I wish I was...

Even- keeled (in all areas of my life).

and would it be asking to much if it was even-keeled on a high level?

Sigh... I am still working on this happy stuff.

Term A, Week 4

Last week was more exciting- thankfully!

The typing program, (Typing Instructor for Kids) is going well, the kids "save it" for the last thing they do at school, as a treat. I think the voices are annoying, but the kids seem to not mind.
In the program, you are trying to find all the treasures on Typer Island, so that you can be the ruler. They take you through lessons, and then games that reinforce the lessons to win the treasures. It seems pretty fun.

We started a new reward program where if the children complete their work without having to be reminded to stay on task, they get a sticker for the day. When their chart is filled, they get to buy a book from the Half- Price bookstore. (Which is an awesome place.) This has helped with the motivation part of things, and I haven't had to remind/ask/beg/cajole/badger for them to get their work done.

This was our "art and craft" for the week. Although we did have a formal lesson in art about outlines and shapes, here is the other project we did- leaf rubbings with pastel chalks:
We read the Mad Hatter Tea Party chapter in Alice's Adventures this week. I decided to forgo a tea party, as I just put one on for Princess in the Spring, but we did make these fun Mad Hatter hats. On Friday, we decided to go camping, so I abbreviated school that day. I had the kids help me make a list of things we needed to camping. We went through each "activity" that we would do and made our list that way. I wrote most of the list, but I should have had the kids write it, as it would have been a great spelling/writing lesson. Oh well. I'll do better next time.
I also had the kids look at a few websites that explain how and why leaves change color in the fall. They can explain the process fairly well now and even have a few new stellar vocab words.

While camping, we collected leaves and a bunch of hickory nuts. The nuts are on the deck drying and I am hoping to use them in some fun recipe this week.

Term A, Week 3

This week seemed to be one that we just got through. We did have school everyday, which is great. We accomplished much. I did realize that we will need a little change-up now and then, as I already feel bored with the same system we have been using for a while.
A few successes: Princess loves reading Half Magic and Mr. Man is reading Dinosaur Hunters. They are both doing well and often read past the point that they are required because they like it so much.
Alice's Adventures is going well, also. We are taking an accelerated pace with it, so we can start Little House in the Big Woods before Christmas.

Mr. Man is writing so much better this year. We have started doing daily journal entries. He is still working on lots of things, but it is much improved. He loves that in his journal he doesn't have to worry about spelling.

Next week we will start a typing program.

Addictated

After watching Dumbo, my kids wanted to know how Dumbo made a square bubble. I told them that he didn't really, but that he had consumed alcohol, which had mistakenly fallen into his water trough. So he only thought he was blowing square bubbles and seeing psychotic pachyderms. Anyway, a discussion ensued in which we talked about the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body, including nicotine, illegal drugs, caffeine, and alcohol. We talked why people would do that even if it detrimental to your body (I told them because it makes people feel different, ostensibly "better"). Later on in the day Aleah revisited the subject and said "Why would anyone want to be addictated to something?"
I thought the word was apropos. When we are addicted, we are enslaved and, as such, "dictated" in our actions. Who do I call at Oxford's?

Term A, week 2 mulligan

School went well this week. Some things I did to make it go more smoothly for me:

-We started each morning by going for a run or walk. We're training for a 5K in Nov.
-Started the school day with devotional- I am using the new nursery manual. It's simple, to the point, and teaches basic gospel doctrines.

-Mr. Man and Princess take turns playing with Noodle while I work one on one with the other child. This not only engages Noodle, but gives me specific time with each child for school. This really was a big deal this week, Noodle loved it, and we got so much more done!

-Workboxes were planned each morning. There was no waiting for me to fix them up.

I was really pleased with how well things went. I like the Math-U-See curriculum, but Mr. Man sometimes gets distracted with the blocks. I also discovered I was giving him too many problems at once. He could do them all, but it would take him FOREVER! - I think he was overwhelmed. So we started giving fewer at a time. It seems to be better.

