a new normal

Tomorrow begins our first full week of school, I kinda think starting on a Friday is a bit of a tease but anyway. As I am trying to get prepared for the school week and new sleeping arrangements (which I will talk about in a minute) I find myself trying to find a new normal. This is a difficult task for me I am having a hard time. Typically, schedules just sort of happen for me but lately I find it increasingly more difficult to get into a routine. Luke still won't start school til either this Friday or next Monday so I keep telling myself to wait til then. Football is in full swing now. That means trying to squeeze homework in the afternoons with football practices and games. Matt plays for his high school, Jake for the city, and Ashley is on the dance team at her school and they have to attend and perform at their games. I need to start potty training Caleb, in the very near future. I recently moved Caleb and Ben in the same room. Caleb kept trying to climb out of the crib so he is now in the "big boy" bed. ( which is a nightmare, he never falls asleep in his bed now) Trying to get both babies to sleep can take hours, seriously! I often wonder how I ever did it with twins! My fall semester begins this coming weekend and I am taking 3 classes again. I know I said I wouldn't do that again but if I can do 3 during the summer with the kids home and pass with 3.5 GPA, I think I might be able to handle it. (Though I have heard this microbiology is hard.) But that just adds to my very long list of things I need to do and mostly on my own!
Ronnie will help when he is home, but lately that has been rare. He is so "involved" with this football stuff he is always at the fields or on the phone. I feel like football is his mistress. I know he enjoys it and I hardly say anything, but....well.....anyway....!
So I am just going to hope that a new normal will be developed very soon in this house, I am not one that can tolerate much chaos. So for all of you that read this and thought that I was "super mom" before, sorry to disappoint! So many use that phrase to me and call me "supermom". Do you know what I want to do when I hear it? Cry! Because I am not that, though I try, it seems like an unreachable title for me!

All eyes on me

I am not one who likes attention. I like to try to blend in with those around me. You know, so I don't stand out too much. So I had to go out in public a few times this week with all the youngins (something I try to avoid). We took a trip to Hobby Lobby one day. My plan was to run in and run out. I knew what I needed and that is the only way to shop when you have 8 children in tote. Of course Hobby Lobby is one of those stores that have all things pleasing to the eyes. Especially those of small children! The entire trip was spent saying things like " stay by me please", please don't touch", " oh my goodness how many times do I have to say the same exact thing"! Believe me I did not blend in with those around me! In fact, I could feel the glare of eyes all around me wondering what on earth was I doing taking a child's day camp on a field trip to Hobby Lobby!! We eventually made it to the car, where I think the stares may have ceased!

So you can most certainly label me as crazy when I forgot something and decided to go back the next day again with all of the kids! It was like de ja vu! Amazingly, the exact same phrases that had rambled of my tongue just 24 or so hours before were making its way of my tongue again! With blood pressure rising and patience already running thin, I was not in the mood for any more stares much less comments this time! As we looked by the greeting cards, this associate pops her head down our aisle and says " please don't touch the cards". Now first I was looking for Candid Camera crew to come waltzing out saying" smile your on candid camera" but then when was the last time that show aired? It couldn't be that! Was she joking? What on earth? So I asked her why we could not look at the cards and she says" oh, no I meant the kids". Well this did not help me mood one bit! Last I knew this was a retail store where you shop, look for items and buy them. I would never allow my children to play with the cards, rearrange them, or destroy them. However, I was totally offended and told her exactly how I felt. Not my best day, but this poor lady happened to be the straw that broke the camels back!

I have decided to keep my distance from Hobby Lobby at least til the kids return to school. Hoping maybe then she won't recognize me without my caravan with me! Or maybe I should invest in a wig! Maybe several!! That would make things a heck of a lot easier, everywhere I go!

long time no blog!!

So it's been a while I know! To sum up where I've been---- Sports, school, Sports, school, doctors, Disney, MORE sports and MORE school! That about sums it up! Summer is always crazy around here. We have no schedules and LOVE every minute of it. However, this summer was probably the busiest one I have ever had. Matt has had football everyday! Jake has had basketball, 30 minutes away twice a week.( Jake actually made a travel team and had Nationals in Disney World earlier this month so we made a vacation out of it! It was nice, had a good time and Jake's team came in 2ND place out of 60 teams!) Then of course there were the trips to the Dr's with broken arms, muscle tears, and sinus infections! Aahhh, the day in the life with 8 kids! LOVE it! My school went well this summer, stressful but worth it!

