SimpleHuman

I think I bought the greatest gadget ever created this weekend. This little item you see above is the Bag Capsule from Simplehuman. I bought it at the Container Store...every time I go in that place I love it more than I did the time before. (go to Oprah.com for a 25% off coupon!) Follow the Simplehuman link for the details...you will want one for your purse, car, diaper bag, etc. Best part, you can give in to the temptation to buy it because the price is great!

Now, excuse me while I go try to figure out when trash bag gadgets became this exciting for me.

Wordless Wednesday

Look out Hollywood...

It's The Small Things

On our way to Preschool this morning, I had a million things running through my mind.

Did I turn the alarm on?

Did Ella have her backpack?

What errands do we have to run?

Did I put that check in the bank?

It's just one thing after another...

As my thoughts started to clear a bit, I heard my almost 5yr old singing along with the CD to Knees To The Earth in the back seat, and it literally stopped my thoughts in their tracks. I was almost in tears as I listened to that sweet little girl sing about the Lord. I can't believe that God allows me to be a part of something like that...I am truly unworthy, and way to busy.

While I was planning our day and worrying about things that we had to do, my oldest was busy staring out the window and singing her little heart out about Jesus. It's shocking how something so small can bring your day right back into focus....where it should be. God is so good. I am so humbled and thankful for these amazing kiddos that He has given to us. To think, all this time I thought that they were supposed to be learning from me...

*****Please, keep praying for Stellan.*****

II Corinthians 4:17

I'm sure a ton of you know that Mckmama's little boy Stellan (this link will take you to the story of Stellan.) is currently in the PICU. He has been diagnosed with SVT just like when he was in the womb. I ask you to pray for this family and this sweet little boy...they truly need it right now. Click on the links to head on over to her blog for all the updates.

Manic Monday

For your listening pleasure, go here. (song takes about 20 sec to start.) And while you're at it, here too. I was 5, but I remember.

Is the weekend over already!? We're off to another busy week.

Back to preschool.
Back to my feet hitting the floor at 6am.
Back to terrorizing Target while we wait on Ella to be done with school.
Back to Starbucks for some re-fueling....mmmm, Starbucks.
Back to laundry, dishes, and more laundry.
Back to the job I love :). (not that there is ever a break from this job!)

And back to potty training...wait, back up...did I say potty training?
Oh that's right, I promised that I would start to train the older twins when spring break starts, which is the end of this week, gulp!

How do you think savvy little women #2 and #3 will adjust without diapers? We will have to wait and see I guess. I can't imagine that I will have anything interesting to write about as we start into this adventure. :) I can just see myself sitting on the side of the tub feeding the babies and waiting for Reese & Charlotte to get their business done.

Pray and fast please...OK you don't have to fast, that's a little over the top I guess.

Wish me luck! Happy Monday!!

Weathering A Tantrum

When I first decided to write this article, I had a whole different vision for it. I thought I was going to write about how to deal with, and hopefully stop multiples in the midst of tantrums. But lets face it, I am a young mom with 5 young children, and I am still learning how to get through a tantrum without throwing one myself....

Read the rest of this article here!

Folding, Baby Food, Patience, And A License

I can't help but think lately that maybe I'm the one with the communication problem. Am I not talking loud enough? What about "stop touching all the folded clothes" don't the kids understand? At home, and in a store. The other day my almost 3yr olds were touching every stack of clothes on a display table at the Gap. I think anxiety set in for the sweet lady working when we walked through the door...since she had probably just folded those clothes that my girls were picking up. She walked over and said as nicely as possible,

"Can I help you find something?"

I don't know if you have ever worked retail, but that question also means,

"Is there a stroller that I can put your kids in so they will stop destroying my store?"

"Is there something you're looking for?" she asked again.

Yes, I am looking for something, my sanity.

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Fantastic baby food making websites:

www.wholesomebabyfood.com

www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com

www.homemadebaby.com

Head on over and check them out!

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She has fantastic aim. I never, ever imagined I would have baby cereal in my eye...ever. But, out of 5 kids, one has manged to have a sneeze so impressive, that it can reach about 2 feet from her face. I won't mention names, but it does sound kind of like Finley. And believe me, Gerber does a lot of good for our kids nutritionally, but it does no good for your eyeball...just take my word on that.

