It's finally happening. The thing I have looked forward to for the past seven years! In a few more weeks I will no longer be dropping off or picking up a child from the nursery at church!
A little less than seven years ago, I started dropping my eldest off in the nursery. An exciting rite of passage. It seemed unreal to me. But now, after dropping off one, sometimes two, babies every Sunday morning and evening, I will be done. Yes!
My youngest turned two recently. The age when they are kicked out of the nursery and dropped into the unstableness that is the toddler room. I'm very excited, but it's bittersweet.
No longer do I have to feel trapped by lugging around an infant, one who needs so much time and attention. The cleaning up, the breastfeeding, the explosive diapers, little sleep, introducing solids. But I no longer have that warm little bundle to snuggle with. No one who looks at me and thinks everything I do is wonderful and perfect. No one who looks at me with completely trusting eyes. No one who needs me so completely and wants me so completely.
I will miss the baby stage, it was fun and frustrating. I'm glad it's over, very glad I don't have to go back, but I will always cherish the memories.
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Brilliant
At least, that's how I was feeling this morning. Grocery shopping with 4 kids can be a crazy, trying, annoying, frustrating, difficult, loud, embarrassing, draining (you get the picture) experience. With only one contained child, the rest feel they are on an adventure. An adventure to torture Mommy. They seem to instinctively know that they can get away with a lot more in public than at home, and they do it! The stores are giant play places. One can run around, screaming, moving food around, removing price labels, and opening all the freezer doors. I've even had to drag at least one child out of the employees only sections.
The past 9 months I've been shopping with only 2 (occasionally 3) children in tow. Much easier, trust me. School is out and I am back to shopping with all four kids. I spent the past couple of weeks racking my brain for ideas to entertain my children quietly. Then it hit me, letters. My middle two children are busy learning their letters. They hate to sit down and look at flash cards, so I have to be creative with education (something very hard for me!). I decided to have my children look for letters as we wandered the stores.
Before we headed out this morning I printed out 6 letter boards, one for each store. My oldest can read, but she likes to play games and would have felt left out if I did not print her a board. (I can only handle 2 stores at a time with all four of them.) I told them we would be playing a seek and find game at the stores. Excitement abounded. They could not wait to get to the store.
At the first store I handed them each a board and a writing utensil. I explained that they were to look for the letters on their boards. If they had capitals, they needed to find capital letters, and vice-versa. They spent the time searching diligently for letters while I shopped. They only ran out of letters while I was checking out at the last store, and then chaos began. But I had made it through 2 stores without dirty looks, noisy children, or frustration! Brilliant...
...Then I arrived home and realized I had forgotten to purchase vegetables, yet again. Looks like another run to the grocery store.
The past 9 months I've been shopping with only 2 (occasionally 3) children in tow. Much easier, trust me. School is out and I am back to shopping with all four kids. I spent the past couple of weeks racking my brain for ideas to entertain my children quietly. Then it hit me, letters. My middle two children are busy learning their letters. They hate to sit down and look at flash cards, so I have to be creative with education (something very hard for me!). I decided to have my children look for letters as we wandered the stores.
Before we headed out this morning I printed out 6 letter boards, one for each store. My oldest can read, but she likes to play games and would have felt left out if I did not print her a board. (I can only handle 2 stores at a time with all four of them.) I told them we would be playing a seek and find game at the stores. Excitement abounded. They could not wait to get to the store.
At the first store I handed them each a board and a writing utensil. I explained that they were to look for the letters on their boards. If they had capitals, they needed to find capital letters, and vice-versa. They spent the time searching diligently for letters while I shopped. They only ran out of letters while I was checking out at the last store, and then chaos began. But I had made it through 2 stores without dirty looks, noisy children, or frustration! Brilliant...
...Then I arrived home and realized I had forgotten to purchase vegetables, yet again. Looks like another run to the grocery store.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
My son did not loose out on another week of playing the Wii because of talking back and ignoring his parents when they spoke to him.
My son did not loose out of having his cousin over for the whole day because of harassing his sisters.
