Busy Bee

It has been quite a week here. Mondays are always my busy day. We start with gymnastics at 11 and then whatever errands need to be done we do that and then we have gymnastics and karate again at 6:30. This past Monday was busier than usual though. Sunday night Gabe got his fingers smashed in a door at church. By Monday morning he was still having pain and didn't have a whole lot of feeling in his fingers either. So we added a doctor appointment to the to do list. Our schedule went a little something like this:

11-Gymnastics
12-Lunch and drop off bag and VBS materials with Sarah
1:10 Doctor appointment for Gabe then home
2ish School
5 Supper
6:30 Gymnastics/Karate
7:45 Meet Pastor to give CD of sermon

All things considered it was going to be a full day. Brad also had to leave that afternoon for a business trip in VA. We got through the doctor appointment. Gabe had some blood built up underneath his index finger nail and our doctor had to burn a hole in his nail to let it drain. He instantly felt better. As we were leaving I decided that I wanted a cup of coffee. We headed towards Starby's and we were a stop light away from our pediatrician's office. We were stopped and the light turned green. Traffic was moving to the left and right of us, but our lane hadn't started moving. It was about that time I felt a jolt and the truck lurched. It took a second for it to register that we had just been rear ended. The man came up and apologize and we moved off of the road and onto the shoulder.

I immediately started shaking and getting nervous. I could feel some pain in my back, but my concern turned to the kids. Justin and Jasmine bonked heads, but besides that they were all okay. Their bellies hurt and they were all a little shook up and scared. I tried calling Brad, but his flight had just taken off. I called 911 and they went through the line of questions about the accident. They wanted to know if there were any passengers and I said, "Yes, I have my 5 children with me, but they are okay." That part didn't matter (and I'm thankful for that too). They sent a fire truck, ambulance, rescue truck, and 2 police cars. All was well with the kids and I had signed a waiver refusing medical treatment at the scene. We got squared away and the officer poked his head in the window to tell the kids he was glad he was okay. That was Justin's que...he says, "Do you think you could show us how you fire off your gun?" The officer didn't hear and wanted to know what he said. I reluctantly relayed the question. He laughed and said, "I think I might get in trouble for that....I don't think I've been asked that before." I said, "That's because you have met my kids before!"

We were able then to leave and I decided I was really going to go after that cup of coffee now! I deserved it! The bumper on the truck is dented and we have an appointment this Monday for an estimate. Once we were home I took some Motrin because I was really feeling some pain in my back. I got a hold of brad and let him know that we were all okay but told him what happened. Then we just hung out for a little bit. The kids played outside until it was time for supper. Then off to gymnastics and karate. I threw in a trip to the Christian Supply Center so I could get Chonda Pierce's new dvd "This Ain't Prettyville". Then we met our pastor and I gave him the cd and we were homeward bound. Unfortunately both the little boys fell asleep on the way and I had to carry them in the house. Ugh! I got the kids to bed and then I tried to settle down.

I was tired...and the evening just went downhill from there. From strange noises at the door and a growling dog...to seeing things...then finally drifting to sleep and awaking for an unknown reason...to little cuddle bugs visiting and not wanting to go back to sleep but talk...but to then finally find sleep only to have the husband's alarm clock awake me (and remember the husband was gone). It was a long night.

Jealous much??

We were driving to church last Sunday night and I was telling Brad about an article I read on Kirk Cameron here. Basically Cameron has resolved not to kiss any woman besides his wife---even with acting. That started a conversation between Brad and I and he said that he thought that was very wise of Cameron. He told me about a time in high school where he was in a play and had a kissing scene. He said that the girl he had to kiss was his girlfriend but that he could only imagine how uncomfortable he would have been if it wasn't his girlfriend he was kissing.

And let me tell you...My stomach started flipping and my heart just started a going...and to be honest, I was getting a little mad. How dare he kiss a girl in high school!! ;) I was thinking that had I dated in high school I probably, maybe, wouldn't get so jealous when I hear about the past relationships...but nonetheless the jealousy reared its ugly head. But as we continued driving I let my mind wander a little more and God hit my upside the head with a 2x4. If I get so jealous over a petty past relationship that my husband had, then how jealous does God get when we put things before Him? I'm telling you 2x4 upside the head. And a big 2x4 at that! I don't want to live my life in regret over the things that I have put before my Heavenly Father. It's my goal to put Him first in all things.

"Gem?"

Justin's had a pretty rough night. Honestly, he's had a pretty rough couple days. Everyone was eating dinner and he was being a bit difficult. He came into the living room and asked if I would feed him because his hands hurt when he has to feed himself. I told him that he was a big boy and that he could feed himself. He protested somewhat and then asked his sisters if one of them would feed him. Jasmine went into the kitchen and fed my perfectly capable son his dinner.

