it's blahg!

Ahhh Chop! Chop!

2009-02-17T23:56:00.000-08:00

I've moved!

Lookie, lookie at what my greek god built me!

All future posts will be at my new address: www.itsblahg.com

Can I Have Some Hot Breath?

2009-02-13T03:17:00.000-08:00

As we were driving back from my prenatal appointment this week Dan gave the kids some Breathsavers.

Our 4 year old daughter wanted more so she asked, "Can I have some hot breath?"

We're still giggling.

- it's blahg! MB

My Little Girl is Growing Up

2009-02-07T21:10:00.000-08:00

This past Thursday morning my eldest daughter got braces. Sniff. Sniff. She's growing up.

She left the house looking like her usual 8 1/2 year old cute self and came back still looking cute but more mature (she even acted more mature). She has been doing a phenomenal job these weeks leading up to this momentous occasion with taking responsibility of her teeth. Since her braces have been on she has done even better. She even tried to refuse our offer of ginger ale at lunch yesterday. "Wait! Is that soda? I can't have soda!" Wow.

For those of you who have never met our daughter you must know that Dan and I used to refer to her as "Thuella" (which means whirlwind). A very impulsive little girl is blossoming into a more controlled young lady. We are proud of her. She has come so far and the Lord has been so gracious to her.

I am very grateful that she is excited about these braces (much like I was when I had to get mine a feeeeeew years . . . Ok, more than two decades ago). Especially, since this is only the first phase! It has been fun to share stories with her about my adventures with my head gear and lip bumper, too (yeah, I looked like a mega nerd, but I didn't care!). We will be able to so relate to each other as she moves further along in the next 18 months.

- it's blahg! MB

Still Kickin'

2009-01-26T21:31:00.000-08:00

My blahging silence has been due to nesting and busyness.

I've had some great blahg post ideas, though. Ones I think you would thoroughly enjoy. They are awesome, I'm telling you . . .

I just can't remember any of them.

- it's blahg! MB

April Fools Day in January?

2009-01-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

This has got to be a joke. Right? No? Wow!

The government wants 650, that's 6-5-0, 650 million, not thousand, but 650 MILLION dollars more, yes, MORE to help people. And what worthy program are they asking these additional funds for. To help us poor, fuzzy pictured, program deficient consumers convert our TV's to digital. Huh? More? That means they've already been doing it? How much of our hard earned cash have they already dumped into this brilliant program?

Come on.

So when are they going to start handing out coupons so we can have a date night every once in a blue moon? With governmental assistance we might be able to go on two or three dates every 2.72 years. The prices at the movie theaters have been climbing for quite some time now. Last time Dan checked, a general admission was $10.25 a ticket. ...dinner would be nice too.

I guess we better keep having kids so they can pay for all these essential programs.

- it's blahg! MB & DC

Happy 2nd Birthday, Chunky Monkey!

2009-01-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

On Monday our lil' Chunky Monkey turned two.

It seems like only a couple of years ago she was born.

Oh, wait. That's true.

Her birth ROCKED! I'm still on a high from it. It was that cool (which makes me really apprehensive about this upcoming birth since I can't imagine ever getting two rockin' births . . . but that's a subject for another blahg post). Sigh. Yeah, it rocked (I'm staring off into space).

Although, she most definitely has been doing the stereotypical "two's" thing for a few months now (which, honestly, we haven't really had to go through with the others - so we're in unchartered territory), making many days difficult, she is still a delight. One of my favorite things about this stage of child development is the emerging verbal skills to express all of the new things she is discovering. I, also, just about melt when I hear her calling for one of her siblings or seeking comfort from them.

Thank You, Lord, for our precious little girl. Many times she has been a balm in our rough times. You knew exactly who we needed.

- it's blahg! MB

Stupid Human Mistakes and the Sovereignty of God

2009-01-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

I am ever so grateful that God knows what He is doing. His plans are so much better than our own. His timing is much better than ours. He allows us to make stupid mistakes . . . that lead to beautiful ends (Romans chapter 8 verse 28 is a verse I have clung to in the midst of being in the depths of despair but have also joyfully relished in when times have felt good).

My greek god and I were discussing, again, the other night how stupid we were to move off campus when we were attending Moody Bible Institute, many moons ago. We had the best apartment on campus. It was tiny but great. Seventh floor facing toward the Hancock building and views of La Salle Street.

Having some good friends of ours move off campus started us thinking maybe we should, too. We were tired of living in a bubble (for those living in a "bubble" right now . . . be content since it won't always be there and bubbles aren't always bad) and we assumed we were going to start extending our family and since we couldn't have kids while living on campus we moved off. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

It was one of, if not the, stupidest mistakes we've ever made. We ended up living far enough away from school that we had to buy a car (we'd assumed we'd take the L but soon realized that brrrrrrr-freezing weather wasn't the funnest to walk a mile or so in to get to the thing) and my health declined. I struggled immensely with my asthma. I became very sick. I became very miserable. Hence, Dan became very miserable. Within a matter of months our belongings were packed up in a truck, our car was sold, and we were headed back to CA.

My greek god never had the opportunity to finish getting his degree studying what really brings him alive, the Bible. I regret that. The man shines when he gets to study and discuss The Word. I still dream of him getting to do that someday.

We kicked ourselves for being so foolish. Had we stayed on campus he would have completed what we went out there for. And maybe we would have become missionaries in the world out yonder, too, as we had planned.

As we had planned.

A few months after returning to our home town the Lord provided Dan with a great career opportunity. God dropped it in his lap. Heating and Air-conditioning was not something he was looking to get into but he needed a job and an apprenticeship opportunity was in his future.

Landing a driver's position lead to the apprenticeship which gave us the financial ability to do something I had longed for for years.

Fostering.

So we did become missionaries. In that the Lord brought the mission field into our home. We became foster parents. The Lord granted the desire of my heart from childhood.

Through doing emergency foster care we were given one of the most amazing little girls I have ever met. Our eldest daughter. She turned six months old around the time Dan would have graduated from Moody had we stayed the course. Had Dan completed his schooling there we never would have gotten our daughter (and time table-wise nor would we have gotten her older brother or her younger brother . . . and we wouldn't have gotten to foster the other little ones either). We might have still gotten to foster and adopt . . . but we would not have gotten the ones we did. And those are the ones I want. Those are my kids.

Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to make such a foolish decision (from a human perspective) so many years ago. You have blessed us immensely and beyond words in the children you have given us. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

- MB

Happy 4th Birthday!

2009-01-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Today will include: pink and white balloons, pink streamers, Cinderella and friends plates and napkins, tiaras, "pwitty dwesses", maybe spaghetti, most likely squeals of delight, and a purple cake. Purple, people. Purple. (Assuming that I can manage that. I have some crazy ideas on how to make that happen.)

Today is our Princess' 4th birthday.

We don't usually call her "Princess". Only for today we will. Even though she really thinks she is a princess. Not just any princess, though. Cinderella to be more exact. There are moments when I think she really truly believes she is a princess.

This could have something to do with her flitting around the house flapping her hands saying, "I'm a princess! I'm a princess!"

Ok. She doesn't really do that. I just made that up.

Seriously, though, there are moments where I think she really believes she is Cinderella. Like the time she came crying to me, "They are calling me fake!" What cruel thing could her siblings mean this time? I found out they were saying that Cinderella was fake. And since she herself is Cinderella . . . she is fake. I had to explain that Cinderella is fake but she, my daughter, is real. She finally got it.

Anyway. Back at the castle.

Today she gets to be a princess (Again. We did this last year, too. But this year is even better because . . . well . . . she's a year older . . . I dunno.). And not only is she going to be a princess . . . she's going to be a "big girl" . . . A Big Girl!

Do you know what this means? Have you any idea?

Think back to Mary Poppins wearing diapers . . .

Yeah baby!

She claims she will start using the toilet.

We even bought her princess undergarments, yesterday (last year), to seal the deal.

We'll probably start tomorrow, though. I hope it's not a mistake. It's just that I can't see Princess trying to use the toilet, regularly, for the first time while wearing a formal gown. Doesn't seem practical. Call me crazy.

I'm excited about today. I TOTALLY remember my 4th birthday. Seems like only 31 years ago. (Oh, wait. It was.) I remember the excitement. The last few days I've seen that same excitement in her eyes. So very fun.

What excites me the most is getting to see her and her siblings enjoying the day. Our little princess is one who possesses much excitement and enthusiasm when others succeed or have something neat happen to them. She's our family cheerleader. Even though her personality demands the center of attention, often, that is not what she is after. So even with her being the center of attention today she will still get so excited to see her sisters dressed in "pwitty dwesses" and her brother dressed in a suit (I don't think he's going to get out of that one since she will need a prince for the day).

What makes me even more excited about today is her getting to open her gifts. Gifts her siblings give her. Gifts that we spent HOURS searching for yesterday (even though this prego body so desperately needed to lay down but the kids just HAD to find their sister gifts . . . with their hard earned money). Seeing the faces of her brother and sister as she opens the presents they sought and bought. Seeing the delight of "it is better to give than to receive". Very precious.

So here's to a happy 4th birthday on the first day of a new year!

- it's blahg! MB

Haven't Blaghed Since Last Year

2009-01-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I haven't blahged since last year! What a slacker . . .

Oh, wait. That was just yesterday.

Corny. I know.

I'm weird. I admit it.

I used to not like my weirdness. I used to strongly dislike it.

Enter my greek god.

He likes. He really, really likes me.

So much so that he married me.

Yes. My weirdness was why he married me (although, I tend to think there were other reasons as well).

Or so he tells me.

Could be my countless riches.

Oh, wait, he doesn't know about those.

And he is no where near so shallow. He's a cool dude. I like him.

Was that not the weirdest New Year's post? I'm sleep deprived. Deal with it. (I hope that didn't sound rude. Didn't mean to be. I just struggle with social graces when I am pregnant.)

Happy New Year!

- it's blahg! MB

Coming Soon . . .

2008-12-31T08:32:00.000-08:00

Soon, very soon . . .

You'll get to see something my greek god has been working on for me: it's blahg.com!

- it's blahg! MB

White Elephant Gift Idea

2008-12-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

I think this would make the perfect "white elephant" gift.

- it's blahg!

People! Lots of People!

2008-12-30T19:09:00.000-08:00

Last night as our family was headed to the party store to pick up some plates and napkins for our nearing-4 year old daughter I asked her what she wanted for her birthday.

Her response? "People! Lots of people!"

- it's blahg! MB

What I Want To Do When I Grow Up

2008-12-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

Amy Scott linked to this story.

Since before this current pregnancy I've been telling my greek god that I am praying that the Lord allows us to adopt again. I long for it. Some women love to be pregnant and birth their babies and want more and more . . . I love adoption and want more and more. When we found out I was pregnant with Baby Tex I told Dan that I thought it would be so cool to get to birth this lil' guy and when he's one (or around the time of weaning) we adopt a little one. Much of this dream of mine (being able to nurse an adopted lil' one) hinges on me being able to nurse all the way through and not have to stop due to postpartum depression.

Throughout this pregnancy the desire to adopt, again, has grown stronger. I find it humorous that I am uncomfortably pregnant looking forward to meeting our newest family member yet longing for one after him.

It makes me sad to think we are done adopting. I know God's plans are better than ours so I rest in that and hope that I can be a big girl and not throw a temper tantrum if God says "No".

- it's blahg! MB

Happy 35th Birthday Greek God!

2008-12-12T05:48:00.000-08:00

Want to party?

Today is my favorite husband's 35th birthday.

We joked last night about the surprise party I was going to throw him . . . "Surprise! I'm not throwing you a party!" Ain't I romantic?

I, actually, had seriously thought about trying to . . . but being great with child (and I'm getting greater every day . . . isn't that great?) I just can't pull it off.