My son and his cousin (who came over later) did not loose out on playing together for two weeks because the threw rocks at each other, nor did they try to get into our un-opened pool.
My son did not loose out on spending the night at Grandma's house because he continued to talk back, harass his sisters, nor ignore his parents.
My son did also not loose out on the first day he was supposed to be able to play the Wii again because he ignored Mommy when she told him not to do something.
What did your children/child not do this week!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Kid Quotes
I love the sayings my kids come up with. The Big Princess is very good at sounding very grown up, but being very funny at the same time. Here are some of my favorite sayings from my kids, at least the three that can speak full sentences!
The Big Princess - (Said to me while we were driving home one night in the summer) Mommy, the stars are singing!
Little Dude - His reply to Daddy when Daddy said, "I like your shirt." Little Dude's reply, "It's stripped, like Thunder Ball!" (For those of you who don't know this is from a James Bond theme song which actually says, "...strikes, Black Thunder Ball")
Mini-Me - Her reply when Daddy noticed her hair was getting long "You're looking very shaggy." Mini-Me, "No, I Daphne!"
The Big Princess - (Said to me while we were driving home one night in the summer) Mommy, the stars are singing!
Little Dude - His reply to Daddy when Daddy said, "I like your shirt." Little Dude's reply, "It's stripped, like Thunder Ball!" (For those of you who don't know this is from a James Bond theme song which actually says, "...strikes, Black Thunder Ball")
Mini-Me - Her reply when Daddy noticed her hair was getting long "You're looking very shaggy." Mini-Me, "No, I Daphne!"
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Quiet Game
My children have learned to love to play games, almost any kind, from my husband. About a year ago I was driving in the car with the kids. The Dude and The Big Sister were arguing and being very loud. I suggested a game called "Let's see who can be quiet until we get to..." No prize, just whoever stays the quietest the longest wins. They loved it. Both will often suggest playing it when we drive, no matter the length of the trip. It's a great game for Mommy. I'm not sure how long this "game" will last for them. For now, I enjoy the quiet.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Not My Child, Monday
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
At the grocery store this morning...
My daughter did not walk along the condiments aisle, flipping all the condiments upside down and setting them on their caps.
My daughter did not try to eat through the package of taco seasoning to get to what was inside.
My daughter did not remove at least 3 price tag stickers from the shelves in the dairy aisle, before I caught her.
My daughter did not runaway with a container of mini-M&M's, when I told her she could not have any today.
My daughter did not hide under a table of cookies and try to open said container.
My daughter did not turn on and start pushing buttons on the closed register next to us.
And finally, at home...
My daughter did not poop in her underwear 15 minutes after she peed on the potty.
Does anyone want a Mini-Me? I'm giving her away free. She comes complete with sullen looks, stubbornness, grumpiness, and the ability to disappear in a clear, open area at a moments notice. Will accept first offer.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Dump Day
My brain started out working fine this morning. But, round about 9:30am it gave up and left for a quieter corner of the world. As I sat, trying to coax it back, my three younger children - Little Dude, Mini-Me, and Surprise! - were playing happily. I finally decided dragged my brainless body out of the chair to fold the laundry that was dry, and wandered into...
...The Dump Zone.
Every now and then, a secret message will be sent to my children, from parties unknown. Sometimes this message comes three days in a row, sometimes there are weeks between them. What are these messages? I'm not sure exactly what they say. I think they basically say, "It's Dump Day, you know what to do."
Dump Day starts out innocently enough, a few toys here, some over there. It quickly escalates into full dump mode. Bins, boxes, shelves, and often the Tupperware cupboards, are dumped. It's easy to do, take a bin full of toys, turn upside down, and you've just started Dump Day. (or, If you're Surprise! and you aren't capable enough to dump all at once, stand there, grab a toy, and chuck as hard as you can. Don't forget to giggle.) The toys can be dumped right next to the place they are kept, in a pile in the middle of the room and covered with a blanket ("We're making a robot, Mommy."), or for more fun, scattered through out the house in a blanket of toys.
