It's just hair! Or is it?

My whole life people have fussed about my hair; the unusual color, the thickness, and the natural curls and waves.  I always thought those people were crazy. The unusual color- it means I actually have to think about my hair clashing with the color of my clothes.  The thickness- means it takes forever to dry and gets very, very heavy when long.  The natural waves and curls- it means my hair leans towards frizz when the weather is damp; something I never have to worry about here in the Pacific Northwest. (insert big eye roll)  Hair has just never been that big of a deal to me.  However, and this is a big however, I've always had more than plenty of it and no matter how many times or how short I cut it, it always grows back.  That is not the story for everyone though, as is the case with my friend who's 11 year old daughter has been diagnosed with Alopecia.  Unfortunately it recently became clear that this brave young lady was going to need a hair piece, but human hair wigs are very costly.  The family is asking for hair donations that can be made into a nice, vacuum sealed wig for this young lady, which is what I did today.  I keep my hair long mainly just because Jeremy likes it that way, but when I heard their request, how could I possibly not donate?  After all, for me, it is just hair.  I had two 10 inch ponytails cut off today (that darn thick hair, they couldn't even cut it off in 1 ponytail), and after trimming up what was left, I lost a total of about 12 inches.  I have to say, it feels awesome to have a whole new hair style, even if my hair guy had to take a few deep breaths and talk himself into cutting off all my hair!  I didn't take any before/after pics, but I'm sure I can find a recent photo and take one of my new 'do' soon.  It's a strange feeling to give up something that has little importance to me at this stage in my life, but knowing fully that I would feel very very different if the roles were reversed.  I suppose that feeling can best be summed up as grateful. 

If you think you have a minimum of 10 inches of hair that you would like to donate to this young lady (regardless of color or texture), let me know and I will get you in touch with the family. 

what is love?

It is grumbling at 2:30 in the morning about how uncomfortable your hips are, and seeing your husband head out the door 10 minutes later saying he's going to grab some cereal for the kid's breakfast................ only to return 20 minutes later with a new yoga ball to help relieve all that hip pressure. (for those that may be thinking I was keeping him up with my complaining, he was actually already awake and watching a show on the computer.  Also, that man wouldn't even wake up if a train was going through our living room; he can sleep through anything!)  Sometimes I give him grief for always being a jokester, but in the moments that truly count, he's incredibly thoughtful and loving. ♥

pregnancy update

I suppose since we're almost at the end I should update on how things are going.  My official due date is August 16th, but we're really at a point where this baby could arrive in 4 hours or 4 weeks.  I've been having a lot of early labor symptoms since just before 35 weeks, and my body is labor ready; at my last appointment I was 2cm, 70%, and head was SUPER low. I, however, am not yet baby ready- still too much to do!  Finally sorted baby clothes last night, cleaned up the bassinet, and Jeremy picked up some newborn diapers today.  After taking inventory last night, I've realized I need to do a good bit of shopping this week!  Most of my gear was used to death by the last 3 boys, not many clothes have survived going through 4 boys, and a couple things I've had since Genna was born and without a doubt have seen better days.  I've been cooking and baking a few things to keep in the freezer for after baby arrives.  I've also been sewing up some swaddling blankets and burp rags for my little guy.  Overall I've just been trying to rest a lot.  We're hoping to keep him in place until the end of next weekend so we can get everything done, but I also just realized last night that after next weekend is Isaac's birthday! Like I said, too much to do.  On the flip side though I'm so uncomfortable and worn out from all the early labor, I'm really looking forward to being done. (I think Jeremy and the kids feel the same way)  I'm hoping this labor and delivery doesn't go quite as fast as the last one, but the Dr.'s and nurses I've seen over the last couple weeks are all predicting just as fast or possibly even faster. Yikes! That's pretty much the news for the moment, now I'm going to try to squeeze in a little nap.

the times I wish for hidden cameras

There are moments when I think how beneficial it would be to live in a house set up for a reality TV program.  That way, when I wanted to know who did something and everyone was pointing the finger at Notme, I could just check the tape. (poor Notme, he gets blamed a lot!)  Or, in last night's case, I could share a story that truly needs facial expressions to be re-told.  Let's go back two nights for this one.  I was putting away some stuff in the boy's bedroom and noticed something strange going on with the fish tank.  Upon further inspection of the evidence, surveying the scene of the crime, and interviewing potential suspects, I came to the conclusion that Isaac decided to fix up Elijah's fish tank with a HAMMER.  I don't think I need to elaborate on that situation any further as you can imagine what a headache that was.  The next day, after Jeremy spent a very long time fixing this unnecessary problem Isaac created, I opened up our food cupboard to see Isaac had put away an open box of rice milk on it's side, and it poured out all over two huge bags of flour. Two words come to mind: not happy.  (Isaac is at that age where he isn't always able to see the consequences of his actions, but understands when bad consequences occur and is very apologetic.) There was a third bag of flour which looked to be fine, so I set it out on the counter to be put away high in a cupboard.  Fast forward to late last night, I asked Jeremy to please go to the kitchen and put away that third bag of flour.  When Jeremy lifted it up, the entire bottom of the bag ripped off. Flour went everywhere.  Isaac was standing in the kitchen, eyes wide, mouth hanging open, looking completely bewildered.  Finally he managed to say; "I didn't do that..... I think God did that because I didn't do that!"  I can only imagine what was racing through his mind as he saw that flour bag explode; he'd already been in so much trouble over the last 24 hours!  Even if it had been his fault, I don't think anyone could get mad because his expressions are just so darn funny sometimes.  He's lucky like that  ;)

