A Very Brave Grandma

I blogged about going to San Diego for our anniversary, but did I mention who came over and watched all the children for five days?  My mom flew out from Oregon and stayed here, keeping everyone safe and happy.  My mom is a 75 year-old widow, and I have to say I'm quite proud of her for taking on such a venture!  Many times in our home it's a lot like playing 'Whack-a-Mole'.  You get one thing taken care of, and up pops something else! But she managed to keep them all fed and played many many games with them along the way.  She also managed to have a very interesting diaper story, but I won't post that here.
When we flew in from California on Thursday, I asked her if she'd like the next day to spend by herself.  She emphatically said, 'yes!' and we didn't see her until Saturday. But she was back in the ring after that, and we had a very nice time, even through the moving process and and living with only 1 car for 12 people.  And at the end of it all, she took the younger ones to Chuck E. Cheese and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, just for fun.

 Michael Jude was underwhelmed with Chuck E.'s, until his lunch arrived.

 Cashing in all those tickets!

 Watching the hot doughnuts get a bath in glaze.  Mmmm...

Emma and her Grandma

San Diego or Bust

This month my husband and I celebrate 20 years of marriage.  I really was hoping we'd get to go somewhere different to celebrate.  You know, not just out to dinner or something like that.  And with all we have been doing to sell our home and get ready to move, other things really haven't been top priority.  Especially things that cost much money.

However, God is bigger than our 'here and now', isn't He.  Kenny recently got invited to speak at a conference on data virtualization, or something really interesting like that.  *snicker snicker*  And the conference just happened to be in San Diego.  And he just happened to ask the conference leader if he could happen to bring his wife along, you know, since it just happens to be near our 20th anniversary.  And the man just happened to say yes.  And he also just happened to let us stay 2 extra nights at this beautiful resort.  That happened to be in Coronado Island.  *happy sigh*

Aside from the fact that our wonderful realtor back home practically came on vacation with us (getting through the inspection phase, you know), we both had a wonderful time.  It really was sweet getting away from everything and everyone.  The weather was perfect.  The long walks reviving.  The hotel just felt rich. The food absolutely delicious (and all the better 'cause someone else cooked it!). And five days alone with the man I'd still say 'I do' to. Most certainly a gift from a gracious Father.

The grand staircase at our resort.  Boy, did we feel pampered here.

In-N-Out Burger, of course.  But being on an island with no car made getting the burger a little challenging.  Let's just say we made an adventure of it.  Shuttle to town.  Long walk through town.  Ferry across bay. Taxi to our destination.  Taxi back to island. Long walk to shuttle.  Shuttle to hotel. Was it worth it?  Oh yeah.  I think I'm joining the 'Bring In-N-Out to Colorado' club.

During a stroll through the neighborhoods of Coronado, we found the most wonderful homes.  Million dollar homes, by the sea.  But better than the homes were the blossoms all around.  Sweet, vibrant, almost tropical.  A little bit of heaven, if you ask me.

Our last day there, we took this cool touristy trolley around San Diego.  We stopped here, at the Midway Museum.  It was fascinating to walk around on this Naval aircraft carrier.  As we ducked our heads to wander through the living quarters down below, I was filled with thanksgiving for our military and the work they do.  And I decided that even on a Mama's worst day, it's better than being in the Navy!

I think I could live on the water if I had to.  There is something so romantic and attractive about the sea and it's vessels to me.
Down at the bay, we got to see this beautiful ship. I believe it may have been used in some movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Master in Command.

Meatballs and Rules for Marriage

Ellie thinks her baby brother's head looks like a meatball.  I ask why. Well, because it's kind of round and kind of lumpy.  Yeah, you should really see our homemade meatballs.  Comparing someone's head to them is not exactly a compliment. I don't like making them, so I delegate. Picture little lumps of meat, having been 'rolled' by little hands, sitting in sort-of rows on cookie sheets.  Not exactly my mother-in-laws meatballs.  Poor little Michael. But for the record, he has a beautiful head.  People who don't even know him can't help rubbing it. We go to the park, and little children can't resist it.
And by the way, if you like meatballs, make some and freeze them for all kinds of things like sub sandwiches, sweet and sour, teriyaki, or meatball stew.  I mix together 3 pounds lean ground meat, 3 eggs, 4 T water, 1 1/4 cup quick oats, 1/2 cup minced sweet onion, 1 T worcestershire sauce, 1 heaping teaspoon minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.  After they have been 'rolled into balls' by clean little hands, I bake them on cookie sheets at 350 for about 25 minutes per batch.  And I make mine smaller in size.  Because it makes it look like more food at the dinner table.

Ellie says she wants to marry one of her brothers.  To this, Sarah lets her know that God doesn't let you marry your brother.  Ellie asks why.  Sarah explains that it's because if you do, you will have children with 'things like three arms.  Or four noses!. Or probably like 18 necks.  Something like that.  That's why God doesn't let us do it. Just trust me, Ellie. Do not marry your brother.' I guess that settles that.

