Great Cause

http://www.kidmia.org/

Love This (stole it off someone's FB)

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. Helen Keller

Easter 2009

Love Spring!

Azaleas

Dogwoods

Oh yeah, and snow! (You have to look very hard but it's there)

Don't Bother

If you are glaring at me because my 4 year old is throwing a fit in public, don't bother. I'm immune. I am aware my son is throwing a fit. I am aware if it were you, you'd take care of it.

Are you aware that I know my son better than you? Do you know that my son is only screaming because his stroller stopped rolling? (while you may think that is a bad excuse for crying, he happens to think that is a perfect excuse for screaming) Are you aware by talking to my son in a very soothing voice (as opposed to threatening him or 'yanking him up' or taking him 'out') IS the best way to handle him? I know this through trial and error many times over. You don't because you do NOT know my son.

Next time you're out and someone's child starts throwing a fit, give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they do know how to handle their child. Don't glare. Besides not being effective, they (like me) probably do not give a hoot what you think.

Dumplings

Serenity Now!!!!!!!!!!

So, I emptied the contents of the china cabinet out and they are ALL OVER. The plan was to move the china cabinet from the kitchen to the dining room while the kids were napping yesterday. However, a plumbing emergency took over. No problem, just do it today. Right? Nope. The plumbing emergency has now taken a life of its own and is still being worked on.

Now, I have a bathroom that is a shambles. (truthfully, it isn't much different than most days) No hot water. An empty china cabinet. A dining room table and floor that is covered with china cabinet contents.

I have 3 kids and a mommy who need a bath but not much inclined to until the hot water is back on.

What to do? Come up with a Plan B!

Pollen

Nuff Said!

Coming Together

I have a dining room table!!!!!!!!!!

The color is more like the one on the right, antique white, not the yellow it appears in the photo on the left. The chairs will be in after Easter. I still have to paint the credenza and get the china cabinet moved but we're on our way! p.s. The table cloth is for protection against the elements, namely, Ansley, Judson, Turner and Sawyer. Not for aesthetics. That'll come later.

C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!

Randy headed out this morning to keep score at a martial arts tournament that our dojo was putting on. It was pouring rain, so I decided to stay at home with the kids. Then the weather slacked up a bit, so I decided, 'head 'em up, move 'em out'. We are going to the tourney too.

BIG MISTAKE.

The rain began again in earnest about half way there. After parking the car and getting all 4 out, we head to the door of the gym. Get right to the curb and there's a river running thru it. All 4 walked right through the mini-river.

Get in the door Judson goes running in and slides on the slick wet floor. Sawyer heads right towards the gym and the demo that is going on. It was 'his turn'. So while I'm chasing him to stop him, Turner heads back out the door. Only, I thought Turner was with me and didn't realize he was heading in the opposite direction. So, I'm wrestling Sawyer to keep him from getting on the demo floor where kicks are flying as well as boards breaking. (I did try the new wrist wrap containment system. Didn't work. He tore the velcro right off his wrist) Meanwhile, a man comes up to me with Turner in tow. "Is he yours" he said. "Yes". The man sternly said, "he was heading outside". I said, "Okay, thank you". Apparently, I wasn't alarmed enough for him. So he repeated, "He was heading outside". So, I repeated, "Okay" Then added, "sorry". I guess that was enough because he said, "no problem".

Meanwhile, two VERY nice ladies from our group offered to help. One took Ansley and one took Sawyer. I was able to breathe a sigh of relief for a brief moment.

We stayed for the demo. Got a snack. At the time for the competition to begin, Judson declared it was time to go. So we waddled our little duck selves back to the car through the river again.

So happy to be home!

Three Brothers and A Sister

One, trying to find a quiet place to read.

One, trying to practice his music. (everyone is a critic)

One trying to scale new heights!


One can do anything they can do ... better.

The Down Side to all the Rain (Which we desparately need)

Oh my, the cabin fever is at an all time high today. Judson tackled Ansley and started pounding her. (He was provoked but still, sheesh) Yes, Ansley can take care of herself and can throw punches pretty darn well. Sawyer and Turner were also exchanging blows. I did what any Mom would do, Turned my back and pretended not to notice. Then when all was over and the whining started, I put them all to bed! Hmmm, I sound like the little old woman who lived in the shoe...

New Bed

So Sawyer (at the age of 4) finally got his own 'big boy' bed. Why you ask did it take so long? Simple laziness on my part, mostly. He never tried to climb out of his bed. (Unlike his sister who would leap from the top of the rail on her baby bed) He liked his baby bed. I didn't have to worry about him wandering the house in the middle of the night. Finally, I decided enough was enough. He needed his own bed. So, I got on Craig's List and claimed this little toddler bed for $10! (So as to slowly transition him into a twin bed) It's low to the ground and HE LOVES IT. Two of my most important criteria for choosing his bed. The first night, he slept right thru the night, not a peep. Second night, I heard him fall off. Went in there and he was curled up on the floor right where he fell and sound asleep. I put him back in bed. The next morning, he was curled up next to Turner's baby bed on the floor. At nap time, he doesn't always sleep but he does stay on the bed.Each one of the panels has a super cool giant pocket for storing great treasures! Notice the fantastic Thomas Pjs. Only the bestest Pjs in the whole wide world. Of course, if we could find some with Elmo or Sam Wiggles, that'd be pretty awesome too.

Mission Trip

Anybody doing the Gladney mission trip in August? Randy is seriously considering it and just wondering who might be going.

For Lucia And Kelly And Kimmy And.....

You inspired me today with your blog post. I do live with clutter most days. It drives me crazy and yet, seems necessary at the same time. We're in middle of changing our dining room back into a dining room after 10 years of being an office. (believe me, with 6 of us, we need a dining area)

I can only work on the room while the kids nap and at night. So it is a very slow process. So, what do you do with 10 years of 'office' junk? Right now, it is in the middle of the floor upstairs and downstairs. It is so NOT ZEN.

Hopefully, within the next month or so, I can post pics of the finished product. For now, the 'in progress' product is quite stressful. (with one completed wall)

The idea is European Countryside meets 1970's ranch meets the needs of a 6 person family. More to come....

And just for Lucia, the picture of my kitchen table (as it stands 99% of the time)

Happy Down Syndrome Day!

www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

Check this out!

http://sarahely8989.blogspot.com/2009/03/late-breaking-news-letter-to-president.html

Foto Friday

Friday

Big day planned! Randy is taking a much needed Mental Health Day/Vacation from work today. We're dropping Sawyer off at school and the rest of us are going to eat bagels and then shop at REI. THEN, (Mom's favorite idea) if we have time, we get to go to Lowes and pick up paint for our dining room. WHOO-HOO!!! I might even sneak in a peak at a particular back splash I'm scoping for our kitchen! Why not live on the wild side every once in a while!!!!!!!!!

YOU CAN HELP!!! (Additional info from my previous post)
http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/blog?op=view&id=63

A Sad Day

Ms. Haregewoin Teferra died today. To those who know Ethiopia and their orphans, she was a beacon. (Not a saint but a light, a hope) She did more than most of us would dream about doing. She brought the plight of AIDS orphans to the world. Not only did she talk about it, she walked the walk. If you have never read, There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene, you should. (but have a box of tissue ready) It details the life of Haregewoin Teferra. I feel sad for the orphans she leaves behind. She was a mighty voice and a wonderful advocate for them. She will be greatly missed.