A Snowy Family Day

Every once in awhile, when life gets too crazy and family day rolls around, instead of going on some sort of grand adventure.....we all feel the need to just stay at home, in our pajamas, and have a total and complete veg out day. When we woke up to snow this morning, we knew that today would be one of those kinds of days. No crazy deal shopping, no trips to Campden, nothing glamorous. We have decided to trade in the excitement for the comfy.

A big ole roaring fire.


A coffee, pancake, bacon, and eggs breakfast.
For both our family and THEIRS, I guess!

LOTS of looking out the window, wondering "What in the WORLD is this crazy, white stuff?"

Hmmmm. Can I eat it?

Well....if I can't eat the stuff that's falling down outside, I guess I'll settle for sneaking a few kitty snacks, instead.

And for the rest of the day, lots of leftovers from yesterday, maybe a fun, family movie, some games, BOATloads of laundry, and.....if I'm REALLY lucky, maybe a nap!

Happy Black Friday, everyone!

Thanksgiving Homemades - Take Two

Here are a couple of other Family Fun Magazine ideas that have quickly become tradition in our house every time this season rolls around. These treat-sies are easy, fun, messy, and totally unhealthy - what most kids like!

These little turkeys will sit by everyone's plate tomorrow. Super cute, although slightly fragile and do not travel the greatest. Still fun.


And these little pilgrim hats are my favorite, and they travel wonderfully!

Go over to my sidebar and check out the details there.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Thanksgiving Homemades Take One

Have I ever mentioned before how much I love Family Fun Magazine? (I'm too lazy to do the hyperlink thingy, but just look over at my blog list on the right. You'll see it there. It's under "Good Stuff"). These guys have so many fun, seasonal, and holiday themed craft and snack ideas for young children. I LOVE them!

This year, we are using their thankful placemats for the kids to color on while waiting for their meals. And we are also using some of their ideas for fun treats and card ideas. Today the boys worked on thanksgiving cards that we're going to take to our next door neighbors on either side of us.

Here are the results:
Kaden's:

And Jesse's:

I love this season. I love this HOLIDAY. I love that we enter a time of THANKSGIVING before we enter the all to often chaos of Christmas giftgiving.

We are trying to nurture intentional thanksgiving in our children's hearts - not only during this season, but during every day of their lives. I want them to WANT to do things for others, to WANT to give gifts and not just receive them, and to be thankful for all things both big and small.

And it starts with us, right? They learn by example.
And so this week, we are making lists of all the MANY blessings that God has given us - both big and small. We are blessed beyond measure. We have no idea.

One of the little things I am thankful for? Teatimes with my boys. Yes, they are boys. But they LOVE tea, and we have such lovely chats during these rare moments of proper decorum!

It's so often the little things, isn't it?

And all of those little things added up, make for a pretty sensational life.

Grace Squeezed Out

In church this Sunday, a man whom I have long respected and loved, preached a simple, yet oh so profound message on grace. He said that if we were to squeeze the Bible what we would see come pouring out would be grace. GOD'S grace. His forgiveness. His love. He quoted apologist Ravi Zaccharias saying that the one question that he has the hardest time answering is why Christians treat each other the way we do. Why do we show each other so LITTLE grace? Why do we hold grudges? Why do we take offense so easily? Why are we not committed to each other? Why do we keep lists of wrongs done to us? These lists are dangerous - they will destroy us if we let them.

One comment that he gave was: Each church culture reflects the sum total of the individuals' walk with Jesus. I completely agree with this statement. Every church has its own culture - reflective of its people. And every individual sends their own message, as well. We need to be a church - and we need to be individuals - without fences and barriers. People need to feel free to come and heal - to be broken and mended. People need to sense - ahead of time - grace in us! Do we do this for each other? In the little things as well as the large?

I want to be that kind of person. Someone not easily offended. Not easily threatened when I see others living out their lives and their calling differently than the way that I do it. Gracious in my actions. Gracious in my responses. Gracious when I feel wronged, and gracious when I need to ask forgiveness. Gracious in my parenting and gracious in the way I see others parent. Gracious with my passions and the way God has asked me to walk out my calling and obey Him. And gracious with others who have different convictions.

Jesus was called a "friend of sinners." And aren't we all - just that? Sinners? Does He not show us grace unlimited? Does He not love unconditionally? Does He not wait for us - with arms wide open - for His prodigal children to come back to Him over and over again? How can we not do the same for each other?

How strong is your grace muscle? I'm finding mine needs a little more exercise.

Finding my Groove

Wow. It's been so long since I've been away for any number of days that I had forgotten how it takes awhile to find my groove again! Kevy did a great job of keeping the house picked up, dishes done, etc., - but there had been no real cleaning done for awhile. I have a hard time functioning until I get all of my ducks back in a row again. So, it's taken me a few days, but I think I'm back on track. Whew! Laundry, dishes, filth, baths, STUFF never takes a vacation, does it? I wish it would......

