this week

Let's see....what have we been up to this week? Christmas came and went, packed away for next yr; we had good visits with family and the usual chaos of unwrapping and losing toy parts at our house already; I didn't get the massage/pedi yet so that leaves me with Sat., the expiration date, to get it done. I'm not much on deadlines or schedules. But Kenny said the lady was just putting an expiration on there to get me to come in. I guess that's good because it really takes a lot to get me there.... there's so many other things to keep busy with....who has time for pampering? I like it when I get it, but for some reason it's hard to get there. Kenny's taking Laura and Brandon to a concert tomorrow night. They'll leave early and be home late. I'll have a little company so it won't be too bad. I don't like to be totally alone in this big house. I know they'll have fun though like they always do.

Last night, couldn't sleep again. Long story short, i ended up at the er for a little bit. Everything's fine though. Before all this, I was talking to Kenny late in the night as we usually do because it's the only quiet time around here. a couple hrs later we were headed up the road....and fast forward 6 hrs. came home again. Who would've thought?
A homeless lady was beside of me mentioning a lot of problems....chest pain, migraine, hep c issues, thought she might have had a broken ankle. Then she came out of the bathroom with her hospital gown removed and her street clothes on, ready to leave. The cleaning lady hollered out to the nurses and said she was taking out her i.v. A nurse kindly scolded her and told her I needed to put your insulin in your i.v....why'd you take it out? She sat back on the bed, crying and talking to herself a little bit. The nice dr. asked her if she wanted some breakfast before she left. It made me feel good that people are compassionate. Another lady was hollering out every so often, asking Jesus to help her. I felt sorry for her because she was so violently sick. Then there arrived an 87 y.o. man who couldn't breathe very well. He said he thought he was a goner that day, but he was laughing with his family as we left. Another day to laugh and enjoy each other. You just never know how things are going to go no matter who you are. it's humbling to have opportunity to realize a whole lot of things about fragility and the grip you have on life is never as sure as you think. One thing i know....its nice to have people care while you're here. That's why it made me happy for the lady beside me. For those few hrs. there were people who cared and showed concern no matter what she had been through in life. They were just being nice to another person, which is the right way to be. We're never alone, even though at times, it might feel like it. Maybe that's why nights are so hard

We came home and slept a while, and when I woke up the house was mostly empty of our children, who had gone to grandma's, except for Bran and Savannah. She's been hollering a lot lately and doesn't want me out of her sight. If she spots me from wherever she's at, I'm hers. She will not forget about me until I pick her up...but that's a good thing to be wanted. I sat on the chair by the fire and she was on my lap along with puppy. It's nice to know you're loved.

After I went to the dr. the other day, decided I'd go by and get Brandon his football he asked for. His old one is all beat up from throwing it so much. Thought I'd gotten one over Christmas but believe me, it's easy to forget what's already bought.....anyway, found him a nice one. The kids like their new video games. Ben got demolition-themed and racing; Bran got a war game Call of Duty, having fun fighting the enemy... they hooked up their x-box. Glad they're electronically gifted and have patience with it, because I just don't.

I can't believe a new year is a few days away. ok...these yrs are going by so fast. it seems like we just did this yesterday, doesn't it?.

Happy New Year if I don't get back before then.

Christmas time

making ornaments; 1/2 of the kids; Laura headed to one of her early Christmas presents, Taylor Swift concert back in November...so happy and pretty:) (and Bran and Ben still had to do school that day...Laura liked that:)

Livy made a pretty candy cane

This is about as Christmasy as it's gonna get. Not even a picture of all the kids yet....I'm sure I'll get one over the weekend with everybody. I was lazy this year....a beach picture in the christmas cards.....what is my world coming too....and it took forever to print those. Thank goodness Brandon knows more about computers than I. What would we do without him? We've been doing Christmas things: watching movies and fun shows to get in the spirit (the older kids liked Christmas Vacation...a good laugh movie. Mostly got the wrapping done...just some labels left to put on, I guess Christmas Eve since it's the only day left, before we go to Mom and Dad's. Laura and Emily helped with other people's presents over the past few days. When I hit a roadblock these days, I know my limits, so I appreciate them helping. Shopping and wrapping with our size family can get overwhelming if not careful.

