I am stealth. In my robe, I come down the stairs and put on my slippers. The house is dark, shades drawn, the sun peeking through the cracks trying to break and enter and bring the morning. Cannot wake the children. Just a few minutes of quiet. Coffee is my god and I go to the pot and grinder for my morning worship session. Then I tiptoe into the dining room. The scene of battle from dinner still evident in the shadows. My slippered foot comes down on a foreign object and I instantly spring into reflexive action, drawing my foot back quickly and inspecting the land mine. A cheerio. Now I know my enemy is out here, waiting to explode if I make a wrong move. I continue around the table ever so cautiously, feeling the mines as my foot touches them and springing back each time. KA-BOOM. Well, you win some, you lose some. Bring in the broom to sweep up casualties. The losses were significant, but there were a few unbroken survivors, and I consider it a victorious morning.

Zoo Vet

I think that Zoo Veterinarians have an easier job treating their animals than I have treating EG.

Just a reminder for me tonight. Heard about a black hawk crash in the mountains because hubby's crew was on call to possibly have to go in for recovering the victims. T called me with a list of things he needed me to bring to the station, just in case they got the call to go. So, after dinner with friends, me and the kids drove his gear over to him to drop off. T told JG that he didn't know if he'd see him tomorrow or not, but good night and he'd see him whenever he got home. On the way home, JG asked why did daddy need that stuff and why was he maybe not coming home in the morning? So I explained that a helicopter crashed and some men died and Daddy might have to go and get those men to bring them home for their families to bury them, just like we buried Grandma F. I told him how this is a very sad thing and these families are grieving and sad over the loss of their daddies or brothers or sons. After a few other questions ('What was the helicopter doing in the mountains' and 'What were those men doing'), he began a little song. It went something like this:

"A helihopter flying in the mountains.

Crashed dooooown.

one, two, three, four, five, six boys are missing their daddies.

Oh, a helihopter crashed dooooown."

Oh how my heart aches for those families tonight wherever and whomever they are. We prayed for their comfort and their grief at bedtime tonight. I just can't stop thinking about them.

Zu-Zu-Zucchini!

Anyone got zucchini in their garden they are looking for a new use for? I'll take some off your hands! I got really burnt out on the z-stuff when we planted three or four one year and had it coming out of our fingernails. This year my backyard neighbor has been generously giving me little bits of produce here and there and I'm having so much fun experimenting and getting creative with zucchini! I thought I'd share a few ideas for those of you looking for something to do with your own prolific plants (Just tell me if you are interested in a full out recipe and I'll come up with some measurements or something for you):

1. Zucchini, Mushroom and Basil Quesadillas

2. Zucchini, Mushroom, Basil Omelette

3. Zucchini, Caramelized Onion and Thyme Quiche

4. Zucchini Herb Casserole

5. Ratatouille

6. There is the ever standard Zucchini Bread, but try it with some shredded carrots and spices to make Zucchini-Carrot Spice Bread or Muffins for breakfast!

**Note: Don't forget that cream cheese is the secret to the perfect quesadilla!

**Note: Always use fresh herbs, not dried, when using green herbs like basil, thyme, mint, sage, parsley, cilantro, etc. The taste is unbelievably better. On that note, do any gardeners out there have advice for how to keep a fresh kitchen garden indoors all winter on the counter?!?!

Okay, and one more creation this week that makes a wonderful dessert topping:

Combine chopped peaches and grapes, Mix in a tablespoon or two of Limeade, Sugar, Lime Zest, Lime Juice to taste, and chopped fresh mint. Mmmmmm.

Happy Girl

EG can say 'Hat', 'Shoes', 'Daddy', 'Momma', 'Doggie', 'Huh-whooo' (her elephant P.Q.), 'drink' (sort-of), and 'Jaaa Geee' (Jack Greer)! :) Here are a few recent shots of my smiley girl. Things about EG that surprise me: How cheerful she is, how busy she is! She has about a 10-30 second attention span. So, good news is she is never mad about something for long. Bad news, she never does anything for long! I've started to put her in her chair when I'm cooking dinner and give her an ice tray with one cheerio or raisin in each compartment just so she is busy with something for more than 30 seconds! All of these photos are blurry because.... as mentioned, she is on the go.

pretty fun

JG, while trying to convince me to play with him: "It's pretty fun to play with this car..."

