sunny and bright july 5th....

Camille and I....we went to church this morning to watch a transmisson of a meeting from Brunstad, Norway, (where 6 of my kids are)...afterwards, we ate a simple picnic lunch, and spent a few hours down by the pools.... Mr. Jonathan....the smaller of the two pools is very shallow, especially for kids. Jon can go in without any floaties, and he likes that.

This is Camille in her floatie suit with a friend of ours, Delandie.
She shared her licorice with him. He is such a nice kid. He is the one who was badly burned in a bonfire at activity club a while back. He is doing much better now, he is a miracle, really.

I hate to admit it, but our puppy likes to watch television.

She is really watching it! Her attention span isn't overly long, but she gets interested in something on the screen, and she just stares....she is getting too big too fast. She is not even 4 months yet.....her paws are huge. She is high maintenance. I have to give her a bath about every other day now. She needs alot of brushing, too, but I don't mind. She likes it, and is learning not to bite the brush.

She is in her cage, I mean crate for the night. The kids are tucked into bed, Paul said goodnight, and here I sit. I cannot remember the last time I was up ALL BY MYSELF. (the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup 8-pack is calling me...but I am NOT listening. I refuse to eat 8 peanutbutter cups.) Anyway, it is quiet. 6 kids across the ocean. Benjamin at work. Hey, maybe he'll bring me home some pizza....anyway, Abigail has Margaret AND Kathryn and Evelyn out staying in the camper at the church conference center now. So dinner was only Paul and I, and Suzanne, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, and Camille. very very quiet. Paul grilled some hot dogs, coneys, some leftover steak, and we had a nice salad, and some leftover Rice-A-Roni. Then the kids had ringpops I had hidden in the cupboard. Suze and Sonja have a fun activity planned for tomorrow: they are going to cut pictures out of old coupon inserts, and store ads, and make posters. They rarely get bored....

Okay, I admit it, I am lonely. I DO appreciate the extra time with Paul, and I DO appreciate the special time with the little ones, they flourish in the attention....BUT. I . MISS. MY. KIDS. It is a cruel trick, raising children....and having them leave. wah. I know, lots of people count the days...but I LIKE my kids, as well as love them. They are my friends! They are nice to me! (usually)....I have not heard any one say, "Maahm!!!" all day! Sometimes they gang up on me, and laugh at me. They laugh at the way I talk on the phone and sweep the floor, sometimes sitting in the swivel chair, trying to reach the hard to reach places without much effort. But they tease me in a good way, never mean-spirited. Sometimes they make me forget that I am 43. I know they are coming back home soon. And I also know they do not miss me like I miss them, because they are having a riot. And that is okay. I can't help think how hard it would be if I only had two or three....it would have gone by already. My oldest three are 24, 22, and 20. Well, only one of them is gone, but still......Abigail is DONE with college (YAY, my daughter has an accounting degree!)(where she got her practicality and thoroughness is beyond me), and looking for a job. Well, she is done with college and starting to think about looking for a job. Benjamin is working delivering pizzas, thinking about joining the Navy. And Mirielle, she has plans. She is not staying in the States forever, that's for sure. wah. But she'll be back. I don't think she'll settle down any place but here....(wishful thinking, hope, what shall we call that?).....Joseph, he may be back in 3 months because of not having a visa to stay longer. I REALLY miss that boy, and he has only been gone for 6 days. Aaron, I am sorry to say, I don't miss that much, only because he had this computer everytime I turned around. And Sam, his is my little boy in a grown up body. He looks way older than 13 almost 14...and I miss him. After all, he is the garbage - taker- outer. Or however you say that.

Oops, I forgot to miss Mali. I miss her too.

And Emily, she has been gone for half of her year now. I personally think a year is WAY too long. I feel sort of punished by her long absence, like I am serving my sentance, doing my time. Yes, I guess I do need a life. But heck, I haven given mine up to raise these guys. And I'd like to mention that the return on that investment is sweet. It has been worth all the lost sleep and the cold dinners and the diapers changed and the worry about fevers, rashes, bumps, concussions......

I admit I am just going on and on here without making much sense. My point is that I do not regret spending my entire life having and raising kids. I feel ripped off that they have to leave, but sort of kiddingly. If they all sucessfully take flight and make their own nests, that is fine with me, as long as they bring their chickies over her to visit gramma once in a while...(wait, they are not all leaving, Camille is only 19 months old!)

evening at home with the nine of us....

