A Thing of Beauty

Hubby took Caleb and Josh to see the annual lift off of the hot air balloons this morning. I had planned to go to, but I still had 3 sleepy heads that didn't want to rise before the crack of dawn. It's okay though, I was a sleepy head too. My newly pregnant body is rebelling getting less than 23 hours of sleep a day.

I've been drinking buckets of green tea today. I can't seem to stomach plain water, but thankfully, the tea hits the spot. (yes, it's caffeine free) I didn't eat much at all though. Nothing looks good. I went on my weekly shopping trip with Caleb and I seriously saw nothing that was appetizing. Except my mainstay of apples with natural peanut butter. Ugh...

We went to my bosses house yesterday for a bbq. Luckily, I still have my job. I was really worried the kids would terrorize the place and I'd be asked to resign on the spot. The kids actually behaved very well. Thanks in most part to all of the fun stuff they had to play with in the basement. Whew!

Hubby is working tonight which is not usual for him. He's making up some time for being out sick 2 days last week. I can't wait until he recovers completely and gets his voice back. (or on the other hand, maybe it's nice he doesn't have a voice. No voice=no yelling!)

Well, the kids are fighting on the trampoline...I need to intervene. (I just want to scream EEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIII!--you know, because he's the cause of the troubles right now)

Later.

And so it begins...

Actually, it began last week, but like I said, I thought I had the flu.

'Morning' sickness set in pretty quickly this time. Normally I don't begin to feel ill until 6-7 weeks into my pregnancies, but I was feeling punky even before I found out this go around. It's not horrible by any means, just annoying. I'll take annoying so long as it doesn't get debilitating! And wow, I can't believe how tight my pants are already...it's scary. I mean, the baby is only the size of a sesame seed and I have a pooch the size of a 2 ton watermelon. I suppose that this being the 6th baby could have something to do with that?

I worked almost 10 hours today, and by the time I left I was so tired I could hardly see straight. By 2:00 this afternoon, I was ready for a snooze! I totally forgot just how utterly exhausted pregnancy makes you. It's okay, I have enough to keep me busy (and awake) in my life.

Hubby's been sick with a nasty flu bug--he was running a 102* fever and feeling just miserable--and he was making all of us miserable too. Since he was feeling somewhat better tonight, I threw $20 bucks at him and told him to go out and get a break. Believe me, we all needed it. Men are SUCH babies when they are sick.

I know this was a totally boring post. Sorry for that. I'm beyond tired.

Update later!

What do You Mean it's NOT the Flu?

I'll just let this speak for itself:

and as if that one weren't positive looking enough: (it was + before I even finished peeing on it)


You can pick yourselves up off the floor now. I was absolutely insanely shocked surprised too.

Vasectomy anyone? (so not kidding, but I am already in love with this baby :)

Due date of April 30, 2009. A nice 40th birthday present for hubby who is still unable to speak after getting the news...okay, he spoke but he probably shouldn't have.

And I just thought I was coming down with the flu.

Dominoes in The Dryer

I gasped when I heard the clank, clunk, clankity, clunk sound when I turned on my fully loaded dryer. I mean, this is the dryer that I just got a while back to replace the other dryer that went out. For a moment, I had visions of pulling out sopping wet clothing to hang dry upon every available surface in the house...just like I had done before. But, before panic and dread sat in, I opened up the dryer door to see if I could find what was causing such a racket.

Yup, dominoes in the dryer. Whew. But, seriously? How did I miss that?

Speaking of objects being where they shouldn't be, Eli had quite a fall last night. He has Heelys...you know, the goofy-to-parents-but-cool-to-kids shoes with a skate wheel built into the heel. Anyway, he was cruising down the sidewalk, on his way home from a friend's house when he hit a rock and went down. He ripped up his knee and managed to embed a few rocks in his skin at the same time. Ouch.
Many tears and much drama later, the rocks were removed and his knee was bandaged. By me. Not the ER he begged me to take him to.

Point being, don't buy your kids Heelys no matter how much they beg, unless of course you want rocks in their knees.

Well, domesticity calls and I have to run. Until next time!


Daily Tantrum Count: 2 (but thankfully, they were small and better controlled)

Just Having Some Fun

This is me...in 1966. (if I had actually been born then and was like 18 years old)

No, my chin does not really look that bad...it's just bad editing. Really.

Okay, now me in 1974. (the year I was born--bad chin editing here too)

(Hey Mom, I really do look like you!!)

