Accepting

Arby at Boarding in Bedlam just gave me the Stylish Blog Award. To accept, I have to list 7 random facts about me and then pass it on.

Honestly, I'm not sure why I was given the award because

1. I am very stylishly challenged. I am not a sharp dresser. I don't do anything much with my hair. I usually put on a little make-up, but I most likely apply it incorrectly.

2. I do not like shopping (have I mentioned that before), a fact which plays a pivotal role in the fact that I am not very fashionable. You would think I would be fashionable because my idea of clothes shopping is to find something I like on a mannequin and buy it, and mannequins are usually pretty stylish, right? Problem is, the cheap stuff usually isn't what they dress the cute little mannequin in, so my husband helps me shop for clothes. He has much more patience than I do when it comes to digging through clothes racks looking for a good deal.

3. Besides lacking fashion sense, I am exceptionally mediocre at a lot of things. I can bake and cook, but you'd never find me on The Food Network. I can write, but I will likely never have a #1 bestseller (although my name is on obsolete GRE and SAT Study Guides). I can snap a picture, but I don't think I'll be asked to photograph any weddings any time soon. I can scrap a page of photos, but I'm not particularly crafty. I play volleyball, but I'm no longer as awesome as I was back in the day. I'm OK with this mediocrity, though, because I do my best in what I do, and that is really the important thing. Plus, I am exceedingly happy with my life just the way it is. Of course there is a list

4. I love lists.

5. of things at which I would love to become exceptionally exceptional: photography, writing, and cooking would top that list.

6. One of my favorite shows on TV right now is A&E's Hoarders. I realize that is a strange show to be hooked on, but the psychology behind all of the lives mercilessly dragged across the TV screen fascinates me.

7. If I had it to do over again, I would probably major in psychology instead of English. That or history. History fascinates me now that I have decided there is some value in knowing the past in order to make the present and future more bright.

8. Although I should not be admitting this since I have a little side business that depends upon my stellar teaching English skills, I do not favor "classic" novels/tales/books over your average Clancy/Ludlum/Grisham thriller. I find many of them tedious. Like Moby Dick. I have tried several times to read the book about the whale, but it simply bores me to tears. To Kill a Mockingbird is an exception; it is one of my favorite books.

9. If I had 3 wishes, they would be 1) a guarantee that my children will come to know, love, and grow in Christ, 2) to become a better mother, and 3) 6 never-ending plane tickets to anywhere we want to go whenever we want to get there (accommodations would be nice as well).

10. I do not like uneven numbers. When I turn the volume on the radio up, it must be set at even number intervals. Actually, the 5s are OK for radio volume too. I could have done 8 random things about myself to make this list even, but if I'm going to have 8, I may as well have 10 which is a much more rounded number than 8. And since I enjoy talking about myself, this works out quite well. Of course the fact that I like talking about myself could be #11, but then I would have to go to 15, and, well, I know there is just so much of this you can take.

So that is me in 10 random facts. I'm accepting of me. I'm accepting this award. And...I'm passing it on to: Days of Our Lives, Cheeky Cocoa Beans, and Down a Red Dirt Lane (just keepin' my Georgia peeps together!).

2009 in Review

In participation with a blog carnival over at Musings of a Housewife, I am going to begin 2010 with a little re-cap of 2009. For this look back, I give you the first line of the first post of each month of this year. Bear with me...there are, after all, only 12 months in a year.

January 2009
Unfortunately, I spent all of Sunday night and early in to Monday morning hanging over the toilet, thus securing a spot on my sister-in-law's couch for the duration of the day.

You'd never know from this line that I actually had a wonderful time in Chicago. Yes, even in winter. Although, for the record, I have never. I repeat, never. Been. So. Cold. In my life. Ever.

February 2009
I walked into the kitchen one day barefooted. This post was actually a Works-for-Me-Wednesday post, though, surprisingly, not for shoes. It was an ode to Max, my sweet Max. That puppy that added so much chaos to our little household I had to give him away. I still miss him. Sometimes I regret giving him away, though usually I just regret getting him in the first place because I put the kids through the sadness of losing him.

I found some pictures that never got posted:

March 2009
We've developed quite a love/hate relationship with this little puppy of ours.

Because this was also a post about sweet Max, I'll give you the punchline: "When he gets shocked, will we be able to see his bones?"

April 2009
Last night was the End-of-the-Year Celebration at co-op, and, although it was lovely to celebrate the end of co-op, it is certainly not anywhere near the end of the school year for us.

Since this post references the 2008-09 school year, this gives me an opportunity to reflect on the 2009-10 school year thus far. Honestly, I think this year is going much better. We're more focused. I'm more planned. It's gonna be a good last half of the year. Taking December off gave me some great planning time.

May 2009
I'm not proud. I'm 99.9% sure this is not the first time I've included this line in a post. Maybe not as the opening line. But discussing waxing my facial hair, well, that probably really was my most not-proud moment.

June 2009
I suspect every teenager does it; in fact, I'm sure I started as a pre-teen. I'm referring, of course, to that mental file we make called "What I Will Never Do As a Parent."

I cheated. I skipped the actual first post of this month. It was just rambling. Not that I ever ramble or anything. But this post about healthy eating...it's an important one for 2009. I took lots of baby steps toward more healthful eating for the kids and me. Baby steps, and we did pretty well. Like I mentioned a couple of days ago, I'm raising the bar this year. And not the candy bar, mind you. And, yes, I'll be returning to the deception in Jessica Seinfeld's book Deceptively Delicious.

July 2009
I'm on a three-month hike up the Appalachian Trail.

Remember this? Pedometer and all? I did make it all the way in the time allotted. It was a little anti-climactic at the end seeing as how there was no ribbon across the finish line. Or fellow runners keeping up with me. The exercise was good. Gotta get back to the exercising.

August 2009
Kerplink! Kerplank! Kerplunk!

OK. Cheated again. Skipped a coupla posts the first of August. More rambling. And some whining.

I'd rather remember fun homeschooling moments with Audrey and Little Sal.

September 2009
Post 1: More rambling.

Post 2:
In this crazy world of technology, my two outlets and only opportunity for adult interaction--Facebook and blogging--often pass each other in the virtual hallway.

Facebook and blogging. Two things that used up a lot of my 2009. I resolve to spend less time on both in 2010 becuase spending less time with Facebook and Blogger will mean spending more time with my kids.

October 2009
Pond Water, Math Facts, and the Flu. Had to go with the title this time. One of those more rambling posts again (who me, ramble?) but with a little more focus.

November 2009
As I sauntered into Target this afternoon, my oldest kid in tow, a sly smile spread across my face as I thought about how I was about to pull a fast one on Target.

A Target heist?

No, but a good reminder to get back to the coupons and the saving money thing.

December 2009
Many people think that since I'm a homeschooler, I sit at home darning socks while the children do their arithmetic on little tiny chalkboards sitting at one of those desks where the top folds up.

And it all comes back to homeschooling. Which it generally does. That is my life right now. And I'm happy about that.

In Conclusion:

2009 was a good learning year and reviewing it helped me set up my goals for 2010. Always trying to do better, right?

