Evie and Sam love to spend their free time drawing on any scrap of paper they can find (those spiral-bound sketch pads are pretty much the best gift they can be given right now!) with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Being the parent that is usually home when they are drawing, I have been given a rather large stack of some beautiful and very interesting art. Many StarWars pictures, several knights with shields and swords (and daggers and lances and arrows, oh my!), a whole myriad of monsters, castles, horses, birds, insects, cats, dogs, and let us not forget the self portraits. Yes, the pictures are wonderful, and I cherish them all.
And I thought I was doing a pretty good job of raising well-adjusted children. Until yesterday morning.
Evie was coloring at the table, and Sam came by to check on her progress. Normally, this small act would have started WWIII, but the whole morning had been surprisingly peaceful. I was at the sink doing dishes, so I could hear that they were talking, but I couldn't hear the conversations. I did catch pieces, thought, like 'ant' and 'shrew' and 'trail' and 'cat.' I thought maybe Evie was drawing the backyard or an area of the trail out back that does indeed have ants and those mole mounds. Oh, if only ...
She came up to me a little bit later, and said, 'Mom, I have a picture for you!'
'Oh, wow, Evie. That sure does have a lot of colors. Why don't you tell me about it!'
'Well, that's a shrew. The cats killed it and it's dead. And that's all the ants that are eating it. See their trail going back to their home?'
'Uh ... um ... Yeah, I see it. Uh, Evie, why does the shrew have a circle in the middle of it?'
I got the why-does-mom-take-so-long-to-figure-these-things-out look. 'Because that's where the cats ate the guts, Mom.'
'Oh. Well, where's the other foot, hon? Shrews have four feet, not three.'
Repeat of the above-mentioned look. 'Because the ants already took it to their home, Mom.'
'Oh. Well, why didn't the cats eat the whole shrew?'
'Because they caught a copperhead and ate it first so they weren't hungry anymore.'
'Oh, ok. Anything else?'
'Can I have a cookie?'
'Yeah, sure. Why not?'
Man, what kind of strange, strange children am I raising? At least her husband will thank me when she doesn't scream and jump on a chair if she sees a spider, mouse, or snake ...
Saturday, October 20
Friday, October 19
In Retrospect ...
I was looking for some pictures to upload onto eBay this morning, and I accidentally opened a picture folder from spring of 2005. And then I decided to go through a bunch of old pictures, so I'm going to share some of my favorite kid memories with you.
Here, we were trying to get bluebonnet pictures of the kids. This was one of only two pictures we didn't delete, after about 45 minutes of taking pictures. And it's very typical, seeing how Sam is trying to kiss Evie, and Evie is eating a bluebonnet.
This is the oldest one of all the pictures, from April 2005. Look how cute they are!!!
Sam only ate about 20 tomatoes this afternoon at my dad's house. He loves to eat cherry tomatoes right out of the garden (to the point where he's just not allowed to pick tomatoes when they're in our garden. They never make it to the house, because he eats them all en rout). Late April 2005.
If ever a picture captured Evie being Evie, this is it. This was the wallpaper on my mom's computer for a long time. May 2005.
You know, little girls aren't supposed to wear firetruck underwear. They should be girly, and have cute pink or purple underwear. And they really should wear shirts. But sometimes, you just have to break all the rules, and go topless in firetruck underwear. We're all had days like that, haven't we? June 2005.
We were at my mom's for this one, and the kids had been playing in the sprinkler. And then Sam found a gecko and caught it, cause he's like the Steve Irwin of gecko, lizard, and skink catching. And then he put it on Evie, but she was just confused and wanted to play in the sprinkler some more. Poor Sam, he ended up with a sister who likes all the creepy-crawlies he catches!! June 2005.
Baby got back! I like big butts, and I cannot like. You other brothers can't deny ... I could keep going, but I won't. May 2005.
So, did you read in the paper or see on CNN about those college students at UT that got trapped in some caves in Austin and had to be rescued after being in there for 32 hours? Click here, and check out picture #5. (Don't worry, it's a safe site.)
I told him this morning thanks for not getting lost, because once they had been found, and I knew everyone was safe, I would have had to smack him in the head.
And here's something strange: I never realized how many nekkid pictures we've taken of Evie. Seriously, there were way too many pictures of that child when she had on no clothes!!
And don't suggest that I love her more than I love the older one. No, I don't. Really. She just photographs better. I love them both the same. Yes, I do. Stop suggesting things.
Here, we were trying to get bluebonnet pictures of the kids. This was one of only two pictures we didn't delete, after about 45 minutes of taking pictures. And it's very typical, seeing how Sam is trying to kiss Evie, and Evie is eating a bluebonnet.
This is the oldest one of all the pictures, from April 2005. Look how cute they are!!!
Sam only ate about 20 tomatoes this afternoon at my dad's house. He loves to eat cherry tomatoes right out of the garden (to the point where he's just not allowed to pick tomatoes when they're in our garden. They never make it to the house, because he eats them all en rout). Late April 2005.
If ever a picture captured Evie being Evie, this is it. This was the wallpaper on my mom's computer for a long time. May 2005.
You know, little girls aren't supposed to wear firetruck underwear. They should be girly, and have cute pink or purple underwear. And they really should wear shirts. But sometimes, you just have to break all the rules, and go topless in firetruck underwear. We're all had days like that, haven't we? June 2005.
We were at my mom's for this one, and the kids had been playing in the sprinkler. And then Sam found a gecko and caught it, cause he's like the Steve Irwin of gecko, lizard, and skink catching. And then he put it on Evie, but she was just confused and wanted to play in the sprinkler some more. Poor Sam, he ended up with a sister who likes all the creepy-crawlies he catches!! June 2005.
Baby got back! I like big butts, and I cannot like. You other brothers can't deny ... I could keep going, but I won't. May 2005.
So, did you read in the paper or see on CNN about those college students at UT that got trapped in some caves in Austin and had to be rescued after being in there for 32 hours? Click here, and check out picture #5. (Don't worry, it's a safe site.)
I told him this morning thanks for not getting lost, because once they had been found, and I knew everyone was safe, I would have had to smack him in the head.
And here's something strange: I never realized how many nekkid pictures we've taken of Evie. Seriously, there were way too many pictures of that child when she had on no clothes!!
And don't suggest that I love her more than I love the older one. No, I don't. Really. She just photographs better. I love them both the same. Yes, I do. Stop suggesting things.
Thursday, October 18
In a Funk ...
Ever get into one of those? I know, I know, you're probably perfect, with no problems. :) I, however, am most certainly not perfect, and I'm having some issues.
For one thing, I tend to get a little more moody after my period, not before. Silly hormones. Also, I'm a little sad. I was four or five days late this month, and I really thought I was pregnant. Of course, I started thinking that a week before I should have gotten my period (yes, I knew that soon with David), so I had almost two weeks of trying not to be too excited. Except that I was really excited. And I cried when I realized I wasn't pregnant. John was bummed, too. Not as much as I was, but he was very sweet none the less.
Also, it's October. The second half of October. So, really, it shouldn't still be 95 degrees, right? That's the forecast for Austin this afternoon, and I'm getting a little cranky. I love summer, and I don't like to be cold, but is a nice day in the lower 80's too much to ask? Really, is it?? Come on, now!
Sometimes I think I should be doing more. I mean, I'm busy with the kids, and actually have more work than I can ever get done, but I feel like I'm not doing enough sometimes. I wish I had a small business I could run from home, preferably something web-based that I could do at night, or whenever I have a few spare minutes. I was really excited about this, but I'm just not good at sales, and hate talking to people about something I'm selling. I just feel strange doing it, regardless of how much I love my product. (And I do truly love this stuff. I feel that it's worth every penny! But I digress ...)
