FLYING LESSONS!

Well Justin had his FIRST flying lesson today! HE did GREAT! And He really liked it..(as if he wouldnt? Only if he got smacked in the head by a rock)

It was a LITTLE um crazy driving there. FOR some reason if there was a WRONG turn I took it today. If there was a wrong exit..I went on it. It was because I was flustered and then got turned around and mixed up but thank GOODNESS for internet and cell phones! My friend Dawn gave me directions and we got there with 2 mintues to spare! NOT the 30 minutes we WOULD Have had..but Praise the Lord we had 2 minutes!

Driving home was easier..but I ended up getting mixed up trying to find this exit to pick up baby clothes from this lady who offered them on Free cycle. She had all newborn to 6 month baby girl clothes. NOW before you start thinking stuff..ITS NOT FOR ME! Its for my friend Dawn..she has a sweet and cute little chuggy angel baby that she is doing Foster care for..so I couldnt pass up free baby clothes. And everything was in such PERFECT shape! She is going to be so excited.

I did get a little shopping done. I don't remember what I bought! *GRIN* but Walmart got me anyways..well I DID get fabric for my kitchen for when I bring home those new dishes! LOL
I also bought the girls new purses and my boys wallets. I really need to get the girls wallets too..I just remember LOVING them when I was younger. My first wallet was a blue wallet and I love it! I even lost it in Jcpenny's but someone returned it and didn't steal any money from it! I was very very thankful.

I also bought My little JOJO boy new shoes. I tell you that was a NIGHTMARE! We had stopped by Payless after leaving Walmart because Justin needed new shoes. Well Joseph has shoes but some he just out grew or they are wide enough but too long..or the right length but too short. So I went there and the Saleslady sized his feet and his feet were TOO stinking fat. But she had some Wides so..she got those..but they were too long! And the ones that were just perfect for width..he would out grow in a month. So..discouraged I left Payless . At that point I just decided to go home..but then the resolve to get that boy shoes kicked in so..I went back into walmart. I sent Justin to the van with all the kids..YES incase your wondering..I HAD all 8 kids with me dragging them all around Coachella Valley. So I head to the baby section to get Joseph THIN socks because I was hoping thinner socks would work. Then stopped in the shoe section and LO and BEHOLD! I found a pair of shoes that fit my baby! And they were a size 6 and they were the perfect width and length. Payless the shoes were size 4 and 5's..4W fit him in the width..5' were too narrow.and too long..5 w was too wide and too long. GO FIGURE. I tell you that was NOT fun but now he has these cheapy plastic Thomas the Tank shoes. (YES THEY ARE CUTE)

Well its been TOO LONG of a day! So I am going to bed.

Clutzes UNITE

I just did something really really dumb. I came down stairs for like a zillion things..its only my um 20th trip down here tonight. Well I went into the down stairs bathroom to grab my contact solution sitting on the bathroom sink..and as I grabbed it..I turned and bumped it on the sink and in less than 2 seconds later that solution LANDED in the toilet! THANK goodness I have like 3 bottles of it! I couldnt believe it. I was like slow motion for a second there..I heard myself crying out...NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and then PLOP.

And..the only reason your getting this NOW instead of in the morning is...I had to come down YET again for more things I forgot to bring up..pacifier, water , towel for Jim.. SO MUCH for going to bed when I say I am going.

Look I'm posting a blog!

I know I tend to get busy on these weekends. Plus add the fact that we got our taxes! And how I would love to say..oh we have been having a time of our life..in reality I have had sickos all weekend. Everyone keeps taking turns running a fever. This morning I woke up just feeling likc crud so we didn't go to church. I did make a trip out to the commissary. I put it off this weekend..well I was going to do it on Saturday because we went to the homestore. OUR big outing! Whoooo! Ok I am so being funny because the Home store is like 5 minutes away and because they just had inventory..they have NOTHING In the store..well Ok they do but not much. Its pretty sad. And my couches that were there FRIDAY morning when I walked into the store looking like death, but stopped in because I had just dropped Justin off, were NOT there the next day. They said someone came in right after I did and bought them up. I was sooo sad! But I can special order them. We didn't even stay long because Jim was not feeling well and little did I know he needed to RACE home because he left me at the at the commissary talking to my friend Dawn.

She saw us leaving the Home store and because I had dresses for her foster babies, I wanted to give them to her. I almost grabbed my purse, but didnt and when i turned around..JIM was LONG gone. He was trying to be nice and give me time to chat with my friend but I was MONEY LESS. I mean MAN you gotta have your money when your chatting with friends.

Anyways, we stayed home today. We still have fevers running through the house. I did run to the store and put some dishes on layaway ( I was getting laundry hampers and you know how it goes) And then I went and got food because the commissary is closed tomorrow and we needed MILK.

Tomorrow I have to take Justin down the hill for his FIRST flying lesson. I am seriously wondering how I am going to do it feeling like this, he isnt sick. ORIGINALLY our plans were to go shopping while Justin was flying. I think I am going to bring a pillow or something. I don't even know places to go down there..other than stores.

The kids are bringing their books and going to work on them on the way there..I mean.its over an hour they have to do something. Well I better go..I have to pack the tylenol and diapers and all the other fun. Plus I am making food for me..so I dont get tempted to eat bad for your burgers.

OK BEDTIME for me! Pray we get over all this sickness!

Water

I just wanted to blog about this before running Justin to work. As you may have read...yesterday I bought some evil scales. I tried to tell these scales that NO that weight can't possibly be right because not even 4 weeks ago it was different. *pout*

Since the scales didn't listen..I DID. Man I was so shocked yesterday to see that # on those scales! It has spurned me to good works! HA HA!

After reading The WATER ARTICLE I decided to start getting my water in each day. Of course it might have been better to NOT start this after 4pm because I was UP all night going potty. From the hours of 12:30 to 4:30 I didn't get any sleep..I just went potty all night!

I know after a while things level out..but until then I will be making hourly trips to the porcelain room!

Were in the MONEY!

LOL Well sort of! WE just got our taxes this morning! YEAH! I paid off our ONE credit card before we could blink and change our mind! We have a LIST of stuff to buy but our first priority is paying for our neighbors car repairs. Jim is going to go to the owner to see if because we are paying cash they would give us a break on it. But either way, we are going to take care of it! And our dryer motor! The little dryere that could I tell you!

Of course I haven't been using it like I normally would..but its still going! God was so merciful to let that dryer keep going!

Here is a partial list of stuff we have been waiting to spend our taxes on.
Bunk beds for the boys.
They have a set but the mattress broke..ahem..naughty boys and we are going to replace the whole set. The beds are really rickety and old and we would rather get something that is going t last.

