A full FULL day...

I've had this blog post full of pictures in my head all day as we went from event to event (parade, Little League opening ceremonies, Jake's first Tball game, the play, and a homeschool support meeting thrown in the middle of it all), but either blogger or my computer isn't working right so I'm going to post this with what I've got on here and the rest will have to wait for another day, I'm getting in bed!!

Birthdays

We made Mike a semi-sugarfree treat for his birthday (then later he ate two cookies at the play)...

Mike got the silver Mickey Mouse watch --and the blanket that is on the chair in the background with his free Disney birthday gift card.

Jake made me a cake for my birthday. Madi made me a princess pin that said it was my birthday and bought me earrings and an anklet at "AWANA store". Jonathan is supposed to be putting songs on my MP3 player for me (eventually...).


Here are the free goodies that I got from Disney on my birthday...

100th day

Thursday was Jake's 100th day of his curriculum.

100 cheerios...


100 beans, everyday he puts a bean into a jar and on the 10th day he glues them all onto a popsicle stick...


100 M&Ms (separated into 25 each for myself and the 3 kids)!!

You don't need a camera...

...when you have friends like mine! All of these pictures are from tonight's performance thanks to OBM!!

Mike's birthday and thoughts on parenting

Today is the love of my life's birthday...I'm no longer the older woman that I was for the last 3 days!



Mike has the three kids at Disney right now getting his free birthday merchandise. Don't start thinking I'm a woman of leisure though because I'm still babysitting baby X today (as well as cleaning, laundry, baking bread, and making brownies to sell at the show tonight). Putting the baby down for his nap, I was remided of my kids' nap days and how they never seemed to lay down as willingly as baby X does. (well maybe Madi did, but definitely not the boys) Does it have something to do with kids listening to others better than they listen to their parents? As homeschoolers we hear the same song and dance over and over about how "I'm not that patient" "My kids listen to others better than they listen to me" "I could never do that, you're different from me". The thing is we aren't that different or patient, and our kids do listen to other people better, but we persevere. Good for us!! Often the best thing is not the easiest thing (is it ever?). I was also remembering when Jonathan was 18 months old and I babysat for a little boy the same age and his 3 year old brother. We would spend the morning at their house playing with them, I'd feed them lunch, put them down for a nap and leave. Their grandmother lived with them and was home, but I was there 3 or 4 mornings a week to give her a break. Putting the 18 month old down for a nap involved handing him a bottle, putting him the the crib and closing the door. Then I'd go home with my own 18 month old and we'd nurse and read and nurse and sing and cuddle and nurse and sometimes he'd go to sleep. I'd often lay there (nursing) and think about how much easier it might have be to just put him in a crib and close the door, was what I was doing making a difference? Well here we are 12 years later, and I'm pretty sure what I was doing has made a difference. (We've lost touch with the other family, and I'm sure that boy has turned out just fine too) Jonathan is really a great thirteen year old. Yes, he can talk back to me with the best of 'em, but he is such a good kid. He is an assistant at homeschool PE (he's too old to be in it so he helps, but if he were allowed to he'd have no problem playing the games with the 5-11 year old boys and girls, I don't think he even understands that some thirteen year old boys would find that odd). At the park you'll most often find him playing with and keeping an eye on the 2 year old boys. He's a Leader in Training at AWANA when he is not at Youth Group. And I think he sets a good example for his siblings and friends. I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes we wonder why we do things the hard way, but in the end the proof is in the pudding.


Opening night went really well last night. I didn't take any pictures, but I stole this one from Tiffany...

Jake is a wolf and a villager and has about 6 costume changes. He is supposed to be a villager in the finale and then bow as a wolf. So he came out for the last scene with his villager costume on and his wolf mask up on his head (Madi's idea)...it was pretty cute, then he could sing as a villager and quickly pull the mask down to bow as a wolf. Tonight Madi is Cogsworth the snooty clock and Jonathan is a narrator. I'm looking forward to it.

quick thoughts

Well the computer is still working, but I never got back on here yesterday. The kids are at PE for the next hour and I have about a dozen things that I wanted to get done during that time (laundry, vacuuming, wii fit, lunch, etc...) then we have a birthday party to got to, and I need to go pick up Jake's baseball pants and belt that are in at the store, and it is opening night for Beauty and the Beast tonight. I'm still very disappointed about the break from theatre that seems to be inevitable. Mike had blood work this morning because he is feeling really really tired and wants to rule out anything bad. I didn't even get a full week to be happy about his pancreas looking good before having something else to be concerned about. I also have a few more loved ones going through medical issues right now, and I'm just about at my breaking point worry-wise. I'd really love to give up worrying for lent, but I'm having a very hard time with that. Any suggestions? Medical issues are always my main concern (if you know us you know it is for obvioous reasons), but I come from a long line of worriers, and the state of the economy isn't helping anyone right now either. Well now that I've poured out some of my worries, I'm going to try to get a TON done in the next 40 minutes, and maybe when I make it back on here I'll have something a little more cheerful to say.

