Sickness and Funny Kidisms...

So, on Sabbath, I, Kim, decided that we would skip the kids' naptime and go on the hike with the school.  David was on supervision and would have to go, but I could've taken a nap.  Guess I was feeling out of the ordinary adventurous to suggest skipping naptime, 'eh?  ;)  Yeah, yeah.  They're only almost 8 and 5 1/2, but they still nap almost every day they go down, so naptime (and my quiet time) continues...=O  Anyhow, I announce my spontaneous-like decision very soon before we need to walk out the door, and I'm met by Isaac crying, saying that he has a headache and would rather take a nap.  See, when Isaac gets headaches, it often progresses to nausea and sometimes the real deal throwing up.  So, I reluctantly decided that Isaac and I would stay home (David said he'd still take the girls).  Gave Isaac some good 'ole Tylenol, which sometimes stops the nausea from happening.  Guess his headache started when we got to church, or something, and got worse when he and Jadelyn cracked heads while playing "Red Rover" after lunch.  That game is trouble waiting to happen.  I almost always felt like my wrists were going to get broken playing that game.  But, I digress.  Because Isaac was napping, I laid down on the couch to read, which lasted the approximately 10 minutes that it normally does before I feel very, verrry tired.  So, I took a nap.  Isaac woke up from his nap after only an hour.  He did not come to see me.  That was strange, but I figured he really had to go potty after drinking a cupful of water right before naptime in an effort to get his headache to go away.  I waited around 10 minutes and went to find him.  Fella was sick.  I think he had thrown up by that point.  So, we cuddled in the bathroom for 20 minutes or so.  Long enough for my posterior to become quite sore.  =P  Then, we moved the cuddle session out to the living room.  After a while, little man was fine (as he often is in situations like that.)  We continued with our evening plans as usual with no problems. 

For some reason that nobody knows, David and I forgot how old we are and stayed up 'til midnight on Sabbath.  Finally hit the hay, and shortly after, hear the pitter patter of Isaac's feet running to the bathroom.  Lovely.  He was sick.  Sick, sick, SICK.  Threw up every 30 minutes or so until 3 or 4, and then slowed to about 1 throw up an hour 'til 7.  Oh, and at some point in there it progressed to throwing up AND diarrhea.  Thankfully the worse occurrence of that happened during the hour and a half or so that David was getting up with I-see.  Also thankfully, David is strong-stomached and Isaac didn't want a new pair of jammies and just wanted to just sleep in his undies (first time in his life, I believe).  This made changing easy, since he went through 4-5 pairs of underwear that night.  Only the first time was bad.  After that, it was just a little.  He learned to sit on the potty and heave into the garbage can.  Again, thankfully, I heard him going at it, and ran into the bathroom to find him sitting on the toilet heaving into thin air.  Enter garbage can.  Life saver.  Although I don't think he was really bringing anything up by that point.  Needless to say, I did NOT get much sleep.  But, during one strange episode of sleep, I awoke to a little face at the side of my bed saying that her belly hurt.   Around 5:30am.  Ruby.  Well, it had been about 1 hour before that she woke up to come check on Isaac, who she heard throwing up from her bedroom.  I figured her belly hurt 'cause she was worried, so tried to reassure her that he was fine (for in-between throwing up, he said he felt good and would act totally normal.  Said his belly didn't feel like it normally does when he's "throw-up sick".  Yes, our family has a well-used term.  For throwing up happens around these parts a LOT.  Nobody knows why.  But it does.  =P  Poor little man.).  Anywhos.  Sometimes her belly hurts and if someone pushes on it real well it feels better.  (She's learned this from Isaac, who used to ask Ruby to sit on his belly if it felt bad).  So, I instinctively pushed on her stomach and rubbed it and told her that Isaac was okay.  She said she wasn't worried about Isaac.  And what'dya know.  She started puking soon after.  That lasted until 7am THIS morning.  Yes.  Over 24 hours.  Though really she went from like 8:45 last night 'til 5:30 this morning with no puking.  Strange thing is, she really NEVER brought anything up.  But child wanted to throw up so bad and sometimes would say "help me" as her head swung around in her sickness.  Poor girl.  Every time she'd go an hour without being sick and I'd let her have a tiny sip of water, she'd throw up about 30 minutes later (or maybe that was 30 minutes after the 2 sip time.  =O  Yes, I think that was mostly it.).  So, finally I decided I was going to have to break some rules to hydrate the child, plus I figured that maybe she was throwing up 'cause she was SO HUNGRY by that point.  Gave her ice chips and said she could have as many as she wanted and felt like she could handle.  She had almost an ice-cube tray worth of ice chips.  Then progressed to Gatorade and then broth.  She likes broth.  Couldn't handle jello at lunch time - said she started feeling a little sick when she tried it.  So, broth again.  Then she napped for 3 hours and woke up saying she felt "good" but was tired.  Ate at supper, helped clean up the house, and played hide-n-seek.  I think she's on the mend!!!  =)  This is good.

Aren't you glad you just read so much about puke?  =O

Oh, and in that puke story I forgot the cuteness.  Ruby, after throwing up and asking me to pray for her, then prayed for herself.  And for Isaac - that he wouldn't get sick again.  And Isaac reported that he prayed for Ruby when he heard her puking in the other bathroom.  Seriously, I had one kid camped out in one bathroom, and one in the other bathroom.  There were times I would be talking to one of them after they were done being sick, and I'd have to cut it short 'cause I'd hear the other one at it in the other bathroom.  And during this my belly started not feeling great and I had one end of the sickness (=P).  I was thinking we might really regret not having the 3rd bathroom completed, but all worked out.  =P  Oh, and then David took Jadelyn to work with him on Sunday morning for a few hours so I could get some sleep and such, and when he brought her back, she just quietly colored in the living room, looked at a book or so in her room and then colored on a dry erase board in Isaac's room.  Was all great 'til I found 4 different places this morning that dry erase marker made it on to Isaac's carpet.  =P  That's still a work in process to get it out - any suggestions?  =P  OH!  And at one point, I came out and gave Jadelyn a run-down on her siblings situation.  "I don't care" she told me, "I just like to color."  Ai yai yai.  =P

We got our first hard frost last night, so Isaac and I went out and picked all the tomatoes and tomatillas we wanted to salvage.  4 of our 5 kitchen window sills are now full of tomatoes at different stage of ripening.  When Jadelyn saw all those tomatoes, she said that there were so many tomatoes, "I can't believe my eyes -- I'm about to hit my eyes!"  Okay, then!!!

Another time, something was so funny that Jadelyn exclaimed, "I'm about to laugh my feet off!!!"  Versus "head off", I'm guessing.  ;)

And then she said that Isaac "cracked me up so much I'm about to die!"

There was another good one that Ruby and I overheard from the living room, but I don't remember it.  It gave us a good smile, though.  That Lynnie.

At lunch today, I was telling the kids how Thanksgiving is coming soon and telling them what's on the menu.  Jadelyn didn't want me to "ruin our surprise", but I did anyways.  Isaac was reminiscing to 3 years ago when we had the relish tray on the table and how he wants to do that again.  Funny guy.  I was telling them how I use Gram's recipe for dip, but mine is never as good as hers.  Isaac then said that maybe Gram has a sprayer machine that is a little cone with a hole in the end.  Once she mixes up the ingredients it sprays in a little something extra to make it so delicious.  Must be!!!  My dip never tastes like hers!!!

And tonight, when I was tucking Isaac in to bed, he told me, "I have to talk to you."  He often talks at bedtime.  And talks and talks and talks, even as we shut the door.  So, I figured he was just buying time before he had to be quiet for the night and go to sleep.  But nope.  He really had something on his heart.  So, back to the story.  "I have to talk to you", he says.  I asked what about?  "My brain".  Period.  Pause.  Oh...hmmmm...this could be interesting.  Then, he tells me that his brain tells him things and he thinks and thinks about it.  Then he plays and forgets, but then he stops playing and remembers.  And he needs to tell me.  His brain tells him to pray a lot 'cause Jesus is coming soon.  And he wants to go to heaven.  And he needs to tell this to Jadelyn, and Ruby, and me, and Daddy, 'cause he wants us to pray a lot and go to heaven, too.  Sweet man.  I asked him if his brain tells him that he should stop aggravating his sisters.  Nope, his brain hasn't sent that message yet.  ;)

OH!!!  And on Sabbath night, I taught Ruby how to add and subtract up to 4 places with borrowing and carrying and all that, and she thinks it's so fun she wrote some of her own problems to work.  I love planting messages like, "Math is fun!!!"  Yeah, I think I totally told her that.  ;)

We were supposed to claim their Book-It Pizzas tonight, but with the sickness I thought we'd better hold off.  Hopefully soon.  We're partying this week.  More on that on Thursday, maybe...;)