I wonder what my first posts of each month of 2010 will be about?

And, hey, does this Review of 2009 totally count as a family Christmas letter?

Movies & Awards...cuz those two go together, right?

DeeDee at Fiddledeedee needs some help with movie choices and offered a movie meme. I love movies. However, I discovered I can't remember the names of movies; I had to google keywords I remembered and actors' names to generate the list of movie titles below.

It was a lot of work.

But here they are. Perhaps I'll add more to the list as names come to me.


The Movie Meme: (please list up to at least 3 per genre)
Favorite Comedy Film:
Fletch and Fletch Lives
Dumb and Dumber
The Wedding Singer
Just Friends (Ryan Reynolds)
Meet the Fockers 1 and 2
50 First Dates (Reese Witherspoon)
Gods Must be Crazy 1 & 2

Favorite Romance Film:
The Princess Bride
Just Like Heaven (Reese Witherspoon)
Some Kind of Wonderful
When Harry Met Sally

Favorite Sci-Fi Movie:
**I'm not a big sci-fi movie buff, but I must have a thing for Will Smith because here goes:**
Independence Day
Men in Black
**And speaking of Will Smith, I still get FREAKED OUT when I think about the Dark Seekers in I Am Legend**

Favorite Animated Movie:
Shrek 1, 2, 3
Cars
Toy Story 1 & 2

Favorite Disaster Movie:
Armageddon
Deep Impact
Twister
(Note: Knowing with Nicolas Cage looks great, but it's dumb!)
**OK, and war is disastrous, right? The mini-series Band of Brothers is AWESOME!!**

Favorite Christmas Movie:
Elf (our Christmas tradition)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Four Christmases (Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughan)

Favorite Horror Movie:
**Not a big fan of horror movies...life is stressful enough! **
Nightmare on Elm Street 1
Nightmare on Elm Street 2
Nightmare on Elm Street 3
The 3 Hannibal movies (beginning with Silence of the Lambs)

Movies With Music:
**Don't hate me...I hate musicals. And I know this will make you totally incredulous: never seen Grease! I know, that's an American icon or something, but I was living in Africa when it was big. I was blissfully ignorant. So...I'm going to go with movies with the best soundtrack:**
Top Gun
Footloose
The Lost Boys
Flashdance (thanks for the reminder, Crossview!)

Favorite Book to Movie:
The Notebook
The Chronicles of Narnia series
The Jason Bourne series
**And...I haven't seen this yet, but it's on our Blockbuster queue, and I know I'll love it because the kids and I have been listening to it on tape, and I was thinking, Wow! This would make a great movie! and I looked it up, and there it was!!....**
Indian in the Cupboard

Favorite Classic:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Romeo & Juliet
Pride and Prejudice

Favorite Chick Flick:
Some Kind of Wonderful
When Harry Met Sally
Legally Blonde
Clueless
Sweet Home Alabama

Movie You Could Watch Ad Nauseum:
Twister
Breakfast Club
**Used to also be Top Gun, but then Tommy boy got so weird and all, that it's left a bad taste in my mouth.**

Worst Movie of All Time:
My sincerest apologies...
Forrest Gump
Napoleon Dynamite

**Conclusions: I didn't know it, but I am a HUGE Reese Witherspoon fan! And...I did know this: I'm totally stuck in the '80s!!**


Oh, and while I'm here, I have to give a shout-out to TeacherMommy at Diapers and Dragons. She awarded me with the Queen of Allll Things award. (Thanks, TeacherMommy!)

Here are the rules:
1. List 7 things that make you awesome.
2. Pass the award onto 7 bloggers that you love.
3. Tag those bloggers to let them know they are now Queens too (and link back to the Queen who tagged you).


So, here's how I'm playing:
1. I was narcissistic enough on one of my You Capture assignments, so I shall defer to that post.

2. I am not tagging anyone because, well, I'm too lazy. However, I will say that all two of my fans are Queens in my eyes (well, except for Arby; he's definitely not a queen). So...if you want the award, just take it!

3. Link me, don't link me...

Laundry, Milkshakes, and Aliens

Yesterday was Laundry Day. After the clothes were all washed--and strewn about my bed--I considered what a gift it would it would be to TravelDaddy if he came home and didn't have to clear a place to sleep between laundry-fresh underwear and shirts contend with piles of unprocessed laundry. So I folded all of the clothes. I put away all of the clothes.

All in one day.

It was a momentous occasion. There may have been some singing and dancing to mark the accomplishment.

* * * * * * * * * *

We drove by Chick-fil-A the other day, and apparently they're running some sort of milkshake promotion because the entrance is nearly blocked by signs depicting the creamy sweet treats in life size.

"Can we have a milkshake, Mom? Plleeeeaaaase?" they all asked in unison.

"Why would I spend all that money on milkshakes," I replied, "when I can make you one at home..."

Why, oh why, did I say that? A simple "No" would have sufficed. (I may have done well to correct their "Can" to "May" also. Because I'm helpful like that.) Since then, it's been, "Mom, when are you gonna make us milkshakes?" "Mom, today are you gonna make us those milkshakes?"

Well, the day finally came. Yesterday I made them milkshakes. Which they we drank through licorice straws. Because I'm a cool mom like that.

* * * * * * * * * *

Incidentally, the licorice is left over from Mama's Magic Bag, which accompanied us to the movies on Tuesday.

* * * * * * * * * *

We sipped our milkshakes yesterday through licorice straws as I conducted my first Write Share. As you know, I've been doing a lot of reading lately, brushing up on my teaching writing skills. Besides the Writing Workshop I'll be teaching downtown, I've also mentioned I want to institute a little WW in my own homeschool academy. (WW stands for Writing Workshop, not to be confused with World War, although there are a few of those in my house every now and then.) I served a dose of it yesterday (Writing Workshop, not World War).

The night before, I printed out a bunch of handwriting pages from Donna Young and stapled them together like books. The next morning, the inevitable question came: "What are we doing today?" I handed them the books and said, "Guess what? You get to write your own books today!"

They all did pretty well. The older three wrote stories about their Webkinz. Apparently, they have been telling stories every night in bed which they are acting out with their Webkinz by the light of the moon--or a flashlight as it were. The Princess wrote and "read" a riveting story about aliens. It went like this:

One time there was 3 little aliens, and they were up really high in the gray room in the stadium. Then they go to the next room and the next room and the next room and the next room. They did all the stuff that was all in the rooms. They did coloring on paper in there and dancing in there. They had dinner in the other gray room and played games in the next and painted in the next. Now it's over.

"What is the title of your story, Audrey?" I asked.

"The Aliens are Lost," she replied.

"Lost?" I inquired, puzzled. "Where were they lost? I didn't hear that in your story."

"Oh...They got lost in the baseball stadium and then they found the other stadium. Now it's over."

The Stadium

* * * * * * * * * *

I've been schlepping around a big ol' spiral journal for the last couple of days. I'm going to require my Writing Workshop students to keep Writing Notebooks, so I thought I should practice what I preach and actually carry my own around. You know, since I'm living the Writing Life and all. Don't get me wrong. It's not like I can't/don't write without a laptop staring me in the face. Usually when my bloggy voice is narrating in my head, I just pull out one of a gazillion hotel notepads and jot my thoughts on it with one of a gazillion hotel pens. (God bless the Marriott and all of its offspring!)

