Preventing Chaos

Most of us know that it is so expensive to buy food for our kids with food allergies and intolerances.

I used to think it was hard to find food that was:

gluten-free
casein-free
corn-free
free of artificial colors, sweeteners and MSG, etc.

Oh, how we wish we could purchase everything we need from one store or retailer... or better yet, order it online from just one place!  Dreaming...

Well, back to reality.  Ain't happening.

But, I did find a website called Gluten Solutions that has some of the items we use -- and they were on sale too.  Big time! 

This muffin mix does concern me because it has xanthan gum and we usually use guar gum. but - for $1.99, I am willing to try it, and ordered only 1.

In hopes of preventing some chaos, I placed my first order, selected the least expensive shipping and got a whole box of special food for my special child!  I plan to save most of these items for upcoming events, such as birthday parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving and maybe even Christmas.

I don't  get a lot of Nick's food online anymore, although I love the $4.99 shipping option at VitaCost. I just do not like buying in bulk, since we have reactions pretty often again.

The closest city to us has a Hy-Vee grocery store, which carries many wonderful products, which are all 10% off on Thursdays.  Apparently, Thursdays is "health market day" at our local Hy-Vee.  If I am lucky, I'll go on Thursday and use a few coupons too.  Never thought I'd be a coupon clippin' mama, but- I never thought my precious child would be thrust in a world of intolerances and allergies either.

Frosting?  I've not given Nick frosting in 2 years.  Usually use fresh fruit or GF-CF chocolate chips.  Very excited to try this product, without cornstarch. 

Anyway, I am very pleased to have the foresight to prevent some chaos during the upcoming holidays, by having some special baking mixes and frosting ready.  The weather is forecasted to be cool this weekend, so I will likely bake up some cupcakes to freeze and have on hand, just in case we get invited some place special.  Nick has done remarkably well in his classes where treats and candy have been passed out.  I am so proud of how far he has come the last 2 years.

Two years ago, using Fruit Loops to play bingo with would have completely whacked him out.  He handled it today in his music class.  This is good.  I'll end on a positive note.

Goodbye Summer - Hello Chaos

For the first time in our 8 years of home-educating, I took some time off, away from what is considered "formal" homeschooling of Nicolas.  I needed the break.


Of course, we did not stop learning -- Nic asks dozens, if not 100's of questions each day and we participated in our local library's summer reading program.  Yes, our special boy is a reader!  And yes, he is obsessive with his reading too.

Gold belt test day!

Throughout the summer, we focused on continuance of our strict dietary intervention with him and added karate to his schedule for the summer.  Tomorrow is his last day, and I wish we could continue with karate.  I could write an entire post about all of the emotions I felt (and still feel) just watching Nic participate in a sport without me, and be able to listen and follow instructions...  just like other kids...  well - without intervention or freaking out about some unknown something or other.  I have walked on eggshells all summer, hoping he wouldn't have a meltdown.  And he didn't.  Not one meltdown at karate.  Isn't that amazing?  It is nothing short of a miracle.
 
I think it's partially because the situation is controlled by the owner, who is absolutely amazing with children.  I'd rank him right up there near "the saints", if you will.  Anyway...  karate was a positive experience for us!

We will be starting our school year on Wednesday.

Will it be chaos?

I already know the answer.

Goodbye summer, hello chaos.

Pencils

For years, we have had pencil problems. We = Nicolas. It's just another one of those things that would be odd in someone else's home. Here, it's the usual. Notice I didn't say it was the norm!

This is my dream pencil sharpener! Just look at this - it's a thing of beauty. Ahhh...

There is not a day that goes by without a pencil getting broken. Usually it's just the lead, or should I say it is always the lead.

Every single day - Nicolas breaks the lead in his pencils. It has been driving me crazy for the last 2 years. Still is.

I have decided to break down, and buy a new pencil sharpener. Electric... maybe.

We have gone through 3 in the last few years and they're not a cheap item! The good sharpeners are upwards around $80.

I seriously am considering a manual design for $15. Either way, I will have to listen to it make a noise while it is sharpening. Maybe the arm exercise would be good for Nick?

This may sound silly, but - it is just one of the "things' that adds to our created chaos. Broken pencil leads. Sharpening pencils...

