Nov. 11...Today I am thankful for Veterans

When my mother told me that my brother was joining the Army, my first thought was that we were going to loose the war.  I think that this is a common reaction of big sisters.  I saw him as a lost little boy whose father had died too soon.  I didn't see him as a soldier who could defend an entire country.  I was wrong.  He went to Iraq and not only performed his job but came back alive.  He must have done something right.

Today, I thank God for every veteran and every man and woman who have been affected by war.  It was hard for my mom to send her only son to battle especially when she was still grieving.  It was harder for her to send him back after he extended his enlistment.  I thank God for mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children, and all other loved ones who support the military in their lives.  I thank God for the safe return of so many and even more thanks for those that sacrifice their lives.  I am proud to be an American on this day and everyday.

Nov. 9 and 10...On these two days I am thankful for friends, prayers, and doctors.

Yesterday, Genevieve had a doctor's appointment.  Her spleen has been enlarged for almost two months.  It was first detected during a check-up when she had a high fever.  The fever and obvious viral infection was thought to be the cause of the spleen problems.  We have gone back to the pediatrician every two weeks since just to check on it.  Our doctor decided that enough was enough and sent us on to do blood work first thing this morning.  I knew that she was checking for lymphoma or leukemia.  I also knew that she was almost sure that it was neither of those things causing the spleen to be enlarged but they had to be ruled out.

I am thankful that the results came back normal.  Her spleen should return to it's normal size in a few weeks.  Apparently that viral infection was a bad one.  I am also thankful for my friends and family who provided so much comfort.  Even though I knew that the chances of something bad were extremely slim, it was so nice to know that prayers were being said.    I have the best friends and family.  I can call on them for anything.  I promise that I won't keep hogging all of the prayers though!!!

Nov. 8...I am thankful for Tuesdays

I know that I have already written about our Tuesday schedule but I continue to be thankful for this time that I have with my children.  Today Annelise joined us.  She usually goes home with a friend and then they both go to dancing until 8:00.  She has a big test coming up so she decided to come along with us for some extra study time during gymnastics and piano lessons.

Our suburban becomes a desk for homework, a dining room table for supper, and a holy place during our Rosary.  We always say the Sorrowful Mysteries and listen to the scripture verses that goes with each mystery on the ride home.  I meditated on the sacrifice of Jesus and the pain of his mother this evening.  What a unimaginable site it must have been for Mary to see her child suffer.  I am reminded that the struggles of my children are surmountable.  Tests and grades, while stressful for me and my children, will not result in the end of the world.  We will strive to do our best and to use our talents but I hope that we will put the results into perspective.

Nov. 7...Today I am thankful for my life

I have a wonderful life.  I could complain about a few things but for the most part I am so lucky.  As I put our house back together as I often do on Mondays, I realized that this is just what I should be doing.  I don't enjoy cleaning up but I enjoy the peace that comes from it.  I know that things flow smoother when the dishes are done and the laundry is put away.  

I often think how nice it would be to lunch with my lady friends in Anthropology dresses and fantastic red soled shoes at amazing restaurants.  I think that life would get old quickly.  I am more of a homebody with each passing day.  I get out for my children's activities but pass on the grown-up ones more and more.  I may not live a glamorous life but I live a fulfilling one.  I can go to sleep at night knowing that I am loved and I have people to love.

So many people have so much more than I do but way more have less.  I am a lucky girl.  I thank God everyday for my life.

Nov. 6...Today I am thankful for football

I am thankful for football not for what it is but for what it does.  We were invited to several football parties for the big game last night.  I saw numerous pictures posted on Facebook of people enjoying the LSU/Alabama game with friends.  I love that people get together and enjoy each other's company in the name of football.  While we declined the offers and chose to watch the game at home, we enjoyed it none the less.

We lit the pit for the Saints game today.  The children are ready to cheer them on.  We are somewhat lost on the weekends after football ends.  The crazy thing is...we aren't really fans.  If another offer is available, we will often forgo the game for something else.  We don't change plans for football but we do watch if we are around a TV.  It's not that we don't want the home teams to win but we just don't typically plan our lives around the games.  Yet, we still miss them when the season ends.

I have friends who live for football.  I am beyond happy for them when events like last night happen.  I am ecstatic that UL is doing so well.  I love the energy that this winning season has on our area.  I can only wish that spirit continues if the scores drop.

Nov. 5...Today I am thankful for Saturdays!

I am the only one awake right now.  This is a rare occurrence.  Usually, our mornings are hectic during the week and on Sundays.  We are trying to become presentable in a short amount of time...get dressed, teeth brushed (or not brushed depending on which child you are), shoes on, and hair somewhat presentable.  On Saturdays, we are relaxed and often stay in our PJs for hours after we have woken up.  We can enjoy each other (in a perfect world this would happen) without the stress of hurrying up.

I drink my coffee slower on Saturdays.  I don't yell as much (at least that is what I tell myself).  We take on projects that we normally don't have time for.  For example, today we have big plans to finally carve the almost rotting pumpkins that I bought two weeks ago.  Saturdays are for family and we take advantage of every one of them.  I am thankful for Saturdays and wish they came more often than once a week.

Nov. 4...I am thankful for "do-ers"

St. Katharine Drexel is one of my favorite saints.  She was a "do-er".  She didn't start out this way.  With prayer and action she made a huge impact on the world.  She asked Pope Leo XII to send missionaries and he responded that she should be the missionary.  She took this advice and founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People which serviced her two great loves...devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the deprived people of our country.   She opened many schools throughout the United States including Xavier University in NOLA which was the first university to serve black students.  Her great wealth afforded her the ability to fund these institutions.  However, without her love of God and his people, she may not have followed through.

Yesterday, someone messaged me about the impact my blog has made on her life.  This was so humbling.  While I don't know her very well, I see this person as a "do-er".  She takes on projects and follows them to completion.  We are all called to be productive and she answers this call again and again.  We may not all make the impact of St. Katharine Drexel but today I am thankful for people who "do" in whatever way they can.  I am inspired by the actions of others and the impact these actions make.  I wish that I could take on more challenges...I wish that I could be more of a "do-er".

Nov. 3...Today I am thankful for Jason

I have the best husband ever.  You may doubt me but it is true.  Jason is kind, patient, and most importantly loving.  He rarely raises his voice and never complains.  He can keep his cool in almost any circumstance.

I am often chaotic.  I lose my temper easily.  He grounds me and makes me realize what is really important.  I can count on him which is the best part of our relationship.  I know that he will pick up my slack.

He recently brought five of our children to mass.  Several people who saw him there made comments to me about how great of a father he is.  I realize that not every dad would do this.  I sometimes take him for granted and forget that he is exceptional.

Jason has been away for work recently.  I miss him immensely when he is gone.  Our house doesn't run as smoothly.  We feel his absence in a way that goes beyond just having to take out the trash and cook breakfast.  He is gone now and Genevieve keeps looking for him.  She began crying last week every morning when he leaves.  Sam has been doing this for two years!  I don't take it personally because they would cry if I ever left too (I hope!).

I am so thankful that he is mine.  I see the other choices out there and know that I picked the best.  I hope that all of my friends feel this way about their husbands.  I can't imagine living life without kindness, respect, and most important...love.

Nov. 2...I am thankful for my washer and dryer

I got behind on laundry last week.  It was a bad week for that to happen considering we were fighting a terrible virus.  Actually, that virus was the cause of the pile-up.

I am so thankful today for my large capacity washer and dryer.  I have washed FOURTEEN loads of laundry in two days.  Genevieve went through eleven pairs of pants in one day.  They are now all clean!  We went through six extra sets of sheets (on top of the six that we normally do) and numerous blankets and towels too many to count.  I could not have done all of this with my old set.  I think that I would have just starting throwing things away!

