Checking out...

I really probably shouldn't be homeschooling. 
I've said that since I started it 4+ years ago.
I pretty much mentally check out after Christmas.  Well, if I'm honest, it's usually around Thanksgiving that I lose all motivation to "do school."
That's pretty sad.
Nothing makes me want to homeschool at this point, except an obligation to finish out the year.
My only saving grace is that, so far, the 2 children I have homeschooled were and are very independent and self-motivated. 

And, it's right about this time of year that I question why I choose to homeschool for any length of time and if I think it's really better for them or us as a family. 

This is the conclusion I usually come to...I homeschool partially out of obligation and partially out of a desire to maintain a heavier influence over my kids for just a few years longer. 
Not necessarily because I can give them a better education.  In fact, I don't know if they do get a better education with me. 
I absolutely believe they COULD, if I would be more on top of things or if that was what I was motivated by.
I can make every argument under the sun why I think homeschooling is, by in large, a better situation for most kids.  I can even convince myself that those are all the reasons I homeschool, as well.
But, if I'm honest, that's not why I do it. 
I'm a half-ass homeschooler (pardon the language). 
I love it for what it could be and hate it for what I'm not.

And there in rests the guilt for doing it and not doing it well enough and the guilt in letting it go, if we do. 

I cannot wrap my head around working with multiple children, so we have come to this crossroads before when Elijah was getting a little older and Autumn was needing more attention, schoolwise.  We're there again with Autumn and now Cory.  I want that one on one time with Cory and I can't seem to find it with the time it takes for Autumn's work.  Maybe I'm not organized enough, or I'm too busy with other activities(like blogging :) ), or who knows what else. 
All I know is, it feels like Cory is getting the short end in this situation and I hate that.

So round and round I go...what to do, what to do???

Random thoughts on a snow day.

It's pretty stinkin' cold outside.
Trust me, I know.
I looked out the window and our heating system hasn't turned off in hours. 
I haven't actually gone outside since Sunday and I don't really plan on going out today.
I might make myself run to Walmart because we're running low on food, but I think we could survive another day, if I didn't, so we'll see.

No school the last 2 days either.  Sometimes I think we're kinda wimpy around here, weather-wise, but I'm not really gonna complain about school getting cancelled. 
I didn't want to get Elijah out to school the last  2 mornings.

Snow days around here involve alot of yelling, fort-building, movies, fighting, and general discontent. 
My kids need outdoor air.  Although it would seem they are getting it through all the drafts in the house, but that doesn't seem to be enough!

I have been basically useless the last 2 days because I started reading The Lovely Bones and then the first 2 books in The Hunger Games series.  Both addictive reading on my part. 
I coudn't put them down, which means my house was in total disarray and we had graham crackers and marshmellow creme for dinner.
Don't judge me, please.

I'm getting the itch to defunk, which is pretty funny when I look around our house.  It is plenty furnished for my taste and probably very sparsely furnished by other people's standards.  It's just getting to that time of year, I guess. 
I need to get rid of stuff! 
Anything! 
Hopefully, my kids survive the defunking...I don't think they take children at Goodwill.

We had our 2 quarterbacks and one of their girlfriends over for lunch on Sunday.  It was an entirely pleasant afternoon.  They are both really nice, genuine guys and I just HATE that only one of them will start in the fall. 

I'm sitting under the boys room, which is where the kids are all playing.  It's sounds like a herd of elephants are running around up there.

I have not been able to stop thinking about adopting a child or children from Haiti the last few months.  It's almost always in the back of my mind as something I would love to do, but it's definitely moved to the front recently.  Don't know why.  I just pray for them, not knowing who they might be.  If we have a child or children that will one day be ours, I want them to stay safe and healthy.  Praying can't hurt.
We're still a long way from actually adopting them.  Haiti adoptions are notoriously difficult and drawn out.  One of us has to be 35 anyway, so we have some time.  And, we can't be poor.  Which I don't feel like we're poor, but according to the government, we're too poor to adopt.  So, we have a few years to remedy that, as well.

I am anxiously anticipating a girls' weekend in Omaha in March.  And by anxious, I mean I spend too much time looking up things in Omaha and dreaming about it.  I have an unnatural LOVE for Omaha.  I have never lived there, but have been there enough to know it's one of the coolest cities in the country. 
Really, it is!
And, I can't wait to go hang out with a bunch of my favorite girls!

Has this post gotten obnoxiously long or what? 
You'll have to forgive me.  I haven't been outside or really talked to an adult, besides Chad, since Sunday.

So, happy snow day.  I might be bored enough to post again later!

Aaahh...

That is a calm aahhh, not a yelling AAAHHHHH!!!, just in case you were wondering.

I just got off the phone with a very nice woman who has been in charge of the 2 home improvement grants we had applied for last summer.  Before Christmas we found out that we had received both of these grants and would be finding out what types of things they would do to the house.
One was a weatherization grant, which could have included siding, windows, insulation, etc.
The other had to do with safety issues or incomplete things around the house.
I found out today that the job has been assigned and the company has 60 days to finish the projects!
That means by the end of March, we should have new siding, new windows and a whole host of other things done to the house!!
I am BEYOND excited!! 
We love this house and truly see it as a gift.  That being said, our electric bill tells us that the house is very drafty and needs ALOT of "tightening". That was something we just couldn't afford to do for quite some time.
So, I'm just happy.  Super happy. 
Hopefully, we won't have a $350 electric bill next winter thanks to these grants!!

