A Good Friday Laugh

I took this from Pam's blog (I hope you don't mind, Pam). It is too funy and just the way I feel right now!!! Make sure the volume is up on your computer!! I really needed that today!!

Happy Friday!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlY8STkhopc

Answered Prayer/Prayer Request......

I heard from Priscilla, the preschool director yesterday. She promised another lady that she could work 5 days a week so it looks like she will be put with Melody. She did give me four days a week. I am thankful for more hours because it will give Jack and I some spending money, but I am very disappointed that I didn't get with Melody. I REALLY wanted to work with the 4 year olds, but at this point, it wasn't meant to be. I will be working with Melody again on T/TH with the 3's, and on M/W with Christine with the 2's. I prayed about it so I know this is where God must want me. The prayer request is that there is one lady, Amy, who may not come back. If she doesn't come, I will get moved to the 4's. Please pray that she will not want to come back. She was out a lot last year and is upset that she didn't get a teaching position. Her husband is the manager at Walmart, so she really doesn't need the money, nor does she take her job seriously. So, continue to pray, and I know it will work out if it is meant to be.

Joshua is still limping. He did ride his bike last night so he is bending it. I am still hoping that this is not a habit he has formed. He was so sweet because I was talking to him about it yesterday and he said "mommy, I prayed about it last night on my bed, and again this morning". I reminded him about what Ms. Mincy taught him...sometimes God says, "yes, no, or Wait".....hmmmmm maybe I need to remind myself at that. Maybe I am somewhere between a "no or wait"!!!

We are taking it easy today. Trying to beat the heat! I hope to use this day to get caught up and to start tackling my consignment sale stuff! I have a big job ahead of me, but it will be worth it if we can pay for our beach trip!

Concerned About Joshua....

Joshua took off his bandage after t-ball last night. His cut has healed very nicely (thanks to Jack). It looks so much better. I am a little concerned because he still walks with the knee stiff. I think we scared him so badly talking about keeping it straight for awhile and the possibility of needing stitches. It's like he has forgotten how to walk. I took him for a walk down the road, and no matter what I said, he still "carried" that leg, even with the bandage off. I am really nervous that this has or will become a habit on his walking and that he won't start walking normal again. Even during the game last night, he "ran" but he carried that leg. I guess I over reacted when I saw how deep the cut was and now he is taken it overboard. I just want him to walk on it the normal way again and I am very concerned about it. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on how to get him to walk normally again????

Lunch With Friends

We had lunch today with our friends Michelle (and Bryson) and Sara (and Wes, Will and Skye). I am thankful for the friends we have at our church. Today is Sara's birthday (Happy Birthday, Sara!!) so I wanted to have her over for this gourmet lunch! Whew! It was a lot of work for those hot dogs!! (ha ha). Anyway, the kids had fun playing with their friends and the adults had a good time talking etc. Thank you, Sara, for teaching my kids at church and for all the great ideas you have given to me!! I appreciate all of your help, and all your support. I especially appreciate knowing that my life is normal (since we both have two boys the same age)! Hope you enjoy your day!
Tonight is t-ball for the boys. I am tempted to tear Joshua's bandage off his knee so he will walk normally again! I don't think he is ready to be out in the field, but I know he can bat. Jacob will probably be more interested in snack time! Hopefully, I can get them down to rest before the game. I don't have to worry about the clock anymore. The kids have gotten used to sleeping until 8:20-8:30 now, so that is making things a little easier for me.

More Things My Kids Say

I am glad I am writing these things down so that someday I can have another laugh. Last night we took different cars to church so that Jack could jog and I could run to Walmart. I was driving home with the kids and they saw a truck that looked like Jack's. They said "there is daddy's truck" (even though he didn't take the truck and I told them it wasn't him). Then I heard them say "that's a different mommy sitting next to daddy!!!"
We've been watching home videos of the kids. It has been fun to watch them as a baby growing up. Sometimes Jacob and Jenna wonder why they aren't in the videos and Joshua just says "You weren't hatched yet!!!!!"
Then, last night I was reviewing the papers from his class and asking questions about his story. He seemed eager to tell me all the details about the burning bush. Then I asked him who the man was with the burning bush and he said "I don't know" (sorry Miss Tina, we'll try to get that part next week!!!). Of course Mr. Jacob was just as serious as he always is.
No big plans for today. I'll try to get some work done around the house and enjoy the kids and try to keep mending Joshua's knee. He hobbles around like he broke his legs or something! I hope he can play T-ball tomorrow. At least he can bat!

