Catching up

Okay, I know it has been a long time, when I log into my blog and don't recognize it! Thank you to all of you who commented on my last post. My daughter is an amazing lady and is doing well. We are both glad that school is out.

I am so ready to get the summer into a routine. The girls were out of school last Thursday. Friday night we had a Cuba meeting. Fun, but they were all up way too late. Saturday morning we all loaded up and went to Lima to visit Nanny and Paw Paw. Kevin and I left the kids with Nanny and Paw Paw and drove to Van Wert for a graduation party. Lots of fun. We headed home on Sunday with my niece Rebekah with us. 8 people in a 7 person van. We call it riding Cuban style. Rebekah was here through Thursday. What a great young lady she is and so much help with the kids!

Bek watched the kids one night so Kevin and I could go celebrate our nephew's 21st birthday. We swam one day. On Thursday, we met Bek's mom, my sister in law, at Chuck E. Cheeses. Wow! My first time.Hopefully the last !?!

Today, well, the kids realized that they are going to have chores this summer. that went over like a sled ride in July They are so excited! I have decided that, having a 10 year old and a 7 year old, I don't need to do dishes this summer!

I had a hair bow party on Thursday. It was lots of fun. But now I am making bows like crazy.

Hello, Summer!

Oh....My.....Goodness!!

What a week this has been! And I've really been absent from the computer! Let me try to give a bit of a recap....

Gracie had her play on Tuesday. She was the cutest little giraffe ever! I'd show you a picture, but I forgot to put a memory card in my camera. Ooops!!

Wednesday she was home recooperating from her performance sick from school. Seriously, I know she had a stomach bug because she so lovingly shared it with me!

Wednesday night I did my first ever bow party!! It was amazing! I sold tons and tons of bows!! Getting them done will be a challenge! But the money will all go to help pay for Gracie's Cuba trip this summer. I've received a lot of orders lately.

Kevin has spent most of this week trying to schedule his trip to Miami this week to get Jose. Car rentals are incredibly expensive right now!! Finally have that settled. Now we just need Jose to get his permission to travel from the Cuban government.

I babysat 4 days this week. Had a doctor's appointment for me and one for Ella.

Last night, Kevin and I went to see the musical at the local high school. Lots of our church kids it it. It was really funny.

Today is a combo birthday party for Grace, Ella and Charis.

OH, AND I FINALLY BROKE THE 30 POUND MARK!! I AM 1/3 OF THE WAY TO MY GOAL!!

Wow!! How have you all been??

A Beautiful Family Bonding Experience

What is it that just brings your family together? You know, where no one is on the phone, on the computer. No one is fighting. The whole family comes together for some quality time. Those momement are few and far between here. With 5 kids, someone is always talking or doing something!

But the past couple of Sundays, we've had a whole hour of peace. A time when we gather to enjoy the same thing. Are you wondering what our secret is? Okay, because I love you, I'll share it with you. Our local ABC station has started airing reruns of this wholesome, family show:

No nothing brings a family together like watching people try to cross the Big Balls or run the Dreadmill as they duck a huge wrecking ball or swim in a huge vat of foam! Yes, nothing brings a family like laughing at the pain of people dumb enough to actually go on this show!!

Peace on Earth In Mercy Mired.........

I really cannot explain what a car ride is like with the Jobe Crew. Loud, yes, but more than that. So much more.

Last night was Parent's Night Out at Sharonville UMC. This is where Kevin and I have our church membership. In the United Methodist system, pastors hold membership at a church where they are not pastoring. Anyway, shortly after 9 PM, we were all headed back home. The kids were wired!

They had seen parts of Wall-E. They started out talking about that and every few minutes, the entire way home, Ella would pipe up with, "Wall-E waked up!"

The moon was out, so Risi, every few minutes, would howl at it. Risi has this thing about dogs.

Josiah, Olivia, and Grace alternated between singing, fighting and yelling from the back of the car up to where Kevin and I sat up in the front.

I was driving and giggling most of the way home. It was crazy. And just when it got a little less chaotic, Risi would howl, or Ella would tell us "Wall-E waked up!" And when they didn't do it, I would, and we would laugh harder.

At one point Grace was singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." (The conversation had switched to a Charlie Brown Christmas . )

But Grace had the words a bit mixed up....

"...glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth
In mercy mired..."

I was looking at definitions of "mired". To sink into. To be held fast by.

And mercy? Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender.

An offender, that is you and me. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23

A misunderstood song, sung gustily by a young girl. Mired in mercy. I am covered by, sunk into and held fast by mercy. I can certainly think of worse things to be covered with.

