Our Family Circus

The last of my 8 cousins got married in the D.C. area so we partied with the family then headed out for our field trip! We pricelined a hotel and had a yard sale to pay for it and packed up the darlings and went! What a GREAT TRIP! We loved it! I follow www.aquiverfull-christy.blogspot.com and they have made the trip twice. She has excellent suggestions and well, it was indeed awesome! We used the metro and spent a couple of days there with our picnic lunches. We may make a quick trip to a museum and we may come back for more. Since the majority of attractions are free in D.C., My Dear and I could say "yes" and say it often. Dolly wanted to see the flag that flew over Ft. McHenry from the War of 1812. It is the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. We read every word of information in that are at the Museum of American History. In fact, we did this museum two days because of the "kid" areas in the basement. Billy, My Dear and I all loved Ford's...

This is what Miss B looked like on a Friday when we went on a field trip. She and Dolly enjoyed trying on the pioneer type clothing from the Civil War era. Dolly likes the Little House picture books so this was right up her alley! (note the outlet in the background!) The following Saturday, the 2 oldest children and I were preparing for a trip out of state to attend my niece's high school graduation. I knew the event would be too much for Miss B and we agreed that she and daddy (who had to work) would stay home. In the busyness of packing suitcases and doing chores at the house, I was doing laundry. The large capacity washer and dryer can hold a lot of little clothes and those were the ones I was washing. I folded them all in the basement and headed upstairs to find these out on the bathroom counter... a wastepaper basket pulled out with shiny, long, red deposits in it and this little face, Proud as Peacock! This is picture was taken after she was informed that cutting her own h...

My sister was to celebrate her Big 4-0 so KY seemed the place to be for Derby Weekend! The children and I had fun with aunts, uncles, cousins, and horses! Growing up in KY, I just assumed all kids could tell a horse from a cow from a distance. It is hard for me to swallow that my younger 2 can not. I also assumed that everyone had historical stone fences that went along the road with hills of grass. Nope! I miss that! My allergies do not, but I do! Isn't it beautiful! The kids and I enjoyed the Kentucky Horse Park and we learned some cool stuff about horses! Like, those tiny horses are not ponies, they are indeed horses and were bred to be small to work in the coal mines-cool huh! Our Dolly loves animals! A few weeks ago, she asked me how to tell a boy dog from a girl dog. I told her the same way a doctor tells a boy baby from a girl baby. She found a picture of a dog and knew the gender. So, you can imagine her generalization at the Horse Park-the special educator in me appreciate...

In doing the laundry today, I pulled out a pair of underwear that belongs to Billy. He will be so thankful that I am talking about his underwear on the web! Honestly, he belly laughs at this story so I think I am in the clear to share...that and....well, he does not read my blog. Several years ago, Billy was in need of new underwear. He was ready for a pair that did not have Grover or Thomas the Train on them. Let's be honest, those little guy undies get yucky fast. It is part of the toddler years. So while we were out and about, I picked up a package of boy's underwear. I was not sure what size to get because every size is not represented and some shrink. BUT they do offer the chart on the back to help you pick the size that would work best for your child. So I read the chart and decided on getting the size 6 underwear for our 4 year old according to his weight and height. I talked hype about the new underwear and how they really were big boy underwear with motorcycles on them...

We have had a tree in our yard that has been dead since we moved her almost 7 years ago. It seemed tricky, at least for me, to take down because it is on a property line and could easily fall and damage a fence, a house, a play set , an outbuilding.... you name it- risky. I used to fear any strong wind, that it would blow the tree over our neighbor's fence damaging their property. I have lost sleep over that silly tree! Well, the weather has been quite interesting around her the past few weeks. Last Friday night, we woke the children at 2 a.m. to move to our "mostly" unfinished basement due to a tornado or 2 in our area. The storms have been so often that Miss B. is not quite as rattled by the thunder. When she does get upset, she just runs to our bedroom and assumes the position-you know the one right between mommy and daddy! Apparently, last night was just as eventful but I too have learned to sleep through the excitement. When I went toward the restroom this morning, ...

