Fasting

Fast Sunday. We actually remembered this time. The kids decided they wanted to fast for their cousin who was admitted to the hospital for dehydration and pneumonia. Even Ryan chose to fast for the full 2 meals. I was a little surprised when Kelsey turned down a root beer float without hesitation, but even more when Ryan came home from church with uneaten candy in his pocket. That doesn't mean to say it was easy. This is what I found when I walked in the door from church. Kate on her knees ready and waiting to end our fast before the rest of the family was even out of the car!!! She was REALLY thirsty. Liam and the Miller family we hope you feel better soon. We love you!

Let's Make A Deal

One of the things that tops Ryan's list of things he LEAST likes to do is make his lunch for school. I started the year making my kid's lunches but with a new baby I no longer had the time or energy for one more thing. So I turned it over for them to do. I occasionally hear groans when I remind the kids that they need to make their lunch, but for the most part they have accepted it as their responsibility.

Yesterday, I overhear Ryan complaining about making his lunch and Kelsey dragging her feet with the dishes. The next thing I know Kelsey and Ryan have made a deal. If Kelsey made Ryan's lunch he would do the dishes for her the following night. I don't give the kids the chore (joy) of washing dishes until they turn 8 years old. I think that's when they become responsible enough to do it properly. Plus, you have to make them want to do it. "Nope, sorry, you have to wait until your 8." Kelsey has been doing dishes for 5 years now and she knows a good deal when she hears one. 1 small measly sandwich verses a family of 6's dinner dishes. She could hardly contain her excitement (which she had to do in case Ryan figured out he was being taken)

The next night Ryan couldn't wait to do the dishes. He did a great job and seemed to have fun doing it. I'm not sure I'll let them deal again. The first one worked out pretty good but I know from experience that that probably won't happen again.

Where Did All The Curls Go?

My daughter was born with beautiful curly hair. (That came from Jason's side of the family) Even in the hospital the nurses played with the ringlet she had on the top of her head. She is constantly complimented on her hair and many are surprised that it's natural. You can't buy curls like that! When I was younger I wanted jet black hair instead of blond. Don't we always want what we don't have? I know my daughter secretly wished that the curls would go away so she could have straight hair like everyone else, just for a day or two. She got her wish. At a friend's birthday party the girls combed out her curls and then for the next 2 hours straightened each one. I think she looks beautiful with straight hair too.

Tastes Like Candy

Jenna loves to snack. We are constantly finding the kitchen stools in various parts of the kitchen where Jenna has tried accessing "the good stuff." Cookies, candy, chocolate, chips-she knows how to sniff them out.

Tonight was different.
Look what we caught Jenna eating.
We knew she liked broccoli, we
just didn't realize how much!

Morning surprise

Ryan was being a slowpoke this morning. He had plenty of time to get ready, an whole hour to complete the morning routine that takes about 15 minutes tops. But every time I checked on him he was still in his pajamas, no bed made and he hadn't eaten breakfast. How far was I going to let this go? I quietly (this took extra patience on my part) reminded him that he was seriously running out of time. I just knew he was going to be late. He surprised me though. Not only did he get ready in time but as he walked out the front door he gave me this sweet look and said, "Good-bye, I love you-thank you." Thank you. Did he just say thank you? It actually brought a tear to my eye. Why the thank you?? Whatever the reason, I'll take it. Maybe I'm doing something right after all.

One of "Those" Days

Not wanting my blog to gravitate toward the negative here's a positive spin to my day.

