Posted in Family Life
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Well, there goes the kick-start to our new year & MOTH schedule!! Mom is out of commission. I think we'll stick with light school and a LOT of reading until I feel better!
Luckily, the weather is nice so I can send the cherubs out to play. Bug is a bit distracted anyway - he got a new video game fron Granpa, AND he's going on a ski trip with Daddy & church this weekend! He's spending DAYS picking out the "perfect" gloves, hats, dickies, etc. from our extensive collection.
This will be his third time on the slopes, though he's pretty good already. The girls are just green with envy. Little do they know, Daddy will take THEM next month! It would be too much anticipation for Butterfly to handle, so I'll wait to tell them.
We're planning our Rome dinner and play for this Sunday. No boiled peacock or roasted dormouse, thank you! We'll stick with familiar foods. Here's the menu:
Leeks & Lettuce Fried Green Onions Roasted Roman Chicken Date Cake Fresh Fruit
Not sure exactly WHAT we are doing for the play - maybe a Nativity. We usually do one at Christmas and didn't yet. Although the dc would love to stage a mock Arena Fight! LOL
What do you think?
Peace to you,
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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OK, I'm determined to get on top of my role of wife and mother this year. It's been evolving throughout 2005, and I'm pleased with my progress so far - BUT - I've got a way to go!
I was led to a GREAT site about keeping a home planner. It's at http://genuineprofit.lifewithchrist.org/ with pictures, ideas & even an e-book for purchase! Candy has done a fantastic job - you should check it out!
One thing that has been bugging be was the BLAH black binder I was using. The first step Candy mentions is making your binder pretty - voila!!
Now I LOVE to look at it and the words I chose inspire me to keep going!
Now the first part of my planner is my calendar, to do list and the pages I got from http://www.motivatedmoms.com/ - another site that has changed my homemaking!! I love, love, LOVE the e-book schedule I got from Deann's site. (I got the regular version with Bible reading schedule, not the custom) It is keeping my house so much cleaner by helping me to remember those need-to-be-done-regularly but easy-to-forget-until-it's-gross chores (ceiling fans, furnace filters, etc).
Anyway, I wanted to share these two sites with you since I KNOW others will be making changes for 2006.
I want to wish you ALL a VERY HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! Or as Bear loved to shout last year at this time,
HAPPY NEW YOU!! Peace to you!
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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Not much doing today. I won 2 lots of Fuzzi Bunz diapers on ebay last night. WHEW! We really need them, so I'm pleased. J only has 5 and S-G is growing out of her size.
Tomorrow's company Christmas party for dh is up in the air now. The boss called to confirm yesterday - and found out the place is CLOSED for BUSINESS?!??! Ever try to find a place to hold a company Christmas party the week before Christmas on 1 day notice??!?? Guess Mickey D's would take us...
My autistic dc are flaking pretty badly right about now. Dh & I just need to remember not to "go along for the ride" on their mood swings. It escalates the problem by giving THEM control of the atmosphere when they desperately need US to control the situation. Happy Holidays! *sigh*
But I wouldn't trade them for anything. Their intensity & impulsiveness can often be steered into GOOD things as well. And they are the perfect dc for me, and I am the perfect mom for them (though most days I don't FEEL that I am). God doesn't make mistakes, ya know!
Off to run oodles of crazy errands today!!
Peace to you,
Katie
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Posted in Family Life
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Ever been convicted of something but make only half-hearted efforts to change?
Ever been convicted of something but take years to "get it"?
Maybe you're smarter than I am. Or more obedient. Or something.
The Lord has been speaking to my heart CLEARLY for years about our diet. Sometimes, I listen and try to change. It's hard though with carb addicted autistic dc and a VERY picky, healthy-is-a-four-letter-word dh. (wah) And a carb addicted, comfort-food-loving me. *sigh*
But mostly, I've figuratively plugged my fingers in my ears and sung "la-la-la-la".
But it's got to change. Sweet dh has had cancer twice fer cryin' out loud!!
I've been reading Food and Love by Dr. Gary Smalley. Wow. Oh my.
