I promise

I promise we are all okay . . . for the most part. I know it's been awhile since I posted a story, but we've just been busy. What have we been up to the last two weeks? I can barely remember. . .

On the nights when the weather has been nice and the kids need to burn off some extra energy, we've gone for walks around the neighborhood. It's been an interesting transition for me -- last summer, we pulled the little ones in the wagon and didn't let go of Will's hand when we were near the street. Now, the toddlers toddle along with their small fingers in mine or Allen's hands, but they skip back and forth between the two of us, never deciding where they want to be. Will walks ahead of us or behind us, stopping to look at everything, but rarely being close enough to consider holding hands. When we go through the greenbelt away from the street, we let all the kids run while Allen and I stroll hand in hand discussing the today's events, tomorrow's dreams, and how different it was just not too long ago. I've enjoyed our evening strolls, but we had several cold rainy days that meant we were inside more than we wanted to be. We've all been to the dentist. Allen, Will, and I had our teeth cleaned. But Ben, Maddie, and Jon were just introduced to the process and the tools. After watching Will as his teeth were being cleaned, they each got to sit in the "Wheee! chair", meet "Mr. Thirsty" and the water hose. They also got to feel the different tools and have their teeth counted. Ben and Jon did quite well -- paying attention and participating. Maddie gripped me and buried her nose in my neck and refuse to even look up at the hygenist. Oh well. They have six months to go until they get to sit in the chair for real. Unfortunately, I had to go back for more work -- no wonder I hate going to the dentist.

The Wednesday that Will and I had our date, he got to pick out a scrapbook for all the pages he has been creating. We went back to the house for a bit and created, then I took him to Allen's office for my follow-up dental appointment. When I was gathering books and activities for Will to take, he asked me why. I said, "You are going to go to Daddy's office and sit next to him and work while he works." I sort of expected Will to be a tad bit upset about it, but he surprised me with a whoop and a jump. "Yay! Oh Yeah! I get to work with Daddy?" When I answered in the affirmative, he responded enthusiastically. "YES! I finally get to work with Daddy. Now I get to make some real money!!" I scurried to the phone to share this bit of news with Allen so he could . . .ahem . . . be prepared.

I also had a date with Maddie in there somewhere. Will's class went on a field trip to a local wildlife museum and he wanted me to go. Therefore, Maddie's day with me was shared with Will. The three of us ran a few errands on the way to museum, and like always, Maddie stopped to smell the flowers. It doesn't matter whether it is at the craft store, a garden, or the home improvement shop -- she finds them, and she is determined to smell them. Will and Maddie and I enjoyed that day out.

Sometime in all the jumble of the last week and a half, Allen and I picked out, ordered, and received our birthday gifts -- we chose a Nikon D60 and some lenses. The camera arrived a week ago, and I opened the box, charged the battery, and started reading the manual. That's as far as I got, though. I cracked up at the warning not to poke yourself in the eye with your finger. Beyond that, the packaging is too intimidating, and until I have a chunk of uninterrupted time, it may sit. . . . maybe today?

We've also had beautiful weather lately and that's gotten my green thumbs itching for plants. Last weekend we played inside on Saturday and were outside all day Sunday.

Allen was cleaning up and mowing the yard, I washed some windows, the kids filled the buckets and shoes with sand. We enjoyed being outside, and that made me want to spiffy up our outdoors even more. This past weekend, we were inside while it rained Saturday, then Sunday we had pretty weather again. The kids played outside until I was set up to get them to plant seeds. They "helped" me start some seeds in a mini-greenhouse; we planted marigolds, morning glories, tomatoes, onions, chives, dill, basil, coriander/cilantro, oregano, and parsley. We labeled everything we planted, but since I had help, it should be entertaining to see what really comes up. Allen rented a sod cutter and started getting the grass up out of the area where we are planning to have a garden. As he was moving the grass, though, he somehow threw his back out.
So that brings us to today. My To-Do list is long, and we all know that's when I tend to blog. This week will be another busy one. I need to finish up our tax returns, prepare for the MOPS craft, finish some class layouts, take Ben to the doctor for his two-year check-up (yes, I know I'm a bit late on that), take pictures and fill out the paperwork to have our passports renewed, and all the regular day-to-day stuff. I hope to get outside and pick up some more of the sod that Allen cut before it all re-roots, and then we'll move on to the tilling stage. Yesterday, was rough -- Allen's back went out, I was tired, and the kids were poopy. Yesterday, I changed 20 diapers and 18 were poopy -- yes, I counted. Luckily, Jon did great with the potty and that meant one less for me to deal with. Last night Ben was up coughing a lot, this morning, he and Will have gross coughs and are pretty groggy. Maddie and Jon have been snotty, and I am hoping the sickness stops soon. The prayers here are that Allen's back heals soon, the kids get healthy, and I stay calm and patient.

