Monster Cookies

Last week I was getting the boys from their house to babysit them and on the way to my house Isaac, the first in this pic, stuck his foot toward me and said "My toe a monster cookie." What? Your toe is a monster cookie? "Yes!" and Jonah chimed in and they got all excited about it and then I hear this noise behind me coming from their seats "Arrrmmmarrrr-aaarrrrghhh" "Oh!! You guys are being COOKIE MONSTER!" "Yes! arrmm yumm armm" They were being Cookie Monsters! LOL Gotta love it!
Today, these three little monsters are at play school at the high school. The child development class is studying them at play all week. You can bet their mom and I are taking advantage of that!
Trinity went this morning from 8:15-9:10 and had a blast, then the next session is from 11:30-1:30, and all of them are at that one.
Trinity didn't even look back. She went right in and stared shyly at the teens, but didn't want me to stay. And when I got there she was talking to them and having fun. I can't wait to see how it goes this second session today. Trinity is TIRED. She only got maybe 8 hours of sleep. And as soon as play school is done we have to book it a couple towns away for an appointment. She needs to get her finger pricked, ouch!

Update on Sam! He ate an entire McDonald's hamburger by himself! Not that McD's is healthy, but he ATE a BUNCH!

In the mirror

When you look in the mirror what do you see? Do you see a real reflection? Is that the real you?
All you see in that mirror is the outside you. Unless you use a magnifying mirror, you may see more inside of your pores than you want to, but that's another story.

The true mirror is what you see reflected back at you from your children. Children are God's mirror for you to see whats out of place. Instead of that wild hair we worry about, God wants us to look at that attitude problem, or that little white lie problem, or that disrespect issue. We are not going to just listen to God, because we don't "see" those things in ourselves very easily.
So, God gave us children. When you are dealing with an issue with your child, you really have to stop and look at where they are getting it. Usually the trail stops at you. Sometimes they are just nuts, but usually, if you really look closely, you can see that they ARE, in fact, doing what you do.
And that is the ugliest mirror to look into. It is worse than the lighted magnifying mirror.
However, it is also the best mirror to look into because it tells the truth, it is not inverted, and it shows you things that CAN be changed, instead of crooked eyes that you can't fix.

Thursday Thirteen~ Silver Linings

13 Silver Linings

1. I have the best friends.
2. I have the best job!
3. My church is filled with fantastic believers that bless my socks off.
4. My in-laws live near us now- this IS a good thing, for our kids, us and them.
5. Our furnace may have died when the power was "accidentally" cut off, but it didn't happen during the cold season and it is CHEAP to fix, praise God!
6. We are getting a foreign exchange student for 2 weeks, it will motivate us to do some deep cleaning and make for a great hospitality opportunity.
7. Our freezer may be going wacko, but we have a deep freeze to fall back on.
8. Our transportation may be trying to die on us, which keeps us from being able to work on our ministry opportunities, but God has provided ways for us to get around, or even have meetings in our home.
9. My washer and dryer died, and I had to do a TON of laundry at the laundromat, but I met a woman there who I was able to encourage a great deal, she called me an angel sent by God.
10. And I can use my laundry as an excuse to go see my friends, girl time!!!
11. My working has been a great opportunity for me to bring in some extra money at just the right time, but also I believe there is a bigger purpose, and it is a blessing to me.
12. Someone is going through a really rough time right now, for years, actually, but through that sacrifice some children are getting a good life they wouldn't have been able to have. Love and stability and normalcy.
13. I have a great husband and terrific kids! The biggest blessing of all!

Check out my give-away for a terrific book on journaling for your children!

Paper Face

I babysit 2yo twin boys. Their dad told me something that happened at their house after I told him why his boys had green finger nails and toenails.
Twin 1 wrote all over Twin 2's face with markers during nap time. Twin 2 said "I don't know why he wrote on my face, I don't even look like paper."

Train them up right

I have a desire to not have to do anything to raise my kids to be able to take care of themselves. One of the ways I prepare them for that is by having them learn to cook. They decide what they are cooking and sometimes even get to shop for the ingredients. One night a week each child, who is old enough, is forced to gets the privilege to cook for the family.