39 and a lot on my mind...

This is going to be one of those stream of consciousness posts. Yesterday was my birthday, and between facebook and going to Disney, I've never had so many people wish me Happy Birthday in my life (I got tons of phone calls too:). If only I could be that popular the other 364 days of the year. Madi made me a princess pin that said "today is my birthday" and then at Disney they gave me another birthday pin with my name on it, so everyone that passed by me said Happy Birthday...it was funny! Jonathan had them announce my birthday on the radio, and so one kid from Theatre heard that, which was pretty funny too. Because we still have seasonal Disney passes (for another week and a half only), instead of the "free ticket on your birthday" promotion I got a $75 gift card to be used on merchandise. I got some good stuff and will eventually get a picture on here, but that brings me to my next point--we are having trouble with our computer. It stopped working yesterday morning, and I've got it going now, but it is tentative at best. I am feeling very protective of it because, as you may have guessed, I'm alittle bit addicted to it and don't want anything bad to happen to it. The computer is not the only thing not working in our house though, the water from the refrigerator door is not working either! I'm also addicted to that, and had forgotten how bad the "sink water" tastes, so that is stressing me out too. I'm sort of just hoping it will start working eventually without any effort on my part. I really don't want to call for service because we've had service people out here WAY too much for a four year old refrigerator! Ugh!

Jake is still planning his own production of Beauty and the Beast, we've got OneBlessedMamma's kids here today and he's directing them now. If you live around here, you can be assured Jake has cast your kids in this production. The other day Jake and I were in the car alone and he was jabbering on and on about his show without even taking a breath..."I'm going to be the Beast, Wyatt is a narrator, Abby is Belle, two Hannahs are narrators, and where did you say the baby comes out of the mom?"...I think he was just trying to make sure I was paying attention. So we had a brief discussion about how babies are birthed, and his comment was "good thing boys don't have babies, the only thing that could come out of there would be ANTS!"

Today is Ash Wednesday, and I'm pretty sure Jake is the only person in the whole Church that didn't walk out of there with ashes today. He was behind me and apparently ducked out of the way just before the priest could give him the ashes. (he also limped up the aisle so awkwardly that he looked like he had special needs-- well he is special there is no doubt about that). Leaving church I was telling Madi I really didn't know what to do about him sometimes, her words of wisdom--"I'm glad he's not my son, so I don't have to worry about it". Jake is so unique, smart, and talented, I frequently say he is so good at everything...everything except 'people skills' that is. I sometimes console myself by thinking, for the most part my older two are polite and considerate, so hopefully no one blames me for his rudeness!

There is much more on my mind, but I've got 7 kids here looking for lunch, so I better go take care of that. As long as the computer holds out I'll be back!

Daybook

For Today...Feb 23

Outside my window... it is clear and chilly.

I am thinking... that today is my last day of being 38.

From the learning rooms...I was thrilled to find out this week that Jonathan can still be evaluated by the same teacher that has done it since kindergarten...for some reason I was under the impression that the teacher had to be certified for the student's grade, but that is not the case-- woo hoo! In addition to the teacher evaluation Jonathan and Madi will take their first standardized tests this spring, but the info will just be for our records, not the school systems! Jake will hit his 100th day of his curriculum this week!

I am thankful for... the ability to homeschool and the above info!

From the kitchen...leftover pancakes this morning, not sure what else, we were at Disney all weekend with friends that are staying with us.

I am wearing... jammies.

I am reading...Twilight.

I am hoping... that something works out with the Theatre soon! The kids perform Beauty and the Beast this week and then they have to go on hiatus because there is no where for them to reherse and perform...this depresses me to no end!

I am creating... confident kids...Madi did the readings at Church yesterday for the first time and it was great!

I am hearing... Jake practice Beauty and the Beast and our friends getting ready to head out for some sight seeing.

