Shameless Plug Ahead

How many of you ran away when you read the title of this post?  LOL






If you are already my Facebook friend, you probably know what is coming. 

I have done something....become something....I never ever thought I would be.  Ever!

I am an Independent  Consultant for Jamberry Nail Wraps.

Yes, I am the dreaded "salesman"!

I can't believe it either.

I was telling a friend the other day that I hate salesman.  Yes, hate is a strong word.  But, I will be honest, I have sort of a disdain for salespeople, in general.  They are usually just so schmoozy and.....well.....fake.

That is NOT me.

I mean, I can small talk with pretty much anybody, when necessary.  But, I don't really like to do it.  It sort of makes me sweat inside of my brain, you know?

I want to be known as an authentic person and not change who I am based on who I am around.

So, why did I sign my name on the dotted line and become a salesman for Jamberry Nail Wraps?

Because......plain and simple....I tried them....I loved them....I couldn't wait to tell other people with short, stubby nails like mine about them!

I have always had short stubby nails.

I have been a massage therapist for 22 years.  (Wow, that makes me feel really old!)

I have 6 kids.

Of course I have short, stubby nails!

And, to be honest, I like my short stubby nails.  They are practical.  I am not afraid of gouging anybodies eyes out accidentally while shampooing their hair or washing their face.  You can open cans and jars and car doors.

They work for me.

But, the downside of that is that I rarely feel super....feminine...if that makes sense.

I always keep my toenails painted, but my fingernails were just nude colored and easily ignored.

Then, I tried Jamberry nails after another homeschool mom I know started selling them.  I totally tried them to be polite.

But......THEY ARE AWESOME!

(See?  Short and stubby....but, cute!  The nail on my ring finger had been on for about 2 weeks at this point - you can see that there is a little more space between the nail wrap and my cuticle because it had grown out a bit.)
 
They are cute.

 Look how cute these are!

They stay put until I want to take them off....usually because my nail has grown so much there is a gap at the bottom.

I wash a lot of little heads and faces.  I wash a lot of pots and pans (because, yes, apparently I AM the only that notices them).  I load/unload the dishwasher at least 2 times a day.  Not to even mention laundry, tying shoelaces, pulling out splinters, and  the ten billion other things that a mom does all day long.

They do not move.

They stay shiny.

So, yes, I have become an Independent Consultant for Jamberry Nail Wraps....and I am not even ashamed of that fact.

If you have never heard of them, go check out my web page and take a look at all the options available.  Over 300 designs, plus there is a Nail Art Studio where you can design your own wraps.  People have made them for their favorite t.v. shows like Dr. Who, or their favorite books, like Harry Potter or Dr. Suess, and just cool looking artsy fartsy ones.  Brides have even designed special ones that match their wedding theme for their bridesmaids gifts.

So much cuteness and so affordable.  A sheet of nail wraps that has enough for 2 pedicures and 2-3 manicures on it costs $15.  Even I can afford $15 for a fun little treat for myself.  That is why I did the last thing I expected to do.....and signed on the dotted line.

I am really excited about these things....can you tell?

I am having a business launch party on my website through Friday.  So, if you need unique, affordable Christmas gifts or just want to treat yourself, come on over and shop.  We are also having a Buy 3, Get 1 Free sale too!  (Wow!  I really am a salesman now, aren't I?)

And, now I am one of those people that put graphics like this out in view of the public....and....mean it.

Kayla 101

Today's post is a mini course on getting to know me.

Getting to know me via on-line personality tests. Strange little things, but crazily accurate, in my opinion.

They have been a fun time waster between my real life activities, but, honestly, they have also taught me a few things about myself.

This might have been part of their whole plan, but, I always ended up feeling pretty good about myself when I saw the results....even the weaknesses, didn't seem that "weak". And, I always recognized myself in the results.

I realize this may sound a bit too deep, but, these personality tests also helped me to realize that I was fearfully and wonderfully made by God....just this way....and that is totally, 100% okay.

Okay.......Want to know my results?

This first one was about my name....but it was really more than that.

The Hidden Meaning of my Name:  The Peculiar One (Now that doesn't sound super flattering at first, does it?)

Here is what it said about me....

You are misunderstood by the feeble-minded and mysterious to the faint of heart. To those who can see below the surface however, you are highly fascinating and truly lovable. It might take a second for you to warm up, but once you do, you're leagues ahead of everyone else. You are authentic and extremely versatile!

The part that I think was strangely accurate.....I am often misunderstood.  For awhile, I thought it was just because I was a northerner living in Georgia, but when I really thought about it,  I wasn't easily understood in Minnesota either (except by my sisters)!  The people that have dug a little deeper and gotten to know me, find me....if not "lovable", then certainly pleasant!  

