Four By 40

Poor Thing

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Notice the full bowl of food? And the full bowl of water? Yeah. Every blessed morning Griffen meows for more food and more water.

Comeback

2012-01-31T06:00:00.001-06:00

Nathan hears a lot of words and phrases at school. Some he doesn't know. Like last year he was called "jackwagon" all the time and came home to talk about that. Gotta love the public school "socialization!!"

Nathan "Mom, I know what I am going to say when kids say, "See ya suckah!!" at school."
Mom "What's that?"
Nathan "Later lollipop!"

Victory

2012-01-28T13:03:00.007-06:00

Timmers earned a 2nd place trophy for speed in the Sparkie class.
Mommy earned a 2nd place trophy for speed and a 3rd place medal for best paint in the open class.

My first trophy. EVER. Sniff. I would like to thank my husband who worked tirelessly to help me buff axles. Sniff. I am forever grateful for the support of family and friends who have allowed me to do my best. You mean the world to me. I would also like to thank all of the little people who raced their little cars that were left in my pinewood derby dust. Sniff. I love you all.

Sprained

2012-01-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

It was slippery out there on Tuesday morning as I moved the sleds from the van to the garage so I could go grocery shopping. I slipped, I put my left hand out to catch myself and landed on it. OUCH!! I figured it was broken. But denial is a powerful thing. I went grocery shopping one handed. I used the bacon to cool down the wrist. Then tried frozen peas and tater tots. Called Patrick crying. I dislike hospitals, clinics, doctors, etc. etc. BUT I did need to find out if my wrist was broken for THE THIRD TIME!(First time I jumped over a fence at the age of 12. Second time I found my old pogo stick at the age of 21 and took it for a spin.)
A friend called and I heard her voice and started crying again. She dropped everything to come and pick me up and take me in for xrays. Ugh. Sat and waited and waited and sat. Sigh. Felt dizzy and lightheaded and gave the medical assistant named Kyle a hard time by not letting him weigh me.
I saw the xray and WHEW! A bad sprain. Ice and splint and ibuprofen. So far so good except I can't get the Carla proof cap off the ibuprofen.

My Plaid Force Field

2012-01-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

Sigh

2012-01-24T08:57:00.003-06:00

I send Tim and Nathan off to school with lunches and kisses and hugs and warm clothing. They walk three blocks and I assume they get there as I haven't heard otherwise from their teachers. There have been the occasional brotherly scuffles on the way. This morning they both stormed back into the house after I had said my goodbyes 15 minutes before. So close. Almost to school! Tim was crying, Nathan was yelling and they were late. Something about snow in the backpack and a hat swung in a younger brother's face. Get in the van, mancubs! I prayed with them, dried some tears and listened to them reconcile. I sighed the sigh of a mommy who has heard it all before. Deja vu for me. Joshua and Sarah used to walk to school together.

Lillian

2012-01-23T07:29:00.003-06:00

I told my abortion story at my church in March of 2009. A beautiful young blonde named Jamie was there to hear it. She became pregnant and remembered mine and Aubrey's story and made the difficult, yet life affirming decision to put her daughter up for adoption. I had the privilege of meeting that precious girl named Lillian and her adoptive mother Kristen. I have no words to describe what this past weekend has meant to me.

TLC

2012-01-21T16:30:00.003-06:00

I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning. I stayed in bed and slept until lunchtime. With the other Streams off and doing stuff, it was just Josh and I at home. He poked his head in my room and asked if I wanted some lunch. I ordered a grilled cheese sammich. He made a couple for me and a couple for himself and he joined me for some clips of Tim Hawkins. The boy even got my order right. 2 grilled cheese with extra mayo, cut in rectangles NOT triangles, medium well with ketchup on the side. And a napkin!! Perfection.

Future Leader

2012-01-19T09:19:00.000-06:00

WHUT?

2012-01-18T08:11:00.003-06:00

While the Streams ate dinner one night I was trying to track with the conversations going on around me. I heard Sarah ask, "What show did we get?" I replied, "Captain America." and continued eating. I noticed that all talking had ceased and I looked up to find every Stream eye focused on me and every Stream mouth hanging open. I was informed that the question was, "How much snow did we get?" NOT "What show did we get?" After that the meal turned to mayhem as "CAPTAIN AMERICA!!" was shouted by one and all followed by hysterical laughter.

Happy 6th Birthday, Tims!!

