Here we go again

Tess has her turn at ear tube surgery tomorrow morning. Oh good, because now she won't feel left out! This makes three out of four kids, and actually the fifth set of tubes (not counting Trey's adenoidectomy and my tonsillectomy from the same guy... he likes us!!). We're happy to get to this point. Her hearing is delayed, levels were even lower at her last appointment, and her eardrums have never vibrated since she was born. We're so thankful for the screening in the hospital that clued us in on everything so early! All of that to say that we're ready!

**Update on The Girl: She's doing great! It was a short night of sleep for the Mom, though! I woke Tess up at 11:30pm last night to give her one last feeding before the no-food-after-midnight stipulation. She did wake up at her normal 4:00am, but with a little work I was able to get her back to sleep without feeding her. I, however, stayed up to shower, get ready, throw a load of laundry in, write notes to my school boys, and get Tess's things together to take to the hospital. We left at 5:30am and I was amazed at Tess's disposition with no breakfast and less-than-normal sleep. She was so happy and kept smiling at all of the nurses! She played well and stayed awake the whole time while we waited until her 7:30am surgery time, only getting slightly sleepy towards the end. Afterwards, it took a bit of time for her to come out of the anesthesia. She couldn't keep her eyes open and cried on and off for about an hour. Eventually the drugs kicked in and she settled into a deep sleep. We got home before lunch and she ate great and seemed like her old self again. She's been sleeping a lot today, and I'm actually off to wake her up before she gets her schedule confused. Thank you all for your prayers! The Lord certainly gave us His favor in many little details of the day, and we're happy that she finally has some relief!

Now I'm a Believer...

This baby boy turned 6 years old in December. Can you believe that?! Let me just say that those sweet blue eyes and pretty eyelashes light up even the hardest of days for me. Trey truly is my joy. I tell him that often, and he crashes into me with the biggest hug every time. Trey came just 16 months after Jack, and his babyhood was sort of a blur to me. But what I do remember is that out of all of my babies, he was the least needy. And he still has the ability to do his own thing in a happy sort of way... well, most of the time! He bounces around and has a hard time being quiet, mostly because he is just excited about life. He is creative and artistic, and I said out loud the other day that "I wish I could dance like Trey". The boy has some moves, and a gift for music that I can't wait to see blossom one day. Trey cares about people, and cried the other night when I told him to be firm with a girl at school who has been picking on him (don't worry, she's only secretly in love with him!). He's the first to share or give up a turn for someone else. He makes a new friend at the McDonald's Playplace exactly 30 seconds after we arrive. He begs to read the Bible every night. And he gets his baby sister to smile like no one else can. Now, we're still working on the whining and not interrupting others, but he's come a long way since he started Kindergarten, so there's hope!

He's been six for a month now, but I still wanted to share some pictures from his party since we took the big plunge. You guessed it. THE Chuck E. Cheese's plunge. Now if you're a close friend of mine, I know what you're thinking. That the day would never come. The truth is that I've never been a big fan of this place in the past. Too many kids acting like crazies, the noise volume, and the never-enough-tokens-to-satisfy-any-child dilemma. Oh, and then there's the whole ticket system. Which gets you nothing, except for maybe a microscopic plastic spider for something like 1000 tickets. Which makes your child want more tokens. Are you sensing the cycle (and the humor!) here? And all the while I'm trying to teach my kids to be frugal. But suddenly I'm a believer. And I'll tell you why...

First of all, look at this face. That is one happy boy. And sometimes it's OK

that it's all about the experience, and nothing about what you take home with you,

except for a very happy kid.

Secondly, we scored big. I shouldn't let you in on my little secret, but we're all friends here and you deserve to know. If you book a party at 10am or earlier, the place is empty. Literally empty in our case until we showed up. Nice. We had our own space to be crazy (space which incidentally had doubled in size the day before, when they opened up the newly remodeled part for the first time ever. Twice the games, twice the fun! What timing - a total accident.). And, the best part.... any party before 10am on a Saturday gets you DOUBLE TOKENS! That's right. Instead of each child getting 20 tokens, they got 40! Definitely enough tokens to get that plastic spider if you play your cards - uh, I mean tokens - right. I like this picture for two reasons: One, because Trey never put his tokens down when he was playing a game. Like someone (Chase) was going to steal them or something. And two, because the shot of Tyler in the background is totally hilarious. That's the Dad alright, feverishly feeding the ticket counting machine, after he had convinced all of the kids to pool their tickets together so they could get one big item to give to Trey for his birthday. Meanie.

