pictures from washington

Oh we had a grand time...here I am with Emily.

Here is my handsome son Benjy, outside of Winco, where we HAD to stop on the way home from the airport. :)

My granddaughter, Anya Jade.

Ben and Emily.....I loved seeing the two of them together, my oldest son and my oldest daughter.

Ben with his little girl.

Ashley with Anya.

Benjamin and I when we visited Seattle, down near the water.

This is me at the gum wall. Yes, it is covered with individual pieces of chewed gum. Why? I do not know, but it was disgustingly cool.

This is from Emily and my trip to Mount Rainier.

Emily the Tree hugger, in the forest near the base of the mountain, where it was still springtime.

Up on the mountain a bit, it was winter. We visited Old Man Winter, and it wasn't half bad, especially knowing we were leaving him behind on the mountain and going back down to springtime.

This is the next day down near Pike's Market in Seattle. Emily and I walked so many blocks, we decided to have a nice lunch outside on the water. The waitress suggested it was too chilly, but nonsense. It was sunny, we were all set.

This boat pulled in right in front of us while we ate. Way cool.

After lunch, we had to get back to the metro train. The way we came was pretty far, so we decided to pay the extra fare and find a closer train stop. It was closer, but there were stairs. I want to say hundreds, but there really weren't THAT many, it just felt like it.:) It was so pretty though.



Seeing this baby was by far the best part of the trip. She is funny and smart and sweet, plus she likes me.:)

Yes, I have a Safeway card now. I can't help it, Guy Behind Me, the cashier wouldn't give me this discounts without a card. And I couldn't put the Piece Of Cake Ice Cream away!, or heaven forbid, buy it for more because I don't have a little plastic card! No sir! So sorry you had to wait while I filled out the form for the card! I know you had only two items, you practically screamed it by the way you sighed loudly and shifted from one foot to the other like it was an actual eternity you had to wait for this lady from New York....sorry!

Ahh, so now I am home, to a nice clean house, ha ha ha. Guess what I did today? After my two hour nap that is...a well deserved nap, btw, we traveled all night, and I am not a sleeper while traveling. I cleaned the house!

leaving on a jet plane...

For some reason I can't put up photos right now, but here we are at the airport in Seattle, ready to take the red-eye home. It was too fun for words, this little trip of ours. Seeing Benjamin and Ashley and that sweet little baby was so nice I am almost sorry we came here, because of how much I am going to miss them now. :)

I had a headache on the way here. I only slept for a few little naps before we left, so I took some ibuprofen. Didn't work. The headache got worse, then by the time we were at Ben's house, it was just pounding. I took more ibuprofen a few times, but it didn't help. So. They took me to the hotel. On the way, I was certain I was going to throw up in Ben's car. They stopped at the store and bought me some Excedrin migraine, then on toward the hotel. We scarcely made into the parking lot, and I was out of the car barfing my brains out. ugh. my head hurt so bad, I felt like I was dying. IT was the worse headache I ever had. Horrible. AFter some medicine, a drink, and lying still in the bed in the dark for a while, because if I even moved a finger my head would pound, I fell asleep. When I woke up, I felt better enough for a shower, and was so thankful. The upside of feeling so horrid is the wondrous feeling of getting better. I still have that slight residual headache-y feeling that follows those intense headaches, but I am so thankful for feeling better:)

We had some adventures. We went up the mountain, Mount Rainier, where it is springtime at the base, then winter halfway up. We drove to the city (Seattle) with Ben, and explored Pike's market. We bought sour dough bread and had homemade ice cream, and bought flowers for Ashley. Then today Emily and I set out on our own, to the city again. This time we drove part way, then took the metro into the city, which was an adventure all in itself. We went to Chinatown, the historic district, then down to the water and ate out on a deck overlooking the sound. We walked for miles, which Em says is an exaggeration, but I had told her that like 12 blocks was my limit, we went at least fifty. Or at least 20. And we walked up hills and up steps and down steps.

I swam each morning in the hotel pool before we did our exploring, so I didn't feel too bad about the extra things I ate while on this vacation. Have you tried whipped cream in your coffee? Well, don't. It's too good.

My granddaughter is smart. She is smart and she is cute and she loves the sound of her own voice. She loves me, she loves everyone. She squawks and laughs and drools and rolls over. I love her so.

And, my battery is running low, and I don't feel like re=locating. Our flight is boarding soon, and I have my sneakers off and my feet up on a chair....

all packed and ready to go!

2,754 miles I will be traveling tomorrow. The U.S. of A. is a big country! I am glad we aren't driving to Washington state! Emily called me to find out the plan, Joseph is driving us to the airport at....4:15 a.m. If I believed in unGodly hours, this would be one.