2012-01-14T16:53:00.000-06:00

Protection

2012-01-12T11:24:00.000-06:00

Not Quite

2012-01-11T08:56:00.003-06:00

In order to facilitate love and friendship among Stream siblings, Patrick and I have the cherubs draw names at Christmas.(I also like to yell, "Help your brother!!" at least 12 times a day)They truly do think about what that person wants and are very proud of what they pick out. For birthdays the eldest Streams try to scrape together the funds to buy something for the celebrated one. I asked Sarah if she had been thinking about what to get for Timmers and when we should go shopping. She said, "I just thought I could wrap up one of his old toys."

Drugs

2012-01-10T10:27:00.006-06:00

Awhile ago my family was running out of patience. I seemed to be on a rampage for a couple of weeks every month and they didn't quite know what to do with me. I didn't quite know what to do with me either. I tried everything I could think of but realized that nothing seemed to help. When Sarah said to me, "Why are you so crabby ALL THE TIME??!!" I knew it was time to get a little more serious.

I think it is safe to tell you that I have been on Zoloft for 2 1/2 months now. It is to help Carla get through the crazies. Whether it helps remains to be seen at this point, but I haven't felt the urge to strangle anyone with my bare hands in weeks. That must count for something.

Nice

2012-01-08T06:00:00.001-06:00

Patrick put on his dress shirt and thought it felt rather scratchy. Scratchy with Griffen puke.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

2012-01-07T08:33:00.001-06:00

Being Me

2012-01-04T13:15:00.003-06:00

I wear mittens in the winter. More warmth, which is good. Less finger dexterity, which is bad. As I was going in to get my fave coffee at the local Kwik Trip I locked the van using the key fob.(Fob! What a great word!)I came back to see both automatic doors open and Stream garbage flying out. Let that be a lesson to you. And when I type you I mean me.

Simple Gratitude

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

REPOST

Always a good reminder.

The underlying reason for ungratefulness remains unbelief. What we actually mean when we complain about our circumstances is: I don't really believe God can figure out what's best for me. Often this root of unbelief lies so deeply buried that we can't grasp what makes our daily existence miserable. But the obvious fruits of ungratefulness are worry, anger, self-pity, and a judgmental, complaining spirit. On the other hand, a grateful heart generates inner peace, faith, contentment, and a positive attitude. God asks us to give thanks in advance-before we see or know the consequences. Make a deliberate choice to give thanks, transfer your focus from circumstances to God, and look on the bright side. The choice to be grateful instead of bitter is a choice that anyone can make.

Madalene Harris
TODAY'S CHRISTIAN WOMAN

Carly Time

2012-01-02T08:49:00.002-06:00

I have not been alone in 11 days. This introvert can do this for one more day. One more day. All kidlings are back in school TOMORROW!! They are seriously bemoaning that fact and I am trying to empathize. I am smiling on the inside.

Naomi, Carla, Mona

2011-12-28T07:43:00.001-06:00

The sisters are reunited. Thank you, Lord.

Christmas 2011 Form Letter

2011-12-26T08:13:00.009-06:00

Is it time for the form letter already? Let us begin.

Patrick has lost 42 pounds in the last year. The man looks amazing! He had a fantastic season of inline racing! He has Joshua to thank for mowing the lawn for him all summer and freeing up time for Pat to keep the pool from turning green, playing catch with Nathan and Sarah, and trying to fix whatever Timmers destroyed. He works hard for the money.

Carla has been enjoying the newer van that was purchased in June. No more duct tape, broken horn, no to low heat, broken driver's side window or rust. Grateful describes it pretty well. She is enjoying 4 Streamers in school this year! The sound of silence is intoxicating but by 4pm the mayhem is back. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be reunited with her two sisters and their families!! Wow. She has been so busy but can't seem to recall what she has been so busy doing. She is always good for a heated discussion about abortion. Don't get her started.

Joshua is content to be one of the tallest 8th graders at his middle school. He can never seem to get enough to eat around here. It is high time he begin thinking about his future. His goal planning session with the school counselor and parents is coming up. It should be fun as we all sit and stare at each other. Joshua will chime in with grunts and noncommital shrugs of his shoulders I am sure.

Sarah is a whirlwind of activity. She wants to try everything there is to try in the whole wide world. For the most part, her parents encourage that. Her grades are great, she loves her teachers and boys have become interesting. She has been asked out to a football game but her parents answered NO for her. Let's keep our eye on the prize shall we? Boys as friends. Study hard. Have fun. Boys as friends.

Nathan is enjoying the year of being 8. I actually haven't seen him for a couple of days as he got Lego's for Christmas. He has been quite vocal at school about his faith in Jesus Christ. He is concerned about the salvation of his friends but also rejoices in others that know Jesus! Carla eagerly awaits a call from the school principal and keeps her team of lawyers briefed on the situation. Bring it on.

