6-26-10 Saturday

CALM day. Dad and the boys put blinders on 147 pheasants (we paid for 150 so 147 is really good) early, and then took Joshua with them to mow and clean up at CIT. Dad did payroll in Morton, came home briefly, and then took Jesse and Jewel to Pekin to get rock for a shed landscaping project. He had to make a second trip, and Sarah went with him that time. We girls did kitchen, sewing, and computer projects, some Friday jobs, and of course laundry. And some ironing. And some emailing, phone calling, organizing, and managing. Well, really it WAS calm even if it doesn’t sound like it (relative to 6 bushels of applesauce, of course).

After Dad got home from Pekin again, we all went down to Uncle Jerry’s for awhile. With heat indices above 100, there wasn’t much else to do outside. Home from swimming, everyone showered and finished up chores. Kids had an early supper (Mexican beans and rice, a favorite), and then Dad and I did some chase in Pekin. FINALLY found a good source for butterfly (fishing) nets – a new sports store in Pekin; they have lots of good quality nets, very reasonably priced. I AM SO GLAD to have found them, because my patient Ben has been asking me to get nets for the other kids. They always take his, and then when he finds the perfect butterfly, his net is GONE. I know that had to be frustrating for him, and I’m thankful to say he’s been very patient with it all. So one of the new nets went to him, and he gets to keep his old one to share when his cousins/friends come over. I’m amazed at how many HOURS these kids spend collecting, studying, and mounting (did I mention talking about?) BUGS. Anyway. Dad and my other errands were successful also; home to rock Joshua awhile before everyone went to bed.

Now my turn; good night.

5-27-10 Three

That’s the number of nights I’ve been up almost as much as asleep (well, it seems like it anyway). More d with Jewel (tired of trying to figure out how to spell it every time. Also tired of saying it. And hearing it.). Dr. office today said it’s likely viral and could continue for 5-14 days (!!!!!!!!!!!); but as long as she’s drinking (she is, lots) and eating (not so much, but she eats like a bird with normal g.i. function)(is that the correct way to word that, ASK?), and has no other symptoms (she doesn’t), and is acting okay (she is, except for frequent trips to the bathroom), then she’ll be fine. I shouldn’t be concerned unless it goes past 14 days. Well, okay. At least Joshua is on the mend. Still has a really nasty nose, and fussier than usual, but lays down nice for naps and sleeps good – at night, too. Seems like the worst is over for him anyway, thankfully.

So. What happened today?

Since it’s Thursday, Levi and Jesse didn’t milk. They worked on fencing and other farm projects until 9:30 when Levi went to CIT to work. Jesse and Jacob continued without him, although at one point today Jacob and Ben were transplanting some walnut trees to the South Grove. I’m continually amazed and so thankful for their interest and ability to successfully raise trees. No, they’re not tree-huggers, but we all love trees and appreciate the value and blessing they add to life. Jacob and Ben are just a little more active in growing them from seedlings than anyone else I know.

We girls had a full morning in the kitchen. Here’s a recap. First of all, right after breakfast mess was cleared away, Tori took Joshua with her to hang out laundry while Kate and I started making bread. She and Tori finished up the bread and buns while I washed up dishes and little girls dried (dishwasher already full and running). We shredded and froze on cookie sheets some of the potatoes we cooked yesterday. And washed up dishes. Tori made the boys’ favorite ranch potato casserole for supper (A. Marcia’s recipe, thank you very much A. Marcia). Hung out laundry. We cooked up some old hens (last in the freezer)(actually I started them at 6:30 when I got up), deboned them, and made chicken salad for lunch. Broth went into freezer boxes to be used next time we cook brown rice. And we washed up dishes. Hung more laundry out. Peeled and diced hard-boiled eggs for said salad. Chopped up homemade pickles for relish for said salad. I emptied another freezer downstairs, with Sarah and Jewel helping, in preparation for deep-cleaning the basement tomorrow (moved things to other freezers). Washed up more dishes. And then we had lunch.

Whew. No wonder I’m beat.

