An Early Morning Hello

Merry Christmas from us to you!

Rules for gift opening

I was informed today by #3 that we must wear our PJ's to open gifts.  Well, yes, this is something we usually do.  Open up a gift on Christmas Eve(Pajama's) and wear it that night to bed, open gifts in the morning before changing.  Easy, peasy, no?  I suppose a difference this year is that we live near family and we will be opening gifts at more than one house.  So I was told we had to wear our Pajamas to grandma's house(of course I don't think he calculated in the fact that by the time we are done with that it will in fact be bedtime again.  Nor did I mention we won't be going to the other grandparents house until the next day. But I suppose it would save on packing space if we just wore the same thing the whole visit!)  He insists that part of the fun is opening presents in Pajama's.
I'm thinking I'll have extra pj's clean this weekend so he can be known as pajama boy.
I also love knowing what parts of the day are special to him.

cheese

 I thought I could get a nice shot with my two oldest before choir.  But this picture is the before mom's ready shot(and notice the arms folded-yeah, she doesn't like getting her picture taken anymore).

 And this would be the silly shot.  Somehow the nice picture didn't make it to the camera, what's up with that?!

At least the cousins took a pretty nice picture(#4 is great at the fake smile!).

Home school ways

 I had two tents set up in my house today.  Although I really don't like the clutter; they loved having school under the tents.

 My favorite part was listening to the two little ones "reading" to each other.  Although neither one can truly read, they  had picked out their favorite books-you know the ones I have read about a billion times and they have memorized by heart.  Love it! 

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I'm not the only one that loves snowmen.  He was taking care of his babies

#4 in the spot light

This picture was taken by a child when my camera was 'borrowed'.  I am always clued in on the fact that the camera was used when there are pictures of the wall or someones hand or a ton of close ups.  So glad we are in the digital age now and can easily delete!

On our way to church this morning #4 saw someone pulled over by the police and was excited that the police "scooted them over".

My sister took the kids to choir practice Saturday and said #4 refused to go on stage.  Today the older 2 had practice for 2 hours(in which me and the others had to busy ourselves on campus) and the Preschool choir had a little performance after that.  He stayed on stage!  He was quite the character!  Very interested in seeing himself on the big screen and head bonked the girl next to him.  I asked him later about the head butting.  He said, she was my friend and wanted me to.  I laughed about the was my friend part.  I'll see if they archive that video later, I know they do a live feed. 

Overruled:

What are your parental rights?  Do you have any?  Take some time to watch this video and be aware of what is going on in our country today. 


           

"I'm not sleepy Mom"

Yes, that's why you fell asleep on the floor after you got tired of emptying stuff.  Apparently he has decided the noon nap is over but he will fall asleep around 4pm if he hasn't napped.  Hope we figure out his new schedule soon because regardless of if he is sleepy or not I am! :-)

Warms my heart to see these two playing together so nicely.  #3 knows more about chess then I do but not quite sure if he's teaching his younger brother the correct way or his way(I was just happy they were quiet during rest time!!).  The kids often play games by the rules but then have just as much fun making up different rules and playing it that way for months at a time too!

Was reading someone else's blog this week and what struck me was they too played with a different game piece.  Here, you'll notice we have to sub in a Sorry game piece.  A sign of kids!

Dusting

 We got one of these in the mail last week.  Because I'm a vocal point member, they send me samples to try once in awhile.

This one got out of the shower and saw it and just had to try it.  Apparently having a duster as opposed to a dust rag is a big hit with the kiddos.  They scramble to use it first...wondering how long this happy dusting will last!

This happens if he doesn't get to the duster first.....or any other little things that he thinks should happen that doesn't happen.  Yes, a little drama he shows.

A week in review

 These two are plotting.  They started getting measuring spoons and peelers out then decided they needed a recipe.  Who needs a cookbook, not these boys!  #4 grabbed a pen and paper and was "writing" down what they were deciding to make.

 My 3 older boys at the science center.

 Watching the cars below.

 Really intent on watching the cars below.

 #3 made a canoe for school.  Realized we were out of construction paper but had this very bright, unrealistic in color, printer paper so we made do;) 

 Hamming it up for his shot.  He wanted to make a butterfly.

 #3 made a plane and wrote a sweet note.  I like this shot but asked him if we could try again because he looked sad.

