A Walk to Remember

There is nothing as peaceful as going on a  walk on a beautiful day and listening to the brook babble, the birds sing and your kids yelling and screaming at each other. 

Nothing as serene as walking near a creek and watching the fish scatter and the bugs dance on the water and then hearing a big SPLOOSH as you see the after effects of one of your children, who shoved with gusto, one of his unsuspecting brothers into said creek. There is also nothing like the soggy, wet, whiny mess of a child or 3 who chose to play in the creek and now has to walk a mile back to the truck.

There is nothing as humbling as seeing the beauty all around you and then seeing two of your beloved offspring having 'Smackdown 2009' in the middle of the path-over a tricycle.

 

I love the calm and order that was there before we came and by the grace of God will soon be restored once I get my screaming brood out of there.

Sorry Mother Nature..I swear it is nothing personal!!!

Bummer

I was SO excited for a few brief minutes yesterday!!

Scout came home and said that a business that works with his was going to send him on a trip that has  to do with the landscape architecture side of things! They were even going to send the WHOLE family...all expenses paid for 4 days---to Disney World. I kept asking Scout..they know you have 4 kids right?!?

Then Scout got back to work and called. It appears that it is a no go. The engineering firm thinks it might look like they(the other company) is trying to buy Scout's loyalties. REALLY?!?

How about last year when they(this same company) brought him out the the corporate headquarters and put him up at a really posh hotel and wined and dined him and MADE him play golf at some famous golf course? :O) No one complained then.

So I asked what is it called when he goes out of town to meet with various members of the city councils or park boards or whoever and take them out to dinner, or take them gift certificates to places to eat. Isn't that trying to get them to do business with you??

So unless something changes after the guys on Mahogany Row see the plans for the trip and what kind of CEU's he would get out of it..it is a no go.

Bummer man.

 

Random Sunday Musings...

Friday afternoon, I noticed something wasn't quite right about Skeeter. I couldn't  put my finger on it, but he just looked different. A little later, I found out the neighbor kid cut his hair....with scalloped edge craft scissors!!

SCALLOPED EDGE CRAFT SCISSORS!!!!!

Seriously?? Really? What possessed him to do that?!? Who knows. Luckily it was not a huge spot and he did/does need a haircut..but I just thought that we would use regular scissors or the clippers. Thanks Austin for your creativity.  I will take it from here.

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Skipper had his  Blue & Gold Banquet for Scouts last night. My "baby" is now a Webelo. He is in the transitions phase from Cub Scout to Boy Scout! Hard to believe that!! Scout is an Eagle Scout...did you know that? So yes, all of the boys will be encouraged to get involved in scouting and to get their Eagle. Scout is also involved in the leadership side of the Pack as well. It appears that we will be taking over the Tiger Cubs in the Fall.  (Scar will be a Tiger then.) That's good, cause I don't really have a lot going on anyway. Give me something to do with all that spare time! 

The banquet was a lot of fun and we had some great food. The theme was American ABC's. Scout and I put together a video for the presentation and it turned out pretty good. We spent an insane amount of time on it! Insane amount of time!! Then we frantically had to call some friends to walk us through the saving it to a disk process since we had never done anything like this before!! Cary you are the man!! 

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We(read that the boys) have a new neighbor friend....I don't think I like her. Here is how she "introduces" herself to me:

Knock at the door...I answer.

Me: "Hi there."

Her: "Can the boys come and play?"

Me: "Sure just a sec...they need to get their shoes on."

Her: "Wow, this place is a mess. I had to clean my room up today."

Me: "Really?"     Then, I just shut the door.

Granted I did have 2(okay maybe 3) baskets of laundry in the living room that I was trying to fold when new friend stopped by. But the house was clean. I hope she grows up and gets married and has 4 kids and tries to keep a clean house too. :O) Thanks new friend..I am praying for your future....real hard!

Cass...I am taking you up on your dare to read the book to the boys! Then I will be calling you and comparing notes!! 

Happy week to you and if applicable to yours!

Huh!?!

Does this ever happen to you...

You go to down load pictures from you camera/phone  and there are these mysterious photos that show up?

Here are a few that I found -there were like 15-20 on my phone. 

Enjoy them now, cause they are headed to the trash. 

I will not make any guarentees that I know who took them...but I think he gives himself away...

That's nice. Let's take a picture of our feet.

Sorry Sherry...you are now forever importalized!

How close can we get?

Isn't this a lovely shot of the dead bug in the windowsill..guess I need to clean that area a little better!

This was an excellent episode of Tom & Jerry.  

Guess he needed to capture the moment!

Now he an look back on the days when he had cable and remember them fondly.

We are going to be renting this child out. 

So, if you are in need of totally abstract, random photos of any upcoming events...let us know.

Ahhh...Sunshine!

Today was a much needed day for all of us around here!

The sun was out and it was just fab! So we cut school short and went on a long walk.

It was great...just what we all needed. Here are a few pics. Yes that is Scrappy IN the water. I make no excuses. He's a boy. There was water. Enough said.

Tourette's wins again.

How do you tell an 8 year old that he can't.

It looks like Tourette's wins -again. 

I have been in touch with the local baseball league. It appears they are going to use the safety factor as their reason to not let him play this year-and they do have some very valid points. 

They did said he could play in the Bambino league....translate that-special needs league. 

I guess I did it to him. I called and wanted to talk to someone about trying to find a coach sensitive to his situation. Someone that could take a little extra time to to help a kid with a few issues learn to play a game. I just felt like it was only right of us to contact the league first and not sign him up and then get to practice and them say.."Oh yeah, by the way...he has Tourette's."

