Good morning all! A role model post

Well, today is starting off with a bang. I totally forgot that my oldest daughter was supposed to go with a friend as a helper with her children, and so when the doorbell rang, and the door was opened by her, I had a mild panic attack. First off, I wasn't dressed. I was still in bed snuggling with a kiddo or three. Second of all, my house is a mess (surprise, surprise!) So, I throw a towel around me, let her in (there was no use letting her hang out on the porch as it was chilly, and she already saw the house anyway) and go wake up the daughter. ACK!! I hope she wasn't offended that I stood there in a towel to talk to her. Would that offend you? I really have no idea what I was thinking, other than it could have been my husband knocking, because one child said it was daddy...but I should have known better.

I am off to the next thing. I must shake these things off, because it does NO use to dwell on them. Really....why dwell on what you cannot change, right?

Homeschooling is still going well. I need to supplement with other things, just because I don't like the constant computer time. They are whizzing through their work however. Each day is logged on these programs, and they do much more than a days worth of work. For example, one child is already into the next year and he just started a little more than a month ago. Is it too easy?? Seems hard to me. Maybe this child is smart? That would be cool!

Speaking of smart. I was reflecting the other day about how I was in school. I never had friends, well...maybe a couple. My circumstances assured that I would never be popular though. My parents were poor, old, and unhip. They smoked, so I in turn smelled like I smoked. (I didn't actually start smoking myself until later) People made fun of me endlessly. Somehow, I was able to not let this bother my grades, and was generally on top of the class levels. When I got to high school, they had this program for the AP kids where you could leave campus for lunch. I would go smoke cigarettes at the local fast food place. Wasn't that what you would expect from an honors student?

I really hated my childhood and lack of parental involvement. Seriously. When my mom found out I smoked, she got mad, but didn't make me quit. She just told me I would have to buy them. My dad bought them before that. Anyway, lack of people interested in my welfare, and morals led me to become immoral and so I fell off the honors program and got pregnant. My junior/senior year in high school, I was only going to school half a day, working the other half, and lamenting my growing ankles and hurting back. I had my child, went back to school and graduated somewhat top of my class (I had fell far away from where I was) and promptly settled into my role as mom. I don't regret what I did, but I do regret what everyone around me did.

God was faithful, even when I didn't know Him. He carried me through LOTS of problems I experienced as a single mom. I made so many mistakes back then, but time heals all wounds, right? I was just thinking about all this because of how we parent. I can't imagine being the parents mine were. Not caring where I was, who I was with, what I watched, what I ate....Maybe they were just too old, and wanted it (parenting) to be over. I can't imagine!

A little query for you

Is this bad for her? She likes to chew on the bars, and as much as I try to move her and her attention elsewhere, this is where she lands again sometimes. I took the bumper out because she wants to see around her...so hmm? Any ideas on other cribs?

someone is learning to crochet

Looky...now my body AND my fingers hurt. Why does exercise hurt so much? Does this look good?

Youtube linky..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo_24_qTNac&feature=related

If you feel a little down about your situation, listen to this guy! He is awesome....

we got a wii!!!!!!!!!!

We got this thing about 2 weeks ago, and boy howdy!!! It kicks my butt when I play it. I know...I know. Waste of time and all, but not really. We all play as a family, and plus it is exercise for miss fat momma here. I am literally sweating by the time my turn is up. We got the wii fit, but haven't opened it yet for different reasons. My husband thinks it will be awesome, but I am not sure yet. It weighs you and all that stuff, so maybe I just don't want something on the tv telling my weight? Ha! I never thought we would be owners of such expensive stuff, but without cable (been almost 10 months woohoo!) we need an outlet. And did I mention it's exercise for miss fat momma??? Puff puff!

He wishes.........

Rachel and her beads....

or bling bling like her therapist calls them. She loooves her beads. I mean, loves. They motivate her to crawl, reach, sit...you name it. I don't know what it is that appeals to her, but ever since we found this out, we look like we are stocking up for mardi gras. So, if you ever hit a clearance sale of beads, hook us up. She has broken several of them, and while you would think they are dangerous to let a little baby play with, she only does so under supervision. Also, it is a long string of attached beads, so they don't break into little balls. So, whatever motivates her, huh?

