Experimenting with Some New Layouts

You may notice some "subtile" changes here on the blog. :) I'm experimenting with some new layouts from a free service until I find one that I really like. So, it may be different every time you see it for a while. :)

We're Back!

Here are some pictures and captions first in no particular order...I'm still having trouble figuring out the picture uploader, so this post isn't very organized. :)

Poor Abby spiked a temperature of 103 while we were there and the only thing that really made her feel better was mama. This made me feel nice even though Abby didn't feel good, becasue she is such a daddy's girl. Thankfully, with the help of tylenol and a cool bath she seemed to be back to her old self by the next day.
Anna didn't get even a smidgen of sickness while we were there...nothing really slowed her down at all. Although, all the girls slept really well. The second their heads hit the pillows...out.

My sister, Amy...the oldest of our brood. She likes to refer to herself as "OCD": Obsessive Cleaning Disorder. It is amazing to me how immaculent her home was...how organized, clean and clutter-free. Growing up with her, it used to annoy me to no end, but now I admire her for her capabilities as a wife and mother, handling each of the hurdles that have come her way, calmly and with Grace...capital "G" because I know that it comes from God. It's one of her many gifts.

Alexis and Raegan...both of them are "hams." Every time I took the camera out, they were ready to have their picture taken. :)

Anna, all "dolled-up."

This picture has an interesting story behind it...I'm not sure where they got the idea, but Raegan played the part of the manacurist and was giving pedicures. She even put on the little gloves. Here Raegan is doing Anna's pedicure for her night on the town to look nice with her peep-toe pumps. Of course with five girls they had lots of dress up stuff that Anna loved.

Here we have the "big kids" eating lunch together. Feeding time was always a production.

Abby and Ashleigh. They're only six weeks apart and are SO much alike it was scary. They even scream alike...although, and I'm sure Amy would agree with me, Ashleigh's screams are at an octave that Abby has yet to manage. Here they are bathing together, after finding trouble together...I think this time was dirt from the garden. :)

The twins, Ryley and Sydney or Sydney and Ryley. I have no idea which one is which. They were confirmed as identical this summer and although Amy says she can tell them apart, I certainly have no idea how. It must be one of those mommy super-powers of hers.

I think this might be the only picture of all of the girls together.

We're newly back from spending just over a week with my sister's family in Arkansas. It was a new kind of experience for all of us. From the above picture, you can tell that my sister, Amy, has five girls. So, there were EIGHT girls, FOUR AND UNDER in one house. Surprisingly, I think it went very well. Charlotte and the twins, Sydney and Ryley were in the nursery together in a crib and pack-n-play. Amy's older girls, Alexis, Raegan and Ashleigh, already share a bedroom, and Aaron, Me, Anna and Abby shared what is usually the playroom.

Getting there was an adventure all on it's own. We decided that it would be easier on everyone if we drove through the night, so we left around 7:30pm on Friday(the 19th). The girls did really pretty well. Aaron and I took turns driving; each of us drove about half of the 615 miles it took to get there. We arrived just after 4am (Their time) on Saturday, and waited until almost five before waking our hosts. How thoughtful of us, huh? :) We ended up leaving Arkansas mid-day so that we would have Sunday to sort of rest up before the beginning of another work-week. Out of both times leaving, I think I prefer driving through the night. Even though we did seem to pick up a stomach bug that had some vomiting on the way home.

All the cousins were able to spend so much time together and were so tuckered out, I think it may take a week for them to fully recover. :) Amy and I were also able to spend some one on one time together preparing for the yard sale that they had while we were there. I think they made over 500 dollars on their sale getting rid of a great deal of stuff. We also attended a ladies luncheon "of sorts." If nothing else it was extremely enjoyable to listen to the musicality of the southern accent. :) Aaron and Drew even managed to squeeze in a little talk time and even had a "man-date" with Aaron advising on the purchase of a new PC which he got to spend an afternoon putting together. Amy kindly also arranged for two babysitters so that we could have an adults only night out.

Aaron and I were able to enjoy some quiet times on our own as well. Aaron got some writing done and we both were able to do some leisurly reading.

Overall, it was a great vacation and I think we could handle all the kiddos in our house the next time they come up here. We could work it out. Anyways, I think I've just about got my sister to agree to come up here and help me purge for our Spring garage sale before we begin the process of moving.

It was such a wonderful week and reminded me how much I miss my sister and her family and can't hardly wait until they live closer. I'm crossing my fingers for Kentucky. :)

Starting Vacation...Off to Arkansas!

