Did You Know...

it is tricky to keep a four year old's cast cared for? Yeah, well, it is. So far she has dunked it in water...awesome, hit her brother with it :/, and thrown up in it. IN it. Yes, she threw up in her cast. ew. That's going to smell by next week when we have it taken off.

Fall is Around the Corner

How do I know fall is coming? My senses tell me so.

Smells: Pumpkin spice surrounds me via candles and lattes. Cinnamon is donning the grocery store shelves as it is smothered on pine cones. My fave.

Sights: My burning maple tree has beautiful red leaves mixed with the green now. My burning bushes are bright red. Stunning. School supplies are everywhere and "If I knew your address, I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils." Three less children, except when I work at school with them.

Tastes: um. hello. I already TOLD you- pumpkin spice lattes. Baked goods al'a Auntie Mel are making chubbier. DARN YOU MELISSA AND YOUR SCRUMPTIOUS BAKED GOODS!!

Sounds: quiet. Last night, at 7:30, my herd of children were loaded into jammies and bed leaving my husband and I to snuggle under my ever-christmas lights and the glow of the television. It was excellent. Seriously excellent.

Touch: snuggling. Occasionally the weather in Reno will freak out early and give us a random chilly day. Those days I make Moby Richard sit on my feet and my children snuggle with me under my favorite family heirloom quilt.

The Sixth Sense: I see dead people...wait. sorry. never mind.

And So It Begins...

This week I was given permission to sit in on all the pre-start day teacher meetings in order to rub elbows and get in a few observation hours.

The highlight was the principal delivering the Sexual Harassment lecture with the use of PowerPoint. In his heavy Turkish accent, "Okay, this slide says (stops to read it) sexual harassment, don't do it."

I left with three sub jobs, about ten observation hours down, and hopefully was helpful to a few teachers.

I think my student teaching assignment was approved.

I have five months to work and save enough money to pay someone to keep Sam and Addison during that student teaching time, and spend enough time with them that I don't feel horribly sad leaving them to work a full time job in February. Sigh. I am sad already.

Homeschooling starts in one week. I am giving myself the week to get the kids in school, give everyone time to spend memories with Mike's mom, who will be here Tuesday, and a little time to have a day get away with my entire family including Mike's mom. We don't all fit in my car, so that should be interesting. We may pawn off Sam-I-Am. Any takers? Thursday and maybe Friday.

Still in serious need of downsizing responsibilities. Struggling with how that looks and not wanting to bail on anyone or anything. Going to pray a bit more, but thinking you all may only see my shadow until July. It doesn't mean I don't love you.

Goodbye forever. (line stolen from PW)

This is what it is like when other people move into your house. Also, there is almost always dessert.

Dad~Kristopher~Adam

I Feel Better

Age:32
Occupation: Wife, mom to many, student, substitute teacher
Marital Status: Very Married, iykwim
Reside: Reno, the awesomest place in Nevada

I am a wife. That makes me happy.

I was asleep, but God thinks it's funny to wake me often with other's prayer needs. I need less dysfunctional friends.

I think raspberries and chocolate are the yummiest combo.

I know God has big plans for my family or he wouldn't have made so many of us.

I wonder if I will be of the 50 %of teachers who quit in their first five years.

I hope I can get a job when I finally graduate.

I wish I could be home with my kids AND work as a teacher.

I save every letter or little note from my husband- even scratch paper goodbyes. I have 15 years worth.

I can live without high maintenance people.

I can't wait for Christmas this year. So much family and my kids are all big enough for it to be great!

I have too many things I want to do with my day. Play guitar, stay in bed with my husband all day, snuggle with my children in front of the television, homework, read, responsibilities, quilt, scrap, be outside, hang out with friends, travel, etc..............

I believe my husband and I can get out of debt if we listen to God more closely.

I promise to never let a green bean grace these lips. (except for when they are hidden in lumpia)

I want to stop being such a procrastinator and be better organized.

