Seriously!

So we went to run errands the other day. One of the kids had a doctors appointment so since we live 20 minutes from town we get all our other errands run on those days. So we had 4 hours and 10 stores to go to. These are the days that seem like you have run the Boston Marathon with out the endorphine high. So 6 kids (2 in car seats, 2 that argue if they even look at each other, and 2 that HATE shopping), 10 stores, and a tired Mom off we went. We did get it all done and even got home in time for J to eat and get ready for football practice. One of our last stops was The health food store. With 4 celiacs and 4 who have a hard time digesting wheat, we buy things by the case (I LOVE saving money) and they give you a discount. So I stopped and ran in to get my order. Yes, I left the 6 tired kids in the car for 5 minutes and they all survived :) While inside they were adding up my order, so I ran to the bathroom quick (hadn't gone since before the kids got up when a mom sees opportunity she runs, I even got to shut the door!!) When I came back it was all added up and I gave her my credit card, but the computer was down so I asked how much $39.43. Ok no big deal I paid cash took my goods and ran to the car, everyone still breathing....Whew! We continued home where I discovered I was charged $3.77 for 1 box of crackers not 1 case (24 boxes). OOPS! So I called the store the owner wasn't in until yesterday so I called back I told her what happened and I owed her some money. she almost started crying Thanking ME?! She said this is such a blessing from God! Hmmmm. Seems to me I just owed her money which we agreed I would pay when I pick up my next order. But this all got me thinking?? This is seriously a sad state we folks are in when we are surprised if someone does the right thing.... I love saving money not stealing or reaping from another's misfortune. I have been dubbed the deal lady, I like to find good deals and save my family money... Come on 6 kids this is a good thing.. But never at someone else's EXPENSE (sorry couldn't help it!) Lets all make a deal to return to integrity be honest with each other, give others what we owe then (this means the other cheek, not revenge), go directly to whom we want information about, but most of all love and encourage each other. The past 2 times I went to Wal mart there were some very impatient women in line (no not me this time) with NO CHILDREN (see really not me).. I know it seems surreal to me but they really were at the store with no kids. seriously! . Any ways they were so impatient and rude they both left the line yelling at the teenager working , whom was trying to help them (one lady's credit card was rejected hmmm). I stood there in shock praying Lord (if I ever do make it to the store by myself (hehe) ) never let me be like that. I even apologized and encouraged the young workers who had just been attacked for things out of their control. They both laughed and said don't worry that happens all the time..... AGGGG!

Smiles please..

Q is the one with the big smile. I remember before she even came home everyone I talked to that had been to the orphanage in Africa knew Q. When she smiles even the fish will smile back. hehe (couldn't resist that one) She is also 12 so we won't even talk about when she isn't smiling. (pre teen girls AGGG!) She couldn't believe she has been home for a year already. She has learned so much! (and is still learning so much) She played softball this summer and turned out to be an AWESOME catcher. Who ever said "chunking rocks in Liberia" wouldn't be helpful in life he he. That girl can throw!! ( as long as it is not aimed at a sibling life is good)

Soccer superstar...

S is our soccer superstar. He is always showing us new tricks and can't wait until he can be on a real soccer team. He got a very cool rebounder net for his birthday.. Lots of soccer now!! Looks like he has to wait until spring to join a team though... sniff sniff In the meantime he played baseball and discovered he is an AWESOME pitcher. He was very excited to celebrate he had been home for 1 year at the beginning of August!!

Horse Camp

A is the oldest and looks me in the eyeball. Yes soon she will be taller than me!! sniff sniff She went to horse camp this summer and had a blast! She LOVES HORSES! She is daily asking, trying to figure out how to sneak a horse in the barn. She does realize fencing first but she has the patience of a 2 year old (or her mother). She is 12. My favorite part of the week was at Kohls the gal at the register went on and on about how much this beautiful young lady looks like her mother (me). I just smiled as she repeated it at least 10 times, "I mean it she like looks exactly like you!" Imagine my joy to think that means in some way I look like this beautiful girl!! Then as Wild Mike was screaming in the background and reality hit... (poor kid) I so wanted to say thats strange I have never seen her before! And quickly before A's eyeballs would be stuck in her head forever from her rolling them. But A said, " we sure have heard that before right Mommy!" with a smile.

His first game...

