The hills are alive with the sound of...

fun at Grammy and Grampy's house!  The birds are chirping.  The tiller tilling.  The piano playing. The children giggling.  The adults chatting.  The fire crackling.  It is beautiful!
We're off on an adventure!  Tata for now!

We're packing for a trip!

For the long awaited trip to the great north!  We are hoping it is not as hot and humid up there as it has been down here!

"Because...if just one more soul..."

"So preacher, keep preachin', and singers, go sing;  And laymen, keep sharing that Jesus is King;  The angels have gathered, they're surrounding the throne, And they'll start rejoicing for just one more soul!  'Cause if just one more soul...were to walk down the aisle, It would be worth every struggle, it would be worth every mile;  A lifetime of labor is still worth it all,  If it rescues just one more soul!"

Last night, Teddy talked with his Daddy before bedtime.  "I think I want to get saved tonight." Ted was able to share the Gospel with him.  Teddy knelt and asked Jesus Christ to be his Savior.  He knows that his name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and he has a home in Heaven.

What a wonderful blessing it has been for us to see each of our children admit, believe, and confess!  

John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 

How much greater our responsibility as parents...we have the truth!

We know the truth! 

Will we teach the truth in word and deed to our children? 

Salvation doesn't just give us a home in Heaven.  Salvation gives us a new life...a new walk...a new talk!  Salvation gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us, to teach us, and to comfort us.

 

  

Yep, I'm proud of them! Glad they are in the backyard! But really proud...

that they were playing so nicely together and using their imaginations!  They were able to fit in sprinkler fun before the thunderstorms rolled in this afternoon.

"Can't you get an electric dishwasher?"

"No...we have three great dish washers and driers!" said Dad

"I will be the put-er-away-er.  Ashlynn, you are the drier tonight and Alisa is the washer."

They made fast work of the supper dishes!  And no fighting!

What happened to easing into summer?

BAM! Tropical weather!  The plants are loving it!  The people at our house...not so much.  The kids do well as long as there is water and a stash of freezer pops.  The adults do well as long as there is ac.  We have set it high, but there is a drastic difference due to the humidity being out of the the inside air!  Hooray for summer.  I am still working on being excited about the hot and humid part of it.

"You should have seen her!" he told me

Ted and Ashlynn went grocery shopping for our family on Friday.  Ted basically drove and paid.  Ashlynn took the list and got busy.  "You should have seen her, Kari!  She is getting so big.  You don't realize how much those girls are learning from you every day.  When we got to the eggs, I had some fun with her.  She opened the eggs and looked at them.  I asked her why she was doing that...to count and make sure there were 12 of them?  She looked at me and said, 'I need to make sure there aren't any cracked eggs.'  Ashlynn is also going to fix supper tonight.  We picked something out special."

I watched Ted and Ashlynn bring the groceries into the house.  Ashlynn put all the groceries away.  I stood and teared up as Ted told me about their little trip.  As I stood back and watched Ashlynn, I ended up in a full blown cry.  I saw the little, brown-haired girl with a fountain ponytail on the top of her head...all grown up to a big girl who is a wonderful help.  When I stand back and watch our children or hear of their activities, I understand how important our job is at home!  

We teach them with and without words every day.

It is easy to tell them to do certain things...but am I doing the exact things that I expect them to do?  I was reminded of a quote that I used in my classroom years ago.  Now that we are parents...it has taken on more meaning!

"Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks!" 

What are we teaching our children by our actions?

On Friday, Ashlynn was checking the eggs for cracks because that is what I do...

because I learned that from my mother...

who learned that from her mother...

If our children are learning these simple actions from me?  How careful am I to teach things that are of more importance and eternal value?

How do you spell lazy?

ME!

