My sweet kiddies

I just had to show off what C did yesterday. He can be so sweet at times. If you can't figure it out, it says "Deer Jesus Help Mommy's towe to feel betr" (For the word FEEL, that is not 3 E's-the first is actually an F and the L is on the next line)

And I can't leave my K girl out. At night when she says prayers, she usually just mumbles "Dear Jesus Amen" Lately she has been putting requests in the middle. For the past few nights it has been "Dear Jesus Toe Mommy better Amen" Too sweet!

My toe

Well, my toe is fixed. The worst part was the needle-actually needles. Two sticks in the top of my toe. But then I watched him dig out the nail and the infection. Once it was numb, I was OK. And it was numb for a long time. They wrapped it in A LOT of gauze and put red tape on top to hold it on. So it looked like a red clown nose on my toe. After the kids went to bed last night, I soaked the gauze off, cleaned it, and Daddy helped me re-wrap it. The numbing was starting to wear off by then, so it was hurting. So before bed I took some pain meds and slept good. Today it doesn't hurt so much as it mildly aches. But I haven't unwrapped it or soaked it or taken a shower. Those are all things that I think are going to make it sore. We shall see. But thanks to all for your prayers. I am just glad it is done and over. No offense to the foot doctor, but I don't want to meet him again.

Great weekend

We had such a great weekend. We actually had an entire Saturday with no plans! But that doesn't mean we didn't get anything done. We worked outside most of Saturday morning getting much needed yard work done. I sprayed some weeds, watched the kids, set up the pool, cut the boys hair, helped clear out some weeds, planted some "Monkey grass." Daddy dug out most of the weeds that were in the front bush bed and trimmed the out-of-control bushes. It seems like I did more than Daddy but I think his was harder work. The kids played in the pool and did sidewalk chalk and rode their bikes some. K was on the little tricycle and it got out of control and she started down the driveway. She started to freak out, but once I caught her she started laughing and wanted to go again. That girl.

During K's nap time, Daddy took C to a local "water park." It's actually just a pool with some really nice features. They were there for about 3 hours or so. It sounds like they had fun. I think C had too much sun on Saturday because Sunday he didn't feel so swell. Daddy ended up staying home with him in the morning. (C actually picked Daddy over me to stay home. Interesting, but my feelings weren't hurt. I thought it was kinda cute)

Sunday night after church we had a Sunday School ice cream social. Since I am the "party planner" for our SS class, I had to set up, buy the ice cream, and tear down. So we missed most of church Sunday night. But we had a good time. There were quite a few people that came and lots of toppings to choose from. That makes it even better. Our ice cream was a nice ending to a nice weekend.

Monday night Daddy had a game (he lost) but the weather was beautiful! It was nice and cool again. I can live with this. It's still cool today. Hopefully fall is on its way. I know college football starts soon. I can't wait!

For those of you who check this on a regular basis, please pray for me tomorrow (Wednesday, August 27). I am going to have my ingrown toenail fixed in the afternoon. Hopefully, it will stop bothering me - forever! I'm only nervous about the needle. :) Daddy said I should take a before-and-after picture of it. I will but don't think I'll post them. It is kinda nasty.

New computer

Daddy's business computer is still not working. Right now it is in the "shop" to be dissected and hopefully fixed. We aren't even sure we can get everything off of it--the biggest thing is his iTunes library. Through all of this we decided that his computer will no longer be used for the Internet and he wanted to get his music off of it too. It will go back to being just a business computer (www.pictureperfectvideo.net)

So he had mentioned buying an external hard-drive for our pictures and his music. We would hook it up to our old laptop. We had talked about next tax return season buying a new laptop anyway--so we went ahead and bought a new one now. Since we got 6 months same as cash-it's like waiting til tax time, right?!?! :)

It is so nice though. It has everything on it: web cam, built in wireless modem, DVD player/burner, bigger and brighter screen, much more memory, much faster, etc. It's so pretty. I've been playing around with, trying to get used to what it has to offer. So far I really like it. The only negative is that it has Microsoft Works--I'm hoping all my documents on my old laptop will transfer to this one without turning into mumbo-jumbo.

By the way for those of you who are wondering, it is a Dell Inspiron 1525. You can check out Dell's website for its details.

On a totally side note, we went to a birthday party last week. It was Daddy's partner's littlest-she turned one. Since they go to a different church, it was nice to see everyone there that we don't see that often. All of their kids are getting big and there are some cute new ones too. And we got to see the new dog which was not so cute. Poor Bruser.

Oh the questions!

