Our Version of WHERE'S WALDO

I promised my s-i-l (one of them) that I'd tell you our latest past time here at the troops.

It's a game.

Well. If running panicked through the house while yelling and frantically searching IS a game. . .

We'll just call it a game just to remind us to laugh now and then.

About five hundred (or thousand) times a day, I call out, "Guys! Hey! Everybody! WHERE IS LITTLE MAN?"

Without fail, my paranoid screech is responded to in one of two ways.

1. "Right here, Mom. It's OK. I've got him."

or (the less preferred response, I'll admit, and the much more frequent one)

2. "I dunno." "I dunno." "I haven't seen him."

Then the frantic craziness ensues.

We always find him. Usually not in the same place. Unless he's done something wrong, in which case you can find him under the end table in the living room (now you know). But other than that, he's usually doing something "interesting" in another room. Could be it has to do with water. Or the toilet. Markers are a favorite. Candles are tempting (last week he figured out putting bits of torn paper in the candles starts fires. Lovely.). Or there is always the garage fridge!

So who's up for a rousing round of "WHERE IS LITTLE MAN"?

Speaking of . . . it's awfully quiet. . .

Shall forever be known as. . .

Whew! Has it really been two weeks?

I've missed ya!

Truly. I miss the writing. I miss the outlet. The chronicle. The encouragement that you give when I pour out my chaos all over the place.

A moment of quiet has descended. Little Man is watching Curious George. Which my big kids determined last week MAY not be the best idea. He seems to be following in those curious, ornery, but VERY cute footsteps. (sigh)

The "at home" girls are sleeping in. Which considering all of the partying that's been going on is not only understandable, but WELL appreciated.

And it's Monday.

Although the list is long and the time short. . . I'm grateful that I can be overwhelmed and yet still sleep "the sleep of the exhausted" (to quote my sister-in-law's mother, whom I love). A good night's sleep sure does change one's perspective! And we've had two in a row, here!

I find myself saying rather frequently these days (mostly to the Coach), "Whew. What a day." To which he has developed the habit of saying, "Day? How about week? How about month? How about year?"

Painfully true.

It's been busy here. And OH the good stories I've failed to chronicle. But since it's Monday and I have just a minute. . .

Last Wednesday my mom came over in the afternoon, after the Coach was home but before dinnertime, to walk our 4 miles here in the neighborhood with me (we are less than one week from the 1/2 marathon, by the way!). Since the weather has been nice, we've been walking outside instead of on the treadmill. Lovely!

So I got back from huffing and puffing up and down the Arrowhead Hills . . . we had a good time, too. . . to walk in the garage and find. . . I'm not sure what? Some of the "middles" (that would be not the big kids but not the youngest, either) with a bucket and rags wiping the garage floor.

Well. It seems that while I was out walking, the Coach and Son (#3) were mowing (Son #1 was working at his uncle's), and FIVE other kids were left to watch Little Man (the Coach was right here in the back yard). Apparently it wasn't enough. He is magnetically drawn to the fridge in our garage. It hold gallons of milk, water bottles, cartons of eggs, butter, etc. In the past he's taken all of the water bottles out and dumped them in the front flower bed. He's dropped eggs on the garage floor. You get the idea. And it even has a bungee cord twisted around the handles and attached to the cabinet next to it. He's Houdini, I tell you.

This time? It was the gallon of maple syrup. You know the one? From Sam's? Poured out on the garage floor. Tracked all over the garage "rug" where the kids take their shoes off and put them in the cubbies. And yes. Yes it WAS tracked through the laundry room and into the kitchen.

(sigh)

When I got home, Daughter (#2) was occupying Little Man elsewhere (thank heavens) and the Coach had left to pick up Son (#1) and Son (#3) was still mowing and four middles were wiping the garage floor with rags dipped in a big bucket of hot water.

Further inspection of the kitchen revealed that Little Man (he's really a genius, you know), had taken the swiffer mop off the hook in the garage and attempted to "clean up" the puddle (or pond, or lake) of syrup himself. Which would have been an intelligent thing for a three year old to do. Except that Daughter (#2) hadn't realized this and had brought the same mop into the house to clean up the kitchen. Are you getting the idea?

Garage floor? Not too bad, actually, after the kid's work to clean it up. Garage rug? Hopeless. Kitchen floor? Depressing.

I think we mopped it a hundred times. Mopped may not be the right term. Picture hands and knees and rags and hot water. Over and over.

The rug? It had to be hung out on the back fence, hosed off, left out to dry and then brought back into the garage days later to be steam cleaned with my handy dandy carpet cleaner.

(sigh)

Seems like I sigh a lot these days. Three year old boys will do that to you.

So about four days later we finally had everything cleaned and back in order.

And Little Man? We decided in spite of it all to keep him.

So last week at the troops? Shall forever be known as. . .

"The Syrup Incident of 2010"

And now? The girls are awake, George is over (see what I mean? He probably shouldn't be watching this every morning) and the day is calling.

May the Lord give you His grace to face today. . . whether that means dealing with 3 year olds or things MUCH more difficult (because I am completely aware that there are MUCH more difficult things).

