The News bulletin: 

Superstar nanny arrives to Dittmar household for a six week internship in domestic and home school management. 

 Family hikes Diamondhead State Park trail to impressive overlook.  Sites whales…very cool.  Picnics in the now grassy crater.

 Boys get haircuts.  Suza feels left out.  Releases her pent up jealousy on her own head, sneaking mom’s hair cutting scissors from bathroom.  Shocks mom in the kitchen.  Mom’s five second long inhaling gasp calls forth entire family.  She looks like a Tibetan monk or a little Jewish boy.  All the hair behind ears remains; top of head shorn like a sheep.  Yep, it’s bad. Suza remorsefully tells mom, “I forgive you, mom” about twenty times. 

 Mom secretly envies Suza’s freeing statement of self-expression in lopping off locks, and follows suit.  Three inches shorn off mom’s hair (starting from the bottom however) accomplished by her own hand 2 hours before Bible study arrived in home.  The risk was significant, but irresistible. 

Pictures to follow...

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Happy New Year Everybody!! 

I don't think I've ever lived anywhere where people are such backyard/ driveway fireworks fanatics.  They've been going off all day long and are sounding solid here at 11PM.  My theory is that Hawaiians don't spend as much money on inter-state vacation travel, so they go all out on fireworks.  People here light fireworks on just about every holiday and for several days leading up to a holiday.  Funny thing, we didn't stay up to watch "the ball drop" on TV --it happened for us at 8 PM tonight!  After we got home from playing games and having fun, I sat out on our hammock with Micah and Connor and we asked each other our New Year's resolutions while watching the various sparkles over the town and their reflection on the canal water.  It was a gentle and sweet moment together cuddling under the blanket. 

Here are some of my goals for the new year...

1.  Know God better this year than I did last year.

2.  Be more patient with the little things in life that don't matter in the long run.

It's your turn...what are some of yours? 

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Well it's one of those crazy nights that you wake up and can't get back to sleep.  Does this ever happen to you?  I know I should just stay in bed and lie there till I drift off, but once my mind starts going full speed thinking, it's impossible for at least an hour.  So why not blog, yeah?  (That's a Hawaii-ism.  Natives ask or state everything with a "yah?" at the end, sort of like Canadians and their "eh?" At Jack-in-the-Box:  "you want fries with that, yah?"  Yah!)  Well, I digress.

Why am I up?  Tonight was our squadron Christmas party and as we draw near to the Hyatt in Honolulu, about a block away my husband gets a phone call...and all I overhear is...'terrible news for you..."  When I hear that, I sort of leap to awful assumptions and was practically in the drivers seat with my husband as I craned my neck to eavesdrop on the important call--wondering who had died.  Josh was on "the ready."  The ready means a plane is on standby to help in a real-life emergency.  Apparently a boat was about 300 miles out at sea taking on water...sinking.  And they rarely actually launch the ready.  The coast guard couldn't get there, so my husband's crew was called.  The "terrible news" meant he had to turn right around (miss the party) and drive back over the mountains to the other side of the island to fly out in his plane and assist in a search and rescue (SAR)!  So my hero pulls our car up to the valet parking, lets me off, still on his cell phone, and drives off.  OK, then!  Suddenly with 3 minutes notice, I find myself on date night solo!  Wouldn't you still go to the party?  I mean, as a woman, you plan these outfits IN ADVANCE!  You just don't bail when you've gone to all that effort to shed the mom-denim and sneakers, right??? 

So, I had fun anyway and got a ride home with friends.  I just couldn't be bummed at the party, because I was so proud of the fact that my man was out there on a real emergency mission helping rescue some guy who's boat was sinking!  It was thrilling and suspenseful all at once, knowing that someone was out in dark ocean waters waiting for his plane to show up!  My bedroom door creaked open around 3 AM...and I peppered him with questions.  They found the sinking ship and radio'd a  nearby ship to come pick him up, while circling above to make sure they didn't need to drop a life-raft.  Here's a night vision picture of the vessel in distress...

So that's my excitement for the day.  I have my very own RESCUE HERO!  If you have boys...insert the fisher-price theme song excerpt, "Rescue Heroes!!--Global response team."  Isn't that just cool?

Now it's five AM, and the sky will lighten shortly.  Do I even bother going back to bed?  And what will I do tomorrow--I mean today--with my going-to-be-tired self?? 

