my kids.....

Molly brings her camera with her when we shop....here we have Camille and Suzanne.... Jonathan, Molly, and Sonja...

Wow, beautiful sky over Target....

Please can we have these, we're cold, Mom....Aaron and Molly...

Aaron....behave! and Margaret....

Camille trying out the merchandise...this chair was just right!

Molly and Camille, and yes Camille is on clearance....

What a bargain, a baby, cheap!

I am not sure what they were doing here....

Okay Aaron, does it fit?






Wow, someone is throwing away a perfectly good baby!

Lovely girl......

These suit her....

Hmm.....

Yes, she likes to shop....

I don't think I like this on her....

See, I told you that Aaron and Molly fool around in the stores. But I didn't know the extent of it until I saw these pictures on Molly's camera. I was not present for most of those pictures, especially the one of her on the shelf, and the trash can one....

We had homemade pizzas tonight, one was green peppers, red onions, bacon, pepperoni, and cheese....oh, it was good....and some chicken wings...some were hot Buffalo, and some barbecue for the little ones.....it took a while to prepare, but the kids like to help with the dough, and put the cheese on. Charlotte Claire treats it like an all you can eat pizza making buffet. She grabs things off the pizzas as we make them. In her defense, she was very hungry, dinner was late, and I didn't make her wait...as soon as one pizza was done, I gave her some....as opposed to waiting for everything to be done, and everyone seated. We really "need" two ovens....we had to wait for the two trays of wings to cook before we could put the pizzas in, and only could make 2 pizzas at a time....

It was a nice day here in the Northeast. Sunny, breezy, not too cool....perfect for being outside. Paul and the kids moved the remains of the woodpile from the driveway, finally....and the kids loved having the whole driveway....so they had their sidewalk chalk out....it kept them very busy.

I did get a small nap today.....sometimes it feels nice to catch up a little ....and I also went in the hot tub with Suzanne, Sonja, Jonathan, and Charlotte Claire. So I can't say I was busy all day. But it seems like it. We had a big breakfast this morning....standing there cooking pancakes, bacon, and eggs, seems like it takes forever.....then the cleanup....the kitchen wasn't cleaned up until like 11:30.......

I hate having things hanging over my head that I know I have to do. Margaret needs braces, I have taken her in for x-rays, and a price estimate. Now I need to make the appointment for her to get them put on.....and my dog, he is not doing so well....but today he had a good day...when is a good time to call the vet? I still haven't cut my long tangly hair, and it is long and tangly. I have tons of things to put up on ebay.....and things to bring to the Salvation Army. On the plus side, I did buy the wall mount for the tv, and Paul put it up today.....way too high! He asked me where to put it, and I told him, and then he hung it up higher.....everyone that walks in says it's too high....he said that's the only way he could do it...so why did he ask me?

We have things we want to do around here, too. We never got the living room carpet replaced, it is 16+ years old, with some continuous wear and tear. With no play room or family room, this room is IT for constant use. Even with no shoes worn in the house, it looks pretty bad. We are trying to choose between hardwood and engineered wood flooring. Installing it ourselves, of course. And we have some windows to replace. When we built the house, we put in these nice Anderson windows, tilt out, wood frames....and most of them have just rotted. Seriously rotted. We have even stripped some of them and refinished them, and they are still rotting. We have looked and looked, and cannot find any of the warranties or receipts for these windows. We have twenty windows in the house. It would be too expensive to replace all of them at once....Paul did one already....it looks nice....but it doesn't match all the rotty ones.....

Well, I am sure everyone has their lists of things to be done.....things that may never get done. Yet we somehow survive.....

uh oh, boys!

As you know by now, I have 11 daughters. They are all very good girls. I won't get into all the details right now, but my girls don't date. Never have. They believe (it isn't a rule, they have the choice, especially after they get older) in keeping themselves pure, fleeing youthful lusts, ect. So they don't have boyfriends....until or if they get engaged and married. But they do have boys for friends....and here is the story.....two little boys are visiting their Grampa down the street. One of them is in Evelyn's class. Evelyn is in 3rd grade, 9 years old. Now these boys are hanging around outside. Riding their bikes back and forth in front of the house. The girls came in all flushed and silly, and told us....as if we weren't keeping an eye on things.....they seemed surprised when I told them it was fine to talk to the boys, it was okay to have boys for friends...then I said, just NO kissing, and NO flirting. Sonja thought I said FARTING, and I don't really like that word, but they thought it was hilarious when I said, YES, you can fart. So, now they are out there making friends with these two boys.

