……You are faithful to post entries (or eat healthy) for awhile and then suddenly you fall off the wagon! (Or the web) 

Seriously, we’ve been busy. And everytime I’ve sat down to blog, something kept going wrong with our external hard drive-the one with all the pictures on it.  It would freeze up my laptop and by the time I rebooted I needed to move onto something else.  Besides, a blog just isn’t a blog without pictures!

So imagine you’re seeing pictures of:

• our field trip to the zoo
• a family outing to Dinosaur State Park
• my boys horsing around with their little sister. Literally.  Precious, ain’t?
• big kids playing roller hockey and tennis
• little kids playing their hearts out at a gigantic “castle park”
• my boys burning leaves and chocolate for science class. Really!
• many more miscellaneous pics

You also missed out on posts about:

• above mentioned pictures and events surrounding them
• our school year so far
• updates on pregnancy
• the drive shaft blowing apart on the suburban while driving down the highway
• our visitors and how my family can baby proof an entire house in less than an hour-and clean it too!
• politics
• our trips to the pediatric dentist and how I’m funding her holiday vacation
• who knows what else?

1. It's my birthday.  Can you guess how young I am?
2. I scored a 34 on my ACT.  Smart, huh?
3. My hubby and I met at Taco Bell. I fed him. Got to his heart thru his tummy!
4. I hate roller coasters.
5. I've been pregnant 11 times. We have 6 babies in Glory, and our 6th living child with be here within 8-10 weeks. 
6. I mix up my words all the time and rarely notice.  My family finds it entertaining.  Last week Kid2 got a cut on his foot while we were out.  I bandaged it and told him that I needed to take off his foot when we got home to clean it.  He knew what I meant.
7. I wear contacts because without them I can't read the second line on the vision test.  Even the E is blurry, but come on now, we all know it's there!
8. My greatest love is not my husband nor my kiddos, it's my Lord and Savior!
9. I've got Irish skin and German gas. Thanks Gramps!
10. I'm the first-born of my generation and my daughter is the first-born of hers. (maternal side)
11. I cannot knit or crochet worth a lick.
12. I have a thing for Hot Tamales.  Oh so good!
13. My middle name is Marie
14. I do not drink coffee.  I'll take a big mug of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows and whipped cream over java anytime!
15. I had a nose job.  When I was 5.
16. I'm quiet IRL. My hubby's the outspoken one
17. I like to cook and bake
18. I can't stand apple bubble gum. I think it gives you bad breath
19. I actually enjoy doing laundry. 
20. I hardly ever make my bed
21. I'm a cheesehead that moved to Cowtown. :)
22. I homeschool my kiddos year round.
23. I like to read
24. I will not go into our swimming pool if the temperature's below 90
25. I've been induced with all my babies
26. I really enjoy Culvers
27. I've needed stitches on my chin 3 different times
28. I have never lived by myself
29. I like to play this game. Found the link on donnac's blog.
30. I don't have any tattoos
31. My first car was a 79 buick.  I got it in 95(or was it the end of 94?)

We survived Hurriicane Ike.  Actually, Ike never came too close to us, it scooted East and took the rain and wind with it.  Saturday was cloudy with some rain and wind, but nothing like what was projected to hit us earlier last week.  I am grateful. 

Regardless, we were prepared for anything.  Our gas tanks were filled up, water restocked, food bought, batteries, lanterns, etc. checked, propane tanks were both full and ready to go.  I even made sure we had light up thingees for the kids to play with if we lost power.  House was cleaned up and all the dirty clothes were laundered.    

Standard stuff, right?  Then here is my question to you all.  How come so many people were unprepared for this hurricane?  They had adequate time to get all their supplies in order, but many chose not to.  Even worse, many people in mandatory evacuation areas decided to risk their lives and stay behind.  And now they expect FEMA to come in and rescue them.  There are people who actually need help and here we are taking care of idiots.  I am NOT talking about everyone.  I’m just venting about the ones who didn’t do a thing and expect to be taken care of because they were stupid. 

And do not get me started with FEMA.  The government is way too big and has way too much power.  Whatever happened to relying on each other locally?  Taking care of your needs and the needs of your neighbors?  If that is too much then the city needs to get involved, then the state.  You should see the way Texas is pulling together here.  Texans helping Texans first.  Not Wisconsinites helping Texans.  We can take care of our own, thank you.  Even the idiots.

Sorry to be offline for awhile.  Mr Graycrew had minor surgery 2 weeks ago and I was busy taking care of my man!  He’s doing better and is slowly on the mend, Praise the Lord!

