The Last Few Days

Friday was interesting.  It snowed overnight last week Thursday - Friday.  A 2 hour delay for the oldest two turned into a full day off for the snow.  Funny thing was the roads were totally clear by 10:30.  It warmed up and was a beautiful day with 5 inches of snow on the ground.  Gwen had woken up at 6 AM by coughing and throwing up in her bed.  I reassured myself that the vomit was cough induced.  After all, I have one with an easy gagger.  If she laughs too much, coughs too hard, cries for too long, etc. she will throw up.  Anyway, she went back to bed and I had to wake her up at 9:30.  I had to get her up because I was taking her to JC Penney to get her 2 year pictures taken.  But then she threw up in the kitchen.  I still attributed it to coughing and we got shoes on and headed out.  Then she threw up in the car in the parking lot at Penney's.  OK.  No pictures, but maybe I could run in next door at Costco and get the 5 things on my list.  No sooner had I pulled into my parking space when she really let fly.  Vomit everywhere.  Charlotte, who was sitting next to her, covered her eyes and kept saying over and over, "I'm not gonna look.  I'm not gonna look."  Now Costco was out.  Definitely couldn't blame it on coughing at this stage.  She had a stomach bug.  Back home with absolutely nothing accomplished except a 2 year old covering herself and her car seat in puke.  I just made more work for myself as the stinkin' car seat had to come out and get all taken apart and laundered.  BUT, my saving grace was that at 2:00 I was picked up by a girlfriend and whisked away to our church's women's retreat.  We even had time to stop at the outlet mall on the way down.  And can I just tell you that I bought the most awesome skillet.  I have been needing a new one and I walked into this kitchen store and there it was....a 15 inch skillet with stainless interior, copper middle and aluminum exterior.  It's made by All Clad, and it was on sale, too.  Exactly what I had been looking for.  I couldn't wait to get home today and try it out!  (and I did....sausage gravy with biscuits and eggs for dinner).  After our retail therapy we drove to a state park inn for the retreat with 250 other women.  I got home this afternoon after 48 hours away.  It was lovely.  Especially because when I got home, everyone was healthy and had made a full recovery.  I can't wait to share with you all about the lessons I learned at the retreat...but that will have to wait for another day for I am worn out and headed to bed! 

L-O-S-E-R

If any of you were thinking that you were in the running for Mom of the Year, I just wanted you to know that the award has been presented and I am the official winner.  Best you can do is 2nd place at this point!  Last night I dropped Joel (10 years old) off at basketball practice at a local elementary school at 5:20 for 5:30 practice.  Matt left to pick him at 7:00, but returned without Joel.  "Where's Joel?" I asked.

"Funny thing, " Matt replied.  "Practice didn't start until 6:45 and is over at 8:15."  So, Joel had been alone at the school - no other person in the building, no phone to call us - for an hour and a half.  ALONE.  I am sure he was freaked out.  Of course, he acted like he was fine.  But I know him and know he was terrified.  Not to mention that I hadn't fed him dinner because he would be home by 7:15.  This is the boy that gets REALLY grouchy if he isn't fed regularly.  His metabolism is super fast.

In all seriousness, as I drove away from the school after dropping him off, I thought, Isn't it interesting how much more comfortable I am dropping him off than I would have been with my 1st child?  I would always have walked Kyle into the building.   Guess I need to revert back to my old ways, huh?

Potty Training

Well, this week has been interesting!  I decided I would take some old costume jewelry I had plus a watch to the place in town that buys gold and see if I could make a little spending cash.  I had my hopes set high.  Too high.  I have sold some old gold chains and earrings that are missing the match and done pretty well.  I had heard the man mention that he also bought good costume jewelry.  So, in I marched with my treasures.  He took one look at them and said, "Do you have small children at home?"  I answered that I did.  He then said, "Take these things home and let them play with them.  They aren't worth anything."  Bummer.  All my hopes dashes.  Just like that.

