Jordan is obsessed with speed!

It all began with cheetahs... Dogs used to be Jordan's favorite animal. Then he discovered that cheetahs are the fastest land animal and his allegiance changed. The only drawback is the fact that you can't have a cheetah for a pet! Of course with parents who are allergic to dogs, he can't have one of those either.
Recently, when asked what he wanted to be when he grows up, he said a jet pilot would be first choice, a race car driver is second choice, and someone who runs races would be third. In other words, anything that will let him get up some speed!


From 2006: A cheetah cake and a costume Mom had to make because they don't sell cheetah costumes for halloween.

Last Sunday was a Jenna day...

Mommy: "Jenna, lets go have a bath" and then the phone rang!

Yes, you guessed it! That is one of Christian's hat looms. Don't know how she got it on but we couldn't get it off without a generous amount of conditioner and pulling off her superglue scab (dang it!)!

Needless to say, she's stuck with a scar and we were late for church!

A gift to give the child of a parent you don't like

Another type of toy for kids to love and parents to hate. Add it to all the noisy lazer guns, pottying dolls, low budget movies, and zombifying video games (all of which we have)!

I now have three, count them, three containers of water on my kitchen counter with something slimy in them. When they reach their final enlarged size, are they fun to play with? No, they're just slimy. And they have to stay in water for how long to achieve their full growth potential!?!?!! A whole week!?!? I guess we'll have to eat out!:)

P.S. Lest anyone feel I am pointing a finger, I must explain. We have given these as gifts! I let my own children buy two of them to give to their siblings. Who can resist a cheap toy that instills such excitement and anticipation? It doesn't mean I have to like them!

My Mother Letter

As I posted in a previous blog (Mother Letters) I wrote a letter to contribute to a Christmas gift one husband gave to his wife. He asked anyone willing to write a letter to his wife with words of encouragement, experiences, etc. I decided to copy the letter I wrote here so that I would have it recorded for myself and my family. If you would like to know more about the project, click here. There are some amazing thoughts from mothers around the world. BTW, he received more than 500 letters!


Dear Mother,

As I contemplated this challenge of summing up motherhood into a letter, I realized what a monumental task it is. Defining motherhood and ourselves by extension is an impossible task. As I began my blog, in the “about us” section, I felt forced to define our family and by extension myself. At different points in my life I have defined myself as a student, teacher, friend, girlfriend, missionary, waitress, wife, mother, housekeeper, chauffeur, cook, room mother, director of plays, writer, translator, church worker, and the list goes on and on. I wish I could come up with a definitive label for myself (in my mind) that encompasses all that I am now and have been. Sometimes “stay at home mom” doesn’t begin to describe me. I love being a mother. I also realize that sometimes I need to feel like a woman, sometimes a wife, and often a validated individual. Maybe I am looking for a definition that isn’t just what I do but all that I am. I guess I am just ME! and some days that is more than enough!
I have done many things in my life, from living without indoor plumbing or electricity in a third world country for 8 months and learning to truly love the people, to teaching 4th and 6th graders. I have to say, striving to be the mother I want for my children is by far the most difficult thing I have ever done. It stretches my creativity, patience, and coping skills beyond limits I ever imagined and I don’t even have teenagers yet!
As for advice, the thing I am striving for most in my journey of motherhood is to keep the big picture in mind and tailor my goals and reactions to each challenge accordingly. I try to ask myself if this will really matter to who my child will become in the future. Is this a skill he/she will really need or just something I want.
I lose my temper frequently and many times realize after the fact that “I made a mountain out of that mole hill” but then I try to forgive myself and move forward. Most of the time the forgiveness part is the most difficult. Forgiving ourselves brings me to the other bit of advice that I try to remind myself of...we needn’t be too hard on ourselves. Even mothers are imperfect and on our own journeys to better ourselves each day. I believe that God made children with short memories and forgiving hearts for that reason. Oh, and stop comparing yourself to the wonder mom down the street. She doesn’t show you her dirty bathrooms and the tears she cries on hard days. It is a good thing God doesn’t judge us by our perceptions of the neighbor moms! As I strive each day to do my best, I pray often to my loving Heavenly Father and ask that he make up the difference between my best efforts and everything my children need. I have faith He will, because I know He loves them too. A personal relationship with Him goes a long way to feeling His loving presence in your life.
I recently heard a wonderful talk given by a local church leader that helps me to keep my perspective. He said that instead of making lists of “things to do” make it a list of “people to love”. Nearly everything we do affects someone. It would be a much better world, a happier family, a happier heart, if the things we do every day were done with love for the people they affect. I read a post about a lady who folds laundry this way. As she folds each article of clothing she thinks of something she loves about the person it belongs to.
We are trying to teach our children that our love is best demonstrated by our actions, not just saying “I love you”. How much more love could exist in our homes if all the “to dos” were done with love for members of the family in mind?
Finally, take a break once in a while. Everyone needs to find the individual inside the mom once in a while. I find that I am more patient and loving when given the chance to miss my children once in a while.
Keep your chin up. Keep trying and know that there are many other mothers out there cheering for you as well as a loving Heavenly Father who wants you to succeed in creating your own happy ending with your family.

