Theme Week: Flashback Friday

This is my "ugly sweater". You may have seen me wear it before. It is very accommodating - I can wear it all the time, pregnant or not (as seen in above photo, taken this morning by Allen). I wonder if people who see me wearing this ask themselves - "Why?" Here's the deal:

This was my Dad's sweater.

When Dad died, this was the only thing of his that I really wanted to have. I have fond memories of his wearing this sweater from the time I was young until the very end of his life. It brings back thoughts of Thanksgiving dinners at Aunt Jan's (who, legend has it, made the sweater for him), snow storms in Iowa and cold mornings in East Carbon. But it mostly reminds me of dancing with Dad.

As a little girl I would stand on his feet and he would dance around the room with me - music or not. As a teenager we would get crazy dancing to the latest Pet Shop Boys or U2 song as the music video played in the background on MTV. And near the end of his life, as I was helping to care for him, I would take his hands and help him stand from the kitchen table and walk, he forwards and I backwards, face-to-face, to the couch. As we moved towards the couch like this, he would occasionally stop. I would look at him to see what was the matter, and he would get a twinkle in his eyes and start to sway our hands back and forth then slowly move his feet up and down, still wanting to dance. Oh, how I miss dancing with Dad.

Yesterday as I was driving around town getting groceries, this song by Luther Vandross came on the radio. I have heard it before, but as it reached the chorus it was especially difficult to hold back tears:

If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
How I'd love, love, love
To dance with my father again.

(Uncle Roy, Dad sporting the sweater, and Aunt Charlotte)

So now if you see me wearing my ugly sweater, you'll understand - there's so much more involved than just warmth and fashion.

Theme Week: Thursday's Thought

I have been thinking about this one for a long time, and it's still not going to come out right. I may write about my thoughts on the topic in segments as I am able to really gather and organize them in a coherent way. Anyway, here goes: Why do we have such a large family? I am asked that question in various forms more often than expected. And I guess the simple answer is this: Why not?

I have always loved kids, for as long as I can remember. In high school I told everyone I wanted to have 32 kids - the plan was to adopt 25 and have 7 on my own. I even kept a notebook full of names that I heard and liked. Sure, it was sort of a joke - mostly my way of saying that I wanted a large family someday. When I met Allen and found that he came from a family of 15 kids, I was amazed and impressed. After we were married and expecting our oldest boy, we were thrilled to discover that Allen's mom was expecting as well! Sometime after she had her last one, I remember thinking: Sixteen kids! When they are all married, she'll be living my dream - there will be 32 of us!

I love my family. I have an incredible husband who is loving, supportive and helpful around the house. My kids are wonderful - of course not perfect all the time - but such a blessing in my life!

OK, before I get on a "Big Family Soapbox", let me finish up this thought with my favorite responses to some of my frequently asked questions.

Are they all yours?

• No, this is not all of them; my oldest is at home with the other 5.

Are you going to have more?

• Check back in nine months and you'll see for yourself!

Don't you know what causes that?

• Water or sex, but I don't want to give up either one.

Are you going to get fixed?

• Well, as you can see by the size of our family, everything is working just fine.

Are you planning to have any more?

• I just figured out what I'm really, really good at, so why stop doing it?

Haven't you heard of birth control?

• Yes, that's great stuff for people with ugly kids.

Do you ever have any time for yourselves?

• Obviously we get a little time to ourselves, or we wouldn't have eight kids.
  

(And last of all, my favorite question which I get asked every time I am pregnant...)

Haven't you had that baby yet?!

• Yes. This is the NEXT ONE!

Jack-Don't-Give-Me-No-Flack It Is!

According to your votes, Jack-Don't-Give-Me-No-Flack would be our baby boy's name.

Hey You came in last.

We wouldn't have just called him Hey You, though- his name would have been Hayden Eugene; Hay Eu for short.

Would that have changed your vote?

Theme Week: Wordless Wednesday

These are a few of my favorite things...

Theme Week: Two For Tuesday

Today I will share 2 random things with you. I am going with: two pictures that always make me laugh.

Picture 1

The first picture was taken on a day where the little girls were being much too quiet. I went to see what was going on and found this:
They were so excited! "Mom, we made ourselves beautiful with markers!"

The Cowgirl had her face colored completely green - she said, "I am the Wizard of Oz witch!" Unfortunately, I had cleaned most of it off before I thought to take a picture.

The Little Princess said, "I AM A TIGER! RAAAAAAAAHHHHRRRRR!! Did I scare you?"

