Something new we are trying

I have a kiddo that desperately wants to earn money.  I struggle to think on the spot.  I struggle with consistency and memory issues.  For instance, how much was the job worth last time???

I, also, want balance.  There are different beliefs regarding kids and chores and allowances and do we pay them for chores?  Well, I haven't had a clear solution or hint of what to do in 18 years of parenting, that is till this weekend.  

The challenge?  Coming up with a solution that addresses the personality and heart issues and needs of multiple children in the home.  For instance, I have one or more that would be all over getting up in the morning and working for money.  Meanwhile, regular chores and school work wouldn't get done.  

So I finally had a "duh!" Light bulb moment. I posted rules for earning money.  I posted jobs available to be worked for money, and kept the amounts low and affordable for me.  I made sure there were jobs that would need to be done frequently.  I, also, put in a stipulation...An act of kindness stipulation.  For every job done to earn money, an "act of kindness" needed to be completed.  I want them to experience the balance of just doing because it is right and good.  What never fails to amaze me is the "blindness" to things on the floor or odd little tasks that need doing and NOONE. notices. them.  The glazed over zombie looks when I point them out just causes me to shake my head.  In the last few weeks, I have heard, "but you didn't asked me" or "you didn't tell me to" more times than I care to count.  Even once is one time too many considering the age of the culprits.  So I am hoping my plan will encourage initiative and thoughtfulness and a change in attitude.  I, also, left a post-it notepad nearby to jot down job ideas to stick to the posters.  The kids were quick to notice jobs not mentioned, cleaning the car and vacuuming the upstairs.  Post it notes have been added.  I, also, created a note for the Christmas nativity.  It needs to be put away with love and care, so it is stuck to the acts of kindness chart.  What isn't pictured are the cards with their names on them and their "assigned" chores, individual to them.  They each have a couple of jobs to do on a regular basis throughout the week.  I haven't decided how frequently I will swap those out, but for now, I am hoping this works.

A little funny tidbit to add.  My college student walked in while I was hard at work creating my posters.  She got super excited!  Couldn't wait to join in on this new endeavor.  Apparently I got a little distracted and my cent signs were switched to dollar signs... Cleaning the entryways was suddenly worth $75 each and the pantry was worth $50.  She was ready to get busy!   Eye rolling commenced and I quickly burst her bubble.  She made my point!  And I quickly fixed my mistakes.  Amounts may need to be tweaked, but I would rather increase rates and create cheering than decrease and experience mutiny.   

Before I could post this, we also encountered another heart issue.  There was an offense.  A big hurt.  It wasn't the kind of hurt that could be resolved by buying a replacement thing...no tangible restitution could be made.  Apologies were made.  Forgiveness given.  But how does one demonstrate regret and love??? I am not all about earning forgiveness and grace, but there are times when a personal effort can go a long way.  Since creating the assigned chores and the charts, an INSpired Idea hit me.  An "act of kindness" which I called an act of "redemption"/"repentance" could be done.  I suggested to the offender that since I had to take the sibling away from the house an act of kindness could be done by completing a chore that would become a hardship later in the day... leaving the house always means less time to do school and chores, especially when there is a desire for "free" time. Translation...less free time.  My kids don't think "free time" spent at doctors' and other appointments is all that much fun!  Go figure?? :)  Before I left I heard the "offender" declaring "I HAVE to do..."  I quickly responded with "No, you don't have to, you get to choose. This is something you get to choose to do to show love and repentance and kindness.  No one says you have to, it is your choice.  I think it is the right thing to do, but it was only a suggestion.  So only do it, because you choose to do it."  Out the door I went.  My heart soared much later, when I discovered the job done and nothing more was said. 

Sibling Sweetness Melts My Heart

One particular day, I entered my living room on two different occassions.  I found THE MAN with his sister(s). 
1065.   School for her + WebKinz for him

1066.  Itouch game together.

Ready for the Big Bumps!

 Remember this post last month?

 

 

Well now, he is free and clear!

Not much of a smile for the camera.

But he is excited and ready for the Big Bumps.

 

 

And what exactly are Big Bumps?  I don't really want to know.

This past weekend, Daddy O and I worked Bingo. 

Hockey fundraisers to help pay for, well, Hockey.

Couple of dads were talking.

Dad One asked if Hockey Player was back. 

Dad Two said yes, and I responded "sorta."

There was a choked back laughter.

