Naps Are Wasted on the Young

If someone put a fuzzy footed sleeper on me, gave me some milk, turned on a fan and a sound machine, gave me my favorite blanket, kissed me gently, and stroked my forehead and cheek I would be out like a light for at least 3 hours.  Seriously maybe 4.  So why when I do this to my kids do they not fall into a bliss state of complete relaxation?  Instead, Sam comes out every 5 minutes and says "I am awake I had a great nap."  Jake takes his bottle and plays the drums on his crib and takes off his sleeper.  Alice squeals and takes her clothes off......seriously how do they do that?  If they do go to sleep they are often woke up by someone yelling, crying or a door slam.......(ugh) they never go back to sleep either.  Then, the next 2 hours while I am trying clean, do dishes, laundry, and make an edible dinner they are crying.....screaming.......fussing......throwing themselves on the ground.  It really makes me long for the days when I just had 2 or 3 kids (no I am not giving anyone way.........well maybe around nap time so I can get something done:-) and they all laid down at the same time and slept.  The house was so quiet I go so much done or just took an nap right a long with them.  As with everything I know this is just a phase and soon they will be napping again great.  We do have those rare days I can get 3 to sleep at the exact time for 2 hours.......pure heaven.  Here to hoping today is one of those days!!!!! "Kids nap time!!!!!!!"

Broken Promise

So I told myself when I started this blog that I wouldn't let it consume me, you know become a big time mommy blogger!  (LOL) No worries here since my writing has become almost non existent.  I guess I use to think writing was a release for me, something just for me to get my feelings out and to feel better.  Well, now I see it is just one more thing on my overflowing to do list.  I want to do better because I started this blog for my kids, to journal their craziness.  I honestly just don't have time to write.  I really want it documented and if I could delegate it I would.....well laundry first then blog.  When my husband is home on the weekends (who is BTW a huge help cooking etc.) has made comments about how in the world do I get anything done besides basic care of everyone?  Truth is, it does get hectic and yes ,I do lose my patience sometimes but being a mother to 5 beautiful children really isn't too hard.  I think it could be so much harder: I could have to work (bless the working mothers), I could have a child with a disability or illness, or I could be doing it as a single mother.  When put in those terms life is pretty easy.  So why do I find it so hard to take an hour and blog about my day?  Too tired, need to go workout, need to fold the laundry, I would rather shop for a new dress for our trip, finish that book you started 2 months ago, sleep...........these are just a couple excuses:-)  I do want to do better for my monkeys so I am going to try.  Here are some fun things to remember for my kids:

Grace turned 7 and she got a brand new room with new bed, bedding, dresses, and pink walls.
We are have finished our basement and I love it!
Now we are remodeling out bathrooms due to a leak:-(
Grace lost her 2 front teeth and is adorable
Alice got her front teeth in and I think she could be the prettiest little girl
Alice is the craziest climber ever......stairs, couch, fireplace, coffee table.
Jake is walking and looks just like Daddy.
J is a very happy daddy's boy
Sam our crazy child.  He says things like "Are you mad at me? Yes you are." It is so funny when he does it!
S is way to smart for us.
G&D have done an amazing job in swim team this year and officially know how to swim!!!!
S is also a fish in the baby pool
Drew went to wrestling camp and loved it.  He is going again this week.
D is really coming out of his shell and gaining so much confidence.
My kids are amazing travelers and did a 18 drive straight.  One minor incident of gum in Sam's hair.  If you ask him he will say that he will never ever put gum in his hair again, I promise.  Just in case WD40 takes it right out.
Hubby and I enjoyed the best date day we climbed Waterdog and then all the way up to the Continental Divide.  We went on a 2 hour jeep ride that was meant for 4 wheelers......little scary at times.  I loved it and the quiet lunch that followed!

Well, lil monkeys I sure do love you and all the craziness you bring into my life!!!!  I just want to write down more of it so I can tell ya when you are older.

I love you!

Let summer begin!

This Spring has been hard with the crummy weather it has just made me crave nice weather, grilling, and playing outside till 8pm. I think we are finally getting there....thanks goodness before I ran off to Mexico or somewhere hot and sunny!!!. Public school is now out so that makes summer official, although I think we will still do some "school" each day because it is just natural to keep it up. One thing I am not as excited about is running my kids to every activity under the sun (okay they aren't in that many but swim team is at least 3 days a week). Being a HS mom I have kind of become a home body and I am good with that. I love my home and just being there makes me feel stress free and relaxed (yes even with 5 kids running around)! I am not sure how it happened because I hated being in the house when Grace and Drew were little, we would get in the car and just go for a drive most afternoons around 4-5. Now it seems we get so busy with a project I sort of hate to stop to run G to dance, plus it ruins the flow of their play. I love that we have a park in the backyard and I LOVE my back deck with my comfy patio, to me it is perfect! Here is to summertime my favorite time of the year!










Today:



Jake and Alice played in the grass. Alice wouldn't put her feet down she looked like a little ballerina



Jake found the mud!



Grace and Drew thought it was hot enough for a sprinkler on the trampoline.......it wasn't:-( brrr



I passed on all of Alice's little clothes to a good friend...wipe a tear.

Well child check-up's are for singletons

Well, I use to look forward to the well child check-ups with all of my other kids.  I loved seeing how much they had grown and maybe brag a bit about their gifted abilities.  You know typical mom stuff.  Having our twins has been a relatively easy adjustment, I am not really sure why.  When we found out I thought I would need a cleaning lady and nanny.  Well, we had a nanny about 1-2 days a week for about 2 months or so and I still have yet to find a good cleaning lady.  It has just been us and I think we have done great!  That is until we head to the doctor's for the well child visits and the dreaded shots.  I hate it so much, don't get me wrong I love to see what they weight and what percentiles they are in, but it is just miserable for all of us and I wish I had 3 nannies with me 2 for the babies and 1 for me.  The 1 year visit was no better, expect my girlfriend watched my other 3 kids. (Grace usually goes with me to help hold one when they are done with their shots but his time she opted out because "I hates the screaming:-(")  I agree but I couldn't opt out.  So off we go at the worst time ever....6pm, my thought (when I booked 3 mo ago) was DH could go and help, but of course he had to work late (how convenient).  So they are already fussy in their stroller before we even get into our room which BTW was 77 degrees.  That is wonderful while I hold 2 unhappy 1 year olds.  We get them weighted and all the other business out the way....everyone will be happy to know that their head sizes are still off the charts.  Great Alice is tiny with a huge head...that will be pretty for prom!  I strap them both back their strollers in their diapers, they are coming undone.  After about 10 minutes of more waiting in walks the Doctor with the Intern, perfect..................teaching during my apt.  Well, he got a lesson alright.........don't have twins!!  By this time they are both screaming because apparently someone tried to look at them.....do not make eye contact with the 12 mo old please, they only like mommy.  They are crying in unison and I am sweating bullets.  The doctor says hmmmmm they both have temps and my reply is "yes, they are both teething, I try not to medicate much, and oh yeah it is 1,000 degrees in this room." (I didn't really say the last one but I did state I thought they were overheated)  They then ask me about the forms I filled out and one of the questions was does your baby share.........um he is 1.  NO.  He has 4 brothers and sisters when he has a hold of something he doesn't let go........not because his social skills aren't up to par but because he is SMART!!  This line of questioning goes on for about 5 more minutes.......Que louder screaming babies.  They are now over it.  Doctor gets a page and leaves.  Intern stays in the room and asks "do you really have 3 more at home?"  Yup.  "Wow, you are busy." Yup.  Doctor returns and now it is time to examine the babies......yeah right.  Jake goes first he screaming and tries to roll of the table.  I don't think he got a good look at anything.  Alice is next and she is even worse.......she holds her breath she is so mad.  Finally it is shot time.....great the moment we have all been waiting for.  Jake goes first it took all my strength to hold him down and Alice was the same way.  Mommy was smart though she brought jammies to put on them, put them in their stroller with a bottle and all was forgotten.  Well, until the next day when they both had 100 temps all day long.  The bright side is that they were so worn out from all of it they took 3 hour am naps and 2 hour afternoon naps............poor babies.  Well child visits are for the birds when it come to TWINS...... bring reinforcements!!!!

Jake: 21lb 3oz
30.5 inches

Alice: p'nut 17lb 12oz
28.5 inches
I guess she will be backwards facing till kindergarten!

Girly Girl...............

I don't know how it happened but it is official and I have a girly girl. I am so not a girly girl so how could this be. Growing up I remember leaving a ring around the tub almost every night from the filth I got into each day. I was a jock in high school and even college. Don't get me wrong it isn't like I never did my hair or wore a stitch of make-up, I did all and then went to play in my college softball game. Even today I always get up do my hair/make-up, cute outfit (this makes me feel good as a SAHM) and then scrub the toilets and carry out the trash.
So I wonder how did I end-up with such a girly girl. The little girl that changes her clothes ten times a day and each outfit is cuter than the next. She plays with her dolls constantly and wants to take them to the zoo and to church with us because they will be lonely. She is a dancer.......I have 2 left feet. She is a great little cheerleader...........basketball was my favorite sport. She gets dirty in her dresses and painted nails...................I don't even remember wearing a dress or painting my nails. She is sensitive and sweet and loves everything purple and pink. Her cheer coach just moved her to the group for 4th-6th graders because she says Grace has real talent (she is not 7 yet). How? Not from me. On Saturday, I got to watch her do her Hip Hop routine for her recital and she is really good. I know I sound surprise but where did she get that talent? Maybe her daddy has some dancing abilities I have yet to see. So I guess my girly girl will be a dancer and a cheer leader instead of a little tomboy! It is just amazing what little people your kids become with their own thoughts and abilities. I Love My Girly Girl Grace!!!!!!!!!!