We are doing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the kids made a crocodile with shining scales this week. It was fun, but I am not sure I really like the book. (I have never read it before.)

Trigger Happy

So this is my first week of "being happy." I have to say, it is going well. I know it has only been four days, but that is a good start. I know that actually changing who I am is going to be a long process, and there are many, many steps along the way. I know that there will be not happy days. But I am happy for these past four days, that really, have gone well. I have noticed that there are some things that are INCREDIBLY HARD for me not to be angry/upset/sad/furious about. I call them my "triggers." Admittedly, I probably have more than I should. Some of them I feel fairly justified in (as much as you can justify anger). Anyway, when those triggers happen, man, I have to work HARD to not let them ruin my day. It is one of those steps to being happy, for sure.

If you wanna be Happy

I have been thinking lately about being happy. That is something that I would like to be more often. I know that some people are happy all the time- it just seems to be part of them, their personality. I, however, seem to be or see myself as not that kind of a person. I seem to be more serious and stern. Being happy and carefree is not an easy thing for me. I often fear ( and rightly so) that I am just an old stick in the mud who has forgotten to have fun. What a sad thing- as life is wonderful!
For me, when I wake up in the morning, it will have to be a conscious choice to be happy. I know that things are going to go wrong in a day. I know I'll have to change stinky diapers, I know there will be messes, tears, and ugliness. So why not accept it, laugh about it, and move forward to make the best of the day? If I make the choice to be happy, perhaps those things won't be such a big deal anyway- right? Hopefully, if I make that choice often enough, it will become habit and part of who I am. I want my kids to remember growing up with a happy, loving, and most of the time- fun, mom and home.
Awhile ago I had a post about perfectionism, and I think that not being happy is part of expecting perfection in all things. I get so caught up in doing things (or my children doing things) right, or well, or perfectly that I lose the joy of doing anything. Don't get me wrong, it is great to want to do things well, but not great to expect perfection always- we are all learning. I know to that some days will be hard, but I can still choose to look on the bright side of things.
So this is my choice I am going to choose happiness!

Farewell to Summer

It is the end of summer here in the Midwest. We have the air conditioning off and the windows open. The leaves are tinged with colors and in the morning when we go walking, we need sweaters. We even enjoyed our first fall campfire with s'mores.
I was looking for a new blog design, and found some really cute fall ones, but just couldn't put them on yet. I think I feel a little more wistful for summer this year than I usually am. I'm not ready for the changing season. Usually I am so glad when this time of the year rolls around- I love the fall! I don't know if it is because I spent a lot of summer inside with Muffin, or I didn't really do any gardening this year, or because we didn't take a family trip, maybe it's because this summer was pretty relaxed - I'm not sure... but here is a sad farewell to the glorious days of summer.

And We're Off!

We started school this week. We went a few weeks into June this spring, so I could start late in September. It has been interesting getting things going again. There is no real "schedule" as we just work around Little Misty and Noodle. I haven't pulled out the workboxes yet, but hope to for next week. This week we did a "preview" of our curriculum and did one or two lessons from each source. Here's a rundown:
Math-U-See (Alpha, Beta, Gamma)
History of Our World with Story of the World activities
REAL Science
Artistic Pursuits
First Language Lessons
Michael Clay Thompson's Grammar Island
Write Source
Orton-Gillingham for reading
Books for sure (there will be others): Alice in Wonderland and Little House in the Big Woods
Handwriting practice books
A friend of mine divides her year into weeks and terms, and I like that. So this week is Term A, week 1.
I am really liking Math-U-See and the History of Our World. The others I haven't gotten too far into (at least for this year).
Today, Mr. Man wrote a paragraph ALL on his own. Last year, he would tell me what he wanted to say, and I would write it. Then he would copy the paragraph. This would result in LONG sessions at the table of him not writing and me cajoling. Today, the same thing was beginning to happen when (Eureka!) I told him to just write down what he wanted. We had already gone over the elements of paragraph. I let him go. It was amazing. We also didn't worry about spelling AT ALL. It was amazing the things he wrote down. That was a great lesson for me- let him do his own work!

