Happy Birthday, Boushka!

My sweet Boushka had a birthday today. She is now a one-year-old. She is still my baby, but now she is going to be my big girl. Could you say that I'm a little torn about this, um... yeah! I'm thrilled that she's growing, and thriving, and living a happy life; but, in the same breath, I must also say that I am sad to see her first year gone.

Those days shortly after she was born, the two of us were getting to know each other. I looked her over. She opened her eyes to stare at me. I loved touching her hair and her soft skin. She just loved snuggling close. She liked to be held. I liked holding her. What can I say, we are both quick learners!

I learned that she was certainly a fourth child. She loved having the her sisters' attention. She captivated us all, and she loved every minute of it.

I learned that diligence pays. We worked hard to nurse those first days, and then our time together was interrupted for three days in her first weeks of life. When we were allowed to resume normal nursing activity, we gave it another shot. Here we are today still sticking with it (even if one of us is ready to claim her body back).

I learned that I have enough room in my torso to actually have four hearts. Never in my wildest dreams did I realize that each new baby would give me a new heart, but it's true--metaphorically speaking, at least.

This little gal has rocked our world in several ways, all of which I am thankful for today. She has brightened our home. She added another (sweet) dimension to our ever-expanding family. I'll even dare to say that there is strength in numbers. The 6 of us fight the same fight, and we strive each day to make the most of our time together. And I can't help but be reminded as the anniversary of my baby's birth comes to an end that time goes by fast. Too fast.

Boushka-
I love you with all of my 4th heart! You are such a doll and a pure joy to have in our family. God has such an amazing plan, and I know that is why HE gave you to us. It feels as if you have always been a part of this family, and it is hard to imagine life before you were born. I treasure each moment with you, and I will always love you more than I know how to put into words. Someday, I pray that you will feel this undying, unconditional, pure, unadulterated Mother's Love. It truly is the best gift in all the world. Thank you for being you, sweet doll baby!

Happy Birthday. May you never want as long as you live, and live as long as you want!
-Love , Mama

We Do Get Out... Sometimes!

There are a few times every once in a while when some or all of the kids and I actually get to sneak away from the daily grind of cleaning, driving, schooling, and cooking to get out and enjoy an activity with each other!

Sometimes the younger two and I will head out to one of several play groups we belong to. On Fridays, the younger three and I can usually find something fun to do. Recently it involved a trip to and tour of a fire station.


We were able to sit in the truck, spray the water and even see it take off on a real call.

My girls and I were the last ones to part with the truck, and as I was getting my last gal out of the vehicle they received a call. My car was parked on the opposite side of the truck and I had no idea if I could cross safely before they left. I started to panic, but these calm, cool, and collected fellas said, You've got about 30 seconds to cross!" when I asked if I could cross real quick or if I should stand back. Of course it wasn't like I could just run across the path the truck was about to take. I had a diaper bag on my shoulder, a stroller, a baby in my arms, and two preschool stragglers. I did as I was told and said Come on girls, let's hurry over here so we can see the fire truck take off to go help somebody!

They were happy and eager to please, thank God!

We ran by the preschool to pick up big sis (Peach) and then we were off to our picnic at the park!

Happy to be reunited!


Being goofy with my Brownie!


Posing with her official firefighter badge on!


My stair steps on stair steps!

She loves to eat bananas!

And then she got fussy and tired.

Sometimes we need to improvise nap-time. I love this particular instance of such a time. And no, it's not Brownie who is napping. Can you see the baby?



Is that better? I used my nursing cover to shade her face and exposed belly (so not to disturb her, of course) and then I just let her rest!




Following nap/playtime we were headed for some sweet treats. To Daddy Cakes we went. These cupcakes/cakes are so delicious. My favorite thus far is margarita. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is coming from a self-proclaimed chocoholic! If you're in the area, you must try these!

Unfortunately, the only photo I was able to take on this part of our adventure was of the aftermath. There was way too much goop on all 10 hands in order for me to snap a shot of the generously portioned cupcakes we consumed. Do you see the little bit of evidence on her face?



Delish!

We then came home to lounge around in our front yard until daddy came home. Once he was home we started our Family Fun Date. Usually, on Fridays, we like to do a Family Fun Night. In the winter this involved homemade whole-wheat pizza and a game, movie, or story. But now that it's spring and the weather is wonderful to be out in...,

...ummmmm, we went bowling.


