A list

Hello? Is anyone there?

I haven't blogged in ages... I'm sure all three of you who read this have missed me.

I will assemble a list of some recent observations and happenings...

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I saw this on someone's van today.

I know not who this woman is, but I am pretty sure we are kindred spirits.

I haven't run 1.0 miles in years... much less 26.2 or even 13.1!

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Have I mentioned that Brent is in Egypt again? He has been gone for a week already, and won't be back until next Monday.

I miss him terribly.

He is conducting a high ropes course training and course inspection for an upcoming sports festival held outside of Cairo. The event will take place over the course of 4 days and literally tens of thousands of Egyptians will come to participate in traditional sports, BMX/Extreme sports, high ropes course activities, etc... Each day closes with a ceremony awarding participants in various categories and includes an evangelical message that will be televised on Egyptian TV. Despite the perceived risk of being in a part of the world that has been a bit unstable recently, I am so glad that he has been able to go and serve.

I will also be glad when he gets back!

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The children. Oh the children.

They make me laugh.

They make me cry.

They are growing up so fast.

One minute I want them to be little forever, and the next I just long for the day that Mr. Jenkins can put on his own dang pants.

As I type this, they are in bed. Chilli is asleep... because she is chill.

Sassy and Jenkins are intermittently shrieking and laughing and whining and tattling on each other for various atrocities such as, "hurting me ON PURPOSE!" or "Getting out of his bed!" or "drinking MY water."

I'm honestly totally unsure how to deal with this any more. I love that my kids share a room... I like that they have a buddy to talk to and to play with during "room/rest time."

But...

I despise the recent bedtime drama. I know a lot of it is my fault since I typically deal with it by yelling empty threats up the stairs or through clenched teeth if things have gotten so unruly that I must drag my large self up there to regulate.

I want desperately to separate them as punishment when they get so out of control, but I don't really have another place to put a kid besides my room. And then, there is the dilemma as to who gets relocated. Some days getting "outcast" to mommy and daddy's room would be a treat, and which would view it as such changes depending upon the day - so I don't know who to select. Also, it's not a lot of fun to re-relocate a heavy child when I am ready to go to bed... and sometimes they wake up later confused as to where they are and how they got back in their bed.

Anyway... I've rattled on too long about this already, but if anyone has any insight, I'd love to hear your ideas.

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I feel bad for animals at petting zoos.

We stopped at a pumpkin patch this week and of course there were multiple "add on" activities to choose from. I ended up shelling out so much money on bouncy houses, giant slides and the petting zoo that we didn't even get a dang pumpkin.

I guess I'll just get one from Kroger.

Oh those poor little beasts...

So cute.
So traumatized.

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I don't think I have updated on the blog that I am no longer on bed rest... Praise the Lamb! I got a good report from the doctor and they are just going to continue to monitor me a bit more closely than they have in past pregnancies. I have been instructed to take it easy and I am seeking to do that as much as one can with three littles and a hubby in Egypt. Honestly, I have been super blessed by my family and friends who have helped me out so much lately. I do not know how people do life with littles without a support system.

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I am not really sure what is going on here... but I do love this child's creative mind. I have no idea how the poor dog got involved, but at least she is all cozy and snuggled for the experience.

There is probably more to share, but that's all I've got. Things have quieted down a bit upstairs and so I may head to bed too.

Maranda

This better have some Bailey's in it!

Seriously?

Step away from the coffee dog.

Honestly, I feel quite sorry for this poor, neglected, little, gray beast.

She was the baby of the family for so long.

And now... well, she is more like the black sheep.

Bless her. We do still love you Lola... I promise.

I think she just got the memo that we have plans to bring home another "puppy" (A.K.A. baby) in the new year. By the look on her face, I 'm pretty sure she was hoping that there was a little something extra in that coffee to help her cope with this news.

Maranda

Bed Rest

I have always been a lover of sleep.

I told my husband a few weeks ago that the dude who wrote "The Five Love Languages" totally left out the chapter on sleep.

Ah, the gift of sleep. I am convinced that is is the forgotten love language. 

I think I must crave sleep so much because I am robbed of it routinely. 

Though my children are decent sleepers... it does seem that someone (and it only takes one!) is often in a "phase."

A teething phase.

A bad dream phase.

An early rising phase.

And my personal favorite... a bed wetting phase. 

Sleep deprivation. It is just part of the gig of having young kids. 

I think as moms, we just kinda adjust to life with less sleep, and that's cool, 'cause it really is only for a season.

It is only for a season... right?

Dear God, please tell me it is only for a season!

