Nailed It!

Soooo, maybe regular blogging hasn't happened yet, but two weeks is a lot better than two years, right?

Things are just rolling along pretty normally around here.  Spring Break is creeping up on us and I CANNOT wait!  I seriously never appreciated the awesomeness of Spring Break until I was back in a traditional school setting.  Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that Spring Break is just about here, so Chris and Coop are helping some local people pack a moving truck in the snow today!😁

I, on the other hand have stayed toasty warm inside cleaning the house like a boss!  That is, after spending half the morning watching mindless shows.

Saturdays, Chris and I have started a little tradition of coming down before the kids get up, fixing coffee and watching a house show together...we ,unfortunately, started referring to this as our Saturday morning adult cartoons and really did not realize how bad that sounded until it was kind of a habit to say...I promise, it is totally PG!  Our current series we  have been watching is Hometown, which is about some people in Laurel, MS trying to revitalize their small town by fixing up the old houses.  It is so fun to see the transformations and dream of all the things we could do to make our house cute if we had money!  😀

After Chris and Cooper headed off to help people move, I totally intended on getting up and going to the grocery or cleaning house or exercising, or something productive, but Lilly introduced me to another show that you totally need to watch.  It is a Netflix series called Nailed It.  It only has 6 episodes so you can totally binge watch it today and not even waist a whole weekend.  The premise is that they take amateur bakers and give them challenges to recreate cakes or baked goods done by professionals.  Y'all, it is a HOT MESS!  I sat on our couch, totally by myself laughing until I cried...it is funny because it is so accurate, those total fails are totally what would happen if I tried to bake that stuff.  I stopped watching after 2 episodes because:

1. I wanted to be a responsible home owner and mother and gift my family with a clean house and possibly even groceries for real meals this week (still on the fence about that last part). 
2. I felt that, as a loving wife, denying Chris the enjoyment of watching this with me was just too cruel...even after almost 23 years of marriage...I am a keeper, y'all!  

In complete honesty, number 2 carried a lot more weight than number 1.  Please, set aside some time this weekend to just try out 1 episode...you can thank me later!

So now, I SHOULD be sitting down to meal plan for the week and go shopping.  Instead, I am typing a blog.  Because, priorities!  Honestly,  Chris and I did something that we have been saying we were going to do for over a year but we finally bit the bullet and did it this week...we joined a gym!  BLAH!  I know this is a good thing, I know it is necessary for health, I know this should be considered a good use of money...but y'all, I hate gyms, and exercise, and eating healthy!  I just want to be little and cute and still eat yummy food and binge watch Nailed It.  But, since that hasn't really worked out for me, we are trying to be good and eat right and go to the gym...although, today, we are feeling several days of gym membership and may skip a day or two.  But, if I am going to spend money and time in a gym...I guess I should make better food choices as well.  I told y'all last blog that I was doing a weight loss Bible Study but that I was struggling with it.  Still struggling...still on day 10 after starting a month ago.  I was thinking about it this week and wondering why it is so hard for me.  I honestly get angry when I open it up and start working on the Study and trying to decide where my boundaries will be.  Why do I react like that?

This is what I have been wrestling this week and this is where I have landed...the last almost three years have been rough for me.  I had this picture of what life would look like doing ministry in SLC...but our actual life looks a lot like those fails on Nailed It.  I pictured walking along side Chris, hand in hand doing ministry together.  I imagined a church that embraced us and wanted to minister with us.  I imagined doing women's Bible Studies with our leaders and becoming a second mom to them.  I imagined using my place in a school to help make connections and build a bridge between life and ministry.  I imagined nights around a fire singing "Kumbaya" and kids in and out of our house constantly with fresh baked treats.  The reality is, being a full time working mom is HARD!  I can remember breaking down at one point when we were looking for houses here.  The market in SLC is so ridiculous compared to Jackson, TN  and the houses we could afford were depressing.   Not only that, we were restricted to living in a certain area of town.  Then, something happened at work that left me without a job for the next year that I thought I was going to have.  I remember just bursting into tears in the classroom saying I was just so sick of not being in control of anything...and I guess, in a way, I am still having that temper tantrum.

