Words that I live by...

Concentrate on this sentence

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did"

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence.

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

A good friend of mine forward this to me and in stead of forwarding on email, I wanted to share it with you all...

Tough questions...

I was talking with a friend a few days ago who asked me the question, "Would you recommend adopting?" I am assuming she meant because of the country that we chose. I didn't have a good answer at the time, but have been thinking of the question ever since.

Recommend.

That is a hard word. A wise friend cautioned me from ever "over simplifying" adoptions. They are hard, especially from the country that we chose. But now that I have had time to think, my answer would be that I would recommend it to those already interested in adopting. However, I would also recommend natural childbirth to those who are pregnant. I have done both (adopted and natural birth), neither can be done without a serious commitment and determination. However, one you can opt out of at anytime and there are no consequences, the other has disastrous consequences if you choose down the road that "this isn't for you."

I wish everyone would adopt. There are too many children out there that need families. However, I know that not everyone is prepared or has enough faith to accept the challenge, nor do I think that people should try if they don't really feel called to do so. So I guess this answer is probably no better than the one I gave the other night :-)

Bottom line: I would recommend adopting from Africa as much as I would recommend natural childbirth...take it for what it's worth!

Although you must know...the "Freds" are proving much harder than I thought to get rid of :-)

Grace

Sometimes (like now) I wish that God's grace (which is abundantly given) was closer linked with graceful (which I am not, but in need of). There is no easy way to begin because in the past few days there have been so many examples! Yesterday when ironing a shirt for church (a very rare occasion in our house), I sizzled my forearm. Purple is not a good color for a burn...

Then a few days ago I was testing that Law, you know the one that starts with "an object in motion will stay in motion"...basically until it hits a stationary object? Yep - tested that one when I fell down the stairs. I tried to stop myself, but I was in motion and therefore stayed in motion until...(that stationary object)...I hit the wall. Yep, that one hurt. Still recovering from that one...all the muscles that I used to stop myself really hurt. The whiplash I encountered upon the initial slip only lasted a day or two, but the sore muscles and brush burns are still there!

Today (which is not so much a graceful thing, but thought that I'd add it in there) I went berry picking. There are thousands in my parents backyard. I took the kids and a couple of buckets and we headed out. We were out for almost 3 hours, the kids lasted about 45 minutes before they just had enough and played in the back yard instead of helping. So it was just me in the middle of all these beautiful, big berries. The pros would be all the free berries that my kids love. The cons would be all the battle wounds that I endured. I have endless scratches all over my body (I even wore long sleeves and jeans this time! Side note: At one point I found myself singing the song, "It's gettin' hot in here" as I was in the middle of a berry bush unable to move because I managed to get myself completely covered in jaggers. But deciding not to "do" the next line of the song!)...tonight, I have pulled the 11th jagger out of my finger, there were 5 in my pointer finger alone. Apparently I don't have the correct technique down for berry picking!

Bottom line: I look pretty beat up because I am clumsy!

betcha 10 dollars

This meme originated over an idea that was prompted by the book written by Larry Smith & Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. It’s a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were, “For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn.”

1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it to your blog including a visual illustration if you would like.
3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blog sphere.
4. Tag 5 more blogs with links.
5. Don’t forget to leave a comment in the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Sorry this took so long...

My six word memoir:

Constant battle of wills with God


As for tagging: no can do, I don't know anyone else with a blog???
Feel free to write your own and leave it in my comments. It is not as easy as it seems...try it!
Was tagged by: http://www.xanga.com/mylifeinashoe

Dresses

My great aunt bought these beautiful dresses for the girls with matching doll dresses. Again, we take pictures before church on Sunday, because that is the only time the kiddos are clean!

More ticks with Kd

Only these ones were in his dreams! He got up several times last night to tell me about the red ticks in his bed. He was really confused, as was I, about what was real and what was a dream. After coming into my room for about the 6th time and just staring at me (quite scary to be woken up that way), I woke Brian up (nice of me, huh?) to have him put Kd back to bed (and check for ticks - just in case the little guy wasn't dreaming).

I just can't get away from the creepy crawlers!

Look Danielle!

Ok - here you go D...this is the best that I can do from the pictures you posted before. I am learning that the smaller the braids (the more time it takes), the longer that the braids look good :-) I am also going to post styles as I go so I have something to look back to when my brain cannot come up with a single idea!

Memory

Today in the car, my littlest African said, "Mommy can you please put the air on...I am hot." It caused me to remember days in Africa 15 degrees hotter than here and 100% humidity. Then 10 of us piling into an old station wagon (with no air) full of diesel fumes and sitting in traffic. There was a sense of adventure, and sweat. I miss being there, but thankful here is my home, and here is where my children will grow up.

My day is not over yet?

