Summer Birthdays

This happens every year. The end of summer rolls around and I've missed blogging about our summer birthdays, so here they are.

Zipporah - June - 4 yrs

* Zipporah is figuring things out. She loves to comment on EVERYTHING. I can almost see the wheels in her brain spinning.

* She has a sensitive side. She can be shy when we go places she has not been or meets new people. And she absolutely despises strange restrooms and automatic flush toilets.

* Zipporah is very "girly." She likes to wear skirts and dresses. She pays a lot of attention to clothing and shoes.

* She is probably one of my least picky eaters. She still asks for peppers, onions, and tomatoes from my plate (a taste her older siblings seem to have outgrown).

* Zipporah can be incredibly strong willed. And in a battle of stubbornness, you will not beat her. But she can also be kind and compassionate. I never quite know when she will switch from defiant to sweet, but it can happen.

* She loves to color and draw. Her writing skills (pencil grasp and such) are phenomenal.

Dear God, thank you for our spunky Zipporah. Please keep her heart on fire for your will to be done in all things. I ask this in Jesus' name. -Amen.

Rebekah - July - 13 yrs

* Rebekah likes to craft and sew. She is always up for making creative gifts from scratch.

* She is a bookworm and reads books faster than some people breathe. Her favorite series right now is Ranger's Apprentice. And she'd like to travel to Australia and meet the author. But she better hurry, I believe he's in his 70's now!

* Rebekah told she is interested in learning how to fix cars and write code (just like her daddy).

* She loves to collect things, like shells or pretty rocks -- really almost anything. She is currently building a small shed to keep her "pretties" in.

* Rebekah is dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. She always gets the job done. And she is an amazing blessing to our family. 

May God continue to bless you, dear Rebekah, as you grow into a young lady of wisdom and grace. -- Amen.

Jacob - August - 10 yrs

* Jacob is a gentle giant. He does not like conflict, though he does like to be playful. Unfortunately with his size, play often turns rough. But he has a heart of gold.

* He is almost taller than his almost two year older brother (Samuel) and his feet have been bigger than Samuel's for a couple years now.

* Jacob also loves to read. He is content to sit with his books for hours. Which is most entertaining because back when he was learning to read, he told us he didn't want to learn. We told him he would love it once he knew how. He said, fine, he would learn, just to prove us wrong. He actually took back his words about proving us wrong and thanked us for teaching him to read! (Yes, we love to tell this story, you've probably heard it before.)

* He is smart, but not motivated. Mom often has to bribe, bargain, threaten, or take away toys/privileges to get him to complete his schoolwork in a timely manner.

* Jacob still has a thing for turtles. Not sure where that started, but they are an animal he loves, be it stuffed, real, or artwork. Turtles are his jam.

Dear God, thank you for Jacob and his gentle but immense presence in our lives. Please keep him ever close to your heart. -- Amen

Happy Birthday Paul & Miriam

It is that time of year again. That special day of two different years when both Paul and Miriam were born. Here are some photos from the celebrations, along with tidbits about each.

Ice cream cake from Papa and Nana was a spectacular hit.

Check out this nursing cat and kittens Miriam received from her Grandpa and Grandma. It's actually adorable. And the kittens attach by magnets. All the kids loved it. And the cats are super soft!

* Miriam is really into "kitties" right now. She asked for a giant stuffed cat, but she seems pleased as punch to have her momma cat and kittens.

* Miriam loves to ride her bike. This makes her grandma especially happy, as Grandma likes to ride bikes, too!

* She is just getting to the point that she can be helpful with chores like washing and drying dishes.

* One of Miriam's favorite things to do at our new home is walk the oil roads down to the pumps (but not go too near them, of course).

Paul, opening presents at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

* Paul loves to "be crazy." He gets this gleam in his eye and a crazy smile on his face and just lets loose. He's a riot.

* His favorite food is pizza. He would probably eat it every day if I let him.

* Paul can really get stuff done when he wants to. He finished up his schoolwork super quick this year, with very little help from anyone.

