Christmas 2011

Someday soon, I will have real Internet, not just iPhone, and I will add pictures to this post, but for now, I must get this post up before I forget:
*That I had completely blocked an entire pre-Disney shopping trip, and had ample provisions for a traditional Christmas dinner with all the fixin's. I was so happy, but did wonder about my mental state that I should have erased doing this from my mind?
*How Cara giggled each time a gift was brought out for her from under the tree.
*How K was almost in tears when I refused to allow him to spend all of his money on presents for his brothers and sisters. When I saw those tears in my big boy's eyes, I relented and took him up to the thrift store where he bought everyone a gift and only spent $40. Everything was in new condition and he was careful to pick something they would like. His gifts were some of the favorites of the day.
*I want to remember how sad it was to walk into an almost empty sanctuary on Christmas morning. I'm really sorry that more people did not come to Your house to tell you, "Happy Birthday," Lord. Are you sorry, too?
*That even though we had(thanks to cuponing) a huge M*tie C*vendars pie, everyone asked for my humble, homemade pumpkin instead.
*The look of excitement on Abby and Marina's faces when they opened their flat and curling irons. Sigh. I'm afraid they are leaving dollies behind forever.
*Watching Levi happily explore the chaos of the morning--his first Christmas.

Disney Recap and Christmas Forecast

Well, we are on the LOOOONG trip home to Texas. Disney was great, but very happy to be headed toward my sweet Levi and all the Christmas traditions. The only problem is we are flat busted broke. Spent right up until the last dime we needed for fuel for the return trip. All of our presents are bought, but it just occurred to me that I didn't buy our groceries for Christmas dinner. Oh, well, give us this day our daily bread. We might be eating deer jerky and cheerio treats for Christmas, but we will all be together.
The master's hip started to cause him pain about a week before our trip. We hoped against hope that it would miraculously recover, but that didn't happen. On the third day of Disney it gave up. He spent the rest of the trip in a wheelchair. I am really worried. His company insurance does not kick in until after the first of the year, but I'm not sure if there is a waiting period after that. Please pray that there is not. I really thought with his amputation three years ago, we were putting fibris displacia behind us for good. At first, I was just angry that it had reared its ugly head again, but as the pain has continued and worsened, I find myself hoping it is only displacia and not something worse. "At what time I am afraid, I will trust in You."
The fireworks and light show at Magic Kingdom was something to see, and the weather throughout our visit was perfect, but otherwise, I would not recommend a Christmas break visit. I have only been twice before, but this was, BY FAR, the most crowded I have ever seen it. If we ever go again, I will simply un-enroll the kids from school and go in late September or the first week of October--or whatever random week a travel agent can tell me is the least busy time of year.
It is my turn to drive.

The Happiest Place on Earth

At the most wonderful time of the year. We are on our way to Florida at a high rate of speed. Some of you may remember that our reward for getting out of debt was a trip to Disney World. Sadly, this is not THAT trip, but, happily, my sister wanted to give this trip to our family for Christmas, so she financing around 85% of our holiday vacation. You can't beat that! This is my third visit America's fun capital--I went as a teen in the summer, in 2006 (7 months pregnant) in the spring, and can't wait to see what a Christmas visit is like. It is just eight of us speeding down the interstate. After much internal see-sawing, I agreed to leave Levi with his Ne-Ne (very dear sister from church) and Grandma. Levi, for all of his many virtues, is a terrible traveler. He will not remember it, and I would spend a good portion of my day sitting on a bench trying to figure out how I was going to heat the next bottle. Blech! But it will be the longest I have ever been away from any of the kids (with the exception of Rina)while still in their infancy, and I will miss him horribly. I know better than to think He will miss me. He will be too greatly spoiled.