 Love his freckles and his beautiful eyes!

Favorties this week

You know those chain letters that always come around in email or on facebook these days?  With lists of things for you to fill in the blank of what you like?  Yep, only once in a blue moon have I filled those out and passed them on.  Figure if you really wanna know you should just ask me ;)  But thought I'd share 2 of my favorite things from this week(hmm, is it a blue moon?).
  One I've been  thinking about since I've moved here and started drying things outside.  In Hawaii we didn't have the area to dry outside, I had a really small space I'd dry diapers but nothing bigger than that.  But I have decided I really, really like it when I crawl into bed and the sheets have spent the day outside.  They smell sooooooo good! 
Then Saturday I made Orange Chicken.  A little secret around here is we love Panda Express.  Panda Express is not in the budget right now but I have this book called Family Feast for $75 a week by Mary Ostyn.(I give the book a thumbs up).  She has a recipe that she claimed was like Panda Express Orange Chicken.  We agree.  We will be adding this to our regular line up.  In fact we loved it so much that the little bit of leftovers I had disappeared before lunch the next day.  I warmed the pan up but when eating I discovered that some child(apparently it was the elusive "not me") picked off all the chicken, so I was left with veggies and rice in orange sauce(which was still yummy but had me laughing).  I will admit I didn't follow her recipe to a "T" as I had to sub an ingredient or two and maybe next time I'll actually measure so I can share:)

What are your favorite smells or tastes?  And yes these can change depending on your day, mood or memory!

Gratituesday-children

 It's Gratituesday again.   Woke up to a cold rainy day today.  #2 wanted to bake cinnamon rolls and make hot chocolate.  Since it is fall break this sounded like a fine idea to me.  So today I am thankful for these moments with my children.  Time spent baking in the kitchen with my kids and drinking hot chocolate while taking in a movie.  I'm so blessed!

Fall Break

It's fall break for the kids, not for me.  For me I think it translates to add more work to my schedule!  

Today we went to Mastodon State Park.  Had a great tour guide named Mike.  #1 was really into everything and the others drifted in and out.  We were the only ones in our group and it added a special touch to the day(although when the little ones were done with everything I was wishing we could get lost in the crowd! A certain child of my who shall remain nameless *cough #4 cough* started rolling on the ramp inside and opening the back door to the building, fun times I keep telling myself...)  It is a small museum but when you have a guide they add so much interesting additional information!  Had nice little hike in the park after the inside stuff to allow some boys(and girl) to get some energy out.

Plan to share more of our adventures(or misadventures) as they unfold this week.

Gratituesday

I've been thinking(!) of all the blessings in my life.  Sometimes they get overlooked by the unpleasant things.  Since we should feed what we want to grow my thought was I need to link up with The Heavenly Homemaker and join her(and others) on Gratituesday as we can all share the positive things going on in our lives.

This week I am thankful for nice weather.  I have to admit, it is chillier than I prefer but it is just right for drying the laundry outside.  You see I have no dryer and no way to change this right now so I am so happy to be able to easily  dry the laundry at  home and as a bonus have that nice outdoor fresh smell!  There's also that thankfulness of having all the kids that have all the clothes to get dirty:)


ps shh I know it's Wednesday, I'm a work in process!

You might live in Missouri if....

Overheard at the park yesterday:

Two men talking.
Guy one:  We got an invitation to so&so's wedding, it's on the opening day of deer season.

Guy two:  Well you aren't going of course....

Guy one: We have to go(it's some sort of close relation to him).

Guy two:  I can't believe they would schedule a wedding for the opening day(tone of voice has me shaking with laughter).

Guy one:  I might be able to go hunting after the wedding...


I can tell you I never heard conversations like this in Hawaii!  Nor did I grow up in a hunting family so I would not have know to schedule my wedding date around these things LOL!

Peeks of Home

The Boys cleaning the house because they had thrown mud on it.  But take a closer look at their feet!  Not sure how helpful their cleaning was!

 We have been saying the Pledge of Allegiance when school starts.  Everyone likes a turn holding the flag:)

We were able to celebrate sweet #2's birthday in the new house.  I've got two in double digits now!

