I wonder who is taking the bows off all the presents?

Seven Pancakes

The oldest turns seven today.

I made her a stack of pancakes with a candle for breakfast. Note the fine china.

I was hoping to make up for the fact that I tried to make a cake in the shape of an ice skate yesterday, but I failed miserably. Then as I was trying to photograph the miserable failure I dropped the cake on the floor.

Super mom I am not.

I told you how we have been butting heads lately. Well, after the cake fiasco she wrote a note to all her friends saying that the party was canceled because mom dropped the cake and she was not good.

I need to break out something a little stronger than the O'Douls.

Trying to be on her best behavior this morning she said to me, "Mom it's okay that you didn't get me what I wanted, a puppy, because Addison follows me around like one."

Good Heavens, someone help me.

I tried to download photos of the stack of pancakes but my computer refuses to recognize my cameras sd card.***it's amazing how much you ca fix by kicking your hard drive...

I should have asked Santa for a laptop.

I'm dreaming of a...

except I'm not dreaming. We ARE going to have a white Christmas, LOTS of white.

I tried to snap a few photos, but it's really hard with a baby in your arms and through a patio door because it's WAY too cold to open it...

I did actually get a break this morning. Little Nora fell asleep in my arms without nursing and let me lay her down :) I should have gotten out a good book (the Bible) or played with my kids or baked some cookies while she was asleep. Instead I scraped the hard water crud off the inside of the dishwasher. I am such a dork. But my glasses will be shining now...actually I only use plastic cups, but a girl can dream.

My husband is snowed in at work (yeah for unexpected overtime!). I told him to take a bag of clothes and necessities last night when he left, but he didn't. He said most of the out of towners who were supposed to work the day shift didn't make it in this morning. He said he'd sleep a few hours at a co-workers place and come back to work tonight so no one cursed him out for putting himself at risk and going home only to not be able to get back in for his next shift. He also said he'd get himself a Christmas present from Walmart...some new tighty whities. I said, "I told you so."

The kids have been playing "Christmas" all morning. They have been shopping for presents and wrapping them and putting up a tree. They saw a bunch of fake Santas and then decided to go to the North Pole and see the real one and then they encountered a snow monster and decided to be one and then they attacked the other snow monster with whiffle ball bats until somebody got hurt and everyone got yelled at and then I made them quit playing and watch a movie. It was only 9:30 am. I love snow days.

Nora is awake, gotta go now.

stop the madness

Both of my Christmas presents are being used...make that all three. I am wearing the slippers I ordered from Walmart site to store (everything is at least a dollar cheaper if you order it that way, why is it?), the outdoor firepit has been assembled for almost a month, we've roasted a bag of mallows already, and my 'new' rug is in the living room covering the embarrassing stained carpet that just refuses to look new anymore.

Yesterday we had Nora's 2 month appointment. She is 9 pounds 5 oz. She is 22inches long and really strong. She got 3 shots and an oral vaccine. While I was in the clinic, dad and Gavin went shopping for a few needed things and lots of uneeded items. I returned to a car full of hockey sticks, pucks, baseball helmets, a computer chair mat thingy and some groceries.

Maleah turns seven on Monday. We plan to take a few of her friends to the ice rink, but it is threatening to be cold, so we may be watching a movie at home instead. I can't believe that 7 years ago we were about to have our first baby. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around that. I took her to Christmas Eve service the day we came home from the hospital. It was so wonderful.

People ask me how Addison does with the new baby but I think Maleah is the one that is suffering the most. She went from being the one and only girl to being one of three. Lately we have been butting heads, she has strong opinions and voices them. I see that she picks up on some of my worst personality traits and I don't like it one bit. It is so obvious that I should have made her first seven years different than I did. I am paying for that now. We have been talking a lot about making good decisions and doing the right things instead of throwing a fit and screaming and yelling and sometimes lashing out at our brother...it is really time consuming and I don't like this part of parenting at all.

