Ebeth's 4 and no more

This week my area experienced the first snow of the season. It was not a major snow nor did it cover anything at all but the large amount of white flecks everywhere brought some really good memories to the forefront. It was a little less than 24 hours from now and 7 years ago that I birthed the most beautiful, kind, intelligent little girl. The day before she was born was the first snow of the year. I was home from teaching on early maternity leave because of the physical strain on my body. Number 1 was 2 1/2 and so cute. We went outside to play in it and all he would say was, "Mess, Mess." If you know number 1 this is no surprise as he is particular about anything and everything especially back then. It was early the next morning that I went into labor and that night before she was born. She sure has put me through some frustrating toddler moments but tonight... tonight as I sat in the audience of her school Christmas concert I could not have been more proud. That littl...

Tonight was a milestone for my little ( ok big family:). Every night we read from "The Book" children's bible. It is basically the Bible in its entirety with each chapter reworded into story style. During the school year #1 and #2 attend a Bible group called Good News Club. This club requires them to read a page in a workbook and answer a question. Most nights we add to the events by saying out High and Low for the day. Sometimes we do that at dinner and sometimes we forget altogether. Tonight was the best of all. As we finished reading our page and chapter I decided to add family prayer time. We talked about who we should pray for and #1 said a boy who is in the hospital and another girl who hasn't been at school. #2 wants to pray for her friend Kayla who is going on vacation, and #3 wants to pray for his new friend Eli from school. #1 has accepted the Holy Spirit over the Summer so I was explaining to everyone that while someone prays you can speak in tongues quie...

This evening I had the realization that truly being a parent of many children changes your children too. I always think about those 1st-time parents out there who are stunned by the selflessness required to be a parent. The first is most definitely the toughest. Beyond that 2 stirs things up, requires a little bit more but just duplicates the work you are already doing. Making a meal for 3 or 4 is not really different the leftovers are just less. Then the 3rd child puts things back out of whack as you never have 3 of anything. You don't have 3 hands, 3 eyes, and three ears in which to care for or keep track of the children. The old saying 3's a crowd has stuck for a reason. Now I am at the 4t h . She is nearly potty trained at 18 mos and can do a great deal more than any of her siblings did at this age. Some of this is due to her own character and intelligence but the real majority is because of her environment. She keenly observes and follows every example set before her. ...

Alright,  toddlerhood is in full bloom in my house. #4 is potty trained with me all the time. She will even go to Walmart , Target, kids' school, and dance  Tae Kwon Do. She is 90% with Grandpa too. Daddy isn't so lucky two accidents today but she let him take her 2 other times even when I was home... She is signing less and using more words which is sad. I miss her funny attempt at the sign for the horse. Now she says hor which does sound similar to whore but thank goodness no one has picked up on that at least not told me;) If I call her and she is in another room she will come to me and say what clear as day. Boy, I thought this was beyond a toddler thing too. She says more now even when she is in her high chair and finishes something. But the real proof came yesterday when I was cleaning up lunch and the kids were playing. I walked into the "classroom" (dining room converted to a work/craft room area). There I found her sitting on top of the table with pap...

Number 1 is an interesting kid. He has never followed the path of a typical child. He didn't like to get dirty as a toddler, he still dislikes finger paint or paper mache. One typical thing is his listening skills. Granted he is like his Grandmother in that he cannot multitask well. He is either excited or frustrated, content is hard to find. In the last week, he has been learning about Geography in school. He can tell you everything about the locations of the Oceans, seas, etc. He also is into the Titanic. He struggles to pronounce the word so it is quite funny. He can tell you the number of people who died, how many lifeboats were used, and so on. On the way home from grocery shopping he was enlightening Daddy. They proceeded to quiz one another. I believe they both learned something;) Number 3 had his field trip to the pumpkin patch today. He was clingy and silly with me but otherwise was thrilled to be in school. We met Aunt Net at McDonald's for lunch afterward. She gave...