I don't know how many people actually read this blog. BUT I thought it would be fun to get as many comments wishing Dan a happy birthday as possible. Then he really would have a surprise party.

Sooooo . . . even if you don't normally comment and you are of the lurker variety would you, could you . . . leave a comment (you are free to even be anonymous . . . we'll just call you "Anne")?

Happy Birthday Dan! I love you Pookiebutt!

- it's blahg! MB

I Really Like Missy

2008-12-11T19:14:00.001-08:00

Here's one reason why.

- it's blahg! MB

You Only Push Bad Guys Down!

2008-12-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

As I was, quietly, trying to encourage our almost four year old daughter that she should be protecting her little sister and not pushing her down . . . we hear the voice of a small boy yell from another room, "You only push BAD GUYS DOWN!"

There are many, many things my children speak of throughout the day which they are allowed to do only to bad guys.

- it's blahg! MB

Annie Vader . . . Sing with me!

2008-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Va-der will come out tomorrow
Betch your light saber that tomorrow
Come what maaaay
Lil' Annie, lil' Annie, is Vader, Darth Vader
He's only a rage away

Huh?

- it's blahg! MB (revised by DC :0) )

A Good Chuckle

2008-11-25T22:41:00.001-08:00

Amy at Humble Musings has a link to a funny video. My greek god and I got a good chuckle out of it. I think I might just watch it again.

- it's blahg! MB

Ding Baby Has Arrived!

2008-11-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

Our dear friends, Evers and Lois, had their fifth blessing make her arrival on Thursday evening. Check out some of their fun pictures.

Lois has finally posted her birth story. I mean, come on . . . it's already been a couple of days and she finally just now has gotten around to it.

(Ain't I a 'tinker?)

Congratulations Ding Family!

- it's blahg! MB

Happy 5th Birthday!

2008-11-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was our lil' dude's 5th birthday.

In some ways all I can say is, "Wow."

Five years ago, yesterday, we didn't even know he existed. We received the phone call three days later that a precious little boy needed a foster home.

He had a rough first year. What a miserable baby he was. He had to be oxygen until he was four months old (this was after he stopped breathing in my arms and had a ride in an ambulance and a stay in the hospital). He wouldn't look us in the eye nor did he show any want for us until he was 9 months old. He whined incessantly.

Oh how I loved him, though.

As we celebrated his 1st birthday it was a time of sadness as we were preparing to have him leave our home to live with a birth aunt. I mourned. I did not want him to have to leave. Being "only" his foster parents we had no say. I just prayed (and cried), a lot.

To make a very long story short . . . he's still here! Much to our joy. Plans changed and his birth aunt made the case to the social worker that our lil' guy was better off with us. Thank You, Lord! We finalized his adoption when he was just over 2 1/2 years old.

He has been such a blessing. God has done amazing things in my precious son. This lil' dude, who did not show a desire for us, has become quite affectionate and nurturing. He loves his siblings. He loves to joke around. He is such a joy.

I love you Squeeky Boy! Happy birthday!

- it's blahg! MB

Woooo-hoooo!

2008-11-09T23:35:00.000-08:00

What a joyous day.

Connor and his family were able to attend church today! When he came in to the sanctuary our little people started pointing and staring. Not because of the usual reason kids do but because we have been praying for him and had not yet gotten to meet him . . . "It's him!" Both our almost 5 year old and almost 4 year old separately proceeded to pray for him. It was precious to see their excitement.

Throughout today, and into this evening, our 8 1/2 year old kept mentioning how wonderful it was to get to see Connor.

Very exciting!

- it's blahg! MB

Seven Years Ago Today

2008-11-09T23:02:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that seven years ago today we picked up our bouncing (literally) six year old son from his foster home.

It was a sunny and beautiful day full of excitement for my greek god and I (our then 17 month old daughter was clueless but all smiles) as we brought our son home to be a part of our family. As he went around hugging strangers (his new teacher and some of Daddy's coworkers) and we shopped for clothes and things to make his room "him" we had no idea what things would look like seven years later.

It's been almost a year since he has lived in our home. Not at all what I ever expected the day we brought him home. It never entered my mind that that could/would ever happen.

Today I am choosing to think of the some of the funny moments of when he first came. One thing that really brings a smile to my face is the memory of him climbing our walls. Literally. He used to climb the hallway walls. They are just perfectly narrow enough for a little boy of his, then, size to put his feet on one wall and hands on the other to climb up.

Yes, we actually let him do this for awhile. That is until he got heavy enough that when he would let go and come crashing down it became apparent that he might damage the floor boards. And our daughter was much more mobile by then and we feared he might land on her.

Another memory that has come to mind is how much he loved to make pizza with me. We joked for a long time about when he grew up that he would have a "Pizza Planet" (later we thought of names of a more mature sounding Italian restaurant that would be right next door to his jewelry store).

There are other happy memories sprinkled throughout the years that were so hard and I thank the Lord for that. For Dan and I it was very important since day one, with our eldest, to make happy memories. Happy memories help with bonding. One thing our family has had, and I am so thankful to God for, is the ability to have fun together. Even in the pit of despair last year at this time we were still able to have moments of fun.

Lord, I pray that you will continue to remind us and our eldest of the precious and fun times we have had as a family. I pray that those will help him to recognize how much we have loved him through thick and thin. Draw him to You, Lord, please and use any happy memories he has to help him to get a glimpse of how much YOU love him. I pray he would someday be in awe of Your great love and desire to serve You and honor You.

Amen.
mb

I'm Sorry I'm On the Phone . . .

2008-11-09T17:32:00.000-08:00

Sigh. It seems that ditzy moments are becoming a regular occurrence in my life. Not quite daily but a heap more than in "regular" life.

On the way home from getting together with our church family today I called Baja Fresh to order some food for us to pick up.

They are always nice and courteous but a lot of the time I struggle to understand the person on the other end of the line. Today the lady's accent was much more difficult for me to understand. I was trying to be gracious and make me sound like the one who had a problem and not her. I did a really good job! I sounded like an idiot. It was laughable. For reals. My greek god and I were laughing so hard at me. I still am chuckling when I think about it.

Now that I set the scene up to be one that you will be holding your sides for . . . I'll probably be getting the cricket crowd response after I share, but here goes:

Nice Baja Fresh Lady: Thank you for calling Baja Fresh, [indistinguishable, indistinguishable], order [indistiunguishable] . . .?
Me: Uh, I'm sorry would you say that again?
NBFL: Thank you for calling Baja Fresh of [location] would you like to order our new [can't remember the fancy-smancy name they had for the tacos]?
Me: No thank you . . .
[skip to more interesting parts of the conversation]
NBFL: [indistinguishable . . . something about my order]
Me: [trying to be extra nice] I'm sorry. I don't understand. I'm on a . . . phone . . . [DUH! of course I'm on a phone! And so is she!]
NBFL: [whatever she said I finally understood and answered her] Your order number is 14 and will be ready in about 7-10 minutes.
Me: Great.
NBFL: Do you know where we are located?
Me: [surprised because they've never asked that before] Um. Yes. Thank you.
[Pause]
NBFL: Ok. Where are we located?
Me: [No way! I think this lady thinks I've had one too many tacos! Laughing I told her the street.]
NBFL: [Satisified she hangs up. Did I hear her roll her eyes?]

The first thing my greek god said, laughing, when I got off the phone was, "I don't understand . . . I'm on the phone?" I had meant on a cell phone and it's hard to hear . . .

Hopefully I will remember my ditzy pregnancy moments with Tex for future laughter. Like when I am 80-something sitting in a rocking chair and the grandkids and great grandkids gather around begging, "Granny. Granny tell us more funny stories of when you were pregnant." (Because they'll really care.)

All I can say is . . . Tex best be one smart rootin' shootin' lil' toot for how many brain cells he's stealing!

- it's blahg! MB

Driving Crazy

2008-11-04T22:29:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a very serious attack of pregnancy brain.

Never have I had such an episode.

Now part of it had to do with me having some strong cramps and being distressed because I lost my cell phone (another pregnancy brain attack - last night was the first time I've ever lost my cell phone).

A friend had dropped me off at my car after a mom's night out evening and I had told her that I don't like driving at night while I am pregnant as I can get easily confused. But no big deal in this case since I knew exactly how to get home.

After getting in my car and realizing that my cell phone wasn't on my person like I thought it was I headed home. My cramps really kicked in, so much so that I was having to take deep breaths and wondered if I would be driving myself to the hospital (I'm only 5 months so this is too early to be doing this . . . but then I'm a weirdo and never do anything normal). So I'm driving on the freeway trying to deal with the cramps, wondering what in the world I did with my phone, and it's well past 11 pm. As I'm driving I started to wonder, "Since when are there really big trees along this freeway? Since when is that street on 85?" Oh no! I was on the wrong freeway. Doh!

Thankfully, I was able to remain calm and turn around and got home safely.

I think I'm going to pass on the "driving at night" for awhile.

- it's blahg! MB

ps- My greek god found my phone this morning . . . sitting on the floor under the steering wheel. Doh!

Obama Is First Democrat to Take Virginia in 44 Years

2008-11-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

My first thought when I read that headline was, "Where did he take her?"

- it's blahg! MB

Mary Poppins Wears Diapers

2008-10-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know that? Apparently, Mary Poppins wears diapers. I had no idea until my almost 4 year old daughter informed me of that last night. It's amazing the things preschoolers know that parents don't. Who woulda thunk?

I've been changing diapers for almost 8 1/2 years. Admittedly, there are days when I'm tired of doing so (not too often but from time to time). Yesterday I had one of those moments. I mentioned to my daughter that it was time for her to start using the toilet. In response to her "why?" I told her that she is a big-little girl (Quick history lesson for you: in the past when we've asked her when she plans on using the toilet she states, "When I'm a big girl." If we try to tell her that she is one she immediately responds with, "No I'm a little girl."). She eyed me for a moment and said matter of factly, "Weeeellll, Mary Poppins poops in her diaper."

Surprised I asked her to repeat herself. I then told her that Mary Poppins most definitely does not wear a diaper. She argued that indeed the super nanny did because there are stairs, doors, and a living room but there are no bathrooms [in the movie].

I was cornered.

Not too bad of reasoning coming from someone not even half my size. I had to pull out the big ninja move . . . "Mary Poppins is not real." Gasp. Did I really say such blasphemy?

The conversation petered out after a few rounds of "Yes she is. No she isn't."

Later in the evening when my greek god was doing diaper duty I shared the previous conversation. Our almost 4 year old daughter listened with a smile on her face. When I got to the part about Mary Poppins not being real our daughter piped up with, "Well her 'pwitty dwess is weal'. Mary Poppins is fake but her 'pwitty dwess is weal'."

Points for her.

- it's blahg! MB

"Did God Say, 'Yes"?"

2008-10-06T19:44:00.001-07:00

Our almost 5 year old lil' dude asked, "Did God say, 'Yes'?" as we were nearing Donner Summit. He was referring to whether or not he was well enough to not need oxygen.

We whooped and hollered and thanked God as we passed Donner Summit and our son's oxygen saturation stayed right at 92 percent (we don't want anything lower than that). We were all so excited.

After making a pit stop at the turn off for Lake Tahoe his saturation levels started to go lower. We finally had to put oxygen on him. He was not pleased with this but he complied. After feeling sick to his stomach and having low energy the oxygen finally made him feel better. So much better that Dan had to follow him around the playground and as he climbed the structures and such. It must have been a funny sight for those looking on to have a child tethered to an oxygen tank by a nasal cannula with the daddy climbing structures with him.

Even though we are not going to get to spend the night in Tahoe we are excited that we even made it to Tahoe this time. And he only needed half a liter per minute (as opposed to two liters per minute which is what the doctor prescribed). He's continuing to get stronger and we thank God for that. In answer to our son's question . . . it looks like it's "Not yet."

