I know I don't talk politics much, but...

I am absolutely loving Sarah Palin. This is a mom facing real challenges (being govenor of Alaska as well as being the VP running mate, a mom of five, and a soon to be grandmother) who shows what family is all about.

I, for one, am finding that I am focusing more and more on the VP position instead of the actual President. I am actually looking forwards to her running for President in 8 years. Not that she's sharing an information with me or anything, just that I'm hoping.

And just in case someone out there hasn't been privvy to all the Sarah Palin news and the Republican National Convention (going on in my home state of Minnesota!), say someone living in Canada, let me just share that Sarah not only says she is pro-life, but she lives it. She knew that her 5th child had down syndrome while pregnant and chose to have her sweet little boy, who is now only 4 months old. Her unwed teenage daughter is now 5 months pregnant, but instead of shunning her, the family is embracing her. We don't have to like what her daughter did, but that doesn't mean we can't openly accept what is to be.

Okay, I'll get off my high horse here, but tell me, are all the pro-life moms out there feeling this way? It seems to be how most of the blogs are that I'm reading.

Where have I been, you ask?

Well...I've been gardening and canning and picking and cooking and freezing and teaching and helping and stressing and sneezing and itching (allergies are a killer!) and sleeping and waking and cleaning and bathing and changing and dressing and reading and writing and praying and loving.

It's been a bit busy around here. I have severe allergies and hopefully when the season is over I'll be in better shape to blog more. Until then, the first day of school was yesterday and we are working hard.

Glue?

Does anyone know a good way to get glue, with glitter nonetheless, out of carpet? I'm going to try melting some ice cubes on it and "washing" it up, but other than that, I'm lost.

2 years olds

Well, my twins turned two years old on Sunday, Aug. 10th. It's really hard to believe that it has been two years already. I don't have many memories of their first year (oh, there are a few) because things were so hectic, but this past year has flown just as fast. They are running around getting into everything, crawling out of their cribs (ugh!) and starting to say a few words. They really are fun to watch. Imagine having your child get together with another child for a playdate. Isn't it fun to watch them play together and see the funny ways that they interact? That's what we get to do everyday. They are very cute when they are "talking" and playing together. They are even cute when they get into trouble together.

So, we've been sitting outside most mornings and late afternoons in order to enjoy the great weather and get the kiddos some excersize. It really is the only thing that I can do with the twins now. They can open doors and can even open 2 of our 3 baby gates (can you believe that?!) so it is almost impossible to get anything done around the house anymore. I tried to empty the dishwasher the other day and a stuffed tiger went into the toilet. I tried to make supper two nights ago and Harry got out the markers and started coloring a chair. Lucky for me we only keep washable markers in the house. I sit down to nurse Mary (about a 20 minute activity) and I the shampoo and lotion from my bathroom was emptied on the floor. So, for the next year or so, when I still won't be able to reason with them, we'll be found outside. If it is raining, check the garage.

Big things come in little packages

If you have ever met my children, then this post is not for you. But, if you have not met my children, then please take notes for the day that you do.

If you see my Joseph and notice that he is the tallest of my children, do not assume that he is the oldest. He measures in at about 58 pounds and 53 inches tall. He towers over other kids his age and looks like he is 9 or 10 years old. He is, in fact, only 7 years and 1 month old. Please keep that in mind if you meet him. He's just a little boy in a very tall body.

If you see my John Paul and notice that he is a small, petite little boy, please remember that he is my oldest. He measures in at about 41 pounds and 48 inches tall. He is by far the smallest of any child we have met that is his age and looks like he is 6 years old. He will be 9 in just a few short weeks (Aug. 28th!). He's a big thing in a little package.

Please treat my children according to their ages, not their sizes. Thank you for listening to my little sermon. Have a great day!

Charlie

There is just something about a 4 year old boy, with dimples and freckles, that can make a mom weak in the knees. What is it about these little creatures that makes me want to grab them and hug them and never let go?

There just something about these two also, but I don't quite know what it is yet!

Back from church early today

Well, today didn't go very well at church for my kiddos. They have rules that they are supposed to follow and we don't think it is too much for only an hour. Some of the rules include staying in their seat when we get there (not switching around in the pews because they want to sit by someone else), sitting and standing and kneeling when the adults do, not talking (oh, they whisper to us occasionally but we don't want them playing games with each other), and basically sitting quietly and still.

Today,this did not happen. Vincent started it off by wanting to get out of the pew before Mass even started. By the time the second reading was over my husband was ready to take the twins out to the gathering space. That left me with a very happy Mary and a well behaved John Paul, and three other not very well behaved children. That was a little bit stressful. Now, we consider taking the children to church to be a blessing and we want them to enjoy it as well as they can. We don't go to morning Mass simply because it is just too much work for me with seven children who are so young. However, we have decided to take them this week so that they can practice their "church behavior". I think it'll be just me with the oldest 4 and leave the younger 3 home with Brian. Just to add, morning Mass is only about 30 minutes long so it should be very doable for my brood.

Wish me luck, or say a prayer!

