Feeling Crafty

I finally did a project I've been wanting to do for months. Like usual, I did it halfway, because I didn't have the colors I would have liked, but this is what I had on hand.
I took a picture Brenna drew on a fisher-price magnadoodle, made a copy of it in the printer/copier and put it inside the shirt. Then I held it up to a window and traced it the best I could. Then I 'embroidered' the design onto the shirt. It's not as sloppy as I would have liked, but it was difficult to trace it properly and also I'm REALLY bad at embroidery. The kids like it, in fact Aisling and Rowan have been drawing all afternoon and giving me designs to sew onto shirts for them. Aisling's are of course very detailed and involved and Rowan has broken down into screaming fits several times because she can't draw a snail! Too cute! (except the fit part)

Kid's Tics

My friend Jessica's daughter just started breaking her hair off. My Brenna started twisting her hair into such tight knots that it would rip out when she was about 20 months. She still twists it, but if I keep it short enough she can't get it wrapped around her finger tight enough to pull it out. She seems to do this as a comfort thing or possibly a bored thing. It is usually if she is tired, watching a movie, or zoning out while riding in the car or something. All of my kids have had a thing for hair, including Lachlan. It seems to me that most kids do. But most kids do not pull or break out their own hair.
Rowan is addicted to the binky. ( We're going to be cutting that up on her birthday in May)
Since Aisling started kindergarten she has started a new habit. She constantly blows her air out. Just this quiet little "hwew". Just like blowing out a candle. It drives me crazy! She said it is because she doesn't want air in her mouth. ?? Have any of your kids had weird tics that bother you? What did you do about it?

An Argument for Breast Augmentation

This has been sitting in my drafts for about a month, waiting for me to fix it up ready for posting, but I never have and since we are all still sick, and my brain is fried, I am giving you a poor sympathy post for your entertainment. Enjoy! ( I didn't think a picture would be appropriate for this one, although on second thought, it would be amusing!)
Of all the people I've talked to about this, it seems there are quite a few that are still undecided. I have been asking people their opinions about 'boob jobs'. I came to the conclusion last night after years of thought and decided I am in favor of 'boob jobs'. And I feel I can rightly justify my position. In my mind, I had felt it would be ok, probably, if someone got decent sized breast implants, but it was immoral for someone to get huge ones. Have you ever had thoughts like that? There is the argument about going against nature, not being grateful for what God has given you, etc. But seriously, people get corrective surgery all the time. What about braces, LASIK, appendectomy, caesarians, acne treatment etc. What about the poor gal who has been over-abundantly 'blessed' with huge bosoms, should she not be allowed to get a breast reduction? So any of you who might have been feeling the need for a refill, I wholeheartedly support you. Just make sure you email me and tell me the Dr. and the fees. ;)
Feel free to respond to this Anonymously if you choose! :)

Pride & Vanity

This afternoon Aisling went out to catch the bus for kindergarten. She was wearing a thin, poufy skirt and I asked her if she was warm enough. She said yes at first, but then as the wind continued to blow around her bare legs, she decided she was cold. I ran upstairs and grabbed a pair of pants and ran back down as fast as I could, but as I reached the door I could see the bus had arrived. I am very ashamed to say I did not run out to give my daughter some pants so she wouldn't freeze at recess. The reason is since I was doing laundry and cleaning this morning, I had decided not to get dressed 'til I could take a shower this afternoon. Normally I would jut be wearing stretch pants and a hoodie, but my sister-in-law gave me a pair of pajamas last night. These are bright blue pjs with bright yellow rubber duckies all over them. I was just TOO embarrassed for the bus driver to see me run out in these ridiculous pajamas so I stayed inside, behind the door and waited for the bus to leave. I felt so bad for my poor little girl, out in that bitter wind with nothing on her legs. I tried consoling myself with the self-righteous thoughts of, "I TOLD her to wear pants today, I TOLD her it was too cold to wear a skirt. I guess she'll learn her lesson." But the truth is I feel more bad towards myself for being too prideful to run out and giver her the pants. It was a revelation of my true nature. I, who so often have judged others too ashamed to go out without their make-up on, refused to be seen by some old guy bus driver with my greasy hair and rubber ducky jammies. Why should I care about his opinion over the comfort of my daughter? I am so ashamed.
Mine are about 20x brighter than these!
Have you let your vanity get the better of you?