My eldest daughter is somewhat the same. I have in fact purchased several writing journals for her, but they just end up stuffed under her bed. I know this for a fact because last week we did a purge in her room, and I discovered them all along with many other "things". But that's another story. Anyway, since she can't keep track of a Writing Notebook, she also jots things on whatever paper-type product is around. Here are some of the random thoughts that were swirling around her writing brain during our trip to Kentucky:

(These first few were triggered by the saying at the top of the hotel notepad: Leave a trail of genius.):

to: Thoose who need it

Leave a trail of genius...to those who need it. So rest your head in a good bed. To be the one to leave the trail of genius.

Rember it's hard to tell the dumb from the genius. So be cautios when chosing. Even those who look dumb may not be. Never judge a book by it's cover. Evreything is not what it seems. Be very careful through life. Those who may seem good might be bad.

Genius is in the heart and mind. Thoose who seek it may find it.

The soul and heart mind are powerful. So use them in the way that is good to evreyone.

1% smarts + 99% insperation = genius

The voice can hurt more than you think. So don't hurt people with your bad words. Encourage people with your words. It can make someone's day brighter.

If someone hates you do not hate them back. Tough (Though) you are sometimes wanting to give into the hatred. Resist the tempting push it away. Love your enmies pray for them at all cost.

Popcorn Rules!

to: those who need help

Pay attion to nature and nature will pay attion to you. To help the outdoors is to help the human race. So help and protect it for the good of you and your loved one's.

10 Things I've Learned this Week and You Capture - Shapes

1. This week I learned that I am no Giada De Laurentiis. Well, unless the item on the menu contains flour or chocolate, preferably both, which would make it a dessert, which is my favorite thing on the menu. Alex requested barbecue chicken pizza, which contains flour, and it turned out beautifully. Michael requested brownies, which contain flour AND chocolate, and they turned out beautifully. The coleslaw which Giada featured on Everyday Italian, and which contains neither flour NOR chocolate? It turned out not so beautifully.

2. I learned that coleslaw is expensive to make, especially when the fancy schmancy recipe calls for three different kinds of cabbage.

3. But I also learned that honesty can pay off. The poor, young girl at the register rang up my Napa cabbage as regular cabbage. When I saw the measly $.99 charge for "cabbage", I pointed it out. She looked over her rolly price thingy for a couple of minutes, glancing at the head of Napa cabbage every so often. "What kind of cabbage did you say it was?" she asked a couple of times. Finally, with the line of customers waiting behind me growing, she passed the culprit cabbage on down and said, "I'll just give it to you." Of course I got it for $.99 either way, but at least I preserved my integrity.

4. At the grocery store, I also learned that being kind to strangers can make you laugh. An elderly gentleman in an electric chair (as in the grocery store version of a wheelchair, NOT the kind that you find in prison after you've had your last meal) was already waiting at the deli when I walked up to order turkey. "How are you?" I asked. He said he was fine and then, gesturing toward my Iced Grande Green Shaken Tea, asked me where I had purchased it. I pointed toward the in-store Starbucks.

"What is it, like Coke or something?" he asked.

"No, it's tea," I responded.

"WHAT?"

"Iced tea. Like sweet tea!" I said more loudly.

"WHISKY?"

I was just getting ready to yell, "NO. SWEET TEA!!!!" loud enough for all patrons to hear when the deli lady handed him his sandwich. Saved by the sandwich.

5. Upon returning home, I learned that every food processor is not alike, and mine is definitely not like Giada's. Hers delicately shredded the cabbage into light, springy, beautiful strips. Mine shredded the cabbage into mush. I ended up packing up 4 uncooperative children and making a special trip to Publix just to purchase some already-shredded-cabbage-in-a-bag after trashing my mush. (See #2 for additional lessons learned here.)

6. Also on the home front, I learned that my attemps to train the children to get dressed in the morning without being asked are futile when I do not put away the laundry. With two laundry days' worth of laundry piled on my bed or hanging out of laundry baskets, they are forced to come consult me in the morning anyway.

7. If laundry is a dreaded chore, ironing is even lower on the list. I learned just how much I hate ironing when I was reading an alphabet book to Audrey. We got to the letter "I", and I pointed to an iron. "What is that, Audrey?" I questioned.

"Uuuummmm...it's a....it's that thing you rub on shirts!"

I can't fault the girl for her ignorance; she has probably only seen me use the iron a couple times in her little life. How is she supposed to know what it is?

8. School will start again in a little less than 3 weeks. Until then, we try to fill up our days with fun activities like the pool. Today I learned that I can serve as Lifeguard just as efficiently from the patio table as from inside the chaos pool. This way, they can have some splashing fun while I scheme plan things to do in the 2009-10 Homeschool Year and in my Writing Workshop in the 'hood.

9. Of course, I learned already know that keeping my distance from the pool activity is yet another way in which I am not a fun mom. Maybe I'll learn my lesson and jump in the pool tomorrow.

10. And finally, I learned that it is probably more interesting to my few readers for me to include words with my You Capture photos. Because when the theme is Shapes, well, pictures of brownies, laundry, an iron, and a food processor just can't stand alone. Even considering my fabulous, professional-like photographs. (By the way, I got this "Lessons Learned" idea from From Inmates to Playdates. Visit her. She's funny.)

Crazy Eights

Although this crazy world of cyberspace can potentially be fraught with danger, it can also be a blessing. For example, I have been blessed with "meeting" new friends in the blog world, many of whom I have discovered to be dear, sweet, fun ladies. One such person is Annie at Having a Ball. She's a wonderful mom and an all around fabulous woman. Someday I'd love to meet her in person.


Anyway...Annie tagged me in her Great Eights post. So here we go:


8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
(In order of their expected and/or planned occurrence)...

1. Warm weather--surely it will come soon.

2. Family trip in a couple of weeks to Kentucky via Nashville. We'll visit a museum in Nashville while Mark works. In Kentucky, we'll have the pleasure of spending time with family and friends. One main purpose for our visit to the Bluegrass State is to share in a special commissioning ceremony for a friend who is headed to Africa to work as a missionary pediatrician. He's headed Home. We went to boarding school with him. I would love to put "Going Home to Africa to visit him so my kids can see where Mom and Dad grew up" on this list, but since there are no such plans (as of yet), I'll save it for a future list.

3. Every year there are any number of reunions occurring in various regions of the world. Well, that's not news. But these are opportunities for those of us who went to boarding school at ICA in Africa to get together. We don't always go to them. But this summer there are two here in our area. One is this coming weekend. It's a small one, but a couple of my very dear friends (1 an old roommate) will be coming. My brother-in-law is hosting a second reunion later this summer. It will be people from an "older" class, but I still remember them (even if they don't remember me since I was just a little kid then!).

4. I LOVE VBS, and I always volunteer to be in charge of the Bible study teachers. Although I'm looking forward to VBS, however, I'm more looking forward to it being over. I feel very disorganized this year, and I'm getting a little stressed out, especially since we will be returning from our trip in #1 at about 10:00 pm the night before I have to be at church at 8:45 AM.