Happy Monday!

Monday at the Troops

How can it already be the beginning of another week?

The time? It is flying!

And the troops? We are busy!

If you don't use it - I highly recommend Google calendar. I was adding some things last night and printing the week out for my magnet board. The Coach uses it at school and we have our calendars added to each others so I can see what he has going and he can see what's going on at home. Because we all know it would be too complicated to actually remember to TELL him things. In person. Ha!

Speaking of the Coach, we are settling back into our weekly date nights after basketball season. I hadn't realized how much I missed that time with him! As we sat there eating our soup on Friday night, it occurred to me that having time to discuss life and the kids, catch up on what's going on and ENJOY time together is my biggest "de-stresser" of the week. Sometimes, we just can't fit it in. But it sure is important to try!

Did you have a wonderful Easter? We enjoyed early service at church, brunch at home, naps (ahhhh!), baths for the kids (OK. Not all of them napped.) and dinner at my parent's. It was lovely.

I know this is sad, but you know what Easter means around here (besides the obvious, of course!)? Spring clothes. :-P Changing out the kids clothes from Winter to Summer has to be one of my least favorite chores. Well, besides potty training. It takes so much time and is such a huge job! One year they didn't have their clothes switched out until June. :-) We survived. But I am hoping to get to that in the next few days. It's been in the 80's here!

Today begins week three of homeschooling Daughter #6. For the most part, I think we are all enjoying it. We have our moments, of course. And getting school DONE is a big challenge (in our already full schedule), but we are SO enjoying the lack of stress that school was causing for her. Peaceful mornings. . . full night's of sleep. . . she's eating well, again. . . it's all good.

Saturday marked week 14 of 1/2 marathon training. Mom and I walked/jogged (very little jogging) 14 miles. And survived! I'm really enjoying the time with her. We get to catch up on our visiting during the long Saturday walks. At this point we taper down to the marathon day in three weeks. I'm glad the longest of the training is over. But I've enjoyed it, too.

It's also "month two" of potty training here at the troops. Little Man is doing pretty well. He does about as well as I do taking him. Ha! But you know what? It's the best we can do at this point. It's not as effective as "boot camp" style potty training, but at this point we simply can't be home all of the time.

I am completely amazed at the quantity of food being devoured around here these days. Having to work and re-work the budget just to keep all of these tummies full. What a wonderful problem to have! One of our favorite "new" things? Instant Cream of Wheat. The kids have been having it and instant oatmeal for snack time in the afternoons. While I'm fixing huge casseroles for dinner. Ha! Just think how fun it will be with five teenagers in a few years?

Planning and preparing for a Premier Jewelry Show this Thursday evening. Our schedule is so hectic and they are certainly optional! But when my girls were oooing and ahhhing over the Spring catalog, I gave in. They are going to help me fix the food and host. In return for getting to order some jewelry. Really looking forward to visiting with friends!

As you all know, life is busy and full and overwhelming. I'm learning more and more how to trust the Lord with those "divine interruptions" (life is pretty much ALL interruptions these days) and quit trying to "fix" everything and everyone and allow Him to love others through me. It's a whole lot of serving, trying to be patient (and often failing!), prioritizing the to do list and enjoying the kids in the meantime.

For now? I'm off to start another load of laundry, take Little Man potty and get some bread in the oven. Time to get school started, too!

Blessings on your week. What is on YOUR list today?

Thankful Thursday

1. New bathroom counters, sinks and faucets. So pretty!

2. The blessing on having Daughter #6 home with me, during the day. We're figuring out a simplified version of home school and we're enjoying every minute!

3. Visits from our California Aunt and an Aunt and Uncle from Missouri. What fun!

4. Little Man's THIRD birthday, last week. (sigh) Can't believe it.

5. Potty Training relatively settled. Most of the time.

6. Warm weather, flip flops and white sandals for Easter. It was a long Winter!

7. A day OFF of school, tomorrow. For the kids (not the Coach).

8. God's perfect provision. He meets every need. Gives His wisdom for decisions. And the grace to obey.

9. The Easter Program at school, tonight. Hearing all of the little ones quoting all of the that scripture - one of my favorite moments all year.

10. Health. We've had a nice long stretch of everyone being well. Easy to get used to!

Busy day here at the troops. May the Lord give you the grace to obey Him, today, and the strength for all that He allows to come your way.

Happy Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

Spring Break Week!

Today I'm thankful:

1. Daughter (#6) was saved on Sunday night! So happy. So very happy! And on her 7th birthday! What a privilege to share with my own kids about the hope we have in Christ. Salvation from sin, life everlasting and eternity in heaven with Jesus. Not to mention the peace, the life-purpose, the certainty that God in sovereign over all things.

2. A week off school! Let's hear it for sleeping in!

3. A week with the Coach home (for the most part). Things are so GOOD when Daddy is home.

4. Great camping trip for the Coach and the five oldest kids. They had FUN! Repelling, hiking, listening to ghost stories around the campfire. And I've gotten quickly into the habit of saying, "I don't want to hear about it." The three dads and 18 kids make great memories, but the sanitary conditions are not something I'm needing to know.