* He can really show compassion when he feels like it. Although he often runs a mile a minute thinking of no one but himself, there are some moments where I catch him doing something super sweet for someone else. He has a heart of gold under all that crazy hair after all. 😊

Rebekah hand-made this awesome little guitar for Paul. It was supposed to actually play, but doesn't -- maybe because she had tie the rubber bands since they were too short. In any case, Paul was not as impressed with this present as everyone else was.

Here are some headbands Rebekah made for Miriam. They were a hit! Unfortunately they break quickly, but fortunately Rebekah lives here, too and can repair or replace them for Miriam, almost as fast as she breaks them.

Dear God, thank you for the wonderful blessings of Paul and Miriam. They bring so much joy to our family. Please draw them ever closer to you as they journey through life. In Jesus' name, I pray.   -Amen

Peter is two-years-old

Shortly after we moved to our new house in the country, Peter completed his secondly yearly trip around the sun. Here are some fun facts about Peter.

* He is a little parrot. He will say back to you almost anything you say to him. It is absolutely adorable to hear.

* Peter loves to climb. If you leave the ladder out, you better believe you will turn around and find him at the top. He is quite a little gymnast --sure footed and curious!

* He is a sweet fiend. Maybe it's seventh-child-syndrome or some such. My first child didn't taste anything sweet until she was practically three. He's been eating sweet things since he's been able to purposefully wave his hands in their direction. He knows exactly what cookies and cake are and he will eat them, or complain until they are offered once he knows of their existence.

* Peter has a temper. He can throw fits like none of his siblings. Crying, screaming, throwing self on the floor fits. When Peter is mad, everyone around him knows it.

* He loves to do what his siblings are doing. Riding bikes? He's in. Sitting at the table, make room for Peter! Going on a walk, let him get his shoes! 

Rebekah made and decorated his cake. A pick-up truck with a puppy in the back.

Happy Birthday (last month) to my fun-loving and adorable little man, Peter. May God continue to bless you as you grow and learn and bless our lives. -- Amen.

Happy Belated Birthday Samuel!

Samuel's birthday was in December. I really TRY to post about my children's birthdays at least IN THE SAME MONTH. Well, this time I'm only a few days from two months late, but better late than never. -- Dear Samuel, this in no way means I love you any less!

Fun facts about Samuel:

*He always picks the same cereal for breakfast.

Some of the other kids change it up, but not Samuel. He likes Toasted Oats (which are basically Kroger brand Cheerios -- but he does not like General Mills Cheerios, only "Toasted Oats" from Kroger -- hah).

*Samuel LOVES to talk and he has a comment for EVERYTHING.

Since Gordie and I both have what my father calls "the gift of gab," poor Samuel was doomed from the beginning. But man oh man I have had to beg him to stop talking on more than one occasion.

*He is a great actor.

Samuel has some of the BEST facial expressions. He definitely follows his dad in this department. He can easily be spontaneously funny when he's in the mood for it.

*Samuel is very smart.

He got moved up a year in his Math and his teacher keeps hinting that he should be further ahead in Literature as well. He reads at a considerably higher level than is typical for his age. Schoolwork definitely comes easily to him -- thus far, at least.

*He likes to have the rules followed.

Samuel takes after his mom in this respect. If a rule is set, he will follow it, and he will raise a stink over anyone else who fails to toe the line.

*Samuel has a great memory.

Perhaps this is why he is so good at school work. He has a great attention to detail and remembers every off-hand comment. If you once made a comment about something and he heard it, he will remember it for all eternity.

*Samuel is really getting into joke telling.

All the children like to tell jokes. They often read them to me straight out of the Boys Life magazine. But Samuel is really picking up on what makes things humorous and putting his own twists on traditional funnies. He is quite the character some days!

Dear God, thank you for the gift of Samuel. He is the best oldest boy I could ask for. He is loyal and strong but still sensitive and compassionate. Please keep him every close to your heart as you form him into the man you desire him to be. -- Amen.

Jacob is 8-years-old now!

Jacob's birthday was in August and it was wonderful. It is September now, but everyone is still happy that Jacob is a year older.

* Jacob has a kind heart. He does not like to watch many movies because they are often too scary for him.

* He likes to play with Legos and build with blocks or Keva planks.