I would love a ministry based business. I would love to sell everything we have and move to southeast Asia or South America and be missionaries. I'd do that in a heartbeat. What am amazing experience that would be for the kids! I just get restless sometimes, and oddly enough, I get restless when I have busy spurts of insanity ... like the never ending week we wrapped up last week. When it comes to the fight or flight response, if none of us are in physical danger, I have a huge tendency toward flight!! When I get stressed, I want to get out of Dodge and go somewhere quieter, simpler, and farther away from people. My dream would be owning about 200 acres and being as self sustaining (and off the grid, lol!) as possible.
I can also feel my body freaking out about my diet lately. It has not been good. I think Sarah and I are going to detox together next week, and I'm looking forward to it. Kristie let me borrow her detox book, and it's a really big deal. It's a nine-day course, where you gradually add certain foods back into your diet. I've just been so tired and run down the last few weeks, and craving refined sugar and flour. I haven't felt like this in forever, and it's really getting to me. Actually, I think how I'm eating is mostly responsible for the funk I've been for the last few days.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. It's the verse that keeps me going some days, because man!, do I ever try to do everything in my own strength. Yeah, that always works out sooo well for me. :)
For one thing, I tend to get a little more moody after my period, not before. Silly hormones. Also, I'm a little sad. I was four or five days late this month, and I really thought I was pregnant. Of course, I started thinking that a week before I should have gotten my period (yes, I knew that soon with David), so I had almost two weeks of trying not to be too excited. Except that I was really excited. And I cried when I realized I wasn't pregnant. John was bummed, too. Not as much as I was, but he was very sweet none the less.
Also, it's October. The second half of October. So, really, it shouldn't still be 95 degrees, right? That's the forecast for Austin this afternoon, and I'm getting a little cranky. I love summer, and I don't like to be cold, but is a nice day in the lower 80's too much to ask? Really, is it?? Come on, now!
Sometimes I think I should be doing more. I mean, I'm busy with the kids, and actually have more work than I can ever get done, but I feel like I'm not doing enough sometimes. I wish I had a small business I could run from home, preferably something web-based that I could do at night, or whenever I have a few spare minutes. I was really excited about this, but I'm just not good at sales, and hate talking to people about something I'm selling. I just feel strange doing it, regardless of how much I love my product. (And I do truly love this stuff. I feel that it's worth every penny! But I digress ...)
I would love a ministry based business. I would love to sell everything we have and move to southeast Asia or South America and be missionaries. I'd do that in a heartbeat. What am amazing experience that would be for the kids! I just get restless sometimes, and oddly enough, I get restless when I have busy spurts of insanity ... like the never ending week we wrapped up last week. When it comes to the fight or flight response, if none of us are in physical danger, I have a huge tendency toward flight!! When I get stressed, I want to get out of Dodge and go somewhere quieter, simpler, and farther away from people. My dream would be owning about 200 acres and being as self sustaining (and off the grid, lol!) as possible.
I can also feel my body freaking out about my diet lately. It has not been good. I think Sarah and I are going to detox together next week, and I'm looking forward to it. Kristie let me borrow her detox book, and it's a really big deal. It's a nine-day course, where you gradually add certain foods back into your diet. I've just been so tired and run down the last few weeks, and craving refined sugar and flour. I haven't felt like this in forever, and it's really getting to me. Actually, I think how I'm eating is mostly responsible for the funk I've been for the last few days.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. It's the verse that keeps me going some days, because man!, do I ever try to do everything in my own strength. Yeah, that always works out sooo well for me. :)
Wednesday, October 17
My Hands Hurt
I went over to Kristie's yesterday and helper her paint and hang paneling in her kitchen. Seeing how I am a wuss, my hands now hurt. Aww, poor me. :) I was at her house for about 4 1/2 hours, and had a wonderful time. The kids stayed here with John, and her kids amused themselves most of the time (when not chatting with and amusing us!), so we actually got to just chat and have girl talk ... which covered many topics, ranging from movies we've recently seen to politics to putting babies on a schedule. (We're all for it, by the way.)
I never did get that nap on Saturday, because I forgot I invited Kristie to drop her kids off while she went up to Home Depot for the above-mentioned products. This might pretty benign, but let me remind you that Kristie has 5 kids. So I had 8 kids under 11-years-old at my house, and honestly, I've hardly ever had so much fun. I love kids so much, and I pray that God blesses us with several more.
I had a great morning today. Well, I accidentally slept in and didn't get up until almost 6:45, but it was good other than that, because the rest of my family slept in, too. That never happens. In my devotionals, I've been spending a lot of time in Paul's epistles lately. I decided to go back and read the Gospels again, and started with Luke. (Why? I dunno. Why not?) What an amazing story. I think Luke is probably my favorite Gospel. Then I read Matthew 5 this morning over breakfast; we've moved our daily chapter out of Proverbs to the evenings. Our memory verse over the next few weeks will be the Beatitudes, for so many reasons. For one thing, they're beautiful! I love the way the words flow, and I just think it's wonderful poetry. Also, what a wonderful way to live!!
Read this, and just think about it for a while ...
Matthew 5:3-10
"Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
I never did get that nap on Saturday, because I forgot I invited Kristie to drop her kids off while she went up to Home Depot for the above-mentioned products. This might pretty benign, but let me remind you that Kristie has 5 kids. So I had 8 kids under 11-years-old at my house, and honestly, I've hardly ever had so much fun. I love kids so much, and I pray that God blesses us with several more.
I had a great morning today. Well, I accidentally slept in and didn't get up until almost 6:45, but it was good other than that, because the rest of my family slept in, too. That never happens. In my devotionals, I've been spending a lot of time in Paul's epistles lately. I decided to go back and read the Gospels again, and started with Luke. (Why? I dunno. Why not?) What an amazing story. I think Luke is probably my favorite Gospel. Then I read Matthew 5 this morning over breakfast; we've moved our daily chapter out of Proverbs to the evenings. Our memory verse over the next few weeks will be the Beatitudes, for so many reasons. For one thing, they're beautiful! I love the way the words flow, and I just think it's wonderful poetry. Also, what a wonderful way to live!!
Read this, and just think about it for a while ...
Matthew 5:3-10
"Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Saturday, October 13
new recipe
Head over to my mangosteen blog and check out the new recipe I put up there, for a XanGo Power Smoothie. It's very yummy. :)
http://mangosteenjuice.livejournal.com/
http://mangosteenjuice.livejournal.com/
Home at Last!
Oh, my. Since last Tuesday, the kids and I have spent over 34 hours in the car. Over 34 hours in 11 days. That's waaaay too long. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.
John's grandfather passed away late last Sunday, and his funeral was on Thursday. John's dad Jim rode back home with us Thursday afternoon and stayed with us that night. John worked Friday, so the kids and I drove Jim to Austin to meet John's half sister, Heather, at Whole Foods. Jim stayed with Heather Friday night, and had his flight back home this morning. It was an ... um ... interesting ... visit, as always.
We got our shopping done at Whole Foods, and I bought myself a treat: Pumpkin Ale! I never buy myself beer, mainly because I almost never drink beer. Especially since I quit smoking. I have nothing against it, I'm just an uber-lightweight and tend to fall asleep if I drink more than one ... or if I finish one too late in the evening. :) On the rare evening when I get a hankerin' for one, I just steal one of John's. But I love pumpkin, and I've seen this stuff every year, and I've always really wanted to try it. So I got wild and crazy and went ahead and bought some. But I was too tired to try it last night. Maybe this evening. We'll see. Hee hee. I'll report back.
