I'm tired

* Up way too early to take Lonnie to work in Davenport by 7:45
* Breakfast for hungry whiny kids on the way at McDonald's
* Stop at Wal*Mart to get the essentials on the way back to town
* Go to county treasurer's office for some title business
* Bank
* Power and Water
* Treasurer's Office again
* Wal*Mart for pet essentials forgotten the first time
* Home to change kids clothes and diapers
* Lunch at Jefferson
* Home, lunch with Grandpa
* Meet people to sell car
* Wash uniform
* Farm & Fleet
* Bank, again
* Pick Lonnie from work in Davenport
* Meet guy about car in Milan
* Feed ids somewhere
* Baseball @ 7:00
* Bathe 3 dogs who rolled in something foul
* Bathe 3 kids to remove baseball field filth
* Bed?

Yeah right

Oh, and in the middle of that, my very old cat has forgotten where his litter box is, yippee.

Superkids and Rainbows

Lonnie has a frame on his desk with the title "Who is Superman?" This is the picture that goes in that frame.
I took the kids out to see this, and Tyler started clapping, and then he was saying "Thank you God, thank you God!" It was so sweet. A very good reminder that we should be looking for things around us to thank God for, instead of things to complain about.
At bed time, Ty and Ry both pray and thank God for rainbows and ask him to make more.

Chalk Family

Of course we have the Eagle, Globe and Anchor
We traced the kids and they colored them in.
Mom and Dad's outlines were more line crime scene outlines, complete with a tire track over on of them.

Some taken by the kids

Wyatt actually figured out the timer and the zoom to take this picture.

These were all taken by the kids when I was unaware. There were several that were not so good, some that were.

A few from the week

Princesses and Superheroes
Painting at the table
Dylon


Just a reminder to myself and my mom of why we don't do daycare full time.

A picture from my childhood

When I was a little girl, my mom and her closest dearest friends would spend the summer days sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee, preparing lunches, drinks and snacks for a herd of kids and refereeing a few fights. All the while, us kids would run in and out of the room and all around the house and yard. This is how I remember being a kid. I can picture it so vividly in my head, it might be yesterday.
Except yesterday was a little different. It was the exact same picture, complete with grilled cheese and mac & cheese for the masses. The only thing different in the picture was me. I was not running around having fun and dressing as a princess. That was Rylee. I was the one sitting at the table with my mom, talking the day away.
I often look around at my life and wonder when this all happened, and where the adults are. Yesterday I actually felt like a grown up. It may sound strange, but sitting in that same picture from my memory, it seemed to fit. It was nostalgia and normalcy blending together.
I told Lonnie last night that I really enjoyed the day. And now I have a new memory to add in there, the view from the table, not just the one from running around it.

Cousins

Today was a very full and busy day. My mom has my sister's three kids (7, 6, and 4) staying at her house this week. So today they all came here, and played, played, played. It was a full house to say the least. When added to the ones that already occupy my house, it was bordering on crazy. They played in the little pool and sprinkler outside, then it was showers, movies, supper and call it a day. So now mine are all in bed, getting lots of rest, getting ready to do it all again tomorrow.
We are going to take the kids to the art museum, since they have a bug exhibit going on, apparently something about room sized bugs or something. Should be fun.

My Man

I didn't write a bid Ode to Lonnie on Fathers Day. Mostly because I didn't know where to start. Let me describe this man to you, in just one example.
I am married to a man, who once he finally gets a motorcycle that he likes, he gets in running good, and is getting ready to paint it.
Then, he turns around and sells it. Not to buy something cool, or even another car, but to fix my air conditioner.
I know it didn't really matter a lot to him, as he is at work all day and not roasting in our house.

He is a fabulous guy.

Update

I am mobile again, as I have my van today, and we have lots of fans going in the house and the kids are actually complaining they are cold. That'll do for me. :)

I felt I needed to let you now since some people are starting to check up on me and express some concern.