Last night we had Gavin's Christmas party. He looked like the super sized preschooler, a whole head taller than most, several heads taller than some kids. He was so excited to see friends and family there. I forget sometimes that he is just five. He had to be a big brother and grow up a lot.


Of course an hour before we left for the program Addi fell spot on into the piano leg, it swelled up into a small pumpkin on her forehead. It is a bit worse than the other side when she fell onto the concrete this morning. Sigh. I wish I could hold my kids safe in my arms from everything forever, but I can't.

look what I made

you can, too... go HERE

Who Started This Christmas Stuff?

A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children.
After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and
everything else imaginable; and after hours of hearing both
her children asking for everything they saw on those many
shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two
kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday
season time of the year - overwhelming pressure to go to
every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food
and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single
person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget
anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we
respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a
crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and
dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff.
When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and
she stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing
should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet, calm
voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified
Him."

For the rest of the trip down in the elevator, it was so
quiet you could have heard a pin drop. This year, don't
forget to keep "the One who started this whole
Christmas thing" in your every thought, deed, purchase
and words. If we all did it, just think of how different
this whole world would be.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

*got this email reminder this morning, I didn't write it, but I appreciate whoever did...

Merry, Happy, Seasons, Christmas, Holiday, Greetings

‘Twas a few weeks before Christmas and in our shrinking home everything was noisy, even the phone. Amid the chaos I sat, here, in my chair with the newest member of our family, Nora, and her head of dark hair. We were once again blessed on that 15th of October. When she arrived there were lots of arms waiting to hug and hold her.
If you follow the trail of crumbs and toys from one room to another and listen for noise, you are sure to find little big sister Addison who (in that increasingly popular month of October) this year turned one. Addi loves to hold Nora and lick the poor baby’s head with her tongue. Adorable Addi is active and keeps up all busy with her dancing and running and spinning until she’s dizzy. She LOVES to be outside or in her daddy’s arms.Her next favorite spot is the high chair where she sounds the alarm.
Gavin, our one and only son (who turned five in that same scary month) is now completely outnumbered by 3:1. Recently he lost his first tooth. He’s been saying for months he’s a big boy and now he’s got proof! He can’t wait for kindergarten and is forever asking how long and when will it finally be happening. Walking the fields with dad and Shiloh (our dog) hunting for pheasants keeps him occupied. He’s learning to spell words and keep his shoes tied. He LOVES playing computer games and play station, too. When he plays baseball his true colors shine through.
Our oldest, Maleah, this year turns seven. She LOVES first grade, writing and the number 11(really!). She plays house with her sister and school with her brother. More often she can be found helping her mother. She enjoys a big family and lots of friends and yet keeps fervently begging her parents for a pet. She can regularly be found in her room reading a book and we’ve noticed her forming opinions about her own style and look!
The hospital gives dad plenty of work through the year. He often flies with the transport team if the weather is clear. This spring we were able to fly to Hawaii. It was lovely on that island of Kauai. We visited my brother Lucas and saw a monk seal. It is difficult now to believe it was real. We witnessed some amazing pieces of God’s beautiful earth. Yet, nothing compares to the Son of God’s birth.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
May it be filled with love.

Where oh where has the first half of December gone?

cleaning up

This morning I couldn't carry a load of warm laundry and the baby separately up the steps so I snuggled her in the laundry basket and after I got upstairs Gavin screamed,

"MOM, you washed the baby?"

I couldn't stop thinking about it all through church. I think Pastor thought I was laughing at his sermon.

This is the day

cold toast and cold coffee...

This is the day

poopy diapers and dirty laundry...

that the Lord has made

freezing temperatures and frozen doors

that the Lord has made

hungry bellies and crabby babies

Let us rejoice

the first smile and giggle from baby Nora

Let us rejoice

getting the big kids off to school on time for once

and be glad in it

sun is shining and the car starts

and be glad in it

rocking my babies in a nice warm house

Take three hundred and sixy two...

I tried, unsuccessfully, to snap an informal photo for Christmas cards.

