Our Journey Through Life

Simply Lally Blog

2011-11-30T17:21:00.000-08:00

I have moved the contents of this blog and am regularly (well semi-regularly) posting over at my other blog Simply Lally

If you would like to continue getting updates to the blog, head over there and become a follower or subscribe with your email.

Its been a while...

2010-06-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have been missing blogging since we moved and hope to start up again soon. I love picture blogging here and since dial up internet is what we have that is not really feasible. Yes, I said dial up. lol I have posted several times over at Lally, though the posts are sporadic at this point. One day soon I will get the hang of this internet thing and be back to regular posting.

In the mean time whats been going on? Since my last posting we have moved to a rental about 25 miles east of our previous location. Its about 10 miles from a little town and 25 from bigger shopping options. We have had 6 birthdays starting in December with Madeline and ending in May with Joe. Our chickens have been expanded from four to about 30-40ish right now. Some will be dinner soon, others are the laying flock, and 4 are the kids show birds for 4H. The garden season started with much anticipation and excitement. 3 garden shares have been sold and this is our biggest garden ever! The weather has thus far been uncooperative with about 3 non rainy days in all of May. Mind you I said non rainy and not sunny. We have had hail the size of golf balls and well I have never been so unsuccessful at growing greens. lol I am not even going to tell you about the tomatoes and the peppers. Its just sad, very sad. The poor things couldn't be in the house any longer and they had to go out. That's the last few months in a nutshell. I hope to be back blogging soon as I really miss it. Just need to figure out a workable option for me with photos. For some reason blogging is not the same for me without photos. :)

We are here

2010-01-19T21:14:00.000-08:00

We moved in on the 10th and are still unpacking. No photos yet but soon I promise!! The kids are really enjoying all the areas to explore in the yard and I am completely enjoying the peace and beauty that is out here. Madeline told me the other day that the air smells good out here. :) I am starting to plan our garden and am really enjoying unpacking and setting up house again. lol Hope you are all well just wanted a quick update on here as its been a while. See you soon with pictures...

November/December 2009

2010-01-04T22:48:00.001-08:00

These are in no particular order. In fact I think they are backwards. lol

What do your kids do when you pack all of their toys without thinking? They make a mouse house!

Marah enjoying the snow

Naomi not really sure what it was

Christmas Eve reading the bible

The three older kids and Joe went to zoo lights.

Someone turned 9!!

Gingerbread cookies

Drawing with Daddy

They played dress up

This is a game called Star Mars. Think StarCraft and Mars Mission combined. The kids made it and its really quite fun.

Michael checked out this book from the library and fell in love with it. Its The Little Red Hen only with a burrow who grows corn and makes tortillas.

We of course had to make our own tortillas.

If you haven't heard yet we are moving! This Saturday to be exact. The house is wonderful and on an acre. We are super excited. Not sure how much blogging I will be doing as the house is so far out in the country that the options are dial up or satellite. Satellite is not in the budget yet so we are giving the stone ages, I mean dial up, a go. I posted more about the move over on my blog with some pictures and I will try to get new house pics up there if I can later. have a great 2010 everyone!!

2009 Family Photos

2009-11-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

This year we had our photos done by Nicole Renea Photography. I can only say wonderful things. Nicole was amazing to work with. She was patient and kind when dealing with our large brood. 2 adults, 4 kids, and 1 camera make for some hard work on the photographers part. I have to say that Nicole truly captured our family. There are no perfect posed photos here, just perfect photos that reflect our family. She was amazing with the kids and listened to their ideas for photos. She followed us around for over an hour snapping away while sometimes being pulled in different directions. Getting more than two kids in one spot for more than a millisecond was next to impossible, but she did it. I cannot say enough how much we enjoyed this years photo shoot and I hope that if you need photos in the future you will contact Nicole. Her website is here or you can become a facebook fan here to get updates.

I had a hard time choosing just a few photos to post today, so you get a bunch. :)

Help Support Handmade and Get the Word Out!!

2009-11-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Help spread the word about Hyena Cart by adding one of these banners to your blog, facebook page, or website! If you are unfamiliar with Hyena Cart check out this link.

Hyena cart is:

A collection of unique shops offering a variety of earth-, child-, and
family-friendly items. Each shop is individually owned and operated but is
powered by the unique Hyena Cart shopping code.

You can find the codes for the following buttons and banners (plus more!) at this page here:

I would love to see all the HC love so please post a link in my comments and I will stop by and say Hi.

October Days

2009-11-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

A few photos from October.

We went to Bonneville Dam. The kids had a great time. So much to see and do. Sadly the only pictures taken were by Madeline while we ate lunch. We were enjoying everything so much we didn't even think of taking photos.

Marah is potty training! She insists most days on getting her clothes on by herself. :)

There has been a lot of play with this old stop watch we found in the garage.

Maddy had a friend over. This is H. Photo by Maddy.

We have been working on a new science curriculum. Maddy more than Michael. This day was all about Mollusks.

Michael enjoyed this huge shell.

Michael made a loaf of bread all by himself.

Starcraft night. Micheal was able to play his first game with Uncle Terry and Joe. They brought the dining room table into the living room. lol

Setting up.

Madeline watching. She was going to a sleep over but her friend was sick. Instead she was able to go to a friend's birthday party. Her and I did crafty things while the boys played.

Banana Split night 2009. Lots of ice cream, lots of toppings, one pasta serving bowl, 5 spoons.

Then popcorn and a movie. The kids look forward to October 31st every year for Banana Split Night. Naomi was asleep through it. As soon as she can sit through a whole movie hours after bedtime she can join us. :)

Sewing Alley

2009-11-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

I've been busy and hope to do a photo update of the last month soon. It is the holiday season which means bazaars and lots of sewing for me. I am excited to announce that Sewing Alley is (finally) re-opening on November 6th! Previews are up now. You can see them here. I am also still stocking toys on the first Tuesday of every month at Hidden Element Congo on Hyena Cart.

The giveaway is still going on over at Sewing Alley Blog as well! Make sure you check it out and enter for a special gift from Sewing Alley. Get the details by clicking on the link above.

September Update

2009-10-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

I love that this is considered fun for the kids. Michael found his Miquon math workbook the other day and asked what it was. I told him and he asked if we could do it. Sure! So Maddy got hers out to and they spent the next hour and a half or so doing math. At one point Michael was struggling with something and Madeline asked him if he wanted to copy her work. He said "No thanks, all the answers I need are in my brain." I love this, just love it. :)

Even snack can turn into a fighter jet. Didn't you know? In case you wonder its cracker with peanut butter, an apple slice, and banana slices.

Look it really flies and even has missiles.

We sold the chicken run and 5 of the chickens. I was really sad to see them go but its for the best right now. We still have the coop and 4 of the chickens. Maddy is hoping to take them to another 4-H chicken show in the next few months.

We have been canning. If you want to know what it all is head on over to Lally. I just did a canning post.

Kids being silly.

Our church, Living Hope Church, had a family fun night/come and meet the Kids World teachers. Marah's teacher asked if people could bring snacks. Cupcakes, yum! Marah got to choose the frosting color since they were for her classroom. Which she actually goes to now and no she no longer hits other children over the head with chairs. Amazing really how much she has grown in the last year or so. lol So soon when Naomi will let us take her to childcare we may actually get to leave the parents room.

Head on over to the Sewing Alley blog for previews of some items that will be stocking on October 6th over at Hidden Element.

August Update

2009-09-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

Not so much to post this month. Majority of the month was taken up by illness and the Skamania County Fair which I posted about earlier. Lots of photos taken by the kids in this one.

We made pasta sauce with our garden tomatoes!
One morning bright and early, or should I say dark and early, someone woke up and decided to take self portraits, hundred of self portraits. Also photos of chairs and carpet fuzz. Here are a few of the ones I kept.

I did a trade with a mama friend of mine. A sewing machine that was not working out for Madeline for some knitting. The yarn was supposed to be longies but it did not want to be longies. I don't knit so I can't really tell you how yarn can do this but L tells me it happens. The yarn decided it wanted to be a dress. The most beautiful little dress that will double as a shirt when it gets too short. We love it!!

I could just eat her up.

Joe went on a Daddy play date. They took the max to the zoo with some friends. I stayed home with a napping baby and sewed. It was wonderful! They had fun too.

That's it, I will try and take some more photos this month! See you then. :)

Skamania County Fair

2009-09-15T00:30:00.001-07:00

Last month Madeline participated in the Skamania County Fair with her 4H group. They camped for 5 days. It was originally supposed to be Joe and the two older kids but stomach flu hit the first night and Michael came home so Joe took Marah. Once Michael was better we traded again and then me and the little girls at home got sick. Oh it was an interesting week.

Chickens had to have a bath. I guess it strips their feathers and then stimulates them to produce oil which will make them nice and shiny for the fair. They were not enjoying themselves.

"What are you guys doing?"

We had to be careful not to get the water in their faces so only dunked and swished from the neck down.

A soppy wet Goldie. She was not happy and proceeded to dust bathe after an hour long grooming session to get all her feathers back in place.

"Poor chickens"

The carnival at the fair.

Kids had a blast on the rides.

Michael did NOT enjoy the zipper.

Best slide ever

Madeline's show chicken Little Bo Peep.

One of her other chickens won Reserve Champion

Another won Champion.

All dressed up for showing her chicken

All lined up for the judges.

Blue ribbon

On the last day Michael was stepped on by a cow. He is fine and I thank God. 1200 lb cow plus Michael's foot could have been a lot worse than the bruise he recieved.

Maddy and one of her 4H buddies.

