It's nice to dream

When cleaning dishes, I let me mind wander.  I go down my to-do list, what I got done, something funny a kid did that day, and most importantly I pray.  I tell God thank you for His provision, food, family, friends, work, health, and I pray for my children's future spouse (seriously, it's on my mind already)! 

Lately, it's been nice to dream.  I think of the floorplan of my dream home.  I want a wide open floor plan. The living room, kitchen, dining room should all be in view of each other so I can see everyone easily.  The thought of being in a different room than my children is unsettling to me.  Plus, since I'm home with the children all day long, I herd them.  Wherever I am, they are.  If I'm in the kitchen, now, they are in there with their toys.  The bathroom, not so much if I can help it.  One of these days I'll take a picture of little fingers beneath the door.

I want acreage, a large area to play.  To be able to say "Go outside and find a bug!' will be the highlight of my day.  I have two little boys with enough energy for all of us.  For Christmas, my favorite present for them was a mini trampoline for them to jump on.  They run from one wall to the other as it is, pretending they are racecars.  Boys have energy, little ones have major energy to burn.  Plus, I want chickens and two goats.  Mainly for eggs, meat, and milk.  I've killed every plant I've owned, so I'm not so sure I want to go there yet.  But maybe, with enough of a area to cover, it'd be something to dabble in. 

A washer and drier is another exciting moment I'm awaiting.  We currently do not have any mostly because there is no hook up installed in our apartment.  We do laundry about twice a month.  Twice. A. Month.  We have a monster laundry pile hidden away that Kendall gets to when he can.  Kendall washes laundry so they children don't have to go sit at the mat, plus I'm usually pregnant and that stuff get's heavy.  We have known no different so it's not hard to deal with, it's just the way it is.  Usually there are three or four totes of laundry to be done.    To be able to put a wet blanket, a puked on tshirt, or dirty towel into the wash right then and there is not something to be taken lightly.  To not have to wait until the next day will be a breath of fresh air.  Now that we have two little ones in diapers, plus all three of the kids are on the young side, I have really seen the effects they've had on a simple laundry pile.

And, a garage.  You try piling three little ones, blankets, diaper bag, coats, and snacks into the minivan while a.) -10` windchill, b.)snow falling c.)rain that falls horizontaly d.)ice is all around you.  On second thought, what in the world is so important that we'd take everyone out in that kind of weather.  Anyway, a garage will be great, especially for Kendall and his projects.

$100 Visa Giftcard giveaway

Fiddledeedee is giving away a giftcard.  Scurry over there to enter it!

Never too early

Why no, I don't believe it's ever too early or children are too young to take some responsibility in the house.

Mom, can I swifer today?

Swifering and sweeping.  What a beautiful sight!

Biblical characters with my sleepy wrap

I purchased my Sleepy Wrap off of ebay after seeing a mom carrying her kiddo in it at the zoo.  Once again, it's sooooo amazing good on my back and is the best equipment I've purchased for kid-carrying.

Here, however, it has found a different use.  It is now a dressing for either Jonah or David from the Bible.  We have the Veggie tales version of Jonah.  And David kills Goliath by swinging around a rock. 

Both stories are way cool to a 4 year old.

A mess only a mother can love

There was so much spit up, I asked Kendall to take a picture so the moment will be forever remembered.

Kendall, LOOK AT ALL OF THIS! She is one well fed baby!

And this is why I have "Church clothes" which I immediately take off as soon as I walk through the door,

my "going out into public clothes" for fancy places like Walmart,

and at the bottom of the barrel are my

" we aren't going anywhere so I'm going to only brush my teeth today"-clothes.

Around around she goes!

Ever since the week of Thanksgiving I have been slammed with business.  There have been appointments, social events and general stuff to be done.  Plus the weather outside has been more on the "no way am I taking all of the kids out in this weather!" weather.  Generally, I wait until Kendall is awake and can actually see Ernest trying to put something in a wall outlet before I leave for the grocery store with Ethan.  Ernest usually has a snotty nose and the baby is snuggled asleep, and we all know not to awaken a sleeping baby :).

This was the very first outfit I purchased for Ethan.  Now all three of them have worn it! 

And, seriously, could you awaken such a sweetie?

Back when I had only one kiddo, I wouldn't mind going out into the negatives.  Big deal, no problem, bring it on.

But now I have to think of layers, two different sizes of diapers, and wind chill.

Eleanor had her 2 month check up today and she is in the 93rd percentile for height and weight.  Big and well proportioned.  Amen. 

Today Ernest had an appt and his height and weight puts him into the 40%.  When he was 8 months old he was at 0.7%.  That sounds like the verge of death if you as me.

