I finished Harry Potter yesterday...excellent! Now I'd like to get the books on CD and listen to the entire series. I picture myself going for a walk in the evening while enjoying Harry Potter...it could happen, right? Zoe wants to read the first Harry Potter book now. I think she should!
I started our smiley/frowny face chart yesterday to re-establish our happy home. The girls earn a smiley face for making good decisions and they earn a frowny face for making bad decisions. If they have more smiley faces on Saturday than frowny faces, than they get to go to the Dairy Port for an ice cream. My children LOVE getting ice cream, so this system works for them. As soon as I tell them they have earned a frowny face, they immediately stop what they are doing and try to make better decisions.
We're going to the Bangor State fair today with my mom and Matt's family. Matt will join us later this afternoon. It's going to be a hot, sunny day...perfect for swimming, but we'll be sweating at the fair. :-)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
The return
Zoe came back home last night, yay! It's nice having her home...we're going through an adjustment period though. I'm sure it is hard for her to let go of the "only child being pampered away from home" state to embrace the "one of 5 siblings...no one is pampering me!" state. She tried to inform me last night at the airport that because she was hungry we needed to stop at McDonald's on the way home because she was in charge and that's what she wanted to do...but I informed her that her vacation was over and she could eat at home...and there have been other minor challenges ever since!
Zoe flew back home with Matt's brother and his family who are vacationing here now. It's so much fun to have Matt's family come to visit! We went to church today and then we went over to my parents' home for lunch/dinner and to visit. Our kids LOVE having cousins here to play with!
Zoe flew back home with Matt's brother and his family who are vacationing here now. It's so much fun to have Matt's family come to visit! We went to church today and then we went over to my parents' home for lunch/dinner and to visit. Our kids LOVE having cousins here to play with!
Friday, July 27, 2007
We have a winner!
The new owner of this adorable Lobsterbear ornament is... Jessica from All Sweet!
Congratulations! I'm happy that this ornament will remind you of your trips to Maine and also your many blogging friends. :-)
This drawing has been so much fun! I enjoyed reading about your connections to Maine and I'm excited to have new blogs to visit!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Happy Pioneer Day
We made this covered wagon treat last night during our Family Home Evening. The idea came from the July Friend magazine. Emily wanted to save the wagon, so we ate from the leftover ingredients. Eleanor decided to eat the wagon wheels this morning, but the rest of our wagon is still intact. It's our reminder today to remember the pioneers who crossed the plains to reach the Salt Lake Valley. How grateful we are for their faith and sacrifice!
marshmallows, graham cracker, pretzel sticks, gummy lifesavers, caramel, and frosting
I'm also hoping to celebrate this day by starting the last Harry Potter book. Matt finished it last night. I hesitate to start the book because I know it will be hard for me to get anything else accomplished until I have finished it...all 759 pages!, but it must be read and so let the reading begin.
marshmallows, graham cracker, pretzel sticks, gummy lifesavers, caramel, and frosting
I'm also hoping to celebrate this day by starting the last Harry Potter book. Matt finished it last night. I hesitate to start the book because I know it will be hard for me to get anything else accomplished until I have finished it...all 759 pages!, but it must be read and so let the reading begin.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Get in on the fun!
It's the day we've been waiting for...some of us anyway! A chance to give something away and/or enter to win different giveaways as we visit different participating blogs. Go to Rocks in my Dryer for more info.
Here you have a chance to win this cute Lobsterbear ornament
...a little bit of Maine to hang on your Christmas tree this year and many years to come. So leave a comment and you'll automatically be entered into the drawing. One entry per person please. This is a no cost to you giveaway. If you win, you'll receive this ornament in the mail from the company...from me. If you do not have a blog, please leave your e-mail address in your comment. I will draw a random winner this Friday, July 27th at 8:00am EST, so any comments left after that time will not be entered in the drawing. I will post the winner on my blog on Friday and contact the winner through a blog or e-mail address. Good Luck!
