Fabrics and Gardens

Around the Yard

2011-08-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a little update on the grounds here at, wait,

what IS the name of this place??

We're thinking "Laurel Hill Farm" but not sure yet.

Anyway, here are a couple recent pictures from the yard. This first picture is looking from near the front door of the house over to the "new" garage. I LOVE this new garden area. It has been fun to try and fill up, though now I have some plants to MOVE.

Seems in my rush to fill things in, I planted several plants too closely together and in entirely the wrong places! For example, the 4 foot tall daisies that were gifted from my neighbor last Christmas, got stuck very near the front as I had dropped them in the ground to keep them protected then planned to move them in the early spring. Funny how that didn't happen. The next picture shows the garden next to the house. See, holes to fill in where plants got moved from. The Foxgloves did great this year, though. See their tall spikes?This next picture is of the field garden. Potatoes, corn and squash out there. Fenced off from the cow of course. Oh. My. Goodness. Are we going to have a ton of potatoes! The corn? Well, we'll see how it does. Big D planted a succession plan of three varieties. Still seems very small for the beginning of August. Though, it IS Washington. We'll have to wait and see if we get anything from it or not.

Next is a quick picture of what I brought inside from the garden. Why do daisies have to stink so badly?? They are such a cute flower and I think this arrangement makes the slight "aroma" worthwhile. Just don't get too close!

That's it for today! We are off to swimming lessons - all four kids and myself in the water at the same time. Maybe we'll hit the grocery store on the way home and I can implement the meal plan I made for the week. If not, same old story. Push it all back 'till I can go shopping.

Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine, Washington!

Hay time!

2011-08-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

So, I've had another "first" in my farming experiences.

I can now say that I have hauled hay.

We had our field cut, tetted, raked, and baled for the first time. It has been cut and baled before, of course, but this was our first time taking it on and keeping the product. It was a pretty exciting experience for us. Especially fun was seeing the "big" tractor and letting the kids have a ride in it. The tractor owner's wife was our daughter's 1st grade teacher, so it was super fun for our kids to see "Mrs. A." over the summer and meet her husband, and see what their summer life is like.

390 bales. Finished baling around 6:30 PM with rain a 20-30% possiblilty the next day. Yikes! The race was on to get the bales stacked up, but the kids wanted to PLAY!

Trying to get something done while the kids were still up.

The kids: "helping". We ended up getting the kids to bed and getting just over half the bales stacked before it got too dark. Thank goodness we had those field lights (Thanks, Dad!) or we couldn't have seen to get the tarp up.

Yowzas. A bit of hay for our little operation, no?

I was up on top of the pile, helping stack as the bales went up. That was way up there for me! Probably could have built it a little higher if I wasn't such a scaredy cat. It did rain that night. But not much. The bales left on the field dried out nicely with the breeze and warm temps the next day. We stacked the rest of the bales that next night and were finished.
This picture is of the final stack.

OK. So it was "only" 390 bales. That didn't take very long. ;)

Great Giveaway!

2011-05-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

There is a great giveaway over at "Reluctant Entertainer" today! Check out her cool book. :)

Two and a Half. Really?!

2011-04-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Mighty Mouse. Where does time go?

The "New" Toy

2011-04-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

Farmall tractor.

Barbie's Pencil Skirt - from a Sock!

2010-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

So Dear Daughter (DD) "needs" more Barbie doll clothes. These clothes are SO not cheap at the stores, not to mention the trashiness of most of them. I started looking around to find some online tutorials, but was surprised to see only a few. I'm not talented enough / have enough time to make a tutorial either, but I will post a couple pictures of the "Pencil Skirt" I recently made from hubby's old sock.

I just cut it off, wrapped it around Babrie to find the right size, hand sewed up the back length, leaving the top inch or inch and a half. I tacked down the flaps that were left and then made some quick darts (not the right word?) on the sides to sinch it up to Barbies impossibly tiny waist, then added a snap.

I couldn't think of a quick way to bind the waist, so I just kinda whip-stitched around the top of it. It is holding up so far!

Now, DD wants a sweater to go with it. What have I started?!

Monogrammed Pie

2010-12-08T11:13:00.001-08:00

Learned this from a friend. What a fun idea to bring this someone's house this Christmas! This happens to be Chicken Pot Pie, but how fun to make apple, or another variety. Also, this was a nice pie to receive after we had just had our first baby. You could write the baby's initials on it instead?

I'm wondering now about mostly baking a pumpkin pie and then carefully laying on a cut out monogramed letter from extra crust and baking a little longer... Hmmm, might have to try that tonight.

Something to read

2010-10-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a great resource. It is basic, but it is nice to have the thoughts written out in a nice orderly fashion. I have been trying to get up early (6 AM) but it still doesn't seem there is enough time to get everything done I want before the kids get up. I need to work on my routine a little I guess! :-) Read through this ebook when you have time.

http://www.inspiredtoaction.com/wp-content/uploads/kat/ITA_Maximize_Your_Mornings.pdf (direct link)

www.inspiredtoaction.com/ebook/ (link from blog)

2010-01-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

We still exist! I still exist! hahaha ;-) Anyway, maybe someday I'll get back to posting here. Maybe.

Life is full.

Happy.

Just to keep you happy...

2009-04-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Some quick pictures of Mighty Mouse. He is 5 months old now!! He is eating rice cereal and will finally take a bottle - FREEDOM!!! :-) I will get some pictures of the rest of the "fam" up soon... and some of the projects we have going on, besides the chicks! :-)

For now, we are off to the park.

Our "Farm" Adventure

2009-04-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

There are 14 little chicks... hens we hope. Wyandotte and Black Sex Link. These first pictures are from the first day we got them from the Country Store. I think there were about one week old then.
These pictures were taken on 4/8/09. They have grown quite a bit! You can clearly see their feathers coming out now, and their combs are starting to show better.

They are really starting to fill up this space, so Big D is working on their next home.
Do you see the one in the middle? I think it is a different kind... a slightly different coloring than the rest of them. I hope it's not a rooster!!!! ;-) More updates to come.

Here I am!

2009-04-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

OK, things are getting closer to "back to normal" around here. Everyone is happy and healthy - can you believe Mighty Mouse is 5 months old now?? We are finally into somewhat of a routine with the four kiddos now and we are so happy that Spring is here!

I had been trying to not be online so much (it sucks away so much of my time....), but then I found Facebook and got sucked in again. I think I am now "over it" and have leveled out my online time to a "reasonable" amount.

I am excited to update you on the happenings around here, inside and out. But it will have to wait for another day. Pictures coming!!

Oh so much to do...

2009-01-26T20:54:00.000-08:00

OH man. I am back at that point again of wanting to be so much better than I am. I mean, better at doing things, I know I am just a fine person - God loves me, right?, I just have so many thoughts of things to do and so little action steps actually doing them. I'm guessing because I am on here all the time. That kind of throws a wrench into getting anything done!

And yet, I know I really don't have all that much time right now either. Have you really ever logged how much time you actually need to attend to an almost three month old baby and an almost two year old toddler?? Not to mention all the to and from of the preschooler and kindergartner. Yes, I realize I am busy doing a very good work for these kiddos. However, there comes a point where I know there is more. More I should be doing. Or rather more I want to be doing.

I have been reading great books lately (over the last 6 months or so) that have really helped me be happy in my station as a Mother - raising these kiddos to know God, and I mean to really know Him and WHY they know Him and should want to know Him and hopefully where to find all these truths from the Bible. And being a Wife and being a helper for my husband (which I unfortunately fall down in constantly.) I am totally understanding, now, more of the reasons God put me here and that I need to embrace this - trying to fight it all only leads to strife on many levels.

I am learning that I have always been, and still am, so incredibly selfish!! Oh, I can justify it in many ways, like a sentence I was typing earlier that didn't fit there and now I realize why: These kids just take so much time from me, I automatically go to "me time" (ie - computer) when I have a spare minute and I don't do the chores, or the extras that I know would be benificial. Why do I do that? Why can't I just, again, "get it together" and get stuff done?!!

I don't want to justify any more. I just want to DO and be done. I have got to get more disciplined in my life. I am starting a "chore chart" for the kids - they have been clamoring for it for awhile... and I think I need to do one for myself as well. Maybe it would actually give me some external motivation for doing what I should be doing. Give myself my own props for getting something done around here. I know, "Do as unto the Lord", and I am starting to really grasp the meaning of that now, given that I am understanding more of the wife and mother roles as given from God and the true importance of both pieces. It has just been hard for me to do - mainly getting myself put aside and truly putting others first and what that truly means.

And you get that little taste of time after your child gets to a certain age where you realize you do have more "free" time and then...oops, another child comes. And now I am back where I was before feeling like there is so much to do and so little time, and using that time so unwisely.

Ah, discipline, discipline, discipline. I have got to get further in the current book I am reading: The Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman. Maybe that will help me! I'll let you know! :-)

Oh, and someday, I hope to post again about "Fabrics" and "Gardens".
....someday.

Hmmm... what to do?

2009-01-18T15:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I have two kiddos outside with Daddy, one napping and one playing very happily by himself. What am I to do with myself? (Oh! Certainly not a chore!)

I do have a fun list:
sewing doll clothes,
reading new book study (Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman- Anne Ortlund),
do some goal planning for this year,
finally make the chore chart for the kids,
check on my roast chicken... oh, I better do that now... hang on.

OK, it looks good. Where was I?

plan the herb garden,
etc.,

However then there are the other to do items that are on the list:
laundry,
cleaning (everything),
organizing (everything),
help children learn to read (H is doing very well on her own however...),
plan nap schedule for Mighty,
meal plan for the week,
ready the grocery list,
clip coupons,
etc., etc., on and on...

So, here I sit on the computer waiting for my dough to be done in the bread machine so I can make some dinner rolls (Honey Curry Wheat rolls, should be tasty with our roast chicken!) I hope you have a nice week, I'll get my lists together and let you know some more of the fun stuff. Bye!

Mighty's 2 Month Appt.

2009-01-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

So, at Mighty's 2 month appt (at 2 months + 1.5 wks) here are his stats:

16 lb 3 oz

24 3/8" long

...yep, a big guy! I think this is usually at least 4 months old, more like 6 months. I guess he'll be tall like his daddy! He is still off the seizure meds - no "episodes" for quite some time now. He is on the reflux med still, but we are going to try and eliminate the middle of the day dose and see what happens. If he does well w/o much spitting up or gagging, we will take off the first dose of the day in about two weeks. It doesn't seem to be a bad med for him to be on, but I would like to get rid of it if he doesn't need it.

He is such a good and happy/normal baby so far! He loves "talking" to his brothers and sister. He likes to kick around on his back on the floor and in his bouncy seat. He is trying to move his hands to get at the toys hanging in front of him and tries to hold his hand in front of his face just to look at sometimes. He does well with tummy time, but gets bored with it. I have started putting him in the exersaucer for something different during the day, but he is a little uncoordinated for it still.

Mmmm... Dinner

2009-01-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm... Chicken pot pie

The easy way with canned soups and veggies.

(I know, it could easily be done healthier, but this got done and tasted great.)
I used these nifty tiny cutters to add "flair" to the top of the pie. Really, really quick and easy to do, just use the excess crust, roll it out again a little thinner, cut your shapes and lay them on top. You can seal them down a little by first dabbing a bit of water on the back of the shapes if necessary. I also did a light egg white wash on top of the pie to help with browning.

Especially yummy when served with an excellent dark green salad on the side.

OH, and yummy Oatmeal chocolate chips for dessert! ;-)

I guess yummy was the word of the day! I did get a little healthier in that I made the pie crust partially with whole wheat flour and some wheat germ. I also substituted some wheat flour and wheat germ to the cookies as well. Yum!

This is also the perfect meal to bless someone else with, which is exactly what I did. It is so easy to make two pies at once. I brought one (and a salad, and cookies) to a family that just had their fourth baby (a sweet little girl after three boys!) I also have had good experiences freezing these pies as well, so always good to make two pies and either give one away or freeze to use later.

Thank you again, to those who blessed us with meals while we were having problems with Michael! It was sure a blessing to us, and I am glad I am able to help others again in this way now that we are back on our feet.

The great snow melt

2008-12-30T09:58:00.001-08:00

Well the great snow melt is almost over here... finally. I can see all of our road today, so I feel comfortable going out for groceries tonight. It will be my third trip out of the house in over two weeks - and the first by myself! I really didn't have a huge need to go out (other than a little Christmas present shopping to help Santa), but just knowing you can't go makes it seem like a big thing.

