What time is it???

I should be asleep. I am sure that if I go to sleep one of my children will wake me up. Recently they take turns waking up in the middle of the night. It isn't so bad because it often makes for really sweet cuddle time. Last night Nathaniel and Cheney took turns and I was so tired this morning when I got up. But for some reason tonight I am having trouble sleeping. What's a girl to do? Cleaning would be to noisy...so I guess blog.

I suppose my problem is over stimulation. Have you ever heard of that with babies? The less sleep and more activity they have the less sleepy the next night they actually are. Well over the the past 18 hours, I have had 3 adult activities outside of the house. Way more adult interaction than this stay-at-home mom is used to.

Friday, I got to have lunch with My mom and new sis-in-law. Nathaniel went but he doesn't interrupt the conversation yet. It was lots of fun to spend time with my lil' bros wife. I still can't get over the fact that he's married. I am 11 years older than him and remember changing his diapers. He got a real sweet gal and I am so happy for them.

Today, I went with a friend of mine to get our makeup done with Bare Escentuals. (probably not spelling that right.) Then we went to lunch. It was the FIRST time John has kept all four of the kids. He even had to make Nathaniel a bottle. They all lived through it.

Then tonight John and I had a date night. Dinner at a place we like to go...Cafe TuTu Tango. It's a funky artsy place with multicultural appetizers. Then we went to see a movie, Incredle Hulk. This is only the third time that we have left all four of the kids with a someone. I just haven't been sure I wanted to do that to anyone just yet. But our dear sweet sitter promised me they were really great. She was even disappointed we got home as early as we did because she was about to do the dishes. Gotta love a girl like that. John even asked her to go ahead and plan sitting next weekend for us too. Woohoo!!! That's a GREAT hubbie!!!

Growing up...

OK...Mary and Stef, aren't you guys funny...the power went out when I was trying to post my last topic. Here is what I meant to post...

They are all growing up...
Nathaniel has gotten two teeth in the past month and is now eating baby food. He went for his 6 month check up on Monday and is now in the 80% for height and the 70% for weight. That is quite a change from his 4 month check up where his height was in 95% and his weight was in 25%. It is amazing how quickly they change as they grow. Hey Mamaw... He is eating his grean beans and peas...Yea!!! Maybe he will take after us and eat his veggies.

Layton and Elijah are going to Upwards Soccer Camp this week in the mornings. They are also attending VBS in the evenings. Elijah is crazy about some soccer. He is loving it. Layton on the other hand is not quite as excited but I think she secretly likes it. She is funny like that. They look half a sleep but here they are on the first morning of soccer camp.

I am trying to potty train Cheney this week. With all this time with the other kids out of the house. But those of you that know her will understand...she is very opinionated about what she wants to do and not do. So she hasn't actually done more than sit on her potty and tell me while she is peeing in her pulling that she is. Yesterday she actually went all morning in panties and only pooped after I put her in her pullup to go pick up brother and sister from camp. So she can do this thing if she just will. I thought M&M's would be the key but so far they are only enticing her to sit. My big girl!!!

Back home...bittersweet!

Well, you know those vacations. The ones that go really, really well. We just had one. WONDERFUL! We had a great time with some friends of ours we now call the Sonny family. (You had to be there.) We got lots of sun at the pool and beach. It was a blast.

The kids golfed for the very first time at a little par 3 course. We just did nine holes. John described it like herding cats. It was really funny but the kids are so excited about golf now. They keep asking when they get to go again. Katelyn our "nanny" for the week even had her first experience with golf. She claims to like it and found a new hobby. I didn't play this time around. I got to play a round of real golf with John and the Sonny Mom and Dad ...well I played maybe 6 holes. Probably shot the entire course par on just six holes. That means I hit the ball A LOT, gals. But it was fun and I am gonna actually take golf up. For real. Well, we will see.

Notice that we start in the daylight and end after dark. I think it took us just under 3 hours to finish 9 holes.

Quotes from the night:

Cheney- " I am gonna cwush the ball, Daddy." After hitting it, "I cwushed it."cwush=crush

Elijah- "I have to go pee!!!"

