Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails....

I am a mom of 4 boys, which makes me a "referee" ...


An important referee phrase, "stop wrestling, finish getting ready or a penalty will occur" is heard no less than 10 times every morning before school...

At the bus stop our daily soccer game/sword fight/foot race often turns into a 3 boy pile up with the bottom boy being left to go to school with "mud knees"..(Melissa cheering the whole time for her daily "pick" to win) the only one who cries "foul" in this game is me, the referee, who will have to srub the knees clean tonight! (not to mention what a loser mother it appears I am for sending my kid to school with mud knees!)

After school snack time is chock full of good humored break out fights that end up on the floor in a massive "brawl", not unlike the cartoon brawls that look like a giant blurry dust ball rolling wildly all over the place..the referee calls out to the culprit "what on earth are you doing!?!?!?" to which the offender usually replies, "beating him/hims up.." referee responds with, "I see that, but WHY?" ...offender thinks for a moment and responds with, "ummmm..." at which point it becomes clear to the referee that the offended son has long forgotten what the original offense was and said brawl continued for the sheer joy of brawling...

homework! Oh for the love! WHY do we have to have homework!! (see after school snack time for what usually occurs during homework time)

I love to watch my boys battle it out for the basketball, baseball or soccer ball..whichever sport it is that they are in at the time..It gives me sheer joy to watch other little boys behave in much the same way that mine do, helping me to gain confidence that it is not poor parenting that results in constant "brawls", it is just what little boys are about...tonight was hockey practice...and I sat back and enjoyed every moment as these little guys were playfully falling all over each other, or pushing and shoving each other,using their sticks to trip each other, in what looked like a bunch of little boys determined to brawl with each other, if the volunteer coach (aka stand-in referee) had not stopped them, I am sure we would have seen a few playful brawls break out.

I absolutely love being a referee to my little guys and will never tire of watching their playful, suprise brawls occur. With all the broken furniture, ripped/ stained clothes, cuts and scrapes, and all the other things that result from break out brawls, I often think of how much they do look like little puppies rolling around wrestling each other. I absolutely think it is adorable! I know I will miss this when they are bigger, I hope it never stops, if my husband and his brothers are a glimps into the future, it won't ever stop!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Two recent studies have looked at how much people are connected to their moms. One was regarding the number of people who had recently talked with her, and the other was regarding who Americans spend the most time on the phone with...I was suprised at how many people have so much contact with their moms.

I was born to a mother who I considered amazing and wonderful and sweet. We were extremely poor and she had 9 children in 12 years, (one of which died at the age of 3). I always interpretted her disconnection from her children as a result of all her trials..I always loved her and cared for her. Her ability to be disconnected from her children left us to make our own decisions about life at very early ages...we were very capable kids and took care of ourselves pretty well, but definately got into more trouble than most kids were allowed to get into...At some point my mother's disconnection from her children and her husband, and my father's busy work schedule that kept him disconnected from our family, and my parent's inability to secure housing for us, left my siblings and I, on our own. We were familiar with making our own decisions, so the next step of finding places to live seemed natural..I was young, about 12 when I started bouncing back and forth between Wanda and Kevin's house and my parent's house. In the fall of my Sophmore year of high school, I was back in my parents house, and they decided to move 8 hours away...we had moved often, so that was no suprise, but they did not plan to take the 4 older kids with them this time..they left and we had a month to stay in the house before the lease was up. Eventually, after bouncing around again, I ended up in Wanda and Kevin's house.

I always called Wanda, "Wanda", despite her suggesting I call her "mom". I always felt that someday I would be connected to my own mother, and when that day happened, I wouldn't want my biological mom to feel sad that I called Wanda, "mom"...I did call Wanda and Kevin my foster parents, for lack of any other good explanation when people asked who I lived with. I kept the hope alive that I would one day be reunited with my own mother and that she would be able to connect with me and we would have a family again. Through all of this hope I have kept alive, through all these years of me waiting for my own mother and I to connect, let me tell you about Wanda...

