Passing the Torch

So, I was cruising the Internet today in my quest to be the most unproductive person on the planet. And I came across this blog that was on my friend Amie's list of "just for fun" things.

Well, it was HILARIOUS.

Basically, in this particular post, she was talking about how she offered up some of her children's toys for sale on Craigslist because they weren't playing with them(in any way that was appropriate). And in response, she got a lot of hate mail.

And it made me want to say, just in case you didn't know, that parenting can be hard, and anyone who tells you otherwise is LYING! And we all do what we have to do to teach our children to be good people...and there are very few REALLY WRONG ways to do it, and very few REALLY RIGHT ways to do it.

And for anyone who disagrees, well, I'm okay with that.

I love my kids. They are the BEST, EVER. But sometimes it's loud, and sometimes they fight, and occasionally, they make me want to run screaming down the street. But most of the time they are really nice. They even get along and like each other (something my brother and I didn't manage to do until we were grown). And I wouldn't trade this life for anything.

So, my point?

Well, I don't really have one.

Joshism

So Josh comes down stairs and says, "Mom, I think I'm wierd."

"Why do you think you're wierd?"

"Well. I like peanut butter, but I don't like peanuts.

And I like french fries, but I don't like potatoes.

I'm wierd."

Oh yeah, but not for the reasons he thinks! hehe

That kid cracks me up.

Too Tight

You may recall that I posted a few weeks back about Free Range Children here, a movement to allow our children to have a little more freedom and experience a little more on their own.

Well, since then I have been thinking about what I could do to give Mikayla a little more freedom. She is very mature and going to be 12 in the fall...so I think she is ready to do more. I mean, she is going to be baby sitting soon...if I am going to trust her to watch other people's kids...she could probably handle a few other things too.

Anyway. Today, I suggested that she take a walk to the 7-11 and get a treat. It is about a 10 minute walk (maybe less), just outside our housing development.

Her response startled me. She was suspicious!

She wanted to know why I wanted her to go, why now, why this freedom. Why, why, why?

It totally caught me off guard and made me realize that I really was holding on too tight.

So, another resolution not to hold on so tight, and a determination to allow her a little more freedom.

Any ideas?

Paparazzi Free Zone

Loving the new camera.

I got a 2GB high speed memory card to go with it. I can over a thousand photos at a time. WAY MORE than my family can handle. I have already heard, "STOP TAKING PICTURES" from several people. Oh well.

So, I have also been scrappin' my buns off. (Only figuratively...unfortunately.)

Here's one of Troy and Katie.


And just a little update on the kids as well.

Mikayla, Emma, and Joe are all very excited for summer to start. There are about three weeks left of school.

Emma will get her hearing aids next week. I'll post about that more when it happens.

Josh is missing school already but very nervous to start kindergarten. Luckily, he has the summer to get used to the idea.

Becky has started saying random phrases for no reason. Her latest is, "Can you believe it?" If you do or say anything at all, for example, if you were to say hello to her, she would turn to the person next to her and say, "Can you believe it?" It's hysterical.

Katie is working on tooth number 8. She's not too happy about it, but mostly, she's still really good.

And Troy is currently car shopping. He realized that if the kids and I are going west for the summer and driving...then he won't have a car! Walking to the train wouldn't be so bad, but to get groceries, or to get to church, well, let's just say he's no spring chicken any more! hehe

Memorial Day

Hope you had a great Memorial Day.

We took a moment to talk to the kids about what Memorial Day means and why we honor those who have served our country. I hope that they were able to get at least a little of that today.

We also went with Ben and Anne out to Harper's Ferry. We have never been before and it was on our list of things to do.

It was a beautiful day and an interesting trip. I love being able to live so close to so many important historical sites.

Ben and Anne had been before and made excellent tour guides!

We looked around at some of the displays, had lunch by the Shenandoah River, fed the ducks, had a little ice cream, and even hiked up to Jefferson's Rock, so named because Thomas Jefferson had been there and proclaimed this sight one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. (See what I mean about history?)




And just for fun, we discovered where they grow marshmellows. (Okay, really they are just bales of hay covered in plastic, but we fooled the kids for a couple mintues.)

Guess What?

Well, he did it. He came through, and in a big way.

Who am I talking about?

Why, my wonderful husband.

And what am I talking about?

Why this. My beautiful, new camera. After being gone on and off for five weeks, and barely making it through, at the end of it all, my hubby bought me this great new camera.

And it was worth it! Every penny.

