Dirty kids

I have some of the dirtiest kids around. Yesterday they spent the better part of 5 hours outside climbing, jumping, running and generally eating dirt. The older two asked me to come out and see their antics on the monkey bars. Of course, I went one step further and brought my camera to record those antics for the ages.

Chandler's new trick - this and crossing all 6 of the monkey bars all by himself. It was quite a feat!

Taylor's not as brave, but she probably won't ever spend the night in ER for a broken leg either. :) (twice, I might add!)

It should be noted that the boys aren't normally sans the top half of their clothing. It was "hot", the hose was engaged to counter that and well, boys will be boys. :) Look at that dirty face!

This kid is going to be scarred for life from being manhandled by his two big brothers. :)

Thankful

23. A gloriously answered prayer - 5 years in the making. God is so faithful!

Tired

Saturday was busy, even more so than normal. :) I was overtired after we got home midafternoon. Taylor and I had planned on going to the ballet recital of several of our friends but we had forgotten that she had to go to Nikki's for the night. (15. extra days and nights with Taylor during soccer season) Taylor was very disappointed about missing the recital. I was going to take Chandler since his friend Abi was dancing, but after our long day, I was much too tired. I even felt sick and was in bed by 7.

Today I still feel achy and Tom's back is still out. We are quite a pair. :)

16. making great memories with my family

17. laughing with Tom

18. cool weather

19. taking a day to cuddle and nurse my baby to build my supply back up

20. backwards hugs in the kitchen from my hubby

21. chatting with Taylor while I'm combing her hair after her shower

22. sleep!

Busy day part 3

After the park, we ran home for Taylor to change and to pick up Tom and the baby. Then it was on to Taylor's soccer game. We told her if she scored a goal, she'd get $20!! Of course, today she was playing goalie! :P So instead she got $3 for each stopped ball. :) She could have racked up some big bucks, but unfortunately for her, the team they played wasn't great. But she did wonderful and stopped BOTH balls that came near the goal. :) They ended up calling the game at half time 8-0 because of an injured player.

My gorgeous little Super Star. :) She had stars painted on her face at the park to match her team. :)

After the game we all went to Sonic for a treat. Chandler's team had won their game also! It was a great day for everyone.

Busy day part 2

The second order of business was to meet up with Stephanie and her kids at the park. The city was hosting a Rec day there. Tom's back was acting up, so he stayed home with Aaron. They took a nap together. :)

The city had fun stuff set up at the park like face painting, a bounce house, and a scavenger hunt. Oh and free hotdogs! :)

Mother's League was there with a Mother's day craft for the kids to make. Taylor made a big production about not letting me see my present until it was finished. She loves getting the chance to make her own presents and she takes it very seriously. :) It was a beautiful candle holder that she had hand painted. I put it in my kitchen window - I need to remember to get a votive to put in it. :)

Brayden wanted to do the bounce house, but Chandler had a tough time with this part, I didn't think Brayden would be able to make it alone. (and they wouldn't let adults on it! :P)

Taking a break from playing to eat our hotdogs.

Sweet Amara - Steff's minime

He sings AND dances! :P In person it was much more impressive and quite hilarious. :)

Finishing up the scavenger hunt - she had as much fun as Steff and I do on ours! :)

All done and heading home. Brayden was showing signs of needing a nap!

Busy day part 1 - Superior pianist!

Saturday, our day started early with Chandler's soccer game at 9 and Taylor's piano competition at 9:15! After a super yummy breakfast (14. toasted banana bread!), Tom and I divvied up the kids, then we were out the door.

Taylor was my beautiful princess as always. She really impressed the judges with her poise and they even made a comment about her beautiful hair! :) They were very impressed with her piano performance too, because she received superior marks in everything! She played her piece flawlessly, they even marked the overall score Superior+! She is getting to be quite the little pianist. We are so proud of her!

Normally I wouldn't be allowed in the competition room, but she played right before the judges left for their break, so we were able to get some pictures at the piano!

Taylor with her new piano teacher, Miss Charity.

To celebrate her accomplishments, we went out to Starbucks for girl (and Aaron) time. :)

Thankful

One of my lurkers made the comment that I'm so positive. It was such a nice thing to say. I've always thought of myself as a positive person, but day to day it can be hard. Looking back at my last few posts, I've been anything but!

