MARCHing into spring!!

As we enter in to the month of March (HOW can it be March?) I am finding myself LONGING for SPRING!!
Before we moved to The Glen we had Crocus...LOTS of Crocus at our old house...when I saw them peaking through the snow...I would feel absolutely GIDDY with anticipation...
MUST WRITE ON "TO DO" LIST...plant crocus this fall!!!!
MUST PLANT CROCUS!!




Cute image came from Ellie's Treasures.

They are going back!!! (insert maniacal laugh..>HERE!)

Let's jump back to the 80's when Bob and I were in college. Bob's roommate dated my roommate and we oftentimes shopped at Odd Lots. (A closeout store that gets bits and pieces of good AND bad stuff.) Now, Joe and Deb would buy WEIRD food at Odd Lots just to "try" it. They once bought a package of Snyders Grilled Steak and Onion chips which were smelling really gross. I think they really liked them at the time. Fast forward a chunk of time and one of those packages still remained in a cupboard when the guys moved out of their apartment. I thought they were thrown in the garbage. Bob and I married, then Joe and Deb married and moved away. One day along with a birthday gift...this OLD package of Grilled Steak and Onion Chips also arrived. We then began to exchange these chips...they often arrived disguised with another MORE important gift...my favorite...when Mitchell was born Deb and Joe sent an Exersaucer...what a wonderful gift...as Bob and I began to put it together we discovered THE CHIPS in the leg of the Exersaucer!!

Now, these chips are more than 20 years old...their condition...I cannot say as we have NEVER opened them...but to feel the bag indicates they are in a petrified state.
I have had them so long this time around that I am quite sure that Deb thinks I threw them out when we moved to The Glen...so HOW should I send them back to her this time? Leave a comment or send an e-mail...

Oh, and in case you worry Deb may read this...she doesn't dapple in the BLOG world (I know, GASP!) but if you know her...don't spill the beans!

Ouch! OH! THAT hurt!?!? Come on!!!

I should FIRST be pleased that my boys like to engage in a creative activity right?

My boys have always loved Legos...we have dozens of Lego sets and they are housed in rubber maid containers. HOUSING THEM IN CONTAINERS SHOULD KEEP ME FROM FINDING THEM:
in the van,
on the floor,
on the kitchen counter,
in the pockets of jeans,
in the Barbie house,
in the dog's mouth...
AND, I am constantly stepping on them!! OUCH!!!

Must...

Meet Reepacheap!

My kiddos read my blog and Emma was indignant that I have not put any photos of her dear, Reepacheap, on the blog. WHO, you ask is Reepacheap? Well, he is Emma's hamster...he is well loved and gets LOTS of attention. He is the star of most Barbie drama's, doll house scenarios, and certainly is handled a great deal...and he is STILL living!

Did I mention that he is NOT a strict vegetarian...he LIKES meat too...thus the garden gloves...

Now, THIS is Asher, whom Emma loves DEARLY and who is ALSO a meat eater!! May the two NEVER meet!!!
Doesn't Ash look happy in this photo?? I believe he was "Little BLUE Riding Hood."

SIDENOTE: The name Reepacheap is the name of the mighty mouse warrior in the C.S. Lewis classic, Prince Caspian. Emma had just finished reading this book when she and Daddy went to get Reepacheap!

Ten things I love...

So Ohilda's friend, Sara, came up with this fun little game to help blog buddies get to know each other a little better. Here's the way it's played...
If you want to play, leave a comment on this post letting me know, and I’ll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter, and post it at your place. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on...
Amy assigned me the letter "M" I love the letter "M!"

1.) Mitchell is my maiden name and the name of my second son who is a treasure!!!

2.) Madeleine is my second daughter's name and she is named after my dear, sweet Aunt Madeleine. ALL my kids have family names...I love that!

3.) Museums are a place I love...not to linger too long but to look at works of art, history and areas of creativity...I find them absolutely fascinating!

4.) MUSTARD - yes! I love it! I put it on some weird things...one of my favorites...an egg sandwich!! AND, my two M & M kids love it that way too!!! WOOT! WOOT! WOOT!

5.) Mocha Latte! I am a HUGE coffee drinker and this is just ONE of the MANY kinds I adore!!

6.) Master...I would be quite remiss if I did not mention my Lord and Savior and MASTER of my life...who gives me hope and keeps me focused on what is TRULY important in life!

7.) Munchkins - I have five of them and they bring me JOY!!!

8.) M & M's - do I have to explain this one?

9.) Mugs...along with number 5 I enjoy having the perfect container for my coffee...a large, beautiful ceramic mug is my favorite!

