Season of Field Trips

This post really should be accompanied by pictures. However that would require a level of organization that I only dream about these days. With the three older kids in school, we have had many adventures this spring. We opened with a Kindergarten trip to the Montana Fish and Parks and Giant Springs Fish Hatchery. Apparently, Ella even tried on a bear skin. Mac, Fara, and I only joined for the hatchery portion. Do you have any idea how any times a five year old will comment on the smell of their surroundings? Let me tell ya! And I must admit the hatchery reeked. Next up, Ella, Mac, Fara and I joined Wyeth's class on a trip to Mrs. Henning's farm. Again, seven year olds will do quite a bit of commenting on the conditions. It also smelled to high heaven. Mrs. Henning showed us how to care for a horse but, brushing and saddling it. She also mounted the beast. It's difficult to make that look easy if you aren't in pretty good shape. There was giggling by some of the kiddos. Next we got to meet the pigs. Babe, the boar, weighs in at 1000 lbs. That is a lot of pig. We also met four piglets that were so cute. The first graders got a chance to offer the pigs a snack of donuts or cantaloupe rinds. My non-pork eating friend was horrified I would eat an animal that eats glazed donuts. I say she doesn't know what she is missing. Mr. Workin’ stepped in and attended the next 1st grade field trip to the Dinosaur museum in Bynum. I am so relieved he did too. I wasn’t excited to figure out what to do with the other three children. Bynum is a hour and a half away. Mr. Workin’ seemed to enjoy the experience. Maybe he can take it with all the other children as well. And lastly, Mac and I walked to the Fire Station with Fara and her class. It was short and sweet. The fire fighters where great with the kiddos. They got all suited up and reminded the students they should crawl on the floor and say, “I am here” when in a fire. Also not to be afraid! I love having so many children and so many fun opportunities with them. I also love being able to not have a job, so I am able to join the fun.

Mac

I haven't written much about Mac at all. As it turns out four kids is a lot, and I have fallen out of the habit of blogging with the management of all these little people. Mac has been the easiest baby. Either I figured out what I am doing, boys truly are easier, or (like I most suspect) God had a serious talk with him about how strung out this mama Mac has chosen really is. No matter the case, I can count on one hand the times he as cried and I didn't know immediately why because I was late with a necessity, like a fresh diaper, or meal. He has been a champion nurser and that keeps us crazy close. I have always by far been his favorite person. I have known all along he is the baby and my last chance at parenting an infant, so I have created a bit of a monster in some regards. He nurses on demand 24 hours a day. AND he sleeps with me. Two naps a day, and through the night, all depend on me being right there to nurse if Mac should stir. But he is a happy, friendly little guy that loves to explore and let even strangers hold him. He thinks he is a friend of all that attend Holy Spirit Catholic School and enjoys free rein of the ground floor when we are there. He knows that you can find a ball in the gym teacher’s office, a cookie in the kitchen, and a snuggle from the front office. His light shines bright. I hope you can all meet him someday.

Giving my power away...

This has become something I am pretty good at in my adult life. I feel like I let people dictated way too much. Mr. Workin' can wreck me with a look. The moms at school, the kiddos, and my family can also say next to nothing and it causes me to unravel. I ALLOW this to happen by not believing in myself enough. If I am questioned by my spouse it cuts me. Are there things you tell yourself that help you ward off these hurts? How do you make the voice in your head be the loudest one you hear?

Ramblings...

Life has been marching on. The kids are bigger and into more stuff, I seem to maintain a constant level of business without ever getting crazy amount accomplished. Mr. Workin' is stressed, that seems to also be a constant. Life never seems to get less complicated, that's for sure. If I am honest, I would say I struggle to appreciate this station in life. Marriage is tough with a houseful of little people, and the house full of little people make me crazy. So, that being said, I depend largely on my volunteerism and friends to help me sustain a feeling of worth. Ugh, as I read back over that last part it sounds sad. I don't want to sounds sad. I am not, I really just think it's the station I am in. I love, love, love my life. I love being able to give myself to my kids and their school. It's just that I am a lot of things to a lot of people and it's feels like too much sometimes. The shitty part of that… I’m not parenting to the best of my ability. I just was to get by. I want them to learn the hard lessons in life without sucking me dry emotionally. Life is life. I think I need to shift into a more gratitude centric way of thinking and I can shift what I am calling in.

Poor blog...

I am not sure why, I haven't posted more regularly. Those of you that blog, know that it's typical to compose posts in your head that never make it to the computer.
Maybe for lack of direction, I will go ahead and do a highlighted version of the last couple of months.
January is generally a dark and cold month around these parts, but this has been such a mind winter, Amy and I were able to walk on the reg, and had very little snow or ice to deal with.
February was equally warm and we walked our little hearts out. And so far March hasn't been great. I am wanting to keep things going, but for some reason I am not feeling it. A change of routine is probably in store, but what... With Mr. Workin' not here half the mornings, it's hard to get away.

My 7 year old...

We had a rough start to the school year this year with the Wy-guy. I have always known he is quite bright and willing to work to learn. But at the beginning of first grade we weren't seeing either quality. He was getting in trouble for laughing and talking during class time. There were days when he was missing a good portion of his recess as a punishment for acting out. We talked to him and grounded him and at one point, I even spanked him. Nothing seemed to be getting the message across. Then, nearly as mysteriously as these naughty behaviors appeared...they vanished, leaving a typical seven boy's behavior in their place. Whew~what a relief.
His personality is bursting from his little self lately. And really, he's not little either, I think he is pushing 70ish lbs. It's fun to hear him exploring with sarcasm and his sense of humor. He has begun to appreciate the feeling of making others happy or laugh.
He makes me nearly burst with pride.
Thanks to Amy for capturing this goofy moment. :)

Happy New Year!

I haven't written in FOREVER! Perhaps a month by month recap of 2011 would make me feel for caught up, if that is even possible at thsi stage of the game. As it turns out, four kids is a lot.
January~ The great wait. I spent the whole month on my bed, thikning the baby was going to come at any moment.
February~ Coldest month in MT history, and the month we met our baby Mac!
March~ Another cold month. We had sleepless nights and countless snuggles via Mac! Wrestling tournament as a family to cheer on Wy-guy.
April~ I was crabby looking back on it, having a new baby was weighing on me. We had a fun Easter in Wyoming, but I was brabby then too.
May~ An awesome family vacation in Kuaui.
June~ It took a couple of weeks, but we settled into a fun summer routine.
July~ We had a summer fun and good family time.
August~ Swimming lessons! and a trip to Wyoming.
September~ Back to school and the routine of school days.
October~ Amy and I started walking! Football, and dance, and the Gala.
November~ Busy times! Mac growing and changing so fast.
December~ Feeling better about stuff. Nice Holiday season.

That is just the nitty gritty, of course.