Bring It

The countdown is ON! Five more days of school!! Woop woop!!! We pick Little Man up after school and the children pile out of the car and grab their bikes and scooters and spend a chunk of the afternoon going ninety to nothing! And it makes me smile...to look out the kitchen window and see them flying around, chasing one another, making up games. Childhood. It's sweet. Summer...we are ready! Come on!!!

The Engineer and Little Man met a few other daddies and their sons for breakfast a few weekends ago...Steak and Shake was the restaurant of choice. That night Little Man treated us all to dinner at his diner. He went by the name, "Ed." Hee hee. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the fact that someone he greatly admires goes by the name Ed.

We dined in style. He was hilarious. He'd stick his head behind the door and holler back to the "kitchen," "I need a number sixteen burger!" (We don't know what a number sixteen burger is, that was just his recommendation.)

Dinner was followed with dancing.

Dips and twirls...it was super fun!

Our nearly eleven year old iron died a few days ago. Is that a sign? Not to iron ever again? Bummer. I didn't think so.

I bought the exact same iron because it was that rad. Get one here. And use a 20% off coupon. You can thank me later. It's that good.

The Engineer has been wearing the same four "no iron" shirts for the last several months...two of which are "fishing" shirts. The guys at work have asked if he's super into fishing. He's not. He just looks really good in them and they save me ironing time. Suffice it to say...it's time to bite the bullet and iron.

I've been a mean mom lately. Just tired. Worn out. I get to the end of many days and feel like if one more person calls my name to complain or ask me for something I just might scream. And please, no whining before breakfast. I don't want to live like that. And I really want to blame it on the hormones from baby. But I mean, let's face it, I've got to take responsibility. A harsh answer is a harsh answer. Regardless.

And I've felt a bit overwhelmed. These feelings ebb and flow. You know the routine - clean up, they mess it up, wash it, they wear it, cook it - they eat it. Again and again and again. The cleaning up part is the hardest for me. So I've made a few changes. We're trying something new...because we all live here. And we all play here. And this is NOT a hotel. And we are family. So we are going to work together like a family. I'm trying to figure out the difference in serving my family and being their maid. When is it showing grace and when is it being a doormat? Does that make sense? We'll see how my new plan goes...yesterday it was met with tears by two out of three children. I'm not giving up.

One of the difficulties of having one child homeschooling and others private schooling is needing to be in two places at one time (at home teaching vs on a field trip/school activity, etc.). Typically Sister goes with me and it's not a big deal. She is helpful and seeks to be a blessing. But last week...she couldn't come with me. It was clearly a "no siblings" kind of event. Poor Sister. The only solution I could find was for her to accompany a sweet friend for... a pedicure. Now, when my friend offered to take her I felt quite divided - a pedicure?! For an eight year old?! I'm thirty-two and I've had one pedicure in my entire life. This is over the top!

You know what? I think it was just what Sister needed. A little TLC away from mama and with a "cool" young mama. Sister came back beaming and promptly hid away in her bathroom for a self imposed manicure. She gave me a play by play of EVERYTHING that happened. Glitter neon toes! How cool is that on an eight year old!?

I think it's finally really happening. I think.

We had a small dinner party here last weekend. It's the first time we've entertained in the brick house in such fashion. We broke out all the fine china. I polished silver and cleaned and prepped all week. The Engineer even stepped in and polished late one night!

I found this "live tile" (above) which made a PERFECT centerpiece! Throw in some moss and candles...wha-la! I was thrilled!

I neglected to take A SINGLE PICTURE of the set up with my big camera!!! Boo-hoo! But yay for the cellular!

The dinner party was in honor of a precious friend. It was her birthday. Too bad I didn't get a better shot of her hubs.

