the week in pictures 4/25

That's right. I now have a SIX YEAR OLD. Sarah had her birthday party this past weekend at a local "bounce house". All of her friends came; we had 8 little girls running around bouncing, playing, scooter-ing, dancing, eating & bouncing some more. It was a lot of fun, and not one of those horrid places where the staff are idiot teenagers and totally incompetent, they were very attentive and ran things so smoothly it was kind of shocking.

Have you ever known somebody for a while and thought "they remind me of someone" but couldn't put your finger on it? It's been that way the last few months or so with my daughter, Sarah. And I've finally figured out who she reminds me of. Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Like Laura, Sarah is just so grateful--almost all the time. She said "Oh Mom, this is the BEST birthday EVER!...thanks for being my Mom." She just kept oozing with gratitude. And then she'd throw in a little quirk like "My friends ROCKED the party!" Seriously. I have no idea, don't ask. I'm just so thankful to have a grateful daughter.

Well, between cutting cake and video tapping I was able to get a few snapshots.

Sarah (second one on left) with her friends.

Some girls wanted to bounce, some wanted to scoot, others played arcade games.

One happy birthday girl with her gifts.

After the party, Sarah & Madison decided they wanted to *bounce* even more on our trampoline.

Happy Birthday Sarah -- We love you!

the week in pictures 4/17

Early in the week, Michelle (my dear friend of 16 years), hosted an Easter Egg hunt at her house. She has an incredible back yard and, of course, it was covered with eggs that she thoughtfully hand filled with candy and toys. But, was that enough? Oh, no! Michelle also handed out Easter cups with chocolate bunnies to each child. Sarah and Emma had sooo much fun. Thanks Michelle!!! We love you!

Here's Sarah (blinking) holding her basket with 12 eggs, a cup and a bunny.

Emma loved the eggs but had a hard time getting them open.

****************

Wednesday we went to our first Homeschooling Health Co-op class; Sarah gets dropped off at the older group and I stay with Emma for the younger toddler class. We made a map of our body and learned about exercise, while Sarah's group learned about nutrition and hygiene.

Saturday night we colored the eggs and bathed the girls. Then I got their baskets filled and laid out their dresses for Sunday. The girls woke up at 8am to search for their Easter baskets and eat a quick breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, fruit smoothie and toast before church. Here they are in their Easter dresses.

We decided to do pink this year. Note the matching handbags--too cute!

Sarah looking like Jackie Kennedy Onasis. ;)

Emma simply looking sweet! It was a little too windy for a great pic.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. And now that all the *sugary-sweet* holidays are out of the way, here's hoping I lose those extra pounds!!! :) I tell ya', Halloween thru Easter is a killer for someone with a sweet tooth.

beauty and chaos

**UPDATE**
Per request from CMHL I will post the bulleted list of balls, and give detail about the "bowling ball". First, please allow me a disclaimer; that I think few people are busier than full-time working Mom's. My own mother, for example, after a divorce, became a full-time worker/single Mom to 5 kids & full-time student. Now THAT'S busy! But, like I said, it's all relative. And in my little, quiet and very blessed life one "ball" can make a big splash.

• Home Educator (that alone should be enough)
• Currently remodeling the walls and floors in our basement (pics to come soon)
• Relief Society teacher (the women's organization in our church)
• Enrichment co-leader (a weekday women's org. in our church)
• Visiting Teacher Supervisor (a stats/district thing for the women in our church)
• visiting teacher (kind of like a fellowshipper)
• Secretary for a Home Educators committee (monthly meetings w/ a newsletter submission)
• local District Leader for the state-wide Home Education association (meaning I'm over approx. 200 homeschool families in my town. Responsibilities include:
• updating the main database each *April* by calling &/or visiting these families,
• moderating the online support group & message boards
• hosting play groups, fieldtrips, etc.
• attending conventions and becoming *savvy* in the legalities of homeschooling laws in our state.
• ...and then there's a bunch of little stuff like: planning my daughters birthday party, attending my book club, putting in our garden, and trying to find time to exercise.

The district leader thing...200 people this month...THAT was the bowling ball! But, like I said I volunteered. I'm passionate about home education, but I feel such a obligation to church duties too. Something has to give...**

---------------

Words of Wisdom: Don't bite off more than you can chew!

We all know this, right?