* Jacob is a great reader and enjoys a good story.


* He loves all things turtle, from turtle stuffed animals to an electric turtle that swims in the bathtub.

* Jacob is stubborn. He fights hard and does not give in.

* Of all our children, Jacob is the one to make friends first at the park or another social event -- often with someone younger (back to that kind heart again).

The shapes in green are turtles, in case you did not realize, decorated by Rebekah.

May God continue to bless you, Jacob, and mold your innocent heart more like his own, every day. -- Amen.

Happy Late Birthday, Rebekah!

Rebekah turned 11-years-old in July and I, her dear mother, failed to document it here on my blog. Dearest daughter, I apologize!!  Your milestones are not to be overlooked (for too long). Thus, here is your post.

* Rebekah loves nature. I often find her outside, walking in the dirt, making crowns of flowers, or climbing trees.

* She is very smart, but like her daddy, Rebekah often loses her focus when doing typical "school work." She will, however, read a novel from start to finish in a matter of hours if left to her own devices. (This is probably why we had to work well into the summer to finish "school" our first year of homeschooling through Lawrence Virtual School.)

* Rebekah enjoys drawing and painting. She really likes to draw animals and cartoons, but not necessarily cartoony animals.

* She has a sweet tooth, like her mom, and is always begging for left-over treats in the kitchen. (And often if there is only one or two of something left, like cupcakes, I will let her have them since there's not enough to split for all the other kids.)

* Rebekah loves to listen. Some might call it eavesdropping, but I think it is still done in innocence. She is super curious about EVERYTHING so she sits quietly just out of line-of-sight and takes it all in.

* In conjunction with her listening skill, Rebekah is a mad ninja. Seriously, she can be SO QUIET. I have no idea how she does it as she's not exactly tiny, but she has this skill and it is so awesome.

* Rebekah enjoys her siblings. Being the oldest, I often ask for her help in caring for her younger siblings. But the cool part is that Rebekah really seems to enjoy playing with them and being what I call "a good big sister." It always melts my heart the way she patiently cares for them and plays or reads with them. Many times she has told me that if she does not end up getting married and having kids, she would like to at least have a daycare or something like that because she loves kids.

A fruity birthday cake. Her favorite kind.

Dear God, thank you for the blessing of Rebekah!!  She is a remarkable young lady! Please keep her ever close to your heart.  - Amen.

Zipporah is now TWO!!

Happy Birthday, Zipporah!!  

(Only about a month late - oops!! - but no less sincere.)

*One of Zipporah's favorite pastimes is playing dress-up with her sister, Miriam.

*She is a little slow-to-warm-up and often prefers to take in new situations from Mom's arms, with her thumb in her mouth.

*Once Zipporah is comfortable, she turns into one of the most joyful children I have ever seen.  Her smile and dimples really light up the room.

*She loves to eat and will often take food from my plate - food none of the other children will touch, such as tomatoes and sauteed onions.

*She loves to climb - even if is just on Mom's lap or legs.  Sitting still is not in her repertoire anymore (which is funny because up to this point she has been my most cuddly and snuggly baby).

*Zipporah has an outraged cry that sounds much like a goose honk.  She gives it more and more often these days, as two-year-olds are easily offended, you know.

May God bless you, dear Zipporah Marie and help you grow in virtue and love of God, all your days.
- Amen
And this year, we actually remembered to celebrate her Baptism Anniversary!!

We had Rice Crispy Treats (with peanut butter and chocolate because that is how we do things in this house) and since Zipporah does not talk much, and was not really able to understand what was going on, the children and I all renewed our baptismal promises so we could be strengthened to share the faith with her.

You were claimed for Christ at your baptism, Zipporah!  May He always remain as Lord of your heart.

Happy Birthday Paul & Miriam!

We are really blessed to have two of our children (whom are not twins) share a birthday exactly two years apart!

Paul asked for a turtle on his cake.  Miriam wanted cupcakes with "kitties" on them.