Tims. Oy. It makes me tired just to type his name. The boy is a running, yelling, wrestling, leaping ball of Stream. He is hell bent on destruction and this year has taken to drawing stick figures on all of the walls. Beauty. He is in love with his teacher and two of his cousins. The mush just pours from his soul and I do try to help him take it down a notch. He doesn't want to learn his letters or his numbers which earns him "special helpers" in school. More ladies to love I am sure.

Griffen will be 13. He is still as fat(fluffy)as can be. His newest "thing" is peeing on the rugs full of shoes. I am beyond frustrated. Otherwise he sleeps all day.

Lumpy has escaped at least 4 times in the last year which is always exciting and exhausting. The novelty has pretty much worn off for The Lump.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Stream family!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

Mmmmmm

2011-12-23T08:07:00.002-06:00

Timmers brought home a gingerbread ornament for me. The ones made out of Elmer's glue and cinnamon. He bit the head off and handed it to me.

The Repost I Post Every Year

2011-12-22T09:39:00.000-06:00

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2008

PSA: Helpful Christmas Decorating Tips

There are a few guidelines we follow around here when it comes to decorating for Christmas. The first and most obvious to us is Christmas-Keep Out of Reach of Children. Joshua and Sarah are at the perfect age to stand in awe of the Tannenbaum, but I can send them to your house to do that. There are Littles to think about. So here are the Stream Family Decorating Guidelines.

1. When dragging out the fake Tannenbaum make sure the calendar reads December 23rd.

2. Find a small corner in the living room and jam the tree in.

3. Using heavy wire, nail that baby to the wall.

4. Use lights sparingly. Remember last year? Nathan ate a red bulb like candy.

5. Decorations are fine, but why spread them all over the tree? They eventually migrate to the top anyway. Start at the top.

6. If concerned about the lack of presents, make some decoys. Otherwise the real loot does not belong under the tree until the calendar reads December 23rd.

7. If the loot does make it under there early due to a fatal case of "Christmas Spirit" stand guard at all times with a roll of wrapping paper, scissors and scotch tape. Rewrap swiftly and consistently.

8. All other decorations are put on hold.

9. Except the manger scene. And the Santa cookie jar. And the wreath. And a paper chain. Maybe stockings.

10. Hang stockings from the ceiling.

Nathan's Heart

2011-12-20T10:38:00.002-06:00

Nathan loves Jesus. He was busy in Kindygarten drawing pictures of Jesus on the cross and writing little stories about God. In first grade he was asking others if they believed in God. This year in second grade he has been asking a very pointed question. "Do you know who hung on a cross for you?" He has come home THRILLED to tell me that there are so many in his class that answer, "JESUS!" There was a poster hung by the library and all students were to write what their favorite part of Christmas is. Nathan wrote Jesus Christ. It was scribbled out with green crayon. Nathan wasn't discouraged for long. He told me, "Mom, someone else wrote Jesus Christ and so far it has stayed!!"

Before and After

2011-12-18T15:40:00.002-06:00

We were given these new leather couches by some family friends!! Thank you Bartig family!! Sarah was sad. Once she learned the old smelly couches were going to the neighbors she felt better. Maybe she can visit them. Tim loves how slippery and slidy they are. Nathan says they are too tall. Joshua is concerned that Griffen won't like them. But my husband and I are THRILLED!!

Thank you Joshua

2011-12-17T07:38:00.002-06:00

for eating the rest of the dill pickles and saving the pickle juice for the rest of your family. You just never know when one of us will have a hankerin for a swig.

Rejoice

2011-12-13T09:48:00.004-06:00

I try to make the Stream mornings around here peaceful. Even though the two youngest boys are prone to leap out of bed screaming and wrestling at 6:50am. But I digress. I make a hot breakfast every morning, I help pack cold lunches, I set out reminders and signed permission slips and checks for field trip fun. I set mittens and hats over the radiators so they are all warmed up. I pray over and with my children and also make sure they are hugged and kissed and hear the words, "I LOVE YOU!" before they head to school.

Joshua came home the other day and walked in the door and sighed with a great big smile on his face. He said, "Hi Mom! I love coming home! Our house is so cozy and sometimes I just can't wait to get here!"

The little things that I do in my life for those God has blessed me with will one day be the big things.

Sarah's First Recital

2011-12-10T12:31:00.001-06:00

He'll Hammer in the Morning

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

This scared the bejeebers out of me as I reached for the bread. I held it up. Tim said, "Oh, that's my hammer."

Ready Set Sew

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

In middle school there are what is known as Exploratory Classes. Rocketry, Art, Cooking, Computer etc. Joshua got to choose which ones he would like. He saw one that started with the word Techno and of course checked that. Today was the first day of his new class. Techno Sewing and Fashion.