You know what makes me sad right now???

If I had learned about Rachel's disability before she was born, they would have asked me if I wanted to abort her. There are people out there who have aborted babies just like her because they are told that their quality of life would greatly harm them. I know for a fact that my world and my children's worlds are much better off having her. Why can't others see that?

They asked me if I wanted to abort Aaron when I was about 20 weeks pregnant with him. Why? He had classic markers for Downs syndrome. We said most emphatically NO!!! Lo and behold, he was born completely fine, and I shudder to think what could have happened if I wasn't so against the idea of abortion.

Everyone deserves to live, even if they aren't wanted by their parents. Someone would take care of that child. And if they didn't practice premarital sex so wantonly and without thought, they wouldn't have to worry about it. I had to accept responsibility for my actions, and it most certainly didn't kill me to do so. Also, if God wants to give them a child with a disability, then it's their responsibility to care for that child either themselves, or adopt the child out and allow it to live it's life until God calls him/her back home. PERIOD!

Does she look like she hates being alive? I didn't think so!

i hate titles....who can think of good titles????

Yeah, so...titus2 conference. It would be an extreme lifestyle change, and would be super hard, but we can't even begin implementing anything unless we (husband and I) are on the same page. He is all over sports, and doesn't see anything wrong with it. He feels that because they don't control him, that they wouldn't possibly control the kids in the future. I feel like they could, and while it is a learning experience being in a team, it is setting them up for possible failure later on. He also likes tv, and movies, and is always mentioning getting tv back, which is am adamantly opposed to. Soooo, without going into much more, we obviously do not agree here, and that is sad.

They were great speakers, and their kids were very nice and well mannered. It was neat seeing a "celebrity" in my world. But it just made things more painfully aware to me.

On to other news. Rachel is eating many more soft solid foods now. I need to weigh her, because we haven't done that in awhile. Also, she must look somewhat disabled now, which saddens me. An ped. opthomologist came up to us at the conference and was talking about her, and one of our "friends" said "she does have a wee little head, doesn't she?". What is up with that remark??? I am probably too thin skinned, and he was probably just affirming to himself what he already knew, but it is getting more and more obvious. It will become more so when her stroller/wheelchair comes in. Its one that is plainly for handicapped kids, but I am excited about it because it is easier to push than a regular stroller, plus it holds her up so she can look around.

Homeschooling is going okay. We are doing switched on schoolhouse this year for some of the kids, and while I like it, I don't like the computer time...is it setting them up for being addicted to a computer? They are only on it for about an hour a day, but still?? We were thinking about VoTech for our oldest, but now....the Maxwell's brought up a scenerio involving a christian family who sent their child to a secular votech, and promptly lost him to the world. So!!! Hmm?? See, radical thinking, but it really makes sense.

House falling apart slowly again. I just did a massive cleaning of the outside. People would stop and think we were having a yard sale, because of the sheer amount of toys etc in our yard. So, we gave away, or threw away a bunch, and now our yard is nice and pretty. I am focusing on the house again now. It's so pretty outside though, and it made cleaning outside easy. but alas, the inside must be done too? darn it.

oh, come on....surely you know them??!!??

Does titus2.com ring a bell with you at all robyn?

Guess who we got to see today????

You can now return to your regularly scheduled programming...or laundry (robyn) or house (joann)

Okay.....so. 9/11/08 wont be a hard date to remember for next month. I need to buy stock in pregnancy tests. Goodness, we went through a bunch this time. I am a pregnancy test addict. There should be some support group or something. :)

Things that make you go hmmm.

Last period August 5th, and new one nowhere in sight. Multiple tests are negative. Hmmmm???

a meme of sorts. feel free to post your own version of this on your blogs. i will read them!

Favorite food? Chicken fettucini, with lots of parmesan cheese. Yummo!!! Or anything with BACON.....

Quirks about you? I make up song lyrics all the time to coincide with whatever I want it to. The music and tempo will be the same, but the lyrics will be personalized. And I am good at it too. I rhyme and everything, mostly.