It has just been one of those days that if something small (like breaking a nail) might send me bawling. My day started out so well...everyone got up in good moods and ate breakfast without complaining. I got everyone ready for Vacation Bible School, all I needed was one more pair of shorts. As I went to the dresser to grab them, I stepped on something very wet. Urine. Great. It just so happened that this child has also decided that they are no longer sleeping on the bed, so it was ALL over the floor as well. When confronting the child, I found that great lengths were gone to to keep the truth from me. Well, needless to say after the clean up and correction, we were running late.

I decided to come home while the 3 of them were there, keeping Kb with me. I was able to go through some curriculum and bake a batch of blueberry muffins...all was going great. Then we went to swimming lessons...and everything broke down. I stopped at McDonald's to get them each a cheeseburger (hamburgers with cheese in our house). I had said that as soon as their burgers were done they could get in the pool early. Well, one wanted french fries first, so refused to eat the burger. Then one had to pee or should I say, just peed on Aunt Kristin's porch with no warning. This child is one that can and does hold it every other time. Once the mess was cleaned up, and a quick call to hubby so that an appropriate discipline was put into place, we decided that we would take away Brian's old phone she was playing with...then started the screaming (did I ever mention I am so blessed we do not live in a development or in town????) It continued for over an hour...she is stubborn. One of the parents who was walking to the class confessed he heard the screaming while walking and wondered what was up. Little did he know he'd get to enjoy the sound for the next hour! Even Lea (the best teacher in the world) had about 25 minutes of working with her to get her to stop screaming. You just had to be there to see her work! Finally with about 10 minutes to go, she let up and enjoyed the rest of her class.

I decided not to stay for extra swim because everyone had had enough of the moaning. Kb said he had to pee, and did so, but apparently had to poop too. Everywhere (I cleaned everything up :-) )...riding home in a hot car with a kid full of poop...what do you do? I pulled up his trunks, wrapped him in a towel and stuck him in the car seat...when we got home I hosed him off outside (again, glad we live in the country) - had him clean out his trunks, then put him in the tub.

However, as I write this, fully aware my day is not over yet, am savoring the moment that one is sleeping and the other three are quietly watching a movie...ahhhhh...1...2...3...4...

Golden Girl

...is my sister's horse that is boarded at our house. She is just huge, but the kids love going with Aunt Janelle to feed her everyday. The girls got to ride her the other week, so Kd wanted to ride. How could I say no? Easily - 'cause I am afraid of the beast, but I let him. Doesn't he just look too little to be up there? And we all know, he is NOT that little!

Baseball

For those of you who know me, know that I am not much of a sports fan. I don't know what it is, but I am just not wired to care...at all. However, I do like going to the actual games...it's fun. I don't spend much of my time actually watching the game, until Thursday. We went to the Pirates/Yankees game (yes, I know who was playing - I even know the final score!)...Anyway, we got great seats - you can see everything...but apparently, we were sitting where foul balls fly...I believe the fear of getting hit in the head with a ball caused me to really want to watch the game. A total of 8 balls, 1 hot dog and 2 tee shirts came flying in my direction over the course of the night. Only one actually came close to hitting me...but not to worry, my overly protective hubby was all over...oh, wait...no, he was all over getting money out for the peanut guy coming down the aisle...my bad. I was however, ducking, praying one of the several little boys with mitts would catch any ball that came my way. There was an old man who got hit in the face with a ball one section over (maybe he wasn't paying attention either). There was a big commotion...I was sorry for him and glad it wasn't me:-)

Here is how close we were:






And here is Brian taking a picture of a lady's shirt in front of him. Years ago at a hockey game between the Pens and the Flyers (his favorite team), he was eating nachos and cheese, the Flyer's scored and cheesy nachos went all over the lady in front of him. This year, he was eating wings and flung ranch on the back of the lady's shirt. I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. He ended up telling her, as he wiped it off her back. She didn't seem to care...unlike the lady years ago who wanted an excessive amount of money for her ruined shirt.

Oops! Kd's Birthday

Looking back I realized I forgot to post something about Kd's birthday...We had a family party for him and he picked a pirate theme. Here is a photo review of the day!

Here are all the Pirate Cousins:

Here is Kd on his Pirate Adventure:


All the kiddos on their Adventure ...




Kd swinging at the pinata...all the kids had 2 turns, then...


Keith had to take a swing at it and it finally broke (a little). Upon inspection of the pinata...it would've never broken...it was reinforced...apparently the makers were not clear on the point of a pinata!


Candy...candy...and more candy!


Kd got a kick out of the cards...he enjoyed those more than the gifts!

Aunt Vonnee and the cake (that I made - Danielle - it really doesn't compare, but its the best I got!)