For your information-just in case any of you find yourself in this same situation. You cannot clean up oatmeal throw-up with a baby wipe. Only a dry cloth will do. Yes, its been one of "those" days. My day started with Jason and Kelsey banging around as they got ready for their day. I didn't really want to sleep in anyway. It was going to be,"One of those zippety do dah days where you can't open your mouth without a song jumping right out." I got out of bed only to be reminded how messy my house was. Well, today I decided I liked the lived in, make yourself comfortable look. I tried to do my hair a little different. Jason will love that I went back to the big hair 80's style he married me with. Eric is not getting much bigger but he is getting longer. I spent a good portion of my morning trying to figure out how to add the extender piece to his car seat. Good news is I now know how to do it, I just have to call Graco to order another one. I decided to join some friends for a day outing at a local inflatable bounce place. I guess the ride was a little long for Jenna and her stomach couldn't quite hold in breakfast. But hey, I really needed an excuse to clean up her car seat. With all those crumbs, crackers, fruit snacks, whats a little throw-up. On the way home Eric and Jenna both decide it's time for a nap. I never get them down together and here I got 20 minutes to myself while driving home. And with 2 sleeping kids and a garage door opener that has a dead battery I'll actually get a workout in hauling the kids the long way into the house. Yep, one of those days. And it's not even over yet!

Tired!

It's Tuesday afternoon and I am tired! Why am I dragging today? Could it be the 3 am wake-up call I got this morning from my baby crying out that he's soaked and needs a diaper change and while I'm at it, could he have a bottle too? Or was it my 2 yr. old wandering in my room at 4 am looking for a new place to sleep, then after seeing that the floor was her only option, deciding her bed didn't look so bad after all. And while she quickly fell back asleep I . . . didn't. Or could it be I am still recovering from this weekend? Don't get me wrong it was great! I love the togetherness, lots of bodies, lots happening. Its just not-restful. It's actually a bit of a blur. I remember early morning hours and late nights. I remember kids wandering in and out of the kitchen like a revolving door looking for a snack, or even better, a treat. I remember park time with football and touchdowns and pushing kids higher and higher on the swing. I remember date night with actual adult conversation and good food. I remember laughing out loud to one of the best movies I've seen in awhile (Dan, in Real Life) and a line I hope I won't ever hear my teenager repeat to me, "You are the murderer of love!" (you have to see this movie!) I remember catching up with my best friend from 2nd grade, looking at our kids and thinking, "Do we really have teenagers?" I remember dying 54 eggs and wondering what we were going to do with all those eggs!! I remember 2 two year olds in a fist fight at church much to the amusement of the those in the pew behind me and to the amazement of Traci and I. But most of all, I remember times together as family, definitely FUN TIMES, even though they sometimes make me tired.

Happy Easter!

Is It A Good Morning?

Just got back from our early morning workout. Before going to bed late last night Traci asked, "Are you going to cycling with me tomorrow morning?" This was posed more as a statement than a question. I've mentioned before how I love early morning workouts, but since having a baby I haven't gotten back in to that routine quite yet. Traci decided it was time. Just like the time she decided Jenna was too old for bottles. Poor Jenna went cold turkey. When she whimpered "bottle" I had to tell her that Aunt Traci said it was for her own good. And now as I whimper "sleep" Traci reminds me that its for my own good too.

This wasn't my first early morning workout. Yesterday it was swimming at 5 am in cold water for an hour. It would have been a little more enjoyable if I had a swiMP3 player like Traci, especially during that 800 yd set. While Traci got great tunes, I was left to counting laps. Only 600, 400, 150 to go. I'm convinced that's how she lapped me. After that I told her it was MY turn to listen, which only made the rest of the workout that much more painful when I was made to give it back. I know that by the time I get home I'll be in that early morning exercise routine and I'll have my sister to thank. She always knows what's best for me.

Breaking Free

Tomorrow is a special day. No, its not my birthday, or my anniversary. It's the day I say goodbye to the winter blues and get out of my house! Am I the only one who feels that this has been a long winter? Maybe it's because I've been cooped up with a new baby and a 2 year old. Or maybe it's because its cold and rainy outside again when I really want spring-like weather. Having Jason gone these past few weeks and with the kids and I being sick has only intensified my urge to escape to somewhere, anywhere. . . but my house. That all ends tomorrow! It's Spring Break and we are headed for Kansas. A few days at my sister's house is just what I need. Hanging out with my twin who knows me and understands me and thinks like me will do more than any trip to a shrink. Sure it's going to be chaos and craziness and loud but at least I will be at her house and not mine for a few days. I think Jenna feels the same way. When I told her we were going to visit her cousin tomorrow, I found her sitting at the front door yelling, "ALLISON, ALLISON!" over and over. I had to remind her, "Tomorrow, not today-now close the door!" I think she's feeling a little like I do. After all, she HAS been cooped up with her mom and a new baby all winter too.