Man - I missed all of my little men. And the big one too. A whole lot. I missed their messiness, our fun conversations, Ransom's cuddling, story times, our little routines, talks in bed with Kevy, my home, its smells, their smells....most of them. ALL of it - I was SO happy to come home to. I'm a crazy mix - I LOVE to get away and have a break from the normal rhythm of life. I love to have something out of the ordinary to look forward to. But, once I get just a little taste of it, it'll do me for a long time, and I am so happy to be right back into the rhythm of the crazyness of MY life - messes, diapers, cries in the night, laundry and all.

But, OH the fun we had!

It was SO fun to be crazy and not be responsible for anyone but myself for a few days. It was so WEIRD! We felt like we were being so wild and crazy by just driving - sans map - until we were tired and then finding a hotel and not knowing what state we were even in! For me - a 33-year-old-mother-of-three-married-for-eleven-years-PLANNER - that was pretty wild and crazy! Ha! Our throats were literally sore after driving for 14 hours, because we talked nonstop. It was so nice to catch up on life together - uninterrupted, conversations completed. It was so fun to go to bed when I wanted and wake up when I felt like it. It was fantastic to be pampered and have my meals made and dishes washed for me. And it was SO satisfying to get some work done in my albums. Ransom is now completely up to date. The others, we won't speak of, but they are for another roadtrip! And then, when the retreat weekend was over, we crashed at our friend's house and stayed up late visiting with her and her four (FOUR!) boys. And then we kicked it home the next day - again talking nonstop and driving and stopping whenever we felt like it - as opposed to whenever a diaper or bladder was full!

And so now I am home. Refreshed and rejuvenated. It was so good. All of it. And I am the better for it. Getting away lets me see my life afresh and anew, and I am again clearly reminded of all of the blessings that I have and of the very full life that I live. I do so love to get little breaks in my life - little moments to breathe and have my mind quiet and wiped clean from responsibilites for a bit. But I love just as much - more so! - jumping back in with both feet - laundry and school and meals and dirt up to my ears....never ending, really.....but it's what I was made for. And I love it.

HOME

Hundreds of miles and 96 scrapbook pages later........

I am HOME with my Loves.

AAAAaaaaaahhhhh.

It was amazing.

And my boys are delicious.

Hit the Road Jack!....er, Amy!

Holy Hannah, I cannot believe what is actually going to take place in just a couple of hours. In just about 120 more minutes (!) a childhood friend is going to be pulling into my yard - sans children - and I am going to get into her car - sans children - and we are going to go on an honest to goodness roadtrip. Just the two of us. Oh my word.

I don't think I've gone on a real roadtrip since I was pregnant with Kaden - six years ago. Remember that, Kristi? The blizzard? Our car dying? The French policeman? Our hubbies coming to rescue us? Good TIMES!!! Hoping this trip won't be THAT eventful, but just as fullfilling and fun!

Goodness, though. It takes a lot of work to go away! But, I think I'm ready. Laundry is caught up, meals have been made, bread is rising, a fabulous family day where love tanks were filled has taken place, schoolwork is prepped, and Daddy is confident. Kudos to Kevy - I believe this man that I married is one of THE most capable men, I know. The kids will be fed three square meals a day. They'll look presentable, and their clothes will match. The oldest two might even get a shower. There's a bonus! He knows how to cook. He does laundry. He's tidy. AND he's adventurous to boot! He's already planning a roadtrip to Cabellas all by himself with the kids. I rarely do roadtrips alone with those three! Ha!

So where am I going you ask? Well, I'd like to say that I'm going somewhere super spiritual like to a women's conference or something. Buuuut, that's not it. I AM going away with about 90-some other women though. That'll be enough women for me, I am sure. I'm used to hanging with the boys. The estrogen level will be at an all time high with less than 100, methinks - let alone 1,000 or so. That thought kind of panics me!

Anyhoo, we are roadtripping out to scrapbooking retreat where another of our childhood friend's lives. I touch my albums only once a year - and this is the time. My goal is to get Ransom up to date. I have ALWAYS said that what I do for one of my boys in that department I will do for all the others. I can usually conquer about 100 pages at one of these things; whatever doesn't get done won't get touched again for many a month. But, as long my anal mind knows that I'll get to them again in a year, I'm cool with that.

So, it'll be task-oriented. I'm recording our family's heritage! And there is an agenda, for sure. But it will be fulfilling. And there will be depth. These women love Jesus. They women are real. And I am so VERY excited for extended - HOURS! - connecting with other women. I've had a bit of a drought in that department since my Rachey left me awhile back.

Going away always messes with me, though. I so rarely do it, that I am pumped out of my tree. But I SO love my home, and its rhythm, and my men - OH my men.... I'm stoked and I'm torn. I can't wait to kick it, and I'm already missing them. I'm craving some time with a WOMAN, and I already miss my very best friend.

Sigh. The independence level has surely disappeared since I became a wife and Mommy!

