ooops!
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Wednesday, July 06, 2005
We are in training...
We are in training this summer. Toilet training that is…. A most difficult, stressful time for both the trainee and the trainer! So I think I can be forgiven when I succumbed, in desperation, the other day to bribing 2 and a half yr old Emma.
“Emma!”, I said in a conspiratorial whisper.
“If you go pee in the pottie – you and I can go to the gas station and buy a treat – a candy!”
Apparently my whisper was more of the stage type as our 4 yr old, solidly toilet trained, jumped up from his train track engineering and shouted;
“Oh, I will doe pee Mummy! I’ll doe to duh baa-woom!” And before I could respond, he was in the bathroom and …. well, you can guess the rest. Pulling his pants up, his round blue eyes lit with expectation he said; “Ohtay Mummy – I weady to doe to the gas hation!”
Inspired, Emma climbed up on the toilet, and tried very, very hard. Sadly, without any success. Did we go to the gas station? Yes – to get some pop for Emma to drink in hopes that a fuller bladder might help. And it did – we just didn’t make it to the pottie in time… Oh well – we have the whole summer to go! Say a prayer though, please! Read more!
“Emma!”, I said in a conspiratorial whisper.
“If you go pee in the pottie – you and I can go to the gas station and buy a treat – a candy!”
Apparently my whisper was more of the stage type as our 4 yr old, solidly toilet trained, jumped up from his train track engineering and shouted;
“Oh, I will doe pee Mummy! I’ll doe to duh baa-woom!” And before I could respond, he was in the bathroom and …. well, you can guess the rest. Pulling his pants up, his round blue eyes lit with expectation he said; “Ohtay Mummy – I weady to doe to the gas hation!”
Inspired, Emma climbed up on the toilet, and tried very, very hard. Sadly, without any success. Did we go to the gas station? Yes – to get some pop for Emma to drink in hopes that a fuller bladder might help. And it did – we just didn’t make it to the pottie in time… Oh well – we have the whole summer to go! Say a prayer though, please! Read more!
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Cleaning up...
Well – as I suspected there was a party lurking about and it did pop out and we had a blast! I managed to sneak off for a nap with the baby under the guise that she needed some quiet time to nurse. However – while she had a feast for an hour, I did not get that much coveted nap. The 2 year old noticed, followed up behind us and stood there bellowing and knocking on the door.
Once I gave up on the idea, and passed a very full baby off to another set of arms, I caught up my wallet, begged the car keys of my 19 yr old son and headed off for the local grocery store. Remembering that the handle on my stove had finally fallen off, I immediately asked hopefully at the bakery counter if they had a sheet cake in the back - minus all decorative icing. “No ma’am, we sure don’t.”
Sigh. 'Oh well,' I thought,'back to plan A, we bake cupcakes and decorate those. I will just have to manage the oven door for Anna.'
She is our current cake baker. Of course, when I got home I realized I had forgotten the decorations for the cake and the cocoa for the icing.
While the cupcakes were issuing lovely odors into the kitchen, I quickly slapped 15 huge burgers together, and unwrapped the 12 “dogs”. The others happily tore open bags of chips and quickly dumped them into metal bowls, and we all carried the feast out to the porch where the electric grills were plugged in and waiting for us. Given our gas barbeque is in need of maintenance and, as such, on holidays, this was our only option. Call me crazy, but I find food cooked outdoors tastes so much better – even if it is only on an electric frying pan.
I plopped a burger onto one of the grills in my outdoor kitchen and awaited the pleasant zizzle… Nothing, not even a zzzzz. I looked the hot dogs, cold and wet on their grill… They too were silent. Hmmm. I checked the plugs and wiped the sweat from my brow wondering why I was doing this when I could be using these same cooking utensils in my wonderfully cool kitchen. ‘Because,’ I grumbled to myself, ‘I want a BARBEQUE and barbeques are done outside in the heat and the flies’. So I gritted my teeth and stomped into the garage to check the fuse box. Everything looked good except for one fuse…. # 30. Yup – plug in on porch and downstairs bathroom lights…. Flipped it back and we were in business. Until I heard a strangled cry from my husband.
