Internet Vacation

I am going to have an internet fast until November. I will get online once a day to check email but that is it.

In October, we will go to Charleston, going to take some of our clay soil and try to make and fire pots--we have a video of a guy firing his pots on an open fire. Hoping to get the flower garden weeded and mulch down and get the soil in the vegetable garden amended and some cardboard down on it. Hopefully we will be able to have a decent garden next year. This year was the grandest flop ever. Hopefully, we can make a major dent on kitchen remodeling, also. That's all. We will probably be happy to get back to school in November.

Lily will be three months in October and that is when we get their first portraits done. She is sleeping so well. Last night we put her down at about 7:30. I got her at 2:00 to feed her. I can't remember if she got up or if it was me being too full of milk. Then she got up at 7:30. That's twelve hours. She was back to bed at 8:30. Seriously.

My upper back is killing me from holding her so long yesterday to keep her from fussing. I like those heat wraps you stick on your back. They seem to help.

Well, miss me terribly, ok? Email me if you're wondering if I am still alive. See ya in November.

Home Again

Tried to write on the road home but Blogger had issues. Lily screamed about two of the three-something hours home. Good times.

The conference was good but I've read so much of their stuff, there wasn't really anything new. They try so hard to convince everyone to get rid of their TV's, but hardly talked about the internet. Seemed weird, but I remembered they work in the computer industry. Go figure. Our Lutheran friends went also and I look forward to hearing more about what they thought. We left right away to get home to do chores.

The mother did talk about the best use of our time and I was convicted about how much time I have been on the computer lately. I struggle with that and then get control over it and then fall again. Started this time when we got the good internet connection and I was sitting around being pregnant. I am going to take an internet vacation--might start Monday and go through October, since we will be on vacation from school anyway. Why is it easier to completely stop something than be moderate about it?

Alec enjoyed the conference but I haven't talked to him much about it yet. They had one talk for young people about starting your own business and another about evangelizing.

Yet another possessed animal story: Our eggs we'd put under a broody hen hatched. All the hatched out eggs were there but NO chicks. No chick residue either. Good grief.

Driving to Georgia

I have a wireless card that is allowing me to waste the three hour driving time online--or until my battery dies. We are on our way to the Maxwell's Titus 2 conference. Somehow we got all packed and on the road. It is kind of a blur. We cleaned the van out--it has been awhile--let's leave it at that.

I just looked out the car window and seriously saw someone dressed up like a pilgrim. Huh.

Lil has fussed a little but she is getting better in the van. I leave her at home whenever I possibly can--she has been such a car screamer.

The plan is to get to the hotel in time to swim and then dinner and then Maxwell's bluegrass concert. Tomorrow is the conference until 3:00 and then three hour drive back home.

Where'd it Go?

I could have sworn I had posted since I put up those pics of Lil. No idea of what I thought I said. So many things happen every day. High and lows and silly things and frustrating things. Just haven't felt like typing it all out.

Started a Beth Moore bible study on Esther with Ev's bowling buddy's mom at her Lutheran church. Met a gal who teaches speech and debate at Clemson--she is single. I don't know many single women my age. She was very nice--I hope I get to know her more. Lots of old ladies--one had been married 54 years. I sure need this bible study. Every other Thursday for ten sessions.

Have nothing prepared for tomorrow's trip. Used to be so organized. Now I am so busy, I just couldn't think about it yet. At one point this morning, my goal was to just get my bed made. It seemed hard. Got interrupted with school and Lily needing attention and hunger.

Got an apple tree in the mail. Let's see if I can keep this one alive.

Millie seems to be doing well after her surgery.

Lily at Two Months

Tuesday, Here and Gone

Let's see, what's new here? Lily is two months old today. She has changed--she is so happy now. If I am with her, she is happy until she is ready to nap. And, wow, does she ever nap. Four hours isn't unheard of. And she has been sleeping through the night ever since we put her in a different room than ours. She slept nine hours between feedings the other night. Goodness, I'll have to find a new excuse for being a flake!