Any regrets in life? That I trusted someone too much.

Favorite Blog recently? I blog hop all the time. I regularly read a select few, and then I hop around, adding others to my favorites, but don't go back as often, because I have forgotten about them. I like blogs about large families though...duh. Except the ones I find all public school and are very worldly. Which I am not...so....hmm.

Something you can’t get enough of? Dr.Pepper. I can't kick that darn habit to save my life. I am cutting down on them though. I am at 2 a day instead of 3.

Worst job you've ever had? working in a nursing home. My back went out, and I was glad I had to quit...

What job would you pay NOT to have? Dishes...yeah, robyn. I know.... Tonight my 17 year old did them, so ha!! I am trying. Or if we are talking profession here, I would never ever be a plumber. EW! Self explanatory.

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? watching my children when they have no idea. I am always curious as to their choices when I am not hovering over them. I hope I am raising them right, but you never truly know unless you are that fly on the wall...

Favorite Bible verse right now? Well, I keep thinking about the one that says :"if you believe, you will recieve, whatever you ask for in prayer" Now, I wonder why I am not receiving, when I am believing, but that is my own little issue.

Guilty Pleasure? Chocolate chip mint ice cream...

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? I have no idea, because it goes against everything I stand for to spend money on myself. I hate shopping for clothes, dont get my hair done, never had a manicure or pedicure, and just dont buy things for myself usually. Unless its thrift store stuff. Then, I may buy it, but even then, it has to be pretty special. Now, I will buy for the kids and my husband...

Favorite thing about your house? I like the size, and the fact that all the closets have shelves and dressers built in.

Least favorite thing about your house? the plumbing, the plumbing, the plumbing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing you are bad at? decorating my house all pretty.

One thing you're good at? being a mommy....I love to get down and play or hang out with my olders...I like to talk to them. etc.

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I would be out of this house, in one in the country, and have my husband home more. I would also change my son's need for friends. He is very codependant on them, and it has caused a lot of issues in our house lately.

Who would you like to meet someday? Michelle Duggar

Who is your real life hero? I have no idea.....

What is the hardest part of your job? Getting it all done. If I focus on housework, schooling suffers. If I focus on school work, the cooking doesn't get done. If I focus on cooking, the laundry falls apart. I know Robyn.....don't say a word. I am workin' on it. LOL.

When are you most relaxed? after bedtime for the youngest kiddos.

What stresses you out? cooking, and crying kids. I really don't do well in the mercy department, so when they are just carrying on and on for no apparent reason, except to tell you that they got hurt....good lord child!!. Get over it and stop screaming already. And I hate to cook....just hate it. Seriously. I wish I could have a chef.

What can you not live without? My husband or my children. And dr. pepper. And bacon

Why do you blog? to record memories and thoughts from a time that is just zooming by at breakneck speed. Does time slow down when you are older, or is it all downhill from here? I don't know but I forget the past very quickly and easily it seems, and it makes me cry that I can't remember the little things, so I want to get it down.

mishmash of stuff

My baby went from happy go lucky to grumpy....this has put some kinks in my days. I sure hope it's not a permanent deal, or I may go slowly insane. It's somewhat disconcerting when an infant is grumpy all the time, but when you have a disabled child who is changing like that and you can't make her happy, wow! I know she isn't in pain or anything like that, but she may be getting tired of her limitedness. Do you think this makes sense? Hopefully, its a phase. please!!

Ashley started vocal music class yesterday, and Adam/Austin will be starting robotics class soon. Plus basketball for Austin. This should do it for this year. Oh, except for 4-H which is the whole family and only 1 time a month. Tony gets to go to robotics too, so pretty much all family centered stuff.

Still no church, and it's still just as hard. Now they are finally calling, and I wish I didn't care. Can you truly grow up well adjusted if you don't have friends? Really????

Got my laundry caught up, and my dishes too! I am actually doing them every single day and keeping up on them. WOO HOO! This is very difficult for me, so the fact that I am achieving that goal is an awesome feat. Once I get my rhythm, then I can get a kid on it, and have a good example to show.

Go me...

LOL!