Oh, yes!!!  The other day, we were running late for story time and I was tired out.  I told Ruby that the other day, Isaac read to me, but I didn't read to him, and I read to her that day, so on this day, she was going to read to me, but I wasn't going to read to her.  She left the room to get her book.  "You broke her heart!!!" Isaac exclaimed.  Sure enough, Ruby re-entered the room with the saddest face and quiet tears.  Then Isaac, my sweet fella, pipes up something like, "Ruby, you can have my story and I just won't have mine."  This is a big deal, for Isaac has been working his way through a library book about elephants and really treasures his story time.  It was the sweetest cheer-up message.  I told Ruby she should give him a hug, so she got down of the chair, went over, and hugged and kissed her favorite twin brother.  Then, Jadelyn pipes in something like, "Isaac, I'll pick the elephant story so you can hear it."  So, Isaac went and hugged his little sister and everyone was happy.  Until I didn't read the elephant book to them because they weren't present when they were supposed to be.  But that would ruin the happy feel-good story, yes?  ;P

OH!!!!  (Again...=O)  Tonight, we played hide-n-seek.  When I was "it" the second time, I walked around singing about where my lost children were and I needed to find 'em.  And then, Isaac was "it" next and he started by walking around singing the same song, except for his song was about his lost "girls" and where is his Mommy.  =)  Funny guy.  And after I shut the door on him when saying goodnight tonight, he sang a quick "Goodnight, little Mommy, goodnight" to the closed door.  Earlier he was singing his own composition that I really need to get on video, "1, you know I'm coooomiiinnng!!!  2, you know I'm cooommming!!!  3, you know I'm coooomingg!!!" and on and on.  About the second coming, of course.  Maybe his brain was thinking about what it's been thinking about lately.  Jesus loves you, my I-see.  He wants to be your very best friend.  Keep using that brain. 

2011 Facebook Updates....

January 1, 2011 - Hickory is out of "intensive care" and downgraded to "hospitalization". Whoo-hoo!!! We MAY be able to get him tomorrow....if he keeps keeping his food down. Thank you all SO MUCH for the prayers for our little puppy!

January 2, 2011 - was wondering where all the 18 month jammies were when I went looking for them for Jadelyn to wear. I figured we just didn't have many, because Ruby and Isaac slept in onesies around that size. Well, I found out today where they are. Any guesses? Yup, Ruby's still wearing 'em. At age 4. Well, she's gonna have to start sharing with her baby sister...

January 3, 2011 - Hickory is HOME!!! And spunky as all get out. We are so very thankful. The kids have so far handled his energy with much more patience than the past. We'll see how long that lasts...

January 3, 2011 - today Ruby wanted to pray for Jadelyn after a hitting/screaming tantrum. The prayer went something like this (it's been a while, and it's been a rough day, so my brain is EXTRA fried), "Dear Jesus, Please help Jadelyn give her temper away. Help her to give it to you, 'cause you're the best one. We love you Jesus. Amen." May she give it away SOON, Ruby!

January 6, 2011 - just wonders is anyone else's four-year-olds ask you to read them nutritional information about what they are consuming. Lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, sunflower seeds, rice, tomatoes, etc., etc., etc. My kids are turning out to be nerds like their Mom. =O RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!  We have a book with the nutritional information on many things, and the kids listen with rapt attention as I spout off what vitamins are in what. They LOVE their vitamins! (And this handy dandy book - along with a reminder that Uncle William eats spinach smoothies - has convinced Isaac (on one occasion, at least) to gobble down his spinach like a turkey. Get it? Turkey? Gobble, gobble? Oh, I digress...=P)

January 6, 2011 - has two happy as a lark four-year-olds cleaning mud from their boots with vinegar water and rags and a happy-as-a-lark 18-month-old who signs "eat" whenever she sees a picture of food. Guess I should have tried these entertainments this morning when they were anything BUT "happy-as-a-lark". 

January 6, 2011 - haircut notables by Isaac Dickerson: (kinda laughingly) "I shoulda been a girl, 'cause then I wouldn't have to get my hair cut as much" and he can tell his hair doesn't have a brain, 'cause it doesn't move. But he can move his hair. His hair just can't move itself. Or something like that. I mean, this happened like 10 minutes ago, and you expect me to remember?!?!?

January 6, 2011 - was listening to the youngest toilet seat up or down argument that I've ever heard. The battle apparently starts at 4 years-old. At least in this house.

January 7, 2011 - absolutely LOVES that Jadelyn learned to ask for kisses today. Gunk on the head? Walk to Mommy with funny fish puckers, and all the hurt goes away. I love being a hero. 

January 8, 2011 - Isaac apparently REALLY likes Jadelyn's hair in pigtails. The other day, he commented that it looked really nice, and today, he told her that she was "handsome". I love that little fella!

January 9, 2011 - is raising the youngest stalker ever. Isaac wants to go to the propane guys' house to ask them how they fill up their truck with propane. I said that I don't know where they live. Isaac's response? "We can follow them when they come to give us gas". Great.

January 10, 2011 - this morning, Isaac decided to get dressed in the living room instead of his bedroom because there was something "scary" in his room. Upon questioning, I learned that he did not see or hear anything scary. "I just felt it with my ears". Interesting. 

January 10, 2011 - Tonight, there was much loud, frantic screaming coming from the back bedroom. Culprit? Ruby Jean. Reason? Her nose was bleeding. Why? She ran into the wall, because she didn't "realize" it was there. Or didn't "realize" that her nose was bleeding. Or something. Is it bad that I had a hard time not laughing at my hysterical bloody-nosed daughter? Gotta watch out for them walls.  Don't worry, I asked her if she was crying because she was hurt or scared - when she first said she ran into the wall, I thought maybe she broke her nose or something. Nope. Just scared...

January 13, 2011 - had a cuddly naptime on the couch with Jadelyn this morning. Anyone want to guess what Jadelyn wanted to cuddle with? Cracked me up. - "The Desire of Ages"

January 14, 2011 - enjoyed the conversation between Ruby and Isaac about Isaac's baby's surgery. Apparently the little booger swallowed a bunny. Ruby was very thorough in her questioning, and it seems the baby has fur around it's mouth. Also, prayer was had about the baby. And Ruby and Isaac were holding hands while walking and talking animatedly about it. Love it! 

January 17, 2011 - this morning when getting the kids up, Isaac informed me that he had a "scary" dream. A chicken came and told him that a tornado storm was coming. Yeah, the talking chicken would scare me, too! =O Oh, and then the tornado took out the chicken shed, but the chickens were okay - they hid with us. 

January 17, 2011 - i miss Kim who must still be logged onto this work laptop of mine. Love you Buddy! -David

January 17, 2011 - had surgery done on myself tonight by Dr. "Clumsey" and Dr. "Clumsey". Doesn't do much to inspire the confidence of the patient, huh? =O Ruby says they're married, Isaac says they're twins. I certainly hope they're not BOTH...=O

January 18, 2011 - is KNOWING that David is thinking of her and hacking into her facebook again! now david will logout so he can make a facebook page for The Rock! Love you honey!!! -davidickerson

January 18, 2011 - really needs to find tights that will stay on Ruby. (She's super skinny and Wal-Mart is failing us - yes, I'm cheap). Any suggestions?

January 18, 2011 - is quite sure that I just heard a mouse scratching around - WHERE IS DAVID WHEN I NEED HIM?!?!?!?! Yikes. I'm such a wimp.  We had a mouse in our first house. David caught it with a live trap, and then when I went to work that evening, let it go to see if our new kitten would catch it - it didn't. =P Then, in our house in Arkansas, there was a mouse that ran through the kitchen while I was in there. I was sitting on the chair with my feet up screaming for David. =) THEN there as a mouse under the painting plastic the previous renters had there, and I left the house while David disposed of it by dropping a paint can on it. Yuck. Oh, and then he caught some in traps, too. When I heard the traps go off, I wouldn't go out in that part of the house until David took care of them (at least I would attempt not to...) Yeah. That house was a DUMP when we moved in. And OLD and yeah, apparently there was lots of ways for mice to get in. Or at least one good way that we didn't block up. =P Then there was the mouse in Cicero that scared Ruby so bad that she screamed and screamed and screamed about how there was something that looked like a dog, only it wasn't a dog and it was looking at her and moving it's head or something. Yeah. The people who lived HERE before us said there was no mice, but we shall see. =P What in the world is it about mice that's so scary, anyways? I don't know, but I have the fear!

January 18, 2011 - is exhausted and bummed that David won't be home tonight like we thought. Tracy, I just don't know how you do it. You are a much better woman than I! (And this is only the second day/night he's been gone...) 

January 20, 2011 - cannot believe how emotionally wiped I am after being at the doctor's office for over 2 hours this morning. Ruby's shots really hurt her, and she is having a hard time walking. Good thing the kids were champs, or I'd be MORE wiped! Now to go visit a "eye doctor" for Ruby and Isaac, a "foot doctor" for Isaac, a "hip doctor" for Ruby, and an "exercise doctor" for both. Moving stinks.

