I should be studying right now...

...but before I forget, I need to post our current schedules. I will forget. I know it.

Sundays: all kids practice for Christmas drama 9-10.30. All stay for service. Home. RELAX (or catch up on studying).

Monday: Ben and I get up at 4.55am. Work-out. Ben leaves at 6.40. I wake kids. Breakfast 7.15-7.45. Take Twins to school 8.10-8.30. Walk Es and Sam to bus stop 8.55-9.10. STUDY. P/U Twins 2.30-3.05. Begin dinner. 4.40-4.50 meet Es and Sam's bus. 5.30-6.15 dinner. 9.30 blessed sleep!

Tuesday:All is the same until I drop the Twins off. 8.50-9.50 internship at PCC. Class 10-11.50. Intern noon to 2.20. Directly P/U Twins and home by 3.05 (beginning the 18th the Twins will be p/u at 4). The remaining is the same.

Wednesday: All is the same except this is late start for Es and Sam. Bus p/u 9.55-10.10. I work my first job this day (my last day is the 12th of this month. Then I will be working my PCC job during this time) until 5. My mom p/u the Twins. Dinner and then church. THEN SLEEP!

Thursday: Everything the same as Tuesday.

Friday: Morning is the same. Then I intern from 9.30-12.30. After the 12th not be working the internship this day (Wednesdays instead) but will use this time to study.The rest of the day matches Monday.

Saturday: enjoy being a family!

We've switched up several ideas as a family. There is no TV watching from Monday a.m. to Friday morning. We used to have a huge cleaning day on Saturday, but we've begun talking little bits of our Saturday chart thought the week.

This term I am taking HE 242 (WEBonly), HST 201 and ART 205 (WEBonly). I am considering taking classes through this summer to enable my graduating at that terms end (if my memory serves correct I will only have 11 credits that term).
Es and Sam both are required 7 periods. They are maturing FAST! Es: Science, Math, CSI, Orchestra, Social Studies, Choir and Language Arts. Sam: Orchestra, Art, PE/Health, Language Arts, Social Studies, Math & Science. They do not share the same lunch time, but they see each other in the halls and their lockers are in the same spot. And of course, they ride the same bus. =D The Twins are enjoying the second to last year of their homeroom. I am amazed at the sponges the kids are. The literally soak up all this information. That is....if they are paying attention to their teacher! This is becoming less of an issue. THANK GOD!

Well, that's it. Nos vemos. See you!

Whatever.....

doesn't fly at our house. That is unless it's used sarcastically; then it's a free for all!

Before 9.20am today I had already dealt with a day full. But this story will need some back up. Get ready....get set....

While studying Finland and it's exceptional educational system (for a paper) I realized that I have 'hovering' tendencies as a Mom. The article I read stated that the lack of hovering by parents and teachers was one reason for the high scoring academics."Hurry up. We need to be out the door in 15 min." or "Ummmm. Is this plate clean? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Please clean it again." are just two of some very common sentences I use. I will often catch myself reminding the kids (usually the boys) of what they should already do on their own. Ick. I don't enjoy it and neither do they.

So, this morning I told Them All that since they knew (and have charts to help them if they forget the spot in the routine) I wasn't going to remind them of anything. This was my brilliant plan. Looking back I now realize the mistake of having children....er....I mean of not giving more preparation for them and ME. =D (For the record: I LOVE my kids and am glad I have them.) By the time we needed to leave NO.ONE. yes you read right.NO.ONE.WAS.READY. That is, except me.

I knew the consequences as time was ticking. Feet were slow and mouths full of food and talk. Sometimes it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize the facts; we were not going to be on time. I HATE being late. HATE. I guess that I'm not a typical Baby Child in this way. Don't get me wrong, I love jokes and having fun. But there is a time for that and this wasn't it.

One kid sat 'farting around' for 45 min. at breakfast. Glory be. Others, due to their lack of completing their jobs, spoiled some breakfast food. Did the Mamma clean up after the kiddo's? Nope. This, I learned, was the hardest part for me. Also untypical to the B.C. (baby child) I need order and tidy-ness. Really it's not just a need; it's a have-to-have-it-or-I-feel-as-if-I-can't-breathe thing. Truly. Well, we made it on time but with consequences. Ones that I didn't choose.