Self-Portraits

For school this week, the boys had to draw pictures of themselves.
This is Jesse:

This is Kaden:
(Should I be concerned?)

This is Jesse's interpretation of the three of us.
I'm the one in the middle with the wild hair. Hmn.

And, this is Jesse's interpretation of him and Kaden.
Can you tell who is who?

Well, huh. I guess I'm at a loss for words.

Today

Every once in a great while (not TOO often, mind you) I absolutely LOVE a horribly, wretchedly, miserable, blustery, rainy day outside. For some reason, it just makes the inside that much more cozy. Kevy and I pulled up the shades in our room this morning - before anyone else was awake - and we opened our window just a crack, and then we snuggled in bed and watched the trees bend like crazy in the wind, and we listened to the rain pouring down outside. It was lovely. And so cozy and safe. And quiet. For just a few brief moments, anyway!

This week-end was really nice. One of our most favorite couples brought pizza over to us for lunch on Saturday, and we just spent a couple of hours visiting and being together. They just LOVED on us and the boys, and they gave so much of themselves to us. After they left I thought about how I want to be that kind of person/couple/family for other people. That visit was a gift to us!

I really have no idea who reads this blog other than about four or five of my friends, and I would never want to embarass anyone or put them on the spot. So, I will just say this about our day yesterday. Kev spoke at a missions conference this Friday night. The conference went on all weekend, so we attended that same church on Sunday. Some very VERY special people came and sat with us yesterday - people who we love deeply. And it just blessed us. It really made my whole week-end. Truly. That time was special, and it, too, was a gift.

And so now a new week begins......

Usually, at the start of a new week - especially at a rainy start to a new week - I need to give myself a pep talk and a swift kick in the pants to repeat the process of a week again. Our family day usually seems a long way off. But today, I am refueled and refreshed. Some special blessings took place this weekend. And I am reminded again of the importance of RELATIONSHIPS and of the necessity of giving of ourselves to others in unconditional love and acceptance. When Christ's blessings are lavished out on us, we are then recharged and refueled to return those gifts and lavish blessings upon others.

When we do this, then we are fulfilling the command that Peter gives us: "Keep FERVENT in your love for one another, because love covers over a multitude of sins!"

These Past Few Days

~ Well, with all of the excitement of getting the deer - there always follows the work of cutting and wrapping all of the meat. And, it is a JOB. Sweet little old Lou came over last night and is coming over again today to help us. He and Kev cut up the different steaks and roasts and stew meat, and I wrap and label all of it. Then, we give him some of the meat and feed him all day. It's a pretty good system.

~ Pretty much all of this week we have been fighting a nasty cold bug. It's gone through the whole camp, and it has NOT been fun. We all feel like today we are starting to get back on top of our games. Finally.

~ During one of those sick days, the boys and I snuggled up on the couch and watched Toy Story 3. And I cried like a baby at the end. Oh man. Super sappy. Or, maybe it was just because I was feeling sick. Either way - there were tears!

~ And finally, the biggest deal of the week.......A hometown boy up in my neck of the woods was killed in combat this week. It has completely rocked everyone in the community up there. One of the beauties of living in a small, hometown is that everyone knows everyone. We rejoice with each other and we grieve with each other. And there has been some heavy grieving up there this week. If you think, please pray for the community and that family. It has hit home, and it has hit deeply. The family is very committed in their faith, and they are glorifying God through all of this - but it is heavy.

A Story of Teamwork and Modern Technology

Or, more accurately - a story of a "God thing."


Have you ever had an event take place in your life where everything just "seemed" to fall into place perfectly, and where it would be so easy to write something off as simply being "really lucky?"

Well, this morning, something like that happened, but we all know that it was totally a God thing - just a beautiful, perfect gift from him.

Are you ready for the story? It's pretty cool.

Once upon a Tuesday morning, Kevy again got up at the crack 'o dawn to go and sit in his deerstand in our woods out back. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the boys and I were all just doing our morning routine like we always do. The big boys were playing in their bedroom, and I was getting Ransom dressed for the day.

All of a sudden, Kaden yelled: "Mommy! There's a buck in our garden!" And sure enough, there was a nice six-pointer meandering his way through our garden and heading towards the woods in the vicinity where I knew Kev was hunting. So, I ran for my cell phone and texted Kev as quickly as I could: "There's a buck in our garden - heading your way."

And then we waited. And we prayed. And we freaked out a little bit.

About five minutes later, we heard two gun shots! Within minutes, Kev called saying: "Nice teamwork!" He was getting ready to get down from his stand when the text came in, and he was just reaching for the phone to check the time. He said that everytime he gets ready to get down from his stand, he prays for wisdom to know if he should sit a little longer in case he might miss something by getting down early.

By Kaden seeing the deer in the first place, and then by getting my text, he got himself resituated and was ready for the deer when he came by. And the deer dropped right at the base of his stand!