Gwen has started potty training.  That's one of my least favorite parenting tasks.  I am a firm believer in the "Naked and Elbow Grease" method of potty training.  Meaning that I leave their pants off because it makes them realize that they need to do something about the stuff coming out from between their legs.  The only problem with that is when they don't make it to the potty.  Yesterday we had 1.5 pee accidents and 1 poop accident.  I have to tell you, though, that the poop thing was not entirely her fault.  Yes, it came out of her body.  But, in all fairness, she was bending over and squatting down to pick something up when all of a sudden she tooted....and out came a bit of poop, too.  I don't think she knew it was coming.  At least it was on the hard floor and not the carpet.

Since my last few posts have been about Gwen, I thought I should fill you in on the happenings of the other 5 children who occupy our home.  We don't want one to feel more important than another.

Kyle, who is in 8th grade, has been trying to decide what his feelings are about high school.  I can tell you that I don't feel old enough to have a high school student, but nonetheless, we have been weighing our options.  I think we have settled on him staying at the local public school.  He's comfortable there...and the boy thrives on comfort. 

Now, I have to brag on my eldest daughter.  Last Sunday Gretta stayed  home from church because she had been running a fever the night before.  So off we went for 2 hours leaving her at home.  When we walked in the door at 11:30, there on the neatly-set table, was brunch.  She had made the entire meal (pancakes, fruit salad and fruit smoothies) by herself and timed it out so that it would be ready when we got home. 

Joel is feeling much better since my post about the mystery illness.  He's back to himself and is completely immersed in basketball.  He dribbles in the garage when it's raining and is outside every free moment when it's not. 

Ben is also playing basketball.  He's in a league with 1st and 2nd graders and being that he is a VERY TALL and THICKLY built boy, he's much taller than the other kids he plays against.  My husband even commented that Ben could have tooted and knocked one particularly scrawny kid over.  He looks like a moose out there! 

Charlotte is becoming Gwen's little mother.  They have giggle fits (and cat fights).  She LOVES to go to school...which is only a mom's day out program one day/week for 3 hours! 

Oh, and I better give you another "Gwen-ism":  "wub ew"....especially cute when she tacks on "mommy" at the end.  "Wub ew, mommy".  I love you, too, Gwennie!

"Fulf"

"Fulf" - definition:  a two year old's way of saying, "No, thank you, Mommy.  I want to do it all by myself".  Of course it does not come out nearly so sweet.  It's more shouted than spoken and has a very defiant tone.  Two year olds are notorious for wanting to do everything by themselves, whether they actually can or not.  Like buckling her own car seat, getting herself dressed, washing her own hair, brushing her teeth, putting on her shoes, zipping up her coat....doesn't she realize that I am only trying to help??  How much easier it would be if she just let me get the coat turned the right direction, the knots out of her hair before she brushed, the shoes on the correct foot?

Funny thing:  I can just picture God saying the same thing about me.  "Doesn't she know how much easier this would be if she would just let me help her?"  But instead, I run around in my own way shouting "fulf".  God is there waiting, wanting me to turn to help and ask for help, knowing full well that I can't do this (life, mothering, etc) on my own.  You know, I am convinced that God gave me my children (and 6 of them, at that) to teach me a thing or two!

Another funny Gwen conversation:
Me: "Gwen, why did you ________________?" (fill in the blank...spit food out of your mouth, throw your plate to the ground, bite your sister)
Gwen:  "Cuzth"
Me:  "'Cause why?"
Gwen:  "Ida know"
Me:  "That's a NO, Gwen.  You know we don't _________." (again...fill in the blank)
Gwen:  "OK Mama"  (said with an adorable smile on her face)
Then repeat the conversation 5 minutes later when she does it yet again.