2 months old

Muffin- is now two months old. Here is a slide show of her these past 8 weeks. It is funny how they can be so young, but already she is an integral part of our family. I can't imagine life without her here. She is smiling a lot- it lights up her face and ours, too. She has long, lean arms, legs, and fingers. Her intense blue eyes are captivating. She loves to look at peoples' faces. Today she found herself in the mirror and gave herself big smiles. It was so cute to see her grin at herself. We love her and think she is wonderful!

Sleep is Like Chocolate Cake

Have you ever had a piece of really good chocolate cake? Moist, good frosting, maybe some berries?
You have a piece of that delectable cake.. It is SO GOOD. You have some more. You eat as much as you can- and enjoy every bite. But then, the cake is gone. You remember how good it was. As time goes on, you remember less of what it exactly tastes like. You have a vague memory that it was really good. But you can live without it. And then, someone gives you one more bite of that delicious cake. But just one bite. Then it is the only thing you can think of.

Sleep is like that. And when finally you get that cake again- it is oh so delicious!

Drum Roll, Please...

Hooray! We are announcing the birth of our fourth child- a little girl born Thursday. We are excited to have her here and are so grateful that she is happy and healthy. Here are some pictures of our newest member! She is so adorable! Her brothers and sister are so glad she is finally here. (And so are we!)

Skyscraper Cheesecake

Just a quick picture of a cheesecake I made Mr. D for his birthday and Father's Day. It was delicious and super-rich! The top and bottom layers are carrot cake and the middle layer is a cheesecake. All with cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Binge Blogging

So I have decided ( or more appropriately noticed) that I am a binge blogger. I will post frequently, and then let months go by. So here is another month gone by. It has been busy, for sure, and lots of things have happened. So maybe that is why I haven't posted- or maybe I have to let the urge build again for a while, then I can do it again. Whatever the reason... it just seems to work out that way for me. I do admire all of those who blog daily/weekly/regularly, and I keep telling myself that I will do that. But, obviously my intentions and actions aren't quite lined up....

Blessings

Last week was a whirlwind of things getting ready for company to come this past weekend. Princess was baptized and we had lots of family come into town to celebrate with her. I spent the week finishing her dress and cleaning (alot) and then there were all the "other" things that happened. I was already feeling a little overwhelmed and alone as Mr. D had a crazy busy work schedule, meaning the preparations were largely left to me. On top of that, it seemed like each day there was some little or big mishap that was not part of the regularly scheduled program. For instance, the starter went out on Mr. D's car and the refrigerator stopped working for a while. There were others, but through it all, I felt so completely NOT alone, it was amazing. Through each little trial, I felt like the Lord blessed me in some way. Whether it was though a quick fix on the car, good neighbors, family, or increased strength, endurance, and patience, I felt like I was helped immensely through last week. I finished all the preparations I had planned on doing- which was incredible. I know that it was because of the hand of the Lord.
The baptismal service went really well. The Spirit was strong and we felt like we were supported and loved. Princess was prepared and we are very proud of her.
Afterward, the barbecue at our house also went well. I think everyone had a good time. There was lots of yummy food and good conversation. The house even seemed to expand to hold all of us for that night. One of the best moments was to have all our family in our front room together, reading scriptures and having family prayer together. It was wonderful.
I thank my Heavenly Father for His blessings- which I felt so abundantly this last week!

Look how amazing I am!

This picture represents over 4 hours of work. Doesn't it look amazing?

No, I did not hew the door from a tree, or sand it or anything. It was missing two small metal pieces (less than quarter- sized) that hold the door from falling out of the track. I don't even know how the pieces came out for all the work it took me to get them back in, but oh well. It's fixed now. (I am hoping you are getting the sarcasm in this post.)