On another subject, I have discovered face book. And it is a bad thing. Well, bad for me who spends way too much time on the computer as it is! I am still trying to figure it all out and that is taking some time. I'm not sure why to do it, other than connecting with other people... Though I am a bit of a hermit, so not sure why I should be participating online... not to mention it is taking away even more time from my family.

And on that note, I will probably be posting less for now until I can get back in the routine with school and Mighty Mouse in January. He will be 2 months old - I can't believe it. I'll try to at least post some pictures from Christmas soon, there was fun had by all.

Snow, snow and more snow

2008-12-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

So we have had about 12" of snow over the last week or so. We only had a little wind last night, but it did blow our snow around a bit.

I have had cabin fever. Had friends over today who also had cabin fever. Dads took the kiddos out sledding, so they ALL were worn out by the end of today.

I finally got to take a ride in the new truck - thank God for 4x4! No problem getting "to town" and back. Had to make the WalMart trip. Plus pizza for dinner - hooray!

Tomorrow means a trip for Big D and Nana to B'ham to pick up Sister and her husband from NV. I'm home with the kids again tomorrow... nowhere to go. Akk! I just want to be able to drive in it again by myself. It's that independent thing I guess.

Should turn to rain at some point, but is snowing tonight since around 4pm. Not sure how long this low 30s/20s temps will last. More snow every time the moisture comes back... ugh.

But I still love snow!! :-)

Winter Fun

2008-12-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

Some winter fun pictures. Be sure to see the last post of the scenery.

The first outside glimpse of the snow this morning.

Just when they went outside around 9:30 this morning it started snowing hard again!

(Yes, that is a snowball that hit the outside of the slider door...gee, maybe that is why big D had a smile on his face in the last picture?!!) :-)

Bye! We hope you enjoy your day as well!

Snow Scenery

2008-12-14T11:08:00.000-08:00

Here are some scenery pictures from around our house this morning.
An official Winter Wonderland!

Cherry trees:

Snow measure:

(Why some do rulers have a 1/4" at the beginning and ends before they start counting??) Adjusting for that, we have 2.75". Cariboo Valley is laughing right now, seeing as this is a big "snow event" for us here in Western Washington and they had over 8" fresh (on top of all the other they already had) the other night.

On the deck:

The back yard:

Out the front door:

Still looking for presents to give?

2008-12-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

Please check out this awesome charity.

Consider blessing yours while blessing others this Christmas.

Don't give clutter.

Give opportunity.

If you'd like, check them out at Charity Navigator.

A late game of Mouse Trap

2008-12-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

So how much extra do you have to pay a babysitter for having to play mouse trap?

Shall I start at the beginning?

Big D and Mighty and I came home from a dessert at a friend's house and our babysitter informed us that our poor excuse for a cat brought in a live mouse while we were gone. I mean seriously, what kind of poor excuse for a cat doesn't kill the mouse and maybe eat it?? Please don't bring your outside games inside cat!!

I guess cat tried to catch it again, but it ran under the entertainment center. He tried to follow, but of course couldn't fit, though he did make it under the table next to it. Babysitter couldn't find a flashlight to look under said center to try to find the beady eyed little guy... geesh, what bad employers/parents are we? Can't even provide the babysitter the location of an emergency kit in case of power outage ...or mice?!!

She "watched" for the mouse the rest of the night, but never saw it again, and it seems our poor excuse for a cat gave up too.

Well, we couldn't go to bed not knowing the location of the mouse. We started the hunt. Did I tell you this was around 9:30 or 10 o'clock at night? We got the flashlight, the broom, and a bucket and started checking out the underside of said center.

Lots of toys, no mouse.

OK, check under couch, love seat, big chair and coffee table.

Nothing.

OK, watch a little TV try to figure out where it could be. Was the poor excuse for a cat just playing with a fuzz ball, not really a mouse? Did it fall through the heater vent? Oh, yuck, that's going to smell. Was there even really a mouse at all?

And then...

around 11:30PM...

Skitter...skitter...skitter...

...little footsteps were heard ...coming out of the playroom! Yikes...

...and then it ran...

behind the...

...entertainment center.

...but not too far.

We were able to coax the mouse out with the end of the broom and get it trapped into the bucket... and set it free. No blood no foul.

I don't think I like this game of mouse trap and I'm sure the babysitter wasn't too excited about it either. Luckily she is also a country girl and is "used to" mice coming inside and wasn't "too" freaked out.
ps - Is anyone interested in a poor excuse for a cat, who has also started to pee on the small bathroom floor??

pps - For another cat incident (and some chocolate pretzels, yum) check out this blog.

Click a Deer

2008-12-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

I thought this was cute...

Click a Deer for Holiday Cheer

One Month Check-up & Other...

2008-12-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

Went to the doc yesterday for Mighty's one month check-up one (week late). Got him undressed and the nurse thought maybe he was 4 months old; he's so big.

OK, here are the stats:

weight: 14 lb 5 oz
height: 24"

(My cousin's girl just had her 6 month checkup and was just over 14 pounds and just over 24"!)

Still weaning off the phenobarbital, today is the last day at 4 mL (2mL twice a day) and moving down to 3 mL (1.5 mL twice a day) tomorrow. Also doc upped the dose of the generic Zantac to 1.4 mL. He has grown so much she didn't want to have him weaning off both meds at once so we would not be confused if he did have anymore episodes which med it might be related to.

So, still no seizures/episodes for, what, almost three weeks now? I think that is right. Yay!
And that is the update on Mighty.

On another note:

From a book I am reading: If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

I don't want to plan to fail! So I have been trying to get an ongoing type of to-do list, rating things from most important to least to get done. Or at least what neeeds to get done today and by the end of the week. Because if it is just a passing thought in my head "oh, I really need to get to that" it probably won't happen - I will space it, but if it is on a list that I see over and over it will bug me enough to get done and crossed off.

It is kinda like the Dave philosophy that if you don't tell your money where to go, you will wonder where it went! (Hmmm, just like your time!)

So, I am off to check the list. ...and probably change a diaper. I do that a lot, too.

Has anyone ever...

2008-12-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

...taken a look at this book? I saw it on another blog and thought it looked interesting, just wondering if any of you have it or have taken a look at it?

We are not a homeschooling family (so far, though we do try to be learning/teaching/involved all the time), but the scheduling part, esp. with 4 kids now, looks very intriguing! I tend to be a scheduler anyway, but having a resource to help catch everything might be nice? (You can click on the book picture to go to their website.) Maybe I can pull enough out of it from the Table of Contents to make something work for us?

I realize just having the schedule isn't enough and the actual implementation of it is key. It is just hard to remember everything and get it in there on the list. I have heard of homeschooling moms taking a weekend "off" (or even just a day) where they go to a hotel by themselves in the summer before starting school to "pull it all together" and plan their school year/schedules and I was thinking how nice that sounds -- to be able to have peace and quiet to remember everything... of course by this time I just may need the chaos to think! Maybe I could have just 1/2 of a day to "pull it all together", but right now, I would probably just sleep!!!!!

I'm also looking into various "organizing" books and homemaking and mother/daughter type books, some from the blog I referenced earlier. (Probably good to teach H-girl some girly things since the house is now full of boys!!) I just can't seem to get more than a couple things done in a week. This includes every chore there is. Only a couple each week. Seriously. I know some of you probably vacuum twice a day and mop more, but that doesn't happen here. My poor husband. Hopefully I can get it together (...hmmm ...is there a theme here??) now that I am not pregnant and get this house into shape. It would be nice after 10 years that a wife could get her house in order!!

Maybe you should pray for my husband.

The poor man.

Tapering

2008-12-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

No time to post, really, just a quick update. We are starting to "taper" Michael's phenobarbital med for his seizures. He hasn't had any for a week and a half (last Thursday AM) since getting on the generic Zantac. Possibly it is a coincidence about the Zantac since he didn't have any seizures the day and a half before actually started it (Friday PM). Maybe he has just grown out of whatever he had, maybe with all the prayers God took it away. Lots of possibilities. All I know is I am again watching him like a hawk while we are taking him off the med... unfortunately makes for a stressed out mama! Will have to do something special with the kids later this week. If it all goes well, Michael will be off the pheno on the 19th of Dec. the day we are scheduled to have his 6 week checkup with the Neuros at Children's.

Oh, and so excited, we are actually going to see the Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach this year... after talking about it for more than 10 years now!! We will be heading there the afternoon of the 21st with some church friends. Want to go to? Maybe we'll see you there. :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

We've already washed dishes 3 times and it is not even 1 PM yet! Turkey getting closer to done, probably eating around 3 PM today. We are blessed to have both sets of the kids' grandparents here with us again for this Thanksgiving, but are missing those who are in other cities this year. Phone calls just aren't the same. We miss you guys. Enjoy your holiday everyone... or I guess your Thursday if you are in Canada, eh? ;-)

Mighty's Meds

2008-11-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

OK, so I'm sorry it has been a long time between Mighty Mouse's updates. I will see what I can remember from the past week.

Wait, let me get some more coffee...

OK, that's better. (Even if it is only decaf, I think it is a mental thing.)

So Mighty had various doctor appointments last week: check-up on Monday, Doc. phone calls Tues and Weds, another hospital test on Thurs, and circumcision on Friday. (He is a busy guy!)

Monday was discussion about his meds and what to do since he was still having seizures. The Doc. gathered our information, took a blood test to check his phenobarb levels and eased our fears some. She let us know that she is in contact with the Neuro's at Children's and that they are sort of coordinating care. We changed his meds to 3.5 mL of the phenobarbital twice a day (8am, 8pm) in hopes that he wouldn't pull a seizure right before his big dose in the evening like he had been doing sometimes. (It had been 2 mL in the morning and 5 mL in the evening.) Oh, and he weighed 11 pounds on Monday.

Tuesday evening the Doc called to check in before she contacted Children's again. Mighty's blood test came back (checking on the phenobarb levels) and found his phenobarb level to be on the higher end (30) of the recommended levels of 20-30 that are thought to be high enough to stop seizures. Of course Mighty had had another seizure or two since the blood test at our appt. on Monday - the Doc called them "breakthrough seizures", meaning having seizures break through the medicine.

Wednesday the Doc called back and between her and the Neuro's they were starting to think that maybe it wasn't seizures after all, and maybe they needed to look into the GERD (reflux) idea again. OK, here we go again. So calls to see when the Pediatric Radiologist would be in town to do an "upper G.I." on mighty (swallow some barium and take pictures as it is going down and see if it comes back up). Wait a little more. Wait, she will be in tomorrow (Thursday) and she has some appts available still. Call as close to 8AM as you can to get an appt. Of course I was looking forward to going to MOPS on Thursday and try to resume some form of normalcy, but Mighty is a little more important!! On Wednesday night (8PM, 11PM, and 4 AM) for three back to back feedings, Mighty had seizures. Of course, right before a possible new diagnosis, I was really hoping for an answer.

Thursday morning at 8 AM I called for an appt. The test would be right in the middle of MOPS, 10:30 AM, guess I can't have normalcy yet. Mighty was a big trooper and did the test just great - took that chalky stuff right from their bottle and everything. It only showed "normal" reflux, something the radiologist wasn't concerned about. At one point during the exam she did say "Oh here it comes, it looks like he is having a little trouble clearing it, oh, OK, he got it." So apparently that was normal, but you see he doesn't have the seizures (are we back to saying episodes now?) after every feeding, so was this just one of the times where it wasn't going to happen anyway? So didn't talk to our doc on Thursday after the test (her day off) but I was so disappointed that there wasn't overwhelming evidence that this was reflux and it was another test that was basically inconclusive, or another test without answers, or just without answers I was looking for.

Friday I took Mighty in for his circ. (at this time, no seizures since Thursday at 4 AM) and the doc and I talked about our options as she was writing out the prescription for the reflux med. She kind of agreed that it did show some reflux - normal or not, and since his ~episodes~ didn't come after every feeding, it was possible that this was just a light reflux time, we could try the med as it shouldn't hurt anything else. (Oh, he was then 11 lbs 12 oz!! gained 2+ pounds in less than 3 weeks...and his circ went fine, though he peed on them before and after! hee hee)

So, now Mighty Mouse is on the Phenobarbital 3.5 mL twice a day, and the Ranitidine (generic Zantac) 1 mL three times a day.

Mighty Mouse has not had a seizure since that Thursday morning at 4 AM. I don't know if it is because I am being extra vigilant at burping him, trying to relieve pressure in his tummy. We had noticed a burp from Mighty after the three back to back seizures from Wednesday night/Thursday morning and started thinking that was possibly causing problems (again, you know, in our vast medical knowledge...) :-) I asked the radiologist about gas pressure being a possible cause of the "apnea" and she said something about pressure on the vegas vein possibly causing issues. Also, our doc said the reflux med could help with the gas pressure as well.