See, DaddyO was otherwise busy elsewhere in the room.

I KNEW something was up.

I explained Daddy O told me there was no contact allowed, so Hockey Player got on the ice for a game on Thursday.

 Some how it came out....not sure how.

Hockey Player took a hit in the corner.

Went down, then knocked the other guy down.

DaddyO returned and I tolded him, he was busted....

His response, Just a little bump!

Hockey Player even jumped up and let DaddyO know all was good.

 

Good Heavens Can't Trust the Two of the Them to Follow Doctor's Orders.

 

Cornered Hockey Player the next day and asked about his hit.

His response, "HUH?? What hit?"

Just a little bump.

Told him he was busted.

Couldn't remember knocking anyone else down.

 

I get told to quit making it a big deal.

 

Doctor laughed and shooked his head.

Said he would see us the next day.

Not funny doc.

Just to prove it, I told him we would be at church and not hockey.

Well then maybe Friday.

 

better NOT!

 

 

 

He took a Pounding!

Daddy O came home Friday morning with a Suprise!

He received his official pounding !

Defined~ The guys all got to punch him in the arm where his new stripe will be attached!

 

This past spring he was promoted and received his new job duties.

However, with all things government and military.

There is paper work.

Sometimes the paper work gets misplaced.
Sometimes the paperwork needs to be redone.

But, alas, it is done.

Daddy O learned the news the day before when he looked at his future pay stub online.

Friday morning before his shift was over the Boss Man asked if he would like to do this thing?

Daddy O chose to not call us.

Chose not to have the formal ceremony.
So much time had passed.

So he came home with his suprise. 
GOOD MORNING Peeps!

 

 

Suprises, a double take and a double dose in learning about Compassion

We spent the day in the car again. 
A Thursday kind of day.
A late start in the morning, Awana the night before and it takes everyone a while to wind down and share their stories of the night.
Piano lessons and back and forth from home, because not everyone has to go.
In the back and forths, running Fun Girl to work.
Back home for a quick lunch.
Then to Bal-A-Vis-X.
Then to the grocery store to get the latest ad.
My day stops here.
I am lost in my own world as I sit in the car and wait for Hockey Player to run in, grab the ad and come back to me, stopped at the curb.  He comes to the door and says, someone fell. 
I quickly recall the vague thud I heard and start looking around.
A deep intake of my breath.
A "grandpa" is down  in the parking lot and 2 ladies were helping him.
I quickly put my hazard lights on, put the burb in park and tell the kids to stay.
I see the ladies are talking to him and I run inside to tell Customer Service someone has fallen.  They quickly send the managers out.
He is a little disoriented. His face is banged up and he is bleeding quite a bit from his scrapes.
He misjudged the curb/ground and face planted.
My heart was in my throat.
He just wanted to get in his car and drive home to the next block over where he lives in Assisted/Independent Living facility.
But he is so disoriented. 
Rides are offered. A chair is offered. Paper towels.  Someone got ice.
I ask him the name of where he lives.
Blessedness that it is, I am very familiar with his residence. I have family there. I quickly call.  They send over their Director of Nursing and instruct us to call an ambulance. 
The managers do that. 
I see he is being well cared for and try to gracefully exit.
I stop at the care facility to give them a first hand account for when he returns later on...as disoriented as he is he might not be able to tell them much.  Plus to let them know he has 2 bags of refrigerated items. 
All the while grateful he is well cared for and being watched out for. 
As I return my car, I hear one of children ask why I had to get out of the car and  help?
My eye brows shot up.
Because it was the right thing to do I am thinking.
I try to say because he needed help. 
But this kiddo, is grumpy.  Wanted to be at home.  So did I.  Just didn't get it.  Which for this kiddo when this stage of self centeredness has started it is really hard to refocus. 
I ask my children if they knew the story of the Good Samaritan. 
I was shocked when my younger two said no.
NO???
I gasped and did a double take. 
My brain went into over drive. How could that be? 
We read Bible stories.  We talk Bible stuff.  We memorize verses. We go to church.  They watch Bible videos.  How? But....?
I stop the bumbling around in my brain.
I share the story as I drive. 
I ask who was a good neighbor?  why? 
Now they all have heard the story and know.
But now, it is quiet and I can think.
It is just like I share at times with friends and my oldest. Just like I had shared that morning with a friend.  God doesn't always take us down the same path as the person next to us.  He has different lessons for us at different times. We don't learn his ways over night.  Sometimes there are even some slips and falls along the way, just like when a baby learns to walk and become a toddler.  Yes, my oldest were schooled in the story of the Good Samaritan.  Now so were my youngers.  My youngers on the other hand have been learning lessons that my olders are learning just now. 
Different people, different paths, different learning curves and lessons plans created by the Master Educator.  Patience and understanding and compassion for one another, for we don't know where the Lord has taken them, is taking them or will be taking them. 

