This Where the Nonsense Turns to Makesense

..A large family working to perfect our sweet skills: Loving others, making an impact, parenting on purpose, living simply, and embracing sarcasm.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Why I Like Mike # 22


He has stayed married to me for 13 years.

Between hospital visits, metal shards in the eyeball, chili dinners, injured backs, subbing jobs, and fighting fires, The Man and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. It was a good day because, at the end, I knew I was loved. I knew I would have someone to offer me a hug with a secret butt pinch. Ah, husbands. Love you Hot Lips Hoolahan.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Pictures That Make Me Happy



This picture makes me happy because it shows the weather is warm enough to wear flops.



These pictures make me happy because Layla has good basketball shooting form, Eli is playing outside in his pajamas, and our neighbors put a basketball hoop out front for everyone to play with.










These pictures make me happy because they mean warmth, creativity, cheap entertainment, good memories, and smiley teeth, even if they are a little crooked.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Here Little Leprachaun

Eli was given the optional assignment of creating a leprechaun trap. He started with a box, some construction paper, glue, and markers. Then he asked his dad for help. With the nice weather and a little time to spare, the two of them concocted this insane contraption. It is complete with a pull string and trap door.



Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Back to Being a Goober



Does anyone else love the word "goober" as much as I do? hmm. Well, Eli is great and back to is funny bunny self. I appreciate all of your prayers. He ended up having some strange infection that doctors never identified. No appendicitis, thank goodness. I still feel on alert, but God has passed a little more peace my way.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Rough Day

So many things go through your mind when you have to take your child to the emergency room. Today I had to take Eli into the ER because he showed up at my bedside in hysterical tears. After a lot of other symptoms I will spare you from reading about, it became apparent that something real was happening.

At the end of the day, the doctor mostly ruled out appendicitis, but said it could be an infection, or not. As helpful as all that is, I am grateful.
I am grateful for my son.
I am grateful for my husband's job and the fact that he was free to leave whenever he needed to without feeling pressure.
I am grateful to God for insurance.
I am grateful to God for my neighbor and sister who were both willing to drop everything and just help.
I am grateful that I am a mother and get to experience life, no matter how painfully real, with my children.
I am grateful for the staff at the hospital that talked my son out of a panic attack (literally) over his fear of all things needle.
I am grateful that my kids didn't see me cry today.
I am grateful that I can make a couple calls and know that people are willing to grab a knee immediately to pray for my children.
I am grateful that God chose me- his peace was overwhelming today.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Sam No Longer Sleeps With The Pacifier



No, not this one.

This one. We are very excited.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Things That Make Me Happy


When people use the phrase "that's what she said"


The Office


Michael Scott dressed as Willy Wonka


PB&J


Dwight Schrute and his whole intro about his love for candy and stomach acids


KGB knock knock jokes


Michael Scott's toilet ideas


I am sorry for people who don't know what any of this means.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

This Week I Realized

I have 18 months left of school

I LOVE playing guitar

Playing guitar while singing is a mite difficult

I do not, even a little, enjoy teaching middle school PE

I want to work with ESL students and get my masters in ESL Education

I can do just that in 18 months and totally online

When I think I only have a few days to eat junk food, I eat a lot of junk food

Someone should do a remake of Leavin' On a Jet plane


I like my kids more than other people's kids most of the time; they are cool and amusing.

*family photo taken by Jessie The Bird

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Good Morning


This is the vision I come out to nearly every morning. I should thank Isabelle. When she was 2 she began waking up and making herself cereal. She would turn on the tv and eat her breakfast on her tv tray. It set the stage. I do love family meals, but why go through all the fuss when everyone is just as thrilled over cereal and milk? Especially when we get cereal from The Cereal Man, Mr. James. If you were in the other room listening, you would guess it was Christmas as they yell something like, "MR JAMES MUST HAVE GIVEN US CEREAL!!!" Then you would guess it probably isn't Christmas, cause who gives cereal? Well, with that reaction, we may start!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Happy Birthday to..All of You

Elijah is 8


Daddy is year older

And now my Layla Grace is 7


Sunday, March 01, 2009

Why I Like Mike #21

He ALREADY got me my anniversary present, it was ALL his idea, and it is something we get to do together, possibly forever. Meet Rosalie, the newest member of our family. Isn't she a beauty?


I MEAN WHAT!!?? I OWN THIS THING?! I cannot tell you how very much this guitar was calling to me in the store. Then my husband said those beautiful words. "Kay, let's get one." OOH okay! And here is where it gets better. After we tucked the kids in and said goodbye to our super fun company of Jenene Boardman, The Man and I worked through our very first guitar lesson.


And look at these details


Isn't she pretty?