When I moved in with her, she had 5 children. (2 were step, but she thought of them as hers) She eventually had 3 more children. 8 children, plus me! (after I was married, she adopted a ninth daughter, Jen) Our home was very warm, and very friendly. She was always available for me, no matter what time of day it was. She was always faithful, and polite. She always looked beautiful. The house was always clean and she was always smiling. She was, by every definition, my mom. She worried for me, she prayed for me, she punished me, she loved me. She even knew that I liked strawberries and not cherries on my crepes! She knew to buy me brown eyeliner when mine ran out. She made sure my bras fit right and my shampoo was restocked. She did my laundry and fed me. She helped me with teenager problems (even the pimples)...all the while I called her "wanda", I continued to reserve the title "mom" for my own mother, who I was sure would one day want to be my mom. I continued to look to Wanda as she showed me the kind of woman I hoped to be one day.

As I started having babies, she was always there. She would fly or drive great distances to be there when I would deliver. (My own "mom" called 1 week after my second child was born to say that she heard I had a baby, she lived 2 hours away)
Wanda immediately took the role of grandmother (despite only being 35 or 36 years old!!) She loves each and every one of my children as if they were her own. She can tell you more about them than most people. She truely loves them. And they truely love her. She always remembers their birthdays (usually before I do!!) and always has such creative things to do for them, (I am a little hesitant about the frog aquarium for David's bedroom, but I am sure it will be great!!)

She is mother to 10, Grandmother to soon to be 14, mother in law to 7, aunt to many, sister to 4, and she still has time to show concern and keep up with my 8 siblings, their spouses and all our 30+ children...she is the very definition of mother.

In thinking about those recent studies of how many people are in contact with their moms, my initial reaction was kind of sad that I didn't know what it was like to have a mom, then I immediately realized that I can be numbered amoung those in close contact with their moms. Depite Wanda having a full time job and such a huge family to keep up with, a week doesn't go by where she and I don't communicate somehow. She talks to me for hours if I am in need, and she continues to teach me through her faith and love each and every day.

This post has been long over due. I had lunch with Wanda on Monday to celebrate her birthday, she was babysitting her granddaughter. We talked about how I was doing the whole time...only a mother is happy to spend her only day off, and her birthday lunch boosting one of her daughter's spirits while babysitting her other daughter's child. I just want to say to you, Wanda, I love you, and Happy Birthday, MOM!!

Over? Already?

soccer is over, and I really enjoyed my team this year! Each player was so unique and interesting in his own way! I was so glad to have two wonderful assistant coaches this year! Dale did a great job teaching the boys how to play soccer and doing jumping jacks! Rita took care of everything else! From photographs to water to crowd control! Thank you Dale and Rita for all the help!





David, a last minute team addition. Willing to play only if his daddy was a coach.

This was Greg's first year in soccer. He loved being goalie!



Our team pizza party! The reflection of the smiling woman in the mirror is the only picture of coach Rita I have! (she is always the one behind the camera!)



Here are a few things that I have learned from coaching...

1. no matter how much energy you think you have, 5 and 6 year old boys will "out energy" you
2. any drill that involves "attacking" , " shooting" , or "exploding" will be a successful drill
3. 5 and 6 year old boys understand how to play sharks and minnows, and they still refuse to be minnows...(unless they are "attack minnows")
4. Even the coach should wear shin guards...(and for assistant coach Dale, a cup)
5. "we don't keep score" is translated by little boys to mean that they not only need to keep score, but make sure the other team knows they "suck" when they lose 7-2
6. one of the most important parts of a soccer game is...the snack!
7. there is nothing like experiencing the individual accomplishments of kids who only a short time before didn't think they could do it!
8.even the most talented photographer doesn't get the shot sometimes! (the rest of them look great, Rita!)

of pen and prose...

(note: if you do not have the patience to read the whole poem, I highlighted my favorite part at the bottom)

MAUD MULLER, on a summer's day,
Raked the meadow sweet with hay.

Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
Of simple beauty and rustic health.

Singing, she wrought, and her merry glee
The mock-bird echoed from his tree.

But when she glanced to the far-off town,
White from its hill-slope looking down,

The sweet song died, and a vague unrest
And a nameless longing filled her breast,

A wish, that she hardly dared to own,
For something better than she had known.

The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horse's chestnut mane.

He drew his bridle in the shade
Of the apple-trees, to greet the maid,

And ask a draught from the spring that flowed
Through the meadow across the road.

She stooped where the cool spring bubbled up,
And filled for him her small tin cup,

And blushed as she gave it, looking down
On her feet so bare, and her tattered gown.