Decking the Halls

2011-12-05T09:00:00.008-06:00

Decorating for Christmas should be fun and festive and gay.(That is so not PC to say and yet there it is. And I am not taking it back.) In our household it is none of those things. Patrick brings up all of the bins that hold our Christmas treasure. He begins searching for the great balls of tangled lights to plug them in and groan over the ones that simply did not survive since last Christmas. The fake tree is hauled up and shaped into what looks to me, like a real tree. Patrick and I argue over real vs fake. I have never had a real tree in my life. He has. We shall give our children the real tree experience one day. Joshua wanders and wonders how to help and then helps by getting out of the way to text. Sarah seems to instinctively know what goes where, while the little boys fight about which Christmas ornament they made in which grade. I find the stockings and pause over the smallest ones with the names of babies waiting in heaven. We know and love them. I hang the stockings while all children are eventually told to stop helping and wait until we are done. The whole ordeal is messy and chaotic and frenzied and loud. Not sure we should be so surprised as it is just another day in paradise.

Starfish of Bethlehem

2011-12-04T13:25:00.000-06:00

Truth in Town

2011-12-03T08:09:00.002-06:00

REPOST

2011-12-02T07:22:00.002-06:00

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009

A Poem by Me

I have been trying to not be so frustrated with the mess in my house. The clutter, the stuff and the piles are challenging me to look at the bigger picture. Here are my thoughts.

Wet towels,
Fed up scowls,
a dirty floor and
markered door.
The light left on,
the bread is gone.
Dried up playdoh,
homework-don'tcha know?
The toys!
The noise!
The boys!

and girl
Dirty socks,
rocks, rocks, rocks,
spilled juice and
a missing caboose.
The puzzle pieces,
torn shirts,
action figures,
stained skirts.
The burping and
slurping, the tooting
and hooting.
Lost DVD's,
scratched CD's
the laundry piles
and sticky smiles.
All of these things to me
have shown,
I do not go through this life
alone.
*

CS

My Christmas Wish

2011-12-01T07:37:00.003-06:00

We long for peace in our home. We don't always get it. There is strife and chaos amid the laughter and the fun. I do sincerely hope and pray that Mr. Tim stops whining soon. It started the moment he turned 3. He will be 6 in a couple of weeks. And although 3 years is certainly a long stretch to try and ignore whining he does not hold the record in this house. Sarah Bearah was fit to be tied from the ages of 3-7. Wowzers. That girl!! I am going to try and think positive today that I am one day closer to a whine free life. Toward that end, I will be purchasing a box of self control and putting it under the tree this year for the youngest.

Grades

2011-11-29T09:04:00.002-06:00

Sarah had to take an online quiz for Choir. She logged on, took the quiz and had 2 wrong. She was really upset! "I got a D!! I can't believe it! I only got 2 wrong and that's a D!!" I asked her how many questions there were. She answered, "5."

You Are So Going To Miss....

2011-11-28T18:20:00.004-06:00

One of those phrases that ranks right up there with It Goes So Fast and Hang in There. Certainly there are so many things I already miss about having Stream babies and watching them grow. But I also won't be kidding myself and thinking I will miss everything. I won't. These are some of the things I will not miss about child rearing.

Whining

Crying

Fussing

Fighting(which includes but shall not be limited to kicking, pinching, slapping, punching, hair pulling, tripping and head butting)

Tattling

Temper Tantrums

All bodily fluids that I have cleaned up.

Lying

Defiance

Kiddoes who will not stay in bed.

Sibling rivalry

Update

2011-11-23T07:36:00.008-06:00

Here we are in no particular order

Joshua

Has had many opportunities to share the truth of Jesus at school. His friends text him to ask what he believes and he tells them. He got an F on his History test because he did not see the back of the 2nd page.

Tim

Still can't believe he has to go back to school every.single.day. It's not fair he says. He was so excited to bring 1/4 lb. deli turkey to his Kindergarten feast.

Nathan

Was sick for a couple of days but is back! He is lamenting the few inches of snow that we received is melting quickly.

Sarah

Is busy practicing two songs for her first piano recital. Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls. Sometimes to me it sounds more like Jingle the Halls and Deck Bells.

Carla

Doing life. Getting ready for our first Rachel's Vineyard retreat. Excited for the holidays. Spending precious time with my older sister.

Patrick

Making Christmas lists for the Stream children. Has put his foot down to a dog. Signed his family up to deliver a Thanksgiving meal to a needy family.

Griffen

So sleepy.

Lumpy

Waiting patiently for Sarah to clean her cage.

Happy Thanksgiving!! We have much to thank God for!!

YAY!!

2011-11-19T12:24:00.001-06:00

ONE DOLLAR!!

