Crazy, I'm crazy for being so......

My children are boycotting. What, I am not sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they are considering a coup. I, in turn, am boycotting them as well. The only thing is, I know why - and what I would like the end result to be.

There are a few reasons that I am doing this. The topmost being that my children have developed an alarming disdain for laundry baskets. Yes, they will use the floor, bedposts, counter tops, trash cans, drawers that haven't been closed, and even backpacks for storing their dirty clothes. They have put them on the floor next to their baskets, on the window sill next to their basket, and even on top of their laundry basket when it is upside down, but rarely indeed does it fall inside the basket. I have also decided that I am no longer a fan of having to complete an obstacle course just to make it across their bedrooms. So, Carl and I have come up with a plan of action.

1) They now have to clean their rooms every Tuesday and Friday - as long as we can safely walk across their floor the rest of the week they may do with it what they will (it is their room you know)

2) They each have chores that they must do every day (unload dishwasher, feed the cats, clean the bathroom, etc.)

3) They will only be told once to do each of these things. If they choose not to complete their jobs in the time alloted then they will be unable to do other things. For example - if Carlye wants a friend to spend the night, and the weekend comes around and she still hasn't cleaned her room, no friend spends the night. Harsh? Maybe, but I guarantee we won't have to do it more than once!!

So what is the goal? Peace. To eliminate the yelling, nagging and overall unhappiness that has been in the house lately. I realized that I have trained my children that I will ask them five times or count to three before they have to physically get up and do what we've asked. It's crazy. And our new plan has actually been working really well. I love the peace, and it's good for them to learn responsibility. Oh - and the laundry boycott ended for the boys today. Without being asked Nathanael brought all of their laundry into the laundry room and sorted it into the baskets!! Yes, ladies and gentleman, he did.

We've also started giving our children a VERY small allowance every week in the hopes of teaching them how to manage money. First and foremost they know to tithe, and from there it is up to them to save and keep track of their money. (Side note - this allowance is not for doing chores, they do chores because they are a part of the family, the allowance is to help us learn how to manage money). Sadly, their money can also be used to pay someone else to do the chores that they have failed to do. For example, today after I asked the boys to clean their room they chose to go outside and ride their bicycles (after the two of them had a yelling match about who's mess it was and then punched each other and began sword fighting and yelling at each other and were finally sent outside because in this house we speak to EVERYONE with respect). Long story short, I really wanted their room clean, so I paid Carlye (out of their allowance) to clean their room. She was a little over halfway done when they came in, and they told her that they could finish it from there. Of course, it wasn't painful until they were both 50 cents short on their allowance. Nathanael cried for 20 minutes.

I have a very strong suspicion that he will clean his room on his own next week.

Later, after I tucked the boys in I could hear them making plans to combine their money and buy some incredibly impressive things tomorrow. I really don't know if they understand exactly how far $3.50 can go.

I am an AWESOME wife

I am a good wife.

Instead of taking my husband shopping (as I had planned to do - the guys pants are 4x too big for heaven's sake!) I bought him tickets to the Spurs v Mavericks Game 6 Tonight in SA.

And I didn't get to go.

And it was a fantastic game. Seriously - I sent him to the perfect playoff game for his birthday.

Did I mention that I didn't get to go?

But they won - and have now won round one. Go Spurs Go!

Sadly, my prediction of Spurs in 5 was wrong, but Carl's prediction of Spurs in 6 was right on.

And yes, I knew that we were that good. And for all you other player haters, let me just say that you should be ashamed of yourself.

My baby!

Today is my husbands 33 birthday - Happy Birthday, Carl!

I love you so much and I am so blessed to have you as my husband and father to my children! You are such an amazing man and I am thankful for you every day of my life.

So, to celebrate, I thought that we could go shopping!

I know, it's your favorite thing to do. You can thank me later!!

The above picture was taken during our Spring photo shoot by none other than Mr. Samuel Carpenter. And yes, it is one of only 2 pictures that were taken of him.

I caught this with my bare hands!

This weekend Carl and several other men took our Survivor Camp boys on their 2nd annual camping trip. When Carl came home he couldn't have been a prouder daddy. Our Nathanael was awesome. He helped the other boys while they were fishing, baiting hooks, untangling lines, helping them haul in their fish, etc. He picked up trash that was blowing away, played with the little kids that felt alone, and was just overall an amazing camper. His daddy called him the "Camper of the Year." Part of his awesome weekend, though, was catching this fish with his bare hands.