How cool is that? Oh the WONDERS of modern technology!
A great story of teamwork, an awesome gift from God, (a great lesson in answered prayer for my boys!!! - which I am very aware does not happen all the time, by the way) and a nice shot by my Stud.

But, a story of "Luck"? I think not.

And, of course, Lou and Arlo had to come over to join in the fun!

Hunting Season & Random Life Stuff

~ I just made pudding for dessert. And I taught Kaden how to slurp it from his spoon. Horrible manners, I know - but I've always slurped my pudding ever since I was a little girl. Only from the comforts of my own home, of course. Never out in public. And I am SURE that Kaden will never embarass me in public with this new found joy that I've just bestowed upon him.

~ I cut both of my big boys' hair this week. Always have. I bribe them to sit still and not complain with lollipops. When they sit still, the outcome looks half decent. When they're wiggly - their hair definitely looks like Mommy cut it. Jesse was slightly wiggly. Enough said.

~ This is Lou. I love Lou. He came over for camp coffee yesterday.


~ My sanity from Pennsylvania came and visited with me for a week with her two daughters. We had a grand old time, and now I miss her like crazy and feel very lonely.

~ This is Ransom playing chess. He is very brilliant.


~ My ducks have decided to desert me and go and live over at my neighbor Arlo's house because he has a big pond. I had to make him some treats and go over for a visit to make sure that this new arrangement was okay with him. He promised he would neither eat them nor shoot them. I promised I would never again get ducks.

~ It snowed yesterday. I was very not impressed with that. My boys however - all of them - were thrilled.

~ Kevy has been getting up at the CRACK 'o dawn to try and shoot da turdy point buck that is destined for our freezer. There's a song about da turdy pointer, you know. There's also a video of what da turdy pointer tinks about da hunters:

Confessions......(Again)

I'm not really the greatest at keeping my kids clean.

I try to stay on top of the waxy ears, filthy fingernails, and boogies.....but, as far as the whole entire wash down goes - once a week is my goal. Horrible, I know. I think I probably keep my house cleaner than my boys.

It is what it is.

You see, three little hooligans in a bathtub represents a WHOLE lot of work, a WHOLE lot of loud chaos, and a WHOLE lot of flooding in my bathroom. There is screaming, guffaw-ing, splashing, and squirting of all manner of tub toys. This also represents thirty fingernails and toenails that will be clipped, three heads to be shampooed (Rachael with 3 girls, I commend you), and three full wash-downs. I prefer the naked slip'n'sliding in the summer.

When the deed is done, I always think I deserve an award of some sorts.

And then, literally, about five minutes later ---- they all look like little piggies again, and after naps they all will smell like little puppies. So, really - what's the point? Seriously.

I'm exhausted.

Moose Calling 101

My Dad is a Jack of ALL Trades - and master of quite a few - I would say. He's a highschool shop teacher, a bus driver, the chief fireman of Hodgdon......AND - "Master Moose Caller." It's true.

He's like a Moose Whisperer....if there ever were such a thing.

Anyway, when we go up home, often in the evenings we'll go out and try to lure in one of these bad boys. Never once have we seen one when all of the hooligans have tagged along. Not sure why. Maybe it's because the middle-est one can't keep his lips closed for more than one second - and even when he DOES whisper - it sounds like a small freight train. Or, maybe it's because the oldest has to pee every five minutes. Or maybe, it's because the really largest one - the one that I'm married to - likes to try his hand at rapping into the moose caller, as opposed to actually trying to call the thing in to us. Just a few WILD guesses.

Regardless - we still have a grand old time drinking our coffee, sitting up on the hood, whispering, peeing, and rapping away. Here's a little clip of the last time we all went.

This time was pretty uneventful. We didn't see a thing. Shocker.
Isn't my Dad, cute? OH, how I love that man. He totally rocks.

Anyway.....THIS time, when Dad was calling a moose all by his lonesome - just looky at what the cat dragged in:

A Moose-Whisperer, I tell you..........

Singer Songwriter

Kevy spoke at a church that was a bit of a drive away today. So, on the way home - to the pass the time - Jesse exploded into song to entertain the rest of us. I wrote the words down as fast as he was singing them, because we were dying laughing. I'm sure that it will be WAY funnier to us than to any of you all - but here it goes.

(Picture it full volume, head bobbing, with words tumbling out as fast as they can!)


We're on the State of Maine
We're gonna stay to Maine FOREVER
For God.

The winds and the sky
and piles of the pigs
and piles of the kids
and piles of the big Mama's

Stinky hair up
and Rancey in the wind
to whistle ANYTHING
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

(Now, right here - at this point - Kaden broke into song as well, in which Jesse replies: "That's not part of the SOOOONG!" And then.....)

Mama - if you were
if you nested tooooo
TOM TA TOM TOM
Mama Mama yo MAW MAW

123! 123!
Always
4! 4! 4!
56, 78, NIIIIIIIIINE!!!!
Makes the ten!
Ten is the pooh.

(Insert Daddy saying: "Jesse - no potty talk, please.")