Smog..Jim needs to pay for the smog on his truck.
Dryer motor.( WE KNEW THIS RIGHT)

Well that is the major stuff..the rest is just stuff.
And dang it..I am going to Palm springs to take Justin for his first flying lesson..I guess I am going to have to go shopping! Don't you just hate it..HAVING TO go shopping.

Jim and I are getting pizza tonight for the kids..and we are going out to dinner! We are so mean I know but I don't care..they are too expensive to take..and they don't appriciate a real restaurant anyways. And JIM AND I alone and together eating and talking!

Well I am off to get contacts in so I can drive Justin to work.

I SAW IT!!!

Yes! The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was at our commissary today! So what did we do??? We ran right out to see it! Fevers and all! I wish I had gotten a little closer but I thought it was on a different setting. OH well! Justin was working so he missed out on the picture..but he did get to see it since he is working there! The two guys gave the kids Hotdog whistles. So guess what I got to listen too all the way home???

Yep, kids blowing whistles.

On the way home I stopped by the px and picked up a scale since mine has been broken. Since I am trying to lose weight I figured it would be a good thing to have around. UNFORTUNATELY this scale isnt quite as nice as my old one. OK its an EVIL scale and is out to get me! BOOOOO HOOOO.

Is this what they feed prisoners??

I fixed up some rice, cherizo and eggs for lunch today. I told the kids its mush glop and enjoy and Jacob says.. "Is this what they feed prisoners??" and of course I said YES because you are all my prisoners.



Well then I told them what it really was. MONKEY BRAINS and they ate it all up! Here they are enjoying their lunch..well mostly enjoying it.

YEP they sure do love their monkey brains. I think we wil have them again for dinner.

Jim went to the Gas Chamber Today

He is so funny about it too. He will come home and let the kids put on his mask and they will start sneezing from the residue. I know sick huh. Maybe thats whats wrong with them? Of course they wash their hands so they don't get it in their eyes. Some fathers bring home presents..theirs..cs gas.

Sick children

Well my day has been uneventful. I have 2 sick children. Mom is sick too but managing. School got done, meals got done..but not much else.

Hoping tomorrow is a better day..I am heading to bed. See ya

I got up at 4AM!

I woke right up too! That is one of the biggest reasons I dont exercise is that I need to get up early because its hard to fit it in any other way! I will have to admit I almost went back to bed this morning but I put on a tape and walked 2 miles. I am so excited! I am going to do it again tomorrow.

Blogger Attack

No not a real attack..but I was hinted at mischievously that I might want to be careful because someone might want to post to my blog. And of course it would all be wise crack stuff .

That same someone also enjoys picking on me about my grammar. I said..well..school teacher guy..you could always start a blog that your whole purpose would be to critique my blogs and post them how they should have been punctuated and written.

I mean I do try to fix some of the obvious errors..but sometimes when I am typing I touch the touch pad of my lap top and it does some funky things. And sometimes, I reread these and think..wow scary that came out of my brain! HA HA And yeah sometimes the spelling could be improved but what can I say? Sometimes I am typing when i am not awake or have contacts in or both! I figure you can all live with it and if it really bugs you, you can always email me and say..FIX it..its driving me crazy like Gina does.

So..if you ever see some wisecracking posts that are obviously meant to blemish my good name ROFLOLOL you will know they were NOT posted by me, but some UNNAMED person.

Ok really I am heading to bed.

I Cleaned my Bathroom!

Now don't fall onto the floor! I know its shocking!

You know finally after 16 years of marriage and setting up house I finally learned how to clean my bathroom. I don't know why, but I just could never get my bathroom to look "good". I would get most of the ring off but the tiles would just look dingy. Or the toilet sparkeling but the rest looking sad and pitiful. BUT today! I tried something new! I used scrubbing bubbles..( I had used this before) WITH a green scratchy pad! It LOOKS GREAT! I am just sad it took all these years to get to that point! Maybe I won't hate cleaning bathrooms and put it off so long.

What kind of made me laugh at this was the fact my friend Schellee who I have known for years and who cleaned my bathroom in Okinawa..(sparkling) she goes..Oh I have used that for years. GROAN slapping hand to forehead. I would go into peoples houses and using their bathrooms just to see if they were clean or not. And they always were! HOW do they do this I would ponder. I could use the same stuff and it not be as clean. BUT today it was! I was impressed with myself! And had I cleaned my mirrors it would have been bathroom perfection!

I also cleaned my girls room today. I just can't figure out how it can go from spotless to a pig sty in less than 12 hours. I also went through their clothes ..again. I think they just have too many shirts or something? I am going to box them up for now and maybe rotate their stuff in a month or 2. I think it would help if they had a bigger dresser. They share ONE dresser right now so I know that is part of the problem.

MY oldest 2 boys can clean as good if not better than me. I know I worked hard with them when they were younger. I guess I slacked off with the younger ones. We are slowly but surely instilling habits and routines. And I mean slowly! There is this way I want things to work..but in reality it doesnt always go that way..mostly because I have slackeritis! I just need to not procrastinate and just keep doing instead of sitting at the computer. *GASP* did I type that?

One routine that we are trying to get into is our night time routine. Kids change into pajamas..and put their laundry in the hamper that is in the hallway, brush teeth head to bed. Then in the morning they change into clothes and make their beds take down laundry. OK That is the routine I want although most days it doesnt always happen exactly like that. In the morning someone will vaccum and another will clean the bathroom. And another will clean out the cat box. Then we will eat breakfast and start school. Well that is the plan anyways! I know if we were to get those 2 routines down things would run a lot smoother.


Jim came home today at lunch time and cleaned our bedroom..OK cleared off the piles of papers on his desk and dresser. What a difference that made! He is getting ready to pack up his stuff and get it out of the way for me.

I didnt get much laundry done today, so I will have plenty to do tomorrow.

Oh before I forget! Jessica did fine at her first piano lesson. I think I am going to like the teacher. I am JUST SOOOO HAPPY we have a piano teacher finally for her! ITs only $10.00 a week. SO affordable!

Well I am going to head to bed..well read my Bible and then head to bed! You go read yours too! HAVE a good night!

Other things I did today

Well ONE thing I did was..I called Loma Linda about Joseph's consult to see the Urologist. I couldn't remember when his appointment was and I kept thinking it was the 8th of February. I WAS right but NOW I know when and what time..no clue where? But I will call again and find out when the time comes closer! That has been eating away at me because I KNEW I needed to find out but kept forgetting to call! What a relief to have that off my shoulders and NOW written down on my calendar.

And just because I think this picture is cute..HERE is JoJo sleeping in his highchair. He was eating pizza the other day and just fell asleep! AAAAHHHHHH PIZZA!

MY Weekend!

OH I had a busy Weekend! We celebrated Joshua's and Jerrica's birthday Saturday. We rented a bounce house for the whole weekend for $50 smackaroos. I neglected to get pictures of the kids bouncing around like insane hoodlums so you will have to take my word for it..They were. And they had a good time! Tiger our weird cat even got in and bounced in that thing ..MORE Than a few times! Strange cat!

