Great Tag Time!

I never thought I could get so excited to be tagged. At first, I was alarmed because such a reaction must be vanity, but....due to the fact that this pertains to my husband, and not myself, I think I am in the clear. So let's get down to business:

How long have you been married? Almost 13 years. Our anniversary is this week!!Yipeeee-

No comments on the big hair, please.

How old is he? Almost as old as me....and that is old enough. (37)


Who eats more? You have heard the nursery rhyme about Jack Sprat....Well, it's my life. He eats way more and has nothing to show for it. I, on the other hand, inhale and...you get the picture.


Who said I Love You first? I have no idea. It was probably me. I have always had a big mouth. Who is taller? Him by a mile - maybe a mile and a half.



Who sings better? Me. Good thing he's hot!



Who is smarter? Him. Good thing I am .....never mind.



Whose temper is worse? Um- I think we are about equal. I am Irish. He's got some Scottish, but if you feed him and make sure he has had a nap he's a teddy bear.

Who does laundry? The maid.



Who does dishes? Refer to the laundry question.



Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do. It's the farthest from the door...which everyone knows is the safest place for those of us who wish to avoid ghoulies and burglers.



Who mows the lawn? He does. I included a picture of myself mowing a lawn ...mostly for my sister's sake, so I can prove I have touched a mower at least once in my life. ( 1990?) I would like to call attention to my mode of transportation in the background. Sweeeet!...not to be driven by the faint of heart!

Who pays bills? He makes it and I dole it out. I refuse to use a spread sheet, though.

Who cooks dinner? I do. Those poor children...


Who drives when you are together? Actually, I do. It's a rather long story involving the purchase of a minivan.

Who is more stubborn? We are both working on developing contrite spirits. I think he is a bit ahead of me. It's that Irish thing...

Who is the first to admit when they were wrong? He says it is him, but he is mistaken.

Whose parents/family do you see the most? Both of our families live in the same area. They have all developed coping mechanisms for our extended visits.

Who proposed? After dating for five years it was obvious he couldn't live without me. He married me without asking. Actually, it's my fault- I took the ring when he wasn't paying attention.

Who has more friends? I am more social. We both have amazing friends.

Who has more siblings? He beat me by double as one of 9. I only have claim to 3 sisters.
Who wears the pants in the family? Some days it feels like the kids...but honestly, I would have to say my sweetheart does. I guess you could say he is the captain and I am the cruise director. What a lucky cruise director!

Trouble

These are the two people with which I spend most of my time . They are a busy lot! When I hear screams eminating from some unknown vicinity of the house and arrive out of breath to find silliness, and not broken bones or blood, it is a huge relief.

I firmly believe that #4 has been tutoring #5 in the art of stinkerishness. One of #5's latest accomplishments involves climbing out of her crib. She can literally fling her monkey-like foot to the top side of the cribfront and pry herself up and out. I know all toddlers are flexible, but it's still a little freaky. After putting her back in bed at least 56 times, threatening, and giving her numerous meaningful looks this afternoon I became desperate!

The answer = tight pants!

(My sister has used this method for years.)

-Brilliant-

Well, probably not to #5. All her Irish was showing- weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Her plan had been going so well..Now to be foiled! It was intollerable!

I don't know if it's appropriate for a mother to feel giddy with glee at the complete devastation of her child, but...I didn't start crowing until I was out of earshot.

The Devastating Effects of Global Warming

With the warming of the earth days like these will be long forgotten....

Hiking uphill in the snow to attend church at a neighbor's home.
Snow monsters....
Burying Dad... because he can
Thinking about getting Mom...

....ignoring child labor laws!

It was a Dark and Stormy Night....

What is a mother to do when her delightfully bored offspring are pecking at her heels for an activity? My temptation is to tell them to go chop wood- AND THEN- have them relocate it to various locations in the yard, but due to the nature of hatchets and ages of my children this would be a bad plan....

Instead, we drew monsters! This activity led to a fun twist. I had them draw simplified versions of creations, minus blood and mucus, and then I copied them in a loose pattern form.

Aren't we talented?

We traced the patterns onto scraps of fabric - felt, cotton blends. The great thing about monsters...they just aren't picky!
The kids thought it was very odd we had to sew them together inside out-
Stuffing a monster is fun to do! (except when your little sister wants to help...)

The boys were thrilled with their creations. They have been carrying "Mo-mo" and "Stompasaurus" everywhere....and I am a hero to unbored-boys! Woohooo!

Baby Onion Breath

This is Number 5!

She was named after her grandma- in a round about way, and they both
LOVE onions!

Here #5 is at a pizza joint that will remain anonymous, but is frequented by a rather herculean mouse. Notice the object clutched determinedly in her little hand- a red onion.

At first, I was thrilled about her "mature pallet", but was quick to discover that baby girls who love onions...smell not so baby fresh!

Infact, this baby girl down right stunk...for days! It's a perfume

that only a grandmother can cuddle.

Big and Crazy- just how I like it!

When I reflect on this passed Christmas season I am so grateful for family. We have such a large group it is easy to feel overwhelmed. When my sister and I descended upon my parents home for over a week, with 10 children between the two of us, our parents hugged, smiled, and showed no fear. Grandma and Grandpa were prepared with the traditional "hot-chocolate-tea-party" and fishing pond activities the kids relish. We went ice skating - a tradition on my husbands side, sledding, out to eat, played cards, ate more food, attended a fantastic basketball game- where the boys yelled themselves hoarse, and visited with grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins. We hauled my #4 and his dear cousin/cohort in crime away from numerous intrigues. It was an amazingly busy Christmas. I am so thankful for our busy, crazy, loud, munchy, exuberant, loving family- because intermixed with all the rushing about were the memories of Christmases passed, loved ones missed, and tender moments when testimonies were shared. I love Christmas. I adore my family- on both sides. I am profoundly grateful God placed us here in families, and especially for the family I am a part.

Something Profound

I have been waiting for some major epiphany to erupt in my brain so I could spew it forth for all to read- or at least my illustrious neighbor. But alas, here I sit, not a thought in my head. I should probably not decide to wax brilliant after 7:00 in the evening.