Yay! The counter offer has been signed. We are looking into getting ourselves pre-qualified for our own loan. This is just so wonderful.

nail biting

We actually got an offer on the house yesterday! (pause for cheers and applause)
We made a counteroffer that wasn't really different- just clarified a few points and now we're waiting for them to get back to us. I am repeating over and over to myself that things will be just fine. I feel very nervous. . . . .

Mud and Puddles

My entry isn't nearly as deep or religious as Carrie's, but I have to vent. I have somehow decided that now is the time to potty train #6 and Caboose. #6 is 5 and 1/2, operating near a 2 year old level in some ways, but I get the feeling that he understands a lot more than he is able to express. Caboose will be 3 very soon, and I guess I just figured I'd do them both at once. So far, #6 sits on the potty very cheerfully, happy to watch his little boy part do nothing. Caboose is more exciting. He has puddled the floor, the chair, and the rug and has muddied his undies several times. He has ALSO had several successes, which of course gives me hope. Before training begins, I am determined. I am strong. I can absolutely teach a child to relieve him/herself in the potty. Day one, I am sure that tomorrow will be better. Day 2, I'm wondering if I should have used pull-ups. Day 3, I'm cleaning the rug. Day 4...well....let's just not discuss day 4. Today, I am sure they can do it! Right? Why aren't you saying anything? Do I hear Laughing???

For Such a Time as This

We had a women's conference over the weekend and the opening speaker titled her talk, "For Such a Time as This." She was referring of course to Esther who was placed at the right time and place to save her people. It was a great talk, but I hadn't really given it much thought until this morning. Yesterday, mom-in-law's mom, Great Grandma D. fell down and broke her pelvis. Great Grandma D. is an amazingly lady, almost 92 years old, in very good health and a true matriarch of her family. She doesn't need surgery but is facing a difficult and painful recovery. She will most certainly need the care of her children. Mom-in-law spoke to me this morning and said she might be needed to go for awhile to help her sisters care for Great Grandma D. She expressed her gratitude that the Professor and I are here to help and that she knows she can go whenever she is needed and we will take care of things here for her. (Dad-in-law is super busy with the legislature right now and will be for atleast another month.)
I was thinking this over as I got ready for my day and the words, "for such a time as this" crept into my mind. It made me glad that we have moved to Metropolis and are able to help and even glad (I have to take a deep breath and admit this) that we are still living here with the in-laws. Who knows but we are still here, able to help and to serve, for such a time as this.
Wow. If I don't watch out I might inadvertently stop begging God for whatever I want, like a spoiled brat, learn to trust Him and might even (gulp) learn a little patience. Whew.

what to say, what to say

I am having trouble blogging because I have a million things running through my brain and I don't know which of them to discuss.
Should I mention that I am about 26 weeks pregnant but I feel more humongous than I ever have in my life? This is the 4th time, so everyone tells me it makes sense that I'll be bigger, but this is getting a bit ridiculous in my opinion.
Should I mention that my Smallville house has not had any offers even though 2-3 people look at it every week? What are these people doing? Toying with me? That I have lived with my in-laws for 60 days and counting? I tried doing positive affirmations like my sister recommended so I say to myself, 'the house has sold at a good price in a timely manner and we are buying a lovely new home' but it only makes me anxious for it to happen. Every day I think, maybe today, and I'm checking email and carrying my cell phone around all day like a maniac.
Should I mention that my four year old Buttercup has started pooping her pants every day twice a day and I can't figure out how to make her stop it? I am currently revoking all treats and tinker bell underwear in an effort to get her to control herself again.
Oh, this sounds like a list from a complainer doesn't it. Truthfully, making the list makes me laugh. Of course I know all of this is going to turn out just fine. That is, if I don't make myself crazy thinking about all of it before it has a chance to resolve itself. . . .

