Playdough Update

I have told you how my wonderful friend makes everything seems so easy...we made playdough at her house. On our way home, my wheels were turning and I was planning when to make some more for my two year old to play with during school time. I went to the store and bought salt (we only have coarse sea salt) and some Kool Aid to color it with. We got home and my daughter shared her play dough with her brother. HE ATE IT. He didn't taste it or nibble as he played. He acted like one would when faced with cookie dough--hurry and eat it gone before someone takes it. I guess it is dough; and he did JUST turn two; and he is a boy.

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LOOK WHAT I MADE!!

OK, I too realize how rude it is to say,"look at the cool gift that I gave!!" BUT I am NOT CRAFTY. Really really not.
I have poured all of my energy and time the last twelve years into my kiddos. Im not complaining and I have no regreats. I also have no hobbies and projects to show for.

I believe that children are a blessing from the Lord. I believe that babies are the most amazing thing. I want to celebrate and scream and cheer whenever someone has a baby. I have caught myself pointing and cheering at pregnant strangers. (not good :) I want to welcome a new baby with HUGE exciting gifts for their family. I am not in a position to do that.

Recently Walgreens had an amazing sale and diapers were really really cheap. I KNOW that I have two babies in diapers and do need diapers but I thought just maybe I could pull off making a diaper cake....THEN someone in our church requested diapers for their shower. I could be a little gaudy if not reigned in and LOVE girly things. This beautiful baby is a boy. I did have to thnk hard to find boy themed things. BUT I am actually happy with how it turned out!

We Made Playdough

I feel like Im taking credit for someone else's "coolness."

But my daughter and I and her Keepers at Home Girls' Club made playdough today!! I have the most amazing friend who is great at everything domestic and I am soo not. I want my daughter so badly to have this training and begged and begged her to start a Girls' Club. I found this program and am happy with it :)

I don't know why I havent talked about Girls Club before...I dont know if it is Ok to share the pictures Ive taken becasue they have others daughters too...but "we" have done a lot of fun things and earned quite a few badges:

Around to it

Today I got frustrated about never having time to do the things that I need to during the day. I have 5 children, including a two year old and a newborn, my husband is also home during the week. I have made a schedule and delegate a lot of chores to others. But it doesnt save me any time because I am constantly answering questions or checking up on the progress of the said delegations. Our house is also very LOUD. I dont get phone calls made, I dont get paperwork done, I dont go anywhere.

There is something that you might not know about me. I had Stage 3 malignant Melanoma removed from my back 6 years ago. I have only had one check up since then and I have some moles on my face and back that have been really itching and bothering me. Doesnt that sound so stupid and irresponsible written down in black and white?

I meant to see the dermatologists every 6 months. Medi-cal would only pay for once a year. Then the health dept didnt have calendars to make appts for 6 months in advance, then I dindt have a car, then I was pregnant and sick, then I had a newborn, then I was pregnant and sick again. Five years went by. How did that happen? Wait! I just told you how it happened.

Now here I am. I called to try to find a dermatologists covered by our insurance because right now I don't have a dime to my name. Seriosuly. I had to transfer my paperwork to a different place that will take effect October 1st, then I have to get a Drs. referral. I am really freaking out though. I found the first melanoma and it was taken care of. Am I pushing my luck now? Did I become paranoid or have I ignored my warning.

I can name so many people who have quickly died from Melanoma. Why would I not take this seriosuly? I dont have my affairs in order for such a thing. I want to see my chidren grow to marurity and fulfill the dreams that we've dreamed for them. Im scared.

Party or Pack

I mentioned earlier that we MAY be moving. We are looking and we probably should move, then again we dont have the money (or time or energy or resources) to move and probably shouldn't.

We don't own a refridgerator! Would we have any help? We have way too much stuff! we have a two year old! We have two babies in our room and our daughter's room gets covered in mildew! Our dining room table no longer fits in this dining room! Think of all the cleaning involved in moving after 7+ years! We need to come up with first month's rent and a deposit and deposits to hook up electricity and gas and water and....

SO..I wondered about celebrating birthdays--what if we move first. Our baby is outgrowing his newborn clothes--do I get out a box of clothes and wash them and pack the smaller? Do I get out our Autumn things and decorate for the seasons? Normally, I would, but are we moving? I still havent packed up maternity and non-breastfeeding clothes either.

I did get out some Autumn tableclothes and wash them. Today is Saturday, my husband was working, my oldest son went on a 6 mile hike with Boy Scouts. I took my two middle children to an art class at the library and chased after my refusing to nap two year old and waiting to nurse/crying two month old. Long long hour and a half. When we got home I put my toddler down for a nap and did two more loads of laundry in an effort to "catch up." I found some cookies! I yelled out to my older "I found cookies! Wanna have tea! Pick out a tablecloth" The table was set, water set to bowl, china out, Autumn mugs ready, places set....Kudos to efficiency!! My daughter just turned 8 but is such an asset to me personally--this must be what it feels like to have a personal assistant. Except that I wouldn't have to referree a personal asistant yelling at her brothers, atleast I dont *think* I would.

Where have I been?

It has been awhile since I have posted....

Hmm...They want to fumigate our rental. We really really dont want to. We are looking for rentals closer to my husband's work and our church. We currently drive 4 hours a week that we could cut by living in the town over. We need the money we would save but don't have the money to move. Catch 22 huh? We are looking and wondering how we'll come up with the first months rent and deposit.

We started school. That is going well. I am struggling with getting up in the morning and schooling with a toddler in the house. The children are doing very well.

We celebrated a 2nd birthday.


We celebrated an 8th birthday.





My son earned two ranks and 3 merit badges in Boy Scouts.


I really should have better pictures of these things!! (Add better camera to my wishlist)

My dear freind and I did more canning: We made "hot" jalapeno/peach jam, peach jam, peach pie filling, and spiced peaches.

My baby is now 2 months old.


We are cruising right along :)