Long Days, Short Years...

{pretty, funny, happy, real}

2012-01-26T13:57:00.011-06:00

Funny~Little boys who take care of pretend racoons.

Real~ Schooltime and playtime-both very important for growing little boys.

Pretty-Abbie lined up all the nail polishes getting ready for flip-flop weather!

Happy~ Little boys building a zoo with their Lincoln Logs and a sweet puppy watching.

Today I am linking up at Like Mother, Like Daughter to remember the {pretty, funny, happy, real} in my life this week.

Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage....

2012-01-26T07:07:00.000-06:00

A couple of nights ago I asked Mark what was his favorite thing about me.

He thought for a little while and then said, and I'm not kidding,

"You try hard."

That wasn't really what I was looking to hear.

After he explained himself I got what he was saying and even though its not the most romantic answer I understood what he meant.

And then, because I can't leave well enough, I said,

"Well, what's the second best thing you like about me?"

He thought and thought and then said,

"You mean well...."

So there you go ladies-I am MamaHen and I try hard and I mean well. Nice to know you.

Signing Up...

2012-01-25T05:22:00.000-06:00

Abbie told us today she was practicing forging President Obama's signature.

I guess if she ever gets to Capital Hill and need to veto or sign a bill she will be in business.

Hopping...

2012-01-24T09:41:00.007-06:00

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Okay, I have a little secret. Other homeschool moms are about to gasp and get all wide-eyed. I have broken one of Homeschooling Moms cardinal rules~~~

We have been living without a real schedule for about a year now.

And we were good with that until about three weeks ago and a hospital stay and then it all started to unravel--the house, school, outside activities--all my bearings were gone. My mind was cluttered and bogged down trying to think for everyone and still get my mom duties done. Oh, and add in a new puppy and well, it all went downhill very quickly.

My Sweet Hubby suggested very gently, cause I was fragile and he knew I was gonna blow or give up very soon, that I might need to try something different. Cause you know, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is um, insanity. He didn't say it just like that by the way :). He somehow can say things in a nice way in which I can't.

So, yesterday I spent about two hours working on a routine for us. I have four kiddos home all day, various animals, and two in-laws that live next to us. Makes for a lot of fun, but you know, a lot of chaos can ensue on a daily basis. And thats okay. For Mark and me, the most important things the kids can be learning is that life is not all about them, that service to their family and grandparents is a good thing, and then the practical home skills and book skills they need for their lives. That's the number one reason I love homeschooling-we can do all of that daily! I just needed to manage better. That's really what it boiled down to.

So, there were a lot of hmmms and haaaas when I introduced our new routine this morning. One of them might have rolled their eyes, but we had a "Come To The Altar" meeting and that took care of that. Daddy will be home tonight to back me up and take care of any other resistance that may occur.

I even wrote down a routine for me because I was forgetting so many things and at the end of the day I was kicking myself-like reading to James. I read soooo much to the three big kids. We could all climb on top of the couch together and snuggle and read. With three big kids I have not been doing that with James. And that is very important to me so I wrote it down on my list.

Now, I've been doing this schooling thing for 8 years now and I KNOW its not going to go perfect everyday, or even anyday, but at least I can look at the list now and know which direction we need to be going in.

Its in pencil by the way. That way I can start adding to the chore list if someone complains. I know, mean mom......

Be sure and go visit over at Hip Homeschool Moms for more link-ups.

Oh, they are having give-aways this week also!

A Child of 2012

2012-01-23T12:08:00.000-06:00

(Matt, while talking to Mark),

"You know, this dog is the most interactive pet we have ever had."

Add It To The List....

2012-01-21T07:16:00.008-06:00

Of things I never thought I would say~~~~

"James Daniel! Get that puppy out of the fig tree!!!!"

And, if it looks like Sadie spends most of her time asleep (on the couch by the way, where she is not supposed to be), its because she is exhausted from all the "love" she gets when she is awake. Yesterday I looked out the window to check on James and Sadie. He had her propped up in a fork in the fig tree. Her little legs were going ninety to nothing trying to get down. James' reasoning was that Sadie just wanted to climb the tree like him. Poor Sadie, she is either going to be the most loved happiest dog in town, or the most miserable....

Friday Linky-Loos

2012-01-20T05:53:00.004-06:00

I have had this on hold for sometime now. It is just too important not to share.

Warning: I cannot vouch for anything else on this blog, but what he wrote here is spot on. Everyone, not just parents of girls, needs to read this.

Thoughts on how to talk to Little Girls...., by Jeff D Lawrence.

It really should be called "Thoughts on how to talk to ourselves and everyone we come in contact with."

I would love to know your thoughts.

A Sight To Behold...

2012-01-18T19:32:00.002-06:00

Today was a strange day all around. I'm not going to go into all the details cause they are boring and strange, but today was one of those days that you think are never going to end.

BUT, while driving the kids to the library we saw one of the strangest things I have ever seen and I'm pretty sure I will never see again.

We were driving down a major interstate and started to come upon an animal trailer hauling something. As we got closer we saw it was cows. Now, that is not strange, its a pretty common sight around here. But as we got even more closer I noticed something different about the last cow on the trailer. It took me a minute to process what I was seeing.

All of a sudden Abbie yelled, "She's having a baby!!!!"

And she was.

The poor cow was out in the freezing cold, ON A TRAILER, riding down the interstate, and her calf was about half way out of her!

I pulled up to the cab of the truck, blew my horn, and dramatically motioned to the driver that something was wrong in the back. He looked surprised and as I drove off I saw him pulling over.
Hopefully he was able to help her, although she looked like she had it pretty much under control. I guess she didn't have a choice, did she?

Anyway, that was one of the weirdest things I have ever seen on the interstate. How about you?

A Real Heads Up....

2012-01-17T17:12:00.005-06:00

Okay, I L.O.V.E, love, love the blogosphere. I like getting to make new friends, and see new things, and many times I am challenged to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Blogging has been so much fun for me~my little hobby that is something I enjoy and helps me record the things the kiddos do.

But, blogging has also been a way for me to help finance some things around here. I don't bring in an income through this blog, but I have been able to win prizes here that have helped out our family here and there. I have won VISA gift cards, gift cards to stores, books, home decorations, and toys for the kids. I put them in the gift box and they are saved for birthdays or Christmas. I love to host giveaways on my blog and I love to win giveaways. So much fun for me to be able to think about what I will do with the little "extra" I have won.

This weekend I found this site called Link Rink and it has several giveaway link-ups all in one place. They are categorized by days and events. They don't just have giveaway link-ups either, they have blog hops, food link-ups, wordless link-ups, and holiday hops. I was really impressed in how organized everything was. Since Mark and the big boys were out of town this weekend I had some extra time to pursue the sites and did find that some of the linkies were not working or had been given up. But there were a lot that were up and running.

You can find some great giveaways, many were low-entry, and also link up your own giveaways to add some traffic to your blog. The more the merrier.

Now, I can't sit around all day and enter giveaways, but when you have some extra time it is a fun little thing to do. If you ever have some down time (ha, ha, ha, who am I kidding?) you might want to jump over there and try to win something!

Oh, another way I buy some of our school books and Christmas presents are through Swagbucks. I can earn three swag bucks a day just by answering a poll question and typing in some letters. I probably earn about 20 swag bucks a week doing normal searches. When you get 450 Swag Bucks you can redeem them for a $5 Amazon gift card. It really doesn't take long to earn those cards. I had about $30 in cards to use for Christmas and when you are buying for four children it all helps.

This and That...

2012-01-17T11:34:00.002-06:00

In all the New Puppy-Love-Commotion I forgot to draw a name for my cookbook giveaway. The winner is Mammamayor.

Sadie, the puppy, made it through the night pretty well. She started barking these little yelps about 4:30 and I got up to check on her. She was thirsty and then needed to go out. She played outside this morning and now she is all cuddled up in Matt's lap. I have broken up approximately 375 arguments over whose turn it is to hold the dog. In less than 24 hours. I am going to just enjoy it while it lasts cause I know next they will be arguing over whose turn it is to feed her or take her out.

Okay, I've got absolutely nothing else. We are tucked in our little corner of the world today just doing school and washing clothes. The boys brought home three duffel bags full of dirty clothes. I'm about to iron for the week. And about to start Abbie on her math. She is very good at math, but says she doesn't like it. Some days she just buckles down and gets it done and over with. Some days she pouts and puffs up and acts like I am poisoning her by requiring math for the day. Ten year old girls are a whole new ball game for me ladies...

Pictures for Nana....

2012-01-16T15:22:00.013-06:00

Today I am linking up at Homestead Revival's Barn Hop. Be sure and go visit lots of other ladies who have neat things going on at their homes.

Guess what we got?

Introducing Sadie, the new Clark Wonder-Dog!

That's what we are hoping anyway....

I went to my granddaddy's to pick her up this morning and so far so good. She seems to be pretty quiet and laid-back. She is very pretty and we are hoping she will be a good friend and asset to the family. When she gets a little bigger she is going to live with the coming goats.

By the way, she dog-whispered to me that I am her favorite.

Friday Morning...

2012-01-13T06:02:00.004-06:00

Well, knock me over with a feather...

James did not cry one tear and he didn't fight at all. He went straight back without me and was out in 20 minutes. That never happens.

The assistant was bragging on him when she brought him out and I told her I had been praying for James all morning and when he was back there. She rolled her eyes at me. Oh well, doesn't matter. Well, it does matter. She matters. And maybe I can talk more with her next time. Ya'll can pray for me that I will open my big mouth and actually talk about the things that matter with people.

On the school front...Square Roots~~not as bad as I remembered. Spelling is going about like I thought it would for Matt and Abbie. James has an attention span of about 10 seconds so not a lot is getting done with him. He likes to sit down with me and start the workbooks, but finishing the page, ah, not so much. But the lure of a sticker on the page is doing its job, so far, and we are moving ahead. I just hope I don't run out of stickers anytime soon.

Mark and the big boys are heading out tomorrow morning to freeze their keisters off on a Scout camping trip. Abbie is having a friend spend the night and I hope to catch up on some things since I have been out of commission for awhile. Yesterday I felt tired, but didn't hurt all day. Yea! Last night I cooked a whole meal and tonight I'm using the leftovers to make a big pot of veggie-beef soup. With cornbread of course.

Don't forget you can enter my cookbook giveaway here.

The next few weekends are going to be pretty packed for us so I am looking forward to a low-key one starting today about 5:00. Today school calls and taking Sylvester the cat back to the vet. Oh, the laundry, I think the machine has a crush on me cause it keeps beckoning me out there.

A MOM SOS...

2012-01-12T09:42:00.002-06:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Tracy on Pinterest

This picture has nothing to do with the post, I just thought it was funny.

I really don't even have a post, just a Mom SOS because I am about have to take James to the dentist and he hates the dentist with a passion. Anybody want to come help me wrangle him into the chair?

And since, I got to spend three days at the hospital last week, (those bills should start arriving soon), and two children have dental procedures today, our cat Sylvester decided to get sick. Because apparently we need to visit all our health-care providers the first month of 2012. He has an upper respiratory infection and both eyes are infected. So we get to hold the cat down and apply ointment and shoot antibiotics down his throat three times a day. I guess it has been good practice for holding James down in the dentist chair today.

Just For Fun-A Little Suzanne & A Giveaway....

2012-01-10T17:12:00.010-06:00

Ya'll, I love BooMama. I just know if we ever met we would be BFFs and my stomach would always be sore from all the laughter. But, I already have a perfectly wonderful BFF that keeps me laughing, so I'll just admire BooMama from afar. A couple of days ago she posted some old Designing Women youtubes and ya'll, I was crying from laughing. The kids were giving me funny looks. I had forgotten how funny those women were. And since, I'm not having to cook, or really clean too much for that matter, I have had some time in the afternoon to waste watching them. So, without further ado... I present "Suzanne Is Hungry"

And since, we are on the topic of being hungry, I have a little giveaway. Its a copy of Abbie's 2012 American Heritage Girl Troop Cookbook. We did this for a fundraiser this past fall and I have an extra copy to give away. Its 121 pages of real recipes that real people cook. Abbie and I have a couple in there and I have already made the Homemade Beef Straganoff from it. Easy Peasy and good too!

To enter, just leave a comment telling me who your favorite Designing Women was. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about just leave a comment saying "Enter Me."

A couple of hoops if you would like some more entries:
1 extra entry for following me
2 extra entries for posting about this giveaway on your blog. It doesn't have to be a whole post-just a blurb directing people this way will be fine.

Leave a comment for each entry. Giveaway will end Monday, Jan 16th at noon.

Pantry Challenge Update, Week 2

2012-01-10T07:10:00.004-06:00

Well....

Today I was supposed to link up at Good Cheap Eats and discuss how my pantry challenge is going.

Its not going at all.

But I have a real doctor's excuse this time. So, I don't think I will be able to do it this month. But hopefully in February because it is something I would like to do.

We have had some meals delivered from church friends and my mom. And then Jill topped the cake by coming Sunday and buying up a bunch of easy groceries that the kids could fix themselves this week. I'm telling you, my sister Jill is the epitome of generosity and unselfishness. Of course, she made me laugh until my stomach was hurting again when she came, but it was worth it.

So, to say all that, I hope to be able to resume next month. I think it is a great idea.

