The Answer is Fishing

This past weekend was a test. 

 #5 turned the big 0-4 on Sunday. 

It rained so we made a trip to the big city... Famous Dave's, THE MALL, Barnes & Noble, etc to celebrate.  Everyone had a good time seeing all the fun things to buy {they don't get out much}!!!

On Monday, Memorial Day, we took a fishing trip to a quiet little lake. 

 

Dad spent most of his time tending to poles.

The girls worked together...and they baited their OWN hooks.

 This guy caught a few fish {bullheads}.

  

This guy put the fishing plans into motion and was the only one who didn't catch a thing.

He kept a great attitude.

 

 

His sister was there for comfort.

 

So, the test for the children was-

 

"Which day was your favorite?"

 

Bet you already knew the answer.

 

Monday - the most perfect day.

 

Becky

Leech Lake

I know...who wants to go to a lake named "Leech" Lake?  We did.  It is beautiful.  It has the clearest water of any lake I've ever been in.  It's in northern Minnesota...and yes it has GINORMOUS leeches.  These suckers are huge.  To the landlubber they look like eels!  BUT...they don't attach to people!  Thank goodness because this mom can do a whole lotta things but taking leeches off of her kids is not one of them.

We stayed at "The Bayside Resort".  Mike's cousins have a lake cabin a few feet away from the cabin that we rented.  They were our very most hospitable hosts for the weekend!  They catered to our every need.  It was fabulous and TOTALLY relaxing.  I'm going back.  Beautiful country and friendly people.  If you're looking for a quiet vacation spot, then this may be the place for you. 

 

A few photos...ok a lot! 

 

 

 The kids went tubing...

We sat on the deck...

They fished for crawfish...and caught MANY....

look how they can hang on!

 

 A few of us kayaked...my arms still hurt.

We...um...well...I guess I don't really know what #4 is doing here...but he's sure having fun!

 

One of us modeled...continuously!

 

#2 sat on the dock in the bay.  Get it?

 

We fished...

#3 had a blast with an enormous beach ball...

#4 would have slept in his life jacket...

 

#1 enjoyed the boating....

 

It was a bit chilly and rainy for a few days.  However, after this HOT and DRY summer it felt marvelous.

 

Except for some occasional try-to-take-a-nap TV watching, there were no electronics included in this vacation package.  I love that!

 

Becky

Peace

How are those resolutions coming along?  I strongly dislike the word "resolution".  I believe that we are who we are and we really can't change too much, and we really don't need to (with the exception of hardened-criminals).  The problems come about when we decide we're not happy with who we are.  Quite philosophical, huh?

Think about it.  We EAT when we're upset, sad, angry, bored, etc and we gain weight.  And then we're fat and ugly (we think) and we eat some more.  We SPEND MONEY because something, we feel, is missing in our lives and we end up broke.  When, in fact, if we all chill out a bit and take an outsiders view...we're not that bad.

Here's what I pray for...peace of mind. 

Here's what I pray for for my children...their happiness and peace of mind and for me to quit nagging them to be the person I think/thought they should/would be.

I digress...getting back to the peace of mind thing.  I truly believe that every prayer ever said can be reduced to having a peaceful self.

My "resolution" this year has been to help God out with my earthen peace.  I'm doing what I can to identify the things that make me nuts, inpatient, upset, angry, etc...and find a way to eliminate those things or at least deal with them in a grown-up and intelligent way.  That's opposed to going bat-shit crazy when one of the kids leaves a sock on the floor in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Am I preaching to the choir or what here?!  That's okay you don't have to testify.

Here are my triggers (well, the ones I've identified anyway) in no particular order...

LAUNDRY

Problem: it's never done.  DUH!

Solution: by washing, folding, and putting away 3 loads everyday I can stay on top of the piles.  This way I don't spend an entire Saturday doing laundry only to have the hampers full again by Sunday evening.

KIDS AND CHORES

Problem: endless complaining, crying, and whining about what needs to be done.  It's really not endless, it's just really annoying.  Then I fall into my lecture about third world children and how lucky the are to live with me.  Then my face hurts from talking. Then I'm grouchy.

Solution: LISTS!  When the kids get home from school there is a list waiting.  The list has everything each child has to get done before TV/computer/wii/ds time.  Shockingly, this works very well.  I have done this in the past but kinda slacked off.  Need to be more diligent with this task.  When the kids get "the list"  they know what's expected.  No surprises.  Mom doesn't nag. STUFF.GETS.DONE! 

MEAL PLANNING

Problem: coming up with what to feed my family is the biggest stresser in my life. (Pretty good life I've got.)  If I don't have a plan by the time everyone walks in the door from chores, it's chaos and I'm a freaked out wreck.

Solution: Monthly menu!  I did one today for the next SIX weeks.  I feel so in control!  I'll share it later.

COMPETITION

Problem: OBVIOUS!  Those who aren't competitive...you need to sponsor some sort of "in-service" and invite me!  It's not as bad as it used to be...but it can be improved upon.

Solution:  Stepping back.  Relax.  Deep breaths. Teach my kids and myself to be the best that they can be and angels could do no more.  Last summer I tries to talk #1 OUT of taking a certain 4-H project to Achievement Days.  I shared that it wasn't purple ribbon worthy... he says, "Isn't it about making things together and spending time together?"  My heart broke and smiled at the same time.  Clearly, he has a better handle on life than his mother does.

