Here Chickie Chickie

I have always wanted chickens.  I think it all came from watching Cinderella when I was little.  Do you remember how she did her chores in the morning & would sprinkle out corn for the chickens and mice while singing?  I wanted that.  And now, I sort of have it.  However, I sprinkle out Cheerios in the morning (or afternoon or whenever they are fussy & it's not actually a meal time) while singing yawning and my little chickies come-a-crawlin'.

 

Chicken Feed

 

 Warner

 

Crews & Warner

 

Warner & Maverick

 
 

Crews, Warner, Macky's Leg

  

 Warner

  

 Maverick

  

 Crews

  

 Crews, Maverick (standing), Warner

  

 Crews & Warner

  

 Crews

  

 Crewsie Bug

  

 Warner

 

Maverick

Here Chickie Chickie~

ML

Where Did I Go?

1.  Chris has been away at beach camp.

2.  My aunt has been here helping me hold down 

(and paint) the fort.  

Surprise honey!  

(He wanted it done.... just didn't want to do it himself)

3.  The babies haven't been sleeping well.  

They know their Daddy is away! 

So, any other extra time that was not consumed with paint was 

consumed with sleep.

Chris should be home soon & I can't wait to smother him with kisses!!!

I'm Sorry & Tuckie Song

I wanted to capture 2 precious stories about Harper tonight.  

First one :  She was having a hard night with lots of melt downs.  (Did you know that a 2-3 year old girl and a 12-15 year old girl have accelerated brain growth during these ages?  Hence all the meltdowns & difficulty controlling emotions.  Read it in a book & can't remember the name of the book right now.  Just gives some insight & understanding as to "why").  Anyway, the brain growth doesn't excuse her behavior.  She just has to work a little harder (ahem, I have to work a little harder to train her) in how to get these crazy emotions under control.  So, she was having a night where she just couldn't get it together.  I finally decided we were going to put her to bed.  She was screaming like I was torturing her.  I had her sit alone for a bit to calm down.  Then, I made her tell Daddy she was sorry for her behavior & then tell me she was sorry.  Having her make the choice to say "I'm sorry" instead of just repeating it after me was precious.  You could see the wheels turning in her little mind.  She kept taking a deep breath like she was going to say it, and then she would look up to the sky, look around, lick her lips, take a deep breath again, and finally, she forces out "I'm ssssssss"  "I'm sooorrrrr"  deep breath, look around, deep breath, "I'm sorry mommy and daddy for way I acted."  And then my heart just melted like butter as I scooped her up and told her I forgave her.  I realized I had a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father feels when we truly repent.

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Second Story:  Harper & the boys have been watching a Baby Songs DVD about Animals.  One of the songs is about a chickie.  It is her favorite.  We usually have to watch it about 3 times in a row.  If not more.  So tonight, I asked her what she wanted me to sing.  She very intentely and expressively (with hand motions & all - she completely talks with her hands, rolls them over and over each other when she is very deliberate on getting a point across.  So very grown up and stinkin' hilarious) ...so, she told me "Tuckie Song"  "Tuckie Song" "Tuckie Song".  I kept telling her I had no clue what the Tuckie song was.   I called in Chris & he said he thought she was trying to say "Chickie song," but when I asked her if that was it, she said no.  I told her I would sing some other songs instead.  

After Jesus Loves Me, she sits up and says Tuckie Song.  

Then, after the Birdie Song (a song about a bird singing praises to God), she sits up and asks for the Tuckie Song.  

After Tell Me Why, she asks for the Tuckie Song.  

That's when it hit me.... she wanted me to sing "Sleep KenTUCKY Babe."  It is so funny that she remembered what this song was because I don't usually sing it to her.  I sing it maybe once a week.  This is a song my great-grandmother sang to my grandmother who sang it to my mother who sang it to me who sings it to Harper.  It has the most soothing tune, and if I could play it for you I would.  As I sang I felt her little body relax.  I then was able to pray over her, and put her into bed sound asleep.  I can't remember the last time I sang her to sleep, and tears come to my eyes as I wonder if this will be the last time I actually am able to hold her and sing her to sleep.  I know I probably will when she is sick, but singing to a healthy child is much much different than singing to a sick one.  I treasured tonight with every piece of my heart.

