Baby Blues!

When I caught this little precious one with blue marker all throughout her precious little mouth why was my first reaction to run for the camera and get that picture? And it was not...oh my goodness that could be really bad for her! That marker may be toxic! I should wash that out of her mouth right away! Good question..yes? I thought you might agree. This is my 1 year old...she is the one who will help you unpack when you move into your new house. Her unpacking skills have come in handy as I hang my clothes out to dry on the clothes line. What...did I say clothes line!? Yes ladies, I did...I still live in the dark ages where the sun actually still dries your clothes. I don't buy my "clothes line fresh" smell in a bottle. I actually do it. Crazy, huh?
So, back to Miss B. she has also taken to calling nursing "nyum...nyum". She is 15 months old and probablly (ok my tubes are tied), she IS my last child...unless God performs a miracle pregnancy..but the cute way she asks to nurse is so sweet and endearing. I could nurse for a little while longer. Although after 4 kids and nursing on and off for 8 years, I would like to have 'the girls' back to myself. As would, I am sure...someone else very dear to me. Nother story......

4 Things Meme

So I've been tagged by Michelle.
I have been tagged before but that post never made it past a draft, so I'm going to atempt to do better this time. If you are reading this then it means I made it through to publish it...yeah!

4 Things Meme

4 Jobs I've had in my life
1-telemarketer...very,very brief and I too hated it!
2-stocking shelves...being at work at 6:am...bluh!
3-In home care-also very short, I guess grocery shopping for the elderly wasn't my thing
4-In-N-Out Burger..yummy benefits (christian owned!)

4 Movies that I could watch over and over (in no particular order)
1-Dear Frankie (an obscure library find-awesome)
2-Something's Gotta Give - hilarious
3-Radio - Cuba Gooding Jr. in a differnt role than I'm used to-loved it!
4-Nicholas Nickleby - more than a feel good movie- a classic!

4 Places that I have lived
1-Dayton, OH
2-Lemon Grove, CA
3-Ensenada, Mexico
4-Fort Worth, TX

4 Things I like to do
1-Watch a good movie with hubby
2-read
3-laugh with friends
4-sing

4 Places I have been on vacation
1-Yosemite, CA (honeymoon)
2-Carlsbad Caverns...? forgot where it is, i was too young :0
3-Dayton, OH
4-Texas...traveling around visiting

4 Websites I visit daily (or almost)
1-My friend Michelle at between diapers and dishes
2-Freecycle - Ft Worth....free things that our family can use
3-Craigslist-again, checking the free stuff
4-various blogsites but don't have a blog roll and it doesn't end up being daily : (

4 Favorite Foods
1-Coffee...yes I agree with you Michelle. It IS a food, I would even venture to say a staple!
2-Chocolate..maybe that is why michelle and I are friends..the coffee & chocolate.
3-Keefer yogurt drink
4-Halvah...mmm..made from sesame and honey (#3 & #4 are comfort foods from when I was little

4 Places I would like to be right now
1-Soaking in a hot tub w/hubby in our own private suite in a luxury hotel on the 10th floor w/an awesome veiw!
2-Bed & Breakfast also sounds very nice (with same company)
3-On my dream vacation to Scotland or Ireland
4-Extreme Makeover (for myself, not my house!)

4 Friends I think will respond
1-Friends, what friends?
2-No really, I don't know who would respond. If you read my Meme then you are automatically tagged!
3-But I would like to know if you did, so leave a post so I can learn more about you!
4- This is the reason I need to blog more..to make more friends!

To approach the Roach or not to approach...that is the qustion!