So I guess now we are again in a waiting game. (See Michael's yawn?) What is really helping him not have the seizures/episodes? Is it the meds? Is it the extra vigilant burping? Has he just grown out of the whole thing? It hasn't really been that long, but even going one day in between seizures felt refreshing... this 4+ day stint is a downright vacation! Though we may be watching him more now for fear we are missing something.

Anyway, keep praying, I'm sure it is working!!!

Bloggy Etiquette?

2008-11-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

So, where exactly are the blog etiquette rules posted?
I need to brush up on those.

Two reasons:

1) I actually met someone whose blog I read, and who sometimes reads mine (I know that because she comments - why don't some of you others comment???!), and I was such a big dummy! Instead of saying hello and introducing myself like a normal human being, I was like "Oh, are you insert blog name here? Hi! I'm fabricgarden! Your daughter looked so familiar to me from the pictures on your blog." (She has amazing blue eyes in the pictures and in real life.) I'm such a nerd! Why couldn't I just say "Hi, I'm Jenny, I think I read your blog, are you insert name here? Wow, nice to finally meet you." (We live in the same town.) So anyway, if you are reading this, "Hi! Nice to finally meet you the other day!" I try really hard not to be a nerd, but sometimes it just comes out... especially with the lingering effects of "pregnant brain" and forced insomnia of newborn-itis.

and 2) I do have some updates to post about Mighty Mouse but time has been escaping me...I don't know where it goes. I know you all deserve an update and are hanging on pins and needles until I post something - checking in every day, every hour, lingering in case a post magically appears while you are on the site...
no?...
You're not doing that?
It's just my imagination?
Oh, right.
So, anyway, it has been a while since a post and I had been posting fairly regularly with hospital updates and now here you have been in the dark for over a week now.
Sorry.
Maybe you can expect a post once a week or so and if there are more you can feel blessed or something? So I guess I better get on with posting the updates!
:-)

For Comparison

2008-11-17T15:57:00.001-08:00

Can you tell who is who?

(These are all around 2 weeks old, give or take a day or so.)

Bump in the road

2008-11-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

I do take pictures, really I do. I just don't get them off the camera very often. If it were the "old style" film cameras I would really have some film cartridges stacking up around here! So here are a couple of Mighty Mouse while I tell you more about him.

We are going to the Doc. here in town again today to see about adjusting Mighty's meds. He had a couple more seizures on Friday and again Saturday. Called the "on call" pediatrician and he upped the dosage a bit for Mighty. Of course first we had to tell him all of Mighty's story because it was one of the few Docs associated with the practice who didn't know anything about him yet. (There is one more that we haven't spoken to yet, I'm sure we will get her the next time we have to call after hours and have to explain everything again!)

Really, we just want a concrete plan for what to do when/if Mighty has more seizures. Up the dosage? Give some meds right away? Give two doses a day instead of the one at night? He is growing so much already that he has probably grown out of the small dosage they had prescribed at first. (He is already 10 lbs 12 oz - that was on Friday before he turned 2 weeks!!) So he has gained a pound already... such a good eater! But, what does that do to his meds if he still needs them on a bigger level. I understand being cautious and not prescribing too much, but having him have a seizure every other day or so is scary and gets to be that you don't want to put him down or ever let him out of your sight when he is awake... and I've got three other kids (one that still needs his diaper changed, too) to take care of!!

The seizures on Friday evening and Saturday morning were much shorter in duration and were "fairly" easy to revive him from. The one Saturday night was longer, as was the one Sunday night at at least 1 min 30 seconds. With the shorter ones D and I thought it might just be not enough meds to hold them completely off (with our highly medical background - ha!) but maybe needs even more after the longer episodes. Maybe we need to go back and get another loading dose to "charge him back up"? I'll let you know after the appt. today.

So, other than that, he is a happy, healthy baby. No complaints. He likes to eat, he likes to sleep, he likes to be awake and look around. The other three l-o-v-e him and want to hold him all the time. I will try to keep posting pictures and updates more quickly... we just have a little going on around here! :-)

The New Normal

2008-11-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

Well, we have started life at home with our four beautiful children. It is so nice to be home; all together. The New Normal.

And it is the old normal. I got the two older kids to school - both on time! :-) Unfortunately it was pouring down rain in the afternoon to pick up the kids. I haven't been out in that hard drenching rain for quite some time. (My shoes were not adequate for the rain and had water running through my toes, eww!) Good thing I had both the car seat and the stroller to protect Baby Might Mouse from all that rain! But I do see I need to ScotchGuard both canopies.

Grammy left around noon today, sob. She got lunches ready then had to catch the ferry. Big D was at work all day today catching up after getting home from Seattle, but all was well with the kiddos and baby so the day went well. I am feeling extremely tired right now and am hoping to go to bed after the 7pm feeding/8pm meds.

Still, I am feeling "ahead", I guess because I am coming home with a 10 day old baby instead of a 2 day old baby. That is nice. We were able to get good feedings right away at the hospitals without interruptions (read: refereeing the other kids, etc.) He is already on a fairly good schedule - approx. 3 hours between feedings, except after the meds at 8pm where he does get pretty sleepy and goes more like 4 1/2 hours between feedings - fine with me - more sleep time!!

I wonder what tomorrow holds? (Maybe some picture posting... no promises.)

Going Home ... Again

2008-11-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

OK, so we are scheduled to be released (again) this afternoon!

The MRI was clear - no abnormalities in the brain.

The EEG was normal - nothing found in this test.

There have been no more "episodes" (seizures) since the phenobarbitol has been used, so the current meds are what we will keep him on as we go home. We will be giving it to Michael orally at home.The neurologist and other docs still aren't sure why these seizures happened - which believe it or not is a good thing. If they could diagnose it at this point, it would most likely be a major disorder or disease and we don't want that! Currently the thought is just benign infant epilepsy - also sometimes called "5th Day Fits" where newborns can have seizures around days 4 - 7 that dissapear after that, though that doesn't explain the first couple days' episodes.

Whatever it is / was, we are thankful that this medicine ("peanut butter balls": phenobarbitol) has been stopping the episodes and that they can't find anything else to treat or to look at. All other tests for infections have come back negative, so he is also off the antibiotics as well.

We will keep you posted on his status as we are at home and he grows. The plan is to keep him on the current doesage of meds and not increase them as he is growing, almost like automatic weaning... then have a 6 week checkup (is that at Christmas??!) and hopefully start slowly decreasing the rest of it and get him fully off the medication shortly.

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts through this time, we are happy to be going home! ...Grammy will be happy to be going home, too, I'm sure!!! :-)

I might have to go home and make some Peanutbutter Balls.

Small Update

2008-11-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

So I'm not sure if it is a good thing or not, but we have been moved to a private room. The reason is that they are now considering Michael to be "infectious" until they rule out Pertussis. Nobody really thinks he has it, but they are trying to rule out as many things as possible. So, we now have our own room with a couch bed instead of the chair (twin) bed. Yah! They will be doing a nose swab soon to check for the "Whooping Cough" soon. (I guess since Whidbey Island had that outbreak not too long ago, they are just being cautious.)

Michael is in the MRI right now. They thought it would take 45 mins - 1 hr. and then the docs would have the results to give us maybe an hour after that. He is also scheduled for an EEG (testing brain waves I think?) later on after the mild sedative wears off from the MRI. We will be seeing the neurologists maybe a couple times today. Strange to say that!

Still a waiting game to see what is going on. On the bright side, he went through all yesterday afternoon/evening and last night without any episodes after getting the "peanut butter balls" (slang for phenobarbital) so we are hope full that the medicine is working on stopping whatever is going on. He wasn't that sleepy so I was able to nurse him no problem. Praise God - he is getting what he needs.

Will update when we know any more!

Strike that ...

2008-11-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

We are back at Children's Hospital.

Once on Friday and twice yesterday Baby Mighty Mouse had two more episodes of not breathing. After calling the pediatrician's emergency line, we drove an hour and a half back to Children's. We were admitted to the ER and then put on the medical floor within a couple hours.

He has now had the episodes three times today and has been seen by the pediatric attendee and two neurosurgeons all who feel that these "episodes" are in fact seizure related (not heart or reflux related as first thought). There will be an MRI and an EEG tomorrow to gain more info... At this time he is having an "LP" (lumbar puncture) to understand if it is an infection of the spinal fluid. He will be started on an IV antibiotic soon just in case of infection and has also been given a "loading dose" of phenobarbitol (sp??) to try to stop the seizing. He may need two doses before it starts to work and during this time of adjusting he will be very sleepy. I am praying that I will be able to continue nursing during this time and not have to pump, but we will see how it goes.

We will be here in Seattle until at least Tuesday until more results get determined. As of right now we are in a holding pattern.

Pictures!!

2008-11-08T10:09:00.001-08:00

At Whidbey General:

Transport to Children's Hospital Seattle:Children's NICU:

Children's Medical Floor: First Time Going Home:

Ahhh, my own bed:

People keep sending these funny colored things in vases:

I'm happy to be home:

Thanks for your prayers!!

Going Home!!!

2008-11-06T09:44:00.000-08:00

OK, it looks like we are "in the clear". Thanks for your prayers. The docs have not been able to see a major problem with his breathing/oxygen level, so they feel like it was probably just a funny "newborn thing". Also, the heart murmur has "disappeared"! The echo cardiogram showed a normal heart with possibly a small hole but very "normal" for a newborn that will probably grow out of... I have the copy of the echo I will be scanning and sending to you Kristina!! :-)

So... We are all GOING HOME TODAY!!! Woo Hoo! It seems like everything that happened can be attributed to being a newborn and from having a quick delivery, possibly. (Like why there was still fluid in the lungs - it didn't have time to get squeezed out during the labor process - who knew a longer labor would be desirable??!)

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers - they worked!! God is good. Please pray for the other families that haven't been so fortunate. Some have been here for a long time and some will be here for a long time. Hard to start your life/live your life like that in a hospital.

We are so thankful for the doctors and nurses at Whidbey General Hospital - because of them we were able to get down here and really get a handle on the things that were "unknown". They were pretty quick to say "we don't know" and to get more help as thought needed. We are happy they weren't just blowing the case off and really got Baby Michael Mighty Mouse what he needed.

Last Nights Update

2008-11-05T07:12:00.001-08:00

Nothing much new here tonight. Head scan today (CT?) seemed negative - ie. probably not seziures making him turn blue. Still having problems getting solid chest xray of heart so will wait for the "echo" (heart ultrasound) tomorrow sometime... as well as more testing I'm sure. The Doc here finally did hear the heart murmur tonight, not sure if it is intermittant or what.? Have to turn off phones when in the NICU so will be checking voicemail and mostly email communication.

Introducing...

2008-11-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

Well, the little (eh hem, not so little...) Baby Michael Mighty Mouse is here!!!

Praise God he was born at 2:21 am - ACTUALLY 1:20 am because of the time change - Sunday morning Nov. 2nd.

I am doing well after a short labor time (about 3 hours) and an epidural.

Baby Michael Darin was born 9 lb 11.5 oz - without a C-section! 21" long.

Please keep us in your prayers, however, because we will be traveling to Children's Hospital today - baby via special van / ambulance ride. He has an enlarged heart and also some possible breathing issues (turned blue twice already...). The small hospital here doesn't have the equipment to diagnose these issues any farther, only watching them from here.

Please pray the doctors there will be able to diagnose his problems and there will be solutions. You could also pray, if it is His will that He would take away these problems Supernaturally and Baby Mighty Mouse (as his big brother B calls him) would be healed of any problems and will grow up healthy and normal.

We are expecting to stay in Seattle 3 - 4 days or more depending on what they find.

Hopefully more later! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

(pictures when I can...)

Ugh...

2008-10-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

still going...

The doc. "can't believe it is still hanging in there."
(...uh, ...yah, me neither!!)

But anyway, here I am.

Still.

Waiting.

He said I have a really strong cervix. (Must come from my grandmas who had 6 kids and 8 kids.)

Thought we might be going last night again, but the contractions stopped. Of course. So far only two very early today, nothing this afternoon.

If I make it 'till Monday I'm supposed to call for an appt. to go in on Tuesday and "be induced." Which at this point, because the baby is so far down (and since it is #4, body knows what to do...), they will just break my water and "things" should go from there... Could do it on Monday, but Tuesday instead because that's Big D's birthday. (Also, US election day... can't wait to watch election results in the hospital...hmmm)

Will try to keep you updated. It's a little embarassing that it is s t i l l g o i n g however.

Anyway, still hoping for today. Or tonight. Or tomorrow. Or anytime sooner than later!