January 21, 2011 - loves days when the kids are friends. They've had a lot of those days this week. That is good.  Today, Isaac was helping Ruby out in any way he could - making her bed, putting her jammies in the dirty laundry, getting and putting away markers/crayons, helping her up on her bed when she needed to go for a "break", etc., etc., etc. because Ruby "hurts so bad" (Isaac's words, I believe) from her shots yesterday. That child is limping and grimacing and has a fever. =( Probably didn't help that she was trying to kick her SERIOUSLY SKINNY LEG when getting her shots. =P Crazy gal.  Oh! I forgot to mention that he drew her a sweet-lookin' "picture" (aka random colors spread around on a sheet of paper). Of course, she asked him to draw it because she felt bad. Ha. Guess she knows how to ask what she wants! =P

January 26, 2011 - spent some fun time outside today. Isaac's been wanting to build a snowman for MONTHS, but the snow is never right. Today, it was! So, we built that long-desired snowman. Let me rephrase. I built the snowman, while Isaac and Ruby rolled random snowballs and Jadelyn added strange tumor bumps to the snowman. Isaac did put on the nose and eyes, though, and with the strange tumor bumps...well, we can say it was a team project!!!  Oh, and a side note...we had to lock Hickory up while building the snowman, 'cause he was so excited he couldn't keep himself from biting. When we let him out again, he barked and barked and barked and barked and...well, you get the idea...at the snowman. Well, not directly AT it, but I'm pretty sure that's what was going on. Good thing he got over it. I thought for a while that I might have to knock the thing down so he would quit barking. =O And my snowpants need to be waterproofed. Yup.

January 27, 2011 - well, Isaac sure knows how to get out of having his immunizations! Last week he had a fever, and today we had to cancel the appointment 'cause he threw up last night. Sure hope he gets over this soon so we can ENJOY Florida!!! Poor fella...

January 28, 2011 - wonders where I have gone. You know, the perfectionistic clean-freak. I spent all morning cleaning (oh, guess I still AM a clean-freak), but then when Ruby and I were out hauling wood, Isaac and Jadelyn were in their snowsuits stomping through, and kneeling in, the big mud puddle in front of the house.  Then, it was time to go in (to eat lunch and wash those nasty snowsuits), and in a final moment of glory, Jadelyn fell down and couldn't get up. Gallant Isaac went to rescue her, but she fell down on her side. Oh, well. (That's the part of me that I'm not used to - the "oh, well Kim". I kinda like her. =D) So, does anyone know where mud suits are sold? I kinda need a few...

February 8, 2011 - has a crazy toddler who laid face-down in the snow today to eat it. She would sometimes get up for air, and then go right back at it. Happy all the time. Crazy kid.

February 9, 2011 - is glad that the kids all took a break from their incessant meltdowns today while at Wal-Mart. And PART of the doctor's visit. Oh, may they all take a nice, LONG nap...

February 10, 2011 - last night, David went to get the eggs from the chicken shed, and two dogs were in our yard. One has come by several times before, and seems like a nice dog. Anyways, they were about 30 feet or so away. Then, one of them started circling quietly behind David, and he thought, "that's like what wolves do". And when he turned around, the white dog was about 4 feet behind him baring his teeth and growling. Crazy David said he felt like it was as dream, but then realized it was real life and he should probably do something, so he yelled as loud as he could, and dog went away. Hope that dog

February 10, 2011 - really despises insurance. Well, I mean, I like it and all (so I don't go broke =P) but I wish that I didn't have to go broke if I went to an out-of-network provider. 2 of the 3 doctors I was referred to are out-of-network, so I gotta try to find ones that are IN network to get referred to and then wait and wait to get an appointment. Wish I would've checked on the "in-network" thing like a month ago...

February 11, 2011 - is this day over yet? 

February 13, 2011 - was helping David organize the barn tonight. It came to an end because it was too late. However, the nail poking through my shoe and the skeleton-still-covered-with-skin-RAT didn't help my desire to stay longer. Gross.

February 14, 2011 - legs were briefly turned into a slide much to the amusement of three little kiddos. Crazy kids.

February 15, 2011 - is SO glad that I don't have to bring the kids back to the opthamologist for another year. Don't need or want to repeat the day's drama for a long, LONG time...

February 23, 2011 - is taking a break from Facebook (can't tell, 'eh? =P), but thought I'd get on to post a quick update from our incredibly LONG doctor's visit today. Ruby's hips are a bit further out than they should be and have to continue to be monitored. The x-rays from last summer weren't at the new doctor's yet, but when they come in, they are going to compare them and see if things are looking worse or the same.

February 28, 2011 - no longer has a peaceful bubbling creek, but a mad torrent of a raging river. Good thing I slipped in yesterday when it was still a peaceful bubbling creek instead of today! =O

March 3, 2011 - WHY DOES THAT CRITTER INSIST ON SCRATCHING AROUND IN MY BEDROOM WALL/CEILING?!?!?! Kept me awake for about an hour in the middle of the night last night (Well, morning, but you get the idea...) and it's going at it already. RAHHHHHH!!!

March 8, 2011 - enjoyed listening to a conversation that Ruby was having with her Grandma today. My favorite part? When Grandma pointed out that Ruby had two nostrils and asked what she used them for. Ruby answered, "to get boogers out of my nose". Crazy gal.

March 14, 2011 - the other day while outside, I heard Isaac making a very displeased noise about the dog. Checking on him, I found Isaac trying to lick Hickory. Why? Because "HE licked ME!" Must admit, I've never had that urge.

March 14, 2011 - farewell, my beloved broom. Thank you for your long service. And thank you for your final sacrifice - saving me from that little, baby cricket.

March 22, 2011 - This morning, the kids were discussing tornados. Since it's spring, Isaac thinks we're going to get a tornado almost every day. Anyways, they have different concerns about a tornado. Ruby wanted to know how she could grow up and get married if she got crashed in a tornado storm, and Isaac? Well, he wanted to know how he could get food to eat.

March 24, 2011 - oh beloved naptime...thank you for finally coming today. And lasting long enough that my children woke up happy.

March 27, 2011 - has a new nephew as of Friday. Eric Walter Verbrigghe, and he's a cutie!!! Way to go, Mark and Aliya! (I figured I could finally post this since you put pictures up now....=D)

March 27, 2011 - Ruby: "where's my pencil?" David: "I don't know. Am I your pencil's keeper?" Ruby: "yeah". David gives Ruby the pencil. Push-over.

March 27, 2011 - finally finished making a bib for Jadelyn...her last bib was biting the dust. Never made one of these before. Hope this thing lasts - it took forever! (like 3 hours. Good grief.)

March 28, 2011 - everyone has a different motivation for hiking. You know...to see what's around the next bend, get exercise, etc. Isaac's? To get to the next bench so he could sit down. And later, so he could eat. See, everyone's motivation is different! 

March 29, 2011 - FINALLY has supplies for the greenhouse, which I was supposed to have planted in over a month ago. =O Oh, well. Watch out. This is gonna be one AWESOME greenhouse. 

March 30, 2011 - Ruby and Isaac are being "missionaries" today by singing in the bathroom. I'd like these missionaries to visit me every day! 

March 30, 2011 - doctor was finally able to compare Ruby's hip x-ray from last June with the one taken this February. There is not any change (which is good), but there is some "uncoverage of the femural head" which may require surgery sometime in the future (which is bad). Anyways, it's good to know what's up! We've been trying to get those x-rays compared for just over a month. Yikes.

March 30, 2011 - is VERY thankful for those who share their knowledge and TIME with a intimidated Mom. Thanks, Francie!!! (Hey, I'm all high-tech now...that's the first time I've put a hyperlink in. Is that called a hyperlink? =O)

March 31, 2011 - heard what I believe to be Jadelyn's first prayer by herself. She was sitting on the couch, folded her hands and said, "thank you today. Maymen." Precious!

April 1, 2011 - The kids and I were talking about what we were going to grow in our garden, and I mentioned "basil". Isaac said something like, "we need to grow bagels in our garden, 'cause Ruby and Isaac like bagels". So...any ideas where to get bagel seeds? 

April 2, 2011 - was visited by the Amish neighbor man a little bit ago. He apparently found a pile of mail in and around the creek near our house, and brought our water bill to us. Guess someone is stealing people's mail and looking for money or something. Wonder how many bills I've missed. Lovely. "No, honestly, I never got the bill!" Or "no, honestly, I've never had a credit card with your company". Yikes.

April 3, 2011 - has FINALLY completed phase 1 of operation Greenhouse. Hoping to complete phases 2, 3, and FINITO today.

April 4, 2011 - dog tore up one side of our greenhouse this morning. So today, we went and bought new plastic...and a chain for the dog. Why do I feel so guilty about putting him on a chain?

April 4, 2011 - dog escaped from his chain and eventually from his fence, too. (I chained him up inside his fenced enclosure for double security. Ha ha.) Where did I find him? Over by the recovered greenhouse! RAH! That dog is an escape ARTIST!!! In other news, I just about finished up getting my seeds ordered. Yee-haw! Bring on the garden season!!! 

April 4, 2011 - kids are terrified of tornado storms. Nearly every time they hear thunder, they want me to check the weather to see if there is a tornado. I told them that they were "storm watchers". Ruby said they weren't. They are "storm hearers". Ooooh.