Alright, it has been nearly a month. Funny how my life feels like either a scrapbook page, St. Louis Mommies post, or Facebook post. It is almost like I think in those terms now. This world of technology is an odd place to be. Random kid happenings: #4 said no for the first time yesterday. She is now 18mos which is quite old for this to happen. In fact, she said yes, k ( ok ), nack (snack). She was in the kitchen and found the matches. I took them away and said no no #4. As I walked away she pushed the drawer closed and said no no. It was too sweet for words. Whoever thought saying that would be adorable?? She also gets a bowl from the cabinet walks to the pantry and says nack . Too smart for words.  Lastly, #4 is nearly potty trained at home. She does best when wearing a top and no bottoms. To keep the legs warm as the weather has gotten cooler here I put a pair of my knee-high socks on her. They cover most of the thigh and keep the important stuff open. LOVE IT!! However, she...

Number 1 is known for his ability to talk. His mind is constantly moving. This I imagine is why he loves electronics so much, it gives him the ability to zone and stop thinking. Last Friday he informed me a cereal is a person that kills people. I spelled it that way because when I asked him what for the third time he spelled the word. He then went on to say that there are even some who eat the people they kill. This took me for a loop as he comes up with strange stuff but not quite this odd. Knowing I did not teach him this, unaware of TV viewing or book reading that would enlighten I asked where he ascertained such knowledge. He matter of fact said, "Mrs. L told us at school." What? After much questioning, it appears there was mention in a seemingly harmless book Sideways School Stories which prompted the discussion. Tonight he made a declaration, "I don't like my name." I asked why, and he said it wasn't very comfortable, and it sounded like a girl...

It is amazing how with God's divine help my husband and I have created 4 individual, unique beings. Each with traits identifiable to my husband and/or myself but with many opposite traits too. I think the saying goes paybacks are a B*, or what goes around comes around. All true. I was not a terrible child, but I had my faults which I see in a new light. The persistent statement my father would make to me as I grew was, "... you just didn't think, why can't you just think?" I get that statement more than ever before. One could quote statistic after statistic of why certain ages (hormones) cause the brain to lack various things needed to "think", but the reality is this makes for pull your hair out, throw in the towel moments. With 4 children these moments seem to come daily. There are messes to clean up, squabbles to mediate, and much much more. If a person were to only look at the here and now that person may just give up. The great thing that makes m...

Last night my daughter (#2 that is) spent the night at her friend's house. This is only the 2 nd time she did this not counting family. The 1st time was when she was 4 and it was with a friend she had practically grown up with, who lives about 7 miles from our house. She did fine then so one would guess she would do fine now. Before the big day I talked with her to feel her out about not being at home. In the conversation I said something to the effect of missing her while she is gone, but not being sad because I know that she would be having so much fun, and I would see her the next day. She agreed with me, but then promptly grabbed pencil and paper to write me 3 notes to read in case I was sad. I believe my conversation made her think more about me than her feelings, possible backfire but it could not have ended better. I then wrote her two notes, per her request one for Friday evening, another for Saturday morning put them in her bookbag with clothes, pajamas etc. As I sai...

If I haven't mentioned it before my oldest son, number 1 has an inquisitive mind. I know what you are thinking, most kids are that way. As true as that is, being a mom of 4 wonderfully unique children, and a teacher of 100's of other children, not all kids are inquisitive in a general sense beyond the toddler years. Number 1 is one of those on a different scale. Now I wouldn't go far as to say above exceptional intelligence, but top tier level indeed.  He has a creative mind and is putting the pieces together from the world as we know it. Some days he discusses why the grass is green and the sky blue, other days it is what makes up outer space, and where heaven really is. This discussion typically comes while driving in the car, or heading to bed. They are completely unpredictable but can be traced to a seed that was planted sometime earlier that day or days before be it from a person, TV, or book. Last Saturday's topic happened to be how babies are born, what a c-s...

A few days ago I asked my husband to go to the Community Club, which is across the street from his work, and sign our son up for soccer. I could pull up the forms online but since I have yet to get the ink cartridges refilled that is out of the question. So, he of course does not do it the day I tell him, instead is doing it today. Within 10 minutes of being at work, he proceeds to call me and ask, "When is #3's b-day?" Now I know this is not a huge surprise to virtually every woman who may read this but is still an annoyance. I do not say the month or year, but only 2 nd because seriously he better remember the rest. There is a dramatic pause, and then a statement of the month, and then a question like the tone of the year. I confirm he is correct, feeling like this would be the end of the stupid question hour, only for him to then add, "How old is he," pause, pause, pause, no response from me........., "4 right???" It took everything in my soul to...

