summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

did I stay home today? ha.

I made up cookie dough. A triple batch. I loaded the dishwasher and washed the table and washed some pans, made the coffee, made some blueberry muffins (I CHEATED. I used Fiber One muffin mix, from the dollar store...and they are excellently delicious), and then Joseph sauntered in...ha, gotcha, Joe! Make some eggs for the guests...he took requests, and decided on French Toast. After they ate, I was talking with Caroline, and she still wanted to get some candy to bring home...so I suggested a trip to the small city, fifteen miles down the road, to the big warehouse store. So, off we went. No, just kidding. First we dressed the two little girls, who thought we were going someplace much more magical than we were going, and asked the boys if they were interested...they were. So Joseph and Samuel went too (Sam's eighth grade class is on a trip to Washington D.C., our kids just don't go to that), and Sonja, who didn't go to school this morning because her mommy got out her favorite outfit for her sister Suzanne, and Suze wouldn't take it off.....anyway, it ended up being a real party. And it took much longer than I had envisioned....

The boys seemed to like the big store. So did Caroline. They chose candy that they don't have back home, and big bags of it. And Caroline bought a large container of pancake syrup. It seems that Norwegians don't have AuntJemima.

Home again, but not for long! They had big plans....two vehicles full went down to the suburbs, where all the good stores are....and they are having dinner down there.....Caroline stayed home, she is tired. So for dinner tonight, we only have Paul and I, Benjamin, Evelyn, Suzanne, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, and Camille. I put a roast in the oven, and some carrots....and I have a ten pound bag of potatoes. But do I feel like peeling them? They are not very good potatoes, so they cannot just be baked. They need peeling. And I do not feel like it. I was in the kitchen for too too long this afternoon, baking those cookies. Sheet after sheet....so now, of course, I have a cup of milk and.....cookies. (I never did get that nap).....

I wish I could fit a nap in now, but I have to somehow go pick Mali up from track practice. rrr. There is no one to babysit, so I have to put them all in the van....rrr. No, I shouldn't complain. I realized this morning how much easier it is to be cheerful when we have company around. I mean, I cannot stomp around in front of people! I do not willingly practice stomping around anyway, but sometimes I do find myself a little stompy, and more than a little complainy. But that is awful, that I would be different because people are here. And it makes me sick. That is how I am, and I don't like it. It is God whom I seek to please, and God sees my behaviour whether people are visiting or not. How much do I really fear Him? Some things to think about here, seriously......

I have to leave in 15 minutes....I better finish my milk before it gets warm....and my cookie before it gets cold. Yes, cookie, singular. I already ate two!

7 comments:

Joni said...

I want a jug of that syrup, too ... Finland doesn't have it, either.

Tereza said...

Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming of a beautifully organized, well planned life. And while I CAN plan and do things to make life less stompy:) it still is frustrating a lot of the time too because my will is crossed!!!! Like you I know its easier to be all wonderful when people are around and i too have the desire to be genuinly good and happy when noone is watching, living before the face of my God knowing he has the very best in mind for me no matter how complicated life gets sometimes!!

Anonymous said...

oh I want cookies!!! My problem if I make some is that there is not too many people to help me eat them.. so I need to do half batches only.. or eat twice as much!! ;)

Darla said...

I love it! "Singular" cookie...but you already ate two. I'm one that cannot eat just one, or two, or three! At least I'm not the only one! :)

I know what you mean about being all fine and pleasant with guests around and then thinking, "Now why am I not just like this all the time?" Not like I always am stompy and grumpy either but I do have my share of those times...but when we've had people staying over, I notice it is so much easier to behave like I should! If only it was easier to be like that all the time!

Caroline said...

I wished you would have asked me if I could babysit them! I could deffenely have done it. I love your kids ! They are all so sweet :) (the little ones at least , haha )

16 blessings'mom said...

Oh Caroline, I know you would have! But you were resting, and it is a lot to ask....they were tired and fussy that afternoon. Thank you so much though, and WE MISS YOU!!!!

Caroline said...

yeah .. thank you for letting me rest. But ask me next time ! I would love to do it ! :)