Ebeth's 4 and no more

Today I had the privilege to hang out with my husband and two amazing friends. My dear Aunt Linda and Uncle John arrived at my house at 10:45 am and we headed out by 11. First stop was a Christian bookstore where I rarely get to wander without having to rein in kids. I really could spend a small fortune in that place. A book 10 things woman should tell there husband but don't, Yaeweh sisterhood and several others are on my maybe I'll purchase soon list. Of course this stop made us approx 10 minutes late for our reservation but our double date was there on time. We ate at PF Changs my absolute fav place and laughed more than I have in sometime. God bless my husband whose grammar and pronunciation lack at times but has a sense of humor and can laugh at himself too. That is one area we have grown as a couple, laughing with each other even when it is about yourself. As the waiter packed up my leftovers we opened our fortune cookies. In a hilarious irony Mike's said this : To ...

My husband is a firefighter which means holidays make no difference to his schedule. He either is on duty or his is not. This year for the first time in what feels forever he has been home for Sat, Sun AND Mon. It has been a busy weekend sat being filled with chores that lasted all day and into dinner time, Sunday including church and a few more loose ends. Though Sunday night we had game night as a family, always more than awesome fun there. Today is Memorial day or at least as it is being observed. We got up slightly (and I do mean ever so slightly) later than any other day. I started and Daddy finished breakfast. We sat down together for a rare treat of breakfast together. I having the teacher ways deeply ingrained within my sole decided this was a great time to talk about the meaning of today's holiday. My school age kids #1 and #2 jumped with answers practically quoting something I am sure their teacher's taught them. It almost sounded like a broken record. Labor day, V...

Today was the last day of school for my niece as well as the first/last day there would be just 6 kids at my house (my 4 with niece and nephew). Once the holiday weekend is over I will be caring for 7 children Monday-Friday minus holidays. That being said I wanted to do something really fun to mark the occasion. Roller skating seemed to be the best choice. 2 two year olds cannot physically do such an activity and it is not a inexpensive one either. The kids agreed, it was an awesome plan. The morning started off better than any expectation. All children followed direction and assisted each other. #2 even managed to get #4 in the car, buckled and ready with no additional help. 6 voices could be heard singing along to the music, ac on but my window cracked for the added enjoyment of fresh early summer air. You really haven't lived until you were surrounded with the sometimes non melodic noise of children singing happily in a car. It really can turn a bad day to great in mere seco...

As the Missouri weather phenomenom is kicking in there are many new things to see. The grass is greener and longer, the sky bluer, trees and flowers filled out and beautiful. Along with those very normal, common sights there are less obvious ones too. Rainy days recently plagued the area leaving kids even more ancy from looming summer and being trapped indoors. Yet the first day that sun fills the air I notice a much smaller occurance. Worms, yep that is what I said...worms. Along my gravel driveway on either side there are worms lined up. Many are dead, yet a select few are still inching along in some instinctive attempt to cross the road and find shelter among the dirt. My crazy mind begins to soar between goofy redneck style jokes and some deep seated meaning of their trek. Either way I am certain I have never paid any attention to such a thing. In the evenings when the sun has finally set you can watch the fireflys (lightning bugs) dance. They almost have a pattern, as if trained...

Today I spent 5 hours at my daughter's school. It was field day and I was yet again the only parent helper for her class. I say this but don't mean to imply an undertone of my dislike for being the only one. This sets the stage for my abilities within the school realm to shine. As a SAHM (stay at home mom) former teacher this is a very good thing. Today's duties were much like being a sub. I had groups of students ranging from 3 all the way to 13 that rotated through my daughter's classroom. It was for 20 minutes at a time, with a 40 minute lunch in between. Mrs. K was nowhere to be seen except for lunch I suppose because I was quite capable. I did not get to interact with my daughter but for 1 hour total. That part I wish I could have changed. But, if that was what had to happen in order for the day to flow for her then my time I willingly give. During lunch her teacher and I talked for a bit and I mentioned how I wished I could find someone that would job share wi...

Most days my husband picks the kids up from school. If he is at the Fire Station I do, but otherwise it is Dad. I personally think there is something great about that since he rarely has time with the big kids. #1 is first giving about 20-25 minutes alone before #2 joins. I know that in that time he is a chatterbox covering more topics than I can type. Apparently today was one of those days for the two of them. #1 says Dad are we going to Florida this year? Dad says no, why? #1 tells him that is good because 12 people a year die from alligator attacks and one of the family might not make it back. Dad says we would stay away from the Everglades, more than likely the source of this problem but no dice in changing his mind/ Later on the car ride to ball games I am informed of the conversation. To stir the pot a bit Dad asks #1 to retell the story. He says that when we go to Florida for vacation he will be staying home, adding the above information. Figuring the reality of how small tha...

It is no secret that my oldest son is addicted to all electronics. That is the term used in my house to sum up tv, computer and all game systems. #2 will watch some here and there but self regulates well. #3 can go either way, enjoying the outdoors a great deal but getting sucked in to the tv world too. The jury is still out on #4. After school in a predictable moment #1 was unkind to #3. This unkindness caused for a natural consequence of removing distractions that cause him to "forget" how to treat people. I imagine next time he will not use that excuse. #1 has long been a leader in most situations, making suggestions and others readily follow. A normal school night post dinner would include tv and computer for the boys but consequence be as it may grand leader had other plans. Exercise. During dinner the topic of weight, and Eva's friend AA being equal to or more than #3. Someone said if #2 isn't careful he will surpass her. The scale was retrieved ending ...