Picture this... It has been a long day, traveling between 2 schools to drop off and pick up children, touching up and painting walls, fixing breakfast lunch for 6 and dinner for 4 kids, washing and folding 2 loads of laundry, horse lessons, swimming, paying bills and God only remembers what else. You still haven't taken your shower and it is now 5:00. As the children are finishing up dinner you say, "I am taking my shower, finish the dinner (you have been complaining about), and put your dishes in the sink." You then head to the bathroom, your toddler happily playing with her sister who is done eating. You have barely stepped in the shower when (no surprise to you) the older daughter joins you. She is not alone, she brings the toddler, and stuffed horse which is almost as tall as the mini horses we have. It stands like a regular horse and she fills you in on the "lesson" she is giving the horse. You are even asked to poke your head out to "see" nume...

As my husband and I drove my two oldest children to Open House an interesting conversation was heard. #1, "I'm glad to live in America, in this State, and in the country (vs city)." Dad, "Why?" #1, "We speak English, not uno dos tres ." #1 to his sister, "#2 do you know what language I just spoke?" #2, silence and blank stare. Mommy, " Spanish." #1, "In America we have cool stuff, like DSI , radios, and soda, you know the good stuff." Mommy, glad to be sitting in the front seat smiling to self, "Other countries have those things too #1." #1, "Oh, well it just is good to live in America." Mommy, "You are right, #1." This conversation reminds me of another one on a similar theme. Some friends of ours came to the house to have dinner. As it was being assembled everyone did as they normally do, gather in the kitchen. #1 being the child who needs to share his wisdom with others decided...

Is it possible to be lonely when you are not alone? Can a person's mind run away with them? Words are everything. They breathe life, they breathe death. People say don't sweat the small stuff, but isn't the small stuff what leads to the big stuff? I sit here alone in my room, well minus my cat and 4 sleeping children, and can't help but ponder my life, my choices. What ifs run amok. I normally avoid those thoughts, it really gets you nowhere in the here and now. The one thing the what ifs will do for me is help carve out my future. What if I let go of all that the past holds and cleave to the future? What if I change my focus, what can I become? Miracles are made by people who solely thought of the what if I can. Can I? Can I take baby steps to my future what-ifs? What are those what-ifs? A friend once told me I put the people in my life in a certain category and leave them there. I suppose there is merit to that thought. Does that then mean I put myself in a box...

Today my hubby and I took Number 1 and 2 to Six Flags. They each earned a free ticket at school through the reading program by Six Flags. I have not been in quite a few years and man I am getting old. First, my 9-year-old is afraid of most "big" rides. He is just now at 48 inches so it is OK because he can ride the kiddie stuff this year. My 6 1/2-year-old likes the "big" rides, but at 44 inches tall there is a limitation to what she can ride. We started off with the log flume. This was something they all had done last year when a broken foot, and a 3-month-old baby at home prevented me from making the trip. Oddly enough Number 1 got nervous about it, but in the end, decided he liked it. Next, we headed to the Mine train. I recall this being a little faster than first assumed and was nervous for my two kiddos. I rode with number 2 and hubby with number 1. 2 was scared for the first half, even held her tummy, and then said it was OK at the end. 1 said he hated it, ...

To make any good weekend all it usually takes is my family at home, food in the house, and rested kids. Rested kids are the sometimes iffy part:) Yesterday afternoon, once the house was clean, clean clothes were put in their prospective places, etc my hubby and I sat down to just watch, or play with the kids. Number 2, big sister, says to Number 3, "Let's put on a play." He says OK and they head downstairs to her room to "practice". A minuscule amount of time goes by and they both appear at the top of the steps. Except there is a surprise . Yes, as the pic shows my son is wearing a dress. He runs to me and says, "Pretend this is a boy outfit." I smile because next to me my husband is nearly having a stroke:) He tries his best not to react, which I have to say I am eternally grateful. They make performance attempt 1, not so good. I suggest it needs to be short, and well-rehearsed (words an article in Wondertime Magazine used). Downstairs they go a...