So now we are 1 week from school staring back up for the kids. School shopping is mostly complete. And I am ready! The kids are getting excited about it, that's until homework sets in and the newness wears off! Ashley, who made the dance team at school has her first performance on the first day of school, we are so excited for her.

Hopefully I will find more time to blog with only 2 kids home with me during the day. I have missed doing this. I will also be posting some pics soon of our summer!

just pics....

Caleb fell asleep playing in Ben's swing....







Ben turning 6 mos

Next on the roster.....

Enough with the pictures already, let us play ball...

Who's the boss?

So Caleb came to me this morning whining and complaining about his brother,Luke (aka.. Buke) When I asked Luke what happened and why on earth would Caleb be crying and pointing the finger at you. He said "well mom, he was yelling at me because I was in his room so I had to bringed him down" What do you mean Luke you had to bring him down, I asked. Well little kids can't talk to me like that so I had to show him that I am older and stronger so that makes me the boss of him but I was just playing and was wrestling with him!

My how the story takes a different tone once he feels that he just might be in trouble!

I did, just so there is no question, sit him down and tell him that was not nice and not the way we should treat others. And reminded him that I am the boss!

an Eric kidism...

Yesterday I took Eric to the eye doctor. While we were waiting in the exam room Eric asked " Mom, does the Dr. know Jesus?" I replied " I am not sure if he does" Eric thought for a minute and then said " well if drs. know everything, and they should, then he must know Jesus"

If you know Eric you know that this is sooo him. He is always asking questions and thinks that everything should be as simple as black or white.


Eric making a silly, thinking face!

day off

Yes, I did it again! A new background that is!! It took me a few hours but I finally got it. After this I realized that there is soo much I need to learn about computers! I am sure I will change it again soon. Especially after I get my pics back from our photo session. My kids looked at the header and the "big" kids all wanted me to change their photos. After all that work? I am not changing it for the sake of them not liking their own pics ...it's my blog! :)
Well, anyway, we had a nice, relaxing day today. Though Ronnie had to work (he took my car in to have some work done so that left me staying home all morning) the kids and I stayed home and took full advantage of the fact that we had NO where to go!! In fact, Isaac woke me up this morning asking if anyone had any practices or games he was relieved when I told him "no". Actually he repeated the question about 2 more times in case I did not understand his question, just to make sure he was not being misinformed!! He did a "victory" dance right there next to my bed. I guess he felt like he had won something. I guess he (we) did.... a day off!!( from sports that is)

Best Buds

I love being home with my kiddos. Don't get me wrong there are moments when I really want/need to get away for an hour. Heck I would take 10 minutes some days! But overall I realize that all to soon I won't have little ones home all day, so really I treasure the moments! So as I was treasuring a moment this afternoon I looked at Caleb and thought "I am his best bud... his whole world". I know when he wakes in the morning b/c my name is the first word that comes out of his mouth. Even for the rest of the day I am the one he wants- to swing him , play ball with and yes the one he wants to change those diapers!!

I am positive that one day I will be replaced by someone else. So I am going to enjoy every minute of being his "best bud" as long as he will have me!!!

a little bit of a lttle bit

Typically I am a very busy person but lately it has been crazy busy!

I almost feel like I have lived another life and just getting my old back for now.(See what the smallest change in routine can do to me?) Last week we left for the weekend to head to Thibodaux,LA. and then traveled (it's about a 4 hr ride round trip) back and forth EVERY afternoon from Mon - Wed!! On our quest to win the National title for the 8 yr old Biddy All stars. (which we did) And Jake won All American! I am so proud of him!

Jake holding his "All American" plaque

Me and Jake getting ready to go to a game!

Obviously we did not make church last week with not being in town. And now since we had been gone til nearly midnight all those nights I have had very little sleep. Now Ben's routine is a bit messed up and he has not been sleeping very well! This morning I woke up 15 minutes before we should have left for church, missing church yet again this week! :( I am just so thankful that I got to at least go to bible study this past Thursday, I had missed about 3 weeks in a row because of ....well...life!

This weekend has been sooo beautiful and I have sooo enjoyed being home with my family and being outside playing with the kids! I found myself several times thinking " only 7 more weeks til summer....I can't wait!" We are still going to be busy (always) but at least in the summer we can relax some. No rushing to go to bed to be ready for school the next morning, no homework, no time constraints at least for the most part! I get to "have my kids back"! I love summer!

I just couldn't resist posting this pic of Ben... what a cutie!

Typical 2's

Caleb is such a sweet baby. When I drop him off at Sunday school he runs to his teachers arms wide open waiting for a hug! Every time I pick him up they are saying how sweet he is and he is a sweetie ..... most often!