Maybe I'll check out some of the office supply stores online ads and find out if they have any on sale?

No matter what I do, we need a new pencil sharpener asap. It's really hard to do schoolwork without a sharp pencil.

We did try mechanical pencils earlier this schoolyear. Nope. No can do. Too thin and went through all the lead in about a day... Hey - I tried!

Can't wait for garage sales so that I can stock up on pencils again. Seriously. This pencil lead thing has been going on for long, it's part of "normal". Ha.

Wish me luck! Pencil sharpers here I come.

Haircuts, Dark Circles and Grumpy

I need to complain.

Not about the CDC, FDA or vaccines. Not about GMO's or crappy HMO's. Not about food labels, chemicals or ingredients... or any of the other negative things I deal with on a daily basis.

Haircuts. I took Nicolas to get a cool little new hair style. He needed one and although he is 8 years old, he has only had 2 other haircuts in his life that I didn't cut. Being a former cosmetologist, I can give him a decent haircut, but - the other day I was feeling kind of happy and decided to splurge and get him a professional salon cut. She did an awful job, didn't listen to me and I hate Nick's bald head! I'm mad he has a crappy hair style and a poor cut for his head size, hair texture, etc.

Nick has very dark circles under his eyes again. We saw his DAN! doctor last week...all is progressing; however, I am still discouraged about the raccoon resemblance though.

And lastly, I think I sometimes feel mad that I am mad. And that's makes me even more mad.

What I mean to say is that sometimes, most times - lately, I catch myself feeling discouraged. That's all - I am just tired this week. Maybe it's because it snows every other day around here? Or maybe not.

I am pretty mad about the haircut. I can't say I have never messed up a haircut in the last 25 years, but - dang... Nick doesn't need to look goofy.

I'll be over this in a few months, once my bald child has grown his hair out... I hope. Maybe I should just cut his hair for the rest of our lives. Yup - that's it.

Creation Museum Silliness

Check out Nick's tongue. Is he imitating the t-rex or what?

Laugh Shock

Too busy to blog and escape my created chaos - but, this video is awesome. Had to share it!



Oh - I am too chicken to try this. I am afraid it might become too fun for me too!! Just kidding... and I wish it were that easy to get a special child to stop as well. Right?

Goin to the Creation Museum

Nicolas is very, very smart and he has an incredible memory. His manners, on the other hand, oh dear! His ability to understand and follow directions... well - that's another story as well.

We ran in to so much of Nicolas last weekend, especially his literal-ness. For example, when I was trying to take his picture, he wasn't looking at me or the camera, so I said, "Hey Nick - look up". Guess what he did? He looked up, towards the sky and heavens. Of course, I didn't think too much of this and he was upset because he didn't understand why I wanted him to look up. What did I want him to see?


My mother traveled with us and she didn't understand Nicolas. That's ok - I know God understands him and if I am patient enough, I usually do too. "I just forgot" when I asked him to look up. There are times that I so wish I had been an English major! My grammar would be so much better and I just know that I would use less slang. Or at least I think I would.

On the way down to Kentucky, we played Rock, Paper - Scissors, whenever we were waiting. It was a good thing to play with the kids. I have quit drinking coffee (25 days ago) and it was really, really hard to go on a road trip without getting coffee at our stops and potty breaks! But - I did it. Hubs quit drinking coffee a couple weeks ago, due to his tummy troubles, and so it helped that he wasn't slurping down java while driving. I didn't have to smell it in the vehicle and in fact, I sniffed essential oils most of the time.



Interestingly enough, we took an alternative route to Kentucky from Wisconsin and it took us almost 2 hours less to get there than it did coming home. Avoid Chicago. We always avoid Chicago whenever we can. Indianapolis is better than Chicago!

We drove through cloudy rain the entire 7 hours there. But - even in the rain, it was 20 degrees warmer, so we didn't care. We got to the hotel and were pleasantly surprised at our large, clean, new bedroom suite. Three queen sized beds and a full kitchen made it good to be able to have food for Nicolas to eat. Oh yeah, the rest of us eat too.



