My favorite problem!

(To the tune of how do you solve a problem like Maria)

He climbs a tree and scrapes his knee
His jeans have got a tear
He waltzes on the soccer fields
And whistles to the air
And underneath his bed
He has candy wrappers hiding there
I even heard him singing in the bathtub

He's always last in the car

But his penitence is real

He's always late for everything
Except for every meal
I hate to have to say it
But I very firmly feel
Lukie IS an asset to the Mad House!

I'd like to say a word in his behalf
Lukie makes me laugh

How do you solve a problem like Luke Mad?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Luke Mad?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell him
Many a thing he ought to understand
But how do you make him stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Luke Mad?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

When I'm with him I'm confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
He's as flighty as a feather
He's a darling! He's a demon! He's a lamb!

He'd outpester any pest
Drive a hornet from its nest
He could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
He is gentle! He is wild!
He's a riddle! He's a child!
He's a headache! He's an angel!
He's a boy!

How do you solve a problem like Luke Mad?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Luke Mad?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell him
Many a thing he ought to understand
But how do you make him stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Luke Mad?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

The Patch

A couple of weekends ago we went on our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with some friends from our Sunday school class. We have gone to the same patch for the past couple of years and were excited to try a new one this year. It was a beautiful morning and we had a great time. Here are some pictures from our outing:

Someday I will look back on this and laugh...maybe

I don't know what to say about my day yesterday other than to tell you I am traumatized and it may take me years to recover...or months...or weeks...actually, I think I'll be better tomorrow. But it really was a crazy day...

It began at 5:45 AM. If you know me, you know, I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. I'm really not a morning person on the weekend and REALLY not a morning person on the 1 day (of the last 8) I can sleep in because my man is off. But alas, Hal says I must get my butt up and run, so I got my butt up and ran. 9 very. long. miles. 2 and a half minutes faster than my goal time, which did make me cry, but-that's-a-whole-nother-story.

So I get home, quickly shower and we head to a nearby little faux pumpkin patch. Oh, you heard we went to a different one last weekend? We did. But we didn't get a family picture, so I dragged us out again. They had a moon bounce, face painting and the hit of the morning - the cake walk. That one stumped me? But, hey I knew where the boys were the whole time! Caleb was determined to bring us home some sweets (because we don't have enough candy?) and that determination paid off! He was so excited.

Then we get home, put the sisters down for their nap and I beg for 37 minutes off my feet until I have to go to my home away from home - the grocery store.

After that was...

Soccer game at 3pm.
Soccer game at 5pm.
Friends over for dinner & some trick o treat action. Now, this was a little stressful because between our two families there were 10 VERY excited children. Very, very, very excited.

And this is where things started to go downhill very, very, very fast.

Let me preface this next story by telling you that we went to trunk or treat on Friday night and Lily Kate spent the whole time in her Daddy's arms because she was terrified of people in costumes. All people in costumes, but especially people in scary costumes. Tiny predicament for Halloween.

I had a bad feeling that she wasn't going to love being in costume. Bad feeling. Bad, bad feeling. But I shove that feeling out because I know they are going to love the costumes that I made, with my own two hands and LOTS of love, especially for them.

Happy thoughts. Good thoughts. Delusional thoughts...

So all 10 kids are getting into costume in the living room, the noise level is that of a NFL football game, the doorbell is ringing with Halloween'ers, I'm exhausted from the busy day, we start to pull the costumes out for the sisters and...

They go into major meltdown mode. They want nothing to do with those costumes and are begging to go to bed. It was bad. We tried everything - begging, reasoning (yeah, like that ever works!), bribery all to no avail.

I was sad, dissapointed and defeated. JKM on the other hand was determined (wonder where Caleb gets that from?) and convinced he could get them in it. At least for 1 picture.

So he takes them to the laundry room, turns off the lights and tricks them into thinking they are putting on their jammies. No, we are not above trickery. Little Kate fell for it and actually liked having her costume on, for a few minutes anyway. The Grace didn't fall for it or ever like wearing it. But candy kept her happy.

Our feelings of triumph literally only lasted for seconds before the girls saw one of our friends in a scary costume and lost it for good. We had to take them to their rooms to calm them down and get their jammies on them. Game over.

We went trick or treating with our friends, all through the neighborhood, and by the time we got home I told everyone goodnight, shuffled to my room and crashed hard. While the boys were still up and our company was over. I was stick-a-fork-in-me done!

And that, my friends was my Halloween. Now, your reward for reading that wordy post about drama, the part that you are waiting on, pictures...

But before I begin, I have to tell you that both sisters are wearing their costumes backwards. Apparently while Daddy was dressing them in the dark he didn't notice that he was putting them on backwards. So, I'm not sure if you can tell what they are... At least that is what we'll blame it on if you can't tell!

My little bat with candy in her mouth so that she doesn't cry.

Lily the spider with Spiderman.

