It's been awhile!!!!!

I guess I have been busy lately, at least too busy to post.  Ever feel like you're super busy yet you seem to be doing nothing?  I HAVE been super busy and doing things!!!

Let's see, the last time I posted was Allye's birthday and since then there's been a Winter Formal, a GALA, a Superbowl party, a sewing marathon, and oh just ordinary life.


After Allye's B-day party we had a Superbowl party with some groups from church, that was fun, but really I don't much enjoy the Superbowl.  It was loud and rowdy and  very warm in the room.  I did however make some yummy guacamole....

Next up was the week before the Gala.  A gala, what gala, you ask?  Well the second annual Caring Hearts Gala sponsored by the Friends of Mid-Western.  Its a dinner auction to raise funds benefiting the children's home and once again God blessed us.  I spent most of that week preparing baskets of items to be auctioned off.  We had to organize donations, inventory baskets and create labels.  We had to finish up centerpieces, finalize scheduling and seating arrangements.  It was a busy time that was well worth the effort!  The evening was fun, relaxing, well attended and raised nearly $14,000 for the Home! 

The same night as the Gala, Allye attended her first dance.  It was a winter formal sponsored by a local homeschool group.  We bought her a funky red, black and zebra print dress.  We got  a red clutch and black satin strappy heels.  She was darling.  I almost had a nervous breakdown.  She had a great time, learned some swing dance moves and enjoyed her friends.  I am finally growing up and letting her do things without me.  

With her chums at the dance.....

I am also trying to get busy with some sewing projects I have going on.  I worked on the White Witch and Naiad costumes for the PATH Narnia play in May.  I made Allye and Brooklyn matching zebra print skirts and a Detroit Tigers t-shirt for Jack.  Jack and Scotty are big buddies so I thought they should have team shirts to bond over. 

 

 

 

 

It's not perfect but not to bad for a quick first attempt.

I should probably also note that I got an ipod so I'm all super cool now, I had the blessed experience of putting gas in my car for $2.06 a gallon(thanks Kroger card), on the way to the gala we were driving directly into the sun and I could unfortunately see that there were at least 2 unwanted facial hairs upon my face.  Instead of offering to stop at a drug store and get me some tweezers in my emergency Scott actually suggested that when we dropped Allye off at her friends house I run in and see if said friend's mom had some I could use.  WHAT???  As if I wanted to go in and announce to new acquaintances/becoming friends that I am turning into the bearded lady and I could probably get them free tickets to the circus if they played their cards right! 

Also of interest, when I scolded the boys for being disgusting boys, and said "You guys will never make it in civilized society!"  Tucker informed me that he didn't know we lived anywhere near civilized society.  Yikes!  So much work to do.... 
Valentine's Day was nice(still no flowers) the kids frantically filled out their cards and then forgot to deliver most of them.  I made a yummy strawberry cake that had some yummy frosting.  By the way what is the difference between frosting and icing?  Culture? Region?  Texture?  Density?

I learned that rabbits can't vomit and cat pea glows in the dark.  I learned that I still do not like being partially wet  or entirely wet if I must also be cold.  I have discovered that I will not die if I do not have a carbonated beverage.  I am very fond of chocolate and I also annoy my husband without even trying to.  I will not endeavor to improve this skill any further.

We went on a field trip to visit GE and had a great time.  I let Allye run out to the car to stash her coat.  A few hours later when I needed the car keys I couldn't find them, I stood in the pouring rain looking through my purse, I finally had to call her(thank you Kaytlin for having your ringer on) she said she gave them to me, I said "no you did not".  She followed up with "maybe they're in the car."  WHAT?  Turns out she was right, she left them in the cup holder, but don't worry we weren't locked out, she also left the door unlocked!  GAAHH!!!

I know my random and occasional use of grammar rules probably drives some of you crazy, but I just can't seem to help my self.  It feels less conversational if I am correct all the time......

Impossible!!!!!!!

I find it incredible that my baby girl is 14.  WOW!!!  It's true though, despite my efforts to stop it, she is growing up and before I know it she will be independent and forget her mom....  Well maybe she won't forget me since I will nag her to death if she tries but a grownup nonetheless.

Then......

......now.

We celebrated her birthday with a little party with some of her best chums.  I am very impressed with the kids she calls her besties, they are sweet and full of fun.  We did some hanging out, Just Dancing, Sock Hockey and oh yeah we also ate some poisoned food.  Well it wasn't intentionally poisoned and really 24 hours should have been plenty of time for the spray paint to set and not bleed into the food I put on the platter.  Needless to say her pals are pretty sure I am a terrible cook, unless Sharpie marker is your taste of choice.  She got all kinds of presents and after opening them at her party and squealing, she had to reopen them with me at home and squeal over each item again.