The First Scare

You know a few months back I was saying that we hadn't been to the ER with our kids. Then, I ended up going with the kidney stone. Last night, I was giving Jacob a bath and Jack was out with Josh and Jenna (letting Jenna use her new princess bike). I heard Jack yelling so I went out and Joshua had fallen in the neighbor's driveway (the one with NEW rocks) and cut his knee. I took one look at it and said to myself "this needs stitches". The cut was deeper then most and right where he bends the knee. Of course this was at 8:15 and all urgent cares were closed. We didn't think it needed a $50 ER visit, so we just patched him up and waited to look. We thought we could call the pediatrician this morning and get a visit if needed. We looked again and Jack's doctoring did a good job. It's still border line, but I think he will be ok without stitches. I think if he stays off his bike for a few days he will be back to normal. Let me emphasize that I would spend the $50 on my child if it is needed, but this was border line. I hated the idea of sitting there for hours and then ending up spending the money if he didn't need anything. So, that was my first scare!!!
We didn't do much yesterday. We did go to yard sales and I found a bike for Jenna. Her training wheels broke and we got a PRINCESS bike for less than getting new training wheels cost!! Of course she is so excited! I was hoping to find one for Jacob too as his is in the same condition.

Art Day/Water Day

see, she even had a welcome sign for us!

story time
fun with shaving cream
more fun with shaving cream
Josh's porcupine
Jake's porcupine
Jenna's porcupine
getting ready to paint Jenna at work

Wes' porcupine


Levi's porcupine
Josh at pool



This is what happens when you are tired!!!

Yesterday the kids were so well behaved. Maybe because we had so much to do. They slept until 8:30 which was wonderful. By the time we ate breakfast, got dressed, made the beds and brushed our teeth it was time to go to Sara's for art class. I figured it would be painting a piece of paper, but she was so well organized. She had a story for the kids and then they made porcupines. After that, they took shaving cream and made a mess and tried to make pictures out of it. (and then the house smelled so good!!!) Then, they went outside and painted rocks. Sara is wanting to do this for home schooled kids, and I am a little disappointed that we won't be able to join. I was so impressed on how well she had this organized. The kids loved it and I loved watching. I hope that Sara will let me join in another year or two when we start to homeschool. Sara, I can't tell you how much we enjoyed this and how impressed I was with your organization. You will do a terrific job with this! God gave you a special talent with art and with teaching! Thank you for opening your home to us!!!

Next we came home and ate lunch and it was off to see Jenn and Sam. Thank you guys for letting us come over. We miss you. Joshua had fun in your pool. Hopefully someday Jacob and Jenna will warm up to the water better. The strawberry drinks were wonderul! We had a great time!! Thank you! It was so good to see you!!

I had been motivated to start organizing so I spent a lot of time yesterday going through drawers and organizing stuff and throwing stuff away. I have a long way to go, but it brings such satisfaction trying! I wish we had a bigger house as there isn't much room to put extra things, but maybe someday. I hope to do more today since we will just be at home. Tonight of course is taco night and Jacob's family night. I hope to do something different, but it is his choice!!

Wacky Wednesday

So our Wednesday was a little wacky. Of all days, the kids slept passed 8:30. That would have been fine, except we had a 10 am appt at Sears to get their pictures taken. We made it, and the kids did really good, even Jenna! We stopped by mom's house for a few minutes and then headed home. I let the kids play for awhile and then we did some "art". We made bubble pictures. They loved it and I realize that we need to spend more time like that. I came into my room for a little while to work on something that needed to be done and I let the kids play play doh. Things worked out really well until they decided to grab the salt and pepper shakers and shake them all over the kitchen table. Needless to say I was pretty upset and all the playdoh went into the trash can. I don't know why the kids get so mischievous at times!! Here we had a really good moment of time and then they go and do something crazy like that. I hope today is a little better. We have "art class" at 10 am with Sara and then we are going to use Jen's pool at 1:30.

Aren't They Cute...?

The boys had their first t-ball game last night. They were so cute. We are the Indians. My camera was running out of batteries so I couldn't get the entire team. Joshua did pretty good. Jacob did good too considering his age and all. I asked him later if he had fun and he said "no"! I asked him why it wasn't fun and he said "I had to run a lot". I think he was more interested in snack time after the game!!! Oh well, they are still cute and there is only 5 more games! I'll make sure my batteries are charged for next week!!!

Tuesday

What an exciting title for today's blog. I wasn't even going to blog today, but I guess I got inspired!! We didn't do much. I decided not to go to movie day. Instead, I ventured out and got groceries. The kids were pretty well behaved. It was too hot to do anything else, and I really wanted a day at home to do nothing, and that's pretty much what I have done!!! I told the kids they could watch a movie here. Jacob picked out Max Lucado's "If Only I had a green nose" aka to my kids as "Willie". Joshua watched Star Wars. I cleaned a couple more drawers and mopped the floor. Tonight is our first T-ball game. It should be interesting as the boys really don't know what they are doing yet. Joshua said he wants me to cheer again though!!!!! Tomorrow we are running to the mall and then over to mom's house (grandma's) so they are excited.