I made Jerrica's cake and just before decorating Joshua's cake..my friend Dawn called and at a weak moment I said..get him a cake! So..he has a nemo cake from the commissary. He was soo excited about it though! But here is a picture of the one I made..










Here they are blowing out their candles...

Then the kids opened their presents and had mass chaos for a few minutes.

Anyways, I survived it and we all went to bed with sheer exhaustion!

Sunday, we had church and invited a family over for lunch..(as we had tons and of leftovers) Sunday night we joined the church that started up out here in 29. It was with mixed emotions that was for sure. I am going to really miss Calvary Baptist Church but its nice to have a church that is closer.

And today? Well I am recovering from my long weekend. The kids did their work today and then Jim took Justin down to Palm Springs to sign up for the Boys and Girls club down there because they offer free flying lessons for children ages 15-18. They will take them right up to the point where they would fly solo. We are excited for him!

I also found out from a friend today about one of the FREE offerings that are available on our military base. They offer certification in Microsoft Office. This will help them with getting a job and or college credits. So we are going to have the older boys work on that. It never hurts to have some working knowledge of common software programs.

What else am I up too? hmm..well I could complain about my sore neck and shoulder! I slept wrong the other night. I could go on and on..so I wont.

I did get a lot done in my house today..cleaned a bedroom and cleaned out dressers. ( All that means is more laundry) For the most part its been a little slow. I am ready for bed. TOMORROW I am going to the gym in the morning when I wake up..someone call me and hold me to it.

Jim's Science Experiments

If you know my husband you know he is kind of brainy. He loves to create science experiements. Like the time he made this contraption with cans and water and by the water dripping it caused electricity and he would get all the kids and unsuspecting visitors to touch it. UGLY contraption too.

Well this summer Jim put up these spray misters for my patio. They hang on the roof of your house and you plug the hose to them and they keep the area cooler. They work really well in my opinion.

Anyways , from the time we got them Jim was thinking " I wonder if they will make snow if it freezes?" I am here to tell you that NO they will not make snow if you turn them on before it freezes. BUT they do make a lot of ice and a huge water mess in the back yard. Last night was the night and we woke up to a HUGE water mess and um people coming over for a birthday party um..today. Oh well we can all take turns sitting in the frozen chair.

And its early and I have cakes to make and decorate this morning..nothing like adding stress to my life. At least the down stairs is fairly clean we just have laundry to fold and put away.

Well I will probably hop on in a bit while my cakes are baking. :)

What a good little dryer!

Well My sick dryer is still holding up! I know we need to get that new motor but we put it off so we could have a birthday party! Today I washed and dried almost all my laundry! I had been out of routine since it got sick *grin* so I have a stack of blankets on my deep freezer. So I am pretty pleased that it is still working!

Tomorrow other than cleaning up and folding laundry..I am going to be making cakes. I should make them tonight but I dont want to frost them tonight..well the top layer. I think they dry out too fast here. And no one wants to eat an old cake . I think I am going to make 2 or 3 smaller cakes. Joshua wants an egg cake. I don't know why but he loves eggs! And kept telling me he wants a momma a daddy and a baby egg cake.! I didnt have the heart to tell him there are no momma or daddy eggs.


Well Its 10:30 already and I heading to bed. I am not really feeling well this evening. Late this afternoon I had a hot flash and then suddenly got naseaous and I just havent felt good since.

Well I am heading to bed so I can have a fun day tomorrow!

Are you a reader?

Yes I am still here but wait I have more to say!

I am always amazed at people who read books. LOL I know this is going to sound so pathetic and but I don't read books. Well other than my KJV Bible, but that't it. OK I did read Created to be his help meet but its more of a study book . I can literally count on 1/2 my hand the amount of books I read a year. And then I see women who read like tons of books. I mean I used to read a lot but I am kind of funny in the books I like. I personally like hard to read non fiction books. I should compile a list of books that I have read and you would see what I mean. But lets just say..JIM likes to read the books I read.

Anyways back to discussing what others read. It just amazes me that the stuff people read. I wish I could read fiction but honestly when I do read fiction I sit there kind of bored because its soo stinking predictable. And I guess I am not really into romance books.

Sometimes I see books that would have interested me but the reason I don't read anymore is.....because I didnt find it practical . Here I would be reading all these books that talked about , for example, why the earth is young and why blah blah blah..and Jim would have to endure my fired up state. I would have all this stuff in my head and no outlet for it..and Jim can only take so much. ( It's much like women fired up after watching Oprah)

So I swore off books. I just can't handle being smart LOLOL.

Really..I'm off to clean the pig sty.

I am babysitting today

Which will be fine but my house is trashed. I mean trashed. We were out all day yesterday after scurrying to get our ID cards made and walmart and errands. But we came home late and so I didnt get much done in the house. THEN church! so I didnt get much done in my house because I could not stay up long enough to do anything last night. I sat in the chair holding two ultra sweet boys and we watched tail end of the incredibles.

I got to hear Joshua repeat what the little kid says at the end , "that was totally wicked" in his cute Joshua voice! SOOO FUNNY but now since we watched the deleted sceenes he knows that boy was naked and laughs his head off going..Mom that boy was naked. You know naked and almsot 4 year olds is pretty funny. That and all other manly noises. AHEM. Learned from his father. OK I admit I taught them how to fake burp. What cracks me up about that is Jason has for YEARS I MEAN years tried to learn how to do it..and Joshua learned how before Jason. (Jason will be 15 this year)

So here I am blogging when I should be cleaning and for some reason I don't even care if they see my house messy. They wont be going upstairs! HA HA . If that isnt reason enough, I should be getting my house cleaned instead of sitting here because we are having like a million people here from church tomorrow for the kid's combined birthday party! And here I sit. UGH


Did I mention we got a JUMPY thing. Jim is picking it up TODAY and we will have it all weekend! My kids are going to be so excited. Maybe not as exicted as their mother because I am going to make them Jump in that thing all weekend. "MOM Please can I go to bed???" NO JUMP ...JUMP I SAY KEEP JUMPING.
Actually that isnt a bad idea!

OK I am NOT that mean no matter what the kids say ;)

Well I am off to clean the pig sty.

Why am I blogging???

When I should be running around my house franticly like a chicken with her head cut off. BUT NO I am on here blogging!

OK I am resting too! This morning I picked up a friend and we ran and did insane errands and then went shopping..with 10 kids. So much fun! Although my brain was totally gone before we got home. WE all played at McDonalds playland and ate mcdonalds amongst the glares of snotty women.

Then I came home and started cleaning only to remember YIKES I forgot to pick up Jerrica's glasses! So now I am home..and am I resting..well the few minutes it took to type this yes..but NO I have to get the kids fed and ready for church. And Jim isn't home yet and I was supposed to bring him lunch. I totally blew it today as his wife.


