Back...By Popular Demand

Okay, not really popular demand. One friend from high school, one current best friend, and one family member giving me a hard time about not updating the blog may not really be popular demand. But, it's my blog and I can say anything I want, right?

It's been two months since I last posted. My best friend knows when she doesn't hear from Michelle that she's been having 'issues' in life. The same holds true for my blogging. When I have 'issues' I don't feel like talking (or typing...or sharing). A lot of changes have been going on in this household.

First of all, I am no longer a homeschooling mom. But I am still a mom, with the best interests of my children at heart. I don't know when it hit me, but I just could not do it all anymore. I was checking out as a mom and honestly don't think I was doing a very good job at "Mommy". It was a tough decision for me, and one that truly disappointed The King, but it was necessary for my sanity. I was tired of feeling guilty for not loving what I did, and feeling like a hypocrite every time I'd attend a homeschool planning meeting, or when I'd enthusiastically encourage another homeschool parent going through a rough time. I was afraid to tell my peers, but they have all been supportive and will continue to be whether I keep the kids in school or decide to bring them home again. (They are true friends!)

For now, the children all seem to be adjusting well. Prince Charming has probably had the hardest time because he just doesn't know what to do with himself anymore. I try to keep him busy during the day when his siblings are gone, but he still seems lonely. However, I must admit I have loved the one on one time with him!

That is change number one. I'll update another day about other changes. (Hey, I need content for future posts...don't want to use it all up on one.)

Tragedy

Minnesota roadways saw 11 fatalities over Memorial weekend.  Every holiday we hear about how many people die in traffic accidents.  We hear the statistics on the news and silently rejoice when the numbers are low.  We groan inside when the numbers are high.  We feel bad for those families whose lives were forever changed due to tragedy, and then go on with life.  We don't give it a second thought.  

But what if?  What if someone you know happens to be one of those statistics?  Ten of the people who lost their lives over Memorial weekend 2009, we did not know.  One we did.

On May 23, my husband's cousin lost her life on a Minnesota highway.  We went to her visitation yesterday.  Her husband is still hospitalized and her funeral will be held once he is able to leave the hospital.  It's horrible.  Shocking.  Unfair.  Heartbreaking.  The only consolation is that she knew Jesus.

Hug your loved ones.  Don't leave things unsaid.   If you aren't right with your Maker, make things right.  Stop in and see those who are important in your life, no matter how busy you may be.  You never know.  Life can change in a blink of an eye, and you may not have another chance.

 

A Very Happy Birthday

I'm a little late in posting this. The weekend before last we celebrated my Mother In Love's 75th birthday.

For over thirty years she has (and still) runs her own restaurant. She is famous for her pies. That's why she has a pie themed cake. Hoards of people flock to the cafe every Wednesday for pie day. It's not an exaggeration to tell you that she bakes the best pies in the Midwest...possibly the whole world. I'm sorry to tell you that she has been interviewed to death by the media and will no longer be doing pie interviews.

A gathering with The King's family would not be complete without food...lots of food. So much so, that as the last of the dishes from a meal are washed and dried, the next meal is already being prepared. Oh, and the food is always ever so tasty. What else can you expect from the offspring and spouses of a famous restaurant owner?

The birthday girl cannot stay out of the kitchen. Never. There is a magnetic pull between her and any kitchen. You'd think that after all those years of preparing daily specials, flipping burgers, and rolling out pie crusts, she'd welcome any opportunity to stay away. Here she is helping her oldest daughter prepare one of our many meals for the weekend.

Half the weekend I couldn't find my camera. Thankfully this Sister In Love is rarely without hers. Thank goodness we have someone to faithfully document the family history through photos.

Here is the oldest granddaughter (one grandson is just a bit older) with her daughter...the first great grand child. One of the draw backs of marrying one of the youngest children in a large family is that you become old before your time. I became a great-aunt at the ripe old age of 26.
The younger ones had fun with a pinata. "Okay everyone, line up from youngest to oldest."
And when those little ones were unable to knock the pinata down, we called in for back up. Jouster gave it a good whack and knocked it to the floor. Do you see the pinata expert crouching down behind me? He was ready to make his move to gather candy.

Prince Charming got more than his little hands could hold. I realized as I was typing this that he is the youngest grandchild (not including the great grandchildren here). I wonder if he will ever lose his position?