His legs have now turned a strange shade of purple. And his name was the first one announced as he had the first take down in their first game of the season. Yes this means my baby was at the bottom of the pile! AHHH! He walked off the field with a SMILE!
J : " I am in pain Mom!"
Mom: "So do you want to stop playing?" ( I'd be fine with that) (he he)
J " ARE YOU KIDDING ME NO WAY, I LOVE FOOTBALL"
sniff sniff.... When both legs are the shade of the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka and he is smiling proud... I will tell him how proud I am of him! What an amazing guy he is becoming....

P.S.
When we got home I saw him go to the shower. I even heard it running and noted he changed clothes. Later I sat down (briefly) to chat this is how it went:

Mom: " I thought I told you to take a shower!"
J: "Mom I did."
Mom: "Why are your legs so dirty then?"
J: " It's all bruises Mom don't worry I don't even know when they all happened. this one is from practice, this one I remember feeling pain but don't know when? It's just part of the game."

Ok then...............................

Wild Mike & Princess time out what?

AHH the babies of the house. Wild Mike is a self proclaimed nut. If you ask he will tell you , "I A nut!" We joke he starts pro football next week, he can move faster than the roadrunner on speed, and could take down ANYONE! Princess is always in pink or purple, wearing a tierra, holding a magic wand, wearing sparkly silver shoes, and singing a sweet song. She is also the worlds best whiner. Last night at supper she proclaimed, " My mom spoils me". I did just buy her a t shirt that says, " It is no secret I am my Daddy's favorite (on front) And everybody else's too! (on back)". So maybe I do feed into it a LITTLE.... So he is 2 and she is 4 (going on 20) and they are best buddys as long as he is not trying to beat her down. They are also my ONLY children to ever put themselves in time out for being naughty! At the doctors office Wild Mike SHOCKINGLY hit Princess for no apparent reason. I turned to look at him as he walked himself over to sit in the corner to do his time. The poor nurse about lost it. He then stood up and came to tell his sister gave her a hug and kiss and said, "Sowey". All I said was he has a lot of practice. Then today Princess walked over to sit on her time out step. A asked her what she was doing and she said, " I was not nice to Wild Mike I need a time out." What planet are these kids from? A child not only accepting their punishment but taking it themselves. Is this what God meant when he said, " Lest you be like little children"... doubt it but for today I am laughing. Now if we could just get the 11 & 12 year olds onto this...

Link to ebay...

I have recieved several emails about my creative ebay post. It was not mine.. I just thought it was great... And yes it does sound like my life but I did not draft that one :) The gal who wrote it has her own blog http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/ I do think she has somehow hidden a camera in my house.. check it out she is a hoot!!

Are you ready for some football...

Have you ever noticed how quickly time goes by? My mother always told me as you get older it only goes faster. I now know she is right. You see a few months ago (11 years ago) I gave birth to the most handsome baby boy. He adored his Mommy and loved to sleep. Here in lies the problem. I think I made him get far too much sleep.. I fought with him to just go to sleep and he kept growing. Then I was blessed with more children, maybe if I got less sleep their growing would some how slow down. Nope! Even though I am more tired they still grow faster and each one seems to move a little faster than the last one too... Believe me nothing helps keep these precious ones small, they will all grow into these pre teens. Believe me I know, there are 4 in my house right now! (sniff sniff) Anyway here is a picture of my precious baby hehe.. Whom I tried so hard to protect from every owie, and I am now allowing out in a field to intentionally be pummeled by other (maybe even bigger) boys... he is now in tackle football AHHHH! He was TRYING to read a magazine last week when he said, " Mom I don't know what it is I just can't get football out of my head, I LOVE IT!" Guess this one is all boy!! Games start Wed. Here is the schedule: Wed. Aug. 29, Tues. Sept. 4, Sat. Sept. 8, Tues. Sept. 11, Tues. Sept. 18, Tues. Sept. 25, Tues. Oct. 2, Tues. Oct. 9 I know he would love it if any of you could make it :)

This is hilarious! Shopping with 6 kids!!

Not Sure but I think this lady was following me last time I went shoipping??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675

read the description....

Our Family

Yes they are all mine!

Getting started..

I had meant to create a family web page this summer. I had a blog to chronicle our adoption from Liberia but then the site shut down and I have kept everyone wondering when I would reemerge into the land of the computer connected again. Well here I am. I decided getting a new blog up and running was my best bet for now. Adjustments have been HUGE this past year and the thought of summer ending makes me realize how fast time flies. So beloved friends and family I will do my best to keep you informed. Just remember you may be sorry! Things get pretty exciting around here. As I am typing our 2 year old is reading a book I am sure it is just about ready to take flight. Caught mid air... Now to figure out how to post pictures.... Off to help get football pads ready for practice tonight. Glad it is not my night for car pool! More to share soon!