The kids were almost tucked in when I went outside with Rosie...and saw the beautiful full moon. So I did what any reasonable mother would do - I went in and got the five of them and brought them out to the deck to see it with me. Rosie was glad to see them again. Sonja loves her so much...

Evelyn, Suzanne, Kathryn in back, Jonathan and Sonja in front.... Rosie....

Camille Anaya likes markers....

Charlotte Claire....

The mini-van was backed up to the pool today so we could get the sand out of the back for the pool. We let the kids play in there for a bit.

Camille got to drive!

They are still awake in there...oh well. Summertime....

oooooops! my mistake!

I thought our pool was 30ft around. oops. It is 28 ft. The liner I ordered: toooo big. Waaay tooo big. So, Paul spent all day taking out the old one, taking off all the tops of the posts, preparing the ground, ect....and the liner will not work. It is the 4th of July, so the pool stores are closed! We have to take the new liner back off, package it up and send it back. And get a new one....but now, we have to secure the sides so the it doesn't blow away. oops. Sorry hon!

a crappy life....

Yeah, I have a crappy life. Courtesy of this innocent little child. She took her poopy diaper off outside in the wagon, and played in it for a few minutes until I noticed what she was up to. Gross. Yesterday, Charlotte Claire pooped in her underwear. Which I double-bagged and threw in the garbage. (when the cashier asks me "plastic or paper?".....I always go for the plastic...environment or not, I need those bags...) This sweet little girl went in and got my camera for me to take some pictures of Ben and Abigail helping with the pool liner...

Here is Abigail. This is a big job. Paul cut up the old liner and threw it over the sides. He sent Abigail to the hardware store for some sand...she came home with the stuff they recommended, and it seemed to grainy. So he is there now returning it. The new liner seems much thinner than the old one, but it has a 25 year guarantee. hmm. I hope it is sturdy.

We had lots of fun at the school pool last night. It sort of answered my queston of whether I could take them by myself or not. It was the seven youngest. It would be completely do-able if it were not for Camille Anaya. She is a busy girl. She was done swimming, and wanted out. Paul followed her as she wandered around the perimeter of the pool......the deep end is 13ft. deep. If I was there alone, I would have to leave the other kids to do that. Charlotte Claire was clingy when we first got there, then she realized that she could float in her floaty suit. She then did not want me to even touch her. She was just one big smile. Kathryn and Evelyn could dive into the deep end....

That will be the interesting part when we get the pool up and going again. It will be like the old days. None of the kids here are old enough to watch the younger ones in the pool. (Abigail will be here for another week, then she is going to stay with a friend of ours whose husband is in the Army, and is due for a baby in August).....Margaret is not old enough....so it will be like the old days when I had to get everyone out of the pool to go put Camille in for a nap, or change her or whatever.

Well, happy 4th of July! Independence Day. We are cooking out for dinner....just Paul and I and the seven youngest......hot dogs and coneys and marshmallows. Well, maybe I don't have a crappy life after all.....`

playing store....

They have been planning to play "store" for a few days now. I suggested it, so yesterday we made the paper money. They use real change. I sometimes give them old gift cards, expired coupons, real reciepts, ect....Anyway, I got involved with cleaning up Charlotte Claire's room earler today, and they were out here playing store.....by the time I came out, they had gotten in a fight, and scattered, leaving this behind: This must be the toy department, the truck and car aisle...courtesty of Jonny.... Whoever was running the register must've been mad enough to just throw the money all over.

What aisle sells coffee and diapers together? Kids know what belongs together!

Ah, the cereal and paper plate section....


Canned goods....the cashier was set up on the end table, lots of shopping bags underneath...I am sorry missed them playing....it must've been cute.

What she was doing, I do not know. But she IS eating a piece of Evelyn's pasta.

It is rather chilly today...sort of humid, but cool at the same time....cloudy...drippy....and our pool is still draining....we obviously cannot put the new liner in until it is empty. Oh, what fun we are going to have! But I can't complain. At least we will have the pool running again. It is a blessing when the kids have so much energy, and to cool off. I am looking forward to swimming, too.