This is the first of a new week with no deadlines or projects to do.  Every bone in my body has comprehended that information and I have crashed.  I slept longer than I intended.  My daughter made toast for me and brought it to me as I sit here in the recliner.  A hot cup of coffee in my hand...and cartoons on the the tv.  There are odd articles of clothing on the floor, shoes, blankets and pillows off the couch, a sink full of dishes...and I don't care right now!  Summer is upon us...with a vengence, I might add.  80-90 degrees and humid this week.  The grass and flowers like the jungle-like climate!
Eventually, I will get out of this recliner...but I am going to be lazy for awhile.  Sundays really aren't a day of rest for us anymore.  So this Monday...I am going to have a restful day...and be lazy...because I can!
And I will not feel guilty when my husband calls to tell me that they are headed home with a truck load of wood already.  The guys left early this morning to help Papa get wood, as he replenishes the winter supply.  They are hot, ready for a shower, and a nap.  It is only 9:25a.m.!
Oh well...it sounds good to me!

When she comes at you giggling...

and her lips are bright red...expect that she has a plan!

It is a good thing that Daddy likes kisses!  He let her even it out!  It was a memory I wanted to keep...however, they both noticed..."Not the camera...again!"

Someday...they will thank me!  It is these every day moments that I want to keep in my heart and cherish.  These children are growing so quickly...and we know that each day we have with them is a gift!  As memories fade and other memories fill in...I will have the pictures and the blog that will tell the story of us!

Proof that everything is better after a good night's sleep...or...Look, Dad, I didn't smash it!

The cakes were baked.  The frosting being made.  And then the brick wall! 

I can do girly stuff in my sleep...it comes naturally. 

Decorating cakes for men...doesn't come as easy for me.  The typical graduation items don't fit this young man...roses and such. 

I struck out with the navy blue I was trying to mix...no more blue coloring paste to try again...gotta make it work!  How am I going to decorate this...in time for Saturday?  I am seriously questioning my ability to draw anything at this point.  Teddy suggested a firetruck.  Ted offered cleaning up his "real live tools". 

I was ready to plunk...ok, smash a hammer in the middle and call it done.  So I went to bed!

Sometimes...you must walk away from a project, sleep on it, and try again.  This morning...it came together!  Ted even cooked breakfast out on the grill to keep things away from the cakes.  He is a wonderful husband!  It must be shouted from the rooftop...there is no way I can handle things without his help!  He had the kids helping with many things to take the pressure off me...because I was having issues of gigantic proportion. 

You can see the rough texture...proof that I was having issues!  The more I smoothed...the worse it got.  Now that I look at it...I should have made the background look like boards...rough would have fit!  Duh! 

I know the cake tastes good and so does the frosting.  I didn't spell the words wrong.  The tools are basically recognizable.  I did what the orderers asked...we will see if they like them...this afternoon! 

Too late now...ha ha ha!

My last class, of students that I taught before Ashlynn was born, graduates this year!  My how time flies!

Medical issue or sight-seeing need?

You have come to the right place this weekend!  The doctors have you covered...all hours of the day!  They will set broken bones and give shots.  Although their bedside manner looks good here...you may want to stand at the door and listen for a few minutes to decide how sick you really are.  "Be tough...it doesn't hurt that bad!  Whoops...I need to give you another shot, I missed."

May we suggest a sight-seeing trip....to Australia?!

Got the call regarding the MRI results...

and everything is ok for now.  Alisa needs more time to heal.  There is quite abit of inflammation which made it very hard for them to get a clear picture at this time.  There seems to be some residual cyst in the sacrum, but it is far away from any nerves.  "I want to watch this, and right now we just can't get a clear picture."  Dr. Albright has ordered another scan in six months.  "You have to remember that we did alot of scraping during the second surgery.   This is normal inflammation after surgery.  She has a terribly difficult thing and we will need to keep our eye on it.  I don't expect that she would have any trouble, but if something comes up, call."
He then told me that he is moving to Kenya for three or four years!  He told me about the neurosurgeon who will be taking his patients and that he will continue to be in contact with her.  He moves August 31.  I thanked him for what he did for our Alisa and told him we would pray for him as he moves.  I felt a little overwhelmed by all the news...but grateful...once again for God's timing.  He knew we needed a man like Dr. Albright!  We have confidence in the team that is in place at AFCH...because of God's direction and Dr. Albright's leadership in Alisa's case.

He is on the ship...

headed out sometime this weekend!  Uncle James' deployment has begun.  We are praying for his safety as he serves our country in whatever manner he is called to do. 

"Would you like to redo the floor or go play?"