A Little Shells and Cheese Never Hurts...

2012-01-09T07:50:00.004-06:00

I don't think I have ever been so happy to have a regular Monday morning here at home. We were supposed to start school last Wednesday, but today will be the day! I think the kids are even ready.

But guess what, Tyler starts Square Roots today. So, I'll be pulling out the Teachers Manual here shortly and getting a little refresher course. I refuse to whine or cry. I will be strong for him. Actually, he can figure it all out in about five minutes by himself. But I feel like I need to at least act like I'm interested, right? And that it's important. Right?

Matt and Abbie start a new spelling curriculum today and they ARE NOT happy about it. James is just happy-go-lucky about the whole day. He told me that he really missed me while I was in the hospital, but that Nana made him Velveeta Shells and Cheese and then he was okay. So glad to know I'm second only to Shells and Cheese....

A Few Things...

2012-01-08T09:05:00.005-06:00

It is a cool rainy Sunday morning here at my house and I am all alone. Mark took the kids to church and the house is very quite.

Well, this week didn't turn out anything the way I thought it was going to. I was fired up to start school, start my pantry challenge, and get things rolling back to as normal as they can be here at La Casa de Clark Chaos.

Monday night I started having sharp intense pains in my stomach and after two different ER visits I was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. I was there until Friday night for pain control and tests to see what was wrong. Yesterday I spent the day sleeping and recovering and today I feel like someone has repeatedly punched me in the stomach. I guess I'm sore from all the poking and prodding and tests that were done.

We did find some answers and I'll be going back this week to get more information. What I have is treatable, but probably won't just go away for awhile. As a person who wants to just "get things done with" I don't like this news one bit.

Ladies, I learned something very important this week. If you KNOW something is wrong don't give up. Don't just come home and cry. Mark took me to the first ER and I was told something silly and sent home crying. I decided on the way home from the ER I wasn't ever going to make another decision in my life and I was going to send the kids to school and Mark could make all the important decisions about their life from now on. Of course I was exhausted from the pain and frustrated, but that is how I felt.

My mom came and took me to my regular doctor the next morning and he immediately sent me to the ER at his hospital. At this point I KNEW something was wrong and I was not leaving there until I had some answers. Or at least some pain medicine! :)

Trust your instinct. You are the one who knows about you.

And ladies, if you have a mom who will make sure you get the help you need and will take care of your children when you physically can't, be thankful. And if you have a mom who will cook for you and love on you and comfort you when you have to get another IV, be thankful. And you have a Mrs. Jennifer, who will drop everything and will come to help you, be thankful. And a mother-in-law who makes you potato soup, be thankful.

And you know when you promise to stand by your spouse in sickness and in health. Well, Mark lived it out this past week. Stomach issues are not pretty and there is really no way to sugar-coat them. They are what they are. And Mark made me feel like the prettiest, most important person in that hospital. He stayed with me and rubbed my hair, and helped me in the most undignified things I went through. He prayed for me in my ear as I was crying, scared to death, headed for tests. He made me laugh at myself when the option was either wither away from embarrassment or laugh. I know I talk about what a great guy Mark is a lot on this blog. Its because he is. He is far from perfect. He messes up.. And he has little things that get on my very last nerve, as I do his. But he is perfect for me. And I am thankful for him.

Pantry Challenge January 2012

2012-01-03T07:34:00.005-06:00

Today I am linking up at Raising Homemakers.

For quite awhile I have been reading about different bloggers doing Pantry Challenges. On a whim I decided to join in with Fitzgerald Family Farms and Jessica at Good Cheap Eats to see if I can lower our food bill this month and use up what we have here at the house.

This is what I want to accomplish this month:

1. Only spend $200 (or less) on groceries for the rest of this month. As I stocked up last Saturday I think this will be doable. I hope...we'll see. I have four growing kiddos here and a hubby who loves fresh fruit. I will also need to buy bread and milk. My brother-in-law brought lots of bread at Christmas and I froze what we didn't use. This will be very handy. Hopefully this will save us quite a bit we can put toward the goat-getting fund!

2. Use up what is in my deep-freeze. I know there is a lot in there, but I need to get to it. I will be working my way down to the bottom hopefully. We all work so hard in the garden each summer and I need to be using what we worked for.

3. Try some new breads in my breadmaker. I have this great breadmaker and I just don't think about using it on regular basis. I'm hoping fresh bread spread with honey butter will be a good snack for the kiddos.

4. Cook a real hot breakfast Monday through Friday. Breakfast is my nemesis. Mostly it is because I tend to be lazy about it and three of the four kiddos are old enough to fix their own. And I don't like to clean up the kitchen first thing in the morning. But, it is something that needs to be done.

5. Use up our leftovers.

I am not going to report everyday on what I am doing, but I'll update on Tuesdays.

Yesterday I made homemade oatmeal with cinnamon-sugar for sugar, pizza rolls and fruit salad for lunch, and collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread for supper. We had lots of peas left over so I froze them for later this month. The kids ate fruit and brownies for snacks. We drink water or milk throughout the day, although I made grape juice for breakfast.

Tonight we are having pork roast, seasoned potatoes, green beans, and left-over cornbread.

So, is anyone else doing something similiar this month? And any tips for breakfast? I need all the help I can get!

A New Year and A New Skill...

2012-01-01T16:56:00.020-06:00

Today I am linking up at Homestead Revivals Barn Hop.

Well, when living on a little hobby farm you learn new things. You pretty much have to.

When I was sitting in my Victorian Literature class in college I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would be able to do the things I can do today. As I've said before, I always wanted to have the picturesque farm-life, I just never wanted the farm-work. Sitting around reading Victorian Literature was more of my thing.

Well, today I got an education of a new sort~~lets just call it Rabbit Gender Identification 101.

We still have four bunnies to sell and as they are rapidly approaching maturity we decided it was best to separate the girls from the boys before we had LOTS more little bunnies to sell.

Mark and Matt built another super-duper rabbit hutch and got it set up for the male bunnies.
Matt is turning into quite a carpenter.

This is George, the Big Daddy rabbit. There is absolutely no confusion in the fact that he is a male. "All man," as Mark would say.

James and I got some bunny-holding time in too. The day started out stormy and rainy, but by the time we left church it was short-sleeve sunny weather. That's BBQ sauce on his cheeks by the way.

While Matt, Mark, and I checked each little rabbit, sometimes we had to check them many times over as we became more and more confused, James played in the pear tree. He had some kind of airplane thing going and it was keeping him occupied. So we went with our favorite parenting instinct which has served us well so far-if the kids are happy and aren't hurting themselves or anyone else, just let them be.

A little innocent bunny before he was checked by MamaHen, who really didn't know what she was looking for to begin with. I mean, I know what I was looking for, but on little bunnies, it can be hard to tell, if you get my drift...

We think we have them in the right cages now. We have the Boys Dorm and the Girls Dorm and hopefully there will be no dorm-hopping without express permission from Dorm-Director. And hopefully we got the genders right. I guess we will know in about six weeks. Unless some wonderful soul comes along to purchase the bunnies. Right now I might pay you to take them...

Abbie sat around and looked beautiful while we were working. It comes pretty natural to her. And if the child doesn't stop growing up I'm going to....

Well, do something. I don't know what yet.

So, did you learn any fun new skills like I did on this New Year's Day?

Another Year Over...(to me that has always been the most depressing song)

2011-12-31T06:46:00.005-06:00

Oh me, 2011 is over and now I am going to have to get used to writing 2012 on my checks.

Goodness, I sound like Eyeore and Pooh wrapped into one.

I tried to think of something funny and interesting to write about and as this day is going to be spent doing laundry I really don't have anything. Maybe I will find a dollar in the dryer! That's always fun!

I went back and looked over my old posts from the 31sts of other years. Hmmm, not much there either.

2008- I read until Mark got home from work.

2009- We went to the library.

2010-All of us but James had the flu. Even though the flu was terrible and we missed my father-in-law's 90th birthday party, I look back upon The Great Flu Madness of 2010 which much fondness. My mom took James to her house while we were all sick and got him potty-trained in three days. I had been trying for about 6 months.

Hope you all have a wonderful couple of days with your families and friends!

How did it get to be Thursday?...

2011-12-29T08:21:00.007-06:00

Okay, okay. Today we start back into the real world just a little bit.

Actually, even though a whole lot of nothing has been done, I have been getting some things taken care of.

~I got all the Christmas stuff taken down and put away.
~I cleaned out my pantry.
~I cleaned out the toybox to make room for James' new toys.
~I went through some clothes to give away.
~I got all my ironing done for the week.
~I helped Matt make a yard sign for the bunnies for sale.
~I cooked a real meal last night.
~I cleaned out the camping closet.
~Abbie and I made cupcakes yesterday and we all had fun decorating with my new cake decorating tips. They were not pretty at all, but it was my first try. And they tasted good.
~I got about half-way through P&P. Don't tell, but my oldest has been mysteriously showing up when it is on and watching it. Matt is asking questions about it too, mostly on why the music is so loud (I have wondered this myself) and why they use such long words?

Hmmm, now that I am looking at the list I think I need another day off to recoup. Whatcha think?

Today we are going to venture to Wal-Mart. I have some returns to make and some food to buy. We are going to the Hixons tomorrow and I would like to take Rebekah a meal. Right now my choices would be spaghetti with no sauce or broccoli. I'm sure my family would appreciate me stocking up on some food you can actually eat instead of me just calling the cookies a "good protein source because they have peanut butter in them."

I love to take meals to people. It is one of my favorite things to do. I have fun planning out what to make and then delivering it to my friends. Makes my heart happy to know the mom can just kick back and not have to worry about supper that night. Of course, for Rebekah to get this meal she is going to have to put up with five other people descending upon her house for several hours and give up her baby for awhile to me because I need to get some rocking time in. Bless her heart...she really is a wonder-woman.

Speaking of wonder-women, my friend Janet got home on Christmas day with her two new little ones. You should go tell her hi and see what sweeties she has!

And it continues....

2011-12-28T12:02:00.001-06:00

Source: therealbluntcard.tumblr.com via Wendy on Pinterest

A New Level of L.A.Z.Y....

2011-12-27T11:32:00.003-06:00

Well, the big day has come and gone and I thought I would tell you about two of the presents I received.

1. The DVD Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth version thank you very much) from Sweet Hubby

2. An electric thermal throw that slowly warms your body until it is the absolute perfect temperature for maximum laziness, from my Aunt Renee.

So, I may not be posting for awhile. There are leftovers in the fridge, I have no school guilt cause its the holidays, and it is a cold rainy day here in mid-Alabama.

I shall be optimizing my lazy quota for the week.

Actually, in all honesty, I am going to iron while watching P&P and then finish it curled up on the couch after the ironing is done. That will be my reward for ironing fast and getting the job done. I might even just go ahead and put my pjs on.

Aunt Renee, you may have started a whole new level of excuses around here.

From Us...To You...

2011-12-23T16:51:00.007-06:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Jodi on Pinterst

You know how you can think of all those eloquent things to say in the middle of the night? Or you have these great thoughts while you are driving down the road alone and have no one to share them with.

Well, Amy, has all my Christmas thoughts typed up right here. She is a beautiful writer and a beautiful person and we all need to read what she wrote.

Merry Christmas to you and your family from the Clarks!

A New Carol....

2011-12-23T14:59:00.000-06:00

Ann, from A Humble Experience, had this on her blog today. I have read the poem, but never put it together that a Christmas Carol is based on it.

Listen and see the words. The music itself is beauty. The words are pure true theology~doctrine to lead us on this earthly journey.

He came, nothing could contain Him. He is here, the Spirit and His Kingdom cannot be prevailed against. He will come again, Jesus in all His Power and Might and Glory.

We have so much to remember, so much to live for today, and so much to look forward to.

Heads Up #258 (and its an important one too...)

2011-12-23T06:53:00.004-06:00

If you got to a fancy-schmancy Christmas Dinner Party for your husband's work.

And you dress up and fix your hair and makeup and get all the kids dressed up.

And you go into the party and talk and laugh and eat a delicious supper.

Please, please make sure you check your skirt before you leave.

Because you might have it on inside out the whole entire time.

Not that it happened to me (but it did, photo evidence below), but I wouldn't want it to happen to you....

And by the way Momma, thanks for telling me as I was walking out the door to leave.......

Thursday...

2011-12-22T07:36:00.004-06:00

Things have been remarkably quite at my house the past two weeks. I don't know what to do without all the running around and the crazy.

We have just been enjoying our time off from school, enjoying staying home, and just being together. Well I have anyway. My three oldest children like to do something outside of the house on a pretty regular basis. As Tyler says, "I want to see some people."

What are we? Aliens?

He will get to see some people tonight at the office Christmas party. Jill, you got any games lined up?

Today will be baking and a little cleaning day. All of Mark's family comes to our house on Christmas Day so I'll hold off on deep cleaning the bathrooms and mopping until Friday night. We will be gone all day Saturday at my family Christmas so maybe it will stay decent until Sunday morning. I doubt it, but a girl can hope, right?

I got most of the presents wrapped last night. Mark had fun laying on the couch and whopping me with the empty wrapping paper tubes. We are just barrels of fun here. Sort of like Jill and her hubby.

My goal for the next few days is to avoid Walmart at all costs, and enjoy the family and this season. We are having a very low-scale Christmas here and it has been perfect. Just perfect.