While in Tahoe we drove through Sugar Pine Point State Park where my greek god went every summer while he was growing up. Sigh. And where he and I got together. Heart flutter.

We'll be staying just outside of Sacramento, again, tonight. We'll go to Old Town Sacramento tomorrow for a big ol' honkin' field trip.

We are excited to see how much the Lord has healed our lil' guy's body thus far.

- it's blahg! MB

Tahoe Here We Come!

2008-10-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

*Warning! I did not proofread. Didn't have time.*

We are on our way to Lake Tahoe as I type. We are about 1 1/2 hours away.

Hopefully we'll get to stay there for the day and maybe the night.

This ALL depends on how our almost 5 year old son does. We have oxygen this time that we can give him if his oxygen saturation goes too low. We are praying that he has outgrown his airway malacia (though we don't think he has which is one reason we're going . . . this is strictly a medical test . . . that might be fun, too).

Please pray for our son's safety as we go up in elevation. We just saw a sign that there is road work on Donner's Summit and to expect delays. We have about 12 hours worth of O2 with us (unless he needs less). Not that I expect the delays to be 12 hours!

We've had some fun so far. Even though we got out of town much later than we wanted. Last night we stayed just outside of Sacramento at a nice hotel (that ended up being the same price as a Super 8 Motel AND we had a large yummy breakfast and better room). The kids were able to run around and be kids.

Alrighty. We just stopped the car to rearrange carseats and to get the pulse oximeter and oxygen set up so that we're ready.

We'll keep you posted.

- it's blahg! MB

Don't Be Like Becky

2008-09-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Brooke Shields is backing a very important message. Please be informed.

I'm going to watch this again. I'm sure I missed some important details.

- it's blahg! MB

Possible Baby Names

2008-09-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

Dan came up with a few possible for names for "Baby Tex".

Ha Ha Hall

Uphame Hall

Ryne Osser Es Hall

I think we have a long way to go before we pick the real one.

- it's blahg! MB

On A More Humorous Note

2008-09-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

After my sad post earlier today I thought I would share a bit of humor as that is one thing that pulls us through tough times.

Our kids crack us up (several times in the last week both Dan and I have had tears in our eyes because we've were laughing so hard at their antics). Their excitement for life is a delight. We enjoy hearing things from their perspective.

In the last couple of days, in particular, some funny things have been said.

Yesterday, as my greek god and I were discussing the economy and how some more banks are failing our children listened in. Our almost 5 year old son thought we said "the banks were falling down" and wanted to know who broke them and how they'd get fixed. We mentioned that they, our children, will be some of who will be dealing with the consequences and they are going to have to work hard.

Our 3 1/2 year old daughter was concerned. I was thinking, "How does she understand what we are saying?" She then said she did not want to help fix the banks because it would hurt her knees. She was thinking that we were all going to have to work hard to build the buildings.

Our children talked about going out back this morning. Our 3 1/2 year old is not allowed out back without our dog and one of her older siblings. As she waited for her brother the kids were talking about what to do if they were to get lost out there and if bad guys were to get them.

Our little guy being the technical and detail-oriented dude that he is shared in great detail what he would do to protect himself and his sisters. I encouraged them that they were allowed to be rude, hit, kick, bite and whatever else they needed to do to keep somebody from stealing them. And not to expect police or the fire department to save them (because they can't always be there to help us). Our 3 1/2 year old daughter excitedly chimed in that she would shoot a bad guy . . . with a purple gun.

Right now as I type I am playing "fetch" with my 20 month old. She is squealing and huffing and puffing as she chases after the little red and bigger green balls I toss. She keeps bringing them back for more. Fun.

- it's blahg! MB

Thirteen Years Old Today

2008-09-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Our eldest turns 13 today.

In our family the 13th birthday is a big deal. Not that any of our kids have gone through it before but we anticipated it to be. I suppose some of it has to do with my expectations as I turned that "magic" number. I expected something special to happen. That I would feel very different than the day before. Oh, something special happened alright. One could even say something "magical" happened. I woke up with a zit at the end of my nose. It was as though it was strategically placed there. Happy birthday. That's all. Nothing else different. Memorable, though.

We really had looked forward to this day for a few years now. Our son has joked, quite seriously (does that still make it a joke?), about wanting to wake up today with a zit on the end of his nose. He thought it would be so cool. If it does happen today . . . will he still think it's cool?

Our family has not anticipated number 13 due to wondering if something magical will happen. We have looked forward to it as a milestone. We see it as the entering into young adulthood. Some kids enter young adulthood before or after turning 13 so the number in it and of itself isn't necessarily significant but it gives us a target.

Though our family used to look forward to this particular 13th birthday with the anticipation of joy we did not know it would really bring us sorrow.

Today is a hard day. And it's only just begun.

He's not here.

Someone else will be handing him his birthday present (assuming the box gets delivered and opened today). We won't be bursting through his bedroom door this morning singing "Happy Birthday" and taking pictures of all the kids surrounding the birthday boy. We won't be watching his expression as he sees how we decorated for his special day. I won't be slaving away in the kitchen to make meals he'll ooo and aah over. We won't be eating cake (chocolate most likely) and ice cream with him.

This isn't the way it was supposed to be.

A lot of things are not the way they were supposed to be.

I'd like to run away today. Not by myself. I'd take my family with me. I'd like for us to run away together. I'd rather not deal with the emotions I have. I'd rather not deal with having to help my younger kids deal with today. Maybe we will run away. Maybe we'll go to the beach or something. Not that that would change anything except the scenery.

Our son is probably still coming down from the high of being at the beach and Disneyland for the last few days. Maybe he won't even think about us. But our family will be thinking about him. We think about him a lot. We love him.

I haven't written about him for a long time. I can't. It's too hard. If I do I cry. It's too painful.

This morning I decided I needed to do something different. I should be doing something with the energy I am spending on being in pain. Something worthwhile. Other families are going through "this isn't the way it is supposed to be" and I should be praying for them. As I think about it I come up with many families. Our scenarios and circumstances are different but the pain and loss is real.

Our supposed to be's are not what God has allowed us. He has other plans. Better plans? I have to believe so since Romans 8:28 says that, "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

God is good all of the time. I pray I will always trust that.

Thank You, Lord, for You are Good.

MB

Can I Have My Choking Hazard Now?

2008-09-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

Just moments ago, as our almost 5 year old son was putting his sandal-shoes on in order to go join his sisters outside, he asked, "Can I have my choking hazard now?" It took a second to register what he said. My wife and I had a good laugh as we realized what he said and what he meant. He was referring to those yummy white with red stripes peppermint candy. The kind that they have sitting on the front desk of restaurants. Now, can you tell that safety is a high priority for his mama?

- it's blahg! DC

Dan The Man

2008-09-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

He loves me, ya ya ya. He loves me, ya ya ya.

How do I know?

He just pulled up in the driveway with some pepperoni pizza from Round Table (the last honest pizza) for me. It's 10 o'clock at night. And he was given only a moments notice that "Baby Tex" needed some (so he called at 9:45 and they close at 10).

Thanks, Dan, you rock!

- it's blahg! MB

Lord, God, Almighty

2008-09-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Our 4 1/2 year old son has wanted to pray for Connor the last few days. Just a few moments ago he asked me if he could pray for him, again.

"Lord, God, Almighty . . ." Is how he starts his prayer. He then proceeded, as per usual, to tell the story of Connor to God.

He asked me, again, why Connor cannot move. I explained that he broke his neck and that is why he cannot move. "Lord, God, Almighty?" he asks. He wants to know if God is going to make it to where Connor will be able to move again. I don't know. We are waiting to see if God is saying "wait" or "no". Only time will tell.

I do hope that someday God says "yes". In my perspective that would be so wonderful. God is good all the time even when the times are not good. I continue to pray that Connor's family will rest in God's goodness. No matter what.

- it's blahg! MB

Break Dancing! Yow!

2008-08-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! Check out Connor's blog and his day today.

He might get to move to a hospital much closer to home and one his parents are pleased with, on Tuesday. And you've gotta check out the picture of him outside!

Praise God!

- it's blahg! MB

Check Out What Amy Has to Say

2008-08-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

I really like this post that my friend, Amy, wrote.

Someday, maybe I'll write my own.

- it's blahg! MB

ps- Be sure to read this post as well . . . it's about their new addition. I was break dancing in my head when we got word of his arrival.

Donut Day 2008

2008-08-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school for our local school district making today "Donut Day 2008" for this local Hall Family! Three of the kids picked donuts with sprinkles.

Party on.

We got a much later start than intended so it turned out to be "Junk Food Day 2008". We had to eat lunch before eating the donuts so we picked up some McDonald's on the way to the park. At least we had the "Big and Tasty" . . . it has the dark green lettuce and tomato on it.

We had a wonderful time at a park which had a train and a carousel along with a fun play ground.

The other day, in anticipation of Donut Day, our eldest daughter asked her uncle if he was going to get donuts on that day. He didn't know what she was talking about. I had to explain to her that is something we made up.

- it's blahg! MB

Taking Care of Their Sister

2008-08-25T23:22:00.000-07:00

Sigh.

Illness is back in our home, again. I will not take the time to complain here. Instead I will take the time to share some precious moments from Saturday.

Our 3 1/2 year old daughter got sick to her stomach while eating breakfast. Throughout the day her little-big brother (he's 13 months older) and her big sister took turns taking care of her.

Her brother would sit talking to her from time to time. Watching her. "I'm making sure she doesn't throw up," he would inform me periodically. Don't ask me what he would do if she started to.

Her sister would inform me when "special juice and crackers" (aka: Pedialyte and Saltines) were needed.

Sigh. Happy sigh that is. I love it when my kids are sweet, nurturing and caring to one another.

The next day, though her coloring was not back to normal, she was feeling better. And then her brother and sister took turns picking on her.

I do not love that.

- it's blahg! MB

Continue to Pray for Connor

2008-08-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

Please continue to pray for Connor.

He may be potentially moving tomorrow to a sub-acute care facility since his insurance says "he doesn't need the hospital anymore". His family wants the best place for him. There might be a facility 35 minutes from their home for him.

Thank you.

Synchronized Head Turning

2008-08-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

New Olympic Sport: Synchronized Head Turning

This weekend we set up the "rabbit ears" in hopes that we could watch some of the Olympics. It worked! Woo-hoo. (I only wish we would have known that they worked on Friday so we could have seen the opening ceremonies . . . we've survived.)

I really wanted our eldest daughter to get to see the gymnastics competitions. I hadn't thought about our other kids being interested in watching but they thoroughly enjoyed this as well. Our 18 month old even oooo'd and aaaaah'd at the synchronized diving.

I was excited about getting to watch some of the Olympics. What I forgot about (since it's been a heap o' long time since we've watched TV) is the commercials. Ooops.

That's where the new sport of synchronized head turning comes in.

Our team did phenomenal. If the Olympic Committee allowed perfect 10's they would have gotten them. But since that's apparently not allowed, they got 9.9's from the two judge panel.

I wish I had a video of our team's perfect performance. When something inappropriate came on the TV I would tell them to turn their heads. It was comical to see three little heads turn quickly away. Even more comical was how they held their heads still while waiting to turn their heads back. When I told them it was alright they turned their heads quickly back towards the TV . . . synchronized style. Very cute.

Another comical thing which occurred was our three younger ones trying to act out the gymnastics they had seen. It started with our 4 1/2 year old son saying, "I can do that!" as he proceeded to run a bit and slam his head down on the floor to do a nice summersault. Then our 18 month old threw herself on the floor wiggling around squealing in delight followed by our 3 1/2 year old kicking her legs up.

I'm figuring our synchronized head turning team will have a few more opportunities to compete.

- it's blahg! MB

Cramping is Better

2008-08-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

My cramping is much better today. It has only been mild today.