Oh What a feeling

Sunday morning Abram & I decided we were simply too tired to get up and feed the kids. I gave Aisling permission to get cereal for herself & her siblings. Oops! When we came downstairs 30 minutes later, half of the bag of cereal looked like it had been poured into a balloon, released into the air only to hit the ceiling fan and explode all over the kitchen/dining room. the girls spent the next 20 minutes cleaning up the mess and Lachlan followed them around eating cereal out of their swept up piles. ( Don't worry, I had swept the floor the night before) Of course being children of a young and inexperienced age, after they were done cleaning, there was still quite a mess to clean up. We had to spend the rest of the morning getting ready for church and were busy when we got home and then were gone for the evening. I fed the kids birthday cake from the party last night for breakfast and then spent 30 minutes cleaning up the mess from yesterday and the chocolate crumbs from this morning. I think I had about 3 dustpans full of cereal and stuff ( I wiped all the table and counter crumbs onto the floor) minus the stuff Lachlan sneaked out while I was busy in another area. I can't figure out why he won't eat fresh food off his tray but seems to find his spilled food, especially a day later, irresistable. Anyway, it was an overwhelming feeling to have such a pig sty turn in to such a glorious clean room. The place I wanted to set fire to this morning is now a lovely, relaxing place. If only a little 409 could get the kids to stop fighting.
Have you ever allowed something foolish and had to suffer the consequences?

L.J. - 2/19/08

Our darling little boy had his very first Birthday. We are so happy to have such a sweet guy as part of our family. He is a favorite amongst the girls and definitely has his daddy charmed. He has the funniest laugh; whenever anyone hears it, they laugh too. He still likes to share and hug you when you're sad. He loves to imitate his sisters, especially when they're throwing fits. I love it when one of them is rolling around on the ground bawling, he'll lay down right next to her and roll around and make funny faces. It alway busts the girls up and the fit ends as abruptly as it began. He likes to hum himself to sleep at night with one hand on his fuzzy head. He is very friendly and seems to really like any men who come to our home. He'll climb right up into their arms and sit quite contentedly. Cars are probably his favorite toy. He loves to dance and sway and gets his head moving to the beat anytime music is playing. He is so easy going and pleasant, he still likes to snuggle and cuddle and get kisses. Of course he likes to explore and pull things out of the cupboards and pantry and demolish any piles of folded laundry he finds. He likes animals and kids. I like it how he sits on his knees while he is playing. He is a happy, loving, adorable, bald guy with blue eyes. We love him! Happy Birthday, Lockey-Locke!

Habit

I can count the number of times I've gone to bed without brushing my teeth on one hand. It is just something you do regardless of how tired or sick you are, like breathing. (that doesn't include nights that I didn't go to sleep or when I was a child under my parent's supervision. Yes, it is true, my parents forgot to teach me to brush my teeth. Thus at my first dentist appointment I was astonished to learn about the strange habit and about these little things officially known as caries, but called cavities AND to discover I had 8! Thankfully they were all baby teeth and I learned at an early age to take care of my oral hygiene myself. As a parent to 4 children, and having been the #4 child, I can see how they could've forgotten to teach me that important info, as each child after #1 learns their animal sounds, letters and how to spell their names later and later. Or they probably assumed the older siblings would show me the way, or rightfully given up the fight and decided baby teeth didn't need to be protected from cavities anyway because they're going to be sold to the tooth fairy eventually.)
I'm probably a strange anomoly because after the initial visits and fillings took place, I actually enjoyed going to the dentist. I took pride in never having another cavity and thought getting your teeth cleaned was like a massage for your teeth. Who can pass up those wonderful prizes in the treasure chest when your visit is through? And isn't the smell of the gunk they rub on your teeth heavenly? Oh how I miss those days of Dental Insurance. As it is, I haven't been to a dentist since 1998. I still never miss a night of brushing and am fairly consistent at flossing. I am proportionately bad at brushing in the morning. I almost never do unless I have somewhere to go.
Since my husband works in the dental industry, one might think I would have my semi-annual check-ups like clockwork. It is true that we could do trade work with probably any dentist in town. But there is just something keeping me from enjoying my old 'day at the spa'. I can't quite put my finger on.... do you think after 11 years I'm still caries free? It shouldn't matter anyway. I could just have Abram make me new teeth if the old ones rot out of my head. My parents were right all along.
What keeps you doing good habits or from doing things you know you should?

