Never in my wildest dreams...

did I ever imagine my life like it is today.
I was never one of those girls that dreamed of getting married.
I didn't plan my wedding before I was 13.
If asked, I had no clue how many children I wanted to have.
I could never look into the future and imagine.
Good thing for me, cause God knows what is perfect for me far more than I could ever imagine.
A couple of months ago I had the realization I am not one of the young moms anymore. I found myself watching some of the young moms and remembering what it used to be like. I still have a little one...but it is different the fifth time around. Still precious and wonderful, but there is "experience", busy-ness beyond imagination and many more directions in our life as our children are growing older and discovering who they are and who God has created them to be.

I am marveling at the fact my fourth child will be 5 this week.

My oldest will be 13 in 3 short months.

A couple of years ago during my oldest son's birthday lunch, the kids all started talking about their birthday parties. I got really overwhelmed.

At that point I made a rule. I didn't discuss with anybody. I just made it.

Dear husband's jaw was on the floor. As I explained his jaw slowly returned to its normal position.

I think we had 4 at the time. I may have been prego with number 5. I have no idea. My life has been such a blur.

The rules are:
Birthday parties are for when the child

turns 5...they are old enough to start kindergarten

turns 10...double digits

turns 13....teenager finally!

turns 16....maybe mature enough to start driving.??

Otherwise, All I would be doing for 5-6 months of the year would be planning and organizing parties! Hello, there is laundry to do and dishes. Mom has to sleep sometime. Fortunately for the kids the rules are flexible and there have been unexpected celebrations since then due to unexpected situations.

My other rule:

You can't talk to me about your birthday until 30 days before....
It is sooo not fair for the mom to be in trouble for not remembering what you wanted for your birthday two times before you said you wanted this....and that you want your cake to be your second choice not your sixth choice after all.

This year we will celebrate ages 5, 13, and 10!

So what does my soon to be 5 yr. old want?

He wants me to go to Krispy Kreme and get a donut with sprinkles so he can share it with Dad.

He wants Reeses (cause his brother can't have it)

He wants chocolate cake cause he can have milk now. And because brother can't have it.

Sweet N was content to be the youngest. Shortly after his little bro. came home he asked me to take him back.

He liked being rocked for 2 hours at night. That was gone. He liked being the youngest.

He still takes issue with having a younger brother.

He loves him though.....as long as he stays out of his stuff. And doesn't chew on his blankie.

So how are we celebrating? Well, you know the birthday is all about the child right?

Yep, that is how it is. We are going to Pump It Up! Know why? Cause Dad has never been!

Dad loves and supports all of us. Everytime we have been invited to a Pump It Party he has had to work. N will have fun, all the kids will. But the party...this year is for Dad's benefit. Cause, well, we love him and that is the kind of family we are, we make sacrifices for one another ;)

Another $1 Earned!

It was intense.

It was fast.

The guys were playing with all they had.

#28 was center ice and open.

A beautiful pass.

Received.

Mom is holding her breath

He shoots !

Flies right past the goalie !

Point for home team!

Another Dollar from Dad!

Two Grandpas saw it.

Two uncles saw it.

Mom saw it.

#28 seems to score when Dad is not there!

What's this?

The game stops for a moment.

#28 is going to the penalty box.

His cheering squad and family are woohooing.

What did he do?
We have no idea. We'll find out later. Dad doesn't pay up for penalties. Too easy to get in the penalty box, he says. The Uncles and Grandpas boo that call. If you know #28, he is not proud of the penalty. He plays by the rules and sticks to the rules. The last 5 seconds of the game. #28 receives a pass, there is a frenzy...he is lined up with the goal. He shoots. A lot of commotion. Ref has to go to the goal. They can't find the puck... Bummer it bounced on the pole and is wedged in the goalie's pads...no score.

His most exciting event..the one he likes to talk about the most...The 5 second shot!

Afterwards we ask about the penalty. It was for tripping. The player...The biggest kid on the team. Amazon 10 yr. old vs. 50 pound #28. (#28 is shoulder height to Amazon player) That got a laugh. Coach told him it was a bad call. Amazon player jumped his stick and then fell.
Ah well, a good night for all the family turned out to watch.

Hooray!

