I had a great day yesterday with the kids. We did alot of general cleaning, changing beds, etc. the kids were wonderful and helpful without complaint. Ben was a gem and treated everyone to lunch. We went to Kohl's shopping for a suit for him for the Prom. Colson was a spitfire as ususal, not realizing the dangers of stepping away from mom..........we ran into Dave and Casey too. He was shopping for clothes for a new job he is starting on Monday. Also ran into Penneys looking for some baby tennis shoes for Victoria. Nothing there. Now I am back to square one trying to find them. Jacquie had dance last night and it was parent observation. How fun! The girls were all excited as they got their costumes for the recital. Both are adorable and I will post when she is all put together it! Den took the two boys to karate. Whew it was a busy night. We finally were able to sit down and enjoy our weekly fix of "Survivor". Then off to bed for me. The baby is sleeping awesome, now if I could just get Colson and Jacquie to cooperate! I can't win for loosing. Colson woke up and crawled in our bed mid-night sometime, Jacquie came in about 1ish saying she just couldn't sleep could she get into Colson's bed, then when the baby woke up at 4 she came in saying she had a bad dream. Needlesstosay, she did not go to school today I let her sleep in. Dan informed me this morning that she was still awake at 10:30 when he went to bed. Such a night owl that girl is. So now I am dragging. Sent Bry out to get me a cappuccino but the gas station's water is out! We have no coffee flavoring so drinking black coffee is not an option.

Finally got the three kids bathed and dressed for the day and started the mountains of laundry I have neglected since yesterday. UGH! it sure can be depressing at times yet I am thankful I have a front loader and can cram a huge basketfull into it, so it makes the loads disappear a little quicker. My mom just called and they are coming in a couple of hours. Its been several weeks since we have seen them and I know they are anxious to see the baby again. Never a dull moment around this house thats for sure, seems like there isn't even a moment to relax either. So since grandparents are coming I had better get into the shower and make myself presentableable. Give the house a once over to make sure that there isn't anything that my mom can pick up with her "white" glove! PTL we did some extra cleaning yesterday! Maybe its a good thing they have "take your kids to work day" after all!!!!

So today is "Take your children to work" day. I have three kids who wanted to work with me! (or really they just didn't want to go to school!) Now I am in a dilemma of what I should have them help me do? My 9 year old, my 13 year old and my 18 year old! Of course it has to rain so my plans to work out in the yard are nixed! There is always the mundane work of laundry, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, washing windows and mopping the floors, not sure yet just what my game plan is. My two younger ones are watching a disney movie! and my senior is still sleeping. I did think about getting him up when the baby woke up for her feeding at 4:15; while I was feeding her he could have picked up the house from last night, loaded the dishwasher, folded a huge load of laundry (heaped on the floor in the familyroom), or taken the trash down to the street but I decided to give him a breather and let him sleep. I would love to make this day fun for them but really how much fun is doing the above jobs? Sometimes its rather depressing and overwhelming, especially in a family of 13. So..........here I sit drinking my cappuccino pondering, debating and wondering why this is even national day. Really, do your kids ever know whats its truly like to walk in your shoes for one day? Seems like it should be a week then maybe they would see all you do and understand it a bit more, even be more helpful, thoughtful and sensitive. There are moments, sometimes even a day here and there that I feel like a maid and a hired cook. Probably if I wasn't so anal or such a perfectionist the messyness of my home wouldn't bother me. Believe me I have tried to let go of areas only to have even more work when I decided that it doesn't bother or drive anyone else crazy. I will have to say that I have relaxed alot since my older kids were little, but the truth is I still can't function in my own little world until all beds are made, dishes taken care of, laundry sorted and started, house picked up and vacuumed. Crazy huh? and though it is mundane some days, well really most days, I would not trade it for the working world for anything. I am priviledged to stay at home and work at my own pace. If I decide to read for an entire day is it really going to matter if the laundry is done or not? NOPE! It will be there waiting for me the next day thats for sure! So those of you who read this out there in BLOG world have any suggestions or ideas? Me, my brain is on freeze right now and I am hoping this warm coffee thaws it some so I can actually think............here is a funny one, Jacquie just asked me if she could wear a skirt and top today..............lol............I said are you going to clean in a skirt? she looked at me funny and said, "I have to clean?" oh this "take your kids to work day" should be such FUN!!!!!

Who would have thought that Brett would be
bald in 10th grade?

(what a goof ball! we sure got a good laugh out of this!)

Ben and his "friend with interest" Megan!

Scottie and his dog Winnie!

Brennan, Jacqueline and Colson

Victoria

We took a walk Saturday late afternoon on the Riverwalk in downtown Flushing. The weather was beautiful, though Tori was fussy it was still fun and the kids had a blast!

We were able to capture a picture of most of our family after church Easter Sunday.

My son and daughter-in-law have been after me to create a blog. I am giving it a try though I am technically challenged. I have so enjoyed reading many other blogs and have even found a few new friends through them. I am not sure how often I will be able to update as I have a new baby and with 11 children now at home my days are not spent enjoying myself on the computer, so please be patient and bear with me. Hopefully when you read this you will see my heart and my desire to walk more effectively with Christ, and that from time to time you will be encouraged and even thankful you aren't walking in my shoes!! Please leave comments if you so desire.