Layton- "I like golf, Daddy"

Dad - At the beginning of the night..."We have the course to ourselves...there is no rush. Wait and take your turn to hit the ball." By the end of the night,"It's ok you can hit the ball at the same time as her." Always with a very patient tone, though!!!!

The peanut gallery- Me and Nathaniel

Ode to Kathryn by John in 2005

John is truly blessed with the gift of communication. Here is the ode he wrote about me awhile back.



Ode To Kat
5/8/05

Let me have your attention, as I reminisce,
about a sweet old gal with a super-tender kiss.

She enjoys peppermint patties and chicken pot pies,
looks straight to your soul with those pretty blue eyes.

Frequents Publix, Wal-mart, and Payless Shoe Source,
when it comes to computers, she’s a powerful force!

She loves her man, and her little toe-heads,
naps enough to make a living as a tester of beds.

Graduated from PBA back when it was a C,
who knew raising kids required a Master’s Degree?

She seems kind of shy, but she’s really a flirt
even fell for this line “Hey, groovy shirt.”

Passionate to keep her children from eating Play-dough,
and there’s no place like Texas...especially Plan-o.

A very smart gal, she’s a bird who can sing,
but her number one talent is creating beautiful offspring.

A really clear thinker, who keeps us well-grounded,
her heart is so big that it keeps you surrounded.

Accomplishment driven, she’s won trophies and plaques,
when it comes to travel, she’s the queen bee of snacks.

Spends time with her family at the drop of a hat,
Happy Mother’s Day dear wife, you’re my favorite Kat!

All my Love...John

Ode to John

My hubbie has a knack for writing poems about people. On Father's day, I tried my hand at creating one about him.

Ode to John R. Evans

I want to share a little bit with you about this man I call husband,
since childhood he has had a deep-rooted love for the Nike Brand.

Frequently you will hear him joyfully singing a song
but he hates it when you put the brush in a place that is wrong

He has always been very conscious of style,
he even wore diamond earrings when I walked down the wedding aisle.

The best instigator of family time in the big bed,
He says he knew on our first date that we would wed

On his children’s tooshies he likes to pinch,
though he doesn’t know quite what to do with a wrench.

Even though he vowed he never would do it,
he lovingly cleans the bottoms on which our children sit.

It really has to be raining hard before he turns on the windsheild wipers.
He never forgets to take out the trash, even if it is full of diapers.

God built him to share His truth with lots of students and teens,
however, he never ever eats his veggies even green beans.

His life goal used to be to see his name up in lights as an actor
that has to do with the fact that he has a really high coolness factor.

Even though his hair has been known to be various shades of bleached blonde
there is not a young person with which he cannot bond.

Our kiddos and I miss him while he is sharing the gospel and from our house is gone!
But no matter where he is, he is their beloved Daddy and My John.

Happy Father’s Day 2008 , My Dear,
Kathryn

Tagged- I am Quirky

I've been tagged. My friend Jessica from http://www.phamilyof6.blogspot.com/tagged me to spell out 6 quirks that I have. Here are the rules:*Link the person who tagged you.*Mention the rules in your blog.*Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.*Tag a new set of six following bloggers by linking them

Six quirks about me....

1. Anytime I try to quote a saying that EVERYONE knows I say it so that it means the same thing with completely different words. For example, it is really "Imitation is the highest form of flattery"'(I actually had to ask John what the real saying was)...I say it "Imitation is the best way to complement. " It makes for a lot of laughter in our home.
2. I would rather go to eat at Taco Bell than cook and clean up a home cooked meal. Not because I love Taco Bell (because I don't) but because I really am not a fan of the cooking and cleaning up process.
3. I am always losing my keys and cell phone. I vow to always put them in the same place but rarely manage it.
4. I can identify which of my children passed gas by the smell.
5. I can nap at the drop of a hat. I love naps!!! Not that I have had a chance lately but I still love them.
6. I have withdrawal symptoms when I don't read my fellow bloggers' blogs every day. It is a sickness!

So girls, your tagged...