I realized I am not nearly thankful enough to God for my life.

Still, it's a good life.

Reno Aces and the Children

We took the kids to an Aces game. It was excellent, although we lost. sigh. Instead of taking the kids out of town for a vacation, we decided to get the tickets and let them pick out souvenirs. Layla Grace got earrings, Eli got a t-shirt, Izzy got a ginormous foam finger, and The Man and I got hats. Seriously, good times! Especially because we all got hot dogs. mmm ball park franks are DELISH!!

* Oh, and I totally dedicate the last song on my play list to Josh Whitesell. Is he really gone? sigh. From what I have read, he may be back soon if he doesn't start batting.

Conversations With My Kids

Me: half snoozing, half reading my book in bed.

Eli: (walks in with two pieces of peanut butter toast which are topped with sliced bananas and honey.mmmm) Do you want these two pieces of peanut butter toast topped with bananas and honey?

Me: MMMM YES!!

Eli: All you have to say is, "Eli is the greatest and I am a nerd."

Me: ahahahaa

Timeline

One minute ago: I was checking my emails, reconnecting with a friend I haven't heard from for a while. Her baby just started 7th grade. sniff.

One hour ago: I was doing chores so my husband will come home to a loving, cleanish house.

One day ago: I was in my last night of my Children's Literature class. The countdown is on! 11 months!

One week ago: I was staying up late, visiting with some Vegas friends. I was so busy praying that they would move here, I didn't really hear anything they said the whole time they were here. snicker. I was so sad to see them go. sigh.

One month ago: I was cleaning my house to get it ready for our new roomies, who I love, oh so much. Especially on the nights they make dinner.

One year ago: I was just beginning my Junior year of university, so excited to finally be learning something that seemed appropriate to my future career. I was also settling into our first fall here in this house. Happiness.

One decade ago: I had one baby, lived in an apartment in Vegas, never saw my husband because of his insane work schedule, and was already starting to listen to God about Reno.

What is Happening #3

I know I just posted one of these, but a friend sent me pics of her family visiting in Japan, and this picture made me laugh right out loud. So, what are your guesses?

I think they are just shopping, but Erin will have to clarify their oh so confused looks. Simon and Grace :)

What is Happening? #2

My son was being James Dean.

Problems

The problem with loyalty is there is little room for practicality. What I mean is when one is loyal to something or someone, and the instance arises to change being loyal to do what is best, it is difficult for that one person to make the change. I am a loyal person. I am having a difficult time choosing what is best for myself over what I am loyal to. Sometimes I wish my husband was more controlling and would just make my decisions for me. Sigh. No, no I don't, but you know what I mean.

Hecticality

Yah, well, it SHOULD be a word. It would perfectly describe the life I have been experiencing the past week. Also, yawning describes my life. I have been so insane, so busy, so focused on so many things at once, I drove my children home late the other night. We all piled, heavy-legged out of the van, dragging our goods behind us. We literally dropped everything just inside the threshold, and we got into jammies, brushed teeth, got a drink of water, prayed a super fast prayer, then dragged our worn out selves into bed. Lights out. We were lucky to actually make it INTO the beds.
The next morning, my brother, who now lives here, said he came home even later than us to the garage door open, all the lights on, and all the car doors open. Apparently we missed a few steps. See, Erica, other people are losing their minds as well.

YAY!!

My new roomies are almost here!!

Last Summer

We were anxious for the school year to start as usual, but it was more because last year was Eli and Layla's first year in school!

We were trying our hardest to get to the Thursday night Farmer's Market in Sparks, but never made it, not once, because we were too poor.

Enjoying our new house.

Loving Mike's new-ish job of being a fire fighter.

Scrounging enough money to send me to visit my fam in Virginia.

Wishing more of my friends would move here.

THIS SUMMER

we are just as anxious for school to start, but more so because one summer may just be too much to spend with so many little kids.

Still determined to make it to the Farmer's Market.