How did our ancestors (many of which had more than the now standard 2.3 children) keep up with their clothes when germs invaded?  Could you see me loading up all those piles and dragging them to the creek?  I celebrate and give thanks for the hard workers at Whirlpool.  Hallelujah and Amen!!!

Give Thanks

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

St. Paul instructed believers to give thanks for everything.  I have been thinking about this verse for several weeks after I heard a discussion about the difficulties of this message on a Catholic radio show.  It is so easy for me to thank God for all of the blessings in my life.  I have so many and I try to be grateful for all of them.  The tricky part is thanking God for the bad in our lives.

Every difficulty in our lives provides an opportunity to grow.  I definitely grow more through struggles than any other time.  I see the need to thank God for these struggles and the evolution that they may bring.  However, I don't always feel grateful even when the outcome is beneficial.  In the past few weeks I have been really looking at the life-altering hardships that I have had including being diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis, raising six children (rewarding but definitely a hardship at times), and the biggest...my dad's death.

Arthritis has taken a lot out of me.  Anticipating a flare-up makes me anxious, coping with a flare-up makes me tired, and having the pain makes me angry.  It has also taught me to take advantage of the many, many pain-free days.  I hate trick-or-treating but I felt good so I took my very excited children last night.  They had fun and I loved seeing them enjoy the experience.  I think that I do more with my children now in case there is a day when I can't.  I started this blog so that later they can read about our life and remember the fun that we had.

Having a large family provides more opportunity for bad things to happen.  When Meredith fractured her skull, we had to adjust our life to accommodate her healing.  During this time, I taught both Meredith and Annelise how to pray.  My relationship (and their's) with God changed.  I began praying more, learning more, and looking to the Saints for guidance in living a holy life.  It was the same when Katherine was born and was so sick.  I learned to depend on God and look to an everlasting life.  Recently, we had a health scare with one of our other children.  We chose to keep it to ourselves until we found the results.  This took almost two months.  I prayed harder than I ever had.  I also knew this time that I could handle the outcome because God's plan always proved to be better than my own.  Luckily, the results were what we hoped for and a crisis had been averted.

The death of my father is still a struggle for me.  I feel his presence and sense his love daily.  I miss his smile.  I wish that my children could know him.  I can thank God  for the other hardships but this one is more difficult.  I know that St. Paul meant "all circumstances" but I am not at the point that I can thank God for taking my Daddy.  I am not mad at Him about it and I am so happy for my dad that he is in heaven.  However, thanking God is still hard.

Last year, I listened to Father Gary give a homily about being thankful.  He suggested keeping a gratitude journal.  I decided to write a Facebook post everyday  about the things that I was thankful for.  I have that print out to remind myself how easy it was to think of 30 things.  I plan to continue that experience this year.  I hope to inspire you to do the same.

Yucks!

The yucks overcame our house last week.  Within hours three children and myself were taken out.  Of course, Jason was not here...doesn't it always seem to happen that way?!?!  I kept thinking about "The Devil Wears Prada" specifically Emily Blunt's line..."I am just one stomach flu from my ideal weight".  How could she have wanted such a thing?  I felt like death.  Vanity would never trump health in my book.

We made it through this incredibly powerful bug.  It lingered for days but we are all better now.  However, my almost organized house is a wreck.  The mail piled up along with the laundry.  The four of us who were sick only consumed Gatorade from the bottle yet dishes filled the sink.  If I ever doubted that I am needed to run this house, I know that indeed I am.  I am getting everything back together this week.

I am also looking forward.  Tomorrow is the first day of November.  The month of thanks.  Last year I posted daily on Facebook the things that I was thankful for.  I plan to write about my blessings each day.  I hope not to bore you but inspire you to offer thanks for the good (and the bad) in your life.

Old Friends

Today is the happiest day of my life.  Well, that might be an exaggeration but it really is a great day!  I was going to order a new pair of jeans.  I found my favorite brand in the cut that I like on sale (really...super sale!).  I pulled out my pre-pregnancy clothes to reference the too small size.  Against better judgement I began trying on this clothes.  Here comes the happy part...most of them fit!  I have reconnected with my old jeans and it feels good.

I have memories with many of these jeans.  Most women have experienced trauma when trying on jeans.  I remember buying each one of them.  I don't remember buying most of the slacks or shirts but boy do I remember the jeans.  I remember  when they became too big when I was really sick and I remember when they became too small because of my pregnancies.  I remember when Sam wrote on my favorite pair with a Sharpie. I remember the skinny jeans ripping at the knee (who has fat knees?!?).  I couldn't believe the feelings that I had today...excitement, nostalgia, and familiarity.  Thank you jeans for making today great!

Pecan Island

When Jason first announced that he wanted a camp, I was thinking that the inter-coastal canal in Orange Beach, AL would be perfect.  He was thinking closer.  He built our camp in the backyard and pulled it to a small lot near the Pecan Island Canal which takes us straight to White Lake.  Phase One, as he calls it, consists of a bathroom/laundry room and a kitchen/living/bed room.  He thought that I would go once or twice and be done with the whole thing.  I discovered quickly that I am more of myself in Pecan Island.  I am calmer and happier there.

We needed more room so he added a large porch and screened it in.  This is Phase Two.  Our porch almost doubled our living area.  Everything was cozy until Genevieve came along.  Luckily Jason loves a project so he started on an addition.  He built "Mommy's Camp" (or Phase Three).  I now have a beautiful bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in, cedar-lined closet.  We got furniture from a friend who was remodeling and bought a studio couch and chair from World Market.  Jason let me decorate with beautiful drapes and tons of pillows.  My new room is fancier than the one at our home!  I love being there.  I can read or pray while the others are fishing and crabbing.  I can work on projects and cook.  I can spend time with my children without being distracted by laundry, dusting, and other to dos.

We have met so many people who have become our dear friends.  We share meals and our fishing bounty.  We also share hot fishing spots and trout lines.  We attend mass at the simple church.  Everyone knows when we are there because we usually have the only children attending.  The regular parishioners overlook Sam's fidgeting and Genevieve's noises.  Jason and one of the men always talk about the weather after mass.  We don't know his name but we miss "Weatherman" when he is not there.  There is a lady who makes the best pepper jelly and garfish patties.  We bring her fresh jalapenos from Jason's garden and mason jars and she fills them up.  The pianist and soloist always close with "Immaculate Mary" or "Amazing Grace" when we are there because they know that my children know every word and will sing with everything they have.

At first I agreed with Jason that I would not like Pecan Island.  I really thought that I would go two or three times a year to be polite.  Now I am the one encouraging the weekend trips.  It is more than the crabs and fish, more than the friends, and more than the fun.  It is the ability to do things that I can't do at home and be the person that I want to be without being bogged down by my every day life.

Works for Me Wednesday (Once again on Thursday!)

About a year ago I was having a lot of trouble with my children wasting food and drinks.  They would leave half-eaten plates of food on the counter or at the table and deny ownership.  I decided to buy new plates, cups, and bowls and assign colors to each child.  These new place settings are small which I like.  We now have much less waste and I know immediately who the dishes are for if they are not put in the sink.  I allow them to have one cup a day and they keep it in a certain place on the counter.  They know to rinse it out and reuse it.  I have less dishes to wash now too.

This was working so well that we now implemented a color system for towels.  Each child has three towels for the week (along with their bathrobe) in their designated color .  I wash these on the weekends.  If they run out before then...they must drip dry (and then figure out how to wipe up the water on the floor!).  I had to take this step because a certain child of mine felt it necessary to use THREE towels after her bath...one for her hair, one for her body, and one to go OVER the bathmat.  