April 5, 2011 - wants to know who can pony up $800 per week for Physical Therapy appointments? I've been on the phone and on the phone and on the phone and there appears to be no alternative in sight. Well...I can drive like 55 miles one way to therapy. Might have to do that. RATS!

April 7, 2011 - is lovin' this weather, and my kids are too...it's showing in their MUCH improved attitudes. Guess I should've moved further south so we could have nice weather even MORE often. Ha. 
April 13, 2011 - Ruby told me at supper tonight that I "hooked her up" because she liked the food. Too bad she hardly ate any. 

April 14, 2011 - asked Jadelyn the other day if she was "poopie". (Yeah, nice term, I know...) Her response? "No. [I] Lynnie".

April 15, 2011 - it's a pretty well-known fact that Isaac often "kisses the ground" that Ruby walks on, and at lunch today, he took that a bit further - kissing her actual feet. Gross.

April 15, 2011 - got a phone call from the CFO of the hospital we're trying to get Physical Therapy through in response to a letter I sent out 2 days ago. That's right, hospital, you've unleashed the Mama Bear! Watch out! Yeah, whatever...I'm just trying to act tough

April 17, 2011 - has a true country gal in Lynnie. Today, she was sitting sideways in the dog house, all decked out in her mud boots, with the dog climbing on her. Both were eating (or at least tasting) dog food. Then, when I made her stop that, she came and pretended to sleep in the straw that I'm mulching the strawberries with. I love that little gal!

 

April 18, 2011 - Jadelyn was trying to get by Hickory today, and instead of the usual "no!" or "down!"; today, it was "'scuse me!"

 

April 19, 2011 - can't decide if it's disturbing or a good thing that my kids are so into trapping mice in the chicken shed. Oh, and what is it that makes dog food so delicious? We had a picnic tonight, and when we were done (and therefore should be full), I'm pretty sure that Jadelyn helped herself to some dog food. (Was watching out the window. Daddy was on duty. =D)

April 20, 2011 - talked to Mr. CFO man. I don't think we'll be able to afford going there, still, but I'm glad to know they do have some programs (we just probably won't qualify) and that they were willing to talk to me. Now to find some AFFORDABLE Physical Therapy...

April 21, 2011 - was practicing piano this morning. My little fella climbed up next to me and was singing softly as I played. Then, he put the play stethoscope backwards on me, stood behind me, and sang into the stethoscope, so his sweet little voice was singing right into my ears. Must admit...I practiced extra long today...

April 22, 2011 - wonders if it's a bad thing that I was looking at the clock and counting down 'til I could go to bed. And it was only 9:20am. Oh, dear...

April 24, 2011 - yesterday, Isaac wanted up on the bed, but forgot to use the word "please" in his request. When reminded of this fact, Isaac replied, "what's please?" (or something to that effect) in a very innocent tone. Oh, boy....does he have amnesia or something? =O

April 24, 2011 - David came in from burying the dead mice collection (yes, we had one =P) with the kids and informed me that Ruby is his hero. She moved 10 decomposing mice by the tail into the hole dug for them (with plastic gloves, and held at arm's length because they stunk). Sure didn't get that ability or desire from me! =O

April 25, 2011 - took Ruby and Isaac to registration for HeadStart today in hopes they can get Physical Therapy through them. We sat down at the first table, and the lady said something like, "so, you're all 4?" To which Ruby replied that she and Isaac were, "but Jadelyn's 1, and Daddy's 33, and Mommy's 30". No, Daddy wasn't even present, and yes, the lady was surprised. 

April 25, 2011 - wonders what is so very therapeutic about mowing the lawn with ear protectors and no young children. Ahhhh........

April 26, 2011 - just finished copying and pasting 593 pages of my Facebook profile into word so I can actually save the memories I've written down over the past several years. Took a while, and now I have to clean it up, but we'll get there someday! 

April 28, 2011 - wonders what has gotten into Ruby's system in the past few months...and how to get it OUT of her system....sigh....

April 29, 2011 - My voice of authority is failing me. That or the neighborhood dog that has chosen to come visit today is DUMB or deaf. He better just stinkin' leave my clothes on the clothesline. Peein' in my flower garden, and wagging his tail at me when I'm talking authoritatively and passively swinging a mop at him? Go home, dog!

May 2, 2011 - was mowin' in the rain with my I-see. Our yard now looks like a mud pit, but oh well. Can't rain on our parade!

May 2, 2011 - ai yai, yai. I just did some math on PT costs. (Do I sound obsessed or what? =P) Anyways, they wanted to charge us $41,600 per year for Ruby and Isaac to have one hour-long PT session per week. I looked at the average pay of PT's around here, and if we were only to pay for the PT and not overhead and such, our cost would be $3679.52 based on the highest average salary I found...

May 3, 2011 - David was singing "all we need is love", and Ruby just came over and whispered to me, "Daddy's crazy. He said all we need is love, but we" need more than that. I asked her what else she needed, and she said "we need energy". True that.

May 3, 2011 -  we got down to only having to pay 15% of the PT bills...still at $60 per hour or $120 per week. Almost double the amount that a PT in our area makes. Well, at least I finally have my answer! And it's a lot less than $800 per week. 

May 5, 2011 - gave in and went ahead and started tilling the mud pit...hoping the air/sunshine mix will help it dry out. This tiller is quicker than the old one, but still HEAVY as all get-out. Where's my Dad's old Kubota when you need it, anyways? 

May 5, 2011 - : apparently Jadelyn talks in her sleep. I just heard "Mommy!" coming from her room two times (a few minutes apart), so went to get her. She is sound asleep. Crazy thing is we just found Isaac sleep-talking a couple nights ago. We couldn't tell what he was saying, but he was mighty cute! 

May 6, 2011 - was asked by a very insistent Ruby tonight where the dog's medicine is. When I said I didn't know, she, gesturing with her hands said, well, "you're the worker", so I must've put it somewhere. Well, at least I now know what my official title is. "The worker". That's me!

May 9, 2011 - just got off the phone with David...a vehicle's brakes weren't working, and they crashed into the side of the nursing home. Leaving a 3 ft x 18 inch hole, but a crack around 6 ft. David estimated that they were going between 30 and 40 mph and said they went through a parking lot on their way to hitting the building.

May 9, 2011 - on our way back from playing in the creek tonight, Jadelyn and Ruby's mud boots were full of sloshing creek water. (Isaac stopped to empty his out, and in the process got a rock in one of 'em, which he needed Mommy's help with. But I digress...) Ruby had a hand trowel stuck in her boot, and Jadelyn had her hands stuck in her boots - playing in the water, of course.

May 17, 2011 - is overwhelmed after the first PT appointment with the kid's new "exercise doctors". How am I supposed to find about 2 hours a day to exercise these munchkins? Of course, if I DID manage to find that time, well, they'd be lean, mean, tough machines! (They're already lean and mean, so we'd just be working on the "tough" part.)

May 18, 2011 - chuckled at the following conversation: David: "I want you to be nice and quiet..." Ruby: "What's that?" Oh, my.

May 18, 2011 - : tonight, David informed Isaac that he was going to have to have a consequence for not obeying. Isaac quickly replied that he was going to run away. (Who knew it started so young? =P) Ruby then piped in, "I betcha that they'll catch ya!"

May 19, 2011 - : 9 years ago, I was getting ready to walk down the aisle. Happy Anniversary to my lovely David! (Yeah, I bet he's THRILLED to be called "lovely", but he is! =D)

May 19, 2011 - : well, the kids had a ball with their babysitter, and we had a ball without the kids. Good thing that David didn't hit the vehicle behind us in the Dairy Queen drive thru when he put the car in reverse instead of going forward. He thought he might have hit them, but he got out and checked with them and he hadn't. Maybe I'll have to be the designated driver. =O

May 20, 2011 - "Mom, did you know I love you so much...I feel like crying". - Ruby
"Am I super strong?" - Isaac to Ruby while playing. Alas, there was no response. 

May 20, 2011 - : apparently Jadelyn's dare-devilness wasn't diminished at all after riding her tricycle down the 5 steps on the back porch. Soon after, what do I find her doing? Riding Pucka's rocking horse with no hands.

May 22, 2011 - found a tick in Jadelyn's crib on her blanket when doing the before-bed-straighten-up tonight. Now I have a minor case of the creepy-crawlies....

May 23, 2011 - is super disappointed after our first PT session since leaving Indiana. Super disappointed. 

May 26, 2011 - : tree fell down on our barn, and I don't even know when...we've only had a little wind, nothing real bad. Huh. David noticed it tonight, but the only damage we've found so far is just a little dent in the very edge of the tin roof. Good thing, 'cause the things so old it can't be insured. At least I think that's the story. =O

June 21, 2011 - Had a great few days in Kentucky with Kim and her family. Now we are back home safe and sound. (By Tracy)

June 22, 2011 - Hannah told me this morning that she wants to stay at your house forever, 10 days, til Jesus comes (By Tracy)

July 13, 2011 - Yay! Going to the park for a picnic with Kim and 3 pretty cool kiddos So glad it has cooled off since yesterday! (By Hughes)

July 16, 2011 - Andrew is the only one who caught any. (By Tracy)


September 15, 2011 - I request your prayers in behalf of Ruby and her worried Mommy and Daddy. We're back to the orthopaedic surgeon's AGAIN tomorrow (we were there 3 weeks ago, and then two weeks ago were at a geneticist's) for more x-rays and a video. It's looking like surgery for Ruby's hips is looming. I know God is in control, and I covet prayers to cover my little Ruby.

