Seen and Heard

Have you ever seen the movie Elf? I didn't watch it for the longest time because I figured that if Will Ferrell was in the movie it had to have something dirty in there. And generally, that is the opposite of how I think of Christmas. Somehow, we watched the movie and it has become a 'like' movie. Anyway, Buddy, the elf, says something like You have the most beautiful singing voice in the whole world with quite a bit of adoration and awe. That's how I feel about Brett's out loud laugh. He has the most beautiful out loud laugh in the world. {said with childlike adoration and awe} It just gets me.

Last night, Brett went in to pray with the oldest two boys. I could hear their monkey voices and then it happened, Brett's out loud laugh. Wondering what was going down, I made my inquiry to Brett later. He said that of course Prof X made the power grab for first prayer. {we're working on coveting the first prayer position} Prof X said, Dear God, praise Momma and help her to not get hurt anymore. Silly boy.

Then T-Bird said, Dear God, help Momma find her eggs, then he stopped, looked at Brett and said, Will she find her eggs again? Brett: Ya, I bet she does, don't you? T: Ya, I bet she gets one this week.

I love my little monkey boys. I love my husbands out loud laugh. And I love their beautiful hearts that praise me and care for my silly egg whims.

Stirred, Not Shaken

Well, today has come and mostly gone. On any given day, I'm known for laughing and smiling the majority of my day away. It's a good thing. But today came. Today. Ah today, brought with it answers and a little more questions. For those who have known me for a while, you know that I'm overcoming some symptoms and health challenges. They became so much of a concern that I made a doctor's appointment for this morning.

And to be honest, I got the news that I knew in my heart to be true. I will say these things once because I have a lot of lurkers {the best lurkers in the world, love you guys} who love me and pray for me through this blog. I'm not passing negative, this is where I am and my prayer requests. After our miscarriage last summer, my body has chosen to just--well let's just use the 's' word, it's chosen to go stupid on me. We thought we fixed me in April. Then August came presenting the same challenges. Those challenges have progressed to a point in which they have interfered with my daily activity. So, we've gone back to hormone replacement therapy. Ick, ick, ick. {Praying for lack of side effects. Last time was nearly unbearable} On top of that, this is effecting my fertility. While I don't want a baby right now, I don't want my shop to close down yet. Bah! I'm not even producing eggs right now. That makes me so sad and slightly frightened. I vividly dream of the kids and a younger sibling, sometimes two. Will those dreams ever come true, or is it my reality escape...my ideal dream wonderland?

And then there is a piece of the story that is a little more serious. We're praying for a test to come back with a good report. That's my prayer request, for me to be well, whole and functioning. And if it's not a good report, that there is a solid solution.

I cried my way home, taking the back roads and listening to good music. {coping mechanism} Then I cried to my lovey hubby, then my mom, then my friend. A few sob sessions later I've chosen to be done. {hopefully}

Facebook told me my theme song is Unwritten. And if Facebook said it, it has to be true. And it's true. No test, no doctor's words, nothing binds me to a symptom, sickness or disease. Because I am unwritten. No one on this wonderful earth can claim me. The author of my life is God, Lord of all. And He hasn't shown my last chapter to anyone. I'll go with that suggestion Facebook, thanks for the quality time you've given me.

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield:
I am unwritten, can't read my mind,
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning,
the pen's in my hand,
ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, oh, oh
I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes,
but I can't live that way
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, yeah, yeah


Yep, it's unwritten. So, I'll dance and have a good ol' time no matter what. In fact, I'll dance now. When in doubt, dance out.

{tap, tap, te, te, tap, tap} ...That's me dancing out...



**PS Don't expect any sappy, sob stories on a regular basis, this is just an update and an opportunity for some to pray.**

A Day at the Battlefield

We took a homeschool field trip to a Civil War battlefield in October. Yes, October. What, you think I'm behind a little??

T-Bird was super excited to be part of the authentic show and tell!

Hoot popped in for the compare and contrast segment. Not really, he just popped in to be the annoying little brother. He played the part well.

I'm sorry, but he's so cute!

A little dopey-ish, but definitely cute!

Spinning Nannies.

This is sweet because Hoot is embracing his brother with relief. Prof X decided to take himself to the restroom without clearing it with his momma...Me! We got a little frantic and then I finally checked the men's restroom and there he was singing and drying his hands. Ack, that boy!

Hey, did you notice the fat lip. He got that thing from not listening to his momma and continuing to monkey around with Hoot. He collided with Hoot's round head.

On T's list for Christmas, a canon. Sure, you'll be getting one son, sure, sure.

The Squirrel Ambush, possibly their favorite part of the trip. There were so many squirrels who were feeling squirrely, the boys enjoyed plotting the attack and possible capture.

Intense thoughts.

Dandelion for Momma.

Group pic?

Group pic take 2?

My favorite face that Hoot makes.

Hoot, the camera man.

Luring in vultures and hawks...So they think...

They look too fresh to taste really good.

It was such a fun day for us. We tired a little too quickly, I think, and our tummies became rather grumbly as well. As soon as we were certain we could go no more, we headed for food and home. I need to hire a driver so that I can snooze when the boys do on rides to and fro.

Hmm, there's a thought...

Auntie A

That's me.


We decided years ago that I would be Auntie A--it's just too difficult to say Aunt Adelia. {We being my brothers and I}


We swiftly arrived at Auntie A.


Auntie A, got to see all of her nieces and nephews over the last two days. I don't often get to see my brothers kiddos which makes me sad. But, Baby, I enjoy them when I get to see them. Beautiful little people!