Genevieve's First Word

Genevieve now says "No".  I don't know why I was surprised that this was her first word besides DaDaDaDa and MaMaMa.  I say this word eleven thousands times a day.  "NO, you cannot go outside."  "No, you cannot have a friend over when your room looks like that."  "No, you cannot bite the dog."

I say "no" about forty-seven times more that yes.  I blame this on my children.  They never ask me questions that I would answer yes to.  They are always asking for expensive toys, adventures, or adding stuff to the schedule.  If they would only ask things like:

"Can I clean the bathroom?"
"Can I fold those clothes for you?"
"Do you want some time alone?"
"Can you buy yourself those new outrageously expensive boots instead of buying us food this week?"

I would answer "YES" to these in a heartbeat!  Jason and I had to tell Annelise no today.  It was hard because I knew that she really wanted a yes.  I couldn't say yes because I couldn't add any more activities to our already hectic schedule.  I saw the disappointment in her face and the sadness in her heart.  She didn't handle the decision well and I didn't handle her reaction well.

Don't these children know that I could be a much better parent if they would just ask the right questions and accept the answers?!?!?

Jason Fell Off the Fashion Train

If you ask Jason's sister she will tell you that Jason fell off the fashion train in 1989, the year he graduated from high school.  I tend to agree with her.  I have taken him shopping at Banana Republic on more than one occasion but his "style" still comes through.

He made an early morning trip to Walmart today in search of jeans.  He needed "weekend" jeans whatever that is.  He came back with medium wash carpenter jeans a size too big.  They are horrid.  I can't explain just how bad they are.  After our girls literally picked themselves off of the floor at the mere sight of these jeans, he explained that they are all the rage in Morgan City!

He jokingly tells me often that he dresses the way he does to keep the ladies away.  I told him this morning that he may successfully keep me away if he keeps wearing those jeans.  He is a simple person with simple needs.  I could complain but his lack of fashion leaves a lot of money in the clothes budget for me!!!

I Miss My Mommy

Last night Luke was invited to his first sleepover.  I knew from the start that he wasn't going to stay the night.  I didn't think that it was a good idea.  However, Jason was pushing to let him try.  It was a house that he had been to many times for play dates and a mom that he was extremely comfortable with.

My heart didn't even skip a beat when the phone rang at 11:15 as it usually does with a phone call at that hour.  I knew that my boy needed his mommy.  Jason was putting his shoes on before I got off the phone.  He also knew what that late night ring meant.

Luke feel asleep on the ride home and Jason carried him to bed.  He must not have needed to see me or even talk to me.  He just needed to know that I was near and he was safe.  I think that I secretly needed the same.

Dads are Dads and Moms are Moms

Like most families that I know, Jason and I have clear rolls in our household.  I know what I take care of and the same for him.  I am not talking about the 1950s version of mom jobs and dad jobs but a division of labor that suits us.  Genevieve has been sick all week and often when this happens our rolls get muddled.  Jason had to pick up the children from school while I saw about her.  The children got soft drinks and candy for an afternoon snack.  They waited for me to start on their homework and that was just fine with Jason (not so much with me).  He went grocery shopping for me after the children had been bathed.  Apparently we are eating Little Debbie cakes and chips this weekend and I am now drinking decaf coffee.  The printer ink was forgotten...I guess Annelise will have to WRITE her essay with a pen on paper.  He said not to worry about supper because he would bring something back from town.  We ate Taco Bell at 9:15.

He is rarely sick.  Six years ago he had back surgery and I had to pick up the slack for him.  I was equally as bad at his job as he is at mine.  I forgot to put out the trash and had to call someone to cut the grass.  I often think that I am better at things than he is.  I am better than he is at my jobs but not even close at his.  Instead of fussing this morning when I realized that I would be drinking coffee without the necessary kick, I remembered that we are a team and we do our best.  This is a huge moment in my control-freak life!

Works for Me Wednesday (Thursday)

I forgot that yesterday was Wednesday.  I really wanted to post weekly tips but the day got away from me.  I have a great suggestion from a friend.  She wakes up thirty minutes before her family and drinks her morning coffee in silence.  She uses this time to reflect and to plan her day.  I tried this but my little ones must have thought that I needed company because they both woke up way too early each morning last week.  I am more of a night owl so I have been spending thirty minutes at the end of each day to organize and plan the next one.

Since I was a day late, I'll give a bonus tip.  I print out the spelling words and vocabulary definitions for the year and keep them in my suburban.  The "Imagine It" website is www.imagineitreading.com.  After creating a free account, you can access this information under the "At Home" tab.  We are often waiting in the suburban at dancing, Annelise's bus stop,  or even red lights.  I can quickly review this information.  I also have Annelise's Vocabulary Workshop words and Luke's pre-decodables.  I am a multitask-er but still short on time most evenings.  Getting in a few minutes of study time when we would normally be idle has really helped out.

Praying for Speeders

Every time I see an ambulance or hear a siren, I say a prayer for the drivers of the emergency vehicles, the people that may be hurt or sick, and the families of those people.  It is usually a quick prayer.  I also do this if I see a funeral procession.  I say a quick prayer for the priest(s) of any church that I pass.   I have always done this.  I have passed this habit on to my children.

Today Sam and I saw a policeman who had obviously stopped a speeder on the interstate.  Sam reminded me to say a prayer.  I said, "God, I pray for the policeman and the woman to be safe."  Sam told me that I needed to say a longer prayer and I explained to him that the woman was probably speeding and the policeman was reminding her that she needed to slow down and I just ask God to keep both of them safe today.  He looked irritated with me.  He began to say his own prayer...God, please help the lady to slow down so my mommy can get to Lafayette and help the policeman to stop all of the speeders.  I looked down at my speedometer and realized that I was one of those speeders.  Oops!

I am always late and always in a hurry.  I pass on good habits (praying) and bad ones (driving) too.  One day I will have six drivers.  I hope that they don't remember the time that I ran into Daddy's truck in the driveway (OK, the TIMES that I ran into Daddy's truck in the driveway), the time (TIMES) that I have run red lights and stop signs (always accidentally), or the times that I speed.  I hope that they don't text and drive (or Facebook and drive).  I really just pray that they are at least as good as I am at my best and way better than me at my worst.

Christmas Wishin'

Samuel has been telling me about all of the things that he wants for his birthday and Christmas.  These dates are a week apart.  He wants everything that he sees on television, in magazines, and in his brother's hands.  He has even been making a list for Genevieve.  Apparently, she wants a doll that poops and pees, a new Sing-A-Ma-Jing, and a remote-control train that has 100 feet of tracks (strangely similar to what Sam wants).

Sam has been keeping a running list for about a month...ever since his brother's birthday.  Yesterday, he told me about his biggest wish.  He wants a surfboard with wheels that goes on roads instead of the sea.  I tried to explain that this amazing contraption is called a skateboard.  He wasn't buying it.

Surfboards have caused Annelise confusion too.  When she was Sam's age, she had a bathing suit with a small pocket.  She insisted that it was for a surfboard key.  She didn't have a surfboard and especially not one with a key.  However, that was her favorite bathing suit because of the potential for surfboard key storage.

I think about how life would be different for adults if we still had some of our child-like reasoning.  Would we look at chores as a burden or an adventure?  Would we dare to dream more?  Yesterday, Sam told me that "life is not too much hard".  While his grammer needs work, his message was clear.  Life is fun, exciting, and rewarding but sometimes we adults forget that.

