By The Creek

Apr. 21, 2007 - The Cookie Feud

Last weekend, our family was invited to one of our son's friend's birthday party! It was freezing, but they played ping-pong, pool etc at the local state park lodge. They had a lot of fun.

After the party, my DH told me tha my fou year old was sitting enjoying a cookie. DH acted like he was going to take a bite, when 4yo son quietly laid down the cookie and then with his other hand punched his Dad in the face! Dh said he corrected him, but just wanted to laugh!. Oh boy! I guess we can definently call him "cookie monster!" LOL

Yesterday, we had a Level 2 ultrasound. Baby looks super! The u/s tech showed us how baby had her legs straight and together and in ballet first position. I couldn't wait to tell our older daughter! :)

Apr. 8, 2007 - Looking for baby names!

Criteria:

1. girl's name

2. five letters

Help! :)

Mar. 21, 2007 - Wedding Meme

1. Where/How do you meet? Through mutual friends at UT.

2. How long have you known each other? almost 16 years I think

3. How long after you met did you start dating? We went to the movies and dinner as a group of friends for a long while and then he called and asked JUST me to dinner. After that night, we just spent all of our time together.

4. How long did you date before you were engaged? I don't even know, about a year or so.

5. How long was your engagement? six months

6. How long have you been married? 13 1/2 years

7. What is your anniversary? June 12th

8. How many people came to your wedding reception? I have no clue! Was I supposed to count? More than 100.

9. What kind of cake did you serve? I didn't serve any of it! LOL Chocolate and vanilla with buttercream frosting.

10. Where was your wedding? Forest Park Baptist Church, reception at a VFW hall like good Buckeye girls do.

11. What did you serve for your meal? Like all good weddings in Ohio, we had a buffet line with a strange assortment of BBQ, ham, pasta, veggie trays and of course the Barbie ham salad. (This was so exciting to me.. the caterer had the option of having ham salad in shape of bells or doves OR forming it into a ball to make "Barbie"s" wedding dress. It was great!!! LOL)

12. How many people were in your wedding party? Seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen

13. Are you still friends with all of them? I only have contact with a few.

14. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? NO, almost, but no. He was white and his hands were sweating, but he was smiling.

15.Most special moment of your wedding day? We had so much fun! I am not sure I have one moment. It was great to ride with Lee in the back of my Grandpa's Ford Galaxy convertible on the way to the reception hall!

16. Any funny moments? Tons! My dad's girlfriend made us a stool in the hsape of a heart that said "just married." I asked to her to make it because I wanted to have the pastor hand it to Lee when it was time to kiss the bride. (Lee is a foot taller than me!) I hid the stool during the rehearsal and didn't realize I never put it in it's designated spot until the pastor was actually telling Lee to kiss the bride! LOL We did take pictures with me standing on it!

17. Any big disasters? Not really.

18. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Myrtle Beach

19. How long were you gone? a week

20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? I would have remembered to have some fancy candle lighters for the moms to light the candles with. I would have taken formal pictures of my groom.

21. What song did you dance to? Till I Found You by Restless Heart

22. Describe your wedding dress? White with sequined bodice, short sleeved, satin skirt.

23. What kind of flowers did you h ave at your wedding? Two baskets of pink pansies and ivy on the altar. It was a small sanctuary and the wedding party took up most of the room. I carried a silk bouquet with white roses and little pink flowers. Maids carried soft pink silk roses in a cascade.

24. Are your wedding bands engraved? nope

25. How old were you when you got married? 21

www.largefamilylogistics.lifewithchrist.org

Mar. 11, 2007 - ouch correction

The correct website for my previous post is:

www.largefmailylogistics.lifewithchrist.org

Mar. 11, 2007 - Ouch!

This post on Large Family Logistics is making me squirm! Yikes! Time to get moving. :)

The post is titled Choas, Squalor, Filth.

Mar. 8, 2007 - This time of year...

I have noticed a pattern in the last few years.