Still growing...

2008-10-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

My stretch marks are stretching.

This is the longest I have carried a baby so far.

Ugh.

How big is it going to be?????? I'm not hungry anymore, but I keep gaining weight every week.
This is not pretty people.
I left that cute stage of pregnancy a few weeks ago.
If this continues, soon, I will be going into hiding.

Fall Fun w/ Grammy

2008-10-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

(These pictures taken by Grammy while I was at my 3rd Doc. appt. I wasn't supposed to make it to. Looks like they had lots of fun!)

p.s. ...Still going...

Wood Shed - Updated

2008-10-21T14:53:00.001-07:00

So here is the wood shed as it has stood since it was built... though this picture seems a little warped? Anyway, no doors, wind blew the rain in all winter getting the first row of firewood damp every time.

And here is the hard working D getting back to finishing the outside projects before it gets too cold out there. You might not be able to tell from this picture, but he is very handsome. Pitter patter, pitter patter.
He installed the barn track and then hung his door, nice eh? There are two doors now that roll in front and behind each other, but don't push them too far... no stops yet! Sorry no picture of the two doors up together. I'll have to go get that. Also, no paint on it yet... the white boards are reclaimed from our fence project and the plywood has been traveling with us for a house or two... nice to get it used up!

H girl was out helping D, she made some lovely princess drawings on the leftover plywood pieces.

The woodshed still needs more work, finishing pieces, paint, etc., but at least the fire wood (once we get it...) and the other things will stay dry this year!

Trying to Keep Occupied

2008-10-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

So how do you Inventory your freezer/pantry areas? I have the worst memory in the world (I wish it were all pregnancy related, alas, it is not) so I decided that I needed to inventory all the freezers and pantry areas in the house so I could better use what we have and plan for what we need, as well as make for easier menu planning (looking at the list vs. digging around.) In the perfect world I will always be updating these lists - taking away (crossing out) and adding the things I put in on the list as well. Kind of a perpetual thing. Maybe the deep freeze list will get retyped once/twice a year (after adding lots - like the beef or the fruits.) I made lists for:

the big deep freeze,

the extra freezer from the 'outside' fridge,

the freezer from the house fridge,

the inside and

'outside' pantries.

The inside pantry list is a bit more difficult to maintain, there is always stuff going in/out of there... Actually that one isn't typed yet, just scribbled in the notebook I wrote it down in. Hard to say what to include on that list. Do I put everything on it or only the unopened stuff? But then how will I remember that I do have sesame oil or red wine vinegar for certain recipes?

Anyway, it is a work in process. I did put a pen attached with a ribbon next to all the lists so it is easier to remember to cross off/add to the lists.

Any other ideas? How do you keep yourself organized in the food department??

Single Digits

2008-10-21T10:01:00.001-07:00

OK, that ticker up there is now in the single digits.

-
-
-

No baby yet.

-
-
-

I can't believe I am still going!

Please pray it will come soon!!! :-)

Nothing Happening

2008-10-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Still nothing happening. Baby's shoulder really seems to be grinding on my hip bone today, pretty painfull. I think it wants out, it just doesn't have the map yet! Had about 6 contractions yesterday in a couple hours time, but nothin' doin'.

On Thursday, Doc. said everything about the same as last week, with baby "way down there" "about even now". (Does that mean zero station? I didn't think to ask.)

Hopefully there will be a productive update soon!!

Pickles

2008-10-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

These are the pickles Big D canned about 3 weeks ago. D says they turned out pretty good. (Eventhough I am pregnant, I don't care for pickles so I haven't tasted them.)

Here is the recipe he used from a friends grandma. They are a little spicy.

Boil:
13 c. water,
3 c. vinegar, and
1 c. non-iodized salt.
Make more solution as necessary - this fills approx. 7 quart batch.
Wash pickles by hand or washer.
Put into jars until full.
Add:
1-2 cloves garlic
2 chili peppers (dried)
solution
2 dill stocks and tips
2 bay leaves.
Put on canning lids
Put in boiler for 10 minutes.
Take out and make sure they all seal.
Let sit for 2-3 weeks.
Enjoy!

Catching Up

2008-10-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Trying to catch up on some older pictures I have waiting around for ... somthing? Might as well put them on the blog.

My newest favorite kitchen gadget (that I have actually had for quite some time, but recently refilled and remembered its goodness...)

It is just a shaker, but it works so well for powdered sugar. I bought it years ago for using in my cake decorating class to powder the fondant, but it is so nice to have for sprinkling on waffles or the tops of chocolate cakes that don't need frosting but a little perk of color. I just slip a piece of cling wrap under the lid for storage and it stays nice and fresh. It works so much better for me than powdered sugar and a spoon. That never works well.

Here is my favorite no frosting necessary chocolate cake recipe from my 7th grade home ec. class. No eggs, no milk. Easy and quick! (I mean you mix the whole thing in the pan it bakes in kind of quick! And obviously simple enough for a 7th grader.

Wacky Cake

1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour (sifted)
3 T. cocoa (not packed)
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
6 T. oil
1 T. vinegar
1 c. water

In ungreased cake pan (any shape - usu. 8"x8") combine first 5 ingredients. Stir until well blended. Make 3 holes and add vanilla, oil and vinegar. Pour water over entire pan. Stir with a fork until all lumps are gone, and all dry ingredients are moistened. Place in the oven, on middle rack. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes.

"Un-Exciting" Update #3

2008-10-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well, still cooking the bun in the oven here.

Some "evidence" has shown itself that things are progressing, and a couple more contractions today. Nothing serious. Still some energy. Baked cookies again for the second day in a row.

I am hoping for labor this week since my doc. is the one that is on call through Sunday. It would be nice if he could deliver one of the two pregnancies he has seen me through. Grammy is coming up again on Wednesday to help out at the house and in case of middle of the night labor.

Big D won't let me go grocery shopping at night by myself for the last two weeks. "Just in case." (Funny how differently two people shop for stuff! I didn't even know that brown sugar also came in boxes.)

"Un-Exciting" Update #2

2008-10-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

OK, so Doc. appt. went as to be expected today being only 37 weeks today- bummer.

50% effaced
-2 station
3 cm dilated

Nothing too exciting - could have been this way for weeks.
Could stay this way for weeks.

Pray for my sanity!!
(And the rest of the houses sanity as well!!) :-{

"Un-Exciting" Update

2008-10-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, nothing yet. I feel like I am getting closer to "baby time", in fact Saturday night, before going to bed, I thought for sure we would be going to the hospital before morning.

Didn't happen.

That's OK. It is still early.

Doc. wasn't too sure I would make it to the next appt. this Thursday, but I am feeling pretty good so far today and yesterday. It doesn't feel "imminent". Bummer. Sleeping is getting hard. (Peeing is even harder! Especially when you have to go a-l-l t-h-e t-i-m-e!!) Guess I better start back up on my activity level again! :-) Well, maybe I'll wait for tomorrow when Grammy gets here! ;-) Then things would go much smoother if it were to happen in the night. Of course I finally did pack the hospital bag, so that should delay things by at least a week, right? :-(

So, that's it. Just thought I would give you a little update on the baby thing. Everyone -except maybe Daddy- can't wait for the baby to get here! And for Mommy to be back to normal!!! (Seems, though, that Big D has a lot of work right now with the quarter end and all. It would be hard to be in two places at once!)

Pregnancy Pictures

2008-10-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hey...

Are you sure

you are pregnant?

Oh,

I guess so.

Whoa,

Very much so!

(36 weeks)

Li'l D's Haircut @ 19 months

2008-10-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

OK, here is the "animal" before:

(just look at those overgrown locks!)

...And here is the vision of sweetness after:

...not that he can't still throw a good 'tude! ;-)

Maybe this shot was just his practice for those senior pictures?

It was his second haircut. The first one was only with scissors, but this one was with the clippers. He was much happier with the scissors, but the clippers were much quicker. I hope he can get used to them and not cry e-v-e-r-y time we try it!! He was a trooper, though, and loved the bath afterwards.

Fabrics and Gardens... really??

2008-10-01T19:58:00.001-07:00

This is post number 100 and I am feeling reflective. I would guess readers might check out this blog (those that don't already know me) because of their similar interests in "fabrics" and/or "gardens" and I am thinking that once they get here, they are probably thinking... "What? Did I click the right link? Is this girl crazy? What does she mean 'fabrics and gardens'??"

So, I will give you a quick update on my thoughts on the matter. (I already had one post about this early on in this blogs history if you would like to check it out.) I still would love to post about these things, and as time permits - and memory holds - I will. But I think that the words I have used for the title also are developing a new meaning for me.

Funny that what I mostly post about is involving the fabric of my life. (Kind of sounds like a soap opera. -wait, maybe that is fitting?) The actual day to day things that hold me together... or tear me apart as it were some days!! How each post is woven from the last, how each day is connected to the next is usually a mystery, but thankfully God knows all the plans he has for us and we will see how all of this craziness connects some day. I am actually glad I don't know how it works out now... it means I still have time to try and do better! What if we knew the end from the beginning as He does - would we even attempt to do anything different, better? Would we rejoice on how things turned out? Would we sob at our defeat? I'm glad I still have time to work with this fabric of life and can keep trying to get it to its best shape possible.

This brings me to our garden. The new and literally developing meaning for this word now seems to be the garden of children we are growing here in this house. Seeing them grow and develop and waiting for the newest "seedling" to emerge within the month is really like tending a garden. Hopefully giving them what they need to be successful in their lives, feeding them, showing them The Light, trying to give them extra boosts to help them along the way, protecting them from danger, possibly pruning as necessary.

So, yes, I guess my title might still fit here.
Even if it might not be what is to be expected of this blog.
One day it may be - you know, when I am an empty-nester!! ;-)
But until then, it will be a mix of the definitions
and...
well...
just get used to it!!
:-)

ps- Eventually I will post the many pictures I have of the real garden and flower beds we have been working on, but I am having enough trouble just getting kids to and from school each day without forgetting to set the timer during my nap to go get them! Hopefully the baby will come soon (well, as soon as possible for good health please) and our house will get back on track!!

Curtailed Activity

2008-09-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

curtail
: to make less by or as if by cutting off or away some part
: to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish
: to cut short or reduce

caution: pregnancy related post/small rant

Well, it has happened. I have been instructed by my doctor to "curtail activities" or he will have to hang me by my feet to "keep the baby in."

All because in the big ultrasound I just had to check on the baby's kidney collection system (which, praise God turned out A-OK) they took 89 pictures of my "shortening cervix." I understand that means it is starting to "thin out" or "efface" and I am only at 35 weeks. (31 days by that ticker up there!!)

My question is, who's to say this doesn't always happen this early with my pregnancies? Isn't everyone different in how labor progresses? I have always dilated early and with my #2 I was walking around so dilated (I can't remember how much now... was it a 4, 5 or 6??) the doc wouldn't let me go home from my appt but straight across the street to the hospital where after breaking my water (and getting my favorite epidural...) the B-man was born 4 hours later with the cord wrapped twice around his neck.

Thing is, this doctor (love him, but...) is quite a bit hands off and won't "go in there" to check things out for fear of stirring anything up - like labor. This is one thing I really like to know about... not that it would change anything if I was 1cm or anything, but just that it is interesting for me to think about where I am at and how long it might be. I know they don't want you to get excited that just because you are starting to dilate that you will be in labor soon, but I would be interested in knowing how seriously I need to take this "curtailed activity" warning. I mean really - is it no walking around WalMart for an hour or no 50 lb. laundry baskets? No standing to make dinner for an hour or no holding li'l D and walking to the mailbox? I understand it isn't bed rest thank God!

I have another appt this Thursday, but I'm not sure why if he isn't going to "check" on anything "in there." He had told me before I could go another two weeks before an appt, but now "in light of the situation" I am on an every week schedule - do you know how trying that will be for Big D to take time off work, or to find a sitter for these 3 kiddos every week?? That might be just enough stress to send me into labor right there! :-)

Well, another two weeks anyway and they won't try to stop it or have to send me to Seattle. It can just go as it goes. I think I'll sign up for an exercise class that starts then... that should get the ball rolling! (just kidding) But I may start normal activities again. (And get my Mom over here pronto just in case!!) :-)

The Next Thing

2008-09-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Do the Next Thing

At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration, do the next thing.

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering by thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons, do the next thing.

An old English Poem
Author Unknown

Quoted from Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald.

Happenings

2008-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am so excited.

That top little ticker calendar thingy says I have 43 days to go 'till baby comes!! That doesn't sound too bad... especially thinking that I usually come "early" and thinking that I still have things that need to get done before baby comes!! -yikes- (I wonder... Did I really give all those newborn baby clothes away?? And, I guess we better set up that bassinet!!)