Free Tooth Extraction

Mr. Man has had several loose teeth. Yesterday he showed us his top tooth. It was so loose that you could see a space between his gumline and the actual tooth. Mr. D told Mr. Man that it needed to come out so that it wouldn't get stuff in there and he could eat normally. Mr. Man ran and got a paper towel. We told him that either he could pull it out or daddy could pull it out. Much to our surprise, he chose himself. He tried and tried, but the paper towel kept slipping off the tooth. He wiggled it back and forth, nothing. Finally Mr. D said he was going to have to do it- but Mr. Man insisted. He tried one more time and POP! out it came.

He pulled his own tooth!! What a man!

Mother's Day

I had a fantastic Mother's Day yesterday. Mr. D didn't have any church meetings in the morning (thanks bishop!)so he got up and got the kids ready while I was still in bed. He made breakfast, including some really yummy blueberry muffins, that we all sat down to eat together. We also got to drive to church together, which is a wonderful thing- it felt so nice to go into the church as a family.

Sacrament meeting went well, also. The primary children sang two songs and did a great job. They are always so cute. The talks were on gratitude and being thankful for your blessings (for example, your mother). The Spirit was present- it was a nice feeling, bearing witness to me that not only should I be grateful for my blessings, but also that I have been given SO MANY things for which I should be thankful.

Primary Jr. sharing time went well, and the Spirit was also present when those little children sang "He Sent His Son" (Children's Songbook 34-35) It talks all about why Heavenly Father would send His Son to us. What a sweet feeling.

Sr. Primary was a little harder, I got frustrated with the children and sort of chewed them out (not really, but enough that I feel badly) for being irreverent and indifferent to the songs about the Savior. *Sigh* I still have a lot to learn about being Christlike.

After church, Princess had her baptismal interview with the bishop. I have no doubt she is ready to be baptized- she already has a good understanding of the gospel. While we were waiting for the bishop, Noodle pulled the fire alarm. Luckily, there were only a few people in the building and they got it turned off before the fire department had to come. He also used chalk to outline the walls in the mother's lounge. Again, sigh, he has so much curiousity and energy.

When we got home Noodle went down for a nap and Princess and Mr. Man went downstairs to play. Mr. D and I took a nap, too. It felt so good. The kids were all wonderful to let us sleep.

Mr. D got up and made dinner and did the dishes. Princess and Mr. Man were downstairs being industrious and played outside. I got to talk to my brother on the phone for a while. He is headed to South Africa today for a summer internship. I am a little scared for him, but I am sure he will have a great experience.

At dinner the Princess gave me a flower arrangement of paper flowers-each had a reason written on it why she was grateful for me-, a necklace and bracelet she had made, a book, and a card. Mr. Man gave me a card and a bead dolphin he had made. Mr. D gave me a wall hanging for our room, and a very sweet card that made me cry. Noodle gave me kisses and a cute squeal because he was so excited for me to open my present. They are all so wonderful to me. I am so happy to be their wife and mother- what a blessing.

After dinner, Mr. D changed an incredible yucky diaper (so I didn't have to) and then we sat together on the couch before putting the kids to bed. It was a great day, very relaxing and happy. Thank you family!

How did I see the hand of the Lord today? In all those blessings I just talked about and in feeling the Spirit. I am grateful to the Lord for all he has given me!

10 things

10 things for Saturday:
1. We got our house cleaned up- all of it. You saw the pics of the basement, and the rest of the house wasn't much better. But it is all good now- thanks to lots of work from everyone.
2. Mr. D and I got to sleep in.
3. Mr. D made dinner, again.
4. Maternity pants that actually fit and stay up.
5. Roofing quotes less than what we thought (Thank you!)
6. The kids helped with the housework, without complaining.
7. They only watched one movie, and that was Blue Planet: Deep Ocean which they paused every few minutes to draw the animals.
8. I got to take a nap.
9. No plans whatsoever for anything outside the house.
10. Cream -filled doughnuts
11. (Okay, I know I said ten) Kisses
One more story: Mr. D had some work to do at the church and I was going to stay home and finish up the house. Noodle woke up from his nap and was kind of grumpy. He didn't want to go with Mr. D- but we both knew he would have fun running around at the church. Mr. D took him and talked to him for a little bit, ostensibly to calm Noodle down. When they both came back out, Noodle was happy- He ran right up to me and "Mommy! We're going to get you a present!"
Oops...Mr. D's secret was out- Happy Mother's Day to me!