Anyway....Christmas has come again and almost over. I have to admit Monday sounds good though. Christmas will be officially done....can't wait for a little bit of relaxation with some pampering. I get to use a gift certificate my thoughtful husband gave me for our anniversary a few months ago.....a massage of my choice (never had any of those...should be interesting)....swedish, thai, hot stone--choices, choices....I have no clue; a pedicure (never had one of those either, but it sounds relaxing)....Laura gets an extra manicure just because she's a good girl and deserves it.

I took Bran, Ben, and Emily to the mall tonight....of course, bought a few more things for the kids....I always do that...that guilt thing; looked at the puppies and it was so crowded i just wanted to get the h out of there....it's hard to see anything when you're plastered up against the wall, but it's for the kids...and I'll do it for them...we were supposed to go see the lights again but didn't get home in time because too busy shopping. I tell the kids if you go with me prepare to stay for awhile. but we had fun looking at all the people and the decorations. That's ok about the lights....they'll be on tomorrow night...what better time to see lights than on Christmas eve? And seeing the people in their homes looking at all the cars driving by. I'm sure it's a happy time for everyone...a little sad too because another year over...but the memories will be good ones.

Merry Christmas

weekend

We made it to the weekend once again. A little sore, well...a little more than that...i'm tough but still... The last couple of days was a little out of it it. Anyway, got to talk to lots of people last week during my frequent visits....lots of comments on how many kids we have and how they couldn't handle it....you've had kids every other yr for 16 yrs (really? I didn't notice...jk..I know that they're just realizing it for the first time and it's fine...but I've always known so it's not news to me).....how they'd go crazy if it was them....(nothing like someone perpetually repeating the same statements so you're actually almost believing it yourself...:) Good thing we have nice, manageable kids on most days who actually appreciate me as their mom and let me know by drawing pretty pictures and giving me hugs and brushing my hair...not so bad to be loved by a houseful of children. One nurse was just so concerned over the fact that we have so many (almost like she was putting herself in my shoes to take on the burden for me for a few minutes....because she couldn't get off the subject, i thought she might need to take my place on the table). I'm thinking, but you don't have them, it's ok, you go home to just you, don't worry so much....and then i went off into a very happy place....margaritaville as the dr. called it...a nice place to be.
Before that another nurse was smiling over me, I think trying to drown out the negative one, saying....well that's just wonderful....we don't see many families like you up here....you don't look like you've had 8 kids....must keep you young....just think of how much fun you'll have on Christmas. Well, I suppose that's true about the holidays....in the beginning it was probably more fun....it still is, just a little more hard gearing up to the excitement of the toy fiasco..... but we have to remember the younger kids haven't done it yet so.....we hang in there. It's worth it for them...might make us a little crazy though.
Someone recently told the kids there wasn't a santa. now that's ok for the older kids since they already know this, but can't you keep it a secret from the little ones? I mean, how many things do you have to look forward to when you're a kid. oh well, maybe it went through one ear and out the other. I told them to believe in whoever they want to believe in. The overly religious propaganda to take santa and the Easter bunny away is maybe a little ridiculous. What adult goes on to believe that there's no Jesus because of those things? i still have to wrap presents. ok. i'll do my best.
my brother broke his foot running. He was training for a 33 mile marathon in feb. i feel bad for him because i'm not sure how long he'll be down. hopefully not long because it can get depressing when something you really like doing is taken away from you. I can relate.
Ben wants to go searching an old house for some artifacts. He would've gotten along well with my grandpa. Sometimes it's almost like they're the same person with interests like that....and that's a good thing.
Today is a take-it-easy day. I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

This week has been interesting. Full of fun stuff and not-so-fun. I knew it was going to be a strange one when Monday morning came around. And it has been a little off....not too bad, but a little more challenging.

We've had some kids sick...first with colds off and on for awhile. Then, Livy wasn't feeling well one day, went to sleep early on the couch, complaining of her stomach not feeling well. Got up later, turned white as a sheet. I warned Kenny she was going to be sick and a couple of seconds later....my prediction came true. Then the next day Jonah complained of his stomach, laid on the couch for a few hrs, then the same story. I knew it was coming, just a matter of when. I wonder who's next? Hopefully no one. 8 kids and sickness put the fear of God in us--lol....and heaven help us if we get down.... Tensions rise a little. And I don't know if that makes the best nurse, especially if we're sick. Like the quote on my sidebar says "if things go reasonably well, a household of children....." True...but when they don't...a whole other story. When I hear another lg. family expecting again, I have to admit while I'm very happy for them, I'm glad it's not me. Just a yr. or so ago, I never thought I'd say that; but now, for us, it's true. I can't redeem myself anymore than i already have.