But I'm going to PRAY about it this time. Pray that the family will be receptive to change. Pray that I can find tasty healthy recipes. Pray that we have the strength to carry this through.
Because I KNOW that it is what WE (notice I didn't say "you") are supposed to be doing.
And I'm going to do it slowly. Breakfasts first (I used to be good at those but slipped into cheap convience foods when S-G was born), then lunches (ditto) and finally dinners. I'm anticipating about 6 mos before we get rid of the bulk of the garbage. And that's another thing. I'm not going radical (juicing & funky supplements, though if that's your thing I salute you!) and I'm not expecting perfection. But it's going to happen.
Because I believe dh is finally on board. I think today's early morning discussion helped some:
Me: If I told you that the bagel you're eating is full of poison, would you eat it? Dh: - putting it down slowly - No, I suppose not. Me: Well, it is. The chemicals in that thing are killing you. Us! Your children!
*more discussion followed, especially about past attempts to change*
Dh: Well, I've been TRYing! Me: No, sweetie, you've been DYing.
I really didn't mean it to be a "frying pan upside the head" discussion. And I did pray about what to say first. But I think it was needed to get our attention.
But AFTER the holidays. I think we'll be more receptive to the whole thing if we can still have our traditional holiday goodies. I'll just be slipping in the whole wheat flour and making less of them.
Peace to you,
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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That's what we've got here - nothin' doin'! It's cold, it's windy, and I'm watching my little blessings climb the walls! I'm a proponent of letting the sweeties out in almost all weather, but below zero is just not doable.
Anyone have any cool ideas for a family with cabin fever?
In other news, K is still improving with brain gym. It is mind boggling how this is affecting his attitude. He and M (my "baking soda & vinegar" pair) are playing games together! Without fighting! K & Daddy wrestled last night, and no one stormed off in a huff! It has changed the whole tone of our house and family. And I see hope for his "teen years" (I was dreading them, honestly)
Hey, join me over at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cudltot/52480/ for a virtual cookie exchange! Check out her blog, too. Nice place to visit.
S-G is learning to pull up! I think this one is gonna walk before she crawls!
Well, off to feed the troops, gather sopme craft materials & focus on some read-alouds. Maybe we'll make it through another stay-in-the-house day!
Peace to you,
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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It's -3° (-11° windchill) here this morning. It doesn't stay cold here very long, though. We have more winter days in the 40's & 50's than days like this.
I cannot believe that I used to go SKIING in this weather!! And I don't even LIKE skiing!
I think it'll be a baking day. Keep the littles from wanting to go outside and warm up the house at the same time. Of course, hat means I'll gain a few pounds, but I guess that could be good too (insulation!).
Let's see: Swirled Mint Cookies, Stained Glass Cutouts, and Candy Cane Cookies should do it!
What do YOU make for Christmas cookies?
Peace,
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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When Mark was going through chemo, I was desperate for some support, but everything I found was focused on the patient, not on the family. While there certainly needs to be support for the patient, there is a definite need for support & education for the spouse/family as well.
Anyone know of any programs out there for this? I'm thinking of starting my own... in my free time! Yeah, that's it! Thoughts? Comments? Stories?
Battening down the hatches. We're in for a nasty storm tonight and the snow just started.
Peace to you,
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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that bring great joy.
* It's the e-mail from sweet dh with today's Bible verse, signed "Love, ME"
* It's the breakfast tray from ds11 with peanut butter-whipped cream bagels, OJ & coffee (and, yes, I ate it!)
* It's the precious note from dd9 with the wobbly spelling ("I LovE you MooM") left on my pillow with a chocolate
* It's the special jelly kiss of a 7yodd who tries her best to please in everything
* It's the running monologue of my Spidey-loving, tree climbing, football playing dd5 who couldn't sit still if she wanted to and wouldn't give up her new dolly for anything
* It's the running hugs of a 2yo-all-boy who is learning to say "Yes ma'am" instead of screaming
* It's the drooly smile of 7modd which just melts your heart (and I've assured ds11 that baby drool is good for your health! He almost believes me! LOL)
Yes, it's the little things - all these and more - that humble me and give me great joy and contentment.