Some of the older cousins had time to get reacquainted.
And spend time hanging out at the house reading.
While some of the younger cousins (the fan club) enjoyed watching their 'dult' cousin perform some worship music. Don't be surprised if you see her on stage one day. She is a talented young lady! Just so you know, a 'dult' cousin is one who is already an adult. They are the ones who provide my younger children with playmates...Yeah! But family gatherings can sometimes bring on the tears. Maiden was a little sad that all the other girls her size drove uptown together while she was stuck riding with Prince Charming.
We made Grandma a photo album with pictures and messages from the grandchildren and great grandchildren. If I remember correctly, Grandma has been blessed with 29 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Only 9 of the grandchildren are married thus far...the number of great grandchildren is only going to continue to grow!Then the girls had to compare their pages with each other.
And no visit with Grandpa would be complete without a Grandpa Dollar. Here the kids are lined up to receive their $. Every time the grand kids visit Grandpa or Grandpa visits the grand kids, he gives them a Grandpa Dollar, a real dollar bill. The more times you see Grandpa in a year, the more dollars you get. Hmm...I wonder who really benefits from this tradition?
We all got to meet Grandma and Grandpa's new dog, Poochy. Prince Charming was quite smitten with him. (As were most of the grandchildren.)
A family photo at the end of a grandios weekend. After seeing this photo do you even have to question why I married The King? I had to be a part of this royal family. I am so blessed and thankful for them. God is good!

Happy Birthday Char! We love you!

Twins

The King has a twin. They do not look alike and people are surprised to hear that they are twins. They are fraternal, yet somewhat identical.
The King's Twin and family were over recently. They were invited guests. Unfortunately an uninvited guest appeared. I was so thankful he showed up. This guest made our evening very interesting, and helped prove that my husband is actually a twin.

We were giving King's Twin and Sister in Love a tour of our basement, when I saw and heard something that will forever be etched in my mind. Something that even now, more than a week later, gets me belly laughing so hard, my eyes well up with tears and I can't see to type.

So, I know you are all dying to know...what, could get her so worked up? Oh, nothing much really. Just the King's Twin, dashing up the basement stairs, six at a time, nearly running me and his wife over in the process, howling, "OHHHHHH, A BA-HA-HA-HA-HAT." (Actually he did knock me down and I had his footprint in the middle of my back, but I'm not holding it against him.)

After King's Twin had fled to safety, he stood holding his chest and panting. We were concerned that maybe he was having a heart attack, but once he was able to speak, he told us he was fine. It was only a pulled muscle in his chest.

I've only ever heard and seen this from one other man in my life. The King. I call it the masculine bat reaction. I now have no doubts in my mind that these two men were knit together, and shared their mother's womb. God may have made them fraternal, but their bat reaction is definitely identical.

Ron Paul

Last night we picked up the King's Twin and family, loaded up our home school bus, and headed off to see Dr. Ron Paul.
You wouldn't believe the excitement in all of the children's voices as they spotted hundreds of Ron Paul signs and bumper stickers as we neared our destination. Why? You see, King's Twin (sitting to the right in the tan shirt) had long ago offered $1.00 for Ron Paul paraphernalia sightings.
I proudly earned a buck before he changed the rule to "only person's under 18". Then another rule was added, the sightings had to be verified by someone, uh, verifiable. Our children had visions of dollar bills packing their wallets. Their dreams were squelched as King's Twin informed them he would not be paying out. Sightings at a Ron Paul rally did not count.
Oh well, we all had fun anyway. How could we not? We were surrounded by fellow Ron Paul supporters. As you can see, Prince Charming loved the rally.
Best of all, we were able to see Dr. Ron Paul in person. But the fun didn't stop there. As we left the rally, we had the pleasure of watching The King honk the horn at person's holding Ron Paul signs while the King's Twin shouted out the window, "Go Ron Paul!" The bonus had to be the children at the back of our bus chanting, "What do we want? DQ. Who do we want? Ron Paul. What do we want? DQ. Who do we want? Ron Paul." Their persistent chants did not pay off. The King and King's Twin had decided. There would be no ice cream stop on the way home. But Sir Oh did not let that get him down. Instead, he enjoyed a little snooze on his big cousin's shoulder. Who needs ice cream when you have a Jester sitting close by?

This talented young man, Eric Richards, performed this song at the rally. I just had to share. Enjoy!

Little Red Riding Hood

Last month, my sister in law and I loaded up my van and took our kids to a children's production of Little Red Riding Hood. It was a great play, and a treat to do something special with cousins on a "school" day.

Duchess and cousin Countess before the show. My sister in law and Sir Oh.
Maiden and I. Did you notice our matching double chins?
Not knowing if this production of "Little Red Riding Hood" would have the wolf eating Grandma, I tried to prepare the girls for the possiblity. Maiden decided the play was going to be scary and when we were getting ready to leave, she came out of her room with her sleeping mask. When I told her she didn't need to take it with, she replied, "Yes I do, I will wear it if I get scared of the wolf." I wish I had a video of her reaction to one part in the play. She pulled down the mask because she thought she was going to be scared, but kept putting it up, pulling it down, up, down, up, down...she couldn't decide if she should watch or not.

The boys. Scribe, Sir Eee, Squire, and Sir Tee. See my sister in law in the background? She is showing Maiden how she will react if she gets scared of the wolf.

Here are the girls with Red Riding Hood. Maiden is making sure the wolf is no where near.

Here is the gang, minus Sir Eee. Even Maiden decided the wolf wasn't all bad. After all, he didn't eat anyone.

Little Pink Riding Boots, or Duchess, just a short time after getting home. A day at the theater can really wear a person out.