After our morning I MOPS, I feverishly packed and cleaned for the two sweet hours of naptime. I have now packed everything. Aaron is "napping." I say "napping" because while he has been "napping" he has eaten a chicken burrito, gone to the bathroom twice, gotten water twice, laid down for about 15 minutes and checked his email. I think he's as excited as I am. Like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Hopefully, the driving goes well and we should arrive at my sister's home sometime early tomorrow morning. I can't wait!

Due to vacation there may be fewer posts, but who knows. I'll update when I can. Bye for now!

A Mommy Super-Power

I am often amazed at the wonders of the human body and mind and the capabilities of both. Last night, I was in a wonderfully deep sleep. I don't know exactly what it was, but at one point during the night, somebody called out/ cried out...whatever. Immediately all the mommy radars went into effect and I leaped from my bed. With speed and leaping skills that would have been impressive by anyone's standards, I found myself standing in the hallway outside my girl's rooms...my quiet girl's rooms I might add.

I am amazed because in my sleep I imagined a child was crying and was immediately awake and alert. Not only that, but in my rush I did not once stumble on my way to their room. Even though our bedroom is an obstacle course right now because of all the packing I'm doing. I think that God has given these special gifts to mothers; the ability to be instantly alert and athletic simultaneously. I'm not so certain that fathers possess this gift, or if they do perhaps they don't cultivate it enough to realize it's existence. :)

Getting Ready to Go

Getting ready to go anywhere with three small children is an adventure. You have to think through every possible situation that could go wrong and plan accordingly. So can you imagine how you must plan and plan and pack and pack for a 10 day, 10 hour drive, trip to Arkansas? Whoosh. I could just pack all of their stuff...every toy, book and piece of clothing they own. I think that would be quicker. Oh, and on top of that...two of my children are beginning potty training. Should I pack the potty chair for emergency stops in the car? Hmmm.

I must remember the double stroller and the umbrella stroller. What about the exersaucer? Hmmm. Will 45 diapers be enough for each child? What about 4 packages of wipes? The good thing is that we'll be staying with my sister, who has a washer and dryer and extra diapers and wipes should we run out. Plus, since we're going to the "land of Wal-mart," diapers and wipes won't be that far away.

I should call Dad and see if they have anything that they're planning on shipping down to Arkansas so I can save them some postage...43 cents for a stamp...goodness. Mom's sending a box with us. Hope I don't forget it.

What did they do in the days of covered wagons? Do you think that the mamas back then worried about things the way that mamas of today worry about them? Worried about entertaining their children so that they didn't cry the whole way? I'm talking about the mamas and the chilen's. What if they ran out of clean nappies before they got to a creek bed that would work to clean 'em up. Gosh...I can't even imagine.

Pray for me as I pack up our family over the next couple of days. Pray that I won't forget anything and that we'll be in good spirits and cooperative with each other. We'll be leaving around bedtime on Friday night; hoping that driving through the night will give us the best chance for having friendly babies for such a long drive.

My "Actor's Studio" Interview Questions

I think I'm pretty normal girl-y in my fascination with creative types and those who work in the performing arts fields. There is a pretty well-known program on BRAVO where the host, James Lipton, interviews actors from all genres. After his interview he asks these same questions. After yesterdays post, I thought it'd be fun to answer them for you all and if you wanted, you could answer them, too, in the comment box.

What is your favorite word? Ignominious, superfluous and hyperbole

What is your least favorite word? Stupid

What turns you on? Laughter

What turns you off? Chewing on fingernails or dead skin. Uckies.

What sound or noise do you love? Laughter from my children...Mama.

What sound or noise do you hate? Screeching of any kind...nails on chalkboard, rubbing on a balloon, the sound Styrofoam makes when it's handled.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Actor, Lawyer, Writer or Research Scientist.

What profession would you most not want to participate in? Doctor or the guys that pumps the sewage.

What is your favorite curse word? I've kind of made my own...She-ite.

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Here's your key to your house...sorry, but I'm afraid you're going to have to share with one, Aaron Greenwood. :)

"What is your favorite word?" & "What sound or noise do you love?"

I delight in my children. Even though there are those days...I don't even have to spell it out for you do I...all I have to say is "there are those days-dot, dot, dot." Well, anyway, some days I know why some animals eat their young. But, my children are a gift to me from God, no matter what our day has been like. The way they smile at me when I go to get them in the mornings. The way they respond when I stumble upon them doing something naughty..."Oh. Hi, Mama." (Smile big...you know she's a sucker for the smile.) The complete trust in me. It's a tremendous gift, this parenting gig.