Kentucky Babe

"Tuckie Song"

(as it is now known in our house) 

this is a very old song & I've changed the words a bit to nullify any racial innuendos

Skeeters are a hummin' on 

the honeysuckle vine

Sleep Kentucky Babe

Sandman is a comin' to

this little babe of mine

Sleep Kentucky Babe

Silver moon is shinin'

from the heavens up above

Bobolink is pinin'

for his little lady love

You is might lucky

babe of ol' kentucky

close your eyes and sleep

fly away

fly away kentucky babe

fly away to rest

Lay your sweet, curly head

on your Mama's chest

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

Close your eyes and dream

Sweet Dreams ~

Mary Lindsey

Father's Day 2010

We had fun celebrating Chris on Father's Day. He had a lot of meetings that day getting ready for camp, though.  Harper made him a sweet card that I've put in our treasure box. 

We got to go out that night since JoJo (Chris' mom) was here.  We went to Target and Sonic.  I asked him what was his favorite part of being a father.  

He said for right now it is coming home and having the boys and Harper crawl all over me when I lay on the floor.  Hearing them laugh.  

 Harper's voluntary kisses (not the ones when I ask her to kiss me).  Laughing at all the funny comments Harper says. Hearing Harper say I love you so much. 

Happy Father's Day, my Love.  

You are THE BEST!

Wordless Wednesday: Reading Time

Nimber Dis?

This is how Harper says "remember this?"  She constantly says it and I love it so much.  Anyway, just wanted to see if y'all "nimbered us" since I just kind of fell off the face of the internet.  Just had to take a break as we recouped from sickness and surgery.  Crews pulled through with flying colors!  We are all healthy and getting back into normal life routine.  However, in case you forgot..here we are:

 Mom & Dad

 

Harper

 

Crews

 

Warner

Maverick

I have enjoyed my blogging break.  I'm baaaaaccccckkkk!  :-)

~ ML

Teaching & Prayer

Tonight I was putting Harper to sleep.  I always ask her what she wants to sing.  

She said, "Gospel Bible Songs"  to which I about fell out of my chair laughing.  

(It is a DVD that she watches, but I didn't know she knew the name of it.) 

So, I asked her what song she wanted to sing to which she said, "like a tree planted by the water" just as serious as can be.  

So I sang, "I shall not be, I shall not be moved.  I shall not be, I shall not be moved, 

just like a tree planted by the water I shall not be moved."  

I tried to explain to her that song comes from the Bible, which is God's word.  

(side note: another Gospel Bible Songs Favorite is B-I-B-L-E, but she calls it the H-A-R-P-E-R, Harper is my name song. I'm telling you, she is hilarious!)  Anyway, back to the explanation of the other song...I told her about the Psalm that says :

Psalm 1:3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
       which yields its fruit in season
       and whose leaf does not wither.
       Whatever he does prospers. 

To clarify, I asked her, " So, this song is God's Word to us.  What is God's word, Harper?"

Her answer:  The moon.

Uh, still have some teaching to do.  

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Would you pray for my little Crewsy bug tomorrow morning?  He is going in for surgery to repair a hernia.  Not 100% sure they will operate as he has been sick this week.  He also had a good ol' case of the hives tonight.  Hoping it won't interfere with surgery tomorrow.

Thanks~

ML

Itchy

Last night I went to sleep at 11. 

I woke up at 12.

No baby was crying.

My hands were on fire and itching like crazy.

I put them in cold water with litle relief.

I woke up Chris.  Poor guy was out cold, but I couldn't think of what to do. 

We decided to google extremely itchy palms/ hands. 

And for the first time, google was no help. 

It didn't even make me think I was dying .

One statement said that itchy palms = money coming your way. 

Uh, thanks, but all I want is to go to sleep.

I coated my hands with hydracortisone cream. 

No helpie. 

I got on Facebook & posted what was going on hoping someone would help.

A few friends suggested benadryl. 

I took some, but was up 3 more hours until 3AM thinking about not scratching. 

O the torture.

I finally wrapped my hands in cold wash clothes & the benadryl kicked in.

Chris let me sleep in this morning to 9.

I was so excited when I opened my eyes and realized my hands were not itching.

But wait, my tummy has a little itch.

Now my arm does.

Hmmmm, that's funny.

So does my foot.

Aaaaahhhhhh, my whole body is itching!!!!

Hives were everywhere.

I went to see the doctor & she basically said that the hives were the end of the virus we just got over. 

Crews had some too, but we didn't know it at the time ~ we thought his eczema was just acting up.

He is much more strong than I am b/c he really wasn't even that fussy when he had his!

So, now, I am taking some allergy meds and I also have a topical steroid to slather on my itchy spots.

Hope this doesn't last too long!!!

~ML

PS... I hate that all my posts are about sickness & crumminess lately.  I guess it is part of the "snapshot" i'm trying to take of my 100 days... when one family member gets sick... it just kind of trickles through the whole family.  Hope to be back up to par with cheery posts soon!

