Road Trip Games

In less than 3 weeks, Justin and I are taking the kids on a week long trip to visit family in Colorado!  It is an 11 hour drive, plus the allotment of time for gas, potty breaks, eating, etc.  We are choosing to leave at night, right after Justin gets off, in hopes that the kids will sleep most of the way, and that we will get there and have some time to spend with one of their cousins, before she leaves for the week! We are really excited.  I have started putting together some game ideas for the kids, to keep them occupied, because we know they won't sleep that well in the car... This one is the first one I have put together.  I know there were lots on line, but I wanted something a little different...

It is Battleship. My girls LOVE playin battleship.  they have one with military and aliens or something like that.  The ships are different for both, but I didn't go that far!  I am going to take the printed pages, laminate them and put them in separate file folders.  They will each have a dry erase marker and will have instructions on the back to remind them how to play and a cover picture.  So i will print each page, with 2 copies of the instructions and 2 copies of the cover image.

Please feel free to use these. It should be fun for the girls.  They really enjoy playing games together and hopefully, this will help them pass the time!

You can download the PDF for the file here.

 The file was adapted from MomsMinivan. I loved the idea, but wanted things a little bit different.  She did a great job with the instructions though.  So thanks to Laurel from Mom's Minivan for the idea!  I am also going to be putting together some other ideas in the next couple weeks!

6:08 am...

 **I wrote this post yesterday when I woke up...I just never posted it... I am hoping that it inspires thought, not anger or fighting or arguing...Please be kind in any comments you feel to post. **

It is 6:08 am.  Normally I would be fighting to go back to sleep because miraculously the sound machine i got yesterday worked. And Timothy did not wake up when Justin left 15  or so minutes ago...normally, I would be enjoying the extra sleep.  But normally, I don't have a dream that throws my mind into a particular political conversation more than anything ever has. 

I was on the phone with Justin.  He was telling me he was on his way home and it was early, the girls were not home yet. I am not sure about Collin, I think he was gone, but something tells me he was sitting on the couch.  I went to check on Timothy who had been napping.  His blinds were open, which wasn't an unusual thing apparently. He was still asleep, but beginning to stir.  So I walked into his room.  At the back of the room, on the wall his crib was on, was a large picture window.  As I approached his crib his eyes opened and he saw me and smiled his huge grin.  I put my arms in the crib and picked him up and saw a man walk to the window.  It looked like he was doing some work on the side of the house and told me he needed the Internet turned off.  For some reason,I didn't see this as abnormal, and walked out of the room and over to the computer and began turning it off.  The computer desk was on  a wall directly in front of and about 20 steps from the front door, which had a screen on it.  The door itself was open, the screen door was closed.  I, holding Timothy, turned around to go out and let him know it was off and this man was standing in my living room.  He had his hand behind his back, and all of a sudden slowly started pulling it out to reveal a very small revolver. 

This is almost exactly like the gun I saw in my dream,
only the handle looked more brown. I did a search after writing this
and found this image. I don't recall seeing it before.

It reminded me of one a woman would carry, no offense.  Just small, short barrel.  It was silver and had some wood on the handle, but it was seriously only about 3 inches long total.  I stepped back and dropped backwards because I tripped on something.  The reason I felt like Collin must have been on the couch was I thought in the dream that I needed to go protect him.  But as I was falling back, timothy in my arms, I saw the faintest trace of blue scrubs running into the office next to the front door.  At that moment I knew what was coming next and didn't sleep through the rest.  I woke up.  I knew that Justin came out of the office, having called police and pulled his rifle out of the safe and pointed it at the mans back.  He told him "get your gun off my wife or I will shoot you in the back of the head."

I have stayed out of the political discussion over guns.  I am not a huge fan of guns in my home.  My mother never liked guns.  There were no guns in the house.  My brothers didn't even get toy guns growing up.   My mom just didn't like guns.  I just grew up feeling like there was no place for them in my home.  Justin, however, grew up in a home where guns were there.  His dad was in a career where he came home nightly and Justin watched him take off his jacket and his gun.  Guns were always normal for Justin.  You can probably see why it took me 10+ years to feel like I could be okay with him having a gun.  Not that he needed my permission, but because he is Justin, he wouldn't get one until I was okay with it.  He respected my feelings towards guns in my home. 