Being able to see and more.........

Hmmm, driving home from Jenks, Oklahoma, I discovered home much of a MidWest girl I am.

 

 I like the wide open spaces. I love seeing the horizon that includes land and sky.

 

Not much for a landscape that includes lots of brick buildings, sidewalks and being underground. I have visited those places and was struck by how obstructed my view of God's creation was by all that man made.

 Some call me a city girl, because I am not much of a fan of dust and dirt and I am allergic to most things that pollinate.

In my fairy tail world missing dirt, dust and spiders, I am a Country Girl.

I like the views.

I enjoy gazing upon God's nightly paintings I the sky.

 

  But

I realized on the same drive I am the girl that likes daylight.

I don't like to drive in the dark.

 I don't like not being able to see the horizon.

  I like to know what is ahead.

I can say the same thing about Life.

I don't like the feeling that I am driving off into oblivion.

I don't like suprises. I want to know what is going to happen.

It is hard to trust the road is going to be there especially when speeding down the road at highway speeds or that nothing will jump out in front me.

Sometimes it is hard to trust that God really knows what He is doing.

Sometimes it is hard to know what it is God would have me to do.

 I fret and worry and pray God will get me home in one piece.

 It has gotten a little easier over the years, but not much. I just don't like it.

I don't like not being able to see what it is ahead.

And Each and Every Time 

I arrive, it is with a sigh of relief and a readiness to rest.

And a gladness that I am Home

I think Heaven is going to be at least a little bit, just like that.  

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time flies

 

I was looking for something on my computer and came across this picture of my two oldest. 

Two years ago.

Where has the time gone?

They are growing up way too fast.

One is a Junior this year, the other a seventh grader...

They will be looking at starting college and high school the same year.

Not sure if I am going to be ready for the new season that is coming.

 

Dusty days

I was suprised last week by the sky.
I have to admit it was very unsettling to witness the dirtiness and dinginess of the skyline.
Used to clean, clear blue skies occassionally filled with fluffy clouds.

When storms are brewing, the skies are shades of gray and dark and sometimes, yellow.
It is okay because much needed moisture is on the way.

The sky this day promised nothing of the kind.

It was shades of browns and only promised dryness, dirt and thirstyness.

I caught myself wondering if this is what the Great Plains looked like during the Dust Bowl.
Gritty eyes, and the feel of dust on my skin after just a short time outside.  A short time meaning, the short distance between my vehicle and the door a couple of times because I ran a few errands.
I looked out back and saw our poor Gus.  A beautiful black fur coat was now coated in brown.  Even he was unable to escape the air and wind around us.  I didn't have the energy to let him in.  He would only shake and roll and create more cleaning.  So out he stayed, though I think a child or two may have rescued him and put him in the garage for a while. 

Yet in my sleepless nights of late, I can't help but think how much our spiritual lives can be illustrated in this one day.  My life.  In my sheltered, 25 square mile, little circle of the world I get covered by the dust of this world and bring it home.  The every day sameness, busyness and sometimes monotonous life gets to me and before long my life seems dusty, brown and dirty.  I long for something more and my focus is no longer on what is before me, I neglect the housekeeping of my heart and it gets dusty.

The dust

It gets in my eyes and affects how I see everything around me.  Instead of gratitude for my home and I see chores that just won't take of themselves.. Instead of a home filled with God's blessings, I see messes and monotony.

It makes me sneeze.  It is uncomfortable and my body tries to get rid of it.  My mind tries to reject the negative attitudes, but there is just enough lingering to..... 

Stir up my allergies. I become sick and weak in my attempts with the Lord and the simple act of breathing becomes difficult and it is work to get my focus back. 

Sometimes I need the help of medicine, a good dose of Divine intervention, to get me back on track.
 
In the meantime, my life just looks dingy and dry and thirsty. 

It is missing the crisp colors of freshness and renewal. 