Well, I have to go pick up some kids......

friday night again

and it was another night with only Charlotte Claire and Camille. Anyone out there with two kids: never say, "I only have two...." I find it hard with only the two of them. They are 18 months apart, and wow, are they busy. Kathryn gave Charlotte Claire a piece of gum before she left tonight, and Charlotte took it out of her mouth, and gave it to Camille. Then she wanted it back. I had to save her fingers. I had to help Charlotte Claire construct a Camille-proof barricade so she could play dollhouse without King Kong getting everything. But it didn't work. She pulled herself up on the dollhouse, and shook it.....dollhouse earthquake! Camille was pretty tired, too....I finally convinced Charlotte Claire to sit on the couch with a few books, so I could get Camille settled down into bed. I told her that when I got baby into bed, I would read to her....so, she sat with her books and waited. Then I read her a few stories.....then all the kids came in the door from activity club. They had a big theme party, From Mexico. Pinata, limbo game....ice cream...

So, now they are settled down, and it is relatively quiet.

Emily got ripped off today. She had the day off, and she had some recipes she wanted to try.....and she was making dinner for us, yay! So, I had my Walmart trip planned. And Camille was very tired and getting fussy. Now, I like taking my kids with me. But she was obviously wanting her bed. So, Emily said I could go ahead and put her to bed.....so I did. Then I got to work getting the other ones ready to go.....Sonja had skipped school, and she was already dressed. I was putting Charlotte Claire's tights on her, and she was not co-operating. I asked her if she wanted to stay home, and she said yes......then, Jon was hemming and hawing....(as my mother used to say)......and I suggested he stay home, too. That I would even bring him home a prize! So, he conceded to stay home with Emily. Hey, she said.....I am getting ripped off.....

She took them in the hot tub, gave them lunch, and put Charlotte Claire into bed.....not too bad...

Sonja and I went off in Emily's car instead of the 15 passenger van, yay! We went to the dollar store, where I stocked up on granola bars, baking chips, and some accessories for Halloween for Sonja and the little girls. The Pepperidge Farms bread man was just arriving when I got there, so I got a variety of bread for $1 a loaf. There is a limit of 3, but I had Sonja buy one with her dollar, and I bought her locking diary with my check...so I could get four. Fair or not, we do have a lot of people, and if a little old lady and her husband can get 3, we can get four...see how I rationallize these things? I actually felt a little guilty. But, raisin bread and cranberry orange bread, and oatmeal bread for a dollar.... And a car for Jon.

Then to BigLots, where I got some microwave popcorn, undies for the girls, and Jon, and some other "necessities." Then to Walmart. I wanted a kit to hang the flatscreen tv, before the kids wreck it, sitting here on the coffee table against the far wall. The cheapest one was $80! No way! So I got a few groceries, and went to B.J.s, and they had a wall mount kit for $56, and it was much better. So I got that, more granola bars, ground beef, some chocolate....

Gas was $2.88 when I got into the city, and $2.80 when I left....why is almost as scary as when it went up so rapidly?

I had a good time with Sonja today. With her reddish curly hair and freckles, and big green eyes, she is such a cutie. And so sincere. But also a conniver. She has been complaining about having underwear that is too small. So I found some High School Musical undies for $2, but they were small. Oh, mommy, they will fit!!! No, I said, but you can have these bunny ones....no, she didn't want them...okay, I'll get them for Suzanne....NO, no, I want them mommy!!! So, it's safe to say Sonja is a little bratty. I enjoyed walking with her and holding her hand. Giving her some extra one on one attention.

So, Emily's dinner tonight: roast beef and gravy with mashed potatoes, and corn. And homemade chocolate cake with almond, and apple tart with butter crust for dessert. How can you beat coming home to that?

odds and ends

Yeah, here I am writing on my blog AGAIN. I must be a really big loser with nothing else to do.....I mean, the stuff in the dryer can wait, it's bedding. And the stuff in the washer is just a load of towels.

I got a new piece of excercise equipment today, it's supposed to be gentle on the knees. It's a Gazelle, as seen on tv, I guess, I rarely watch tv, so I haven't seen the commercials....my sister got one at a yard sale, and liked it alot...anyway, someone was selling one used, cheap, so Paul went and picked it up for me today. It takes up alot of room. It is in the kitchen right now. It has to be moved, but where to? I had already taken my 1+mile walk today, so I tried it out, but not for very long......if the weather stayed this nice all year, I would be all set, but the snow is coming...with the snowbanks...not good for walking on a country road.....anyway, the kids all wanted to try this thing out....we ended up banning them from getting on it after both Charlotte Claire and Camille got bumped by it within 5 minutes of each other.....I will let them go on it with close supervision when they get cabin fever.....

