Erin and Justin

Erin's wanted photos as a couple for a few months. Justin didn't grow up in my house so he is not used to having a camera in his face. Needless to say, he was a bit reluctant to play along. I am beyond happy with the results. I laughed so hard with these two, my head was splitting by the end. They are hilarious.

 

 

Keeping it real:

He says he is being Erin

He insists this should be my Christmas card photo.

Justin claims New York will be calling any day now that he is "blog famous" and obviously has modeling talent. His ego is the perfect match to Erin's. Lord help us all.

Clifty Falls

Greg and I took the kids to Madison, Indiana today. We hiked a trail in Clifty Falls and enjoyed a playground too. Afterward, we investigated the historical downtown area. As luck would have it, we stumbled into a chili cook-off and beer festival. The crowd wasn't rowdy but it wasn't exactly what we were looking to do today. We found a candy store where Kate and Ty scored lollipops, Greg chose a piece of chocolate dipped peanut butter fudge and I devoured a salted caramel chocolate. Oh my. After our sweet treat finds, coffee and tea were located for the scenic ride home. It was a peaceful day of togetherness.

Fall Break

We are half way through our fall break and Kate's bucket list. I allowed an afternoon with the easy bake oven on Tuesday. Three hours later we had this to show for it. She was delighted and I scored points for walking away from the red velvet mess without freaking out.

We attempted to paint pottery but discovered our local store was closed on the only free evening we had so we popped into Hobby Lobby and brought home some wooden figures Kate enjoyed painting the next day. She also attended a painting class at the community center this morning. She is pretty pleased with her creations.

We've tackled two parks but the cloudy skies have only allowed for us to see the lunar eclipse this week. We still hope to star gaze one night after a bonfire with smores. We're waiting on weather cooperation.

Ty still believes costumes are acceptable for every day wear. This week he was Captain America until I insisted we throw the outfit into the hamper. He is suddenly very interested in my laundry schedule. For Christmas he is asking Santa to bring Erin a Captain America costume too because he doesn't have enough money to buy her one. Captain America is Erin's favorite super hero. Lauren loves Ironman and Makenna wants to be Spiderman. Ty has interesting influences in his life.

Despite whatever positive message may be portrayed in superhero movies and cartoons, I am struggling with the exposure to violence. We've had lots of discussions about what is real in these movies. Monsters, zombies and ghosts, pronounced "ghost-es" are not real. However, this put me in an uncomfortable discussion with Kate who asked me out of the blue if fairies were real. I quickly answered that they weren't. She cocked an eyebrow and probed further. Is the tooth fairy real? Crap. I just stepped in it. I answered that I haven't personally seen any fairies and thought she was asking about Tinkerbell since Ty is always asking me about things he sees in his shows. Kate, ever perceptive Kate, looked at me and said, "if the tooth fairy isn't real then......" and stopped short. I am afraid the wonder of the upcoming season may be a little dampened this year. She didn't want to go there yet but in her mind, I am certain she already has. Ugh. It's hard to lose that magic in their innocent little eyes.

Being super is exhausting.

A Public Service Announcement

Attention Ladies. If you are in the 30-50 age bracket, I implore you to pay attention. We have for all too long tolerated being ignored by marketing departments everywhere. It seemed for years that once we were too old for the junior department, we were forced into the Alfred Dunner section. Finally, someone wised up and created Anne Taylor, Loft, New York and Co, White House Black Market, etc. We discovered tailored cuts, classic fabrics and basic styles that would flatter us. I learned to depend upon their advertising to suggest styles I may appreciate each season even though I tend to create most of my looks in consignment shops. That's just me being conservative while raising five kids who have at times been known to wipe their noses on me. But that's just me. I don't have to get too dressed up for this motherhood gig but every once in a while like to pretend I have a clue.

Anne and I attempted to shop for a pair of jeans yesterday. Jean shopping is never for the weak of heart but this experience was ridiculous. We are used to being frustrated once we enter the fitting room with dozens of different cuts and styles only to leave empty handed but yesterday, we entered one fitting room with one pair of last season's clearance jeans. We still left empty handed and I would like to show you why.