The Big Show

Dan Wardell
Tyler was very captured by the program
Wyatt and Aaron Stern. He took a moment to point out that they looked like Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
They had to throw big foam balls at Dan. They thought that was really fun.
He is so patient and nice with them. I recommend everyone who can goes next year.

Waiting, oh the anticipation....

On the bus.

These two got to sit together on the way down and did a great job.
Wyatt sat with his friend Bailey from school.
And Dyllie got to ride on mommy's lap. Very fun.

A good day

Well we made it one whole day with out air, and with no freak outs. That is a pretty big accomplishment for me. We sucked cold air in all night with some fans, and shut everything up tight this morning, I felt kind of like I was in a cave all day. But it actually stayed pretty cool.

If you have free TV, then your kids watch PBS. If your kids watch PBS, then they know who Dan Wardell is. If they know who Dan Wardell is, then they LOVE him. He is this goofy announcer guy that talks in between shows and such. He is great. Every summer he does a road trip to libraries around the state. Today was Musser. I was kinda bummed because I wouldn't be able to take the kids, no van and all.
Then I was talking with a friend who lives a block or so away. She runs a daycare. She said, I called Muscabus to take my kids down since there are too many for a car, wanna come?
I was so excited. The kids got to go on a little adventure, a walk, a bus ride, the Library, Dan Wardell, and another bus ride. It was really fun. Wyatt even got to be a part of the presentation. He was really excited about that. I have a bunch of pictures to put on later.
I got a lot of work done around here. Lonnie didn't have class and was home for supper. There is no baseball, really a great night o be at home.

A really good day, we needed that around here.

I'm a cry baby

This trial by fire stuff just sucks. I am sorry but there is really no other way to say it.
First, Lonnie has 2 motorcycles in the garage right now, but neither of them in road safe yet, so he has to take my van. That means he is gone all day at work and I am here with 4 kids and no way out. It really is OK, not the end of the world, but kinda tiring after day 3 of having friends take Wyatt to and from College for Kids and then to and from baseball at night. All I can say is thank God for good friends.
Second, the water thing yesterday, Lonnie fixed it when he got home. The patch that my dad and I tried didn't work. So it was a late night replacing part of the pipe line.
Third,l my air conditioner is going out. I am aware that this is not a bid deal to some folks, but it is HUGE in our house. We made the decision very long ago to just pay the big bill and stay married, as we neither of us are very nice people when we get too hot, or humid.
None of these would be a big deal at all if it was 3 weeks from now, when paychecks start. Until then, they are huge, as we are now paying for gas everyday to Davenport and quite rapidly running out of the green stuff.

Boy I sound like a cry baby today. I am quite aware of much, much bigger issues in the world right now, and feel kinda guilty for complaining at all, as I have a vehicle that runs, I have running water, and I have a house,, even if it is 2 degrees warmer in here than I think it should be.
I will go and try to keep things in perspective, and not be too cranky about the temp.

And we have water.

I guess our basement was jealous of all the other basements in our area that have water. So our water main in our laundry room decided to spring a leak. Now there is water everywhere, and everything in the room, clean or dirty has to be washed. Now I am without water for the rest of the day.
And as a solution, I did what all responsible, mothers of 4, almost 30 grown women would do. I called my Daddy. Here he comes to save the day!!
At least it is something like this, and not coming from the outside of the house, as that is much, much more difficult to handle.

Until it is fixed, we will just keep swimming, just keep swimming. :)

KidZone Swim

We went to the aquatic center last night for the kidzone swim. Instead of the hot and humid weather of last week, it was a cool, not humid, 68. Fun.
Tyler watching all the bigger kids in the pool trying to decide whether to go in or not. (Yes, he is wearing his brothers trunks)
Wyatt would not let the cold stop him. He LOVES to be in the water.
Rylee found some friends of hers and has a great time.
What a cute pair. They actually stayed pretty close to each other all night.