10.) Money...are ya surprised by that one? Now, WAIT! Listen to my reason...I pray often that MANY families would be led to adopt and that the money would be available to them to bring home their child! Every child deserves a home! With God ALL things are possible!!!

Why thank you!

A favorite bloggy friend, Denise, gave me the SISTERHOOD award! It indicates great attitude and gratitude! Thank you so very much Denise!


Go visit Denise...she is an inspiration to me AND she wore the most beautiful gown to the award show tonight! She managed to get into her gown with great finesse even after over indulging in CRACK BARS! Oh my! Go visit! Simply click on the button!


WELL! AND, since it is the night of awards I also am pleased to receive the LOVEY AWARD from dear Tricia at The Joys Of Mommy! I have no speech prepared but want to thank the little people...oh wait...I am getting caught up in Denise and Tricia's excitement...

"This blog is exceedingly charming. This kind blogger aims to find friends and be friends. She is not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."

The MOM song

Hey Moms...if you have NOT had the pleasure of seeing this...
Mitchell said he didn't think you could put all a mom does into three minutes but...


It's a bit wide for the page but it is too funny not to post!

COMBAT!!!! Mom -VS- FOUR YEAR OLD!

I absolutely LOVE Sam's "AIM" face in this photo!




Sam may be little but he is MIGHTY! He loves to play rough and tumble and his brothers make sure he is included in all their rough housing and play. So when Nate and Mitchell are NOT around guess who gets to play?!?!?

Ever play Laser Tag?? It is fun!

What's in YOUR purse???

Oh, I have the usual things...my wallet, gum, lipstick, tissues...an occasional crayon. I am sitting by Precious Auntie at my oldest son's ball game...she is WELL KNOWN and affectionately called THE CANDY LADY as she always carries lolly pops in HER purse. Kids KNOW this especially MINE and they regularly request a lollipop. This whole WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR PURSE thing got in my mind when Precious Auntie pulled from her purse, a pocket size New Testament...NOT such a strange thing to have in your purse right? BUT, I got to laughing when she pulled out her pocket version of...THE CONSTITUTION!! Yes, I did say THE Constitution...as in OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...cause you just NEVER know when you will need to consult section nine at a moment's notice!!!!

SO, this piqued my interest into seeing what crazy things women put in their purses...I am NOT talking about Tylenol and compact mirror!! I have seen women pull out fruit snacks, diapers, extra clothes, small appliances and such out of the BLACK HOLES of their purses and marveled at their sheer brilliance of having had this item handy!

SO!! WHAT do you have in YOUR purse???

Wordless Wednesday

Back to the hospital!

Abby Riggs is back to the hospital today for her next round of chemotherapy.
PLEASE pray for her will you? As I go about my daily activities today (with Sam by my side) I am VERY AWARE of how blessed we are to have healthy children...I SO want that for the Riggs' too. God loves sweet Abby!

For more about Abby...click on her picture to the right and down a tad!
Their family blog is a blessing to me on a daily basis!

Nana's hands...

In May of 2008 The Shelbyville News featured my dear Nana Boo in an article written by Bettina Puckett entitled STRIKING A CHORD. It was a lovely article written about her incredible life as a music teacher. The photos that Dayla Thurston took were wonderfully heartwarming! She expertly caught Nana's beautiful smile and I adore these photos!
My beaming Nana Boo in her music room...she has taught piano for more than 60 years! Isn't she beautiful?

My Nana's hands...oh how I love them! I remember sitting in church and holding her soft hands...she has always worn an opal from Australia (A place she and my Grand-dad traveled MANY times, they have dear friends there) See the charm bracelet? This is also a beautiful piece of jewelry featuring all her grandchildren on charms. (I am eagerly awaiting my framed version of this photo for MY piano!)

My Nana is ninety five years young! She still makes some MEAN Corn Chowder and plays her music!

Thank you for sharing these photos Dayla!

For those left behind...

Meredith wrote this entry on her blog...I had to share it with you.

"While we were... in memory"

While we were eating...
... they were hungry

While we were playing...
... they were restrained

While we were tucking our kids into bed...
... they were alone

While we turned up the heat...
... they laid in the icy cold

While we wrapped our children in blanket sleepers...
... they laid in their own excrement

While we sang songs and listened to music...
... they listened to the screams and cries of those around them

While we rocked our babies...
... they silently rocked themselves

While we hugged our kids...
... they scratched at their own faces and pulled their own hair for stimulation

While we cried over scraped knees...
... they moaned in their loneliness

While we brushed our daughters' beautiful hair...
... they had their heads shaven to stave off the lice

While we fought off the flu with love and nourishment...
... they got the flu and went Home.

No longer suffering... but so many more still are.