"Thanks!" said the Judge; "a sweeter draught
From a fairer hand was never quaffed."

He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees,
Of the singing birds and the humming bees;

Then talked of the haying, and wondered whether
The cloud in the west would bring foul weather.

And Maud forgot her brier-torn gown,
And her graceful ankles bare and brown;

And listened, while a pleased surprise
Looked from her long-lashed hazel eyes.

At last, like one who for delay
Seeks a vain excuse, he rode away.

Maud Muller looked and sighed: "Ah me!
That I the Judge's bride might be!

"He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at his wine.

"My father should wear a broadcloth coat;
My brother should sail a painted boat.

"I'd dress my mother so grand and gay,
And the baby should have a new toy each day.

"And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor
And all should bless me who left our door."

The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill,
And saw Maud Muller standing still.

"A form more fair, a face more sweet
Ne'er hath it been my lot to meet.

"And her modest answer and graceful air
Show her wise and good as she is fair.

"Would she were mine, and I to-day,
Like her, a harvester of hay

"No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues,

"But low of cattle and song of birds,
And health and quiet and loving words."

But he thought of his sisters, proud and cold,
And his mother, vain of her rank and gold.

So, closing his heart, the Judge rode on,
And Maud was left in the field alone.

But the lawyers smiled that afternoon,
When he hummed in court an old love-tune;

And the young girl mused beside the well,
Till the rain on the unraked clover,

He wedded a wife of richest dower,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power.

Yet oft, in his marble hearth's bright glow,
He watched a picture come and go;

And sweet Maud Muller's hazel eyes
Looked out in their innocent surprise.

Oft, when the wine in his glass was red,
He longed for the wayside well instead;

And closed his eyes on his garnished rooms
To dream of meadows and clover-blooms.

And the proud man sighed, with a secret pain,
"Ah, that I were free again!

"Free as when I rode that day,
Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay."

She wedded a man unlearned and poor,
And many children played round her door.

But care and sorrow, and childbirth pain,
Left their traces on heart and brain.

And oft, when the summer sun shone hot
On the new-mown hay in the meadow lot,

And she heard the little spring brook fall
Over the roadside, through the wall;

In the shade of the apple-tree again
She saw a rider draw his rein.

And gazing down with timid grace
She felt his pleased eyes read her face.

Sometimes her narrow kitchen walls
Stretched away into stately halls;

The weary wheel to a spinnet turned,
The tallow candle an astral burned,

And for him who sat by the chimney lug,
Dozing and grumbling o'er pipe and mug,

A manly form at her side she saw,
And joy was duty and love was law.

Then she took up her burden of life again,
Saying only, "it might have been."

Alas for maiden, alas for Judge,
For rich repiner and household drudge!


God pity them both! and pity us all,
Who vainly the dreams of youth recall.

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: "It might have been!"

Ah, well! for us all some sweet hope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes;

And, in the hereafter, angels may
Roll the stone from its grave away!




John Greenleaf Whittier

..Monday, Monday...

Every Monday is my day off. With all of my children in school, I get to go out to lunch with my girlfriends, get my hair done, go to the movies, whatever I so choose...NOT!! I have been asked this question no less than 20 times since the kids started school, "so, how nice is it that the kids are in school all day?" With so many kids at home for so many years, I kept thinking, "oh, life will be so easy when they are all in school, I will paint and read and take time for myself!" , if I had only known how erroneous my thinking was! that time is here, and I am feeling just as busy as ever, and actually reading less! So what do I do??? Here is a little peek into my mondays...

Let me start by showing you some beautiful pics of our house!!! It is a a house for all seasons...I absolutely LOVE our home and community...

Here is the house in the spring, once all the leaves have come out...

Here it is last winter (today is a beautiful 50 degrees, with a bit of a warm up coming, so no snow for us, at least for a while!)

Here is the house in the fall... (yes, those leaves do need to get cleaned up!)

I love our home, it is a wonderful place to live! Now, here is my answer to the question "how is it now that the kids are all in school?" Truthfully, with a home this big, and with 5 acres of property maintenance, I wish the kids weren't in school so much!!(and I wish they didn't have so much homework!) I need them to help me with....

cleaning the leaves out of the pool! and blowing the leaves off all the decks! (Dale does the yard)..In the winter we need help with bringing wood in, and snow..in the spring with planting flowers and a garden, in the summer, the pool..lots of work to be done in our "all season" house!

