New Glasses

I got new glasses this week-after about 7 years! And do you know what I like about these glasses? I think they make me look smarter. And sometimes I want to look smarter. Because I am smart. And I used to be really smart. It was my thing, my identity. But as I wheel four messy kids around the commissary I don't think I'm quite the picture of a National Merit Scholar anymore. That's just fine with me most of the time. But every once in a while, I just want people to know. And that's when you'll see me in my new glasses.

this is my serious face. I'm thinking of lots of smart things.

PS. Don't these pictures look great all spiffed up? My new favorite photo editor- picnik.com!

PSS. I'm going out on a limb writing about how smart I am in a post which undoubtedly includes plenty of grammtical errors. Don't judge me. I also birthed 4 kids in less than 6 years.

Aren't they too young for this?

A conversation we had while dropping Sam off for a playdate.

Sam: Sloan has Mario Kart on Wii.

Ella: The other Ella in my Sunday School class has a Wii too.

Sam: EVERYONE in our Sunday School has a Wii.

Ella: Yeah, EVERYONE got one for their birthday.

Josiah: EVERYONE.


I really thought I had a couple more years before the Wii peer pressure kicked in.

Morning Must-Dos not Done

The other day I opened my "home binder" (which rarely gets opened anymore) and looked at my "morning routine." It went like this:

• Wake up and start coffee
  Make bed and tidy room
  Contacts in and wash face, swish and swipe bathroom
  Coffee and quiet time
  Check email and to do list
  Empty dishwasher, clean coffee maker
  Prepare breakfast—kids up!
  Breakfast and family devotions
  Feed baby
  Everybody dressed
  Switch laundry to dryer
  Plan supper

This was my morning:

• Stumble out of bed at 6:30.
• Scowl as I said "Don't talk to me yet" while I tried to start the coffee.
• Get backpacks and snacks ready (which should have been done the night before).
• Prepare breakfast as jess dresses the kids (I LOVE my husband--especially as he tries to get Ella up and she yells (really, yells) "YOU WOKE ME UP!" and starts sobbing, which continues through breakfast)
• Let baby cry in bed until I can finish getting bags packed--including finding 3 "K" words for show-and-tell (which should have been done the night before)
• Kiss 2 big kids and husband goodbye
• Feed baby while drinking lukewarm coffee and checking emails
• Warm coffee, change 2 poopy diapers, put laundry in the dryer, come back to lukewarm coffee.
• Warm again, take a satisfying sip, then try to get dressed, make bed, and entertain baby.
• Change another poopy diaper, coffee's cold again.
• Start washing sheets from bedwetter and think "I HAVE GOT TO WAKE UP EARLIER!"
• Rewarm coffee again (I'm becoming my mother-in-law), take fussy teething baby in my lap, and browse blogs a little, since I decide I can't get much done while she wants to be held (or at least that's my excuse).
• Become convicted at my waste of a morning and write a blog about it (instead of getting off my %$#&$ butt)

I read some blogs by homesteading, homeschooling mothers of a zillion children, highly organized, utterly frugal, proverbs 31 women and they can sometimes be helpful and inspiring. but sometimes they can make me feel like (running the list through my head of who reads this blog) crud. Still, I think the waking up earlier part has got to happen. But today I'm going to leave the dirty dishes and take Si to the library. Hope your day goes well!

If you can't say something nice. . . .

I haven't blogged much lately because, well, Jess says I've been a little feisty and I promised I wouldn't get all up in your grill again after Halloween. (Man, I AM feisty. Sorry.) So I will just direct you to the link of the story I saw on the evening news about my pediatrician. I'm trying to get out of there as fast as I can.

In Curry news, right now, at 11pm, my hunk of a handy husband is putting up crown molding. And my children are sleeping soundly. As the sounds of the miter saw and hammering is practically shaking the house, I have one question: WHY then, do these children wake at the faint beep of my coffee maker in the morning?!?!?!?

Oh yeah, and while I'm asking questions, can someone explain to me what I did to turn on my car alarm today in the Cici's parking lot: Jess took the keys and kids with him while I stayed in the car to nurse Addie. When I opened the door to go, everything started honking and beeping and flashing and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off! So I took the baby and started to push through the crowd waiting in line at Cici's (it was out the door--popular place, for good reason!) to find Jess and the keys. Luckily a friend found him quickly but of course, by that time, I was "that woman with the honking minivan." I was thankful that I at least remembered to "get myself back together" after nursing!