Speedy Gonzales visits....

Well, today was a very busy and eventful day! We got up and headed to church for praise team practice. That lasted about an hour and then we had a couple errands we had to run. We did that, got home and Brad cut the grass while I picked up inside. Then one of the little girls came over to apologize and we visited with them for a little bit. After they left we got the boys down for thier naps and then Brad had to leave to start getting stuff set up for the church picnic thing we had going on. Brad took Haeley and Gabe with him. Jasmine had to work on her science project. Justin woke up and then I had to wake up Benjamin so that we could get on the road. We had to run to Kroger and pick up some potato salad and beans.

I was mentally running through the list of things I had to get when I checked my rear view mirror and saw red and blue flashing lights. I glanced down at my speed and I knew. I quickly pulled to the side, rolled my window down and tried to remain composed. The officer came to the window and said, "Ma'am I need your license registration." I thought, "Crap...I'm not even getting the option of a warning...he's gonna give me a ticket." He asked me if there was a particular reason why I was going over the speed limit. I was honest with him---I said, "I was on my way to the grocery to pick up some stuff for our church picnic and honest to goodness I just wasn't paying attention." I was going 50 in a 40...We have to pay $150. I was/am so upset. I have *never* gotten a speeding ticket---not to say I haven't deserved one. But it was just un-nerving. Brad didn't realize how upset I was. As much as this bugs and upsets me I know that it will make me more cautious in the future. Oh I should mention that Benjamin didn't want to stop talking about the 'powleece man'....and Justin feels it's up to him to tell everyone as well. Great.

April Showers bring May Showers

I'm just ready for Spring to be here...but no. Yes, I do have some flowers so I guess the saying "April Showers bring May flowers" could be true and accurate, but what I'm finding is that we just have more showers. I'm tired of the rain. =( I know I'm whinning. So sorry.

We head to Roanoke VA in a couple weeks for Memorial Day. I'm hoping for beautiful weather and a peaceful drive. I'm also hoping that gas prices will drop...please...please...I know that I'm fooling myself, but I can still hope, right?

Emma has really fit in nicely with the Smith crew. Benjamin is amazing with her. He will tell her to sit, lay down, and come---and she listens! Justin looks at her and says, "Crate" and she goes straight to her crate. She is going to go with us to Roanoke. I'm so happy that we are able to take her and that we don't have to board her. When we boarded her for the VA trip she peed all over the floor when I picked her up. It was kinda funny. She was so excited to see me. She's definitely my dog. Emma follows me everywhere. =)

Okay...so I'm going again...I'll try to blog better.

Banner Banner Bo Banner...

Okay, so I'm trying to customize my banner and everytime I do, it comes out HUGE!!!! Hopefully I'll get it figured out and it will look the way that I want. =) =) =)

Grocery Shopping

Why is it that I go to Kroger and get the grocery cart that has the car on it for the boys, but they don't sit in it? I spent the last half of my grocery trip with Benjamin on my hip! I don't get it!!!! I got the couple things I needed, but of course forgot some things so I'll have to make another trip. WHOO HOO! I'm so excited!

Fisher Price Smart Cycle

I want this for my boys. Brad doesn't quite understand why I want this for them. But, he's also not the one with them 24/7. What parent wouldn't want to be able to let their child play a video game, but get exercise at the same time? And it's not just any video game---it's educational!

"It’s a stationary bike, a learning center, and an arcade game system—all rolled into one! Smart Cycle plugs right into your TV, ready to take kids on learning adventures like no other. As they pedal, favorite character friends guide them through learning discoveries, games, and even exciting races. Bring the arcade experience home, with multiple levels of play for different ages and stages! (TV set not included.)

Includes Learning Adventure game cartridge, with 3 ways to play:

1. Drive:
Pedal, steer and learn at your own pace—visit Math Mountain, Shape Lake, Number Fields, Letter Creek and other stops along the way.

2. Learn:
Stop and rest, but don’t stop learning! Use the joystick to reinforce important learning skills with plenty of games and activities—with different levels for growing kids.

3. Race:
Put the pedal to the metal as you race with cars on-screen, against the clock, or with another player!

Requires 4 "D" (LR20) alkaline batteries (not included).

Assembled cycle is approx. 25" H x 18½" W x 27" L.

Teaches:

• upper & lowercase letters
  
• numbers & counting
  
• spelling
  
• problem-solving
  
• shapes
  
• matching
  
• creativity
  
• spatial reasoning
  
• motor skills & lots more"

(From Fisher Price's website)

So, I say as long as this isn't made in China it would be a good buy! =) I've actually thought of calling Fisher Price and asking them if they can guarantee me that this product is completely safe for my child to use. Will all of the recent toy recalls impact your Christmas shopping this year?