5. I'm sooo looking forward for this school year to be over. I have those end of the school year blues.

6. I'm sooo looking forward to the beginning of a new school year. The last of all of my curriculum came in today. I'm having a great time looking through it all and planning.

7. Someday having another date with my husband. A date means with the children NOT in the same building, not just having the children sit at the table next to us.

8. I am so looking forward to growing in the Lord and to continuing to become the mother and wife that He wants me to be. I'm learning slowly but daily about patience and about what it means to serve my family. In so doing, I'm enjoying the blessing of getting to know my family--specifically the kids--better and of discovering what a joy they are to be around.


8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Taught Sunday School.

2. Found out that next week our church is doing a combined service at 11:00. Translation: No 9:00 service. Which means: We don't have to teach. Which also means: We get to sleep in.

3. Took a nap. If it hadn't been raining, we would have played volleyball.

4. Enjoyed nems for dinner. Nems are Vietnames (cooked) spring rolls. We called them "Nems" in Africa. Mark makes them taste just like home.

5. Watched the "Survivor" season finale.

6. Wrapped presents for Jacob. His birthday is Wednesday, but he opened presents today and had his celebration today.

7. Examined the hermit crabs' new habitat for signs of life...as soon as they got their new digs, they decided it was time to molt, so they dug under and have been incognito for a week. One did resurface last night, but now he has vacated his shell and, I guess, disappeared into another one. From my research, I've learned that they should be left alone during this time, which is difficult for curious little boys and girls (and curious moms). Michael asked how long they would be out of commission. I said, "Four to five weeks." "Forty-five weeks?!" he said. "How many days is THAT?!"

8. Watched a couple of MASH re-runs because I couldn't sleep on account of #3.


8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Play the drums.

2. Play the electric guitar.

3. "Speak" in sign language. We're going to begin learning a little this year...I have a DVD that teaches praise song signing.

4. Go back Home with Mark and the kids. I want the kids to see where we grew up, and I would love to go out with Mark since we have never been out together as a married couple.

5. Go to Italy.

6. Catch up on my scrapbooking.

7. Draw/paint/be artistic.

8. Be more "out of the box" with the kids (as my bloggy friend Annie discussed), more spontaneous with school stuff and with life stuff in general.


8 Shows I Watch:
1. Chuck
2. NCIS
3. The Mentalist
4. Survivor
5. Psych
6. Burn Notice
7. In Plain Sight
8. My Boys


8 Bloggers I'm Tagging:
1. TeacherMommy at Diapers and Dragons
2. Mitzi at The Road Less Traveled
3. Nikowa at Knowledge House Academy
4. Courtney at Life on Courtney Lane
5. Mare at Mare's Musings
6. Crossview at Down on a Red Dirt Lane
7. Dina at 4 Lettre Words
8. Mama Knucker Hatch at Our Golden Apples


So here's how to do this 8 THINGS thing: Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the lists of 8's. Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends. Go tell them you tagged them!

My Celebrity Moment

I got to know more about my friend Annie at Having a Ball through an "interview" she did with a blogger friend. She in turn gave me some questions:

Q: What were your favorite things about being an English teacher? Least favorite?
A: I love teenagers. The kids were a favorite part of teaching. And I think I've established I love curriculum and planning, so that was fun as well. My least favorite parts? Well, I was really young when I taught and looked even younger; I was mistaken daily for a student. As a result, it was often difficult for me to establish control in my classroom. Of course it didn't help that they gave me, the rookie, the gangster classes (I guess no one else wanted them). I had one kid who sauntered in to class wearing his house arrest ankle thingy. Those two gangster classes were good times. I absolutely loved teaching my honors classes, though.

Q. What inspires you most?
A. My children inspire me most often. They inspire my writing because they give me good content. More importantly, they inspire me to be a better mother. I have good kids. And I'm not just a biased mom; my kids are fun, loving, generally respectful, and they have such good hearts. I'm not always the loving mother I want to be. But when I look at them and what an absolute blessing they are, that incredible realization inspires me to give a little more and do a better job of showing them how much I treasure each of them.

Q. How did you meet TravelDaddy and what are some of your TravelDaddy coping mechanisms?
A. I wish I could remember the exact moment I met TravelDaddy, but I was in third grade, and he was a big fifth grader. I doubt he had much to do with me back then. I went to missionary kid boarding school with Mark. We were actually pretty good friends in high school, though we never dated. Later in college, I dated one of his roommates. When the roommate and I broke up, Mark and I started dating. I tease him that our first date was just a pity date after Roomie's and my break-up, but he denies it!

As for my TravelDaddy coping mechanisms, well, I'm a planner, so I plan. My biggest difficulty when he's gone is feeding my family because when he's here, he's the cook. And he's the kind of cook who can take a look in the pantry or fridge an hour before dinner and cook up something from nothing. I cannot do that. I have to plan a menu, go the store, and get exactly what I need. I'm not good at straying from the plan or from the recipe.

Q. What led you to homeschooling?
A. I began researching homeschooling when Baby #1 was still in utero. However, once Baby #1 was ready for Kindergarten, Baby #4 was days from entering the world. We had just built a house, moved, and helped throw my in-laws a 50th anniversary bash. I felt overwhelmed. So I put Baby #1 in public school. I found that to be a complete pain as well...I had to wake up Babies #2, 3, and New Baby #4 to take Baby #1 to school, and I had to wake Baby #4 up again to go pick Baby #1 up in the afternoon (I don't know if I could bring myself to ever do the bus thing). And I guiltily pulled Baby #1 out of school to go on our annual after-Labor-Day family vacation. So at Thanksgiving, we pulled Baby #1 out of school, and we haven't looked back since.

Honestly, convenience and non-crowded vacations and outings are a HUGE plus for us for homeschooling. Mark doesn't like me to say that because it sounds shallow, but it's true. Of course, I do LOVE teaching them. I love it that they can work at their own pace (I have two who are ahead and 1 who needs to go a little slower). I love that we can go on field trips to match each unit. I love teaching them what I want to teach them when I want to teach them. I love that I don't have to worry about politics in my teaching...like mentioning God or prayer.

Q. What is your dream vacation?
A. Before I die, I will vacation in Italy, and I will go on a REAL African safari. When I was little, we went to the game reserve in Ivory Coast every year. We saw some cool things...lots of baboons, wild boar, antelope, hippos. But never any lions or elephants. One year we rented a safari truck with a driver, and he was determined to show us some elephants. We spent the day tracking elephant spores, but we never found the elephants.

Close seconds are Australia, New Zealand, and somewhere in South America.