EVERYTHING is hard here.  Getting immersed in a church while also doing a parachurch ministry is hard.  Finding a real friend in the midst of a totally different culture is hard.  Working in a Title One school is hard.  Trying to help Annet in school when she just keeps falling further behind is hard.  Trying to find leaders that will just commit to leading is hard...and forget any community building or group Bible Studies.  Rejoining my family and trying to figure out where I fit in after being away for 20 years is hard.  Trying to fix supper and spend time with my family and get homework done and still find time to do Bible Study and have a little needed quiet time (Hello, introvert) is hard.  I am soooo tired of everything being hard.  So, as I realize that I NEED to be healthier, I want to look and feel better, and I need to make better choices...I also resist because I am TIRED OF EVERYTHING BEING HARD!  I really do not want to think about whether I am making a good food choice.  I do not want to count calories or resist my craving for chocolate...I just want something to be easy.  However, I also want to look not disgusting for Brooks' wedding...so with that picture in mind, Chris and I are trying to be encouragers and not enablers and we are trying to be serious about exercise and good eating....except part of today...because 50 cent corn dogs at Sonic today, let's just be real!

So, this week, I am trying to happily embrace the hard.  I am going to try to remember that things that are hard are the things that are most worth it and that victory after a hard fight feels so much more amazing than something easily won.  And if I'm not as successful as I hope, I can find friendship in the Nailed It contestants!

Coffee Talk 12.23.11

Good Morning!

I hope today finds everyone full of holiday spirit and doing well!  I just put a pan of Cinnamon Roll muffins in the oven (a Pinterest find) and expect to have the house full of cinnamon goodness very soon!

We also have some fudge, Oreo truffles and some unbaked sugar cookies tucked away for any of you sweet tooths!

This year, I have tried to pair down our holiday activities.  I haven’t made as many treats (we don’t need them), we haven’t done as many “Christmas” activities, we have mostly been home or visiting with friends...and I have liked it!

For those that have been around here long, you may remember a couple of years ago when I said I longed to have a 3 am friend.  I have plenty of friends, but I haven’t had that really close girlfriend in a long time and I have longed for it.  Well, this week, a friend invited my children and I over for breakfast so we could talk, she ended up keeping my little ones for an hour while Tigerfan and I went to get our adoption physical.  When I got back to her house, we ate...four hours later we ate again...and an hour after that, we finally went home.  It was such beautiful, sweet fellowship and such a gift from God!  Something my heart has yearned for and yet so unexpected!

Another Christmas blessing has been the completion (almost) of our home study application.  All we lack are pictures of each room in our house (the camera batteries died mid photo-shoot) which I hope to finish up today and a letter from the director of our home school tutorial saying I really do teach there.  This is a HUGE accomplishment!  I had no idea what that entailed until we were in the midst of it!  20 something pages, an autobiography from my husband and from me, physicals for the whole family, gathering birth certificates and marriage certificate, finding references...it has been a huge undertaking and we are HOPING to mail it off Monday!!!  Tigerfan has been absolutely amazing...what was completely overwhelming to me, he just grabbed onto and plowed forward and here we are!  Our next step is to get our fingerprinting and local background checks and start on passport applications!  Things are moving along.

To that end, I, who have NEVER had trouble sleeping...cannot sleep anymore.  I go to bed thinking about orphans and I wake up at night thinking of them.  My new routine is to pray for those children, pray for their caregivers, pray for those who might choose them until I fall asleep each night.  And as I wake up during the night, my prayers continue.  I never saw the needs of the fatherless around us until my husband began to mention adoption...and now, I cannot ignore it.  147 million orphans.  147 million children who will go to bed fatherless.  Many who will age out of the orphange with no family and no hope.  Many who will be “sold” into prostitution or forced into military service.  147 million children who long for a family.  My heart is broken for them and for their plight.

So, this year...if you need a cause, if you need a place for your end of the year giving and your heart is tender towards these little ones, consider seeking out an organization that gives hope to the hopeless.  There are so many:  Sixty Feet (who you can help right now by voting for a grant), Amazima, My Father’s House, PeopleWeaver...there are SO many more!  Our eyes have been opened to the needs of those that cannot help themselves and we can no longer ignore them or pretend they don’t exist.  James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”  This Christmas, while we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the savior of the World, a little piece of our hearts will be in an orphanage on the other side of the world.  Hopefully, next Christmas, there will be one less orphan, one less who is fatherless, a little girl who will hug the neck of Tigerfan and call him daddy.  But there are so many more.  Please, this holiday season...pray for those who have never even heard of the Light of the World and consider what you can do.

On that note, our other exciting news is that our fundraising "stuff" has come in this week!  We got our paper bead necklaces from PeopleWeaver and they are completely beautiful!!!  We also got some beauty products from Ladybug Blessings that we will be using to do a brochure sell!  I'm excited to try them out...I just wish that we would have started earlier cause this stuff would have made great Christmas presents...maybe Valentine's???  Anyway, a friend of mine has also found a good price on Ugandan vanilla beans, so I am also hoping to make some Ugandan vanilla extract!  It is exciting to see these things coming together...I'll keep you posted, and if you happen to be in the market for some rockin' Ugandan Paper beads or some oatmeal soap...I can hook you up!!!