Yet, personally, I have this theory- that one can do more than they feel capable of, if only they are in the moment when they need to be. Your kids want you to play with them? -Do it. Be in the moment. Your neighbor needs help? Find a time and do it. Be in that moment. You need to finish a project at work? Be in that moment. In theory, if our mind is focused, and not thinking about the hundred of other things we should/could be doing, we can move seamlessly from one moment to the next accomplishing a great deal. Like I said... In theory.

Then again, I suppose there comes a time -for even the best juggler- when there are just too many balls in the air. Which ones do you drop? All of them? How can the juggler keep his act going while eliminating one ball at a time?

I guess this is where prioritization comes into play. Definitely those that you love should not be dropped! But, what about the balls that you should keep in the air (simply because you've been taught for years that's what you should do) vs. the balls that you're passionate about (okay, that last one sounded kinky. sorry.) ??? Group A of people counting on you vs. Group B of people counting on you.

I was thinking about doing a bulleted list of those proverbial balls, but it's all relative anyway, right? Suffice it to say that I just got thrown a rather large ball...a bowling ball...a flaming sword of sorts, and now my theory is out the window and I have to drop a ball. Sad truth is that the large ball wasn't really "thrown" at me, I voluntarily picked it up. Maybe I just need to learn to say "No", or my favorite (coined by a dear friend of mine) "Sorry, I wish I could, but, I don't want to." :)

Anyway, this past week we were able to have a couple moments of fun amidst the chaos... that I've created. So, here's a couple pics for your pleasure. And P.S.- If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I'm trying to balance my juggling act.

Sarah & Emma at the park...

...playing house.

Sarah hand picked these daffodils from our own yard-

(they come up under the Oak tree and in the weirdest places). Gorgeous, no?!

aloha

My nephew, Brandon, who, at 17, just got accepted to BYU-HAWAII!!! Woohoo! Just two years ago he decided to quit public school and take charge of his own education. He also just got his associates from a local Community College. Congratulations Brandon!

spring caucus

How gorgeous is this?! This is what Spring in NC looks like! Here we are just getting some tulips and daffodils peeking through the cold, dead ground while the last of the snow is melting. My mother-in-law will eat this up, but I must admit I'm ready for winter to end. I like snow, I even love it sometimes, but November through March? -it really is getting kinda old now! Mostly, I want my kids to be able to go outside and run off the energy they've pent up all season long.

Last night I attended my first Caucus and it was exhilarating! Can I just say how much I love this system. Getting involved at the delegate level for County and State is critical people! It was SO nice to be able to talk with the candidates and see where they stand on issues that are important to me and my family (namely, freedom of choice in education) and who they support, etc. There was one gentleman who seemed less than enthusiastic to be there and admittedly didn't know his issues, where he stood or who's running. I was embarrassed for him. Hello? Why even be there? And then somebody nominated him. What the...? Thankfully he wasn't elected. It was also disheartening to see that, out of 500 registered voters in our precinct, only 18 people showed up. What's up with that? I plan on helping Sue to get out the vote and increase that number next time.

happy st. paty's day

Ok, so I don't know if I'm technically biologically "Irish", but on a day like today I think there's a little Irish inside all of us. And, because I promised my girls I'd take them to a restaurant and then to the park, I will make this a nice short post of some of my favorite GREEN things.

You know what they say about the green M & M...

Green Day!

There's nothing like a canopy of green leaves.

Yummy fresh scent!

Fried green tomatoes- made the North Carolina way!

This goes without saying...

Have a great Saint Patricks Day!

goodness

My 2 year old daughter, Emma, is currently obsessed with watching the Wizard of Oz. It's the only time I've ever seen her sit still for that length of time. She doesn't even do it for a Disney movie. Not that I like to sit my kids in front of the TV or a movie that often, but you should see her face light up and hear her giggle when we say that she can watch it AGAIN! I figure she could be watching worse stuff; something really stupid, disrespectful or violent, so I give in. I'm amazed at how aware she is of the plot. Emma gets genuinely sad when the mean lady takes the dog away from Dorothy and when Dorothy gets hit on her head by the falling window. On the other hand she gets so happy and laughs when the munchkins come out and when they all sing and dance.

It was while watching the Wizard of Oz for my hundredth time that I remembered having heard a parable on it, years ago, from Jack R. Christiansen. And I've made some observations of my own. Kind of like Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz is full of spiritual symbolism. I believe this life is a time away from our Heavenly Father, a time to be tested and prepare to return to Him. Much like Dorothy leaves her home and has to prove herself to the Great Wizard. I also believe that we have help, probably more than we will ever know, from guardian angels and friends to guide us Home. Much like Glenda, the good witch from the North (Heaven?). I also believe that we are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for, but that our Father knows our strengths.