2011-11-17T13:00:00.002-06:00

I like going into the Dollar Store and asking the assistants how much things are.

"How much is this?"

"And this?"

"How about this?"

Happy 8th Birthday, Nathan!!

2011-11-16T17:44:00.002-06:00

8 is Great!!

2011-11-16T16:50:00.002-06:00

One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Eight!!

Breakfast Banter

2011-11-14T08:21:00.001-06:00

Tim "I have kissed a girl."

Nathan "You better not do that."

Tim "Why not?"

Nathan "Cause you will go to jail."

Tim "Jail?"

Nathan "Well, actually adults go to jail. Kids go to juvie."

Tim "Juvie?"

Nathan "Juvie is like jail for kids."

Tim "Oh."

Truth in Town

2011-11-12T07:51:00.000-06:00

The Best Medicine

2011-11-10T07:26:00.010-06:00

My 14 year old manboy Joshua has been sick. This is his fourth day on the couch. Sarah sprained her finger yesterday. The dryer has just died. It snowed last night and this morning. I have the dreaded grocery shopping on my list of things to do today. All in all a rather unfunny week.

But there is this.

My Baby

2011-11-06T02:01:00.000-06:00

1-10

2011-11-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

I snapped a photo of my 10 fine fingernails. I knew they wouldn't be around for long. I am now down to 8.

Noise Pollution

2011-11-04T07:45:00.002-05:00

My husband's car could use a little work. In fact the muffler is pretty much rusted through and driving it invites all other cars to a drag race. Which can be fun, I must say. The car is LOUD!!! The other day a plane flew overhead and Sarah yelled, "Daddy's home!!!"

Bruthas

2011-11-02T07:23:00.005-05:00

I drove the Streams to the River Falls Hospital for the candy exchange yesterday.(They were each paid $3 or $4 for their Halloweenie candy which will be sent to the troops!!!)We were discussing who had been born in River Falls.

Nathan "Was Josh born there?"

Mom "Yes, he was."

Nathan "Was Sarah born there?"

Mom "Yes, she was."

Nathan "Was I born there?"

Mom "Yes, you were."

Nathan "Was Tims born there?"

Mom "No. Timmers was born at St. Joe's in St. Paul, MN."

Nathan "Oh. So that's why we don't look alike!!!"

Gingerbread Pawn

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

I Would Never

2011-11-01T07:38:00.005-05:00

I would never hurt a fly. I think I sometimes come off as harsh and blunt. Maybe angry or mean. I really am a sweetheart and it is my joy to shower my love and care on others. I have much compassion.

Unless you hurt one of my kids.

Or hurt my husband.

Or one of my friends.

Or someone else dear to me.

Or I see you hurt someone smaller and weaker than you.

Or you are a fly.

Fall

2011-10-31T11:30:00.003-05:00

I have a hard time in the season of autumn. I have probably written about this before. Don't remember. Can't recall. Bear with me.

I usually gain weight, feel sad and blue despite how wonderful things go, have no desire to do much of anything. I question my behavior and figure I am just lazy or tired or sick.

And then it hits me that I have lost some people in the season of autumn. The man who walked me down the aisle, Stuart died in August, 2005. Aubrey died in September, 1990. Jamie was miscarried in October, 1995 and I lost Lee in November of 2001 and my beloved Grandma Nora passed away in November, 1979.

I am grieving with hope. And I am going to be ok.

HILARIOUS!!

2011-10-30T17:11:00.003-05:00

A big thank you goes out to my husband Patrick for these amazing candid shots while I told my abortion story. Babe, you've got skills. The ones that turned out are here.

When Wen?

2011-10-29T10:26:00.004-05:00

I asked for and received Wen for my birthday. I enjoyed the infomercials so much!!(meaning I am a suckah!)The promise of beautiful hair lured me in. I have used this product for about a week now. It is some strange stuff to get used to. I am a tad regimented in the lather, rinse, repeat department. Wen is thick and white and rather greasy. It does not lather, you do not have to repeat. You slap it on and rub it in and rinse. I have noticed that my grays no longer stand straight up on the top of my head. I also don't have that flyaway static hair. I am trying to patient. After all, my Alyssa Milano hair should be coming up soon. Wen it shows up I will let you know.

Snark

2011-10-28T19:11:00.003-05:00

My husband is very concerned when I don't talk to other adults in the course of a day. If I don't see anyone or talk to anyone older than our children it worries him.

Pat "Who did you talk to today?"

Me "Nobody."

Pat "You didn't talk to anyone?"

Me "I don't think so."

Pat "You sure?"

Me "Oh wait. I did talk to the billing rep at the clinic when I paid our bill. She seemed so nice. We are getting together tomorrow."