All the kids came with us to the funeral; it was a short service at the Houston National Cemetery. Jim was given military honors (he served in WWII), and the service was beautiful. I have to brag on my kids for a second. They were amazing. Not that they're usually wild Indians when we're in public or anything (please not that I said usually), but they were above and beyond great at the service, and then at the family gathering we went to afterwards. My darling husband at I received several compliments on all three of the little dears, and we couldn't have been prouder.
And then came yesterday. I am so glad that none of the people who were at the service were around yesterday. By the time John got home, I wanted to lock myself in a closet and not come out until Christmas. Well, maybe Thanksgiving at the earliest. But not before. Even the baby was making me crazy!! I think it was just that yesterday, the stress of the last few weeks came crashing down on us all ... whatever it was, it wasn't fun! All the kids were in bed by 8, and I was asleep on the couch by 10. And I'm still tired and trying to catch up on sleep!!
So on that note, I'm off to take a quick nap while the baby is down for a while. I promise to post something marginally more interesting soon, once I figure out which way is up.
John's grandfather passed away late last Sunday, and his funeral was on Thursday. John's dad Jim rode back home with us Thursday afternoon and stayed with us that night. John worked Friday, so the kids and I drove Jim to Austin to meet John's half sister, Heather, at Whole Foods. Jim stayed with Heather Friday night, and had his flight back home this morning. It was an ... um ... interesting ... visit, as always.
We got our shopping done at Whole Foods, and I bought myself a treat: Pumpkin Ale! I never buy myself beer, mainly because I almost never drink beer. Especially since I quit smoking. I have nothing against it, I'm just an uber-lightweight and tend to fall asleep if I drink more than one ... or if I finish one too late in the evening. :) On the rare evening when I get a hankerin' for one, I just steal one of John's. But I love pumpkin, and I've seen this stuff every year, and I've always really wanted to try it. So I got wild and crazy and went ahead and bought some. But I was too tired to try it last night. Maybe this evening. We'll see. Hee hee. I'll report back.
All the kids came with us to the funeral; it was a short service at the Houston National Cemetery. Jim was given military honors (he served in WWII), and the service was beautiful. I have to brag on my kids for a second. They were amazing. Not that they're usually wild Indians when we're in public or anything (please not that I said usually), but they were above and beyond great at the service, and then at the family gathering we went to afterwards. My darling husband at I received several compliments on all three of the little dears, and we couldn't have been prouder.
And then came yesterday. I am so glad that none of the people who were at the service were around yesterday. By the time John got home, I wanted to lock myself in a closet and not come out until Christmas. Well, maybe Thanksgiving at the earliest. But not before. Even the baby was making me crazy!! I think it was just that yesterday, the stress of the last few weeks came crashing down on us all ... whatever it was, it wasn't fun! All the kids were in bed by 8, and I was asleep on the couch by 10. And I'm still tired and trying to catch up on sleep!!
So on that note, I'm off to take a quick nap while the baby is down for a while. I promise to post something marginally more interesting soon, once I figure out which way is up.
Saturday, October 6
Quick Update
Well, Dustin's funeral went well yesterday. I went with Sarah and Lyndsey, who flew in from New Orleans that morning to make it in time. There were at least 7 people who got up and spoke about Dustin, and there was a great slide show, and it was all very touching. Except ... the person who did the service was awful. And I feel bad for saying that. And heaven help us, but Lyndsey and I almost cracked up several times. Lyndsey kind of alternated from almost crying (y'know, the kind where you just have a few tears every few seconds that you dab at, but you're not really crying?) to shaking with laughter at something completely inappropriate the pastor would say. It was bad, guys.
We got out into the foyer afterwards, all three of us about to go our separate ways, and L and I were worried that Sarah would be upset with us. We didn't know if she had seen us desperately trying not to laugh or not. But it turned out that she agreed with us, so we didn't feel (quite so) bad.
All that to say that Dustin very obviously touched a lot of people's lives, and the lack of his presence will be deeply felt. He was a great, happy, fun, caring guy, and it was almost an honor to sit there yesterday and hear the stories about his from the people that were closest to him.
Then I picked the kids up, drove to San Antonio, watched John take his flight that he enjoyed except for the aerobatics that made his kind of sick all the way into last night, ate supper in San Marcos, drove straight to Starbucks for out Titus 2 meeting at 8, ran by HEB after, ran into Becky and Alex and chatted with them, and didn't get home until almost 11. So I didn't see my house from 6:30 yesterday morning until 11 last night.
And I'm getting ready to leave again in about half an hour. We're very excited to go to The Woodlands to visit Sherry and her new house, and we'll be leaving there around 9 tonight ... and then going to the never ending day at church tomorrow. And then driving to San Antonio again on Monday to visit Candi and the see the Pearls speak that evening. And not getting out of bed at all on Tuesday. :)
Please pray that I can get some rest, I really need it, and that the kids' amazing behavior would continue. They have absolutely blown me out of the water these last few days; I have just been so proud of them!!
Hopefully, then next time I post, I'll have something interesting to say, not just tired ramblings ... Maybe some new pics, who knows? :)
We got out into the foyer afterwards, all three of us about to go our separate ways, and L and I were worried that Sarah would be upset with us. We didn't know if she had seen us desperately trying not to laugh or not. But it turned out that she agreed with us, so we didn't feel (quite so) bad.
All that to say that Dustin very obviously touched a lot of people's lives, and the lack of his presence will be deeply felt. He was a great, happy, fun, caring guy, and it was almost an honor to sit there yesterday and hear the stories about his from the people that were closest to him.
Then I picked the kids up, drove to San Antonio, watched John take his flight that he enjoyed except for the aerobatics that made his kind of sick all the way into last night, ate supper in San Marcos, drove straight to Starbucks for out Titus 2 meeting at 8, ran by HEB after, ran into Becky and Alex and chatted with them, and didn't get home until almost 11. So I didn't see my house from 6:30 yesterday morning until 11 last night.
And I'm getting ready to leave again in about half an hour. We're very excited to go to The Woodlands to visit Sherry and her new house, and we'll be leaving there around 9 tonight ... and then going to the never ending day at church tomorrow. And then driving to San Antonio again on Monday to visit Candi and the see the Pearls speak that evening. And not getting out of bed at all on Tuesday. :)
Please pray that I can get some rest, I really need it, and that the kids' amazing behavior would continue. They have absolutely blown me out of the water these last few days; I have just been so proud of them!!
Hopefully, then next time I post, I'll have something interesting to say, not just tired ramblings ... Maybe some new pics, who knows? :)
Thursday, October 4
So Tired!
We have been so busy lately. And it's not going to slow down anytime soon, either ...
On Tuesday, we drove to San Antonio. We went by the Antique Rose Emporium, a mall, Chili's, and then to the little airport where John was supposed to take his airplane ride. We got to the airport, and were able to see the plane land with the person who flew before John. Very neat plane, by the way. John got in, got his goggles and parachute on (just in case of emergency, you know!), was ready to go ... and the plane wouldn't start. The pilot thought it was the starter, and since the company is in San Antonio until Saturday, we're going down there again on Friday to give it another whirl.
But John is going to drive to San Antonio by himself, and we'll meet him over there, because I have a funeral to go to Friday morning. Dustin was a guy that I knew in junior high and high school, and we were never super close, but he was always very sweet to me. Lyndsey and I are going to go together, I think. The kids will be with my mom. I'm leaving right after the church service to pick the kids up and head to San Antonio, so I can watch John's ride and get lots of great pictures.