Brandon and Laura went to the mall today with some other kids to do some Christmas shopping and a scavenger hunt. They got home in time to join Jonah, Ben, and cousin Derek's b.d. party. We had hot dogs and chips and ice cream cake. I'm glad everyone got to come. It was fun and nice!

We went out last night because some of the kids wanted to go to the other mall. Ben was excited....we went through a sobriety checkpoint on the way and the police flashed their lights in the car, checking seat belts, my driver's license. Thank goodness Brandon was there to get it out of my wallet. It was stuck under something and I'd been too nervous to get it out that quickly. They must have been looking for something else because they were shining their lights underneath the cars, but everything was fine. The pet store was fun. Laura liked the puppies and kittens. Ben liked the tarantulas. Brandon didn't like any of them--(he's been here the longest and endured more animal drama so I can understand that--lol). Emily and I played with the kittens who scratched our fingers....they were so cute. I wanted to take one or two home, but we have enough already...3's plenty. I don't succumb so easily anymore to temporary feelings of wanting to take someone home. I realize the work involved no matter how cute and cuddly they are. But I'll still always like to help something or someone if they need it...that'll never go away. And there was a funny cockatiel who kept saying hi. I love a smart bird who can carry a conversation. We tried to teach him bye but he wasn't interested.

I'm not excited about next week...yuck...no-fun-surgery. But this time next weekend, life will go on. And 2 wks. until Christmas. I can't believe it. I hope I can get this thing together and get some presents wrapped. I just want to stay warm and snuggle under a blanket. It's getting cold outside!

Monday again

Last night was one of those nights. Sleepless and watching the clock until the morning. Perfect way to start a Monday. Jonah had a bad dream at 4 am-ish, so it was hard to go back to sleep. I've been having a time finding pants that fit. i bought a perfect pair a couple of wks ago....now they're a little baggy. So I got another pair over the weekend, cute black jr cordoroys because I'm finding it's harder finding pants in the ladies size that fit right. Anyway, I wasn't sure I'd keep them because for once I didn't try them on at the store, and you never know how they're going to look, but they're ok. Laura and I can both wear them so I decided to keep 'em. She has some things I can borrow if needed so that's a solution to the problem of finding pants...good...because I'm tired of trying on things.
I got all my Christmas shopping done. So now I can go out and not have the pressure of buying anything unless I just want to. it was so crowded at the stores on Saturday. I went out on Friday night, and once again, the cashier didn't give me one of my bags (or I was too preoccupied with the 3 kids putting the buggy away or making sure I put my credit card back in my wallet...I always have to doublecheck that). I arrived home and realized it....very irritating....and had to go back the next day. I intended to just go in, get the bag and leave, but stayed 2 1/2 hrs and bought more gifts. Audrey tapped me on the leg while I was looking at Christmas cards and said Nana walked by. And sure enough there was Nana walking through the aisle, there to return some shoes. A nice surprise...we were glad to run into her!
I had a few groceries to get at another place, but of course ended up buying way more than I anticipated. It's always the way. A guy in front of me talked a little bit, saying isn't this fun standing in line? asking Audrey if she liked standing in line (it took forever). He had some bread, peanut butter, jelly, and beer. Probably single--lol. My shopping cart was clearly not for a single person....at least 6 boxes of each....macaroni, scalloped potatoes.....3 pizzas for a meal, 2 gallons of milk to get us through a couple of days....plus bunch of other stuff...so yeah it was a buggy-full.

So we were shopped out by Saturday evening. But here it is Monday and I may go out again later in the afternoon to pick up a prescription. Maybe I'll do a little more browsing somewhere if I feel like it. Not sure though....I'm a little tired. Ben and Jonah's bd's are coming up--12 and 4! We're having a party this wkend so that should be fun. next week's going to be a stressful one so a party'll be nice to take my mind off.

One last thing...our fam went to see the Christmas lights last night. The kids had chocolate sundaes, etc. They were listening and singing Christmas music...it got a little loud....but fun for them! I got coffee....I'm starting to enjoy it more and more. Had 15 mins to buy Ben a cactus and luckily they were 75% off. Poor little plants were out in the cold, but I gave 3 a home so that made me happy. Ben loves it!