It wasn't an easy trip. Nicolas is not easy, but - he loved the trip... even with all of his complaining. We reviewed cities, states, mileage, gas prices, etc. -- all things that he could easily understand and it did give Hubs a chance to experience what the kids can be like; how frustrating it can be and how to (sometimes) even be able to control the situation. I will need to work more on a few things with the kids before I take them on another little trip. It was work and I am still tired and recovering; but - they learned a lot and I do hope seeds of knowledge have been planted in their hearts. At least a love of science, I also hope.

More on our trip - later this week...

Friday - On the Road

This morning, we packed up our family, plus 2 - and all squeezed into my Ford Explorer and drove to Kentucky.

5 adults + 2 kids = a full vehicle!



Always interesting to travel with 3 generations - especially with Nicolas. I cannot find his magnesium, and may need to drive to Whole Foods in Cincinnati or Indianapolis to get some. Or not. Seems like I recall vowing not to ever forget it again, with my little experiment, earlier this year - didn't I?

How bad could 3 days without complete supplementation be? Hmmm...

I do have some "Peace & Calming" essential oil along - and may use it in Nick's bath tomorrow, if a good swim does not tire him out.

We are going to do some homeschooling educational fieldtrips this weekend. I will post about it tomorrow night. After an 8 hour drive, I need some sleep... especially since this is day #19 (I think) of NO COFFEE. ((sigh)) I am doing ok... for now. This is the longest I have ever gone without coffee, E V E R .

Lost In A Funk

Have you ever been in a funk? Do you know what I mean? It's a saying/an expression, not a store or a dance move - you know, a funk? Stuck in an attitude/mood. In a snit or depression - but not too severe.


Anyway, I've been in a funk many times before and I always come out of it. Thank goodness. Sometimes it has to do with what God is doing in my life and other times it has to do with external circumstances pressing in on me: basically having a lot of crap going on in my life. Usually has to do with Hubs too. As passionately in love with that man that I am - he can also raise my Swiss/German/Irish temper in less than a second! I excuse quite a bit, now that I somewhat understand his ADD and ADHD, but - the man can still drive me crazy.

When I think about being in a funk (and I am not in one at present) I think about how frustrated and often hopeless I feel about the place that I am, at that time. I am unable to pinpoint just exactly how I got there... I don't like being in a funk, I usually want out; but, I don't know how to get out. The simple things I try don't work or do the trick and I so desperately just want someone to rescue me from my own little private hell. When I am in a funk, I feel like I do not have control and that I am helpless. Often there are circumstances beyond my control and I feel like a victim, instead of a mighty prayer warrior. Not true, but - nonetheless, it still FEELS that way.

As an adult, I know full well that I do not live by my emotions. They cannot be counted on and are not trustworthy. I cannot live by what I see. What I see is not what I get or what is happening. I am trying to lose weight and have done well this year, however - I am again stuck at a plateau and I KNOW I just need to keep being faithful and consistent in my diet, exercise and eating habits. Same thing goes for prayer: there are many situations, circumstances and people that I have been praying for, for years actually, and I don't see anything happening, from where I stand or from what I can see. However, I know things are happening in the spiritual realms and behind the scenes. It's faith.

Three separate times this year, I have had people tell me that they wouldn't do what I do for Nicolas, for their own kids, if this were to happen to them. I never really considered that what they were saying was true. I guess I kind of thought they were just feeling uninformed or overwhelmed by what they didn't know or that they simply were not at a place in their knowledge about health, diet, nutrition, allergies and behavior. I thought I knew quite a bit and now -- looking back over the last 10 months, I realize that I knew very little other than common (and often inaccurate) knowledge.

I've seen kids whom I thought were "special", and then found out that they were not. I cannot explain the extreme changes and differences in their behavior. Were they in a funk when I saw them? How did they get out? With kids, it's hard to know if they are only acting for the entertainment of their peers or acting up for one of their parents. But, I have also met families who most definitely have a child with "needs" and the family doesn't see it. Or the family ignores it, threatens the poor kid or disciplines them harshly (from my perspective) and... I can see the signs. Red flags, really. Without passing judgment, I wonder and pray for those kids... that they would get out of their funk. Or... are they lost in a funk - forever?