September 16, 2011 - Packing for camping at Turkey Run with Kim and family!! (By Tracy)

September 21, 2011 - in reply to Tracy asking what we did with our extra day of vacation: Well, we just went to a hotel with a pool and HOT TUB (kids' favorite). Swam a little on Sunday night, and then a little more on Monday before hitting the road. We were gonna go to the Children's Museum, but the kids were way too tired and cranky. We were tired too, but not so cranky. =) They slept most of the way to Louisville. Then we hung out on the skywalk thing in Louisville for a couple hours on Monday. The kids loved the "tunnels" over and next to the roads, escalators, and glass-elevators (in a hotel that we visited...David had been there for meetings before and wanted to show us it's awesomeness.). David? He loved the food court that had Subway (for me), Taco Bell/KFC, Taipei Taiwan or something (for him), and Wendy's (for Frosties). I think he has decided that that is the best place EVER for eating out. =) How's THAT for a long-winded reply, you Tilt-a-whirl-rocker, you? =) I'm IMPRESSED, by the way...I think I'd have gotten SICK. Can't handle spinning post-kids. Wimp, I know. =P Okay, I should go. Love you!

October 5, 2011 - : Ruby update - no surgery for now at least. Geneticist doesn't need to see us back but thinks the hip subluxation problem is related to hypotonia. Being referred to a neurologist to find out any underlying cause of the hypotonia. Maybe we can just exercise her hip area muscles like crazy and avoid surgery? Thank you all for your prayers!

November 7, 2011 - is SO VERY proud of my Ruby who had 6-7 (or so?) vials of blood drawn today with just the slightest whimper when the needle first went in. This from the child that usually screams BLOODY MURDER when she (or one of her siblings) gets a shot. She nearly passed out afterward, but we got her fixed up. GO RUBY!!!!!

November 29, 2011 - Another 9 vials of blood for Ruby. She declared that she "wasn't brave" this time 'cause she cried a bit at the beginning. But quieting down after two vials or so and staying still on her own....I'm still impressed. Now we're in wait mode. If her tests come back positive, she'll have surgery on one hip, followed by 6 weeks in a cast, then surgery on the other hip, followed by 6 weeks in a cast. If the tests are negative, then it's 6 months in a cast. Just want to get it over already. 

 

December 4, 2011 - Please pray for my amazing Grandma. She's been battling cancer for a long time, and it now appears that the end is very close. Please pray for her peace and comfort, and the same for her 7 kids. I am so very blessed to have her as my Grandma. I love you, Grandma!

December 4, 2011 - My kids with Grandma - she had such patience with them, even when she was so weak and they have boundless energy. What a wonderful, wonderful lady.


December 4, 2011 - Just another picture of my amazingly strong and wonderful Grandma.


December 5, 2011 - Today we lost our matriarch, an incredible lady who was very much loved and will be very much missed. I love you, Grandma! You are inspiring, and I am so grateful that I have had the privilege of being your granddaughter.

December 11, 2011 - : today I asked Jadelyn what her name was. "Jadelyn", she responded. (Not "Nini!" =O) Then, I asked what her middle name was...pause...."Jadelyn", she responded. So I then asked her what her last name was...."hmmm..........stinky poo!" Oh, dear. Guess I should be more careful with my nicknames. =O

December 12, 2011 - Cannot believe it, but I now have two 5 year-olds. Crazy!!! =O Happy birthday, Ruby and Isaac!!!!!! I love you!

December 18, 2011 - My kids are growing up. Sniff, sniff....Jadelyn is in a big kid bed for the second night (Isaac slept in her crib last night, and Ruby is tonight - we haven't got her own big kid bed put up, yet. =P) and tonight, Isaac is wearing underwear to bed for the first night. Crazy how fast time flies!

December 25, 2011 - I'm quite convinced that we have the sweetest neighbors in the world. So very blessed to have them!

December 27, 2011 - Finally got Ruby's surgery dates today: first surgery and cast is April 9, second surgery and cast is April 23, and cast comes off on May 30. Thankful that she'll be in a cast so much shorter than originally anticipated. Scared about the surgery, pain, recovery, and stuff. Thank you all for your prayers!

Random notecards...Dating back a LONG time....

So...I have these notecards on the side of my fridge.  Some are probably over a year old.  Yup.  I'm good like that.  So, I'll do my best to remember what in tarnation they're about.  And if I don't know?  Well, you might just get the snippet that I managed to scribble down.

Jadelyn quote: "Maybe a horsey talking.  Maybe not."  I'd go with the "not" option myself.

Ruby, upon getting up from a nap asked for "just a little after nap cuddle".  Oh, how I love those.  And how I miss those.  Now, she mostly just gets up looking tired and goes about life.  I do sometimes still get the cuddles, but not often.

Ruby, while eating a baked potato with sour cream told us that she'd just gotten a big bite of "Potato cream".  Yumminess!

Ruby has renamed "zerberts".  "Deserberts" they are called. 

David and I were wrestling, and often if I get stuck, I yell for Isaac's help, 'cause he's a good helper for his Mommy like that.  One day, upon coming on the scene, he commanded David, "LET GO OF MY GIRL!!!"  He's such a little hero, that one.  I love you, I-see.

When Isaac grows up, he longs to eat dog food.  Maybe that's where Jadelyn gets her animal food cravings from?

After our vacation in Gatlinburg over 2 years ago, Jadelyn would periodically talk about the trip.  There was a trail we hiked that had a sign about being careful to stay away from the drop-offs on the side of the trail.  Jadelyn's recollection of the sign goes something like this: "People fall off cliff, say, "DANGER!  DANGER!  And the bears run away."  Interesting.

Jadelyn, presumably while acting as the "Mom" to her two older siblings exclaimed, "My kids are so funny I can't even stand them!"  I KNOW THE FEELING!  =)

I think I wrote about this before, but in case I didn't....Isaac was talking to me but I wasn't listening, and had to confess that "my brain was turned off".  Isaac knew just what to say to make me feel better: "That's what I do sometimes!!!"  And now I don't feel so alone.

Jadelyn was having a phone conversation with herself, I believe, when she informed the "party" on the other line something like this: "my husband watns to go on a date, so I can't go to Russia today".  Like it was totally normal to just jet off to Russia any day of the week.  Crazy traveller.

Isaac asked me, "are you older than a million????"  Way to make me feel young, little whippersnapper.  Way to make me feel young.

Jadelyn had a dream that she had to get 59 stitches.  Glad that wasn't reality!  OUCH!!!  =O

One day, Jadelyn asked if she could ride her bike without her helmet.  I foolishly said she could, but only if she rode SLOW and CAREFUL.  She promised she would.  Silly me.  =P  I looked out the window to see that "cautious" and "careful" child popping wheelies and riding like an overall lunatic.  Yai yai yai.  Helmets are back in full swing.
When Jadelyn really likes something, she'll say "I love it to loves".  Just a great little Jadelynism that David and I use for fun, now, too.  "Oh, that food is so yummy, I just love it to loves!"  Ha.

Jadelyn calls bangs "Ruffles".  She likes "Ruffles" and girls with "Ruffles."  Doesn't matter that she's been told that they're "bangs", she likes to call 'em "Ruffles."

In April, I think, we went to a follow-up doctor's appointment for Ruby's hips.  I wasn't happy with the doctor, who didn't want to answer my specific questions, even telling me that "those are just big words" that I was using.  Well, you see, I've become educated through Ruby's whole hip mess.  I told him that I've been blown off by lots of doctors and that I start getting upset when I feel like I'm getting blown off.  He assured me he wasn't blowing me off, and then finally showed us her new x-rays and measured her acetabular indices, which were WORSE than he promised they would be.  Still not horrible, but you know.  I think we'll be finding a new doctor.  I miss our KY doctor, who we had an understanding with - we were done fighting with her.  She understood where we were coming from, saw that we weren't crazy make-up-what-we-think-is-wrong-with-our-child kind of people.  Mutual trust, you know.  =P  Anyways, the night before we went to the appointment, we stayed in a hotel to go swimming.  It was in Phoenix.  But the high was only 60 some degress that day.  I think it was probably the coldest day all year.  ;P  The pool was COLD and the hot tub was out of order.  But, we were there to swim, so swim we did!!!  Crazy northerners.  We also went to Olive Garden.  This is newsworthy because we avoid sit-down-restaurants pretty well.  But the kids did LOVELY.  Just lovely.  Sweet kiddos.  And then after the apointment we went camping.  It was FREEZING.  David was whining about wanting his winter camping honor after suffering through 3 FREEZING nights.  Anyways, there was some good hiking there.  The kids did their longest hike to date - about 7 miles!  Took us hours and hours, but it was lovely.  Crossed a stream over 20 times, I think - so that added to the excitement enough to keep the kiddos going.  They were REALLY tired by the end, but it was hours past lunch time and into naptime, so it all made sense.  But they MADE IT!!!  I was so proud.  I see many good, long hikes in my future!  =) 

In good 'ole Arizona, there just don't be much grass.  But Isaac has a really rare talent.  For, you see, that kid can get grass stains on his pants.  In the desert.  Where from?  Who knows!!!  Maybe they're weed stains.  Or scrub brush stains.  Hmmm....