BUT I have to tell you about this incredible product I bought today. Ok the name isnt too hot but man I am so impressed! Its called BAR KEEPERS FRIEND. I had heard many many tell me I need to get this product because it worked great! Did I run right out and buy it..no..although I had tried to remember it when i would go out..but today I remembered to get it..and my incredible friend Dawn found it for me so I came home and tried it out on my stove.

MAN I am wishing I took pictures of this stove because you just wouldnt believe the difference. We have lived in this house for 5 years and this poor stove..it has these drip pans that cover the stove top..(gas stove) and it never fails stuff ends up under those pans and sets up. Had I known it was going to actually worked I might have taken the before and after pictures but since I am a skeptic..I didn't take pictures. but TRUST ME it works.

GOOD MORNING!

I'm up early and I am NOT a grouch! YEAH! I am so happy for my children!

In fact I am in such a good mood! I am going to give you a very very helpful list! Do you ever call a company and get sick of their automated phone menu but wan't to talk to a live person and there is NO option for that no matter how deep you get? Well I have a list for you!

I WANT A REAL PERSON!

I mean if that won't cure the morning grouchies I don't know what! Now don't go sending me to back to this if for some reason tomorrow I am grouchy! LOL

Have a good morning!

Do you think I over did it?

Well give me a day to feel good and what do I do..RUN around! I have been busy since this morning!
Took Justin to work, but first went shopping and didn't find anything. THEN Jim called me as I was dropping off Justin..he wanted me to come visit him..so I went home then went to his work only to find him too busy to talk to me. THEN I went back to the px and got my hair cut and my eyebrows done! whoooooo hoooo! :) ! THEN came home then left again to get groceries. THEN had to go back again and get JUSTIN. If I had been smart I would have timed it better , but..it did work out in Jims favor..as he wanted me to bring him dinner..( and what meals do we have on days we shop at the commissary??) CORN DOGS! Which I love, but for some reason they didnt sound good to me!

Then I came home to the usual kid stuff and now they are all in bed. And headed there myself. TOMORROW will be just as busy, in the morning I am taking the kids to get their ID cards..well all those over 10 and then taking Justin to work then picking up my friend Dawn and her children and THEN heading to walmart then home to clean finish school etc and then CHURCH
NO I can't have a normal week and I do it to myself. Anyways, its already late and I have to get up early so I am heading to bed right now before Jim steals all the covers!

Finally I'm not a grouch!

You know I must have just been really tired because today I feel great! I'm not grouchy or nothing! I even feel energetic today! The last two days I have been sooo wiped out! I have done things but today I feel so much better than I did the last couple of days. I'm not walking in a grouchy fog!

I dont have anything to say today..I guess that never stopped me before. I need to pick up some groceries and check out our cash level.

And prepare for a birthday party for 2 kids on Saturday! I am about partied out! And of course last minute ME is doing things very short notice.

Were getting a refund!

Ok this afternoon Jim sent me an email about Turbo Tax. It said its free for the military to file through them this year. Maybe it is every year and we don't know it.? Well after figuring up our tax at H&R Block and Turbo tax and they were the same..Jim said go ahead and I clicked that button so fast ha ha! So yeah we should get our taxes in 10 days or so! I am so glad we dont have to wait A WEEK!

We are still keeping our appointment..(just in case) and because we have to do our state taxes because those we have to do through the military because most tax software will make us pay even though we are exempt.

YEAH! I feel so much better!

Thank GOODNESS!

We are finished with school! I thought I was going to fall asleep while Jared was reading! After some of their behavior..ahem..I am sooooo needing a break!

Now I need to clean house and get plans for dinner. yeah I'll get right on that.

Lets see, I made an appointment for our taxes..as if we are going to see any of it. And our appointment isnt till next week. I want to file now and pay for it but well thats not going to happen..so we will wait and wait and wait and wait to get our money if any!


Oh who am I kidding.


Well I am going to get. MAYBE JUST MAYBE I will get something done today.

These Early Morning Happy People

GRRR Evil happy people at 5:00 am. I know its 6 something right now..but I had to endure the "snooze" for 1 hour. I HATE SNOOZE ALARMS. It just bugs me to no end when someone I know will hit the snooze for an hour. What's worse is, HE MAKES ME DO IT. He will push me..cause the alarm clock is on my side of the bed. (what's up with that????) and say.."It's your turn" my turn?? MY TURN. I so could go on and on. Out of an hour of alarms he might um get up and do what 2? And whats worse is you have to hit this little tiny obscure button. If you hit the wrong one this loud annoying blast of radio and static blares out at you. Its so much worse than the alarm. So you have to hit it just right. I'll ya what I am going to hit.

I just was too tired to really function this morning and think coherently, but me in my worst will after 3 or 4 hits say to him while holding the alarm clock. "IF YOU DON'T GET UP I AM GOING TO THROW THIS ALARM CLOCK ACROSS THE ROOM AND DESTROY IT". He usually wakes up.

Of course right now I am hearing this ultra cheerful person saying to all the kids "wakey wakey eggs and bakey." I am sooo not feeling the love here. Man I kind of wish I was a morning person then I could say really irritating stuff early in the morning a just be smiling about it too.

I told you I'm not a morning person.

Reading Susan's Blog today

she posted the link to one of the funniest blond jokes ever. You can find it here. I almost died laughing

Definently a Monday

I am so tired! Jim has to work today although a lot of units have today off. I am heading to the gym in a bit. I sure am having a hard time waking up this morning. Thankfully only a few kids are up. I am letting them be slugs for a few more minutes.

What do you have plans for today? ME? I am just going to the gym..watching kids do their school work, teaching Joshua and Jared reading (and math) . Thats it. Ok I will probably do laundry and clean house. Its not so bad because remember we flaked out on church the lazy nappers we are, so we picked up the house before bed last night.

I am sooo not a morning person. This morning there are several cheerful people IM'ing me and I am just trying not to say anything to all of them but they wont leave me alone. LOL OK I am sort of kidding..but not really. MAN I AM SUCH A GROUCH! My poor friends! Normally on regular mornings I dont like people talking to me. Well they can..at their own risk. It takes about 2 hours for me to be cheerful. I can fake cheerfulness if I really really try..but I don't usually try. Jim is like that so stinking happy and cheerful. Sings dances and makes LOUD noises.

Will every monday you get a I'm not a morning person post? YES

I'm NOT A MORNING PERSON!

I hope your wide a wake and not grouchy!

AAAAAHHHHHHHHH

Yes thats me screaming. I am so upset with myself. Today I laid down for a nap. I NEVER lay down for a nap, but I wasnt feeling good after lunch this afternoon so I went upstairs with Joseph to lay down and next thing I know Jim came upstairs and tells me its 5:30. I must have been sleeping so good because I was thinking..in the morning? Then it hit me..at night. JIm had just woke up himself, which him taking a nap is NOT a new thing..but like I said I NEVER nap.

