Ebeth's 4 and no more

Tonight as my crew of 6 sat down to eat a dinner together it was everything typical. Typical being a relative term really as nothing is ho hum with 4 kids! Chinese was the venue of choice as tomorrow is hubby's bday. There really isn't any family member who is unhappy about this choice and it has been several months since it worked out. Anyways.... while there my husband didn't have to start the chanagans it was my oldest daughter who did. Well maybe they both get credit as it was hubby who stuck the chopsticks in daughter's ice cream, but daughter who returned such action with pulling them out and calling them chocolate spears. She then proceeded to swipe one down his entire arm smearing the somewhat liquefied products even. I couldn't contain my laughter which made the waitress come over and retrieve our plates and politely shush us, LOL! Then my oldest son dropped the bombshell of the night. Munching quietly hubby sat across the table from me. "How old wil...

This weekend while #2 had her better late than never bash I got a window into my daughter and her friend's lives. I knew the day would come where I listen more and talk less but well at age 9 I didn't think it would be quite like this. You see my sweet little girl is more than into boys. Evesdropping upon her and cousin/friends I am sure it doesn't include even holding hands YET. But well, boys are not icky and the wonder of a kiss is eminent. During lunch we/they discussed divorce (my daughter shielded as in only one close relative has been through one and they both still come to all family functions). This was a careful conversation as her friend has divorced and remarried parents. Next, more like a revolving conversation it changed to the girls and their "crushes". #2 is for David as it seems has been for close to a year, apparently her friends were even in a fight for a short time over the same boy too. Sheesh, so early for all this stuff don't ya think? ...

My oldest son is complicated and wonderful all wrapped up in one. This is not the first time I type that he doesn't fit between the lines and causes me to scratch my head in dealing with him. I am sorry to admit I too often have been harsh or jumped the gun in disciplining but this is the sad story for the oldest. Firstborn kids pave the way for the rest. Here in the picture he can be seem seeking a specific egg, he was dilligent and determined to not only get candy but more. I love his drive when it matters to him. If only I can put my finger on the magic to get him to do this for everything else that isn't easy or fun. #1 informed me tonight of the revised cost to recieve his master black belt status in Tae Kwon Do. Originally he believed it would be in 2014, but deeper investigation proved that was a bit off. I figured as much really. Needless he has been pretty caught up with cost. There are several levels before master that are a large amount to a child or parent. Yet d...

Work is the appropriate word for relationships specifically marriage. As I enjoyed sunny, warmer weather for my run I debated such concepts. I recalled hearing or reading some wise person saying that we have to make conscious choices not emotional ones. There are days in every relationship where you just don't like the other person. I mean I love my husband don't misunderstand me for one second. But well we are so very different too. He is day I am night, he is non fiction, I am love story. He is quiet, I am music. He is still and relaxed, I am busy and active. In these things we compliment each other yet we drive each other crazy too. My meta cognition resulted in a greater awareness that I just didn't want to do anything about the distance I "feel" currently. Instead I want to sit back an not care at all, be annoyed and justified in my tone. Yet I recall that only a short couple weeks ago during a similar run I felt immense adoration for him, thanking God for s...

birthday cake baking with cousin C Holy cow, where oh where did the time run away too? I mean I longed to get pregnant with her in my expectant time frame (spaced from siblings but not at hubby and mine either). Yeah, God is so good to grant me such silly wish. Well either that or my plan was actually in line with his :) I won't lie and say there wasn't many a time I wished her to get bigger, sleep through the night, walk, talk, turn 2 then 3 but balance in those times too. Now, now I pray for the time to creep. I want to hold on to every single second, remember the lasts. Since I was on Spring break this week I enjoyed extra mommy and Evangelene time. She did attend school on Wed and Fri with tears for over 30 min after drop off both days. Poor baby she is such a mommy's girl. Her actual bday was filled with family and more fun than she could have wished. Her absolute favorite people in life (besides me of course) were here too. To testify the truth in that statement...

This Easter was a culmination of family, kids and church but not quite in that order. You see I was in charge of the egg hunt itself at two churches. The first one involved moving 92 4-Kindergarten age kids, and 50 2 and 3 year old children from their rooms outside and back in. There was moments of rocky seas but overall we made it through. 250 elementary age kids joined in the ultimate fun and I came home, brushed teeth and climbed into my bed with my 2 girls on each side. I can't recall the last time I did that and wasn't sick!  Here you can see just the beginning of the 20,000 eggs that got stuffed (2500 by me/us). My poor kids worked hard helping with all that I was required to do. Ya know I gotta say when you simply attend church you think you have an idea of what all goes one, but NOPE you really don't have a clue! I am so proud of their nearly constant positive attitudes too.  Here we kicked off the Palm Sunday/ Easter week with Aunt Net and my side of the ...

Us non upside down roller coaster peeps In a rare moment (or hour really) I ended up finalizing the Easter shopping with my oldest son. Well, Easter dinner shopping is more like what we were doing but you get the point. While walking to get some toiletries I ran into another mom I know. We chatted and when the conversation no longer included said son he asked if he could fetch the item (hairspray). I didn't put much stock in his ability since it was several aisles away but simply directed him with it being in a black can. A moment or two later he arrives with the wrong item but amazingly similar. Giving him the brand name this time, he headed off again only to return with all three types of the correct item. Nearly speechless the other mom said, "He does better than my husband." We giggled and ended our chat. #1 continued acting so mature like in his conversation and interest in shopping I turned and said, "Can I share a secret?" He said the natural answ...

Somehow those two titles for today (April Fools day and Palm Sunday) do not make much sense. April fool's normally means nothing to me especially since it is the first name written on my birth certificate. Yep, Elizabeth is my chosen name (given as it is my middle name) but April is what the initial A is all about. I hated it for unknown reasons at this point. Though I recall a specific moment when my 1st grade teacher refused to call me Elizabeth. She informed me that unless I went to a judge and changed my name she would not call me anything but April. It could then be said that such a statement to this strong willed child was like I double dog dare you to make it happen another way. So, here I am with a social security card and driver's license that says A. Elizabeth. EVERYTHING I own has that name on it too. Take that Ms. First grade teacher! Now moving on I am grateful my oldest daughter had a better experience with her first cheerleading coach. Take in to accoun...