Sounds awkward, I know, but our intentions were to let the girls play on game of bowling and then to visit the adjoining put-put golf. Well, the put-put didn't open until the next night. So we decided to head out to a local, favorite patio for an appetizer and drinks (sprite for the kids, a local brew for the adults). Needless to say, the kids were tuckered out by day's end.

I hope we see many more days like this one. It truly was an exciting and fun-filled day for all involved!

No Nonsense!

This is not just a picture of my back yard. This is where I begin my very short story about me being a no nonsense mom. I know it seems random, but just follow along closely because this may be too stream of conscious for some of you, at least those of you who don't spend much time in my head. Good luck!



We were having a normal, run around the yard kind of evening the other night. Everyone was scattered across the yard playing with whatever it was they wanted to play with. Even Dad got in on the action with Boushka in arms.


The kid zone was abuzz with wild, running children screams.

Skipping from one activity to the next as if they were practicing the ADD they may have inherited from me (no, my case is not confirmed, just self-diagnosed).

Singing silly songs.

Laughing loudly.

Chasing cheese-covered chatter-boxes.


Oh, except for her. You see, this little one can't won't walk. She is perfectly content to scream until she is held.

To ride solo on your shoulder.

Sit, wrapped in your arms.

Or perched on her grassy throne saying, "Mama, take a picture of my yummy toes in the grass!"

I oblige.




Seriously, look at that face. Wouldn't you be happy and willing to please this cuteness?

Well, it may be true that I have a bad habit. I have little strength when it comes to my girls. Sure, I'm a no nonsense kind of mom.

They know (or are starting to know) that I can sniff out a lie from a mile away.

They don't bother with arguing--most of the time.

They know the chores they are expected to assist me or daddy with.

But they also know that a smile goes a long way with me.



Yep, I've been suckered by this face! And her little freckles on her nose-- they totally help her plead her case, you know, when she's making one.



And this one has me wrapped. Some nights I think I may be able to sneak away from her crib after a hug, kiss and back rub; but oh no. All she has to say is, "Rock me?" and bat her sweet eyes and I'm mush.

A softie.

A spoiler.

A bad parent? No, just easy when I choose to be!


And would ya look at this one? There's just something about her pout.

Her big brown eyes.

Her smile.

Yeah, it gets me, too! She has such a sweet way about her. The kind of sweet way where she just comes up to me randomly and says, "Mama, I wuv you!!" as she puckers her lips for a kiss.

Simply irresistible! Except, of course, when I'm being no nonsense mom! Then I'm totally focused and never cave (nudge, nudge; wink, wink).

Our Walk

Well, I did what I said I would do. Here I am, back to tell you that I did my 1 hour run in between my salad for lunch and my turkey burger/sweet potato baked fries/fruit salad for dinner. Mighty fine food. Mighty fine workout.

In order to make exercise a regular part of our family life, we try to do something active for 30 minutes (that's what we shoot for at least) after dinner. We don't want to be slugs on the couch (like we have time for that anyway), or slaves to the computer screen, or lying flat anywhere for that matter. We want to run that last bit of energy out of our kiddos, so we usually go for walks (when it's nice out).

Tonight was a decent night, and walk, we did. I snapped a few photos that I couldn't help but share with you. They were just too cute not to share!

It was her first ride in the wagon. A right of passage for all of our girls, and Boushka took her turn tonight!


Yes, Boushka! I know you are excited. I am too, sweetheart!


So we loaded up the troops, and off we went!


Why, yes you do look just like a big girl in there, honey!


Don't hold back, go crazy!


The big girl who volunteered, well actually begged, to pull the wagon.


Mama, the titty tat (kitty cat)! She was following us on our walk!


Oh, a present for me? Thank you sweet Brownie!


Quick girls, pose for a group shot real fast!


When we arrived home, the girls started to get a bit silly. Here's Bug looking so sweet and innocent.


See, I told ya. They just turned kind of loopy. So we headed in to read our first chapter book, Little House in the Big Woods and drift off to sleep.


Well, I guess one of us decided to blog instead of sleep.

Break in Routine

Some of you may know, some of you may not, but I have been working very hard the last three weeks t0 try to drop some left over baby lbs. I run for 45 mins -1 hr (depending on my luck with sleeping kids) everyday while I watch Dr. Oz (It turns out I only work out 6 days/week, but it feels like everyday). Sometimes I am even lucky enough to add toning into my routine.