Peace on Earth, In Mercy Mired.


Thank you, Jesus.

You Know You Are Parents to Five Children....

when the youngest throws up in a restaurant and you calmly empty the condiment container for her to throw up in. Twice. And you don't even think to tell the waitress until you are leaving. And the rest of the family keeps eating while they watch.

(and yes, you're welcome, to all who are glad I DIDN'T include a photograph or even clip art!)

What a Week

Busy, busy, busy. I'm sure none of you feel that way! LOL

Lots of errands this week to get a package ready to send to Cub@ this weekend. Hopefully all of the folks at Grace Church are getting letters and pictures together. Please pray for the people of Cub@ as yet another hurricane is headed their way. Food is already becoming harder to get. Please pray for Pastor Jose as his visa has still not come through. If it takes much longer he may not be able to be here by the 8th of December as we are planning.

Yesterday, the Melody Makers, the volunteer choir made of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at my children's school, gave their first perfomance. Our Gracie is quite the performer. Really animated. She had so much fun on stage. She also has a roll in the Christmas play next month. And yes, I said CHRISTMAS!! In fact, her principal referred to it as the Christmas play. Not winter or holiday, but CHRISTMAS!!

Parent Teacher Conferences for Olivia and Grace were this week. I am so proud of my girls. Their teachers said the same thing about both girls. They are working to their potential. I cannot ask for more than that. Well, I can. But that was answered, too. Both of the girls are very well behaved and treat their teachers and classmates with respect. (Just like they treat everyone at home, right? NOT!!)

I've had three straight days of migraines this week. I promised Kevin I'll call the doctor this morning and make an appointment. It's getting really hard to function. I have the best husband. He's worked all morning and then come home and taken over the household so I can take pain pills and crash. He is simply amazing.

Some days

it's just not much fun being the mom!

Priceless

Okay, we are on day three with no school because of Hurricane Ike! Our schools still are without power. Thank God we have ours!

Last night, I was lying on the couch with a migraine. And it dawned on me that all five kids were sitting together on the floor working a puzzle together. They were soooo loud. But I didn't care. Even with my pounding head. It was one of the few times I've seen them all work together like that. No fighting, no tattling, not doing something they weren't supposed to be doing. Just working together. I think they must have done three different puzzles together......

two puzzles: $30

migraine meds. $55

kids not fighting AND working together....PRICELESS

It's Friday!

Things I've learned this week:

* Olivia still hates mornings.
*Risi reacts better when you get on her level and don't yell
*It kind of breaks your heart when a boy comes to the door for your daughter for the first time (Grace.) Now, I admit, he wanted to challenge her to bike race, but still...she's only 9!!
*There is nothing quite as loud as a three year in the middle of a major fit.
*Preschool tires kids out!
*When a church is on the brink of revival, Satan gets busy.

Okay. Most of this I already knew, but lots of this was reinforced. Maybe I'll learn the lessons THIS time!

Lap Band, Fills, and Real People and Headaches

Several of you have asked about the whole lap band experience so far. Thus far, not much has happened except healing. I spent a week eating only liquids. Then 2 weeks on mushies. Food with the consistency of refried beans. For the past week and a half I have been on solid food. My band is empty right now. Which means my stomach is pretty much back to normal. I can eat what I could eat before the surgery. This afternoon I have my first "fill" where saline is put into the band through a port. A needle is inserted into port and saline is injected. It goes through a line into the band. It will probably take 2 or 3 fills to find the spot where I am consistently losing weight. Will keep you updated. So far I am down 10 pounds.

This week the kids have been out of the house a lot more because of the whole school thing. Yesterday, I caught myself, a couple of times, reminding my kids that there were "real people" around us. Just a general reminder that they were not the only people on the planet and to be aware of others around them. This is usually given when they are running through groups of people that we don't know.


Last night I was on the phone with a dear friend who lives in Maine. His kids have just entered middle school and high school this year. He and his wife are the same age as Kevin and I. As we were trying to talk, 4 of my kiddos were running around the table screaming while Grace sat at the table trying to do her homework. Her solution to this? To alternately yell at them to stop and at me to stop them. Never mind that she has a homework desk upstairs in the quiet with a lock on the door so she can do her work without distraction.

Have I mentioned how much I love these 'unreal people' or how much they make me yell and laugh at the same time??

In case you are wondering what "unreal people" look like, check out the following:

Oh, and yesterday's headache, named Headache Gustav by my sister, is still hanging in but is more a tropical storm that the level three hurricane it was yesterday

Catching Up From the Week

Wow! Where has the week gone? And where have I been?

