When I Grow Up....

"I don't want to be a boss when I grow up" my little man told me the other week. "I'd get too tired of bossing people around." "So, what do you want to do when you grow up?" I asked. "I want to be retired." Ha! Dream big my man, dream big!

Then, this morning, Isaac and Jadelyn were informing me that they did NOT want to be teachers when they grew up. Since I already know that Isaac wants to be retired when he grows up, I took this opportunity to ask Jadelyn what she wants to do when she grows up. "Live with you and eat dog food and cat food and chicken food!" (At least she's consistent in her goals, yes?  =O)  Who knew that "retired" would be the best goal of these two jokers? =O On a side note, I was informed that she will buy her own dog, cat, and chicken food, so at least I won't be supporting her terrible dietary habits.  =P  Gross. 

My Sweet Little Isaac, (Who's Getting to be Not So Little Anymore =O)

My little fella is the longest-lasting berry picker.  I go out in the morning to pick berries so we can have fresh ones for breakfast.  Isaac comes out to join me most of the times.  Sometimes in his jammies.  Sometimes with his heavy jacket on.  Not that it's that cold, but just because.  I think because he doesn't like his light jacket.  =O  Anyhow, it's just a special time.  "Why don't the girl's come out?" he asked one day.  But then he's decided that he likes this time.  Just the two of us.  On a "date", he says.  Some days he's a big helper.  Other days he's a big TALKER.  ;)  Mostly the latter, lately.  The other day, a good while after the girl's had gotten up, he said, "I wish the girl's weren't awake yet."  I asked him why.  "So we could still be on a date".  Special times for sure.

The other day, there was a VERY heavy dew on our rather long-and-needing-a-good-mowing grass.  As we were walking, most likely hand-in-hand, 'cause that's how we do things, you know, he got to giggling a little.  For, you see, water was spraying out the front of his crocs.  "I'm a sprinkler!" he exclaimed.  Why don't I see the simple joys like that?  Maybe I'm not looking.  Thanks, little man, for teaching me.  Again.  I love you.

4th of July Fireworks

We took the kids to fireworks last night.  Their first fireworks ever.  Yes, they're deprived.  Anyhow.  They were excited at first.  And loved the home-fireworks people were shooting off around us.  But when the first big ones started, they weren't such big fans.  They were SURE we were too close to them (not so).  Jadelyn whimpered off and on through most of the show.  Ruby and Isaac got to where they were enjoying it and exclaiming over the fireworks, but Ruby kept asking when the fireworks were going to be over - not sure if she wanted them to be or if she was jut looking at the glass half-empty.  =P  Anyhow, though we got no pictures of awe-inspired children during the fireworks show like I was hoping, it was still a good time, and I got in some good cuddles.  ;)

Also, there was a Mom with two children next to us.  The kids climbed on the hood of the car, and the Mom wrapped a white blanket around them both, and I tell you - it was just adorable.  I told David that it was one of those pictures you would see on MSN about the week in pictures.  Precious.

Afterward, we got stuck in SLOW traffic, and then David decided to stop at McDonald's for a special ice cream treat.  You'd not have thought it was a special treat.  When David asked the kids who wanted to share an ice cream cone with him, Jadelyn said she was so tired, and Ruby started fake snoring.  Only Isaac piped up, "ME!!!!"  Ha.  Anyways, that was crazy (for us).  Got home and got the kids in bed and we got to bed around midnight.  Crazy.  That's been 5 late nights in a row.  And some more crazy scheduled days coming up.  More about that some other day.  Maybe.

Oh!!!  And on the way up to the fireworks we saw a rainbow behind us.  So David turned around and pulled into a parking lot, and we got out and admired the beautiful, full, BIG double rainbow.  And the sheep (or were they goats? =O) and chickens in a truck parked at Lee's Famous Chicken.  ;)

Oh!  The reason I got on to make a post - silly me.  =P  Jadelyn was more excited about the handles on the bathroom doors in McDonald's than she was in the fireworks.  And the fact that there was only one sink in the bathroom at McDonald's.  She was admiring them and saying how "cool!" they were.  Oh, the simple joys.  ;)  Maybe next time we want to do something fun we'll just visit the bathroom at McDonald's during a more sane hour.  ;)

Rainy Day fun...

Jadelyn just came in from out in the pouring rain holding a big 'ole grasshopper - very proud of her catch.  I reminded her that grasshoppers belong outside.  I was told something to the effect of, "We're keeping care of it 'cause it was out in the rain".  Sorry Lynnie...gotta let that critter go.  I'm so glad that my kids don't share my creepy crawlies!  ;P  Though they were strangely freaked out by the crayfish in the creek last night.....

It's been a fun rainy day...going through some stuff, mending clothes, and listening to the kids play "church".  That's why Jadelyn was outside.  They all had to walk outside with umbrellas to get to church.  ;)

Nighttime Shenanigans with Jadelyn

Tonight Jadelyn's bedtime prayer when something like this: "Dear Jesus, I'm so glad I have my Mommy." said with her little hand around my neck.  Ah, it's so refreshing to hear things like that when I often feel so inadequate and overwhelmed with life....

Then, we went into a conversation.  Part of it was about how "when I grow up, I'm going to eat dog food and cat food and chicken food!!!"  Set your aspirations high, my child.  Set 'em high!!!  ;P  Then she was telling me about how she is going to live with Ruby.  I asked if they would be able to get along.  Shortly after she said she was going to live with me, but she was still going to eat dog food and cat food and chicken food.  Guess she's not a fan of my cooking?  ;P

Lynnie Loofah, I sure love your crazy self.  Even when you emerge from your bedroom within minutes of going to bed because you need to go potty.  Way to hold it until my sanity hour.  ;)

Jadelynisms...

Today, Jadelyn told me that I'm "the nicest gowo I've ever sawen."  (translation: "the nicest girl I've ever seen."  =D)  Nice compliment to get me through the not-so-nice days...;)

Jadelyn's prayer tonight (paraphrased to the best of my abilities): "Dear Jesus, I'm so HAPPY!  Soon I'm gonna be 4.  But right now I'm just 3.  But then I'll be 4, then 5, then 6, then 7, then 8, then 9, then 30!  Amen". 

Yesterday, Jadelyn was having an absolute COW about having to walk around the garden.  She was scared.  Of deers.  And bees.  And maybe bears, but I can't be sure about that one.  Anyways, I was telling her that Jesus made the outdoors, and we don't have to be scared.  Hearing that Jesus made the outdoors apparently got her thinking.  She asked, "how did He make the sky?" but before I got that answered, she figured it out herself, "oh, maybe He climbed a ladder."

Another question she answered herself a month or so ago: "Who am I gonna marry?" (pause) "oh, maybe my husband."

2 weeks ago, we got 10 baby chicks.  Or "chickie-babies" as David likes to refer to them.  I do NOT like to refer to them that way.  =P  Anyways...on with the story...10 peepin' chicks were living in a box in the laundry room for the first few days we had them.  We had an allotted chicken time, when the kids could manhandle the chickens, because if we didn't set a certain time the chicks may have just gotten loved to death.  =O  During one of the chicken times, Jadelyn informed me, "Mama, our chickens are precious..." She also questionned if we all love the chickens and if the chickens love us.  Deep thinker gal...

A little over a week ago, at suppertime, we heard a noise coming from the laundry room.  Jadelyn was quick to assure us, "it's okay. It's just the chickens. Not a skunk." 'Cause those pesky skunks are ALWAYS sneaking into my laundry room....ha! =)

I sure love that gal!  And now I gotta be better at blogging, so I can remember things...=O

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!