I uploaded pictures from my camera today and found some fun pictures from last month. It's a hoot. G decided to play a typing tutor. And J likes to push buttons (on the computer and off) so G built himself a jail.
So he used the dining room chairs. Now I have to admit that we've The Professor in Daddy Jail when he was doing an on-line training course. And then there was that one time he needed to destress - so into Daddyjail he went with his computer game.

Today is Thursday, isn't it? Definitely Thursday. Calendar says so. I went to church last night (on Wednesday). There were people there - so it had to be Wednesday. I mean, if I'd gone on a different night, I'm sure we would have been mostly alone.

This morning we went to get Mini-E's pictures taken at a Penney's portrait studio. My normally smiley child chose not to smile. My baby that loves to play with beads - did not want to play with the beads we took. She played a bit, we did manage to get a few good shots, but still it just wasn't normal for her. She's usually all smiles and jabbers - and giggles.

The look she gave the photographer was more of a "Yeah,  you're nice. Now let me down." kind of look.

So we came home and had a late breakfast. We hung out for a bit until lunch time and at nap time, I was tired - and took a nap. Sometimes I just doze off with J while he's sleeping and wake up after a power nap. Today I was OUT. Until the doorbell rang. G ran in and said "Mom, there's a lady with a book at the door!"

Remember, I was OUT of it. I rarely sleep that hard when it's just me and the kids. "Do we know her?" "No."  was his reply. Okay. I was confident in the fact that I had instructed the kids not to answer the door without my permission - or unless it's their grandparents.  So I said -- "Then she can go away." 

I never expected him to answer the door and tell the lady.
Now that I"ve pondered it all day - it is rather amusing.  I have no idea if the lady was a sales person or trying to witness as to her beliefs. I may never know -- though I believe if it's important she'll come back.

So we had to have a discussion AGAIN. about  NOT answering the door. Mini-me said "But G said that you said..." So he and I had a discussion about THAT...and after a while,  Mini-Me told me "I feel like I've been tricked by a 6-year old."

That was really pretty amusing, considering she's 8.

So The Professor comes home from his training. And we talked about me making a run to the store for bottled water. He said "You've got something going tomorrow night, don't you?" and I looked at the calendar and saw that it said "Pics for E - 9am". So I looked at the next calendar day - I said "No - I have the church thing tomorrow"

He said, "You mean Saturday?"

Needless to say - I was early for my picture appointment. 24 hours early. I called to make sure they knew I wasn't coming in the morning - and the gal that answered the phone was the same gal who took E's pictures. I thanked her for not treating me like an idiot. *L* She said that she, herself, had just noticed what happened about 15 minutes prior to my call. Well, that's God for you. Apparently the people that were supposed to be there today, Thursday, didn't come. Maybe they'll come tomorrow, Friday, instead.

Today is Thursday. Today is Thursday. Thursday. Thursday. Thursday.

So Mini-Me and I went to the store (Sam's Club) and we found the new Backyardigan's DVD something about Volcano Sisters and bought the Professor "Casino Royale" (A very good Bond movie, BTW). And water and hamburger meat and few other sundries. On the way out of the store we apparently dropped The Volcano sisters. I thought maybe we'd left it in the store and we were going to go back in and ask.

A fellow came up to me while we were unloading our cart, "Excuse me, did you just buy a DVD?"

"Yes!! I said thinking he was in line behind me. "Can you describe it?" Odd question, but I said "It was something about 'Volcano Sisters'." He pulled it from behind him and gave it to me. It had fallen off our cart on the way out of the store.

I was so thrilled! I told Mini-Me, "See? God's watching out for us!" and the man, walking away, said "Yep."

Oh - A brief schooling update. We're still memorizing the months and days of the week - and learning about calendars and seasons - and the symbols of each month that KONOS has listed. And today I noticed that our tree was coming off the wall. Mini-E has been helping it, I believe. And I mentioned it to The Professor - and Mini-Me said, "I guess we need to finish the months quickly"

Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday.

And God is still on The Throne and He loves me!!

So I guess- it doesn't matter what day it is - It's a good day!!

But should you see me and I have that perplexed look on my face, would you tell me what day it is?

I'm beginning to feel like Garfield and Mondays.

We had an uneventful start to our morning. We had eggs and bacon for breakfast. We got all our shoes on and went to mail stuff at the Post office. We went through the car wash and got all the sand & salt from "The Blizzard" washed off our van. We can recognize it again! Woo Hoo!

Then I sat down to forward an e-mail. G was singing and bouncing on the couch....

*Digression in progress* -- I can't seem to get it through their heads that the couch is not to be jumped on. I'm nearing the realization point that it's a loosing battle and would be easier to explain to them not jumping on SOMEONE ELSE'S couch. Ack. *Digression ended*

He was singing and bouncing to Feliz Navidad when he fell off the couch. It was a surprise I think to him - to me it was "boy". He hollered and screamed. I figured he'd scared himself..or bumped something. He wouldn't answer my question about being alright or not.