Oh, and one more thing that was right on the money?  I will admit that it totally takes me awhile to warm up to people.  I do not encourage friendship right away with anyone.  I am very cautious about who I decide to let in.  I used to feel sort of bad about that, like there was something wrong with me.....but, I don't anymore.

My next test was a mini-Myer's Briggs type assessment through this site.

I ended up as an INFJ....which is the most rare personality type (only 1.5% of the general population, apparently) 

Here is the description (It is a little long, so if you are bored already, no worries.....go check the other blogs you follow and check back another time  ):


INFJs are kind, mindful, complex and highly intuitive people. This is the most rare personality type of all, only 1 percent of the population has it.

They like to organize their outer world in categories and priorities they never stop redefining. However, they have a great intuition and deal with their inner life very spontaneously. They perceive and understand things very intuitively and are very rarely wrong about their intuitions. This dichotomy between their inner and outer life may result in INFJs being less organized than other Judging types.

Because of their great instincts, INFJs understand people and situations very easily. They often feel when something has happened to some of their friends of family members even if they cannot really explain to themselves how they perceived it. Those strong intuitive capabilities may lead them sometimes to stubbornness and ignoring other people's opinions since they trust their instincts above everything else. This attitude should not be perceived as arrogance as INFJs are perfectionists and think they should always improve themselves and the world around.

INFJs set up a strong value system for themselves and always care about living in accordance with their values and ideals. They are warm and easy going as long as they do not have to compromise their values.

Warm and caring, they hate conflicts and will avoid hurting people. They will generally internalize their anger which can be a source of stress and health problems for them.

In the work place, most INFJs show up in creative and independent positions. They are good at art and sciences where they can use their intuition at best. They are generally bad at dealing with details and prefer working on the big picture.

INFJs are natural nurturers, protective and devoted. They make loving parents and build strong bonds with their children.

I feel like I could comment on each paragraph with how I agree/how accurate they are and give examples from my life to prove it is true.  For instance......

I do feel like I understand people and situations very easily.  I can't explain it.  I get a "feel" for a person or a situation and I am almost always right.  Seriously, ask Rainman.  I cannot tell you how many times we have been at a party or something and I have told him that a couple were fighting, or that someone was lying, and have been right.  He always wants me to explain in great detail why I think I am right about people or situations.....and I can't.  I just know.

Here is another one where my result was the same, INFJ, but this one lists strengths and weaknesses:

INFJ Strengths

• Creative - Combining a vivid imagination with a strong sense of compassion, INFJs use their creativity to resolve not technical challenges, but human ones. People with the INFJ personality type enjoy finding the perfect solution for someone they care about, and this strength makes them excellent counselors and advisors.
• Insightful - Seeing through dishonesty and disingenuous motives, INFJs step past manipulation and sales tactics and into a more honest discussion. INFJs see how people and events are connected, and are able to use that insight to get to the heart of the matter.
• Inspiring and Convincing - Speaking in human terms, not technical, INFJs have a fluid, inspirational writing style that appeals to the inner idealist in their audience. INFJs can even be astonishingly good orators, speaking with warmth and passion, if they are proud of what they are speaking for.
• Decisive - Their creativity, insight and inspiration are able to have a real impact on the world, as INFJs are able to follow through on their ideas with conviction, willpower, and the planning necessary to see complex projects through to the end. INFJs don’t just see the way things ought to be, they act on those insights.
• Determined and Passionate - When INFJs come to believe that something is important, they pursue that goal with a conviction and energy that can catch even their friends and loved ones off guard. INFJs will rock the boat if they have to, something not everyone likes to see, but their passion for their chosen cause is an inseparable part of their personality.
• Altruistic - These strengths are used for good. INFJs have strong beliefs and take the actions that they do not because they are trying to advance themselves, but because they are trying to advance an idea that they truly believe will make the world a better place.

INFJ Weaknesses

• Sensitive - When someone challenges or criticizes INFJs’ principles or values, they are likely to receive an alarmingly strong response. People with the INFJ personality type are highly vulnerable to criticism and conflict, and questioning their motives is the quickest way to their bad side.
• Extremely Private - INFJs tend to present themselves as the culmination of an idea. This is partly because they believe in this idea, but also because INFJs are extremely private when it comes to their personal lives, using this image to keep themselves from having to truly open up, even to close friends. Trusting a new friend can be even more challenging for INFJs.
• Perfectionistic - INFJs are all but defined by their pursuit of ideals. While this is a wonderful quality in many ways, an ideal situation is not always possible – in politics, in business, in romance – and INFJs too often drop or ignore healthy and productive situations and relationships, always believing there might be a better option down the road.
• Always Need to Have a Cause - INFJs get so caught up in the passion of their pursuits that any of the cumbersome administrative or maintenance work that comes between them and the ideal they see on the horizon is deeply unwelcome. INFJs like to know that they are taking concrete steps towards their goals, and if routine tasks feel like they are getting in the way, or worse yet, there is no goal at all, they will feel restless and disappointed.
• Can Burn Out Easily - Their passion, poor patience for routine maintenance, tendency to present themselves as an ideal, and extreme privacy tend to leave INFJs with few options for letting off steam. People with this personality type are likely to exhaust themselves in short order if they don’t find a way to balance their ideals with the realities of day-to-day living.