Yes, his bare hands.

It was so big that he had to call one of the leaders to come help him haul it in.

Can you tell how proud he is?

Oh - and Carlye has been invited to participate in the Little Olympics this year! Each year all of the elementary schools in the district gather their athletic elite to compete in various sports inspired competitions. Carlye will be running in the 4 person relay. You go girl!

Painting

I have madly awesome painting skills. It's true. While I may not be 'professional' grade, I can paint a mean bedroom. Sadly, there is one thing that I can't do well -

Keep the paint off my face!

And hands, and feet, and clothing........

So, every time I paint and create amazingly gorgeous rooms (for simply the cost of some Kilz and a couple cans of paint) my husband mocks me mercilessly.

The injustice of it all.

What's for dinner?

I have really had fun this week trying the yummy recipes from our family website Our Family Recipes! So far we have tried the Slow Cooker BarBQ Pork Sandwiches, Busy Day Soup, Black Bean and Chicken Enchiladas, and tonight we will be having Dutch Sausage Soup. It is SO nice to try new recipes, and we have loved every single one. This has been a real blessing to my family since I have made the same 6 or 7 things over and over again for the last 10 years!!! So go check out the blog, and enjoy some inexpensive, easy to prepare and yummy meals!!

Oh, and after my big boy was given his shots (he didn't cry - but his attempt at trying not to cry made me want to cry!! And, no, I did NOT tell him that big boys don't cry!) his daddy and I gave him a Webkinz warthog. He named him Starwalker, after Luke Starwalker (Skywalker to the rest of us).

I'm sorry - you did what?

Tomorrow is not going to be a fun day for my youngest child. Or for me, for that matter. He will be getting 4 to 5 shots in the morning because the nurse made a mistake at his 5 yr well check and forgot to give him some shots that he has to have to start school. And, I could be wrong here, but it even looks as though they missed a shot or two at his four year well check, too, because how else do you get behind by 5 shots????? When we registered him for kindergarten the school nurse caught it. I called the doctors office, gave them the specific shots that we were missing and waited for them to return my call.

This is what they said:
"We are so sorry, we made a mistake, we have not given him those shots that the needed, you'll have to come in so that he can get them."

Oh, okay, well as long as you are sorry then it's really no big deal THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO STICK MY SON FIVE TIMES WITH A NEEDLE!!!!

The nurses at our doctors office are not my favorite people right now.

My little girl

My poor little girl tragically lost her kitty today. Her tortoise shell cat named Sleeping Beauty was hit by a car this morning. In the five years that she's been ours Sleeping Beauty has never even once wandered near the highway, so we don't really know why she did so this morning. Carlye found her as a kitten, small and covered with fleas. She even had to bottle feed her so that she would live. Sleeping Beauty slept in Carlye's room on her pillow with her for many, many months - and even as a grown cat would run into the house at every given opportunity and lay on Carlye's pillow. Sadly, Carlye was in the truck with daddy this morning when Noah saw her kitty on the side of the road. She is very, very sad. And, truly, I am too. We still have two other cats - Spiderman (Nathanael's kitty that he found and bottle fed), and Molly (my 13 year old siamese mix that we adopted after her mom was hit by a car). Losing Sleeping Beauty has made me realize that I am going to be really upset when we lose my Molly. It has made Carlye realize that she needs a large talking bird, such as a parrot.

As sad as we are for her loss, we just can't seem to agree.

Bee-yoo-ti-ful Flowers

Today, my children and I bought several brave plant specimens to decorate our porch with. In the hopes that they will live, and not die, we bought flowers that are appropriate for our zone (thank you Better Homes and Gardens!) and difficult to kill. We also bought some fancy schmancy potting soil that doesn't let you drown or dehydrate your plants (a kindred spirit invented this!). They were also fairly inexpensive (a must for plants that have a slim chance of surviving!). So we now have some beautiful lantana's, a $2 rose bush, gerber daisies, a $4 calla lily, argyranthemum, lobelia, and a dianthus. Do I know what this means? Not really - but my porch is looking gorgeous!! Stay tuned to see wether they live or die!!

Physical Therapy

Today I had to bring Noah with me to physical therapy. Normally, I am the only one there, so it isn't that big of a deal. Sadly, today there was a kind little gentleman who was doing physical therapy for practically everything you can do physical therapy for. It was his first day. To pass the time, Noah had been playing with both of the therapists there, tossing balls and acting mildly crazy. And, as always seems to happen to me, something went horribly wrong. My son hit the poor, hurt gentleman with a large red rubber ball. The man ducked, and it mostly missed him, and then he laughed. Noah was upset that it happened, and apologized. I apologized, and then I prayed to be swallowed up into the floor. My prayers went unanswered.