After Easter, Ruby decided to sell her easter candy to get money to help homeless people.  And so she did.  She made $13 or so.  I was so proud of her.  For not eating her candy, but mostly for wanting to help others and finding a way to do it.  I just LOVE that kid!!!  (She has more candy to sell, if anyone's interested....)

The kids were begging David for some salt water the other day.  Because doesn't EVERYONE enjoy a refreshing glass of salt water?  Anyways, he obliged them.  And then they proceeded to announce how YUMMY it was as they drank it right down.  Where did they come from anyways?!?!?!

Ruby had to have two teeth pulled because she has the Verbrigghe curse and her mouth is too small.  LOUD as all get out, but too small.  So, I sent David with her.  For I was scared that I might get sick.  For I'm a wimp like that.  I was also scared that her threats of screaming and screaming would come true.  (She also threatened to get up at 3am and hide in Hickory's dog house.  Or across the road.)  You see, the dentist said he thought she'd handle it fine, since she was so "mature".  I assured him that's not the case so much when she knows pain will be involved.  He told me that I didn't probably really need to prepare her at all.  But alas, I had told her stories before of when I got teeth pulled, and alas, Ruby has a really good  memory....hence all the threats...=O  Anyways, she settled on dressing up as Isaac to throw the dentist off.  So, she wore Isaac's clothes, put on a bandana to cover her hair up, and right before the dentist came in, she stuck on a fake mustache.  He LOVED it.  So much so that he took a picture of it so he could show his wife.  He e-mailed the picture to David 'cause it is so like David to ask someone he doesn't really know to e-mail him a picture of his own kid!  ;)  The dentist said that Ruby is one of his favorite patients 'cause she's got such personality.  And he only knows a little TEENY part of it!  =)  Anyways, I was totally expecting Ruby to come through the door shortly after her appointment time with all teeth intact, 'cause the dentist had said that if she was upset, they'd just stop.  But no, she came through the door with gauze hanging out of her mouth, looking pale and out of it.  I was honestly shocked.  She couldn't remember if the dentist had given her shots (which was the part she was scared about.)  David said they tried to give her laughing gas, but she started feeling sick right away, so they stopped that.  They just numbed her gums real good, and then the dentist kept the needle so close to Ruby that she never saw it as he gave her like 7 shots.  Crazy kid.  She felt nauseous for a while, but then she was fine.  The next day or so, she spent some time in the 1st through 4th grade class at the school David works at, and met a girl who has to have some teeth pulled and is scared, so Ruby got to reassure her that it's not that bad - just make sure you get the numbing cream - that's some good stuff!!! =)

And the final story!  This morning we were talking at breakfast.  I can't remember what about.  But I CAN remember it had nothing to do with rattlesnakes.  Ruby busted out with, "just wait 'til we're bit by a rattlesnake.  That won't be fun."  Okay, then!!! 

Adios!

Just a few Kid Quotes....

Yesterday Jadelyn was cuddling/doing "kanastics" (gymnastics) with me.  All the sudden she busted out with something like, "I'm smelling your arms.  Yuck.  I like it!!!!!"  Nice.  Wasn't too long ago she was telling David that he stinks and she likes smelling me better.  Or something.  Crazy Lynnie.

Cut the boys' hair yesterday.  Isaac's wasn't really too long, but David's was looking bad, and I cut 'em at the same time...you know, to cut down on repeating the haircut mess more than I have to.  Was mentioning to Isaac how his hair didn't look too long, but Daddy's did.  "Maybe because he's going bald some", Isaac surmised.  (Something like that).  It's crazy true, but since there's so little hair left on top, for some reason it looks REALLY BAD when the sides grow out so much.  Bless David's sweet balding self.

Okay, need to go paint.  Someday this remodel will end...just not sure WHEN.

Tidbits of Life

I don't remember all the context, but Ruby was saying how David is a "big, strong, healthy man".  So, dearest David, when you're feeling particularly short, weak, or ailing, remember Ruby's glowing description of you!  =)

On Thursday, David took the kids to the booming metropolis of our hometown to hang up flyers about our house for sale.  They were gone for hours.  Turned out they not only hung up flyers, but getting a field trip at the firestation (complete with goody bags), getting suckers at the hair salon, getting ice cream for good behavior, oh...and licking salt licks at the farm store.  Yup.  David was showing me pictures he took on his cell phone, and there was a picture of the kids licking salt licks.  I thought it was a fake staging for a photo op, but no, David assured me, they were really licking the salt licks.  Later, I overheard Ruby and Isaac talking about it.  I believe it was Isaac who was like, "Ruby, when you grow up, you can buy a salt lick and lick it whenever you want!"  Just another example of the high aspirations of adulthood my children have.  ;)

We were up late last night after having our church friends over.  Ended up there were 30 of us, so we had a good showing!  The kids got to bed about 2 hours later than normal, so we decided to let 'em sleep in.  Ruby and Isaac slept in a grand total of about 30 minutes.  An hour after their usual wake-up time, I went in to wake up Jadelyn.  After a little cuddle time, I picked her up to cuddle her more.  After a while, I noticed she went back to sleep.  Finally, I figured I'd better wake her up for sure, so I brought her out of her room.  We cuddled on the couch some more, and then we were looking out the window, just having a nice time - giggling zerberts and all.  "Mommy was in my room a LONG time", Jadelyn told David of my 20 minute stay in her room.  At some point, Jadelyn mentioned that she didn't talk to me at all when I was in her room.  "Because I didn't have any questions".  I asked her how it was possible that she didn't have any questions, since she always has LOTS.  "Because I didn't raise my hand".  ;)  What a special time I had with my Lynnie this morning!

Then, Isaac was all excited 'cause David said that we were going to put some eggs under a lamp and try to hatch some since the hens aren't laying on them themselves.  This excitement led to a conversation about meat.  Isaac's monologue went kinda like this, "Daddy used to eat meat.  Lllllaaahhh.  Chickens and cows.  Lllllaaaahhh.  And if I marry someone who eats meat, she will have to buy it with her own money.  And I can't watch her eat it.  Lllllaaahhhh.  And I'll have to eat in another room.  Llllllaaaaahhhh.  But if she eats vengtables, I will buy them for her."  I told him how Gram loves Pucka so much that even though Gram doesn't eat meat, she would buy meat and cook it for Pucka.  He didn't seem convinced that he will have that kind of love.  =P

Ruby was out in the garage with Hickory this morning.  She then popped her head in with "good news", I believe was the term.  When she was trying to lock Hickory out of the garage, a frog hopped in.  "And I still have it!"  Sure enough, in her hand was a little toad.  A cute little booger.  But Ruby kindly kept him out of the house.  Sweetie.  ;)  Isaac and Jadelyn then had to go check it out.  And then the girls played with it for the next half an hour or so.  At some point, they came into the laundry room where I was, asking Daddy to look up on the computer what toads eat.  I told them maybe they eat flies and stuff.  Ruby said something like, "Oh!  So maybe we should put it by a spider web!"  "Good idea!!!!" Lynnie exclaimed, and off they went.  I will certainly miss "the farm life" when we move in a few weeks....=(

This and That....

This morning, we had LOTS of blackberries to pick.  All 3 kids came to help, and they did a SPLENDID job!  Isaac and Jadelyn picked ahead of Ruby and I, who came behind on clean-up duty.  Took a little over an hour, but we got 3 gallons.  I was supposed to make jam today, but alas, I did not.  I weeded.  And weeded.  And weeded the garden.  And did some laundry.  I'm old and sore now.  Well, I was already old.  Now I just added sore to it.  =P  Hopefully the weather (and my back) will hold out long enough to finish the garden tomorrow.  I really don't have that much left, but it's a part that hasn't been weeded for 2 weeks or so.  So yeah...that doesn't go so quickly.

It's part of this whole, let's-get-this-house-and-yard-ready-to-sell-for-a-good-price deal.  So so SO hoping it sells quickly so we don't have to worry about selling it anymore.  It would be nice to have one piece of the puzzle done.  As long as we get good neighbors in here for Mr. Tom and Ms. Tina.  Also, we finally got technologically advanced today and got our offer e-mailed to the realtor in what will be our new state of residence, so we'll see how that goes.  We really low-balled our offer - the house needs lots of fixing...and I'm cheap.  And it's bank-owned.  So, hopefully they just want this house off their hands!  ;P

Today the kids and Daddy-o headed into the booming metropolis of our hometown to pick up some ice cream and cones.  At the one and only Dollar General.  'Cause we're big and fancy like that.  So, they came back with stories.  Ruby said that a man dropped 3 cards and didn't know it (presumably credit cards?) so she picked them up and gave them back to him.  And also, a Daddy was holding his little girl who was around 4, and she kicked off her flip-flop, so Ruby picked it back up and gave it to them.  Guess she had a big pick-up day at DG!  ;P  Then, it was Jadelyn's turn to tell me a story.  On their way home, they saw a semi truck out on our booney roads....stuck.  We were talking about it again at lunch, and she was wondering, "why was that truck out here?" or something.  And then, like she often does, she came up with her own answer - to the extent of, "oh.  Maybe he wanted to go see if there was a bear up the hill and kill it."  Yup.  Why does she say these things like they are totally logical explanations?!?!?!?