He just put himself on the couch. I thought, I'll forward this e-mail, and go inspect and love on him. I turned back to the computer, was looking for an e-mail address, when Mini-Me said :        

"OMIGOSH, MOM, LOOK!!"

Blood was pouring down his foot.

I rushed over and took his foot in my hands and discovered a cut under his toe. To me it looked very deep. All I really knew was it wasn't pretty. I had Mini-Me hold his foot up - she did so delicately without touching blood - and I ran to get a wet wash cloth and the phone. I dialed the pediatrician's office and began to pray while putting pressure on his foot. 

G was being SOO Brave. He didn't fight me - he didn't wiggle he just sat there and screamed and cried and shook. That's what told me it was serious. He shook. The guy who answered the phone at the pediatrician's office must have noted the serious tone in my voice (I do get them now and again) and put me on hold (to confer with the nurse). While on hold on one phone, Mini-me gets me the cell phone and goes back to wrestling with Mini-E who wants to be in the big middle of it all. I call The Professor - who's not at his desk. So I call the main office - and their not answering their phones at all - so I can't page him. Today of all days - they're having a company wide meeting.

So I call my mom. Who dashes to get dressed. While I talk to the guy at the pediatrician's office. They're sending me to the urgent care center(or as my in-law's call it - a Doc-in-a-Box). I call the urgen care people and ask how soon I need to get him there for stitches.

12 hours.

Oh. Plenty of time then.

My mom is on her way to our house. The bleeding has stopped. We wrap the injured toe. I dug out a Christmas present I'd been saving (Batman: The Animated Series) to take his mind off the pain (and future shots & stitches).

In the midst of all this - God is so involved. Mini-Me was right there when I needed her. My mom made it to my house in roughly 20 minutes (Usually takes 30). Mini-E took a bottle and went down for her nap. She slept for 3 hours! Oh - and I had something akin to Tylenol with Codeine on hand - the generic is called Hycet - left over from Mini-E's tubes. I gave that and 4 Tootsie Rolls to G and they went to work right away. He was telling me, by the time we got to the urgent care place, that he was better.  

We had a Doctor named Dave - who looks eerily like Robert Downey, Jr. - who took special care of G. They had to give him numbing shots before the stitches. G screamed.  It was such a scream that I could count all his teeth..it even brought in another nurse. He screamed each time they gave him a shot of the numbing medicine - but he did not move. I was so proud of him...I was near tears because I knew it hurt. Feet are so sensitive!! 

After the numbing shots - it was all fun and games. He has three stitches in his toe - it wasn't as deep as I thought - though - it's an "L" shaped wound. He is not fond of Iodine, though. He cried when he saw his brown foot.

The funny thing happened tonight just before bed - he asked to pick a movie because his mind was on the pain again and he needed a movie to take his mind off the pain.

What a Monday it was.

And now G has a stitch in Time.

At the end of the year, there are so many shows and articles talking about the year in music, fashion, movies, TV, this and that.

And it's only Wednesday!! Wow.

On Monday, the things I learned were:

If you set fire to a Pancake on a Stick, the smoke that comes forth is yellow.

The yellow smoke creates a nice antiquing effect in your microwave.

The smell from the smoke of a burning Pancake on a Stick lingers for days.

And being around smoke always makes me think of Daniel's 3 friends and their encounter with the firey furnace. They came out NOT smelling of smoke. That is truly another miracle. Though, I often wonder, did they forget what it smelled like?

And just this morning I learned that a onesie, when very close to not fitting the infant, doesn't fit the infant when attempting to put it on the infant backward. The onesie. Not the infant.

On Saturday, we discovered that if one person forgets to close the side door on the van, the likelihood of a cat crawling in to investigate is 100%. Luckily on Sunday, the cat wasn't in the van (or he'd have gone to church with us) but he did leave a cat-like smell behind.  Which leads me to the other thing I learned - Febreeze has fantastic commercials - but does nothing against cat odor. I don't care how great that Doll commercial is.

Other than those learning experiences, my week has been fantastically normal.

Well...

Normal for my house. 

See?  I just learned something else. My 9month old can go from 0 - to 60 in 3.2 seconds. And that's just long enough for her to get her hands on her brother's plate of hot dogs.

Merrily we roll along!

I can't think of a better title than that one. I'm not really having mis-adventures..but it sounds good doesn't it? And it sure beats "Mr - adventures".  Maybe it's more of a comedy of errors? Or just a normal day in my house.

It's not a school day today. No --

Today was "Dentist Day"

(is there a dental smiley?)

Doesn't that sound ominous?

Dentist Day.

Mini-Me and G had cleanings & checkups.

They passed.

They both have teeth.

Mini-Me had "Fissure Sealants" applied. The dental assistant came and talked to me after and said that Mini-Me was a bit nervous about it all. She wanted to know EVERYTHING!! I had to laugh because that's how Mini-Me is.  This was not on her schedule for today. She thought it was just a cleaning.