“Christi – the cat is eating the burgers…”
Shoot! I dashed back to the porch, where said culprit was long gone, and meticulously examined the meat. No bite marks that I could see, no fur. Whatever had my husband been talking about? Likely she did not more than sniff them, and at 4.19 a pound I was not about to waste a scrap of meat!
Soon there was a lovely sizzle and then we were all happily chowing down on burgers, chips and dogs! A traditional July 4th meal if there ever was one. We even had a surprise guest join us. A real party now, guest and all. And there were still the cupcakes to go, which I suspected was about all that was going to end up in Emma’s tummy since she was too busy chasing the flies and commanding them to "tay off, tupid fies" and yelling at them that "Dat's mine" to actually eat any of the food she was defending!
Finally we were all satisfied and I sat rocking Elsa on the porch enjoying a soft breeze while the kids raced around chasing each other and generally just having fun. Emma suddenly announced “I wanna baf.”
"Later hunny, everyone’s busy, we can’t watch you in the tub right now."
“I wanna baf.... Peeeeease!?”
I spied the old metal tub we had brought with us from the old house, and had a brilliant idea…. Read more!
Once I gave up on the idea, and passed a very full baby off to another set of arms, I caught up my wallet, begged the car keys of my 19 yr old son and headed off for the local grocery store. Remembering that the handle on my stove had finally fallen off, I immediately asked hopefully at the bakery counter if they had a sheet cake in the back - minus all decorative icing. “No ma’am, we sure don’t.”
Sigh. 'Oh well,' I thought,'back to plan A, we bake cupcakes and decorate those. I will just have to manage the oven door for Anna.'
She is our current cake baker. Of course, when I got home I realized I had forgotten the decorations for the cake and the cocoa for the icing.
While the cupcakes were issuing lovely odors into the kitchen, I quickly slapped 15 huge burgers together, and unwrapped the 12 “dogs”. The others happily tore open bags of chips and quickly dumped them into metal bowls, and we all carried the feast out to the porch where the electric grills were plugged in and waiting for us. Given our gas barbeque is in need of maintenance and, as such, on holidays, this was our only option. Call me crazy, but I find food cooked outdoors tastes so much better – even if it is only on an electric frying pan.
I plopped a burger onto one of the grills in my outdoor kitchen and awaited the pleasant zizzle… Nothing, not even a zzzzz. I looked the hot dogs, cold and wet on their grill… They too were silent. Hmmm. I checked the plugs and wiped the sweat from my brow wondering why I was doing this when I could be using these same cooking utensils in my wonderfully cool kitchen. ‘Because,’ I grumbled to myself, ‘I want a BARBEQUE and barbeques are done outside in the heat and the flies’. So I gritted my teeth and stomped into the garage to check the fuse box. Everything looked good except for one fuse…. # 30. Yup – plug in on porch and downstairs bathroom lights…. Flipped it back and we were in business. Until I heard a strangled cry from my husband.
“Christi – the cat is eating the burgers…”
Shoot! I dashed back to the porch, where said culprit was long gone, and meticulously examined the meat. No bite marks that I could see, no fur. Whatever had my husband been talking about? Likely she did not more than sniff them, and at 4.19 a pound I was not about to waste a scrap of meat!
Soon there was a lovely sizzle and then we were all happily chowing down on burgers, chips and dogs! A traditional July 4th meal if there ever was one. We even had a surprise guest join us. A real party now, guest and all. And there were still the cupcakes to go, which I suspected was about all that was going to end up in Emma’s tummy since she was too busy chasing the flies and commanding them to "tay off, tupid fies" and yelling at them that "Dat's mine" to actually eat any of the food she was defending!
Finally we were all satisfied and I sat rocking Elsa on the porch enjoying a soft breeze while the kids raced around chasing each other and generally just having fun. Emma suddenly announced “I wanna baf.”