Sorry I've Been Gone

Life sometimes gets in the way of intentions.  I intended to post every day to my blog, complete Operation Clean-Out, and add tons of recipes.  Blogging is difficult in Pecan Island especially without internet and spotty cell service.  Organizing my children's bedroom proved difficult from PI as well.  I did go through some of my favorite recipes and will post those soon.

A sick baby and the St. Michael's Auction has taken up some of my time also.  I am really looking forward to the auction.  There are so many great packages to bid on not to mention grown-up time with some of my favorite people.  I am hoping that my sick baby gets better because Momma needs a night out!

Today, I am getting back to organizin'.  Before I can go through the dreaded toys, I am going through the closets and drawers.  I figure that the winter clothes will make an appearance soon and they will need a home.  I'll be sad to put up bathing suits and sundresses.  I miss the summer so much.

Operation Clean-Out: A week later

Many parts of our house are clean and organized better than they have been in years.  Crowley Christian Care and the Acadia Parish Recycling Center are getting an embarrassing large load of "stuff".  I am going to continue with the process until every nook and cranny are clean.  However, I am taking the weekend off to enjoy some time with my family at our camp.  Thanks for everyone who encouraged me along.  I am glad that I have done the same for you.  Next week I will be tackling the children's rooms...toys, clothes, and more "stuff".

Antiquing with Sam

Sam and I and a friend and her children went to Firefly's, a cute antique shop, in Rayne today.  Sam was amazed by the goodies.  I was nervous that he would touch everything.  He looked at each treasure with awe.  He had never seen so many wonderful things in one place...horse shoes, a glass fishing float, an iron bed, and bird "traps" (cages).  He kept asking for things for his birthday or Christmas.  He loved everything that had character which was pretty much everything.  He talked extensively on the ride home about a wooden pew and a boat (an old bathtub).  He wants that pew so he can sit and think.  He wants that "boat" so he can sail in the gulf and catch dolphins.  His imagination was in overdrive just seeing those old gems.

Sam is a little like those antiques.  He is a little rusty, a little crooked, and a little quirky.  He likes fun and adventure and not rules and such.  He has stories to tell.  He has character too.  I thought about my Sam as he told me about all the things that he saw.  He has trouble sitting still and trouble paying attention.  He likes movement, chaos, and action.  Recently, I was told that Sam was bad...he didn't listen and he couldn't stay quiet.  That hurt my heart because while I know this is true, I know he is sweet, loving, and a thinker.  The world needs all types of people especially his type.  He won't be one to follow the rules or to wait on others.  He will follow his heart and make his own way.  He will ask for explanations and test boundaries.  I celebrate his uniqueness!

Operation Clean-Out Day 7

I am on a roll!  I washed all of our crystal last night while studying with Annelise.  I am ashamed to admit that I don't do this often enough.  There was a lot of dust.  I am not sure why I registered for all of this crystal when we got married.  We never use it.  We have old fashions, double old fashions, water goblets, both red and white wine glasses (I don't really know which is which), and champagne flutes.  Who did I think that we would be in our married life...fancy alcoholics?  Neither of us are or were big drinkers (those who know me from college can keep their comments to themselves thank you very much!).  However, every one of those glasses are clean and put away until 2015 when I take them our for their next scheduled washing!

Today, I went through my book collection.  I have quite a few that I love and would not get rid of but several that I am giving away.  I would like to share some of my favorites with you.  My goal today is to learn how to list them on my blog.  I am now an Amazon Associate and can link to their website.  I want to disclose that I will get a very small portion of any order that is place through a link on my blog including the Amazon search box.  However, my goal of this blog is to entertain, inform, and connect with others.  I appreciate any support that you make through the advertisements but I am keeping my original purpose for this journey.

Works for Me Wednesday

On Wednesdays I plan to share tips that make my life easier.  Many people ask me how do I do "it" with so many children.  I don't think that I do "it" perfectly but I have learned some tricks along the way.    Please feel free to send me your tips too.  I would love to share them and to use them!

A few years ago I was complaining to a friend about keeping track of uniforms.  I would think that we had everything together the night before only to find that I had two skirts for Annelise and none for Meredith in the morning.  This smart mom, told me that she keeps the uniforms for her four school-age boys in the laundry room.  Doing this allows her to see what is clean without going to each closet.  I quickly bought a hanging rack and they have been there ever since.  I love this plan.  My children dress in the laundry room too.  They take off their PJs and put them directly into the hamper.  I wash all of the uniforms for the week together and hang them up directly from the dryer.  I made our morning even easier by turning the dry bar under our stairs into our school closet.  I have a plastic container with three large drawers.  Each girl has one to put their school shoes and after school stuff like leotards, dancing shoes, volleyball gear, etc.  We also have two more smaller plastic containers that we keep the school socks in.  Organizing the school stuff this way has changed our life.  I do still have to remind the girls about our system as shoes still like to hang out on the kitchen floor.  However, we have a plan and that is a start.

Lions, Tigers, Bears...Oh My!

Blessings come in abundance but even Dorothy knew that trials tend to come in threes.  Last night our lion, tiger, and bear were three tests.  Not just any three tests but a three chapter humanities unit test, a science chapter test, and a religion chapter test.  We have been studying for that humanities test for a week.  This morning Annelise put her book and study guides in her backpack and knelt at out prayer table and called on God.  I forget sometimes in the midst of turbulence to call on Him for guidance, wisdom, and strength.  She had done all she could do and turned it over to Him.

Katherine has been reviewing science every night for the past week also.  The material is new and harder for her to grasp.  She typically learns things quickly and this struggle has affected her.  I asked Jason to study with her hoping that he could bring a fresh take on the scientific method.  He must have done a good job because Sam was talking about investigating and inferring this morning.

Meredith always does well on her religion tests.  However, I knew that she needed help studying.  It was not because she didn't know the material but because she needed the time with me.  It seems that every night I spend the most time with the child who has the most homework.  This is usually not her so she gets pushed aside too many days.  I love studying for religion tests with my children because it reminds me to talk about our faith and God's presence in our lives.  I relate the life of Jesus and the other men and women in the bible to our lives.  Even though it was a busy night, I am glad that I had to take time out for her.

School is often overwhelming for this mom of six.  I loath homework.  As a teacher I know its importance but as a mom I hate its presence in our lives.  I would rather be picking flowers or watching the new calves outside.  I would rather be enjoying a meal together and talking about the day instead of Amun-Re, anemometers, or dangling participles.  I would rather do just about anything than homework.

Operation Clean-Out: Back on Track

I fell off of the organizing wagon yesterday...OK, I jumped off of the organizing wagon yesterday.  I woke up with determination this morning.  Sam and I cleaned up the backyard while Genevieve watched.  We moved the "fleet" to the barn.  Our fleet consists of six bikes most of which have half eaten seats (thanks to our dog) and flat tires, several tractors of various sizes and functions, three motorized ride-ons, three wagons, and a "coocher" (scooter).  We played fetch with Coal and watched the new calves playing in the field.  I trashed the dead potted plants and swept the patio.  At the end of our job Sam was sad.  He said that this was the most fun cleaning up he had ever had.  He didn't want to go back inside...so we didn't!

Something is changing in my heart.  Getting our life in order is becoming fun, rewarding, and less of a chore (well except for yesterday).  Some of my children are even getting in the spirit.  Katherine went through the nail polish and threw out the old ones.  She also cleaned up under the stairs which is where we hang backpacks and jackets, store dancing and volleyball stuff, and keep the socks.  Meredith has been making her bed and keeping the upstairs relatively habitable.  Sam and Annelise have been providing tons of messes for the rest of us to clean up (they help in their own special way!) and our orderly Luke is in heaven.  Thanks for all of the encouragement.  I love hearing your successes (even when they are greater than mine).  Genevieve will be going down for a nap and I am spending the next hour cleaning and organizing the bathrooms.