G had a good check up. Though he's got a front tooth that won't come out. So we're going to take it by force on Dec. 19th. The permanent tooth is coming in behind it and at an angle. So we can't wait for the permanent tooth to come in further - because it could end up behind the bottom teeth. *ick*   The baby tooth has a root that's not "dissolving properly" and it's pretty much gotten as loose as it's going to get. The Dentist advised him and us to have him wiggle his tooth much in the chance that it might come out on it's own. I've wiggled this little bugger myself - it's not getting looser...it doesn't twist - pretty much, it's stuck.

I'll have to do before and after pics...she thought to herself.

When the dental assistant came to usher us back (so we could confer with the dentist) J did NOT want to go. I guess he was afraid it would be his turn. He was greatly relieved to find himself in a small conference room.

My other adventure came when I tried to install Mini-E's new car seat. I could have sworn the box said "rear facing" - but since we turned the box into a rocket ship (and then into trashcan lining) I can't go back to find it.

I was a bit surprised to find out that the car seat is not a rear-facer. So Mini-E gets to sit forward facing a wee bit early. She's thinking about walking - so maybe she'll do LOTS of things early.  Oh - she likes to dance, too. But that's just a side note.

Thanksgiving was nice. We spent the day with my mom, dad & brother. We had a good time. We watched "Cars" for the bazillionth time and still enjoyed it. (Happier than a tornado in a trailer park) and the adults drew names for a gift exchange. And we decided on a store from which to buy our gifts. Lowe's. It was a fantastic idea - until we drew names. I got Dad.  I have no idea what to get him - so I'm seriously praying for inspiration. It will be awesome, no matter what because of that Holy Spirit inspiration - but it could have been easier - I could have gotten mom's name.  Ah well - A challenge is good for the brain. Right?

Friday we spent the day at home - we did a little bit of school work. The best part came when we went out front and the big kids rode their bikes. As they rode by our drive way, I'd give Mini-me a spelling word to spell. She couldn't go until she spelled it correctly. And G would read a one-vowel word off of a card. Once Mini-Me spelled as she rode and she made a mistake - so I had to play traffic-cop - and she had to stop until she spelled it correctly. I'm not sure she'll forget how to spell "Snuggle", though. 

Friday was interesting, too. J-man ended up with Pink Eye. I noticed it in the morning and just watched his eye get worse throughout the day. It's kind of an icky cool thing to watch. We wanted to wait until we were absolutely positive that it was Pinkeye before calling the Dr.'s office and having them call in eye drops. So I looked around the house - and Lo! Found some!! That was a kiss from God! So his eye is much better today -and after much prayer - he seems to be feeling better all the way around. He's not quite snot-free, but at least he's blowing his nose again.

He refused to blow his nose for a few days because it made his ears pop. And then it got so congested I actually had to use the suction bulb on him. I think he changed his mind after that. Who wouldn't.

Oh - Mini-E still isn't sleeping all night. She's finally got two upper teeth, though. Instead of just one. And I think two more are coming in close behind. We did figure out that she likes to sleep on her stomach. It's rather cute. She's pulling up on everything- and I'm beginning to think that she's going to be walking by or before birthday #1 in February.

I stayed up with her on Saturday night/early Sunday morning - and I have to say, I was even mad at myself for my attitude. She was fighting so much not to sleep that I didn't handle it very well. She would finally fall asleep and I'd carry her in to her bed and she'd wake up. 3 times. It was not a pretty night.

I'm thrilled that God's grace is sufficient and He is faithful and just to forgive all our sins.

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2

Well - my Totally Tubular infant is still not sleeping at night.   We're not sure why. We had her 9month check up on Monday. The Pediatrician said that her ear drums were red and inflamed - but probably due to the surgery.

Hmmm.. And they said that all would be back to normal in a day. Ha!! I say. Ha! I say again. Now you have to understand - my "normal" includes 4 children who sleep at night. Mini-E hasn't slept all night since October 1.

Ha!

I just like the sound of that sarcastic "Ha!" I think it comes from liking the movie "Real Genius" with Val Kilmer.

Actually, life really is fantastic. I'm learning to adjust to the fact that I can't do all that I want to do with this particular baby around. So unit studies and other stuff are waiting in the wings while we do phonics, math and writing.

Here's my story for tonight - as an example.

We (we being the big kids and me) went to Wednesday night church and got home about 9pm. They got ready for bed and told Dad all they had learned and did. Mini-Me wanted to know if she could turn on her radio. She likes to listen to "Celtic Lullabies" by Sheila Walsh. I said "No" because it might wake up the baby. (They share a room) Silly me.

That was 9:30. The Professor and I were cycling laundry and dishes when what to our wondering ears should be heard but the coo of a dove... oh wait. I'm mixing my Christmas poems.