Woo hoo.

A sampling of my first photos. These are straight from the camera, untouched. Just think what I could do if I KNEW how to use this dang thing!


And BTW, when the heck did my girls get to be so grown up? Ahhh!


(p.s. I'll have some of the boys tomorrow.)

O What a Beautiful Morning

WOW! It is a beautiful day!

So beautiful in fact (now wait for it) I went outside!

The kids and I went out and played and enjoyed a few cookies in the sun. It was great.

Katie has had a big week of first.

Here is her first experience with a sippy cup. I think it still needs a little work.

Here is her first experience in the grass in spring. Josh and Becky enjoyed it too!

Here is Katie eating a cookie. Healthy.

And just for fun, here is Becky trying to get her shoes on. It got so difficult she finally had to lay down to try and pull them on. It might have been a little easier if she had been putting them on the right feet, but really, where the fun be in that?

Have a great holiday weekend! I am looking forward to a date with Indiana Jones...oh wait, I mean Troy. hehe

Just Because

So, tell me this.

How can you give the EXACT same treat to two kids and, after they are finished, have one look like this?



And the other look like this?















PS. Just so you know (because I already do) that Josh's watches too much tv, he asked me as we bought these chocolate covered pretzels, "Mom, are these made with the finiest chocolate?"

Um. Yeah.

Graduation Day

Today was graduation day.

Josh was SOOOOOOO cute! And happy. And excited.

We have loved preschool and Josh's teacher has been really wonderful. She has taught them so much and I know Josh is going to do great in kindergarten!













And, just because this is THE funniest thing I have heard all day...and then some, if you need a good laugh, click over

here to Jed and Katie's blog. Scorll down til you see the word "Scene" in bold...and enjoy.

Dirt Baby, Part 2

So I had to do an update on our little dirt baby. If you are not sure what a dirt baby is, please see this previous post.

Much to our surprise, the dirt baby really did grow "hair." The kids are pretty excited about it.

I won't tell you whose hair I think it resembles.

hehehe

True Companions

Just thought I would share a new layout. I have really enjoyed learning new things...and there are so many things I still don't know how to do!

This is Troy and I on our wedding day. And, yet another picture of me! Soon, you're going to stop asking me to post them! haha




The words in the background are to "our song" True Companions by Marc Cohn.

Just Roll Me Out

So, last night was our big night out.

Troy and I went on a date and took Anne and Ben out to the Melting Pot as a thank you for helping paint our family room.

Holy Cow it was good!

It was so much fun to eat fondue and just enjoy the evening. It took almost three hours to eat! We had cheese fondue with bread, apples, and vegetables. Then a salad. We had a huge selection of meats for our entree, and of course, chocolate for dessert.

We had never been before, but we are sure going to go again! I am still full, but it was totally worth it!

And as a little bonus, just for reading, I've even included a photo of me and Troy. Two photos of me in just one week. So there!

More Humble Pie

So, I am going to do a little bragging on my husband.

I know he thinks I don't write enough of the good things that he does...and that I vastly underestimate him (and maybe there is the tinest bit of truth to that), but he is still a really great husband and I appreciate all that he does.

He has actually cooked dinner several times this week AND, when he called me yesterday morning, I was feeling slightly better than death warmed over...maybe not quite that good...I know he felt really badly for me.

So, he called me later in the day to check back and see how I was doing. I was feeling a little better, but being sick at home with three kids is never the restful time you might otherwise hope for. Anyway, he said he hoped I started feeling and hung up. Well, then there was a knock on the door and rushed to get it...and it WAS HIM!

Can you believe it?

I was floored and really touched. So, Troy, I love you and I do KNOW how lucky I am! And next time, I am not going to ask, "Why can't you be more like so and so?", but rather, "Why can't you do that like YOU did it last time?" haha

Buh-Bye

So sweet Katie learned a new trick.

She can wave bye-bye.

So cute!

Eating Crow

So, I just have to say when I posted about my Mother's Day and I told you that I wonder if I would ever actually get the gift Troy promised me...not only did I get a gift, but Troy really did order it!

And imagine my surprise when I opened the door to the UPS man today to see him standing there with my scroll saw!

He very nicely carried it inside for me, and laughed his butt off when I told him it was my Mother's Day present.

So, Troy, I am sorry I ever doubted you!

Pet Peeve

Where did the day go?

Oh yeah. Laundy.

I got spotlighted at church on Sunday. (In Relief Society they are taking turns having the women tell a little about each other.)