And I will leave you with this. There was a playground at the park and this tree was in the center. Do you see it? Very fitting as I sat and nursed Naomi right here.

A Great Giveaway

2009-09-15T00:06:00.001-07:00

A great giveaway over at Hip Mountain Mama of natural art supplies. Click on the photo to go to the actual giveaway.

July Update

2009-08-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

Another busy month.

Fourth of July.

Marah was old enough to stay awake this year. She really enjoyed watching the fireworks.

Michael spent most of the night like this. Then fell asleep on my arm. He insisted he did not want to go inside though.

We made boats.

We had lots of cool baths when the weather hit 107!!

Michael lost his first tooth.

Naomi gave Marah a black eye.

We went to the beach twice. This is trip #1. Cannon beach was warm and we had a blast.

This one of Naomi's many faces.

Another face

The kids love the waves

RUN!!!

Madeline could live on the beach.

Beach trip #2 was cold and wet! We camped for two nights and it never really warmed up. Once we were about 5 minutes east of the ocean on the way home the clouds cleared though.

We were at Sunset beach which you can drive on. It was neat to just park out there. I think you bring home more sand this way though. It doesn't have time to fall off on the walk back to the car. lol

I have hopes of blogging regularly at some point. Right now I am re opening Sewing Alley and am going to concentrate on the Sewing Alley Blog and getting some sewing done. See you next month!!

What We Have Been Up To: June 2009

2009-07-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Its been another busy month here. A quick update to let you know what we have been up to.

Visiting Great Grandma's and Grandma Karen's. The creek.

I love this tree in Great Grandma's front yard. I used to play under it in the summers. There is almost no traffic in this end of the highway (literally) town. I spent many summers coloring the road and bike riding here.

Grandma Karen with the older two kids exploring the creek.

All the kids throwing rocks. Naomi climbed right in and sat down in the water.

Marah tired of rock throwing quickly so we joined Great Grandma on the bench overlooking the creek and lake. Her house is in the background on the right. Her "boyfriend" lives next door. lol It is a good thing she does not have internet access cause she would not be pleased with me about this.

We got a really large egg one day and this is what was inside!! A triple yolk.

A recent activity in the backyard. We filled socks with cornstarch and sprinkled them in different spots to find spiderwebs. It was a lot of fun.

Uncle Robbie came to visit and brought Flower Girl shirts for the youngest, a Ring Guard shirt for Michael (its the camo one above), and Maddy's Jr. Bridesmaid shirt is on the way.

Michael dug a hole in the digging spot. Nomy likes it I think. :)

We met M, L, and E at the zoo. The kids playing in the grassy area after lunch.

This is L. Joe's "mom", isn't she beautiful. Maddy took all the zoo pics.

E making a goofy face. Some how we have no pictures of M.

We played in the grass.

Lots of grass.

The grass is always greener on the other side, at least to the chickens.

They also had some fingers. I think they think hers are worms. I keep hoping she will learn soon but she does this over and over and over. They do not break skin or anything but I am sure it is not a pleasant feeling.

Madeline

Nomy has helped herself to most of our strawberry harvest this year. She eats them stem and all.

The reason for the lack of June updates. Yeah typing was not easy, or cutting, or diapers, or well anything.

Another zoo trip just me and the kids this time. Self portrait by Maddy.

An old man, a fish, and some hair. Lots of hair.

2009-05-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

Yet another birthday in our household. Check out this old man!

Check out his birthday cake I made! Vanilla bean ice cream, oreo crust, oreo layer, topped with carmel, hot fudge, and what else but more oreos.

A beautiful girl.

Madeline made carmel corn.

Such long hair!

A large pile of hair!

A brand new haircut!

Another haircut though no personal haircutting was involved with this one. lol

The cat loves to bring us mice, moles, birds, and other such treats. We were a bit shocked one morning to see that he had brough us a fish! Where you ask in the land of suburbia did he find a fish? Umm in the neighbors Japanese Garden. They won't miss it right?

Sick Nomy on her favorite sleeping spot. She won't sleep on me as she just wants to nurse (and puke).

Other news. We got rid of the two aggressive chickens. Love Craigslist where we sold them for $15 each. The 4 month old pullets seem to have adjusted now. Took about 3 days but they will now come out of the coop and run into the outside grassy area. The other chickens don't seem to notice them. With the exception of Goldie who I believe is now top hen. She definately tells them she is boss but does not attack them like the Rhode Island Reds. We are down to 10 chickens now with 6 laying currently.

More Birthdays and other Random Photos

2009-05-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Marah celebrated a birthday! 3 years old.

She had been asking for pink cupcakes. Well the day came and she decided she wanted purple cupcakes with pink frosting. I made a new recipe out of the cookbook and added purple food coloring. They turned out this funky mauvish color and taste awful! The kids enjoyed them but a friend and I agreed they were bad. At least the frosting was delicious.

He is so a little brother. Notice the mischevious grin.
Now he lets go. Marah was annoyed at first and then realized what was happening and thought it was great fun. lol

Madeline taking pictures of her siblings.

She is saying "let me out!" Now that she has discovered outside she will always go outside if you ask her. She practically runs for the door when I say "do you want to go outside?"

I was inside with the other kids doing something and as I walked by I noticed Joe and Marah playing ball together. Marah was just so excited to be actually hitting the ball and Joe looked like he was really enjoying the one on one time with Marah. I had to snap this quickly before Marah noticed. Not sure whats up with Joe though. lol

This is Marah's garden. Notice the large patch in the middle thats snap peas, on the right pole beans, on the left radishes and carrots. She also planted lettuce, corn, squash, zuchini, pumpkins, tons of flowers, cucumbers, and more. Note that her garden is only about 2 feet by 1.5 feet.

We had to put the Rhode Island Reds in chicken time out. Someone at 4H suggested it as they were tag team attacking the new chickens.

Joe went to St. Cupcake for my birthday cupcakes. YUM!

Happy Birthday Marah and Her Birth Story

2009-04-06T22:50:00.001-07:00

3 years ago you made your entrance into the world. It was a wonderful day and though it did not go as we had planned I loved your birth. You are very strong willed and have opinions on everything. I love seeing you explore new things everyday and swear I can see your brain thinking about things.

Happy Birthday Marah!

Here is Marah's birth story cut and pasted from a message board I posted on shortly after she was born. Its long!