All that said, there are a few things I find ironic, yet poignant, in the movie the Wizard of Oz. Have you ever noticed that, even though the Scarecrow claims he doesn't have a brain, he's the one that always comes up with the plans or ideas. And that, even though the Tinman claims he doesn't have a heart, he's the emotional one; always crying and "rusting". The rest of the group is always saying to the Tinman "Don't cry now, we don't have your oil can." The Cowardly Lion claims to not have courage, yet he readily admits his weaknesses and faults (which I think takes real courage). Even though he runs away and appears to be afraid, later the Great Wizard points out he's just mistaking courage for wisdom. Sometimes we need to run instead of fight.

My favorite part of all, however, is when the foursome are trapped in the tower at the witches castle and Dorothy throws water, in an attempt to put out a fire on the Scarecrow, in the direction of the witch. And the Wicked Witch mutters these words: "I'm melting, I'm melting...Oh! What a world, what a world! Who would have thought that a good little girl like you could have destroyed my beautiful wickedness."

Water is very symbolic for cleansing. But, I wonder, how many of us consider our own goodness? And that sometimes the only thing it takes for wickedness to prosper is for one "good" person to stand by and do..... nothing. Do we hesitate to be "good"? Are there times when we don't remember, or give credit to, our strengths and do nothing? Or are we aware? How many of us use the strengths of others for help...and bring a few friends along that are in need?? I know I'm guilty of misjudging my strengths at times, and also hesitant to use my "goodness" at times.

But, this I know, I'm very grateful for my family and friends (even the ones who lurk and refuse to leave a comment. heh.) and their strengths that help me be a better, good, person.

Some of my favorite lines in the movie:

• "I don't know, but some people without brains do an awful lot of talking."


• "He's saying 'oil can'". "Oil can what?" (hehehe)


• "...for twenty years I've been dying to tell you what I think of you, and now, well, being a Christian woman I can't!"

future olympians

While the "official" Olympics were being held in Torino, Italy we decided to host an Olympics of our own; on the homeschooling level.

For the first class we read about the history of the Olympics; how they started and about the symbolism of the rings, olive wreaths and cauldron. Then we took advantage of the fact that we live in a former host city and visited the Olympic museum, watched a movie and visited the 2002 Olympic cauldron.

The kids were then asked to pick a country that they wanted to represent and make it's flag, and also to prepare to give a report on an Olympic winter sport or favorite athlete. In the mean time I made 20+ torches and 20+ "gold" medals.

For the second class we met at the Utah Olympic speed skating oval and got to take a tour of the place and look at the ice track close up. An employee there was so accommodating and even put on the Olympic music CD for our "opening ceremony". The kids then entered, one at a time, as their chosen country, holding the flags and walked around the track. Sarah represented Sweden. They each took a turn giving their report. Sarah reported on figure skating -because she loves the pretty outfits and the way the girls spin and lift their legs. We then had a running race and handed out gold medals to everyone, since they were all "winners"!

I had so much fun doing this class. The group that we're in is so wonderful and adventurous and into learning.

The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron

Our homeschooling group at the Olympic museum.

Half of our group- waving flags and holding torches.

Our "gold medal" winners, after the races.

sweetest thing

The weekend before Valentines Day was jam-packed with festivities. These are the boxes Sarah and Emma made during the Homeschooling Valentine party. 22 kids --not a bad turn out! A little chaotic during the valentine exchange. Our host provided cheese fondue with breads and chocolate fondue with strawberries for us Moms.

Also before Valentines day was the county-wide Daddy Daughter Dance that Gene took Sarah to. The dance was open to the public for girls 3-15 and their Dad (or surrogate). Sarah was looking forward to it for weeks. I mean, what 5 year old girl wouldn't want to dress up like a princess for a dance with their Daddy?? We took her shopping for a special dress and then did her hair fancy in the back. Gene presented her with a rose just before they left.
Sarah said "Oh Daddy! That's so romantic. Thank you."
She gets this from watching Anastasia and Cinderella.

The world's greatest Dad with the world's sweetest girl!

At the daddy-daughter dance. Sarah with her friend, Junie, from our homeschooling group.