Underwear

I was reminiscing on the days before I was born when women really knew how to look good. Remember those old films where after the lady has seduced the man, she says, "I think I'll go slip into something more comfortable." As a child I didn't understand the implications of that statement. It didn't make sense to me at all. Why couldn't she kiss him in her regular clothes? Now I understand. It was simply that she couldn't proceed to any foul play with all those funky undergarments they used to wear. What she was really saying was, 'Let me go slip into something more accessible." I know my capable and talented husband has been known to have trouble with a simple bra hook. I can't imagine what it would be like to let a man loose on all the girdles, bustierres, garters, padded underbritches and missile-shaped braziers etc. etc. they used to wear. I'm sure you've all seen the strange apparati of older generation women. It would be like the Iron Maiden or Chastity Belt of yore.
Now that I'm 30, I'm beginning to hang out (or just hang) in places I never did before. :) I would appreciate clothing that can hold in all the bulging spots, lift all the drooping spots and enhance all the lacking spots; that is a miracle in engineering. So truly those older women were mistaken. If I were lucky enough to own undergarments like that, I would feel pretty uncomfortable taking them off, if for no other reason than now the poor fellow is going to see how I've misled him.
Anyone have a corset I can borrow?
Apology to the Ladies in the photo, but seriously, if you're going to pose for a picture, you should know that people are going to look at it.

Valentine's Day

I am a person who has never liked Valentine's day. Ok, that is probably not true. As a child, I'm sure I liked it. When I became aware, I began to dislike it. I think Valentine's day is a terrible way of making a person (usually a guy) feel guilty about doing something to show love to his girl. All the ads I hear on the radio are directed at men, and usually with some phrase like, 'don't forget' or 'there are just 2 days left!' Why do we need a day designated to spend money on your loved one? Is it just a capitalistic scheme? A day set aside for guys to remember to tell their wives they actually DO love them, here are the nasty chocolates and horrible red roses to prove it?
I think one of the reasons Abram married me, is because when we were dating I told him how I felt about V-Day. I told him I think people should just tell eachother whenever they want to, not feel pressured into a scheduled performance that will be compared to what everyone else got from their spouse. I am probably lucky because Abram is a romantic guy. He actually buys me those sappy Hallmark cards and even writes messages inside them. He's even written poetry for me. But I feel happy to know he does it when he wants to, not when he is supposed to. That way it assures me these are his genuine feelings and he's doing it because he wants to tell me, not because he wants to be sure he won't disappoint me and end up sleeping on the couch for a week. (Don't worry, he's never had to sleep on the couch) Doesn't Valentine's Day just make any show of affection a dime a dozen?
I did make him a quilt for president's day though.
What are your feelings about Valentine's Day?

The Visitor

You know what they say; guests and fish stink after three days. I am definitely tired of our visitor. First of all, he showed up uninvited. He is keeping us up all night. He won't even lay off when the kids are trying to nap. He's so rude we've lost our appetites. He's the type of guy you can't show up in public with, so we've been confined to our house all week. We are very tired of our visitor. He's even given Lachlan a fever for two days straight. Doe anyone know how to get rid of this jerk? We have probably been too accommodating. We let our guard down. We practically invited him in.
But enough is enough. I'm putting my foot down! Does anyone have any Zicam?
Hope you & yours are healthy & well.

parlez vous?

Somehow my blogger account is stuck in Portugese. ( couldn't be those magic little fingers belonging to my 2 year old) Does anyone know how to fix this? Unfortunately I don't read portugese.

Things You Love

Recently on Facebook I posed a question to my friends. I wondered what was something they got to do everyday that they LOVED. I felt pretty sad that when I considered my everyday day, I was honestly most happy about being able to go to bed each night. Since then I have been pondering on that and I have been paying attention to the little details about my day that I truly do love.
1. Snuggling with my baby. He still likes to snuggle.
2. Watching Rowan go out everyday to wave to the school bus and yell "goodbye!" to Aisling.
3. Hearing Brenna say, "Mom? I love you."
4. Getting a kiss from Abram when he gets home from work.
5. Watching my kids play together.
6. Being surprised by their Random Acts of Kindness.
7. Seeing their cute little bodies growing up from baby fat to lanky kid.
8. Feeling their smooth, soft skin.
9. Cuddling with Abram each night.