Now, I have gone through some "adjustment" as to what is allowed for a birthday.  I used to be pretty "crunchy" and in my attempt to be healthy, I would make my kids this"nutri-cake" which is actually pretty healthy (has no sugar, uses whole-wheat flour, contains fresh fruit, etc.) and my children and I think it tastes ok, too.  But after enough looks of discomfort from guests at their birthday parties, I finally cracked and started making "typical" cakes, aka chocolate - or I even branched out and tried a recipe for a pumpkin cake (not healthy at all, but super yummy - no left-overs on that one!!) and similarly a blueberry cake.  Although I still try to feed my kids real food and not many sweets, I have thrown in the towel on birthdays -but my one stipulation was that I had to make it.  Then I still felt like I was giving them something worthwhile -my time and effort.  Well, this time, I decided that even that silly bit of pride is going out the window.  I was going to buy the baked goodies because I am still recovering from having Peter (just a month ago).  Unfortunately, even though I was planning to buy the treats, I did not feel like ordering them ahead of time - too much work!!  I figured I would just show up and have them write on one of the cakes they already had made.  This would have been fine, but Paul wanted a turtle. . . and apparently the cake decorator for Dillons only works at night?!?!  And when I asked for a turtle at Wal-mart, I was first told that it could not be done.  But then then she surprised me by giving it her best shot.  Fortunately all the kids loved it.

Although the turtle graphic ended up being well-received, I was concerned it would not do, so I had picked up a toy turtle as "plan b."  I went ahead and put it on the cake as well.





Now, Miriam's cupcakes. . . well, since it was the weekend for Fort Hays State University's graduation, all the pre-made cupcakes were graduation themed.  Then I had an inspiration.  I could bake cupcakes, from a box, frost them, and then put kitty fruit snacks on top!!!  So I purchased the items I needed and headed home.  Once I got home I had another inspiration.  Rebekah and Samuel could do this job!!  Yes, with a little minor supervision they were able to bake the cupcakes and frost them. They could have put the fruit snacks on top, too, but I chose to do that in order to be sure we had enough for the cupcakes (as I anticipated a little filching to take place while decorating).

For the record, although they may not look like much, they tasted wonderful.  The kids did a great job.

In order to compensate all my failing to be "healthy" at this party I decided to offer some other snacks as well:

summer sausage, cheese, pepperoni, carrots, hummus, and fruit salad.



The party went well.  

Paul, 6-years-old

*Paul catches on to things very quickly - all things, from Math and Reading to sports and social situations.  He is just all-around awesome.

*He has an adorable grin that already wins him many requests and will surely do so far into the future.

*Paul has no guile when it comes to begging for food.  He rates his friends by what kind of food they give him.  (Nana is very high in his book because she ALWAYS has dessert for him.)

*He LOVES computer games - playing them or watching his brothers play them.

*He is into Pokemon right now and will play the card game with his big brother, Samuel, or request episodes of the animated cartoon on netflix.

*Paul finished all his schoolwork by the end of February.  Apparently he can be quite studious.

Miriam, 4-years-old

*Miriam is very observant.  She pays attention to details and likes things to be precise.

*She loves to play dress up and have tea parties with her little sister, Zipporah.

*She is into princesses right now and loves reading books about ballerinas as well.

*Miriam is becoming a bit of a dainty eater but she still puts away her favorite meals - meatballs and spaghetti, as well as desserts.

*Kitties are also among her favorite things.

She has an odd love of the grocery store (which sounds more like "drocery store" when she says it) and gets OVERJOYED when I take her along for our regular grocery shopping.

*On of Miriam's favorite pastimes is coloring.

Thank you, dear God, for the blessings of Paul and Miriam.  May you ever draw them closer to yourself.  - Amen.

Happy Birth-Month Samuel!!

So Samuel had his birthday this month. . . earlier this month. . . but the month is not officially over for several more hours - hah - so I'm still good to go with this post I think.

Happy Birth-Month Samuel!  Nine-Years-Old!!!

*Samuel's favorite subject in school is Math because it just makes sense to him.  (And Mom suspects it is also because it often requires the least amount of writing to answer a question.)

*He really enjoys humor and often wants to share a good joke he has heard.

*Samuel LOVES TO TALK. . . kinda like his mom. . . 

