It's the little moments that can pass us by.

Usually when I go MIA in Blogdom, it's not because there's nothing to say; but rather because there's too much to say to even know where or how to begin. These last few months have been no exception.

I feel like the Gates of Heaven have literally been opened over our home. It's been that intense. that revelatory. that sweet.

Relationships have been shifted and priorities renewed. Life has been overflowing, on so many realms. And I've had three very sweet distractions that have kept me from writing: My God. My husband. and My daughters.

And this post...well, this one is about the "My Daughters" part.

--------------------------
Seasons come and go. There's no doubt or debate on that subject.

But one thing... a truth independent of emotions or trends or busy schedules, will always remain...

I will forever be The Mom to these amazing little girls.

Therefore, I've been spending any free time I have these past days months not writing blogs or documenting life, but rather living it.

side by side with these little ladies.


as well as this one. :)


who is currently too little to sit on the swing with the others eating Icees.


Though allow me to assure you, she has four more-than-willing older sisters who'd LOVE to volunteer their baby-cradling-expertise.


*This is me prying fat, sticky fingers from a rather-strong choke hold around Raquel's neck*

Um, no thank you, honey. Let. Mommy. have. her.

(Notice that she didn't seem to mind sisterly-lovin' via Choke Hold.)

Anyway, what was I saying? Uh...spending time? focusing?...focusing on....what? Oh yeah...my girls! All five of them.

Sorry. I get distracted when I look at sweet baby cheeks.


These last months, I've been spending time with these guys. in such a way that I'm getting to know the ins and outs of who they are.

as real people.


with real feelings.


and real thoughts.


and real dislikes.


and real senses of humor.


all independent and different from my own.

And that takes time, you know? At least for me, it's required a ginormous amount of intentionality and dedication to really listen and enjoy them as individual people and not just see them as a mass of children cohabitating with me:

• to really pay attention when they're telling me something, instead of just nodding indifferently while I continue to research something online.
  
  
• to allow them to help with dinner prep even when I know their "help" involves a huge mess and a large amount of extra time.
  
  
• to spend quality time with Charis and Selah once the three youngest are napping, even though there are days where I want nothing more than to ignore all the conversational needs of people under 4 feet tall.
  
  
• to spend an extra 10 minutes one-on-one with them before naptime, instead of saying a half-hearted 'Night-night' from the hallway.
  
  
• to schedule date nights with the oldest three.
  
  
• to play that obnoxious lovely little game that holds absolutely no interest to me. just because I know they love it.
  

Being a mom to lots of young children can be draining. It requires a copious amount of chocolate patience as well as the ability to intelligently function on sporadic spurts of sleep.

But it also gives me a last ditch effort at being spontaneous and young again. ...I have to remind my Old Self of this from time to time. You know, being that Old Self tends to be boring. focusing on bills and housework and menus.



I totally admit it. Hi, my name is Christin and I get wrapped up in things that don't matter.

We all know the drill, right? Our Distracted Self takes over...and demands to live a life not meant to be ours in this season. Which then gives rise to Ungrateful Self who monopolizes all thought, moaning over What Will Never Be and becoming bitter over What Is.

It's a lovely little cycle I like to call SIN.

And so, these past few months, I've been making it my focus to put to death both Distraction and Ungratefulness. For they've been robbing me of THE most precious gifts this side of heaven.

My family.



It's crazy, but sometimes it's so easy to lose sight of the preciousness of what we see on a daily basis, isn't it?

Take my engagement ring, for example. It's gorgeous. But because I see it on my hand every day, I can easily forget to admire it. to cherish it.

Same with my hub and girls. I see them every. single. day. So, if I'm not careful, they can become less valuable in my eyes. giving me the open door to esteem someone (or something) else more highly for novelty-sake.

Tragic.


SO. That said, I've been taking the time to reallllly listen and spend quality moments together with my girls. Pushing through that stinkin' built-in temptation that seems to come along side the choice to remain at home with the kiddos.