Don’t forget to visit Home Sanctuary for more Coffee Talk.

Coffee Talk 12.16.11

Good morning!

How can it possibly be Friday already?  By the same logic, how can it almost be Christmas already!

It has been a busy week at the Tigerden, as I'm sure it has been at everyone's house!  If you stopped by last Friday, you know Science Fair is over!!!  Sort of.  FB's project took second place, so we are going to Regionals.  I have mixed feelings about this.  It will look great on college applications to have gone to a Regional Science Fair as a high schooler.  However, it also means more work...which I will have to coerce out of him...again!  Ugh!

In other news, while we are pretty well finished with our Christmas shopping for everyone else.  I have NOTHING for Tigerfan except a wallet and some cologne that he was with me when I purchased.  Nothing, nada, zip.  In fact, I don't even have an IDEA for him.  Early on in our relationship, I LOVED shopping for him.  I loved trying to surprise him and get him something he didn't even know he wanted.  I soon realized that he didn't know he wanted it...because he didn't want it.  After a couple of years of getting my feelings hurt because my hard searched gifts were returned or unused, I learned it is just better to get specifics...like really specific (sweet OCD man)!  These days, it is tell me the exact shirt at the exact store and the exact size, or better yet go pick out the exact item and I will wrap it up for you.  I know this sounds a little harsh but it is the only way I know he will be happy.  The problem, this year he can't think of a single thing he wants or needs and he doesn't want me to spend much needed money just to have something.  Which is totally logical, but I am full of pride.  I know that he has been out and about ordering, shopping and he has a stockpile of little somethings for me and I don't want to be outdone...isn't that so American!  So I am struggling to come up with little things to make him happy so I can be happy!  How crazy is that!  I have already told him that I want next year to be different.  I don't want to buy a thousand gifts for rich spoiled Americans that don't know what it means to be in need.  (That is us, by the way).  I at least want to scale back...a lot and buy gifts that will support others who are truly in need...anyway, this year, I've got nothin' and I am running out of time!

Anyway, this week has been full.  We had a Christmas party for the kids at our apartment ministry, we did LOADS of laundry when Tigerfan finally got our new washing machine installed, after searching all over this city for a Christmassy dress for Dancer, I gave up and sewed her a dress very last minute, we have filled out MOUNTAINS of paperwork (and have mountains more to work on), we had Children's Choir Share time at church and Christmas parties at Tutorial.  But now, we are winding down.  We are done with Tutorial until next year and hopefully I can be a nice mom and take it easy on the schooling at home (except math, we MUST do math).  FB has three service projects this weekend so he is racking up his service hours and we have basketball practice and last minute shopping but HOPEFULLY next week will be filled with friends in our home, late nights of playing games and laughing and enjoying the simple things.

"The dress"

In adoption news, we are ALMOST finished filling out the Home Study book, er, I mean application.  We have pretty much laid our entire life out for the free world to examine and judge.  We have mailed off requests, paid out ridiculous amounts of money, and are just steps away from celebrating the end so we can begin the orphanage application!  Oy Vey!  It will be totally worth it, though.  This weeks stress out moment is stemming from a great opportunity.  A friend of mine is hosting an adoption open house in her home on January 3.  It is an opportunity for several families in the area who are in the process of adoption to bring their "stuff" to sell and help raise funds for their adoptions.  The problem, we are so deep in paperwork, that we haven't really taken that step, so this week I realized...I have NOTHING to sell and very little talent to "craft" with.  Yesterday, I purchased a few Ugandan paper bead necklaces to sell (love this idea because it supports the people of Uganda), that is all I've got.  Today, I am going to call a lady I've been emailing from a site called Ladybug Blessings about trying to get some of their products.  I am also considering purchasing some Ugandan vanilla beans and making/selling homemade vanilla extract (again, it supports Ugandan economy) which I like.  That is all I have.  The thing is...it is scary spending a lot of money HOPING people will want to buy the products, especially because we just do not have a lot to spend right now...you have to spend money to make money...but geez!  So, any ideas?  My husband says I could sew some of the outfits I make for Dancer and they would probably sell...but I am no professional, I'm not really an expert seamstress and I hate to sell something that isn't top quality.  I've also considered preparing meals (maybe frozen) for people or making baked goods for them.  What do you think?  Any amazing ideas out there?

Oh, one last thing.  I got the TWO most precious gifts I have ever received from students yesterday.  The first...a check for our adoption fund.  Our first contribution...tearing up right now!  The second, a student purchased a chick in my name for a person in a needy country...how completely precious is that?  THAT is what next year's Christmas is going to look like in the Tigerden!