With love, from a small part of your own cheering section,
Brooke
Mother of four ages 8, 6, 4, 14 months

Though this letter is full of things that rarely resemble my real day to day life, it has helped me to write them down and read them often to keep my perspective. I would highly recommend writing your own "mother letter" whether it is about yourself, about the mother you hope to be one day, or about your own mother, wife, sister daughter etc.

Christmas memo to myself

I had a little holiday stress this year! Okay, a lot. I started out last night with a blog post in mind. In this blog, I would write down all the things that I wouldn't do next year to make December less stressful for me. I wanted to cut out many things so I can listen to more music, watch more holiday specials, bake cookies with the kids, see all the lights, etc. etc. etc. Things that would help me have a more relaxing, fun month. Then I began thinking over the past few days about the things I have chosen to spend my time on.

I worked to have a service filled brunch for the ladies in my family to start the season. We worked to add to the fleece blankets our family has been making all year for the homeless.

I then began various homemade gifts for the children: some fairy skirts for Emma, a PVC building set and a car mat of our neigborhood and town for Jordan.

We then progressed to a couple of sets of 12 days of Christmas for neighbors in need of a little cheer and encouragement.

We worked to put together a meaningful Christmas party for our extended family, complete with a nativity for the children.

And finally, we put together luminaries for the families on our street, as has been our tradition for the past 5 years.

As I evaluated the things that help me keep the true spirit of Christmas and teach my children to serve and have the love of Christ in our home, I have changed the ideas I would like to leave in order to improve my Christmas season next year. Rather than eliminate these types of service in order to allow more leisure time, next year I want to do the following to feel more joy in the service we are rendering.

• Make a plan and stick to it. Often I begin early, shopping, crafting, planning with a peaceful week leading up to Christmas in mind. This is all well and good until the whole starting early thing gives me a false sense of security and I add more projects. I don't need to serve less, just prayerfully plan the ways in which I serve, considering what will bring the spirit and provide those warm fuzzies I love to get this time of year. Then stick to the PLAN.
• Make Christmas Day plans one of those things on the planning early list. I work so hard to prepare everything leading up to Christmas that we often find ourselves without meaningful plans for the day or even any food in the house. I know the hang out in your jammies to open presents etc. is crucial, but must the kids wear the same pjs to bed that they woke up in because we never had a reason to get dressed? How depressing! On the subject of food, one word... crockpot! Who wants to spend time in the kitchen when the house is full of toys to play with! However, we have learned from experience that a family cannot survive on candy alone, not that we wont test the theory over and over and over... So plan the food!
• I want to make sure Christmas Eve activities really emphasize the true meaning and story of Christmas. Again, planning!
• And maybe I will choose one secret service next year rather than two. And I think I will make it a one time thing rather than something we have to get out and deliver every evening like the 12 days of Christmas.
• Finally, I need to remember to pray to have the spirit of Christ as I work on my projects rather than the feelings of stress.

