Houseful o Harpers

It is fixed!

2012-01-19T10:02:00.003-06:00

I cannot believe after MONTHS of not being able to get on blogger, I have finally managed to fix all the problems and get back on. It all came back to when we changed internet providers and snowballed from there!
This photo became our Christmas card for 2011. The main reason why is because it so aptly captured the personality of our kids. I took this in Springfield, MO when I was picking up Kat for Christmas break at a friend's house. Chances are we won't be going that way again since she now owns her own car and can drive back and forth from school. Thankfully also, she has a daddy who is a pilot and can escort her and fly back.
This past month has been filled with trials in tribulations, which I will not go into at the present moment because I have already wasted too many hours already on this computer and I fear I've lost the children's motivation to be productive today. So, be assured this blog will be updated and hopefully pictures added so everyone can catch up in the busy lives of the Mississippi Harpers!
Love,
Kris

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:48:00.004-05:00

Last year I got zilch, zero, squat for Mother's Day; or at least from anyone but me! No one wished me a "happy mother's day" except for Rebecca, my artist, who made me a card. So they all knew they had to do something BIG this year! And thus, my garden is born...

Stephen and I found this fountain on sale at Lowes and an inspiration for the "bare spot behind the garage" finally emerged. Keep in mind we've been here four years and I had not the foggiest idea what to do with that space. We'd yanked out an overgrown cherry tree three years before and left a big weed overgrown space for years. My neighbor blessed us a we

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ek or so ago by bringing her kids over and hosting a weed pulling party in my front yard. But now I had to put something in its place! That is where the fountain and a hundred dollars in plants and topsoil came in....
BEAUTIFUL!

Proof that babies snore

2011-04-09T18:16:00.003-05:00

I recently had to undergo a radical hysterectomy and surgical repair of damaged tissue and muscle when I got home 48 hrs later, Veronica had a 102 fever and really didn't want to do anything, but lay in bed with me...here she is in her favorite position, snoring away. By the way, I am now a little over five weeks post op and I feel really good. I started back to the gym this week and I've been able to do more and more every day.

A Lesson in Humility

2011-03-15T18:49:00.003-05:00

Humility is an important virtue, not humiliation. Many people confuse the two. Humility means to put others first and yourself last. True humility comes from realizing God's greatness and allowing His greatness to shine thru our weaknesses.
Children are a great example of forcing us into humility. Just when you think you have something down pat, they prove that there was something you never considered; therefore, you don't know as much as you think you did. You'd think after seven kids I WOULD know a lot about raising kids and life in general, but the more I have the more I realize I don't know!
Recent events have taught me much in the way of humility. Being at the mercy of others for my care, nutrition, health and *sanity* have been very good for showing me what control I've exhibited over others for so long that lines blurred and how much pride was exhibited in having said control. This has created a whole new dynamic between myself and my husband, as well as the kids and their dad. It is amazing what happens when mom doesn't butt into and run everything in the home! On another note, I don't think my house has ever been messier! Kids just don't have the same qualification on "clean" that mom does ;)

One, Singular Sensation, every little move she makes...

2011-01-19T21:53:00.008-06:00

Veronica is 18 months old. In her short life, she has kept all of us busy. She is the only one to have 1) broken a bone; 2) swim in the toilet whenever she gets the chance; 3) put away silverware quite ingeniously (I will have to shoot a video tomorrow so I will have it to jog my memory when I am in the old folks home); 4) ride in an ambulance; and finally 5) have to stay the night in a hospital...oh wait, Katherine was born in the hospital, so she did stay two nights in the hospital because that was before they kicked everyone out at 24 hours...military hospital = 3 days!

Her most recent escapade had us all in stitches. In one of her "empty the cupboard" moments, she found a potty chair and began to cart it around. She then turned it into a game of peek-a-boo. Til the bowl got away from her! Thankfully it had been cleaned and put away after its last user was done with it...umm but Kimberly used it in a much different way!

I just wish we could figure out how to keep her out of trouble without leaving marks....I think they really discourage parents from using ropes to tie their children down!

Oh, and if any of you are wondering why I complain about this child so much....these smiles are for the camera. This is the most disagreeable, unhappy child I've ever known, well, except my friend Kim. We were due very close, but Dominic couldn't wait and came early. He, too, is a very cross and unhappy baby. Maybe it is just a July baby thing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

2011-01-03T19:08:00.007-06:00

We drove to Texarkana on Friday, so we could attend the Koebel-Stewart wedding on the 1st in Bossier City. Amid threatening tornadoes and horrendous storms, we set out hoping to head it off before it hit, too badly. We had nothing to worry about....I've seen and drove through much worse!
Little did I know, the most challenging part of my weekend, was yet to come. I go to check in and the desk clerk informed me that some woman just came in looking for me-by name?! I hadn't told anyone we were coming as our family health has been a little unstable and I didn't know if we'd even be going until the last minute. When we left, everyone was doing fine, except I wasn't feeling well, but I figured I'd gut it out. Anyway, the strangest thing was "she" apparently said that she needed to catch up to me since I had her kids?! Weird.
We then go into the elevator...Stephen let V walk in...she promptly went over and pressed the emergency call button! Ugh! I had to run back to the front desk clerk and have her cancel it as I couldn't cancel it in the elevator. I got "the look."

Our room was cheaper than anything in Shreve/Bossier and much nicer. Clean, two queen beds and a pull out couch, with a kitchenette and big bathroom...we were in heaven! Kat and Paul weren't there as work filled their schedules, but the rest of us got a nice dinner @ Applebees and two hotel rooms--yes, I said two, because we had to switch at 9pm when Kimberly 'accidentally' locked the bathroom door and no one knew how to unlock it. After all the excitement, I decided that letting them stay up to ring in the new year wouldn't be all that bad, so we settled in our beds and turned on an old Twilight Zone....mom would have been so proud! When that was over, I noticed Kim & V were sound asleep, on me-and they were feverish (great!). The kids soon realized that going from 2010 11:59 to 2011 12:00 wasn't the big deal that they thought it would be and everyone said goodnight and fell fast asleep, except for the youngest two who woke up to their second wind right as the others dozed off....ahhhh, the life of mom.
The next day went smoother and we were off by 10...in plenty of time to reconnect with old friends for lunch and hit the church in time for the wedding. Grace was beautiful and revisiting with the bride's family and also the Grete's was the icing to our cake! I was so glad we'd made the effort and the kids, while a little bored as they didn't remember everyone (we did move three and a half years ago) had a good time.
Now, for the next wedding on the 8th, we're hiring a sitter, so I can actually enjoy the wedding!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T09:27:00.010-06:00

I love Christmas, but this year it has really been a struggle. It has been one illness (setback) after another. The day after Thanksgiving, Veronica developed croup & coughed and cried her way through the next several days (first dr. visit, Prednisone to help her breathe). Within a few more days the kids each fell to strep throat and after a week of my natural cure-all they weren't any better and Lauren's pustules in the back of her throat appeared to be filled with blood and she looked absolutely horrible. So back to the doctor we went! After arguing with the doctor that the kids HAD strep (he doubted my diagnosis until the swab came back positive), I left with two prescriptions for Augmentin. Calling the pharmacy a few days later I said I needed more and they refilled it...for the third child (unbeknowst) to them. Three days later, Kimmy appeared at breakfast a bit spotted...looked like prickly heat. Thinking it was scarlet fever we returned to the doctor, who doubted my diagnosis as she never had a high fever, but was perplexed as to what it could be...by the next day we knew it was an allergic reaction when she had some difficulty breathing and was covered from head to toe with huge hives (the tiny spts gathered together in the night to gang up on her). I called the doc immediately and they wanted her to finish the baby's Prednisone, take Benadryl by the handfuls and then called in more Prednisone...she was on that for five days. 24 hours later the first child began to feel sick. A violent stomach virus invaded our home and kept us captive for the next several days. Thankfully each of us only had it maximum nine hours, but it was hard! Two of the kids broke blood vessels in their faces...yes, they'd thrown up that hard! Paul came home and got it...then a friend came to play a week later; he got it within 12 hours. Friends came to help out after Veronica got into the medicine cabinet and we were transported by ambulance from the ER to the children's hospital and had to stay a fitful night of monitoring...those friends got sick! I feel like putting a quarantine sign up on the front door! Amidst this, Advent passed quickly and quietly. Before we knew it, it was just a few days from Christmas and we'd done little to no preparation.

I quickly sounded the troops and we got a tree (sadly without the whole family, but daddy was sick, Kat was working and well, it just didn't work out for us this year). Thankfully I'd done my shopping quite early this year, so that was almost all done. But baking would have to be content to wait a year. We did a few things, but not nearly what I usually did!

We still managed to pull off Christmas successfully! The kids had a blast and we got to enjoy family and friends over the holiday! We missed those who are far away from us, but know that the coming year will be full of excitement with two friends daughters getting married, Katherine graduating and entering college next fall, Megan getting a driving permit (heaven help us) and continuing to compete in swimming. Stephen has his calendar filled with scouting events and Veronica has us all running around trying to keep up with her (and keep her safe). Hope everyone has a joy filled Holy-day!

no pics?

2010-11-27T03:09:00.003-06:00

Okay, some of you may be wondering 'why no pictures?' Well, there is a very good reason for that. I have seven kids and a few have cameras...my memory cards keep disappearing and for some reason, my camera has become strangely attached to those things. Other reason is my card reader that I used to have for the computer was dropped into the toilet one day, then rolled over by the office chair the next, so that isn't working. Finally, Paul is a computer hog. He bought me a laptop two years ago so I could sit with the kids while homeschooling and use it as a teaching tool, as well as keep up with the gradebook better...I wouldn't be hidden away in an office for hours grading papers and entering grades while the kids ran amok. IN THEORY, this all seemed like utopia, right? What really happened is Paul decided he needed to "borrow" the laptop to take with him on the road (or air if you want to be technical about it) and I've barely seen it since. It is always strangely attached to his lap. On those rare moments when I do get to steal on for a bit, you will know because there is actually a lot more activity on fb and there were pictures because I could use the card reader in the lapbook.
About a month ago we had a storm of monsoon proportions...it happened to catch him right as he was exiting his car to walk to the terminal for work. His computer got soaked (as he did). It took several days to dry out, but it still works-just not well. I'm assuming now that Paul has finally purchased a new "netbook," that he will lovingly bestow, umm return, the crappy lapbook back to me...we'll see.

To trust in His love and Mercy. God is good; all the time.

2010-09-27T19:34:00.005-05:00

Been fighting off tears all day. A friend of mine, not anyone that one might call "best" in a childlike sense of the word, but one whom I "connected with" instantly is moving in three weeks. Not anywhere close, either...from Tennessee to Alaska-It will be quite an adventure for their entire family...all 14 of them! Yes that is right, 14. They have 12 children with no sign of slowing down ;) I admire their dedication and obedience to God and all His gifts! In my weak moments, in those moments when I don't think I can stand being in the same house with my kids or husband, Kim has always told me what I needed to hear. Sometimes it is just, "I know, I've been there and other times she has a kernel of wisdom that only comes from years of similar struggles. She is younger than me, but with more children than me, her loss of patience, frustration and tears probably outnumber mine. Kim isn't someone I get to talk to often or see that often, but like that old pair of shoes in the back of the closet, you take them out and put them on every now and again because they are comfortable and good for your spirit. Kim, if you are reading this, I don't consider you like an old pair of sneakers because you are smelly, dirty and stained, although I have seen you postpartum, lol! I will miss Kim because those moments will be gone. I probably should have been a better friend, but well, too late for that....
Another friend was in for her yearly MRI of her brain. She has a history of a brain tumor and actually had one removed 15+ years ago, but nothing had really developed or changed since then, until now. Lorrie is my neighbor and truly like that loving, picking on, chiding sister way. She smokes, I drink and we sit outside letting mosquitos eat us up while we share our frustrations, joys and of course laughter, lots of laughter. Our kids almost always get along, our husbands get along, and they live close by, which all makes for a convenient friendship. Sometimes I feel like we are both fumbling around in the dark for the lightswitch to illuminate our busy lives. They have four children and she works full time on the weekends...and by that I mean two 12 hour shifts. Tomorrow she is seeing a research doctor regarding this new MRI. After that she is seeing another specialist who does a gamma knife. Right now she knows not what her fate is and she is very concerned, as well all are. I went by to see her today, shared a glass of wine and thought, "what would Todd & the kids do without her?" I don't like to go there. I don't verbalize it and I know her computer is broken, so she won't be reading this anytime soon. But, the worry, stress and pain that she is going thru is immense. She keeps saying, "I trust in God, I trust in God..." and funny enough that seems to be my issues with God as well (must be the control freak in me). Pray for Lorrie, pray for their family; pray that the multiple meningiomas stop growing, that they aren't cancerous and can be operated on, pray for healing.
Pray also for my friend Kim and her family as they embark on a cleansing and trust in God in an entirely different way. They are moving to AK in the hopes of a better future for the family, without a thing to weigh them down, except what can be stuffed in a suitcase. This must be freeing in some ways, but scary in others and I pray for God's will in all things. Amen.

September brings change....

2010-09-12T08:44:00.005-05:00

Well, today I am feeling a bit "writerish" so I figured I'd do a monthly update...stop laughing, I really am! We'll see how long this lasts before I am interupted by a small child getting into something they shouldn't. I can't put in pics because my "thingy" stopped working and the laptop is on its way to Omaha with Paul (which is how I usually get the pics in the computer).
Veronica reminds me a lot of Katie when she was this age. Into everything and climbing! We go to Church and she is trying to wriggle out of arms and over pews; balancing on the sides and backs of chairs in the cry room. Climbing onto the dining room table, back of the couch, piano and even onto kitchen counters. Difference being, she doesn't necessarily WANT something, but does it just to do it. The sense of accomplishment is written all over her face! Due to this fact, last night I poured over toddler climbing/sliding/playsets and finally decided on one that I think would be just the thing..should be here by the end of the month. I've given up on Paul ever building the big kids the outdoor playset they've been begging for ever since we moved here three years ago...maybe Christmas will bring them a substitute...still contemplating my rebellion.
Kimberly, ah, Kimberly...Paul and I decided that if her personality could have been infused in all the kids, we would have 15 by now! She is the most easy going, obedient, loving child in the house. Easily corrected and easily disciplined...she makes my life so much happier (most of the time). She is learning to write and is working on phonics. She already knows colors, basic shapes and can identify value and write her name...she's been a willing and eager student.
Lauren. Lauren celebrated her birthday the end of August. The big 9 year old is just as distractible, if not more, than Megan. She also is an eager student, but half the time can't remember WHAT she is doing from one moment to the next. I had her a stack of clothes to put away and 10 minutes later I go up to find out where she went. Clothes will have dropped from the pile until the pile is gone, 2 ft from her room and she will be laying in her room reading a book or playing Littlest Pet Shops with Kimberly...totally forgetting about the clean clothes that were to have made it to the dresser drawers. Even her friend's main complaint is that all Lauren likes to do is play piano and read...really? I have no problem with that aspect of her personality!
Stephen has hit a speedbump in life. He is now a sloven, lazy mess. He used to be the neatest child. Always, always had a clean room...not anymore! I think if he has his way, he'd have one outfit AND THAT IS IT! Cuts down on laundry thought, right? He rushes through his schoolwork to get it done for the week, then sits back and reads...drives me batty! When I try to come up with more work for him, he totally rebels and says that he doesn't have to do it. (I mean this boy will be in hysterics just trying to avoid doing anything more than what is necessary). He is already my height and his feet appear bigger than mine...and he's only 11...can't wait to see what the next year brings!
Rebecca has become a social outcast. She remind me a lot of Audrey Hepburn...artsy, quiet, shy. She prefers to isolate herself from everyone else...except occasionally coming out of her shell (when forced) to engage in social activities or pal around with her friends or sisters. She is excellent with young children and will make an excellent babysitter!
Megan turned 15 in June and is finally starting to learn some skills to overcome her ADD from a clinical psychologist. I kinda lost all hope for that child and we sought out help in order to deal with some issues (gorey details aside, I'll just leave it at that). Every family has their struggles, some are transparent and out there in the open for everyone to "see," others' struggles are hidden, behind closed doors and you never know about them, until something happens to throw the door open to the public....I learned that years ago. Some of us live our lives looking up to families we see as "perfect" and "wish we could have kids like that," and I've learned that things aren't always what they appear and I pray daily for friends and families and their own personal daily struggles.
Anyway, back to kids, Katherine turned 17...I still can't believe it! 17! She passed her drivers test in July and Paul and I are wondering how we made it until now! It has been such a help to us! She can drive and go out on a shopping errand, drive kids to school, allergy shots, etc. A week before school started, she also decided to home school her senior year. The public high school was messing with her schedule and we tried since May to meet with her counselor to try to get an appropriate schedule set up...they never returned our calls at first, then wouldn't meet with us, then Katherine finally got them on the phone and they said to wait until classes start! Ugh! It was so frustrating because at the time we were trying to get her into the local community college and needed to set up her schedule so we could schedule her college classes. Paul finally just let slip, "why doesn't she just homeschool?" Kat heard that and did her research to figure out if it would mess her up or not and approached us...a week before school was to start, she approached us with her "proposal" and well, we consented.
The oldest five are attending a la carte classes from Lighthouse. Kat is getting Physics, Trig/Pre-Calculus, Macro/Microeconomics and her 4th year of English & Lit. Her classes are TOUGH, so we decided against the college coursework for now. She is about 90% sure she wants to attend Benedictine next fall, but Paul and I are making her look at a few other colleges, just in case. The others are taking a variety of courses like science, writing/grammar and Megan and Stephen are both in Destination Imagination, which may bankrupt us in the end,but is inspiring them to "turn their brains on!"
Okay, the kids received a VHS player from grandma on her last visit...followed by a bunch of videos and the kids have rediscovered our videos that have been packed up and "Veggie Tales" is distracting me, so the words are not coming as freely as before. Have a blessed day!!!

summer has gone so quickly!