If you wanted to bow down to the sleeping baby
shake your hair all around
Heeeeeeeey
Shake your hair all around

Poop on your......


And at that point, we finally cut him off......
We're thinking about making a C.D.
Copies will go on sale soon for anyone interested.

The last of the last

Thus endeth my garden.

It is finished.

And for those of you who are asking - we are on egg #5 - NONE of which have been laid in THEIR nests. Ah well.

An Egg-ceptional Day!

Upon letting our girls out of their coop this morning, we looked down and happened to notice one of our little ladies camping out in our ducks' nest. Hmmmm. We thought to ourselves. Could this be the day? Might they be getting ready to lay? Did we honestly and truly NOT buy duds for chickens?

Well. We waited.
We gave them some privacy.
We wondered why they weren't using one of THEIR own three nests, but whatever. We've been completely whacked with this first time experience anyway - calling our female turkey, "Mr. Turk," and thinking our male ducks were girls right up until a week or so ago. Why NOT use the duck's nest for laying chicken eggs? It seems to suit our little dysfunctional bird family, doesn't it?

A few hours later......
what to our wondering eyes should appear???????

Hawt Dawg!!! This is fan-FLIPPING-tastic! I am pumped!!!!!!

I am a real farmer! I am a real farmer! I am a real farmer!

To Be or Not To Be

A "true" farmer that is.......

The point of this post, you ask?

Well, this week-end, we....er....."processed" Mr. Turk (who's really a girl).


And I'm a little bit sad. Moment of silence please.

(But she is quite tasty!)

You see, there are two warring people within me. There is the one that totes the following philosphies: "live off the land!"; "grow your own meat"; "eat organic"; "be self-sufficient!" etc. etc. And all of these statements involve grand visions of ginormous gardens in which we can each and every thing and never need to buy produce at the store. There are also the visions of barns and farm animals galore in which we have our own meat, and milk, and eggs - and where we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies. Part of me feels a little like I missed my calling in that way or that I'm living in the wrong era. I think I was made to work the land, to live in wide open spaces, and to just grow, and hunt, and cook, and can everything that we consume. There is something very fulfilling in that for me.

And then, there is this other little part of me, that really only wants a wee little pet menagerie....maybe a zoo, of sorts...where we just have all of our animals as pets to love and snuggle and look at, and where no deaths take place!

Deep down, I really am all about having "farm animals" serve a purpose. Our chickies are our pets, but they will give us eggs (hopefully). And I am thrilled beyond measure when Kev gets a deer, and I come right alongside him and help cut and wrap the meat. That's no issue for me, because I'm not attached. Our ducks - well - they are a different story. Our duckies are our pets only because they were birthday gifts. I justified it all along thinking they were girls and I would at least get eggs to bake with. Realizing they are boys has me slightly disgruntled. Ah well. You live and learn.

So - "to be or not to be" a true farmer? That is the question.

I think I will continue on with my quest of another turkey next year, and maybe a goat if I'm lucky. And then, maybe - some year - we'll get a cow for either beef or milk. And my heart will have to love them and snuggle them - that is just who I am. And then my hunter husband will have to "off" them and take care of them until they just resemble the meat in the grocery store before I'll take over. And I'll probably always be a little bit sad when this happens. But, I'm okay with that, I guess.

Maybe someday, I'll be a real big girl farmer!
Until then, I'll be giving my babies the best life possible until D-day happens.

Birthdays!

This week-end, we celebrated Daddy turning the big 'ole 34 years of age!!! Two of my boys - Kaden & Jesse - are six days apart in their birthdays; and my other two boys - Kevy & Ransom - are eight days apart in theirs. So, that's kind of fun. Rancey has had a couple of celebrations already, however, so this week-end was all Daddy.

Cards were made.

Heartfelt words were written.

And a banner was decorated.

And then, I asked the littles what they thought we should make Daddy for supper. "Pancakes!" were declared by my middle one. "Bacon!" yelled the oldest, who would eat an entire pound if we let him. So Mama announced: "Breakfast for supper, it is!"

We had a fun, silly breakfast for supper celebration meal, and then Daddy read his cards and unwrapped his gifts. Saturday turned out to be dreafully scuzzy, so we decided to kick it to Portland for the day and go to ALL of my boys most favorite place: Cabellas.

joy. unspeakable.

It really is fun watching them all in that place, though. Even Ransom is mesmerized by all of the animals and the fish; and they ALL love the shooting gallery. And then we topped the day off with a very yummy, super delish meal at On the Border. The highlight of MY day!

It was a grand birthday.

Happy day, my Kevy! How I love you!