5. Potty training progress with Little Man. For those of you out there who are also working on this major toddler milestone - a reminder - YOU are the one being trained - make no mistake!

6. Hair cuts. For the little girls. So cute! (Little Man is cute, too, especially with that band-aid on his forehead.)

7. Daffodils. Pretty. Cheerful. Springy. Happy. :-)

Happy Thursday!

I do solemnly promise. . .

I've been working on a post here for awhile. Like maybe a week? Or two? I've lost track.

Pictures of some of the big and fun things going on here at the troops.

Although I confess to missing completely the countless photo opportunities that having sweet cousins here last week brought. Ugh. You'd think I had something to do besides take pictures. Should have given the camera to Little Man.

Anyway, I'll get it done. Maybe today. Maybe not.

But I realized this morning that I hit somewhat of a wall.

After yesterdays canceled plans with friends (so disappointed - such a bummer) due to Daughter #7's sudden fever, the fabulous housekeeper that Mom sent (and who I have decided should move in. definitely.) The waiting for the phone call from our wonderful Pediatrician regarding some concerns he found at Daughter #7's check up on Tuesday. The constant battles we are fighting with Daughter #6 regarding eating. Anything. At. All. And school. Which she has decided she doesn't care for much. And did I mention the potty training? Which goes remarkably well when I actually remember to TAKE Little Man to the potty now and then. Sigh.

Then the need to get out this morning in the lovely sunshine and go to the bank. (While listening to Little Man holler, "I don't LIKE the sunshine!" over and over) And get some groceries. Because Son #4 made up a song this morning while packing his lunch, "A sandwich and some chips. . . that's all I have for lunch. . . a sandwich and some chips. . . no granola bars. . . " It was entertaining, for sure. But it made this mom feel kinda guilty. And dinner. . . I guess we need something for dinner. . .

When all I'd rather do is hang out in my clean house. And stay in my sweats. And cuddle on the couch with the kids and eat cereal.

And maybe get on the treadmill. Because I should. And I feel better when I do.

I guess my point here is this. All of the lovely ideas (and thoughtful ones) I have for posts don't usually materialize because LIFE is happening here. Each and every day. Sometimes a lot of FUN. Sometimes a lot of HARD. But it's life. And it's ours. And we love it. Well, most of the time I do. I will admit to walking out on Monday, but I came back.

So my promise? It's not to provide you with constant entertainment, inspiration, deep spiritual challenges or snapshots of our family taken by the 2 year old. Although I'd love to do that!

My promise is to simply be real with you. Which sometimes means NOT posting because life has sucked me in and is eating my lunch. Whew.

And maybe that promise is what will get me past the wall with writing here at Mrs. Troop. And maybe even the wall that is ahead of me, today. Remembering my purpose here is to be thankful. And joyful. And to see life as an adventure, guided by the loving hand of my Lord. With a lot of Chick-fil-A lunches with Granddad thrown in.

That? I can do.

Maybe AFTER the bank and the groceries, the treadmill and lots of trips to the potty with Little Man, I'll finish up that post I've been working on.

In the meantime? Happy Thursday!

Because I always wanted a big family. . .

I love kids. (I'm partial to babies, but I keep loving them even when they grow up.)

I know sometimes I gripe and complain about what a mess they make or how much they eat (because GOOD GRIEF they eat a lot!).

But the honest truth is that I love them. All I ever wanted to do as a little girl was grow up and be a mommy. Didn't really care about a husband, at that point, but somewhere along the way that became a dream, as well (it's a good thing!).

So what I'm saying, I guess, is that I'm living the life I always dreamed of.

In all it's sticky, messy, sleep-deprived, dirt-covered and tear-stained glory. With lots of diapers thrown in.

And I wouldn't trade it.

THIS week, however, I have the special blessing of caring for 10 kids all week. My eight plus two cousins. No, I won't get to keep them forever. But I do love them like my own and we are having FUN so far! Cousins are the best gift for kiddos. Right after bunches of siblings. And we have bunches of both!

Having two extra little ones has given me an excuse to cancel extra activities, cuddle on the couch and eat mac and cheese. Lovely results, don't you think?

It's fun having a one year old, again - makes Little Man seem HUGE. And having Little Man's closest cousin here (they are 10 days apart) has made me realize a few things. Most of which have to do with how much better behaved the cousin is. (sigh) We are doing some great training for learning to be kind, not throwing things, sharing. . . you get the idea. Not to mention the fact that Little Man keeps calling his cousin his "sisser". HA! Poor guy - he's surrounded by little girls! Good thing he has a BOY cousin his age to play with!

The niece and nephew, however, have been the example of good behavior. Unlike Little Man who spent the entire two hours of naptime being put back into his bed while trying to sneak into one of the other napper's rooms. (sigh, again)

The fun part? Having the high chair occupied, again. Having a baby to hold and feed and cuddle with (and watching the kids do the same). Watching the older kids play with the little ones and help out. I love it.

I guess if we can't always have a baby at the troops, at least we can borrow cousins for a few days at a time!

Happy Monday!