Taking a cue from my fellow bloggers and friends, I've decided to start my 1,000 gifts list. Here's an excellent quote from Jenna about it:

I am determined to see beauty in the everyday, in the mundane, in the ordinary. I am determined to notice. I want to see all of the blessings that God has graced me with- showered me with. I want to praise Him for all of His goodness and not gripe about dirty laundry and spilled cheerios. - Jenna

Amen, sister!

I may still have a rant or two about overflowing toilets or peanut butter smeared cabinets, but hopefully next time, I'll see the humor in it more than the inconvenience and hug my kiddos tight. Because one day I'll wish for the days I had smudges on my front door, I'll wish that they were still so little!

The beautiful things I'm thankful for today:
1. a baby who is happy and giggly 97% of the time

2. the smell of the happy baby after his bath

3. playing Disney scene it together after bathtime

4. sick days where my sweetie is a little sick (more tired than anything) but takes a sick day just to be able to hang out with us all day

5. the super excitement of a 3 year old middle child to have "all alone even without Aaron time" with mommy

6. when I tell Brayden we're running back to the house for the camera, he responds with a knowing, "Ohhhh yeah." (funniest quote of the day!)

7. my hubby's old jeans that have holes in the rear so I have a better view. ;)

8. educational computer games

9. the sweetest daughter who tells me I'm the best mommy in the whole world and gives me lots of hugs and kisses to go with it

10. leftover pizza after a hang out with daddy (week)day

11. a clean house and only one more load of laundry to do!

12. kids who do an amazing job on the 10 minute pick up

13. blogging - my form of therapy :)

Thank you, Lord.

Pictures

Not many pictures to show for the week. Either I forget my camera or take it and realize after several pictures, I've forgotten the memory card! I always hate that.

These are from lunch on Wednesday.

Whatever

Funny story: I thought I heard Taylor say that (whatever) to me awhile back. I about jerked her baldheaded but a friend quickly jumped to her defense. I can't remember now what she had said, but it wasn't that. I was so glad - it's not at all like her. She got the whole lecture anyways, just in case it ever crossed her mind in the future. You don't sass yo' momma! :)

So after the rough start to my day (I didn't get to go back to bed, despite my well laid plans) things came together pretty well. The house was clean top to bottom by 6 (with a little extra help from Stephanie who came early - THANKS!!) Oh, that made me soooo happy. What a leg up I have on tomorrow!

Then everyone else got here and the fun began! (no pics! what's up with that??) I just love parties. I love having a houseful of friends and I love entertaining. Have I said that before??

We ordered in pizza, had lots of wonderful homemade desserts, and talked the night away. We almost forgot about Lost! Just almost. We're not that chatty. :) Everyone had to leave to get home before it started, :( except the Akins. It was a LOST party, people. :) I get the bedtime thing though. The episode was a good one. I missed parts of it talking and trying to get last minute Six Flags tickets online while it was on. Good thing it's tivoed. :)

So I'm going to bed with a happy about my clean house and high from my party fix. Lifegroup's at my house Sunday! ;)

Toilet drama

You know what's worse than being told by your 9 year old that the toilet overflowed and your brand new bathroom towels fell victim to the nasty poop water? I'll tell you what. Being told 5 minutes later by your 3 year old that the toilet is overflowing AGAIN. The said 3 year old apparently doesn't realise the gravity of the situation or value my sanity AT ALL because he was grinning from ear to ear when he said it.

I'm having a houseful of company in about 8 hours. And my house reeks of raw sewage. And there was no way to wipe my feet after sludging through 15 soaking towels and 2 inches of standing poop water.

I'm going back to bed.

Drat

Why oh why does it always rain after I've spent an hour scrubbing down my van and making it sparkle???? At least the cleaning out and vacuuming doesn't get undone!! Wait, I have 4 kids. Never mind.

DOUBLE drat.

Procrastination is my middle name

So I'm procrastinating AGAIN. It's late and I should either be asleep or mopping floors, but I don't feel like doing either at the moment. :) I'm doing some cleaning for the party we're having tomorrow - Lost is back! We're having a Lost/pizza/game/movie/wii night. That's counting the kids activities. :) There should be about 7 families here, not even counting us, so it'll be a full house and so much FUN!