So, keep a close eye on your children today. The message has gone out. You've now entered, The Dump Zone.
...The Dump Zone.
Every now and then, a secret message will be sent to my children, from parties unknown. Sometimes this message comes three days in a row, sometimes there are weeks between them. What are these messages? I'm not sure exactly what they say. I think they basically say, "It's Dump Day, you know what to do."
Dump Day starts out innocently enough, a few toys here, some over there. It quickly escalates into full dump mode. Bins, boxes, shelves, and often the Tupperware cupboards, are dumped. It's easy to do, take a bin full of toys, turn upside down, and you've just started Dump Day. (or, If you're Surprise! and you aren't capable enough to dump all at once, stand there, grab a toy, and chuck as hard as you can. Don't forget to giggle.) The toys can be dumped right next to the place they are kept, in a pile in the middle of the room and covered with a blanket ("We're making a robot, Mommy."), or for more fun, scattered through out the house in a blanket of toys.
So, keep a close eye on your children today. The message has gone out. You've now entered, The Dump Zone.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tranquil Tuesday
Today I resolve to have at least 5 minutes of tranquility. A difficult feat with four kids, as some of you know. Sometimes it's even difficult if you don't have any kids. I have found that, if I take even 5 minutes out of my day to do something for me, I can pass that tranquility on to my children and create a calmer day for everyone. From just locking the bathroom door while I'm in there to heading out with a friend, 5 minutes or 5 hours, I need some tranquility in my life. [This 5 minutes does not include the time I spend praying or reading the Bible, which also leads to a more tranquil day.]
This Tuesday, I resolve to drink 1 cup of hot tea. Not warm or rewarmed, but hot and fresh out of the pot.
What are doing to make your Tuesday more tranquil?
This Tuesday, I resolve to drink 1 cup of hot tea. Not warm or rewarmed, but hot and fresh out of the pot.
What are doing to make your Tuesday more tranquil?
Friday, February 5, 2010
"Mommy, I want to sit on your lap!"
I really do not like to hear those words, sometimes. Other times, those words are wonderful. Most of my children are still young enough to sit comfortably on my lap. Lately, though, it has only been said when I least want them to sit in my lap. It goes hand in hand with the "Mommy, I'm bored." phrase I've also been hearing.
For example: I needed to take the Little dude to preschool this morning. Mini-me was in top form, fighting me every step of the way. Yelling that she didn't "want to!" and "I want to stay here and play!" and "I don't love you any more, Mommy!" I dragged her out the door. She did not want to get out of the car once we were there, nor did she want to go into the building, down the stairs, and down the hallway. She fought me until I was ready to walk back out the door. Then, she found some fun things to do and did not want to leave. Leaving preschool was just another repeat of getting there.
Once home she didn't want to get out of the car, walk down the driveway, go up the steps, go in the door, etc., etc. I finally managed to get her in the house and close the door.
She proceeded to play happily on her own while I folded laundry, until I decided to do a short 15 minute workout. Then she was all over me, spreading videos over the floor, spinning around me, and being a nuisance. When I was done, and asked to do something with her, she didn't want anything to do with me. "Go away, Mommy. I'm playing."
Thus the day has gone, as have the past too many days to count. Very frustrating. I can play computer games all day long, and never be bothered. Actually sit down to write or blog, and Mommy becomes the new monkey bars.
My older two children sometimes do this, but we've seem to have worked out a compromise between Mommy doing things with them and on her own. Mini-me, doesn't want to work out a compromise. It's her way, or the highway.
Help! They're back...
For example: I needed to take the Little dude to preschool this morning. Mini-me was in top form, fighting me every step of the way. Yelling that she didn't "want to!" and "I want to stay here and play!" and "I don't love you any more, Mommy!" I dragged her out the door. She did not want to get out of the car once we were there, nor did she want to go into the building, down the stairs, and down the hallway. She fought me until I was ready to walk back out the door. Then, she found some fun things to do and did not want to leave. Leaving preschool was just another repeat of getting there.