Snippets of our Day

First thing after rolling out of bed each day, there is this:

After showers, breakfast, picking up and making beds, there's a whole lot of THIS which makes for the need of the tidying up process to repeat itself:

After he goes to nap, there are a couple of hours of this:

And then lunch. Then the big shoo outside until naptime before winter coops us up forever. So, we go and say hi to the girls and boys:

And Thanksgiving:

There is some of this EVERY day or I will never ever get ahead:

And then there is lots of this where all of the world's problems are solved, where meaningful discussions such as "Do I have to say excuse me for burping when I'm outside because being outside is different and besides, there's no company here." take place; and where I can't for the life of me teach these boys how to pump their legs the proper way happens:

And then today, there were just enough leaves off of the trees for this to take place:

And this:

And some of this in which many MANY leaves and sticks were partaken of:

And now they sleep.
And then supper.
And after that baths (if they're lucky.....which they're usually not)
Stories or games
And then bedtime.

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established."

Father, give us that wisdom and understanding.....and teach us to number our days.

My daily prayer: "Jesus, help me to SLOW and see the sacred in the chaos."

"Quiet Time" and "Motherhood" are Oxymorons

My babies have been fighting fevers all week, thus they are not sleeping well, therefore they are not in the greatest of spirits. I must confess, on a couple of these days when Kev kissed me good-bye and headed out the door to have a lunch meeting with so-and-so and a breakfast meeting with such-and-such, and a: "I'm going to shut my phone off for a bit and find a place to hide and have my quiet time before heading to work," I thought about offering to trade roles for the day.

Isn't there a verse somewhere that says: "Oh that I had wings like a dove and could fly away?" Amy's paraphrase, of course. There are rare days that I feel this way - and usually it's fixed by an early bedtime where I can find my sanity once again. But, oh - how I've been craving some honest to goodness, TRUE, "quiet time" with the Lord. A retreat of sorts, perhaps. Or at least something beyond the bible reading during the hair drying, or the praying during the nursing, or the devotions during the kids playing darts and wrestling matches in the living room or the prayers in the shower...... Something a little more restful and something a little less distracting.

I honestly DO think the Lord understands this season of life, though. I really do. It's fleeting. It's short. Someday I'll have a quiet house to myself for hours on end. Someday I'll be able to get out of bed before 6:00 in the morning and actually feel fresh and refreshed - not like I'm run over by a Mactruck! Someday, there will be silence for more than three seconds. And someday, I might even be able to take five minutes to write a blog post without someone hanging off of me or licking my toes - like child #2 is doing right now at this very second. No joke.

For now, though, I'll cling to the verses that go like this: "How blessed is the(wo)man whose strength is in YOU!" and "You who seek God, let your heart revive!" Cause I'm seeking Him, and I want revival - it's just looking a little different than, say a three day secluded women's retreat, or a two hour vigil with just me, my Bible, and God. For the here and now, it's looking a whole lot more like me sitting on the front steps watching my big boy ride his bike in the driveway, while my middle one wants my empty lap, during which I try to fish rocks out of Ransom's mouth, all the while I am trying to keep supper from burning while I try to digest a chapter or two. But, it's good. It's all good. God knows. He understands.

Ten Things - Some Lists

A bunch of silly and not so serious randomness.............

Things That Delight Me:

1. The day's first cup of coffee
2. Kevy playing crazy music to wake us all up
3. Ransom's crazy bed head and puppy smell
4. The crackling fire in our fireplace
5. All of my canned foodies
6. Kaden reading (a little bit) during school
7. Jesse standing on the bench beside him, in his undies, winging a toy round and round his head yelling: "Am I reading, too????" Not even close, my love.....
8. Naptime.....
9. My home
10. Days where I was intentional with my family and had my priorities right.

Things That Delight me That Probably Shouldn't:

1. Kaden's discovery of a nickname for Jesse Booker......"Juicy Booger."
2. Jesse's extreme displeasure with his new nickname.
3. Hearing the boys' super late night discussions in their bunkbeds revolving around all things that only little boys find hilarious.
4. The T.V. show "Wipe-Out." I find people taking major diggers HILARIOUS.
5. Laughing with Kevy at REALLY inappropriate times.
6. Being completely unable to control said laughter at said inappropriate times. (This one's my favorite...).
7. Our kitty stalking the boys and making them shriek in terror.
8. Realizing that "manners" are somewhat relative when it comes to little boys.
9. Listening to Ransom totally hold his own when Jesse takes something from him.
10. After telling Ransom "no" many times to not eat the kitty food....letting him....and have him see for himself why Mama was right.

Things That Do Not Delight Me:

1. All three of my boys fighting fevers.
2. Taking showers and getting ready for the day. Time wasters!!
3. Discussing how we are going to "off" Turk when the time comes.
4. Kaden's morning breath that he finds hilarious in breathing on me.
5. My canned foodies that came out yuck-o.
6. Any shopping other than yard sales or vintage funky places.
7. Rainy, dreary, cold days.
8. When Kev leaves the house before 7:00a.m.
9. Ransom's screaming phase.
10. clutter.

Okay, people. Your turn!

Ransom Malachi

One year ago this morning, after a VERY eventful previous day of moving into our new home, sweet Ransom Malachi - "God's messenger of hope and deliverance" was born. He was my longest and most intense labor, but my most controlled delivery and quickest recovery, as well. After he was born Kev said: "Hey! I think we're getting the hang of this!" Ha!

