At the beginning of September, Samuel ended up with a stylin' hairdo thanks to Dad. Pat said he just wanted one of his kids to look like him.
Do you think it worked?
My Family
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Haircut
At the beginning of September, Samuel ended up with a stylin' hairdo thanks to Dad. Pat said he just wanted one of his kids to look like him.
Do you think it worked?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
A Date
Pat and I have been married for 14 years, and I must confess, we've only been consistently dating for half of those years.
It wasn't until Thomas was about a year old that I expressed how neglected I felt in our marriage.
It wasn't purposeful neglect, and I knew that, but it just so happened that if a child had needs that conflicted with our date, or if the budget was tight, or if we couldn't find a sitter, we would cancel the date without any apology to each other.
Worst of all, we wouldn't reschedule the date for another day.
Essentially, there were many months that passed where we never had many opportunities to really talk with each other as friends and sweethearts.
(Keep in mind that these were the years when we had 4 children 5 and under and then 5 children 6 and under.)
It was after that conversation (wherein I made known my need to have adult conversation and be treated as a peer for a period of time was crucial to my mental well-being) that we started going on regular dates.
There have been periods of time in the last 7 years where we have gone out on an almost weekly basis, and other times when we have felt the need to only go out once a month.
No matter how frequent the dates are, they always fill a need for me, and I am reminded why I chose my sweetheart as my partner for life.
It's amazing what just 3 hours can do for your relationship.
I'd suggest you try it soon, and be consistent about it.
I've been more than happy with the results.
It wasn't until Thomas was about a year old that I expressed how neglected I felt in our marriage.
It wasn't purposeful neglect, and I knew that, but it just so happened that if a child had needs that conflicted with our date, or if the budget was tight, or if we couldn't find a sitter, we would cancel the date without any apology to each other.
Worst of all, we wouldn't reschedule the date for another day.
Essentially, there were many months that passed where we never had many opportunities to really talk with each other as friends and sweethearts.
(Keep in mind that these were the years when we had 4 children 5 and under and then 5 children 6 and under.)
It was after that conversation (wherein I made known my need to have adult conversation and be treated as a peer for a period of time was crucial to my mental well-being) that we started going on regular dates.
There have been periods of time in the last 7 years where we have gone out on an almost weekly basis, and other times when we have felt the need to only go out once a month.
No matter how frequent the dates are, they always fill a need for me, and I am reminded why I chose my sweetheart as my partner for life.
It's amazing what just 3 hours can do for your relationship.
I'd suggest you try it soon, and be consistent about it.
I've been more than happy with the results.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Weekend Ahead!
Pat and Stephen are headed on the Scout campout...I am grateful for a husband that wants to fulfill his calling (as Scoutmaster), although I will miss him for the next 24 hours. Many times when Daddy is gone, we get a good kids movie, pop up some popcorn and kick back for the evening. Tonight, we'll be watching the newly released Barbie movie...The Island Princess.
I know my girls will love it...and we'll see what the 2 older boys think.
I also grabbed a Backyardigans movie as I was at the video store (should we call it the DVD store now?), so that should appease them if they really dislike the "girls" movie.
I'm looking forward to a date with my husband tomorrow night...and church on Sunday has no major responsibilities for us this week...
All told, it should be a very good weekend.
I hope to be back to my thoughtful, engaging blogging soon rather than just the ever so interesting(?) going-ons of my family.
It seems that pregnancy and the postpartum period has sucked much of the lively witticisms out of me...
Here's hoping I can discover some wit somewhere soon.
I know my girls will love it...and we'll see what the 2 older boys think.
I also grabbed a Backyardigans movie as I was at the video store (should we call it the DVD store now?), so that should appease them if they really dislike the "girls" movie.
I'm looking forward to a date with my husband tomorrow night...and church on Sunday has no major responsibilities for us this week...
All told, it should be a very good weekend.
I hope to be back to my thoughtful, engaging blogging soon rather than just the ever so interesting(?) going-ons of my family.
It seems that pregnancy and the postpartum period has sucked much of the lively witticisms out of me...
Here's hoping I can discover some wit somewhere soon.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
A Grocery Shopping Discovery
I've posted in the past about how unexciting and difficult it is for me to go grocery shopping.
I try to do the majority of my shopping for 2 weeks at one time, and that means an overflowing shopping cart and at least 2 solid hours for me at the store.
With 8 of us eating and drinking solid food, it takes careful planning to make sure that we have what we need and I am not making "emergency" trips to the store.
A little while ago, I saw an acquaintance with her 2 children at the store, each with a basket in front of them.
I commented, somewhat jokingly about them needing 3 carts, and she said, "We spilt the shopping list up."
We chatted just a couple more minutes, but that part of the conversation left enough of an impression on me that I mentioned it to my husband that night as we talked.
His reply?
"That's exactly what my mom had us do when I was growing up!"
I hadn't committed to trying it yet, but yesterday Pat pulled our grocery list up on the computer and split it into 3 parts.