And this is where Tyler spent the whole time. He would not, could not, go back into the water.

Where will it end?

I find it very interesting that as I read through the various blogs that I read, God seems to be working in others in similar circles to how he is working with am and in our house. It is funny that these women who I read there thoughts, some that I know quite well, and some not so much, but He is being very, very active. There is no denying that. I think it will be very excited to look back in the next months and years and see where these journeys that start so similarly for each of us, with just wondering what we can do, how this will take place in each one's lives and homes.


(Not what anyone was expecting from that title huh?)

Fear.

Fear. I am finding out that is the main reason behind why I don't do what God is telling me to do. I like to label it other things. I like to say it isn't practical. I like to say it isn't safe. I like to hide behind things like, how it will effect my kids. But in reality, when I really get down to it, how better to teach them about Jesus, and his love than to have them experience and show it first hand, even if it hurts a little? I like to think that I can protect them from any type of hurt, and explain grace and selfless love to them. That way they can know what it is, but still be in our little house and not be exposed to that hurt. Then I am reminded that Jesus was actually involved with the people who hurt. He touched the people in pain. He met them where they were. In being called to be like Him, no less is required of us.
There are some things around us that are probably the most practical ways ever to allow our kids to be on both sides of giving and receiving that type of love. I also now believe that their lives can only be richer and fuller for it.

(Again, not so sure it makes sense to anyone outside of those that live in my head) blah

Little People

I love it when they play with the toys that we have spent so much time and money acquiring for them over years. Today it is little people.

Today we become grownups again

Today Lonnie started his new job. This is a job he has been looking at for a few years, and was told no, since he had no degree. Now he does, so he has a job. He is working for Work Force Development as a Veterans Resource Officer. His job is to assist Vets, both new and old with finding employment, education and other VA programs that may help them. Since this is an area that we have huge experience in, I think he will be great. He has tried out a couple of other jobs this year, but in each situation, we both felt like God was telling him to wait, that this was not what he had for him. Most others didn't understand it, but we both felt a peace when he left each of them. I am really praying that God will also speak just as clearly to us that this IS the right thing at the right time.
Today is the day that we feel like adults again. Lonnie has been home for awhile now, hanging out. SO today when he went to work, I kinda feel like now I can be a grown up again. I am a pretty big procrastinator, and I function much better when there is s schedule in place for me to follow. When he will be home at certain time, then I know when have to have things done. Lonnie likes the house fairly picked up, and when he is home all day, I can't keep up, so I kinda just give up. It really isn't pretty at all. So with him gone, I get time to read my book, or take a nap, or do what ever, and not feel guilty, because I know that when he comes home, I will have it all picked up and looking good. He isn't dumb, he knows I do it this way, but he says he doesn't care. He says if I want the chaos and clutter all day he really doesn't care, he just doesn't want it. So it works for us.
So I will get it all ready before he comes home. Have a great dinner planned and basically be Suzy. I really love being Suzy.

I know why oppossums sleep all day.

On the Ferris Wheel
Lake Erie
Neat Sand patterns left by the tide
Indredibly handsome guy
One of the fabulous views from the sky lift. Sandusky Bay, I believe it is called.

We had a great day. It started out rainy and chilly but ended up around 75 and sunny, just perfect. We rode some of the coasters, then decided to be old folks, and rode the calmer rides, as their lines tended to be much much shorter. Then we got to go to the beach, Lake Erie is right there, and we hung out in the sand for awhile. Then we found some ice cream and napped in the grass under a shade tree. Not really too exciting, but really a good relaxing day for us. Before we left the park, we took in on of the musicals, it was really really good, and put us both in great moods before we had to go back on the bus.
All I can really say is that grown ups are not meant to sleep on buses for 2 nights in a row. That is why we pay mortgages. We got home and decided to stay up. We both fell asleep waiting for the kids to wake up (a complete roll reversal in our house) and after dropping Wyatt at College for Kids, we slept until around 11. I do feel much better, but still a little sore and looking forward to the night in my own bed.