Sixty Second Clean Up

I read an article in a magazine over the weekend about a 60 second cleanup.  I gave it a try last night and it's fabulous!  It won't suffice if you really need to deep clean, but if you are just needing to straighten up a room, it's a fun idea.  Here's how it works:  set a timer for 60 seconds.  Gather your kids and assign tasks if needed.  On "go", everyone works as hard as they can for 60 seconds.  I was amazed.  We did the family room and then the school room last night before bed.  They think it's a game and are willing to work hard and not be distracted for that time.  Who can't commit to 60 seconds!?!  Plus, with everyone working, it really can get done!  You should try it.  I would love to make the 60 second clean up part of our evening routine - especially for our family room and school room.  The author recommended that if you have a small room, like a bath, that you want done, that you do 60 second shifts...one kid at a time with a specific job while they are in there.  Fun idea!

Casserole Recipe

Tried this one last night on request from Ben (8).  He saw the recipe on the back of the mac n cheese box and asked for it.  There is nothing healthy about this, but it was pretty tasty and one of my kids even said it was a "top 10 favorite".  The recipe is on the back of the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Deluxe box.  I doubled it for our family.  Quick and easy...maybe your kids can even make it!

1 pkg Kraft deluxe mac & cheese, original cheddar
1 cup chopped ham
1 cup frozen peas, thawed, drained
1/2 c milk
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese

Make the mac & cheese according to directions.  Stir in ham, peas and milk.  Spoon into a baking dish (spray it first).  Top with cheese.  Bake at 400 for 15 min.

Two Mistakes

Mistake #1:  It's killing me.  I cut Gwen's hair.  She's got these beautiful golden locks with ringlet curls.  The back was getting a little long and sort of "mullet" looking.  Plus, with the length, it wasn't curling as tight.  So I thought a little trim would be good -- layer it a bit, take some of the weight off.  Not so.  Oh, I am in literal pain every time I look at her.  Very little curl....maybe it's just because it's too short.  More likely it's because I cut the baby curl out.  The front, top and sides are still curly, the back is just chopped.  Honestly, it looks rather stupid.  I just want to cry.


Mistake #2:  I invited Joel's basketball team over for an ice cream party this evening.  Plus parents and siblings.  We are at 25 people.  Now I'm regretting it.  We have a cabinet missing a door, trim around a window that needs to be replaced, a tiny, cramped kitchen (especially with 25 people in it).  Why did I do that???  But, I know that true hospitality is not waiting until your house is perfect so you can show it off.  True hospitality is inviting people into a warm home filled with love....serving from your heart, not your best china.  I have to get over my house.  It's NEVER going to look perfect.  I am NEVER going to have my entire "to do" list completed.  But, I can't let that stop me from having people into my home.  I have to get over wanting to "entertain" and start focusing on be hospitable.  So, here's to a fun night (and hoping people don't notice the missing cabinet door).   

Rite of Passage & More

Well, Number 6 has officially been accepted into our family....she pooped in the tub while taking a bath last week.  All of my kids have pooped in the tub (at least it's before they are potty-trained...is this just my kids??).  You know, there's nothing like sitting down on the side of the tub ready to wash them and looking in the water only to find a good size poop sitting in there with the two girls and the Barbies and other bath toys.  They were oblivious.  Totally gross.  I quickly pulled them out and put them in the other tub, took the bath toys to the dishwasher, drained the tub.  The dilemma then becomes how to get it out of there.  Before I had a chance to clean it, Hubby (knowing full well what was in there), told Joel to go shower.  It was a funny, albeit disgusting, prank.