I Need A Bath!

Hey Mom,

I really need a bath!
 

Yeah, Mom, me too!

Sissy is in the tub.

Poor girl can't get a moment's peace. 

I don't like bath days because they are such a task, 

but I love the results!

~ML

In Honor of the Wolrd Cup...

Here is a little clip of the boys playing 'soccer' with Daddy. You also get an *awesome* glimpse of Harper's attitude which is about as awesome as the sound of the 'bee' horns blaring at the World Cup. I now know they are called vuvuzelas (thanks to my brother-in-law, Will).

To all you moms out there... what do you do about your child's whining? It gets on my last nerve. I do not want to have a whiny child, and this takes diligence. I know a lot of it is attention seeking, but still, it is not right. I am going to re-read Shepherding A Child's Heart by Ted Tripp again. I read it when Harper was at the endearing age of 8 months old. Thought I would "prepare." Yeah, that was back when I thought I knew it all and she was so sweet & endearing (she still is... just has her moments -which seem to becoming more & more frequent). So, please pass along your advice...

Also, after a sickness, do you, too have to start at square 1 on re-training with behavior? Or is it just our family?

Here's to a great week!
ML

PS... we are all on the mend. I'm getting in bed RIGHT now, and hope to be asleep by 9:45!

Thank You!

Thank you all so much for your prayers!  Everyone seems to be emerging out of the sickness.  Harper's fever finally broke after day 6, Maverick finished his breathing treatments, Warner & Crews still have the crud, but seem to be on the mend - no more fever, AND....everyone slept through the night for the first time last night!!!  

But, now I have it.  So, I've been lying low the last day, and am hoping to recoop by the time Chris has to go back to work on Monday.  Mom has been the BEST help this past week - she kept all 4 by herself one night, gave all 4 a bath, and has been the feeding queen!  God really does provide when we need Him to.  

Thank you so much for all of your prayers!  I will get back on the 100 days today or tomorrow!  

Love,

ML

In the Trenches

No post yesterday, almost no post today. 

Everyone is sick and we are doing what we can to keep our heads above water. 

Will continue the 100 day post ASAP (this is important to me...but my babies are more important!)

Please pray for all four of them.  And for us.  Thank you Jesus that mom is here! 

Love,
ML

I am a hero & I am blessed.

I woke up after Chris had left to go on a mission trip for a few days in Nashville.  I had my quiet time with Jesus and then fed the boys.  As I was changing diapers & playing with the little guys a GIAGANTIC spider came creeping out from underneath our couch. 

I froze.

The boys started crawling right towards it.  I tried to throw a pillow on it like a dummy.  It crawled right back under the couch.  I was in full heebee jeebee mode.  I snatched the boys up & strapped 'em down tight in their high chairs.  My hands were shaking as I gave them waaaaaaayyy more cheerios than they needed.  I couldn't risk any distraction.  I tiptoed around the couch looking for my nemesis. 

Didn't see him. 

I tried calling Chris, but knew he was trying to load middle schoolers up in the vans.  I tried calling my sister & her phone was off.  I contemplated going to wake up my neighbor to come find and kill this spider. 

But then,  I called my mother.  The one who passed this fear along to me anyway.  She was on her way to the airport to come see me (yay!)...I was so jumpy & had gigantic, uncomfortable chill bumps.  I didn't know what to do.  I didn't know how I would survive the rest of the day.  What would I do with the boys?  What would I do with Harper? 

I was trying to figure out how to kill the thing, when he just marched right out onto my hardwood floor.  I squealed & ran to find a shoe.  My mom was on the phone the whole time telling me phrases like, "he's more scared of you than you are him!"(uh, I don't think that is possible)  and "Mary Lindsey, you can do anything for your children"...LOL! 

I looked, got as close as possible, and threw my shoe at him.  (yes I threw it... I couldn't squish it... he was way too big!) I missed.  Dang it!  So I ran to get my other shoe.  I looked, got a teensy bit closer & threw with all my might.  I screamed.  I killed it!!!!! 

The boys were laughing at me.  Oh well.  I then proceeded to scrape the spidy's guts off my kitchen floor with a spatula.  It was the longest thing I could find. A spoon was just too close for comfort.  And there was no way I was going to pick up it's body with a paper towel.  Oh, I shudder thinking of it. 

Now all is well in the Blanton household.

So, to all those spiders out there who read my blog... stay away.  Send word to your relatives.  The Blanton house is NOT a safe place.  The end.

