Sign of Spring* and pics

*First tick of the season was just found on my 11 yr old boy's shoulder.
Oh wonderful, here we go!

On a lighter note...here are some super cute pics I snapped up last week. 

Here is my duo---my 'double trouble' boys--don't they look so cute?  Of course they do! :)  This is how they entertain themselves while Momma is teaching the bigger kidos at the dinning room table right next to this deck.  They got themselves all 'decked' out (ha ha) as firemen ready to fight the blaze of the play house.

And here is my 6 yr old sweetie girl doing what sweet girls do...dolls and doll houses are the best! 

So, do you notice how high up these doll houses are, up on top of our train table?  Haa!  Our Lil' Lady is getting into everything! And of this writing, since this pic was taken last week, we have moved that table downstairs b/c our Lil' Lady has showed us how much of a climbing monkey she is!

Amazing that within a week, she can go from cute and slow crawling baby INTO a cute and fast running baby and wants to do everything her big siblings are doing!!!

Gotta go!
God bless,
Mary

#5 turns 5!!!

I love all the early stages and ages of life-they all are beautiful, all sweet, all amazing to watch as a mother but there is this one that I am drawn to the most...age 5.

B/c at age 5, life is in its fullness. 

The trees are more beautiful, and so is the dirt.

The leaves are more intriguing, the curves of them, the texture, the smell, the colors.

The wind is not so cold but the feel of it blowing on their faces is really coooooool.

Ice is fun-fun to touch, to break, to crunch beneath little green boots.

Every book is amazing to look at, to be read to, to hold in their hands curled up somewhere...totally content.

When something is funny, it is REALLY funny!  Giggles and all.

Life is clearer, more in focus.

When you are 5 and Momma tells you not to do something or touch something if it is hot, you obey.  Simply obey b/c you know Momma loves you and does not want to see you hurt.

Trusting someone comes natural, easy.

Believing what someone says is simple.  Accepting.

Being held is still a want and especially a need.  Snuggling is a must.

My Kid #5 turns 5 today!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

You are a JOY to be around. 

Your smile is contagious.

Your laughter fills my heart with joy.

Your snuggles I cannot do without.

Your trust and obedience is beautiful.

I love you, my teddy bear.

May you always stay close to Jesus and Mary...always seeking and doing God's Will.

God bless you, little buddy.

Love,

Momma

Cake time!

Right now, we are making a homemade cake for a sweet little boy who is turning a BIG 5 TOMORROW!!!

I can't believe it!  woweee!

There seems to always be something to celebrate in big families.  We are always having a reason to celebrate-whether it be birthdays, name days, saint days, etc...!  Always something!

And today we are getting ready to celebrate someone turning 5!

Since it is our tradition of letting them choose what kind of cake they want, this little boy, my kid #5, is picking a chocolate dinosaur pan cake topped with frosting and a bunch of firemen on top.  Interesting, huh? :)

5 year olds are SO FUN!!!

Gotta go....baking to do!

God bless,
Mary

Happy 6th Birthday to my Sunshine-kid #5!

I failed to mention that my sweet sunshine girl turned a big 6 years old about a week a half ago!!! :)

All she wanted for her birthday were twin tiny little baby dolls and a baby highchair. How Cute!  That request I could manage!

Off I went to the store to buy her the twin dollies.  But the ones I saw, I just knew, were not going to be to her liking.  Until I found these tiny little dolls-they were only $1~ and I was not at a tag sale!!! They really were that cheap~ and I could not resist so I bought her sextuplets-there were 6 different kinds so I picked one out of each.  She was so excited~the joy was priceless.  Her face lit up as she laid out her 6 teeny tiny babies on the table. 

She quickly began to name these babies:  Avila, Hannah, Johanna, Rose, Felicity and Theresa.  

Then her big brother wrote their names on their tags.  It became quite the family event!  In fact, by the end of her bday-day, she generously gave the pink teeny tiny baby to her big sister so she could 'keep her forever'.  This sunshine birthday girl has such a gentle, loving and kind spirit, unlike anyone I have ever met for her age.  She is only 6 and yet she is teaching us all how to live unselfishly.  She did not let those teeny tiny baby dollies out of her sight for the many days following.  She motherly wrapped them each in a little blanket, swaddled them, cuddled them, fed them and carried them everywhere.  I also came across a 'look-alike' Vera bag and so I picked it up b/c they could fit the dollies in each of its' 6 compartments inside the bag.