But I will say he is very successful at keeping his multi-personality on the DL! Except when he is home that is! One minute he is sitting with you reading a book, and the next he is fearlessly running on the sofa, laughing at me as I chase him down repeating over and over again" Caleb sit down you are going to fall". He is totally confident that mom will rescue him from every danger around him and that if he does indeed fall mom will be right there to catch him!

Typical almost 2 yr old you say?! I would have to agree! And spite his "typical 2 yr old behavior" I love this sweet little boy and I cannot believe he will be turning 2 this Saturday!

on this day last year

One year ago today we found out that our lives would once again change forever. We found out that Ben would soon join our family. Of course we didn't know on this day that he would be a boy or even what his name would be.( especially considering that we didn't have a name til after he was born) We just knew that we would once again welcome another family member.


At this very time my Uncle would soon pass away so it would be hard for us to share this great news with so much sorrow around us. But just as life has a way of doing, it kept going. Once the news was out, we had more comments like " another one?" or " you are joking, right?" Than anyone should have to hear. I will have to admit expecting again was a little bit of a shock to me but I will also say I love my children and I love being their mom! I also know that I was called to do this ( be a mom of 8). I have sat and thought about why would God call me? I feel so unequipped. Surely He could have called this one or that one but He chose to call me! I most definitely consider myself extremely blessed by Him!



Yes, I am sure a lot of folks think~ 8 kids?? But to me these are the best 8 kids ever and definitely the most precious blessings I will ever know!




I also wanted to post some pics of Ben since he made 4 mos yesterday and because of this special anniversary today :)


His new thing is to make raspberries! ( as you can see)

weekend ritual

As I have mentioned before, every weekend these days have been spent at the basketball gym. But I just wanted to mention how great of a team Jacob has once again. Last year they won State and that's how far it goes for that age group ( 7 yr old). However this year they have district, regional, state AND nationals! So far in EVERY tournament the Dynamites( Jake's team) have left in first place! Tomorrow starts this weekends ritual and they are competing for the district title. Thankfully it is at our gym, so we will be close to home and nap time won't be an issue for the youngins!

So here are some pics of Jake in uniform. Not the best pic quality being that we have to sit quite the distance away, but you get it!



This last on is not usual for Jake. Typically he is non stop on the court( which also makes for bad pic taking) But he was waiting down there as the other team was shooting free throws.

I know I am a little obsessed with this sports stuff but with a family that has this many kids playing a sport it makes for obsession. I grew up playing sports. I ran track, played softball,basketball and cheered. There is no wonder I really enjoy watching my kids! When I watch them playing it will sometimes take me back to that time. I find myself telling my kids" you know I played......" They always respond with" I know mom you have already told us." Guess that was ancient years ago to them. Feels like only yesterday to me!

Not ME, Monday!

Like every weekend these days, we were once again stuck, I mean completely delighted to be at the basketball gym! Ronnie coaches and I get the pleasure of watching Jacob play as I watch 7 other children run up and down the bleachers all the while asking to visit the concession stands for 100th time and visiting the bathroom for 1000th! So when I tell you that after my 999th trip to the bathroom I did not walk into the MEN'S bathroom, you shouldn't believe me!! My children did not proceed to embarrass me by screaming " mom you are going the wrong way"!! And heads were not turned from all over the gym!

I was not up late last night taking 4 tests to catch up on my school work because I do not spend any spare time on the computer visiting facebook instead of studying! And just so you know I am not addicted to facebook! Nope, not me!

I did not feed my child left over cake for breakfast! No way! What kind of mom do you think I am?! If you guessed the kind who gives in to her child b/c he won't stop until you do. You are so not correct! That is not me at all!

These are the best days of our lives.....

I heard this phrase last night and it struck me. "theses are the best days of our lives, we just don't know it"
I can so relate! I often, probably everyday, think about my kids getting older and how I will one day look back on it all and regret something.
I thought back to when Ronnie and I were first married and had only one child. We lived off of red beans,ramen noodles and kool-aid. It was a treat to go and get a 2 liter from the store. We had this sofa that when you sat in it you would practically hit the floor with your bottom!! We had one car that I would take him to work in just so I could use it during the day, that is until we moved closer to his work and he just rode his bike then. As poor as I have just described that we were. We were happy! Life was actually a lot simpler. It just seemed hard. Those were some of the best days we just didn't know it! I have many more stories that I could tell like when each of our children were born or my grandmother and Ronnie's grandfather were still living or when my parents were still together. Just today I was reading my bible thinking that it is probably time for a new one ( I just hate to part with it)I turned to the front page where it said to and from. It was given to me by my parents back in 1999 and it had from mom and dad. That would be the last present that they would give me signed by the 2 of them together.( they divorced shortly after) It's stuff like that. The things or the people we take for granted.
We had a family reunion in December and all I could think of were the ones that were there at the last one just 5 yrs prior and they have since past away. I wanted to take so many pics and really indulge myself in all that were there because I wasn't sure if I would ever see them again. (This past year in 2008 we had to say good bye to 4 family members)
I guess all I am saying is that these are truly the best days of our lives. Even the hard ones! Taking time to cherish these moments with the ones you are so blessed by God to have apart of your life!