Operation Clean-Out Day 6

I was a total slacker today.  I could blame it on my runny nose.  I could blame it on the beautiful weather.  I could blame is on lack of sleep, the alignment of the stars, the price of rice in China, or the Amanda Knox verdict.  I do not have an excuse. I should have stuck with the plan.  I should have focused my energy.  I should have lied and told you that I cleaned the bathrooms perfectly!  However, I caught up with Facebook, magazines, grocery shopping and cooked supper.  I hope to double up tomorrow and get the bathrooms cleaned AND organized.  Wish me luck!

The Family who Sleeps Together has a Tired Mom and Dad

I never know who will be in my bed come morning.  I can almost guarantee that Jason will not be there and that Genevieve will.  However, I never know who else will show up during the night.  Sunday morning I woke up at 4:00 and was surprised to see Annelise laying were Jason belongs.  I remember watching TV with her late Saturday night and I guess she fell asleep.  Luke was there also.  I don't remember when he showed up.  He usually stands at my bedside and sucks his thumb LOUDLY until I wake up and then asks if he can climb in.  I always say no but he always gets in anyway.  I don't remember if we had this exchange that night.

Typically Jason starts off in the twin size race car bed with the two boys.  I don't know how he can handle sleeping shoved between these two nighttime ninjas especially when his feet hang over the hood.  He claims that it is easier than walking them back to their bed umpteen times during the night.  I try to wake Jason up before I go to sleep and walk him back to our bed but he usually finds his way back to the boys room.  He built this bed with a family friend when he was fourteen for his little brother.  Their nephew used it and so did several other lucky little boys that we know.  We were excited when it made its way back to our house.  The boys love that bed and are proud to show visitors their dad's handiwork.  I just wished that they could love it as much without Jason in it.

Meredith and Katherine sleep upstairs (or on the couch or in a recliner or with Annelise or on the floor in my room).  They have learned to be quiet in their nighttime shuffle.  I woke early one morning not too long ago to find Meredith in the boys bed along with Jason, Luke, and Sam.  She got sick during the night and Jason in his exhausted stupor told her to climb in.  Four people in one twin bed is a bit much if you ask me.  I was just grateful that I was not involved.

Annelise sleeps in a full-size bed along with about twenty pillows.  I often have a hard time finding her in the morning amongst all that fluff.  She is also a nighttime roamer.  I have found myself shaking every lump in her bed only to discover that she is on the couch, in a recliner, in her sisters' room, or on the floor in my room.  The only TV allowed on during weeknights is the one in my room.  She usually sneaks in on Thursday nights to watch Project Runway, her favorite show, and then falls asleep.

I try to remind everyone that they would be more comfortable in their own beds with their own pillows and blankets.  They obviously aren't buying it.  I am not sure if I will miss this nocturnal dance of bed swapping when they are grown.  As of now, I just want to sleep through the night any way possible.

I Want to be a German

While in kindergarten Annelise learned a lot besides her letters and numbers.  She learned on the first day of school that she could not order from the menu at the school "restaurant".  Instead, everyone had to eat off of the buffet and they could not make choices there either!  She learned that nap time was not optional, story time was her favorite, and skorts and a sailor top were what all the cool girls wore.  She also learned about Germans.

Annelise came home one day and through tears explained that she wanted to be a German.  Several of the children in her class were descendants of the German families that settled in Robert's Cove and would be performing traditional dances at the Germanfest.  They would also have costumes that included wreaths made of flowers for their hair (Can you even imagine that she would not be a part of this?!?).  I told her that when she grew up she could marry a German but we couldn't declare our lineage.  It was given and not chosen.  She was devastated.

The Germanfest is this weekend and it always reminds me of Annelise's wish.  My Killmer relatives originated in Germany but they were not one of the families that settled in this area. This time of year I also wish that they were.  Luckily, those sweet Germans allow us all to be a part of their family for a whole weekend of dancing, singing, playing, and best of all eating!

Operation Clean-Out Kid's Edition

My children looked at me like I was nuts when I eagerly told them about our weekend plans of clearing out the drawers in the kitchen.  One went so far as to say to me that I was ruining a perfectly beautiful day and God would be mad.  I told them that we are setting the timer and no one will work longer than thirty minutes.  "If we hustle we can get it done," was my battle cry.  They weren't buying it (not even Luke who lives to organize).

I assigned the drawers and told them that they could start theirs whenever they wanted but it had to be done before 7 p.m. Sunday night.  I knew that the procrastinators would run for the hills and the two that hate to have things on their to do list would jump right in.  Annelise went with the youth group to Alexandria for the day.  Her drawers (the worst) would have to wait until the deadline anyway.

A wonderful thing happened when those drawers started getting clean out.  We became super heroes of the cleaning world.  The procrastinators started cleaning up in other areas of the house just to avoid the drawers. Trust me, I was not complaining.  The organizers got excited about the job ahead.  The first two drawers took two minutes and that was with Sam's help!  Those two drawers are always neat.  They house Ziploc bags and aluminum foil.  We took everything out then let Sam vacuum them.  He was satisfied with his job and decided to watch TV instead of help (Hallelujah).  The rest of drawers took a little more time and we ended up working together to get them done.  We didn't even need Annelise and I am sure she is happy about that.

Now that the kitchen is clean, I feel lighter and more energized.  All that stuff has a way of weighing a person down without them even knowing it.  I am looking forward to completing the rest of the projects.  Next week I am focusing on the bathrooms (Monday-Wednesday), dining and foyer (Thursday), and the living room (Friday).  The week after will be the dreaded toys!

Oh, if anyone is interested in cabinet pulls from 1978 or expired coupons dating back to 2002, let me know.  I can hook you up.

Operation Clean-Out Day 5

I cannot believe that I have stuck with this clean-out.  I am usually such a slacker when it comes to housework.  My children have noticed the difference.  They can see our organized food and are eating it at record rates!  This clean-out may add a few pounds to our bodies.  Oh well, not a high price to pay for order.

I finished the cabinets today: organized under the sink and wiped down the doors.  It took about fifteen minutes. I am stopping for the day.  Genevieve is sick and this momma needs a nap!  I am enlisting the help of my children this weekend.  We will work together to clean out all of the drawers.  We have ten so each will be responsible for two.  Sam is super excited.  He is in charge of the Ziploc and aluminum foil drawers.  I'll let you know how everything goes on Monday.  We are taking Sunday off from this project so that we can enjoy the Germanfest.  Hope to see you there.

Friendship

One of my best friends had a baby yesterday.  He is perfect and wonderful and the cutest one in the nursery I am sure.  He was welcomed to this world by his five siblings and his doting parents.  I called her on the eve of his birth for professional advice and to remind her to send an email.  She is that kind of friend.  I can call on her any time for anything.  We now have twelve children together and rely on each other when necessary.  I have another friend who also has six children and I rely on her just as much.  We talk almost daily about schedules and who is picking up whom.  I see her almost as much as my husband!

I have two other friends that I can call on in moments of uncertainty, insecurity, or just to talk.  One of these I talk to almost every day for at least a few minutes.  She gets me.  She accepts me.  She loves me and I love her.  The other one has a bunch of children just like me.  We talk less frequently because of our hectic lives but we are there for each other.  I treasure our friendship.

