A Short Season

Going Camping

2012-01-20T22:18:00.000-08:00

I found this boy inside his brother's pillow case.

He looked pretty sleepy at first glance.

When I asked him to explain what he was doing...

...it became clear that there was a lot more going on in there.

"This is how you sleep when you are going camping," he said.
The End

JamieJames gets into trouble

2011-12-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

Do you know this boy?

Sweet-tempered, chubby and contented. Big brown eyes in his squishy face.

That's James.

Today, he so sweetly wedged himself into this cabinet.

He brought me the tube of toothpaste and showed me the minty white moustache he applied to that chunky face.

At dinner, his nose contained not only large crusty boogers but also a carpet thread that he was saving there.

The other day, it took him four big bites out of this candle to decide that it was yucky. He looks concerned but probably not for the right reason...

A few weeks ago, he convinced us all that he'd swallowed a small toy. We haven't found it.

At two, James' vocabulary is increasing but he tends to rely on miming his thoughts to us with a few sound effects. When he tells us about the vacuum, it sounds like, "This. This. NNNNN!" But while he says that, he's signing "loud" and pretending he's vacuuming and pointing to the electrical outlet.

When he finally learns to put it all together, I'm really curious about how that carpet thread got up there.

Too MUCH!

2011-12-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

The island in the middle of our rental house kitchen is good for a lot of things. On this particular afternoon, we are using it to find a home for all the remaining Halloween candy. I've heard tell of people doing this; cutting up, freezing, setting aside all the chocolate candy for future use.

So we did that.

And then we made a big batch of chocolate chip cookie dough
+ peanut butter
+ rolled oats
+ Snickers, Kitkat and Milkyway pieces
+ M&Ms
and called it good.

Then we did it again a week later. We still have candy in the freezer.

Thanksgiving

2011-12-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

What we some of us did on Thanksgiving (besides eat and be thankful):

Broken House

2011-12-04T15:45:00.001-08:00

So, the cold water supply under the kitchen sink failed. It dripped all night right around Halloween. Bob and I thought the floor seemed a little strange in the kitchen one morning. What was strange was that water was coming up between the planks of our laminate flooring. Upon further examination, we found that the water was every where. Or at least it was almost everywhere important in our house. Specifically, the kitchen, the laundry room and the (one) bathroom.

We wondered what to do about it for a day or so before we realized that this is why we have insurance. I don't know why it didn't occur to us to call them right away. We kind of thought, "Well, I guess we're just going to add this to the Things We Have to Live With While Living in a Partially Remodeled House list." Little did we know that once we got the insurance ball rolling, we would begin an adventure that mainly consists of not living in said partially remodeled house at all. At least not for now.

Pictures to prove it:

Ugh. Something's not right here.

Here's our kitchen with all the wet parts removed. Big, loud, green fans aid the drying process.

All the contents of our kitchen, bathroom and laundry room are in our family room.

Since we had no kitchen, bathroom or laundry room at our house, our insurance company put us up in a hotel for about a week. Despite Mercy's look of boredom here, it was a pretty sweet deal.

We did have to eat a few meals on the floor since there wasn't a table big enough for eating in our hotel room...

And we felt a little cramped doing our school work. On the bright side, the weather was beautiful that entire week and we took walks and played outside between calls to the insurance company, the general contractor, the ServPro people and the temporary housing coordinators.

(If your baby can do this, he is too big for a bouncy seat.)

After everything dried out at the Broken House, and after it was determined that the first layer of vinyl on our floors had asbestos in it, the best course of action was to take all the floors out. Completely.

And why not? It sure makes it a lot easier for the city inspector to see that our floors lack a certain structural soundness. Or insulation. Or proper drainage beneath them. (A few days after this picture was taken, the space beneath the kitchen was under 6 inches of water because we live on a swamp.)

This all starts to sound pretty crappy, I know. And never would we have chosen this route if we could have. And there have been some pretty stressful moments that I didn't choose to memorialize here because I'd rather forget them. But the list of benefits to our situation is much longer than the irritations we're facing:
1. New floors in 2/3 of our house
2. A week's stay at a hotel with free hot breakfasts and dinners (Something we've never done with our kids)
3. A very comfortable rental home
4. Fees waived and rules bent to accomodate our family specifically
5. The discovery of yucky mold growing in our house and the clean up of that mold
6. An opportunity to put fresh paint in the kitchen (I did this last night. YES!)
7. Generosity shown to us by family and friends
8. Time spent more purposefully with our kids
9. A room in our rental house entirely devoted to ALL LEGOS. ALL THE TIME.

For now, we're still in the Upstairs House waiting for the Broken House to be fixed. Currently, Bob and Daniel and Michael and Reuben are building lego cars and spaceships. Josiah and Mercy have been chasing eachother around the house and James is coloring next to me. We're about to have our 2nd Advent Evening and we have some hot chocolate to drink.

Despite all the changes and upheaval, I think we're feeling pretty cozy.

The kids and Great Grandma Veda at Thanksgiving

I heart Agritourism

2011-10-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

At our house, we school 6 weeks on, 1 week off. A whole week off usually affords us some rest and a renewed perspective when we return to our busy school routine. I try to "save" big projects around the house for these breaks; moving furniture around or switching out summer clothes for winter, or maybe even cleaning out the car*. And I defnitely like to plan some kind of adventure for the kids and I that we normally wouldn't make time for.

Well, it's fall and I love fall and all that comes with it- rain, turning leaves, pumpkin everything. So this week I took the kids to a pumpkin farm.

We've been to lots of pumpkin patches in our area but this one was new to us and it's now my new favorite.

Josiah says it's too bright. Washington native for sure.

Annie Oakley


Oh, this is one of my favorite things in the world: seeing my big kids learning to love serving their younger siblings.

There's Josiah's smile!

James makes a super cute horsey sound.

See the wooden cow Josiah is roping?

I guess cows need milk to make milk.

Okay. Let's stop for a moment and look at what my kids have enjoyed so far at this pumpkin farm:
1. "Horses" albeit pretty cute horses made out of yarn, plastic barrels and wood.
2. A tractor
3. A large wooden cow and a calf feeding bottle.
Why is this fun?
It's agritourism! We pay to play that we are doing what some people do for a living! RIght?

I have always felt just a tiny but conflicted about this. Part of me wants to run a get-up like this when my husband and I are grandparents... and the other part of me thinks wait! I want my kids to have a blast on a real horse or a real tractor or feeding a real calf. Admittedly, my view of farm life is a bit romantic. You know, all those cute animals and healthy appetites from workin' out in the fresh air. That's just what I think about sometimes when I'm paying to visit a "working dairy farm" that has a pumpkin patch and a coffee stand. Or a U-pick blueberry farm that that serves up blueberry breakfasts at it's onsite restaurant. Or a roadside attraction that charges for rides behind a tractor in a garbage can painted like a cow. Or a pumpkin patch that boasts helicopter rides over the cornmaze and goats that walk on narrow bridges above our heads to food dispensers filled by your well-placed quarter.

But do you want to know what I really want? My own agritourism business?

No. I want one of these:

I want my own big barn full of corn to play in. We had so much fun smooshing through this enormous sandbox of corn.

I wonder if they have to cover this up at night... Or if they have rodent problems...

So here's why this is my new favorite pumpkin farm in our area: It comes down to the money, really. It was a flat fee for entering the play area with a very few extra activities that had to be paid for separately. We opted out of those extra things but didn't come away with the feeling that we were missing out. With 6 kids, we try to choose our group activities carefully and plan ahead.

All right.
I'm out of pictures.

I'm probably not out of ranty/rave-y thoughts about agritourism but it's okay that don't share them all in one post.

Typical Again

2011-10-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

So if you are just joining us, I've been recording a typical school day. Let's get back to the action.

So I'm still feeding Reuben and James has come to visit me... This can be a challenging time for me and the smallest people in my house. I think I really used to read to them... I'm pretty sure that was a standard activity when Mercy was a newborn. I would sit with Daniel and Michael and read to them.

Josiah is ready to meet the challenge of Reuben's mealtime HEAD ON! It looks like the walkie talkie antenna is in a weird place, doesn't it?

Settling disputes... I didn't realize how much of my time would be spent helping the kids to treat eachother kindly... any moms out there want to venture a guess at how often we do this? I mean, it's a worthy lesson to teach at home but wow. Sometimes it feels like it's the only lesson I'm teaching. And I wonder if it's sinking in. At all.

I'm happy and full!

I spit everywhere. EW.

And because he spits everywhere, it's time for a bath...

James really really wanted to help. I unwittingly let him play with a cake of soap that was on the counter. Soap Face!

More helping.

My big boys do their math assignments after our morning break...

And if they are diligent, they are typically done well before this time. To Daniel's credit, he did spend some time taking pictures for me and he was the unseen helper during Reuben's bathtime.


