Thursday Thirteen #18

Thirteen things I love about cloth diapering! My kids call me "sick addicted" to buying cloth, lol. The new cloth diapers are as easy as disposables to put on and take off.

1. This is a small part of my "stash" of diapers. The rest is packed for the next baby, or for Sam to grow into, or is hanging dry. Its just so fluffy and pretty!
2. It makes great headwear! And it makes for easier potty training later.

3. You can express yourself with them! Sam wears his motto on his bum.

4. You can show off your favorite super heroes! Save money on buying shorts in the summer, too!

5. They are just way too cute, you have to admit it!

6. And even with complete cuteness, total coolness, and absolutely fabulous embroidery, its very comfortable, too. And just as easy for Dad to change as a regular diaper. On and off with velcro tabs, no pins or covers.

7. It saves you money. I've spent soooo much money on diapers with 7 kids, I can't even begin to imagine! At least $1200 a kid, we use pull-ups for years and years, too, so I'm guessing more like $2200 per kid. I've spent less than $500 on Sam, and I can use all the diapers for more children and sell them when I'm done! HIGH resale value!

8. It is better for the environment. I am NOT an environmentalist at all. But the amount of resources torn down and destroyed to make a diaper, the bleach and chemicals used that makes the water no longer usable, the centuries in landfills, its just no match for the small amount of water used to wash cloth, which goes to a wastewater treatment plant.

9. The amount of water used to wash cloth diapers is about the same as a person flushing the toilette for their own personal use for the week. So if he was potty trained, it would be the same amount of water.

10. The toxins in disposables are linked to many problems, including asthma. It is deadly for animals to ingest the stuff in diapers, yet we let those chemicals sit next to our children's genitals, scary.

11. Sam is allergic to disposables, so we have no problems with cloth, its much better on his skin!
12. You are not allowed to put human waste in the garbage, you are supposed to dump the poop out of disposables before throwing them away. Its really easy with cloth, the new cloth just lets the p00 fall right off, no sticking, no swishing! Its easy!

13. Its cheap, its cute, its soft, its environmentally friendly, its actually easy and not much more work. But the best reason is that it brings out the most incredible nurturing feeling in my heart each time I change Sam, wash, hang, stuff and fold his diapers. How many people do you know LOVE to change diapers? I do!!!!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #7

Donnie and I went to a meeting and left the kids home to do the dishes. This is what I found on the camera the next day:

(I have 3 teenagers and two who are almost there, so leaving them home alone is not a big deal, just so you know! Cody, in this pic, is almost 12. And hey, they DID do some dishes, lol)
Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

Tutu Fantasy give-away!

I accidentally linked to this old post at 5 Minutes for mom's new contest. Ooops! Here is the new post to the new contests for the 4th of July, sorry for the confusion!

What little girl doesn't dream of being a princess? And isn't this just an adorable little princess outfit?

5 Minutes for Mom is having a give-away of one of these lovely tutu's from Tutu Fantasy. They are giving away a ribbon tutu from Tutu Fantasy, you get to choose the color; rainbow, white, pink, blue, lavender and others.

Check out her website for more gorgeous tutus for little girls. She even does tutu party favors for a princess birthday party.

I'd love to win one of these adorable tutus for Trinity! She took one look at this picture and said "That's me!" I'd love to make her the little princess.

My P00py Life~ a contest entry

Awesome Mom is having a contest for your best (worst) child p00p story. I heard about it from Don't Give Him Crackers, so thanks!