That was the question posed to his son, after Dad inspected the floor and found it not done properly.  By the way, it takes longer than five minutes to sweep the floor and shake the rugs.  If you take an insufficient amount of time to complete a task, your quality of work may be called into question!
"Son, why didn't you sweep the floor correctly?" he asked.  "Dad, I just wanted to go play!" the son answered. "Tell me, what would you like to do...redo the floor or go play...it's ok to tell me...what do you want to do?" said Dad.  Teddy looked up and said, "Go play!" with a hopeful twinkle in his eye.  "Yep, I would like to do that too if I were you!  Now...what do you think you should do?" countered Dad.  "Go redo the floor." the son said defeatedly.
Our children are learning...when Dad asks a question...he already knows the answer...or knows what the answer should be!  The choice they have...comes in the answer they choose to give.  However, that answer may be followed by another question!

Ohhh...the noise they make!

Happy Friday! 

I hope your day is filled with the noises that all mothers love...yet seek to quiet...with food and entertainment!  Our children's voices are filling the house this morning and the little birds outside are adding the background music while they wait for their breakfast.

I also hope your day is filled with lots of laughter!  Ted is working diligently on a project scanning paperwork to eliminate files and boxes of needed information.  He just stated this goal, "To make our home paper free..."  and I am laughing heartily!  "You better scan our children...the girls in particular..."  They love paper...and all the uses for it! 

The coach-less game

Drving back from Madison, I wasn't sure if there would be a game!  But there was no lightning or thunder...just a nice cool, gentle, soaking rain that started as the game started.  We were thankful for the early game!!!

No one knew where our coach was...or why she wasn't there.

It was a good thing two of the Dads showed up...they ended up coaching our purple players.  They lost with 2 goals...but made the yellow players fight for their 3 goals.  Once again...this team knows what they are doing.  By the fourth quarter, the grass was wet, the ball slippery, and the guys cold.

The loyal purple fans!

Update at 10:00 pm

We made a trip up to Madison and back today.   I will say it was a difficult day for Alisa...which later hit Mom.  The fear came rolling out in the form of tears...actually, sobs...as we walked into our outpatient room this morning.  I thought I had done well to inform her that we had plans after our pictures (MRI)...lunch, thrifting, soccer game, and etc.  But when you have gone up to the hospital for an appointment two times prior...and ended up being admitted...for surgery both times...fear of the same will be present!
When the tears flowed...all preparations came to a huge slow down.  The nurses and child-life friend (We saw our friend Kris again who found a pretty lime green blanket for her little patient.) took time to talk with Alisa and help make her comfortable.  They allowed her to make all of the decisions regarding her care.  She decided she wanted to try and hold still and be awake for the MRI.  (Which she did to the amazement of the technician...Thank you, Laurie, for another beanie baby and compliment for our good girl!)  Alisa picked out many different things as we moved through our appointment...and it helped.  God is good to send Moms helpers in different situations of life.  Today...once again...our nurses and child-life team were that help. 
I love the fact that Alisa loves to hold my hand and cuddle up.  We shared the rocking chair and a time of prayer before any action was taken.  It was the best I could do for her...hug and pray!!!  I didn't know what to expect, when, how long...I really wasn't a great help to her in that sense.  Our friend, Kris, told her to just "take one thing at a time".  She remembered how things turned out last time.  But...I did know that we weren't staying...I hadn't brought a toothbrush or clean underwear for us!!!  And we had plans.
All the waiting...and we still have to wait...till late tomorrow sometime...for the MRI results. 
We met with Dr. Albright.  He is very pleased with the look of her incision (scar), her reflexes and strength in feet/legs, and the fact that she has no pain.  He will look at the MRI himself.  The radiologist will read them.  They will talk.  Dr. Albright will then call us.  He wants to be very thorough in reading the scans and I appreciate that...truly, I do.  As soon as I know anything...I will update the blog!  Thank you for your continued prayer support.  I didn't realize how draining today would be...for Alisa especially!  I knew that I have been holding my breath...I can feel it in my head tonight.  Today...I sucked a couple gulps of air...but I am still holding my breath...waiting.  "Pray and wait for an answer, Pray and wait for an answer..."  Just waiting for that answer from the Lord!