*Samuel is an amazing helper in the kitchen!  He makes wonderful scrambled eggs and waffles.  He is also eager to assist in whatever way I may ask.

*This year I let Samuel light the candles on the Advent wreath.  He did not even burn the house down or anything.

*Samuel is my best cleaner/picker-upper/doer of what Mom and/or Dad say to do.  He often does whine a little, but when push comes to shove, he gets done what he is supposed to do - and generally does the best job of all his siblings, even his older sister that often gets distracted!

*Samuel enjoys roller skating and used his own money to buy a pair of skates last year.  He uses them on the sidewalk when the weather is nice.

*He learned to write in cursive this year and produces very nice handwriting when he really tries.

Dear God, thank you for the blessing of Samuel!  May you continue to mold him in grace and virtue, ever-closer to the man you desire him to be.  - Amen

Happy Birth Month, Rebekah!!

My oldest daughter is TEN YEARS-OLD now!!  Excuse me while I have a moment.  It definitely feels like she has been around that long, but at the same time, it sounds so old when I write it or talk about it.  Someone was so kind to point out that we are over half-way through her time with us (as parents - not that she will ever not be our child, but the main influential part where she has to live and home and mostly do what we say) and that really gave me pause to think.  In any case, it is what it is.  And every time I think about my dear Rebekah, it only makes me love and appreciate her all the more.

*Rebekah LOVES to read.  This past year she had trouble completing her school work because she would spend all day reading books, everything from her brothers' literature books to the dictionary.  If it looked interesting I would find her nose in it.

*She is very into nature.  She loves to collect leaves, twigs, dirt, etc and put them together in artsy creations (or just fill the house with them to drive her mother nuts. . .I think).  She also gets personally upset when I mow the lawn (as she likes the grass and weeds tall) and refuses to help by sweeping up loose grass or moving toys off the lawn.

*Rebekah enjoys walking with me and doing other restorative exercise stuff - like stretches, etc.  She also is encouraging of me doing crazy things like lowering our table, sitting on the floor, and putting rings in the living room.

*Although she will wear a dress to Mass, she is EAGER to get on her "play clothes" and get dirty every day - a true tomboy in many ways.

*One of Rebekah's FAVORITE pastimes is to climb trees.  She is often sad when I ask her not to (as when it might damage the landscaping or set a bad example for her siblings).

Here she is up a tree with her sister Miriam (in front) and our neighbor (back left).

*I realize now, as some of my friends have several children, so I have a group to compare to, that God gave us an absolute treasure in making Rebekah our oldest child.  She is kind, patient, and willing to take time to care for siblings (even if I have to ask - she does not balk, she is obedient).  She also has a good sense of authority with them (they listen to her) and is quite responsible, with a good moral compass, as well.  She is at true gift to have as an oldest child.

Side Note:  The other day Rebekah was "watching" the kids while I was working out in the garage to prepare for a party and I asked her if she had any trouble (as I had just put the little kids to bed).  She said Miriam and Paul were unsettled so she read them another book and tucked them back in.  Then she told me Jacob "sneaked" upstairs, but she told him, "It is a disgrace to use sneaking to disobey your parents."  ---See what I'm saying??  She is such a blessing!

Dear God, thank you for the gift of our amazing daughter, Rebekah!  Please walk with her always and draw her ever closer to you, growing more virtuous and charitable all her days.  - Amen

7 Quick Takes - I try to do things as complicated as possible :)

1) I made a new chore chart.

It looked really simple and easy.  But once I got all the kids on it (I cannot make each kid their own and hang it on the doorknob to their bedroom because they all sleep in the same bedroom! - ok, two bedrooms for the lot, but still.) it got really "busy" and is not as cool as I had hoped.  I might need to "break it down more" but I am REALLY TRYING here as I know learning to pick up and do chores is important.

Each kid gets their own color on the end - some chores are every other day for the same chore (they rotate, one one day and one the next) so that has two colors.  Psychotically complicated, but the kids would forget their own names before they would forget to do the calendar.

2) I made a new rewards chart. 

