Announcement!

I will not be blogging over here anymore. I have finally worked out the bugs of using my own .com site and will now be putting my posts there (the .mac site will also have them). So, blogger, thanks for helping me transition to the mainstream world of blogging. If you'd like to find me, please go to www.MommyofMany.com and all of my wonderful blogging stories will be there for you along with a weekly podcast!

Thanks!
Jen

An Early Saturday Morning

Well, here we are on, yet another, Saturday morning up before the sun! I am longing to find out what the magical combination is that wakes these little pixies up so early on Saturday but makes them groggy and grumpy on school days and Sunday. I just need to harness it and switch it around! The kiddos are watching a movie for now because I refuse to jump into the day with both feet, so early.
It's still dark out, so I haven't opened the shades, but I can hear that it's raining. It never rains in Southern California! All those that are musically inclined should chuckle at that. :-) Seriously though, I LOVE the sound of the rain. And it is true that we hardly ever do get to hear it.
Today I am flying solo. Clay is in Vegas for a military function. So, the juggling of the day will include; computer class for Mom, soccer for Tristan, Girl Scout event for Anna and Maddi and a function at the Nature Center for Mariah. Not too bad. At least volleyball and soccer aren't overlapping today. Poor Clay had to figure that out last weekend while I was gone.
Well, I'll tell a more interesting tale a little later. But for now I say, "Have a great day"~

Self Reliant Children

Well, as you can see, my kids (even the youngest) do not wait for me to fulfill their needs. Luke-Xavier had already had avocado, strawberries, pretzels and juice, but apparently he was still hungry, so he got into the fridge and found a way to have more avocado. Such is life in our house. I try so hard to have the kids on an eating schedule, but the just don't wait! I actually had dinner cooking when he did this. With so many of them against one of me, I sometimes lose. But I'm not giving up. :-)

Have a good night~

I Did It! Hooray!

Whew! What a trip! It was so great to see both kids and the campuses they are on. They are both doing really well. Luke-Xavier was happy to see each of them. He actually acted mad at Kateri and then warmed up. I had forgotten what it was like to take care of a baby 24/7 without the help of extra hands. He was on the move a lot.
We stayed with some wonderful people in Steubenville. They were so kind and welcoming. We ate great dinners and enjoyed conversation and the entertainment that their little girls provided while playing with Luke-Xavier. It was so nice to be far from home and still be in a family environment. They have opened their home to Kateri which is so great for her when she wants to be around family.
Kateri and I made the 6 hour drive out to JJ. It was nice to have the company and the reassurance when I thought I had taken a wrong turn. We got to the school in time for Sunday Liturgy. I was so impressed with the boys and all that I saw. JJ is doing so well and has made some great friends. He really seems to be having a lot of fun. We took him shopping for a few needed items and some treats to share with friends. It was only a few hours worth of visiting, but really great!
Kateri and I then left and made the LONG drive back to her school. Luke-Xavier slept a lot, cried some and ate a great deal.
The flight home went well. We were fortunate enough to sit next to very nice people and had a little bit of chit chat as well as a nap.
Clay and the kids did a good job of keeping everything afloat while I was gone. Everyone seemed to have a nice weekend. Yea! Good job guys!
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Today I was able to record my second podcast. I can't wait to get the site up and going!!!!!! I got one step closer today. Everything sounds great and is flowing nicely. I will keep you posted! So excited! :-)
I hope everyone has a great week. Thanks for all the well wishes and the prayers for my trip. They worked!
Good night~

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...........

Well, here it is, the last thing on my list before going to bed. The alarm is set for 4:20 am and I'm ready for my trip. I'll be going out to see Kateri first and then driving from there to see JJ. I will drive back and fly home. A little crazy but I have about a zillion, printed, Google maps and hope that's enough to get me where I need to be. A little prayer and a lot of positive thought should suffice. My blog will be silent until next week. But don't forget me! Come back and find out how it all went. Plus, there will be pictures! I hear you all saying, "Oh yes! Pictures! We LOVE pictures." Ok then, it's a deal!
Good night and blog to you next week~

Mommy Olympics

This morning as I was racing around to see if I could get, just one more load of laundry in before getting the kids off to school, I had a great idea! There should be Mommy Olympics. I mean, come on.........who else can fold a load of laundry in 1 minute and 10 seconds or race from a sitting position to a screaming toddler in 8 seconds or jump over, around and through the gauntlet of toys, that are on the floor, in the dark? Oooo, oooo........there could also be memory tests like; name that favorite Raffi, Wiggles or Laurie Berkner song. If they ever do put together an event like this do any of you want to be on my So. Cal. team?
Good night~

An Easy Recipe

LOL! You just never know what you'll find around here. I want to share the EASY recipe I stumbled on, early this morning.

Dehydrated Baby Carrots:
1 handful of baby carrots
Child's' pants with pockets
Clothing dryer

Place handful of baby carrots in the pocket of the child's pants. Wash pants with a large, colored load of laundry. Put pants and rest of load into dryer. Dry on high temp for 45 minutes. Viola! Dehydrated baby carrots. Enjoy!