So that thing that I think is happening...we prepped for the party. We put drinks out on the screened porch. We gathered chairs around the fire pit. We set the dining room table. We scrubbed the little guest bath. We turned on the big lights in the tree on the back porch. We lit candles. The sun began to tuck herself in and dusk enveloped the brick house and she began glowing. Friends trickled in the back door...the flicker of candles, the reflections in glass and mirrors, the smiles on faces, the smell of good food. The guys gathering around a platter of cheese and crackers...my children running in for "one more bite" before they were whisked upstairs with a sitter. The iPod, playing softly. The ladies...following me into our tiny kitchen and jumping in to help serve plates. Dimming the dining room chandelier...good conversation. Laughter. It was a sweet night.

The Engineer and I washed dishes until close to 1am. We laughed and talked and I think we said a million times, "that was SO much fun!"

The next morning we finished putting everything away...and we said a million more times, "that was SO MUCH fun!"

And I think it's happening. I felt a little smitten with our house. She held our guests so well. Things flowed so smoothly. Our tiny kitchen served beautifully! It was precious to get to host a small group...to sit around the table until the candles had flickered and burned out...and then to move outside to the patio. I loved it. We loved it.

Dear Brick House, you were such a blessing to us last weekend. I'd never seen you glow like you did. I'm beginning to fall for you, hard.  Like I fell for our old home. And that is saying a lot.

Saturday night we tucked the children into bed and broke out the last two creme brûlées and made iced coffee to accompany. It was a sweet reward.

I'm not sure what brought on this parade of dressing up...

I think she may have had a tiny, little something to do with it?

All I know is that some old woman showed up and the girls were calling him - I mean her, "Grandma."

Grandma was pretty spry. And hip. She was all about playing the part until The Engineer said he would not take, ahem, "Grandma" to soccer practice in a dress. Three seconds later I found all "Grandma's" clothes, inside out, on the hall floor.

Scary. Great blackmail material. Rehearsal dinner? Oh yeah.

Little Bit woke on the morning of her program quite early. She stood on the top step and cried. LOUD. I retrieved her and asked what was wrong? "I'm ner-bus!"She almost didn't go up there with her class. Once on stage, she yawned. And yawned. And yawned.

Little Man, on the other hand, was very pleased with himself and fully participated. I couldn't help but smile and giggle a bit watching both of them up there. The Engineer got to take the afternoon off and joined me and Sister in the crowd.

Post program, we headed downtown for lunch at our fav Mexican restaurant. The children found a shop selling glass marbles from a gum ball machine and loaded up. We hit a few antique stores in search of hand planes for The Engineer...at one such store, the clerk - an older lady - took me and the children back into the recesses of the store and showed us a very, very old elevator...operated by hand by pulling ropes. She let the children help her lower the elevator a good eighteen inches and they were THRILLED.  I mean, it's a big deal to be taken behind the big double doors that clearly communicate KEEP OUT. It's a big deal to have another set of double doors opened to you while a little old lady clings tightly to your shirt for fear you might fall down the elevator shaft. And it's an even bigger deal to hang all your weight, along with your siblings and that little old lady's, on a giant rope. It was all a really big deal. And made for a sweet afternoon.

We have a big weekend ahead! We're borrowing a pressure washer first thing tomorrow morning...I cannot wait!!! I LOVE to pressure wash. (Seriously.) Woop woop! Bring it!

And before I leave you...as sister and I finished lunch this afternoon, I became keenly aware of a certain blurriness in one eye. I reached up to rub it and my hand came away with goop. I have pink eye. No doubt thanks to Little Man and Little Bit's generosity. I'll spare you the details...suffice it to say...the goop is prolific. And if you look down long enough...it pools in the center of your eye. I am amazed. And thankful for modern meds!!!

Ok...happy weekend, y'all!