So we missed church and I feel like a horrible church flake.
We are going to eat dinner and then listen to some online preaching. Its not the same thats for sure but I will feel better about it.

I think I am going to bed early tonight. I'm still tired.

Peroxide in the Ears part 2

OH..I didnt realize my little post would start a debate so I will just tell you where I stand. After a year 1/2 of ear infections, sinus troubles, colds , all manner of flu and lethargy. And after 6 rounds of antiboitics and several attempts at other herbal, medicinal tries I am trying this. I dont figure it would hurt me as peroxide is what they use anyways to remove wax build up. If it works..then praise the Lord!

I know years ago in medicine it was thought weird to wash hands period..and now that is known for passing infections and spreading germs and NOW part of every medical practice. So..I guess I am not quick to dismiss things just because of how weird they sound. If I remember right the Doctor that first suggested hand washing was laughed to scorn. So NOT debating here whether its sound practice or not or dangerous or not..if anything I will have the cleanest ears around.

And since I am not exactly conventional anyways..(insane, 8 kids need we say more) I guess it kind of is up my alley. But I promise you..if it has no merits..I won't continue my nightly torture sessions.

Peroxide ears

UPON the advice of my friend Gina or Gian depending on when you talk to her and how much expresso she has had. I have been putting peroxide in my ears. You can read about her post here.

Anyways, I have concluded that doing this originally was a way of torture, but the torturers
discovered that their prisoners were really healthy and never got sick so they started trying it on themselves.

I tell you I almost go insane when I do it..oh wait..ok MORE INSANE standing there with those bubbles just bubbling away. It makes me dizzy and want to throw up. Jim laughs at me because I stand there and grunt and yell well not too loud..cause I'm working on that.

Is it helping? I have no idea! I usually can't do it as long as I'm supposed to because it drives me nuts so probably not. The things we do for health.

Authenticity

Today I was reading a friends blog and one of her posts struck a chord. It was talking about authenticity. What really spoke to me was this part.

"Authenticity
I have often heard it said that the easiest place to be spiritual is in the pulpit. That may be true, but on the flip side, my home is the toughest place for me to be spiritual. It is where the kids drive me crazy, where my attitude can run unchecked, where I can hid my "pet" sins, and where God really wants me to be a man after His own heart. It is the hardest place, and the most important place for my faith to be exposed to my wife, my kids and my guests. "


How true that is! I know its so much easier for me to lash out at my children because they are driving me crazy but I would never do so with others. And what a shame because who needs to see me in the best light but my children? That is another thing that I have been working on this year. Not yelling at my children. OH did I just confess that? My husband rarely raises his voice. He is pretty laid back..me I seem to run on stress and some days YES I do yell at my children and some days its not just once or twice.

Years ago I know I had it under control, you want to know what I did? I confessed my sins to my children each time and asked them to forgive me and then prayed to God to forgive me. You know..you start to stop doing those things that are wrong when you have to do that every time.

But then..one time I justified my yelling, my anger in my heart. All it takes is ONE TIME to tell yourself "well if they weren't doing that..then I wouldn't have don this.". But in truth there is never ever a good time to do wrong. That's what I tell my children, and I bet they think yeah right mom look at you? More and more I noticed that over time didn't ask them to forgive me and more and more I noticed that instead of keeping things in check, I had allowed and excused my sin. I seemed to do well on my own for a long while, but when I allow even a tiny bit of sin in my life..I run with it. Sure I tried to keep it under control in my own strength, but how can I with out God's help.

Anyways, last year was a year of trial to our family in so many ways. This year is going to be even hearder. I am striving to just do right no matter what. We have a long year ahead of us with Jim leaving for Iraq for 7 months. My children don't need "Old Yellar" in their home. They need a loving yet firm Mother.

And one thing I will say..and will say over and over again, when I am keeping myself under control, you can bet I am in the Word of God. It definitelyely has the power to change man!

So please my friends and my family, hold me accountable that I may be authentic and be the same to all no matter who it is. That I esteem my family above others and not the other way around. And that is where it really boils down. I dont always feel I have to be on my best behavior. With family I sometimes feel I can slack off..but who more should see our good works than our family?

IF LIFE WAS A MUSICAL

You know..I sometimes get into weird moods. (imagine that) And some days I just can't help myself. You know in musicals..when there is a problem or what ever..they always break out in song...so once in a while..to my children's um..horror. I will do this very thing. Today is musical day..and my poor Jessica is NOT impressed with me right now. She is laying on the bench at the table all upset because I was singing to her about her school work. It was a great song too..I just don't know why she doesn't appreciate my serenade.

I used to sing books to my kids. They would totally crack up. But here I would be opening the book..but instead of reading it to the kids..I started singing. IT really is fun..you should try it. Better yet..if you have a job..sing your report to your boss. What's really fun is to sing your order to the guy at *fast food place*. They are going..what in the world is her problem. It sort of reminds me of the time that someone I know wore a balloon hat through the military gate and said HI to the gate guard.

I still remember her smiling face and the look on that Marines face was sooo priceless! I tell you its much more fun to be weird than normal any day!

Top Ten things that puzzle me.

I was reading my friend Heather's blog about the Top Ten Things That Puzzle Me and I totally agree with her. I was thinking well what things puzzle me? Since her list is pretty complete and hard to top I will only add a few and since I only just woke up, I might add to it later.

1. How I can read a book in a day or 2 but struggle to read a few chapters of my Bible every day..(although this one isn't true right now, I am doing so well reading my Bible every night.)

2. How you can call to get an appointment for your vehicle but instead of them looking up the recall notice on your van they want you to come in and wait around with 8 kids for 3 hours only to find out that they have to order your part.

3.How children can say they didn't hear you call them, when you yelled as loud as you could and they were only upstairs in their room. But these same children in the same room will hear you whisper to their father "should we give them this candy bar" and bound down the stairs to get theirs.

4. I find it puzzling that no matter when the coffee is made moments before I pour a cup of coffee..somebody will pour the whole pot of coffee in his thermos. EVEN if i make it after he goes to work..his coffee radar goes off and he comes home and does the same. I do know that I will miss his coffee stealing when he goes to Iraq.

5. Another puzzling thing..is how I can be WIDE awake at 3am..but go back to sleep for 2 hours and be exhausted!

Lemon Bar addiction

Ok I have to confess this. I made lemon bars today and they are sooo bad. I was trying to make them more lemony..and well they are! If I was pregnant my unborn child would pucker! I am sooo cured from them now. The sad thing is..I was going to take them to Pastor Anderson for his family..( returning a dish you know ) Well I wouldnt want them to eat them and think I am a horrible cook.