Stephanie- a fellow blogger and cool mom of 2 boys I found through another friend http://laytonfamily4.blogspot.com/

Jenny - our hubbies used to be in a Christian improv group together and she is an amazing mom of 5 http://7wagners.blogspot.com/

Jennie - my friend since 4th grade recently reconnected through blogging...http://mommajen.blogspot.com/

Michelle- an awesome gal who loves God and others with passion!!! http://www.xanga.com/twinkling4jesus

Jordana- an amazing mom to 3 boys who probably doesn't have time for this...I pray for you and sweet little Jude daily!!! http://hippiemommie.blogspot.com/

Jenny- a mom of 3 married to a pastor at a really great church in Georgia. http://cartersvillefamily.wordpress.com/

Relaxing!

The last picture is basically what it looks like right now in Myrtle Beach and I am totally O.K. with that. We have had a relaxing Father's Day. It is great weather for napping and watching the U.S. Open. My Dad is in the Florida Keys for his annual Father's Day fishing trip. I hope he has great weather for fishing. John has declared we shall have an annual Father's Day Family Beach trip. I really like that idea. However we haven't been to the beach yet. We arrived in Myrtle Beach Thursday afternoon. John volunteered at Beachfest - a Luis Palau festival. He led some counselor training sessions and did some counseling when people walked forward at the invitation times. God did some really cool things here. We enjoyed a great Father's Day sermon at Beach Church. Dude...who doesn't want to go to a church named Beach Church. Granted it isn't on the beach but about 5 miles from it. We have had some great time in the pool yesterday.

Katelyn- our nanny for the week- took some great pictures. They are at the top of this blog and I can't get them to move on my hubbie's laptop.

We're off!!!

Well in just over 4 hours we are off and riding in the car. Woohoo!! I am hoping to have some great family fun, take some awesome naps in the sun and get focused so this family and home I can run. I had to end it by rhyming.

I am hoping our time looks a little like this....

Home is where my Hubbie is!!!

We are so glad John is home!!!! He got in around 1 a.m. Monday. In order for us not to have to pay a a mortgage payment for leaving John's car at the airport, my Mom and kids and I took John's car to the parking garage at the airport Sunday evening. I thought I had explained to the kids that we were leaving Daddy's car so he could come home later. However, I suppose our three year old didn't process that properly. As we were leaving the property, she wails, "We didn't find Daddy!!!!!!" She was distraught to say the least. Though she was frustrated with having to go to bed before Daddy got home it only took her a few minutes to fall asleep. I wasn't sure after the episodes over going to bed during this past week.

The kids came down for their planned pounce on Dad somewhere around 6:30 in the morning. They were beyond excited. We couldn't bear parting with each other that morning so we all went to Cheney's well check together. Can you imagine all 6 of us in a little room at the doctor's office? It is kind of funny. But we just weren't going to be separated for anything. We had a fun lunch at Pizza Hut. Then John went to work at the office for a while in the afternoon. It was funny. The kids were sad when they woke up and Dad wasn't there.

We are scurrying around here trying to get laundry done and clothes picked out for our trip to the beach. Myrtle Beach. Yes I family is going to South Carolina to go to the beach. We have not been to the beach in maybe 2 years. YES, we live less than an hour from a Florida beach and it has been 2 years. John grew up going to Myrtle Beach and he is going to be volunteering with for Beachfest (with the Luis Pulau organization like the Orlando Festival) the first weekend but then we have the whole next week to hang as a family at the beach. Hopefully my mom-in-law/love is coming over for few days. We are taking a sweet college gal with us to help out with the kids. Woohoo!!!!!!!!! I just need to get a suit and some shorts tomorrow and I will be set!!!!

Ups and downs...come and go...but souls for the Lord last FOREVER!

Thursday night...not as good as Wednesday's but at least I had Wednesdays.
On Friday, we hung around here and I scrubbed the living room floor on my hands and knees. Very therapeutic.
Went to DQ for dinner with the munchkins.