What are 9 of the things you love about your day?

Winner

Sorry, gang. I totally spaced the drawing on Friday. I got wrapped up in a good book, (Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman) and I also went out of town for my first ever 'girls' weekend'. Since I didn't get any emails about it, I'll assume you guys forgot about it too. hee hee.
I wrote down the numbers and put them in a cup and Rowan drew # 2. Jessica, congratulations!!
I am pleased you won because you have been my longest and most faithful reader and commenter.
I am happy there are more of you who also find some reason to keep reading and those of you who tell others to read this crazy blahg. And for those of you who remain a lurker, I'll keep writing provocative posts to try to get you to respond.
Jessica, let me know your color preference. Hip Hip hooray!

We Surround Them

This is a political entry, so if you hate politics, just skip it.
My brother informed me about an idea Glenn Beck posted on his web site and I wanted to participate and wanted to let you know about it too. The following has been stolen directly from my brother's blog, which was taken from him.
The idea is to email your picture to wesurroundthem@gmail.com if you agree with at least 7 of 9 ideas. This is a nation-wide project, and one I believe many of us have been looking for to help unite the silent majority who feel outnumbered by the vocal minority.
I know I personally am tired and frustrated by what I hear on the news and radio about our government and the political 'Left-Wing' which I feel is truly hurting our country.
I do not know your political leanings, but I feel like I know your hearts and believe you and I have the same heart for our country. Maybe you've heard of Glenn
Beck and despise him. Just read this and see if you might be surprised to agree on a few things.
God Bless America!

This one's for you, Vali

My wonderful, smart, funny, super sweet, beautiful, giving, sister-in-law, Vali is so cool. She actually really loves my kids! She and my brother, taylor come over and hang out or play with us. (Taylor has a Wii and will bring it over so we can play Wii music with the kids) Vali is one of those special people who offer to babysit. I am so spoiled because she actually WANTS to do it. She acts like it is a pleasure for her to GET to do it. I don't want to take advantage of her, or give her enough experience with my kiddos to realize she doesn't really want to be with them, so I try to use her sparingly! Anyway, Vali, you are awesome. We love it when you guys come over. Thanks for liking our kiddos and us. :) Here are some pictures just for you.

To have or Not To have... more kids

Many of you know that I am 'waffling' on the idea of having more kids. Sentimentally, I like the idea of having more. Abram keeps talking about how he needs more sons. ( I know, I know! I keep telling him the odds are against him) I knew we couldn't just have one, that seems pretty mean to the poor child. To lay all your attention, hopes, etc all on their lap. I knew we couldn't just have two. They would fight all the time, try to pit each parent against the other, etc. There would be constant sibling rivalry. I knew we couldn't just have 3. I definitely don't want to deal with 'middle child' syndrome. I know you can't help with 'oldest child' syndrome, or 'baby' syndrome, but the edge seems to be taken off those when there are more than 3. I've thought to myself that 4 seems perfect. There are enough playmates to go around, enough variety to keep others from being too competetive, enough 'partners' if we ever want to ride the rides at Disneyland, and enough craziness to keep any One from getting too much attention. Now that I am 'due' to be getting pregnant again ( if I want to keep on my former schedule of birthing babies every 20 months or so) I try to keep from getting stressed out about whether or not we "should". I know the answer to that, we definitely *shouldn't* have anymore, but do I really WANT to? To be perfectly honest, I'm scared. And it might surprise you what I'm scared about. I'm not scared about the whole pregnancy/labor/delivery due to a wonderful, spiritual awesome experience I had with Lachlan. I'm not worried about being able to 'afford' them. I was raised pretty poor and I'm not afraid of not having money. Besides, it looks like everyone might be in that category soon. (HOPE NOT!) I'm not even really afraid of whether or not I can 'handle' that many kids and stay sane, or not wind up in jail. (that's kind of a joke) I am actually afraid of having a #5 Child. What is that, you may ask? It's the child that REALLY works you over. Don't get me wrong, I already have at least 3 that are pretty challenging. I haven't gotten lucky to get an easy-going, well-mannered, go-with-the-flow kind of kid. But of the large-ish families I know, the #5 child seems to be Extra Special! (No offense if any of you are the #5, I didn't have you in mind!) So right now, I acknowledge the challenges I've been given and so far, we are ok. But I am really frightened of throwing a #5 into the mix. I really couldn't handle one like my little brother, bless his soul. I think I have PTSS just from living with him all those years. I like to think I'm adventurous and take life on with a smile, but I just don't know if I can take this jump into the unknown.... I'm probably overreacting, but you know that saying about cutting your losses while you're ahead, (or something like that) I feel like that should apply here. Not barring the unseen future, we've been relatively lucky not to have any major mishaps or medical problems or behavioral ordeals. What is it that keeps you from having more children?