Mini-E, the totally tubular baby, who got up at 10:30, is still up now. It's 12. I've managed to fold 2 more baskets of laundry, too. She played with J's Woody doll and Buzz Lightyear - looked at a Diego and figured out the fuzzy end of a broom. She's had a great time.  I did manage to get caught up on my NCIS viewing (I was behind an episode) - and now I've regailed you with my story. 

I just hope you're not up at midnight reading it. If you are ---> 

Tomorrow promises to be fun. We're heading down to my parents house with the instructions to bring dessert and a vegetable. Which, by the way, is a laugh riot. Vegetables? US?? I think we're a veggie safe-haven. I'm the only veggie eater here.

Gosh - I'm going to read this in the morning when it's light out and see if this sounds as sarcastic as I think it does. I"m not trying to be sarcastic ... hmm...  I'll let you know what I discover. Mayhaps I just need to focus. Which can be difficult when the baby is trying to crawl under your feet to get to the power source of your computer and you're trying to type fast and not let her do such a dastardly deed because then all the blogging would have to be re-done. Then we could talk about sarcastic.

The kids are thrilled at going to see Grammas and Poppy - and of course Uncle Alan (Our kick-butt uncle) ( I can say that - he knows martial arts)

The kids are doing great in school! G is really picking up reading and Mini-Me is apparently ready for the 3rd grade. :-)

Well - the grace period is gone.

Mini-E is tired of playing with J's toys and she's getting fussy at me.

I probably shouldn't have turned the lights out.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

Gotta go grab the baby before she stirs up a fight

and the rest of the kids, too, stay up all night!

I've been working on this entry since Friday.  I keep getting interrupted.

Something to do with a gone hubby and 4 kids.  Go figure.

So without further ado --

Okay -  I need a little more ado

Mini-E now has holes in her ears! Strategically and surgically placed there by an MD ENT. So she can't wear jewelry in these new holes but hopefully she'll be able to hear out of them.

The surgery was supposed to happen at 7am. We weren't supposed to allow her to eat anything after midnight (though we could give her 4oz of water from 12 - 4am, if need be.). So we devised a plan. I sent the Professor off to sleep because I was still pretty much awake - and I scooped Mini-E out of Bed at 11:30 and tried to feed her a bottle. She ate 2 oz before starting to push the bottle away. I gave up and she snuggled back to sleep. So I put her to bed and snuggled in myself.

I had almost gotten asleep when she started to jabber. I believe the time was 12:30. Too late for more food.

I groused about it, too, and the Professor took over.  Now that I look back on it - I don't know why I was grousing. I had planned on staying up anyway.

Have you ever had a 9month old with insomnia? There was nothing we could do to get her to sleep. She was happy at being awake. She wanted nothing to do with the water. The Proffessor requested a shift change at 3 something so he could sleep some more. I tried all my tricks to get her to sleep and she wanted non of it. So Mini-E and watched the mid night news. We don't have cable and I'm not a fan of the national media...needless to say - it was not long before I put in something intelligent. We watched a tape of Blues Clues. (with Steve). She was still happy. So about 4:30 I start getting ready and get the Professor up from his nap. Mini-E's still happy to be awake. Though, she almost drifted off when I walked with her.

My mom (aka Gramace or is it Grammas? Spelling is still undetermined) came at 5am. We load up and off we go. Two minutes down the road and the kids asleep. Rotten little baby.

The pre-op nurse was named Cathy - and she was awesome! We loved her!! (i'm already really long here so I'll omit this part and leave it at that)

They gave Mini-E the "goofy juice" and it wasn't long before she was listing to the side and trying to stick her fingers in daddy's mouth - and missing. When she was good and goofy we laid her on the bed and just watched. It's so sad to say that we laughed at the baby but we did. One of her favorite things to do is clap with her feet - she was missing. but she was trying. She talked and jabbered but just laid there. Drunk babies are a hoot. (Oh - gosh I hope everyone will read the rest of the story and not that one line. I do not condone drunkeness in babies.)

The nurse came and got her and took her back. They said she clapped her feet for them in the OR.  That's my girl! The tubes went in without a hitch and before long the Dr came and told us that she did beautifully. He said that her ears were a bit red - but not filled with goo.

She had earned the title of "World's cutest baby" from the nursery. Apparently she was the youngest patient of the day and the easiest surgery they were to have that day. She didn't want to wake up - but when she did she was awake. It was the easiest we've ever had with the waking up. (All 4 kids have had surgery...all in their heads.) ()

She did not sleep on the way home. I was the first to take a nap - while the Professor worked on a project. Mini-E actually stayed awake until her normal nap time.

Mini-me and I went running errands in the afternoon and finished Mini-E's Christmas shopping. She got a car seat and clothes. Not very exciting - but definitely needed.

So that was the Friday that we had.

She still isn't sleeping the night through like she used to - but maybe that will happen once we get those remaining 3 teeth through on the top. At least her ears will have a good chance at healing now.

With all this Not sleeping - it's a good thing she's so cute..