Homecoming

Well I did what I said I would do, just not the way I had imagined it in my head. (see #1 on previous post) When Jason came home it wasn't quite the homecoming he expected. I'm still sick so I gave him a kiss and basically said, "Glad your home, I'm going to bed." Poor guy. Wait, I mean poor me. He did give me my German chocolates (despite the greeting) which were, I mean are (because if I said "were" that would insinuate that I already ate the whole box) delicious.

The kids greeting definitely made up for what mine lacked. The kids got their own German chocolates called Kinder Eggs, a chocolate egg with a toy inside. They love them and look forward to their dad bringing them home for them whenever he goes to Germany. They aren't sold in the U.S. (probably due to choking hazard/lawsuits) so the kids are very excited to get them. Of course, they'd probably be excited with any type of candy, they are kids, but this is from another country and its unique. He brought a bunch home which is perfect because we can put some in their Easter baskets.

The rest of the day was uneventful. I was sick and tired and Jason was just plain tired from the time change and flying the past couple of days, so we just went to bed. Just before that, Jason took the kids out to dinner. He unfortunately came home to an empty fridge and a wife with no desire to cook so-again poor guy. The kids thought it was a real treat and it was to me. Ahh, quiet.

When My Husband Comes Home

My husband comes home tomorrow. After 3 weeks I am ready. After today, more than ready. Did I mention I am sick? While I settle into a routine while he is gone, I count the days until he returns to us and I no longer have to be the one in charge. Here is a list of some things I will do when my husband comes home.

1. I'll give him a great big kiss, then curl up in bed with a book and eat the good German chocolate he's bringing home to me while he takes the kids anywhere, I don't really care where, just go.

2. I"ll no longer load ALL 5 kids in the van to drop just 1 of them off at an activity somewhere. I can send my husband or better yet, I'll go and leave the kids at home with him.

3. I'll start being creative and actually cook some real meals. Sorry kids, no more chicken nuggets, Top Ra men or Mac 'n Cheese dinners.

4. I won't be caught running barefoot in the ice or snow, frantically racing the garbage man to the end of the driveway because I forgot it was trash day. That'll be his job.

5. I'll no longer worry about the passing ice and snow storms. Let the power go out. My man knows how to start up the generator.

6. I'll explain when he asks me why the furniture is rearranged that he knows better to leave me more than a few days. Hey, at least I didn't buy any more or paint for that matter.

7. When I'm tired I can just say, "Go ask your dad."

8. I'll thank him. Because serving his country and helping those in need is a big deal. And so is being a terrific husband and awesome dad!.

Welcome home honey, I love you!

It Really Works

My kids got me sick. At 3 am I awoke with a terrible sore throat. So far I'd been spared, but no longer. The cold (which had included fevers and pink eye) that affected each one of my kids on a rotating basis finally caught up with me. Despite the constant reminding (more like hounding), "wash your hands, cough in your elbow" and wiping everything down with disinfecting wipes, I still got it. So at 3 am I was desperate. I passed on the throat lozengers and went straight for the salt water. I've tried gargling with salt water before without success. I think it had to do with the salt content in the water. The more salt the better right? The problem with this logic is I'd end up GAGGING instead of gargling. For some reason I used less salt this time and with less salt I made it past the gagging and actually GARGLED. It worked!! My pain went away.

When the kids got up this morning I accused them of getting me sick. They replied, "We didn't get you sick because we're STILL sick."

Oh the logic. . .so if any of you out there get sick it's not my fault because I'm still sick too!

My Minute At The YMCA

Today was going to be a great day. I was going back to the Y. After a week of kids being home for various reasons (sickness, too many snow days) they were all going back to school and I was getting out the house.

