Grass cutting, pool cleaning, and "slime!" Thursday, June 12, 2014

Yay! I am thankful for my parents, and how much they love me! My dad brought over their riding lawnmower, the push mower, and Garett's fixed bike! Unfortunately, we broke two lawnmower belts on our lawn and ended up cutting most of the lawn with the push mower, but it's all done! I'm thinking maybe our yard has issues with getting the grass cut...we've cut the lawn only a handful of times thus far and have broken something every time!

My dad also fixed the air compressor, which had a hole in the tube. Hence, it wouldn't put air in anything! And dad helped get the pool filter off the pool and we changed the filter...no more green! I put some bleach in there and the water is blue again...yay!! And my dad fixed the seat in the back of our car that wouldn't stay in its proper position. Also, dad fixed Garett's bike tire, so I think everything is in working order for one more day. :)

Happy Father's Day

I had a very pleasant surprise in my mail box today. Someone sent me a very encouraging note and told me that they loved us and praying for us. As difficult as some of the days have been, I am 100% sure that we made the right decision. Roger is very busy with adjusting to the heat, finishing school orientation, and studying in preparation for class to start. This is very hard, this separation, but in the scope of long term; we are doing the right thing. Although extra prayers would be appreciated! :)

While my parents were here, I ran to the post office with Travis to mail a package to Roger. The boys were super excited to put the box of treats together for their daddy. I'm so thankful that they have such  a high regard for their daddy and I certainly will do all I can to support that.

Also, if you ever come across a book called "How to Make Slime", I firmly suggest you run the other way!! This was a children's book we got from the library, and because I'm crazy, we decided to make some. That was mistake number one. Secondly, the directions call to mix cornstarch, food coloring and water. Mistake number two is to let a child put in the food coloring! Third mistake...? Oh yeah, making one bowl for all four boys to "share", equals a disaster in the making! Picture green slime all over the front porch, with four little boys all trying to get their hands in the bowl! As if that wasn't enough chaos, I decided to make up a more slime so they could all experience it. However, when cornstarch absorbs the water and starts to dry up, the slime turns into this horrible green powdery dust that seeps into clothes, shoes, cupboards, and tables...yuck! Needless, to say we've had our science project for the month and that's enough of that! :)

We have almost made it through our second week, some days are good, some not so great, but we are getting through this one day at a time. I've had lots of hugs from the boys, they've had lots of fights with each other and my worst enemy is opening my mouth before I think about what I'm saying or how I'm saying it. We are adjusting, and we thank God for so many of you that have helped us! We are blessed!

In honor of Father's day coming on Sunday, I've posted Wyatt's school project. This is his view on dad! :)

Trial and error?

I'll just admit it...there are soooo many things I can't do! The lawnmower is being repaired, but the pool filter still needs to be changed, I forgot to take the trash...again, the back seat is stuck in the half way down position, the air compressor won't hold air, and I forgot to close the garage door last night. So, I  came out to find the garage door up and the car door open...wow! Single parenting is not for the faint hearted!! :)

Two of the munchkins!

Today was a good day...I got to go grocery shopping all by myself! My dear friend, Jenna, watched all five of our kids so I could go grocery shopping by myself. Then I squeezed in a two and one half mile run, thanks to Jenna's willingness to watch the kids. It was so nice to get out and run to the grocery store by myself. :) 

We had Wednesday night church tonight, and because next week is Bible school, we spent the hour passing out flyers and inviting kids to come. The boys are so excited about Bible school, and this is the first year since we've been at our church that I am not helping. I'm partially very sad about that, but part of me is relieved...it's 2 1/2 hours to myself. :) 

We talked with Roger tonight again via Skype and the kids are quickly figuring out how to call dad themselves. :) although it's not the same as seeing him here, I am very thankful that the kids can see him. Emma is not longer scared of Skype but she has disconnected the call on us! Emma also pulled herself to standing today, and is really starting to scoot around. Therefore, the brothers are realizing that nothing is safe! :) 

Travis has not been sleeping well since Roger left, so my light sleeping is even lighter. I haven't managed to get myself out of bed this week to get in those early runs. :( Travis was up four times last night...he needed a drink, needed to go potty, wanted to sleep in my bed, and at 3:30 am he asked to play on the Kindle!!! Good night, child!!! So, we were both short on sleep last night. But the only way to get more sleep is to try going to bed earlier, so good night all and to all a good night!