Or is it just me?

Pathetic Moment. Take #10,984 #1:

• "But YOU get to actually talk with ADULTS during the day!" (This said to my husband when I'm pouting about how my life is soooo horrible. Cue violins.)
  
  
• "Don't ask me what I do all day. Because I couldn't tell you, though I know it most likely had something to do with wiping some body part. and putting away that same stinkin' 100,000 piece puzzle someone insisted on giving them."
  
  (Insert adult woman dramatically throwing herself, face-down, onto the bed in a moment of glorified self-pity)
  

Ahem. *straightening my shirt and checking my hair in the mirror* That was awkward, now wasn't it?

*clearing throat* Moving on.


Anyway. Those moments...they're the ones that I've been pushing through. determined to see my way to the other side. ;)

In the midst of this self-inflicted Mom Overhaul, I felt the Lord remind me of a conversation I had with someone a while back, where she said: "I need to work outside of the home because being away from them helps me to be a better mother."

*sigh*

Don't get me wrong. Clearly, I understand the heart behind that. Because *hello* I've found myself thinking along those lines before (This is where I refer you to the above examples of Confessions of a Stressed out Mom).

What mom doesn't want to get away from time to time?!!


Heck, I'll just go ahead and confess right now: I've literally called up my husband and said, "That's it. I'm leaving the kids and driving ...somewhere."

(Though I never would do this, obviously the tone is my voice was convincing as Jet found it necessary to inform me that this just wasn't a viable option. Ha!)


So yeah. I get it. But that's why that statement struck me as so sad...because it sounds so logical... wise, even. Have lots of time away from children = Ability to enjoy children.

But think about it. That's essentially saying: in order to have the emotional energy to like our kids, we have to limit the amounts of time spent with them.


Kind of sad when put that way, isn't it?

Again, don't get me wrong. I GET IT. I know how draining children can be. After all, I live with five of my very own.

But this past season, I've felt a new resolve to NOT allow my heart to wander to that place. to not be deceived into that way of thinking. but to allow God to turn my heart.

He will change parents' attitudes toward their children and children's attitudes toward their parents. If not, I will come and reclaim my land by destroying you." Malachi 4:6

And I can tell you one thing...He has. Seriously, there's unavoidable difference in the way I view my daughters.




I've been learning. changing. and discovering that Mothering doesn't have to be draining. it can be life-giving. if I allow it.

And yes, I've always known this...and experienced it to a degree...but it's like there's been a massive shift in the atmosphere of my heart. And I'm so grateful.


especially when those moments of Intentional Mothering lead to Little Girl climbing in my lap to whisper, "I love you so soooo much, Mommy!"

*le sigh*



So my life, while its been MIA in Blogdom, has been more than full in REAL LIFE, as I've been deepening the relationships I have with these five little girls.


who just happen to be daughters.

(Note: this post took a culmination of weeksssss to write. as it felt slightly inappropriate informing my girls, "I'm sorry, but I can't play right now as I'm writing about how much attention I'm giving you." Ha!)

Barbies. It's what's for ...playtime.

After a couple of weeks of 100 degree temperatures, we're spending the day outside on the covered porch. enjoying the cool and rainy weather.

Me and my laptop are cuddle up on the wicker furniture Mom found at an auction, catching up on emails, homeschool planning, and blog updates when I suddenly take note of what the girls are playing:


Selah (6): "Is he married?"

Charis (7.5) "No."


Selah : "Then HOW can he have a baby???!!" Her voice sounds incredulous. (ThanktheGoodLord. Amen.)

Pretend playing quietly ensues, while Selah obviously takes a moment of silence, to think over the puzzling situation at hand.

Selah: "Well did he find them (the babies) in the woods?"

Charis: Yep.

Selah, breaking into her wide-mouthed smile: "OHHHHH. Okay."