 Like I said, most of the weaknesses didn't really seem quite like actual weaknesses, but just another facet of what makes me....me.

Ask Rainman if the "Sensitive" part is true.  Hahahahahaha......  I am extremely sensitive and I don't like to be questioned about whether I am right or not.  Because, of course, I am!  Ha!  Questioning my motives will definitely earn you the cold shoulder from me. Once again, just ask Rainman. 

The whole "extremely private" part is totally true.....which is also why moving to Georgia 5 years ago and having to actually make friends was a sort of horrific episode in my life. I assume it is also why I don't feel like I need a lot of friends, just a select few.....and my sisters, who understand me.

Like I said, these have been really fun to do, but I sort of feel like now, in my mid-40's, I am finally really figuring out who I am.  And, that who I am is okay and doesn't need to really change all that much.  I feel a bit empowered....like I am an INFJ, hear me roar. 

Or, as Popeye would say, "I yam what I yam."

Now you sort of know who I "yam" too.

Take some of these tests for yourself and see what you are.  Let me know what you are, especially if you are another rare INFJ like me!

One Thing That I Like About NOT Homeschooling

I have discovered one thing that I like about NOT homeschooling my oldest two kids anymore.

It is......getting their report cards.

Not just the fact that I didn't have to grade all the tests and papers and then do the calculations to determine their grade (yes, we do that stuff in our homeschool). 

My favorite part of getting their report cards, isn't even their grades.  However, I am proud to say that they are both getting straight, honest to goodness, A's.  My favorite thing is actually reading the comments from their teachers.

I mean, I think my kids are totally awesome, most of the time, anyway.



But, to hear the things that their teachers say about them....especially when those things are good....is awesome.

Makes this mom proud when a teacher says that they are always in the best mood after your kid leaves the classroom because of what they do and say (and, I might add, they aren't just the class clown, because they actually got an A in the class too!)  Or that they are just plain and simple doing "amazing" work. 

My heart is happy when the word "stupendous" is used or when the teacher notes that it is evident that your kid has a "shrewd intellect" and now that they are participating more in class discussions that their opinion is respected by the whole class.

That my dear friends, is something that you don't get to see when homeschooling.  A real picture of what the world is seeing from your kids when they are away from you.

I am still a huge advocate of homeschooling.....and LOVE that I have gotten to do it for all of my kids until 9th grade.  If any of the other 4 kids want to continue homeschooling through high school, I will make that happen and it will be awesome.

But, I have to say, hearing teachers say incredible things about my oldest children has been awesome and unexpected blessing for me.

The Whole Spaghetti and Waffle Thing

Have any of you read the book, Men are Life Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti?

I haven't read it, but I have a few friends who have and they have explained it to me......(I'm not a doctor, but I play one on T.V.  )

In case you have never heard of it and have no idea what I am talking about, here is a video clip that explains the concept by the authors, Bill and Pam Farrel.

It is true.

Rainman and I are so different.

We have trouble talking to each other....without one of us getting frustrated, or, let's be honest here....angry.

Rainman thinks of one thing at a time.  He does one thing at a time.  One little waffle square at a time.  You know?

I don't do that.

I can't do that.

I have got noodles all over the place.  (Sometimes literally with the little people I live with! )

I usually do a pretty good job multi-tasking and keeping track of all of my noodles.

Lately though, I have been longing to be a waffle....even if it is only for a little while.

My problem is that I have so many things(noodles) to think about and try to accomplish that I am not getting any of them done.

