Memorial Day Weekend part 4

Alan, Michelle, and Papa cooking up some Schneider's bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. It smelled heavenly. It is a perfect camping smell. Hmmmm.....I wonder whose coffee mug is on the table?!?!?

Ah yes! A Kish/Moore camping trip wouldn't be complete without a little drama. We were all pulling away from our camp sites on Monday when Allen tried to turn our engine over and...click, click, click...dead battery. Of course none of us had jumper cables. Thankfully, our hairy neighbor across the road came to our rescue!

This picture cracks me up! I love Joseph's expression. Now they have matching hair even :) After our camp trip we stopped at Uncle Milton's house for his 60th birthday party.

Uncle Milton, Emily in her engineer hat, and Hannah at his birthday party! Happy Birthday, Uncle Milton!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend part 3

Auntie Karen holding Julianna as she studies her shoe intently.

Uncle Milton playing with Emily in the river.

Pam and Hannah floating down the river. She took Hannah down several times. Hannah thought it was the coolest thing! She was pretty brave.

Joseph playing on the beach. No, buddy, that isn't a cookie!! But does it taste like chicken?

MawMaw eating lunch. My! She must have been hungry. Mildred would be in awe :) (Inside joke, Sandy might get it :P). She was actually holding someone else's plate for them.

Memorial Day Weekend part 2

Do you think they are related or that a foot fetish comes with the age???

Me on the floor of the camper. Thank goodness we had that along. We were able to give the kids baths in there and lock them in with a video when it got bad outside. Wonder what in the world that is in my hand? All of our hair pretties. I have an obsession with them. I am always on a quest to find new cool ones for my girls. In fact, if any of you find orange ones, tell me where I can find them. I can't find orange anywhere. Walmart and Target only carry pink and purple it seems :(

Emily has grown up so much in the last couple of months. I think she looks like such a little girl in this picture....not much baby left. Look how much her hair has grown too. Those are natural curls. Both of my girls have naturally curly hair, but only in the back. And don't you just want to kiss that dimple on her left cheek??

Hannah has been waiting for about a year now to give Julianna a ride in her jeep. Now don't think that we have money to spend on one of these crazy things. I found it on the side of the road for $20. Little did I know that I would have to spend $75 on getting new batteries and a new charger. Oh well. The kids have really enjoyed it. In fact, Julianna LOVED her first ride. Hannah was such a good safe driver. She is my little Danika Patrick :) She rarely runs into anything or anyone...except when she is trying to!

Poor Auntie Karen! She had to be crammed in the back with the kiddos and all the stuff. She is such a trooper and was such a blessing this weekend. I am so glad you came, Karen!!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend we broke tradition and didn't go up to my parents' cabin for Memorial Day. I figured I probably should share one of the summer holiday weekends with Allen's family. Most summers we go up to the cabin for Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. So.....we went camping. Alan and Michelle had a tent camp site with Julianna and their three dogs, Clarence and Jane brought their trailer (thank God!), and we had a tent and brought Auntie Karen along.

I personally think camping is Way too much WORK!!!! I enjoyed the fellowship, don't get me wrong, but it was not very relaxing. Part of the problem was that it rained every day we were there. So, Joseph who doesn't walk regularly had to be confined, held, or let to roam in the mud. Allen told me that I am completely spoiled by my parents' cabin. I have no problem admitting that whatsoever!

Can you see how much Joseph loves his cousin, Julianna?

Alan wanted a campfire really bad. So he built one by himself....and I guess he is enjoying it :) He was lucky to get it started before the deluge came!

Uncle Milton (Clarence's brother) and his girlfriend Pam came on Saturday for the afternoon. Hannah had so much fun playing with them. We enjoyed seeing them too.

Here we are at the beach on the Meramac River. It was cool but not unbearable. The two smaller kids didn't like it much when we went on Saturday because it was a bit cold. Sunday Allen and Karen and I took the girls again. This time I put them in their wetsuits. Much more fun :)

Weigh In

GRRR!!! I have just done a terrible job in the last month on this weight loss deal. I have maintained again this week. I am lucky I didn't gain with all the camp food I ate this weekend. I have got to get my booty going. My goal is to lose 9 pounds by the end of next month. I know it is a lofty goal, but I would love to have lost 52 pounds when I finish up our year on this weight loss journey. Then I will have averaged a pound lost a week.

Allen lost 1 pound this week, Paula lost 5!!!! My goodness. That put her in first place and plunged me into last place :( There is some more motivation for me :)

Emergency Prayers!!!