More news:
Yesterday I woke up with a horrific UTI.  It came on very suddenly and progressed very quickly.  In about an hour I was feverish and feeling quite terrible.  After visiting the doctor and getting my prescription, I came home and laid down on the couch to wait it out until nap time.  I put the 10 year old and 8 year old in charge of the 3 and 2 year olds.  That's always interesting, but honestly, I didn't care what they did.  Nor could I have done anything about it if I didn't like what they were doing.  At 2:00, after the girls laid down for their naps, I climbed into bed and slept until 4:30.  When I woke up I could hear dishes clattering and other kitchen noises.  "Oh, no...please don't let them be making me a snack in bed" I thought.  I know, that sounds really caring, but all I could think of was the mess I couldn't bear to think about cleaning up.  I made my way downstairs and found my dear neighbor (she's a widow that my kids think of as their 3rd grandma) directing the kids.  She had washed and put away all of my dirty dishes, had the kids straighten and vacuum the entire downstairs and set the table for Valentine dinner.  She is such a dear woman.  My kids were proud of their work, and I was so thankful for a clean house.  Feeling much better today and so thankful for the access we have to medical care.

Over the weekend, Matt and I went on a date.  I love to go on dates with my man.  While a weekly date would be ideal, it's not very realistic given our schedule and budget.  So we try to go monthly.  We went to a yummy pizza place and then saw The King's Speech (stopping at the grocery to get our candy 1st to save a little $!).  It is fabulous.  We really enjoyed it and recommend it if you have not seen it.

Hope that you had a fun Valentine's Day with your family!  

Sigh.....

Warning:  I am in a foul mood.  The day started out nicely...early morning, no one else was awake, running on the treadmill at the gym (trying to get in shape for a triathlon in April), stopped at the grocery store to get each of the urchins a doughnut, home to shower.  THEN...mid shower I realized I forgot to pack lunches when I got home.  I was basking in the glory of "great mommy-dom" over the doughnuts (they are a HUGE treat around here) and just forgot to pack the stupid lunches.  I was running late because Fridays are my day off from homeschooling and so I don't feel the urgency to be back downstairs dressed and ready to read to the boys by 7:30.  I was enjoying my nice hot shower, even taking time to shave my legs (gasp!).  But, back to the lunches...I rushed out of the shower, threw on my clothes and ran downstairs, started putting 3 lunches together (2 kids + hubby).  Hubby had offered to drop kids off at school (wonderful treat for me) and they were ready to leave.  That's when I realized Gretta was not ready for school yet and she had to walk out the door in 3 minutes.  Now, let me 1st tell you this is pretty much an every-morning-thing.  The girl can't walk by the TV without stopping for a full 5 min -- putting shoes on is a 10 min ordeal.  Going upstairs to brush teeth takes a full 5 min just to get up there b/c she has to walk by the TV.  (I know, turn the thing off, you say.  Yes, but it's keeping Charlotte occupied while I get everyone else ready to start the day).  No one else has trouble with the TV on.  They can eat and watch at the same time.  (we raise talented kids, I know!)  Anyway, I was irked that once again I was having to say things like, "you are leaving in 3 minutes", "do you have your coat" (duh...it's only 3 degrees outside), "have you brushed your teeth" (another 'duh').  Finally, out they all run to van.  Only for me to realize that a gift she needs for a Valentine party is sitting on the counter.  (oh, and she left her laptop at home yesterday).  Then, I see Kyle's PE activity report which is due every Friday.  He had asked me to sign it earlier and I had told him I would after I showered.  But, then I forgot.  And so did he.  Can I just tell you, I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE BACK OVER TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.  Ugh.  So begins the grouchy part of my day and it's only 9:00!  Now, here's the other thing that's making me irritated today:  I am taking the 4 younger kids to an indoor playground.  Fun!  Yeah, it is fun.  They burn some energy, I can sit and watch.  But you know who else is there....young, perky moms.  You know the ones.  Still in their late 20's, cute figure, cute clothes, flowing bouncy hair.  And then there's me...fly-away hair (our water softener is not working), cute t-shirt - but it's under my big, bulky, warm sweater.  Why do I care??? Why do I compare myself to them - or anyone for that matter???  God made me just the way I am.  He loves me just the way I am.  He doesn't like when I don't honor myself....it dishonors Him, too.  I am trying to combat this.  Maybe if I just wear a big sign around my neck that says, "There's a reason why I am like this.  I have six kids...so back off!"  Hmmm....that doesn't sound very loving and approachable, does it?  Probably not a good option.  I could sit meekly in the corner and glare at them....probably not what God had in mind either.  Guess I need to in there with my head held high, proud of myself and of my kids.  Because you know what?  I am doing something fun with my kids.  I am spending time with them.  I am honoring my kids and myself.  OK, God.  Please forgive me for not loving me.  Please help me to have a fun day with my kids and not compare myself to others.  Help me to be the woman, mom, wife you want me to be. 