Drummer Boy...

2011-12-18T06:43:00.007-06:00

Now normally I don't I'm all like "Don't be messing with the Christms carols!" but Mary from Owlhaven had this on her blog so I had to see what it was all about.

And I have to say, I liked it.

And bless his heart, you can tell he is so cold. My momma's heart just wants to run out there with a blanket. And my momma's mind just looks perplexed as to why someone would do this to themselves. And then I remember I have one of these types of people in my house and that they will probably be rich and bestowing lavish gifts upon his mother, who supported his wild dreams all these years...

Well, a mom can hope, right?

Well!

2011-12-17T18:38:00.003-06:00

I have two things to write about tonight.

1. Abbie and I went to the hospital this morning and got to see Rebekah's newest son. And let me tell you, it was baby heaven. He is adorable and he already likes me best. I know, I just know. Rebekah and baby are doing well and Abbie was so sweet holding him.

2. This is hard to write. But maybe it will help me to process what happened today and deal with it in a mature wise manner. Or it might make break down and cry.

Follow along and see what happens.

Abbie and I were enjoying the visit with Sweet Baby when a nurse came in to do some bloodwork on Rebekah. Abbie and I stepped outside because no one wanted me passing out on the floor of Rebekah's room. I don't do well with needles you understand.

We were standing outside the room when a young woman walks by pushing her baby in a little bassinet thingy down the hall. She went down one side and when she came up on our side I complimented her on her beautiful baby and smiled. She asked me if I was there to visit someone and I said, "Yes, but she is doing some bloodwork so I came outside to wait." She then said, and I'm not making this up, Abbie is my witness,

"Is it your daughter?"

As in my daughter in there having a baby. As in I was the grandmother. As in, this person thought I looked old enough to have a child old enough to have a baby.

I looked perplexed as it took me a minute to fully realize what she had just said and mumbled, "No, it is my friend."

Abbie managed to hold the laughter in until she out of earshot and then started laughing.

I walked in and told Eric and Rebekah and they got a good laugh.

I came home and told Mark, expecting some comforting and reassurances that I did not look like a grandmother, and he laughed and told me he was going to call me Granny from now on.

I talked with my used-to-be favorite niece, Mrs. Jennifer, and she laughed so hard she couldn't hardly talk. I will give her the credit that when she got her self-control back she tried to think of a good excuse for why the woman would have said that. But she couldn't.

So, Granny MamaHen will now just get her cane and her reading glasses and head on to bed. Its 6:55 pm after all...

Friday Linky-Loos

2011-12-16T06:47:00.003-06:00

***Rebekah is at the hospital RIGHT NOW having her new baby boy! Another baby to love on! In case you haven't noticed I believe babies are GOOD things and I think every one should be celebrated and rejoiced over.

Here are some good reads I have read over the past few weeks.

Amy is my real-life friend, was my Bible Study leader before we had to give it up for this year, and one of the funniest writers ever. Her four little celebrations give her lots of blog fodder. She somehow manages here to make even pumpkin bread funny. She also loves The Word and shares it with us in a wonderfully written way.

I don't think anything truer has ever been written-The Five Top Toys of All Time. I can vouch for each and every one of them.

Welcome to my Christmas home-my dream home that is.

This is for my mom and sister-they love Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana.

Lizzie, from A Dusty Frame, is having a Christmas Cookbook sale right now. I won this particular cookbook on a giveaway a couple of years ago and it is really sweet and cute. With real recipes that real people would cook. I bet you would like it also. And its only $2.50! Can't beat that!

I learn something new all the time-my sister Jill had a stalker in high school. I'm not sure how I missed it, except that I might have been wrapped up in my completely self-absorbed teenage life. Not that I would do that or anything.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I'll be finishing up some gift-buying and visiting the hospital. And then Sunday we are having an early Christmas gathering at my mom's house after church.

Monday Meanderings and A Giveaway...

2011-12-12T07:06:00.012-06:00

The winner of the giveaway is Dana Smith!

We made it! Abbie and I made it through the girl's crazy weekend! By 12:00 Sunday I was running on very low fumes, but we did it. And today is going to be a day of a whole bunch of nothing (well, not really, but a mom can dream, right?). Today is going to be recovery day and vacuuming day. Yep, you read right. When you turn 39 you are very excited to receive a new working vacuum for your birthday. And today that baby is going to get tested out on every available surface in my home. It needs it, bad. I'll also give her her name today. Workhorse will be the top choice.

Abbie did wonderful in her two performances. She's the one in the headband. My mommy heart swelled at seeing her up there. My family was there, except Del, who was sick, and it was really special. There were even three little tiny angels and one of their tinsel halos kept falling off and it was precious.

Abbie and I did the Salvation Army bell-ringing Saturday for two hours and 40 minutes. Not that I was counting every minute or anything. Ya'll, it was cold. Cold to the bone. We were in the shade, not by choice mind you, and the wind was whipping around the stores so much it actually was knocking over the metal bucket stand.

The girls sang and rang the bells and I got to people watch. These were two of my observations: 1) Ladies, leggings are not pants. No matter what your size, leggings are not pants. That's all I will say about that. And 2) Ladies, I know I tend to harp on this, but please, please, put some socks on your babies. My eyes almost popped out of my head when this lady came out of Belk dressed to the nines in boots, and a heavy sweater, and her sweet baby had no socks on. If you need help deciding whether it is cold enough for baby to have socks on just remember this rule-if you are wearing socks YOUR baby needs to be wearing socks.

All of that aside the bell-ringing was nice and it was nice to get to say Merry Christmas to so many people. The moms got to talk and socialize while the girls did their thing.

I was bone-tired and cold to the bone when we got home Saturday night.

Then it was off to the church at 7:30 am Sunday morning. After I got her dropped off I felt like I could take a deep breath and just sit and relax. And then the tiredness and headache hit. I am so glad this past weekend is done and now it should be pretty much smooth-sailing until Christmas Eve. Well, as smooth as it can got here at my house anyway.

Mark held down the house-reins and kept everyone fed and clothed and where they needed to be the whole weekend. Nana and Pawpaw kept James Friday night so Abbie and could march in the Leeds Christmas parade and have her AHG party. I would have really been a crazy woman without them.

Mark surprised me by taking us out to eat after church and then I got a long nap. It took two tylenol and four ibuprofin to get my headache under control though. I don't handle running all over the town very well.

Now, wouldn't you love to have one of these sweet little bunnies under your tree on Christmas morning? Or two, or five? They are ready to go to their new loving homes. They are all well-taken care of, healthy, and well-played with. They are child-friendly and are very used to people. Did you know that rabbits can be litter-boxed trained? They can!

Okay, as a reward for reading through this long post I am having a little giveaway. To celebrate the fact that I am still standing, to celebrate my birthday, to celebrate Christmas, and to celebrate my new vaccuum cleaner - I am giving away a $20 gift card to your choice of stores. Close to me are Target, JC Penny's, Walmart, Chick-Fil-A, Publix, and CVS. You pick the store and I'll get it out to this week. This will be a quick giveaway because I want to get the card to you before Christmas. I'll draw a name Wednesday at 2:00 and then purchase the card that afternoon and then I'll get it in the mail as soon as I get your address.

All you have to do is sign your name in blood saying you will take at least three bunnies off my hands by Friday. Just kidding. If you are interested in a bunny you can email me at clarksrfun @gmail.com though.

Just tell me which card you would like. One entry for entering and you can receive another for following me.

Giveaway ends Wednesday, the 14th at 2:00 !

Friday Morning...

2011-12-09T07:42:00.007-06:00

How in the world did it get to be Friday?
How in the world did it get to be December?
Christmas already?
I am just getting used to writing 2011 on my checks and now it is about to go changing on me again.

The weekend is coming and it is readying to be a super-busy one for the ole MamaHen and the Abbie-girl. Christmas parties, a Christmas parade, dress rehearsals, Salvation Army bell-ringing (although I am with you Lisa on the sound of the bells-they do have the strangest tinkling sound, don't they), and then two Christmas play performances on Sunday morning. Then Tyler has a church Christmas shin-ding Sunday night.

Oh, and I am planning on Rebekah having that sweet baby Sunday. Rebekah, I'll even give up my birthday nap if I need to come to the hospital to hold the baby for you while you recover.

And I go through my "why can't we just all stay home?" questions and then head out to the mini-van because older wiser people have told me all this will go by so fast and these are the best times of my life, etc, etc, etc...

I can vouch for the time flying for sure. And for the best time of our lives-I think they are pretty much right on with that too. Except I really love the rocking babies to sleep times and the "I can't come, we have little ones you know" times and it just being our little family here all tucked in at our house.

I am in a transition time here at the Clark House of Chaos. No more real little ones and moving into a new territory of teens and pre-teens. Still very much children, but the way I talk with them and relate to them is starting to change. I can't explain it, I just know it is happening. I feel like I just got the baby thing figured out and now they aren't babies!

Well, that went off in a tangent I wasn't expecting...

So, I am claiming this weekend as a great bonding and fun time with my Abbie-girl. Mark and my mom and dad are holding down the fort with the boys. Abbie, her friends, and I can take this weekend and run with it. We will be running, from here and there, thats for sure. It'll be a good one because I'll be with her and then Sunday I will turning 39 and I will have the chance to see all my family at Abbie's performance.

That's another thing-how am I turning 39 when I haven't done all the things I was going to do when I was 38?.........

Follow along if you dare...

2011-12-07T05:46:00.003-06:00

Something is crazy up with our computer. It is working under Mark's log in name, but mine is all kinds of messed up. Mark was able to save all our pictures (which we should have done anyway) and the blog, along with a family recipe book that Mrs. Jennifer and I have been working on for, oh, about 13 years now. Seriously. I started it before Tyler was born. Mrs. Jennifer took over after I had three kids in four years and the thought of finishing a recipe book was the last thing on my mind. Then she had FavCousin and it all got sort of forgotten about. I am happy to say that with Mark's help and me hunkering down about two years ago it got completed. Now it might only take me two more years to actually go and get it printed. I know. Sad, isn't it? But won't the family be happy and surprised when they actually get it? I only told them 13 years ago to be on the look out for it...

The bunnies are growing like crazy and are still adorable. I have lots of pictures but I am afraid to do anything with them until Mark gets all the kinks worked out on the computer. They will be ready to go to their new homes the week of Christmas. Hows that for timing? If you are local and would love a bunny for Christmas let me know. I'll even deliver!

We got our tree up Monday and got it decorated last night. Again, I have pictures, but I'll just let you imagine the chaos. And then we did Christmas card photos after the tree was up. We attempted it anyway. James is a little ham and the big kids were not too happy about having to sit for pictures for so long. Oh well. They'll bounce back.

BFF Rebekah is due any day now. I am sitting on ready to get to the hospital. Rebekah, Friday would be good. Mark will be home and I will have childcare. Just sayin. Saturday and Sunday are going to be really busy for me so you might need to wait until Monday if Friday doesn't work out :). You know I'm kidding girl. But Saturday is not a good day at all.... :)

Speaking of Friday, its the last day of school for the year! Momma and Teacher needs a good break. I said at one time I was actually liking fractions now. I changed my mind. I tend to do that on a regular basis. Except for history. Love me some history. We just finished the War for Independence and that will be a good stopping place for the semester. We will pick back up with the Constitution in the new year.

Okay, I feel like I have wasted a good amount of your morning. So sorry. We just aren't very exciting around here at all.

Jill, I have your camera in my purse and we give it to Momma on Friday when I see her. Is that okay?

2011-12-06T08:31:00.002-06:00

Hi!

My computer has had a very nasty computer virus for the last two weeks. I am on my mother-in-law's computer now. Just wanted to check in and say I'll be back whenever Super-Hubby can get it fixed. It is a bad one folks.

I miss all of you and checking in on a regular basis. Bethany-praying for you and for little one! Can't wait to see pics!

Rebekah is due any minute now so I'll be loving on a new little one soon myself. But I'll get to give him back to Mommy and still sleep all night!

Hope to catch up soon!

Armadillo Anyone?....

2011-11-28T07:00:00.009-06:00

Carol and David treated us to an Armadillo cake for Thanksgiving.

A (Long) Walk on a Thanksgiving Afternoon...

2011-11-25T08:19:00.014-06:00

All the pics are out of order and I am L.A.Z.Y this morning so I'll just do the best I can with them out of order. But rest assured, it is driving me crazy on the inside. LAZY is just winning this morning...
After our delicious lunch at my sister-in-law Carol's house we went on a walk at a local preserve. While hiking we came upon a snake of some sort. Matt just told me it is a King Snake. Brandon, Mrs. Jennifer's hubby, picked him up to show him off. I stayed at a reasonable distance as reasonable people do.

My Matt all growing up.

FavCousin and Abbie treated us to a violen concert after lunch also.
I caught this picture of Abbie and FavCousin holding hands during our family prayer. Love these girls so much...
How did I end up with this good-looking man?
Mrs. Jennifer (FavCousin's mom) and my Tyler.
Abbie and James picking pecans at Carol's house. Abbie and FavCousin dished out door prizes later and the pecans were one of the prizes. Those girls keep us entertained.
We tried to get a good pic of all the younger grandchildren, but this was about as good as it was gonna get. (Betty and Louis have grandchildren ranging from 35 to 3-how neat!)
My Abbie-girl. The freckles get me every time.

