Wordless Wednesday #8 Dodgeball

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Personal Policy meme

I've been tagged for a Personal Policy meme by Katherine at Raising Five.

This is about your personal policies, not moral rules like Do not kill. Things like not stepping on sidewalk cracks. I'm not sure how easy this will be, because even though I'm sure I have tons of weird things going on, I'm not sure I'm sane enough to know what is weird, lol. I used to have lots of "rules" but now that I have 7 kids, I just want to get through the day with everyone alive.

1. Unlike Katherine, I do not brush my teeth before I have my coffee in the morning. Because it tastes GROSS with mint flavoring! IF I have a gross taste in my mouth in the morning, I would brush with just water on my brush, but NEVER toothpaste before my coffee or my Diet Coke.
2. I used to be a BIG stickler about the toilette paper roll being right side up. Now I'm just glad if someone actually replaces the empty roll! (believe me, we can empty a roll before it even gets put on the holder)
3. We do have a weird little policy, whoever eats the banana out of the bunch that has the sticker on it has to wear the sticker on their nose until they are done.
4. No work, no eat. Apparently the kids' friends think its weird that they have to ask us before they just grab something and eat it out of the fridge/pantry. I got sick of my ingredients being gone when I went to cook a meal. I got to the point where I had to run to the store literally every single day for my meals, sometimes we went to the store several times in one day.
5. No matter what, don't say you won't do that, because God will put you to the test! This goes for lots and lots of judgement situations. (I can't believe she'd let her child wear that to church! You should SEE what some of my pre-teen boys have snuck out the door wearing!)
6. I have a certain place for all the dishes and I go spastic if they aren't put away right. Well, I used to go spastic. Then I realized that doing things "my way" was selfish, and as long as the plates were in the cupboard they belong in, what does it matter if the plates are on the left or right side? Does it really matter if they change sides every couple of days?
But really I think "You KNOW where to GET the stupid plate when you are HUNGRY, why can't you figure out where it goes when you put it away?!?"
7. Girls and guys better not call my kids of the opposite gender. I don't handle that well! I don't believe its a good idea to talk privately with someone of the opposite gender. Private moments fosters intimacy, especially to girls. And before I get flamed, every single time my son has broken this rule, he's found himself falling for a girl, or her falling for him, and him breaking parent's rules and sinning. Every. Single. Time. Even emails.

Basically, I just gave up. Except about asking before you eat something. And you BETTER not touch my chocolate stash!
Sorry this is a boring post.

And: Before I had kids I swore I'd NEVER....

1. Say "Because I said so"
2. Say "If all the other kids jumped off a bridge...."
3. Keep my kids from voicing their opinions (umm, now I call is back talk)
4. Restrict reading material, music, friends, tv shows, etc.
5. Let my child act like that!
6. Make them eat their veggies, clear their plates, etc.
7. "Encourage" my kids to do things, like get better grades, finish what they start, go to college. (another words, force them to live up to their potential instead of working on their social life)

Mostly I was a very young mom and was not looking to be a great mom as far as raising kids morally, I wanted freedom and expected to give it to them. I didn't expect God to get ahold of me and change me so much!

Let me know if you do this meme, especially if you do it better than I did, hehe. I'll put a link on here to your meme!

Shoes!!

Aside from the fact that I just would LOVE to win a contest sometime, I have to join this giveaway because these shoes are just too adorable! Adventures in Babywearing is having a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate for Vincent.

I really love the shoes in the first picture, they are called Jump. I think I would spend the gift certificate on those. But I should get one of these shoes for Sam, because not only are they cute, they are called Sam. Uh huh! I'm just weird like that! "Hey, Sam, put your Sam's on!"
There are several other really cute, stylish shoes on Vincent. And I have 4 children who could wear their shoes. (who needs shoe money more than I do? LOL)
Now, if only I could win something..........

Because I'm the mom, the mom, the mom mom mom

Thanks to Shannon at Rocks in my dryer for finding and posting this! I'm a sucker for a good youTube vid! This one is worth learning to sing, even with my lack of ability to carry a tune in a bucket.
Some total Momsense


Because I'm the mom! Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate, use your fork, do not burp or I'll set you straight! Eat the fooood that I put upon your plate!

And this is an amazing video!
The Watchmaker -- Kids4Truth Watch the whole thing, and share with your kids!

It boggles and thrills the mind!

Here are a few things I've come across this week that I just have to share.
Boggle:
Look at these bizarre bandages! I honestly don't understand why anyone would even think about getting them, much less pay $4.65 for them. But I am curious as to what the free toy is.


Bacon or steak on your arm, or leg, or wherever. Its just weird. That company also has some cute bandaids that are colored kissy lips to kiss your boo-boo. Those are kind of cute.

Thrill:

Now this, this is cool! I seriously would have this in my house!
We love fish tanks here. It is way too expensive, but it would be the talk of all guests. You could also fill it with seasonal decorations, or make it a lizard or hamster cage. Or if you were one sick weirdo, a spider. I'd NEVER go to the bathroom in your home again, and would probably never come back, but you *could* do that. If I had a spare $300 I would definitely buy this toilette tank.

This would be one of the few commercials that actually make me WANT to buy a product! Very well done! Laundry seems peaceful and exotic if only I had this washing machine. My clothes would want to be washed, it would be so easy.

The biggest THRILL: Crazy Japanese Guy! I found this funny at 3 am, so if you don't, well, I can't help you.

Isn't he just adorable?

As I was laying in bed this morning watching my Hunter get ready to go off to work, I just fell in love all over again.

He reaches down and opens a drawer in his dresser looking for clean underwear. I know that he knows there are at least 8 pairs in there, but what he doesn't know after 2 years in this house, is which drawer HE picked for an underwear drawer, so he has to close that drawer and open the next one. It just melted my heart!

About 1/2 an hour later he calls me on his cell. "Umm, I was driving and looked down and saw a grocery bag on the floor and wondered if you'd packed me a lunch, because I don't remember you packing me a lunch. But I found 2 packs of macaroni and cheese, some ranch dip and some dry onion soup mix. I don't think thats much of a lunch for me." At this point he's kind of snickering because he thinks I've left some groceries in his car last night. Then the cuteness kicks in. "Hmm, sounds like the bag of groceries I had on the table this morning that had me thinking about supper, which is why I was taking the chicken out of the fridge before you left. Apparently you grabbed the bag on your way out the door. And now you have OUR lunch with you."

(he was sweetly calling because he wanted to know if I needed that stuff that I left in his car)

Rebels

Last night Cody, Hope-Anne, Kaytlin, Sam and I went to the grocery store. Kaytlin has her permit so she was driving. At the red light she makes a right hand turn. This worries Cody that she is breaking a law.

C: Wasn't that a red light, Kaytlin?
K: Yep.
C: You just turned, though, wasn't it red?
K: Yes, I'm a rebel.
C: Cool, we're rebels!
Mom: Riding in the car with a rebel doesn't make you a rebel, dear.

C: I'm a rebel. I've gone cross walking.

(hysterical laughing from the front seat cues a lesson on the difference between crosswalking and jay walking)

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)
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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?)
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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!