Picture 2

This is one of those pictures that speak a thousand words. It is by far one of my favorite pictures, ever. We were on a camping trip with some friends and the boys were doing a little fishing. When Allen caught a nice one, I took a picture. I didn't realize the look of complete disgust on our oldest boy's face until the pictures came back from developing. In case it's hard to tell, he's the kid on the right. (click on picture for a larger view)

Is that priceless, or what?

Theme Week: Mealtime Monday

I'm feeling crazy today. I decided I'm going to post something every day this week, following some random theme. Today I came up with Mealtime Monday. Many people are amazed that I can feed my family on $450 a month. This is not even difficult, really - I shop the sales and plan my menu, weekly, ahead of time (before going shopping) and it all works out great. Our family loves soups, and this is a favorite: Home Style Potato Soup. This makes a thick, creamy soup. Enjoy!

Home Style Potato Soup

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup peeled, diced carrots (about 3 carrots)
2 cups peeled, diced potatoes (about 6 potatoes)
4 Tablespoons chicken bullion
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
1 quart milk
salt and pepper

Combine vegetables in saucepan and add just enough water to cover vegetables. Add chicken bullion and cook, covered, until tender (about 15 minutes). Meanwhile, melt butter in large, heavy saucepan (this is the pan your soup will end up in). Add flour to butter with a wire wisk until blended and bubbly. Add milk slowly and stir until smooth. Add undrained veggies and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

(Serves 8)

Optional Variations:
-When serving, top with grated cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
-Add 2 cups frozen corn with undrained veggies.
-For a cheesy potato soup add 1 cup grated cheddar cheese after adding milk.

P.S. The photo is from www.dairygoodness.ca

Feelin' Crafty

My creative juices have been flowing lately. For some people pregnancy brings about a "nesting instinct", making them want to clean like crazy. As much as my husband would welcome that instinct in me, I have been feeling the need to create things.

I am in a card club where I make 2 sets of 10 cards every other month and then meet with a fun group of ladies to swap cards, enjoy treats and visit. Most of these ladies are very talented and I feel like I am submitting sub-par cards for the swap. However, this month I am excited about my creations. In fact, I can't decide between the 3 cards pictured above.

I have also had the desire to break out my sewing machine. I was wanting a headband or two, so I browsed the internet and found 2 styles that I really like, combined them and designed a pattern, then created some really cute headbands that my older girls have been using as birthday gifts for their friends.

Another creative outlet: I used to love writing songs and poetry until someone(s) made fun of a song I wrote about a decade and a half ago. Well, I even decided to venture out there again - I wrote a couple of poems that I think are pretty good. No more songs, though - I gave my guitar to my brother whose abilities were greater than mine. Maybe I could write a song for the accordion, which I do still play on occasion.

Maybe.

(Don't hold your breath.)

Redemption!

Do you remember the witchy note I received from my little cowgirl? I figured I should let you see her other side, too. She redeemed herself with my favorite valentine this year:


Add this note to the one in the last post and I'm feeling pretty good!

Whew.

It's All Worth It

Some days I think I am pretty stinky when it comes to mothering. Especially when I am pregnant and feisty (not a good combination). These are the days that my evening prayers include tearful pleas that my kids will all turn out fine and not need years of counseling when they are grown.

I seem to have been having many of those days lately. Sending myself to my room seems to help some, as do rewards for good behavior (like cream puffs and chocolate) but I still feel terrible that they have to endure me.

Today I received confirmation that I may not be as bad as I often think:


This little unexpected love note was just what I needed today. It's things like this that make motherhood all worth it.

P.S. Is it bad that I was so excited about the "You look good" ?

It's All Baby Fat

I Love You, Too

Every day, at least 3 times a day, my little 3-year-old towhead says these words to me:

"I love you, too, Mom".

I do not have to tell him that I love him first, that is just the way it always comes out. He always loves me, too. He knows that I love him and he's just letting me know that the feeling is mutual.

This morning as he shared those same sweet words with me, it reminded me of a particular Valentine's Day from many years ago. It was a difficult time for me as a teenager. All of my friends were looking forward to the occasion in anticipation of the gifts of love they would receive from that 'special someone' in their life. I, however, was dreading the day. It served as a constant reminder to me that I had no 'special someone', no 'significant other', no one who would be thinking of the perfect gift to show their love for me.