Note to self regarding other visits for MRI scans or tests:  Make a cd of music to take with us for any occasions where music can be listened to with headphones during scans or tests...a special mix just for Alisa to calm and soothe her heart and mind.  The music that is offered, out of kindness, is not peaceful and uplifting.

Brings snacks...no food after 5 am, only clear liquids after 9 am, driving...10 am, prepping...11 am, waiting...12 pm, testing...1 pm,  waiting...2 pm (Thanks, Kris, for a snack before seeing our doctor!) driving...3pm is a really long time for a child to go without eating!  (Can you believe Noodles& Co was closed today? Due to a fire! Alisa got her pick...Subway!)

He will call this little lamb by name!

What a wonderful answer to prayer this Mom and Dad witnessed last night!  Alisa's name was recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.  She asked Jesus Christ to be her personal Savior.  She came to me after reading a story in the Keys for Kids and had some questions.  We are thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit through the truth of God's Word that has been presented time and again.  We are thankful for the prayers of family and friends.

Another type of super hero

We think alot of the every day type of heroes!  Maybe because one of our uncles is a fireman?  However, we have never seen him wear his underwear as a mask.

We put an end to the official school year.

A trip to the wooden park was a fun reward for working diligently on our last official day of school.  We pushed the kids to work hard and double up on lessons.  We pushed Mom to her breaking point of sanity and organization.  We pushed Dad...wait...he pushed all of us to do what we needed to do...because he knew we could do it...and finish well!  We will take time out for constant review and polishing of some weaknesses that showed up this year. 

We used another gift card to celebrate in style.  Teddy's eyes lit up when he read the sign, "Eat like a pig" and was already to follow that direction...till he got "the look" from both parents! 

Alisa just enjoyed everything about everything.

One of the perks of finishing...sleeping in today for awhile!  We had a couple lessons to finish this morning.  Alisa worked hard and caught up to her siblings this morning.  We have enjoyed the relaxing afternoon.  I have been listening to some much needed messages on rearing children and beautiful music on my ipod.
Just because our official schooling has ended for the summer, doesn't mean that learning is over too. 
I am finding that I am more in need of teaching now...than in any other time of my life.
 
My heart and mind have been challenged today with this thought...
"You have a child in your home for eighteen years, what are you teaching him/her?  You cannot get to the age of 13 or 16 and start teaching certain principles and behaviors to help them move into adulthood.  It is too late then.  These things need to be ingrained in our children while they are young!  It is hard work, it's painful, it's stressful, it's difficult...but it is the most rewarding and joyful work you can ever do!  God tells us to take up the yoke.  He tells us that the way is straight and narrow. Teach your children not to be as stubborn and bullheaded as you have been!  Teach them to be willful learners of righteousness.  Proverbs 3:5-7."

"I will grant you three wishes..."

"Alisa, you are a fruit loop!" chuckled Daddy.

"A fruit loop is what you wish?" said the silly fairy.  "Then a fruit loop you shall be."

"And now...I shall vanish..."

Do your children know of...

your joy for...and in them? 

Or are they a bother to you?

God blessed you with a wonderful ministry right in your own home!

Do you take time to be excited with them? 

Do you get excited about the right kind of things?

Do you get excited about activities and programs that deal with spiritual things?

Do you allow other things to take the place of spirituals things?

One of the things we have learned in the last few months, there is more value in a life than in things and in plans! 

"This world is not our home...we are just passing through..." 

Will we be taking our children with us?  Or leaving them behind? 

Our children were so excited about the medals they received at the Kids Club Finale on Saturday, that they wore them the rest of the day.  Due to a lack of communicated details, they got to enjoy some extra fun.

(We made them remove the medals before going to bed for safety reasons.) 

The people who invest their time week after week in Kids' Club are much appreciated by our family! 

They have made learning about God's Word, playing games, and memorizing verses enjoyable.

It is times like this that make all the other trials in parenting worth it all.

Not all events of daily life with children bring joy to our hearts and ears.  I can only imagine how God's heart is grieved when I do wrong...and when our children do wrong.  It is through those trials that growth happens... and joy is restored. 

What a relief to know that God doesn't leave us to ourselves to know how to deal with each parenting trial! 

There are answers to be found in His Word!  He is our final authority!  That takes alot of pressure off parents...if we would take time to teach that fact to our children. 