Even in the dark days of adversity, a dusty spiritual life misses the promise of renewal and a thirst that is quenched.

Oh, don't let it be so...........

Bestest Ever Compliment I Ever Received

The scene:  Reading to Dad's Bud an excerpt from Alice in Wonderland.
The conflict:  Dad's Bud is fed up done with school and really doesn't want to listen.
He is trying, but finding it ever so difficult and is fidgeting up a storm trying to stay and obey.
We get to the conversation with the Caterpillar and I am doing the voices.
Dad's Bud smiles and interrupts.
"You sound just like Grandmama when she reads her stories!"
HUGE smile and a giggly thank you from this Momma.
A long lasting wish fulfilled.  My children would enjoy hearing me tell stories as much as we enjoy listening to Grandmama's and Papa's stories. 

He is armed and dangerous

This past weekend, I stayed home sick.  It was hockey weekend in OKC. We are still waiting on news if there will be any more tournaments this year. We are short on numbers for a team. Parents are thinking and discussing. So, it was with disappointment, I chose to stay home. It might be the only tournament of the year and I am missing it.

 

Coughing and blowing and sneezing in a car...in a hotel room...not fun, not fun for anybody. 

Definitely is not a recipe for good rest for every one there.

 

So I stayed home.

The girls stayed too.

 

Daddy O did his best to keep me updated.

 

First game, I received multiple texts.

Boys were doing great and winning.

First game was a win!

 

Rest and food and fun

 

Game 2

Daddy O texts with scores.  Then Daddy O calls. He is concerned about Hockey Player. Coach is not putting him on the ice. My first thought is his foot. Daddy O doesn't know. I ask if I should call coach on the bench and he tells me No.

**sigh**

All I want to do is be there, cross the ice, and check on my boy. Coach recently assured me, he remembers the rules.  I pray and wonder.

 

Another phone call Daddy O was able to attract Hockey Player's attention.

Did thumbs up and thumbs down....HP's response ~ thumbs down.

 

Sigh...so far away.

Game is over, we lost and my thoughts are on HP

Daddy O calls and reports in,

Hockey Player says, "My arm feels broken. Like all the other broken bones."

 

Any other time, I would laugh.

 

But he is in another state and I want him home.

Daddy O tells me he has limited mobility.  Hurts to move his hand or hold anything. I suggest (in my mommy way) to skip the ER. All they will do is XRay and confirm.  No bone sticking out so emergency surgery is not required. They will tell us to follow up with our doc.

 

Cha-ching $150 for the hospital.

 

Come home.  Immediate care on Sunday with out doc. We have had so many mis-diagnosises, I prefer for him to discover my kid's fractures...

 

Call one of the other hockey moms and ask, "Is Dad giving me the sanitized version?"

Yes and No.  He missed the hit, cause little brothers were distracting him.

 

I get the story.

 

HP went to the boards, his hand was on the boards

another player came in broadside to his arm

all legal

but sticks, hits and power

I know in my heart it is broken.

What IT is, is the question.

Wrist

Both arm bones

 

They come home.

Difficulty sleeping...

My boy is stoic and quiet...more so than usual.

He doesn't antagonize his sisters.

I can see the pain in his eyes.

 

At the doctors, he is all quiet and laid back.  Not really giving doc details.  So I step in, that is what Moms do, right?  Doc examines and pulls and not a single word or OW or stop. That is what I get at home.

 

I step in again and tell doc, he is too quiet for his own good.

 

Doc, very politely tells me, "I see him flinching, I know."

 

hmmmph, I guess I need to be still  Really hard to do...my 3.5 pound bag of sugar is hurt.  Did I mention I wrapped my arms around him the night before and cried. Cried and cried until he asked if he could "..go to bed now?"  I see the man he is becoming, but I also see him as 6.5 weeks earlier and 3.5 pounds in a isolette in the NICU.  The tiny bundle my body evicted way too soon.

The tiny boy I sat and covered in prayer and wore my heart on my sleeve for. The tiny baby I fought to bring home with me. I want good for him. I want for him to play hockey if that is what he wants.I want for him to be healthy and whole.

So we go to XRAY.

After XRay we are sent to the procedure room

We are put in an exam room.

I get a little excited, must not be broken.

But doc comes in.

Broken.

Not as bad as it could be considering.

One bone.

Not the wrist.

Not into the growth plate.

Much to be thankful for.

Brace for now, come back during the week to cast it.