champions

Most of you know, that Ronnie has coached Matt's and Jake's basketball games this season. Last week Jake finished his "regular" season in first place and then won the championship in the playoffs! Last night Matt won his championship in his playoffs! Now Jake has won many championships but this was Matt's first. Though we are proud of both the boys this is Matt's last year playing for the city so it was a wonderful way to end it all. We are so happy for him! Ronnie is so excited he is taking the team out to eat tonight! And he can't help but brag on himself a little by saying" how many coaches take 2 leagues to the championship and win ".
Both teams will be in the paper soon, so if you are local keep your eyes peeled! Just hope they didn't grab a snapshot of Caleb running onto the court in the middle of the game TWICE!!! They had to stop the game both times, but on the bright side the other team had the ball so it kinda stopped them from coming full speed and making a basket.
It doesn't end here for Jake, he is in the allstars. They have won all of their tournaments so far and we have another one this weekend!! I will try to take some pics, kids permitting of course!

Wacky words Wednesday!!

Is it already Wednesday?? Man, what do I have for you today? OK ,let me see!!

Isaac: Mom, I think I got some pamshoo in my eyes while I was taking a bath.

Me: Pamshoo??

Isaac: Yeah, you know, the stuff you wash my hair with!!

Me: Oooh, SHAMPOO!!

Me; Luke, do you want a grill cheese for lunch?

Luke: Well, I do want the bread with the cheese that you make on the oven but can you please make it with boy cheese? I don't like it to be girl cheese!!

And though Caleb can barely talk which is why he doesn't really get his 15 seconds of fame on wacky word Wednesday.` I thought I should tell you that it is the cutest think when he calls Luke " Buke"

Hoping your Wednesday is filled with the wackiest of words from your kiddos!!

funny photos

I just ,for some reason, crack up at this pic. I guess b/c Matt is like a Mr. cool and got caught playing with his siblings!!!

And Caleb pretending to be just like me. (That is probably how he sees me! Always behind the lens!!!)

And this one.....

Talk about a bad hair day!!! Love it! But of course we did have to tame it some before we left the house.

such a pretty day...

And since it was, I met a friend and we took the lil ones to the park. It was so nice to let them just run and have a good ole time. It was also real nice to spend some time with a friend!




I thought this last pic was too cute of Caleb and his little friend.....

wacky words Wednesday!

Welcome to my first wacky words Wednesday! I have decided to dedicate this day to the wacky things that my kids say.

While the window guy was here my 4 yr old runs out into the living room, points at this guy and hollers " You're a stranger, you not pose to be here"

Yesterday, Inauguration day, kids come home and tell me all about it.

Eric:"mom, did you know what today is? It is you rock a nation day"

Me: No baby I didn't know THAT

Isaac: "Yeah, we don't have a President Bush anymore. Now it is President Orock Bahama"

Matt: Is he from the middle east? (asking this because of his middle name)

Ashley: very proudly, believing she knows everything like every other preteen says " yeah, He is! He is from Kansas!! (Ronnie and I could not stop laughing)


I am not sure where they get this stuff, but I LOVE it!!!

One day these hands

As I stared at Ben today. (What mom can't help but to stare at her sleeping baby?) His tiny hand with a tight hold around my finger. I couldn't help but think ....

One day this hand will hold mine as he tries to take those first steps of his life. One day this little hand will reach for mine when he needs help.One day these hands will learn to bounce a ball. One day these hands will he use to write his name and tie his shoes. One day these hands will hold the word of God and my prayer is he will never let it go so that these hands will work diligently to praise the Lord. One day these hands will hold that of a girl that he promises before God to spend the rest of his life with. One day a tiny hand will have a tight hold around these fingers. One day all to soon but today, these hands hold mine!