Only one month to go!

Wow, has time flown by. One month from today our family is walking in the March for Babies (formerly known as March of Dimes.) Allen and I will be toting all four kiddos with us, and we are hoping the weather is pretty that day. If you didn't read the previous post about why March for Babies is so important to us, check it out here.

Thank you to all our friends and family who have donated generously to this worthy cause. We still need a few more donations to reach our goal of $1000. We realize times are tough right now, but even $5 can go a long way toward educating parents about premature birth. You can make a secure donation online by clicking the link below. If you prefer to donate by cash or check, contact me for details. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Will's Words

I still want a red or gray Ford or Chevy truck. . . I wish that one I liked was still for sale, I really wanted it. Mama, I think when I'm just a bit older, I want to live close to Nana and Papa. I need to live close enough you will let me walk over there when I'm driving you crazy. Why don't I ever drive Nana and Papa crazy? What does "driving me crazy" mean, Mama? Why would it be better to walk? Does driving the car get old? What does it mean "to get old?" Yeah, I thinking walking over to Nana's and Papa's by myself would be the best for you and me. Right?

(Note: this was all said in one breath and I didn't have to answer any of the questions because he moved on to the next one so quickly.)

St. Patrick's Day Memories

As far as I know, I don't have much Irish blood in me, but on St. Patrick's Day, I think everyone gets to be Irish. I am neither Irish nor Catholic, but since I used to be an engineer, and St. Pat is the patron saint of engineers, I will add that to my reasons for celebrating by donning a pair of shamrock socks and seeking clover to photograph. Thinking back on the last three decades of St. Paddy's days, all I remember ever doing is wearing green and pinching as many people as I could -- no parades, no parties, no special meals . . . except one.

Many years ago (sometime between 1980-1990) it was almost St. Pat's day because McDonalds had their Shamrock Shake available -- a minty-flavored, green milkshake. Forsome reason or another, I went to work with my dad one day. I think it was a weekend, because Mom and Jason were home. In my memory, Dad was excited to take me to a McDonalds on the way to his office, and we had a special dad- and-daughter lunch with cheeseburgers and fries. After we finished, he got each of us a Shamrock Shake. Few details are clear in my head, but I remember I was thrilled to have my OWN, all to myself, and it was big. We enjoyed our sweet minty treats, and went about the day, going to his office and the Busy Beaver hardware store. I remember the McDonalds, the joy at getting my own shake, and how miserable I was when I puked up all that shake a bit later.

Sometimes, I get the same scent of McFries, or taste something with the same vanilla-mint flavor, and it takes me back to that day with my dad. It is sort of like those sickening sappy McD's commercials when the Mom takes her kid for a special memory-making meal at McD's. When I see those, I roll my eyes with the "As-If" attitude. Seriously? What child would remember a special-moment McDonalds meal? . . . This kid, Dad. Thanks for the memory and the shake, and for holding my hair back when I was throwing it all up. You can know I'm thinking of you every St. Patrick's Day just because of that green milkshake.

New Earrings

You know what Maddie taught me today?

If she licks a piece of Dora cereal, the star will stick to her earlobe so it looks like she has "pwincess ears". Since I rarely wear earrings, I don't know where she got this idea, but she sure was proud of her discovery. I've heard of the magnetic bracelets that increase energy and reduce stress, but my two-year old has come up with something better. . . earrings full of whole grains, calcium, vitamins and minerals, and they are lightly-sweetened, cinnamon corn-puffs that will accent any outfit this toddler wears. Could fashion get any better?

. . . and in case you didn't know, she does NOT have pierced ears.

Thankful

Last Friday, the kids and I headed to my parents' for a few days. Allen had to work some over the weekend, and since this week was spring break around here all our activities were cancelled. It was just a good time to go spend more than a weekend. Luckily the weather was beautiful, but windy, most of the time we were there. The kids got to spend a lot of time outside, so they were happy. Here are a few pictures from our visit. The kids enjoyed wheelbarrow rides and long walks; they played a lot on the neighbor's bigwheels, playground set, and trampoline; the little ones had their first time out in the canoe and Will had fun boating, too. You can tell spring has sprung in this part of Texas by the bluebonnets that finally popped up from their slumber.