"Later hunny, everyone’s busy, we can’t watch you in the tub right now."
“I wanna baf.... Peeeeease!?”
I spied the old metal tub we had brought with us from the old house, and had a brilliant idea…. Read more!
Monday, July 04, 2005
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
UNITED STATES!!
….and belated best Wishes to Canada, my native country.
We are caught betwixt and between these two celebrations. When we first arrived we celebrated both – we would have a cake with a Canadian flag on the 1st , and then watch fireworks, or have our own little celebration at home for the 4th. Sometimes we would join friends in a 4th of July barbeque.
These past years we have tended to pass over Canada Day as we became more comfortable as “Americans” and felt less of a need to hold onto our Canadian roots. In fact, to be honest, I am not as proud, as I once was, to proclaim myself as Canadian at this time in history. Canada is fast following in the foot steps of some European countries, in fact seems to be vying for first place for the most liberal laws. Today in Canada, if certain parts of the bible are read out loud in public – you have committed a hate crime. All this makes it easier to slide over the first of July, and insteadanticipate the 4th. Yet – it is not quite part of my make up – to remember that the 4th is a holiday.
BUT the kids remember – oh yes – they remember. I would like to say it is because of a deep sense of patriotism that we have managed to impart to them that leads them to feel this excitement. But to be honest, I think it is just the excitement and an excuse to celebrate.
I’m tired these days. Tired from helping to run a business, tired from sleepless nights, tired from endless dishes and schedules to follow and lesson plans to prepare for next semester. I’m more likely to look for an excuse to nap than to have a party. Yet, I have a nagging suspicion that if I don’t do something ~ a party tucked away in a corner somewhere is just going to pop out. So in an attempt to head it off and to try and somehow meet the kids’ expectations that today we MUST do something special, I am going to let them bake and decorate their own 4th of July cake. Allows a little mess, a lot of fun and after, something gooey, sticky and yummy to eat. And while the kitchen is filled with happy bakers arguing over whose turn it is to stir the batter, I will try to sneak away with the baby for a …. Nap!
….and belated best Wishes to Canada, my native country.
We are caught betwixt and between these two celebrations. When we first arrived we celebrated both – we would have a cake with a Canadian flag on the 1st , and then watch fireworks, or have our own little celebration at home for the 4th. Sometimes we would join friends in a 4th of July barbeque.
These past years we have tended to pass over Canada Day as we became more comfortable as “Americans” and felt less of a need to hold onto our Canadian roots. In fact, to be honest, I am not as proud, as I once was, to proclaim myself as Canadian at this time in history. Canada is fast following in the foot steps of some European countries, in fact seems to be vying for first place for the most liberal laws. Today in Canada, if certain parts of the bible are read out loud in public – you have committed a hate crime. All this makes it easier to slide over the first of July, and insteadanticipate the 4th. Yet – it is not quite part of my make up – to remember that the 4th is a holiday.
BUT the kids remember – oh yes – they remember. I would like to say it is because of a deep sense of patriotism that we have managed to impart to them that leads them to feel this excitement. But to be honest, I think it is just the excitement and an excuse to celebrate.
I’m tired these days. Tired from helping to run a business, tired from sleepless nights, tired from endless dishes and schedules to follow and lesson plans to prepare for next semester. I’m more likely to look for an excuse to nap than to have a party. Yet, I have a nagging suspicion that if I don’t do something ~ a party tucked away in a corner somewhere is just going to pop out. So in an attempt to head it off and to try and somehow meet the kids’ expectations that today we MUST do something special, I am going to let them bake and decorate their own 4th of July cake. Allows a little mess, a lot of fun and after, something gooey, sticky and yummy to eat. And while the kitchen is filled with happy bakers arguing over whose turn it is to stir the batter, I will try to sneak away with the baby for a …. Nap!