The most entertaining part of the day might have been these two, who bought some tokens for themselves and then went back to buy some more. Not sure what Grandma Cain was saying here, but they were both a little competitive, to put it mildly. The party was over and we almost had to leave them there because we couldn't pull them away from the machines. And GrandDad. Oh yeah. He can dance with Chuck like nobody's business.

Now people, don't everyone show up at Chuck E. Cheese's before 10am on a Saturday morning. If you do, then I might be back at square one. :) Or, you might just get talked out of your hard-earned tickets. I wouldn't risk it if I were you.

Christmas in a blur...

...because that's how it felt! It was busy, fun, and tiring with four little people who definitely needed more sleep than they got!

We started off celebrating with Tyler's family in mid-December. Pa and Nana came for Jack and Trey's school Christmas program and stayed the weekend with us. I didn't even have all the stockings hung yet... I was waiting for Tyler to place another nail for Tess's stocking! Decorating went a lot slower for sure this year with a baby in the house.

Christmas morning at our house! Tyler had to work Christmas Day this year, but he was able to go in for the evening shift so we could spend the morning together. What a blessing!

Boys in their jammies! And, as of today... the living room still isn't cleaned up. Hmmm... Guitar Hero World Tour. Not sure if this was for the boys or for the Dad. Either way, these boys can rock. The Mom, on the other hand, has some work to do. I got kicked singing Michael Jackson's "Beat It." Can you believe that? I know, I was shocked too.

Tyler had some time off around New Year's, so we headed to Mom and Dave's in Fort Wayne for stop one of our trip. Trey got the circle sled that he asked for from Garrett and Natalie. Thanks guys... that's way better than a bunch of random weapons (scroll down to Jack and Trey's Christmas list post if you missed it!).

At Mom and Dave's. We're missing at least half a dozen kids in this picture...

Onto Dad and Kim's in Cincinnati for the remainder of our trip. This picture shows one of my favorite parts of Christmas at their house... the stockings (22 here in all - isn't that awesome?!)!

Thought this picture captured the chaos well! :)

Silly stocking stuffers!

Thanks so much to all of our families for housing, feeding and loving on us. We love being with you!! Your gifts were so generous, and now we need to get rid of some old toys to make everything fit!

We're still recovering from the trip... Tess got her first tooth the day after we got home (that explained a lot!), and Trey missed his first day back to school today due to a fever. Whew, we're pooped! Now, I'm off to try to find my living room floor again. Oh, and to buy some batteries.

Attempting the impossible...

Do you know the likelihood of six people looking decent in one picture? (and it wasn't always the kids' fault!)We were seriously lucky to get one where everyone was looking... (we really do have happy children!)

Most... looked like this! :)

(Thanks Phil and Sarah, for being SO patient with us!)

Merry Christmas, from our crazy family to yours.

Up on the Housetop...

... I would have taken reindeer, trust me. But they would have slid right off in the ice storm, and then they wouldn't have been able to eat the magic oats with glitter that Jack made for them in his class at school. For as sharp as that kid is, I can't believe that HE believes, still. I hope he doesn't read this. I digress.

So, at 4:30am yesterday morning we wake up to this tree falling into our yard. The neighbor's light flips on at the same time ours does, because it was that loud. It was still dark out so it was hard to see how much had fallen, but we were pleased that it missed the house, barely. Tyler decides to go ahead and get ready for work, anticipating a longer-than-normal commute. A little after 5am, the real monster hits with a huge crash, right on top of our roof. I ran to get the boys from their bedrooms, not knowing exactly where it hit. Ends up it landed on the third bay of the garage, puncturing through the attic and our upstairs bathroom. We have some roof, siding, trim, attic, ceiling, drywall, moisture issues, but in a very contained area.

The contractor came out today and temporarily patched the holes until our insurance guy comes out on Monday. We have fans and dehumidifiers going making our bathroom off limits, but the boys are thrilled about that since that means they get to take a bubble bath downstairs every night until it gets fixed! And I'm trying to not get too excited that they might have to paint my whole bathroom... that'd be a major bonus, since it's been needing a fresh coat for quite some time. Overall, we're some pretty thankful people. The top corner of the house behind the bathroom is Chase's room. I can live without my bathroom for a few days after all.

The Tree... a picture story by the Daugherty boys

"Yes, Whitney, I know you want to go get a tree. You've told me about a million times, but you're not breaking my 'Absolutely no Christmas decorating until after Thanksgiving' rule. I know it's only 19 days until Christmas, but I'm the practical one here, and we don't want the tree to die before the actual day. Anyway, I can't stay awake long enough to even think about it." - Tyler, slightly paraphrased, after working the overnight shift for seven nights straight.