Enjoying a beautiful day.  Kids  have been playing outside with the neighbors all day(the neighbors have the nerf dart guns, which seems to be a huge hit with all the kids).  We also got a lawn mower-the reel kind.  I love it!  Mowed the back yard myself and the older three all took turns testing it out in the front.  I now know where all the troublesome spots will be, because the yard isn't completely flat but enjoy watching the grass fly by girl power(or kid power as the case may be).

Fire cup

I was holding my sweet little #5 today and we were walking about the room.  He points to something on the mantle and with a big grin says "fire cup".  Very descriptive words for a candle.  Love it!

The Power of Touch

We talk a lot about touch in school(massage therapy program), even heard it talked about at a retreat I went to this weekend.  Touch is such an important part of our lives, and as people spend more time alone(think about our older generation) or at the computer/games(think about our younger generation) there is so much that they are losing out on.  People need to be touched to survive. 
So before I get on a tangent.  I was studying for a test I have today.  My kids have been willing participants as I practice different massage techniques or draw invisible lines on them where bones and muscles are that I'm learning.(yes, the love of touch-go hug your kids!)  Anyway as I was studying I was touching my leg while repeating the names of the muscles.  My should-have-been-sleeping two year old starts jabbering at me and sticking his foot in my face.  After staring at him and wondering what he was doing I realized he was saying "no, my foot".  The sweet love wanted in on some touch therapy.  I was happy to oblige him; gotta love the sweet cuddle time when they aren't into everything!

We did it!

We are all moved in our new home!  Still arranging and trying to find pieces to things.  Trying to remember to breathe and not stress about the responsibility of it all.  Had many hands help us move things-so thankful!  Also had a ton of furniture given to us or on loan to us, again so blessed!

Was going through some books and found a folder, I think from PWOC, and the first thing in it was this poem worth sharing.

I Made Her Because I Love Her

I made her . . . She is different

She is unique

With love I formed her in her mother's womb.

I fashioned her with great joy.

I remember, with great pleasure,

the day I created her.

(Psalm 139:13-16)

I love her smile.

I love her ways.

I love to hear her laugh.

And the silly things she says and does.

She brings Me great pleasure.

This is how I made her.

(Psalm 139:17 Zephaniah 3:17)

I made her pretty and not beautiful,

Because I knew her heart,

And knew she would be vain . . .

I wanted her to search out her heart,

And to learn that it would be

Me in her

That would make her beautiful . . .

And it would be Me in her

That would draw friends to her.

(1 Peter 3:3-5)

I made her in such a way,

That she would need Me.

I made her a little more lonesome

than she would like to be . . .

Only because I need for her

to lean and depend on Me . . .

I know her heart,

I know if I had not made her like this,

She would go her own chosen way

And forget Me . . . her Creator.

(Psalm 62:5-8)

I have given her

many good and happy things

Because I love her.

(Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:23 & 37-39)

Because I love her,

I have seen her broken heart . . .

And the tears she cried alone.

I have cried with her,

And had a broken heart, too.

(Psalm 56:8 Psalm 34:18)

Many times she has stumbled

and fallen alone

Only because she would not hold

My Hand,

So many lessons she's learned

the hard way.

Because she would not listen

to My voice . . .

(Isaiah 53:6)

So many times I have set back

And sadly watched her go

her merry way alone.

Only to watch her return to

My Arms, sad and broken.

(Luke 15:7)

And now she is Mine again . . .

I made her, and then I bought her . . .

Because I love her.

(Romans 5:8)

I have to reshape her and remold her . . .

To renew her

to what I had planned for her to be.

It has not been easy for her

or for Me.

(Jeremiah 29:11)

I want her to be conformed

to My image . . .

This is the high goal I have set for her,

Because I love her.

(2 Corinthians 2:14)

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"God hath from the beginning chosen you."

2 Thessalonians 2:13

 God thought of you even before He made the World,

even before He made you!

He loves you and longs to have the deepest

and closest relationship possible with you!

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When passing this item on to others, please include the following information:

Thank you!

Posted on: http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/shout4joy

It hit the right note with me today, hope it does with you too.

You know you have grown up in Hawaii when....

#1 says "I know when cousin "S" can come and visit us, on furlough Friday!"
Sorry son, they don't have furlough Fridays in Missouri. 

*****
#2 found some sand to play in at granny & papa's.  She said she felt like she was home again sinking her feet in the sand.

Courageous

I heard this song twice yesterday and thought I had to share it with you!




