Wordless Wednesday

(singing: "it's my kid in a box")

Now & Then

5 years ago, Matthew was a chunky 2-year old who didn't speak. He loved cars and he was fascinated when he rode this train near our old home in California.

These days, Matthew is a super talkative 7-year old who can't sit still. He still loves cars and I think he was still fascinated when he rode this train in Florida.

Some things have changed, but he's still the same. My sweet kid. Yesterday his writing assignment was to list 3 things for which he is thankful. His list? Cars, Thanksgiving dinner, and family... in that order.

This week is going to be different without Jason around. Every year since we moved away from family 6 years ago, we've traveled from wherever we were living to come to Virginia and be with family. This year, we're all here but Jason is strangely absent. Even worse, he's going to be alone for Thanksgiving. He may go to the chow hall for dinner, but he won't be with friends or family and he said he'll probably spend the day doing nothing. He doesn't even have internet access since he's living in Army quarters and it's a temporary place. We'll just have to talk on the phone so he doesn't get too lonely!

My dad is here visiting from Denver and will be stopping by our house today. The kids are so excited to see Granddad With No Hair. I'm excited to have a conversation that doesn't start with "Mommy, can I have..."

Is it really Thanksgiving already? That means Christmas is coming up! For the first time in as long as I can remember, I'm not done with my shopping yet. It's going to be a much smaller-scale Christmas in our house this year. So, what are you doing to save money this year? Do you have a budget per person for gifts? Are there any great deals to be had? Tell me what you know!

Lessons Learned

Yesterday we had the privilege of having the kids' Christmas pictures taken by two local photographers. I was lucky enough to win a contest they were having on their blog and so our photography session was free! I can't wait to see the proofs! Before Jason left we also had a few family pictures taken through the program Operation Love ReUnited. We haven't seen those photos yet either but it will be a special treat for Jason to receive those photos in Iraq.

So yesterday was The Big Christmas Picture Day. Having 6 young children, my expectations are low when it comes to photos. If we can just capture one image without someone screaming, crying, pouting, or looking the wrong direction, I consider that a success.
These are the lessons I learned from our experience yesterday...

1. Children will do just about anything for a bag of mini marshmallows.

2. It is entirely possible to consume a bag of mini marshmallows and spin in circles on a tire swing for 20 minutes and not throw up. If you're five.

3. Mini marshmallows closely resemble the small, white pebbles under foot. Babies will easily confuse the two and will surely ingest several pebbles.
4. If it's cold, six little noses will produce copious amounts of sparkling snot. Not good for Christmas pictures, although festive in its own special way. Have tissues on hand at all times.

5. Pushing 160 pounds of stroller and children up a steep sidewalk is the equivalent of running 3 miles. It definitely qualifies as exercise.

6. Pushing 160 pounds of stroller and children up a steep sidewalk probably does not burn off the 14,000 calories in that Starbucks caramel brulee latte that you just gulped down when nobody was looking.

7. Sometimes it's ok to spend your last $5 on an overpriced coffee.

8. Two gorgeous, skinny, fashionable photographers will make you feel frumpy, especially if you don't remember the last time you washed your hair.

9. Your kids will listen to two gorgeous photographers much better than they listen to you. Remember, the photographers brought a bag of marshmallows. Don't take it personally.

10. You will love seeing pictures of your children sitting together even if one of them is making a silly face and one is choking her baby brother. It's real life, after all.

Roller Coaster

This year has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride of emotions. In January Jason left. We have a few visits sprinkled throughout the year-long separation. Then last week he left again, anticipating a deployment to Iraq in early January. After arriving at Ft. Lewis he found out that he's actually leaving for Iraq in December. The upside to that? He gets to come home for Christmas!

There was no way we could afford the plane ticket so my awesome father used 50,000 of his frequent flier miles to secure one ticket from Seattle to Virginia. What an incredible blessing! We have already prepared the children and they know that Daddy would not be here for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any of next year's birthdays. So we've decided to keep this a big surprise. When Jason arrives on our doorstep next month they won't believe their eyes!

I feel like this roller coaster just won't stop. I want to get off already! We're up, we're down, then we're up again. Every time we see Jason again, in the back of my mind I know there's a good-bye looming just ahead. I hope I'm not causing irreparable damage to my children with all of this emotional turmoil. I just know that they will be overjoyed to spend Christmas with Daddy- our first Christmas at home in Virginia in 6 years. Seriously, I am just thrilled!

I don't know how I'm going to keep this secret for the next month. I hope I don't slip up and spoil everything! I'm going to have to watch myself when I'm on the phone running my big mouth.
(Look Mali, it's Snow White!) Is it just me or does Snow White look like Sarah in this picture?
This is what I feel like right now. Exhausted. The combination of this nasty cold I caught and the daily grind of caring for 6 kids are taking a toll on me. I could do just like Leila and fall asleep sitting up. Too bad you're only allowed to do that when you're three.
In case anyone wonders why there aren't as many Disney pictures of Matthew... this would be why. He spent a good deal of the trip pouting and grumpy. Not sure why, except that it is typical Matthew behavior. His moods are unpredictable and even the happiest place on earth can't make him smile if he's having a bad day.
Did I seriously wear pajama shorts to Disney World? Why, yes I did. You can do that when you have 6 kids. Actually, it's probably expected. And I have no shame so I'll even post the picture on my blog. (If Jason ever sees this he'll be embarrassed. He hates when I dress like this and thinks I'm frumpy.)
Again with the little Disney princess toys. They are carrying them everywhere!
Snow White posed for a picture in our rental house in Florida. That townhouse was perfect for us! There was plenty of space, it was cheap and clean, and it was decorated in true Disney fashion. There were mouse ears everywhere, even on the furniture. This is the bench in the foyer.
See? Even the kitchen cabinets had mouse ears! It was such a fun touch and we almost forgot that we weren't staying at a Disney resort.
The babies just liked that they could climb into the cabinets. They did this everyday and it never got old.
Nathan says, "I don't want to hear it!"