I had a few hour break last night and then it kicked in again around the time I went to bed. It eventually got better and I was only woken up once with them last night.

I am continuing to rest (thankfully, I'm not in bed all day so far today!) as it seems moving around (literally, just getting up to get water, etc starts them going again). My doctor responded quickly to my email this morning. She confirmed that all that we can do right now is rest and drink plenty of fluids. It is possible that I am just experiencing growing pains and only time will tell at this point.

Thank you for praying. I appreciate it.

I'm thinking this is going to be a somewhat humorous pregnancy and eventual labor ahead. I dubbed my last labor my "clueless labor" since I did not realize I was in labor until two hours into it. I was determined to not be so clueless this time around. I may not have a choice.

Since my cramps feel most definitely like labor pains I guess I shouldn't beat myself up or make fun of myself too much. On Christmas day, a few weeks before our current youngest was born, I cramped all day long. That cramping did nothing.

The three days before the Big Day I cramped at 8 o'clock in the morning each day for an hour. On the Big Day I started cramping at 8 o'clock just like the previous three days. It was only when it lasted two hours and started getting more difficult to concentrate did I realize that something might actually happen that day. Less than three hours later Chunky Monkey was born.

That's the short version of my short - TOTALLY ROCKIN' AWESOME - last labor experience.

Maybe some day I'll write the long version about that incredibly awesome-amazing,-rockin'- out of this world-I'm freaked out because there is no way in the world I could ever have a repeat of such an amazing experience- experience. Whew. Did you read that all in one breath?

Anywho. All that to say . . . I'm thinking this is going to be an interesting pregnancy.

Please pray for my greek god. He already has to carry so much weight as it is since I haven't been able to do very much thus far. With me cramping yesterday and today he's having to take care of the meals as well. More for him to do.

Hopefully, I'll be feeling better by tomorrow and can help take some of the burden from him. If not, please pray for patience for all of us - because we're gonna need it.

Thanks!

- it's blahg! MB

Cramping

2008-08-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

No. Not camping. Cramping. The first would be more fun.

I have been cramping since 1:30 this morning. They've been strong enough that I haven't been able to sleep or rest very well.

I did get a break around 6:30 am, long enough to actually go back to sleep off and on.

They seemed to have stopped around 10:30 am but I when I got up to get some toast and take some calcium magnesium they started up again.

I've decided not to worry since there is no point in it. There isn't anything to do but rest (both physically and in the Lord).

In my previous two pregnancies I began cramping as the welcoming ceremonies to my third trimester. I didn't expect to begin cramping until my third trimester this time around. I'm almost 12 weeks.

(Previously, I had been told that I might just have an irritable uterus. That ain't all that's gonna be irritable if this doesn't stop.)

We'll see. These are down right uncomfortable and I have to remind myself that this is way too early to be in labor (not that I am, just feels like it). I'm staying in bed today and hoping these will go away.

Hope I don't sound, too whiny. I'm not whining. Just complaining.

- it's blahg! MB

Update on Colleen

2008-08-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to give you a quick update on my dear friend Colleen.

Her D&C went well and she doesn't remember a thing (THANK YOU, LORD!). On Friday her HCG levels showed to have gone down (THANK YOU, LORD!).

She is supposed to get the results from the the biopsy this week. We are hoping sooner rather than later.

Please be pray:

That there is no cancer found.

That her body would continue to heal and recover.

A continued trust and comfort in God's goodness.

Thank you. MB

Please Pray for Colleen

2008-07-29T18:43:00.001-07:00

Please pray for my dear and precious friend, Colleen. A couple of months ago she started to miscarry. As it turns out this was due to a partial molar pregnancy. She continues to have complications and will be going in at 6 tomorrow morning for her second D&C. She has already received one shot of chemotherapy in hopes to prevent cancer which can stem from a partial molar pregnancy.

I ache for my dear friend as this road is hard both physically and emotionally.

Please pray that all will go well during her procedure tomorrow, that the Lord will give the doctors wisdom as they navigate through this situation, that she will not need another shot of chemotherapy and that this will not become cancerous, and that her husband, Brad, and she would continue to rest in God's goodness and comfort and His truths.

As they wade their way through this storm I also pray for emotional stamina and physical strength as they care for their adorable little girl (who's the same age as our Chunky Monkey and the two could almost be mistaken as twins).

Thank you, so much for praying.

I Can See People Now!

2008-07-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

"Mommy will you cut my hair?" My 4 1/2 year old son asked me yesterday.

My son has been in need of a haircut for a few weeks now. I haven't had the energy to do it plus I'm always afraid to do it. His hair is perfectly straight. To me the most difficult to cut since I can't hide mistakes like I can on my greek god, my eldest son, and eldest daughter.

When I was done cutting his hair his little sister said, "You can see people, now!"

He excited looked at me and repeated, "I can see people, now!"

- it's blahg! MB

Dr. Poo-Pooh and A Special Age

2008-07-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

After an uncomfortable night of lots of chills I woke up this morning to find that my white spots in my throat were almost gone. There was just a tiny one left. It's like taking the car to the mechanic. Hmmm. Do I go to the doctor or not? Well, having the feverish-feeling all night my greek god thought it would still be good to go.

Long story short. I completely wasted $30, precious sleep, and energy. Since I did not have white spots and did not have a fever at the moment there was nothing she could do for me. She completely poo-poohed me and just blamed pregnancy for the feverish feelings. She offered to do a strep test if I would feel better (but I know I don't have that so why bother?). It's frustrating because I know I am sick. Sigh. I'll just keep taking it easy and if the spots come back . . . I'll see a different doctor.

Oh! Right. The other thing I was going to say is that I'm assuming this doctor lacks empathy because when she looked at my throat she gagged me multiple times. Hello! Eight weeks pregnant! At one point I pulled away with wretched gagging sounds just for a break. She looked rather impatient and dove back in once I turned my normal color again. And then she started scraping my throat with the tongue suppressor . . . gag . . . gag . . . gag!

Moving on.

After that appointment I had an hour to kill until my "class" to fill out all of the prenatal lab work papers. A good thing, too. It took me awhile to walk there due to my lack of energy. When it was finally time to cross the street I was walking like I was 13 months pregnant. Thank you patient drivers! I had some time in the waiting room resting my head against the wall before I saw nurse.

In this meeting the terms "due to [my] special age" and "as we mature" were used when explaining why Kaiser wants me to take two sugar tests. I made funny faces and showed my shock when she said "special age" to me. Good grief. Once you hit 35 it's all down hill from there I guess. This old fogey will be waddling in no time.

Well. It does remind me of a quote I used to use in my signature for my email . . . "Women should not have children over 35. 35 children are enough." (Author unknown) I think I'm going to go back to that.

I ended up not doing my first geriatric sugar test today since I had been sipping lemonade all morning.

- it's blahg! MB

I've Been Meaning to Blahg

2008-07-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

I had intended to post about my first prenatal appointment last week but haven't had the energy. So here's the long tmi for you.

My appointment went well. Tex showed off his/her lil' beating heart and is lookin' good. I enjoyed meeting my new OB. We had a lot of laughs AND she's comfortable with me doing a home birth. Yippee.

I emailed my midwife that evening and found out she has room for me. Yippee, again!

I had a couple of really good days, as far as an early pregnancy can have, last week so we weren't too sure about that. Thankfully, one of those days was when I had my ultrasound. Seriously, didn't want to complain because I like to feel good but in my previous two pregnancies I never had a good day in the first trimester and that actually went into my second trimester. But I started feeling very nauseated on Friday night so the break was over.

Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a Homeschool Encouragement Day with a church family a couple hours from here. I really like those ladies. I attended their winter one a few months ago and have been looking forward to this for months. I was not so sure I was going to be able to make it since I had a wretched headache the night before and was nauseated when I woke up. I made it. I made it through the event, too. Thank You, Lord! I did have to put my head down on the table probably a third of the time and struggled with nausea (but thankfully had my anti-nausea bracelets with me). I figured I was in a room full of mamas so it didn't matter.

Even though I felt yucky most of the time I am really glad I was able to attend. As I stated before, I really like those ladies. They seem so down to earth and very welcoming. Since I am a people person and I get charged up by talking with people (although I have actually gotten rather anti-social in my previous pregnancies) during the break times I used heaps of energy and then kind of crashed during the sessions. I really struggle with being able to be mellow. Sigh.

After I got home last night my throat started to hurt a tad. I looked at it and saw some white spots. Light bulb went on. I have been feeling somewhat feverish for the last couple of weeks but have attributed it to early pregnancy and temperature control issues. I often wake up shivering in the middle of the night but can't keep a sheet on my long without getting too hot. Sounds sort of normal for beginning pregnancy to me. All of my exhaustion and weakness I have figured is pregnancy related as well. BUT now that I have white spots on my throat . . . hmmm I'm wondering if mono has struck again. I've battled the symptoms off and on over the years. I've also had a "swelling" feeling/pressure in right rib area which is where the liver is located and the liver can get enlarged with mono.

Anywho. I have a doctor's appointment in the morning so we'll see. I also have another appointment for filling out all of the prenatal stuff after that. Being as tired as I am that just doesn't sound like a fun day especially since my appointments are in different buildings and it's a decent walk from one to the other. I'll figure it out.

Oh! I wanted to share a funny tiny conversation between my 3 1/2 yo daughter and 4 1/2 year old son from Friday. Girl: Why is Mommy making eggs? Boy: Because she needs protein!

- it's blahg! MB

Please Keep Praying for Connor

2008-07-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Please consider checking Connor's site daily and continue to pray for him and his family.

Our family's heart is heavy for Connor and his family. Today was especially hard for them.

Thank you.

Never Give a "Thumbs Up" Sign to Your Kid . . .

2008-07-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

Parental advice #73: Never give a "thumbs up" sign to your son when you cannot really see what he is doing.

My 4 1/2 year old son came up to me moments ago with an arm load of toys and said, "Look!" The lighting is not the best in here at the moment so I thought he was just showing me his toys. He seemed somewhat excited so I gave him a thumbs up. He looked a bit confused.

As he turned sideways he said, "That's not right."

I then see the unicorn's horn up his nose.

Sigh. He was right. That's not right.

- it's blahg! MB

Daddy the Softy

2008-07-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

Our 8 year old daughter received the sequel to Disney's "Peter Pan" this past weekend from her aunt, uncle, and cousin.

Since she has never seen the original movie (I know, let the wet noodle whipping begin on her parents) my greek god went to the library this evening to borrow that to get her up to speed before seeing the next one.

My husband being the softy that he is ended up borrowing several videos. Why? Because he said he couldn't say "no" to the batting eyes and pleas of "Please, Daddy." It was cute to see his confession.

- it's blahg! MB

Locks of Love

2008-07-08T20:14:00.001-07:00

What fun!

The night before our family left Texas my 10 year old niece and I got our hair chopped and donated it to Locks of Love. I've gotten to donate my hair a couple of times before but this time was really special since I was doing it with my niece. What made a special event even more special was her doing it because last year we thought she would need chemotherapy and be in need of a wig. In God's graciousness she did not need to go through that after all. She decided she wanted to donate her hair for someone who needed some.

I was not quite ready to chop my hair yet (though had been talking about it for awhile) and my greek god really wasn't ready. I finally decided I wanted to do it before we left because I wanted to encourage my niece to do this selfless act and how could I if I myself did not do it? We convinced my greek god to give me the ok and with him having misty eyes some of us gals took off. After we cut our hair we went out and got matching shirts. Just for fun.

I am so proud of my niece and glad to have had the opportunity to do something special with her.

The minimum 10 inches

It's in the bag baby

Don't we look like twins?

- it's blahg! MB
ps- I plan to get some photos up from our trip soon.

Go! Go! Mighty Joe!