This happened:

And this:

I have no words:

Seriously? This was heavier than the quilt on my bed and would flatter no one.

What the what?

My husband had plans for this one but this is a family blog so I won't elaborate. Just trust that no one should be wearing this in public.

So here's what I suggest. Let's force these stores to make all the current styles next month's clearance and get back to drawing board. None of us should be wearing leopard print leggings with three inch heels like the commercial running for White House Black Market suggests. We don't need to dress like we are stuck in the 80's because let's face it, it really wasn't all that cute when were 17 either. Leg warmers were for dancing to Olivia Newton John's "Let's Get Physical" back when we believed it was a workout song, not for running to the grocery store. 

We do need to branch out beyond athletic pants and gym shoes but the reality is that we look less crazy in those than anything noted in store windows this weekend. Heck, I'd go back to mom jeans before wearing anything found in the mall at this point. I shall visit my favorite consignment shop, Mariposa in the morning for jeans. I just know someone out there has turned in something acceptable in exchange for Micheal Jackson's zippered pants.

Sunday Funday

This morning's sunrise

Me: How grown up are we pretending to be? Yoga pants, jeans, etc?
Anne: I don't know but given that Havana Rumba and then Cheesecake Factory are on the agenda, I am thinking anything I don't have to suck it in for sounds good.
Me: This is why we're friends.
Anne: Plus, let's face it. We're going to Walmart.
Me: Amen.

Anne and I were long overdue for sometime out together. We each also have one paycheck per month in our budgets and realized we are both two paychecks away from that dreaded holiday in December so we decided to get some shopping done together this weekend. Sunday was placed on the calendar and we protected it at all costs. We often find our plans foiled by husband's schedules and ornery kids.

We ate well, laughed a lot and in the end celebrated my grandma's birthday with her favorite dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. I am so grateful for Anne, happy memories of my Grandma and having a few items knocked off that silly Christmas list.

Saturday Ramblings

Kate needed my help. She wanted to wear a stylish jacket and blouse but needed pants that would look right but be stretchy enough to allow her to do the splits. This was a parenting first but we were able to avoid a fashion crisis. Thank God for leggings. She attended her first ever gymnastics class at a local community center this week. Half way through the class, her instructor requested Kate stay to check out the advanced course afterward. Kate was pretty pleased and worn out after two classes in one evening. It looks like we're committed to a later class than I wanted but Kate will be working on mastering the skills she hasn't figured out on her own in the back yard.

All I can say is that there is a reason these cats are pretty.

Friday I pulled Ty into the bathroom with me while I cleaned so Devyn could fall asleep at naptime. I handed Ty the toilet bowl brush. He eagerly cleaned and repeatedly exclaimed, "I can't believe you are letting me do this!"

Sunrise on a foggy morning this week.

My dad shared that Ty, who talks a mile a minute, stopped a one-sided conversation last weekend to explain to him that "twice means two times".  Grandpa was amused.

He's cute.

I had a birthday this week. I was pretty well loved on by friends and family. I heard from countless people and it was pretty sweet. I have a lot of awesome people in my life and feel rather blessed. Mom let Kate choose a card to give me and she was in charge of getting all her sibling's signatures while also keeping the card a secret until the big day. It was hilarious. She won't be pulling any top secret missions anytime soon since she was as subtle as a train wreck. She took her job seriously as even Justin signed the card "to the best mom on the planet".

We sent Makenna to Cape Cod for two weeks with a friend's family. She should be the most relaxed family member by the end of fall break. Kate sat down this morning and wrote a bucket list for our fall break. She hopes to go zip lining with me, paint pottery, star gaze, have smores by a bonfire, explore a new park and use her easy bake oven. Is it sad the only one making me cringe involves the easy bake oven?

The date. Justin and Erin have been officially a couple for ten months now. They have been looking seriously at their future and insisted both sets of parents spend time together. They forced a date upon our calendar and today we hosted his family for an early dinner.We enjoyed their company and they clearly love the kids as much as we do. There was a joke about Erin being a runner at the doctor's office so Tim, who is a police officer let us know he will have all his fellow officers surround the church should Erin also be a runner when the time comes to meet his son at the altar. Tim was a customer of Erin's at Subway and really liked her. He asked for her phone number after speaking to her manager and insisted his son call her. They started off meeting for coffee and ultimately started dating a few months later. I happen to love this story.