On Monday, Grace and Olivia went swimming with our friends from down the street at Burwood Pool. They had a ton of fun, the little fish. And then one of the girls spent the night here. I think they actually got some sleep. I admit, I was asleep before they were. Shhhh, don't tell them!

On Tuesday, we had a play date a couple of streets over with a former student and her children. I don't know if it makes me young or old to have children the same age as the children of the kids I taught. (Follow that? ) A few hours after that, the kids went over to Jeanne's to play in MacLand! I can't explain that, you have to see it! Jeanne kept the kids for the evening. She even bathed and fade them. Kevin and I took full advantage of the time to spend time together.....okay, he did homework for his class and I went to the grocery.

Wednesday I just tried to catch up on things. I cleaned up the house. We were supposed to have dinner, but our guest wasn't able to make it. At least Kevin and the kids ate really well!!

Thursday? I don't know. I think that was the day the kids were really difficult. Let me amend that. More difficult that usual. (Note: Charis is crying over a balloon right now. And Josiah is whining over balloons.)

Friday, I had my post op appointment. Everything looks good and I will have my first band fill on Sept. 5. I stopped at the produce market on the way home and got veggies for a tray for church today.
Okay, NOT THOSE VEGGIES!! I spent the evening at church with several other volunteers to set up for today's events.

Today a bunch of kids came from State Ave. Church to spend a morning with our kids. They sang and played games (the prizes were all school supplies!) and ate a delicious lunch! A wonderful time was had by all. The kids from both churches got along great and were an amazing example of Christian love.

Now we are getting ready to head back to church for our monthly Family Fun Night. Don't let the name fool you. It's the church family, not just families!

Off to get ready for dinner!

More Mission Trip

It was muy calor!! (Very hot!!!) But beautiful! We spent a day on a salt water river. Supposedly there are manatees there, but we made way too much noise to see any wild life. Beyond the crab that is. The most gorgeous BLUE crabs. And bright red ones. We started with a huge snack that the ignorant Americans assumed was lunch. The Jose, Yamy, Kevin and I took a walk. When we came back the rest of the group, we decided to rent paddle boats. We all hopped on and down the river we went.

Can you say SUNBURN? It's been 2 1/2 weeks and I am still peeling. But my lily white skin doesn't get much sun exposure. On purpose , I might add. So, I was coasted in scumscream (as we call sunscreen around here) and still went home looking like Bob the Tomato . We were by far the most obnoxious crew on the river. That is because we had more fun than anyone else.

So we paddled, many of the crew , there were 17 of us, cooled off jumping into the water. It was so deep. The adults jumped off and never touched bottom. We had several young boys with us and they were in heaven. Jumping off, pretending to be shot as they fell in the water.

Somehow, I ended up on the wildest boat. Those of you who know me well, know that wild I am not. But there I was on this deep river with teenage boys and a ten year old jumping off at everything while I was trying to keep from hitting the shore, branches etc. Kevin and Jose ended up on the calmest boat. They got about 100 yard ahead of us as they followed a gorgeous blue heron along the river.

After several hours, we finally returned the boat and then packed up to go to lunch. A HUGE lunch! As we finished lunch, an incredible storm rolled into the area. So off to our van we ran. We were certainly like sardines. But we headed back to Jose and Yamy's so we could change and be ready for a HUGE dinner. It is amazing that I didn't any weight while we were gone.

All and all it was an amazing Sabbath. What a way to serve the Lord!

One of the Hardest Things

about being a mom of 5 (or even 2 I would imagine) is watching the face of whomever is left out. A lot of the time here, it is Olivia. Grace is 9 and have more privileges than Olivia. Grace can ride her bike farther distances. Her friends invite her over to their homes. And Olivia is left behind. Now, I can remind Livi that Grace didn't do those things when she was 6, but that offers very little conciliation. She just feels left out.

On Sundays, Grace and Olivia tend to go to Grandma's for the afternoon. The three younger ones come home. Grandma and Bill don't have room in the car for all 5 and they are not young kids anymore (don't tell them). As we leave church, well the wailing and gnashing of teeth is horrible!

I can't imagine what it is going to be like when they are older and their heart really are broken!!

3/5 Disease

Three fifths of the crew has Fifths Disease. Ella, Josiah, Charis. Lots of rosie cheeks and temper tantrums......

Creativity

I have 5 incredibly right brained children. As Kevin and I are also VERY right brained, it can make things really interesting around here.

Every summer I stock the kids up on the typical "summer things", you know, sidewalk chalk, bubble, jump ropes, sand in the sandbox, all of that kind of thing. But, my darling right brained monkeys make everything so much more work (for me!) than it has to be.