The Talk

In a week, she will be 11 years old. I started less than a month after I turned 11. I knew it was well past time to have "The Talk," but it never made it to the top of my daily to-do list, and she never asked any questions. Frankly, I took her lack of inquisitiveness as clear indication that she had probably already gained a good bit of knowledge from the Americ*n Girl "Body Book" I found at the thrift store last year, and her girlfriends. I know from their mothers that several of her peers have started.
But when we were at my parents' house for Thanksgiving, my dad wanted to know what kind of deals I had nabbed with cuponing. When I told him I hadn't stockpiled much--just sugar and maxi-pads--Abby asked, "What's a maxi-pad?" My folks were aghast that I hadn't had "The Talk" and were pretty insistent that I move it up on my list of priorities. I don't know why they had their panties all in a wad. Their version of "The Talk" was Mom putting on a National Geographic film and leaving the room. Afterwards, Mom asked if I had any questions (I would have rather gnawed off my own tongue than to ask them). Dad wasn't even home.
But I digress. A few days ago we got some very troubling, saddening news concerning a relative. I knew I could not put it off another day, and it needed to include considerably more than menustration. I grabbed the "Body Book" and we headed down to the Sonic where I ordered pumpkin pie shakes, took a deep breath, and said,"Sweetheart, we need to talk."
Abby, already uncomfortably suspicious--not accustomed to being served Sonic shakes for no good reason--groaned, "Why do I suddenly feel as though I should be sitting on a porch swing?" (The porch swing is a euphamism in our family for a serious heart-to-heart conversation because that is where Daddy always called us to when it was time for a come to Jesus meeting.)
I wanted to have that conversation about as much as she wanted to hear it, but I'm so glad I did. Contrary to what I believed, she knew NOTHING about ANYTHING. If she had started her periods, she would have been terrified--thinking she was bleeding to death. She was equally clueless regarding the s€x Ed portion of our discussion. I was actually incredulous at her ignorance, at first thinking it to be feigned due to the embarrassment of talking with me about such things, but no, the longer I talked, I could tell it was genuine. I felt a sense of satisfaction that the master and I have been so totally successful in sheltering our kid's innocence, but I also felt frustration that because of the world we live in, I cannot be so
foolish as to allow that niativity to continue.
She listened, eyes as round as dinner plates, mouth sometimes dropping open:
"That's amazing!"
"Ugh, Mom, that's so gross. I don't want my shake anymore."
"Mom, you can't be serious."
And finally,
"Mom, how are you ever going to explain all this to Marina?"
Oh, Lord, give me strength.

Cuponing Update

Today was my second venture into cuponing. I am off to what I feel is a slow start, but trying not to become frustrated and give up. I've never been good at doing things half-way. My way of thinking is, "If you can't be the best at something, why do it at all?" I know that is a terrible attitude , but just keeping this blog honest. But I guess even Extreme Cuponers probably got their start as mediocre Cuponers, right? The actual buying part I like, because it has much the same feel of a great garage sale/thrift store find. The thrill of getting something new, or like new, at a fraction of the cost. I am beating the system!! The drawback with coupons, is that it requires so much searching and organizing to get to that point.
So anyhow, today I got 6 mega-logs of P*lsbury cookie dough (I'm all set for quick holiday treats), 8 boxes P*lsbury pie crust, 8 boxes of Nat*re's Valley granola bars, 3 large boxes of Ritz crackers, and 6 galons of milk for about $75. Not at all like the show--where they walk out of the store with five carts full and only paid 10 cents, but my kids are pretty stoked about the cookie dough, and I'm tickled pink that I have a weeks worth of milk in the fridge. At least I know we won't get caught in a pinch and end up spending over $4 for a half gallon at the neighborhood gas station.

Pre-Thanksgiving Simple Woman's

FOR TODAY...November 23, 2011

Outside my Mom's window...Six happy children playing in the yard (Abby and Marina are police women, complete with handmade badges and bicycle patrol cars.  Ian and Randy are Indians.  K is practicing his aim with the bow.  Cara is just plain happy).  One happy, happy, birthday celebrating Daddy.  The county lifted its eight month burn ban and half of the property is ablaze.   

I am thinking...about food preparations for tomorrow.

I am thankful for...'tis the season.  I am blessed and highly favored, but I think I am most thankful this year for our little surprise blessing: Levi James.

I am wearing... blue jeans, socks, and a turqois thermal.

I am remembering...this is the house I grew up in, so it is rife with memories.  Just a few minutes ago, peeking out the window watching the girls, I thought about my little sister and I tearing up that same driveway on our bikes.