After lunch, we did a final k.p. and finally everyone got to go outside. I recruited 2 boys to plant the 5 blueberry bushes I had ordered to finish out our initial blueberry patch (total of 9 bushes); after I did 4 boys’ haircuts they grudgingly started that job (I needed lots of help for Joshua’s haircut). Hopefully pictures tomorrow. AND I can hardly write this, but it’s true and I can’t hide it; I CUT BEN’S EAR. I was so appalled at myself; I still feel so badly about it. He’s only the second injury in 18 years of haircuts, so it’s not that bad, but still…it looked awful, he felt awful, and I felt awful. Bad deal. Lesson for me is to NOT multi-task during haircuts. Carelessness hurts.

Meanwhile, Kate (?) had filled the little pool, and they all beat the heat with water fights and so on. Joshua was pretty tired and I took him in the stroller with me while I walked. He was pretty good, although he had to be pretty hot by the time we got back – his stroller doesn’t have the best canopy. I put him down for a nap then, and finished up the blueberry job (digging was done; fertilizing and mulching was all that was left) so the boys could start chores. When Levi got back from CIT a little after 3:00, I gave him his haircut. T-h-e-n….

I took a 20 minute power nap during chores then worked on my planner for next week; then I read to 4 for awhile until my voice gave out.

2 tired little girls waiting for supper.

After supper, 4 boys left right away to mow up at CIT; Dad and I and the rest came after k.p. I was so tired I didn’t do much except pull some weeds and watch a few inchworms with 3 littles. I brought some of the crew home around 8 and started baths; the second shift came soon after and everyone was in bed soon after 9.

Now my turn.

5-6-10 C.I.T.

Abnormal day but oh such a good one. Levi and Jesse don’t milk on Thursdays, so Levi went to Aventine early to get gluten at $5/ton. Then he came home to do geometry. After Dad went to Uncle Jerry’s office, he took Jesse to Uncle Randy’s for the day. Tori and Jacob were up early to do math, but the rest of the house was pretty much quiet until well after 8:00…last night was a little late and we had some tired tots. Aunt Sarah and I had errands planned for the morning, but before we left the gutter guys showed up. They did a good job…Dad says the new shed is finished (except for the landscaping).

Dad came home when the gutter company got here so he could show them what he wanted, and he came home at noon again to see how they were doing…but they were done and gone. It looks great!

Fun.

Aunt Sarah and I walked after lunch; then I had lots of help picking spinach. We’ll pick again on Monday and hopefully we will have enough to blanche and freeze.

And delicious lettuce for supper.

Tori took these pictures of our flowers. Thank you Creator God for giving us such beauty to enjoy…sight and smell both.

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Let’s see. What else? Ice cream cones for a treat, pushed Joshua on the swing for awhile, rocked him before his nap, read to the little girls and Ben (actually Jacob and Kate wandered over too), catnapped, checked Jacob’s math, did some regular Thursday jobs…lovely routine afternoon. Choretime, and then when Levi got home from Precision around 5:00, I raced through geometry with him while Tori, Jacob, and Kate fixed supper. It’s truly a team effort here at the Meadowview Christian Academy…if I am being a tutor, someone else has to be the cook. And they rise to it superbly! The steaks were great, the salads were delicious (and beautiful), and the rest of the meal was leftovers which were good too and ready right on time. Jesse got home a little before supper and it’s always good to have everyone at the table together. We did Bibletime right after supper and then the 4 boys immediately headed up to C.I.T. to mow, trim, and clean up. We girls and Dad raced through k.p. and were close behind them.

Jesse’s Ranch King looks like a nice big machine…(and Joshua’s loving it!)…

…until you compare it to Jacob’s John Deere.

Levi.

Meanwhile, the cleaning crew was hard at work inside.

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Collecting wood for stakes. It’s so fun when everyone pitches in and does his share. “Many hands make light work.'”

Then there’s always time for fun of one sort or other…

And to the outside to raid the burn pile for scrap lumber. Shorts we’ll burn this winter, and the long stuff will be made into stakes.

Jewel and Joshua had their own little playground.

More fun.

Joshua was so cute driving the mower. His brothers spoil him pretty badly…how many boys can say they started driving the lawn mower when they were 15 months old?

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CIT trucks.

Checking it out.

You can’t really tell here, but that’s a frog swimming around in that bottle. The infamous Kaiser Zoo is being resurrected.

After everything was spic and span, we loaded up and headed for home. Baths/showers for all; then beds. Now me too.