My p00p filled life started almost 18 years ago. 18 years ago I was 6 months pregnant, newly married and just about to graduate high school. I moved to Germany with my new, very young, husband who was in the military.
September 14th I gave birth to a tiny little bundle of boy! We weren't able to come home from the hospital until early October. Soon life became a routine of diaper changes and feedings. My darling new husband was at first a bit frightened of the baby, but became a great dad changing diapers in the middle of the night! Cloth diapers, I might add.
This was back in 1989 when white pants on guys were "in" style. He would sit on the floor and change our little man while he was in between dh's legs. Our little boy was a "squirter" and could squirt that liquid, mustard yellow p00 3 feet, yes, we measured! And he squirted right onto Donnie's white pants! Did he learn? not the first couple of times.
Then came baby #2. We were smarter this time and the p00 didn't become a problem until she was older and decided that she didn't like poo in her diaper so she would take it out. But she didn't know what to do with it so she would wipe it off on her hair, clothes, wall, whatever. And p00p smell does NOT come out of hair with washing, only with time. Try to comfort a little one who wants hugs when she reeks like p00!
We got a long break from major p00 problems after that.
But then SHE was born. The sweetest little angel baby! My joy in hard times. God's gift to me.
But she grew older and bigger. And not so angelic.
And she liked her p00p. She was proud of her p00p. She would make it whenever she napped. And she would take it out and play with it. She particularly liked to paint her white crib brown with it. Sometimes she finger painted her sheets with it.
Before you really think I had it bad, let me tell you, she didn't do this like once a day, she did this AT LEAST once a day, sometimes 3 times in a day.
We made her clean it. That was fun, too. We chewed her out, sad, but hey, she still liked the p00. We later started spank1ng. She didn't like that, but she was still so proud of the p00p she made and the painting she did that she'd grin proudly each and every day when we went in her room and found her like that. Head to toe p00p painted.
There was also that time that I found "skid marks" ALL THE WAY down the stairs. Where she'd p00ped her pants and slid down the stairs on her hind end.
Later she started doing it out of her crib. She painted her Fisher Price doll house with it. Do you have any idea how hard it is to clean the railings on there?
So many times was she covered in p00p that we just got so mad we started to make it miserable to do it. We started giving her COLD showers to clean her. She started to like cold showers. I would go into her room to check on her before going to bed, and I would find her bed and her covered in p00p. So we'd have to wake her up to a COLD shower and change her sheets and blankets at 11pm!
Then I knew I was done for. I walked into my hallway one day and found cute little playdoh figures lining my stairs. We don't have brown playdoh..............

Friday night fun at our house

Devon does not like his sisters to wear anything that doesn't cover all their skin. He hates seeing them in swimsuits or anything short. (believe me, we are pretty strict in that area already, so short is not short to most people, lol)

Today, Hope-Anne was wearing a swimsuit that Devon felt was too small and he was chewing her out for it. Kaytlin was defending her and saying it was just fine, it wasn't too small, Hope-Anne was pretty upset about it. But she wouldn't change. She didn't even go put shorts on.

Later they got in another argument over it until she got so mad that she left the house. After about an hour in the garage, she came back in wearing pants. (she found some that were in storage in there)

So we had a discussion about appropriate clothes and appropriate ways to talk to people about it, etc. And we all agreed, except Devon, that wearing a swimsuit is not immodest. So he says "So, you all think wearing a swimsuit is ok, huh?" and he walks off. A minute later he comes in wearing his super slim fitting swim suit from the swim team. (the tiger striped ones in the picture) He stands right in front of Hope-Anne and bends waaaaay over, so we could actually see the white of his buns through the material, lol. "This is still ok?" He stands right in front of her (and I was sitting next to her and got a front row seat for the show) and Hope-Anne says its fine.

Drew decides to "help" by telling Devon to clench up. And he clenched up! Hope-Anne turned away then "Ewwww!" And Donnie and Drew were "helping" the situation some more. "Make 'em dance! One cheek at a time!"

I was in tears laughing so hard!

Point made.

Score one for Devon.

(I'm not laughing now, though, because Trinity just ATE a cake I am making for a friend's child tomorrow! It was cooling on the rack and she came out with big hunks of it in her hands!)

Thursday Thirteen #18

Thirteen Things Google thinks Lisa NeedsI did a google search on "Lisa needs" and this is what came up. 1. Lisa needs braces (Umm, apparently really badly since there were about 500 search results saying that I need braces) 2. Lisa needs a tree (My dh bought me one this weekend, so I'm good now! Thanks!) 3. LISA needs to more clearly communicate to clients how they can benefit from being members of LISA (I got my own club?!? Whoohoo! I'll try to be more clear.) 4. Lisa needs help with her vertical blinds. (Dang, I knew I should be walking around the house in a towel.) 5. LISA NEEDS TO GET A LIFE (hmm, can't argue with that) 6. Lisa Needs a Man (or, a Belated Birthday Wish). (OK, I have a man, and who would WANT more than ONE I ask you? So, I'll take the belated birthday wish, though my birthday is only 2 1/2 months away.) 7. Lisa needs laterals, hip guides, adjustable lumbar, and retractable (hmmm, retractable what? I don't think I even want to address this one) 8. Lisa needs to think (Is THAT my problem?) 9. LISA needs to get back to its roots. (OK, will do, but just so you know, my roots are crazy, they come straight from the loony bin.) 10. Lisa Needs Your Help! (email me, I'll give you my paypal addy, send money) 11. Lisa's need for understanding throughout the episode. (I need understanding, cause I lack it.) 12. Lisa needs a bigger grin and lots more warmth from an overly conscientious Julia Roberts. (I do need a bigger grin) 13. Lisa needs work (forget work, just send paypal, thanks!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #6 Millenium Poster

