If you are rootin'....

...who are you rootin' for?

This Superbowl seems to be approaching with much less hype that is usually felt. Or maybe my hype is much less. I do not know. But here it is Superbowl weekend and I have hardly given it another thought.

The Pittsburg Steelers (12-4) take on the Arizona Cardinals (9-7). If a team that I do not love is playing in the Superbowl, then my method of cheering usually falls to that I cheer for the team that is playing a team that I despise. I can not say that I have strong feelings for either the Steelers or the Cardinals. So I must defer to my next method of choosing. Is there an individual player on a team that I am especially fond of?

And having a son who collects football cards and all things football, I have had the opportunity to read and learn much about many NFL players. Right now, Nicholas and I are reading about Big Ben Roethlisberger. A very inspirational man indeed. But I especially like Kurt Warner. The seasoned veteran who came from Superbowl highs of MVP honors only to become a second string back-up just years later. Not to mention that he shares his faith at every opportunity available to him. That's a good guy, in my book.

So, with two great guys...who am I kidding, there are many great guys on these teams, who do I choose?

My final option for choosing a team is to go with the underdog. And Arizona is most definitely the underdog!

Whatever your preference, enjoy the day.

Some things are just too wonderful...

It's a feeling. A undefinable feeling that overwhelms me. It starts down deep in the pit of my stomach and it builds up through my chest until it either escapes through a smile that threatens to stretch my skin to the limit, or through a single tear drop that slides unnoticed down my cheek.

What am I talking about? The joy and peace that I feel when I visit my kids at school and get to witness a small part of what they experience every day there. I can not emphasize enough the enormity of blessing I feel in them being able to attend such an amazing school.

The halls are not lined with high security cameras. The bathrooms do not sport state of the art auto-flushers and hand washers. The teachers do not don school purchased lap tops. The classrooms are not arranged with a Feng Shui balance.

It is a simple place. One of tangible humility. The teachers, although over-worked and under-paid radiate peace and faith. The students, though few, seem strengthened in courage and camaraderie. The fifth graders walk side by side with the first graders. Smiling at a shared joke about the older brother of a classmate. The janitor stops and enjoys small talk with a second grader about the chances of the Arizona Cardinals in the Superbowl. The principal floats in and out of each room acting as a maternal influence of justice instead of an intimidating force of punishment.

It is a beautiful place. A place in which I savor the moments there. The parents coming and going seem more like old family members than across town acquaintances. I look for reasons to walk in and visit the classroom, the hall ways displaying works or art or faith building, the lunchroom filled with laughter and noise. I always walk away with the same bubbling emotion of pride, humility, peace and extreme thankfulness.

Sharing some online shopping tips

I have to confess something. When I declare myself 'not much of a shopper'. I should be more specific and precise and say that I am not much of an 'in store' shopper. I found this out about myself at an early age. It never was my vice. That was long before Internet shopping though.

So to say that I do not like to shop, implies that I do not shop much. Which is not entirely true. I do. Probably too much. But I do it almost exclusively online.

There are just so many reasons why I like this route more than the traditional form of shopping. The only thing I miss about 'in store' shopping is the companionship of someone shopping with me. But let's face it, every time we shop with girlfriends much more talking goes on than productive shopping anyway. And we can do that over a non-alcoholic margarita and nachos!

So today I am going to share some of my personal strategies and tips for general online shopping. In another post I will give the sites that I frequent the most. And hopefully you will share your tips and sites as well! These are my own personal rules. What are yours?

Rule # One: I never, EVER, ever pay full price. I shop at certain stores regularly enough that I am either alerted of deep discounts or I am mailed opportunities to save certain percentages off.

Rule # Two: I never, EVER, ever pay more than $7.95 for shipping. Now obviously, I am talking about mainly clothing type items. I do not order large items online. And $7.95 is often even a deal breaker for me. I shop on sales where if you spend $50 shipping is free, or flat rate shipping sites. Free shipping is out there and I look for it.

Rule # Three: I almost never shop where returning to the store is not an option. There are some exceptions, but most places that I frequent allow online or in-store returns.

Rule # Four: Whenever possible, I shop at sites where I have tried clothing on before and have a general idea of how the items run in that particular brand.

Rule # Five: I check the clearance and bargain areas of a site first. The merchandise in these areas is usually reduced significantly and sizes and styles move quickly. As I am browsing through EACH category that fits our family, I put into my shopping cart absolutely anything that catches my eye for the right price.

Rule # Six: I always condense my cart before purchasing. As I mentioned in rule 5, I add everything when I am browsing, then I can dump stuff that is not really necessary later.