I don't think I'll be bringing him with me next week.

Realizations

This has been a week of reflection and realization. Oh, and lots and lots of pain (thank you physical therapy and one legged squats!).

For instance, this week I realized that my youngest child stays awake after his siblings have fallen asleep, hides under his blankets, and creates pictures and cutouts for the family.

I also realized that he passes them out while we are all sleeping. Waking up to a sheet of construction paper where your pillow used to be can be a little disturbing.....and sweet.

I realized that when the Emmers (our yorkie) is not put in her crate at night I will become very afraid and cause a panic in the house at 3:00 in the morning because someone is walking around and it sounds creepy. I also realized that my husband is not a big fan of this.

Today I realized that coming out of Sam's Club (with two shopping carts full of food) during a torrential downpour does not bring great joy to my husband. Or me. I so do not like wet shoes. Or shirts. Or anything for that matter. I also realized that my husband is very sweet and will load most of the food so that I don't get wet.

At dinner tonight I was led to the realization that soup is not a family friendly dinner - especially if slurping, smacking and the biting of utensils causes you to feel violent.

Lastly, I have come to realize that my family does not understand the house 'rules' as they should. For example, if you cook the meal you are automatically exempt from cleaning up the meal. This should come as no surprise to anyone. Granted, my husband does the dishes every morning, and I think that is VERY sweet of him, but I don't think that should make the rule previously mentioned obsolete, do you?

Seriously, you stink

Spring has sprung! Bluebonnets are everywhere, the new leaves and blossoms on the trees are breathtaking.....

And my children smell horrible!

Seriously, they are taking multiple baths a day because I so can't handle them when they come home from school or in from outside. We are currently unable to converse on the drive home from school because I have every available window rolled down and the sunroof open so that I can make it home without suffocating. What has me really confused is that Carl doesn't even smell that bad when he's worked outside all day!

I know you know what I'm talking about, no child is immune. Not even yours.

#500!! and I need Help!

This is my 500th post! How exciting is that! I am so thankful for my blog, and the way it has allowed to keep in touch and reconnect with so many friends and family!

In honor of my 500th post I will give you a list of 500 things I am thankful for:

Just Kidding! (But wouldn't that be such a good reminder of all of the things there are to be thankful for!)

Decorating update - For being so incredibly similar in our tastes, my husband and I couldn't be more different in our decorating styles! Right now our living room is beautiful.........and very empty. We have a cedar ceiling, custom cedar staircase with cedar railings on the loft, tan walls, and travertine floors. Gorgeous, warm, inviting, and a great blank slate for adding color, right?

Not if you're Carl!

We are putting even more brown in with our leather couches. They, too, are beautiful, but my plan was to bring in color (specifically red and some white) and texture with accessories, the carpet and throw pillows. And maybe a couple of fabric chairs in a corner seating area. Great idea, right? There is one little snag, though.

Carl doesn't like red.

Or spring green.

Or orange.

I've looked on a GAZILLION design sites, watched every show available on HGTV and bought out all the design magazines in the area, and I can't find any design tips for a large living room with vaulted ceilings, a staircase, and a loft. I basically know what I want (I've been keeping a design folder for 14 years!), but would still like a few fun ideas from those of you out there who are good at this stuff - just don't get your feelings hurt if I don't listen!!! Your ideas may spawn new ones, and help find common ground between Carl and I! They are finishing our floor right now, so for those of you who have never seen my house here are some pictures from during the remodel (you can see the color that we painted it). I'll post new pictures next week so you all have a better idea what we are working with. For those of you who have seen my house - give me some ideas!

Oh, and if you have a new idea for the placing of the furniture in the living room, that would be great, too! I get bored with the TV under the staircase.

And yes, the Mule deer head is staying. It's actually going to be joined by a giant elk very soon. I'm gonna tell everyone that I shot it with my bow.

Thanks - I can't wait to hear your ideas!

Important Notes:

*We are painting the living room in this picture
*All of the furniture that was in there has been taken out (except the TV - although, I guarantee it would be gone if we could afford those totally awesome 3D tv's!)
*The floors are now Travertine

Owie!

Today, my stitches were taken out.