Ok so I am cured! I guess I could go back to brownies?

Washing Diapers

I'm caught up with laundry and our sad sad dryer is still working. Right now I am washing diapers. Maybe I'm a little wierd but when I wash my babies diapers I feel like such an awesome mom! Being a mother of 8 kids I dont I get too many pats on the back..so its nice to find things that give you a feeling of accomplishment. I know, its not like mountain climbing or shooting off into space but hey I am pretty easy to please! There are several things that when I get them done, they make me feell like a super woman! One is Laundry. I love love love to complain about it. But I love to get it done! What a great feeling! It always cracks me up when I do complain my laundry to others, it seems to be like labor/ birth stories, women always want to out do another with their story. You know..if you were in pain..someone else was in worse pain. If you had a 31 hour labor someone else had 50 hours. So cracks me up. I usually just smile at these women when they tell their stories..but I must confess I sometimes egg them on. And yes I sometimes enjoy out doing others..but mostly I just enjoy hearing others in their quest to be the best, have the most etc. Story.


Back to things that make me feel awesome.
I feel awesome when:
My bed is made and my room picked up .
Vaccuming
Jojo's diapers are clean!
Laundry is caught up.
When I breastfeed my babies!
Changing diapers! I know weird huh?
My dishes are clean!
Mopped floor..( ok so this one doesn't happen very often.)

SO HOOORAY! And my dishes are done, my room is clean. My living room could stand for attention, but I am totally relaxing and enjoying my super awesome mom/wife Jamie status! My girls and Joshua and Jared are outside playing and I have a baby asleep on the couch. I am sitting here helping Jacob and Jason finish school. The air is crisp and beautiful it is a perfect day!

I also kind of laugh at the things that make me feel this way. Its not something big or major accomplishments. It's the "domestic" things. Things you don't get a pat on the back for. No Nobel prize or woman of the year but I love that God made me to feel content and happy with things most women run away from. I love being a Mom. I love taking care of kids and cleaning my house. (I might still complain about it though.)

Now I would be painting a too rosey of a picture if I didnt say or admit to the fact that sometimes I dont always enjoy it. I might spend ahem too long on the computer one day and not take care of my home , dinner will be late and maybe burnt..and the house is a mess. Its really hard to pull together your home before hubby comes home if you have spent all day on the computer yaking with people. I end up unhappy and dissatisifed with myself, and my family but mostly me because I KNOW to do right! I know what my family needs to run well and somedays I just dont do it. Somedays I'm GASP SELFISH with my time.

Over this past year the Lord has convicted me about the amount of time I spend online. Especially time on the computer when my family is awake! Slowly but surely I am spending less and less time on the computer. And the phone. Another major time waster. I feel like last year was the year to get my priorities right. This year feels far more relaxed and prioritized!

When I do those things I KNOW I ought to do, my life feels in place. Its when I am out of balance that my life feels hectic and rushed. So I am enjoying my beautiful relaxed and unrushed day. In a little while we will eat dinner and head to church and then come home and of course have a snack ( lemon bars again Dawn) then I will read my Bible and fall asleep.

yeah! A perfect day! :) All because I am washing diapers!

Quick reflexs

Well I meant to blog about this earlier. Don'tcha hate it when those babies start climbing and doing all manner of naughty things? I don't what gives me more stress those teens or those BUSY babies! Joseph LOVES TO climb. ON EVERYTHING> He sooo reminds me of Jessica when she was a baby. She was a climber too. Anyways, his favorite thing right now is to climb onto the table or sit in the chairs. He is so wobbly and of course he has NO clue of how dangerous it is. But I am always taking him down but quick as a shot he is back up there again. I think most of my day is taking Jojo off the table.

Well today I was in the kitchen and Jim had come home for lunch and was playing his violin at the table and guess who was sitting in the chair beside daddy. yep 2 foot Jim. LOL Well all of a sudden Jojo decided he needed to get up or do something and I saw him stand up on the chair. Well his foot was tangled in the cords to the lap top Jim was using and there Joseph started to tumble but Jim grabbed Joseph by his anke and saved the day. I mean he was mere inches from the ground! OF course my heart was beating so fast and Jim was in shock he caught him and Joseph..after his rescue kind of looked surprised but then laughed. It figures. I have visions of him bungee jumping at 15.

It's 5AM WHY AM I UP??

I had a rough night with Joseph. I think I have spoiled that boy. He can't stand to be wet so here he was fussing for like 2 hours till I thought hmm..maybe its his diaper, so I changed him and he was fine. but thats not why I'm up at 5:am.

I'm up because Jim has to get up early for a hike or what ever it is? I don't remember..how is that for attentive wife? The sad part of this is..I went to bed at like 10:15 VERY early for me and I am more tired than normal! Well you read about Jojo crying at 1 or 2 in the morning.

I think part of the problem is, I dreamt that I was supposed to get Jim up and Justin was too and when we woke up it was 10:30 am and he was late. Justin was late and I couldnt figure out how we over slept? SO when I woke up at 5 this morning and Jim wasnt late I was so happy! I HATE dreams like that! Anyways, I am up now and supposed to go to the gym and all I can think of is that I am baby sitting today at 9am and how I would feel so much better If I laid back down. How pathetic is that?

But since I am up now and I didnt get to hang out on the computer all night ( remember we played a game last night) Ok we played Cranium and Jim has decided he doesnt like it. I think for one its because it takes us sooo long to play it and we dont get very far on the board. We have church tonight so no games..Our family game will be Lets all go to church and before that it will be the "where are my shoes" game, "I dont have any clean pants" and of course my favorite.."Get over here so I can fix your hair" game. It never fails that someone will end up not playing the wipe your face game. Because with 8 kids some are pretty elusive. I think I need new batteries in those eyes behind my head and that cool Mom Radar detector.

Maybe I should have titled this post Much ado about nothing? But thats what you get at 5:am.

Teens Teens Teens

I just realized..OK I have realized for a while but this is the year I enter into a NEW chapter in my life. Its called having 3 teens under one roof at one time. I will have a 16, 15, 13 year old come May 29th. My poor mom had more than that! I still dont know how she made it. I find myself saying the same things she did. NO matter what you say you will never do..I guarantee you will when you have kids. In fact I think the more you say YOU won't do something pretty much seals the deal.

You know I am so glad I have young children and teens. I find it keeps me very young at heart and busy. I sometimes read some of these spiritual blogs and crack up! Sometimes they just seem so fantasticly perfect or they seem that way..(or how they want you to view them). Me... I'm not that way..although I do have a deep side..(twilight zone music plays) and once in a while I'll let it out..but honestly I just think..get over yourself Jamie when I start to get that way. To me a joyful happy person is worth far more than all the deep thinking. I think I lost my infatuation with "spiritual" people years ago. I like real people. People who are not afraid to be themselves. HONESTLY I could bog you down with these wonderful truths and blah blah blah but instead I would rather give you the happy, sad, quirky, weird strange parts of my life. There are many! So you wont be disappointed! Plus my parents read my blog and they would totally razz me! Right Dad?