Because this is so funny I have to add words. My son Devon graduated his BRICK class this week. (Built Right In Christ's Kingdom) They had to do a timeline and Devon had the Millenium. Yes, that is God playing guitar, God does have a rockin' disco ball, and YES, that is a millenial mosh pit. And his teacher found it funny! (his teacher deals with juvenile delinquints, so maybe this is adorable behavior?)
Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!

View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

Nexcare Bandages are going Diamond — And you could win a year’s supply!

I love the look of these wonderful new bandages by 3M, clear with complete coverage so there are no leaks in or out of the sides. Keeping those germies out of open wounds and avoiding infections is very important.

You could win 45 boxes over at 5 Minutes for Mom. That is supposed to be a year's supply, but I think most of us agree that 45 boxes is way more than 1 years supply. Even with 7 kids I do not go through that many, though its close with all the imaginary boo-boos.

These new boxes can also be used for holding crayons and hairpins, etc. Maybe even little things in a purse.

Review of Swanky Baby Gear

I ordered this adorable bib last week! Isn't Sam just the cutest? Yes, he IS the cutest baby ever, but this review is not about Sam and his cuteness or joyfulness.
Its about the bib.
Melissa at Swanky Baby Gear made this vintage look handicraft bib. If I was only half as talented! The knitting is really good. The yarn is soft and lovely to touch. Sam likes to play with it and chew on it.
With Sam's drooling and chewing the bib absorbed it all, but the back was not wet, keeping his clothes dry.
Sam ate some sweet potatoes and when he was finished I just lifted the bib up and wiped his face clean! Sam did not fight it like he does stiff, scratchy bibs or wet wash clothes.
I really love this bib! The price is fantastic at $5 for a hand knit product with low shipping costs, even though the shipping was not slow. I will be buying these for baby gifts.
The picture of the bib on Sam is more cute than on her web page of the bibs laying side-by-side. It loses something when its not on a baby. Not that it kept me from buying it, but on a baby shows how truly beautiful it really is.
Now go show Melissa some love! Any mom would love this for their new baby.

A shameless plug for a great group of kids!

Some teens, a couple from our church, started a band and are incredibly talented. They are dying to get into Lifest, and they need your help! Their name is Statis Dei.

If you go to their myspace page you can hear some of their music and see just how great they are!

Now for the "work" they need from you..... They need votes! You need to go to the Lifest website and register, then rate them, they want 5 stars! They have two songs: Annah's Song and Before This Time.

And these kids are good enough to open for the Superchick this summer!

(My son, Drew is going to be their videographer!)

$25 and a Migraine

Every summer our town has a free Christian concert for the youth/teens. This year the Super Chicks (Superchicks??) are coming. In order to make this free, there has to be lots of fund raising. Tonight another church held a spaghetti dinner and auction at our church. Donnie and Drew ran the technical stuff, so we all decided to go.
I saw this quilt and really, really hoped I could win the bid with the $20 I had brought with me. Our gym has halogen lights that give me migraines. I sat there for a couple of hours between eating and waiting for this quilt to come up for bid.
Do you KNOW how hard it is to figure out what the auctioneer is saying? I was scared to bid, not knowing if I was going to be bidding my life away, lol. I talked Donnie into bidding for me when the quilt finally came up for bid, and my migraine was coming on strong.
No one bid until he went down to $15 and Donnie started bidding, (fifteen, twentytwentytwentytwenty, fifteen, twentytwentytwenty) someone went to $20, dang, that was my limit. (Twenty, give me twenty-five, 252525252525) Donnie thought about it and at the last second bid $25 and it was mine! Along with the migraine.
The back is actually a dark purple, not blue.
And the auction brought in over $4000, the dinner around $1000, and the matching funds from the Lutheran something or other was $1600! Almost $7000 in one night! Oh, and there was actually an item that the auctioneer had NEVER auctioned before, and didn't quite know how to describe to a church audience. Someone donated 10 free arms. Mmmhmmm. What on earth???? Someone asked him to explain that. LOL Apparently someone wanted to donate something, but the only thing or talent he had was artificial insemination of cows. So, umm, he's going to donate 10 times of putting his arm to check for pregnancy, is what was said, but I think it was possibly for the insemination, not the checking, lol. It went for $100.