So over on She Lives, Carol is sharing her infestation and it just got me going! I can totally relate! Except on a much nastier level! At least that's what I think! I have had a problem with roaches. I am not talking about the little ones in cupboards or the 'water bugs'. Oh, No! I speak of the ones I hear are called "American roaches"! Why they are called that when I saw them and loathed them in Mexico (as a missionary) is beyond me. Hmmm, the Mexicans probably called them 'Mexican roaches'...
...Anyway...here in Texas as it gets dryer they go looking inside for food and water. Hey, I could leave them a bowl or pool full of water outside. I'll even leave some food out (outside) for them, if that would make them happy. I know it would make me happy!
The last straw was last week when my hubby and I were watching a movie after the kids were asleep...which is when we as mommies actually try to relax (after we've done the rest of the cleaning around the house). So there I was relaxing when I feel something brush across the top of my foot.....AAAH! I new right away what it was! We finally found it but the nasty bugger was to fast and got to to the kitchen and under the fridge before my valiant hubby caught him. Then the really last straw was the next night when I was sleeping! UGh! I should not even post this, but yes I actually felt it on my elbow! You know when you sleep sometimes with your hand on the back of your head? Well my elbow was near my nightstand. I jolted awake and the rest was kind of a blur but I ended up pushing stuff of my nightstand and waking hubby afterwards! I was so very shook up that I was crying and really couldn't get back to sleep very well after that. I had to try sleeping in the living room. Yeah there was one there the night before. No it was not the same one..don't ask..we could just tell. Oh, but my night in shining armor did kill the bedroom one as it tried to sneak out the door. Ok so pray for me...I need deliverance from the roaches!
I have been doing better this week and have seen like about two since. All this roach sightings make me want to move north! AARRGH! Thank you all for letting me vent.

Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find!

I am asking and seeking!
You know, sometimes when you need an answer, you just have to ask. So that's what I'm gonna do. I know there are alot of smart ladies (yeah..men too) that are resourceful and creative and have a wealth of information. I have been looking online for information about working from home (online). I have spent so very much time looking that it's unbelievable. It's enough to make you sick when you see all the scams out there. I have been careful to avoid them but it is like trying to drive and navigate through a minefield. So my question, specifically is...Does anyone know of a legit online business where there is little or no start up cost? It does seem like alot to ask. Either that or some way for a stay at home-homeschooling mom-with 4 kids (8,6,3,and1)-can have a business at home where there is no direct sales involved? With so many stay-at-home and work-at-home moms out there, I am sure someone may be able to help.
Thank you for any advice or direction you can give!

Sing or Hum along!

Last Sunday in church Little Miss A. (3 yr) Was worshiping along with us in church. She was just a-singing loud along with everybody! I was holding her and I noticed that her song was different. As I tuned in to her little song I realized she was singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, little star"! It sure made me smile as I'm sure it brought joy to the Father as well. She was belting it out too...hey she didn't know the words to our song so she just put in the ones she knew! It was not the words that mattered but the heart and passion behind it! Yes, and she sang her "Twinkle" with passion. It even made the nice young lady beside us smile!

Also just wanted to share one of my favorite pic's of 'diaper buddies'. Little Miss A. is almost out of them...she is very excited to be wearing panties like her big sister Miss A. Of course we have about two more years for Miss B (1 yr). But at least it will be less diapers...yeah!

sahm I am!

I have had such a time at making that final decision of being at home with my kids and homeschooling or going to work as an interpreter and taking kids with me to work. As I have mentioned somewhere in a previous post, we really, really need a financial breakthrough. I figured that me going to work was the answer. All seemed like it was going well but my heart just was not at peace. I am the kind of gal that will just do what needs to be done. But I knew that my husband and I where not in complete agreement. For me, that is really important. He would be staying home with the two younger ones but it was still a difficult choice. He has been looking for another job, but because he is hard of hearing it does limit some of the jobs he can get. He is a very capable and quick learner and eager. But I know that people in general don't know how to accept or respond to someone who is different. I wonder if it has affected him getting a better job. So this is why I was going for a job. But In the process of witing to be hired I decided to turn it down. And when I called it turned out the only position they had anyways was going to be farther out. I had already decided that if it was any farther than where it was then I would not be taking the job. So it was a real confirmation.
So my husband and I are really at peace with the decision that we've made and I will again be homeschooling my kids this year. My eldest is entering 3rd grade and her younger bro is beginning 1st. They have 2 younger sisters, ages 3 and 1. So it will be a little bit of a challenge with all 4 plus the house and all that comes along with it. So we still desire your prayers in the area of hubby's job situation and our home life/school. Well I guess that we be like all aspects....I must say that all this has really drawn me closer to the face of the Lord and given me a hunger to know Him more and build more my relationship with Him.

