Cleaning Frenzy

I'm bushed. The kids and I had an exceptional day of CLEANING. The house sure did get messy in our week of laying around doing nothing. Surprising, I know. Nevertheless, we cleaned and organized like there was no tomorrow.

Keith had installed some shelving for me in the family room, but I had not moved the old bookcase away. Instead, books were lying all around causing upheaval and disarray. Today, I finally decided where I wanted the old bookcase to go and then Keri Lynn helped me organize the books and put them away. School books, kids' books, adult books, pretty books, ratty but loved books are all now in their places.

We had our Bible time at 11:00 like we usually do. Got in a little history, too, and flashcards, but that was all the scholastic endeavor done for the day. Otherwise, it was clean, clean, clean.

Then, at 4:00, I got Keva from the bus. She's looking exceptionally cute lately sporting a new haircut I gave her Saturday night. (I'm posting a picture on the blog in the next day or two, so go see!) It's the one haircut that I do for all of the girls, but on different heads it comes out looking different. For Keva especially, since she doesn't exactly stay still for me, haircuts are a challenge. Usually I snip and pray that I don't cut her ear off. At any rate, she looks awfully cute and stylish -- a new 'do for the new 12 year old.

After bringing Keva into the house, I went on my walk. I've been going at about 4:00 every weekday lately. It seems to be a good time. I'm done with school by then, and just gearing up to make dinner. That gets me home in time to start dinner and serve by 6:00, because, as you know, EVERYONE is STARVING. Konner was in tears, he was so hungry. Good grief!

Keith is still at work tonight as he puts in some more overtime. It's nose-to-the-grindstone for him. I'm hoping that coming home to a relatively clean house will help. I've noticed that the house is smelling more doggie lately, though. This is not good news for Kody in that Keith wants him back out as an outside dog when we've got our fence completed. At the rate we're going building the fence, Kody may not have anything to worry about, but I've sure enjoyed having Kody inside, messes and all.

Anybody have any ideas for keeping doggy smells out? My steam cleaner is on its last legs these days. We used it until it couldn't be used anymore. First the shampoo bottle that connects to the water tank fell off. That's the shampoo bottle that says "DO NOT REMOVE FROM TANK UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH!" (or something like that.) Then, the tank itself starting leaking occasionally. Then, Kody -- Dear Soul -- ate up a piece of the cord. (It's a wonder he didn't electrocute himself.) Then, the rollers stopped operating. Last, but not least, it started leaking like a sieve -- water coming out nearly as fast as I was putting it in. That's the last time I've used it.

Anyway, it's the steam cleaner that helps the house smell less doggy. And now I'm not sure what I'm going to do, particularly if I've got a run-away Kody or Keva mess. Makes me shudder to think about it.

I've got Febreeze. That seems to help temporarily. And I'm trying to vacuum more frequently. Doggy hairs are everywhere. This is not good when one has a black-haired stinky dog.

On a very positive note, I'd like to report that I made an error in figuring out my weight loss last week. I was ten pounds off somehow in an embarrassing miscalculation reading my scale. I lost three more pounds this last week, but then gained it back over the weekend. Nevertheless, my total weight loss so far is 16 POUNDS! I've already noticed some big changes in my energy level and attitude. I'm highly motivated to keep melting those pounds away.

When we were cleaning today, the kids found a group picture from Keith's high school from 1982, a year before he graduated. It was really funny to get the kids' perspective on this picture. First of all, it was a huge picture from Gardena High School. I'd venture to guess there were about 1200 kids? We had a time just finding Keith in the clamor. The kids were fascinated with the 80s clothes and hair. I pointed out the polo shirts, vans and feathered hair. (Kathleen particularly was aghast at the style.) Secondly, what cracked me up the most, was that the all of the kids (with the exception of Keri Lynn) wanted to know where I was sitting. Isn't that cute? They just assumed that since Daddy was in the picture, than I should be there, too, regardless of whether or not we even knew each other then.

Speaking of Daddy, Keith was brave enough to take Keri Lynn out driving yesterday. They went off to the back of the development. A perfect place to practice. I told Keri Lynn that she better bring back her Daddy in one piece, please, and that I was staying off the roads. Keith reported that she did very well. Only rode the curb once. : ) She said that it was a little harder than she thought it would be. It's so very strange to have a kid driving. OLD PEOPLE have kids that can drive, not me! I'm in a state of denial.

I'm Working on the Blanket

Here I am showing off the baby blanket. You might be able to see my earphones. I'm always listening to some book on tape whenever I'm working on drudge-type jobs like dishes or laundry. I also like to listen while crocheting. When I'm watching TV, I sometimes crochet and then listen to a book on tape during commercial breaks.

A closer look at the blanket. I'm about halfway through and then I'm going to edge it with lime green -- the colors of the baby's room. Then, I'm going to attempt to match the pattern of the blanket to make a little hat, pink with green edging. I love doing this kind of stuff.

Isn't it a pretty pattern! It's a new pattern for me, which makes it all the more fun.