Fun with a T

I'll admit it, although I don't think I have to: Sometimes I'm a little starved for adult interaction! Homeschooling means I'm with my little people 24/7, and a traveling husband means that my little people are often my only company. Though certainly not a replacement for real interaction with grown-ups, the Blog World has satisfied some of my need to interact with people who remember when Reagan was president. I've met some wonderful people in Blog World. One of those people is Annie at Having a Ball. She is funny, sweet, kind, compassionate. And competitive. She kinda has to be...her husband coaches basketball. But I like a good competition, so I was game when she threw down the challenge of playing with the alphabet. I was game, that is, until she sent me my letter: T. I was hoping for A, you know, because there's Audrey and Alex, and Animals, and All Around more things I like in life that begin with the letter A. So I've been pondering this one for awhile and finally come up with it:

The Trinity - First and foremost, I am thankful for The Trinity, for The Three-in-one because without The Trinity, there would be none of the things that complete this list. God created it all; Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice so I could be covered with grace; and the Holy Spirit is my daily guide through the awesome times, the terrible times, and all those moments in between.

Teaching - Teaching and all things school is my passion. I loved being in school. I would continue in school if I had the time, and I now live out my school life vicariously through my children as I teach them.

my Three gentlemen - How boring and mundane (and quiet!) life would be without my two boys! And without my man, I couldn't claim to be the luckiest woman in the world. (And let this be a lesson to me to take more pictures of my knight in shining armor!)

my Two princesses - Complete opposites, my two girls bring deep conversations on the one hand and lots of frills and sparkles on the other hand. I love 'em!

Tiny Toes and TipToes - I'm beginning to miss those Tiny Toes, although the Princess is so petite, hers still qualify as Tiny. Don't you just love the little foot dimples? And both my girls often walk on their TipToes. In fact, when Alex was about 4, the doc told me to get her to stop or she may require surgery on her Achilles later on in life. Turned out to be a habit that was impossible to break without nagging her every second of the day. So I just left it, and she doesn't do it as often now.

Tea - I love tea. I like it iced...or as we southerners say, "Sweet tea" (add at least 2 extra syllables in that). I also love hot tea. I drink hot green tea daily because I like it and because it's so healthy.

Triple chocolate cake - You knew I'd throw in chocolate somewhere, didn't you? A three-layer cake with ganache filling and chocolate fudge frosting? I'm sure in Heaven, this will stand in for a regular dinner entree.

Thunderstorms in Africa - I used to sit on our screened in porch in Africa and just soak up an African thunderstorm with all my senses. It's an awesome sight to see a storm roll in, to see the ominous clouds get closer and closer until the whole sky is one, gigantic black cloud; the claps of thunder echo as they roll across the sky, and the sound of the rain on the tin roof is hypnotic; the smell of the dry earth drinking in the first rain is so distinctive.

Tropical weather - Every year at this time I tell my husband I want to move to Florida. I am just not a cold weather type of gal, and I don't care how many people hear my wimpy whining about it. I've heard so many people say they would never want to live in a climate that does not cycle through 4 seasons. Not me. Give me one season: hot.

Television - I know some people think the TV is evil. And some of it is; we certainly monitor what the kids watch. But I enjoy relaxing in front of the TV or doing chores or work with the TV on. I like to catch up on my news while I'm making lunch or dinner, and I like the background noise in the evening, especially if Mark is gone. I even set it on the timer and fall asleep to it when he's gone. Some of my faves? Chuck, Psych, Monk, The Mentalist. Obviously, I like the crime shows that aren't too serious!

So...those are the 10 things which fit me to a T. Do you want a letter? Let me know in your comments.

Christmas Habits, er, Traditions

This has been a blah day, and with blah days comes little to write about. So I thought I would allow myself to be tagged by Kris at Camped Out on Mt. Never-Rest, whose blog title completely captures how I feel right now. You can also find the Meme at Christmas Creations.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I hate wrapping gifts. My mom wraps gorgeous gifts; I did not inherit the talent from her. So, I usually take the lazy--though much more expensive--route: I use gift bags. For the kids, however, I always wrap...just because I know how much a kid loves to tear into that paper. We also sometimes do a scavenger hunt for a large gift--they love that! Though I may be a kid at heart, I prefer receiving my gifts in a gift bag because the re-gifting of the gift bag costs a lot less the next year.

2. Real tree or artificial?
It is a wonderful family tradition to go out on the day after Thanksgiving, out to a field of Christmas trees, each one a beautiful candidate to star in the home for the season. After the tree is carefully and unanimously chosen by all of the children, the tree is cut down and brought home for a lovely evening of decorating. As each ornament is tenderly hung in just the right spot, one per branch and all equally dispersed, the children chat in hushed tones, listening to and laughing with each other. Occasionally, a family member breaks out into a Christmas carol. Once the tree is beautifully dressed, the family sits around the fireplace sharing memories from the year gone by.

Yep, not us. We do an artificial tree, and you've already heard about our set-up day.

3. When do you put up the tree?
It has always been our tradition to decorate the house the day after Thanksgiving. However, this year, for a number of reasons, we tackled the job a week early. One reason is that Thanksgiving was late in the month this year. Truth be told, enjoying the tree for that extra week didn't really matter quite so much as the fact that we had 40+ people here for Thanksgiving. We wanted our house to look nice for our guests. And, oh, OK I'll say it: We didn't want to face the Decorating Task during the exhaustion that follows house guests and other company. (NOT that we don't love opening our home to everyone!)

4. When do you take the tree down?
As soon as one of the two of us makes the first move. During the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?
As good as something with rum sounds, it's just not the right combination for me.

6. Favorite gift received as a child an adult?
Childcare.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My parents...both sets. While my children will happily sit down and write a letter to Santa, which lists each and every item he or she could ever desire, I can't get my parents or in-laws to write such a letter. When I ask them what they want, they always say, "Oh, we don't need anything." Well, I didn't ask you what you need.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
The kids on account of the letter to Santa which I proofread before it gets mailed.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
We have three nativity scenes, all from Africa.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Christmas cards? We're supposed to send Christmas cards? We always talk about doing Christmas cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I like presents. I can't think of a bad one.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
We watch Elf every year in this household.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Oh, how I wish I could say I pick up Christmas presents at year-round sales. But I'm a procrastinator. This year was my record: I finished on Black Friday (except for a couple of things I had to get online).

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I know I've recycled wedding presents. I can't think specifically of a Christmas present I've recycled, though there has certainly been one or five. As I've mentioned before, I'm not a good gift giver.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Anything with sweet in it.

16. Lights on the tree?
Part of the beauty of a fake tree are the white lights that come already attached to the tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas makes me laugh.
Christmas Shoes makes me cry. Every time.
Away in a Manger makes me remember the reason for the season.

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I always want to be home for Christmas; I think Home is the best place for children on Christmas Day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Probably not, but I can sing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer with all of the extras like "Monopoly," "George Washington," etc.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
We have a lovely angel that sits precariously atop our 9 ft. tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
This is a continuing source of contention between my husband and me. He was brought up Christmas Eve. I was brought up Christmas Morning. So...we do them Christmas Morning. Well, sometimes I compromise a little, and the kids open one Christmas Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The pressure of gift giving: We have to get them a gift because what if they get us a gift?

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I have a few:

• I have a miniature Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus book; this was a favorite childhood ornament.
• Our first Christmas, I got a moving Winnie-the-Pooh ornament. He's stuck in the hole at Rabbit's house, and everyone is trying to pull him out.
• I have a New York City ornament I picked up when Mark and I were up there in August 2001. It has the Twin Towers on it. Alex dropped it years ago, and the Twin Towers broke off. Luckily, I found them and was able to glue them back on. I think I cried when it broke.