I have seen people lose their kids to autism. I have also seen people lose their kids forever -- give up on them, to drugs; even medicate and sedate their "borderline" children too. And, I have seen people lose their kids to drugs, alcohol, gambling and other addictions. I think about what it would be like to be a child and not understand what I do, as an adult. I often wonder what Nicolas will remember about this time in his life, after he is healed, recovered and older. He tells me that he can remember a time when his mind didn't go "goo-goo", as he puts it, which refers to a time when he could concentrate clearly.

He's only a little boy right now, but - he would love to be able to eat whatever he would like to, without thinking that it could harm his body and mind or affect his sleep, feelings, digestion and bathroom habits. I guess that's where I come in, as his mom. I stand in the gap for him, by making good health care and diet decisions for him and by praying for him. I love him no matter how he acts or feels or how much I understand about his condition and illness. He is not as well as he has been nor is he as well as he is going to be.

I don't really have time to be in a funk these days. My kids need me. I need to join Nicolas in his world and most times, I try to get him to come to ours. Doesn't really happen - he can't do it; but - he has glimpses in to ours and for that I am thankful, very thankful.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1

Spring Rain

It's really cold tonight -- especially for the end of July! The temperature will be down in the low 50's tonight... brrr. This weather certainly feels more like spring, than like mid-summer.

And, it's raining tonight. Reminds me of a rainy spring day when the kids went outside to play - with rain boots and raincoats. I was busy doing something... probably sweeping the porch or some other domestic duty (insect control)... and I noticed it was rather quiet.

Hmmm... where was Nicolas?

Whoa, it sure must be windy out front! The umbrella has capsized!!

Uh-hugh... Just as I expected!

Every once in a while, things seem normal - just like spring rain. It just doesn't last for long, that's all...yet! I haven't talked about this for a while, however - we do believe that all these actions that we are taking... that they are not only helping Nicolas, but - that they are allowing his body to get to a status... or a "state", where he will start to self-heal. There are so many areas that we are working on. I keep praying that we are going the right direction and focused in the right areas. And, I am also praying for God's healing too. He is still Jehovah Rapha.

I Really Hate Ticks

Look at my girl...

She's always ready for a road trip! Juice + blankey = good trip and a happy kid.



A few mornings ago, I awoke to screaming. Not altogether unheard of in our home, but - what was unusual, was that it was Olivia doing the screaming. What in the world would make my pet-loving, happy to sing you a song, happy girl, shriek so early in the morning?


It wasn't our new bird, that's for sure. She loves him.

It was a tick. A tip in her arm... yuck! Hubs got it out and had it cremated before I even got out of bed and to her. What would I do without my tick annihilating hubby? ((Our hero!))

It's now several days later and that tiny little spot is looking rather blistered. I put some hydrogen peroxide and lavender essential oil on it and we'll check it again in the morning. She's not complaining, so I am not over-checking it either.

Every time I feel a little tickle from one of the dogs' cute little furry ears, or a little "twinge", I think I am feeling a tick on my skin. Never has been. Thank goodness. I really hate ticks.

I love this picture. I don't know what my little girlie girl is thinking, but - I know she's not worrying about ticks, that's most certain. She gets over things fairly well. Not like her brother...



Poor Nicolas. He has not had a good week. Something is not right and I am going to start adding more meat to his diet. I know, it sounds odd... but - between his mouth, gut and brain: something is not right. He has dark circles under his eyes and cries all the time, about everything. I am trying to read books to him more and honestly, it's the last thing I feel like doing. I don't want to sit with a kid who, on the outside, appears to be giving me such a run for my money... ((sigh)) I have to make myself available to him, as he needs me. I need to be in his world, because he sure is having a hard time in mine. Poor kiddo... I'll let you know if the meat helps. Oh, and I am going to cut back on fruit. Always fine tuning and tweaking his diet... always. On the bright side - I have made 4 new recipes in the last week and the whole family has loved them and they are safe all to eat. Maybe I should write them down...? I should. I can never remember what I used to make for meals. Does that ever happen to you? It happens to me a lot. Sometimes I wonder what we've eaten all these years... Ha-ha. Food, I would guess...

Trip to Our Cabin

Our cabin. Part 1.

We have a rustic cabin up north. This first photo is just behind our cabin, and is part of the acreage that we had harvested, some years back, under a managed forest law. It's really grown back quite nice! The loggers road is still visible and I wonder if we'll ever build up there... certainly there must be someplace within the 80 acres where we could live?