This kind of enthusiasm is such a precious part of her I wouldn't change a bit of it.  I often desire to be like her, filled with wonder and joy at every little thing.  I wish everyone could spend time with her and get to know the exuberant spirit God placed within her.  Since it's not possible for everyone to do that allow me to share some highlights.....

*I love every moment of being her mom from immediately after delivery when the Dr. with his crummy unusual bedside manner said "Take it it's yours." and tossed her slimy body onto me until now.

*I love that when she was 3 she called God to confirm my admonition that when she obeyd me she was obeying God.

*I love that as a toddler she walked around chanting "Happy happy happy."

*I love how she used to sing "You are my Suh-shine."

*I love how she said Fry Fries and Napnin.

*I love that she thought that while using the breast pump I could produce milk for our babies and maybe some apple juice too!

*I love the way she gnawed on her toes as a baby.

*I love how spotty she was with chicken pox.

*I love that her first sentence was "I smell chocolate"

*I love the freckles on her nose.

*I love when people meet her they say she looks like me..

*I love her willingness to give her friendship to everyone.

*I love that she cries with those she loves.

*I love that she still needs me when she falls down.

*I love how she used to say "Night night piggies when she had to put shoes on."

*I love how she can memorize movie lines and song lyrics very quickly.

*I love her sense of fun.

*I love her passion for remaining pure and obeying God's plans for her.

*I love her confidence.

Blindfolded makeovers

*I love how happy she is to be a dork.

*I love that she doesn't feel like she has to impress people to valuable.

*I love that she has accepted her training as a bargain shopper with zeal and enthusiasm.

*I love that she trusts me with her secrets.

*I love her gift of encouragement.

*I love her willingness to tell people when she appreciates something in them.

*I love that her heart squeezes for kids who have less than her.

*I love that she thinks our modest life is awesome.

*I love that her favorite music and TV shows are from my childhood.

Girl date at Starbucks!

 Fun with the brothers

*I love that she is who she is all the time and isn't worried about what her peers think.

*I love that her goal is to be a part of the fashion industry responsible for creating stylish and modest clothing.

*I love that she wanted her hair cut like mine.

*I love that cries if she discovers she inadvertently hurt someone's feelings.

* I love how she is constantly thinking about ways to do something for someone else.

So much more could be said and as much as I would love her to remain a baby, I am anxious to see how God continues to bless us with her.  She is sunshine and joy, energy and love.  She makes us laugh and warms our hearts.  I am honored to call her mine.

Sometimes my kids aren't funny, they're just kids......

I told someone this week that one of the greatest things God has done for me was to reveal that I am to enjoy my children and not just endure the growing up years.  It's true.  When my boys were small I spent many days just enduring, you know, getting through all the diapers, the feedings, the sicknesses, the messes, the impossible road trips, the training of bedtime routines, all of it.  Sometime around the boy's third birthday I just got it, I began to see that God not only entrusted my four babies to me but He expected me to be rewarded with joy along the way.  Nice!


That being said, let me be clear that sometimes things aren't so lovey and rosy.  Sometimes the delightful darling blessings from God annoy me.  Yesterday was just such an occasion.  I think I have mentioned before how my boys can no longer tolerate each other, yes?  While we were supposed to be completing our math lesson, Tucker and Landry were yet again engaged in a shouting match heated debate over something non-mathematical.  I told them to stop it, and they actually behaved as if I hadn't spoken.  I again asked them to show some self control; at which point,  I realized we must have morphed into some alternative dimension where I am no longer in charge. Seriously?  After having to explain the math concept yet again, I informed the 2 vile children that they had officially lost the privilege of staying home without adult supervision.  Well apparently being required to attend drama class with me is akin to prying off fingernails with hot bamboo shoots.  There was much weeping and wailing.  All that wailing meant I had to stop math and gnash my teeth.  Once I pulled myself together I then mentioned that although they had lost the stay home privilege they had yet to lose electronics, so either they could get it together or the DS was history.  Finally we were able to finish math, and we had to grab a quick lunch meaning sandwiches and then we had to scoot.  Well apparently in this new dimension where I am not in charge, Tucker can reject the offered foods and I will whip him up his own special meal.  Since I was unaware of  this change and didn't follow the rules Tucker had to melt down entirely.   Grrr...... Finally, we leave for drama, but acceptance of their fate was not part of the plan.  The boys launched a campaign to convince me that I was wildly unfair in my consequences.  They tried to assure me that they never fight when I am gone.  I asked them to give me some good reasons(any good reason) why I should believe that since they couldn't quit fighting when they were in FRONT of me.  The only thing they could say was we promise we don't.  I once again repeated the challenge to give me a reason to believe them.  After a few moments thought, Landry in all seriousness gave me the best he had,  "Mom, we're not allowed to lie."  .......sigh......