I think shooting guns in a protected situation, like gun ranges, is a blast.  There is something about hitting a target that far away that is just fun.  In. A. Controlled. Environment.  Guns at home felt different to me.  I don't know that I could ever shoot an intruder in my home.  But since I have never been, and I offer heartfelt prayers that I never will be, put into that situation, I of course don't know how I would actually react.  I would hope that in my drive to protect my children I would be willing to shoot someone trying to hurt me or them.  Saving the lives in my family would be worth that right?

I have always had very mixed feeling about the current gun control debates.  While I believe that there needs to be regulation on who gets guns, I do not believe that there should be regulation on which type of gun a STABLE individual can choose to us to protect his family.  I don't feel like there needs to be regulation on ammunition that you can buy. I do however, feel like there needs to be ways to determine who can and can't buy weapons.  Thorough background checks are definitively a start.  But that isn't going to take care of everything.  I don't know maybe mental health evaluation before you can buy a gun, like a drivers Ed course before you can drive.  You have to be cleared by a licensed professional not to be unstable.  But that puts the decision into one or two types of professionals and that doesn't seem fair to me.  But there has to be a way that mentally ill people cannot purchase weapons. 

Now that all being said, I think it is important to realize that is ISN'T guns that are the problem.  It's guns in the hands of unstable people that cause massacres like Columbine, Newtown, Denver theaters and so on.  Those people were sick. I don't mean just that it was sick what they did.  They were mentally sick, if they thought their only solution was to grab a gun and shoot.  They were sick. 

In my dream, our 2nd amendment right to bear arms, very likely saved my life.  Because Justin came home at the exact moment this man was walking, uninvited, into my home.  Because Justin saw this man with a gun in the back of his pants.  Because Justin had a gun, in a locked safe. Because Justin knew what was necessary to save his family, I was saved.  Was it a dream? Yes, thank goodness.  Will it happen in my life, that I will stand face to face with an intruder holding a gun to my face? I hope and pray that it never does. But will I welcome having my husband walk in the door and hold a gun to this guys head to save my life? Absolutely. Would I welcome a man, who is  holding a gun out at me, get shot to protect my family? He shouldn't have come in my home to begin with.  It is my home, where my children should feel the safest.  It is my home, where I should not have to worry if I am going to live for one more day to kiss my husband and children.  It is my home, where I should be able to protect myself from people who should not be there.  It is my home, where I, a law biding, mentally healthy, individual, have a government given right added to the constitution as part of the states stipulations to ratify it.  This right was not just a random thing that they decided to throw in.  Back at Farnsworth Elementary in Chicago, IL; I remember learning about the constitution.  They taught us that the Bill of Rights was added because the 13 colonies were not willing to accept the constitution without those things added in.  You cannot now take those rights away without the taking that vote to the people.  This is not a right that should be voted on by 4 or 5 individuals lucky enough to gain enough votes in their states elections.  This should be a national vote, where the true voice of the people should be heard.  Our nation wouldn't be if it wasn't for the Bill of Rights.  Government cannot take away something so important to our nations history.  We will fail, our country will fall. 

When I was in 6th grade (about 1992), there was a girl who brought a knife to school.  She showed it to us at the end of one class, before we moved to another one.  "Sh, don't tell anyone" she said.  She put it back in her backpack and went on with her day.  I was a goody goody back then and didn't feel like I could not tell anyone, so while waiting in line outside Mrs. Hay's class, I walked up to the front of the line and told the student teacher that I needed to talk to her.  We went in the room and I told her about it.  She said thank you and went about her day.  I don't know what was going on behind the scenes.  After lunch, I went to the bathroom and was drying my hands when this girl came into the bathroom knife in hand, backed me into the corner and held the knife to my neck.  She told me she knew that I was the one that told and I was going to get it.  As she finished talking, a teacher walked in.  I never saw this girl again.  She was taken to the office, and something was done.  I don't know what it was, and frankly I don't care.  My life was in danger and she was gone now. 