Woohoo!  That means he gets to take a couple more normal showers.

Yeah, I love him... I just don't always like to smell him.

He is a teenage boy.

 

 He tries to do his school work this morning.  It is tough, he is right handed and it is his right arm in the cast.  We are getting a lesson in sibling relationships and when it interfere.  Dad's Bud joins us and starts to pester.  I warn Dad's Bud to back off.  But he doesn't know what that means and continues.  He starts messing with HP's arm.  Really?  I warn him.  Then I give HP permission to demonstrate the power of his arm.  Yes, I did.  What else do big brothers do, when little brothers won't back down because they are vying for territory and herd roles of leadership.  Big brothers pop them with their cast and demonstrate they are armed and dangerous and it is best to back down. 

Well Hockey Player didn't whack him.  I grabbed HP's arm and banged it into Dad's Bud's chest a few times until he said ow.  Point made.  Leave your brother alone. He has my permission to settle it.  He won't unless he has to, cause that is the kind of young man he is...

 

Brotherly Force as the last resort.

 

 

 

Counting to 675.....

651.  Different version of yellow (brick) road
652.  Lady of Lesiure time in the hammock with Fun Girl
653.  Hearing my Fun Girl tell my plans before I even say them, all because she knows me all too well!
654.  The other driver has insurance to fix our suburban after the accident
655. -666. Allegies that calm for moments at Grandpa's and a day at the Pumpkin Patch with the kids
667.  Bountiful harvest
668.  Family tradition of the pumpkin patch
669.  An almost grown up daughter finding replacements for work to join us on our field trip...not too big yet.
670.  500 m in the pool in spite of allergies
671.  A husband that can laugh at himself and with his kids all at the same time.
672.  Swim coach stopping to tell me how proud of all my daughter has done and improved over the last 6 months.  He considers her one of his biggest accomplishments. She has worked hard.
673.  Hard working kids
674.  Fellowship with other moms, laughter and giggles and jumping like we were little kids.
675.  Watching small ones conquer their fears by pushing through them and succeeding.

Going Vertical !

 

Grandpa Mac retired from teaching this past spring, well sorta...

We received an email offering us some bookshelves.

I got kinda excited. 

Cause despite our best efforts, school always ends up in the dining room.

School gets scattered all over the table.

School time runs into meal time and well we end up with piles.

Piles everywhere.

Piles on the floor.

Piles in the living room.

Piles on the piano.

Piles on the fireplace ledge.

Well maybe this would be the fix...?? 

The Hubby was not to sure about more stuff in the house.

First he said, "No," then he paused and said, "Yes."

Then he asked where?

He was not too sure about my plan.

But after this many years of marriage, he is learning to let me try and fail....

and sometimes not fail!!!

This was definitely a win!!!

I am learning too.

As time has passed and lots of decorating fails, I am learning.

With his agreement to buy some pretties to pretty up my dining room.

I spent a whole weekend in between activities and such

sprucing up my dining room and going vertical.

 

 

 

 

 

Counting to 625...........

601.  The heart of my "healing steward".  So big and deep, just precious beyond belief.
602.  Son who asks about my computer at home...did I remember to grab it from church.  Searching diligently and wanting to help me in. Then he gets the doors, shutting the behind and opening them before me.  Where did this gentleman come from? 
603.  Listening to "The Man" race to say "I love you" first everyday. 
604.  "The Man"s need to say Good Morning at 4 in the afternoon, because he "never got a chance to say it yet"
605.  Fun Girl's willingness to prepare a whole chicken in the crockpot.  Yucky meat to have to handle.
606.  A child's acceptance of punishment and not argue, complain or ask to be released from his/her consequences.  (Thinking of several...so don't try to place names.)
607.  Watching my children Grow and Develope into who God created them to be, not what I could possibly imagine, which could never be as grand as what God has dreamed up. 
608.  Beautiful sonogram photos. 
609.  A sister that chooses joy.
610.  God's work is never down. 
611.  Zoo trips just before the rain came.


612.  Fun Girl delighting in introducing The Man to the goats at the zoo

613.  Feeding the goats
614.  Seeing the beauty in all God creates
615.  Answered prayers before the prayers even start
616.  Discussing the attributes of God in the car with my children.
617.  Self improvements in the pool for Fun Girl
618.  600 in under 25 minutes for me in the pool
619.  Visits from Grandpa
620.  Shelfs from Grandmama and Papa...new organization for school and the dining room
621.  Fun Visit with Mom and Henry
622.  Braums
623.  Book It coupons in the mail.
624.  Dad's Bud interest in reading is growing.
625.  Little Princess completing another book and excitedly ready to start another...after so many vision struggles to be reading !!  What joy in my heart.