My surprise blessing!

I have one of those children that can make you burst into tears one minute and run screaming from the house the next. But, he is also our most sensitive and imaginative child we have. He is the one that all the other children want to play with because of his great ideas. He is the one that can hold the baby, sing to her, and make her smile.

I sometimes joke that he spent his whole third year in time out (which is almost true!) and when he does get into trouble now, it's usually a whole day scenario. But, he can bring me to happy tears in two seconds flat with a simple hug and kiss. I love this kiddo with so much of my heart that it hurts sometimes.

He is the biggest surprise blessing because I didn't know what a true blessing he really was.

My Joseph...

My baby is 6 months old today and 4th of July pictures

**Help! Does anyone know how to rotate my pictures?**

How's that for a title? My sweet little Mary Margaret is 6 months old today. Already 1/2 way to her 1st birthday. She's getting so big, I'm even considering starting baby food today. We'll see, only if the kitchen is clean enough...we had smoothies last night and waffles this morning and it's a bit of a mess. Here is a fairly recent picture of her.

Yes, she's eating her toes in this one...do you think it's time to start baby food?

Now on to the 4th of July celebrations! We had a few relatives over at our house and had a great time. Here is the day in pictures...

And on to the fireworks...not much, just a small display in our back yard, but the kiddos loved it.

I know I don't have a picture of Evelyn, but she was sharing a chair with her cousin Ella, and I don't want to publish her picture without permission. So, there you have it...our 4th of July!

Baseball and boys

Here is my son John Paul playing baseball...so at the ready, so with it, and so athletic!

And it's a hit!
Made it to first base!

And here is my son between pitches...does he have to use the bathroom?

Can you see your own shoes from behind?

Stayin' Alive! Stayin' Alive!

Don't trip!

It's a bird, no a plane, no it's Superboy!

That's my boy!

Hot Fun In The Summer Sun!

I'm so glad that we homeschool!

So, I was reading this article, thinking how lucky I am that I didn't go through this in high school. I'm also thinking how lucky I am to be able to homeschool my children. Public schools can be a very scary place (and I am a public school teacher!).

Read it and tell me what your thought are.

Confession Time

So, I have a confession to make. I am a lurker. I have been for a long time and I probably will be for a long time. So, if you "feel" someone lurking around your blog...it may be me.

The foyer

Remember when I said that I had ordered some vinyl words from scribbleitonline.com? Well, here they are in the finished project. And a picture of Mary that is also hanging in my foyer. I have to say that most of those frames cost $1-$2 at the Thrift Store and were simply spray painted black. The mats that are in some of the frames are made from $.25 scrapbook pages. I love projects that don't cost a lot of money.





You can click on the picture to make it larger, but this is what it says: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."

This wall makes me very, very happy!

I had to edit to add that if you do click on the picture of Mary to make it bigger, you will see all the fingerprints and smudge marks. I apologize to all the Martha Stewart wanna-bes, but that is the way we live around here and I think the picture is still perfect!

Happy 5 month birthday!

So, since I have a newfound delight in posting pictures, I figured I'd do it again. I just have to ask, is she not the cutest little thing?

One more of trouble #1 and trouble #2!

One more to show the curls!

Have a great day!

First Communions, Baptisms, and Birthdays

So back in April we had a party. I couldn't post pictures then, so I'm going to tell all about it now. We had a First Communion, Baptism, and a 4th birthday party all on the same day. It was wonderful! We had about 45 people at our house after the ceremonies at church. So, here are a couple of pictures of my kiddos.

John Paul, my First Communicant, looking good in his suit.



And John Paul holding Mary, in her Baptismal gown, and Charlie (the 4 year old birthday boy).

That's all for tonight.

When Daddy needs help...

Otherwise known as I'VE GOT PICTURES!!!

So, when Daddy is fixing the tractor and little ones are around, they naturally think that they are vital to getting the job done. Exhibit A,B,and C.

And for those of you who aren't sure, Vincent is in the orange and Harry is in the blue.

Busy, busy, busy

So we got our garden planted (most of it) on Tuesday. Yes, here in MN we don't plant until the first of June. And it was cold! I'm very excited about this garden and I'm even more excited to stock my freezer and pantry after harvesting all the goodies!

We're still homeschooling. Since we took time off for Mary's birth and just plain don't homeschool every single day, so we're just going to keep going. The kids don't seem to mind most days and it'll be good for them. So, we just trudge along. Really, it's the twins that take up so much of my time and energy. They really are a handful, and as much as I love them, I do look forward to nap time. It's the only time when I can get anything done. They are boundless balls of energy and into everything.

So, that's it for now, I need to do a few things, but I will try to get on again soon.

First of all, a giveaway...

Recently I purchased some vinyl letters (that are wonderful!!!) from http://scribbleitonline.blogspot.com/

and now they are having a giveaway. If you like the look and want some good customer service, check them out and enter the giveaway (or not, I'd like to win!).

Lunch

Whoever decided to melt cheese on tortilla chips and call them nachos was a genius!