Now the pictorial adventures of Auntie A.

First up, me and Willy Wilbur. I love this kid. But he doesn't like ladies to hold him. He just wants to hang with the guys. Of course, my house is the land of testosterone, but he still gives me little love on the issue. It's nearly broken his sweet Auntie's heart! Oh ya, that's my youngest brother D, I mean Phillip...my kids just call him D...because they are strange.
Willy Wilbur found this board and refused to let go of it. He's been hanging out with my boys for too long....strange kid.

And Bubba's kids. Oh....my....

Nane {my mom, dubbed Nane by my still strange kids} and KayBear. This girl will grab your heart and twist it in so many lovely ways.

Nane love, the best there is.

Not the best there is. Bubba is strange, but does the best Adam Sandler in the world. This is not his Adam Sandler, this is him being him and switching hats with Hoot. And Bubba isn't his real name either. Another given name from my kids. My kids are special like that.

Me and my KayBear. She's singing to me. She's a singer. Quite dramatic, twirly and amazing. She feeeels her music. No kidding, I heard several different diddies that went to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She made up the new words. One was about sleeping, one was about adventure and playing, and one was about discipline. She really has a talent and can rhyme!

Nane and MyBaby. Oh, I love this baby!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I actually love, love this baby. She told me all of her stories and how much she loved me. And even sang to me too. She and KayBear are going on the road one day. I'll be their biggest fan! Best Auntie Groupie ever!

I love the joy in my mom's face! This has to be one of my favorite pictures!!

And this boy! Elusive E. He is a little like Willy Wilbur. Don't these kids know what they are doing to me!? Give your Auntie loves!!!

Ice cream parade.

We missed KayBear's birthday last week. So, we brought the presents today. No, no, she's not dramatic like her Auntie at all.

She makes you feel like your the best Auntie and Nane in the world. Suckers, we are. For as high and dry that the boys leave us, the girls give us the love!

Oh my! My womb is itchin' for a baby girl! At least I have these ladies to do girly things with if that never happens.

Don't I look awesome holding pink??!!

Perfectly pink goodness.

Siberian Man.

Siberian Man is the opposite of pink!

She loves me. KayBear loves me.

Elusive E tolerates me.

Willy Wilbur humors me upon occasion.

I'm a blessed Auntie A.

The Night Basketball Came Back Into Our Lives

There are some moments in parenting where I stop and do a mental hurrah scream and it goes something like, This is it, we're doing it right now!! The Things to Teach Your Kid list that exists in the world. Or perhaps it's titled The Father and Son Guide. Well, a few nights ago, I did the mental hurrah scream because we checked off an item.


Brett and I love to play almost any sport. We're both activity minded people, but we don't watch ball games. We'd rather be playing a ball game with friends. Brett and I both played basketball, he played baseball and I played softball and we both played volleyball in college. Brett is a fast, skilled player at any game. {Boooo, so you got moves, so what?! Crazy puma man. I'm there for the pheromones. I let you beat me.}


Now that we are old fogies, we don't get to play very often. Wait is fogy a real word? Let's see.


Yep there it is:

fogy or fogey: n. an excessively conservative or old-fashioned person
Well, that's us definitely. I'm not joking. We're slightly ridiculous. We definitely have old-fashioned ideas and lean to the conservative side. Sigh, we are fogies......


Back to ball talk: It's time consuming, we have kids that need to be watched lest they find a way to busy themselves like gluing Daddy's wallet to Mommy's dresser.


It would be nice to have some time to hang out and play around. We love volleyball with friends, and right there is the catch. For years now, we have not had friends who like to play ball nor do they have the skill, coordination and depth perception to play. Oh so sad. The good news, we've picked up some new friends that have some skill. I think that the skill players outnumber the non-skill players enough that we could have some games next summer and it would be outrageous fun. Yea!


Anyway, for whatever nutty reason, Brett has watched a few ball games this year. Even...f-o-o-t-b-a-l-l. I cannot believe it.


Even though we have skipped out on watching most ball games, if we catch a basketball game at someone else's house we get sucked in. There is something and always be something about hearing squeaky shoes on hardwood floors and the sound of the buzzer sounding...{it's as good as a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils}...You just can't resist. Well, we can't at least.


We donated 3 hours of hour life the other night to watching NBA basketball. Yeeee! We've had some symptoms in our family that we're overcoming. We took school off this week to rest. {Ugh, I hate taking time off, next week will be make up time} So, we found the TV somewhere in the middle of all that.


T-Bird stayed up with us to learn the game better. T thinks he loves basketball. We're considering letting him play next year. {We adhere to the you can play/do anything that will serve you lifelong. Like instrument lessons, swimming, golf, horseback riding, tennis, archery...I'm not sure if Bball fits in there. We'll see. I guess that's me just being a fogey.} Anyway, the hurrah scream came when Brett started schooling his firstborn in all the rules of the game. T was quite receptive and ready for more. We had to share all of our favorites of the game. And let me just say, we are so out of the loop!!! So many new faces with a handful of familiar ones scattered in. Another side note, we are so hesitant to let T be pulled into this world of sports. As soon as you think you have a hero, the next instant they are on the news for drugs, robbery, attacking women...So, so horrible and disappointing.


But this is not disappointing.



This is a father and son enjoying the intensity of a good ball game in their jammies. They didn't even know I exist at this point.


This is good stuff.

And I'm thankful for the night that basketball came back into our lives. It was a special treat.