I got asked my pet peeve, and I said it was finding clean clothes in the dirty laundry, especially ones that have NEVER even been worn!

No less true today than when I was asked on Sunday!

Luckily for me, I got to scrapbook a little too. Woo hoo.

The Mother Hood

So, mother's day was great.

It is normally our family tradition that I get breakfast in bed on mother's day. But this year it was decided that I needed sleep more than I needed food. Good call!

So after sleeping in, and a busy morning getting ready for church, we had a nice, quiet Sunday afternoon.

The kids were so excited to give me all their presents, including a lovely light bright creation, cards, ceramics, and letters. They love their mom! And I love them.

I just have to share a little from what each of the kids gave me.

Mikayla gave me a book of poetry. One of my favorites included a little something about my hopes and dreams.

Mikayla said, "She dreams of having a house full of children who don't yell, fight, or scream."

It's a simple dream, isn't it? Probably won't ever come true, but what's life without a dream?

Emma and Joe gave me cards listing 10 things they love about me.

Emma said, "If I had a million dollas I would buy my mom a plasma screen TV."

Woo hoo. That would be some nice TV!

Joe said, "If I had a million dollas I would buy my mom a maid."

Does that boy know me, or what?

Josh filled out a little questionnaire about me.

How old is your mom? 50 years old.

How tall is your mom? 60 feet tall.

What is your mom's favorite drink? Stuff in a box.

When she doesn't have anything to do, what does your mom do? Take a nap.

And Becky drew me pictures.

All in all, a memorable Mother's Day.

Oh, and Troy promised me a scroll saw. We'll see. The last time he promised me a gift it took two years before I actually got it. (Troy wants me to tell you that he did, however, cook me a lovely dinner of steak, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls he made from leftover dough. It was very nice.)

And, on an unrelated note, as I work on my food storage, here's a little tidbit for you...I can fit approximately 400 #10 cans in the back of my van!

Because She's the Mom

Happy Mother's Day!

It has been a great day. I will post more about my own wonderful mother's day tomorrow.

But for today, I wanted to tell you about my mom. (And as a little bonus there's even a picture of me! ha. This is a four generation picture with me, my mom, my grandmother, and my daughters. I hope to take another this summer for my other girls.)

My mom is fabulous. My mom and I didn't always see eye to eye when I was young. That might even be a bit of an understatement. haha

But now that I am a mother, and with hindsight being 20/20, I know that she always had my best interests at heart. And that she did what she thought best to make sure that I turned out okay. And, really, all in all, I think she did a good job!

She grew up with such a different life than I had, and I think that everything that she did was to make sure that my brother and I had every advantage that she didn't have. I know that she would tell you that she spoiled me, and she probably did...but I also know that she pushed me and she challenged me and I love her for that.

I love that she is a person of strong ideals. She holds tightly to those she loves and she would go to the mat for any one of us.

I love too, that now that I am older, I can consider her my friend as well as my mother.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Grandma Lee

So, my grandma is an amazing person. (This is her and Mikayla!)

She is the tinest, little person, but she has a huge spirit. She is quiet and unassuming, so you would never know about the amazing life that she has led...and the heartache that she has endured...and she just keeps going.

I have such fond memories of visiting my grandmother in the summer...one of the best vacations of my life was driving out to Minnesota, going to the corn festival in her little town where they cooked corn in an old steam engine and even had bed races down mainstreet! (Yep, people in beds, being pushed down the road by their teammates.)

I love to hear the stories of her youth, growing up in Korea and her life afterwards. She has lived in all kinds of places and had so many amazing adventures.

I am so glad to know her and grateful for the legacy that she has given myself and my children. Without her sacrafices I know that we wouldn't be where we are today.

She is a great grandma!

Happy mother's day, Grandma.

Backstage Pass

We interrupt this regularly scheduled mother's day post with a breaking news bulletin:

A STAR IS BORN.

Mikayla was in the 5th grade play tonight. She had the part of Felicia the Frog. And she was great.








We really enjoyed watching her sing, and dance, and act, all while dealing with a major case of stage fright. I am so proud of her!

We all had a great evening, especially Katie, who rocked out every time the music started. Too funny.

One in a Million

Mother's Day is coming up, so I wanted to take a minute and post about the "moms" in my life. Today we're going to start with Marietta, my mother-in-law.

I could not have been blessed with a finer woman for a mother-in-law. She is so selfless and loves to serve other people. She raised a fine family, my favorite of which is her youngest son.

