Random House Rules

Besides the usual house-rules of no jumping on the couches or throwing knives, we have a few rules that are unique to our home alone.

And so.

To any visitors, young or old, that may dare to venture inside the confines of the Nut House, here a few extra rules you must keep in mind:

1. No singing at the table during meals.

2. No singing songs with your sibling(s) name(s) incorporated into it in any way, at anytime.

3. Swords-on-swords, no swords-on-people.

4. You may only shoot people who are armed, or agree to be hunted.

5. If you do not want to be chased, stop running.

6. No climbing up the walls, you are not Spiderman.

7. No socks outside, unless you also have shoes on.

8. Shoes or barefeet only when going outside.

9. If you're going to jump off the top bunk, make sure there is sufficient padding on the floor.

10. You may interrupt Mama only if there is blood. Otherwise, wait until she is off the phone.



And I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now.

I have to go wipe some footprints off the wall.

:)

H-E-L-P!!!

Alright, all you homeschooling math-savvy Mama's...

Any foolproof way to get your 9 year old boy to learn his math facts*? (short of threatening his life)

I am most seriously at my wits' end.

No amount of cajoling and pleading and privilege-taking-away-ing will convince him to learn his facts.

You and I both know that once he learns his facts, math will be oh so much more enjoyable for everyone within a 2 mile radius of our home. He will be much more confident when tackling new problems, and the thought of multiplication and division (next month) are giving me the heeby-jeebies.

Thoughts, suggestions, prayers, fuzzy navels?

:)


*I've had this problem with him before. That is why we switched curriculums and made him repeat K-2nd. He still cannot seem to get the addition and subtraction facts memorized.*

Eternal Rest Grant Them, Oh Lord...

A week before the battle of Bull Run Sullivan Ballou, a Major in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.

---

July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC

Dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.

If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...

But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...

---

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the 1st Battle of Bull Run.

Receipt Meme

Margaret dared anyone to join her in this most expose' of memes....

Admit to where I shop and how much I spend?!?

Hell, why not.

Besides, each trip has a store-y. (ha ha...I kill me)
















The first thing I did Saturday when I had some down time was take 4 of the kids to Toys R Us.

What, don't you do that for rest and relaxation?

:)

Truth is, this was an easy trip due to the generosity of one of my NY aunts who bestowed on each child an oh-so-very-cool $25 gift card. We had been saving them for a rainy day (like the past 30?) and so thought we should cash 'em in and reap the benefits.

(I also reaped the benefits of finding an uber cool godson toy on sale.... saving it for Christmas)*



Next stop, after putting batteries into approximately 321 toys, and leaving the happy cherubs with Papa.... was Sam's.

This is a twice a month (paycheck induced) trip. We stock up on pampers (now used for nighttime only!) pasta, lemonade mix, frozen waffles, cheese, meat, and wine. This trip also saw me buying plastic cups and paper plates, extra goodies like chips and guacamole, and strawberries. We are having company for dinner tomorrow after all.


After dinner, while the kids were enjoying Peter Pan, I snuck out to Madness R Us once again to take care of buyers regret (compliments of Little Dear) bought her many princessy things, and then prepared for my voyage to Carnival.



Carnival is anything but, let me tell you. Unless it's the kind of carnival where there are a gazillion people and babies screaming and fatty food everywhere. Yes, then, that would be my experience at Carnival.

I'm a proud person.

And to admit that I have to shop at Carnival?

Ouch.

But, I do. We have 5 children and DH provides wonderfully, but I need to shop there to make my dollar stretch that much farther.

And while I don't have the most pleasant shopping experience this side of Paradise, I make do. I pop in my earphones to my mp3 player, turn up BNL, and zoom around as fast as possible. And even though the selection of produce isn't packaged in the most appealing manner, I find that short of the farmers' market in downtown Dallas, this store has the juiciest peaches and watermelons. Strange, huh?

Speaking of, this trip was particularly strange, because I felt like a fish out of water. Normally I don't, I mean, I know that store like the back of my hand. But this time, I kept getting looks from people... as if I don't realize that I'm the only caucasion in the store. Do I need a special pass? How about a sign on my back stating that I have 5 children and only one household income?

Sheesh.

Luckily, the checkout lady was very friendly, as was the bagger. And we had a lovely chat, and I didn't feel quite so out of place. Why is that important to me? Maybe it's the karma of the place or something...


My grand total for Saturday was somewhere around $450. BUT! $125 of that was taken care of by gift cards...