In other news on the farm, David mowed and weed whacked and pruned down branches that used to whack us when we were mowing and burned brush and sprayed weeds in the driveway and overall was the bomb-diggity.  The kids cleaned up their turtle outside that they keep their outdoor toys in, and also rescued the tadpoles from the nasty pool (they wanted to get tadpoles in their pool, so we didn't clean it out, and boy did they get tadpoles!)  with help from the bomb-diggity Daddy-o.  Oh, and Hickory has another tick on his neck.  And I'm gonna miss our creek.

And that's enough mundaneness for now! 

Job endings, Twin birthdays, and more!

So, it’s been a while. Hmmm…let’s see…David’s boss finally found his replacement (he resigned at the beginning of October, but he was sticking around until they could find a replacement), so his last day of work was Dec. 11. What’s next? Only God knows! We’re stumped…just know that nursing home administration and family time don’t mix very well. =P So, that was exciting. The next day, on 12-12-12, my twiniokies turned 12 (if you add their ages together, of course – thanks Aliya, for pointing that out…I totally would have missed it!), meaning, naturally, that they are 6. SIX whoppin’ years old. Ai yai yai. =O We had a low-key day with Daddy-o. Well, if you consider sledding behind the lawn mower on the grass and down the driveway "low-key". It was crazy, let me tell ya. They wore a hole right through one of the sleds, that got found out when they hit a mudpuddle (kid’s request) and Jadelyn got soaked right through her snowpants. Of course, I must document what cakes the kids wanted. Ruby wanted a cheesecake. With a pink and white soft blanket in the middle, the words "Happy 3…6 birthday, Ruby!" (okay, she really just wanted "Happy 3 birthday, Ruby!" on it, but I told her that might be a little confusing when looking back at the pictures =O) in "light green", and red flowers around the edge. Isaac, who is again on a no-sugar kick, still wanted a cake, so Jadelyn could eat it. Aww…He wanted a round, double-decker blue cake (yup, the actual "cake" part), with green frosting. In the middle was a blue ladybug with a black head, antennas, and spots, and the words, "I’m glad you had a birthday. Happy 6^th birthday, Isaac!", also written in blue, were written around the lady bug. There were white moons around the top of the cake and pink stars around the bottom. Silly kids. Their cake choices always crack me up. This is the first time they got to choose the words – veeeeery interesting! ;) Isaac picked "sugar-free" (whatever) mint chocolate icecream, and Ruby chose Rainbow Sherbert…then switched to strawberry ice cream….and then back to Rainbow Sherbert. So crazy they are this old!!! =O OH! The weekend we went to Karl and Linda’s, Linda threw a surprise party for "two special guests". She had the kids helping her all morning, cleaning windows, and decorating for the "two special guests". When it came time for the actual party, and we told Ruby and Isaac that THEY were the "two special guests", it took a while to sink in. Ha. Anyhow, Grandma and Grandpa gave them some really cool ABC stickers and some awesome math books. Ruby has been eating hers up! She finished over a chapter in just 2 days (there are only 8 in the book). Most of that being in 1 day, when she spent about 3 hours total on it. She’s been on a bit of hiatus the past few days…with the exception of a little work she did with Daddy yesterday…life has been a bit…ahem…unique. Anyways…on to some little stories!

One day, Jadelyn was pretending to be a bunny. "Mom?" she asked. "Yes, Honey Bunny?" I replied…not realizing at the time that I had called her bunny, and she was pretending to be a bunny. When I realized it shortly after it came out of my mouth, I was quite pleased…=) Ha. Anyways. Back to the conversation…"Why you say, ‘swimming bowl’?" Jadelyn asked. I informed her that I had said "honey bunny". To which Jadelyn retorted, "you’re supposed to say bunny!" AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Ruby was praying sometime after her birthday party at Grandma’s house, telling Jesus something like, "thanks for the party, but thanks more for You". In a different prayer, she again thanked Jesus for the party, and then asked something like, "help Jadelyn to have one just like it someday". Sweetie pie.

Remember I was saying earlier that Ruby loves her math book? Well, here it is, in her own words: "I like my math book more than any toy in the house". She may just be a math nerd like her mother. =O

I was working in the kitchen, when Ruby and Isaac came in to get some containers for whatever game they were playing at the time. The drawers in the cupboards were left pulled out. I asked Ruby if she would close it all up for me. "Yes, I can", she replied, and then she added as an afterthought, "’cause my arms aren’t broken." Ha! Soon after, I think, I was brushing my teeth (too vigorously, the dentist says, ooops), while Ruby was on the potty. True to form, Ruby was just saying whatever came into her mind, I suspect. And what gem popped out this time? Something like, "it’s better for a toothbrush to fall in the toilet than for somebody to die." True. Random, but still true.

Last Friday night, we went to the Critter Barn with the Lehmans. David is in love. ;) The kids were shockingly hesitant at first. I had wondered what our time in Michigan had done to them, as far as nature stuff, ‘cause we just don’t get out as much as we did in good ‘ole Kentucky. Well, I found out. We walked into the barn, and they were all scared and stuff. Yikes! Time to move back to Kentucky!!! =O Anyhow, they eventually warmed up. They got to pet a turkey (I think Isaac passed on that one), all kinds of chickens, goats, sheep, bunnies, cats, hold baby chicks, and see even more. They all LOVED holding the baby chicks, though I think Isaac said his favorite part was the bigger chickens…I think he misses our feathered friends in KY. We also got to go to a live nativity, which was nice…I liked the part at the beginning when the lady was talking about historical things, and she had all kinds of pictures from the Holy Land, including what barns looked like then (kinda a cave-like thing), and cement-looking mangers. Anyways, I thought it was cool. Not as cool as David thought the animals were, though, apparently. He’s been raving about it ever since!

Was working with Ruby on her Memory Verse for Sabbath night’s homeschool Christmas Program at Grandma and Grandpa’s. When the following conversation occurred:
   Me: "Now there was in that same country."
   Ruby: "What country?….Oh! Now there was is that same country….."
   Me: "Shepherd’s living…"
   Ruby: "…in a house".
   Me: Disbelief.
   Ruby: "Once upon a time…"
Ai. We have a bit of work to do!!! =O  In her defense, though, that WAS the first day we'd been working on it.  Today, she gave up, I'm afraid.  Which isn't all bad.  She needs to focus on learning the words to "Away in a Manger".  Funny kid. 

Today we had a "big" day. For, you see, we went to the doctor’s AND to the dentist’s! Wowzers. We’re getting all SORTS of crazy in our old age. Anyhow, Ruby and Isaac had their yearly check-up, and then all 3 kids and myself got some shots. Jadelyn kept asking throughout our time at the doctor’s, "when am I gonna get my fluid shot?" You’d think she was all excited or something. Well, physical’s ended, and shot time arrived. I went first – to show my bravery, you know. =P Jadelyn was next. She handled it all like a champ – BLESS YOU, JADELYN!!! Because if little sister can be brave, big siblings have to be, too, right? =) Ruby got 2 shots, and whimpered near the end. Isaac was superb. This is GREAT, considering that he told me earlier in the week that he was going to scream REALLY loud to "make them deaf" because they were going to be "mean" to him. Anyhow, it was so, so, SO much better than 2 years ago, when I had all THREE kids screaming bloody murder – either because they were getting a shot, were scared, or because someone else was crying and was "hurting my ears". Yes, today was a definite improvement.

Then, it was off to the dentist. For 4 cleanings. Which fell right during naptime. When you’re trying to get appointments in real quick before your insurance runs out, you just do what ya gotta do, ya know? =P Anyhow, the kids did GREAT. Well, they were a bit rambunctious during MY cleaning, but for theirs they were amazing! All 3 kids were very excited to get their teeth cleaned, but I especially enjoyed watching Isaac. Part because Ruby and Jadelyn were out in the waiting room with David for pretty much the whole thing, so it was more peaceful, and partly because Isaac was so GEEKED. He was opening his mouth when he didn’t even need to, and it was just cute watching his little jaw get tired from holding his mouth open for so long. Well, tonight, as I was putting the kids to bed, I was talking about how excited Isaac was and how he kept his mouth open even when he didn’t need to. Isaac then piped up, telling me that he wasn’t keeping his mouth open due to excitement, but because he wanted to store up "slobber" in his mouth so she would use the "spit sucker". Oh, boy…I-see, my man…you crack me up!  On a side note, his bottom two middle teeth are getting quite loose - and I just found it out today - when we were eating lunch right before the dentist appointments.  Eating an uncut apple was proving to be a bit painful, and then I found out why.  HOW IS HE THAT OLD?!?!?!?!  I told him I might cry when he loses his teeth, 'cause it means he's getting all old and stuff.  Sniff, sniff.  Oh, and Ruby has an adult molar.  Who knew?!?!?!  I mean, I think I saw it coming in months ago, and then, well, I forgot about it, until I was informed of the news at the dentist's.  =O  STOP GETTING SO OLD ALREADY, WILL YA?!?!??!?!?