Crack Head

"Mommy, my head is going to crack off."

"What?"

"My head is going to crack off."

"Why?"

"Because my head is cracked in the back."

"Oh...do you want to call and tell GoGo about it?"

"Yes."

"GoGo, my head is gonna crack off."

"What? Your head has a cough?"

Me: "No, his head is going to crack off."

"Oh....(laughing) your head is going to crack off."

My little Photographer

Justin took this of Brad and I last night. It's not too bad of a shot. =)

Attack the Pooh Bear

Benjamin *loves* this Winnie the Pooh stufffed animal that Cullin got from my brother John years ago. He calls it his baby and drags it all over the house with him. This morning I watched as Benjamin took Pooh and sat him on the floor in the living room. He then says, "Ready....GO!" and runs over and tackles Pooh to the ground. I watched as Benjamin and Pooh "wrestled" all over the living room floor. Benjamin was grunting the whole time as he and Pooh had their "wrestling" match. When Benjamin was done he just up and left Pooh by himself on the floor.

Pooh was defeated.

Put me back

My girlfriend was in the hospital today giving birth to her second set of twins. She now has 5 munchkins. The oldest is 3 1/2 and then the first set of twins will be 2 the end of November and today she had the second set of blessings. I was talking to the boys (Justin) about this and he was intrigued that the babies were coming out and felt compelled to tell me what really happened when he was born.

"When the doctors said it was time for me to come out of your belly I didn't want to. And they were trying to pull me out by my legs, but I didn't want to come out. And I just used my arms and I tried to get back in your belly."

I laughed. What else was I supposed to do?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

September 14^th,

Brad had to leave for work early this morning. He got up and got ready and then came and climbed back in bed with me and started singing, “You are so beautiful to me….” There I am laying in a tank top, make up all smeared because I didn’t take it off the night before and probably had drool running down my face and he is singing, “You are so beautiful to me…” Either he’s really in love or smoking crack! =)

Painting....painting...paint...pain

I’ve got my projects going! I stripped all the wallpaper glue off of our walls the end of August and began to paint. It was an interesting experience doing this with my munchkins underfoot. Thankfully the biggest mess was Justin and Benjamin brushing up against a wall and getting primer on their clothes. BUT I must say, I did a pretty darn good job getting my “Loyer” (area between the living room and foyer) painted. It’s called Sugar Loaf. I like it a lot. I’m waiting on Brad to finish patching some spots up in the hallway and then I’ll continue my painting up the hallway. After that it’s on to the living room. Then I’ll do the kitchen and spare bedroom. After that is the dining room. I dread that room. It’s gonna be a big job. It should keep me busy through the winter though!

I’ll be happy when I have all of these projects done!!!

To pick or not to pick?

Justin decided yesterday that he was going to pick his nose. Gross, yes I know. BUT, he was picking his nose...with his toes.

Car "Wash"

Benjamin can be so helpful---most of the time. He likes to throw things away, including his sippy cup and whatever else he can find. I think that is where my bluetooth wound up. The other day he decided I wasn't doing a good enough job washing toys and dishes so he decided to help. Unknown to me, Benjamin put some cars, spoons and other toys in the toilet. My darling Jasmine fished all this out of the toilet.

All but one truck. One truck. One truck that clogged the toilet. And not just clogged it, but clogged it after someone had "done their business". Oh, and this was the guest bathroom. When did I discover this? Right before I left Saturday night to meet Brad. Right when I was showing a couple from our church how I had re-decorated the bathroom. Fun. I tried to plunge the toilet. No luck. I cleaned up the floor and declared the bathroom "out of order".

Yesterday we attacked the toilet. Brad had to take the thing off the floor and outside before we could get the truck out. Brad tried using the snake and we couldn't get it. He tried putting his hand in. He could touch it, but couldn't get it. I tried putting my hand in. I had no luck period. Brad tried again and a "rock" came out. But it wasn't a rock. Brad discovered that after he picked it up. EWWW!!!! Then Jasmine came out and we bribed her to see if she could get the truck. Jasmine saved the day.

The truck is out. The toilet is unclogged, but not in use yet. Hopefully tonight we will have a fully functional toilet again.

KaPow!

I’ve decided that sibling rivalry has started in our house. Who am I kidding? It started a LONG time ago. Gabe and Justin fight constantly. That’s how they show each other love.

We had loaded the kids up in the truck Sunday after church and we were saying our goodbyes when Jasmine and Gabe emerged from the truck. Gabe had blood gushing down his face. I thought, “Oh no.” Brad took Gabe in church to get him cleaned up and I went to the truck to figure out what happened. I’m still unclear of exactly what went down, but I got enough out of them.