On Saturday, we'll be leaving about 6:45 to drive to The Woodlands to see Sherry and her new house. I think she just closed like a month ago, and we're all looking forward to the trip. We'll be there until 9-ish, so the kids will sleep when we drive home.
On Saturday, we have church and potluck afterwards, and then we have a baptism ceremony. I'm excited about it, because (among other reasons) the church hasn't had one since we started going.
Monday is a slow day, or as I am now calling it, The Day I Plan On Not Leaving Bed. :) Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are just days to run errands, do laundry, do school, cook, etc. And we'll probably take Mr McCormick a meal Wednesday, too. Then Thursday, I'm driving to Austin to run errands like SAM'S Club and Whole Foods, and having coffee or lunch with an old girlfriend.
Whew!! I'm tired just writing all of this. I think I need a nap. :)
On Tuesday, we drove to San Antonio. We went by the Antique Rose Emporium, a mall, Chili's, and then to the little airport where John was supposed to take his airplane ride. We got to the airport, and were able to see the plane land with the person who flew before John. Very neat plane, by the way. John got in, got his goggles and parachute on (just in case of emergency, you know!), was ready to go ... and the plane wouldn't start. The pilot thought it was the starter, and since the company is in San Antonio until Saturday, we're going down there again on Friday to give it another whirl.
But John is going to drive to San Antonio by himself, and we'll meet him over there, because I have a funeral to go to Friday morning. Dustin was a guy that I knew in junior high and high school, and we were never super close, but he was always very sweet to me. Lyndsey and I are going to go together, I think. The kids will be with my mom. I'm leaving right after the church service to pick the kids up and head to San Antonio, so I can watch John's ride and get lots of great pictures.
On Saturday, we'll be leaving about 6:45 to drive to The Woodlands to see Sherry and her new house. I think she just closed like a month ago, and we're all looking forward to the trip. We'll be there until 9-ish, so the kids will sleep when we drive home.
On Saturday, we have church and potluck afterwards, and then we have a baptism ceremony. I'm excited about it, because (among other reasons) the church hasn't had one since we started going.
Monday is a slow day, or as I am now calling it, The Day I Plan On Not Leaving Bed. :) Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are just days to run errands, do laundry, do school, cook, etc. And we'll probably take Mr McCormick a meal Wednesday, too. Then Thursday, I'm driving to Austin to run errands like SAM'S Club and Whole Foods, and having coffee or lunch with an old girlfriend.
Whew!! I'm tired just writing all of this. I think I need a nap. :)
Monday, October 1
My Website
Woohoo!! Look at me! I've got a website. Yeah, it's pretty simple for me to keep up, but I'm ok with that. I don't have enough hours in the day as it is, and I may end up with even less soon. I have no time for site maintenance.
http://www.myxango.com/ashleybstewart/
Please go check it out, and let me know what you think. :)
http://www.myxango.com/ashleybstewart/
Please go check it out, and let me know what you think. :)
Saturday, September 29
Art Class
Sam is taking an art class this semester. The class is taught by Mrs. Barnabas, a very sweet retired public school art teacher. She has told us that she likes doing these homeschool classes (she has at least three that she does) much better than her last job, because how can you teach are without teaching about the One who created all things beautiful? We meet every other Friday at my friend Cynthia's house; there are two groups of kids. The younger group is 5-8-year-olds, and the older group is 9-12-year-olds. I think. Sam is the youngest one in the class, but he does really well. He seems to really have some talent, and I think we all know what parent that comes from. Not the one writing this, that's for sure. Stick figures are about as complex I get (and let's be honest, they're not even well drawn stick figures!).
And this class isn't just 'let's color the flower pink, kids' or 'let's cut some paper!' In the first class, they learned about lines and perspective. Second class was the color wheel, and primary colors vs secondary colors, and how you decided which is which. (John took the kids to talk class, because I was out of town having White Russians at the Skyline Grill and Bar and wearing black heels and generally looking amazing. But I digress ...) This week, the kids are learning about drawing people and portraits. The pictures that Sam did were amazing!! I hope our scanner is up and running again soon so I can show y'all what he's capable of.
And lest you think his younger siblings are left out, don't worry. All the 'youngers' come to class, too, they just don't take the actual class. The kids that are around Evie's age either play outside or in Shawn and Spencer's room, and the little ones crawl around or spend most of their time being cuddled by moms whose little ones have started growing up. It's a bad place to be if you're borderline baby fever-ish, because all the little ones are so ridiculously cute!!
This class is a huge blessing, and I am just so grateful that Cynthia agreed to host it, and Mrs. Barnabas agreed to teach it!!
And this class isn't just 'let's color the flower pink, kids' or 'let's cut some paper!' In the first class, they learned about lines and perspective. Second class was the color wheel, and primary colors vs secondary colors, and how you decided which is which. (John took the kids to talk class, because I was out of town having White Russians at the Skyline Grill and Bar and wearing black heels and generally looking amazing. But I digress ...) This week, the kids are learning about drawing people and portraits. The pictures that Sam did were amazing!! I hope our scanner is up and running again soon so I can show y'all what he's capable of.
And lest you think his younger siblings are left out, don't worry. All the 'youngers' come to class, too, they just don't take the actual class. The kids that are around Evie's age either play outside or in Shawn and Spencer's room, and the little ones crawl around or spend most of their time being cuddled by moms whose little ones have started growing up. It's a bad place to be if you're borderline baby fever-ish, because all the little ones are so ridiculously cute!!
This class is a huge blessing, and I am just so grateful that Cynthia agreed to host it, and Mrs. Barnabas agreed to teach it!!
Thursday, September 27
Babies ... Oh, how I want to eat them!
Really, is it any wonder that I want about 6 more kids? Just look at the most recent addition to our family.
He's musically gifted, and loves the piano.
And he can really jam, too. He's got soul, man!!
He's concerned with his health. He makes sure to eat a balanced diet, consisting of grains, veggies, and fruit. And sometimes some cheese, but only when I drop it on my kitchen floor and he gets to it before I can clean it up. But he makes sure he eats his recommended daily allowance of fruit. See?
And he takes pride in it, too. See how happy he is? (And no, he didn't slaughter anything, regardless of how it looks.)
But more important than all those things, he's a family man. Family comes first, and he makes sure to show love to each member of our household every opportunity he gets. This can include kisses, big smiles, waving and saying 'BYE' as we enter the room, licking our faces and arms, but of course, lots and lots of hugs.
Isn't he just the greatest?? And he can clean up Wedgits and books after he plays with them, too!
He's musically gifted, and loves the piano.
And he can really jam, too. He's got soul, man!!
He's concerned with his health. He makes sure to eat a balanced diet, consisting of grains, veggies, and fruit. And sometimes some cheese, but only when I drop it on my kitchen floor and he gets to it before I can clean it up. But he makes sure he eats his recommended daily allowance of fruit. See?
And he takes pride in it, too. See how happy he is? (And no, he didn't slaughter anything, regardless of how it looks.)
But more important than all those things, he's a family man. Family comes first, and he makes sure to show love to each member of our household every opportunity he gets. This can include kisses, big smiles, waving and saying 'BYE' as we enter the room, licking our faces and arms, but of course, lots and lots of hugs.
Isn't he just the greatest?? And he can clean up Wedgits and books after he plays with them, too!
Wednesday, September 26
Books and more books
I just got home from book club, and had a lovely time as always. The women I meet with every month are so amazing. We're all so different, but we all like and respect each other so much, and we all bring unique perspectives to the table. And there's always a ton of yummy snacks. I do like to eat. :)
We were at Melanie's house this month, all the way out in Dripping Springs. She has such a lovely house, and she's such a lovely person. I really admire her a lot, and look up to her in some ways. And she's so much fun!! But it takes me over an hour to get to her house, so I had to leave and run back, because Hannah was watching the kids.