What are YOUR "little things" today?
Peace to you!
Katie
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Posted in Family Life
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K has loads of learning issues. We did testing in Aug and this past week started him on "brain games" training. I'm just so happy my little boy is finally on his way to a great learning adventure!
Peace to you,
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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(cue music) Doodoo Doodoo Doodoo Doodoo
Imagine your self in a typical American large family home. A home which tries diligently each spring & fall to kill the fuzzy little crumb-stealers that migrate into the house. A home where the muffled "Snap!" in the middle of the night is followed by a not-so-gentle nudge and a sleepy, "Empty the trap in the morning, dear".
A home which just today was invaded by...
the cutest little hamster you've ever seen! Ds K spent all of last year's birthday money on Sam, his food, bedding, treats, "habitat" (they don't call them "cages" anymore. Even rodents have gone "PC" - whassup wid dat?) - he even has his own bed-shaped little bed! And he brought home the proverbial rodent wheel - in glow-in-the-dark neon green, no less!
Robbie the Rodent goes high tech. Sheesh!
Did I mention how cute he is though? I even held him. Luckily, *I* wasn't the one he picked to relieve himself on - dh got THAT special treatment!
Anyhoo, what Momma wanted was a cat. But with a 110lb black lab and no one willing to do litter box clean-up, hamster it is!
Oh, my. It must be spending all day, every day with preschoolers, but I just realized that my blog has sunk to potty talk.
Anyway, at least he's cute!
Peace to you!
Katie
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Sorry!Posted in Family Life
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school is on hold! *snifflesniffle*
But not learning. That never stops. As I sit in my pj's and sip my homemade chicken-rice soup (with extra garlic!) K is on the computer ordering historical fiction books from the library. M is "teaching school" to E & H and they're all getting along! M is also making lunch while her school children "nap" (I often wonder where my dc get their ideas about public school...hmmmmm).
S-G is cuddling with Momma (she's got a stuffy nose, too) & J is pulling his sled through the snow in the back yard.
K has also worked on his football card collection and studied a map of Gettysburg. And we all snuggled for a listen as Momma croaked through a funny read-aloud on Ancient Rome.
Not bad for a sick day!
Peace to you!
Katie |
Posted in Family Life
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Who could guess? How could I know? The perfect exercise routine doesn't come in a box. It isn't directed by some svelte beauty on a video. And I didn't need to invest 72 easy payments of only $19.95!
You, too, can enjoy the may benefits of this regimen. It is incredibly simple. Ready?
Pop in some cowboy music (even if you don't like it! Really, that makes it even better!). Add 6 sweet, wide-eyed children (or how ever many you can "round up"). Dance until it hurts - from LAUGHING! Really exagerate the spins, do-si-do's and "yee-haw"'s. Collapse in fits of giggles at the end of the tape. Repeat as needed.
Honestly, I can't BELIEVE the number of muscles this routine exercises!! Legs, arms, bottom, cardio-vascular... those 14 or so muscles that it takes to make you smile. Vocal chords! Joy! Silliness! Fun! Plus, it works on teamwork, coordination and taking turns! I dusted off some of those OLD public school phys ed dance steps - square dancing, waltz, jig (sometimes all in the same song!!). My kids think I'm "all that".
Good grief, I could design a whole curriculum around this!
Anyway, it injected some much needed lightness into an otherwise "grumpy" week. Stopped those grumpies right in their tracks! We all benefited from taking the time to laugh at ourselves and tie those heart-strings.
So, giddyap cowpokes! Grab yer pardners and lighten up! Toss out those dusty aerobic videos! Yard sale the equipment yer usin' fer a clothes rack! It'll do ya a world a' good!
Peace to you!
Katie (who will let you know later how my thighs feel tomorrow about all that do-si-doin') |
Posted in Family Life
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When you have a BAD day and you've blown it with your sweet babies, a shared hot cocoa and a group bear hug does WONDERS for retying heart strings.
Humbly asking their forgiveness doesn't hurt, either.
Peace to you,
Katie |