OK: Next day update:  Josh clarified that the ship on the right is the Panamanian freighter  that they called in from 20 miles off to help with the sinking forty foot-long trimaran, which you can barely see (look for the mast) just in the lower left half of the infrared photo here.  Apparently the man was rescued successfully.  He was sailing alone...kind of bizarre, I thought, for such a large boat.  And I'm still running on 3 hours of sleep...BEDTIME!!!

NewsLink: MSN Story and Coast Guard Link. 

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I enjoyed all the chore feedback and still haven't had time to make my chore chart.  Pretty sad, huh.   Thank you so much, everyone who took the time to give input.  It was really inspiring to read the different modes of chore-life in various homes.  Our kids are so capable!!  Chores build self-esteem and life-skills.   I used to have a chore chart printed up and hung on the frig, then on a whiteboard...in Ohio the whiteboard was always safe, but somehow here it gets smudged and that's not so helpful when Mom's trying to remember who's doing what.  Sometimes I suspect the smudges aren't so accidental!! 

We've had the kids help ever since they could throw their diaper in the trash can for Mommy.  Usually sorting the silverware out from the dishwasher is the entry job into chore life around age 3 or 4.  Jamie has that job right now.  My oldest has graduated from dishwasher duty since now he takes on some occasional babysitting for me. 

But my kids are very helpful when I ask them to do things.  They have willing hearts, so that's a big step in the right direction.  Currently the oldest three are responsible for unloading the dishwasher, taking out kitchen trash, collecting the house trash from wastebaskets, and bringing their laundry to the machines.  I've had "laundry helper" be a rotating week-long job.  Feeding the dog and turtle are also in their realm of duties along with wiping bathroom sinks and counters.  My eleven year old can clean a bathroom reasonably well, but I usually only ask him when company is coming over.  Every night, one child is dinner helper.  That person helps mom chop food, stir, or make a salad and set the table.  It's a fun opportunity to pass on cooking skills as well as "bond with Mom."  Sampling the cuisine, testing out spices and other little perks make this a time that's seen as a privilege rather than an onerous task.  And after each meal, one person has that meal's clean-up duty.  I usually am doing a good bit of it alongside that child.  So what I really want is for each person to go on auto-pilot and do these things without the reminding, but I suppose that's asking a lot right now.  I'm going to try the "Chore Packs" by Managers of Their Chores. 

On regular life notes...my parents and sister are coming to visit for the first time!  We're so excited!  They haven't seen baby C yet, so this will be their first introduction to her.  I was feeling a little worried about having them stay in my little 3 brm house that will bring the number of sleepers to 10 under its roof.  But I spoke with a woman tonight at Bible study who grew up here in Hawaii with 13 people living in her childhood 3 brm-ONE-bath home in Honolulu.  Her parents and siblings all slept in one room, her uncle and aunt and children in another and grandparent & cousin in the third bedroom and an uncle slept in the parlor.   This "Ohana" (meaning family) style of living has been a way of life here in Hawaii.   So that puts some perspective in my thoughts.  Sometimes I feel I'm so spoiled and don't even realize it.  What I feel like I "have to have" to be comfortable.  As we read in 1 Peter tonight, "Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear..."  It's good to remind myself that I shouldn't try to get TOO comfortable, since this world is not my true home.  Well, I digress...after a few nights with us, they'll stay in a cabin on the beach. 

Homeschooling will go on pause as we catch up on island field trips and explorations.  I will surely have some good pictures to post in the next few weeks.   We're definitely ready for a break since we've been going strong since early August.  Although the "driver" and "thorough" personality in me is fighting that somehow.  For all of you getting to experience fall...I'm envying you right now!!  We miss the leaves and colors...the change.  It's so bizarre to be in place that isn't really changing! 

With lots of "aloha,"

Christa

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Sorry it's been a while since I've updated here.  What have we been up to?  Here's a little visual sampler:

FLYING!!!!  Super-kid!! 

I have to credit my friend's husband Ryan with super photography skills in capturing those shots recently in a Dad-kid outing to White Plains, a renowned surf spot.  The Dads seemed to gather that throwing kids was much more fun than using all their efforts to catch a wave.  The moms hung back and had some precious chat time.  And then set up for a little 3 year old party.  Oh, and I got my hair chopped.  A good five inches.  I almost went bob-length but mair hairdresser Chip was wiser than to endorse that.  I'm glad he didn't let me do it. 

Our baby Suza isn't the baby any more. 

