Merry Christmas 2008

Tonight we celebrate Christmas. We eat cold cuts and crusty rolls, we open presents, we wade through wrapping paper and boxes; but tonight we will have a 19 month old who may (or may not) be able to open his own presents and that makes me excited just thinking about it. Tomorrow we open stockings and eat lasagna, garlic bread, and Ceasar salad. The 26th is Josiah's birthday and we will spend a few hours at the germ infested Chuck E Cheese. It's an annual tradition at this point. Of course all Christmas traditions that we know and love come from very pagan traditions. It really isn't Christian at all. However, as we Christians are prone to do, we made it a Christian holiday by declaring Jesus was born on December 25th. (It's really Mithras birthday, but shhhhh...) That doesn't negate the fact that I still ponder my salvation at Christmas time. I think about the grace and the mercy that I have been shown and marvel in its peace. As I was praying last night, I recited the Lord's Prayer. I haven't recited a prayer since the last time I went to mass which was eons ago. It felt good. I felt peace. I knew He was listening to me. And that is what I wish for all of my friends and family who visit my blog. Peace. And to go back to mass (you Catholics will get this, my evangelical friends, not so much...)

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.

(Amen)

The Peace of the Lord be with you always.

(And also with you.)

Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

Look at this!!!!

I can't believe it is almost Christmas

It is the 16th! WOW! I haven't wrapped one present yet. I need to get busy. Not only is it Christmas, but my little guy turns SIX on the 26th. Yep, Josiah is almost six. ALL BOY! He punches, kicks, screams, whines, yells, and makes so much noise that I want to smack him sometimes. He is so tall, so thin, and so handsome I cannot even tell you. His permanent teeth are coming in and he looks so grown up. He looks just like my brother, so I guess that means he takes after my side of the family. He is my only brown eyed child too. Just like his Mama. He is in Kindergarten and is reading well. Let me rephrase; for Kindergarten he is reading well:) "Jan and Pam sat on a log, Pam fell off. Pam got wet. Jan will help." You know, that kind of reading:)

We may go to Los Angeles in January for a week. We will go to Disney Land, do the touristy stuff, go to Victorville where Olaf and I were stationed... It should be fun.

I'll blog soon:)

Vlog with Gracie

Vlog with Camille

Simon is so cute

I just took video of Simon trying to jump. Only one foot leaves the ground, but he thinks he is jumping. It is adorable. I did a video blog, but decided not to upload it. It is late and I have no make up on. No make up + very fat = quite ugly.

Have y'all heard of Pandora? Oh my word. Best website ever. Go try it out. Totally free.

We are going on another vacation in January. This time we are going to California. Los Angeles to be exact. We are going to Disneyland and Disney's California, then do the touristy things like the Chinese theater and Beverly Hills. We will definitely go to where the exterior shots from The Office are filmed and drive up to Victorville for a day to reminisce. It should be fun. All of this hinges upon the flights being open of course.

Thursday is Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have a wonderful time with your family and friends. I am very blessed. I have a husband who loves me, children who think I really am a Queen, and more than a woman could ever want or need. I cannot believe how fortunate I am.

Adjusting

The children are back in the groove.

The week is almost over.

I heart Thursdays because it's the best TV night evah! The Office, Survivor, My Name is Earl...ahhhh, heavenly.

Fris in the freezer.

Life is good.

If you need me, email me at mistyjorek (at) gmail.com

We're home and all is well

I don't want to be home. I want to be where the sun warms the sky. When it's time for siesta you watch them go by. Beautiful faces, no cares in this world
Where a girl loves a boy, and a boy loves a girl. Hee hee. That's Madonna lyrics in case you didn't know.

Olaf goes back to work on Monday. I am sure he will be overwhelmed with all that has transpired since he has been on vacation. The merge between Delta and Northwest is now official and the process of integration begins. We just hope and pray that he still has a job when it's all said and done. You just never know for sure.

The children will start back to school on Monday. They have had over two weeks off and we need to get back into the groove. I need to work with Josiah on his special sounds and get him reading proficiently in the next few months. He will be six the day after Christmas after all. He is so tall for his age. This child has to be at least 4 feet tall with a HUGE foot. He weighs 48 pounds soaking wet though. He is almost as tall as Grace and she weighs 60 pounds.

Simon has a well visit with the pediatrician on Wednesday. He hasn't been for a well visit since he was 6 months old. I choose not to vaccinate on the recommended schedule and he has not had one vaccine yet; however I think I will get the Tetanus shot this time. No Pertussis though. Just the Tetanus and Diphtheria. Most people get the DTP for their children which is all three viruses in one vaccine. Grace and Josiah have only had the Tetanus shot so far but I am thinking of getting the Chicken Pox shot as well for them. I kind of hoped they would get Chicken Pox by now, but they haven't.

Hopefully I can get another Disney Blog up soon. I will work on it this weekend.

All good things must come to an end...