Last weekend we decided to go up north to our cabin, to prepare to sell it. I travel well and slept 3 out of the 6 hours... not too bad. I needed to catch up on some sleep, since we left at 4 am and I went to bed at 2 am. Indeed, I am too old to do an "all-nighter".

The kids slept and then they talked non-stop. Livi wanted to talk, but - Nick just wouldn't stop.



As we got up to Burnett County, I thought saw a cow in the woods. I know, it sounds strange... and it was. In fact, I made Hubs turn around and go back -- just in case I imagined it. Well, here's the proof! A cow in the woods. Weird. What's even weirder is that I had to ask her to stop chewing her cud and look up at me to take her picture: and she did! I knew right then and there that we were going to be in for a long weekend.



I had no idea what was to come though. I was thinking about the bears we always see. Or, maybe we'd get woke up in the middle of the night by crazy raccoons, playing tag on the roof of the cabin... or worse yet: maybe we'd run into a family of skunks! Those would have been too easy. Way too easy...

Guess what I saw next? How about another cow? Uh-hugh. Cows in the forests... odd. These were the only 2 cows I saw.


We drove through the newly re-developed town of Siren, and couldn't believe it was the same town that I had last visited in 2000. NOTHING was the same since a tornado went through in 2001, destroying the whole town... and it was the only tornado in history to touch down in Burnett County, or so they say.

We were almost to our cabin and Hubs saw a garage sale sign. Who cares! He cared. He pullrd in to a garage sale, in the middle of the forest and went inside a barn to "browse"... and a yellow lab ran out of the barn and stared at me. Just starred... and the poor thing was covered in burrs... and he just kept looking at me, like he knew how obsessive I am about keeping our dogs all brushed and groomed... there wasn't anything I could do but get out of there. This too, was a "sign" of what was to come... odd things.


We were driving along... about 5 minutes from the cabin and as we went around a bend in the road, I saw two large dogs - standing in the middle of the road. No houses, farms, no nothing around but woods. Of course, they come over to my side of the van... and I have to get out and check their collars. It was hard, but - I did manage to get a phone number off one of them and wouldn't ya know... no reception up in the Wisconsin northwoods... dang. We drove to the nearest house and the woman who lived there, well - she recognized the dogs and we left them with her. Poor things... they were hot, wet and smelly. But, very nice and well-behaved dogs, I must add.



We did finally arrive at the cabin. While I unpacked and made the beds, Hubs decided to mow the lawn, just in case we would come across ticks. We have never seen those nasty little arachnids in the summer or fall -- only in the spring. I was looking forward to a nice little fire that evening and the incredible stars that come out, only up north. Millions and millions of bright and incredible twinkling stars...

Go Hubs - Go!

Yes, that is an old outhouse at the back of the side yard. It was usable until about 11 years ago... and the carpenter ants took it over back then. We steer clear of it. Maybe someday I will hang a grapevine wreath or something on it... maybe. If I ever go back, that is.

Hubs took Liv out for a hike to the lake, at the very back of our property, while Nick and I settled in for a few games of Mancala. We kept in touch with our 2-way radios, a.k.a. "walkie talkies".

I cleaned and sprayed fresh lavender essential oils everywhere and the place was starting to look tolerable and smell pretty good.


When Hubs and Liv got back, I did what I always do after someone has been hiking in the woods: I ordered a tick inspection. No way were they going to bring ticks into the cabin where we were going to be sleeping and I hate bugs anyway. So, I told Hubs to take off his shirt and let me just quick check the back of his neck.


The next thing I know, both kids are screaming their heads off and hubs is lighting matches like a pyromaniac! Oh, it was so gross and I couldn't scream or I would have freaked the kids out even worse. Hubs was covered with ticks! I mean there were dozens of them on him and a few were nearly in him. Yuck.

I ran for my make up bag and retrieved my tweezers. There was just no way I could yank that many off Hubs' hairy chest and back. ((You do know that bald Italian men are always hairy, right?))

In case you've never dealt with more than 3 or 20 ticks, let me assure you that they move FAST. They crawl and jump faster that you can light a match. And, they chomp into your flesh pretty fast too, which is odd, because Wisconsin wood ticks are rather slow eaters. Anyway, it was just as gross when he took off his pants too. I'm so thankful he did not wear boxers that day! Dear me...