At the end of our long walk back. We got separated from the group because they decided to turn around and come back. We then had proceed and extra 200 miles (seems like it anyway) to get back to the car. I was not happy to see my family in this pic. I am happy because I was still standing. And also because I had swallowed a bug earlier and it was stuck behind my tonsil. Yep, really. And by the way, I didn't swallow it on purpose. It flew in as I was about to say something to Jennifer. I probably need to talk less don't you think? I was happy because I could finally get some water to get the bug out. Disgusting yes.

We got home around 6:30 and Mark and I fell onto the bed and slept for an hour. I'm not sure what the kids were doing. We declared ourselves as old people now. We got up, put the kids to bed, and tried to watch some TV. I then fell asleep on the couch. What is happening to us?

It was a great day with great family. We missed all of you that weren't with us-Mollie, Carrie, Joel, Katie, and Scott. Come home soon!

Photo-Catch-Up...

2011-11-23T08:09:00.005-06:00

More bunny pics. So sorry to ya'll that aren't the slightest bit interested, but I am a little obsessed.
Mark caught this picture of my in-laws as they were walking towards their house Sunday. They had come out to see the bunnies. They are such a living and walking example of what loving each other really means.

Last Friday night Abbie got to participate in the Secret Keeper Girls Concert here in our town. She got to model and even though it was a B.I.G. hassle we had lots of fun and she looked adorable on that stage. The girls modeled fun, but modest clothing. If you ever get a chance to go to one of these concerts in your hometown you should. The emphasis is on glorifying Jesus and not yourself throughout your life.

Today is cooking day and I hope we can make a library run this afternoon.

Hope you all have a terrific holiday with your families!

Rambles Here and There....

2011-11-22T12:44:00.003-06:00

~Right now the four kids are sitting in the den area with Sue the MamaBunny and her seven little bunnettes.

Abbie and James are absolutely fascinated with the whole nursing process and I am torn between what is a good normal curiosity and what is just plain odd.

~I think the kiddos are over the stomach bug. No one has thrown up since yesterday afternoon.

~We are off school this week due to Thanksgiving. I've been cleaning a little and doing laundry. Surprisingly I have not stressed over cleaning the house for company one time. Yet. I still have two days to go though.

~Someone asked on Facebook if anyone was going to go out shopping on Black Friday. I replied with a "No, I'll be home doing a whole lot of nothing." What I really meant is "You could not pay me enough to go out shopping on Black Friday and I'll just stay home with all the other normal people in the world."

Okay, you could pay me enough. Just so it didn't have to be Wal-Mart.

~I'm making apple pie, chocolate-pecan pie, and a Bananas Foster Cake for Thanksgiving at my sister-in-law's house. Cooking day tomorrow!

What are you making yummy for Thanksgiving?

Well, Knock Me Over...

2011-11-20T17:18:00.007-06:00

You could have knocked me over with a feather when Matt started yelling "Sue had bunnies, Sue had bunnies!!!!"

Sure enough, Matt dug down deep in her whole little cave she had built for herself in the hay, and pulled out six bunnies.

oh.my.goodness. Can you say adorable? I can't believe there have been babies out there for two weeks and I didn't know about it.

Sue, the MamaRabbit, didn't seem to mind us holding them and she just went about her business of eating her celery. She had six and evidently has been doing a great job taking care of them because they all appear to be healthy. Two look just like George, the Daddy, and the other four look just like Sue.

Matt immediately began calculating how much money he could get by selling them all. And I was thinking to myself, "There ain't no way I will ever be able to sell these bunnies."

I know I will change my mind after the cute wears off and I am having to buy the feed for them. But right now I am in newborn bunny bliss and best of all, I just get to go and enjoy them! Sort of like being a grandmother I guess!

Monday morning update: Matt just found another one-we have seven!

Sunday Morning....

2011-11-20T10:06:00.003-06:00

Well, its Sunday morning at 10:05 AM and I am still in my pjs. As are James and Abbie. And I have to say its not bad....

Mark and the big boys are at church. We went to my mom's yesterday for my family's early Thanksgiving dinner and we were there for about 30 minutes when James started throwing up again. And then later other unmentionables began to happen with him, bless his heart, really, and we just decided to come on home.

But not before we ate lunch with the family. And oh my goodness, everyone outdid themselves. Again. My momma made chicken and dressing and I would put it up against any ones.

James seems to be doing better this morning, but we decided to stay home just in case. We are just lazying around.

I am about to get up and get going though. I am planning on starting some beef stew in the crockpot for supper and just planning on having a cozy day at home. I will start my lists and plans for this coming week. We are off school-all week! And we are going to do some deep cleaning in preparation for family coming in Wednesday.

I reread Auntie Leila's Thanksgiving advice again this morning. Where was Auntie Leila when I had a four year old, a two year old, and a one year old? Go. Read. Now.....

The Long Days Part...

2011-11-17T18:23:00.004-06:00

You know how my blog is called Long Days, Short Years? We have been heavy on the "long" part around here lately.

Just some snippets:
James has a throw-up something. Hoping it is a quick virus.
Mark hasn't felt good in days.
I have a cold.
My father-in-law fell Monday and had to have stitches (ER visit included).
The lightening strikes saga continues-we had to have the whole house rewired last week.
I managed to get lost downtown even with a GPS (more about that later).
A certain child in my house is trying my patience and is giving it all they've got.
Mark called a little while ago and said he has a deacon's meeting after church and I thought I was going to cry.
James threw up in the car and that was a joy to get to clean up. Not really.
I have done five loads of laundry today and there is still a load out in the dryer.

But, its not all bad.

I get to be home and take care of James. He's on the couch now watching Curious George.
I think I am on the mend.
My father-in-law was not too seriously hurt. It could have been a lot worse.
I got a GPS (which I will introduce to you later because she has become a very special friend)
The house is now re-wired and supposedly if lightening strikes the house again it will not knock out all our major appliances.
I've got a washing machine to do the throw-up laundry in. My grandmother literally went to the creek and drew water to do her laundry when she was first married. I've got it good in that regard. Cause we would just have to wear dirty clothes.
If we are well on Saturday we are going to my mom's for an early family Thanksgiving. And mom's always make it better.
The child that is giving me fits-This Too Shall Pass. That's what they say anyway.

But you know what? A hot brownie with cold vanilla bean ice cream on top wouldn't hurt anything, would it?

If only I was able to get inside the store to buy the stuff before James got sick. Oh well.

He Did It...

2011-11-14T05:33:00.005-06:00

Well, the little stinker went and turned five. Mark and I did our best to try to convince him to be four for just one more year, but he just wouldn't agree. There were very little tears from Mama upon hugging and sending him to bed as a four year old knowing that he would be five when he woke up. And I found that kissing a five year old baby is just as delightful in the morning as kissing a four year old baby. So, introducing my five year old teeny-tiny newborn, James.

He requested a Bug and Dirt Cake for breakfast and it was super easy to do. It was really more of a pudding with Oreos on top, but the kiddos seemed to like it.Upon receiving his present from the family he proceeded to be "The Law" around here and he is keeping us in line.

Anybody want to guess how much I love this kid?

Stink Crisis Averted....

2011-11-13T08:32:00.006-06:00

Some of you may remember this Great Stink Story. I know I will never forget it. As will the older children. But young James, who was not even born when this mega-disaster occurred, did not learn this lesson.

Saturday I happened to notice that James was carrying an egg to his room. My mom "hmmmm radar" went off and I followed him to see what was going on. He went and laid his egg his his sock basket. As I investigated further I saw two other eggs nestled gently in the basket.

Upon questioning I learned he was trying to "grow" a baby chicken.

I listened, and then very calmly pointed out that only momma chickens can grow baby chickens and any eggs we bring in the house are to eat. I then in a very stern voice tried to explain the terrible stink of rotten eggs and why we didn't want that in our house.

He went along with throwing the old eggs away without any fuss.

Crisis Averted, but you can bet I will be checking the room for any eggs we might have missed in the coming days.

So True...

2011-11-10T07:11:00.002-06:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Leslie on Pinterest

I showed this to Mark cause I couldn't stop laughing. He first said, "We need to put this on our Christmas cards." Then he said, "He needed to take the spoon away from me."

Bless his heart, he has to live with the crazy pot all the time.

Current Going-Ons...

2011-11-07T09:44:00.005-06:00

~I am currently in the midst of moving some furniture in my house. At my house when you move furniture you find a whole bunch of mess that needs to be cleaned up. I don't know why I do this to myself. You would think I would start to have some of this figured out with the big 39 coming up. You would think.

~Abbie has just informed me she is starting a band with three of her friends from AHG and church. She is hoping for a fifth to join soon. Her first song is a Books of the Bible song to teach others how to remember them. It will be interesting to see how this band plays out since they have no way to get together and practice.

~I noticed all these little pieces of paper laying around the furniture in my living room. Upon closer inspection they read, "Leave in your will to Abbie" or, "Abbie claims this." Hmmmm, does she know something I don't?

~Abbie found out Saturday she got a speaking part in the Christmas play at church. She has them already memorized and said them for me this morning. Her dreams of public speaking are finally coming true.

~No Baby Bunnies. Sad, but also a little relieved since the nights are turning colder. I guess we will have to wait until spring to get some little bunny sweeties.

~My oldest, Tyler, did his Order of the Arrow ordeal for Boy Scouts this weekend. Its all top-secret, from moms anyway, but he did all he needed to do and I am glad he is safe back at home. Where I can look at him and feed him and make sure he is warm in his bed at night. This morning Mark measured and he is officially taller than me. I think he forgot he is supposed to be a 6 lb, 9 oz newborn.

~Speaking of newborns, my teeny-tiny newborn James is turning five on Friday. I can't speak of it or I just might wither away. Hormones and newborns turning five can make for a hard week for a momma. So, if I don't post anymore its because I have given up the will to get out of bed and I'll just sit and stare at my old baby books.

Ya'll, can you even imagine when the last one moves out? Its going to be bad around here.

I Am...

2011-11-06T06:50:00.000-06:00

You know how all those people are occupying (fill in the blank) and holding up all those signs saying they are in the (fill in the blank) percent?

Well, I MamaHen, have a sign to hold up. But I am too lazy to get paper and pen, write it out, and then take a picture. And I don't have my makeup on yet. So definitely no picture.

Here is my sign:

Way back in January I had to go to Brookwood Hospital for a doc visit. You can read about my parking lot experience here.

Well, evidently the Brookwood parking lot and I don't get along too well.

I left the doctor a little shaky. I had to have some tests, and the doc is almost 100% sure everything is fine, but I was still a little unnerved. I paid my parking ticket before you left the hospital (per instructions). But, my ticket wouldn't print. The computer kept reading Failure to Print, Failure to Print, Failure to Print.

Even though the parking lot "Ambassador" was standing right there viewing the whole scene I still had to ask her to help. She got my last name, called someone and told them a Clark was coming to the Green Exit and that I had paid and to let me out manually.

So, I shakily proceed to my car, call my mom and begin to discuss with her what the doctor said. I guess I got a little distracted because I went to the Yellow Exit. Listen, if you haven't been in the Brookwood Hospital parking lot, don't judge.

So, I went to the Yellow Exit, pulled up to the kiosk-thingy, and of course there was not a person in the Yellow Exit.

Anybody want to guess how many people were backed up behind me?

So, I was the .000001% that had to get out of my mini-van and do some sign/body language to indicate that all those cars were going to have to back up because I was the dummy who didn't have a ticket.

And so they all backed up. Backed up just enough so that my three-point turn to get out of my predictiment turned into about a ten-point turn and the guy sitting in his car watching the whole thing got a very good laugh.

Did I mention I was already shaky?

I made my way to the Green Exit and was able to get out.

I think I am going to have to change doctors simply because of the parking lot.

Is anyone else in this small percent that has had to do this? Let yourselves be known.

Oh, Dear....

2011-11-04T19:17:00.000-05:00

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Wendy o

n Pinterest

I am loving me some Pinterst.

Update 2011:.......

2011-11-01T07:20:00.004-05:00

Bunny Watch 2011: No new bunnies as of yet. Still waiting and watching for any sign. The fact that we really have no idea what to look for, or even if she is really expecting does not hamper us one bit.

Grocery Watch 2011: Mark has asked me to please, "carve out some time today" to buy some groceries. Its getting a little sad around here.

Confession Time 2011: I really really like the new fridge being almost empty. Its so pretty and new that way.

Laundry Bootcamp 2011: So far so good. No one wants to be the first to have to do the family laundry for a week and they are turning those socks the right way. Now, if we can just get them INTO the hamper we will be on our way!

So today, school, groceries, and other assorted child drama. James is faaarrrr more dramatic than any of my others have been. Last night as he was eating candy he declared his throat was hurting. I asked him what was wrong and he said, and I am not making this up,

"I think I have been poisoned."

And he was serious.

I assured him he was not being poisoned and then he was fine.

Never thought that would be on my mommy-duty list.

Heard Around Here Lately....

2011-10-30T14:20:00.004-05:00

I was in my swing and Abbie was discussing something about one of the Duggar boys getting married.

James walked over to her and said, "Abbie, I am going to marry you."

She replied, "You can't marry me, you are my brother."

He said, "I am talking about when we are all grown up!"

