vacation hours....

um, it is almost eleven a.m., and here I sit with my first cup of coffee, scooping out the last few spoonfuls of blueberries from my oatmeal. I woke up at 6 to take Suri outside, then headed back in to lie down at seven, because Jon and Sonja were up to take over puppy duty, and I had a pounding headache. I took a few ibuprofen and finally fell back to sleep, ha, I should have just stayed up. I feel like I wasted too much time sleeping, but whatever. It felt so nice to go back to bed. I confess, I love sleep. My oldest child is 27 and the youngest is four, so I have had at least 25 consecutive years of interrupted sleep. And we all know that Rosie never let me sleep in too late. So sleep to me is just one big yummy treat. I am still not taking it for granted when I get to sleep through the night. Sometimes when I have a terrible night for some reason, I think, "Wow, I felt like this for years and years..."

Anyway, Happy Fourth Of July!!!! I remember the Bi-Centennial, the two hundredth birthday of the good old U.S.A back in 1976. I turned eleven years old that summer. My dad got me a wide brimmed straw hat with a red/white/blue ribbon on it for my birthday. (no, I did not wear it out in public.). This country is far from perfect, but I love her all the same. I am thankful I have the freedom to have so many children, to drive a big gas hog van, to write what I want on here....to go where I want when I want, to eat what I want when I want, unless of course I wanted a large soda in New York City.

Today we are having a picnic here. Chicken wings and pasta salad and watermelon and a huge chocolate/white marble cake with whipped cream and strawberries. Perhaps I will just place a large piece of duct tape over my mouth. blah.

But I will swim alot. Not enough to negate all the bad things that could slip in under the duct tape, but still. I will behave.

re-committing....

In real life, there is no such thing as making up one's mind to live a certain way, then just magically sticking to it. At least not for me. I need to be re-encouaged every so often. Spiritually, and in practical things. Like weight loss and exercise. blah. I haven't exactly gone totally off the deep end, but I did have that box of peanut brittle last week, and a few things here and there I knew I shouldn't have. And I haven't been exercising much, just my one morning walk yesterday....so, this week's Weekly Weigh-In results: gained a half a pound. blah. blah blah blah.

So, I have to rah-rah myself back into some seriousness here. No more slacking off. It IS hot out there, and I couldn't leave on a cooler morning walk because Puppy was awake and no one big was up, and ironically my new walking buddy had to be watched because she isn't big enough for such a walk. But. I need to get moving. And eating better. I did have a nice dinner last night, a burger grilled outside, grilled yellow squash and zuchini with onions and olive oil, watermelon, and a few chocolate chips. The other night I had too much chocolate though...way too much. So I am eating okay, just have to watch the extras.

And move more.

It is nice having Paul on vacation. He took me to the movies on Saturday night, and to Lowe's last night. Charlotte Claire said, "Mom and Dad are dating alot!"

I do feel like a bum sitting here writing on such a fine day though. Paul went to the gym this morning, and now is making eggs. My kids are in various states of vacation: Aaron has the day off and is on his computer, Sam is sitting here on his ipod, Margaret is doing a Sudoko, Sonja just woke up, Jonathan is trying to convince Pup that her crate is a nice place. Some older kids are getting up and ready to go shopping, the princesses are in another world, playing in their room.

I think the puppy has a name....I have voted down: Twelve, Sarge, Trigger, Cutie, Angelina, and Onyx....and settled on Suri. It means "princess". Suri Sparkles. Now, this is not the final answer, but I like it.

We are also most likely expecting kittens from Miss Swanson Kitty. I am not thrilled about this, because I believe in spaying girl kitties...unfortunately I didn't get poor kitty to the vet in time. On the other hand, it WILL be really interesting for the kids to experience. Sonja made a nice little bed for her in her bedroom closet, Kitty feels safe in there. She is such a nice kitty, always purring and snuggling. Well...time to move it...

vacation, ha

Now, I can't complain, but I will anyway. No, I will just MENTION a few things, just for the record. I had to get up at 6:30 this morning to bring Sam to his new summer job. He does have a spankin' new bike, but I thought I would drive him the first day. So I got up, found out Pup had peed twice in the kitchen, and off we went.

Home, took Pup around the yard, brought her in and found her a plastic banana to chew on while I washed up some dishes...the phone rang. I don't know about you, but my heart just drops when the phone rings so early in the morning...it was Sam. Mom? Yes, what's wrong. Nothing, we just don't start 'til next week. Can you come get me. blah, of course.