And you really just keep getting gifts. No matter how horrible or enduring the trials may seem when you're going through them, all it takes is one "I love you, Mama" and it completely erases every second and memory. This past week, we had a stressful day--probably more than one, but one that stands out. Migraines are just part of my life and I had a doozy. I remember that nothing went well that day. But, because we had a wonderful 30 minutes before Aaron came home, I honestly couldn't remember one specific event that had made the day difficult.

Charlotte has started making her ma-ma and da-da sounds. There is no greater joy for me right now than that. I used to dream about having titles and letters behind my name and someday, who knows. But, the soft mutters of "mama" and sleepy "I uv you's" are the greatest fulfillment of my biggest dream.

Movin' on Up

I just got to thinking that some of youse peoples might be wondering where we are with the whole moving/house thing. Weeellll...after some prayer and talking it out and some calls here and there we know one thing for certain. We are at peace with the idea of moving...moving before we sell our own home...not so much. So where we are is this: We're going to work over the Fall and Winter months to get our home ready to put on the market in the Spring. If the house we were looking at is still available, we may head in that direction, but we're not going to just jump on that bandwagon because it's available to us. So, pray for us as we do what we can to get the house ready over the next few months, but nope, not moving yet.

The Children's Museum

Eating Lunch: This was the only time where everyone was actually sitting close enough together that we could get a picture. :)
The girls in their cave/coatcheck rack. They played nicely in there while the mamas finished their lunches. :)

We had our little trip to the Children's Museum this morning with some friends, (Camrynne, 3, behind Abby and Levi, 1, below) minus Charlotte...Thank you Grandma Greenwood for watching her. :) The kids did really well together, no problems to report. It was super crowded at Playscape, but we managed almost an hour and a half there before we HAD to get out and found some lunch. We of course stopped at the car on our way out...We tried to go to the carousel, but found it was closed for repairs. This would have only been for Camrynne's benefit, because both of my girls freak out on the carousel...go figure.

Our youngest friend, Levi, who will be one next week, was an amazing baby and did so well on the trip and was able to do some of his own stuff at Playscape.

We all had a lot of fun and hopefully we're all sufficiently tired out enough so that we'll sleep well tonight. :)

The Little Teacher

We have an alphabet puzzle that we go through maybe twice a day; saying the names of the letters, their sounds and a corresponding word. Sometimes you think they're not getting it and its not quite sinking in, but today I got a little sign that maybe it is sinking in. Anna was holding up each letter for Abby and saying, "What's this?" and then saying the letter, the sound and the word that went with it! Yeah!! We're getting somewhere. How cool is that?!

Go to the Park

It was such a beautiful day today and we spent the morning at our neighborhood park, and, I think, it went really well. I made the mistake of telling Anna that we were going to the park this morning before we were actually 100% ready to go. Toddlers have no real ability to wait. Now, now, NOW! My second mistake was thinking it would be okay to drive to the park. Anna is used to walking/riding in the stroller to the park and freaked when we started to get in the car, because surely this meant we were not going to the park, but to some other horrible place, like the doctor's or Target. It took me all of five minutes to calm her down enough so that she would actually hear that were driving to the park...yes, we're still going to the park.

We met up with some friends there, the Allen Family. Erin is the mommy and she has two kids; Camrynne (3) and Levi (1). They played nicely together, sort of. They ate their snack together, sort of. I keep thinking we're into that stage where Anna will actually play with the other kids, but she really still does her own thing; especially at the park...but maybe that's just what kids do at the park. I kind of remember being in my own little world at the park, at the playground, in the cafeteria...pretty much everywhere...okay, bad example.

It was really difficult to keep an eye on everyone and I tried to keep them at the "baby" park; which, technically is still where Anna is meant to be, but everyone wanted to go to the big-kid park with the scary high climbing stuff and slides. It wasn't too bad. Abby is fearless but slower than the other kids who thought she was going to change her mind when she got to the top of the slide. Nope. It may take her a long time to get to the top of the slide, but she sure as anything is going to go down it...again and again and again.

The most adrenaline pumping moment? Abby was playing in a slide and then got out when I had my back turned and started walking down the trail through the park and away from the park. AAAAHHHH!!! My heart almost stopped until I saw her again...like being hit by a bus.