"Freedom finds its true meaning when it is put to the service of the truth which redeems, when it is spent in seeking God's infinite Love which liberates us from all forms of slavery. Each passing day increases my yearning to proclaim to the four winds this inexhaustible treasure that belongs to christianity: 'the glorious freedom of the children of God!' " --St. Josemaria, Friends of God, 27.--
GOD BLESS AMERICA
If any one cares to comment or leave a question, at the end of each posting there is a spot in tiny print that says 'comment' click onthat and you will be able to leave a comment - even anonymously , if you prefer.
Read more!
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Reflections...
Today we made our frequent pilgrimage to Pannera, following Mass. As I traipsed across the parking lot in our southern heat I caught a glimpse of myself as I passed window, after window. And I thought, somewhat sardonically;
“Hmm, it's good for me to get out – it allows to me to see just how much weight I have to lose.”
Of course, I am hoping that windows add width to one’s reflection, much like the t.v. camera is said to do. Having just having given birth 10 weeks ago I actually have quite a few pounds to lose, but am I really that big? I suspect that I probably am. I think I am going to go yardsaling soon for a bike. I’ll let you know how it goes!
(Cartoon by Anna, 11) Read more!
Ten of the Twelve
Here is ten of my brood of twelve - starting from the left, we have them in descending ages.
At the time of this photo they were;
Jennifer ~ 20
Jonathan ~ 19
Miguel ~ 17
Gabriela ~ 13
Anna ~ 11
Noah ~ 9
Benjamin ~ 8
Bethany ~ 6
Nathaniel ~ 4
Emma ~ 2
and number twelve was at, that time, still growing within! Our oldest was living in NYC and could not make it home for that Thanksgiving (04) We had just moved to this home in the weeks before, and had fun taking loads of pics, we were just sad that we did not have Amanda with us for them. (BTW if you click on the picture - it will open up to a larger view of it.)
Here is the newest addition to our family:
ELSA MARIE BERNADETTE - born April of 05. Currently the last of the trans generational kidlets...
Sadly, after Amanda came home last month to be introduced to her newest sibling, Elsa, all pictures of the her and the babe were accidently erased before I got them uploaded. The only happy result was that my husband (Possibly the guilty party???) bought me a new digital for my own use - not to be shared with the business any more! Anyway - no picture to post of the oldest yet. Not one anyway that she would not kill me for posting! Maybe this September when she hopes to come home again to play with her younger siblings and help out around the place we will get some more pictures of her and Elsita together. We all miss her esp. as she is an AWESOME cook! And I miss our daily teas! The time goes so fast as your children grow. I am currently using a snugli similar to the first I used TWENTY TWO years ago. Where did the time go to???
BTW - don't ask me why the photo of Elsita is pink ~ I don't know! Obviously a trick that my camera can play - I just have to learn how to manage it!
Until the next time... Read more!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Let me introduce my family - or at least a few of my dozen!
Hi – my name is Christi and I am ‘mum2twelve’! A nice round even dozen, and as my son who is eighteen, recently pointed out - my children are trans generational. They spread across three decades, the 80’s, the 90’s, and the 00’s. I had four between 1982 and 1987. When first married and asked how many kids we wanted - I would always say; “I want two girls, and then two boys; or two boys followed by two girls, whichever way as long as they are born in groups of two so they can have playmates. (And I want four, God.) However, I forgot to tell Him that I meant 4 children spread over 6 or 8 years, not crammed into just over 4 yrs! So when the fourth was born, and I was asked if he would be the last, I responded that at 25 I was not ready to answer that question.
However, thyroid issues ensued, so it took four years before baby number five joined us. Gabriela Elizabeth is a miracle baby. Not only should I not have been able to conceive her because of such low thyroid levels, I should not have been able to carry her to term. Contractions started in her fourth month. She was the first of our 90’s babies and was born on her brother’s 4th birthday. We continued on to enjoy another feast of babies during the 90’s, giving birth to 5 in that decade. By the end of that decade we had nine children, and we really didn’t think there would be more. However, in 2000 number ten, a delightful remake of our 18 yr old son, was born. Same Roman nose and curly red hair, only Tanny’s eyes are blue and he has a dimple! Temperament is not quite the same as Miguel’s either. Both are very handsome and that’s not just my opinion either. According to Tanny Paul, he is “han umm” and all other males in the family are “dood lookin”!