2008-07-07T21:53:00.001-07:00

Wonderful news that little "Mighty Joe" got to go home from the hospital.

Check out his mom's blog for more info.

Thank you for praying.

- it's blahg! MB

In My Womb Again

2008-07-06T22:17:00.001-07:00

Cue the "On the Road Again" music:

In my womb again

I got a baby in my womb again

Ain't tryin' to keep up with my heap-o'kin-friends

Just thanking God for blessing me, again.

(Now if I can just past the nausea and exhaustion . . . but whose complaining?)

Yehaw!

"Tex" (as we are affectionately calling him or her) has his/her first "photo opportunity" this Thursday. This will be my first prenatal appointment.

- it's blahg! MB

We Be Blahgyuen

2008-07-05T21:30:00.001-07:00

We be blahgyuen . . . beat beat beat . . . we be blahgyuen . . . boom boom boom . . . Come on all of you rappin' blahg readers boogie down. Yow! That's the nerdy white girl's version of it anyway.

A couple of weeks ago I got to see JillY during a big ol' honkin' get together in honor of her and her children. Our family enjoyed seeing them (bummer her hubby couldn't be there).

We met the Yuens in our Bradley birthing class a few years ago. We were the weirdies in the class since we already had three kids each. My first pregnancy and her first time wanting to go a la natural. They are a really cool family we only got to hang out with twice before they ditched everyone and moved to Colorado. We're not bitter.

It was great to see yuen'all!

Together we be blahgyuen.

- it's blahg! MB

Please Pray for Little Joe and Stephanie

2008-06-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

I was checking Rebecca J's blog and found out that Little Joe needs our prayers.

I had the privilege of meeting his parents a few months back.

And as I was checking Missy's blog I found out that a young mama is dying from brain cancer. Please pray for her peace and comfort during this time and for her husband and young children.

Thank you.

MB

Please See? or Mac?

2008-06-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

Let's just completely confuse the children shall we?

Sigh. Sometimes my husband's sense of humor . . . well . . . you decide.

Both our 3 1/2 yo daughter and 4 1/2 yo son struggle to get the "l" sound in words. When they say "Please see?" It sounds like "P - C?" So my husband responds, "No. Mac!" And on it goes.

So in an attempt to say it right today my son said, "Mac Goldfish?"

Great. Now we'll have to explain to people that when my children say, "Mac . . ." they are saying, "May I please see . . ."

- it's blahg! MB

Please Pray for Connor and Jay

2008-06-21T21:00:00.001-07:00

Please pray for a young man named Connor who had a diving accident while at camp at the beginning of this week.

Please also pray for a dad of six named Jay who has been in the hospital since May 25th.

Thank you.

They Were Oh So Nice To Us!

2008-06-21T19:58:00.001-07:00

We did not hear a peep from our kids until 10 this morning! Thank you Little People!

This has been a busy week as we got unpacked, cleaned the house, and tried to readjust to life back at home. I guess the kids have been just as tired as we adults have been (I suppose our heat wave may have played a role in that, too).

- it's blahg! MB

We're Home!

2008-06-15T13:32:00.001-07:00

We just got home a few minutes ago.

We are running faucets and flushing toilets. Yesterday marked four weeks of being away from home. This is surreal.

The Lord was gracious and merciful to us in keeping us safe from harm on the road. Two of the mornings we got a later start than anticipated which might have proved helpful to us since there were accidents which had happened earlier (don't know if it would have been at the same time we were driving through those spots, but . . .).

Thursday and Friday were really difficult days of driving. Bad moods, restlessness, etc. Yesterday was much better and if today had been any longer it would have been another yucky day of driving. Very glad to be done for now.

I'm sure there are more trip details I could share just to bore you but I'll save that for a time when you have insomnia.

- it's blahg! MB

Heading Home

2008-06-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

We left about two hours after we intended today (not too bad since we figured when we went to bed last night that we we wouldn't be able to leave today). It was hard to leave. We already miss the Texas Branch.

I'll write about some of the wild and crazy things we did last night and today, later.

Praying for a safe journey and enjoyable family time (please be praying for the same . . . my greek god has already pulled out the sunflower seeds and we haven't even been driving for 30 minutes!).

- it's blahg! MB

Mini-road Trips

2008-06-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove to Columbus (about 2 hours from here) to meet some friends half way who just moved to the Houston area last week. We enjoyed lunch with them followed by playing at a local park along a river. The guys tossed the football around in the sweltering heat. I think we managed to leave there without a major injury (including little ones picking up broken glass, etc). We are so glad that it worked out for us to meet up with them. We would have been so disappointed if we had to leave Texas without seeing them.

Today we went on a field trip with the Texas Branch to the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead which is located in the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. We left the house by 7:15 this morning so that we could make it in time to see the cow milked.

This living history museum was so cool. After we watched the cow get milked (and then her baby nursed) we followed the man over to a cabin to witness the separating of the milk. The machine he used was built a hundred years ago . . . and it still works (unlike things of today!) with only a little leaking. Since our group of little and big kids were clearly interested in what he was doing he held off on cleaning his dishes until after he took us to the kitchen to show us the next step.

In the kitchen, attended by a couple of woman dressed to fit the time period, there were a few bowls of milk from yesterday and the day before. He showed us butter, and whey, cottage cheese, etc. Their hot burning wood stove kept the kitchen on the warm side (it's hot today so I don't enjoy those ladies). After the gentleman finished showing us the kitchen we were giving a tour of the main house by "Miss Virginia".

In the three room house, which was across the breezeway from the kitchen, there were two bedrooms, entry way, and sitting room (which was reserved for special visiting guests only, including those young men who came to call during courtship, except for Christmas in which it would be decorated with a cedar tree complete with one gift per person the whole family spent time together in there). We saw the bed pans under the beds, the gowns little ones would wear until they were 2 or 3 years old (regardless of their gender), a curling iron which would be heated over the kerosene lamp, the collar Dad would add to his shirt if he was going to town, etc.

Our children were allowed to feed the chickens crushed egg shells (the chickens are fed these as a source of calcium . . . without enough calcium their eggs have soft shells - which we witnessed). They found this enjoyable.

After hanging out with the sheep and pigs amongst the yard, which also had the family garden, we took a walk further in the park.

On our way back to the vehicles my 4 1/2 year old son said, "I had fun with the guy in the cowboy hat." This is who gave us the first portion of the tour. I'm telling you, our two 4 year old boys were enthralled during the milk separating process (two of their favorite things: machines and milk).

After lunch (and much swinging on the swing sets) we piled in our vehicles to head out to find us some yummy Fredericksburg peach cobbler.

My greek god and his brother are at a business meeting right now. Tonight, we are hoping to go to dinner at Cracker Barrel before we head out in the next day or two.

I need to get up my little ones from their naps.

- it's blahg! MB

Are They Going To Kill Us?

2008-06-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

Last night our 4 1/2 year old son asked, "Are they going to kill us?" while we sat across the street from the Alamo. He was looking at the police officers and their guns. He heard us saying that "they will be shooting in a few minutes." What he did not understand, and we tried explaining to him, was that "shooting" in this context was for a film crew.

That got a good hearty laugh from our lil' group. I kept trying to assure him that they were "good guys" who were there for security and to help make sure no one got in the way of the cameras for the two minutes they needed an empty Alamo (it was for a commercial, apparently).

OK. Quick review of the past week. This is the first weekend since we've been here to be illness free! Woo-hoo.

We'll start with Friday, May 3oth: My greek god took our birthday girl and one of her sisters with him to get the cushions fixed (you know, the ones our 3 year old got sick on?). While they waited he took them to the Alamo and the Riverwalk to celebrate the birthday. I tried to have a good attitude back here at the ranch with a sick kid since it was originally planned that our whole lil' family would go together. Yes, I have some maturing to do yet.

Saturday (May 31): Celebrated our daughter's 8th birthday with the cousins. Most of the girls were dressed up in fancy-smancy dresses most of the day, tiaras included. In everyday plain clothes we went to pizza (tiaras still included) and then enjoyed presents and really cool cupcakes her Aunt made her.

Sunday (June1), after gathering with the Texas Branch's church family and naps we went down to the river to play.

Monday . . . I can't remember . . . was that when we looked at houses? I don't know.

Tuesday. Hmmmm.

Wednesday. Hmmmm. Oh right, I was an emotional basket case. Don't ask me why. It just happens from time to time.

Thursday was my turn to have stomach issues . . . oh wait. I already had my turn. Guess I liked it so much the first time I just couldn't live without a second. In spite of a very painful tummy the four adults went out on a double date. We enjoyed dinner in Gruene at some cool restaurant which seemed like a very casual version of a favorite restaurant in Capitola, CA. After dinner we saw the next Narnia movie. It was fun to get out and play. The gal next door, bless her heart, took care of the 10 kids here at home and even caught a scorpion . . . she's my hero.

Friday I watched my sister-in-law make a formal gown for her 12 year old daughter to wear for the piano recital the next day. She did this in two days folks. I'm not worthy . . .

Yesterday, Saturday, was three of our nieces' end of the year piano recital (fancy-smancy dresses included) and then off to the Riverwalk (yes! we finally made it!) for dinner and walking around. We made it to the Alamo five minutes before they closed. Superfast tour please. We sat across the street to watch them clear out the front yard of people so that the film crew could do what they needed. I'm not sure why no one asked for our autographs since we did such a fabulous job of sitting across the street out of the ways of the cameras. Oh well. Their loss.

We just got back from gathering with the Texas Branch's church family (at the home of a family who just had their newest family member join them in the middle of the night Thursday . . . brave people! - and an adorable baby, too!). Our little ones are down for naps (theoretically) while the bigger kids are helping my sister-in-law make ice cream. I'm wondering if they'd even notice if I stayed up here and just took a nap. Hmmmm.

I think we are headed home this week. Just not sure when. Since we are finally illness free it's kind of hard to leave. So much to do! Also, there are still things my greek god is learning about the business, etc.

Alright. You deserve and hot fudge brownie sundae (with the cool sprinkles on top) if you actually read through this entire post. Don't know why you'd want to, but congratulations anyway . . . and thanks.

- it's blahg! MB

Go To A Carnival Tomorrow And Help A Precious Family

2008-05-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

I have not been able to keep up with blogs I enjoy since we've been on our trip. Sorry to be getting out the news so last minute but I figured better late than never.

I was reading Rebecca J's blog and found out about this wonderful carnival benefiting the Davis family. I wish this was taking place while we were at home because I would love to be able to go!

If you are able to go it is tomorrow Saturday, May 31st in Oakdale, CA.

- it's blahg! MB

Happy 8th Birthday!

2008-05-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today is our eldest daughter's 8th birthday.

Eight years ago today I had no idea that my daughter was born. I found out about her three days later when I received a phone call that a newborn baby girl needed a foster home. She was only supposed to be with us for the weekend. I'm glad she stuck around.

Her cousins have been madly running around decorating the downstairs to celebrate. Tomorrow we'll have the official celebration, hopefully, since today is full of events for the Texas Branch. We're planning a princess party and maybe a tea party (we had a spontaneous tea party the other day complete with girls dressed in colonial garb).

Happy birthday to our favorite lil' Sizzletops!

- it's blahg! MB

I Spoke Too Soon

2008-05-30T09:42:00.001-07:00

Sigh.

The illness saga continues.

Last night, at dinner, our 4 1/2 year old son was really tired and did not want to eat dinner. Hmmm. This morning he woke up with a fever and not feeling well. So far no sickness to his stomach but his almost 4 year old cousin did get sick to his stomach this morning. Sigh.

My greek god and I were going to take our children out on the town (you know, like the Alamo and Riverwalk) to celebrate our eldest daughter's 8th birthday today. Instead my main squeeze is running errands and I am staying home with our lil' sicko. Our lil' guy wanted to go for a car drive but when I was helping him walk down the stairs he said, "Someone is shaking the house." Hmmmm. Not too sure it's a good idea to take a dizzy boy with a fever for a drive (even if we were going to bring a bowl). He just needs to rest.