Just bear with me and my silliness...I've had a really rough morning with Gracie and her tantrums. She lost it while I was on the phone company trying to change over our services for when we move. The poor guy helping me on the other end will probably NEVER have children. (yes, it was that bad! Gracie scored a 10 on that tantrum--Gold Medal quality there.)

I Love Mondays

You know why I love Mondays, so I'll just leave it at that. Enough said!

Sunday however, is my traditional grocery shopping day. I look forward to it. I either go by myself or with just Caleb. (he's a fantastic helper!) Well, yesterday I finished up my list, put on my shoes and hollered to Caleb that it was time to head out--then hubby pipes up that he wants to come too. Oh joy. Because you know that with hubby coming along, that means more kids have to come along too. I asked hubby if he was sure he wanted to come. Really sure? He was.

We didn't even make it all the way inside the store before things went bad. At the entrance to the store, there is a "Red Box" movie rental kiosk. We had movies to return from the weekend. Sam just about went ballistic when he couldn't put the movies in the return slot "all by himself". At the same time, Gracie was writhing around on the floor crying about her leg hurting. (she jumped out of the cart) I shot hubby the evil eye and mumbled to him that THIS is why I choose to NOT bring them to the store. I grabbed Caleb and sent hubby and the rest of the kids to the other side of the store to find clothes hangers. Then, I quickly spun my wheels to get the shopping done. Thankfully, the chaos pretty much ended there and the rest of the trip was mostly peaceful.

I think I'll sign off and get some work done while things are calm here. Sam and Gracie are busy watching PBS and munching on roasted edamame...gotta work while I can!

And while I have the energy :)

Just A Few Words...

I am way too tired to type a lengthy or even coherent post...too many tantrums today have me running ragged.

Daily Tantrum Count: 10,359 (okay, really only about 8...I lost count a long time ago)

I'll post more later when I can hear myself think again. Gracie is standing at the bathroom sink, toothbrush in hand, screaming her heart out about not wanting to brush her teeth because she's "so tired". Wonder why she's so tired?

Friday...Finally

Not that it really makes a difference to me when Friday rolls around...the weekend isn't much less busy for us. Granted, I love sleeping in past 6am,(I get to sleep until at least 6:15!) but with the weekend comes interrupted routines and mass chaos.

We've got 2 full weeks of school under our belts. Already! And already I have sick kids. Started with Caleb, then Sam, now Gracie. Just colds, nothing major thankfully. Hopefully, this isn't a sign of a tough year with sicknesses galore.

On a separate note, since I have to be a working (outside the home) Mom, how lucky am I to have landed a perfect job? It's nothing spectacular, but I LOVE it. My coworkers are great, (and how awesome to have my mom as a coworker too) my boss(es) are great as well. I feel lucky indeed.

I packed up a few boxes today. Mostly books, nicknacks and odds and ends. As excited as I am about moving, I felt a little sad while packing things up. We've lived in this house for almost 6 years. Gracie and Sam have never lived anywhere else. We have history in the walls here. Not all good history, but history nonetheless. And memories. Lot's of them. I want to make even better memories in our new home, that's for sure.

Enough sappiness...signing off.

Later!

Daily Tantrum Count: Just 1! (for me anyway, not sure how many for hubby while I was at work)

Go Figure

So much for assuming that since the kids went back to school that I would have extra time for blogging. I must have forgotten that I still have a toddler and a home schooled kindergartner at home with me. I must have forgotten that I have a job. And I surely must have forgotten that I have housework to do. How did it happen that when I had all 5 kids home over the summer, I got a blog in nearly everyday?

Go figure.

Eli is off camping. He left yesterday, actually. Every year, our school takes the middle school set up into the mountains for 3 days of 'Outward Bound' style camping. Don't ask me what that means because I seriously have no clue. I do know that it's meant as sort of a bonding time between the teachers and kids, which I think is pretty cool. I just hope Eli comes home in one piece...without an attitude.

Since we are on the cusp of moving to our new home, I have been going around the house 'purging' things we don't need/use/like. I have piles for a yard sale and piles for Goodwill. Man oh man...this is going to be so much work. And since hubby is really only home on the weekends, most of it falls on me. I'll tell you what...a family of 7 can collect some serious amounts of stuff.

Well, it's time for the homework/dinner/bath rush. I'm gonna run...

Later!