Well, Drew and Kaytlin have been taking cooking and baking classes at school. Kaytlin is now in advanced foods, and Drew is just starting. But they get inspired in those classes. Kaytlin has made some interesting foods, shrimp stir fry, coconut shrimp like at The Outback, and some yummy desserts.
Last night was Drew's night to cook and he called me from school to tell me he was planning to go to the store to buy ingredients for supper. He made homemade salsa and quesadillas, but not just any quesadillas, quesadillsa with BACON. And let me tell you, that is a welcome addition! It is better than chicken. It is amazing, and I really thought I would not like it. His salsa was pretty good stuff, too.

Don't hate me because I am lazy smart.

First day of school!

I woke up at 7am to get the kiddos moving. Someone was in the shower already, so I headed upstairs to start waking the rest of them. I see Kaytlin's bed is empty, I wake up Hope-Anne, and then Devon's bed is empty. Hmm, where is he? Drew can get his own butt out of bed, he's almost an adult, 10 days away from it. And Cody is not starting school yet.
Kaytlin gets out of the shower, so where is Devon? She said she saw him get out of the shower and head upstairs. That means the little rascal has already left for school and didn't tell us. Nor did he get lunch money or his new lunch number! Too bad!
OK, I'm not that mean. I sent his new lunch number with Kaytlin to hand to him in the hall, and sent Drew with the check for all of their lunch accounts.
I had to get Kaytlin out of school early to go to the doctor. She is running some tests and did an exam. Kaytlin does not want me even talking to my close friends, so the blogging is off limits with what her symptoms are. It appears to be the minor end of the spectrum, but they are running some e-coli tests and other bacterial tests, though we expect to find nothing. Which would be good. Her symptoms seemed to have resolved themselves today, so if she get through the week symptom free we won't have to do any invasive tests! Thank you to everyone who prayed for her, I really appreciate it.
In other prayer related news: Devon and Cody are both in football and it gets really expensive! They boys both need cleats and I just can't see where I can splurge on those. Cody's coach gave him a pair, I don't know how that came about, because in his league they don't have to have them, but he had a spare, maybe his son is a size bigger. But praise God! So I prayed and asked God to help me out with Devon's cleats, I need them to be free, but cheap would be nice. So today I had to go get cleats because his game is on Thursday and tomorrow I can't go get them, he goes straight from practice to youth group. So I came home from the store and told Devon to grab some shoes, lets go get some cleats. "I already have cleats." "Huh?" "Coach P gave me some." "what??" "He asked me if I had cleats, I said no and he said there is a box of old ones in the basement of the school and to go get some."
That's when the crickets started chirping. God has been answering me lickety split on things lately and it is just amazing!
Donnie's car is pretty much out of commission right now, and we'll have to get it repaired, AND we went from $23 a month water bill to $273 a month water bill, so we're going to be hurting! And I just asked God to provide that car repair. The power/water bill is covered with some overtime Donnie forgot to turn in, but there is no room for the car in there. Well, Donnie's mom offered to lend us the money! Its like a savings plan for her. They are getting a bit of money, and she would just spend it quickly, but this way we'll give her some here and there and they will have money coming in when they need it!
We have a Mom's of preschoolers type of group in our church that we are seeking nursery care for, and we've been searching and praying for workers. I've been desperately seeking someone, several someones, to help me with women's ministry. And today God filled someone in both spots! We are halfway through our childcare dilemma, and I am 1/4 of the way through my women's ministry council!
Now, everyone pray with me: Lord, you know we can't afford to fix our furnace and You know that we need it desperately in Minnesota winters with children. I ask for Your provision to get the furnace running. Help us to find a reset switch, or a small problem or provide the money for a repair. In Jesus name I pray.

God is working!

And I have EXCITING news coming up this month! Oh my goodness, I am about to burst with excitement, but I have to wait on the details. I will say it may have something to do with some give-aways.