My boys look adorable. My sweet girls look...sad. They aren't wearing their cute head peices or their happy smiles.
Oh, well, I guess there is always next year...

Flashback Friday - Halloween Costumes

I love, love, love Halloween! Love it! The costumes are my FAVORITE part. While I was looking back through old pictures, for some reason I couldn't find 2002 & 2003. Caleb was a frog & tiger those years. You'll just have to take my word for it - he was cute!

I'm a theme-y mom and am proud to say that I was able to pull it off once again this year! But that will have to wait until tomorrow...

Halloween 2004

Fireman & Dalmation - Caleb 2 & Luke 2mo.

Halloween 2005

Cowboy & Indian - Caleb 3 & Luke 1

(this was my first homemade costume!)

Halloween 2006

Batman & Robin - Caleb 4 & Luke 2

October 2007

Knights & Princesses - Caleb 5, Luke 3 & Twins 6mo.

(I made the tu-tu's & headbands)

Halloween 2008

Obi Wan, Anakin & Ewoks! - Caleb 6, Luke 4 & Twins 1

(Daddy made Obi Wan's cloak and I pseudo made the Ewok costumes)

Let me know if you play along....

So cute I could eat them!

My little pumpkins 1 year ago.

Delicious!!
I've been looking at old pictures in preparation for my Flashback Friday - Halloween Costumes Edition and it has been fun!! I can't wait to show you...

A walk inside the head of Sab Mad - be afraid...

Do you want to see the super cute thing that I am drooling over currently:

"Our new felt countdown calendar helps everyone get into the Thanksgiving spirit well in advance. It has 60 I am thankful cards for each day's pocket that promote the act of gratitude."

Seriously, I went to the outlets last week and wandered into the Pottery Barn Outlet when lo and behold I saw this sweetness! I love family traditions and immediately thought of dozens of ways we could use this to create memories! So I sat there, held it in my hands and debated...

"I am here to buy clothes for our children, not things for our house," says Practical Sabrina.

"But how often do you ever buy things for the house? Really, splurge a little. You only live once..." says Very Impratical Sabrina.

Practical Sabrina replies, "I have been splurging, see all these bags?"

"Um, those were clothes for your kids. That's not splurging!"

"Apparently you didn't see the price of those tights for the sisters! Splurge. I've already spent too much money and I don't need to spend anymore. Especially $70 on something that will be hung on the wall for 28 days. It's adorable, cute and I really want it, but it is not in the budget!"

Impractical Sabrina says (very unfairly), "But you can't put a price on memories..."

"You're right," says Practical Sabrina. "I can't, but Dr. Mad can and he would think that's a lot of cash."

Impractical Sabrina replies with, "Who are you kidding, he doesn't care. He wants you to be happy and you know he wouldn't put a price on your happiness."

So Practical Sabrina stood there and stared, dreamed, imagined and then walked out of the store. And the whole way home thought about this adorable wall hanging.

And apparently is still thinking about it.

The ugly side of anger

While Joseph was gone, I really felt like my world was spinning out of control. Okay, maybe not my whole world, just my children. But since they are my little world, I guess it was my world. In any case, at first I was sure that the kids were out of control. There was lots of arguing, fighting and everything was a long drawn out battle that I was losing. I wasn't having much fun being a mommy and I'm sure they weren't having much fun being my kids.

Then God really spoke to my heart and reminded me that they weren't the issue. They were doing what children are supposed to do - be sinful and selfish. My response to them was the problem. My expectations of them were the problem. I was the problem.

I got this book on anger and God has used it to speak HUGE truth into my life. Are you ready for what I've learned? Here goes:

Kindness leads to repentance, anger breeds wrath.

Simple, logical, no brainer, huh? For everyone other than me, I guess.

I have been so angry lately. Angry at the kids for not behaving the way that they should. Angry at Joseph for leaving me here to do this hard thing by myself all the time. Angry at people for judging my motives. But most of all angry at God.

Very angry with God. Because I have forgotten who is the Potter and who is the Clay.

So I have been taking it out on everyone around me. It's no wonder that there is so much anger in this house. Anger breeds anger. Kindness leads to repentance.

I have been pondering Romans 2:4-6 and LOVE the way that The Message says it:

"You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. "

Gosh I love that he is doing that to me and that is exactly what I want to do to my children. Lead them to a radical life change - a relationship with Jesus!

Ultimately, in the end, when it is all said and done what I want for my kids is not to be successful or have good self image or be rich or any of the other things the world defines as successful. Ultimately I want them to repent for theirs sins, walk away from them and walk toward Jesus. Walk with Jesus. And if they happen to have success, riches, whatever...great! What an earthly bonus.

So how do I make that happen as a mother?

Definintely less anger, more kindness. Kindness that takes them 'firmly by the hand.' Anger has a place and isn't bad, but I don't want that to be my "go-to" emotion. I've used it as a crutch far too long to mask fear, insecurity and sadness. I don't want to pass on this legacy, so I need to stop it. Today. Each day.