I do have another prayer request. I would really like to help Melody with the 4 year old class this fall along with the 3's. I have to take the kids there every day anyway (Jacob will go on M/W/F, and Jenna goes T/Th). I'd like to work with my kids from last year again and I really could use the extra money for the family. I think we would make that our spending and saving money. Anyway, I have been praying about it. Either way I am fine, but I just wish she would make her decisions and let everyone know soon. I have heard all her teachers are in place, but she doesn't know where to put her assistants. I am not a patient person at all! My kids came home Sunday telling me about their lesson about the way God answers prayer (yes Sara, they are paying attention). I know this is just God's "wait" but it seems so hard. I think at times I would just rather have the "no" instead of waiting!!! Anyway, pray that she makes a decison soon and if it is meant to be, I will be helping in two classes. Maybe God knows it will be too much for me, but there again, I'd just like the "no" answer!!!

Early Riser

I got up this morning with Jack. I went for a walk in the neighborhood. The cool morning air felt so good. I was able to have time to myself and also pray along the way. It was about a 20-25 minute walk. Our neighborhood is not the greatest for walking. I miss the gym where I could workout for one hour!!! Maybe some day I will get to go back. I was able to shower (before noon!!!) read my Bible, get out my morning emails, and start organizing my dresser (more on that later). The alarm clock thing is not going that great. The boys can't quite understand how many more minutes they have before 8 am. Also, the cheap clock I bought can't be seen unless you push this button, so I guess that is what I get for getting the cheapest one I could find!! I can't believe the boys still want to get up so early after being up late and running around!!! (especially everything we did this weekend...see pictures from Saturday) So, back to my dresser. My goal for this summer is to get all the closets and drawers around the house organized and cleaned out!!! You saw my before and after of my closet and pantry, so now I am working on everything else! We sure have accumulated a lot of junk over the years!!! Today we will stick around the house and then we are heading over to Travis' to use their neighborhood pool (sure wish we had one). What a perfect day for it with it being 95 or more!!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my dad, and to my husband. I Love you both.....enjoy your day!!!!

Gilead's Company Picnic

that snow cone was good!
Joshua and the slide
Jacob playing games to win prizes
Josh and Jenna making father's day cards (another booth)
Jenna getting her face painted
this was a giant slide! The kids loved it
Josh and the climbing wall
Jack wants a turn too!
the kids in the bouncy thing

We had a lot of fun today. We woke up and went out to yard sales. We didn't have much luck today, but that's ok. We have had so much in the past. You have to have some bad days once and awhile. After that we went to Lake Wheeler for Jack's company picnic. We had so much fun! The kids got to play games, go in bouncy's, go down slides, climb the wall. They also got their face painted! We also had a big lunch with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, bbq, hushpuppies, salad, cookies, lemonade, tea, macaroni, beans, corn on the cob (can you imagine how full I am?) Then, they had all the snow cones, soft drinks, and popcorn you could ever want. Then, and Edy's ice cream truck pulled up, so we got sundaes, and ice cream cones. For the McLean family, this was a treat. You can imagine how much this would have cost us otherwise, but to just enjoy everything and to be able to let my kids have some things like this was wonderful! They enjoyed picking out prizes (more stuffed animals) from all the games they played. I always enjoy the picnics. They really do a great job and we all had a TON of fun!!!

Fun With Travis

We met Travis and Traci at the park yesterday. The kids had so much fun. Joshua always tells me that Travis is his best friend. I am always so amazed on how well the two of them get along. They don't fight or have their hands all over each other. They just play so well. I actually did something that I have never done before.....I got on the paddle boats....I know, I live a sheltered life. I was actually a little scared. You know me and the water. It was very fun! Tonight is our taco night and we will either do family night tonight or tomorrow night. I think it is Joshua's turn to decide. I enjoyed my time out last night. Time went by too quickly though and I didn't get accomplished what I wanted, but it was still fun!!

Thankful

Just when I was about to stop blogging, another reader joined my group! I have to keep telling myself that someday I will look back and read these entries and be glad I did it. The past few nights we have put on old videos of the kids. I am so glad we did that too. It's hard for me to remember Joshua before Jacob was born. He had this tiny little voice and said the cutest things. It also made me realize how much they have grown!!! I had nursery last night at church and it ended up to be a good thing. Sara had to fill in for someone else, and it was so nice to have some female conversation!!! It was also nice for me to realize that I am not the only one going through the same struggles!!
So today we are meeting up with Travis and Traci at the park. We were supposed to go swimming, but it's a little cold so we will try again next week. I am hoping that time away from the house will be good for all of us. Also, tonight I am getting out! I just need some time away from the kids and time to myself, so when Jack comes home, I am getting out for awhile. I am so excited!!! I am already planning out my route.
Oh, my experiment.....well, yesterday I heard the boys in there at 7:50. I peaked in and they were still in their beds, they were just talking, so I guess it worked! I am hoping today will work too. It gives me time, but at the same time, if they are staying up late in the summer, it gives them the time they need too!