Time flies with 5 kids...........

Wow, I thought time stood still during geometry class in high school, but now it seems like I blink and another week or month has gone by.  I think children are little time keepers.  When they are babies you celebrate each month, when they are children you celebrate every half year, and then when they are older time travels by you with each passing sports season.  It is hard because sometimes you just can't wait till they are big enough to sit-up, crawl, walk, ride a bike, swim, drive a car........ When does it stop we are always looking forward to the next milestone.  Right now Sam tells me he wants to be 4 so he can wrestle and I kind of want the babies to walk so we can play outside more.  Then I think am I "living in the moment" or I am just waiting for the next exciting moment.  I think I even do this in our daily life of  living for the weekends when daddy is home.  I am afraid I am so guilty of just going through the motions instead of really taking in the giggles, the kids swinging on the swing set, and even the fighting over who pushed first.  It is hard but I am really going to try to "be" in each moment and not think about the fact that I have to switch the laundry in 15 mins, lay out some meat for dinner, wipe down the counters, check on the babies, I really just want to forget it all and watch my kids play and take it all in.  I know they are only this small today and I can't get yesterday back.  I love my life I need to make sure I am really living it and not waiting for the next thing I need to do or the next thing to celebrate.

So today I enjoyed:
Holding my babies
Sitting on the floor and letting them crawl all over me
Reading to the kids
Baking carrot cake bars
Doing a nature walk with them
I am going to enjoy watching them swim and taking Grace to cheer leading.
I really enjoyed this beautiful day God has given us!

Make sure you ENJOY your day!!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

I just want to say happy birthday to my beautiful babies (I get to call you babies till you are 2) Jake & Alice.  On this very day last year at 6:23pm and 6:24pm (Jake is oldest) you both enter this world with gusto and as perfect as can be.  I was shocked and in denial you were coming hence the showing up at the hospital dilated to 10cm and my water breaking the moment I tried to climb in to bed.  Thank goodness for my little plug Alice laying sideways or you would have been born in the Canon.  It was so amazing to have two of you at once, such a new experience.  At that moment I knew why God gave me two arms one to hold Baby A and Baby B.

Today, you are both now 1 and so different.  This year has gone faster than any other years.  I am now convinced that the more children you have the faster it goes.  I remember every detail of my pregnancy with you and your "Birth Day".  I was all amazing and went too fast.  You have both grown and changed so much in the last year.  Alice you are so delicate and petite and Jake you remind me so much of the other 3.  Today was a perfect day just being home with you and not missing a second of your big day or any other day for that matter.  I am so blessed to be a stay at home mom, I love every second of it. 

Your First Birthday's Highlights:
Grace woke you up singing happy birthday
Mommy made you pancake and even let you have a little syrup on them
You swung outside
You got to eat your first pb&j and it was made by Grace
Sam sang to you about 6 times and never forgot the cha cha cha at the end.
Mommy made you homemade chocolate cake -if you had been 1 or 2 born you would have gotten something healthier:-)
Grace decorated it
Jake you stuff you face so bad and even rubbed your eyes
Alice you ate it like a little princess
Daddy came home to spend lunch with you and to assemble you new rides
Grace and Drew pushed you around for an hour on them!
You had lots of Birthday calls and skypes with everyone who loves you!!!
It was a very quiet and peaceful day much different than the craziness of your birth but all special in the same way.

We love you so much Jake and Alice!!!!!

Bad Blogger

I have been so bad about blogging this week but things are just crazy!  So here are the happenings:

1. Jake and Alice pull-up to everything.
2. Jake stood on his own for 3 seconds today:-)
3. Grace and Drew are both doing swimteam and are doing great.
4. Grace offically finished her 1st full year of HS
5. Drew is reading at a 1st grade level (just turned 5)
6. Sam is 2.5 and has a mind of his own
7. Sam has taken a few swim lessons and loves it.
8. He has also learned to pee standing up.....Lord help us
9. Jake and Alice went to daycare for one day and cried all day....crazy because they are such sweet, easy, and happy babies.  They are offically banned...lol
10. Grace and Drew finised AWANA and their grand prix cars did great.
11. We started construction on our basement to finish it and I am so happy!!!!
12. We went on an offical HomeSchool group trip to the zoo.

We are so blessed these days and I can't believe in a few days we will be celebrating the babies 1st birthday's.  It just doesn't seem possible.  It is a goal of mine to post their birth story because J&A's was the craziest of them all!!!!

Here are a few pictures of my monkeys:  As you can see I am loving my new camera!

Dear J & A

I wanted to stop and send you a little note about what you are doing today 11.5 months!  You two are something else, you bring new meaning to the word baby proofing!  Jake, you are pulling up to everything, and your brothers and sister think this means you are ready to walk.  Maybe even go outside and play.  You love to swing, pull books out of the book shelf, steal your sisters bottle or toy.  Alice, you are just figuring out that you might be able to pull yourself up if you really try hard.  You are full of smiles and still our little sweetpea.  I really think you might be petite, not sure how that is possible!!  I trimmed your crazy hair, well because it was crazy.  Plus you won't leave your bows in and you cry when your brother (J) pulls them out.  You eat so well and stuff so much in your mouth it looks like you are storing nuts for the winter.  I love how you steal food off of J's tray if I set you too close.  You both army crawl and lose your pants........my favorite!

Your big sister adores you and thinks of you as her little babies.  A, she loves to dress you especially when you can match her.  G is your second mommy for sure!  Your big brother D thinks you guys are so funny and can't wait for you to be able to really play.  S likes to hug you too hard and occasionaly wrestle you.  You both are good sports and take it in stride.

My favorite part of the day is first thing in the morning when I go upstairs to get you too!  J, you are always just barely peeking over the crib bars with the biggest grin.  You are yelling loudly at your sister.  A, you are sitting with your legs swinging between the bars hollaring back at J.  It really is the cutest thing.  I would love to know what you are saying to eachother.  I look forward to the day when I can sneak-up on your little talks....so precious.  You guys are two of  the sweetest babies I have ever met.  You fill my heart-up with such love, I just wish you guys would slow down a bit!!!!!

Love, Mommy

Feel the burn

Well, I just started my 1st 60 days in my new program "Insanity", and let me just tell you it is "insane". I have only done two workouts and I can barely walk (in good way). You know like when you were in high school and you just started your basketball season and did so many suicides you could barely walk......good. I really like it because it is intense to say the least and it says you can burn up to 1000 calories, now that is a lot of burgers and pizza I can eat! Not to mention yesterday I had to change my Weight Watchers from breastfeeding to not breastfeeding (wipe a tear Jake is done) seriously they took away 9 points!!!! I almost cried and was through all my points by dinnertime..oops! I also love it because most workouts are 40 minutes long and this works great for my crazy schedule. Plus I can't handle more than 40 minutes of this stuff.

I am back to getting up early (4:45 early)ugh. Not my favorite but DH hits the treadmill at the same time and when we are done working out he showers and I make him breakfast and send him on his way. I know I am very 1950's but I am great with that. So it is only 6am and I have time to sit down with my coffee and write, just a little me time. The babies are stirring but just with sweet conversation to eachother. I love this time, I need this time. I feel ready to start the day when the monkeys get-up and already have a great sense of accomplishment. I do think tomorrow I will have to parent from the couch because I won't be able to move!!!!!

Potty training was so easy!!!!

I know most of you reading this post might get the feeling I am bragging.....maybe a little. You would be too if it only took you like a day potty train your 2 year old. Really I am just doing a happy dance about the fact I only have two in diapers....now you all are getting the last laugh! Sam was so easy, I am not really sure why but here are a couple of my thoughts. He was ready age wise. I believe 2.5 is the perfect age, I am not saying kids can't be trained before that, I just feel this is when "most" kids can hold it long enough to get "themselves" to the bathroom. I know we all have people in our families that insist they had their children potty trained at 9mo, 12, 15mo. Sure, ya did. A 9 mo old walked themsleves into the bathroom took their pants off, went to the bathroon, wiped, flushed, and put their own pants back on. Yeah right more like the mom was trained to take the child to the bathroom. (DH's Dad was potty trained at 9mo:-)))))
Another reason is he talked well, you gotta be able to say "I gotta go potty, mommy." I also think it helped that he had older siblings. My number 1 reason for his success of potty training is bribery. Not above it and won't ever be. The promise of spiderman big boy pants or M&M's goes a long way. So it has been about a month that he is using the potty with minmal accidents, and several times of pulling off the road so he can go to the bathroon. Him being potty trained is great and I have no more big boy dirty diapers (thank goodness). But on the other hand it was easier when he was in diapers and we are shopping at Walmart with 5 kids and a cart full of groceries!!! I am proud my little guy is growing up!

