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...