last year. The photo at bottom was taken today. We made him bacon, eggs, pancakes

and o.j. for breakfast. For lunch, marinated steak, herb mashed potatoes,veggies and, of course, beer. Lunch was consumed while participating in one of his most anticipated events,

the U.S. Open.

Let There Be Naps!

Yeehaw! I take a ten min. nap almost every day. I have ever since I became pregnant with Esther and just never stopped. Although, back then I would sleep alot longer. The kids haven't taken naps since Zach and Joey were two. They were such squirmy-wormy kids! They wouldn't settle enough for sleep to claim them. Well today I'm forcing all the kids to also take a nap. You didn't misread, I said f-o-r-c-e-d. I'll tell you why.....


I had this brilliant spur of the moment idea at the dinner table last night. If I haven't mentioned in previous posts, every Friday night is, what we refer to as, sleep in bed's night (the kids worded this experience).It means that they get to swap beds or sleep on the floor.....basically a sibling sleep over. *side note: I cannot remember how this tradition started, but started it did.* Back to my idea. I thought, since it's sleep in beds night, why not kick off summer break with a bang and really let the kids go wild? So I asked Ben, via code just in case he nixed the idea, and he agreed. We told them they could stay up and watch movies all night, as late as they wanted. Joey said "We'll be grumpy tomorrow if we stay up all night!" Ben then veered from any idea I had and suggested full-of-caffeine-soda saying "This will help you stay up!". "Hurray!" yelled four exited children as I sat shaking my head. Oh dear.

When I went to bed at 9.30 Sis was already asleep. Ben had some prep for his golf tourney today and when he came to bed at almost midnight, all three boys were still awake. I slept okay. My mommy ears were working in full swing. I heard every little creak and groan of the house. Ben's alarm woke him up at 5a.m. and he left around 5.30. I woke up when he left and was hearing strange noises. The kids were giggling and talking. What?!? Ummmm........it's 5.30! So, I go down and this is the story that comes forth.


Me: What are you all doing awake? When did you fall asleep? (gotta love mothers....asking multiple questions before any ones had a chance to answer the first one!)
Sam (7): We (the boys) stayed up until 12.08!
Es (8): I fell asleep at 9 but I woke at 3.00 (a.m.). You told me last night that I could watch Heidi if my brothers fell asleep (she'd already picked a different movie) so I did!
Me: You are all crazy!

So in all, Esther's had 6 hours of sleep and each of the boys got a total of 5.5 hours of sleep. These kids are used to 11-12 hours if sleep each night. Omigosh! Thankfully they haven't been grumpy like Joe thought. Why chance it?, I'll just give them naps now....before Mr. Grumpy comes out for a visit.














In the pool yesterday afternoon and the wild and crazy sleep over. And yea! we have our camera back and in working order!

It's Summer!

Okay, we've yet to see evidence of summer (mainly the sunshine and heat) but there is other evidence. SCHOOL'S OUT! I missed the kids much. I'm not sure which I'll love more; not needing to drive/drop off for a total of three hours every day, or having the kids all to myself all day. I can tell you the combo of both is doubly sweet!
With school out and the promise of climbing temperatures, I say.....bring on summer!

Camera update.....it should be delivered TODAY!

Waiting

There's a book, written by Dr. Seuss titled, Oh the Places You'll Go. It's all about the various seasons we go through. There is one section I can still remember reading as a teen (I did read more aggressive material when I was young but I read alot to the kids I babysat=). The waiting place. I can't remember all of what it said, but basically people waiting for; the phone to ring, the bus to come, the Doctor to see you, the mail to come....etc. (and I could add, waiting for the birth of a child.....you know who you are!)

I feel like I'm in that season. Waiting. Doing the dishes, laundry, making meals, reading to and playing with the kids.....performing all those activities with an underlying sense and anticipation for 'the next thing'. Waiting and anticipating the kids home for the summer (I've missed them!). Waiting for my (what I'm calling) corrective surgery. Waiting until the fall when I can start a full time job. Waiting to save (until I start that job) $$$ for a house. Waiting. Something that would seem so uneventful and easy as waiting takes alot of strength and patience. To put it plainly, waiting is hard work....for me at least.

Yet, in this often times dismal season, I do know there is hope!
Romans 8:28, 37-39 "28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 37. No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39. neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ahhhhh. Blessed hope and peace!

Camera update: our camera's being fixed and will be back in our hands by next week! Just in time for Essy's baptism. YEA!

Misunderstanding

I was at the p.c. earlier today and over heard this conversation between Ben, Zach, Joe and Es while wrestling.

Twins to Dad: You're stubborn!
Ben laughing: What?
Twins :You're stubborn.
Ben: What does stubborn mean?
Zach: It means you're chubby!

At this point, Ben's laughing and I try and correct Zach.
Katy: Chubby means....Joe interrupts
Joey: that you're cute!

Ben is now trying to explain to them what all these words really mean.
Ben: Stubborn means.....he's interrupted by Sis
Sis: that you don't know very much!

We are both laughing now, so it's almost useless to explain. They probably wouldn't have understood what we were saying through our mirth anyway.
Oh well. Another day, another vocabulary lesson!

FYI

I love my Husband. He is constantly showing me how much he loves me through actions and words. I could gush forever but I will contain myself. Babe, you are resplendent. You are my Lion heart.

Okay.....now for info.

**At my last and final personal training appointment last week my trainer asked me if I was noticing any results. I said "A little. My jeans are not as tight but I've gain 5 lb's, I know it's muscle, but I just feels discouraging." He then said "Okay. I'm going to teach and train you like a man. I'll show you everything I did Ben." I got scared and said "But I'm not a man. I'm not gonna get all gross and bulgy right?" "No" he said "you'd have to take male hormone to be like that". He then proceeded to teach me how to torture myself. After pushing myself hard for an hour I texted Ben and said that it's hard to be a dude.

So, I'm on this new work out regime, right? I woke up early on Thursday and worked out so hard I nearly puked. I though it was just because my stomach was empty. Then I worked out again the next a.m. and almost puked again. I had to talk myself out of it. At this point, I'm a titch concerned that something is wrong with me. I skipped Saturday but went yesterday a.m. and again almost threw up. When I got home I was talking to Ben about it. My Honey is so wise! I learned that when one works out they're blood sugar drops. That + my empty stomach (I don't eat until I get home and get the kids up and going at 7 a.m.) = pukiness.....yes, I even make up my own words. SO-O, I'm now going to eat a granola bar or something, on the way to the gym in the mornings. I hope that whole story didn't gross you out.

**Our camera is currently being evaluated at the Cannon repair center. The man on the phone said it sounded like a CCD (the image sensory) issue and that if it is they'll repair it AT NO COST TO ME. Love those last words! He said it should be fixed and back to us in 2.5 weeks. Sis' b-d is the 18th and she's getting baptised on the 22nd, I need a camera! I hope, I hope it gets here in time. If it ends up being a different problem.....we'll just purchase a new one. The cost of repairing it will more than likely match the cost of a brand new one.

And lastly.....it's June (just in case you hadn't noticed=D )! Let summer commence!