Ice Day

We knew last night that school wouldn't start until 10 am. We slept until 8 - well Rocky and I slept until 8. I think everyone else was up. At about 8:45 I sat down at the computer while talking to my co-worker to see if I needed to come in to help and I got an email that school was closed. Rocky was really happy and of course the kids were too. I was wondering how things were going to thaw out in time to go to school because the road in front of my house is SOLID ice. Here are some pictures from just now outside. Now - take note - no broken bones. This is how I broke my arm when I was in 3rd grade...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Funny things in my dryer

Well, you would think with 7 children I had seen everything come through my dryer. We have had the markers, crayons, coins, rocks, legos and other toys, chapstick and I am sure many other things. I can remember the crayons. Someone had wrapped up crayons in a blanket or something I washed. It was the day of the garage sale. It was COLD and I was trying to do laundry too. I went to the dryer and everything was multicolor! The chapstick was the other day. I don't know who the culprit was but many things have oily stains on them now - don't tell Rocky....

Well, here is what I found just now!
Yes - that is a miniature rubber chicken.

Also, we just got notice that school will officially start at 10am - well, that is until they get up in the morning and realize it might not thaw out until after 12. Oh well, at least we can sleep late, right?

This week...

This week...Emily won the school spelling bee - the WHOLE thing. I guess the next step for her is the District Bee. She was so excited and embarrassed at the same time. I was at work and Rocky was texting me her place (final four, final two, etc) and then when she won, Emily said he cried like a girl. Here is a picture of her and the trophy - which is almost as big as she is!

This week...We had a baby reach 20 pounds. Anyone care to guess which one? Here are their growth charts...





You guessed it - Isabelle! Go Izzy!
Dad helped me take them to see the pulmonary clinic today. We have totally reached the stage that I cannot take them to the doctor by myself. If we were to use the stroller, they don't want to stay in it. I can't carry both car seats by myself very far - in to daycare is about to kill my back. They both got two shots to help protect them against RSV. So far, they are doing very well. They started back with runny noses, but no fevers, etc. One more round of shots at the end of February, and then they will not need them next year.

This has been a very emotional week, and we appreciate those of you who have been praying for us. We have (or at least I have) felt a real peace surrounding the "happenings". Thank You.

First Dates and First Words

This evening I went in to pick up Abby from Rocky who was having trouble getting her to sleep. She perked her head up from behind the couch, looked at me and said "mama". Clear as you please, loud and directly TO me! I think that is a first for either. They both babble, and will repeat sounds, but to associate the name with a person is a first. Wow, how big they are getting.

We won't talk about the other first that happened today.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday. We did. It was busy, relaxing, tiring and restful all in one. Rocky is off until next Monday. I took off a few days around Christmas, and was off today, and maybe tomorrow. Today and tomorrow are cooking days. I am putting up meals for the next month. I found a collection of recipes that I have been making up and freezing so that dinner can be quicker and with less thought (that is if I remember to thaw it out the night before...). When I find the camera, I'll post some pictures of Christmas. It was really nice this year not to have to run out after lunch to see the girls at the hospital this year. It is also so strange to think of where we were this time last year. The girls have gotten so big and are doing so well. Olivia is such a sweet little girl. We were commenting just yesterday how sad it was that she never really got to be the "baby". Matthew is turning into a really great little man. He is still having some "toddler" issues, but overall, when he is well rested, he is a wonderful little boy. Caleb has turned into a really great big brother. We are trying the "buddy" system around here for trips out, bath help and putting laundry away. If it works well, it might be expanded. He is really bonding with the Girls, and is good at "babysitting" them so we can get something done and watches them in the bath for us while we get jammies out, etc. Emily is my mother hen. She is really good with Matthew and Olivia, and they really prefer her sometimes to Rocky and I. We have made Olivia her little buddy, mainly because they share a room. Joshua is working to define who he is as a teenager, and sometimes that means conflict with his siblings. He is working on developing a good relationship with Matthew, who is his buddy. Josh really enjoys being the big brother to the little ones.

I hope everyone has made their resolutions and a plan for sticking with it! There are a few of us at work who have decided to train for a 5K. We found a "couch to 5K" training program online and will be entering the MS 5K at the end of March. Who knows where this will go! I certainly don't see myself in a marathon, but maybe a half marathon? Who knows. Here's to a wonderful 2009!!!