Today we brown bagged it with the lunch club at the church park. We were eaten alive by some mysterious insect with oddly large wings and eyes in comparison to it's body. lol It was very muggy, but bearable in the shade. I hate thinking of this weather as hot, because I know it will only get much worse! Darn Texas weather. Why couldn't my internet sweetie be from somewhere cooler, like say, Pennsylvania or Alaska?? I moved SOUTH. I swore I'd never move south from Oklahoma. :) (but I'm so glad I did - it was worth it)

After lunch we made a stop at the store. I remember now why I only go in the evenings WITHOUT kids. The kids were great, but just the logistics and constant talking makes me stressed. I just want quiet when I'm shopping. :) Another gripe - how I can go in for 5 things, end up with 30 and spend $100, is beyond me!!!

As noted below, we recovered the dining room chairs tonight! Ok, so Tom did it. :) They were in sore need of attention. Upholstery, 3 year olds (or 5 yo's for that matter) and spaghetti just don't mix! It was such a great accomplishment. Big check off the to do list before the party. :)

Well, I'm going to get some caffeine so that I can mop the floors and scrub down the stovetop and cabinets. If I can get the kitchen good and clean, I'll feel like I can go to bed with a clear conscience. :)

What a difference!

Who knew $8.00 could make such a dramatic difference!? :)

Before: (please ignore the dead calico cat pelt that adorns our floor. I'd love to just rip it out, but who wants to have a 4 month old on acid etched concrete?! (what we're planning on doing) Sure it'd be pretty, but we're waiting until it's a little more practical for our young family.)

After: So pretty. (ignoring the dead calico cat pelt, of course)

I picked out the fabric, but my handy hubby brought my idea to fruition. What a guy! I was thanking my stars that he'd gone ahead and bought the air compressor that I'd scoffed at I told him to buy with a smile!)

Our new friend Rufus

If you ever hear the sound of ridiculous laughter/screaming coming from the backyard, do not be alarmed. Your kids have found a lizard and are giddy/frightened about it all at the same time. :)

My dear readers

When I write on my blog, there is a hierarchy of people who read my blog somewhere in the back of my mind. First is my family, who I created this blog for 2 years ago, but who still needs reminders to stop by. :) Then my wonderful mother in law who is far away from grandkids and checks this blog daily. Then all my blogging friends, some I know from church, others have moved away, some I know via the homeschool group. In any case, we all know each other in person but stay up on each other day to day by checking in on each other's blogs every day. :)

Then last comes my lurkers. Yes! I have lurkers! Up until I got that little counter thingymajig, I very truly thought only a sparse few came to read my little corner of the blogosphere. That is not so. I have friends/readers/lurkers/creepy stalkers all over the country!

There are hits from here in Longview, of course! The list is longer than my arm. I assume I know all those, but who knows! :)

Then there's Shreveport where my dear friends Jonathan and Kelly moved and I know Kelly reads my blog. But then some of those hits could be from someone at the church in Shreveport who is a sister church to my parent's church in Tulsa. So there's that.

Then Tyler - it could be my sister in law, Stephanie, though I didn't know she read my blog. It could really be anyone. :)

Gladewater is probably my sil or bil or fil... someone around there related to me is checking up on us. :)

Tulsa - could be my parents, my grandparents, could be an old crush from Faith or BC... :)

Then we get to the places where I don't know anyone from! It makes me wonder how they found me and what keeps them coming around? It can't be my charming personality or stunning good looks. :P

Jerome, Idaho. Welcome friend.

Saint Paris, Ohio. How'd you find me?

Harrisburg, VA Could be my old friend Stacy from CHEF.... is that you??

Beaverton, OR. This one cracks me up because I'm on their bloglines. I'm just posting pictures
and a scant narration of my boring (but beautiful) life and you add me to your bloglines? I'm really that interesting? Yay for me! :P

Spring Lake NC that also comes up on feedjit as Fayetteville, NC. I do believe that this is Pam, but why it sees her as from two towns she's not. I do not know.

Monument, CO. Donita! I do know you. It's funny to me that you check my blog more often than my own mom. :) Tell Amee I say Hello!

Chapel Hill, NC. Hey there, you lurker you. You're on again, off again, but you always come back to see the newest pictures of Chandler.