It's true

My husband is a wonderful father.  He is more patient then me and is, more often then not, totally engaged when he's with the kids.
On an occasionally off day, he at times does something comical.

Last night, I was reffing and then playing volleyball until about 10. 
Nothing out of the ordinary at home.  Sounded like a typical night for the kids and Chad.

Only at 1 a.m. did I realize how the evening may have actually gone.
Caleb woke up crying and whining.  He usually just comes into our room when he wakes up, but he didn't last night.  He just kept crying.  So I went into his room to get him.

He was wet. 
Really wet...and in his swimsuit.

Apparently, that's what he wanted to wear to bed.  Putting on a pull up was obviously not something that crossed his mind. :)

I love my hubs and appreciate that we can BOTH laugh about this one!

Praying

We usually pray as a family before bedtime. 
Sometimes, it's the Lord's Prayer all together or we take turns saying a prayer.
Caleb has started praying and it usually goes something like this...

"Please I go Kylie and Megan's house.  Please I go Mason's house.  Dat's nuff."

We usually have to have him go last cause everyone laughs when he's done. :)

My own darn fault...

Ugh.

I did it. 

It crept up on me slowly right under my nose.

I'm over-booked, over-scheduled, over-run, over-stressed, and under-equipped.

The weight of everything that I've committed to do is too much and I need to unload.

It's happened in the past. 

It usually starts with something innocent, like just a couple hours here or there. 

"No problem," I think.  "I can do that."

This time around it was a slow load.  One thing led to another thing led to another thing.  Sadly, they are all things I really would like to do.

I like both of my jobs, I like playing volleyball, I like coaching basketball, I like homeschooling, I like working out (most of the time).  And that's just SOME of the things I'm doing these days.
But I love being a mom, and that is what has been seriously slacking these days.

I can't do it all.  My sanity is screaming at me to slow down and more importantly my kids are screaming at me to slow down. 
They aren't actually screaming those words, but everything about them is telling me they need to slow down.
Sadly, the younger ones are subject to the older ones' and my schedules.  They get dragged from here to there without much choice in the matter.
I've always preached and firmly believe that little kids need to be home...with their mom or dad...just being kids.  It's where they learn best, grow best.  In a safe, familiar environment.  It's also where I learn and grow the best.

I haven't been practicing what I preach and it makes me mad that I've let it get to this point.
I like being busy, but not like this.

So, I'm looking.  Looking for ways to trim the extra.  Not because I really want to, but because I need to. My kids need me to. 

They are growing up so fast right in front of me and I don't want to miss the slow times.  I want to be present in the moments.  We only get these little people for a short time. 
 Here's what I mean...
These 2 little people...

 Become this guy...

and this lovely lady.

And this sweet thing...

Becomes this smiley little man.

And, then, these cheeks...

 Grow up into this face in just a few moments.

It's almost more then I can bear.  So, I ask myself.  Why am I filling my days to capacity with anything BUT them?
I know I need some sort of outlet to maintain my sanity, but I don't need 12 outlets.
I'm working on it...

Potty training

It's one of those necessary aspects of motherhood. 
There are books and websites and advice galore about how to potty train your child in 6 hours, 6 days, 12 minutes, etc (I might be exaggerating on that last one).
I think it's all ridiculous.  No kid is going to be potty trained unless they decide that somehow their lives will be improved by it.
Kinda like an alcoholic who decides to stop drinking. 
It's got to be on their terms.
So basically, I don't go all crazy about the potty training thing.  About the time I get sick of paying for diapers or pull ups and I remember to stick him on the toilet every 30 minutes, is when I potty train.
Usually that coincides with an ability to communicate on their part.
And then there was this guy..

Enter: Caleb
Age: 2 years 6 months
Vocabulary level: 4 year old (I'm just guessing on that one)
Ability to understand instruction: Excellent
Ability to communicate: Excellent
Time since I have become tired of buying diapers: 4 months
Potty trained: Negative.

Stupid potty training.

Memories

I've thought so much today about this time 8 years ago and I can't help but write it down.
For me. 
To piece together my memories.
A part of me wants to forget, but if I forgot the pain and the loss, I fear I would forget the lessons and the growing.

Some memories are so vividly clear, but some are hazy or are a collection of other peoples' memories.

