More Critters

So. We live in the woods. We have critters. Late the other night, we heard...someone...moving about in the attic above our heads.

Not cool.

Enter Gus and Jules.

$1000 to whomever gets the reference.



Gus^^^





^^^Jules

They are about 8 weeks old, and feisty little boogers. The brother and sister pair were adopted from a rescue in New Jersey and picked up halfway in Connecticut today. My dear friend Gail brought them to us. We also enjoyed a lovely lunch with her and her cutie baby girl. It was a good day.

Jonah (the dog) once is mystified by the new creatures. They all met briefly this evening after the little boys and girl went to bed. So far, so good.


The boys are abiding by my strict visitation rules: Two kids at a time, they stay in the bathroom, not picking them up, etc etc. It's going well!

Additionally and most assured UNRELATED, Miriam was introduced to PB&J  this evening. And it was a hit. YAY!

Update From the Tiny Farm on the Hill

Well. Things are moving right along.

School is continuing to be a challenge as the weather is turning warmer. I knew it would be this way. But we have to keep on it. It's not easy convincing those little boys to sit still long enough to get it done. We'll keep at it.

Our little micro farm is growing. The seeds are starting to poke their way heavenward (minus the few that Ezra accidentally knocked onto the porch. Oops. Maybe they'll grow there anyway.

The trees we planted don't seem dead yet. That is hopeful.

The chickens are fat.

The dog is lazy, except for this evening when we were chasing chickens and he decided he wanted to participate. We can NOT have that. No sir. I'm pretty sure he would have killed a chicken if he'd caught one, not necessarily on purpose, but still. But he was stopped and sent in the house. But it was some drama! Oh my!

We're in serious talks trying to actually add MORE creatures to our little place here on the hill. Maybe we are crazy. Maybe. But dreams are coming true, and that is what we are here for. There is so much delight in the few "farm" chores we have. The boys don't seem to tire of them. So we're counting our blessings, embracing the little corner of the world we've worked so hard for. It's wonderful.


($10 prize if you can guess what is all over my shirt!)

Miriam was plagued with a high fever for three days, and so we headed to urgent care on Mother's day. Now, we are squirting antibiotics down her throat twice a day. Thank you ear infection! She's much improved. Not that she was acting sick in the slightest, minus the 103 degree fever, because she wasn't. She was behaving as bright and sunny as ever. Dork-butt.

So, yes. There is the update.

Overwhelmed, that's what I am.

Random cute ice cream eating picture.

I'm  having a terrible time balancing my life.

Honest to to goodness. I can't believe how crazed I feel.

School is naturally a top priority, so I sometimes feel if 1. School is done 2. There is a meal on the table some time around dinner then I am successful.

Seriously low expectations.

There just isn't enough time in the day.

The house is (as you saw recently) frequently *ahemalwaysahem* a mess. It's usually clean under the clutter.
But still. Crap everywhere.

Everyone's yards, as Henry kindly pointed out yesterday are "more beautifuller than our's Mommy." Yes, child, I know. It's a LARGE work in progress.

Any amount of outside work equals the house staying a mess.

We've been doing a lot of outside work as of late.

Then there are classes/appointments/activities for the boys. I can't keep them straight. Spencer and Oliver missed their science class yesterday because I forgot about it.

Good grief, I suck.

Why do I suck so badly at finding the time and energy to get it ALL done? I haven't touched my novel in WEEKS because it's just so low on the list.

One claim to fame here is that you can ALWAYS find clean clothes. You just may have to dig for them.

Overwhelmed.

I need a maid/nanny/live-in helper.

You know, a Susan, like in Anne of Ingleside. I need a Susan.

Anyone want to apply for the post? It doesn't pay, but I'll treat you real nice!

Chicken Run

Chickens don't belong in houses. Baby chicks? Sure. CHICKENS, no. Just no.

Except it's still butt-cold at night here on our little hill, so we don't keep the chickens outside then. That and the coop is in six pieces.

So, my dashing prince of a husband made the run for them this weekend. It isn't QUITE finished, but close enough.



Each morning we gather the chickens out of the wire dog kennel in my dining room where they spend the night, carry them out-of-doors to their portable run and shove them in.

It's fool-proof, except when it's not.

We also have to stick a feeder and waterer in there because there aren't enough bugs in their limited "free-range" run to fill up the growing bellies of these fat girls.

And ^^^that is where we got into trouble yesterday.


After carefully flinging the girls under the run, we realized (by "we" I mean me, and five super helpful children) we'd forgotten the food and water.

No matter, just lift and stick.

Food in.

Water... water... "STICK THE WATER UNDER THE WALL OH MY GOODNESS. SPENCER!"

Then, little Pecky Becky who is Derek's chicken, ducked her little fat chicken butt under the tiniest little space and was suddenly a real-live-free-range chicken.

