Introductions...

So, I have told you a little about the termites.  I thought it was only fair to introduce you to them so that you will know which one I am referring to since there are so many!


Let me start with Code Names and descriptions::

Ernestine::  The oldest.  The guinea pig.  The high-schooler who was born on the wrong planet and about 300 years too early for the type of space travel that she would enjoy.

Nellie::  The second.  The sass pants.  The middle-schooler who is a walking fashion designer.  A 25 year old trapped in a pre-teen body.

Oliver::  The first boy.  The Dude's shadow.  The elementary-schooler who should have been born in the age of Wild West Exploration and of building log cabins and such by hand.  Huckleberry Finn has nothing on this kid.

Herman::  The second boy.  The quintessential middle child.  Another elementary-schooler.  Mr. Sibling Competition.  The Energizer Bunny can't keep up with this boy.

Alfred::  The littlest boy.  Ever smiling and happy-go-lucky.  Related to Roly on 101 Dalmatians.  "I'm hungry, Mother!"  Also related to Mikey...they both eat everything.

Gertrude::  The first little sister.  The preschooler.  The only official Royalty in the family.  Most of the time her tiara is too tight.

Geraldine::  The baby.  Full-out toddler.  Adored by all.  The fat frog secretly disguising a monkey who can scale all obstacles.


This is the Bunch.

Termites.

Loved by Me and Him

Running away!

Yep!  Running away from home.  This whole post is about just that.

 Ever threaten to run away as a child?  Ever actually run away as a child?

I know I did.  I remember one time specifically when I was a child around 12.  I threatened to run away.  Packed a bag and got as far as the front door.  My mother stopped me and told me that I could leave, but I had to go as she got me.  With nothing.  Thinking I was so smart, I just handed over my bag and started to go around her to continue on towards the door.  Nope, she said.  I got you with NOTHING.  That means if you run away, you have to go naked because that is how I got you.

Shock!  Horror!  And a 12 year old who promptly stomped to my room and slammed the door.


I have never had any of my children tell me that they were running away, yet.  I have had a couple tell me several times that they were going to leave and go live with the Grands.  They all quickly realized that they wouldn't want to have to follow Grumpa's rules all the time!  Hehe!


Me, on the other hand.  Now that I am a grown-up, I do run away from home!  Or at least that is what I call it when I get to leave home with no children.  What else could explain that miracle, that phenomenon called...aloneness?

It is glorious, silent, intoxicating and weird!  I can't tell you how many times I have ventured out on my own only to have a panicked feeling when I can't figure out why I don't have kids with me.

Do you ever run away from home?  What do you call it when you escape mom-hood for a short period of time?

I currently have sick kids here and Dude just got home.  I think I may escape to Ladies Bowl Free at the bowling Alley tonight.

I know...exciting life, right?


Me

A Bucket List...

Seriously?  Who has time?

 I saw all of y'alls posts about bucket lists and not-so-bummer summer calendars.  

"Oh, how fun!" I thought.

The kids will love it.

I'll just whip one of those up and add absolutely fabulous ideas to it.  I pinned ideas on Pinterest.  I wrote ideas down on sticky notes.  I read blogs about summer ideas.  I spent hours.  And...



I didn't make one.




Yes, I said it.  I didn't make one.  Who has time to do all of that??  We were too busy enjoying summer to do items on a list and cross them off!  Pool, movies, playdates, camp and all the other fun stuff that 7 kids in one family creates in life!


I don't even have time to make a bucket list of my own!  The only thing on my list is raising these kids to adulthood.

Oh, and one day...going to the bathroom without interruptions!!!



Me

A little about Me, some about Him and a lot about Them...

So, I'm a mom, but maybe not a typical mom.  I believe in attachment parenting.  I don't believe in crying it out.  More than one little person has shared my king size bed with me and my dude.  I am a control freak who is constantly giving the Lord something to laugh at when I hatch one of my famous or maybe infamous plans.

I have this dude and we've been together a really long time.  He is patient (mostly) with all of my plan hatching.  He spoils me (like a lot!) and he generally lets me do what I am going to do and doesn't say no very often.  He snores, he works hard for our family and he frequently tells my kids yes to stuff because he forgets to check to see if I have already told them no.  But, he's cute and he can growl.  Gets me every time!

And then there's the Termites.  As opposed to rugrats or linoleum lizards.  We have hardwood floors...so termites.  And we have a swarm.  7 to be exact.  See why in my first post I said life was insane around here??  We are blessed with 4 girls and 3 boys.  Ages 15 yrs to 14 months.  I keep telling my 2 oldest that as soon as they leave we will have room for more!  Ha!  But seriously, we are still considering if there should be an 8 and 9 in our family.  I truly feel like there are still people missing in our family and God just hasn't picked them out yet.  All of our children came to us through a miracle of God, but I didn't give birth to all of them.  I am in awe and total love with every one of them.  From their differing looks to their incredible personalities.  Red, brown, blonde hair.  Blue, brown, green eyes.  Talkative, sassy, sweet, rambunctious, bossy.  They run the gamut.  They are entertaining, precious and exactly why I was meant to be a mommy.

So that's a little about Me, Him and a Bunch of Them.  Hope you stop by again soon!

Me

Welcome to the Insanity!

That's right.  This is my life and it tends to be totally insane.  I hope to use this blog to share things that are helpful to me.  To give insights to life from my perspective. To share funny anecdotes about this insane life.  And to generally just try to get it all down so it isn't crowding up useful space in my brain and causing stress.
 
Hopefully you will enjoy my ramblings, leave comments and I will make some new friends.  I like to think that I can write fairly well and sometimes I think I am really funny.  My posts will sometimes be written only in the style of sarcasm and other times in the faith and love that I have for the Lord.  Either way, I write with brutal honesty and am not afraid to show my true feelings.

So, that's the beginning.  Hope you stay along for the ride!!!

Me