I listened to his chest and back last night and it was clear except for a "floppy" sound . . . hope it's not his airway malacia and it's just my imagination. Regardless, he shows no signs of respiratory distress. I really wish we'd had room to bring the pulse oximeter with us. Note to self: next time find room.

I need to get upstairs to check on my handsome little dude.

- it's blahg! MB

Are We Done Yet?

2008-05-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Let's see. Where did our illness saga last leave us?

Forgive me if I repeat myself. I'm just practicing for when I am old.

Our 8 year old niece got sick to her stomach on Monday on the way to a birthday party. The birthday party hosts told us to join them anyway since it was outdoors. Brave people I say. I mean would you want two car loads of illness carrying people around you?

After our 16 month old daughter had a fever for three days she finally got sick to her stomach and then had a rash. We're pretty sure the fever and rash were Roseiola and the stomach thing was, well, the stomach thing.

So far no one appears to be sick today. Woo-hoo! We jumped at the window of illness-free opportunity and drove down to Vision Forum to kidnap my brother-in-law for lunch. He was pleasantly surprised.

Right now is nap time and things are calm for the moment.

I'm not quite sure when we are leaving here since we've spent over a week being sick. Our 12 year old niece laid it on thick to her uncle that we needed to make up for the time we've been sick and stay longer. My brother-in-law told my greek god that he still had some fun things he wanted to do with us before we leave, too. I guess we'll be staying awhile longer.

We have some friends moving to Houston this weekend so we're hoping to do go down there next week to see them. Assuming we can keep this illness thing gone, of course.

Thanks for checking in and thank you for praying.

- it's blahg! MB

Are We Having Fun Yet?

2008-05-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

No.

Sickness continues. Our Chunky Monkey has had a fever for a couple of days now, our 3 year old just got sick on their sofa so now we're trying to find a dry cleaner, our almost 8 year old isn't feeling well again, my greek god has been sick with a chunky cough, and I've been achy with a bad headache and cold/flu-like symptoms.

Please pray for my attitude. Please pray for protection for our hosts. Thus far they have not gotten sick. Thankfully. I'm praying they will continue to stay well.

Thanks for checking in.

- it's blaaaaaaaaahg! MB

Please Pray

2008-05-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

Just before two o'clock this morning as the adults were finally deciding to go to bed our almost eight year old daughter got sick to her stomach. This began a very long rest of the night.

I got up with her about 12 times before I officially got up this morning. Thankfully, the little people are still on CA time so that helped a lot.

My daughter has never gotten this sick with a stomach thing before. Poor girl.

I am praying, praying, praying that she will get well soon. Since 10:30 am she has been able to eat one and a half crackers, a few bites of banana and some applesauce along with half a small bottle of electrolyte. Her daddy is at the store getting some Coke and other stuff in hopes to help her.

I am also praying, praying, praying that no one else gets sick. There are 10 children and one pregnant woman in this house (besides three other adults). Please pray that no one else gets this. And if we do, please pray that we all persevere and that the Lord will protect the weakest in the bunch.

Thank you.

MB

We're Here!

2008-05-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

We reached our destination (imagine the "Tom Tom" voice - we don't have one but have used one so that's the voice I heard in my head when we drove up the driveway) yesterday around 5:30 pm local time.

This morning the kids slept in very late (according to Texas time but their bodies) and this mama is very, very happy about that. My lil' sweeties really needed sleep. Now I just need to get some sleep. As was expected the adults stayed up very late talking so we did not get as much sleep as we should have.

My greek god, our three little ones, and I went to the local feed shop (twenty minutes away) to get our dog her food I ordered (we didn't want to try to carry extra food with us in our already packed out car) and some flea and tick stuff (don't want those nasty things). We enjoyed the pretty scenery of the Texas hill country along the way.

My greek god is upstairs working while most of the kids are watching The Sound of Music. My sister-in-law is, hopefully, getting a much needed nap for her weary pregnant body, and here I am blahging. Exciting ain't it? It's fine by me to not have excitement right now. Mellow and calm is what I want at the moment.

Oh. While I have your attention I'd like to ask you to pray for wisdom and discernment. Our 4 1/2 year old son's breathing doesn't sound normal. So far it seems like just his upper sinuses and I'm hoping that is all it is. We did not bring our pulse oximeter since we did not have room in car so I won't be able to check his oxygen saturation if we get concerned. I'd like to stay away from seeking medical attention if is not necessary (which is why I wish we had our pulse oximeter - it has kept us from the E.R. several times). It might be allergies which he has never shown to have before (my greek god is starting to struggle with some).

Thanks for checking in.

- it's blahg! MB

That Was a First

2008-05-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

We are driving in an 80 mph zone and just blew past a state trooper.

A bit timid, hearts pounding, rechecking speedometer . . . can we really be doing this? Knowing we were not doing anything wrong we went for it. He didn't even flinch.

Yehaw!!!

I'm thinking he was out toying with people. I know I would if I were him.

- it's blahg! MB

Time to Get Up

2008-05-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

According to our bodies it is 5:45 am. According to Texas? It is 7:45 am. Get up lazy bones!

We are letting the kids "sleep in" this morning. We'll be getting them up in just a bit. I almost cannot bear the thought of waking them up. They haven't gotten much sleep in the last few days and it just seems croooo-el. I know! We'll get them back for all the sleepless nights they have caused us (like the night before last when Chunky Monkey got me up 6 or 7 times in the short night we had). Nooooo. I would never do that. They'd never understand. Ok. Even if they would understand I wouldn't do that.

We made it safely to Van Horn, Texas last night. Our new tires seem to be working well. The weird sound we were hearing long before we hit Phoenix only lasted a little bit at high speeds yesterday. The rest of the ride was pretty quiet (even going 80 mph for long stretches . . . I absolutely cannot believe that the speed limit was actually 80 mph - freaky and cool at the same time).

Ok. One more amazing traveling story. Anyone who has never traveled with children will probably be scratching his or her head as to why this is amazing. The rest of you? Be prepared to be amazed: Literally, right after my greek god and I changed seats and I began to drive my husband had a customer call. He spent I don't know how much time on the phone with him while working on the computer trying to train him. Ok. The amazing part? The kids actually weren't too loud. I know. I know. There was only mild bickering, an occasional protest, or cry (all accompanied by Mom snapping her fingers wildly and pointing as she glared at them through the rearview mirror). Over all they did really well. I suppose it helped that we put in "The Sound of Music" soundtrack and I told them they could sing as long as they did so quietly and only in their heads (some day they will be talented enough to sing loudly in their heads).

The kids have been doing really well thus far. Frankly, I'm in near shock (pleasantly so) and am hoping for another good day. What is especially amazing is that our two youngest only got out of their carseats for a diaper change yesterday. That's ten hours sitting in their seats. Their feet never touched the ground from the time they were placed in the car until we were in our motel room. They deserve a round of applause. Let's hear for the girls (boogie down as you read that).

Well. As much fun as it is to sit here talking to you I really must be going. Gotta open up the curtains and start singing, "Good morning! Goooood mooorning . . . la la la la". Or maybe I should sing, "The hiiiillllllssss are alive with the sound of muuuuusic!!!!" Or how about,"Riiiiiise and shiiiiine and give God the glory, glory . . ."?

If all goes as planned we'll be at our destination sometime today. I'm venturing to say it will be around dinner time. Oh wait. I'm in Texas now. Around supper time (spoken with a purty drawl not valley-girl-eese).

Ooooh! Room service! Breakfast has arrived. My greek god just left to get some more orange juice. You sooooo needed that information. Now you can have a really good day knowing that.

Added at 9:53 am: We're on the road now. Since it is about a six hour drive we figure it will take about eight hours to get there (pit stops and all). Yehaw!!!!

- it's blahg! MB

On the Road Again

2008-05-19T11:08:00.001-07:00

Just a quick entry since my greek god needs to get to work. We'll be changing seats as soon as he can get this computer from my Kung Fu grip.

We stayed in Phoenix, AZ last night with some very hospitable friends. These people are so cool, and dog loving, that they babysat our dog (even though they were hosting their Bible study group at the same time) while we went to Costco to get new tires on our car and a Trader Joe's run (my sister-in-law in Texas is pregnant and craving Trader Joe's goods and there isn't one of those fabulous stores in Texas).

Our time was short but sweet. We were on the road by 9:30 am (with the temperature at 95!) and we're hoping to get into Texas before having to stop for the night. If that doesn't work then we at least need to get as far in New Mexico as we can so that the final stretch of the drive tomorrow won't be too bad.

We haven't been taking pictures like we usually do on trips. At first, I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized that this isn't vacation. It's actually more like business trip that we all get to go on. So I'm not in "vacation" mode. Hopefully, though, I'll get my act together and start taking some more pictures.

Alright. I suppose I should give my hubby his computer to let him work.

Now I'm going to be in the driver's seat. Bwwahahahaha!

- it's blahg! MB

Gitup'n'Go!

2008-05-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh. That was a nice nap.

We got to bed just before two this morning. I did not sleep well. Not surprised. I was awake by five and got the two older ones up for breakfast by six.

My greek god and the two youngest were difficult to wake up. Everyone is up and excited for the new day (don't really know if the excited part is true but it sounded optimistic).

We're heading out soon to Phoenix, hoping to beat the heat before getting to our friends' house (it's already hot outside).

It's pathetic that it's almost three hours from the time I woke up and we're still not on the road. I have no idea why I would be surprised.

Since we only used one of the three portacribs we're almost ready to go.

- it's blahging from I-10 in Banning, CA! MB

"It's really long to Texas."

2008-05-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

Stated by our disappointed four year old son when we were stuck in traffic.

- it's blahg! MB

Blahging to you LIVE! from the 605 . . .

2008-05-17T23:27:00.001-07:00

. . . Ok. We did not ever actually get on the 605 but we passed the exit and it sounded good. We're actually blahging now from I-10.

Our three year old started feeling a lot better. Since we felt strongly that it was something only wrong with her we decided to go for it.

Rooooaaadddd trrriipppp! Yehaw!

We left home only 3 1/2 hours after we originally planned on. Unfortunately, we did not get to say "good bye" to my parents on the way out since we were running so behind schedule.

We were able to drop by the birthday party since it was on the way out. What a fun way to start our trip.

I think we have about an hour left before we reach our destination for tonight. Since we got stuck for at least 30 minutes in traffic just before LA (yes, at 10 o'clock at night) that put us behind even more.

The kids have taken mini-naps and now our littlest one is beginning to whine and get fussy. I'm about to, also. I want to be done driving!

So far the dog is doing alright, just a bit stressed.

We were getting close to becoming a bit lost in the freeway changes and my greek god asked me to get the computer up and running to get better directions. It took fooorreevverr for it to start up. BUT God's timing was absolutely perfect. Literally, just as I was looking at the directions and seeing which freeway to take to get to I-10 my greek god mentioned an upcoming exit just moments ahead, which ended up being the one we wanted. No getting lost this time around.

I'm going to sign off so I can console my miserable baby. Please pray that all will go well with checking into the hotel with all of us and our dawg (it's supposed to be pet-friendly, but we'll see if 105 pound mini-ponies count).

Thanks for checking in. I hope to update you in the morning.

- it's blahg! MB

Ready. Set. Go! Screeech! Not so fast.

2008-05-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

By ten o'clock this morning we were almost completely packed and ready to go. All we needed to do was get a few last minute things together (oh, and yard work, too) and get the little ones up (they slept in late this morning).

We had only an hour left before our anticipated departure time.

Unfortunately, we hit a glitch.