Once home she didn't want to get out of the car, walk down the driveway, go up the steps, go in the door, etc., etc. I finally managed to get her in the house and close the door.
She proceeded to play happily on her own while I folded laundry, until I decided to do a short 15 minute workout. Then she was all over me, spreading videos over the floor, spinning around me, and being a nuisance. When I was done, and asked to do something with her, she didn't want anything to do with me. "Go away, Mommy. I'm playing."
Thus the day has gone, as have the past too many days to count. Very frustrating. I can play computer games all day long, and never be bothered. Actually sit down to write or blog, and Mommy becomes the new monkey bars.
My older two children sometimes do this, but we've seem to have worked out a compromise between Mommy doing things with them and on her own. Mini-me, doesn't want to work out a compromise. It's her way, or the highway.
Help! They're back...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Where have I been
My resolution to post every day, or almost every day, has fallen by the wayside. Not by my own desire, or lack of ideas (I do have 4 kids!), but because those little 4 kids have been sick, for about a month and a half! It's not been fun. At one point in time they were all sick at the same time. You may think, 'Great! Get it over with all at once!' Not so fast. It's hard to keep track of all 4 kids with their medications, nebulizing, sleeping, potty, coughs, etc., etc. when their sick. I ended up charting on my own kids. (I am a nurse.)
What really threw me over the edge was Mini-Me. She has always had difficulty when she catches a cold. She wheezes, coughs, and gurgles the whole time. Every time she has a cold I need (or should) nebulize her. She's been this way from cold number one, at 1 month old. (Got to love older sibs bringing home nasty bugs)
All four of the kids caught the strange coughing virus that was spreading. Inconsistent fevers (up and down all day, even without medication), wheezing periodically, laying around occasionally then jumping up and running around like nothings wrong, horrible coughs every few hours or so.
After about a week everyone was starting to come around. Fevers going away, coughs becoming fewer, energy back in full force. I breathed a sigh of relief and headed off to work. I slept most of Saturday. When I got up, Hope was acting strange. She still had the cough and wheezing. They were worse than when I had left for work the night before. Her fever was up to 104. Contacted the pediatrician on call and then headed over to the ER.
There she was tested for RSV and H1N1 and had a chest x-ray. RSV and H1N1 test were negative! Yeah! But, chest x-ray came back with lots of gunk in one of her lungs - pneumonia. We spent the next day and a half in the hospital, on the floor I work on, while they pumped her full of antibiotics and she breathed pure oxygen.
Mini-Me grumped the whole time. She can be very miserable when she wants to be. Finally they said we could go home. She responded to the antibiotics and oxygen therapy well.
Despite being a nurse, it is very stressful for me to have my children in the hospital, even for minor things. Guess I have an over active imagination and know too many things that can go wrong.
Finally, finally things are back to normal, which for us means illness free. Maybe now I can get back to all of the other things I should be getting done.
What really threw me over the edge was Mini-Me. She has always had difficulty when she catches a cold. She wheezes, coughs, and gurgles the whole time. Every time she has a cold I need (or should) nebulize her. She's been this way from cold number one, at 1 month old. (Got to love older sibs bringing home nasty bugs)
All four of the kids caught the strange coughing virus that was spreading. Inconsistent fevers (up and down all day, even without medication), wheezing periodically, laying around occasionally then jumping up and running around like nothings wrong, horrible coughs every few hours or so.
After about a week everyone was starting to come around. Fevers going away, coughs becoming fewer, energy back in full force. I breathed a sigh of relief and headed off to work. I slept most of Saturday. When I got up, Hope was acting strange. She still had the cough and wheezing. They were worse than when I had left for work the night before. Her fever was up to 104. Contacted the pediatrician on call and then headed over to the ER.
There she was tested for RSV and H1N1 and had a chest x-ray. RSV and H1N1 test were negative! Yeah! But, chest x-ray came back with lots of gunk in one of her lungs - pneumonia. We spent the next day and a half in the hospital, on the floor I work on, while they pumped her full of antibiotics and she breathed pure oxygen.
