Hands and Feet

I do the same science lesson with both Andrew and Christopher, together.

We have been talking recently about how different muscles and bones have different jobs 

and how God created them each to do their own job just right.

The "object lesson" was to try to write your name using your feet instead of your hands

and to walk on your hands instead of your feet--boy, did they ever laugh while trying!!

We talked about how some people have to learn to do things without

their hands or feet; 

we decided we are very thankful that all of our hands and feet can do their jobs well!

Ruby Tries Snow

On our outing, Ruby announced she was thirsty.

Since I had spontaneously decided to go,

I had not packed my typical water bottle

so I advised her to eat snow.

White snow, always.

She wasn't sure about that.

See?

She had to think about that...

Very seriously.

That's a Good Question

Last week on Isaiah's birthday, he chose to eat at Burger King.

He'd never had a Whopper before and wanted to give it a try.

He always has set high goals for himself.

As I sat with my two oldest boys, a lady came over to comment on our lovely little Elizabeth.

She assumed that these three were the sum of my children.

When I told her that I have nine, her jaw dropped.

She was completely floored.

She went on and on about how shocked she was that we have nine kids, etc.

Anyway, after she left, the boys and I started reminiscing about other similar encounters we've had and the many Duggar references.

Then Nathaniel posed a good question:

"It's funny that people never say, 'Hey--you guys are just like the Waltons!'  It's actually a better comparison."

And he's right.

Even when we *only* had five kids, people would get so excited and say we were just like "that Duggar family."  It probably is the combination of homeschooling and "large" family that does it, I suppose.

But the Walton's had seven kids; that's closer to our nine than the Duggar's 19.

The Waltons lived on a farm.

The Waltons had a fun-loving Grandpa.

The Waltons had to learn how to make do.

I wear an apron.

The Waltons had a goat.

The dad needs a haircut and up until last week, so did Dennis.

The Waltons even had an Elizabeth!!

Yep, though we love the Duggars, maybe we're a bit more like the Waltons--for now, anyway. :-)

I'm Blessed

This week, I'm blessed to have such a good example of marriage in my parents.

I'm linking back to the post I wrote on Sunday, their 40th anniversary.

As I said there, I'm so glad they have stayed together in a time when it seems so many others are falling apart.

Also, reading Gretchen's post reminds me that our family has been SO spared from health hardships.  

All of the things we have dealt with have been so minor.

During my darkest days after the babies are born, I remind myself that I got to come home with my baby.

Not all mommies get to do that.

I am holding my baby while I type this.

Not all mommies get to do that--some mommies have babies that they have never held.

Thank you, Gretchen, for hosting this blog party week after week.

It is good to reflect on the goodness of God.

Another Afternoon Adventure

Sometimes I get in the mood to do something fun.

My husband and children would attest to the fact that I'm am NOT at ALL spontaneous.

But sometimes, sometimes,

I set my work aside and try to remember to have fun.

Like when we did this.

It's a step for me--a big step.

So on Friday, 

I announced to my crew that I was going to take them sledding in town at the sledding hill,

which is just the hill leading to the ball field in the big town with a population of like 225.

I thought it would be fun for all the kids to go,

but my bigger kids didn't.

They didn't want to go and so I let them stay home.

I headed out with Andrew, Christopher, Elijah, Ruby, Ivy and Elizabeth.

It was a balmy day and our snow is pretty much all melted so that's why we headed to town.

I was a little worried when we pulled up next to the ball field because there wasn't a whole lot of snow there, either!  There was enough to slide down on and it's a good thing it wasn't deep because I forgot that I don't even own a pair of boots!  

Bipper on the snowboard 

Ruby blazed her own trail 

So proud!!

Ready,

set,

GO!

 Straight line all the way down!

Andrew knee-boarding

Andrew was a good helper--up and down!! 

 I even went down one time with Elijah on his sled

but then he told me I shouldn't ride again

'cause I was too big.

That's always good for Mom's self-esteem.

 Andrew, always the hot-rod.

 Bipper takin' a break

 makin' a train that stayed together all the way down!

Baby 'Lizabeth stayed asleep the whole time 

in the van 5 ft from me.

I kept checking on her and she kept sleeping!

*sigh*

It was a good afternoon.

40 Years

Today is my parents' 40th anniversary.

We are planning a party for them later this month.

Forty years...four decades.

In 1972, a gallon of gas cost $0.55.

Nixon was president and Watergate began.  

(My dad actually worked in the White House at that time--no kidding!)

An era of lava lamps, 8 track players and fondue

when people watched Here's Lucy, Hawaii Five-O, and The Brady Bunch.

In 1982

gas was $0.91 and a postage stamp was $0.20 and a major recession hit the US.

The first cd player was sold in Japan and the Weather Channel aired on cable for the first time.

People watched Magnum, P.I., Dynasty, and Falcon Crest--when they weren't watching Dallas, of course.

Who shot JR??  Do you remember??

In 1992 a gallon of gas was $1.05 and a pound of bacon was $1.92.

Ross Perot announced he would run against Bill Clinton and President Bush.

The Mall of America was built and DNA fingerprinting is invented.

America's Funniest Home Videos came on the scene and Andy Griffith played Matlock.

2002

Gas was $1.61 and the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law.

 George W. and Tony Blair were household names.

Forty years, four decades, four children, and now 12 grandchildren!

Some of the things my parents have imparted to us were strong moral values,

love of family, a strong work ethic, discipline, consequences,

and a sense of humor. 

One of the things that my dad has said that has always stuck with me is 

when we would see my mom and dad being affectionate (and they still are!),

we kids would roll our eyes, make gagging noises, turn away, or do all three.

My dad would smile and say,

"You just wait--one day I hope you find someone to love you as much as I love your mom."

There has never been any doubt that my dad loves my mom.

(and vice versa--my mom is a SAINT!) 

*wink*

I'm so thankful for the relationship they have with each other.

They have stayed together when falling apart has become the norm.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Elizabeth

We haven't caught too many smiles on camera yet.

sometimes she's pretty serious

this one made me laugh

it begs a caption, don't you think??

Leave me your idea in the comments, would you?

All I can think of is, "Whatchyou talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

from the show Different Strokes.