She is a also a terrific grandmother. The kids love spending time with her. Some of my favorite memories are watching her cook with kids, making the little ones put on shower caps to prevent their hair from falling into the food. It is too funny!

If I could tell you one thing about Marietta, I would tell you that she is a really, really good person, although I don't think she knows it! She has had many trials in her life, but she continues to persevere and serve the Lord. She is a fine example to me of charity.

So, a little early, let me just say that I hope she has a wonderful Mother's Day.

And for those of your who don't know, we named our Emma after Marietta...Emma's full name is actually Mari Emma. So I scrapbooked this page for her.

Toot, Toot

So, i've taken some time recently to work on my scrapbooks, and I have to say I LOVE IT!

It makes me so happy to see my albums be filled, as I put words to all the thousands of pictures that I have taken.

And although I miss the paper and the glue and the crazy little odds and ends that I used to use when I paper scrapbooked, I love not having to get anything out, or better yet, put anything away when I am digital scrapbooking.

So, the point, you're asking?

Well, one of my layouts was featured today on this blog for the Scrap Orchard, a scrapbook site I frequent.

This is the layout.

Bad Mom Award

Okay, just so you don't think that I only ever write about the crazy things other people do, i'll tell you how I earned the bad mom award today...

I forgot my kid. Yup.

Totally forgot.

I was hanging out at home when the phone rang. It was the director at Josh's preschool. She wanted to know if someone was coming to pick Josh up...oh yeah, and his classmate who gets a ride home with us too.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Yeah. Bad me.

How Stinkin' Cute Is...

This?

I know preschool graduation is kinda silly, but this picture just makes my heart do little flip flops.

Can you believe he is going to be a kindergartener?

Before I know it, this will be a high school or a college graduation picture.

Stop me now, or I might just cry!

Coming Home

Well, we have decided that we are going to go west this summer.

I am excited!

We were trying to take every other year off and have a family vacations just for our own little family, but it worked out better for us to travel home this summer.

So, ready or not...here we come!

We are going to try and drive it again. It has been seven years since we last tried this, so we will see how it goes.

I want to go with just me and the kids and camp along the way, but I have already had people tell me that's just crazy.

I would also like to take the kids to see some fun things along the way.

Any thoughts?

Almost Famous

So we went to a Potomac Nationals baseball game last night.

It is a single-A baseball team affiliated with the Washington Nationals. (That just means they are a LONG WAY from the majors!)

The highlight of our night was when Mikayla and five other students from her school sang the national anthem. They were great!

And we even managed to make it through three innings of baseball before everyone fell apart.

I often think to myself that we really should get out and do more things as a family, and then we go out and doing something like this...and I remember why I like staying home.

But, it was fun still to be able to see Mikayla and the kids had a good time eating overpriced stadium food, meeting the team mascot, and buying souvenirs.

The "Hairy" Farm

So we went with Josh's preschool to a dairy farm this morning.

We had a really good time.

On the way there, Becky said, "Mom, we are going to a HAIRY farm!"

I said, "No, honey, we are going to a DAIRY farm."

She replied, "No, it's a HAIRY farm. My Dad said so."

Well, I guess he would know...right?

Anyway, we got to enjoy all the sights and sounds and smells (mmm, mmm, good) of a working dairy farm.

The kids got to take a tour of the farm, including a hay ride, looking at a chicken, up close and personal, playing on the farm equipment, and duck racing with old fashion water pumps (they used the pumps to float a rubber ducky down a pipe).







They even got to pet a sheep and have some ice cream.












The highlight of their adventure was making a "dirt baby." It is a little stocking full of dirt and seed that the kids glued googly eyes on. The seeds will eventually spout and look like the baby is growing hair.

So, I guess Troy was right, it WAS a HAIRY farm.

Mystery Solved

Warning: Story involving bodily fluid. Read at your own risk.

So, I have finally solved the mystery of the disgusting bathroom.

I know, you're asking yourself is this really a mystery?

I mean, pretty much any bathroom used EXCLUSIVELY by your children is going to be gross, especially when some of those children are boys.

So. Last night.

I was laying when I heard some noise out in the hall. I got up and went to check it and found Josh in the bathroom.

He was standing in front of the toilet, with his eyes closed, going pee. Well, if he would have opened his eyes he might have noticed that the toilet lid was down!

So, I am going to assume means that all those other nights he has gotten up to use the bathroom, he didn't have his eyes open then either!

Ahhhh!

Ewww.