Gene said there were 150 Dad's easy plus a couple hundred girls. Good turn out! They had a lot of fun -played games and had punch and cookies. Then he took her out to dinner at IHOP.

It absolutely warmed my heart and made me fall deeper in love with Gene to see him doing this with Sarah! I hope it is something she will always remember. I think it's an annual thing and next year he'll be able to take Emma as well. You guys are the sweetest things!

superbowl time

It's one of the funnest traditions that our family has...Superbowl Weekend.

Every year we (16 of us) head up to Logan, UT to my brother's house (joining their 5) for food, fun, games and football! The adults always go out to dinner Friday night and then Saturday we play some kind of family sport. This year we played dodgeball at the local elementary school where my SIL works as a P.E. teacher. We also had skateboard races.

Then, come Sunday, after a quick jont to church we race back home and get ready for the fun games that Don has prepared. And food. Yummy BBQ, or Fajita's, 7-layer bean dip, oysters...yum! It is always so much fun -we look forward to it all year long!

Emma (making a funny face) and Sarah playing at Uncle Don's.

Saturday skateboard races in the school. Dean's a blur at the far left, dragging Laura. Gene's holding on to Emma and Sarah at the right.

Everybody vegging during the Superbowl (minus some kids and a couple teenagers).

My brother, Don, (aka "Uncle Donny") with the goods for the quarterly score winners! Thanks Don for such a fun weekend every year! We love you!

birthday fun in photos

I've eluded to the fact that my birthday, last month, was great and this is, in part, why- Gene took me to the Sundance Film Festival on opening day. I have wanted to go for years now, but for some reason, always seemed to miss it.

I would love to report that I mingled with the rich and famous (as I went to Sundance as much for this reason as for the films) but, sadly, I can not. Turns out that if you want to "mingle" you must pay a club price quite equal to an "arm and a leg". Not to mention the waiting in line for hours. That all said, I did still have a blast! We were gone ALL DAY and left our kids with my niece who got permission to get out of school. Thanks Alyssa (and Flea)! For opening day it was surprisingly easy to find parking, in fact, everything that day went surprisingly smooth.

I love that, at Sundance, after the film ends there's always a Q & A period with the Directors and Actors. In the morning we saw a comedy that was also the world premiere for the director/actor. It was a huge deal for him and he was very humble about it, even when Roger Ebert, having sat in, came up to him and gave him his card! We ate lunch at a nice hotel cafe and then saw a drama that was well acted but very depressing. Next year I hope to end the evening on a lighter movie.

Roger Ebert talking with the director Hadji about his movie. (He gave it a "thumbs up".)

Me with Hadji at the Sundance Film Festival. I love the up-the-nostril angle and how pasty-white I am! Ugh! Home girl needs a tan!

In addition to the Sundance Fun-filled weekend, my SIL, Lorraine, took me out to lunch at the Macaroni Grill and then later joined my Mom in taking me to the movies!!! Thanks Lorraine, Mom, Flea (for the clothes) and dear hubby! Y'all rock!

ways in which i'm like elaine benes

• Elaine wore a Baltimore Orioles hat to a Yankees game. I once wore a Dallas Cowboy shirt to a Dallas vs. Giants game in New York.
• Elaine is a writer/editor. I like proof reading.
• I, too, HATE the movie The English Patient. And I doubt that a visit to the Tunisian desert would change my mind.
• Elaine is referred to, from Kramer, as a "man's woman." In high school I had few girl friends and was considered "one of the guys."
• Elaine has moral issues. I can't stand to see pregnant women smoking.
• I've had to ask the person in the stall next to me for some toilet paper. Thankfully got some -more than one ply.
• Elaine doesn't like dogs. I've screamed at dogs barking in the night.
• Once at a swimming pool I had an unfortunate "nipple" incident.
• Elaine likes a "big salad." I like a big cobb salad.
• I, too, have slivered my way through an employer's cake -though it was only 1 day old.
• If I find something I really like, I would buy a case of it.
• I've gone out with my share of "mimbos".
• When surprised or shocked I'll shout "SHUT UP!" Elaine shouts "Get Out!"
• Sometimes I feel like I live in Bizarro world -with a mirror for everybody close to me.
• And, lastly, while I don't like Jujyfruits, I might consider buying some candy at a movie theater (instead of sneaking it in).

lazy wednesday post

February has been a busy, yet fun, month -with a super fun Super Bowl party, homeschooling classes, book clubs and birthday parties. Emma just turned 2! That speaks for itself.

