...had the sheer joy of watching my sons' faces as they laid their hands on my belly to try to feel the baby move (one did feel the baby). At nearly 5 months, movement is becoming more frequent...and of course, my bladder is never empty enough.
...cleaned the upstairs bedrooms, and boy did they need it! I removed one full bag of trash from Coy's room alone - broken toys, broken board game boxes, a book which somehow was torn from it's cover....and he and I sorted through his clothing drawer, removing the summer clothes and replacing them with winter clothes. Then I weeded through the remaining clothes, taking out what I have never seen him wear but a time or two.
...and I have tackled Mount Laundry - which is a daily event at our house. It has been raining off and on for the last few days, and so I have held off washing in the hopes that the skies would clear so I could hang some clothes out (thus saving some money). Wouldn't you now it - as soon as I hung the clothes on the line, it began to drizzle....sigh....
...I finished canning the bear brisket we've had soaking in the fridge. This recipe is great, although I admit I do not like the look of jars of canned meat sitting out. (thank you Calvin for doing most of the work on this)
...purchased some more of Coy's Abeka curriculum from a sweet lady on Ebay....we have only a few items remaining to purchase:
Language Arts 5 Student Test Book #65048
Investigating God's World 5 Student Quiz Book #65102
Rosa #59668
Noah Webster: A Man who Loved Words #59676
History & Geography 5 Answer Key #66915
Arithmetic 5 Student Book #25690
Spelling Vocabulary & Poetry 5 Student text
...and, I managed to lay down for a brief nap while the girls napped, and the boys watched a movie.
Now that's an odd combination - Athlete's feet and Baby Dolls. Let me explain.
About a month ago, little Isabella was diagnosed with Athlete's feet. We tried the over the counter cream, and it wasn't working. I was giving the poor child benadryl nightly to relieve the itching so she could sleep. In desperation, I called a friend who enjoys learning about and using herbal and homeopathic remedies. She looked in her books, and made a few suggestions. I chose to use garlic first for the Athlete's feet, and I must say, I was IMPRESSED. Within 2 days, it began to clear up, and Isabella was sleeping without awakening due to itchy feet.
Now, Isabella asks for garlic for any little boo boo......and, for her baby dolls as well. the other day, Isabella came into the kitchen and asked for some garlic for her baby doll - her baby doll apparently has athlete's feet now. So I told her we would pretend - and I pretended to get some garlic out and give her some, which she pretended to accept.
After a bit, I went to check on her, and she had sneaked back into the kitchen at some point and gotten all the garlic I had...she had bitten the largest bulb and rubbed it on her baby's feet, and was in the process of peeling another one! I asked her if it was hot, and she shrugged her shoulders and said 'yeah'.
Perhaps she will have a future in the health care field?
My oldest son, Coy, is FINALLY old enough to hunt in Maine. Yes, we've taken him deer and bird hunting, but he has never been the hunter - he was only along for the experience. That all changed this year. My big brother, Rudy (Ted as the family calls him), baits bear with a buddy of his. He offered to set up a bait for my son, and we eagerly accepted. After just a few hours on the stand, the night began to settle and Coy became cold, and tired....but as any hunter knows, all that dissappears when an animal is close...and Calvin nudged Coy to tell him a bear was coming....and here is the fruit of their harvest:
And here is Calvin on the Left, Coy, and to the right is my brother, Ted, whom we owe this hunt (and a big Lobstah dinner) to!
Wonder what we're going to do with the meat? Well, we are going to make Corned Bear Meat with it, and enjoy every morsel!
It is afternoon, a quiet time at our house. The baby went down for a nap without a word, and I can hear Isabella signing to herself - it won't be long until she too falls asleep. My boys are outside, one running around in swim trunks, jumping in and out of the little pool, and the other wishing he could get in the water....he could have, had he not gotten into trouble earlier....