Kids are doing great.  We took some unplanned time off school last week due to the teacher not feeling well!  The substitute never showed up, teeheehee.  The kids already had some days off, I just opted to make it the whole week.  I did manage to sort through all the baby and toddler clothes and divide them into new storage buckets by gender and size.  Whew, that job is finally done! AND my closet is much, much cleaner.  It only took 14 buckets, including outgrown dress shoes.  (All other shoes get donated or tossed)

Our extracurricular activities are starting back up.  Kid1 is REALLY enjoying her choir class.  PE starts this Friday.  Kid1 will be playing roller hockey, Kid2 tennis, and Kid3 kickball this month.  The boys are anxious for Spring to come so they can get back into Little League.  Now that should be fun.  3 different boys on 3 different teams, all with conflicting schedules I’m sure!  No need to dwell on that right now.  I have a few more months before our busy season hits!

This is what happens to 10 year olds with too much energy! Bwaaaahaahaaaa!!!

The lawn needed mowing earlier this month and we found ourselves without MowerMan(that would be dh) for the week.  Kid2 has been eager to start manly yard work; You know, things other than picking up toys and dog poo and hauling garbage. So I gave in and let him mow the lawn AFTER he picked up poo and toys!!! 

He was so eager to please his Dad that when Mr Graycrew came home he was marched straight out back to check out Kid2’s work in the dark.  My boy has already mowed a second time and is doing a great job at it!

..so why don’t I just stay gone?  …..Ok, the flashback to the 80s and Randy Travis is over. Back to the regularly scheduled blog.. BTW, I’d never stay gone for too long.  How long is too long, anyway? 6 months? 6 years?

We have not been enjoying these dog days of summer.  Too many 105° days for my yankee blood.  Mornings are spent deep in school subjects.  Afternoons are spent swimming, then back to school till supper. Which lately has been after 7pm.  It’s too hot to eat enything but ice cream before than. I’m starting to understand the whole Mexican tradition of siestas though!

We celebrated Mr Graycrew’s birthday the end of July.  He had been out of town all week and we were expecting him home on his birthday, so out came the paint and big roll of paper…

Kid2 and Kid5 made the most mess…Cleanup duty!!

Pretty girl!  See the blue paintshadow?  It’s an 80’s theme today!!!

Mr. Graycrew’s view when he came home!  

Want to know the best part of his birthday?  It was when I was going through his suitcase to get laundry started and happened upon a present for me!!!  Our anniversary was two days later and apparently he had been saving up to buy me a beautiful diamond necklace!  Now you’ve got to understand the surprise here.  Money had been crunched due to a major delay in pay and a new job.  Which means no extras, no trip back home for a wedding we wanted to attend(boo hoo), and no new camera for dh’s birthday.  He only got an IOU for after payday!!  I wish I would have thought of putting extra money aside to surprise him!  I am blessed, people.  I am blessed!!!

Till next time! Sooner than later :)     ~Kelly

I have spent half the day looking for Kid2’s math CDs. Checked the bookshelf by the table where I keep stuff we use daily. Nope, not there.

Checked our desk drawer in the office where some other cds are.  Nada.

On the breakfast bar under a pile of papers? Zilch.

Oh I know, let’s call Mr Graycrew. I betcha he put them somewhere.   He has no clue.  

In comes Kid1.  “Mom, have you looked on the math shelf?”                                                                              Now why would they be there? That’s for math that no one is currently using.  I mean come on, who in their right minds (in this house) would put math cds on the bookshelf designated for math curriculum?   Hmpphhh    Guess what?  FOUND ‘EM!!

So now Kid2 is happily working on his next lesson in Math5. He won’t need a new cd for another 30 lessons or so.  That gives me a month to lose ‘em all over.

I have heartburn. Gotta go find me some Tums. Does this mean that our baby will have a head full of hair? Stay tuned. Dom…dom….dom.

Toodles!  ~Kelly

Yeah folks, you heard right.  We have been bombarded with mice. (Maybe bombarded is too strong of a word).  Ok, we have been invaded.  Now Mr Graycrew has been diligently setting traps and they have remained empty for the last 2 weeks.   So great, mice problem solved-right?  Nope. 

I was talking to Mr Graycrew the other day on the phone when I noticed our dog had her attention on something under the pool table.  Thinking that one of the children left a snack under there, (No, not my kids, they know better than that. Rolling eyes here) I casually moved a storage container of Magnetos so GrayDog could clean up after them.  Well, it wasn’t crumbs. It was a mouse.  I shrieked into the phone and jumped onto the nearest chair, causing my dear husband to go deaf. (Remember, I was on the phone with him)  It got away from Graydog, but she managed to catch it later and proceeded to eat it.  Who needs a cat anyway?  I keep telling myself it was the same mouse…Mr Graycrew will be home tomorrow and he’ll take care of traps.  Till then, I’ve got my mouser!!