...and tomorrow we leave this place to drive the 7 hours home to Georgia. The family is in the pool, I am in the Clubhouse using the WiFi, and life is good. We are so blessed to be able to go on vacation for almost 2 weeks to the most Magical Place on Earth. We are true Disney freaks and this vacation has been the best family vacation by far. It was a great, nay I say fabulous, idea to take the weekends off from the parks just to hang out at the pool or go shopping. We are considering joining the Disney Time Share and have been crunching numbers and looking at points and figuring out how long it would take to break even and... you get the idea. There is no way on God's green earth that I would ever join a time share of any other kind, ahhhh, but a DISNEY time share is another thing altogether. You can also vacation all over the world so you are not limited to just Disney parks, but I am quite certain for the next 12 or 13 years we would be at Disney most of the time. We went to the shpeel on Sunday and have been crunching numbers ever since.

Last night we went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom and that was super fun. Cinderella's Castle had beautiful twinkling Christmas Lights all over it, there was a special Christmas fireworks display, but the best thing according to my children, was the dance party going on. They had a DJ and a dance floor and characters who danced with you . We have great footage that I will post when we get home. We ate sugar cookies and drank hot cocoa. We sang Christmas songs and watched a Christmas Parade with Santa Claus and it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Was it worth the extra money? In a heartbeat.

So tomorrow we leave this Paradise called Disney and return home to school, work, life. Looking forward to another vacation already.

Video Blog and Two Friends

Two Friends
By Shane Stanford

In the last 10 hours, two friends called me. One was ecstatic. The other very worried. One friend supported Barrack Obama. The other supported John McCain.

My Obama friend talked of a new hope and brighter days. My McCain friend spoke of difficult times ahead and fears about tomorrow.

My Obama friend said that Obama would change everything. My McCain friend said the same thing, but for different reasons.

My Obama friend gushed at Obama's victory as though the stars seemed more in line. My McCain friend recoiled at Obama's victory as though the heavens had fallen.

My Obama friend considers Obama a magnetic personality, poised to the change the world. My McCain friend sees Obama as a polarizing personality---poised to change the world.

I simply listened to both of them and thought about the morning.

For you see, this morning--- the world still suffers from the broken edges of our humanity. 8,000 people will die today from AIDS. 14,000 children will die from conditions that we could have prevented. Young men and women on various sides will die as a result of various conflicts around the world.

This morning--- the complexities of our world still transcend the efforts of one man, one party or, even, one nation. People will do unspeakable things because they say they love their country or their God.

This morning--- families from all backgrounds will struggle, marriages will fail, and parents will worry about their children. The most local of our circumstances and problems will still seem overwhelming and hopeless for so many, no matter what the political landscape looks like.

This morning--- the poor are still poor; our prisons are still full; our schools are still in need. People still judge too many of our brothers and sisters because of the color of their skin. People still awaken to lonely homes and even lonelier lives. And, people still believe that one more dollar, or one more purchase, or one more title, will make the ache go away.

This morning--- our brothers and sisters in the faith still fight over the least of what we can agree upon. And, people continue to believe that our answers exists somewhere among our own abilities, gifts and graces-a lie told, and believed, from the Garden until now.

And, so, this morning--- we need not create another Satan. That job remains taken.

But, on this morning--- we need not create another Messiah either. That position is also filled.

And because of that, this morning--- the solutions to our problems remain vested in our ability to look past our differences and trust the best of what we can agree upon.

This morning--- the Table remains, as it has for 2,000 years and through countless elections, as the real center of hope for both how God sees us and for how God intends for us to see each other. While the world casts its hope in the extraordinary---buildings made of marble and granite; God delights and offers real hope in the ordinary--- bread, juice, and stables made of straw and hills made of jagged rock.

This morning--- the message of the Good News remains for those who have and have not, for those who vote left or right or not at all, and for those who consider faith a burden or a crutch.

This morning--- the family of God remains bigger than boundaries and nationalities and ideologies. And, we still pray that men and women of all ages, nations and races, will make good decisions for the good of the world for the right reasons. Because, our hope remains in something more sacred than even an election, a president, a congress or the concept of democracy.

This morning--- our God still reigns, still loves unconditionally, still offers forgiveness, still calls us to do good and seek justice, still encourages us to live faithfully, still insists that we make peace, still favors the poor whether of material or spirit, still comforts those who mourn, still draws close to those who hunger and thirst for Him, still believes in the communion of the saints, and still prepares a place for when the journey is over.

Yes, this morning--- much is different, but little has changed.

And, so, for my two friends--- and for all of us--- the real question on this morning--- or any morning--- is what shall we do with THIS DAY--- that the LORD HAS MADE---I say let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Be salt and light... you matter.
Shane

It's my birthday!

Sending this from my iPhone to remind you that, um yeah, it's my birthday. We are going shopping at Downtown Disney today. Tomorrow is the Animal Kingdom and Tuesday is the Magic Kingdom and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Then home on Wednesday or Thursday. We haven't decided yet. This resort is nice. We checked out of the house we were renting yesterday and checked into www.bahamabay.com. It's nice and new. Three bedroom, two bath, big kitchen, very nice washer and dryer. Time to get going and celebrate my 41st year. Yay me!

Disney Montage

Vlog from Orlando, FL

If you're ever in south Georgia ...