And that is hard for someone who clings to anger.

Holy God, please continue to change me and teach me and mold me. More of you, less of me. Thank you for your kindness, grace and mercy that led me to repentance and a radical life change. Help me to help my children. And when I fail, please remind me that in my weakness you are strong. Where there is damage I have caused with my children, husband or relationships because of anger, I ask that you please heal in the way that only you can - completely. I love you Father.

Blogging is a little slow around here because life is moving so fast!

Flashback Friday - Pumpkin Patch Edition

Ahhhh...
The Pumpkin Patch, my favorite thing about October! I loved my walk down Pumpkin Patch Lane!

October 2004

October 2005

October 2006

October 2007

October 2008

Next week I'm flashin' back to years past Halloween costumes!!! Seriously, I am SO excited...

My life in numbers

Number of times I work out each week - 6
Number of pounds I want to lose - 13

Number of minutes it takes me to drive to the gym - 7
Number of minutes it takes me to drive to the boys school - 8
Number of minutes it takes me to get the kids in the car - 19

Number of times per day I hear, "But he..." - 27
Number of times I say, "We are accountable for our actions, not the actions of others..." - 27

Number of years I have had a child in diapers - 7
Number of years in my married life that I have not had a child in diapers - 1

Number of months my husband has been gone this year - 3
Number of months he will be gone next year - 3

Number of MOPS groups I have been in - 5
Number of MOPS groups in this city I have attended - 3

Number of times I cook a meal from scratch these days - 1 (estimating high)
Number of days we eat breakfast for dinner because I am too lazy to cook these days - 4

Number of times in a day I say, "Do you need to go potty?" - 1000
Number of times the girls say, "yes" - 20

Number of email accounts I have - 3
Number of email accounts that I check - 1

Number of loads of laundry I did today - 8
Number of loads I still have left to do - 2

Number of hours I sleep at night while hubby is gone - 6
Number of hours I sleep at night while hubby is here - 9

Number of shoes in my gym bag - 3

Number of times I check the mail each week - 1

Number of quarts of water I drink each day - 2

Number of friends I have on facebook - 288
Number of friends on facebook that I'm actually friends with - 28ish

Number of miles I ran today - 5
Number of miles I will run this week - 18

Number of days I consecutively practiced yoga last week - 3
Number of days I wish I could practice yoga - 7

Number of times I have talked to my man today - 1
Number of times I normally talk to my man in a given day - 20

Number of times I told the twins to sit at the table and not stand on chairs - 32
Number of times I threatened to spank them if they didn't sit - 43
Number of times I spanked them - 0

Number of unread posts in my google reader - 28

Number of times in a week I say, "Luke where are your shoes?" - 307
Number of times in a week he says, "Um, I don't know..." with the most gorgeous eyes twinkling at me - 307

Number of science experiments I did this weekend - 3
Number of those experiments that I could actually explain the results - 0

Number of books I am currently reading - 7
Number of books I have read this year - 0

Number of times I think to myself that I am SO blessed - countless!!

Flashback Friday

(You can click on the pictures if you want to make them larger.)

The patients are running the asylum...

...That is what I told my friend this morning when she asked how things are going.

Seriously, we had the worst morning today. Whining, drama, arguing, disobedience, wet beds, soccer balls threatening to break things in the house, and lost shoes all before 8am. On a Monday morning. When the house needs to be ready for the cleaners. And the kids are late for school. And Daddy is gone.

So I did what every good, patient, kind, loving, Godly mother does. I took a deep breath, counted to ten and...lost my mind. I really lost control. Not one of my finer moments.

*sigh*

Then on the way to school I pulled over to have a come-to-Jesus-moment. The boys asked why we were pulling over and when I told them to unbuckle Caleb said, "Are you going to make us walk to school?"

Because I typically ask you to get out of the car and walk?!?!?

*sigh*

"No, Love, I want to pray." I replied. So all 5 of us held hands and I prayed for us all and then gave a mini-lecture about us being a team and one of our players is missing (Daddy!) so we all need to pull together to win.

In Luke fashion he says, "Who are we going to beat?"

The devil, Luke, the devil.

And that was all before 8:10 am.

The good news is that the rest of the day was fabulous and the kids have been divine!

I also must report that on my first full day of potty duty with the sisters, I was very successful. Not only did they NOT regress, but they had no accidents, stayed dry and successfully went potty at the gym today! Whoo-hoo! It's all JKM though. I am thinking about hiring him out as a Potty Training Guru. He can make us some extra money in his spare time.

Because he has so much of it...NOT!

In other news, I'm working on recovering some chairs and have decided that my sewing skills leave much to be desired. I'll take some before and after pictures, but I can guarantee you that no one will be calling me with a job as a seamstress.

I have high hopes for a better day tomorrow. One key element would be a rested mama, so I better get to bed...