Still loving our new house, but focusing on the backyard instead of the front as much.

Taken to praying more often than daily about Mike's job stability (we are still waiting to hear if his job is secure.)

SOOO HAPPY our fam in Virginia decided to move here instead :)


Still praying more of our friends move here, but happy that so many of them love Reno enough to visit often. (Boardman, it's been longer than a month. When are you visiting?)

Pause the Music

This is so random.

Trendy from Casey Donahue on Vimeo.

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

So, I am not counting down beers, or bottles, or days until my wedding. I AM counting the number of classes I have to complete until I am a graduate and get to be called a degree holder. I will have my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I walk in May, but will have a couple classes to finish after that. YAY!!! Eleven-eleven classes to go. Then I start my master's the following fall. Yikes. Maybe I should make a paperchain countdown.

What do you get when you cross a dear friend, her wedding anniversary, the 80s, and lady's night?

A really good time! Everyone donned pink and their favorite 80's gear. The whole night could have doubled as an ode to Napoleon Dynamite.

Happy 20th Anniversary friends :)

Joni was totally surprised, so much so she got teary. When asked what she wanted to do first, eat, chat, open presents, she said, "Can we drink?" AH!!! Your parents must be real proud, huh? I love it. I had to leave early, but not before snapping a few pics. I have held the most incriminating for private eyes only.

And then there is Lolita....

SOOOO TIIIRED

This is the image I was met with on my way to bed late one night last week. I don't know what bedtimes are like at your house, but once we get them all tucked in, we are usually met with a litany of questions and accusations.

"Sam is making a weird NOISE!"

"Addison won't stay on her side of the bed, and I think she is growling."

"Can I get a drink of water?"

"I think I am scared of the dark. No wait, I just don't want to go to sleep. Can I stay up with you?"

"I think I ate too much dinner; can I sleep on the ground?"

"Mommy, if I swallowed a star, would you be able to see it glowing in my belly?"

sigh. It's endless and not amusing when you are trying to have an in house date with your spouse.

So this particular night, once all the questions and examinations had ceased, and all the lights were out, I began my slow ascent up the stairs. My eyes were closed, lights off, and I leaned heavily against the wall, too tired even to walk up the stairs. The Man was trailing behind me giving me a hiney helper (this is not a euphemism, it just means he was literally pushing me by the butt up the stairs). I opened my eyes one stair before stepping on Sam. Lucky for him. I nearly screamed, but managed to keep it together and get my camera.

I know what you are thinking. "Is that kid's face EVER clean?" No, no it isn't.

My Daily Blog Visits

This is a list of a few blogs I visit regularly. If you are in the mood for some light reading or entertainment, click a link. Enjoy.

Stuff White People Like funny

Nonsense's Cousin more of my ramblings

Step by Step from the preacher's mouth

The Pioneer Woman everything but the kitchen sink

This Is Reverb Photography from a man's point of view

What is Happening? #1

You know those back of magazine games from when you were a kid where you had to guess what the picture was? Well, this is like that, but you are supposed to guess what is happening in this picture. So, any guessers?

Excellent guesses. My favorite has to be from Murdoc, but the correct answer is peeing. Right next to our campground. Because of this stellar example, my littlest son, Samuel, won't stop peeing everywhere we go: schools, parking lots, my garage. Awesome.

Date Night

This is where I will be tomorrow night. Hot dog in hand,
cowgirl hat on, sunscreen, and sunshine on my shoulders.
I am so very excited. I doubt I will catch a foul ball,
but considering we won't really know the people there,
I might be able to convince my husband to give me a
few PDA smooches. Some people can be so silly about those.

Ode

::sad sigh:: He was an oddity, true, but I very much loved Michael Jackson growing up. I am sad to see him go. This picture used to adorn my walls as a child. Awesome.

Camping Trip

Heartbreaker. Seriously. Sigh. He is only 8.