I have stayed home 3 days in a row. For me, that might be a record. And, I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I am having fun with my three little buddies......today, when we got Camille in for her nap, we had lunch and then went in the hot tub.....someone put some shampoo it it, but of course, no one did it! When we turned on the jets, the foam on the top was unbelievable. It smelled nice, too. Charlotte Claire kept getting foam all over her face, and wiping her face on mine, and laughing.......she has no fear. The water is up to her neck, and she stands there, plugs her nose, and goes under, and comes up smiling. I have to watch her every second.

I may have to break my staying home streak tomorrow. I need milk, and some things for the weekend. I could have Paul stop at the gas station for milk.....hmmm.....staying home saves money. But going out gets bananas, and fresh produce.....Jon has assured me that if I take them to Wal-mart by myself, he will be really good.....hmm....I have heard that before.....

People sometimes ask how we can afford 16 kids......Emily has a job, and pays for her own stuff now.....Abigail is still in school, so we help her as much as we can....Ben is working, and going to school, so he is all set....Mariel - waah- is in Canada for a few more weeks....and she actually saves us money. She is a natural cheap shopper......she cuts the coupons. My three older boys, ages 17, 15, and 13, don't care about fashion at all....they wear just jeans and t-shirts, and whatever sneakers...actually, Aaron likes polo shirts, and different pants, but I just buy him clearanced stuff, and he's fine with it....my girls share clothes, usually nicely, and are extra cheap bargain shoppers too. $3 is about what we would pay for a shirt.....Abigail and Mariel got their hair cut at a salon once, when Mariel sent her hair in to Wigs for Kids.....otherwise, they cut each others....and Mariel cuts the boys' hair. I do the little girls' hair. We very rarely eat out as a family. Usually just the one time in the summer when we go camping, and that is to Pizza Hut. With icewaters to drink.....although I sometimes take smaller groups of them out to Chinese.....and we do stop at drive-throughs sometimes when I have just a few of them....dollar menu, of course. We eat what is on sale. I plan my menus around the grocery ads. Right now, we are getting spoiled with an abundance of apples. I let them have them whenever they want. I was being ration-y with them, and Aaron said, "Mom, they are going to rot....." We don't go to movies, hardly ever, we do belong to the Blockbuster thing where they send the dvds....mostly old movies, or war movies for Sam.....

Well, I have noticed that when I am tired, I just go on and on....so, goodnight.....

principles

I know a man who had 10 principles....then he had 10 kids....now he has no principles....

It isn't noon yet, and I have changed 4 diapers, fed 6 kids their breakfast, fixed 3 bottles and a sippy cup....swept the floor, did a load of laundry, matched a basket of socks with the help of a little monkey named Camille who pulled herself to standing at the basket, and did hiphip hooray with the socks...and a little helper named Charlotte Claire who helped by picking up my sorted piles and adding them back to the basket......I got out playdough for Charlotte Claire, a big firetruck for Jon, after gating off the hallway because of all the toys they were dragging out...I have followed Camille around picking up the things she has scattered....I cleaned off the table, washed the counters.....but also: I managed to read the morning paper.....

All nine of the school kids got out the door to school this morning. No small feat. Yes, I seemed to have accomplished some things today....very necessary things......but you should see this living room....

Anyway, I have been thinking about princples, things I thought so strongly about.....and how I have let them go along the way...

1. I put Charlotte Claire to nap and to bed with a :BOTTLE!!!! And, she is not the first one....

2. I let three youngest school girls eat their breakfast in the living room while watching "Curious George"........

3. I let the kids go outside barefoot.....

4. I feed them in the van, even after we clean it and say we will never eat in it again....

5. Sometimes when the two year old wants something another child has, I ask the child to please just give it to her.......

6. Once I charged my McDonalds order......see, not having cash is a great deterrent to stopping at those places...the kids ask, I just say, no, no money.....so I CANNOT start using the Visa for fast food......

7. I have left the house with the dryer on

8. I have told the kids if they don't stop whatever awful behavior, I will call the police....

I am sure there are many more, and as I write this, I just remembered that Sonja lost a tooth over the weekend, it's still in the diaper bag....oops.