I would apologize for the poor picture quality and the dirty floor...........

....but clearly I have more important things to worry about....





*If you are wondering, Nahshon is wearing a dog cone around his neck.  It was from Estella's spay surgery*

He's a sneaky little stinker!

The other night my mom came over to watch the little ones so I could rest, and they were all hanging out outside.  Suddenly Genna comes running in reporting that Micaiah crawled under my mom's car and got stuck.   I wasn't concerned since if it was a real problem I know my mom would have been the one running inside to tell me, nor was I surprised.  I guess she's just not used to how much trouble little boys can get into so quickly!!!

*notice how one side of his tummy wrinkles up and the other side is smooth?  That long wrinkle extending out from his belly button is the result of his little battle scar*

a quick report

• WHO- Genna
• WHAT- marshmallow halves
• WHEN- a few days back, early in the morning
• WHERE- on the door to the boy's bedroom
• WHY- ??????

Oh geeze

Elijah's current obsession is orca whales; he talks about them CONSTANTLY.  Last night I dug out an old photo album of my trip to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Sand Diego Zoo when I was a kid.  I thought he might like to look at the photos of the orcas, and maybe if I was lucky, he'd stop asking me questions for 5 minutes.  While flipping through the photos, he saw one of King Kong at Universal.  He brought me the album and questioned me about the terrifying monster.  I tried to explain to him that it was only a robot, not real.  He kept asking me if it was a real robot, and I repeatedly told him it was pretend, it was a robot, it was not real.  Finally I realized that Elijah thought robots were autonomous creations and quickly explained to him that robots were not real things with their own thoughts and actions.  He replied "oh...... I thought robots were real....... like aliens............"  Oh geeze, say what now?  What followed was a 10 minute conversation that finally ended with me agreeing "yup, God got rid of all the aliens, even the ones on Mars...."  Sometimes I just don't even know with that boy.

oh my goodness, it's funny

While wandering through blog land, I clicked on a link to this woman's story:

Say Cheese!

Note: there is one swear word in the entry, so be careful that prying eyes are not reading over your shoulder.

He just won't listen

I keep telling him to lay off the Guinness...........

it's hot

That is the news of the day.  That was the news yesterday.  That will be the news tomorrow.  It's so stinking hot.

cool treats, good sleeps

Nope, not talking about Dairy Queen.  A couple weeks ago when the girls had gone camping for the weekend, Nahshon was being a bit of a pill. (imagine that, a 2 year old not cooperating!)  He ended up taking a nice long nap on the floor of the girls' bedroom, which for a time I thought was fantastic.  That all changed when he woke up though because I realized he had gone to sleep with an unwrapped ice cream sandwich under his face. (who gave that to him anyway?)  It was a sticky, icky mess!  Yesterday I was very tired and very in need of a rest.  I told the kids to grab a popsicle and let me rest for 15 minutes, and then we would all head outside.  I knew during that time Nahshon had climbed up on my bed next to me, but didn't think much of it.  When the other kids came in to let me know my time was up, I looked over and Nahshon and saw he had fallen asleep........... with a strawberry popsicle......... under his face.  Tell me please, someone, how does one sleep with frozen treats pressed against their cheek?  I've seen Isaac fall asleep with a bowl of ice cream on his lap; that I can understand.  Cold and sticky smashed on your face?  That I do not get at all.

Exhibit A

Just in case any of you need an example of how I could ever look at my children and think they are anything less than the smartest, most perfect people that ever walked the Earth, here you go-  Isaac came to me clearly upset and crying.  The problem was quickly ascertained; it seems he jammed his fat little fingers into wiffle balls and got them stuck...... on both hands!!  I carefully pulled him free and suggested he not do it again.  He agreed.  Through the whole ordeal, Nahshon was standing near, watching with frightened amazement.  Ten minutes later, Nahshon came to me, crying.  It only took one glance to realize what was wrong- Nahshon jammed HIS fat little fingers into the same wiffle balls I had just pried off Isaac's hands!  Even though Nahshon is considerably smaller than Isaac, he still managed to get them stuck. On both hands of course.  I suppose I should have suggested to ALL the children that they not jam their fingers into wiffle balls. Live and learn I guess.