Yes. I'm yet to dive headlong into the waters of Where do Babies Come from talk. Go easy on me, as I'm not yet ready to have a bold 3 year old loudly (and publicly!) proclaiming the half-informed tidbits Older Sisters have shared during their late night discussion sessions.

For now, they seem content to know the surface information we've covered. And I...well, I am more than happy to oblige their eager satisfaction with All Things Innocent.

..............

Moments later. Question of paternity testings are forgotten, as they've moved on to Mail Order Husbands.

Clearly, I'm raising hippie feminists. Lovely.


Charis: And why should I pick you?

Raegan (3): Because I am really strong. and I can swing you up super high!!

Insert picture of Ken on steroids.



Seconds later, Bride-wanna-be chooses another contender, and Raegan is left alone with Ken to sulk. It truly was a pathetic moment of Massive Lower Lip, but my camera wasn't fast enough to capture it.

Meanwhile, the two "newlyweds" float up into space dancing.



Bruce Springsteen singing "Higher and higher" races through my head without warning or permission.

"Because your love...your love keeps lifting me...Keeps on lifting...I said your love..."
In my head, I hear a man's falsetto voice ..."Wooooooo"

Tragic, isn't it?

So sad that I, on a daily basis no less, call my daughters by a sister's name. YET. I can, with zero effort, recall the lyrics to a song I never liked in the first place.

Anyway.

Arranged marriages. Competition for the most eligible man (or woman). and amazing circus feats that defy logic or explanation in order to impress said eligible single person...


....well, it's all in a day's play here at Princess Central.

Do they even make record players anymore?

Some things I saved from my childhood must've accidentally been thrown in with the girls' books during Mass Exodus of Attic. because this morning Charis brought these down for closer inspection.



Selah: "WOAH! Those are huge CDs!"

Me: They're records. For a record player.

Selah: "A WHAT player?"

Ah yes, wrinkle creams got nothin' on holding back the years when children's uncensored comments are to be had.

Bottle bombs

The following is NOT my writing. It's concerning an email I got this morning concerning bottle bombs. Check it out on Snopes.


But because I couldn't copy the snopes article, here's an article:

"At least two "works" bombs were left in the yards of York Township residents overnight, creating a dangerous situation since the pop bottle bombs quickly detonate, police said.

Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy Keith Mansell sent a warning to township residents this morning, urging them not to pick up any bottles that have liquid in them or appear swollen.

Mansell said he was dispatched to a home on Bemis Road near the Saline city limits this morning for an unexploded pop bottle bomb. When he arrived, he discovered a 20-ounce bottle in the yard, moved it from the front yard, and it detonated 30 seconds later, he said in the e-mail.

Mansell then checked other yards and located a second one a few doors down from the first one, he said. He moved that one, and it also detonated, the e-mail said.

The homeowner told Mansell she noticed the bottle and planned to move it when she got her morning paper. "There was a high probability that this would have detonated in her hand/face while she carried it to the trash," Mansell said in the e-mail.

A "works" bomb is described as Drano and foil mixed inside a bottle. The chemical reaction makes a volatile build-up of gases and subsequently detonates the bottle with a great amount of force, with the chemical substance in the bottle becoming boiling liquid at that point, the e-mail said.

The explosion can be severe enough to cause second- or third-degree burns or blindness, Mansell said in the e-mail.

Mansell urged residents to watch for bottles in their yards and offered the following advice:

• If you find a soda bottle or any other bottles, examine it carefully before you touch it or get near it. If it shows signs of swelling or melting in any way, do not touch it. Call 911.
• If you find a soda bottle that has any liquid in it, don't touch it and call 911.

Both bombs this morning appeared to be slightly swollen, with a dark colored liquid inside of it, the e-mail said. The liquid could have easily been mistaken for leftover soda, according to the e-mail.