Bowling today--also had to take Millie the kitten to be spayed. Had to run her there this morning, which was no easy task, considering Lil and Evan had been sick in the night and still felt off. He slept in and then perked right up and had no fever so we went to bowling. I should have had him stay home. He was slow going at the end of bowling and now has a good fever. He was kissing all over Lily--man, I hope she doesn't get sick. And we have the Titus 2 conference this weekend. I will cry if we can't go. Please pray we don't get sick.

Anyway, got back from dropping off Millie and then some school and then lunch and had to leave early to stop at a school to pick up my Creative Memories stuff I ordered. Then bowling, then milk store, then date with Ian tonight. Goodness. Busy day. Hate busy.

I'm trying to take one boy out every month for a date night. Alec is fun because he likes to talk and we discuss things. Ian had his head out the van window the whole way there and back like a dog and could not get him to talk about anything except dumb stuff from movies.

I am doing Lil's room in shabby chic style. I love those fabrics. Painting it a pale pink and am going to try to cut her name out on vinyl with the Cricut to go on the wall.

Bible Bee and a Totally Unrelated Article

This article about different kinds of friends a mom needs tickled me for some reason.

Alec placed third in our local Bible Bee. The girl who won in his age category is going to Nationals and there were two other kids in the other age groups who are on the list of alternates. We met some new friends and had a nice time, despite the pouring rain around the shelter at the park.

What's in Your Engine?

Last night the guys saw a kitten that looked just like the late Milo. Weird. Then, this morning I found an extra black kitten by our kittens as we were going to the library. As soon as I turned off the engine we heard meowing. Opened the engine and there was the Milo lookalike. He was far enough down that we couldn't get him out. Over the next hour or so, we worked on getting him out, not only out of our engine, but several other people's engines. At one point I went to a nearby grocery store and got some cat food. We dumped water on him. I went to the fire department next door, but they wouldn't help. I called animal control and they were on the way when the young guy who "had" him at the time decided he'd had enough and drove off with it. What a goofy situation.

On a totally different note, if you ever are at an Aveda store or salon, try their tea--it is awesome!

OK, back to my day. I went through Ian's clothes with him today. He outgrew his size 12 jeans but Alec's old size 14's were a different style and didn't fit. Goodness. I took many big trash bags full of clothes to Goodwill. My maternity shirts and Evan's outgrown clothes--I even sent off most of Lily's newborn clothes. I saved some of them, but it seemed wrong to keep them in a box when someone else could use them and chances are fairly good we won't use them again. I hate it when you take a bunch of stuff to Goodwill and you can't tell as you look around the house!!

Tomorrow we go to a state park for the Bible Bee awards picnic. We went to the national BB website to see the finalists tonight. Only one Erickson was listed and she was from South Dakota. I didn't expect them to make it, so no surprises. Done with BB. I don't think we will participate again.

Ian likes his room downstairs and it is pretty much organized. Honestly, the kid doesn't own much stuff, so it wasn't hard.

The Way to NOT Top off a Bad Day

Don't take a tall skinny kid out looking for pants at the end of a bad day--it won't help matters. Alec needs 28 x 32 jeans. Apparently nobody makes them and I paid about three times what I normally pay for jeans to find him 29 x 32. And you know how many shirts we came home with? None. He told me all he wants in a shirt is one without a skull on it or one that looks like someone threw up on it. That seems to be all that is offered in the young men's section.

Got Lil in her crib--she slept in the big crib last night all night for the first time. She laughs a little now--so precious. Ian's desk in downstairs--there is a problem with it that is too dumb to go into, so that isn't quite done yet.

Still feel all messed up over yesterday's animal stuff.

The Deed is Done

Well, Beulah went to the pound. I cried. Not sure why. The kids really like that little kitten. So bummed it had to be their favorite one. Life continues...