So, while the milk container sat on the table for The Child to take care of it all afternoon, I dealt with me. I wrote in my journal the other day that it really doesn't matter what grade I receive on my mid-term. What matters is how I handle Ben and the kids while juggling the studying for said test. That is the real test for me. Do I say no to often trying to achieve my degree goal? Do I hurt feelings unintentionally in order to make things in my space 'right' for me? This is were I will be working the hardest.

Yup. My house was a mess today. But I'm trying to learn to smile through that mess. I have a feeling this week will be a doozy as I relinquish more control and let the kids understand freedom = responsibility. If that responsibility is not taken care of there is no freedom. Or video games. Or candy. Or vacations. Or rest. Or world peace. =0) Heh. Those last three were added just to test you. A messy house cannot promote world peace....or can it?.....

Switch-o Change-o

OH. BOY.

We're moooooved. We so very much ENJOY our new spot on this round ball. I didn't realize how much havoc surrounded our other place.

There are several reasons why this spot is one of peace for us.
1- It's larger. We aren't tripping on one another.....ever.
2- It's on a quieter street. THREE days went by before we heard a siren. WOW!
3- I haven't see a single illegal transaction. Serious.
4- The kids school is a brisk, four minute, walk from our place.
5- The Quartet's school begins one.hour.later. and since we're closer.....it's just a beautiful thing. Our mornings are not longer filled with MAJOR time management. We still watch the clock but not as strictly.
6- We are a quick three minutes away from our church. We googled it and found it would be a 23 min. walk and a 7 min. bike ride. LOVE IT!
7- The way this house is laid out is perfect for our family. It's been added on to about twice (in 60 years) and I think God had us in mind all along! The boys room is large enough to house all their items AND to be used as a play room as well. The Four all have a space to complete homework away from distractions. This has been a HUGE advantage. We have a fire place again!
8- Our Land Lady is across the street and a DEAR. She's the one we've told the kids to run to if there's an emergency and we aren't home.

So, since the 6th of August we:
Signed the lease*Moved*Unpacked*Found all the school supplies*Kids stared a.new.school*Had Peso partially fixed*Katy started a new job*Cleaned old house*Walked through old house*Reinstated our library cards for this county*Run in a new and multi-hilled area*Purchased this terms collegic text books*Had several margaritas and made oh-so many memories already.

I truly cannot describe how blessed I feel. At this point I'm not even sure there are words in existence to describe.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for helping. Thank you for supporting. Without you all.....there wouldn't be a THIS.

313

Get ready for it..............
Once posted, this will be my three hundred thirteenth post. Wow. No no, hold the applause please. I now will deliver my appreciation speech. I want to thank God for he was the one who REALLY invented the Internet (unlike some politicians claim). I also want to thank my family. Without my family......there would be nothing amusing to blab....er....blog about. =D

Ahem, as I reel myself back to reality and the reason for this post.....

Things are in full swing now. Kids (swinging) from the rafters alongside the brain that my skull used to house. Heh. Kidding. No crime scene tape here. But we have nicely gotten back into the routine, though, and I am thankful. This years transition to fall wasn't nearly as pailful for me as last years; smooth as silk. We've even had more on our plates this year too. That is something to be eternally grateful for. Thank you God. The kids are glad that I'm better adjusted. I was freak-o-Mamma at the beginning of last year. *sigh* Poor Babies.
Ben and I are enjoying college and we're getting gggggggreat grades! YAY! It does start to make one feel like there is much to do with little left over. I remind myself often that whenever we say 'yes' to one activity we are also saying 'no' to another. We're working on making sure we are doing what God's will is for us. Whew. That's really the hardest part.

As I was checking the last of my garden tonight I realized something. There is something endearing to me about fall. With that thought came instant regret for it. I've cheated on summer yet again. Don't misunderstand; I.LOVE.SUMMER. but there is a coziness about fall. That is, if I'm not shivering out'ta my skin. I'm sure that most of this endearment comes from the fact that I'm content. God is good. That is all I need. Whatever comes I am secure because He is wonderful. -Even when the rain falls, even when the flood starts risin'. Even when the storm comes I am washed by the water.-Needtobreathe "Washed by the Water"

Gosh. That got deep. Hmmmm. I must end on a light note......*breath catching in throat* Ben and I are......going to.....the NEEDTOBREATHE concert! OMGosh! Seriously; my heart just stopped for a second. Serious. If you havn't been able to tell, I'm SUPER excited! YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS! That's just a taste of how thrilled I am. Pretty lame huh? Ahhhh, but you can't see my face! Heh-heh. It's elated.