Potty Update

The good new: The sisters are in full potty train mode.
The bad news: Daddy is leaving in a couple of days and I will be ON MY OWN! With them. Not completely potty trained! Oh man, oh man.

Joseph has been AMAZING and has worked so hard potty training the sisters this past week. I have always been impressed and in awe of the fact that he trained both boys, but am even more impressed and in awe that he can also add the twins to his resume!

Love pretty much used the same methods that he implemented with the boys, with the exception of rewards. The boys were rewarded with anything with sugar. The sisters have an affection for chocolate. Just.like.mama they are motivated by chocolate.

Works when you are 2 and training for the potty.
Doesn't work when you are 32 and training for a marathon.

In case you were wondering.

Now, I wouldn't say that the girlies are 100% potty trained, but I they are doing really well. Ella even told me that she had to go potty while in the bath tub last night! Initially, Ella was the one who was rockin' the potty. She has since digressed and Lily Kate is rockin' it now.

So, yes they are both still a little shaky, but we have progressed WAY too far to go back now.

I will not let my man down.

I can do this.
I can do this.
I can do this...
...I think.

Flashback Friday

In honor of soccer season starting and our first game tomorrow, I'm dedicating this Flashback Friday to soccer seasons past. Here is a play by play of my boys love affair with soccer.

Fall - 2005

This was Caleb's first year to play soccer. He was 3 and it was a non-competitive teaching league. Initially he was nervous - understatement! - to be on the field without Daddy holding his hand, but we really saw his confidence grow by the end of the season. Luke, on the other hand, was obsessed with being on the field with the big kids. I spent most of soccer trying to keep him off the field and out of the way. He was actually really good at kicking & controlling the ball!

Fall - 2006

We had just moved here and this was Caleb's first year playing on a competitive league. Luke really wanted to play, but he still wasn't old enough. I remember the picture above like it was yesterday. Caleb was so proud that he could hold the ball with his foot like a real soccer player. Luke, as usual, copying his big brother!

Fall - 2007

Whooo-hooo! Luke is finally old enough to play. And boy was he SO excited!! Caleb had this coach that was convinced that he could not only teach 5 year olds specific plays, that they would follow through and do them. Mmmm, not-so-much! At this age you should be glad they aren't still chasing butterflys all over the field!

Fall 2008 -

Seasoned soccer player is what we have now. And I am officially a soccer mom!

If you play along, leave a comment and let me know! Also next week's Flashback will be fall themed - pumpkin patches, leaves, ect. Oh I have some good ones!! Then the following week will be Halloween costumes of past years. Yours, kids, hubby's - I want to see them all!

Weeds be gone!

I read the following in my quiet time the other day and it has been really resonating with me a lot lately. It's a quote by Charles Swindoll in his book Stress Fracture:

'The closer you get to authentic, the less you care about the artificial.'

It's funny how God speaks to me. I read this amazing piece of wisdom and then a couple of days later got an email from a friend asking for prayers on behalf of some friends she went to college with. As our friend kept us updated, via email, on the situation with her friends, I was also keeping tabs on the plight of this amazing couple through their blog. Well, I already sent you to their story, but if you want to go back for an update I promise you will leave inspired.

In the end I have no idea if Sara Sullivan ate organic, what her thoughts were on homeschooling, christian school, public school or cloth diapers, I don't know if she drove a hybrid or an SUV, I do know (through reading her blog) she did exercise, liked yoga and went to a ladies bible study, but I don't know if she was a democrat or republican, watched tv or not, had a clean house or a messy one, recycled or not...and the list of what I don't know goes on. And at the end of the day, I'm not sure that any of that really matters.

What matters is that all through her blog you know who she loves most in this world.

What matters is that she had relationships in her life. Lots of them

What matters is when things didn't make sense she rested safely in the arms of her Savior.

What matters is when times got tough, she kept her eyes fixed on Jesus.

What matters is that she is leaving a legacy of lives touched through the way she lived her life - in complete surrender to her Savior. If only, I am so blessed.

I struggle over here. I struggle with lots on my plate, a house that doesn't look like a model show home, my weight, what to do about the kids education, my obsessoin with the gym, why my carpet always needs vacuumed, making chore chars for the kids, finding time to clean, Halloween costumes, soccer balls, bills, what I feed my kids - even whether or not I should make my own laundry soap! And while I'm not saying that those things don't have a place, I am saying that they take up too much time in my day. Time that I need to spend getting closer to my Savior.

Because I have a feeling that the closer I get to the authentic, the artificial in my life will become more clear. And then I can weed out that artificial. Because in the end I want to leave a legacy of rich relationships and complete surrender to my Savior.

I have a feeling I'm going to have to do a lot of weeding.

Beach Trip

We went to the beach over the weekend and had an amazing time! We weren't sure what the kids were going to do (it was the girls first time at the beach!), what the weather would be like, how the girls would do without their naps...SO many variables when dealing with kids.