There have always been unstable individuals in our world.  There has always been bullies.  There have always been people who are willing to hurt others to make themselves feel better.  Unfortunately there probably always will be.  But our rights to protect our family and our lives cannot be taken away because of instability of a few.  Lets be better teachers (parents as teachers) of the children in our lives and teach them respect and responsibility for weapons.  Lets be better teachers of the children in our lives and help them learn how to deal with anger, resentment, depression, and whatever else can be blamed.  Lets teach the children in our lives what it means to "love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39) And lets teach them what it actually means to love thyself. Lets not put the burden on the guns, lets put the burden on us as a society that is so willing to let these mentally unstable people through the cracks.   

8 months and counting!

See that cute boy over there...He turned 8 months yesterday. He is growing up SO fast. I am not ready to let go of my baby boy yet!  Here is a little about my 8month old little man!

He army crawls all over the place.  He almost looks like an inch worm they way he moves.  Maybe the inch worm crawl would be a better name.  He gets himself up on his knees at times, but usually his shoulders are on the floor at those points. He hasn't quite mustered up the power to get on his hands and knees, but that doesn't stop him in any way.  He is getting everything on the floor and I am constantly jumping around trying to pull something I missed off the floor.  He instantly crawls over to the dogs toys (GROSS!) and tries to bite them.  (Now to teach pugsley not to leave his toys out) If you set him down on the floor in front of you on his back within about 20 seconds he has rolled over and crawled completely across the floor to get something.

He loves playing with his sisters and brothers. And thinks the noises they make to make him laugh are the greatest things in the world.  His laughs are one of my favorite sounds (okay one of my FOUR favorite sounds, each of the kids laughs are some of my favorites) but there is something about a baby's laugh that just makes me smile! 

He currently has 2 teeth, but is trying hard to push a couple more teeth out.  His bottom teeth are in and his top teeth are coming.

He can sit up fine, but he'd prefer to kiss his toes. He will sit completely straight up if there is something to get his attention, but if not, he kisses, or sucks on his toes. It is pretty cute!

He LOVES his bath. He things sitting up and playing with the water is awesome.As this picture is evidence of- he stares at the water. Then he will lean in and stick his head in the water (WHAT??? I won't even do that - I hate water on my face) Then he sits back and laughs, and then does it all over again!  When he is laying down in the water he just laughs and giggles.  He loves water.  The other day he rolled over and started kicking his legs in the water and splashing and having a blast.  I think he will love the summer and swimming...once he gets past the cold water!

He also loves food.  Up until now we had been doing 2 feedings of solids a day and the others feedings were formula.  As of today, that has to change!  Today we are starting a Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner and bedtime bottle schedule.  Bottles just aren't enough food for him...ever!  And he doesn't want just a bottle.  He would much rather sit in his high chair and eat puffs and mum mums by himself then let me feed him a bottle.  But he eats SO WELL.  He will eat anything. And doesn't care what it is.  He loves fruit and oatmeal together and veggies and rice cereal. But he no longer has to have them mixed together. 

He thinks being outside in the wind is the best thing ever.  He laughs when the wind blows in his face, as long as it isn't cold wind. (which is mostly what we have had lately). He loves being outside in general. I should take more advantage of the fact and get outside with him more often!

He is a champion sleeper!  He sleeps from 8 to about 6:30 or 7 every day. But doesn't get fussy when he wakes up in the morning, so hangs out in his bed til about 7:15. Then between 8:30 and 9 he usually goes down for a nap til about 10:30 or 11. Then he naps again about 1 for an hour or two. Then after the kids are all home, he usually sleeps for about an hour around 4:00. He sleeps like Jaicie slept as a baby, but doesn't sleep as long over night. 