I will post photo's of our adventures tomorrow.

My photo's are not as organized...

as some others, but I will rise to the challenge!

I was tagged by Stephanie to post the 7th photo from my 7th folder. Oh, and not to cheat. OMG. I'm just a little scared. What will it be? Will I be able to even find my folders?

In order to actually complete this I have to actually have folders of photos.....and I DON'T. Hmmm. Sounds like someone needs to get on the band-wagon!

What I'm going to do instead is post the 7th photo from the 7th folder on my cameras memory card. Whew. Here.we.go.

This was taken during Christmas break '08. Can anyone tell that my oldest, only, daughter loves her space? She had had enough of oh-so-much-closeness with The Boys and decided to do something about it. She made herself a little get-away. And posted a sign to warn any passer by (it reads "Esther's place. Silent Please! Thank you!"). She liked it so much she didn't want to take it down the next day. When she started to grumble about taking it down I just reminded her.... "HEY, you do have your own room, just use that Sweety."

There it is. Nothing gory or spicy. Just home life at it's finest!

I'm not gonna tag anyone.....do it if you want or don't if you don't!

New Love

After consuming our Thanksgiving feast I was chatting with my new sister-in-law (not technically 'new'. She's been in our family for 1.5 yrs.). They have 5 kids they get to bring up. Sheesh! I cannot imagine adding another body to our little house. Ummm. In truth, I have imagined it and we're actually planning for it......but I'll save that for my next post. ;-)
ANYHOO......

For a reason I cannot explain, we were discussing our kids' household jobs. At our house our kids go through a rotation of loading/unloading the dishwasher. At their house each person is responsible for their own dishes (ie. they rinse and put their dish into the washer). It made me wonder if I should change our set up. So, this past Monday I asked the kids what they would prefer. Aunt Jen's way, or continue with the way things are. They chose the neater, and eventually, easier way. So we get to switcho-chango our schedule.

They've done a good job so far. They needed some reminding the first few days, but today was the least reminded day yet.

The problem. How do we know when the dishes in the washer are clean or dirty? What a total bummer it would be to add a dirty dish to the clean washer (thankfully this did not happen).

The solution. I woke up yesterday, had my Bible study time, pondered an idea and quick made this 'new love' of mine.

Bask in it's glory. Let the power of it sweep you off your feet. I would have never thought such beauty could be made in mere minutes. And yes, it's laminated. Heh, heh, heh!

When the person who add the dish that fills it, they start the washer and switch the card to read clean.

I L.O.V.E. this new addition. I may just snuggle up with it later.
-

Organizing Freak

I'm on an organizing kick. I very much enjoy organizing. I like things to work efficiently. The more organized something is, the more efficient it can be.

In fact, I love it so much that I alphabetised my playlist (Excluded are my currant favorites [first heard] and the ones I really don't care if I hear or not [last heard].) I'd be funny if it wasn't true or does that make it even more comical because it is true? Anyway....

I didn't just stop with my playlist, no. I let the freakish organizing stint bleed to the playroom.

The kids were required to clean it (We had two teams that had a 7 min. time limit each and if any one of the kids didn't work their hardest I would give them another 7 min. of cleaning time. It's amazing how fast that room was clean! And under the allotted time too.) and then all of us together went though every box or drawer to put items back in their spot.

I cannot describe the feeling when the task was accomplished. It's kinda like seeing grime under your nails and finally getting the nail file and getting them clean again. That's the best I've got toward explaining myself. If you're laughing that's o.k. =D

Our fabulously clean and organized playroom. *sigh*.......splendid.

That computer desk houses the kids/ imaginary p.c. He, he. Love 'em.

To me, $20 a day seems like alot.

So, I went grocery shopping today. When I get to the check out I always hope and cross my fingers that I stayed under budget. Sometimes I do.....some times I don't. Today was a, Katy-didn't-quite-make-it, kind of trip. I went over budget by $11 and change. UGGGG! I HATE going over budget. Even if it's by a tiny bit.
While we were consuming our gourmet dinner (pot pies...can't beat $.58!) Ben averaged our daily food cost.
Now, to be well understood, I'm going to attempt to explain.

