The Eagle Has Landed....

What exactly is the barter system? I have learned several things...one, that you trade money for products or services, like when you go to Walmart and buy a bunch of school supplies, or get your oil changed. Two, when you trade time for time, like when you watch your friend's children so she can get some iced coffee and she does the same for you. And three, when you trade farm fresh eggs for fresh soy/rice milk, which by the way is not to bad. Especially when you add chocolate syrup, but I digress. I believe that my favorite is trading food for food, and time for time. That truly makes for a great system. I would recommend all my readers (both of you!) to find someone that you can barter with. It's really cool....and by the way, Operation Ko Samui is under way. If the monkey has left the building, the deal's off......

Can You Reach My Friend?

I got a call from an old friend
we laughed about how we had changed
But I could tell things weren't going as well as he claimed.
He tried to hide his feelings
but they only gave him away
The more I kept listening,
the more I kept wishing
that I knew the right words to say.
Can you reach my friend?
You're the only one who can
Lord, I know you love him
Make him understand
Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Help him give his heart to you

We talked for more than an hour
And I smiled when he mentioned Your name
I said that I knew You and told him the difference You made
He never thought he'd need You
But maybe he's changing his mind
As we said goodbye, Lord, he told me that I had found something
that he'd like to find.
Can you reach my friend?
You're the only one who can
Lord, I know you love him
Make him understand
Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Help him give his heart to you
Maybe he's ready
tonight, Lord, he said that he might
need to call on you
Can you reach my friend?
You're the only one who can
Lord, I know you love him
Make him understand
Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Help him give his heart to you...
Help him give his heart to you.

Middle Child Syndrome

My darling son has middle child syndrome. I know that it must be difficult being both a younger and an older brother. Too young to do what his sister can, too old to get away with what his brother does. He is stuck in an unfair warp where the middle child gets blamed for everything.
Big sis doesn't want him in her stuff or playing with her, and little brother refuses to leave him alone.

My child, my precious, precious child, how can I let you know that I love you for YOU? You make my heart smile, you amaze me with your kindness and compassion. You have such a gentle way about you. You are so sensitive to other's feelings. And, you are MINE. I have yet to figure out what I could've done so wonderful that God chose ME to be your mother. Oh, my child, I know that it's hard growing up and there are so many more challenges you will face. I will always be here to hold your hand and to pray you through.
Hold on to Jesus, my darling middle child. Don't let your birthplace discourage you from becoming what you were created to be. You are so special and wonderful. I love you, son....

How to Reduce Stress

Sundae Treat

Well, this represents a VERY, VERY, VERY weak moment in my life. Karl's too. I can't imagine HOW this happened...we got a new kitten a couple weeks ago. Her name is Sundae Treat...Sundae to her friends and family. Our other cats are tolerating her only because they have figuted out that she's not going anywhere. She was supposed to be Aaron's kitten, but it turns out that she has Karl wrapped around her paw. She actually sleeps on his pillow (or mine) and cuddles up to him UNDER the covers! To say that she is spoiled is making a major understatement. Oh, well! She IS cute and cuddly. Can you see the sucker sign on our heads?? It's really there! That's the only way I can explain any of the animals in the house...

How much is too much???

Ok...so Staples has this great back to school sale. Their school supplies are on sale for a nickle. And of course, in the interest of fairness to all their customers, there is a limit that you can buy. One person can get 10 folders, 30 pencils, 24 pencil top erasers, 2 rulers, and 2 protractors for a mere $.78! Of course, being the homeschooling mom that I am, I use this opportunity to teach my kids about math, frugality, and the ever loving SALE!!! All three of my children (including my 3 year old) went through the line with their "stash" of sale items. And we went back 2 different days. Did I mention that I also had my parents going through the line with me? We are stocked! (overstocked, possibly!) To my count, we had over 100 folders, 40 dozen pencils, 20 packages of erasers, 16 rulers and 16 protractors. What on earth am I going to do with 16 protractors????? But they were only a nickel! And of course, we are going to Walmart where the crayons are a measly $.20 a box and notebooks are a thin dime. I could really fill my supply drawer up! And the best thing is, that Walmart doesn't have a limit on their items. Which means that I don't have to pass my 3 year old off as trying to buy his own supplies for the year. Of course, I could count that as a math/home-ec field trip....

Ever Have One of Those Days???

The kids won't listen, they are too busy fighting; you have bills to pay and run out of checks with which to pay, IF there is enough money to cover them all; you are living in your van most of the time running aforementioned children to various activities (all in the name of "socialization"); and you just ran out of coffee! Anyone been there with me????