Please, please pray for my family. On Sunday morning, my cousin Jeff's 7 year old son, Brody, was in a terrible go-cart accident. They were racing at the Milwaukee Mile. I was told that they go 45 mph or so and in the straightaways they can get up to 65 mph. Well, he spun out and the kid behind him hit him. This sent him into the wall. His helmet and neck brace flew off on impact. He kept spinning and hit the wall again this time without his protective gear and then ejected!!!!!!

He was immediately unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. They put him in a drug-induced coma and had to operate on his brain immediately. They had to remove part of his skull in order to relieve some of the pressure from the swelling. He is still in the coma. They tried to bring him out of it, but the nurses said that he was too fidgety. I am not sure if that is because of all the pain he is in or just because he is a scared little boy trying to figure out what is going on.

My parents went up to see them last night and said it is a heart wrenching sight. He looks sooo tiny in that bed. He has every machine possible hooked up to him. My mom said you remember what a little boy he is when you see all the dirt under his nails from playing outside.

Please pray for everyone involved. Pray for a miracle for this little boy, and for God to be glorified. We read about Jesus raising Lazarus last night in our family Bible reading. Pray that God will raise Brody from his coma, and heal him completely!!!

Do You Aspire to be a Mean Mom?

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD REMINDER. WHEN WE ARE PARENTING SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO LOOK PAST THE EMOTIONS OF THE MOMENT AND REMEMBER WE ARE INVESTING....INVESTING IN OUR KIDS FOR THEIR FUTURE. SPOILED, UNDISCIPLINED KIDS MAKE FOR WEAK ADULTS.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES IS..."DON'T MAKE THE PATH READY FOR YOUR CHILDREN, MAKE YOUR CHILDREN READY FOR THE PATH."
It is so hard for me not to be tempted to mollycoddle my children. When I think of Hannah going into school soon and all the emotional and sometimes physical pain she will endure almost makes me break out into a sweat.

Here is a forward I received that I thought was forwardable:

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as my Mean Mom told me:

I loved you enough . . . to ask where you were going, with whom,
and what time you would be home.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.
But most of all, I loved you enough . . . to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too. And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.

Was your Mom mean? I know mine was. We had the meanest mother in the whole world!
While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast.
When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches.
And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too.
Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times You'd think we were convicts in a prison.
She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash and all sorts of cruel jobs.
She always insisted on us telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds and had eyes in the back of her head. Then, life was really tough!

Mother wouldn't let our friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet them. While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16.
Because of our mother we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.

Now that we have left home, we are all educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom was. I think that is what's wrong with the world today. It just doesn't have enough mean Moms!
Today's Moms are afraid that their kids will not love them if they are Mean.....But Mean Moms DO love their kids more than anything because they care!

Rats

Can't really blame anything but my terrible eating this week. I am now up two pounds and so is Allen. We haven't been helping each other this last week. We both had a sweet tooth. Allen has lost 1.30% and I have lost 1.33%. I better get my rear in gear!!!!

One of THOSE Moms!

I am a bit worried that I have been telling too much about my kids. I don't want to make anyone else feel bad about the progress of their kids. I don't want to sound like all I do is brag on my kids. I hope you guys understand my heart. I LOVE being a mom, and I love my precious babies with all my heart. They are very smart and special, but what parent doesn't think their child is brilliant?! :) I hope I haven't annoyed and/or worse yet offended anyone with all my stories!!

My Bedroom

We have lived at this house for three years now. I have never worked on our bedroom. It was last on the list. Well, we have been working on it for a while now. Man, that red paint took a primer and two coats. What a ministry for my husband :) I am using reds, wrought iron and wood with an African theme for me.....surveying/history for Allen.

This weekend Allen's parents cam! e over. Jane worked tirelessly and made my curtains, my pillows and my table coverings....yeah, I know! Amazing. They look so great. I couldn't be happier. Then Clarence worked with Allen all day putting on new front and back doors. They even had to rebuild the trim in the back. Yikes, lots of work. I want to publicly thank the Lord for giving me such giving and talented inlaws! I also want to thank you MawMaw and Papa for helping us soooo much AGAIN!!! You are so very talented and such a huge blessing. We wouldn't do it without you!!!

Yahooooo!!!!!!

He did it!!!! On Friday, Joseph took his official first steps. He took two steps to his mommy without falling down. I am so proud of him. Last night he tried to run to me and fell flat on his face. I can't believe how fast he is learning. Speaking of which, how bizzarro is this: He is potty training himself. In fact, he didn't even have a wet diaper this morning when he woke up, and he went peepee on the potty right away. He has even gone on the potty out in public!!! How wacky is that??? I just laugh in amazement. I have a peepee prodigy :) I guess God knows how much I hate potty training!