And now I can hear the waterfaucet being turned on ever so slowly. I imaging they are filling up a bucket or cups or something, and drenching each other. They normally aren't allowed to play with the water, but, I think I'll let this one pass....after all, it is HOT outside Mom! And they are turning it off, not letting it run.
In a bit I'll call them in and maybe attempt to make a milkshake - though I don't have any yogurt or ice cream...I have milk, and eggs - I've heard of protein drinks with raw eggs - but UGH! the idea of raw eggs turns my stomach - always has...I'm sure it is safe, but I can't get past the idea of a slimy, runny egg in my beverage. Maybe I'll find some frozen blueberries in the freezer - I could just make ice milk with a little jam in it, if all else fails....or I have pudding...wonder how a shake would taste with just milk and pudding mix in it? Maybe I've stumbled onto the newest and greatest thing - pudding shakes?
SO now that Garrett has had the Chicken Pox, little Isabella has been next to get them. We did take her to the Dr as well, and yes it is chicken pox. It is odd though, because when you google Chicken Pox Photos, you see these blistering spots, and Isabella never had the blisters. She did have a few spots come up which looked more like bug bites than blisters. And she has this horrible dark pink rash after the first few days....
First the spots:
Then the dark pink rash:
(never mind the red stamps on her legs:)
I find it odd that there weren't the blisters - I really expected blisters. I will be taking these photos to the Dr to show here the various stages of it. It lasted all in all about a week and a half. She was VERY itchy with it, to the point that Benadryl was not helping, so I called and the Dr gave us a prescription for another 'itch' medicine. This other one gave her good relief.
The baby, who is nearly a year, has not broken out in any spots or rash yet. I'm contributing this to the antibodies she received from me when I was Breastfeeding her. I just stopped nursing her when she was about 11 months, so I am assuming this is why she hasn't broken out...I will ask my Dr what she thinks though.
And our oldest never broke out either, but he and Garrett were vaccinated against the virus. So, it seems that his body took to the vaccine better than his brother's did - which only means that he'll have the virus later on in life. I'm really hoping this will be before he enters the workforce.
A few years ago, before the decision to homeschool was final, a Pediatrician informed me that the Chicken Pox Vaccine was mandatory for public school in Maine (it is not, by the way). And so, I had my two oldest children vaccinated, since gosh, it was mandatory right? Only later did I find out that it is not mandatory (though it is preferred that children be vaccinated).
fast forward to Garrett's rash:
I took him to our family Dr, whom I absolutely love, and yes, it is Chicken Pox. When the children are vaccinated, they are not given full immunity - they will more than likely develop what is called an attenuated case of Chicken Pox. Essentially, this is a milder case.
I don't see this as a mild case. He is getting Benadryl for the itching, and there is no place on his body without spots.
Since we were at church yesterday morning, I have called all the families with children and told them about the Chicken Pox. I thank God for their kindness. They would have been within their rights to be upset about this, since Garrett had some spots yesterday, but, they were all loving and gentle about it.
And yes, when the girls get the Chicken Pox (should be a week or two), we will be having a play date with a few other families - including our Doctor (who doesn't vaccinate her children for Chicken Pox either).
Our summer has been full of sports, camping, visits, fishing, family time, Bible Time, and leisure time...we have had a fair share of 'illnesses' this summer as well. Garrett started with Poison Ivy a few weeks ago, and then some mystery rash - the Dr said it was more than likely simply an immune reaction to the allergic reaction to the Poison Ivy. Then Isabella began with a high fever - remaining 103 after Motrin. Of course, I took her to the ER for this, and the physician diagnosed her with Pharyngitis, with the probability of Strep Throat. He couldn't be certain it was Strep because she wouldn't allow him to look in her throat very well. And so, since the fever was so high, and all else ruled out, he treated her with Amoxicillin. Within 24 hours, the fever subsided. She is much better now, though she too had a small rash for a while, but not like Garrett's was....