Also, MOPS starts tomorrow. Woo Hoo! It adds more to do in the week, but I so look forward to the conversation with all the ladies there. Hopefully some old, some new. I pray this will be a fruitful year for Oak Harbor MOPS and that all the moms that come will be blessed for their time there. I also pray that those that need to hear about Jesus will be awakened to a new life and that those that feel a prompting will share testimonies with grace and keep God glorified. Click on that MOPS logo to go to the Oak Harbor MOPS website.

School Starts... Blogging Stops?

2008-09-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Is this how it works? I was wanting more "schedule" in my day, but is this it? Is there really a schedule? Ummm, where does blogging fit in???

Maybe I'm just not there yet. I was having the B man get his shoes on a whole hour before we were supposed to leave to get the H girl yesterday... totally messed up on time. (Granted it takes him a while to get them on, but a bit extreme in this case!)

I am not settled into a routine for sure. The kids are getting closer to it, though it has been a transition for B to go to school on different days than last year (M,W,F instead of T,TH). He gets confused with that. H seems to like going everyday.

And they are so tired! This PM kindergarten/preschool stuff is hard on us! The kids need naps still, but doing them when we get home is too late, too close to bed time - not that they would do it at 4PM anyway... And after being babies they have not napped before lunchtime so that is out of the question now. A couple times I have gotten B to sit with me for some quiet time on the couch with his blanket before lunch, but never H.

So we are working on it.

It just seems like we are spending our mornings just waiting for lunch to come around so we can go to school. There isn't yet any real defined activity times that we do things in the morning except the TV goes off by 8/8:30 depending on what time we are done with breakfast... then get dressed and then free playtime with a small snack around 9:30 and then lunch around 11:15/30 (so we can get toys put away, ready to leave for school around 12:05.)

So writing it out here, it looks like I could (if I really wanted to/had the energy to/really obeyed what I should do...) put in some kind of Mommy&Kids activity between 9:30 and 11:30. I have thought of a "chore jar", or some Christian homeschool curriculum (just something light and fun since H is in public school now not Christian preschool anymore), or some other form of activity.

Here are some thoughts now that I am sitting in the quiet (yes, older two are quietly playing together and lil'D is napping...) and thinking...

Maybe one day is "game day" to play board games or outside together (Monday?);
another a "learning day" for worksheets or special Bible reading, etc. (Wednesday?);
maybe two days of the "chore jar" (Tues/Thurs);
and what for another day?? "Art", "Kids choice"? ...hmmm, those scare me a little! :)

(I would love to hear some more ideas from anyone here...)

Not to mention filling in the time with the things I need to be doing like dishes, laundry (I have already noticed that I am not hanging out the laundry as often because of the time crunch...bummer), other cleaning, figuring out dinner.

I have already been able to determine I am not going to get through this (hmmm...life?) without a meal plan for the week, and I am not going to be able (usually, depending on the meal) to get away with "starting dinner" after the kids get home from school (3:30-4 ish.) There are too many needs/wants the kids all have during that time that I just can't focus on the kitchen stuff...which is usually a disaster by that time anyway. I feed the kids a small snack when they get home and we talk about their day, but with lil' D being awake also, he isn't willing to sit for as long as the other kids, and then "the chase is on."

It is so hard not to turn on that TV and "plug them in" for awhile... but I am doing really well so far at not until I "have to" to get through. (Oh, yeah, yesterday was a bad day, I was quite a grouch from 3 'till 6 ish...headache, mean, tears, ask for forgiveness, etc..) :-{ So, when the older two are at school, I need to get any errands done while in town, then come home, entertain lil'D (because he rarely has a nap after the morning one... ...gee, he has a bit of a strange schedule, but it seems to work for him), give him some "Mommy time" - he loves sitting and reading books then- and trying to get what I can going for dinner while chasing an 18 month old out of the kitchen. Fun, fun! :-)

And, looking at it all from this vantage point, it is fun.

Or at least like mostly fun,
should be fun,
except the tough parts,
and that is my call to reach out to God for help.

I am reading a great book right now, really inspiring, called Passionate Housewives Desperate for God and it is really helping me to see God's vision for women/mothers. It is a quick read; unless you want to look up every verse referenced for context, and then it will take you f-o-r-e-v-e-r! There is a lot of Scripture packed in there - it would be a great book to pass along to young Christian wives/mothers, maybe for Christmas? It is far from being about perfectionism - since there is only One who is perfect! But real. Written from the vantage point of real women who have been there, who are there, who have lived to tell about the blessings.

So, as it goes, we are working on it. I am working on it. A life in process. Hopefully progress!

For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

First Day Picture

2008-09-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

Pictures from First Day of Kindergarten

Grammy's camera

(before I realized my camera was totally broken,

not just out of batteries

...and I didn't get to take any pictures at school!!) We have to take pictures in front of the piano. It is a good height guage.

"Posing" like all 5 year old girls do, right?

The backpacks were requested to be big enough to hold 10" x 14" papers.

I think hers will do that!! :-)

(And would you quit taking pictures already Mama??)

The Cost of a US Postage Stamp

2008-09-08T08:41:00.001-07:00

After looking up the price of a stamp (not as easy as it sounds...)
and finding many outdated Q.&A.s,
I finally found the "official" link to the cost
of mailing a "less than one ounce first class" letter in the U.S.

(you know, the typical stamp...)

Here is the link to the United States Postal Service
where you can find the up-to-date prices for first class mail:
http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class-mail-prices.htm

As of today, September 8, 2008, the cost for a letter is 42 cents and postcard 27 cents.
(I can't remember when they changed, middle of May, I think. We obviously don't send too many letters!! Sorry USPS!)

I have some stamps to upgrade!! ;-)

Wow, can it be?

2008-09-05T15:56:00.001-07:00

Wow, can it be Friday already??

School started for H and B this week; Thursday for H and today for B.

It is going to be crazy figuring out this Kindergarten (everyday) and preschool (M-W-F) schedule, especially with the Kinders having "early release" every Monday - which for us being PM means going in early and getting released early.

It is unusual for our family to be going in the afternoons since we have always been morning people - forced by kids getting up so early every morning!! Figuring out what to have the kids do for the first half of the day - waiting for school to come - will be the hard part. I've already heard "I'm bored." I thought they only said that in summer when there wasn't much going on??!

Not to mention getting this all figured out now, only to have our home "schedule" be changed by having new baby in a month and a half!!

So, we are on our way with school now. Next week is the first full week and that will help the routines settle in. I'll post when I know what I'm doing!! :-)

Garage sale "find"

2008-09-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

OK, so we are crazy.

(Oh, yeah, you already new that!)

Or maybe, it is my husband that is crazy.

He might actually agree to that statement

after unloading the full truck last night

from our garage sale find.

Shall I show you?

Can you tell what is in there?

Did I mention it was full?

Do you give up?

Canning jars.

Lots,

and Lots,

of canning jars.

Did I mention that the truck was full?

Of lots

and lots

of canning jars??

Have I mentioned that we like to can?

Have I also mentioned that we have 3+ kids and not a lot of time?

WHAT WERE WE THINKING????

Oh, maybe in a couple years we will have time to fill this many jars.

I'm afraid they will be on Craigslist in a year...

Did you get that the truck was FULL?????

...but it was the deal of the century!

Outdoor Clean-up: Part 2

2008-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

So, do you remember the teenagers?? Well, they were back! (And they will be coming again!!)Gotta love these guys, what they won't do for a few bucks!! :-)

This is just the primer coat, but it is looking so great already! Like, white! Wow, is that what it should have looked like?? They did a really nice job. They finished priming the whole back fence (behind the swing set from the horses to the road for those of you who know our yard.)

...and here are their younger brothers. Yes, they are both eating apples while painting. Hmmm... Needless to say, they didn't get as far as the older brothers! But they were fun to watch flinging paint around, etc.. :-)

Also, the older brothers were out the day before (they were getting their workouts in before school started again, I guess) hauling dirt from the pile to the new flower beds we created. Gotta love this energy they have!! And, I love the new flower beds!! Pictures coming...

Summer 2008 Garden Update

2008-09-02T09:06:00.001-07:00

It has been a bit since a garden update, so here you go. It is a little sad.

Pumpkin, one of two.

Volunteer sunflower - check out the size of that head!

Sad, wimpy, tiny, broccoli.

Finally, bean flowers!!

"Spring size" zucchini.

Carrots - you can see them, right??

Weeds, ...uh, I mean, green onions. You can see those, too, right??

Lettuce, and can we count those dandelions there as

a planned garden salad product?

You know, that super trendy dandelion green salad??

No?

Oh, sad.

Guess we'll have to mow again.

Bummer.

The lone radish.

And, the Master of the Garden, surveying his domain. Such as it is this year, poor guy!!

But just look at those new beds in front of the garden. They will be great for getting the squash out of the garden for more space next year. ...or how about a cutting flower garden out there??? Hmmm, that is my vote! ;-)

New Blogs

2008-08-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Just added a bunch to the "Blogs I Read" section. Some fun and inspirational stuff out there. Blogger told me some sites won't update their posting times, so just check in on those at the bottom once in a while to see their new postings. Have fun, I hope you come back here to visit sometimes too!! :-)

Enjoy your

~~Back Breaking Finish All Outside Projects Holiday~~

Labor Day weekend!

Thinking Ahead...

2008-08-27T17:12:00.001-07:00

After Angel sent me the link to DaySpring for shopping bags on yesterdays comment, I got looking around their site. I have been thinking about Christmas early this year (um, yeah, since August... you know, baby coming and all...) and when I saw these cookie plates, I thought they were perfect!! How awesome to share Christ in this way through sharing cookies/other (possibly as you normally would) but on this plate "with a message"! Think for gifts for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, bosses, new unsaved friend... I guess you get the idea. I just wish they were a little cheaper than $12.99 each! I wonder if they would consider a "bulk" discount?

Grocery Tote Bags

2008-08-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

I did it!

I used the old tote bags for my groceries last night. It was great - so much less to carry into the house! And I only came home with 2 plastic bags. I had only brought 4 of my 5 tote bags into the store, so would have ended up with no plastic if I brought them all in. Also, they stopped filling one because they said it would be too heavy for me to carry if they put any more in. . . ...What, is it like I'm big pregnant or something?? ;-)

I will say they were quite a bit too bulky. They took up all of the cart nearest me - where baby usually sits. I can see how being able to fold them up into nice flat little pouches would be better. Also, to have them all look the same (same type of material, sizes, etc.) would be nicer, but hey, this is what I had!! The baggers/checkers didn't balk at all. I just put the bags on the conveyor before my groceries and they seemed to know what to do. At the first store where I only got a few things, I brought the biggest bag in and the checker said, "Gee, I could get the whole store in here!"

So anyway, the grocery tote bag experience was a positive one, I will be repeating it. I was headed out the door and told D I was bringing the tote bags for the groceries (as we hadn't talked about my "big plan" and I felt a little silly with all those bags on my shoulder) and he said "I'm really glad you're doing that!"

Poor people at the store, now they have to deal with all my coupons, rain checks, price changes... and personal tote bags.

About the "Green" Stuff

2008-08-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

OK, so are you wondering about the sudden amount of "Green" postings? I just want everyone to know that I am not a strict environmentalist. (I don't have enough time for that!) :-) I still have lots of plastic bags in my house that I use and throw away and I am OK with that. I still use my clothes dryer even when it is 70+ degrees outside, but not as much. I have not gotten rid of the chemicals I use to clean my house. I still use some commercial weed killer outside.

I am just trying to make some better choices, where I can, to "help out". Some things just take too much time for me right now... like washing out and reusing Ziploc type baggies. I am all for switching to cloth napkins, just haven't gotten that far yet. We do use plastic containers in Big D's lunch box instead of baggies and take coffee in reusable travel mugs instead of buying it out... though that may just be a budget thing! And Bid D is using natural ingredients for garden fertilizer in the garden instead of commercial mixes. (That and the horse p**p is amazing!)

So I'm not going to frown on you if you don't hang your clothes out, etc. I am just starting to make some different choices here that are affecting our lives and hopefully our children's lives and I want to share with you. My life has been going so quickly (since having kids) that I haven't really thought too much about the chemicals we use and how to make them have less of an impact, but I see lots of bloggers talking about making their own cleaning supplies/shampoos, etc.. (Of course I am aware of what I use around the kids/babies at home, just haven't gone homemade or organic on anything yet.)

