Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
School, continued.
So instead of having to bake something, Stephen needed to take a saying from his "country". We did 2- one of them I can't spell, but it means "we go now." My grandma used to say it every time we got in the car to go somewhere. :-)
The other is "var so god", which means "please come and join us, come and dine with us, help yourself to the food, your welcome." Alot, eh? I think it's really interesting that we as english speaking people have all kinds of words and they have more of a set saying that sums them all up.
The other is "var so god", which means "please come and join us, come and dine with us, help yourself to the food, your welcome." Alot, eh? I think it's really interesting that we as english speaking people have all kinds of words and they have more of a set saying that sums them all up.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
School
The boys are really doing well in school. Being home schooled it's a little overwhelming for me still.
Stephen is in extended studies this year, this month they are doing a family history project and he has chosen Sweden as the country of his heritage. So we need to send something swedish each week. He has taken a horse and a candle holder. He has to take something tomorrow too, I'm not sure what to send. I know he would love food... so we'll see.
Jesse is getting on top of things this year, he's been coming home with no homework the last few weeks because he's been getting it done at school. I'm so proud of him!
Luke is in band this year, he is playing a tenor saxophone. One of our friends had one and is letting him borrow it. He's in Honors Math and right now he is in Cross Country as well. His day is really busy.
Stephen is in extended studies this year, this month they are doing a family history project and he has chosen Sweden as the country of his heritage. So we need to send something swedish each week. He has taken a horse and a candle holder. He has to take something tomorrow too, I'm not sure what to send. I know he would love food... so we'll see.
Jesse is getting on top of things this year, he's been coming home with no homework the last few weeks because he's been getting it done at school. I'm so proud of him!
Luke is in band this year, he is playing a tenor saxophone. One of our friends had one and is letting him borrow it. He's in Honors Math and right now he is in Cross Country as well. His day is really busy.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Yet Another Blog
So I started a new blog. It's my money making attempt.
In order to make money I do have to have an original blog post between each advertising post, so I will be writing things and posting pictures. I also need to have it going for 30 days before I start posting the ads.
I didn't want to do it on my cooking or family blog, just felt that it cheapens them a little- so I started a new one.
If you visit- Thanks!
Life in This Busy House
In order to make money I do have to have an original blog post between each advertising post, so I will be writing things and posting pictures. I also need to have it going for 30 days before I start posting the ads.
I didn't want to do it on my cooking or family blog, just felt that it cheapens them a little- so I started a new one.
If you visit- Thanks!
Life in This Busy House
Our Family
My favorite picture from this summer. Left to Right: Titus (in the backpack), Luke, Stephen, Rachel, Jesse, Brian and Naomi.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
7th Anniversary
Brian and I have been married for 7 wonderful years. God truely blessed me by bringing him into my life.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Midwife's Hands
I notice hands. I just do- it's one of those things I notice about people. When I think of them, I often think of their hands. Weird? I'm guessing, either that or no one talks about it...
I've wanted to do this picture set for probably the last 5 years or more. I was going to take them when I was pregnant with Naomi, but we ended up having her 3 weeks early, at the hospital. My midwife (from another state) made it, but she was just with us at the hospital. So I was glad when I got pregnant with Titus, because then I could have a homebirth again and take these pictures. Because Naomi was so early my midwife was here for a couple weeks before Titus was born (3 days before his due date).
Most midwives are very special to their clients and vise versa. It's a different relationship. This is the woman that was with them in their most vulnerable time. There is a sense of respect and awe, and for me, I longing for her approval.
Karen is not just my midwife. I met her when I was 17 and started apprenticing with her. She has been my mentor all these years (15 now), helped me through 4 miscarriages and 5 births, a very difficult marriage and break up, being a single parent, learning to trust again, growing in my relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son, and now some of the happiest years of my life.
All these years though, I have noticed her hands. The way she touches women's beautiful pregnant stomachs to feel where the baby is, the way she gently touches the perineum to prevent tearing, the way she holds babies and carefully checks them over.
These pictures are her hands:
Feeling Titus, before we knew who he was.
Folded on a Bible, because I know that she relies on God to guide her in the ministry of being a midwife.
Her hands holding Titus, who looks huge, but was really less than an hour old.