Nice to get out and have fun with them. Trip to Walmart and then home. Was going to put them straight to bed but Cheney was covered in chocolate ice cream. So put girls in bath while I started to nurse the baby. Next thing I know I am walking in to the bathroom to see Cheney squatting in the back of the tub, Layton standing under the shower with the shower curtain open holding an open umbrella. YES I SAID AN OPEN UMBRELLA. Yes the shower was on. I almost laughed and started singing "Singing in the Rain" until I felt myself and the baby slipping because of the water...falling and crashing into the ceramic toilet tank and sobbing hysterically. Yes, both of us were crying at this point. I am so thankful I was able to keep from dropping or falling on the baby. We did both end of up with goose eggs on our heads. And my entire left side is sore. But we didn't have to make any hospital visits.
OK,OK... I shouldn't leave children in the tub alone. They are 6 and 3. But it was really just for a few minutes. I had just barely gotten settled on the couch. Elijah somehow got them the umbrella. We had a talk about foolishness and its consequences and how serious the injuries could have been. They all seemed very repentent.
Anyway they all went straight to bed. Nathaniel was fussy with congestion this morning so I just focused on him. The unrefrigerated bags from Walmart stayed on the floor until sometime this evening. Cheney ended up with a fever up to 103.3 and fussing when she pees. I think it is an infection. My mom came over and got us all settled for dinner and brought every kind of liquid possible to tempt Cheney into drinking. By the time Mom left to pick up my Dad from the airport, Cheney had eaten, temp dropped and she was dancing around as if everything was fine. All went to bed fairly easily and I am going there quickly myself. Hopefully we will have a calm night. Probably going to take Cheney to a clinic in the morning. We will see. I wanted to go to church but not too big on putting kids in the nursery within 24 hours of having a fever even if they aren't showing symptoms anymore. She has a well-check scheduled on Monday morning.
Just over 24 hours until Hubbie is home. I have even been able to talk to him several times today. He was taking a poll at camp on whether we should have more kids or not. I told him the ones that vote yes need to start sending money for therapy and medication. Layton actually said we needed another baby girl today. I asked her if she thought I could handle that. She said yes. Well, at least her faith in me is better than I would have imagined. Back to hubbie, there was not cell service at the camp in the mountains this past week so only got to talk to him a few times during the week when they ran into town. He is officially in civilization now. Life is much easier just knowing I can talk to him and that he is praying for us. He preaches at a church tomorrow and then heads home tomorrow night. God was so faithful at camp...86 campers, 13 students saved, 18 rededicated their lives and 5 surrendered to full-time Christian service. OK this is why we do what we do...even with the chaos. That's why we call it a CIRCUS of love. I just seem to be getting bombarded with the circus part this week...got to focus more on the LOVE!!!

Rest is nice!

Just thought I would let you all know that we had a very peaceful night around here. The kids actually went down without too much fuss. Cheney just fussed for about 10 minutes. I got in bed by 10. Fed Nathaniel around 11:30 and then we all slept until 7. Woohoo!!!
I even took a shower and went to lunch with a friend and Nathaniel.
My kids most favorite person in the world, after Grandma, came and watched them. When I got home after lunch and running to John's office to do a little work there, Cheney told me that she wanted Carri to stay forever and for me to go shopping. At least I know that she enjoys having Carri here. It was funny.

I got the book I ordered yesterday. "Managers of the Home" It is supposed to help homeschoolers get their lives scheduled. I desperately need help with this. If God can allow me some rest surely he can allow me time to read and get my home life and school life scheduled.

Praise God...for all those people that have helped me through this week. I just talked to John. He said there were about 100 people at the camp and GOD had showed up. Praise HIM!!! GOD not my husband. John is enjoying New Mexico except for the sand storms and he thinks it is really weird that their frontyards are full of rocks with no grass.