I am going...to continue cooking a stupendous meal (or at least my half of it) as soon as I post.

I am currently reading...do recipes count?

I am hoping...that my turkey turns out de-lish.

On my mind...cooking, cooking, cooking

Noticing that...My brownies are YUMMY!

Pondering these words... Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better.--William Shakespeare

From the kitchen...Daddy's birthday brownies, turkey, ham, stuffing and mashed potatoes, leavings from Daddy's birthday breakfast (cinnamon biscuits, bacon, and fried eggs), prepared seasoning mix for roasted turkey, and various asundry.

Around the house...Mama (recuperating from abdominal surgery) is watching HG TV and Levi is asnooze upstairs and pretty much everyone else is enjoying the great--if somewhat smokey--outdoors.

From my picture journal: Going to have to pass on that.  Mom's computer does not have an SD port.

Sick Computer

Don't know if you will be hearing from me for the next few days. And of course you would know I have about a dozen posts rolling through my mind. My computer is sick. Should get more stuff done around the house.

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Melancholy Man

1. Are you more melancholy on occasion?

Yes.  Actually, I'm feeling pretty melancholy today.  I told the master earlier that I was feeling blue and I thought that strange, since it isn't my time of the month to feel blue, if you know what I mean.  There is nothing really wrong, but I feel as though I could flop on the bed and cry my eyes out.

2. What did you think you looked like when you were a teenager?

I thought I looked o.k., pretty even, when my face wasn't broke out.  I thought I was a little on the heavy side.  I wasn't.

3. Whose advice are you least likely to listen to?
Little old ladies in the grocery store who try to tell me how to take care of my baby.  Grrr......Look, lady, I know what I'm doing here.  This ain't my first rodeo.  And you raised your last of two in 1957?  Right. So that makes you the expert. GIVE ME A BREAK.

4. Tell us about a job that you liked when you were younger.

I liked it when Momma left the vacuuming job on my chore list.  I like to vacuum.

5. Would you lie to someone if you knew the truth would end your friendship or relationship?

No.

6. What do you have little or no patience for?

Nosey little old ladies.  See #3

7. What is there never enough hours in the day to do?

Laundry.

8. What is the most productive thing that you accomplished in October?

Six Fall Festival costumes, and a weekend missions camp for my CIA group.

9. What have you always wanted to learn but haven't yet?

I would like to be able to make stained glass.

Language School

When we got in the van to come home from church last night, the children numbered off in Spanish.  K reiterated for about the hundredth time that we need to learn to count in Russian.  Marina asked me to test her Russian.  I obliged with the six or seven phrases from our long-ago Russian language tape (following dialogue spelled phonetically):

Me: Ya tibia lu blu
Marina: Uh....'I don't speak Russian?'
Me: No.  'I love you.' Try this one, 'Ti u stal eye a.' feminine form. Either means 'You are sleepy,' or 'I am sleepy.'  Not sure.  Just know that we have said this to the kids at bedtime since going to Russia, so I thought she would get it.
Marina: It means, 'I have no idea what you are saying.'
Me: Um. No. We are all giggling by now. 
Me: Let's try a short one.  'Spasiba.'
Marina:  Spicy!!!!

Well, the child flunks Russian, but she gets an A+ in Texan.  She did know how to say, 'Hold my hand' in Russian and she knew what 'Das vu don ye,' meant, but that was the extent of her linguistics.  She asked in her thick Texan draw, "Maw----ma, when we go to Russia, how will I say, 'I didn't grow up in Russia.' Honey, I don't think you will have to say a thing--it's gonna be crystal clear. 

Painted Pumpkin

Levi says, "Momma painted a pumpkin, and I helped!" This was my creative moment for the day.  I also folded 12 loads of laundry, loaded and emptied the dishwasher three times, bleached counter tops and swept the kitchen and dining area, but that doesn't satisfy my soul like a completely frivolous decorated gourd.