Too late to post

I've got new info to share since I have fallen from the 'blogshere".
But since it is 2:30 ...am!! I will not post now! I will go to bed and hopefully get to tell you about it tomorrow.
Thank you all for your prayers..I'll be sharing soon!

Ah, the sweet innocence!

It has been so very very hot here! It is starting to cool down, it is a nice 93 now! Yeah, I know...but that is better than last week which got up to 110! And...our central ac has not been working properly, but that would be another blog topic all together.
So, it has been so very hot and our family is getting ready to head out of the house the other day. But daddy needs to get a quick shower before we leave. Well I mentioned that I needed one too, cause of all the excess sweating! And I said (with kids around-just to see their reaction), "well maybe we can both get our shower at the same time!"....." that would be ok, wouldn't it?" I asked. Well my 6 year old son seemed to think that would be ok. But then again he is also the one who streeeeks from bathroom to bedroom (they are like 5 ft apart). Covering only the vitals with his cupped hands. Well he will also walk the house looking for me, doing the same thing, just to ask me where his underwear are. So maybe his opinion is null.....? But My 8 year old said "NO!" ....."It would not be OK to shower together!" So I asked her why....."because everyone know that boys and girls don't shower together." I guess all I can say is...I taught her well. We will just cross the 'other' bridge when we get to it. Cause ...honey, you wouldn't be here if we didn't do just that from time to time!

Here's it is my friend...you can breath

Thank you Michelle for your nudge. Hey these pic's are for you too...bringing back a little of those "Thelma and Louise" memories. Except they didn't have babies in the back seat of the convertible! I have been needing to post. Life just keeps happening and my blogging can't keep up...gonna hafta' do something about that..
Well I have mentioned about the washing machine and the lawn mower, now we have a microwave. Plus our food stamps finally came through. This is something that is a big blessing for us at this time but want to be working our way out of needing it . It's there to help us at this point in time, but I pray one day (in the not too distant future) that we won't qualify because we are making to much money. Because all we want to do is pay our bills and get out of debt, who doesn't? But also want to be in a place to bless others as well...abundantly.
On that note...I had my interview for being an interpreter at a school that has a deaf program. I have been signing for the past 12 years but not all of that in a school setting. It has been in Mexico too. So I am not really sure how my experience will be rated. My perception is that it is not a question of 'if' I will get hired but 'how much my salary would be' when hired. We really need double what my husband is bringing in, but only God knows what we truly need. And how and when we will receive it. The school district is about 35 min away and will cost about $160 in gas alone per month. There is a chance a friend could work at that district as well. But there is some red tape holding her back. Please be praying that she be able to work in the same district because that would be so much help if we could ride together. I should find out by the end of next week about the job. If I am in or not and how much pay. Our lives and livelyhoods are in His hands. I thank and praise God for His goodness in our lives and the direction He is leading us. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. How great is His love for us ...and you! Keeping you posted.....hello, hello? Anyone out there? Well I better hang-up.

I'm so excited!...#2

This is going to be a mini post since the last was soooo wordy! We just picked up a lawn mower! It was another freebie! Thank you Lord! Now I have a washing machine and my man has his lawn mower. Not exactly our 'toys', but if you don't have one and you need one...then they feel like new toys when you get them. We are basking in His goodness. He knows what we need and when we need it. We were content in going to the laundromat (in a longsufferring-maybe it will help build character in my kids and I kind of way) and our neighbors had helped us mow before, although the grass has been looking really shaggy lately and no one has offered and we hadn't asked for help yet. Isn't God good?!
Thank you for your prayers as we continue to seek the Lords will in our life in the area of jobs/finances.

I'm so excited!