Sweetness is seeing my sunshine, with her easy going phlegmatic spirit, so content and full of joy on her birthday.  She did not need or want much and yet so content.  How we can all learn from her! :)

She did request a "My little Pony" birthday cake.  We had such fun with decorating it.  I can't seem to upload pics right now but I will try sometime over this weekend again. 

God bless,
Mary

Lil' Lady LOVES water!

Have you ever had a baby that absolutely LOVES water?!?!?

I have some children that really enjoy it and we call them little fishes but never have I had a baby that really really loves water!:)

Changing diapers is always a test of my strength, as the changing pad is right next to the sink on the vanity.  She is so strong and turning this way and that way to get to the water faucet.  Just this past week she has learned to use her strength to pick her body up and plop it down.  Not quite the crawl that I am used to, it sort of reminds me of an inch worm in which its' back part of body does not move. Ha!!! It is quite funny as she inches her way over to the faucet where I am washing my hands post diaper change.  If in a rare moon that she is crying (like this morning while I was out having coffee mulling over my schedule plans for school this year-I'll post that later in the week :)), we bring her right over to the kitchen sink and VOILA!  she stops! haa haa :)

She so loved the pool this summer and the baby pool on our back deck.  We were all so sad that our last pool day of the summer was this past Saturday ;(

She loves splashing all about in the water.  Water on face?  No problemo!  She is even happier if its on her face!  SO FUNNY!

My kid #5 was so anti-water, it took him to 1 1/2 yrs old to take a bath without screaming and crying.  It was awful-I felt like it was the worst thing I could do to him, and I think it was.  For that year and a 1/2, he only had maybe one bath a week.  I just could not muster up enough courage and patience to put him through the pain of a bath.  It really was that bad.  Then, one night at bath time, I put him in and he did not scream.  He did not cry.  He was not overly happy, but just content.  And that was that.  Weird to say the least~!

So, to have my Lil' Lady loving water is such a delight!!!

God bless,
Mary
p.s.  Happy labor day!  Now, go rest and have a cup of coffee ! LOL! :)

Warmth

You know what warms my heart?

When one of my children compliments one of their siblings....without prompting them to!!!

I just heard "That's a nice picture!" from my 4 yr old little man to his 9 yr old sister after showing off her painting of a rainbow.

So sweet.

This is just one of many....Lord, let me relish in this and think of these moments often.  It is truly THESE moments that I know you are honored and glorified.  Thank you for my children.  Amen.

God bless,
Mary

Totally lovin' this moment

My 4 yr old little man ran to my oldest daughter and said, very giggly:

"I thought I married Momma, but I didn't!  (insert heee heee giggle giggle)  I just married 'little lady'!"

You see, just moments before I was nursing little lady and 4 yr old little man came over...

"Oh, Momma, I just have to give her a kiss." 

(Btw, this is nothing new...4 yr old little man adores and I mean, ADORES, his baby sister and is so sweet w/her.)

So I propped her up and just then she turned her head to see him and BOOM-he smooched her right on her lips! :)  The giggles and smirks arose from within him!  Oh if you could have seen his face! 

Now, according to my kids, if a man and woman kiss on the lips, that equals marriage. 

(Not a bad indicator, wouldn't you say???)

He tells me that he just married little lady and I have tried to convince him that he did not.  How do I explain that one to a 4 yr old?  Who knows...but  right now, it is awfully cute!!! :)

4 yr old kids ROCK!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this age!!!
Thank you God for this moment...

God bless,
M

Just another day in paradise

It was brought to my attention, that others that may read my blog think that my life is so peachy and I am one awesome super mom (which I am so not).  Let me assure you that I am in need of a lot of graces, everyday, to do what I do.  I beg God for graces to be a good mom and to know and do His Will everyday.  I try and I fail.  I try again. And I usually fail again.  I do not do well under stress and right now, stress is my life.  With 7 kids under age 10, stress is my life.  So, you can only imagine that it is tough for me.  I like to laugh and be with other people and that helps to relieve my stress.  So, you may see me laughing a lot.  That is me under stress in the company of others.  Get my point?  I hope so :). 

If I don't mention it, it's b/c I have a incredibly sweet little lady to occupy my mind...but don't forget that I do have a set of 2 boys in a row-age 2 1/2 and 4...that at most times are a handful.  They are super cute and alone, they are pretty good but together they are double trouble-watch out!  I wonder if they'll always be that oil and water combo. 

I mean, really.  Do they HAVE to argue about every little thing that goes into one of their hands?  For instance, this morning the hot item was hangers and then it was an empty baking powder can and then it was my keys and then it was backpacks and then cheerios/granola/oatmeal and then it was etc....   Then it was that baking powder can I thought was a great idea to use as a pencil holder for school.  Those green people would be proud of me, right?! :)  I thought it to be a swell idea too, until my 2 little men saw it.  Why, oh why, do these little men always want to play with things that are NOT toys?   And that was it for me.