Daily Tantrum Count:2
Don't worry though, Sam is picking up the slack and threw 4 of his own tantrums today. My eardrums are still quivering.

The Cutest Prayer Ever Said

Well, the cutest in our house anyway...

With hands folded and head bowed, Sam prayed over his dinner with this:

Dear Jesus God,

Thank you for Eli, and Mama, and Daddy...and thank you for um, Joshie and Caleb. And Gracie. Dear Jesus God, thank you for torteweenie (tortellini).

Jesus Name is Amen.


I have the cutest kid ever. But, I'll admit, I am a little bit biased :)

Long day today...but so far so good, and it's already 6:00! (knocking on wood since it's still hours til bedtime)

I think I will do a whole lot of nothing tonight. There is so much to do, that I don't want to do anything! I suppose I should start packing some since we'll be moving in less than a month though. Nah...I'll just do the dishes, bathe the kids, pack the lunches and call it a night.

Until next time!

Daily Tantrum Count: ZERO (but like I said, it's still hours til bedtime!)
UPDATED: 1

Messy Weekend Fun

Sometimes it doesn't take much to entertain the kids...and that's a very good thing.
While I was at Michael's Craft Store yesterday,(and again today) I picked up some wooden model kits. I got a birdhouse, tank, fighter jet, biplane, train, covered wagon, and truck. (hey, they were only $1!) The kids spent literally hours putting them together with model glue and then painting them. I have to say, they did a darn good job! I would show you a picture of them, but the kids ran off to their rooms with their projects. I will show you what I did this weekend though...(for the kiddos walls)





Yes, I think they turned out pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.

News on the homefront for our far away family and friends: We found a house! We'll be moving on September 15th and we are very excited. The way things worked out for us getting this house gives me back a little bit of my faith in good things. I was beginning to wonder just when something would go right for us. Our new address will be:

Yeah right, do you really think I would post that here? Just check your email :)

Well, it's late and I have layers of paint to scrape off the kitchen table and dishes to do.

Until next time.

Daily Tantrum Count: 4!

Wanted: Vacation

I need a vacation. To somewhere far, far away. Someplace nice and sunny where nobody knows my name. Where there are no toddlers, no preschoolers, no 7 year olds and no tweens. And to make it fair, no husbands.

This last week was a whirlwind and I can't seem to catch my breath. The ushering in of pencils, books and lunchboxes was really exciting, but during the time after school, the kids all seem to be running on crack! Don't get me wrong though, I LOVE school. LOVE it. Loooooovvve it.

I worked the majority of the day today, but I returned home to hyper kids and a mess of a house. I was bombarded with requests/demands from Eli to go to Blockbuster and to Michael's Craft Store. I gave in and went to avoid the crashing down of the walls had I said no. So, off to BB, then to Michael's...and then I braved the shoe store. I had no choice really. I was reminded of the big hole in the bottom of Josh's shoe when he started squealing about the water from the rain puddles seeping in through the hole. I won't go into any details about the shoe store. I'm still a little traumatized by it. And I think the clerk there might be traumatized too. At least we ran walked out with two new pairs of shoes.

Well, upon returning to the van to finally go home, Eli realized that he got the WRONG movie and somehow tried to make it out to be all my fault. Well, of course it was my fault that he accidentally picked up the wrong movie, seeing as how I stayed in the van while he went into BB alone. I can totally see how I was at fault, can't you?

Signing off to wrangle some kids to the sink to brush their teeth. And then I think I'll pour myself a second bottle glass of wine.

G'night!

6:02am. Very strange sound coming from the back yard. Josh, jumping on the trampoline. The wet from the rain trampoline. Did I mention it was only 6:02am? If I only had just a quarter of the energy he has, I'd be running marathons.

Another day of school under the kid's belts. All went well according to them. I can't believe it, but Eli actually seems to LIKE school. At least when I asked him how his day was he told me that it went by too fast. (and in his own way, that means he liked it) I'll take it.

Not much else to speak of today...other than the fact that I was offered a permanent position working for a vascular surgeon. (I've been temping there since April) I'd be a fool to turn it down, so I didn't! I guess that's definatley worthy of mentioning, huh?

I'm tired and I have way too much on the agenda tonight, so I'll sign off and leave you with this...


Home schooling, at its finest :)

Tantrum Count: 1 (but, it was gigantic, trust me)

And They're Off!

It's officially here. The 2008-2009 school year!