ODE TO THE ICED COFFEE

About 2 months ago, McDonalds came out with an iced coffee beverage. My friend bought me one for watching her girls for a couple of hours. I became hooked, obsessed even. The restaurant is currently offering a coffee card, where if you buy 5 you get the 6th free. I have personally cashed in 4 cards already. I used to take the kids there and get lunch. Now, I feed them and get myself a large hazelnut or vanilla ticket to paradise. I have tried many recipes for making it myself at home and somehow, it doens't taste the same. Perhaps it's the flavoring, perhaps the cream, but I think it's the fact that I don't have to do anything other than drive thru and enjoy. A few minutes in the drive thru lane and I am on my way to a caffiene/sugar high that cannot be compared. How I love the iced brew! Maybe they will offer IV's for the most addicted of us next?

Green Stripe Promotion!!!

Nick had a TaeKwonDo testing today for his green stripe for his belt. Although he has done it before, I cringe when he has to break boards. I was so proud of him. He has really worked very hard and he truly loves this.

Nick had total focus today. Getting ready to break the board...





...and his foot goes through!! Many trees are shaking tonight!




The board break payoff...he earned his new rank!




My big guy with his new rank!

NICK AND HIS INSTRUCTORS

PLAY THAT 'G' WITH FEELING!

This was a comment made to me by a music teacher in my younger days. Maybe it was my piano teacher, or when I took up the French Horn. This sticks in my mind so well now that Mikayla is playing 3 instruments. She loves it, but I have gotta admit, the trumpet isn't my favorite right now. Listening to her and her friend practice simultaneously, I have a headache. But, it's so full of promise. 2 girls that have been best friends for 3 years now and have seen each other through a vast amount of things that most 9 and 10 year olds don't have to experience. They have actually lived together 2 times, due to family moving situations, and have learned to love each other and accept each other without judgement. They are safe for each other. Together, they are a mighty force. They compliment each other well. One is more shy and reserved, the other very outspoken. One is homeschooled, one goes to public school. The differences just don't seem to matter to them. They love each other enough to say "you are really annoying me" and move on.


What could I learn from these two with my own relationships? How could I just love my friends without wanting to change them, even under the guise of "how much better could it be for you if you did this"? How can I be a sister to each of my girlfriends and love unconditionally? How can I trust enough to say that I am upset or hurt by someone's actions, and know that I am safe enough to do that?

Amazing, isn't it? Young women teaching the older...

what if...?

What if...



I got everything I prayed for?

I didn't get anything I prayed for?

I loved deeper?

I held on stronger to the ones I love?

I held on less tight to the ones I love?

I found all the good in everyone I met?

I let others see who I really am?


Would I be able to live life more fully?

four generations of women

My daughter comes from a long line of stubborn, passsionate women. She also gets her compassion and her big heart from this line. Not to mention her great looks! This is a picture of Great-Grandma, Grandma, Mother, and Daughter. Not a bad bunch!

Freaky Friday!

Well, it was an interesting evening. We dined on a delicious roast (thank you, Nancy!) and the kids went to clear a spot in our back yard for tent camping tonight. As hubby and I cleared the table and got ready to do the dishes, we realized that something (or rather SOMEONE) was missing. We went to the living room and found his "wubby", but no Aaron. I walked around the house, calling his name. No answer. I went to the backyard and called his name. "Aaron! Aaron!" No answer. I went to the pool...no Aaron. Checked the clubhouse. Sandbox. Swings. No Aaron.

Back into the house I went. Hubby was already looking in the basement and had looked upstairs. No Aaron anywhere. About this time, I was freaking out! I called my friend and merely got the words "I can't find Aaron...he's gone" and she was over in a flash. I walked down the street and ran into a nice gentleman who noticed my tears and asked me if I was okay. I breathed a sigh to calm myself down and asked him if he had seen my baby. I went into detail about what he looked like. The man said that he would help look.

Absolutely freaked out, Karl took off on his bike to go look for our child. It was then that the man gathered about 10 people to help in our search. As I called 911 and went into detail about what he was wearing, weight, height, and eye color. Karl came around the curve down the street walking his bike. He pointed a thumbs up sign to me and I saw my baby on his trike, riding proudly next to Dad! I ran and grabbed him off his bike and hugged him so hard! He had ridden his bike about 3 blocks away and went to the park to play. He kept saying "playground" earlier, so he really meant he was going!

We were happily able to call of the search for our little wanderer as he was home safe after the LONGEST 30 minutes of my life!!!

I think that next time, I will double bolt all the doors and put a cow-bell on Aaron!! Thank you, God, for all the people who were willing to help us, even though they had no idea who we were. And thank you most of all for keeping my baby safe and returning him home to me!

How exactly does a moose die?