I caught myself mid-sentence yelling "IF I WANT TO USE THAT CAN FOR A PENCIL HOLDER, THEN I CAN USE IT AS A PENCIL HOLDER!  DO YOU HEAR ME?"  (and yes, I think they did hear me and the rest of our neighborhood too. ;() 

I do have to mention, BTW, that while this was going on with the little boys, that my older 4 were having catechism trivia games all the while they ate their breakfasts.  I guess I have to look at the bright side, right?

And for those little boys....we have moved the playroom upstairs into our living room so that I can keep a better eye on these boys.  I thought that to be quite the solution (thanks Holy Spirit!).   Indeed, it was for a short time.  Yet, those toys are up here but they want not much to do with them lately.  So, then I thought a good solution was to get rid of a bunch of toys.  Why have so many if they just sit there, right?   Give them to kids that would appreciate them and actually play with them.  That worked...for a time.  We are down to minimal play toys now.  I wonder if that was the right decision.  Oh my...

How about some playdough?  Great idea for them, but only seems to keep them occupied a few mins.  You see, they end up fighting about the playdough or the toys associated with the playdough!  Arrrrgh.  Then that playdough ends up all over the floor and we spend MORE time cleaning up the playdough then actually playing WITH the playdough :(  I say WE b/c these boys need to know when they make a mess (uh, almost 90% of the time!) they have consequences and have to clean up.  And this momma has all the time in the world to teach them that lesson....yeah, right.

Learning is so fun, huh?  Hard life for little people sometimes too.

You may say "Well then, split those boys up if they cannot play together."  And I do.  Everyday there comes a point they need to be separated and do their own thing and that is what happens.  But in my oppinion, it is not healthy to have them in thier own rooms most of the day.  I try to teach them and minister to them on how to play together.  And this momma has all the time in the world to teach them this lesson too, right?  Yeah, right.

It's not so easy, you see.

Not that easy since I have a baby in my arms most of the day.

Not that easy that one big brother likes to smush her or hold her hands or feet a little toooooooo tight. 

Not that easy when I have 4 older kids that need to be doing school and need to be watched over and read to or they will not do school! 

Not that easy when I have a dinner to make, a house to clean, a blog to keep updated (haaa haaa!). 

Seriously, you get the point.

But, life here on earth is not supposed to be....easy.  We all have our crosses to carry. 

Matthew 16:24
"If anyone wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

So, there you have it.

God bless,
M

5 yr old humor...which could be true

"Mom, in 10 years you'll be a WOMAN."

Me:  "Oh really?  Then what am I now?"

5 yr ld cutie:  "You're a Mommy now!!! "

haaaaa haaaa
I kept laughing so out loud on this one!  She really is something else.  There are so many funny things she says and does, I really really need to post more of these! :)   The winter is so blah sometimes and these are such pick-me-ups...thanks to my 5 yr old :)

God bless,
M

4 on th 4th

happy bday to my big teddy bear!
Kidd#5 turned 4 on the 4th!

here are some pics:

If you can't tell...he loves MOOSE!

When he was little, he loved milk very much and even a little too much-as in when we started to lessen the amount he was drinking, he was not a happy camper.  He started with the nickname of "Moo Moo" b/c of all the milk he drank and then that nicknamed turned into MOOSE and it stuck b/c he is a Big Boy!

He is also very fond of Peter Rabbit and that cake was Momma's version of Pter Rabbit!

God bless you, big buddy!  You are such a gentle giant and you love your new baby little sister so much.  Keep close to Jesus all your days -we love you and thank God for you in our family!
God bless,
M

Random---ness Quick Takes

1.......My 2 girls and 2 little boys are making tents out of blankets, cushions, couches-whatever....you name it, they are using it.

2......My 2 big boys are playing with matchbox cars and BLUTRACK race car track.

3.....We made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and hot chocolate. Some rainy days just need those 2!!!: )

4......I found a few great links on how to live frugally. For some odd reason I cannot seem to link up anything!!! (very annoying!)

Once it works again, I'll post them for sure...

5.....We made an easy dinner for tonight. So easy my 3 and 5 yr old pretty much did it themselves (well, I did brown the meat first!!!)

