Tim on Noah's Ark

Life is hard

Sometimes, life is hard. We don't always understand why, and it isn't very fun, but it is the truth.

While my husband was gone on his hunting trip in New Mexico I found out that I had had a miscarriage. I was devastated, and it was even more difficult to go through without my best friend at home with me. They tested me for lupus, hyper thyroidism, etc. and - thankfully - everything has come back normal.

Carl and I always agreed that we wanted to have four kids (it was a compromise between his 3 and my 6!), but after Noah things just didn't go very well. I was on bed rest with him almost the entire time, and have now had 4 miscarriages since him. At times it makes me sad. I feel as though we are good parents and raise our kids well, but I know that this isn't some kind of punishment on me for being a bad mom. It is simply the way life is. And, as unfair as it seems at times, I am still very blessed. I have three amazing and healthy children, and I get to be married to an incredible man. So, while it's not exactly the way that I planned and dreamed, it's still a wonderful life. And, even through the hard times, I rest in knowing that the Lord has an incredible plan for me, my husband and my children.

And it can't get any better than that.

The Mighty Hunter has Returned

Well, my amazing husband returned on Sunday from his 10 day hunting trip to New Mexico. He shot this beautiful 330 class elk with his bow, and we are all so proud! I realized while he was gone how thankful I am to have my best friend for my husband - and how hard it is when he is gone and bad things happen!!! It's always easier to deal with things when he is with me! I also realized that I REALLY want my friend Tracy and her husband to take the elk that is currently on the wall in my house (her husband and mine shot the elk together and have joint custody of the wall mount) because I DO NOT want 2 elk on my wall. But, if we do have to have 2 I am drawing the line there. We will NOT have a third.

Meanwhile, we had Noah's parent teacher conference yesterday. We were told that he is getting better at his behavior skills (being organized, listening, participating, not talking when the teacher is talking, etc.). Okay, so he's not so good at the organization thing, but we are working on it. He also can't count to 10 (he counted to 100 while I was cooking dinner) and doesn't recognize most of his letters (he read me a flier yesterday evening and identified almost all of the letters.). He is very charming and charismatic, though, and makes his friends and teacher laugh. She loves him and said that he is a joy to have in class. She also said that he quite frequently believes that there are many other things in life that are much more important (or more fun) than what he is supposed to be doing at that moment. Lovely.

Oh, and thankfully, he hasn't drawn any more naked pictures.

My children are gifted

I have always known that my children are gifted. I mean, just way above average in every sense of the word. The other day my children saw a portrait or commercial or something portraying the statue of David. In typical child fashion, they asked me why he was naked. I explained to them that Heavenly Father created our bodies, and so they are beautiful. Some people feel like they are so beautiful that they create art to express that beauty, even though we are modest and don't think it's proper to show people our bodies so we wear clothes (trust me, this is important to reiterate!). In response, Noah went to school yesterday and drew a portrait of his brother.

In the nude.

Told ya my kids were gifted.

On Monday he drew a picture of him walking Emmaline, and he included the poop.

Picasso, here we come!

Pride and Prejudice

I am currently indoctrinating my daughter with a deep and abiding love for all things Jane Austen. Currently, she loves both of the movies Sense and Sensibility (with one scene skipped over) and Pride and Prejudice (her favorite of the two.) I now have to find the P&P mini series so that she can watch that with me as well. Of course, with her adoration of the American Girl series, which are simply historical fiction, I knew that she would love these movies. I tried The Importance of Being Earnest, but turned it off in less than 5 minutes - that is NOT a movie for a little girl, maybe in a few years. So, I now have a very balanced and well rounded daughter who will sit and watch any and every Sci Fi movie that comes along (Star Wars marathon, anyone?), or a wonderful period film. I am so proud.

Hard Day

Sometimes things happen that just make you really, really sad. I've had one of those days. And on those days all I want is to curl up in my husbands arms and have him sing me old hymns and pray over me. And when he can't, for whatever reason, it makes me realize how very much I love him and need him, and how thankful I am to be married to my best friend in the whole world.

600 posts!

Woo-hoo! 600 posts! Isn't that awesome? I thought so to.

Tomorrow my children's school is having it's 2nd annual 5K. The kids are so pumped. For some un-natural reason that I have as of yet to comprehend, they are THRILLED to wake up early (on the only day that we get to sleep in!) and then walk 3 1/2 miles in the Texas humidity. My children had visions of skateboards, bicycles and roller skates dancing in their heads. However, after my visions of one of my over zealous children taking out an entire family at the bottom of the hill, I have decided that wheeled objects will not be on our list of things to bring.

