The matching game has been our latest form of entertainment. You remember, where you lay picture cards face down and flip two at a time trying to match them. Jeff was on the floor, with Lydia on his back, playing with Ben and Joey. I was in ear shot and heard Jeff say: "Okay guys, I'm sick of loosing to you both, so from now on, you two play with your eyes shut!" The deep belly laughs from those two boys echoed for a long time!
Pro 17:22
A merry heart does good, [like] medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Annual Sam's Club Trek
You've heard us talk about it, if you've been here you've seen the stock pile, well, yesterday it happened again, our annual Sam's Club trip.
Dad had this idea about 6 years ago, that we go the day after Christmas and purchase all, yes ALL, of our non-perishables for the entire year. We quickly loved how it all worked because our grocery shopping was much quicker, usually just around the outside edge of the store. And we almost never run out of anything! Well, we had such an abundance from the year before that our supply lasted until a couple of weeks ago, so with a bit of planning and rearranging our Sam's trip was declared!
Daniel timed it again and we're pleased to proclaim that we have shaved 50 min. off of our previous time! This trip took a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes. Here's how it works:
Everyone who can drive a flat bed cart gets one and Mom pushes the little ones in a smaller cart. This year Matthew has graduated to a flat bed! We start with the big, heavy items and figure out how much we will use in the upcoming year. This also sharpens our math skills! The first carts filled quickly with paper towels, we figured we go through a roll every couple days or so. In hopes of potty training Lydia this summer, we got just a few diapers, but still view wipes as a valuable asset. Paper plates and cups, laundry soap, foil, plastic wrap, and our first check out was ready. Dad and the older boys take the full carts, check out and load the trailer. Mom and the rest continue loading carts. Then Dad brings back empty carts to replace Mom's full ones. We got quite a bit of food items, cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, etc. and since we added another freezer we have extra room for chicken, veggies, and bread.
Dad had to check out 4 times, and Sherrie, the delightful service lady, gave Mom a hug and thanked her for coming through her line!
Afterwards we went to dinner. It's really a merry time! We talked about what a blessing it was that we found lime green and pink cups for Megan's graduation party (her school colors!). We wondered how our packing job will hold on the ride home and if we can get it all unpacked before the basketball game. As we finished dinner at Cracker Barrel, Dad went and got a turtle sunday ice cream cake from Culvers as an incentive to finish unloading.
When we have gone to Sam's in the winter we haven't been able to drive around to the basement door, so this was a real treat not to have to transfer everything down a flight of stairs to storage. We've had flour bags break, maple syrup bottles pop open among those great adventures, that tended to set us back a bit! This time we were almost completely unloaded and a strong skunk smell started to overtake us! We closed the doors and got all the refriderater and freezer stuff put away. By this time it was 9:30pm, and everyone was pretty much out of gas. We ate our ice cream and got ready for bed.
Today was pretty much spent putting it all away and recovering.
Deuteronomy 28:8 - The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Yesterday we had our once a year Sam's trip! We forgot the camera but took some pictures back at or house. For those who have not heard of this yet, we go to Sam's once a year and buy all our non- perishables for the year! Its alot of fun we also get ALOT of stares!!!!! We had alot of fun! And then after 2 hours of shopping everyone was hungry so we went out to dinner and then brought home an ice-cream cake! It was really good!
~Emily
A FULL trailer!
Last year we brought everything in through the garage and down the stairs - backing the trailer up to the basement door was much easier.
Ben and Lydia weaving their way through the piles of stuff!
Dad had this idea about 6 years ago, that we go the day after Christmas and purchase all, yes ALL, of our non-perishables for the entire year. We quickly loved how it all worked because our grocery shopping was much quicker, usually just around the outside edge of the store. And we almost never run out of anything! Well, we had such an abundance from the year before that our supply lasted until a couple of weeks ago, so with a bit of planning and rearranging our Sam's trip was declared!