We were amazed at how smoothly the trip went. The kids had so much fun and so did we. We went with some good friends of ours that have 6 kids and that added to the fun! Here are some pictures from the trip - in no particular order!

Oh, yeah baby. This is what I did most of the time - kick my feet up, watch the kids all have a blast and chill. It was awesome. Why haven't we gone to the beach before?
I had been watching the weather because it was supposed to rain. 40% chance from 9am-5pm. Lucky for us, weather.com was wrong. Very wrong. It was beautiful! Look at that blue sky!
My four Mad kids. Gosh, I love those little people!
Toddler feet, don't you love 'em?!
Lily Kate, true to form, really liked the waves and water but was super hesitant. She takes her time to get used to things and absolutely does NOT like to be rushed.
Ella Grace on the other hand is fearless! Unlike her sister she doesn't mind getting dirty and loves adventure.
Little Kate. Isn't she yummy?
Caleb and his best friend AJ. Aren't they cute? They are in the same class at school and rumor has it that the girls chase them in the playground and try to kiss them. Thankfully they haven't caught my boy yet! I have made it clear to him that the only girl that kisses him is his mama!
Luke and his best friend Josh. It really is great being good family friends with the boys best friends.
The girls had watched the other kids pulling each other on the boogie boards, but I don't think they got the memo that you have to be in the water for it to work well!
Little Kate...
...that girl loved running in the sand and chasing the seagulls! She didn't catch one, and I shudder to think about what would have happened if she actually got close to one!
Caleb running in the water. Doesn't that bring back great memories of being a kid at the beach?

Lily Kate
The sisters.


Sitting with their papa, enjoying the little waves.


And this is where the big kids were most of the time. It doesn't look like it, but they are actually pretty far out there. More great memories...
Daddy and his Diva's

Caleb flying his kite
Christian, isn't he cute?! We want to do an arranged marriage for him and one of the twins, but he can't decide which one he wants. And we aren't into polygamy.

Christian being a boy...
...and Lily Kate being a girl. You go, sister, and tell him that's not appropriate!

Ella and Daddy
Poor Ella. The girls didn't get their nap and I wasn't sure how they would do, but they did great. I was shocked when I asked Ella if she wanted to take a nap and she laid down and went right to sleep!! What a great way to fall asleep - ocean breeze and the sound of waves in the background. Unfortunately her wake up wasn't that great. Her sister came over and started messing with her. Silly Sister...
The Collins Fam. I am so thankful for them and their friendship.


The sunset on our way home! It really was an awesome time!!

Prayer request

I'm off to the beach today, but before I go I wanted to ask you guys to please pray for the Sullivans. I'm not sure if any of you heard about their story, but it really touched me, made me think and hold the kids a little tighter. I don't personally know them, they are friends of friends, but as I was reading through some old posts on her blog I was surprised how many connections I had to Sara. Joseph was working in the ER that she was brought to and while she wasn't his patient, he remembers her case. Also, her MFM OB was mine too and she is from the Houston area, really close to my parents. Their story is heartbreaking and their faith is amazing and inspiring.

I stumbled across this quote and found it helpful while processing all this:
In this crazy world, there's an enormous distinction between good times and bad, between sorrow and joy. But in the eyes of God, they're never separated. Where there is pain, there is healing. Where there is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the kingdom. - Henri J. M. Nouwen

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

The funeral is today. Please keep them in your prayers.

Flashback Friday!

This week I am flashing back to one year ago! I'm always amazed, when looking through old photo's, at how much difference one year makes in kids, especially in toddlers. This one was fun because the sisters look so...babyish.

(click on the photo if you want to see the pictures better)

Mad moments...

...in bullet points - my favorite!

• I'm contemplating a hair cut. My hair has gotten ridiculously long. Like I-have-to-yank-it-out-from-under-my-husband-when-he-rolls-over-on-it-in-the-middle-of-the-night long. But here is my dilemma: I have had my hair all lengths and although I like it really short, my man says when it's short I look like I have a helmet on. How's that for brutal honesty? Hmmm. He loves my hair long. I like to grow it out and then cut it short, but my fear is that while my hair grows like a weed, what if now that I am getting older it won't grow back? Isn't there like some rule that your hair stops growing as you get older or am I crazy? And then my other fear is that what if when it's short it irritates me while I run? I can't have any irritations when I run!
• I did find out that I could sell my hair on the Internet, for big bucks (like anywhere from $500-$1000) because it is virgin hair (no dye, no perm), ridiculously thick and long. When I told my man that he said, "Where's the scissors?" Apparently, money talks around here.
• So, if I'm not getting a hair cut, my other thought is - DYE! I would love to dye my hair. I've never done it before, but I think that it would look really cool with a pink stripe in it. Yes, I am serious. Once again though, my man thinks that is absurd. So, I gave him 2 choices: pink hair or nose ring. He's still thinking, I'm still serious...
• Well, that is 3 minutes of your life you will never get back reading about my hair drama. On to other things...
• School is going great for the boys. They both love it! Check out Caleb's cursive:

There is some story that my MIL loves to tell that when Joseph was in kindergarten his teacher declared that his handwriting was so bad the only thing he would amount to in life was being a doctor. His handwriting is terrible and she was right. I wonder what you become if you're cursive is this fabulous?!?