A funny thing happened last week...I was not feeling well most of last week. It was just a run-down allergy attack sort of feeling. I felt better by Friday afternoon and decided to let the kids play. I told them "We just had fall break - sorry it wasn't more fun."

So it was funny to have planned a blog-fast and not feel well. I didn't want to do major schooling last week while not feeling well - but I couldn't very well spend all my time blogging. It was just ironic not to feel well during a time of blog-fasting. The internet is so easy on the brain!

I did discover somethings that I'll have to work on. I get far more e-mails than I do phone calls. But they can still interrupt my day - just like a phone call. I'm going to have to be strict with myself as to when I check my mail and when I reply.

So that was my self discovery! Deep stuff. ... Not! ... .

I'm not giving up blogging - it currently is a hobby that I have to have no supplies for - unlike scrapbooking or painting! Writing is the next easiest because I do my writing long-hand which makes for a very long time in writing. ... but hey, It works - and it amuses me.  A double blessing.

Oh drats there was something funny I was going to tell and now I can't remember what it was.  Drats.   I guess my thought has left..

It will be a ready made blog entry when it returns from vacation....

dis·trac·tion  n.

The act of distracting or the condition of being distracted.

Something, especially an amusement, that distracts.

Extreme mental or emotional disturbance; obsession: loved the puppy to distraction.

Every where I look, it seems that someone is telling me to beware of distractions.

Which is rather interesting, because I am easily distracted. I'm always careful to preface that by the Lord teaching me something - doesn't mean that it applies to everyone.

Because He's teaching me this - I'm really anxious to see what balance I can bring to blogging. Is it a necessary distraction? I've learned lots from reading other blogs - and I've made several e-friends (across the globe, too *Hi AppleLeaf*). So I don't think I'm to stop "blogging" - I just have to be careful how I use it - and it uses me.

So that's what's going on in my heart - my family is pretty normal.

We're making progress in learning.

Though - not with combining life and KONOS.  But that will come, I'm sure.

You've read (Or can read) about our Wednesday. Everyone had flu shots. I'm blessed by the concern people have had about the kids having shots - and I felt so mean. I didn't feel sorry for them. *LOL* The only time I've had terrible sympathy for a child at a doctor's visit was when they had to sew up J-man's ear - and when the Pediatrician had to dig wax out of Mini-E's ears (but even then, only slightly, as it was a necessary evil.) Them sewing up J-man's ear was a bit traumatic. I cried. Of course, I was pregnant, too.

Sorry - I digress.

Our Wednesday afternoon went without a hitch. Friday I was supposed to take dinner to another family. About 9am, I realized I'd not put the food in the crock pot. Hmm. I felt silly. So we ended up getting take-out for them and then on the way home - getting take out for us. Talk about easy dinner.

Saturday was pretty much a day. We returned some things to Hobby Lobby - and came home and did some things around the house.

Mini-E is still not sleeping the night - due to ear infections and teething pains.

Mini-Me has gone through a growth spurt which is requiring new clothes - and new shoes. So today we went looking for new church shoes to go with her dresses. She's having a birthday on Thursday. That should be fun.

The boys have been playing together nicely - it's so much fun to watch.

G is getting so close to just reading everything - he's in such a hurry he'll tell us he's reading, when he's not.

J-man just wants to be part of the big kid crowd.

The Professor is working hard - and he's been so sweet to get up with Mini-E at night.

He's currently watching "Pirates" and doing work to be ready for his day at work tomorrow.

Gosh - I think that's pretty much the crux of my week.

How was yours?

I love our pediatrician, but especially "his" nurse and the front desk people.

They are the ones I call with my crazy questions and my sudden needs for appointments.

Today I took the front desk people sodas. Mini-E was there for an ear re-check. Her infections have downgraded from "Horrible" to "bad". We're now on Augmentin. (May it go down, in Jesus' name!)

When we went back to the exam room, I saw birthday decorations and inquired after them. It was the Nurse's birthday! Ah! I'd have taken her something if I'd known...through the course of our visit there I discovered her affinity for Starbucks. She said that she'd wanted to go by Starbucks to get something on her way to work but ran late because of her son. (A fact of life I totally understand.)

So we left and headed for the nearest Starbucks with a drive-thru. (There's only one, just in case you wondered.) Got her a Mocha Frappachino and wrote on the lid with a Sharpie. "Happy Birthday" kind of stuff...the waitress at the window thought it was a hoot.

We went back to the Pediatrician's office to deliver the drink. She was thrilled - and we stood and talked for a little while. I announced that I was leaving - and asked about flu shots.. "Why not do it now since you're here?" Said the three I was talking to....

I hemmed and hawed for a moment and decided they were right. Why not?

So I announced to Mini-Me and G that they were getting flu-shots. (G must have been watching TV when I told him because he flipped out in the exam room later.) Mini-Me made me proud and giggle at the same time. Giggle Proudly?

She asked "Is it going to be a big shot or a little shot?"

Little.

"File clerk* will hold your hand if you want him to."

(He's cute, BTW)

(*name withheld to protect the "innocent".)