Life and chaos! Tuesday, June 10

One of those days that I really would have liked to stay in bed a while longer, but I don't like getting up after my kids! We had a productive day...for the most part. :) We spent the morning cleaning up a bit, laundry, and putting away our stuff. Then I took the kids to our friend, Hannah's house for a bit. Since her husband is gone for work training for a bit, it was a bunch of kids and the two tired mamas! :) However, fresh air and playing outside does wear kids out, so after lunch we headed home for rest time. We did have to stop and pick up a sippy cup for Emma...some how, she manged to lose hers!? It's always interesting taking five kids into the store for one item...kinda feels like a circus. But most of the time, I'm hesitant to leave them in the car, not because I don't trust them, but because I don't trust other people!

Finally home again...and nap time was on the horizon! Everyone laid down without much complaint, so I know they were tired. I laid down for twenty minutes, but I knew that if I fell asleep I would probably be grouchy. :) Since Garett wasn't sleeping either, I decided to go for a run for a few miles. I told him I would run short distances up and down the road, so if he needed me, he could just stop me when I came by. It wasn't the most efficient run every, but I did manage to squeeze in two miles.  

Our pool is not getting cleaner like it should...probably operator error! :) I threw some bleach in there and Roger told me how to change the filter, but first I have to figure out how to get off the crazy lid!! So, for today, I just gave the kids my vegetable strainers and told them to fish out the leaves and grass; and now it at least looks a little cleaner. :) I did just realize that my vegetable strainers are out in the yard, and I will need them again! 

My parents invited us to their house for supper, and the kids always like to go to Nana and Papas house. :) The older two are learning how to drive the four wheeler, so they are thrilled with that. And Papa is a better baseball player than mom, so the boys always ask him to play with them...I don't mind. :) Then it was home again for library reading and Bible time...now on to quietness! 

Our funny moment: it's never a good thing to be in the shower, and hear a child pound on the door and yell, "Mom, Emma made a mess!" Great...quickly scramble out, dress, and come to find a little girl with chocolate ice cream all over her. Travis told me she liked the ice cream and he was done, so he just gave her the bowl...wow...what a mess! I'm thankful for baths and good laundry detergent! 

Day number ?

Actually, without looking at the calendar, I have no idea what number of day we are on. :) However, I do know that it is Monday, and that bedtime is almost here!! Praise The Lord, the lights will soon be out! I haven't been sleeping good at nights, and trying to get in a few miles in the morning, compounded by a certain child that gets up EVERY night...I am tired!

But, on a good note, Garett learned how to tie his shoes, Emma is really close to crawling, and it was a beautiful day. Oh, and Chandler lost another tooth. :)We went to the library to pick out new books and to do some reading. Then we went to a park with a splash pad, but the water was super cold!! We had a picnic lunch, and then headed home. Of course, the only drawback was that some of the kids fell asleep in the car, so that meant no nap. :( But, it means early bedtime. :) 



Emma with her older brother, Chandler

The kids are really starting to miss Roger, and I was talking today about getting a package together for daddy. I asked the kids for their suggestions of what daddy likes and what we should put in the box. Lots of suggestions, from milk and cookies, to tacos, to ice cream. However, when I told the kids that maybe we should use some of my garage sale money to buy daddy a gift card to a restaurant, the boys asked why we should do that. After I explained that Daddy is trying to be very careful with money, Chandler went and got the dollar he had just gotten for his tooth. He wrote his daddy a little note, and put the dollar in the envelope for a "treat for daddy." His sacrificial giving just amazed me and reminded me that I really don't know how much they do comprehend sometimes!!

