Did you say Octopus for Dinner?

My husband said, "You aren't expecting me to eat that for dinner, are you?" And those of you who know him are not surprised by this question-but-really-a-statement - and after 15 years of marriage I no longer take offense to this often heard question-but-really-a-statement (okay, honestly, I do sometimes still take offense, but that's a story for another day). And being the wife that I am, I informed him that this was only for the kids to eat for dinner - I was making him his own special dinner with no cheese, vegetables, or combinations of food that would be touching each other.
This was fun to do, and the kids really liked it. I had all the ingredients on hand and it has been an exciting addition to our menu. I make no claims for this being a healthy well-balanced meal.
And now for the recipe for Octopus, with pictures of course.
Take one pack of hot dogs and cut each dog into quarters.
Use one package of Angel Hair or Thin Spaghetti (the normal spaghetti is too thick). Take a few uncooked noodles and stick them through each hot dog quarter. The angel hair pasta tends to break easily, so make sure to hold the noodle close to the hot dog when pushing it through. The kids love doing this and of course this means that many of our octopus have more than 8 legs, but whose really counting?

Use the biggest pot you have, and boil them up!

Some of the kids like them plain, others with butter, and still others with sauce, but all 6 love to hear that we are having octopus for dinner these days!And I know you are all thinking, "Does that boy eat without clothes on too?"You're wondering, aren't you? If you are wondering, you need to ask Judy Beltz about the scene in the church lobby this past Sunday. That will answer your question.

Non-returnable, but Washable

It has been too long again. I have avoided blogging for several reasons, but I am back. I am currently, somewhat, unemployed...but it's all good.
And on to more exciting things. I love my children...and I am one of those parents. Let me explain...


















There is mud in the hair

















And between all the toes

























The pants come off without a care

But Momma, it's dripping from my nose!

Like a monster, we roar

And then of course,

Laugh some more

We slide

And dive

And say a quick cheer

but there are no pictures of cleanup and the hose that caused fear.

How I love Polka Dots!

It's been an eye-opening week, to say the least. For awhile now (well over a year, almost two), Scott and I have been specifically praying for God to move our lives in His direction, to open wide doors of opportunity that He would have us walk through, and not just close, but SLAM shut those that need to be. Yeah, we actually asked for that...and we are not surprised that He has answered. Doors are shut and opportunities have opened. He is surely causing some growth through this, and here's the thing I am most caught off guard by...our marriage is stronger, deeper, and closer (caught off guard because the whole thing really doesn't have anything to do with "us" or our marriage). I do not mean to be vague or cause confusion or suspense, but I am sure in the weeks ahead you will see what I mean.
So, I'll move on, but promise to fill you in when I can.
Something to just make you smile:

This boy is constantly moving or sleeping. He is just too cute and somedays it's this little face that keeps me going. I am overwhelmed when I think that this little guy was formed within me by God, flesh of my flesh, and that he grew within me for 36 weeks, and that every morning for the past 3 years, 10 months, and 11 days I have woken up to this mostly smiling face. For 3 years, 10 months, and 11 days - I have stared at this little face... and yet I missed it. Can you see it? Look closely.

Try a closeup. (I'll try to get a better picture soon!)

It's there. It's my "dimpled" little Asian boy. Right above the right hand side of his smile is where it appears. I can't believe I have missed this little piece of joy for so long. I am constantly asking him to smile for me - I am completely addicted and can't get enough. This happens only a million and one times a day:

Hey, Nonah...

Yes, Momma.

Please smile for me.

Oh NO, Momma! Not my Polka dot, again!

I'm not sure what makes me smile more - the dimple or that he calls it a polka dot.

Trying to Be Artistic

Mikey looking pensive and melancholy...not at all like him.
I actually got him to sit still for a quick picture and really liked how it came out.
















You'll usually find this boy going at 100mph, sweating and laughing it up.
Smart this boy is.





















Noah says, "Power to the People!"
Okay, really he's saying, "Momma, stop taking my picture!", but I hear "Power to the People!"

