My Friday project

My Friday project was turning this:



Into this:
It really did take all day. I cleaned out all the drawers and organized all the bookcases. Mr. D helped with all the organizing and purging of trash and junk. We watched a movie and folded all the laundry (2hrs!) The bottom pic was actually from Sat, after all the laundry had been put away. I don't recommend letting your basement get this dirty- it was quite an endeavor to get it all cleaned up!
There was a silver lining to the day- rainbows at dinner time.

Big Brother, Huge Mom

Today, while we were snuggling, Noodle said to me "When the baby is born, I will be a big brother. And you will be a big, huge, HUGE mom."

Funny pajamas

Last night, I didn't have any pajama bottoms for bed. They are all at the bottom of Mt. Laundry or the Clothes Plain that covers my basement, you know, the one the kids use as a nest. Anyway, being too lazy to go and excavate something of my own, I pulled out Mr. D's running shorts. They are a little too tight, because of my belly, but better than any pre-pregnancy things I have upstairs. So, I pull them on. Then comes a pre-preg sleep shirt. Obviously a little too small, but who cares? I am just going to bed. Mr. D looks at me and says "You look...uh, athletic."

Hmmm... what does that really mean?

Rainy Friday

It is a rainy Friday morning. I am lying in bed, wishing Mr. D could stay home with me today. We both had a rough night sleeping. He has to leave early for a jazz band party. The sun is dimmed by the rain, but I am not unhappy, just slow this morning. The boys wake up and I let them in bed to snuggle with me. They snuggle for a few minutes before they are up and off eating bananas and playing with who knows what. Princess is still asleep. Finally, I get up. The thought of changing a stinky diaper before I can get Noodle on the potty is my motivation. Princess gets up- they all go to the window and watch the rain. I crawl back in bed. The kids are all wearing Mr. D's or my old t-shirts, even though they all had clean pj's last night- for some reason the t-shirts are their favorites. Princess is quickly growing out of being able to wear them modestly. I get up again. Time to start the day. I get the kids going on their responsibilites and grudgingly, I start mine. Another day- what will happen? What funny things will my kids say? What messes will there be? What memories will be made?

The day is wide open- time to get going.

Mr. D

I started this post several months ago, and thought I would post it. Mr D is still as wonderful as ever.

I just want to say how much I am in love with Mr. D. I couldn't ask for a better man. He does so many little things, like putting gas in my car, taking the library books back, making dinner, making breakfast for the kids so I can sleep a little longer.
Two weeks ago, he took me out on a date. He went to pick up the babysitter and came back with a dozen roses. At dinner that night, while we were waiting for our meal, he pulled out a bag that somehow he had kept hidden from me, and gave me a beautiful pearl necklace I had been eyeing for weeks. Then he helped me look at garden seeds, of all things, something he tolerates, but knows I love doing. What a sweetheart.

Now that I am officially HUGE pregnant, Mr. D still tells me that I am beautiful, and kisses me and holds me. He still looks at me the way he did when I was 6-10 sizes smaller, and I love him for it. I have a hard time with the size and the weight, especially in my face (there's no baby there!) but he assures me I am as beautiful as ever. I am so grateful for him and his love.

Mr. D lets me put my head on his shoulder each night to fall asleep.

Some things I liked about today

Here are some things I liked about today:
1. I gave up the guilt for not doing school with the kids this week, and worked on some projects that are important to me. (not that schooling isn't important, usually everything else takes a back seat to it)

2.Got the sleeves put in the bodice- and they actually look like sleeves- of Princess' baptism dress.

3. Planted seeds in one of my garden boxes, this has been on my "to do" list for weeks, and it always brings me joy to get things growing.

4. Noodle at dinner prayer tonight yelled out "Wait, don't close your eyes!" Then, he quickly folded his arms, shut his eyes, and then said "There."