In fairly rapid succession Nathaniel Paul (Tanny) was followed by two sisters. Emma Louise Kathleen, and Elsa Marie Bernadette. Emma is currently 2 and a half and a huge burr in Nathaniel’s life. To such an extent, that he actually cried for three days when he learned that the sonogram showed that his next sibling would be a sister. He was devastated! I am sure in his young mind he visualized Emma’s tortuous twin being born ready to walk, talk and able tease him in conjunction with Emma. However – he is in love with his darling baby sister, now 9 weeks old and definitely not a tease. (Yet…)
(If you click on this picture of Jenny(21), Tanny(4) and Elsa(18 hrs old) it will open up into a larger picture)
The oldest four children are all busy with their young adult lives, but still very involved with their younger siblings. The oldest, now 22, lives in NYC but only for another 7 short days at which time she will move to Boston where she has obtained a wonderful job at Harvard. Amanda Caroline is delighted to be a faculty assistant to two professors in her favorite department, Literature. And better yet, these Profs specialize in British and American Literature, as well as poetry – all great loves for Amanda. As she recently posted – God is good. In Boston she will attend First Day meetings at Friends Meeting at Cambridge. This daughter has left her Catholic heritage behind, and joined the Quakers recently. While this greatly saddens all of our family, we pray that her journey with God will be blessed, and maybe one day bring her back to our beautiful faith.
My second child – also a girl (God got the pattern right for the first eight babies and then He got bored with it!) is only 14 months younger than Amanda and is currently interning at Room At The Inn , a home for unwed mothers. I saw it recently and it is a lovely home beautifully decorated, and very, very peaceful! A rather joyful place for a young mother in need of support to pass those wondrous, but difficult months of pregnancy, and then to begin her recovery from birth and journey to independence with her new baby. Jennifer Alicia, typically a 4.0 student, is also attending summer school while also waitressing in the evenings. She is a bubbly personality and full of energy, but sometimes I worry about burn out for her. But then that is part of a mother’s job – worry.
Our two sons Jonathan, 19 and Miguel, 18 are giving their summer this year to our family business. We are at crossroads and determined to make it to the next level, and hopefully begin to bring in sufficient profits to support our large family without requiring outside assistance, beyond prayers that is! We are praying hard for success. When my husband lost his job three years ago due to lay offs, he immediately turned a part time hobby into a full time business. We have sacrificed our home, taken our sanity to the very edge and back and still we are not quite there – financially. But I think our family is somewhat stronger from the struggles of the past three years. Definitely we have learned the need for prayer, the need for family and, most of all, how much we depend on God to get from day to day – even minute to minute.
Jonathan, when not working for us – is a student at Belmont Abbey College which is where Jennifer also studies. This fall Jonathan will be a sophomore, and Jenny will be a senior. Where has the time gone, eh? Miguel, because of a few learning disabilities will continue to pursue his high school diploma from home. In 2006, if the family no longer needs his help with the business, he will either leave for college, or perhaps the military. My heart stops at that thought, as every mother’s does! Another area requiring prayer as my son seeks to know God’s will for him.
Well – I am off to bandage one of the many invisible ‘ouchies’ that only a “band-aid” will fix. I wonder if the fellow who first invented the band-aid realized the miracle cure he was offering to mums across the world – sometimes surpassing even a mother’s kiss in its magical ability make it stop hurting!
Another day – perhaps tomorrow, I will catch you up with the younger crew. Until then – adios. Read more!