Long story short: Our three year old daughter has gotten sick to her stomach twice. She seems to be feeling much better right now so we are evaluating whether or not we should try to go. She randomly gets sick to her stomach and no one else gets sick. The bummer is (besides my daughter being sick) that we are missing out on a birthday party we really wanted to go to on our way out to big ol' honkin' Texas.

Stay tuned to see when our "Yehaw . . . trip" really begins. Or has it already? Are we there yet?

- it's blahg! MB

Yehaw! Y2K+8 Trip Test

2008-05-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Testing, testing, one, two, three . . .

Only a couple of more days before our trip, Yehaw!

We are out and about running errands and right now we are trying out some of our mobile device capabilities. Our computer is plugged into a power source in the car to keep it juiced up and we've got our EV-DO for internet access. I'm blaghing as we drive down the freeway (greek god is driving and I'm feeling sick to my stomach). Now my hubby can work while we drive through the barren desert and I can blahg if I ever get the computer from his Beowulf grip.

We've also got our panting 105 pound nervous dog squeezed in.

Now back to Kaiser to ask them to give me a different asthma inhaler which does not contain sulfa in it since I'm allergic to sulfa. This is my third trip to Kaiser in about 24 hours.

Alright, signing off for now.

Beep beep! Yehaw!
mb

Nerdy Homeschoolers

2008-05-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today work was actually a bit on the slow side for my greek god (ah refreshing, given that he's been working 11 hour days a lot most of the last couple of months) so we had time to go to an RV show.

Field Trip!

Seriously, we considered this a field trip. And that is exactly what we told the sales guy who inquired, "Schools out already?" To which my greek god responded, "This is school." And I said, "It's a field trip."

It will probably be the last one we go to for a long time. Why? Not because we have absolutely no means to pay for these amazing homes on wheels. The answer is a bit more complicated than that.

We probably won't be going again for a long time because it failed to meet the nostalgic factor. Years ago when I was just a youngin' my family went to one. I was filled with awe and wonder. It was so much fun. They had the RV's set up with the outdoor "living space" including the green turf.

It was fun to look at the different units, especially one in particular that this nerdy homeschooling family was drooling over. It was a fifth wheel toyhauler with plenty of room for a heap of kids and a year's worth of educational supplies. In the "garage" portion it had plenty of windows and playing space. Kids could play and work with a door separating them from the front portion of the unit so that Dad could work with not too many distractions. The "garage" could then be used as a bedroom. Oh the endless possibilities. We must have stayed in that unit for about 20 minutes just dreaming of the year we'd love to "take off" and roam the country educating as we go. Sigh. It was pretty cool.

Anyway, back to reality. It was fun for the kids. That is until they were no longer allowed to go into the different RVs because they kept touching with out getting permission. (Shocking, I know. My kids are impulsive and disobey. Sometimes. Usually, they are angelic. It's a good thing they act they way they do sometimes, in disobeying that is, so that I can some sympathy and give a knowing nod to bewildered parents of normal children . . . OK. Just in case this isn't clear . . . I'm joking!) It was just about time to go anyway at that point. We'd been there for almost two hours and I was going to get myself into trouble soon by touching without permission.

- it's blahg! MB

Rooooaaaad Triiiiiip!!!

2008-05-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

Vroom. Vroom. Get your motor runnin' we're making plans for our "Yehaw! Y2K plus 8 Road Trip".

I was going to do a separate blahg for it but since it won't be anywhere near the scale of our 2006 big ol' honkin' lil' trip my greek god talked my into just doing it here. Sigh. Oh alright.

Instead of driving Providence we'll be driving our trusty minivan (help us to pick out of name for it and we'll send you a postcard - it's a silver Honda). All six of us and our 100 pound dog. And did I mention the three portacribs? And no roof rack? And that we are driving to San Antonio, Texas? And that we'll have to find motels which will accept Clifford the Big Red Dog?

Stressful? Nah! Adventure. Okay, stressful. But it's what's on the other end that makes it well worth it. The people. We'll be visiting the Texas Branch. It'll have been two years since we've all seen them as a family. Plus we should get to see some friends along the way.

We'll be leaving . . .

Ahhh, you'll have to stay tuned. Can't tell you everything right now or you might not come back.

Yehaw! (Said with a whip cracking in the background.)

- it's blahg! MB

A Date! A Date!

2008-05-09T19:00:00.001-07:00

Wwhheeeeee!

Last night my greek god and I went on a date. The first one in more than six months (as far as I can recollect that is being conservative). Some precious friends of ours came over to sit on, I mean to watch, our children.

Our kids were so excited about us going out (ok, I think they were more excited to have the M family and their baby come). They talked about it for a week. Our eldest daughter gladly gave up going to Awana even (when she heard of our opportunity she said, "Oh! I'll miss Awana for that!"). Very sweet.

We had a nice time. Sushi, a walk by the lake, a bookstore. As my excitement grew throughout the week I knew I shouldn't get too excited because it would come and go so fast. Thankfully, we enjoyed our time even though it did go by too fast. Being the old married type that we are we came home just before ten. I suppose we could have stayed out longer but we ran out of ideas and we wanted to hang out with our friends a bit before they needed to go home.

Thanks M Family. You guys are cool.

And, yes, he did kiss me. Blush.

- it's blahg! MB

"I know, I know . . . "

2008-04-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last week while I was helping my three year old daughter deal with a very painful "owie" she kept quietly saying "I know, I know . . ."

At first I couldn't figure out what she was saying and then I couldn't figure out why she was saying it.

Finally, I realized why she repeated "I know, I know . . ." over and over again.

She was telling herself what Mommy says to her. I say that to my children when they are crying and I am comforting them.

There are so many "little" things which we do and say around our children which we have no idea they are catching onto.

- it's blahg! MB

Oooooh! Getting Closer!

2008-04-22T22:36:00.001-07:00

I just checked the flight status for my greek god and the plane is "arriving". Woo-hoo. It seems like days since I've seen him.

Oh wait. It has been.

- it's blahg! MB

Pray for Baby Jones Arrival

2008-04-22T21:53:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning the Jones' newest addition should be making his or her debut. Please pray for Rebecca and Baby Jones.

What an exciting time.

Lord I ask for protection for both Rebecca and sweet baby. I pray that you will give the family a restful night's sleep and that Rebecca and Tom would feel peace going into tomorrow. I ask that the doctor's would do a fabulous job during the surgery and that Rebecca would heal quickly. I thank You for this beautiful blessing to their family.

- it's blahg! MB

Texas Man Parts II, III, and IV

2008-04-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Condensed version:

- My main squeeze comes home late tonight. Yeha!

- We survived, thus far. (Ok, we didn't just survive. Things went pretty well with a few exceptions when I really wished my greek god was here.) Yeha!

Now that was a quick update!

Ooooh! My man is Skyping me write now from Vegas. Gotta go!

Thank you for praying.

- it's blahg! MB

Texas Man

2008-04-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Today is day one of my greek god's trip to Texas. We all got up before the rooster crows (actually, I don't know what time a rooster crows given that I don't live near one but I thought it sounded cool to say that) to get my hubby to the airport. Today was one of his older brother's 40th birthday party and he got to go (thanks to his brother's best bud for giving him a freebie ticket so he could go!!!). His brother was surprised to see his best bud and his "little" brother show up for the party. Very fun.

I have been wanting to figure out a way for my greek god to go but nothing was working out. I just didn't want to give up. And then the freebie offer. Thanks, Sven! You rock! Hey that would make a great company name: Sven Rox. Have you ever thought of that? Wink.

Anywho. The rest of us headed back home after the early morning drive to the airport. I had considered being completely insane and join some friends at UC Davis' picnic day but I'm glad I decided against it given that by 8:40 this morning we were all down for naps (and there was no protesting from the kids . . . they were tired folks). Since I am going to venture braving heading over to gather with our church family tomorrow, without my greek god, I figured that being gone all day today and then having an almost two hour drive home wasn't going to help us be in good moods tomorrow. Given how tired we were (three of us napped a second time today) I, thankfully, made the right decision. It would have been fun, though. Maybe.

On another subject . . . please continue to pray for our family. We had a rough week. Our eldest daughter is having a really difficult time right now. Thursday was the worst, so far. I can't even explain it. It was such a hard day that I cried with her and then I needed my mommy and daddy to help me (so I went over there and cried a bit). Thanks Dad and Mom!

Ooh! Ooh! My greek god just called me. Sigh. Flutter. Flutter. After 13 years of marriage one might think that I wouldn't get excited to have my man call me. Sigh. But I do. I do.

Ups and downs. There you have it.

Thanks for checking in.

- it's blahg! MB

Silence

2008-04-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I last posted.

I have not felt up to it. Do not know what to write. So much going on in my head I just do not know where to begin.

Things have been going alright. Given the circumstances. Life is hard. NOTHING like some of what we went through in the past year, though. Just lots of things to work through.

Last week I finally bit the bullet and cleaned out my eldest son's bedroom. Packed up all of his stuff in boxes for safe keeping and ready for him whenever he wants them. Whew. At first it was hard. Very final. It got easier as I went along (not easy, just easier) because I know my other kiddos needed me to do this. We had not done this sooner since we have been waiting for his more "permanent" situation to open up. Unfortunately, that has fallen through. I sobbed when I got that news. I thought it was the almost-perfect place for him. I thought he would absolutely love it there and it would be good for him as well. God has other plans. Not sure what they are.

Though our son's future is not clear one thing was for us: We need to move on. We need a fresh start. One of the quickest ways to do that, to begin with, is rearrange bedroom assignments. Our eldest daughter is glad. She's glad to have her old room (which has been hers most of her life) back. That is not the only reason but the most simplistic.

We had originally planned on visiting our son every other week. For our daughter's (and, well, the other kids, too, but mostly her) sake we won't be. At this point we do not plan on having her visit him until she asks to. It is a long story but Easter weekend was our "testing point". Long story short: After Easter weekend with him our eldest daughter's behavior was very difficult for a solid week. Her heart was so hard. After the week she started softening. By two weeks she was beginning to verbalize how she felt. Through this my greek god and I came to the decision that is was not in her best interest to have her visit with him until she was ready.

So. We haven't visited yet. My greek god and I need to soon since it's been three weeks since we last saw him. When we do go? We'll be having her go have a heap of fun somewhere.

This breaks my heart. It is hard for my greek god and I. We are adults who understand a whole lot more than she does. I can only imagine how difficult this is for her.

Please pray for us as we seek to do what is best for our family. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for us. Please pray that we will fully trust the Lord and His goodness.

Please pray for our son.

If this entry is coming off as though I am (as "Anne of Green Gables" would say) in the depths of despair . . . I'm not. Being the dramatic person that I am there are times when I, unfortunately, come across freaking out or something when I am not. I am sad. Very sad. I have stress. A lot of stress. I definitely want to run away. Move to, like, Texas or something. Or go on a big ol' honkin' trip. I am struggling with some depression. But I'm not in despair. Just so many thoughts and responsibilities weighing hard on me.

God is good. All the time. I trust Him. I pray that I always will.

Thanks for checking in.

Thanks for praying for us. We need it.

- it's blahg! MB

A Baker's Dozen

2008-04-02T21:23:00.001-07:00

My thirteen roses.

For our wedding anniversary my greek god gets me a rose for every year we are married. Since things have been incredibly busy around here tonight was his first opportunity to get them for me. I don't mind. I see it as extending the celebration.

Happy 13 years to my hunka-hunka-burnin'-luva!

- it's blagh! MB

What Am I Seeking After?

2008-03-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Trials.

I've learned to dread them. That's not good. I'm not supposed to but I am a wuss. I don't like the pain. In the first chapter of the book of James we are told to have joy when we are faced with trials because they are good for us and help us grow giving us perseverance and endurance. I cling to the part about them being good for me yet I struggle with what "joy" looks like in the midst of them. I am starting to learn what that means but I haven't learned enough to share verbally with anyone what that is. Sigh, which means I have more learning to do.