For me, I can't seperate Luke's death from the 3 months prior to it.  It all runs together into a mess of traveling, babies, sadness, happiness and questions.
After talking with my little sister last night, I realized that some of my memories aren't even accurate.  Or my timeline is off by a few weeks.  It's so intriguing to me what we each remember about that time.  Each one of us where in very different places and circumstances.
Autumn was born Oct. 21, 2002 and Chad was able to stay just 10 days before he had to deploy and catch up with the rest of his Special Warfare team that had already left.  Oct. 31 was in some ways harder then any other.  We stayed at the airport for hours just waiting for him to board.  I couldn't bear to say goodbye any sooner then we absolutely had to.  I vividly remember leaving the airport, walking to the car, putting a 20 month old Elijah and a 10 day old Autumn into the car, getting in the front seat and crying like I had never cried before.  I really had no idea how I was going to make the next 6 months.  If I had known what those months would hold, I may not have let him go at all.
Here is where my timeline is fuzzy.  I thought I went out to Nebraska soon after he left, but it was really not til just after Thanksgiving.  My dad had gone out to Stanford with my younger siblings to be with my mom and Luke who had already been there for a few weeks.  I was going to stay in NE with Grace and Isaac so Dad could stay in CA. 
It felt like I stayed for months, but it was really just weeks.  During that time, Luke went through his transplant surgery.  I spent hours that day getting updates from my dad and relaying the information on to others or answering all the calls from other people wanting to know what was going on.  Those few weeks are mostly a blur of fuzzy memories.
There are bits and pieces that are clear...sending the Red Cross message to Chad that Luke was going into surgery, a specific conversation with my sister, a visit from a dear friend, putting together a Christmas box to send Luke and my parents.  Just bits and pieces though.
I went home to Virginia soon after Christmas.  I could have stayed, but it was hard to be away from home for so long with 2 little ones.  I felt out of place.  My grandma came to stay so I could leave.
Just a short 2 weeks after getting home, I was on my way back for Luke's funeral. 
I remember the night before Luke passed away better then the actual day.  Dad had called everyone to tell us that Luke wasn't doing well and it didn't look like he would make it through the night. 
2 dear friends came to sit with me that night.  I'll never forget their kindness.  When Luke died, the next morning, again my Dad had to call each of us.  I can't imagine the pain and courage that took to say over and over that Luke was gone.
Again, I sent a Red Cross message to Chad.  He called awhile later and said that he was given permission to come back from Greece for the funeral.  I couldn't even begin to tell you how relieved I was, and happy, blissfully happy, which was such a strange emotion to be having at that point.  He had been gone for 2 months and 10 days at that point.  The logistics of getting him and then getting to the funeral were unbelievable.  He flew into Dover, Delaware a few days later so I drove up there from Norfolk, we stayed over night on the Air Force base and then drove to Baltimore to fly into Omaha.  The anticipation and excitement I felt to see him completely overtook the sadness I felt at losing my brother.  I felt guilty for a long time for being so happy then.
We flew in and met some of our family in Omaha and made the trip down to Hebron.   The next few days were just a blur of people, and family and freezing cold weather.  I remember his funeral clearly, but not much else from those few days. 
Then we all left.  Went back to our lives and had to deal with it each in our own way.  Chad flew back out to Greece just a few days after we got home.  That was almost harder then the first time around.
I remember trying to stay very busy those next several months until Chad got home.  It was an enormous growing experience for me.  God had placed people in my life in Virginia that helped ease the pain of losing Luke, of missing Chad, of learning how to be a mom of 2 little ones.  Really amazing people.  It taught me that I could do alot more then I thought I could, that God provides. 
Sometimes I prefer the blurry memories because I can form them to suit me.  The vivid ones just stick and pop up at anytime.  I'm glad my family talks about Luke, that we share our memories.  It's difficult to relive some of those emotions, but so important to remember him and those lessons we learned.  I would take my brother over all the lessons any day, but God had other things in mind.
I hope, as a family, we continue to talk about Luke before he got so sick.  There are so many more memories of Luke, healthy and vibrant.  I want to remember those times most!

Remembering...

He lived most of his first year+ in the hospital...

It didn't diminish his "cool factor", though.

He loved being a big brother!

Which just made him think he was cooler...

He loved to fish and hunt.

And always liked to look snazzy!

Or decked out in hunting gear!

A jack of all trades...he loved to cook too!

He had a serious side...

And always worked hard in school.

 He loved gummi worms and root beer...

 and acting like a dork.

He loved his mom and dad.

And put up with all of us ;)

But, most of all he was loved by many...

Grateful

Here's an update on our recent string of terrible, horrible no-good, very bad sickness that refuses to leave us.
Since last week, we found out that Cory and Autumn do NOT have strep, but some other virus that just had to run it's course.  It has, but not before it was passed on to Elijah.
So, he's down for probably a good week with it and I'm pretty sure Cory has a UTI.

And, I'm grateful.  So, so grateful.
Weird to say and weird to feel, right now.  We're going on 3 weeks of some nasty stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I'm frustrated.  SUPER frustrated.  I just want everyone to be well again.
And that is why I'm grateful. 
They will get well again.  At some point, probably sooner then later, they will be back to their crazy selves and we'll keep marching on.

It's made me think about those children out there that are chronically ill and their parents. 
EVERY DAY they have to handle the symptoms and fears and germs. 

So, yes, I'm grateful.  Grateful that my children are, for the most part, healthy.
My heart goes out to those who care for children day in and day out who need it.  What a gift they are!

I do not keep score...

I heard some marriage advice once that said you shouldn't keep score with your spouse about who did what or who didn't do this or that. 
Something about how when people keep score their point systems are different and that can cause resentment or whatever.
I agree wholeheartedly...
Except for this one time.
As in my previous posts, it's been sick central around here since before Christmas.
My super awesome hubs who is G-R-E-A-T with sick people (he's also great with regular, healthy people, too)  is leaving me for 4 days with the germs and whines and requests for popsicles and juice.
It's the annual football coaches convention and it's awesome if you're a football coach, or you want to be one, or used to be one or are married to one.
Anyway, he offered to not go today because I'm 99% sure Elijah now has the dreaded mono-like virus that I think Autumn and Cory are ALMOST recovered from and he's a dear and probably thought he should offer to stay even though he would HATE to miss the convention and all the hob-knobbing (is that a word?), and seeing some of his coaching friends.
And that's why I love him, folks.