Around the house...lots of laundry, but otherwise it's not too bad.

One of my favorite things... blogging.

A few plans for the rest of the week...turning 39, crying my head off watching the kids in Beauty and the Beast this weekend because we don't know when they'll be performing again, and all of the usual!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...The kids on the Disney tram yesterday with their new little buddy Aaron who is down visiting from New Hampshire with his parents...Mike and his dad Dave have been friends since high school...

Manatees!!

We made our annual treck to see the manatees today with OBM (feel free to click on the link, she probably has better pictures!) and family. Here are the kids last year...

and here they are this year...
Jake's attitude was kicking in so he decided to pose like this...


We had our little buddy baby X with us, is he cute or what?!

Great News!!

Mike had his follow up appointment with the GI Dr this morning. It is so stressful going there. First of all the Dr's distinct voice and accent makes me feel like I'm going to throw up (and I'm all better by the way). I've really done a good job about not being so debilitated with worry over Mike's health, but sitting in that office just brings everything back so clearly. Mike was even a little bit nervous, so that only made me worry more. The thing is after the pancreatitis Mike not only developed diabetes, but a cyst (two actually) on his pancreas. In the early weeks of his recovery there was talk of needing to go to a specialist and have them drained, but then they began to shrink. As of the previous CAT scan though they didn't seem to be shrinking anymore and if that were the case with this one we would've had to go the specialist route. This would mean the possibility of having to have a needle inserted into his pancreas to drain it. Keep in mind the pancreatitis was caused by a flexible tube on the outiside of the pancreas, so a needle inside it sounds like a bad idea to me. Anyway God answered my nightly prayers of the cyst shrinking...what was once 2 cysts 14 and 11 centimeters is now one cyst 3 centimeters...no follow up with a specialist is needed and Mike doesn't even have to go back to Dr B for a year!!! What a huge relief! Prayer is a wonderful thing!!

Interestingly enough, when I got home from the appointment and was reading our bookclub book I came upon this quote which fit perfectly...

The relief flooding through Jean-Marie was almost more painful than the previous tension.

Daybook

Outside my window...it is sunny and breezy, the blinds are doing that click click click thing.


I am thinking...about how much I hate being sick (which I am), I actually ended up in the ER yesterday for a much needed IV because I was getting dehydrated--more than once I almost passed out.



I am thankful for...friends like Caryn and David who helped us out yesterday, the kids for being so self sufficient, and especially for the best husband in the world.



From the learning rooms...sick day for me, at least it's Presidents Day so most kids don't have school anyway. Jonathan and Madi do have a lot of reading to do and hopefully some math.



From the kitchen...nothing but popsicles, gatorade, and gingerale for me...everyone else is on their own!



I am wearing...mis-matched jammies.



I am creating...we were doing a good job on our big planted area out back on Saturday, but that came to a screeching halt yesterday.



I am going...nowhere!!



I am reading...The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Jonathan and Madi and I are reading Stone Fox (school) and The Cure of Ars (Catholic book club) aloud. Jake and I are in the middle of Junie B Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine. I finished Behind the Bedroom Wall yesterday...it is for our mother-daughter bookclub about Nazi Germany...it was fantastic!!



I am hoping...to get better soon!!



I am hearing...the kids downstairs.



Around the house...I'm not so sure, I barely went downstairs yesterday.



One of my favorite things...being healthy!



A few plans for the rest of my week...I have no idea, it all depends on how I feel, I'm praying the rest of my family doesn't get sick!!



Here is a picture thought I'm sharing...Yesterday was my brother Rob's and my friend Pam's birthday and even though neither of them read my blog, I love them anyway!

Happy Valentine's Day

We started the day with heart shaped pancakes (the cottage cheese ones), yumyum!




Madi spent the morning at a Valentine party making crafts with friends and I didn't get any pictures, and just searched other blogs in hope of stealing some, but didn't find any!

Madi is a helper for the little kids' Theatre class and they had a Valentine Spectacular performance today...


I really don't like pictures of myself (and I hope you all don't see me the way I see myself), but since Mike and I were going out for a nice Valentine dinner I had Madi take a picture of us before we left. It was a great night, at a nice local restaurant and we got right in without resrvations because someone with reservations had just cancelled. Then we went to another nice local place where someone we know from Theatre played the guitar and sang for us. We ended the night at Walmart and even that wasn't too bad.


I hope your day was as good as mine!

some pictures of our day...