We know that we can take our children to Scripture to show them what God expects of them...and they can understand!  The more teaching our children get about God's Word, the better they can understand what He expects.  The decisions that we make as parents...one of those being...making sure our children are under Godly preaching and teaching every time the church door is open...will help make our job a lot easier!  Our main goal for our children...to know Christ as their personal Savior...so that they can walk in truth.  As the Holy Spirit works in their hearts, they will be able to handle all the other issues that come in life.

We know the pull to do evil is very strong and often they will make decisions to follow after their flesh.  It is our job is to guard what is set before them...and like it or not, we can't always protect them from every wrong decision they make.  They will have to bear the consequences. 

We have to train them...so they are prepared to do right.

What a joy to know that God's Word can make a difference in their hearts!  It is our prayer, that by our example, they see the joy that comes as a result of the right decisions we make.  It is a specific choice we make each and every day!  Doing right and following God's ways bring joy...peace...and contentment!

"His Words Bring Peace To My Soul..."

As I was talking with a friend this week, she unwittingly reminded me of an illustration from my Bible study book.  I am thankful for our conversation.  I needed to visualize what I was doing.  We talked about how we allow our minds to focus on something in our lives and how it consumes our thoughts.  It is that natural (sinful) tendency we have as women.  And Satan uses that weakness to render us useless as wives and mothers.  As we talked, I had to admit that I was caught up in the vortex of stormy thoughts again.

After the pre-screening call from the MRI department on Thursday, I found my mind swirling with "what if" thoughts as we plan to go to Madison this Thursday for Alisa's scan.  We are a month and a half out of surgery now.  I learned the scan will take an hour and they will have her take a nap.  I was under the impression, after our last visit with the neurosurgeon,  the scan would take a half hour and she could hold still that long.  Who changed what the doctor told us last time?  What are they not telling me? 

Why will it be so long? 

"Worry is not an emotion.  It is a thought process- a process that you can, and must control because worry is sin.  What is worry?  How do you recognize it?  How can you tell the difference between worrying and just thinking through a problem?"  Here is what I needed to be reminded of...and I wanted to share this author's thought with my friend...

"Disciplined thought moves in a straight line through a tangle of difficulties to possible solutions.  Worry is a swirling tornado of thoughts centered on a fear.  They repeat themselves over and over, making your dizzy but accomplishing nothing else.  When fretful thoughts begin to sound familiar, that's worry."

Psalm 37:1, 7

Matthew 6:25-34

I Peter 5:6-7

Romans 8:28

Hebrews 13:5

Philippians 4:6-7, 19

When we discipline our minds to obey God's Words, pray, and thank God...our minds will be guarded from attacks of fear and panic. He gives peace.  He gives wisdom to help us handle each situation we have...no matter how big or how small.  Why is it that the last thing we ever think of doing is recalling those verses we have learned or praying and asking for His help?  When we fret, stew, worry, take thought of...we are disobeying God's Word.  Worry destroys our joy, our health, and our relationships!  God tells us not to worry about...tomorrow, life, eat, drink, and clothing.  That pretty much sums up everything that we worry about as wives/mothers/women in general!

Believing that God led us to Madison, we trusted our neurosurgeon with two surgeries.  I will trust that God continues to lead him to order exactly what is needed for the MRI scan...even if it takes longer than an hour!

Things I am learning...

Speak kindly...you never know who is listening!

When you put out M&M candies...they don't last for very long!  It is impossible to eat just a few.

Simple is always better!

Teach your children to help you...for nothing more than the fact that they should...because they are part of the family.  Moms should not be frazzled basket-cases trying to do everything at home!

Hug and Kiss your husband...often...and in the presence of your children.

When your daughters' room is a mess, you must look at why and take responsibility for your part!  Trying to justify the mess in my corner with "I might need it for something someday" doesn't look any different from her "this is one of my treasures from...".

Little boys need to know that Mom means what she says and says what she means.

The right kind of music can bring peace and calm to a chaotic day...and spirit.

I need to enjoy the company of our children...no matter what I am doing, when I am doing it, or where I am doing it!  Soon...this won't happen...we won't both fit on the chair!