Pumpkin Patch and Carving

Coming in under the wire for making it to a pumpkin patch this year.  Just couldn't seem to squeeze it in this weekend, so I let the kids stay home from school.  We don't believe in perfect attendance.  Was a beautiful day for playing hookie.  Seventy degrees and so sunny, Randy couldn't stand to look up at the camera.  He has sensitive eyes.

Levi's first patch.  Tried to get a full-on photo of him, but he too, was hesitant to look toward the sun.  I was commiserating with the ladies at the patch about them having so many pumpkins left to discard tomorrow.  I remember what a pain that was when we did a pumpkin patch to raise money for Marina's adoption.  So during the course of the conversation, it came up that some of the children were adopted. One of the ladies was particularly interested, and I could tell by the questions she asked, that she knew quite a bit about how adoption works.  Turns out her and her husband suffered from secondary infertility and then a failed adoption (birthfamily changed their minds).  She asked about, and I shared with her a little of how Levi joined our family, but her questions were rather direct, and it wasn't long before she realized that Levi basically fell into our laps.  I think it hurt her.  She got real quiet and then busy with something else.  I don't know what to say to people.  I don't want to lie, but the truth--that a family with six beautiful children was blessed with a healthy, beautiful seventh in an "accidental" adoption--is such a bitter, bitter thing for so many.

This evening we ate some left-over non-prize winning chili with our friend Kenny, and then the master used a sawzaw to carve the pumpkin. Now that's country.  The kids called the two pumpkins we carved Jack O. Lantern (not real original) and Peanut (because it was shaped like one).  We also bought a HUGE pumpkin at the patch--it was so tall and handsome, I couldn't resist--but having spent a pretty penny on it, I did not feel like carving it tonight and having to throw it out tomorrow or the next day.  I think I'm going to try to paint it with acrylics for the Thanksgiving season.

Through the Looking Glass

I give you Fall Festival 2011--Alice in Wonderland.  I know what you are thinking when you see these pictures: this chick has a serious problem.  These costumes are pretty over the top, I admit, but one of the first things the kids asked when we told them we were selling the daycare, was, "Does this mean you will make our Fall Festival costumes again??!!"  So what is a mom to do?  Especially a lame, stay-at-home mom with a tendency to over-do anything theme related?  And as you will see, I was very frugal in my madness.

Abby is the queen of hearts.  I made her dress from two formals I bought at G**dwill.  These formals usually cost around $10.00, while the specialty fabric would run you $7.00-$8.00 a yard. The netting for the petticoat, too, came from the dresses.  I bought the trim at H*ncock's and the tights at a party store.  Pattern is Simplic*ty (bought during the five for $5 sale they have at H*ncocks once every two months).  Estimated cost for costume--$35.00

Ian is the Mad Hatter.  Hat purchased at party store for $25.00. Ouch!  Really should have tried to find a cheaper option.  But bringing off this costume depended on a big hat, so I did it.  Coat made using a Burd* pattern.  Yuck!!!  This was my first time sewing from a Burd* and will definitely think twice about buying another pattern.  The instructions--while technically written in English--did not make ONE lick of sense.  I basically had to take the pieces and just try them out by basting to see if that was the way it was supposed to go.  Tweed suit fabric was on sale for $2.50.  We used a Sunday white shirt and black slacks, the bow tie came from scrap pieces, and the vest was sewn from a bolt of bargain basement fabric.  This costume was around $35.00 as well.

By virtue of her blond hair, Marina was Alice.  Cheap polyester blue fabric--$2.00 a yard.  Pinafore cut from an old sheet. S*mplicity pattern, $1.00.  We had white tights and Mary Janes in our wardrobe, so no cost there.  Cost--not counting labor--<$10.00

Randy is a card soldier.  Poster board is the sturdy kind, $3.00 a sheet.  Black scrapbook paper $.25 a sheet.  Black hood sewn from an old curtain, black sweat suit-$10.00 (but doesn't count, because he will be able to wear it through winter as a regular outfit.)  Costume cost $5.00

Cara a most adorable Cheshire Cat.  Pretty proud of this one as pink and purple striped fabric could not be found I designed this costume and added my own stripes with RIT dye in a spray bottle.  Pattern is Buttr*ck (bought in the $2.00 a pattern sale), RIT dye around $3.00.  Sewn from felt (very cheap fabric that is sold in a wide length), I think I paid $2.00 a yard, and one yard of the 72" fabric was plenty.  Also < $10.00

