Ebeth's 4 and no more

Today was a crazy busy day and I would not have ever dreamed in all that here and there would be a moment (an hour to be exact) that meant so much. Thursdays are dance/Tae Kwon Do nights picked straight up from after school Bible club. I pack a to go dinner and I sit, sometimes learning to knit with a lady who does the same and other times I catch up on various things. Either way it is a far cry from family time. Typically I come home and we rush everyone off to pj's, brush teeth, prayers and bed. Instead, upon entering my home I was greeted by the most adorable almost 3 year old little girl who said, "That's my mommy." Like you would expect I scooped her up for snuggles but before I could even turn the corner she jumped down and attached herself to Daddy's leg like her brother already was. Daddy gave me "the look" and said he'd better sleep good tonight implying this has been his evening. Good since he has been away from them all except to put them ...

Now I love my husband, no question there regardless of challenges that being married 12 1/2 years can sometimes provide. Over those years we have learned a lot about what this level of commitment means, and the learning curve along the way especially since he has never even dated another woman before me. All this to say that he has never ever surprised me with a great gift. He sure has made an effort in his own way but really I either spelled it out for him or for others to assist him. Christmas came and I suggested we create wish lists so there was always a resource if other people asked what to buy us and we would have ideas at a moments notice. He didn't follow that list and deviated on his own which was sweet but didn't hit the mark. But today, tonight he did surprise me. Except it was not the way he intended and the good wife I am, I am covering for his mishap. A few weeks ago he warned me that he had spent some small amount of money and that he just had to get "it...

Today I attended a leadership conference for Pastor and the like at my church. It felt really good to be invited and valued at my contributions within the children's ministry where I was officially asked to take over the preschool curriculum. They even had the women eat lunch in one beautifully decorated room while the men sat at tables in the foyer and did whatever it is men do while eating. Great food, excellent teachings, fellowship and a few other unexpected opportunities wrapped up the non kid day. THEN I rushed  headed home to put together dinner that can travel for 4 kids, wake up and dress a sleeping toddler and drive to dance/Tae Kwon Do. Once there I dealt with a little girl who normally loves to dance midway through her 2nd class refuse, watch another 2 classes and then head out with the youngest two. We dropped of paper recycling, deposited checks in the ATM, ran into Walmart for a few necessities and returned/checked out library books. As I made my way back to retrie...

As with all things great ideas are meant to be shared. As parents (moms) and teachers there is no need to recreate the wheel when ya find something good. So, here is my shared idea from a source who got it from a source kinda thing :) Family Rules are a great thing to have. Children and all people really like to know what the basics are, what is expected of them. My kids were all over reading it, discussing and debating each choice of mine and adding their interpretation of them. Daddy reworded one of my original thoughts but it was 100% supported by the both of us. An added change to the original idea (besides a rule or two or three) was to have each member of the family sign it too. This way their is a contractual agreement going on in their minds. Take a gander at the finished product and give me some feedback.   I took 19 or 20 strips of different designed scrapbook paper and used glue to stick it to the paper insert that came with the 12x36 frame I purchased at Michael's for ...

My eldest daughter is something for sure! Today while cleaning her room which really means 30 minutes of cleaning and hours upon hours of playing she dressed up. *Side note* I am amazed that at 8 she still enjoys dressing up and pretend play. Naptime bliss means I kick back and don't feel the least bit bad about vegging on the computer while they all do as they choose too. Interrupting my moment she says, "I am moving!"  "Alright. Where ya movin to?" "Well I am just pretending mommy." "Of course." "I am a princess and this apt (whispers) really my room, is getting too small." "Do you need any help?" "Nah, I have people to do that for me." "Have fun." "Thanks." Notice the items she packed up for her move too. She cracks me up!! Also today we headed to the Fire Station to use the exercise equipment. #1 will benefit from doing the same treadmill workout as he does at therapy and bonus ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbles/212829507/ When I was a kid I clearlu remember my mother reading me this book and laughing away. What you see above is a one page summary of it. The real deal is many pages with silly pictures and is such an easy fun read for kids. I am inspired for a million classroom uses too. But I digress, she (my mother) had a way to be so completely silly sometimes it was easy to forget she was in charge. Tonight my kids had a conversation that reminded me of this book and gave me a smile from ear to ear, and a HUGE does of laughter as the best medicine. #1: G guess what I am doing tomorrow, (while sitting next to me because we are all riding together home from concert at school), Shhhhhhhh Mommy don't tell him anything (whispers). G: What #1? #1: (Announcing loudly shoulders back and chest pushed out full of confidence) I'm playing hooky! #2: What game is that? I begin laughing unable to control my reaction and the m...