While looking for the song I found this 2 minute video from the lead singer of Casting Crowns sharing some of his thoughts about the song.


Looking forward to seeing the movie sometime after it comes out in September.


What are you doing that is courageous?

Moving time

 

Look!  The Carroll's are moving!!

Yes, we've had a huge prayer answered and the kids and I have found a new place to call home.

 Can't wait to settle in and meet the neighbors.

The kids will be able to 'deer hunt' from our own backyard.

Excited to see what God has in store for us in this new adventure!  Please keep us in your prayers as we settle into a new community.  Also for many helping hands as we move our things over the holiday weekend. 

We are so excited!!

In the Word

Psalm 52:8-9


But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of saints.

Have you ever inserted your name in God's word.  His promises are to you, make them personal! 
Love the image of flourishing in God's house in this verse and reminder that His Love is forever.  He will never stop loving us no matter what we do.  Just like we are with our children, sometimes we don't like what they do or their behavior but we still love them just not the action or behavior.

This song keeps coming to me.

Casting Crowns: Praise You in this Storm

Spring pictures

 

Love #4's expression in this one.  Taken in April of 2011.

 Easter 2011

This one kinda cracked me up, poor #2 is already getting her head cut off in pictures because of her height ;)  I'm impressed they are all looking at the camera!

Cousins Easter 2011

A Night at the Ball Park

 Not sure when I've seen so many people with matching clothes!  My sister and her husband were out of town so they gave me and the oldest tickets to Saturday's game.  So I told the boy to get in the car yesterday afternoon, he didn't know where we were going yet.  Was pretty excited to see where we ended up!

 What my sister didn't know is that it was Christian night at the ball park.  That meant several players shared their testimonies after the game.  This is(r-l) Seth from the Rockies, with Cardinals McClellan, and Pujols

 l-r  Holiday, forgot name but #12!, and Shumaker

 The main speaker of the night, Wainwright

It was great to hear men talk about their faith in God!

#1 did grow a little bored, Cards only scored one run.  He was disappointed in this!  But he was very happy and thankful he got to go :-)

School Days

My school days are about to begin again.  I plan to be adding a new title to my resume:  LMT or Licensed Massage Therapist.  My first day of school is next Monday and I'll be attending about 3 nights a week over this next year.  Excited to see how this new adventure goes.  The school I selected has a holistic approach which I love; although at the same time I feel some things are not in line with what I believe so need to have on the 'full armor of God"(Ephesians 6:11) at all times(We should always have it on).
"We are all fearfully and wonderfully made"(Psalm 139:14) and I can't wait to learn more about how to help others through touch therapy.

The kids school days are fast approaching too.  I haven't decided on the exact date of their first 'real' day of school but have had the older two review math this week and those lessons will be starting up in full swing next week for the older 3.  Trying to get a computer set up for oldest, as his is mostly computer based this year.  Still debating on some things for 2 & 3. 

Had a good birthday week.  My oldest is now 11 and my youngest is now 2. Love them all to pieces!
Being a parent takes a lot of seeing the humorous side of things and involves a lot of repetition ;-)

A resource to share

I am started to piece together next years curriculum.  I have a computer based program for my oldest to try next year(SOS).  The next 2 & 1/2 kids will be doing unit studies.  In case you were wondering what the 1/2 is, he is in preK so he will join in on some things but I don't really consider it school.  But they like to do school at this age and keeping them busy is important so they don't get in (as much) mischief ; )  I believe their curriculum will have more of a shoestring budget.  I know I have something in storage(My Father's World-I have a 2nd grade version) that should work with some add-ons. I am currently research websites with printable materials to enrich the basic idea. Plus the library is always a huge resource!
All this to say I wanted to share this site I just came across.  I've been looking around it a bit and it looks like a good resource if you have a special needs child whether you are home educating or not.   Hope of the Christian Kind  an online support of ADHD, Autism and more.  Looks like a lot of resources too.  Let me know what you think, I've just been poking around the site a little tonight and wanted to share before I forgot!

Book Giveaway

Go over to Sally Clarkson's blog at I Take Joy and enter to win her(and her sweet husbands) updated book Educating the WholeHearted Child. Click the book link to see some reviews.  I have yet to read the book but have skimmed through a friends copy and it is on my wish list!