Don't ever stop at exit 22 in Valdosta to go to the DQ/Stuckeys. Unless you want a grey hot dog. Sent from my iPhone.

Friday Felicities

Family Vacations

Seeing Charity last night

The Office

My baby's hand rubbing my arm

Josiah's toothless smile

Sign Mr. Linky and post your own Friday Felicities

Another Vlog...

I have to write

for Charity. Can you believe she still has dial up? C'mon Charity. Get a life! Hee hee...

I have NO idea how to get my comments back on. I tried to reinsert the code from Haloscan to no avail. I turned on Blogger comments...doesn't work. So, if you want to leave me a comment please email them to me at misty.jorek (at) gmail.com. I didn't put the @ sign because I guess bots get ahold of them and spam you. Anyway, email me if you want to.

We are leaving in a few short days for Disney which means I am doing continual laundry. We do not have enough clothes to actually pack right now because we don't own that many. So, we will be packing Friday night like cuh-raaaazzzeee.
I am so grateful that my children really have no desire to have the latest fashions; or any fashion for that matter:) Obviously none of us are fashion conscience if we don't own enough clothes to pack and to wear.

Life is good, all is well, I am blessed beyond measure. Sometimes I lay in bed at night and cry real tears of thankfulness to God because I am so blessed. I have five children who are healthy, I have a husband who loves me like crazy, I have a home, I am almost 41 years old and I never thought I would live to see 30. If I die today, I would die not wanting for anything. It's the first time is years that I actually feel FREEDOM, and I love it! LIFE IS GOOD people. LIFE IS GOOD!

Vlog with the husband

My Wall...finally

Friday Felicities

Two Vlogs!!

Vlog

Simon's Shiner

Vlog

Vlog

Baby Come Back

Vlog

Vlog

Vlog 10

Another Vlog

Vlogeth

And because this is way too funny...

It had been awhile since I last watched this on You Tube.

Vlogeth

Vlog #5

Vlog #5

Vlog #4

Video Blog #3

Video Blog #2

Video Blog

Hello out there (there...there...there)

Nothing new here except Josiah lost more teeth.

And the baby is really cute.

Caleb is almost 13!!

And Margarita is full grown.

The girls have gone wild.




And I got my nose pierced. (It's a long story)

Look at this cuteness...

I want another one!

uʍop ǝpısdn

¡sı ʇɐɥʇ ʎɥʍ ɹǝpuoʍ ı ¡uʍop ǝpısdn pǝddıןɟ uǝǝq sɐɥ ʇı ǝʞıן sןǝǝɟ pןɹoʍ ǝןoɥʍ ɹnoʎ sǝɯıʇǝɯos 'ʍouʞ noʎ

Gosh, I love Molly

I swear, this woman is me only she can write. I can't!

It's Official

I have a walker!  Simon is walking all over the place and being his cute little self.  He can entertain himself now and that is so fun to watch.  He'll play with his toys or roll around the floor.  He hands me things off the floor just to hear me say "Thank You" in my sing- songy voice.  He is the cutest baby in the world:)

Tonight is the last swimming lesson.  YAY!  I hate running around.  I would not be a good soccer mom.  I am way too much of a home body.  Which is great with gas prices being over $4 a gallon.  Can you imagine if I drove everyday in my 15 passenger van?  

The 4th of July is Friday.  We need to get some fireworks. Olaf lights them every year for the children to watch from our deck.  He goes into the backyard and we stay up on the deck.  They love watching them.  I hate the 4th here in Redneck Country.  You hear firecrackers and shotguns until 2:00 am.  

Olaf just walked in the door.  Gotta run.

Hey there, hi there, ho there!

I went to the Braves game afterall. The seats were pretty good. It was very hot and I moved to the shade for awhile with the baby. The Braves stink this year. I really haven't kept up with them since 1998 or so. Well, when they were good:) I am a fair weather fan. Unlike my friend, Jeff, who is a Steeler fan through and through.

Caleb has been taking swimming lessons this week at Sonrise Fitness Center. It is a local church that also has a gym, swimming pool, and tennis courts. The price was very reasonable, so I went ahead and signed the family up for a membership. $35 a month with no contract. We have been swimming every morning while Caleb takes his lesson. Simon loves being in the water. The other children are also taking swimming lessons and making huge strides. They are not Olympic material by any means, but they are doing well. I need to buy some cheap tennis rackets at WalMart and take the children out to play. I would love it if Olaf and myself could take lessons together. Olaf, if you read this, that would be a great present. You, me, and some tennis lessons. No children.

Simon took 16 steps all in a row today. We all clapped and cheered and he liked that a lot.

You know you're fat...

when you play Wii and you are sore! How sad is that? I guess I need to get the Wii Fit and get busy.

Caleb starts swimming lessons tomorrow. They are free and only a week long. It is just for special needs children. The other children started swimming lessons last week with a local homeschool girl. According to Olaf they are doing real good. I stay home with Caleb and the baby while Olaf takes them to their lesson. I am going to take them this Thursday though, so I'll get to see what kind of progress they have made. I wish we could afford to get an in ground pool. It would be worth more than our house:0) We would need to do major landscaping as well. Oh well...I can dream.