Tonight we are planning to go to the local Rec. center's pool. Abigail and Margaret are getting together with the youth girls, so Paul and I will be taking Kathryn, Evelyn, Suzanne, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire and Camille. It should be lots of fun, except in the locker room. Paul will have only Jon, and I will have all the girls...wait a minute! Well, just the little ones need help, anyways...I just hope there is a reasonable lifeguard on duty. There have been times through the years that we have gone over there with the kids, and the lifeguard is after them for everything, doesn't approve the floatation suits we have on them, tweeeet tweeeet.....a little power makes some people raving lunatics, it seems.

Yesterday I bought Jonathan a thing that hooks to the hose, a Little Tikes sprinkler thing. He has been so excited to use it. I just heard Kathryn tell him, "YOU ARE NOT SQUIRTING ME!" .....whatever possesses me to buy these things?

Okay, today when I was sorting clothes in Charlotte Claire's room, Margaret came in and requested permission to bake a homemade chocolate cake for the girls' gathering. I reasoned with her that it was more practical to make cookies, then the kids here could have some, too. (and me)....so, she made cookies. I have no idea where she got the recipe, but they looked runny and ruined when she was putting them on the sheets. I told her she SHOULD have used my recipe, blah blah blah....well, they turned out wonderful! I have never had cookies like these. They taste light and fluffy and they have milk chocolate chunks....they are almost merangue-y. I need to learn to hold my tongue. Even if they were awful, I KNOW that experience is the best teacher in the kitchen....I just react sometimes because I hate waste....and I just react without thinking.

Paul is out mowing the lawn. He has a vacation day today. He has already put in a new mailbox, and new screens in Abigail's and Margaret's rooms. (our old dog was afraid of thunder....he jumped on every ground floor window in the house....wrecking the screens. I hope Rosie doesn't develop that fear. She was a little hesitant of the vacuum cleaner, but I left it on and made her sit near it and petted her and just kept using it around her...she is fine with it now. )

Ah, my exciting life. I wish I had something more exciting to write about, like HEY, I am expecting twins and Paul said I could get any double pram I want....or we are building a big new house....or taking the whole family on a cruise in the bahamas.......but nah, just blah blah blah....

pictures pictures pictures....

So today was it's own little blank slate. Mirielle and Mali had to fly out of a city over an hour from here, so Paul took them, along with Kathryn and Evelyn. My nice niece and her daughter had my next three, Suzanne, Sonja, and Jonathan, over for a few hours. That left Abigail, Margaret, Charlotte Claire, Camille, and I....so what did we do? We went shopping! Here is Abigail...

Margaret and Camille...and no, we did not drive like this....we were just having some of our slushies from Target....$1 for any size this week....the lady asked us what size we would like. Hmm. I GUESS we'll have larges....
Charlotte Claire better not think she's ever getting her own again, unless they go on special again....

I took this picture this morning before Mirielle and Mali left...I thought I had all the kids who were home, but - oops- Abigail and Margaret were still jammied and in the living room. And
Ben was still sleeping. Boy, Jonathan sure is a minority these days...

These two wanted to go bye-bye pretty badly.

Mirielle and Mali, world travelers....

Margaret....

Evelyn Joy....her hair was all tangly, and when Mirielle brushed it out, it was poofy...I don't know what is funner, her or Sonja in the back ground.

Camille....

Suzanne has been sewing...here is her purse, and her changepurse....(the clothes pile in the background is now gone, all re-washed, hung up and put away....YAY! For a few days, anyway...

Mali and I went to the Dollar General the other day for a some hair clips....I thought this was neat....heaven shining through....

Here is Jonathan at the airport...that is the plane the boys took for the first part of their journey...they did make it there safe and sound....











Joseph Michael, world traveler....

The traveling boys at the airport...Samuel, 13 (almost 14), Joseph, 18, and Aaron, 16....

Here they are at home, getting ready to go....

There was another picture I didn't put up.....a picture of the boys' suitcase, open....all that was visible was a huge zip-lock bag of candy, and a mini-ampliphyer....I have been so busy, and I am not a micro-manager, although I guess I should be, because Samuel, on Moday morning, right before they were to leave for the airport said, "I need some socks.".....for now? "No, to bring." What? You didn't pack any socks??? hmm. Bad mommy.