Sweet Levi as the White Rabbit.  $1.00 S*mplicity pattern. Fabric is soft fleece.  Not cheap, but I wanted him to be comfortable in his costume.  I think it was around $5.00 a yard.  Probably 1 1/2 yards for the jumpsuit and headpiece.  Cuffs and neck fabric from an old t-shirt. Inside of ears cut from scraps of the Chessire Cat, and orange vest made from an old tablecloth I found at a garage sale or G**dwill. Nana brought him a pocket watch to wear.  I meant to make him a little bow tie, but never got around to it.

Fun, fun, fun Fall Fest. I worked a hair braiding booth at the festival, and I love to braid me some hair.  Got a hair stylist to come and put feathers in the girls' hair at cost, so all of us are now sporting feathers.  The master's chili did not place in this year's contest, but the barrel train he built for the kids was a HUGE success.  K put on his "Choot 'em" shirt and Bubba teeth, and went as a alligator hunter from Sw*mp People, but I didn't get a picture of him on my camera.  Sure hope someone at church did.

Happy Harvest!

Evening at My House

 The first hot cocoa of the season was well enjoyed by all. I felt inspired by a chocolate cake my mom made for us this weekend that included cinnamon. I added a dash of spice to the pot tonight.  YUM!

 Cara found her way to the nail polish--without any one's knowledge or permission--just before Bubba's football game.  Doesn't look like a career as a manicurist is in her future, the little stinker.

***Had a really good picture of Levi, but sitting right under the master's monogramed name on scrubs. Pooie****

 Levi right after the hood came off.  He's going to have some wild hair this winter.

Abby was proud to break out the winter jammies and drain her cup.  We are PASSIONATE about our hot chocolate in this house.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...October 17, 2011

Outside my window... a first chilly front is making its way across the region

I am thinking...oh, many deep and troubling things, but I am blogging to de-stress, so I won't go in to those.

I am thankful for... a safe return from a weekend trip to my hometown and I'm thankful that though I forgot Cara's meds for the first time in three years, the W*lgreens agreed to release an emergency dose.

I am wearing... blue jeans and aqua-green peasant top

I am remembering trying to remember...what did I do, when the master and I were dating, to "fill his love account?"

I am going...to drive half-way back to hometown tomorrow to rendezvous with parents and retrieve Cara's medicine. Fun, fun.

I am currently reading... Fall in Love to Stay in Love by Willard Harvey (you might have guessed that from the "I am remembering" section), Secure in the Everlasting Arms by Elisabeth Elliot, and Heroes of Nine Eleven (picked it up at kids' book fair this week for me and Ian to share.  Not exactly sure who wrote it).

I am hoping...that $1,300.00 will fall from the sky so that we can finalize Levi's adoption this month.

On my mind...again, this post is meant to diffuse the burdens of my mind.

Noticing that...not two months into this new gig and I am already neglecting my blog.

Pondering these words..."But if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."

From the kitchen...tried a new R*chel R*y recipe today: Chicken Cord don blue sandwhiches.  They were o.k., I guess.  Kind of reminded me of something the master and I ate in Russia called Piguant Meat.  I may try it next time with a mushroom sauce.

Around the house...Seven sleepy puppies.  Too sleepy to bark.

One of my favorite things...catching up with an old friend.

From my picture journal...

"What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

Saturday Nine-Someday We'll Be Together

1. Have you ever left a relationship but knew that eventually you'd get back together?
No. Yes, but I was wrong.  I had one serious boyfriend other than the master--I use the word 'serious' but we actually only dated a year, but still, at the time, I could picture myself marrying him.  He broke up with me in mid-July after I graduated high-school.  He didn't give a reason, except that I would be going off to college soon.  I remember sobbing in bed that night--my parent's bed, I crawled up beside my mom to cry--and thinking, "He can't really mean it.  He'll want to get back together."  I just knew he was "the one." He called a week later, on my birthday.  He said he wanted to wish me a happy birthday and talk.  My heart began to beat fast, thinking this quasi-friendship might be a way for us heal the relationship--and maybe that is what he was trying to get at.  Part of me was ecstatic at the thought, but another part asked, "Until he decides to rip your heart out again?"  I realized I would constantly be wondering and worrying where I stood with him.  Besides my heart, I had--thankfully--not invested any other part of myself--with him.  If I gave him one more year, five more years, ten, would the same be true?  I got off the phone quickly and never spoke with him again.