Anyways, back to teens. Where do they actually come from? I have a theory that on the night of their birthday, there is like this automatic shutoff to common sense. It turns on sometime later in life. You never know exactly when. Women tend to get theirs upon the birth of their first born child..(thats why I am sooo incredibly smart as I had Justin at 19.. LOLOL ...hey I was kidding..quit scowling at me ok this is where you say..JAMIE get over yourself! So say it I can take it.) OF course like evolution I can not prove my theory but if you repeat it enough times to all your friends it will become fact.

Did I tell you my scales broke?

NO Not from me stepping on them. I hope not anyway! Jim thinks the LIFEtime battery has given up although I think its worse than that. I think one of those ever lovin' children hooked us up. I probably wont get a new scale for a month or so. There is a blessing to all of this though. I normally gain weight when I start exercising. And I dont want to move that ticker thingy up, so this is good!

Kids are sooo funny!

Today Joshua was crying in the door way. What was wrong? I have no clue. After asking him..why are you crying? His reply? "I don't know, I'm just crying?" So I said are you tired..go lay down on my bed. So he did and there he napped for several hours. I think he isnt feeling so well..must be going around.

Just now..as I was nursing Joseph to sleep..and sitting here getting my emails read, Joseph is laughing his head off while he is asleep! And then he was mumbling something! I am so glad what ever he is dreaming about is funny!

Lets see what else? I had some cool things happen today! Some fellow Marine's wife offered to get us pizza! How cool is that! I didnt catch her email in time but isn't that just so neat!

AND we got our school work done! And the house well kind of was clean today..ooops! and my dryer is still holding up! With much prayer!

We did have something sad happen yesterday. I waited this long because I wasnt sure if I was going to blog about it. But Jessica's rat died. We found her yesterday morning. So sad. The girls cried and cried. The sad thing is..although I felt so bad for the rat. I had so much relief! We have had a crazy last few years with rats and she was our last one. I am looking forward to not having to remind someone to clean the cage and feed and water! Its a lot of responsibility on MOM thats for sure. And I am glad for the break. We are NOT getting any more pets for a long while.
Anyways! Other than that our week is picking up! I am feeling better and I am listening to Jim learn violin! All I need is popcorn and a Dr. Pepper and I will be set!

I exercised today!

I got the kids working on school, took Justin to work and then headed with Dawn to the gym. It felt so good to exercise. I didnt do as much as I would like to do, (don't want to over do it.)BUT I feel it already! :)

I came home to rowdy kids but some had finished their work so they had nothing to do. Of course I found them something!! MOMS are so mean! Now all I have to do is correct their work now but oh no..It's lunch time..guess I have to eat some food first!

At the Car Wash...

Last summer my older boys mowed lawns every weekend. For the most part anyways, and made some pretty good money doing that. Well when our housing changed over to a new housing group, they now mow all the lawns. Instantly my boys were out of a job. Well Jason..the industrious child he is, is NOW washing cars! And making good money at it! He made $25 this weekend with 2 cars. I was so impressed and proud of his efforts! Now if he would only clean his room.

BOOKS!

I had a fun day! Our dryer is still holding up! I was able to dry diapers! I spent the rest of the afternoon organizing our school books that came today! I wasnt expecting them so soon! I have everything filed and ready! My kids are excited..OK some were not too thrilled. The slackers!

And PAYDAY IS ONLY 3 days away! I would give you the hours and seconds but that is a little obsessed.

As I have been typing this I am listening to Jim sing dumb sailor songs and Joshua is wacking me with a blown up plastic grocery bag. And now Jim is telling him to go to bed but first I had to check his ears for bees? Oh to have NORMAL evening rituals.

Did I mention to you....

that Jacob crashed into a car? He didn't get hurt but he caused a $1000 in damages. They went and got quotes from different repair places. Totally stinks because I had plans for our tax return. I kind of laugh now, (as in ok what else) because it seems like we have been hit in the areas that seem to hurt the most. Our money and our health.


I have been so sick this year. To the point I am just saying, Ok Lord what do you want me to learn from this? I tell you I have learned to really be compassionate to those who are sick. I know years ago, I probably was a little smug when I knew people who were sick all the time. It has also humbled me in that area. What is crazy is I will feel fine for 2 or 3 days and then do something like go out grocery shopping or what ever and the next 2-3 days I am wiped out and sick! I am trying to force myself out more but it seems to make it worse. I am doing all these strange home remedies. I've been to the doctors and the only thing she saw was that I had that epstine barr illness, which explains a lot.

One thing I have found is people don't believe you when your sick. Maybe I am just paranoid? But the looks you get when you explain yourself. Oh well that is where I have learned to jsut take being a dissapointment to people. I know I have failed so many this year and I often have cried to the Lord..OK why am I going through this? What am I supposed to be learning?

Anyways, today is one of those not so good days. If I told you what time I woke up you would be shocked. I NEVER sleep that late. My kids never sleep that late but today they did! Thank goodness..usually its Joshua and Joseph who are awake EARLY so I always get up but this morning they snuggled up to me as I slumbered away. Jim came home and says to me.."what is it the heater on thats making you sleep so late? (It was pretty warm in our house) I said it was our cat Tiger. He was snuggled up next to me and I couldnt disturb his slumber! I tell you little kids and animals sure know how to make you feel special except they are always wanting to eat? What's up with that?

Ok I better get! I have kids to prod out of bed and we have a lot of school work! (And laundry) Not much house cleaning! We did a lot this weekend.

Have a good day!

Death to the Dryer part 2

Well. The dryer died Saturday Night. I didnt have a heart to tell you all. The blessing is it didnt die till after we had most of the clothes washed and dried! What a relief that was! Well Jim was going to take it apart Sunday afternoon to see if he could reoil it..but turned the drum and it unstuck and was working again. Then it stopped Sunday night so after Jim got back from formation Sunday night he took it apart and reoiled and it seems to be working but we know we have to get a new motor on Friday. It only has to last a few more loads. And I seriously can take laundry to the laundromat. I JUST washed diapers so it would be nice if it made it through those. Although it wont be too much trouble to go dry a couple loads every day. The motor on ebay is still at a low price, so maybe we wont have to pay $125.00. I can think of other things I can spend that money on this month.

My Dryer is fixed!!

Jim is soooo awesome! Today while I was out finding fabulous deals at our thrift store. Jim was slaving away taking apart our dryer. It was the motor. We looked online through sears and new was $125.00. We found one on ebay for $25.00, however it still has 9 days left. Anyways, when I got home he was oiling the bearings int he motor and we put it back together and it works. For how long? I don't know but God is so good to us!