• While the boys are in school, the girls and I are trying to find out where we belong. It has been an adjustment for me. For the past couple of years everything has revolved my big boys - their schedule and activities. And now they are gone and the shishers and I are finding our groove. I'm feeling lonely and need to find some friends for the sisters and I. So...
• We go to the gym every morning, we've joined a great MOPS group at church, we go to the park & play and are looking for a playgroup. It's a start. Joseph rolls his eyes when I say I have no friends. He claims to not know anyone who has more friends. He's right, I have friends, I'm just looking for that one that has a husband in residency, loves going to the gym, runs and has twin girls. Really, is that too much to ask?!
• Until then, it has been fun being with the Divas - they are crazy and make me laugh all the time! We have lots of girl time and every time I go shopping with them, I am reminded at how terrible they are and how it's all my fault! I seriously let them get away with murder. It's bad. But they are just so darn cute!
• I had my Mother's of Multiples sale last weekend and got rid of tons of girl clothes! The amount of clothes these girls have is bordering ridiculous. And now that those clothes are gone, they have made room for their fall wardrobe. I am having serious fun shopping for that!
• You can rest easy tonight knowing that I have figured out the Halloween costumes for this year. Whew, there was some stress, fast talking and bribing involved - but it is done! And there will be no changing of minds or reveals quite yet. I will just say that I am now on a 5 year streak for group themed Halloween costumes. The things that make me happy...
• My sister has been living with us now for the past month and it is going really well! She's going to college here and just got a job this week. It has been so nice having company when my man is gone and she has been super helpful with the kids when we need her. It's nice to have a babysitter around for impromptu date nights. I try really hard not to abuse her, wouldn't want to run her off quite yet...
• We are going to the beach this weekend and I am super excited. We are going with some of our good friends who have 7 kids. It should be a blast!!
• Soccer season starts next week and the boys are thrilled!
• Joseph has been on nights all month and pulled his last one last night. Whew, I'm glad that is over. It wasn't that bad. The most painful part is that he sleeps in our room, so I hate going in there to shower, change or anything else for fear of waking him. It will be nice to have my room back! He's off for the next 11 days - whoooo-hooo - and then will be out of town for a while - booooo.
• And on his week off, he is geared up to (drum roll please) potty train the twins. I-am-so-not-ready-for-this! I was geared up for it, but then changed my mind a couple of days ago. When I say this out loud, I laugh at myself because I don't really have to do much. Or at least that is how it's been in the past. Joseph potty trained the boys and did a perfect job. Well, perfect with one and the other one...let's just say we got a call this afternoon to bring a change of clothes because he had an accident. But it's not Joseph's fault that child is way too busy playing to worry about little things like going to the bathroom!
• I digress, back to the twins - while Love is off and will solely dedicate the time to training the twins, he will leave. And then I will have to commit to what he started and I am bad at commitment. Hence the reason that he potty trains.
• So, I'm still thinking about whether or not to potty train. I did, however, have fun buying girl panties!!!!! I've never bought girl panties and they are sooo cute.

Alrighty, that is all (and wayyy too much) for now. I really doubt that any of you read through that and I don't blame you. I wouldn't either. I just missed y'all!

Happy Fall Y'all

A new bloggy look for the fall!

Luke's Birthday pictures a little late...

My camera battery died, so I don't have many pictures. Hate it when that happens!

You can click on the picture to make it bigger.

Oh, Miriam, this did not go well!

My sweet friend Miriam is trying to help me figure out how to make a collage...here is my first try. I'm not doing so well. Miriam = good teacher. Sab Mad = bad student!

Is this another sign it's time?

"okay, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"yes, don't worry. mama gets the wipes out and ready first. trust me, i know what i'm doing..."
"like mama says, play with the wipes and don't fuss. don't wiggle."
"okay, mama, stop taking pictures and come help shisher. she's not cleaning me with the wipes, she's trying to cover me with them."

And that is what I caught those two doing the other day. I love how they used a magna doodle pad as their changing pad!

No one was harmed in the making of this blog post!

My boys share a room and I really do believe that it makes them closer. They share stories at night, laugh, sing, act silly, make up silly games, have to work together to clean it and, in the effort of full disclosure, fight like crazy at times.

But isn't that what makes them brothers... and best friends?

So, yeah, I love that they share a room. And my rules are few and simple for bed: I don't want to hear you, do NOT turn on that light and don't even THINK about getting out of that bed before your alarm sounds!

Their Papa on the other hand, does not have the same set of rules. He actually has two rules. Close your eyes and go to sleep.