Jon and Charlotte Claire have these red plastic chairs. Identical. Jon was sitting in his watching Word World. Charlotte Claire did not want the other chair, just the one that Jon was sitting in. She cried, she screamed, she tried to attack Jon.....so, I asked Jon if he could just switch with her. He said no. I don't blame him....she asked for a ba-ba, go night-night....she likes to take a nap when things get rough, just like her mom....but I didn't give her one, and she moved on to bigger and better things, like playing with Jon's firetrucks, which he will soon jump up in protest about.....and she will probably grab his chair......

So I ask: how in the world am I supposed to get anything done around here???? These guys keep my hopping...but they are so funny....yesterday, I gave Jon a sippycup of applejuice....and he took a drink and said, "Oh, this tastes good. Sippy cups usually taste like throw-up...."And you usually just drink them?......hmmm.....and Camille she is just so funny. I had her on my lap for breakfast.....Jon and Charlotte Claire had wheat toast with butter and strawberry jam, and chocolate milk......I tried to share a bowl of honeynut Cheerios with Camille. She didn't want any. I put a Cheerio on the table in front of her, which she picked up and threw on the floor, while shaking her head "NO".....(Charlotte Claire was quite amused).....so, I put a spoonful into her mouth....she spit it out. Now this baby LOVES this cereal. But: she saw the other kids having toast, and she wanted toast. So, she got toast......

Well, as much as I like sitting here typing, these guys need some lunch...and then....nap time!!!How can you love your kids more than life itself, more than anything imaginable, but also love naptime so much?

5 kids in bed.....

and alot still up. I can't concentrate very well when so many of the big kids are still up and about, but that's okay. I just feel like writing a bit.....

Random things to be thankful for:

1. Ibuprofen....

2. Lots of fresh apples

3. Our cozy living room full of big kids...

5. My almost 12 year old knows how to make brownies...



Okay, does the state of the economy scare the heck out of anyone besides me? On the one hand, I do believe, as always, that when you seek first the kingdom of heaven, all things are added to you, and being anxious does not add a single cubit to your life....those things are written in the bible, and I do believe them....but things are going to get rough. 2/3 of the U.S. economy is consumer spending, which is way way down....and lots and lots of other depressing statistics.....I think we are going to look back on these times in the very near future, and look back with longing for how good we had it. I had a dream several years ago, that everything was bleak and dark , and I was in a store with my father. The shelves were mostly bare, except for canned vegetables. My father had a huge wad of cash, just to buy one case of corn....I was crying in the dream, it was so depressing. This is one dream that won't come true, because my father died almost 2 years ago. Sometimes I am kind of glad he isn't around for the inflation, and increasing economic woes of these days, the anxiety would drive him insane..... but I think there is going to be alot of suffering in the days ahead.

Sorry for being Mrs. Sunshine. I guess the first statements don't agree with the paragraph that followed. I think that means that Mrs. Sunshine has to really do some thinking about faith. If I am tempted to be anxious and worried, that's okay. Tempted is the key word. Now is a good time to really trust God. I will really work on that. I have all these kids looking to me, and I need to be thoroughly rooted and grounded in what I know is right.

spending time with the kids

Having just the three little ones during the day is quite interesting. Jonathan revels in the attention. He is Mr. Helperguy 99% of the time, but the 1% of the time that he joins forces with Charlotte Claire in jumping on the couch and being wild......is awful. He keeps track of what the two little ones are doing, and keeps me posted. This seems to come natural to him. He likes being the biggest kid. For me, that is one plus side of sending the kids off to school - the oldest kid at home gets his/her year or two to thrive. I have watched this happen year after year, with child after child. Some years, when the little ones were expecially close together, the older child had several younger ones home. When Samuel started kindergarten, he had 5 younger sisters. Margaret, Kathryn, Evelyn, Suzanne, and Sonja were all born in 5 years.



Anyway, Jon is having a great time. Today, I made them some pancakes. I made Jon a special teddybear pancake with chocolate chip eyes.....Charlotte Claire doesn't have much patience for sitting at the table eating.....so I try to sit with her and get her to eat as much as I can at each meal....she always wants down while Jon's still eating....I just keep the wet washcloth at the table to wash her when she's done.....and let her get down.....Camille doesn't like to be confined for long, either. It's tempting to let them just have something, but I try to stick to my guns about food at the table only. Keeps the stickiness at the table. And crumbs. Although sometimes I let them have popcorn, or pretzels in the living room.

I may have to cut this short, the kids are watching a VegeTales dvd, but Camille isn't interested....and now it is over....