Anyway, I have been contemplating sleep, and rest in general, as I have been prescribed bed rest for the first time in my life. 

It's an odd feeling to be forced to slow down and sit when all you are used to doing is being in constant motion. Most of my days are spent in the perpetual motion of care and training of little ones and the upkeep of a home. In the past few days I have found that this is not something that can be done very effectively from my bed. 

Consequently, I sent Sassy, Jenkins and Chilli Bean to my sister-in-law for a few days. 

God bless her soul. 

I have been praying that she is still alive as I have not heard from her today. 

All this to say, after a couple of days feeling like a total sloth, my love tank is full... 

Despite the perks...

Breakfast in bed, courtesy of my amazing, super-hot, husband.

...I do feel like it is nearing the point of being too much of a good thing. The laundry is piling up and there are so many projects that I would love to attend to - especially with a house void of "helpful" children - but I have tried to be very good (ie. horizontal) in hopes that I will get a good report from the doctor at my appointment tomorrow. 

I mean, clearly... I am totally cool with being told that I must get plenty of rest, but I am hopeful that I can be a bit more of an actively contributing member of our family once again. 

But until then...I'll rest. 

And, I'll pray for this baby boy to grow strong and healthy for several more weeks. 

And...I'll do the things that I can do from the bed - work, respond to emails, read my Bible, write letters, make phone calls that I have been putting off, read that book my friend mailed me last week, catch up on some trash tv... you know productive stuff like that! 

And... I'll count my blessings. 

For they are many. 

Maranda

Life Lately

Nothing too earth shattering to post today, but I just thought I'd capture a few moments from the past week.

Sassy went fishing with Gittum.

She is apparently pretty dang good at it as evidenced by this massive catfish she reeled in this weekend.

That is a big fish.

It has whiskers.

I think it is kinda gross. 

Sassy of course thinks it is pretty cool... since it is "cat" related.

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In other Sassy news, she had her first soccer - or as we refer to it - herd ball game.

She did in fact score a goal.

She also pouted on the side lines for a significant portion of the game because her brother and sister got to play on the playground while she "had" to play in her soccer game.

*Sigh*

Yet another example of feeling out of my depth as a parent in attempting to capture these "teachable moments" and help her develop character. If there was ever any question... parenting is hard... even the moments that are supposed to be pure fun can end up being incredibly challenging.

Chilli Bean and Jenkins did indeed play on the playground during part of her game.

I also spotted Jenkins peeing on a tree.

Awesome.

Once again. I am pretty sure, I missed a teachable moment here. 

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We went to the park with some friends last week. There are a few of these painted cows at the park and Jenkins begged to sit atop this particular one. 

My little cowboy! Yee Haw.

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This next bit is just to demonstrate my beastliness.

We had the bouncy house up when we experienced a sudden rain storm last week. It must be bone dry before being repacked and stored, so I spent a day drying it out. I flipped that sucker around all day making sure it got dry on all sides...

I am a beast, am I not?

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I love it when the kiddos play together so sweetly.

I captured a moment this morning...

Sweetness.

Maranda

Salted Caramel and Chilli...but not that kind of Chili.

My dear, sweet, readers. You all have been so kind to send me pictures of your circus peanut finds. You've definitely made me chuckle...

... and perhaps gag a bit. 

If you ever feel like sending me more than a photo... please refrain, unless you plan to send something of a more chocolaty nature.

I believe we have already established that I have a weakness for Resee's... but do you know about my salted caramel love?

It really is a problem.

Last year I discovered these at Trader Joe's.

It was extremely devastating to learn that these little nuggets of love are a "seasonal" item.

I consoled myself in the "off season" with these gems, also from Trader Joe's.

Recently, a friend brought these (below) to a gathering, and made the mistake of letting me have some.

Thanks a lot Whitney.

Notice who came home from the gathering with the rest of the bag.

Not that I didn't eat most of the bag while we were together.

I am pretty confident these are going to be easier for me to obtain on a regular basis and this does not bode well for my pregnancy weight gain potential.

On a completely different topic... look at this cute baby girl.

I love her.

She is a funny little thing. Here are some Chilli facts that you may not know:

1. She loves crushed ice. She gets this from her Emme who is obsessed with ice and has her own industrial ice maker at her house. If you have a Styrofoam cup in Chilli's presence, she will assume that you have ice... and that the ice you have, is for her.