*I never ever buy this early for Christmas. Never*

You know you've been married for eleven years when...

1. Amongst the list of things you tick off on your fingers for your husband to pick up at the store on his way home from work is an Anniversary card.

2. He asks if the card is for him or from him.

3. You both start laughing.

4. And he manages to surprise you with many gifts, including said card and many flowers.

:)

Today is the day...

... I married my best friend.

Eleven short years ago.

In order to marry my best friend, he needed to become my best friend. And that took 4 years of college and a year of being engaged. Those four years at college were doozy's, let me tell you. But God knew what He was doing, and there could not have been a better marriage prep than those years of courtship.

We became very close. And we grew so much. Our newfound knowledge and formation only brought us closer to each other. Until at last, my skepticism was completely eclipsed and even I had to admit that this must be God's will.

This union, this one-ness that seemed to be so impossible and utterly too perfect for earthly dwelling.

It seemed to me that only heaven could guarantee such happiness.

There has been so much happiness these eleven short years. And while we've also had our share of difficulty and heartache, there has always been us.... and Him. The common denominator through it all.

We are so blessed.

:)

Flickr-ing Photos

I almost did a post with a gazillion more photos from our NY trip.

Almost

It was a narrow escape for y'all.

:)

Instead I spent precious time signing up for and installing a flickr badge. So, instead of humongous pictures of me and Aunt Myrtle, you can click or ignore at right.

And since this is in it's infancy, there are only a few photos for now. But, don't worry, I'll be updating it frequently!

Friendships

Pondering this topic these days because of the attachments being fostered by my kiddos.

I have written about our neighborhood before.

Things have gotten a bit better since those days, I am happy to report. Action Man refuses to take any (ahem) sh*t from anyone, and will usually remind his brother and sisters that they should leave whenever anyone decides to be nasty.

For this, I am grateful. It shows a maturity on his part, and a willingness to stand up for his siblings. And, unfortunately, a much-needed lesson learned that sometimes kids can be mean.

At least he doesn't have to experience this on a daily basis. I am grateful for that as well.

The tricky part comes when you need to impart a notion of temperance.

(sigh... seems like a new post label is in order, eh?)

Yes, even in regard to friendships.

My kiddos have been enjoying the friendship of the little guy down the street. He's been coming over to play in the evenings lately and had even asked if he could come over every day after school this week to eat all of our snacks wait until his parents come home from work. He doesn't like to be home alone. My Mama heart sorrowing, I said of course! And he spent a fun afternoon here Monday.

But yesterday.

Yesterday his mom brought him home and then returned to work, and he never. came. over.

Oh! The wailing and the grinding and the unending gnashing of teeth!

My children were so very upset and hurt and angry and I'mnevergonnaplaywithhimagain and oh-is-that-him-coming-now? ...NO!?!?

argh.

Giving the little guy the benefit of the doubt, I offered a few plausible explanations as to why he didn't come to play... while holding a few other reasons back.

Like, maybe he's already tired of us? I mean, we are an imposing bunch. To a youngest child of three, our house is a perpetual romper room rivaling the chaos of Chuck E. Cheese on a rainy Saturday... Besides, how many episodes of The Backyardigans can a 10 year old endure? (bad hormone day... 'nuff said)

So, we circled the wagons and listened to books on CD, played with Legos, and used the building blocks. Not a bad day if you ask me.

I know that come 3 pm, when the little man gets home from school and trots on over, all will be forgiven and forgotten in the anticipation of a joyous afternoon romp.

In the meantime, I think my kids learned a good lesson.

People need their space.

And that is OK.

Moh- Skee- Tow

As in, "yet another reason one would want to live in Texas in the Spring."




I don't know what the deal is, but the mosquitoes this year are awful.

Must be all the rain.

All I know is that these little buggers are getting cheeky. (pun definitely intended... you should see the bite on my face)

Even though the entire family partakes in the daily ritual of immersing ourselves in DEET... the darn things find the one spot we missed, and feast away.

Or... wait until nightfall, and then they suck on your unsuspecting arms and face... and even the palms of your hands. I should know, because along with the beaut on my face, I have a huge one on my left hand. It is constantly irritated due to the frequent washing of the hands that all Mamas have to undergo...

I think I'll be investing in some Skin-so-Soft now.

:)

My Favorite Color

What Your Favorite Color Green Says About You:

Balanced --- Relaxed --- Flexible Compassionate --- Philosophical --- Humble Loyal --- Inventive --- Unique

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

h/t: Catholic Harvest