Sidewalk chalk. Can we just draw with it? NO! It must be ground up into a fine paste and then wet down. Once it is wet, one must walk in it and stick one's hands into it. Then said hands and feet must be used to leave footprints and hand prints anywhere they can reach. On the wall of the house, the brick wall, the patio, the driveway, all over the play set. And let me just say this concoction does not simply wash off of hands and feet. No, regardless of what is happening, it is bath time! This stuff stains skin and clothing!

Bubbles, how hard can that be? Well, after you blow enough bubbles to fool Mom into thinking you are going to use them correctly THIS time, you take a pretend bath in them! Rubbing it all over your arms and legs. Which is particularly wonderful on top of one monkey's eczema! It's even better if there is still sand in the sandbox! Then, you dump the rest all over the top of the picnic table in an attempt to wash off the sidewalk chalk residue. It doesn't work. THEN you can use the empty bubble containers to set up a bowling alley!!

Jump ropes are used to make webs on the play set. Or to tie stuffed animals to the play set. Or to use as leashes on said stuffed animal. We did have to take them away when they were using them to tie each other up AND to use as leashes on each other. Didn't think that was particularly safe.

So my backyard is just a hodge podge of toys that have been taken apart to play with in ways they were not designed. The soccer goal is used as musical instruments....the carnival like game that you throw velcro balls at is scattered after being used as who knows what. The kick ball has been used as a bowling ball.

Never a dull moment at the Jobe Abode.

Wondering if you are right or left brained? Check this out!

You Know It's Bad

When you literally have to pull this bad boy out in order to clean your daughters' room!! We are

in the process of moving out cribs and toddler beds and putting the girls in bunk beds.

So I super cleaned the girls' room. Two big bags of toys to pass on. Two big bags of trash. Two laundry baskets of dirty laundry. The bunks are currently being painted a pale pink. Will definitely publish finished product pictures!

Another Rainy Day & Other Meanderings

I am really tired of the rain!!!!!!!!!! You can sure bet I am not dancing! Rain means my kids are literally running laps and around furniture. Or fighting over who sits on my lap. Or yelling each other. With 5 of them, that is a whole lot of yelling!! And my sweet babies girls, Elliana and Charis are practicing for 10 years from now, when they are 13 and 14. They talk as nasty to each other as any eighth grade girl I ever had in my classroom. You can bet that I can hardly wait until there are a few hormones added into this mix!

And Josiah? He turns into Whiny Man in this kind of weather. I still don't understand why that happens. Then he attaches himself to my right arm, usually while I am writing or trying to use the mouse or any other of the myriad of things I do with right hand, since I am RIGHT HANDED.

And did I mention that trying to help a nine year old with multiplication homework when she hasn't bothered to learn the facts is not fun. For either of us? She gets frustrated and so do I. Let's just say I have the flash cards ready for drilling this summer. She'll be thrilled, I am sure. But, that is why I exist, to bring joy and sunshine to my adorable children......sigh...they are so delusional!

This has been a long long week. Kevin has been gone until later than usual Monday , Wednesday and today. I was gone a good part of Tuesday night. For a couple of homebodies, we just haven't been here much. But tomorrow, he is taking off of work! And next week he is taking the whole week off of church! Yeah! We are going up to visit Nanny and PawPaw next weekend.

Ooo, and tomorrow we start getting ready for Operation Girls' Room! We bought 2 sets of bunk beds. They needed painted and put together. I've been buying sheets off of ebay. We're going to get rid of lots of stuff....but don't tell the girls that!!

Well, my monkeys think they need some attention, imagine that!!

On a Crabbiness Scale

We are already up to three Lucys! Did I mention it is only 8:45? Could be a really, really long day!!

This Zoo We Call Home

You know, sometimes, it is hard to discipline my zoo without laughter. I was at the computer yesterday while Josiah, Charis and Elliana were working off energy running between the dining room table and the couch. If you've been in my house, you know that is not much space. Anyway, I look up to see them up on the BACK of the couch and Chairs looks very similar to this........

Just imagine my CURTAIN instead of the vine. Thankfully, Ris weighs nothing. Instead of pulling the rod out of the wall, it merely bent. I did my best "Sit Down!" in a mom's angry voice. Then went to the kitchen where Kevin and I just laughed! What else could we do!?!

I'm Back!!

Headache abated, I am ready to tackle baking! Erin is coming over this morning and we are getting our bake on! Stocking up on freezer pancakes and waffles, cookies, brownies, etc.

Did I mention that we are going to watch Kathy's twins ( 8 months old) in the process? Should be fun. I promise to take pictures!!

Need a laugh this morning? Check out this!