We're going to get through this...one day at a time and because of many prayers!! Thanks, Sarah

Travis and Emma

Sundays, June 8th

Sundays are probably the most challenging day of the week to be honest. I can count on one hand the times that Roger and I have gone to church without each other. So sitting in church surrounded by little people, is a reminder in a big way of what I'm missing...my better half. :) I also tend to be more emotional on Sunday, as the Word of God speaks to me, the music touches my heart, and God draws me closer to himself.

It also seems to be a harder day for the kids too. Travis told me he was staying in the car during church, and Wyatt asked why we go to church "all the time". Honestly, going to church for every service is nothing new, so I can only assume that this day is perhaps a little harder on them too. However, yes, we did go to church, came home for rest time (which we all took a nap), and then went to a friends birthday party for a little bit. 

Sunday night church poses it's own problems because the only one in the nursery is Emma. But, the boys did do fairly well. My friend, Star,  greatly encouraged my heart with a gift bag full of treats for me along with an encouraging note. I did have one very emotional moment, but thankfully, the kids were not around when the tears were free falling. :) 

Now I'm off to get some much needed rest. I've really been working on getting up at 5:15 to be able to get in a few miles before the kids wake up. The only problem is that it does make me really tired later in the day. :)

My treats from a friend today!

Our bed...with two extra little boys!

Starting week number two! Saturday, June 7

We enjoyed a "down" day as a family. We spent time together, skping with Roger, a walk as a family, and a nap for all of us. Of course, later tonight I realized that I forgot to take the trash to the dump, and that the pool filter needs to be clean because the pool is getting greenish...great! Obviously, I'm still not aware of all the things I need to do while Roger is away. I was also informed by one of my children, that  dad plays baseball better, and that dad is better at ALL the sports than mom. "Why, thank you, son...I already knew that!"

Tonight we went to a friends house for supper. It was a pleasant way to end the day after being surrounded by little people all day, and I really enjoyed some adult conversation! Chandler and Wyatt spent the night at their friends house, which they were ecstatic upon hearing the invitation! It's the first time they've ever slept over at someone's house who isn't family. So, we'll see how that goes.

All in all, it was a good day. Sometimes I miss Roger so much it feels like a physical ache deep inside, but in a few short years,this will be a memory for us.

Love my little boy!

Day one...a change in plans!

The change in plans is on my part, not my husbands. I realized today that I am going to have to modify some of my goals for this summer.

One, running a half marathon is not going to be possible!! Roger watches the kids so I can run/get out by myself, so it just won't happen this summer. It's a goal that can be accomplished later on in life. However, I do need to figure out how I'm going to find time to exercise regularly...I'm one of those weird people that gets really grouchy when they don't exercise! :) So, I think I will start by setting my alarm a little earlier.

Two, I'm thankful that Roger has taken care of the trash in the four years we've lived here. Wow, what a job...bagging up trash, hauling it to the dump...not my idea of fun, but we did it! :) 

We stayed busy today with going to a few yard sales, cleaning up the yard, a friend came over with some clothes for Emma, and we went to a friends open house get-together. Chandler has been asking and praying for a new bike, and today he found one!! I'm so thankful that God hears the prayers of my children! We found a bike today for $5.00 at a yard sale!! Yay! It's pink, but nothing that a can of spray paint can't fix. :)

Friday Fun!

My dad brought over his lawn mower and took ours home with him, so hopefully, it will be an easy fix. My sister mowed the lawn for us, so that relieved one thing on the to-do list. I'm so thankful for all the friends that have offered to help out, to pray for us, and to encourage us...we are blessed. One more thing I'm thankful for...Skype!! I'm thankful that the boys can see daddy and talk to him about their day as it makes bedtime a little easier on them.

Thanks for the prayers, 

Sarah

This is what going to the store for milk looks
like these days!