"Do we have to get a tree, or can we just ride this thing all day?" "It's just me, Chase. And I'm really, really cold. But if you tell me to smile, I'll try really hard." "It's so cold, I hope that it'll never be cold ever, ever again. Ever." - Trey, showing off the five teeth he skillfully shifted in a sledding collision the week before. "When are we gonna get off of this thing?" - real words from Jack

"Dad says this is THE one, but it looks just like all of the other ones if you ask me. Either way I'm relieved. Did I mention that I'm really cold?"

"My favorite part was the grill. Not the tree, not the experience. The grill." - Trey, warming his hands, and getting his coat really stinky by the fire.

"Hey, isn't this the spot where my Mom peed her pants that one year? Nevermind that she was pregnant and Daddy was taking way too long looking for the perfect tree, and she was racing us in between the tree rows to pass the time. We'd be in trouble if we peed our pants. Hey guys, let's never let her forget that story, ok?"

"Hey, would you mind taking a picture of our family, fast? It's really cold out here." - Whitney, all smiles after coming out of the warm van with Tess for approximately 2 minutes to get a family picture, and right after reminding Tyler that it was a whole lot warmer right around Thanksgiving.

Tis the Season...

If you're like me, you can remember J.C. Penney catalogs. What fun it was to flip through that huge book over and over again this time of year, dreaming of what Santa might bring for Christmas. After much admiration, page corners were turned down, and wished for items were carefully and deliberately circled and initialed by all the kids in the house. If it weren't for the Internet and the environment, I'd probably still be pouring through that thing.

Well, apparently my boys don't need catalogs. One morning before school last week, they sat at the breakfast table (self-initiated) and deliberated for a long and hard while. They whispered back and forth to each other while Jack wrote as quickly as he could. I thought they were coloring and went about my business. They finished their breakfast and headed to the bus stop and off to school. As I cleared the table later that morning, I found this: You should know by now that I don't make this stuff up. I'm going to have to laminate this or something.

Not that the season's focus should be all about presents, but I'm all for getting something cool for my kids for Christmas. My parents did it. I finally got my dream come true in junior high I think it was... the 13 inch black and white TV. Oh, you got one too (but the real question is, did yours go to college with you?)? Then there was the year that I got everything Smurf. Don't ask.

Anyway, I think these two might be a bit disappointed this year from the looks of this list. We'll have to see what Santa comes up with.

Thankful

Oh yeah, I remember. I have a blog. I might have temporarily forgotten due to this sweet looking two year old (AKA Peter Pan). He is either recovering from ear pain or not recovering from a massive case of "I want my Mommy every minute of my awake life." Time will soon tell because the second set of ear tubes put in last Wednesday should fix the first problem. He is cute though. I thought I would just tease you with this hair shot of Tess, but then you would be mad at me. So...

This girl's latest passion is jumping! And if anyone can get her going, it's Trey! Every kid in our family has jumped in this thing, but Tess just might have the most spunk yet (that's my girl). Makes her spit up every time... I'd like to think that's why they put that convenient little tray on there. :) It's worth it though. The entertainment value beats out the clean-up.

Trey about missed the school bus last week because he ran back home to get his "Vote to be Drug Free" button. He's proud of that button alright. And if you smoke a cigarette, he'll tell you that it's not healthy, but "that's your choice." The kid has opinions about things.

Tess is really into her toys and her hands lately. Oh, and my chin, which gets chewed on constantly! No teeth yet, but I think we might be close! Her eyes cross a lot trying to focus in on things, which the boys think is hilarious.

The only one missing here is Jack, who left - without his Momma - for Florida yesterday. He is spending a week with Grandma and Grandpa Fincher at Disney World, and from the sounds of our conversation tonight, he is not missing me one bit! There is a different dynamic in the house without him. Oh, there is still a lot of noise from the three that are left, but definitely less intellectual conversation to keep me on my toes. Now Trey and I talk, but we talk about things like Guitar Hero and his imaginary brother Sam at his green house. Chase's voice goes nonstop, calling my name, quoting lines from Inspector Gadget, and singing "I don't wanna gain the whole world and lose my soul..." But if Jack were here today, he would have been quizzing me on past presidents of the United States or something. I should be thankful for the down time to study up, I guess. :) And thankful that he is having the time of his life.

Speaking of thankful....I am. Off the top of my head...

For my furnace that got fixed this week and for the reminder that I should be thankful that I have a furnace.

For clean laundry!

For my husband, who rocks in the kitchen and cooked, pretty much single-handed, an amazing Thanksgiving meal for eighteen people on Thursday.

For Tyler's job in this crazy economy.