Going to bed early is a good thing...even if it is still light outside.

You can never have too many bottles of Germ-x.

Say "thank you" many times a day...and mean it!

It is always wise for Mom to finish the last bit of cereal with marshmallows!  It is a great snack and there won't be any fighting over who gets the last of it!

Thinking and praying for others while you do the dishes...makes the job go quickly. 

Teach your children to wait...tell/show them that "My hands are busy and I can't help you at this moment".

Make your children learn to sit and be quiet...and not just in front of the computer or TV screen.  Read to them...and bring a sense of calmness and adventure at the same time!

 

When a Mom can learn some of these lessons...it will be a Happy Mother's Day every day...or at least for part of a week.

A weeknight upset

Our coach agreed to play with seven players per the other coach's request...it is optional...she opted not to listen to some of the dads' advice.  We found out...our guys don't do well with a team of seven!  They were confused and had no subs when they got tired. 

They got tired fast...the red team must have a weekly practice!  Their coach had them running circles around our guys and he was using words like:  defense, take it to the goal, pass the ball...and his guys understood him!

It was good for them!  Ted was asked to ref this game since Purple was home.  The other Dad coached from our side of the field...while our coach chatted with her friends.

The expected "good game" handshake...that didn't have much heart when said by the purple team.  They lost...by several goals...but who is counting?

What if there really was a button to push...

to make problems in every day life get fixed quickly?! 

We see the ad about the EASY button all the time.  I was thinking about all the things we have that make life "easier" and faster...and still we aren't happy.  We get bogged down with the cares of every day.  So we add another gadget or another activity to make ourselves feel better.  Instead of making things easier or better...we have added more stress and frustration because we added more to learn and more to manage.  We have gotten so programmed by our culture that we expect everything we do to be done with ease and in good time.  Satan has done a wonderful job to keep us dissatisfied and disgruntled...even with all the things and opportunities we have. 

There are just some things in this life that take time! 

Parenting is one of those opportunities. 

There is no easy way to accomplish the task!  It takes blood, sweat, and tears...and time.

There have been times this week that I would have liked to push the delete button,  other times the escape button, and another time the alternate button. 

While I try to limit my time on the computer, writing on the blog helps me on many different levels.  There have been many days...I was glad I had clicked on the "save now" button.  I work on posts and then save them when I run out of time, then I can come back to them later.  When I don't have something to say...because it won't be nice...or the kids aren't funny...or I have no thought provokers rolling around in my head...

I look back. 

Some days I need to refocus on the things I should be grateful for and not on the things that defeat me!

When I go in to edit my thoughts or reread what our children have done or said...it makes me stop and think.  I am reminded...that there is a time...to everything...and God doesn't operate with the help of buttons and keys.   

Proof that we say stupid things as parents...sometimes!

Dad  "Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"  I looked at him to see if he caught it...he told me to be quiet too as he chuckled into his chest.

Mom  "Stop...you only need to dust in the familyroom and livingroom...you will just have to pick up the piles and move them."  Why would I stop them from dusting in other places?

Dad  "Raise your hand if you have parents here."  A couple of the boys in junior church picked up on that...rather quickly!

Mom  "You only have five minutes outside." after they had already been out for fifteen.

Both Parents  "What were you thinking?  Why did you do that?"  Do we really want to know the answer?

There are many other things we have said lately...maybe you have some winning statements too!?  I'd love to hear them...just to know that we aren't the only ones who have this problem!

"Is Mother's Day celebrated all week?" asked his son.