I am going to start school with the children in a few weeks. We already received the books, but I need the DVD's for Grace and Cami. They should be here soon. I didn't order any books for Josiah because I still have several that weren't finished from the other two children. I think he is going to be tough to teach. He starts Kindergarten this year. Hopefully (crossing fingers) he will be able to read by the end of the school year.

Olaf is finally doing our will. We had to hire a special attorney to do Caleb's trust. It needs to be legally worded in such a way that he will not lose any state benefits etc. The special lawyer is just doing Caleb's part and then we hired another lawyer to do the rest.

Have y'all been watching "When We Left Earth?" It is the coolest series ever. We have been recording them on the DVR. I am going to make Camille watch them for history this year. The one about the Apollo Missions to the moon was so cool.

Simon is starting to take steps, but he still prefers to crawl. He'll take about 3-6 steps then sits down. He will be 14 months on July 4th. My latest walker by far. Camille was running at 10 months. Grace and Josiah were walking well by 13 months. Oh well...he knows I'll pick him up and carry him if he fusses in the least little bit.

My family, minus the baby and I, are going to the Braves game Tuesday night. It is way too hot for this woman to be out. No thank you. They will have fun I'm sure.

For Shoquaniqua

You know who you are:

I have been tagged

By Dawn, my twin. I am supposed to write six quirks about myself. Here are the rules:

Link the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules in your blog.
Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.
Tag a new set of six bloggers by linking them

Six quirks about me....

My toenails are ALWAYS painted. Always.
I love to watch MAD TV. (adding that second ALWAYS above reminded me of MAD TV--The Depressed Persian Tow Truck Man)

Here's a clip of Stuart from Mad TV:

I am in the crowd parade scene in the movie Animal House. I am 10 years old.
I love, love, love to play Toontown
I used to be a very good swimmer. Not swim team good, just normal good.
My fingernails are paper thin and I am unable to grow them because they bend. Thank heaven for acrylic:)

I now tag:
Charity
and whoever else reads my blog.

Olaf's Father Day Gift

Regarding the failed test below, I don't want to be a 1930's housewife. Nope! Not me. I posted it because I was proud of my failing score. Gosh, I sound like a :::GASP::: feminist!

If I am a feminist then I totally bought into the whole Father's Day idea of honoring that man in my house:) I bought him this for his office at work. He loves it. Although to complete his coffee snobbery he must take in a Brita Water Pitcher because I was informed this morning that the water at Delta doesn't do the coffee justice. We made a few cups here yesterday and it was wonderful. When he got to work today he said the water ruined the coffee, so thankfully we have an extra pitcher for him to take in. If anyone has considered getting one of these fabulous one cup coffee makers, I highly recommend it.

I recently realized that we will be in Disney World for the general election. It's either I vote absentee, not at all. I have voted in every presidential election since I was able to vote.

I need to go because that baby is crying for his Mama. He loves me.

Times Change

Three years ago, I would have passed this test with flying colors. Now, not so much.

16 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

Friday Felicities

Winning at Bunco last night-$40
Getting my nails done today -$25
Still having $15 in my pocket
My daughter's Iowa Test Scores-GO CAMILLE!!!
Underwear for fat girls from The Avenue
A husband who does a tooth fairy dance for a little boy who is losing way too many teeth.

FOR TODAY...
Outside My Window...
Its dark.
I am thinking...
which could be a bad thing.
I am thankful for...
my family.
From the kitchen...
Partners Potato Pizza
I am wearing...
My fat shorts and a T-Shirt
I am creating...
plaque on my teeth.
I am going...
to Disney World in November!
I am reading...
"If I am Missing or Dead" by Janine Latus
I am hoping...
to live long enough to see Simon reach adulthood.
I am hearing...
The History Channel behind me.
Around the house...
Clutter and more clutter.
One of my favorite things...
Coke Zero very cold in the can.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Hold the baby
Hold the baby
Hold the baby
and take Deacon to the groomer
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Friday Felicities

*Going on a date tonight thanks to a local church who is sponsoring a "special needs date night."

*That church is not only watching the children for free...

*They are feeding them...

*Have planned activities...

*and are giving us a $40 gift card to go eat...

*purple toes

*pretty nails

*my husband

Remembering Nattie

My friend, Nattie, has been gone a year this Saturday.  A whole year.  So, in honor of Nattie, I got a pedicure today and had them paint my toes purple.  I think Nattie would think my piggies look cute.  

Grace's 7th Birthday

Thanks to my Mac, I can now do cool stuff like this.  It is so easy.

Good weekend so far

Gracie had a great birthday.  We went to Chuck E. Cheese as usual and ended up with a huge amount of tickets for our family.  It is tradition that all tickets be given to the birthday child, so Grace made out this year.  Both Olaf and Camille hit a 250 tickets jackpot, so we had over 1400 tickets for Grace to spend.  It was fun.  Grace's friend was supposed to come over on Saturday but she got sick.  We did a pinata, had cake AND cookie cake, and she opened up lots of fun presents. Her favorite was this.  