I had been having contations on and off for about a week. They would start about 7pm and go for a few hours. On Wednesday, 4/5/06, I was having alot of them and though this may be it. Well contax continued for most of the night but I was able to sleep in between them. Finally about 6am I could not sleep through them and got out of bed. I went back to bed about an hour later and slept for a little while. The contrax were strong but not regular in length or time between them at all. So I decided to go do a bunch of errands (had to get my drivers license renewed before the 11th) in town. I asked my brother to go with me in case I went into labor he could drive me home. So I continued to have contrax through out the day. Some of them were coming closer and at one point I really though I should not be driving around. LOL. So errands done I dropped my brother off at his house and started for home. At about 1:00 I called my DH to ask him a question and he answered the phone with "no you cannot be in labor now." He was joking and I told him no I was not. He was in class until five. When he got home I thought that maybe this was it but did not want to get to excited in case they stopped like previous times. So we took the kids on a walk and I had a ton of contrax while we were out. Then we went to dinner and the grocery store. I think I scared some guys (we live in a college town) in the dairy aisle. I had to stop and breathe through some of the contrax. When we got home we put the kids to bed, by now it was about 7:30pm. We did some cleaning and then decided to watch a movie. About 30 minutes into the movie I said I cannot watch any more because I cannot remember what is going on. I decided to call my best friend who had a three hour drive and tell her that it might be tonight. We decided to set up the birth tub and make the bed up, which I had been holding off doing because I was still thinking that these would stop. Well this took 45 minutes and I called my friend back and told her she should come. A while later ( I think about midnight??) my DH called our doula who said she was on her way. I asked her if I should call my MW (she is also this MW's apprentice) and she said that was up to me and do what felt right. So I had Joe call her because I was being very vocal through the contrax. MW heard me in the back ground and decided she should leave for our house which was 30 mins away. Well MW arrived first and then our doula. My friend Jennifer arrived shortly after this. I asked MW to check me and I was about 5cm. I was a bit dissapointed because I had been 3-4 about a week ago. Because baby was still posterior I had been laboring on hands and knees as this was most comfortable. But our doula suggested doing stairs with my feet really far apart. I could get down and then back up the stairs before a contraction came and I would plop down on my hands and knees. I had to have someone doing the double hip squeeze on me!!!! I have no idea how long I did this. At some point in here my DD woke up and we decided to call our "kid doula". DS slept through all of this though, except for yelling about tractors in his sleep, LOL. But finally I decided I wanted a shower. The shower was not that great so I got out and did more stairs. At one point my MW ( who had been resting) came up because I was making some "good noises" (her words) and said that why don't I try the tub. The tub was good but I still needed someone to do the hip squeeze. My DD wanted to get in the tub with me and DH said no to her but I told him to let her because I was thinking I would rather have her there now than later. Well after a few contrax in the tub I felt a gush of fluid and looked down. I thought my waters had broken but all I saw was red. I knew it was alot of blood because as it spread in the water it get darker instead of lighter. I called to my MW and she asked me to get out of the tub. I was still bleeding and she wanted to check me thinking maybe I was fully dilated. Well I was a 7 and she could strech me to an 8. Blood was still coming out, but baby's heartrate was perfect even through contractions. I was pretty scared a this point and MW asked me to go downstairs. So they wrapped me up and downstairs we went. MW went off to call some of the other MW's in the area (by now it was 2:30-3:00am) She came and asked if she could check me again once we were downstairs and I was a 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From a 7 to a 3. She came and talked to us about transfering. She also asked if there was anyone we knew in Spokane that would let us labor at their house. She said that she still felt comfortable doing a HB at this point but would want to be closer to the hosp (we were a good 30 minutes away). We did not know anyone in Spokane that we are that close to so we asked her about txfring to Holy Family Hosp. Which is farther away but one of the docs is VBAC friendly. She said she would call and see who was the on call doc. Thank God it was Dr. B. He said to MW that yes bring us in but he is thinking I would have the baby in the car. Well we finally got all loaded up and left the house at about 3:50-4am. We arrived at the hospital about 4:45 am (MW rode with us so she could check heart tones on the way) and made our way up to L&D. I still could not sit so I rode in the wheelchair backwards. This was a sight and we have some pics of it, LOL! When I arrived Dr. B came in to talk with us and asked me what I wanted out of this birth. The staff was very respectful of us and knew we were a HB txfr. I did have an IV and they put me on the monitor. Baby was still looking great so Dr. B asked if he could check me I was at about 7! I was so happy, I thought it would take forever to get back from a 3. My MW had said that it would not take as long, and I think that once I knew we were on the way to the hosp I felt safer. The Dr. talked alot and I don't remember alot of it. He talked about putting in an internal monitor but I said I did not want my water broken. He said he would give a few hours to see if baby would turn and if not then he would like to break my water and try and turn baby. After he left I talked with MW about this and she said that this is one of the reasons she likes Dr. B so much he is really good at turning babies so she said after a few hours maybe we should try that. So I labored on the bed on hands and knees (still needing the hip squeeze). After a while I was grunting every now and then and MW checked me. I don't remember what I was but she said keep doing what I was doing. Well a little bit later I grunted/pushed uncontrollably and my water broke everywhere. It was the loudest pop. MW and doula both said it was the loudest they had ever heard. LOL. Well the nurse asked if I could try and get up so she could clean up the bed. It was soaked! MW suggested the toilet and I said after this contrax well they could see baby at this point and I yelled "she's coming" The Dr came in and said he had been praying my water would break. I never made it out of the bed to get it cleaned and they threw some more chux pads under me. I pushed for 9 minutes on hands and knees and she was born at 6:09 am (a little over an hour from arrival). Her cord was wrapped very tight around her neck but the Dr. managed to get it over her head so that DH could cut it. Well she came out and they bagged her for a few minutes her apgar was a 3. Later my MW and doula said that she was really okay and was sneezing and starting to cry but the hosp just wanted to be safe. I was able to hold her a few minutes later and she was beautiful!! I did it!!! the placenta came out a few minutes later and about 15% of it had abrupted. You could see the spots where it had torn off the uterine wall. We asked to keep the placenta and they bagged it up and gave it to our doula. Marah latched on a little while later and nursed for the next four hours. They did not even get to weigh her. She weighed in at 7lbs 13 oz and was 19 inches long. Her head was 13 inches. She did not have a bath, rec'd no vit K, no eye ointment, no shots, and did not leave her mommy or daddy's arms the whole time. The pediatrician cleared her to leave the hosp at 9 am but I was not cleared until later so we finally got out of there at about 3pm. Our kids were excited to see us, DS did not seem to care that we were gone at all, he woke up to "Aunt Jenny" and the "kid doula" DD was upset that she did not get to cut the cord but we told her that she got to help give the baby her first bath instead and that we could all look at the placenta later. It was amazing, It was not what I wanted, a HB, but she made it here and I was not cut again. I thank god that Dr B was on call the other hospitals would have wanted to section me right away. The staff was really supportive of our decisions and it was a very nice experience. Not at all what I expected from a txfr. But all is well and Marah is still nursing like crazy she is one week today and now weighs 8lbs 6oz. We did look at the placenta the next day and it was great. Nothing like 2 kids covered in blood at the dining room table. My DH thought it was so gross but the kids were amazed. The sac was still there and some of the cord. So it now sits in our freezer waiting for a tree.

Birthdays and Legos and Anniversaries oh my!

2009-03-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

March was a busy month. Nomy turned one, Michael turned 6, and Joe and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. I cannot believe we have been married 7 years and together for 10! I have been planning our garden and enjoying the sunny weather when it comes. April is coming which in our family means birthday season. There are at least 7 April birthdays I can count off the top of my head!

We had Uncle Terry over for birthday cake and dinner on Michael's birthday.

The chickens are all laying now. We regularly get 8 eggs a day and come July will be getting even more once the others start laying. We have started selling eggs and have someone coming weekly to pick up. Aren't they so pretty!

Michael recieved a bunch of Lego's for his birthday and this is a Mars Mission umm alien thingy. He was very proud to finally get it all put together! Look at his face, such excitement!

Nomy is now walking more than crawling. It is really cute to see her toddling all over the house.

Michael had a birthday party and invited some of his friends. He only wanted to invite C, G, and N but I told him their sisters would most likely come too. lol

One night after dinner (an early 5 o'clock dinner at that) I was loading the dishwasher while Nomy finished eating only to look over and see this. lol

Bread Recipe

2009-03-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

I keep getting comments and emails to share my bread recipe. First I will say it is not my recipe. :) I found it on someone elses blog (drawing a blank on who???) and tried it out. Now I just want to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this recipe. It is so easy. It requires no kneading and it keeps in the fridge for a few weeks, that is if it lasts that long. We have yet to make it three days with a batch of this bread. I love that I can make so many different things with this one recipe by just adding different ingredients. I have made Naan, dinner rolls, sandwich buns, loaves, cinnamon rolls, and even made it in a loaf pan for white sandwich bread. I also use the whole wheat recipe, which is several pages in to the article. I make at least 2 or 3 batches of ww dough a week and we use it for toast, sandwiches, everything. I do find that I get less loaves per batch but I make them really big. :) So no more from me here is the recipe:

Five Minutes a Day for Fresh Bread

Okay just a little more from me. The article suggests reading the whole article/recipe before you start. Take their advice. lol There are lots of tips in there on how to handle this gooey, sticky mass of runny wet dough. It took me several batches before I understood how to shape the loaf. The ww dough is even wetter! Each recipe has a different technique on how to do it, well the artisan loaf and the ww anyway. I have not made the other recipes just made variations of my own. So go enjoy some fresh bread!

Today's loaves of ww sandwich bread baking in the oven

Tonight's sandwich rolls rising for Salmon sandwiches.

Happy Birthday Michael!!

2009-03-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Michael! I cannot believe you are 6. You have grown into such a wonderful person. You are everything boy and love to run, jump, build, and play rough. You are also very kind and gentle when you need to be.

One day old

Yes thats you in your sisters pink pajamas at about 6 months old.

Birthday girl, chicks, and baking day

2009-03-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

Small update for March. We had to build a second fenced area for the chickens. They used to come out and free range all over the yard but the poop was just too much. We realized Naomi cannot even crawl around the backyard this spring unless we somehow get rid of the poop. So fence it was. We will figure out how to move this every so often or split it in two so that they can have a fresh area all the time.

The coop, run, and new fence.

Chicken bottoms. Don't try to take their picture when you just threw them a bunch of scratch. lol

Baking day. This is a no knead 5 minute artisan loaf. You can refridgerate it for up to 3 weeks and we get about 3 loaves in the batch. It says 6 but we make large loaves I guess. It takes about 5 minutes to mix and then you let it rise and then in the fridge it goes. I have also made Naan, rolls, and cinnamon rolls out of this dough. Yummy!

Pancakes for the freezer.

A busy baker making cookies.

The pancake flipper.

The painter

Nomy's first birthday. We had dinner and cake. Look mom I'm one! Really its look at this sugary slimy stuff, should I eat it?

Her first cake, carrot with cream cheese frosting.

The baby chickens getting out while I cleaned the brooder.

This is Michael playing the drum set he created the other day.

Happy Birthday Naomi

2009-03-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe she is already one year old. This year has flown by! Her first year went so much quicker than any of the other kids it seems.

Naomi we thought you were a boy and I was so excited and surprised when you came out and your big sister announced you were a girl! You are so little (the smallest of all the kids we think) and have no fear. I am constantly finding you inside or on top of things. You can climb on and off the beds, the couch, and yesterday I found you in a stock pot in the kitchen. You say mama and dada but don't really have a need for other words. You sisters and brothers talk so much for you. You have gone from rolling, to crawling, to standing, to yesterday walking about 9 steps across the room. Soon you will be running wild and I will be exhausted from chasing you. I am so blessed that God gave you to us and cannot wait to see what year two brings us.

Happy Birthday Naomi (aka Nomy)

Minutes old

One week

March 08

April 08

May 08

June 08

July 08

Aug 08

Sept 08

Oct 08

Nov 08

Dec 08

Jan 09

Feb 09

March 09

Projects, Maddy shots, and Falling

2009-02-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

So its not the end of Febuary and these are the last of the pictures I have to get on here. :)

Madeline loves to take pictures and here are some Maddy shots from this month:

This is our wall and I think that is hair.

This would be a sideways Marah

Maddy's eye

Okay back to Mommy shots here.

Marah did a project. It involved lots of glue. She is so proud of her work I had to take her picture!

It also involved her sisters head. A little in her ear... A little on the top...

Some on the forehead. Nomy thought it was great fun.