Do you ever feel like as a mom you're the facilitator of all the fun, but then settle back and witness from the sidelines?  I mean, it is enjoyable to watch our kids and families.  Truth be told, sometimes I fight the grumbles and sometimes I'm able to serve in fun and joy as I pack the sandwiches, load towels, suits, picnic gear, cooler, feed the baby and get the gang loaded up with their essentials--and not leave the house in a wake of chaos.  Family fun takes effort, doesn't it?!  Of course it's all worth it.  And then I hang back in the name of relaxing and don't go in the water or DO the thing we've gone to do.  So this weekend I DID the fun.  I went boogie boarding.  I know.. it's like no big deal.  So what, right?  (you guys are probably all much more adventuresome than I am...)  But how much more fun it actually was!!  And my kids were all grinning seeing mom take the waves not just sitting in a chair witnessing the event.   Who knows, maybe acting like a kid will be my new aerobic regimen.  My arms are sore today!  (And no, I don't have a picture for that.  Who takes pictures of Mom?)

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Two weeks of hotel living in Honolulu is about to come to a close. Our family has slowly adjusted to the time change of six hours. We’ve also enjoyed people watching in this diverse and very multicultural city. We’ve watched huge event parties staged under the palms in the beautiful parks along the beach. We’ve marveled at the amazing Banyan trees with enormous trunks ad draping vines. Today we visited the U.S. Army Museum, an old WWII battery here on the beach that was so indestructable that though they tried to demolish it in 1970, the wrecking balls couldn't make headway and they had to make it into a museum and keep the building.  My hankering for exotic foods long neglected in the Midwest has gotten me some Thai curry and great sushi. Connor’s the only family member who’s joined me in the sushi adventure…and I’m still getting my feet wet, so to speak.

The Lord must have decided that I was due for some big-time character refining in the HUMILITY department though. If anyone is tempted to think I'm anything other than a real-life mom or this blog only paints the glorious rainbow and sunshine life of familyhood....READ ON.  And you have my permission to laugh!  This is one of those memories I hope will be a laugh someday, but it's still fresh and I'm in recovery.  Yesterday Suza (who‘s been accident free for months I must disclaim) “didn’t make it” to the potty and I experienced the mortifying embarrassment of having one’s two and half year old’s “poopy” shut down a busy beachside resort pool for two and a half hours.

Yep.  My DS1 alerted me: "Suza said she needs to go potty, but it's too late!"  While I was leading the poor child from the water off to the bathroom to clean up, the whistles screeched and the pool SWAT team burst forth replete with orange cones and walkie-talkies. Everything in me wanted to stay hiding in that bathroom and sneak off to my hotel room. But I still had kids at the pool!  Upon returning, I watched, shrinking into my chair, as lifeguards convened, cleared the pool, put up the POOL CLOSED signs, whipped out notebooks to document the incident and looked around trying to figure out who the culprit was. With their dark sunglasses donned and communicators in hand, it felt like they were Storm Troopers. I hid behind the umbrella pole.  Could the patio please just swallow me up?  Janitors, chemicals and pool-cleaning tools appeared, and they cordoned off the sidewalk above the pool steps for disinfecting.  I reluctantly walked forward holding Suza’s hand and said, “Well, it was my child. I’m really sorry.” The lifeguard replied with strained politeness, “It happens.” I wanted to explain how really reliable she’s been for so long, but all I could do was mutely hunker away.

We watched as families slowly gave up the wait and left the pool, while others were turned away at the entrance with bewildered looks.   (Military families drive from all over the island to use this pool for free.  So I had the added guilt of knowing we'd ruined the day's plans for these folks.) We ourselves gave up waiting after an hour and a half. I think they were waiting to reopen till after we left just to punish us. Turning in our towels, I didn’t even want to have to make eye contact with more pool attendants, but the head lifeguard said to me kindly, “You know, nobody ever fesses up. Thanks for admitting to it.“

So, struggling to shake the guilt and bounce back to light-heartedness later that afternoon, I took myself shopping for consolation chocolate while the nappers napped in the air-conditioned room with big brother watching over them. Of course, the shopping trip included swim diapers--we’re not making this mistake again!   Hmmm...a year's probation in Little Swimmers?  A bag of Mauna Loa chocolate covered macademia nuts, caramel cluster turtles, twizzlers, an almond Snickers and my husbands sympathies have since worked wonders...

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I'm feeling tired tonight.  Am I allowed to say that?  I'm pregnant, so it's ok.  No one's throwing tomatoes at me I hope.  I don't want to be a whiner, rather a positive impact person.  But after all this transience I think I will be making a huge sign for my eventual house with big letters that says THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...that is, if I ever get one!  And once I get in it I plan to not leave it for a long long time. 