I, of course, told him he had to go cause it really is a big deal and it's alot of fun for him.
Here's the catch... and because I value my marriage, it's not really a "secret" catch, cause Chad has a radar for stuff like this...
I'm planning a SERIOUS girls getaway in Feb. or March. 
3-4 days with some of my favorite girls in a city I love-OMAHA!!!

So, of course, I'm not going to give him a hard time about leaving. 
It will suck. 
I might cry at some point, cause I'm so sick of sick people (see previous post), 

BUT when my weekend rolls around, I will hug and kiss my beautiful family and drive away with visions of adult conversation over adult beverages, sleeping uninterrupted, and doing whatever I want for a few days.

So, anyway, I don't know what the score is, nor do I care, but it will be EVEN when I get back from my girls' trip!! ;)

Mommy mental health day

My sister coined this phrase or maybe she stole it from someone else. 
I don't know, but what I do know is it's sounding REALLY good right now.
The hubs is heading out of town this weekend so it's gonna be a few more days before I can legitimately take a day for myself, but I'm dreaming of the day!! 
Maybe next weekend?
Anybody else need a mental health day??

What should we do?? 
Shopping? 
Massage?
Sit in the corner of a bookstore for hours?
Go to a movie?
ALL OF THE ABOVE!!?!?!

The suspense is killing me!

Sick, Sick, Sick!

Sick of being sick, sick of taking care of sick people, just sick!!

So apparently, "sick" is also slang these days for "sweet" which can be slang for "awesome", which is what it is, just awesome.

This is NOT the sick I am refering to.  I wish it was.

I'm talking about the straight up sick.  Ill, not feeling well, throwing up, feverish kind of sick.

We've had someone sick as of Dec. 20, 2010.  It is now Jan. 4, 2011. 
I'm going to document this travesty so if by chance we have another episode of sickness, I can compare it to this hellish period.

Dec. 20, 2010-Autumn has strep throat and Chad doesn't feel great for several days.
Dec. 23, 2010-Caleb threw up and then had diarrhea for a several days.
Dec. 26, 2010-Autumn, Elijah throw up the majority of the day while in a hotel in Missouri.  I lost track after they each threw up 5 times.  Cory also throws up that evening.  They are all sick for several days.
Dec. 27-I get sick and sleep all day.
Dec. 30, 2010-Caleb gets strep throat
Jan. 1, 2010-Elijah throws up several times that night and has diarrhea the next several days. (He will not be happy with me posting that bit of info on the web, so keep it on the down low).
Jan. 3-Cory gets strep throat.
Jan. 4-Autumn gets strep throat again since she didn't finish her first round of antibiotics due to the throwing up.

Soooo, can someone say HELP ME!!!!!!!

I'm over it.  I have no more patience, sympathy, compassion, whatever left.  I would like to get back to a healthy, functioning household. 
This includes myself. 
I think just being around sick people makes me not feel 100%.
So, I'm praying that all these antibiotics kick in and we're all feeling better in a day or two. 
I need to get back to living.
I have all kinds of resolutions that I didn't make that I need to not fulfill like the rest of the population.

30...and more to come!

I'm just gonna throw this out there that I'm not really a math whiz.  I did alright in math and I can perform basic mathematical equations, but only as much as is required to survive.

Today is this hottie's birthday:

He's 30 today!







So seeing as 30 is a nice round number I began working out some math as to how long we've known each other and how long we've been in love and came up with this:

We've now known each other for MORE THAN HALF OUR LIVES!!  16 years to be exact
And loved each other for MORE THEN A THIRD OF OUR LIVES!!  12 years...(This is up for debate, though, since I think he loved me before I loved him.  Although, he is sure I loved him from the moment I saw him (he's a little cocky like that), but that's just not true.  We were 15 when we met and I was more concerned about how badly my legs hurt from volleyball camp then the football player who kept eyeballin' me across the dining hall at lunch time!  So whatever..)

And the conclusion I finally came to is that I really have loved him my whole life so none of that math matters.   I just didn't know it was him. 
Does that make sense? 
You know, as a little girl, you dream of that guy, the one you'll live happily ever after with? 
He is my guy.
I just didn't meet him til I was 15 and fall in love with him til I was 18.  Well, after that it didn't take us long to figure out this was a forever kind of deal.

So, Happy Birthday to the guy that, regardless of the math, I'll love forever!

Goodbye, 2010!!

Unexpected surprises from this past year were many...
At this time last year we had submitted an application for a house. A big, unfinished house. For one, we didn't think we'd be chosen and for another, well, we just hadn't thought past that. In the course of 2010, we were chosen, the house was finished, we moved and have already made some wonderful memories in it. Something to truly be thankful for!!

I've always been one to be looking for the "perfect" part time job.  I've had alot of them.  Some good, others not so much.  Well, I think I've got it now.  Getting the job at Kettle Creek has been a pleasant and wonderful surprise.  I love it and it's just the right amount of work for me to do right now.  I couldn't ask for a better environment, a better boss or a better anything.