This ornament is sold by the Christmas Spirit shop in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
It is finished
As a wife, I'm bummed that Matt lost his trial...as a Maine citizen, I am happy a guy involved in bringing drugs into the state has been found guilty and will pay the consequences.
Friday's Feast
Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?
8
Soup
If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?
These is my words
Salad
What is your favorite breakfast food?
Eggs, sausage, and pancakes
Main Course
Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.
Read
Dessert
How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?
15 minutes
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Four Walls of the American Home
By Mitt Romney
Friday, July 13, 2007
Our nation faces a new generation of challenges that will significantly impact not just our national security, but also the core character of our society and the fabric of our American families.
We face these challenges with an understanding that, at the same time, there is a troublesome convergence of enemies aligned against our democratic institutions whose sole interest is defeating them and destroying the freedoms that we are afforded because of them.
At this critical time in our nation's history, we are confronted by daily reminders of the existence of evil. It would be foolish and irresponsible for us to believe that evil will simply go away. Hatred, as much as we want it to, does not always fade with each generation. To combat those who would perpetuate evil in the world, we must project our strength and our goodness, which rely in part on the strength of our people and culture.
Around the world, our goal should be to employ American strength, courage, fortitude and goodness. Our country leads in not only military technology, but in science, education, health care and innovation. It is time that we apply the things that make America the world's leader to making America a safer, freer, and more prosperous nation. By doing so, we can project America's strength and goodness to the world.
Where does our strength and goodness come from? Many Democrats would say that America is great today because of our great government. While our government is great, it is hardly the source of our strength. The source of America's strength is the American people – hard working, educated, risk-taking, God-loving, family-oriented, sacrificing and freedom-loving people. The American family has always been and will always be the source of American strength.
The fabric of our culture and the strength of the American family depend on our ability as a nation to be both unafraid and optimistic when promoting and protecting these ideals and principles.
I have great faith in the American people and in the American family. I have faith in our children and our grandchildren. At the same time, I am deeply troubled by the culture that surrounds them today. Following the Columbine shootings, author Peggy Noonan wrote a column describing what she called "the ocean in which our children swim." It was a cesspool of violence, sex, drugs, indolence, and perversion. She wrote that the boys who did the shooting had "inhaled too deep the ocean in which they swam."
We need to clean up the water in which our children are swimming. We need to keep pornography from coming up on kid's computers, and we need to keep drugs off the streets. We need less violence and sex on TV when kids are watching and in movies and video games that are marketed to young people. If we get serious about this, we can do a great deal more to clean the water in which our children swim.
Cleaning "the ocean in which our children swim" begins with ensuring that we have strong families. The most important work being done to strengthen America's future is the work that is being done within the four walls of the American home. Children need the guiding hand of responsible parents. As a child swims through our increasingly polluted and turbulent waters, there is no help more sure than that of a loving mother and father. Every child deserves a mother and a father.
At these times, many people feel pessimistic about the future. The new generation of challenges is daunting. Evil confronts freedom on far-flung battlefields, and our children must navigate troubled waters at home. Early in our country's history, Abigail Adams wrote to her son when he was concerned about the future of our democracy that "great necessities call out great virtues." It is the same today. I see these virtues in the American people as I travel across the country. I have seen them throughout my life.
If we are to confront evil, we must strengthen the American people and ensure that our children grow up in strong families. America is a nation of stature thanks to the great and noble men and women serving our country here and abroad. It is why we know that America will rise to face today's challenges. It is why we can be confident that, in the words of one great American, this nation will always remain a "shining city upon a hill."
Friday, July 13, 2007
Our nation faces a new generation of challenges that will significantly impact not just our national security, but also the core character of our society and the fabric of our American families.
We face these challenges with an understanding that, at the same time, there is a troublesome convergence of enemies aligned against our democratic institutions whose sole interest is defeating them and destroying the freedoms that we are afforded because of them.