On the housing theme, looks like we've found a good possibility for renting a home.  But not till mid June.  It seems like adopting a house via word of mouth will pay off better than trying to get one through traditional means: agents.  They all seem to cringe (can you hear a person cringe over the phone?) when they hear five kids and a dog.  And they start listing all the things wrong with the house and why we wouldn't want to live there.  mmm, hmm!  I guess I can understand.  Maybe I'd be the same way if I were renting out a house.  So meeting the current tenant and having her vouch that we really aren't weirdos and are mostly normal people seemed to do the trick.  That and I don't think the house has changed one bit since its building in the early 60's.  What do they have to lose?

In pregnancy news:  I think I've begun to waddle.  I love feeling the rolling limbs across my stomach at this stage.  An elbow poking out, a knee.  Then when the baby arrives you say, "So this was that little elbow.  It feels familiar!"  I've been having some contractions here as I type...now wouldn't that be something.  I really hope I don't go into labor yet.  Bringing a baby home to a hotel room would sure make a memorable story in after years.  I'm sure I wouldn't be the first.  Maybe it was our half a mile walk to the Outback Steakhouse tonight. 

While we were there we remembered that fireworks go off on Friday nights at 8 on Waikiki, so I hurriedly left the table and took Jamie and Suza and Sophie outside and down a street to see them.  We'd been waiting all week to get to see them, but J had to stay in the restaurant so nobody would chase us down thinking we'd walked out without paying.  As soon as the fireworks started, Suza (2) began crying.  As soon as they ended, she stopped and Jamie started crying with real earnest tears.  "What's wrong?" I asked, concerned and also getting slightly vexed with the crying since I'd worked so hard to get them to see the fireworks so they wouldn't be crying!  "Daddy missed the fireworks!  He wasn't here!  Now he's not gonna see 'em!" he wailed.  My irritation melted and I almost laughed--it seemed so cute and funny to me.  I assured him that Daddy had seen fireworks before but how kind of him to think of others.  I just thought how precious it was to be consoling a little dear soul that was heartbroken for his Daddy's loss.  I love those kinds of Mommy moments.  The kind that infuse our duty with delight.  Mama's, keep watching for the tender growth of human hearts in your keep!  Affirm it, cultivate it, savor it!   

Warmly in Christ,

Christa

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CLICK HERE if you wanna see a picture of me and the cute guy I hung out with this weekend!  I had the privilege and pleasure of flying back to Ohio and seeing the beloved faces of friends we've left behind.  The cute guy...of course, was the precious little three week old I couldn't in good conscience fly out of the states next month without seeing. 

All I can say is that seeing FRIENDS who recognize me and know me after being an unknown entity here where we are was a BALM TO THE SOUL. (My on-line friends all know that I've leaned heavily on them these months of living between duty stations!)  I connected with people who have no kids, people who have ten kids, MOPS moms, a buddy on bedrest, homeschool friends, and the newly initiated parents I stayed with.  Boy did that bring back memories...I'll be in for a real shocker again when it's my turn to be up three times in one night for feeding a newborn.  I remember how eternal it seemed at the time, but passed quickly and was gone forever. 

I felt the change of pace from East Coast to Mid-West the minute I stepped off the plane.  Folks aren't rushed out there.  Even in the airport people were mellow and pleasant. 

Well, I have to give credit to my dear J, who not only made it all possible but urged me to go, and kept the five kiddos fed and cared for on the homefront so I could have the chance to do that.   It was such a generous gift.  My own superman.  He actually is a little Clark Kentish, come to think of it...

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Hello friends.  It's been a little quiet lately on my part.  I got a "prodding"  email from a reader telling me to "get on with it" and post something new!  I find it takes balance.  Blogging takes time.  I love to write and could be here all day!  Being a former lit major I also get picky, editing, re-writing.  So you blogger moms know how it is...LIFE and LOVE calls...toddlers, big kids, laundry, trips to the library.  And when one's husband starts alluding to one getting "sucked in" every evening after tuck-ins, it's time to back off and just sit, talk, and read or watch his movie for a change (ha-ha right!)

I've also discovered the rush of bidding on Ebay.  Bad, bad, bad!  Terribly fun.  I love old books.  I love how they feel and smell and look.  I love reading something that was part of someone's library a hundred years ago.  This is what I most recently bid on and won...

Our Deportment is a Victorian book of etiquette, customs, manners and tips on "home culture."  That's sort of a Charlotte Mason sounding word, isn't it?  I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.  Can't wait to get it!