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!
Yeah now the song will be running through your head ! Well in the midst of our needs that we have..financial etc... We, as you know from my blogging about my laundromat experience, need a washing machine. So in brief...WE FINALLY HAVE A WASHING MACHINE! And it is not and old beat up one. It is really new (although I don't know how new) So this is the so cool story. My hubby, while he was out and about working, noticed an old used washing machine in front of somebodys' house. He texted me about it and I went to scope it out. Well no one is home so I leave a note with my number. I go back later in the day on a nudge, cause you really never know if the person will call..and I really want a washing machine...bad! Well I got there and, bummer, it was gone. But the man said they had another one...sweet! So I looked at it and it looked so very nice! And I'm thinking "So what is so major wrong that they are getting rid of it!". He says that it has been leaking. And I think.."Hey, I can handle leak". So hubby comes home and we go over to see it. Well the man of the house is not there. But he told me earlier that he may not be there but we are still welcome to the washing machine if we want it and can pick it up, even if no one is there. So..we do! And then the woman of the house shows up...akward! So the washing machine was on their back porch but there is no fence or gate and we just pulled it on our dolley. We had it almost completely in the back of the van when she pulled up. I felt like a thief! The first thing that came out of my mouth as she was rolling down her window and then steeping out of her car was that her husband said we could come get it. But I told her if that was not ok then we'd put it back! Yeah right! Like I really wanted to, but she was totally cool, she said she didn't know her husband wanted to get rid of it but if that was what he said..it was fine! Whew!
So we hooked it up out back and it leaks....a little! Man if I could take a picture right now and post it, I would. But I'm all out of discs. But it looks so very pretty! Thank you Lord for answering the desires of our hearts. Thank you Lord that I can now do laundry at home. Even though I have to hang it up on the line, at least it won't cost me more for electricity, cause I don't have a dryer. I am feeling so blessed in the midst of the storm. Thank you for your prayers! So you can only guess what I'll be doing tomorrow...LAUNDRY! And I've never been happier to do it!

Lost:Week

Lost:Week--If found please return to owner--she misses it greatly and really needs it back.

Oh man...I missed tackle it Tuesday and wordless Wednesday. Sigh. You ever have one of those days where you start out the week thinking it's Wednesday and by the Thursday you think it's Tuesday? Huh? Yeah...that's where I'm at.
Whatever...I look at my blog and go 'woah, I haven't posted since the 4th of July!'

Well in case anyone is wondering what the heck happened to that resume thing and getting a job interpreting...it goes a little like this. I guess about a week or so ago (cause remember, I lost a week). I came smack face into the reality of the possibility of going to work full time and not being here with my kids. My husband asked if I thought I could handle it? Um...I actually really don't know. I felt like I was galloping along, just about ready to enter the work force when someone yanked the reigns and I stopped dead in my tracks. So my hubby and I have 'hashed it out'. Which is good, it means we came to terms with where we are. His job does not pay the bills. Period. The Lord has opened the door for this job. I have tried and tried to find a better paying job for him, Cause the man is 'supposed' to be the one working , right? Well to no avail, nothing is coming of another job for him. I have to make a definite decision today. I had been waiting for a call for an interview. I got that call the other day, now I will call her today and set up the time and day for the interview.

So here is the thing. For me to be working full time we really need another car. Please pray that this would come. If it is the Lords will then I know he will provide. And while your praying, please pray for our finances because we don't have the money right now to pay our rent and some other bills. (Meaning they are past due) We need some miracles to happen in our lives.
So that's where I am at. I cannot stress too much. Like once or twice a week I hit a stress level but I give it to the Lord and it also helps to verbalize my frustration with a friend. So I guess that is where my week has gone...it got lost in the 'What's going on of my life and what should we do?' So I guess you don't need to help me find it. I'll try to hold onto it a little better and take it one day at a time...

Our 4th of July fun!

I had so many pic's I wanted to share..I decided to just do a mini presentation. We really didn't have our plans for the 4th set when we woke up in the morning like I'm sure many people did. Most 'normal' people had planned this day way in advance. Well, we are somewhat abnormal, as anyone who knows us knows! Our eldest was wanting to go to the lake because her friend from church was going. But the lake is a little bit of a drive and with the way our finances are (and the lame-o prices of gas!) we decided not to. But! Don't let that stop this family from having fun! Oh,No! Also...the forecast in our area was for thunderstorms...oooh! Yet the temperature is still in the low 90's..uugh. So I had the idea to put our 'family/kiddie pool' under the car port and swim. We also had a little table top grill and had our own little 'cook out'! It was exciting to swim with it raining and thundering all around! Then we had 4th of July cupcakes...watched firework on t.v. in New York. They actually had rolling dice fireworks...wow! Afterward at about 9pm, which is when it is almost dark here (weird, huh?). We all piled in the family van and drove to the parking lot of a Jack-in-the-Box. This is were a friend said is the place to be to watch fireworks! Wow..it was cool..we were able to watch 2 shows! We told the kids they could sit on top of the van (they did not wiggle and I was close by). It was amazing, the baby just slept patriotically inside the van through it all. And little miss blondie did not like all the booming so she did not last long with bro and sis on top of the van. As soon as the grand finale exploded for one of the shows I anounced that it was time to go. We stopped to pick up vanilla ice-cream on the way home...(yes it was late..uh about 10pm, but it's a holiday)to make home made vanilla shakes. Mmmm...they were good. So once we had the kids good and sugared up and hiped up from the fireworks show...we sent them soundly to bed!
I just love to be creative and think 'out of the box' and make the most memories with what you have. Just because we lack in the monetary area does not mean we can't have fun with our kids and make awesome memories! I hope your 4th was just as memorable and fun as ours!