Kaden's birth was a very traumatic experience for us - in every sense of the word. My doctor was on vacation, so I had a creep-o take her place with absolutely no bedside manner. I was induced, which I was absolutely against, but my kidneys were in distress; and Kaden was born so uncontrolled and so quickly that I almost lost my womb as a result. I barely got a chance to give him a kiss before I was whisked to surgery, and every thing about it was just plain awful.

When I was due with Jesse in PA, I found a midwife who was completely "hands off" in her approach and very willing to do everything possible to avoid induction. My kidneys still started getting sick, but we waited. I trusted her and she trusted me. We did natural things, I laid on my side, I peed in a ginormous bucket for them to monitor etc. etc. - and he came on his own, twenty minutes after walking through the hospital doors - one week before due date.

Then we moved home, and I was pregnant with Ransom. Two extremely different birth experiences, and I was desperate to replicate my second. Because of a friend (Sarah, I will forever sing your praises), we found a little hospital an hour away that's considered a level 2 birthing center. They are known for letting women "write their own birth stories." And so Kev and I compromised. He said he never ever wants to deliver on the side of the road. Once things get rolling with me, my babies come quickly. And I hate hospitals. So, the deal was, when he said it was time to kick it there would be NO discussion. I agreed.

So, that was the deal. When Kev said he wanted to go, we left. And within the hour of our arrival, sweet Ransom was born - peacefully, slowly, and just the way we wanted it. And how this first year of his little life has FLOWN! I know now, third time around, that all stages of our children's lives are FLEETING. And I have tried - oh, how I've tried - to savor him. Not knowing if he'll be our last, I am just trying to enjoy each and every stage to its fullest. Rancey was our easiest and most "chill" baby, hands down - and he's quickly turning into our strongest willed wee little person! He is definitely a funny blend of both his two older brothers.

Happy first birthday to my little Ransom Malachi - our sweet joy and our sunshine. You have added life, crazyness, and a new dimension of "loud" to our home. And you have also brought us such joy and delight. You are loved deeply, dear one. Mama must give you many MANY kisses today...and lots of squishies......and a few nibbles.

You are delicious. And for your birthday, I shall feed you grapes for every meal, because they are your FAVORITE!!!

One Year

Well, one year ago today, we were sitting on pins and needles praying that our paperwork would go through on this little place that we now call our own. We literally did not know until the "morning of" whether this would be our house or not! Banks don't really understand the concept of support raising and the fact that our paychecks look so different each month. Thankfully, we had a Christian real estate agent - and friend; a Christian mortgage loan officer - and friend; and the person at the very top who had the final say on whether or not he would sign off on our house was a believer, as well. The whole story from start to finish is totally and completely a "God thing."

We had lived in Pennsylvania for three years - which was very much the city to us; and we were living in an apartment above a hotel in town ever since we moved home. Loved LOVED the landlords, and had rockin' next door neighbors - but we were in town, nonetheless, and our "backyard" was the hotel parking lot. Once we found out baby #3 was a boy, all I could think and pray about was finding some wide open spaces! It had now been almost six years since we'd had a place of our own.

So, the countdown began. We looked and we prayed and we drove all over God's creation praying over places and weighing the pros and cons. Kev kept coming back to this place over and over again. It never really rocked my world, but I have a hard time seeing past other people's style etc. So, all I could see were the fire engine red shutters and doors, and the black and lime green bedrooms. But, this was just looking at it online - we never actually scoped it out for ourselves.

So, one day we called our real estate agent friend and we all went for a drive. After seeing the place - and looking past the walls and shutters, we thought we'd place an offer knowing we had nothing to lose. When we told our agent the price we were offering, he told us that if we were serious about the place we'd better make a more realistic offer. We told him that this was VERY realistic for us! He just shook his head but called the other agent, nonetheless. Within the hour, the other agent called, and by day's end a price was agreed on!

After the many MANY weeks of waiting and praying - and just partially packing because "what if" this falls through - we went hard core with the packing TRUSTING and PRAYING that this would go through!

That morning - t-minus 11 hours before Ransom made his entrance -

That was me. I know. READY TO POP. I believe whenever I wore this shirt, Kev called me "Barney." The dear. But, I digress......

we signed papers, completely packed up and cleaned our apartment - with family and friend's help; got everything into our new house - boxes in the appropriate rooms, anyway; got my kitchen and our bedroom (which would be Ransom's room for a few weeks) completely set up; and got paint colors chosen for the living room and the two bedrooms for the boys.

When our heads hit the pillows that night, my exact words to Kev before we rolled over and fell asleep were: "If the baby comes tonight, I am totally and completely okay with what we got accomplished. I'm ready!"