Okay, I have rambled enough!  Can't wait to visit with all of you, hope you have an amazing weekend and don't forget to go to Home Sanctuary for more Coffee Talk (not everyone will be as long winded as me)!

In the Quiet Moments

Shhh, Tigercub doesn't know it, but he is in bed EARLY!!!  The boys are at basketball and Dancer and her friend are in the kitchen decorating stain glass ornaments...best Dollar Tree investment I ever made!  I actually have a free moment to sit here and record a little.

Obviously, the topic on my mind most often these days is adoption.  And I have been thinking about it A LOT this week.  It is funny because we have been so clear about this decision...we have known for a few weeks that we were going through with this huge step, but have kept it quiet.  At first it felt like those first 3 months of pregnancy...I felt the need to keep it a secret in case something happened, in case we didn't pass the Home Study, in case we failed.  After being reassured that I was being overly paranoid, I guess we just waited for the right time...and coming out with it felt so good!

And now, it is out there...and I am terrified!  Suddenly, the financial commitment looms before me.  And then in one week our heat went out (we now know we have a hidden leak somewhere...sounds expensive) and our washing machine died.  Beyond that, the agency we have been talking to for a month doesn't seem to be working out and we are feeling the need to change agencies...a whole month of work down the drain and an application that is intimidating at best.

Doubts begin to creep in.  My insecurities begin to rise.  How will we pay for this?  If I cook, sell, create...will anyone want our "stuff"?  What if I fail in this?  How humiliating!  Why did we share so soon?  Then my thoughts turn to a little girl in Uganda that we do not yet know.  And I am filled with such a love for a total stranger.

I wonder, did she get enough to eat today or did she go to bed wishing for just a little more?  Did anyone read her a story or help her brush her teeth?  Did someone hold and cuddle her before laying her down or did she go to bed longing for human touch?  Did anyone speak Jesus to that sweet girl today?  Did anyone tell her how beautiful she is and how she is known and loved by the Creator.  Does she have a special friend to play with or is she lonely?  She is already in my heart.  Does she sense that someone is out there praying for her?  Does she long for a loud, chaotic, crazy, family?  Will she be home with us next Christmas?

So I pray, and then I pray some more.  And then I eat chocolate.  Lots and lots of chocolate.  Which makes me think that I should probably start running again.  Running and praying is probably a better choice than eating chocolate and praying, but I'm trying here, people...and let's face it, chocolate is pretty tough to beat!

A friend told me this process would be a roller coaster...I guess I just never imagined the ups and downs would come so soon.  So, we wait in faith and we pray for our little one and we walk moment by moment.  Looking backward or forward is too scary right now.  We can't go back to the days when we didn't see the orphan crisis all around us and we can't move forward without walking in obedience.

So that is where we are here in the Tigerden.  If you have a moment, please pray for us as we begin this journey...and feel free to send chocolate.

I Have Failed

I admit it. I am ashamed.

You see, we had house guests yesterday. I had a ball getting reacquainted with a friend from the past. Someone I hadn't seen in at least 12 years.

I met his wife. Dancer had a ball with his FOUR, yes four, girls.

The boys offered up great entertainment as punching bags.

We ate supper, reminisced, laughed.

We toured the Motor Home they have been traveling the country in.

AND I DID NOT TAKE ONE SINGLE PICTURE. NOT ONE. NONE. NADA!

Bloggers everywhere are hanging their heads. What kind of blogger doesn't take pictures of that? I am kicking myself!

But we did have a great time, you will just have to picture it for yourself! As we put the children in bed, Baseball boy informed me that he knew what he was asking for for Christmas... a motor home! Santa better get a better job!

If You Happen to see My Backbone, Please Send it My Way!

It had the makings of a quiet, peaceful afternoon.

We were supposed to be at Sports Camp, but Tigercub woke up running fever. So, about 3:00, Tigerfan came, picked up the middle two and headed off to camp. Baseball boy went to his room to practice guitar and I sat holding the baby and checking blogs.

Suddenly, the door opened. Assuming it was baseball boy I made some brilliant comment like, "okay, what now?"

But it wasn't B.B. It was the 12 year old girl who lives next door. I may have mentioned her before. She is a precious little girl with a precious heart but the social skills of a six year old. Really, she comes over to play with Dancer. Frequently.

I am not sure why the garage door was up or why the door to the house was not locked, but in she came. Of, course...I had just welcomed her with "what now?" Now, I must admit a little shortcoming of mine. Sometimes...well, sometimes, I allow my children to hide from her and pretend we are not home. I know, that is horrible, but once she is here, she is here!

Now, in my defense, I have worked hard at establishing a relationship with her and her sisters. I have invited them to church, brought them little gifts and looked for ways to share my faith. I pray for opportunities to reach them all the time and I do try...but sometimes, like when you have been going non stop for weeks on end and you have a sick baby...ya just need a break!