Heaven vs. Hell in the Laundromat

I have a question, that I think I have already answered. How do you know when it is time to do laundry. I'll give you 5 good reasons!

1...When it greets you at the door everytime you come home
2..When it does not let you out the front door...especially if you're in a hurry.
3..When the whole family has run out of under wear.
4..When everyone is also running out of clothes.
5..When you have to wash hubbys' jeans and work shirt in bathtub.

This is not Ripley's Believe it or not and it is not my Tackle it Tuesday. This is my normal or shall I say abnormal life..coming and going. From in front to behind...way behind!

Since we don't have a washer, we have to go to the laundromat. Since we are going to use tommorrow as a 'everybody- pitch- in- and- clean- the- house- and- afterwards- go- to -the- park- day'! I didn't want to use the cleaning house time with having to go out and do laundry. So I did it today while Hubby was at work. There have been a few times I have taken all 4 kiddos to do laundry with me alone. There is a reason why it has only been a few time. My kids.....and probablly everyones, seem to think the laundromat is an amusement park. Oh, if life were only so simple and carefree again!

But it is NOT!
No! Those carts are not for riding/climbing/racing or even quietly sitting in!
No! You may not eat that gummy worm you found on the floor even though we apply the 10 second rule at home...you have no idea how long it's been on the floor in this fine establishment!
No! I will not buy you a soda or candy from the machine even though it is the gazzilionth and 1 time you have asked me!
No! We are not leaving soon because I only just loaded 5 of the 10 loads into the wash!
Must I go on?....NO!
So pretty much all of this is accurate, ok, maybe not the gazzilionth thing. It was probably like only the hundreth time.

So this time I got smart..sort of. It is something I am striving towards in life.
The Dollar Store is really close to our laundromat (yes it is ours because we go there so often). So I decided to buy each of the kids a cheapo toy.
4 toy cell phone---$2 each
Color by number Care Bear activity--$1
Coloring Book to share--$1
My sanity at the Laundromat----Priceless!

Yes it worked! They walked and talked and colored and shmoozed chips off another kid and colored and were mostly pleasant for the 2 1/2 hours it took me to wash the 10 loads....yes it was actually 10 beacause 2 twin comforters needed washing!

Also, because it was around lunch time, their only 'food' was some cheapo sodas I bought from the cheapo store and some chips we had at home...pretty sad. But they were happy!

Am I tired? Yes! Was it worth it? Yes! Will I do it again? Ugh! Yeah...only cause I have to.
So wish me luck tommorow on our "Day of Purging the House"! And once again restore order. Soon I will celebrate freedom...from my house!

You Are a German Shepherd Puppy

Intelligent, quick witted, and a bit aggressive. You've got the jaw power to take a bite out of anyone you choose.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Wordless Wednesday

That is a hairbrush tucked into her diaper! And hairbands on the arm! Diapers are good for more than poopin'! They can double as a utility belt...cool!

Tackle it Tuesday

Ok...so here goes! I have been inspired by my friend Michelle. I never realized how similar our dressers were. I figured if I posted then I would HAVE to get it done! Thanks Michelle for your inspiration. This dressers keeps getting worse and worse. Actually it is the room that needs fixing but lets just focus on one thing at a time. And because this is what we see when we sit/lay in bed (it is opposite the bed). It is an important focal point.