I have not taken any pictures in the last 2 weeks or so. It has been pretty hectic. Joe hurt himself while hiking with clients. He fell down 10 feet or so of hill and then off a 15 foot cliff. He broke his nose, sprained his ankle, got a concussion, and had a lot of cuts and bruises. He landed 3 feet from the lake and was hypothermic (or close to it, not remembering now) when rescue got to him. That was 2 weeks ago and yesterday he had surgery to fix his nose so he is in a lot of pain and enjoying some percocet. :) I thank God he is still here. A few more feet and he would have been in the lake. Even the firemen, paramedics, and doctors are surprised he is not hurt more. It has been a crazy few weeks and I am ready for it to be over. :)

Bread, Drawers, and Storage!!!

2009-02-16T21:15:00.000-08:00

A rare moment when Michael asked me to take his picture!

Nomy loves to empty out the drawers and climb in them.

A new sandwich bread recipe. I really like it!

We bought a new van and I had to take a picture of the back after a Costco trip. We do one trip per month to Costco and buy a lot to freeze and store. Normally the back would be full, the front full, the sides full, and things in between the kids seats. Everything fit in the back nicely!

I have yet to take a picture of the actual van its a 2008 Town and Country.

Michael Counts to 1,000

2009-02-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

Last night Michael announced he was going to count to 1,000. He started with spinning in the dining room and slowly moved around the house and he did make it to 1,000. Notice in each video he is in a different location and moving around as he counts. I am so glad he is able to learn in his own way and not have to sit still in a classroom. :)

The quality of the videos is messed up. I think someone around the age of 8 played with the settings when they took pictures earlier in the day. :)

You can hear him in this one saying he is going to count to 1,000,000 next. He started today while we were at Costco. lol Currently he is at 1,129 and asked me to remember that so he can start again later. :)

January 2009

2009-02-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

We got baby chicks! 3 Barred Rocks and 2 Buff Orpingtons. They are straight run so a 10% to 20% chance they are roos.

In the brooder. They have grown so much in one week that we have all ready had to move them to a bigger brooder!

We made laundry detergent. For about $3.50 we made enought to fill 2 170 ounce containers and one 80 oz container!! It smells good too.

Marah upgraded from a swim diaper to a swim suit. She spent about 4 hours in it the day we bought it.

The climbing has begun. Nothing is safe!

We made a spider web. We all laid on the floor to look up at it and all the spiders we created.

Madeline made a teddy bear for Marah. This was her practice on some flannel. Her next one will be made with actual fake fur. She has pink, purple, and dark brown teddy bear fur to choose from.

2008 Photo Shoot with Amy

2009-02-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

I may have posted this before but I can't remember so here are some of my favorite photos from our 2008 shoot we had with Amy in July. I know I have said it before but Amy Crawford Photography is awesome and I would recommend her over and over.

December 2008 Catch Up

2009-02-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

December 2008 Catch up. Lots of photos with birthdays and holidays.

Our attempt at a family Christmas photo.

Madeline's birthday was snowy!

Opening presents

A pink Ipod!!

She was kind of bummed when she woke up to snow as she had hoped for a sunny birthday. We found her a sunny cake instead.

I had to take these pictures of Joe as he got ready for work one very cold morning. The socks are his, the leg warmers are Michael's. LOL

Clearing off the car and driveway

A Nomy proofed Christmas tree.

A huge puddle formed in one section of the chicken run and we did not know. We found out when it froze and that section of roof started bowing in.

A winter wonderland

Such a thick layer of ice and you can see the different freezes in there

We made a snowman

I love this picture of Maddy!

Nomy was cozy warm as I helped roll the snow man.

Frosty the Jedi Knight!

As close to a picture of Michael as I got. Look how red his hands are!!!

Opening their one present on Christmas Eve. They open the rest in the morning.

We gave Marah some books.

The girls gave Michael some Lego's.

Michael and Marah gave Maddy these shoes she has been wanting for over a year.

Nomy got a shoe box.

Christmas morning. Marah is old enought now to really get excited about Christmas.

We found Marah a vintage Fisher-Price barn and silo on Craigslist.

A brick set for Michael. I think it was 600 ir so all different sized bricks.

A doll for Maddy.

Later that day Michael took a bunch of pictures. Madeline was not enjoying her little brother right then. She got this robe for Christmas.

All right. Its Febuary 2nd and I am finally caught up with 2008's photos. Now to do January 09 and I will really be caught up. LOL

A November Catch Up

2009-02-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

Yet another catch up post. Photos from November. A big busy month. Lots of play dates, activities, and the first stocking of Sewing Alley since Naomi was in my belly. It was a nice long break to recooperate from birth and newbornhood.

Three eggs in one day!

Every year there is a field trip through one of the homeschool groups. It is called School on Trains. You get a discounted rate on a ticket to Seatttle and back. Maddy and Joe went last year and this year Michael was old enough to attend as well. They have a blast! They arrive in Seattle in the afternoon and leave in the evening. The train car is full of other homeschooling families.

Not going to label the photos as I was not there so not sure what they are.

Our first green egg!

She loves taking a bath.

Michael got a new hair cut.

2 more Seattle photos, not sure how they got down here.

Michael took some photos of himself one day. The kids love to take pictures and will often ask for the camera and I will get it back full of the most interesting pictures. I love these!

Playing Play dough with G, A, and A who were here to play for a bit. This is the best play dough ever! Not stinky like that store bought stuff and smooth unlike some home made recipes. You can find out more about it here. I know, I know. lol

I made Marah a new dress. Its just cheap flannel as it was a practice dress.

The kids like playing with pattern blocks. Michael made this and says it is a Bionicle.

Marah made this one.

Our friends L, C, and M came to visit. L and I were working on a Collaboration for Sewing Alley (you can view them here and here) and the kids played while we worked.

They played dress up out of the hall closet.

My friend L. Yes she does have a face. I believe Maddy took this photo.

Self portrait.

October 2008 Catch up

2009-02-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

We did not take a lot of photos in October for some reason. Here are a few of them.

Nomy grew.

Our first egg.

The kids took apart the vaccuum. Don't worry it was broken. Michael did not like the smell (dusty) so he put on a mask.

The chickens grew. This is Blue. She is one of my favorite chickens and is at the very bottom of the pecking order. They are always picking on her and she is so mellow.

Our second egg.

Banana Split Night!

Marah's first Banana Split Night.

Tired baby

September 2008 Catch Up

2009-01-16T20:19:00.001-08:00

Giggling

They played dress up.

Tan little cheeks. I just want to kiss them!

Superman!

Michael made himself a mosquito costume, wings and all. He then tried to poke holes in plastic wrap so he could drink "blood".

And yes my house is messy. I thought about cropping it out but hey its my life and I just don't care. Your house gets messy when you have four kids under 7. :)

The lego master.

Madeline checkout a book about horses at the library. She then decided to make a list of her favorites and write down all the interesting facts she could about them.

We found a spiderweb in the blackberry bush. We fed him a moth.

I made Madeline a new bag.

Its reversible.

Nomi helped me sew.

Madeline made potpourri from the roses in our front yard.

The house smelled so yummy for hours!

Random August 2008 Photos

2009-01-14T12:17:00.001-08:00

Photo updates from August 2008. These are not in any order.

Playing with balloons.

Madeline did a new trick.

Nomy learned to push up on hands and knees.

Look at those rolls!

We went to the MDC Summer Picnic here in Vancouver.

This is Michael's friend G. Food, drink, and dirt. LOL

We played pass the babies.

We found a blackberry bush on the side of our house. We have since removed it as it was spreading fast. Here is the harvest one day.

Must be comfortable when cleaning the chicken coop. Pink boots and underwear.

We went to Grandma Karen's and Great Grandma Evelyn's.

Tree climbing.

Marah playing with her second cousin Ashley.

A bee hive on Great Grandma's porch. They kept diving at me and I was a good distance away. Needless to say it is now gone.

The kids love doing experiment blow up as they call it. Baking soda and Vinegar.

Aprons

2009-01-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

Check out these awesome aprons! You can enter to win one at this link:
The Apronista My favorite is the chocolate mint but the pink sorbet is a close second.

Naomi Dancing

2009-01-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

CPSIA

2008-12-16T15:30:00.001-08:00

Do you buy handmade toys or clothing? Do you sell them? Do you want the option to buy them in the future should you choose to do so? Well on February 10, 2009 you may not have that option anymore.

In response the the lead recalls of 2007 Congress took action and wrote the Consumer Product Safelty Improvement Act, CPSIA. Never heard of it, well you are not alone. This new law will require manufacturers of items for children under 12 to test their products for lead and some items for phthalates. No more lead in childrens toys, games, or clothing. Great right?

The problem with this new law is not the removal of lead its how and who are required to do this. All manufacturers are required to test each finished product for lead. Note I said finished product and not material. So take Fisher Price or Mattel who produce millions of each toy and they can afford the up to $4,000 testing cost without signifigant loss. Now take the WAHM (work at home mom) or Grandma who is selling toys or clothes she makes (most likely purchased from materials sold in the US!) online or at the local craft fair. Can Grandma Betty making children's dresses afford to pay to test the fabric, the buttons or snaps, the zippers of the dresses she makes. Remember the testing is per batch. So if she makes twenty of the same dress then test one, but if she makes twenty dresses of different fabric she needs to test them all. Bye bye handmade toys and clothes.

A second part of this law applies to current inventory. When February 10th rolls around what was on the shelf Feb 9th becomes a banned hazardous material unless it has been tested and meets the new requirements. Think off all the businesses who are going to be bankrupt. Think of the landfills.

This new law will close thousands of businesses here in America while the businesses that manufacture out of the country (made in China) are going to be just fine.