I may be biased, but I think I have really cute kids. They just aren't very good at all being cute at the same time. Eyes closed, eyes open, one smiles, one is crying, all are crying, my hat itches, I am hungry, why do I have to, what are we doing, can I have a fruit snack...this is nuts. I know why people pay photographers for this sort of thing, only I am not sure I could emotionally handle a photo shoot right now. I think I will just send a link to my blog and say if you want to see the kids look here. Merry Christmas.

My sister was home this weekend. It was super great and wonderful. I miss her so much. She held the baby and put her to sleep and I actually folded laundry. We visited all day together. I felt so blessed. My bathroom even got cleaned, but that is another story.

I wanted to go to Crooks to visit the Christmas house that helps the Make a Wish foundation. I had really good intentions. But, we had a full family meltdown at suppertime and it just wasn't going to happen, maybe another night?

great grandkids

cousins

Lester and the girls

Making apple turkeys at Grandma Bonnie's.
Baby Nora makes an even dozen grandkids (I have two brothers and one sister) with the oldest being 10 years.

Splish Splash

Guess who decided it was time for her bath?

Other appropriate titles considered for this post include;

• How to make your older brother really mad.

• How to scare the dickens out of your mom and your dad.

• How to make your mom and dad look pretty darn stupid.

Weekend Photos

Every morning Nora wakes up with both legs in one leg spot. One night she wore one of those baby bags and woke up with the zipper in the back. She isn't really that small, I think she just misses being a ball.
Maleah must have pulled Addi up the hill 100 times. I guess I would love being outside if all I had to do was sit in a sled,too.
A quick mommy forced shot that didn't turn out too bad.
Snow bunnies!
Addi is in her usual spot, she loves to eat!
Eyes wide open, I don't think they are gonna be blue.
She does this all the time, now. It cracks me up. Don't look at my messy floor :) Ahem, I think she got my junk!

Why we had Chinese for afterschool snack...

That would make a good book title, don't you think? This post is for Karen, you better get your blankie ready...you are gonna need a whole night's sleep after this one...as if!

This is a true story, no one's names have been changed and I even left out my typical exaggeration because, believe it or not, I couldn't even make this stuff up.

I woke up this morning with good intentions. I hummed my morning song, learned years ago in church camp from Pastor Krueger and his lovely guitar...
"Good morning God,
Good morning God,
and not good god it's morning.
Good morning God,
Good morning God
Dear God it's a beautiful day, "

That is one moment in history I would return to in a second. Church camp rocked!
Anyway...

I went through the motions of morning like I usually do. Make the coffee, get out the cereal bowls, unload the dishwasher, change a diaper or two, lay out clothing and toothbrushes. Then I heard a sizzling sound...I forgot to put the carafe in the coffee maker! Hot coffee all over the counter top and dripping to the floor.

So, I get things cleaned up and sit down in THE CHAIR. That would be the nursing spot. Soon I hear a splash and a ting. Someone spilled their cereal. A very tiny voice floats from the kitchen, "I'll clean it up mommy, don't worry."

Get the first-grader out the door and switch nursing sides to see a visitor at the door. An uncle looking for dad's help. Dad is sleeping 'till noon, I say and decide that while I am up and the baby is screaming anyway I should make supper. So I cube a round steak and throw some of my garden canned 'maters and carrots and potatoes in for a stew. Baby is still screaming so we take a nursing break. Before long it's 11 am and I have to shower. Got to get to town for a !@#$ haircut that I scheduled BEFORE dad picked up the night shift. So I pump, wake up daddy, jump in the shower, put clean clothes on and head out the door with wet hair for the second time this week, hey at least people know I am clean!

Get to town, get the hair cut and come out to a FLAT TIRE! I am not kidding. Just another typical day in mommyville. So I drive real slow like across the street to HyVee gas. I pull up to the free air box and get my cold, no jacket or gloves, body out to get the hose. I undo the cap and push the thingy on the other thingy and hear a faint wheeze. Nothing happens. My new do is blowing in my face as I contemplate that the tire actually looks flatter now than before. I notice the attendant boy looking through the window at me, oh what I would give to be 9 months prego again. I get back in the car, speed dial the hubby and ask him what to do.