I managed to fit all my stuff into a carry-on, to save the $25-each-way charge to check bags on the flight. It is quite packed, considering I have lots of things for my grand-baby:) Who can resist all that cute baby girl stuff? I also packed healthy snacks like almonds and apples and beef jerky and a few balance bars. Two bathing suits, plus my sneakers, and I'm good.

I am also going to fit this laptop into my bag, so there will be updates, as Emily and I will be certain to have lots of extra downtime lazing around our hotel:) Can you tell I am smiling?

Today I went shopping to stock the place up with bananas and yogurt and milk and apples and chicken and turkey lunch meat and bread and crackers and a huge box of Fruit Loops. yuck, but then again, if I am honest, I would love a huge bowl of those. But I won't.

I haven't picked out school clothes for the girls for the three days Kathryn will be getting them on the bus, she says she can do it. I think she can. The girls are just glad it isn't Joseph doing it, like he apparently did one other time we went away. I guess he didn't do their hair so well.

Cleaning the house while I am going is optional, I told the kids. I said they can either clean up continuously like I do, or just let it get really really messy so Paul can see just how much Mommy actually does around here. But, I told them, don't really do that. He should not have to come home from his long day at work and do dishes, especially if they get home from school and just lounge around. No way.

If they can get along with each other while I am gone would be nice too. When we went to Florida, we were hanging around the pool with Grandma, and got a call that one teenage girl threw a plate at her sister. When we were in Washington after Benjamin got home from Afghanistan, we got a call from a crying girl, with shouting and fighting sisters in the background, long distance girl drama.

Paul WILL be here this time though.

Aaron came today for a long visit. Some of my dear daughters raided his Easter basket, but luckily I had extra candy and was able to re-fill it quick when he pulled into the driveway.

And...the kids are home from their thing at church...so it is noisy. Lots of kids are here talking to me at once...

good morning, happy wednesday!

After school yesterday, Kathryn got out her guitar, and several of the girls started singing, "Let It Go", and it was lovely. I knew they would hate it if I videoed it, but I sneaked in and got my phone. Sure enough, by the time I had unplugged it from the charger, they were done, and Kap was putting the guitar away. So I snapped a picture of Camille with her library book.

Today is a rainy day. Dark and gloomy and rainy and ever-so-cozy. The birds are singing, and it is spring, never mind that it is a chilly 41 degrees out.

The kids all went to school again today, but I am picking the little girls up 15 minutes early today, which means they will get home almost an hour earlier than usual, because of the long bus ride. They miss a bit of playtime, but I am also picking their cousins up, so they can play here for a few hours.

Yesterday afternoon, after preparing dinner and putting it in the oven (marinated pork chops and potatoes sliced up and tossed in olive oil and seasoning), giving the older girls instructions when to take it out, I took the three youngest kids to the pool. I have had little kids for years and years and years, but these last few are growing up fast. As they kicked and splashed and played volleyball with the giant beachball, I tried to hold on to the moment, tried to appreciate it. I have been to that pool hundreds of times through the years with various children. One time little Samuel got out of the pool with Daddy to run in to go pee, then came out, didn't get his float-y back on, and jumped right on in...down he went, all I saw were bubbles as I scrambled over to scoop him up. He was probably 2 and a half or three. I can just see his curly blonde hair and chubby little cheeks. Now he is in the Army. I feel like an old fool, to borrow a phrase from my mother-in-law, because sometimes I see cute little toddlers and babies, and I get all teary-eyed, because it went by too fast.

Yesterday my sister-in-law came to visit, and brought her 7 month old grandson with her. He is a heartbreaker, so adorable and sweet and cuddly and content and smart, he is just a keeper. :)

This morning, I came out to the kitchen where my girls were gathered, eating breakfast and getting shoes on for school. Evelyn said that she had a dream I was pregnant. I was like, "Yippee!"

Now that Sam has graduated and gone away to the Army, there are only six kids going to school in the morning...Margaret, Evelyn, Suzanne, and Sonja go first trip. Then the two little girls go second trip an hour later. (Kathryn and Jon homeschool) It seems like so few kids, and it is. I haven't had only six kids go to school since the oldest six went, and then I had a whole slew of younger ones at home.

I am thankful that I can be home and enjoy the two homeschoolers, and the older kids when they come to visit (Emily was here for a few hours yesterday). I get to talk to Mirielle in the mornings when she gets home from working at the hospital. I am here after school, too. Sometimes I think I should be working, but then the time I had home would be so limited and stressful, catching up on all the work. I like the days when I can sit and put my feet up and have a cup of coffee when they get in the door from school, and just talk to them and hear about their days while they banter and shriek and eat up all the snacks.