And my heart got just a little bit mushier. I love these two. Abbie is like a little mom to him and he knows she is always watching out for him.

Musings on Alice, the Wonder-Fridge, and other non-important stuff...

2011-10-28T05:29:00.005-05:00

Friday! And co-op day at that! Its like a free school day for me. My kids are learning, getting to see new people and do new stuff, and all I have to do is deliver them there! I do some child management in Abbie's class and then eat lunch with a bunch of great ladies. And then home again :)

Unfortunately, I am think I am going to have to admit defeat and say I am sick. I have been feeling bad since Wednesday and trying to plow on like normal. I can't say exactly what is making me feel so bad, I am just achy and tired. No fever, but just feeling achy like when you have a fever. Wednesday I did clean the very dusty ceiling fans and wash the very dusty curtains in my room which activated the old dust allergies, but I was pretty much over that by that night. So, basically to sum it up I am sick, but can't tell you how I am sick.

I am happy to report that Alice, the Wonder-Fridge is doing wonderfully. She is living up to all my grand expectations and all my grand money and I love her. I still haven't put anything up on the outside of her because I am loving the newness of her. She is delightful to say the least.

I heard from Eric, Rebekah's hubby, that appliances like to grieve over each other. If one dies the others will start to grieve themselves to death also. So I have been trying to keep Mildred the stove, Janice the oven, and Angel, the dishwasher, happy and busy this week. I figure if they are busy they won't have time to notice what is going on over on the other side of the kitchen. By the way, the dishwasher is named Angel because she is my Angel of Mercy. As in "Mercy Goodness, how many loads of dishes can we go through in one day?!?!?!"''

So, to sum it up, we are off to Co-op this morning and then home to a weekend full of nothing planned. I looked at my calendar and this is the only weekend until Thanksgiving that the boys do not have Scout trips or Abbie does not have choir rehearsals. So I am planning on getting out the old quilts and enjoying these beautiful couple fall days. I am willing myself to get better right now. There.

Nope, didn't work.

What are you doing this weekend?

Around Here Lately...

2011-10-27T06:11:00.007-05:00

~We are eagerly awaiting the delivery of Sue's little bunnies. We think it will be late this weekend or early next week. After losing the last bunnies I have no idea what to expect, but hopefully Sue will be more experienced this time and know what to do.

~Laundry Boot Camp went well yesterday. We had a family meeting about the laundry, which was as exciting as it sounds, and laid down the rules very clearly. They will get one reminder/warning and then any infractions will be dealt with by them having to do the laundry for the whole family for a week. They are 13, 12, and 10 so I don't think this is too harsh. Is it? But even James, the four year old, was so proud to come and tell me he had taken his socks off but he made sure they were the right way before he put them in the hamper. I praised him and he walked off with a very smug look on his face. He'll show the big kids :).

~I caught these two snuggling on the couch watching a nature show yesterday. And my heart melted a little bit more. James is following Matt in the morning as he does his animal chores and it is the sweetest thing. Once James is a little older we hope he can take over the feeding of the chickens in the morning. Matt is showing him what to do each day and James is taking it very seriously. James also feeds the cats every morning and the seriousness of that has already worn off. When I remind him to do his job he tells me they can just "catch some mice for breakfast."

~My parents and some of their friends went to the mountains last week and my mom brought me back 1/2 bushel of apples. We have been eating lots of them as snacks and for the last two days Abbie and I have made applesauce in the crockpot. The house has smelled so good and our supper has had a little extra something. Oh man, it is good.

~I told Abbie last week how Jill and I used to make dollhouses/Barbie-houses out of boxes and books and decorated them by cutting out pictures from magazines. She decided to make her own and ya'll, you won't believe how much time she has spent making and playing with this dollhouse. I love to walk by and see her playing and imagining. She has a "baby room" that is filled with babies and she just talks to them. So sweet. ( I just noticed all the Rescue Hero figures. I guess she has a rescue operation going on also).

~Today will be filled with school this morning and then guitar and violen lessons. We also have a couple of errands to do and haircuts for the boys. They are looking a little shaggy to say the least.

So Many Pins, So Little Time....

2011-10-26T06:50:00.002-05:00

Well, I caved. I finally joined Pinterest. I am limiting myself greatly (so far), but ya'll, this is fun! Here are some of my favs.

Source: teacherfeature.tumblr.com via Wendy on Pinterest

(The truth in this statement is heavy, heavy indeed)

Source: randompicdumps.com via Wendy on Pinterest

(I'm not sure when it happened for me, but the fall has definitely happened).

Source: google.com via Wendy on Pinterest

(This picture makes me so happy I don't even know what to do. Its a hammock, and a bed! A bed hammock! All my lazy dreams have come true!)

Laundry Bootcamp

2011-10-25T12:16:00.004-05:00

Okay, ladies, a couple of posts ago I told you I was sitting on ready because I felt all out of sorts with being caught up on my laundry. I am doing my ironing once a week (on Monday afternoons) and am doing two-three loads of laundry each day, except for Sunday. This is working out really well in that everyone has clean clothes and I'm not feeling overwhelmed. But, I have noticed that some particular children in my house are not appreciating all my hard work. They do fold (sometimes) and they are responsible for getting the folded clothes off my bed and putting them away.

Here is where the problem comes in. Before and after the laundry gets to me I am noticing some lack of, um, concern with the younger folks.

So, I am planning on starting a Laundry Bootcamp at my house pronto. Here are some of the rules I am laying down before it begins:

1. Clean folded clothes DO NOT go back into the laundry hamper.

2. Clean folded clothes DO NOT go on top of the dresser, beside the dresser, or even under the dresser. They go IN the dresser. That's why we have a dresser in the first place.

3. Pajamas are not necessarily dirty each time you wear them. They can be folded and put back into the dresser.

4. Belts must be taken off of pants BEFORE being put into the hamper. Because when they get caught on that little rubber thing in the washer it makes mommy a little cranky.

5. Crayons, glow sticks, pens, pencils, or old apple cores do not get to be washed in the washing machine. If they need to be washed you can wash them yourself in the sink. Or better yet, you can stop sticking them in your pockets and then forgetting to take them out. The only extra thing I want to find in the laundry is money of the bill persuasion. I consider it a little "tip" for all my hard work.

So tomorrow, bright and early, before we start our schoolwork everyone is going to learn the proper way to do laundry. Cause if Mama ain't happy with the laundry situation, no one is going to be happy. :)

So sweet ladies, am I forgetting anything important about kids and laundry? Do your kiddos do any of the above or is it just mine?

Motherhood 101: Words To Watch For Edition....

2011-10-24T12:44:00.000-05:00

Here's a head up for any moms who have not-yet-talking children. If you hear any of the these words coming from your child's mouth be prepared to:

1. Get up and/or
2. Panic and/or
3. Run to the store and/or
4. Take someone to the ER and
5. Cry, because really,"all you wanted was to sit here in your comfy pjs and finish your book. That's all you wanted. You did not want to have to go anywhere, you just wanted to finish your book. Why? Why do they wait until you pick up your book? Why?????"

You will have to do any of these things or possibly a combination of the above things when you hear your little darlings say:

"Oh mom, I forgot..."

"Mom, don't get upset, but..."

"I was just..."

"Its not bad, just a little cut..."

"I am supposed to have (insert any of a number of things) by Bible Study tomorrow..."

"I can't find..."

Do you moms have any to add to the list of "be prepared" phrases?

Around The Little House This Week...

2011-10-21T05:32:00.006-05:00

It appears that Sue the Bunny is expecting several little bundles of joy. We expect the arrival of baby bunnies the last week of October or the first week of November. Mother Bunny is doing well and George the father has no idea about her condition and would only like to have a date with Sue again. Scandalous, I know.

Wednesday morning I stumbled out of bed, made my cup of ambition, and reached for the creamer. But, sadly, the creamer was warm. As in it appears my fridge went out sometime the day before and as the light has not worked in it for years I had no idea. I woke Mark up and he declared it deader than a doornail. So, by 9 that morning I was at Lowe's with the kiddos getting a new fridge. It was delivered yesterday and ya'll, it is so pretty. And clean. And all the crispers slide in and out. And look, a little light. And the icemaker works. And the door shelves don't fall off when you open it up.

Its a whole new fridge world. Its so pretty I don't want to put anything in it. I just want to sit and stare.

Heads up ladies~~if you don't know what is under and behind your fridge right now~just remember~Ignorance is Bliss.

Batman came to visit yesterday. James knows a Super-hero is supposed to do something, but he isn't always clear what exactly they are supposed to do. After donning his mask he declared he was off to "turn some people into bats!"

Matt's aquarium is shaping up. The giftcard he received for his birthday from Nana and Pawpaw helped with the endeavor greatly. I'm not a big fan of fish myself-I prefer the soft and cuddly pets, but Matt loves these fish. His library selections for the past few weeks have been all about fish care and aquarium set-ups. He has several different kinds of fish and he told James he could put two of his own in there also. James named them Steve and Movie Star. Since he has a chicken named Mystery Solver, Movie Star doesn't seem so strange.

Abbie has the day off from school today because we are going to be baking. Tomorrow is her American Heritage Girl Bake Sale Service Project and we have got to get cooking! The boys will soldier on with their schoolwork, but at least they will be able to taste-test the goodies for us.

This About Sums It Up For Me...

2011-10-20T11:10:00.000-05:00

By the way, this is exactly what I look like when I am doing my hammock time.... Right honey, right?????!!!???!!??

Add it to the list....

2011-10-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

Of things I never thought I would say...

"You can just stay in that bed all day if you want to, but no more whining and crying over George Washington!"

Fall Days Are For...

2011-10-18T06:54:00.002-05:00

Fort Building

The Laundry Wolf

2011-10-17T11:38:00.000-05:00

Okay, I have been caught up on my laundry, ironing, folding, and putting away for one whole week now.

Something feels wrong.

You know how in the Cowboy/Indian movies the pioneers will always be up at night guarding the doors with their gun and the man looks at the woman and says,

It's too quiet. Something is wrong."

I have that feeling here. Without the panic of trying to find Scout clothes and get them washed and ironed by 5:30 Monday night I am at a loss.

Someone reassure me everything is okay. I feel like the wolf is at the front door just waiting to pounce.

Mommy Fail...

2011-10-15T08:04:00.002-05:00

If you celebrate your 12 year old's birthday and then tell your four year old that his birthday is "next"... be careful to define what "next" is. As in "next" month. Because you might wake up with a very disappointed still-four year old the "next" morning.

I love this kid....

2011-10-14T07:10:00.004-05:00

Well, he (we) made it to 12! Happy Birthday to my boy! Twelve years ago at this time I was at the hospital waiting for Boy #2. I never could have imagined how much this one would make me laugh.

Thursday Morning...

2011-10-13T07:45:00.003-05:00

~James does have an ear infection. This was one of the few times I have taken my child to the doctor and they actually acted sick at the doctor. And had a fever at the doctor so that the doc could see they actually have a fever and I am not just lying about him having a 104 fever in the middle of the night. Do your kiddos do that? Suddenly get well when they walk through the front door of the doctor's office?

But, he was dutifully pitiful and we got our antibiotics so hopefully he will be lots better by this afternoon. He still had a fever when he woke up this morning, but he said his ear didn't hurt. It is so strange, he went the first three years of his life without any ear infections, and now he has had two just this year. I have been getting some good snuggles with him though. Also, we have learned that James can get ummm, a little grouchy, when he doesn't feel well. Whew, lets just say he better be glad he is sick...

I truly hate that he is sick, but I feel like I am getting a "bonus day" at home today. We normally go to CBS, violin and guitar lessons, on Thursday. We are doing school light-math and history and then I hope we can have an afternoon of a whole bunch of nothing.

~Oh, and I need to go get Matt's birthday present today. Tomorrow is his big day. Nothing like your momma waiting to the last minute. He has also requested homemade apple pie for his birthday breakfast. So I'll be working on that today also.

This and That Wednesday...

2011-10-12T05:44:00.002-05:00

~My James is sick. Fever, headache, earaches. I'll see how this one plays out in the next few hours to decide about the doctor. Right now he is laying on the couch behind me wide awake.

~I am caught up on my laundry and ironing. It gives me an uneasy feeling.

~In school we have been studying the French-Indian War and the events leading up to the Revolution. So, while I was ironing Monday I decided to check out Last of the Mohicans on Netflix. Bad move. I had forgotten how much violence this movie has. Although a good movie, story-wise, I had even more bad dreams last night. Matt, my only child who has even a little bit of interest in history, loved it though. Figures.

We also recently watched Johnny Tremain. I think I feel asleep at the end because I don't remember how it ended. It was pretty bad. The kids whined about it so much I finally told them I was "going to make them read the book and write a five page book report on it if they didn't hush up and watch the dumb movie!" By the way, this is not one of my best homeschooling moments. Threatening your children with school work for bad behavior is not a good move.

Heard Around Here Lately....

2011-10-10T20:12:00.002-05:00

Upon telling Matthew I used to be the PacMan queen. (which I wasn't, but he will never know)

"You know Matt, Mom used to play PacMan in the olden days."

Abbie, age 10

2011-10-08T07:40:00.003-05:00

“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.”

Mark Twain

Sounds good, but I can't do that today. Today is the day. I will soldier on and get the job done. No matter how much it hurts me and those around me. We will do it. We will make it happen.