Spring Break

Keith brought home some dry ice to play with. The kids had a great time! The last chunk, Keith put in the kids bathroom and made sure no one stayed in there with the door closed! I'm not sure who had more fun -- the kids or Keith.

The gas from dry ice is heavier than oxygen and thus spreads along the floor.

Konner dressed himself on this day. He usually goes about in a haze of dirt. Note yet another scrape on his forehead.

We are on vacation from school this week. Our county has two separate weeks of Spring Break, and this is one of them. The other is the first week of April and then we're done with school by the end of May.

Even though I get very little done on vacation, I sure do enjoy it when it comes around. Guilt free when we don't do any school work. Getting out of bed at 9:00 or 10:00. Being able to watch TV and get to bed late. Working on household chores at a nice leisurely pace without worrying about having time for the next item on the Need to Get Done agenda. Working on fun time-consuming projects like a baby crochet blanket.

When I'm off like this, I don't get to my computer as often. Plus, Keith, not wanting to deal with American Idol, holes himself up in the bedroom and watches DVDs on the computer. Poor guy!

Keri Lynn, Kathleen and I watched American Idol last night. Wow, there sure are some talented voices. Can't wait to watch tonight.

Keri Lynn is finally getting better, but not after she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics. She was already starting to feel the affects of a flu bug with fever and chills and a general feeling of misery ON TOP OF HER COLD as we were coming home from the doctor. So I wasn't surprised when she threw up during the night and had rosy feverish cheeks the next morning. What I was surprised about was the redness that she had all over her torso by mid morning. Flu and an allergic reaction. So, off she went from THAT medication and is now finally starting to feel a whole lot better, but not before Kody decided to snatch her top retainers from it's resting spot on the bar at lunch yesterday. That dog is toast! I'm going to have him for lunch myself, I'm so mad at him.

I need to call the orthodontist today and find out what it will cost to replace the retainer. I shudder at the thought. She's supposed to go back to California for x-rays to see how her teeth are coming along post-braces, but that's not for another few weeks. I don't know why Kody couldn't have chewed up her bottom retainers instead!

With Keri Lynn on the upswing, everyone is now finally better. Konner has his chronic runny nose, but that's a given. Everyone is feeling so much better, in fact, that I granted permission for sleepovers. Kristofer and Kathleen each have a friend coming over. Sleepovers are pretty easy for me, especially when the kids have their own TVs to watch movies in their rooms. All I need to do is make dinner to feed the minions and provide lots of POPCORN!

We found out last weekend that our new pastor and his family signed papers for a house right here in our development! They stopped by to say hello and I was OH SO GLAD that I'd cleaned the house earlier that day! Anyway, they have the same floor plan, without a basement, and will live just down the street and down a cul-de-sac. They have two sons, the older one the same age as Kristofer. Stape and Kristofer hit it off right away when they came to candidate, so Kristofer is especially thrilled to have them.

That makes four families from our church here in our neighborhood.

As for my diet, last week was flat-line. At least I didn't GAIN any weight, but I didn't LOSE any weight either. I found myself standing in weird positions on my scale to see if I could get a different number! Part of it was not being able to walk. It was so cold last week! This week, though, it's been very comfortable. I've been walking steadily since Monday and, even though it's raining, I think I may be able to put in my time today, too. The walking makes a big difference. Keri Lynn was telling me that she thought I had more energy since I've been on my diet, and it's true. The house is cleaner and the laundry hasn't overtaken anyone, and I have a general sense of good will! The true test will be when hormones take over for about three or four days. : )

Keva's 12th Birthday Letter

Dear Keva,

You, my sweet one, were born 12 years ago today. At the very first moment I saw your face, my life was changed.

I said to the doctor, "She's Down Syndrome, isn't she."

"Yes, I believe so," the doctor replied with anxious eyes, not sure how I'd respond as you were whisked away, "We'll need to do some tests to know for sure, but I believe so. Right now, she needs to go to Pediatric ICU. She's having trouble breathing."

The doctor continued speaking to me, telling me how loving Down Syndrome children were and how they contributed in their own special way to society. Little did she know that she didn't have to worry about me not loving you, Keva. You were already -- just like each of my other children -- a part of my heart.

Little did I know how big of a chunk you would take.

So began a journey for Keith and for me with many ups and downs, pains and joys, as we cared for you through heart surgery, eye surgery, major constipation issues, low muscle tone, and slow developmental milestones.

However, we have striven to keep you, Keva, right there in the midst of the family. Just part of the gang. We've all grown kinder, more patient, not so much in a rush . . . because of you. One thing I missed so much, though, Keva, was that you did not smile much and you never laughed or giggled. In fact, it was nearly impossible to even maintain eye contact.

I decided that I needed to make sure I talked to you like I would any other baby. The relationship had to mature even if it was mostly one-sided. So, during baths, I'd sing to you and you would clap. When I changed you, I'd talk to you. When we went in the car, the noise of family swirled around you. You sat at the table and ate amidst conversations and developing table manners.

Then, something began to happen. You started to react more, interact and even initiate. We were all thrilled. It was never anything really big for someone on the outside looking in, but for those of us inside, closest to your heart, it was HUGE!