Inside stuff needs to be done daily, like...Cleaning the bathroom after they all have bathed and brushed their teeth and hair!

Cleaning my office after they terrorize it looking for needed school items and after getting dressed for school in it!

Cleaning the kitchen after breakfast!

Cleaning the laundry room up after they have thrown everything around looking for the exact hat/ mittens/ coats/ socks/ shoes/ clothes that they want!

So what did I get done on this leisurely Monday after the kids all went to school?? I cleaned the kitchen!! and parts of the rest of the house...(all laundry is washed and in their baskets, so I guess it was a productive monday!) Here is a nice shiny kitchen...enjoy, because in one hour they will be here and it will not look like this!

I am finishing my post today on tuesday, and I want to laugh...I spent a few hours at the school volunteering, did a few errands, more laundry, some office stuff, and cleaned some leaves from the pool, and will anticipate the remaining housework to be done by friday, just in time for the weekend and then, you guessed it, ANOTHER monday! So are my days easier now that my kids are all in school?? well...if they were all in school when they were 2 or 3, yes, but now they are all big, and I could really use some help!!

Halloween, the Amish, trains,Christmas, Valley Forge, birth of America and Ralph Nader!

I have to say sorry for the long post, but if you have the attention span to read it, I promise, it all ties together!

Halloween at my brother's house...(Shawn is the stop sign)

Alex was the grim reeper, this is him in the school parade

David was "Alex Ovechkin" (like thats a change from his day to day outfits), Melissa was a pretty/nice witch and Greg was a transformer (I think the guys name was Optimus prime, but I called him Optimal Crime)

Dale was a hot pirate!

The kids had a four day weekend, so we decided to head to Pennsylvannia for the weekend. We stayed in Intercourse, Pennsylvannia (yes, that IS really the name!) It is in the heart of PA, dutch country, which is well known for it's large Amish/Mennonite population. It was really cool to learn about the Amish and see their buggies everywhere. I didn't want to offend them by taking their photos, so I took very few photos, and only from the car when they couldn't see the camera.

To summarize the Amish in one sentence is not doing them justice, but due to short attention spans, I will do my best. They are Christian and very spiritual. Their choice to live a simple life, disconnected from the world, stems from their desire to remain close to God. They came to settle in Pennsylvannia in order to practice their religion free from persecution, upon invitation from William Penn (a Quaker) . It was fun to learn about their simple life. On saturday night the young, single Amish date (or court) each other. They let loose! I heard buggies going by all night long, one Buggy was jammin with heavy metal!

Buggy at the citgo station...not paying the gas prices I pay, thats for sure!

A buggy on the road...

the kids on a buggy

the kids in a covered buggy (I love the word BUGGY! I think I will call our family car a Buggy)

We rode the historic Strasburg railroad one day

The Engine

The kids eating on the train


One day we went to a Chritmas museum where we saw lots of neat displays, but the best was walking to "Bethlehem"....We walked for several minutes through a life size recreation of old Bethlehem, through the "market" and to the "Inn" all the way to the "stable"

The "stable" with baby Jesus

the kids in front of the manger

We visited Valley Forge, site of the Continental Army's camp during the winter/spring of 1777-78...George Washington was able to take a rag tag army and get it together here in Valley Forge despite the hardships of weather, starvation and disease. The British, who had occupied Philadelphia, were pulling out and George Washington and his army, that he had reenergized at Valley Forge, were able to follow the British soldiers as they retreated from Philadelphia to New York.

The kids on a cannon

a Valley Forge hut. each hut was home to 12 men as they battled the elements. Valley Forge was camp for 6000 soldiers (at it's low) and 20,000 (at it's high in the spring)

Next we jumped in the buggy and headed to Philly....

Eating at City Tavern (est. 1773)

Independance hall...this is the room where America was born...to be in the same room where our founding fathers debated the framework of our country was amazing and humbling

the Liberty Bell

My Junior Rangers


How appropriate that our trip to Philadelphia was topped off by running into Ralph Nader and his 08 running mate....! (I saw the results today, they didn't win ;( )

We saw so many things on our trip, it's hard to post them all, but I did my best!