I've wanted to do this picture set for probably the last 5 years or more. I was going to take them when I was pregnant with Naomi, but we ended up having her 3 weeks early, at the hospital. My midwife (from another state) made it, but she was just with us at the hospital. So I was glad when I got pregnant with Titus, because then I could have a homebirth again and take these pictures. Because Naomi was so early my midwife was here for a couple weeks before Titus was born (3 days before his due date).
Most midwives are very special to their clients and vise versa. It's a different relationship. This is the woman that was with them in their most vulnerable time. There is a sense of respect and awe, and for me, I longing for her approval.
Karen is not just my midwife. I met her when I was 17 and started apprenticing with her. She has been my mentor all these years (15 now), helped me through 4 miscarriages and 5 births, a very difficult marriage and break up, being a single parent, learning to trust again, growing in my relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son, and now some of the happiest years of my life.
All these years though, I have noticed her hands. The way she touches women's beautiful pregnant stomachs to feel where the baby is, the way she gently touches the perineum to prevent tearing, the way she holds babies and carefully checks them over.
These pictures are her hands:
Feeling Titus, before we knew who he was.
Folded on a Bible, because I know that she relies on God to guide her in the ministry of being a midwife.
Her hands holding Titus, who looks huge, but was really less than an hour old.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Back to School and it feels like a whirlwind!
Sorry guys, no pictures this time. I feel like I'm going crazy. Some might argue that I already am. :-) Luke is in Jr. High this year and I just don't feel on top of things. Brian has to drop him off before work in the morning, I could drop him off, but Titus is typically sleeping at that time and the other 2 are needing to get ready and get out the door as well, so it is a bit easier. Except that I have to have breakfast completely ready by 7am and lunches made by 7:25am, because that is when they leave.
Jesse and Stephen leave the house at 8am, some times with lunches, sometimes not. I think they would prefer sack lunch each day, but right now it still saves alot of money to get the free school lunch. I do send a sack lunch on the days they only offer junk foods. The day time is pretty easy, I have really been trying to be more productive while the kids are napping- which is really only 1 hour a day that they are both down. We collected a bunch of pallets and are planning to use them to build everything we need for our kitchen- cupboards, shelves, pantry, doors, etc. So far so good. My mom came down and we built a door for my laundry closet, I know, I need to post pictures! I started a window seat for the dining room last week, haven't gotten too far. I was going to work on it today while the kids were down, but it was about 90 degrees outside and I wussed out.
Naomi needs to get up from her nap at 3pm, (or she doesn't sleep at night- because she would nap until 5pm if I let her!) then Jesse and Stephen get home at 3:30pm. Dinner is normally started around 4pm, but now Luke is in Cross Country so he gets done at 4:30pm, so I have to have dinner going and mostly done because it takes me 20 minutes to pick him up. Then he's in Band so needs to practice his tenor saxophone and all 3 are still in piano (I told them they had to be in piano until they graduate high school) so they have to practice. Homework needs to be done and chores- it truly makes my life easier if they do their chores! I changed it once again- they know rotate: Wash dishes, dry dishes, clear table, take out trash, vacuum, fold laundry. Then they have one jar chore, which typically doesn't take long- things like "swish toilet" or "wipe off stove"
Then Brian comes home from work.
Monday they have boy scouts, which I need to have a snack ready for.
Tuesday Piano lessons, gone from 3pm-5pm
Wednesday Youth group, AWANA, ladies Bible study
Thursday typically free- thankfully!
Friday every other Friday is YAMS (Young Adults Married and Single)
Saturday I don't know, but it seems to be super busy!
Sunday Sunday School, Church, lunch, naps, church, bed.
I've never been a super organized person. I am about some things- like the towel cupboard (I hate it when they stuff the towels in!) and when I get groceries I like all the fruits together, frozen together, canned together, etc. and I liked them bagged that way.
But then at home I have always struggled keeping the dishes done and laundry- I despise it!!
I love to cook but hate to clean. Perhaps hate is too strong of a word... I'm just never "motivated".
Well, a few months ago I was listening to Dr. Laura and she said something like "No one does things because they're motivated. They do things because they are disciplined. If we all waited for 'motivation' nothing would ever be accomplished." That hit home. I am perfectly capable of doing these things- why don't they get done? I can blame my kids... I have 5 after all.