You don't think I'm going to pass up on mentioning football, do you? 

I didn't think so :)  The success of the team was not the surprise this year.  They were expected to have a good year.  It was how the season went for me.  I, without fail, always have a mild (or major) meltdown 2-3 weeks before the end of the season.  Too much single-parenting, too much running around, etc.  It's been like clockwork every year.  I didn't this year, though.  In fact, I could have gone a few more weeks, I think!  I don't know what the difference was, but it was wonderful!  I hope my football meltdowns are in the past...one can dream, right?!

It was a great year.  One I know I will remember. 
Happy NEW YEAR!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Unless, of course, you and/or your family gets sick!

There is some nasty bug flying around our town and we caught it the day after Christmas.  Oddly, enough, we were in Missouri at the time, but I think we just carried it from Kansas.  We're on the mend, but there are still many down, which nearly put a wrench in my New Year plans!

We're hosting a New Year's Eve party tomorrow night and I'm SOO excited!  Excited enough to not even care if my house gets totally clean.  It will be "clean", but I'm so not stressing on it to look perfect. 

Besides, it's an adult and kids party so it's gonna get trashed anyway!

My kids are as excited about it as me. 
We're planning on have some different "activity" areas for the kids so they will leave us adults alone!

This is what Elijah was up to this morning before I got out of bed...

The papers say "Sit here for chess. (You are white-or black).

Movies will be upstairs.  There are 3 other signs leading you to the boys' room...just in case you get lost.

HyperDash in here.  I'm not too sure if this will be happening.  Too loud and alot of running involved.

 Now, if I can only get him to mop and clean the bathrooms...

Christmas

What a crazy time of year.  It can be overwhelming and exhausting.
I generally consider myself to be a social person.  I love spending time with people, just hanging out or doing whatever. 
Christmas is a time when I begin to wonder if I really am that social.  It just gets to me after awhile.
The shopping, which I managed to avoid almost entirely this year by shopping online, the cooking, the traveling, the visiting. 
I love it and Christmas just wouldn't feel right without all that, but it wears on me.
I'm currently sitting in a hotel room with 2 sleeping boys, listening to classical music, while the other grownups are playing cards.
I'm here by choice.  I just need some quiet time.  A time out.  I'm tired and crabby.

Despite having the holiday crabbiness, I am thankful for so much.  For a Savior that loves me, a wonderful family that I love, and so, so much more!  My kids are making awesome memories with their cousins this weekend.
I love that! 
It's fun...and exhausting :)

Merry Christmas!

Hair

I gave Elijah a haircut tonight.  He cried.
Let me backtrack...
He has GORGEOUS hair. 
It's crazy thick and wavy and soft.
I love it.
I had let him grow it out quite long and he liked it.  It fell into his eyes and he had to constantly brush it away so that he could see.  Apparently that is really cool in 4th grade.
Anyway, he loved his hair.
The problem had become that he loved it too much.  It was a vanity thing.

Now, I didn't cut it with the intention of it becoming a lesson in vanity, but that's the point we ended up at.

Anywho, after we were all done and he looked in the mirror at what I thought was a very nice haircut.  I was rather proud of myself that it was all even and nice looking seeing as I'm not a trained hairstylist. 
Elijah, on the other hand, started crying.  He said he looked like a dork.
Ouch!
I told him he looked handsome, which is not something a 4th grader is going for apparently.
Then I went the route of telling him he will probably be able to run faster since his head is so much lighter now. 
Still no good.
I tried to us all kinds of adjectives and reassure him that he did not look weird, or dorky or crazy.
This went on for a good 10 minutes.  At which point, I gave him a lecture about vanity and how it's ok cause hair grows and he has to decide if he's going to really let it bother him or not. 
That didn't go over so well either.
I decided I only had one thing left in my bag of tricks.  A bad hair story from my childhood...
So I told him about the time when I was about 10 and I REALLY wanted a perm.  I begged my mom until she said she would do one of those home kits.  I was so excited!  Lots of curlers and chemicals later I had a perm...it wasn't at all what I had imagined!
 My hair had been fried and rather then having cute bouncy curls I had an AFRO!
Frizz ball.
Fuzz head.
Poofy. 
That was me.
Well, this lovely story of my pain and humiliation made Elijah laugh, which in turn made him not care about his hair. 
Mission accomplished.

Christmas cards

I LOVE Christmas cards.
Pictures are a big bonus and a letter is just the icing on the cake.

Now, that being said, I have NEVER sent a Christmas card, picture, or letter.  Ever.
I don't even know why.  I just didn't really think about it the first few years we were married. 
So much happened with us those first years that it seemed silly to start writing a letter or a card at that point.
The expense is always a consideration and I just can't bring myself to use technology to send out a Christmas "email".  Just doesn't seem right.
So this year, as in all the years past, I haven't sent anything out.  I always feel a little bad when we get them in the mail. 
I get so excited to open them up and see our friends and families.  I put the pictures or cards up in our kitchen window so I see them everyday.  I don't know if other people enjoy getting them as much as I do.  If I thought they did, maybe that would motivate me. 
Maybe I'll do one next year...
Yeah, I say that every year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Funny is subjective...

This picture makes me laugh!  It was taken last summer at my family reunion.   

I spent most of the weekend with these brothers and I must say, we're funny. 