I have tried a new flavor of Coffee Mate that I like.  It is Sweet Italian Cream.  They discontinued every flavor that was fabulous like Toasted Almond and Vanilla Nut.  

Simon has a fat lip...poor baby.  He fell and hit his lip on a toy.  He is so cute.  Oh my word.  I really like him.  

My nails still look pretty:)

On a whim...

I totally got pink and white nails like these today.

Actually, mine are short and square. Cute though. I like them. I went into a nail salon to buy a couple of gift certificates for Caleb's bus driver and monitor. The gal that sold them to me had the pink and white french manicure and I said, "I want nails just like you!" I must say my hands look so much more feminine.

All the children have colds. Simon can't sleep because his nose is stuffy.

Grace turns SEVEN tomorrow! I cannot believe it. My little Gracie thinks Hannah Montana is the best singer in the world and wants Hannah Montana everything for her birthday. ::sigh:: She even wanted a Hannah Montana birthday cake. I don't want her to grow up. I took her with me to get my nails done and they painted her nails and painted flowers on her thumbs. She chose the most awful color of purple you have ever seen, but it is absolutely perfect for a seven year old:) Tomorrow we will go to Chuck E. Cheese and share the colds with the rest of the world.

I have a twin

I have been reading Molly's blog for years now, and I love her to death. Our lives have paralleled each other in our spiritual journey the past couple of years and she wrote something today that literally could come word for word out of my mouth...and heart. Since she writes so much better than I do, I have copied it. Just pretend I wrote it...

To make a long story really really short, I just found a file full of papers, emails, and discussion board posts I’d participated in around ten years ago (as a new youth/music leader’s wife and a mom of one, with baby #2 on the way). Reading them was truly shocking. I could hardly stand the person doing the talking, which was a little sad, since that young pup was me.

She was audaciously authoritative, judgemental, and so sure of herself, her head must have been watermelon-sized at it’s most humble moment. You could tell that she was completely unaware of all of that, though, and was full of well-intended and passionate desire for truth. She was just convinced the truth and common sense were antithetical terms. Her thoughts were charged with passion and all aspects of life seemed one big huge black-or-white issue (from the KJV being the only trustworthy translation to the fact that headcoverings had to be for today and that men were meant to do the speaking).

There was no point trying to discuss anything with her—-she couldn’t hear you (and, plus, she already knew everything). The Bible said what the Bible said, which was another way of saying that her interpretation was the valid one, not yours, though she would have never put it like that. To her, there was no such thing as “interpreting.” There was the true way of seeing things, and then there was all the fluff that masqueraded as so-called interpetations.

I read some of the arguments typed by those disagreeing with her. They were balanced and well-thought out and laced with wisdom and maturity, but it was patently obvious that she heard nothing that was being said. All she saw (when trying to read their words) was, “Feminist, Humanist, Fleshly, Demonic Agenda Trying to Decieve God’s People,” in big huge flashing neon letters. There really wasn’t anything they could have done to help her. She literally could not hear a word they said.

The whole thing was really disconcerting and gives me quite a bit to process through in regard to the way one approaches theology (and in understanding my own history as well as my relationship and/or comprehension of Yahweh). But as an aside, I wondered how anyone could have stood to be within ten feet of her, much less bothered to listen. So here is where I pause to give all my Real Life Friends a big huge hug. Thanks for loving me.

Yeah, thanks for loving me:)

This, that, and the other

A laptop really will help me to blog more:)  I can sit here in my Lazyboy aka The Throne and type away.  Our desktop is in a wet bar area and Simon hated it when I went in there.  

Did I tell you that we are going to Disney World in November again?  We'll be there for my birthday again.  Totally planned.  We loved the Epcot Food and Wine Festival so much we had to do it again.  November is fabulous weather in Orlando as well.  

Olaf is meeting with the school superintendent tomorrow morning.  I hope it all goes well or my head will explode.  Lucky for Mr. Bass I only have one child in public school.    

Remembering Karen

I have a new friend that is walking in the 3 Day this year.  Will you consider making a donation to her in memory of my dear friend Karen Isherwood?  Thank you....

ARRGGHHH!

The Coweta County School System is pissing me off.  Caleb brought home a note in his backpack on Friday saying he is being transferred to another middle school next year.  No one called us, it's not in his IEP, they just sent a note home in my MENTALLY CHALLENGED child's backpack and hoped it got here??  So, I am doing what any good wife would do.  I handed the responsibility over to my husband who is much more diplomatic than I am.  So far he has talked with two women who work in special ed at the school system to no avail.  So, off to the Superintendent he went and I think we will finally get some answers.  Tomorrow night is the school board meeting and he just may have to show up there as well.  Holy cow this is frustrating.

As far as the homeschool year, we are done.  Camille is happy to be finished.  We will start again in the beginning of July.  I will definitely homeschool Camille through 8th grade, but we may put her in a Christian high school.  We have a few years to figure it out.  

I got a crown put on my tooth today.  I am still numb.  I need another crown, but it isn't an immediate necessity.  Olaf needs some dental work done so I'll let it be his turn now.   Simon had a check up with the ENT.  His ears are looking pretty good.  Not 100%, but pretty good.  