Potty funnies
He take his pants, underwear, shoes, & socks completly off to go to the bathroom.
He saw his brother stand up to "go" and insisted he was ready........he was NOT ready!
The first time I pulled over so he could go potty he made me tell him something to "aim" for.
He also had the stomach bug shortly after he was trained and now every time he goes #2 he says "I think it is diarreha Mommy". I don't know why but it is funny to hear a 2 year old to say such a grown-up word....TMI I know!
Just this week he learned to "water the trees" in our yard. One night about 5pm the kids were all inside playing and Sam walked out the back door and said "I gotta go potty mommy!" LOL

Dear Outstanding Wrestler Div 1

Drew we were so proud of you this wrestling season! By watching you wrestle no one would ever guess this was your very first season. You went out to the mat for each match with such focus and desire to pin the other kid standing in front of you. You shed a few tears and showed some fear but you always came back and did an amazing job. You made you mommy and daddy fall in love with this sport and you have totally put it in a new light for us. We hope you continue to wrestle because we think you have a special gift and believe it is teaching you so much about yourself. During this season you were 10-3 and all but 3 of your wins were pins, 2 were techfalls, 1 you beat on points. One of your loses you got beat by a kid that weighed more than 5lbs more, 1 match you lost by 1 point, and the other you got beat by a kid that took 2nd in the Rocky Mountain National. You got four 1st place finishes and two 2nd. We are amazed at the improvements you made through the year. Your coach thought so too because last night you were named "Outstanding Wrestler Div 1"!!! We love you so much Drew, we are so proud of you!!!!

L, Mommy & Daddy

We have a schedule...yippy !!!

I am so happy to report that after 11 months of living with twins we finally have a schedule!!!! I really never thought I would see the day. I mean as a mother of 3, you pretty much think you have your act together in "mommyhood". Then God throws you a curveball with TWINS. I think God has an awesome sense of humor. It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. I think back to when I use to complain when I had one child that woke-up every 2 hours through out the night. Yea I pretty much should have kept my big mouth shut! When the twins were younger, I would ALWAYS have 2 up and sometimes 3 and really bad night 4&5 (BTW night terrors and growing pains are a real thing). The nights didn't stay like that forever, although last night everyone but sweet baby Alice made their way to our room or screamed bloody murder for me to come rescue them from the dark. For the last 6 years what has amazed me most about our households sleep patterns is the one constant, the person who can always managed to sleep soundly…… DH (gritting my teeth a bit). It is like the moment he became a father automatic ear plugs formed in his ears. The best is when (huge sarcasm) the screaming gets so loud into the monitor with multiple children crying, it actually wakes him. He walks into the nursery relieved to see me, so he can go back to bed and mumbles “you got this?” Ahh….. do I have a choice? Because if so……”you got this?”

I am pretty lucky though because since about 9 months both babies have been sleeping through the night or at least until 4am. Naps were such a different story. In my house naps don't count if they are an hour or less. If someone (not to name, name (JAKE)) would get up before sleeping at least an hour, I would explain to him that he got no credit for lying down. "Sorry pal better luck next time." These conversations went on for about 10 months. Then a break through one morning both J&A slept for 2.5 hours at the same time!!!! I mean I must have checked on them both about 4-5 times. They got-up and they were so happy and fun to be around. They ate lunch, crawled a round a bit, pulled books off the shelf and then it was like magic, they were tired again. Back down they went, for another 2 hours at exactly the same time. This trend has continued for about 2-3 weeks and I am so happy. In the mornings I can get school work done, laundry, treadmill it, and even have time to check facebook. The afternoons I can sit on the back deck and drink a latte, content and knowing that no one is upstairs screaming their head(s) off. It is such a nice feeling to know that I am going to survive the first year with 5, six and under and that I am not going to sleep deprived mommy heaven.

Bad mommy...................

"You are the meanest mommy I ever met" these are words my two year old has been saying to me lately whenever he is in trouble. In his defense he in trouble a lot and I am probably the meanest/only mommy he has ever met. These words aren't hurtful and yes, they make me chuckle because when he says it he has a scowl on his face that is a cross between a wink, a blink and a mad face, which are all funny. I usually tell him "he is the nicest Sam I ever met" and he just looks at me not sure what to say. He really is the cutest thing ever! Some days I do feel like the "meanest mommy ever". I mean I seriously think I can go a whole day without saying "yes". My kids ask if they can do something and I feel like my immediate reaction is to say "no". I am working on it really I am, I would like to be the "bestest mommy I ever met." He did say this too me once but he was just buttering me up to ask for candy! I think I say "no" a lot because I am trying not to spoil them, teach them can't have everything they want, and the biggest is I want them to grow-up to be very humble grateful people. Motherhood is so tough because the moment you hold your newborn baby you can't imagine not giving them everything in the world. I feel by saying "no" (sometimes, not all day long) I am giving them everything in the world by teaching them: love, honesty, respect, forgiveness, integrity, discipline, and love again. I know there are days were I am walking a fine line of ruling with an iron fist to being a total push over. No one ever said Motherhood was easy or that we would have all the right answers. I hope by the time my kids read this they decide I fell somewhere in-between "the meanest and the bestest mommy they ever met." I will settle for "you were a very loving and understanding mom who taught me to be a good person."

A Happier Easter

J & A were 11 months on Easter Sunday and the day was so different from last year. Last Easter I watched from the couch (I should have been in bed) as the Easter Bunny hid the eggs, monitoring my contractions (which at this point I was having about 12-15 an hour, yes that is pretty much in labor), I had a needle in my leg giving me so much medicine I would just shake, plus I was also taking oral meds, and I was so big I really couldn't move without help. I mean I have always been big with all my other pregnancies measuring a couple weeks a head of schedule, but that was nothing to the 52cm (weeks) I would eventually measure. I watched the excitement of the Easter egg hunt from the couch (I should have been in bed). The Easter baskets were hidden so hard all the kids had trouble finding them:-) My DH made a wonderful breakfast that I didn't even feel well enough to eat. They all rushed out the door to head to church, while I lay in bed monitoring and re-monitoring about 3 times because I kept failing.....with too many contractions. I had to administer 2 extra doses of medicine just so I wouldn't have to go back to the hospital. I remember feeling sad that they were all gone and I was stuck being at home in bed again. On the other hand I felt so blessed to have made it past 32 weeks; I was determined to go full term. I was so happy when 3 little monkeys rushed into my room, hopped onto my bed, to show me their art from church. DH helped me downstairs (again I should have been in bed but this day was special) so I could eat an Easter meal he had prepared for us. I don't know where he found the time he was such a saint during this time and I would have never made it without him. I am sure he was as depressed as I was with the situation but he never ever complained. It was a very tough time in our lives but we made it through, he worked so incredibly hard at his job, playing mom, running the kids around, laundry, cleaning, cooking, and everything else. All while I lay in bed helpless and growing babies. For those of you who know me, I hate not being able to do things for myself and it took all I had to stay off my feet. I think during this time we realized that our family and GOD is all that matters and with his help we can handle anything.

This year was so different. It really made me thankful for last Easter and for all the months I laid in bed growing two beautiful healthy babies. This Easter they were crawling everywhere, grabbing eggs, and trying to put candy in their mouths. They were dressed so cute for church and we got to go as a family, all 7 of us. Plus DH prepared the same wonderful Easter dinner and I could actually eat it!!! We are so blessed......in too many ways to count.

Bloggers Guilt!

I haven't been able to blog all week and I am not really sure why? I mean I am busy but how is that different from last week? We have had a nice week with a lot of fun things.....zoo, reading together, play dates, wrestling, and bought a new Suburban! I guess I will forgive myself and pledge to do better next week. I am letting go of the bloggers guilt, Lord knows the laundry, housework, and mother's guilt is enough to make us not want to get out of bed in the morning!!!!

Until next time........happy day!

Reasons why I thought I couldn't Homeschool

This is a follow-up post from "Why we decided to Home School".

These are my reasons for being intimidated by home schooling but what I learned from my first year.

1. I am not educated enough. I learned that there are so many resources to help you in HS. There are so many things to choose from to help you learn to teach. It is also a great chance to relearn right along with your children and it is way more fun with them. Side note: We used "My Father's World" for our first year and really enjoyed it and super easy to follow!

2. I am not patient enough. Patience comes through overcoming trials and learning to yield to the fruit of the Spirit instead of the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:22-25) I have learned there is nothing more natural than teaching your child. You know what is right for them because they are yours!!!! I also learned that sometimes it is MOMMY who needs the timeout:-)

3. My children are too social. I worried that Grace would miss all of her friends. She was a little concerned about this too. Instead we had play dates that last hours instead of recesses that lasted 20 minutes. Plus they still had dance, wrestling, AWANA, church and best of all here at home they are with their best friends all day long.

4. I was worried I would crave "me time". I have given up getting my hair done-oh well it is saving me money and my husband loves the long locks. Now I just crave being with my kids we are all so close, I really hate to leave them. I am a mom, I gave up "me time" when I gave birth 6.5 years ago.

5. I thought it would look like regular school only at home. So not true...thank goodness. We learn constantly all day long and very little of it is done around the table.

6. I thought I would be lonely. I am far from lonely being surrounded by 5 of the cutest little beings on the planet. Plus, I still have close inner circle of friends. I realized your true friends will still be your friends even if you don't see them in the drop off line at school. I love my besties we talk everyday!

7. I thought it would be hard to come up with a curriculum. Sooooo far from true it was actually harder to decide which one to do. There are so many great ones.

8. I was scared of picking the wrong books for my kids. Well, I did this and we worked it out. G my oldest had been in a private school for Kindergarten and so I did 1st and 2nd grade stuff with her because she was ahead of most 1st grade work. She was bored at first so we moved to harder stuff. With Drew 4.5 yrs. when we started I didn't want to do all the preschool stuff with him so we went straight to learning to read and math problems. He is now reading small stories and doing easy addition and he just turned 5.