Our homeschooling has been...steady?  Ethan works his little workbooks about 30 minutes a day, focusing mainly on reading/writing and math.  He's starting to recognize the difference between 6,8, and 9.  Those are tricky numbers now that I think about it.  Same as b,d,p,q.  Who came up with this English language anyway?  We play dominoes, bingo, cards, and board games as a fun way to learn.

Whose chair is this?  Surely not the babies!

 

Don't lick a frozen pole.

Ethan got bundled up to "go check the mailbox".  I'm sure it was because this is daddy's job and since he's not around, typical little boy needs to take over for dad.  However, he was taking a bit too long and when I checked on him he was throwing some snowballs and being silly upstairs.  I don't mind this so much because he's a little boy with a lot of energy, too much for our little apartment.  A few minutes later he opened the door and was quite the site to see.  He wasn't screaming or crying so I knew nothing was broken or terribly injured.  The kicker was his jaw was covered in blood.

"Mom, my tongue is bleeding!"

Yes, Ethan and daddy have been watching A Christmas Story.  I'm sure the idea of licking a pole or whatever came into his head to see if it would really happen.

"Get to the sink!  What happend?  Did you lick a pole or something?"

Yes.

Look at how much blood is on his jacket.  Poor little guy. 

No tears were shed in the recording of this catastrophe.

A few layers are missing on his tongue and a bit of his bottom lip got it too.

A pink swollen tongue.

My little ham.

Oh Ethan, you keep me on my toes.

Sunday Morning in Minnesota

This kid:

:

Plus these two:

Dressed like this:

In weather like this:

Just to get to church.

Everyone arrived clean, warm, AND fed (thankyouvermuch).  But as I pulled into the parking lot I realized I forgot my purse.  Eh, at least it wasn't a kid.

Simple Woman's Daybook 12/4/2010

FOR TODAY


Outside my window... beautiful snow!  It totally made me think of the hymn
"Nothing But The Blood of Jesus"

I am thinking... "I hope Kendall is doing well at work."

I am thankful for... we don't have all night so I'll mention a few: heat!, sleeping children, full tummies

From the learning rooms... the number 5

From the kitchen... my mother-in-law's porkchops with mushroom gravy.  yumm-tastic!

I am wearing... mom clothes that are boring but have no spit up stains!

I am creating... a scrapbook

I am going... get out "church clothes" for the kids so the morning will hopefully run smoothly

I am reading... some blogs!

I am hoping... to be a light upon a mountain for the lost.

I am hearing... "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus" play, and Eleanor squiggle squaggle herself to sleep.

Around the house... calm.

One of my favorite things... Skippy brand peanut butter in 'creamy'.

A few plans for the rest of the week: CHURCH!, working in the nursery on Tuesday, ice skating Friday, Christmas with my inlaws next Sunday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

 

Ethan's first time meeting Eleanor. Love at first sight.

Find this template at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Cool Christmas Poem

One of my favorite blogger's has this posted.  She's over at Yes, They're All Ours.





Twas the month before Christmas




When all through our land,



Not a Christian was praying



Nor taking a stand.



See the PC Police had taken away,



The reason for Christmas - no one could say.



The children were told by their schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.



It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say



December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.



Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit



Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!



CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod



Something was changing, something quite odd!



Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa



In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.



As Targets were hanging their trees upside down



At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.



At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears



You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.



Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty



Are words that were used to intimidate me.



Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen



On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !



At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter



To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.



And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith



Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace



The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded



The reason for the season, stopped before it started.



So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'



Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.



Choose your words carefully, choose what you say



Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,



Not Happy Holiday !

Whatever you hands find to do.

Kendall's unemployment stopped abruptly.  November 22 he was on the phone with the unemployment people asking if a mistake had been made.  There was no notification, no warning.  Our "pay day" came with no "pay".  He had mentioned to me in early November to not be worried but his unemployment would be ending "sometime in January".  Well, the calculations made we a little off.  So, November 22, Kendall went to The Work Solution dressed to the nines with resumes in hand.  I'm not to familiar with how temp agency's work.  I do know that they had to call all of his previous employers and do a background check to be sure he was legit.  It took several days but they finally called him back with answers. 

All of this took place the week of Thanksgiving. 
The. Monday. Before. Thanksgiving. Our. Income. Ceased. To. Exist.

My heart fell through the floor.  I don't feel convicted about it either.  I was devestated.  Ever since Kendall was laid off I handed our checkbook and bills over to him.  Out of sight out of mind works well in my little world.  I want to see buttercups and kitties when I wake up, not late payments.  That's all for the husband to deal with.  So now, with no income, what we had was what we had.  I didn't even want to know what we were sitting on.  We have food, our bills are paid up, we have diapers and toliet paper. (There have been moments when we have wittled down our list of needs to list of "what can we not make it without".  Toliet paper and diapers always come out on top.)

So we are fine financially.  There is no Bahama cruise for Christmas or a new sports car any time soon, but things WILL be okay.  And actually, looking back, we've been through worse.  Can you believe it?