Only my friends......

Only my friends could get me to do this. They got me to come to Karaoke night at our church. It was an outreach event. I did not plan to go because I. Do. Not. Sing. I don't. Period. All my friends sing except Jody J, but she went. I did want to support my friend who has the karaoke business, but is doing this as a ministry.
I felt guilty not going all evening.
So what happens about 8:30? I get a phone call. The girls put someone else up to it and bribed me to get there. They said that Sarah would sing Donnie and my song.
Alright. But I'm NOT singing.
Sarah sang I think we're alone now by Tiffani. Not sure who the real first singer was, but that was the version that was "our song." Now we can only dream that we are alone, there never seems to be anyone NOT around. I totally got into it.
And I sang. I sang along with Sarah from the audience. Then got up with a group, only leaving 3 people to watch, hehe, and we sang The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
Donnie sang a few songs, too. And I barely got him there, but he had fun.
Ok, dear friends, I'll even show up next month. And I'll sing I think we're alone now. I will. And if you laugh, I'll give you an interrupting totally uncalled for.

Oh, and here is the Bare Naked Ladies Song I can't remember when I try to tell you about it, lol.

Things I need to blog/rant about

I have things I want to blog about, but I either don't have the time to do it justice, or I forget, or my camera cord is missing so I can't get the pic up.

There is a homeschooling vs. public/private schooling debate going on at another blog. I just don't agree with the ideas being said. I'm a lover of homeschooling. I do think it is the "best" way to teach your children, maybe the "ideal" way, after all, public school is actually a relatively NEW idea in the history of the world. But to say that God expects all Christians to do it is a stretch, not just a stretch, but a huge stumbling block and a lie.

I've been called to home school, and I've been released of the responsibility. By God. Because it is the better road does not mean that God calls everyone to it. Not every Christian is called to never use birth control or family planning. God designed breastfeeding, but Christian moms are not wrong or lazy for not doing it. God calls us each to our own "destiny" that is laid out before us by God Himself. Not by someone who says that God told them to do it, so everyone has to do it.

There are certainly tons of verses about teaching your children, but they are all about teaching them about God, not about academics. How God uses scripture to lead us to our own paths is up the Holy Spirit, but it is not for everyone. Didn't God say to train up each child in the way HE should go, not they way He told you your child should go?

I don't expect everyone to home school. I don't expect everyone to refuse vaccines. I don't expect everyone to leave their child intact, not circumsizing. (misspelled for obvious reasons) I don't expect everyone to give up all family planning control to the Lord. I don't expect everyone to be missionaries. Not everyone is going to be called to do the same things, or everyone would be a preacher and there would be no flock.

I think it is appropriate to point out the benefits of homeschooling and to encourage others to pray about it. It is not appropriate to assume that they are not walking in God's will if they are not led by God to do it. To cause a stumbling block like that in a person's life, to lead them to do your will rather than God's, that is just sin. Plain and simple.

I don't care if you feel that it is the right path, it doesn't mean you need to tell everyone that they are wrong. If you feel a brother is sinning you should point it out. Schooling is not a sin issue. Samuel was given over to be schooled away from his mother at 4 years old. God does not find that sinful. It was what was right for Samuel. It was not unheard of, either. God would not have accepted him in that position if he was supposed to stay with his mommy to school. Or at least not used that story to teach people through His Word.

Whew, rant over!
Hopefully I have time to locate my camera cord and can blog about my Mother's Day gift, its a doosie of a story!

Thursday Thirteen #17

Thirteen Random Things about Lisa
1. I've been para sailing. It was scary getting off the ground, I was afraid I'd be drug face-first across the beach and water, but being in the air was not scary. It doesn't even feel like you are up high. It even got kind of boring sitting up there.
2. This is my best friend. I have a couple of best friends here in MN, but this is my heart sister best friend. I can't imagine my life without her. She lives in Virginia, but we both have unlimited long distance! The baby is Gabriel, her youngest.
2. I find this funny, and oh, so very true! I probably do look that frumpy, as I sit here in my bathrobe, but my nose is not that big.
3. I want to learn to knit completely because I want to learn to make these dish clothes. I'm sure I'd do other things, too, but this is cool! 4. Such as these bibs! I just happened to have ordered the blue one yesterday! I can't wait to get it! I'll be reviewing it, I'm sure.