A New Chapter

I was thinking the other day, that it seems as thought our life has started a new chapter. The past 20 years have been filled with having babies and changing diapers and buying/upgrading housing and now it seems we have turned a corner. Baby making is over for us. The Caboose is almost 3 and while he's not moving out today or tomorrow, he is definitely not an infant any longer. Our oldest is about to graduate from high school (cross your fingers) and everyone but Caboose is in the public school system. It's a big step for us. TGH just changed jobs, and it feels like we've somehow turned a page. The next 20 years will be full of kids leaving home (cross your fingers) and growing up. Instead of planning for home buying, we're focusing on retirement planning and college and weddings. Instead of teaching babies to walk, we're teaching them to drive! How's that for scary? And sometimes, I look at TGH and wonder if we are the same kids who got married 20 years ago. His hair is thinning and graying, my hair is graying, too. We both have a few more wrinkles and I am sporting some serious stretch marks. But here we are, still very much in love, and just as serious about our marriage as we were when we kissed across the altar 20 years ago. He is still very handsome, and I can't picture being without him. Welcome, chapter 2 in our family history! I can't wait to see what happens!

How you know...

How you know when to keep your child(ren) home sick from school:

1. When your 12 yr old coughs, it sounds like a 50 yr old male smoker on a Harley.
2. When your 5 yr old coughs, you feel like he should balance a ball on his nose next.
3. When the 11 yr old walks, she bounces off the walls like a pinball machine.
4. When the words "flourescent" and "green" don't do the boogers justice.
5. When you are a white family...but your kids are green.
6. You can't remember if your daughter had freckles...because you don't see them.
7. You notice they might have a temperature...the marshmallows in their cereal are toasted.

How to know when to send your child(ren) BACK to school:

1. You send the girls to bed and find them at midnight styling each other's hair.
2. Your son is bungee jumping off his bunk bed.
3. The kids are arguing about whether or not Sponge Bob is funnier than Tom and Jerry.
4. Your daughter is jumping up and down in front of you singing, "This is like summer vacation!"
5. You are hiding in your room so they will stop asking if you think their jokes are funny.
6. Your son wants to know how babies are made.
7. You start to wonder WHY babies are made.

Pick it up and eat it, or trash it?

At the doctor's office the other day (my 24 week visit) I was watching a mom across from me who had two little girls. She got out a little bowl of animal crackers to feed the younger one. Of course, the little girl started to make a mess, so the mom tried (very heroically) to save the mess by strapping the little one into the stroller. Alas, her valiant efforts failed and the crackers flew all over the place. She called her older daughter over, pronounced all the crackers as trash, scooped them up and tossed them back into her bag. Her bag was surprisingly small, by the way, for all the things I saw her pull out of it. She whipped out a new snack (some smarties) and the little girl was still happy but it got me thinking. Would I have done that? I think I might have let my kidlets keep eating the crackers. But it was the doctor's office after all, lots of foot traffic. So maybe I wouldn't have. You know the five second rule- the Professor was actually telling me that he read there is some truth to that. If you pick the food right up, it really didn't have time to get dirty. I want some feedback on this, what do you all think?

I realize I never followed up on Blossom's Nintendo addiction. After reading the article that a couple of you kindly led me to :) about the dangers of too much playing (especially on girls) I had a nice talk with Blossom. We decided she will only play for a short time on Saturdays. I explained to her that it wasn't particularly good for her brain. She has responded AMAZINGLY well. She has not asked me to play one single time, except for last Saturday morning, which is perfect, because that is the new rule. I am very proud of her and frankly surprised that there hasn't been more whining. Yay for an easy parental hurdle!

More Job Posts

So, today, TGH started at his new JOB. It was fun getting him off to work. Yay! A couple of hours later though, I missed him. Hmmm. How silly is that? We are ecstatic about the job, but there were those 2 months of 'together' and today he was all gone. I even teared up! Sniff. So, he called at lunch and I asked, "Well, how's it going?" "Fine." he answered. "What have you been doing?" I asked. "Work." he answered. "Do you like it?" I asked. "Sure." he answered. So, basically, I now know nothing about his new job. Are all men like this or is it just mine? How can you be out of work for 2 months, start a new job in a far away place (this is his first time commuting to a job...40 miles!) and not have anything to say?? When he got home tonight, I asked a few more questions. The only new information I have is that there is a lunch room so would I please pack him a lunch.