A Mish Mash

{3-P Bike Parade!} 

I think maybe, just maybe we are slowing down a bit. And it is so nice. I feel weights lifting from my shoulders. And at the same time, my head is spinning. (smile)

 {Unbeknownst to me, Sister kindly gave her own helmet to Little Bit.}

Sister has worked so hard, so diligently this year. After arriving in our new local this time last year and being several months behind on schoolwork, we schooled well into the summer. I hated it. It was so hard. I really, really love summer. I really, really love knowing my children have no place to be and we can chill. And I love being able to tackle messy house projects in grunge clothes with no need to change for this or that activity...and I really do NOT like the pressure of being behind - especially on something like my children's education!

Point being...this chick has completed her math, language/grammar, and spelling curriculum. All as of last Thursday. We've spent this week reviewing and plodding along in our other subjects. 

The Engineer and I placed a big book order last weekend...curriculum for all three peeps. Can I tell you how stinkin' good it feels to be ahead of schedule this year??? With baby due at the end of August, I want to get a good six weeks under our belts before then. We're planning to take a week or two off after all three wrap up this school year in May and then we will be back at it. In the summer. Yuck. BUT - we are ahead this time. And that makes a tremendous difference!

Sister woke me in the middle of the night a few weeks ago to tell me she had this dream that she was throwing up...and then felt this force in her throat...and then woke and had to rinse out her mouth. "But don't worry Mama. I didn't throw up." I reached out my hand to rub her arm...and felt cold wet chunks. We tiptoed up to her room and turned on the light. She assured me, motioning to her bed, (which was TOTALLY unmade because I'd tackled a MEGA washing session that day -stripping every bed down to the mattress...we'd lacked one more dry mattress pad and logically, I opted to leave it off Sister's bed - since she's the oldest). I pulled the lone quilt back...and there it was. 

A big ol' pile of vomit. 

I cringed. And headed for the cleaning supplies. I walked back in and began trying to tackle the mess...and then I started dry heaving. And couldn't stop. I had to wake The Engineer. I thought perhaps together we could get it all clean...only as soon as I stepped back into that room and the odor hit me, back to the heaves. He sent me to bed. I left him with orders to run the soiled linens on hot.

The next morning I ran them again - just to be sure. As I began moving the washing machine contents to the dryer, I pulled out Sister's beautiful, custom made bedskirt - I had no idea it had needed washing. I mean - it's the kind of bed skirt you spot clean...suffice it to say, now it's kind of like wearing pants that are too short. In a bad way.

I cried. And then acknowledged that it is just a thing. And I don't have enough fabric for a third bed skirt...and since, Lord willing, we will be putting a third little girl in that room...I've just saved myself the trouble of making a second bed skirt...since the first is now too short. Sigh...houses...stuff...

So The Engineer and I have been sketching and dreaming up ideas for the girls' room. Bunk beds? We'd need two sets?! I really want to go with three twins...and perhaps eventually tuck a few trundles below...for friends and cousins and the like. My initial layout plan would mean we'd have eight inches between each bed. Maybe that's not such a great idea. 

Little Man sleeps in the bed his daddy slept in...which is the bed his daddy slept in. Grandfather to son to grandson. It's a twin. And there is only one. Between baby and adoption, we hope to put another little boy in that room. The bed matches the dresser - one was made to go with the other, I just don't recall which was made for which. And so, I asked The Engineer to build a second, identical bed. This bed is beautiful - there is nothing run of the mill about it. The Engineer informs me he needs two new tools and thinks he can do it. I know he can.  I'll let ya know when that starts coming along!

So anyway, beds and room configurations have been crowding my thoughts. I still have to finish up a few things in the kitchen...namely paint and hardware. We have family coming in May - that should motivate! 

I ate lunch recently with a sweet, new friend. I asked how long she'd been married and she told me, 

"seven years." 