If someone is caught making such a device, it is a felony of possession of a substance with explosive capabilities punishable by up to 15 years in prison if no damage is caused and 20 years if damage is caused. The penalties are more severe if injuries occur, including a mandatory life sentence if someone is killed, police said."












And I wanted to pass along the information. I think it's incredibly sad when you live in a time where you can't even clean out trash from your front lawn without fear that it may blow up in your face.

"You don't know me but..."

The most precious phone call I've ever received came today. via a woman I've never met.


So I confess. I totally screen my calls. Once we got caller ID, I was hooked. "Oh...it's the person running for re-election calling to ask me for my vote? Hm. Sor-ry. Not home."

Or "Huh. It's my husband calling to apologize for that stupid thing he did this morning? Hm. Sor-ry. I want to ignore you for just a little while longer." Wha? Me?? do something like that? Nah. I'm farrrrrrr too mature. *ahem*

Yeah, I'm totally digging this new found Phone ESP.

So this morning when I saw a name come up on the caller ID that I didn't know, I hesitated. Do I really want to deal with yet another wrong number?

(Some phantom Rodriquez family gives out OUR number to THEIR creditors. Over the last 5 years, I'd guess we've had at least 200 calls from creditors across the nation. Oh, as well a *bonus* call from an impatient attorney. ALL looking for that elusive Rodriquez family. Sometimes, when they've REALLY exhausted their options in tracking down the R. Fam, they start to harass me: not believing me when I say I am not them, don't know them, and don't live with them. Grrr. But I digress...)

Despite my bad experiences with numbers I don't recognize, I answered the phone. I'm wild like that.

"Hello?" I answer in my firm voice, primed and ready to reprimand the poor, uninformed creditor on the other end of the line.

CALLER: "Is this Christin?"

Okay, so that doesn't sound like a wrong number. "Um, yes?"

CALLER: "Well, you don't know me, but..."

I spent the next ten minutes talking to an elderly woman who called me for no other reason than she saw my last name in the phone book. A last name that shares her heritage.

CALLER: "I really love learning about geneology. Can you tell me anything that you know about your last name? It's mine too."

Have you ever heard of anything so sweet? Can't you just see it? A sweet older lady thumbing through the phone directory on a Saturday morning...coming to my last name...timidly picking which one to call (they're aren't many in this area)...and then striking up a conversation with a total stranger just because she knows we have one thing in common.

Oh. my. word. I wanted to hug her.

I told her what I knew, laughed with her, and answered questions about myself. And out of the blue she then said, "I'd just love to meet you guys. I turn 80 soon, and there are a couple of other (my last name) in the area and I'd love to have you guys all come and help me celebrate."

Okay, so my heart melted on the spot. Does this woman not have family? Is she looking for people to help her celebrate the last years of her life? in the phonebook??!! Oh my goodness, I wanted to hug her. Have I mentioned that yet? because I really did. :)

I assured her that we'd be HONORED to help her celebrate. And man, you should have heard her. Her voice got all high as she laughed in delight. :)

And yes, she does have family, I asked. She told me more about herself, sounding completely giddy that the conversation was going so well. She repeatedly said that we'd definitely have to meet...especially being that I have five daughters.

Because really, what person over the age of 50 can resist a posse of little sisters? :)

I do believe I may have just been adopted by a grandmother type. And I couldn't be more thrilled.

Less Stuff. More Peace.

There's something about simplicity that appeals to me.

Simple meals. Laid back time with friends. Sitting on the porch hand-in-hand with my husband, talking as the sun goes down. Meeting someone for coffee (even though I don't drink the stuff) to share the ins and outs of our hearts.

I much prefer the slower things in life; the things that don't require batteries or remote controls or rented party halls.

Don't get me wrong, I love parties, and am actually energized by them. Yet...there's just something so completely "ahhh" about Simple, you know?