And finally, lunchtime.

So there we are.

A full morning of school and busy kids.

It used to be that our afternoons were reserved exclusively for resting which meant that I had a bunch of time to myself. Now, after lunch, the older kids and I tackle the subjects that require the least interruptions and Josiah, James and Reuben rest.

If you know me and my tendencies in parenting, what activity from this day is NOT typical?

Typical

2011-10-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

If you read here, I hope you know that I'm doing this to preserve and remember much more than I am to prescribe.

The other day I set about our school morning with camera in hand, just to try and capture what is typical for us right now. And remember: I said "typical". I had a little help with the photography when I needed an extra hand.

First lessons of the morning: ready to practice our memory work. James in the packnplay sucking on a ...Knife?, Josiah on his blanket.

And...we're reciting.


Josiah stays on his blanket during Bible but the Bumbo seat he's sitting in is own special addition for today.


Oh good. Plastic knives. James plays here during Bible each morning. Usually he isn't still in his jammies...

A note about homeschooling and housework: they generally aren't compatible goals. So we leave the morning dishes and clean up until we take a break to do chores later. This leaves us fresh energy for school. I spend a lot of time telling myself, "It will get done. It will."

After Bible comes History. We've just finished a 6 week unit on Early Colonial America. My older boys' favorite thing is to color these maps from Story of the World.

Mercy hasn't quite figured out why they like it so much.


James, still in his jammies, takes a turn on the blanket during History. Happy James.


Josiah is in there. He plays with a rotating selection of toys during his Alone Time while we study History. I think this is his happiest time of day and I will leave him to it. tiptoes back down the hall

Reuben is still in the stage of many naps a day. Doesn't he look cozy?

I think Mercy was having a particularly difficult time managing her mope on this day. We're almost done with maps and history... then the boys do copywork and Mercy does some handwriting practice. After that: RECESS.

We take a break before the boys hit their math books. Reuben gets a meal and James and Josiah join us.

**And I think I'll take a break here too.**

Faces I Love

2011-10-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

So, I'm a busy mom, like all moms out there. And recently, I've noticed a need in myself to smile more, particularly with and at my kids. Somehow it helps me to stop and remind myself that these busy little people that I am with...? I love them. I do. In an enduring, even when it's been a really rough day kind of way.

Maybe it's sad that I need that reminder. But I do. And when I stop and think about how I love them and why I love them, my perspective improves somehow. So today I'm sharing some of these little faces that I love.

Daniel... not quite in focus here. Definitely focused everywhere else! He is almost 9 years old.

Michael, who will solve the world's problems by the time he is... I mean in about 20 minutes. He is 7.

Mercy. 5.5 years and destined to have as many freckles as me. This one has a lot to teach me...

Yep. This is Josiah. 3 and 1/2 years of weirdness all crammed into a size 2T spider costume.

I love my James. He is 2 and chubby and I love the way his ears fold down in this hat.

And Reuben... 5 months. I should take pictures of all his baby fat creases sometime before they disappear.

So there they are. I'll come back here tomorrow and look at them again if I need another reminder.

Oh wait. Here are a couple more that I couldn't leave out:

Late Summer Picture Update

2011-09-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Chelan! Here are a couple little boaters on Grandad's boat. James signed "boat" all weekend long.

Reuben and Daddy hang out in Chelan.

I'm pretty sure that some of my favorite pictures ever are of Josiah eating ice cream.

More Chelan love.

Sweet Baby James turns TWO!!

Happy faces, ready to go the fair...

One day, Mercy remembered that she has jewelry.

Jewelry makes the brothers laugh.

Goodbye, Summer!

I miss coming here to post actual thoughts. Currently, I'm not finding that I have too many of them. I'm still kind of surprised when I realize that I have 6 children. Sometimes it just doesn't seem like that many... when we're home and the big boys are jumping on the trampoline, and Mercy and Josiah are playing their favorite game about some children that get lost in the woods with no mommy (They call it "Lucy in the Forest"), and James is following Bob or I around, pantomiming everything we do and Reuben is sleeping or eating or playing in the bouncy seat and no one has to be anywhere at any particular time.

That was pretty much our summer.

Fall brings the return to our school schedule and sick people have doctor appointments and boys with crowded mouths have tooth extractions and soccer three times a week. And having 6 kids does seem like a lot. Or maybe it's the 3 that are 3 and under crowd. I've been through months like this before when I'm pretty sure that no one is getting enough of what they need from me.

We'll adjust.

Summer 2011

2011-07-30T22:54:00.000-07:00

I'm here to share a large smattering of random pictures from our summer. Reuben, who is now a 2.5 month old little chunk, will grow before your eyes!

I think these first pictures of Reuben and James are from way back in June.

Real life laundry in the background here...


Newborn peely face

Reuben with his blankie from Grandma

Newborn... rat tail?

Little friends

Awesome baby acne

Michael turned 7! Did I write about it...? Not sure...

Double chin!

Double chunks!

James is upset... he climbed into Reuben's cradle and got stuck.

Typical Sunday afternoon

Excited about fireworks at Grandma's house

Smiles!

At home with Reuben

2011-05-25T21:51:00.000-07:00


Reuben, doing what he does best

Spending time with the big boys

Meeting new people (and yes, James is still this stunned by Reuben's arrival)

A little digging

Lots of trips to the doctor for first checkups and then weight checks to see if he's growing and to the lactaction ladies and... and...

A big helper

Lego time while the little boys rest

"Mommy, if I wash up can I hold Reuben?!" (So fun to hear this request several times a day.)


Mercy sings, "You are so cute, cute, CUTE!"

A snuggle with Daddy

Here he is...

2011-05-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Reuben Gabriel Montgomery

Born May 14th at 3:46am

9lbs even and 20 inches long

And the homecoming...

All 6 together?


This is the closest we've gotten so far.

Welcome Baby Reuben!

James plays "Silly Faces"

2011-04-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

Josiah Grows Up

2011-04-08T23:14:00.000-07:00

This little man of ours just turned 3.

It has been one of those seasons during which so many changes happen in a child that it's almost like you can watch them growing.

Josiah doesn't sleep during his Rest Time anymore. And if I accidentally call it his "Rest Time", he looks a little concerned and asserts that he isn't tired. The funny thing to me is that we just changed the name of Rest Time to "Alone Time" and that means something totally different to him. It means he gets to play in his room for about 90 minutes doing things like this:

I think what we have here is a special picnic for Monkey, Elephant, Afoo and Fisher. Owl is there too but we can't see him in this picture. They seem to be enjoying some delectable Magformers on top of Pinky the Blanket.

Only a few short months ago, Josiah slept soundly between 1:30 and almost 4pm. Every day. I would have to wake him at 4... Or he would just keep on sleeping. Now that he stays awake all that time, he's so much more active in general. He seems more physically involved in the world around him. He runs. He crashes into walls. Asks to go outside. Jumps on the trampoline. He eats more at meals and insists on doing many more things by himself. He needs even more firm boundaries to help him manage this newfound energy.

He's also potty training. The slow way. Which means that he's not some magical-diapers-to-underwear-overnight kid. But I think he's making pretty good progress.

I told him that when he was 3, he could try sitting on the potty.

Now he's 3! So I really couldn't put it off any longer. I think the potty training goes well with his new love of being a big boy.

So Happy Birthday, Josiah!

We love you very much and you make us laugh...

... especially when you fall asleep on your brother's comic book in your super suit.

Chair Time

2011-04-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

Is it a universal fact of life in homes with small children that the pre-dinner hour is a difficult time of the day? Maybe the most difficult time of the day?

My mom talks about how nice it was that Mr. Rogers or Sesame Street came on during dinner prep time when my siblings and I were young. The only problem was that the one child who had just dropped his or her afternoon nap just might fall asleep while Mr. Rogers quietly fed his fish.

While we definitely make use of a pre-dinner Signing Time DVD or a few minutes with a Netflix Pink Panther cartoon, we've also come up with another strategy that helps get dinner on the table.

I am apparently at my most creative while I'm scrambling to make dinner for our hungry crew and so I call this new tool "Chair Time".

Participants in Chair Time include the 3 youngest members of the family. And me. The older two are either setting the table or able to entertain themselves elsewhere.

And this is how we do it:

Each little person sits on a chair in the kitchen.

They are close enough to me to get a sniff or a taste of what we're making for dinner.

They can sing songs, practice catechism, watch my eyes tear up as I chop onions, take turns cutting biscuits at the counter, work on a memory verse.

But they can't touch each other! Or get off of their chairs without permission.

It takes some initial training for them to stay on their chairs but it seems that is part of the beauty of it. They need to learn to sit and stay anyway.

It's like killing 7or 8 birds with one stone.