2. Are there things that you hate to buy? Items that you either hate to spend perfectly good money on or hate to spend the time it takes to buy them? Clothes shopping for myself.  Loathe it.  Because I spend money on it, and get it home and hate the way it looks on me.

3. What is your favorite cartoon show and why?
The old Tom and Jerry shows.  They are funny, I don't care who you are.

4. Are you anywhere close to doing what you wanted to do as a kid?
Yes.  I wanted to be a mom. 

5. Now that you're in the "real world," is your current job now really what you want to do for a living? If not, what would you ultimately like to do?
Does not apply

6. A local university has asked you to teach a class about the one thing you know the most about. What would you be teaching and what would the name of the course be?
Procrastination 101-how to put off what you know you should be doing--to be followed by Justification 102-how to make up a legitimate sounding excuse for procrastinating.

7. Commercials ... they can make us laugh or can annoy the heck out of us. Tell us about your favorite commercial and/or a commercial you simply loathe.
We don't watch tv here, but the master and I went to a showing of "Courageous" tonight, and can I just say that the previews (glorified commercials) were totally inappropriate?  You would think that even godless advertisers in Hollywood would realize the folly of attempting to market those t.v. shows/feature films to an audience who came to watch a Christian movie.

8. Tell us about your favorite comedy movie of all time.
I really like the National Lampoon's movies

9. Tell us about your favorite black and white movie of all time.
So many of my favorite black and whites have been remastered to color.  "Sound of Music" was originally black and white, so it would have to be my favorite.

Normal

My friend Debbie posted about how couples who build their families through pregnancy don't get comments from their kids that are simply "normal" for children of adoption.  We are a mixed bag here at LameSAHM, with birth and adopted, but I still totally get what she is saying.  We hear some pretty funny things around here.

• Now that we are in an open adoption with Levi--and talking quite a bit with an actual person, whom the children have seen and talked to--Randy keeps wanting to know who his birthmother is.  I keep telling him that I am his birthmother and his forever mommy, and he looks really disappointed each time!  Sorry kid.  Facts is facts.
• My sister has five children all by adoption.  Around the time they finalize they have them Christened in the Episcopal church.  The whole family comes and it is a special time of prayer and commitment. The kids have come to equate the ceremony--which I guess would seem a whole lot more official and binding to a child's mind than standing before some strange man in a robe--to "being adopted."  When Abby accepted Christ and was baptized at age eight, my nieces and nephews all came for the service.  Afterwards, they kept congratulating the master and I on finally deciding to adopt her!  They clearly thought it was about time we got around to that. 
• Before we brought Levi home, Marina kept asking if the baby was a boy or girl.  I was really getting concerned that she wasn't able to remember this simple fact, and when I questioned her as to why she continued to ask the same question over and over again, she revealed that she thought boys were born and girls were adopted.  So naturally, it was confusing for her that we were adopting a boy.   I did my best to explain it to her. Sure hope that has been cleared up in her mind and heart, but with Marina you never know.  She adamently believed for years that we went to Russia, I gave birth to her there, and then left her in an orphanage.
• My children assume that all bottle-fed babies are adopted.  Several times I have been SO embarrassed by them going up and blurting out, "Where did you get your baby?" I've learned to just grab their hand and pull them away, because once when I corrected, "No, she is the baby's birthmother," they gaped at the woman, dumbstruck, and demanded, "Why you not give your baby breast milk?"  Can we say, AWKWARD??!

