More training needed

Setting: Church Kitchen, serving a special function.
Mom pleased Leah is such a good little helper to the ladies league.

Mom is refilling lemonade when looks up to see Leah batting her eyelashes to line cut, and get a plateful before all the men in suits take all the good food. Mom has the sense to take her out of line, but not without her protesting that she wants a potato and SOUR CREAM. Partial plate back on the kitchen counter and a quiet lesson in polite serving of our guests, and yes that means there might not be enough left for the servers. The ladies are supportive, however some smiling... that yes the women here eat last... but there is always enough food.

So much for this PW to learn... explaining the role of being a lady to a Pastors daughter just jump up in high priority. This includes not licking out her little sour cream cup! Later she was such a great little help with cleaning off tables and wiping dishes.

Later from Dad
"Leah come up to me and said she was so jealous of me sitting down to eat. She had ham and corn, but couldn't eat it". :-)))

I wonder if the Ladies League has a special "Miss Manners for PDs!"

Communication

Dad observes Maleah has a new airplane, that looks like one Luke owns. Luke suddenly has money that is burning a hole into his pocket until can get to Target.

Dad.... "Luke did you sell that airplane to Maleah?"

Luke... "NOOOO, I gave it to her"

Maleah... "Only after I had to give you money"

I am still barely able to hold back giggles.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2010

BACK THEY GO.... BACK THEY GO!

This is a perfect description of how they felt!

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde


No sleeping in on our vacation. We left very early for every minute we could spend at Mesa Verde. No, I haven’t developed a sudden love of Cliff dwellers, as fascinating as the sites are… Steve and Wendy from Sem. City drove from their home in AZ to see us. They graduated the year we left for Vicarage, so it has been 2 years since we have had a chance to visit. Steve and Wendy were also at our field church and were able to stay local for Steve Vicarage’s, we developed a close relationship for 3 years and miss them and their son, Dom. Dom couldn’t come, but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and touring the cliffs. We toured the Cliff Palace and it’s is fascinating that in 1200, natives could architect and build such beautiful, purposeful and strong dwellings. Life must have been rough, yet one can imagine the multiple clans living and surviving the harsh life there. We highly recommend this national park to anyone. The air is thin here, in Durango (6500 feet) and especially high in the mountains (8000 plus). I’ve needed my inhaler and lots of water and rest. It would help if I was thin…. But too late for that now! Besides Steve and Wendy, Ed’s Aunt, Uncle, cousin and her daughter(age 7)came as well. We had a wonderful time!



Mesa Verde

Dear Fashion Designer and Small Town store buyers,

Easter comes every Spring. And Easter clothes should reflect the same... that means light, happy colors. The blacks, greys, and deep purples are winter colors. Why does every blouse, skirt and dress (in my size) come only in black, grey or deep purple? Of course I did have the option of Alfred*Dunner outfits! And I briefly considered it's pastel Calla Lilies, until I realized I'd probably match an elderly lady at church! So This Pastor's wife is wearing a trusty black skirt with a deep purple blouse that has a fake dickey sewn in to hide cleavage (That is a whole other issue I could bring up!) But never fear, I have found a new friend in the pretty silky neck scarf! A whole wall full of options. I can find the deep purples combined with teal and a pretty pink and a little black... you know - Spring colors. Another plus with a scarf is hidden cleavage! So the Fashion world has figured out how to add another $12 to the price of an outfit to add color and cleavage control.

On a side note, with every store that I visited this week in small town mall's 3 department stores, plus the big box stores. I'd say to myself... "God does not care in the least what I wear to church, and even if my clothes are a dark color... what is in my heart matters the most. So true!!! Hopefully soon I'll be much more secure in my new role as PW.

Blessed Easter everyone!!!

Fun at school

Cody came to spend the past 2 days with us during his spring break. The most fun he had was having lunch with Leah and Luke at school. We had green eggs and ham. Actually, very tasty!! Then he was able to spend Leah's recess and Luke's recess times. Several 5th graders said that he is the best freeze tag player... pretty big praise for a kindergarten. When we went to say goodbye to Leah, her teacher asked us to wait until she unlocked her door. Oh MY.... some one trashed the room. Chairs and papers were scattered about. Shoes and school bags on the floor, and the kindergartners were appalled! Then they remembered a story the teacher had read about mischievous leprechauns! They even found tiny little muddy footprints. Leah's school is so fun... I wish I could go back to Kindergarten!

Does anyone remember....

The baby lion says..... squeak, squeak, squeak!!!! (when you push the stomach)

The Daddy lion says..... ROAR, ROAR, ROAR!!!

The Mama lion says......

Am I awake or asleep????

Warning.... Father in laws don't need to read the rest of the post!

Sound asleep... when attacked by my white bra!
Who put my bra next to my pillow?
Why on earth?

Push it away... just too weird!

Oops... just the rump of my white kitty and the other "cup" is the lamp shade. White kitty is very mad .... but I'll sleep much better!

More Snow

More snow. Newscaster is doing a leadin about a record being set.

Ed: We don't care about that! (very frustrated with another 8 inches to shovel)

Luke: Records are GREAT! Maybe lots of people will hear and want to move to Iowa!

