What not Wednesday 3 {and a little late}

so things have been crazysauce around these parts since the hubs left for Australia for a few weeks. Trying to get in that single mom groove has been tricky. It's been a while since I've held down the fort solo so I'm a little rusty- so yes, honey, if you're reading this while on "walk about" I did forget about all of those little things you do day in and day out that add up. Like pouring the milk for the First Lady while I'm ironing and makin' sure our oldest doesn't go back to bed after turning the shower on while waiting for the water to warm up. A green family we are not...due to moments just like these.

and then there's baseball practice, still held during arctic conditions. I would have conveniently sent you being that you're hardier stock than I.

i've also been enjoying hearing about the cute and funny things that little children have been saying on other people's blogs and feeling a bit bummed out thinking those days were on pause for us since the Lil' Lady is still not talkin' yet and the next oldest seems to be correcting everything I seem to say anymore. But I guess I wasn't payin' attention because just this week that same kid, came up with a few that had me laughing. At baseball practice, while huddled under many blankets in her chair she was fascinated with the woods in the distance and wondered if there were any "van tires" in them. I was perplexed at first wondering how she knew people dumped tires in the woods, let alone tires that could be from a particular type of vehicle until she went on to tell me that she was in fact a van tire herself. Then I knew she meant vampire. Then this morning while watching the royal wedding and waiting to see what color the queen mum's hat would be she was startled to realize that the Queen was actually Betty White. Just think, if it weren't for that Super Bowl commercial a year ago, millions of children everywhere would have no clue who Betty White was. Now she's everywhere, and in front of Westminster Abbey- and bestowing new titles to boot!

and last, on a sad note, our guinea pig has passed away. She was with us for almost 5 years making her unequivocally a cherished member of the family. Every night before bed we would give her a cracker and cover her cage and I knew when she didn't rush to claim her cracker that night that there was something wrong. I held her for three hours into the night after the kids said their goodbyes knowing that she wouldn't make it until morning and not wanting her to be alone. At exactly 11:30 pm she took her last breath, and after much sobbing {my own} I remembered the hubs wasn't here to help take care of the burial so at midnight I was rummaging around in the garage looking for a small box to put her in. I had to settle on a Nike shoebox and pink tissue so I wrapped her up placed her in the box and then bagged the box and placed it in the extra freezer we have in the garage so the colonel could help with the digging when he comes home. So the next morning when Grandma was putting the kids on the bus I was told that the First Lady was tearing up again and in an effort to make her feel better, Grandma reassured her that piggie was okay and that she was in heaven now. Well, not being one to miss an opportunity to correct, the First Lady said- "no she's not Grandma, she's in the freezer".

Hunters, gatherers, traders and snackers....

So this was the first Easter egg hunt for the Lil' Lady. Intending to give her a head start, we gave her the bucket,
but she insisted on putting her bucket back on the table with the others.

Apparently she knew she could hold her own up against the 7, 10 and 12 year old.
..and she did. Honestly I didn't think she'd get into it, but after the first find, we were on the hunt for more!

I tried to point this one out, but she was more intrigued with peering in Grandma and Pop Pop's window!

We decided to have it at night to make it a bit more challenging since our backyard doesn't have a lot of hiding places.

After the hunt we headed back in to sample what was found. Let me tell ya, this Lil' Lady can crack one open and have a chocolate egg unwrapped and in her mouth in less than 5 seconds. It's thirsty work.


Just checkin' to be sure they're empty mom!


I spied some insider trading goin' on. for some, the dollar bills and quarters were more popular than the "get out of chore" and "date with mom and dad" coupons.

He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed:) {"Seeking the One" LL Swindle}

HAPPY EASTER!

Can ya smell the vinegar?

First Lady was all about the color But this guy surprised me
when everyone else bugged out, he stayed

we're talkin' about a kid who hates art and anything close to crafty

yet he took his time and carefully considered each color choice

and when he was done, you could tell which were his favorites:)

and where was the Lil' Lady you wonder? Well, when I tried to wake her from her nap to give an egg a try she wasn't too thrilled and politely requested to be laid back down on the couch with her blankey and proceeded to oversleep another hour.

What not Wednesday-2

To begin I'd like to mention I made it to church this past Sunday, something that's been difficult to accomplish since the Lil' Lady came home in August. I think in the last 8 months I've made it to church maybe 6 times?? In the beginning it was warranted because we needed to keep her world small after coming home which was to aid in the attachment process. Then, as time went on it was just me who stayed home while everyone else went since the only person she attached to right away was me. Then when it was time to take her to church I realized she wasn't ready for the nursery and wasn't keen on sitting during the service so I spent some time in the foyer area with her trying to watch on the tv monitor. She wasn't havin' that either. So my plan then was to stay home and listen to the podcast of the service. That didn't last long because to be honest if I didn't listen to it first thing during the week I never got to it. So for months I allowed everything else to come first and it made a difference. A huge difference, might I add. Because this past Sunday when our entire family arrived, together, and the Lil' Lady was tucked safely inside the nursery (and having a great time I should say) and we stood and sang and prayed and listened I felt like I was home- like I had been away on some crazy vacation for the past month and I was finally relieved to be back.. and that has made a huge difference.

This photo was taken a few weeks ago. I was heading to the kitchen and glanced out on the deck and saw this. hmmm.... wonder what that was all about? It looks like there's some serious conversation goin' on.

And have you seen this family yet, together since 2007, 13 kids and counting and the most together family I've e.v.e.r. seen? I tune in live to check on them every once in a while and I am blown away by the teamwork and sheer compassion for each aother and their kids that both mom and dad display at all hours of the day and even in the worst of situations. They can weather any storm I tell ya and they do it without one complaint. If anyone inspires me to be a better parent it's these two. Tune it, you won't regret it.

Lookin' for more rambling? More What not Wednesday posts over here

Back in December....

...we were lucky to snag tickets for the family to attend a fundraiser through our adoption agency at the Vikings training facility. Last year it was just me and the older three bravin' a snowstorm in order to go, but this year we were all able to attend.

Her comment while I was posting this was so deadpan serious it made me laugh. She stared at the picture for a long time and said

"they're tan and i'm not"

I guess Vikings don't speak Korean either...

These two were tryin' to get up enough nerve to approach the cheerleaders

I was lovin' Frank Walker, he was genuinely happy to be there and had a great rapport with all the kids.

All in all it was a great night for a great cause!