These are humorous, but there are poignant ones as well.  I love that my children totally get the spiritual concept of adoption. You can have a fairly deep conversation with them; they've lived it.  I love how angry K gets at Disney's Finneas and Ferb cartoon because it refers to one of the characters as being a "step-brother," when in actuality the story line tells us he is adopted.  I can hear him now, shouting at the screen, "If he is adopted, he is not a step anything, he's just your plain brother!"  And I cry whenever something makes Marina think of Russia and she sobers and says, "But I wonder about the other orphans there."  This is normal for us.

Saturday Nine

 

1. Do you ever go to sleep to simply dream?

I don't have that luxury, but I've fallen asleep hoping to dream of a certain place or person.  Maybe to repeat a specific dream.

2. When you’re having trouble staying awake, what are some things you do to make sure you don’t drift off to sleep?

Oh, I'm a singer.  Big time in the car, loud and proud to stay awake.  I will also make up imaginative stories in my head.  I get so interested in the plot of my imagination that I no longer have to worry about falling asleep. 

3. What’s most likely to cause you a prolonged period of not enough sleep?

A newborn baby.  Owning my own business.  A  time of ailment in my sickly lungs.  An argument with a man who believes that the mandate, "Do not let the sun go down on your anger," is a literal one...

Most recently, a promise to my six youngest children to make their Fall Festival costumes...

4. When you’re going through a prolonged period of not enough sleep, what parts of your daily routine are likely to change, and how?

I'm not sure anything changes--except maybe an increase in mid-day naps--but I tend to get a whole heck of a lot grouchier. 

5. In what ways does your personality change when you go through a prolonged period of not enough sleep?

See above.  I'm also not near as smart, and ain't no genius to start out with, so it behooves me to rest up.

6. Who in your life seems regularly to have not enough sleep?
Used to be my Daddy.  Poor man--his job made sleep a difficult thing for most of his career.  I could always tell a difference in his personality depending on which shift he was working.  So glad he is retired now. 
Marina requires more sleep than any person I've ever known.  I know immediately when she hasn't had "enough," and I send her back to bed.

7. When you're sleeping, do your closer friends tend to be male or female? Why do you think that is?

I'm guessing this is in dreams?  I'm mostly alone, or with people I don't recognize, but if I do have a dream with other people I know it is usually friends from my past (mostly all girl friendships) or the master (definitely male)

8. If you could wake up tomorrow with a new talent, what would it be?

Without a doubt, I would play the piano really, really well, be able to sight-read, ad-lib, and play by ear, and never get nervous about performing. 

9. In a dream, is your past something that you can go back to?

Yes, I mostly dream about the past.  I'll be at school, or college, hanging out with friends, playing in the band, etc.  But the funny thing is, at some point in the dream, I will think, "Wait a second, where are my kids?" "Whose taking care of the children?"

Evening At My House

 Randy wanted to hold Levi the moment he came in the door from school.  They sat there together giggling for more than thirty minutes.  I think that is a Bible verse..."How good it is when brothers sit together..."

 Abby didn't have any homework, so I gave her some home work.  She was happy to get to use the new vacuum cleaner.  Eat you heart out ladies, it's a Dyson.

 And when K got home from football practice, he too, wanted a turn with the little ones, complaining, "I haven't got to hold them all week."  Cara brought her pretty pony to the love fest. How many thirteen year old football players will snuggle with an infant and play pretty ponies with their kid sister?  K is going to make some blessed woman a very fine husband one day.

This is Rina before soccer practice.  She still gets very tired staying awake all day at school.  She caught a little nap on our way to drop off Ian at soccer.  Strangely enough, the practice and participation in the sport itself is extremely energizing for her.  She talks more after a soccer practice or game than I've ever heard in her life.  On the way home, I have to keep turning around to make sure it is the right child in the vehicle.

Do We All Come to This in the End?