However, thyroid issues ensued, so it took four years before baby number five joined us. Gabriela Elizabeth is a miracle baby. Not only should I not have been able to conceive her because of such low thyroid levels, I should not have been able to carry her to term. Contractions started in her fourth month. She was the first of our 90’s babies and was born on her brother’s 4th birthday. We continued on to enjoy another feast of babies during the 90’s, giving birth to 5 in that decade. By the end of that decade we had nine children, and we really didn’t think there would be more. However, in 2000 number ten, a delightful remake of our 18 yr old son, was born. Same Roman nose and curly red hair, only Tanny’s eyes are blue and he has a dimple! Temperament is not quite the same as Miguel’s either. Both are very handsome and that’s not just my opinion either. According to Tanny Paul, he is “han umm” and all other males in the family are “dood lookin”!
In fairly rapid succession Nathaniel Paul (Tanny) was followed by two sisters. Emma Louise Kathleen, and Elsa Marie Bernadette. Emma is currently 2 and a half and a huge burr in Nathaniel’s life. To such an extent, that he actually cried for three days when he learned that the sonogram showed that his next sibling would be a sister. He was devastated! I am sure in his young mind he visualized Emma’s tortuous twin being born ready to walk, talk and able tease him in conjunction with Emma. However – he is in love with his darling baby sister, now 9 weeks old and definitely not a tease. (Yet…)
(If you click on this picture of Jenny(21), Tanny(4) and Elsa(18 hrs old) it will open up into a larger picture)The oldest four children are all busy with their young adult lives, but still very involved with their younger siblings. The oldest, now 22, lives in NYC but only for another 7 short days at which time she will move to Boston where she has obtained a wonderful job at Harvard. Amanda Caroline is delighted to be a faculty assistant to two professors in her favorite department, Literature. And better yet, these Profs specialize in British and American Literature, as well as poetry – all great loves for Amanda. As she recently posted – God is good. In Boston she will attend First Day meetings at Friends Meeting at Cambridge. This daughter has left her Catholic heritage behind, and joined the Quakers recently. While this greatly saddens all of our family, we pray that her journey with God will be blessed, and maybe one day bring her back to our beautiful faith.
My second child – also a girl (God got the pattern right for the first eight babies and then He got bored with it!) is only 14 months younger than Amanda and is currently interning at Room At The Inn , a home for unwed mothers. I saw it recently and it is a lovely home beautifully decorated, and very, very peaceful! A rather joyful place for a young mother in need of support to pass those wondrous, but difficult months of pregnancy, and then to begin her recovery from birth and journey to independence with her new baby. Jennifer Alicia, typically a 4.0 student, is also attending summer school while also waitressing in the evenings. She is a bubbly personality and full of energy, but sometimes I worry about burn out for her. But then that is part of a mother’s job – worry.
Our two sons Jonathan, 19 and Miguel, 18 are giving their summer this year to our family business. We are at crossroads and determined to make it to the next level, and hopefully begin to bring in sufficient profits to support our large family without requiring outside assistance, beyond prayers that is! We are praying hard for success. When my husband lost his job three years ago due to lay offs, he immediately turned a part time hobby into a full time business. We have sacrificed our home, taken our sanity to the very edge and back and still we are not quite there – financially. But I think our family is somewhat stronger from the struggles of the past three years. Definitely we have learned the need for prayer, the need for family and, most of all, how much we depend on God to get from day to day – even minute to minute.
Jonathan, when not working for us – is a student at Belmont Abbey College which is where Jennifer also studies. This fall Jonathan will be a sophomore, and Jenny will be a senior. Where has the time gone, eh? Miguel, because of a few learning disabilities will continue to pursue his high school diploma from home. In 2006, if the family no longer needs his help with the business, he will either leave for college, or perhaps the military. My heart stops at that thought, as every mother’s does! Another area requiring prayer as my son seeks to know God’s will for him.
Well – I am off to bandage one of the many invisible ‘ouchies’ that only a “band-aid” will fix. I wonder if the fellow who first invented the band-aid realized the miracle cure he was offering to mums across the world – sometimes surpassing even a mother’s kiss in its magical ability make it stop hurting!
Another day – perhaps tomorrow, I will catch you up with the younger crew. Until then – adios. Read more!
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