She said everything went well, and that my kids are very sweet and well behaved and she likes them so much. I swear, if I could have hugged her through the phone when she told me this, I would have. Seriously. I know that my kids are peachy, and I love them to death, but it's really nice to hear from someone else that they are well behaved. Cause Lord knows they have their moments. :)
And she cleaned my kitchen!! My goodness, lawsie mercy!! I'm going to get her a happy, because I didn't even notice until after she let, and didn't get a chance to say thank you.
Hannah is another person I admire a lot. She's very quiet, like me. Ha!! I almost wrote that with a straight face ... Anyway, she's just a doll, very sweet, but strong in what she believes, and maybe the kindest person I've ever met. And did I mention that she likes my kids??
We're going up to Georgetown tomorrow to see John's grandfather, who isn't doing too well. These next few weeks will probably be his last; please pray that he will be comfortable. His name is Jim.
Now, I'm off to bed, because I had the strangest dreams last night that kept waking me up. I normally don't have dreams like that, but they were crazy last night, and I'm beyond exhausted at this point ...
We were at Melanie's house this month, all the way out in Dripping Springs. She has such a lovely house, and she's such a lovely person. I really admire her a lot, and look up to her in some ways. And she's so much fun!! But it takes me over an hour to get to her house, so I had to leave and run back, because Hannah was watching the kids.
She said everything went well, and that my kids are very sweet and well behaved and she likes them so much. I swear, if I could have hugged her through the phone when she told me this, I would have. Seriously. I know that my kids are peachy, and I love them to death, but it's really nice to hear from someone else that they are well behaved. Cause Lord knows they have their moments. :)
And she cleaned my kitchen!! My goodness, lawsie mercy!! I'm going to get her a happy, because I didn't even notice until after she let, and didn't get a chance to say thank you.
Hannah is another person I admire a lot. She's very quiet, like me. Ha!! I almost wrote that with a straight face ... Anyway, she's just a doll, very sweet, but strong in what she believes, and maybe the kindest person I've ever met. And did I mention that she likes my kids??
We're going up to Georgetown tomorrow to see John's grandfather, who isn't doing too well. These next few weeks will probably be his last; please pray that he will be comfortable. His name is Jim.
Now, I'm off to bed, because I had the strangest dreams last night that kept waking me up. I normally don't have dreams like that, but they were crazy last night, and I'm beyond exhausted at this point ...
Tuesday, September 25
Pot Roast
We have this every other Sunday. A favorite with, well, eveyone!
Crock Pot Pot Roast
by Brea!
1 pot roast
1 medium onion, cut in thick slices
5-6 cloves garlic, diced (we love garlic, and I use about 10 cloves)
1 bottle Shiner Bock (optional, but this really brings everything together, trust me!)
2 c + diced carrots
2 c + diced red potatoes, skin on
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 t dried basil, or 1 T fresh
salt and pepper to taste
flour and oil for browning roast
Salt and pepper roast, and light flour while heating a small amount of oil in a frying pan. Brown the roast on all sides on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side.
When the roast in browned, place it in the crock pot. Turn crock pot to high. Add Shiner, all veggies, basil, pepper, and 1/2 t salt. Add enough water to just cover everything.
Cook on high for 6 hours, checking every so often to make sure everything is under water, until roast is fork tender. Adjust seasoning in the last half hour of cooking.
Serve with homemade cornbread and a salad, and enjoy!
**Notes: If you don't have the full 6 hours (and possibly a little more) to cook the roast, cut it into two or three pieces before you brown it. This will make it cook faster.
**Also, if you're kind of new to buying roast, the packaging should say something like 'good for roasting.' And since you're doing this in a crock pot and not the oven, you can use a much more lean cut of mean, because you don't have to depend on the fat to keep it moist.
**If you're planning on prepping this whole thing the night before, follow the instructions the same way except for the potatoes. Wait until right before you actually cook the roast to cut to potatoes.
Crock Pot Pot Roast
by Brea!
1 pot roast
1 medium onion, cut in thick slices
5-6 cloves garlic, diced (we love garlic, and I use about 10 cloves)
1 bottle Shiner Bock (optional, but this really brings everything together, trust me!)
2 c + diced carrots
2 c + diced red potatoes, skin on
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 t dried basil, or 1 T fresh
salt and pepper to taste
flour and oil for browning roast
Salt and pepper roast, and light flour while heating a small amount of oil in a frying pan. Brown the roast on all sides on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side.
When the roast in browned, place it in the crock pot. Turn crock pot to high. Add Shiner, all veggies, basil, pepper, and 1/2 t salt. Add enough water to just cover everything.
Cook on high for 6 hours, checking every so often to make sure everything is under water, until roast is fork tender. Adjust seasoning in the last half hour of cooking.
Serve with homemade cornbread and a salad, and enjoy!
**Notes: If you don't have the full 6 hours (and possibly a little more) to cook the roast, cut it into two or three pieces before you brown it. This will make it cook faster.
**Also, if you're kind of new to buying roast, the packaging should say something like 'good for roasting.' And since you're doing this in a crock pot and not the oven, you can use a much more lean cut of mean, because you don't have to depend on the fat to keep it moist.
**If you're planning on prepping this whole thing the night before, follow the instructions the same way except for the potatoes. Wait until right before you actually cook the roast to cut to potatoes.
Monday, September 24
I done got tagged!!
Jesnicole tagged me a while back, and I just realized it a few days ago. Ok, I can be a little slow at times ... I've been working on this for a few days, since I can't seem to find more than 2 minutes to sit down before at least one of my children has blood or chicken poo (or both!) somewhere on them ...
1. What is your school name and why? Uh, I'm supposed to name my school? I guess it's the Stewart Please Don't Embarrass Me In Front of My Friends Whose Kids Are In Public School Cause They Already Think I'm A Little Strange Academy.
2. How is your weather today? A little warm, low 90's, but feels like fall already because the mornings have been cool and the humidity has been low.
3. What steals your joy? Waking up late. I do not like to sleep in past 6:30 because I feel like I've wasted my morning, and I like to have some quiet while I have my coffee and devotional, and sometimes fold clothes. Joy comes in the morning!!
4. Name 5 blessings you've received this week. Ooh, that's way too easy!
1. I had grown-up time with John, and the kids had a blast at my mom's house.
2. I helped raise money for a great charity. Helping others makes me feel great about myself.
3. Hannah agreed to watch the kids Wednesday evening so I can go to my book club alone ... yay!!!
4. I have pretty much the best husband ever. He is so good to me!!
5. I won a book and had a sweet email from Dawn.
5. Favorite Scripture? Easy, too. One of the first 'long' verses I memorized. Isaiah 40:29-31 'Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'
6. Who in the Bible do you think you are most like? Well, obviously, Mary!! Ha, just kidding. I'm pretty much not like her at all. I really don't know. Someone with a lot of flaws, but with a desire to know the Lord better and learn His laws and ways.
7. Passage of Scripture you last read? I Corinthians 9, 10, and 11.
8. Have you ever praised God for something weird? Please, who do you think you're talking to?? Of course I have!!
9. If you were making a greeting card for God, what would it say? Seriously? This is probably the strangest question I've ever read. I'm too mystified to even begin to answer.
10. What is the most fun thing you have done lately? Had a beer on my deck with a fire in the fire bowl with John, just chatting for almost 2 hours with no interruptions!