I like that.

We went to the park

2011-02-22T22:29:00.000-08:00

the way Mercy likes to swing

the way James likes to swing

weeeee!

"I don't like swings," says Josiah.

"I do like to help James," says Josiah.

James gets lots of help today.

From everyone.

Mercy, 5 yrs, Daniel, 8 yrs, Michael, 6.5 yrs, Josiah, almost 3, James, 16 mos

The Great Equalizer

2011-02-20T23:06:00.000-08:00

(Imaginary Reader: Oh. Is she going to start talking about... death? Or dying?)

(Me: No. Not death. Not today.)

(Imaginary Reader: Phew. I was just hoping for some cute kid pictures or something light like that...)

So, as I was saying, I'm here to write about The Great Equalizer in our home.

Or rather in our yard.

Our trampoline.

Many of you out there with boys or with brothers or maybe even girls and sisters know the strange blessings and curses of competition among family members. Sometimes competition is an effective motivator. The playroom gets a quick pick when all the little hands try to be the fastest.

Other times competition can throw a wrench into what I was hoping would be a simple project. Or even a simple mealtime! (Overheard at our table: I have drank all my milk. I am the healthiest!) The dominating force behind this sibling competition usually seems to me to be selfishness on the part of the "dominator". I tire easily when listening to the "dominatees" claim that they are actually the healfiest ones because they have eaten all of their scawambled eggs and you haven't eaten ANY! The face-making and the cries of "You ow NAUGHTY!" soon follow. I tend to simply excuse those who can't use good manners at the table, done with meal or not. I'm sure I could be doing a better job of training my crew in this area.

Other times, the desire for competition is sought out by one sibling and the other sibling simply will not reciprocate or comply. And this produces frustration. For everyone.

"Hey. Wanna swordfight?"

"No. I'm reading."

...

"Hey! Let's wrestle!"

"No. I'm reading."

...

"Let's play NINJAS!"

"NO. I'm READing!"

...

(Wack.WACK!)

"OW!! I'm NOT playing with you!!"

Our two oldest boys are often mistaken for twins by people in the grocery store or at the park. Daniel and Michael are the same height and build and haircut. While even as parents we tend to lump them together as "the big boys", they are almost 2 years apart and God has given them very different personalities. At 8 years, Daniel seeks out competition so long as he can be assured of victory. Michael knows this has been Daniel's modus operandi for the better part of his 6.5 years and he declines almost all offers of Daniel's competition accordingly. This makes our days with the 2 of them... interesting.

Enter the trampoline.

We were given this wonderful, rusty safety hazard for free last summer. At first, we had firm plans to find a safety net and a pad to cover the springs. And we had rules. Absolutely only ONE person on the trampoline at one time.

Well, that's still the rule for Mercy and anyone younger than her but I've relaxed it for Daniel and Michael. And I'm so glad that I have.

Suddenly it seems that there is now a place where both boys are on equal footing. The games that don't seem to work between them inside last forever on the trampoline. I'm sure they still argue out there and sometimes someone's head bonks someone else's while they are playing "Llama Trainer" and they have to come in to clean up the blood. But they spend literal hours daily out there together... and they choose too!

Oh. And are these pictures from last summer? With the shorts and no shirts and bare feet?

No.

They are from last week. Brrr!

I welcome any suggestions or observations about competition in this context. I'm so thankful for the trampoline and what it provides for these guys but ultimately I'm praying that God would continue to bind their hearts together as brothers and friends.

Better!

2011-02-11T20:31:00.000-08:00

Hewow. It's me, James, again.


The wewwy nice thing about me being so sick is the sweet get-well wishes I weseeved.

I was wuved to pieces by my brothers and sister all day long at home while I wasn't feewing well but wook at this nice piece of mail I got that wishes me well, too!

It's fwom my cousin who happens to be quite an owtist.


Thanks, Wooca! I'm feewing MUCH bettoh!

Sick

2011-02-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

This is me on Sunday at lunch time. I don't feel vewy well. In fact...

I think I'll just go to sweep.

(Insert a Sunday afternoon at the local ER after James has trouble breathing that I can't seem to get under control with his regular rescue breathing meds. Diagnosis: pneumonia)

Monday: I'm a wittle better today. See. I'm almost smiwing.


All that smiwing in the sink made me tired.

Someone else got a hold of the blue tape and the Sharpie

2011-02-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

You might not be able to see exactly what happened here...

...so I'll tell you: Daniel wanted to do a job so that he could play video games. I asked him to tidy up the two school shelves we have in our family room. We keep almost all of the school books we use daily there and some extra stuff too. A few minutes after he got started, he came wandering by saying, "Mommy, where is the blue tape?"

You can't see his labels on the tape but each set of books has it's own place now!!

The Remodel Report

2011-02-01T23:38:00.000-08:00

We have begun the process of preparing to put our house on the market. The list of projects is loooong and includes finishing the fairly difficult and time consuming remodeling we've been working on for 6 years. It also means packing up lots of our stuff. Mainly books, I think.

Last weekend, Bob pulled up the bathroom floor, fixed what he found beneath it and put new linoleum down in it's place. He finished by caulking the living daylights out of that new floor. Water, beware! You will not be making a home beneath our bathroom linoleum any time soon!


See that gleaming white new caulking around the bottom of the toilet? Little boy pee must now find a new resting place!

My mother-in-law surprised me with an afternoon virtually to myself on Saturday which was a very beautiful thing. This is what I did with it while Bob and his dad worked away on the bathroom floor:

If you find yourself in our garage, you and the place you belong will be labled with blue tape and a black Sharpie.

And then, since we weren't really that tired, we set out to solve another little problem. This time, in the kids' room.

Pieces of the toddler bunkbed we ordered a few weeks ago all lined up by the removed bathroom door and the roll of linoleum.


Baaaaarely fits... but it FITS! (This nook is where Mercy's toddler bed used to be. It is only as long as a toddler bed and NO longer.)

Many of you know that all four of our older kids share a room while James somehow gets one all to himself. What this has meant for the past year is that Josiah (2 3/4 years) has been sleeping in a packnplay in the kids' closet. This closet, like all the closets in our house, currently has no doors. But now! Josiah has a Big Bed. This evening, I told him to take his books and get in bed. He gave me a sad look and said, "I can't get IN my bed." Suddenly, he must have remembered that he has a new Big Bed and he took off down the hall with his reading material, exclaiming, "I have a BIG bed! I have my BIG bed!" He couldn't get in an out of the packnplay but he can climb into his bunk all by himself. But not out. He has to ask permission for that.


Josiah tests out the bouncy-ness of his new mattress, complete with Buzz and Woody bedding, while Daddy finishes building his new bed.

And there it is! A mini bunk bed with a space for Josiah on the bottom and for Mercy on the top!

If you would, please pray for us while we continue to spruce up this place and make it market-worthy. We have faith that God can make amazing things happen, even in a crazy bad economy.

I can't wait to see how God chooses to be glorified in our housing situation as we prepare to welcome yet another Montgomery in May.

Snowy Chelan Trip

2011-01-16T21:58:00.000-08:00

Looks gorgeous doesn't it? All the snowy hills with the lake down below.
We were blessed to spend New Years with my side of the family in Chelan a few weeks ago.

I have a ton of pictures, mostly of outside frivolity in the sunshine but I also have to tell about Josiah and the snow. We know already that at age 2 and 3/4 he doesn't enjoy the sensation of sand touching any parts of his body like what might occur at the beach. Swinging on a swing? Not an option for him. Slides? Nope.The resulting wet clothes of a drippy sippy? Complete disruption of his day. And horror of horrors, having to walk bare foot in the house on a kitchen floor not yet swept? Tearful howls of "Deh is a pees ob WICE on my TOE, Mommy!!!"
We now know without a doubt that snow and slippery surfaces are on his Do Not Attempt list as well. Quite a bit of our fun outside time was spent patiently instructing him that he didn't have to like the snow or the sledding or the "swippewy" ground but that crying about it was unacceptable. I think Grandad had the most success by making Josiah repeat nonsensical phrases like "One Two Buckle My Shoe" while giving him a very unwanted ride in a snow tube. Not sure how that helped the little guy but we'll know who to go to in the summer when every child of ours but Jo is ready for some beach time.

Now for the pictures:

Go Michael! How amazing to be able to walk right out the door and sled for hours!


Daniel sleds past the Wampa caves he built in the snow.

Mercy and James get ready for a ride... Unlike Jo, James loved every thing about the snow. He rolled in it, tried to eat it, and begged for more sledding.

Here we have Daddy pushing Daniel, Grandad and Michael, Andrew (standing up), Heather, James and Mercy all ready to race down the driveway.

James spends a little time practicing his walking inside. Much easier without all that snow gear.