I know for a fact 50% of this household would seriously consider a move away from this winter!! I would imagine the numbers are even greater for most of Iowans this year!

Mean Mom

I found one negative to our new home. Since it's Iowa (which we love!), our neighborhood is flat! Not all of Iowa is flat, but our neighborhood sure is ~~~ thus no sledding hills. Now I'm the mean Mom that won't allow my kids (and the neighforhood pack) to slide down our 7 foot deck steps!

Leah makes us smile (Luke would disagree)

Tonight we have my nephew Lightening Mc Queen spending the night. Ed and I were in the process of deciding the evening's events. A movie was mentioned, but there was quite a ruckus from downstairs. Lots of "buttons" being pushed between cousins. Leah and Lightening Mc Queen came up to tattle, and we mentioned that only kids that behaved would be invited to the movies. They both immediately turn to go back downstairs and we overhear Leah telling Luke. "Everybody that is nice to me gets to go to the movies". What a princess' perspective!!

Busy = confusion

Did I mention how much we love living back in Central Iowa? My in laws had a birthday party to attend about an hour away, so spent the night with us. The kids (even us big kids) LOVE having Grandpa and Grandma so close). Good Times!! Our church had planned a "get to know the Pastor and family" potluck, so the timing was great.

I'm blaming the stress of motherhood and the extra worry of cooking. Bible study was cancelled to allow for the cooking of yummy potluck dishes. But the kids still had Sunday school. I went home with R and M to cook Party Potato casserole. Since we had a little time, I navigated my in laws through a little detour downtown. All is great, until we try to open the front door, without the keys that are in Luke's pocket back at at Sunday school 15 minutes away. So back to church, and then I realized there was not enough time to bake the casserole, so off to Hyvee to buy a salad. My mother in law was such a dear to ask if I wanted her to come in. I hesitated just a sec, and then readily agreed... because I had no money!!! My father in law claims that "time with Patty is always interesting"! (((As a reminder... I don't carry a purse, because for 3 years in Seminary City, I traveled so many hospitals and only carried a cash card and my driver's license, in part to avoid theft.... but more likely to not leave a purse in one of the many hospitals. Trying to be a good Pastor's wife, I tried carrying a purse for 1 week until I left it in a city restaurant 3 hours away!!! Thank heavens I didn't have my little pocket wallet, as I didn't trust myself to not lose it! It did have my sorry excuse for a camera... ((still can't download to computer)), but had a memory card full of pics so am forever grateful to good friends Matt and Shelley for rescuing it =-)) Luke often carries the keys because my "Pastor's wife" dresses don't have pockets.

The third time back to church with my bought salad in a pretty glass bowl, I commented how well my father in law was navigating our new town!! There is a silver lining to all of my flubs!! Thanks R and M for being such great sports and so helpful!!!!!

The best part of the day was to come, such a nice dinner with our new congregation. I got my nerve up and talked to every single one of them... and am actually making connections and memorizing names. The food and house shower for us was such a wonderful surprise!! What a blessing these souls are!!! Maybe one of them can teach me how to sew a little pocket in my dresses, because my inlaws can't come to church with me every sunday!

Note to darling children

Dear children: We all know your mother is not a natural cook. Baking is great yes.... but not the same as cooking. We all know this!


For future reference..... When you see this plate,



Mom has actually thought about a plan, implemented this plan to prepare a delicious, nutritious, cost conscious and home cooked meal. This might have taken her all afternoon. You will not utter the words "YUCK" "I wont try it" "Why do I have to eat this", or vomit your bite (yes this has happened). You may do what Mommy did as a little girl and coat her meat in ketchup.



If your plate looks like this....



Feel free to complain all you want. But you won't because it is probably pizza, spaghetti, fish sticks or hamburger helper. You guzzle this right down, which doesn't hurt my feelings because it was probably decided a half hour before supper time.

On a side note.... when googling a picture of the dirt cheap plates I bought at the seminary for $5 for a microwave sized box full of these "just pretty" dishes that I liked..... I discovered a single plate sells for $18 on ebay. Wow. I gave away the salt and pepper shakers because they don't match "my real china" and I'd never use them with their little plastic stopper bottoms anyway. I should have googled them first. Oh well, since they are going to be used to highlight a whole afternoon's worth of planning and effort to "torture" my children, I'll probably keep them!

Out of a child's mouth

Leah passed her Kindergarten physical. She was very brave and only needed 2 nurses and her Mom and brother to hold her down for the blood draw. She was so proud of herself, so her Mom was also :-))).

She also passed her test. It had all sorts of fancy shapes and questions to check her fine motors and comprehension. My darling daughter actually answered her Dr's question of : What do you do when you are hungry? (acceptable answers were eat, make food etc...) My daughter told her new Dr. "I have to wait!" The doctor laughed and said that was a first! You mean there aren't other mothers out there that hate to plan supper and wait until the last minute?

Still "can't help myself"

Remember this post


Just a little trip to Target to find white shoes with velcro for gym results in:




and




It's a good thing Target doesn't sell

Random

Apologies to neglect this little blog again. I'd be surprised if I ever keep faithful readers! To those out there... Many, Many thanks!

