9-day blog

I hate it that I haven't been able to blog as much as I used to. Last week was a busy week. I went to a three day conference on worship at New Life Church. It started on Thursday and went through to Saturday. The conference was really great. New Life Worship and Desperation led worship the first night. Paul Baloche (he wrote "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and many others) led the second night. The following morning worship was led by Gateway Church (Revelation Song).

There were many breakout sessions and lots of great information for worship leaders and choir directors. I went to two breakout sessions. One, on vocal techniques and the other or leading a choir rehearsal. I left so pumped and ready to get to work.

That same weekend Vance went on a two day hunting trip with his good friend Kyle and our oldest, Glen. Bow hunting is hard hunting and Vance said that Glen really did great. However, they didn't get anything. Vance has a couple more opportunities to get us some meat for the next year so pray for him.

We also had a little trial last week. Our dog Gunner is a Labrador Retriever and has all of the typical characteristics of one. The most prevalent being that he's an escape artist. We've tried everything from kennels to zip lines and finally an electric fence and collar. In fact, we've had to purchase two of these very expensive systems. For the most part, the electric fence keeps him in, but every once in a while the battery in the collar runs low and he'll risk the shock to get out.

He goes to the same place every time he escapes. It's a house about three miles away and there are two female dogs there that are not neutered and the owner swears that Gunner has fathered at least two litters.

On Thursday night last week Gunner escaped and came home acting very strange. He wouldn't sit, wouldn't eat and wouldn't drink. We thought maybe he had been hit by a car. We called a vet to get some advice and we came to the conclusion that maybe he had internal trauma. Vance thought that Gunner was dying.

We were able to get an appointment the next day and the vet said that he had broken his tail. Yesterday we took him in for another check up and they did some closer looking and found that he had extreme trauma to his backside and he had to have several stitches. The vet said that he had to have had blunt force to break the skin so badly.

Vance and I both think that Gunner went to that same house again and the owners there had had enough and either took a bat or a shovel to Gunner. This is the type of people we think they are. Of course, there's no way of proving it. Hopefully, Gunner will have fear of ever going there again. He cried all night last night. Fortunately, he seems to be doing better today.

So, that's why I haven't sat down at the computer and taken the time to record my life. Everyone else is doing well. Tristan is huge. We go for a check-up tomorrow. I have no doubt that they'll say he's at least 15 pounds. My five week old, who is supposed to be a tiny newborn isn't so tiny. I'll share pictures next time.

Cakes and other Special Moments

One of the best purchases I have made was a rice pad. At least, I think that is what it's called. I had purchased a table to display Mary Kay at and expo and the people across the aisle from me were selling home made rice pillow thingies. This one was shaped into a hand muff. Some are made to go around your neck. You know, the things you heat up in the microwave if you are cold or have sore muscles? Anyway, this thing was $30 and I had no reason to buy it really. I think I was bored at the time. It's turned out to be one of my most valuable possessions.

When I was three years old I started getting horrible leg pains. My grandparents called them growing pains. I remember different people massaging my legs because I would just sob because the pain was so great. Well, Ryan and Rachie and sometimes even Will and Glen get these frequently. The funny thing is they usually can't describe what is happening to them. They just cry and cry until someone finally figures out it's a growing pain. Two aspirin and a heated rice pad does the trick. Because mine is in the shape of a hand muff it's perfect to slip on their little legs and they sleep with it during the night. I can't even count how many times I've used this thing.

But, that's not really why I wanted to blog today. We've had a few special moments this week that I wanted to share with you. I've got some adorable pictures.

First, Tristan had his second bath (*blush*). He'll be four weeks tomorrow. He was so cute I had to snap some pictures. One of these pictures shows a diaper with a scripture on it. I had a wonderful friend give me a stack of diapers in the shape of a three-tiered cake and she wrote scriptures on each of the diapers in the cake - there had to be at least forty. This has been such a blessing and the rest of the children have really enjoyed seeing which scripture will be on the next diaper. This is something I'm going to copy. The next baby shower I go to the mom will receive a diaper cake with scriptures from me.

Second, Mom and Pops came over to celebrate Vance's birthday and they brought our absolute favorite thing - an ice cream cake from Diary Queen. It can't be just any ice cream cake. It has to be from DQ. The pictures show everyone just a little tired. Vance had a rough day at work and the kiddos were weary and Pops had worked on his sprinkler system all day. I think the only one who looks good is Mom - but, she always looks good. (I know you're reading this Mom - *wink*)

Third, I'm going to post a couple new pictures on the Absolute Best Painting website and I wanted to let you all know to go and take a look.

Fourth, the kids had crazy hair day today at AWANA and I had to share those pictures, as well. Plus...a few cute pictures of the twins. The poor babies have been getting their two-year-old teeth and their gums are almost purple with inflammation. Kael was miserable and couldn't eat last week and now it's Morgan's turn so her mouth looks a little swollen.

BTW - I'm not quite done with the house after pictures, but not being able to post them yet has motivated me to get them done this week. Enjoy.

Another BIRTHday

This is an amazing story. Vance's good friend Ray flew in from California last weekend to go bow hunting with Vance. They left last Sunday morning and were gone all week...and I want to say "thank you" for all those who dropped by to see how I was doing and to bring meals. It was very helpful.

The kids and I stayed in most of the week. Amazingly, we were able to get a lot of school work done and even a few shopping trips. I even got rid of two washers and a dryer and a couch. I feel like there's a little bit more room to breath in the house. I also did a lot of work on the rooms that are pictured in a previous blog, but the "after" pictures are quite ready yet :).