I have also added even more veggies to my diet (I am a veggie lover by nature) and cut out some carbs (like only eating half of my whole-wheat bun with my turkey burger) and sweets where I can . I enjoy salad daily. It's a must for me and I am totally okay with eating many salads. In the past three weeks I've lost 10lbs and I feel so accomplished. Better yet, I have tons more energy (I am getting more done these days than ever before) and I don't feel sluggish and rundown. This is the hardest I have ever worked at being healthy, and I can honestly say I've never felt better....

...except today. I took my "one day per week" rest today and chose not to work out. I had plans to get some major cardio in today since my husband was home, but wouldn't you know that his being home just threw everything off. Don't get me wrong, I'd choose having him home over him being at work any day! But I'm sure somebody out here in bloggy world understands what I mean.

We had a break from our norm. Usually, I'm scurrying around all day focusing on mundane house chores, transporting my precious cargo, sitting in meetings, and preparing meals--that's my norm. Well, today I got to sleep in about 30 minutes, then I headed to the store with only 2 kiddos, came home to help my husband clean out our garage, visited with a friend who stopped by, made lunch, put kids down for naps, and then I continued with mundane house chores while the pest guy RE-SPRAYED my house (darn ants). And we all know that nap time is MY TIME around here. But not today! Today it was hurry and do everything else you normally have done by now time.

To top it off, I woke up with some wicked back pain. I just thought maybe this was God's way of saying, "Hey, you're going to have an off day, so don't try to pack everything in. Here's a little back pain to make sure you get my message!" See HE'S just trying to take care of me because HE knows I'm so hardcore about working out (no seriously, I am addicted to it now... and I don't know how this happened all of a sudden).

Oh, and I may have made apple crumble for desert tonight--and I ate about 1 1/2 apples (with oats, brown sugar, butter, and whole-wheat flour) worth. My kids finished off the rest of it when I got a stomach ache to accompany my nagging back pain. God bless you girls for taking that delicious treat away from me.

Tomorrow is a new day (and my husband will be at work) and I can start anew. Just praying this back pain stops-- I've had enough going to the doctors lately.

Tomorrow I'll be back to tell you that I got my workout in between my big, green salad and my turkey burger/sweet potato baked fries/fruit salad dinner! Take that, Today!

Happy 200th

Woo-hoo! This is my 200th post. It has almost been 3 years since I started this blog and now I'm up to 200 posts. Nothing big as far as milestones go, but I still thought I'd mention it. Kinda neat, I suppose.

Anyway, I was browsing some of my usual reads and came across this cute idea from Love From Texas. Here are my ABC's of blogging

A. AREA CODE : 6?6?1?
B. BED SIZE : King
C. CHORE YOU HATE : Dusting. I hate, hate, hate, dusting. There's the removing items part, and the dusting part, and then the putting back part which all drives me nuts (I'm not patient by nature). Then there's the allergies to deal with. And to top it all off, there are only 1000 sq. feet of surfaces to dust. Too much for me!
D. DOG'S NAME : Two dogs: Jesse and Edie
E. ESSENTIAL "START THE DAY!" ITEM : a good stretch while still in bed
F. FAVORITE COLOR : For me to wear: black. Kids to wear: pink, orange, brown. On my walls: I'd love some orange or a nice blue.
G. GOLD OR SILVER : Silver
H. HEIGHT : 5' 7"
I. INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY: I remember some piano. I haven't touched an alto sax in 15 years, but I played it for a few years.
J. JOB : Teacher (on line), museum teacher, MAMA!
K. KIDS : Peach, Brownie, Bug and Boushka
L. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS :I live in Kansas with 2 dogs, one husband, and four girls all under 4 1/2 years of age. We like our house because it has enough room to spread out our stuff.
M. MOM'S NAME : Fran
N. NICKNAME : Husband calls me hon or babe, he almost never calls me by my real name. Mom always wrote to me as "Brightstar." In my youth I went by Squy, Sqwaw, and CiCi
O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY : Other than childbirth I only had one incident. Technically, I stayed over night a week after I had Boushka. I went to the ER at 5pm and was admitted at 3am. I ended up staying until 10 pm the same day I was officially admitted. I don't know, does that count? All I know is that I wanted to go home, but I didn't. So, to me that counts!
P. PET PEEVE : When somebody says, "I seen her the other day." The seen instead of saw is what gets me. It seriously makes my nerves jump out of my skin. Even though I'm a former English teacher, I'm not easily irritated by poor English---and this is my exception.
Q. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE : Is it weird that I am not one of those great movie quoters? Sorry, can't help ya here.
R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY? : Righty Tighty
S. SIBLINGS :Allie, my younger sister.
T. TIME YOU WAKE UP : 2 am, 4 am, 6 am, 7:15....
U. UNDERWEAR : Duh!
V. VEGGIE YOU DISLIKE : Beets.
W. WAYS/REASONS YOU ARE LATE :Because I didn't take the time to prepare bags/drinks/clothes the night before we have to get up and go somewhere (which is pretty much every morning). By the way, this is because it's usually 11pm when I finally have time to think about our "tomorrow" and all things that need to be done before we leave. And that is simply overwhelming, so I hit the hay and pray that I'll wake in time to complete my list!
X. XRAYS YOU'VE HAD : Head (MRI counts?), ankles, knees
Y. YUMMY FOOD YOU MAKE : Apple crumble, Pot roast, sweet salmon, balsamic asparagus, honey mustard chicken (thanks to Rational Mama), Balsamic chicken, chili, spicy turkey burgers, asparagus/mushroom risotto, chicken tetrazinni, chocolate cake with caramel frosting, brownies, and my family's version of chocolate pudding.
Z. ZOO ANIMALS YOU LIKE : Orangutans, Gorillas, Giraffes, Hippos