Yesterday was C's first day of K5. We did K4 last year-more for me to get in the routine of school than for him. But I think it did him good. He is very smart and gets bored easily. Mental stimulation is very good for him. Right now he is bored with school simply because it is all review. But it is moving faster than K4 did. It will get better. And longer. His first day only took 70 minutes.

But the questions that he has been coming up with lately! Oh my! He is a thinker. Thus the reason school is very good for him. Here are just a few of the questions that I can remember (remember he is just 5):

What does the word revelation mean (the new Third Day CD is called Revelation; that's how he heard the word)
Is God taller than Titan (one of the American Gladiators on the NBC show-he loves that show)
What is our blood for (this was out of the blue on the way to Wal-Mart)
What are goosebumps (he saw them on my arms in church the other night)
Why do astronauts wear suits (he checked out a space book from the library) This then led to a discussion of gravity and why astronauts sleep hanging on a wall

I like the fact that he wants to learn, but sometimes his time and place aren't so good. And why do they have to be so hard?

Here are a few pictures of his first day. The one picture that I didn't get was later in the day when I caught him sitting on his desk. Needless to say, he got a stern talking to and had to watch that subject over. Next time the punishment will be harsher.

Dress-up

My Tuesday "girls" brought some dress up clothes this week. Here is K sporting her new look. Maybe some clothes and shoes would be good Christmas presents this year.

On a side note, the other day K was sitting on the couch yelling "Honey! Honey!" Trying to get Daddy's attention. It was quite funny.

The fair

Can you believe that we went to the State Fair without a camera?! So everything I'm telling you, you will just have to picture it in your head.

We went to the fair on Monday; Daddy always takes off to go with us. We left later than I wanted and then it seemed to take us forever to get there--only because we got breakfast on the way, stopped at the bank, and got gas.

The entire way there K kept asking to see the cows. So we made sure that was our first stop. We saw many animals at the fair--cows, sheep, horses, baby pigs, the world's larges boar. And she wanted to pet them all. And after petting them she would say, "Cow (or whatever it was)cold Mommy."

It was a beautiful day, not too hot. Usually it is almost unbearable for the fair. But not this year. We did eat our fill of yummy food: cheesy beef sticks, funnel cake, milkshake. The kids rode a few rides; their favorite was the super slide. It was a really tall slide with 3 hills. You sit on a grain sack and slide down. C went by himself; Daddy took K once and I took her once. It goes really fast. Their faces were classic.

Most of what we do at the fair is just walk around and enjoy the sights and smells. Yesterday we enjoyed the weather too. At the end of our time, we met our friends and their 3 kids at the dairy barn. We haven't seen the kids in quite some time so it was nice to see them.

Then Monday night Daddy had a softball game--which he won by the 12 run rule. Once again it was nice to sit outside. We stayed for a little of the next game since Green Socks was playing (I think "ia" has been replaced by her boyfriend-Green Socks--sorry "ia")

All in all it was a very nice day, especially since we got to spend it with Daddy. That's always nice.

Our date

This blog is about the date that C and I went on. We finally got to go out Thursday night. But the story starts Wednesday night while putting the kids to bed.

After prayers, I left C's room to put K to bed. When I got back to C's room to tell him good-night, he and Daddy were whispering. When I asked what they were talking about, I was told it was a secret and I would find out on the date.

So now to Thursday night. After dinner we were getting ready to go and Daddy told C to come upstairs with him. I was still left in the dark. We left and I kept trying to find out what the secret was. I was told I would have to wait.

We first went to the library and picked out about 20 books. Then C picked to go to Wendy's to get ice cream. Finally as we were walking up to the door of Wendy's, he told me the secret. He had money and was going to pay for the ice cream. And he did. We ordered and he gave the lady the money and took the change (he thought he got to keep it-sorry bubby). So we sat down to eat. After a few bites, I decided I wanted fries too (I needed something salty with the sweet). So since he was in charge of the money for this date, I made him go up to the counter by himself, order, pay, and bring the fries back. I could see him the whole time (and the guy behind the counter saw me watching him and must have thought it was cute) and he was just a-grinning. It was so cute.

Needless to say, we had a good time. We just sat and talked in Wendy's. It was nice to spend time with just him. I was very proud of him for "paying"

The next day he was telling Papa on the phone that he paid, and Papa told him "Well that's what the guy is supposed to do on a date." And C's answer was "Well that's understanding."

Catch up

It's been a week since I've told what we've done in our "every day life." So I'll play catch-up

Saturday, August 2 C and I went to our wedding. It was very nice. Simple but pretty. Just like the bride. She had a dessert reception, which I think is so cool. Daddy worked on a wedding video that he needs to finish up soon.