I went back to my parents cause I wanted to see Isaac (he's the less blurry blur running towards me in the picture).  He' in the Navy and is out in S. Carolina these days.  I like him alright so I thought I better go see him now or who knows when I would get to see him again. 
And, I'm working on being asked to be in his upcoming wedding, so any extra time I can get with his fiancee is key.  Seriously.

I also wanted to catch a bball game of my youngest brother, Seth (he's the blurriest blur in the picture.)
He's fun to watch and they won so it was a success!
AND, I got to see Gabe and Dan, which is always a bonus.

So, anyway, back to being funny...I don't know if it's just cause we're from the same gene pool, but we crack ourselves up. 
Basically, I laughed the majority of the weekend.
We got on a tangent about creating a line of really inappropriate greeting cards.  We actually discussed starting a business. 
Here's one for a sympathy card..."Remember when you said if you weren't with someone else, we would have a chance?  Sorry for your loss.  Can I take you out to dinner."
Or..."Thank you for your loss."
Do you think they would fly??  Who knows, but we laughed til we cried and I almost peed my pants.

There was also an incident with my mom making a chipmunk sound and then praying, which made me laugh til I cried. 
So, I'm pretty sure not a single sentence I've written made you laugh, but I've laughed all over again just thinking about it!!
Here's to funny families and good memories!!

Warning: Totally biased opinions to follow...

I think my kids are awesome.  They are the smartest, cutest, funniest little people around. 
I told you this was a biased opinion!
Anyway, as I mentioned in an earlier post, E, A and C have been taking piano lessons. 
Elijah has had 2 lessons and Cory and Autumn have had just one each.  They do play quite a bit on their own and I help here and there.
Elijah played in his first piano recital this afternoon.  With just 2 lessons under his belt, he managed to get up in front of  40+ people and play his Jolly Ole St. Nicholas perfectly.  It's hard to get up in front of people, peroid, but to get up in front of strangers,on a grand piano he's never seen, in a place he's never been and play!?!
He's my hero.
And, yep, I was proud!

I might be

watching movies on Netflix all day in my pajamas, while eating toffee and drinking coffee.
It's possible.

These are a few of my favorite things...

After pouring over my new cookbook, I started thinking about all my favorite material things.  I'm not particularly picky about anything so it takes alot to get on this list. They are in no particular order.

1. My VHS of Notting Hill.  Don't laugh.  I love it.  Not necessarily the VHS part, but I love the movie.  It might be the soundtrack or that it's set in London.  I don't even know what it is about it.  I can watch it over and over.  Weird, I know.

2. Explode the Code series-My kids have all learned to read on this series and I love it.  It's simple, which is probably my favorite part.  It's an old school workbook.  No frills.  It gives just enough on each letter for them to "get it" and then it moves on, but still builds from previous knowledge.  I only use it through kindergarten and first grade.  Then we move on to other things.  It's not time intensive either, which is my second favorite thing about it.  I'm all about getting in and getting it done.

3.  Greek dressing, specifically Kraft Greek dressing.  We happened upon it years ago after Chad had returned from his deployment in Greece.  He RAVED about the greek salads over there.  (Chad doesn't really rave about anything, but he came as close to it as I've seen).  It's not exactly "authentic" according to Chad, but oh man, is it good.   Make a salad with spinach, roma tomatoes, red onions, olives, ALOT of feta cheese and this stuff.  YUMMMMM!!!!!!

4.  Everyday Minerals.  http://www.everydayminerals.com/  I love it.  It's cheaper then some other stuff and it's as good, if not better, in my humble opinion.

5. Tresemme hair products.  I have tried ALOT of kinds and I always go back to this stuff.  

Short list and not all that exciting now that I look it over.  Nothing techy or trendy.   Geez, I should get out more.  Broaden my horizons. Try new stuff.  Well, until all that happens, I'll stick with all of these!

You must...

get this cookbook.

I'm not kidding.  I don't LOVE to cook. 

I like it. 

I have to do it. 

 I'd let someone else cook if they wanted to.

This cookbook reads like a novel!  It is BEAUTIFUL!

It makes me want to love to cook. 

I will at some point make EVERY SINGLE THING in this cookbook.

Read about her at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

You won't be disappointed.  She makes me smile and want to cook!

Because I want to...

No this is not another post about my sweet, loud, mess-makin', funny two-year old, despite the title. Here's a sweet picture of litte man and his daddy, though, just cause I like it and because I want to :)

Chad and I are going to FARGO, ND!!! 

 Why, oh, why is this a good idea?  In November?  Right after they got about 8 inches of SNOW?

Football?

Kinda.

Friends?

DEFINITELY!!

And, quite simply, because we want to.  We're leaving the kids at my sister-in-laws house and heading north! 

 WAY NORTH!!

I love road trips.  It's no secret. 

BUT, a road trip with just the hubby to see some GREAT friends, watch some good football and have 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep sounds heavenly, snow and cold or not!!

Dumped...

Emptied...
Poured...
Depleted...
Drained...
Expelled...
Unloaded...
You may know what I'm talking about here.

My 2 year old likes to do these things.

Alot.

Here is a partial list of things that Caleb has dumped, emptied, poured, etc...you get the idea, in the past few days.

1. Whole wheat flour

2. Milk-lots of milk

3. water-approximately 100 times a day

4. a partial jug of bleach-this one was a little scary.