I have neglected this blog, but I have a short break today (before planning our HS Olympics class and attending my Educators meeting) and thought I'd better do something. I got this from Nilo. Hang in there, this weekend I hope to post oodles and oodles of pictures from the last six weeks.

1) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
"...to lessen, to make less severe, to alleviate." The Oxford Collegiate Dictionary; word alleviate.

2) Stretch your left arm out as far as you can and see what you touch.
The refrigerator. We like keeping the laptop in a main room of the house.

3) What is the last thing you watched on TV?
The Olympic coverage on NBC last night. Watched Ted Ligety (Utah native) win Gold in the Alpine race -Woohoo!!!

4) Without looking, guess what time it is.
12:49

5) Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
12:34

6) With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
My children playing & screaming & laughing & staking their claim with their valentine boxes.

7) When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Last night (Valentines Day), going out to dinner with my husband -yummy!

8) Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
The homeschooling message boards, which I check faithfully every morning for co-op class and fieldtrip info. Love the ladies on that site!

9) What are you wearing?
*sigh* My pajama bottoms and one of my favorite long sleeve shlumpy shirts. Totally uncoordinated. Totally comfortable.

10) Did you dream last night?
Yes. A very wacky and disturbing dream about Nazi's and sexual preferences.

11) When did you last laugh?
This morning. On the phone with my SIL.

12) What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Mail holder, white board and nothing else. We're going to be painting soon! :)

13) Seen anything weird lately?
Not so much "seen", but "heard" TOO MANY weird stories this past week. All real. Explains #10.

14) What do you think of this quiz?
okay so far.

15) What is the last movie you saw?
I honestly can't remember. I'll have to get back to this one... Fun with Dick and Jane.

16) If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
I'd put the "multi" part into a saving account and live off the interest. But I'd easily spend a cool one mill to pay off our newly remodeled house, buy another house back East, then vacation, savings for my kids, etc.

17) Tell me something about you that I don't know.
I spent two years ballet dancing on toe shoes. I've also torn the ligaments in my right ankle so many times I'll never be able to dance that way again. Which makes me kind of sad.

18) If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Geographically, I'd make an island in the middle of a shark infested ocean, like way out there by the Marquesas Islands, for all the scum of the earth to reside. Like Alcatraz, without the possibility of escape. As far as human nature goes, I'd make everyone have a sense of humor about themselves.

19) Do you like to dance?
Love to! Although an insulated thirty-something getting jiggy with it isn't very attractive.

20) George Bush?
That's not a complete question. What about him? (told you I like to dance)

21) Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Clarissa. If my husband could pronounce it correctly.

22) Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
I like Caleb.

23) Would you ever consider living abroad?
For a short time in a favorite country. Even shorter in a non-fav place.

24) What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
"Welcome home! Do you like what I've done with the place?" (As I would surely be checking heaven out and because He knows I like interior decorating.)

Well, there! Twenty four random questions for your lazy reading pleasure.

bueller? bueller? bueller?

I just watched the most amazing video from 20/20 about American kids becoming increasingly more stupid -thanks to big government and the public school systems. It is 40 minutes long, but worth the time & commercial free to boot!

Wait! Let me get out my soap box.......
There.

It makes my blood run hot -the lack of education that American children are receiving.
As it is, in America, the schools are staffed with seriously under-trained & undisciplined teachers, the curriculum is anything but challenging and the monies allotted schools are managed poorly by bureaucratic officials -going mostly to facilities and NOT to books, tests or programs that directly affect learning.

As a home-schooling parent, I know first hand that the government doesn't want to make it easy for, much less help, children to get an education unless our money goes to the state school that we're "assigned" to because of our zip code. Even then, if you're lucky enough to live close to a "good" school the standards are sub-par and, in my opinion, not an option for my children.

If, indeed, schools competed for enrollment by staffing outstanding teachers with challenging curriculum, and the schools were disciplined and safe and offered a range of activities, and each teacher- each school -was held accountable for failures with the threat of being shut down, I think we might actually see progress in our students, instead of the shameful amount of drop-outs or illiterate teens that we see today. If, indeed, money was not limited within district boundaries, but attached to the child with freedom of choice of institution, then the education -the learning- would be limitless.