These days my love of All Things Simple is translating into our home and the amount of stuff that fills it. (This is where children everywhere run to hide their favorite toy in fear of it mysteriously exiting the house) <--- yeah, so not kidding. ;) The less stuff we have in our house, the more peace there is in our hearts. Or is it just me? We're yet to get our house on the market, held back by details that are fast coming together by my handy-dandy, brilliant husband. But the smaller details...the ones that require a high tolerance for the filthy attic...are ever being readied by yours truly. This is me curtsying, broom in hand.

• the organizing of the toys with a million pieces,
• the cleaning out of the closets and bookcases and storage bins,
• the purging of the unwanted and unneeded,
• and the packing of whatever remains...

Yup, that has been a major part of my day month. Uh-huh, I'm that hip. BUT (and this may only reveal more of my Dorkism) I'm getting some kind of giddy thinking about what "LESS STUFF" will actually mean!!!

Buy lots of land and live in a trailer, you say? Alright! WHERE do I sign up? Seriously, I'm totally game being that I'm so over having a large house filled to the brim with stuff. Stuff that requires me to revolve my life around taking care of it. Ew.

Right now the plan is to rent a honkin' storage unit once we our house on the market. We're doing this for a few reasons (since I know you're going to ask, Dad. haha):

• Some people aren't gifted with the ability to see past people's stuff and we, therefore, want to help them out by removing some of our "unnecessaries".
  
  
• Some little people..*ahem*... aren't capable of keeping our house free from clutter.
  
  
• Some people are better off when they know that all the packing won't have to be accomplished in one panicked swoop, while simultaneously trying to herd cats keep five children under control. Clearly, I'm referring to Jet here. *cough cough*
  

And I have to admit, I'm loving packing up and sending out. Bu-bye.

Over the last year, I've been working like a woman in need of psychological intervention on a mission to rid my house of excess. This is where I insert a BraveHeart Mel Gibson-esk cry of FREEDOM.

It's truly amazing how much stuff you can amass over a few years. But even more amazing is how much that stuff can weigh you down on every level. I'm telling you, Excessive Stuff = Bondage, people! Even if I can get something at a yardsale for $.25, I ask myself if its addition to our home with cost me (in sanity) more than the presumed bargain.

Anyhoo...that's where I am: very over living a life choked by stuff and on a mission to ready our house to sell by organizing every little bitty thing in my home. I hope to find my way out from under this pile soon. But I'm so excited as I know a life of pure SIMPLICITY is within my grasp. *bliss*

Dismembering and other such teachable moments.

Let's set the stage, shall we?

My three youngest are napping. My two oldest and I are snuggled up on the couch reading Proverbs in the Bible.

Now before you go and wax all crazy, thinking that I am the magnanimous mom of obviously superior, never disobedient children. a woman confidently standing at the helm of a 100% peaceful and sparkling house...

(Hark! Is that a halo I see emerging over my daughters' heads? Oh. Nope...it's just the sunlight hitting the flying dustballs in my pigpen living room )

... allow me to lay all my crap bare clarify.

We've not sat down to read the Bible like this for a while now. My days, of as recently, have consisted of conversations like this:

• "If your stuff is not put away in 5 minutes, I'm throwing. it. away. Period"
  
• "Stop putting your fingers in your sister's mouth!"
• "If you complain about doing school work on more time, so help me..."
• "Jet, you have to come home NOW because I'm borderline abusive." (spoken a little tongue-in-cheek. but yeah, only a little) *wry grin*
  

So yeah, don't bother crowning me Mother Superior with the faulty thinking that sometimes comes from reading other people's "perfect-home-moment-snippets"... as I'm most assured the tiara would self-destruct.

Anyhoo... there we were, reading the Proverbs when we came to the concept of wisdom. Trying to explain this deep concept to my girls, I used the example of Solomon...more specifically when he was dealing with the two woman who were fighting over the newborn baby. (1 Kings 3:16-27)

Now I half expected dramatic symphony music to crescendo as I got to the part about how Solomon declared, "Cut the baby in half!"