Bouncing Brains

We went to Monkey Joe's today to celebrate #3's third b-day while hubbie is out of town. We met Heather and her girls at Chic-fil-a "God's chicken restaurant" and had our homemade cupcakes right there at the table after their kids meals, of course. Then headed over to Monkey Joe's. This was my kids first experience with the warehouse of bounce contraptions. Our kids played from about 2:30 until 6. They ran, slid, climbed and BOUNCED. They all played so well together and I really enjoyed the adult conversation while Heather and I constantly took head counts. They were all red in the face when we left. We thought for sure they would fall asleep on the way home.
However my kids had other plans. They did not fall asleep. They all got baths and ate their weight in ham and cheese and crackers. Then since there was a thunderstorm directly over our house, I let them bounce balloons in the living room until the crashing thunder died down. One of the thunder crashes or is it lightning strikes...anyway it sounded so close I thought I might need to go look out the window and check our trees or the neighbors house...SERIOUSLY!!! So as the storm died down and channel 13 showed that it was passing to past our neighborhood. I put the kids to bed around 9:00 p.m.

Here is a recap of our night...
Elijah in bed with me since he has not had a chance to get to sleep in the big bed with Mommy. Layton did the other night and Cheney has crawled in bed with me two nights around 4a.m.
Anyway...they all went to sleep pretty quickly while Nathaniel began his nursing marathon. Sometime around 11:00 he fell asleep and I put him in bed. I guess I got in bed around midnight but woke up about 12:30. So I just read for a while. Then put the book down around 1:30 or so. At 3:15 Layton came down stairs asking for water so I told her to get some and go back to bed. Then about 3:45 Cheney woke up and it took about 30 minutes to get her calmed down. She has decided this week that she doesn't "like" to sleep so she isn't going to. So as she was kind of calming down Nathaniel woke up at 4:15 and I nursed him and went back to bed around 5 something. Elijah woke up around 6:45 hungry so I went and got him a banana to eat in bed. I didn't want him up walking around the house waking everybody else up. Then I think we went back to sleep between Elijah's teeth grinding and rolling around. Sometime during the night I woke up because he was using my behind as a pillow. Not sure how he got turned completely upside down in the bed.

So beware of brain bouncing...it is not good for sleep habits.
But don't feel so bad for me...I am still in my pajamas. I fed the kids cereal and nursed Nathaniel, the kids played balloons and are now watching a video while Nathaniel naps and I am about to get up and take a shower so we can walk over to Helen's house for lunch. She walked over to check on me yesterday while the plumber was here. Oh by the way the plumbing is fixed except for the leak he found on the pipe going into the meter from the street. The city should be here to fix that sometime soon. When we get back from lunch we are all going to NAP!!! I hope.

The dishes and laundry and water boiling can wait. And I am sure that one day I will look back and laugh and wish to hear the pitter patter of little feet in the dark...someday.

OK...I don't know anything about this singer except she is on the ring tone list for Verizon wireless and she sings a song entitled Babies. "I want to have your babies" is in the chorus and it is SOOOO FUNNY because when John tells the story of how we met, he ALWAYS embellishes it and says I looked into his eyes and told him, "I want to have your babies." so I guess that is how we got into this crazy circus of love.

Here is the video on YouTube...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOAbvaIVp2c&NR=1
So that's how I got where I am...Ha,ha,ha,ha!!!
I really want to put it on my phone for a ringtone for John's calls but I don't think it would go over well in my crowd. I mean I suppose telling someone that I want to have your babies is not SO appropriate. But apparently...I wanted to have John's babies...and I think I have had all the babies I can handle now.


The lyrics...
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,
But what if it don't?
What happens in my head stays in my head,
But sometimes it won't.
What if you knew what I was thinking?
Would it make you like "Whoa!"?
I don't wanna risk putting my foot in this
So I keep my mouth closed.
[Chorus]All you hear is"Uh uh uh uh uh uh"Gonna button my lips so the truth don't slip
Uh uh uh uh uh uh Gotta beep out what I really wanna shout
Whoops! Did I say it out loud?Did you find out? (oow yeah)
I wanna have your babies
You're serious like crazy
I wanna have your babies
I see 'em springing up like daisies
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Some of my feelings keep escaping
So I make it a joke
Nonchalant I keep on faking
So my heart don't get broke
I'm in a big, big, big, big ocean
In a tiny little boat
I'll only put the idea out there
If I know it's gonna float.
[Chorus]All you hear is"Uh uh uh uh uh uh
"Gonna button my lips so the truth don't slip
Uh uh uh uh uh uh
Gotta beep out what I really wanna shout
Whoops! Did I say it out loud?
Did you find out? (oow yeah)
I wanna have your babies
You're serious like crazy
I wanna have your babies
I see 'em springing up like daisies