Whenever March rolls around, I start to wonder why we didn't spend more time raking in the fall. I can't what to buy new books and get excited about homeschooling in the fall even though we seem to be just trudging through our lessons right now! I want to clean the carpets and clean out the van! And, the kids want to get in the creek in shorts and water boots! LOL It is warm but not THAT warm!

Do you have anything you notice "this time of year?"

Mar. 3, 2007 - Sick of the Whining and Whining 'Cause I'm Sick

This is post will sound whiny and it is all about whining, so whhaaaa if you don't want to read any further! :)

I am sick of the whining.

Whining because:

- you have NOTHING I like for breakfast

- I don't want to pick up my room~

- I hate math

- This is a free country, you can't make me!

AND, I AM sick. So I feel completely justified in whining! I have had strep throat, the stomach bug and now this awful running nose/stuffed up nose/cough/sinus thing and no I can't take Nyquil!!!

I look so pretty with neosporin all over my red, raw nose and sound even better!

I say this all with a smile and a snort! Spring is coming, right?

Feb. 20, 2007 - Maternity clothes and stomach bugs

Howdy!

It is no fun to have a one year old with the stomach bug! Ten year olds may be overly dramatic when it comes to puking, but at least they give you some warning about what's going to happen! I can't wait for this to be over and neither can the washer and dryer!

My pregnant friend and I went to on a day trip to the outlet mall Saturday. We mostly looked, giving almost equal time to the boys and girls section considering neither of us now what we are having! I know there used to be more gender neutral clothing in the recent past, but no more.

We also had a liarious trip to the maternity store. She was looking for bras. I was looking for pants and some simple shirts. Ha! All I can say is, we sould have taken a video camera! It was that funny. Do you remember the maternity shirts that Lucille Ball wore in I Love Lucy? They looked like tens? Well, the shirts I tried on were either super tight in the chest OR looked like Lucy's. Whoo hooo. It was a hoot.

Also, if my friend Andrea is anywhere to be found, let me know you are alive! I can't seem to post on your blog.

Susie

Feb. 10, 2007 - We're back!

Good time had by all.

Weather the first two days: cloudy and very chilly - upside was little to no lines!! yippee!

Flight there: everybody happy, even 18 month old!

Flight back: everybody tired, 18 month old slightly cranky, but nothing crazy and 8yo throws up once before we leave, once on the shuttle, once on the plane. I thank the Lord for creating nice thick plastic bags. She was a trooper!

We're home! Mommy gets off plane, everybody home, bags out of car, Mommy back in car to get to doctor's clinic by 5pm where she is willing to bet her MIckey ears that she had strep throat! She shoots! She scores!!! Mommies may not know everything, but they do know some things: like when they are sick!

More details to follow! :)

Feb. 2, 2007 - 18 month old stats

Hello again!

We took our 18 month old for his well baby appointment Tuesday. Seems he is accurately following the Lawson/Sprague growth chart. Well, at least the chart for children! Ha!

Height - 40th percentile

Weight - 5th percentile

Head - 80th percentile

I tried really really hard not to laught because all of our boys have been the same way! I remember my friend, Aunt Michelle, telling my she was just going to start buying my now 10yo adult sized hate when he was only two!!

Moving on, tomorrow is our official "packing-for-Disney" day. I have never flown with kids or my in-laws, so Sunday should be an interesting day. :)

We would love for you to pray for travel safety for us. Thanks!

Susie

Jan. 26, 2007 - Bibles and playstations

Hi!

Yesterday, my four year old son and I were watching one of the many pregnancy/baby shows on TV. This grandmother-type comes on and says "All children are a gift from God, but when he makes a girl He is doing His best." I looked at my 4yo and said "She is confused." He looked back at me and said "She needs a Bible!" He cracks me up AND he is right!!!

I can get my 10yo son to clean his room and the whole den just by saying that he might be able to play his playstation from Grammy and Grandad! ahhhhhh.. isn't that great! Of course, he also sits in front of the turned-off TV sighing and holding the controller when he isn't allowed! Go figure. :)

Jan. 24, 2007 - Homemaking Meme

I actually have TWO new posts today! Don't foget to look before this one for our baby poem!!