And for the last 2 days, Garrett has another rash on him. He is very itchy, and has spots ALL OVER his abdomen, back, and chest. We will be going to the Dr this morning to see what this is...I can say it is NOT the same rash he had after the poison ivy - that one was in patches here and there.
I am riddled with Nausea this morning. This is the worst day I've had in about 2 weeks. I'm afraid to eat anything for fear of upchucking, though I know this isn't good for me. I haven't any crackers in the house, or else I would be chomping on some. Perhaps I'll try some dry toast?
Calvin will be moving to 2nd shift for a couple of months. I am looking forward to this...I feel he will be around the house more, and thus will be able to help tend the children while we homeschool. We are praying he is able to remain on this shift, but we won't know for certain for a while.
I have much to share with you in the coming months - I suppose it is good that I've not been blogging regularly. It has allowed me to 'save up' topics.
This weekend, I witnessed a familiar event, one that took place in cemeteries across America this Memorial Day weekend. I watched as 21 former soldiers from the surrounding towns participated in the Memorial Day ceremony at Cross Lake Cemetery, complete with Taps, and the Salute of Arms. These 21 Veterans went to seven different cemeteries today to honor their fallen comrades - those who died in battle, or during service, or who have since passed on.
I can remember being a little girl and gathering on Memorial day to watch the Legion members perform this ceremony. My cousins,brothers and I would scramble for the spent bullet casings and spend the next few days whistling with them. When I was 17 years old, I left home to join the United States Air Force. I served just shy of 4 years, opting for an early out to pursue college. I have great pride in my family heritage, and all people who have ever served in our Armed Forces.
I come from a long line of soldiers. Fresh out of high school, my father enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served for 4 years. In 1976, he joined the National Guard and he served a total of 21 years. During this time, he was called to Active Duty in the Army and served in the Persian Gulf war from November 11, 1990 until May 10, 1991. He is now serving as the Commander of the American Legion Post in Stockholm, Maine.
Before him, his father served in the Army for one year, during which he landed on the Normandy Beach and he was grazed by a bullet on the left side of his head, nearest his eye. Growing up, I knew my Grandfather, or Pepere as we call him in our local Franco-American dialect - had served in the war, but it is only recently that I learned he was wounded at Normandy Beach.
I encourage you to pray for our Soldiers - for those on Active Duty and the Reserves serving now to protect America as well as for those Veterans living around us who have served in years past. Give thanks to God for those forgotten, fallen soldiers. And pray for our continued protection as a Nation.
Often times, I tell myself something needs to get done (usually while accomplishing another chore) only to forget what it was I needed to do. Then by the time I remember it, it is when I've laid my head down for the night. So, I've decided to make a list of goals for the week, starting on Monday.
Monday:
process the Fiddlehead Pickles we started soaking yesterday
laundry
school the children
make Maple Granola
make bread
finish sewing: XL diaper, Large All In Ones, Wool Covers Order
drop off Coy's Little League Permission slip
Tuesday:
clean the bathrooms
sweep the stairs
set out dinner for the week
vacuum the floors
clean the windows
finish sewing the Longies
list new items in the store
school the children
Wednesday:
mailing day - go to the Post Office
laundry
work on Custom Orders
review and pay the week's bills
school the children
clean the porch
clean the children's rooms
Thursday:
school the children
clean the play room
empty Kitty Litter (yay)
mop the floors
laundry
Friday:
cook for Saturday's Ladies Fellowship
short school day for the children
laundry
grocery shopping
This is just a brief rundown, and by NO MEANS is it set in stone:) The laundry will depend upon the weather ( I hang the clothing out as often as possible to save a little money on the electric bill). the sewing will depend upon how well school goes, and how Sarah fares (she is cutting teeth). I'll check back in to let you know how this outline works for me.
My Mother LOVES the scent of Plumeria....lotion, candles, sprays....anything Plumeria.
Imagine my excitement when I found a Plumeria plant to purchase for her! I ordered it from a fellow Etsian: Kim at Griffith Gardens She only has a few left, so if you want one....hurry!