In May, I left to pay the electric bill, and our power was shut off while driving to the utilities office.  Not. Kidding.  So, not only did they want us to pay our bill, but the total amount of the bill, a late payment, and a 'turn back on your power for a ridiculous amount of money' fee.  I started to cry right there infront of that lady behind the plexi glass window at the electric company.  You want me to give you HOW much to turn back on my electric?  It was also the day I had doctor's appointment for Eleanor.  So we packed up the kids, went to my appointment, walked around Cabela's to kill time, made phone calls and faxed information, spent the night with no power ("Tonight we get to keep all of the lights shut off and camp in our beds!  It'll be fun!"), 9:00am the next morning everything went through and we were back on again. 
And an fyi: we were not months behind or anything ridiculous, I was just waiting to pay them on our payday!  We are not fond of the electric company in this area, they also charge .13 p/kwh.  THEY are outta line.

Back to Kendall....

Monday and Tuesday, he worked from 4pm-2am at a local distillery.  Who knew this podunk town had a distillery?!?  Wed and tonight he is working at the local newspaper plant folding newspapers on some sort of machine from 3-11.  We are hoping he goes back to the distillery because it was longer hours and better pay.  He plans on working Saturday as well however I haven't gone there yet about Sunday.

Exodus 35:2 ESV
Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord.

I'm just sayin....

The kids are adjusting.  Ernest is taking it the hardest.  Think about it- all the kid has ever known is Kendall being home because he was already laidoff with Ernest was born.  However, Kendall was usually up at night and asleep during the day, so it's not too new to Ernest to not have dad around.  Ethan is a bit confused about dad being at work.  "Is dad at the garage for a sale?  Can I go to storage with dad?  Where's dad?" It breaks my heart.  He thinks dad is having a garage sale because that was how we 'worked' this summer.  He is confused about storage because I tried to explain to him dad was organizing the storage area at the distillery and being a helper.  Dad going to work is foreign.  Dad is supposed to be selling stuff on the computer (ebay), not leaving to work.  I've baked two batches of cookies this week and completely reorganized half of our house.  I'm keeping the kids busy and clinging to the silver lining.

Seriously, can I just be honest?  It is hard.  I feel bad for Kendall.  He is such a worker bee.  Can you imagine being thirty years old with a wife, three little kids at home, and starting a the bottom of the barrel again?  He's making $10 less/hr than when he was laid off.  PLUS, he was working two jobs at the time.
 He is bringing in a lesser amount of income working than when he was on unemployment.  Technically, we just took a cut in pay.  My husband is hurt and I am feeling the pain.
Back in August some friends of mine mentioned they were going to start a Bible study that talked about finances.  They were using Crown Financial.  I prayyyyyyyyyed about it and asked Kendall to attend because he's smarter about money and stocks and all that stuff than I am.  I don't do stocks.  Plus, I wanted him to see for himself what the Bible teaches about wise spending habits.  And wouldn't ya know it, Kendall attended that Bible study and brought home a wealth of new knowledge to implement into our families budget.  Amen and amen.  I also believe it gave him hope.  He finally, finally, finally did our taxes and we were able to pay off our minivan and purchase some much needed items for our homw. Like, pants.  We were able to pay up on some bills and drastically cut our bills.  Wow, thanks God.  A new peace fell into our home.  The day we did our taxes was also the day Eleanor was born.  I've noticed that God always waits until the last possible minute to unleash his miracles.  However, if a miracle occured any sooner, would it still be considered a miracle?  Deep thoughts.
 
This is what has happened in the last few days.  Has God provided?  Of course.  Two unexpected Visa gift cards came into our home a few months ago and we held onto them for safe keeping.  They have been used for gas in the minivan.  Our pantry is full.  We stocked up on diapers a few weeks ago.  We even have our beloved toliet paper.  Kendall's sister gave us her kid's old snowpants and coat for Ethan.  A friend stopped by with snowpants and snowboots just today.  Our children are fed and clothed.  Our home is warm.  Ethan is excited about Christmas and Ernest loves being a big brother to Eleanor.  My husband loves me and I really enjoy loving him.  This too shall pass has always been a saying to get me through hard times.  Just last night I turned to Kendall and told him how at our 50th wedding anniversary we'll look back and say 'remember when?' about this chapter in our lives.
 
Although it hasn't be ideal, it's been okay.  God has handed these trials to us and I'd gladly take them instead of a lack of faith or failing health. 
 (God, keep us healthy and help me keep my faith.  Don't take that sentence as a reason to give us a disease or anything funky.  I want to be sure we're on the same page, mmkay?)
 
 
Matthew 6:31-32

31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.


Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

and my favorite:

Luke 12:7

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Taken October 10 and, in my defense, I gave birth five days later.