Mini-Me grumped the whole time. She can be very miserable when she wants to be. Finally they said we could go home. She responded to the antibiotics and oxygen therapy well.
Despite being a nurse, it is very stressful for me to have my children in the hospital, even for minor things. Guess I have an over active imagination and know too many things that can go wrong.
Finally, finally things are back to normal, which for us means illness free. Maybe now I can get back to all of the other things I should be getting done.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Barn Sleding
I grew up on a farm. The main barn was large and round. While it was only 1 story, the roof peaked at least 40 feet up. On one side, the roof sloped to within 6 feet of the ground. It was here that the snow from the driveways was often plowed, making that 6 foot lip very accessible.
No sled required, no snow for that matter either, just a pair of snow pants and the willingness to climb on up the roof.
The roofing material contained a flat middle, about a foot wide, with a ridge running along the long edge. With 2 of the tiles together, there was a perfect indent for boots to fit into and use for climbing.
Up we would climb, some of us to the very top. Down we would zoom. We slide down as many times as we could, before someone caught us. Then, our fun would be done and we'd be sent inside for the rest of the day.
See, sliding down the roof was not allowed. My Mom was always afraid we would fall off. There was a good sized gap at the peak, where the two sides of the roof met. An adult could easily fit through, so nothing kept us from falling through, into the barn, and down to the concrete bellow. Also spaced out on the roof were plastic, opaque tiles. There were meant to let in some light to the cows bellow. These would not support our weight, so we ran the risk of falling through if we picked the wrong spot to slide.
It was lots of fun, until we were caught.
No sled required, no snow for that matter either, just a pair of snow pants and the willingness to climb on up the roof.
The roofing material contained a flat middle, about a foot wide, with a ridge running along the long edge. With 2 of the tiles together, there was a perfect indent for boots to fit into and use for climbing.
Up we would climb, some of us to the very top. Down we would zoom. We slide down as many times as we could, before someone caught us. Then, our fun would be done and we'd be sent inside for the rest of the day.
See, sliding down the roof was not allowed. My Mom was always afraid we would fall off. There was a good sized gap at the peak, where the two sides of the roof met. An adult could easily fit through, so nothing kept us from falling through, into the barn, and down to the concrete bellow. Also spaced out on the roof were plastic, opaque tiles. There were meant to let in some light to the cows bellow. These would not support our weight, so we ran the risk of falling through if we picked the wrong spot to slide.
It was lots of fun, until we were caught.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Inside out, Rightside out!
I decided my two older children were old enough to learn to turn certain pieces of clothing inside out for me to wash. (I've also been trying to get my husband to do this, unsuccessfully!) I carefully explained that clothes that had pictures on them needed to be turned inside out.
My son is hit or miss. I doubt he is turning his clothes inside out to help me, but because that is the way he takes them off.
My daughter is great about this. So great in fact that she turns every piece of clothing inside out, underwear and socks included!
I guess it's time for a review with them.
My son is hit or miss. I doubt he is turning his clothes inside out to help me, but because that is the way he takes them off.
My daughter is great about this. So great in fact that she turns every piece of clothing inside out, underwear and socks included!
I guess it's time for a review with them.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Why so slow!
It never ceases to amaze me how slow the kids often are getting out of the car and into a warm building in the winter. It's cold, snowy, windy, etc., etc. and they insist upon moving their slowest. Meandering hither and yon, while never growing any closer to their destination. Trying to hurry them is like using a spoon to shovel. And once you've herded them inside they say, "I'm really cold Mommy. Can I have some hot chocolate?"
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Crazy Family
Every family has a "Crazy" Family group. When all the siblings, their spouses and children, get together. There is always one family that walks in and it's like adding 20 extra people, no matter the size of the crazy family.
My family has been designated the "Crazy" Family out of my siblings. We have the oldest, and the most, kids so far in my family. They are a bit loud sometimes. I don't believe my kids are too crazy. They don't jump on or off furniture. They don't break things, maybe once or twice this has happened they try to be careful around other people's things. They aren't disrespectful or rude. I believe we received this title simply b/c we have the most kids, so of course we generate the most noise. 2/3 other grandchildren are under 1yo, so they can't be too crazy yet.