At this critical time in our nation's history, we are confronted by daily reminders of the existence of evil. It would be foolish and irresponsible for us to believe that evil will simply go away. Hatred, as much as we want it to, does not always fade with each generation. To combat those who would perpetuate evil in the world, we must project our strength and our goodness, which rely in part on the strength of our people and culture.
Around the world, our goal should be to employ American strength, courage, fortitude and goodness. Our country leads in not only military technology, but in science, education, health care and innovation. It is time that we apply the things that make America the world's leader to making America a safer, freer, and more prosperous nation. By doing so, we can project America's strength and goodness to the world.
Where does our strength and goodness come from? Many Democrats would say that America is great today because of our great government. While our government is great, it is hardly the source of our strength. The source of America's strength is the American people – hard working, educated, risk-taking, God-loving, family-oriented, sacrificing and freedom-loving people. The American family has always been and will always be the source of American strength.
The fabric of our culture and the strength of the American family depend on our ability as a nation to be both unafraid and optimistic when promoting and protecting these ideals and principles.
I have great faith in the American people and in the American family. I have faith in our children and our grandchildren. At the same time, I am deeply troubled by the culture that surrounds them today. Following the Columbine shootings, author Peggy Noonan wrote a column describing what she called "the ocean in which our children swim." It was a cesspool of violence, sex, drugs, indolence, and perversion. She wrote that the boys who did the shooting had "inhaled too deep the ocean in which they swam."
We need to clean up the water in which our children are swimming. We need to keep pornography from coming up on kid's computers, and we need to keep drugs off the streets. We need less violence and sex on TV when kids are watching and in movies and video games that are marketed to young people. If we get serious about this, we can do a great deal more to clean the water in which our children swim.
Cleaning "the ocean in which our children swim" begins with ensuring that we have strong families. The most important work being done to strengthen America's future is the work that is being done within the four walls of the American home. Children need the guiding hand of responsible parents. As a child swims through our increasingly polluted and turbulent waters, there is no help more sure than that of a loving mother and father. Every child deserves a mother and a father.
At these times, many people feel pessimistic about the future. The new generation of challenges is daunting. Evil confronts freedom on far-flung battlefields, and our children must navigate troubled waters at home. Early in our country's history, Abigail Adams wrote to her son when he was concerned about the future of our democracy that "great necessities call out great virtues." It is the same today. I see these virtues in the American people as I travel across the country. I have seen them throughout my life.
If we are to confront evil, we must strengthen the American people and ensure that our children grow up in strong families. America is a nation of stature thanks to the great and noble men and women serving our country here and abroad. It is why we know that America will rise to face today's challenges. It is why we can be confident that, in the words of one great American, this nation will always remain a "shining city upon a hill."
Monday, July 16, 2007
The eagle has landed
Zoe made it to Utah with no problems. The 4 hour flight from Atlanta to Utah was long for her, but she was quite happy to be at her grandma & grandpa's house when I talked with her. She was already enjoying the company of one of her cousins, planning to put on a puppet show for her grandparents, and then had plans to go swimming with her cousins and have pizza. Sounds like a great kick-off to her vacation!
Emily spent the night at my parents' house last night and she spent the day there today. It will be fun to hear about her adventures when she gets home. We've promised Emily fun times while Zoe is away to help soften the blow of being left behind. She is handling it well.
Emily spent the night at my parents' house last night and she spent the day there today. It will be fun to hear about her adventures when she gets home. We've promised Emily fun times while Zoe is away to help soften the blow of being left behind. She is handling it well.
On her way
to Utah. Zoe is currently on an airplane to go visit Matt's parents for 2 weeks. She was very excited to get on the plane! She'll switch planes in Atlanta and then arrive in Salt Lake City this afternoon. I hope the trip goes by fast for her and she gets along well with her escorts. I'm anxious to hear about her adventure later!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Pictures
Zach is now sharing his high chair with Kate. Kate has been eating cereal for a week now and she loves it! I love it too because she is taking longer naps during the day and she is a little more content to play by herself at times. :-)
The gang (and more) came over to swim and play yesterday. Lots of fun!