You JUMPED right along with Keri Lynn when singing a song.

You GIGGLED when I tickled you! For the first time, I heard your VOICE and I was enchanted.

You GRINNED when you did something naughty, like pull Kody's ears.

You THREW food across the table and LAUGHED about it.

You PICKED something up, CLOSED a door, TURNED on a light -- all in answer to instruction.

It is my very dear wish that someday you'll be able to talk, but I'm okay with it if you don't, because I know that someday in the presence of God you will not only talk, but you'll debate and encourage. You won't just walk, but you'll skip and run. You won't just giggle, but you'll tell your own corny joke, and we'll ALL laugh in turn! Someday, Keva, I'll get to meet you for who you really are and in the meantime I hope that the Lord finds me faithful in my care for you.

Love,
Mommy

Kathleen's Polly Pocket House

Kristofer built the walls of this house, and Kathleen did the interior design.

The house even had a special place for the dog.

One of the rooms with Polly lounging at a couch.

Amidst the Rubble

A balmy 22 degrees this morning as I type this. We even had a few snow flurries for Valentine's Day. As a result of all the cold, I've not been walking as much -- only two times this whole week. I did brave a walk yesterday and came home an ice cube. Keith had just pulled in from work, but I was afraid that if I kissed him, I'd stick to him. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad . . .
I found this on my pillow on Valentine's evening. There was a sweet pink heart made out of clay stuck to a notebook paper homemade card. (Spelling was corrected!)

To My Mom: Be my Mom-entine. This little heart isn't how much I love you, but it's a gift. I love you 10 thousand times more. You are my heart and I love you! Thanks for being my Mom.

Yours Truly,
Kathleen

Those are the gifts that far outweigh any drudgery of parenthood. Thanks, Kathleen. I love you 10 thousand times more back!

I think I'm going to have to take Keri Lynn to the doctor today. She just isn't getting any better and this morning she woke up with her chest hurting. Her cold might have turned into bronchitis. Kylie is complaining that her ear hurts, too. She was one of the first kids I took to the doctor when we started this Carousel of Colds. I really want to get off!

I haven't been doing much of anything anywhere lately. I got sucked into a book and then went straight into a crochet project. Dishes? Who needs clean dishes! Laundry? You can wear your underwear for more than two or three days in a row! Take the dog out? Yes! Now! But not me, I'm busy!

I highly recommend any books by Francine Rivers. I'm waiting for the library to produce a few overdue copies of her Mark of the Lion series. In the meantime, I read The Atonement Child, also by Francine Rivers. If you need to brush up on arguments against abortion and need help understanding the pain involved in this ongoing issue, this is the book to read. I turned the last page and then handed it right over to Keri Lynn who has been reading it non-stop ever since. Like mother, like daughter.

Then, last night, amidst the rubble that used to be my house, I started working on an afghan for Joy's baby. She's the girlfriend that I went out to lunch with a few weeks ago. Our Bible study group is throwing a surprise baby shower for her in less than two weeks. So I decided last weekend to try to crochet a sweet baby blanket for her by then. I'm hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew and that it won't be one of those gifts that I've given in a gift bag with the yarn still hanging off of it -- only to snatch it back to take home to finish! But it sure is fun to crochet baby things! I've missed that! All of my other friends have had their babies and moved on to teen years, so it was such fun to pick out Baby Soft yarn in pink and lime green (her baby's colors) and find an adorable pattern. I'm hoping to make a cute little hat to go with the blanket -- but will probably not have that ready until the baby is actually born.

Grocery Mascot

I went to the grocery store yesterday. It was desperation. I've been needing to go for about three or four days. We were out of milk, fruit, candy and most items needed to create a meal. So, I hit the store running, waded through the flower/candy area where the whole world decided to come and get Valentine paraphernalia, and got to the check-out with two very full grocery carts.

This time, with my diet in mind, and with a lot of wise counsel from friends and family, my grocery cart had some stuff in in that I usually don't bother with. Yogurt and granola bars mainly. And chocolate chips (chocolate in smaller quantities). And some extra produce.

I came up to the checker as she was scanning my stuff and said, "Are you excited to see me?"

"Of course!" she said.

And the bagger said, with a grin, that he thought they were running out of bags.

I needed two baggers to help cart out what turned out to be three carts to the van. By the time I was done, I felt like the grocery store mascot. Cute, lovable, pointed at and exclaimed over.
Then, came the fun part. Taking everything out of the car and putting it away. This isn't nearly as difficult as it used to be. Kids are older now and can actually HELP. I also have more space to put things away. Konner held a package of top ramen and said, "Oh, this goes in the Pop Tart door!" Keri Lynn poured bagged cereals into containers. Kylie thoroughly organized the canned goods. Poor Kathleen sat on the couch playing out her sickie status. Kody thought the world was so wonderful because his favorite person (me!) had brought him a doggie treat.

The only problem with kids helping is that sometimes one finds feminine products in Keva's room next to the diapers -- I guess that's close! Or a can in the refrigerator because someone likes canned fruit cold. But one always finds the snack treats especially categorized and put away right where they need to be.