11. How did you choose your screen name? It was my name on a (mostly moms) message board, and I just like the sound of tinymama. And I am a tiny mama!! :)
12. What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favorite answered prayer? No question or thought about it. My answer to both is John.
I don't think I'll tag anyone else. I'm a rebel like that. And I don't know all that many bloggers. :)
1. What is your school name and why? Uh, I'm supposed to name my school? I guess it's the Stewart Please Don't Embarrass Me In Front of My Friends Whose Kids Are In Public School Cause They Already Think I'm A Little Strange Academy.
2. How is your weather today? A little warm, low 90's, but feels like fall already because the mornings have been cool and the humidity has been low.
3. What steals your joy? Waking up late. I do not like to sleep in past 6:30 because I feel like I've wasted my morning, and I like to have some quiet while I have my coffee and devotional, and sometimes fold clothes. Joy comes in the morning!!
4. Name 5 blessings you've received this week. Ooh, that's way too easy!
1. I had grown-up time with John, and the kids had a blast at my mom's house.
2. I helped raise money for a great charity. Helping others makes me feel great about myself.
3. Hannah agreed to watch the kids Wednesday evening so I can go to my book club alone ... yay!!!
4. I have pretty much the best husband ever. He is so good to me!!
5. I won a book and had a sweet email from Dawn.
5. Favorite Scripture? Easy, too. One of the first 'long' verses I memorized. Isaiah 40:29-31 'Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'
6. Who in the Bible do you think you are most like? Well, obviously, Mary!! Ha, just kidding. I'm pretty much not like her at all. I really don't know. Someone with a lot of flaws, but with a desire to know the Lord better and learn His laws and ways.
7. Passage of Scripture you last read? I Corinthians 9, 10, and 11.
8. Have you ever praised God for something weird? Please, who do you think you're talking to?? Of course I have!!
9. If you were making a greeting card for God, what would it say? Seriously? This is probably the strangest question I've ever read. I'm too mystified to even begin to answer.
10. What is the most fun thing you have done lately? Had a beer on my deck with a fire in the fire bowl with John, just chatting for almost 2 hours with no interruptions!
11. How did you choose your screen name? It was my name on a (mostly moms) message board, and I just like the sound of tinymama. And I am a tiny mama!! :)
12. What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favorite answered prayer? No question or thought about it. My answer to both is John.
I don't think I'll tag anyone else. I'm a rebel like that. And I don't know all that many bloggers. :)
My Slow and Special Chicken (revised)
When we decided to buy chickens, we went ahead and bought 11 total, over the space of about a week. One died, so we now have ten. We didn't want any roosters, but and a really funny twist of fate, both of the Hilton Sisters have turned out to be boys. So instead of Paris and Nicky, we've got Man Paris and Nicholas. We still call them Paris and Nicky, though.
Here's Man Paris.
Funny things happen when you have kids, especially when you've got boys. And some things are pretty funny in retrospect, but but so much at the actual time.
A while back, Evie and Sam were playing outside, and I gave them permission to play with the chickens. They had been outside for a while, and I was just thinking to myself, 'Hmm, they've been out there for a while now. And it's awfully quiet. No good will come of this,' when Evie came running into the house, shrieking at the top of her lungs. 'Mom, mom, Sam threw Nicky into the side of the coop and she's just dead and she's not moving and there are bubbles coming out of her nose and SAM KILLED NICKY and I didn't do anything and MOM NICKY ISN'T MOVING!!!!' (Yes, she said it all one sentence like that, and actually there were no spaces between the words.)
Was the chicken's welfare my first thought? Was I concerned about the psychological state of my son? Sadly enough, no. The first thing that came into my head was, 'Aw, crap. I'm going to have to explain to John how his favorite chicken died on my watch!'
So I went out to check on the chicken. Sam was standing there crying, partly our of guilt and partly out of fear. (As it turns out, he just wanted to see the chicken fly, which is admittedly very very funny, and ended up pulling a Lenny; he just didn't realize his own strength.) Nicky was indeed lying on the ground, with bubbles coming out of his nose, not moving. I picked him up and he started to move a few seconds later; in a few minutes he seemed fine, if not a little shell shocked. We had a long talk with Sam about having respect for all of God's creatures We really didn't give it much thought after that.
About a week ago, my handsome husband came up to me and said, 'Babe, I think there's something wrong with Nicky. He acts really strange!' He went on to tell me some of the peculiar things Nicky does. He likes to run off on his own, which chickens don't do, and he gets left behind by the rest of the flock on a regular basis. It isn't uncommon to walk out on the porch and find Nicky perched on the doormat, making little squawking noises because he's lost the rest of the chickens. When we go out to feed the flock some raisins (it's like chicken crack, I'm telling you!! They love it, and that's what we've used to train them to come when we call them), Nicky will often just sit there and look at the raisin, and one of the girls will swoop in under him and eat it before he can. He's easier to catch, and just gets confused. Sometimes he'll stand just outside the chicken yard, squawking at the other chickens who are inside the yard eating all the food, while he's standing two feet from the open gate and is perfectly capable of flying over the very low fence. And sometimes, when all the others are eating birdseed that's spilled on the ground, Nicky just plops down in the middle of it all and stretches out. And he's never crowed!
We think he suffered some brain trauma when he got knocked out, and now he's retarded. Slow and special, mentally disabled, stoopid, whatever you want to call it. He's very, very sweet, though. Very gentle, not at all like a normal rooster. We may be able to keep both of them!!
Ladies and gentlemen, my retarded chicken, Nicky:
That's Nicky eating raisins out of my hand. He loves me. Now, he runs up to me and jumps on my toes.
And here's Sam and his very blond cousin, Mary Jane, harassing ... er, I mean holding some of the chickens.
Sam has Zsa Zsa and Thelma, and Mary Jane has Louise. Thelma is a little bit hateful. She comes up and pecks on my toes if I stand too close to her for too long. Eh, whatcha gonna do?
Here's Man Paris.
Funny things happen when you have kids, especially when you've got boys. And some things are pretty funny in retrospect, but but so much at the actual time.
A while back, Evie and Sam were playing outside, and I gave them permission to play with the chickens. They had been outside for a while, and I was just thinking to myself, 'Hmm, they've been out there for a while now. And it's awfully quiet. No good will come of this,' when Evie came running into the house, shrieking at the top of her lungs. 'Mom, mom, Sam threw Nicky into the side of the coop and she's just dead and she's not moving and there are bubbles coming out of her nose and SAM KILLED NICKY and I didn't do anything and MOM NICKY ISN'T MOVING!!!!' (Yes, she said it all one sentence like that, and actually there were no spaces between the words.)
Was the chicken's welfare my first thought? Was I concerned about the psychological state of my son? Sadly enough, no. The first thing that came into my head was, 'Aw, crap. I'm going to have to explain to John how his favorite chicken died on my watch!'
So I went out to check on the chicken. Sam was standing there crying, partly our of guilt and partly out of fear. (As it turns out, he just wanted to see the chicken fly, which is admittedly very very funny, and ended up pulling a Lenny; he just didn't realize his own strength.) Nicky was indeed lying on the ground, with bubbles coming out of his nose, not moving. I picked him up and he started to move a few seconds later; in a few minutes he seemed fine, if not a little shell shocked. We had a long talk with Sam about having respect for all of God's creatures We really didn't give it much thought after that.