Lily and Ian slept in their new bedrooms last night. We still need to get her crib up here and his desk down there. I made all work stop so they could watch Wipe Out last night. They were so bummed it was not on last week and even more bummed I made them watch the president's speech! I got some pink paint samples and need to pick a color for her room.

Won't take a field trip tomorrow but will take the day off school.

Today is not my favorite day ever.

Off to Beulah Land

Just looked out the window to see Beulah playing with Milo the kitten, who she had killed. KILLED. Why can't we keep orange tabby kittens here? They always die. Needless to say, Beulah isn't safe here anymore because the kids are ready to knock her off. I am taking her to the pound later and ratting on her. Chickens, turkeys and now kittens. She didn't used to do this. I assume this is all my fault somehow and I am just a bad dog owner. The kids are so upset. This stinks.

Yowzer

What Progress! We got Ian's clothes moved to the downstairs closet and Lily's clothes all in her new closet. Her changing table is in the correct room--all we have to do is have Dan move the bed and desk downstairs and Lily's crib back upstairs. None of those things are minor feats, but we might be able to get it done tonight. I am over the moon at the progress. Seems like I have been spinning my wheels a lot lately so take move mountains feels so good.

Easy Squeasy Rice and Cheesy

It can't be this easy. We have all the books moved and the closet mostly cleaned out and we could pretty much move Ian's bed down to the den. Can't believe we could get him down there and Lil in her room so quickly. We need to paint her room, but that is really the only big thing to do. I LOVE YOU FABULOUS FORMER NEIGHBOR FOR THIS IDEA.

Today, my goal was just to get the books moved and to get all my laundry done and put away. Small victories.

Checking off the List

Man, I hate it when it seems like all I do in life is check things off my to do list. Nothing seems fun right now. Anyhoo...

Walgreen's was taking forever with Ian's Rx yesterday so I told them to cancel it and called the doc to have it sent somewhere else. Walgreen's called hours later to let me know the Rx was ready. Good grief.

Took Adam and Evan to Walmart to get the rest of the fall clothes they needed. Lily will not sit in her car seat without having a fit so I had to hold her while shopping and holding things up to the kids to see if they fit. She screams most of the time she is in the car. It wears me out. Really.

She does have longer happy times and will sit in the bouncy chair for a good bit. The little boys look after her in the seat while Alec and I moved three book shelves out of the den and into his room last night. We had to take all the books off the shelves (and keep them in order--I just organized them!) and then move the shelves and put them all back on. We'll keep three book shelves in Ian's new room and now I just have to figure out where to put one and we will be good. I have all the coats in the den closet, so I have to rehome them and I am completely out of closets for that. I guess I will have to get one of those hanging storage things and stick it in the garage.

Oh, back to the little boys and Lil (got side tracked). Evan was taking pictures of them while they were watching her. I was amazed she tolerated it for so long with the flash going off her her face and all. It was kind of funny.

Off to bowling and then grocery shopping. Woo hoo. Good times.

Off with a Bang

Mondays--always bang or bust. Called the doc this morning to get Ian in--I thought he had an outer ear infection (swimmer's ear). They got us right in, so off we flew. I was right about the Dx. Sat at Walgreen's for 20 minutes before they said their computer wasn't working to put him in the computer so they couldn't fill the Rx. Good grief. They had called it in so I didn't have a paper Rx to take somewhere else. Still waiting to hear we can pick up the ear drops. Home and have done school with Adam and Evan together (reading about pilgrims and looked at a fire ant under a magnifying glass), Ian and Alec each alone (still working on 1984 with Alec and reading Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Ian--totally different from the movie). Just put Lily down for a nap and trying to decide what to do next because the schedule is all shot to heck for the day.