I was worried that the kids might be disappointed that I didn't buy any candy for their snacks this time, but I was wrong. They were thrilled with the granola bars, yogurt and fruit snacks. Kristofer especially is my health nut. He patted me on the back and told me I'd done a good job, "We need to eat healthier around here!"

Now, I've got to go eat some breakfast and get my hair to look like I didn't just wake up. Bible study is this morning -- can't wait! We're finishing up Revelation 11 -- one of the hardest chapters in the Bible -- but so richly symbolic and so powerful.

Paintball Happiness

We're still sickies here.

Saturday night, Keri Lynn had a long babysitting job, 5:30 PM to what was supposed to be as late as 1:00 in the morning. Since Keith was teaching Sunday School the next morning and ushering, the plan was to send him on to bed while I waited up for Keri Lynn, flipping channels and dozing at the TV.

After several phone calls and a parent lost on the freeway, Keri Lynn didn't get home until nearly 3:00 AM! Needless to say, we were both exhausted the next morning. I stayed home with the sick ones and Keri Lynn was added to the list having woken up with flu-ish symptoms.
She's the latest of the sickie casualties. Kathleen has had a terrible cough for more than a week and has complained of her ears hurting for the last two weeks. (Of course, the really bad stuff always happens on the weekend when it's next to impossible to get health care.) Keva has been home from school since Thursday. She has woken up the last few days with mucus stuck all over her face and hair -- memories of that horrible flu we all had last year. Konner has a never-ending runny nose, but seems unperturbed by it. I still have some residual cough trouble with the winter dry air.

I'm taking Kathleen and Keva to the pediatrician today for some antibiotics.

Who's healthy, you might ask? Keith, pretty much. Kristofer is about all better. Kade. Kylie. Not to bad, except that this cold seems to run in cycles. Some get healthy and then after the others are sick, the healthy get sick again. But I think it's mostly because it's just that time of year when everyone is not feeling at the top of their game.

I have cough drops handy to keep from getting into coughing fits, and have been able to get back to my walks that I started last week. With my new Plan, where I count 500 calories a meal and walk one hour a day, I've lost seven pounds in one week. Yippee!

My energy level, even with some precious hormone challenges last week, has increased dramatically. I also took a weekly set of pictures of me (front, back, side, and face) to remind myself that I've only just begun. Losing a little bit of weight is not a license to get back to eating the way I was. I'm working on a lifestyle change.

I'd like to thank so many of you who have given me encouragement and advice. I got several typical menus from skinny people. I then peppered them with all kinds of questions about what they think when they're eating. What makes them feel full? How do they know when to stop eating? Etc. It's very interesting and enlightening.

On a lighter note, I'd like to report on Keith and Kristofer's paintball games Saturday. They went out Friday night to get supplies and came home with paintball guns, paintballs, headgear . . . and camouflage head to toe. I'm posting a picture soon of Kristofer's full gear soon. Keith tested out the guns out on the deck and shot the Adirondack chair dead. The paint ball went straight through the plastic back! And so Keith learned not to shoot at anything at point blank range. That didn't stop them from happily going off to the paintball range the next morning. I really thought they were overdoing it with all of the gear they bought until they came back happily exhausted that night. Apparently, everyone was decked out the same way and more! All I can say, was it was a very good thing that we had received our tax refund check!

I did get a chance to shoot the paintball gun, too, the next day. I shot from the deck at a big rock on the ground. I can say with all confidence that the rock is never going to bother us again!

Kristofer's Paint Ball Fatigues

Kristofer armed for paintball

He's trying to look mean, but his sparkling eyes give him away.

What we do on sick days

Kade made a paper airplane that could be propelled through the air with a rubberband.

Shy Konner wants to get his picture taken.

Keith came home one evening this week with a mess on his truck. Apparently, birds decided to have a poop orgy on his vehicle. He parked his car under a tree at work and came out at lunch to find it less than shiny. It was the only car bird bombed in the whole parking lot!

Who is that behind that book?

I don't know where she gets this from. Keri Lynn can't read enough books. And she gets totally lost in Book World (as Kathleen calls it.) One day, while Keri Lynn was readiing, we made an entire batch of fudge. The little boys licked the pan. Everyone discussed about when and where we would eat the fudge. The smell of fudge wafted through the house. But Keri Lynn was in Book World. Hours later, she opened up the refrigerator and exclaimed, "Look, there's fudge!"

What does a teen boy do when recuperating from a cold at home? He creates a chess board on the breakfast room floor with toys for chess pieces.

The Chess Master!

"Bills, bills, bills!"

I spent a good deal of the day getting caught up with bills/paperwork. If you've been reading about my exploits long enough, you'll know this is probably my least favorite thing to do in all the world. There has to be a better way to deal with that stuff.

We've all been trying to get over our winter colds. Kathleen has been the sickest lately. It's such an odd little cold. Eyes get really red and uncomfortable. Lots of coughing and congestion. Fatigue. I'll be glad when we're over this one, but it doesn't even remotely compare with the horrible flu of last January! So I guess I shouldn't complain too much.