Now the trick is to believe myself! I asked Paul to remind me of some of these things and he said okay with a chuckle which is to be translated "I'll remind you, but it wont make a difference in what you do."

Fellow rednecks, go green!

You know you're a "green" redneck when you create snowpants for your toddler from recyclable plastic bags! supplies:

• 1 large plastic shopping bag


• duct tape (I used clear packing tape but on reflection, duct tape would be more in keeping with the redneck persona.)


• 2 quart sized bags

Cut up the middle of the bag from the bottom and use duct tape to create an inside seam for the legs. Cut holes for their feet. If your kid doesn't have boots, then use the duct tape to stick the small bags on the bottom, sticking the "legs" inside.

To keep them warm, put them in long underwear with or without bum flap (non-redneck translation - thermals) . Aint she a cute little stinker?then sweats, (shoes if you aint got boots) and finally, your most beautifulest, home-crafted snow pants using the handles over the shoulders as straps. Top with a coat and mittens and they're ready to play.

Jenna really wanted to play outside with the other kids and we are trying to hold out until Christmas hoping Santa will bring new snow clothes, so.... I got creative. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the ziploc bags would be so slippery. She ended up face down in the snow and that was the end of her snow day!

To stitch or not to stitch

That was our dilemma! Jenna fell and hit her head on a corner and had a hole in her forehead!











This is not surprising to any of you who are aware of her addiction to climbing. She loves to walk around on top of the kitchen table and last week learned how to climb the ladder to Christian's bunk.
Anyway, we debated whether to take her for stitches, requiring anesthetic, or to superglue. We superglued Christian's lip when he was about 2 years old and it came out great. I can hardly see the scar even when I really look for it. We consulted our wonderful friend and neighbor who is a doctor and he suggested supergluing would work fine. So for now, she has superglue on her head. That sounds like a mother's nightmare under other circumstances doesn't it?

The Christmas Story (according to Emma)

Emma's sunbeam teacher told me that Emma was telling the Christmas story to her class. She confidently explained that Joseph took Mary on a trip, built a fire for her and they roasted marshmallows. Baby Jesus had a marshmallow too!

For family night tonight, we are going to use our puppets to tell the Christmas story together. Can't wait to hear her part! :)

*Later in the season Emma was telling me the story again. Marshmallows were a big part of the story as before. Baby Jesus liked them so much he ate the whole bag. It also included the star which was raised and lowered by Mary and Joseph when they saw the shepherds and wisemen coming.

Prequel - Murphy's elves have struck!

Paul convinced me that I needed to record our Murphy's elves escapades from the beginning to portray the week in ALL it's glory. He had to remind me of many of the details as I had blissfully blocked them from my conscious mind.
Last Sunday, we had quite the afternoon...
It all began with the perfect Sunday dinner (fast Sunday). I had to go visiting teaching so Paul finished up the potatoes and gravy while Christian put the crescent rolls on the pan. The timing was perfect, I arrived home to a wonderful dinner on the table.

Then the elves came, invisible, but real nonetheless. We were about to sit down to eat when my nose detected something bound to disrupt everyone's appetite. As I took Jenna upstairs to change the nuclear waste, Jordan was playing with his silverware and knocked over his entire glass of milk. The milk promptly soaked everything including the cushion on my chair. We cleaned up and finally sat down.

We began serving the children and got them started and Jordan spilled his milk AGAIN! We cleaned up and sat down to serve ourselves. I had not even had one bite when Jenna threw up all over. With heavy heart, I put down my fork to clean up her chair, strip her down, and change her clothes. Meanwhile, Paul was being plied with requests (whines) for seconds from the other kids.