I smiled and told her our seventh year of marriage was the hardest year of marriage yet. In terms of just marriage. It wasn't any one big even that happened. It was just...seven years. And "this is it" realities setting in. Early on, when things aren't all you dreamed they'd be, it was okay, you reasoned, because one day, one day...when this or that happened, you'd be there. But seven years hits and you realize he isn't changing and he realizes you aren't changing. I remember sitting on our back patio eating dinner outside with The Engineer. We'd hit the seven year mark and he was bubbling off statistics about couples who make it past year seven of marriage being more likely to make it long term, etc. I don't know why that's so ingrained in my memory.

I don't have anything enlightening to share...I just remember that being a hard year, but a good year. A year we came face to face with our own sin (as in, for maybe the first time ever in our marriage I turned my finger around and pointed it at myself - and he did the same!). As I recounted the conversation to The Engineer, he nodded his head in agreement. 

I've been re-arranging the house again. I moved my desk up to Little Man's room and in cleaning out the drawers, discovered three envelopes...one with each child's name...the contents? Cash they'd been saving that we'd long ago forgotten about. I added that to their growing savings and my girls were ready to go shopping. Little Man, on the other hand, is still saving! 

So I took the girls to Target. We were there almost two hours. The first five minutes were hilarious. Little Bit declared herself to be "rich!" and grabbed what felt like one of everything from the dollar section and put it in the buggy, each time shouting, "I'm gonna buy dis! I'm gonna buy dis!" Cracked me up. She'd made her choices in about eight minutes. The rest of that near two hours was spent with Sister. Looking at everything. In the end...she bought a pack of gum. 

This morning Little Bit said, "I love you more than beef jerky!" and then hugged me tight. 

Soccer season has been in progress for a while now. The boys lost their first game last night, but Little Man played the best he's played yet. We were so proud!!!

His school teacher sent home a list of skills each child is to have "mastered" by the end of the year. Little Man is almost there! I know he'll have them all in time. Again...we are so proud. 

Part of The Engineer's job is going through "License Class." He's been in class since shortly after our move. The final on the first section of class is this Friday. I cannot wait to have that behind him! 

He goes into weird funks when he has something so pressing, weighing so heavily on his shoulders. He typically takes on a HUGE project and shortly before his actual test, will keep all sorts of late hours tackling said project, only to emerge for necessities. And then he takes the test...and has always done well (he had to go through a different License Class at his old job...start to finish was roughly two years). For this testing period, he's building a work bench. And it's beautiful. And very custom. He's put a lot of thought into it...made several to scale drawings...impressive. A few past "test projects" include installing a new stereo in my car (though the old one seemed perfectly fine to me), running wire for and installing a street lamp - okay, those are the only two specific ones I can recall. I just remember it was LATE at night and he was still outside going...funny how we all handle stress differently.

Our oldest began a book series...three days ago. Neither The Engineer nor I have read this particular series. She is on the third book. I am scrambling to keep up. And I think, wishing I'd read it first altogether. Because at this point, I wouldn't have ever given the green light to check it out at the library. There is lots to talk about...lots of theological issues...lots of going to scripture and asking what God's word says. 

Post final, The Engineer is going to catch up and we are going to decide what to do. We've been emailing back and forth about it and his most recent email was very thought provoking...

Our kids are confronted everyday with faulty morality, theology, logic, worldview, etc. I think that some of those Tinkerbell and Barbie movies wrap some bad ideas in sweet packages. 

I remember reading stuff with worldviews that were way off, but was highly entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. For example science fiction by Isaac Asimov is fascinating to me, but he was a full bore atheist and evolutionist. Star Wars is great, but is grounded in an eastern-good-balances-bad worldview. Almost every single science fiction story is rooted in the ideas of evolutionary biology.

All that to say, as imperfect as my parents are, one thing they did well was this: Although they allowed me to read those books, they did their best to live according to scripture. Although at times my head was filled with those "cool" ideas, I always knew they were "cool" ideas in make-believe stories because the reality of scripture and the gospel touched my life in multiple ways every day. 

Regardless of what direction we go with this particular series, I believe the key is to live in front of our kids in submission to scripture and to do it openly and transparently. 

