Hello-hello!

Hello all my blogging friends! I am still alive and kicking. I wish I had been able to keep up with you more. I haven't had use of a computer much. We came out to CA to look for a job, and to rent our house here, then back to ID, then decided to fix up CA after offer came, then back to CA to work on house, then back to ID to pack house, then another bout of sickness while Ladd was still in away, then then we moved to CA, now unpacking in CA, then found out we have to take baby early because of complications so here we are! Crazy how life can change in a few months time. We haven't had the baby yet but we are doing screening to make sure it is OK to. It isn't how I imagined this baby coming but we are just grateful we have a doctor that noticed something was wrong. I still don't have Internet but I will try to catch everyone up when I know more. I love peeking in on all of you when I get the chance. It makes me feel like I am not totally disconnected! Jen

First Guest Blogger!

I am very excited to introduce today's guest blogger- my sister Julia! I can't think of someone better to impart some words of wisdom to all us desperate mothers out there. This amazing mother of nine will tell you how it is- straight up, no sugar added. That does mean she has doesn't have plenty of positive things to say- she just tells it how it is- pretty refreshing huh? Her children range from ages 1-17. I know what you are thinking, "she must be one of those lucky few whose husband is always around". On the contrary- This super woman husband's work takes him away OFTEN and she is the only maid that cleans her house. Although her 3 year old is a pretty good apprentice to her. She is very active in the community, within at her church and her children's 5 schools she is a constant volunteer. She sews her kids costumes, makes delicious meals, throws fun dinner parties and teaches her kids music. I had to toot her horn because you will never hear her do it. So sit back and enjoy and prepare yourself for a treat, even if it may be bittersweet.




THE ART OF WAR (SIBLING STYLE)


I am often surprised at the sophistication that my children display when they are arguing and fighting with each other. (Now, if your children do not fight, please read no further--I do not want to burst your bubble of motherhood perfection.) I too once had a beautiful bubble, but I have been mothering for almost eighteen years, and I have seen the worst. I truly thought when I only had babies and preschoolers that my children would never fight! What could they possibly fight about? If they never saw fighting or arguing, they would never fight themselves, right? HA!
Fighting between young children is pretty straightforward. If a child feels he is wronged by another, he will fix it, i.e., pull sister's hair until she lets go of the toy. Not too complicated. The beauty of little children is that they are not looking to create conflict--and as a parent the source of the problem is easy to find and fix.
Teenagers, on the other hand, seem to crave conflict and have the ability to create problems out of peace. They are gifted, I guess. Let me give you some examples:


10 year old at the dinner table: My teacher said my essay was the best in the class.
14 year old: She obviously didn't read any other essays.
FIGHT BEGINS


12 year old during FHE: John looked at me.
14 year old: You must be looking at me to know that I was looking at you.
FIGHT BEGINS


15 year old sits down to scriptures and looks at the 17 year old: Whats your problem?
17 year old: Grow up!
FIGHT BEGINS


Two teenage boys walking down the hall to their bedroom and without a word they start wrestling and punching each other. (In this case there wasn't even a verbal interaction to spark the fight-amazing!)


I do not know how and why my children possess these skills. I certainly think we have plenty of action around our home, but perhaps they are just bored and looking for something to do. Want to fight? -Julia

I have not had a chance to write this post but have been meaning to do it. This past month- as I already wrote I had pneumonia. I was feeling so darn crummy, my house was crumbling around me, my laundry was piling up and I barely got off the couch except to get more hot coco. At first I just hibernated and hid out at my house. Then my children started with the stomach flu and my days were spent cleaning up throw up and monitoring toilets. As the days went on my dear Visiting Teacher (assigned by our women's organization at our church) found out.

For the next three weeks everyday someone would stop by with a hug, a basket of bubble bath and tea, to take my kids or bring dinner, dinner and more dinner. One day two sweet friends barged in with cleaning supplies to clean and claimed to work for molly maids. Hours later, with me filled with shame but so grateful for a clean house, they left with a hug. My heart is full of gratitude and love for these dear friends. Thank you, thank you. I will never forget the love I have felt.

Speaking of dear friends. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear friend of twenty years Becca Ackley! I wish I was their to celebrate!

A girl, a girl. Not that I have been dreaming about one, (see post http://peekabooprints.blogspot.com/2008/10/flashbacks.html). I was not responsible for that actually. But the other day a good friend brought me the cutest little sparkly tutu. I begged and pleaded with little Mac to try it on, just so I could get a visual. He ran and hid under the bed. Poor kid. Just one more thing he can report to his therapist when he is older.

I had the sonogram on Monday and had the brilliant idea to take the boys along for the "educational experience". I was the one who learned the valuable lesson. NEVER take three young boys into a room with expensive equipment. Especially a two year old. Now I many of you may say to yourself- I could have told you that! But I have to have overwhelming experiences in each possible scenario in order to learn about them. While we were leaving I said to my husband, "What was I thinking taking little Mac?" Big Mac responded for him, "Well, I guess that is a new life lesson for you."

Hmmm, thanks bud. He on the other hand didn't stop asking the doctor about medical school, drugs and chemicals and body parts. Middle Mac was high as a kite. He had been telling all of us who doubted that it was a girl and was proud to be proven right. He also still wants Little to be the baby so this way we can have a girl baby and a boy baby.

Wonders of wonders

MIRACLES, MIRACLES! A little girl- I can hardly believe it! Details to come.

A little bit of this- a little bit of that

I have so much to write to catch up from the last few weeks! Our month has been filled with visitors, holiday celebrations, pneumonia and stomach flu! But one exciting thing I have been doing is a couple of custom pieces. The first is one I did for a darling family of five girls that lives near the beach. It was so much fun to try to capture this adorable family in an illustration. The other I drew for a french themed baby shower.

And you thought you were having a bad day

My mother in-law sent this to me. I have been really sick and she thought I needed some cheering up- I thought I would pass it along.