In memory of those that have never felt the love of a family, but have passed away alone. Today we learned of the passing of these two girls in Eastern Europe.
Margarita

Katarina


Want to learn more? Go to Reeces Rainbow.

Lover Locks

These are the Lover Locks at The Great Wall of China:

There’s an ancient Chinese tradition: When a young couple marries, they place a lock on the chain and throw the key over the wall representing everlasting love that cannot be broken, thus preserving their love forever…

Valentine's Day pleasures!

If you have been visiting The Glen for awhile you know I love old linens and aprons. It is fun to put on an apron when I am about to do a project in the kitchen...and, since I am a self proclaimed Holiday-a-holic I like to wear something festive! I look at antique linen and apron sites from time to time and found the cutest Valentine Apron with ric rac on it! Adorable...yes, but pricey! I decided to make one and it turned out pretty cute! I made it for a little less than $3.00!!! Isn't that fun!?!?!? Now, the girls want one...maybe a St. Patty's Day theme would be cute.

The girls and I put together these Hershey cookies with fudge/white chocolate chips in them...oh they are yummy! Oh dear, I need to put them under lock and key so I don't go eat them all after the kids are in bed! I LOVE chocolate!

Sam made this "bouquet" of roses/handprints for Bob and I at school yesterday...he LOVES his school crafts...isn't it cute?!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Are they ALL yours?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I happen to know that there are LOTS and LOTS of families that have MANY more kids than we do but when you have more than, let's say, three kids...I feel that you get comments...then add the fact that my two youngest are Asian...even MORE comments. Here are a handful of my MOST MEMORABLE encounters with total strangers who care to chat with me about my family. (Disclaimer: I know MOST people do not mean harm.)

1.) "Are ALL these children yours?" Then, always next, "YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL!"
2.) "Are you going to have more kids?"
3.) Are you going to be like that couple on the magazine show and adopt twenty?!?!
4.) In the grocery with Madeleine (born in China) who is quite chatty and tends to talk loudly and with much animation. An elderly woman approached me and said, "I thought the Chinese children were quiet." HONEY! Not mine!

5.) Madeleine as a 10 month old baby is asked,"do you speak Chinese?"

And 6.) Probably my all time favorite - here is the dialogue:
Lady: Are all those children yours?
Me: Yes they are.
Lady: Do they have two different fathers?
Me: No, they have FIVE different fathers....(then a wink from me and off to my shopping!)

Remember Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched!?!?!? (INSERT Jill's very naughty giggle > HERE!)

Daddy Love

Our Daddy travels a great deal with his work. Thanks to cell phones, e-mail and digital photography we manage to have many contacts a day with our dear daddy! Emma was quite indignant when a cell phone company advertisement came out with the little girl who sends her monkey with her Daddy on a business trip. Emma and Madeleine have sent Monkey and Puppy with our Daddy for years! The girls DO worry that Daddy may be lonely...so then when Emma got her new e-mail address Daddy and Emma have had some fun exchanges:

Emma,
I came back to my room tonight and could not find Monkey or Puppy. Look at the picture and I'm sure you can guess what they were up to today. And skinny dipping to boot. Next time we need to pack their swimsuits. Hope that you are doing well and I miss you.
Love,
Dad


Emma,

So I got back from dinner tonight to find Monkey and Puppy had helped themselves to my corn nuts. I'm not sure these two are going to be allowed to stay in the room by themselves anymore. Well they do keep me company at night so what are a few corn nuts between friends. Love you a lot and thanks to you and Maddie for sending friends with me.
Lots of love,
Daddy

Hi. My name is Jill.

Today was one of those days that I forgot my name. Ever have a day like that?

The morning reeked with chaos from,
"MOM! I can't find the blue socks that match my shirt!"
"MOMMY!!! Emma won't give me back my Game Boy game!"
HEY! MOM! Why didn't you wash my straight leg jeans?"
"Mom, I hope you didn't pack peanut butter."

Then, after school...we went from basketball practice to basketball practice to the library, stop at the store, cook dinner, home work and so on and many more requests starting with:
MOM!
Mommy!
MaaaaaaaaaaaHM!!

I have to say at this point that I am happily doing the work, LOVING the job, fulfilling the purpose of my life by being mom to these five amazing kids. These kids are great kids...but they are not perfect...they ARE indeed KIDS! It was at this point I realized that I did not remember my name!

Enter my husband whom I adore...he is greeted with whoops and shouts and hugs and zerberts and exuberance. Bob sits down at the kitchen counter and says,
"Hey, Jill, how was your day?"
Jill? It sounds familiar.
Jill?
OH! My name is Jill!!! I love my name!
And, upon Bob's entry into our house I am complete!
I am Jill!

A KISS for you!