Umm, yeah right.

So as you can imagine with two little boys sharing a room, going to bed way earlier than they probably should, there is a certain amount of drama. The evenings that there is d-r-a-m-a drives My Man crazy. Mr. Don't-get-out-of-your-bed-again-or... does not like seeing their darling little faces after he lovingly prays with them and gently tucks them in. Lovingly and gently are not words that I would use to describe his feelings of evening-after-I-already-tucked-you-in-drama. And in another effort at full disclosure, if he is home, he is the one that goes in there and deals with the drama. May be why he doesn't love it...

In any case we usually warn and threaten a couple of times and then they settle. I don't really care if they if they talk, I want them to talk - I just don't want to hear them.

Now, sometimes they don't settle and we have to lay down the law. We have had to get creative with discipline when they get rowdy and out of control. We tried separating them by putting a boy in the guest bedroom or in our room, but whoever gets moved considers it a privilege.

And I would hate for my kids to consider one of my punishments a privileged.

So now we separate them and one boy goes to the...bathroom. Bathroom floor that is! We usually send one of them (and it changes) to the bathroom and wait about 10-15 minutes, which is about how long it takes for the one laying in bed to fall asleep, then we send the other back in. Simple right?

Right. Unless it is Dad that sends him and then starts watching a movie! In that case, this is what happens:

The child gets forgotten about until his Aunt (who is staying with us) comes home and goes to the bathroom to get ready for bed and says, 'Sab Mad, is Luke supposed to be on the bathroom floor?'

WHAT?!?!?

Apparently Daddy told him to go to the bathroom, but didn't actually follow him there, and then forgot about him in his haste to get ready for work.

Mommy=not a happy camper.
Luke didn't look too worse of the wear and when I asked him about it the next morning, he had no idea what I was talking about. Slept right through the whole thing.

That does get Daddy out of a little bit o trouble and console Mama some...

I assure you, we typically do not have the problem of forgetting about our children. But I also must confess, in the effort of full disclosure, that I did almost leave the gym without one of my children the other day.

Almost...

Roaming the great outdoors is their favorite place to be!

The weather is finally cooling down around here. It has been in the low to mid 90's and that is cool for our area. This summer was so brutal with the heat. You know it's bad when I won't let the kids go out and play.

But alas we are entering my favorite time - when the kids go out in the morning and don't come back in until the evening. Literally. I put a pitcher of cold water and cups in the morning, bring out lunch mid afternoon, and then a afternoon snack around 3pm.

I love that the kids have a gang of friends that live in our neighborhood and I love that most of the action is centered around our house. All the kids congregate on our porch or lawn and play. I always wanted to be that house and we are.

I do wish, though, that I would have known a few things before we became 'that house'. Like:

The neighborhood kids will eat you out of house and home.

And even though said kids live like 4 houses down, your water and food taste better.

Your yard looks like a garage sale.

Neighbors will ask you if you are a home daycare and how much you charge. I kid you not.

If the neighborhood kids are being unruly, people come and tell you about it - even if it's not your kid!

The kids WILL eat you out of house and home. Really.

When the kids come up with an 'idea' then you are the recruited parent who helps.

And at the end of the day while your house and lawn are trashed, your kids are safe, you know where they are, you were able to be there when problems arose & handle conflict in a Godly way and those hungry neighborhood kids think your house is cool.

Yep, I guess it's worth it!

Today the kids decided to have a lemonade stand. Here they are:

( Doesn't Little Kate look so cute & little?)


Then when they decided that they weren't making enough money at that, they decided also to add car washing too. They really worked hard, check 'em out:

They were outside for seven hours, made $20 and couldn't stop talking about how fun their day was. They were even okay about going to bed early because they were so exhausted!

Good times for a kid!

Every piece of art is different

This little delicious face cracks me up! He is learning bible verses at school and his verse last week was, "God created the heavens and the earth." So at dinner the other night, Daddy is going over Caleb's verse with him (and challenging him further & he's sailing right through) and then says, "Luke, do you know your verse for the week?"

Luke starts looking at the sky, concentrating really hard, and then gets this huge smile on his face and proudly (and confidently) says, "God paints beautiful pictures!"

His face was so cute and his answer so sweet, so we all bust out laughing. Luke was just grinning ear to ear with pride!

He's such a little clown and loves it when he makes us laugh.

I'm always fascinated by how different my baby boy's are and was struck again, today at church, by the differences. Caleb requires a lot of prep for new situations, likes me to go in and meet the teacher and introduce him, he is so proud that I am his mama and loves to hold my hand. Luke runs ahead of me, darts in his class and doesn't look back. When I smile, wave by to him and blow kisses he pretends like he doesn't see me!

Caleb LOVES rules, Luke, eh, not-so-much. Caleb runs to responsibility, while Luke runs from it. Caleb likes having a few close friends, Luke hasn't met anyone he doesn't want to be his best friend. Caleb likes to know how everything works, Luke just wants things to work. Caleb argues and debates to get his way, while Luke makes goo-goo eyes and charms his way into existence.