Chicken Recipe

Here's another good one.  Key here is EASY....and tastes good enough to take to someone or serve to guests!

Chicken/Ham Bake
boneless skinless chicken breasts (I really like the ones that come in a bag in the frozen section at  Costco...they are thin and all the same size - cook evenly, and the price is pretty good, too!)

deli ham slices
provolone cheese slices
cream of chicken soup
1/2 soup can white wine

spray a baking dish with Pam.  place chicken breasts in single layer on bottom.  top each chicken breast with a thin layer of ham then with a piece of cheese.  mix cream of chicken soup with the wine and pour over the top of the chicken.  Bake at 350 for about 35 - 40 min or until chicken is no longer pink.  serve with brown rice, scooping the sauce over the rice to serve.

You Have to Read This!

A good friend sent me this link this morning.  You will find the link at the bottom, but I am copying and pasting the post here.  Please know these are NOT my words, but were invaluable to me this morning.  I hope you are blessed by this as well.

 

February 8, 2011

The Why of Encouragement

Tags:  Daily Guests, Uncategorized

Its early morning and I’m not dressed yet.  The phone rings while I’m taking stock of last night’s dishes piled in the sink, coloring books and crayons scattered all over the living room, and several hooligans running about in underwear and tangled hair, shouting for breakfast.  Its easy to feel defeated today before the day has even begun.
I answer the phone and, as if by magic, something changes.  Because someone on the other end encourages.
I don’t do well with compliments.  I’m never sure how to respond.  Who, me?  I’m shyly scuffing my toes and casting eyes down as the words roll over me.  “We’re proud of you.  We are thankful for you.  You are doing a beautiful job.  You are a wonderful Mother.”
A thousand thoughts rush to the forefront of my mind – ” I yelled at my daughter for no reason this morning.  I sent my kids to bed in a huff last night.  Have you seen my kitchen?  My bathrooms are a disgrace and I hardly smiled at my husband last night.  I’m not who you say I am.”
Why is it so hard to accept encouragement?
Ah, there it is, the answer that steals so much from us: perfectionism.  That little lie that snakes its way into many a mother’s mindset.  “Other mothers have cleaner houses.  They speak sweetly to their kids.  They cherish and serve their husbands.  They have perfect lives.”
Somehow we slurp down every lie and ask for more.
The only way to combat lies is with truth.  And here it is, mamas:
You are doing a beautiful job.  No, I didn’t say perfect.  I didn’t say spotless.  I didn’t say sinless.  I said beautiful.  Broken, messy people can be beautiful, and the way that you try, try and try again, that is beautiful.
Every day that you wake up in the midst of your mess and resolve, every day that you try, and yes even every day that you fail, your heavenly Father is proud of you.  Think of how proud you are of your littles when they try, and even when they stumble and fall amidst their attempts.
You are a wonderful mother.  You love your children more than yourself.  You are being remade into a better person because of the sacrificial love you have for these precious gifts you’ve been given.  And that makes you wonderful.
Compliments and encouragement, they are not for the perfect among us…because who among us is perfect?
Motherhood is historically “thankless.”  Small people are not always great at making us feel validated and appreciated, and even harried husbands coming home to the giant task of family, they can even forget at times.
Encourage one another.  I see what other mamas do, because I do the same.  I see how hard it is.  If there is some way that I can encourage another in the way I have been encouraged, I know that it will bolster her, give her strength and hope in this daily battle we call life.
That’s why we should encourage.  Not because we are perfect, but because we are not.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV
“Therefore, encourage each other…”
By: Lydia, Small Town Simplicity

http://www.incourage.me/2011/02/the-why-of-encouragement.html

TMI???