My oldest son has been through more than your average child. His first years were plagued with surgeries and setbacks. The naive new mom I was allowed me to push through the frustration, and disappointments and endure. By the time he started school, we seemed to be in a new wave of possibilities. I chose to retain him for a 2nd year of K in a new school. His birthday is July 6th, and being small and young it made the most sense. It was one of the best things I could have done. 1st grade was a year full of successes with all therapies being dropped by the end of the year, and reading and writing flowing nicely. Aaaah, a sigh of relief.... Fast forward to now, remembering the previous golf cart post. I am now beginning to rethink 4 kids, 3 very close in age and teen years. We are part of a small group with our church called Young Families. It really only has 3 of us who have little kids, the leaders whose kids are the other 2 families with the young kids, and another couple that has 2...

Bedtime...... What a glorious time of day. It is throughout this daily ritual that I have the opportunity to spend a few quiet moments with each child. Some days it is just about getting done so I can revel in the freedom of little responsibility. Other days, these days being more than the first stated I realize more than ever how rewarding raising children can be. Within my home, I have made it a tradition to rock the babies at bedtime each night. This lasts till 3ish depending on the child. Never do they fall asleep in my arms but I steal the unique moment in their life. Baby number 4 has rarely wanted to be snuggled like a typical baby would. She wanted to face outward and greet the world. She preferred just to be put to bed, no fuss. To my pleasure, she now enjoys the short-lived snuggle. I turn her fan and music on (yes in a house with 3 other children, 5 during the daytime she needs both). I face her towards me and wrap the blanket around her. The very moment the blanket hit...

Today marked the 3rd day in a row that my littlest slept in very late. This past weekend my husband and father assembled a brand new swing set given to us by my BF in Montana. This is an unmeasurable gift that has proven priceless in the past few days it has been up. The big kids have been fun to watch from my deck, and the baby has been outside more than ever in her little life. She has been swinging, walking in, over, and under her little tike playset positioned next to the big one. In the pic, it doesn't quite look level, but it is hmmm. Anyway, in return for the new outside freedom she has slept in till 11am Monday, 8:30 when I woke her yesterday and 9am today. As I sit here finishing my lunch with baby the big kids have finished making paper airplanes and are sitting (the girl in dress-up dresses of course) in the living room singing songs from JUMP (way cooler than a traditional VBS but church summer camp thing). I am suddenly very thankful for all that I have. God for giv...

Today has been a very interesting one at the least. Late in the afternoon, one that flowed nicely with all 6 kids with me during the day, my Father informed me that "someone" wrecked the golf cart. Wrecked? I ask. Yes, wrecked. Well, apparently yesterday when my niece and my oldest DS were supposed to be putting the golf cart away they detoured. My son was driving and by the looks of the front of the golf cart, they hit a tree going full speed ahead. I found them just sitting in it, probably contemplating their next move, and hurried them along not questioning the delay. The compounding joy is that neither told me until caught, my DS said his cousin was driving when first asked by G (Grandpa). Oh, how I am not prepared to punish an older child. Gone are the days when spanking and/or taking away electronics is enough. How I ask do you get to their heart? I know the pressing need to nip this in the bud now. The teen years are all too close. To my surprise t-ball turned out to...

Alright, so I have begun the world of blogging. In the preceding months, I have dabbled in the ever-changing techno world. It all started when I had my hysterectomy and allowed myself the time to just sit and explore. It was through Craigslist I found Cafemom and then stumbled upon St.Louismommies, which has been a godsend. Facebook was my next venture, which was different from what I had hoped. So now, here I am in the blog world. I am confident that this new world will allow me to document my parenting  journey in a way never experienced before. I am a mother of 4 wonderful children who leave me elated, enlightened, frustrated, concerned, and a million other emotions in moments. I hope to backtrack to my journal of the toddler days of my oldest son on top of revealing the moments of the current days with all 4. I look forward to this new trek and hope you will enjoy the ride, also.