I better go make sure the kids are still breathing. . .

In which I rant and rave like a religious fanatic

I really have been pretty good on this blog. I have not tackled controversial stuff, I haven't gone on and on about the phone company, I just barely mentioned that Victoria Secret sales lady. Jess can tell you I tend to get, um. . . a bit worked up about things at times, while he calmly reminds me that I should expect to feel like an "alien and stranger" in this world cause that's what I am, and that the things of God are indeed foolishness to those who don't believe, cause God said they'd be. I have a wise husband. A wise and usually-annoyingly-calm-about-things husband. But I just have to tell you that Halloween is my least favorite holiday. I LOVE autumn. I love spices and cider and anything to do with pumpkin. Sure I love to see my kids all dressed up, but really, they don't need a holiday to play dress up. Have you seen us at the commissary lately? I sometimes travel with a spiderman body guard or a princess entourage. But here's the deal. The reason I don't like Halloween is because somehow things that are completely inappropriate, like a life-size man hanging from a tree with a noose around his neck, become completely appropriate, all in the name of "good clean spooky fun." I just hate that we don't have to go looking for terror like this, it's on tv commercials during the morning news, or ringing our doorbell on Oct. 31st, or, in our case this year, a life sized hanibal lector in our neighbor's front yard.


I'm not a big fan of the Christian Broadcasting Network, honestly, but they had two good articles about Halloween. One asking Christians to avoid "circling the wagons" and having our "harvest festivals" instead of going into our neighborhood and being salt and light. I liked it better than the one suggesting we have our own celebrations. But, I can't bring myself to take my sweetly dressed 6, 4, and 2 year olds around the block, knowing what they'll see. And do I answer the door to trick-or-treaters? I have been known to peek out the window at each ring of the doorbell before I told my children whether they can answer, or go hide in their room while i answered. Why? Well, the 5 year old in the scream mask and the 7 year old with the bloody ax in his scull did a number on their dreams that night. Again, I have to scream "WHY IS IT GOOD CLEAN FUN TO DRESS LIKE A MURDER VICTIM AND A MURDERER?!" Ok, Jess, I know you're giving me the "simmer-down" look. I just had to let out a little steam. And I will leave it there and not try broach the subject of sexy french maid costumes on 6 year olds.

and NOW I'm a super mom

I mowed the yard. I have made it through the whole deployment without mowing the yard so today, while the babies slept and the big kids played in the yard and the weather was AMAZING I decided to go for it. My neighbors have been taking good care of the lawn, but it was getting pretty long. I also kept Josiah in cloth diapers all day. Usually I go back and forth between disposables and cloth with him, but I got these new liners to help with the poop and . . . anyways, i know that's where I should stop. Oh, and I took the whole fam AND dog on a walk/bikeride without losing my temper.

I hope you know I'm kidding about the super mom thing. I know tomorrow I'll have whiny kids and possible a crying soccer player. But everyonce in a while it's good to go to bed feeling like a rockstar.

And now a quiz: Can you guess what this is going to be? I'm taking a bag break to work on this for Ella. Inspired by the cool weather. . .

I'm BACK!

But not really. Sorry for the delay, but there's a lot to do around here and I miss my husband. It's hard to motivate myself to blog when things get like that. I just want to sit around and eat icecream. Chocolate Mocha Silk.

Coming soon: David and Esther's wedding, Ella Rose's birthday, the kid's birthday party, a visit with my best friend, and hopefully NOT hurricane hanna.

I get a lot of "super mom" comments. A lot of "I don't know how you do it." These are very sweet comments from very sweet people, but I think this blog, especially, paints a one-sided picture. We naturally blog the good things--the things we want people to see and the things we want to remember. Well, I am NO super-mom. Case in point: I sprayed my children with perfume this morning before church instead of bathe them--and it had been 3 days. I could list more faults, but one, my mom would worry about me, and two, I wanted to get to bed earlier tonight. But take my word for it, I mess up regularly. I reach the end of my rope too fast. I don't accept help very well. I depend on coffee more than I depend on God. God has been so gracious to us through this deployment, and it's obvious as you scroll through this blog. But I just wanted to clarify--our success has been God's grace despite my faults, not because I'm anything special!