******************************************************************************

A precious friend and her daughter (Sarah & Katie) came and blessed our family today.  First of all, they called this weeked to see if there was anyway they could help me with this week.  They offered to pick my mom up from the airport.  Katie, who is 11, even went inside and held up a sign she had made that said Grandma DeeDee!  How precious is that?!  Once they arrived, they loved on sick babies, folded my laundry, cleaned my kitchen, straightened up my play room & living room.  My heart felt like it was floating on clouds.  I actually got to take a shower & get ready for Macky's 2nd doctor's appointment.   I want to remember what a blessing it can be to do something so very simple for another person.  Nothing has to be extravagant... just giving of your time and energy to help another human out.  I too want to bless others. 

Have you been a hero this week?  

What is a blessing you have recieved that you hope to pass along?

********************************************************************************

Children update:

H- still has a fever with no symptoms.  Have to wait atleast 72 hours before the doctor would see her.

W - low grade fever today & very yucky diapers

C - He's just bein Crews :-) 

M - had to go back to the doctor b/c he is wheezing so bad.   They put him on a breathing treatment every 6 hours.  The doctor thinks this is related more to allergies & asthma.  Weird.  The breathing treatment actually worked.  He said they usually don't for kids M's age. Poor little guy.  Oh, and I had to get more antibiotics for M b/c I spilled the whole container all over our floor just a day after having it.  Awesome.  

Okay, that's it.  I'm sleepy.  

Love & sweet dreams that do not include spiders~

ML

It's only 3:00 pm?!?

Harper has had a fever of 103.7 just about all day long.  Well, when she was dosed with tylenol, her fever would go down to 101, but right around that 4 hour mark, it would shoot right back up again.  The weird thing is that she acted fine - at one point she asked if she could dance.  I said yes, and watched as she hopped all around the living room.  I just don't get how little kids can do that.  Other than her random bursts of energy, she was a little droopy and tired with sad, weak little eyes.  I held her a lot today.  She was a human toaster.  

The boys were very fussy.  When all of them are fussing, I kind of go into shut down mode.  I just stand in my kitchen with my eyes glazed over not knowing what to do.  I have to will myself into planning mode to tackle what needs to be done first.  Anyway, Maverick's fever is gone - yay!- but he sounds like he's been smoking for 80 years.  Poor fella.  Warner is much better, too, but my lands, he can whine.  More on him in a little bit.  Crewsie bug has been hangin' in there.  Hoping the fever bug passes him by!  

I am tempted to go take pictures of my downstairs.  It is ridiculous.  I feel like a slob, but today has been one of the hardest working days I've had in my life.  

And now time for the story of the day:

At bedtime tonight, W & C were screaming like there were raccoons in their cribs.  So, I went to get them up to see if they could burp (usually the problem).  Chris had just left to go to the store, so I was stuck with 2 screaming babes.  I decided to bring them into the play room to see if they would burp.  They played (and burped) for about 10 minutes.  

I got a little whiff of something when I went to pick the boys up.  I changed C's poopy diaper, then realized I was still smelling it.  

I went over to W and found poop on the floor, down his legs, all over the front of his outfit, on his hands, and under his fingernails.  

I thought I might pass out.  

I quickly picked up him, very carefully, and placed him in the bathtub fully clothed to contain the mess.  I washed my hands & tried to wipe off his hands before he put them in his mouth.  

I had to put Crews down before I cleaned up Warner.  C was not a happy camper.  

 I was just finishing up bathing W when Chris came in from the store. 

I told him he had perfect timing by escaping the poop fiasco.  

Anyway, that pretty much sums up our day.  Fevers and poop.  

Tomorrow is a new day!  Praying fevers will be gone!

Love & Health~
ML

Bullet Point Post.{44}

• Went to the Farmer's Market today & picked up our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) with Harper. We got a basket full of squash, onions, cabbage, turnip greens (don't know what to do with these), and strawberries. Harps & I immediately started eating the strawberries. They were the best I have ever had... they seriously melted in my mouth! We also got fresh eggs! Our flowers will have to wait, though. The flood took lots of them away. But, we will get some soon!
• These are some eggs I got at the Farmer's Market last week.  When I took one out of the fridge, you can see how "fresh" it is... there is a little feather on the left one!   I LOVE it!  Just wish I had chickens in my back yard! (You have to look really hard.  I thought I had focused in on the feather when I took the pic, but lo & behold the focus thing keeps on baffling me!  I need my sister to give me more lessons!)