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I try to have patience, I really do. I try to make myself believe that stuff doesn't bother me...because that is the only way I will make it through my day without...oh you know, banging my head against the steering wheel...just for example. I try to make it seem like it doesn't bother me that all the girls would jump in the puddles outside today while I'm trying to load them up for preschool...after I specifically told them not to. So now we have to go back inside because they have Mary Jane's on, which means their socks are completely soaked...and the bottom of their pants are wet. Insert, "banging head against steering wheel..."

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I heard yesterday that if you have 7 or more kids, you have to get a special license to drive your vehicle, which would obviously be large. Is that true? So this means that if I were to have another set of twins, I would have to take a driving exam so I could get a certain license to drive my family around? Can anyone validate this?

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I'll give all of you (and myself) a chance to pick yourselves up off the floor after passing out at the thought of me having a 3rd set of twins. Is everyone alright?

Ok, lets see, what were we talking about?

Makin' Some Baby Food

Is it that time already?? At the babies 4 month checkup yesterday (seriously, their 4 month checkup...time goes so fast!), we chatted a bit about introducing some solids to the girls. Been there, done that. This time around however, I am planning on making our own baby food...I'm real excited about this. My question to you all is, Does anyone use a grinder/food processor that works really well for this kind of thing? I have searched a bit, but just wanted some other opinions. I would love some advice, and any other ideas or things that worked for you!

Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

Another Wordless Wednesday

I had to post this pic of Reese & Charlotte...

Wordless Wednesday...Kinda

Here is Eric, me, and the older girls last night before we headed out for a birthday date. Its hard to believe that this time last year I only had 3 little girls, and didn't even know I was pregnant. I never dreamed that on this birthday I would have 2 more loves!

We had a great night last night. It is always so nice to sit and talk without interruption! We came home to 5 sleeping little girls, 2 worn out grandparents :), and a 1 quiet house. I was telling Eric how I feel that I have so much to be thankful for this birthday (except the whole being one year older thing..haha). It has been a year of struggles, and a year of many celebrations for us. I feel now, that I know the Lord in a different way...in a deeper way...which I am so completely grateful for. I know I've said it before, but it is shocking what a difference just one year can make!

Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

Thank You, No Really, I Needed That.

As if I didn't know my 2yr olds were coming in and out of the playground door every two minutes.

Like I didn't hear Charlotte saying, "mama, I pee peed, I pee peed mama..."

It's not like I was feeding 2 babies while trying to reason with the older girls. "Girls please go back in and play...mommy is feeding your sisters...stop screaming...stop crying...and for crying out loud Charlotte, go get a tissue."

Why would it look like I had reached the end of my rope? It's not like I was talking to the the new babies about how I need to "crack down" on the older ones, and "get control" of this situation. They really are great listeners though...no back talk, just smiles...as if they agree with every word that comes out of my tired mouth...which I have to admit, I don't hate.

You would think that most people would understand that sometimes small children can be a little unruly. Which may or may not include climbing up the net that surrounds the play area instead of climbing on the equipment itself...so it's a safety issue, but what they don't know is that it is just one of our many safety issues.

I'm positive that everyone knows that sometimes a 2yr old would rather play than tell you her diaper is full. So she ends up peeing out of her diaper and completely down both pant legs. And sometimes mom doesn't have a change of clothes...once in a while she forgets them on the couch at home...

With all the above knowledge that every adult carries around, you would think I wouldn't hear,

"your girls are cute...and they are good little twins, but geez, this situation is chaotic. You know, you trying to manage all this by yourself...it's a lot for one person to handle. You sure have your hands completely full. I was always afraid I would have twins."

Haha, really lady? You do know that there are families out there with many more than this right? That's exactly the kind of encouragement I needed on this stressful preschool morning. I'll just gather all my children and head back to the shoe. Thankyouverymuch.

Spring Is In The Air

Ahhhh, it is a beautiful thing...the spring air.

We packed up all the kiddos today and headed to the park for some fun in this wonderful weather we've been having. It was a breezy 65 -70 degrees out today, and it was absolutely beautiful! It's amazing what a little fresh air and some swing sets will do for the kids...well, and for my sanity.

I had been "spring cleaning" all morning, and knew it was time to get the girls out a bit when Ella asked me if she could help mop, and Reese & Charlotte were putting as many stickers as they could on the kitchen floor...man those are hard to scrape off. I am a fan of Disney Princesses, but I don't need them for decor in our main living area.