So off we went, Pup and I.

Now Sam is home, I am having my coffee after being up for two hours, Pup is taking a morning nap under the kitchen table.

She doesn't like the crate yet. She was with Mali for most of the day yesterday, so I didn't get to try to get her used to it. My plan is to put treats in there and put her in there several times today. When I put her in there last night, she just barked her cute little head off....so I took her out, yes, I know, bad, but it was at night and everyone was in bed, and she was barking. I did tell her calmly to stop it, and when she did, I took her out. Yeah, so I have to get her to like it in there during the day a bit....

I know I have my work cut out for me.

We had a nice day at the beach again yesterday. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't able to go swimming. But, I decided yesterday that I was NOT going to complain about anything. For like the millionth time in my life. When I am thankful all the day long for each and everything that happens, then it blesses those around me too. When I have that mind to be thankful, then when spills and messes and accidents happen, of course I am not thankful for the mess, but...I can see that God has plans for me, and to learn patience and goodness in these little trials is a win-win situation for all of us.

At the beach, I saw lots of parenting going on. ...I saw one family/group with lots of adults, lots of kids...and when I walked by I was totally appalled by the bad language being thrown around by the adults...I mean, must you describe everything as "effin" this, and "effin" that? Seriously? No wonder so many teenagers don't even cringe at swearing in front of adults, they grew up with it. When I was young, we would use swear, but not in front of adults.

Anyway, I also noticed that parents don't seem to know at all what to do with their kids. I hate hearing, "Do want me to just leave you here?!"

Oh, I don't mean to be judging, I don't know what to do half the time either, and like I tell the older kids, it is a good thing to know you lack wisdom, because when one is in need and asking God for help, one WILL get help.

Mali is babysitting this summer. She told me the other day that she keeps finding herself praying for patience. I was like jumping up and down inside. I told her that was fantastic! Because: Mali sees that it is HER that needs patience. She realizes that it isn't the child that needs to change. I really encouraged her to keep praying, and then asked her if she thought all the other people who watched this little girl in the past had been praying too, or if they just thought the little girl is "difficult", and left it at that. hmm. The little girl IS a bit challenging, she has some issues, but she is very sweet, and I do love her. She is very affectionate and loves attention. She has a very short attention span, and needs continuous positive re-inforcement.

Anyway, it is summertime, glorious weather, Paul is on vacation...life is good. Filled with trials, but good.

puppies and patience and paper towels

Well, I certainly am seeing just how far Rosie had come...I mean, I am reeling here. I woke up early to do puppy care, and jeepers. Little Miss Thang had peed on the floor in the kitchen. Did I really say she was going to sleep in Rosie's cage? I thought she was, but she had other ideas. She didn't like it in there one bit, even though the little girls had put a soft blanket in there and made a little puppy nest. I told her goodnight, put her in, she whined and barked (for the first time, I might add, I didn't know she knew how). Anyhoo, she peed in the cage first thing, then did a little pile. On the nice little blankey the girls put in there. blah. I thought dogs didn't do that in their cages, but then Miss Thang didn't feel much affection for the cage, so she won. She slept under the rolltop desk with a big bag of Rosie's food in front of it. It obviously didn't keep her contained, she was lying in front of it when I came into the kitchen this moring...blah.

I took her outside, she peed in the driveway, then pooped in the driveway. She does not get it. I think she was raised outside. Good thing she is so young. Anyway, with Rosie, I didn't use papers to train her, because I read that if you papertrain your dog, then you have to re-train to go outside, so I just said, "NO" everytime she started to pee, then took her outside quickly. Every time she peed outside, I said, "go potty, good girl"...she learned eventually to go when I said that so I could actually pick the place I wanted her to go when on a walk.... anyway, it is a nervewracking way to train, because we have deck stairs to go up and down...but it worked. I can use the exercise anyway. Patience, yes, that is what I need. Patience and endurance, and...paper towels.

Camille really likes the new puppy. At first she didn't want to get another dog, but when I showed her pictures online of lab puppies, she got really excited. And when we brought pup home and she saw how little and cute pup is, she was fine with it. I am going to bring this puppy lots of places with us to socialize her more than I did with Rosie.

I do wish I could just snap my fingers and have her all house trained.

But then think of the trials I would miss out on, the patience I would miss out on.