Anyway, in she came, straight for the baby! I immediately let her know she didn't need to get too close, he was running fever, I also let her know that neither Dancer nor Football boy were home. Okay, I admit it, I was hoping to discourage her and send her on her way with out being mean. She didn't get it! She kept talking and as we sat there, the baby fell asleep!

I jumped up and informed her that I was going to have to go upstairs and put him down. I secretly hoped she would leave while I was up there. People...SHE FOLLOWED ME UPSTAIRS!!! Not to be discouraged, I laid him down and headed for the restroom where she proceeded to follow me until I let her know I needed privacy there. Yes, when I emerged, she was awaiting me right outside the door.

It was at this point I knew I was in trouble. Because, I knew. I knew she was not leaving. Not unless I "kicked her out" and I just couldn't do it. I imagined all I could get done with these circumstances. Kitchen cleaned, laundry folded, a little reading, maybe a nap. But no, Mrs. Jellyfish was entertaining.

But wait, it gets worse. Because I stepped outside to do something, I forget now, and her 19 year old sister was there. She joined us! I really thought her sister would make her go home. I thought wrong. I spent the next 2 1/2 hours with the sweet girls. And they are sweet! We sat for awhile under the garage until H wanted a drink. I stepped into the house to get her some water. And she followed me. And, she invited her sister inside! She then informed me (the jellyfish) that we needed to stay inside because it was MUCH cooler in here.

I proceeded to start cleaning my kitchen, thinking 1. she would get bored and 2. at least I could get something done. She began helping me! She helped clean the kitchen, dust the whole house and then offered to do my laundry (I did not take her up on the offer...I do have some standards!).

In the meantime, her mother got home from work and I kept thinking they would be called home. I began to prepare for supper. Supper when almost everyone is gone was going to be chicken nuggets (I am going for that esteemed Mother of the Year award and all). She informed me that she LOVED chicken nuggets and she couldn't wait until they were ready! I promise...you can't make this stuff up! Finally, about the time the oven preheated, her mother called them home.

I sent them off with a smile and a baggy full of home made cookies. I hope they had a nice time. I hope they saw Jesus in me today. I hope my kids remember to lock the doors tomorrow!

Just Another Day in Paradise

Ever just had one of those days, weeks, months? It has been a whirlwind around here lately sucking up any chance of typing my own blog and severely cutting into even my reading time! I have missed you, my blogging friends, and for the two or three of you who have actually noticed my absence, I hope to get back to my old ways soon!

I have considered catching you up on dance recitals, testing, Dr. appointments, VBS, surprise beach trips...but, frankly, neither of us have that much time!

So, let's just look to today! Sorry, this could quite possibly become a whine fest. You see, last week was VBS, the compilation of weeks of craziness. THIS week was supposed to be quite, calm, serene. We would spend it at home, recuperating, swimming, enjoying the fellowship of friends.

Yesterday was NOT calm, it was filled with laundry, a trip to the library and a lot of time bonding in the bathroom due to tornado warnings. BUT today...today was REALLY going to be calm, all I had to do was grocery shop!

Well, I walked out of the house this morning and had the begeebees scared out of me when the painter Tigerfan had hired was standing at the garage door! He didn't want to wake me (Ha!) so he was trying to get Tigerfan to call me and tell me he was here...didn't work out that way! We got him settled got the puppy pottied and kenneled (yes, I am still bitter about that) and I got the kids working on Math while I matched coupons to my grocery list. Just as I was about to walk out the door with the two youngest, Baseball boy decided he wanted to join us.

I would like to say I eagerly awaited his help. That would be a lie. Because, ya'll, he gives new meaning to the the word aggravator. He delights in it. The more he aggravates, the more it empowers him. It is a sickness, really. And who does he glory in aggravating the most? Dancer. Why? It is SO easy!!! I have used the words of my wise mother, "Ignore him and he will stop," to no avail. He badgers, she screams, he picks, she fusses, he touches, she throws herself on the floor as if the very skin has been seared off of her body! And then, when I am at my wits end...when I have threatened, punished, placed one foot over that slippery slope of insanity...I will not so kindly inform him that he is driving EVERYONE crazy and then HE begins the crocodile tears. Why doesn't anyone like him, why do we think he is annoying, why does everyone pick on him! We are so dis functional in our own special way!

And so, I grudgingly left for the store, coupons and list in hand. By the time we were home, we had discovered that we had forgotten the puppy food (which now that I think about it isn't necessarily a bad thing...no food, no poop, hmmmmm), had not been able to purchase blankets for the boys' beds, and one other thing that at this moment I can't recall!