Keith has been coming home after his usual eight hours at Delta every night since his lay off from his second job at AAA Cooper. It has been so nice to have him home with us, eating dinner, and then crashing on the couch with the rest of his pathetic family to blow into Kleenex, cough and be generally miserable.

He's starting to feel better, though, because tonight he's off with Kristofer getting paintball supplies! The guys in our Sunday School class have been bringing their sons to a place here in Newnan to play some mean paintball. Kristofer has been so excited about it, and I'm thinking that Keith is maybe just a little excited about it, too! The guys have been emailing each other back and forth, talking smack. It's been pretty funny.

Keva has been home from school since yesterday because she started coughing again. The cold has to just run its course, I guess. She's not terribly sick, though. I caught her dumping cornbread crumbs all over her head and all over Kody after dinner. She was giggling away, finding this little project so much fun. Kody, as usual, tolerated her treatment since he was getting some snacks out of it. I was not amused, though.

Kody particularly delights in having Keith home. He starts barking as soon as he hears the door opening. And then, there he is, the first one to greet Daddy. And if Keith thinks that he's going to greet anyone else . . . well, he can forget it, because Kody will have none of it. He doesn't like anyone else getting attention that he feels should be all his. He parks and paws at any of the rest of us until Keith pets him. Kody is like that with anyone getting hugs or affection that he feels should be his. We're trying to train him out of this habit, but it's so funny that he gets so bent out of shape.

Honduran Tragedy

I opened up the local paper yesterday morning and discovered some tragic news. Our church is one of many involved in a yearly mission trip to Honduras. About half of the team made up this year's group that left on Sunday. On Tuesday, while in route to a mission project, the team was involved in an auto accident that killed two men and a woman. They were riding in the back of a commando-style truck, sitting in the back, when the truck breaks failed and the truck overturned and fell down a 80-foot ravine. The men were from a nearby church in Carrolton and the woman lived right here in Newnan. She was a beloved part of a Methodist church here. About 10 others were injured as well, four that I know personally from church. The ones from our church were not seriously injured, as far as we know, but everyone is reeling from the shock. The driver, also from our county, is being held in jail because of the fatalities.

It just goes to show me ONCE AGAIN that God knows our years on this earth and will take us when He deems fit. In the meantime, we sure do need to be ready for it! Please be praying for the families who are mourning loved ones and thanking God for keeping the rest here. One of the injured is Mr. Mike (Mike Emmeot), the missions pastor, and beloved by Kade. Kade is always saying how Mr. Mike said this and Mr. Mike said that. Another was the husband of our children's director. And then two more are sons of the lady that I drove with to the women's retreat last September. One broke an arm and each broke their collarbone.

I remember in my mind's eye the many rough dirt roads of Honduras. The road this team was on was near San Jose. I need to look that up on a map, but I know I've been in San Jose before, but when I was eight (and quite frankly for a LONG time after) I never knew where I was on a map!

Anyway, please be praying for these dear people and for the Newnan community. My hope is that people will trust in the Lord more through this difficult time.

Dieting Daze

Today, I began a diet/exercise plan. It's real easy -- 500 calories a meal, three meals a day, with a snack if needed and a 45 minute walk each day. I'm not writing the calories down, just mentally calculating it.

I guess my goal is to start eating and moving like a skinny person. If you're a skinny person reading this and have some tips, feel free to email or comment on the blog. What I'm really interested in seeing is an average day -- what you eat and how you exercise on any given day. I am especially interested in hearing from taller skinny women. I'm 5'9", so if you're 4'3" and skinny, I really don't want to hear from you. Kidding! Kidding!

I took some pictures this morning -- up close -- and then full body front, back and side. Those pictures were pretty scary. I'm going to take pictures each Monday wearing the same thing in the same poses to chart my progress. I tend to lose weight pretty fast when I start any kind of diet program, so I'm expecting some results soon. But I want to keep going this time. I don't want to quit out of a feeling of deprivation. Thus, the above Plan.

Already, I'm feeling positive results just from my walk today. I've got the extra energy that I get from having just moved off the couch. The walk, though, was COLD! C - O - L - D !!!! It had to be about 40 degrees and windy. My cheeks were frozen solid. My ears stayed warm because I had my earphones covering them to listen to my book on tape. My eyes didn't water too much because of my sunglasses. And my hands stayed warm in my pockets, but tomorrow will be big winter jacket, beanie, gloves and maybe a scarf. Tomorrow I will not return home as a Momsycle -- that's what the kids called me.

Girlfriends

A couple of weeks ago, Joy, my small group leader asked me to join her for lunch after Bible study. I was thrilled. A first date with a girlfriend here in Georgia.

I'm inclined to be a loner. When I get an opportunity to get some time to myself, my first choice is to go off somewhere with a favorite book and spend some quiet time alone. So, I don't naturally plan to get together with other ladies. And I SHOULD! I need friends, but I rely too much on my faithful long-distance friends, and neglect possible friendships here.