 

Mother's Day 2008

I'm sure you have all heard that Michelle Duggar is expecting baby number 18!  Wow.  I wonder how much they get paid from the Discovery Channel for the shows that they do about them?  I sure wish they would get rid of the girl mullets, but to each their own.  

Today is Mother's Day and I am on my new Mac.  It is so much fun.  It will be even more fun when I figure out how to do everything.  It's so cool how all the software interacts with each other.  It's almost too easy.  I mean, I was able to set this thing up to use my cell phone for the internet in about 20 seconds.  I didn't even know what I was doing, I just followed the prompts and it did it all for me.  That made me smile.  Maybe I will blog more...Hmmm....  

Olaf contacted his half brother in Germany a few weeks ago.  It went pretty good even though the brother had no idea that Olaf existed.  It was kind of a shock for him.  Now we have his contact information and Olaf was able to send him some photos that we found of him in Papi's house.  I am happy that Olaf chose to contact him and let him know that Papi had passed away. There was some debate within himself as to whether we should try to contact him, or just sweep it under the rug.  I am glad he chose to do the right thing.

Mother's Day

I am using my new Mother's Day present.  Granted, I have no idea how to use a Mac, but I guess I will learn.  Anyone have a Mac that wants to help me?  

The children did fabulous in their choir performance last night.  It was a late night, but they all did well.  I am glad it's over though.  I am so sick of running.  Looking forward to the summer and hanging out at home.

I hope all my friends have a great Mother's Day!  

Homeschool Choir

My children are participating in the homeschool choir patriotic show tomorrow. Tonight is their dress rehearsal. They are state delegates. Josiah is the delegate from the state of Maryland:



Yachting is big in Maryland, so he's a Captain.

Grace is from the state of Hawaii...lucky girl!


And Camille, my Camille, is from my home state of Oregon!

Of course, she's a hippie!!! There are lots of people that still look like that in Oregon! LOL!

Simon is ONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!

The Hormone Guide

The Hormone Guide

Women will understand this! Men should memorize it! Every woman knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!


DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?

SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?

SAFEST: Where do you want to go for dinner?

ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.


DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?

SAFER: Wow, you sure look good in brown!

SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!

ULTA SAFE: Here, have some wine


DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?

SAFER: Could we be overreacting?

SAFEST: Here's my paycheck.

ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.


DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?

SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.

SAFEST: Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?

ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.


DANGERSOUS: What did you DO all day?

SAFER: I hope you didn't over-do it today.

SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!

ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine



13 Things PMS Stands For:
1. Pass My Shotgun
2. Psychotic Mood Shift
3. Perpetual Munching Spree
4. Puffy Mid-Section
5. People Make me Sick
6. Provide Me with Sweets
7. Pardon My Sobbing
8. Pimples May Surface
9. Pass My Sweat pants
10. Pissy Mood Syndrome
11. Plainly; Men Suck
12. Pack My Stuff
13. Potential Murder Suspect

Some pictures

This is where Mami and Papi's ashes were spread.



Olaf and Scott.





Now to find Olaf's half brother, Clemens. Clemens was Henry's son by his first marriage. He needs to know that Henry has passed away. If any realtives in Germany read this and know where Clemens is, can you please e-mail us.

Don't Break the Elastic

I saw this on Nattie's blog today and loved it:

Don't Break The Elastic
by Maya Angelou

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in to wear a belted dress. But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
There's the comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.
And how about those pantyhose-
They're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on
The crotch is at my knee?
I need to wear these glasses
As the print's been getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.
Though my hair has turned to gray
and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,
It's the outside's changed a bit.

What a trip!

We just got home from New York. We drove, yes drove, with five children and a puppy. I didn't want to go...at all...but Olaf was pretty insistant. I gave in (very unwillingly) and pretty much bitched the entire time I was there. The baby got sick on Wednesday night in the hotel and ran a high fever. He kept the fever until Saturday and then broke out in a rash on Sunday...Ah, roseola! Olaf and his brother spread Papi's ashes at the beach on Friday. The same beach where we spread Mami's ashes back in 1992. We brought home some photographs and momentos, but not too much else. I am certain that Olaf will need to go back a few more times before the estate settles. Scott has a lot more work to do than Olaf since he is the one that lives in such close proximity. He also had a much closer relationship with Papi than Olaf did. Scott was only 17 when Mami died, so Papi has been his only parent for the last 17 years.

So, I leave you with a photo of Papi when he came to visit us in October of 2006. The children LOVED him, especially Josiah and Grace.

Rest in peace Heinrich.

Sad News

Olaf's father passed away. Please keep Olaf and his borther, Scott, in your thoughts and prayers.

Update

I know, I know...I rarely post anymore. Honestly, I hold Simon all day long. And let me just say he does not like to sit at the computer. Ever.

Margi is growing like a weed and so, so, so cute. My children are doing a great job caring for her. She has never pooped in the house. Not even once. She tinkled twice, but it was as big as a nickle or so. She is doing really well on the potty training. Her fleas and worms are gone! YAY! She is very playful and is a hoot to watch. We all love her.

