WHY MY KIDS NEED PRAYER

OK... besides the obvious. I mean, I am always praying for them. But, sometimes.... such as today.... they need prayer that Mom does not totally lose her cool.

The day started off a bit rocky. Apparently, there were several vehicle on our street that were broken into. Fortunately, ours was not. I'm sure the combination of locked FTU, motion-sensored light, and prayers for protection over our property all played a role.

We had a productive morning. We all worked on the house... which is still a disaster, just not as bad as it was last night.

My 3rd, who just had his stitches removed came screaming in to me with MORE blood.... from his ear. BUT, it was from his good ear... but from where the stitches are from the surgery. (Yes, work was done on his other ear.... I'll explain that later.) Anyway, the ear is still attached, so no worries. Just a warning that it is still a little early to play dog-pile.... even if you are "top-dog."

We went to a birthday party. Cake with frosting (lots of refined sugar) and 2 hours of playing in 96 degrees made for some hot, antsy and cranky boys. There was a mandated "quiet time." Mainly, it was to cool off.

Then it started.... "He stole my beyblade!"

"No, I didn't!"

"YES! YOU! DID!!!!" (Each word climbing in shrillness.)

Then, when watching tv, #1 kicked #3.

"Go to your room."

He unplugged our tv/sound system. (It goes through the wall into the closet in his room.)

"You will go to bed early for being ugly."

#4 saw me spraying some Febreeze in my room.

"Can I try?"

"Honey, I would rather not."

Ten minutes later, come into the kitchen to find/smell Febreeze on every drawer, lower cabinet, oven, fridge, microwave, door, and floor in the kitchen. On top of all that, he decided to glue nice, new, and pre-sharpened pencils (a hot commodity in my house) to a composition notebook.

Grrrrr.....

"You are going to bed early because of your disobedience."

Mom puts herself in timeout.

Mom comes out.

Mom gets a rag to start cleaning up a very "Febreezey" kitchen.

Mom gets squirted with the sink "squirter." It seems #2 decided that THIS was the time to play a joke.

"You are going to bed early.... clean up that water."

Now, having sat and typed for a bit, I probably need to visit with #2. Knowing him, he was trying to diffuse the situation... he just doesn't understand that when Mom is having a bad day, everyone should go to their own little rocks and leave her alone.

She doesn't do well, some days.

EXTREME COUPONING, END OF THE WORLD, AND OTHER THOUGHTS

Yes, I know.

I have been gone a LONG time..... or have you noticed?

As I don't get too many comments anymore, I am not sure who reads. However, I still enjoy writing. I just hope you will come along.

Extreme Couponing. Have you seen that show? It is CRAZY what these people are doing. As a couponer, I do get questions about this show.

Well, it's not realistic, people. I'm not saying it can't happen.... I'm saying it isn't likely to happen. I seriously doubt that these EC'ers do this all the time. Not only that, but whenever I coupon, I NEVER have such a nice and accommodating cashier.

Just saying.

The end of the world came......

And went.

And we are still here.

I am a bit miffed with the old coot for scaring my boy. He asked if I thought the world would really end. Let me clarify..... THAT DAY! He wanted to know if I thought the world would end THAT DAY. No, I didn't. I asked my oldest, "Who knows when the Rapture will occur?" He immediately said, "Only God, the Father." (Thank you, JBQ.)

My 2nd did finish talking it out to the point of being OK. We remember that since we already have Jesus in our hearts.... well, it doesn't really matter when HE comes back.... we are going. I have some friends and others I know who say, "Well, in the end.....you just. don't. know."

WRONG!!!

I KNOW!!!! And it drives you crazy that you don't know like I know.

Tomorrow is the last day of school.

How can that be? I have a son going into 7th grade next year. My baby finished kindergarten.

I was SO busy this week. Last night, I sat and cried a bit. I realized that I miss them. I miss their needing me. I miss their wanting me around all the time. If I go back to work..... gosh..... my heart already hurts at the time it is going to cost me...... time away from my boys.

I still need to do a post on JBQ...... a big one, especially seeing as how we are going to Nationals in less than a month! WOOHOO!

I have pictures from our JBQ awards ceremony.

I have pictures from kindergarten graduation.

I have pictures from my 3rd son's last surgery.

HIS LAST SURGERY!

He's done!

Such a huge thing and *poof.* Done.

I have pictures of our school awards.

This past Sunday, I baked 9 loaves of bread and cut up fruit salad for about 50.

No really.

I did.

After silently celebrating the fact that I pulled all of that off, on top of kinder graduation, Monday's 1st grade end-of-year movie, yesterday's kinder picnic, today's 4th grade party, and awards ceremonies..... well, my oldest informed me that he volunteered my banana-chocolate chip bread for tomorrow.

I didn't get mad.

I LOVE that he feels he can do that..... and that I can. I want him to remember that.

I have family that reads my facebook posts.... prints it.... shows it to my grandmother.... who discusses it with my dad.... who does NOT do facebook.

Funny.

**ETA: I found out from my cousin, who shares with our g-ma. I think it is cute how family, who does NOT, Facebook actually Facebooks. :-)

I'm not sad that Oprah no longer will have her show. No, I didn't watch it.

I have never liked Oprah. I think she is an iconic figure. I think she has a lot of influence over society. And, I think she is dangerous.

I know.... some of you are ticked by those thoughts.

Really, what's the big surprise there?

I haven't had anyone mad at me in a few days, at least.

We are going to have a busy summer. We start with 2 piano recitals, followed by: a week long trip to Minnesota for JBQ National Festival, swim lessons x 2, camp at a horse ranch x 2, art camp at school x 1, baseball camp x 1, week long trip to Canada and BOSTON (insert falsetto sing-song voice) for my hubby and me...... then, it is time to get ready for school.

During that time, there will be birthday parties, trips to the water park, trips to Six Flags, picnics, uniform buying..... so many other things.

I hope to be a bit more diligent in my writing. I miss it. But, we have been crazy-busy the past few weeks. It will calm down......

Soon......

Like in about 8 years.

EARTH DAY BLOG HOP WINNERS

First, let me apologize for the delay. We didn't close the drawing until the 30th. This past weekend was a big JBQ meet..... we DID qualify for Nationals, by the way.... but I just haven't been able to get to my computer until now.

Here are the winners.... if you will contact Kiki at A Home Made By Kiki, she will send you your H2 Cleaner by Shaklee! CONGRATULATIONS!

1.) Sweet Pea

2.) Trend Setting Mom

3.) {Mom of 3 Dolls}

4.) Wee Share

5.) A Mellow Life Is A Good Life