About a week ago, my handsome husband came up to me and said, 'Babe, I think there's something wrong with Nicky. He acts really strange!' He went on to tell me some of the peculiar things Nicky does. He likes to run off on his own, which chickens don't do, and he gets left behind by the rest of the flock on a regular basis. It isn't uncommon to walk out on the porch and find Nicky perched on the doormat, making little squawking noises because he's lost the rest of the chickens. When we go out to feed the flock some raisins (it's like chicken crack, I'm telling you!! They love it, and that's what we've used to train them to come when we call them), Nicky will often just sit there and look at the raisin, and one of the girls will swoop in under him and eat it before he can. He's easier to catch, and just gets confused. Sometimes he'll stand just outside the chicken yard, squawking at the other chickens who are inside the yard eating all the food, while he's standing two feet from the open gate and is perfectly capable of flying over the very low fence. And sometimes, when all the others are eating birdseed that's spilled on the ground, Nicky just plops down in the middle of it all and stretches out. And he's never crowed!
We think he suffered some brain trauma when he got knocked out, and now he's retarded. Slow and special, mentally disabled, stoopid, whatever you want to call it. He's very, very sweet, though. Very gentle, not at all like a normal rooster. We may be able to keep both of them!!
Ladies and gentlemen, my retarded chicken, Nicky:
That's Nicky eating raisins out of my hand. He loves me. Now, he runs up to me and jumps on my toes.
And here's Sam and his very blond cousin, Mary Jane, harassing ... er, I mean holding some of the chickens.
Sam has Zsa Zsa and Thelma, and Mary Jane has Louise. Thelma is a little bit hateful. She comes up and pecks on my toes if I stand too close to her for too long. Eh, whatcha gonna do?
Sunday, September 23
My Slow and Special Chicken
Check the post above to see what I wrote ... I'm having tech issues this morning, and you should be able to see the pics now!
my family is whole again
Yay!! My babies are back!! My very brave and wonderful mom took all three kids over the weekend. She drove up Friday morning, and I just met her this morning in Columbus to get the kids back. It was the most wonderful and relaxing weekend I've had in a while.
On Friday, John and I just kind of vegged. I took a peaceful and uninterrupted nap. John mowed the lawn. I straightened up the house. Then I made seared Coho salmon with a ginger-lime and soy marinade, with sautéed veggies, over steamed brown rice. It turned out delicious! Supper was out on the deck, because the weather has been hot during the day, but not humid, so the evening have been really pleasant. We were able to have a fire in the fire pit once the sun went down, and we just sat outside and had a few beers and talked for over two hours. Then we watched a movie.
I woke up at my normal time (around 5:45) Saturday, had quiet time, and got quite a few things done. Then I had a very leisurely cup of coffee and spent some time in prayer. I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast after John got up, then started outside on my garden. Out of all that stuff I planted a while back, only the garlic and snap peas made it. So I tilled all the rest of the area up, spread more compost, and planted spinach, swiss chard, a new kind of lettuce, and broccoli. I was very hot and tired when I was done!
John was doing a car wash with some of the employees for the St Jude's event they do each year, and I had agreed to pick up pizza and bring it to them. Then I got stuck at the car wash, helping to wash cars. In my jeans. With no sunblock. I was there for about 2 1/2 hours, and could barely walk when I got home, I was so tired and sunburned. For those of you who don't know, I avoid the sun like a vampire. I make sure that I have on a big hat and am in the shade, and I try not to be outside when the sun is at its strongest. I completely fried yesterday!!
I got home and just laid on the couch for about two hours, napping mostly, then watched the Ugly Betty marathon and did lots and lots of laundry. I got the 'problem corner' of my room cleaned out, and started on my closet. John didn't get home till around 8, and he was waaaay worse off than I was. He ended up very dehydrated and sunburned on the back of his neck and his arms, and was asleep on the couch before 9. He slept for 11 hours, and really needed it! I, on the other hand, only got 9 hours of sleep, and was up really early again this morning.
It was so nice to have a weekend off, but I missed the kids a lot. I'm so glad to have them back, and I can't wait for tomorrow evening when all 5 of us can have supper together.
On Friday, John and I just kind of vegged. I took a peaceful and uninterrupted nap. John mowed the lawn. I straightened up the house. Then I made seared Coho salmon with a ginger-lime and soy marinade, with sautéed veggies, over steamed brown rice. It turned out delicious! Supper was out on the deck, because the weather has been hot during the day, but not humid, so the evening have been really pleasant. We were able to have a fire in the fire pit once the sun went down, and we just sat outside and had a few beers and talked for over two hours. Then we watched a movie.
I woke up at my normal time (around 5:45) Saturday, had quiet time, and got quite a few things done. Then I had a very leisurely cup of coffee and spent some time in prayer. I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast after John got up, then started outside on my garden. Out of all that stuff I planted a while back, only the garlic and snap peas made it. So I tilled all the rest of the area up, spread more compost, and planted spinach, swiss chard, a new kind of lettuce, and broccoli. I was very hot and tired when I was done!
John was doing a car wash with some of the employees for the St Jude's event they do each year, and I had agreed to pick up pizza and bring it to them. Then I got stuck at the car wash, helping to wash cars. In my jeans. With no sunblock. I was there for about 2 1/2 hours, and could barely walk when I got home, I was so tired and sunburned. For those of you who don't know, I avoid the sun like a vampire. I make sure that I have on a big hat and am in the shade, and I try not to be outside when the sun is at its strongest. I completely fried yesterday!!
I got home and just laid on the couch for about two hours, napping mostly, then watched the Ugly Betty marathon and did lots and lots of laundry. I got the 'problem corner' of my room cleaned out, and started on my closet. John didn't get home till around 8, and he was waaaay worse off than I was. He ended up very dehydrated and sunburned on the back of his neck and his arms, and was asleep on the couch before 9. He slept for 11 hours, and really needed it! I, on the other hand, only got 9 hours of sleep, and was up really early again this morning.
It was so nice to have a weekend off, but I missed the kids a lot. I'm so glad to have them back, and I can't wait for tomorrow evening when all 5 of us can have supper together.
Tuesday, September 18
Aww!
To all the lovely women who left comments on my last post, thank you so much!! Y'all totally made my day. Evening. Night. It's 10:30, past my bedtime. Y'all made my night. :) It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who sometimes has issues, know what I mean?
Today, we had school, did some housework, played outside, worked a little in what's left of the garden, took a meal to Mr McCormick, and visited with him for a while, got caught in a freak rainstorm, had supper, and watched Dirty Jobs. It's a hard, hard life we lead, I know.
This week's Bible verse is Proverbs 10:1 'A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.' Hmm, ill-behaved and foolish children won't really make John look bad, they'll make moi look bad. Not the top reason to train up my children, but not a bad motivator!!!
Retarded rooster post tomorrow, with pics. I promise!!
Today, we had school, did some housework, played outside, worked a little in what's left of the garden, took a meal to Mr McCormick, and visited with him for a while, got caught in a freak rainstorm, had supper, and watched Dirty Jobs. It's a hard, hard life we lead, I know.
This week's Bible verse is Proverbs 10:1 'A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.' Hmm, ill-behaved and foolish children won't really make John look bad, they'll make moi look bad. Not the top reason to train up my children, but not a bad motivator!!!
Retarded rooster post tomorrow, with pics. I promise!!
Monday, September 17
A Few Ramblings
I've been very pensive this morning ... or reflective might be a better word, I guess.
My husband. Honestly, my life revolves around him. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love it. I love him. I love him more than my house, more than my kids, more than my family and friends. He is a good man, and has earned every single ounce of love that I have for him. He is fair, and honest, and loving, and gentle, thoughtful, strong, sweet, incredibly handsome, tall, creative, hardworking, supportive, incredibly funny, easygoing, somewhat antisocial, considerate, very cute, a good kisser, and really good at ... um ... darts (oops, that one almost got away from me! See, just the thought of that man distracts me ...). He is an amazing father, and he gives me some awfully cute babies.