5. I am obsessed with cloth diapers, though it isn't as bad lately. But does it get any cuter than this?

6. I have a rather strange, and sometimes mean, sense of humor.

7. I find this funny.

8. and this...

9. and this...

10. I feel totally inadequate to do my jobs: mothering, women's ministry leader, friend, wife, Christian.

11. God is bigger than that inadequacy, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Where I am weak, He is strong. Through my weakness, He shows Himself.

12. I have to leave for a meeting in about 8 minutes. I am on the computer doing this, while both of the kids who are coming with me are sleeping. I am responsible for dressing them AND me, none of us are dressed, lol.

13. I love blogging and email and surfing the net, and don't forget Youtube, I love that, too. But I can't figure out things I want to do, like change the word "comments" to something else, and yes, I know blogging101 has the instructions, but it doesn't work on new blogger, and I can't get music to play on here.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #6

Imagine walking into this bathroom a little tipsy...

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

Close your eyes, this is gonna hurt. And other Trina-ese

So, Donnie is laying out in the yard with Sam and Trinity. Trinity is playing doctor with daddy and using bike pegs for her instruments to fix daddy. As he is laying in the grass relaxing, she stands over him with one of these pegs, which weighs about 1lb each, and she says "Close your eyes, this is really gonna hurt."

Daddy is fine, she didn't bash him on the head as he feared, and it didn't really hurt, but he was scared and he DID close his eyes. I would have screamed and ran away.

Donnie took her out on the boat with the kids on Mother's Day to give me some time alone to read blogs or play games. (He even tried to take Sam, but this momma loves her baby more than she loves to blog and would NOT allow her little 6mo old to go on a boat in water so frigid he'd get hypothermia!) The wind was blowing good and blew lots of water into the boat as they were speeding along. Trinity decided that she didn't want to step in the water so she would go from seat to seat, which required doing the complete splits for her little legs! She ended up slipping and bashing her chin really bad and has a nice bruise. He then took the kids to the DQ and Trinity went potty in the bathroom, which is a MUST at every bathroom that is not in OUR home. She must not have gotten her pants adjusted right because she started to strip right there in the DQ.
The next day we went to the DQ with some friends and Trinity was looking up through the glass roof and her friend "BJ" (that's how she says his name, much to his dismay) saw her huge, ugly bruise and his eyes just about bugged right out of his sockets! His mom and I were laughing at him, it was so funny. Then he yells at Trinity, "Trinity, put your head down NOW!" He was done looking at that ugly thing!

Seven things about me Meme.

I've been tagged by Momma's Gone Madto do a meme with seven random facts about me. 100 Things about me has lots more things about me. I'm pretty different, so I think I can do more than those 100. I've also done Six weird things meme (which ended up being more like 9). And I'm sure that I can STILL come up with 7 random things about me.
I'm not going to tag anyone, except maybe my mom, because I've seen so many people do this one. If you haven't done it, please feel free to be tagged by me and comment that you are doing it, also.
1. I played the "choking game" when I was a kid and I went into convulsions and was blind for a day. I had no idea how lucky I was not to die. That "friend" was a bad influence on me in many ways. (I'm SURE my mom will have something to add to this, it made her MAD when she found out that was why I was blind and having seizures, so I didn't tell her until I lived in another country.) The chocking game is dangerous and everyone should talk to their kids about it. I was in 6th grade, so don't think your kid is too young.
2. I'm not sure I ever fessed up to this to my mom, but I smoked when I was a teen. (Sorry mom!) It wasn't much, I was not addicted. I pretty much only did it when I was out drinking, lol. (Sorry, mom!)
3. My boys say that once a girl calls them at our home its "Bye-bye nice mom forever." True, I freak at them talking to girls that like them, but I don't about all girls calling them. I just make it miserable enough that they don't encourage girls to call them, lol.
4. Most of our family thinks we are freaks. Jesus freaks, religious freaks, baby making freaks, etc. We don't immunize, we don't circumcise, we don't allow dating, we home schooled, we don't use birth control now, we had a vasectomy reversal, we are believers in Christ and believe in letting Him lead our family..... we go against the grain in most things.
5. I have two moms. My Mom and my Ma. I look like my mom, and my sister looks like Ma, but people say we look alike, so we must look like our dad!
6. I struggle with maintaining a clean house. I can clean it, I just can't keep it up constantly. I can't figure it out! I've done all the books: the Messie's Manual, Slob Sisters, Fly Lady... The only time I did really well was when I did not have any kids under the age of 5, and I kept it all together then, and I don't know why!
7. We have 3 computers side by side, plus my husband's work laptop. All in the living room. We have 8 out of 9 people who want to get on the computer daily. Two do online school, we all play games for hobbies, we like to play against each other or with each other for fun. We don't go out much, so it works out well for us. We keep them in the living room together for accountability, no sneaking onto bad websites.
Ok, Mom at Bring Your Own Cheese, The Whine is Free , you are tagged. Which means you have to do this! I know you have plenty of things to say about yourself, because you haven't really done a post about why you are where you are, raising grandkids, having SO many grandkids and great-grandkids at only 55......