So, Joy opened the door for me and we had lunch together today. What a treat. We talked and got to know each other more. I've always appreciated her for being a woman who seeks after God and I'm thrilled to get to know someone who encourages me to do the same. We went to a restaurant right off the town square. We both had chicken fried steak, green beans and fried green tomatoes. That was my first time trying fried green tomatoes -- they were DELICIOUS! I was just wondering, Mom, Grandma, do we have ANY Southern blood in our family because it sure did taste homey.

Anyway, it got me to thinking that now I can make the effort to initiate dates with girlfriends. It can be done! It's fun! And it's important. I'll report on my progress. : )

Now, I've got to get to work on my Bible study for tonight. Being sick has put a real damper on getting ANYTHING done around here. I'm not sure what the boys are going to wear to go to church tonight because I'm so behind on laundry.

The "IT" Factor

Here is a picture of my kitchen counter next to the sink, and all of the clean dishes that still need to be put away. (See Item # 5 below.)

My cold isn't much better today. After getting dressed, getting Keva on the bus and eating a nice breakfast, I plopped myself down on the couch in the family room and watched mind numbing TV until about 10:00 AM. That's when I suddenly remembered about smuggled white chocolate macadamia nut cookies in the refrigerator in the garage. I literally jumped up, then non-chalantly meandered out of the family room into the garage and quickly back into my room to eat two of the yummiest cookies on the face of the planet. All washed down with some cherry cola. Yup.

And I'm wondering why I don't lose weight or get over this yucky cold.

I'm also of the mindset today that if I ignore IT, whatever IT is, it will go away. Here's a list of IT:

1) The poop accident in the dining room. (I did say to someone that Kody's been AWFULLY good these days about not doing his doody in the house.) Sigh. Kathleen took the poop away, but I still have to clean up the residue with the steam cleaner.

2) Kids' school. School? What school?!

3) Bills.

4) Associated with bills -- filing. I had a horrible time finding paperwork for taxes this year.

5) The washed pots, pans and plastics that sit on the counter waiting to be put away.

6) My weight.

7) And the usual laundry and dishes.

I just took a little turn around the house, and guess what! All of the above items . . . still there!
Actually, I'm just preparing for a good TV night tonight. There's American Idol, of course -- my foremost guilty pleasure. And then, following AI, House. I love that show. I was shocked to hear Hough Laurie, the guy who plays House, accept an award last week and talk in his normal British accent. The guy does the show in an accent not his own. Amazing.

So, I'll sit tonight, hopefully with some of my list above crossed off, and (if I don't feel exhausted from the cold) I may pull out a crochet project.

On Keith's job -- I was feeling the stress of knowing that we wouldn't be getting a regular pay-check coming in starting next week, when Keith came home from work last night. It was simply terrific to have him home for dinner. We had make-your-own-tacos (a house favorite). The tacos were completely cleaned out. I started off with one, having gobbled up "a few" of the aforementioned cookies on the way home from the grocery store) and when I came back for just one more, every ingredient had been nearly inhaled by the rest of the family.

Then, Keith mentioned to me, lightheartedly, "You know, someone at work was saying that I should just do overtime now. I could work until about 10:00 or 11:00 in the evening and make even more than what I was making at my other job."

I simply stared at him for a moment. This was, of course, my idea way back when. When we were trying to make ends meet before he took the second job. But, at the time, working so many hours at Delta seemed so infeasible, so LONG, so BORING! But, now, on the other side of six months at a truck dock working like a dog and getting four to five hours of sleep a night, it doesn't seem so bad!

"Well, okay, then," I said, after a moment of blank shock.

One of our worries before about doing overtime for Delta was the lack of overtime hours. Apparently, this isn't the case currently. Another huge advantage to working at Delta for overtime pay is that he'll be getting paid OVERTIME. Also, lately, he's been working in a different building problem-solving issues for Delta's on-line services. So, when he works overtime, he'll be working at the phones in a different area. It won't be the same old thing for hours and hours on end.

I'm thankful beyond words for this current development. It will be hard to have him away in the evenings again, but he'll be getting home earlier and he won't have to do the tough physical labor.

Kylie gets a package!

Everybody loves a package!

Grandma Waynel sends a gift of Polly Pockets for Kylie to restore some of the ones she lost when Kody chewed them up. Thank you, Grandma!

One down, five to go!

Keri Lynn without braces! So pretty! She's learning how to talk with her retainers. It brings back memories! Now, we have one set of braces down, and only five to go!

Kylie watches The End of the Spear on her TV.

The boys show their sweet smiles and their sore need of a barber. Note Konner's new scrape on his face.

Kathleen teaches Kody a trick.

Kody will do anything for a Special Treat.

Kade loses his first tooth!

He's just too cute for words. "Sewiously, Mom!"

Laid Off

Keith went to work on Friday with two jobs and came home with one. He was laid off from his second job, the dock job, along with four other part-time guys, because there isn't enough work for everyone right now. So that means part-timers get the ax first. He gets to keep his work ID and will likely be called back in July when work starts to pick up again. In the meantime, July is -- um -- SIX MONTHS AWAY!

The positive part of Keith not working that second job is that for now we'll get to see him again throughout the week. He's missed not being with his family and we have missed not having husband and daddy around.