I have no idea how this one turned out because I was laughing so hard. Erin insisted on photos. Justin insisted they include Oliver. Not only is the expression on Justin's face hilarious, but poor Oliver looks like he's being strangled. I assure you, Oliver is fine. They are a mess.

A Mother's Prayer

It's 10 pm...."Now I lay me down to sleep....." Wait, did I lock the door and close the garage? Up to check, wipe down the counter I know I have wiped down twice since dinner but a teen took advantage of that minute I spent brushing my teeth. And back to bed.

10:10pm...."Where was I?  Oh, NOW I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, my soul and those I pray seek him, and the homeless man screaming in front of Target last night. Lord, what do you want me to do with this tugging at my heart concerning your poorest of souls?"...

Umm, Mom??? Can I talk to you? Yes, what's up kiddo? I am upset about something that happened at school today.......

30 minutes later another teen piles into the same bed. My prayer journal has been set aside and the girls talk until well past 11 when my eyes start to close despite the desire to stay connected.

11:30, "Ok Lord, here's the deal. I love you. I want to serve you. I love my children and more than anything, I just need to sleep. I thank you for the bed in which I attempt to do that. Oh, and thank you for the children but if I should die before I wake, could you please make sure my bathrooms are clean?"

1 am......Mommy, I just had a little accident in the bathroom.

Awesome. Looks like I am going to wake. Thanks God.

Lauren

Four doctor's appointments, one round of antibiotics, countless conversations with her teacher followed by blood work, revealed our very run-down daughter has been battling mono and is now also anemic. It's good to finally have some answers. It's been a long couple of months but she should be on the up-swing now.

She is revealing more and more about the relationship she held so strongly as we prayed. We have more praying to do as she heals. She amazes us with her strength and determination even if her anger is sometimes misdirected.

She started fall break today and the needed rest has begun. She didn't emerge from her bed for more than twenty minutes prior to going to work tonight. She hopes to have some fun and enjoy the reprieve from the stress of Senior year. 

We still have another small session to accomplish the last of her Senior photos. Erika, the young photographer next door took these shots but Lauren called an end to the session before her indoor photos were taken because she was exhausted. We now know why. The good news for me is that I too get to play with the camera.

We have too many to choose from as it is but she still wants to dress up a bit and also needs some with Brutus. "He is my best friend."

Relationships According to Ty

Ty: I know a secret. Erin and Justin are married.
Me: What? I don't think so, buddy.
Ty: But they are. I saw them.
Me: You saw them get married?
Ty: Yes.
Me: Really? When?
Ty: One day in Justin's car.
Me: Erin and Justin got married in Justin's car?
Ty: Yes
Me: Ty, people don't get married in cars.
Ty: Justin did. He kissed Erin right here (points to his lips).
Me: If someone kisses on the lips they are married?
Ty: Yes mom, everyone knows that.

Ty begged me to play doll house with him today. I hesitated because Ty has very strict orders about how we play doll house. The rules have been handed down from sibling to sibling with all the original character names chosen by Erin years ago. The furniture can only go in certain places and everyone has roles that have to be played. One would think I would learn to go with the flow; however, I can't help myself. If I am going to be drug into a game of doll house, I should be allowed to be creative. Or not. I pressed Ty to make some decisions as the dad so he decided we were going to have 13 cats and dogs. The dad in his doll house world makes all the decisions. This dad also does all the work. He flies planes, cleans, cooks, takes care of the kids, grocery shops and takes care of all the animals. I pressed him hardly suppressing my laughter to know what it is the mom does and discovered she sits all day. What in the world???? I apparently pushed back too much and found myself grounded for 100 days. Bring it.

And finally, preschool yoga was on demand today and the kids loved it. The cuteness factor was off the charts with this one. I think it's easy to see which children are two years old. Smile. In the end of the segment, the instructor had the kids rest on the mat. She asked them to close their eyes and keep their bodies still. She then added brilliant advice for all of us. "If you can't be still, nicely tell your body it's time to rest". And with that, we started nap time.