As for me, Calvin and the kids bought me some Lilac Bushes...I have wanted some for a while now, but we thought this house would have sold by now...so there was no sense in planting some. Now that we've decided to stay here a while, I have 2 small Lilac Bushes, just waiting to grow! I can't wait for them to bloom - though I think I'll have to wait a year before they do.
March 18th is my dear hubby's birthday. I thank God for blessing me with this wonderfully gentle man.
In honor of his birthday, the children and I made him some HUGE birthday cards on posterboard, which he took to work. I made him a Lemon Cloud Pie, one of his favorite deserts - since it wasn't a cake, I put a candle in the center of the pie.
I also purchased him a new bible. I think his older one was nearing 15 years, and has been through 3 children so far...needless to say, when a toddler gets a hold of a book, regardless of the value of it, pages get torn. He was very delighted with his new bible...now to come up with something meaningful to write in it for him.
When I was a little girl, I used to LOVE IT when my mom would Braid my hair. I taught myself how to French braid, and am so delighted that my little girl's hair is FINALLY long enough to French Braid:
Ever hear of it? Surely you have.....and if you've ever had it, you know what I'm going through.
Wikipedia defines Cabin fever as this: Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, for an extended period. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, laughter, and excessive sleeping.
I think I have a case of it setting in.....thankfully, I know it won't be a serious one....and we have begun having playdates and swim lessons again. Garrett will start his basketball season soon as well...there is sanity in sight!
But, in the meantime, it is snowing - AGAIN.We are expecting 8-12 inches today.
I am ready for spring. I am ready for picnics, days at the park, swimming at the lake. I am READY to feel the warm sun on my skin! I am self diagnosing ;) myself with a mild case of Cabin Fever. And I think it is catching - hubby has the same symptoms! In fact, we may have an epidemic going on here in Maine! most people I know seem to have these symptoms....
So, if you happen to be reading this from one of those warmer states, be thankful! Oh, and feel free to come shovel my drive for me.
I have been right here, just refocussing on the family and that little baby keeps me busier than you think! It honestly seems like Sarah starts crying just as soon as I get a chore done and think I have time to do something without having a kiddo need me.
We've been busy with my Coy's basketball...he's in the finals! Amazing how fun it is to watch a bunch of 4-6th graders play basketball! Garrett starts his basketball in March, and he is more excited than I realized! He is actually counting down until it starts! (Which is great, cause he is the non athlete of the boys - or so we thought.)
We've also been having alot of family time lately, going ice fishing, going to family homsechool nights, lots of visits from my parents.
Here's some pics for your enjoyment!
She WILL NOT keep her fingers out of her nose....she's gunna kill me for this picture one day!
We kept Isabella warm and toasty in the ice fishing shack while the boys road AROUND AND AROUND on the snowmobile!
This is Sarah with one of the puppies we have sold - only 2 left to sell!!!
And Garrett - stuffing his mouth with cake!
I haven't blogged in some time for several reasons:
I've been focusing more on spending time with the children
We've been involved in several school projects which have occupied our time
Coy is in basketball, and has so many practices and games - he's an awesome jock!
I've been busy with household projects and sewing
We've had alot of visitors over the past few weeks
While I have well over 14 hours a day to do all I need to do, I have been spending too much time on one thing, and not enough on another. I am doing my best to reorganize my time and chores, so a little of everything gets done everyday.
I encourage all of you to look at your lives and homes, and see what areas have been neglected. For me, it has been the housework, baking, and the children. No, the kids aren't in lack of anything, all their needs are met...but take Isabella for example...she is 2 now, and becoming very independent. She is needing more consistency in discipline. I am needing to ensure she follows through with simple things, like when she is told to put toys away, I need to ensure she does.
What a busy weekend we had. My parents blessed us with a surprise visit on Friday, and Mom and I accomplished alot together. All the gifts are now wrapped, the windows have plastic sheeting on them to help keep the cold out, she did some mending for me.