Grammy and Daniel cross-country skiing up and down the road

This picture of Daniel reminds me of me. Plus he's wearing my hat. Might be part of it.

It was a bit chilly outside when we headed up for our snow tube adventure.

Up they go! Bob, Mercy, Michael and Daniel head up to check out this tubing hill.

Mercy even went, all by herself!! I was impressed.

Grammy and Grandad entertain the little boys with rides in the snow tubes at the bottom of the run


And here's Josiah quietly repeating "Giddyup Horsey" and other comforting phrases while Grandad helps him acclimate to the snow and the "swippewee-ness".


Strangely, after barely holding it together while on the icy ground with me, Josiah found complete heaven in this pile of hay at the bottom of the tube run. He and Mercy spent 30 minutes chasing eachother and throwing hay all over me and themselves while the bigger boys took a few tube runs with Uncle Josh.

And that wraps up another long string of Chelan pictures. Thanks Mom and Dad! We had a great time!!

"Tomorrow is CHRISTMAS!!!"

2010-12-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

All the excited little people are tucked into bed after what I think was a pretty successful day of w a i t i n g patiently.

We celebrate most of the big-deal-to-kids Christmas stuff on Christmas Day so, while I really treasure the peace that can settle in on Christmas Eve, our kids tend to get a bit antsy. It's understandable.

To remedy that we took a walk/bike ride before lunch and set each of the kids up with a good helping of Alone Time when we returned. (A walk/bike ride for us includes Daniel and Michael on big kid two-wheelers, Mercy on a red trike and a stroller to accomodate James and possibly Josiah. Jo opted for running along side us most of this walk. I think his run is hilarious. At 2.5 years, he does something funny with his arms while he runs so that he looks like he's trying to take off into the sky. Oh and Bob pushes the stroller while I waddle.)

A restful naptime for the littlest ones and then we headed out to deliver a few plates of cookies to our neighbors. And we discussed many times why it's okay to give such yummy cookies away. Some children were disturbed to see their favorites leaving the house. They'll get it, in time, right?

After a dinner of pizza and our last advent celebration, we surprised the kids with their new jammies from Grammy and loaded them up in the car for a Christmas Light tour.

And like I said above, they are now all in bed*.

Daniel in Army Tanks, Josiah in Dinosaurs, Mercy in Butterflies, Michael in Spiders and James in Space Men

An impromptu dance of Ring o' Round the Rosie

Some of our traditions have changed as our family has grown. We've traded a Roast Beast for homemade pizzas, exchanged a big extended family event for a quieter "just us" day, and we don't attend a church that has a late night Christmas Eve service like the candlelight one I loved as a child.

None of that has changed the beauty and the peace of this day for me. Some of those new traditions have blessed us with a more restful day. We've got to be rested for tomorrow, the BIG ONE!
I love Christmas Eve!

*I let Daniel know that waking everyone up at 2am to tell them that it might be morning was not part of the plan for tonight. (This has happened, and not even on Christmas.) Michael asked for an approximate time that we might be getting up. 7am was my answer.

Warrior! Knights! A One Act Play

2010-12-23T17:37:00.000-08:00

Written by Daniel and Michael

Performed by Daniel, Michael, Daddy, Mercy, Josiah and Mommy

(

(Intro on piano by Michael)

Narrator 1: "This is the story of how Baron Edward overpowered King Richard the Lionheart."

(Be to the Ba2 bas1): "We must kill Richard, he is a threat to us barons."

(Ba2): "Yes."

(Mercy nods)

Meanwhile: (KrL to Co): "I will challenge him."

The Challenge

(Krl goes to castle of Be): "I challenge you!"

Be: "I accept."

Na: But King Richard thought and wondered if he had made a good choice. (Note: in battle field)

The Battle

(Be and KrL circle)

Be: "Prepare for death!!"

KrL: "I'm not so sure."

Be: "Hi! Barons! (Barons attack)

The Surrender

KrL: "I surrender."

Be: "Then come with me. Come on, lads!"

Ya!

The End

Snacks

Bravo!

Christmastime

2010-12-22T18:43:00.000-08:00

Hot chocolate friends


Cozy James

Cozy Josiah and Mercy

The Christmas Tree Hunt

Michael's bow

Josiah


I think it was a little bright.


Watching the tree shaking machine... and hot chocolate.

Christmastime with family


James by the Christmas tree, 15 mos.


Mercy and Grammy build together.

Michael and Grandad

Sweet readers at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Cookie Bake Day 2010


Josiah and Grandma decorate

Daniel and Michael make Uncle Tommy cookies

Stories with Grandma

And one more for now...

Mercy, the Christmas Pageant Sheep

More to come soon... Merry Christmas!

How to play Star Wars with your baby brother

2010-12-11T23:32:00.000-08:00

More Fall Recap

2010-12-09T23:23:00.000-08:00

So... many of you know this already but there's a reason I've been laying low for most of the fall season. I spent the better part (or worse, depending on how you look at it) of September and October on that couch right there, working on our newest edition. Yay! He or she will hopefully join us at the beginning of May 2011.

While the fall really has been a blur of days for me, the kids have continued on with their exciting post-worthy lives.

For example, James taught us all why we don't store the open boxes of cereal on the lower shelves of the pantry anymore.

The little guy also enjoyed his first birthday, a day he shares with my mom. Happy Birthday James and Grammy!

It is not unpleasant to be entertained by space traveling children while you rest on the couch.

I love that all of these Halloween costumes came directly from the dress-up bins. No prep or sewing required!

Daniel celebrated his 8th birthday with a family Redwall birthday party and an ice cream cake. He really didn't think he was going to get an ice cream cake.

And finally, we were blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving with some special people, including but not limited to my Grandma Irene, shown here with Grandad and James.

I'm feeling much more functional these days.

And for that I'm so very thankful!

Josiah sings a hymn

2010-11-29T21:58:00.000-08:00

**We have been singing this hymn together as a family recently during our evening Bible time. Josiah just learned to sing the first verse and, like most small ones with a new skill, he repeats it over and over. I love it.**

More Secure Is No One Ever

Carolina V. Sandell-Berg

More secure is no one ever
Than the loved ones of the Savior,
Not yon star on high abiding
Nor the bird in home nest hiding.

God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish.
From all evil things He spares them;
In His loving arms He bears them.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Little flock, to joy then yield thee!
Jacob’s God will ever shield thee;
Rest secure with this Defender—
At His will all foes surrender.

Tho’ He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

Almost Winter 2010

2010-11-23T22:31:00.000-08:00

It snowed!

The view out the front window

Getting ready for our sno-venture. James is being a good sport. He can't move at all in that thing.

All five. Dressed and outside.

Jo being a 'Tow Man. (Snow Man)

Mercy chats with Snow Lady.

A casualty of our long walk in the snow.

Hot chocolate!

Rosy cheeks and snacks...

Now, if we could just find a hill close enough for sledding...

Summer Hike Numero Dos

2010-08-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

We took our second big family hike a few weeks ago. You can read about the first one here.

This time we opted for a more real feeling hike; you know, more gorp and switchbacks and less cellphonetalkerdogwalkers. The last one was great and close by for many of us but we were looking to increase the difficulty and get out in to the mountains a little bit more.

Everybody's ready. (Dad is taking the picture... My sister couldn't make it this time. Boo.)

We drove a little way up toward Snoqualmie Pass to a happy, well-maintained trail to Ollalie and Talapus lakes.

This time we were better equiped for carrying the two little boys. Josiah is very enthusiastic about hiking. He started out on the ground but spent most of his time in the big pack on Daddy's back. Hooray for friends who are willing to lend us their baby carriers! We might still be there if we all went at Jo's pace.

We took lots of breaks for water, Power Pellets and exploring. I love streams like this. I want one in my backyard.

I'm just going to put this whistle in my mouth and hold it there. It's not an emer... an emernussie. - Mercy

Trail mix...

Our crew:

We made it up to the lake to eat our lunch together and play in the water. Bringing little paper trays to serve as plates helped to streamline the lunch prep process. That's a lot of meat stick slicing when you are feeding 10 hungry hikers.

These guys are shaping up to be master hikers.

Grandad and James take in the lake.

We made it back out with everyone intact and happy. And then we had a rootbeer float fest at this crazy place in North Bend. Yum.

(If you go, skip the burgers and enjoy some fun but expensive shakes or floats. Just my 2 cents.)

We hope to squeeze in one more hike before the summer's end. I know Daniel is hoping for a real overnight trip for the big boys but we'll see what happens.

A question for you hikers out there: What's more important to you in choosing a hike; a fulfilling destination like a lake or a pretty view or a pleasant trail? ( I like it when you get both! )

Summer Hike Numero Uno

2010-08-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

I love that I learned to hike and how to enjoy it as a child.