And she was gonna enjoy it. She.ran.for.it.

Thus began the chase of the century. Four children, running in all directions as that white poultry dodged them all. Miriam was SCREAMING at having been plunked rudely down in the grass.

"Stop chasing her! Stop!" I hollered.

No one stopped.

For a stupid bird, she was pretty smart. She headed straight for the woods. And my dear sweet children headed straight for her.

Well. Becky picked the prickliest, thorniest spot of our yard to hide.

Of course.

The boys were determined to rescue her from her fun. She wasn't interested.

After chasing her even deeper in the woods (oh the crying as they scratched themselves), they FINALLY realized that there wasn't anything to do but listen to MOMMY. LISTEN TO MOMMY.

Goodness.

Spencer went left, Henry went right, clapping their hands, to scare her away from heading up the hill over the stone wall and joining the wild turkey clan that resides up there.

Oliver began to cry again when I dare suggest that we wait until she decided to come home.

Finally that feather-brained dinner on feet realized that life wasn't that great in the wild (Luckily she's never seen "Chicken Run") and came on out, while the little boys clapped and clapped to scare her down the hill.

Eventually she wandered out and right up to me and cocked her head to one side as if to say, "Hey, don't I know you?"

"Yes you stupid bird! I'm your momma!" A slow chase ensued where Oliver headed her off and I grabbed her from behind. Clutching her to my side I lifted the run and shoved.

WOOHOO!

Miriam was rescued, grass dug out of her angry mouth. Oliver was STILL crying but about how scratched he'd gotten.

"Good morning, Mary!" I called to our only neighbor, who was enjoying her morning coffee on the porch, watching EVERY SECOND of our chase.

"Morning!" she called back jovially. She was laughing. Of course.

Then all into the house to start school.

Except I had lost Spencer somewhere.

A quick yard sweep showed he'd gotten himself completely stuck in the brambles. The harder he tried to free himself, the more stuck he became.

I saved him, never fear And my badge of honor is that I'm completely covered in scratches.

All because of Derek's chicken.

Why My House is a Mess

Gosh, those dishes sure need to be loaded into the dishwasher.



But wait, everyone is starving. Time to eat!

Miriam is having a ride on my back in the carrier. Perfect!

Okay, time to straighten up.

Oh no, we have no bread, must start the bread instead!


Okay, bread is rising.

Now, maybe clean up a bit?

No. It's time to get dressed/brush teeth/make beds, boys. Go go go!

Get dressed Oliver.

Find a shirt Spencer.

Get your pants on Oliver.

Henry, did you brush your teeth?

Get dressed Spencer.

Get dressed Oliver.

Go use the potty Ezra.

Get dressed Ezra.

Henry stop distracting them.

Get dressed Oliver.

Get dressed Spencer.

OH MY GOSH.

Did you brush your teeth?

It is now 9am, time for school. Get to work boys!


Miriam has been crying all morning, NAP TIME.

Hey, maybe while I'm upstairs putting the baby down, I can get dressed.

Nope! Ezra is having a fit. He needs help getting on the potty. It's POOP time people! No time to waste!



More school.

I am still not dressed. The house is still a mess. The dishes are not done.


The bread is finished, the baby is awake, everyone is STARVING.

LUNCH TIME.
We eat through the loaf before it is even remotely cool.



By tasking her brothers to feed her yogurt bites, Miriam is distracted long enough for me to...dundundun... LOAD THE DISHWASHER!

Go me.


Just in time for the lunch dishes to fill it back up again.

I put Miriam down to do piano with the boys.




Someone, in that time, smeared soap all over the bathroom mirror.

Diet Coke for lunch.


It's 1pm. I am not dressed.



Miriam is thrilled, her unwashed, pj-clad mother picked her up again! The world can go on!

The house is still a mess. I am still not dressed. Ezra did not nap. The washing machine is beeping incessantly telling me to come put the diapers in the dryer. The children are educated.



I am blogging. Miriam is banging on the computer.

This is my life. This is why my house is a mess.

Jet-Setting Morgan

WOW! Too much time has passed. I'm sorry about that. I've been running all around the country like a crazy person the last two weeks.

And it has been a BLAST!

Early last week we headed to Mystic Connecticut, and it was beautiful. We ran and played and enjoyed the first really REALLY warm day we'd had all year. It was fabulous.


Then Meem and I boarded a flight (two actually) for the great state of Utah. It was my littlest brother's birthday, and he's leaving for TWO WHOLE YEARS on his mission in a couple of weeks. So it was a sibling reunion. My kind, sweet, magnanimous husband stayed home with the boys.

They didn't miss me in the slightest. No, I'm not kidding. Daddy is WAY more fun than Mom. This I already knew.

I shall simply have to go away more often.

It was the first time ever in the history of my parenting that I went away (other than the overnight births, but that was work and I don't count it).