9. I thought I was too busy with 3 other babies in the house. Sam wants to "do school" right along with the others. The babies a lot of times are napping or sitting on my lap while we are all learning. We work together to get housework done. My kids have jobs and even at the age of 2 have learned to help around the house.

10. I was worried I wouldn't have a schedule or that it would take too much time. At first I didn't have a schedule because the twins were little and unpredictable. We fit in school at all different times. Now we do it mostly all in the morning done by 11 and reading in the afternoon cuddled on the couch. We can get so much done in a short amount of time working one on one....more than I ever dreamed!

Why we decided to Home School

I have been asked by several people to write a post about why I decided to home school. I was a little hesitant about answering this question because I do not want to offend anyone or come off sounding like if you don't HS you are a bad parent. This couldn't be further from the truth. I think as parents we are constantly trying to figure out what is best for our children and our family. So this is a post about what is best for MY FAMILY. It isn't meant to offend anyone. I love teachers....I guess I decided to become one:-) I think teachers work incredibly hard with very little pay and resources. So here it goes OUR reasons for choosing to HS our 5 beautiful children. So far one of the BEST decisions we have made.

1. We wanted to give our children a Christian education where God could be openly discussed and the bible could be read. Our schools today are not like when we were growing up. Today’s schools are essentially government run
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2. We wanted to be an important part of educating our children. God gave us these children to train up and to teach to be disciples for him. We also knew we would be doing HS with our public educated children anyway with homework that was sent home by their teachers. (Homework begins in kindergarten)

3. I want my children to obtain life skills. When they are old enough I want them to be able to experience many different internships etc. so they can determine what they would like to do. HS could be viewed as College Prep because they are learning how to manage every aspect of their individual lives. They won’t need to try and figure out how to take care of themselves through the feedback and modeling provided by their peers.

4. A lot of time is wasted in school. Schools waste so much of a child's day sitting, waiting, learning things that are not applicable in real-life. We thought a better senerio for our children would be spending the day learning worthwhile skills while receiving personal feedback immediately. Studies have been done were 30 minutes of actual leaning took place in a 6 hour school day. I didn't want to lose my children for 6+ hours out of the day and then lose them when they get home to homework that they had to do in the next 2 hours. Where does family time fit into that model?

5. Socialization is another reason. My husband and I really don't believe a good model for socialization is 8 year olds socializing with other 8 year olds. We believe that our children should be able to socialize with 2 year olds, 10 year olds, 20 year olds, 33 year olds and even 80 year olds. To us this is socialization.

6. I believe learning is so fun....think back to kindergarten. Schools take the fun out of learning at no fault to them. I believe if I can foster a fun learning environment at home then they will constantly be searching out learning and loving it for a lifetime.

7. We want to raise our own children. We didn't want to give our children to someone for 6-8 hours out of the day and have that person become the biggest influence in our children's lives. We want to keep our family as a strong family unit and not have other outside people be more important in our child's life. We have a strong desire to truly appreciate the daily sanctity of family.

8. Another very important reason is to shelter them. Interesting I know, since this one would probably be a big critisim to HS. This is one of my biggest reasons. Individual differences are rarely valued in the reality of school, and children in school are often abused emotionally by their peers if they possess personal characteristics that are too far from what is considered normal. An accelerated sense of sexuality and dating are a reality in school. I understand that these are also realities outside school, and my children will someday understand this reality. But not today. They will experience them once they have a firm foundation of faith, love, respect for themselves, and an unwavering relationship with God and their parents.

9. Moving at my child's pace of learning and not someone else's child.

10. Enjoying the time with my children. With home schooling we have limited our outside activities and found a simpler lifestyle. We are not forced to succumb to the modern pressures and stresses of our society with its hectic pace. Instead we are able to slow down enough to enjoy time together as a family. (Side note if you HS your child can still play sports with the public school, this was important to me.)

So these are a few of my reasons for choosing to HS. I feel like I am making better use of my child’s time and they are learning so much!!!!

Follow-up story for Mommy Mobile

So my DH read my post "Mommy Mobile" and pointed out that I forgot to tell a very important story that really shows the chaos we at times live. I don't know that I "forgot" I might have just "left it out" because it is a little embarrassing......to the mom anyway. Oh well, it is a memory so I will share for my kids sake.

It was a cold Sunday morning this winter and we were all in our Sunday best heading to church. The kids are in the back looking ever so cute and my husband and I are casually discussing how once again we are late. Not hard to be late when we have so many different personalities to get out the door. Plus Sunday's is family breakfast time and DH and I are always making something yummy to eat. We like to sit around, drink coffee, admire our view, and exchange nice pleasantries. Unfortunately we never quite get up early enough to fit it all in and this leaves us scrambling to get out the door.

So we are heading to church, I am applying my lip gloss and DH glances in the back and spots Sam (2yr) munching on something that doesn't look like the normal cereal, fruit chew, or partially eaten granola bar. He asks me "what is Sam eating?" I turn around to take a look and calmly reply “a hamburger." Yep, Sam was eating his McD's hamburger from the day before. When I asked Sam about it he replied with his mouth full "hmmmmmm this is good." We pleaded with him to put down the hamburger but he wouldn't budge. I told DH that at least it is winter and the car stayed freezing all night. I am trying to justify my calmness. Was it gross? Yes. Was it healthy for him, no but neither was the hot hamburger we purchased from the restaurant the day before. Was it hilarious? Most definitely. When we got to church and removed the hamburger from his little clutch he cried so hard and told mommy she was the "meanest mommy he had ever met." Seriously talk about laughing until you cry!!! Sometimes as moms, we just can't sweat the small stuff and learn the art of laughter. Life is way more fun once you can let go of the picture perfect life and clean house. You let yourself become a child too and really enjoy your children. Snack filled car seats and all!

Until next time.....happy day

Shy Guy

My shy guy is my 5 year old little boy, Drew. From the moment he was born he has been the sweetest little boy. He gave us quite a scare when he was born and he didn't breathe for over 3 minutes. It was the scariest time of my life. He ended up begin a healthy baby at 9lb 2oz. His chest was off to one side from getting smashed but on all accounts he was perfect. The nurses called him "Baby Bubba" because they thought he was so cubby and they loved taking turns in the middle of the night holding him. Yes, by the time it is your second baby you use the nurses and nursery as much a possible, especially when you already have one baby at home. When he was a few days old I got an infection and had to be put on antibiotics. I had to stop nursing him while I was on the medicine. I pumped and dumped for 10 days in hopes of being able to get him to nurse again. All the books said that it wouldn't work, that he would be confused. Well, after the 10 days of washing that liquid gold down the sink (heartbreaking). I tried to nurse that not so little guy and he began nursing immediately. This is a good example of his laid back personality.

He has been his sister’s best friend since the day he was born. Only 19 months apart neither one of them knows life without each other. They are truly each other’s best friend and even at ages 5 and 6 they still are. I hope they will always be. Grace has always been his "big" sister taking care of him every second and this has been just fine with Drew. I still remember dropping them off at Preschool and Grace stood there hugging him while I went out the door. Talk about heartbreaking for a mommy to watch! The teacher told me that they played together at playtime and sat together during snacks and lunch. It warmed my heart to know that she was always there to take care of him and even when there are 30 other kids to choose from they still preferred each other.

Drew, is so agreeable until he gets really upset. He can at times turn into a little hot head. He reminds me of me in this way....all the patience in the world until the patience is gone and he erupts. He is quick to make-up with and will literally cuddle on my lap for hours. I love this about him. He tells me that he loves me bigger than the moon and the whole earth. Talk about melting a mommy's heart. You can often find him sleeping on our floor in the mornings on mommy's side of the bed. DH jokes that it will be embarrassing when Drew goes to college and takes his mommy with him. I heart mamma’s boys!!!!

Drew is a Lego crazy 5 year old and I mean Lego crazy. He loves to get Legos and will sit and build for hours. For his 5th birthday he wanted a Lego party and we had a fun family birthday (despite him running a 102 temp) we sat and built Legos for hours. When I was on bed rest with the twins he would bring his Legos to my bed and we would talk and build things together. I cherished those moments. At times he suggested that I may not know how to build a bull dozer and perhaps we should wait for the expert builder....daddy. But we always managed.

Now that Drew has been wrestling I have seen him grow in ways I didn't know was possible. He takes his wrestling so serious and shows such displace. It amazes DH and I. He has a new confidence about him. He is now doing things on his own without his side kick there to hold his hand. He listens and is respectful this makes me very proud.
Maybe the last 5 years he has been actually listening to my manners lessons. He is always the first to say "thanks mommy for this wonderful meal" or "thank-you for helping me with my project."

I remember once Grace was talking to him about how he needs to love God and Jesus. She must have been going on and on about it because all of the sudden he said "Grace, God and Jesus both live in my heart I let them in....okay!!!!" Last Sunday, we saw a car flipped over, during the snowstorm we drove through and quietly in the back seat Drew said "Mommy, I think I want to pray that those people in that car are okay." So he prayed out loud while a tear ran down my cheek.

Drew, you are my first son and my sweet little “Drewbie” (a nickname G gave him when she was 2yr and it has stuck). I love being your mommy and watching you grow and change everyday. You are becoming such a big boy and have the biggest heart. I hope you never change even your hot headedness. I can't wait to watch you to grow into the man I pray you become, a man just like your daddy. I love you so much and you make me so proud to be your mommy.