What on earth? Better yet what on high seas?

 

It is Hockey Player still. 

So the plastic bag trick doesn't work too well in the shower.

He had to get another cast.

I begged. I pleaded.  I offered this kid $20 to get a hot pink cast.

To get out of his normal color palette.

Nope

I offered $40.

Still no.

I offered his choice of places for lunch.

Still no.

I offered $40 and lunch.

Still no. 

He is a man of principles and he sticks to them. 

For that I am very proud.

 

Considering he would only be stuck with it for a week, I am shocked.

His jeans are long and baggy. They cover it up. 

Glad he didn't take his mother's money though.

As for lunch, well it was food and he was happy.

He was really happy when I showed up to his piano lessons with pizza in the suburban.

It was an eat in the car kind of day!

And yes, minus one slice, he did all that damage. 

 

 

 

 

Jehovah Jireh My Provider, His Grace is Sufficient for Me

A couple of weeks ago, I took Little Princess for a physical. Perfectly smooth morning it was. We stopped and found an awesome garage sale on our way towards home. Had a couple of chuckles and some fun together. While at the garage sale her nose starts gushing. The lady running the garage sale was sooo gracious. She was quick to grab some kleenex and kept encouraging us to take more. This nose bleed was slowing down none to quickly. Both Little Princess and I were grateful we stopped at the sale because otherwise this would have happened in the car and I was out of kleenexes in the car. AIY! As we would find out, I couldn't even find a restaurant napkin in the suburban. Completely unusual for us. But considering the time of year it is to be expected. Ragweed season and I am always sneezing, sniffling and sometimes the others join in with me.

We take our tissues, and special garage sale finds and continue on our path to home. Our path has another stop at the grocery store.

 

All was going well, and I told Little Princess to lay down, because we were only going a half mile to the store and we were on the back roads. If she laid down she would be better able to get the bleeding stopped.

 

We stopped at the light and within seconds, Little Princess is asking if we had been hit. Yep! In spite, of my assurances that all would be okay. We had been rear-ended at the stop light. The other driver, a nurse, is quick to check on us and we cross the street to a parking lot. When she sees Little Princess' bloody tissues she becomes concerned. I reassure her, no worries.

 

 But the bummer is we are running out of tissues and my nose is starting to act out because I standing outside in the Kansas wind. The police come... they discover the blood and ask if we need an ambulance. NOPE! Everyone is okay. Just a nose bleed. Cars are banged and bruised. Insurance companies will have to be called. Everyone is okay. The bleeding has stopped, so has my sniffling.
Good thing there are no more tissues.  

Once released we make our way to the store. Why do I have to go to the store?

Because between school, life and putting stuff on EBay, I have failed to keep up on my deal shopping for household goods. Thankfully, there was once upon a stockpile. Nothing like what you will see on Extreme Couponing. A stockpile nonetheless. However, when life gets hectic, that pile can dwindle.

I actually found myself needing to crisis shop for dishwasher detergent.

When I say crisis I mean, the dishwasher was full and there was overflow in the sink. This would be a run the dishwasher 3 times day.

If I was truly industrious, I would have searched online, found a recipe and made my own. But life is hectic and busy and well the store is only 2 miles away. The five dollars I would spend was so not worth all the time I would spend trying to find a recipe and make it.

I did think to grab my coupons, because

I vaguely recalled there was a buy 10 things get $5 off sale happening.

Good thing, because I was down to my last bottle of laundry detergent. I scored all of the below for my target prices when keeping up with the deals!

6 bottles of laundry detergent

Cereal

Pringles...just to be kind to my crew

Gatorade

and of course dishwasher detergent!

 

But did I remember tissues?  NOPE !

I left the store telling God thank you.

"Thank you for protecting us.  Thank you for the deals. Thank you for providing for me and my family. Thank you for a healthy daughter.  Thank you for no blood in the car.
(This is because, I told Little Princess I was sorry for stopping at the garage sale.  The accident might have been avoided if I had stopped.  She quickly pointed out if we hadn't stopped she would have bled all over the car.  Such an insightful young lady.)
Thank you for such a friendly driver to have hit us.  Thank you for insurance.