"Did you turn the compressor on?" WHAT? You have to do more than unscrew the lid and put the thingy on the thingy? HUH? Curse, curse, cursity, curse, curse... CURSE. I scan the car and find some huge black gloves. I put them on and venture out again in my damp clothes with my damp hair blowing in my face and no it doesn't feel like a Pantene commercial. I look at the FREE AIR box.

Down at the bottom right hand corner it has a round button and this word,

START.

Curse, curse, cursity, curse, curse... CURSE.

I fill the tire with air. I am starving and head to the Chinese counter for lunch. My kids love Chinese food, it is such a treat for us. I buy the family meal with an extra side of fried rice that costs me more than a whole box of brown rice. I cringe.

About an hour later...

We are sitting at the table at mowing down on Chinese food when my first-grader comes in and shouts, "RICE! Mom, you make the best after school snacks."

That beef stew will be even better tomorrow night for supper, don't you think?

Monday musings...

We received some adorable baby gifts this weekend. I wish I was a newborn, I would look crazy good in pink and chocolate brown polka dots, I just know it ;) The new Carters line is all so cute and all the other brands are following suit, I think.

I have been kicking myself all morning (sorry to cry on your shoulder, Carey) for missing out on a great deal on a Britax carseat at Target.com. This time of the year there are SO many online deals you would have to be on indefinitely to see all of them. Anywho, I found out the deal was a misprint anyway so I didn't really miss out on anything. A whole lot of stress for nothing, what else is new.

It is frigid here. Addi LOVES to be outside. She would sit in that stroller all day if I let her. Her nose gets so red I think it may fall off, but she doesn't complain at all. I think she will be a daddy's girl...always out and about. I have told more than one person this week already that she is the glue that keeps this family together. Nothing helps make things better like a good laugh and she lives (and loves) to crack us all up. We adore her and totally make fun of her. Just tonight she stepped in a box of kleenex and couldn't get free. Here is a video sample of her antics from yesterday...


Nora is getting better at sleeping in chunks of time instead of only an hour or so. Last night I think she may have slept 3 hours. I can't really remember, I was too tired to look at the alarm clock. It felt like a longer amount of time between feedings.

Gavin is out hunting with dad. The meatloaf is in the crockpot and the cheesy potatoes in the oven. Maleah has a reading rally tonight and I may actually be able to attend if the baby allows it. Wish me luck, will ya?

ps - actually got the thank yous written this weekend now we will see if they ever get sent

clean and bright

just so you know

When I was cleaning the computer desk/hutch out today I found my list of who to send thank yous for Addison's baby gifts and baptism cards. So, I think there is probably no hope of me ever getting anything done this time, as I have yet to even make a list. Nora gets baptized tomorrow in a private service at the church because Daddy works weekends. I will forever be behind.

Just so you know...

dancin and singin and movin to the music

The other night Maleah put her headphones on Addi. She immediately began walking around and dancing. I think she walked a mile that night. My amateur videographer skills will require you to turn your monitor on its side to view most of this amazing feat. But, I think it's worth it...if you can get past my laughing, and my messy house and Maleah having to follow her around the whole time...maybe it's not worth it. Why don't you just tilt your head slightly to the left, a little more...perfect, now push the play button;)

The only photos I have of little baby Nora ALONE are of her lying in her bed. Otherwise she is always in somebody's arms and that someone (any one of the other kids) is usually hamming it up for the camera, too. So here she is all on her own...wondering what in the world all that noise is outside those four tiny walls of her bassinet?

It's cold outside...

The snow is here!

Communication is the key to a positive family environment. That's why when I found this on my camera I was shocked...


First that he knew how to record a video (he may have recruited a partner) and second that he didn't tell me in person.
Two days later he showed me this...so together, we recorded this.



I think he did a better job on his own ;)