Needless to say, we are ready for the seasons to change, and ready to spend lots of time at the park and in the sun. Hopefully we will be enjoying this summer in a new house...you know, a home where we are not completely busting at the seams! It was one year ago this month that I found out I was pregnant again...my oh my, what a year can do.

We have a full, but fun week ahead, and I am hoping to get some time to post more fun pics of the girls. Oh, and it has been brought to my attention, most recently by Miss, (which by the way, hope you don't mind that I linked to your blog...what am I saying, it's you, and we are pretty much the same it seems, even though I have never met you outside the blog world...I wouldn't care if you linked to mine...maybe we will meet for coffee someday to discuss all this...anyway.)that there are little to no pics of myself on here. I am real. It is really me blogging away over here. I am just not one to get in front of the camera much, and can you blame me...I have all these little women that are in front of the lens all the time! I will post some here in the near future...maybe...we'll see. Nooo, I really will.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Good Question!

I was putting together a post today about questions that I have received from some of you readers out there. I wish I could meet you in person, we would have so much to talk about! I was answering one of the questions when I realized that I had more than just a short answer for this topic...it called for it's own post. Please know that I know some moms have to work outside the home, every situation is different with it's own demands. I don't think it's bad for a woman to have a career. These are my convictions as a mom. And hey, you asked it! Opinions may not be the same, and I totally understand that.

All these little kids must be really expensive, How do you afford it?

For the record, no, I'm not offended that you would ask. I am actually so glad you did! That is always the concern on every ones mind when you find out you are about to get thrown into a large family. And remember, we are a big family, not a huge family, I get a lot of encouragement and ideas from women who have twice as many children as I do, and I love reading about how they financially manage a huge family. It is strapping for us right now because of diapers, checkups, new little clothes every 3 months :), etc. It's sooo normal to question how you will do it. Let me, let you, in on the way our family is managing the many needs of our 5 young children.

We are your typical young family. We live in a normal home, drive less than new cars, and I am a crazy, relentless, deal finder. I am your mix of loving cute clothes, but love finding them at kids rummage sales, and on clearence racks. We save any way we can. We don't go on huge family vacations, I don't drive that brand new SUV that I love, and I really do love, love, love a good sale. Now don't get me wrong, I do splurge once in a while on certain things. I love me some babyGap for my girls, and I am a huge believer in the "perfect jeans." I will pay the extra dollar for the perfect pair. Oh, and shoes. There is nothing like a great pair of stilettos with the perfect pair of jeans. Anyway, on with the budget stuff.

Eric has a good job, and is a very dedicated worker. He works hard to provide & meet the needs of our growing family. Seriously, I feel like any company would be lucky to have him. He has a vision for our family, and wants the best for his girls...and for that, I am forever thankful. Sorry, had to brag on dad a bit. We "make it" because we make it work. Sure, we may not go on those fancy vacations, I don't buy memberships to amusement parks or zoos, but my girls spend day in and day out with their mama, and there is nothing that will ever replace that. Will they remember seeing giraffes at the zoo, or being able to stay in their pj's all day, running through the kitchen playing "red light, green light"? I can't even tell you how many days we have "vegged out", and watched Cinderella while I cleaned the house and folded laundry. These are the days that every parent talks about. The days that will be "gone before you know it."

Would another income help this growing family? Heck yes it would. Would we be able to do more, join more, buy more? For sure. But is it worth my children being in someone else's care, where that person would watch the "firsts" that I am supposed to be there for? Absolutely, positively not. I would never, ever, for anything, miss this sweet time that I have with my girls. I can work later, they are little now.

So how do we afford it? We just do. It is expensive, but God provides, and He knew the plan before we did...what a relief that is. I am forever thankful for God's blessings in our lives...and I know that God never intended for every season of our life to be simple and easy. Praise The Lord for His Sovereign planning. Embrace what He is doing, even if it isn't easy...it is always for a reason. Our Jesus is loving and comforting, He knows the plans He has for us...and our many small kiddos...

Oh, and again, I am truly the queen of run-on sentences...oh well.

Wordless Wednesday

Home On The Range??

Have we found a new farm town to call home? We will have to wait and see.

As the old saying (kinda) goes...

"You can take the girl out of the city,

but can you take the city out of this girl?"