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
can or frozen green beans
1 can garbonzo beans
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (do not add milk)
1 bag of french fried onions
2 bags of tator tots on top

brown meat, drain and put in 9 x 13 dish
drain can green beans or just put on frozen green beans
drain and put on 1 can garbonzo bean (chick peas)
smooth on the cream of mushroom soup
put on top the onion and then layer the tator tots on top of that!

EASY PEASY!
Yummy! All my kidos eat tons of this dinner! :)

We always bake up whatever tator tots were not used on top...my kids love love tator tots!

God bless,
M

One thing I despise doing is bringing my kids food shopping. 

There are many other moms out there that swear by it, saying it teaches them many virtues etc...blah, blah, blah.  But for me, I have many other opportunities to teach my kids virtue many times a day.  So, for food shopping, that is this Momma's trip by herself.  

Food shopping w/kids....It's not a risk that I want to freely endure.  A risk to forget half of my shopping list, and buying too much of the wrong things, listening to fighting or whining or cyring, putting kids in time-out, taking away privledges or rewards b/c of bad behavior and then listening to them crying or pouting about it.  And of yeah, I was supposed to be shopping for a family of 9 for an entire week.  As if that would be a good mix...I think not.  Of course if I absolutely have to, have to, have to, then by all means, I will bring them.  For us, my hubby and I arrange it so that I go some night during the week and usually again on Saturday and my hubby is so wonderful that he stays home w/all the kids while I do this.  I love my man. 

Today we hit the point where I had to go out and get some food, at least some to hold us over till a super big shopping spree on Saturday.  Usually I would have gone on Wed. night this week but I have been really pregnancy tired and fried lately!   So I had to go out.

I told my hubby that I was going to do a small shopping quickly before dinner.  He agreed and I felt generous so I brought along 2 of my boys-my 6 yr old and 3 yr old.  They did great!  There were about 3 times that my 3 yr old almost 'lost it' over something or another, but I am so proud of him b/c he held it together.  Even on the way out, he was on the verge but, once again, held it together and woman behind us noticed and commented on how obedient he was!  That melted my heart.

But something else that is so funny is that when we started loading up the belt with all our food (and BTW, my boys did great at that too!) my 6 year old said quite loudly:

"Woa, Mom!  Who is moving that thing?!" 

I had to laugh and I saw out of the corner of my eye, the cashier looking at us pretty strangely!!! I just had to belt out some laughter b/c I guess I really do not bring my kids out shopping much, huh?!?!?  :)

Now that my kids have finally quieted down and went to sleep (it's about time, wouldn't you say?!?! ahh.) and my hubby is fast alseep too, I am going to try to read a little bit and quiet myself down to sleep as well. 

Good night and God bless,
Mary

Oats and more oats

Daugher #4 runs to me: "Mom! Come quick! Hurry! Oatmeal is everywhere!"

I walked upstairs to find my 2 and 3 yr old BOYS making snow angels in tons of dry oatmeal covering my kitchen floor.

Double Trouble!!!

ahh!!!!

I can't take my eyes OFF THEM!!!! They truly are double trouble, those 2!

Lord, help me.

God bless,
Mary

Clarification

Me:  "When Daddy is not home, I am the leader, not you buddy."

Little boy:  "No you're not, Mom."

Me:  "Oh really?"  with a twist of my eyebrow...

Little boy:  "Yeah, you're not the leader, you're the boss!"


Thanks for clarifying this, little man.
ha!
God bless,
Mary

I'm a bad mom

I'm such a bad mom.

Not really, but I sure feel like it.

My 20 month old has decided to chew off the nipple part of his favorite thing ever...his pacifiers!  Mind you, they are his special and very important tag alongs to fall asleep.  One in mouth, and one in EACH hand...with a few extra strewn in his crib.

It happened once on Monday and I talked w/him about it.  Does that sound weird that I would just 'talk' with a 20 month old about it?  But you have to know my little guy to understand.  He is very social.  He truly understands and can talk with you, most of the time.  It's very cute and very funny to see him interact.  He knows he needs to say what needs to be said.  I hope this will pay off with those 'terrific twos and threes' with less tantrums...we'll see.  I sure do hope so.

Anyways, I told him if he did it again that those pacifiers would be gone, no more.  He'd have to say bye bye to them.  In the trash they'd go.

I thought he would stick to his guns and hold back his desire to chew.  Day 1,2,3 were good and then it happened again!  This morning at rest time.  I hated to do it but there is noway that I can allow him to have them.  He could get a big chunk of it and choke. He could get a little bit off and choke.  Choke! 

So, I did what any other 'bad' Mom would do.  He had to say goodbye to good to his little sucker pals. 

And now he is crying.  Crying loudly and madly. 

