Some random pics (now that I can upload again!)

I lost the camera cord several weeks ago so pictures have been captive on my camera, which I don’t like!  So here are a few ones that tell you what we’ve been up to…

the boys, waiting patiently for the rest of the fam, at my parents timeshare near Mt Baker

folding laundry may not be my strong suit, but that makes for a great pile to play in!

waiting for our plane to take us away from rain to the sunshine

Rylee making sure she knows the safety procedures

Caleb even helped with Audrey on the plane, it was precious

Enjoying some seriously good burgers, all 9 of us!

The zoo trip was possibly a low point during our Phoenix trip-it was hot, Kyler's face says it all.

Sisters-riding a little statue horse-sweetest little things!

This is what Audrey looks like at 3 AM when she decides to get up for a couple hours. She didn't sleep great on our trip but it was still worth it!

Audrey, in the dark kitchen, doing art at 4 AM in Arizona

Operation Christmas Child Party (2nd annual)

We planned a bit better this year and didn’t put the boxes together on the very last day you could drop the shoeboxes off!  It was a wonderful time.  Both my sisters were able to come and another friend (who is also one of three sisters!) and her sweet children.  The kids were a year older and able to understand and help even more.  I could watch the DVD they sent and cry every single time.  Watching those children with next to nothing to their name opening their boxes all over the world, it’s amazing.  It was a great way to hone in our focus on giving and sharing….let’s face it, that’s a little hard to do with little people sometimes!

Rylee must have packed her box a dozen times….she had to get it just right!

From great to bad to worst

It’s amazing how much can happen in one day.

This morning we hung out with new friends, shared food with those who are without, delivered by all our children in a line.  It was precious and humbling.

Then we enjoyed a visit from my parents who’ve been away for a month, the kids were delighted to have their Nana and Papa around.

An amazing phone call this afternoon.

An afternoon visit from a sweet friend I love who I haven’t seen in a while.

Then quickly I wasn’t feeling good.  I was feeling hot and shaky.  I recognized the signs quickly and realized I was on the slippery slope to a bladder infection.

My friend offered to stay with the kids while I ran to the store for cranberry concentrate (which has saved me from antibiotics more than once in this department).  I first said no then felt myself going down hill and changed my mind.

I grabbed Audrey to come with and Kelly stayed back with the other three.  After delivering four children, my bladder function is possibly sub par.  But today it was declining by the minute.  Hoping I could make it to the grocery store (5 minutes from home) to their bathroom, I whisked Audrey out of her seat and ran into the store.

I found the bathroom and then the juice.  I made my purchase and headed out in the light rain.

My van was locked.  No problem.  I reached for my keys and as I did I saw them sitting in Audrey’s car seat.  In my bathroom-needy haste I left them in the van and it was locked.  I needed a bathroom again.  I ran inside carrying glass juice jugs, Audrey and my purse as I dialed my husband and my friend and roadside assistance.

I cried and agonized over my feverish, locked-out, dizzy self.

I tried to find a free cookie for Audrey.  I ended up buying her a donut.  At dinnertime.

I used the grocery bathroom 9 times in 45 minutes.

I practiced my labor-breathing to contend with my bladder pain.

Audrey threw pieces of donut all over the bathroom floor.

Then she tried to eat them and yelled at me for throwing them in the trash.

Audrey threw a screaming fit when I wouldn’t let her eat the giant chocolate orange that was for sale.  I was completely unable to do a thing about it.  I just watched her and tried not to pass out in the produce section.  By now I look like I have an involuntary tick sort of thing.

Roadside assistance would be an hour.  So would my husband.  So I waited.  Pacing around from bread to lettuce to orange juice making sure I had one eye on my daughter and one eye on the bathroom.

Christopher texted me as he passed every exit on the freeway.  Bless him.  He made it to me, we made it home, I made it into bed, my friend who had stopped for a quick visit had now been caring for my kids for a couple of hours.  I readied myself for a trip to urgent care as I still was in incredible pain.

Very worried about me the kids sat quietly on the bed and stared.  Unable to sleep, they were a welcome distraction.  Rylee brought me a science book and asked where the bladder was.  I showed her and then we discussed white and red blood cells and how they fight germs and infection.  Then she read to me out of her book.  Love that about our homeschool home.  There’s always something to be learning, even when mom is moaning in her bed and running to the bathroom in the middle of a sentence.

The family prayed for me, many times, the kids prayed their darling sweet, simple, faith-filled prayers.

Then, enter three of my favorite things:

1. Garlic-hi potency raw garlic tablets
2. Super strong, nearly undrinkable 100% cranberry juice
3. Oil of oregano-makes you gag to take it full strength on the tongue but an incredible healing herb

Two hours passed, I waited to call to have someone take me in.  I felt better and better.

And now I’m writing on the blog.

Talk about a crazy day.  The lovely mixed right in with the awful.  That’s life I guess right?

It’s all about the minute

The minute I spend letting Audrey walk holding my hand instead of sticking her in the stroller and ‘efficiently’ walking around the park while waiting for the kids to finish music class.  I wouldn’t mind the exercise.  I certainly know I need it.  But I can see her little body leading me down the path before have time to think longer about getting the stroller out.

That minute leads to more lovely minutes.  At her mere 27 inch height, she spots a bright green caterpillar inching along on the sidewalk.

She squeels and points and demands that I delight with her in the discovery.

I kneel.  I listen.  I watch.  I smile.  Then I sit on the sidewalk with her.

Exercise it is not.  Efficient?  Not one bit.

Beautiful is the delicate caterpillar.

Sweet is the sound of her voice.

Perfect is that moment sitting on the cold concrete alone with my fourth born.

I am still continually amazed at what follows when I choose to give a minute.

A minute of attention, a minute of laughter, a minute of snuggling, a minute of helping…

Just one, tiny minute.

We picked up the little green friend, put him on a leaf and walked some more.  I sang softly as we meandered slowly down the path.   We shared our discovery with the rest of music class and then he found his way to the dirt and we found our way home.

Simple and boring it may sound.  But a delightful, precious morning is what it was for me.

All because of a shared little minute.

 

Our Phoenix adventure in pictures

After hanging around home the first couple days we ventured to a man made waterfall that the kids waded in and climbed up and down, it was a blast for everyone

We also enjoyed several walks to a man-made lake near my friend Kristin’s house.  The kids loved walking on the trail along the water and playing at the park there.  It was so fun to wear flip flops and shorts for a whole week…in November!

We partook in MANY battles with everything from swords to brooms to sticks to fishing poles serving as weapons of choice in the backyard.  Just playing in the little pool was fun too!

There were countless legos played with and Elise must have had her hair done by Rylee twice a day or more….Rylee also loved reading (and making up stories) to anyone who would listen

I lost my camera cord so I can’t download my own pictures (of which there are few) but the one of all 9 of us eating at In n Out Burger is priceless.  This last one though is a good indicator of the week from my perspective.  It was 6 PM, we were bike riding with the kids as the sunset.  I’m a little hot and sunburned and I had just made myself a fresh pot of coffee to get through the evening…