We have taken away his pacifier!  We are those horrible parents that can't stand waking up in the middle of the night because baby wants a paci...not for food, not for blankies, just to suck on a pacifier.  Despite the fact that he could get it into his mouth on his own, he woke up crying and cried for a while because the paci usually fell out of his bed with all his sleeping movements. I couldn't do it anymore so we have taken it away and he is a pro at sleeping without it now.  He still wants it sometimes, but he is getting better at it!

I think I have covered all his accomplishments right now. Which is good, since I have virtually written a whole book here.  And just cuz its so cute. here is a fun video of my baby boy!

More Brag...I mean... Bathroom Pics

 Here are a few more pictures of our bathroom, now that we have some more of the hardware done!  I still love it, which is good, now that I have had a week to process it!  We finally got all the hardware on today. 

Here are the drawer handles

The Toilet Paper Roll... LOVE THIS! (and yes we have to patch holes, from the previous toilet paper roll.

The Door knobs.  Also, you can see some of the grain still in this image.  It is beautiful!

Bathroom Remodel

So there are a lot of things that will need to be done in our house between now and June 30, 2015, when Justin finishes residency and we prepare to move for Fellowship.  We have a back door to replace (frame, door, screen and all); kitchen and bathrooms to upgrade and walls to paint, carpet to replace, flooring to repair..the list really could go on and on.  We are gradually trying to tackle the list as the next 2 years passes, so that we aren't left at the point of trying to list a house and needing to make huge amounts of repairs. The first, and possible cheapest of the bunch, that we decided was to upgrade the bathroom.

Now...if we had all the money in the world (haha) and could pick and choose exactly what space we had in our little bathroom and we had decided to tear out the wall between our bathroom and master bedroom closet... I would put in THIS bathroom....

but for some reason, I tend to think that first of all... this wouldn't fit in the space available, and tearing down the wall between the bathroom and master closet would NOT be an advisable modification to our home... (why do people need closets anyway (j/k))

Okay, so I wouldn't even consider doing that if we did have all the money in the world... it just woudln't fit in this house even if I wanted it too... but regardless, I love that bathroom...okay, really just the infinity tub and the fireplace...the colors really aren't my thing.  :)

But my bathroom is about 6 feet wide and about 10 feet long... It has the standard light colored oak cabinets. and just a plain white/cream counter top. A standard Ginormous mirror on the wall and old ugly lights above that.  Somehow I can't find any pictures of the bathroom before... Oops! :) 
EDIT: I found this picture that shows a small portion of the cabinets before....

So this is the BEFORE picture... Sort of! :)

 but here are some pictures of the progress of the refinishing of the cabinets.

First coat

Second Coat

Third coat

Fourth Coat


And here are the pictures as it is gradually getting put back together:

I haven't attached the hardware, cuz Justin wants to do that, and I want to let him! And that is also the reason the doors are not attached to the cabinet.  We are adding these knobs and handles to the drawers and doors.

Once the cabinets are all put back together today I will add a picture of that too... It is so fun and exciting to be doing this.  It is a big project and I was a little hesitant to do it, simply because of Justin's schedule I knew he wouldn't be able to help much. But it was seriously a blast!  We are going to do the kids bathroom next and then eventually tackle the kitchen.  And to tell you the cost of the above changes... $40 for enough stain and
top coat to do 4 coats of finish in our bathroom (and will probably do the other bathroom as well) and 2 coats of top coat plus about enough top coat for 10 or so more.  Plus the hardware, which prices are above.  So maybe $75 total for my bathroom cabinets.  And it looks completely new and refreshed.  If you are debating doing it, let me know and I will give you my tips that I learned along the way. But really, it isn't bad at all! :) Do it, you know you want it...