Totally prepped and ready to have the girls go all emotional with the injustice (and disgusting nature) of it, I was taken wayyyy off guard when my five year old looked up at me and calmly stated:
"I bet they'd both want the head."

Huh. didn't see that one coming. It's never quite like you plan, is it?

Cue curtains abruptly closing. Nix the dim stage mood-lighting. Show's over, people. Because *poof* emotional moment of spiritual teaching gone in an instance as I couldn't contain the laughter.

Where do they come up with this stuff? And should I be worried?

Repeat after me "You have an amazingly adorable family."

See that hat? Clearly, it has magical powers.

You see, normally when we venture out to town, my family gets a lot of looks.

Now, before you go and assume that I'm all paranoid, interpreting every little glance and casual stare as critical judgement on me and the size of my family...allow me to clarify. I'm not.

There now, didn't that two-word confession adequately clear up any paranoia question on your part? :)

Because when I say we get a lot of looks, I mean we get a LOT of looks... accompanied by whispers...accompanied by frowns.

Which, I gotta tell you, always baffles me to no end because it's not like I'm not SMILING right at them!? And it's not like my children are running around like monkeys on crack. They're actually really well-behaved and respectful.

Still. Strangers everywhere look at us like we're unwed teenagers. with a propensity towards mass breeding. :D (though I'm loving that people think we look so young!)

YET

Last weekend, after a dress rehearsal for my two oldest daughters, we all went to town.


Charis and Selah both looked like they'd stepped off the pages of a magazine. (this is the best picture I could get in that freaky stage lighting.)

And let me tell you, miracles happened.

In a span of a couple of hours, we had T.O.N.S of people come up to us and say how they "loved" our children. We had people telling us how they loved watching my husband and me interact, how inspirational it was.

I was stopped in the bathroom and told "What a blessing to watch your family. Your children are so well behaved! I love watching how you and your husband interact with your children...." I can't even remember all that was said.

People passing our princess-packed shopping cart asked us if they could take some of the girls home with them.

I was stopped and told "I really respect you..." They went on to talk about how adorable our family was and how amazing we were as parents. I had to squelch the overwhelming desire to look behind me to see who they were talking to.

I overheard multiple groups of people talk about "What a sweet bunch of cuties" and "Look at that adorable family!" And holy cow!! Hold the phone! What's that look on your face? Are you actually SMILING at us? :)

Seriously, on and on it went. I felt like we were celebs in a small town flea market. I kid you not, it was that monumental of a reaction.

My conclusion? Apparently, ladies and gentlemen, it's ALLLL about accessories because nothing had changed other than the fact that Charis was donning a little beanie. That glorious, little Magical Hat found in a bin at the local GoodWill.

I'm fairly positive if we stuck it atop a snowman, Frosty would suddenly be standing before me yelling "Happy Birthday!"





Thankfully, I'm not easily swayed by the public's opinion of my family. I know people are stupid fickle. I mean look at how they treated Jesus. One day palm branches waving, the next angry fists, right?

But let me tell you, next time we travel to town on a donkey, I"ll so be packing The Magic Hat. One curled lip in our direction and out *pops* the hat with the hypnotic abilities.

...Can't you just see me, frantically fishing through my stuffed diaper bag in attempts to locate the small, white crocheted mass in order to dangle it in front of people's snarling faces as I chant:

"You will think my family is amazing. You will gush over how entirely adorable my troop of girls are. Repeat after me."

The image cracks ME up, if nothing else.

And a little FYI. Jet has since been informed that after the girls tire of The Hat, he will be taking his turn of wearing it.

So if you happen to see a grown man walking around town with a too-small beanie on his head, be nice to him. It's obviously been a rough day.

Blogdom meet Facebook.

If the last few weeks of my life were to be written out Face Book Style, here's what you'd get.