Here's some new info...I have started a small daycare in my home, going so far as to apply for a daycare license. The city came by yesterday and did a business license inspection which I failed because apparently, my stove could fall on us at any moment and kill and or maim us. Better strap that sucker down! No way can I have a wild range roaming around looking for someone to trample! Seriously, I have a hard time believing it would fall. Just the other day, #6 got the door open and was climbing in the oven and the old range was taking it like a man. Just stood there, letting the kid crawl all over him. Why would it fall? Range rage? Sorry. Couldn't resist.

I do have one little daycare baby. The little 3 month old girl with spina bifida I mentioned last month. She is an Angel. So we'll call her that here. I started a brother and sister today, they will only be part time. My money goal is to earn the house payment.

Job!

Job, job, job. TGH has one. Has a job job job!!! I love those jobs. And now, my very own TGH has one. Job, job, job! Love those things:) I am smiling and not even worrying about anything else for the entire rest of the week! I believe that may be as long as I can go without worrying. I am doing the 'TGH-has-a-job' dance. It's got a lot of hip in it! Lots of shaking and twisting and a minor amount of bouncing (I did give birth 7 times...can't go too crazy with the bouncing). We're going to break open some Martinelli's and have a party. The official 'TGH-has-a-J_O_B' Party! I love those things. JOBS!

The kidlets are all feeling better, well mostly. Little Bubbles doesn't have a fever or anything but I can tell she's just not quite right.
We (me and all the sick-os, including the Professor's little sis) stayed home all weekend. Mom and Dad-in-law were out of town and it was almost like having our own home and space again. Needless to say, I loved it. I am really getting to know the Professor's little sis (she's 12) pretty well. She is funny and helpful. I am surprised by the cute things she says and she makes me not too afraid of the pre-teen and teen daughters that my girls are going to become.
That is pretty amazing if something stops me from fearing the future for two minutes. :)
Here is a small example of her cuteness. The other day we were talking about movies. She is all into being scared and I remember being like that, so I rented "Watcher in the Woods" for her. (Not too scary and not at all disgusting like other "scary" movies). Anyway, all of the sudden she says, "And what's up with JAWS? Shouldn't that movie be like 15 minutes long?" I thought this was so funny and it just kind of took me by surprise. I have known her since she was four so it's neat to see her mind working like that and watch her turning into a grown up.

Breakdown

Ok, so I had a mini-nervous breakdown on Sunday. I say "mini"... I would prefer you didn't ask TGH what his take was. It was dumb, and unexpected. I was just done. Done being the grown up. Done being the responsible one. Done being the supportive, cheerful, upbeat one. Done being happily broke and unemployed. I wilted. Well, wilted is understating. I didn't explode, but somewhere between screaming and wimpering was where I landed. I cried, but did not smack anyone. You know the place. Later that night, I decided a hot bath and a cold dish of ice cream was the answer. Halfway through the tub fill-up, the hot water gave out and when I stepped into the bubbly depths, it was tepid. Hmmm. I emptied half the tub, thinking I had misjudged, but no. Hot water all gone. So I got in anyway, and began eating my mostly melted ice cream in my lukewarm bath. Not really feeling it, I must say. TGH opened the bathroom door and informed me that the washer machine had made a terrible noise and now the laundry room was full of smoke. I raised one eyebrow and asked, "Is that all you got?" He said, "Well, yes." I said, "Come back when you've got gushing blood. Smoke does not impress me today." He shut the door, I finished the failed dessert, removed myself from the failed bath and went to bed. I hear the washer needed a belt.