And it hurt a LOT! The nurse didn't even pretend to be nice! She pinched my skin with the scissors and then when I yelped she jerked the suture out. ALL THREE TIMES!!! I don't envision us becoming close friends any time soon.

Yesterday we went to San Antonio, and I walked around quite a bit. I am really surprised at how much my knee is bothering me today. I'm sure the irreverent way that my stitches were torn from my skin didn't really help.

I am also surprised at the amazing amount of laundry that has accumulated over the last week. I'm wondering if some of my friends and/or family have dropped off their clothing here as well. Maybe as a part of a cruel joke. It is incredibly impressive. My plan for tomorrow is to get it all done. I can sit and ice my knee while I fold, so I should be able to defeat it - all while watching HGTV. And there's enough walking and bending and blah blah blah to still get in some exercise. I actually start physical therapy next week (hopefully).

Did I mention that a really horrible nurse caused me much pain today?

I like

I like.......

The Biggest Loser - I think it's an AWESOME show, and I want Sunshine or Sam to win it all. I'm just saying.

Coldstone Creamery and their German Chocolate Cake ice cream

Fablehaven especially because Book 5 was awesome

The Spurs - specifically Manu Ginobili

How To Train Your Dragon - one of the best kids movies I've seen in a really long time

Ice packs - they make my knee feel lots better

Spring flowers, especially the wildflowers here in Texas

Marathons, and I WILL run one in November

My princess blanket and memory foam pillow

My hammock on the porch

Noah's art work

Carlye's silliness

Nathanael's thoughtfulness

Carl's doggedness

And I'm pretty sure that I'd really like an Ipad if I had one.

Just saying.


Oh, and it is VERY difficult to get to the kitchen from your bedroom when you can't walk on the tile that is in your living room. Especially if you've just had knee surgery and to get out of your bedroom and into the kitchen you have to walk outside, onto the porch, down the stairs, into the garage, up the stairs and into the kitchen. But, the living room is looking good. And children can be wonderful at go fetch!

Stair Steps

All the cousins on Daddy's side of the family. And one coming soon!

Happy Easter!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Yesterday we dyed eggs at our Nani's house. The kids had so much fun! We talked about the fact that eggs symbolize new life, and that is what Christ gave us when he rose from the dead. It was a good day!






When Carl was a little boy they always made Easter nests. According to German tradition, in the spring time a bunny would come and rest in the nests that you built, leaving behind colorful eggs.



Our own personal Easter Bunny!

Recovering

Well, my surgery went really well yesterday, and I am now at home recovering. My meniscus was fine, but there was a small crater in my knee that had to be sanded out and some scar tissue that had to be removed. When I woke up I apparently badgered the nurse about my children so much that she finally had me call and talk to Carl. (I only remember asking her once to please call my children and tell the that I'm okay, but whatever). When they handed me the phone to talk to Carl I could barely remember how to talk on one, but I got my point across to him enough that he and his Mom and Jodi felt comfortable laughing hysterically at me.

Since I've been home I haven't taken any prescription pain medication - ibuprofen has been strong enough for me. It's amazing, but it hurt so badly before that this just doesn't seem like much. Granted, it throbs and burns sometimes, and if I move it wrong I know it, but the pain is really manageable. Carlye and Nathanael came straight to me when they got home, checked on me, and gave me some of their Easter candy (which I haven't been able to eat!), and then stayed in bed with me as long as daddy allowed. Carlye read, Nathanael cuddled (sorta) - his way of cuddling is a little bit like torturing you with his knees and elbows as he tries to crawl under your skin, but I didn't mind cause I liked having my boy close, and he even brought me some soup in bed. Now, when Noah came home a couple hours later, it was different. He came in and asked to see my leg that I had cancer in. I told him it wasn't cancer, just surgery, and I showed it to him. Then he went and got me some of his candy and brought it to me and snuggled on the bed with me. A little while later he brought me some fruit snacks, then some ginger ale, a picture of him and me with a rainbow, a book that I had already read, and a cup of water. In between these little jaunts to the kitchen he was snuggling with me and rubbing my arm. This morning, there are two cards, some smarties, and some type of candy that have been shoved under the door for me. My kids are so funny!!!

Carl has been wonderful. He is trying to sleep right now and recover from waking up before 5:00 yesterday. I was able to sleep off and on, but he was up all day, taking care of me and the kids. It's nice that there's no school today and we get to be home with the kids. It's a rainy day today, too, so it is the perfect day to snuggle up and watch a movie.