June Birtdays

So sorry its been almost a month since I've been by! I blame the unsettledness of life. Still looking for someplace to rent and in the meantime staying with 2 sets of wonderful grandparents who have welcomed us into their homes.
Summer birthday season has started and I now have a 7 year old and 5 year old!! We celebrated first with a batman cake and then bug boy wanted star wars so we plopped some lego star wars on top of his cake and called it good. Everyone is getting bikes so we can try to enjoy family bike rides. The 7 year old finally 'got it' and can now ride without training wheels! Good job #3!
The 5 year old or #4, got a special treat and his cousin took him out to the movies for his birthday and he got to see the new Cars movie. That was really strange to have my bug boy gone to the movies!! He had a great time-Thanks for thinking of him Cuz!
I've decided #1 is my go to guy to take to concerts. We've been to two so far this summer and he really gets into it. The other older two are just like, why are we here?? Though they do get excited when they know a song but for the most part they'd rather just listen on the radio ;-)
I can see the end of the light for ball season. The kids have had a great time! Will work on getting some pictures up soon!

I will leave you with a song today. Blessings!

Perseverance-late night ramblings

Romans5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God thorough our Lord Jesus Christ.....
Romans 5:3 -4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go right? Yeah, my morning was going that way. You could possibly even say it started the night before with my oldest getting hit twice in baseball which was then followed by a sleepless night for me.
It was a rough morning as well. Just the little things that add up. I left the kids with my parents and drove up to the city to finalize my school plans. I wasn't twenty minutes up the road and my mom sends me a picture of my youngest. If you are on facebook then you know what I saw. He had some major road rash on his face, concrete isn't too kind to the skin as he fell off his trike. I wondered if I should turn around then it hit me. All this stuff going on was attacks. I was under attack. Here am I, trying my best to stay strong for my kids, myself and remain faithful to my Lord. It's not an easy time in our lives but at the same time we have been blessed in many ways.
Guess what, the enemy doesn't like that. Doesn't like it when you remain faithful, especially when all you know is changing and you feel like your life is falling apart. Remember Job of the bible? Remember all he the lost? What do you remember of his faith? Do you remember how he was blessed in the end? Maybe it is a time in your life when you should go re-read the book of Job. See what lessons he has to share with you. Remain faithful in good times and especially in the bad! He is the same God and has the same truths no matter what you are going through.
After I realized what was going on I prayed. Prayed for the safety of my family, for myself during this trip. Does that mean everything went swimmingly after I prayed. Why no, in fact, it doesn't. In fact things didn't go as planned at all. I would later joke that I should have also prayed for my father-in-law to have a winch(one thing was a car break down). You see, not everything continued as I would have like but I was able to laugh at things as they happened instead of cry because it was all in the Lord's hands. I'd given it to him. In fact, I know he did take care of me because the things that happened really were just speed bumps, slowing me down for a minute instead of road blocks, completely stopping me.
A change in perspective, a change in attitude and a willingness to run the race.

clean your face

Sometime in March I ran out of the usual facial cleaner I used and didn't see it in this new area I'm in. I had come across this recipe and thought I'd give it a try. I can't give credit to whom I got it from because I can't remember! I know it was in a comment on someones blog, the recipe was simple enough for me to remember-which is saying something for my scattered brain these days!

Facial cleaner for normal skin.

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons Castor Oil

Mix and place in a small container. Rub gently on face and rinse off. Great for removing makeup, although I tend to use in the morning shower.
If you have dry skin use another Tablespoon of Olive Oil.
If have oily skin use another Tablespoon of Castor Oil.

I sometimes use this on my legs as well, helps make them more silky smooth :-)

If you are looking for something new, less expensive or more do-it yourself-give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

jelly bean flavor of the day

"Mom I smell a jelly bean!" said #3
"Oh you do? What flavor is it?" I ask(a little afraid of what the answer could be)
"It's coffee flavored!" said #3
"No, silly that's not a jelly bean, that is my coffee." I say
"No Mom, it isn't your coffee it is a jelly bean!" said #3 He was very insistent on the fact this didn't smell like my usual cup of coffee.
"Hmm, well I do have creamer in my coffee this time. I guess you think coffee flavored jelly beans taste like hazelnut coffee smells!" I said