Anyways! I also went to the thrift store and bought 4 coats! 2 of them were super nice! And it was a bag sale so I got 3 bags of clothes..NICE stuff for $2.00 and I got a super nice winter jacket for FREE!

What a day of blessing!

Death to the Dryer

Ok maybe I haven't written a poem about our dryer's death but it couldn't have come at a more ill fated time.

Yesterday as I was washing our millionth load, my dryer just up and died. It made a weird sound and turned off. IT is such bad timing because we just had Jessica's birthday and I just spent $450.00 on books. So we only have enough left over ( after bills) for gas & groceries till payday. Whats pitiful is its ONLY THE 6th. UGH Well at least we get paid on the 13th this month as the 15th is on a Sunday! But still! Its MONEY we do not have!

I also have 2 birthdays at the end of this month. This is always a HARD month for us. But hey, we will survive! I am so wishing now that we had a clothes line outside, but this housing area isn't allowed to have them go figure?

Jim is going to look at it at lunch time so maybe he can fix it? I am hoping he can as I have 3 loads of wet clothes hanging out hoping I'll take them to the laundromat today.

Jim almost wrecked today!

He was driving to work this morning and said he saw something that almost made him wreck. HE saw me RUNNING home! HA HA! He said he didn't know what was more shocking. The way I was running or the fact I was running.

I tell you I am so not into running. My throat hurts now and I keep coughing. Running sucks. What totally stinks about running is I looked and there were like 10 cars and I didnt want to stop and look like a loser so I kept running and more cars kept coming. Finally I just stopped and said forget it I will be a loser. And then I walked home ( well FAST walked)

To make matters worse..guess who came home to laugh at me! I said I had to run I wasnt sure I was going to make it home! ( I still have a touch of that somach bug and my stomach is so hurting)

So there I know I walked at least a mile today..I dont know how far exactly I am going to figure that out today when I drop Justin off at work.

What do Snowflakes, Cornflakes, Dawn and Jamie

have in common?

Their all FLAKES! Ok so we didn't go walking. I have a perfect excuse. Ahem. Guess were going to try again for tomorrow morning!

Life as a sicko

Well I am a bit under the weather. Tired and with a touch of the stomach flu. I have been running slow all day. Mostly goofed off with the kids. We watched a documentary about mountain climbing and I spent a better part of the day working with Jared and Joshua with reading. Oh and I have done laundry. Not much else. Jacob cleaned the bathrooms and Jason cleaned the living room.

Tonight we tried playing that Cranium game I bought Monday. It looks like it will be a lot of fun once we figure out how to play it. We only played a few hands as its late and we need our kids in bed.

I am going walking in the morning with my new found friend Dawn. I had meant to walk today but um..that stomach virus said NO to my walk this morning. So we are going in the morning so...with out further ado I am HEADING to bed so I don't flake out on her.

I have pictures to get up but I have been trying to stay off the computer this week..Its not working btw.

Shopping!

Jessica and I had the BEST time! I didn't take Jojo! He some how survived..actually I think he was depressed cause he took a long nap! Poor thing!

Jessica bought Polly Pockets. I dont remember them being so big?? But she likes them. Jerrica really likes these sets of toys called sweet streets. All she has done is played with Jessica's that she got on her birthday. I have a set I am watching on ebay that I am hoping to get for her for her birthday.

And not that the kid needs any toys, but we are going to probably get Joshua lincoln logs because we cant remember the cool toys we wanted to get for him.

Well I meant to update this earlier but well my day has escaped me and I am heading to bed. Maybe I will have something NEW and exciting tomorrow!

Yes Emu's in 29

Give me a little kiss!

I guess, from my limited understanding, is they escaped from Yucca from somewhere? And instinctively the KNEW to run 32 miles to 29 Palms and hang out in the field beside the Ocotillia exchange. How they knew this I have no idea..but they did. I guess they know the rules of the road.

You should have seen all the traffic around it. I almost broke my neck looking when I drove by. They had like 3 MP vehicles parked and there were trucks everywhere and people stopping to gawk. So when we were going to walk down they had captured 1 of the escapees so either they caught the other one/s or they just drove off with out him.

Real life is way stranger and harder to believe sometimes than fiction.

Does this picture say it all??

Guess who is FINALLY cleaning her room??

No go ahead and guess. I'll give you a hint...her name starts with J.

I am taking a break..ok it's a LONG break cause I went on a walk with Jessica. They have been trying to catch some Emu's the last 2 days and today Jacob said they had caught one and it was in the truck down the street so we went to go look but by the time we got everyone dressed and bundled in the stroller they were gone! We even walked up the street past Dawn's house! The road will take us right down to our street so thats the way we go..plus there's a really nice play ground down there. The bad thing that happened was my stroller tire lost air so I had a flat all the way home!

Right now the kids and JIM are cutting out tiny paper planes and houses that Jim printed off from Fiddlers Green . They have been doing it all day. We are going to have some really cool models! Jessica just finished her bobble head cow. I'll get some pictures up later!

Well its after 5pm we have to Jimmy out the door!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Jessica!

I just wanted to take a quick minute and say Happy New year! Its a NEW year to do more for the Lord! Tonight we had some friends over from church and I tell you we had a GREAT time! The time went so fast! We played games, had Jessica's party ate way too much food! The younger kids did soooo good too! It was such a blessing!

Jessica had a LEMON birthday cake (as per her request). I decorated it but well it doesnt seem to be my year for cakes. I think I need more practice! WEll I will have it this month anyway..Joshua's birthday is the 21st and Jerrica's is the 22nd.

Tonight at the shoppette (for the customary candle run) I found a Better Homes and Gardens cook book and I gave it to Jessica for her birthday..ok it was spur of the moment but it was a really good deal. And she LOVES to cook and all the time wants me to teach her. But I LOVE it we looked through it tonight its like a mini home ec class! So we are going to go through it together. I have ALWAYS wanted a Betty Crocker cookbook. They seem to be always out of my reach but they just look so informative. I have more to share about her birthday but being it sooo late and I am about to pass out from sheer exhaustion I am going to have to wait till um later today since its already tomorrow!

Plus I want to remember some of the funny highlights of our night.

One that was sooo funny was I was cleaning off the high chair cover and told Jason to hang it in the laundry room so it would drip dry and he didnt move so I said Jason what character trait from the board are you doing. On our white board we have all sorts of traits and good things written like "Tell the truth" "loving" "kind" "obey" "respect" etcetera.. Anyways with out skipping a beat Jason says "Patience" I about died! SO stinking creative! So I picked up my wooden spoon and said hmm..let me help you learn a few others LOL It was funny and he did go put it up but ONERY!


Well thats it for tonight. I do have some pictures of part of our craziness. I also have pictures of the birthday girl getting her most famed and fabulous present. Jim captured the moment so perfectly!