This summer my parents have taken us all on a couple hikes with the intention of teaching our kids the basics of walking in the woods in a group with packs on.

For our first hike, we walked through the woods down to the beach in Seattle.

We learned about reading our maps. And when to use our emergeny whistle. And how to use our compasses.

Here's the whole group ready to go: Look at that! That's my whole family on my side! What a treat to do something all together!

All the kids carried backpacks... I think Josiah's contained his First Aid Kit: one bandaid inside a ziplock bag.

Now he's helping me hike. See our fashionable compass rings?

Pretty ladies on the beach...

Can I use my whistle yet? -Mercy

The big boys... who carry all our gear so that Bob and I can carry the babies.

Children and their favorite toys: sticks.

Watching the beached seal pup...

Yay! We're back at the cars!

Time for ice cream...

"Mercy, what was your favorite thing about the hike today?"

"Being in the fwont of everybody!"

Stay tuned for our next adventure: Summer Hike Numero Dos!

Photo credits go to my mom and whoever else was holding her camera.

A double dose of Sweet Williams

2010-08-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

Here we have James William and William Edward...

I love you, Grandpa!

(Aren't they cute?)

Scenes from this week

2010-07-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

One day this week seemed particularly peaceful and pleasant around here so I had to document it.

Maybe it was the cooler weather or just the fact that we were home all day...

Shasta daisies are a cheery view from the Baby Room window.

Two happy little friends...

And two bigger ones.

And Mercy, during a brief break from playing "babies" and helping me with James...

And this: My yard sale find of the week...

TEN BUCKS for this baby! It's sturdy enough for Mercy to use it for stairs up to her lofted toddler bed. That Bob will be making. Soon, I hope.

I can't wait!

(I want to get Josiah out of the closet!)

Satisfied

2010-07-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

Poor I was, and sought for riches,

Something that would satisfy,

But the dust I gathered round me,

Only mocked my soul's sad cry.

Feeding on the filth around me,

Til my strength was almost gone,

Longed my soul for something better,

Only still to hunger on.

All my life, I had panted

for the drink of some cool spring,

That I hoped would quench the burning

Of the thrist I felt within.

***

Halelujah! He has found me!

The One my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satifies my souls longings,

Through His blood I am now saved.

***

Well of water, ever springing,

Bread of life so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.

Clara Tear Williams 1875, Peterson 2004

The Buggy Rides Again!

2010-07-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

After several years of providing homes for wasps in our driveway... The Bug is back in action!

Little Jo Part 2

2010-07-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Change the list of requirements back there at the end of my last post just a little for each child and mulitply by five children and you get a picture of the expectations for parenting on any given day of the week in our family. It's kind of mind numbing when I think of it that way.

So I don't. And I'm not here to say that I just take it one day at a time and it will all work out in the end. The kids will be fine, right?

I guess I just don't get a sense of peace from that kind of reasoning when I'm faced daily with my lack of self control while in the misdst of training my child in self control.

When I consider all that Josiah and his brothers and sister need from me daily, it's sad to me that I so often choose to kind of check out after bedtime rather than to recharge for the coming day with time in the Word or prayer or extra sleep, even. I don't think those are the only downtime activities allowed for a busy mom. But I see my need for digging deeper into what God has for me for wisdom, patience, perseverance, gentleness, self-control, a cheery spirit... and when that quiet moment comes, I fill it with something else. Honestly, I tend to swing from shock and awe at my sin and how it affects my family to an indifference stemming from the lie that if I just get more "time alone" to veg or shop or eat chocolate or have adult conversations, I'll deal with that whining/sulking/tired child better next time.

This post is still about Josiah... Don't worry.

Josiah is one of my many little reminders of my need to soak up God's promises to me, daily, so I can pass them on to him.

I love you, Jo! See! I found your smile- I knew it was there somewhere! We'll get through this rough spot, Buddy!

Little Jo Part 1

2010-07-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Josiah has changed quite a bit since he became a big brother last Fall.

At age 18 months, he really was our baby still. 9 months ago, he only had two little teeth on the bottom. I didn't want any more to ever grow in because they were so cute! He slept in the Baby Room in the crib. The high chair was his place at the table. James arrived and Josiah moved into the Big Kid Room to sleep. He moved up the ranks of chairs around our table and now sits on a stool from Ikea. He clears the napkins from the table after each meal and is slowly learning to do it cheerfully.

Josiah at 18 months

As the spread between our oldest and youngest children grows, I find that we are more often living at a pace that is either toddler/baby-friendly or decidedly not toddler/baby-friendly. Even a simple school day at home doesn't always seem to accomodate all the ages and stages in our home.

This particular event wasn't unfriendly to Josiah. It was just way past naptime.

All our kids have a special place in our family and they will all occupy different roles as they grow... right now, Josiah has become The Child Who Doesn't Quite Fit.

What this tends to mean on a daily basis is that Josiah gets a little bit left behind. Not quite old enough for the independence his big brothers and sister share, he spends a lot of time asserting very loudly that everything is "Naughty" and that he is "... NOT a BABY. YOU a BABY!"

He seems to be doing all that he can to make sure that he isn't forgotten...

I don't think I even posted about his 2nd birthday... But it did happen, way back in March.

A 2 year old with older siblings ages 7.5, 6 and 4.5 has to make the best of living in an older child's world. Sometimes this means going to bed when the big kids do and making up for it by sleeping from 1-4 almost every afternoon.

I don't feel too sorry for Josiah. It pleased God to place him in this family, with this birth order, with Bob and I as his parents. Josiah has the benefit and the blessing of three older siblings attention and care. He gets to be a big brother to James. And he gets to play with his brothers' Legos!

He's just in a place that requires quite a bit of training and as many stories and songs and chase games and smiles and pretend food meals and real opportunities to be my helper that his daddy and I can give him.

To be continued...

There's no turning back

2010-07-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

I just finished performing minor surgery on Josiah's transitional object. Afoo the Elephant had a permanent trunk trim. I stitched him up so that the part that spends most of it's time in Josiah's mouth is gone. I did this sneaky deed kind of suddenly but I've been considering it for a long time. I felt like it deserved some explaination when I brought Afoo to Jo at bedtime. On the fly, I told Jo that Afoo had a pretty bad owie and that we could put a bandaid on Afoo's nose.

Josiah was open to this kind of um logic even while his sister and brother were chanting in disbelief "Mommy cut it off. Mommy cut it off? Mommy cut it off!"

He selected the bandaid that Afoo might like while simultaneously making the crying sounds a small injured elephant might make. A tight hug for Afoo from the proud Josiah and I put them both in bed to read books.

Painless parenting move towards better dental health or complete Mommy fail? Only time will tell...

Independence Day Recap

2010-07-05T23:30:00.000-07:00

The Obstacle Course

The Food

Waiting!

This is what I get when I say: Look Serious. Most of the fireworks we saw came from a group of people detonating thousands of dollars worth of explosives illegally in my inlaws undeveloped neighborhood. They were camped out where those little white dots are above Mercy's head. It was awesome!

S'mores

Michael, his s'more and the loud boom

Firework Time

Mercy prefers sleeping to loud fireworks

Happy Independence Day!

Jamie James

2010-07-01T23:58:00.000-07:00

It's time to do a little updating on how our little kindergarten grows. I used to make notes to myself in my journals on how each child was progressing and changing at each new stage. Rather than dig out a journal and feel the pressure to fill in all that has happened since I last wrote in it, I'll happily record it here minus that pressure-y feeling. I would probably have to start with James' birth story or maybe even Josiah's.

It's been a long time since I've written in those journals!

I think I'll start with the littlest sprout, James.

At 9.5 months, James is on the cusp of toddlerhood. No longer a sleepy newborn, he begins to have a little boy look about him. He crawls after his siblings and "crumb hunts" under the kitchen table. He pulls himself up at the playtable and babbles at the big boys while they remove the Lego choking hazards from his reach. He sleeps contentedly all night and through most of his 2-3 naps during the day. He is SO relaxed.

His big goofy teeth fill his little chubby mouth. James joins us for most meals at the table but still nurses as often as he did at 5 months of age; four times during the day. For all the yummy food he eats, he sure doesn't make us change many diapers. Where is it all going, James? You don't seem uncomfortable but sometimes I wonder about your personal habits!

James' days are filled with an outpouring of affection from his brothers but mainly from Mercy. She runs for a burp cloth when he spits up, feeds him at the table and wipes him with a washcloth when he's all done. She is generally apart from him only when I separate them for naps or for some other reason. Usually that other reason is to give James some... space. I'm thankful for her devotion to him and for the view I have, watching their relationship grow. I wonder what you will be like, James, as a big boy, with this mini-Mommy as your big sister?

I'm going to miss your baby stages, James! I know you aren't a big boy yet but it sure seems like you are growing and changing so fast...