I go to Winco and Spicer Brothers Produce twice a month and I go to Costco once a month (I hardly ever use coupons.....like.....once a year hardly). We averaged out our dates and impromptu dinners to Wendy's and our total grocery bill for the month is.......$600($20 per day....for all three meals). (That includes all our house hold stuff....soaps, sponges.....etc.) Most times I do keep it to about $550, but there are those times when we are out of EVERYTHING!
To encourage myself (I think that $600 is alot to spend) I went to the USDA site and gathered some info. (You can too....here.) For the size and ages of our family we could be spending more.

We could be spending: $810.70 (what they considered thrifty) or $1,058 (low-budget) or $1,314.40 (moderate) and lastly $1,582.70 (liberal). That made me feel better. I didn't feel better that others spent more, just that we were doing well. And all without coupons =D (That's me smiling.)

I'll leave you with a little humor. Es was finishing up a job and chatting with both Ben and I when she jokingly exclaimed "You should know that! You've lived longer than I have!" Mmmmm. If only it were true!

Crazy Happenings

At our house school is in full swing, complete with homework and assignments.

Here is a little taste of our life. (more for my own documentation.)

Night Before: On Sun., Mon., Tue. and Wed. nights (no school or work Fridays!) I give the kids two options for the next days breakfast and set out bowls, spoons or fill the tea pot up if they want oatmeal. I also set out our vitamins and make sure we have bread and meat thawed for sandwich making. I fill the coffee pot with water and grounds. I have the kids fill their water bottles and put them in the fridg. Get out the sandwich containers and lids. Fill snack tubs and veggie or fruit tubs (they get one or the other every day). If I'm making P.B. and J. or H. then I set the items next to the thawing bread. Make sure all home work is packed and that all kids have all parts for their uniform washed and in rooms. Kids in bed by 7.30pm. Mom to bed by, no later than 9.30.
Day Of: I've switched up my exercise schedule. I'm working on running again, so I get to the club M-F. I wake up at 4.10am and go to the gym. Home by 6. Smelling the coffee as I walk in the door! Ahhhhhh. Shower. Read Bible. Wake kids at 6.30. Keep the boys on task =D (there are three of them in one room....lots to get distracted by!). Eating breakfast by 6.55 and if they get done with their bed room charts before breakfast they work on their job charts. Brushing teeth by 7.18. In car and by 7.28 school by 7.45. I go to work. Mon., Tue. and Thurs and I'm done by about 2. Wednesdays done by noon. Go home. Clean or start dinner. Leave to get kids 3.15. Home with them by 4. Get them started on school work and have them do job charts. Fix or finish dinner. Prep for the next day. And on it goes!

What they're up to???
Essy has chosen to play the flute for band. We've found several good brands on ebay for $28!!! YEA! She's taking Spanish and loving it. She's also going on her first away trip with her class the end of the month. Oy. Breakin' my heart! She learned about personal space today too. Someone stole her $.89 bottle of Aveeno lotion from her desk. I got a call form the Principal saying they do not accept this kind of behavior and they are taking care of it. Oh my word! Loved the swiftness and efficiency of their code of conduct. LOVE IT.
Sam is required to play the recorder this year but he can move to strings and band next year (he already has his violin ready!!!). He has chosen to study Chinese again this year for his foreign language. He enjoys his new teacher!
The Twins are both in music appreciation, Spanish and Chinese. No, their teacher cannot tell them apart. Poor woman! I'd dress them differently BUT they have uniforms!!!! They do wear different colored shoes.......maybe that'll help. I think Joe has a crush on Ms. King. Zach best friend is sill......SAM! The first few days of school I asked him what his favorite time of the day was. He responded "Playing with Sammy." Awwwww. Here come the tears.

Well, I must continue on with my regime. I've learned that the earlier I start to hustle and rush, then I can always slow down later. Here...comes........Mr............slow.................d-o-w-n. "Welcome!" I say and turn my brain off. =D Hey, I can still smile even when my brain is dead. It's that sort of far-off-dazy-stare-smile. Nice.
Next post: "How to look beautiful and carry on a conversation while brain dead". *smile*

Almost Done

I've condensed 30 albums to 15. I do still have '06 to up-to-date to get into albums too (these photo weren't in albums anyway). I think it will take three more albums to be completely done, at least for now. So I'll have a total of 18 albums. Cheesh. I think that's alot.