I got to see Stacy and crew, which was balm to my lonely soul. Oh how I love her and her family.
*sniff*



It was so much fun to be with my family. I have missed them terribly since leaving in January. We stayed up late and laughed until we cried.

I love them. So much. (Not enough to take any pictures, but you know... I was busy!)


And then I came home, and to ease the sting of leaving behind my family, my own sweet boys were waiting for me, with signs they'd colored themselves.

Then I couldn't believe I'd been happy all weekend without them.

Motherhood is a strange disease.

To keep life interesting, my dearest of friends, Maren and her brood of four boys that match mine quite nicely came to stay.


We chased boys, slapped bandaids on the MULTIPLE bloody injuries (BOYS!) and sneaked brownies when the kids weren't looking.

It was very very good.

The two (TWO) toilets that were clogged were remedied by a late evening trip to Walmart for a plunger (who knew I didn't have one??) and my superhero husband.

Derek has been running around nonstop and has to work all weekend.

Poor man is going to need his own weekend away pretty soon.

You Say It's Your Birthday!

My sweet sweet boy is now 4. Yay Oliver.

He chose to go to the movies for his "birthday activity." After of course, cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

In reality, Oliver wanted cinnamon rolls for DINNER, but with some gentle prodding, he was convinced to have them for breakfast.



We went and saw the Croods. It was a cute movie, and lots of fun for everyone. The theater is also a restaurant, so we ate lunch during the movie. VERY cool.


Cake and ice cream is a given. Chocolate with BLUE frosting. WEIRD KID.


NEXT, presents. Oh he was beyond excited for presents and thrilled with Finn, his new super doll and a new cloak to traipse through the woods in. Iron Man also made an appearance.



A good birthday.

At four years old, my Oliver is:

Highly opinionated. I'm trying desperately to see the GOOD in that.
A sweet brother.
loves tacos.
loves cinnamon rolls (see above!)
thoroughly loves playing outside.
likes to do "school.
naps most days.
can be incredibly INSANELY naughty.
still is my bug.



Love you darling son of mine. LOVE YOU.

Life According to my Phone Camera

We declared winter over this week.

Snow? What snow?









Guess what? These boys still need naps.



But if you try to tell THEM that, look out.



My chicks are turning into CHICKENS and oh the messes they make.



Gratuitous baby picture!

I'm thankful that the weather is looking warmer. I'm thankful that it's becoming tolerable. I'm grateful that little boys can be OUTSIDE breathing fresh air and then passing out on the couch.

I'm grateful.

Tomorrow is Oliver's birthday. Stay tuned for birthday posting!!

Easter Wrap-Up 2013

Happy April Fools! We're not observing today, because I FREAKING HATE APRIL FOOL'S DAY.

Thank you.

Instead, I shall tell you about our Easter.

It was lovely, thanks for asking.

Saturday we dyed eggs using the fancy schmancy shaving cream method. It was fun. And messy.
And you can't eat the eggs if you use this method. Hmm.







On Saturday night, it became apparent that I had no idea where the Easter baskets were. (Seriously, I need to unpack the friggin' basement.)

Derek was dispatched. He is BRILLIANT and came home with beach buckets, shovel included. The kids LOVED them.

We had an egg/basket hunt. The Bunny hid 82 eggs. They were ALL found (save a few stragglers still rolling in) in approximately 5 minutes. Then the baskets were found equally fast.









Those silver and gold eggs are a hot commodity. Much arguing.

(Spencer isn't in any of these pictures!!! I love him! I do! I just was perched on the couch, and he was a blur of egg-finding-stealth.)

It was a quick morning.

No one got new Easter garb, except Meem, because let's face it, boys don't give a crap, I don't need any new clothes (despite how badly I'd LIKE new clothes) and Miriam's dress was a gift.



Goodness she is cute.

The boys had a rough time at church coming from oh so much fun at home, too much sugar, lack of napping and general being-children-ness.

Church was rough.

But then we came home and a delicious meal of roast, potatoes, carrots, rolls, jello and fruit tart. Yes. It was delicious, even if I made it, I'm allowed to declare it thus. It was good.

Diet? What diet?



And then by then we were all fried, over-stuffed and kind of rolled our way to bed.

Today, my very favorite post-holiday-hang-over is in full swing.

OUCH.

One religious note regarding Easter:

I am the primary music leader at church which means I teach the music to the kids ages 3-11. And yesterday was a very cool day for music, because I picked a bunch of different primary songs with various subject matter and then had the kids connect each one in some way to the Savior. It was fun and the kids were incredibly insightful. Even the tiniest among them could understand how everything points to Christ. It was pretty cool. I loved it.

I love Easter. I love that my kids are getting old enough to actually grasp WHY we celebrate it. I'm thankful for Jesus and his atonement.

And I'm very thankful that March is done and perhaps, spring will find us here in April. Please? Maybe?