Got Boots?

This morning my little Towhead's first words to me were: "I need Boots!" This was no surprise, as his first words are often "I need...(fill in the blank)" each morning. As usual, I told him I did not know where our little plastic Boots toy was - but he could go find him. As he ran off to find Boots, I looked out the window and saw this:
Oh...those boots.

It's not April Fools Day yet, but Mother Nature got us good this morning! Who would've thought?! The weather has been beautiful, and I thought we were done with snow.

I guess you could call me a March Fool.

Not To Be Vain, But Happy Birthday To Me!

A Political Joke

I am no political analyst, but I do know that I don't know what I'm going to do when election time comes around. For the first time since I turned 18 I may just stay home and throw a "Someone Loves America" party on voting day.

I can not vote for McCain. I get a bad feeling just looking at him. Plus, he's a donkey in an elephant suit.

I can not vote for Hillary. I already endured enough time with a Clinton in the White House. I do not want to have to go through that again. Plus, she's Hillary. You know?

And Obama? No way. Here's a funny from a friend's blog that describes my feelings on Obama very well:

Q: What will the U.S. become if Obama becomes president?

A: An ObamaNation

Am I the last one to hear this joke? So true, it's almost not funny.

So. true.

Our Own Easter Miracles!

First and foremost, two small miracles happened this week with our little Towhead.

1. He is fully potty-trained!
2. He attended his church Primary class on Sunday without a family member in tow!

These may sound like no big deal, but they are monumental around here. Just those two things would have been enough to make my weekend wonderful, but...wait! There's more.

On Saturday we spent the afternoon with Allen's side of the family, enjoying what is becoming an annual tradition: a picnic lunch and Easter egg hunt at a local park. There was a good crowd in attendance and plastic, candy-filled eggs a-plenty. Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera for this. But don't despair! I remembered my camera for the dinner on Easter Sunday with my side of the family, at Chip and Becky's. One of my favorite things about family get-togethers is this:Cousin time! I only really knew one of my cousins growing up - that includes both sides of the family - so I love when my kids get to spend quality time with their cousins. Another thing I love is that I don't have to make the dinner - that is my brother Chip's department. (He is really good at cutting things.)
I usually get to bring some small addition to the dinner, like my almost-famous homemade rolls. This time I brought my sugar cookies for dessert, which, at the risk of sounding vain, I think rival the local bakeries'.

You can ignore the jellybeans and robin's eggs (fancy name for colored Whoppers). I used them for decoration to get them out of my house. Hey, kids like 'em! (as do adults with no taste for finer Easter treats like mini Snickers and Dove chocolate eggs.) One of my absolute favorite things about getting together with family is that Allen helps with clean up while I sit and chat. When we were married we became one, so it's kind of like I'm doing dishes, too.

Right?

Coolister

Now and forever (or until I change my mind), this handsome kid will be known as "COOLISTER".

We Could All Use A Little Change

Yesterday my little Superman was digging around in his change jar before school. That usually means he has enough to buy school lunch, which I think is disgusting, but hey, it's his money. I asked him what the change was for so I would know if I needed to pack him a lunch or not.

He responded: "Miss S. showed us a jar in class yesterday. Any money we put in it will help to buy books for kids who don't have any."

I asked if he was sure he wanted to put his change in the jar. After all, wasn't he saving for a new pack of Pokemon cards? Didn't he want to buy that kite at the dollar store? How about a new set of Legos? There had to be something else he wanted to use his money for.

I think he was disappointed in me.

He said: "Mom, some kids don't have books. Can you imagine not having books?! Besides, Miss S. put just about her whole purse full of money in the jar. If she can do that, I can put in my change."

It's days like this I realize I must be doing something right in teaching these kids of mine. I guess we could all use a little 'change' every once in a while.

The Song Game

Do you ever play the Song Game? I play it every day. It is beyond my control, really, just something ingrained in my brain.

When my 11-year-old daughter comes home and says, "I was late for class", it makes me want to sing a song with those lyrics. But I always try to refrain.

It's a little bit funny, really. I mean, I'm in this kitchen trying not to think about anything but getting lunches made when one of my kids will say, "Mom! I had an awesome dream last night!" Or, "Close your mouth! I think you're gross!" I can't help myself...I think of a song. Or Allen will ask me about the towhead's potty training: "Is it getting better?" and I want to respond by continuing the song he started.

The most common phrases that set me off are:

"I don't know how you do it",
"What do you think?", and
"It's a beautiful day!"

I guess you could say I'm a little bit shy about just breaking out in song. But I think it's better that way, wouldn't you agree? People already think I have a crazy life. I don't need to prove them right.

Do you play the song game, too? Do you know the songs that match the lyrics in red?

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!

I have been suffering lately from a self-induced lack of sleep. I stay up much too late, reading books or blogs or watching movies or what-have-you. Then I try to fall asleep, fighting the pregnancy-induced RLS urge to kick and wiggle my legs as I wait for my calcium supplement to take effect. Baby 9 decides this is the ideal time to do a little breakdancing and gymnastics before settling nicely onto my bladder so that I once again have to get out of bed and visit the bathroom...you get the picture. Before I know it, 6:30 am rolls around and I am gently shaken awake by my oldest boy to start a new day.

But not yesterday morning. Yesterday morning was glorious.