I made Jenna some cereal and sat down to feed her. We were minus the tray and buckles which had to be disinfected (practically burned) and so she was flailing. If you've noticed the pattern here, it will not surprise you to learn that she managed to smack the bowl of cereal coating me and herself! I had now had eaten a total of 2 bites and was getting ornery. I yelled in surprise and scared her. As I worked to quiet her, Paul was arguing with Emma about "trying just one bite". She put the offending bite in her mouth and promptly threw up!!!

When Paul and I finally were able to eat, we only had enough appetite to choke down a few bites of ice cold mashed potatoes and roast beef. We didn't dare even take the time to reheat because we didn't know what would happen next. We vowed the next week we would be having PB&J, cooking a large meal isn't worth it.

As you can imagine, we couldn't imagine that those darn elves had more in store for us but we were Oh... So... Wrong! Well, there they are, the events leading up to the day that sent me over the edge.

Murphy's elves strike again!!

I can't believe how lucky we are (said through gritted teeth)! I thought everything was on track for my annual Ladies brunch that I host for my family. It's supposed to be tomorrow. Last night we were watching the season finale of the 2nd season of Lost (yes we are new addicts, and get to watch 4 episodes a week) with bated breath. We heard one of the sounds a parent dreads most... "cough, cough, bleah, Mommy" Yes, you guessed it, Christian threw up all over in his bed (the TOP bunk). My barf challenged husband stood in the doorway for moral support with his nose plugged, apologizing and promising to put on the clean sheets as soon as I got the mess cleaned up. I won't go into detail but suffice it to say a sticky dustpan was involved. Luckily, Christian is now old enough that for the other 4 times last night he was able to make it into a bowl and we just had to take turns emptying and rinsing. Then, this morning Jordan woke up saying he wasn't feeling well. As I wondered if it was just sympathy/don't feel like school today symptoms, he ran to the bathroom and...yep!
Now I have: 12 guests expecting a party, 11 toys strewn across the floor to step on, 10 ornaments to put back on the tree (Jenna), 9 times to refill cups of Gatorade which threaten my carpet, 8 floors to clean, 7 loads of stinky laundry, 6 presents to wrap, 5 slimy flushes and a toilet that needs to be cleaned, 4 kids at home while trying to clean for the party, 3 dozen cookies to make, 2 barfing boys, and 1 headache from too little sleep. My own friggin' version of 12 somethings for Christmas.
Where are those real elves when you need them? I think we have Murphy's elves at our house. No matter what we do, how we plan, something unforeseen always seems to happen. I even had to wipe off the inch thick layer of dust before I could put out my decorations. What's up with that? That's enough to kill any one's Christmas spirit despite my favorite Christmas music blaring in the background. In my world, I would have the elves come in and clean up the night before we are ready to decorate then I can have that Hallmark moment when my beautiful, clean, well behaved children smile and laugh gently as we lovingly place our decorations in the perfect spots.
But... until that happens I guess I had better pour some more Gatorade, sort the laundry, and find a clothes pin for my nose as I head off to clean the bathroom. As for my party? I will have to see if the barfing stops in a respectable amount of time to be able to Lysol everything before tomorrow.


P.S. For anyone concerned that the tone of this post is quite different than I usually write, be assured that I am fine and coping. I have used this as a way to blow off steam and try to find some humor while in the throes.

Girls hairclip storage

I needed a way to store hairbows and flowers that wouldn't crush them. I came up with the following solution. I bought a colored embroidery hoop, wrapped ribbon around it, and hung various ribbons down from it. Now I can clip my flowers and bows without crushing them. I hang it on the side of a dresser or closet door with a removable 3M hook.

It works for me! Check out what works for others over at Rocks in my Dryer.

Our new family pictures!

We haven't had our family pictures taken for over 2 years so we decided it was about time! Paul's niece Lori took these pictures for us and I think she did a great job!