I am also bidding on a set of Elsie Dinsmore books.  Has anyone read them?  I have mixed feelings after reading the first one aloud to the kids recently.  Written also in the 1800's, there's lots of charm and virtuous character examples within.  But I found the character of eight year old Elsie to be a bit insufferable at times.  For the first three quarters of the book her sensitive nature is so acute that she's weeping, sobbing or tearing up with "tears falling like rain" every other paragraph.  I really wearied of that and started glossing over the melodramatic descriptions of her woundedness.  I told the kids she needs a "thicker skin!"  But they want to read the sequel, so hopefully that will improve. 

Also in the book news, there's a HSB book club starting up reading Ishmael by E.D.E.N. Southworth.

If you love books, I hope to see you over there.  It's convenient.  Fun, educational...The only thing better would be if we could all actually meet in person down at a cozy coffee shop and have each other's faces in view. 

Signing off for today,

Christa

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I'm hoping my laptop will cooperate with me tonight.  Sometimes I think it has a mind of it's own, for it launches itslef onto random pages in the middle of my typing and loses all my hard-thought writing rather regularly, leaving me frustrated and shutting down instead of trying to re-write.  I know it's because my palm or wrist must graze the lower touch-mouse and send me into inadvertant chaos.  I wish I were more techy.  There's probably some simple solution I know nothing about.  Dave?

Anyway,  we're getting along in this rather odd period of  transition.  It's odd because there is no community, and investing in community is somewhat fruitless and pointless all-the-while craved knowing we are leaving the area in April.  We are still committed to attend a church each Sunday, but it's hard to have to qualify or temper people's eager questions by confessing we are merely "passing through" as longish visitors.  I feel like I'm suddenly standing on the other side of chasm calling  into the wind "I would be your friend....but it's not meant to beeeee!"   (How's that for mellowdrama?) People are still friendly and most pastors offer to "adopt" us for our time being, but it's strange to not have the normal excitement and hope of really digging in to community, people.  I miss it, and will really be happy when we'll really be where we finally are.  Does that make sense?  Our Christmas letter touched this year on us being "strangers and aliens" here in this world as Christians.  And I so keenly feel it when we are in transience like this.  It is one of the sacrifices of military living that I willingly accept, but still mourn a little.  Yet I choose, hopefully in imitation of the Apostle Paul, "to be content in whatever circumstance I am in." 

Living in a 3 br apartment after a 3,000 sq ft house has taught us a lot.  We can live happily and comfortably with much less than I ever thought.  And the house really only needed to be that big because of the amount of furniture and stuff we have amassed.  Has my pension for antiques and beautiful things cornered us into living larger than we need?  ooh, ouch... Change the subject!

I am seeing some sweet fruit of our no-man's-land time, however.  Being closer together and not having a network of peers has helped the children play better together and rely on each other.  They've been pretending pirates and Arctic explorers all together recently, which tickled me not only for its imaginativeness, but my oldest's rare "condescension"  to pretend with the youngers. 

I'm taking a plunge and letting Sophie and Micah start violin.  Then I realized I've always wanted to learn violin myself, so why shouldn't I too?  It's good to keep the mind sharp, right?  We may as well redeem some of this tread-water time, so the violins are on the way!   The topic of music lessons has prompted some disagreement   discussions, shall we say, on the value and worthiness of investing/ spending money in that direction.  I think there is value in the discipline and mental exercise of learning music, and the reward of gaining proficiency in an area of the arts that brings joy and beauty (eventually right??).  The only kicker is the cost, and the reality of living with a larger family is that making it work will take some creativity and probably sacrifice in other areas.  Has anyone ever tried the AMP video violin lessons mentioned by Susan Bauer in THe Well Trained Mind?  Right now we're signed up with a local professional whom I have yet to meet to take a mini group lesson, the three of us, for our remaining weeks here.  She's in a celtic band.  Pretty cool.  I figured getting started on the right foot would be good for getting correct form etc.  But the DVD lessons appeal for their economy.  Any violin people with advice?? 

Finding Joy In the journey,

Christa

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Back in the sunshine state after the holidays.  Here's a little photo tour of our recent month.  Full of travels north, Jamie's birthday, my brother's wedding to his Irish sweetheart and boat day this weekend.

Our family day at Seaworld was wonderful.  The Shamu show had a touching military video and tribute at the beginning, asking all service members and their families present to stand.  It warmed my heart to see our military and troops abroad recognized for their tremendous sacrifices.

Here are some Karate Kids...a place nearby was offering a special.  New territory, but fun and healthy so far.

With the weather so warm before Christmas here, we had a number of pool days at the local YMCA.  Here Suza fell asleep in our LLBean tote bag. 