Anywhoo, I wanted to put groceries away, the children wanted lunch. So, they decided to "help" by preparing their own lunch. In the kitchen I was trying to put groceries away in. There is really nothing like putting things away with a screaming 17 month old, a whiny 6 year old, a 9 year old who thinks he is Emeril making fruit salad and a 12 year old who is being "cool" by standing in the middle of the kitchen trying to throw grapes up and catch them in his mouth. Once the screaming stopped (mine, not the baby's, he didn't stop) and I had the children fed and the groceries put away, I sat down for a little bloggy break. I totally got connected to the internet before the painter came down to inform me we needed more paint.

No, problem...I'll take the youngest two and go get some. Only it was storming again...so the others wanted to go to. Yeah, MORE bonding time! We got to Lowes where Tigercub had a major diaper blow out, got the paint returned home. The dog pooped in the house and when I called to make FB another Dr. appointment for his ear, they informed me I needed to come THIS AFTERNOON! Oh, good! Another trip into town with four children. Good times!

And so, I quickly type this before waking the baby (grrrrr) and going on yet another journey. Aw, the joys of parenthood. Tigerfan and I had a few blessed days alone on the beach this weekend and the thing that is sticking with me the most is how EASY it is with just the two of us. I'm not saying they aren't worth it...it was just so easy!

Well, I'll stop whining now, but please say a little prayer for Football boy if you get a chance. At 12 years old, most children have outgrown ear infections but he has not. We are having a hard time getting rid of this latest one and only have one more antibiotic option before we have to consider tubes again. It has been rough for a boy who wants to swim and hang out with his friends but has two deal with earplugs etc. how was this for random and whiney. Hope to be back soon and to be by your place as well!

Snow Day

10 minutes-The amount of time I spent trying to coax children out of bed this morning.

30 seconds-The amount of time it took to get the children to get out of bed as soon as I said, "snow!"

5 minutes-The time it took the children to prepare and eat breakfast so they could go out!

15 minutes-The time it took to find snow worthy clothing to wear out.

1 minute-The time it took to begin making snow angels!

10 minutes-The amount it time it took to decide to start trying to slide down the hill on a garbage can lid.

5 seconds-The amount of time it took to figure out that wasn't going to happen!

15 minutes-The amount of time it took Tigercub to figure out he didn't like his first snow!

10 minutes-The amount of time it took to get him to stop screaming after coming inside!

30 minutes-of sheer joy as the big kids played in the snow to their hearts' content!

5 minutes-to peel off cold, wet clothes and start drinking hot chocolate!

Forever-The memories of a hard to come by day in the snow in TN!

Runaway Train

Ever feel like you were on one? Speeding by everything and unable to stop! That is life right now. I know, it is the same for everyone else out there, they just handle it better than me, but at this moment...I JUST WANT OFF!

I will do my darnedest to keep up with everyone this week, but things are CRAZY! We leave Friday to head to sunny (or not so sunny) Orlando, FL to spend Thanksgiving week with Mickey and Friends! Us, and about 3/4 of the rest of the country as far as I can tell!

Now, to all you laid back, easy going folks that sounds like loads of fun. But to an uptight, early Christmas shopper, it means.....AAAAAAAGH! I only have 3 days left to finish Christmas shopping so that I do not have to step foot in a retail establishment after Thanksgiving. And people, it just AIN'T gonna happen!

We are almost done with the kids and most of hubby's family. I have NOTHING for my family. Or for teachers. Or for the people who work for my husband. Or for my husband!

This week, we need to make a hygrometer, a barometer, and a weather vane for F.B.'s science fair project so we can begin as soon as we get home. One of my good friends is beginning to sell Premiere Jewelry and her first party is tonight. I have homeschool and tutorial (which I am behind on my grading by about 2 weeks). We have Angel practice on Tuesday and Thursday night, church on Wednesday, a birthday party and dance on Thursday. On Thursday B.B. also has his county fair day to end his Charlotte's Web unit. He must dress up, enter at least two contests, one of which must be the baking contest and we are signed up to bring...something, I can't remember what. The same day, Dancer has her Thanksgiving Feast. She must dress up as an Indian and bring napkins and rolls. Tigercub is supposed to bring toys and money to make a Christmas shoebox and F.B. has a Spanish presentation in which he must bring props and dress up like a pilgrim.

We leave Friday morning to begin the trek to the land of the mouse, so on top of all of that, I must pack, do laundry and try to find my house. Tigerfan wanted to get the Christmas tree set up as well. So it was done when we returned. Not going to happen! He also had a MARVELOUS idea last night that sometime in Dec. we should host a holiday Open house for our friends. I LOVE the idea, but all I can think of is How? When?

