B.I.G.

Jersey #5 appears to be the largest 2-year old in America.

When I took him for his well-child check-up, we learned that his height and weight measurements do not even fit on the growth chart. The nurse declared that she was just going to write "greater than 95th percentile" on his chart, and leave it at that.

So, when we tell him he is a "Big Boy," we are speaking the truth.

There is an emphasis on BIG.

3 feet, 2 inches tall

40 pounds


Our pediatrician joked that we may not be feeding him enough.

The good news is that his height and weight are proportional to each other, even if they are not proportional to his peers. He is healthy.

He is simply hearty as well.

I find it funny that the baby of the family looks like he is going to be the tallest of them all. There are tall genes in our families, so it will not surprise anyone if Jersey #5 grows over 6 feet tall by adulthood.

Crazy Hair

I consider myself to be a pretty tame being. My hair is a natural color. I do not have any tattoos. I have only 1 earring hole in each earlobe. I keep my belly covered (although, after being pregnant 8 times, I am pretty sure that no one wants to see my abdomen anyway...but that is not the point).


So, what does a Mom like me do when it is "Crazy Hair Night" at AWANA?




Well, I ask The Referee to run by the store on his way home and pick up spray cans of temporary hair color and glitter, of course!

Then, I proceed to color the heads (and some ears) of all of my children....as well as the others who are riding in my van that night...

Go Red For Women

Jersey #2 participated in a fund-raising event for the American Heart Association this month. She does some publicity work for them on occasion. We say that she is the cutest face of heart disease.

This time, she took us to the Go Red For Women luncheon. Go Red For Women is a national campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women, the warning signs, and how to seek prevention and treatment. The girls of our family were invited to attend the fund-raising luncheon for this event. (The boys decided that it would be more fun if they stayed home in their PJs and played video games instead).

We dressed up in fancy red dresses. I was proud of myself for buying dresses at Christmas time, when red was rampant in the stores. I bought the dresses on sale too! We felt like princesses.

Part of the luncheon presentation was a "Survivor's Fashion Show." Each heart disease survivor walked the runway, modeling red outfits from a local department store, while the MC read a short speech about their heart condition and experience. Each survivor was escorted by a loved one. We chose Jersey #1 to accompany Jersey #2, thinking that the girls would love to be runway models for this event.

Jersey #4 and I sat in the audience, enjoying the fancy luncheon.

The event was spectacular. It was fun. There was a huge turn-out. It was the largest crowd yet. 550 people attended.

And, we learned that Jersey #1 does not enjoy being in front of the crowd. She would rather that Jersey #2 keep the spotlight. She liked the outfit. She liked the food. She did not like being on stage in front of all those people. She developed a stomach ache and stressed about it for hours. She did a great job holding herself together for the fashion show. But, she is certain that next time she would rather be in the audience.

Jersey #4, on the other hand, decided that she liked the spotlight. One of the survivors motioned her on stage at the end, and she did an encore lap up the runway, with Jersey #2. They were adorable.

They actually ended up walking that runway ramp over a dozen times after the event ended, because they enjoyed it so much. I finally had to coax the older girls into changing their clothes and returning the fashion show outfits.

Then, we took a sassy model pose on the catwalk before returning home

Servants

Our church received the opportunity for a new ministry recently.

A BIG ministry.

We are a small church. Sometimes we worry that we are not going to have enough manpower to host a Vacation Bible School, so it still sounds crazy to me that we recently took on a rather large outreach to the homeschool community.

Yes, I said crazy. And, I am right there in the midst of the insanity. I am too busy. I am too tired. I do not have the time or energy for my current commitments. So, why in the world would I jump in with both feet to help our church in an even bigger ministry?

I volunteered to organize it.

Yes, I said it: Volunteered. I missed the first meeting, so I wasn't sure if someone was already slated to organize the whole transition. I was full of emotion and excitement. I could barely contain myself because I wanted to shout, "LET ME AT IT!"

Lucky for me, no one else seemed to want the job. When I told The Referee what I had just signed up for, he asked me how I get myself into these things? When I mentioned I volunteered for it, he asked me, "What were you thinking?"

At the time, I was thinking this looked like an awesome ministry opportunity that God had placed before us. I wanted to help. I wanted to serve. I wanted to utilize my gifts for Him.

I wasn't thinking about the time commitment, or the fact that I am way too busy. I wasn't thinking about how much work would be involved.