2010-08-21T13:56:00.004-05:00

Wow! I cannot believe so many months have just flown by! I'd had totally forgotten about my blog until scrolling down through facebook and noticed it's link right under my kids names...realization hit! I have failed to document some really interesting stuff about our family!!! So let's see if I can remember it all.

Let's see, I think I'll go down by person and not be month.
Paul worked almost constantly in May, until the Air Force decided they'd run out of money to pay him for all his hard work. I think it is now the end of August and they still haven't paid him for one or two weeks he did the end of May. All through the summer he seems to have been home more...which is good and bad. We love seeing him, hate his self denial of laziness that is thrust upon the rest of us. No sooner had I announced we were done with school for the summer, than he had the entire second story (minus the bedrooms and office) cleared! Ceilings were scraped, light fixtures and carpet removed, filling of cracks, scrapes and holes and then the sanding, priming and painting! After all of that, new carpet and light fixtures...oh, and I had to replace the bottom stair step as we expanded its size. I love the new classroom/den, but oh, vey I need another break!
I finally sought out drs for various ailments over the summer. Found out 1) My plantar faciitis is better, however due to compensating on how I walk/run, I now have tendonitis and feel like the top of my foot is being severed slowly and painfully...solution: I get to wear a foot brace as much as possible to protect the tendons and allow for healing. Pain still there, but at least it is better. 2) Nothing wrong with my heart that isn't related to hormone fluctuations; i.e. nothing to be done about it and 3) The location of my fibroid tumors are creating some discomfort and physical/medical problems and will probably need to be dealt with in the next six months. But on another note, school is going very well for all the kids this year.
Katherine decided rather last minute that homeschooling is what she'd prefer for her senior year. Although I had my doubts, thus far (3 weeks in) it is proving to be the best decision we've made in a long time. She is TONS happier and loves being challenged and being around homeschool kids. We had a surprise birthday for her and she was truly overwhelmed with emotion and well, *we got her good!*
Megan is enjoying school as well. Some other stuff is going on with her right now, but hopefully life will get better/easier/more enjoyable in a few months.
Rebecca, well, actually Rebecca, Stephen, and Lauren are all doing well at the 'new' school. I like this 'a la carte' type of school, where you pick and choose what you want to take and then you are free to home school what you want for the other subjects. Teaching Textbooks has been wonderful for the kids and they love doing their lessons and listening to lectures on the computer.
Kimberly is now home with mom (well, and Veronica) on Tuesdays! She is loving having some one on one time with me and few distractions since V naps for several hours during our time together. Preschool has been very easy for her. I guess that is what happens when you have older siblings!
We are all enjoying the new "clean" upstairs! V seems to have the only problem. Kat fell down the stairs with her on her hip about two months ago. Breaking V's leg bones at the ankle. She was in a hip cast for three weeks and then a smaller cast for another three weeks as the boot they went to put her in was too big. Now she is back to her normal self and climbing and getting into all kinds of trouble.
The end of summer means back to normal, and for one I am thankful!

Discovery and Diagnosis

2010-05-15T10:01:00.006-05:00

Veronica is ten months old and growing like a weed...mainly "out," but busy as ever--running, not walking and eating anything she can get her hands on--whether edible or not!

Kimberly is finally dry all night and no longer in pull-ups! Those things cost a small fortune so that is going to save us a ton. She is wanting to learn "preschool" and is working with me and Rebecca to complete a preschool workbook. She is the most diligent child I have and constantly wants to clean her room or complete various chores around the house, so she can have Wii time or computer time. She's also picked up her older sister's singing talent.

Stephen will be presently making his final bridge to Boy Scouts...that ceremony is tonight, so I'll post pics of that later. I honestly don't know who is more excited...Paul or Stephen. Paul is living vicariously through his son, everything he ever wanted to do....at least it is a short list. Stephen and Rebecca are basically done with their homeschooling, except for their standardized tests Monday. Stephen & Rebecca had birthdays, but I didn't get any pics of Becca's due to no camera...here are two of Stephen's. He actually will be celebrating his birthday next weekend with a party.

Katie is in Chicago for her choir trip this year. I think they have one performance tonight and then various activities planned. Mrs. Norris sure knows how to keep her students busy...therefore out of trouble! They are a good group of kids though and I know Katie will surely miss it next year. Her senior year she decided to just take three classes and get off at lunchtime so hopefully she can get a job or do some dual-enrollment. She has been so busy lately that her head is swimming! She took her ACT and got a 31. She is trying to decide if she wants to take it again and this time actually study for it. Although I have reminded her that 31 out of 36 ain't bad and is good enough for scholarships and any school she wants to go to. Her top interests right now (I think) are Benedictine, Belmont Abbey, Franciscan University and Creighton University. She wants to combine Computer Science with Science and these all looked promising to her. I think Belmont Abbey actually even had Biotechnology as a major. She has yet to visit three of the four schools, so no final decisions have been made. She also had her first boyfriend this year, but the relationship turned out to be more platonic than romantic and ended well. They are actually good friends...actually his whole family is good friends of ours so thankfully nothing went sour. I think this was a major stress for his parents, as much as it was for us! She also took a driver's ed class to help her get over her fear of driving....it didn't work, but we've been working on that more and hopefully she'll be ready in the next few weeks to get her license.
Paul has been working a lot in Nebraska and has kept him out of pocket quite a bit. The neighbors are all so sweet to look out for us. This stress is probably what has contributed to my recent medical issues. A friend has been praising Dr. Daniel's abilities as a doctor for a year now and I'd been pretty much putting off going to the doctor after my last bout with a podiatrist turned out to be a painful mistake. Anyway, I'd packed on about 15lbs due to the fact that my stomach was hurting ALL THE TIME. The only time I had relief was when it was full...so I kept munching all day long...Joined Weight Watchers and lost 10 lbs, but then it stopped and my stomach pain got worse, so I finally decided it was time to go to the doctor. He is a personable smart man and immediately requested my medical records from my cardiologist and set me up with a gastroenterologist. The gastro dr. wanted to do an EGD...long story short, the final dx was Celiac Disease, which wasn't what I expected. I also have a mild hiatal hernia, which explains the difficulty eating solids when pregnant (it worsens with lack of space) and problems swallowing at times (food often gets stuck and I have to throw up to get some relief). Basically CD is an inherited autoimmune disease that is triggered by stress or childbirth (gee, do you think I qualify?). I cannot tolerate wheat, rye, barley or oats. This answered a lot of questions for us and I was somewhat relieved with the dx. Paul was thrilled that there is finally an answer and has been extremely helpful and supportive. My diet has changed dramatically and I am dropping weight again. Although I cheated and had some of Stephen's birthday cookie cake...took me two days to feel well again! CD is not a diet you can cheat on! It is a learning process, but eating Gluten free is helping me to feel tons better! After almost two weeks, my premature "age spots" on my hands are decreasing & getting lighter, my arthritis is tons better, my depressive mood is definitely lifting, I am sleeping better, and my abdominal pain & swelling is gone. Things that I had no idea were related are! The kids were sweet and for Mother's day made me gluten free cupcakes...they don't want to eat *my* food, but they will make it for me! Well, my morning is getting away from me so I'd better cut this short.

April update

2010-04-18T03:40:00.003-05:00

Spring has sprung and with it POLLEN! I can usually make it about two weeks when it begins to warm up and then allergies go through the roof! We are all sneezing and red eyed over here. We are winding down with school and the kids have spring fever. Kat is gearing up for her AP exam in two weeks. She took her ACT on the 10th and received notification of successfully making "National Merit Scholar's" first cut. Her life is spinning away from us far too quickly. Funny how I wanted her to "hurry up and grow up" because she drove me batty as a young one, but now I want to hold on and she is so ready to move up and on with her life. Thankfully I think we are still good friends and that she talks to me just about everything. Don't get me wrong, I'm still "the mom," but I'm a friend as well...kinda like the relationship I had with my mom as a teen...although at that time I never appreciated it and fought her a lot more than Kat fights me. She'll be 17 in August and hoping to graduate early in order to get on to college. We'll keep you posted on how that goes.
We are starting to understand Megan's learning disabilites farrrrrr toooo late! You'd think the amount of time that Megan has had in school, that someone, anyone who is more experienced with MANY children and MANY disabilities/backgrounds would have caught it. This is one child I feel a lot of guilt over. I cuddled and loved her so much when she was a baby and then she hit 2 and she changed and became the biggest challenge...yes, bigger than Kat. I honestly didn't know how to handle her and it left me a little numb after a bit. I know she CAN be successful, but I'm not sure she wants to. A few of my kids seem to lack the drive, motivation, the "umpf" to do schoolwork, chores, anything really. They'd much prefer to read, play the wii or on the computer. We'd started Dave Ramsey's kids program and they were doing so well until greed and envy kicked in and I had to stop it. We might restart it with some new ground rules as soon as I can stop single parenting!
Rebecca continues to be the artsy fartsy one in the family..always drawing, creating and now add to that cooking. I will have to spend some time with her preparing meals, not just cookies! Rebecca just turned 13 and has hormones now....wow three teen girls....not a happy place for about a week out of each month...maybe that is why Paul is working out of town so much these days?!
Stephen is bridging over to Boy Scouts in a month. Paul is so proud....he is living vicariously through his son and it is working well for both of them at this point. He really enjoys his friends and school and life is pretty good for him, even if he suffers from the "Harper Umpf."
Lauren's newest is that she is now on allergy shots. She is taking it in stride and is not nearly as stressed as she was when the allergist announced this was our next move. I'm glad we started before allergy season as it has had time to make a difference. Her skin is better and no more keeping her up at night itching...funny enough, her extremely dry chapped hands are gone. Makes me think that was allergy related as well. She is still in the studious student stage and loves to finish her work everyday. But the child is a horder and we find apple cores EVERYWHERE, empty boxes, etc. I've had her tested for anything that would explain the compulsive eating and skinny as a rail, but the dr. just told us that is just the way she is for now and there were no medical issues! Darn...can't fix it!
Kimberly has turned into a nightmare as far as being quiet, still or calm...she is now none of those things. Another Darn! I thought THIS ONE will be calm and easy for me...I haven't had one of those since Becca, although Stephen wasn't so bad....
Veronica is FINALLY sleeping through the night and is teething four teeth on top. So during the day she is whiny and wants to be held by only me. She has been trying to walk and is up to about five steps before sitting down, but the determination is so in her face that it is just a matter of time. She is still kinda pigeon toed, so that isn't helping either. She will be 10 months May 2!
Well, I've been up for an hour and I think the allergy meds kicked in so I can go back to sleep...sneezing and runny noses are no fun and impossible to sleep through! So this is it for the April update!

Gulf Shores, the seven child odyssey (or oddity, depending on who you ask)...

2010-03-16T09:45:00.010-05:00

WHAT WAS I THINKING????

I wanted a nice, calm, relaxing vacation to the beach. I wanted to feel the warm sand in my toes and hear the roar of the ocean waves...what did I get?

(In the house b.v. (before vacation officially began)...

"stop eating all the food...I bought it for the trip!"

"get your laundry done or you aren't going to have any clean clothes!"

"clean your rooms, we don't want to harbor pests or odors while we are gone!"

"pack!"

"yes, you do have to brush your teeth when you are on vacation. With toothpaste!"

"yes, you will need underwear and lots of it..."

"shampoo, soap still needed."

In the car:

"are we there yet?"

"how long before we stop to eat?"

"I'm bored!"

"roll the window up!"

"roll the window down!"

"seatbelts!"

"when's dad coming?" (Paul had to stay behind to wait for Kat to get out of school, Stephen also chose to stay behind, so I really only had five with me for the drive down).

I should have chosen the sleeping site better, yes, we had a washer and dryer and were on the ground floor, however, it was a dump! Clean but, well, dumpy. The curtains were threadbare and didn't keep the sun out at all! We finally hung towels over the curtain rod and put the beach mats in the windows to help us sleep just a little better. It was cold and windy, so having the indoor pool just 20 ft away was nice, but the arcade was a nightmare as the kids quickly found the candy machine and hung out there gorging themselves on sweets until they were near a diabetic coma!!! Of course, there is never a vacation for mom, it is still cooking, cleaning, wiping of snotty noses! Add to this having to watch Kimberly as she'd broken her arm the week before we left. The break is too high for them to set and the bones weren't "off" so the doctor just said to immobilize it for three weeks...ha, ha!! It was easier when she wasn't moving it, but now she is moving it, just not putting any weight/pressure on it. I was so worried she'd fall on the sand and hurt it more! We all had to watch and help her a lot. All and all it was a good trip, just exhausting! I'll try to get pics on as blogger allows...

Veronica- 6 months

2010-02-08T10:11:00.003-06:00

It's another snow day and I'm attempting to catch up some pics off the old camera. I've been through three cameras in a month....sad, but I just can't seem to decide on one that takes as good of pictures as my Canon that died on me last year! I got a couple of Veronica on the move...six months went by quickly! I managed to get one video of her crawling and another of her standing up and letting go with one hand. I also got some pics of the kids in the snow this morning, but for some reason are not downloading...as a matter of fact, they seemed to have disappeared!
Paul has been gone a lot lately. As a matter of fact, in the last month, I think he has been home only 4 days and 1 hour! This too shall pass, but it is starting to wear on all of us. Every night Kimmie asks when daddy is coming home and every morning, Stephen repeats this same question. Katie seems to bring his absensce up every time some one misbehaves, "just because dad isn't here..." Megan and Rebecca seem to relish in the inability of mom to keep seven kids supervised and under control and thereby take matters into their own hands...hands that I never trust. I left them at home to take Katherine to a friend's house as her dad was driving them to Youth Group. I was gone 15 minutes. They started a fire in the backyard! Didn't tell me about it, just ran when they heard the van pull up and "let" me discover it on my own when I walked in the house and smelled smoke! Argh! Got that put out and two girls to bed...I didn't care that it was only 5:30pm!
The next day Stephen wanted to take the baby upstairs. I said fine as long as there were no small objects in which she could choke on and that the door remain closed...guess what? Someone "forgot" they were in charge of the baby and someone "forgot" to close the door. Down Veronica tumbled...five carpeted steps. No harm done, but six kids crying and worrying about their sister was priceless. Hopefully now they will be better at looking out for her. It is hard to blame them though. She has gotten very mobile very quickly and she has even taken me by surprise. I haven't had anyone empty drawers, play with electrical cords/outlets and toilets in a very long time. I think Katherine was the last to be this "bad" about getting into trouble. Several of mine never ever paid any attention to electrical outlets at all. I haven't had to babyproof in probably 15 years (not counting stairs).

oh my...an hour later and this is still processing! Due to the fact that this took *FOREVER* to download. I will post the crawling video later!

Snow, Ice and Sleet, Oh My!

2010-01-29T23:37:00.008-06:00

Well, school called on account of cold. This being the south, they just quiver at the thought of anything cold falling from the sky...even though it didn't start sleeting until 8:30 (when most/all kids and adults would be at work) and within a few hours it was 34 degrees, so it was just wet. Y'all are wimps!