The Great Clothing Switchout-it happens today.

Although here in Alabama you can't really do a full switchout. Cause it will be warm off and on until November. You will have to try to leave just enough cool clothes in a with a mix of warm clothes to make it until November. Ahhhhh, the thinking.....

But ya'll, what a good problem to have. I am so thankful my children have the blessing of clothes and I have the opportunity to possibly bless others as I pass the too-small clothes on to others.

And today I have a good incentive to get it done early in the day. I have a good book, a great hammock, and a beautiful afternoon to look forward to. So, off to tackle the clothes. If they don't tackle me first....

Heard Around Here Lately....

2011-10-07T07:19:00.000-05:00

"I just don't think I can fit school into my schedule today..."

Matt, age 11

pretty, happy, funny, real....

2011-10-06T05:52:00.008-05:00

Happy~~~~~

One of my girls~~Mystery Solver. Yep, James named her when she was just a chick. I guess he thought they were going to solve some crimes together. All the girls are happy and back to normal now. We are getting about 6-9 eggs a day.

Happy~~

Watching my kiddos playing outside makes me very happy.

Funny~~

Aunt Molly taught Matt how to put the rabbits in some sort of a trance. You lay them on their backs slowly and then they just lay there. Sue, our female, is a very wild rabbit and to be able to let her go hands-free like is pretty neat. She's pretty funny laying there too. It looks like you have a dead rabbit laying in your lap.

Funny and Real~~

At the campout last week a group of the girls decided they wanted to start a new trend. They came up with lacing their shoes from the top down. I took a picture to document the start of this new trend and came up with the name-Top-Tied. So, be looking for this new craze to sweep the nation soon....

Be sure to go check out the other Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real submissions over at Like Mother, Like Daughter.

A Personal Day....

2011-10-05T07:47:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, I got to take a mommy "personal day". My wonderful awesome unbelievable mom kept and schooled the children yesterday so I could do some errands. I'm not gonna lie, it was delightful. Delightful in that I didn't have to be in a hurry, there was no real timetable, I got to pick what I wanted to eat for lunch, and the best part-I knew they would all be home at the end of the day and I could get all the hugs and kisses I wanted. Well, from two of them anyway. Two of my children don't like hugs and kisses so I try not to push it. I save it for mommy-desperate hug times.

I am happy to report that I went to downtown Birmingham all by myself yesterday and DID NOT get lost-not even one time. I went straight to the hospital and was able to come straight by to my town. Even though two roads were closed due to construction. I felt so grown-up.

I saw little Jonathon and it was all I could do not to just scoop him up out of the bed and give him some rocking. He is still hurting pretty badly and it was hurting me to see him like that and his momma having to watch him like that. We are praying today is going to be a much better day.

I did get my hair cut. I decided at the last minute to go for a trim and not an actual cut, but I really like it. I also decided against feathers and beads. Not that I even really considered it, but I did think about getting some feathers from the dollar store and seeing what Mark would say.

And ya'll, yesterday I did one of those things you think of little old gray ladies doing.

I purchased some reading glasses. I am wearing them right now. The look on my kiddos faces yesterday was priceless when they came home. They didn't know whether to laugh or compliment.

I have been noticing for about 6 months now I couldn't see my Bible print and then I would notice I was having to get my books at just the "right distance" to be able to read. So, here I am. I am not sure what will be next. Menthol ointments and heating pads? Oh, wait, I already do that. Hmmmm...

I like the glasses though. For one, I can see the computer screen without squinting. Two, I am sure they are going to add a look of maturity and wisdom as I march into Bible study Thursday with all four kiddos and all our paraphernalia trailing along with us. Or, they just might say, "Wow, she is really old to still have a four year old...."

I did not buy a cute little chain to hold my glasses around my neck necklace style. But I can already tell that is going to be a problem. I read all day long. On and off, on and off. The potential for these glasses getting lost is huge.

Wow, I can't believe I devoted a whole post to reading glasses and you probably can't either. So, what do you, my sweet internet friends, have to say? Necklace for the glasses, or not?

Heard Around Here Lately....

2011-10-04T06:10:00.000-05:00

"I heard from Abbey F. that Eliza said that Caroline said that feathers in your hair were only going to be popular for two more weeks and then beads in your hair are going to start to be popular so I think I am just going to save my money and buy some cool beads."

Abbie, age 10.

Wow, she has a whole little fashion world going on that I know nothing about.

I am getting a hair cut today. Should I go with the beads or the feathers........

Oh ya'll....

2011-10-03T08:02:00.008-05:00

What a weekend!

I made it through the camping experience, but it was really not that fun. For me anyway. The kiddos loved it. I tolerated it. I kept repeating in my head, "It is not about me. It is not about me. It is about serving Christ by serving my kids." Repeat, repeat, repeat. But to be completely honest I could not get home quick enough. As soon as the truck stopped in the driveway I headed inside, hugged Mark, and headed to bed. Where I fell dead asleep for 1 1/2 hours. And then I was groggy and grumpy the rest of the night.

(I camped-cooked for the first time ever and it was good!)

Sunday was busy overload. I hate busy Sundays. Hate them. And yes, hate is a strong word, but its true. I won't bore you with the details, but I swung between tired, mad, happy, frustrated, and excited. And that was just between 1-2 pm.

Last night the one of the big boys was playing football after church with some friends and he accidentally stepped on another boy's arm. And it broke. When I found out all about it I just got a very sick feeling in my stomach. So this morning I will be calling the boy's parents to get the scoop and check on him. I know it was an accident, but I feel horrible.

James also had some kind of accident outside in which he got a black eye. He won't tell us the details. Only that a piece of wood hurt him. He says "he doesn't want to talk about it." Sometimes living with some of my more contrary children is an exercise in perseverance. Perseverance in not pulling my hair out. And screaming into a pillow.

In other, much more important news. Today is little Jonathon's surgery. I can't be at the hospital today, but I'll be there tomorrow with Rebekah and Eric. I have been praying little prayers all morning and I know they would appreciate any that you lift up also.

So, today is home and Scout day. Its also Math Day. I've got to do a good math check-up on the big kids. See, I don't particularly like math. I like it more than I used to. But I would much rather make lessons plans for history or literature units. So I have to make myself check up on the kids or lets just say, we could get a little behind. That's my homeschool goal this year. To get into a regular habit of checking up on math. Ahhhhh, this discipline thing. Its killing me. Doesn't math know I need to be out enjoying this beautiful weather? Maybe we can do math check-ups in the swing outside? There we go.

I am also washing sheets and quilts today and hanging them on the line. Mark got the goat's watering thing built this weekend and after he gets one more part on the fence fixed we will start goat shopping. Yikes! I am excited and scared at the same time.

This and That Friday...

2011-09-30T06:45:00.006-05:00

Well, up until yesterday afternoon around 4:00 I was handling the camping thing pretty well. And then Tyler came and told me we were missing the tent stakes for both of our tents. At 4:00 in the afternoon. Even though he knew this long before 4:00. And then Matt tells me he hasn't done his history project for co-op. Which we leave for at 8:30 this morning. And then I realized I have to do this and that and this and that and then some more this and that.

And I fell apart. Now how come I can keep my cool about ER visits etc... but something like missing tent stakes makes me feel physically sick? Oh, and then Mark calls at 4:30 and says he won't be home until very late because he has a meeting at church.

So, I did what any stressed out mom with a lot of things to do did. I put the children to bed and went to bed myself. After feeding them supper and making sure they were bathed/showered and after watching The Brady Bunch Hawaii episodes until I thought "If I don't get to Hawaii soon someone is going to get hurt." And then falling asleep on the couch as Child Fuss and Child Fight went on and on about how the strings on The Brady Bunch worked when Marcia was trying to scare the boys in the attic. And vaguely waking up when Mark came home and then falling right back asleep.

So, needless to say I have a lot to do this morning. And I'm sitting here at the computer rambling on. I have a cake to make and clothes to pack. And then we are leaving for co-op. And then to Nana's to drop off James. She volunteered to stay with him so I am down to three kids camping. But James is the one I worry about the most. I am terrified of someone tripping and falling into the big campfire. One less to worry about is a good thing. Then to the camping place.

Will I ever stop whining?

Don't even think about robbing my house while I am gone. First of all, you will be sorely disappointed and we also have two bunnies, three cats, a turtle, six fish, and chickens that will greet you at the door and beg you to come in and feed them.

Dear (Older) Rebekah....

2011-09-29T06:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!

I wish there was someway I could write down all the funny things that have happened to us over the years. And I wish there was someway to contain the tears of laughter and the sound of our laughter so I could replay it over and over on the hard days.

And dear blog friends, I soooo wish there was some way I could properly document my favorite Rebekah story for you. But it has only been 16 years and it is still too painful to talk of. We only whisper in hushed tones about it every once in a while. One day, when we are finally able to live close to each other (we plan on having nursing home rooms right by each other), we will be able to laugh about it. Without our hubbies knowing we are laughing. Cause I don't think they will ever think it is funny.

But, if you are curious you can know it involves:

~a pop-up camper parked across the street from a beach
~a tropical depression at said beach
~the forgetting of "falling back" on our watches the night before something very important
~some tears
~okay, a lot of tears

I love you Rebekah and thank you for putting up with me and my nonsense!

Wednesday Morning

2011-09-28T07:57:00.003-05:00

Grandaddy Clark got to come home last night. Whew! It was strange not knowing they were up in their little apartment. I like having all my family close! Now, if I could just get my side of the family to move out here...

The next couple of days are going to be crazy-busy for me. How come the more I try to stay home and simplify, the more I have to get in my van and go? I think it may be because I have a 13 year old.

Ya'll, something scary is happening this weekend. Scary for me anyway. Through a series of very unfortunate events I am going to be taking four kiddos camping--by myself. Actually, it is going to be my two big boys taking me, Abbie, and James camping, but I still have to be the responsible adult. You see, Mrs. Stacey, of the Heritage Girls, keeps planning all these fun camp-outs and keeps telling the girls about them, and then I have to pick up the slack and actually go. Thanks Mrs. Stacey :).

Oh boy. Its a good thing my big boys are pro-Scouts. Abbie and I have done a campout by ourselves before, but this time I will have four. In two separate tents. And I have decided to cook--on the outdoor cooker thing that I can't remember the name for right now. Because there is nothing worse than waking up on a cool morning, leaving your tent, smelling the pancakes, eggs, and bacon, and knowing that you and your daughter are having cold cereal out of little boxes. So, I am cooking. Well, the boys will probably do the cooking...

Okay, so here I go..to start this day. In which we have to research Visigoth crowns for a history project. I have never even heard of a Visigoth crown, have you?

A Tuesday Morning Thunderstorm...

2011-09-27T08:37:00.004-05:00

Right now there is a soft rain at my house and the rumble of thunder off in the distance. I have the windows and the back door open so I can hear the rain outside. I love thunderstorms, minus the lightening. NO LIGHTENING STRIKES PLEASE!

Today calls for read alouds, soft quilts, rocking on the front porch, and lazy afternoon naps. Today calls for cuddles and good talks.

Maybe we can get some of that in. Yesterday my father-in-law, who lives right next to us, had to be admitted to the hospital for some tests. So we had an unexpected ER visit and then a hospital visit on our agenda yesterday. Hopefully I will get a call soon to go and pick him up. Just waiting right now for the doctor to come by and tell my mother-in-law some news.

While we are waiting we are doing our morning work and it is on my agenda to clean out the fridge. But ya'll. Rainy days do not call for fridge-cleaning. I wonder which one will win out. I know we will do our readings for school and math, always math. If I let them miss even one day, it is a struggle the next day. And then maybe Grandaddy can come home and we will all be together on this rainy day.

In Which I Ramble On Some More...

2011-09-26T06:23:00.006-05:00

Oh my, what a beautiful weekend we had here. This weekend is one of the many reasons I love Alabama. Perfectly delightful weather!

The weekend started out with Abbie and I doing some work with the Heritage Girls bright and early that morning. We helped box fresh produce and then deliver it to low-income residents in an independent living facility. It was hard to get up that early Saturday morning, but I am so glad we did. Abbie was in her element getting to meet people and I was in my element watching her interact with the older people. I know I'm her mama, but she was so sweet and nice!

Then home again to a somewhat lazy day at home. Mark and the big boys built a hay rack for the coming goat(s). Again, I was amazed that Mark can just take some lumber and build something. With no plans. If it was me I would still have a big pile of lumber laying there.

Well, Tyler went five whole days with his braces before popping a bracket. So, it looks like today will involve a trip to the orthodontist. One of Matt's fish died and somehow replacing one fish turned into getting three new fish. I am just glad I don't have to finance Matt's animal projects. He pays for it with his allowance and by doing extra jobs. Well, I guess I am financing it, but he has to work for it. He always has a project in the works though. His wife will need to be a very special (ahem, patient) woman.

Other than the trip to the ortho it looks like we are just doing school and then tonight we have Scouts and Heritage Girls.

I got in some good hammock time this weekend. Hammock time is very good for MamaHen's well-being. As a matter of fact I am thinking of writing a book called, What Every Mama Needs~~ A Good Hammock and The Time To Lay In It. Mark took a picture of me lazing about and said that if I could get a laptop and my cellphone out there I would be in my natural habitat. And then I laughed and laughed until I rolled out of the hammock.
Not really. I gave him the look and instructed him to get busy grilling our supper. Didn't he know I was having Hammock Time? :)

Welcome Autumn!