ps I got the creamer for free for being a vocal point member. If you haven't signed up with them you should-it's always fun to try free things! The creamer was very yummy! A nice little treat at the end of the day for me:)

week in review

`Mothers Day. Had a baby dedication for sweet baby boy. Though he didn't smell so sweet at the time! Nothing like filling a diaper right before you have to stand in front of everyone! Such a wiggly boy he was too, but with so many baby's being dedicated it did take a while. He has the distinction of being dedicate at the church his mother grew up in. We did this with the older two at our church in Maine with Pastor George. He had a lovely wife and I believe six children. My first real life introduction to homeschooling was there. Then the two middle boys were dedicated at our church in Hawaii,two different pastors and a lot of O'hanna! I pray that the pictures, letter etc from these events just add on to what they experience in daily life. That they know they are loved, thatthey have a family heritage that have the Lord in their lives and that they too chose to give there lives to Him.
~Ball season has started around here, with the older 3 being involved. Looks like we might be lucky if there is a day of the week someone doesn't have practice! #3 got to his first practice and then changed his mind about going-a hard time with change he has! But we were able to calm him down and he ended having a great time!

~This past Sunday we visited a new church in the town we are looking for something to rent. When we got inside #3 says "Is this an airport?" Silly boy! Yes, it is a huge church, but no airplanes around:) They all enjoyed there classes and would like to visit again. One thing is for sure, I will get a work out dropping/picking up kids in the different areas there!

~Accident prone #4 managed to cause a 'log' to fall on his hand. Sliced part of a (gag) wart off. Lots of blood and crying but all is well now. He had been playing on a freshly cut pine tree and was completely covered in tree sap. No, he was not suppose to be there but it was too resistible for him!
****edited to add****no sooner did I post this today and #4 came into the house with black hands and dripping blood. Well, he stayed away from the newly fallen trees; this time he hurt the other hand digging for worms! *sigh* he does keep things interesting :-)

Book Club

If you note the new picture to the right I am very excited to start the summer book club/bible study with the Good Morning Girls! It's not too late to join up with us-next Monday we will start the week getting to know our groups and the next we start the book Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. Looking forward to getting to know some wonderful ladies as we study Gods word!

What would you do?

If you to eat this big, fat worm I'll give you ten dollars.

Will YOU take the challenge?

I would not.

But guess which kid took Grandpa up on this offer (much to his dismay!)


Do you know? I bet the Longfellow family knows the answer to this, maybe you do to.

Yes, it was ...................................................................


The Girl!!!

eeeeeewwwwwwwww!




Another pop quiz, this time not slimy.

What kind of bird is a hammock bird?

Clue: They are small, fast and hum.

Answer: hammock bird is #5 speak for humming bird.

Summer study

`So far we have managed to not float away in all this rain. Geesh! we go through rainy season on the island(ok, admittedly not bad this year) and then come to a super duper rainy season in the midwest-we must be nuts!
`I am hoping to toss any leftover Easter candy tomorrow because sugary kids stuck indoors does drive a momma a little batty! We did get to see the sun all day-I was so happy!! But once night fell, so did the rain again:)
Anyway, the true reason for the post: I wanted to share a link for some summer reading. I had been seriously thinking about this book already then came across a post from a blog I visit.
Would you like to join the Good Morning Girls in a summer study? If you'd like to you'll have to grab a book as the giveaway is over(sorry for my slowness in sharing!) Email me if you'd like to be in a study group with me, but feel free to join the group or do the study on your own!
Click on the link to find out more information but the book is Sally Clarkson's Ministry of Motherhood!

What came first? The chicken or the Grandpa?

Not sure if it's the slowness of the Internet connection or the slowness of the laptop or the combination of the two; but I haven't been able to post any pictures on the blog. Since I'm not the world's greatest writer I hate to post without a cute picture or two to distract from the poor writing!! For pictures you'll just have to be a facebook friend for now and suffer through iphone pics.
Of course I thought the following story was too cute not to share.