Christmas morning on the stairs.  This year there were a few pogo sticks waiting and a tea set among other things.  Being at Gramma and Grampa's was great.  She can really decorate, and had the kids make a gingerbread house.

Jamie had his fourth birthday New Year's day at WSS. 

Getting ready for Uncle A's wedding. 

Uncle A and his new bride from Northern Ireland.  Back in FL we test the boat in southern waters.  My dad helped me drive the boat down.Jamie and Suza love the boat day.  Sisters

Exploring a little island we found.

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We finally made it into an apartment of our own.  Our hotel days wound up nicely, and we were all excited to head to a more permanent temporary home.  We're in a furnished 3 br on the 3rd floor overlooking a pretty laky-pond with a fountain.  The children are unaccustomed to having to subdue their skippy bouncy energy, and our downstairs neighbors had to come up and ask us to tone down the thumps and bumps.  We hadn't considered that angle when deciding on an apt over a house.  Granted, it was a rainy Saturday and the first morning they'd woken up in the new place, so they were all excited with no place to go.  Daddy broke out a new surprise box of Lego's to work on.  That helped direct the energy.   He has also begun a new read-aloud with the kids called The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo about a noble mouse living in a castle amongst his mouse clan with a royal human family and the dungeon rats.  The children love it and willingly sit for as many chapters as Dad will read to them.  But back to the apartment...It made me consider the early American immigrants in their tenement houses and how luxurious we have it by comparison. 

    We checked out a PCA church yesterday and ran into one of Josh's old Naval Academy classmates.  We had a fun time going out for lunch afterwards and discovering that they also homeschool. 

    In homeschool news, I'm not sure if I conveyed in previous posts that the movers mistakenly took my box of Sonlight core readers, read-alouds, history and science books for the remainder of the school-year that I had separated out from our household goods to remain with us.  I was so bummed, it was really hard to get over it.  We have all of the math, English, LA and handwriting supplies with us.  I guess we'll become super avid library patrons to get our material. 

   That's all for now.

CTMom2five

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   Thank you all for the warm support and prayers.  We sure needed them!  Little did I know things were going to get wilder before they settled down.  After attending an OB appointment the doctors said it could be a while before things "got going" with the miscarriage and I'd likely need to come back to the hospital for some medication. 

     Well, things got started, unfortunately, on their own a mere hour or two later AT THE MALL on Tuesday while I was standing in line at Starbucks with my three big kids.  I naively thought I could get their soccer gear at Dick's.  Suddenly I was blacking out over the coffee of the week stand.  People were helping me sit down, handing me their cell phones.  Mall security came and though I said I was fine and didn't want intervention, they insisted upon a medic arriving and taking me by ambulance to the ER when they realized I was losing a lot of blood. I guess I realized it too since it was all happening very quickly and getting back in my car would not be desirable at that point.  Thank the Lord my husband was reachable by cell phone.  He often isn't in his school building on base.  I tried to stay upbeat and calm for the kids and said, "Hey you guys get to ride in an ambulance!  Now this is an educational experience, huh!"  I had convinced the paramedics to let the kids come even though they're not really supposed to let that many extras on.  I couldn't fathom leaving my children standing on a curb, bewildered, with mall security waiting for Dad.  He met us at the ER. 

    I guess I still thought this was all just a normal thing and bummer timing.  How embarrasing!   I should have stayed home.  But my bleeding continued in large amounts.  I began to faint again and started shaking uncontrollably.  Suddenly 9 people were in the room buzzing around calling out blood pressure numbers.  They gave me a blood transfusion, IV's and finally decided to take me to emergency surgery.  The scariest moment was when the doctor said, "If we can't stop the bleeding, worse case scenario, we could have to do a hysterectomy."  I said, "Please don't."  He said they'd be as gentle and careful as possible, but it was the very last resort, he just had to tell me it was a possiblility.  When I woke up five hours later, the first thing I asked was, "Am I all here still?"  Everything was fine.  I spent a night getting poked way too many times for blood counts, but was released the next morning.  A kind nurse had driven our children to a friend's house at the end of her shift.  And God's hand was on us.  I asked the surgeon that morning, "Was this really an emergency or could I have handled this at home?"  He said, "No, you were definitely hemorraging and going into shock.  It's a good thing you were here."  I guess God's timing was right, after all.  In my independent (stubborn?) nature, I would have tried to stick it out at home.  I guess I need to go back to Starbucks and thank them for their kindness.  They had given my a free iced latte in the middle of everything!  