5. Princess said to me "Mom, you are awesome! I can't believe you could make two sleeves in a day. It is so awesome to have a mom who can sew, cook, teach, and do all this stuff!" Thanks, Princess, you will never know how much that means to me.

6. Mr. Man didn't want me to give him a lipstick kiss before bed, but not wanting to miss out on kisses, blew me ones instead. He is so loving. I think he would snuggle all day if I would. ( I was wearing lipstick as a joke, for Mr. D- he saw an overdone makeup girl on the internet, and jokingly asked me to do my makeup that way, so I did. But just for a few minutes. The kids thought I looked like Barbie or a vampire. Great huh?)

7. My car didn't run out of gas on the way to yoga. Phew!

8. Mr. D made dinner.

9.Princess got her new scriptures in the mail. She is determined to catch up to where the family is, sometimes reading several chapters a night.

10.Noodle sat with me on the couch and let me read to him, and then he read to me, while he was snuggled in next to me.

11. The kids were ecstatic when, for once, I bought them candy bars at the grocery store.

12. I was inspired by someone else to stop the worrying and look at the bright side of my day. I realized how good my life is, how wonderful my children are, and how blessed I am each day.

My Day

I read a really interesting blog today. It was inspiring to me. Anyway.

Today we didn't hold school. I let the kids play outside and watch movies. Last week I unplugged the TV/DVD/VCR so they hadn't watched anything for a week- which for us is a long time. They watched School House Rock on the portable DVD player, because I haven't told them the big TV is plugged in again! School House Rock is semi-educational, right?
Besides, it is fun to hear Princess and Mr. Man sing the songs and after nearly each one Noodle saying "I wike dat wun!"








This is the dress (well, the top part) of the dress I am making for Princess. One of the reasons we didn't have school today- I am trying to have it finished in time for her baptism in a few weeks... So hopefully more pictures will be forthcoming!






Here's Noodle unwinding the hose- one of his favorite pastimes in the yard. It's WAY better than throwing rocks off the deck.



















Mr. Man gave Princess some "grow" sea animals for her birthday- the kind that the small tube dissolves in water and a tiny shaped sponge is inside. They took them out on the back deck along with a bowl of water and "hatched" their sea life. I can't believe how old they are both looking and I can't be more grateful for how well they play together and how much they love each other.





Today, while Mr. D was making dinner, he snuck one of my birthday chocolates. After a loud protest from me, he put the rest in my mouth. I took a small bite and realized I didn't want it- and said so to Mr.D. I went to take another bite anyway, but before I could take a real bite, he came over and kissed me, taking the chocolate with him (on purpose). I laughed. Princess happened to be standing in the kitchen as well, watching this scene. We looked at her and she gave us the "gag" tongue and ran away. Later she came back and said "I can handle kissing, but with the chocolate, that was just too much!" She's probably right- it's a little too much lovey for a little girl. But it sure was fun!

Me vs. Me

So I know it has been a really long time since I posted, but I thought this was funny. We were at the park this afternoon and Princess and Mr. Man were swinging. As we were leaving Mr. Man jumped off the swing- which he was very proud of. He asked me and his dad if we had seen, then the following conversation ensued:

Mr. Man Me to Princess: Did you see me jump off the swing?

Princess Me to Mr. Man: No

Mr. Man Me: Did you see me jump off the swing?
(No response from Princess)

Mr. Man Me: Did you see me jump off the swing?
(No response from Princess)

Real Me: Mr. Man, that's awesome that you jumped off the swing!

Mr. Man Me: Did you see me jump off the swing?
(No response from Princess)

Real Me: Princess, will you please answer your brother?

Princess Me: I DID ANSWER HIM! He just wasn't listening or he didn't hear me!

Mr. Man Me: Well, you were talking softly or not speaking clearly because I couldn't hear you!

Real Me to husband: Sigh Sigh Sigh


The sad thing is, yes, they are saying things that I have said. It was basically: one of mom's arguments vs. another one of mom's arguments. Obviously, neither are very effective!