Yesterday, we went to church at Bob Jones University. Adam kept calling it Bob Jones Anniversary. Their chapel is mega church size--HUGE! If you have a child under 5, you get sent to the balcony. A women with a toddler making noise got kicked out!! In a nice Southern Baptist way, but still. There were only a couple other families there--apparently they don't encourage you to go there if you are not affiliated with the school. Lil made it through the whole service. They mentioned you could stay to eat afterwards, so we decided to do so. Wow, was that an experience. There is the big dining hall for the college students and then one next door for "others." It was PACKED! I couldn't figure out where they people came from. I know people like to go out to eat after church, but this was gross cafeteria food and it was expensive! I think Ian will not consider going to Bob Jones for school solely based on the green bean casserole.

I am happy with the decision to move Ian downstairs but I dread the process. We are getting nowhere on the house right now. Dan has so much school work with the older boys after work and every weekend this month had a commitment. Frustrating. I seriously do not even know where to start with moving Ian. Help. I need about three servant girls like the Proverbs 31 gal had.

Lily

Waterfall

Goat Horns and Waterfalls

The older boys have their Bible Bee competition today. It will last most of the day. That leaves me with the three little ones. No plans.

We went to Oconee Station and Falls yesterday. Hadn't planned to go on a field trip, but woke up to an email from someone who had just gone there and said it was pretty. We had a decent hike in to see it, but it was worth it. We got to take our shoes off and play around in the water.

Still working around with goats horns. We cut one off the neutered boy, Isaiah, last night. It was traumatizing for all involved. I don't know what we are going to do. We have one goat that doesn't have horns and she was getting picked on by ones with horns. So we were going to take off all the horns. It isn't safe for the kids either. My kids, not goat kids. But I have some pregnant does, and there is no way we could manhandle them like we did this one to remove the horns. Blah. I have no idea of what to do. If we had taken care of it when they were young, we wouldn't have this problem.

Can I go back to bed yet?

I Think We're on to Something!

Talked to FFN. She had a really good idea. She asked why we didn't spread the bookshelves around the house, in kids' rooms and wherever, and then move Ian's room down to the den. Then Lily could have his room. The neat thing is the den is painted the same color as Ian's current room. I sure don't look forward to the work involved in it but otherwise, it seems like a good idea to give everyone a bedroom. Haven't run it by Ian yet, but I can't imagine he'd have a problem with it. THANKS FFN.

Those Other Ones Didn't Really Show the Haircut

Mother's Haircut and Little Smiles

The Big Questions in Life

Lily is outgrowing her first clothes and wiggles too much for the newborn gowns. So, the big question is: Do I keep them or pass them on?? I saved some outfits for her keepsake box. I am so used to saving the clothes the boys outgrow, but I can't imagine she will have a sister. In fact, as two of them were fighting today, I thought maybe she is luckier to not have a sibling close in age! Yes, I had that very thought!!

Alec has outgrown his jeans, also. I am sooooo not looking forward to having to find jeans that will fit him. It still seems funny I have a kid taller than me.

Bowling is NOT Boring

Evan was a pill at bowling. He cried half the time. Why? I don't know why. he told me bowling was boring and he wanted to quit. Sorry, kid, I just paid for ten weeks of it. Find a way to make it fun. I really don't know what the problem is, specifically.

Got my hair cut. Trying to have cool bangs (the longer ones that sweep to the side), but they are already bugging me and hanging in my face. Otherwise, I am adorable.

Dan took the kids to free night at the Upstate State Fair while I was out. They enjoyed it. I had asked my chiro about it while we were at his office yesterday. He said it ain't Disney World. Well, duh.

Lily has slept through four nights. Last night was her earliest awakening, at about 4:30 or so (I forget). That still counts for an all nighter, in my book. I still had to take a nap at about 10:00 this morning. Not sure why.

Bible Bee is this weekend. The real one--the others were practices. They are glad to have it over. Ian said he hoped he didn't make it to Nationals, because he is tired of practicing. That's the spirit.

Monday? Sunday? Huh?