The kids are constantly asking what they "get" for doing their chores.  And although in the past I may have tried the answer "you GET to be a member of the family, blah, blah, blah," let's be honest.  That does NOT motivate the kids to do what they are supposed to do!  So, I made this little beauty and figure after 10 days of doing their chores I will "reward them" in some way.  Right now I am sitting on a well-stocked "prize bucket" from encouraging Jacob to read this past year, so there is that, or I figure I will barter with them - staying up late, special dessert, getting to pick a movie, or what we have for dinner.  I will just "spoil them" a little is what I figure.  I am CONSTANTLY trying to "toughen them up" (especially in the summer when they seem so lazy) so this is an opportunity to for "Mom to be nice" I figure (which is what I REALLY WANT to do all the time, but I DON'T DO because I really love them MORE and want WHAT IS BEST - which I know won't come from being nice all the time).

There are 10 beads to move - doing all your chores by the end of dinner (as cleaning up after dinner is part of chores) will allow a bead to be moved.  Once all move, the "reward" is negotiable.

3) I just signed my kids up for Lego Club Magazine.

I figure this one does not need much explanation.  Funny it took me so long.

4) The end of our school work is definitely in sight.

Rebekah put forth a VALIANT effort to finish her school work by her birthday.  In any case, she should be done by the end of this week - or next if she drags it out and her brother, too (as he has all of one assignment left - a presentation - he is half-ready to give - but my heart is not in helping him at the moment as he is in 2nd grade!! - A presentation, REALLY?!?! - once I find his notecards again we will finish it up, really. . . )  Either way, I am grateful to finally have it not hanging over our heads and to be able to be bums or do some of the fun "extra curricular" stuff I had "planned" to do over the summer.  

5) Marriage is the topic lately.

In the Catholic circles especially the topic of marriage, what it really means, etc, is on fire right now and I just had a talk with my daughter about it today.  We did a "walk and talk" - where we go for a short walk and chat - and I decided I needed to bring it up.  We discussed the true definition of marriage and I explained what was going on legally and what we felt about it as Catholics.  I felt it was important for my daughter to know so she would not be caught off-guard.  She took it well.  She is still so form-able - even at age 10 - but it makes me happy to hear her answer back exactly what I told her with pride.  She heard me, let's pray it sinks in and sticks for when she really needs it.

6) Since you are so nosy, here is mostly what I said to her. . . 

*Marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.  (Which she knew - I asked her who could get married - after a bit of defining what I was looking for, she got it.)

*The Sacrament of Marriage is conferred jointly - as each spouse confers it on the other - it is witnessed, usually by a priest, and often during the Mass.  (I felt it was important for her to understand this sacrament is administered by the laity.  And I wanted to emphasize that OUR marriage is religious - but people can be married and not be religious, it is the same "marriage" - we get grace from God through our sacrament, basically because we ask for it - others who are not sacramentally married do not receive that grace, namely because God will not force himself upon anyone.)

*I borrowed Trent Horn's definition of marriage as the comprehensive union (mind/body) of one man and one woman.  And went on to point out that there is no other relationship like it.  The man and the woman are incomplete on their own and they complete each other and work together toward a common good - having children.

*That is why marriage is recognized by the State because it is in the State's best interest for future citizens to be created and protected.

*Then I told her our government has made it "legal" for people of the same gender to marry, but she immediately caught on and said, "but it is not REALLY a marriage."  (Smart girl.)  And we discussed why.

*I explained I just wanted her to be prepared for what was out there and to be able to understand why we believe what we believe.

*Finally I cautioned her in addressing the matter directly with those behaving openly in a fashion we do not uphold as although we are called to speak the truth in love, we should do so with a tender grace and mercy, with true compassion and understanding - never in fear, anger, or just to be mean.  And even if she did not intend such things, this is an emotionally charged issue that could easily offend others or be misunderstood.

***I probably did a bang-up job of explaining all this, but this was the first of many talks we will most likely have on this topic and many others.  And I will explain it to the rest of the kids, too - but I started with Rebekah because it helps that she already knows many details about what Christopher West calls "the one flesh union."

7) Rebekah requested fruit pizza for her birthday last week.

It was DELICIOUS :)