Dad and Calvin were busy as well. They finished the ice fishing shack and put it on the ice. They hauled pig off to the 'market'.
Oh, and we even had a small birthday party for Isabella. She turned 2 on Saturday.
Together, we all put up and decorated our Christmas tree. Overall, everyone enjoyed the visit. Mom and Dad left Sunday morning before the snow started. At around 2 in the afternoon, the snow really started coming down. totaling somewhere around 18-20 inches. Calvin was awake and snowblowing at 3 this morning. Then he had to go to work. He says he is tired.
The trees all have a thick coating of ice.
The temperature is just above freezing.
My sump pump in the basement has been running for a few hours now, pumping out the excess water.
The SLUSH is thick and heavy stuff. I just shoveled the back and front porch and cleared in front of the steps, and it is very, very heavy.
There is water standing under the slush. I had Calvin's muck boots on, and in some places the water/slush is up to my ankles (I was gathering up some toys the kids left out there)
I think there isn't an open school in the entire state! And all the government buildings are closed to.
Please pray for safe travel for those who are working and driving in this stuff.
It has been a long week for us. Saturday night, I began to have a toothache. After taking everything I could in the house, from Tylenol to Motrin, to naproxen, and peppermint oil.....I even rubbed vicks on my jaws thinking it might help......I finally made it in to see the Dentist Monday morning, and I have a dying nerve in one of my molars, so I have 2 choices: extract the tooth, or root canal. Of course, the Dentist is pushing for a root canal, to save my chewing teeth, so I'll be having that next Wednesday...and in the meantime, my tooth is killing me! He gave me some pain medicine, and I am trying not to take much of any of it, but I have to tell you, this toothache is WORSE than any of the three csections I have had!
And then this morning, Garrett wakes up crying with a sore throat. So I gave him some Tylenol - then he starts getting real rosey cheeks, and a fever, and then he throws up. UGH! And since I had taken a pain pill this morning, I wasn't the best momma in the world since the medicine makes me drowsy and nauseated.
Meanwhile, Isabella is cranky and her cheeks are flushed - you know what is coming next. Garrett has since napped and held down some toast, so I think he is over it. Coy has been a HUGE blessing, taking care of Sarah and changing Isabella out of her pajamas and into some clothing for me.
And then it starts to rain. And the roof begins to leak, again.
BUT, my husband says that when it pours, God reigns, and he's right, because just when Garrett and I start to feel better, my friend calls to ask me if I want some Chicken leg quarters - she found then on sale for $12 for a 40 pound box! And she is willing to pick some up for me.
I am just curious how many of my readers can tell me what these pictures are of and how they were made. Leave a comment and let me know what you think it is, and what state you are in.
My children love it when daddy is away, and since this doesn't happen often, it is a real treat when he does. It isn't that they don't love their daddy, in fact, they adore him. But, when Dad is away, the kids and I pile up in one room - we used to all sleep together, but now that Sarah is in bed with me, I feel like 2 half grown boys with a baby and momma in bed is enough. So the other night, we flipped a coin and Garrett won who would sleep with momma the first night. Coy made a pile of blankets on the floor and slept there.
We spent at least an hour talking about what we could give Daddy for Christmas. The boys came up with some really sweet ideas:
Molasses cookies, wrapped in tin foil with a red ribbon
A new dress shirt
A new tie
I plan to have them make him a little booklet complete with drawings and their own writings about why they love daddy, and their favorite things to do with him!
I can't wait to present him with his gifts Christmas morning and watch the tears well up in his eyes - he is a bit of a sap when it comes to things like this. The first Christmas we had Coy, I found this poem about a daddy taking his child fishing and has it printed on an 8x10 picture of Calvin and Coy fishing for catfish with the pond in the background. He must have cried and laughed for 10 minutes over that. This photo has become one of our most cherished ones!
We are expecting 8-12 inches today. 