SUNDAY:

We survived day two!! All children were fed, beds made, teeth brushed, socks on ( I didn't  say that they matched!), and we made it to church on time. It was Sunday School promotion Sunday, so the kids were excited about that. We now have three boys in our children's church class, and Travis told me he was very sad about being by himself. It's hard to believe that Wyatt is in the kindergarten class, Chandler in first grade, and Garett in second grade...wow!

Somehow, I managed to get an infection in my finger, so I ended up going to the walk in clinic this afternoon. The doctor gave me a shot to numb it, and then proceeded to clean it out...and I fainted. I could feel it happening, and that is such a weird feeling. Thankfully, my sister had watched the kids at our house, so no one was along on the fainting excursion! My finger is feeling much better now, so that's a blessing!

The kids were able to skpe with Roger tonight, and they really enjoy that...Emma hasn't been crazy about it, but she's getting better at not touching and disconnecting the call! It's the little things I think, that are the hardest...running into the store for milk is a lot harder with five small children; and getting lunch on the table and putting kids down for naps is a lot more challenging without daddy here to help everyone get a drink, go potty, and put them in bed while Mom feeds the screaming baby. But the kids have all eaten something today, they brushed their teeth, I told them I love them, and the lights are out for the night. Now, I'm off to shut off my lights and head to bed.

MONDAY:

Another day done...yay! God is so good to us! We did house work, painting ( mostly, my sister and Chandler did that), kids played in the rain puddles, lots of laundry, helped with a church activity, and lots of other things. Wyatt asked me this morning when daddy would be back...ummm... :)

I'm thankful that my mom kept the kids while I helped with a dinner for some volunteers that are working on a building project at our church. It was nice to get away from them for a bit, and my patience does start to waver ( a lot!!) at times.

My finger is still very sore, and I'm supposed to be taking an antibiotic for it; however, I just haven't made it to the pharmacy. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to go out of their way to help me. Kelli graciously offered to get my prescription filled at Wal mart, and then she even brought it to my house! However, that might be because she's a nurse and it was killing her that I wasn't taking my medicine. :) But, now I've started taking it.

Tonight during family devotions, we were talking about David. I told the kids that God only wants us
to have one wife, and David was wrong to like Bathsheba. Chandler says "oh, that's why you have
one ring on your finger?" I said that it showed I was married. Chandler then replied, " so the ladies that have lots of rings on their fingers, do they have lots of husbands?!" Wow!! Umm...no! :)

The day was not boring, I am missing my running miles; but, I am so blessed.

Boys will be boys!

TUESDAY: 

Day three...glad for family, sisters, grace, and a beautiful day! I told The Lord that I wasn't going to set my alarm, but if I woke up before 5:30, I would go for a run. I've really been missing my running time, but figured that if I went at 5:30, I could run up and down the driveway for a few miles at least. Well, Travis came in my room at 5:22 to ask for some water. :) He went right back to sleep, but I decided to try to get in two miles. And...I did! :) I also was able to catch up on my Bible reading and be back in the house with coffee in hand before anyone stirred!!

I made a meal for the work team at our church, and brought it all into town about 4:30. I had a a great visit while working with another friend, Amy, and setting up for the supper meal. My sister took the boys to the Oshkosh library and signed them up for the summer reading program...yay! They had a great time, and I'm so thankful for my family. 

The day has had its challenges...the younger two boys seem to be more clinging to me and everyone wants to sleep with mom at night! Travis has wanted me around all day, and was only convinced to go with the boys to the library by the promise of going to the park afterwards. Emma has had a rough day today. I couldn't figure out why she's been so fussy today, until I realized that my milk supply has drastically dried up!! She eats a variety of table food, so I don't worry so much about nursing. However, at bedtime...it's a different story. She finally took a sippy cup with some watered down juice, and I've been drinking water like crazy!! I'm not sure if it's my body responding to the antibiotic for my finger, or just not drinking enough water. Either way, we'll find out, and hopefully, she'll sleep through the night!!

I've been blessed beyond words with friends that have offered to watch the boys, fix our lawn mower, and show that they care for us.