Matt and I went out last night for the first time in a long time and it was so nice! We ate at our usual spot, Pizzeria Uno and then went to Goodwill. Matt gave me 15 minutes because he knows I would be content to walk around for hours. I managed to find a pair of capri pants for Emily, a puzzle for the kids, hangers for the kids (they break them all the time getting their clothes down!), a large pot great for cooking lobsters :-), and the best bargain of all...
The jeep, that according to Matt the Barbies can't ride in...he needs to be around to enforce that one! The girls LOVED playing with the jeep today...Zach could care less...maybe because he couldn't get his hands on it.
The gang (and more) came over to swim and play yesterday. Lots of fun!
Matt and I went out last night for the first time in a long time and it was so nice! We ate at our usual spot, Pizzeria Uno and then went to Goodwill. Matt gave me 15 minutes because he knows I would be content to walk around for hours. I managed to find a pair of capri pants for Emily, a puzzle for the kids, hangers for the kids (they break them all the time getting their clothes down!), a large pot great for cooking lobsters :-), and the best bargain of all...
The jeep, that according to Matt the Barbies can't ride in...he needs to be around to enforce that one! The girls LOVED playing with the jeep today...Zach could care less...maybe because he couldn't get his hands on it.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Super Walmart...it's for me
I am all for one-stop shopping. Around here that would be at the Super Walmart...where the kids and I spent 2 hours today after their swim lessons. One stop to get Zoe's haircut, pick up pictures ordered from my home computer, buy odds and ends (pillows, diapers, envelopes...), and grocery shop. The only thing missing was an oil-change center...that oil change is still on my to-do list.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Not so wordless
I made a decision this morning about my scrapbooking. I'm going to do one family book each year instead of keeping up with individual scrapbooks like I have been doing. Scrapbooking has become a chore and I'm tired of stressing about it. Doing one family book will save me time and money, and I'll still be recording our family events. I wanted each child to have their own scrapbooks to have in their homes when they are grown and they will have some, but the rest of history will have to be viewed in our home when they come to visit...and then they can fight over them when I die. I think this will lift a burden from my shoulders and I need that right now.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Treading water
My Mom has pointed out to me that since all of the kids have been home that I'm not blogging as much. I have to admit that I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water around here. My house is in desperate need of cleaning and that's not getting done either so don't feel like the only neglected one. You would think that as much as I hold Kate that I would have plenty of opportunities to sit at the computer and type. Not so. Well the kids are watching "Bob the Builder" now so I will take a few minutes to play catch up...while I hold Kate of course.
First of all, I had mentioned in an earlier post about needing to call Vonage to get our phone working. Well I did call, but it didn't result in a working phone. Instead I was angry because my cell phone battery died in the middle of the call, Kate was crying, and I couldn't hear/understand the representative when I was talking to her. I haven't bothered to call back because I know Kate will cry and it's just too stressful. So I'm debating whether to cancel our Vonage account and just use our cell phones (which was the original plan when we got the cell phones), but it is such a pain to let everyone know about a new number...and we just did that awhile ago when we switched to Vonage. Decisions, decisions.
The kids and I got together with my friend, Stephanie on Saturday at the park, which was a lot of fun. Stephanie and I have been friends since Kindergarten and we live about an hour away from each other. It has taken us 6 years to get our kids together for a playdate. Pathetic I know.
Me & Steph
Steph & Kate
Eleanor, Zach, Charlotte (Charlie), Zoe, Kate, Emily, & Kam0i (Kami)
Emily and Charlie were born just days apart. I have a picture of them as infants and now I finally have an updated photo of them!
I hope it's not another 6 years before we get together again.