I have so many other friends that I  count on for help, advice, or just to laugh.  One called me yesterday to tell me a funny story and to talk about my blog.  As a mother of five boys, her stories could outshine mine hands down.  Many friends have come in and out of my life but few have gone because of conflict.  I lose friends to moves (I would love if most of these would just come back!), changes in lifestyles (it's hard to hang with childless and single friends because we are boring!), and lack of time (why can't we have a three day weekend forever?).

One of my favorite people is a friend from college.  She was in my wedding and I was in hers.  I went with her then boyfriend to look at engagement rings for her.  We studied together, laughed together, and when my dad died, cried together.  I haven't seen her in years because she moved but we talk through Facebook and the occasional phone call.  Facebook has also help me to reconnect with my high school peeps.  One is planning a huge reunion for Rice Festival that would only be possible through social media.

I hope all of my readers share in friendships like mine.  I also hope that you consider me your friend.  I consider you mine.

Momisms

"How many times do I have to tell you?"  I say this about forty times a day in addition to whatever it is that I want done.  I know my children are oblivious to this phrase and so many others.  They learned to tune me out before they learned to walk.  Yet, I still say it along with other equally useless ones.

"If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?"  This one is dangerous.  I know that at least two of mine would.  Actually, those two would probably be the friend that started the whole mess.  I secretly think that the mothers of the world inspired the BASE jumping movement.  I try to limit this momism for fear that it will spark an idea.

"You'll understand when you are older."  I say this one a lot too.  It is a lie.  I use it most often for things that I can't explain and don't understand.  I am oldish and most things that I was not allowed to do as a child still sound enticing.

"Because I said so."  A good one for those other times when you have no explanation and really don't understand the reasoning either.  I try to limit this one because it was my mom's favorite and I cringe when it comes out of my mouth.

"Don't make me stop this suburban."  They know that I won't.  I am always in a rush.  I don't have time to stop the suburban and they know it.  And, what would I do if I stopped the suburban?  Yell?  Spank?  Lecture?  I can yell and lecture while driving...I am a multitasker.  I won't spank because it hurts my arthritic hands too much.    Yet, I say this over and over.

"Look at me when I am talking to you."  I need to know that you are not zoned out.  I  need to know that you get it.  I also need to know that you are not rolling your eyes behind my back because everyone knows that your face could get stuck with those weird expressions.

"Act your age."  This beauty is usually a response to a child who is acting like a child!  What I really mean is, "Act like a grown up who has sense."  That would be too much to ask so I just make it sound like all the kids their age are more responsible, more respectful, more resilient, and more responsive.  Again, I lie!

"Some day you will thank me for this."  I really hope that this one happens.  I know I thank my mom for a lot for her guidance, her patience, and even her rules!

Operation Clean-Out Day 4

I can't wait to cook tonight.  All of our food is neat and organized!  This morning I planned our Monday through Thursday meals for the month of October.  I asked everyone at breakfast for suggestions of their favorite meals. I decided to really simplify things by planning a crock pot meal on Monday, sandwiches and wraps on Tuesday, beef on Wednesday, and chicken on Thursday.  I left the weekends opened.  I am not cooking any new recipes because I want to focus on the organizing.  There will be plenty of time for special cooking in November and December.  This planning took about four minutes.  I can't believe how just a little time organizing is changing my life.  I planned to straighten and purge the pots and pans today.  However, this only took ten minutes so I moved on to the rest of the cabinets.  I spent a little more than thirty minutes on this but not much more.  I left under the sink and cleaning the cabinet doors for tomorrow.  I am motivated to get a few other things done in other parts of the house and I want to go through the outside freezer before the mosquitoes make a comeback.  I am also vacuuming and dusting today because I want to not because I have to!  That has never happened before!!!  Don't feel compelled to join me in the extras.  No one is keeping track!

Operation Clean-Out Day 3

Today I focused on the food cabinets.  I took a mental inventory of the contents while sorting like things together.  This will be important for tomorrow's task.  I have a general system of putting canned goods on two shelves, pasta on another, cake and brownie mixes on yet another, and so on.  I sorted further today...all the green beans, corn, peas, and carrots with each other, brownie mixes then cake mixes, etc.   I only had to throw out four things which had expired.  Two boxes of graham crackers were down to the last few and a box of jello mix.  The other was a half eaten bag of marshmallows which were strangely dry AND oozy.  This task was really easy even though I was sort of dreading it yesterday...I think that making a conscious choice to tackle chores with a better attitude is making a difference.  I have such a sense of accomplishment and I have only worked for an hour and a half over the last three days!

This sense of accomplishment has carried over into other not so fun jobs...laundry to be exact.  I have been staying on top of the clothes.  I know that the laundry room is on my list of to dos so I am trying to make it easier when that time comes.  I must say that yesterday's task was better because Luke did it with me.  I have decided to tweak of few of the jobs that I want to get done so that I can get "help" from my children.  It may take a little longer but that doesn't matter.  And who knows, maybe that timer will motivate them too!

Tomorrow I am going to plan our October supper menu.  I try to do this weekly but while our supplies are fresh in my mind, I doing it for the month.  I usually plan five meals a weak and wing it on the other two nights.  I am planning on scheduling a crock pot meal for Mondays, sandwiches and wraps on Tuesdays (our busy day), beef on Wednesdays, and chicken on Thursdays.  I am not planning for Fridays and the weekends now.  I think that scheduling the meals and sticking to it will give me the strength to go through the toys...remember this task is looming!

I Do What I Have to Do

I just had my children's pictures taken by a very famous New York photographer (well, sort of famous - I know her and so do a lot of people I know!) .  The pictures captured their personality and their smiles.  When the order form for school pictures came in with a choice of three poses and eleven backgrounds, it caused a buzz in our house.  Imagine school pictures and choices!  I reminded the children that Laura did a wonderful job and they would actually like these pictures in twenty years.  I thought that we were all in agreement that we would NOT be purchasing the school pics.

I must have been the only one who understood our agreement.  Both girls were  crying this morning because they really wanted to pick their pose and background and BUY the pictures.  Luke said that he wanted to give his best friend a picture so he could remember him on the weekends.  I caved...I mean the cheapest package was $15 and part of that money went to the school.  I thought that we were good.  However, I noticed during breakfast that Luke's bangs were almost touching his nose (the tip not the bridge). I quickly grabbed some scissors and chopped away.  His hair is his armor.  He hides behind that hair like knights hide behind their shield.  After I was done, he ran to the dining room and cried.  I had taken his security.

I finally got him to settle down with promises of roses and sunshine and maybe a peanut butter cup.  Don't judge me!  I thought that we were good once again.  Unfortunately while brushing her teeth, Katherine remembered that she has three large bug bites on her face that she has scratched incessantly for the past week.  The tears started flowing again.  She no longer wanted school pictures.  Great, easy fix until three minutes later when she decided that she did want the pictures just not the bug bites.  Um, not so easy fix.  Luckily, those sweet people at Lifetouch offer retouching for a mere six bucks.

Looking back, I should have held my ground.  I should have stuck with the plan.  I should have woken up thirty minutes earlier and  had one extra cup of coffee so that I could have dealt with this better.  I know it is the little things that matter so much when you are little.  My reasoning for not buying the pictures was no match for their need to purchase them...I mean you get to pick the pose and the backdrop!