2011-09-23T07:46:00.002-05:00

Woo-hoo! Today is the first day of autumn and to celebrate I am making my first pot of Sante Fe Soup tonight. With cornbread! I love me some soup. Yummy, easy to make, and easy to clean up!

Today we are celebrating being at home ALL DAY by cleaning up the house that looks like we have been gone ALL WEEK. Which we have. You would think it would perfectly spotless since we have not been here. Totally the opposite. It was also a little wonky in that Mark was home Wednesday. Even though it is nice when he is home I tend to not want to do the "normal" stuff when he is here.

But here is the funny thing-we have gotten so much schoolwork done. I just made school and the necessary errands (orthondonist, doctor, Scouts, etc...) priority. So today school and the house is #1. And the making of soup!

Don't forget to go and enter my three giveaways in the posts below. I will be drawing a winner for the Amish notecards and goat soap later this evening.

Curriculum Cleanout Giveaway #2

2011-09-22T17:36:00.004-05:00

Okay, I would say this package would be more for 3rd grade and up. These are extra books I had and are in great condition.

Included are:
*We the People Government/Civics book for elementary school-aged children. It has a reference section in the back of the book which includes The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, and short bios of important framers of the Constitution. This is a student text with 22 lessons.
*The Day I Lost My Hamster reader, by Scholastic. Included are seven short stories.
*Series of Infortunate Events Puzzle Book. -completely new and unused. (Would make a great stocking stuffer :) )

To enter, just leave a comment telling me your favorite subject in school. Mine was history and literature. I really just wanted to be reading. :)

This giveaway will be open until Thursday, Sept 29. At 6:00 pm I'll draw a winner. US Shipping only.

Be sure and go back and visit Jolanthe for lots of other great giveaways.

Curriculum Cleanout Giveaway #1

2011-09-22T17:14:00.008-05:00

Woo-Hoo! I love it when Homeschool Creations has their bi-annual Curriculum Cleanout! Next to winning giveaway I love to host giveaways and Jolanthe has a great place to see lots of good stuff!

The first giveaway I am having is more of a Preschool through 1st grade package. Included are:

*2 Elmo books-they are not new, but they still have a lot of reading left in them!
*My First Picture Dictionary-again, used, but still good
*2 Sets of Rocket Readers-there are five books in each set. They are Bible stories that teach Short Vowels and one teaches Vowel Sounds
*2 File Folder Games to teach letters and sounds
*A Nursery Rhyme Activity Book (the first page is colored, but the rest are fine)

By the way, you do not have to homeschool to get lots of use out of these books. They are just great little preschool books!

All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite books to read as a child. I'll draw a name on Thursday, Sept 29 at 6:00 pm. Please make sure there is a way to contact you. US Shipping only.

Don't forget to go by and visit Jolanthe for lots of other giveaways!

2011-09-20T14:19:00.003-05:00

(Excuse the stunned expression. Apparently it is very hard for 13 year old boys to "look natural")

This morning my sweet little newborn Tyler got his braces. And can I just say I don't like it one bit. Because it makes him look like a teenager. And doesn't he know he is still my teeny-tiny newborn baby?

And after signing the financing forms at the office this morning for these said braces I am beginning a prayer program for the other three. Prayer that their teeth will miraculously straighten out on their own.

Don't forget-you can go here and enter my little giveaway.

Happenings and A Giveaway....

2011-09-19T08:49:00.009-05:00

The persimmons are turning orange.

Okay, it is finally happened. I am so far behind it will now be impossible for me to catch up, much less ever win the race. What race, you say? You name it and I will be behind on it.

Mark and the big boys got the goat fence finished while I was gone on my trip. The gate looks good and we are getting closer to having the goat shed/barn completed. Well, Mark is. My contribution is to go up and look at it. I am so helpful that way. I did stand out in the pasture and measure fence row stuff with him yesterday. I was very helpful as the person who held the end of the measuring tape.

Matt caught this large reptile thing out back. He and James had fun playing around with it. It has been safely released into its natural backyard habitat. My house has all it can hold with unnatural habitats. I officially reached my limit Friday when Matt purchased six fish for his room. No more! cries MamaHen.

Mark had the unfortunate responsiblity of getting rid of four roosters. We had stopped getting eggs and the chickens were beginning to look a little, well, unseemingly. Four roosters are three too many and we just decided to get rid of all of them. The girls must be starting to relax a little bit because this morning we got three huge brown eggs. Its about time because last week I had to buy eggs at the store. I haven't had to do that for a long time.

Now for the little giveaway... I have a package of 12 blank notecards designed by an Amish lady in Lancaster. We stopped at her house where she and her husband have a store behind their house. The cards are so pretty and I really think you will enjoy them. Also included is a bar of Misty Creek Goat Milk Soap. I think I may have a slight obsession with goat soap now. I guess I want to spread the obsession around.

To enter, just leave me a comment telling me a happening that is going on at your house. I 'll draw a winner on Friday!

****Today I am linking up at Raising Homemakers.

The winner of the giveaway is Sarah!

Friday Link-A-Loos....Hilarious Edition

2011-09-15T16:02:00.008-05:00

Please folks, whatever you do on the internet today, please take time to go and watch this. It will do your heart and your funny bone good. I was laughing until I cried, the monkey-face, the burp, the gum-smacking, him um, being a male, yeah, I'll just leave it at that.... Hilarious!!!!!! And it is sweet, so sweet. It is so obvious how much he loves her, still. And when he says, "your hair', oh, my heart just melted.

After you get through wiping your eyes and catching your breath go here to see Lisa's take on Goofus and Gallant. Some good stuff!

We Went, We Saw, We Laughed...

2011-09-15T12:09:00.010-05:00

I wish I knew how to do a good recap of our trip. Cause ya'll, I had a good time. Coming home we went through 7 states in 13 1/2 hours, so we were tired to say the least, but it was all worth it. First of all, I need to say thank you to my sissy Jill. She drove all the way home. With very few breaks. And she didn't whine and complain. See, I could have driven home, but I would have whined and complained about it. She was my roommate for the trip too. Its been quite awhile since we have slept in a room together. And now we are all grown up and we didn't fuss with each other! :)

Oh, my goodness, I had no idea VA, West VA, and PA were so beautiful. We went through a lot of rolling farmland and it was so pretty. The drive was really a nice part of the trip.

I wish there was some way I could let you in on all we did but it would take forever. Here are a few pics.

(Jill, my sweet momma Nedra, me, my great-Aunt Affie, Nancy-Renee's mom (aka, the sweetest lady ever), and my Aunt Renee)
We went to the Sight and Sound Theater and saw the musical Joseph. This had nothing to do with the Amish, but if you are ever even close to Lancaster Co. you need to do this.

This will be the first and last time you will ever see Renee milking a cow, real or pretend.
I had no idea also that the houses and barns would be so big either.

All of us that went on the trip like to read Amish fiction so we were super-excited when my mom found out that Wanda Brunstetter was going to be doing a book-signing in Bird-In-Hand. You know we were there and it was nice to get to meet her and her husband.

Seeing all the sweet children made me miss mine even more.

By Tuesday I was ready to get home and see Mark and the children. Mark held down the fort big-time and made it easy for me to leave. He took care of everything while I was gone. Special shout-out thanks to Mrs. Jennifer also. She kept James and Abbie on Tuesday and it seems they had one of "their best days ever" in the words of Abbie.

Also, Jennifer, my children are now ruined for my pearsauce. Abbie said yours is much better, with much more cinnamon. And whats up with the french toast? Matt was requesting french toast like yours this morning. And evidently James is now convinced honey on a spoon doesn't count for real sugar because it is "healthy" sugar. Hmmm...

So, to try and sum it all up...if you get a chance to go to Amish country-go. Loved it!

We Made It...

2011-09-14T10:11:00.002-05:00

Whew! We made it back! All in one piece. But I am in recovery mode big time. As in its 10:12 am and I am still in my nightgown and that may not change. I was so happy to see my family last night and this morning. Today will be recovery day and then it all starts again tomorrow. I hope to have some pics up later tonight or in the morning. And a little giveaway is coming up too!

Back to School 2011...

2011-09-08T14:26:00.004-05:00

We don't really have a day specifically for a Back To School Picture so we'll do a Back To Community Bible School Picture Day. Here we are, the Clark Crowd, minus Sweet Hubby. He had already left for work when I thought about it.

So, tomorrow morning, bright and early, I am leaving for Pennsylvania. If I'm not back by Wednesday it means we are driving around trying to find our way home...

Does Mental Packing Count?...

2011-09-07T14:29:00.002-05:00

Okay, here is the deal. I'm leaving early Friday morning to go to Pennsylvania and I am soooo not prepared. And its like I can't get the gumption to get prepared. I did clean out the fridge this morning and got all the ironing done after lunch, but all the other stuff, like packing, thinking through the kids stuff while I am gone-uuggghhh. So I am procrastinating by looking at blogs. I know, really productive, huh?

I am excited about the trip itself, but I think I am in denial about the actual leaving part. My head is spinning thinking of all that I want to do before I leave, but so far that's as far as I've gotten.

Mark will be here at the house with the kiddos Friday through Monday and then Mrs. Jennifer is keeping an eye on them Tuesday. Bless Mark's heart, Abbie has a whole calendar of activities planned out for them to do while I am gone. A real calendar. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

My sister, mom, aunt, my aunt's mom, and my great-aunt are all going. I hope PA is ready for us. We are of the "ain't never been nowhere before" variety and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I know that just with my sister, mom, and I it can be trouble. Well, maybe not trouble, but something terribly funny usually happens when we are together.

Motherhood 101: You Ain't Ever Going Anywhere Edition

2011-09-06T10:32:00.002-05:00

I have observed a phenomenon in the mommy world I thought I should share with other moms out there. No doubt you have observed it also. And lived it.

As a new mom you tend to stay home and love on your little one well, because it is wonderful thing to do, and also because it is so much stinking trouble to get the little one out of the house. I will tell you that by Child Four I had streamlined the getting out of the house paraphernalia down to the bare necessities~a diaper, travel size wipes, and a paci stuck down in my purse. But with my first, I had my purse, a huge diaper bag, a insulated warmer for the bottle, the stroller, and that dumb car seat. Oh that I had known about baby slings then. I lugged Tyler around in that heavy car seat when all he wanted to do was be close to me. He loved to be snuggled and held.

Anyways, as the months progress you start to get a little excited because getting out seems like it will be a little easier. They are easier to just prop on your hip and carry and they can sit up in the buggy at the grocery store. You start to dream of all the places you will go and all the things you will do and how everyone will admire your beautiful baby and tell you what a wonderful mother you must be to have produced such a gorgeous well-behaved baby.

And then reality hits. Here is it ladies-you ain't ever going anywhere.

You want to know why?

Because from the time the child can walk he will be standing in front of you NOT WALKING.

Children have an instinct that can only be described this way: They will stand directly in front of you whenever you want to move. They know the direction you want to go and they move there. They particularly like to do this when you are in the grocery store and pushing a buggy. Ask me how I know.

They also like to do this when you have your hands full of something and you are moving to put it down.

They are particularly fond of doing this when you are in a hurry. They feed off your hurryiness (yep, a word I just made up) and respond in direct proportion to it.

So, in the spirit of just telling it like it is---Get used to either staying at home or get used to politely (in your most frustrated mommy whisper voice) asking your children to move. Just one step over. That's all your asking of them-just move one step over.

That step is a leap those children have a hard time making.

Do your children like to stand right in front of you all the time? Or is just mine?

Rainy Days...

2011-09-05T16:56:00.006-05:00

As we say here in my neck of the woods, "It came a monsoon today!" And it hasn't stopped. We have been getting the rain from Tropical Storm Lee and no one is really complaining. I'm sure lots of people's cookouts were ruined, but we needed rain so bad here.

My kiddos took full advantage of the rain and they are all curled up on the couch still trying to get warm from it. I bet they are all going to sleep really well tonight.

Our pasture flooded and the kids decided to get the canoe out. Mark and I had so much fun standing on the porch watching them. Tyler didn't get to join them because we think he broke his toe this morning. He ran into a table. We've got it taped up and are just keeping an eye on it right now.

Lucy, the cat, preferred to stay as dry as possible on this rainy day.

Things I Never Thought I Would Say...

2011-09-05T09:30:00.009-05:00

"Don't rub your bacon on your sister!"

It came about exactly as it sounds. James started rubbing bacon on Abbie. Who can know the mind of a four year old?

In other goings-ons~~

Work continues on the goat fence.

15 quarts of sliced pears done! One more batch of pear sauce and I am through with the pears. Mrs. Jennifer is coming today to pick the rest and that way I won't have to feel any guilt as I sit in my swing and see them hanging there. :)

Ten cent mad scientist glasses from the thrift store had provided hours of entertainment for a certain little boy.

Young ladies getting prettier every day.
Mark is off work today and we are just hanging out at the house. I have big plans to do a whole lotta nothing. How about ya'll?

The View From My Swing

2011-09-02T16:40:00.008-05:00

My swing is one of my most my favorite places to be. I love to just go and sit and look at the kids, the backyard, or even to just sit and stare. Today I grabbed the camera.