Rule # Seven: I never, EVER, ever purchase a name brand, or specific item without having googled prices of such item in other areas...or without having a general knowledge of their cost in-store.

Rule # Eight: I ask lots of people for great sites and great deals.

Rule # Nine: If a store that I love is having a blow-out deal, I share this information with others. I usually email a few of my closest friends, or people that I know have mentioned they love certain stuff and let them in on the sale. I hope in turn that I am given a heads up when they find a great bargain.

So, that is just a list of those things that I can think of. There are probably more. But I would love it if you would share some online techniques that you use as well as best shopping sites.

Lunchtime conversations

Grandpa and grandma have a Harley motorcycle. And of course they have much of the gear that goes with being Harley obsessed fans.

At lunch the other day Katharine was looking at her reflection and admiring the cute Harley top she was wearing, when she thoughtfully asked,

"Who is Harley Davidson anyway?"

Without hesitation Andrew responded, "Grandpa."

Dad, that has to make you feel good. He could have said, "Uncle Danny." (Who by the way matches dad item for item in Harley gear.)

We are so very blessed

People are so good to us.

God is so good to us.

Remember that post about the Junie B. Jones Leapster game? Remember also, how almost no one responded, and certainly none with hopeful news? My phone rang days later, a local lady had read my blog and her daughter, who attends school with my kids, wanted to give her game to Olivia and Kate. Give it to them. Who says that God doesn't hear the desires of our hearts? A simple request, a simple gift, but a blessing all the same.

I have also had people drop me emails and telephone calls offering maternity clothing for me. Can you imagine? So often it is me who is doling out totes to friends of little girls clothes and hand me downs...now it is my turn! And how thankful I am.

Even at the basketball games, where sitting is indeed sparse. Someone always looks out for my little family of six. Waving us down, if necessary to offer a seat.

People are good to us.

God is good to us.

We are so very blessed.

Would your husband agree?

"A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible."

~William Makepeace Thackeray

The midway panic

So I am there. I am to that mid-way point plus a few weeks and I am beginning the first signs of panic. Did you do this? Do you know what I am referring to?

The first few months of pregnancy really are a blur of exhaustion, exhilaration, sickness, and lying. Lying because for those of us who wish to keep it a family secret until certain milestones are met, it becomes increasingly challenging to answer the questions of well-intended family and friends who notice our changes in behavior, without stretching or being creative with the truth.

Anyway, that is usually months 0-3 1/2 for me. Month four is exciting because everyone is finding out the news and much congratulations and well wishes are sent our way, and okay, a few nay-saying doubters chime in too, but for the most part it is a time of celebration and freedom in the realm of sharing the news.


Now I am into the midway panic.

Panic about what I have to get accomplished before we add another living, breathing, body to this house. Panic about the speed of which my abdomen is growing. Panic about dates that are crowding into our May calendar, some big family events, that could be majorly disrupted with a labor and delivery. Panic about how large my stomach can actually get before it bursts open at the C-section scar. Panic about what items should be purchased ahead of time and what can be left until after. Panic about readying a nursery. Panic about my post-pregnancy body. Panic about naming this child when I am having a complete lapse in creativity. Panic about the cravings I have developed, will they remain after birth?

On and on it goes. I feel like the hamster in the cage running on the spinning wheel. I need to hop off, but I am afraid of the fall that awaits me!

Thankfully, in the months ahead some of this panic will subside as small goals are met, reality shines through, and anticipation replaces fear. But for now, I am scouring the Internet, books, and television for that perfect name for the fifth Comes baby. And trying desperately to convince my husband that his suggestions are appreciated, just not likely to make the cut.

According to Kate (via prayer)

At bedtime prayers recently little Katharine included the following:

"Dear Jesus, I pray for mommy and the baby (which they do every night), and I pray that that baby hurries up and comes out soon, so that mama can start bending over again. Amen."

Growing

Do you believe that God still speaks?

If you watch the evening news, or listen to a report on the radio, do you ever wonder if God still speaks? You know like, "I am here, and I can help!"--speaks? It seems that if He speaks now would be a great time to start shouting! Or was that just a thing for the characters of the bible? And believe me when I say, some of them were real characters.

I believe that He does. I believe that He always has. And although I would like to say that those in the bible had an easier time of hearing and accepting what He had to say, I can not really say that with 100% certainty. I mean, take Moses for example: You think of a holy man, and he kind of fits the bill. Faithfully leading God's chosen people out of the wilderness and slavery and into the promised land, even though he knows that he will never have the privilege of seeing it with them? Holy guy. At least by my standards. But even he did not get his messages through soft faint whispers...always. He was so distracted that it took a bush starting on fire and speaking to him. That might get the attention of even some of us today, don't you think?