I thought about those things later. I was up to my elbows in sick children, falling behind in every aspect of my life. That is when I started to wonder if I had gotten myself in over my head.

Somehow, I managed to keep moving forward. I trusted that if God wanted me to do this, He would see me through it.

Then, I heard a song on the radio that I have now decided is my new motto and justification for being so busy. The song is "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson. This is the line that got a hold of me:

I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Pastor preached a sermon last week that truly inspired me. I was strengthened by the knowledge that my Faith will keep me strong. God will provide the way for me to accomplish what He asks of me. I just have to be willing to serve.

I am not alone. I have friends all around me who are willing to serve the Lord.

Serve the LORD with gladness (Psalm 100:2)

I am amazed by the number of families I know who are going through the adoption process, to follow God's call to care for the orphans.

I am amazed by the number folks who are raising money for various charities and people in need in their own church, in the local community, and all around the world.

These people inspire me. They make me think about my own activities. Am I serving with gladness? Is my heart in the right place? These friends help me focus and prioritize. Sometimes all it takes is their blog posts, websites, or Facebook updates to help me realize that if I am crazy for jumping in with both feet, then I am in good company. There are many other folks jumping in with both feet too.

I have been meaning to share the website of my friend, who is one awesome servant, so I will take the opportunity to do that here. Check Out Mavuno Market and help bring hope to Africa.

I Love You Too?

The children and I were discussing Valentine's Day and Love.

I said, "Happy Valentine's Day, children. I love you all."

Jersey #3 answered immediately:

"I love your food."

???

Hmm. Ok. Thanks, son.

The Gift of Language

This is my first attempt to post a video to my blog. I am excited about this one.

Jersey #1 was required to learn John 3:16 in a different language, for AWANA. She shocked me with the announcement that she wanted to learn the verse in Hebrew.

Hebrew?

Couldn't you try something simpler like Spanish? You know, something Mommy might be able to help you with?

No. She was determined to learn it in Hebrew.

She knew that our Pastor's wife studies Hebrew. She knew she could get the help she needed to learn it. She was right. She received help in finding the verse, and pronouncing the verse in Hebrew. Our church family is cool like that.

Then, she memorized it.

I stood in awe with my video camera poised to capture it all.

Then, we laughed as she stumbled over the verse in English, since she was so nervous and speaking so fast.

Yep, that is my child. My daughter who has a gift for language. She was an early talker and she continues to pick up new languages easily.

Now, she can recite John 3:16 in Hebrew. And, stumble over it in English.

Awesome!

Juggling Work and Family

This week marks 5 months that I have been working at my lab job outside the home.

Personally, I think it stinks.

I do not enjoy being a "working" Mom. For sake of argument, yes I know that all Moms work. Moms work hard. But, what I am saying is that I do not like the type of work that constitutes employment outside the home. It is challenging to balance work and home. It is a struggle to meet the needs of my family. It is exhausting. Instead of finding balance, I feel like I am simply failing at more things right now. I am spread too thin, and there is not enough of me to go around. My heart goes out to single Moms and to Moms who feel as though they have to work and have no other choice. That really stinks.

I like the lab. I like the job. I like my coworkers. I like the fact that it is giving us an income to pay those hospital bills and our consumer debt. My job is a blessing to my family in the way it is helping us meet our financial goals. Returning to the lab has helped me see what direction I would like my career to go, once my children are raised. It is not the job itself that troubles me.

Motherhood is a season. A short season. You don't get a re-do. It is so much easier to be home with the children than it is to be juggling a job and the children. It is not easier work. Actually, being home with children is a lot harder, and more exhausting. There is no sick leave. There are constant interruptions. Working in a busy medical lab is definitely a "break" compared to being a stay-at-home Mom. But life is easier when Mom is at home, caring for the children and the home. I have grown to enjoy that simpler life.

That was the first thing The Referee and I noticed when we made the decision that one of us needed to be home with our kids. At the time, we were both working full time, in our respective careers. We were attempting to balance marriage, parenting, and career all at the same time. It was challenging. Along came Jersey #2, oxygen, heart surgery, and the realization that she was not going to be safe in a daycare setting. Our priorities shifted. I had such clarity that the needs of my children trumped my career goals. The first thing we learned as I started staying home with our children is that 1) there was NO WAY I was going to get bored and 2) the ups and downs of life were simpler and easier to manage with me at home. A child could get sick, and it did not disrupt our schedule. I was home to take care of her. The Referee was able to work and build his career. We no longer had those battles over whose job was more important that day--who got to go to work and who stayed home with the sick child. The level of stress and chaos decreased significantly.