I think I am gonna try posting some quips from the mouths of my kiddos for ya. Here's the first dose. Missouri is where my family and I reside which means our weather is all over the place. Last week on Monday we had 6 inches of snow and by Thursday it was 83 degrees. It cooled off over the weekend but today it once again got into the 80's. I hate to say it but it was too hot for March even for always cold me. The great part of the wonderful weather is that it encourages even the least outdoors person to get moving. #1 spent his mandated outside time in a lawn chair reading funnies, comics or a book but fresh air was breathed by all. Yesterday while working with Daddy and I #2 asked if we could go fishing. Since it just happened that I was moving landscaping rocks around and unearthed several worms this request came true. Not 1, or 2 but all 6 family members managed to catch at least one fish. They were biting away, I suppose happy for the warm air. Daddy stayed out till the...

Ah yes, here it is again. That time when I pretend to live on a farm and act like I have a clue about life like that. We may have 10 acres, a pond and lots of land for my husband to mow. We have horses on our property technically owned by my mother whom gladly lets my kids call them theirs. Foxy is the "bug" horse, a Quarter Horse and fits with the name of our road completely. Even though the kids may debate whose she is, at heart she is my mother's first. It was her 30th bday present, her ultimate dream of owning a horse fulfilled. 27 years short is her current age which is definitely up there for a horse. I do hope she hangs on a few years more because I don't want to imagine the emotional toil that will follow her demise. But on to a happier topic, my stake on farm life. 3 chickens and a duck was my plan. It seemed perfect, 4 and no more kids so magic number 4 right? Well that and I could make up some silly punchline for the joke like setup it implied, lol. As wi...

If there is one thing my girls share with me is the love of sweet babies. Now as I have gotten a bit older (HUSH 33 is hardly old) and well 4 kids later I am pretty ok with not having any more of my own babies. Yet to snuggle, cuddle and kiss on someone we know littlest child is pure bliss. Today both my girls had the pleasure to do just that. #2 an avid baby watcher demonstrated her learned skills of holding, carrying and playing with a little one. Baby Michael is nearly 6 months old so he can handle a flip, flop or two. She didn't really have any moments that worried his momma or I though. Heck, she ignored beloved cousin much of the time he was present. All the while littlest daughter of mine took pleasure in keeping an eye on him in many wrong ways just to disturb me. She took toys away from him, and "checked" in on him while napping which resulted in waking him up. Funny how competition with big sister changes the attitude. In these moments, topic of having another ...

As of recently, there have been a few times when my children. My friends and I have been upset or bothered by something someone said. Over the weekend I had the opportunity to bring up in a not so pointed way what someone said to me that stuck. The surprise I found was the offender didn't even recall the comment. I mean her face, tone, and body language all demonstrated exactly that sincere oblivious attitude. This person happens to be VERY young in my opinion (probably others too) and it really hit me. I repeatedly tell my children that what people say and do has more to do with them than you. If you look at life that way, a person's snappy words, etc simply because they are having a bad day then it is easier to not let it affect your entire day/attitude too. How often I remind myself of such but this time, I carried that minor remark with me daily since it was said. Standing there, and now in my room, I am trying to get my brain to forget. We humans sure seem to be programm...

 New way to sleep  #1 is such a leader that without trying his thoughts, ideas and interests bleed over to the others around him. Or maybe it isn't about being a leader but equally about being an older sibling and having a younger brother but either way all of my kids and even I know more than otherwise possible about the Titanic. You know this because when talking about possible and not possible, or lies and truths we come back to the "unsinkable" ship that sunk. When discussing tragedies this is up on the list, on and on and on. Well tonight #3 sits next to his youngest sister hanging out on our way to activities. #1 chats everyone especially my ear off with observations, lists and offenses for the day. A moment passes unfilled by him and #1 says, "Did I die on the Titanic?" Ummm did I hear that right? I repeat the statement confirming that is in fact what he said. I clearly state no, you wouldn't be here if you died then.  He retorts, "Well I ...

