The things they say . . .

Owen got stung by a bee . . . never an happy occasion for any child. 

He was feeling a bit better, but not feeling too happy about the bees . . .

He turned to Buff and said,

"Don't you think God said, 'Oops!' when he invented the skinny bees?"


(Skinny bees as apposed to fat bumble bees . . . .)

It's a . . . . .

So are you ready for the big news?

Because of my "advanced maternal age," I had to have a level 2 ultrasound (which is a bit higher tech and done by a perinatologist who can immediately tell if there are any concerns).

I'm 38.  It kind of cracks me up.

The good news is that the ultrasound appeared normal and reduced the risks.  They are now considering me as a 33 - 34 year old.  In two years, when I turn 40, I'm totally going to use this in my favor . . .   Don't bother with any over the hill parties . . . I have a doctor's note.  Kerry - you're on your own from there.

But . . . you didn't check in to find out all about my age woes.  Here is the real news you came for . . .

I'm measuring 6 days early.  I am banking on going early . . . so Mom, get quilting.

No really, here's the picture . . .

And here's the other pertinent information . . .

What do you think?

It's time for the ultrasound . . .

I have had four babies and never found out the gender during pregnancy.  It was actually fun being surprised in the end. Every kid came home from the hospital  in neutral colors - but it was fun!

But this time is different.  Because we are totally unprepared for this kid coming in October, I need a little more information to help me prepare.  We totally intend on finding out whether it is a boy or a girl.  Now hopefully this child will cooperate . . .

So the big day is Tuesday, June 22.

If you'll notice in the upper right hand corner of the blog there is a poll - I've always wanted a good reason to add one . . . and this seems like a good excuse.  Go ahead and vote and make your prediction.  I'm closing the poll on Tuesday night because once my kids find out - the whole world is going to know . . . and that just wouldn't be fair.

Here is some information that might persuade your vote . . .

• We have alternated consistently girl, boy, girl, boy . . . so technically we are due for a girl.

• Everybody in the family really would like a boy . . . so it will probably be a girl (which secretly thrills everyone too . . . but we need someone who can survive the big brother).

• I have no information on how I am carrying the baby . . . because I am just thick. Because of my long waist, I won't show consistently for another month or two.

• I craved meat in the first three months. Now I like meat - and anything salty.

• We have a girl name and a boy name picked out . . . so we are prepared  either way.  NO - We will not share the name until it is born. Something has to be a surprise - and once it's named, your opinion won't matter. You are less likely to share your opinion if it is permanent . . .  (Family names we have to choose from:  Mervil, Isadore, Agnes, Winifred . . . to name a few . . .)

• I knew confidently when I was having my girls that they were girls.  I waffled constantly between girl and boy when I had my boys.  I have no confidence or solid prediction with this one . . . could that mean . . . .?

• That ultrasound picture at the top - is mine from this pregnancy.  It was too early to tell gender . . . but if you know how to count . . .

Anything else you want to know?

So go ahead and vote away . . . I'll fill you in as soon as we know . . . if my kids don't tell you first!

Viewer Discretion Advised!

We haven't posted in a while.  It is not as if life has been uneventful.  I thought I would bring you up to date and explain our silence . . .

1.  Here is what Brice has been doing . . . and, therefore, what I . . . the mother . . . have been doing.  If I had thought about this being part of the job description, I may have thought twice about this whole mothering idea.

WARNING . . . this is graphic . . .










Truth - it looks worse than it was . . .

 But if I lived through it . . . so can you . . .

It was an easy fix . . . .thanks to the father being around to bail the mother out.  It required a razor blade and minor surgery.  Moral of the story: Wear shoes when running outside!

And then there is Owen . . .

It's a dislocated thumb . . .

Another easy fix - but a lot more dramatic.

And we can finish with me . . .

Here is what I have been doing . . .

Yep, that's a baby . . .

Yep, that's a surprise!

So that explains my lack of energy to even take a picture . . . let alone post it and write something about it.

We are planning to enjoy our special treasure in October. . .

The kids are thrilled and have already started suggesting names.  I have heard every name of every friend, cousin and tv character ever encountered.  I'm sorry, but I draw the line at Scooby.

Then I have had suggestions such as Tigris and Nile . . . and yes, they were serious.  There was even a mention of Skipper.

Rest assured.  Those children have been officially removed from the Naming Committee.  The only other committee I have formed is the Diapering Committee . . . but it just seems cruel to assign them to that one right away.  I may save it for a motivator later.

So, other than helping to pay for our doctors' summer homes . . . we haven't been up to much . . .

Grandpa is one up on Owen's Thumb!