Aprons? - yes or no: Yes, or else I ruin all my pants by wiping my hands on my hips!

Favorite Thing to Bake: Chile Rellano Casserole or Poppy Seed Cake

Clothesline? - yes or no: Yes, I have one! I used to use it a lot when we used cloth diapers. Not so much anymore..

Donuts- Have you ever made them?: Nope, sounds like dangerous information

One homemaking thing you do everyday: Dishes

Do you have a seperate deep freeze?: Yes! Our house came wit one that was easily six feet long. We never even once filled it half up, so we gave it away and bought a very small one that stays full.

Garbage disposal? yes or no: Nope, but I grew up with one and would love to have one now.

What is your favorite homemaking resource? I love the magazine called Quick and Easy. I think it's now called Simple and Delicious. Other than that, online articles.

Ironing- love it or hate it?: Sometimes love it, sometimes hate it. What I do love it watching my Grandma Land iron. When she had all her kids at home, she earned extra money taking ironing in. Let me tell you she can do magical things with an iron.

Junk drawer? yes or no: Um, yes, several

Kitchen- Design and Decorating: Design circa 1968. Decorating circa 1988. We just haven'y had time or funds to work on it. It functions and we have kids and when they move out we will tear it all out! heehee

What is your favorite part of homemaking?: When I have worked hard to clean the bathroom or kitchen and it looks great and then hubby walks in the door! :)

Mop? yes or no: yes, good old rag type mop, however once in a blue moon I have to bust out the scrub brush and get down and dirty

Nylons - Wash by hhand or in washing machine? What? What are those?? LOL Perish the thought! I do have some tights and I put them in the little lingerie bag and wash them in the machine.

Oven - do you use the window or open the door to check?: I open the door. I actually forget that I have a little light in order to look in the window!

Pizza- What do you put on yours? Mushrooms, black olives, onions if hubby gives in.

What do you do in the day when you get a quiet moment? - Go to the bathroom alone!

Recipe Card Box? yes or no: No. I have my recipes on the computer and I put them in a three ring binder.

Style of House: Late 60s split foyer. Colonial-looking outside. One room in our downstairs used to be the former owner's beauty shop. We still have the shampoo/hair dressing station. One of our friend's remember coming over to use the tanning bed in what is now our giant storage closet. LOL

Tablecloths ans Napkins?: sometimes and only paper

Under the kitchen sink? Organized or toxic wasteland?: well, I think it is oragnized and I can find what I need. There are toxic things under there though. It's basically just things we actually use.

Vacuum- how many time per week?: Depends on how hormonal I am... sometimes everyday, sometimes we are lucky to get one day in

How many loads of laundry do you do a week?: Goodness... who's counting!

Do you have a daily list of things to do and cross them off?: Not everyday but often

In the yard, who does what?: Well, for several years I mowed. Hubby almost always weed wacks because well, weed wackers aren't made for people 5 feet tall. I do the weeding etc. Hubby does the general maintnance. We have two wooded acres. So, in the fall, everyone has their own rake and has to help!

What is your last homemaking task before going to bed? Usually loading the dishwasher or at least gathering up the cups etc that have been left about!

Jan. 24, 2007 - An Ode to Our Family

Our friend Stuart penned this poem for us. :)

It's happened again, down the stairs he fell,

I knew right away, none months of hell!

He's so unbalanced, that man named Lee,

But obviously potent, as you can see!

We don't have a name, as we can't decide.

But I do remember, It was a pretty fun ride!

We're here to tell you, this aint's no jive,

We've been blessed again with number five!

Don't have a stroke, we'll need you later,

If you don't change a poopie, you'll be a traitor!

Stuart is going to quit now, my rhymes are starting to stink,

But I didn' start this mess, Lee and Susie just can't wait to see...blue or pink?

Jan. 15, 2007 - Big news at our house!

Hello!

Long time, no blog!

Over the Christmas holiday, we learned that we are expecting a new little one this summer!