But I can't now. Titus is napping well, moving around and content. Naomi loves to help me and it really doesn't take much longer to have her "help". It really doesn't. And they do nap together for at least an hour each day.
For a long time I was helped by Flylady. I need to do that again. I have gotten rid of my 2009 things for this year (because the toilet overflowed and went into the basement and we decided to tear out the carpet/subfloor which meant I had to clear it out- and thanks to Laura I was brutal and got rid of TONS of stuff!) and I read most of "Get Rid of 50 Things, Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life". Which was another big help. So now I'm down to not much stuff- but have to stay on top of paper work (ugg!), dishes, laundry and typical cleaning stuff. Oh and working on the kitchen...
And throwing a whole new schedule on top of it all is wearing me out!!
There. There is my ramblings for the day. I have to get Naomi up now and start dinner.
Jesse and Stephen leave the house at 8am, some times with lunches, sometimes not. I think they would prefer sack lunch each day, but right now it still saves alot of money to get the free school lunch. I do send a sack lunch on the days they only offer junk foods. The day time is pretty easy, I have really been trying to be more productive while the kids are napping- which is really only 1 hour a day that they are both down. We collected a bunch of pallets and are planning to use them to build everything we need for our kitchen- cupboards, shelves, pantry, doors, etc. So far so good. My mom came down and we built a door for my laundry closet, I know, I need to post pictures! I started a window seat for the dining room last week, haven't gotten too far. I was going to work on it today while the kids were down, but it was about 90 degrees outside and I wussed out.
Naomi needs to get up from her nap at 3pm, (or she doesn't sleep at night- because she would nap until 5pm if I let her!) then Jesse and Stephen get home at 3:30pm. Dinner is normally started around 4pm, but now Luke is in Cross Country so he gets done at 4:30pm, so I have to have dinner going and mostly done because it takes me 20 minutes to pick him up. Then he's in Band so needs to practice his tenor saxophone and all 3 are still in piano (I told them they had to be in piano until they graduate high school) so they have to practice. Homework needs to be done and chores- it truly makes my life easier if they do their chores! I changed it once again- they know rotate: Wash dishes, dry dishes, clear table, take out trash, vacuum, fold laundry. Then they have one jar chore, which typically doesn't take long- things like "swish toilet" or "wipe off stove"
Then Brian comes home from work.
Monday they have boy scouts, which I need to have a snack ready for.
Tuesday Piano lessons, gone from 3pm-5pm
Wednesday Youth group, AWANA, ladies Bible study
Thursday typically free- thankfully!
Friday every other Friday is YAMS (Young Adults Married and Single)
Saturday I don't know, but it seems to be super busy!
Sunday Sunday School, Church, lunch, naps, church, bed.
I've never been a super organized person. I am about some things- like the towel cupboard (I hate it when they stuff the towels in!) and when I get groceries I like all the fruits together, frozen together, canned together, etc. and I liked them bagged that way.
But then at home I have always struggled keeping the dishes done and laundry- I despise it!!
I love to cook but hate to clean. Perhaps hate is too strong of a word... I'm just never "motivated".
Well, a few months ago I was listening to Dr. Laura and she said something like "No one does things because they're motivated. They do things because they are disciplined. If we all waited for 'motivation' nothing would ever be accomplished." That hit home. I am perfectly capable of doing these things- why don't they get done? I can blame my kids... I have 5 after all.
But I can't now. Titus is napping well, moving around and content. Naomi loves to help me and it really doesn't take much longer to have her "help". It really doesn't. And they do nap together for at least an hour each day.
For a long time I was helped by Flylady. I need to do that again. I have gotten rid of my 2009 things for this year (because the toilet overflowed and went into the basement and we decided to tear out the carpet/subfloor which meant I had to clear it out- and thanks to Laura I was brutal and got rid of TONS of stuff!) and I read most of "Get Rid of 50 Things, Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life". Which was another big help. So now I'm down to not much stuff- but have to stay on top of paper work (ugg!), dishes, laundry and typical cleaning stuff. Oh and working on the kitchen...
And throwing a whole new schedule on top of it all is wearing me out!!
There. There is my ramblings for the day. I have to get Naomi up now and start dinner.
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