I tend to throw the baby out with the bath water on some issues...eek. This parenting thing! It's hard! And this is just the tip of the iceberg, or so I'm told. 

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

An Update?

Goodness, I feel like I should introduce myself it's been so long. (smile!) Life demanded a little break from the internet...er, blogging.

Things are going great - baby is great. The adoption is coming along! And it's been eleven days since I last vomited and five since I last took zofran. I'll be 22 weeks on Sunday.

If nausea is any indicator, this baby should be SUPER healthy!

And rounding the corner is really, really nice. Truth be told, I was a bit down with it all, the nausea that is. And the lack of energy.

 {This marinade is a MUST TRY!!! It's our "go to" for pork tenderloin. Seriously - you NEED to try this.}

And so my energy is returning and I am slowly reclaiming our home, bit by bit. Who knew dust could settle so thick? By the end, everything was out of order. Including our children.

  {Our dear, dear neighbor from before the move (minus his better half -wink, wink)- made it our way on a sales call and we soaked up EVERY minute of his joining us for dinner! It put a lump in my throat just knowing he and The Engineer were in the backyard hanging with the kids. Sweetness.}

We've had to re-establish boundaries. Like, for instance, some form of this has been the norm:

Me: "Why are you eating cheese-its for breakfast?"

Them: "We always eat cheese-its for breakfast."

Me: "No you don't."

Them: "Well, lately we have."

Me: "But you didn't even ask. I don't want you to eat cheese-its for breakfast and you must ask permission before you help yourself to food."

Them: "But you've been letting us eat whatever we want and we never have to ask. We just go get it."

Me: "That was fine when I was sick. But baby, I'm back. No more cheese-its for breakfast!"

My poor little peeps. They have needed their mama and they have done well and been a blessing in their super survival skills while I've been otherwise occupied. Sister has mastered the art of holding my hair back while I puke. Little Bit knows to bring the trash can STAT. And they all know where the zofran is. And all of that is why I've been absent. Woop woop! I'm so thankful to have made it this far. The thought of losing another babe as far along as last time was more than my heart could handle.

There...I'm finished complaining. (smile)

We celebrated three birthdays in less than a week! The Engineer's...mine...and Little Man's! Sister made a cake with JJ and we all sang to Daddy! The children insisted the cake was "just for Daddy!"

And it was precious seeing how enthusiastic they were about celebrating their Daddy! They love this guy!

The Engineer and I had an awesome date ON my birthday. We ate a fabulous steak dinner in a dimly lit restaurant and lingered for nearly three hours and then came home to a spotless house and three children bathed and in the bed. I LOOOOVE a good babysitter!!!

Neighbors introduced us to a fabulous bakery via the gift of a dozen petit-four eggs. We are still learning all sorts of new things about this place we now call home!

We celebrated Little Man's birthday in high style. Dinner at Chick-Fil-A followed by a rousing soccer game. His team won!! Woop woop! And then we came home for presents. Sister got in a little reading session pre-gift opening. Note the position of Little Man's finger...sometimes you just gotta get it.

It's fun to see the girls' excitement with and for Him. Of course, there were some down and out looks as he opened one certain gift. I think I know what the girls will ask for for their birthdays.

Little Bit is taking "ball-all-et" and loving it. Every morning she wakes and asks, "Am I going to ball-all-et today?" And every day, but one, we tell her, "not today." And she is bummed. But usually puts on dance attire regardless.

Little Man amazes us these days. He has fixed more things recently than I can list. Boys are such a mystery to me. His intentions are usually good - like trying to pick the lock on The Engineer's truck with a screw driver. It's so sweet that he was trying to be helpful and have the door open and ready, but seriously! No more screwdrivers in locks!!! Because now you can only unlock the truck if you put the key in just right and turn it just so.

