Errand Day...

So, David and I were talking the other day, and realizing that each time we move we get further and further away from civilization (i.e. Wal-Mart).  Battle Creek, Mena THE BOMB DIGGITY (okay, we were probably closer to Wal-Mart in Mena than Battle Creek - I mean, we COULD walk there =O), Cicero, Crab Orchard, Grand Junction, Crab Orchard (okay, those last two were about the same), Arizona land.  Wowzers.  We got ourselves a drive here, Buddy!  =O

So, the kids and I headed off on our big town adventure today.  We got to town at 9:30am, but got lost trying to find Lowe's, which we finally located around 10:10am.  Don't be TOO jealous of my navigating skills, okay?  ;)  Anyways, we were in the fun land of Lowe's (the kids said upon entering, "this is a FUN STORE!!!") for about 3 hours.  And I'm not sure I have exactly what I need to attempt to texture the ceilings in the new house.  Oh.  Did I mention that our abode is a TRASHED MESS?  Yes, indeed.  SO FAR above my skill level.  I have a LOT to learn.  =O  Anyhow.  We got out of Lowe's by 1:11pm.  Yes, I notice these things.  Say 3 letters with me - O.C.D.  There.  We said it.  =P  So, we swung by Panda Express for lunch.  Because A. it was close to Wal-Mart, the next stop, and B. I was being adventurous.  Upon entering, I could not locate what their entrees were on the menu, and I wasn't sure of serving sizes and it looked like it could get expensive to feed the masses.  So we exited.  To be fair, "A" was the main reason we went it.  =O  So, we headed out to find another place.  And located Wendy's.  Tried and true.  I ordered 4 baked potatoes, 4 side salads, 1 large fries, and 1 medium Frosty.  And all but 1/2 or so of one salad and about 1/2 a potato were eaten.  Incredible.  Then we ventured to a VERY LARGE (for small town folks like us) Wal-Mart, which, alas, has no fabric section to be found.   =(  We survived the trip, but by the time we got out to the van at 4:14pm or so (okay, so those times are when I started the van and could check the time, 'cause my watch literally fell off my wrist on some day we were driving out here), I had some tired kids.  TIRED.  They really did well for such a long day.  By the time I looked in the rear view mirror 8 or so minutes later, they were konked right out.  Sweetie Pies. 

And that is the summary of my day.  Except for the couple stories that I got on here to really write about.  Here they are:

Ruby's favorite moment of the day had to be when I let her go potty by HERSELF at Wendy's.  She came out of the restroom with the biggest, CHEESIEST grin on her face, 'cause she did it ALL.BY.HERSELF.  Oh, the simple pleasures.  Cracked me up.

Jadelyn has become a Pharisee.  "Do they sell MEAT here?  I'm glad WE didn't get MEAT." and on and on.  And then, as we were leaving, a sweet 79 year old lady named Pat stopped us on the way out to ask if my Dad's name was Danny, I think.  Nope.  But it DID open the way for Jadelyn to practice more Phariseeisms.  "Why are you wearing earrings and jewelry?  Why do you have the look at mes?  Why do you have 3 rings?" and on and on and on.  Ai yai yai.  I'm glad that Pat's hearing seemed to not be super.  =O  Then at Wal-Mart, we were checking out, so she says to the cashier, "Why did you paint your fingernails like that?"  (Side note, the lady did NOT paint them like that.  She glued 'em on.  ;) )  CHILD, STOP IT!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and one more Jadelyn gem.  Oh, wait.  Two.  As we were driving to town, we were having worship, 'cause we were late like that.  We're in the midst of it, and Jadelyn is like, "remember how our cat died?"  Random.  And then, as we're getting out of the van to go to Wal-Mart she says, "Mom, boogers keep crawling up your nose and you have to pick it out."  I'm assuming she was referring to herself as the "you".  Good grief.

And with that lovely note, I bid you goodnight.  =P

Amish Town....

This morning, the kids were happily playing in the sandbox (favorite activity of this week), when Hickory started barking.  And kept barking.  Finally, I looked out the window from where I was working on making zucchini out of the zucchinis that I let get too big (=O) and what did I see, but 4 horses meandering through our yard.  I quickly called the kids in (never know what those crazy animals may do - I don't want a repeat of Ruby flying through the air after getting kicked by a horse), and then I thought that maybe the horses were in the pasture after all.  But no, they were in the yard.  Coming toward the house.  2 big horses, and 2 baby horses.  Beautiful, but I don't know nothin' 'bout no horses.  So, I did what any rational human being would do.  I called David, who works in another town.  ;P  I didn't have the phone number for our Amish neighbors, but David did, so I wanted the number to give them a quick call to come get their horses, if these were indeed theirs.  I failed go get ahold of David, so the kids loaded up for a quick adventure ride to the Detweilers home.  They thought that was a bit strange (at least Ruby did), since this Mama goes NOWHERE.  =O  Anyhow, on our way out of the driveway, we met another neighbor, who had driven by, seen the horses on the road, and turned around to see what was going on (I presume).  He asked if they were my horses.  I said no, but I thought maybe they belonged to the Detweilers.  Anyhow, we got to the neighbors, where some strange, excitable English woman (ahem, that would be me) told Jonathan that his horses were loose and walking down the road.  I asked if he wanted a ride.  He was very, VERY laid back about it all, and said, no, he'd just walk.  He thanked me for coming to tell him and then ambled off down the driveway.  Well, we saw him walk by the house one way, and then the other.  With no horses.  Oooops.  I'm guessing those weren't his horses?  =O  Gotta love country livin'! 