Right now, I am trying to:

• Plan for school (starting next Monday) 
• Find all the books/supplies needed for next Monday (I know they are here somewhere....)
• Support A-girl (she started a more traditional school this week with D-man)
• Get my bookkeeping work done for the company I work for
• Type up the invoice for D-man's lawn mowing business (I know....he should do it himself, huh?)
• Try to come up with a MicroBusiness or two for myself 
• Decide whether or not having a renter in our basement apartment will be a good thing or a bad thing (Anyone know of a nice little old lady looking for a new home?  Does she like kids?)
• Try to pick and settle on a paint color for my kitchen cabinets....island....various furniture pieces
• Try to commit and actually hammer a nail into the wall and hang stuff up around here
• Organize my living room in a way that doesn't have it overflowing with furniture and bookshelves, but has the things I need nearby
• Figure out how to give my bedroom a makeover without spending a ton of money.  Romantic or cute? 
• Keep things clean
• Restart past chore systems, so I am not the only one keeping things clean
• Remember to mop the bathroom floor
• Eat my new way, which has been great - but requires lots of planning and thinking ahead (Trim Healthy Mama)
• Read  Insurgent  and Fault in our Stars.....plus many, many other Non-fiction selections that are waiting for me
• Remember to pull weeds and trim bushes (or assign that to someone)
• Learn new songs for praise team
• Use products and remember to take notes for writing reviews on them
• Keep track of my review deadlines
• Wonder if my friend, Sherri, is having a great trip to see her family
• Be Samson, and get started writing a book (which I think will just be a compilation of things I have learned in life.....mistakes I have made.....stuff that works for our family.....funny stories from my blog)
• Decide if the above book makes sense and if anyone would actually read it (should I care?)
• Figure out how to update the cover picture on my blog
• Try to remember to get my kids to pose in front of our fridge at the new house
• Organize our craft/sewing room so it makes sense and we can easily find/see all our fabrics and yarn
• Remember to do laundry (before I walk into my bedroom at night and see the pile that I have meant to wash for the last 2 days)
• Not to get too tied up in my lists and my computer that I forget to just love on my kids and play a round of Old Maid when they ask me to
• Not miss my family too much(visits are bittersweet and I just got back from seeing them all)
• Tell the lady from A Love Beyond Borders that we just can't afford to adopt those 3 sweet little girls....
• To figure out a way for us to adopt those 3 sweet little girls
• Research whether A-girl's fruit sensitivity is actual an fructose allergy
• Decide whether to intervene in the current sibling fight I hear in the basement
• Try to work on all the things the financial planner told us to work on, so Rainman can actually retire someday
• Schedule eye appointments for Rainman, D-man, and A-man (who has been getting headaches)
• Get physicals for Rainman and I scheduled so we can get our reward from our HSA account....I think I have until September 1st....oh, that is almost here, isn't it?
• Figure out a way for my waffle hubby to understand me better....and vice versa.....

So, you get it now, right?

I just want to go paint my kitchen cupboards.....without thinking about the 50 other things touching my noodle.

Then.....when that is 100% completed, I want to read a book.

Then.....when that is 100% completed, I want to teach my kids.

Then.....when that is 100% completed, I want to write a book.

Who am I kidding?

That would drive me crazy.  I actually can't even imagine living like that.

It is just frustrating right now because I feel like I am thinking about so many things and trying to make decisions about so many things....that I am actually accomplishing.....nothing.

I just need to use one of these little noodle portion thingies.....

(I will take the little man sized portion, please)  Image courtesy of Reykjavik Cornerstore

.....and just try to handle those noodles on my plate before going back for seconds...or I turn into this....

Keeping It Real....and Perhaps a Little....TMI

This morning, I was standing at our copier making some copies for our school day.  As I waited for the printer to warm up, my eyes wandered to the areas that I could see from my printer.

I started an internal, silent rage.....at my children.

Uggg......

Kids book, bigger kid book, embroidery thread for bracelet making....

Kid book, Ziploc baggie with an unmade craft, plastic golf ball, empty cocoa container, empty plastic bag, and a....knife....

One croc....honestly....the other one was nowhere that I could see....nowhere!

Captain America shield, Guitar Hero guitar (we don't even have any video games), 2 socks....that don't match each other, a pair of broken headphones, 2 box/suitcase thingies....and, well, my shoes.

Body spray/spritzer, the rubbery part of swimming goggles, a Christmas coloring book, a piece of a baby toy and a very old package of baby wipes (seriously...not even sure where those came from....we have been out of diapers for about 2 years now!)


So, you get it, right?  I was silently seething.  I mean, how hard is it to put things back where they belong? Where did they get this idea that you don't need to put things back where they belong?

We finally have a house that has room for us....and our stuff....there are places for just about everything now. Really.

I had worked myself into a really good lather about it.....they were going to get a stern talking to when they got up.

But, then.....I looked at my dining room table.  Those are L-girls' flip flops....ON the table....but that isn't what I saw when I first looked.  I saw the white thingie in front......

Yes, my friends, this is probably a bit of a TMI situation.....but that is my bra neatly folded and left on the dining room table.

No, I hadn't been folding laundry.

I had taken it off last night when we got home from church and wanted that puppy off and soon as I walked in the door....so I did the old Flashdance move and took it off while still fully clothed.....but my room....waaaay down the hall.....seemed too far away.