Along those lines, since I know most if not all the readers of this blog pray for us, here are some things you can remember.

-That Jess will finish well. That he will be encouraged and strengthened by the chapel services he is able to attend (I know he misses IPC).
-Ella starts pre-k tomorrow! I know she's really excited, but sometimes our drama queen can be unpredictable.
-Sam seems to be experiencing quiet a bit of insecurity lately. He has cried in unexpected places. Pray that I will have wisdom about when to have extra compassion, and when to push him a bit. Pray for him as he begins kindergarden.
-Our trip this weekend to my brother's wedding! Not too long by Curry standards (it's in TN) but I just want us to be a blessing to those around us! And pray for Dave and Esther as they begin their life together!
-Pray that I will not get so busy that forget my purpose is to glorify God. I have been meditating on this verse in Isaiah: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." God's people were trying to do things their way, and they were failing miserably. It was a good warning for me, and I am trying to work out what this verse looks like in my own busy life.

I know this was a more serious post. Sundays are the days I feel the most stares and hear the most comments about my super-strength (I'm sure there are equal amounts of people out there saying I'm crazy.) I'll be sure to post about school tomorrow. Both kids are sure cute in their uniforms!!!

Everything I needed to know about Raising a Child I learned from my Dog Trainer. . .

We finally picked up Amos from his obedience training today (in case you're just joining us, Amos is our DOG-- although I really really wish I could take some kids there too!) The summer heat, afternoon storms, Amos's fat belly, and his dominant personality turned his 4 week course into 8, but we LOVE the dedication of Curtis at Salt Creek Kennels and are eager to see all Amos has learned.

As we packed him up in the car, I felt just like I did the day we took Sam home from the hospital. Basically, "Gosh, I hope I don't mess this up!" And then I thought how similar Curtis's training tips were to all my child training tips! "From the minute he comes home, he'll be trying to be the boss." Hmmm. "You have to expect complete obedience, not half-hearted or partial obedience." Uh huh. "Never give a command if you do not intend or are not able to offer correction if they fail." Ok, consisitency. And how about the one I read just last night in my book about parenting the heart of your child. "When he fails to obey, discipline him, and then make him go back and do it the right way." Ok, it stops there. I don't have to dig into Amos' heart and motives. I guess I can't answer that mighty question in childrearing "How will this affect his soul?" But I still might ask him the question "Amos, was eating Sam's shoe rude or kind? Because love is not rude."

Anyway, so far tonight he's been wonderful. We're keeping his environment extremely controlled though for now. So, I'll keep you posted on how well he (and I) do, starting with tomorrow as Addie wakes hungry, Ella wakes cranky, Si is screaming "breakfast, breakfast!" and Amos needs a walk.

And another subject: I let the kids stay up to watch the Olympic opening ceremony. They thought it was amazing from 8pm til 9:02. By 9:03 all three were zonked out on the couch. That was the easiest bedtime we've had in a while!

What I learned yesterday, and some things I already knew. . .

--Josiah really enjoys some time to himself (and he NEVER gets it unless his brother and older sister are at camp).


--He knows "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow." I am not quite sure how. But he sang it all day.



--He also has a great throwing arm and a little temper (ok, I guess we knew that already). Take a look at the damage he did to Ella's eye (right in front of the webcam with daddy on the other end, btw.)

--Adeline wants nothing to do with mommy blogging tummy time.

--Sam is a little too young for day camp. You can't push him too hard. I've seen that especially in the last year or so. Sometimes he's just not ready. He went to day camp. He tried day camp. He hated day camp. This is a hard one for me. When do you push your kids to try something difficult, and when do you step back and just give them a hug? I really don't know, but this time, I let him stay home. We went for a ride around the block. He was amazing on his bike, something else he picked up, when he was ready, and not a minute sooner.

Thoughts?

Things that make me Happy

6 cases of my favorite drink, on sale at the commissary for $1.75!

2 dozen roses, sent from the man of few words
4 little monsters in 4 cute shirts approximately 180 skittles, half way there!
1 incredibly sexy soldier
too many calories to count, but oh so yummy.