"Will YOU hold my hand?"

"Yes!" I also promised to take them for a treat afterward because they weren't expecting shots at all.

Mini-Me said, in a voice that told me she had resigned herself to her fate,

"I knew this was coming." (Sigh) "I just hope the band-aid is cute."

Over eggs this morning - and a Bible Story - my kids gave me quite the chuckle.

They were so thankful for the eggs. It touched my heart to hear them expressing gratitude...without promptings.

"Thank you for cooking eggs this morning! I love them!"
"I love you!"

Oh that's so nice to hear. 

But the quotable quote for the day:  

"I love you even if I don't like what you cook"

Picture it, if you will.....

The villain and the hero position themselves for battle.

Swords in hand and knees bent they are ready for battle. 

They face each other.

It is a tense moment.

"Come out and face me, Howard!" Yells the villain hoping to get his digs in to the hero and shake his confidence.

"MO o OM! G called J-man a coward!" Hollers the damsel in the wings. She is, after all, the keeper of the rules.

"No he didn't," was my reply as I put a contact in my eye (rhyme is unintended), "he called him Howard."

"Oh," she starts to say logically, "he thought it's an "h".... " But it's too late, her logic falls on deaf ears. 

Plastic strikes plastic, and the battle has begun.

It's not long before the Bible-Bat-SpiderMan hero needs his cape readjusted as the villainous older brother says "Take it to Mom." (I am after all supreme High wardrobe mistress....)

A day in the laundry pile is never complete without a sword fight.

I'm not sure what to entitle this blog entry. But it really is more of a journal entry, too. It's a memory to keep forever.

Last night, my big kids and I went to church. (Just for the record - this isn't the church we attend on Sundays.) The kids love attending this Church on Wednesday nights. Mini-me is getting involved in Praise and Worship - and it's a lot of fun to hear what they remember from the lessons. (Last week, Mini-Me cried over the video they showed of the woman who touched Jesus' garment)

Okay - so our teachable moment actually came from G. He'd been quiet all the way home - usually they take turns and tell me all that they did. Mini-me said something about having Jesus in her heart.

G said, "Do I have Jesus in my heart?"

My flesh cried out - I'm driving here! Why couldn't you have asked that question at home, where I could have sat with you and looked in your face? God's grace was sufficient, I must say.  "Well, bubby, I'd have to ask you - Have you asked him to come into your heart?"

"No. How do I do that?"

"Well, let me ask you another question. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?"

"yes"

"Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again?"

"yes"

"then all you have to do is ask Him to come into your heart."

"Really?"

We pulled into the driveway at this point - and he changed subjects by conversing with Mini-Me. Not just to change subjects - but more of a "let's tell daddy..." kind of thing.

So we got inside and I sent Mini-Me off to get jammies and brush her teeth. And G and I went to sit next to daddy.

"You started asking me questions in the car and I don't want to stop talking if you have more questions. Did you want to ask Jesus into your heart?"

"Yes."

"Was something said at church that made you want to do this?" - I was concerned that he was just trying to keep up with Mini-Me - who often professes, "I have Jesus in my heart."

His answer: "When they talked about being Kind."

Warmed the cockles of my heart, let me tell you.

The other perfect timing came in the lesson that I had heard while I was at church. Keep the Bible Simple. Witnessing should be simple.

So the prayer we prayed together was simple - but effective. G asked Jesus into his heart to live forever and forgive him of his sins.

I'm glad I didn't miss that teachable moment.

We went to the ENT today for a tube re-check for the J-man.

(For the record, He also assured me that there was no goo in G's ears. -See my previous post- So anymore "Not hearing you" comments will earn him a trip the Audiologist. Just sayin'.)

We blessed dad with a coke delivered to his work and then we headed home. Since it was such a pretty day, I thought - let's go by the park and play and maybe have McD's for lunch (kind of like a treat for me being gone from the weekend).

Naturally, the park was empty except a few of the city crew doing some lawn work. So my kids went off with a hoot and a holler.

I don't know how your city does their park - but most of the ones here in "Green" country, OK have play places for those under 5 and a big honkin' play place for those 5 and over. Naturally, my 2 "Over 5's" went for the big toy. Also naturally, my under 5, wanted to go play there, too.

*shudder* J has no fear. And I don't walk in fear, (boys will be boys) but he freaked me out a couple of times by hanging precariously off the openings that have ladders. I really didn't want to have to deal with a broken boy...but I almost had to deal with a broken girl. There was a "step down" place that was just small - and in the wrong place. Pretty much it's a pot hole in the play "thing" - and she stepped in it and had a huge bruise on her shin. I had to check for breakage. As far as I can tell - every bone is intact. But it was very apparent that it hurt. If she'd done that on something sharp - we'd be in the ER for stitches.

So we went to McD's because it actually sounded fun.