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     Well, we've once again arrived back from a long journey to a wedding in which dd7 was a flower girl and then on to a family reunion at the beach in NC.  Emerald Isle.  Waking up every morning to the bright blue waves and the lovely sand and listening to the pounding rhythmic surf was just dreamy.  Best of all, our family is all back together after 3 of the kids were with grandparents and attending summer camps away from home for two weeks.  I missed them so much! 

       I've been waiting to order our fall curriculum items until the budget is clear from the vacations, camps and whatnot.  That's tough!  In the meantime, I've highlighted and re-highlighted several catalogs.  I'm looking forward to Sonlight 5, though the classical leaner in me wonders if this divergence from the "Four Year" cycle will be OK.  Since we've been focused on American history for the past 2 years, I think it will be good to look at the other side of the world:  Eastern Cultures.  My one hesitation is if my dd7 can hang with the Core 5 material. 

      It's high time I post a garden update.  We harvested some beautiful broccoli heads before we left, several pretty summer squash.  And it looks now as if green beans are hanging on the bushes out there.  Ears of corn are on the stalks, though the rows aren't as full as I'd like, and the tomatoes have grown sort of wild, but seem to be producing.  I've got flowers upon flowers of chamomile, but now haven't the foggiest of what to do with the stuff.  Anyone know how to make your own chamomile tea?  I feel like Peter Rabbits mother.  I seem to remember she hung them upside down and made tea somehow or other.  There's basil and cilantro, but we haven't been around to use any of it.  The lettuce went bitter while we were on our last vacation.  I've never had much luck with lettuce. While the kids were gone, I hired a sweet little neighbor boy to weed for me.  I expected he'd weed for maybe an hour and go home, but he stayed all day.  So much for two bucks worth!  I paid him eight for his efforts plus ice cream and lemonade.    We did, however, purchase the circular (it's more parallelogram-ish) hoe dawilli recommended, and boy, does the right tool ever make a difference!  DH was out there all evening with the new tool getting blisters and loving the new ease of weeding.   I'll take a new garden picture soon. 

    On a sad note, we were waiting for this trip to announce that we were "in the family way" and eagerly expecting a sixth little one.  Upon arriving home, I began to miscarry Sunday morning, being 10 weeks along.  It's the second in these two years, and is quite a disappointment.  We are content to rest in our faithful God and trust in Him, truly.  But I do covet your prayers that I will not be given to sadness as full time motherhood needs my best spirits. 

Warmly in Christ,

Christa

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Well, the "cat that's not our cat," as my husband calls it, had babies in the garage last night.  She was desperately trying to come in the house yesterday.  So we let her take shelter from the thunderstorms in our garage.  She did look quite large and I felt her stomach thinking, she's either pregnant or really sick and bloated.  Five little kittens were discovered behind the waterskis by my daughter who came screaming into the house at 7 AM, "There are kittens!  She really WAS pregnant!  She had the babies!"  We all climbed over the boat to reach the impossibly out of reach corner of the garage she chose to hide them.  Even though we aren't a cat family, no one could help but see the sweetness of new babies clamboring to find a spot at their momma's belly. 

     Now we're really in a puddle.   I guess we'll have to get the word out now for kittens needing a home before we move in November!  Anyone experienced in this?  I'll post some pictures later on. 

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    How do YOU handle conflict or confrontation?  I do not like it, Sam-I-Am!  I am such a conflict, confrontation hater.  But on the other hand, I'm very convicted and opinionated if I feel like I'm getting walked over or taken advantage of.  Do you ever start thinking about something that bothers you, and then realize the more you think of it, you can't just blow it off and forget it?  I will have an entire dissertation in my mind and think,  "I need to call that person!  NOW!"  Well, don't worry, I seldom get worked up like this with friends.  ( I usually aim for the Proverb "blessed is he who overlooks an offense" in friendship scenarios.)  It's more with businesses, airlines, etc.  But it was the carpet guy today.  Let me tell you, I have a complete physiological response to even anticipating confrontation when I am "sticking to my guns!"  My pulse starts to race, and I actually get dizzy!  I feel queasy in my stomach.   We're having carpet laid down in our basement, which we've been finishing.  Originally I was told we were supposed to get it on Monday, then we got bumped a few days, then I find out they can't finish the job but have to come back next week.  It wasn't a major issue, but I felt like we were getting the back burner of priority and have been waiting weeks.  Turns out it was all some miscommunications.  I learned to not just talk with the middle-man (secretary), but actually communicate with the main man on the job the first time around.  I did manage to be polite, assertive and articulate in my displeasure without being angry or ranting.  I'm glad I did.  There's usually some reasonable reason why things happen the way they do.  Good communication is vital!