Too Tired to Post Anything But Photos

2011-10-28T13:50:00.000-05:00

Yeah. Real Mature.

2011-10-25T08:45:00.005-05:00

To measure my maturity throw a wrench into my day or week and see how I respond. Go ahead.

My days are not going the way I had planned. At all. This Thursday is the Banquet for Life. I have donations galore for the silent auction, need to polish what I am going to say that night, and shopping for a new outfit would be nice. Timmers has been home with me yesterday and now today. The boy has a feebah. That entails drinks and food, coughdrops and naps, movies and cold washcloths, temperature taking, blankies and more movies. And little boy whining. Can't forget that.

I would love to say that my initial reaction was one of quiet strength and patience with a shrugging of my shoulders and a smile knowing God was in control. It was not. Ever seen a 46 year 1 day old throw a temper tantrum?? It's not pretty.

I am getting things done. Not the way I expected but it will work out. I just know it. I will choose to trust Him. He is God and I am not. He is not finished with me yet!

I will be grateful today that I can stay home with my little boy and offer him comfort and love and coughdrops.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Ain't No

2011-10-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

party like a Stream party cause a Stream party don't stop!

46

2011-10-23T08:07:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday

to me

today!!

I haven't posted since Wednesday cause I've been partying. Totally.Every.Day.All.Day.

Perty

2011-10-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

Amazing

2011-10-18T15:02:00.003-05:00

Dear Mona,

I am so glad we are back in touch. So glad we got a chance to meet and yap and have Chinese food!

I am looking forward to getting to know you again and your husband and daughter. We have lots of catching up to do. I am sad for the 9 years that we have missed but I don't want to waste another minute.

I am so thankful for you today.

I love you!

Your sister

Carla

Autumnal

2011-10-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

The Promise

2011-10-16T07:26:00.002-05:00

I found a letter that I had written years ago. I want to share it with you today.

When I have children I want them to know that they are loved, wanted, trusted, cared for and believed in. They will know it because everyday I will tell them, show them, touch them, look at them, listen to them. I want them to feel safe and free to be just who they are and NEVER have to question my love for them. It will ALWAYS be there!!

I will not slam the door in their faces, put up a wall between us, ignore them, or look through them as if I cannot see their worth. They will not be made to feel insignificant or ashamed of who they are or who they will be one day. They Matter!

I do not want my children to be unsure of their parent's love for them. It will be there so that one day when they have children their feelings will not be hidden to them. I will try my best to keep this promise to myself and my children.

Carla

April 11, 1988

Randomness

2011-10-14T15:13:00.000-05:00

Pretty.
Sand angel.
Me riding the bus with Sarah at the Apple Orchard.
Mulberry pie.

Lunch Date

2011-10-13T10:37:00.002-05:00

I met Timmers at school for lunch. He yelled for everyone in his class to see his mom. He showed me the lunch line and asked if I wanted chocolate milk. He pointed out the trays and the Italian Dunkers with sauce and no he did not want green beans but here's the lettuce and the Ranch dressing. He even paid for my lunch! I was told to raise my hand if I needed to go potty and a teacher would let me. We were in the lunchroom long enough to spot Nathan! Sweet! After we raised our hands we were excused to go play outside. I stayed for a bit to chat with Nathan and played with both of my boys outside! What a great day! I got two Streams for the price of one.

Talent

2011-10-12T07:28:00.000-05:00

Pudding on the floor in the shape of a fish. Cool.

Stream Snippets

2011-10-10T15:44:00.004-05:00

I am not overly fond of the word snippets. And yet there it is.

Nathan was getting upset at soccer on Saturday. Had nothing to do with the game. The boys on his team were finding caterpillars and thanking Mother Nature for them. Nathan asked everyone who believed in Mother Nature to raise their hands and then he told them that God made caterpillars.

As a rule I only like practical jokes when I play them on others. Joshua loaded my coffee cup with cinnamon. I totally ignored it and when he asked about my coffee I told him it was delicious.

Sarah keeps getting asked to football games by a certain boy. A boy who is a friend. Not a boyfriend. So she says.

Tim came out of his room with a set of bongo drums this morning and sang me a song about what a nice mom I am. bongity bong bong

Truth in Town

2011-10-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

School Pictures 2011-2012

2011-10-08T10:39:00.002-05:00

Bullied

2011-10-07T08:39:00.008-05:00

All of my boys seem to be bully magnets. (My daughter? Nah. I pity the fool......)

Heard about a lad that was chasing the youngers home on his bike using a stick that he would use to whap them along. I saw him this morning on his bike ride to school. I know him by name and thought this would be a good time for a delightful chit chat. I called the boy over to introduce myself.