Please contact your representatives and congress men/women! There are many sites out there with form letters to email but if you can call and make your voice heard.

Some Articles and Sites for more info:
The Smart Mama
National Bankruptcy Day

Stranded in Astoria

2008-12-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

In July we decided to take a day trip to Astoria, OR. Coming over one of the last hills into Astoria the van started to make a horrible noise, we were losing power and the car was barely accelerating. We pulled into a gas station that was a little scary looking and the man said he could maybe fix it but we could also try another mechanic in town. Hoping and praying we would make it, we went 10 blocks down the road to the other mechanic. He told us the he no longer does major engine work and to head 10 blocks down the road to the dealership. Okay, with the car barely making it and afraid that it would die at stoplights we went 10 more blocks down the road. We arrived at the dealership to find them closed for three days because they were moving. We turned back and went to the closest thing we found which, to the delight of the kids, happened to be a McDonalds. As we had just had some major work done Joe called the mechanic here in Vancouver who put us on the phone with Chris. Can I just say Chris is awesome. We have been to Dick Hannah to get some work done and Chris is the mechanic on our "team". They divide customers up into teams that get color names. Our team is the "green team". How funny is that. Okay back to the story. Chris was amazing. He took so much time to try and find us a rental car and a tow truck. Sadly the only rental car large enough for us and the 4 car seats was in of all places Vancouver. We chose to get a hotel for the night and Chris was sending a tow truck in the morning to pick up Joe and the van. Joe would then get the rental and come back to Astoria. We decided to make a trip of it and stayed for several days. It was a nice vacation.

Our "home" for several hours.

Our very patient kids who sat and played in the car for hours while we made phone call after phone call to sort this out.

No they were not confined to their seats for hours just when we needed to know they were not running around. :)

The hotel sign.

The small beach in front of our hotel

Exhausted first night!

When Joe was getting the rental van the kids and I took the trolley around town.

The trolley.

It was foggy and cold but so much fun.

Indiana Joe

Exploring the shipwreck

More shipwreck

The kids built a sandcastle

The two water lovers.

One of the beaches we visited.

Sunset from our room.

Jumping in the hotel pool

I did it!

We went to dinner at a pirate restaurant.

Stopping to nurse Nomy on the way out of town to head home. We made it all of 15 blocks before we had to stop. lol

The kids playing while they waited.

I cannot say enough nice things about Dick Hannah Service Department. They went out of their way to make sure we had a rental van that worked for our family size. Since the item that broke was inside of (or near it, not sure?) something they had just repaired. They were unsure whether it just wore out or if something happened when they serviced it. They paid the entire bill for the rental (for a week!), the towing, and we were charged nothing for the repair even though it was not certain they made an error. We did not even have to ask for this. I have to say that was very good customer service. Yes I know dealers are more expensive but the customer service we have recieved from Chris, the green team, and the other staff at Dick Hannah has made us loyal customers.

An update for July

2008-12-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

I am so behind in blogging here are some random photos from July:

Kids on the roof.

Michael made a volcano.

We went to the Ape Caves

The Ape caves were a lot of fun. We did not make it to the end as the kids were cold (and a bit afraid of the dark).

Cookies!!!

2008-12-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

The first annual MDC Holiday Cookie Exchange and MNO was a great success! Despite horrible, icy (very un PNW like weather) several mamas were able to make it (and several were missed). We gathered, sans kids, and ate, drank, and traded cookies. 8 moms, lots of appetizers, and about 32 dozen cookies made for a very fun night.

The cookie table

Again the cookies. :)

Individual cookie pictures. I would post what they are but well I can't remember all of them.

Sorry no people pictures I was too busy eating and chatting. We planned on a group shot when Joe got home to take it but well we forgot. LOL.

More Eggs!

2008-10-23T21:34:00.001-07:00

No pictures as Madeline and Michael ate them as soon as they were laid. We got another egg the day after the first one, Tuesday. Then no eggs the next day. Today we got two eggs! One cream colored/pinkish egg and later in the day a brown speckled egg. So pretty! I think that the two that are laying are buttbeak (a Polish) and one of "the twins" a Rhode Island Red.

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath

2008-10-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

I can't figure out how to do the you tube on the blog thing but I really like this song and wanted to share it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ

Look what we found!!!!

2008-10-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

No idea who laid it but YAY EGGS!!! There was nothing this morning and then Joe found this when he went to give them water this evening. It was right there by the waterer.

Isn't it pretty. The pic is not the best. It was a beautiful cream color.

Fried egg with dinner (tacos) LOL

Watching it cook, she did not want to share it at all but managed to give the other two a bite.

It is now safe to say that one of the eight chickens will not become soup. It has been a long wait for this. Can't wait for the next one!

Prayers please

2008-10-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

Joe called me this morning at 7 am. Why was he calling me at 7 am? To tell me he drove himself to the ER at 2 am and was going in to surgery at 7:30. He did not want to wake me up! He is fine and recovering now from having his gall bladder removed. Please pray for a speedy recovery. He is in a lot of pain but hopefully will be discharged soon.

Sewing Alley is up and running!

2008-10-08T22:55:00.001-07:00

Check out my new website and tell me what you think. It is still under construction so expect some changes in the future.

http://www.sewingalley.com/

Small Update

2008-09-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

Very busy lately, no time for a big picture update. :( In fact I don't even think I have downloaded pictures since the last picture update. double :(

Nomy is crawling! ACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. I need a magic broom and mop. With 3 other kids the floor seems to be littered with legos, marbles, small paper scraps, tape, beads, and all sorts of wonderful items that Nomy just happens to enjoy gumming on. A day does not go by without her gagging on something.

Madeline started her two resource classes at Home Choice Academy. She chose Messy Science with a WOW and World Crafts this semester. She goes on Thursday afternoons and also takes PE on Mondays. She still reads daily and I think her current book is The Wizard of OZ.

Michael started taking PE with Madeline through HCA this year. The first 45 mins is swimming with the next 45 minutes is gym time. He is still really into Mario party and Mario Kart and asks to play them daily. He has also been showing a little interest in writing and we help when he asks.

Marah is well still Marah. She is now not only beating on kids her own size but picking on the smaller ones as well. Makes playdates really fun. Her language has really taken off lately and its nice to be able to understand whole sentences. She amazes me daily.

Joe is doing well. In your thoughts and prayers please think CAP TEAM, CAP TEAM, CAP TEAM, CAP TEAM, CAP TEAM, CAP TEAM!!!!!!!!

I am also doing well. I actually sewed something the other day. It has been 7 months since I last made anything and oh did it feel nice. I had not used my machine since I had it serviced and wow it is so smooth now. I made Madeline a new school bag and have several skirts cut and ready next time I have a chance. Seriously thinking about restarting my hyena cart soon. As you can see it says will re open in April or May. Ummm yeah what was I thinking?

We have been reading HP out load together and are on book 3. It is so fun to re read it with Madeline. She gets so excited and the other day said that the books have more texture than the movies. LOL.

Okay must make dinner...

Check It Out!!

2008-09-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

On September 16, 2008 my friend Jessie will reopen her awesome Hyenacart, Monkey Dance. Jessie is momma to four of the greatest kids and an amazing seamstress. I love, love, love the diapers she makes. Her taste in fabrics and color choices is awesome as well. So need some diapers, a really cool bag, or some of the cutest kids clothes out there? Check her out and support a wonderful WAHM while you get some great stuff in the process.

http://hyenacart.com/monkeydance/

Naomi's Birth Slideshow

2008-08-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

WARNING: To family and Joe's Co-workers. This video contains nudity. If you do not wish to see breasts, a vagina, birth, and the bodily fluids associated with birth then do not click play. If you do then consider yourself warned. :)

Picture Update

2008-07-20T22:33:00.001-07:00

Maddy took this of Nomy.

She loves her ice cream cones

Bath time LOL

Gotta love how Marah gets in the pool.

From the garden

Michel is obsessed with volcanoes and made this one out of playdough and rocks.

Had to take a pic of nomy in Joe's favorite diaper before she grows out of it. Our friend Breanna made it.

Marah chicken watching. Coop is almost done (we hope)

More swimming

4th of July. Maddy loves sparklers.

Joe went a tad overboard. Marah and Nomy slept through it all and Michael fell asleep in my lap.

Nomers!

Cooling off

Drooling like mad!! Teeth soon I think.

Watching Daddy set off a firework just for her before bed.

Sleep, it was good while it lasted

2008-07-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

I am elated to say that Nomy slept through the night for 4 straight days. Oh how wonderful it felt to sleep for more than two hours. My body did not know what to do with itself. "What is this? I'm fully rested." Now "night" is from about 11pm to 6am (when she wakes, nurses, and goes back to bed till about 9 am) but still thats 7 hours! Pretty good for 4 months. I am saddened to say that it was good while it lasted. However, when I woke in the wee dark hours of the morning (so dark that you don't even want to look at the clock) I was grateful that we co sleep and breastfeed. I rolled over to feed her and was back to sleep before she was done. For all I know she nursed all night to make up for the four day break. LOL.

Pictures soon, really I promise.

Some Nomy Photos

2008-07-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

A small update as the camera battery is dead so I can't upload the pics right now.

We made lunches for the homeless last month. 20 lunches total. 40 sandwiches, cookies, chips, water, fruit, granola bars, socks. The kids made the plan of what to put in them and we drove around and handed them out.

Lots of Nomy. She is rolling tummy to back and back to tummy. Giggling all the time. She is one laid back baby and tolerates a lot. Madeline seems to think she enjoys going into her room. Nomy will be on the floor looking at something and next thing I know Maddy is taking her into her bedroom to "play". LOL.