Thank you God for your provision.

Thank you for your faithfulness."

Counting to 600....

576.  Vehicles that run.
577.  Remembering my "dump date" with Hubby and the smile it brings
578.  Good memories
579.  Driving lessons
580.  Taxi time
581.  A life well lived
582.  Last moments sharing Christ before taking last breathe.
583.  Legacies left.
584.  Seeing the growth in seeds planted not so long ago
585.  A new widow clasping hands in praise and joy acknowleding her beloved is in the presence of the Lord. 
586.  A man who gave it all to his God, family, friends and work. 
587.  Spirit of humility that causes me to reflect
588.  The smile of child, big and bright, in the midst of sorrow and heartache.
589.  A family comes to Awana, soon after losing Daddy/Husband
590.  Technology that allows children to keep on with their Awana studies and memory work. 
591.  Children who are home schooled and celebrating their time together in school and travel.
592.  Chemo, RICE, Marrow transplants and so much more....
593.  Watching the faith of those around me in action.
594.  Unexpected "Helps" from my Lord when I didn't even know I needed them.
595.  Children who band together to clean the house in the morning.
596.  Children who cheerfully start school work without being asked to after cleaning all morning! 
597.  Husband who loves God and has eyes and a heart seeking Him.
598.  Husband who desires to grow as a person and a child of God.
599.  Blessed with a husband who is able to calm my children like I can not, his physical presence is a comfort.  Just being there,
600.  Sons who love me with all their hearts.

How to get your 6 year old to take medicine

The Man started running a fever. 

Thrashing and coughing and sooo uncomfortable.

He didn't sleep well.

(Let's just assume I wrote MOM didn't sleep well.)

His throat hurts.

His head hurts.

His body hurts.

He is HOT!

My first thought is strep.

School is back in session and that is what happens.

Doesn't seem to matter we HOME School.

We still get what the public school kids get.

Haven't figured that one out.

The docs haven't either.

So we take the first appointment, cause I am tired.

AND he is dramatic and we need relief.

He has some contagion I have never heard of before.

Antibiotics are prescribed.

We get the said antibiotics.

He digs his toes into his blankets and sets his lips.

I have had that kind of medicine.

I don't like it.

BUT IT WILL MAKE YOU BETTER. 

(I don't add, if you are better, I am happy---

cause you aren't so whining and grumpy. )

PLLLLLLEAAAAASE take the medicine.

NO!

I will let you wash it down with some of this...

Nope.

We call Daddy out of desperation. 

He will stop here

and get you whatever you want.

"I don't care what you get"

He must be sick.

Still not getting anywhere.

Siblings are suggesting candy, slushes, pop, treats.

Everyone wants him better.

NO ONE wants his contagion.

NOPE.

Then I offer to buy everyone lunch from

It works.  He will try.

But he has held out so long, that he gets to chug some...

and he gets not one treat but two from

A slush and apple pie.

I take Fun Girl to work and stop for lunch at

And I sit on the couch and read these little lines on the bottom.

AND I YELLLL

STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

PEANUTS!

DON'T

EAT

YOUR

LUNCH

THE 3 NOT SICK KIDS COME RUNNING!

Good Golly Molly!

I had no idea restaurants still fried in peanut oil.

Fortunately, THE MAN had gone to use the restroom.

He had yet to touch his food.

And I kept thanking the Lord.

The only thing worse than being sick:

 sick and getting anaphylaxsis

And the shot from one of these

His response,

That's okay mom, I like

Translation: I was going back out and getting him a Happy Meal which was also

HAPPY TUMMY.

HAPPY TUMMY is the label we put on food that is food allergy safe.

It is food that will not make The Man sick.

Therefore he has a Happy Tummy.

Something we started back when he was one and we first discovered food allergies in our home.

AND THAT is how you get a 6 year old to take his medicine.

Who knows what it will take tomorrow!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Please read my disclosure here.

Surviving the first day of school

I am not much for reward charts.  Not much for check off the boxes or put a sticker here and there.  Not that I don't try.  I make lots of lists and plans.  But the long term follow through just isn't there.  Sometimes it is a lack of motivation on my part, sometimes it just works for a day. 

But it was the first day of school and my younger two were hard to convince.