Operation Clean-Out Day 2

Yesterday I learned a little something about our family while cleaning the refrigerator.  We do not eat whole wheat tortillas.  I buy them because I want us to eat them instead of the flour ones but we don't.  I found three packages with only one or two missing in each (obviously I am the only one eating them).  I vow that I will no longer buy these because I really hated throwing them out.  I also found that we regularly leave the last of everything.  There was one squirt of jelly left, one spoonful of mayo, and one sip left of a Gatorade bottle.  There was one lone pickle floating in a jar, one lone bagel that expired last week, and one lone piece of ham at the bottom of the container.  I often preach about wasting.  I guess the person who ate the second to last of these only took what they wanted like I ask.  However, the last was still wasted because I threw them all out.  I am going to make everyone aware of this problem so that I don't have a so much refrigerator real estate taken up by lonely leftovers.

I also discovered that thirty minutes is a really long time.  Really I should know this from my teaching days.  I have taught children how to multiply in thirty minutes.  I have also taught how to tie shoes, how to create a Power Point slide, and how early settlers celebrated the first Thanksgiving in this amount of time.   I am lucky because thirty minutes is also the exact amount of time that Umizoomi will occupy Sam!  I always use time as an excuse for disorganization...not any more.  I sat down yesterday and planned twenty-seven more thirty minute jobs.  I know from teaching that learning something takes practice.  I will be conscious of the progress that I have made and conscious of the effort needed to keep things this way.  Before I go on a big grocery shopping trip, I will quickly scan the refrigerator for expired and lonely food and do a quick wipe down.  Well, at least that is the plan!

Today I have tackled the freezer.  I was actually looking forward to this job all morning while at the Feast of St. Michael picnic in the blazing sun.  Two of my children wanted to come home after the picnic which turned out to be a blessing.  One of these watched the baby while the other one (a natural born organizer) sorted all of the frozen food.  He placed all the like things together and planned where they would go once I finished wiping the inside of the freezer.  Now that everything is sorted by categories I can easily see if we have meat and sides for the week.  While we loaded all the food back in, this smart boy "reminded" me of the beginning sounds of each product and we talked about those letters together.  This chore turned out to be a lesson in phonics and a pretty sweet moment between this mom and her six-year-old!  I guess doing my Martha jobs with a Mary heart is really changing my outlook.  Normally I would have ignored this task or waited until everyone was asleep (OK, I would have ignored it if I must be honest).

I am not tackling the outside freezer today for fear of the mosquitoes!  Shucks, and I was so looking forward to it!!!

Organizing Our Life - Operation Clean-out

Living in a house with seven other people is usually fun, always busy, and somewhat overwhelming.  We have a lot of stuff.  When the temperature starts dropping most people think of fall things like football, Rice Festival, and Halloween.  I think of Christmas, or more precisely Christmas presents.  My thoughts immediately turn to those presents...not buying them but housing them.  We limit the number of presents that each child gets.   Jesus received three gifts and St. Nicholas sends three to each of us as well.  That would be manageable if the gifts would stop there.  Of course, they don't.  Presents from grandparents; Mom and Dad; aunts, uncles, and cousins; and friends also have to find a home.  We appreciate and look forward to every gift but dread where they will go.

I am going to be smart this year and begin "Operation Clean-out" now.  As a bonus, I will be blogging about my success (I am optimistic at this point).  I may bore you but please bear with me.  I am holding myself accountable and writing about it is the motivation I need to get it done.  I am starting with the kitchen only because I am not up for the challenge of the toys just yet.  I will be devoting thirty minutes a day to one specific area.  If you decide to join me, let me know how things are going in your own house.  I give up easily and need the encouragement!  For an added bonus, I will be offering up each task for those who are less fortunate and saying a prayer of thanksgiving for the abundance in our life.  I just began reading a book called "Smart Martha" by Tami Kiser.  She writes about tackling Martha tasks with a Mary attitude.  The story of Martha and Mary can be found in Luke 10:38-42.  I am hoping that I can see these tasks as a blessing and not the burden that they currently feel like.

The task of the day is cleaning the refrigerator.  Luckily, my children clear it out every weekend so this necessary job is somewhat easy.  I checked every expiration date and reorganized the shelves, wiped everything down, and made a grocery list of the things that we need.  I thought about moving on to the freezer but taking on too much is how I get "burned out"!  I am saving that for tomorrow.  I am sure I will find some interesting things in the one outside.  If my children are not picked up from school tomorrow, please send someone to find me - start by looking in that freezer!

Curiosity

Curiosity keeps the world going.  Change comes from asking questions and seeking answers.  Curiosity drove Joseph Lister to study infections after surgery and promote sterile practices of doctors.  Curiosity is what enabled men to walk on the moon and women to dream of equality.  Curiosity is also what gets Samuel Privat in the most trouble.

He doesn't intend to be "bad".  He intends to have fun, discover new things, and follow the music in his own head.  A few weeks ago Sam, Luke, and their two cousins were playing together at their grandparents house.  When the noise level got too loud for the twelfth time, Jason asked them to come downstairs.  He told them if they did not lower their voices and settle down, he would get the belt that their Poppa used to spank his little boys and use it on them.  Jason rarely threatens and has only spanked for the worse offenses.  These boys knew that he meant business.  Well, three of these boys knew that he meant business.  One of them became curious.  (I'll let you guess which one....yep, Sam!)  After a few minutes, Sam stood on the landing and screamed.  He was immediately asked by Jason to come back downstairs.  Jason quickly got "the belt" and met Sam at the bottom of the stairs.  Jason is a patient soul.  Instead of spanking he asked Sam why he screamed again.  Sam looked at Jason with his big brown eyes and said, "Daddy, I really just wanted to see the belt that Poppa used to spank you!".

Tape

Do you know how much scotch tape is in one roll?  I do.  There is enough tape to go around a door nob about 40 times, then zigzag a three year old's room circling around trains, trucks, and other toys about 50 times, and finally there is just enough left to wrap around your baby sister four times.  I learned this today with the help of Sam.  I also learned that a certain nine-month old does not enjoy being "tapeted" up.

I learn a lot from Sam.  He teaches me almost daily that it is always better to have fun than to follow the rules.  Rules like "don't jump on the couch" are silly anyway.  It does not matter that said couch is fairly knew.  It does not matter that you have fallen off and given yourself a black eye already.  It does not matter that you have been warned, threatened, and maybe even spanked because of jumping on the couch.  The potential for fun can trump any rule no matter what!  

I like rules.  I like to make them and usually I like to follow them.  They bring order to the world.  Lately though I have been thinking that maybe this three year old knows more than I do on this subject.  The joy on his face when I caught him with that tape in his hands was pure.  He knows better than to take things from our supply closet.  He knows that Genevieve is not supposed to be in his room.  Maybe I never stated the house rule that we are not allowed to tape up our belongings or our sister but I think he knew better on that one too.  However, I was immediately stopped by that look on his face.  He was willing to suffer the consequences because for those few minutes the benefits were amazing, wonderful, and just plain fun.  I hope I remember this look.  I hope every once in a while I step off the straight and narrow path and just have fun.  I hope you do to.

Noise

The noise level in my house at any given moment is just under the decibels produced during the last two minutes of a tied LSU game.  I think that my children were born slightly deaf.  I can't think of any other explanation for their need to scream.  Sure, they passed the newborn hearing screening.  Something must have happened on the way home from the hospital. Every one of my sweet newborn angels began screaming that first night home and so far none have stopped.  They yell at each other even when they are happy.  They yell at each other when they are sad.  Let's not even bring up when they are mad because it just might surpass those energetic LSU fans.  Because everyone is so loud, the TVs must (and I mean must) be turned up to ear-splitting levels.