Today, Keri Lynn and I are suffering from colds again. Keri Lynn has been sick since returning from California. And I've been sick on again/off again for the last few weeks. I've got a big of a headache and I'm all stuffed up. I announced clean-up time for a half hour after lunch and have holed up in my warm bedroom to play on the computer for a while. Meanwhile, the mess still sits stubbornly all around the house, refusing to disappear all by itself.

It's been COLD this week. Most days, it's been in the 30s and 40s. Our house keeps bedrooms toasty warm, but the big common rooms get chilly.

We're going to have a family picture done by Olan Mills this weekend as part of our church's pictorial directory. I'm just imagining how very pathetic we're all going to look if we don't start feeling better. I've got to get on the ball, too, and cut hair. I haven't cut boys' hair in a long time. Kristofer is hoping that I'll forget, since he likes his long curly locks, but he's in for a rude surprise. Kade looks okay, but needs a little trim. It's Konner that still looks awful from a horrendous haircut Keith gave him a few months ago.

Happy birthday, Grandma!

For those of you who've never met my Grandmother, let me describe her to you. She is a petite woman, slim and highly energetic. She can out-talk anyone. She has three children, eight grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Some of my earliest memories are going up the path through the ivy to visit Grandma and Grandaddy. Their house was always warm and inviting. Warm yellows and browns. Lots of pictures. A chalkboard in the hall. Carpet everywhere.

From Grandma, I learned the fine points of table manners and place settings. She often cooked us Chicken Divan served with buttered sourdough toast. I made this meal often when I was first married and I still serve it regularly today.

She often mended things for my family while I was growing up. She also had clothes that she'd get from people who were getting rid of their old things and we'd go through those to see what we could use. She taught us how to put outfits together. For instance, when you're going to go buy something, you need to ask yourself if there are other things that go with it. Make sure that you can make at least three different outfits with one article of clothing. She sewed and enjoyed crafty things and home decor.

I think that's why I like crochet so much.

When she sold her home after Granddaddy died, she moved to her condo and decorated it in blue and rose. Those were my favorite colors for years and years. A lot of how I decorate my home today is because of Grandma.

When I came over for a few days, I'd be tucked into the hide-a-bed in the living room and Grandma would do what she'd done all my life whenever I slept over. She'd talked to me until it was all I could do to keep my eyes open. Oh, how she'd talk! She'd talk about the people that she knew, past and present, about church and missionaries and ministry, about books she'd read, and about God. Always about God. And then she'd pray for me and I'd go gratefully to sleep!

Grandma is 90 now. She lives in a retirement center where she has downsized to a room, alcove area, bathroom and a big closet. She has long since given up driving, but her computer keeps humming while she works on her memoirs. She emails everybody every day. She holds a Bible study and has many visitors. Because she has a hole in her heart, a problem that she's had since birth, she now rides the halls to the dining hall in her motorized "car".

My college days weren't too long ago. It wasn't too long ago when she was driving me from Biola to downtown Los Angeles, where I worked at a Korean church. She gave up her Sunday mornings at her own beloved church to take me to teach Sunday School to Korean kids. She zipped around in her car just like she walks -- FAST! And she'd attend the Korean service for the adults while I worked with the kids and then we'd zip on back to Biola. We took those times to pray together and catch up with what was going on.

I introduced her to my boyfriend at that time and held my breath while they talked together. Keith is a talker and Grandma is a talker. Right away, they had some pretty serious theology discussions. They both survived them and Keith got the stamp of approval from Grandma. I married him three years later.

Grandma has always been involved in some kind of ministry for the Kingdom. She has always talked about the Lord's return. May it come quickly. Although there are many times when I would think, "Lord, maybe not THAT quickly," like when I was about to get married, or when I was going to have a baby, or when we were about to buy our new house! Grandma, a dyed in the wool, pre-trib rapture believer! Still, I can't fault her for her yearning to some day see the Lord face to face. I imagine that even a new husband, baby or house could even remotely compare to THAT!

She has always been involved in some kind of ministry. She was saved as a young wife and mother. Granddaddy went to jail once a week to minister to the people there. Grandma was involved in Bible study and helping missionaries. One day, her oldest daughter, my mother, became a missionary in Central America and eventually I came on the scene as a MK. Grandma and Granddaddy came for visits to Guatemala and Honduras and we would come home on furlough to freeways, houses with carpeted floors, fast food, English, and Grandma and Granddaddy's house!

She became involved in women's Bible study, and then later, when she became a widow, helped other widows. She also counseled women in their marriages. Her Bible is tattered from use. She's always clipping articles and putting them together in care packages for her loved ones. Every once in a while, even way off in Georgia, I'll get a pile of recipes, articles, puzzles, etc. from Grandma. She got us a subscription for Citizen Magazine for Christmas.

Most of all, I can't remember a time I have not gone for a visit and not been introduced to anyone in the vicinity by a proud Grandma. "So-and-so (it didn't matter who it was -- pastor -- janitor -- neighbor -- stranger off the street), this is my OLDEST granddaughter . . . " and then would follow a list of my latest accomplishments, however embellished by a proud grandparent they were. I'd nod and smile with the full knowledge of family pride and hope that the person at the other end understood that I was truly a regular human being and that my Grandmother was proud of me!