Thankfully, we had started our day with prayer. 
Thankfully, I was crying out to God to help me survive their combined efforts to color my hair gray.

Next thing I know I was in my cabinet pulling out the business card paper, typing up reward coupons.

My boys speak electronics. 
They love their DS, Wii, Netflix and TV.
They love their siblings' I Touches

For every assignment completed they get one card. 
For every whine, contrariness and headache they give me, I can take one or more away.

Plus, I was thoughtful enough to declare myself not responsible.
Not responsible to keep them from being lost.
If I find them laying around they are mine!

This week it is working.  Hard at work and asking for more assignments to earn more time.

Still here...Still Ticking...Just Going, going, going....

It has been a long time since I have posted anything. Roughly 65 days... So here goes...
1.  Hockey Player had allergy testing done... we know why he was sick all winter.  Not allergic to ice, but allergic to his Great-Granny's apartment.  BUMMER !
2.  Botanica family day
3.  Cross-the-midline phycial therapy sessions for all the kids!
4.  Gymnastics for the MAN
5.  2 swim meets for Fun Girl.  Improving her times with each race.  Showing how mentally tough she is in competition.
6.  Rock wall climbing
7.  Cub Scouts Blue and Gold
8.  Awana awards ceremony
9.  Hockey Player earns multiple honors from the Hockey Association
10.  Hockey Player earns his Timothy Award
11.  A trip to Fort Larned to meet up with cousins and earn Jr. Ranger Badges
12.  Cousins!! 
13.  Playing Body Body with Cousins.
14.  Life Guard classes and Orientations
15.  Fun Girl starts her first job.
16.  Swim suit and gear shopping...Life Guard and Swim Team
17.  Laughing at Big O daddy O as he sees his Little Girl as a bit more grown up.
18.  Passport stamping Daniel for Endangered Species Day at the ZOo
19.  End of School Year Support Group Picnic with Friends
20.  Visits with Grandpa Clark
21.  Visits with Great Granny Grace (AKA...3G)
22.  High School Graduation for a cousin
23.  Piano recital
24.  Fun Girl turns 16
25.  Fun Girl + friends + Little Princess + mom go to Great Wolf Lodge and KC for water park and shopping fun!
26.  Panera date with Hubby
27.  Homeschool Conference
28.  Hospice care for 3G
29.  Baseball starts up. 
30.  Dad's Bud plays Ball
31.  The Man plays Ball
32.  Big O Daddy O gets "volunteeered" to coach The Man's ball team
33.  Big O Daddy O changes shifts somewhere during this time frame.  2nds to 3rds.
34.  New sleeping schedules and sleeping arrangements.
35.  Hockey Player gets braces
36. Good Bye to friend Sarah as she starts a new adventure with her family.
37. Servant Team Retreat
38.  The boys go camping.
39.  My mom gets an ambulance ride...scares all of us pretty good.
40.  Business Trip + Family fun to Colorado canceled
41. All Girls Servant Team Retreat
42.  VBS
43.  Power Team for Little Princess
44.  BINGO to earn money for hockey
45.  Hockey Clinincs
46.  Wednesday night AFW for 2 teenagers now !
47.  Hockey Player goes to Estes Park for Youth Group Camp
48.  Little Princess takes Lego Robotix Camp!
49.  Garage Sale Shopping
50.  Ebay
51.  Summer school
52.  Swimming at 3 Y Water Parks
53.  Summer Reading Program with Library
54.  Great Granny Breaks her hip.
55.  Surgery and is now in Rehab. 
56.  Moved Great Granny out of her apartment...took 21 days!  She likes to shop.  A QVC Queen.
57.  Learned my friend's husband delivered much of her QVC the day she and her twins helped me pack
58.  Gift card purchases at Dillons for 4X the fuel points...equals gas. at $1.29 for almost an entire months worth of gas.
59.  Dentist cleanings plus back again for fillings for one kiddo.
60.  weddings
61.  Getting the vents cleaned in our home !  That was interesting.
62. High school JUNIORS and seniors Bible Study.  (I have a junior now!)
63.  Fun Girl goes to New Orleans.
64.  My Uncle Gene dies
65.  I spend an awesome couple of days visiting my Great Uncle Paul.

So that is just a glimpse. 
This has been good for the soul. 
There has been a lot of hard the last 2 + months.  But as I look back, there has been a lot of good. 
Maybe pictures will come.
I am still doing the Joy Dare.  Still counting.....