Both of the boys we babysit for are here right now (we don't usually have them at the same time)...I like it, it makes me feel like we have 5 kids.

I forgot to mention in my random thoughts yesterday that I saw a man driving with no shirt on yesterday. It is warmer than it has been (about 75), but come on! It is one thing to see that when it is 95 degrees outside, and if you are near the beach, but really ridiculous yesterday!!

Mike and I were in CVS last night and were laughing at the Valentine goodies that they had for pets there. That reminded him that he had heard recently about people starting a soup kitchen for animals because "in this recession, pets are having to go with out food and it's the same as for people"...I hate to tell all of you pet lovers out there but...pets are NOT the same as people! I'm not really anti-pet or anything (although we don't have one), but really....

Too many thoughts...

...my head is going to explode. Mike had a CT scan this morning. Just a routine one to check his pancreas, but it always stresses me out. The technician let me go back to watch the scan and see it come up on the computer...pretty cool. We'll find out the results next week.

Jake's first little league practice is tonight. Mike is the coach. The good new is that means I don't have to go, the bad news is we've already gotten tons of phone calls..."when are games" "when's practice?" etc... I had one Mom go on and on about how she hadn't gotten any info from Mike, only to find out she deleted his emails without reading them-- the subject was E____ Little League!! Go figure! Anyone who knows me knows I could watch the kids on stage everyday of the week and not get sick of it, but in the past Little League hasn't been my thing. We'll see...

Facebook seems to be taking on a life of its own...I'm 8 friends away from 100. I've recently connected with elementary school friends and it is both neat and weird!

We got our carpets cleaned today, the first time in 4 years in this house. We're not walking on the carpets downstairs, it's getting a little cramped in the kitchen.

I'm really sticking to wii fit and it's really fun. In addition to the regular stuff, I did 20 minutes on the step while watching American Idol last night. I love Danny Gokey...I don't like Tatiana, Kristen, or Nathaniel. I don't like "Norman Gentle" either. I should be doing it right now, but like I said we're staying off the carpet.

Abraham Lincoln was born 200 years ago today. I feel like we should be doing something big to commemorate that, but with all the other stuff that today was consumed with, we didn't get farther than mentioning it. Actually I told the kids to figure out what happened 200 years ago today. Jonthan figured it out quickly. Madi later told me she googled "200 years ago today" and came up with nothing. Eventually she figured it out, but we discussed how she could've googled Feb 12,1809 and would've gotten better results.

Jonathan is a helper at PE. The teacher told me today that he could probably get "community service" credits for that (like for the Bright Futures scholarship). I'm still very new to this having a teenager thing. I really thought I knew what I was doing with parenting and homeschooling and everything, but it is getting a little more complicated. I also had to break down and buy the math teacher's manual for the first time, apparently 7th grade math is my limit. I can figure it out pretty well with the answers though. On the otherhand I've never been one of those people to accept the theory that when they are little they have little problems and when they are big they have big problems. I'm not saying we won't have some big problems in the future, I'm just saying when your 6 lb first born has a stroke and spends a week in ICU, you quickly learn that just because they are little does not mean their problems are little.

Well, I had no idea I was going in that direction when I started this post...how's that for stream of consciousness?

Misc

Did you ever get to the point where you couldn't stand the mess in your house another second? I'm there right now! Tonight all three kids will be at AWANA because Jonathan doesn't have youth group, so this morning Mike and I were discussing whether we'd go out or stay home and my suggestion was "let's stay home and clean". That's how bad it is. The thing is, it really isn't any worse than usual (maybe even a little better than sometimes), but I need it cleaner right now. Does anyone else do this? I feel this way about my kids too (not that I need them cleaner, although sometimes that is the case) they might be behaving really well, but something could hit me wrong and I think they're being terribly and I'm an awful Mom...the whole nine yards. Other times they might be having a real attitude problem (usually Jake, but the teen and preteen can have some issues once in a while too), but I can handle it just fine. I guess what I'm trying to say is the old addage "If Mama ain't happy, no one's happy" (and vice-versa) or how Mommy perceives things makes all the difference. This is why for about 3 hours today I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the grout and tile (it's still not that great), and I called the carpet cleaning guy and scheduled him to come tomorrow! Mike and I will spend our datenight tonight putting the ceiling fan in in the loft and then cleaning the loft.

It wasn't an all work and no play day however, we made some Velentine crafts this morning and then we went with friends to a nursing home to sing and hand out Valentines.