That lesson is confirmed again, as I am back in the workforce right now. This time, we thought we were smarter about it, because daycare is not an issue. I work when The Referee is home. The Referee works when I am home. There is always someone to care for the kids, sick or well. But, life is still chaotic. The parents are exhausted. The commitment of 2 full time jobs is intense. I do not know how families do this as a way of life. For me, this is temporary, and it is still kicking my butt.

I work in a field that is predominantly women. So, I started asking them about how they did it....how they found balance. I was shocked to hear them all tell me that they hated it. Not one of my coworkers enjoys being away from her kids. All of them tell me that they are exhausted and feel as though they are not meeting the needs of their families. It is truly sad to know they struggle with this too. Then, there are the older ladies whose kids are raised. They do not share positive stories about working when their kids were young. Instead, they are stuck questioning themselves and wondering if their kids might have turned out better if they were home with them more.

The Referee comforted my emotions when he shared with me his opinion. He said that he has no idea why some of his coworkers want their wives to work. He said that after having me at home for the past 7 years, the double-income way of life seems awful. Money just can't buy the simpler way of life that we enjoyed. We miss out on a lot of family time as we juggle two jobs.

He also reminded me of why I took this job in the first place: money. When you work solely for money, it is the hardest work to accomplish. The passion is missing. So, we sat down and looked at our budget, our family, and our priorities. We agreed that my working outside the home should be temporary....and as temporary as possible. We started with a 2-year plan. We are now looking at ways to cut that timescale down. The Referee inspired me when he mentioned that if we paid off our consumer debt, it would free up enough of our budget to feel as though we had my income without me actually working. That helped. That fueled me.

To be able to live financially free AND be home with my children, would be the most awesome way to live.

So, we tightened our budget even further, and I work my hours with gusto. Last payday I mailed the final payment to the Children's Hospital that treated Jersey #2. Our first debt eliminated! Oh what a feeling! We are on our way.

...on our way to bringing me back home as soon as possible.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day!

Or, I should say, Happy (Belated) Valentines Day. I am a day late.

Actually, it has been nearly 3 weeks since I have written a blog post even. I am way behind. It is not for lack of material. It is for sure that life has been blazing by. So, I decided to pull myself together and start with Valentine photos and stories, and attempt to work my way backwards to share about our busy life over the past month.


Granny & PawPaw sent the kids Valentine's cards in the mail. It is always a happy day when mail arrives from grandparents. There is just something about 5 identical-sized envelopes to get the kids to squeal. Granny has a tradition of sending a dollar for each grandbaby, stickers, and a balloon.

The balloon is a requirement for Jersey #3. Granny used to only include balloons for birthdays, until Jersey #3 wanted to know where the balloon was in one of his holiday cards. Granny also sends cards for the 4th of July, even though that is not a normal greeting card holiday. Jersey #1 once asked her Granny why she did not send her a card for the 4th of July. Ever since that day, grandbabies receive 4th of July cards.

We also enjoyed an afternoon of making Valentine's cards to send out to grandparents, and to hand out to friends. I let the kids pick out a box of valentines at the store, and they wrote their own names on them. The valentines that I mailed out made it ok. The Valentine's that went to AWANA that evening made it ok. The rest of the Valentines that were suppose to be hand-delivered over the weekend at basketball, church, and science class did not make it. Illness swept through the house, and we missed most of our regular activities.

This year, Nana sent Valentine's cards to the kids. Those bright red envelopes looked real sharp in the mailbox. The Referee and I joined in the squeals of delight this time, as there was a card and cash for us too!

The kids woke up Valentine's Day morning, to find a little heart of chocolates and plastic lip whistles for each of them. The Referee took this picture of the 4 awake children, before he left for work in the morning.

Jersey #2 and I were both sick in bed, and sleeping in.

This is how we spent Valentine's Day. Home. In bed. 4 out of 5 children and 1 mommy were sick with colds and coughs.

I am pretty sure we have spent the majority of the month of February in our PJs so far. We share the love....and the germs. I am SO looking forward to warm weather, airing out the house, and getting outdoors much more.