Bright light fills the room,and pitter patter of water spilling from leaf to leaf eases me into a new day. One window is open enough to cool the room, the warmth where my now gone to work husband still on his side of the bed. My eyes scan the room getting my bearings from the deep sleep I just left. I take a long whiff closing my eyes to capture the comforting scent of rain. In it I feel God's love like a little girl in a story I recently read claimed. For a moment I jump up unsure of the day of the week, quikly calm rushes over reminding me it is in fact Saturday. I rest my head back on the soft welcome pillow until I realize this day is filled with places to be things to do and it is in fact 7:45am. I smile as I make the bed 7:45 is VERY late for me, but rubbing my eyes I secretly wish for just a little more. The house is quiet, unusual to have no signs of life from those I share my home. Of course, I did turn the baby monitor off after rocking a crying 2 year old at 5am. I t...

Little Miss Queen has more than found her voice. She can speak full sentences and is picking up more and more ever day. She has a way of adding e sound to the end of many words. She says horsie, daddy, mommy, kitty, doggie, sucke for sucker, baby, wate for water, yucky to name a few. She also now says me at the end of many sentences. For example her beau AA is a popular topic. She has greeted me more than 1 day this week in the morning with Mommy see AA me. Another popular phrase, AA sit down seat me. As in she wants him to sit down in the car seat next to her. The high chair she no longer uses but AA does when he is here causes AA eat me. I say not today more times than I can count. When she does see AA she tells me all about what he did, mimicking behavior with body language and actions. I am not quite sure what she is reinacting but it is hilarious. She does love that AA. Tonight I asked her whether she liked AA. She nodded her head with more seriousness than I thought she could...

If you live in Missouri then you are aware that the wonderful up and down weather is here yet again. It has been muggy and 80, then 10 minutes later windy and 62. Around here people sum it up with Welcome to Missouri. Well, along with the gigantic weather changes comes storms. These are the sleep altering kind of storms with blinding light and nuclear bomb kind of booming. Tuesday night was one of those nights. I am not sure exactly what time the rain began. Hubby and I went to bed at about 11 I think. All I remember is that the once dark but suddenly well lit room and boom that followed made me jump almost out of bed. It was the kind that stops you in your tracks, frozen unable to move until you assess the situation. The electric went out immediately and I believe the unusual silence from all white noise in the house caused everyone to hear the next thunder clap. Before either of us could get out of bed #2 was in my room, behind was #3 both murmuring about the noise and dark. I spoke...

After a long day of census work, 4 kids at 4 different places and no hubby coming home it was finally bedtime. You moms out there know what I mean. We all love our children dearly but the peace that blankets my house when the children are tucked in their beds, fast asleep makes for an elation rivaled few places. I made me rounds patterned and heavy with #4 already in her sister's room. #3 was winded this day with stories of broken trucks, and toys he would fix. One sounded like a chicken, making the sound cluck cluck, another a much louder unnatural sound. At last I was free, turning the light out and heading downstairs. Number 1 was next, of course I had to wait until he finished the page he was on. Then there was a process of locating an appropriate bookmark which could be the obvious, an actual bookmark. No it had to be one of the 100 (no I am not exaggerating with that number) stuffed animals better thought of as beloved friends. Finally, much trial and error later he gave...

I want to feel alive, I want to know what's real. I want to feel God's love, I want to be his hands. I want someone by my side that will help me walk when I don't think I can stand. I want to never forget, yet when I need to I want to let go quick. I want to see your smile, I want to be your friend. I want my patience to never end. I want to be joy floweth over. I want to be your much needed shoulder. I want my man by my side until the end of time. I want to be that couple, old yet young and full of widom within the gray. To be a pair who you can't seem to look away. The one's you long for the love they've found. They are like the rock that can never drown. I want to share my passion with a friend who gets me too. I want to enjoy music that speaks the words of my soul. I want someone who in the silence just knows. I want to be a little selfish from time to time. I want my kids to always know their mine. I want to capture the essence of ...

Today I was able to experience a rare thing. I picked up #1 from school without any other children. Not only that, but I was early too. Most days Dad picks him up, and when I do I come just after the large crowd has left enabling me to park close to the door and not bring the crew inside. When he saw me he gave me a giant hug which is atypical at school, reserved for home now that he is 9. Then he asked if others were in the car, shocked at my no, he told me I was lucky. Yes, I do believe I was. He grabbed my hand and we skipped to the car. What a treat this was turning out to be! As it is nearing mother's day and my birthday #1 and #2 are increasingly aware of what family means. They made gifts at school, had journal prompts, and on. I greatly appreciate this current awareness because it makes my own mind wander. #1 also had his school concert this evening. In it he had a singing part, which basically he led one verse of a round. It was wonderful to see him so proud and comfor...

The definition of best is as follows: Surpassing all others in excellence, achievement, or quality; most excellent. If you are a competitive person then you strive to reach this level..the best. Somewhere among many a conversation you will hear a sentence involving best of something. Well, tonight my children debated their own form of best. Most dinners involve what we call High/Low. Each person says what was the best and worst parts of their day. I actually stole this idea from a movie that I cannot remember the name. Sometimes I mention my high/low, sometimes Daddy is home to say his but not always. Other times I am forgotten in the discussion, if anyone remembers to ask me it is #3. I do remind them they forgot a time or two hopefully to drive home caring about others. Today is Daddy's bday and he is at the fire station. It was thoughtful of them each to piggyback upon the other that their low was he missed being home with us. As we finished not a moment to notice I said not...