Fun at the Zoo!

Friday we went and visited Sister Russell and Sister Mitchell with Papa while MawMaw did their hair. They have been wanting to see the kids for a long time. They are so very sweet. They said they pray for our family every day!!! What a blessing to have such prayer warriors on our side! After that we took Papa and MawMaw to the zoo. We are addicted. Thank goodness we have a membership :)

The gorilla and all my little monkeys :)

Riding the rails is a must every time we go. I can't believe they charge $5 a person now. We have already gotten our $$$ worth with that membership! We had a super time.

The girls in the butterfly house. They thought it was so funny because there was a butterfly hitching a ride on Papa's hat!

Cassandra Update

Here is the update I received on Jen and Cassandra Starr.

Dear Friends & Family,Cassandra is nearly 2 weeks old and doing quite well. Yesterday she reached2 lbs in weight which is a good milestone to hit. I have attached a coupleof pictures so you could see her at about 10 days old.We have had many answers to prayer and we serve a great God.

1) After not working for the 1st week, her bowels havestarted to function correctly

2) Her lungs and heart are in excellent condition and theymay take her off all breathing support by the weekend.

3) Her jaundice is gone.

We still have some prayer requests for her.

1) She has been on antiobiotics for the last 3 days. They think shemight have an infection

2) They have tried giving her Jenny's milk, but she cannot handleanything in her stomach yet. Please pray that she will be able to eat.

3)Because they are taking blood regularly and checking for infections, and red blood cell counts, etc., it looks as though she mighthave to have a blood transfusion.

Jenny is doing better and getting stronger with each day. However, her blood pressure is still high at times. Please pray that God will even herblood pressure out. Thank you for all your prayers and ntoes ofencouragement. We have great confidence in our God and He has already shownHimself to be mighty in our lives.

Recipes

I have two favorite recipes that my friends have given me that I would like to pass along. They are great for parties and picnics.

Hot Wing Dip (thank you Karen!)

Combine 5 cups of shredded cooked chicken breast with 2 cups of shredded cheese, 2 blocks of cream cheese, 1 cup of ranch dressing, and 12-16 ounces of frank's hot sauce. Then you can either bake it or microwave it until the cheese is all melted. Serve with tortilla chips of your choice. We have made this a little healthier by getting low fat cheese, neufchatel cheese, and fat free ranch and dipping with baked tortilla chips :P

Jalepeno Poppers (thank you Sherry!)

I just made these last night....YUM!

20 Jalepeno peppers deveined and deseeded... then sliced in half length wise
1 pound of ground turkey sausage
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 block of neufchatel cheese

Fry up meat while you are deveining. Add parmesan and neufchatel cheese with burner off. Stuff poppers. Put in over on cookie sheet at 350 for 30 minutes. Dip in ranch :)

My Babies' Checkups

Monday we had the beloved well-baby check ups for Joseph and Emily. The kids were a little high-strung in that little room, but overall did super.

Emily is now 26 pounds and 34 inches tall! She is in the 50% for both of those. Dr. Ortiz asked if she was talking any more. I laughed as Emily is a chatty cathy. I told her we have come up with over 300 words and that she is now up the ante to phrases and a couple of sentences. She was amazed. She told me that speech/vocab is a direct correlation to IQ at this age. That made my Mommy's heart so happy to hear. So, she said Emily is about a year ahead cognitively. Praise God for the gift he has given her in her little brain.

Joseph is now 24 pounds and 30 inches tall. He is in the 75% for both of those. I was a little worried that he was getting a little too chubby. He is perfectly proportioned for a boy his age. Dr. Ortiz was amazed that he has started talking and has at least 15 words in his vocab. Then I told him about him potty training. She just about fell off the chair. I told her I really haven't done it. In fact he crawled into the bathroom last week and was lifting his leg trying to get on the potty by himself. She was in awe that he did both functions on the potty so early. She said he is cognitively like a 20 month old and that he is the earliest potty trainer in her 20 year practice! He has just been cracking me up. I am trying to stick him on the potty more often during the day.....each time he squeezes out a drop or two at least :) What an amazing boy!!

Hannah behaved so well at the doctor's office. In fact, she was a big help and followed directions very well. She also talked to Dr. Ortiz for the first time. Usually she has been too shy. She talked her ear off this time :)

I have been challenged by what she told me to really cultivate the talents God has given my kids. Some times it feels overwhelming because I don't know where the time will come from. I really don't know how you guys do it that home school. You must have Wonder Woman underoos. You have my complete and utter admiration!

Mother's Day Picnic

Gamma and Gampa have a traditional Mother's Day picnic. We got to go for the first time in three years (the last two we were having a Joseph and then before that an Emily :P). The kids had so much fun playing at Sami's Park!