(my view 90% the day)

However, homeschooling doesn't have snow days, at least not when mom-teacher decides it is too wet of weather and catching up is the greater priority. Have to hand it to the neighbor kids, they tried to lure mine away, but alas, mom-teacher is smarter!! So, once the minions were back under my control, the day continued as could be expected. Oldest hiding away in her room, next one trying to appear productive, but not, third one emptying dishwasher, cleaning room, ANYTHING to not have to do school (sound familiar?), fourth one, doesn't get dressed, forgets to eat breakfast, escapes to sled down the hill with neighbor on my cookie sheets. Mom-teacher finds him 20 min later and yells at him to return to the house...he is soaking wet and cold to the bone, so it doesn't matter that he is still wearing pajamas, right?--he is now coughing and sneezing and gaging..gee, wonder why? 0_o (He finally did settle in and do his schoolwork).

Fifth one I had to remind fifty times to eat, get dressed, and brush teeth. It helped that I then just sat down with squirmy(#7), child #2 and child #5 to do history...they are having a blast looking at pictures of Louis XIV---they just think there is something seriously wrong with men having those fancy long curly wigs, lace and satins....Retreat to my roomwith squirmy to nurse and sit with #6 watching 'Backyardagains.' I'm no longer in the classroom with school kids, so neighbor kid makes second attempt. I come out from my bedroom to find them all in the kitchen...my kids have the attention span of gnats!!! Don't worry, I got back at them, ya see, the weather man predicted icy-snow conditions at 3am, so feeling sorry for the outside dog, I thought I'd let him sleep inside. What I didn't know is that the kids forgot to feed him yesterday, so he knocked down the kitchen garbage can, which was full because someone forgot to take it out after dinner, and proceeded to cover the entire kitchen floor with what we had thrown out, minus, of course, any food particles of interest. Those who became distracted by little boys dressed in snow gear, bringing great promises of fun in the wintery weather, became my minions and got to clean the kitchen floor...mwwaa, haa, haaa!

Exhaustion set in... it was only 10:30 in the morning. Thank goodness it turned into a cold, lazy day and the kids mournfully looked outside as the weather turned to rain and NO SNOW. Begrudingly they returned to their desks, with the promise of getting to play the Wii later (for PE, of course!). Squirmy is now crawling all over and I tried to video her, but I am pretty ignorant with all these new technologies and for some reason can't seem to get it to download...will get the kids on that soon enough, but here are some recent pics to catch you up on our lives....

Reflections

2010-01-10T11:32:00.002-06:00

Two years ago I began a journey. I joined a group called the Disciples of Jesus and Mary. It is a "support" group of sorts to inspire and aid us in our life here on earth; to help us answer the question, "why did God create me?" and keep us accountable on that journey. My prayer formation (the first phase) has been long, often stagnat with all the vices I struggle with, all at once. Other times, I feel the Holy Spirit propelling me forward, like a part on a factory conveyor belt, slowly adding this part and that gear, getting me closer to the finished product that God designed.
I've had to deal with my past, learn from it, grow from it. I've had to pick it up and REALLY look at ALL of it--even the stuff I never wanted to look at again. Take it all apart and put it all back together with a whole new understanding. I had to look at it through God's eyes and understand that every event, every detail, every failure and every reward, has been providentially given to me as a gift...something for my benefit, to help me become the person I am and the person I am becoming.
I sometimes joke that God gave me seven kids so I wouldn't leave....how laughingly true this is at times. I had so much to learn! I remember when we had our fifth child, my kids finally stopped saying the word "only" when describing the amount of kids (i.e. we "only" have three kids) we had. I remember Stephen asking why we had six kids and I said, "because I apparently haven't learned what God wants me to learn with five!"
I wasn't always like this. I honestly never thought I would marry, nor have children. Raised in a progressive unchurched Democratic household, my two sisters and I saw my mother work, as well as my father, we also saw that marriage dissolve and a new stronger super MOM emerge. One who could "do it all." I used to joke with my husband that the reason I do everything is because that is how I was raised. Funny, that argument doesn't seem to last long--he isn't buying it anymore!
Paul and I have been married (almost) 18 years and I've known him for (almost) 22 and although we've had a long, rough patch, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've learned to "get out of the way" and let God form my husband and children. I've learned that no one can really be controlled, changed or influenced unless they want to be, and I am not the one to do it...only God. So when some idiot takes my parking space or races around to pass "the big van" only to slow down and turn in front of me, I no longer get angry (annoyed, yes). I can look at these situations and people and pray for them; understanding that they may be in an even bigger hurry than I. But mostly I think people race around so they don't have to look inward, they enjoy complacency. They don't want to move forward, becoming the creator's pride and joy because that would involve giving up something...themselves. For me, I see my journey is moving forward, detaching from the spirit of material attractions and attaching to the One True Heavenly attraction. Now, if these kids would just stop yanking me in all these other directions...ah, but they too are the instruments by which our Heavenly Father is using to sculpt me....I'm so special I require SEVEN!

A Chill in the Air!

2009-11-19T12:01:00.004-06:00

There is a definite shift in the weather pattern! The cool, crisp autumn has been ushered in and leaves cover the ground. This time of year always brings back memories of my dad and my grandpa. Two very different men, but their lives touched me in different ways. My grandfather died two weeks after my great-grandmother died over eight years ago. I was pregnant with Lauren and did not enjoy having to fly hundreds of miles so close together...for less than joyous occasions. He died unexpectedly of a pulmonary embolism. My grandfather loved "loving." He had been a little league baseball coach for Richland, WA for YEARS. A whole ball field is named after him. His loving care of ushering young boys into manhood touched many hearts. Men from around the state came to pay honor to him when he died. It was very touching to see how many people truly loved him. I remember going to my grandparents cabin over Labor Day and during the summers. They'd take us down to the streams, teach us how to harvest/feed the worms, patiently guide us over moss covered rocks in order to get the best spot to guarantee a successful catch and fish us out of the water when we slipped in. Grandma fried the trout on the wood stove and grandpa in his quiet way got the fire pit ready for smores and scolded us when we got too close to the fire. I miss my grandpa; but mostly I am sad for what my children do not have.
My dad celebrated his birthday on Nov. 16, but it has been years since that has meant much to me. My father has always been very self absorbed in his own life and has not had the time, patience or gift with children that my grandpa had. I believe that is a huge part of why my parents divorced. Their differences began to overshadow their committment. I haven't seen my father in eight years. Lauren was a baby. He's never met the last two grandchildren, nor do we receive phone calls or letters or even a card on a birthday. I just sent him the belated birthday card (I'd lost his address...that is how well I know him). I will continue to send the obligatory cards for Father's day, his Birthday and Christmas, but it is always touched with a little sadness for him. I try calling, but my calls are rarely, if ever, returned. My emails go unanswered as well. I'm sad for him and I pray for him because I know what he is missing out on! I pray things change, but we all know it isn't always in The Plan.
So in the meantime, I share ice cream sundaes with my children, just like my grandpa did with me and Paul will take them fishing, when he finds some time........

Kimberly turns four!

2009-11-13T20:23:00.008-06:00

We weren't really planning a party for Kimberly, but for some reason it turned into one with almost all our neighborhood kids! I guess when everyone is bragging to their friends that it is Kimberly's birthday and we are having cake, all of a sudden there are 7 more kids in the house! Her favorite things...Kailan cake, doll and a dinosaur from the Fugleseth's! She also got a Wonder Pets Fly boat and a pretty dress!

And now for the really bad news...Megan gave her some gum last night (unbeknownst to me) and she went to bed...gum in hair! I didn't have time to work in the peanut butter, so Megan decided to take it into her own hands and "help" me by cutting it out....so now I had to go and get it fixed...now she hates her "boy hair." No 4th birthday pics...for a few months!

All Saint's Party!

2009-11-13T20:13:00.007-06:00

So since the good camera is on the fritz, the pics aren't great, but they are all I have...so here are some pics from our homeschool saint's party.

ROXABOXEN

2009-11-05T18:28:00.005-06:00

Autumn means Roxaboxen time in the Harper house, umm, outside the Harper house. If you've never read the book, check it out...my kids loved it!

Katherine & choir

2009-11-05T18:23:00.002-06:00

Katherine is in her third year of choir in high school...probably the only reason she is in public school! Their recent competitions earned them the highest score of Grand something or another. We are so proud of her! Now if she could just get her mind wrapped around driving a car!

Facebook heralds in death of telephone and blogs!

2009-11-01T09:46:00.002-06:00

Ugh! Since Facebook is now the quick and easy method of communicating, I find myself lagging behind my blogging. I realized this morning that it has been almost a month since I posted and yet, my mind is spinning from how busy we've become! Paul has been in and out of town now that his retraining into the new airframe is completed. We all got WAYYYYY to attached to having a daddy around with "normal" hours! Now we are chaotically trying to maintain the new normality. Right after our last post (with out of town guests), the kids and I got onto a plane and flew up to my mom's home in Washington. I can't say it was an easy task, but not nearly as horrible as I feared it to be. Had to keep up the strong front for my worried husband, but it went very well. Got to see old friends and hear all the lavish praise over my mom...who I never doubted would receive it, just love to hear it...although I have to laugh that every story everyone told dwindled down to alcohol, strip parties or how she told off this person and that person and she still actually was gainfully employed! Her retirement party actually netted her more job offers than she's had in years! I think it is wonderful that she has set such good examples for her daughters on working hard and putting up with shit so that years later you can throw it back at them and they have to listen because you've already proven yourself as an invaluable, hard working, truthful employee.
When we flew home, we were blessed by an anonymous donor...someone bought our whole family lunch! I was in tears I was so humbled. When we got back on soil in Little Rock, the car lot attendant, drove us to our van, loaded up my bags in the back and helped with the kids. Laughingly he said, "me and my wife got six kids, I know what it's like!" I thanked him (it was pooring rain out) and handed him a huge tip. The drive home was worse than anything! Pooring rain, slow driving, traffic delays and screaming baby! We finally got in and found my neighbor had cleaned my house and left a fresh plate of brownies on the kitchen counter for us! Just when I think we are at our worst...He shows me what wonderful people exist in this world! That whole trip was a lesson in placing my trust in God and affirmed to me that we made the right decision and that all is going to happen the way it is supposed to! Well, I will get back on later and update the rest of October for y'all. Lauren is home sick from Church, and I hear her up now!

old friends are always welcome!

2009-10-06T22:34:00.007-05:00

Some old friends stopped and spent their night on the way up north. Her husband has been reassigned to Minot, ND. At least they didn't go straight from the deep south...they were in WA DC for 3+ years, so it shouldn't be such a shock to their systems! (I think it has been longer as they added another one to the mix and the "baby" isn't such a baby anymore!
So what do you do in a house of 13 kids (16 & under) and three adults??? Bring on the booze...just kidding! We had a great time catching up, playing, talking and praying...of course it always pays to have a friend who is an excellent cook. I'm honestly quite amazed at how quickly the kids just jump into instant best friend mode, even though several of mine didn't even remember them, LOL! My kids can't even remember to pick up their clothes, how could I possible expect them to remember friends from 3/4 years ago?! Our lives have so changed and flipped around since then! We met the Lobash family while Paul was stationed at Barksdale and I have to say that Nikki helped me to find my place as the mom of a large Catholic family. My confidence was severly lacking in that department until they came into our lives and I will be forever grateful for that!
I feel like a complete idiot for not getting more pics (didn't think of it until they were loading up)! But here are a few:

Soap making

2009-10-01T12:17:00.004-05:00

Right after the camera was rediscovered it was time to make soap...Lauren set out to help (science and math were done that day!).
Ingredients are easy. We've tried several different recipes and methods and finally found one that works well for our family. For more ideas on homemade recipes go to tipnut.com. This recipe actually costs us about $3 to make (estimate) and lasts us almost 2 months. I've tried to make dishwashing detergent, but have never found one that I am satisfied with, so I gave up! But the new dishwasher is much more efficient and larger inside. Runs so quietly we forget it is even on...really miss the noise when Veronica has colic though as the dishwasher was a guaranteed sleep inducer for her!

Lauren turns eight!

2009-10-01T12:05:00.002-05:00

Lauren, my fifth and only "waterborn" baby, turned eight the end of August (yes we go broke in August paying for all these birthdays in our family)! We always do a small celebration with just the family when the kids are on their "no party" year, but since Lauren hasn't ever had a birthday party before, we did both. My camera went AWOL after this and stayed missing for quite awhile, until a good friend of mine (thanks Carole) gave me the idea to offer a reward for the missing camera...amazingly enough Becca found it within two minutes....in someone else's room (yeah, right)....so I have NO pics of her gymnastics party, but at least had these two to share. She got tons of Littlest Pet shops and she picked her own cake out since it was a "busy day" we had no time to make one. I'll have to scan a pic of my m-i-l later so y'all can see just how much they look alike!

School days

2009-09-10T12:32:00.002-05:00

Well, school has started back up and I miss them already. Katherine is just two years from graduation, has a permit, hormones, and can sweet talk the baby and cook some fabulous meals. Soon she will be off to college and a life of her own! Megan has finally adjusted to school and is actually doing very well. The addle-mindedness is still there, but I just pray she enters the convent or marries well ;)
Since Paul has been a bit annoyed with my approach to homeschooling, we came to a compromise. Stephen and Becca are attending a school they only go once or twice a week (Becca goes twice as they divide the Humanities from Math & Science). All lessons are taught by certified teachers and the assignments are emailed to me...actually I am enjoying this far more as I can just teach what they tell me to and it isn't on me for them to get their work done....they are actually coming to me and showing me their work...so much better than before when there was a lot of discipline and tears and not a whole lot of obedience and staying on task. The kids are enjoying it as well. Stephen is still coasting, but I am sure it will get harder and pick up the pace once everyone adjusts.
Lauren is doing well, we are trying some new curriculums this year that enhance her creativity while still teaching and challenging her. she and Becca both jumped back into gymnastics and are doing great. Lauren even had her 8th birthday there and all the girls looked like they had a blast! August seems to pack on the pounds for us as we have three birthdays just here in the family! I wonder if any of the stores offer a group discount for cakes???
Kimberly is starting to develop her own personality. Yesterday Paul walked into the computer room to get something. Kimberly looked up from her video/game that she'd set up for herself and she "kissed" him (made the sound in the air). She is often heard yelling at her siblings to "stop that!" or "I don't know what you are talking about!" Right now she is smothering our kitties with a little too much love. We got two new kitties after the first two disappeared. I fear they were dinner for some wildlife around here. Now we keep them penned in the garage at night. Tiger has already managed to kill three voles! He is a good hunter!
Veronica is growing and thriving with all the love that is showered on her. No one can stand to hear her cry and she is constantly in someone's arms. She's also a lot more fun now that she makes "pleasant sounds" as Paul calls it. Still looks like a little Indian papoose, she is starting to finally chunk up and sleep for longer bits of time. Still hates the car seat and screams, for the most part, every time I put her in it. I'm still working my tail off to make sure things run smoothly around here and enjoying/adjusting to being around Paul again! He is home for quite a bit since he is back "in school." Well, gotta scoot to pick up Becca!

7 weeks and smiling & cooing

2009-08-23T13:13:00.003-05:00

I just had to post a little video for friends and family who are far away. I couldn't get her to coo, but I did manage to capture her personality!

Happy 16 years!

2009-08-20T07:10:00.003-05:00

As I sit here in the quiet of my home (surprising isn't it?), I am pondering the events of 16 years ago. Paul and I had been married for almost 15 months and we were anticipating the arrival of our baby in a month. I had quit working when I was six months along as I was having a lot of round ligament issues and pains due to running after 25 three year olds all day long. My sister had stayed overnight, on her way to Montana. Paul was scheduled for his last week of flying. He was a B-52 pilot then and loved his job. But B-52's were big and had LONG flights, so I was glad the Air Force put the men on ground stuff when their wives were due (try to keep them close to home if they can). I laid in bed feeling crampy and thinking, "I am pregnant, I'm not supposed to have cramps!" I got up to go to the bathroom and the next thing I knew, my water broke. I ran to the bathroom, still in shock. Paul jumped up to investigate, then called work to let them know he would be missing his flight that day. I just kept thinking, "it's too early! I had stuff to do today!" My next thought was, "we didn't finish our Bradley classes!" My last thought was to get to the hospital...Paul, of course, needed time to wake up. He took a shower, dressed and ate, while I, too nervous, paced around him and begged to leave. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone back to bed! We headed to the hospital despite no contractions and of course, were admitted. We walked the halls, we called our family and Bradley teacher and hid in the postpartum room for hours. The doc had wanted to start the pit immediately, we wanted to wait...so we hid until they found us at lunchtime! We had two visitors at the hospital before Katherine was born...one the hostess of my planned baby shower for that evening (who'd come up to the hospital because we'd left a message on her answering machine to cancel the baby shower as we were in labor and she didn't believe it was REAL) and the second from my dear friend Susan who was rather annoyed with the fact that our canning day had been put off. You see, we'd picked 50 lbs of peaches the day before and I was supposed to arrive at her house bright and early in the morning with a huge supply of sugar. I was going to get a canning lesson and I was soooo excited and then disappointed to be missing this event! Susan was excited because she got to stay for our big event! Although she did briefly step out do to feeling faint, but determined not to miss it, she came back just in time!
I finally got to 10 cm and was instructed to push. I'd been given Nubaine and only felt drunk...still very much in pain with hellacious contractions, but unable to think clearly. This military hospital didn't do epidurals...which didn't bother me months before, but now wished that I would have requested an off base doc...or midwife for that matter! I remember Paul fighting with the doctor and threatening to pick me up and take me home. I remember my mother in law calling the labor room when I was in transition and me telling Paul I'd be a widow if he answered the phone. I remember the overwhelming sense of power I felt during pushing and the fear and awe that I felt when she was born. My first thoughts were, "she looks like a smurf..."(thanks to the pitocin) and I honestly was afraid to hold her. She was so tiny and "new." I had a lot of trouble nursing her, but thanks to my mom and husband, we eventually got it. Katherine never wanted to wait on anything, I guess that why she was born at 36 1/2 weeks, crawled at 5 months and walked at 10. She was also speaking very clearly and in sentences very early, but don't ask me when, I have seven children and I'm amazed sometimes at what I can remember about each one!
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!!! And as I said when you walked out the door this morning, "you'll always be MY baby!"