Daniel timed it again and we're pleased to proclaim that we have shaved 50 min. off of our previous time! This trip took a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes. Here's how it works:
Everyone who can drive a flat bed cart gets one and Mom pushes the little ones in a smaller cart. This year Matthew has graduated to a flat bed! We start with the big, heavy items and figure out how much we will use in the upcoming year. This also sharpens our math skills! The first carts filled quickly with paper towels, we figured we go through a roll every couple days or so. In hopes of potty training Lydia this summer, we got just a few diapers, but still view wipes as a valuable asset. Paper plates and cups, laundry soap, foil, plastic wrap, and our first check out was ready. Dad and the older boys take the full carts, check out and load the trailer. Mom and the rest continue loading carts. Then Dad brings back empty carts to replace Mom's full ones. We got quite a bit of food items, cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, etc. and since we added another freezer we have extra room for chicken, veggies, and bread.
Dad had to check out 4 times, and Sherrie, the delightful service lady, gave Mom a hug and thanked her for coming through her line!
Afterwards we went to dinner. It's really a merry time! We talked about what a blessing it was that we found lime green and pink cups for Megan's graduation party (her school colors!). We wondered how our packing job will hold on the ride home and if we can get it all unpacked before the basketball game. As we finished dinner at Cracker Barrel, Dad went and got a turtle sunday ice cream cake from Culvers as an incentive to finish unloading.
When we have gone to Sam's in the winter we haven't been able to drive around to the basement door, so this was a real treat not to have to transfer everything down a flight of stairs to storage. We've had flour bags break, maple syrup bottles pop open among those great adventures, that tended to set us back a bit! This time we were almost completely unloaded and a strong skunk smell started to overtake us! We closed the doors and got all the refriderater and freezer stuff put away. By this time it was 9:30pm, and everyone was pretty much out of gas. We ate our ice cream and got ready for bed.
Today was pretty much spent putting it all away and recovering.
Deuteronomy 28:8 - The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Yesterday we had our once a year Sam's trip! We forgot the camera but took some pictures back at or house. For those who have not heard of this yet, we go to Sam's once a year and buy all our non- perishables for the year! Its alot of fun we also get ALOT of stares!!!!! We had alot of fun! And then after 2 hours of shopping everyone was hungry so we went out to dinner and then brought home an ice-cream cake! It was really good!
~Emily
A FULL trailer!Last year we brought everything in through the garage and down the stairs - backing the trailer up to the basement door was much easier.
Ben and Lydia weaving their way through the piles of stuff!
Joey helping unload!
Lydia being cute!
Emily stacking shelves.
The thing on the left side of the picture is the freezer, the shelves hold cleaning supplies, paper plates and cups, and a few cooking pans.
Stacks of paper towels. This cubbyhole thing is under the basement stairway - it's like a closet without a door, it's convenient to store a lot of the bulkier stuff.
This is the full pantry!
Stacks of paper towels. This cubbyhole thing is under the basement stairway - it's like a closet without a door, it's convenient to store a lot of the bulkier stuff.
This is the full pantry!Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Becoming Normal Conversation:
'I'm beginning to love that burning smell.'
'We're all just accustomed to smoke. That choking cough doesn't bother us a bit!'
'Not again . . . '
'I didn't leave them in there!'
'They'd be good if they weren't burnt.'
'It must be the oven.'
Dad: "I think it smells good. Well . . . they are a little done, aren't they."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Happy Sunday!
We love Sundays! One of our favorite days of the week, but not really a day of rest. One of my friends called me on a Saturday afternoon, about 4pm, and asked me what I was doing, "Getting ready for church! We're going to be late!" Well, there is some truth to that as we usually try to get shoes and clothes ready the night before, however, we still have our trials and today was no different!
Joey's birthday was yesterday and Megan and Robbie had to go do farming chores for a friend so our Saturday was already out of the norm.
Shoes seem to be our biggest downfall. Even if we line them all up the night before, a little one will carry one off or it's fun for them to wear a bigger shoe and leave it somewhere, and we just don't have the man power to stand guard of the shoes.
We will sometimes have something other than our normal fruit breakfast, like cinnamon raisin toast or oatmeal. Everyone helps to get ready until we're all ready, and we can accomplish the routine in about an hour or less.