Then, at lunch, Ruby was telling me about how when they were out and about with Daddy yesterday, hanging up flyers at Amish establishments about our house for sale, she saw an Amish lady with 3 kids.  One was little "like this" (holding hands up to measure out an appropriate baby size), one was about Jadelyn's size, but a little shorter, and probably 2 or 3, and one had "Jacob's eyes", and maybe face, but definitely eyes.  Wide open and staring.  Must admit, I've never seen Jacob stare, but he does have nice eyes!  ;)

And this morning, Ruby was quizzing me down about how we know if a baby is Amish or not.  I explained it has to do with how the parents want to raise them.  This conversation went on for a while, and I said that all the people are the same, just believe different things.  No, Ruby argued, Amish are NOT the same as us - they wear hats!  Sigh....

I sure will miss this place.

A "Situation"...

Tonight I was informed by a special Ruby girl that she had gone into the garage and there was a "situation" between Hickory and Alpine.  As I was in the midst of asking what the situation was, Ruby responded, "[hi]ssssssssssssssssss".  Yup.  Sounds like a situation to me!  ;)

Jadelyn emerged from her room soon after being put down for a nap because she had to go potty.  When she does this (most often at nighttime), it takes her FOREVER to go.  Today was no exception.  And though I was a bit perturbed at the interruption of peace and quiet, I sat on the stool waiting for her to finish, looking at her with admiration.  How fantastic that I am the mother of this special gal!!!  Even if she goes potty at inconvienent times.  ;P

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....=(

Tears of Pride...or Joy....or Something....

This afternoon, Isaac wanted me to watch him jump off the couch.  And land on his feet.  On a cushion.  Quite far away from the couch.  I watched.  He jumped.  He landed it perfectly.  I was so proud.  Of my son.  Yes, he is 6 1/2.  And yes, I was so proud.  You see, these things don't come easy to Isaac.  He wasn't physically able to jump and get both feet off the floor until he was 3 1/2.  Today he told me how he's really been trying to get better at landing on his feet.  And he did it.  Perfectly.  As I watched my happy jumping little man, I did so with tears in my eyes.  Don't ever give up, Buddy.  Just don't.  I love you.  And am so, SO proud of you!

Conversations with Kids...

Just had an absolutely delightful nighttime conversation with my little twiniokies. Isaac says that when he gets married, his "Mama", his "Kim", his WIFE will go to work and he will stay home and play with the kids. And his wife will be off work on Sundays and Wednesdays and will bake bread and things on those days. I told him that if he's staying home, it's his job to cook and do laundry and weed the garden and keep up the lawn, etc. He said that's a lot of work. But it's MORE work to actually go to work. "'Cause you have to walk around and make copies, and I don't know how to do that. And you have to work on the computer, and I don't know how to do that. And you have to move heavy boxes and I can't do that." At some point, I asked what he was going to teach his kids. I don't remember if he had any answers to that one. But Ruby did - "the 10 commandments and about the Bible". "And to be kind and to honor and respect the Mommy and Dad", I said. "That's one of the 10 commandments!" she let me know.

Then, as I was writing that, David was in the bathroom helping Jadelyn wipe up after her mandatory I-just-went-to-bed-I-think-I'll-get-up-and-go-potty potty.  He was telling her, again, that she needs to wipe front to back.  Or she could get a urinary tract infection and we'd have to go the doctor.  "And I could die", Jadelyn said.  No response from David.  "And I could die in the van if you didn't get me to the doctor fast enough."  No response from David.  "Aren't you going to tell her she won't die?" I asked.  Nope.  He's not going to tell her.  So I will.  Here it goes: JADELYN, YOU WILL NOT DIE IN THE VAN ON THE WAY TO THE DOCTOR FOR A URINARY TRACT INFECTION.  There.  It's out of my system.  And when Jadelyn settles down and learns to read when she's 9, she can find out that she will not die in the van on the way to the doctor for a urinary tract infection.

'Night!

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!