So today we are going to the beach again, with Paul this time. Last night I cut up a watermelon and a cantaloupe, chopped them in bite sized pieces and "baggied" them up. Mirielle and Suze cut up some grilled chicken and some veggies, baggied that all up. We are bringing some soft tortillas, and peanutbutter and crackers and cherries and cookies and chips. And some graham crackers and a can of frosting. Yes, that is really really yummy. Don't ask me how I know.

I have a load of towels to throw in the dryer, which I hate to do in this nice weather, but I would rather start out with dry towels at the beach.

Puppy is taking her morning nap. Yesterday at this time I didn't for the life of me know I would have another pup again so soon. Phew! Oh, she doesn't have a name yet. Mirielle wants - Cocoa Chanel, with her being called Chanel

Sonja wants Carlson

Jon wants Glen Cocoa, which is what they named the lab that came to visit us a few times a ways back, before we found the owners.

The little girl Mali babysits for wants Angelina. (She is 7 years old, Mali brings her over every day to swim and play with the little girls)

Mali wants Snowball Two.

Aaron and Joseph and Sam are camping, so they haven't told me their choices yet. In these days of internet, there are no surprises. Mirielle texted Aaron right away.

Oh well. I am enjoying the silence, none of the kids are up yet. Coffee, oatmeal with blueberries and toasted almonds...life is good!

puppy pics and fighting the guilt...

She is just a little thing...the puppy, I mean.

Miss Char loves puppy.

Well...do I feel a teeny tiny bit guilty about enjoying the pup? Uh-huh. I do. I still am reeling from that last van ride with Rosie. I don't want to be overly dramatic, but I feel almost traumatized. I kind of wish I hadn't have been there holding her paw...because now I have this memory of passing that is just unimaginably sad.

And truthfully, I feel like getting a new pup so quickly is heartless.

But it is also fun and comforting and just plain adorable. The little girls are so happy with a pup they can pet and play with. Jonathan has been amazing with her, taking her outside over and over again to go potty. She hasn't peed in here once yet, but she did do a nice little pile of surprise for me when I was in the pool and Jon was puppysitting.

Paul is on vacation so we are going to the beach again tomorrow. Mali is hanging out with friends, so she is going to puppysit.

I heard from Benjamin yesterday. He is such a good guy. He got a medal, an acheivement medal, for his actions, he apparently doesn't complain, and he helped a soldier who was very tired to finish an exhausting and hot patrol by sharing his water and helping him walk. He still has a good attitude.

I am tired, and am heading to bed. Pup is going to sleep in Rosie's cage, with a different rug in it. I hope she doesn't whine or bark during the night...poor girl, first night away from her brother and parents.

puppy love

Jonny is one happy boy!

Sonja is pretty thrilled too...

Yes, it is very soon after Rosie to get a puppy. I didn't want to do this yet...but. But. My mother-in-law offered to buy me a puppy for my birthday...I was thinking about it. Then she called this morning and said she had called about some registered lab puppies for sale,not too far from here, 8 weeks old, ready to go TODAY. Today!!? I told her I would talk to Paul. He said it was fine. I was rather surprised, but I think he is hurting too, and what helps pain go away like a little puppy?

I thought it would be good for the little kids too, to have a dog here they don't have to be afraid of. I realized that for months I had been telling them to stay away from Rosie, because I was afraid she would nip them too hard, and she was growling at them. The thing is, they loved Rosie. They just wanted to pet her and play with her.

So, here I am with a sweet little butterball of a pup, no name yet. This pup will go places with us so she can socialize and meet lots of kids.

Part of me is like, dang, I have to house-train another puppy...but I am happy too. I feel like a total betrayer, but I am happy.

I have not forgotten all about Rosie. I will never forget her. This new pup might help ease the pain, and might bring her own joy to us, but I still feel horrible about Miss Rosie The Bad Dog.

beautiful day, but brokenhearted....

Kathryn Grace took this one with me in it, with eleven of them.

Mirielle, Sonja K., Evelyn, and Kathryn in the front...Charlotte Claire, Camille, Emily, and Jonathan on the table, and Mali, Samuel,Suzanne, and Margaret in the back. (Abigail had to work, Benjamin is obviously at his own beach far far away (and I really missed him yesterday), Joseph stayed home and mowed the lawn and did whatever Joe does, and Aaron was at work.) Whenever I have a group of kids with me, I have to count them and make sure they are all accounted for.

Mali Rose

Emily Anne...

This beach is about an hour and twenty minutes away, but SO worth the drive in the big un-air-conditioned van...look at that sand!!!

Jonathan and the princesses