:)

And just for good measure, here is another shot of the bathroom as it stands right now! :)

Planning for the Summer

I have been trying to start getting my thoughts in order for the summer this year.  Last year was a bad summer for the kids.  I was pregnant and miserable.  It was hot outside and so we did a whole LOT of nothing.  So this year, I want to work on a few things to help the kids not be so bored.  I am starting a little early, but this way, hopefully, by the summer I will have it all ready to go!  4 kids at home all day for the entire summer could get overwhelming for everyone!  So here are a few things I am doing right now:

Chore Charts

I created these chore charts to start using now.  Hopefully by the time summer rolls around, we will be well into a good habit of doing chores and keeping the house clean that a messy house won't be an obstacle to having fun. They are basic chores and some are things they should be doing anyway (ie brushing hair and teeth) but sometimes things get away from us in the summer and we might forget... Each child has their own chore chart.  It is inside a Reusable Dry Erase Pocket.  Then they have a dry erase marker that they will mark their chores done.  If you want an editable copy of my Chore Charts, I can send you the Publisher file... Just let me know if you want it.

And Mine will be JUST AS CUTE as this one... HAHA!

I'm Bored Jar

I have seen this idea A LOT on Pinterest.  So tonight I sat down and started typing up a whole lot of ideas of what I can put inside my I'm Bored jar.  For those who don't know what it is, it is basically a jar or bucket or whatever container you have laying around, that you fill with random things to do.  Some are fun, some are chores, some are just time fillers.  But if you say I'm bored, you pull an item out of the Jar and you have to do that item. Sometimes its going to get ice cream, or going to the sprayground. Sometimes its doing a chore of Mom's choosing.  I'm pretty excited about this because I hear I'm bored a lot in my house.  Hopefully we can cut down on that. Here is the list that I compiled...It was from a bunch of different websites, all of which I forgot to save.  But if you do a search on Pinterest you will find a WHOLE bunch and that is where I found all of mine.  It could be fun and interesting and maybe I will find myself pulling ideas form the jar!  That would get a laugh from the kids huh!  I created a Google Drive File that has everything in it, that way if you want to create your own tags, you don't have to retype everything...

Schedule

Two years ago, I came up with a schedule for the entire summer.  MWF we had something to do to keep us busy at some point in the day. Going to the zoo, spraygrounds, Pelican bay, just random activities that I tried to space throughout the summer. We also did library days.  I am going to work on getting another schedule together that I can use as a guide to keeping us entertained. My schedule is a very big work in progress...but it is a start.  At least I can see when all the birthdays are. 

This is a start and I have a ways to go before I can say I am ready for summer to begin.  There is a reason that I am not a homeschooler and a big part of that is my sanity.  So I am hoping that these steps I am starting now, will help save my sanity and my kids' sanity.

Do you have any great tips for filling your time in the summer? I'd love all the ideas I can get, so please share them in the comments! :)

Staring into Space - and Seeing Angels...

Timothy has this thing that he does... He will be sitting on your lap and then lean himself forward and look at you out of the top of his eyes.  This picture KIND OF captures the moment.  It is really cute when the image isn't blurry...okay, lets be honest, its cute anyway!  :)

I have long thought that babies have a special connection to those on the other side.   There have been countless times with all of my babies that we catch them staring off into space, giggling at an empty corner and smiling big at a blank wall. I am pretty sure I can pick times with all of them, but recently I watched a moment with Timothy that was particularly connected.

Above our Living room couch, we have this decorative opening.  Timothy stares at it ALL THE TIME!  The other day, I was holding him on my lap and he started leaning forward like he does frequently.  This time though he was leaning toward the wall.  Then he tilted his chin down and looked, out of the top of his eyes the hole in the wall.  He started smiling and giggling and having a great time. It was really cute... and unexpected.  He wasn't looking at his siblings on the floor in front of the couch, he was looking at the wall with a whole in it and a picture. He just stared out of the top of his eyes and giggled and smiled. He was so happy.

Then I got tears in my eyes.  I turned my head and looked up at the hole in the wall. I almost expected to see someone sitting there making him laugh...but I didn't.  It was just empty to me.  But to Timothy, I am certain it was not empty.  I don't know if his Grandma Pierce came to visit him or maybe his Grand-daddy Clayton, or his Aunt Shirley Anne.  I don't know who it was, but someone came to play with Timothy and Timothy played back.  There is something about watching your child interact with angels that makes you think about how close those angels really are...

I LOVE HIM!

Timothy inspecting my 'sparkly' (Name that movie - "It's a sparkly")

watching the news with mommy.