Abbie's quilt hanging out on the line.

James being silly, as usual.

Sue the Bunny. I thought we should have called her Flopsy because of her ears, but noooooo, instead Matt named her Sue, after Sue Heck from The Middle.

George, the soon-to-be daddy rabbit. He is just hanging out, being cool, awaiting his introduction to Sue.

Heard Around Here Lately....

2011-09-01T15:43:00.002-05:00

James, age four, after being told he could not have a second helping of Gummy Dinosaurs.

"If anyone needs me I will just be in my bed crying..."

And to think I thought all the drama would come from my ten year old daughter.

Why I Have A Bunch Of Chickens In My Backyard, by Pappa Rooster

2011-08-31T15:55:00.003-05:00

(Guest post today by my own Sweet Hubby, Pappa Rooster)

A friend of ours asked me why in the world a modern person would choose of his own volition to have a bunch of chickens live in his yard. I told him that it was a subject that he would not understand, as he was born in Miami. I further pointed out that, as he has spent his entire working life in a public relations firm here in Birmingham, the honest life of a rural person will always elude him.

As he told me, it is his job to take a truth and bend, stretch, and mutilate it until it serves his purpose. Then he takes that truth and varnishes it, and then he packages it in a container that is much more attractive than the original. As he said, by the time the truth hits the consumer, it no longer represents the original truth, but since it is still loosely based on truth, in this accursed post modern world, it can still be considered the truth. He also has considerable beachfront property in Central Nebraska if anyone is interested.

But I digress; I do have 21 chickens as many of you gentle readers know. They are a hobby. We sell a few eggs to friends who want them. But eggs are dang cheep so we won’t be getting rich selling eggs. I like the idea of my kids knowing about some aspect of country life, their grandkids will not have that opportunity. I like to hear the roosters crow first thing in the morning. Farm and country life is going the way of a firm handshake with eye contact, and real sugar in your tea.

Working a small farm is a religious experience; you spend lots of time working by yourself out under the sun in repetitious activities. Lots of hymns get sung when I am tilling the soil. (Sorry if you’re a neighbor)

I also plan to raise Quail. I want my kids to know the call of bobwhite in the evening. I may even raise goats or maybe a cow or two. There is something very humbling about seeing farm animals brought into the world. And there is something profoundly good for the soul about having to clean manure off of your shoes and feed those animals

When I was a kid Dad got up at the crack of dawn every morning to milk our sweet old cow Big Sister. I remember going up there with him and watching him squirt milk in the cat’s mouths. I remember the smell of Big Sister and the feel of her hair under my hands. I remember the sound of Big Sister chewing her feed and the sound of the milk streaming rhythmically into the bucket. I remember sitting on my Daddy’s milk stool trying to milk and failing.

I vividly remember hearing the rooster crow, and asking crazy questions as to how grass turns to milk. I remember the beauty of the crack of dawn, and the spider webs shimmering coat of dew in the pasture on the crisp fall morning. I remember my Father in his rubber boots, lifting me over the muck into the milk stall, the same milk stall that I had to tear down last winter before it collapsed and hurt someone.

I remember Momma churning the milk, and making butter and the smell and taste of fresh butter and a glass of real milk. I remember Momma putting money in the “butter and egg” jar. Some days those memories warm me, halcyon days of youth,,,,,,.

The barn is gone and the fence that enclosed our pasture is but a bit of memory in my mind. I crave to rebuild them both and in some way rebuild a simpler time when life made sense, and happiness abounded, and no one tried to convince me that truth is relative. I have started the rebuild, and would have finished already, but time and money have once again conspired against me. I will get it done one day.

That is why I have a bunch of chickens in my backyard.

But no pigs……I hate pigs.

No Title, Just A Tuesday...

2011-08-30T08:28:00.002-05:00

Well, I got all my lists made yesterday. But now that I have my lists I have to do whats on them. Ya'll, I am so good at MAKING the lists and the plans and then so NOT good at follow-through.

And to top it off it looks like I have two sick kiddos today. Abbie and Matt both appear to be dealing with some kind of cold/allergy thing.

But today is a home day again-I love home days. So, today I will take care of my kiddos and school the other ones. And do the normal little cleaning stuff, and be glad for days like this. Days when we can be together.

Except, James just walked by with his blanket all wrapped up on his shoulder and told me "he was leaving town." Since he is not allowed to go out of the backyard it should be interesting to see where he ends up.

This and That Monday...

2011-08-29T07:46:00.005-05:00

Its 8:00 am and James just came and said, "How about we have a clam bake tomorrow night?"

After I shook off the shock of my four year old even knowing what a clam bake is I explained there weren't a lot of fresh clams here in mid-Alabama, much less a beach to bake them on. He seemed okay with that explanation and headed on his way. Now I want to go to the beach and have seafood.

But, we won't be doing that today. School calls here. Mark has given me some projects he wants to the kids to work on today so they will be busy with that after school. And then Scouts tonight. I will be working on more pears and making a big grocery and to-do list for the next two weeks. I feel all flustered because I haven't sat down and made out a good list in quite a while.

Although it is still hot here, the air is changing. This weekend was wonderful. Mark and the two big boys went camping with the Scouts and so Abbie, James, and I had a very laid-back weekend at home. The humidity was down and there was a touch of crispness in the air. I know we will still have many more hot days here (it is usually hot on Halloween here), but it was so nice this weekend. I spent some of the weekend having hammock time. I have decided hammock time is very necessary for happy mommies. I think I will add it to my Motherhood 101 series.

Is the weather changing at your house?

For Crying Out Loud...

2011-08-24T17:19:00.003-05:00

When our children were born Mark gave them all Indian names. I don't know how it all started really, but he would just find some name that he thought would go with their personalities or some physical characteristic they exhibited. Tyler's name was "Little Foot" because he was so tiny and had the most precious little baby feet you could ever imagine. All this was done in good fun.

Well, today I have gone through the house and turned off lights. And turned off lights. And then turned off some more lights. So, if Mark was going to name me he would have to call me,

"She who spends her time turning off lights because her children have no concept of a power bill and as she walks through the house she says over and over, "For crying out loud! Will you children start turning off the lights?!!!!" and then she goes to next room and does it over and over."

So, what would your Mommy/Wife Indian name be?

I Went, I Saw, I Felt Sick...

2011-08-24T08:41:00.005-05:00

I am happy to report I got through the High School Meeting last night without throwing up. Ya'll, I sat there and seriously thought I was going to be sick while I was listening to the info about credits, transcripts, course hours, blah, blah, blah....

You see, I don't do well with, um, change. I like our little school right now. Nobody tells me what I have to do and how to do it. Next year, it all changes.

But, I remember feeling the very same way when Tyler started Kindergarten. When I opened up his ABEKA flash cards I actually cried. I had no idea how I was going to teach someone to read while having a 4 year old and two year old in the house. I had no idea how to even teach someone to read period. But we did it and now I am the mom who tells all the sweet young scared moms, "You can do this. Just take one day at a time. Just do the next lesson in the book. Just say EXACTLY what the teacher's manual tells you to say." And by child #3, or 6, or whenever it hits you, you will realize, "Hey, this isn't that bad, I can do this."

So, I will do what I know to do on this day. That's all you can do.

My favorite quote from last night. "If you are scared to do what God has called you to do-just do it scared."

I would rather be scared with Him than without Him.

The Happy Dance, Part 2

2011-08-23T06:58:00.002-05:00

Yesterday when the repair man stepped on my porch I had to refrain myself from, as we say here in Alabama, "hugging his neck and kissing him smack on the mouth."

I did refrain myself though, and I'm sure Daniel, the repairman of mercy, appreciated that.

By the time he got here around 10 my good attitude-I can do this-its not really that hot-its all in my head-delusional world, was gone. Tempers were erupting, there were no smiles in Clarksville-and the kids and I had hit the very hot wall.

By 2:30 he had it in though. When the thermostat clicked on it was 92 degrees. By the time I left to take the boys to Scouts it was down to 88. When I got home it was down to 84. And this morning it is is 74. Thats how hot the house was. My goal is 58.

Just kidding. I think 65 will be sufficient for my cooling off needs.

Today we are headed to Co-op and then I have to go to a meeting tonight on how to teach high school. HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! Tyler isn't there yet, but he will next year and I need to know some of the requirements, how to do credits, etc... I cannot write about how having a child in high school makes me feel right now. Because I will be in a puddle and be worthless all day.

Just like I was yesterday. But at least I would be a cool worthless.

Doing The Happy Dance...

2011-08-22T07:20:00.005-05:00

Well, I WILL be doing the Happy Dance later today. I HOPE I am doing the Happy Dance later today. I HOPE for everyone's sake I am doing the Happy Dance by 3:00, or even earlier.

Because the new air conditioner unit is supposed to be installed today!!!

Alabama in August is hot. We have made it and I know we could continue to make it, but I am so thankful for the cold air coming.

In other news, well. I really don't have any.

School is in full swing. Co-op starts tomorrow. James is frustrated because he still can't read. I think he thought he would be able to read the first day we started. He is starting to learn to write his name and he sat in church yesterday and wrote it over and over. Well, as well as he could. It really is fun to see them learning and their little minds a-turning.

It seems Sue the Rabbit has recovered and we figured out she loves pears. So I have been giving her lots of pears. I have felt so bad for her.

If any of you live in Pennsylvania please tell me it is nice and cool there. Cause I'll be there in two weeks! My mom, sister, two aunts, one aunt's mom, and I are going to Lancaster County in two weeks. We have been planning it for months and the summer has flown by and here it is. We are super-excited and with all of us going I know there is fun going to be had. And some mis-adventues thrown in also.

Momma, are you sure you want to go on another road trip with me?

But, I am doing the Happy Dance the most of all because 37 years ago today I got a brand new little sister. August was good to me because I got a little sister and a little brother that month. Del has already had his day, but today is Jill's. I know she would love it if you would all run over and wish her a Happy One! I LOVE YOU JILL AND DEL!

This and That Friday...

2011-08-19T14:19:00.003-05:00

1. Well, Sue the bunny had her three bunnies earlier today, but they did not make it. She is very distressed and keeps running around her cage looking for them. My momma's heart feels for her.

2. I have not had air conditioning since Tuesday afternoon and I have not complained over the internet yet. So let me take this opportunity.

Wwwwwaaaaahhhhhh.

Okay, enough complaining. I won't lie, it has been hot, but we have made it. And hopefully by Monday afternoon I will have a brand new unit that just can't wait to live up to its very pricey potential and cool this house off. I know in the great big scheme of things this is nothing compared to what some people are going through though.

3. Mark has been using my van this week so we have been home a lot. Bad in that the air is not working, but good for getting things done around here. I have been doing tomatoes and pear-sauce and made some more jelly.

4. Mark and the big boys are working on some Scout stuff tomorrow and Abbie is having FavCousin Sychler over to spend the night so my plan is to work on my bedroom this weekend. We got the furniture moved last weekend and hopefully this weekend I can get it looking like a real live grownup bedroom. Baby steps.

If I haven't posted by Monday afternoon that means I have melted. Not really, even though the Nutty Buddy bars in the pantry did melt. They were a big gooey mess. Yep, hot is the word around here. How about your house?

Donate To What?....

2011-08-18T12:55:00.004-05:00

Abbie-girl is trying to save up money to buy her cousin a nifty Christmas present. While I am very glad she is thinking of others; she is also driving me crazy asking for jobs to do around the house to earn money.

My thoughts:
1. A paid job has to involve more than folding a load of laundry. She gets to do that as part of the package of getting to live here.
2. I have run out of little jobs for her to do that I could pay her 50 cents here and there for.

She just came and asked me if I would make a donation to her piggy bank. I looked at her and told her I made a donation to her everytime she got a meal.

She really wanted to roll her eyes at me, but she knows what happens around here when someone even looks like they are about to start the eye roll, and she just calmly turned around and walked away.

Donation, indeed.

***BabyBunnyWatch--still no bunnies. Yesterday she did put all the straw back into her little nesting area. I have given up on trying to interpret what all that means. Maybe she has reached that point in her pregnancy when she has decided she will remain pregnant forever and she just needs to get on with her life. Or maybe she isn't pregnant and she is wondering why we keep going out there and staring at her like a watched pot.

The Birds and the...Bunnies?...

2011-08-18T08:07:00.003-05:00

(Meet Sue, Mommy-To-Be)

We were able to get our new rabbit on Tuesday. And we went into the feed store and saw little cute rabbit the rabbit breeder lady told us that she thought said rabbit was already great with bunnies and might even deliver the same night as a result of the stress of being moved.

Surprise!

So far no babies and we can't feel any babies (usually you can feel them). She is eating and drinking well. She took all the straw out of her little house area which leads me to believe she is NOT about to give birth. But then she is also pulling her own hair out which leads me to believe she IS about to give birth.

Or she may just be a little neurotic. Anyway, we are on baby bunny watch and if she hasn't delivered in a week we are going to introduce her to George, our male rabbit. And it should all be very interesting. Talk about a homeschool lesson! George, who has lived the pure bachelor life is very excited about meeting Sue. Like I said, this should all be interesting. I think we should wait until I am conveniently gone for the day and then Mark can take on this experiment and do all the explaining. Whatcha say honey?