Not Me! Monday

First of all, let me back up to Friday when my son did not come home from school with about 12 splinters in 3 fingers!! So I did not spend most of the weekend trying to get them all out. And I most certainly did not start having dreams about how I could manipulate a splinter in such a way,causing as little pain as possible, making it easier to remove. Nope, not me!

I do not spend any spare time trying to earn my kids money on Webkinz. That is not what I do for fun around here!!

This morning I had planned to, needed to and did wake up at 5:30. And I did not go back to sleep for "5 more minutes" waking back up @ 6:45.

So since I was not late, I did not leave the house to bring my kids to the bus stop and school with no bra! (At this point I am reminded of those books that my kids love--the "froggy" books. They always say "Looking more red in the face than green" ----but that is not how I feel at all!)

I did not have to come back home to make lunches to bring back up to their schools!

I did not have to call the front office from my cell( while in the school) in search for my son who decided he no longer wanted to wait for me.

On the way out of the school I did not knock over this huge sign that everyone can clearly see. Even one not pushing a stroller and carrying an infant car seat could see that!

tot 2 teen totes

That is what I am calling my new creations! I have done these for a few months but lately have added a bit more to the totes. The last one is a childs apron, it's a good gift to give with some artsy stuff! Here are some that my sisiter wanted me to make for gifts that she needed....

light at the end of the tunnel

That tunnel seemed long and dark! We have not reached the end just yet but can see it!! Ben seems to be getting better, in fact, tomorrow I am cutting his treatments down to once a day,yay! Eric's blood test came back within normal range. Praise the Lord! Isaac's ENT said that we can wait to see if he gets another strep infection before we do the surgery. Hopefully it won't come to that. We will go back in a month to follow up.
Thanks for the prayers. Our God is so good! Through this last week of staying up late,handing out meds, waiting at drs offices with 8 kids and feeling like I am being spread like peanut butter on bread. I have to admit I had been feeling pretty tired and exhausted not knowing how I am going to keep going. But over and over again God would bring to memory, of what I had either heard or read some years ago... God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. As soon as I would remember those words I would feel re energized knowing that God is with me each step I take and because of Him I am more than capable to do what He set out for me to do. Some days that means doing all of what I mentioned earlier and more and other days it's not quite that
hectic. Either way, I can rest assure that God has and will equip me!!

Not Me! Monday

This idea came from Mckmama @ mycharmingkids.net. It sounds like so much fun I had to give it a go!!

Last night as I was mopping the floors, I did not stop and "mop" my wall behind the trash can. That would have been laziness! That's not me.

This morning at the grocery store with 3 small children I did not( seriously, I DID NOT) duck from flying suckers being thrown at me by a very cute toddler who has quite a good arm. That mom really should teach her child some manners! (I'll work on that!!)

I did not trip over my own wet feet, nor did I reply with a " I know" instead of a "thank you" when someone complemented on how cute my kids are.

I did not leave the store prematurely for the sake of a pacifier that was left in the van.

I did not get stuck between my buggy and the back of my van.

On my way home I did not splash a construction worker with a puddle of water on the side of the road! Nope, not me!

leave it at the door step

Nobody would want to visit us right now.Most of the little kids ( those 5 and under) have had this terrible cough and cold. It started the day before Christmas Eve for the twins and then made it's rounds by the day after Christmas. So to be on the safe side I took Ben in to see the dr. that day and thankfully in spite of the terrible cough he was clear. I had to bring Isaac and Ben back to the dr last Mon. ( Ben for shots...ugh and Isaac for a recheck on his 3rd strep throat since early Sept) Ben was still clear and Isaac was referred to the ENT with another strep infection. He goes to the specialist this coming Tuesday (the 6th) Well a few days went and Ben still had this cough so wouldn't you know I was bound to return to the dr on Fri.( in case you're counting that is the 3rd time in one week, not counting the phone calls on the "off" days) with Eric who had an enlarged Lymph Node so I asked the doc to please listen to Ben again and now she heard something. I was sent to outpatient to have an xray and RSV test done on him, which later came back positive for RSV. Eric was ok he didn't have strep or anything but if he still has this thing tomorrow he has to get blood work done.

So I have Ben, Isaac and Caleb on breathing treatments twice a day. Tomorrow the kids go back to school, 16 days flew by. I just hope that they don't bring home any new illnesses!

So please be in prayer that God will heal our kids and quickly.

Specifically~ Isaac~ that he won't need surgery

Ben~ that he will be cured from RSV soon

Eric~ lymph node will shrink and blood work won't be needed tomorrow

Ben taking his treatment( and actually doesn't mind the noise it makes)