WEDNESDAY:

It feels like we should be on day 44, not four, but here we are just getting started. I can tell I'm near the very tired stet, as I tend to be more emotional. Once we adjust to survival state, we'll be fine, but for now I am a tad emotional. The day was busy for me,as I got up at 5:15 to run a few miles. Then home for Bible reading, breakfast, directing children with chores, laundry, cleaning, and today was trash day again. I took what we had to the dump simply because it's not as overwhelming to do it in small amounts.

I think Chandler is struggling a bit too,as he was very emotional today as well, and that's not

My new haircut!

Ike him. He wants me to teach him how to play the piano, so I gave him a short lesson and a few pointers. Later I found him in bed crying because he couldn't play the piano like mom can!!! Ummm....good things take time!

My sister came over and painted some more so the kitchen and trim is almost completely done...yay! The boys did their reading for the summer program, and everyone laid down for a little quiet time...including mom.

Wednesdays are probably going to be my most challenging day. I often have errands to run, and church starts a little later, so we get home later. Then it's helping everyone get ready for bed, brush teeth, put pull ups on those that might wet the bed, get sips of water, and nurse the baby (who is usually screaming by then!). However, it does make me appreciate the quietness of the house in a whole new way! Of course, with Roger not here, I hear all kinds of noises.

I'm looking forward to Friday. A friend invited us to her house for breakfast, which will be a lot of fun. And another sweet friend, along with her hubby, are coming over to mow grass, bring their go- cart, supper, and their kids, so I can have a little time to myself! I am blessed!!!

THURSDAY:
Forward... Almost through our first week, and I'm finding myself rather emotional; however, we are settling into survival mode. The younger two boys have been extremely clingy and whiny, and I have to constantly remind myself to be patient with them.

I'm finding my biggest battle to be the challenge of being a consistent parent...what I say I must follow through with doing. I'm also discovering that because I have more responsibilities, I automatically think that the boys should be more responsible. However, that not something that they are naturally picking up on. :) And they have been very helpful for the most part, I just have to remember to give them jobs that they can do. I've noticed that I've been harder on our oldest son lately, as in giving him a lot more chores; but I reminded myself today that he is only seven and trying to adjust too. So, I give him grace. Grace because that's what God daily gives to me, Grace because it's a reflection of what Christ did on the cross, grace because it strengthens and encourages my relationship with them... and because it's the title of the parenting book I'm reading. :)

I was able to spend time with my sister today, as she is leaving tomorrow for North Carolina to visit my other sister. We had a great time just visiting together and hanging out with Emma. My parents kept the boys for a bit and the boys "helped" plant the garden, water the plants, rode  bikes, and played for hours outside. Needless to say, it was baths for everyone tonight.

Today I'm thankful for a beautiful day, time spent with my sister, and the adventures we are looking forward to having tomorrow. We are going to have brunch at a friends house, and then some good friends of ours are coming over to cut grass, watch children, and bring dinner...I am blessed!

FRIDAY:  One week is D-O-N-E!!
A day full of fun, adventures, and exploring! We went to Autumn's house for brunch today, and the boys were thrilled to see that they have a pond in their backyard! And, they also have a paddle boat! The boys could have stayed all day playing with the boat and the water, but we came home for rest time at mom's insistence. :) Later in the afternoon, our friends, Jenn and Arien, came over for a bit. What a blessing! They brought their lawnmower, the go-cart, dinner, and offered to watch all the kids while I went out by myself for a bit...yay!! I got my hair cut, I used my free Starbucks birthday drink, and I wandered around Target...all by myself! I had so much fun, and I came back refreshed and recharged. My amazing friend also picked up my house, folded clothes, and made my house look fresh again...I can't say thank you enough!

All in all, it's been a good week. We've stayed busy, been able to Skype with Roger, and have survived week one! On to the next week...

Roger's update:
He was able to spend a few days with his brother in Georgia. He spent a few days relaxing with their family, and will arrive in Florida today. He's looking to get settled into his room today, church tomorrow and classes bright and early on Monday!