6 weeks and 40 years

2009-08-18T09:43:00.006-05:00

Sorry it has been so long, but life has been swirling along and taking me with it! I turned 40 about a week ago and I still can't believe it. My mother says that why she hates mirrors because she doesn't FEEL her age, but everytime she passes a mirror it reminds her that she IS her age! I feel the same way...I don't even know who that person in the mirror is anymore!!! I thought I would be slender, healthy and young when I got this "old" and now, just 6 weeks after having my 7th baby and I don't feel any of those things! Working on it though!
Veronica is a "ninny" baby and prefers ninny and being held...asleep alone in her bassinet, she is guaranteed to sleep just 3 hours tops...next to me in bed is 4+ hours. She is starting to chunk out in her face and stomach...but arms and legs still skinny with small fat rolls. She looks like a potato with toothpicks stuck in them for arms and legs!This is her at a month. We also managed to get a family photo when mom was here...yes, one child is missing, but she was being a little snit at the time and so I removed her from the room...early adolescence is a royal pain in the a#@!Other big news is that Kat got her driver's permit, but she really doesn't want to drive! I can't believe it! I remember dragging my mom out in a blizzard just to get my permit! At least there was no wait for the first time ever at the DMV! She's been out on the road about four times and every time she comes in the house she looks like she's been the star in a horror movie...completely traumatized by the whole process! We may end up having to put her in driver's ed just to shake the fear factor!
House projects are also coming along. I finished our faux wood floor and stripping the popcorn ceiling in the kitchen; now to wipe down the walls and ceilings and we can start priming and painting.
Kat & Megan headed back to school on the 10th. Stephen & Becca don't start Veritas until Sept. 2, but we will most likely start some subjects next week. I am still waiting on some books to come in for Lauren so she is also on hold..that's how you know there are more homeschoolers...books now are backordered!!!!!!!!!!!
We're expecting cooler temps this weekend, so it will be nice to be able to get outside and weed the gardens...been too hot to do that lately! Well, gotta run, dentist appointments soon!

a bath, finally!

2009-07-06T19:32:00.003-05:00

fresh and clean...look how great she can hold her head up! i finally got around to bathing this poor baby...gotta love that hair!

kids and baby

2009-07-06T11:49:00.006-05:00

Here are some pics of the kids holding their new baby sister. She is starting to look normal now as the bruising is going away and her cute baby features are starting to finally show forth! These however were taken after she was born. I'll try to throw some new ones in later today after I download them.

BABY BLESSINGS!

2009-07-03T18:00:00.002-05:00

Well, Veronica Marie Harper is finally among us! She was born July 2, 2009 at 3:20 in the morning, weighing in at 7lbs 5 oz (the scale kept swinging between 7.4-7.7, so if you've heard differing reports it was because I hadn't looked at the Birth Certificate yet to see what everyone agreed on....I was a little tired). Her face is bruised, and we don't know why, but today it seems to be much better.
I have to back up a bit and fill you in on some background. My first three babies had all been between 7-8 lbs and early. My last three had been 9+ lbs and late. My labors and recovery really wore at my body and I was feeling very old and well, gravity is strong, LOL! When we found out about Veronica, we were shocked as my body was showing signs of no more kids. We felt blessed and honored to have been given another child after loosing one a few years ago in a bad miscarriage that took weeks to recover from.
Due to size fears, I became ever mindful of how much sugar I was putting into my body. Not saying that I avoided it completely, but I definitely curtailed it. I craved carbs and fruit, so I was still getting glucose and that made me look further as to what I could do to avoid the "huge" gestational diabetic baby. I started with taking Chromium Picolinate with each meal (600 mcg total---never do more than 800mcg/day). A naturopathic friend of mine suggested the Chromium Niacinamate as it was more stable than the Picolinate. A few months back I switched to that. I also added Cinnamon early on, despite the precautions on cramping and miscarriage...I just lowered the dose I took at each meal...I spread out two 500 mg capsules through the day. I also continued going to the gym, although in my last trimester that would be reduced to just three days a week instead of almost daily like I was doing earlier.
My "official" due date was July 13, but when I visited my ob and had an ultrasound at 10 weeks, she changed the due date up a week and said she thinks I just ovulated earlier than what I thought....turned out she was right!
July 1 I'd decided that I was so uncomfortable that I had to be carrying another 9lber, so I decided to do a few things to see if I could get little one to come earlier rather than later. I went to my chiropractor that morning and came home. Ate lunch, then ate a bag of Reese's pb cups...gag! I then had 1 Tbs. castor oil in cranberry juice with one Mastergland, and waited....nothing. After weeks of being horribly constipated, I at least has some relief there, but no cramping or uncomfortable pains.
I went to my neighbor's house and hung out for a bit than came home for a quick nap, another Tbs. of castor oil and one Mastergland again. I took one capsule of Mastergland two hours later and then pretty much stopped...I'd had no contractions and figured I'd might as well just wait for her to come on her own. Normal resumed, I made dinner, ate and then went for a short walk with Lauren. By bed time I was having infrequent strong braxton hicks, but not "the real thing" and not anything different than when I'd been having for about a week.
11pm...woke up with strong contractions...three in five minutes....I panicked a little because my midwife was an hour away & Paul had just fallen asleep....he's so cranky if I wake him, lol! I popped onto facebook to ask friends to pray for me and had a lovely conversation with another Catholic homeschool large family mom.
I finally got ahold of the midwife an hour later and she was on her way. I woke up Paul when Lynda got here and contractions had settled into a regular 1 min. long every 3-4 minutes and I was ready for hydrotherapy! I was 4cm and uncomfortable. I told her I thought I was getting better at calling midwives on time...nothing like the 15 minutes I had with the first midwife I'd ever had 14 years ago before Megan was born.
I had to abandon the water when I found the tub was too uncomfortable. I seem to always labor in my hips and it just wasn't working for me. I ended up on the edge of the bed between the midwife's assistant and Paul until it came time to push and then I slid up on my side. Only pushed about two times...not nearly as traumatic as my last three that all somewhat got stuck and took some midwife manipulation to get them to come.
Katherine remained behind Paul the whole time, but Rebecca ducked out when it got to be too intense for her tender heart. Megan thought sleep was more important, but couldn't resist coming to see the baby once she cried. I can't decide who she looks like...other than Paul. I don't see a lot of resemblence to the other kids like I've done in the past. She has jet black hair and may end up with the darker skin tone like Megan and Lauren have. She has Paul's chin and my mom's long legs....other than that I guess we'll just have to wait to see. Right now she has long awake times and like's to nurse a lot...although we are working on the chewing!!! She practically screamed all night last night, but I think it was gas and hopefully will not repeat today.
Paul took all the kids swimming this evening at the Y and this morning we got the new carpets installed in the kid's bedroom...no I didn't lift any furniture, but I did have to run to the carpet store to pick up the pad...it wasn't very far and I feel fine. We'll probably miss the big OB celebration tomorrow, I'm just not in the mood to keep up with seven kids in 95+ degree heat!

Happy Birthday Megan!

2009-06-22T09:41:00.006-05:00

Wow, I just glanced the date and realized it has been a long time since I've posted! Megan celebrated her 14th birthday at home with just her family since this is the "no birthday party year" for her (we let the kids have friend parties every OTHER year). Daddy, of course, wasn't able to celebrate with us, but that didn't stop the kids from eating cake and singing happy birthday with gusto!

Other than that we are just in the final countdown for Veronica's arrival. Gathering birth supplies and getting the house in order are the primary goals at this point. I will take more photos of the floor we are installing as soon as the new carpets get installed, hopefully sometime in the next two weeks! Picking carpet is so hard! We'll keep you posted on the blessed event!

Girl's recital

2009-05-18T07:49:00.005-05:00

I managed to get a few good pics of the Lauren & Rebecca in their gymnastics recital. Becca's video is a little blurry, but you get to see her do her back handsprings!

Catch up on kids' news...

2009-05-18T07:22:00.006-05:00

Katherine had her awards banquet and she was surprised by her section leader awarding her for "model student." This photo is actually when she went up to receive her (I think) Delta All-State Certificate.

As you know, Stephen's birthday was the 13th. He got a Hydro-car model that he put together and it actually worked. The kids had the wonderful idea of trying to figure out how to make OUR vans run on water...yeah, note the size of the water tanks in proportion to the car...not going to work, but a nice thought!

This turtle was found hiding in Katherine & Rebecca's room..."Not me" is the perpetrator who hid in him in there..wish I could track this fellow down, maybe we could claim him on our taxes!?!

And last but not least, Kimberly strikes....Nesquick on the kitchen floor, on her, well, all over her. When caught, her response was to quickly put the lid back on and ask for a towel...very calm, never denying her evil deeds, just, "well, okay, ya found me, now help me clean up this mess."

reconstruction

2009-05-13T08:26:00.004-05:00

We finally got the dining room/kitchen wall up! So between mom taxi, mowing the lawn (which takes all day), award ceremonies, end of school year business, finals for the kids, recitals, cleaning, cooking and yelling at the kids...we are now working on finishing the wall so our house won't look so demolished!

Early Happy Birthday to Stephen!

2009-05-11T14:32:00.003-05:00

Stephen will be 10 on the 13th...but Paul has to work, so we celebrated on Sunday!

Friends

2009-04-27T08:48:00.002-05:00

It has been years since we've been surrounded by an abundance of love, acceptance and true fellowship. This past weekend was a gentle reminder, at least to me, of how very blessed we are here. Paul and I haven't done "couple" things with other couples in a very long time...probably at least 12 years or so. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed sharing an evening with other like minded people!!
Paul of course came home Friday night to me sitting up in bed struggling with my pregnant digestion situation....guess I am back to no eating after 4pm! Anyway, woke bright and early to pick up his brand new toy/baby, oh, wait, I mean riding lawnmower...from Sears. His brother helped him out and we enjoyed visiting for a bit before he had to return to his Saturday morning chores. Paul promptly sped read thru his owner's manual, filled the tank and proceeded to mow...enjoying every minute of it! The kids and I puttered around trying to shop, pick up, catch up and generally letting daddy have his moment in the sun ;)
Saturday night we had been invited to join our homeschool group's dinner club. Homemade German food! Yummy! We had a wonderful time and went home full and happy!!!
Sunday, I guess was Stephen's turn to be sick and so I stayed home while Paul dared Mass with four girls (I heard thru the older ladies in church that he did fine). Sunday night involved more shopping for the things that had been forgotten the day before, cooking and then getting out again for the Knights of Columbus banquet. Of course we were probably close to the youngest people in the room, but it was a lovely evening and struck up many conversations with interesting laity and religious all around us. I think I am a grown up now!
Well, I gotta run as Katherine has an orthodontist appt this morning and then our art co op with three other families this afternoon...busy, busy, busy!!

Trials, temptations and Lysol

2009-04-23T08:37:00.004-05:00

A family in our homeschool group laid to rest their beloved husband and father in the past week. It sent a shock of pain and anguish that seems to hang at the end of everyone's mind. What do you do when something so personal strikes your family...what would I do?
I'm immediately brought back to Paul's conversation with me at Easter, when we accidentally went to a Easter basket blessing...that was partly in Polish and designed for the Polish community (OK, I didn't read the fine print in the paper and thought this would be a good idea). He feeling awkward an out of place was angry with me and left (with the excuse of getting Kimberly out). The rest of the kids and I sat, participated and joyfully went along for the ride...one of them even asked if we can do it again next year. More ponderings made me realize that I've never had a "comfort zone", or at least in a long time.
Almost 20 years ago I met an air force co-pilot, and entered his world....became Catholic, threw my upbringing out the window and embraced a new life that was diametrically opposed to who my parents raised me to be (although truth be told, I think my dad was more conservative than my mom). I was thrust into the life of a Catholic military spouse, nourishing and loving any and all children and friends who came into our life...always being open to meeting new people, learning new things and learning to be stronger than I ever thought I could be. I've been awkward and out of place for nearly 20 years!!! But God's grace has always been abundant and I know that all I've ever experienced has given me a heart to reach out to friends and those who are not yet my friends, mothers, children, babies, families who are struggling financially, and really anyone who just needs arms to hug and ears to hear.
When the recent death came about, my first thought was for Debra, the mom. Not to feel sorry for her, but to feel the strain of having to carry on, despite. And the protective cloak that a mother feels for her children, to keep them from harm, evil and pain...it had been stripped from the family and laid bare. I took a few kids with me last Saturday to just be there, not to run things or take anything away from them, but just be there. I didn't know Debra well before this accident, but I pray that just our presence was a small comfort to her and the kids. Their journey will be difficult and long, but again, God's grace will guide them and form them for Heaven. Bob must have already been done ;)
Just after this, a stomach virus hit. Katherine had a choir performance in Jackson, and had been gone for a few days. Then she comes back, visits this family with me and then promptly begins throwing up at 3am on Sunday. Lauren was next and I've had an upset stomach now for, well, off and on for three days. Megan had stomach pains on Monday night, and laid in bed very still thru Tuesday. Rebecca started on Monday night as well, but at least Katie is old enough and helped nurse her younger sister back to health. Yesterday everyone was fine and it was a gorgeous day, so we aired out the house and went outside for simple yardwork...then Kimberly threw up right at bedtime and my stomach is now worse today than it has been--probably doesn't help to have a little creature in their moving around on top of the moving stomach making weird noise....Stephen is still not sick, but Paul comes home tomorrow and I am hoping he manages to benefit from my Lysoling the house like crazy. Laundry is caught up and everything is clean so hopefully all viruses and bugs are dead and gone....now if I can just get the stupid bird outside my window to be quiet at night, I just might get a good night's sleep!

Easter!

2009-04-12T17:25:00.002-05:00

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
We have had a wonderfully Holy Triduum and am resting for much of the afternoon; listening to the sounds of rain pouring outside.
Paul was gone for the week, so the kids and I celebrated Holy Week pretty much around home. I've learned much in the last 16 years...mainly peace in the home is the most important thing, not dragging kids out and being frustrated by Kimberly, whose disposition keeps me from hearing anything during Mass 9 times out of 10. Thankfully she is #6, so her behavior really doesn't bother me most of the time!
On Friday we gathered for a simple stations of the cross. I invested in some kid friendly booklets years ago for our hs group in Shreveport as we used to gather during Lent to celebrate this wonderful tradition...I still have them and now have enough kids to use almost all of them. We lit a blessed candle of the Sacred Heart and all went around the circle with each station. We prepared pretzels and each child had one piece of cheese pizza after various prayers, Bible readings and items to ponder. We then had a quiet, peaceful evening of no computer or tv. We tried no phone, but it was ringing off the hook...guess we're the only ones in the neighborhood who have a solemn Good Friday!!!
Paul came home late Friday night/early Saturday, so I finally got out to shop in preparation for Easter dinner. We had to have our feasts prepared by noon so we could take the basket up for a blessing at St. John's. It was part in Polish, so it was an experience for the kids...Paul not comfortable with the whole thing, took Kimberly out. The afternoon was spent cleaning out the garage and then shopping again with Becca for her birthday. She chose to eat out at a steak place and had a quiet evening with mom. She got an aquarium and some drawing books for her birthday. Her grandparents gave her a bit of cash and I think she plans to go out tomorrow and get some fish to put in the aquarium with her money!
Sunday we made Mass...and everyone was dressed with shoes on (double checking Lauren as usual) and then raced home for a family brunch. We'd assumed Paul's brother's family was out of town since we'd not heard from them, but only found out later that their schedule just didn't seem to include us. We invited neighbors over so the kids wouldn't be disappointed and then seemed to all have a good time. We had 11 kids and six adults over...and the house was somewhat peaceful! We also managed an Easter Egg hunt before the weather turned bad. It was a very good Easter...now I need to get off so we can open my mom's all-kid birthday present...
Love and blessings to all!