Rhino Rumps, Rabbits, and Really Big Cars

I'm sure that after this next post you'll all stop reading my blog because you just can't stand any more Disney pictures! But since I know my dad is reading my blog, I'm going to post more pictures. He's got to see his grandkids somehow, right?
See those princesses in Leila's hand? They haven't left her hand since we got home. They are still in her hand right now, as a matter of fact.
A highlight of the trip for my oldest son? A huge, muddy rhino rump. Yes, he was excited to see that this rhinoceros decided to stand just a few feet from where he was sitting. I was not so excited that our "safari" was delayed and I was trapped for 20 minutes inside our "Jeep" with one whining daughter and 2 crying sons. Jason and I had to tag team as I nursed the babies while we sat in "Africa." Good times. At least that quieted them down!
This girl just cracks me up. And makes me crazy. She is just a bundle of spunky, sneaky silliness. I hesitate to use the word strange, but I feel it applies. She has a sick fascination with messes. She's the one who drank out of the toilet bowl when she was two. She steals food and hides under the table to eat it. She pours water onto the couch cushions. She puts putty in her hair (thanks to my mother-in-law for that gift.) Oh, Sarah. My crazy girl!
Here is the group picture we took when we met Abby. Abby is having complications from her chemo right now so please lift her up in prayer. She is just the sweetest little girl. Joshua loved her right away and wanted to sit next to her on the rides. They're the same age. I can't imagine all that she and her family have gone through since her diagnosis. Please keep her in your thoughts!
What trip would be complete without a family picture with 2 ginormous rabbits?
Nathan was happy just to kick his feet up and relax while Mommy pushed over 150 lbs of kids in "The Beast." By the way, "The Beast" is the stroller for those of you wondering. (Do I need to add a picture of it on the sidebar? It feels like a member of our family.)
Matthew is obsessed with cars. He always has been, ever since he was a baby. Meeting the real Lightning McQueen and Mater was like a dream come true! He and Joshua were too scared to go up and meet them by themselves so Jason went too.
My Lilo and Stitch met the real Lilo and Stitch! Ok, so I haven't used those nicknames in a long time... but I used to call the girls that when they were babies.
Leila finally cracked a smile! And she hasn't stopped talking about meeting Ariel since we got home. She even told a lady in Target last night. Apparently the experience was life-changing for my Little Mermaid fan. I was a bit weirded out by Ariel's blindingly pale bare abdomen and perky purple seashell bra. But hey, she was pretty authentic!
Sometimes I like to sit and stare at my baby boys and their beautiful blonde hair and bright blue eyes. There is just no way those blondies came out of me. Will the real twin mama please stand up?

Wordless Wednesday

(I have a surprise! I'll tell you as soon as it's a sure thing... Check my tweets for now.)

The Most Magical Place on Earth

Is Disney World supposed to be the most magical place on earth? Well, it is if you're three years old! (Or 5 years old, or 6 years old... or even one year old!)
My little chipmunk cheeked boys loved meeting the big chipmunks. Chip and Dale loved them right back too.
All of the Magic Kingdom was decorated in true Disney style. There were Mickey-shaped pumpkins everywhere. You wouldn't think such little details would have such a big impact, but Matthew is still talking about it.
Leila and Sarah showed off their dance skills when we met Tinkerbell. Heck, they danced for just about every character they met. They love to dance. (They definitely didn't learn that from me!)
Did I mention that Jason hit on Tinkerbell? He did. It was the strangest conversation and it went something like this:

Tink: Wow! Two sets of twins? I'm seeing double double! That's a neat skill! Can you make two of me?

Me: Ummm, I don't know how to do it. You'd have to ask my husband.

Jason: Sure! I can make you have twins.


I really don't think that's what Tink meant... but oh well! Jason offered to knock up a Disney fairy!
I was just amazed at how truly magical it was for the girls to meet the Disney princesses. They were in awe and it was wonderful to watch. I have never seen them so happy before.
My little princesses met the "real" princess, Cinderella. This is so weird for me because I was (am?) a total tomboy. I was never into princesses and fairies and girly things. I liked playing outside in the dirt and making things out of sticks. These two girls came out of my body but I swear they are nothing like me! They're so sugary sweet that it hurts.
I think Sarah was sneezing in this picture but I had to keep it anyway. The wicked stepsisters actually looked just like the cartoon characters. It was eerie! And they sang off key and fought with each other too. My girls loved it. They call them the "mean girls."
Our whole gang stopped to watch one of the shows in front of Cinderella's castle and I had to capture the moment. Jason was leaning in close to whisper to Sarah about Snow White. That's her favorite princess. Leila's favorite is Ariel. And I obviously know entirely too much about Disney princesses. Scary.
The kids loved Pinnochio but his skinny girl legs in the pale tights just freaked me out. It brought back flashbacks from when I used to be a Power Ranger. Have I ever mentioned that I used to be a Power Ranger? Well, I did. It was in high school. And I drove a truck through a pharmacy store window when I was eight. I think I need to write a post full of random facts about me. Weird stuff just seems to happen to me. Anyway...
Disney was fun! And I'm still digging through the thousands of other pictures from our trip. In the meantime I have to go figure out how to find hardwood flooring to match the existing floors in our house in Georgia. Apparently the tenants called our property manager to tell her that the military movers destroyed part of the hardwood floors and they need to be replaced. I am so glad that I'm over 500 miles away. I think if I saw the damage I just might lose my mind. I am so not cut out to be a landlord. I have enough stress about the damage my own kids are probably doing in this house at this very moment!