Here is when you know you are really a mommy (as if giving birth six times were not enough):  I was going to the bathroom and Gwen and Charlotte had to be "wif you".  So there we all are...me on the toilet, Gwen and Charlotte "washing" their hands when Gwen bit Charlotte.  So now, Charlotte's sobbing and I had to smack Gwen's hand to discipline her which of course made her cry too.  They are both laying their heads, one on each thigh, crying....and all I wanted to do was go to the bathroom.


And some other thoughts:
If you don't already do this, I highly recommend picking one day per week to be "grocery day".  Keep a running list of things you need and the day before you go plan out all your meals for the upcoming week plus whatever else you will need.  Be sure to ask your husband if he's out of anything or wants anything in particular from the store.  Never fails that if you don't ask, he's using your deodorant the very next day!  And you'd be surprised the things he might ask you to pick up....like ice cream cones!??!  That made me smile.  Never knew Matt liked ice cream cones so much.  Also ask the kids if they are out of anything like toothpaste, etc.  Planning my meals is a tad time consuming, but it is so rewarding when I have everything I need each night.  Plus, I rarely have to make a quick trip to pick up a few things.  I really LOVE Amy Knapp's Family Organizer.  Not only is it a calendar, but has a "to do list", grocery list and menu planning.  As soon as I use up the last of something, I mark it down in my planner.  Can't say enough about this planner....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.  There are a few different versions - "Christian" and "Homeschool" - but I prefer the original.  It starts in July of one year and runs for 18 months.  For instance the one I am using now is July 2010 - Dec 2011.  That way you can have a fresh calendar at the beginning of the school year.   After all, what's better than new school supplies! 

Two Book Recommendations

I have been reading 2 different books that I wanted to recommend to you.  They are both parenting books and by the same authors.  The first one is Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes...in You and Your Kids by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller.  Please don't let the title or the cover deter you from purchasing this book.  I first heard about it at the homeschool convention last year.  It is all about developing honor in your family - not just kids honoring parents, but kids honoring siblings and parents honoring kids, too.  Our small group is now using it as our study for the year, and we are all really enjoying it.  It offers very practical advice from a Biblical perspective.  One tag line I liked that conveys what they are trying to teach is "obediance is the action, honor is the attitude". 

The second book is Good and Angry, also by Turansky and Miller.  One of the couples in our small group ordered this book for everyone for Christmas after they realized how much they were loving the 1st one.  I am only about half way through this one, and it's just as good.  It really teaches you how to redirect arguments, whining, etc and help your kids learn life lessons about relating to people.  What I also love about both of these books is they way they speak directly to the parent, too.  We have to fix ourselves of negative, ugly, dishonoring behavior toward our children first (or at least at the same time) before we can address it in our children.  They are both set up in a really good format for book discussions -- with questions at the end of each chapter.   Both books are appropriate for parents with toddlers through teenagers.  If you have read them, I would love to know what you think! 

Recipe - a twist on pizza

A new recipe I invented this week...kids loved it!  Always looking for a little variety, even if that means serving the exact same thing in a different way. 

PIZZA ROLL UP
1.  make pizza dough in your bread machine or buy the Pillsbury pizza dough
2.  when it's ready, take it out and roll it into a large rectangle
3.  spread sauce (I prefer to use spaghetti sauce over pizza sauce b/c it's more flavorful), like you would if you were making a pizza
4.  add cheese and other ingredients then top with another light layer of cheese
5.  starting on one of the long edges, roll the pizza up - finish by tucking the ends under
6.  transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 375 for about 20 - 25 min, until crust is light brown and hard when you "knock" on it
7.  slice into 1 - 2" pieces and serve!