He doesn't ever cook if I'm home and physically able to make lunch or supper, but he works in a restaurant. He's there for 10-12 hours every day. I'm not going to ask him to come home and cook after that! But he does enjoy everything I make (we won't bring up the black-eyed peas, though), and when I need a night off, he is more than willing to bring food home from Chili's. Not so much a treat for him, but he knows that when I get to the point where I'm asking him to bring food, I truly need a break.
I have a secret that will make y'all ladies jealous: I don't make my bed. Ever. I wash the sheets, and put the clean ones back on, but I don't make my bed in the mornings. I get up every day at 5:30 or 6, and John always sleeps later than that. Before he washes his face, changes clothes, takes a shower, or has coffee, he makes the bed. How lucky am I??
He never begrudges me time by myself. When I told him about Girls' Weekend, he was excited for me. The only requests he made were1) that we not wander around downtown after dark, and 2) that I leave a written schedule for what kid eats what foods at what times, and who naps when. How cute! He is the one who has encouraged me to stick with my book club, even though I have to drive an hour (if not more) to get there.
Did I mention that he is a wonderful father? He'll leave the house at 7:10, get home at 6:30, and play baseball with the kids for 20 minutes while I finish getting supper on the table. He won't leave without telling everyone (who is awake) goodbye, especially the baby.
Sometimes he comes home late. Sometimes he comes home in a bad mood mood, or comes home and mentally brings his job with him. Those nights are less pleasant for me. But you know what? He always comes home. Each and every single night, that is a worry I don't have, that a lot of other women do have. I never, ever doubt that my husband will be there when I wake up.
He loves the Lord. He is fairly silent about his faith, but it is there, it is real, and it is strong. He is fairly silent about a lot of things. He doesn't talk about his love for me every often, but I have never for a second had cause to doubt how big and strong it is.
He loves me. He could have nothing else going for me, and that would be enough. He loves me for who I am; stretch marked, much too talkative, slightly irrational, flawed me. That by itself makes a person rather attractive!!
I know I am Biblically commanded to honor and respect him, and even if he did none of the things above, I would. But I have to tell you, he sure does make it pretty easy for me!
Why am I posting what should be titled, 'Why My Husband Is The Best Ever'? Because I was so mad at him at one point last week that I couldn't even form words. I don't know when I've ever been so mad. And when I get upset, I start thinking about me. Me, I, me, I, me. Why would he be that way toward me? I am so mad at him. He can't talk like that to me. I work so hard for him. He can't treat me like that. I deserve to be spoken to in a better way. And so on and so forth.
Pride is a great feeling, isn't it? It makes us talk kindly, treat others with respect, put the wants and needs of others first, and generally act in a way that glorifies the Father. Oh, no. Wait. It does the exact opposite of all those things. And I was so full of pride that day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
I was in a funk for a while. To snap myself out, I started thinking about just how amazing John is. And as I write this down, this list that only begins to cover the gift that God has given me in the form of my husband, I'm wondering why I was ever upset in the first place, because who could be mad at such a great person? The Lord has blessed me so many time over, and I was upset because two little comments?? It's not like he accused me of being fat, or being a bad mother. So now I'm going to plan out his fav supper, and plan my conversation that starts with me apologizing for being a total brat, and moves on to asking if we can just talk to each other before things get to the point they were at, and hopefully ends with a great round of ... uh ... darts. Seriously.
I think I'll even shave my legs this afternoon. It always helps my darts game. :)
My husband. Honestly, my life revolves around him. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love it. I love him. I love him more than my house, more than my kids, more than my family and friends. He is a good man, and has earned every single ounce of love that I have for him. He is fair, and honest, and loving, and gentle, thoughtful, strong, sweet, incredibly handsome, tall, creative, hardworking, supportive, incredibly funny, easygoing, somewhat antisocial, considerate, very cute, a good kisser, and really good at ... um ... darts (oops, that one almost got away from me! See, just the thought of that man distracts me ...). He is an amazing father, and he gives me some awfully cute babies.
He doesn't ever cook if I'm home and physically able to make lunch or supper, but he works in a restaurant. He's there for 10-12 hours every day. I'm not going to ask him to come home and cook after that! But he does enjoy everything I make (we won't bring up the black-eyed peas, though), and when I need a night off, he is more than willing to bring food home from Chili's. Not so much a treat for him, but he knows that when I get to the point where I'm asking him to bring food, I truly need a break.
I have a secret that will make y'all ladies jealous: I don't make my bed. Ever. I wash the sheets, and put the clean ones back on, but I don't make my bed in the mornings. I get up every day at 5:30 or 6, and John always sleeps later than that. Before he washes his face, changes clothes, takes a shower, or has coffee, he makes the bed. How lucky am I??
He never begrudges me time by myself. When I told him about Girls' Weekend, he was excited for me. The only requests he made were1) that we not wander around downtown after dark, and 2) that I leave a written schedule for what kid eats what foods at what times, and who naps when. How cute! He is the one who has encouraged me to stick with my book club, even though I have to drive an hour (if not more) to get there.
Did I mention that he is a wonderful father? He'll leave the house at 7:10, get home at 6:30, and play baseball with the kids for 20 minutes while I finish getting supper on the table. He won't leave without telling everyone (who is awake) goodbye, especially the baby.
Sometimes he comes home late. Sometimes he comes home in a bad mood mood, or comes home and mentally brings his job with him. Those nights are less pleasant for me. But you know what? He always comes home. Each and every single night, that is a worry I don't have, that a lot of other women do have. I never, ever doubt that my husband will be there when I wake up.
He loves the Lord. He is fairly silent about his faith, but it is there, it is real, and it is strong. He is fairly silent about a lot of things. He doesn't talk about his love for me every often, but I have never for a second had cause to doubt how big and strong it is.
He loves me. He could have nothing else going for me, and that would be enough. He loves me for who I am; stretch marked, much too talkative, slightly irrational, flawed me. That by itself makes a person rather attractive!!
I know I am Biblically commanded to honor and respect him, and even if he did none of the things above, I would. But I have to tell you, he sure does make it pretty easy for me!
Why am I posting what should be titled, 'Why My Husband Is The Best Ever'? Because I was so mad at him at one point last week that I couldn't even form words. I don't know when I've ever been so mad. And when I get upset, I start thinking about me. Me, I, me, I, me. Why would he be that way toward me? I am so mad at him. He can't talk like that to me. I work so hard for him. He can't treat me like that. I deserve to be spoken to in a better way. And so on and so forth.
Pride is a great feeling, isn't it? It makes us talk kindly, treat others with respect, put the wants and needs of others first, and generally act in a way that glorifies the Father. Oh, no. Wait. It does the exact opposite of all those things. And I was so full of pride that day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
I was in a funk for a while. To snap myself out, I started thinking about just how amazing John is. And as I write this down, this list that only begins to cover the gift that God has given me in the form of my husband, I'm wondering why I was ever upset in the first place, because who could be mad at such a great person? The Lord has blessed me so many time over, and I was upset because two little comments?? It's not like he accused me of being fat, or being a bad mother. So now I'm going to plan out his fav supper, and plan my conversation that starts with me apologizing for being a total brat, and moves on to asking if we can just talk to each other before things get to the point they were at, and hopefully ends with a great round of ... uh ... darts. Seriously.
I think I'll even shave my legs this afternoon. It always helps my darts game. :)
and ...
And my weekend with Margaret and Sarah was amazing. More on that later, when Sarah emails me the pictures ... because even though I took my camera with me, I left it in the car and forgot to take pictures ... Yeah, I'm that person.
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