Should it be?  Would it be so bad if we did?  Could we try it?  Would you do what you are told all week then?
I took that time, you know, the time that often mother's forget to take...to take care of personal business yesterday.  Upon opening that locked bathroom door...I heard the hoop-la from downstairs.  It wasn't even ten minutes.  Schoolwork could not be going on under those conditions! 
What I found...a son scurrying back to his chair with that "What...I wasn't doing anything..." phrase on the tip of his tongue, a middle daughter sitting in her chair all innocent, and the oldest daughter tied to her chair with a bathrobe and tape over her mouth laughing hysterically. 
Funny, right!?! 
To some...but to me...it was problem...because in our devotions of the morning, we had talked specifically about obedience.
Now I had a decision to make...follow through with what Dad had said...based on Scripture...or...laugh it off.  I didn't laugh it off...because...Dad expects Mom to be consistent.  And, quite honestly, I am just as sick of schoolwork and want it to be done!
"Who tied you up?"  Teddy  "Son, were you out of your chair?"  Yes  "Alisa?"  She got the tape for her mouth.
Big tears flooding all three sets of brown eyes...talk about manipulation and making me feel like a monster!
Consequences were given...inspite of the pleas of innocency. 
I have eyes...
I saw...
I heard...
I am not stupid to the ways of our children...
(Sometimes...I just choose to look the other way or not make it as big of a deal...and I pay for it!  It is called inconsistency!) 
I did have a little conversation with our eldest...using words like, "You are older...you know better...you are bigger than he is...you could have..."  She blinked her brown eyes at me...still trying to get me to believe that she indeed was a victim. 
Then I did it again...I said something stupid...something that every parent eventually says, "Well, if they won't stop when you ask them to...just hit 'em!  Fight him off.  Holler and scream...let him know you mean business..."  Her brown eyes got big...and a little smile formed.  I informed "his" son what I told our daughter.  I know we will eventually have to deal with the fall out from this...maybe someone will learn a lesson?!  It may just be me that learns that lesson of what not to say...again

I wonder...if we did celebrate Mother's Day all week...would stuff like this still happen?  Or would there be a break for Mom?!  At least one that is long enough for personal business?

I seem to have a knack...

for making people think that "I have it all together".  Honestly...I do not attempt to make people think anything...as it would take extra effort and energy to try to make myself something I am not.  Ask my husband...I never leave enough time for extras and emergencies.  I am always the last one out the door...double checking that I have my skirt on and house key in my purse. Bless you, you kind-hearted people who think this is the case.  I live by lists, notebooks, and many consultations with the calendar.
The statement makes me giggle uncontrollably and my husband roll his eyes.  I try to have a general plan for life...but having a husband, emotions, children, and pet...you have to be flexible!
I had to laugh last night when we stopped...at the gas station...for milk.  It is just a gallon of milk...I don't want to walk the entire store.   It was buy two gallons, get a box of cereal free!  We have done this before...many times...because I don't get excited about going grocery shopping...with children.  I'd rather scrape dried playdough out of shag carpet! 
"You know you are a mom when you buy cereal with marshmallows in it!" was one of the lines in the program on Sunday.  The other line that was read, "You know you are a mom when you lock yourself in the bathroom for some alone time."  I would like to rewrite these phrases...as of this morning.  It would go something like this...
"You know you are a mom when you hurriedly stop at the gas station to grab a gallon of milk so you can feed your family breakfast. You get excited about the sale of two gallons giving you a free, colorful box of sugary cereal that will have your children bouncing off the walls after they eat it for morning snack.  You forget that this is following a french toast breakfast that was drenched in syrup and powdered sugar.  You realize the only hope you have for not losing it is to lock yourself in the bathroom!  And the whole reason you do this time and time again...is because you love your children and you like to do special things for them.  You also realize that your husband will laugh at your calamity and ask why you picked that cereal out in the first place!" 
Because...it has marshmallows....and maybe, just maybe...there will be some left for a bed time snack...for Mom!

What happens when Dad takes us out

"Ooo, you are sharing?  You are going to get girl germs." teased Alisa. 

"Yeah, Dad, you are going to get cooties!" Teddy piped up.

"You can have a bite of mine, Dad!" offered Ashlynn.  "Ohhh, no thank you!  I don't like toothpaste on my chocolate!" replied Dad, "I like to share with Mom!"

"You don't even know what cooties are!" said Dad.  "Yes, I do!  They are love germs!" Alisa retorted.

Food and entertainment!  It was just what I needed...and I didn't have to fix it...and the girls didn't have to do dishes...again!
MMMM....thank you for letting us go out tonight, honey! 

He teased me that I 'used' him tonight for his money and a supper out.  I will admit it...I kissed and hugged on him to persuade him.  It all evened out later, when he 'used' me for my propensity for writing and reading to fill out some paper work. 
We appreciate the gift cards that are given for special occasions that help us pressure Dad to take us out.