So, I folded it up and put it there.....just for now....and there it was this morning......saving my children from one of mom's lectures.

I guess I know where they get it from.

Sigh.

I Have a Really Good Husband

I really do.

He is not romantic.

He is not the most well groomed/stylish man around.

He sometimes smells funny.

He wipes his hands on his clothes during meals.....frequently.....even if he has a napkin.

Despite these less than stellar qualities, there are things that I wish I could tell all the young women looking for love...including my own daughters.

I wish I could tell them things like.......

Looks really don't matter.

Romantic gestures don't really matter.

Wearing the latest styles don't matter.

Having good looking feet doesn't matter.  (Sorry, honey, but you know they aren't pretty.)

Having to do a lot of spot cleaning whilst doing your laundry is not a big deal.

I wish I could tell them.....

What matters is that you have a husband who never leaves home without kissing every single one of us....no matter what time of day or night it is.

What matters is that you have a husband who does 95% of the grocery shopping, just because he knows you don't like to.

What matters is that you have a husband that doesn't think anything of flying across the country, with 5 of his 6 children.

What matters is that this trip is because his mother fell in a snowy parking lot in Chicago and broke her hip.

What matters is that he wanted to be with his mom. 

He wanted to help his mom. 

He wanted his kids to come cheer up his mom, who was feeling embarrassed and old, because she has become one of those little old ladies that fell in a parking lot.

What matters is that he didn't care that he could only be there this time, for 2 days, or about the cost of renting a mini-van and that all of the meals would be eaten out.....because none of that matters, when your mom is hurt.

(I had to show this picture, because, even when you have a broken hip and have just been released from the hospital...if your grandchildren come to visit, you must give them money!)

This last minute trip meant a few things for me.

It meant that D-man and I were left at home because now that he isn't homeschooled, he isn't as free to travel about the country, as his siblings are.

It meant that V-girl was going to take her first flight without me.

It meant that my house stayed really clean for 2 days.

It meant that my house was WAY too quiet for 2 days.

It meant that I remembered how much a person can get done in the day if they are alone.  (Really....I was amazed at the projects  - and On Demand T.V. that I was able to pack in!).

I learned that I really, really miss my kids when they aren't here. 

I got weepy during church because I was all alone in the pew.  D-man works the sound board, so I am used to seeing him from afar.  But, the other kids smile at me while I am up front singing, they try to hide from my silent admonitions that I send them - mid song, when they are acting up.  When I am done singing, they surround me in our pew....the little ones fight over my lap....they snuggle with me....they hold my hand....they play with my hair.  They whisper irrelevant questions to me during the sermon.  Honestly, it was a very lonely feeling sitting there untouched and alone.

I re-learned that I would much rather have a houseful of children than a clean, quiet house.

Before Rainman's mom fell, my weekend plans were very different.  I was supposed to fly up to Minnesota to watch the Oscars with my sisters.  But, priorities are priorities and Rainman needed to be with his mom. 

Cue D-man...that whatever he had been planning for the weekend had now changed also.

D-man took pity on me and played along with the Oscar Bingo and the Oscar Trivia that my sister, Karen, had sent (she is fun that way....she had games and prizes and even swag bags all ready for our sisters weekend!). 

He filled out a ballot....and even  tried really hard to have opinions on dresses, hairstyles and jewelry....just for me. 

I am fairly sure that if I were to fall and break my hip 40 years from now....he will fly across the country to come be with me too.

I wish I could tell all those dear young ladies.......

That is what you want in a husband. 

Really.

Kids These Days....

It is an absolutely beautiful day today in Georgia.  Temps are in the 60s.  I slept with my windows open last night....and they have been open all day today too.

After school, the kids went outside to play. 

They played on the swingset, ran around in the woods, rode their bikes.

I went out after I got a few things done and sat on my porch swing.  Love that thing.

I noticed the kids had the neighbors little pup tent set up between our houses.  The tent was gyrating and moving around.  I envisioned them playing some sort of game of pretend in there and just being silly.

A few minutes into my porch sitting, V-girl starts heading towards home holding her eye and crying.

She came up and snuggled with me on the swing.  From her weeping and wailing, I got that she had been hit in the eye with a stick.

I asked how it had happened.  (You know, the usual 20 questions):

Did you swing it around and get yourself?

No.

Did someone else swing it around and hit you?

No.

Were you sword fighting?

No.

Did you step on one and it came up and hit you?

No.

You get the idea.....anyway, I pieced it together.....when she was getting into or out of the tent....(still couldn't understand her through the tears).....she went too close to the bush and got hit in the eye.

She then went on to say she was just trying to see the iPad.

"The iPad?"  I said.