Thursday Thirteen~ injuries

Thirteen injuries/bad things my kids have done Drew 1. Drank Windex. The poison control center said that he'd probably seem to have the flu, but he could just have the flu so who knows? Yep, he got the "flu." 2. He reached into a drawer that was over his head and grabbed a tube of super glue. Know where this is going? He super glued his eye OPEN. Kaytlin 3. Fell in the bathtub and split her chin open and needed stitches. TWICE. 4. Sprained her ankle doing gymnastics. Devon 5. Fell off of a Little Tykes gym at the mall and fell on his head on a stone floor. Later I couldn't wake him up. 6. Fell off the playground in our backyard and landed on the support beam on his nose. I was sure it was broken. While I was arguing with Donnie about taking him to the doctor over a broken nose Devon got up and went to play. 7. Walking down the street Devon sprained AND broke his ankle and I didn't even know he'd hurt it until 2 days later. 8. He skateboarded off the roof of the CHURCH and landed on his butt on the skateboard. Probably broke his tailbone, but I don't cater to stupidity so I didn't take him in. (they don't do anything for a broken tail bone anyway) Cody 9. Fell sideways off a chair and broke his collar bone. 10. Got flung off a tire swing and broke his nose. The pediatrician LAUGHED and laughed at that! 11. Sliced his finger open cutting summer sausage with a "miracle knife", needed 4 stitches. Trinity 12. Tried to go outside naked, so Cody slammed the door right on her finger, she needed 4 stitches in her little, tiny pinkie finger. 13. She was running and fell and hit her ear on our baseboard slicing through the cartilage even. They thought they would need at least 3 stitches, but one on the edge held it! And she did NOT cry at all for the stitches. So far, Hope-Anne and Samuel have not had to go to the ER for anything they caused.

“Let’s rock The Rock Chick’s World! Send Life is RANTastic to the A-List.” Shelly says "Jessica’s posts are pithy and fun to read. She knows what’s happening in the world of entertainment. She’ll take you on a journey without you having to leave your chair, as she tells you about stalking Jon Bon Jovi or riding on an elephant at a Renaissance Fair. She can tug your emotions with a post about her grandfather, or have you rolling on the floor with laughter as she muses about Paris Hilton."

Districts

Here is a picture of Trinity and one of her closest friends and his little brother. We had a little picnic at the park recently.

This weekend was Districts. Not sure what that means exactly, but its a conference for our teens that happens once a year. My kids enjoy it so much that they will give up almost anything to get to go. They will sell things, work, get good grades, what ever it takes in order to go. You'd think it was a big joy ride full of games and daring stunts the way they act. Two of my kids were so excited about going that they last 24 hours was spent feeling like throwing up! Drew went around taking videos of kids who were going and made two videos for the youth group as a count down. One was pretty funny.

What I can tell actually happens is that there is worship, small classes, group times, fun time, and very little sleep. Lots of practical jokes, picture taking, friendship time, and learning.

Drew called me Saturday night and he sounded pretty close to tears. He said "Mom, I love you. And I'm sorry for the way I've been acting lately. I love you. Mom?" "Yep, I'm here, I'm trying to figure out what to say, Drew." LOL I was in shock. I didn't know if I should try to figure out exactly what he was sorry about or just forgive and let him get back to the conference.

Drew realized that he was trying to get his way NOW instead of living where God has him now, which is under our authority. And he was very moved by it.

I'm so glad the kids went. Other than Devon coming home with permanant marker on his face, someone tried to turn him into Spiderman. And we had picture set up for him Sunday after Districts. Guess who didn't get pictures taken.....