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     Today is a relatively quiet day.  At least this afternoon.  I just finished planting the tomatoes in our garden.  A funny little aside here:  My daughter Sophie was helping me plant.  And she methodically began to name the plants:  There was "Happy," the red pepper plant, "Isabelle," the green pepper plant, Sally and Tommy--tomatoe plants and about five other names.  I murmured my approval as we went, trying to affirm her little creative streak.  Wouldn't you know I'd get quizzed?  I should have seen it coming from the queen of the absent minded... "What were their names again, Mommy?" she asked as I finished patting the last bit of soil down.  Oh boy! 

     Yesterday we planted seeds of beans, herbs, canataloupe, pumpkin, squash and carrots.  Now all that's left is the corn.  Last year almost our entire garden was a failure.  If it hadn't been for a prolific crop of tomatoes, my confidence for gardening would be shattered forever.  Of course, right after we planted last year, we had a torrential rainstorm that probably washed half the seeds away, then we left on a 3 week vacation and nothing got watered.  That most likely didn't have anything to do with our lack of success, eh?   

     Some old friends stopped through last night and stayed with us with their three children.  Now they're gone and I get to enjoy the serenity of the house I slaved to put in order all day yesterday.  (Slaved means never sat down once to refresh and have a cup of coffee.)  Why do we do that to ourselves?  My husband made the remark, "It doesn't have to be perfect."  I really didn't think it did, but usually clean sheets and towels are in order...vacuumed floors after a week of 14 feet and more trafficking throughout through the house, surfaces upon which one can inscribe one's name in the dust being wiped, toothpaste splatters removed from mirrors so there is actually a reflection to be seen.  You get the idea.  Nothing really remarkable or perfectionist in that, right?  But I really do love to offer hospitality.  It is quite a joy.  It's being joyful in the seemingly futile efforts at housecleaning that poses the challenge.  I think I forgot to put in my ABBA soundtrack to Mama Mia...that'll get me goin in happier spirits next time!

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     This will have to be a quick one.  My oldest two sons are out on an 8 mile hike with a family with 10 children.  I'm going to join them with the rest of our gang at noon for a picnic at the nature pavilion.  But it's rainy.  Call me a whimp, but I guess I'm a fairweather camper!  The house is soooper quiet right now.  I wonder if mischief is afoot.  BUT, I did force myself to fold two loads of laundry before I sat down to blog.  I challenge all my blog-surfing buddies to do one (or more than one) needful thing before answering the call of the blog.  (No guilt trips intended)  I suppose just about everything we moms do from the time we get up in the morning is needful.  hmm!  But one thing you're tempted to ignore that's begging to be addressed...that's laundry for me.  I love to blow off laundry folding! 

     I love reading other people's blogs and getting glimpses in the worlds of my friends here.  They are full of inspiration, encouragement, honesty and fun.  I could sit here for hours.  I had to check my attitude last night because my dh was on the (good) computer puttering around and I was starting to get "put out" because I'd waited all day to get to blog.  I'd chosen deliberately to jump on the trampoline with the kids, give wagon rides, push the tricycle, sit in the sun, read more chapters and really BE THERE after schooltime.  I'd done my Mary and my Martha stuff and blogtime was to be my little reward at the very end of it all.  But, as I lay in bed, God called to mind his goal for us to "consider others better than yourself."  To put others first.  Could I put into action the very words I'd been exhorting my children with all day?? God gave a me a heart victory in that attitude check! 

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I guess my last entry was really code for "I'm having a hard time."  Or it was the deep breath before the hard time hit!  Well maybe I was being optimistic about getting back into the swing of life.  But I'm struggling today.  It feels like I can't get back into the routine, get school accomplished, and direct the basement contractor simultaneously.  There's an underlying panic that I'm really doing my children a disservice by having them in the home for school.  When I talk to neighbors and their children and hear how "great" the school up the road is, how people wish they could move into our area so they could have their kids in these schools...our kids' friends describe the latest field trip and how teachers are piling on the homework to finish science.  It seems like a million arrows are flying over the fortress wall all screaming, "See?  You barely ever get to science...your children are behind in math.  Those school kids out there are busy learning things while you're failing to get the show on the road.  Who are you to think you can do it all AND do it all well?"  Hmmm...now that I look at those words, they seem suddenly to be words from the enemy.  He wants me to think this will all be a failure so I'll throw in the towel now.   I know he wants a foothold, and I don't want to give him a victory. 

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