Anyway, grocery shopping tonight for the first time bringing my old tote bags. I wonder what the baggers will do with them? Do I just throw them on the counter when I head up there? Do I put them on the conveyor belt before my groceries? Do I tell them to "cram it all in there" because they will hold so much more than the plastic? Do they know that? I will let you know how it goes.

I am off with my GroceryGame lists again tonight. I have really been able to snag some great deals using this system. It is a bit of a budget planning nightmare, but having those 10 boxes of 70% off granola bars in the pantry now (since I would have bought them in the future anyway - probably at full price) was a great purchase!! Go ahead and try the $1 trial membership for 4 weeks and see what you think. My only caution is to watch the price difference between the sale items and the generic brands. We use a lot of generic, but the list still beats it quite a bit of the time, especially combining with coupons.

OK, would love to "talk" some more, but we are off to the library this morning. Would love your comments... :-)

Green-ish Update

2008-08-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Second try at the clothesline. It was unfortunately after several more loads of laundry that I could get more on the line because of the rain. So first try was towels, this second try was sheets. The sheets and pillowcases were almost dry before I even finished hanging all of them up. Well, not exactly, but they did dry incredibly quickly on the line. I think they would dry out there on a 40 deg. day. OK, maybe not, but it didn't seem to take much.

Maybe I can sneak some more out there today, I don't see any rain coming... yet. Of course this is Washington, and you never know! Doesn't the saying go "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes and it will change."

I'm sad we waited so long to put this up. It seems like such a waste to use the clothes dryer on good weather days.

More Green Stuff: Shopping Bags

2008-08-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

Please view this slideshow about plastic bags.

Plastic Bag Slideshow

I don't know how many plastic bags you bring home from the grocery store every week.

I have counted as many as 24 coming into our house - from one trip!

Are you a good steward of the Earth God has given us?

I am now convicted and want to make some grocery bags. Until I get it done I will be taking some tote bags we have hanging around here that just seem to show up - where do they all come from?? More fun to make them of fabrics I already have - I'm hoping not buy anything for this project... you know, reduce, reuse... As a former fabric stroe employee, it isn't like I don't have any fabric laying around here!! Of course it is boxed up at the storage unit, but that is another discussion! I think it would be neat to make them of fun fabrics, maybe inspire more people to do the same? I saw one bag example that had a transfer on it (or maybe it was painted on?) saying "I'm so glad I'm not plastic!!"

Here are some links for patterns to make your own grocery shopping bags:

http://unabashed.wordpress.com/make-a-reusable-grocery-bag/

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/clothbags.html

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/grocerybag.htm

A big link with 35 ideas for sewing, knitting or crocheting your new grocery bags:

http://www.curbly.com/Chrisjob/posts/4179-35-Free-Patterns-for-Reusable-Grocery-Bags-

Now get busy! ;-) ...um, you know I was talking to me, right?

Can you believe that ESPRIT bag has been around since middle school... umm, should I say that was in the 80's or does it just being ESPRIT give it away?? But look at that cute stitching I added to it, ah, creative even then. :-)

Outdoor Clean-up

2008-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, the magnificence of a teenager! We hired a couple teenagers to help us get our (not so) white fence cleaned so we (well, they...) could paint it.

Check out the progress just by cleaning!!

So it was a little green and gunky! Tell us something we didn't know!Big D has been replacing old, rotted posts this year and they will need to be painted. So we figured we better clean the rest of it (around the house people - not the entire five acres... yet!!!) So had cleaned on Tuesday and figured on painting on Friday, but this rain has really soaked the boards. We really had some good downpours last night (Wednesday). Don't think they will be dry by Friday.

Oh, and did I show you the other marvelous project we have coming up?? Yeah, a dump truck load of soil. I am so excited (for those teenagers) to get it in the new flowerbeds and (yet to be marked off) herb garden/patio area. Oh, to have a nice flower bed area again. Wait have I had on of those yet? Did I say nice? Well, at least to have one I can think about. Can't wait to get those garden/flower books out of the storage unit!! Arrgh.

OK, hope I can hang some laundry today!! :-)

Anniversary Dinner

2008-08-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

We headed out to Anacortes for dinner, but not sure exactly where we were headed to. (Sure, leave it up to the pregnant person to decide!!) We drove down Commercial Avenue and saw a few places that looked interesting. We saw one with what looked like a band playing (saw a big stand-up bass and an accordion player) through the window so decided to park and walk by to see what it was like. (We could actually hear the music rolling the car windows down as we were driving by!)

So we thought it was a great sound and walked into the very busy Rock Fish Grill and Anacortes Brewery and got seated right away. It was a hoppin' place! We instantly loved the music. A Bluegrass style - D's favorite!! So I got to go to Anacortes, and Big D got to have beer and listen to bluegrass. It was a perfect night!!

The band was Spoonshine Duo and their music was great! We understand they play there every third Wednesday. We might have to go back. We did buy one CD from them that night - have to have something to remember your 10th Anniversary, right? (Certainly not another baby!!) If you are around the area, I encourage you to go get some entertainment and excellent food from the Rock Fish Grill - here is the event calendar. Also, Spoonshine has some free MP3s to download if you like this kind of stuff on their website here, but they were fun to see live. It was, as Big D would say, "some miiighty fine a-pickin' and a-singin' "!! Or was that Lund (Stephen Root) in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Anyway, a fun time had by all. :-)

The New Hat

2008-08-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Big D's work had a very nice company wide picnic for the employees this past weekend. It was h-o-t over in Mount Vernon. It was at a beautiful "flower farm" as we told the kids (RoozenGaarde). Of course no tulips at this time, but still a lovely place for an event.

There was excellent food from the people of Max Dale's in Mount Vernon. There were games set up for kids and adults - although it was too hot for most of the adults to participate. Good thing there were lots of canopies and shade trees to sit under. There was also a "bouncy castle" which the kids l-o-v-e-d!! The company really seemed to work hard to make it a good family style picnic.

There was also a clown. H was not too sure about him, but B was very intrigued. You see, this clown was doing amazing things with balloons. Here is one example:

B-man stood in line so patiently! He was so interested in what the clown was doing. You can see one of the yellow twirly balloons popped on the way home so it looks a little different than when he first got it, but it is still exciting.

There was fun had by all (especially for a picnic for work!) but it was awfully hot. I'm sure we would go again next year if they decided to do it again.

We also had stopped at the Mount Vernon Ace Hardware to get our old pressure canner checked and it was A-OK. Guess we better get some more canning done now!

Oh, and check out that new shirt of the B-mans. Perfect - no wear at all. Nothing missing, nothing broken. No threads, crisp. A tad big at a boys size 5, but still perfect.
Island Thrift: $2.00.

I love that place.

Going Greenish

2008-08-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

So in an effort to save ~~the Earth~~ some energy and use more of our land for a purpose, we have installed a clothesline. It just seemed so silly to dry clothes in the clothes dryer when it was 80+ degrees outside!!

These are the pictures from the "first run" and it was pretty saggy. My sweet husband put the posts in with just gravel (not concrete) in case I didn't like the location we picked so they would be easier to move. --Does he know me, or what??-- Anyway, the tension required for the lines to stay somewhat taught was too much for just a gravel base and the posts moved some. He decided to go ahead and cement them in and figured he could always just dig that up if he needed to move it later on. So far I really like the location (I did pick it after all...) ;-) It is on the far side (SE) of the house away from the road (didn't really want to air all the dirty laundry!) where it gets both a breeze and some sun. Today is the first day after the cementing that I will be able to hang more out since it has (currently) stopped raining.

Yes, I know it is more work. But it will get me outside (read: out of this crazy house!!) and it will help teach the kids good stewardship of our resources - paying for/using up energy vs. using God's provided free sunshine/breeze to help us.

Two weeks to go!

2008-08-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ah, the end of summer is drawing ever nearer. Here are some pictures from our h-o-t weather last week. The Elmo sprinkler is cool, but the kids are a little wary of it... Especially D!
But, the boys (and H, too) loved playing with the hose while refilling the pool.
They were good at taking turns, and had a little too much fun getting each other wet.
Where does that water come from anyway?

Sewing Bug

2008-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

So I am almost done with the hemming of the three pairs of H's blue jeans - actually the hemming part is done, but I have one waist to take in a bit. I do have two pairs of leggings to hem and one to fix a couple seams on still. I know, I know, it has taken me a l-o-n-g time to complete just this little bit of sewing!! It's the Olympics, they are just too exciting to me - especially watching on Canadian television - CBC - they have much better / fairer coverage I think.

But, what is exciting is that I am loving doing it! (Yes, loving the hemming - am I starved for crafty experiences, or what???!!) I think I am getting the sewing bug again! (Yes, I know, just in time for the baby to come and I won't get to do it for a few months!) There are some doll clothes panels that I really want to make for H before the baby comes, I wonder if I can fit that in?? I have to get some things done around here before I can start - like un-bury my sewing table!! So I am off to do a bunch of other things that have to get done so I can then clean up the bedroom so I can then - maybe - do some sewing!! Also, Halloween is coming, I wonder if they can decide on a costume now and not change their minds by then so I can get them sewn/ready before baby comes??

But not tonight.

We are going out to dinner to celebrate our 10 year Anniversary - it is actually on Friday the 22nd, but our babysitter works then :-( and we decided to forgo anything crazy for celebrating this year because of the pregnancy and all. Hopefully in a couple years we can leave the kiddos for a few days and "get away" for a bit.

Don't worry, we will make it happen. We had a friend that just did it and had to ship their four kiddos to four different houses for their time! Hopefully we won't have to do that, but if that is what it takes... ;-)

Enjoy your day!

End of Summer: less than 3 weeks!!

2008-08-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

It has been hot... wait, h-o-t here the last few days. I am excited that this morning it is raining and yesterday and last night we had thunder (I love thunder!) Maybe it only feels h-o-t to a 30 week pregnant person, but I think most true Northwesterners would agree, for a couple days, it was h-o-t!!

I am happy to see the rain. I am ready for fall. Well, at least the weather. I am ready for the kids' school on one level - at least it will get us back on some sort of schedule here... not that we know what that is yet. I can't believe we don't find out if H will be in AM or PM Kindergarten until 3 days before school starts!! That doesn't give me much time to get everyone in the "swing of things." If she is in PM, I will need to see about moving B to the PM preschool class also so I am not running to town four times a day (especially when new baby comes in 2 months!!) I am praying that God has it all worked out and things will fall into place the way He wants.

I am ready for lots of fall things (like not being pregnant, though I am enjoying having just 3 kids right now, but I'm sure the 4th will blend right in - you know kind of "fall into line".) I want to rake the leaves again. That is a fun "cleansing" experience... at least for an hour and then the wind blows more leaves off the big maple tree and it looks like you haven't done anything.

Here are two pictures from the last two weeks. D put up the baby swing (finally out of storage) and li'l D seems to like it, but he doesn't like to stay in it forever like the other two did.

And here is the "grown-up" B-man (standing up on his toes - he really isn't bow-legged like that!) My goodness, he looks "old" in this new birthday outfit, and so handsome! He loves wearing his new "Rookie" stuff! (Thanks Grandmas!) He is really stepping out and becoming more and more a little boy. It will be interesting to see him interacting with the other kids at preschool this year. Last year he was kind of quiet and hung out with the teachers more than anything. I think this year he will be right in the middle of it all.

Enjoy your week!

Why I Never Want Another Rooster:

2008-08-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this hilarious post (and then all the comments):

http://aprildphillips.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-time-i-told-you-about-day.html

Hemming

2008-08-13T11:47:00.001-07:00

Well, because of the house cleaning, and because of registering the H-girl for Kindergarten yesterday, here is the current "extra" project for the week.

Hemming:

Five pairs of pants - 3 blue jean and 2 stretch pants that have all been sitting around for about 4 months waiting for hemming - all H-girls. (Guess I won't need to buy her any pants for school!!) I got one pair finished last night while watching Olympic swimming and gymnastics - it didn't go so fast. More watching TV than hemming! I've pinned one more pair today, so far, and hope to finish them tonight (although I have to remember to give Big D his haircut tonight, too.) I'm going to hem the blue jeans first, then have "Hey" try on the stretch ones again; I had pinned them about a month ago thinking I was going to actually get to it then! I'm sure she has grown a foot since then.

Here is the stretch stitch my mom showed me to use on the knit stretch pants - it has worked great before!! Just enough stretch with just enough hold. If you click on the picture and make it bigger you can see the numbers of where to start. Down on 1, up at 2, down at 3, up at 4, down at 5 up at 6 down at 7, up at 8, moving to the right. You get the idea.

Only short posts this week 'till I get more done - without stressing and with napping and with eating!!!