With all that said, I am absolutely thrilled about my trip to Washington state! Friday morning before the sun comes up, Emily and I will be on that plane! Oh some heavenly downtime, and yay! I get so see that little granddaughter of mine. And my precious son Benjamin. That boy was always a handful, so clever and competent, right from the start. He grew up and grew into one of those dreaded terrible teens. He lied and he sneaked and his favorite phrase was, "I do what I want..." He got in trouble, he had the wrong friends, he dropped out of college a few times...we were at our wits' ends, trying to help that boy back to the right path in life. Then...things finally clicked for him, then he left for the Army. I always felt a little bit ripped off by that. Now he is such a decent young man, totally on the straight and narrow, would do anything for his wife and daughter...and he is so far away and I am missing out on him:) So. I am greatly looking forward to being with him for a few days, this fine guy who is my son. The good boy who was in there all along, but overshadowed by poor choices and that ATTITUDE.

Anyway, I am happy to be taking off for a bit, and also excited for the kids because Paul is planning a few fun things for them. In a way it's No Fair because he seems to do fun things when Mommy is gone, but when I am here, blah. I want to get in on ALL of the fun, but since I never have been able to be in two places at once, I shall just enjoy that they can get along fine without me.

Oh, it's hard to get up and moving again...the dogs are snoring on the couches....I want to snore on the couch!

and you learn something new every day....

This fine rainy morning, I headed to the dentist. My whole jaw has been just aching, I cannot chew anything on the right side, ouch. Dr. Dentist looked at my teeth, then tapped them. OUCH! Three in a row hurt like the devil! He said that three teeth can't just hurt when one is bad, and since it came on so suddenly, it was perhaps a sinus infection, but he would do an x-ray to see what was going on. And there on the x-ray, was the sinus cavity, very swollen, right there above those molars. I did not know they were so close, or that a toothache could be caused by a sinus infection. It certainly explains the constant headaches I have had lately. He prescribed an antibiotic, and I hope it clears it up. It is much better than that drill....because believe me, I was sitting pretty tensely. I had to consciously relax....then next thing I knew, I was out of that dreaded chair, and off to Walmart for a prescription!

Guess what? I like wandering around Walmart all by my lonesome. It took 45 minutes for the pharmacy to fill the script, so I had some time on my hands. I looked at pans and storage containers, then at discounted Easter candy. Yes, I bought some. Then clothes for Anya, because Gramma can't go a-visitin' without some cute little outfits! Then I wandered over and picked out a few things for Sonja's birthday. Then I meandered over to the ladies's clothes and picked out a sweater and a t-shirt...I bought Jon and Camille a package of bologna, I cannot stand it, but for some reason they absolutely love it, I rarely buy it. I bought some yummy green salad olives, then headed to get the medicine...

A quick stop at the dollar store, because....why not?

I filled the van with gas, then home.

Ah, home. Kim, my sister-in-law, was here, and Emily came over. We had things to talk about concerning the grill we run at church conferences. Kim brought one of her grandsons, he is a sweetie.

And that's all I have to say today. I am thankful I didn't have to have a root canal, but am hoping these antibiotics kick in soon so my poor jaw will stop aching. It. hurts. so. bad. :(

and a happy monday it is!

Phew, what a day! It started too early, with me waking up remembering how much cleaning I had to do this fine morning...once I wake up and think about things, it's game over for sleep.

Paul had to get a physical for an insurance policy, and he thought it would be easier to have the nurse/doctor come to the house, since she offered. Um, easier for WHOM, is what I want to know. We had Easter grass and jelly beans and toys decorating the living room floor, and the kitchen floor was mopped just yesterday, but....yes, but. You know how it is. If you don't, then I hate you. Just kidding. I am just a wee bit envious. Anyway. I got up and got the princesses dressed and brushed and washed and fed with lunches all packed, then started on the house. Paul is working from home today. He couldn't figure out for the life of him why I was so concerned with cleaning up the house, "for someone you are never going to see again", he said. Well. I really don't know. I just don't like it messy anyway, so it makes sense to clean it when you know someone's coming over. BTW, if anyone was going to drop in, this morning would have been a good time. It's getting messy again already! Anyway, I took a nice long walk, then when the dr./nurse got here, I entertained the three children and two small dogs she brought with her. Or rather was entertained by them. They stayed outside and tried out all the bikes and scooters, while the dogs ran here and there. Cuteness!

I got some sun (yay!), worked out, did some dishes and laundry, which I dried in the sun. I assigned Jon some work, went over it with him, and made sure he was reading his book instead of playing games on his tablet. He got some bike riding in, and some sitting on the deck with mommy time. I made a dentist appointment for myself for first thing tomorrow morning, and I made a grocery list. Has anyone else noticed how the prices are just creeping up? I am going to three different stores to get the sale things at each place. Aldi is one of them, their produce is so cheap! It takes longer to go here and there, but it's worth it.