March 14
After two weeks of Macrobiotics (eating), I'm 10 lbs down. This after I hit a plateau where exercise and careful eating were doing jack squat to ward off post-pregnancy lbs.

Ah, sweet bliss. Well..."sweet" only if it comes in to the form of agave, stevia, or brown rice syrup ;)


March 15
Should I be concerned that my 18 month old will routinely eat wax in the form of crayons and candles? Surely there are better things to snack on? Cardboard, dvd containers, hairclips... Oh wait, she gnaws on those too.

March 16
I can't put to words how completely blessed I feel when blog readers send me encouraging emails. Thank you so much, Annie, for yours today!


March 17
Written to my husband on Facebook: "You know you love me. :) (and just in case you forgot...consider this your friendly reminder).

Yeah. my husband doesn't know what he's got. hahahha


March 18
I have officially taken Exhaustion to a whole new level.


March 19
I can now put all three of my littlest girls down (wide awake) for a nap at the same time...and they just lay there until they go to sleep.

Do you hear that? That's me, sighing in sweet relief. Ahh....


March 20
Swarms of mosquitoes? Really?!

March 21
If only rolls on my thighs were considered this cute!!



March 22
I was just informed by my 7yr old that "TODAY is Mating Season."

Consider this your official warning: Animals everywhere may very well be out of control so as to procreate within the next 24 hours.


March 23
I'm continally amazed at how much I love my husband. All I'll say is God is SO faithful.


March 24
I have to admit, I'm feeling VERY spoiled by the Lord right now. Extremely blessed and very very cared for. These last 5 years, He's been leading us step by step to this place. I'm in total awe.


March 25
Hm. What to do when the resident 18 month old thinks that any and all discipline is hilarious? and will subsequently laugh IN YOUR FACE upon implementation of aforementioned correction? *stumped*


March 26
How is it humanly possible to spend all day cleaning only to have it look the exact same way 24 hour later? Do I breed super-humans capable to leap destroy tall buildings in a single bound day?



March 27
After bemoaning the fact that "allllllll" her friends had been losing their teeth for a long time, she FINALLY lost her first tooth. while spending the night at my parent's house... brushing her teeth. :)




March 28
Connecting with an old friend (thanks, Davene) just lifted 15 pounds off my brain. Now...if only I could translate that weight loss to my booty.


March 29
Spring cleaning with five little ones feels somewhat akin to ...Pointless.


March 30
Still can't believe that my baby is already big enough for the exersaucer!


Raquel @3.5 months


March 31
Mid hammer strike, the girls all decided that they wanted to be builders when they grew up.


Until 5 minutes later, when Charis (7) changed her mind and promptly informed us. "Never mind. I don't want a job."

Though they were all thrilled with the end result of their hard work: A cross. ...which they plan on eventually painting. But only when that rare desire to work hits Charis. :)


April 1
Fifteen years ago, a guy friend of mine was preparing the details of how to ask me to marry him. with all my college suitemates present. as an April Fool's Joke.

He got held up at a meeting and it never happened. For some random reason, I wondered today if I would've actually fallen for it (being that it was well known he had a crush...). :)


April 2
The dog that almost was...


Bu-bye, Sasha (our new puppy). She growled and snapped at the girls and me a few times. We're So not keeping a dog that we can't trust 100%, so back to the breeder she goes.

Now to comfort the mass of sobbing girls...

An aside: the breeder said due to the fact that all of her sibling puppies died and she was taken from her mom at an early age, she thinks puppy-girl got used to being the alpha dog.


April 3
For the record, feeding Alana "fun" foods will guarantee 12 hours of her undying friendship.

(Lani with the bribing adult's Shelli's guacamole)

Letting her wear your highly expensive sunglasses may grant you a few more additional hours.

Though proceed with caution, as I cannot insure this to be the case. And you need to take into consideration that she gravitates towards destruction.