The Lord has been gracious in giving us a calm right now in the midst of the biggest trial we have faced thus far. Oh how I hope and pray the violent thrashing waves we went through last year stay away. A mild wake in the ocean of this trial would be appreciated. That's coming from my human perspective. That's because I am so frail and fragile right now.

I seriously contemplated walking away from it all last summer. To turn my back on God and say "forget this". But God being the tender, gracious, and merciful God that he is did not let me go. Thank You, Lord.

Though I am fearful for the future (sigh, worrying is something I gotta give up) I try not to think about what is to come. For one thing, it's really lame for me to do so. I am not trusting God. For the other, I need to enjoy this calm and rest.

I still haven't learned what it really means to rely on God in the midst of it all either. I think that's the other thing that frightens me. Since my wounds are still so deep from the thrashing around of this storm I fear I will not be strong enough for the next thrashings. That's part of the struggle. Last summer in the midst of the darkest part of this trial, thus far, I really really wanted to trust and rely on God but I might have been relying on myself to do that rather than allowing God to do it. Does that make sense? It doesn't make sense to me. I'm just working this out.

My how easy it is for one thought to turn into many others. I was prompted to write a "quick" post after reading a chapter in John Piper's book of meditations, Pierced by the Word, this afternoon. Something he said really struck me. He was talking about when Lazarus died and Jesus did not come right away. He waited. ". . . He was in no hurry to immediately relieve the grief. Something more was driving Him." (p 14)

Jesus was in "no hurry to immediately relieve the grief"? John 11:4 says, " . . . It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Dr. Piper writes about how many people today, including Christians, would consider Jesus to have been callus for "letting Lazarus die and putting him and Mary and Martha and others through the pain and misery of those days. " (p 15) Piper mentions how many people today would consider Him harsh or unloving for Jesus to have been motivated by His desire to magnify the glory of God.

"What this shows is how far above the glory of God most people value pain-free lives. For most people, love is whatever puts human value and human well-being at the center." (p 15)

In my early college days I was oh-so-intellectual pondering "What is love?" I came up with some pretty good thoughts, you know for an 18 year old girl who did not really know how to think. (note: I think there are a plethora of 18 year olds out there who know how to think, I just didn't.) Dr. Piper has a better answer: "Love is doing whatever you need to do to help people see and savor the glory of God in Christ forever and ever. Love keeps God central. Because the soul was made for God." (p 15)

Joy in suffering. It's not all about me. It's all about God getting the glory He is due.

In the midst of the early months after my first pregnancy and the middle of the night feedings I really wanted sleep. (I struggle to be a rational and nice person when I don't get enough sleep, in case you were wondering.) For awhile I was begging the Lord to have my baby just sleep through the night. To end that hard time. It finally hit me one day that I should not be begging for the Lord to take my difficulties away but to be seeking perseverance. I determined that I would beg the Lord, if I had to, to help me press on. At four o'clock in the morning I had my first opportunity to practice. Let me tell you I BEGGED for perseverance. It was all I could do. I sat there rocking back and forth repeating, "Perseverance, perseverance, Lord please give me perseverance." And He did. Many times. This helped because my focus was not on trying to get out from under the trial but to to stay under it (hupomone greek for "a patient enduring" according to our big fat NAS Exhaustive Concordance).

God is not necessarily going to give me immediate relief (or maybe no relief at all) and I must hupomone (actively endure, stay under, persevere). All for the glory of God. Thinking of this might help me in the midst of my next thrashing.

- it's blahg! MB

Missionary Life

2008-03-27T20:35:00.001-07:00

My friend Amy has a couple of posts, Esta and Musings on Missionary Life, which I thought you might be interested in reading.

- it's blahg! MB

Then and Now

2008-03-27T18:49:00.001-07:00

Friday, March 24, 1995

Monday, March 24, 2008

Just the two of us . . .

plus five!

13 Years! Woohoo!

2008-03-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

This past Monday my greek god and I, along with our five kiddos, celebrated our thirteen year wedding anniversary. Maybe I'll post some "then and now" pictures sometime (and then, again, maybe I won't).

We had our celebratory lunch in San Juan Bautista as we headed down south to take our eldest back to where he lives. (By the way we had a pretty good visit over the weekend with him and it was wonderful for this mother hen to have all of her chickies together again. Thank you for praying. Please keep praying for him.) After we dropped him off the rest of us stayed in a neat hotel in Paso Robles. I am hoping my greek god and I will get to go back there someday. Just the two of us. It was a relaxing time with the kids (I'm sure that sounds kind of like an oxymoron to some, it would be to me too if I had not experienced it.) before heading back into the real world.

Last night my 7 1/2 yo daughter and I were looking through honeymoon pictures. It was fun to look at the little album I had made for my hubby for our six year anniversary. I had no idea that so much time had past since I had made that (shows you how much we look at that, huh?). I'd like to go to Maui again someday.

I am hoping to get to post some pictures from the weekend but I get very little computer time, so we'll have to see.

Thanks for checking in.

- it's blahg! MB

Coming Home for Easter

2008-03-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

We're headed down south to bring our eldest home for Easter weekend.

Please pray all goes well.

Thanks!

- it's blahg! MB

Kiss Me I'm Irish

2008-03-17T22:40:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our house to yours.

- it's blahg! MB

Blog Names

2008-03-15T21:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I think my life is so much fun. I mean how can it not be when I sit around thinking up blog names?

Here are few that I actually signed up with Blogger to have (I have some that I might have go "live" someday as well, but you'll have to wait for those):

"It's Totally Toile Y'all - What's Toile Got To Do With It?", Blahg Hawg, "irish blahger - all things not so irish and not so blah(grrrr)", and "the gassi blogger - because sometimes life just stinks"

I'm going to be deleting all of those except for the gassi blogger (that one is a keeper - don't know what for, yet, though).

I've thought of some others, too, which were already taken:

quarter irish, controlled chaos, and on the road again (we're itching to head out again)

Any blog name ideas you want to share?

- it's blahg! MB

Just Soak 'Em

2008-03-15T20:44:00.001-07:00

Beep. Beep. Beep. B-beep.

SOS - Calling all ladies who know their wholes grains.

Have any of you heard about soaking whole grains to reap the benefits of eating them? Have you heard anything about us eating whole grains which have been improperly prepared being as bad for you as the refined junk out there?

I came across some information last night that peaked my curiosity (Kimi Harris' The Nourishing Gourmet was the first place I heard of this and then I found this article tonight which I found interesting but not sure about the accuracy of some of it's historical information stated). And as a wife and mama who has spent years trying to make sure her family is well fed and taken care of I'm stumped.

I'm so not into following diet and eating plan fads. I pick and choose what sounds reasonable and practical. For years and years we were told to eat non-fat foods, etc. Only recently have I been hearing more and more that it's the whole fats and foods which are good for you. Looking at older generations (oh like my granny and my hubby's grandma who are 91 and 90) who ate stuff our generation may shudder at because "we know better", like the lards, etc I think they are and were a heap healthier than our generation is because they didn't have all of the yuck in their foods that we do. Their foods weren't processed like ours.

So here I am baking with whole wheat. Only buying whole wheat breads. Because it's supposed to be better for us. And I do believe them to be. BUT if they aren't processed the right way (like soaking the whole grains and letting them ferment and such) they are just as bad if I were to be feeding my family Wonder Bread?

I've tossed the idea around about getting a mill and grinding my own wheat for a while now. Yet from what I've been reading if the flour isn't soaked and prepared properly I might as well by myself some of that yummy Wonder Bread and save myself the trouble.

If it's true that we are supposed to soak our whole grains then that adds yet another step to my daily chore of caring for my family. Not that it's that much more work in and of itself but just more planning ahead.

It's been interesting. I have been so incredibly frustrated with how sick my family has been over the past six months. Sheer and utter craziness. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out why in the world they have been so fragile and easily sick (taking into account that this year has been a particularly bad flu/cold season). I expressed my frustration to our pediatrician the other day at my two youngest girls' well child check ups. They eat well, take vitamins, getting plenty of rest, etc.

I started thinking they act as if all I feed them is junk. And then I come across this information last night about the need to properly prepare our whole grains in order to have them actually nourish us. Could this really be the culprit?

Oh! The other thing I read was that some people with some food allergies and gluten allergies, etc . . . they may not actually have to avoid whole wheats, etc after all if the food were to be prepared properly. No way! I've wondered why it seems more and more people have these allergies and diseases in this day and age as opposed to not hearing about it years ago. Hmmm.

Since I don't have a heap of time to do research I think I'm going email Mrs. Harris for more information and ask you ladies (I don't think I have any male readers, but if you are one you are welcome to share your wisdom as well): What do you know? Have you done any research? Can you point me the direction of reliable sources, recipes, etc?

Thank you for any help.

- it's blahg! MB

Chuckle Chuckle

2008-03-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Um. I think this is pretty funny. I found it through the girltalk blog.

- it's blahg! MB

We're Doing Better

2008-03-13T21:23:00.001-07:00

Thanks be to God. There are still chunky coughs but we are doing much better.

- it's blahg! MB

Rule #12

2008-03-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Avoid bouncing when tired.

- it's blahg! MB

Growing Like Weeds

2008-03-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to all of you mamas of wee little ones feeling buried under the seemingly endless baby paraphernalia, diapers, etc.

It may seem like it is lasting for years (and for some of us, it does) but it really is for only a season.

We've only been parenting for almost eight years so we are still in the thick of it. BUT my my how overnight seasons change.

I've recently realized that my toddlers are not toddlers anymore. They are preschoolers! When did that happen?

Our double stroller, which has served us well for the last four plus years, is just about to be placed in storage replaced with the single stroller we only needed for a short season several years ago. The toddlers, er um, the preschoolers can still squeeze into it (like for our recent walks while all children here at home were too sick to walk - yes we even put our 7 1/2 year old daughter in an umbrella stroller) but only if really necessary.

A handful of minutes ago I cleaned up my four year old's junior chair and placed it in the corner waiting to be used by a guest since he prefers to sit in a real chair. If we had enough chairs for our table my three old would graduate, too, but she'll have to wait a little while.

My toddlers. Doh! I did it again. My preschoolers can dress themselves when they want. They've even tried taking care of taking off and putting on their own diapers. Quite humorous (and painstakingly long) to watch.

I only have two people in diapers during the day now (everyone at night thus far but I'm OK with that).

My 14 month old daughter (14 months today!) can feed herself her snacks of peas and cheerios. We're still working on her hydrating herself but I'll settle for what I've got right now.

If I spent the time to think about it I'm sure I could come up with more. Those are just off of the top of my head.

As I was thinking about our own family and how the seasons change I was thinking of our dear friends who are currently enjoying life in Maui this week. With their four kids. All under 6 years old. I'll bet two years ago when she was still pregnant with their youngest they never dreamed they would take a last minute vacation like this.

Not that we are all going to do such a vacation nor should we expect to or get upset if we don't. The point is, again, it just doesn't last that long.

I've now lived in the realm of having a child who is oh-so-close to being a young adult. A young man. He's only 12. We got him when he was 6. We knew we didn't have long. That has put so much into perspective for me as I raise my others. Especially since my eldest daughter is approaching 8 (I still have a few months). I'll save my thoughts on that for another day (oooo does that make you want to come back?).

I hope this is an encouragement to you mamas in the trenches of littles right now. Treasure this time. Even for those of us who keep adding littles to our lives and never seem to be out of the this phase it's not going to last forever.

It doesn't last that long mamas. It just doesn't last that long.

What "seasons" have you been surprised by, sad or happy to see go as you have been raising your children? (Come on. Someone please leave an answer. Even if you come back a couple of times pretending to be different people. My ego needs to be fed people!)

- it's blahg! MB