Maddy has been taking videos lately. I found this one in there. :)

Okay there will be more photos soon. I realized I have no recent ones of the other kids posted. Will get those up in a day or so. :)

Pushed

2008-07-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished the best book about birth I have ever read, Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern maternity Care by Jennifer Block. I've read a lot on birth, pregnancy, and postpartum so for this book to stand out so much to me is amazing. I think that this book should be read by every woman who has had children, plans to become pregnant or is pregnant, and even women who don't plan on having children. It is wonderfully written and covers every topic from the episiotomy to the cesarean to homebirth and VBAC. It speaks of a womans right to choose to have a elective cesarean to those that are denied their basic rights by being denied a VBAC. It tells the history of birth and how things have so drastically changed yet in 2006 our maternal mortality rate has risen.

While other books such as How To Be a Good Patient, Uhh I mean What to Expect When You Are Expecting, have nice little monthly charts about your growing baby but glosses over the major issues we as women are facing when we enter a labor and delivery unit. Pushed gives evidence based information on topics. We need to hear that cesareans can cause hemorrhage and infections. That your layers of skin can stick together causing adhesions and that adhesions can cause pelvic pain and infertility. That having a cesarean if you want more children may not be the way to go. That in subsequent pregnancies your uterus can rupture and the scar can interfere with the placenta. Miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies are more common in women with with scarred uteri. That placental abruption is twice as likely after just one cesarean. That placenta previa, accretia, increta, and percreta are horrible complications that can result in blood transfusions and sometimes hysterectomy and that such complications have risen 30-fold in the last 30 years. In the 70's the cesarean rate hovered around 5% in 2006 the rate was 31.1%. Coincidence?

We need to hear that inductions have side effects. That Pitocin can cause hyperstimulation of the uterus. It also does not cross the blood-brain barrier so the emotional release that oxytocin gives us during birth is not there. It also signals the body to stop producing oxytocin. That cytotec is not labeled for use in pregnant women. It can cause uterine rupture in women with unscarred uteri and the FDA issued an alert about its use with pregnant women. Yet physicians have used and continue to use it off label because it is a quick and cheap way to induce labor.

That due dates are a guess. They are not set in stone. 38 to 42 weeks (sometimes longer!) is normal. The average length of pregnancy for first time mothers is 41 weeks 1 day. The average, which means many women went past 41 weeks. That ultrasounds are not 100% accurate at estimating size and can be off on dates later in pregnancy.

We need to hear this information and much more because our doctors sure are not telling us. These are our bodies and our babies.

From Pushed:
"Our country has created a mythology of women who are irresponsible and don't care," says Paltrow. "We talk about welfare queens, and crack moms, and murderous women who have abortions." A culture that allows such language to permeate our national subconscious inevitably dehumanizes all women, including mothers. Lyon argues that this thinking perpetuates a phrase often invoked in exam rooms and delivery rooms: The goal is to have a healthy baby. "This phrase is used over and over and over to shut down women's requests," she says. "The context needs to be the goal is a healthy mom. Because mothers never make decisions without thinking about that healthy baby. And to suggest otherwise is insulting and degrading and disrespectful."

What's best for women is best for babies. And what's best for women and babies is minimally invasive births that are physically, emotionally, and socially supported. This is not the experience that most women have. In the age of evidence-based medicine, women need to know that standard American maternity care is not primarily driven by their health and well-being or by the health and well-being of their babies. Care is constrained and determined by liability and financial concerns, by providers licensing regulations and malpractice insurer. The evidence often has nothing to do with it.

Because I feel the need to post this I am. LOL. I have read this article so many times I cannot even count. I think everyone should read it. Birth is such a major life changing experience we as women have. It is our birth into motherhood. Our births should be wonderful, joyous experiences yet so many women get far from that. Studies show that women remember their births years and years later. We should be allowed our feelings no matter what they are and no matter what the outcome of the birth. A healthy baby does not guarantee a healthy (physically and emotionally) mom. You Should Be Grateful.

Next I think I will read Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First. It has been sitting unread on my bookshelf nestled between Spiritual Midwifery and Silent Knife for too long.

Welcome Rowan Asher!!!

2008-06-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for my friend A, her DH J, and DD L. They welcomed a beautiful boy into the world on Saturday. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

A wordy update

2008-06-17T22:36:00.000-07:00

Blogger is acting weird with pictures and I do not feel like dealing with it so you get a wordy update. Grammatical errors and all since as Joe puts it I write conversationally. LOL.

Big news is we are getting chickens! I am so excited. Joe not so much but he is excited that the kids are. We asked the landlord even though our lease says no pets and he said yes. He asked us to check with the neighbors first and they were fine with it. We are thinking 8 chickens. No roosters inside city limits though. To cut costs I found 2 dog houses on Craigslist, one for free and the other only $10. Our wonderful, lovely friend L and her husband E picked them up for us with her dads truck. THANK YOU!!! Now to figure out how to attach them together and build the run.

Michael has gotten hives again. Marah also had some hives last week. They did not have them at the same time so unrelated incidences. We are thinking about allergy testing for both of them. Marah because of her ears and Michael because well he is just so darn sensitive to everything. I don't know though since they are both so young. I just don't want to put them through that.

Madeline is doing well. She chose her classes at HCA next year. World Crafts again and Messy Science. In science they are doing plant hydroponics. How cool is that! Both kids will take PE through HCA at the YMCA. They will get swim lessons the first hour and gym/group sports the second hour.

Marah is very two still. She scared the childcare workers at church last week. She actually let me leave her and well was fine for all of two minutes. She them backed herself into a corner screaming and tried to hit anyone who came near her. Needless to say she will be staying with us for a while longer. I am also looking for a babysitter for Bible study as two weeks ago she picked up a chair and smashed some little kid over the head with it. Sigh... Joe and I have been talking and someone suggested that maybe she just gets overwhelmed in groups. Thinking about it she is most aggressive when we are out with large groups of kids/people. So for a while (this to shall pass right?) we will try and keep her out of those situations unless there will be someone who can keep and eye on her closely.

Nomy is getting so big. She is laughing, smiling, and trying to roll over. Madeline has taken to her and is constantly asking to pick her up. Several times I catch her taking her into her room so they can "play". LOL.

Work is good for Joe. He is super busy, as always. I on the other hand have started to hate his phone. I want to flush it down the toilet or throw it off a bridge. Not sure which would be more fun. There are lots of bridges in Portland I am sure one of them would do sufficient damage. He really does have a great job though. He is blessed to be one of the few people in this world that is actually doing what he enjoys. For that I am grateful. He is planning to take some time off in July so he can help out at the church's summer camp and also to go hiking with Brian on Mount St. Helens.

I am doing well. I have been feeling really well and have so much more energy than I did a few months ago. The laundry is still Mount Klemz on a daily basis and Joe has threatened to go buy more underwear. :) I did my first custom order for Sewing Alley recently. Someone I know in PDX gave a friend my contact info and I made her two eye spy bags. It was so fun so sew again after such a long break. I really over extended myself in December. I had so much sewing to do that I was really not enjoying it as much. But my machine is out now and I am trying to get more time to sew. I am reading a great book called Pushed. Its about birth (of course) and I am really enjoying it.

L and E thanks again!

B and M update your blog! Maddy is begging to read more. Can't wait to see you!

A Poem by Peggy Omara

2008-06-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

I read this on someone's blog the other day. Had to share.

There Will Be Time
There is time still
for sitting in cafes
in Paris
sipping wine.
Time still
for going to meet
the guru.
There is time still.
Now I am caring for eternity.
Carrying bodies soft with sleep
to beds of flowered
quilts and pillows.
Answering cries deep out of
nighttime fears.
Buckling shoes.
Opening doors.
Pretending.
My soul now is dwelling in
the house of tomorrow.
Tomorrow there will be time
for long leisurely conversations,
for poems to write,
and dances to perform.
Time still.
So I surrender now
to them and this,
knowing it is they
who will teach me
how to do it all.

Peggy O'Mara

MDC Vancouver Spring Picnic

2008-06-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

June 1st we went to the MDC Vancouver Spring Picnic. We all had a blast. It was chilly but luckily did not rain. We hope to plan another one for August.

Building a fire.

Michael

Sweet girl

The playground

Madeline

Our picnic shelter

Blowing bubbles

Madeline liked these flowers.

Playing in the river.

J holding baby Nomy.

Digging in the sand

Rock throwing

Walking on all the trails

J and A

M and some of the kids by the fire.

BBQing

Mmmm yummy.

Darn it won't all fit.

Nomy

Tree climbing

Wall climbing

R, H, and Joe on the playground.

Nomy's FIRST Laugh

2008-06-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

And I caught it on video!!!

Umm Okay

2008-06-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

What we saw when we woke up this morning.

What is it?

Apparently something had a problem with our pool noodles.

An investigation!

A suspect!

We went out to explore this morning to see if we could figure out who/what had done it. Some of the ideas were:
The cat
A opossum
A large Daddy squeezed the stuffing out of his kids
A bear jumped on our roof and into the backyard
A woodpecker
A snake

We have ruled out 3, 4, 5, and 6. Number 1 is unlikely. The bite marks are too big and he gets a bit freaked out when in the area of the noodles. There were no footprints. The only other clue is a smell in the area. The kids have decided it was a opossum because it smells just like it did when we trapped one a few months ago. Protect your pool noodles!

Star Wars, Blue Dye, and Salt

2008-06-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

Not so many pictures to catch up on but I do need to some of Nomy up here soon.