You get a gold star!!!

I need someone to make me a sticker chart. Like the kind where if I get 10 stars in a row I earn a prize. And it should be called "Sarah's Bedtime Chart". So when I get in bed by 10:30 I get a gold star. And maybe if I get in bed by 11:30 I can get a silver star. It would take me FOREVER to earn my build-a-bear accessory starbucks latte. For example, it's 10:26 and I just sat down to the computer and I still need to take a shower, switch the laundry, and I really really should work on the Ella Bella websited a bit. This is making me very cranky and in need of a lot of coffee.

Random thoughts

1. I am so over Starbucks chai tea lattes. I need to move on. any suggestions?
2. The new consignment boutique needs to hire me as a consultant, since i am highly knowledgeable about children's consignment and handmade items (not so sure about grammar, though). They are doing it all wrong, and I am disappointed in them.
3. I am not finished with nursing pads. I thought i was, but I'm not.
4. I don't really like im-ing, but my husband is worth it. no one else is, though, so don't ask me to "chat."
5. I tried a new sandwich at lunch today and LOVED it: turkey, brie, and pear panini from City Limits. The pears were a delightful surprise. Added a little crunch and a little sweetness.
6. I think I would love to be a food writer. But i need more practice. Writing, not eating.
7. Eating ice cream BEFORE my meal did not "ruin my lunch."

Now, I'm going to go print this out and read it to dad over supper. Even though I'm staying with him, he checks my blog every night. He says I'm wittier and more interesting on my blog than I am in person. Sorry, all you real-life friends. I never knew.

What's that? Oh! You just want to hear about the kids! Today we took them to Purity Dairy Ice cream Plant for their "Plant tour". We didn't actually get to tour anything. We just got to stay in this one room with a big window where we could watch the machines package the ice cream, and then we watched a movie where Ernest (like, Ernest Goes to Jail) told us all about Purity's milk products and how safe they were. My kids didn't really learn a lot from the film, but the LOVED milk cartons with legs that kept running around behind Ernest. It was defiantly "vintage". And yes, E and I got Cherry Chocolate Chunk, S got Plain Vanilla, JT got strawberry, and no, I did not let A have any. Next month, maybe.

"As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25

I'm still really tired and a little sick. At home I was getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night, between staying up and doing chores or chatting with J, getting up at night with a kid or a dog, and waking up early for a kid or two. Although there were some mornings where I just cried out "Lord, get me through this day so I can lie down again tonight!", I functioned really well. Now, I just feel exhausted. You might say I was running on adrenaline and now I'm crashing. But I think that God gives us just the strength we need. Lina Sandell thought so too. She wrote the words to this hymn.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find, to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

but i know you really just came to see pictures:

please be patient, blog. i need one more good night of sleep before i can give you the witty, engaging posts that you deserve. . .

Sunday night at 9pm

they need a bath, but instead
i think i'll put them straight to bed
and wash the sheets tomorrow

A Very Rude Robot

Ok, today, day 6, Saturday, we got ready early and did some garage sale shopping. It was harder with 4, but still fun. I bribed the big kids with a little spending money so they were willing to cooperate. The little mouse rode happily in the sling, and the little monster was unusally tame. It might be a regular Saturday thing while J is gone.

Not only did we have fun (I love garage sales) but I was also very successful! At the very first house, I found the fisher price dome tent that I've been searching for-- they don't make it anymore and they're SO expensive on ebay. It will be great for the little mouse at the pool and the beach:

Then, princess found a purple "big girl bike"

Next, I hit a stash of 2T gymboree fall clothes for the little monster. And we had a few moments with the big brother over a stuffed snake that I said "no" to--stuffed animals from strangers gross me out. He's having some arguing issues lately, but in the end he walked away.

And he found what might be the best find of the day! We thought we were buying a cool robot coin bank, but when we took it home and added the batteries, it was not your ordinary robot coin bank. It was a farting, grunting, burping, rapping, austrailian robot coin bank!!!! Here it is in action:

and the robot rap:

Now tomorrow is our first Sunday to make it to church on time without J, and our first Sunday to eat dinner at Point Pleasant without J. . . I'll let you know how it goes. . .