Matt is picking a jury today for a huge trial that starts on Thursday. He has been stressing and working, working, working. I think I'll see him Friday night for date night. I'm glad he doesn't have to be gone this much all the time. I just keep thinking about the money. Yes, I'm willing to sacrifice for a few weeks for good money.
First of all, I had mentioned in an earlier post about needing to call Vonage to get our phone working. Well I did call, but it didn't result in a working phone. Instead I was angry because my cell phone battery died in the middle of the call, Kate was crying, and I couldn't hear/understand the representative when I was talking to her. I haven't bothered to call back because I know Kate will cry and it's just too stressful. So I'm debating whether to cancel our Vonage account and just use our cell phones (which was the original plan when we got the cell phones), but it is such a pain to let everyone know about a new number...and we just did that awhile ago when we switched to Vonage. Decisions, decisions.
The kids and I got together with my friend, Stephanie on Saturday at the park, which was a lot of fun. Stephanie and I have been friends since Kindergarten and we live about an hour away from each other. It has taken us 6 years to get our kids together for a playdate. Pathetic I know.
Me & Steph
Steph & Kate
Eleanor, Zach, Charlotte (Charlie), Zoe, Kate, Emily, & Kam0i (Kami)
Emily and Charlie were born just days apart. I have a picture of them as infants and now I finally have an updated photo of them!
I hope it's not another 6 years before we get together again.
Matt is picking a jury today for a huge trial that starts on Thursday. He has been stressing and working, working, working. I think I'll see him Friday night for date night. I'm glad he doesn't have to be gone this much all the time. I just keep thinking about the money. Yes, I'm willing to sacrifice for a few weeks for good money.
Friday, July 06, 2007
5 Months Old
I reminded Matt this evening that Kate is 5 months old today. His reply back was, "5 long months." Yes, Kate has been a challenging baby. Her cuteness has saved her! I have been quite discouraged lately that I can't do anything productive for more than 5 minutes before Kate wants to be held...by me and only me. In her baby blessing she was told that she would take care of me in the future. I guess she has decided that I can be the only one to take care of her now to even the score.
Kate's physical development is progressing quickly. She is rolling from front to back and back to front like a pro. She can sit somewhat by herself and she sits comfortably in the swing.
I'm guessing that Kate is going to be a talker. She loves to make noise and is close to saying da da.
Happy 5 Month birthday, Kate!
Kate's physical development is progressing quickly. She is rolling from front to back and back to front like a pro. She can sit somewhat by herself and she sits comfortably in the swing.
I'm guessing that Kate is going to be a talker. She loves to make noise and is close to saying da da.
Happy 5 Month birthday, Kate!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Here are 13 pictures of our 4th of July fun. It was a near perfect day. The weather was sunny and the fun was non-stop, but we didn't catch up with my mom for the parade and Matt is stressed about a huge trial coming up...our only two downers. The candy received at the parade was a highlight. We had a fun afternoon at home while the kids swam and my parents came over for a barbeque. My mom and I took the girls to the fireworks, Zach stayed home with Matt. It was fun to watch Eleanor experience her first fireworks display. There were a lot of ooohs and aaahs from her. It was cute.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Firsts
Zach climbed the ladder to the slide all by himself today...and then did it over and over and over again! And Eleanor got stung by a bee or wasp. She cried and said, "I got stinged, it burns, it really burns!" It was so sad.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Rockin' Girl Blogger Award
Thank you PJ for the rockin' girl blogger award! Your blog rocks, too. :-)
It is my turn to give this award away (drum roll please).....
4 For Me
Sugar and Spice...and everything nice?
The Wonderful Wilsons
You are all good friends of mine and I love, love, love keeping up with your families through your blogs. Plus, you've all managed to make your blogs fun to look at. You rock!
It is my turn to give this award away (drum roll please).....
4 For Me
Sugar and Spice...and everything nice?
The Wonderful Wilsons
You are all good friends of mine and I love, love, love keeping up with your families through your blogs. Plus, you've all managed to make your blogs fun to look at. You rock!
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