[ I Wanna Have Your Babies lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
'Cause in my head there's a slot machine
And I'm betting you're the one in my hopes and dreams
La la la la la, la la la la la la laLa la la la la, la la, la la...
Trust me it'd scare youIf you knew what was going on in my brain
Trust me it'd scare you
That I picked out the church, or the schools or the names
If you knew it was all about you
Every wish, every candle, every coin in the fountain
Trust me it'd scare you
That's why I go,
Uh uh uh uh uh, uh uhUhm... yeah
[Chorus again]

end of the craziness.....ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha....

What was I thinking...I live in my house. There never seems to be an end to the craziness. OK...I am going to write this in Thanksgiving form so that I don't looooooooooooooose it.

• I am thankful that we have indoor plumbing and that we can afford to pay our water bill while the toilet leaks about a bucket of water every 6 hours. I am thankful that we have a friend in the building industry that has called a plumber for us so we can get lower rates than normal.
• I am thankful that I can see the trees outside and that is is beautiful day as I look through the window where the blinds just fell on me. I am thankful that Walmart is close so I can buy some new ones. I am thankful we have money to buy new blinds. (the really cheap kind...maybe that is why they keep breaking.)
• I am thankful that my #3 is 3 today even if if means that her new found ability to share her desires has just begun this past week with screaming and crying fits. I am thankful that I got to hold her for about an hour until she finally fell asleep yesterday at nap after being carried back upstairs to her bed at least 5 times. I am thankful I had the self control to not use the popper(wooden spoon) or my #3 might have been taken away from me yesterday.
• I am thankful my husband loves the Lord and is willing to serve him even if that means it takes him to New Mexico for 8 days.
• I am thankful there are only 6 days left.
• I am thankful my #2 is finally willing to wipe his bottom when he goes #2 even if it means I have to go dig the toilet paper out of the potty upstairs right now because it is stopped up. Maybe I could wait for the plumber on that potty too.
• I am thankful that #2 went right back to bed at 1:30 this morning.
• I am thankful that #3 didn't wake up and crawl in bed with me at 4 this morning for the third day in a row.
• I am thankful that #4 slept all night long even if #1 woke up at 11:00 last night and got in bed with me and woke me up several times by putting her feet across my body. I am not sure how she stays on her twin bed because she sleeps horizontally on my queen size one. I am thankful she can move her legs.
• I am thankful I have a friend who is willing to take her two girls and meet us at Monkey Joes for birthday playdate this afternoon and who is willing to be flexible and wait and see what time since we don't know when the plumber will get here.
• I am thankful that I am going to go take a shower after I unclogging the toilet upstairs...the last time I showered was Sunday morning...ssshhhh...that's just between us.
• I am thankful that my girls are very verbal even if that means I have to go break up an argument right now. I am thankful I can walk in there to do that.
• I am thankful I have a washer and dryer and that Ihave a couch to pile up the clean clothes on.
• I am thankful God is in the midst of this craziness and somehow He is teaching me I can't do this all on my own. I desperately need HIM!!! HE will see us through all these little details and HE will mold me if I will just surrender. I am thankful for HIS forgiveness when I don't.
• I am thankful my kids always forgive me when I turn into a bear. I am trying to not growl at them and I am trying to be a better example to my bear cubs.
• I am truly thankful for the 4 amazing creatures that God has given me to watch over. I am thankful for my amazing husband and I am so looking forward to our vacation in Myrtle Beach next week. I am counting the days until I can hand #4 over to my dear sweet Mother-in-law and I can go take a nap at the pool. You'll do that for me won't you, MaMaw?

Well, I better go...I have A LOT to be thankful for!!!!!!