And just look at this face. I love her lips...and that flip in her hair, LOVE it! (Scottie's hair did that too when it was longer)


I could just eat them up - all of them.

My Girls

Here are my baby girls. One, my first born; the other my sixth child - only a 13 year age difference. I love them both - they make my heart overflow with joy and pride.
I came across this wonderful blog that had this little project on it. She said it should take 30-45 minutes. I had visions of Gracie running around in 3 or 4 versions of this very cute dress in different fabrics.
Remember my love of all things domestic?
I'm still working on that.
My lack of sewing experience quickly dashed those dreams as 3 hours later I finally emerged from the dining room with my one lonely dress. But I do have to say, I am quite pleased with it.
And then Molly asked me to make her a dress with the same fabric! Though armed with no pattern and little skill, I felt I had to make her at least a skirt - honestly, this is my daughter who I have not been able to talk into a dress for at least the past 5 years. And Gracie couldn't have been happier to be matching with her big sister!



Yes, we still have an obsession with shoes. That scrumptious smile is because she just loves those sparkly shoes!

Yep, my two beautiful princesses.

These two sisters need to stick together, they've got four brothers to keep under control!

A 30 minute ride home

So, I read something today that reached out and grabbed my heart. Check this out. (Just click on the highlighted link). You will be immensely blessed and challenged.
This is my desire, my heart's cry. As I drove home from work today with:
- a precious 2 yr old singing her self-written song "BIIIIIIIIIBLE YEEEEEEEEEEESS!" at the top of her lungs,
- my all-boy 3 yr old telling me all about how he did NOT pee in his pants today - AT ALL, NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT, Momma!(over and over and over....)
- a certain 6 yr old who felt it was necessary to argue with his 9 yr old brother over who is being a bigger "pain in the butt" (After explaining that we DO NOT use that phrase, I told them that it could be a tie though since they were arguing about it)
- that same 9 yr old asking for the radio to be louder so that he didn't have to hear the other song being sung by that 2 yr old that he didn't know
- the "man" of the van, a certain 12 yr old, teasing his singing sister, so that she would scream the chorus of her song louder
- and of course a "slurping" 14 yr old that is spit-talking while she adjusts to a new expander, and driving her empathetic loving mother to a gagging nauseous state

Honor and glorify God with my decisions and reactions...that is what I am striving for today. I am sure that my challenges have just started, for dinner, bath, and bedtime are still to come. But I want to stand before my Lord and be able to say, "With Your help, I did my best to show Your love and care to each of these children that You love more than I do."

It's like Christmas Eve

Our day wasn't too bad. I went in to work today for my usual 4 hour day on Fridays. But our sitter, Cindy, was off, and with Scott gone, I was in somewhat of a pickle.
Five kids at work just wouldn't work. What to do?
This great family at church lives near my work and she agreed to watch the littlest three! Thank you Miss Deb,what a lifesaver! The kids couldn't wait to go! And no wonder, they got to go play at a playground and do sidewalk chalk, and drink bottles of water. They played so hard- Noah, Grace, and Jack all fell asleep on the way home!
The older two boys came with me, and somewhat occupied themselves with Legos. Dad, they say they need more and that a trip to the Lego store is in order.

These boys make me smile to no end! I love the way these pictures came out.
Just look at this smile - it's contagious.

And the sparkle in his eyes, just convince you he's after your heart.

Here's the latest hat I made for Gracie. I stuck a few of her star "pretties" on it to make it match her dress for the 4th. Aunt Jaci bought her this dress, and she loves it!

Oh! All the flash and paparazzi is just too much!

Here's what I got when I asked her to smile just for her Daddy. Too cute, huh?

She asked Scottie to come sit with her. Have I mentioned how she can get her big brother to do anything for her? Yeah, she's got him figured out.

I don't have any new pictures of Mikey, because he decided he wanted to go into the house. He'd had enough of the tadpoles and doesn't like getting his picture taken.

I can't wait till tomorrow! I know you can't either, just so you don't have to hear me whine anymore. It's the best gift ever, and all I want.