Simon is almost 11 months old. That is hard to believe, eh? When he smiles he just melts my heart. Those cute teeth and that scrunched up nose. Adorable. He is looking more and more like Camille.

We ordered DVD's for Camille and Grace for next school year. That means I will just have to do Kindergarten with Josiah. Hopefully it won't be too hard. I have never taught a boy before. Speaking of Josiah, he looks exactly like me. Of all my children he definitely resembles me the most.

Diet isn't going too great. I need to start the FIRM again. I like exercising.

Happy Easter

I was saying to Olaf yesterday when we were out shopping, that no one has a problem saying Happy Easter. You know how some people won't sat Merry Christmas because they don't want to offend anyone so they say Happy Holidays instead? Well, what is more "offensive" than Easter? I haven't head one person say "Happy Spring" or "Happy Solstice Day." Do people not know that Eater is when Jesus rose from the grave? I mean, you can make Christmas more pagan than Easter! Anyway, just my two cents on the subject. I hope everyone has a lovely Easter.

Peep Show

Thank you, Stephanie, for making me laugh!

I'm on strike!

I went on strike yesterday. Too many little things piling up on me during my premenstrual week. This weekend I am going to do nothing and make the children do almost everything. It's good for them to get a reality check once in awhile. Oh you mean, clothes don't wash themselves? Go figure.

Olaf is home today for Good Friday. Yes, Delta still gives their employees Good Friday as a holiday. He is about to leave to take Margi to the vet. She has worms (I managed to get rid of the fleas PTL) and she needs that wormer medicine...now. That is just totally gross to me. ::shudders:: She is such a cute dog though. It's almost hard to call her a dog because she is so small. She's more like a rodent; but cuter.

I had some dental work done on Monday and my cheek is so bruised from all the shots. He has to give me several shots with two different medicines in order to numb me. I am in the process of getting a crown, so I have to go back for another appointment and I am not looking forward to it. I am usually numb for 12-20 hours after I go to the dentist.

I haven't been to Weight Watchers in a couple of weeks due to appointments on Mondays. I have eaten terribly and probably gained all the weight I have lost. I am just not motivated for some reason. You'd think being fat would be motivation enough, right?

Simon is crawling really fast now. He has at least five teeth through and another three sitting at the gum line. He is so cute but getting so big.

Meet Margarita

That's Margi (hard g like in Margarita). She is our new seven week old chiuaua that we just bought in front of our local WalMart. We were all going to go grocery shopping when we saw the sign that said "Chiuaua Puppies for sale!" All of us (even my husband) wanted to stop and look. We have had her about an hour now and everyone in the house is smitten. Except for Deacon and the cats.

Happy Birthday Camille

Twelve years old today. I cannot believe it! We love you so much and thank the Lord that he gave us the gift of YOU!

Simon started crawling

Last week he really started moving. Granted, he is ten months old today...but still! Hee hee. He started pulling up on furniture and then promptly falling. I took this video today; his ten month birthday.

I think this baby just may be the cutest baby in the whole wide world. And if you do not agree, then don't bother commenting;)

I lost over three pounds at Weight Watchers last night. WOO HOO for me. I stopped doing the Firm and the weight is now falling off. I guess I was working out too hard.

And the winner is...

Well, great odds if you wanted to win the Pioneer Woman calendar! Four whole comments. Hee hee. The winner is....

Renee

Congratulatulations, woman!

Bloggy Give Away

I have an extra 2008 calendar from The Pioneer Woman. My husband ordered one for me for Christmas and I ordered one for me for Christmas. Since I don't have a place to hang the second calendar, I am going to give it away. Just leave a comment if you would like it (be sure you put in your e-mail) and I will draw on Friday. And if you are not familiar with The Pioneer Woman, get going. She is fabulous!

Callaway Gardens

We went to Callaway yesterday. Here is a video of the children (and Olaf) launching rockets.

It was a gorgeous day and everyone had a blast! (PUN!! Totally unintentional.)

Naturally Seven

I thought this video was fun. This group (Naturally Seven) are on a subway in Paris when they just start doing their thing. It's amazing what seven men can do with only their voices!

Hello...can anybody hear me?

Blogging has been the last thing on my mind. The days just seem to slip by one into the other. The time I used to take to blog, I now work out. That is a good thing. On the other hand, Josiah is getting harder to parent and requiring more time than usual. He is testing every single boundry we have several times a day. I really feel way too old to parent at times like these. Parenting requires consistancy all. the. time. Or at least MY parenting requires that. Sometimes I am at a loss as to how to discipline though. I feel like I am constantly sending Josiah to his room so I can figure out what to do with him this time. ::heavy sigh:: Hopefully, hopefully, this won't last too long because it is killing me.

I gained weight at Weight Watchers yesterday. That sucked, but I deserved it. I have committed to no alcohol until I lose 20 pounds. I think that is hindering my weight loss more than I realize. And just think how good that martini will taste when I finally get the 20 pounds off. I mean, I am not a lush by any means, but I do enjoy a nightcap with my husband after the children go to bed. And considering my previous paragraph, having just one is doing GREAT!