And color - can you believe I do not like traditional Christmas red and Christmas green? I prefer burgundy and a dark, evergreen green.

24. (And I'm adding a #24 and #25 because it didn't make sense to have only 23.) Favorite Christmas stories (besides THE Christmas story)?
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado makes me cry every time.
A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe made Alex cry the first time I read it to her.
The Christmas Humbugs by Colleen Monroe is just plain fun.

25. Favorite Christmas tradition?
Christmas cookies are a favorite tradition for us, and it's a tradition passed down from my mom. I loved those times spent with her decorating cookies...and, of course, eating them afterwards!

If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Darcsea requested photographic proof of my 3 African nativity scenes. I aim to please, so here they are. The first one was a wedding present from one of my mentors from boarding school. The second is from my mother-in-law. Under the glare of the flash, both of these sets could pass for black plastic; however, they are both made of ebony. We received the second set after several years of wedded bliss, and you will notice the extra detail the artisans began to add to their work in later years. My mom gave us the last set which is a hand-painted clay set. Notice the babies on the women's back and the loads on their heads...I believe one lady lost her load, and I haven't glued it back on yet. One also had a sheep on her head which I haven't glued back on yet either--one of the children has balanced it on her head without glue. And, no, that wouldn't be totally unlikely to see someone with a sheep on their head! I've seen small cages with chickens or other critters as well as sewing machines. It really does make the most sense because a) it improves balance and posture and b) your arms are free!

Gratitude: Top 10...and Then Some

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, it's a great time to count blessings. Heart of the Matter, in fact, encourages its readers to do just that:

Welcome to the Heart of the Matter Online meme. Please share with us your thoughts on the following: Giving Thanks. What are you thankful for?
Thanksgiving is a week away! We want to know–what are you most thankful for?
And I, personally, would like to know–and am sneaking this in out of sheer nosiness– what’s your best Thanksgiving recipe? Will you share it or another great Fall meal idea? That would make *me* very thankful!

1. I am so very grateful for my 4 children who try their best to keep me young while all the time reminding me how old I'm getting.

2. I am also thankful for a wonderful husband who, while he does not understand my curriculum addiction, doesn't say a word when I indulge.

3. And this same amazing husband is the culinary expert of the family and does all of the cooking. Can anyone say THANK YOU?

4. When TravelDaddy is gone, I am thankful for Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, and Zaxby's. And waffles too. Because, really, what is dinner without breakfast food?

5. I'm thankful for children who make me proud, like last week when a mother at the Chick-fil-A complimented them up and down for their behavior and manners.

6. And these same children are also God's way of keeping me humble. Like when one of them at Book Club got up front to give his book report and asked me to read the title of his book because he had forgotten it and couldn't read it. The title, incidentally, was Where the Wild Things Were. Which he can read. But since the other kids were reading big words like committee and Caldecott, he thought it would be fun to give me a Humble Moment right then and there.

7. Even though we're trying to get rid of it, I am so grateful for this beautiful home we have. And, although, all we seem to attract are prospective buyers of the psychotic kind, I'm thankful for any nibbles. By the by, I don't believe I ever shared Pt. II of my letter to the Wacko Homebuyer. Seems that, in her cozying up to my neighbor in order to get the dirt on us, my neighbor told her I was pregnant when we moved in. Gasp! When my realtor told her we were moving because we had outgrown the house, she very indignantly argued, "But I heard the lady was pregnant when she moved in." All suspicious-like. Like we're trying to cover up a gaping hole in the roof with a pregnancy. What she could have discovered had she had the courtesy to ask is that a) We had already purchased the blueprints for our home before we found out about our little surprise, b) As a family of 5, it's hard to imagine how much room a family of 6 requires--you know Hindsight is 20/20 and all that?, and c) IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!! But I digress. And steal the gratitude from my Thankful List...

8. I am thankful for the lock on my bathroom door. Even though the door's not soundproof. And even though there's still a sizable space under the door. Someday. Someday I'll be peeing in peace, and I'll miss seeing little fingers wave at me from under the door, and I'll miss having notes passed to me. Or Legos. Or any manner of small toys.

9. God has provided so well with TravelDaddy's job. Even though he is gone a lot, I'm thankful that he enjoys his job so much. I'm thankful that he provides for us so abundantly.

10. And I'm thankful that when he's not traveling, he's right here at home with us! Of course, one day we will be forced to explain the realities of life to the children: That not everyone has a job full of airplane adventures, fancy meals, and hotel stays; and not everyone has a job that lets them sleep in. Or work in their pajamas.

11. And just for good measure--and to meet the Heart of the Matter Meme Requirements, I'm throwing in not one, but TWO, recipes without which Thanksgiving dinner would not be the same:

Sweet Potato Souffle (courtesy, my cousin Tawni)
3 c. cooked sweet potato
1 t. vanilla
1 c. sugar
dash of cinnamon
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1 stick butter
dash of ginger
Mix all ingredients. Stir over low heat. Pour mixture into baking dish.

Topping:
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1 stick butter or margarine
1 c. chopped pecans
Mix all ingredients over low heat or in a double boiler. Add a little water as needed for spreading. Pour mixture over potatoes. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Like dessert for lunch!

Gooey Pumpkin Pie Bars (courtesy, Paula Deen)
Crust:
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick melted butter
1 egg
Combine ingredients. With buttered hands, press into ungreased 9x13 pan. (Goodness...the woman even butters her hands!)

Filling:
1 8oz. cream cheese
1 box powdered sugar
1 stick melted butter
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 can pumpkin
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over crust. Bake 45 minutes at 350.

Stuck with My Family

In spite of the fact that I ribbed TeacherMommy in my last post about tagging me again, I've decided to take on the weekly meme from Heart of the Matter. The question to address is What Makes My Family Unique?

At first glance that's a hard one for me because, really, what's so unique about us anyway? It used to be that a homeschooling family was somewhat of a novelty, but nowadays everyone knows someone who homeschools. Just ask any cashier at Wal-Mart who has questioned me about why I'm out in the middle of the morning with the kids; they'll always nod with complete understanding when I explain we homeschool: "Oh, yeah, I have a neighbor who has a cousin who has a brother who homeschools." Church-going families are not unique, although I wish there were more of them out there. And missionary families are certainly not hard to come by: just check my Facebook friends list; I've just about found all of my long lost MK friends.

So what makes my family unique? Well, as paradoxical as it sounds, the same thing that makes every family unique: its members.

Alex, my first born, is sweet, compassionate, responsible, and smart. She is a walking encyclopedia and reads the Dictionary for fun; you don't ever, ever argue trivia with her. Her compassion shines when it comes to helping anyone less fortunate. In fact, she wants to be a "Shoebox Person" when she grows up. Translation: someone who works for Operation Christmas Child. She is sensitive and always sees the need around her. Her sensitivity shows through in her emotions, though not uncontrollably so; she does not easily get her feelings hurt because she has a quiet confidence about her that combats any self-pity. Rather, her sensitivity comes spilling out at appropriate times. I remember reading a Christmas book to her when she was two. In the book, the old Christmas tree laments that he is never chosen by people to be taken to their homes to decorate. As I read, I looked down at my little girl and saw one big crocodile tear rolling down her cheek. Alex was by far our easiest baby and is still so flexible and agreeable to whatever life may throw at her.