"What do you mean, iPad?"  (Go ahead an imagine my tone of voice as incredulously as you would like.)

She went on to explain that they were in the tent watching shows on Netflix.

"What?"

So, I shouted to the remaining tent occupiers (2 of my kids and 2 neighbor kids) for confirmation that they were actually in a tent on a beautiful day like today.....watching t.v.  Yup....they were.

I told them to return the iPad to the rightful owners....(the neighbors/neighbor children).....and actually "play" outside.  V-girl dutifully explained that it was all S-girl's idea. 

I then explained to V-girl that you do not, under any circumstance that I can think of, watch t.v. in a tent. 

She said, "We were just trying to camp."

I told her camping does not involve iPads.  Camping is playing games, telling stories, singing songs, and having bonfires and eating camp food.

She exclaimed, "We were going to play games! On the iPad, when the show was over!"


Then I went on to explain that was NOT the kind of games I was talking about.



Can I shake my head and say,  "Kids these days!" without totally sounding like a curmudgeon???

Let's Jump from Halloween to Christmas, Shall We?

We had a nice Thanksgiving and celebrated with friends, since Rainman had to work a 12 hour shift that day.

So, let's just jump to Christmas stuff.  Okay?

Have I told you lately how much I love our new house?

We have room for our Christmas tree....and we didn't have to remove half the furniture from the room first!  Plus we had room to put Rainman's train around the bottom!  We have never done that.  Granted, partly because we always had little babies that wouldn't leave it alone.....but, also partly due to the fact that we had no room!!!

Look at it over there in the corner with its crooked star! 

The three littlest participated in our church Christmas play, Chrismon program.

A-man was a kid shopping for the perfect Christmas tree.  He got a new haircut and asked me to actually put some "stuff" in it and style it for him!  Isn't he starting to look old and sortly of manly already?!?!?

S-girl was an angel and V-girl was, apparently, a freakishly happy and a little bit creepy Gift of Forgiveness.

Here, let's try this one, instead.....

Okay, that is much better....a lot less psycho!

Aren't they cute?

I finished 99% of my shopping!  Yay!  Just a few little filler things needed.

Five of the kids are singing tonight at our Womens Dinner at our church.  It is really cute.  They are singing Happy Birthday, Jesus.  D-man is running the sound, so he can't sing too....but I am hoping he will get a video tape of it....and that they aren't so nervous that they won't be able to sing in front of the ladies!

I worry about S-girl mostly.  Who so desires to perform....but gets horrible stage fright even when it is just us.  Her hands shake and everything.  She and V-girl wrote some songs and performed them for us last week.  S-girl started with her back to us...and then half way through the song was finally able to turn around and sing to us....although she never once looked up from her words.

V-girl was only a little embarrassed to perform her original song....(she dictated the words to A-girl, who wrote them down for her)....then she sang it reading the words, even flipping the page over half way through.....and all without being able to actually read!

Here is a close up of some of the words!

This was our view of S-girl (after she turned around for us)

I just love these kids so much....and these little moments that are just ours (well....and yours, I guess, since I share a bit of them here)....but you know what I mean.

Something I Never Imagined I Would Say

My Kindle thumb is nicely recovered, thank you.  I took the weekend off of reading and finished painting my living room.

Pictures to come....if I can get my newly found camera to cooperate!

Anyway, L-girl, when she was showing me how to use my friend's Kindle, rediscovered our hand me down Kindle that we have used for a school reading assignments, but, my friend had left it stocked with books that they had read, noticed that The Hunger Games was on there.  She asked if she could read it.

Since I have read the whole series and found them fascinating, entertaining, and disturbing, I had to think about it a bit.  We talked about it.  I told her there was some really disturbing parts and kids, her age, were killed and it was treated as sport and like it was no big deal.  But, I ultimately decided she could read it.  (I look forward to our discussions after she has read it.  D-man and I had some great ones!)

So, she started reading during our travel time to Minnesota too.  Then, when we got back, she had schoolwork to catch up on, then left for a church  retreat.  She got back Sunday evening.  The kids and I snuggled up and watched a Hallmark movie. Then she decided to go read a bit.  I stayed up and watched a What Not To Wear episode (more on my reasons for that in another post). 

So, after I learned how NOT to dress, I went in to see her asleep with the Kindle and its little reading light dealie on and open right next to her.  Her hair was all flopped over her face.  She was all slumped over and curled up.

Here is where I said something I just never imagined coming out of my mouth.

I said, "Turn that book off and go to bed."

Off.

I told her to turn the book off.

I find it funny....but also a little sad that it wasn't just a "shut the book and go to bed", you know?

This is the Very First Time

This is the very first time that I have done this as a parent.

Really.