He and a friend decided to help The Engineer make progress on the tree house we are planning to build. There's a perfect tree in the backyard - practically planted and grown just for a tree house - and those boys drove every nail they could get their hands on into the base of the tree. The poor tree. The Engineer has changed plans and will now build the tree house around said tree, rather than in it. I have no clue where, ahem, the adult in charge was. (Me.)

There's a long list here...I'm told this, too, is a season. We are seeking to fill it with lots and lots of old junk to take apart projects. (smile) And truly, I can't wait to see what God does in this Little Man's heart and life. He is really a cool kid...I can only imagine what God has in store for him!

Best soup ever!!! Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup. Sigh. Sooo good. The hubs loves it. The kids love it. It's a winner!

Happy Birthday Little Man! This was a labor of love. Me and a ziplock bag. Guess I chunked my old icing tips when we moved? Not sure, but I couldn't put my hands on them. This just goes to show you...necessity is the mother of invention! Me and the hefty ziplock workin' it for an hour and a half. I was pretty pleased with the end product!

A few days post his actual birthday, we loaded up and headed for the bowling alley to celebrate with his "official party!"

So "the man." Cool and composed. He owned that place.

Takin' it all in stride...birthday boy!!!

SPARE! It was so fun to see this girl throw off all inhibition and dance back to us celebration style!

Is a picture not worth a thousand words? I could eat her up!

Happy Birthday Little Man! You are insanely wonderful! A good and perfect gift from our heavenly Father. We rejoice over you with singing and we are so thankful He gave us you! It is an honor and privilege to be your mama...like, Little Man, I LOVE being your mama!!!

Guess where we got to go???

Hint, hint, that's Tiger in orange.

Our dear friends invited us to spend a little time with them at the Masters. Y'all, I'm not even a big golf fan. It was amazing. I've never seen grass like that. It was beautiful. Everyone was kind and courteous. I hope it's not the last time we ever get to experience something like that...what a treat. Thanks, guys!

There's nothing like spending the afternoon sans the kiddos in adult conversation with some of our dearest friends and on the arm of the man of my dreams. Mr. Engineer - I love you.

Last week was spring break. Call me a hermit...I booked our calendar FULL! With staying HOME. We did not have a single play date. We did not eat a single lunch out. We did not go anywhere. We stayed home. And everyone slept until at least seven. Every morning (and once Little Man slept until ten!) We (they) played in the sprinkler...and sprayed each other with the hose washed the car...and played in the blow-up pool...and read...and built forts...

They played "Boxcar Children" and were homeless and solved mysteries (and this cracks me up because we have yet to read a single Boxcar book-they're on the list).

They played "orphan" and "adoption" and ran an orphanage on the porch. Which reminds me of when I was Sister's age; my grandmother was so sick with cancer. My sister and I used to play "cancer." I suppose it's the norm for kids to play at what they're exposed to. (smile)

Little Man worked on his golf swing. He's dented every whiffle ball he owns. And there are divots all over the backyard. We went on long walks...

Little Bit helped me bake pretzels.

And they all played...lots...and lots... and lots...

I put in some serious hours on the casa. I cringe when I think back on my ungrateful heart the first few months we were here. Moving is hard. And I had a hard time with it. We've been here nearly one year and I think we are just figuring out how to live in this house. I wish I'd been more chill. God is so faithful and so good.

And big news!!! Our Home Study is finished!!! Whew! Hip, hip hooray! It felt like it took forever!!! We had lots to read and watch and answer - it was good and hard. Therapeutic! Our social worker said I win the prize for the longest autobiography. It was twenty-something pages (all answering four pages worth of questions). Me...long winded...imagine that!

So now we are waiting...it's a long process...and we wait for the next phase of paper work and fingerprinting. Woop woop!

I hope you are all doing well. I've missed being here, but just didn't have life together enough to spend my time in this way. I'm excited for a new season! Glad to be back! And I'm thankful for y'all!

Happy Wednesday, Y'all!!!