Our new normal, for the next couple of weeks seems so strange. At the dinner table tonight: Paul and I, Abigail, Margaret, Kathryn, Evelyn, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, and Camille. Suze wasn't hungry, so she didn't come to the table. So eleven. Benjamin is usually at work by 4, so he hardly eats with us.

When I stopped in the grocery store this afternoon, I felt like I was shopping for such a small family! I kept thinking, six kids across the ocean....the boys ARE big eaters....I mean, last night, I made only 13 burgers to be grilled. And that was with the girls here still. Those boys are the only ones who eat two, so that s six less than usual....

After Paul got home from the airport, I picked the kids up at Katie's, we had dinner....leftover pizza, leftover steak sauteed with onions in wraps with leftover tossed salad, and apple slices. Then Abigail and Margaret left for the youth meeting....and here we are. Paul has the day off tomorrow, and the slate is blank.....

today, I'm staying home....

Or so I think right now. Who knows what will come up today. I thought I would answer a few questions. First, the question ,"What on earth is a pram?"....A pram is a stroller, usually European, ususally with the large wheels and bouncy suspension. Of course they have models with smaller swivel wheels, but those usually are just strollers (or pushchairs).

Next question: "Are you Norwegian?"....No. The main hub of our church is in Norway, it is called Brunstad. It is a huge facility, and very nice. It is also rented out for events, which is why some of the kids go there for a year, to work there. Young people from all over the world go there to work, and they get to know each other, have good fellowship and lasting friendships. The program is called, "The A-Team", when they stay there for a year. That is what Emily is doing, and what Joseph is planning to do. The other kids are just there for the summer conference, which also welcomes people from all over the world, for meetings and fun. If you go to Brunstad.org, you can get a better idea of what the church is.

Next question was, "How do you afford this?" Well, this year, sending them all, is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. Of course Emily had the means to go herself, being a nurse, and Mirielle had the money for herself saved up, and is paying us back for Mali, seeing that she had trouble finding employment thus far, partly because she was leaving for most of the summer, how ironic, anyway....the boys: I recieved a small bit of money when my brother passed away. I did not even think about it, I found myself saying, "Boys, do you want to go to Brunstad this summer?"....you cannot even imagine how excited and happy they were. I was happy to make them happy...but it wasn't long before I started thinking about all the things I would like to have done with a few thousand dollars. Patio furniture? A t.v. cabinet instead of using the coffee table with baskets? Just having a bit of money for myself? But no, I think I did the right thing. Those boys will have so much fun together, with their sisters and cousins and friends. And I think it was a proper use for the money, which I cannot even think about without crying. I really don't even want it, if you know what I mean. Why....why? I still cannot fathom why Billy could do such a thing. I guess the heart of the matter is that I couldn't take that money and be happy spending it on me. So now it is gone, and I am content with that, and glad that I could bless the boys. Unless they do some serious working and saving this year, they won't be going again next year......

That is one of the things about blogging: how much do I tell? I don't want to portray that we are just rich, sending the kids off to Europe....I mean, Mirielle and Mali are going to France, but they are staying with friends in the church, and believe me, they won't be buying Herme' scarves or eating at 5 star restaurants. They are bringing granola bars...in fact, all the kids are loaded down with Ramen noodles and oatmeal packets.....poor Aaron, I guess the box of pancake mix broke open in his suitcase....(why did he NOT put it in a plastic bag? Do I have to do EVERYTHING?)...and the shampoo exploded in his other suitcase. The kids do have some money with them, to enjoy the European ice cream and chocolate, and eat a few meals out, and the girls certainly can go to a cafe and have a croissant, but nothing lavish. Ooh, I want to go! I suppose this is the epitome of living through one's children!

One little secret though: I am actually looking forward to spending a bit more time with Paul, since so many of the older ones are going off. These past few weeks, our house has been like Party Central every evening. They stay up so late, talking and laughing and carrying on....I certainly will miss them, but the thought of putting the younger ones to bed and actually having the living room to ourselves...( I don't know where Abigail fits into this plan, or Margaret, who is 12, or Kathryn, who is eleven......)

The kids are waking up now, on this fine morning. I had to get up early to take care of Miss Pee On The Floor. She keeps that cage dry, so I know she can do it. But she gets so excited, she pees.

Our pool liner did not come yet. I don't know when we will be swimming this year. The summer seems like a blank slate, and I like that.....