I call this picture-pitiful! We have been sick more this year then any year! This was a 24 hour stomach bug for one while the other just slept the bad germs off. Needless to say, that DVD player was burning it up this day! Thankfully it only hit these 2. Dolly had a math lesson at the store last week and came out $1.25 richer! We have a pump and she wanted balloons. Making animals was not as easy as they thought but the swords were way doable so the battles have been frequent. We got a book at the library and look what Daddy can do....with some artistic help from Dolly. The boy builds bathrooms and balloon animals! Look at this floor! It took him days to get a roller coaster built! He loves models like these especially when they work afterwords! Isn't it romantic! His and Her computers! My Dear does his work in the living room and I in the bedroom but with the help of a wireless router.....love can keep us together! It is amazing how much more I got done with a little bit of comp...

Sunday evenings My Dear and I split to two different locations and the children to another. My Dear loads them up for the drop off before heading to his small group of Jr. and Srs. My study is in our neighborhood so I get the children ready and he takes them. Works great-MOST OF THE TIME! While preparing to load the children in the vehicle, Miss B. dropped to the floor in a crying heap. I scooped her up and loved on her a bit then buckled her in her seat. While I did that My Dear ran back into the house to retrieve the bb blanket-it was an obvious bb moment! His phone rang as he was pulling out-someone from another church I think. I walked back toward the house to prepare for group. Use the bathroom, put shoes on instead of slippers, get my Bible, fix my hair from laying around all day.....you know, those things. I went to turn the handle of the door but My Dear had shut both doors and they were LOCKED! He was still in view so this would be an easy fix. In fact, he was still in the dri...

One night, I asked our little "Dolly" to get ready for bed. As she did, I began picking up toys off of the floor. She stopped me and asked me not to disturb this wagon parked beside the dollhouse. Yes, the dollhouse with a horse in it and no, she did not use the word disturb. She told me that the children were going to deliver groceries and flowers to people who have cancer. Why didn't I think to do that with my children and their wagon? My Dear will be thrilled to see this picture but I could not resist the story. "Dolly" woke up not feeling well a week ago. "Billy" wanted cinnamon rolls and can pretty much make them himself. He decided to serve "Dolly" breakfast in bed-mom and daddy's bed. They are just kids, but I love how God is molding their hearts and think I might take some lessons from the sweet darlins'!

This is my 2nd attempt to record all the things I want my heart to remember about today. I am reminded there is no textbook or degree that can prepare you for parenting. I am constantly amazed at how I am stretched. By noon, I had cleaned up 2 potty misses and removed a pair of toddler pants now marked by lipstick. I attempted to explain potty misses as gross which apparently is a fun word to repeat but obviously carries no meaning for the tiny speaker. On a good note, a crinkled nose on a red head saying gross will lower your blood pressure. After lunch, a dinner glass was knocked off the table and broken. An apology came quickly. The glass was empty and I told the little darling, I did not like that glass anyway. One less glass to wash today! I commended Middle button for always being remorseful and mentioned that when big brother was little, he would clam up after an accident and refuse to apologize, probably out of fear. Clay hearing the comment responded, "I'm sorry, I...

No matter how tough the day has been, there are so many stages in my life that I want to savor and not forget. I am constantly reminded how quick 18 years can pass and each step of the way, our children will need us less and less. This morning, I walked around my nicely swept kitchen and rounded the bar to where our son had prepared a bowl of Cheerios. When I sat down, my socks had Cheerios clinging to them. Usually, it is my midsection food hangs on to but now it is my socks. One day my house will be tidy and Cheerio free. I took the above picture this summer when the neighborhood boys came inside to play. I don't want to forget the young feet that have felt welcomed and safe in our home. Nor do I want to forget how Lydia's pink shoes fit into the pile. I don't want to forget the piles of bibs that come out of a load of Miss Blake's laundry. I usually have to wash just to keep her in bibs. I treasure the memory of crawling into bed one night and My Dear's feet bein...