I



So check back later...tonight probably, to see how I have done. *Spit* on palms*Rub*! Here I gooooo!!






Wooohoo! Smell that pledge! Hey ladies do I get bonus points for straightening my Hubby's little dresser that can be seen in the mirror refection? I sure think so! Whew and I even have time to go start dinner before he gets home...sweet!

Step by step

I just posted last night that I couldn't figure out how to change my slide from a post to a header. But now I have to change that post because I just figured it out...yay for me! You may have noticed I keep changing my template. I just get so bored so fast with the choices I have. So black just seems to be the choice. I like black cause it goes with everything! Trying to figure out all the technological stuff has been 'over my head'! I try to make my blog do what I want but it doesn't always listen and obey. Gosh...I have enough difficulty with my children, I don't have to take this from blogger! Well I am proud of myself for figuring it out and it wasn't as hard as I thought. Well, I'll go back to putting my clothes away...again!

Life happens when you're not looking

Here is my 'Alice' (2 1/2 to the right) as my friend Michelle calls her! This is not with the hair cut. But I will get that pic' up a.s.a.p. But this was a mid-day catnap! Sometimes you just have to stop whatever you're doing and sleep!
This is my littlest monkey (1 yr old to the left) 'Little Bee'. She does buzz around the house all day and keeps me and her siblings busy picking up her messes. Right now I don't have the time or patience to get her to pick up her own messes. I am all for training but half the time I don't know if she made the mess or my 'Alice' did. In this pick she got herself out of her seat, where she was buckled and climbed onto the table! Don't worry, it has a very and strong base. Besides, she is very lightWell, I am still getting my laundry put a away from my laundry day last week. That is bad! I have moved one pile of laundry a few times. There has GOT to be a mom out there that can empathize with me. Please tell me you understand!
I have been taking my kids to VBS this week and they are loving it! I had thought I would come home and get some stuff done around the house...yeah right! Get more done without my older kids help with the 2 younger ones? Well 2 other moms and I have decided to take our little ones places and let them have a little fun while we visit i.e. play area at mall and museum...etc. I have been able to get more done when I come home too. Weird, huh? I think it has to do with the structure in the day. Whatever works!

Now you see it...Now you don't!

I am realizing that I either don't have an exciting enough life to blog often enough or I am too darn busy to be able to post a blog. Oh, how I want to post more often and to make my blog-site more purty, but alas, I am "over my head"!
Ok..so here it is! My eldest daughter 'sal' and I have discussed her getting her hair cut and donating her hair more than a year ago. Well the other day we saw a post about a girl who had donated her hair to Locks of Love . So, we did it! Ok, she did it! As a mom I feel it is one of the most noble things a child can do. I am very proud of her. It has been way too hot here anyway (it has been in the 90's consistently for too long) And the haircut was free at Fantastic Sam's, because it was donated! Cool, huh? Personally, I think the short hair makes her look so mature, but she's only 8. They cut a whole 10 inches! She has decided to do this every summer. Let it grow long in the winter and cut it short and donate it in the summer. I think I have been just as excited as she has been about the whole thing.
Well we also had my husband and my son's hair cut at the same time. My son who is 6 does not want to spike his hair or comb it to the side. He wants it short and combed straight forward. That kind of Cesar looking style...uugh! I cannot convince him or bribe him otherwise, darn it! I thought my 2 1/2 year old would fuss and want to get hers cut too. But she didn't say anything. Maybe the bowl of lolipops kept her occupied. My son and her promptly finagled one from the lady at the counter. Anyway it finally happened. She had been internalizing her desire for a hair cut. Today she did it...'the chop' ..... herself! She has such pretty blond curly hair and she wacked off a good chunk just above her bangs! She has left remaining a tiny, very tiny bit of bangs left, so I will attempt a 'comb over/back' for how many weeks?! So the really bad thing about it was that I was only about a foot or so away when it happened! Where the heck was I?! Now I know this has not happened to any of you moms! I was so...'Oh My Gosh, Oh Honey, What! Why?!' and she was so' I'm sorry mommy'.......Sigh.....'I forgive you sweetie'.... So, almost everyone in the family got haircuts this weekend some good, some bad and some ugly...hee..hee...not really, they are all beauties!