During nighttime prayers, Jadelyn was praying right along. She got to this part pretty early on in her prayer: "sometimes I hit. Then Mommy gives me a spanking. Then I die. I tink." Then, directed to me, "do I die when I hit?" I assured her that she didn’t. She went back to praying, "help us to find a new house. I like this jacket that Mommy is wearing. Help me to be good. Help me not to be bad. Amen". I "tink" she inherited some ADHD tendencies from her father. =O

And on that random prayer note, I will leave you! Adios!

I'm Still Alive!!!!!

We got to spend Thanksgiving with my entire family – all 20 of us. Wowzers…what a lot of people can come from a little family of 6! Anyhow, it was lovely.   Played baseball for the first time in 6+ years.  I've never been good at it, and was hesitant to play, but I was whacking them balls!  I got 5 or 6 homeruns, even!  Okay, full disclosure statement - the bases were closer than usual, and there was only 3 people playing outfield for most of it, and nobody had gloves on, so no balls were caught, but you know.  I was happy!  Also, my nieces and nephews are just sweeties. Even when they call me "Uncle Kim". ;) Andrew was giving all the younger kids rides on two sleds that were hooked up behind the mower, making sure they all got turns. Isaac got to drive the zero-turn mower all by himself, though his arms were barely long enough! ;) There was much noise and wrestling and book reading and game playing. Lovely time. On Friday morning, we had pancakes and waffles, and I was helping Hannah get her toppings on. She told me 2 different times that I was her "servant". The second time, I took the teaching opportunity and told her that Jesus was a servant, and about how He washed the disciples feet. Hannah interrupted me, "then He got tired of it", so now He wants us to be the servants. Not all the way accurate, but you know…..;) Selah was telling me that it was so funny that either Isaac or Jadelyn say "tank tou" instead of "dank you." Ha! Funny differences in speech make ALL the difference, you know!

Isaac really, really, REALLY wants a car or truck that is battery operated that he can drive. I told him it might cut down on his exercise. Ruby cut in to let me know that it IS exercise to drive one of those cars, because you have to push the pedal down. ;) Isaac did tell David that when he drove someone else’s car, his foot got tired, but he kept on pushing it so he could go.

Overheard Jadelyn and Ruby talking the other day. Jadelyn said, "Wuby, I wuv you. Do you wuv me?" Ruby answered, "yes, but I love Jesus more." Jadelyn then said, "I love Jesus more, too." Aww…(though I’m thinking Ruby’s statement had more to do with her being difficult and not just saying that she loves Jadelyn and leaving it at that. =P Oppositional, much? =P)

When I tell stories about myself, Jadelyn pretty much always asks, "were you my Mommy?" when the story happened. Well, this day, she asked, "were you my Mommy?" and then decided that I have been her Mommy since "when I came alive." Ruby told Jadelyn that she has been alive "since you were in her belly". Jadelyn added that she’s been alive "since I was in the grass." Ooooohhhh…..that kid is still so incredibly random.

One prayertime, Jadelyn was praying along when she got to, "help me not write on my hand with markers. Just crayons. Not crayons, either." Then continued about how I told her "no" and she disobeyed, before asking Jesus to help her obey. I just LOVE listening to kids pray!!!

On Sunday, we were hoping to see Ardi, but alas, she didn’t come, ‘cause Country Life didn’t have her cashews. =( But, Kindra and Eden still came, so that was lovely. We had a nice bike ride and I rather enjoyed having a grown-up to talk to (besides David, of course). Thanks for coming, Kindra! You brightened our day!!! =)

Oh, also on Sunday our neighbor was taking care of the two deer he shot on Friday – getting ‘em all skinned and cut up and stuff. Lovely. =O David, ever the homeschool man, took the kids over several times during the process. The kids were enthralled, though they thought it was gross. That night, we took a little walk down the driveway and found a pile of guts or something in the middle of the driveway. How did they get there? Fall off the back of the neighbor’s truck? Get hauled there by an animal? I don’t know. All I know is that I thought for SURE that it was just a leaf, and was gonna kick at it to prove it to David, but I’m really glad I didn’t! He shone the flashlight on it, and wowzas – grossness. Yeah. On the way back to the house, we found what David thinks was the deer’s tail. I’m not sure, but again…glad I didn’t step on it in the darkness!

Sunday night, we went to Wal-Mart. When we got there and got out of the van, Jadelyn said to David, "I got’cha where I want’cha, and now I’m gonna eat’cha!" before declaring that he was a yummy banana. WHERE DID SHE COME FROM?!?!?! She cracks me up. ;)

At Wal-Mart, we split up – David took Ruby and Isaac, and I took Jadelyn. Now, Jadelyn has the tendency to be a bit embarrassing at Wal-Mart with her loud voice and pointing. Well, Wal-Mart was quite quiet on Sunday. Oh, dear. Right away, it started – Jadelyn pointing at people and loudly discussing what they were doing. It doesn’t help that she can’t think of words real quick lots of times, so she just keeps pointing and stuttering, trying to think of the word. Oye. So, I reminded her quietly that it isn’t nice to point at people. A few minutes later, she starts pointing at the tofu section, asking, "CAN I POINT AT THE FOOD?" I think I told her that I supposed so. Then, she’s pointing at her forehead, "Can I point at THIS person?" Oh, Jadelyn…whatever am I gonna do with you? Yes, she still cracks me up. ;P

One night, Jadelyn was pottying on one potty while David was on the other. "Hey, Daddy and I are twins!" Jadelyn announced rather gleefully. Then, she proceeded to close the toilet lid on her back, much to her delight. Oh, pottying is so fun.

Ha! Just read the next note on my notecard. I don’t know what Ruby was saying this in response to, but it’s just a great line – "I can hardly believe my eyes, I’m so old." Ha! =D

One night at worship time, Ruby was saying how she hopes her nose stops running soon, because "the nostril drops little runny parts…and then I can’t sniff my soft blanket." The dramas of soft-blanket-sniffing continues!

Isaac has taken to calling Jadelyn a "cutie pie" now and then recently. Well, really, he just tells her that she’s a "cutie pie". Way to encourage her vanity, ‘eh? =P Last night, he was telling her that she was a "cutie pie", ‘cause she’s just so cute with the way she looks and the way her hair was that he had to call her pie, "like we eat". Then, he asked if he was a cutie. Yes, my man…you are.

Yesterday, I started teaching Ruby and Isaac how to read music and play the piano with right fingering, and counting and such.  Isaac paid attention for a good 30 minutes and did awesome!  I was so proud!!!  Ruby said she didn't want to learn, but after seeing that David and I were really proud of Isaac, she decided to give it a try.  She lost interest after a shorter time than Isaac, but still did well.  I was so proud!  Now, to keep up the excitement and to keep working with them....=O

Last night, we were talking about Christmas presents and about kids who don't have enough food and such.  I was showing Ruby the World Vision website and discussing things you can buy for other kids - food, clothes, medicine, helping to dig a well, animals, etc., etc.  At first, she was like, "well, I don't want to do anything like that".  Then, at one point, I was reading about how a child dies every 15 seconds because they don't have adequate food.  Then I showed her how long 15 seconds is.  I thought she was going to cry.  She then decided she wanted to help with food or water or clothes.  Not toys, because that's not so important - she just really wants kids not to die.  How sad that I go on living my life like I'm the center of the universe or something, instead of thinking of others - Lord help me!!!!

Speaking of others, last week we learned that our friend, John Lello, had died in Papua New Guinea where he and his family have been for 8 months as missionaries.  I was shocked.  And heartbroken for Pam and the girls.  The kids just couldn't seem to get why I was so sad.  Jadelyn, especially took it to heart, and she's STILL asking me if I'm sad.  We'd only met the Lello's a few years ago, but they are just special people.  Isaac, my shy little man, took a liking to Mr. Lello when they were at our house about a year ago.  Just special people.  If you read this, please, PLEASE take some time to pray for Pam, Abby, and Alissa.  Such precious people.

Yesterday, David banned Jadelyn from playing with the train until the next day. So this morning, Jadelyn told him, "I can play with the train because today is tomorrow." Ha!

Today, Jadelyn quietly came into the kitchen where I was, asking for some help. Not screaming. Just matter of fact asking for help. For what? To get the hair clip on her lip unclipped. Oh, child!

Jadelyn as apparently being a bit crazy today, which prompted Ruby to ask, "what’s her name, ‘crazy loon’ instead of ‘cutie pie’?" Yeah, these kids are fun to listen to. Well, when they’re not screaming and fighting, that is….=P