So this week has been spent thoroughly cleaning nearly every nook and cranny of this 4000sf house. That’s in addition to our normal school routine.  I’m finding the time in the evenings. With hubby gone, it gives me something to do.  Let’s call it early nesting folks, shall we?

That’s right.  The temperature dipped from around 100 down to the lower 80s.  AND it sprinkled. In Texas. In July.  Yeeeeeeeeeehaw!  Needless to say we’ve spent the last hour or so outdoors enjoying a beautiful evening.  The dog played with the bubble machine and we played baseball.  Ok, ok I just ref’d the game

Did you hear me? We were outside in July without the sprinkler and without utilizing our pool. Amazing.

Now we are all inside celebrating with a nummy bedtime snack. Daddy’s oreos are oh so delicious. Maybe he won’t notice that they’re all gone.  Hmm, perhaps I should buy him more before he comes home on Friday.

Did you all have a wonderful Independence Day?  We sure enjoyed having Daddy back around here for the weekend.  Last week was his first week on the road for work in a long time.  It is quite an adjustment when you’re used to having him around 24/7. 

The whole graycrew enjoyed a lazy day of swimming and grilling.  Nearly everyone got hurt in one way or the other.  Kid1 sliced her toe open.  Kid2 fell off the swings and ended up with some major road rash up and down his back.  Kid3 scraped the skin off his fingers and managed to get quite a few slivers from climbing the fence.  Kid5 was being monitored for a nasty reaction to some bug bites on her leg and shoulder.  The dog had a nice sized tick embedded in her ‘armpit’. Do dogs have armpits? They do now! :)  But I’m not complaining.  There were no visits to Urgent Care for broken bones or stitches.  All in all, a relaxing day.

School is in full swing again this week.  We’ve restarted the history cycle and are studying Ancient History, cramming 2 weeks into one.  Kids2&3 need to finish up their Astronomy course and then it’s off to Zoology.  Woo hoo!  We are still on schedule to wrap up most of the year by the time baby6 is born. 

Okay, my header on this blog is pathetic.  It needs serious help.  Sounds like I’ve got a project for Kid2 and Mr Graycew.  Now all I have to do is convince them. Easier said than done.

Kids are inside from swimming so it’s time to get back to our studies!!

…………BLUE.  That’s right, not pink.   Tee hee hee

Last week the entire family made the trek to mama’s OB.  Why?  It was ultrasound day!!  We started the exam, planning on sharing the gender towards the end (you know, to keep their attention) when Kid1 suddenly blurts out, It’s a boy!!   The little snitch :)   She has gotten pretty good at “reading” the ultrasound images over the years! Sure enough, she was right.  Kid1 then turns to Kid5 and says “Sorry, looks like you’ll have to wait 9 years for a little sister! That’s the pattern.” lol 

Baby looks strong and healthy.  He was showing us some Karate kicks and defensive punches in the womb. Oh, and he picked his nose and sucked his fingers too!

So yes, now we will have 4 boys and 2 girls to raise here while never forgetting our 6 precious ones who passed onto Glory ahead of us!!!!!

I’ll post some pictures of our new son once they get scanned in!

Saturday our little guy turned 5 years old!  He had a blast opening his presents and eating his Indiana Jones cake.  He played all day with his new toys.  Score one for Mom and Dad, we were right on target this year.

This was taken 5 years earlier. I love this picture of Kid4 in Daddy’s hands!

20 questions anyone? Here’s a hint. I am the mother of 3 rambunctious boys!

Who? Kid2 

What? Stitches
When? This afternoon
Where? Lower right leg
Why? Cuz he’s a boy
How? He caught his leg on a drill bit (that was in the drill) while out front with Mr. Graycrew.  I’ll tell you what  he’s building later!!

Overall Kid2 was a trooper.  The triage nurse got a kick outta him.  When she asked him what he was there for, Kid2 replied rather nonchalantly that he just needed stitches so he can get out of there and on to Tae Kwon Do.  That’s my boy!  

The numbing cream wasn’t working well enough so they had to shoot him up to numb the area.  He was awful brave, let me tell ya.  He watched the doc stitch him up, studying the how-to’s.  Kid2 has been warned not to practice sewing stitches on any of his siblings!!! 

The only downside is the pool is off limits for 2 weeks.  Bummer.  At least the doc ok’d TKD for him.