Michael is obsessed with Star Wars. He has seen part of it and most of the battle scenes. He also loves his Star Wars Legos. Not a day goes by that they don't have a battle.

Salt water painting. The water evaporates and leaves the colored salt behind.

Marah eating paint.

Marah's picture.

Madeline took these pictures while I dyed Michael's mohawk. He requested green but they did not have any so he picked blue.

Madeline is becoming quite the baker. She made this bread the other day while I was mowing the lawn. She came out to ask one question and by the time I was done the bread was rising. It was the best bread I have ever had! She loves to go through the cookbook looking for new recipes to try.

Significance

2008-05-30T14:16:00.001-07:00

I started reading the book for bible study while I was putting Marah down for a nap today. Although I have only finished one chapter it is JUST what I need. Lately I have been feeling a bit down and really struggling. Adding Naomi to our family has really thrown me into a funk. Not a postpartum depression funk just a how do I get it all done, how come everyone else can do it, what is my purpose here? kind of funk. I have been getting upset and irritated with the smallest things the kids do and overall been a grouch. I have noticed it and have just been at a loss as to why I feel this way.

Lately I have not really been one to read, when do I have time I would think. I'm too tired at night and find it almost impossible to remember what I have read when the kids are running around me. When I went to nurse Marah down for her nap I took my book with me. It was quiet and I made it almost through chapter one. I was so interested and wanting to finish that I grabbed my book, a notebook, and my bible and sent the older ones outside. I sat down at the table and finished chapter one. This book is exactly what I need. So many times while reading I have been nodding or thinking YES that is how I feel right now!

Chapter one is titled Decide to Decide. I know it sounds so self help like doesn't it. LOL

Here are some things that caught my eye:

When you live your life accidentally, just meandering along, don't be surprised if your life becomes an accident. Drifting produces depressing results. Neglect relationships, and you'll see people walking away from you; neglect personal growth, and you'll see others pass you up on the ladder to success; neglect your health, and you'll see your energy and vitality diminish. To not decide is to decide, but often the results are tragic. Instead, decide that today you will see life through new eyes.

I needed a new mirror because my expectations, others' expectations of me, and God's expectations all seemed to be jumbled up together.

My mirror was so warped that when I sat down to think and plan, my list grew; when others talked with me, my list grew; and even when I read the Bible, my list grew. Sometimes I felt as though God were making my to-do list longer and longer. Because my perspective was so distorted, I thought God's expectations of me were impossible to fulfill. I found myself consistently angry with Him, even though I knew He loved me.

The bigger question is: Why do we as women feel bad about ourselves when we see a woman using her God-given gifts and talents well? Why do we sometimes feel that if we are not doing the same thing in the same way, we must be a failure? Why do some of us fall into a pattern of jealousy or, worse, apathy, if our life isn't what we see in other' lives? Decide to decide that you will not fall prey to the negative but rather to choose to make some positive changes to gain the life you have always dreamed of, or, better yet, the one God has dreamed up for you!

God's view of you is concrete. Genuine significance is rooted and grounded in Him.

When I see myself through His eyes, I realize my value. I am nothing more than a woman saved by His grace, but I am nothing less than a new creation.

As I see myself from God's point of view, the pieces fall together easier because God holds the box top to the puzzle. He already sees the completed picture of me and my life. My relationship with Him is the key that unlocks the puzzle's solution.

You Are...
The salt of the earth, the light of the world Mathew 5:13-14
More valuable than birds Luke 12:24
In Me and I in you John 14:20; 17:21
Already clean John 15:3
The branches John 15:5
Heirs of the prophets and of the covenant Acts 3:25
Servants of the Most High Acts 16:17
Called Romans 1:6-7
Weak in your natural selves Romans 6:19
Still worldly 1 Corinthians 3:2-4
God's fellow workers, God's field, and Gods building 1 Corinthians 3:9
God's temple 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Strong, honored 1 Corinthians 4:10
A temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19
Standing, firm 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Part of the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:27
A letter from Christ 2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Christ's ambassador 2 Corinthians 5:20
Sons of God Galatians 3:26
Abraham's seed Galatians 3:28-29
Sons, an heir Galatians 4:6-10
Children of the promise Galatians 4:27-28
Fellow citizens and members of God's household Ephesians 2:19
Children of the light Ephesians 5:8
Standing firm 1 Thessalonians 3:8
Sons of the light and sons of the day 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
Slow to learn Hebrews 5:11
Mist James 4:14
Living stones 1 Peter 2:5
A chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation 1 Peter 2:9-10
Daughters of Sarah 1 Peter 3:6

New Bible Study

2008-05-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I noticed a new women's Bible study starting up at church. I have been feeling a need to be with other women of faith and this jumped out at me. Honestly I have been very discouraged lately with doing anything. Marah will not let us leave her with anyone and even though childcare is provided I did not think I would be able to actually attend. The last mom's group at church I called said that kids were not allowed at all in with the group when I asked if Marah could attend with me if she was quiet. While I understood why I was still upset. What are moms who have clingy attached children to do? Well it took me two weeks of a daily voice in my head telling me to call until I finally did. I spoke with Susan over the phone who said that we would just see what happens with Marah and go from there. I was so excited!

Fast forward one week and Marah gets pink eye (UGH!) I did not think I would be able to attend when Joe said "Call your Mom." I said no, she won't want to drive all the way down here that early. She is almost 2 hours away and I needed to leave at 8:45 am. God is really telling me something here because my mom said yes I wanted to come down sometime this week anyway. I had the best time. We just talked about the book are going to be reading, The 10 Best Decisions a Woman an Make: Finding Your Place in God's Plan, getting to know everyone, and praying. I am so glad I was able to go.

The following week Marah for the first time EVER let me leave her in childcare. You must be thinking you have never left her? The only times I have ever left Marah are with Joe, with my mom, and twice with my friend Leslie who the kids adore. So no I have never left her with a stranger or in any kind of childcare at all. She usually freaks out. At church we spend the time watching the service in the parents room where they televise it. She stayed the entire two and a half hours and did not cry once. In fact when I dropped her off and said goodbye she was kind of like yeah whatever I am playing kitchen. I am so excited. It was so amazing to talk about the book (which also happens to be just what I needed but that needs a post just for itself) with all the other women. I love hearing everyone's thoughts as there is such a wide range of ages in the women in the group. We are all at such a different part of life but we can all come together and relate to each other, talk about God and pray together.

LIFE is Good!

2008-05-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

Oh what an amazing four days! The LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference started on Thursday May 22nd and ended on Sunday May 25th. I went into this not really knowing what to expect. How does one attend a conference with little ones in tow? Would we even be able to see any of the speakers?

We did not get to see as many speakers as we originally planned but it was an amazing experience. The kids had a blast at the many Funshops. Joe attended SSUDS, The Secret Society of Unschooling Dads, and a few other presentations. I was able to attend a birth circle chat and a circle chat called Talking With Relatives. We managed the entire conference with only a few minor meltdowns, a few from the kids (mostly from exhaustion) and one from me after trying to chase the wild and crazy Marah around and hold the baby while Joe attended SSUDS.

It was wonderful to be in such a large group of people where everyone was respected, including children. The interactions between the kids (of all ages) were kind. There was no age segregation. I watched teens show younger kids how to play games and kids of all ages play gently with babies and toddlers. The energy was amazing.

I came away from this conference fully believing that what we are doing is right for our family. Child led learning, Life Learning, Unschooling whatever you want to call it. It was great to see all of the kids at various ages and see that it does work. I am energized and exhausted all at the same time. We are already looking forward to LIFE is Good 2009! I am sure I will have more to say later but my mind is still whirling.

Some pictures:

Balloon Sword Maddness

Daddy painted Marah's face at the tattoo funshop.

Mommy and Marah walking the halls.

Not really a conference photo. On the way back from lunch one day there were two ducks using the crosswalk, they even waited until the light changed to walk. They did not quite make it in time and were to scared to move. The finally flew away after the car honked several times.

The kids participated in Fairy Godparents. Everyone draws a name and keeps it secret. For the duration of the conference you do nice, fun things for your God child. At the end you can reveal who you are or keep it a secret forever. Everyone who draws a God Child is also drawn by someone else. The kids had a blast picking flowers, drawing pictures, and doing things in secret for their fairy God children.

They also enjoyed receiving things from their secret God parents. Michael's left him things on our hotel door and he was always super excited. Madeline wondered the whole conference who hers was. :)

Some of the things they made for their God children.

Popsicle stick puzzles

The opening band on concert night. They are a group of unschoolers who live in Portland. Amazing!

The bridge

While Joe was in SSUDS the kids and I walked up to Ester Short Park. It was nice and sunny for the first time that weekend so we played in the fountain.

Some of the cars in the parking lot.

Okay so I may have gone a tad overboard with the car pictures. There were some GREAT bumperstickers. :)

Campfire songs funshop

Playing in the lobby

Playing DDR in the game room.

Madeline with Mary the conference diva (organizer). Maddy was also Mary's Fairy God Parent.

The barefoot boogie on the last night.

Is Your LIFE Good?

2008-05-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

This week we will attend our first unschooling conference. I am so excited! Michael can talk of nothing but a funshop called Up, Up, and Away and the Star Wars Battle. In fact today he told me "Mom I don't know how to choose." "Choose what?" I said "Which one to do, Up and Away or Battling." It took me a minute to realize he thought he only was able to do one thing at the conference. When I told him that the conference is for 4 days he was so excited. I wish I could post a picture of his face when I said he gets to do both and more too. Madeline is so excited about several of the fun shops and hanging out with tons of other kids. I will definitely be posting to the blog with pictures when we recuperate.