Monday night Daddy had 2 games. Instead of fighting with the kids to stay clean, I let them play. Oh my goodness. They were filthy! But they had fun! I was telling a friend that I would probably have them take their clothes off for the ride home--and guess what K started doing. Oh dear. Thankfully I caught her in time. And yes they rode home almost naked. I'm thankful we didn't get pulled over and have to explain that. Needless to say the bathtub had "ring around the collar" when they were done.

Tuesday and Thursday I had 2 of the 3 kids. The older one started K5. But it was still a loud busy day. Tuesday night Daddy and I went to see the Batman movie (see other post). Thursday C and I finally got to go on our date. (see next post)

Friday we were all home and didn't do much but grill out, let the kids play outside, give the kids a bath and watch some of the Olympics. It was nice to be home.

Saturday morning, we took the kids to the park. We got breakfast at McDonald's on the way and ate it at the park. It was so nice out--almost cool. Then we played for about an hour and a half. We had such a good time.




Then once home, the kids played and Daddy tried to fix his computer (pray he can get it fixed). Daddy had another wedding that he taped Saturday. He left around 3 pm and didn't get back until almost 1 am! He was tired and his feet hurt.

Today we had church and got Hungry Howie's pizza for lunch-YUM. We did find out today at church that our Preacher has a blog--which is so funny cuz he usually is against "technology" You can check it out at http://www.pastormonte.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow we are going to the fair. Yummy fair food. And the kids want to see the cows. Should be fun!

Funny news stories

Story 1:
A New York man who pleaded guilty to murder in Oregon in exchange for buckets of fried chicken will get calzones and pizza to go with his life sentence. Tremayne Durham, 33, of New York City, admitted last month that he fatally shot Adam Calbreath, 39, of Gresham, in June 2006. Durham wanted to sell ice cream and ordered an $18,000 truck from an Oregon company. He later changed his mind, but the company wouldn't provide a refund. The would-be ice cream man came to Oregon and killed Calbreath, a former employee of the company, while looking for its owner, authorities said. Durham agreed to plead guilty to murder — but only if he could get a break from jail food. The judge agreed and granted Durham a feast of KFC chicken, Popeye's chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, carrot cake and ice cream. After Wednesday's sentencing, Durham was to get the rest of the deal — calzones, lasagna, pizza and ice cream, his defense attorney confirmed. They will pay the tab. Durham also got married Wednesday in a civil ceremony at the Portland courthouse. The wedding to Vanessa Davis, 48, also of New York City, was not part of the plea deal that will give Durham a chance for parole after 30 years. Deputy District Attorney Josh Lamborn said Multnomah County Judge Eric Bergstrom made the right call in allowing the unusual plea agreement because it saved the expense of a trial and possible appeals.

Story 2:
A 6-foot-tall, 250-pound letter carrier is campaigning for the right to take off his pants. Dean Peterson wants the U.S. Postal Service to add kilts as a uniform option for men. The idea was soundly defeated in July at a convention of his union, the 220,000-member National Letter Carriers' Association, so Peterson knows convincing management will be an uphill struggle, but at least he'll be comfortable in his kilt, or Male Unbifurcated Garment. "In one word, it's comfort," he said. With his build, Peterson said, his thighs fill slacks to capacity, causing chafing and scarring. Peterson, 48, has Finnish and Norwegian ancestry but not Scottish. He began wearing kilts a couple years ago when his wife brought one back from a trip to Scotland. (A spokeswoman for Britain's Royal Mail said kilts are not allowed as part of its letter carrier uniforms.) Now Peterson wears them everywhere — to one son's football games, the other son's concerts, shopping and gardening. "It's the difference between wearing jammies to bed and wearing your work clothes to bed," he said. Before the convention in Boston, Peterson spent his family's $1,800 economic stimulus tax rebate to mail about 1,000 letters and photographs of him wearing a prototype Postal Service kilt to union branches in every state, Guam and Puerto Rico.
"Unbifurcated Garments are far more comfortable and suitable to male anatomy than trousers or shorts because they don't confine the legs or cramp the male genitals the way that trousers or shorts do," he wrote. "Please open your hearts — and inseams — for an option in mail carrier comfort!" The union's executive committee recommended disapproval, saying there was not enough demand for kilts to be worth the bother of the resolution, and delegates agreed by a large margin. But Peterson said there are plenty of approved uniform items that very few mail carriers wear, including a cardigan sweater, vest and pith helmet. He said many convention delegates did express support after his resolution was voted down. "I got so pumped up after being at such a low that I'm taking this to the next convention in 2010 in Anaheim, Calif.," he said.

These were actual stories on YahooNews. Seriously????