If you know the story, yes, Lee did fall down the stairs before we actually "knew." LOL

It's pretty funny to go to the OB and have people recognize you and call you by name. I wonder what that could mean?? :)

Dec. 24, 2006 - Merry Christmas!

I pray you all have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Love,

Susie

Dec. 17, 2006 - Christmas Music and Dancing!

Hello!

A weekend ago, our church had a great Christmas concert! Our guests were Phil Keaggy, Wayne Watson and Kim Hill. It was such a wonderful time. If you have never heard Phil Keaggy, you have to check him out. He is one of the best guitarists in the world. His skill is unbelievable!

We had never heard Kim HIll before, but she was so fun! We bought her Christmas CD and love it. If you like Christmas music, buy it. www.kimhillmusic.com

My eight year old danced with our church's dance ministry this weekend during our Carols, Candles and Communion service. It was so beautiful. God was so glorified. NO mom can watch her little ones worship so fully and not cry. :) They even had it "snow" during the song. They danced to Soli Deo by the Annie Moses Band. It's another one to check out!

Susie

Dec. 7, 2006 - Holiday Eating Tips

Hi!

A friend sent me this. It is great!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday

buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,

if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where

they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine

single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than

single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year

but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories

in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an

eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one

for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole

point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make

a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.

Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with

skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?

It's like buying a sports car with an automatic

transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort

to control your eating. The whole point of going to a

Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots

of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now

and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have

nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which

you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a

10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet

table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size

of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have

as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.

They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them

behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of

each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and

one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have

more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with

the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all

cost. I mean, have SOME standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave

the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying

attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is

just around the corner.

Nov. 30, 2006 - Home Binder

I did it!

I made a home binder!

It looks so cute and is actually helpful! LOL

I bought a giant pack of pretty papers at Hobby Lobby and then chose from them what my theme colors would be. Pretty greens and blues and one batik paper that makes me smile.

Here are my categories:

First is "It's All About Jesus" which has prayer reminders and scripture things. There are two subcategories: giving and serving. Behind giving I keep info on ministries we support. Behind serving is a calendar I keep when I oragnize meals for new moms and sick friends.

Book Lists - Basically lists for the kids, but I hope to start keeping a list of things I would like to read there too.

Lawson Homeschool- Pizza Hut Book-It coupons and info, preschool ideas and info from the univsersity-model school where the kids take science, spanish and writing classes twice a week.

Homemaking - Lists of things to clean in each room and ideas I have for scheduling cleaning. This is a work in progress for me!

Encouragement - prayers, cartoons, special hand outs I have from Bible studies, uplifting e-mails I have received- things to get me back on track

Christmas and Birthdays- dates and ideas

Activities - subheadings - Children's Ministry at church, Cub Scouts, preschool (where 4yo son goes 3X a week), church dance classes and daughter's other dance class - schedules and other papers behind each

Home Maintenance, Projects and Repair - business cards, project ideas and cost lists

Emergency Information - one page each for each person in our household with

b-day, doctor's names and numbers, any allergies etc

Important Information - I would like to list here all the things I would need to know in case of a something unimaginable happening - numbers and names for contacts from health insurance, dental insurance, house and car insurance, life insurance, retirement money information, bank contacts and numbers, credit card phone contacts, license plate and VIN numbers - anything like that

It has been really fun putting togther and I have used it everyday!

Nov. 27, 2006 - Thanksgiving!

Howdy!

We had a great Thanksgiving in Ohio! In fact, I was so sad to leave my Grandma and mom. :(

We saw 40 out of44 of my mom's family and 33 came on Thanksgiving Day. It was so much fun. My kids love playing with everybody. I am the oldest of 17 grandchildren, so some of my cousins are the same age as my kids. The have a blast.

My mom has become a cnadle-making crazy! She went to the candle supply store twice just while we were in town!

So, today it is back to the routine. For once,we sort of cleaned the house before we left so things are manageable. :)

It is also in the 60s today! Oh I love it!

Susie