We love you, Jamie James!

Six years of Michael

2010-07-01T00:07:00.000-07:00

Our second born son is SIX!

Happy Birthday, Michael!

We love you inside

outside

upside

down!

How to have a reading party before you go to bed

2010-06-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

Put on your jammies and congregate somewhere cozy.

Snuggle up with whomever is onhand. Cousins are especially nice for reading parties.

Choose a book. It's okay if you've memorized it. The good ones are worth memorizing.

Wait patiently until it's your book's turn to be read.

Books are good for more than just reading. Build a fort with Calvin's Commentaries while you listen.

Show the babies how not too rip library books.

When you get sleepy, finish the chapter and put everyone to bed.

Winthrop 2010

2010-06-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

We're almost all the way through June and I haven't yet posted any pictures to commemorate our annual trip east.

So here are a few of them.

Mercy rides horsies on the deck... one of her favorite things to do at Gammy Carol's house.

Josiah doesn't like bouncing around up in the air. No swings at the park for this boy. When I found him like this he told me he was riding his horsie.

Michael spent as much time as possible in the sand box...

Daniel spent as much time as possible doing whatever his cousin Logan was doing. I think they may have chosen to dress alike, too.

While I didn't get pictures of everyone in attendance, I think Pa, Joy and James win the prize for being the cutest people there.

We took some walks and a hike up the ridge.

We saw so many of these delicate little flowers that seemed to grow right out of the granite outcropping up there. Pretty.

Grandad went fishing with Papa Jim one morning and Mercy was on hand to help tell everyone about the size of Papa Jim's fish.

Logan and Elena: You two are some of our very favorite friends! We can't wait to see you soon!

We love our visits to Winthrop... Thanks so much to Gammy Carol and Papa Jim for being such great hosts to all of us!

I love our stroller

2010-06-12T23:04:00.001-07:00

Here it is at full capacity.

Well, it's probably over capacity.

But this is generally how we use it when we need to get movin'.

I really love that stroller...

On our window sill

2010-05-23T22:40:00.001-07:00

Well, everybody, our "last day of school" is tomorrow and I'm beginning to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Unfortunately for me, that bright light happens to be the sun.

The hot sun.

Summer is coming.

And while I dread the heat I do look forward to the end of our homeschool co-op year and the beginning of our summer lessons.

Before we jump right into a new season I have a few springish pictures left to share. I took pictures of this charming display mainly to preserve it. It's such an odd collection of items to have on one's window sill.

Unless you have several boys.

Want a closer look?

This is Jack the Cricket. See him sitting on the slice of potato?

Next we have a container of worms, I think. I know it's neither cooked black beans nor
"tah n ". It has no lid so it must be the worms. They aren't big escapers.

Several boxes of caps...

Oh and my favorite: the owl pellets...

Happy almost end of the school year to everyone out there!

A cheerful heart is...

2010-04-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

good medicine. Right?

I have a little cold. Not much to speak of really. But you know how it is when you first wake up in the morning?

Extra scratchy voice and quite a few coughs before you can really start talking. Waking up knowing this is probably the worst you will feel all day. A hot shower would help.

That was me this morning. And like I said, I'm really not that sick.

But four year old Mercy came in to find me in bed still at around 8am, warming up my voice in a not-so-melodious way. Oh, I had also been up in the night with Sweet Baby James who just might be growing a tooth.

Without waiting to be asked to do a thing, Mercy took off to the kitchen with an empty glass from my bedside table, calling over her shoulder that she would get me some fresh water. She may have even put her little hand on my face before she traipsed off.

I just wanted to remember this.

I'm so thankful for being noticed and cared for like this by someone who is still learning not to do obnoxious things to get my attention.

Today I was humbled and blessed by her attentions toward me.

When Mommy has a meeting...

2010-04-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

...Mercy helps feed James.

James' Haircut

2010-04-08T23:45:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

Spring Picture

2010-04-07T23:31:00.001-07:00

Josiah, Michael, Daniel holding James, and Mercy

This really was the best one of about 10. And, really, they all look like themselves...

and just so you know, it has recently come to my attention that we have a pair of rubber boots in every size from a toddler 7 all the way up to a child 1. I think we have 2 pairs of 11s but those are the only duplicates. Mercy wears the pink 11s. Every other pair of boots we have are boy-colored.

Happy Spring!

And the tomb was empty!

2010-04-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone!

Zoo Trip!

2010-03-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

My sister and and my mom met up with the kids and I for a trip to the zoo last week.

A bird pooped on my head within the first five minutes of our arrival. It wasn't a zoo bird like a flamingo or a peacock.
Just a crow.

Thankfully, Heather was able to fix me up with some baby wipes.

Chilly but sunny

First stop: the elephants

Josiah finds the Afoo

A typical shot of these three

James is keeping warm

More afoos

School at the zoo

Josiah the Tortoise

We're all ready to plan our next trip!

Sweet Baby James

2010-03-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

Chubby.

Sweet.

Almost 6 months old!

We are looking for a portable high chair that attaches to our kitchen table so that this little man can join us at meals.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a particular brand?

Michael's Tooth

2010-03-01T22:33:00.000-08:00

Michael pulled out his first tooth last week.

As you can see, the new tenant for this space in his mouth has been in a hurry to move in.

He actually has two adult teeth back there right now.

The wiggly one in front sat there wobbling for a few weeks until what do you know?
It was ready!

He couldn't have been more excited when he realized how easy it was.

The dentist wants to pull all three of those other front bottom teeth to make room for the permanent ones that are coming in behind them. Any thoughts?

Hymnals

2010-02-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

When Bob and I were in college, we attended church together with a group of friends. We all grew up going to church but some of us didn't grow up attending a church that used hymnals.

For a time, when we first started attending, we had the impression that we could simply take hymnals home with us. Some of us were interested in learning more about the different doctrinal statements in the back of the hymnals. Some of us wanted to learn the hymns. We took them home gladly and encouraged our friends to do so also.

Eventually it came out that we were under the wrong impression. We shouldn't continue to offer "free" hymnals to the people we bring with us to visit the church.

Well. We didn't bring back the hymnals that we ... borrowed. Maybe we were gifted the initials ones...? I'm still not sure.

But. We still have them. And this is how the are often used at our house:

First, The Set up: Straighten James' blanket so he'll be comfy.

Got to get all of these books in order...

There we go... all in a row beside the baby.

Now. Sing!

Happy Math

2010-02-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

Daniel and I have had more than a few tear-y math lessons since the new year began.

After quelling the not-so-friendly competition with a fellow mathlete at the table...

(It should be noted that this competition is completely one-sided. Example of statements made at the table during math by one particular child: "I'm done! I'm done before you! I did all my math and it looks like you have three problems left!!" Other child's response: "Huh...?")

and continuing to encourage a more diligent and cheerful attitude...

(Question for other moms teaching their kids at home: How do you encourage your child to do excellent work when it comes to the math test? This is our first year with actual tests... So far, one particular child seems to think that the test is a race. Get it done before your brother finishes his school work and you win! Oh. And it doesn't matter if you don't do a whole row of addition problems. I'm done before you!! is all that seems to count at this point.)

we finally have a happy math day for Daniel.

All joking and sarcasm aside, we really are getting the hang of this math thing. Because it's really not just a math thing. Slowly, I'm learning that teaching these kids has so very little to do with the right curriculum or method and so very much to do with a cheerful and joyful and patient attitude on my part.

Our daily forays into academia tend to flesh out obedience issues. There they are. Right there on the table with the math blocks. And what do you know? Those issues aren't just Daniel's or Michael's.

Parenting is quite the crucible for coming to terms with your own faults.

Little Moments

2010-02-03T22:13:00.000-08:00

I watched Josiah and Mercy play a game under the table in the afternoon one day last week.

I love their chubby little fingers, all lined up... Soft dimples in rows and tiny pink fingertips.

I'm so glad that I'm here to catch these sweet little moments my kids have together.

Muffin Tin School

2010-01-30T22:15:00.001-08:00

My oldest boys are both "doing school" with me this year at home. They are 7 and 5 and most of our work spans the kindergarten through 2nd grade range. We regularly cover Bible, math, grammar, handwriting, history, science and geography and when we remember I have them practice piano.

This year marks the beginning, in my mind, of buckling down and doing school more than we don't do school, if that makes sense. And while that may seem like a long list of subjects to tackle each day, I'm thankful to say that it really doesn't take up very much time each day... most of the time.

When the boys were a little younger and I was just beginning to homeschool I envisioned our school day as a morning of activities that could be adjusted to include all of the little people in our home. I guess when the boys were younger there were less little people. And so that's how we did it.

Circle Time together.
History and science read alouds.
A little coloring and a little singing.