Before I put him to sleep, I spoke with his roommate, the 6 yr old big brother about this situation.  I told him not to mention anything about pacifiers, nor say that word, no matter how much crying he will do tonight.  I told him that he cannot look at him or do anything but lay there and be quiet.   He agreed and I love him for this.  How tough it is to be only 3 feet from a baby crib where you know he will be upset.  He has been staying strong for 20 minutes so far.  I wonder what he is thinking as he lay there still...

Also before I put him to sleep, my 3 yr old gave him one of his own beloved 'nigh-nighs'--his blankets.  He has 3 so what is one less?  I think it is quite awesome for him to do that.  Don't you?  My 20 month old loved the idea too, snuggling and holding it tightly, with smiles and sweet little giggles. 

And I thought it was golden.  Smooth sailing.

Till I put him down to sleep.  Now he is just crying and screaming and crying some more and screaming some more. 

What else can I do?  You'd think I was a pro at this.  But I'll tell you, with 6 kids, only 2 were pacifier babies and that includes this 20 month old.  I could use some advice, if you can spare an idea. 

But for now, it looks like it will be a rough 3 or 4 nights ahead of us all.  Poor lil guy, first we move and now no pacifiers.  Hard life.

God bless,
Mary

Toy Review Tuesday

We are big Beatrix Potter fans, so when I saw these building blocks at a tag sale, I had to get them.  I store them in our school closet and only take them out during school hours. 

We enjoy the little books rather than the whole big book that holds all the books.  Those little books are great for little hands to hold.

My 3 year old's favorite book is The Fierce Bad Rabbit.  For Easter, the easter bunny even got him a Peter Rabbit chocolate bunny to match his already had Peter Rabbit stuffed bunny that he is so fond of.  Very cute.  Very.  Very.  Cute. (if I do say so myself!)

Go HERE for more toy reviews.

God bless,
Mary

Secret Santa

The kitchen floor was all tidied up a few minutes ago.  5 minutes passed and there were 4 pairs of gloves/mittens and multiple hats strewed on that once tidied up floor. 

"Who did this?"  I asked.

"Santa did."  said my 3 yr old.

Since when did Santa become the bad guy?
HAAA HAAA!

God bless,
Mary

Overheard outside

While outside, enjoying this warm(er) weather we are blessed with...
in the woods...
looking under rocks for bugs...
doing 'boy stuff'...

3 yr old brother says to 6 yr old brother:

"God is watching!  That is bad to do!"

Those young ones sure remind us of what is important, huh?!?!
HAAA HAAA!!!
God bless,
Mary

Funny things kids say

Still laughing about what my 3 year old said to me, as he was playing 'house' with his siblings:

"Mom, we are now going to 'Mc-Barbies'!"

Do you get it? Haaa!
It is a mix between McDonald's and Arby's (which he calls is Barbies!)!!!

How funny- these kids are hilarious! Man, I needed this laugh this morning. BTW, I am making my 2nd pot of coffee-we'll see if this second one does the trick!

Off to schooling. Pray for me, please, to be calm, happy, and flexible to God's Will as we encounter yet another school day. It's been kinda rough, to say the least. These winter months always are tough!
God bless,
Mary

Happy 3rd Birthday I-Man!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my I-Man!!!

I love you, big bear! My Big Boy!

You are my teddy bear,

always ready and willing to hug and squeeze and hug some more.

You are such a joy from the day you were born.

You have helped others to realize the power of Love by just being you!

Others are smitten by your look of love, your smile, your sweetness.

You love to be where the action is, where the others gather.

You are rarely ever every by yourself!

You know your numbers and your ABC's b/c of hanging around your big sisters and brothers always.
You are a fast runner and can't wait to run the Labor Day race with your siblings.

Quite frequently, I can find you sitting quietly and looking through books, as as you say "reading books"...of course a sibling is in close proximity!

You are always willing to be the little buddy to do errands with-and you behave so nicely too! (which of course, makes others even more smitten!)

We thank God that He chose you to be in our family-

what would we do without you?!?!

We love you!

Did I say how much I love little kids' birthdays?

(Before the age is older and the hype of the super expensive gifts!).

• I love how giggly they get.
• How pleased they are by just saying "Happy Birthday!"to them.
• The way they hold up their pudgy fingers to show you how old they are now.
• How entertained they are by 4 jars of NEW play dough (thank you A-M-M!-we love you!).
• When asked what they want to eat for their birthday lunch, they ask for peanut butter and jelly! So easy!!! Yeah!

Happy Birthday to my I-Man-I love you!-Love, Mommy
God bless,
Mary