L, Mommy

Mommy Mobile

Yes this is a post about my mode of transportation...silly I know but it is one amazing car. I am writing this because my husband says it is time to trade it in for a new car, a bigger car. My beloved mini-van, (yes, I said mini-van) Dodge Caravan 2005 fully loaded to be exact. I love this car so much. It makes my life so easy with automatic everything. If I have my hands full of babies, groceries, diaper bags, or baseball mitts at the click of a button my doors open. Now, if it just had a self cleaning mechanism inside the car that would really be the best. My van is where many things go to die or eventually get sucked up by the shop vac. On any given day you can find; a stroller, sippy cups, socks, legos, dolls, changes of clothes, books, and too many snacks, fruit chews and crumbs to name. Every time we go anywhere my kids act like we are leaving for a month and they fill their little paws with as much stuff as one can carry. I also don't have a no eating rule in the car...if I get a new one I most likely will have too. I love the no eating rule, the kids and I can share stories over a happy meal (horrible mother I know). In my defense Happy Meals now come with apple dippers which is a much healthier and stickier option. (Warning take the caramel out of the 2 years old bag before passing back....please trust me on this one.) There are days that I joke that my van is totaled from the inside....those of you who have had the pleasure of seeing it know it to be true. So why, do I want to hold onto this seemingly trashed car? Well, it is more than the leather seats with built in bun warmers and DVD player although they are my favorites. It is because this is where all the talks happen on long road trips, and I get to hear about ballet, swimming, wrestling practice, and hear my kids sing along to their favorite bible songs. I like the closeness. I love to look back and see every single seat filled with a round smiling little face (caramel and all). I love that I can pack my whole life in this car with just 7 people and a dog in the back. If that is all I was left with one day I would be a very blessed girl.

Until next time......happy day

Sick Days.......

Today I am blogging about sick days because well, frankly we have had too many. Most of them have come in the form of a stomach bug......the worst in my opinion. Today it is me. Who takes care of the mom when she is sick? My kids do sometimes, they like the added responsiblity of mommy letting them pour their own cereal or fix a bagel for their little brother. They know I will let them do so much more if I am not up to getting after them, and everyone is getting along. Today G&D are the mommy and daddy and they have 3 kids. I am the sick grandma. I love their imagination so much!!!! I hate being sick. I hate not feeling up to playing with the kids or like doing much school with them. Today, will be a big reading day with lots of comfy blankets, pillow, and "Little House on The Praire". In it own way sick days are special bonding days. When it is me the kids are extra well behaved and helpful. When it is them they are little cuddle bugs that just want to snuggle one my lap all day. They are so sweet falling asleep anywhere and waking with mommy still snuggling close. The tricky part is when more than 1 of them are sick or heaven forbid 3 or 4 have caught the same virus. Those days can be very exshausting, yet I am thankful I get to be here with them. It seems like this year we have had more sick days than ever, but I guess we have a lot of people the virus needs to move through. Here is to the hope that this is our last sick day and that Spring will be here to stay.

Until next time.......happy days

The day from...........

How can I write about the day from "you know where" so vividly as if it happened yesterday? Well, because it did happen yesterday. It all started with a twinkle in my DH eye. Not the kind of twinkle he had in his eye when he first met me, this was the kind of twinkle that said "please let me be sixteen again." The persuasion started months and months ago with him priming me for the thought of us having "family time" together. Afternoons spent driving through the mountains and camping together. He had me so excited I was almost convinced this was my idea, my plan. So I was an easy target when last Tuesday he handed me his computer and said "hey what do you think about this one." I looked at it with a bit of hesitation because I was a little nervous what "this one" was going to be. There it was (drum roll please).......a Jeep. He was excited and stated that this Jeep has 6 seats so we can almost all fit. Hmmm almost all fit, I wondered who was the one that got left behind???? Perhaps me, maybe this was a daddy and five kids bonding experience and I would be left at home to take a nap or read a book. So I looked at the Jeep and I slowly got convinced this was a good idea and I even got a little excited too. On our honeymoon we had covered Maui and Kauai for 10 days in a red jeep and it was the best time. Yes, he played to my sentimental side. So I got a great idea.......yes buying this Jeep is now my idea and a pretty good one I might add. We started talking to the Jeep owner and got word on Saturday night about 10pm that we could go and look at it tomorrow (Sunday). Great, we will go. Never mind that it is 3 plus hours away and we have 5 kids to drag around with us. This is going to be great. I love road trips, I think it is great family time. Most of the time the kids want to watch a movie and DH and I can solve the world’s problems in peace and quiet. I should have known that the cards were stacked against us when we woke-up and it was 6:30 (which is sleeping in for us) but on the day of a road trip this is over sleeping. I walk downstairs and DH is preparing breakfast (so sweet) he says "you know it is really 7:30, right?" Oh yeah, I had completely forgot daylight savings. Great, we better hurry. We kicked into high gear and get everyone showered, dressed, fed, and packed for a day in the car. We are ready to pull out of the driveway at 9am (new time). My next clue should have been when I stepped outside with my first trip to the car of diaper bags(yes 2) coats, coffee, purse, cooler, snack bag, and DVD’s, wow it is a little cold out. The last 3 days had been warm and spring like so I hadn't given much thought about the weather. So, I rushed in and change out of my adorable ballet flats and put on my cowboy boots and re-checked the coat situation and counted 7. Away we go.....is that snow flurries I see? Down the road a bit further......wow it is really snowing. We actually thought about turning around but where we live it can be snowing one place and 60 degrees another, so we kept driving. I checked the weather via my blackberry and we were in the clear or so weather.com stated. Clue 3 came in the form of sweet baby girl A. From the moment she was born she has been the easy twin. She is so sweet natured and such a little smiley pants. Well, an 1.5 hours down the road she was still talking in the backseat with the occasional fuss. I thought for sure both of them would nap the whole way since we left at their nap time. J who we normally call "Sir Cries A lot" was blissfully sleeping. Oh well, DH said we are going to stop soon so I will feed them, change them, and then she will sleep during the rest of of the trip and the negotiations. Right before we get to our stop DH decides we should keep going, he just wants to complete the "mission" aka purchasing his dream Jeep. Okay great, I had this all planned and by stopping it was actually in the long run making the trip easier. I am a planner and I hate when my plans are changed especially by DH. I tried to convey this to him but down the road we go. We arrived in Jeep town with, 2 babies crying in the back, 3 kids are saying "I thought we were going to stop for lunch." So we finally did. Everyone was starving and ate great. A, seemed a little over tired but I was still hopeful that she would get in the car and fall fast asleep. So off to see the Jeep we go. I think this is when it dawns on me that if he buys Jeep, he is going to be driving home him silence and I am going to be driving home with 5 crabby kids in crappy weather. I guess this is where my bitterness begins. I am watching DH as he is talking with the Jeep owner; I mean how many times does one need to kick the tires??? While in the back of the car my sweet A's cries are getting louder and louder. I begin to wonder if DH and Jeep owner can hear how loud it is in this car. This is when my headache starts......I have never had a migraine before but if I had I am pretty sure this is what it would feel like. The kids where complaining, asking why daddy is taking so long, did he buy the Jeep yet, are we going to get to ride in it, when??? He went on a test drive that seemed like he was gone for an hour. I began to wonder if this was all a ploy. Maybe this was his plan all along.....have me drive him 4 hours from home, get his jeep, and then he flees the country. Leaving me to pay for the jeep and care of 5 children, in a town I know nothing about. I wondered would they put a mother of 5 in jail because her husband had a nervous breakdown? Okay, he is back, man I am going to make him wish he never came back. Snap out of it, I can't think clearly it is sooooo loud in this car and we have been sitting here for an 1.5 hours. Deep down I know this is his moment I should try to be happy. I mean in all of our 10 years of marriage he has never bought himself a toy. Although, he said this was an "investment" because if he changed his mind he could always sell if for what he bought it for or even a little more. Why is it when I purchased my Coach purse or Seven jeans they weren't "investments"? He comes over to the car and tells me got the Jeep for the price he wanted......well, great get it and let's go. I don't know why I thought it would a be a quick process, it was anything but. Complaints are getting louder and louder and poor A is hot she is crying so hard. I begin driving her around in hopes to lull her to sleep. The transaction is finally complete and we our way and A finally gives it up and falls asleep. DH calls me on my cell; this is now our quality time together me in my van plus 5 kids, him in his fancy new toy. He informs me we need to take the long way home because the highway we normally take is closed due to snow. Great.....just then there is blood curling screams coming from both babies. They have had it and they are in full protest now. Two babies sreaming at once. My 2 year old had finally fallen asleep only then to be awaken by the screaming. I am in my own worst nightmare. Everyone is so miserable and now I want to cry. To top it off the roads are bad and I hate driving on bad roads, it worries me and it take twice as long. My DH keeps checking in with me on the phone, I can barely hear him over all the screaming. I am getting more and more upset with him by the minute. Three hours later (8pm) we finally get to the town where we have decided we are going to get something to eat. It is snowing like crazy as I am changing diapers at the side of the van and getting the kids ready to go inside. Where is DH? He had to pull off the interstate to get gas so we got ahead of him, but I didn't think this far ahead. I had 2 babies completely changed, (outfits and all) 3 kids in coats, shoes, and on our way into DQ when he finally pulls up. He was very apologetic and extremely sorry about the day. I have told you before I have the best husband and he was doing his best to make-up to all of us. He got ice cream for the kids for dinner and they were happy. The babies were so thrilled to be sitting in highchairs and kicking their legs in clean diapers and clothes. Then my husband says it I going to take close to 2 hours to get home (a normal 60 min ride). Seriously, why....why me. I wanted to trade him places and I know he gladly would have, but I can't drive stick. How convenient for him. So, back in the car we go. The babies fall asleep (finally thank-you Lord), and now I just have 3 kids sitting in the back threatening to throw-up because their bellies hurt from all the ice cream...........(thanks again DH). Well, I am happy to say we made it home at 10:30pm and everyone went straight to bed and didn't get up until 7:30, 8:30 & 9:30am. Well, everyone except DH who had to get up at his normal 5:30am....pay back....perhaps!

