All You Moms of Boys...

As I'm at home cleaning the house so babysitters can come tonight, I had a couple of thoughts. I was wondering if there are any of you out there who experience these funny things:
1. I have to scrub down and sanitize the ACTUAL SOAP DISPENSER in the bathroom, because it is black with dirt and grime. How does that happen on a soap dispenser?
2. Sometimes I even get out "company soap". Has anyone ever heard of this? No kids are allowed to use it. It's sometimes called "adult soap". (sounds naughty, eh?)
3. Why do I find candy wrappers under the beds when we ate through our Halloween candy weeks ago? (I know what you are saying. "I can't believe she lets her kids eat candy in bed." FYI: I don't. :)
4. I wait until I see company DRIVE UP THE DRIVEWAY to wipe the yellow off the toilet. (and then I forbid any boy from going potty until they are gone.) :)
5. Even though I wipe the family table down at least 3 times a day, why do I need a power washer to get down to the wood before company comes? And have you EVER checked UNDERNEATH the table to see what is wiped there. unbelievable treasures.
6. All of Kenton's family has the cleanest washer & dryers I've ever seen. They look like they are in a showroom. Do any of you dust your washers and dryers?
7. Secretly, in an evil land all of my own, I take the vacuum cleaner to the kids room and vacuum up all those little piece of Legos and Playmobil on the floor.
8. Our favorite line in "Christmas Vacation" is "fixed the newelpost!" (sorry if you don't get that one)

Forecast: Showers

Well, we've been here in Seattle now for a little over a year. Guess what it's doing outside? RAINING. For the fourth day in a row, and the forecast says it will rain the next four days (and I'm banking on the whole winter). I'm sure you've heard of that urban legend that it rains all the time in Seattle. It's not all true. I think there was a 3 week stretch in August where it was sunny and warm. We get such a kick out of the weather forecasters' clever words...Rain...showers...drizzle...partly cloudy (I would have said "mostly cloudy"...partly sunny.... So far it has not bugged me all that much (although I am getting fat and lazy), but if any of you out in cyberspace have a free condo in Hawaii or something...well...LET ME KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! :( Also, I'm taking creative ideas for indoor kids ACTIVE activities. I think their eyes are bugging out from too many "movie nights"...

cowboy, jedi, & minnie mouse

Mia woke up yesterday at 6am, carrying her pumpkin bucket into our room "ready for candy"...The boys soon followed dressed and ready at 7:15 and already chasing each other through the house. Then we sent them off to school for the day. HAAA. We prayed for their teachers yesterday! Now I remember why, when I was teaching, I SO DREADED this day of Halloween. Kids too excited for the evening and the next day the extreme low after too much sugar. It's much more fun now that I'm not a teacher. :) The boys brought home tons of loot. Mia lasted for about 20 minutes and then came home. The best is when they go to bed and we get to sift through for the good stuff!

Able-Bodied and Home

I haven't posted in awhile, because one of the most events in my life took place a couple of weeks ago. My sweet sister, Kate, went home to be with her Lord Jesus. Here was a life used by God to bring people closer to him. Kate was 6 years older than me and severely disabled her whole life. She was such a huge part of our family. She shaped so many parts of me and has made an enormous impact on our family. If any of you are raising a special needs child, I've got the person you need to talk to: My mom! (but wait a week or so, she's in the midst of radiation treatment for breast cancer) Yes. When it rains it pours... But God is still good.

We just got back from a week of memorial services in Ohio and Indiana. Our family had such fun recounting so many memories. We took her everywhere we went, despite the stares and strange looks, fed her meals and we all took part in her strenuous therapy program. We loved her sweet smile and sparkly eyes, her huge hugs, her love for her nieces and nephews. What a blessing she was! I will not say “rest in peace” because I believe she is not resting…she is dancing and singing, able-bodied at Christ’s throne.