I am so messed up on my days. I am sure tomorrow is Monday. If someone could help make it so, that'd be great.

We moved the crib down to the craft room. I bought a video monitor (how cool is that??) so we can see her. I think we will keep her at night in the laundry room for at least awhile. When she is good and solid at sleeping through the night, I will move her down. I wish there was a better choice, but I can't think of it.

We also moved stuff around so we could get all the furniture out of the kitchen. We moved some stuff in our bedroom and mushed every thing closer in the living room, but not so close it is annoying. Had to move the pantry out into the dining room area. Made it livable because it might take awhile to get this kitchen done. We are working on making a plan for the kitchen right now.

Bowling starts tomorrow. The kids are excited. I am getting my haircut also. Overdue for that

Labor Day Weekend

We had a nice family from old church over last night--their kids are about 7, 4 and 1.5. They are the Floridians. They grew up in cities and just had a house built on 20 acres. They totally downsized, like we did at our last house. She is just getting started with home schooling. She is dealing with issues and choices I have dealt with also and it is funny to see her have almost an identical path. Does everyone go through the same stuff? I thought I was unique but I guess not. Some times I would just tell her flat out this or that path is not worth the effort, but other times I realize she has to walk it herself.

Lily slept eight hours last night. My wrists and elbows are killing me and I was awake a lot in the night but I didn't get her up. It would be just perfect if we both slept all night. We are putting her bassinet in the laundry room, right by our room at night. It helps me to sleep because I don't hear her stir and apparently it helps her also. I REALLY want a room for her, but I can't come up with a way to provide her with one. I am not willing to take away one of the boys' bedrooms that we just gave them. I also don't want to burden a boy with a baby in their room. I don't want to share a room with a baby, so why would they? The only room I can think of is my craft room (it is already pink!) but it is downstairs and I don't know where I would put all that stuff!! Maybe I could stick it in the den somehow. Hmmmmm...help Rena think this through, will you? I know Queen Bertha the Crafty will give me some advice. She is like me, in that we just keep hitting a problem until we get it solved. I don't know when life got so darn complicated that it needed so much solving. Oh, the other bad thing is there is no window in the craft room. If it were bigger and had a window, I might replicate one of the boys' bedrooms in there and give her a room upstairs. It is a tiny room.

Anyhoo, we went for a Nature Walk (when did it stop being called a walk and become a Nature Walk?) Friday at the nature center that has the planetarium. They had a pond filled with Lily Pads with blooming lilies and a bunch of turtles. The kids enjoyed it.

Have a bunch of computer junk to figure out and need to figure out the plan for the kitchen, so that will probably be tomorrow. Might as well take off school since Dan is home.

Remember Me?

Ev requested a world cake

Can you believe I have been quiet for so long? I spread the joy over on facebook, but haven't felt like posting here. Seems like life has been boring. Today is Evan's sixth birthday. Can't believe if Lily had not arrived that my youngest would be six. Six years is a lot different than six weeks! Just ask my back!

This was our fifth week of school and all is well. Need to figure out a field trip for tomorrow. We are going to the new children's museum in Greenville today.

Chickens are laying well. Had planned to leave some out for a broody hen to hatch out. Chicks are always fun. Figured out the kitten Milo is really Milly. She is getting spayed soon. I saw Beulah had carrying her around in her mouth this morning. Beulah really is a pill. She might be relocated soon. Any takers?? More than happy to bring her back to Wisconsin to Beulah Land. Did you know the new owners of our old place named it Beulah Land? Anyway, we have five kittens right now. Rose, Milly's sister, died a horrible death a few weeks back. Won't even talk about that.

Struggling a lot with my joints and my back hurting so much. I suppose I am just doing so much new stuff that I need to adjust to.

Dan is finishing the stairs and then we are finally moving to the kitchen. I wish I had pushed us to finish it before she came. We are so busy now and it is much harder to get things done. But just the kitchen and the master bath and we will be done.