Soldotna, AK. I know that it's a Broussard, but just not which one. :)

Dallas, TX. I don't know anyone in Dallas. Whoooo are you?

East Rockaway, NY. Long Island. Cool. I can't wait to visit the city sometime.

Kansas City, MO. Hey whatup?

Coeur D Alene, ID. Cool town name, dude.

Raleigh, NC. Lots of returning readers from NC. I think I've got a fan club in North Carolina!

Grand Rapids, MI. Welcome to my blog again!

Wausau, WI. I've seen you a few times. Hope you've enjoyed looking around.

Redwood City, CA. Wouldn't be surprised if it is who I think it is. Regret is an evil mistress.

And these are just the visits who have been here twice or more. It's not counting the random search hits. I always get the weirdest ones.... pregnancy related clumsiness.... guess who's blog pops up??? Yup.

So speak up everyone! All you lurkers (and friends) out there hit me up in the comments about how you found me, why you read my blog, and if I might actually know you! If you have a blog, tell me! I'd love to get to know my "readers". It's a very loose term. lol

This whole post has been very self involved. I wondered about even keeping it up. I took it down then changed my mind. I obsess about weird stuff. Like the strangers that read my blog. It's so silly that it makes me ridiculously happy that more than 3 people that read my blog. It also makes me want to puke. Because I'm enigmatic that way.

My first garage sale!

This has been a looooong weekend already. Aimee, her friend Stacey and I had a garage sale at Aimee's house Friday and today. It went really well. Our mornings started at 6 and went until laaate. Like I said, Thursday I was up till 1 making pretzels for the kids to sell. Friday the Akins and us spent just about every waking moment together. Talk about bonding. lol Tom even came over after work to hang out with Eric and we watched Nancy Drew with the kids after dinner. Made it to bed "early", at 11, then back up at 5:30 am to start all over! Who knew sitting around all day gabbing with friends and selling stuff could be so exhausting!!?

The kids sold the pretzels and the cookies and lemonade the Akins make to earn money for summer camps. They did SO great! Every one is a sucker for kids! Especially when they're serenading you. Thank you Chandler. :P Everything sold out and they were rolling in "dough". ;)


Dirty boy. He told me it was dog poop! He was joking. :)

Our little entrepreneurs .

Goofing off between customers

This little girl was sooooo precious. She was insistent on touching Aaron's face even though her mom tried stop her. He ate up the attention as you can see. :) As if he's hurting for it!

This guy didn't get a nap, so I wasn't surprised to see him resting on the couch around 4. :) Playing is hard work!

They made over $60 just on Friday! My face matched Andrew's. :)

Divvying up the cash!

Saturday morning - the littles selling again. Andrew was gone with Eric on a canoe trip and Taylor had her soccer game (They won!!) I was not about to make 40 more pretzels, but I did make some muffins and cookies. As you can tell, Abi is Chandler's new crush. :P He told me the other day that he's just falling in love with Abi so he wants to see her all the time. What?? I really really don't encourage this!

Pretzels and laundry

On Thursday, Stephanie came over and swapped pretzels for laundry. I thought it was a good trade. :)

Jessica and her girls got to visit too! It was the three amigos, together again! So fun.

Here are the kids helping me roll out the dough. No pics of Steff working on the laundry... though she got it whittled down a great deal! Thanks friend! :)


Jess had to leave early to get back to Van. :( S and I watched Hairspray. Um, yeah. It was a beating. And I say that as someone who loves musicals and dancing. :P

Ted came after work and the Forringers stayed for dinner and Guitar hero. (all the while steff continued to do laundry!)

I had made a triple batch of pretzel dough so the kids could sell them at the garage sale we had the next day. I was up until 1 rolling and baking those suckers. :) I should have made more cinnamon/sugar ones - they were a hit!

Puke

Yesterday morning Aaron decided to puke all over the arm of the couch. Lovely. Taylor's thinking - At least it wasn't all over me! :)

After all the puke was out and his clothes stripped, he was ready to play. He likes to be up on my knees when I'm laying on my back. I've done that with all my kids, and when they're old enough, I raise them on my feet straight up in the air.... they love it. :)

Ugh, mom, don't you remember what I just did? I should not be in this position!

Oh no. Too late. :)