So, is anyone else already frazzled this early in the season? Any words of hope or advice? Or perhaps the number to a nice peaceful place with padded rooms and happy little pills? Either will do nicely.

I will try to be back this week with something profound or at least less whiny, hope everyone has a great week!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Purple Diva. Your gift is supposed to be in the mail! I forgot it when I went into town, just to add to the wonderful day/weekend you already had!

Belling the Baby

Remember the story about the mice who wanted to put a bell on the cat so they would always know where he was?




The boys have subscribed to that philosophy around here. They got tired of me freaking out because Tigercub would suddenly disappear and they would be forced into a man hunt. And so...they belled the baby!




Notice the little green band around his ankle? That is the wrist bells from their instrument kit! Surprisingly, he leaves it alone and we ALWAYS know where he is....until I have had all the jingling I can take! Hey, it works for us!

This is the Reason They Put Warning Labels on Appliances

I knew I loved the Amish for some reason, and now I know why! Electricity has not been a friend to the youngest in our clan this week.

Saturday night, we were doing the bath routine. Luckily we began early. Dancer got out of the tub and came to get her hair dried. I love to do goofy things to her while drying her hair so we were being silly when Tigercub crawled into the room. I got a little distracted and was not doing an adequate styling job, so Dancer decided to take over. Just as she grabbed the dryer, sparks began flying EVERYWHERE! She was frozen in place screaming but apparently unable to make herself let go until I was able to jerk the cord out from the wall. She is no worse for wear although I think it may be awhile before she allows her hair to be anything but air dried again. I suppose the lesson learned here is if you have a hair dryer that is as old as your marriage, you might want to take caution when handing it to a five year old. Needless to say, I am now the proud owner of a new hair dryer with ionic something or other and a sleek new design! Oh, if only other things that were tired and worn out were so easily replaced.

Today, Tigercub decided to have a little action of his own. I did something completely quirky and off the wall and pulled out the vacuum! Oh, I kid, I get that pesky thing out about once a day now that Little Man has begun self feeding. He self feeds himself, the highchair, the floor, the wall...anyway, today I decided to do the unthinkable and leave the beast out so I could run it all over the downstairs after supper.

Now, the boys have once again lost every privilege known to man because they are having mouth and obedience issues and as a result they are very obliging...hoping to lure me into giving back at least a privilege or two. During these times, they volunteer for all sorts of jobs that would otherwise cause them to groan, roll their eyes and swear they had nothing to do with it! And so, when I went to the laundry room and heard the vacuum switch on, I thought nothing of it. Until I heard the screams. It seems that Tigercub had figured out how to turn on the beast and then been terrified of it...which is completely understandable, because the sound of a cleaning instrument in use is quite foreign around here! He had crawled into a corner and was screaming and staring at the vacuum as if it was headed in for the kill. This paired with the "screaming monkey" a friend of mine gave him to play with a couple of weeks ago have pretty well insured the poor child WILL be in counseling one day!

I wonder if there are any good therapists in Amish country?

Welcome To My Pity Party

**UPDATE**
It is now 11:00 p.m. I am over my temper tantrum. Tigerfan helped out a lot tonight. I did not make it to the grocery store so my kids will be on their own at lunch tomorrow. I will do strength training when I finish here and we convinced Baseball boy to make a nice Egyptian Crown with the promise to make the Nile River this weekend. I had a good cry and then Tigerfan and I nursed the wounds of our bad days by eating popcorn and M&M's. However, Tigerfan has forbidden us from eating on the new furniture. So, we laid a towel out on the floor, brought in 15 year old lawn chairs and sat in them while completely surrounded in brand new furniture! How can you NOT see the humor in that? Thanks for letting me vent tonight!

Recently, I had a comment on my blog that said I made motherhood look easy. I haven't stopped laughing!

I would hate for anyone to get an erroneous image of my Supermom status, so here is a picture into my day today. And folks, I am just keeping it real so forgive the lack of humor.

I got up at 5:10 a.m. That was 10 minutes late, that 10 minutes makes all the difference. I did my 30 min. of cardio, fixed breakfast and began my quiet time. Before I could finish, Tigerfan came down with baby. It was not yet 6:00.

Tigerfan informed me that Dancer was also awake and lying in my bed. That is NEVER a good start to the day.

I fixed Baby's breakfast and fed him and went upstairs to brush, etc. Dancer was still awake. She turned on the T.V. while I went to wake the boys who bounded out of bed in great moods ready to go. They dressed and everyone went down for breakfast. While they were eating, I read to them. A great and unexpectedly smooth morning. By 8:00 all morning chores were done, bathrooms scrubbed and school started on time!!!

