The sick and the crazy

Have you ever noticed when you need your family to get along the best they somehow loose their minds? How sometimes being a Wife and a Mom you just sometimes don't feel appreciated? Well, my family is no exception. Dad came home sick (2nd time in 20+ years) from work today. I needed to be in and out of the house several times to run errands. (banking, stables 2x's and 2 stores) These were necessary errands since we had been gone for 2 weeks prior,we had little food, money or medication in the house. I tried to get a few kids to go with me but "no dice". They were going to stay home and "take care of Dad" and so they did (except the baby who I wouldn't think of leaving here in the "WAR ZONE"). Needless to say by the time I got home Dad was no longer sleeping and kids were running outside and looked as though they had escaped from a mental institution screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY you're back, we missed you"!!! When I get into the house Dad looks as though he's just lost a boxing match. "Thank goodness your home, I don't know HOW you do it"!!!! At first I'm a bit upset , then a smile comes across my face because then I know for the first time that day that I AM TRULY appreciated!!!

What went on today

Here is a photo of my family so the reader know what my family looks like.

We've only been home from a long (2 week) vacation a few days now. The kids are tired, a few feeling under the weather.
The majority of us got up late today (9:30am) Usually the first starts to get up around 6am then they all strangle along after that.
Most everyone wanted easy breakfast like bagels and cereal. Devon ate a hamburger. lol. We watched a lot of television, played computer games,
cooked, did some artsy stuff (Chi Chi made an "open kitchen" and "closed kitchen" sign to let everyone know when they are to
begin shifting for theirselves. (She worries I have too much work.How sweeet) The weather is getting cooler today and Fall is
showing itself. Chi Chi went for a walk in the yard this evening. She LOVES fall. Actually, she just really loves the changing of the seasons.
Dominque went for a walk to the coffee house with a friend. When the cool weather sets in we start thinking of the fall fest type activities
and Hallowen. One of my families favorites. We are going out tomorrow looking for costume ideas and candy. John came home after work feeling crappy too so
after dinner he took a shower and went to bed for the night. It's only 7:30 but feels like 11pm. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more energetic day.
I like to hibernate in the winter but just not ready yet.

"Firsts"

Today I was watching my one year old son enjoying his "first " thunderstorm and it got me thinking....
How many "firsts" can we actually experience in a lifetime?? As a parent of 7 children I have the priveledge of 7 "first" steps, 7 "first" teeth, 7 "first" thunderstorms, 7 "first" snow falls,7 "first" crushes, 7 "first" dates, 7 "first" cars and 7 "first" own places. It also has me re-experience 7 "first tears,7 "first" falls, 7 "first boo boos, 7 "first" breakups, 7 "first" tantrams and 7 "first" fights. Even when the "firsts" are difficult and I wish I could keep my children from it I am glad I am able to be there to soften the blow. Each time I experience these "firsts" along with and through the eyes and heart of my children it gives me great joy and a memory forever ingrained in my mind. What a rich and full life I experience all due these wonderful people that call me Mom.

Cooking for a Crew

Cooking for a crew is difficult enough but when you have so many preference and eating styles the kitchen, groceries and cooking can become a full time job. We presently have 1 low carb man, 3 vegetarians, 1 grazer, and I believe the others are just on a regular diet?? For today at least. And what about "meal times"?? With so many people all on different schedules the kitchen, stove, microwave, refridgerator and sink are in constant use. Oh, and then there is what is affectionatly known as "the night crew". "They" whoever "they" may be think that the sink is for storing dishes til Mom wakes in the AM to do them?? This evening my husband was nice enough to do the dishes before bed so the sink is now empty. Perhaps I should install a video camera to catch these culprits?? Better yet, I think I may grab my blanket and pillow and hide out under the table and scare the jaheebies out of them. LOL!!!!!

Life is Never Dull

In this house life is never dull. Today is no exception to the rule. We now have a new housemate..... A RACCOON. YIKES!!!!!! "IT" presently resides in our attic??? We have a cage in the attic for day #2 in hopes to remove it safely in this home of animal lovers. Yesterday's peanut butter sandwich did not entice the palat of this creature by any means. Perhaps tonight's "la tuna fish don la can" may?? We can only hope. We have always strived to make ALL feel welcome and at home here but I think we may have gone too far this time!!

The Busiest House I Know.....

Life is always so busy anymore. The kids are doing more and more as they get older. It's nice to see them evolve into wonderful people who I enjoy being around. (Well, most of the time anyway. lol)
Friends and family that come over unannouced may find themselves in the middle of quite a ruckus. Even if they come announced they may feel a bit overwhelmed. There is constant movement and chatter here that one grows accustomed to but a visitor may find to be just too much.
There are days that seem "taxing" and days that are a "Walk in the Park" and those days "in between". However, ALL DAYS give me joy and happiness that make being "The Mother" in this "Crazy House" all worth it.

The House that Never Sleeps

As a mother of a cosleeping toddler I am up many times a night. Each time I awake I hear some form of life in our home....voices talking on the phone, dishes rattling, microwaves beeping, water running, toilets flushing, kids talking, computer games, television, music, etc.... We all try to keep quiet when others are sleeping but in this house I don't think everyone is ever asleep all at the same time. I often think I live in Vegas. LOL!!!! I think if a guest would come to stay they would be annoyed and may not be able to sleep but as a "local" we "usually" sleep right through the activity. We have all learned to coexist in this "House That Never Sleeps". I would imagine that if I ever slept away from home alone (yeah right) that I would be unable to sleep from lack of noise?? LOL. I wonder as my older children leave the nest will they miss the noise?? or will they "finally" feel what a good night rest really is?? Only time will tell. I for one am glad that I have many years before my "nest is empty" and I find out first hand what a "House That Sleeps" really is.