Mama smiles...

2009-04-08T07:04:00.002-05:00

Just pulled this from another blog and liked it enough to share it here:

Ever notice how beautiful a house becomes when Mama smiles? I have and I'm endeavoring to make my house so beautiful much, much more often.

Lent & Spring Break campout

2009-03-22T10:15:00.010-05:00

So far so good! The kids don't seem to be falling apart with no tv or computer. We've had a few moments when dad forgot and let them on....then there was hell to pay! But I digress...we ended the spring break from school with a short camp out to Hugh White State Park. My version of camping was in a cabin--no sleeping on the ground for me! The cabin was probably the largest cabin I've ever been in (except for my grandparent's one of course)! We had a small kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room and a screened in patio with chairs and table. Outside was a breathtaking view as the cabin was located at the top of a butte overlooking Grenada Lake. There were easy enough trails to follow down to the beach on either side. Ten years ago I would have been a wreck as my kids at that stage would have attempted to catapult themselves off the cliff, but Kimberly is much more obedient and reserved and was happy to stick to our side. Oh, and the best part--it was less than a two hour drive from our house!

Mardi Gras

2009-02-24T21:44:00.003-06:00

Just a quick update before going to bed and bidding adieu for 40 days...
Went to our parish Mardi Gras party with some other homeschool friends and had a good time. Boiled crawfish "nawlins-style" and "memphis style" were both offered (spicy vs. bbq)! Potatoes, corn, red beans and rice, toast, coleslaw, moon pies and king cake...oh, I am so stuffed! They gave out beads, dubloons, and "babies." and the kids also seemed to have a good time....although I made the mistake of going to the library right before, so the older five sat and read...such the party bunch they are!!! NOT.
They were all tired though and hit the sack the minute we walked in the door. I'm hoping to make this a productive Lent, as I've been feeling much like I've let stuff slide this year....EVERYTHING. We made a sacrifice jar today, the kids created their 10 Commandments "tablets" and posted them above their desks. We discussed mortification, self denial, temperance...all in all a good day. A friend of mine added, "learn new prayer a week" and I think that is a good goal as well, so we will probably add that as well.
Please keep in mind my m-i-l who is recovering from a broken femur and a neighbor friend, "Mr. John" who has come to the decision to remove his elderly bride from the ventillator...she was somewhat alert yesterday and told them to do it...it took him until this afternoon to finally agree. This will be hard on him as the doctor told him it could still be a week or two before she actually dies, so please remember this dear sweet man in your prayers! Thank you!

No computer for Lent

2009-02-24T07:42:00.003-06:00

Warning those ahead of time...there will be no updates until Easter!
The tooth drama continues and is rather depressing, but hopefully will be remedied soon. Katherine was invited to compete for the State Choir "team" and will go to Jackson in March or April (I can't remember right now...not enough coffee). Megan and Kat both have district competitions this week...thankfully that means nothing to me, other than they miss a day of school and I have to give them $10 for lunch.
Oops...short one is up so I'd better finish this later....donuts sit unattended downstairs!

It's a....

2009-02-16T19:46:00.004-06:00

Girl! I know there is just something wrong with posting her privates on here, but ya really can't tell anyway. Also the doctor officially moved my due date to July 5...mentally losing a week is great! She was 11 oz, but too big and wiggly to measure...the poor thing already has that cord wrapped around her head and leg...seems I remember catching a baby awhile back that did the same thing....;)

Drama in Shreveport!

2009-02-10T07:28:00.002-06:00

3:44 a.m. My cell phone rings. As I blurily try to make out the time and phone number I think I should answer this as the area code indicates Shreveport....I should know this number right?
After a few moments I realize the hysterical person on the other line is our 84 year old neighbor who, not speaking very coherently, I might add, is calling to tell me that the tenants that JUST MOVED IN THAT WEEKEND have been hauled off to jail. She said they were all "drunker than goats" and firing off shotguns in the backyard. Now one might expect this in redneck country...but not in the middle of a middle class neighborhood filled with families...between two schools, a park and three churches!!!!!9:00 call and leave a message for the property manager.
11:30 home from church, find message from property manager promising to get to the bottom of this (sounding very upset about this whole ordeal).
11:45 Wrangle the computer from the kids and find email after email from neighbors in Shreveport telling us what happened and what excitement that neighborhood had! 7-9 police cars with lights flashing!
5pm Property manager calls again...cannot locate tenants...I suggest looking in jail.

Monday morning I am still trying to figure out what is going on and how we are going to handle this. I look up police reports and find only two tenants were arrested and both for interference with an officer's investigation...no felony charges for discharge of a weapon in city limits, gun-free zone violation, public endangerment, anything like that...so I wonder, can we evict?

Megan's rebellion

2009-02-07T19:09:00.002-06:00

Well, several posts ago I mention the time we are having with Megan, well, here is her latest rebellion...don't let mom pick my clothes!!!!!!

Watch out WWF!

2009-02-07T18:55:00.003-06:00

So I'm thinking, grab a hot cup of tea and sit down and read more of my current favorite book, "Letters to Luke..." All of a sudden Lauren and Kimberly emerge from behind the couch, wrestling...just had to catch this on video...

SNOW DAY 2

2009-01-28T19:40:00.002-06:00

Well, what do you know? It has snowed twice this winter in Mississippi! We didn't get all the nasty ice that everyone else had, but just a nice dusting of snow and enough "coldness" for them to cancel school today....for everyone but the homeschoolers! Mom is so mean!
At least Megan didn't have to miss school for her orthodontic evaluation....yes, another one in braces! She will start next month. They will try to hook her up with Katie's same dental student so they can have their appointments together.
Speaking of dental...I've had quite the ride. A few weeks ago I bit down into a licorice rope and heard a bone crunching sound eminating from my mouth! I called the dentist, but due the late hour they told me to come in first thing in the morning. He looked at it and said he couldn't find anything wrong, so referred me to an endodontist after he bonded the now loose tooth to the ones surrounding it. One visit to the endo and he found the crack...half of my tooth was lucky to still be there. The crack was across the middle of the back of the tooth. Also the root canal I had on that tooth when I was little was now broken as well...the tooth was needing a new "post and core." So I went in last Friday, armed with a mild pain killer that all my friend's told me was worthless...but what else can you do pregnant? So after enduring painful shots to numb me (they thought I was tough enough to withstand it since I had my babies at home without drugs) he went to work redoing the rootcanal then gave instructions for me to return to my dentist for a crown. I had no idea what I was in for! Monday or Tuesday (I don't remember it is still a blur) I went in not knowing they were going to REMOVE my tooth, send it to a lab, and let me live with a temporary until mid Feb when the tooth would come back!!!!!! So why the hell did I get the root canal fixed? Seems to me they could have removed it, repaired it, crowned it and then put it all back! Why so many dr. visits, xrays and PAIN?!?!?!? I'm starting to really get sick of soup and yogurt!! I did get some applesauce today, woohoo! I also managed to eat a taco salad....no biting anything or eating anything requiring my front teeth for awhile.
Well, I am glad the kids were around today...everything felt "normal" for once. I know other parents dread their kids being home--I LOVE IT!

Megan, the spoon that stirs the pot

2009-01-24T21:34:00.003-06:00

So, if you've read back a little, you will see me gushing about how great Kat is...well, the next in line is making up for her sister's lack of "typical teen rebellion." I always joke that she will be the one to run off and be a pole dancer in Las Vegas! Scantily clad, stealing, lying, selfish kid is driving me to drink!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding, but seriously, I don't know if we will all survive this "phase" and am welcoming any hints anyone else has about how they might curb the self-righteous attitude that she seems to display on a permanent basis. Remember the "nobody likes me....?" Well, hers is even better, "I just wish everyone around here could show a little respect and consideration of my feelings!" This comes on the heals of her taking a shower (for an hour), then walking around in a towel, in front of two other kids watching tv, putting in what she wanted to watch and then getting upset when I told her to go get dressed, clean her room and stop walking in front of other people and changing the tv while other people are watching it. Argh! She also complains about every single little thing I ask her to do, like it is some big inconvenience to her busy schedule! I am open to comments, suggestions, criticisms!!!

Snow!

2009-01-21T09:50:00.003-06:00

We awoke to a mini-blizzard here in North Mississippi! The kids stood by the window for at least 20 minutes just watching it snow. They also laughed at the birds and squirrels as they dashed about, obviously confused by the white stuff falling from the sky....they just kept pushing leaves and snow aside to try to reach the insects and seeds that were covered. Of course, in typical southern style, it left as quickly as it came. The kids enjoyed the morning "playing" in the dusting of snow, came in for some hot cocoa, and then had a review of European explorers while playing in the living room. There is a video of their reenactment at the bottom!

Stephen's first basketball game

2009-01-19T10:20:00.002-06:00

So we finally managed to find a sporting team that truly cares about kids having fun, fits our schedule and is economically feasible...church basketball!
Here is Stephen at his first game...the tall bean pole kid with arms in the air constantly.

Pride and joy

2009-01-17T10:11:00.009-06:00

A friend of mine just did this and gave me a great idea....
Katherine left for New York City on Friday. I cried on the way home from the airport. This year is giving me "baby steps" to letting her go in just a few short years. I can already see signs of the "I am making my own life now."She has always been fiercely independent. But her beautiful blond curls and constant laughs and smiles, made it almost impossible to ever be horribly mad at her.
As she grew she held fast to that independence, but also became noticibly shy. Not painfully so, but just preferring her own company of family and books to strangers. I've noticed in the past year her willingness to socialize with others, make new friends, and enjoy being around other kids around her own age has dramatically improved. She went from going to homeschool functions and sitting in a corner and reading, to actually going into a room of other teens, feeling at ease and interacting with them...even when she really didn't know any of them! Her confidence in herself has helped her to blossom beautifully in the past six months!
Yesterday, I took her to school at 8 in time for luggage drop off and final instructions. I started to walk into school with her when she saw a fellow classmate who was also going on the trip. She yelled out to her and started running up to her to talk. I caught up and asked if she wanted me to stay or go home and come back later to take her to the airport...she said, "whatever you want mom, but you can go home." I watched her walk into school chatting away and thought to myself, "step 1."
"Step 2" came when I took her to the airport and she walked off with another classmate into the airport terminal to wait on the school bus...without me. I expressed some concern about leaving her there alone and another nice, quiet and quite shy boy that I remembered from last year's trip to Orlando, came up and said, "its okay Mrs. Harper, I'll wait with her." Katherine turned and walked off with him. I ducked into the van to grab my camera for a picture and she was almost out of sight...
I cried all the way home from the airport. I thought, two more years and she will out of the nest. She is so looking forward to summer youth retreats (this year without me as a chaperone), college and all the experiences and challenges that go with that.

I am proud that she is turning out to be such a level headed, loving, christian young woman. That was my goal when they first placed her in my arms and though I once doubted she'd live past the age of three (LOL!). Now at 15 1/2 I am glad that she is in my life!!!

My experience with the law...

2009-01-13T11:19:00.003-06:00

Okay, another "I hate my kids day." Everyone has been so wacky, loud and disrespectful since Paul left...I don't know why. Maybe because mom is "checked out", in pain, tired, or getting sick...any or all of the above. I go to the endodontist today to see what is wrong and hopefully fix it. In the meantime, I look for more squishy foods to eat as I can't bit anything (pull apart sandwiches in bite size pieces, and anything hard is out the window). Wow, I am just exhausted. Big stress last night....we had art co-op over here and Kat was supposed to stay after school for a meeting. Anticipating that she would call for pickup while three other families were parked in my driveway, I moved my van to what was once the "cul-de-sac," but is now just a wide spot in the road. Unbeknownst to me, I got the right side of the van in the mud! Kat ended up with a ride home with a friend from school, so I didn't get in my van until 6:30pm last night, to pick up Stephen from basketball practice (another dad took him). When I got in I thought it felt a little crooked, but soon started up and..........spun my wheels! Tried to rock, but it just would go about four inches and settle back to its previous spot. It was pitch black and cold and so I gave up. Called a friend who promised to come out in the morning as her dh was on graveyard shift and would return in the morning. Called my other friend and asked if they could bring Stephen home as I was unable to drive anywhere...no probs...fast forward about 10pm, I get up to get a drink of water and see cop lights flashing on the street behind my van! I think, should I call the police station or go out there? And if I go out there, will they think they are under attack and I invite unwanted bullets into my pudgy body???? What does it feel like to get shot? Oh, my mind wanders! As I stood at the window trying to decide what to do, I finally figure to turn on lights and begin to walk out...remember we live on an acre and the house is somewhat situated a little more than 1/2 way back from the road. I'm yelling, "I'm sorry officer, that is my van! I just got stuck in the mud and no one could come help me until tomorrow morning!" Their flashlights quickly flash in my direction to see a pregnant woman waving her arms, walking slowly towards them. They asked their few questions and say someone called in a suspicious vehicle...I said I didn't understand that since we bought the van a year ago and all my neighbors know it is ours??? After a few minutes they finally wished me a good night and walked back to their car. I walked back up and watch them head off a second police officer who'd come from the opposite direction..two cop cars, four cops...just for a 12 passenger van with a carseat in it?! Olive Branch must be hurting for activity!~ They sat outside my house for 15 minutes or more talking...so much excitement!

southern grammar

2009-01-07T13:57:00.001-06:00

So we finally got back into the groove today and I just quickly have a moment to tell you of a major mistake my 7 yr old found in her grammar book. Never mind that four other kids were in this book before her SHE found the mistake...there is no listing for y'all or all y'alls in her book!!!! Plural and plural possessives beware...The South does not forgive or forget (a lesson in which has taken me YEARS to figure out)!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T20:57:00.002-06:00

Well, the year started off warm down here in the south, but has turned its nastiness back on us and we have freezing rain! You have to add the cold to the humidity and it is down right bone-chilling! Stephen started basketball practice. We managed to get him onto a team with some other homeschool friends, so he is really enjoying it...we'll let you know when there "big" game is! Paul and I drove out to meet the new midwife today and she was an absolute delight! Being a fellow midwife and also having had so many, I've learned that it isn't like interviewing doctors at all. I am looking for how she conducts herself, how she speaks and what I see her "see me" as. Paul and I both took an instant like to her and I can't wait for this friendship to grow! I must say too, that we were gone for four hours and not one phone call from the kids and the house was clean when I got home! Makes me wonder if Katherine locked everyone up until we returned, LOL!
Paul has to report out to the airport tomorow and will be on "hotel standby" for 12 hours...he tells me, "you should come out and we can have dinner...." Ha! Is that what you call it now? He has to do that for four days...I get the bed to myself finally!!!
Katherine is gearing up for her big NYC trip in just under 10 days! I'm a little bit of a wreck, but I am sure she will be fine. Megan and Kat both go back tomorrow and I actually got on the computer tonight so I could download the lesson plans for the other three tomorrow. I honestly still have to input their grades from last quarter, but that shouldn't take me much time.
Tomorrow we will have some company, so everyone is going to have to hustle with their work and get done before lunch. This shouldn't be too much of a problem...unless you are seven and have ADHD...then it is torture!!!!
Well, I probably need to hit the sack early as Meg & Kat leave for the bus at 6:40 in the morning!

The Toddler Diet

2008-12-31T13:34:00.001-06:00

I saw this a few years ago and just ran across it again...posting here for posterity!

The Toddler Diet

People are always on the lookout for a new diet. The trouble with most diets is that you don't get enough to eat (the starvation diet), you don't get enough variation (the liquid diet) or you go broke (the all-meat diet).

Consequently, people tend to cheat on their diets, or quit after 3 days. Well, now there's the new Toddler Miracle Diet.

Over the years you may have noticed that most two year olds are trim. Now the formula to their success is available to all in this new diet.

You may want to consult your doctor before embarking on this diet, otherwise, you may be seeing him afterwards. Good Luck !!!

DAY ONE

Breakfast: One scrambled egg, one piece of toast with grape jelly. Eat 2 bites of egg, using your fingers; dump the rest on the floor. Take 1 bite of toast, then smear the jelly over your face and clothes.

Lunch: Four crayons (any color), a handful of potato chips, and a glass of milk (3 sips only, then spill the rest).

Dinner: A dry stick, two pennies and a nickel, 4 sips of flat Sprite.