* House buying is proceeding nicely.... Praise God! Right now closing is July 13 and I am buying carpet for one room that will be slash Ed's office/my craft -scrapbooking area, and guest room. The room is pretty big! I want to buy nice soft and warm carpet. But it's in the spilt foyer basement. I am really hoping it will never get water.... decisions, decisions.

* The children are accepted into the private school. Again Praise GOD!! They have tried out the playground and gave two thumbs up. They are not ready to talk about the classroom yet.... if they bicker anymore though, I'll be checking into summer school.

*2 weeks of swimming lessons start tomorrow. Leah's hair is left down without braids to allow for daily rinses from the chlorine. Good Mother-daughter bonding times ahead! I'll have to be renting lots of princess movies!

* We enjoyed our small town celebration days. The parade was wonderful.... until I was hit in the right eye by a carton of chocolate milk. Yes, when you live in a dairy town they throw out milk.... Too bad it wasn't ice cream! But they did hand out rootbeer floats yum! Leah loved the horses until they left a deposit in front of us..... thank goodness for the clean up crew! And we got to see BMX demonstrations and super skateboarding! I'm praying for no broken bones until this fascination period is over.

* Right now I'm packing and cleaning closets, woodwork as a go; sending my husband to Pastor camp, and planning for ordination details. Back to the boxes!

Healthcare reform at Patty's expense!

Did ya hear how they plan to fund healthcare reform by taxing sugary drinks?

Do you think I should
a) quit
b) switch to Diet DP
c) beg for a medical waiver as I need the medicinal effects in the morning to clear the nights allergies?
d) get a second job


You might see even less of me..... I'll probaby be working more =-) ADDICTION IS A PAIN!

p.s. Off to seminary city with the family to graduate Ed. YEAH!!!!!!!

The pressure!!

Wouldn't ya know my washing machine dies on the weekend I buy Leah "days of the week" underwear. I have been avoiding that pressure for months, and now the machine dies and the serviceman has the "flu". I had to be sympathetic for him with all of the swine flu paranoia. But, I NEED A WASHER by Wednesday night... or we will have one crabby 5 year old without the correct undies. Or this Mama will have to go back and buy the Hello Kitty undies that I should have bought in the first place.

The pain of chores

Mom - "Leah, it's time to come in. Tell your friends goodnight."

Leah- Mom, I want to play more, I'm not tired.... we are playing tag and pretending to play house.

Mom- "you need to finish cleaning your room now"

Leah (Drop to the floor in sobs.) "but my arm hurts"


Mom - "Then use your other arm."

Leah "But my legs ... oh and my feet"

Poor child needs to have her limbs amputated. Can you feel her pain? Her awful mother doesn't.

I love being close to these 3!!!

My sister, S, aunt J and the 3 C musketeers came for a weekend visit. I was all set to take some night time feedings, but after the one o’clock, her “baby meowing” over the monitor was waking Ed (who had to preach at 8 AM.) So I moved the monitor to her Mommy’s room and didn’t her the nighttime party my sister and her daughter had until it was shared with me in the morning!

If you remember, the crib leaving left a serious case of baby desire. Miss Princess and Little guy have fixed that. I can love them, spoil them, and give them back at bedtime! I am too old and too set in my middle aged, mother of school aged children routine. My sister makes beautiful babies, I’ll just fix my baby cravings through her!
We had a wonderful visit, with some highlights….

We all went to my Mom’s grave and did spring cleanup. The 5 year old’s had lots of questions about the Grandma their Mommies keep speaking so lovingly about. They really didn’t get that Grandma is in heaven with Jesus, but her body is in the ground under the pretty red gravestone. We talked about the special part that made Grandma, the Grandma who would love them. I shared with that I believe… S and I had to wait so long for our babies, because Grandma J just didn’t want to share them with us! She was holding and playing with them in Heaven. Leah listens attentively and then announces to Lightening McQueen (also 5), "SHE LOVED ME BEST!". Oh my, I told her Grandma loved all her grandchildren equally. I could have pointed out that since Princess was the last to come to earth... Grandma held her longest. (I can't wait until my husband reads my take on this.... I'm sure theology is much different!

After the cemetery, we went to revisit the small town Aunt J grew up. S and I also have great memories of our Dad's childhood home until it was sold when I was 10. I was across the street, taking pictures of the fantastic job the latest owners did. And the owner came out to ask me why.... I explained who I was and that my aunt was so interested in what he had did (it really was awesome) and he invited her in!!! The new family was so interested in the history and stories of the house, that they benefited also. I stayed with the babies (all 5) and we went to the park I played at 30 plus years ago! Many good memories.

Then we took the kids to a cousin's farm to see the cattle. The kids loved the cows. It made S and me realize exactly what city slickers we were raising.
**Luke was swinging a dried corn stalk.... and commented what weak Bamboo it was!
**Lightening McQueen and Leah were holding their noses... despite us telling them it "smelled like money."
Princess slept through it all...... But Little Man... all 2 years of him.... wanted a big cow. All the way home.... "Cow, Cow... peaz cow". Maybe Grandpa will get a little farmer yet.