I was thankful the kids actually posed for me this morning. And even Eli was smiling (sort of) instead of frowning. He won't admit it, but I think he's actually excited to be starting middle school. That being said, I can't believe he's in middle school. I just can't believe it.

Caleb and Josh were up before the crack of dawn. When my sleepy head finally made it downstairs at 6:10am, they were already showered, dressed and ready to eat. I think they are a little excited, no?

So far today, I've done a whole lot of nothing. Unless you count changing bed sheets, doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom and picking up countless messes something. I figure if I keep up the laundry for the most part and don't get too far behind on the other stuff, there won't be so much to be overwhelmed by when I get home on the days that I work. Sounds like a great plan to me...but, I think it's one of those things that's easier said than done.

During one of Gracie's tantrums this morning, as I was trying to tune out the shrill screams and pounding of limbs on the floor, I came up with the brilliant idea to keep a daily Tantrum Count.I figure it'll help me come the day I write my memoirs of being a mom.

I'll be heading out to pick up the boys from school soon...I'm sure the feeding frenzy will begin in earnest immediately upon crashing through the door, just after the dropping of the backpacks and lunchboxes onto the floor.

Can't wait.

Daily Tantrum Count (so far) at: 1
UPDATED: 2

Days 77-79: On The Eve of *Some* Sanity

Tomorrow is the day. School starts. The backpacks are loaded up. The lunches are packed. The clothes are already paired up for the entire week. I. Am. So. Tired.

You'd think I'd be jumping for joy right about now, but seriously, I think that will have to wait until tomorrow. I have worn myself out preparing for this day for sure. I've spent over $200 on school supplies and I *still* don't have all that was on the lists. I'm so over going from store to store to store to try and find everything. The teachers will have to hunt me down when they realize that my kid doesn't have all their stuff. Ah well. I'll deal.

I know that even though 3 of the kids will be in school, my sanity is not guaranteed. I do still have Miss Tantrum/Drama Queen Gracie and Sam-The-Great at home. I don't know how it's even possible, but Gracie has upped the intensity and duration of her tantrums. They are long and hard. For all of us. Especially her. I really wish she could go to school, but seems there is some pesky rule that she has to be 5 years old by October 1st. Seeing as her birthday is November 12th, we lose. I'll be delving into home schooling her this year so she can fulfill her desire to learn. She's got the ability for sure! (sorry, braggy mom moment here)

I'm going to sign off to finish up lots of odds and ends and head off to bed myself.

In the meantime, you can imagine me doing the happy dance tomorrow when I drop the kids off at 7:45am!

Day 76: A Taste of Heaven

Does it make me a horrible mom to enjoy having time away from my kids so much? Even just having 2 of them away from home makes a remarkable difference! Eli and Caleb are safely tucked away at the local fire station (wow, that sounds weird, doesn't it?) for the day and let me tell you how much I am enjoying it...A lot. A lot. A lot.

Right now, there is actually silence at my house. Silence. Oh sweet silence. How I love you silence...whatever, just shut me up so I can move on in telling you how much I am basking in this silence. Josh and Gracie are 2 floors below me watching a movie and NOT fighting. Sam is trying to recover from his crankiness by napping in the next room. Even Abby, the dog, is quietly sleeping on the stairs. (yes, she's weird)

I know this bliss will come crashing down at 4:15, but I am SO enjoying it while I can. I just ate a huge plate of organic spring mix salad with avocado and garlic lemon chicken (from the grill last night)...I didn't have to share one bite because my lovely and gracious friend fed my kids lunch at her house earlier. I think I'm a little delirious from it all. I'm not used to this quiet stuff. Makes me look forward to, you know, do I even need to speak it? MONDAY!

I finally went last night (all by myself!) to get school supplies. As I flipped back and forth between the 3 pages of needed supplies, I got a little woozy and felt like I might be in need of a frappucino from Starbucks...but it all ended well, even without my beloved frozen coffee. I wasn't able to get everything though, because the shelves at Target were a little picked thin--so I'll be making another trip to another store to finish up the list. I got out of Target with only spending $102 though. Not too shabby--especially since that included a box of diapers, 4 bags of Quakes, Crystal light, and a t-shirt.

Think I'll sign off for now so I can wash dishes and fold underwear in peace.

Until next time! ( Oh yeah, T-minus three days!)

Day 75: The Countdown is at T-Minus 4 days!

I am not obsessing over how many (or how few) days are left until school starts, really. Actually, I've not even done the school supply shopping yet.