*BUT* if you happen to be a blue-eyed, blond haired little boy wanting her friendship...apparently you only need pick her up.



Take note of Raegan in the corner.

She was quietly assuring herself that he'd eventually pick her up too. He never did.

She was still talking about his lack of picking her up the next day. :)


April 4
Uncle Uncle! I give up!

Jet is and will evermore be rendered The Cool Parent. I present to you his creation: Easter Morning Breakfast.

Heart French toast.

He makes the mess and secures the undying love of my daughters. I clean it up and get dishpan hands.

Somehow I get the feeling I have the raw end of the deal, though I just can't put my finger on why. *wry grin*

My beautiful girls, Easter 2010 @ Grandma's.

Selah was sick. Charis looks in pain. Raquel is totally indifferent. And Thing One and Thing Two (A. and R) were clearly working off a sugar high.

No Hallmarkesk moment for us.


April 5
Does it REALLY count as calories if wads...uh, I mean polite bite-sized bits of chocolate are eaten in attempt to ward off stress levels shooting out of control?

Because really, that sounds more like Proactive Health Maintenance to me.

April 6
I hereby acknowledge that hygiene is overrated when dealing with children who refuse to stay clean.

Good thing she wears it well.


April 7
On the upside, Selah has obviously been listening during all of our Healthy Eating discussions. On the downside, I think she may have misunderstood the value of cholesterol.

I present to you her entrepreneurial venture:

Interpretation: "Clack Straw Restaurant" slightly modified from "Cholesterol Restaurant" only because Charis said, "NOO! that's something that's bad for your body!"


April 8
And the headlines read: Slacker Mother finally caves and dyes Easter Eggs with her children.



April 9
Okay, I confess. I bought my children Easter Bunnies that they nev-er knew existed. Clearly, I have issues.

(as in, I ate them)


April 10
About midnight Jet checked on Raegan (3yrs). As she slept that deep breathing kind of sleep, he whispered in her ear "Whose girl?" In her sleep, she immediately whispered: "Daddy's girl."

You should have seen him. He's so past in love with that little girl.


April 11
Take three little girls (3 mo, 18 mo. and 3 yrs) who haven't been breathing, sleeping, or nursing well and multiply it by 6 consecutive nights and you get ---> one morning trip to ER and two exhausted parents.


April 12
Take note. It took five tries before my dominant DNA got tired and gave Jet's a fighting chance. heh heh


She's got her daddy's eyes.


In fact, I just look at her and think "Jet".

This look is so classic of Raquel. She has such a gentle joy. (3.5 mos)


April 13
Please tell me, oh owner of the old house with 10 acres, that you did not just point out the nasty meat stains (circa Civil War) on the attic floor as a real estate selling point!? Honestly?


April 14
Alana fell and hit her head causing her to cry so hard that she passed out. Again. This is the third time that she's passed out when crying.

The first time it happened, I about passed out myself.


April 15
I was just informed that "I don't want to be a parent...because I don't want to be old like you."

Be advised parenting is not for the faint of heart. or those lacking in confidence, humor, or the ability to bite your tongue.


April 16
In case you weren't aware, curling up in the fetal position and loudly crying DOES get your children to stop fighting. Just needed to clear that up.


April 17
After two full weeks of sick children, I now understand why sleep deprivation is an effective form for getting prisoners to "confess". I'm fairly confident I'll say whatever you want me to....if you just ensure I'll get 5 hours of consecutive sleep.


April 18
Just had THE Biggest Scare of my life. (Blog to follow).


April 19
After a month long fiasco, we have finally been cleared for a refinance. Our old mortgage company went bankrupt, selling our mortgage to another company...who was giving us the run-around (to put it nicely) when we requested required information over and over and over again.

So glad to have that behind us. *closure feels so good*


So there you have it. The ins and outs of my day that you didn't necessarily want to know. Uh-huh...You're welcome. ;)