Mama Bear "Hi Bully!"(not his real name)

Bully "Hi."

Mama Bear "I am Nathan and Timothy's mom. You know the two boys that you chase on your bike and hit with a stick after school?"

Bully "Yeah."

Mama Bear "Well Bully, you are not allowed to do that to my children. They will not be bullied by you or anyone else. That behavior stops today. Do you understand?"

Bully "Yeah."

Mama Bear "Ok. Good. Have a great day, Bully!!"

Cheese Please

2011-10-06T07:17:00.001-05:00

Joshua made a grilled cheese sandwich the other day. One bite and he knew what was missing.

Sparks

2011-10-05T07:26:00.002-05:00

My youngest Awana Spark is trying valiantly to memorize John 3:16. With his mother's help it goes something like this.

Me "Say John 3:16."

Tim "John 16."

Me "John."

Tim "John."

Me "John 3:16."

Tim "John 6:16."

Me "John 3."

Tim "John."

Me "John 3."

Tim "John 3."

Me "16."

Tim "16."

Me "John 3:16."

Tim "John 16:16."

Waiting

2011-10-04T12:46:00.003-05:00

If you are waiting for any number of professionals my advice to you is pick up a magazine as quickly as possible and then when you are totally engrossed in an article they will call your name. It works every time for me. Kind of like when you are waiting for a very important phone call you should get into the tub.

Rockin the Apple Orchard

2011-10-03T14:07:00.000-05:00

Hie

2011-09-30T15:25:00.004-05:00

Try as I might I must be the world's worst texter. Ever. I was told by my husband that I would indeed get better at it and sadly that has not been the case. I am thinking I need texting lessons. My son, Joshua would be the perfect teacher as he can text like nobody's business!! It takes me around 20 minutes just to get Hi How are you? out to someone in cyberspace.

Hie howe r yoo? Thrats gud. I mess u.

Happy Clementine Day!

2011-09-29T07:56:00.000-05:00

Easy Peasy

2011-09-28T11:19:00.004-05:00

Today is Wednesday. Dundundundun.

What this means is that two big kids will be going to youth group-The Refuge and two shorter kids will be going to Awana. How does that play out you ask? Well, let's see.

Patrick comes home from work at 4:30. He will pick up Joshua and Sarah in the van and bring them to the Teens for Christ building so they can be there by 5:00. Patrick is a group leader so he will be there until 6:30. Carla will try to discern whether Nathan wants to be in choir. Choir starts at 5:50. If he does I will drive Nathan and Tim to the church and drop Nathan off. Tim and I will head back home. I will leave the house again at 6:40 to get Timothy there at 6:50 in time for Awana. I will make sure my two Sparks are in their places with bright, shiny faces. Patrick might take off early from The Refuge to pick up the boys and let Joshua and Sarah take the bus to church where they will volunteer to help with Awana. If Nathan does not want to be in choir, then 2 Sparks will need to be dropped off by me or dad by 6:40. Patrick will bring all Stream chicks home to roost by 8:30pm. It is all so very exciting and up in the air. My favorite.

My Next Gig!!

2011-09-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

YES

2011-09-26T08:58:00.001-05:00

Tim and I talked about school this morning. Well, not really.

Tim "What? You mean I have to go again?"

Gross

2011-09-25T07:47:00.000-05:00

This was the kleenex dispenser at the hotel in Duluth. Me no like.

Gettin His Kicks

2011-09-24T12:36:00.001-05:00

FYI

2011-09-22T07:39:00.005-05:00

I had to mail a package the other day. I noticed a Priority Mail tape dispenser and helped myself. Red, white and blue. Such a patriotic package I now held! At the window I was informed that I was to use that tape if I were sending my parcel by Priority Mail only. Ooops. Postal lady ripped the tape off quicker than I could say SHIP IT PRIORITY! I think she owes my recipient an apology. Not to mention the fact that I will be filing a lawsuit for their blatant tape discrimination.

Love Hate

2011-09-21T14:43:00.004-05:00

Went to the apple orchard yesterday with Tim!! My first field trip of the year! Yeah! Tim took me by the hand and introduced me to his pals, "This is my mom!!!" Tim was thrilled to FINALLY ride a school bus.(poor baby will have to walk 3 blocks in blinding snowstorms. barefoot)We picked apples and laughed and rode the hay wagon and played and ran. It was great! Until last night when I put the boy in timeout in his room. My, my. Quite a different tune. He yelled at the top of his lungs, "I will NEVER take you to my field trip EVER again! You can't come to the apple orchard with me ANYMORE! You can't come!! I won't even let you!!"