Getting ready

Laundry folded, bags almost packed, off to have fun for two days with no kids.




Oh yeah, MY MOM ROCKS!!!

(She is staying in the zoo)

Failures and mini vacations

The force is strong with this one. Or at least his will is stronger than mine at this point. So he has his pacie back. We just couldn't take the whining anymore.
So we gave it back. And all of a sudden, he is polite and nice. Much better than the last few days.

And apparently I am going to Opossum run with the high schoolers. I guess they are in need of a female chaperone, and it looks like it is me. So I will be going at 12:01 on Tuesday morning, and being back at 7:00 on Wednesday morning and riding roller coasters all day on Tuesday, should be a lot of fun.
I am kinda looking forward to it, because our kids are not going, and Lonnie and I don't get a chance very often, ok ever, to go do something fun like an amusement park and not be chasing kids all day. It will be like a little mini date for the two of us.

Storms

This is the storm front that we watched roll in while we were on our way to Burlington today. It started to look a little ominous.
These are the clouds that were so cool looking, and then Lonnie mentioned to me that those are the type of clouds that turn into tornadoes. We kept looking but didn't see any funnel. Then about 2 minutes later, the national weather service broke in and said the a funnel had been seen on radar forming in the same area. (We were just a few miles from there)
There was tons of lightning, it was really intense, and very beautiful.
Then just like that, it was over.


(The pictures were taken from a moving van, so that is rain on the windows)

Better

Under 35 min. A new record. (We have to set a low bar on this one)
Here's to tomorrow, maybe under 30? Maybe less crying/ pleading/ bargaining/ screaming and breaking down....

and maybe Tyler will do better too.

Bye Bye Pacies

Tyler is wonderful. He is funny. He is great. But when he is tired, he can get just a tad bit whiny. That is when we give him his pacifier. Until today. Today we realized they are giving him sores in his mouth, So today he collected them and threw them all away.
Bedtime tonight was really interesting. Instead of the average 1o minutes, it was 2 hours and 37 minutes. (Not that we were counting)
Here's hoping for a better outcome tomorrow.

I need a genie..

Tonight, Lonnie is at school, I have to load up the kids and go to baseball, not to play but just to take pictures and come home. There is laundry to be done, dishes to be done, sewing to do. The birds are yelling, the kids are climbing, the dogs are wrestling, and I am just feeling the weight of it all. I love each of them. I think they are each a blessing (well maybe not so much with the birds) but today, I am tired. I want it to magically be clean and quiet.
Oh well, I guess the only way the genie works in our house is by running a vacuum, not rubbing a lamp.

When I was a kid

On the way home from baseball the other night, this is the sentence Lonnie and I heard from the back seat:
"When I was a little kid, I...." I really can't remember the rest of it, but the beginning part had us smiling. We both did fairly well at not laughing.

He's 7.

our house

This is what happens when I leave the room. My kids take random pictures of each other.
Cool clouds on Sunday afternoon.

Daddy chasing the kids around the front yard.

Pretty boring around here

Will this crazy stormy and then not weather ever stop? I took Tyler to the store today in a monsoon. It was a complete downpour when we went in, and hurricane force wind when we came out. It was really an experience.
Wyatt is gone tonight camping with some friends. He is so excited. It is his first time to go camping, even though they are doing it in a camper and not a tent, but that gives us a first to have with him later.
And since Wyatt is gone, that means I am doing the bed time tango with Rylee. Sometimes I wonder why that girl just never sleeps. I think she is just one of those that requires much less sleep than her brothers. She is normally the first one up, and the last to go to sleep.
And Ty, well he is at that weird point between napping and no napping, where he is just cranky all the time. So he went to bed very easily tonight.
So it is just me and Smallville, season 5. ;)