Ewww ....

Carra . . .

From the back of the van . . .


"Hey, Mom!"

"Yes?"

I turn to look.



"Hey, Mom, guess what I just learned . . . "



The suspense . . .




"You don't have to chew Jell-O!"

The things they say . . .

I was watching a friend's kids this weekend.

At the end of the day, I instructed the kids to clean up all the messes in the various rooms. Once they got the hang of it, I sent them to the basement to clean up one last mess.

The three boys (ages 4, 5, and 7) stood in the basement debating, arguing, and somewhat discussing the best way to tackle the job.

Sounds like they are ready for the real working world.

I was coming down the stairs to retrieve something and overheard their bantering. I stepped in and instructed one boy to pick up the trucks, the other to pick up the dishes, and the other to pick up the dress-up clothes. They looked at me with amazement like I had solved world peace (which at that moment in my day - I felt I had) and got to work.

As I was heading back up the stairs, I over heard one child say to the others . . .

"Wow, I had no idea your mom was a genius!"

Hey, I am just saying.

Then he stops and says, "Wait! She's a mom - duh! Of course, she's a genius!"

Needless to say, that kid is hanging around my kids a lot in the near future.

The things they say . . .

We have been a bit busy lately . . . but that doesn't mean the kids haven't been talking . . .

1. Owen -

He came to me all excited about the fact that Jesus has died on the cross for his sins. It began a discussion about what sin is. I went on to explain that it is when we do bad things that don't honor God.

Owen - now the expert - continued the conversation to clarify that point . . .

"Yeah, it was a sin when I yelled at you and threw a fit. And it was a sin when you yelled at me for yelling at you . . ."

How quickly they learn . . .

2. Carra -

"Mom, I need a new light bulb in my lamp because it isn't very bright. I need one with more squats."

3. Owen -

Owen named his stuffed dog Bitsy.

Cute.

He struts into our room this morning and proclaims, "I have decided to change my dog's name to Mitsy. I don't want his name to sound like a swear word any more." (Use your imagination and say "Bitsy" with a bit of a Owen accent. . . he was changing the /s/ to /ch/.)

My question is -after the shock and giggles - How did he know that was a swear word?

How quickly they learn . . .

The Sunday Comics . . .

My favorite part of the Sunday paper was always the Sunday comics . . .

Little did I know that I would grow up . . . give birth . . . and actually get to live the Sunday comics.



On our way to church this morning . . .

I hear Carra sigh and exclaim, "How many more years before Owen can get married?"

Owen happily exclaims, "Seven Yeays."

I ask, "But why, Carra?"

Owen interrupts and informs, "Cuz, it's time for me to get a new famiwy."

He pauses, thinks, then keeps informing, "But I'm not sure which one I want to be . . . a teenager, an air-force guy or a parwent."

And there you have it . . .

Owen is getting married at the age of twelve and will be joining the air-force . . .

I'm a little concerned about the teenager - parent part though . . . I really hope the marriage thing works out . . .

Then . . .

Owen was very excited about what he learned in Sunday School this morning . . .

"We learned about Jesus. He was with a lot of people and they went to the edge of the cliff and they were going to chuck Jesus off, but He just turned around and walked through the crowd and made all the people itch their heads."

Hmmm. I missed that one in His list of miracles . . .


I think the comics are still my favorite . . .

A day in the life of Grandpa Powers

Can hardly beat the life of Reilly!

You know you're a workin man when .... :o)

New Camera . . .

Hello, strangers,

It has been a while since we've checked in. Sorry about that. I have a list of excuses a mile long . . . assuming you even care. The problem is that I make no promises for the future . . . so I'm saving my really good excuses for later use.

I'll give you a clue though . . . the excuses involve peanut-buttered-butter-sugar-sandwiches and reducing fractions.

One of those usually comes with tears . . . .

I have much about our crazy life that I could post, but I'm going to start with my daughter. We do have four children living in our house, but Owen always seems to steal the show. If you ever meet Owen, you'll understand why. It also explains why we only have four . . . Owen.

Today, though I choose to showcase Mikayla. She's thirteen. She no longer does cute things . . . until the day we gave her a camera for her birthday.

I don't know if I want to call this cute . . . (it is kind of sweet . . .)


But I do call this funny . . .

This is what happens when the kids and their cousins are bored . . . and have a new camera to try out.
Is anyone else concerned about Brice?

Because I really think we should be . . .


Oh, and I'm not the only one wondering what in the world is going on up there . . .



The good news . . . the camera has a video camera too.

Stay tuned . . . I'm sure this is only going to get better.