My children moaned and whimpered in protest, but were too afraid to throw an all out fit.

After all, since Daddy won't be there to bring them they can't push the only driver in the household too far.

Especially crazy mom's who will actually stay home from the 5K at the slightest provocation. My children are much smarter than they seem!

Amazing

It is amazing to me how children intuitively know when you can't take any more. You know, when you are exhausted, not feeling very well, and on the verge of allowing everyone to eat gummy bears for dinner if it means you get to take a bath in peace? What is even more amazing is that once they have honed in on this weakness their instincts tell them that it is their responsibility as your children to help you grow. Immediately small fights erupt in the backseat of the truck, your oldest child thinks it is their responsibility to correct you, and it is definitely someone elses turn to walk the dog. They point out that it's not their fault you didn't sign their folder, after all, they are just kids, and then they implode into quivering masses of sorrow when you inform them that they are NOT allowed to pull their brothers hair, pinch each other or scream horrid things at the top of their lungs just because someone made them mad.

I am currently hiding in my closet with a bag of home made jerky and a Perrier hoping that some form of self-discipline will handle what's going on in my living room.

If it doesn't I'm going to have to send everyone to bed without any dinner.

Which is fine with me. I love gummy bears.

Very sad

Today, my baby girls heart was broken. 5 children in her class ran for student council, and there will only be two class representatives. She and one of her best friends (the only girls running) tied for 2nd place, and Carlye lost during the run-off. She cried, and I want to. Growing up can be so hard!

Open House

I love Open House. As a matter of fact, I enjoy them so much that Carl and I have gone to three Open Houses in the last week. Sadly, tonight was the last one at our children's elementary school. Since I'm going to have such a difficult time filling up my evenings without a 45 minute party at the school every couple of days I'm considering attending the Open Houses at the other schools, just for kicks.

Otherwise I would run the risk of actually cooking dinner, cleaning up, helping my children with their homework, bathing them, laying their clothes out for school, packing school lunches, etc. before 2 o'clock in the morning. And I think there's a law against that. I do.

Proof

Today proved it. My children have two different personalities. One of them is the personality that they use at school when they are sweet and kind and attentive and the perfect student (Nathanael's teacher said that she wished she had 20 students just like him). The other one is the personality in which they threaten and/or attempt to inflict bodily harm upon one of their siblings simply because they looked at them funny.

Personally, I want the school personality. I don't like the at home one.

Sisters

There is something about having sisters that you can't explain to someone who doesn't have them. No matter how far away, or how long it's been since you've seen each other, you are always connected. No one else in the world knows what aebelskivers are, or can make the cinnamon toast just right. Not one other single person can have a horrible fight with you, and then walk away knowing that you love each other no matter what anyway (even if you don't want to!). You can dump your babies off on each other and know that they are okay with it. Cry or laugh on their shoulder, watch silly movies, and hold hands walking into the grocery store (yes, I am 32 years old and my baby sister still holds my hand!). You can talk about dinosaurs, make ER runs in the middle of the night, and play silly newly wed games until ridiculously late.

And you can be sad. You can cry because they are far, far away. You can cry because your kids don't know their aunts except through pictures and stories, and you can cry because their children don't really know who you are either. You can cry for missing babies being born and diplomas being earned and houses being bought.

You can cry because they aren't there.

And then you can be glad. Because, unlike so many people, you at least have a reason to be sad.

And that is something to be very, very thankful for.

Dad Life

Okay, Dad's - it's your turn to laugh!

Student Council

Carlye finally decided on her official campaign slogan. It is Carlye Anne Can! She made a beautiful poster all by herself. I am really proud of her for all that she is doing.

Today we had a girls day and went to Queen B's. I didn't get very many pictures, but I thought that this one was adorable, so I had to throw it in!

Reflections of Motherhood

I thought that this was an amazing video, and wanted to share it. My good friend, Soyla, emailed it to me. Hope that it makes you cry, too, 'cause I don't want to be the only cry baby out there!!!

Pocket Knife

The other day, my husband gifted our youngest child with a small pocket knife, all for his very own. Shuddering, I questioned the reasoning behind this, but since I grew up with all girls - and Nathanael has had his pocket knife since he was that age - I let it go.

The next morning at breakfast Noah showed me several cuts that he had on his fingers and arm. They looked like little paper cuts and a legitimate "fall down and hurt your arm" kinda cuts, so I didn't make the connection until Carlye said, "Those are ALL from his pocket knife - and look! He tried to stab me in the stomach!"

