Motherhood: random thoughts, and some that connect.

Trying to use my biggest chopping knife to cut carrots while also trying to use the fly swatter on the illusive fly is NOT labeled under "safe and recommended practice". 
           (For some reason I had visions of a trip to the ER and decided the fly could live a little longer. I like children and my fingers too much to try to use both at the same time.)

You can hide turmeric in anything. See, you can't see it's yellowish-orange glow in our home made chicken and veggie soup:

It wont stain your shirt yellow if you drop it down the front while reaching over to help one eating-resistant child take a bite.  Turmeric is amazing (and your body processes it better when taken with black pepper) and goes in everything. It's a natural anti-inflammatory, which makes it doubly awesome.

Sometimes the easiest meals are the best. Cheesies made on left over hot dog buns, put together by my oldest Miss. 

There are times when our helpers make the work take twice as long. That's because we need to learn patience as much as they need to learn the task, and because God knows that we need all that extra time together.  Plus, she's a pretty good helper and it's a good opportunity for us to talk together and get to know each other better. 

Oh, and these two: 

They are not helpful.  They like to help me type by walking on the key pads, batting at my fingers, sleeping on the keypads, to name a few.

Now, it's just me and a sleep-resistant two year old hanging out on the couch with the littlest animals rolling around on the floor.

Night.

Surviving Motherhood: to get through the morning.

Sigh. Morning.  

I have this dream where I get up at 6:30 a.m., drink my coffee and spend quiet time with the Lord, sometimes over his Word and sometimes over the kitchen sink, finishing up last night's dishes. A few moments alone with my thoughts, to plan the day, talk to God, to dream.  I swear every day that I'll go to bed early, that I'll wake up with the sun and my chickens.  

Our number two child is, let's say, passionate.  He has strong feelings about everything from ice in his water cup to his pop tart getting broken while it comes out of the package. Everything. He doesn't want nupping (nothing).  He doesn't yike (like) it. We are going along fine and then wham! Full on fit, throwing himself down, mouth open with the going to die noise coming out and he wants "nupping". Seriously. 

I always swore I would be the mom who would not put up with that. My kids would not get away with that kind of behavior. Golly Gee. Here I am blogging about it. I'm learning a lot about being quieter, taking my time, taking deep breathes, talking him down, things I didn't think I had time for before. "Can't that lady get her kid to mind?" "Why can't they get that kid to be quiet in church. Sheesh. If he were mine..." Yeah. I was that lady. Now, if I get a chance to go to church alone and some kid is making a heck of a lot of noise, I think: "It's not mine. I don't have to deal with it." and I go about my Mass. 

It doesn't mean that I've accepted that this is where we end up, that I just have to get used to it. It means that this is where we are at now and, if I work hard at it, pray a lot, love him daily, and keep on, that we will work on past this point.  

I also think that my hubby being more available (he works nights and doesn't sleep well) would help with the behavior issues but Daddy's not more available right now so I'll just have to keep on. 

I'll keep praying for a better tomorrow, praying that I can show love to all 4 of them, and direct them to Heaven. I keep praying that they will be holy people, serving Jesus in their daily life, leading others to Christ. I'll keep praying.

The girl in the Doctor Who Shirt

When she walked into the crowded market, Dave couldn't help noticing her, brown hair, jeans and a Doctor Who t-shirt. She wasn't dolled up in the latest fashion, nor was her hair whipped up in some crazy do, the result of hours of strait iron abuse and bottles of hair spray, rather it was simply braided at the base of her neck.  She was simple and, he thought, she would do, he would marry her some day, unless she was already married, which he didn't know as he had never seen her in No Where, U.S.A before.  He would have to start with something simple like saying "hey".
He straitened up his back, made sure his western shirt was buttoned correctly all the way down to where it was tucked neatly in his pants. He brushed his hands through his hair, put on his most manly, nonchalant look as he struck out towards the girl down the isle.
As he approached he noticed that her well worn messenger bag had a pin on it about natural farming which was fitting as she was looking at some magazine about farming.  Dang these narrow isles.   In an attempt to conform to the needs of their growing community, Sally Rae's Mom and Pop Grocery had crammed another row into their already very full store.  The funds weren't there to add on so they decided that one more row would fit in this store. Right now Dave was cursing that.  He had meant to walk by, maybe come up with a reason to say something clever but he didn't get the chance because she looked up at him as he approached, smiled politely, saying "Oh, Sorry, Excuse me" as she pushed her body closer the rack she stood in front of.
Dave stood there for a minute that felt like forever, his heart beat loud in his ears, only able to muster out the pre-planned "Hey" before he slipped on down the isle, red face and feeling like an idiot. "Now," he said to himself "to figure out step two".

Rachel's Head Piece

In case there is any confusion on how the head peace should be worn,
here is a photo show of how to put it on...sort of. I think that winding or twisting the side pieces will give it a more authentic look.

The Girls

Cousins Hugging!


Look at the height difference...Lauren is so tall!

The girls like to read together. Either that, or Lauren likes to get up where Baby J can't.

Jessica reading.


Jessica is so sweet!

Cousin Lauren

Baby J and Daddy

I believe this is the first official fake smile that I have caught. She was super tired and very silly!
This is what happens when Mommy squishes your face. She has the greatest little chin! Such pretty eyes! God has blessed us greatly with a little person who has a wonderful disposition and who is very cute! Thank you Jesus!


Jessica likes to sit with Daddy. There really wasn't room behind him but she didn't care. She pushed her way in behind him.

Baby J waking up.