RELAXING

Problem: I DON'T DO IT!

Solution:  Make myself do it.  Currently, I'm addicted to "Angry Birds" (only after the kids go to bed of course).  This includes making time for myself to be creative and not feel guilty when I paint, sew, craft, and the ginormous list of creative things I like to do.

HOUSEKEEPING

Problem:  I don't see the beautiful house that we live in.  I see the dirt!

Solution:  I hired a fabulous woman to come every other week to clean my house.  I LOVE HER!  The night before she comes, we have a "picking up" party.  Everything is put in its place.  I come home to a spotless house.  WOO HOO!  This has also given me time to work on clutter and cleaning things that would normally be overlooked. 

That's enough of my rambling.  Hope I've inspired someone.  Hope someone can identify with this craziness.  Gotta go...load number 3 is dry!

Becky



Overscheduled.

So... I have completely over scheduled myself for the last week in October.  It's no one's fault but my own.  I AM NOT A VICTIM! {She says with resounding strength!}  Instead of pulling up my boot straps and fulfilling my obligations, I chose to spend a bit of precious time on Facebook.  Honestly, I may spend 20 minutes a month on Facebook.  Is that bad?  Some would say yes.  But I {with resounding strength} say "NO".  It's okay to be different.  Really, it is.

During my 15 minutes of down time, I checked on my dear friend Lucy.  She just so happens to be my dear sister-in-law.  She's brilliant and has an incredible sense of humor.  {and, no, I'm not just writing that because she's reading this!}  Lucy posted this link:

http://www.grist.org/living/2011-06-28-the-medium-chill

You have got to read this entire post.  I think most of us can relate.  The comments about hoarding kind of slapped me in the face.  That's ok... the truth hurts.  But this guy is SPOT ON with the whole social group thing.  Now you're curious, aren't you?

Check it out!

Have a great non-keep-up-with-the-Jones' kinda day!

Becky

p.s. Thanks, Lucy. I needed that!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Thanksgiving morning to all!

I'd like to take this opportunity to share my "Thankful 30 List".

1. A loving husband that actually knows me better than I do.  He takes care of us - simply put.

2. 5 HEALTHY kids

3. 5 SMART kids that put up with me ( and M ) always trying to teach them something.

4. Parents that gave me the education, courage, and wings to make it all the way out here to the prairie.  (Thanks for the never ending support, Mom & Dad)

5. My father-in-law... a wonderful man.

6. My sister... need I say more?  When M & I started having babies, I said that we would keep going until everyone had a brother and everyone had a sister.  A sister is a precious gift.  My sister is the only one I know who can be goofier than me.

7. My little brother - we dressed him up as a girl when he was little and I think he liked it.

8. My BFF Janet - she's the friend that I may not talk to for 3 months but I know she's there when I need her.  Her thankful list looks much like mine.

9. Sitting around the kitchen table eating pizza and having drinks and LAUGHS with my in-laws.  (I had a blast last night, guys)

10. Having cousins and in-laws that live so close and are SO, SO good to my kids. 

11. Farm life - trying at times but the best place to raise our children.  Everyday is take your kid to work day.

12. Being a mom.  It's a lot of work but when you think of how important your mom was to you, it makes the job not seem like such a job.

13. My other job - I complain about it but I love it... and I get to work with Scooter.  (See, I told you I'd get you in there) 

14. Fresh smelling laundry - this is HUGE.  Most everything we own has cow #$%@ on it somewhere.

15. The kids' Christmas lists - too funny.

16. Just-after-a-bath smelling babies

17. The kids watching TV with the "outside" cats on their laps.  Lucky cats.

18. Clean sheets

19. My vacuum cleaner

20. Board Games

21. Sewing - thanks for teaching me how to sew, Mom

22. Building - thanks for teaching me how to build, Dad

23. Brownies

24. FOOD in general.  I. LOVE. TO. EAT.

25. Family hugs - ask #4 what that is. As if you couldn't imagine.

26. The smell of a roast in the oven after church on Sunday.

27. DOGS - gotta love a dog.

28. HORSES - riding is one of my happy places.  Unless, I'm riding the 5 year old mare.  Then the experience isn't so relaxing.  She likes to go.

29. Reading

30. Watching the kids play (not fight) with each other and stick up for one another.  We must be doing something right?!

I could go on but I don't want to get silly or sappy and make people throw up a little in their mouths so I'll stop.  This was a good exercise for me.  When every one's done eating and taking the much needed naps this afternoon, take a moment to make a Thankful List.  It's kinda fun.

Turkey Blessings -

B

K.I.S.S.

Someone introduced me to this principle many years ago:

Keep It Simple Stupid

However, I never seem to follow this school of thought.  {My husband would so agree right now.}  I've spent the last few days packing away Christmas.  Lawd do I have some stuff!  Every closet in this place is PACKED!!  From time to time, M will ask if I think we have enough stuff yet.  Ha ha, funny man.  But after the way I had to close the last closet door, I decided to explore other decorating styles.  God sent me a message to find this blog.  Okay, maybe it was a link on someone else's blog... just the same.

I think you'll find this country farmhouse charming, classic, inspiring, timeless...

Now I'm off to throw everything we own in the Goodwill truck and start from the beginning.

Blessings while you declutter-B