Vance's birthday was Friday and Ray and Vance got home around 10:30 that night. I was glad. Originally, Vance told me not to expect him until Saturday. I hadn't heard a word all week. This trip was different in that Ray was with Vance and they were able to take a donkey and a pony with them to pack out meat.

Vance and Ray had a good time and the horses weren't any trouble. They both said it was hard going and it rained quite a bit. Unfortunately, all that hard work did not pay off and they didn't get any animals.

The night they returned home was one of my roughest. Tristan was up all night. At about 4am in the morning I heard a strange thumping sound and woke Vance and asked him to check it out. He had left the pony and the donkey in their trailer for the night and apparently they wanted out. He tethered them to a line in our yard and gave them some food. We didn't hear any more disturbances after that.

Of course, all the rest of the kiddos woke early - between 6:30 and 7am. Vance was kind and got out of bed before me so that I could get a little more rest. However, when he looked out the window to check on the horses what he saw made it so no one could go back to sleep. He said, "Oh, my gosh there's a baby out there!" He said, "I think the donkey had a baby!" So, he went out and checked. At first, I thought he might be referring to one of the neighbor's horses that got out and was hanging out with the donkey. I asked if there was after-birth hanging out of the donkey's backside and he said "yes".

We couldn't believe it. No one, not even the owners, knew the donkey was even pregnant. I remember looking out the window in the middle of the night and thinking that the donkey had quite a pot belly. Vance and Ray said they really worked her during the week. Maybe that brought on labor (the poor girl).

The foal was perfectly healthy and extremely cute. We spent the morning outside with the horses in complete amazement. Watching the foal nurse and trying to keep her warm.

For the rest of the morning the kids took turns riding the pony and the weather turned out quite nicely. Vance and Ray and the boys took the pony, the donkey and her new foal back to our friend's ranch that afternoon. Glen held the foal on his lap the way there. Vance said that by the time they left the ranch the foal was running and jumping around.

So, the day after Vance's birthday we had another birthday on Terry Acres :).

Thank you, Ray for taking the pictures - I can't beleive we don't have any with you in them :(.

Napoleon Dynamite

I have been told by several people that "Napoleon Dynamite" is an hilarious movie. I, sort of, knew what kind of movie it was so I delayed "netflixing" it for over a year. Then, it seemed, a whole new round of people started talking about how funny this movie is.

Well, the boys and I watched it last night and we all agree, "Napoleon Dynamite" has to be one of the stupidest movies we've EVER seen. We watched and watched and kept thinking, "This has got to get better." It never did. It's also a little offensive. The whole idea that people in rural small towns are ignorant and think they're better than they really are. Ugh! I'm frustrated just thinking about it. Maybe I don't have a good sense of humor.

The only redeeming (and I use this word lightly) factor was the "Vote for Pedro" dance at the end. I love Jamiroquai :).

So, I have to give this movie a hearty thumbs down and advise you to never watch it unless you enjoy Chinese water torture.

First Bath

Tristan was two weeks old as of yesterday. His umbilical stump fell off a couple of days ago, but today was the first opportunity that I had to give him a full bath. I had Ryan take pictures. It looks like I'm choking him, but I'm just trying to get the soap into those little creases under the neck. He didn't cry once. He's such a good boy. It looks like he'll be following in his brother's and sister's footsteps and love the water.

This slide show has several pictures from activities we've done over the last few days. Some of the pictures are of the mess that the septic people created on our property. That's been taken care of and looks good and our new septic system is in place.

Some of the pictures are from a BBQ we went to from Vance's men's bible study. We all had a great time. The boys swam in their pond and rode ATVs.

Then there are pictures of our house which is literally a disaster area. They're all out of order, but hopefully you get the gist.

Oh, and there are pictures of the kids from the first day of school.

Coming Up for Air

There is so much going on these days that I fear I will never get on track or caught up. Of course, we can start with the new little guy. Tristan is such a joy to me I cannot put into words. Then there's this awful chest congestion I have left over from the cold that started in the hospital. Vance is inundated with projects. We have our new septic system which should be finished soon and tore up about a quarter of our property. We have a newly remodel storage closet which has caused an unbelievable disaster to clean up. Then he has three projects going on at the same time for ABP, Inc. Add to that, he's leaving this weekend for a bow hunting trip and I'm officially out of breath.

We also started school this week. It's slow going and it seems the boys barely retained anything from last year. I know that once we're back into the swing of things they'll catch on. Will is doing wonderfully at home this year. He amazes me. Rachie and the twins are a mystery. So far, this week we've tried music time, art time and game time and it hasn't worked out the way I'd like. Their attention span is literally five minutes. My plan is to have activities with the young ones and have Glen and Ryan help until lunch and naps (they haven't really taken to this). Then once the "littles" are in bed we'll start the meat of school with Glen, Ryan and Will until they all wake up. Then there's chore time and free time. So far, there are A LOT of kinks to be worked out. Tristan, for the most part, has been cooperative.

We have another little set back this week. It appears I've given Glen my cold, so he can't help with Tristan like I'd like. And...the twins and Rachie all have some stomach bug which has turned out to be a lot of clean up. Aaaah, life :). Just when you think you have it all planned out.

The good news is I'm starting to feel like a normal person again. I can see my feet and they're not swollen. My carpel tunnel is gone. Even my face is getting back to normal and I feel like I've got energy and absolutely NO PAIN whatsoever. This is a phenomenal feeling. So, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm going to share with you some before and after photos. Tomorrow I will take pictures of the danger zone I call my house and, hopefully, before the month is out you will see some very different pictures. This will be a good game and motivator for me.