I have been thinking a lot about this lately, one because our priest had a great homily on hearing God's voice recently, but also because I can not help but notice as I live and breathe this culture and attempt to raise holy children in it, that hearing God is becoming increasingly more difficult. Or is it?

We seem to do EVERYTHING within our power to block His voice out. Music in the car, iPod while working out, television on for background noise...we are tuned in and hooked up just about 24/7 and if we are not we certainly could be if we choose. We are tuned in and hooked up, but to what? To the noise of this culture. To the values that someone else tells us are important. To the agenda of the music, news, television industry. And let's face it...is that agenda really anything other than to sell us a product?

How is God supposed to get through? What vehicle of communication have we left open for Him? When a major crisis comes up in our life, or a national tragedy occurs, we turn our eyes instinctively to heaven and shake our fists wondering, "Where is this God? And why is He doing this?" I do not believe that He causes any of it to happen, but maybe, just maybe that is the only time we let Him speak to us anymore, or that we hear him. Maybe it is the good that is hidden in the bad.

God does speak. And He can use any means necessary. He can speak right to our minds. Giving us ideas that we take the credit for, but were His all along. He can speak to our hearts, causing us to feel emotions and empathy that we might not otherwise. He can speak through the words of a friend, family, or mentor, leaving us thinking that someone else is astutely wise and precise, when in fact it was the voice of God. He can speak in our dreams. He can speak through the innocence of our children. He can speak through visual stimuli. And yes, He can even start something on fire and speak through it.

The question is not really if God still speaks. He has never stopped. The question is will we hear Him when He does. Have you been hearing Him lately? Have you been listening? I know I need to improve.

On a down side...

I have yet to really feel like this pregnancy is holding me back from anything else I would rather be doing. I mean really, God planned this one well. Pregnant all winter, just like a good piece of livestock...ready to calf in the spring. Well, okay, it is a bit more special than that. But you get my drift.

However, lately I have really been longing to do one particular activity (besides drinking an occasional glass of wine), that just does not seem very practical while pregnant. Oh how I will look forward to this next winter. Especially since all of the kids are learning how to do it now! That is Nicholas in the blue coat his first time out skiing this winter.

Look what we did!

Notice anything special about that lovely ear? Do ya? Yeah, Olivia Mary got her ears pierced! How exciting.

Ear piercing coming at a certain age has never really been an issue about which I have a strong opinion. Imagine that, something I don't have a strong opinion about. I know you guys are shocked aren't you?

My dad said 13 for me, and mom took me when I was eleven (such a rebel she was). I do not remember being scarred by the waiting and I do not remember feeling defiled and unholy for getting it done two years early.

My only condition with my girls is that they are ready. I personally, would never have my infant child, or a child who is not fully able to understand what we are about to do, ears pierced. But that is just me. I know many do and with very convincing reasons.

Olivia started talking about it last year. Just talking. Not begging, not whining, not insisting. Just talking. So we would look at Claire's when we were out and about and she would ask questions about how much it would hurt and what would be involved. A few times we even saw a little girl having it done while we shopped. She never panicked. She just announced that she was not yet ready, but would be perhaps by her next birthday.

Recently, like a week ago, I had the chance to shop with just my girls. A rarity to say the least. She looked at me and said, "I am ready to get my ears pierced mom." Very matter-of-factly. I told her that if she was and she was sure we would do it. We shopped a bit and I gave her lots of opportunity to change her mind. But she did not. So we found the "Piercing Pagoda" (only the best for my little girl:0), picked out our bling and sat in the chair.

They did them one at a time, assuming she was old enough, and after the first poke she was sure she only wanted one earring. I had already paid and insisted that she hug me tightly and get through the second. Kate watched in mild horror shocked that anyone would willingly sit through pain like that, especially given that she had had four shots just two days prior, to which she had no choice in!

In the end, it was a fun experience, and she is handling it like a trooper. She cleans them herself twice a day and turns them regularly. I am so proud of her. Kate announced that she did not think that she would ever want earrings. And I am okay with that too.

This could be a problem

I hope that polka-dotted fleece pajama pants are stylish. Because I kind of put off buying maternity pants a bit too long and now I am in a bit of a predicament. Oh sure I have a pair or two of regular jeans that I can still squeeze into, but let us just say that comfort is not an option.

Do you think the UPS guy will mind when I run out to greet him in fleece polka-dots, (whose polka-dots seem to be growing larger than when I purchased them), this afternoon when he delivers my package of maternity clothes?

Hope not.

Need a good laugh?