Before the baby, I used to be an early morning exerciser. I loved getting my workout in before the sun came up and the chaos of the day began. With a new baby it has taken a little bit of juggling. Now I go after I get all the kids out of bed, 3 off to school and Jenna and baby dressed and fed. (A workout in itself)

Today I signed the kids in at the childcare and began my workout. I'm sweating, breathing heavy and pumping iron. It feels great! Then comes the dreaded childcare worker. All moms look as she enters the room. They all wonder, "Is it mine? Am I the one who has to cut her workout short?" We all make eye contact with her waiting for the signal that it is indeed ours. For me it never is. I usually get the shake of the head, then I smile and go back to building muscle and burning fat. This time I got the nod instead of the shake. Ugh! I just got here. What could be wrong? My kids love going to the Y, and they've just eaten their breakfast so they can't be hungry. Then it suddenly dawned on me. . . Jenna.

This morning she'd woken up with a dry diaper, the third day in a row. The thought crossed my mind that if she can stay dry all night surely she can do it during the day. Maybe today I'll try potty training her. So I put her in underwear, get her all excited about going to the potty and forget that unlike the past week I'm actually getting out of the house. So, I follow the childcare worker in and Jenna looks at me, smiles and says proud like, "I went potty." I smile and say, "Yes, Jenna, I can see."

After the shortest workout ever I head back home. Darn! I was so close.

How I Know I Am Loved

I was really surprised when my 4th child decided she wasn't going to take a pacifier. All my other kids had and now I was going to have to admit to something I long ago didn't believe, that some kids don't take pacifiers no matter how hard you try. When my last child came along I was sure he'd take to it. He decided otherwise. See, he found something better-his fingers. I agree this is WAY better than a pacifier. One, you don't have to worry about losing it! I can't count how many times my husband and I would yell to each other above the scream of the baby, "Where's the pacifier?" Two, I would no longer have to worry about germs, either from other children sucking on it or when it happened to drop on the floor (not that I worried too much, that's only with your first child). Three, it's a cheaper and easier way to go. With our second child we should have bought stock in the company that produced pacifiers with the number we ended up buying. Four, when he wants to suck, its right there, ready and waiting. No more scouring the floors for a lost pacifier. No running to the store when I can't find one. But the BEST thing about my son sucking his fingers is I know he loves me. Even though he can't talk, he shows me everyday!

I love you too!!

Blog Name

I have been trying to come up with a name for my blog since I stole my sister's yesterday. I didn't realize one of the first things you have to have when creating a blog is a name. You can't post until you do. Thanks to my sister she let me borrow hers until I could find my own.

How does one go about finding a name? My mom said she liked my sister's. That's nice, but doesn't really help. I played around with couple like "Morrow Mania" and "Morrow Nut House", fitting but not quite what I had in mind. My brother-in-law suggested "There's no Morrow like Tomorrow" Nice play on words but. . . I know he wasn't serious. Traci said I should think of something that represents me. That's when I remembered a quote I'd come across a year or so ago. Andrew Clements, an author of Children's books was asked how he wrote so many books. He replied,

"The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life."

After reading this quote I realized thats how I want to live my life, by doing the next good thing.

And that's how I came up with my new blog name.

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG

At the urging of some friends, my sister and her husband I have finally created my first blog. Why was I reluctant to join the growing population of bloggers? Here are some reasons why:

1. I am not articulate. I can be, but most of the time when a thought forms in my head it somehow gets jumbled as I say it or attempt to write it down. I'm the type of person when writing a simple b-day card actually creates drafts on scrap pieces of paper before attempting on the original. Plus, my punctuation stinks. I've forgotten most of what I've learned from all my past English classes. Maybe that's why I'm afraid to get my Masters. The fear of writing a thesis.

2. I am not that creative and I wonder if I'll actually have anything worth posting. It took me forever just to come up with a blog name (hours and it would be more except I promised my brother-in-law a blog today) and even then I stole part of the blog name from my sister. I actually think its a bit clever, and for those who know me and my sister you may think so too. . .or NOT. My almost teenage daughter thought it was completely unoriginal.

3. Time, Time, Time. I don't have a lot of it. Who really does? With 5 kids I have my hands full keeping everything running smoothly and happily. Plus, when I'm blogging, in the back of my mind I know I should be doing something that actually improves the world around me like scrubbing toilets or washing dishes.


But here I go. I'm giving it a shot.