We did our pledges, etc, Bible study and began math. Baby went to sleep, blah, blah, blah. Math was smooth but took FOREVER! Then the boys were ready to read. Baseball boy wanted me to read with him. Under the new table. Ordinarily I would have brushed him off but I committed this morning to slow down, enjoy this season of life...blah, blah, blah. So, I crawled under the table and we began. Until Football boy felt jealous that he did not have a fort. Which suddenly reminded me that I meant to strip the boys' beds this morning and wash the sheets (they always build a blanket fort in their beds when I do that). they immediately volunteered to go unmake their beds for me. They did. It took about 30 minutes.

Anyway, until lunch, things seemed okay. The children even helped make lunch. We read a little more while they ate, moods were good. The only thing missing was Tigerfan who had not been able to make it home for lunch yet. We began cleaning, the kids took a little break and played in their fort and I began to fix my lunch. However, about 5 minutes into eating , Baby started fussing--he needed attention. Then Tigerfan called to say he was on his way. By the time he got home I had played with baby, changed laundry, fixed his lunch and completely forgotten mine. We discussed a project he promised to help B.B. with tonight.

It seems that B.B. was supposed to build a model of the Nile River for tutorial. We had it assigned last week. Due tomorrow. BUT we needed grass seed and I didn't have any. I called Nana, she didn't either. Okay, I had to buy some. And I totally meant to. Before surprise visitors, last minute garage sales and furniture delivery. Now, it is due tomorrow--still no grass seed. Tigerfan saw the plans and balked a little on me. What was he supposed to do? I don't know. He is the one who said he had an idea!!!

Afternoon school did not go so well. We did not finish until 4:00! At that time I had 3 piles of laundry on the couch, supper to start, a baby to feed and then I went upstairs to find the sheets on the crib that I had just washed yesterday COVERED in p**p. Yes, covered! I stripped the bed, started more laundry and began supper.

At 5:00, I had not heard from Tigerfan so I called him. Supper is now ready but he is not even close to coming home for the night. I have not yet had a shower, the kids have been "cleaning" for an hour but when I checked I could not tell anything had been put away. I still have to go to the grocery store, do the Nile project, put sheets on the boys' beds, do strength training (hah!), Iron clothes, grade tutorial papers, feed my family supper and clean up the kitchen and hopefully go to bed. The refrigerator desperately needs cleaning, the house needs vacuuming and dusting. but those things will fall by the wayside again.

I am tired and frustrated and somewhere in the midst of it, I forgot my promise to slow down and enjoy things. I do not know anything funny my kids have done today and even though they have been sweet, I have hardly noticed. I am cranky with Tigerfan because he is cranky and he is not home yet. I know he is tired too and frustrated..but I am just being honest, I am irritated with him. For being late, for an unfinished project, for being grumpy. I realize that is totally a double standard..."supermoms" have that right!

So, tomorrow is another day...maybe I will enjoy it. Maybe I will find my sense of humor again. Or, maybe I'll just go to Australia!

SHHHHHHHH

Don't tell Tigerfan I'm here! I am supposed to be scrubbing goop off the floors before we get our new furniture tomorrow!

He is at his momma's pricing stuff for a garage sale. I was also supposed to help him but the children reached melt down phase and I had to bring them home! That is the price you pay when you decide on Thursday to do a garage sale on Saturday. I don't recommend it. Of course, I don't recommend having garage sales. I would be perfectly happy to put all my junk out on the road and just let folks take it. I had to marry a "sensible" man who thinks we should try to recoup some of our cash we spent on furniture. Cash is sooooo overrated!

Anywhoo, just thought I would drop by so everyone would know that I really am still here. This week has been CRAZY! Of course, every week seems to be crazy. However, highlights from the week are:

• new furniture
• Eating a Labor Day meal with Nana and Papaw and planning to go back the next day to eat leftovers however a certain unnamed baseball player may have had a slight break down over the fact that we never eat at Fazoli's so Tuesday, we went to Fazoli's--Nan couldn't stand it!
• Starting my new Bible Study (thank you, Jesus!)
• Surprise visit from Tigerfan's sister--escaping from all the flooding in LA
• Supper at El Chico where our nephew stuck a chip up his nose and then fell apart because it was going to his brain. When told he could probably blow it out, he then proceeded to test that theory. Immediately. On his mother. Who was without tissue!
• Science Fair teacher's info. meeting--yes, it is that time again already! Ugh!
• Clearing out the house of old furniture to make room for new! Yeah! It comes tomorrow. Along with a garage sale, baseball practice, a birthday party, getting old furniture to new buyers and spending time with SIL--What a day!

Okay, better get back to scrubbing floors before Tigerfan finds out I have been shirking my duties. I'll be back--hopefully with some pictures!