Stephen, Emily, and Nathan headed off in the local Valdemart armed with their list...they each had chosen a job (their idea)...Stephen checked off what they put in the cart, Emily pushed the cart, and Nathan got the items from the shelves.
Pat had a list and I had a list as well.
Thomas and Isaac went with Pat and Thomas read the grocery list to him, and Bekah and Sam went with me and Bekah helped pull things off of the shelves.
The end result?
2 weeks of shopping done in 50 minutes.
A mom that was NOT exhausted and frustrated after a LENGTHY shopping trip, and a sense of empowerment on the kids part that made them feel that they are an important part of our family.
It was wonderful.
Thanks to a husband who makes things work, and to his parents for showing him a wonderful example of raising a large family.
Granted, I'm sure I missed some "bargains" and the ounce per ounce cost may have been a little more on some items as others chose what went in the cart, but I think those few dollars were well spent in saving mom a little sanity.
We'll definitely be doing that again.
I try to do the majority of my shopping for 2 weeks at one time, and that means an overflowing shopping cart and at least 2 solid hours for me at the store.
With 8 of us eating and drinking solid food, it takes careful planning to make sure that we have what we need and I am not making "emergency" trips to the store.
A little while ago, I saw an acquaintance with her 2 children at the store, each with a basket in front of them.
I commented, somewhat jokingly about them needing 3 carts, and she said, "We spilt the shopping list up."
We chatted just a couple more minutes, but that part of the conversation left enough of an impression on me that I mentioned it to my husband that night as we talked.
His reply?
"That's exactly what my mom had us do when I was growing up!"
I hadn't committed to trying it yet, but yesterday Pat pulled our grocery list up on the computer and split it into 3 parts.
Stephen, Emily, and Nathan headed off in the local Valdemart armed with their list...they each had chosen a job (their idea)...Stephen checked off what they put in the cart, Emily pushed the cart, and Nathan got the items from the shelves.
Pat had a list and I had a list as well.
Thomas and Isaac went with Pat and Thomas read the grocery list to him, and Bekah and Sam went with me and Bekah helped pull things off of the shelves.
The end result?
2 weeks of shopping done in 50 minutes.
A mom that was NOT exhausted and frustrated after a LENGTHY shopping trip, and a sense of empowerment on the kids part that made them feel that they are an important part of our family.
It was wonderful.
Thanks to a husband who makes things work, and to his parents for showing him a wonderful example of raising a large family.
Granted, I'm sure I missed some "bargains" and the ounce per ounce cost may have been a little more on some items as others chose what went in the cart, but I think those few dollars were well spent in saving mom a little sanity.
We'll definitely be doing that again.
Out and About
A couple of weekends ago we headed out for a Labor Day weekend outing.
We enjoyed spending the day together, and found great joy in the drive home.
We came home a new way...Pat allowed me to drive due to the severity of the curves and my propensity to motion sickness.
There was just a slight drizzle for most of the drive, and it resulted in many beautiful sights along the way.
We counted 8 different ranges of mountains from this viewpoint. It was beautiful!
We could have stayed at this picnic spot for another hour, just playing and having a good time. It was here that the light drizzle changed into a steady rain. We actually timed how long it took to get from this spot to our home so that we could return for a picnic sometime.
Samuel entertained himself by throwing rocks into every puddle that was in the vicinity.
One of the prettiest sights along the way. We live in a world that is full of beauty if we will just look for it. I was amazed that we have lived here for 4 years, and I was seeing this for the first time. It made me commit to getting out to discover the area around me!
We enjoyed spending the day together, and found great joy in the drive home.
We came home a new way...Pat allowed me to drive due to the severity of the curves and my propensity to motion sickness.
There was just a slight drizzle for most of the drive, and it resulted in many beautiful sights along the way.
We counted 8 different ranges of mountains from this viewpoint. It was beautiful!We could have stayed at this picnic spot for another hour, just playing and having a good time. It was here that the light drizzle changed into a steady rain. We actually timed how long it took to get from this spot to our home so that we could return for a picnic sometime.
Samuel entertained himself by throwing rocks into every puddle that was in the vicinity.One of the prettiest sights along the way. We live in a world that is full of beauty if we will just look for it. I was amazed that we have lived here for 4 years, and I was seeing this for the first time. It made me commit to getting out to discover the area around me!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Distracted
Can you see why?
When you also factor into the mix THIS book
and a trip to the doctor following a gall bladder attack (ouch!), and all of the subsequent tests he wanted to run to eliminate any possibility that what I was dealing with was a lung clot, it's been a fairly fun (see above) and crazy week and a half.
I'm also preparing for a Stampin' Up party on Saturday...my first since Isaac was born..., have my 6 week postpartum check today and I have parent teacher conferences for all 5 school kids tomorrow and Friday.
No school for the older kids due to said conferences, so that makes it easier schedule wise. (No working to get all five children ready and out the door on time for 3 days!)
By Saturday night, I'll be ready for that Sunday "day of rest".
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