5. a bowl of chili-as I'm typing this...

6. a bookshelf

7. His basket of diapers

8. I typed 8, without having another one, with the assumption that he would dump something else by the time I finished this post...so far so good.

Again, just want to reinterate that this is a PARTIAL list and that, by in large, these incidences were, in fact, intentional.

He doesn't look all that destructive, does he?

Don't let those baby blues fool you!

Piano lessons

Finally!!!
My kids are taking piano lessons! I've wanted them to for so long, but we haven't had the room for a piano and I didn't have the patience to take them someplace else to practice.

The older 3 are trading a time spot so they are getting a lesson every 3 weeks. I'm not sure if this is enough or not, but that's what we're doing for now.

Piano might actually be my only regret (not a big fan of feeling regret, so I just avoid it if I can). I think I took lessons for 3 years. Maybe 4?? I really don't remember much except where middle C is, 2 bars of a song I played for a recital and begging my mom to quit when I was 11. I liked playing, but hated practicing. Pretty typical for an 11 year old, I'm sure. My mom tried. I know she did. I imagine I will have very similar conversations with my pianists at some point.

I wish I would have kept at it for just a few more years.
I might actually still be able to play.
I can barely read music.
I just think it would be a great stress reliever to just sit at the piano and play something beautifully!
I don't expect them to be concert pianists, but I consider it a life skill to be able to read music.
We'll see how it goes...

10-0

So proud of these guys!

Hold on, I need to write it again...



10-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I've wrote before about life as a football wife, but there isn't much that compares to getting to the end of the regular season undefeated!

So many invested so much into this team, these guys, and when it all plays out to perfection, all I can do is smile :)
I know how hard all those boys work and how much they had to prove. They are a very young staff and felt like they needed to prove that they could be champions, despite their age and experience.
It was a lot of pressure. And they beat it.
They won.
Every time.

The staff, players and families watched the playoff selection show yesterday all together.
We also did this last year.
This year was TOTALLY different. I couldn't help but notice the atmosphere in the room compared to last year.
No major cheering, joking, celebratory antics.
Business, pure business.
They knew they were in, they knew we'd play at home.
The staff was gone immediately after our team was announced.
Off to get film, start studying, planning.
We won't see Chad this week and that's ok.
No regrets.
I want to win Saturday as much as they do :)
GO BULLDOGS!!!

Hi, my name is Sarah...

and I blog.
Infrequently.
Almost never.
Or, at least, not in a REALLY long time!!
It was kinda nice to not have internet for a few weeks.
Sometimes it was annoying when I had to order something, which reminds me I have to order my kids piano books, still..., or when I wanted to research something stupid, like how far it is from McPherson, KS to Helena, MT.
I read more, cleaned more, didn't check Facebook 6 times a day, and read to my kids more, got to think about things outside of the internet world. I had no idea what happened to any celebrities for 2 weeks or really, what happened to anyone unless I spoke to them, which was not necessarily a bad thing.
So here's the low down on what was going on while I was unplugged...
1. My mom came to visit, which was super great.
2. My in laws came for 11 days, which was also great. We ate a lot of McDonalds, which is my FIL's favorite place to take us when they're here. I enjoyed visiting with my MIL and they were a huge help while I worked in the mornings or did a bunch of other running around that I normally have to haul everyone too.
3. FOOTBALL-There will be a whole 'nother post about all that awesomeness!
4. My kids started their piano lessons. I had to FORCE Elijah to go to his, but I think he may secretly like it.
So that's about it. I'll be back.
Hopefully, sooner then later!

Internet

is gone. Well, actually, whoever we were getting our internet from is gone.
So, we're getting our own, which is the ethical/legal thing to do anyway.
I will blog again...
Probably Wednesday or Thursday next week or whenever I remember.

My momma is coming!

Mi Madre y mi Padre

They are basically awesome.

And I'm super excited about my mom coming for a visit.

I get to see my mom quite a bit, but there's nothing like a REAL visit.
Most of our visits consist of an "event" or a project.

I go back to my hometown and see my parents often and they come out to our house a few times a year.

It's usually super busy, lots of running around and not a whole lot of time to just visit.

This time it's a visit for visiting sake and I'm so happy!

It's been a stressful few months with the house, moving, football season, etc. and I have just needed some MOM time!!!
We have a few things planned out to do...Halloween parade, time at the lake with friends, football on Saturday.
Most looking forward to just hanging out!
Here's to MOM TIME!! :)

My one and only...

girl is 8! I just have to brag for a minute.

She's amazing and not by any feat of ours.

She just is.

Really and truly, I cannot imagine what life would be like if we didn't have our Autumn.

She's helpful beyond what's normal, independent about everything, thoughtful and...

BONUS: She loves to cook, clean and be crafty!!

Seriously? How did we end up with this girl??

I ask myself that almost daily.

I've considered loaning her out cause everyone needs a little Autumn, but I'm selfish and I don't want to.

She's mine and you can't have her! :)

Here are a few pics from her birthday on Thursday...

Happy Birthday, Little A!

All ready go

My camera had seemingly saw it's last picture a few weeks back.

I sadly set it on the counter and mourned the loss of another camera as I started dreaming about my next one.