My only hope, someone else either has more kids (doubtful) or their kids grow crazier than mine!
My family has been designated the "Crazy" Family out of my siblings. We have the oldest, and the most, kids so far in my family. They are a bit loud sometimes. I don't believe my kids are too crazy. They don't jump on or off furniture. They don't break things, maybe once or twice this has happened they try to be careful around other people's things. They aren't disrespectful or rude. I believe we received this title simply b/c we have the most kids, so of course we generate the most noise. 2/3 other grandchildren are under 1yo, so they can't be too crazy yet.
My only hope, someone else either has more kids (doubtful) or their kids grow crazier than mine!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Crazieness Done!
We celebrated the last birthday party for the girls today. I'm finding it very difficult having 2 girls born 2 weeks apart, although five years apart! We ended up having 3 parties - 2 family and 1 friend for the oldest. I'm not sure what I'll plan for next year, but I'd like it to be a little quieter. The kids had a lot of fun, and the downstairs of my house hasn't ever stayed clean this long, so I guess it was a good thing. I can't believe my baby is actually 6, and the littlest 1! They are getting so big. At times it feels like they are growing up so slowly, especially when they're being punished for the same thing for what seems like the 100th time! Other times, the days seem to fly. My oldest can read already and the youngest is working on walking. I just hope I remember it all.
Friday, November 20, 2009
She can Read!
My Oldest read me her first book this week. It was so exciting listening to her sound out the words and gain confidence as she went a long. Both my husband and I are avid readers. Our children would love to be as well, but Mommy doesn't have the time to spend hours reading to them. Not only am I excited to introduce her to the wonderful world of books and all the worlds they open to exploration, but the Mommy part of me is excited that I have someone who enjoys reading to her siblings! I have a long list of books I'm waiting impatiently to introduce to her, some of my childhood favorites like Ramona Quimby and some new ones I've found like Junie B. Jones! What a great journey we've embarked upon!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thumbalina, et al
While out grocery shopping this morning with Amelia and Hope, every time I spoke to Hope, using her name or not, she would respond to me, "I not Hope, I Thumbalina!" I spent the day calling her by her current chosen name.
Shortly before supper, Hope was looking at books. I went over to talk to her, calling her by her chosen name. She showed me some of the pictures that she looking at. In one Princess Jasmine and her father were locked in prison. Pointing to it, she said, "That's me. I locked in jail. What's her name?" I told her, and called her Thumbalina. To which she replied, "I not Thumbalina, I Jasmine!"
Taking on different persona's through out the day is not unusual for my three older children. Not only do they pick a person for themselves, but for everyone else. This can ensure fighting if the others don't agree on their new name. Then, for a period of time, they are that person.
I enjoy watching them try on different people. I watch as they see what personality traits and attitudes they like and want to adopt as their own. Of course, some of those traits and attitudes are not what I want them to pick out, so power struggles happen while I try to excise the bad traits. They have such active imaginations. It is fun to watch them imagine and dream.
Shortly before supper, Hope was looking at books. I went over to talk to her, calling her by her chosen name. She showed me some of the pictures that she looking at. In one Princess Jasmine and her father were locked in prison. Pointing to it, she said, "That's me. I locked in jail. What's her name?" I told her, and called her Thumbalina. To which she replied, "I not Thumbalina, I Jasmine!"
Taking on different persona's through out the day is not unusual for my three older children. Not only do they pick a person for themselves, but for everyone else. This can ensure fighting if the others don't agree on their new name. Then, for a period of time, they are that person.
I enjoy watching them try on different people. I watch as they see what personality traits and attitudes they like and want to adopt as their own. Of course, some of those traits and attitudes are not what I want them to pick out, so power struggles happen while I try to excise the bad traits. They have such active imaginations. It is fun to watch them imagine and dream.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tea Parties and Pooping Incidents
I had a bi-polar day today, the day, not me. It started out wonderful. Sam and Elizabeth we are my parents house overnight; the had gone to see a play with my Mom and then to spend the night. I got up at 6 am for prayer and meditation moments with Max Lucado. As always, he opened my eyes to something in God's Word I never noticed. I so love learning something new about God everyday!