This morning as we were walking out the door Ben pulled on the cover that I have on top of the washer and dryer and tipped over the liquid laundry soap. I was in the next room and as he hollered for help I couldn't figure out what he was saying, then as he took a breath I heard the gulp, gulp, gulp, of lots of laundry soap pouring out onto the floor, filling Daniel's church shoes. Ben offered to help clean it up and said, "I don't know HOW dat happened!" but I insisted I could handle it, no big deal, we were already running late for church. A roll of paper towels later the floor was nice and shiney, and we were ready to try this launch again.
We all pile in the Bomber (our big blue van) and take a quick head count, usually someone has to run back in because they forgot their bible or something else they were suppose to bring. Daniel then collects guesses of how long it will take us to get there, to the exact minute. (Jeff usually manipulates this to make sure he wins, but it's still fun!) We have 3 songs that we always sing on the way to church, and sometimes we'll sing other hymns or special music.
I know I should make it a habbit to stand at the door of the house for a final inspection, but usually the kids make it to the van before I do and they are all in the back and buckled, so my final inspection is usually as they are walking into church. It's a humbling experience really. We've had kids with their younger brother's pants on that look more like knickers, wrong shoes, muddy boots, sandals in winter, white socks with black dress pants, church shoes untied, shirts untucked, hair pretties falling out, and who knows what else. I'm sure it's highly entertaining to our church family, but they are very gracious about it.
We made it to church 2 minutes before it started.
After being fed the Word, and enjoying the fellowship, everyone is ready to be fed some food! We try to prepare Sunday dinner on Sat, but it just wasn't going to be done in time, so we had left overs for lunch and our big Sunday dinner for dinner, or supper, or whatever you call the evening meal. Usually it's the other way around, but variety is good!
After enjoying the afternoon outside playing and looking at the trees and garden everyone was very hungry. Ham, potatoes, corn, rolls, and topped it off with a root beer float! And can you believe it before Ben went to bed he asked if he could have a banana because he was hungry!
Joey's birthday was yesterday and Megan and Robbie had to go do farming chores for a friend so our Saturday was already out of the norm.
Shoes seem to be our biggest downfall. Even if we line them all up the night before, a little one will carry one off or it's fun for them to wear a bigger shoe and leave it somewhere, and we just don't have the man power to stand guard of the shoes.
We will sometimes have something other than our normal fruit breakfast, like cinnamon raisin toast or oatmeal. Everyone helps to get ready until we're all ready, and we can accomplish the routine in about an hour or less.
This morning as we were walking out the door Ben pulled on the cover that I have on top of the washer and dryer and tipped over the liquid laundry soap. I was in the next room and as he hollered for help I couldn't figure out what he was saying, then as he took a breath I heard the gulp, gulp, gulp, of lots of laundry soap pouring out onto the floor, filling Daniel's church shoes. Ben offered to help clean it up and said, "I don't know HOW dat happened!" but I insisted I could handle it, no big deal, we were already running late for church. A roll of paper towels later the floor was nice and shiney, and we were ready to try this launch again.
We all pile in the Bomber (our big blue van) and take a quick head count, usually someone has to run back in because they forgot their bible or something else they were suppose to bring. Daniel then collects guesses of how long it will take us to get there, to the exact minute. (Jeff usually manipulates this to make sure he wins, but it's still fun!) We have 3 songs that we always sing on the way to church, and sometimes we'll sing other hymns or special music.
I know I should make it a habbit to stand at the door of the house for a final inspection, but usually the kids make it to the van before I do and they are all in the back and buckled, so my final inspection is usually as they are walking into church. It's a humbling experience really. We've had kids with their younger brother's pants on that look more like knickers, wrong shoes, muddy boots, sandals in winter, white socks with black dress pants, church shoes untied, shirts untucked, hair pretties falling out, and who knows what else. I'm sure it's highly entertaining to our church family, but they are very gracious about it.
We made it to church 2 minutes before it started.
After being fed the Word, and enjoying the fellowship, everyone is ready to be fed some food! We try to prepare Sunday dinner on Sat, but it just wasn't going to be done in time, so we had left overs for lunch and our big Sunday dinner for dinner, or supper, or whatever you call the evening meal. Usually it's the other way around, but variety is good!