And so I nearly burst with pride myself when I see my Grandmother take Keri Lynn by the arm to thrust her proudly before whoever happens to be around, "So-and-so, I'd like you to meet my GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER . . . "

So, Grandma, this is for you. Thank you for the loving Christian heritage you've given to me and my family. Thank you for your support over so many years. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for teaching me through example. If I can be half as tech-savvy, half as well-dressed, half as hard-working as you when and if I should reach 90, then I'll be a happy woman. May God bless you as you enter into another decade! Happy birthday!

Love,
Jackie

Chills and Fever

Oh, boy! Had some fun yesterday.

Wednesday afternoon, I started feeling like I was starting to catch a cold. By evening, I was feeling feverish and having trouble getting to sleep. So I wasn't surprised when I woke up Thursday morning feeling completely exhausted, cold and weak. I decided to work through the yuckiness and see if it was just early morning I-don't-want-to-wake-up feelings, or if I was really sick. So I put Keva on the bus, read the local paper (This takes about 15 minutes), listened to the kids rustle around the kitchen getting their breakfast, and then went on back to bed where I stayed wrapped up in my comforter for nearly four hours.

I woke up hungry and hot. Not feverish, just hot, as in I've-just-woken-up-in-the-middle-of-the-day hot. Normal. What a relief! I was still tired, but not sick and weak. I made myself some breakfast while the kids rummaged around the kitchen finding food for lunch. I was so relieved to have the big kids back to help the little kids while I took care of myself.

We all got comfortable in the family room and watched one of our Netflix movies The End of the Spear. If you haven't gotten a chance to see this movie in theaters or as a rental, I highly recommend it. It's based on the book Through Gates of Splendor. I had to fast forward through some of the more violent parts for the sake of the little kids, and then when they left to go play outside, the rest of us watched the whole thing again. I cried through it twice. There's a particularly sweet scene where one of the tribe members who escaped the violence of her people to live with the missionaries boldly tells her murderous brother the truths of John 3:16 using the imagery of their culture. There's no getting around the grace of Jesus, even for a murderous tribesman.

I ordered pizza for dinner. Thank you, Dominos, for returning the 5-5-5 deal! Two pepperoni, one sausage/olive, one ham/pineapple. Since the kids had essentially fed themselves all day, they were STARVING by dinner time. Kade was doing his impression of The Starving Boy by clenching his empty stomach and moaning. This irritates me so much! Especially since he's got these big meaty arms and chubby rosy cheeks. It didn't help that Dominos was taking an hour and 45 minutes to deliver the pizza. And it was no surprise that the pizza came a little on the cold side. Frankly, I didn't care, because I didn't have to cook! The pizza guy got a nice tip and we commenced eating.

Dinner became a contest. Who could eat the most pizza slices. And then there were arguments about who ate more than the other. Kristofer, for example, ate five slices but didn't eat the crusts. Konner ate two slices in, I'm pretty sure, 30 seconds. Kade ate the crusts, declaring, with his mouth full, "I LOVE the crusts, Mom!" Kathleen was trying to eat demurely, but told Kristofer that, since he wasn't eating the crusts, he wasn't eating as much as she was.
I served the pizza on our "fancy plates". Fancy plates are paper towel strips. No fuss. No mess. (Have I mentioned how much I love pizza?) The big family joke is that everyone needs to take good care of the fancy plates. When company comes over and we're having pizza or sandwiches or hot dogs -- whatever strictly doesn't need a plate -- we break out the fancy plates and tell our company to be careful with them.

Well, this time, Konner TORE his fancy plate. Kristofer and Kathleen set up a court session to determine Konner's guilt or innocence. (This is how I can call this rather pathetic day a school day!) We had the defendant, the judge, the prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney, and a witness. Then, of course, because the American legal system is just, Konner was declared guilty and sent off for a tickle torture. They all thought the court great fun and proceeded to run about a dozen trials right there at the table.

Once the younger kids were down, Keri Lynn and Kristofer joined me for another movie. We watched the first of three discs of Dune. It's the most recent version of Dune that has William Hurt in it. Anyway, I spent most of the movie time worrying about whether or not Keri Lynn and Kristofer should watch it with me. Kristofer thought it was the best movie ever since it has all kinds of great special effects and fight scenes and mammoth worms. Kristofer was ready to go right off to the post office to put the disc back in the mail so that we can get the next one that much quicker. Good grief!

I'm not sure how this day is going to turn out. It' 9:26, and I haven't seen The Big Three up yet. Kathleen is probably sick with the thing that took me down yesterday. When I woke her up to take the dog out, she said it was too cold to get up. So I let her sleep. If they others are down with the same thing, I may need to keep us all home from the homeschool park day that we attend every other Friday. I hate to miss it. Today, Keri Lynn is supposed to meet with another homeschooled 15-year-old girl, but I don't think the girl is going to appreciate a little flu bug.

Ah, the joys of a large family.