You know, I've never gotten in to the whole couponing thing. My time is precious. It counts for something. Up until this point, I've been able to use my cooking skills and frugality to avoid it; I'd rather eat for a month using beans (that I got from Angel Food) and a ham bone (from pigs that we feed, slaughter, and process ourselves) and wash it down with a big ole' glass of 2% (compliments of the US government via the WIC program) than pore over supermarket fliers and manufacturer's websites for an hour or more a day. But with angelgfoodministries closing down this month (oh, the irony--they couldn't make ends meet either), I'm in a tight spot. Monday's purchase at WalletWorld of groceries for two little dinners for my family with a price tag of over 70 dollars was a defining moment.
I believe I'm going to have to become one of those extreme couponers. Bring on the mama-jama notebook that weighs more than Levi.Carla, I'm sure you are chuckling over this post, so go ahead, say it, "I told you so."  And anyone else reading feel free to leave me some tips and advice in comments.  I'm really going to suck at this for a while.

Levi: Five Months

Today's update to agency director:

Dear Jan,

It gives me great pleasure to send this update to you!! Enclosed you will find a few pictures and our check for $_____—the balance due on Levi’s adoption fees. It didn’t take us ‘till he was thirty after all! Excited that now we can start moving toward finalization!
Now for the update part of this update: Levi is five months old and weighs somewhere between 16 and 17 pounds. He has some adorable, kissable rolls. He is hitting all of his developmental markers right on schedule. He laughs, babbles, grasps toys, and moves anything he gets his chubby little fingers directly into his mouth. He can roll over both ways and is oh, so close to being able to sit unsupported. I think he could do it now, except he becomes mesmerized by his toes and as soon as he grabs hold of them, he does an automatic face plant. As the photos show, he has some wild and crazy hair that just makes us giggle—especially when (the master) spikes it up after his bath. His favorite song is “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” and we are all experts now at performing it for his pleasure. We love him to distraction.

Give our love to everyone in the office,



Jessica

Blogger Changes

I know I have been out of the blogging groove for quite some time. Can someone please tell me how to get my background to show behind my title? And why is it I can't post from the compose screen anymore? These things really bug me. Grrr....

Loving My Lameness

Where to start? Well, I've needed to close down my last blog--Eight Hearts--since we became nine hearts--way back in April. But then, I never could find the time. Never could because of my job as a daycare owner and director. It was an eighteen hour a day job that really required six days a week to do well. For almost two years I kept that up. No more. We sold the center. Tomorrow makes three weeks of freedom. Freedom is sweet. It wasn't an easy decision. I poured blood, sweat, and many, many tears into getting that business up and going. But two years in and we weren't seeing a profit. We were just barely making the bills with some pretty big ticket items looming on the horizon. Expenditures that would have required us to go farther in debt--something we had promised ourselves at the onset we would not do. So, we sold it. It was for a season and that season came to a close.
When the children started back to school last month, we knew we were in the final days of our ownership of the center. As K filled out one of the "Getting to Know You" packets from his teacher, I glanced over his shoulder and noticed that he was filling out 'Mother's Contact Information' with "daycare director" and the phone number at the center. I told him that instead he should just leave that blank, seeing as how I would only be there for a few more days, and then I would be a full-time mom. He said, "I don't want to put stay-at-home mom. That sounds lame."
I know he didn't.
I told him that he would not think it was lame when he sat down to a home cooked meal. Or when he opened his underwear drawer and found clean pairs of BVDs for a change. Or when I was able to help him make posters for his Student Council campaign, it wouldn't seem to lame. When I got though reaming him out, the master took a turn. He came to see the error of his thinking, but we have given him a hard time for that careless comment.
It has become a regular joke around the house. When I'm waiting for the kids at the bus stop they greet me with a, "Hello, Lame Stay-At-Home Mom!" And when I made gingersnap bars for after supper last week, it was, "You're the best cook ever! Thanks, Lame Stay-At-Home Mom!"
And the more I've heard it and thought about it, the more I embrace the title. Not that I'm 'lame' in the sense that K meant it--I know that the work I do in this home is significant and has great value. Indeed, if I had a nickel for every time someone told me, "I don't know how you do it..." the master and I would have no money problems. They tell me I am, "a better woman" than them, or that I am "supermom." I know that I'm not. Many days I feel blind, deaf, dumb, anxious, and yes, lame. This is a journey I am on, and there is plenty of joy and sorrow, tears and triumph along the way.
A new blog for a new season. A blog to remember this season for however long it may last. But oh, so looking forward to the season that is to come:

Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes.
A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:5-10