Other than that, it went really pretty well and I think we could make that more of a regular outing. Speaking of outings, we're going to the children's museum this Friday. We're trying to get a couple of times out this week, since we're going to be doing a lot of prep-work next week for our trip to Arkansas to visit my sister's family and will be home-bound.

A side note, last night the temps dipped down to below our air conditioners set and I have turned off the air. I believe that Fall is now officially upon us. Goodbye Summer. Happy and sad to see it go. I know we're looking forward to Fall stuff. Aaron and I have already talked three or four times about caramel apples from the Conner Prairie Apple Store. Mmmm.

Personalities and Growing Up

"I started writing when I was seven or eight. I was very shy and strange-looking, loved reading above everything else, weighed about forty pounds at the time, and was so tense that I walked around with my shoulders up to my ears, like Richard Nixon. I saw a home movie once of a birthday party I went to in the first grade, with all these cute little boys and girls playing together like puppies, and all of a sudden I scuttled across the screen like Prufrock's crab."~Anne Lamott, In the Introduction of 'Bird by Bird'

I had a chat recently with someone who struggled in school because they wanted to be part of the "crowd." They couldn't afford the cool clothes nor did they live in the presumably fashionable part of town. I had a hard time relating to her story, because truly I never experienced that struggle. Some might say, "Well, duh. You didn't go to public school." But, I did go through the fifth grade and also I went to university. I never experienced that struggle in either setting. I hardly ever noticed that anyone else was there. Even at the early elementary school level, I only wanted to soak up the learning. I read voraciously anything and everything I could get my hands on. I was, like the author, that weird kid that would just scuttle through on the edges looking for a nice comfy spot to read. I'm sure that if anyone even remembers me from school or college, they remember me that way; probably thinking I'd either end up being a serial killer or having an unusually large number of cats. :)

I carried my loner card with me to school. I was there for a purpose; to get everything they could give me. I never joined a group of any kind. The closest I ever came was when someone approached me about joining the National English Honor Society. I didn't date. I really didn't even notice...though I am pretty sure that my university was co-ed. Hmmm...vaguely remember cute redheaded guy in Sociology. :) (Side note: Yes, I have a thing for the redheads. Yes, Aaron does have red hair. God's gift to me).

All of my girls are such "people" people. They love chatting with people and will start up conversations with strangers at the supermarket. I've been thinking of personalities lately and wondering what kind of people my children will be. Anna is so outgoing, yet studious. Abby is sensitive, quiet and graceful. Charlotte, while still young, is already forming into a go with the flow kind of kid. They are all such tender-hearted little people.

I just wonder where they're headed in their lives...who their friends will be and what kind of young women they'll turn into. I know too fast the time will come when they'll all be gone...living in their own homes and Aaron and I will be "empty-nesters" with all kinds of time on our hands. Kind of makes me sad. Hmmm. :( It seems strange to be able to think about an empty house when we have the three little ones underfoot. But, until you're a parent you don't have any idea how fast time does go. Seriously, it feels like they were all just born.

News

While it may be nothing, it may be something. :) An opportunity has passed our way to purchase this old farmhouse (1870) in Noblesville situated on just over 2 acres. While we certainly haven't decided and are just beginning the process of prayerful consideration. Here is the exciting news that a great many of you have already weaseled out of me. :)

Back to MOPS

I'm sitting here, munching on fries, having just put the girls down for their naps. I think this has become our little tradition getting "cheeseburgers" after MOPS. (Anna refers to any place that sells cheeseburgers as "cheeseburgers." Wanna go to cheeseburgers.) This was our first session of the Fall semester. Three diaper bags...three children in three different nursery...pushing a double stroller with one hand and Anna's hand in the other. Needless to say, I was oh, so sweaty when i sat down to meet my new table mates. "Hi, how are you? Excuse me as I try not to drip sweat on you." :)

Anyways, MOPS was great. For those of you not familiar with MOPS, it stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. It's really just a nice time for mothers with young children to get out and meet some other new moms while also learning some things that have practical application for your life. Another GREAT thing about it is that there is a spiritual element involved as well and even further than that they follow the biblical mandate of the old teaching the young. Each table has an older, more mature mother, who has been down the same road we're going down now; they refer to her as the table mentor. You also have a table leader that just kind of seems to bring it all together.