Now, I don't mean to offend anyone who is an excellent teacher. I have many friends that have chosen that as their profession, and I love and admire them. However, I think...No! I know, that, sadly, excellence is becoming the exception rather than the rule in education today. It's hard to point the finger at any one area. Poor parenting is hugely to blame. However, until there are significant improvements and choices and freedom in government funded education, I have no choice but to educate my children at home -which is the way it ought to be and was decades ago anyway.

End of rant. Thanks for listening.

lazy post

Well, my birthday week is over, and folks can I just say it was one of the best birthdays ever! I will post some pictures and tell y'all about it soon. In the meantime, I got this from Nilo, who got it from Anika. Silly. Give it a try.

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Carla!

1. All of the roles in Shakespeare's plays - including the female roles - were originally played by Carla!
2. If the annual Australian Carla crop was laid end to end, it would stretch around the world seven times!
3. Lightning strikes Carla over seven times every hour!
4. The pigment Indian Yellow was manufactured from the urine of cows fed only on Carla!
5. Carla can jump up to sixteen times her own height.
6. You would have to dig through four thousand kilometres of Carla to reach the earth's core.
7. Carla was the first Tsar of Russia.
8. The book of Esther in the Bible is the only book which does not mention Carla.
9. Carla can not regurgitate.
10. The Vikings believed that the Northern lights were caused by Carla as she rode out to collect warriors slain in battle!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

ramblings

Behold! My "light box" returneth! Have I mentioned how much I love snow? Especially now that I have kids and can send them out to make snow angels and watch them play.

The past week and a half has been rough. It started with Emma getting a cold and coughing so hard that she'd throw-up a couple times a day. Then I got it, then Gene, followed by Sarah -who's still battling the tail end. We could be described as apostate (inactive at best) with how we try to avoid the nursery at church this time of year. Keeping a house clean while I'm sick is like trying to rake leaves during a tornado -it's pointless. Thankfully I'm back to my normal self now, with energy to boot. My "urge to purge" and clean is back in full force. Yahoo!

• My daughter is so funny. Lately she's been adopting "air quotes" around silly sayings. For example: (air quote with her fingers) "What am I, chopped liver?" She's 5.
• We are starting a series of co-op classes, about Sea Life, with our Homeschooling group today.
• I can't concentrate on ANYTHING when Nick Jr. is on in the background. Seriously, there ought to be a study done about how their shows and music affect the mind.
• This is MY birthday week. I am very excited about some plans that we have, but I am superstitious, so I'll have to tell you about them later. ;)
• Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Here's hoping that we can come another step closer to his vision, his "dream".
• Hmmmm....maybe I should change the channel.

this week's soundtrack

Lately I've been a little pissy. Melancholy at best, but mostly very irritable.

Dolly Parton says it best in this song.

It really bugs me that I'm feeling this way right after the holiday season. I should still be enjoying watching my children play with their new toys, but instead I feel that I'm playing the role of Joan Crawford in "Mommy Dearest". I know a lot of people always say "enjoy them while they're young" but right now I would love to hit the fast-forward button to adulthood.

It's not so much my kids as it is the way that I feel my life is stagnant right now. I'm an artist. I went to college to major in Art Teaching (even got on the Dean's list), and I have nothing if not a wanderlust creative spirit in me. I'm like a fish out of water, literally suffocating, if I can't express myself in some form of craft or art. The problem being that I could really use a million dollars to get everything done that I want done. That, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist. However, if I can't do it perfectly all at once I often do nothing at all. I know it doesn't make sense.

So, I'm also in the process of making new years resolutions and about to through in the towel and say to hell with it all! Too much pressure, too much I want to do, too little time and energy! Hence my bad/melancholic/party-of-one-pity-party!

Any suggestions?

christmas means carnage

Well, all the packages are opened and a pile of wrapping paper sits in our fireplace waiting to be burned. Boxes lay around the floor like a bunch of dead carcasses and I could build an addition to the house with the amount of plastic covered twist-ties that we've taken off each gift. Likewise, the roast beast and who-pudding have been devoured, and bits of chocolate covered pretzels from the neighbors cover the countertops.

It's post Christmas and I don't feel like cleaning.

I'd much rather just play with the kids and BE a kid again and play with my stuff and stay in pajamas all day long! But, alas, being "THE mom" that I am, I cannot catch a break.

That's okay. Christmas was a LOT of fun, the church service made it even more special, and seeing the reaction from my girls (when we finally got home) on Christmas morning makes even the cleaning worth it.