We came home yesterday in cold, rainy weather, but we so so glad to see Allen. Yesterday was his birthday and we celebrated by watching him open presents that ALL had "Will" written on them. After Will helped me wrap them and stick bows on them, I turned my back and he wrote his name very large on each of Allen's gifts. I was frustrated, but it wasn't too big of a deal. He is getting very comfortable labeling things he thinks should be his, or in this case, he wanted all the gifts to be from him.

Today, it is still stormy. I thought it was a good day to throw lots of blankets on the floor and watch movies, but the kids didn't agree. They preferred to take off clothes, climb on tables, stand on the windowsills, bite each other, and throw toys. I did play some, but I spent a good part of the morning trying to deal with the piles of laundry, the mess in the office, the mail sorting, and who knows what else. I am a bit overwhelmed by all of it, but that is probably because the kids are fussy and the weather is dreary. It's a great day for a nap, but I haven't found time for one of my own.

It's funny how some things cross my path when I need them to. Today, I've been stressed, but I got an email from mom about being thankful. Instead of using it word for word, I am rewriting it to fit me and to remind myself how blessed I am.

I am thankful

. . . for the husband who sits around watching sports, because it means he is home with me.

. . . for the five-year old who won't quit tattling, because it means he thinks I can fix everything.

. . . for the dozen diapers that stink up the house each day, because it means we have three healthy toddlers.

. . . for the taxes we pay, because it means Allen has a job.

. . . for the toys that are scattered all over the house, because it means I am surrounded by children.
. . . for the clothes that fit the kids a bit too tight, because it means they have enough to eat.

. . . for the clothes that don't fit me, because it means I've lost the weight I've been wanting to lose.
. . . for the shadows that follow me and watch me work all day, because it means I am in the sunshine.

. . . for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and floors that need mopping, because it means we have a home.

. . . for all the complaining about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
. . . for the parking spot at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I can walk.

. . . for a car that needs to be washed and vacuumed, because it means we can afford a vehicle.
. . . for the utility bills that keep coming, because it means we are warm and we have clean water.

. . . for the crying, whining, and bickering, because it means I can hear.

. . . for the piles of dirty and clean laundry, because it means we have clothes to wear.
. . . for the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been able to work hard.
. . . for my watery eyes and runny nose, because it means the flowers are blooming.

. . . for the dog's barking and the cat's shedding, because it means we are given unconditional love.

. . . for not knowing what is for dinner tonight, because it means we have choices.

. . . for the kids ' loud laughter and giggling that gets out of control, because it means they are happy.

Objet d'arte

I had a great day with Ben today, but let me start with yesterday's events. . . . We went to MOPS as we normally do twice a month. Yesterday we had a speaker talk about doing art with preschoolers. She told us the best products to have on hand, she gave us project ideas, and she shared ways of working with kids and creations. It was a fun presentation, but I left a bit, well, blue. It is so challenging for me to do art with four kids and only one me. That makes me a bit sad because I love being creative, and I want to share that passion with my kids. Unfortunately, it may have to wait until I have more adult hands around to help or the kids are better at following directions.

However, that is just what my Thursdays are for, right? Today, Ben and I stopped by Hobby Lobby for a few supplies, then detoured to Albertsons for a few groceries. The funny part was two of the Alberson's employees asked where the rest of the crew was. I didn't realize they paid that much attention to us -- sure, I know they notice when three toddlers are there, but when there is only one, I figured we'd be incognito. We rushed home and Ben helped me put away the groceries and we got out the stuff to paint. Armed with some ideas I picked up yesterday, we started our projects.

This first painting was done in a cake pan with paper in it. On the paper we put down three blobs of paint (blue, aqua, and green), then Ben poured marbles into the pan. I showed him how to tip the pan back and forth to make the marbles roll and he got so excited. He loved it!! He loved the colors spreading, he loved the clacking of the marbles, and he loved moving the pan by himself. He finished his painting and picked up each of the marbles and put them in another bowl -- he was so proud of himself for cleaning up, too.

Next was fingerpainting, pure and simple. He dipped his fingers into the gooey paint and his face lit up. He showed me his "meths" and I assured him we'd clean his hands later. It wasn't much longer when he had his palms covered, and then he touched his cheek to see my reaction. I asked him not to paint on Ben, and he went back to the paper. . . . until he patted his bare tummy, and a fraction of a second later, he had red and orange streaks in his hair. I rushed him to the sink for a rinse, then we talked about keeping the paint on paper and went back for one more.

The final objet d'arte was created with paper, paint, marbles, fingers, and a Hot Wheels car to drive through the "mud." We finished up in time for lunch and, somehow, I got him to nap for a bit before we went for the other kids.