Michael is my funny little man. He loves a good practical joke or magic trick and has many of them up his sleeve. He is not at all about all things academic like his sister; however, his mind never seems to slow down. Ideas spill from his little head at an alarming rate, sometimes ideas that get him into trouble but more often now as he is older, ideas that lead to amazing creations with Legos or paper. Michael has a bit more than just a speck of drama thrown in to his DNA. That drama sometimes just shines through as a sparkle in his eye, but other times it can mean a full-fledged, dramatic battle of the wills. During any such fight, should he come out on the losing end, it isn't surprising to see him head off to his bed or some other secluded spot to engage in a grand Pouting Party. We've learned it's just best to let him party it out of his system. And then he's OK again. When not hosting a Pity Party, Michael is absolutely the life of the party and just oozes energy.

Jacob is my mysterious child. He is most difficult to figure out, and I pray lots of prayers that as he grows we will find increasing opportunities to get to know one another. Incredibly shy, few people know Jacob at all. In fact, when his Sunday School teachers come visit us here at home, their jaw drops as they witness this exuberant, fiesty little boy interact at home. Most children experience about six months of separation anxiety. Our boy experienced 5 1/2 years of it. In the last year, he has become so confident and will go to Sunday School and even choir practice all by himself. He still has little to say to others, but at least he is coming out of his shell. What's funny about this little guy is that he is so reserved, yet he is obviously paying close attention to everything and has a lot going on in his mind because he says the funniest thing. He is always the first to use big words. "That's outrageous!" he'll say, or "I'm flabbergasted." Yesterday, a conversation with his grandparents somehow circled around to Disney World (as it often does). "I went on It's a Small World," he explained. "and I fell off the boat and started to scream. So they arrested me and threw me in jail where I had to sleep for months on a hard, cold stone floor with a brick for my pillow." Where does he come up with this? Hopefully, as I get to know him better, I'll figure it out.

Audrey, sweet little Audrey. She was a surprise, and I don't usually like surprises, but I can't imagine life without this affectionate, charming little girl. She, like Michael, has just a touch of the dramatics. And also a sparkle in her eyes. She is the most affectionate of any of our children, making bedtime a very long drawn out time of butterfly kisses, eskimo kisses, mommy kisses, hugs, and more butterfly kisses. She loves her brothers and sister, and they love her back. She is all girl and loves anything pink, shiny, flittery, glittery, or frilly. She is so much fun to watch, to talk to, and to hang out with.

And as for the Mr. and I, I suppose our uniqueness is in our story. We share the same birthday, although he is 3 years older. He was born at a little mission hospital in Africa where a couple years later my father went to work as a pharmacist. I called this little town with a big name--Ferkessedougou--home until I graduated from boarding school in a bigger town with a smaller name--Bouake--the same school Mark attended. I met him when I was in third grade. And, no, we weren't high school sweethearts. And, no, this was not an arranged marriage, although there's no one better in this world that my parents could have chosen for me if it had been. There are benefits, though, to having grown up with your future husband: One, we know ALL the dirt on each other; and two, we share not only the bonds of our matrimonious love for each other, but also an understanding for what it means to have grown up in a different country with a different culture.

Even though my parents did not arrange the marriage between me and the most wonderful man in the world, they did used to tell me I was special because they got to choose me through adoption rather than just being stuck with me (I may or may not have added the "stuck" part over the years; sometimes I embellish a little.) Well, I got stuck with 4 children, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, had I done the choosing, I could not have done it any better.

Five Things

When I started blogging, I swore I wouldn't do these Tag things, that I would just stick to the matter of this little big family that resides under my roof. However, seems I have a friend who, by her own admission, is quite addicted to this Blog Tagging. And I understand addictions (have I already mentioned my Big Three--chocolate, books, and Grande Green Shaken Iced Teas?). And I have come to realize through participating in a couple of them already that, really, the tagging topics tell tales in and of themselves about my family. So here goes:

I am supposed to share Five Things I Want My Kids to Know (Before They Grow Up). As an aside, TeacherMommy supposes that I am one of five people "who will no doubt do this with far more humor than I did." There's raising the bar, and I'm not sure I can live up to it about this topic. I may, in fact, lead us right down Serious Street.

1. Most importantly, I want my children to learn about, understand, and accept the unfathomable love of God. And within this understanding, I want them to comprehend the Grace that accompanies that incredible love. Because if they don't learn about the grace, they will fall into the same legalistic snare in which I was caught for so many years. This one lesson presents an awesome challenge and opportunity for Mark and me as parents. And we can't teach it without His help because we will fail miserably.

2. For the times I try to do it on my own, I hope my children will learn the freedom found in forgiveness: accepting forgiveness extended to them and offering forgiveness to others.

3. I want them to not only learn the Golden Rule, but put it into practice.

4. I want them to learn respect for others.

5. And I want them to learn to put their best effort into any task they undertake.

You would think that as a homeschooler, I would have some grand academic aspirations for my children, and I do. However, I don't think those aspirations can truly be achieved without becoming the kind of people who put into practice the Five Things I Want My Kids to Know.

And on a lighter note:

1. It would be absolutely grand if Jacob would learn to tie his shoes now that we've discarded the velcro. And now that he's SEVEN!!

2. If my almost 9-year-old would learn to brush her own hair and maybe even attempt a pony tail or braid by herself, that would be swell. I remind her all the time occasionally that at her age, I was at boarding school and almost completely self-sufficient. Of course, I was sporting one of those trendy bowl cuts so my hair was less of an issue, but still.

3. I would be the happiest mommy in the world if I didn't have to sweep the floor 10 times a day, so I would be most pleased if my children would learn to keep their food on their plates. Or in their mouths. Even on the table would be preferred. (On a separate note, if you do not own a Shark Cordless Sweeper (or something similar in nature), you are missing out on the best invention EVER!! My bloggy brain has written many an ode to my Shark; someday I will publish one such tribute.)

4. I would be ecstatic if the Princess would learn to wipe herself. Actually, I'd be happy to continue to do the wiping if the girl would just attempt to pull up her britches. I mean, I know it's difficult for royalty to bend down and all, but even just a small try would be greatly appreciated.

5. And if they could only learn to flush the toilet. (I don't like surprises.) And pee IN the toilet. Oh my life would be heavenly.

But you know, I take 'em and love 'em just as they are, try to impart to them what little wisdom I possess, pray like crazy for them, and hope they turn out alright in spite of me.

And because I'm quite sure my tagging benefits have expired with my bloggy friends, I won't tag anyone this time.

ABC Tag

TeacherMommy at Diapers and Dragons tagged me with The ABCs of Me. I love to talk about myself, so I figured why not?

A - Available: Depends what "available" means. Am I available for dating and marriage? Certainly not. Well, except for the dating part. I'm certainly available for that...with my dear husband. Are my kids available? Why, yes they are. When would you like to come over? Hubby and I would LOVE to go on a date.