House "Cleaning"

2008-08-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

I'm still here!! But I'm in the process of getting the house in order after a $42 loss of keys. The house is torn apart (after looking all over for previously said keys) and needs to get put back together - with a (standard) place for everything!

But, preparing dinner comes before blogging (or so I am told!) hee hee.
Just saw on another site (which she also got from another site...)
"Duty before Desire."
Wow.
Well said.

So I am off on my "Duty."
We'll talk again soon.
Well, sometime, I have a lot to do!!!!!!

Crazy Posting / Life

2008-08-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

So, I think you better disregard the post from the 5th How much has your mothering changed... Did you find it to be a bit of a "downer"? Was it a bit too honest? Was it not joyous for the Lord?

Well, here's me lately:
Mad, angry, irritated, agitated, all other synonyms, you get the idea.
Crying, sleeping, overwhelmed, not being able to sleep, can't do anything during the day.
Really "good days" when lots gets done, everyone is happy, things are productive.
"Normal" days where I am just normal pregnant, the kids are normal kids (as they are everyday), and things happen the way they are supposed to.

Apparently I am suffering from some form of pregnancy related depression. Things are not going well for me right now. I had a serious bit of it (not treated) a couple months after li'l D was born and it seems to be back. I am working now on sleeping more (naps during the day and going to bed e-a-r-l-y) and really watching my food intake. (Like making sure I actually eat!!) The doc asked if I thought I "needed something" but I don't really want the baby to be affected. However, if I can't shake it and have more of the bad days I will think about it some more. I will really have to watch it after this baby is born. Make sure I am doing what I need to do best for the family.

So take these past and future posts with a grain of salt. They may be the ramblings of a person gone a little haywire!

Time to Celebrate

2008-08-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

Sing with me,

Happy Birthday to Me!
I turned Thirty-Three.
My glucose tested high,
So no cake for me!

Actually, just borderline @ 137 - my doc's cutoff is 140, so I'm "OK", don't have to go take the 3-hour glucose test at this point. Just have to watch the diet a little better. You know, not having ice cream every night would probably be a good idea.

Anyway, just a regular day here today. Got a cute card from D and the kids, as well as some beautiful wind chimes I have wanted for like a long time... D said "I was thinking 10 years was a long enough wait." (Thank you Honey!) Going to swimming lessons this morning. Then setting up the kiddie pool for the expected warm (OK, hot!) afternoon. Lots of sunscreen required. Then D is bringing me my favorite burrito from Taco Del Mar for dinner tonight - special birthday treat!!

I hope you enjoy your day as well!

Super Hero Quiz

2008-08-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

After this week with Aunt Shay and Uncle Z, I quess we all need to take this quiz for what it's worth:

My results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man		70%
Superman		65%
Wonder Woman		63%
Iron Man		60%
Supergirl		58%
Hulk		50%
The Flash		45%
Catwoman		45%
Robin		42%
Green Lantern		40%
Batman		30%

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

How much has your mothering changed after...

2008-08-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

How has your mothering changed after realizing you are not going to have life the way you thought it would be? Yes, I said your mothering. Have you realized a personal struggle within you with the way you thought life might be and the way it actually is? Maybe you (like me) didn't really think about changing life too much, but just adding children to it? I've been a mother for over 5 years now, and I am just getting to this point with myself - that things weren't maybe the way I had "planned."

After having a thought provoking short discussion with another MOPS mom the other day I came across that thought. Don't we seem to make it hard on ourselves as Moms/Women? There has always been that struggle of what I want to do and what I need to do (my activities, vs. being with the children/house stuff). I want a lot of things. I want to do things that I have always liked to do; sew, craft, read, exercise, go out and about, visit family, camp, hike, etc. These are things that define a person... "What do you like to do?"

And then we become Moms.

And what happens to what we like to do - who we are? (were??)

Personal activities seem to get pushed aside after becoming parents (of course this goes for the men too, but I am writing from the female perspective here). But for how long? How long do we push that aside? How long do we just drop who we are (were??)? How do we determine when it is OK to do those things, some of those things, one of those things for 30 minutes? Is that who we even are anymore? Can it still be? Can we be both people? Can we be happy doing those things for just a fraction of the time we used to do them for?

It seems the quicker we give up the struggle of trying to keep life the same as it was pre-children, the quicker we can accept where we are with what God has given us and adopt a new life. It is almost like we are in the "tween" years at this point - (re)defining ourselves. Maybe a couple years after having kids, they are now much more self sufficient, and you have a little more free time and start thinking about what you might do with yourself (besides catching up on all the things you "should" have been doing with the house, cooking, husband, etc., but didn't have time in the baby years...). But then maybe another baby comes along just as you were getting some ideas and knocks you back to that place of struggle... Lord, how long? How can I "be myself" if I can't do the things that define me? What is it that defines me now? Am I "just a mother"?

And then the thought comes of: Be myself? What is that? What is that now? Where is my focus? Am I that selfish (uh, yeah!) that I want to be who I was b.k. (before kids) and not fully embrace this call to be a mother? It was who I was for almost 30 years for goodness sake!

So our conversation went to the idea that the sooner you give up the struggle with yourself that you are not who you were and that you have to redefine your life now, it really changes your mothering. I am feeling much less of a need to do those previous things in my life. Yes, even to the point of going into the local quilt store and >>gasp<< realizing there was nothing for me to buy(what?? were you in the same store I was and see all the cute stuff?) , and walking out completely happy? Two years ago I'm sure I would have bought something on the false hope that I could complete it, or even spend 5 minutes on it in the near future, or if not purchasing, going to that pity place of "I never have time to do anything, oh whoa is me".

My mothering has changed. I am happier with my kids because of not resenting the time I "have" to give them instead of doing "my" activities.

I'm sure it is a God thing, that He has been working on my heart about this because I have really struggled off and on about this topic... lets see, for about 5 years now!! (I'm sure this post isn't put together in a very well thought out outline, but the thoughts are just coming, so I am just typing.) It is a little struggle with do you fit your life around your kids or do your kids fit into your life, but there must be a balance. What is good for them, what is sanity for you? So your life doesn't work like it did b.k. but isn't it better now all things considered? So the question becomes "How do you adapt yourself to retain who you are but is that really who you are ...now?" Or who God wants us to be now?

Anyway, I am so thankful for MOPS. It allows these types of conversations to flow and lets us "get it all out" so we can be thinking and changing and growing. Helping each other find The Way.

Lord, help us live the way you want us to live.

Help us to bring Glory to You in all of our activities.

We know you will not withhold what is good for us.

We know you will give us everything that is good.

Help us, Lord, to know what those things are.

Help us to know who You want us to be.

Thank you for working in our hearts even when we don't know it yet.

Thank you for being with us through the daily struggles.

Thank you that we can come to you with our questions,

our struggles, our trials.

Thank you that you already know the outcome.

Thank you that you love us even though we don't deserve it.

Thank you for being who you are

and help us to know who you want us to be.

Thanks for listening. Please share your thoughts!

Mmmmm...

2008-08-04T19:30:00.001-07:00

...dinner...

...and just so you know, the saying "tough old bird" really means something.

In Memorium

2008-08-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

In Memorium of "Stew"

He was our rooster, that is true.

But he is gone, and the "girls" aren't blue.

He was cocky for sure,

Would run at you in a blur.

He ate all the food,

Put me in a bad mood.

He was our rooster, that is true.

Now he really is just stew!!

Anyone coming for dinner?

The Rooster's "D-Day"

2008-08-02T12:44:00.001-07:00

It may be the roosters "D-Day" today. They are out crabbing right now, but have plans to do in "Stew" this afternoon. We will see if they get up the courage! Updates coming!

Blueberries

2008-07-30T11:43:00.001-07:00

No blueberries this year at the Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm.
They have "mummy berries" this year.
They will be back next year!!!

Houseguests, yea!! :-)

2008-07-30T06:42:00.001-07:00

Well, this week we are having "Aunt Shay and Uncle Z" here with us up from Nevada (Hi Shay when you read this!) :-) Actually they were in Hawaii directly before coming here and since it was raining here yesterday and in the low 60's they aren't feeling the "weather love" right now! Good thing they each brought one pair of long pants and a sweatshirt!

We had a relaxing day yesterday; well as relaxing as a day can be with a super hyper/excited 5 year, 4 year, and 17 month olds can be!! They were so excited to see their aunt and uncle that they were just off the wall crazy. And seeing as Aunt Shay and Uncle Z don't have kids yet, they were a little overwhelmed. Uncle Z told Nana they were having a week of future birth control while they were here. (I'll have to remind him that they don't usually come 3 at a time and they don't even need to have that many, although they really are a blessing, really. A blessing!) They may never visit once we have four! :-(

Today it is beer-making day for the guys. D has had this kit forever and has never gotten around to using it. We will see how it goes. Brewing update later this week, beer update in a couple months...

I have been making Raisin Cinnamon bread in the machine - YUM! It dissapears rather quickly, though! I still haven't tried the wheat bread from Angel yet, but it is next on the list.

Probably less posting this week because of guests. Talk to you again soon! May the rest of your week be blessed!

Hello Third Trimester - Goodbye Energy!

2008-07-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe it is just the green nose cold that is running through our house, but from about a week and a half / two weeks ago, I started needing naps again. I had no energy to complete much during the day except take care of kiddos. I'm affraid the lack of energy of the third trimester has taken me over already. I did start the third trimester this last Thursday, but have been feeling this way a little longer than that.

Also, my hormones are all out of whack. I am quick to anger and quick to be harsh. (Don't worry, no one is in danger here, I'm just having a horrible attitude!) I need to pray that I can be in control to contain myself, and more importantly, my mouth. Now I just sit down and "shut it" and usually the B Man asks me "Mommy, are you sad? You need a nap." And that is usually correct, a nap seems to help a ton. Probably nutrition is another variable I should focus more on, as well as drinking more water.

Of course, this is followed by strange bursts of energy. I decide all of a sudden that this chore needs to be done. Is it on any list? No. Has it been thought of in the last two months or more? No. Does it need to be done right now versus, say cleaning the bathrooms that hasn't been done in more than a week, or cleaning the fridge that hasn't been done in more than a month? NO! But what do I choose to do?
Well, clean major dust bunnies from the wiring running behind my nightstand and our bed to the cable hookup in the wall of course! Yes, this needed to get done, for sure. Right now, before bathrooms or fridge? And then there was this little project...

Cleaning off the "beater bar" from the vacume cleaner. Oh, it was BAD. And actually, it was a necessary project. You know when so much stuff gets built up on it and then starts to get under the belt and you know that nasty smell that comes from the rubbery belt (...but I ... must ... finish this... rug...!!) and the kids start asking "Mom, does David have a poopy diaper?" and "Ewww, who tooted??" When really if I keep vacuming and finish just this one rug, the rubber belt will heat up so much that it will break and then not only will I probably have to clean up that bar and send D on an errand coming home from work (hello, can I call an emergency budget committee meeting?) but also have to deal with that incredibly aweful smell in the house for the next few hours. ... So I reluctantly stop the vacume, short of finishing the rug I was on, flip it over and sure enough, really really really a lot of hair on there. And threads, and a few other fuzzy items I'm not sure where they came from or which dress up outfit will be bare of a few fuzzy things.

Of course I couldn't get the thing apart even after taking the two screws out, so I had to find the book. (Hey, look at that, right in the file where it was supposed to be. ... I wonder if I put that back??) Finally I get the thing apart and find that miraculously, even with that smell, the belt was not broken!!! So clean off the bar, get it back together and try it out. Yes! It works (really, really well now!) and NO SMELL! Woo Hoo!

But, it was still another project that I did instead of more pressing things. Guess I should probably go clean that bathroom before our guests get here tomorrow night!! :-)

Kid Picture Update

2008-07-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

H first time chopping eggs for potato salad with safety knife (actually a plastic lettuce knife) Aunt Shay got her. It worked great for the eggs and the potatoes. H was in a rare mood, taking suggestions, corrections in stride. She was so happy to help and happily continued until the chopping was done. Maybe she is growing out of her "unsuggestableness"?
Grammy snapped this picture of "the Hey girl" and I during the process.
Here's the B Man's clipper hair cut. Lookin' good my man!
And the D Boy, stopping to pick up something off the floor... hmmm, wonder what it was?

Quick, Hide the bread!

2008-07-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

So I have a new kitchen toy. It is a bread maker. Yes, I know, I could be a bread maker myself, but this machine is great! We have been buying so much bread doing sandwiches and sometimes D and I having toast in the mornings, we thought it might be good to get a bread machine to make some loaves.