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm posting this early because most people will not be blogging on Mother's Day because no one knows what we REALLY want for Mother's Day.
This video sums up what happens in our family. We have decide they are Kaytlin and Devon. Or it could be Drew and Devon, but Devon is definately the one in the t-shirt.


Devon says things like "Your not in the frame." when we say things to him. Even he couldn't deny that was just like him!

I hope you enjoyed the little video as much as I did! We've all been cracking up over it, and I've had to hold back from posting it.

Thursday Thirteen #16 Brad Stine

Thirteen Things about LisaMy favorite Conservative Comedian- Brad StineBrad is a conservative, Christian, patriotic comedian. He is also extremely funny, and RIGHT. Here are some quotes from him! Oh, and please, get his dvd's they are a riot! 1. "Put a helmet on!" he says this when things are so obvious that its stupid to even go there. 2. "Your cold? Put on some fur! ..... That's what the cats are there for!" 3. Talking about 70 below weather in Canada "I don't want to live in a place where 70 below is considered nippy. I don't want to live in a place where you go to get the mail and then you DIE!!!!" 4. "I like cats, so long as they stay in the road where they belong!" 5. Some people are trying to say that men and women are not different. "All you have to do is be married for, oh, ten or fifteen ......... MINUTES, and you will realize that we are from different WORLDS!" 6. Talking about man and woman having different names and women being better looking, so getting a better name with 2 extra letters. "Look at him and go man and look at her and go whooo maaaAAAaaan." 7. "That's why you've got a male and a Fee-male, because you can have that male for free, but with that male there is a FEE involved." 8. 9. "I don't want to get used to a sign warning me that an animal might LEAP out! Get a zoo, for crying out loud!" 10. "If you've got deer jumping out, that's not a put up a sign problem, that's a put up a wall problem. Lets dig a moat, build a fence. Someone invented barbed wire, USE IT!" 11. "That's right, when all else fails, make fun of the Amish people. Why? Because they have no electronic recording devices to prove I said anything. And if they did, they couldn't plug it in so.." 12. "Hey God, you know what I was thinking?" "Yes." "Gahhh, he's quick!" 13. About God being your copilot: "I wouldn't want God as my copilot because he'd be too good." "That mans swerving." "Where?" "Three minutes from now!" "Ahhh!" Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!



The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #5

This is my friend's baby, caught in action!

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

Tickle my funny bone, Tuesday #3

The Faith Edition

When your hut's on fire!

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives....even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Whats with the Love?

This is Samuel. I grew him in my womb. I was throwing up for 22 weeks and spent months on bed rest to keep his sweet, vulnerable, growing body inside of me until he was ready to face the world.
Then I carefully bathed him, clothed him, cloth diapered his tender skin. I lovingly nourish his body with the best God-designed food to help him grow plump and healthy.
I have held him in my arms as much as he wants, cuddling him, gazing into his big blue eyes, nuzzling his wet, drool filled neck with love.
I bring him to my bed at night so he is always warm and safe, and he can cuddle and eat when he wants to, no matter the comfort lost to me.
I give him a taste of my drinks, never complaining about the backwash he leaves, because he is learning and experimenting.
I take him for walks safely cradled in a sling. He can see the world and reach out and touch it, while still sheltered from harm. He reaches out and touches leaves and flowers and bark, and gently keep them from his mouth.
I love my happy son. My gift from God.
Samuel loves his daddy. He waves excitedly when he sees his daddy. He squeals in delight while playing with daddy.
I don't get waves. I get p00p. And spit up. Don't forget the spit up.