We had a little tick bonfire in an ashtray and hoped that we had gotten them all. Everyone seemed to be doing fine except for Nick. Every single time my boy looked down, he had one crawling on his arm. This happened 6 or 7 times and I lost him. He just sat on the couch, crying, totally freaked out and there was little I could do. He was gone.

I can't say that I blame him. And, he tried; he really did. I distracted him by having him try to play with his hermit crabs, which we did bring along. I tried to play board games with him. No use - every time I looked over, there was a new tick on him! For a child like Nicolas, who can so easily obsess, this was rough. It was rough on me, and I can usually control my mind, or at least 97% of the time.

Finally, after a couple of hours of hearing him freak out, we packed up and started our 8 hour journey home. It took 8 hours because we were both too tired to drive and pulled into a McDonald's parking lot and slept for almost 3 hours. It was creepy to wake up at 1 am and have an entire town, dark and vacant all around. I have no idea what town it was.

We stopped to get something to drink at the next town, and the local gas station was hoppin'! Where did all those people come from and why were they all at the same gas station as we were? In the middle of the morning? It was odd...


We pulled in to our own driveway just before 4 am, a mere 24 hours after we started our little drive up north.

I still have a huge garbage bag tied up with clothes inside. I think there are still ticks alive on the inside of it. Hubs pulled a pair of boots out yesterday and guess who showed up? Mr. Tick. I hate ticks. I really hate pulling them off of people; and I really just hate ticks. Even now, I feel as though I can feel them crawling on me.

I HATE TICKS!

Oh, and I do need a new camera. Each time I turned it off and on, it (the camera) changed the date. Sometimes it would not take a clear picture and others, well - it just kept changing the date. This was really odd. Fit in with the whole 24 hours, as odd as it was.

Coffee Addiction I

I am not a sissie or a wimp. I know my strengths and I can easily find my weaknesses too.

I am not perfect - yet.

I need to lose a lot of weight and focus more on my own health. 'Tis true...



I need to volunteer less and spend more time maintaining and caring for our home. I really, really need to do this, not just think about, talk about and pray about this. Hubs is not one to be organized; he needs me. Boy, does he need me. And, I need to get organized and get rid of some of the chaos around here. One of the ways I have started to de-clutter is by selling our precious "stuff and junk" at friends' garage sales. The money is certainly helpful in combating medical bills and the cost of Nick's supplements, that's for certain. Getting ready for garage sales is a lot of work and took a lot of time. Thanks to coffee, it worked out just fine!




I like to go full-speed ahead from the time I wake up until the time I go go bed. It's not healthy, and I rely on my loving cups of java throughout the day and night -- to get me through. Hubs and I grind our beans every morning and he uses a drip coffee maker and I use my grandmother's Farberware percolator. The sound of a freshly perking coffee pot puts me in a good mood!

In the mornings, after reading the Bible, I like to sit and plan the day. I have lists, goals and time lines for Nicolas. I plan and organize fairly well when it comes to our children and homeschooling. So, why then do I neglect myself? Laziness? Avoiding the inevitable? Procrastinating? I don't procrastinate too often though. I think it may be because I just can't take another failure. I have tried so many things that have failed or not worked out as I would have thought or liked them to. Plus, I never know what the day will bring and how Nick will be. Even my best-made plans have failed, due to created chaos. Still, I do not exercize or even walk the dogs often enough and I drink way too much coffee. Why this neglect?

Fear of failure, maybe. Or maybe I am just being realistic and wise. Yes! That's it!! I am wise in my older age, I just know it. It's gotta be true. Right?

My wisdom tells me that I need to cut back on coffee. I have. My teeth are far from white and sparkly. Coffee isn't cheap and... I don't need an acidic body. I have enough stress!


Here are my coffee related resolutions:

• Drink only 2 cups of coffee per day. Not 2 pots or 2 giant to-go travel mugs of coffee. Nope. Just 2 cups.
• Drink skim milk in my coffee instead of cream.
• Try to drink black coffee. BLECH! It really takes away my desire for coffee, when I have to drink it black.
• Drink at least 5 glasses of water per day. I am on day 4. So far, so good.
• Do not drink coffee after 3 pm. I had a cup at 8 pm, on my way to Royal Rangers... oh the shame... darn it. I forgot. What an excuse... (Wonder where the kids get it from?)
• Go to bed before 11:30 pm.
  