Hershey's Chocolate Company was founded by Milton S. Hershey on February 9th, 1894. Hershey was a Mennonite and by 1905 had built a factory to mass produce chocolate bars and other candies. In 1907 he created the Hershey Kiss...their best selling product!

Can you believe that chocolate Kisses have been around THAT long? We love 'em! There is just nothing like a yummy Hershey kiss!!!

Kinda freaks me out!

A week or so ago, my friend, Nanny, at The Good Life posted about the coyotes that were near her house. I have heard so many people in our country area talk about coyotes yet I have not seen one nor HEARD one in the year plus that we have lived at Killeny Glen. Then two nights ago I was awakened by the sounds of several coyotes howling in the dead of the night...I found it quite unsettling! Our outdoor cats were snuggled up safely in the basement but I couldn't help but think of those coyotes out there looking for dinner at THE GLEN!! THERE IS NO FRESH MEAT MARKET HERE! Coyotes are creatures that hunt at night and their howls are quite soulful yet menacing!

Take a moment will you...

In your busy weekend...should you take the time to check in on us at The Glen please pray for Abby Riggs...she has taken a turn for the worse in her fight against cancer. For her full story click her photo to your right.

The family asks for prayer for this sweet four year old girl...she is heavy on my heart...and her dear, dear family...

BLAH! BLAH! BLOGGIN'

As I was happily typing away I suddenly realized that I had hit my FOUR HUNDREDTH post! But anyone that has ever met me will not be surprised by 400 posts...I talk ALOT too! Thanks to my faithful readers and if you are reading today for the first time...welcome and DO come back...

I started this blog as a travel journal to Sam. The only blogs I had seen were in the adoption community. THEN, I discovered Dawn Meehan...author of THE most popular ebay auction of all time and the blog BECAUSE I SAID SO! Her Mommy humor and kids that are constantly finding "creative" fun had me reading and laughing daily! She now has a book coming out that contains her ebay auction plus MANY other Mom To My Sixpack stories! I know I plan to read it!

Because I Said So - Coming April 1, 2009!
If you are interested...here is the review from Dawn's blog:
Written by Dawn Meehan, the eBay mom who garnered 1 million hits to her blog in 1 month, Because I Said So affirms that parents are not alone in the daily chaos, struggles, and joys of child rearing. With a huge dose of laugh-out-loud, real-life examples, Dawn shares hard-won wisdom gleaned from life with six children.

With refreshing honesty, she examines episodes from her everyday life and spins them in a humorous light and an endearing mom-to-mom tone, offering reassurance and guidance to overworked, over-stressed parents. Her stories communicate that it’s ok if there’s marker on the walls, it’s ok if a mom doesn’t get a shower today, or hasn’t had time for a haircut in six months. It’s ok if the kids try to make parachutes out of their pillowcases. It’s ok for the kids to be kids.

Throughout the crazy tales and adventures, Dawn reminds the reader a sense of humor is the best way to cope with the challenges of parenting. Poignant and outrageous, this is a refreshing and instructive look at the mistakes we all make in child-rearing and a hilarious testimony to parents who don’t have it all figured out.

LASSIE! Come home!

My cousin, Michele, along with some other family members have discussed recently our ADORATION and soft hearts for animals. My parents generously allowed my brother and I to have pets as children and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED each and every one. When we would lose them my heart would be TRULY broken...I am STILL that way today!

My all time favorite show as a child was LASSIE COME HOME. Remember it? The story lines were dramatic and for me, scary! I KNEW harm would come to Lassie and I could HARDLY BARE TO WATCH yet I was absolutely COMPELLED to watch!! Part of my routine of watching Lassie was to have a tissue at the ready for the dramatic ending and that melancholy song...I would cry my eyes out! My mom would ask me to PLEASE NOT WATCH IT! I STILL can hardly bear to listen!! What a great show...I think I should get it on DVD so my kids can see it...but then I would be an emotional basket case!!!!!!

HAPPILY workin' his tiny tooshie off!

We have a busy household and with all these people it gets messy quick! Everyone has jobs/chores they do daily and we switch them around a lot so nobody gets stuck with the same task ALL the time.

After school yesterday I just said, "Someone needs to empty the dishwasher and load the dishwasher." Sam comes RUNNING...and I mean RUNNING with great glee yelling "I'll do it! I'll do it!" Now, he is a tiny little dude and cannot reach anything nor really do a good job BUT...how do I tell such a happy, willing guy that I really meant one of his older siblings??? I COULD NOT DO IT!!!! So....
Gettin' busy! And, yes that is a dog bowl he is washing...Madeleine uses it for cereal ever since she went to a DOGGIE birthday party!

Look at the bubbles Mom!!!

Oh Yeah! I'm good!

Absolutely havin' a ball!