When the day came, I had worked myself into a state of depression. As was my custom, I knelt beside my bed and said a prayer to begin the day. I am ashamed to admit that my heart was not in this prayer. I was feeling sorry for myself and was selfishly asking things like, "Will I ever meet someone who will love me?" "What is wrong with me?" and "Is it wrong to just want a Valentine's gift? Just a little box of candy or a flower?" When I finished my prayer, I opened my bedroom curtain and turned to leave. And then I stopped and looked back out the window. There, near the curb of the busy street outside, was a flowerbed. It had always been there, but on this particular day it brought a thought to my mind: My Heavenly Father gives me flowers everyday. He gives me a sunrise each morning, and a sunset at the close of each day. He gives me the sounds and the feel of the ocean, the sun to warm me, and birds to sing me a cheerful song. There is always someone there who loves me, and He is constant. He always has been there and always will be. I decided to make that day one of sharing love with others instead of feeling miserable. I stopped at the store and bought some kiddie valentines and a couple of bags of heart-shaped chocolates, signed my name to the cards, and passed them out - mostly to people I didn't know. People on the city bus, in my college classes, even random people in the campus cafeteria got a valentine from me that day. It was one of the best Valentine's days I can remember.

I hope that today, on Valentine's Day, you can all say, "I love you, too" to someone. Because remember, there is always someone who loves you. Just take a look out your window.

Mitt Quit...

When I pulled up an article on the internet with this accompanying photo, my 5-year-old said, "Whoa, Mom - that is SCARY!"

I know, sweetheart.

I know.

A Book Worth Reading!

I will be the first to admit that I am not a big fan of most non-fiction books. However, this one came highly recommended, and I am now on my second reading of it. The author, Oliver DeMille, brings to light so many truths about the way kids (and adults) are educated today and how it needs to change. It explains the differences between teaching someone what to learn, when to learn and how to learn. He also talks of exceptional teachers and their styles of teaching and mentoring in the classroom - how administrators need to back off and let teachers run their classrooms to fit the needs of individual students and allow for an atmosphere which fosters a love for learning. I wanted to purchase a copy for the principal of our elementary school, but I don't think she would read it and I wouldn't want to waste the gift of a wonderful book on someone who wouldn't appreciate it.

Wow...I didn't make it sound too exciting, did I? Well, just this once, you'll have to just trust me. I don't buy books until I have read them once and know they are worth it. This is a book I would buy in bulk and give as gifts to everyone I know!

If you have any interest in educating your children and/or the children around you to become future leaders, in helping them learn how to learn and not just what to learn (the bare minimum) in order to move up each grade level at school - this is the book for you!

Words are not something I am good with - I tend to turn my thoughts into muck at times when trying to express them in written/spoken language. Just know that this book has made me even more passionate about my children's education. Give it a read and see what you think!

P.S. If you live near me and want to borrow the City Library's copy, it will be back in 2 weeks. I just renewed it so I can continue to read while waiting for my own copy to arrive. After that, I would love to loan the book out if anyone is interested!

Guys and Dolls: Flashback!

WHS production of Guys and Dolls, 1991.
(Havana dancers in Rainbow Brite dresses, myself, and Nicely-Nicely)

When I graduated from high school, I didn't know what to do with myself. My problem was this: all of my closest friends were a year behind me in school. So, I became "Bob". The movie, "What About Bob?" was popular at the time, and I just wouldn't go away, so some people started calling me "Bob", or just saying, "What about Gerb?" My high school drama teacher, however, saw that he could use this to his advantage. Since I was showing up to all of the rehearsals for the school musical "Guys and Dolls" anyway (all my friends were in it!) he asked me to help with costumes. I have never had so much fun in my life! Guys and Dolls is still one of my favorite musicals to this day.

WHS production, 1991
(Crap shooters, Hot Box Dancers, etc. - and an amazing set!)

So, you can imagine the excitement that surged within me when my oldest daughter asked if she could audition for her Middle School's production of Guys and Dolls. She and all of her friends tried out and all were accepted for various parts. One friend got a lead role (Adelaide), some girls were Dolls, some were Crap Shooters (not enough boys auditioned - I love Middle School!) and some got to play cowbell in the Mission Band - namely my own EM.

Middle School production of Guys and Dolls - 2008
(Look at that gorgeous Mission Band member, 2nd performer from the left!)

Miss Adelaide and Mission Band Cowbell Ringer, 2008

I can not express how much I love watching my kids experience some of the things that I enjoyed at their age. I must admit, though - I am a little jealous.

I have never had the opportunity to ring a cowbell.