One thing I would be very interested in knowing is how they divvy people up into the various tables. Last year, my first year in MOPS, I figured they put all the pregnant woman at one table. Seriously almost everyone at my table was pregnant or had just given birth, and even funnier, as one of the moms from my table last year pointed out, we all named our children "C" names. (Camille, Cole, Cooper, Caleb & Charlotte)

This year there seems to be a mix of peoples. Two of the other moms have children under a year and are "trying" to have their second baby. It seems like the rest are done with either their one or two children. I did seem to bond with one woman who is trying to have her second child. She asked if we were going to have more and how many, and I told her that we were kind of leaving that number up to God and, I could have hugged her, she said, "Us, too." You don't really hear this often today. Most women that I talk to have decided on a certain number and it's usually one or two. A lot of people when they find out that I have three girls, they say something about how "we must be trying for a boy", or "are you going to keep going until you get a boy?" No, we're just going for children. Well, there it is...the month wouldn't be complete until I had posted something about family planning. :)

All that said, I love MOPS and the opportunity it has given me to grow in friendships and in Christ.

U.S. Puzzle

We've been doing a puzzle with Anna mostly. It's a wood cut-out puzzle with all the states. She really enjoys it and already has some favorite states. Here are a few:

• She always wants to see Kansas first, because that's where Dorothy is from.
• Indy-Anna, for obvious reasons. This has been difficult. She thinks the name of our state is Indy and that I'm saying, "This is where we live. It is called Indy, Anna." Argh.
• She really likes California because, "Daddy was born in California. Daddy was a baby. Ha Ha! Daddy's a baby!"
• Arkansas, because "Raegan lives in Arkansas!"

Waiting for the Bus

This morning as I was leaving our subdivision, it was around 7am, I saw small groups of highschool age kids waiting for the bus. They all looked grumpy and sullen. On my way back, 8:30-ish, I saw small groups of elementary age children huddled together clutching their backpacks; there mothers grouped together a few feet away chatting and laughing together. I didn't really think about the highschool students, probably because I don't have highschoolers, but when I saw those little tots waiting on the street corner, it made my heart hurt. I couldn't imagine letting my little ones go on that bus...letting them go into that kind of environment that ultimately turns them into grumpy, sullen teenagers.

I've had this feeling every time I see small children waiting for the bus; a sort of sorrow. Looking at this, I know I'm meant to be a homeschool mom. It makes me happy to know that they'll never go to a public school, Lord willing. I'm thankful for the resources that we have available to us as we begin to homeschool, including "the fam", and I'm doubly thankful for a husband who whole-heartedly is part of this decision. :)

A little DRAMA

Well, we've had an exciting past few days, which has kept me from blogging as often as usual. Last week, I admit freely, I was hormonal and slightly PMS-y. Okay, really PMS-y, bite your head off, in desperate need of some brownies PMS-y. :) Feeling better, but there were some things that really set me off and put me in instant "Mama Bear" mode...and without going into detail this blog is now by invitation/sign-in only. Sorry for the inconveinence, but gotta keep the crazies at bay; this includes myself. :)

Saturday morning, I went in to Kaye's Beauty College, where my sister-in-law, Mary is almost done with her cosmetology degree (Yeah, Mary!). Mary first cut off 10 or so inches that we're donating to Locks of Love. My hair grows super-fast, so I'm able to do this every two or three years and it still is back down to my waist each time I get it cut. Next step was some polishing off the cut and adding some square layers, pretty cool for the curly hair to help it not be so poof-y. Then, we did something that I've always wanted to do and colored it. "You did what?!" (That's my mother in the back of my head.) First, it's not permanent color, so it'll wash out in a few weeks. The color is much darker than I'm used to, but fun for a change.

This weekend we tried like anything to get Anna to go on the potty. Where we are in our toilet training is Anna holds it. She will hold it for upwards of 4 hours during the day and will cry when we put her on the toilet. She will wait until she gets a diaper/pull-up back on or until she can't hold it anymore and then she'll piddle on the floor. We tried just flooding her with fluids and putting her on the toilet A LOT and then leaving her on the toilet when we knew she had to go until she went. She was on there for a really long time and starting screaming for a diaper. I know this will end, but right now it's really frustrating.

Lastly, we're starting more of a structured preschool with Anna modeled off this letter of the week program. It's really a pretty cool system and we've filled in the holes with our own bible and music things, too. Anna's been really enjoying it and I'm excited about the prospect of opening new doors for her. (Pun intended, as I call this our "door of learning" in my head. :) )

There may be some pretty exciting news on the horizon in the next couple of weeks, but I don't want to jinx it by talking about it too soon; and no we're not pregnant...everyone seems to be asking me that lately.