Got home and She tells me, in tears, "I want to go to the doctor." I explain that there's nothing that the Dr can do - I pressed on her shin bone again -- it seemed solid. *LOL* I asked for it so she explained to me what a bruise is ...and calmed down. (She likes knowledge)

I made sure everyone had plates and food - drinks. Put Ice on Mini-Me's goose-egg. And I logged in to check on my blog friends.

(blends? frogs? blog-ends? Sorry. I digress.)

I was enjoying the moment - and The questions started.

My Mini-Me is a bit melancholy - but precious - and quite the thinker.

"Mom, is there a bruise doctor?" Tears are in her eyes ..

"No baby, I'm sorry." I almost wish there was...

She goes away for a moment.

Then comes back to my elbow.

"Mom, is there a bruise book? To tell you what kind of bruise you have?"

"No baby. I'm sorry" Tears again but she goes away for a moment.

Back at my elbow.

"Mom, is there someone else who knows more about bruises?"

My new friend Jen had a funny story on her blog and it made me laugh because I thought it was something that would happen to me. Guess what! --- It did!!

Thursday came. I had a full plate. I was scheduled to be at a church to help with a 72-hour women's "retreat". I needed to go to Wal-mart to get a few items I needed for my "sleep over" at the church and I needed to get a few things for Hubby to have here at the house. He was going to be here with 4 kids...not that he can't go to the store with them (he's quite capable) I just didn't want him to have to go.

Okay - getting ready to dash out the door. I can NOT find my diaper bags. I have two. One for Mini-E and one for J-man. Two diaper bags. I lost them. Count them. 2 diaper bags. Gone. Vanished. Poof.

Drats -- I'll have to finish my story tomorrow...

Okay - I'm back. Sorry to hold you in suspense.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

I searched as quickly as I could - the kids were ready to go. I was ready to go. I felt like we were wasting time - especially since I needed to finish packing. I knew in my brain that I had placed the diaper bags someplace that was perfect. Out of the way of traffic - but in an easily accessible place. Apparently what I'd done was find a perfect hiding place.

I searched. I searched bedrooms, kitchens (Even the pots & pans cabinet) I looked in the bathrooms - the closets (including the game & coat closets) - understand my house is an average to small house. It is not big. I went quickly. I even told the kids that I couldn't find the diaper bags. (Remember that statement - it will be important later) And they weren't in the van. I called Hubby. Did he know where they are? Nope.

Seriously. They're diaper bags. THey usually live together...How hard would they be to find??

So I give up. As John Wayne said in "The Cowboys" - I was wasting daylight. Mini-E had just eaten - so I grab a few bottles, the powder dispenser, wet wipes (just in case) and a few diapers for both kids and shove them into a handy book bag. And off we go.

Wal-Mart went well, though I did forget a binky for mini-E.

We arrive at home. I dump our things on the couch and announce "I'll pay a dollar to whoever finds the diaper bags."

Mini-Me starts negotiating, "Can you give a dollar to both of us?" She wants to make sure every one (Including her) gets paid.

While she negotiates, G just walks over to the designated child computer - moves a folded folding table from in front of the knee hole - and says "I found them."

My jaw dropped. And of course, I immediately remember putting the diaper bags in the knee hole, thinking how perfect it was because the kid's computer is going bonkers (it needs an upgrade) and they aren't playing it at the moment.

I also remember that J-man wouldn't stay off the folding table - and it fell over with him on it. So I took it and folded it up (school work can be done at the kitchen table) and leaned it against the computer table to deal with a crying toddler who had tumbled from a table. And since it was folded up and out of my way - I forgot to put it away.

Those thoughts happened in two seconds and I put my jaw back in place and inquired of G -- "why didn't you tell me they were there earlier?"

A 6-year old shrug and a grin, "I didn't hear you"

My pediatrician assures me that his ears are fine.  

How Ironic is it that when studying Orderliness in KONOS, your world suddenly becomes less orderly?

I"m sitting in a room surrounded by laundry (Some in basket some not). J-man has poured all the baby toys out of their basket - he tried the tinker toys - but my hollering at him stopped that abruptly(Good thing, too. They'd been picked up three times already)

Okay - so did you miss me??

We've been BUSY...scratch that...I'VE been busy.

I did hear something that made me think - "If you're walking with Jesus - it's time to stop wasting time."

Ouch. So I realized that after the Lord told me to turn off the TV - that I immediately turned more toward the computer. *sigh*  Okay - that's a journal entry.

School has been a bust the last few days - with sudden errands - and J-man and Mini-E needing attention. Good news, though - E's tooth finally broke through. I'm still inspecting to see if we're getting 2 teeth.

And I suddenly find myself up to my waist in the calling that the Lord has on me. I'm playing Keyboard 3 times this week! I'm so glad that in my weakness - He is strong.

But I am again - finding God's sense of humor just outrageous. I got the call to play at Monday noon - to play on Tuesday. I guess that's not waist high - that's off the deep end of the dock.  