Thursday Thirteen #9

Thirteen Things about Lisathirteen ways to embarass your kids 1. When talking to them on the cell phone, keep repeating "I love you." until they have to repeat it in front of their friends. 2. Dad to do cheerleading stunts at their soccer (sports) events. 3. When the kids leave up their IM's, get on and tell thier friends "I'm so pretty!" Or talk to their friends and tell them juicy things about your kids, like "We call Drew a Giant Hobbit because he is soooo tall and has the hairiest ankles ever." 4. Talk to their friends. Better yet, volunteer to be leaders of things they are involved in. Then their friends will think you are cool, and your kids will be really embarassed. Their friends like it when you tell them things about your kids. (we are the Drama leaders, lol) 5. Chew out stores for having bad customer service, or screw up your order. (my teens hide their faces in hoodies when we go through the McDonald's drive through) 6. Tell embarassing stories about them in front of them. Like the time they did something nekkid, hehe. 7. Talk about their favorite bands and stuff, and be totally dumb about it. (apparently Alien Youth is not a band, but a CD title by dd's favorite band Skillet. No wonder I couldn't find it.) 8. Try to be cool, use their slang. (My mom did this. "Gel out!" instead of chill out in the 80's) 9. Get caught making out with your spouse. Man, the kids hate that! (Cody told us to get a room one time! LOL) (oh and our pastor caught us kissing at church, lol, that was funny!) 10. Check all their "stuff" regularily, like emails, IM's over their shoulders, their MySpaces. 11. Lick your finger and wipe their face in front of their friends. 12. Talk. Exist. You know, just be yourself. 13. Blog about them. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. amy 2. Di 3. ChupieandJ'smama 4. jenny 5. yofed 6. Marcia 7. ~**Dawn**~ 8. JAM 9. Carrie 10. Dane Bramage 11. Sonya 12. Stephanie 13. tAnYeTTa 14. Sybil 15. Rashenbo 16. Lady G~ 17. Marilyn 18. laughing mommy 19. Raggedy 20. Darla

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!
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Thursday Thirteen #6

Don't forget, I'm having a contest! Share your birthstory with me! Here's a link to the Birth Story Contest!

Thirteen Things I'd like to get my kids to understand! 1. Life is not fair, it can't be made fair. 2. Sometimes people make mistakes in your favor sometimes not in your favor, take the lumps and realize it will equal out. 3. Our family is like a body, every member has a role, and every member is needed. Its hard to balance without a big toe, so please stay on the foot and do your chores. 4. If you do your chore for 10 minutes here, and then another 10 there, it will never get really bad. 5. Just because your item is not where you "left" it does not mean someone stole it, believe it or not, no one WANTS your homework. 6. Look again, I don't care if you did look there, not looking won't help you find it. 7. You are not old enough to be married, you are not old enough to run a house, support a family and pay bills, so stop looking for a spouse. Its hard enough waiting when you are old enough, why add years to the wait? 8. I'm your mom. I know a lot. I do know a lot of what is bad for you. Trust me. God does. 9. I'm your mom. I'm not God. I will make mistakes, and plenty of them. 10. I love you so much. 11. I want you to love God, love your country, love your family, and do your best in life and be happy. Please listen to my advice, you don't have to do everything I say, but please listen to me. 12. Your siblings watch what you do, if smart mouthing and disobedience are not okay for them, don't lead with that example! 13. I love you soooo much. Please allow Christ to lead your life and be your Savior so we can spend eternity together. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Jill 2. Di's Book Blog, etc. 3. Joely 4. Carrie 5. Kim 6. Katkat. 7. Babysteps 8. julia 9. Brad 10. Chelle 11. Kristin 12. Anastacia 13. Carol 14. Kai 15. Bad Homeschool Mom 16. An Ordinary Mom 17. JAM 18. Almost Somewhat Positive 19. Mercy's Maid 20. Sanni 21. Pam 22. Raggedy

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

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen stupid things people say to large families.

1. Are they all yours?
2. Don't you know what causes that?
3. Boy, you sure have your hands full.
4. Why would you WANT so many kids?
5. Haven't you heard about birth control?
6. You are overpopulating the world!
7. Are you done yet?
8. Are you crazy!
9. Better you than me!
10. How can you possibly give them everything they need/enough love?
11. Are you Catholic or Mormon?
12. Are you trying for your own sports team?
13. How will you pay for all of their college?

Watch next week for 13 replies to those 13 comments! A bit funny, a bit sassy, and a bit of love.

Check out other Thursday Thirteens here!

Devon WINS!

Devon takes first place in the 100m Individual Medley! This is a JV race. He is in lane 3. Some of the kids were swimming the 200m, so don't be confused by the kids who kept swimming, they weren't too stupid to stop, hehe.