Here I go....

I'm getting off the computer now....

I'm going....

sigh............

merry christmas

and Happy New Year!

Love- Gene, Carla, Emma & Sarah

the week in pictures 12/19

Last week was super crazy, and boy am I glad it's over! I pushed myself too hard --pushed myself right into a cold! (So much for the bubble theory.) Although, I have to admit, it's not that bad of a cold, and I hope it doesn't get any worse given that I have to sing in a quartet during church on Christmas day!

This is Sarah and her friend, Aylish from the homeschooling group. This was during the Christmas party and the girls were trying to escape the boys on this top bunk.

This is Sarah and Bethann building "gingerbread" houses during another Christmas party/potluck that the Dad's got to come to.

It keeps snowing and melting and snowing and melting and snowing...

I'm hoping for a white Christmas, clear sinuses and my voice to NOT crack on Christmas day.

Wish me luck.

a bubble, a bubble? yes, a bubble.

Tis the season. No, I'm not talking about twinkling lights, gifts and candies. Or even the "Moops". I'm talking about ...GERMS! A season of decisions. Do I allow my kids to continue on living a relatively normal life or do I shelter them from the inevitable with many thick layers of visqueen (also known as Polyethylene) ???

Our church had it's annual Christmas party last night. I could not decide if I wanted to go until the last minute, literally. I sat here wringing my hands knowing that, by attending said Christmas party, my kids are very likely hence forth going to be sick the rest of the year. I had to weigh the pro's and con's and wrestle with my very "yellow" husband.

• Pro's: Free food, fun games, music, "THE man" himself- Santa would be there, and sure, visiting with friends too.
• Con's: LOTS OF COUGHING, RUNNY-NOSED KIDS AND ADULTS CRAMPED INTO SMALL QUARTERS!

We did go.

Usually the last piece of advice I tell my kids before I set them loose to wreck havoc is "remember who you are" or "have fun!" This time my last piece of advice was uttered with threatening tones "So help me, if you even think you see someone with a runny nose you RUN the other way, and you can't give Christina a hug today...I don't care that she's your best friend, do you hear me?!!!"

Extreme? No. Insane? Possibly. Really, come January I'm much more easy going and go through only one can of Lysol spray during the month, but leading up to Christmas?...Can you blame me? Am I being irrational? What would you do???

**Anyway, here's some of the "featured" episode for your reading pleasure.

MRS. SANGER: See it's not really a bubble. A lot of people think it's an igloo. But it's really just a plastic divider.

GEORGE: Huh.

GEORGE: Can you uh, go in the bubble?

MRS. SANGER: Well, you have to put so many things on because of the germs.

MEL: The gloves, the mask, it's a whole production.

GEORGE: So then he makes his own bed?

MRS. SANGER: Well, that's one of the things we fight about.

MEL: Would you like to meet him?

GEORGE: Uh, well, you know,...

MRS. SANGER: Oh, he loves games. Maybe you could play Trivial Pursuit with him.

DONALD: HEY MA WHAT THE HELL DO I GOT TO DO TO GET SOME FOOD AROUND HERE? I'M STARVIN'. AND IF IT'S PEANUT BUTTER, I'M GONNA SHOVE IT IN YOUR FACE.

just call me mother hubbard

It's snowing again today. I love the snow. I love staying indoors and being "domestic". I just don't love the monotonous routine of the daily grind.

play. mess. pick up. play. mess. pick up. play. mess. pick up...

wear. wash. fold. wear. wash. fold. wear. wash. fold...

cook. wash. put away. cook. wash. put away. cook. wash. put away...

Anyway, I live for something new to break up the boredom, like HS fieldtrips, a great sale or a lunch date with a friend. (I spend far too much time at this computer reading blogs, savoring the new posts, reading message boards, email, etc.) So, for example, I have this thing, this....twisted sickness, in which I love to "deprive" myself (and our family) during the month leading up to Christmas. Just for a change of routine. We try to eat ourselves out of house and home. We eliminate any "frills" in the menu. It's challenging and fun to see what you can make with a can of soup, bread crusts and beans.

Absolutely NO toys of any kind (even happy meal toys) can be purchased, or books for that matter. We purge our playroom and give to charity any toys that have not been played with in the last 6 months or so. We do get out to see the Christmas lights, Santa and other festivities, but they're usually free!

That way, come Christmas day (when we DO have all the frills) it's super special and like...