Bedtime snack: Throw a piece of toast on the kitchen floor.

DAY TWO

Breakfast: Pick up stale toast from kitchen floor and eat it. Drink half bottle of vanilla extract or one vial of vegetable dye.

Lunch: Half tube of "Pulsating Pink" lipstick and a handful of Purina Dog Chow (any flavor). One ice cube, if desired.

Afternoon snack: Lick an all-day sucker until sticky, take outside, drop in dirt. Retrieve and continue slurping until it is clean again. Then bring inside and drop on rug.

Dinner: A rock or an uncooked bean, which should be thrust up your left nostril. Pour Grape Kool-Aid over mashed potatoes; eat with spoon.

DAY THREE

Breakfast: Two pancakes with plenty of syrup, eat one with fingers, rub in hair. Glass of milk; drink half, stuff other pancake in glass. After breakfast, pick up yesterday's sucker from rug, lick off fuzz, put it on the cushion of best chair.

Lunch: Three matches, peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spit several bites onto the floor. Pour glass of milk on table and slurp up.

Dinner: Dish of ice cream, handful of potato chips, some red punch. Try to laugh some punch through your nose, if possible.

FINAL DAY

Breakfast: A quarter tube of toothpaste (any flavor), bit of soap, an olive. Pour a glass of milk over bowl of cornflakes, add half a cup of sugar. Once cereal is soggy, drink milk and feed cereal to dog.

Lunch: Eat bread crumbs off kitchen floor and dining room carpet. Find that sucker and finish eating it.

Dinner: Drop pieces of spaghetti onto back of dog, insert meatball into ear. Dump pudding into Kool-aid and suck up with a straw.

REPEAT DAYS AS NEEDED!

2008-12-30T20:34:00.003-06:00

I've been trying to be better about exercising since I've been so tired I thought it would help shake off the fatigue. Today I did my 35 minutes of cardio, then picked up the kids and took them into the pool. Lauren (7) is swimming like a fish now that she has some upper body strength. Today she jumped in and swam across the pool to me and said, "I know why I am such a good swimmer..."
"Really, Lauren, and why is that?"
"Because I was water born, of course!"

more pics of Christmas

2008-12-25T12:25:00.005-06:00

The living room, mid unwrapping...
above: Megan unwrapping her "Horshoe Trilogy" books from St. Nick.
Left: Kat opening her St. Nick gift, a video camera.
Paul is in the goofy Santa hat...unwrapping a Star Trek pez from my mom...might I add he's only had one cup of coffee at this point.

Kat & Stephen enjoying a game of chess!

Christmas

2008-12-25T12:02:00.008-06:00

Well, I actually have to start Christmas eve drama...but once again a lesson in flexibility (love to all my fellow DJMs!). Church was overrun with gypsies who thought they were at social hour, not Mass, so I was not in any mood 1/2 way thru to endure any more. I did hear the girls and heard Katherine's solo (which she did beautifully)...but after communion I took the kids not singing in the choir home. No sooner had I walked in the door did the phone ring. Paul, Kat, Megan and Becca were riding home with Aunt Julie when her car overheated on the highway...so I quickly thru our big feast into the oven, loaded the kids back into the van, and took off. Long story short, we didn't get a big sit down family feast, but everyone ate and was in bed by 10. For once I was VERY thankful that everything I had to really do was done and all we had to do was wait on kids to fall asleep so we could unload the closet and "set the scene."
Paul and I were in bed by 11. Kimberly woke me at 3am as usual and then the older three were up at 5 sorting gifts. In my sleepy stupor I yelled at them to go back to bed as they were ruining Christmas for those kids who were still sleeping...they deserve to see the tree fully loaded. Here is a photo of the scene we set for the kids before we went to bed. Everyone really woke up before 7:30 and I got to work on breakfast while they munched on stockings and opened the neighbor's gifts. After everything was in the oven I actually got to watch the kids go wild on their Christmas gifts. I was downing my second cup of coffee and feeling much more like scrooge than the warm Christmas feeling I usually have. Too tired I guess. I went back to bed after everyone was done and slept for another hour. Kids have been in and out all morning playing with neighbors and all their new games and toys...and once again we hear, "this is the best Christmas ever!"

on the dangers of childbirth

2008-12-23T20:23:00.002-06:00

I'm stealing this blog entry from one of my favorite blogs I follow. This was just so cute, Paul and I were both laughing...(this family has nine children and their son missed first confession/communion because mom had been on bedrest--ended with an emergency c-sec after a placental abruption at 30 weeks).

An eight year old's observations on the dangers of childbirth...

I was chatting with Nick yesterday on the way to confession and he was wondering aloud if he could possibly get all seven sacraments. I reminded him that it's tough to get both Matrimony and Holy Orders:

Me: Remember Ryan's grandpa? He was ordained a priest after his wife died. So, he got both. It can happen, but it's pretty rare.

Nick: So, I could do that. But, I probably won't get Annointing of the Sick, huh? I don't get really sick.

Me: You never know. I've been annointed five times. Three when I had cancer and twice before Sarah was born.

Nick: That was a good idea. You could have died in childbirth.

Me (growing concerned and wondering which big kid offered Nicky too much information): How do you know that?

Nick: Star Wars.

Me: Oh...

Nick: Luke's and Leia's mom died in childbirth.

Me: Well, that's pretty rare these days. Women just don't die in childbirth often at all. You know that, right?

Nick: Of course. Your husband would have to go to the Dark Side and then strangle you...
That's not gonna happen.

Whew. Glad to hear it.

Eureka we have a winner!

2008-12-23T20:03:00.003-06:00

Rebecca finally figured it out...long story so I will try to keep this brief. She was "mad" that Kimberly got two stockings. Paul said, "is her name on it?" Rebecca, "no." I suggested she take it up with her other sisters and maybe they can help her figure it out. Paul quietly followed her upstairs only to see Becca get distracted by a Christmas movie on tv. He came down laughing. Finally Megan and Becca come down and say, "well, this isn't Kimmy's because the baby booties don't fit her. Is it so and so's baby (and they proceed to list off about five people we know who've had a baby in the past four months, or who are now pregnant)?
I finally asked what the pictures said. The ultrasound picture is labeled "Baby Harper." Then they started in with, "is this Kimberly when she was little? Is this you?" I reminded them that my name wasn't Harper when I was little then told them to check the date of the photo. They both stared at it and seemed confused...then Becca finally got a look of revelation, "are YOU having another baby?" THE WINNER IS REBECCA!!!!!!!!!!
The kids all hugged me and told me how happy they were. Although Megan was mad that we'd kept the secret for so long. They've all been bubbling with excitement over being able to cuddle a new baby next summer. Haven't really heard from Stephen. I think he is waiting to see if it is a boy or not...

An Old Fashioned Christmas

2008-12-22T19:43:00.003-06:00

Katherine in our Church production of "An Old Fashioned Christmas"...she is so pretty!

catch up on a whole lotta nothing!!!!!!!!

2008-12-21T13:15:00.003-06:00

We got our converter box coupons in the mail last week and Paul finally got them hooked up yesterday...yeah, the pictures are so clear it is amazing! AND, now instead of four channels of nothing to watch...we have 12 channels of nothing to watch! LOL! My mom will be happy when she visits as they have the "Retro" channel and several old 70s shows were on yesterday. More PBS and church channels...not much else to offer. Some days I really miss cable!
The older ones and I pretty much spent yesterday baking up a storm! Blueberry bread, peanut butter krunchies, fudge, caramels, and fudgy bon-bons. Today I still needed to make the Martha Washingtons and mexican tea cakes. That should conclude our holiday baking. It will probably have to wait until tomorrow since I'm already exhausted and I still need to pull off dinner (early) as Kat needs to be at church by 5:00 in order to get ready for her big performance at 6. We are taking a friend's mother with us, so hopefully the kids won't kill her!!! She'd had five or six in her day, so I am assuming she can handle a little noise. Geoffrey is performing in the play today with Kat. He and Paul grew up together and went to preschool and kindergarten together...in fact I think they went to school together until Paul was shipped off to St. Michael's in Calif. when he was 13. They went to the ball game last night. Geoff has season tickets to the Tigers and invited Paul....some much needed "away from the family time" for him! Anyway, Geoff's mom lives in town, so we offered to drive her so she could watch her son...I think she is actually looking forward to it. Like most older folks, she doesn't go anywhere unless someone drives her.
Last Thursday I took two kids out for secret Santa gifts. We took two at a time so no one would know who they drew. Usually they pick names in early Nov. and the kids have to make something for their s.s., but this year I was too lazy and forgot...the kids remembered and panicked last week, so I just handed each $20 and said, "buy something this year!" When I got home there were 10 kids in the house...four ours, but six were neighbor kids! Paul was totally oblivious...actually not that much. A neighbor had an emergency with her six year old, so we took in her other two that were home. Two more came home from school, so Paul went down and picked them up and brought them back to our house. The neighbors across the street also came over = houseful! I'm glad everyone feels so comfy that they dump their kids when they need to! It is actually quieter around here with more kids! They all play, oh, and it was the start of that warm front, so it was warm! Yesterday it got up to 68!!!! But today it will be lucky if it gets to 40. The kids were freezing this morning because mommy forgot to turn the heat back on, oops!
Well, I hope your day is a blessed one!

2008-12-18T12:10:00.002-06:00

So this morning I came out of my room and saw that the seventh stocking had been emptied...everything was in a chair in the living room. But no one has said anything! I think they emptied it out decided there was nothing good in there...i.e. no candy and then walked off. I told Paul and he laughed and went and put everything back. He is now enjoying this game tremendously!
On another note, Kimberly is no longer my compliant, obedient, "good" child. she is now an obnoxious run-about who I no longer wish to be around!!!!!!!! Just kidding, but she is driving us all batty! All my friends from up north and New Orleans are bragging to me about all the snow they have...we are sitting in the middle of a warm front and it supposed to be in the fifties and sixties today. I'm hoping it will lower our gas bill...this month may force us to sell a child or two!
Time to get back and check the kids for their tests! Two kids still have work to do. Katherine, Stephen and Megan are done.

kids still don't know

2008-12-17T16:47:00.003-06:00

This has turned into a game for Paul. We hung seven stockings. I could hear the buzz, "why did dad hang seven?" "can't he count?" "maybe he hung one for himself," and "we should have him put one more up for mom."
Paul doesn't want to directly tell them, he wants them to figure it out, so now it is just funny. We put the ultrasound pics in the stocking and today I bought some little booties and put them in there too, so that if they ever pull down the unnamed stocking and look in it, hopefully they will figure it out! My friends are shocked that they haven't figured it out as my stomach is the first thing that goes...out. I've been doing pretty well at hiding my bump, but come on! We'll see how long this goes on...I'll keep you posted...

2008-12-16T09:44:00.002-06:00

Meet Baby Harper (well, this is what he/she looked like on the scan yesterday--I pulled this off the internet). The kids find out tonight, but I just wanted to post that we have a strong heartbeat and things are lookin' good! I thought I was 10 weeks, but baby was more developed and bigger than expected, so the tech decided my due date would be July 5 instead of the 13th...no biggie. All is well and good though! Paul was so amazed to see the pics as he'd never seen one before! Good for his adjustment to reality. More later...

Christmas

2008-12-15T07:36:00.003-06:00

Well, the Christmas tree is up...no lights or decorations, but it is up! I unpacked my grandmother's nativity set that my mother shipped to me last summer and the kids were just amazed that something that old was "still around?!?!!" My mother came across it cleaning out her mother's house.
I had gotten ahold of a crayon when I was probably about four or five and wrote "Krissy" across the top of the box. My mom believed it to be truly prophetic and so mailed it to me. I am also the only "religious" person in my family, who has her own home...so it just seemed to make sense. I've been just sitting and looking at it every morning reminiscing upon past Christmas's. Bicycles, stereos, great-grandma's knitted slippers, big Christmas eve dinners, etc. swirl thru my mind. I still can't believe I will be forty next August. Before ya know it I'll be dead and the kids will be all grown with families of their own! Life goes on...
Okay, that was depressing as hell...Saturday, Kimberly decided to empty a box of that packing popcorn (that I had asked one of the kids to put in the attic...she didn't) and the kids decided to have a "snowball" fight in it...they were not happy when mom and dad found them and made them all stay up to clean it up. Paul was heading up to send them to bed when the deed was discovered. The entire upstairs AND stairs was coated. I came in with the hair spray and it soon became much easier to clean it all up. They did finally get to bed close to 10pm. I hope it was worth it!

Katherine's Choir Christmas Benefit Concert

2008-12-10T07:13:00.004-06:00

Last night was the Benefit Choir (no charge, but donations accepted for the Hope House, a support facility for women and children with HIV). I have a brief video that shows Katherine in the middle and then I pan down to show everyone (well a portion). The kids were surrounding us around the church. I wish I could've gotten more!

2008-12-08T15:57:00.001-06:00

So I am in the office printing out week 2 advent stuff for their lapbooks and I hear Paul telling Megan that she needs to hurry and get her homework done as we are leaving in 90 minutes to go to Mass.
Megan, "It's Monday! Didn't we just go yesterday?"
Paul, "Megan, it is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of obligation. you need to get homework done and eat."
Megan, "Eat, what are they serving?"
Paul, "what?"
Megan, "You just said it was a feast..."
me...giggle, giggle!

2008-12-05T07:03:00.002-06:00

So yesterday, I took Lauren and Rebecca to the school performance of the Nutcracker. Both of them took friends and for the first time we actually got to see the whole thing...thanks to daddy who stayed home with Kimmy and Stephen! It is nice to go to the school performances as they are a little more laid back and helpful. Someone comes out at the beginning to introduce the story and help the kids with their "ballet manners." He then returns at Intermission to answer questions. Lauren's friend, "Did the sleigh really fly?" Answer, "no, it had special wires that carried it up to a special platform behind the stage." Lauren (asking me as her voice did not carry as well as Lotus'), "how did they get it to snow inside the theater?"
Rebecca and her friend thoroughly enjoyed it. They enjoyed seats that we really wouldn't have ever been able to afford had we seen this ballet on opening night. Mezzanine and almost on top of the stage...the girls really had perfect views! We kinda had a whole girl day as afterwards we went to eat lunch at Cracker Barrel and then I took everyone home. I was utterly exhausted and fell into bed when I got home...sleeping for almost two hours!
Today will be another out of the house day as we have First Friday activities today and I still have to make my potluck meal. We leave in two hours so I'd better get my b*** in gear! Have a blessed day!

Stephen's prayer

2008-12-03T19:14:00.002-06:00

So Stephen was given the assignment to make up a prayer thanking God for all the gifts that He gives to us...here it is (dad told him to take up half the sheet of paper):
Thank you God for all the bushes, roses, flowers, trees, stars, the moon, the sun, life, mankind, grass, leaves, branches, rain, snow, hail, atmosphere, Earth, water, food shelter, clothes, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hair, eyebrows, cheeks, backbone, chin, stomach, organs, long intestine, short intestine, knees, feet, toes, toenails, belly button, arms, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, fingernails, palms and necks that you have willingly and lovlingly given us.

Advent Preparations

2008-12-03T07:24:00.004-06:00

Since I feel like I've been whiplashed into Advent, I ordered some lapbooks for the kids to make during Advent. Here is day 1:
The kids seemed to really enjoy it...even though it was a lot of cutting! I also didn't realize this would involve more than one folder, so I was busy cutting and gluing the folders together correctly! I kept loosing them as a Christmas show was on tv last night, so that is why you don't see Rebecca! We were having so much fun, I forgot I had wanted to hit confession last night! St. Paul's is offering confessions to be heard Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during Advent! Have to hit it up next time!'
Have a blessed day...and yes, I did get more sleep last night!