So far, of course, it has not been an economy for us. It is just too much fun making all that bread that you don't have to kneed, raise, kneed again, raise again all by yourself! I have made maybe 5 loaves so far, Cinnamon Raisin being my latest, and they all get eaten up so quickly. But I have been buying different kinds of flour now and some other "special" ingredients that will start us off correctly.

The kids aren't too sure about it for sandwiches, but I am still (still... of course, I mean we just got it!) tinkering with the recipes. I guess you need higher protein flour or more gluten to produce the higher rising, lighter sandwich type breads we are used to from the store? If anyone knows any more about this, please feel free to comment here!! Bread machine or other!

Even though this bread adventure hasn't brought us any savings on the bread purchases yet (after purchasing special yeast and flours, etc., and of course the machine itself from WallyWorld) it has been wonderful to have that fresh bread smell and the bread that you know for sure what all of the ingredients are and where they came from. I know I could (and have before) make it "on my own", but with these three kids running around, it is so much easier for me to dump the ingredients in once and come back in three hours and slice bread!

Still working on pricing out different flours and additional ingredients. Do I buy bulk from Costco (hmmm... where would I put a 50 lb bag of flour?) Saar's Marketplace has a wonderful collection of Bob's Red Mill products (lots of great additions for the breads) and lots of organic options at reasonable prices. I saw organic wheat flour, but not sure if it was "for bread machines" or not. I would love to get a 100% whole wheat bread loaf to come out like sandwich bread, but so far, it is better for toast or french toast. (D and I like it fine for sandwiches, but it definitely has a different texture than store bought.)

Anyway, hide the bread when it comes out of the machine because it gets gobbled up so quickly!!! A fun adventure in the kitchen for me (and if any of you really know me, you would know that something that gets me into the kitchen for pleasure must be good because it doesn't happen that often... sorry Honey!)

ps - I still haven't picked out the fabric for the kitchen curtains. That project got put on hold while making decisions on other projects. ...I might be getting a laundry sink! Woo Hoo! ;-)

So why is it...

2008-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

So why is it I can think of all kinds of things to "blog" about when I am not in front of the computer, and then when I get sat down here nothing comes to mind?

So, for now, I'll just add this: (as if you all didn't know this already!)

Thoughts for Today

2008-07-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry no posting lately, our internet crashed and I just got it back up!

Here are a couple "Life Thoughts" from our families MyFamily.com page. Interesting to think about.

Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?

Why do I have to swear on the Bible in court when the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed outside?

hmmm...

Summer 2008 Garden: The Expansion

2008-07-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

So the garden is in the process of being expanded. I know, I know, we can't seem to work on just one project at a time, we must have a few going at once. Anyway, here are some pictures of the additions:

D is expanding to the outside of the garden, tilling outside the fence probably for squash and pumpkins next fall (I think). Left side.

Here is the right side and you can see the beginnings of the gate to keep the deer out.

This is one side of the gate, just need to ensure the post is square, then build the second gate and hang. Then we won't be unrolling the fencing roll every time we go in/out of the garden. Those pesky deer. This year, as well as last, the bunnies have been staying out, it isn't a bunny fence, but maybe a deterrent?

Here is the bean pole.

This is B's pumpkin seed from preschool this year. Besides the sunflowers and the one volunteer green bean, it is the best performing plant out there!

So, as if this wasn't enough space for this year, here is the additional "tillage" done by D this summer. It was the "old garden" from our first year here before our newer fenced one. This is much more in the shade so should be better for spinach, etc. The cut up straw was from the bales we had insulating the chicken tractor this winter. Need some strong manure to break that stuff down quickly.

The Helenium flower is blooming! It's other name is Sneeze Weed, but it doesn't smell bad to us and hasn't made us sneeze yet. I love the vibrant colors it has. Hmmm... more orange!

Summer Projects 2008

2008-07-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have an awesome hubby!

Let me say it again, just a fabulous guy.

This doesn't have anything to do with the next project I am going to tell you about, I just thought you should know. (Well, maybe a little, but he still would have been an awesome guy without having done this project!!) :-)

Why have I not been complaining about the warm weather even though I am "out-to-here" pregnant?? It is because of this fantastic attic vent fan D installed this past weekend.

It is amazing! It lowers the temp in the house by almost 10 degrees! It has a built in thermostat and it automatically kicks on when the temperature up there reaches 105 degrees and it only stays on for an hour or at the most so far under two. It is so very quiet, you really have to concentrate to hear it and it has made a huge difference inside the house. (Yesterday I even was closing up the windows because the breeze coming in made the house a little "cool"!) You see, the whole house gets sun all day - no shade trees to help, and big south facing windows don't help with the heat either (although it is great in the winter!) So this fan pulls all that extra built up heat from the attic and pushes it out through this fan.

An excellent invention. Kudos to whoever thought this one up.

Also, here it is, the result of the first (three) jam batches:

We did these last night and actually they are from strawberries we had in the freezer from last year. I'm so embarrassed we didn't do this sooner with them. We ran out of pectin last night, so will finish another couple batches with the frozen berries tonight. Will have to get more fresh strawberries to fill in the years supply of jam.

I wonder if there is a U-pick place for Raspberries here on the island? Maybe we will have to go back to our favorite place near Lynden: McPhail Berry Farm (fun for the kids, too!)

I think the blueberries down the street at the Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm will be ready in a week or so, I can't wait for those!!

VBS, other

2008-07-14T16:41:00.000-07:00

We started our busy week of vacation bible school (VBS) today. It was a challenge to get it in gear this morning and make it out of the house by 8:30. It was even earlier than we left when the kids were in school last year. But we made it no problem. Lots of kids. Lots. I think Rachel told me there were 109! That is so awesome! I'm not sure how many they were expecting, but it looked like more kids than they thought were coming.

My kids said they enjoyed themselves and would be happy to go back tomorrow. Of course H didn't like that B wanted to be her partner on the hand motion song, and B was upset that H didn't let him be the partner. Also, they didn't like all the snack that was provided, but, hey, they still said they had a great time. I think they just liked seeing all those kids together and the mixture of kids from our church they know along with kids from school and MOPS they know, as well as all the other kids they didn't know yet! They enjoyed listening to the VBS music CD that was given them on the way home today.

Also today we hurried home from VBS to get lunches down so there could be naps before going to the dentist this afternoon. The kids did great for naps. I even got a nap today!! (Oops, I forgot to do the grocery list, but that nap was SO good!) They did good at the dentist, though H wasn't liking the x-ray tabs they wanted to put in. They were able to get one picture - no cavities/decay! That is great since she has sticky PB&J every day for lunch. B was really talkative to the Dentist today, coming up with all sorts of strange things. I guess maybe Grammy and Papa are his "comfort zone" because he talked about them right away. And then our cat. Funny what 3 (4 in two weeks) year olds come up with to say.

Tuesday and Wednesday look fairly uncluttered with stuff to do, just the VBS from 9 - noon. It was very strange for me to just have li'l D home with me this morning. He loved having (almost) free range over the toys and playroom. He was in toddler heaven! He grabbed one of the fire truck books from the library and brought it over to me so we sat and read for a while, too. We also got to stop and see Daddy at work and li'l D though he was pretty special to get to go see Daddy w/o the other kids. He got to play with all the toys at Daddy's office w/o hindrance from the older two. Very special morning.

Thursday and Friday will seem a little busier for me because I will be in the church nursery with li'l D helping care for the VBS workers infants/toddlers. I think there will be maybe 5 kids including li'l D and I think a "helper" of some sort. I will definitely need a nap those days!

It was a triumph for me today that I didn't stop anywhere to spend the rest of my months "blow money" and buy a cookie or treat at those beckoning coffee drive-throughs. (Background: Anytime I feel like I have extra time with "no where to be" I suddenly feel starving for those super sweet sugar cookies with pink frosting, huge scones, or major rice krispy treats you see at the coffee shops.) BUT NOT TODAY! Well, let me clarify, I wanted something for sure, but instead, I went home and made a batch of scones and promptly ate half of them... :-( Oh well, still cheaper than buying one! They weren't great, however, and I have got to find a better recipe.

After strawberries...

2008-07-11T14:47:00.001-07:00

So after strawberry picking and a full day outside at home, the kids chowed down on spaghetti. Here are the results:

I think li'l D is offering you some! (Or maybe he just doesn't want that big tomato piece.) We'll invite you over for the spaghetti show next time. Let me just say, good thing it was bath night!

Strawberry Update

2008-07-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here are a few picture I managed during a somewhat social event of strawberry "picking" with the MOPS crew. (It was a good turnout and some other young families were there as well.)

Here's the H girl, "Look Mommy, I got one!"

Li'l D was intrigued by these messy red things, so I guess he didn't get the connection between these yucky things and the yummy things that end up on his dinner plate (which he is all too happy to gobble up and promptly demand more) that and I kept the bookie in his mouth so we wouldn't have a problem diaper later in the day after stuffing too many berries in his mouth... not to mention possible choking on, or the moldy ones that were also around.
Look at H's face here (click on the picture to really see her). She is really contemplating something... maybe "Are the berries better over there?" or "I wonder how long we will have to be here?" - though I guess that is what B's face is saying, or possibly "Why aren't any of the other kids carrying Halloween baskets?"

"Look B, how many do you have in your bucket?" This was about all each of them picked in their baskets - usually picked by me after they yelled "I found one!!" but didn't want to pick it themselves after a "lesson" from the farm's attendant about how to pick the berries with the greens still on the tops so they last longer. (I think the kids didn't want to do it "wrong".)

Here's li'l D again... different berry... still contemplating.

And here is H "Mommy, do we have enough now??" Seriously. I guess they weren't that interested in picking the berries either.

Actually, it went fine. It was a bit breezy as the farm is on the west side near the salt water (you can see it from the fields, really quite a beautiful piece of property.) I thought the rows were extremely close together, closer than I remember seeing at other U-pick berry places when we picked in Whatcom County (years ago...). Maybe this is the sign of "progress" - move berries closer together for more production. Although if that was the plan, I think it probably failed this day after all the kids moving around the rows squashing every 10th berry or so when they tried to move up and down the rows.

We didn't stay very long at all. I talked to a couple moms and the kids picked a couple berries for a while (only $1.50 worth!). The hardest part was li'l D. He kept falling backwards and landing on the berry plants. Then of course the other kids would need something and I can't bend over all that comfortably right now - dare I post a belly picture? (Sorry, no face... bad hair day!) Everyone was dirty and dusty and yucky red hands. After probably 20 minutes, it was past time to go. Everyone was happy to leave - no complaints from anyone except li'l D who might have finally figured out what these funny red things were.

I knew this would not be the jam berry day. So I was not disappointed by the amount of berries, and the kids were really quite proud of what they did have, even though some other kids in line said "You don't have many berries" to my kids in innocent enough voices that mine weren't too confused like "Should we have gotten more? Isn't this enough for lunch??" And then on the way home we stopped at the farm's roadside stand in town and picked up a 1/2 flat to make shortcake from and freeze some individual berries for later. Tomorrow night is official start of jamming season at our house, so I will also let you know how that goes. Big D is going to the (dreaded) storage unit today to get all the canning supplies and see what we need. I can't wait to use our own jam again instead of the almost flavorless stuff we have been getting lately from the store.

So we did the strawberry thing. I may be in for it, but I am looking to see if there are raspberry farms here on the island, or if we have to go off to pick those. Or maybe we can just find a place that brings the raspberries in to town in boxes so we don't have to drive so far and add gas to the cost of the jam!

Strawberries

2008-07-09T07:51:00.001-07:00

Well, we are heading out to Bells Strawberry Farm today with the local MOPS group. Yes, I'm bringing all three kids - we shall see how this goes! (These kids better enjoy this effort!!) I think I will have lil' D walk since we only have a rickety umbrella stroller or a double jogging stroller - the double I don't see fitting down the rows and the umbrella would get stuck in the dirt for sure.

Yeah, I'm not planning on them "picking" too many berries - and I'm not planning on picking any while watching lil' D - but it might be fun for them to see the plants and once they see the other kids doing it, they should get the idea. I think I will have them bring their Halloween buckets - lightweight and easy to carry. Oh, I need to bring something to put the berries in, right? See, I don't do this very often, the actual picking part. I haven't gotten to the enjoyment part of standing in a hot, too sunny, dirty field, trying to pick only ripe berries while simultaneously watching the kiddos step on and mash berries, fall down in the dirt, and listen to them scream about bugs at the same time. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for the enjoyment of the kids, and I'm sure on a nice cool morning, by myself, berry picking would be fairly satisfying. I just try for the least stress possible, and I'm not sure berry picking with the kids is it.

I'll let you know how it goes! I'll try to bring the camera and see if I can get a few shots.