Every Day Should Be Mother's Day

EVERY DAY SHOULD BE MOTHER'S DAY
When our children wake up, may they know they are blessed
To have you as their mom, and know you are the best
All the meals you prepare, may they eat them completely
And say "Thank You Mom" sincerely and sweetly
I will pray that your day is absent of "boo-boos"
Not buried in diapers and cleaning up poo-poos
May our children be kind, and not prone to fighting
No hitting, or kicking, or scratching or biting
May they show you respect and honor their mother
And set an example of love for each other
And sit very still when you do their hair
And not spill their milk when they squirm off their chair
May the Lord give you joy as you're buried in dishes
And mountains of laundry and kids' endless wishes
When you faithfully sit down to teach them each day

May they listen and learn and chose to obey
May He lay on your heart someone else you could care for
And give you a moment to call and be there for.

May the children be quiet for that phone conversation.
And not turn that call into grand central station

I hope they respond to your loving correction
And know discipline is from God for protection
Be filled with God's patience when you deal with the problems .
For the 2000th time when you thought you had solved them

A "mom" is most wonderful in so many ways

I'm glad you're the mom of our "four little K's"

-Brian

Catching up

I am taking some good advise from a friend about the delete button that exists on the keyboard, not in real life. It was quite therapeutic to rant about my views on diet/exercising...post it...then hit the delete button. I am sure my ranting would've inadvertently hurt someones feelings, so I deleted it...not necessarily cause I wanted to, but it was the right thing to do! But the thoughts did begin when I thought that I could somehow drink a sheetz frozen coffee before care group. Apparently they use ice cream instead of ice as a base for the drink...not good for us lactose intolerant folks! Yeah...I had to leave in a hurry :-) But that's my life...and my diet plan! God does wonders at keeping me humble...

So - what have we been up to? We just got back from visiting Ann Mee Shoo and Unk J (Kb language) in North Carolina. The kiddos had tons of fun, and really did well in the 9 hour car ride. Right before church (when the kids looked their best) we tried to get pictures...it didn't really work out so well...as you can see...

This one is my favorite...no one is doing what they are being told to do!

We made the big mistake of stopping for food in West Virginia on the way home. Every time we make the trip we vow never to stop in that state again...something always happens...it never is a quick stop. We had already missed an exit and took an exit that had no northbound re-entry (although it wasn't marked as such), and we were at dead stops for 2 accidents along the way (one of which we switched drivers so Brian could sleep). Then this time we had to stop because someone had to poo...surprise, surprise! So we pulled off and found a KFC/Taco Bell. Easy enough? No. After placing an order and receiving 1/2 of it...all 6 of us stood at the counter, waiting. And waiting and waiting. Apparently they couldn't see all 6 of us standing there...waiting. Finally, I asked one of the ladies about the rest of our order, and her reply was, "you gotta get it from Taco Bell." Well, I thought that is where we were, AND I needed the KFC snacker...so I was royally confused. I actually ended up going to the car with the kids and letting hubby figure it out - my politically correct grace filled attitude was going downhill in a hurry. He ended up with an extra taco (no snacker), an extra drink (apparently they got mine wrong the first time) - and a whole lot of food that had been sitting on the warmer about one day too long! I know it might not seem much, but when you have 4 kiddos, 9 hours to drive and are only 2/3 of the way home, a 30 minute stop is really not good! Luckily the rest of our trip went fast and with no other stops or incidences!

In the car, Kd informed us that he has monsters in his pants. These so called monsters cause him to stretch out his privates. Now, I am no male, but what on earth caused him to think he has monsters in that area??? Hummmm...I guess all that "need to have room" starts early in life! He also says that his "breath is hot" when he needs something to drink...that one I understand, the other, I do not.

We are off to Idlewild tomorrow with Brian's work picnic. I am sure the kids will have a great time. I can't wait to see Kb and Kp on rides!

Traveling With Kiddos

We are currently in North Carolina visiting Brian's brother and his family. Our 9 hour car ride was uneventful...how we like it! There was, however, lots of yelling and screaming from the backseats. Most of it was happy, just really loud!

We swam in their pool - ordered pizza and had it delivered there (quite a treat for those or us who live in Timbuktu and get no delivery!) Then we did some shopping at one of their hundreds of malls and the kids around in an indoor playground. All the kids seem to be getting along great...so far!

I could totally live here...I miss the sun. I didn't know how much I miss the sunshine until I go south and really enjoy the bright, sunny weather. I love the heat :-) It makes me happy.

So far, there are 6 kids...we haven't lost any yet!

Unfortunately today, my sister's dog was hit by a tractor trailer and died. It is all the more sad 'cause our family dog of many years died last year while she was in Germany. This is the dog that replaced that one. Again, my mom was left with the daunting task of telling my sister - again. Sorry Janelle :-(

Post pictures soon...