2008-12-02T08:01:00.002-06:00

What is it about kids that they have to leave evidence of their existence everywhere they go? We super-cleaned before Thanksgiving, down to the steam cleaning, dusting, taking down curtains and washing those and scrubbing blinds. I now cannot tell any room was ever clean! The den has scattered DVD cases, paper, crayons and clothing. The classroom, thank goodness is pretty tidy apart from the stray paper and pencil here and there. We won't even speak of what the bathrooms look like. I'm thinking of installing permanent dressers in there as it seems that is where all the clothes end up anyway!
Okay, I am complaining, but it is exhausting cleaning a room and turning around and having it destroyed. I feel like I have six "Pig-pens" living here; remember the character from Charlie Brown? Plus, I am just plain tired! Kimberly for some reason is finding it difficult to sleep in her own bed. She makes her way into our room every night. Sometimes I am so out of it I don't even realize she is there, but last night she came in, wet so much it leaked through her waterproof pants and soaked me. I changed her and put her back to bed, then she came back at 3am to say she had to potty, but I soon discovered it was too late as the second pair of pants were soaked. Second change and put to bed...only to crawl in with us about 45 minutes later, just as I was nodding off...so then I laid there for awhile, dozed A LITTLE and woke up at 5am. Figuring I'd just get up so I could make some scones for the kids for breakfast and go back to bed, I just got up. Got K and M up for school, prayed for them, fed them and sent them out the door. Did a load of dishes that we were to busy to finish last night and laid down on the couch...up comes Kimberly 30 minutes later..."wake up, PLEASE!" So here I sit in an exhausted stupor trying to get on with my day...
I just realized this blog is morphing into me and less about the kids, sorry! So I guess I'd better talk about how great they are now, right?
um........not much in the mood for that! Okay, they aren't that bad, but I have nothing to really speak of except little things..
#1 while dressing Kimberly yesterday, Becca came in the room and just started laughing uproariously..."mom look at Kimmy's bum!" I turned her around and her whole bum was exposed as the seam in her undies was ripped clear across...we all started laughing so hard she passed gas then giggled more about that!
#2 Stephen is doing very well with scouts and they are preparing to be in the parade this weekend.
#3 Lauren is doing much better on her allergy meds. She is compliant and helpful and less annoying than usual.
#4 Becca hasn't been feeling well and suffered from a horrible migraine last night. She ended up going to bed right after dinner...but then I had to get her up to go with us to choir practice at Church. I didn't make her get up, but got her a coke and some Tylenol and she started to feel a little better. I'm taking Becca and Lauren to the Nutcracker on Thursday.
#5 Megan is not being helped by the public school system like I thought she would. I thought I'd fought enough to get her the assistance she needs, but obviously after the progress reports I've seen, she isn't. It doesn't look like it will get any better. I am praying hard about her situation as I don't see homeschooling being an option that I can handle. I'd have to send everyone else to school, just to ensure that she is getting all the attention she needs in order to be successful. At this point I honestly have no idea what to do and feel quite helpless with this child.
#6 Katherine is doing very well, but I do notice her having some difficulties this semester with keeping it all together. I don't know why. She slipped from an A to a B in English and another class is an A- that she had a solid A in last quarter. She is getting excited for their pancake breakfast this weekend, parade, Christmas choir concert and upcoming trip to NY in January.
Paul has been home a lot this year. I'm used to not seeing him from Nov-Jan and he's been home more than not.
Well, I need to get the lazy ones up....
Have a blessed day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-29T19:12:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving!
We had beautiful weather and wonderful company. Paul's brother and his kids and Paul's sister, Julie were able to make it over. We had tons of food and everyone ate tons! I actually had very little left over. Today we had cranberry muffins to use up the cranberry sauce and my wonderful "holiday turkey casserole" to use up the gravy and turkey tonight. I was going to make potato rolls, but I'm just too worn out the past couple of days (after two days in the kitchen)to be able to make bread...that is a long process!
I went out for Black Friday shopping and managed to get almost ALL my shopping done in just one day! Whatever I didn't get directly in person, I ordered online as many of the stores also offered their Black Friday deals online...and some offered free shipping.
The kids have been pretty happy and good. I ran them out to the Y today to play and swim and then we went out for burgers and to the library. Paul had worked the 2am to 9am flight, so he was pretty beat...we gave him a nice long nap since the house was so peaceful.
I wish I could say we have pics, but once again the "not me" ghost has captured my camera. I think I actually hid it and now I can't find it, LOL!
Well, this will have to be short as I have a kitchen to clean...

Weekend update

2008-11-23T13:25:00.002-06:00

So, I guess lately we are being called into service...just about every few days someone we know has some small (or big) emergency that we are having to drop everything and help them...not that I mind! Anything to get away from reality, right?
Friday, I took Lauren into the allergist as her behavior has been getting increasingly worse (can't sit still for anything or anyone, everyone being mad at her for her misbehavior, etc). For some reason I just thought we'd give this a shot. Found out she was allergic to grasses and weeds, some trees, cats, dust mites and mold. We started her on Allegra and she is supposed to continue with that for 10 refills and then come back and get retested to see if it has successfully calmed her immune system down. I must say how shocked I am at how well she has taken to it. There have been no outbursts and screaming at Lauren from the others, Lauren has been calm and "normal" and her itching has about 90% vanished. She also had the nice "shiners" under her eyes that every day seem to be getting a little bit better. She didn't speak to me at all Friday as I didn't warn her about the "pokes" to her back, but she is over that shock now. She is also enjoying a calmer attitude and seems happier...all worth it!
So you can guess Saturday was spent cleaning every surface that could gather dust and steam cleaning/shampooing with special allergen killer the carpet in my room. I was going to move onto the living room, but the kids were in and out raking leaves and playing...actually everyone but Kimberly as all she did was run and take a nose dive into the piles!
I'll post more later, but I have to get busy with dinner prep! I did manage to get all my Thanksgiving shopping out of the way, so now I can just sit back and relax for a few days...on that front.

The good son

2008-11-18T09:20:00.002-06:00

It is 8:25 and I grabbed a cup of coffee to sit and check email. The kids have been given their assignments. Stephen was dutifully making his bed, then moved on to his morning chores and then I catch him doing this...school without being told!!!!!!!!!
Rebecca is refusing to get out of bed (I'm guessing this is related to yesterday's trip to the library). Lauren is somewhat doing school, except continuing to bother her brother with insane questions...
If I lived in Oregon, how would you come and visit me? Would it be faster to sail around South America or walk from Mississippi, through the desert, over the mountains and up to Oregon? I did have Kimberly listening to a friend's blogtalk radio program this morning. She now has her husband reading devotional stories to her kids before he leaves for work since he is working so much and not seeing them much. This way the kids start their day hearing dad reading about "Wisdom" before their school day begins. Kimberly enjoyed it so much I then set her up with my friend's blog reading children's stories. That kept her entertained for about an hour. Long enough for me to get some chores done and prepare the lessons for the day!
Well, I hear Lauren's geography quiz to Stephen has disrupted the educational atmosphere, so I'd better run....Have a blessed day!

my head is spinning

2008-11-15T19:45:00.003-06:00

What day is it? When Paul is out of town I have a very hard time falling asleep. Add to that more chores for just me AND now the neighbor kids staying with us.
I sent out a prayer request to our homeschool group. Our neighbors (across the street) have a 18 or 19 yr old adopted daughter. She is a freshman in a college here in town. She was in her dorm and her roommate rushed her into the ER when she awoke to discover one eye swollen shut. She is now in the hospital (has been since Tuesday) with a staph infection in her eye socket. Within three days it spread into her brain and now they are running tests to determine if she has gone septic. Yesterday they did surgery to remove the worst of the diseased tissue and to drain the "pockets" of staph that have accumulated around her head. How life can change in an instant!
So, now I have an extra 10 and 6 yr old. They blend well with our family as they already spend so much time with us, but now I have to be mom and dad to them as their own mom has been at the hospital for four days and dad is still working. They've been home for brief visits when mom and dad have come home to rest or change, but otherwise, they've been here.
Stephen went camping with some friends, so I should be getting him back today; freezing cold and wet! I actually had to let the dog in last night as it was supposed to get down to the low 20s. Looks like we are in for a cold one!
So you might wonder what we have done to keep everyone occupied. Coloring, drawing, playdough, fort building, Scrabble and dress up seem to fill our days. We also went to the library yesterday. I wanted to head to this huge garage sale, but it was just too cold for me to drag 7 kids out in it. Friday night I even had another one. Katherine had already arranged a sleepover with her friend, so I had two teenagers and Shelby brough her game system, so that actually kept everyone out of their hair so they could play and visit without a bunch of kids climbing all over them. Things have been going quite smoothly; I've just not left the house very much! Today, I will attempt to take the kids to church..if Stephen can get home in time! We may end up at noon mass as I haven't heard from him.
Well, pray for my neighbors' daughter Zoe. Things aren't looking so good and she is in a lot of pain. She had a very rough life before her adoption 6 yrs ago.

Megan's trying day and Kat's opportunity

2008-11-12T07:36:00.002-06:00

Gas at Sam's, $1.80/gal
That was the price last night...filled up our huge van for $45! It was double that not too long ago! Food prices still seem to be high, but we just cut out all the "good" stuff.
We show up for children's choir practice last night at church. Seems to have all went rather bumpy...I was having a "bad mommy" day yesterday...but afterwards, the director grabs Katherine and makes her sing a song. Then excuses her and comes to me and says she wants her to do a solo on Christmas eve....Katherine is excited, but then this morning the reality of singing ALONE in front of a packed church hit her...she is very nervous now!
This also makes me very sad for the others. How can you stand being the "next Harper" after her? The straight A, never upset your parents, honest, talented sister has got to be hard on everyone else. Megan seems to really be bothered by it and tends to retreat into a "snit." She tries, but bless her heart, nothing she does ever turns out the way she wants it to. And, I probably didn't help by getting on her case about not using her time wisely. They had over two hours to get homework done, chores and eat dinner before leaving and Megan did nothing, then took a shower...she ended up running out to the car in her underwear! I'm such a bad mom! Here we were all ready to back up and she still wasn't in the van, I went up and said I would throw her out in her towel if she didn't get her butt in gear and she was crying and trying to at least get panties on as I followed her out to the van...she was dressed by the time we reached the Church. I feel at a loss as to how to help her, but maybe this is a maturation process. I remember Katherine, up until this year seemed to space out and not do anything. She seems to be getting better. I just hope they all hit this point, sooner rather than later.

Kimberly's birthday

2008-11-12T07:24:00.006-06:00

Monday was crazy busy...but the most memorable moment was losing Kimberly. The kids had all been playing in Lauren's room after lunch and I scolded them to get back to their work as creativity coop was at 3 and we were expecting three families to join us. I was working on our art project and continued preparing dinner, as well as the art stuff....well, a little while passed and I asked the kids to check on Kimberly. They obviously didn't do it. Just about 2:30 I came downstairs and started looking around. It was very quiet and somewhat dark as it was a cold-on-the-verge-of raining kind of afternoon. NO KIMBERLY ANYWHERE! I yelled up the stairs for the older kids to get shoes on and help me look. The doors were locked save for the back door. We looked in the back, in the dog house, no Kimberly. The neighbors have yet to fix their fence and I suddenly feared she just climbed over those lame three pieces of wood and made an escape, something her siblings certainly would have done long ago. About this time everyone began to show up and we searched high and low. My friend Janice found Kimberly half naked laying on my bedroom floor closet surrounded by candy...I'm guessing she was having a sugar high...here is a great picture. As you can see there is candy stuck all over her. And here is one with the pink frosting off her cake that she got into ( just before lunch I found her sitting in the middle of the kitchen table eating/mangling her cake--pretty much sticking to just the frosting. As for all the Halloween candy we had hidden, what she didn't eat made it into the trash! That was the most exciting birthday I think we have ever had!

Happy Birthday Kimberly!

2008-11-10T07:40:00.002-06:00

It is Monday...and 32 degrees outside! It is supposed to be colder this week with rain and such. I really should be doing something more productive, but I am just draggin'!
The nice thing about being here vs. Louisiana is the seasonal change. The leaves are so pretty right now! I don't remember ever truly experiencing Autumn in Louisiana. We went straight from Summer into Winter and then back into Summer again. Spring and Autumn were only week long shifts...not true seasons.
Everyone has the "snots." As you can see from the blog, we had family portraits taken on Saturday and it went somewhat painlessly, except for the child predator stalking my kids for a few minutes....the good Lord made sure I was extra vigilant and undistracted. He hung around until Paul showed up and then seemed to take off. Now I know why we don't go to mall's here! It is the first time we'd set foot in a mall in two years....
Katherine spent the rest of Saturday in choir competitions. They placed "Superior" (that means great). Megan won her English class spelling bee and wants to compete for the whole school bee...things seem to be looking up for her as she is finally getting motivated to do well. Rebecca spent the weekend playing with friends. The neighbor stayed the night and went to church with us on Sunday...well, went with Paul, Kat, Megan and Becca. By the time we reached the church, Paul and I both realized that three of the kids were way too snotty to take in and expose all the elderly parishoners to their colds, so I dropped the oldest ones off and took the other three shopping for an hour. We were going to celebrate Kimberly's birthday so I needed supplies. I had planned on making a cake on Saturday, but fell asleep at 8:30pm. Sunday I got up early, only to find I had just one egg....so I had to buy a cake. Paul was leaving for 10 days, so we had to do it then...no more time for me to make anything!
My camera has vanished, taken by the "not me" ghost. It was sitting in here on the file cabinet last I remember and now it is gone...so no pics until the "not me" ghost decides to return it. Kimberly picked out a Dora cake and everyone had fun eating spaghetti o's and cake and ice cream. Her grandma got her a new dress and her cousin in WA got her a big 'cushy' bear that everyone is threatening to take from Kimmy. Grandma also got her a cabbage patch kids doll playset that they have been playing with ever since. We got her some DVD's of her favorite shows (we have no cable so they are just Wonderpets and Little Einsteins..we've seen them when we checked them out from the library) and a little indoor bowling set.
Well, I need to get back to work...busy day today!

CHEAP GAS!!!!!!!!

2008-11-06T19:42:00.001-06:00

I just filled up at Sam's in Southaven for 1.89/gal!

Sad day

2008-11-05T07:21:00.003-06:00

Well, the elections are over and it is such a bummer. It is a sad, ignorant country whose citizens base their opinion of others based on the color of their skin or their smooth sounding voice...but who never listen or demand answers. Sure, we were kinda picking the "not best, but not worst" but isn't it sad that the best leaders, the ones who would really make GREAT presidents, don't even run...because of all the crap that candidates have to put up with. What about Fred Thompson, Alan Keyes or even Sarah Palin (I really liked her)? It is a sad state of affairs and I just hope and pray that the next four years do not destroy this nation of ours....

Patience and Trust

2008-11-03T14:23:00.001-06:00

I happened upon this quote today and thought I'd share...
"Commit your heart and your life to patiently waiting on God. Be obedient to what He has called you to do right now, and do it with excellence. Ask God to show you the lessons He wants to teach you in order to be ready to assume the next position He is preparing you for. Do not run ahead of the Lord. Hurry is the death of trust." Zoe Elmore

Halloween

2008-11-02T07:03:00.010-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

The kids and their bounty! Becca took off with a friend for a Halloween Party so that is why there is none of her. Stephen disrobed almost the same minute we walked through the door (he was hot!)...so I saved us all from having to see him!

Kimberly ends the holiday, by sitting in my now empty candy bowl! I also wanted to add that I filled up with gas yesterday for $2.04 gal and my neighbor reported $1.95 in Collierville! It is also in the upper 70's during the day, but down to 30-40's at night. Strange weather this year, but I am hoping that means a good cold winter to kill off some bugs!

new camera

2008-10-29T07:34:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I am now used to this new camera, but it is keeping me from being lazy! The memory card sucks as it doesn't hold but a dozen or so pics before being "full." This kept me from taking some pics last night for pumpkin carving night...my attempts at trying to get the kids to paint them failed! I'll try to get more pics of the kids and their pumpkins tonight after the older two get home from school.

The week in Review...

2008-10-26T12:19:00.004-05:00

(image on right is Katherine and her aunt Julie after her "La Traviata" performance...I tried to post this lower, but it kept coming up here!)