Whew, that was fun. Now it's back to real life and the pile of clothes laying upon my bed. If I don't fold them tonight, this will be the 3rd night that they've gone from the bed back to the basket. But my husband is staying home tomorrow (we're supposed to clean out our messy and unorganized garage), so hopefully I can squeeze the laundry in somewhere between buying Peach new shoes, a few groceries, and you know..., cleaning out the garage. Of course, this is only if I don't go and take care of this laundry issue now!

And because I really hate to post without a picture, check out my cute Brownie! I just love her and all her silly, silly ways!

Happy Easter- Stream of Conscious

Sorry, it's a little blurry! But that beats not having a picture at all! And there are just a few pictures that include all 6 of us!

This was taken after we feasted on quite the spread at a buffet for Easter Sunday with my mom. The girls were all in precious dresses and even I had a skirt on. If you know me personally, when was the last time you saw me in a skirt? About 10 years ago I wore one all the time-- they practically made up my wardrobe...

... and then I went to college. That's when my jeans and sneakers habit started. It was fun to get all dressed up today after such a long break.

Earlier today after we got home from lunch and opened sets two and three of our Easter baskets, I decided to vacuum the floors. I had pearls around my neck, in my ears, and on my wrist while wearing a skirt and cardigan set-- all while vacuuming. I silently giggled to myself as I suddenly felt a connection with my grandmother who must have looked quite similar about 60 years ago. Never in my life have I vacuumed in dressy shoes, a skirt, and many pearls! I almost wanted to put on a roast after offering my husband his pipe, slippers and the evening newspaper. But I didn't-- I don't think Mema did that either. Well, maybe she did. What's the verdict on that one mom? I can see her putting on the roast, but not so much with the pipe, slippers and paper. But I'm pretty sure this is because my Grandad had already read the paper and laid it on top of the pile surrounding his chair.

Wow, I digress...

The girls collected 5 movies, about 5 pounds of sugar, one load's worth of clothes, 6 pairs of shoes and many trinkets and small toys from Grandma Easter Bunny 1, Grandma Easter Bunny 2, and from us. I seriously have candy and cookies stashed throughout my kitchen and pantry because I didn't have one single place to store all of the treats. The way we eat candy around here (which is not that often) we'll probably be able to give some of this stuff out at Halloween. Just kidding, my husband will surely aid in the eating of chocolate, as will my darling girls (and I will be on hand should anyone need some assistance).

This week looks to be as busy as any other. I start teaching again this week--can you say major time consumer? Husband and I will continue with week three of our Love and Logic class. I hope to be able to go to a Mom's night on Tuesday. There are about 3 play dates we can choose to attend. Mops is on Tuesday (YEAH!). Peach has her Bible class on Wednesday. I have a birthday party (for a certain soon-to-be 1 year old) to start planning. And, sadly, I need to take all four kids to the doctor for shots, and hopefully I can remember to get that referral for one of my darlings to visit a neurologist. I will also probably:

- do 15 loads of dishes

- do 10 loads of laundry

- do 50 diaper changes

- sweep the floors 15 times

- kiss 5 boo-boos

- shower 3 times (hey, I'm all about being optimistic)

- run/jog 17.5 miles

- send out 30 emails

-make 20 phone calls

- sing 10 rounds of Itsy Bitsy Spider --complete with hand motions

and my favorite...

...- say I love you, too sweetheart roughly 100 times

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you are all feeling as blessed as I am!

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