Anyway, I went to the hospital for my follow up thyroid ultrasound this afternoon. It was maddening great fun. Especially toting the kids with me. A year ago I had this same ultrasound with abnormal results (a questionable nodule was found) so I had to go back and have it done again to make sure nothing even more questionable is going on. The techs eyes didn't bug out of her head, nor did she run from the room to call my doctor, so I'll just assume all is okay. Two or three days from now I'll know for sure.

Eli and Caleb will be going to CAMP tomorrow. No, it's not a week long or even an overnight thing, just one day. It's called Emergency Skills Camp. They'll learn CPR/first aid, take a field trip to our local emergency dispatch center and more. It is free and ALL day. Enough said.

I will be heading to a girlfriend's house for coffee and conversation while the boys are at camp. I love that. Can't get enough of it. I don't think I've ever had such good friends as I've made in this last year. I love it. Up until this last year, I really felt like a loner. Out of place, really. The friends I've made lately are the ones that I've waited all my adult life for. Love you guys :)

Well, the grill is sizzling hot, just waiting for me too add the Garlic Lemon Chicken that has been marinating all day. Yummmm...can't wait! I'm getting out of the house tonight (sans CHILDREN!) for a brainstorming meeting with the gal that I will be a hospitality co-coordinator with this year for MOPS. Yay me...I can't wait to cut loose for a while.

Later!

Days 73 and 74

What I wouldn't give to take a nice, hot bubble bath right about now...Sam is one lucky duck. I could really use some relaxation like that.

I know I'm behind as usual lately, but not by much at least. My computer has been down and out since Monday morning when Hubby decided to move it from the basement to our bedroom.

Anyway, I am totally psyched that the first day of school is just days away. ( 5 more days of vacation, if you're counting, because I am totally not) After an 'incident' involving Josh, a bubble necklace and Eli's eye, Eli gets to go to school sporting this:


Lucky for him, he's already made up a fantabulous story about how it happened so as not to let on that he got nailed by his little brother. (and never mind the blueberry in his teeth. I told you he hates to brush)

Gracie is sporting a black eye herself today. Josh (see a pattern here?) slammed the backdoor and the doorknob cracked her in the eye. Oh my oh my....what next? I'm afraid to ask that question too loudly. Most of the time around these parts, bad things happen in 3's. (or in 5's if you remember anything about our summer...Sam's eye poke, Eli's leg needing 10 stitches, Josh's head lac, Gracie's hospitalization and lastly, Sam's fractured wrist)

I have a screaming/whining child in my lap right now, and that doesn't make typing any easier, so I think I'll check out and go to bed.


G'night!

Days 71 and 72: Picture Overload

The missing card reader has been found...so, I will inundate this post with pictures to save my tired self from too much typing--hey, it's darn hot here!

Gracie and Sam in a rare moment of getting along

Eli and his friends are very excited about Eli turning 12!

The blowing out of 12 candles

Present time!

The girls have had enough of the boys...they formed their own team. Go girls!

Okay, moving on. The next pictures are of our little road trip to the Florissant Fossil Beds to dig up some fun.

Getting some instruction on fossil hunting

Eli chiseling away while Josh whines because he wants the hammer

Caleb deep in thought

Sam digging in!

Gracie and Daddy working as a team


Josh actually sat still in this same spot for almost an hour!

Sam looking through his magnifying glasses

Higgins, the guard dog

We've had a busy and eventful week...and another one coming up. And, ONE WEEK til school starts!!!!

Day 70

Wait a minute! What is that? Oh wait, I know....it's the light at the end of a very long tunnel! The end of summer vacation is so near I can almost taste it. Yes, it is bittersweet, but I am so ready. And honestly, I think the kids are ready too--although they'd never admit it.

We'll be off to Target this next week to purchase school supplies. It's crazy how much stuff there is to buy. The list that I have for each kid is almost a mile long! I'll practically have to kiss my entire paycheck away. Highlighters. Sharpies. Post-it's. Pencils. Protractors. Page protectors. Hand sanitizer. Baby wipes. Paper towels. Ziploc bags. And on and on...and on. Seriously? Whatever happened to just pencils and paper? Crayons and pink pearl erasers? Yes, I have to buy those too.

I think I'll cut out of this very boring post and hit the hay. Just wanted to mark day 70. Sounds like a milestone to me.

Some day my kids will thank me. Endlessly.