On the way to my brother's wedding, Lydia asked why it took so long for John and Katie to get married. I was not sure what was going on in her little head but she answered it herself and said, "It must be the dress. It takes a long time to get the dress." I think Lydia approved of the dress as much as she does the Aunt. We take our kids to weddings and funerals and just about anywhere we are going. My Dear conducted this ceremony so all I had to do was take care of our youngins'. The wedding was entertainment enough for the big kids but here is the secret weapon for the toddler. She picked them out at the store the night before. We do not usually buy them making them even more special. It was a HOME RUN! I even saw big brother Clay grab a couple. The outdoor wedding was wet and beautiful. The rain let up just enough to allow the bride to walk in. She is pretty anyway but she was RADIANT! The groom thought so too! There was a lot to do after the cer...

My Teddy Bear of a little brother got married this weekend!!! So that meant my parents headed North! My mom is diabetic so proper foot care is important. I wanted to take her out for a pedicure with J's wedding as an excuse. J is not his name but that is what I call him. Why complicate things with 3 more letters? Miss Lydia and I took Nana to a nail salon. We enjoyed talking with the lady who was taking such good care of mom. I know she was of some type of Asian decent but did not know for sure. She later mentioned Vietnam. I heard a cry for the backroom and out toddles a chunky little fella. His mama said, "He loves the customers." He came right over to me and snuggled up against me. I reached down and hugged that baby and was immediately filled with love for him. Oh my....is this what that orphanage will be like!? I so wanted to ask to take his picture but I was afraid mama was already creeped out by my baby obsession. The hug from this little fella was not just a hug....

Okay, so it is actually a little more than a day but, here goes... Lydia discovered a "beautiful dress" in her closet. This is the dress that my niece Amber wore in our wedding 13 years ago. Lydia felt like royalty . The lace got hung on her shoe and ripped while wearing it on Sunday. She said, "Well, at least I got to wear it once!" She reminds me of that Amber too! (This picture is the exception to the rule, but then again so are those girls!) Ms. B is finally changing sizes along with the weather. I drug out some of her cousin's hand-me-downs. Ryleigh is a week older but a year ahead in size-and we are reaping the benefits! B. put these shoes on all by herself. I grabbed the camera and asked if I could take a picture of her new shoes and this is what I got! They are cute, really, they are! Look at her shirt...more teeth are on the way and they brought a runny nose with them! This Lego creation is one he is most proud of. He took probably 7 pic...

We moved the weekend Clay was born. There was no planning the perfect nursery, just praying for an address because the hospital will not let homeless folks leave with babies. Lydia, baby #2, arrived while God stirred our hearts to move...no nursery here either. When expecting baby #3, we had more kids then bedrooms= no nursery decorating. The big kids were moved in together to allow baby napping time without robbing another child of their space as well. This is Miss Blake's little room. The walls are primed and ready for paint for the permanent boarder. (My girlfriend stripped the world's most trying boarder and primed the walls for me as a baby gift isn't that fabulous!!) Welcome permanent boarder! Clay and dad picked out the colors with recommendations from mom. My Dear calls the colors North vs. the South (navy and grey)....how interesting since Clay's new interest in the presidents...Abe Lincoln, here we come! Although, George Washington is his favorite because he h...

The past two weeks we have... 1. been at the baseball fields 4 nights a week. 2.coached a sports training camp for one sweaty week. 3. hosted the parents visit from Florida. 4. hosted another set of parents for a weekend. 5. hosted a bridal shower 2 1/2 hours away. 6. hosted a yard sale. 7. sat in the rain for 2 out of 3 baseball games on the 4 th -with little man bringing home a league champion trophy! 8. swam 9. went to the zoo on the hottest day of the year with my siblings, parents, niece, and nephew. 10. went to the free movies and story time at the library. We have loved it! But, today, we are resting and apparently I am not the only one that needs it.