Wichita Friends

Be sure to hit Dillons if you have not already. I had to return movies tonight so I went ahead and stopped it.
The Current Buy 10 and get $5 off ends tomorrow.
That translates into 50 cents off each item.

Before you go, load Qs onto your shopping card from cellfire, P&G and ShortCuts.
I didn't and spent an extra $2.

Deals to look out for. Chex Mix, Fiber One bars, Green Giant SteamFresh veggies.
The veggies are free if you have 50 cent Q off one (doubled) or the $1 off Q.

I spent $16 and some change and got 20 items.
Then I splurged and bought myself some Mr. Goodbar Candy Bars, I still came in under $20 though. I have changed my eating today and am feeling much better. The first day in a week I have been able to control my blood sugar. I have been sneaking peanuty things when D is not around. Hence my reason for buying the Mr. Goodbars. Hee Hee

Free veggies
Gold fish...cheap filler
Fiber One bars
Chex Mix bars
Cap'n Crunch (had Q and got it for 1.09)
Life Cereal (2) the same thing as above
Pace Salsa after Qs it was a $1 a jar
Gorton's fish fillets for .99 after Q (Dara thank you for the Q)
more cheese (dear hubbie went last Thurs.)
Triscuits (after Q I think these were around $1.09)

Where's my Jesus?

Wanted!

One very Loved "Jesus Blankie"

Poor D.. He has lost his Jesus blankie. It says Jesus loves me all over it.

Big brothers let him borrow their blankies.

He has his "spare".

It's not the same.

"Jesus" helps him get through the worst of things

like dentist appointments and fillings

But every night since Saturday he has asked me for Jesus blankie.

Every time I tell him we'll look again tomorrow.

It's strange. I know he came home with it Friday night.

He never left the house Saturday.

It came up missing Saturday night.
We have cleaned the bedrooms.

Stripped the beds.

All the laundry is caught up.

Looked under the furniture.

And in the furniture.

But no blankie to be found.

I May have to offer a reward!

I just don't know what to offer his siblings as an incentive.

Quiet Sundays part 2

I posted earlier how I love quiet Sundays. I also love them for their unpredictable conversations. My home started to fill back up with all its warmth and smiles. Dear husband was doing dishes, and I was trying to get pictures taken for Ebay. N desperately needed some interaction and kept climbing on me.... Then I had a light bulb moment...N why don't you go help daddy with the dishes! Woohoo, he actually jumped on the suggestion.
I don't know what N did, but Dad says, "How did you get so smart N?"
N's reply, "I am the smart one." Think deadpan and in all seriousness this is said.
Dad doesn't miss a beat, "So do you get it from Mom or Dad?"
N: "I am the smart one."
Dad: "But how did you get so smart, from Mom or Dad."
N: "From Mom and Dad."
Dad: "That was a good answer."
N: "Yeah, I am the smart one. I am smarter than Dad and Mom."
Dad: "Mom's not smart?"
N: "no, I am the smartest one."
Dad: "What about all the things Mom does? That makes her pretty smart doesn't it?"
N: "No, I am the smart one."
Subject dropped. Hmmm, he is the one I wonder if I can school next year. Because that pretty much sums N up. We can tell him something, but if he has an idea in his head already then nothing can change his mind. He's the smart one after all.

I would like you to meet Sir Growl-ie

Sir Growl-ie was named this morning on our way home from church. When I tried to take these pictures he informed me he doesn't like to smile. He doesn't like his pictures taken. I think the Incredible Hulk sums it up quite well. What do you think?

Inquiring Friends Want to Know

Ireland here we come in OCTOBER! Hey, I just realized that is my birthday month. How much you wanna bet, this is gonna count as my birthday goodies for this year. Hee hee!

Sunday Afternoons

I love quiet at home Sunday afternoons. Chocolate Chip cookies and Mom gets a nap!
S went to Stick and Puck with Dad and Grandpa today. A had a babysitting job and then youth group. D was being cantakerous and I knew if I let him watch a superheroes cartoon he would fall asleep! Score! That left N and M. They got busy doing artsy stuff. And now my crew are bowling on the Wii. I am going to have to break it up and send kiddos to bed. 7 AM comes awfully quickly!