P.S. When DH went in to kiss G (6 year old DD) she said "Daddy next time we take a trip maybe you should check the weather."

Until next time.....happy day

I am having what?????????????

The day is still so clear in my mind and will forever be a day I will never forget a single detail. I went to my doctor’s appointment just like I had with my other 3 children. By my calculation I was about 8 weeks along and I was pretty sure I was dying. I assumed I would go to my appointment and they would tell me I had this awful and rare disease that made you feel like your insides were falling out. Just in case they didn't, I had a speech (more like a sob story) prepared that would cause any physician to fumble for their prescription pad. I had been so sick, I could barely function. I mean, I had been sick with other pregnancies. Throwing up 5-6 times a day, but this was different. It was so awful and on top of that I still had 3 little ones to care for. At one point my husband said to me "are you going to be like this the whole 9 months." I didn't speak I just glared at him. You know, the way only wives can glare.

Well, I met with my doctor and she was sympathetic and had some concern for my health since, I was already 6lbs under my pre pregnancy weight. It just figures, the only way I can lose weight easily is when I should actually be gaining it. She cheerfully wrote me a prescription for Zofran and I let out the biggest sigh of relief. I think it even caught her off guard. On my way out she said "before you go let's go ahead and check your dates with an ultrasound, just to be sure." I was sure of my dates, was there reason to worry? Did she think I was too small? On the other hand, it was a chance to take a peek at this little bundle of joy that had been making so violently ill for the past 8 weeks. Yes, I am pretty sure the morning sickness started before I took my pregnancy test. Not to mention, I tested way too early and it took 22.2 seconds for the 2 lines to show-up.....that should have tipped me off.

Off to the ultrasound I go. I am already trying to figure out in my head where the closest pharmacy is so I can get my prescription filled and then head to the nearest drive-thru! My wonderful ultrasound tech was so sweet and as she is chatted away with me. She laid the ultrasound wand on my belly for a couple seconds (while I got situated) and she quickly took it off, before I even have a chance to look. She then said "Are you ready for this?” I replied with an enthusiastic "yes, let see this little baby." She then said "well…..there is two!" I am sorry what?!?! The conversation is a little blurry for me at this point, but I am pretty sure I kept saying over and over "Oh my goodness. Are you sure?" She kept saying "yes I am sure, see they are right there." Clearly there were 2, I could see them perfectly. All of the sudden I was a wiz at reading the ultrasound images....go figure. Before, I couldn't tell an arm, from the cord, from a penis. Now, I could see them with my own eyes, I just couldn’t believe we were going to have twins. How did this happen? Okay, I knew how.......but how? My wonderful tech asks me if I was going to be okay. I think all the color must have drained from my face at that point. She said "I know you have 1 more at home..right?" Ahhhhhhhhh no not exactly, I actually have 3 at home". She then looked at me is disbelief and shock. Yep, that would be the look I would get very use too. It still happens when I go anywhere with all 5, people stop, stare, and ask "are these all yours?"

So I got in to my van and stared at the 3 car seats crammed in the back and just burst into tears. Happy, scared out of my mind tears. I still couldn't process it. My first call was to my DH, so hard at work, and so clueless about how his life was about to change. We chatted for a second and then I told him that they did an ultrasound and they found a little something extra. When I explained the little something extra was a whole other human being.........you could have heard a pin drop! He then proceeded to tell me, I was joking about 2 or 3 times and when I promised him I wasn't he then said no........and I say yes..........and he said no..........and I said yes. Honestly, I don't remember how long it took to convince him, but I finally told him that it was true and I had the picture to prove it. A beautiful picture of our babies, our little twins……..two people that I never imagined in my wildest dreams. Amazing and incredibly scary all at once.
Baby A and Baby B.

Pleeeeaase will you just try for mommy??????

Well, I have been putting off a "big" event in our house for several months.......potty training yet another child. My third to be exact. Many of you would ask why put it off you are currently changing 3 diapers every diaper change? It is like an assembly line. I told my DH after having my first 2 children so close I would NEVER have two babies in diapers again. Oh boy was I correct on all accounts. I didn't have two in diapers, with the arrival of the twins I had three. Three babies in diapers. Maybe six years ago I shouldn't have chuckled under my breath when my SIL mentioned she would be using cloth diapers. I guess she got the last chuckle on that one!

I have been putting off potty training my middle child Sam, well frankly because he is stubborn and it can make thing harder. When you move a child out of diapers into big boy pants it changes everything. You could be heading down the highway in the middle of nowhere when you hear "mommy, I need to go potty or worse yet mommy, I just went potty". Ugh seriously how am I suppose to get five kids out of the car and into a restroom in time for the little guy to go? It is impossible. My Mof5 (mother of five) trick #1 is always have a car potty. Totally gross and disgusting I know, especially when it is not #1. Going #2 is why this car potty must have a lid that latches so there is no unwanted odor or spillage. I learned this lesson the hard way. A visual you are all picturing now I know. Sorry, but this has really been a lifesaver for us. Especially with our 16-18 hour drive once a year we take to visit family. The child can quickly hop out of their seat and go. It makes it easy as pie and just in the nic of time too.

Sam is quite a different child than my other 2. He is very vocal and for the last 5 months he has been explaining, how he doesn't want to use the big boy potty. He does it in about a 100 words or less but just barely. Which makes me think about potty training him even more, since he can so clearly tell me why he is not interested. I think what really put me over the edge was when my MIL was here last weekend and the conversation she had with her Grandson. She told him "you know Sam you could use the potty and be a big boy just like the other kids." Sam response was "YEP I know I can, I just don't want too." What? How old are you 8? I made my decision right then and there Sam is going to be DONE with diapers. On Monday, I recruited the older kids to join me in "encouraging" Sam to use the potty. Ahhh okay and I might have mentioned something about everyone getting M&M's upon his success. Well, this kicked it into high gear. G&D were taking Sam(their little candy goldmine)to the potty about every 10 minutes. Mof5 tip #2 offer the reward to all the children. Well, it has worked great and he has only had one accident in the last 3 days. I am prompting him a lot but that is how they learn to recognize it. I am a big believer in waiting until the child is ready and for all of mine it has been around the 2.5yr mark. Now, Sam is excited to be just like his big brother and wear his big boy pants....no M&M's required!

Wow 10 months!

Why does time go so fast after you have kids? Why didn't alegbra or better yet geometry in high school go this fast? Our babies are now 10 months old and I can't even remember their second month anymore. I am pretty sure with each child, it makes the clock move even faster. It has gotten worse with each child. Time now moves at warp speed with 5 children at home. I really wish I could bottle some of these stages and be able to pull them out when I need a baby fix or some funny toddler moments. I say this about every stage, but 10 months is one of my favorite.

Jake (older by a minute) weights almost 20lbs and looks just like Grace, Sam and Daddy. His is getting number 7 and 8 teeth and has a big toothy grin now that just melts my heart. He is crawling everywhere and showing me that I need to step it up with the vacuuming. He loves to laugh at his sisters and brother....even when he is getting tackled by his older brother Sam. At times he does get the nickname "Sir Cries Alot of Mr. Fussy Pants". He is definetly the more high maintance twin! He loves to shake his head no and is my 3rd confirmed "mama's boy". I love it!

Alice is tipping the scales at over 16.5lbs.....our little sweet pea. She has finally gotten 2 teeth this week. I thought for a while we were going to need to get her baby dentures, I guess we will just start saving for braces instead. She is also crawling everywhere and she is so precious when she looks at me with her baby blues. She hardly complains about anything and everytime you look at her she has a huge gummy smile. (My fav.) She is so petite and fair skinned.....I have no idea where she came from.....seriously. She fills our house with such joy!

When I told DH after the birth of our now forever middle child that I thought I would get that done feeling, but never did. I now know I was missing two of the best little beings on the planet. Happy 10 months J&A!

Until next time...happy day!

Little Mother

I thought since I am writing this blog in part to preserve memories for my children, it might be fitting to tell you about them. I will start out with our Gracie K. She was our first born, so beautiful and perfect with jet black hair. She made me a mommy and it was such a special time. She was an easy, happy baby and slept great. At 6 1/2 she is still very easy and a sweet loving little girl. She adores her brothers and sister, she is a little mother to them. I have even heard my words come out of her mouth. "Now you two, I told you there will be no wrestling in the car.....I mean it." Seriously. I think it is even worse when I am not around. I know she will act like their mommy and comfort them when they are sad or hurt. She has such a big heart and loves everyone she meets. I have never seen her be mean to anyone on purpose (with the exception of her brothers on occasion). Her response to the way she feels about her brothers would be "I just have soooooo many brothers, but they are my best friends!" Ahhhh that makes a mommy's heart all warm and fuzzy.