--- Okay -- I don't have much to say about School Work. We've been studying the solar system still...(Gosh - I have to put chicken nuggets in the oven -- gotta go rehearse for Thursday. Definitely off the dock,here.)... but nothing concrete.

The fun thing that happened was the day Mini Me made the observation -- "It will be fun when we're all older (meaning the kids) because then we can all play together".

Took the J-man to get his hair cut...He screamed and pitched a most royal of fits. I wondered what had happened to my normally docile child and realized that pretty much he's 2 and a half. He'd gotten his hair cut so nicely in the past...I guess he forgot about it between cuts.

His hair doesn't look too bad - but I had to hold him down.

What else was there in my life to amuse you??

If I think of it - I'll let you know.

I've gotta get chicken in the oven or the Laundry pile will be filled with MORE whining. *L* And then we'll have cheese, I guess.

Bleach free blessings!!

signing off for the day!

.....But really - it's the only thing that really happened today. Well - that's not entirely true. Mini-E is cutting a bottom tooth (Knowing my kids - it's probably 2 teeth) The snot and drool flow freely from the poor kid.

Okay - We've been studying the Solar System.  Because of Baby we haven't been as in depth as I would have thought we would have. I have so many books sitting here - It's like I just packed up the section from the Library and brought it home. I have some nifty ideas for lap books (one thanks to ThoughtfulMom - thanks for sharing!). But mostly - it seems to have struck a chord and interest in both the big kids. Mini-Me gets her crayons out and paper and colors what she sees - G just stares and watches the videos I've borrowed from the Library.

That brings me to the story of the day.. I borrowed"The Magic Schoolbus gets lost in Space". It came today and it's actually rather fun (I especially liked the ending where the "alien" called the creator of the cartoon). Mini-Me remembered the cartoon - but didn't know it was educational. She was a bit surprised.

Near the end of the video Arthur is trying to get his cousin Janet to get back on the bus. They're resting on Pluto, by the way. So he takes off his fish bowl of a  space helmet and instantly he's a giant ice sculpture with glasses. They rush him back on the bus - back to earth - where he thaws out and has a cold.

It's a cartoon - they're allowed to break the laws of physics.

I honestly don't know how it happened. Mini-Me waits unti the show is over and starts to cry because of Arthur's frozen state of being - even though he thawed out at the end.

Part of me wants to laugh (not at or near her or in her presence, though - that would throw her off the deep end) - because I refuse to watch animal movies because they made me cry. (Hated Lassie - Refuse to watch Old Yellar - and don't even mention "Where the Red Fern Grows".)

I know she's tenderhearted and a mercy and all  - but I didn't expect THAT! 

I told her today that maybe what we could do was watch the part where they travel through space but stop it before Arthur freezes. (sounds reasonable, don't you think?)

"How about we don't watch it at all?" was her come back.

I'm going to have to bargain her down, I think.

I'll be curious to see what she thinks tomorrow.

And schoolwork doesn't.

Oops - i'll have to finish that thought later...but my goodness - it's profound isn't it?

Okay - it's later.

I never have my school day all mapped out when I go to bed the night before. I just don't. I know we need to do math, phonics and language. Really that's it academically. Bible is a must - I need to get on that, too. Kids want to hear about Gideon. (I like Gideon)

So last night when Mini-E wouldn't sleep, and I never fully got back to sleep...it pretty much wrecked "havoc" on whatever schedule I had planned. I had planned to get up and make breakfast and do school work before my mom arrived. (We were going salad dressing shopping - who knew "WishBone's Carb Options" dressings would be so hard to find).

After spending a semi-sleepless night, I ended up sleeping past 7am. Which has been rare for us. The kids actually slept in!! That's even rarer - they are firm believers that morning starts at 6 am. *Sigh*  J-man started roaming the house for "Dad-dy" this morning it was almost 7 - and Dad-dy was gone already. (bus. trip)

So my morning didn't start as soon as I wanted - but when it did start man, it rolled! We got one page done between all the breakfasting, headache, toddler needs and baby stuff.

Our morning was full of life issues.

On the flip side - these little books I borrowed from the library called "Our Universe" From Lerner Publications has piqued an interest in space in both the big kids. G was carrying several today telling me he was reading them. (He can't read yet - but he looked good).

Mini Me has drawn posters and such about what we learned about the inner planets from a video tape called the Assistant Professor. (I had to fast forward the evolution stuff...imagine thinking that the universe was created by dirt collecting on itself. That's called a dust bunny around here.)

So I'm going to figure out lap books. And I think we'll take one planet a day - and maybe learn about space shuttles and such. ApplesofGold gave me a great website to make a planetary necklace - so I'm going to try that for certain. (Weee a trip to Hobby Lobby!!) That will make a great unit ender.

I'm so tickled!!

Thank you!!

I have already warned the kids that tomorrow will be several work pages to catch up on (these have been great to give the kids while I feed baby or chase J-man. Or put him in another "bubble bah".)

That's our day today. Actually - now that they're all asleep - I can honestly say (aside from the headache) it was a pretty good day.