Baby Blues is my absolute favorite comic strip. I regularly read it and a long time ago went on a kick where I wanted to own several of the books. My oldest son gets on his kicks and took an interest in them as well. Like my previous posts when he likes something he doesn't stop short of doing it all the way. He now keeps everyone of my books in his room pouring over them in the quiet reading time before bed. He has collected several on his own and has an amazing collection. There are MANY more he wants but in time. #2 has jumped on this train following suit of her brother even quoting to me particular examples that relate to our life or strike a cord with her. G and Gma save the daily comics so they can read them too. Tonight tops all of his conversations regarding the comic strip. The time was 9:01, 1 minute past lights out for him. He arrives in my doorway, pauses then flops the book on our bed and says, "Is this real?" "What?", I ask unsure. He repeats ...

Books, books, books. Board books, picture books, easy reader books, chapter books, fiction books, WWII books, parenting books, just for fun books, Bible books and on and on... In every room including the bathrooms there are books. Each kids has multiple shelves of books and even the bathroom has multiple reading level options should you so choose. As of today the downstairs eventual kitchenette area bookshelves are loaded with all the chapter books stashed in my "when I go back to teaching" stash too. Ever since I was young I have loved to read. That did not disappear with age to say the least. I tend to read with a purpose, as in all areas of my life. I enjoy fictional books but with my lifestyle I fill the small amount of free time a day with other options. Currently I am reading a book by Shelia Walsh about prayer along with several other parenting books. On top of that I read several magazines mostly for the short articles and crafty ideas. From the day I knew...

Reading is fundamental..stolen from my beloved cousin who works for this organization. But it in fact is so much more than just that. I love to read, sometime I will enjoy reading for pleasure but right now at this place in my life that just isn't happening. I do read young adult fiction because they are easy reads, and keep me abreast of not only my children but the students I hope to get back to teaching. My daughter's and one son attend a local Christian based not for profit dance studio. While there for the zillion hours I am a week I noticed a magazine called homelife. It is a Christian magazine and was chock full of knowledge portraying God's influence in all things as well. I loved it! While looking it up and determining if I could budget it in my plans I noticed they have a whole host of options. For those of you without kiddo's the homelife one is great! Then I found another one called Parentlife. I read some of the articles and I am digging it. I subscribe to...

Last Summer #1 had a few friends over a time or two. While visiting I noticed a change in the way #2 interacted, giggly and pumped up to be "cool" along with equal in strength. K my niece, was not pulled in to the scene until much later in the mix but her play it cool role became just that, part of a game. Although it shouldn't have surprised me then it did. Mentally I did not suspect this behavior just yet. Course with #1 as my oldest some maturing things tend to be a bit later. He doesn't really care about girls like that, yet. #2 has pretended to be kisses in her playtime so enough said on that. Tonight #1 had a boy over to spend the night. Somewhere in the fun times #3 and he began to wrestle. #2 was inspired and joined in somehow managing to be the sole partner at several intervals. Hmmm, I better be ever present the rest of the night on that note. Post Star Wars episode when the entire house stops there was a moment for #2 to change into her swimming suit top ...

#1 is never short on ramblings of the mind. He often spews the most unusual thoughts in the middle of something completely unrelated. For example this morning on the way to school he told me he wished there was a way for your dreams to become real, as in when you thought them they just happen. It wouldn't be a power everyone could have because people might unwish his dreams you know. *sigh* another reminder of how the harsh world is treating him. But in true #1 fashion he trucks on. If he could have superpowers they would be invincibility, invisibility and flying. I do believe it is time to get out the original God based Superman movies. He also would create a new hometown Starwars Ironman Electronica Candytopia. I think that is a description not a name. Ironman is a bit new to the list so I will look up some info on that influence for sure. I rarely have much to say following his randomness because the phrase 'nuf said' seems most fitting. At bedtime after overhearing hu...