I had a quiet breakfast, since no one else in the house was up. I did some dishes, folded some laundry, and picked up a little bit before Hope awoke and came down for breakfast. She ate waffles and had just finished when Matt brought Amy down for waffles. Despite having them both up I was still having a great morning. Matt helped me finish getting the house ready for Elizabeth's Birthday Tea.
Elizabeth and Sam arrived home. Sam, Hope, Amy, and Matt left for his parent's and Elizabeth dressed in her princess dress. 6 little girls arrived for tea and cake, ate, opened presents, and ran wild through the house. When they all left, except for my niece who was staying until her parents arrived home from a conference, I was ready for some more quiet time.
Alas, it was not meant to be. Matt arrived home with the other three and then headed out to play a little football with friends. Amy needed to eat and the others watched a movie. Things were still going well, if a bit more than I wanted to do.
Made a quick supper for the kids, mac and cheese. As I was placing the plates on the table and calling the kids, I realized I didn't see Hope. She had been reading books, but she was gone. I set the other 4 kids up with their suppers and told them to be good while I searched for Hope.
I did not have to search far. There she was in front of the upstairs bathroom door, which Elizabeth had locked, holding a pair of poopy stained underwear with no poopy in it. The other hand was held up in the air, covered in poop. I was sent over the deep end. I frantically tried to call Matt to come home and help with the other kids, who I could hear fighting and banging things around, while simultaneously keeping Hope from touching anything with her poopy hand, unlocking the bathroom door, finding where the poopy had ended up, getting the rest of Hope's clothes off, and getting her into the shower.
I could not reach him. After trying him multiple times and calling other people I knew he would be playing football with (it was dark at this point in time so I doubted they were still playing), I finally reached him and told him to come home. Hope was screaming for him in the shower, she hates to get her hair wet.
Matt arrived home and took care of the other 4 kids and their messes from supper. I finished cleaning up Hope, got her into her pjs, and cleaned up the poop (which she had put into the warm mist humidifiers cooling chamber, which parts are soaking in Vinegar in an attempt to remove the rest of the poop, I'm not sure if I'll feel comfortable using it again!)
An hour after the whole pooping incident started, things were mostly clean and back to normal. My niece was picked up by her parents, Hope and Elizabeth were in bed and Sam and Amy were on their way.
I was sitting at my computer, wallowing in pity over my horrible night. Matt encouraged me to head over to a friend's birthday party and have some adult time and chocolate/peanut butter cake. I didn't want to go. I was enjoying my wallow and wanted it to continue. Besides, who wants to be around a wallower. He pushed me out the door, despite my misgivings that I wasn't wanted there in my current state.
He was right. I felt much better after I got there and indulged my need for chocolate and peanut butter. I enjoyed talking with adult friends, especially since the conversation revolved around science and nursing (2 nurses, a PA, vet tech, and radiology assistant will encourage that!).
I never cease to be amazed at how God has things all planned out. He knew the Pooping Incident would occur and how difficult that would be for me after the busy day I'd had. He had a friend plan an early birthday party for their husband, gave Matt the opportunity to get out of the house and play football earlier in the day so he would be willing to let me go out myself. Perfection! (Coicidences orchestrated by God)
I had a quiet breakfast, since no one else in the house was up. I did some dishes, folded some laundry, and picked up a little bit before Hope awoke and came down for breakfast. She ate waffles and had just finished when Matt brought Amy down for waffles. Despite having them both up I was still having a great morning. Matt helped me finish getting the house ready for Elizabeth's Birthday Tea.
Elizabeth and Sam arrived home. Sam, Hope, Amy, and Matt left for his parent's and Elizabeth dressed in her princess dress. 6 little girls arrived for tea and cake, ate, opened presents, and ran wild through the house. When they all left, except for my niece who was staying until her parents arrived home from a conference, I was ready for some more quiet time.