After enjoying the afternoon outside playing and looking at the trees and garden everyone was very hungry. Ham, potatoes, corn, rolls, and topped it off with a root beer float! And can you believe it before Ben went to bed he asked if he could have a banana because he was hungry!
Lydia in her church dress! Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Beginning of Birthday's
With all 10 of us, we have 9 months of the year covered with birthdays. Joey starts the brigade by turning 6 today! He is so excited! No, he is extremely excited! He has been counting down the days for 2 weeks, and we are all ready for the celebration! He gets to pick his meals and he's ordered cinnamon rolls, green eggs and ham for lunch, and meatballs for dinner. We always have fresh fruit for breakfast, so we only cook 2 meals a day. That helps a LOT when you're cooking for a crowd! Oh, and then there is the rainbow chip birthday cake that needs to somewhat resemble a racecar by the time we're done with it. We have had a full week with NO sugar! No dessert, treats, soda or snacks! Not even a granola bar! So everyone is looking forward to indulging a bit to celebrate Joey's day!
Then Benjamin will be 4 in April, Matthew is 8 in May, Megan will be 18 in June, Mom is 42 in July, Robbie has August and he will be 16. Breathe. Emily and Lydia happily share September, Emily will be 11 on the 10th, and Lydia will be 2 on the 21st. Daniel takes October and will be 13. Dad finishes out the year with a New Year's Eve birthday! We haven't kept track of the dates for the rabbit or the frogs, we get enough cake as it is!
Then Benjamin will be 4 in April, Matthew is 8 in May, Megan will be 18 in June, Mom is 42 in July, Robbie has August and he will be 16. Breathe. Emily and Lydia happily share September, Emily will be 11 on the 10th, and Lydia will be 2 on the 21st. Daniel takes October and will be 13. Dad finishes out the year with a New Year's Eve birthday! We haven't kept track of the dates for the rabbit or the frogs, we get enough cake as it is!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Middle of the Night Routines
The flu is finally over, and it didn't hit everyone so we are ever so thankful for what we were spared from! Jeff and I had to laugh because when a child is sick in the night, and they are ALWAYS sick in the night, we have our routine down pat! I took Lydia and bathed and changed her, he took the sheets to the wash and remade the bed and we met back in bed in 10 minutes flat! Just like a well oiled machine! Sorry no pictures for this post!
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Inevitable
It seems like no matter what we do, every time we make cookies, there is at least one pan that turns out like this:
These were supposed to be oatmeal. They stank so bad I put them outside and opened the windows to try and get the smell out! The rest of the batch turned out quite well. :) Just normal life around here, but thought it might make ya'll laugh!
Megan
These were supposed to be oatmeal. They stank so bad I put them outside and opened the windows to try and get the smell out! The rest of the batch turned out quite well. :) Just normal life around here, but thought it might make ya'll laugh!
Megan
Brothers and Buddies!
Matthew and Joey seem to be inseperable most of the time! This past week they both lost a tooth! For Joey it was his first tooth ever! I was the one who noticed it was gone and we couldn't find it laying around anywhere, then as we were looking he said, "Well, there was something pretty hard in my egg!" We told him that there usually isn't hard things in eggs, that it was probably his tooth. We've never had a kid swallow a tooth before, and we usually save all their teeth in a little tooth box that we get from our dentist, we were actually thankful that Joey wasn't our first child, cause you know we'd be digging! So it was exciting just the same and it didn't bother us a bit that we didn't have the evidence!
This was Matthew's first tooth to be gone from the top and we've tried to have him work hard to get the other one out, because there is just nothing cuter than that huge gap, but it's not ready.
Ben keeps asking me to check his teeth because he's certain they are loose too and he doesn't want to miss out on anything!
This was Matthew's first tooth to be gone from the top and we've tried to have him work hard to get the other one out, because there is just nothing cuter than that huge gap, but it's not ready.
Ben keeps asking me to check his teeth because he's certain they are loose too and he doesn't want to miss out on anything!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Hello from Lansing!
Hello from Lansing! We just got out of a meeting, and we had a minute to update this. "Hello, everybody!" :D
Love, Dad, Robbie, Daniel, and Emily. :D
Love, Dad, Robbie, Daniel, and Emily. :D
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