Rather Painfully...

While learning to play on a friend's trumpet, Mikayla has helped me to come to that conclusion. She has decided that she wants to play in the school summer band. She will get her own trumpet this weekend and start Monday. Oh, boy! I had a headache all day after she played around. I know that she will get better with time and practice...She does have musical talent.




Aaron loves the camera and likes to see his picture right away. What did we do before we had digital cameras and had to wait months before we saw the pictures?





Nick's cat, Frisky basically just tolerates the rest of us...she really loves him!!

$29.95 plus shipping

Today is my birthday....I never imagined that I would be this old. Yet, I feel younger than I ever have.


I have a stack of books piled about a mile high, waiting to be gone through and lesson plans made. My homeschool year is going to take off officially in a few weeks. My birthday marks the end of a summer and the beginning of a fall semester.

I wish that it could be easier. I could just pick a curiculum vendor and buy that whole year for my children. Of course, that's not what I need to do. Mikayla runs in the other direction when she sees any educational books. She would rather play her piano, guitar and starting next week the trumpet. She can pick up a pencil or crayon or sidewalk chalk and create the most beautiful artwork that you have ever seen. She could care less about participles and whether or not they are dangling. History is something that is best left in the past for her. She would take apart any animal in a heartbeat and discover how it ticks inside, but make her write about it???? NEVER!!!



Of course, Nicholas is the opposite. He would prefer to write out lists of things, loves to diagram sentences, and lives to do math. He'll draw, but only if there isn't something more interesting to do...like algebra or fixing run-on sentences.



Still, I will plan and plan and plan. I will spend days wondering if I am able to do teach my children again. I will spend countless money on books and hands on manipulatives that will go unused on my dusty shelf. My kids will learn what they need to know despite all this. They will continue to absorb knowledge from unseen sources, and amaze me with their reasoning skills. They will have compassion on other people and know how to bring smiles to just about any face.

They are learning the most important things in life...and that you can't teach from a book.


In the end, I believe that my children teach me. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.

learning to let go...

I got a call today from an old friend...we had some differences several months ago and had not spoken since. There were angry words and bitter feelings left. Today, she called and asked for my forgiveness for her part in all of this. She said that she would understand if I never wanted to talk to her again, but that she had to let me know that she was sorry.
It sure took me by surprise. I never expected to hear from her again. In fact, I made sure that I avoided her to avoid further confrontations.
I had to let go and forgive her for the pain that her words caused. I had to ask for her forgiveness for carrying the pain myself...and it has started a healing process. Can I trust her again? How can I not? God still trusts me when I screw up and hurt Him. Learning to let go has really made an impact on me. I just pray that I will not fall back on the old pain and let it destroy this friendship again...
To my friend...welcome back to my life...

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I saw this quote on a friend's blog and thought that it was so relevant for today. My parents have finally made up their minds to move back to South Dakota. They have been talking about it for a long time now, and last night, the final decision was made.

I miss them already, but I am full of excitement at what lies ahead for them. They are now both fully retired and are finally going to be able to enjoy a lifetime's worth of work.

4th of July

15 adults, 11 kids. We had a BLAST!! I was worried about running out of food, but we had more than enough and we will be eating hot dogs and watermelon for a week.


BUDDY CHECK!! Now, dunk your buddy! The pool kept all 8 older kids busy for hours!


Nick really enjoyed his cheetos!




Aaron and Jacob finally "bonded" about 20minutes before Jacob's family left.


Mikayla and her buddies posing...like all girls do.






I have to say that this was the most successful party that I have ever hosted. Makes me look forward to Labor Day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

We have a huge party planned for today. Hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, and watermelon are all the required essentials for our day. 25 Adults, 14 kids confirmed and 8adults and 6 kids unconfirmed. We invited another 40 people who couldn't make it. What were we thinking??? :) I hope that it doesn't rain today so that we can keep the party outside where there is far more room. But, I guess the festivities are in the people, not th place. Still, I can't wait to taste my Grandmother's potato salad!

really cool picture

This is a cool picture that Karl found last night on the internet. Just thought that I would share it.

digging the patio

We tried digging our old patio up today to get some new bricks down and we found the old septic tank for the house. Karl thought that it looked at least 60 years old. Good thing for us that it was empty! We were able to put the cover back on and load the dirt over it again. We did take pictures, but the batteries died and I am waiting a charge to get them off the camera.
Karl took the kids swimming today and is all sunburnt. He didn't think that he got that much sun...but now he wishes he listened to me and put sunblock on!
Grandma Leith comes tomorrow. I am looking forward to a nice visit with her. My parents will take her back to Ill. on their way to see my brothers in Sturgis, SD.