There is a lot of work to be done at the Grandparent's home and the kids have been helping here and there.(and of course we all understand that when kids help it usually makes your job at least twice as long!) The biggest project around these parts has been building the chicken coop. Yesterday #4 came inside and had lunch, the rest had been inside working on school work. As soon as he was done he told the kids "I better go let Grandpa out" We all looked at each other wondering what he meant. #4 said, "I locked Grandpa in the chicken coop!" He had such a devilish grin on his face as he said this! Grandpa came in before #4 went out saying yes it was true, luckily for the little squirt Grandpa hadn't finished all sides of the fencing so he was able to get out! Of course the kids have enjoyed being 'locked' in the chicken house, so it's no wonder where #4 got the idea!
I'm thinking I am going to have to make sure Grandpa is safe after all the kids come in from now on....
P.S. Grandpa wasn't actually locked in the building but the outside run which he was fencing at the time of this incidence.



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Was talking about rescue remedy with someone and remembered one of the kids was on Larch(another Bach flower) for awhile. So I was looking it up to see what it was. Just thought I'd share the link

The Carroll's have landed

The kids and I safely arrived in the Heartland. The plane ride was a hard one physically and emotionally but we were also blessed with many kindhearted people that helped us along the way.
Grandparents & Aunts & Uncles surround. Talk and action on planting gardens and building chicken coops. Tree swings and horses. Some spring-like days and some days cold winds blow about. Starting school again with the kids-wondering how long it'll be before that groove gets set. Wondering what is in store for the future; where we will settle & much more. Thankful for much that is being provided.

Saying goodbye

A visit to the windy Pali lookout. #2 Doesn't always appear like a giant compared to the rest. #3 goofy expression. Oh and #2 has been taking here American Girl doll everywhere, that's not #5 hidden:)

Visiting our duck pond for the last time.

#5 ready to get packing. Next weekend we fly away from our home in paradise.

Monday

I made a pretty table for my valentines to wake up to(hey, for me this is creative!). Gifts include a little box of candy, a baby apple that they've been wanting to try and an electric toothbrush they've also been asking for.
We decorated the table with flowers and a 'love mat'. The kids have hearts of all colors they cut out hanging around the house as well. We all wore a red shirt with huge intentions of grabbing a matching picture but no pictures were taken after this early morning shot.

So since I don't have a group picture of my sweethearts to share I'll give you this of the two youngest. #4 put together the drums and then let the little guy help him play or make racket, same thing!

Road Trip

No, road trip and living on an island is not an oxymoron. Grab your water, grab your snack and hop in the car and we'll see where we end up.
Highlights from the day:
*As soon as we got about half way to the north shore the skies turned gray and the rain drops started falling. We played with the rain today. Rain would fall down and we'd roll the windows up. Rain would stop and the windows would come down. Yes, it's kinda like the game you play with the sun. Sunglasses on; sun hides behind the cloud. Sunglasses off; sun is bright.
*Tried out the(a) shrimp shack today. Wasn't overly impressed. Plus only 2 of the 6 of us ate. Not sure what the aversion to shrimp was today I do occasionally make it at home and all partake.
*Saw some awesome surf.
*Admired some well made surfers. :P
*Kids counted 50 horses. It's fun to see the western wear out here!
*Saw many, many awesome waterfalls!! The best time to drive through the mountains, such a wonderful, beautiful site!!!
*Went through H-3 in downpour on one side. As we were nearing the end of the tunnel the kids said. " I can see the light at the end of the tunnel". Goofy kids!! But they thought it was pretty cool that it could rain on one side of the mountain and be dry on the other. No worries the gray skies did find us again before we got home.
*Enjoyed some yummy treats from Costco food court.
* Just danced our yummy treats off.

Road trips are fun! #3 was worried that we wouldn't have enough gas to finish our trip. Please note we filled the van up before we left. I assured him we hadn't been driving nearly long enough to use up a full tank of gas......but it seemed like ages to him! What a surprise he is in for when we really have space to drive!

P.S.
Had the camera but upon trying to take the first picture discovered battery was dead. Am currently charging the battery so it will be ready for our next adventure!!

USS Missouri

We were able to visit the USS Missouri last week. They were offering a day for military & locals to visit free of charge so we took advantage of that!

#1 was looking for the Missouri flag, did he find it?

A view of the Arizona Memorial from the deck of the Missouri.

I recruited James to go with us. He was a very helpful guide for all the questions the kids had about the ship.

The guns were a big hit with the boys, go figure!

After we were done with the tour of the ship everyone went to find the Carroll from the Oklahoma memorial. Have no idea if it is a relative or not. Parents, do you know?
All in all a beautiful day in Hawaii nei.