Justin threw a cup in the backseat and Gabe tried to give it back to him. Justin told Gabe to keep the cup, he didn’t want it. Gabe kept trying to push it at him and Justin kept resisting. Justin screamed at Gabe and told him “LEAVE ME ALOOOONNNNEEEE!!!!” And Gabe knew that was his chance to push once more, so he did. That is when Justin climbed into the backseat and started physically fighting with his brother. Then Justin punched Gabe in the nose. And there you have Gabe’s bloody nose.

The kids kept pointing out that as soon as Justin saw what he did he was apologizing. My theory….he knew he was in trouble so he had to apologize. But maybe, he did realize what he had done and honestly felt bad. Either way, it didn’t matter. He never should have punched his brother in the nose.

After this whole incident I went and bought Bringing up Boys by James Dobson. I’m hoping that it will shed some light onto my boys’ relationships with each other and how I should deal with them! I also started re-reading The New Dare to Discipline by Dobson and I’m looking for The Strong-Willed Child by Dobson too. I thought I had The Strong-Willed Child, but I can’t find it anywhere. I figure I’ll read the other 2 first…I can’t read 3 at one time anyhow!

All this to say PRAY FOR ME!!! =)

This all happened on Tuesday, July 17.

Haeley was spending the night at her friends house. WHOO HOO!!! I was sleepy that morning and was catnapping on the couch when I decided I needed to get up and get myself awake and ready. SO the other four kids were watching a movie I figured I could run upstairs, get dressed, throw my makeup on and all that jazz. Apparently Justin had other ideas. I had not been upstairs for 10 minutes when Gabe came in the room.

"Mommy, Justin dumped powder in the playroom. And he pooped behind the couch and I think he peed on the floor too."

I wanted to scream, cry, throw something---you name it I wanted to do it.

I went downstairs and sure enough, Justin had dumped a whole container of powder on the floor. He had pooped behind the couch and peed behind the couch. BUT he had also dumped a good 3-4 bottles of water on the floor. There was a trail of water from the front bathroom into the playroom. I was so mad!!!! I popped his bottom and sent him to his room. Then I cleaned up the poop and pee and went outside to cool off for a couple minutes.

When I came back in the house Justin was screaming his head off. He put toothpaste on his penis. AND in case you didn't know this, toothpaste on a penis burns. As terrible as this sounds, I felt strangely vindicated by the fact that he was in pain. I even laughed inside. I'm a bad mom.

So I got him cleaned up and we all loaded up in the truck to go get some lunch because I needed out of the house. I figured the rest of the mess could wait till I got back. I drove till the boys fell asleep and then carried them in and laid them down after we got home. Benjamin just had on his diaper and a t-shirt. Yes, that is an important piece of info.

The boys are sleeping and I *finally* got the playroom cleaned. I just needed to run my steam cleaner. And of course things can't be easy. I couldn't find the piece I needed to allow me to not use the hose but the regular upright way. (I hope that made sense.) I had all the kids helping me look for the piece. Justin came downstairs and says,
"Mommy, I found Benjamin and he has lots of poopies."

I thought, "OH NO!!!!" I ran upstairs into Benjamin's room and there he sat in all his glory. Poop painted on his legs, on the crib, the wall, and the floor too. I don't think he went back to sleep after I laid him down because I actually had to soak him in water before I was able to scrub all the nastiness off of him.

It then took me another 30 minutes to clean his room. And to make matters worse I still can't find the piece to my steam cleaner or my bluetooth.

Penguins

"Mommy I poopied."

"...Justin...where?"

"In here." He points to his underwear as he smiles.

"Justin, it's not funny. You are too big to be doing that."

"I poopied a penguin."

"WHAT?!?!"

And then he proceeded to pull a McDonalds Happy Meal Penguin out of his underwear. Only my son.

Not again......

Since Justin turned 3 in December he has been sitting with us in the evening service at church. Some nights are better than others, but we manage. So last night Justin had no desire to be in church. He wanted to go to Cubbies, but Cubbies is over. We are sitting there and he's not listening and Brad took him out to give him some "attention." I had to get up and close the double doors because the bathrooms echo and everyone could hear Justin protesting loudly. They came back in and Justin sat down with me. After all of 2 minutes he wanted to start getting up and not sitting and listening....Brad was running the sound and we were sitting in front of him. He came over and put his hand on Justin's shoulder to guide him back to the sound booth. Thinking he was going to get some more "attention" Justin says "Oh, not again!"
I laughed quietly.

As the service was ending the plates were passed for the tithe and offering---usual stuff. Then, Justin picked up Gabe's baseball cap and starts passing it down the pew telling everyone, "Put your money in here for me."

As he already is passing the "plate" it leads me to this question....Will I have a Preacher or a Comedian?