And there are so many more stark differences...

Differences that the master painter, sculptor and potter created when he made them. And I love them for those differences!

That Lukie is right...God does paint beautiful pictures!

A great way to end a crazy day

I'm exhausted, it's late and should really be going to bed so that I can be perky, outgoing, and 'on' for my big event tomorrow. Oh, you don't know what big event I am talking about? Well, I don't have time to tell you...

What I do want to blog about is my favorite quote of the day. It came from my first born, during his quiet time this morning. We were talking about the assurance of salvation when he said, "My name is written in the book of life."

"Who told you that?" I asked.

"Mrs. Niles" (his first grade teacher) "She said that if we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and live in our hearts then we will go to heaven and our name will be written in the book of life."

Seriously, friends. If this child's teacher, teaches him NOTHING else for the rest of the year I won't care because he has been told a truth that is more important than anything else he could have learned.

And that, is what this mama is going to think about as she falls asleep in next 37 seconds.

Introducing: Pingy and Amy

The sisters each have lovies that they can't live without. Ella has Pingy, the penguin, and has actually had him for a while now. Little Kate has Amy, the...I forget what kind of animal Amy is, I'll have to ask Caleb. In any case, these girlies love their stuffed friends and their blankies. Take a look:

The last picture drives me crazy. To soothe herself, sucks her fingers and twirls her hair. Cute huh? NO! She will twirl her hair until it's in a rat's nest and is so matted I have to cut some of it out. UGH, it drives me crazy!

But, mercy, are they delicious or what?!

Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke,

Oh my, boy you turned 5 today and I can’t even believe it! You have been so excited about this birthday and counting down the days for the past month. And it’s finally here!

I love being your mommy Luke. You are funny, smart, athletic, easy going, and you make a best friend every where we go. You are great at making friends, remembering names and making people feel included. I love that about you!

Luke, you have this ability to make me furious and then in the next moment you will say or do something that has me laughing and wanting to kiss you to death! Sometimes I just look at your cute little face and I want to squeeze you! You are my child that thanks me for all the little things I do for you. You can play for hours by yourself, but if I ask to play with you, you get so excited. But then you get frustrated with me because I don’t know a lot (like what happens in each Star Wars movie), so you tell me I can go. But if I make a sad face, you will give me an appeasing kiss.

I have started calling you, Gooey, because you always have something sticky on your hands or face. No matter how many times I wipe you down, you always seem to get gooey!

Right now, Luke, you are into Lego’s, Star Wars & Transformers. And boy are you into them. You also love to ride your scooter and love to ‘race’. If I turn anything into a race, that gets you going! You will beg me to drop you off at the end of the street and ‘race’to the house. You run as fast as your cute little legs will take you and I go as fast as I can in the van – and you always beat me!

Luke, when I dropped you off for your first day of Preschool, you were so excited and walked right into that class. I knew you would and I also knew that when I went to blow you kisses goodbye, you would pretend that you didn’t see me. You really dislike Public Display of Affection from Mommy. And that drives me crazy!! You’re still my baby and I love you!!

Luke, you are my little light. Your enthusiasm for life is contagious and people are drawn to you. I pray that as you grow up, little Lovey, you grow up to be a man who loves Jesus and is bold in your faith. As you grow up always seek Godly wisdom and truth. I pray that as you grow up and your faith sways, you always remember that the foundation on which it is built will never be shaken. You are an oak of righteousness and I pray that your baby roots grow stronger, as you grow taller and bring God glory. Always remember Lovey that that is your purpose – to bring glory to God!

I love you, Goo!
Mama

Terrible Two's times Two

Don't let these sweet faces fool you! These little girls are T-R-O-U-B-L-E! They are naughty, sassy, adorable, dramatic, sweet, funny, irritating, demanding, loving, cute and they get away with murder!! They have all of us wrapped around their fingers. It's bad. Really, really bad.

Mr. Tough Guy Daddy tried to get after Ella the other day and she put him in his place. And instead of putting the smack down on her, he laughed. Mr. Tough Guy turns into Mr. Pushover with it comes to the Twinkies.

We are going to pay for this when they are teenagers. Oh, Lord, help us!

Ella - this girl is addicted to her mama. She loves me! I have never had a child as attached to me as Ella. That girl hugs me, snuggles me, kisses me, follows me, always wants to hold my hand and is just madly in love with me. AND I LOVE IT!!!! Ella is the younger of the two and I somehow think she knows it... She definitely has the baby-of-the-family personality.

Lily Kate is the one that has her brothers spellbound. That girl demands and they jump. It's pretty funny. Lily is bossy, she loves to clean and take care of everyone and definitely is my little 'helper'. We call her the 'little mama' because she seems to think that is what she is...

Looking for trouble together.

Words cannot express how I love these little sisters!!