I woke up well after the sun had come up and tried to orient my brain to what day it was. Saturday? No... then I realized the vacuum was going. Allen was still home, and he let me sleep in! What a rare, welcomed treat. He had set his alarm to get up before the kids, make their lunches & breakfast and get them to school. After returning home he did the dishes, vacuumed, and straightened the house up. All while I was still enjoying a sweet slumber.

I love that man.

There's A New Toy In Town...

Do you think my little 3-year-old towhead will be more motivated to be potty trained if I offered him these lovable stuffed toys as a prize? I must admit, these are right up my alley as far as being disgustingly humorous, but it doesn't seem right to give them to a child to play with.

I'd love to have a set on my bathroom shelf, though.

Maybe these underwear would make potty training a little more fun for me to endure?

See for yourself what other goodies the "Pee and Poo" Company has to offer!

Ode to Brownies

I have been a bit obsessed with food lately. No, not food - treats. Snacks. Munchies. Sweets. Usually this is fine, as I am well-hated for being able to eat whatever I want and keeping my girlish figure, but during pregnancy? Hoo-boy. Watch out!

One of my latest obsessions has been brownies. I don't make them often, as I have been known at times to eat an entire pan on my own before anyone knows they were even created. (p.s. That is not a good thing.) And my favorite part of the brownie? The corner piece.

Yes, everyone thinks I'm kidding when I say that. Most people want the chewy, soft center cuts. Not me. I love the contrast of the chewy center to the crusty outside when I take a bite of these delicacies. Why a delicacy? Sadly, there are only four to a pan.

Until today!!

I am not alone. There are other corner lovers out there, or else this beauty of a creation would not be available. May I introduce:

The Edge Brownie Pan!

Genius! Pure genius! Crusty corners for everyone! No brownie left behind!

I don't know who wrote this poem, but it sums up my recent sentiment towards brownies:

ODE TO A BROWNIE

O brownie small, your life was brief.

You lasted but a day.

When I heard you call my name,

I knew I shouldn’t stay.

O brownie bite, you need to know

I did all that I could.

I picked you up, I ate you down.

You tasted mighty good!

O brownie, you are part of me.

I’ll always have you near!

Though small, you seemed to put at least

A pound upon my rear.

O brownie piece, your life was short;
It lasted but a day.
And now I see your brother here.
He’ll end up the same way.

What Is Your Integrity Worth?

Last Monday for Family Night our oldest daughter taught a lesson on integrity. She handed out different situations and had us read them and discuss what we could do to show integrity in each. One was something like this:

You are at the grocery store and you find a $20 bill. What would you do with it?

We talked about how it was important to give it to a manager at the store because it could belong to someone who really needed it and they may come back looking for it. And how it's not really your money, so it should be easy to show integrity and hand it in.

Flash forward to today. I was at the Dollar Store with 3 of my kids. As we went through the checkout, my little cowgirl found a penny on the floor. She showed it to me and then handed it to the cashier, who had this conversation with her:

Cashier: "You can keep that, honey."

Cowgirl: "It's not mine."

Cashier: "It's okay. You can keep it."

Cowgirl: "It's not mine."

Me: (remembering our Family Night lesson) "I don't think that whoever lost it will come back for it, sweetie. It's okay."

Cowgirl: "I DON'T WANT IT!"

Cashier: (looks at me, confused)

And then, without a second thought, Cowgirl's 5-year-old sister grabs the penny and says, "Fine. if she doesn't want it, I'll keep it." And into her pocket it went.

I'm glad someone learned something.

Family Fun!

I don't read many magazines, except for ones published by our church. However, I used to subscribe to Family Fun Magazine because of all the great ideas and advice they provide for holidays, vacations and, well, family fun. Once my subscription ended I chose not to renew it because I have access to all of the great ideas from the magazine online. I also joined Family Fun's reader panel (no subscription required), which means every once in awhile I get an email asking me to submit my own ideas on various topics. I send my ideas in, with no response, but that's ok because they send me a free craft kit for every 3 ideas I submit, and it's always fun to get a random package in the mail.

Well, GUESS WHAT? I got a phone call from the magazine today, and one of my ideas is going to be published in May's issue!

Watch for an article on family STRESS BUSTERS!

I almost feel famous.

Theme Week: Squirmy Sunday

Just a quick thought (based on personal experience at a meeting today) :

Have you ever noticed that when men are having a "discussion" they can yell and be frustrated and angry and voice their opinions, then slap each other on the back afterwards and all is well?

If women were to have the same discussion, they would hold it against each other for the rest of their lives, or wonder why so-and-so had to be so mad and hostile.

I don't like being present for such conversations.

They make me feel squirmy.

Theme Week: A Sequence for Saturday

I said I'd post every day this week...did you doubt me? I know, it's late, but it's still Saturday! Here's a fun sequence of pictures for today's post:

Watch our family grow!

(1992, Wedding Announcement photo)

(1993, Still Lovin' Denim! And check out the rise on those bangs. Awesome. One kiddo, 7 to go.)

(1995, Two cute kids, two happy parents)

(1997, Wanted to be sure the new little cutie was in a denim photo.)

(2000, The gender score is 2 to 2.)

(2001, Another little girl - we venture to the outdoors. Let's play "I Spy"...can you find the dinosaur?)

(2003, Boys: 2, Girls: 4)

(2004, A brand new boy to help even things up some.)

(2006, Our family as it is now)

Our most current picture is seen on the sidebar as well as a couple of posts ago.

Stay tuned (around September or October) for Our Family: 2008!