Sam and Addie are naturals. They tried out everything,
and decided they loved the tent the most.











This is where Isabelle was using her hot poker
to write "I will not tell a lie" in true Harry Potter form.
Yes. She IS weird.


Fathers Day Pose

Why I like Mike #24

He rocks. For realz. These were the shirts we wore to dinner for Fathers Day.

Good For Nuthin'

Seriously, this has to be the MOST unproductive
summer I have ever allowed my children have.
It's very likely my standards are just going
downhill. When we were homeschoolers, we were
year round schoolers. Then, when the Isabelle
started school, we took two months off for summer,
but still did a summer reading program and had
supplements all season. Last year, we narrowed it
down to just a summer reading program.
Which was still great, as the kids read for hours on end.
This year, we have TALKED about supplements,
summer reading, and other organized learning,
but it doesn't seem to be taking place.
Instead, we have played board games,
watched endless movies and DVR shows,
read like nobody's business, played at the park,
camped out at the lake near our home,
and generally just vegged. You know, lay like broccoli?
I don't know if we will get to a single
ARTOWN exhibit.
This is very unlike us. And still, we are loving it.

Frick

Seriously, this is sometimes how I feel. Only, I can never seem to get my smile as big as this lady's when I feel this way. I am usually hollering something about satan sucking or fighting a perpetual grimace.
I am a part time preschool teacher/full time student/full time wife/full time mom/part time ministry maker/full time Christian. This all takes a lot out of me, honestly. I mean, do you even see friend in that list? Showerer? Eater? Sleeper?

No, you don't. I manage to fit in enough of those things to remain human,

but really I am trying to keep my focus straight.

That is harder to do when your daughter wakes up at 2am and says,

"mom, it feels like there are bugs in my hair."

I say, "Layla, please go back to bed. I am sleeping. I can't

help you with bugs right now. I am sleeping."

So, come sunshine, I figured I should check it out.

And, sure enough, her and

Addison both were suffering from the lice. (commence itching.)

Of COURSE The Man was at work.

Why would he be home when illness

and creepy crawlies grace our doorstep?

That would be ridiculous.

So, yesterday, I spent the better part of my back ache,

hunched over two

very wiggly daughters, washing, combing, picking,

and sighing heavily through

our newly purchased RID kits. Of which I went to the store

with five children

to purchase. That right there put me in a pissy mood

because I don't go to the grocery with children. EVER.

(This link will fill you in.)

Then, when we

got home and the boys were in the shower,

I realized the boxes I

purchased had been pilfered (bastards), so we got to

go BACK to the grocery store.

again. with five children. again.

To end a great saga, my husband arrived

home this morning after getting

off at 8am, full of excitement over the plans

he was making for the weekend.

When I was less than thrilled at a spontaneous

camping trip, he pointed out

my negative attitude. I MAY have done a quick

scan for a sharp object

to impale him with. It all happened so fast.

I will deny it anyway.

Love Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with being in the forefront. A lie, right? lol I can hear you all now. If I were six, I would say I like being the center of attention, but now that I am grown, I know accountability comes with being upfront.

It's a lot of pressure. Sometimes I think it would be easier to melt into the background than to put my self out there. But God doesn't reside in the background when he has called you upfront. Sigh.

Every time I take one of those spiritual gifts tests my results

are relatively the same. I was probably 17 when I took one the

first time. It said I should be a pastor. I said no thanks, and tried

to convince the paper in front of me and my then pastor that it

was confusing bossiness with leadership skills.

This time, I was glad to see pastoring moved down

a bit on the list. The five gifts tied for first place are just

as daunting, but I feel more accurate.

• Wisdom


• Faith


• Prophecy


• Exhortation (that one is iffy, as most of you know I lack the caring bone)


• Writing

I wouldn't say I am good at any of these, but I am

willing to work on them. I am interested to see what

your gifts are. There may be a better test out there,

but since the members at our church are so dependent

on Google, I went with the first one that came up on the search engine.