In addition to apparent select deafness, my children also have an unbelievable ability to tune out what they do not want to hear.  Three TVs blaring, radios, iPods, and screaming siblings are no match for my phone conversations.  The other day I made a phone call from my closet.  Once I emerged two children asked me if we were really going to the park that day.  Both children had been eating breakfast in the kitchen which is four rooms away.  I am not sure how they can hear about upcoming plans made in whispers while hiding but not my face to face instructions.  My commands (demands) seem to be sucked up by the noise with assurances that I was not heard which is why the task was not completed.

I have tried to find solutions to stop the noise.  We do not watch TV during the week.  By we I mean the children because Jason and I earned the right to zone out using reality TV once everyone is in bed.  We made a family rule that the TV volume level can not go above 24.  The big ones always blame higher levels on the little ones knowing that they can't count.  We constantly remind the loudest of the screamers to quiet down.  I usually wait until I can't take it and yell something like, "We don't yell in this family!".  I already know the absurdity of that statement but a person has to do what a person has to do.  Trust me I am not the first one to use the "do as I say not what I do" tactic.  I bet it didn't work for the others either.

My Broken Heart

My heart is broken today.  The pain is like no other.  I have had my heart broken by boyfriends but when your child does it nothing compares.  My oldest child has sent me into a state of depression, confusion, and downright pain.  She didn't mean to do it.  She wasn't trying to rip my heart out.  However, it happened and I will need time to overcome my sorrow.  This child without asking for my approval or permission decided to take it upon herself and grow up.  I mean grow up in every sense of the word.  Overnight she became responsible, self-reliant, confident, and the worst one - self sufficient.  I know, I know...this is what every mother dreams of but little do we know that this is the worst type of dream.

This child woke up this morning without her father dragging her out of bed.  She had her clothes for the day neatly folded on her desk.  Her phone was charged and in her purse (not under her bed or in the covers or on the vanity or in the refrigerator - the normal places).  She packed the things that she needed for her overnight field trip on Sunday...three days before the event.  Her snacks were packed last night along with her notebook, camera, and three black pens.  I was not involved in any of this packing.  I did not have to remind her, help her, encourage her (i.e. scream at her), or anything that I normally have to do.

I realize that an overnight field trip to study coastal erosion is a huge motivator to get stuff done.  However, this sneaky child has been showing signs of growing up for quite some time.  I just chose to ignore it.  I thought it was a phase when she completed homework without my help.  Everyone starts off the school year focused and determined.  I guess I am happy that she does homework alone but I sort of miss calling out spelling words and reading about the ancient Greeks and plant cells with her.  We still study together before tests but it is because of my insistence.

Last weekend she asked to go to the movie to see The Lion King in 3-D.  I was ecstatic about seeing one of my favorite movies again.  Unfortunately, I was not invited.  She expected to be DROPPED OFF.  I should have seen this coming.  The first movie I saw alone was Back to the Future in 1985.  I was in fifth grade.  She is in seventh grade.  I thought it would be different with us.  I thought that she liked hanging out with me.  I was cool at one time...before children, before wrinkle cream and hair dye became necessary...I was cool.

Just another manic...Tuesday

Tuesdays are my busiest day.  Gymnastics, piano, and dancing take over my afternoon.  My very dear friend told me several years ago that you can do anything with a good attitude.  I have had to use her advice this year.  She is one of those people who does everything with a smile.  I try to channel her energy anytime I am feeling less than happy about a task.  I hope I am not sucking the life out of her because I have been doing a lot of channeling!

To add to our Tuesday madness, I had to take one to a doctor's appointment in Baton Rouge today with the added bonus of the youngest two.  I got there with forty-five seconds to spare before the appointment time.  (This is a huge accomplishment and you may all do a silent cheer for my unexpected punctuality.)  As I checked in I noticed that the receptionist had a perplexed look on her face.  I asked her if something was wrong.  She said that we did not have an appointment today but in two weeks.  Because this is Our Lady of Lake and people there are strangely accommodating and unbelievably nice, she said that they could work us in but it would be about thirty minutes.  I have waited for two hours for an appointment with other doctors so I was cool.  The appointment went fine.  The part that I still can't believe is that they apologized to ME, the person who showed up two weeks early, for having to wait!  Once again, it's all in the attitude.  Only this time that good attitude came from an outside source.

I'll carry the receptionist's energy with me today.  However, I can honestly say that I no longer dread the afternoon activities.  I got smart about the whole thing.  The five children who are with me tell me about the day's events on the thirty-five minute drive to Lafayette.  They love this time because I am not always a captive audience at home.  While the three middle ones are in gymnastics, I do homework or just hang out with the second one.  (Notice I am not naming names...I have been forbidden!)  Then we drive to Broussard for piano lessons.  This is the worst part because at 5:30 in Lafayette traffic a person could almost loose their religion.  The rest of us have been playing outside or eating a picnic supper during number two's piano lesson. Luckily, number one rides home with a friend and then rides to dancing with her so that is not on my plate until the 8:00 pick-up.  The best, best, best part of Tuesday is the ride home.  We say the rosary while watching the sun set.  Number two and three each proudly take a decade.  Even number four, my rambunctious Sam, joins in.  Life gets in the way so often and the family rosary gets postponed too many times.  But on this day during this crazy schedule, all is right with the world.

Cheerios

Cheerios are the single greatest invention and I dare any mother to deny it.  I can buy myself at least five minutes with a handful of those little circles.  I have even thrown them on the floor in a time of great need just so the crawlers in my life could search them out giving me at least a minute more.  I once saw this mother of six on TV.  She threw Cheerios on the playroom floor and her babies would eat while she brushed her teeth and her hair.  She was an overachiever and had her children all at one time or maybe she was just lazy and only wanted to do it once.  However, I learned a lot from that smart mom in that one hour show.

Figuring out the problems is what mothering is all about.  Luckily, General Mills has helped us all.  They guarantee that they use whole grains and say so right on the box.  I wonder how many other cereal companies say that they use whole grains but trick us because they don't guarantee it.  I mean I am not only looking out for myself but contributing to the health of my children.  The box also says that this cereal may reduce the risk of heart disease.  Everyone wants that right?  Even more enticing is this bit of information - "Among pediatricians with children, more than 9 out of 10 serve Cheerios as a finger food to their own toddlers."  I am not sure how more than nine but not 10 have made this decision but whatever...  I will continue to serve these to Genevieve as long as she squeals every time she sees the yellow box.

Milk Day

Today is "milk day".  For the last ten years, the milk person has delivered our milk, bread, eggs, orange juice, ham, and various other dairy products.  We had to stop saying milkman because our current delivery person is a woman - we are very PC!  This is my biggest luxury in life.  It all started when I discovered that taking two small children to the grocery store was pure torture and they didn't like it either.  I quickly learned that eggs and toddlers can't be in the cart together.  I followed the truck one day and told the driver my address and they have been coming ever since.  Well almost...Borden's announced at the end of last year that they would no longer offer a delivery service, I cried actual tears.  Luckily, one of the supervisors decided to open Dairyman, Inc. and continue the deliveries.

In the earlier years I could not manage two children in the grocery store by myself.  I would sweat and my eye would twitch.  Now I take six children everywhere.  I laugh at the way I was and applaud who I have become (well only on this one topic!).  I keep telling my children how patient I am now and they almost believe me.  I think back often to our life before our six pack.  We ate in restaurants four times a week but almost never went bowling.  We watched newly released movies in the theater but almost never played with Legos.  We could go as we pleased but we almost never went to the Jump Zone, Mr. Gatti's, or any other "fun" place.  I had manicured nails, matching shoes, and a clean car.  Now I have hang nails, matching shoes (some things are too important to give up), and a suburban with an unidentifiable smell and a dented lift gate.  I learned in those early days to improvise and find solutions.  The milkman solved my grocery drama and I am forever grateful!