I love that she will read a book and then change her room, or her clothes to look like the girl in the book. She has done this with Fancy Nancy, Little Mommy, and her Baby Dear books. It is so cute and she has such imagination. She leaves DH and I love notes on our pillows. When I was on bedrest she prayed everyday for me and that the babies would be healthy. She tell everyone she meets that she loves Jesus and why. She is sensitive, sweet, smart, and loving all rolled-up into one pretty darn cute package.

I call Grace my little fashionista. She loves clothes......hmmm wonder where she would have picked that up. (Mind boggling) She will put these outfits together for herself and I have to say she is getting really good at it. A couple Sunday's ago she even laid out my outfit for me to wear to church. Complete with all the jewerly and acessories. I wore it and she was so proud.

Grace loves to ski, swim, play t-ball, attend Awana, and of course dance. Right now she is taking hip hop, ballet & tap. She is so darn cute out there, and is such a good listener. Of course she does have drama every now and then...what girl doesn't. She is emotional at times,and wears her heart on her sleeve. I suppose that is only going to get worse. I am so proud of our little girl and the little mommy she is. There are days I wouldn't have made it through, if I didn't have her entertaining babies, running to get bottles, diapers, and jammies. She is a HUGE help and does it with such a happy heart. I know I could take a lesson from her. Her patience with her sibling is more than most adults have by a mile. She is such a joy and I can't wait to see the young lady she turns out to be. (I hope it goes slower than the first six years) Not to worry she says she is going to live next door so I can help her with her 6 kids. I asked if she was going to have a husband and she said "well, of course I have to have money!!!!" (Out of the mouths of babes)

She is one of the biggest reasons I decided to try homeschooling. Going to school for half days is one thing but for the whole day.....no way. I missed her so much when she was gone for the morning. She really gave me the confidence to give it a try because, I knew she would do anything we asked her to do. She makes everything so easy. Now, she says she loves HS and never wants to go back to regular school......except to play with her friends at recess:-)

God has sent this little angel to us, to train up in the ways of the Lord. She sure makes our job so easy! I love you Grace.

Until next time.....happy day

Where does it begin and end.

I knew life was going to change with the twins, I mean how could it not. We were adding 2 whole people to our lives in one instances. My husband and I walked (well I was kind of doubled over) into the hosptial as a couple and left as a foursome. Things were going to be very different. I knew sleeping would be different (didn't know it was going to be nonexsistent....that is another blog). I knew it would take time for the other kids to adjust to the babies. I knew there would be more mouths to feed, and diapers to change(didn't know there would be that many). One thing that never really occured to me was how much my laundry routine would change. Now if I am being truthful even doing laundry for a family of five was a struggle. However, adding 2 more people to the mix, plus a 2 year old who can now take on and off his clothes really put this "laundry thing" over the edge.

I am great at washing clothes, let me just say. If you walk into my house on any given day you can hear the hum of my washer and the drum of my dryer. Admittedly I have on occasion forgotten to put the clothes in the dryer and have had to rewash. But for the most part I am excellent at "doing" laundry. I was surprised that my 1 load a day (everyday of the week don't dare take a day off) jumped to 2-3 a day. Especially when they were newborns and were pooping and spitting-up on everything. Now, it is babyfood everywhere and the stains have just gotten harder with each sweet potato. There are days were I am really jealous of Kate Gosslin, okay really just mintues. There is one episode where she talks about having someone come over and fold all her laundry and another person comes to put it away. Now, I really shouldn't be comparing myself to Kate, after all she has 3 more children than I do and of course a whole host of other issues (thank goodness those belong to her.) I am however very jealous of her laundry routine. In this house laundry can sit in the laundry baskets clean for a week or more. Honestly sometimes it is just easier to pull out the clean pj's and put them on the freshly bathed child. Than to sit and fold for an hour and only to have the pj's ripped from the bottom of neatly folded pile. Arg......all the clothes get toppled over and what was the point of folding in the first place! I don't really know why I can't seem to get them folded and put away. I am not lazy, how can I be.....really. Is it that I don't have time? We can always make time for something. I guess I really just hate the process. Wash the clothes, dry the clothes, fold the clothes, put away the clothes, have the child mess-up the clothes in the drawer, child wears the clothes......spills, colors, poops, paints, spits-up, or rolls around in mud in the clothes. Rinse repeat.
I do joke with my husband that when he builds my new laundry room I am going to have 2 washer and dryers, and I am going to keep all the boys clothes hanging in the laundry room. They are going to only have jeans, polo shirts, white socks, and underwear. I am going to make it simple. I think it is a great idea and I won't have to sort who's socks are who's, they can figure it out!!!! Today the laundry is so out of control with 3 baskets neatly folded and ready to be put away and 2 big baskets still needing to be folded...I am making time today to get it done. My folding clothes ritual is (about once a week sometime less...sorry but true) I TIVO some daytime TV, sit with my vanilla latte, and get folding/putting away. It really is kind of a treat because for those of you who know me, I DON'T do daytime television and rarely nighttime (expect when I am on the treadmill). So it is a time for me to get lost in Dr. Phil or Housewives of OC, talk about taking my mind off the laundry.lol Well, I am off to fix my latte and figure out where the clean piles end and the dirty begins.

Until next time.......happy day.

Wrestling Mom

I had to do a follow up on this wrestling phenomenon that is sweeping our household. We went to Drew's meet on Saturday.....all 7 of us! My husband was a little apprehensive, okay a lot. All of us in a small hot gym with 300 other people, sounds fun. Well, I didn't care I was not going to miss it. Everyone did great and I am glad we went. Drew's 1st match lasted about 35 seconds with him immediatly pinning his oponent. His 2nd one lasted about 45 seconds also with the same out come. I was amazed. Drew was now going to wrestle in the championship match for 1st place. I really couldn't believe how good he was. Most of the kids when they wrestled just did a log roll the whole time, but Drew was actually doing moves. He would do a take down and immediately put a half nelson on the kid.(I am learning a lot of the wrestling lingo) He was listening to the coach so intently and then doing exactly what he said. I really couldn't believe my little 5 year old was capable of doing this all so well. Every match brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face as I watched my stone cold son wrestle.

The championship match was a lot tougher for him. It really made him disciplined to keep after it and not give up. He never let up once, after take down, after take down. He kept going. Even when he was tired he still never gave up. Drew won the match on points 22 to 11. What a proud moment when he recieved his Gold Medal. My mind has totally changed on this sport. This is an individual sport which is great for my quiet shy little boy. He is learning to listen and self perseverance about sticking with it no matter what. He is so proud of what he is doing too. On Sunday, he wore his wrestling shirt and medal everywhere we went. I am now proud to be a wrestling mom!

I am one of those moms..........

So it all started one day with a phone call from my DH asking me if Drew (DS) was going to wrestle. You mean like with his little brother and occasionally his sister. Well, sure boys will be boys and I am sure wrestling is just one of those things boys naturally do. That isn't what he meant. He meant was he going to "go out for wrestling" the sign up is today he informed me. He was calling mainly because his boss is the coach and to say he is enthusiastic about wrestling would be a gross understatement. I quickly and curtly responded with an a "absolutely not". What I wanted to say was do you mean am I going to send my sweet baby boy, whom I love so dearly, and can still see his sweet cuddly face when he was born weighting 9lb 2oz, to get beat-up???? The precious son who a month earlier we celebrated his 5th birthday. The skinny little blonde hair, blued eyed boy who barely weighs 40lb. Was I going to send him to wrestling (spoken with a snarl), where boys would try to attack my baby. Ahhhh no, I think not. Now I am not sure my DH was expecting me to have the melt down I had. I think he thought I would willingly go for it, since I myself had played many sports growing up. I think he thought I would say "yes that would be great experience and will teach him alot of valueable life lessons." Yeah, well I didn't. This wasn't a sport I had any interest in letting, or encouraging one of my children to participate in.

I had a great idea on how to get my DS out of having to take part in such a barbaric sport, I would ask him if he wanted to do it. I knew he would say NO. So I asked him and he was so cute standing in the kitchen and so small. He responded "sure, and if I can't get him tackled, I will just punch him!" Whoa, I'm sorry, what? I really thought my incredibly shy little boy would say "no", but istead he was trying to come up with other ways to hurt someone else.....ah where did I go wrong?

So it happened without being able to stop it, Drew is now a wrestler. (big sigh) Wow, I can honestly say I never dreamed of it. On top of it all he LOVES it. He is learning so much and comes home and talks a mile a minute about practice. My shy little boy. I feel my attitude start to shift on this whole new sport. I find myself not being able to wait to find out who he wrestled and if he pinned(wrestling lingo) anyone. He even practices some of his moves on me. He actually caught me off guard and dropped me to the ground. The best part is watching him step out of his sister's shadow and come out of his shell.

So, I decide I have to go to his first meet, I am dying to see him. Last night was the night of his first meet, and I was going to be there no matter what. Babies still weren't 100% but I knew they would be comfy in their stroller. So we went. Drew was very shy when we first got there I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get him on the mat. Thankfully, Daddy got there and got Drew off to warm-ups. The other team arrives and the panic sets in. These aren't "little" boys, they looked like kids on steroids(maybe I exagerate a tiny bit, but they were bigger than Drew). Oh my goodness, what if he got hurt or worse yet just stood there and cried while some other child did a take down (more wrestling lingo) on my DS. I asked one of the other mother's if anyone ever gets hurt. She said "sometimes, but I can guarantee someone always cries." Oh great so reasurring thanks, I am glad I asked.