But now, as we begin to enter into a different season, I can see my childrens' abilities and interests begin to span a much wider range. We have those who are in school and those who are clearly pre-school.

Both groups need their mommy but in very different ways. It's been a difficult beam to balance as I adjust to the necessary changes that we've made in our day so that more of me is being spread around to those who need it.

Circle Time together is followed by a short session of School Time for the boys while the younger kids play with something special in their own spaces nearby... We are now saving our big chunk of school work for the afternoons when the Littles are resting. That has been the biggest change. No more Rest Time for the big boys and... no more Rest Time for me.

Giving more sacrificially of what I've always considered "my time" has been a challenge but I think it's for the best.

***

Hmm. I guess I had a lot to say about how things have changed.

Well.

What I really came here to share is what my preschoolers do for their "school".

Here is a little activity that has been popular with Mercy and Josiah:

I've had this little bin of toys since Daniel, now 7, was 2 or 3.

Ceramic animals from years of buying Red Rose Tea make a fun sorting activity for Josiah.

Foam sea creatures are sorted by color and counted "one-two-free-foh".

And nuts. These are very popular among our little people. Don't you want your toddlers to recognize every available nut shell known to man in the Pacific Northwest?

I love this self directed, open-ended and occaisionally quiet activity that I can pull out for my preschoolers to do while I'm involved in something they can't readily participate in.

Ultimately, I realize that I can't be everything to each child all the time. Not in the realm of schooling. Even less so in terms of the development of their hearts and minds into godly men and women. I have to remind myself daily to do my best to love them in all of their different ages and stages and to rely on God to complete the fulfillment of their needs.

Chelan-uary

2010-01-25T21:20:00.001-08:00

Welcome to yet another re-cap of a fun week spent on the east side o' the mountains.

After a busy Christmas time, a packed week of remodeling at home and a week of our new and improved school routine at home, Bob and I packed up our family and headed to Cheland to play. An especially exciting addition to this visit east was the anticipation of time with these friends!

This is what it looked like while we were there:

During the winter months, the lake level is quite a bit lower than in the busy summer boating season. A large sand bar emerges and the muddy expanse lends itself to a new kind of beachcombing.

We came with hopes of a little snow play. I was so happy to see that we didn't have to leave the resort for some of our sledding fun.

Mercy treks back up the hill...

Two buddies slide down...

And bite it at the bottom.

Cold and wet weather provided for fun indoor time too. Puzzles, legos, good books, afternoon pool time and several rounds of bingo complete with prizes (!!!) filled the kid portion of our evenings. What fun to be able to tuck in our kids and enjoy some grown up games and treats four nights in a row!

By the end of the week, Bob and I felt like we had been at a refreshing parenting conference. These friends of ours are in a very similar season of life... down to the minute sometimes. We are so thankful to be able to toss ideas and persue God's best for our families together.

Here are some smiling big boys...

And a sweet little boy.

Oh! And the Scavenger Hunt! I can't forget to talk about the Scavenger Hunt.

Here we are, listening as Bob explains the task of each team. I love what's going on in the big boy section of this picture... "I want to be on YOUR team!" It is so neat to watch friendships between these guys grow.

Each team hunted for beach type items... a small fluffy feather, a rock with a stripe in it, a walking stick. And Bob planted a few items ahead of time as well to add to the fun.

It was a cozy week full of the simple rhythms we have come to love for our vacation time; relaxed breakfasts, a morning outside, family lunch time and a nap, a group trip to the indoor pool, ending the day with a meal and a game or two.

We're back home again, schooling and playing and cleaning up and answering this question:

"Mommy, when are going to go to Cheland again?"

All The Babies OR Mercy's Birthday Post

2010-01-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

We have several babies in our home right now.

It's pretty clear to all the kids that James is a baby. And Josiah falls into that category I think as well. He's been described by the older children as the "bigger baby".

And although she doesn't consider herself to be a baby in actuality, Mercy pretends to be one about 75% of the time. She imitates baby speech, walks on her tip toes with her arms way out in front and swaddles herself in blankets. She tells me that her toddler bed is really a crib because there are sides on it so babies can't fall out. Sometimes she drools on purpose.

She walks around with her fingers in her mouth and answers questions with words like "Ma-Ma" and "Eh" or with the most recent sound James has made. When she initiates a conversation it usually begins like this:

"I wish I was a baby because..."

But a new day has come.

Well it came and went last Monday.

It was Mercy's 4th birthday.
And I'm going to do as much as I can to make being the "big girl" that she is seem like the most desirable age to be.

Already she and I have had several conversations about the special privileges of "big girls".
Mercy is going to practice using scissors and help put the soap in the laundry and cook with me more. She may even take a month or two of gymnastics.

All because she is a big girl now.

I'm hoping to curb the baby behavior on this end rather than to continue with the ineffective and somewhat confusing discussions about when it's okay to act like a baby.

And I'm also praying that I will model contentment. How often do I have to stop myself from saying "I wish..."? Whether or not I say it out loud, I know I'm often thinking "I wish..." or "If only..." or "Wouldn't it be better if..."

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment..." 1 Timothy 6:6

Happy 4th Birthday, Moose!

I love having you in my life, my shadow, my helper, my big girl!!

Mom...

2010-01-16T00:03:00.000-08:00

...can we come inside now?

A good read...

2010-01-11T00:11:00.001-08:00

Robots! Robots! Half time!

2010-01-06T22:58:00.000-08:00

SO I* CAME HOME two days ago and Danny, Mikey, and Mercy were wandering about in a high state of excitement. After a few minutes they congregated at the little table (a kid-sized table) with paper, crayons, and scissors and began industriously working away. From the snatches of conversation I overheard it seemed they were making tickets. Soon, Daniel asked me for tape, so I obliged. He proceeded to make a large banner, of three sheets of paper, with the word RO BO T written across it.

At that point it was time for dinner, so all madness had to cease.

Following dinner and chores and etc. the activity began anew. It had became clear, by this point, that they were making preparations for a play they were going to put on. Which explains the tickets. And the sign near the kitchen table that said "chip bar," made by Mikey.

At this point I** was recruited to play the part of Zed the shepherd. (This perhaps needs a little explanation. Briefly: When the kids play make-believe Star Wars they all assign themselves (or are assigned by Daniel) parts to play. So, Daniel becomes (for example) Darth Vader. Mikey is Luke Skywalker. Mercy is Princess Leia. And Daniel asked me, once, "Who do you want to be, Daddy?" In a fit of goofiness, I proclaimed: "I'm Zed, the shepherd. What? There aren't any shepherds in Star Wars? They gotta eat, don't they? So they need farmers, and shepherds, right?" Hence, forevermore I am Zed when they play Star Wars. And, apparently, when they put on plays.) And Daniel wants me to practice with them. I see, to my surprise, that he has a whole script written out.

However, at this point I become embroiled in a marathon discipline session with Mercy so, despite Daniel's multiple requests, my practice has to wait until much later. When I'm finally able to join them, here's how it went:

Daniel first explains: "I'm Robo, and Michael is Robei." (Pronounced row-bee.)

Then he has us all get up on the fireplace, which is the stage. Then he begins, in a robot voice:
"Hello. We are Robots."

Then Mikey, in his robot voice: "We come to take over the world."

Then Daniel: "You're turn, Daddy."

So I comply, reading from the script, as Zed: "What do you mean, take over the world?"

Then Mikey and Danny, together: "You are about to die!"

Then - the Sound Off. Which, it turns out, is some kind of musical interlude that involves Danny, Mikey, and Mercy (if she can be persuaded) parading around the room chanting, "Robots! Robots!" until Danny decides that there has been enough, then he announces, "Half time!" (=intermission) whereupon we all remove ourselves to the chip bar, where there will be snacks during the performance the next day. Danny reminds us all: "Make sure to let the guests go first."

Then, after an appropriate half time, we return for the second act. It begins,

Danny: "Pistols out!"
Mikey: "It doesn't work!"
Me (as Zed): "Come on men. You're under arrest, Robots!"

And that's the end.

It was pretty awesome. Even more awesome was the fact that the next evening, after enough practice for both boys to memorize (!) their lines, we put on an actual performance (complete with actual snacks - it was hard to tear the boys away from them for the 2nd act) for Mommy, Josiah, James, and Grammy.

It was amazingly impressive - they made tickets, signs, Daniel wrote a script***, set up snacks, rehearsed many times, memorized their lines, and performed it. I'm still in awe.

*Bob.

**Still Bob.

***Here's the complete script. Front:

Robo: Hello. We are robots.
Robei: We come to take over the world.
Zed: What do you mean, take over the world?
Robo @ Robei: You are about to die!

I think the '@' is supposed to be an ampersand. Anyway, back:

Sound off: Robots, Robots! Half time!
Robo: Pistols out!
Robei: It dosen't work!!!??
Zed: Come on men. Your under arrest, Robots!