• Warner ended up with a fever today, too, but after his nap he is better. I think his is related to teething. I don't see any more trying to poke through Warner's gums yet... he still has 5. Maverick now has 6 & is working on 2 more. Crews has 5 & is working on two more, too.
• We just went for a walk & it is dad blame hot outside. I'm hoping the heat tired everyone out. I know it sure did me. I could go to bed right now!
• And because this is a random post... ever wonder what to do with your leftover baby food jars? i know that there are about a billion ideas (my M.I.L. is a preschool teacher), but one I thought of all by myself (I know you are proud) is to let Harper use it as a cup. It teaches her to be responsible with glass (and if it does break... I don't really care)!
  

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Had to take a 5 hour blogging break to feed babies bottles and take temperatures (we currently have 3 of the 4 - excluding Crews - with fevers of 101) They are coughing and crying out in their sleep... so pitiful.  Kitchen is clean - check.  Coffee made - check.  Ready for Sunday - check.  Ready for bed - check check check!

Night y'all ~

ML

Meal Plan {43}

One of my weaknesses is meal prep. Remember this post? I LOVE to cook, but with four kiddos, I sometimes forget. I seriously could eat popcorn for dinner, but the rest of my family cannot. It is a terrible feeling when at 5pm I realize I have no idea what is for dinner. Everyone is hungry and cranky (including me). So, I decided to take the guess work out of it. This is what we are eating. I gave myself a few choices for dinners, but not so many that I get overwhelmed. Each meal takes me little prep. I will change it up once we get tired of it.



PS... I do a lot of my meal prep during nap time. It only takes a few minutes, and then I'm ready to pop our meal in the oven around 4:30 or 5.

A side note... would you please pray for Maverick? I had to take him to the doctor again today b/c he was running a high temp. He is on a different antibiotic now trying to knock out this bronchitis for good!

Hope yall have a good weekend! I'm looking forward to:
1. Farmer's Market in the morning! We get our first CSA of veggies tomorrow!
2. Chris returning home tonight (was out of town yesterday & today)
3. Church on Sunday (hope we get to go.. depends on the Mack Attack)
4. My Mom coming to visit on Monday!!

Love~ ML

Lipsh Solution

So, if you've been reading my blog for a while, you know Harper is obsessed with "lipsh" (aka chap stick, lipgloss, anything that resembles lip gloss, has sparkles, or smells like strawberries). She used to be just fine with chapstick, but my little chickie has gotten smart. Chapstick does NOT show up, so of course, she doesn't want that!

She found this lovely lip gloss the other day in my purse.



She wouldn't let it go. Revlon Coral Reef was all over everything... Baby Carol, Harper's knees, one of her bunnies, etcetera. I knew it wouldn't be long before it was all over my walls! I tried exchanging for another, less colorful lipsh, but she would have none of it. She was always looking for that lipsh. So, I had an idea. It did require a bit of a sacrifice. I had to really evaluate how much I liked Revlon Coral Reef, and I decided it did feel a bit too gritty on my lips. So, I sacrificed...


And, I have clean wall and one little girl who has her Mama's lipgloss, and still thinks it works! Genious!

(remember, this is Harper's smile.. not her angry face.)

My Kiddos Say Hi!

See how Harper and Crews communicate & get a lovely close up shot of each of my sweet lovies with some yummy green beans on their face (try not to gag.)

Love,ML

Wordless Wednesday : Saving Some for Later

To Change Your Day...

Today was really good.  Much better than yesterday or the day before that. 

Do you know why? 

Because I got up at 6 am, met with Jesus, and got ready.  All it took were those 3 simple steps and bit of sacrificed sleep to make my day incredible. 

Today was a house rescue day... where I tidied up and did lots of laundry.  I also went to my first Bible study in over 2 years tonight.  It is on generational sin.   We have to draw out our family tree/ genogram.  It is intense and going to rock my world. 

I've got to go to bed now in order to have another fantastic day starting at 6 AM!!!

Who would have thought getting up earlier than the fam could change your day THAT much!  It does... you should try it!

Also, Warner & Maverick are pulling up all the time now on chairs & couches.  Only problem... they get stuck & have to be rescued.  It is so funny.  You know what this means... we'll have toddlers soon.  Oh little babies, stop growing so fast. 

A Letter to My Blog {39}

Dear Little Blog,

I've been a bad keeper of you.  

I will get better.  

It's just the Lord has been stirring my heart with other things, and you, my little keeper of thoughts, have been pushed to the side.  

Do not fear, after a day of prayer and seeking my Lord & Savior, I am back.  

I will catch up later today. 

Love,

ML