MOMs SALE

Anyone wanna go to this with me on Saturday? I'm intrigued.....

http://www.mothersofmultiples.com/momssale.html

Bed Time Woes

Perhaps some day we will manage a bed time routine sans fits and rages. For this week, however, my eldest was in rare form. And not just at bedtime. Really all the time, almost.
But, in the midst of the difficulty, there are still moments of funny (Praise God). Tonight (around excuse/request #587), JG yelled to let me know that: "My sleep won't come out!"

Just a few shots of bath time with the cousins:

EG: 'Please get me out of here!' (G-Lou: 'What is wrong with her?')

Fine, I'll get myself out! (This is me grabbing her after she pulled herself to this position)

Unexpected

I hope that when I am an old lady (if I live that long), that I will not linger, but pass away quickly following a healthy life. T's grandmother passed away on July 6th this year. She was in really good health for an 87 year old lady. She mothered and raised five children, four boys and a girl. The oldest of which is my father-in-law. Margaret raised him his first two years all alone due to the war taking away his dad. She was a strong lady. So, we took an unexpected trip home in July to go to grandma's funeral and see the extended family and it was really neat to see the places where my husband's family is from.

T and Dad at family gravesites from the 1800's with the original family farm house in the background (right side)

The home where T's grandfather grew up

My whole 'married' family. T's parents, sister and brother-in-law and our three nieces.

More...

T's great-aunt and uncle above keep the old farm in order. She also makes the most amazing hush puppies.

Couldn't resist sharing this sweet sibling moment someone captured.

I was trying to walk, walk, walk to get this one to go to sleep. Sneaky little girl.

I was finally successful!

July 4th...a month late

Macey Lakes Backpacking

So, we live in a really cool state. The best thing is when your in-laws are sweet enough to watch our two babies so we can run away for a night in the Sangres. We had such a wonderful time together and felt so refreshed from the mountains.

It was a much bigger creek than it looks in this picture.

Sunrise over the lake by our campsite

It is hard being away from Daddy. JG puts it best: (except in a very, very whiney voice and usually after I've told him something he didn't want to hear or do) "I'm so sad, I want my Daddy back".

Along these lines, I also hear: "I'm so sad, I want some chocolate milk" and "I'm so sad, I want to play with Olice" (his cousin).

Don't be fooled. He is usually quite happy.

And EG's favorite phrase? "UH oooooo"

Three is a Magic Number

Number Three is on the way.
To our Sanity, SO LONG, we say!

When, you say? When, When?
Due to Arrive January, 2010!

Where is YOUR grumpy this morning?

The other day when JG seemed a little bit grumpy in the morning, I asked him, JG are you a little grumpy this morning? He replied, No. I left my grumpy under my pillow.

Smart boy. I'm gonna work on leaving mine there too.

Note to self:

When I am a grandmother, watch my grandchildren for several days at a time to give my sons/daughters and in-laws a much needed break!!

Going to boonie's?

JG: "Mom, are we going to boonie's house?"
me: 'yes'
JG: "Is grandad going to be there now?'
me: 'yes'
JG: (with MUCH excitement) 'oh! I LOoooVE grandad!'

Happy Father's Week!

I hope you have all enjoyed your Father's Day weekend, past. I suppose it is customary to congratulate Fathers on your blog. Well, here is the primo Father in my life right now. He is such a wonderful father to our children and a wonderful husband to me. Without his husbandry, my motherhood would be. . . well, worse than it is! Thank you for all you do! He reads books about raising a future man and listens to all my dribble with interest about books on mothering and discipline! He works hard. At his job, on our house, with our children and many other areas.

Of course, it should go without saying that he is what he is because of the leading of God's will in his life and also due to the influence of his father, now known as Grandad and much loved by our children, and perhaps even a little by his father-in-law, known as Pops, who can draw amazing pictures of trains, cars and make funny impersonations besides! We are so grateful for the tradition of fatherhood in our family!

me: "JG, I love you sooo much."