4-27-10 Snakey Tuesday

Levi and Jesse milked early but were home by 9:30, right as we were leaving for Restmor. We had Drew too…he was good a little guy like usual. Joshua was pretty delighted to see Drew again…

…and Sarah really enjoyed him too as usual.

Restmor went well. Babies were good, and children sang happily (for the most part). I was glad that Dana and Elizabeth came to sing with us, because none of the regulars were there. Singing was nice, but of course not as nice as when more are there. It was enjoyable as always. Dana and Elizabeth and their children joined us for hamburgers and fellowship afterwards…it was pretty cool so we ate inside, but then children were outside all afternoon. Much time was spent on the trampoline. Look at all the shoes!

There were a lot of children on the trampoline, but everyone cooperated so nicely and we heard of no spats or injuries. What a blessing. Here are Micah, Lexi, Sarah, Laura, and Megan waiting their turns.

These 3 babies had fun in the corn: Julia, Joshua, and Caleb. They were pretty sweet!

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And then Snakey joined our happy family. Hmmm. I didn’t even get to vote on that one. He was quite popular with everyone…

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…even Drew was impressed.

The swings got plenty of use too…here are Jewel and Joshua.

All the children seemed to really enjoy their time together (I know ours did), and we moms appreciated the time of fellowship also (I know I did). I’m glad it worked out.

Levi and Jesse worked on outside projects and geometry…Precision’s busy season is winding down and thus Levi’s work there is done too, so he was home all day after milking. That was nice!

After all guests left, we did chores, supper prep, and geometry (only 11 more lessons). [smile]

Supper was special, with Levi and Jesse home, and we did Bibletime at the table. Then all of us except Levi went to CIT to try to fix the mower up there. Levi went to Men’s Sing at Chad & LauraLee’s, and got home around 10:00. He really enjoyed it again; I’m so glad for that. While at CIT, we got quite a bit of scrap lumber for stakes and spent a little time cleaning and emptying trash. Kids had fun having rides on the carts. There was quite a bit of hollering and laughing around…but I forgot the camera! Oh well, next time I’ll try to remember. We got home around 9:00 and sent everyone through baths/showers and right to beds…and now my turn.

4-24-10 Saturday

Levi and Jesse milked. Dad took Jacob and Ben to do errands. The girls and I did kitchen work. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, not quite. We girls had no major snafus, but Dad and his 2 boys had several. They first went to Morton intending to buy the mower they’ve been watching at Tri-County Mowers, do payroll at Jerry’s, do Farm & Fleet, and end up at CIT to mow and get scrap lumber for stakes. Well, first change in plans: the mower had already sold. Second problem: payroll program was down, strike 2. So after Farm & Fleet, they all came home to get our mower to mow CIT. Dad and Ben were happily sorting lumber to save for stakes, and Jacob was happily mowing when Jacob oops mowed over a manhole cover. That was rounded. And it bent a mower blade good. I mean bad. So they came home discouraged and replaced the lawn mower blades. Thankfully, it was only the blades; nothing else was damaged in the process. Levi and Jesse were home by then and helped with that repair.

Meanwhile, we girls had most of our work completed and Kate finally got to the haymow with a camera. Only a few more weeks until our littler girls can play with these sweet kittens. Kate reports that these 2 black ones are very friendly, but the third tabby, which you can barely see in the top of the left picture, is a wild little thing. She told me which ones are male/female but I don’t remember.

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And, meanwhile, Dad had made an afternoon appointment to see a lawn mower in Canton; so he couldn’t go back to mow at CIT when the blades were fixed. He and I left for Canton around 1:40, and returned with a new old John Deere mower a little after 4:00. Levi and Jesse left to milk again after a couple hours of making stakes, and Tori did a great job of babysitting the littles, with Kate and Jacob’s help. They spent much of their time in the sandbox and made this nice castle.

We had planned supper for 4:30 so we could still get to CIT and mow in the evening, but again, plans were changed…this time by heavy rain. We still had our early supper, and Dad and the 2 boys took the mower to CIT and got the wood they had sorted earlier. Before they came home they tried to do payroll again at Uncle Jerry’s shop, but the program still wasn’t working. Grrr. Here, we did baths right after supper…when a little one looks like this, you might as well!

We played and read around here until our boys got home; Jesse shared his supper with Joshua so cute.

After most had bathed or showered, we did Bibletime and chased everyone to beds…and it rained on and off much of the afternoon/evening too.