Thankful for the Kindness of God

Yesterday I took my six younger ones to stay with some friends and play, while Hannah and I and her friend and friend's mom (also my friend) went clothes shopping at the thrift store.  We had a wonderful time, visiting over lunch and looking for bargains.  I ended up staying out later than I had planned, and was quite tired from being gone so much this week, and from being a single mom while the guys are in Arkansas.  I hardly said a word on the way home, just ready for bed.
When we got home and sluggishly unloaded everyone and everything, I checked email to see about future showings and such.  What I saw was that somebody was putting together an offer on our home.  Our older, lived in, but prettied-up home was going to bless another family!  And the offer is really good.  I know there are many days until we actually close, and we have to walk through all the stuff and paperwork, but I am so thankful for this most generous bid on our little place!  Truly thankful for God answering back to those who have prayed for a quick sale. 
I have seen the hand of God this season, walking us through a lot of things. Covering us and leading us even as we have felt discouraged, exhausted, and unsure.
Yesterday as my mind and body seemed to be like a balloon letting air out, I struggled to stay patient with my crew of kiddos.  I was at the bottom of the barrel, having many demands from many darling people who weren't seeming so darling at the time.  I read this blog post, written by our friend from church, and was relieved and encouraged.  God is working, and we don't have to bring a whole lot to the table.  What kind of God is this that we serve? He is better than we think. Hallelujah!!

 http://barnabasscrolls.blogspot.com/2013/05/who-am-i.html 

Climbing the Rock

This morning we awoke with no showings on the calendar.  But, since all our stuff is packed up, we needed to find something else to do with our day.  The sun was just beckoning us to climb Castle Rock, and so we did.  As the morning went on, however, we found out we were to have a couple more showings, so we did quite a bit of running around and being in the van. Whew, are we tired.  

Seven of the most wonderful children. Ever. The Castle Rock is behind them, and we climbed to the base of it today.

My sweet, sensitive Emma

Just some really handsome young men.

At the top, looking out at the town below.

A bit of the view.

Some of my very favorite people to hike with!

Michael is 17 months old. And he's still bald. Here he has his mouth full of lunch, while he takes a rest.  It's hard work being carted around in a backpack, you know.

A Little Peace and Quiet

We had two showings today. Still no offers, and I am trying to be patient, but it's really not working. We ventured out again after scurrying around wiping up, vacuuming, and mowing. When we got home, we were all tired and needed a little space from each other. So I sent everyone to find an alone place in the house and read a stack of books. Natty and Sarah really wanted to rest in my room, and I gave in because they're so very cute. Unfortunately, Michael Jude had taken one of the dreaded *5 minute naps in the van*, and he was ready to party as we rested.
Sorry the photos are so grim.  My phone camera isn't the best...But the kids are sure cute!

Nat tried to rest but couldn't stop laughing at his little brother.

Let's have some fun!!

Sarah finally gave up.  Her new-favorite tongue twister book will have to wait.

Christ in Us!

Last week was a whirlwind, for sure.  Not only were we in the very last stages of finishing up the house, but Kenny and the older 3 boys were also getting ready to travel out to Arkansas for 10 days.  All three boys qualified for nationals in their speech and debate league.  So once again, for the last time this school year, we were doing hair cuts, putting together suits, and finishing up details for travel. Each of the boys ended up going out with a different family, at different times, through different states! On top of that, a number of my kiddos had mini-meltdowns over the changing seasons in their lives, and over different hurts and struggles.  Through it all, I found the favor of God on me.  How could I manage it all? I was somehow gentle and kind, and I found myself so grateful for Christ in me. The power to rise above when I am worn out.  It is not my power, I am limited and run out so quickly.  He fills and sustains and makes it all sweeter.

'I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' Galatians 2:20
Our house went on the market Friday evening.  Saturday morning I was anxious for a phone call to show the house.  I mean really, after all this work, let's get moving!  After lunch we got 2 calls for showings, and we had 2 hours to get it all perfect.  About 25 minutes before the first showing, the house was almost ready, but the vacuum was still out, the floor un-mopped, the baby napping upstairs. I was packing up a meal for a friend whose husband had back surgery, and I was feeling rushed.  As each one of my children were dutifully carrying baskets of laundry and boxes of et cetera out to the van, one of them yelled, 'they're here!', and we all just kind of panicked.  Ellie was crying over her missing dolly.  Sarah started being, um, Sarah-in-excitement.  The baby was still upstairs in the port-a-crib that's supposed to go in the closet during a showing.  In came the realtor, insisting that the showing start early.  I found myself thinking, 'What do I do now? We're not ready!' So, I did what any other half-exhausted-and quite-overwhelmed-yet-excited-mother-of-young-children-trying-to-sell-her-home would do.  I welcomed them in!  We talked for a few minutes as I wiped up the kitchen counters, and mentioned to the realtor that we were expecting them at 3:45 (not 3:20).  She didn't seem to be very concerned about that, so I made the best of it, feeling very uncomfortable, but trying not to let it show.  They were already halfway through the house anyway!
We headed out to the van with the vacuum still not put away (ugh) and off we went.  I was feeling quite embarrassed and discouraged when my daughter spoke up.  'Mom', said Hannah, 'You handled that amazingly.  You were so gracious and patient.  Good job!'  And all the others agreed.  Seriously? I supposed that it wasn't the end of the world if our very first showing wasn't how it should have been.  My children got to see their mother be gracious under stress.  And if you're a mother, you know that is a beautiful thing!

'To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.' Colossians 1:27
These stresses are only little things in our lives, nothing traumatic or serious, but Christ in us makes them sweeter.  What a joy to have Him live through us.