Things were busy around here for this family of 8 this week! On Monday, Stephen has scouts at 6:30...Paul is now an assistant Webelos I leader as the women already were exerting control, so he just fills in and runs things when they let him ; ) He and Stephen hauled all of our broken bikes down to the meeting and the boys spent Monday night fixing all our bikes. Paul laughingly says, "next week we will all meet at my house and we will work on your carpentry and plumbing skills!" He is currently selling popcorn, so if anyone wants any, just let me know!
Tuesday meant Megan got to perform for her middle school's homecoming football game. Her school joined in the Presidential Physical Fitness program, so everyone has to have a PE. Megan chose "Cheer Dance Aerobics." It has turned out to be all cheer and no dance and no aerobics! Anyway, all the girls from the classes got to perform during halftime. I wanted to download the video Paul took, but it was so blurry you could barely make out anything, sorry! I must say that my previous objections to anything "cheer" have tempered. Megan was a natural and did very well!
Wednesday Lauren rushed thru her schoolwork, so she wouldn't be late for a playdate with her friend M.G. They live near us and if you look at previous postings, they took ballet together last year.
Thursday meant gymnastics for Lauren and Rebecca. They are both loving it (well, Lauren doesn't like having to sit still during the instruction portion). The others got lucky and got to attend the high school's fall festival. Games, prizes and Karoake were enjoyed by everyone. Paul said Katie and Megan both sang Celine Dion songs and when Megan sang, all the middle school cheerleaders stood behind her doing "moves" and voicing backup...what I wouldnt' have given to see that! I think Megan finally had a "I really am good and special" moment...I'm glad as I don't think she gets enough of those from her peers.
Friday was a true blessing for me. A friend invited me in for her cesarean, to help her in any way that she or her husband needed. I hope I did what they needed, for I truly felt blessed to once again be a part of the birth of a new creation! Paul had the day off and everyone was at his mercy for the whole day, LOL!
Friday night, Paul took Katherine to her homecoming football game where her choir sang the National Anthem. The football team won 42 to 14 so it apparently was a good game. Afterwards, the choir hosted the homecoming dance and karoake party. I was a little panicked when Paul came home without her and annouced that he left Katie at the school to go to the dance, but he told me to back off as he sat with her and all her friends at the game and they were all good kids. They were all going as a group. PLUS, I found out later that their homecoming is NOTHING like what it was when I was growing up. Apparently, the only formal here is the Prom. Everyone at homecoming was just in jeans and tshirts/sweatshirts. Not a big deal. She sang "Concrete Angel" at the karoake party after the dance. Her friend video taped her and is supposed to upload it to youtube...I'll let you know when it is on there.
We spent yesterday going door to door with Stephen selling popcorn, yardwork, and then to top it all off, Paul went with Katherine and his dad to the opera. His sister Julie is one of the singers and they performed, "La Traviata." Katherine loved it!

Well, daddy certainly has spent a lot of time with the kids this month. Hopefully that will fill them thru the busy delivery months that lie ahead. It is always hard for the kids and me not to see him from Nov. to January. Now for my day of rest....

Sorry, I have to brag!!!!!!!!

2008-10-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

Katherine came running in today after school...so excited! She thrust a paper in my hand and before I could even read it she is gushing out info...She got a perfect score on the Biology/Science section of the SATP (subject area testing...don't know what significance this is...) and then was the highest scorer for the Math section (she'd only missed three)! Yeah! She also got straight A's.
Now, for my "down to earth" time...Megan failed science....but all other classes she passed comfortably..no D's.

Katherine on piano

2008-10-19T18:49:00.002-05:00

I'm including a bit of Katherine's musical talents for you to hear and see:

Birthing a watermelon

2008-10-18T22:23:00.002-05:00

For all of you who don't follow The Office...they had a hilarious birth simulation that one must see and subsequently laugh hysterically...and yes, it is a bit "off."
http://www.hulu.com/watch/39647/the-office-baby-shower#s-p1-so-i0

Little Pig

2008-10-18T11:19:00.004-05:00

We are all just ROTFLOL over this! My sister sent some cheap masks and the kids have really loved playing with them...here is Kimmy in a Little Pig rendition.... (ee-no is "Please don't" in two year old language).

Got It!

2008-10-18T01:14:00.000-05:00

I managed to get the Lauren video to work right...just 10 seconds, but since family doesn't live anywhere near here, I thought it would be nice for them to see her...

Oh crap!

2008-10-18T01:06:00.000-05:00

I was just rechecking my blog to make sure the set up came up right and I clicked on Katherine's picture....only to notice in the background, thru the blinds...a very naked Kimberly and Lauren playing in the dog's water bowl...I think this will NOT be listed as a major porn site, but oh my, the things I DON'T notice when I am taking pics!

Katherine..."Mom, what are you doing?"

2008-10-18T00:54:00.000-05:00

I got a new camera and I am so excited! I am still trying to figure it out, but Katherine unknowingly was my first subject...this thing has so many buttons, I didn't know what I was hitting! She will not be happy with me for sharing this photo! I tried to also record a short video of Lauren making her pizza for dinner, but for some reason I couldn't get the sound to transfer...I have to work on that. She is heading out tomorrow to sit in on a short rehearsal of her aunt getting ready to perform the opera, "La Traviata."

Busy Fall break!

2008-10-15T18:37:00.001-05:00

Busy, busy, busy!!! Friday we dashed about town, visiting, finishing laundry, cleaning and packing. Saturday morning we headed out to Jeff Busby park for an overnight camping trip! It was a bit of a drive (little over 2 hours) but all we had to pay for was gas...no fee for camping sites! We got all set up, went on a nature walk, ate dinner and then headed out to the Rainwater Observatory/Planetarium in French Camp. It was about 15 minutes away from our campsite. The kids had to endure a bit of boring lecture on what NASA hopes to accomplish in the next 100 years, but then the kids and adults were given the opportunity to roam thru the building looking at meteorites,tons of gemstones and other interesting models and artifacts. There was also this curious blue substance called 'aerogel'...never heard of it before in my life. (When we came home I googled it...the www shows loads of info and cool pics, check it out!)

After purusing the barn, we headed outside. The scientist in charge had a light pointer that went clear into space...that got the kids' more attention than just about anything. To have someone point out the constellations and North Star was very education for me at least! We also got to peer thru telescopes set up around the landscape...one aimed at the moon, one at Jupiter (a few children, who shall remain unnamed lost interest at this point and I had to remove them from the scene). This I might add was all FREE!
After that "fun" (or I would call torture for a 7 and 2 year old) we came back to the campsite to roast marshmallows, keep Kimberly out of the fire and then retire for the evening into our respective tents (girls tent vs. the boys tent). Kimberly awoke in the middle of the night wanting her bed and blankie, but then fell back into a deep slumber within 5 to 10 minutes. We just went for one night as a "test" and it worked out well. Next time we just need to find a campsite that had more amenities for little ones, like a sandbox and playground....
We arrived back home a little after noon on Sunday and spent the afternoon cleaning up and then heading to Mass that night. We were surprised to see so many people we knew! It was nice to chat and catch up with everyone!

Monday I enforced school...even for those who "go to school"and a little shopping. I picked up a few new board games for the kids and they must have played scrabble over and over again for about an hour or two before the Creativity Co-op people showed. We get together with some other families in town and pool our creative resources. I teach about an aspect of art, or an artist and then we start in on a project to support what we learned. We do this for about 55 minutes, then switch to the next mom who teaches a 10 minute segment on Creative movement and then switch to our Creative writing mom who leads us in a subject related to the art and gets the kids brains thinking of writing! I must say I feel embarrassed at how good the other moms did and how lousy I was! I feel like a hermit that is just starting to get out into public again and I feel a bit uneasy and awkward right now. Since I was covering the beginning of art starting with the Greeks, Cari taught a little on Greek Mythology and got the kids to create their own myths...it was super! Becca won't share hers with me as she was still in the drawing phase, but Lauren, who was really struggling with the creative aspect (the cattail is a cattail....)I encouraged with some bits and pieces of info and she managed to draw it out to a full blown myth. Her fine motor skills aren't caught up with her brain yet though, so I am probably going to have to play secretary as she tells me what to write. Stephen's piece was very detailed, but I didn't catch the gist of it, other than he was explaining how ant hills came to be. I'll probably submit copies of those as they become available.

Tuesday we decided to catch the "free after 1pm" deal at the Pink Palace and then swooped down on Paul's sister, Julie for a quick, "hello!" Now it is Wednesday and I think everyone is exhausted. I am hoping tomorrow that I don't have to go anywhere!!! Katherine and Megan had to go back to classes today, but I did end up getting Megan as she was crying with a sore throat and slight fever. I think she is fine though, so I am sending her back tomorrow. My homeschoolers had to stay busy with work as well...no breaks for the weary!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for keeping up with our busy life! Pictures will be forthcoming when I get the film developed....a new digital camera is on the way though!

Life is back to normal

2008-10-08T00:06:00.000-05:00

I am well again, but I feel I've lost 6 weeks of my life! In my attempt to get caught up on everything today, I got done with nothing....isn't that how it always goes.
One bright thing that happened yesterday, is my 2yr old took my face in her hands, smoothed my hair back and said, "you're bootiful." Made my day!

Today, I was privy to a unusual sight, Paul pausing from the computer long enough to engage in a educated discussion with Stephen over exploration and the importance of which country sent who where...When asked, "where was Genoa?" Stephen replied, "Italy." Dad, "good...now where is Italy?" Stephen, "Isn't it that continent above Africa?" Dad, "okay, can you be more specific...and remember it they sailed, right, didn't walk." Stephen, "Well, I think they had to have walked, otherwise how would they have gotten on their ship?" He said this totally seriously....I however was trying hard not to laugh and Paul was getting frustrated as he thought Stephen was trying to be a class clown...Praytell, how can you be a class clown with only two kids in the room????? This is why mommy teaches and daddy works....he just doesn't have the patience for it....gotta love 'em anyway (although today i am just calling him the convenient sperm donor...it's been a bad day)!

Potty training

2008-09-30T12:54:00.000-05:00

As I sit here typing, Paul sits in government hell. We needed a copy of a past tax return. After six weeks of waiting patiently for the mail to miraculously make it appear, he decided to drive to the IRS office in Memphis and just pick it up....that was over three hours ago. Lesson learned: Don't trust saving Turbo Tax info on your computer....it will crash and you will loose all your info! Print copies and save in a safe place.
Kimberly is successfully potty trained! I'd like to say I did it all, but it was actually Lauren who got her to finally poopoo in the potty last night--after two full days of not going. I took away the pullups as I realized she was starting to hold it all in waiting for that night pull up and then let loose! I finally decided the only way out of that quandary was to just remove the option. The first night she wet (my bed) about 5:30 in the morning...so she made it from 8 to 5:30. I got braver last night and put her in her own bed (I had figured if she awoke to use the bathroom that first night I'd be right there and could help her quicker). She made it from 10pm (okay, I had trouble getting everyone to go to bed last night) until about 9am! The bed and Kimberly were dry!! Hurray!
I really despise potty training. It is one of those things that really wears on my patience. Maybe loss of my hearing, taste and smell was the perfect combination to success...yes, that is right. I have hearing only in my left ear right now and haven't had the other senses for about a month now. Ever since I started in with the full blown sinusitis, stuffy head stuff it all disappeared. I actually heard my left ear pop and hearing return about a week ago. The coughing is still there, but at least that is better.
Back to potty training. I think as a young adult it seems absurd to hear grown adults use phrases like, "poo poo potty, yeah!" "make mommy a tinkle sound and then you can get down." or "put the stinky in the potty." I remember years ago my sister (unmarried, no kids) bought Katie the book "everyone poops." She was laughing so hard she couldn't even read the book all the way thru. 13 years later and it still that bad. Books don't seem to work and neither does anything else. Kids have to decide to do it on their own, but adults non the less try to make it an easy transition...don't forget making up stupid, silly songs that we always hope and pray will make potty training fun and enjoyable for the whole family! But let's face it...the worst is when they want to show you what they've done and they parade around the house with the little removable bowl from their potty chair as they look for you as you had to leave them for a moment to go check on the boiling water on the stove....urine dripped from the bathroom all the way to the kitchen....just what I want to deal at 10:00 at night! All the while smiling and saying what a big girl Kimmy is! Yeah!

sorry about a whole month away!

2008-09-27T20:24:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a long month for me. I started getting sick the end of August (the 24th to be exact). Megan and Katherine started with separate but I now believe the same virus. In August, Megan's symptoms manifested as a pertussiss infection and Katherine's as sinusitis. Both recovered quickly after antibiotics. Next was Lauren with severe cold symptoms, but she did run fevers off and on and seemed much more sick with this virus. Two days before I took her in to the doctor, I noticed post nasal drip and "swallowing glass" sore throat symptoms in myself and Rebecca was reporting the same. I thought I was so much smarter than my kids and that I WOULD follow thru with all the natural stuff I told them to do and of course they didn't take everything and ended up in the doctor's office with prescriptions...needless to say, just the past couple of days I have been able to function for longer than 2 hours without needing a nap. Rebecca and I both did everything we could to stave it off. Rebecca was well within three days, me....one month?! I did end up resorting to antibiotics, 1) for the sinus infection that left me dizzy, in pain, and looking like someone beat me with a bat (what I said to the doctor was..."look at my eyes...this is not normal and is not the result of abuse!"). Then Wednesday I started with the bronchitis/pertussis treatment as I was coughing so hard I was throwing up...not too good when I am so fatigued already that I could hardly get up in the morning and then had to go back to bed for 2-3 hours after doing school with the kids for 2 hours. It took us ALL DAY to do school for the last month. Thankfully this week it is better!
We now also have a computer upstairs so now I can try to keep up with my blog better. Thank you all for your prayers for us this past month. I could really tell they helped me regain my strength. I actually took the kids on a short walk yesterday to try to exercise my lungs...I still have a bit of a cough and some chest congestion, but it is sooooo much better!
Well, I need to get Kimberly to bed.
Love and blessings!
Kris

Almost September!

2008-08-30T22:55:00.000-05:00

So my birthday was the beginning of August, but Paul's schedule has been a bear so we just went out tonight. P.F. Changs was introduced to me back in May when my sisters suggested we dine there one night when I was visiting (remember, me alone!). A few months back, I happened to be in Memphis and noticed one there...around the corner from a Cold Stone Creamery, so Paul was happy and so was I!
School is going excellent for Katherine. Thus far she has all A's and is loving school. Choir is going well. She has the choir retreat next Saturday with a bowl-a-thon in the morning (this is the first fundraiser for the New York trip that the upper classmen get to take this year). The next one I've managed to get myself in charge of :) A candle fundraiser, so if anyone reading this wants to buy any of the home interiors candles, just let me know...these are really great candles for just $7!
Megan started out very well, but is quickly dissolving back into bad habits. I fielded a phone call Friday from her English teacher about her not returning work to school. Thus far, she too has good grades, but that may change if she doesn't get her butt in gear! I told her I would remove her from choir if I received one more notice of no homework. That ended in a puddle of hysterical tears as she told me I just added more to her already bad day. Girls and their drama! A new friend this year is already playing the, "I'm not your friend anymore" crap. I just told Megan that apparently she isn't a good friend as good friends don't do that. We'll see if that holds up.
Becca seems to be good at laying around and not doing ANYTHING! She is driving me batty...that girl needs some serious internal motivation. I know she is angry with us about not being able to do gymnastics, but there isn't much we can do about that. When she does put her mind to it, she is doing all 100% work...but the motivation issue is definitely a problem.
Stephen is doing well in his studies and is a hard, dedicated worker. Motivation is NOT a problem for him and if anything everytime he starts to get bored, he just goes and looks to see what else he can do...ON HIS OWN!
Lauren and Kimberly have had a difficult few weeks. Kim had laryngitis for about three days and a 101.3 temp to boot. That cleared up with little after-affects. Lauren has had a runny nose and cough for about a week,, then shot a 102.3 temp on Tuesday. It only lasted about 6-8 hours and was gone. Also ran over to Walgreen's and got some tylenol with runny nose & cough meds and that is working just perfectly. Sometimes it is just a pain to find the one med that works on your child and nothing had been working on her at all. I had her in the peds office on Monday and had antibiotics prescribed "just in case" she worsened. Funny enough we filled it and gave her one dose Monday night as she looked miserable and was coughing horribly with thick green mucus. Tuesday she awoke with the fever so I made sure we continued. I was trying to even think the last time the kids were on antibiotics and I couldn't even remember....we've been healthier!!!!!!!!!!!
I started in with the sore throat a few days ago and it is unchanged, so I am hoping that I won't get the ear infection, brochitis, pertussis infection stuff that seems to be rotating thru the kids. Stephen is the only one now that hasn't gotten any of this....that boy has the immune system of steel!
With Gustav on the way, we've opened our home to another Catholic family that we knew when we lived in Shreveport, so it may get a little crowded around here....we'll see. They are in Hattiesburg, MS now so I don't know if they will be getting evacuated yet or not. I know she is waiting to see if their town will be included in the evacuation order. They have three so we can easily absorb them into this huge house!
Well, I'm glad I could post an update. The only other thing I left off is Katherine celebrated her 15th birthday by going bowling. I actually took our whole brood and Shelby (a friend of Katherine's) out to a bowling alley and then pizza at Cici's.
Lauren celebrated her 7th birthday with just us and an ice cream cake as everyone has been so sick I didn't want to expose anyone to anything until we are all better.
We did get to say goodbye to some wonderful friends this week. Lauren was so sad that her friend Katie was leaving--they were like two peas in a pod! It will be nice for Katie's whole family to be back together again. Dad got a job in Texas and they majority of the family staying behind here to sell the house. We all know how the real estate is moving these days, so it has taken them awhile to "get their ducks in a row" and make it possible for them to all be together. I rejoice with them as I know how truly blessed they are! Although I will miss my kindred spirit!
(oh, BTW, my mom sent some pics of her party the end of May and there was actually a halfway decent pic of me so I finally could add it to my blog)!