Movie reviews

Daddy and I went to see the new Batman movie last night. According to Daddy it was very good. According to me it was OK. It was a good movie-the special effects and the acting were all very good. The story plot is what got me. It was very sinister. The good guy really didn't win in the end. (I won't spoil it for those of you that haven't seen it) I really like Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne. I think he does a good job. And I really like Lucius Fox and Alfred-people that work for Bruce Wayne. Would I see it again? Maybe. Not in the theater though (I can't believe how expensive tickets are!!!) Probably once it came out on video I would watch it again.

C and I watched Akeelah and the Bee yesterday. I really liked the movie. It's about a black girl from a lower section of town and a crummy school that goes onto the National Spelling Bee. Some of the words she spelled were amazing. It was a good--feel good movie. C was fascinated that there were such things as spelling bees. Next time it comes on ESPN we will have to watch it.

I started watching Charlotte's Web the other day (the one with Dakota Fanning). C was watching it with me, but I think he got bored. I haven't finished it but so far I really like it. So far it's stayed true to the book and I think that's why I like it. I loved that book growing up. Maybe once C reads it (or I read it to him)-he might appreciate the movie more.

I also found out yesterday when the next James Bond movie comes out. November 7. Those are Daddy's favorites. I know we will be going to see that one in the theater. You can watch the trailer on-line at www.007.com Looks pretty good. I never thought there could be a better James Bond than Pierce Brosnan but I like Daniel Craig.

The week in review

It has been a normal week around here. It's been nice to get back into a routine. I am a very routine-type person. I think my children are too.

Daddy didn't win his game Monday night but they did very well. They were winning most of the game. Green socks team beat us. It was hot and muggy but at least my kids didn't have to get a bath when they got home. Amazingly, they sat and didn't get dirty (they were threatened before we left).

Tuesday I had my 5 kids again. This may be the last time that there will be 5. Their oldest will be going to K5 soon. It was a typical loud, busy Tuesday.

But Tuesday night was wonderful. Daddy had gotten 3 free massages from his gym when he renewed his membership. And he gave them to me! I went for the first one Tuesday night. I'm hooked. I've never had one before. It was a 60 minute full body massage. It was so relaxing. It was really nice. I felt so good when I left. I felt "lighter"--that's the best way to describe it. I'm already looking forward to my next one.

Wednesday the kids and I did errands. We finally returned our old DVR that we had trouble with. When we hooked up the new one, we found out we have 150 hours to record instead of the old 100. Kinda nice. We got to eat lunch with Daddy too. That's always nice.

Thursday we were here, trying to get stuff done around the house. I got some done, but not as much as I had wanted. Isn't that always the case? I also took a meal to the family across the street. The mom had surgery on Wednesday, so I wanted to help out. Funny story about breakfast Thursday morning. I had decided to have frosted shredded mini-wheats. As usual, K didn't eat much or very well at breakfast. So when she came begging for a bite of mine, I gave her one. About 10 minutes later she still had it in her mouth. I'm guessing she didn't like it. So I told her to eat it and then she would be done and wouldn't have to eat any more. Next thing I know, she's saying, "Mommy, m'ere." She pulled me in the living room and showed me where she had spit it out onto the couch and covered it up with a pillow. It was like the kid that tried to hide his peas under the cushion on his kitchen chair. But the funniest thing was that she showed it to me! That's my K girl.

Last night for dessert I decided to make Rice Krispie Treats. It became a family affair. C wanted to help so of course K wanted to help. So I asked Daddy to stand with her since the kids were standing on chairs and the stove top was on. So C stirred the butter to help it melt and K tossed the marshmallows in the pot. I made a regular batch but put it in an 8x8 pan so they were extra thick. We let them cool-but not long enough-before we ate them. So they were still really sticky. It was kinda funny. K wouldn't have anything to do with them. It was a fun family time.

Today I am watching another friend's little girl. She's almost 1 and a chunk. Her brother (older) is having some kind of out-patient minor surgery. She's a good girl and my kids like to play with her. I also want to finish cleaning and get my "leftovers" from yesterday done.

For those of you who knew, I was to take C out for a "date" last night. We were going to go to the library and get ice cream. I've done this once before and we has so much fun! He and I need that time, cuz he and I but heads so much. It does us good to spend time together. But----he was warned more than once yesterday not to run in the house. On the "last straw" I told him that if he disobeyed again the result would be no date. Well--you guessed it--not 5 minutes later he went running to the other room. I was crushed! Do I pretend I didn't see it, so we could still go out? I did the right thing, and we didn't go out last night. He was crushed too. Maybe he will learn. We've rescheduled it for next week and we will see how he does.

This weekend we don't have much planned except a wedding that C and I are going to tomorrow afternoon. Other than that, the grass needs mowed and we are going to make Monkey Bread for breakfast tomorrow! YUM.