Then a few days ago, Autumn came upstairs with the camera and said she thought she fixed it.
I don't know how, but it works again.
It's old and doesn't take the greatest pictures, but I'm ok with that right now!

So, just to get back in the swing of putting pics on my blog, here's a few for you from this morning...

He was packing his bag for church.

Keys-Check

Wipes-Check

That's all the kid needs.

He had shoes on, which is apparently all you really need to go to church.
He said, "All ready go, Mom."

Bubby was left behind and not happy. He and I are hanging at home a little longer this morning. At least long enough for the kid to put some clothes on :)

Too much

Man, it just seems like there is too much going on for people right now.

Too much sickness, too much dying, too many questions, too many decisions.

My heart is just so heavy with all of it.

There seems to be an ebb and flow to friendships when times like this hit.

Sometimes there are circumstances that hit so close to you and you need help. There have been times that I've been emotionally and physically not able to get through the days.

Friends and family are quick to jump and help when you're maxed out. You rely on them to cover for you where you can't be or do those things you can't do.

When those times pass, you wait. You wait for that moment when you can help them. Not because you get something out of it, but because you know how it felt to have someone step in for you.

So when that pendulum swings and your life can hold more, you help.

Maybe not with anything excessive, but a few extra minutes to talk, a hand with some kids, a time for prayer, the energy to carry some of the burdens that are weighing people down.

I don't think these are coincidences. God knows these things and puts people where they should be, when they are needed. I've seen it countless times. Sometimes in hindsight, but it's always there. He covers because we are not able to cover ourselves.
That is one thing I know with certainty.

So thankful!

The Housing Coalition had their open house here today. It was so nice to be able to thank all the different people that spent so much time on our house long before it was our house.
I loved meeting some of the people who had worked on it that I hadn't met yet.
It was such a community project that we benefited from in a HUGE way.
We love our home!!

That being said, I'm pooped!!!
Getting and keeping the house clean with my 4 crazies nearly made me go nutso!
I don't usually get worked up about these types of things, but for some reason this one put me over the top, anxiety-wise.
I don't care what people think about how clean my house is, but I did care today. I just desperately wanted all those people who worked so hard to know that we're taking care of it.
It made me crazy and a little mean and I hated that part.
So, I'm glad that's over and I can go back to letting my kids live in their house again!

Smoke alarms

Ours work.
Do yours??
I know this because ours went off at 6:30 a.m. this morning. Twice.
Apparently, our insane early bird, Elijah, was up and trying to make hot chocolate in the microwave.
Something from this attempt is what set the alarm off. Still not sure what though, cause nothing was actually smoking.
All I know is that the alarm went off at 6:30, I sat up in bed and said "Sh**!"
Chad had hauled downstairs with lightening speed cause I didn't even register he was gone at first.
I didn't smell smoke or see smoke so I laid back down waiting for him to come back with a report as to the cause or for him to yell for us to all get out of the house.

As I laid back down, Cory, who had climbed into bed with us around 3 said "What's that sound?" Seriously?? The blaring, obnoxious noise and that's all he's got??
Oh and he had peed in our bed so I think it must have scared the pee right out of him and he didn't even notice! He's amazing...

So that's how my day started. I'm tired...

Procrastination

If I had to use 5 words to describe myself, procrastinator is most definitely one of them.

And, because I'm a positive person,

and I don't like how procrastination is always portrayed in such a negative light...

here is my case for all the benefits of being a procrastinator!!



1. This goes for everything, paperwork, cleaning, laundry, etc...Adrenaline kicks in at the last minutes and helps me focus. Really! I am often sleep deprived, scatterbrained and forgetful. That extra dose of "Oh crap! I have to finish this right now!" makes me think clearer.



2. I have to clean. It's one of those things that just need to be done, but can almost always be put off til the last minute. I have kids and they are messy. So why clean like a madwomen when I know it's going to be dirty in 5 minutes. I don't. I clean when they are napping or gone or when I know someone is going to come by or when I have time. What I've found to be true...the people that really love you don't care if your house is immaculate. In fact, they'll come help you clean it, if you ask.



3. Getting dressed. Seriously, if I'm heading out to someplace that I know I would rather not have a jelly stain on my pants, then I don't get dressed til the last minute. I'll do my hair (15% of the time) and put on some makeup, but almost never do I get dressed til 5 minutes before we leave. It's not worth the annoyance to freak out when Caleb runs at me with peanut butter fingers and someone dumps milk all over my pants. So I hold off getting dressed. Besides pjs are so much more comfy then most anything else!



4. Getting my kids dressed. See #3. Same reasons!

5. Cleaning out my car. It's just one of those things I only think about doing when I'm actually in my car, which is quite a bit, but then I get out of the car and forget how trashed it is. Besides, I can't tell the numbers of times I've been saved by my cluttered, messy car. For example, when we go somewhere and it's cooler then we expected, I can almost always find a blanket or jacket in my car. And, there have been times that I did clean my car out and then think something is in there that I need and then it isn't and I get mad cause I shouldn't have cleaned the car yet!!

See, procrastination can be good!

I'm alive...barely!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
It's been busy. Nothing crazy, nothing really all that exciting. Just busy.

I went to my hometown to watch my little brother play football. It was homecoming so there were some extra activities and fun. I may write about all that some other time...

So, it's work,
school,
cook,
clean,
sleep,
repeat...