And within hours of falling asleep, little Ransom Malachi Booker - just one day before his actual due date - made his entrance into our lives! What an amazing year it has been! A year FILLED with gifts and growth, challenges and life lessons. A year where we've learned more about ourselves than ever before, and where we've trusted Christ on a whole new level. He has proven Himself faithful over and over again, and He has, once again, given "exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all that we could ever have asked for or imagined."

Who knows what next year will bring? Who knows how long we'll call "here" - HOME. We're on a crazy journey, and we know all that He gives is on loan. We know that tomorrow, He could ask us to give it back. And we know that once again, He would prove Himself faithful. It is ALL His. May we be good stewards of all that He has given. May we use it to bring Him alone honor and glory.

We are humbled, and we are so very very thankful.

Zero for Three

So, this was our third Friday in a row hitting the trails during Ransom's morning nap looking for the elusive partridge. While he is still taking two naps a day, we have this wee little window of time to be able to go out and about and actually DO something on our family day. So, for the majority of our family days, we just throw the morning nap to the wind and go and do - otherwise, we'd be trapped at home all morning. Sometimes, this works out great....other times, not so much.

Anyway, on the way to our spot, Kev and I were talking up front. I believe our conversation went a little bit like this:

Kevy: I'd be surprised if we actually shot a bird on one of these trips.
Me: I'd be SHOCKED!!!!
Kevy: (Slightly offended) Why would you be "SHOCKED"?
Me: Uuuuhhhhh....Because your four "helpers" (I include myself here, because I'm totally along for the drive and things I can find to decorate my house with) don't do a whole lot of helping!

Allow me to demonstrate with pictures:

THIS:

and this:

lasts for about five minutes.
Until the boredom sets in.
And the crazyness.
And the "hooligan-ism."

Exhibit A:

and B:

and C:

and D: - THIS one is NO good........


I rest my case.
The poor soul is off hunting on his own while the natives sleep it off.

Brothers

Warning: Super long post ahead......

Part of the reason why I always wanted boys was that I only had brothers growing up. It's what I know. Boys say it like it is. When they're irritated, they let you know, and then they move on. No pettiness. No grudges held. No talking behind each other's back. What you see is what you get. I like that. I'm not a real big fan of drama. And though, I know of many MANY little girls who I would be thrilled and honored to call my own - I'm just as happy being stuck with my little hooligans. The Lord knows there's enough drama with three boys, as it is!

(Why RIGHT this very instant, as I type - truth be told - I'm dealing with a little drama of "Kaden touched me and he got me weeeeet! I don't like to be weeeet!" Toughen up, Buttercup. Get over it. (Stole that quote from you, Rach. Love it).

Anyway, I digress.....

Back to MY brothers. I have two of those bad boys. Two men who I would die for, and who I know would do the same for me. Two men who I am blessed to be able to say are two of my greatest friends. One is older and one is younger. Both quite different from the other in personalities. One calls me weekly and talks my ear off. The other doesn't say a whole lot.

This post is about HIM.

Clay is quiet. He is shy. He is gentle. He is deep. And he doesn't talk a whole lot unless he's in the mood. And when he's in the mood, I drop everything, because I'm never sure when the mood will strike him again! A few years ago, he asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I told him that I wanted him to write me a poem. He's a gifted writer, and he's shown me things that he's written over the years about his own life, about Mom and Dad, about his struggles, etc. And so I told him, I noticed he'd never written anything about his rockin' sister, and I wasn't afraid to resort to begging, so that's what I wanted.

And he delivered. This was written about three years ago, when I was pregnant with Jesse. Obviously some of the things that he writes about, no one will get but us, but here is just a wee little window into my biggest bro's heart. I LOVE him. He is the reason why I always wanted a boy first; why I wanted all of my other children to have a big brother like I did. He would NOT be impressed if he knew I was sharing this poem, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't read my blog, so he'll never know! And if he does....he'll get over it. He's a boy.

Okay....here are just a few lines from his gift:

When I Was a Small Child and My Sister Was Mine

When I was just little
And my sister was mine
We played when we wanted
Every day was just fine.

When you were a baby
I was naught but a child
The days passed with pleasure
The memories were mild.

When I was a small child
And my sister was mine
We played on that toy box
All the days seemed sublime.

As we've gotten older
Gain responsibility
There'll not be another
Time when life was so free.

We each had our own swing
Between maple trees
I remember swinging
I can still feel the breeze.

When you would play soccer
I would come with Keaton
Ride up in Dad's bronco
See who you were beating.

We ate paper towels (don't ask)
Put our feet on the bar
Now we are both married
And you're living quite far.

That man Kevin Booker
Came and took you away
You have a family
With one more on the way.

Kaden is a fine boy
He reminds me of you
And Kevin his Daddy
Can be seen in him too.

You used to wear glasses
And you had braces too
You don't even squint now
And your teeth look like new.

She's still very pretty
Though she is my sister
I'm sure there have been boys
Who wished they had kissed her.

You're still just as pretty
Though you have hit thirty
But I'd like to revisit
Times when we were both free.