THE END

Waaaay back when...

2010-01-05T00:13:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, I just need to be reminded of how things used to be.

Not that long ago.

These pictures were taken just about 4 years ago. Right after Mercy joined our two little boys.

Back then we had two toddler beds. We apparently used a baby monitor (it's in the piano picture) in the living room which is all of 10 feet from our baby room. I think I protected the kids' heads from the fireplace hearth with a giant body pillow.

Some things are the same.

Daniel still has Tee. He still wears that cape. Michael still drums and wants to be where his brother is most of the time. The jammies 18 month old Michael were wearing to bed are still here. Josiah is now zipped inside them for bed. We have a new baby in our home.

And Daddy still reads to everyone. All at once. There are just quite a few more who are looking for a spot in his lap.

Ra!

2010-01-01T23:23:00.000-08:00

Just a little something that Josiah has been doing that I want to remember... because it's funny when your child is afraid of something and obsesses about it.

Well not really. Not funny ha-ha.

Anyway.

We had to go ahead and watch the claymation Rudolph movie a week or so ago despite the proven fact that the " 'Bominable Snowman" will scare any child in our household between the ages of 1 and 4.

Or 1 and 7.

The older kids just won't admit they are scared.

Prior to the viewing of this movie, Josiah had begun to call pretty much every creature depicted in a story or as a toy, a "Ra". I think it began with creatures that might make the sound "Rrrrraaa!" like tigers, bears, ninjas, Lego men with scowls on their faces, GI Joes in the throes of battle, etc.

Josiah didn't seem fearful of any of these Ras.

Josiah plays with a Ra before bedtime

But with the 'Bominable, it was another story.

A few mornings ago, Daniel reported to me that the first thing Josiah said when he woke up was: No Ra.
No Ra?
No Ra.

And when it was time to watch another movie, which we've been doing a little more often while the kids recover from a bad cold, the mere mention of a movie was enough to send Josiah into the corner wimpering, "No, no Ra. No Ra!"

Poor guy.

And his mommy just thinks it's cute and writes up a big old post about it.

Projects

2009-12-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

Now that our Christmas projects are finished, it's time to move on to the kitchen (again).

The back of our counter space shown in this picture has been uncovered for the better part of a year or maybe 2 years? Too long.

Now it's covered with plywood! Yippee! No more giant crumb piles and lost pencils/legos/netflix envelopes underneath!

We didn't stop there. The upper cabinets in our kitchen were re-hung and painted white some time ago. Now most of the doors are on the upper cabinets. It's time to start on the bottom cabinets.

Here is an in- process shot: Post sanding, pre painting.

And now another mid process shot: I think this is just before the final coat of paint went on last night.

I couldn't resist adding a picture of one of our other projects.

How to take care of a sick little brother

2009-12-30T14:09:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2009

2009-12-26T22:38:00.000-08:00

Here's a recap of our Christmas.

It won't be a quick recap because of the zillions of pictures and stories I wanted to include.

That's okay because I like pictures and stories.

As you may remember, we joined the Parents To Five Club in September. And with the added number of people in our household, we decided to tone things down a little on Christmas Eve. This meant that:

a) after a big gingerbread pancake breakfast with my sister who was visiting for the morning, we spent a quiet day at home

b) rather than choosing a meal that we enjoy but aren't very good at cooking (Roast Beast and Yorkshire Pudding) we opted for something we all like to eat that we all like to make: Pizza.

c) instead of an evening drive to see Christmas lights during which a sick toddler might fall asleep, we stayed home and enjoyed an impromptu Nutcracker Suite Dance Off Turned Wrestling Match.

My favorite quote of the evening: "I'm the Plump Sugar Fairy!" - Mercy

(I'm pretty sure she meant Sugar Plum...)

We read the Christmas story together from the Bible in the evening as well as O. Henry's Gift of the Magi and The Animals' Christmas Eve.

And Bob and I watched a movie, The Bishop's Wife. This is something we haven't done before on Christmas either. And as far as movies go, it was fun in a goofy way. We liked it.

Now for the pictures.

Our house, early Christmas morning. (That chair has got to go. Don't know why it's being showcased in this picture.)

Breakfast Christmas morning: Cranberry Orange Muffins That Needed More Sugar
Daniel said, "They go well with maple syrup, Mom!"

Josiah has spent the last three days sick with a fever. He alternated between weepy and cheery and sleepy. Poor guy. I think he still had a good day on Christmas.

Daniel and Michael open their stockings together...

and Mercy enjoys her new book.

Bob and I made wooden shields for the boys. Check out their fierce warrior faces!
Josiah has a weensy one, too. Daddy rocks the wood shop yet again!

After Christmas Morning at our house, we spent the rest of the day with my side of the family at my parents' house.

Hmm.
Lovely picture faces from Daniel and Mercy, here.

Josiah perked up while reading books with Auntie Heather.

Snuggly James got lots of love from Grandad and everyone else during his first Christmas ever!

This picture of the kids and my parents is brought to you by Jelly Belly.

My favorite Christmas moment occurred on Christmas Eve this year.

I had the rare opportunity to take a bike ride with Daniel in the bright cold afternoon sunshine. I wasn't pushing a stroller, carrying a baby in a front pack, encouraging a slower toddler. I was going to ride with just him.

When I told him I was going to really ride bikes with him, he ran up and hugged me. He chattered to me all through our ride, soaking up my attention and reminding me of the importance of seeking out time to play with each of my "older" kids. It warmed my heart to see how very much he enjoyed this special time with his mommy.

I hope Christmas was sweet and joyful for all of you!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

The lights are up on the house...

Michael was determined to be "brave enough" to help this year.

The gingerbread houses are decorated...

The Angel Gabriel said his lines in our church Christmas Pageant.

(The Innkeeper says that he said his lines...I'm not sure. I did see him inspecting the buttons on the on-stage speakers during his performance and I definitely heard him singing into a microphone that was still on, post performance...)

No good shots of either the Innkeeper (Michael) or the Star of Bethlehem (Mercy). Oops.

We tried to get a Christmas picture of all of the kids...

We tried again...

And again.

We're ready to celebrate Your Coming.

And with each passing year, the gift of a keener understanding of the depth of our need for this Arrival is given.

This knowledge that you have come to us as "the dawn of redeeming grace" sweetens and brightens the season somehow more than shining lights, more than cold bright snow.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Josiah (20 mos), Mercy (almost 4), Daniel (7), James (3 mos), Michael (5)

Merry Christmas from our house!

Christmastime

2009-12-13T20:08:00.001-08:00

...a collection of Christmas Doings at our house.

Yesterday, we bundled up to go find our Christmas tree.

It's been cold! I love it!!

I love this smile, too.

The tree is quickly chosen and conquered...

(because however it looks at the tree farm... it's going to fit right in at home when the lights are on and all the ornaments are placed front and center at the height of a five year old)

And we head for the hot chocolate.

Next up: Cookie Bake Day!

This event is a well anticipated afternoon of cookie/candy making that we partake in each year.

Bob's family hosts this frenzy of activity that yields an amazing amount of sugary goodness for the child to adult ratio we have in our group.

We enjoyed some down time today at home decorating the tree and taking silly pictures.

This one is for Grammy: Mercy in her red dress...

I've had some very humbling moments during the last few full days and weeks as I continue to learn what it means to please God as a wife to my husband and a mother to this crew. In light of those moments, during which I'm being made increasingly aware of my shortcomings, I'm so thankful for the smiles and laughter captured here.

A peaceful, joyful and merry Christmas to you.

My talented husband...

2009-11-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

... helps make Beerocks.

Maybe this one should have been called a Dragonrock?

Daniel turns 7

2009-11-07T21:25:00.000-08:00

See this little guy? He's almost three.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated him growing into this big guy! I was excited to find these two pictures of Daniel, wearing the same hat.

We had a fun family party at home following our standard birthday party pattern: grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins (when available), kid food and a cake, and a few presents.

At Daniel's request, we added a game: Destroy Paper Star Wars Bad Guys.

Mercy smiles. Daniel is sharing his gifts.

We all had a great time celebrating Daniel's seventh birthday! Happy Birthday Buddy!!

And I had to share these pics that I found on my hunt for old photos of Daniel.

When I was pregnant with Mercy, I spent a couple weeks on bedrest. These good friends of ours traveled quite a way to spend the day with the kids and I AND brought a ton of yummy food to stock our freezer if I remember correctly.

I just thought these pictures of that day were cute. It sure seems like a long time ago!

James at 1 Month

2009-10-30T22:36:00.001-07:00

Here's our little 1 month old guy... These pictures are from a week or so ago when his baby acne was still hanging around...

We love you, James!!