JG: "And I love my daddy."

Can I see it?

I was explaining today to JG that the clouds in the sky bring the rain that we were watching pour down. To my feeble attempt at explaining this in two year old language, he replies:
"Can I see the bucket up there?"

Two is such a fun age!

JG: "I'm going to tickle you up!"


me: "JG, please put your cars away."
JG: "No, I too grumpy."
me: "Well, I'll have to s**** that grumpy out of you if you don't get ungrumpy and put your cars away."
JG: no response
(after the s****) JG: "I WANT MY GRUMPY BACK!"



JG: "Mommy, can I put some salt and pepper on my grits?"
me: "sure."
JG: "I jus gonna make em feel better."


JG: "Mommy! Wook! That truck pulling that boat! Is that siLLY?"

Wake Up Boy

me: "JG, are you a sleepy boy?"

JG: "Nooooo.... I not. I a wake up boy."

Hello!

Today on the trail, while exchanging the usual 'Hellos' with my fellow trail mates, I had to suppress the urge to then say, "Do you like my hat?" I am so entrenched.

April Picnic Today

If it looks cold, that is because it was. Freezing.

Hubby at work again. . .

Todd took this picture when he and his coworkers were out 'training' again this week.

Mullet, Bare Back and Ruffle Bum

More of my climbing boy

Climbing

We went out to the Park twice this week (well, hubby went twice, I made it once) with the kids to the climbing area at Red Rocks. If you haven't been there, you should go, they have some really nice trails and great mountain biking!

Birthday Girl!!

Here it comes!

Who needs blowing? I'll just snuff out the candle with this finger. She didn't even cry about it.

The most seasoned birthday boy at the party

Proud daddy

Oblivious to the cake

These two feed off each other--Can you tell they are having fun?!

Good buddy, Liam. Two days younger than EG

Hiking at Red Rocks Canyon

Just to prove I do more than just sit around at home and read. :) We hiked with some friends (ok, ok, it was a few months ago) and they took this picture of us. Thankfully. Because we never take pictures and because the EG had a major meltdown following this photo op. Poor baby. I think I always over dress my children. Notice her snow pants? Oh well. After this hike I realized that I really can't go anywhere without the beloved elephant of hers. If I desire to remain sane through this parenting adventure.

In case you were wondering, this is the pre-photo conference.

Accept No Compromises

If you read my blog (which I'm not sure why you would since it is dreadfully boring and practically pictureless), you are going to be further disappointed. The people and time period of the mid to late 1800's in America is fascinating. Probably, for me, because I never learned this stuff the first time in school. When J. Davis was presenting a bill he supported in the Senate (prior to the Civil War, obviously), a fellow Senator, with his own pet project, asked if he would vote for 'Lake appropriations'. You know, the usual political compromise that takes place. And here was Davis' response:

"Sir, I make no terms. I accept no compromises. If when I ask for an appropriation, the object shall be shown to be proper and the expenditure constitutional, I defy the gentleman, for his conscience' sake to vote against it. If it shall appear to him otherwise, than I expect his opposition, and only ask that it shall be directly, fairly, and openly exerted. The case shall be presented on its single merit; on that I wish to stand or fall. I feel, sir, that I am incapable of sectional distinction upon such subjects. I abhor and reject all interested combinations."

Well, that quote about T was actually written originally for Jefferson Davis by his wife to be, Varina.

My Husband

I came across this quote today in a book I'm reading. I thought this young woman's description of this particular gentlemen reflected my first impressions of my husband and it so true of his personality! Tell me if you think so too, and if you can identify who this quote is actually about. I'll post the answer in a few days.

He impresses me as a remarkable kind of man...and has a way of taking for granted that everybody agrees with him when he expresses an opinion... yet he is most agreeable and has a peculiarly sweet voice and a winning manner of asserting himself. The fact is, he is the kind of person I should expect to rescue one from a mad dog at any risk, but to insist upon a stoical indifference to the fright afterward.

"In the name of God, stop a

moment, cease your work, look around you."

Leo Tolstoy

9 months sure can make a difference!