So now we try to find a different sport. Maybe something a little less team oriented. 

Good thing he is more resilient than his momma. I just want to cry. 

Maybe he could take up underwater basket weaving. I hear there is a huge demand for those guys! 

:O)

I think...therefore I am confused

Do you ever have those moments where you look around and wonder ..."Where are the people like me?"

I am in that  moment right now.

I don't think I like this moment.

It's like your first day of  junior high and you are wondering who you are suppose to hang around with.

Yea, that's what I am feeling right now.

I am looking around, but I am not seeing anything yet.

I am becoming more of an introvert the older I get. I was NOT an introvert before I had kids.

I guess I will just stand back here by the wall and see what is going on.

I wonder what is going on in Springfield.

I think they were like me. 

I think I was like them. 

I think I miss them. 

I think I want to go back.

I think I am parched...I want that kind of water again.

Pollyanna and 4 boys

Have you ever seen this movie?

I LOVE this movie and to be honest, it may be my very favorite-ever.

Since the tv is gone, we went back to Netflix and I got the kids a few movies for the week. We got Pollyanna, Apple Dumpling Gang and The Princess Bride-for me. That is also a favorite of mine.

Anyway, I digress. 

I wasn't too sure how the BOYS would feel about Pollyanna. I mean these kids won't even go down the pink aisle at Wal-mart! They say it is just too pink for them.  Which is just too funny to me. I mean really, it's not like the blue police are going to scale down off the ceiling and make a big to do about them being there..but whatever.

They loved it. Catch that...they loved it. That makes me feel good. Maybe they aren't as tough as they like to think they are!

By the way...they think that the Apple Dumpling Gang is the best so far! They decided it was like a western Indiana Jones. 

Next on our list is the Swiss Family Robinson and The Black Stallion.

Take some time this weekend and rent a good OLD movie with your family!!

An Old Photo

Easter 2006

Little of this and a little of that

Today it was so nice outside! I love warm weather. I love living in a place where we get to have all four seasons, but I could very well go to the deep south and be just as happy. I don't have much insulation on my body..so I tend to get cold and stay that way.

The boys were outside cause I kicked them outside and shut the door and told them..."Stay!" They had a good time together and worked off some obvious pent up energy that is bound to be around with 4 little boys. Skeeter found some roly-polys and shared his find...except he called them..."holy-moleys!" How funny is that?

Skipper has started back in physical therapy. He has Kyphosis- a hunchback. They are working with him to strengthen his back and core muscles. He also has some difference in his shoulder blades, about 1 1/2 inches difference. They have been taping his back with kinseio-tape. It drives him crazy. The goal for Thursday is for him to leave it on until tomorrow morning. I think he is going to make it. He is not so sure. Tape on the back is rough on a kid who has sensory issues and tends to be an avoider. I will try to get a picture of his back later so you can see what it looks like and why it might drive him a little crazy. I am very happy to report that his jumping tic is slowing down a bit. Tics wax and wane..so it will either pick back up or be replaced with another one. I just hope it is a little less obvious.. for his sake! He needs  break--in my mommy opinion!

My sweet sister in law is pregnant with my second nephew...or niece. And bless her heart, she is SO sick. I can not relate..I had a little nausea..but nothing like what she is dealing with. I have been lucky though because I have gotten to have Little C over here a couple of times this week. He fits in so well. He is a great buddy for my boys!

Mom and Dad still do not have power at their house. They are coming into town tonight for the weekend. She called about Tuesday and cried a little. She said that she was really getting tired of the no power thing-and man...who wouldn't, a week with out it??? No thanks! We bailed for just one night. She can come and take a warm shower or just soak in my tub if she wants.

I have laundry calling my name. If you listen really closely you might be able to hear it. The funny thing is if I turn the radio up louder I bet it would drown it out!!

God bless....

The dish is dead

As of this afternoon...we are no longer among the millions of Americans that have cable tv. 

The dish is dead!! It was not an easy decision though. 

We have bit the bullet and cancelled it. We will have plug in the wall channels until the digital thing happens and we will see if we can make it without it. We will renew our Netflix subscription. They are actually excited about that. They love getting mail! Our boys are only allowed to watch 'G' movies anyway. There a very very few movies that are the exception. And yes...this often causes problems with others, even family honoring that.

I have talked a lot lately about being convicted by God to make some changes and this is one area where I hear him calling me. I hear others..but I need to take these one at a time and make sure I am hearing His will for our life. Please hear me say...I have no idea what God might be calling you to. This was a decision we made for our family, based on many different factors. 

The song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns has also convicted me-deeply.

Be careful little eyes what you see

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

I think that in this earthly fallen world we live in that we allow ourselves to think things are fine and in reality don't often ask where is it taking me. What path is this really leading down. 

My kids do not need to be bombarded with inappropriate images of commercials. Commercials telling them these are the things the need-or want. I do not need to watch most of what is on. Isn't it me promoting sex out side of marriage, or  gossip or hate or whatever it is if I watch the shows that use it for entertainment? Really, it is suppose to be entertaining to me when people are living lives of sin...even if it is "just" a television show.

You don't have to agree. You probably think I am over-reacting and maybe I am. I am used to people thinking I am out of touch..I homeschool. :O) But I wonder do others have a problem with my decisions because deep down I make them uncomfortable with theirs.

Scout and I have walked a path that has brought us to a very different place than  a lot of other couples. We realize that family and marriage are a blessing and not to be taken for granted. Sometimes it seems like things never change but when you stop and look back you wonder how you got to where you are. 

Others don't have to like my decision.... they just have to be able to live with the decisions that they make. 

The New Math

Skeeter + scissors + my bedsheet = disaster