I am not sure if I should be ashamed of myself.....or proud.

What did I do?

This.

While the( to be named later )child worked on this assignment, I was cleaning the kitchen and discovered something else.  So, this assignment was added.....

I have never assigned sentences like this in my entire "career" as a mom.  It was sort of fun.  I will see today if it was effective.

My kids, are ready for school to start.  They do better with structure.  They do better when they haven't spent the summer watching T.V. shows where the kids all have attitudes and talk mean to each other and disrespectfully to their parents.

We were supposed to start on Monday, but all of our curriculum and everything we needed for school was hastily packed in a box last March/April and shoved into a friend's basement.  All with the thought that we would be moving this summer and any box that had books/school stuff in it would go to one bedroom to be unpacked and loaded on shelves.  Surely, we didn't need to label boxes or anything foolish like that, right?

Yeah, right.  Rainman and I, plus my wonderful friend, Sherri, whose basement storage room we have taken over, have spent hours searching and trying to find what we need to start school.  We have gotten about 80% of what we need.

So, Rainman and D-man are going over tomorrow to just remove every hastily packed box of school stuff and return it to our home and our shelves.  If someone wants to buy our house now, they will have to be able to look past our school stuff and not have things looking like a magazine.  We shall see.  Honestly, I am not too hopeful of that happening. 

I will keep you posted. 


Oh, do you want to know which child had to write sentences?

Anyone out there surprised????

Sleep...

I didn't sleep well last night, because of V-girl.

For some reason, she had a restless night last night. 

She came in shortly after everyone went to bed and said she wanted to sleep with Rainman and I.

Rainman told her to come sleep beside the bed and he would hold her hand.  (That is her thing for calming down and going to sleep - she likes to have her hand held.)

For those of you who don't know, we keep a mini bed set up beside our bed.  It has pillows and blankets, etc.  So, the kids all know that if they have a bad dream or just want to be near us, they can just come in and lay down.....most times, they don't even wake us up, they just come in and make themselves at home.  We discover them in the morning when we step on them.  (although my "Mom radar" is almost always on, so I usually know somebody has come in). Makes for a much better nights sleep for everyone!

Anyway, V-girl came in last night, laid down next to our bed and Rainman held her hand until she fell asleep.

At some point, she ended up rolling under the bed and then thumped her head and started crying.  So, Rainman got her out and, got her all set up again in her little bed on the floor.

Then a little while later she did the same thing.  I told him to just put her in bed with us so we could all get some sleep.

She is getting pretty big now and she likes to stretch out when she is sleeping.

At one point, I rolled over and must have bumped her or landed on her.  Without waking up, she started having a fit.  She was kicking and yelling (incoherently) that I needed to move and get off.  I guess that is her natural response since she has always shared a bed with someone...(protecting her turf)!

I said, "It's mommy.  Mommy is laying next to you."

As soon as I said the word "mommy" she stopped.

Just stopped.

No kicking.  No yelling.  Nothing.

I smiled to myself about this instant response to me.....

My voice.

My name.

Then it hit me.

That is a lot of responsibility.

To be that person  - that even when she is not even entirely awake -  that she trusts enough to stop fighting....and just be calm and quiet....knowing that I wouldn't do anything to harm her.

Yikes.

It only took me 6 kids to have that epiphany.

V-girl's Day Of Rest

I really try hard to made Sunday a day of rest.  Sometimes, though it isn't worth it on Monday morning, if you know what I mean.

But, yesterday, when I looked around at my messy house and especially the kitchen, I just didn't have the oomph to knock out the kitchen before I went to bed.

At one point in the night, I sent V-girl into the kitchen to wash her hands.  She did and while she was there asked if she could do the dishes.

I said, no thanks, Mommy will just do them tomorrow.  She asked again.  I said not this time.  (I think most of you know that having a 3 year help with certain chores....sometimes makes for more chores for you later, you know?)

Anyway, I went back to making my list of things to get done on Monday morning, with the kitchen right at the top.

But, V-girl didn't come back.

Then I heard the water running.

She just went about her business as if I hadn't said no.  Of course, the kitchen was so messy, she had no counter space to put the "clean" dishes.  She washed each piece individually and then just marched right up and down those little steps everytime she had another one clean.....and placed it carefully on the floor.  She then proceeded to warn any and all that she had clean dishes on the floor and not to step on them.

I guess there are times when it is sort of okay for your kids to disobey you, hmmmm?

Mostly Better....I Think....

Okay, I am feeling better.  Not quite so whiny. So, it is safe for you to come back.

I think it is safe to say I was just a little overwhelmed with life and "stuff", but I have lived long enough to know that it was going to be a temporary situation.  Just like those times when I am mad at Rainman.  It passes.  It is temporary.