Hi Pat

2011-09-20T20:51:00.002-05:00

Dear Patrick,

Thank you for this past weekend! It was so much fun to be road tripping just the two of us! I loved watching you cross the finish line of your last race of the season, knowing you had dropped 41 pounds and trained for that day! Bonus that I caught you on tape too! I am so proud of you for all that you do and I enjoyed laughing my head off with you. You are good fun.

Reality does slap us right in the face when we get home but I am thankful we are doing this life together.

Thanks for the memories.

I love you,

Carla

Way To Go Pat!

2011-09-18T16:58:00.000-05:00

First Day!

2011-09-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

A Perk

2011-09-16T10:44:00.003-05:00

I have discovered another fun thing I can do unhindered at home. I can crank the music and DANCE! Praise and worship, Stevie, rap, rock, 80's. Bust a move.

Hold me closer, Tony Danza.

Truth in Town

2011-09-14T14:24:00.002-05:00

Check In

2011-09-13T10:27:00.010-05:00

I should probably be ready for a 30 degree temperature drop in 3 days. I mean, this is WI! From 90 on Monday to 60 tomorrow! Come on, fall!! I neglected to dig out the long pants for the little boys though. They must have tried on 10 pairs each this morning. Oh, how the boys have grown! All pants were too tight. All high waters. We settled on some they could bust a sag in at school.

I am now working 3 hours a day at my data entry job. Going on 4 years of employment! Hi Bossman Ron.

I have been overwhelmed with how to orchestrate my days. They stretch before me as a vast block of time to fill with things and stuff and junk. I am thankful for my daily meeting with the couch at 1:30pm. Be still.

It's just too quiet here. Until 3pm. Then the Stream people come.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 was very difficult for me and I'm not sure why. I watched every documentary I could find and cried and cried and cried.

Need to dye my hair to hide the gray and the blond sun streaks. Right now I have gray, blond and my natural brown going on. Let's pick a color shall we?

Momma's gotta blog and then do kettlebells.

Feeling random.

And that's ok.

God Bless America

2011-09-11T17:47:00.000-05:00

Baldwin, WI

We Will Never Forget

2011-09-11T08:57:00.002-05:00

Sorry about the quality of this photo. It was taken in August 1992 when I went to visit the CT family I was a nanny for. A pilot friend took me up to see the NY skyline. In the upper left you can see the twin towers.

Preachin

2011-09-10T18:50:00.002-05:00

Nathan had a slumber party tonight. He had a concern while I was driving him there.

Nathan "Mom, when should I tell everyone about God?"

Mom "Um."

Nathan "Like do I just start talking about Him? Is that appropriate?"

Mom "Um. I am not sure. What do you think?"

Nathan "Well, I don't think my friends know God so I should tell them."

Mom "Why don't you just have fun and see what happens?"

Nathan "Ok. I'll do that."

BUZZZZZZZZZ!!!

2011-09-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

Info

2011-09-08T11:51:00.003-05:00

Mom "Tim, how was school today?"

Tim "Good."

Mom "What did you do?"

Tim "I ate and rested and played."

Mom "Did you learn your letters?"

Tim "I know my letters. T, I, M."

Mom "Ok. What else did you do?"

Tim "I don't think I remember anything else."

Mom "How was your teacher?"

Tim "I think I hated her but now I love her."

Gotta Get Me One of These!!

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ready to Go!

2011-09-06T10:21:00.001-05:00

Mom "Do you have your back pack?"
Tim "Yes."

Mom "Do you have your lunch?"

Tim "Yes."

Mom "Did you brush your teeth?"

Tim "Yes."

Mom "Do you have underpants on?"

Tim "YES!!"

My Daughter

2011-09-05T19:32:00.001-05:00

Dearest Aubrey,

21 years ago today in my fear and ignorance you died in my abortion. I didn't know then what I know now. Sweet girl, the day you died is also the day you went to heaven. Though your mother had forsaken you, the Lord received you!(Psalm 27:10)One day(soon and very soon!)you will run to me. You will run to me and I will finally hold you in my arms. Until then, my love I will grieve with hope and long for that glorious day when I behold my precious Savior and my precious daughter.

I love you,

Mommy

21

2011-09-03T11:35:00.000-05:00

Our 21st year at the MN State Fair!

KStart

2011-09-02T12:05:00.004-05:00

Timmers and his mother went to KStart today. His pack pack was full of school supplies, his rest mat carried under his arm. While I put his binder together and signed up for playdoh making, the Christmas party and lunch helper my Tim was being observed by his teacher. I talked to her later I learned that Tim only knows the letters, T, I and M, he was nonstop yapping and he would rather throw the stuffed gorillas around the room then focus on what his teacher was saying. Praying for his teacher right now.