B - Best friend: My soulmate and husband, of course.

C - Cake or pie: Chocolate cake, chocolate pie. Whatever.

D - Drink of choice: Water. I'm so boring.

E - Essential item you use everyday: I wish I could say with honesty that I use my Bible everyday. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen everyday. I do use my computer on a daily basis, which is a sad commentary on the way I manage my time. And my priorities.

F - Favorite color: Black. My wedding was black. Well, not my dress, people, my bridesmaids' dresses. My mother flipped out when she heard I was going black. "Well," she said, "if someone faints and dies, we can just turn the wedding into a funeral." Afterwards, she agreed that it was the most elegant wedding she'd ever seen.

G - Gummy bears or worms: Definitely the worms. They last longer. You don't just pop 'em into your mouth and they're gone. You can eat them section by section. Much more fun.

H - Hometown: It's the dreaded question any MK faces: "Where are you from?" I've finally reached the "double years" point in my life where I've lived just as long in the US as I did in Africa. That coupled with the fact that I now have my own family, allows me to claim Atlanta, GA, as my hometown. However, I've also lived in Van Nuys, CA (on at least 4 separate occasions); Quebec, Canada; Switzerland; Ferkessedougou, Ivory Coast; Mana, Mali; Bouake, Ivory Coast; Pasadena, CA; Azusa, CA; Birmingham, AL; Athens, GA; Roswell, GA; Norcross, GA; Bethlehem, GA; and now here I am, home sweet home. And hopefully soon to have yet another address.

I - Indulgence: Books, chocolate, and Starbucks' Green Shaken Iced Tea with sweetener. These are the things in which I overindulge.

J - January or February: February, but that's only because there are three birthdays in our family during this month, two of which are hubby's and mine (on the same day!). Otherwise I hate January and February because I loathe the cold, yes, even the Georgia cold.

K - Kids: I've lost count. How many do I have? 4 I think.

L - Life is incomplete without: My husband. Honey, you complete me.

M - Marriage date: 7/2 which, in retrospect was a mistake because now we seldom get to celebrate with all of the other goings-on around that date. We chose that date, however, because we knew we would have MK friends visiting from all over for our wedding, so we chose the holiday weekend. Because we're accommodating like that.

N - Number of siblings: None, and I try desperately to remind my own children how lucky they are to have each other. They're not buyin' it. Yet.

O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges. You know those ones in aisle 5 that come in a blue box. And, if not popped into your mouth, they melt in your hand leaving a gooey, dark, sticky mess that's delicious to lick off? No, really. I'll eat an apple or an orange, though only because I know they're good for me. And quite frankly, I'm so lazy when it comes to eating things that are good for me, that I'd just as soon drink a glass of OJ than peel an orange.

P - Phobias/Fears: Spiders, cockroaches, scorpions. All of which I have found in my house at one time or another. The scorpions really freaked me out. In Africa, the small ones are the most poisonous, so imagine my horror in discovering a tiny scorpion in my children's room when we first moved in. Bug guy told me, though, that these Georgia scorpions are no worse than bees. Hubby can actually testify to that as he was stung by one. I still hate them, though.

Q - Favorite Quote: "I love you" said by any member of my family.

R - Reason to smile: "I love you" said by any member of my family.

S - Season: Summer. Did I mention I loathe cold weather?

T - Tag: I think I'll tag Mare again at Mare's Musings. The last time I tagged her, her rantings thoughts seemed to be somehow therapeutic for her.

U - Unknown fact about myself: Haven't I been rather forthright on this blog? I honestly can't think of anything that would be an unknown and interesting fact (not that everything I've posted is interesting).

V - Vegetable you don’t like: Tomatoes (raw), celery, turnips, avocado, brussel sprouts...Did I mention I don't eat healthy food because I necessarily like it?

Worst habit: Like I'd confess that here! Of the type I'll actually ADMIT to, Procrastination. It gets me in a world of trouble. (OK, and stealing because I stole this answer from TeacherMommy.)

X - X-rays: X-rays? Whatever. May as well have used xylophones.

Y - Your favorite food: Chocolate.

Z - Zodiac: Chocolate. (Just because I think the whole zodiac thingy is rubbish.)

Blog Tagged

I'll admit. I've never done the Tagging Thing before, but my friend Courtney at Life on Courtney Lane tagged me with 7 Random Things About Me, so I'll humor her and likely bore you with my 7 issues that may someday lead me to a therapist's couch:

First, we must put the rules in play:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and put the rules on your blog

2. Share 7 weird or random facts about yourself...

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link to their blog...

4. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a note on their blog...

OK, so you know I'm a little quirky because...

1. I'm very particular about how my dishwasher is loaded. Sometimes my dear husband loads it, and I always go behind him and reload it. It's not that I'm ungrateful. And I always do my reorganization on the sly so that he doesn't feel unappreciated. It's just that no one else seems to have any inkling about how to correctly load a dishwasher.

2. My favorite childhood character was Winnie-the-Pooh. What child doesn't love loveable ol' Pooh Bear? Other children, however, probably don't get labeled by their dear parents with the unfortunate nickname of "Pooh". I did. And I'd cringe when Mom and Dad would address me as such. My friends would do a double take and, laughing uproariously and mockingly, ask, "Why did your parents just call you poo?"

3. Even though I grew up in the wilds of Africa, I HATE bugs, especially spiders and cockroaches. Spiders make me break out in a sweat. Literally. Once when Mark was out of town, I discovered a big, hairy, tarantula-like one (I'm NOT kidding) in the baby's room. It took my dear husband at least a half hour on speaker phone to convince me to stop panicking long enough to beat the ugly, nasty critter. Thankfully, my eldest boy who is also the man of the house in Mark's absence rescues me from most killer insects now.

4. I've always wanted to try my hand at waitressing, I mean serving or whatever they call it now. If I was a waitress or server or whatever, I would make sure that if my customer asked to hold the tomatoes, the tomatoes would be held. And if my customer requested a beverage sans lemon, the beverage would be served sans lemon. I would make great tips.

5. Chick-fil-A is my favorite restaurant (fast food at least), and our new one just opened today. We took the kids this morning, and they broke in the playground. I love Chick-fil-A because it appears to be the last remaining establishment in America where service is not dead. I have recently begun a campaign in my home to encourage my little people to respond to "Thank you" with "My pleasure" because, well, it is simply my pleasure to hear such pleasant speech.

6. I am addicted to curriculum and all educational materials.

7. I bungee jumped on spring break in Panama City in 19 90 something. Someday I want to sky dive, but I'll probably wait until the kids are self-sufficient.

So now comes the tagging part. And I know this will be painful for some of you; don't feel obligated! At least check out some of my friends' blogs, though:

Mama Knucker Hatch at Our Golden Apples

TeacherMommy at Diapers and Dragons

Mare at Mare's Musings

Mitzi at The Road Less Traveled

My wonderful sister-in-law at Phoenicie Konnection

Nikowa at Knowledge House Academy

and...although I think she's already done this: Crossview at Crossview Academy