Alas, it was not meant to be. Matt arrived home with the other three and then headed out to play a little football with friends. Amy needed to eat and the others watched a movie. Things were still going well, if a bit more than I wanted to do.
Made a quick supper for the kids, mac and cheese. As I was placing the plates on the table and calling the kids, I realized I didn't see Hope. She had been reading books, but she was gone. I set the other 4 kids up with their suppers and told them to be good while I searched for Hope.
I did not have to search far. There she was in front of the upstairs bathroom door, which Elizabeth had locked, holding a pair of poopy stained underwear with no poopy in it. The other hand was held up in the air, covered in poop. I was sent over the deep end. I frantically tried to call Matt to come home and help with the other kids, who I could hear fighting and banging things around, while simultaneously keeping Hope from touching anything with her poopy hand, unlocking the bathroom door, finding where the poopy had ended up, getting the rest of Hope's clothes off, and getting her into the shower.
I could not reach him. After trying him multiple times and calling other people I knew he would be playing football with (it was dark at this point in time so I doubted they were still playing), I finally reached him and told him to come home. Hope was screaming for him in the shower, she hates to get her hair wet.
Matt arrived home and took care of the other 4 kids and their messes from supper. I finished cleaning up Hope, got her into her pjs, and cleaned up the poop (which she had put into the warm mist humidifiers cooling chamber, which parts are soaking in Vinegar in an attempt to remove the rest of the poop, I'm not sure if I'll feel comfortable using it again!)
An hour after the whole pooping incident started, things were mostly clean and back to normal. My niece was picked up by her parents, Hope and Elizabeth were in bed and Sam and Amy were on their way.
I was sitting at my computer, wallowing in pity over my horrible night. Matt encouraged me to head over to a friend's birthday party and have some adult time and chocolate/peanut butter cake. I didn't want to go. I was enjoying my wallow and wanted it to continue. Besides, who wants to be around a wallower. He pushed me out the door, despite my misgivings that I wasn't wanted there in my current state.
He was right. I felt much better after I got there and indulged my need for chocolate and peanut butter. I enjoyed talking with adult friends, especially since the conversation revolved around science and nursing (2 nurses, a PA, vet tech, and radiology assistant will encourage that!).
I never cease to be amazed at how God has things all planned out. He knew the Pooping Incident would occur and how difficult that would be for me after the busy day I'd had. He had a friend plan an early birthday party for their husband, gave Matt the opportunity to get out of the house and play football earlier in the day so he would be willing to let me go out myself. Perfection! (Coicidences orchestrated by God)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Is it really November?
We had yet another beautiful day. We've had more sunny days in November than we did all summer! I've enjoyed not having to bundle the kids up when I take them out places. The coats keep them warm, but are a hassle to buckle into the car seats! I hope this weather continues for a few more months. I enjoy the sunny, but cooler weather.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Writing, Finally
I finally wrote a couple of pages in my book this weekend. Might not seem like much to you, but it is a lot to me. Getting even one page in at a time is wonderful! My sister-in-law was kind enough to donate her old lap top to my book, I'll have to remember her in the dedication! I just need to remember to turn it on, and not my main computer. It's way too easy to surf the net, use Facebook, play games, etc, etc.! The difficult part I'm working on right now is finally coming together. I'm just trying not to think about how it will end, and just write little bits at a time.
On another note: The kids enjoyed looking at the moon last night. The little Dude noted that the moon was getting bigger. Last night it was half full. Last time they saw it, it was only about a sliver. Explained, briefly, about how the moon grows bigger and then smaller every month. Not sure how much they were paying attention, but they seemed to absorb it for later.
On another note: The kids enjoyed looking at the moon last night. The little Dude noted that the moon was getting bigger. Last night it was half full. Last time they saw it, it was only about a sliver. Explained, briefly, about how the moon grows bigger and then smaller every month. Not sure how much they were paying attention, but they seemed to absorb it for later.
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