Try picturing this then:

A very chubby five-months pregnant mama wrestling a six and a half foot Christmas tree box around furniture down a flight of stairs, around more furniture and then heaving it up on top of the other artificial tree box, into a space only half big enough.

Needless to say, the baby was probably glad that there is an extra layer of placenta protecting it from it's mother's antics. It is finished though. And that is good.

LEAPSTERS

Hey all, I do not usually use my blog for this purpose, but I figured that it appeals to the widest audience the quickest, so I will give it a shot.

I am looking for Leapster game cartridges. I most want the Junie B. Jones journal cartridge. If you have one and are willing to part with it, please drop me a message. I will gladly pay for it. Reasonably of course.

In addition to that, I would be interested in any cartridges that you may be wanting to rid yourself or child of. If you want to make a deal leave me a message. PLEASE!

Somehow it just works out right

Initially two weeks worth of vacation seems a bit much. But quickly my excitement builds as I think about the places we will be able to go, the activities we can do together, and the lists of chores that may or may not get accomplished.

By the time the final bell rings announcing Christmas break, I am completely amped and ready to have my kids home with me. And although two weeks does seem like it could get long, I am more than excited for the challenge. And I remain optimistic for the next 12 days.

Then the Thursday before they return arrives and I am mystified! Where did our time go? We had so much yet to do, and I am not ready to send them back. But almost before that thought completes itself in my head something odd starts happening to my offspring. They begin to have spasmodic seizures and bouts of complete lunacy. Their little bodies convulse and twist themselves into odd positions as their eyes roll into their heads and voices sounding somewhat other-worldly escape from their throats.

I have come to recognize this as the dropping in 'routine' blood cell levels in their bodies. Some of the symptoms are also brought on by sleep exhaustion and over-play. All of it seems rather frightening at the time, but it is quickly cured with a long hot bath, the laying out of school clothes, and an 8:00 o'clock bedtime.

Somehow those feelings of sadness felt by mom are quickly replaced with relief. They will be okay. They will return to the letter learning, reading, scheduled, tired little people that come home each day happy to be in their castle and thrilled to see their mom again. All is well. And somehow it all works itself out.

Controlling the beast

I am feeling an enormous pressure, need, responsibility...one of these, all of these, to get my family organized. Or better put, get myself organized.

I try. Really I do. Once in a while I come up with something that resembles a good idea and we enact it and things run smoother than before. But with baby number five on the way I feel like there is much more that we could and should be doing to run a well-oiled rig here at our house. Kids generate a lot of stuff. One kid = a lot of stuff. Five kids = mayhem. Or can. So instead of wallowing in the chaos, I would really like to jump start it with some great organizational tools.

Nothing fancy. No Martha Stewart filing system. Nothing that requires more work than I can accomplish and therefore will not get done. But simple, time and space saving tips that will cut down clutter, and create more harmony for all. Okay, I would be satisfied if I was the only one who noticed the harmony. Because let's face it. I think I am the only one who notices the clutter!

I have four kids with four distinct personalities.

One who likes order. (Probably because he is a bit OCD like his mother.) So his room rarely becomes chaotic because it is his space. But he doesn't mind bringing his chaos into the family space. ie. Lego table, bird watching books and feathers collected, lain askew on my piano, coffee table and desk.

A daughter who is much like her maternal grandmother and sees the value of saving EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING. Participation ribbons from pre-school T-Ball, pebbles found on a summer camping trip, newspaper clippings of her daddy. All of it. What I toss, she retrieves. And here's the kicker, although she her room tends to get highly cluttered, she makes use of just about every item she rescues from the trash bin.

The other girl of the family is a collector of similar objects. For example, she scours the house for something that she knows she has seen before if she is in the mood for that genre of play. So if we at one time had a McD's toy cat and she feels like being a kitty caretaker that day, she will empty every toy bin, go under every bed, and search all four corners of her universe until...low and behold she finds it. She calls herself, "A good looker." I completely agree.

The littlest member of the house is a born pleaser. He is neat and tidy...currently. Obviously the others have years of experience in avoiding and deflecting this responsibility that they are bound to teach him soon. But I am doing my best to praise and encourage his helpful and neat ways.

So, with this melding pot of individuality,...and I will avoid discussing the other child father, in the home, because frankly I do not want to open that can of worms, you can imagine that I have some organizing issues. Keeping in mind each person's own identity and individuality but also acknowledging that we are a tribe, not an isolated island, and everyone must be taken into account in this matter, is my challenge. One of them.

Any tips? Please. Seriously. Tips. I need them. Book bags, shoes, pictures colored lovingly for you, closet organizers, bathroom counter tops. HELP ME OUT.