Thankfully, as it was very small, and un-dangerous (as far as knives go), it didn't even leave a mark. Sadly, though, the pocket knife has been confiscated.

"Ya, Noah, you shouldn't even get that back until after a few birthdays!" his responsible and perfect older brother lovingly chimed in. "I would NEVER do anything like that!"

Aren't siblings wonderful?

Who does that?

A few days ago Nathanael came to his daddy very troubled.

"Daddy? I have been reading my Bible every night before bed and the other day I left it at church and when I went to get it it was gone! Somebody had stolen it! Really, Dad, somebody stole my Bible. My Bible. Who does that? And now I can't read it before bed time!"

Vote Carlye for Student Council

Today, my little tiny baby brought home papers to run for student council. She signed the contract, had a teacher fill out the papers to nominate her, and is planning her campaign poster and speech.

And I am terrified.

I am so proud of her, but only two kids will be elected from each class - AND FIVE ARE CAMPAIGNING!!! What if they don't vote for my beautiful perfect and amazing daughter? They don't allow you to pass out anything to try and bribe the other kids, so I am simply going to have to sit back and let my daughter experience real life.

So pray for my darling daughter.
If she gets voted in her mommy won't have a hysterical crying fit. Oh yeah, and she'll get to be on the Student Council.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I am SO not prepared for this!!!!!!

A parked Sea Doo is a dangerous thing

Let me preface this by saying that ALL of my children are wonderful and amazing. However, Carlye and Nathanael tend to not have as many adventures as Noah, and so aren't mentioned as frequently. Thank heavens! I can only handle one Noah at a time!!

On Saturday Uncle Bubba had been tubing with our Sea Doo, and afterwards stopped by our house to put our tube back in our boat. He had the Sea Doo on a trailer attached to the back of his truck, and was parked at the bottom of our driveway. While Bubba was unloading things from the truck bed, Noah and Nathanael were riding bikes. Carl warned them not to run into the Sea Doo, but allowed them to continue riding. Almost immediately after the warning Noah hopped on his bike at the top of our driveway, and sped at a fantastic speed down the driveway.

Straight for the Sea Doo.

While I did not witness the actual catastrophe, I did find out from Daddy and Uncle Bubba that our little adventurer gained a speed of about 10 miles an hour before smashing right into the middle of the Sea Doo. His helmeted head smacked the Sea Doo right above his eyes, and right below the helmet, and his bicycle - and leg - wedged themselves under the Sea Doo. He actually dented a bolt and bent it up! Amazingly, he escaped with only a few bruises. It took Carl a good 5 minutes to ascertain whether a trip to the emergency room would be necessary. He STILL can't believe that nothing was broken.

Uncle Bubba said that it was the best imitation of a crash test dummy that he's ever seen an actual person do.

He's still not laughing.

Sadly, Noah thinks it's one of the best things that's ever happened to him.

Eventful Week

This week has been quite eventful.

Not necessarily joyful at all points in time, but eventful.

I spent the week babysitting an adorable almost two year old because her mom started work this week and her daycare doesn't start until next week. I learned several things from Ms. Jasmine.

1) Unbeknownst to me a bottle of green food coloring resides in my office
2) Green food coloring looks like lotion to little girl, and upon opening they will rub it as quickly as they can all over their hands and arms
3) It is easier for little girls to open green food coloring than adults
4) Green food coloring will take days to fade, even after being washed off for 5 solid minutes, with soap, under running water

I also ran into someone earlier this week who knows both Jodi and I. She is an older woman, very sweet, but a tad bit eccentric. Every time she sees me she will do one of two things - either refuse to acknowledge my existence or do what she did this week. She will grace me with a very forced, "Hi" and then say "I really wish that you were Jodi." It does wonders for my self-esteem.

The other super fun part of this week is this very persistent migraine that I have had for 11 days. It will come in waves of extreme pain, where I am crying and dry heaving, and then settle into a dull throb for an hour or so, or even a day or two. I have blamed it on absolutely everything. My migraines have all been hormonal over the last 9 years, and I've only had them when I was pregnant or just delivered (and no, I'm not pregnant for all of you wondering). We thought that it might be lack of exercise, then we thought that it could be my diet, then we thought that it was because I wasn't getting enough sleep, or maybe because I cried so hard when the kids went back to school. We've even blamed it on brie cheese, but eliminating or trying all of these things has not helped. Sooooo, I guess I need to go visit the doctor. Of course, it could be my vision as well. Hmmmm......