The Experiment

So yesterday was so-so. The kids and I enjoyed Charlotte's Web. They did very well at the movies. We'll have to go to the free ones next week! The kids were a little wild yesterday afternoon. It's one of those days that I needed to get out of the house. It was a "Please More Spirit" day and I didn't feel the greatest. Nothing was going right. I hadn't talked to anyone all day long (except for trying to settle arguments), the grill wouldn't start, and then when I finally did get it to start, it was pouring rain!!! I wanted so badly to "get out" and then T-ball was cancelled (or at least I think it was). Oh well, hopefully today will be better. So, my experiment....I read on Sara's blog about having a clock in the boy's room and telling them they can't get up until a certain time. I went to Target yesterday and got a cheap alarm and set it. I told them it had to be at least 8 before they could get up and do their jobs. I hope it works. My kids want to stay up late, but then they want up at 7 am and then they are cranky all day. I am wondering if my plan will really work. Jenna seems to want to catch a little nap during the day, and last night Jacob said he didn't feel well. He fell asleep at 6:45 and then he slept for 45 minutes. Maybe we should just stay on our normal routine.....a short nap, bed time and wake up at or before 7 am. It's one of those things I am not sure what to do, but I guess I'll try this for a little while longer and see if it works.

First Day of Summer Vacation

I thought I would post this early since I have some extra time. I survived the first day of vacation. The boys took a lot of time picking my "flowers". I gave them "rest time" at 1 pm and then we went out to the pool from 2-3:30. The kids were pretty well behaved. I have enjoyed reading other blogs and getting ideas. I thought since we had more time on our hands (not rushing to carpool) that I would give them three jobs to do before Curious George and breakfast. I made a chart, so the kids get dressed, brush their teeth and make their beds before the TV comes on or before breakfast. They enjoy marking things off, and they are old enough to do things around the house. Joshua wanted to know if he got paid for doing this, and I told him no, this was a responsibility that he has to do because he lives in the house. Each child is responsible for different jobs...setting the table, clean up, unload the dishwasher etc, but if they want spending money, they can ask for different jobs. The excitement came today as Jacob got hurt twice. Somehow they were playing and he got his finger pinched in the door. It was bleeding and red, but he survived. Then, later, his bike hit him in the nose and blood was gushing out of his nose and mouth. Luckily, he didn't lose any teeth or anything. I hope this isn't a sign of the rest of our summer.

Our Tuesday activity is going to our dollar movie. The four of us can get in for $3 total. I'll take our own drinks and popcorn. (I am cheap). We have T-ball at 7:15 too.

I have a prayer request. Jack is going to Memphis early July. It looks like we have sitters lined up, but now the obstacle is having a free day to see Graceland and some other sights together and also the airline tickets are high and filling up fast. The trip may cost more than San Francisco. Please just pray that things will work out. Check out this place where Jack is staying!!! http://www.peabodymemphis.com/

That Dot On Joshua's Neck!!!

Saturday afternoon we got out Jacob's new Spiderman slip and slide. The kids had a lot of fun using it. They had grass all over them when they were done, so one by one I brought them in for a much needed bath. I brought Joshua in and tried to help him get some of the grass off of him, and he said " mom, there is this little brown dot on my neck. Please don't rub that. I've tried before to scrub it off and it won't come off. It's just stuck there". Of course, it's just one of those things that you had to be there to listen to him explain, and of course, he was very serious about it!! Ok, Joshua, I promise not to try to rub that little freckle/mole off your neck!!!

End Of The Year Party

Joshua got out at 1 yesterday, so he is officially a first grader!!! Anna invited us over at 4 for an end of school party. It was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed this water beach ball, t-ball, slip and slide and this rocket thing. Thanks, Joy, Anna, and Olivia! It was a lot of fun. We went to Chick fil A last night for family night. Jack and I ate some dinner (the kids had pizza at Anna's) and then we let them play and get ice cream. We went to Kohl's and then we went to Target to get them their T-ball gloves. Anyway, they are worn out!! It's 8:15 and they are still in bed, which is REALLY late for my kids!! I think we will go to some yard sales once we can get them together but obviously, we won't go to many now. Mom is keeping the kids so Jack and I can have a few hours together. Then, I guess we will come home and work in the yard, get some things fixed, and things like that!!