Caleb is home this week for mid winter vacation. He is mad. He hates being home when he could be having fun at school. And I do mean fun. Grace and Josiah think public school is doing what Caleb does all day. They would be in for a huge surprise if I sent them to school. I tried to explain to them that they wouldn't get to go bowling, go to Target, WalMart, and Home Depot, go to gymnastics, etc if they went to school. Only retarded kids get to do that. They don't get it. And don't lambaste me for the word retarded. I can say it because he's an immediate family member. It's the rule. And please read this! It will make you laugh hard.

Brief catch up

Well, Olaf and I weigh in this evening at Weight Watchers. I hope and pray I have lost a pound. I know Olaf probably lost 6 pounds, but that is the way the proverbial cookie crumbles. Simon has a follow up appointment with the ENT doctor today as well. We'll see if that fluid is still sitting behind his eardrums. I hope he won't need tubes.

Camille will be turning 12 soon. She is such a HUGE helper to me. I cannot imagine not having her here all day long.

Need to run and start school with Gracie. Have a fabulous day everyone!

Look at my cutie pie!

So many fans

I have been admonished by several of you (OK about three people) that I need to update this here blog. So, I am updating...

As you know, our 20th anniversary was on the 23rd. Olaf got me the most beautiful platinum and diamond earrings. The bad thing is the post is so thick that they are hard to get in my ears. I have never had screw on back earrings before because I have never owned a pair of expensive earrings before. Here is a photo of them.



What else? Hmmm... Simon cut his top teeth and ate his first homemade chocolate chip cookie tonight. He still isn't crawling, but he gets on his hands and knees and then pushes up to just his knees. He is starting to clap, wave, dance, say Mama and Papa, and he definitely knows what "ninny" means. (That is our word for nursing)

Although I ate horribly all week, I still exercised and somehow (miraculously) lost a pound. I am going to start Weight Watchers soon just for the accountability. I am finding I need that. I am trying to get Olaf to join with me. We could take the baby to the meetings and Camille could stay home for an hour with the other children. He doesn't need to lose too much weight. Maybe 30 pounds maximum. He did say he would start working out with me. We bought these resistance bands that come with a workout. I got medium and he got heavy. I can't wait until we get them.

We had this most excellent raspberry wine/liquor at Epcot and ordered it from our local package store. It came in and we are enjoying it:) It's called Grandma's Liquor and is considered a dessert wine. One word. Scrumptious.

That's about it I think. I will try to be better about updating. It's just hard to sit down and type when I am holding Simon almost every single moment.

Tammy in Oregon

This is for you! Scroll down to the last row.

Twenty Years

Happy Anniversary to us!

And here is a photo taken today..no make up!

We tried to highlight my hair. I didn't leave it on long enough, so I have these red/caramel colored highlights. It looks fine, just not very noticeable. I can't get my new hair to style the way I want to. It's frustrating. I think it's too long on the top. I use gel and blow dry and then use hair spray and scrunch it all up...still can't get it right. Oh well.

I have been updating my weight loss blog with my workout stats. Nothing major, but I want to keep track of my exercise progress. I am down 10 pounds but I have been dieting for almost 6 weeks. I wish exercising didn't make me hungry. Oh my do I get hungry. It is coming off slowly, so I need to focus on the positive.

I saw Mike Huckabee on The Colbert Report tonight. He makes me laugh! He said Stephen Colbert can be his running mate if he wins the nomination. Huckabee has a great sense of humor. You can watch the video at that link.

New Hair

Olaf is going to highlight it for me. I colored it a few days ago, but it's not drastic. Just a little red in the undertone.

Rabies Awareness

A shout out to all The Office watchers who read my blog! Here is a picture that will only have you thinking one thing: Michael Scott's Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run For The Cure

Watching the debates

The debates are on behind me on ABC. I am decidedly undecided. I don't fit into any political category per se, so I really like to find out what each candidate believes in and then make my decision based on that. I will have to agree with the candidate on more than just one or two issues. I am really stupid when it comes to foreign policy and am trying to educate myself on that issue. Hillary is behind me talking about Pakistan and missles and I feel so stupid. Heck, I can't even explain the election process to you. Caucuses, delegates, electoral college, Super Tuesday, etc. Good thing I am not running for president.

We went to Costco today. I bought a scale that measures body fat, bone weight, water weight, and muscle mass. Pretty nifty. It does weigh me 1.5 pounds heavier than my current digital scale so that sucks. I am not even going to tell you what my body fat percentage was. I will say the normal range for a woman my age is 24-34% and I am higher than that. It will be interesting to watch my muscle mass increase as I continue to do the FIRM. I am excited about that.

Simon is eight months old now. I took a few pictures of him today. I'll close this post with his cuteness.

Laurel, Laurel, Laurel

Ya know, I really like the Laurel tree. I also like Laurel and Hardy. And Laurel Canyon in California is a great neighborhood from what I hear. Laurel, MD is probably a very nice place to live. And friends named Laurel are so needy:)