From Dusk 'til Dawn

So this morning I got my kids some breakfast and went into the office to do some 'computer stuff'. One by one I hear the little feet go upstairs, and waited for the youngest to start crying from his hair chair. No cries. I waited a little longer, and then longer still. No noise. I listened very carefully and heard some heavy breathing and slight snoring. I went in to find Locke asleep in his breakfast. I guess there were some wild parties last night at his 'crib'.
At least he threw his bowl of multi-grain Cheerios overboard before hitting the deck.
This is what Rowan resorts to when her binky gets hidden by a well-intentioned mother. Yes, that is infant fever-reducer with the syringe type lid. Look at those puffy eyes. Do your kids ever sleep on their faces? Notice the hair rubbing. That is something I've been meaning to do a post on.
Here is Rowan screaming at the park because I am such a mean mom, I refuse to push my kids on the swing. My premise is that I take them to the park to get *their* energy out, not to get *my* exercise. I make them run around and go down the slides and such. So mean!
This is a picture of how my office looks after I cleaned it. j/k. I am still trying to unpack boxes. I had done a lot of work and emptied about 4 boxes, but it is still not quite done. I thought it was cute that Rowan dragged Lachlan into the box with her and was playing with him. It was waaaay past their bedtime.
Speaking of Rowan, I just heard a very loud bang of the highchair tray hitting the floor. I ran in to find Rowan 'saving the day' once again. She found Lachlan asleep at his tray and decided to let him out. When I came in and cried, "Rowan!" she said, "Lachlan's done, Mommy." Indeed he was. He has a lovely red mark on his cheek from the tray he was sleeping on as well.
Here is my cutie kindergartener waiting for the bus. She LOVES to ride the bus. Did you ride the bus when you were a kid? How did you like it?

Groundhog Day

Will Punxutawny Phil see his shadow? Is anyone really holding their breath on this one? When I was little I never understood (and really it is a mystery today) why if he saw his shadow it meant 6 more weeks of winter. It seems to me, that if the sun is out, it should mean we get an early spring. Nonetheless, I've given up hoping he might not see his shadow, because I believe he has every year as long as I can remember. Nowadays I understand we actually need the winter (snow) for the good of all people. Since we live in a desert and the farmers and homeowners rely upon the water for survival, I hope for the next 6 weeks to be very snowy and wintery. But after that, Welcome spring!!

Genetics & Family History

For those of you who know my husband, you will see the striking resemblance from him to the man in this photo. All these years I have been married to my husband he has told me how he takes after his mother's side of the family.. looking the most like his mother's father. This picture was discovered last week after his paternal grandfather passed away and proves the opposite. This is a picture of Abram's great-great grandfather and the resemblance is uncannily similar. It is truly amazing!
The man's name is William Joseph. (Abram was actually named after him, ironically enough, with the middle name of William) We believe the smallest boy was Abram's great grandfather, named John Raymond. He had a son named George who had a son, Richard, who had a son; Abram. Neither Richard nor Abram had ever seen this picture before.
William Joseph's wife died in childbirth after the daughter was born, and soon after the family moved from Missouri to Idaho. There isn't any info about him remarrying.
I find it quite remarkable that these genes could be recessive for 3 generations and then manifest themselves again in my husband. Very cool, me thinks. :)