Out come our boys and they look so little. I finally see Drew, and he has the most somber look on his face. His expression is totally blank, as he watches the other matches intently. He never cracks a smile or speaks to anyone just sits quietly taking it all in. Now I was a big athlete all my life and even played some college ball. I have had some big games and nerves in my life, but this takes the cake. I am freaking out inside and about ready to throw-up. My sweet little boy looks so nervous and scared. I don't blame him, in a few minutes someone is going to try and take him down and pin him. All these moves I am seeing, I just know there is no way Drew knows how to do this. Well, too late because he is on deck. The coach has his arm around him and is talking to Drew. DS just nods and walks onto the mat. The ref has the boys shake hands and I am literally shaking(it is actually visibly on the video tape as I was filming him). The whistle blows and off they go tearing after eachother. Drew is first with his move and in the first 20 seconds Drew has this little boy on the ground! I am screaming so loud it is scarying Alice who is on my lap. Go Drew, come on Drew, you can do it!!!!! Then it hit me across the gym there was another mom cheering for her son to beat up my son! Wow, I am now one of those moms. I kept cheering though, in a packed gym I knew he could hear his mom and dad's voices. I could always pick my dad's voice out of a full gym:-) He did awesome the match lasted about a minute and my sweet, shy, son, did a take down and pinned that other little boy. Someone else's DS. I was so proud I even teared up. His facial expression still was emotionless. The ref brought them together to shake hands again and blew the whistle to signal the match was over. Drew thought that meant go and he started after the poor oponent again. The ref quickly grabbed Drew and said "No, buddy it is over, you already won!" It was the cutest thing. The ref grabbed Drew's hand and held his arm staraight in the air signifying winner. Drew's face never changed. Daddy quickly went over to congratulate him and he said to him "you know you won right, buddy?" Drew responded "well yeah of course, I pinned him." Ahhh he wasn't a scared little boy, he was focused. Maybe he isn't my little 5 year old after all, but my BIG 5 year old. It is offical I am a wrestling mom and happy to be.

Until next time......happy day.

I need go go gadget arms.........

So I was sitting in my favorite comfy glider rocking and nursing Jake. I was really enjoying the quailty time together. I know he is getting big and our days of nursing are most likely numbered. He was pretty fidgety and fussy, not realizing what was going on I kept rocking and feeding him. He then proceeded to throw-up all over me, my comfy glider, and himself. "Ewwww.....seriously this today?" So I quickly gave him a bath and got him all cleaned up and smelling like sweet cuddly baby again. He of course promptly threw-up again and now it was flowing freely out of both ends. (Sorry TMI) Poor baby, I couldn't lay him down he just wanted mommy. It is so hard when they are sick. You feel so helpless and just want to take any pain away.

My next thought was, lets keep this "thing" contained. Anyone who has more than one child knows this is a domino effect. I quickly started another (sigh) load of laundry....ugh stomach flu laundry the worst. That is the laundry that trumps all the other laundry. So begins the psycho cleaning of toys, highchairs, blankets, paci, spoons, sippy cups and.........anything in sight. I have to make sure that Alice doesn't get it too and everyone else. At all cost please not my DH (we all know they get it way worse than we do and can't keep quiet about it;-) and heaven forbid the mom get sick. Mom's should have a special immunity and never be able to be sick. (so far so good)

Well, I am sure you can guess all my special mom and cleaning powers were no match for the flu bug. Our sweet baby girl soon fell victim to the nasty stomach bug and of course got it even worse. Doing everything I could to comfort them both and care for everyone else was almost impossible. They really needed three of me or at least three more sets of arms. Having twins is challenging enough, but then you add on illness and three more children, it is an uphill battle the whole way. I almost felt helpless and defeated. Thankfully, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. My light was a man that walked in the door wearing a halo.....daddy! I don't think he was very excited to be there. Especially, when I quickly told them I was glad he was home and instantly began barking orders at him. Poor guy....he had been working all day too. I think he took one look at me, still in my workout gear from 6am and decided to keep his complaints to himself. Smart man.....very smart man. He held down the fort so I could hop in the shower to remove the sweat, grime, vomit, poop, and any other foreign substances. Refreshed and ready for round 15, poor sweet lil Alice threw-up all over her very tired momma. Seriously........

Well, today is a new day everyone is still not up to par but I believe on the mend. My older three kids have been so helpful during this lastest bout of illness, I decided to reward them with a sucker and a movie. Two things that don't happen very often. After I got the babies down for their naps, I went to check on my sweet angels. There they were sitting quietly watching the movie and swapping suckers. Fabulous!!!!!

They make me laugh and pull my hair out all in the same five minutes!

Until next time.........happy day!

Falling off the workout wagon

How did this happen?  How did I get so off course?  I need to do better.  This is the conversation I am having with myself over my morning coffee.  It is too late to go hop on the treadmill or pop in my favorite dvd, it is 7am.   I already have 4 little faces staring at me and they look hungry.  I am disappointed in myself, for getting off track in the first place.  But it happens.  For me, this time, it was a trip to California for my sisters wedding.  Ironic really, because that was my reason in the first place for climbing aboard the workout wagon.  It is funny how that happens.  I even packed my clothes thinking my DH and I would get up and go on a nice invigorating walk each morning before the days activites began.  Seriously what was I thinking????  Two parents minus five kids equals SLEEP.  Needless to say we didn't get out of our warm bed and our very quiet room.  I came home frustrated with myself as I unpacked the neatly folded workout clothes.  They hadn't been touched, just pushed to the side so I could grab my heels and my clutch.

I have been back over a week and have only managed to get in about 3 workouts.  How does the motivation leave me so soon?  When you are doing so great and then suddenly it is gone, and it is twice as hard to get it back.  Perphaps it is the 2 year old that has crawled into bed with me at 4am and is now snuggled in so close I am about to fall off the bed.  He is just too cute to move, plus the last thing I want is to wake him.  I better stay put, so I don't disturb this sleeping toddler that can easily turn into a crabby toddler.    Really I know I need to give myself a break and try to fit in something later in the day.........an almost impossible task but it has been done.

What I miss is my alone time.  It is the only chance I get all day for some peace.  I can actually hear my own thoughts before the house erupts with every noise on the planet.  My workout makes me feel great.  It gives me a sense of accomplishment.  It is only 6am and I already get to mark something off my list!  If I can remember to spend some time praying while I am pounding away that would be 2 checks (moms multitasking).  Ahhhh what a great feeling.  If anyone has ideas on how to sneak in burst of workouts on these days I fall off the workout wagon, I would love to hear them..  Until then I resolve to do better tomorrow for my own sanity and my kids too!

Until next time.........happy day!

Never let them see you FRAZZLED

The witching hours are famous in our house for being the craziest part of the day, usually between 4-6 pm.  It is really the time of day when everything you have worked so hard to keep together goes haywire!  Babies are crying in unison, the 2 year old is laying on the floor kicking his feet in protest of anything you might be suggesting, 5&6 years olds are complaining that they are starving to death, and the mom who actually looks like she has had a makeover performed by trained monkeys.  She is completely dishevelled with her hair in a semi ponytail that is now off to the side, her clothes are covered in dried who knows what, but now can only be described as "crud".  She has to pull it together because you can never let them see you frazzled or they will take over, during your moment of weakness.

I wonder is this only my house?  It has happened at every stage of my mommy life.....1 child, 2 children, 3 and now with 5 it can get very loud!  It happens even when daddy is home.  Just last night I was sitting at my computer working on my blog (quietly).  He had offered to make dinner so I thought I would take a few minutes for myself.  Well, my few minutes must have turned into 25 because the next thing I hear is "Don't you hear that?  Don't you need to do something?!  It is so loud in this house!"  Whoa what did I miss?  Is someone hurt, bleeding, dying?  Nope just the usual mass chaos has broken out and their leader (my dear sweet husband) is crumbling.  Poor guy.  In his defense he is a wonderful father and has so much patients but he usally doesn't get home until 7 long after these witching hours have taken place.  Usually 2 out of the 5 are already in bed and the other 3 are so excited to see him he doesn't mind the excitement. 

I really try to avoid these meltdowns at all costs by planning dinners early, making sure everyone has the proper amount of sleep, snacks at around 3:30, and perphaps a bath to help combat the crankiness.  Nothing really seems to stop this time from being crazy but some of it does help.  It gets really sticky in the nights we have dance, wrestling, awana, or any other function.  The end result is usually one or both babies screaming half way home only to fall asleep the moment my front tire hits the driveway.  Sigh..............

Tonight is actually easier believe it or not....why?  My DH called at 8am and told me he was going to be working very late.  I don't suppose things are going well for him if at 8am he already knows this!  For me this means there is no extravagant meal (that is a joke) I need to make.  The fact that I forgot to lay out any meat to prepare something yummy doesn't have to make my night any more chaotic.  It is the blue box for my kids, who by the way are overjoyed, and a lean cuisine for me.  

Will it get better the older they get?  When they are 5, 7, 9, &10 will I be able to get dinner pulled together in peace or will there still be tempers flaring?  Until then I will try not to let them know that I am struggling to keep it together too! 

Until next time.......Happy Days.