For the Starbucks Non-fat Chai latte Tyler picked up for me on his way home from work today, because he heard how sick my voice sounded on the phone. Major points.

For four little people who remind me daily that life shouldn't really be that complicated, and who help me to take the focus off of me. Refreshing.

For a God who continues to pour out His grace and goodness in my life, in spite of my sinful self.

Oh, and for paper towel. I seriously could not live without this stuff. Shallow, I know.

What are you thankful for?

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Oh, Halloween

No costume purchases this year. We would have enough dress-up clothes to last us until Halloween 2020, if they didn't grow, that is. So with all of the variety that we own, tell me why, oh why, did we end up with two Spidermen? That one sure does want to be just like his brothers.

The crazy Trick-or-Treaters, led by Dad the Viking (oh my). I have no words. (He actually wore this to work for an office party.)

I love this shot. The Viking pushing the stroller looks so natural.

SRS Post #5 - Goodbye Summer

So, Tyler was off for Labor Day and I could feel the summer creeping to an end (who knew we'd have 75 degree days in November?!). Summer goals were still hanging in the balance. But moral was high and there was one last hope for the bike riding. So our day went something like this:

Step 1: Set up the Spidey Slip-N-Slide to entertain the two year old.

(yeah, he's got the web-spinning down)

Begin in the backyard on the advice of our friends. Fewer injuries that way. But it was still a lot of hard work and not without some tears.

Trey takes off with a push from Dad!

Tess takes in bike-riding lessons from the Baby Bjorn.

We finally practiced on the road, and had to strap this one in. Doesn't he look innocent?

"When my mom is distracted taking pictures and my dad is instructing, I like to drink pop!"

The gear looked really good, and the attitudes started off that way.

My theory: Jack would much rather read a book on the subject.

Well, my faithful readers :), the series must end, much to my sadness. Fall is here for sure, and seriously, we've rewound our summer long enough, don't you think? Seasons come and go, and we might as well embrace the one we're in, I say (literally and figuratively speaking). Don't fight it, people, because just like the presidential election, you're not going to change it.

Every good parent has to have goals for their kids, I've decided. And speaking of seasons, these goals must change with age and maturity. So to keep things within our limited reach this summer, I came up with a few goals to work on with the boys. They had to be kid friendly for sure. Small kid friendly. And because I like success more than failure, they had to be somewhat achievable as well! So my list went something like this:

Potty train Chase.

Teach Jack and Trey how to tie their shoes.

Practice reading with Trey.

Progress Jack and Trey to strong swimmers by summer's end.

Teach Jack and Trey how to ride a bike.

Oh, and have a baby.

Easy enough, right? Well, first of all, poor Trey. Trey is 16 months younger than Jack, and to say that he gets lumped into Jack-sized expectations is an understatement. It happens often, though, and usually he is up for the challenge. So, with some work Trey can now read his Dick and Jane book and they both got bumped up two levels in swimming before the second day of lessons was over. Check and check. Chase miraculously potty trained himself in what I thought was a pretty poor choice of timing on his part... right after Tess was born. But, what a champ! This kid holds the record so far for the fastest potty training ever in our house! Within a week of beginning training, we were done with Pull-Ups completely and he's been dry ever since. No accidents, and he even wears underwear overnight. Triple check. And that baby? Uh, Check. :)

That leaves us with shoes and bike riding. Oh dear. Well, all I have to say for the shoe tying is one word: Crocs. They never left their feet all summer. They can put them on themselves. I had a newborn. I'm a slacker. Move shoe tying to my winter goal please.

In case you've forgotten, Jack is seven and Trey is almost 6. Yes, I know. Lots of kids have been riding bikes for years at these ages. Hmm. There are definitely great reasons why they've not learned to ride a bike before now, but it's still a bit embarrassing, I'll admit. Our driveway is crazy steep. No way any bike riding is happening there, although it makes for some great snow sledding with adult supervision. You can ride circles in the garage, but seriously, who is ever going to learn that way? Our subdivision has no sidewalks, and our house is right on the curve where it's difficult to see traffic coming. Does it count that I'm always holding a small child?

Well, we're half-way there on the bike riding, and you might be surprised who got it and who still has some work to do. Good thing there's always next summer. How much longer?

The Boilers Win....The Boilers Win!!!!!!!

I knew it could work! I don't want Chase to take all the credit....the coaches did have a couple of great play calls in the last quarter. But the Boilers broke the losing streak today! I decided rooting for Purdue wasn't enough -- it was time to dress Chase for the game....and if need be, send him in as quarterback! It was a thrilling victory. Sorry the streak is over, Michigan, but if someone was going to end it for you, I'm glad the Boilers could do it! Hail Purdue!!!!