• Get up and out of bed by 6:30 am.
• Spend more time in prayer. I know, it's not coffee related, but it is needed in every area of my life. I drink coffee when I pray too. Makes it a holy drink - wouldn't you say? Oh, I kid... I kid. (Kid=tease.)

Do you remember that old song from the 70's with the lyrics that went something like, " In heaven there is no beer... that's why we drink it here!" Some people feel that way about beer. Not me. I hate beer and probably haven't had a sip in over 10 years and a whole glass since I can remember... Ew - the smell... the taste... yuck! But, coffee on the other hand... I could write a song like that about coffee! Lucky and coffee sort of rhyme, don't they? Anyway... moving on...

Nicolas has had to change his drinking habits, his eating habits and just about every habit he ever had. Certainly, I can cut back on coffee. Wouldn't you agree?


Maybe you should come over and we can talk further about all of this. I promise to make a fresh pot of coffee... and we can talk. Coffee talk - anyone?

I know, I am hopelessly pathetic. Pray for me... ((smile)) Really. I never refuse prayer.

Monday Madness & Created Chaos

Yesterday was Monday. The kids had Monday madness.

Which meant that I had Monday madness.

The first part of the day did not go well...

There was much, much more screaming than usual. More fighting, more crying, more of everything.

I hate Perler beads today. They're still everywhere. Usually, if we're having a bad day, the beads do the trick... quiet, calm sitting and counting... but - not yesterday. It was a lot of just screaming.

Desperate times called for desperate measures!

When the going gets tough, the tough go outside...

And, who should show up just when we're going out?

Andrew and Katie!

Yippee!!

Forget school - forget the dishes - forget the mess! Let's go jumping...

This boy needs a new attitude.
Some jumping is exactly what he needs!

No cowboy boots on the trampolines, please.

In the country, the winds blow strong and blow tons of little (and big) sticks out of the trees. We burn them in our fire pit or in the garden, if it just happens to be springtime. This was our 5th burn this year. Good thing we have 2 trampolines because the wind switched 3 times while we were out jumping. Back and forth... back and forth... to avoid the smoke.

Sadie keeps a good watch on the fire.
Let's call her "Sadie the Fire Dog"!

Lots and lots of jumping tires the poor college boy out!

Hey - where's Sadie the Fire Dog going?
She's sneaking off while Andrew jumps.

Andrew shows off...
Doesn't notice the sly dog...

Lots of flips and somersaults!

Crazy kid!

Even while resting, there's cell phone action...

Katie thinks that maybe Andrew needs to be tickled?

Or maybe we need to jump some more to get him up!

Uh oh... where's Sadie?
She's headed towards Grandma and Grandpa's house!
No, Sadie - come back! You're supposed to watch the fire!

No fire dog present...

Nick brings her back to her rightful guard dog duties..
through the freshly tilled garden.

Olivia, why are you so upset?

What do you need to show me?

See - white dare... white dare (right there) it is!

Andwew bounced my shoe away!!

Katie and Olivia do some "girl jumps".

I think Katie was glad when Livi needed a rest...
It was good to hear so much giggling!

Where's Firedog Sadie!?!
Andrew notices that Sadie is (again) missing from her post.

SADIE! Come home!

Look at Katie's ponytail and Andrew's feet!

The kids invented a new game: one person jumps and tries to make everyone else turn into popcorn. The person who pops up first is "it".

Jump - Katie, jump!

Andrew's turn!
The kids "get their seat belts on" - have a grown up hold onto them...

Nick tries to jump high!

(No wonder Olivia loses her shoes...)

Livia tries - no one pops... but it's fun!

C'mon Hubs - get my gardens tilled!

Sadie is once again the loyal fire-watching dog.
Keep an eye on the fire - Sadie!

Where's that darn dog?
SADIE?

Ah-ha!
Trying to sneak off into the fields is forbidden!

All in all, it was a great way to end the screaming and fighting. For now...