I am so excited by the two trips coming up!!!! Emily and I are going on an airplane! I know, I have never grown up, and it is still exciting to me to fly. I don't particularly like airport security, especially with Emily the rebel with her comments. She says things like, "Yeah, it's a good thing we are only bringing 3 ounces of shampoo so it's not dangerous!". But we shall have fun, because she also has the gift of Stopping To Smell The Roses. We will NOT get bored, and we can have those companionable silences without wondering if we said something wrong. She does NOT get stressed, no she stays calm cool and collected. We are going to see Ben and Ashley and Anya, and perhaps Pike's Market in Seattle, or Mount Ranier. We are staying in a hotel a few minutes from his house, a hotel with hot breakfast, a pool, and a hot tub. :)

Then in a few weeks, Georgia! I booked the hotel for that last night. No flying this time, it's only 17 hours to drive. Paul and I and Joseph and maybe Kathryn, and Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, and Camille. The rest of the kids will be at the youth conference at church. One of Sam's friends, who grew up with him, went to school with him, who is from a family with 14 kids, from our church, called last night to get Sam's contact info....Nate is graduating from his Basic Training in Fort Benning the week before we go down there, so he will be free to visit with Sam too. I can't wait to see him, and am so glad Sam will get to spend time with him. His older brother Steve is stationed there too, and perhaps he will be free too. Anyway, I booked a hotel room that's a suite, with two queen beds and a living room with a pullout couch. Two televisions, free breakfast, cookies in the evening, indoor pool and hot tub in case of rain or bad weather. The little girls are so excited, they got ready for school speedy quick this morning so they could see pictures of it. It takes me forever and a day to choose a place, I want nice but not too expensive, and I look and look until I find something I am absolutely sure of....but I actually like it.

Anyway. I need to get up and get moving again. Some of the kids will be getting off the bus in like five minutes....

easter easter easter

Seventeen baskets, all filled. Well, technically, 15, since Emily, Abigail, and Mali shared a huge bowl.

Duke is so easy going. He is just the nicest dog.

Joseph with Kitty, Suri, and Duke.

And, a retro picture....

This is when Evelyn was a little newborn, 15 years ago this summer. Look how Benjamin was holding her! He was ten years old, and the oldest of nine kids. Emily was 14, Abigail 12. Kathryn was the little toddler, Samuel didn't like having his picture taken. Oh they were fun.

Today was a glorious day! Sunshine and warmth! I had to work at the baseball stadium, but had 20 minutes outside on the deck, where I ate my breakfast and drank my coffee before dressing in my ugly blue work trousers to go to the game. I decided today though, to be thankful. Because honestly, why waste life grumbling? I would RATHER have stayed home and spent much more time in that wonderful sunshine. But life is seriously what you make of it, and I decided today to get treasures in heaven:) At the stadium, you can look out at the sunny field while you stand on the hard cement floors and wait on people. I took a 15 minute break with Abigail, it was very pleasant to sit there in the stands and watch the game and get some sun on my face.

When I got home, I brought the little girls outside and watched them ride their bikes, then Paul came out and did sprints up and down the road with the pups, and the girls on their bikes. Now the little girls have had showers and are in their pajamas. They all had pizza for dinner, and are watching, "The Princess And The Pauper", Barbie version. I am having chicken and broccoli. I did sample some candy yesterday, and want to get back on the right track today:)

Camille told me this afternoon that if she kissed me as much as she loves me, she would never stop kissing me. Can life get any better than that?

Ugh, but I have a toothache. No, not from candy. It started so randomly, in the middle of the night last Thursday. It's in a tooth that was crowned when I was expecting Camille. The whole jaw aches, it feels like I bit down hard on something and it's stuck way up deep in the gum, and the pain is unbearable sometimes. I am taking ibuprofen here and there, but am going to call the dentist in the morning. I would rather give birth with no pain meds a million times in the middle of the road than go to the dentist.

Practicing thankfulness is more challenging when there is physical pain involved. I find I want to complain every time I turn around.

Charlotte Claire is sitting on the couch eating cotton candy from her basket. blah. Sugar. I know it makes me feel awful, and would really like to wean the kids off it. It is everywhere.

The pies I made yesterday were absolutely incredible. I just made them with whole milk and pudding mix, but the crust....crushed graham crackers and butter, then I mixed in some melted chocolate chips with more butter, pressed it into the pie pans, and what yummy crust! I only had a tiny bit of each. I didn't make any bread or rolls yesterday, but when Emily and Abigail came over, they brought a loaf of Italian bread.

Oh well. Time to look for hotels for the beginning of May in Fort Benning! I cancelled the rooms I reserved for June. I cannot wait to see Samuel....!