We have worms, hives, and other things.

2008-05-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Once again a months worth of photos to catch you up. I am amazed that I am getting this done in the middle of the day. Madeline is reading (as usual, I actually had to make her go outside earlier), Michael and Marah are outside with a spray bottle of water, and Naomi is cooing away at a cow toy hanging off the baby chair. I am eating bites of cupcake while I type in hopes that no one notices and then I have to share.

Sweet smiles. Nomy (yes I wrote Nomy and not Naomi.) Marah cannot say Naomi and Nomy has kind of stuck.
Michael is REALLY into legos. He will build and build for hours on end. This is a robot.

We went to Grandma Evelyn's. Meeting Great Grandma for the first time.

And those of you that know Grandma know she does not like having her picture taken twice.

Much less three times. See the eye? Its saying do it again I dare you.

I love Grandma's Tulips. I had hoped they would be in bloom at our wedding but it was still a little early.

The trees are in bloom.

At Grandma Karen's. Madeline is having a tea party.

Michael is building. Grandma has a large container full of toys and mini tools the kids get to play with when they come and visit.

Marah playing.

Madeline took some pictures of Skookum. He has one blue eye, its really pretty.

The best thing ever. All FOUR kids fell asleep for the entire drive home ( 1 and 1/2 hours). The drive home usually consists of a small nap and then lots of screaming the rest of the trip. This was heaven.

Grandma Melody came to visit and meet Nomy.

And yes Nomy has a "Got Breastmilk" shirt too. :)

Madeline asked me to curl her hair with rollers.

The results.

Marah really enjoys kitchen and set this table for Daddy.

The ant hill after 12 hours.

The kids tell me the ants are having a meeting here.

After 3 days.

The lady bugs.

We planted the garden. Green beans, snow peas, corn, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, onions, radishes, strawberries. Madeline planted a flower garden and Michael planted several giant pumpkins.

She is getting so big!

I have to say I love prefolds.

Leslie made this soaker for Nomy. It is so cute!

In World Crafts (her Friday class) they learned about Korea. Madeline has eaten with her chopsticks every chance she gets.

Michael has hives. Well had hives. The Dr. thinks it is a food allergy but there is no way to tell what right now. He has a hyper immune system or something like that. He is also allergic to mosquitoes and amoxicillan.

We have worms! Two lbs of Red Worms to be exact.

Our vermicomposter being set up.

Red wigglers.

I managed to eat my cupcake and now must go make dinner.

Have you been denied a VBAC?

2008-04-17T15:55:00.000-07:00

Below is a cut and paste from the ICAN of Portland yahoo group I am on. I had a cesarean at a hospital (Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, WA) that is now banning VBAC's. Had Michael been conceived a few months later I would most likely have had a second cesarean instead of the wonderful VBAC I was "allowed" to have. I know far to many women who are struggling to find a place to birth their baby. If you have been denied a VBAC because of a VBAC ban please contact Pam. Her information is below.

"I have a lawyer who will help us challenge the VBAC bans at hospitals in the following states: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho.
She is looking for women who have been denied a VBAC or are being told right now that they can't VBAC.
Please contact me at: president@ican-online.org if you or someone you know are in this position. If you have local email lists, you may post this on them.
Thanks,
Pam Udy
--
ICAN President
www.ican-online.org"

Its Official

2008-04-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

I have been asked a lot of different questions and heard quite a few comments regarding the kids. I have heard "Wow you have your hands full", the irritating "Your oldest looks nothing like you", and I have even heard (when Madeline was a baby) "Wow you were just the incubator weren't you?" I always nod or smile or say whatever is appropriate to be polite and try not to show my complete frustration for these people who I know are just trying to be friendly. Well today I heard "Are they ALL yours?" And all was said in a long drawn out way because oh my gosh no one has four kids thats just wayyyyyy to many. So its official I am the mom of many. I responded to the man who asked the above question with a smile and "yes all mine" as I tried to cross the parking lot at OMSI today. He was still standing there going on when I got to the other side and we smiled at him as we tried to make it to our car. Which is quite a feat when the parent/child ratio at the time was 1 to 4.

So here is our day. I am rather proud to say that I (BY MYSELF!!!) managed to get all four kids ready (minus Michael's shirt somehow he only had on a hooded sweatshirt???), load up the car, the diaper bag, and go to OMSI. We only stayed for about 3 hours but the kids had a blast. We spent the first hour or two in the Children's play area. Maddy and Michael just roam to whatever section they want to and check in with me when they go to a new one. Madeline painted, played with water, went in the sand area, and did play dough. Michael spent most of the time in the sand area and animal section. Marah ran wild and I ummm lost her twice. Do not try to put on one child's shoes because when you look up your two year old will have wandered off. You will then frantically scan the area wishing she was wearing a brightly colored shirt. Then do not set your bag down and try to get the baby latched on to eat because once again your two year old will be all the way across the room before you can blink your eyes. So we survived the children's section with all four kids still alive, the baby actually fed and changed, and my pants all wet. Third tip of the day: do not help your son put on a smock at the water table because when you turn your head your two year old will pour an entire watering can of water down your leg. You will then walk around looking like you peed yourself while the other parents look at you really strange. Cause you know they have one child and this just does not happen to them. LOL. But in all honestly it was a great day. We explored, the kids played and I even got to talk to two other moms. Yes TWO conversations with adults, I am on a roll. One mom we happened to follow everywhere somehow and the other who put Marah's smock on for me since my hands were full. Actually thinking about it three conversations if you count the one where I apologize over and over for dripping pink paint down some little boys head. Yep you read it right I did it. This child now has pink streaks in his blond hair, when I tried to wipe it out it just kind of spread everywhere.

Thank you Grandma Karen for the OMSI membership!

Its a bird.
Marah built this out of wooden blocks. I love these blocks and really wish we had some at home.

A painting. She also painted a paper plate snake.

Next was the dinosaur exhibit. We had not seen it yet and the kids thought it was really cool. I can't wait to go back with Joe so that I can maybe look at some of it too. :)

Michael is hiding from the T-Rex. It roars and scares him half to death.

Marah loves the T-Rex and roars back at him.

They dug for fossils.

Look closely. Do you see it? I did not even notice until I looked at this photo. My 7 year old is stealing a little boys paint brush. Sigh...

New Bedrooms

2008-04-11T09:15:00.001-07:00

Joe and I decided Madeline needed her own space. Michael and Marah tend to destroy her projects. So Madeline is now in the craft room. I decluttered so much stuff in there. I am amazed at how nice it looks now. All paints, glues, glitter, clay, etc moved to a shelf in the laundry room. We left the home school books, paper, pens, and other craft items.

Her bed. The first morning she woke up in here she made her bed and tidied before anyone else was even awake.

Reading couch

Poster

Her sewing desk. We moved her machine to a shelf in the closet so she has an area for other work too.

All her favorites

The shelves

The bottom of the closet is toys and the top of the closet is craft stuff and games.

Michael's room

His bed
They still share a dresser and the closet in here.

Spiderman room

Toy shelf

He was not so sure about sleeping in his own room the first night. Now he is really excited to make his room his own.

Our tribe (minus one)

2008-04-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago I was talking with Joe about how people are not meant to live so isolated. We are meant to live with other families. To have a community of mothers, fathers, grandparents, children. Mothers need support, as do fathers. Kids need to be able to learn things from other generations. What has happened to our society that this isolation has now become the norm?

I told him that I think Bryan and Marni are "our tribe". He told me that the "tribe" part was a bit too crunchy and don't tell them that. LOL. Of course its one of the first things I told Marni when she came to visit this week. And you know what she agreed.

Marni and the girls stopped by for the night on their way to her mothers in Oregon. It was so nice to be with such good friends again. I know Joe missed Bryan and wishes he could have come too (darn jobs!). The kids had a blast. Now to convince them to move...

Marni and Isabelle

The kids

My future daughter in law.

The girls

Marah's Birthday

2008-04-10T21:08:00.001-07:00

Madeline decorated
Michael made her a gift

Madeline made her a doll from a pattern she created herself.

Two years old!

Random Pictures

2008-04-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is a very picture heavy post. Catching up from the last month.

Easter Sunday at Church they did face painting at Kids World.

Sadly, this is what our kids now call snow.

Joe was gone one night and as I was putting Marah down there was some thunder. The kids were scared and asked to sleep in our bed. Later this is what I found.

Marah is upside down and Michael is in the side carred crib. LOL

The kids made a bug house.

We finally made it to Zenana Spa for our pedicures.

This is Marah saying "see, see, see." She has to see each picture as you take it.

Michael spent his birthday money on Legos.

Princess Marah. She brought me all this and HAD to have a snack.

So in love

Tandem nursing

Weighing Naomi at a home visit

Naomi Pics

2008-04-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Madeline took some of these photos.

Nope, no milk there
Big sister

Look at me

Footprints

Kisses (or slobber?)

Michael is so in love with Naomi. He will sit and talk with her forever.

She was 10 pounds 5 ounces last week. She is getting so big. I almost caught this smile on camera!

Michael's Birthday

2008-04-10T20:01:00.001-07:00

Michael's (actual) Birthday.

He's FIVE!

Madeline made him a blanket.

Movie!

Thanks Grandma Karen.

He bought an Ant hill.

They had a special if you bought three so I contributed a bit.

Add these to the two preying mantis egg cases (if they hatch) still in the aquarium and our house is going to be full of BUGS!