Another great give-away!

Knitted Give-A-Way Contest is going on at Teamouse's blog! She's combinging knitting and winning, two of her favorite things! I LOVE knit dish clothes, so I hope to win some!

And then....
This would be a really fun giveaway to win!
Jules at Everyday Mommy is having a Giveaway to win a new blog design for Typepad or Blogger users! Can you believe it???
So, please, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go sign up, because I want it! My kids suck all the fun money up, so I don't get any for my hobby, I have to hunt down the freebies, folks, which just happens to be another of my hobbies, lol.
But really, go check out Everyday Mommy's blog.

Our new pasttime

My kids have been harassing me for being a "Youtube addict" even though I am not addicted, I can quit any time I want to. The other night Cody and Hope-Anne and I were watching some practical joke videos but Devon was sleeping, as usual lately, so he didn't see them.
So last night we made Devon watch a couple of them that we were in tears over, like this one:



Then we showed him this one: (warning for possible language)



Those were funny, but they led to this one that had us literally CHOKING with laughter: (possible bad language here, too)



I have NEVER been laughing so hard I was choking, coughing and crying at the same time! It was awesome! I forgot all about time and the kids were up until 11pm! On a school night!!!
Neg is my kids new hero, lol.

Mother's Day Prizes!

Look at what wonderful gift is being given away at 5 Minutes for Mom! The first contest is for an APPLE IPOD AND CHOCOLATE, thanks to Best Buy. They are adding gifts, too, like a Mei Tai baby carrier from Jennifer at All Natural Mommies. Check for more prizes over there!

Thursday Thirteen #15

Thirteen Things about Lisa13 Beautiful One-Liners 1. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing. 2. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period. 3. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us. 4. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. 5. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible. 6. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it. 7. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop. 8. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler. 9. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called .. 10. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. 11. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope. 12. He who angers you controls you. 13. Read the Bible -- It will scare the hell out of you. Links to other Thursday Thirteens

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #4

This would be why the appointment to get Devon's picture taken after Districts 1 1/2 weeks ago was rescheduled.

Updated* Devon let someone draw Spiderman on his face with permanant markers. It mostly came off, but his face was stained red for a couple of days. We were supposed to get his picture taken when he got home, but obviously that couldn't happen, lol.
This is not a new thing with my boys. Drew had a cape made for himself for the weekend so he could be Super Drew. I think Devon was just idolizing his big brother and wanted to be a super hero, too.

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

I've been nominated! Really!

I've been nominated for a thinking blogger award! Wow! I did not know I actually made people think, when did that happen? LOL I was pretty sure I made people RUN with all the talk of p00p and stuff that my kids do.

I was nominated by Toni at In The Midst of This Season. She thinks I'm FUNNY. I like her already.... Toni is pretty funny herself! I love her sweet way of warning her brother of their parents wrath. I so wish I could do something like that!

Now it's my turn to tag 5 other bloggers who make me think. And these are in no particular order.

1. Boomama because she is not only funny, I go to her for fashion advice and I love her compassion. She is a love! She organized the most amazing love fest for Kelli that left me in tears every time I watched the dollar amount go up!

2. Kim at Life In A Shoe makes me think. She is someone I admire, raising beautiful daughters for our Savior, and now an up and coming Knight of the King! I like to read the little things about the kids, and I enjoy reading about chores and such. But she makes me think often with post like this.

3. Next up is Notes from the Trenches, mostly she makes me laugh, with things like Conversations in Bed, which is a conversation with her dd after being woke up by her little brother. But many times she makes me think. And I also love her heart, she is organizing a drawing for prizes for people who donate to Heather, which is being organized by Boomama.

4. Trophy of God's Grace is one of my favorites for inspiration. Jerri makes me think. I have a lot in common with her, both of our husbands have had vasectomy reversals, and we used the same doctor, we both are Christian moms, I used to homeschool, and Jerri does, we both have reversal children.... I love her posts about keeping things running with a large family, especially chores and travelling with kids. She puts a spin on the chores for young kids that made me think.

5. Dane Bramage is another blogger that makes me think. Originally I started reading his blog for the Thursday Thirteen, but his other posts are really interesting and make me think. The fact that we agree so much helps a ton! I don't know why I can't link right to the post, but his post on IPODs for everyone was good.

So ladies and gents, here is what you need to do, if you want to participate:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the “Thinking Blogger Award” with a link to the post that you wrote. (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).