Last week, we started back to school and D-man started at his new school.  So, my real work started back up, so I had to at least try to get out of my slump....and I did.

But, this is what really kicked my butt out of the serious whinies....

Really?  How can you feel the least bit sorry for yourself after watching that?  You can't.  You realize that you are loved by God.  That you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that you have choices....no matter the "hand" that you were dealt.

So, that one kicked my butt into gear.

Also, one of my friends was decluttering and brought in a stack of books to our Sunday School class that she just wanted gone.  I randomly reached into the stack and brought out this thin, little book.



I started flipping through and knew that God had arranged for this book to be available for me on that day.

It has great little sections for what you may be going through and then a few Bible verses to help encourage you.

Like the section called Help!  I Am Overwhelmed!

They have subtitles like:

When I feel like giving up.....

When my life is changing....

When my finances are a mess....

When I am totally exhausted....

or the section called Getting Through the Day:

That has subtitles like:

When I need to set priorities....

When I need to be realistic....

When I need to recognize my talents....

When I should compromise....

When I need to say no....

When I must stop comparing myself to others....

When I want to make a plan....

It is a skinny little book that packs a powerful punch.  It has encouraged me and comforted me by reminding me of God's love for me and that he knew I was going to occassionally get discouraged and feel overwhelmed.

 He knew. 

He cared.

He had my friend declutter just when I needed this little book.

So, yes.  I am better.  No more therapy session posts.  Let me know if you need a few encouraging Bible verses to get you through.  I will check my little book and get back to you!

I may not be very whiny anymore, but.....I am getting to be a bit crochety though....not crochet-y....(although...speaking of crochet....look what I made last week!)

(It is a scarf, by the way....and I actually used knitting needles, not a crochet hook....just looking for a chance to brag apparently!)

Anyway....back to being crochety for a bit....

I find myself bewailing the way kids have things these days.  Like, when I found out that elementary aged kids are getting Ipads sent home with them to do their school work.  Seriously...elementary kids.  Ipads.  Sent home to be their's for the year.  I mean, really?  Aren't schools in a budget crisis or something?  Is there really something wrong with completing homework on paper?  I am not asking for a comeback of the slate tablets that Laura Ingalls Wilder used....but, come on!  Don't even get me started on hand held video games.

I think I am turning into Maxine.


Source - http://www.quotesworthrepeating.com/maxine-quotation-gallery/maxine-words-to-live-by/

Merry Pre-Christmas

Here are some of the things we did in preparation for Christmas.

Church Christmas program:  (Caution....bad pictures ahead...I don't know why, but I get the worst, grainy, dark pictures at church....even when I am sitting in the 2nd row)

S-girl as the sheep (2nd from the left) and A-man as the shepherd.  Yes, I realize the irony of their having the evil looking eyes in the celebration of Christ's birth.

L-girl was one of the speaking angels (2nd from the left).

V-girl was a non-speaking angel...

I know many of you moms will understand this next part. 

I had visions of getting really cute pictures of my kids in their costumes after the program.    Because, they looked really cute.  I mean really cute!  I comforted myself with this news after every grainy dark, possessed looking picture that I took during the program.

But, I forgot one little, teeny, tiny, detail.  There is a Christmas cookie extravaganza directly following the program.  My little shepherd, sheep and angels whipped those costumes off and hightailed it to the front of the line.  The little buggers!

I did plop V-girls halo back on her head briefly to get this one:

And I did slow L-girl down enough to get a picture of her....without her costume....

And here is one of S-girl hanging Chrismons ornaments on the tree....oh, well.....

Moving along:

Our town has a Christmas parade.  We have never, ever gone in the 3 years that we have lived here.  It was nothing compared to the Holidazzle we were used to from Minneapolis.  But, let me tell you, there is a lot to be said for a nighttime Christmas parade where it doesn't hurt to breathe and you actually have feeling in your fingers and toes by the end.  Honestly, we wore sweatshirts....not jackets.

The highlight of the parade wasn't this guy, as you would expect.

But, this guy....

Who, if you can see through my dark, grainy shot could do this....

Pop a wheelie on his mower.  There was a whole team of racing lawnmowers racing up and down the streets.

We did go see a sort of grumpy one of these.....

But, above all, we tried to remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season." 

We have spent a lot of time cuddling, baking cookies and watching feel-good Christmas movies (although that hasn't been the same since we lost the Hallmark Channel in our line-up). 

We even went Christmas caroling....which, based on the reaction we kept getting....people don't do anymore....which only leaves me bound and determined to hit more houses next year.  Because, people not Christmas caroling anymore makes me sad.  And, really, when you can carol wearing a t-shirt and jeans....there is no excuse not to do it!

Merry Christmas!