Photo's from 2003:

New Years Day. Joe-1, Sam-2.5.

First year photo.

This is evidence the kids did cry!

You may not be able to see,

but Joey's eyes are all red.

Making bread. Essy-4/Sam-3

August at the beach at Hug Point.

We were in the cave and Zach was

SUPER scared. Es-4, Sam-3, Twins 1.5.

The pies I made for Thanksgiving.

Silly pose with my Mom's friend Jane.

Essy dancing with Abby,

one of her many sister-cousins.

A new foul, four letter word.

L-I-C-E (o.k. so, maybe it's not a new word). (I asked Esther if I could write about this.)

We had the play day Friday and when to church Sunday. I was snuggling with Es on the couch watching a video after church and was curious why she was itching her head....alot....she said it hurt. Thus is the way we discovered the pestilence. I run to the store to get the pesticide shampoo and spay. I get home, treat Es and then Ben and I start to sanitize the whole house. THE WHOLE HOUSE! I put all her hair stuff and dress up in bags, stripped down all of our beds and pillows. Ben vacuumed all the carpets......and so on and so on. I have, without exaggeration, touched every surface of our home in two days and called every one she was in contact with. Oh, and done probably 12 loads of laundry. Thankfully it wasn't a serious case and they're already gone! (I'll still be on the defensive for two weeks though.)

On more of a fun note.....I found the perfect photo albums for me! I've decided that instead of switching all the pictures over to the new albums (it would cost about $200....ahem! ouch!) I'm going to put address sticker labels on the bottom of the photo's (not actually on the photo, but the sleeve of the album) I want to note. It's nice to have a plan!

Photo's from 2002:

Z-on left. 6 months.



My Dad and Sam (2 yrs) fishing while camping.



Awwww! Twins-7.5 months.


Sis-3


On our Vancouver house roof! Ready to put up
Christmas lights. Sam-2.5.

More Old Photos

I now have condensed 18 albums to 10! I'm half way through 2002....only SIX years left (twelve albums)! Uggggh.
The ideas that some of you gave were good. I'm not going the whole digital scrap book route (I assume I'd have to scan all the photo's in???? WAY too time consuming. Thanks though Heidi! for the comment and info.), and the three ring binder is also too time consuming (thanks anyway Mom!). I am going to have to go to a craft store =( Trip to Michael's anyone???

Ben and Sam (11 mo.). Summer 2001.



Esther (2yrs). 6.2000

Twins (1 week)-asleep and squished to each other.

I'm sure this just felt 'normal' to them!

1.2002.

Bushy-bearded Ben (we were only out from the

hospital about two weeks-he didn't want to waste

time shaving! How sweet!) burping one of the Twins.

1.2002

Samuel (2yrs.) getting slobbered on and not enjoying it.

(he hated.....uh.....hates, slobber.) Twins-6 mo.

6.2002

Just a reminder of how life worked back then.

I honestly look back and shake my head and

wonder how I did it. I guess this is how!

Twins- 6.5 mo.

7.2002

Old Photo's

Unfortunately, when I was younger, I kept too many photos (bleary or duplicated). Soooo, one of my tasks for this summer is......going through all my old photo's in albums (20 years worth). I used to have 27 photo albums. I already condensed albums 1-9 (the first ten years) into three albums. YEA!

Here's my problem. I've always wanted to scrap-book the important photos. No problem you say! But it is, for me at least. I'm just not a scrapper. It takes to much energy and time for me. I need to find a non-scrap booking album that I am still able to document.

Ben found some really nice albums at Costco, but I didn't really like them =( Maybe a craft store???) Any ideas as to where to look?

Here are some of my favorite photo's from the past. (We don't have a working scanner, so these are, once again, pictures of pictures.)

First expertly decorated cake. I was probably 10.

My Mammie and me at my brothers graduation from college.

Civil War Reenacting. This was the week-end that Princess Dia died. I smoked a stoggie....really.

Easter '07. Love birds!

Engaged....about a month prior to wedding. Having second thoughts Ben???

Our wedding rehearsal 6.15.98. Someone made a joke =)

I will post different and more recent photos as I go through them.