Tadaaaaa! Joseph stood for the first time on Sunday. He actually practiced walking with Papa and Daddy. Perhaps he may walk before he goes to college after all!

Gampa and Gamma finishing up their yummy fried chicken!

Uncle Gary and Allen enjoying the picnic spread.

Gampa Bob and Uncle Gary played catch with the football. I don't know how they had the energy after that yummy picnic and the hot, humid weather. No wonder you weigh 149 pounds, Gampa. Can you tell I am jealous??? :)

The Wild West

Saturday we had a cowboy party. Caleb Ham turns three! All the kids dressed up like cowboys/cowgirls. It turned out really cute.

My adorable wranglers :)

Cutie pie Caleb blowing out his cool candles!

Sandy and Tammy were jewels at entertaining all the kiddos. I think they secretly had a good time too :P

Friday Family Fun

I bought a zoo membership this year with some of our tax return money. I figured it would be a good way to invest in some summer fun. Well, we got to go on Friday night for the zoo member special night. We had so much fun! Everything was free. The kids just LOVED the train ride. We got to see seals being fed. And here is the best part.....there weren't very many people there at all!!! I just love successful family outings. It is times like this that I dreamed about when I thought of having a family!

Emily getting up close and personal with a giraffe. They are my favorite!

We finally got to see the apes. We have been going several times a year for the past couple of years....and we were beginning to wonder if they even were at the zoo :) This guy was killing me with those crazy eyes!!!

The carousel ride. I almost got motion sick. What a wuss!!! I braved wearing that tangerine color. I am not sure I should try again.

Hannah's pretty glowing hair in the sunlight.

Weight

Hello all my faithful weight checkers :) I am torn.....I am happy to report I have not gained weight, but I am disappointed to announce that I have not lost any either. But......this should be the week for my "friend" so perhaps I am doing better than I thought :P Allen lost another pound this week. Horray for you! I am still in the lead by a small margin as far as I know though. Keep praying for me. I am really dropping off in the motivation department.

300th Post!!!!

Happy Birthday, Joseph! It is hard to believe that one year ago today my handsome prince was born. So much has changed. He has utterly and completely got my heart strings around his finger. He is such a sweet little boy. He smiles all the time (well, except when he wants the ice cream his sister has :P). He is so very smart. He is really starting to talk. His favorite words are truck, hi, and milk. He is now consistantly going pee on the potty before bathtime. That is the only time I have been setting him on it. He goes every time! Amazing to me. He still will not walk however. He won't even practice. He has his well-baby appointment next Monday so we will see how big he is :)

I had to sing for him again today. I didn't want to make a cake for today for fear I would eat it all. So, I bought donuts for the kids :)

Prayer Request!

Attention all prayer warriors. I have an urgent request. Please pray for two of my college classmates, Chris and Jen Star. They just gave birth to their fourth child, Cassandra Hope this week. Unfortunately little Cassandra was born at just 27 weeks weighing less than two pounds because of terrible pre-eclampsia. Please keep this family in your prayers!!!

That Time AGAIN???

Is it just me, or does it seem like these weeks are just flying by? I can't believe it is Tuesday again. Well, I was a little worried with all the partying this weekend. I actually lost 1 pound. Allen broke even. Dana had to pay again...she gained two pounds. Chris stayed the same, and Paula lost three pounds. So, I am still in first, Allen is in second, then Paula, Chris and Dana.

Joseph's 1st Haircut

The time has come. We have been waiting to give Joseph his first haircut until his first bday. Allen wanted to wait to see if his hair would curl up like his did. Though I think if left alone it would have curled....we couldn't take it much more. It was getting way too long....in fact, the sides were longer. He was starting to look a bit like Frank Barrone :) The kicker was when Allen was asked twice this weekend if he was a girl. So..... the haircut. He did super, especially when I gave him a freezy pop to keep him busy!

Yeah....that is his angry face :) But doesn't he look so cute? I think he looks so much better!!! Although his hair is so very blonde so he looks a little bald again.

More Fun

The three girls having icees at Sami's park. It was a super day! It was a bit humid though......I will take it. I love summer! It is so fun when you have kids.

Papa and Joseph. What distinguished young men!!!!

Joseph playing with his cousin Patric. "Here buddy.... no trust me lots of stuff can fit up your nose"!

Roxane and Patric. Oooh, he is such a little cutie pie. He is such a cheerful little boy!

My two men. Man, they are just so handsome. I was so thrilled to find a special outfit for Joseph for his dedication. I found this tux new on ebay for only $10.