2. She loves kitties. I can't imagine where she gets this.

However, she rarely refers to them as kitties, but prefers the term - "meows"

3. For being a chill kid, she has a high maintenance bed time routine. It involves 2 blankets, a baby doll and the baby doll's blanket (a specific one mind you), a Chick-fila board book, a "meow", rocking in two different directions in a chair that is not in fact a rocker, shutting the door to both her room and closet firmly in her presence -  and only when she requests it. There is singing involved too, and while she isn't particular about the song choice, she can be rather finicky about being patted whilst one is singing to her. And whatever you do, don't touch her hair. Just don't.

I heard a rumor that my husband just puts her in the bed without all the fanfare... so perhaps I am the one who has created the monster. But I love my monster.

4. She likes to fasten her own buckle in the car seat. She can't do the lower one, but is very insistent upon clicking the top harness. She will beg to "snap it!"the moment you start putting her in her seat. Once she has completed the task, she proudly smiles and says... "snap it" in a self-satisfied sort of way.

5. She's a love. She is kind to her brother and sister and will typically share when they ask for or even take something from her. I know this may change as she gets older, but I feel like she has a very giving and caring spirit.

6. She loves to read. She constantly brings me books to read to her. Though I have witnessed this with other people's children, my other children do not possess the deep love of reading that she seems to already have.

7. She gives kisses and hugs freely. She snuggles and smiles often.

I love her.

Maranda

Circus Peanuts

Regret.

It is a tough thing to live with. Just ask Sassy.

For the past 5 weeks she has been grieving over her treat choice at a truck stop somewhere off of I-16 in the middle-of-nowhere, Georgia. 

You see, we were headed to the beach to enjoy some fun in the sun. At this point we were about 4 hours into the drive. If you have traveled in a car with young children for a long road trip you know that 4 actual hours feels more like 400, and we were certainly were due for a pit stop.

While Brent filled up the van, I took Jenkins and Sassy inside to use the facilities. While in the store, I decided that they could each pick out a treat. Well... actually, I wanted a treat, and knew they'd eat mine if they didn't have something. It's possible I picked Reese's Cups, because maybe you remember, I kinda like 'em. 

Sassy selected a bag of circus peanuts as her treat. 

I questioned her regarding this choice. 

Though I haven't eaten a circus peanut since I was a wee child, I am pretty sure there is a good reason for that. 

The reason, you ask?... Circus Peanuts are nasty. 

I told her the choice was hers, but I didn't think she would like them. She waffled a bit, but finally settled on a pack of Sweet Tarts. 

And though she liked the Sweet Tarts, the memory of the circus peanut haunted her. It's mysterious, unknown taste eluded her and she became obsessed with finding another pack.

Consequently, Brent and I became a bit obsessed as well. I mean, we didn't make special circus peanut hunting excusions or anything...well, maybe just once...but it evolved into something of a freakish scavenger hunt for us. 

Oddly enough though, the circus peanut eluded us as well. Gas stations, Wal-mart, Target, Kroger, Publix, etc... in this area do not stock this particular variety of "peanut."

Last week when we passed a particularly shady gas station, Sassy lamented again over her "poor choice."

But then, when we thought all hope was lost, Daddy came through.

Oh the joy!

Sadly, it was short lived. 

The reason, you ask?... Circus Peanuts are nasty. 

Maranda

They love each other

clearly.

Well... some days more than others.

I know the feeling.

Actually, though we can get a bit ornery with one another, we can also have a pretty fun time as a family as well. This past Labor Day weekend was no exception and the Curly Cues played hard.

We kicked things off with the purple kitty party.

Meow!

It was a bit crazy with all those felines and children, but I think it went pretty purrrfect.

Oh, I'm so punny, aren't I?

On Saturday, we went apple picking with friends.

 Please feel free to caption this photo with what you think Mr. Jenkins might be saying. This may come as a shock, but he was a bit difficult "special" this weekend.

 The kids asked to bring their "Easter baskets" for collecting.

Chilli munching on the bounty from our harvest while on the wagon ride.


On Sunday afternoon, we went canoeing! Well, technically, Chilli sat the this one out. Considering that the last time I went canoeing I ended up tipping the canoe and slamming an oar into Brent's temple on my way into the water... I thought 3 kids was more than I could handle on our maiden family canoe outing.

These are the new black swans at our church. The ponds on property had been overrun with Canadian geese and apparently black swans and Canadian geese are arch-enemies!

Who knew?!

This is the kind of information you can't find on just any blog. We seek to educate and humiliate  ourselves entertain at Curly Cues.

At first the swans and geese just took up rival territories - basically, they just secured their own ponds. However, when we arrived to canoe, there was not a goose in site... and that hasn't been the case in years and years. I guess the Black Swans won the battle for territory.

Moving on....

On Labor day, we headed up to Amicalola State Park with my family and Mr. Ben. It was kinda rainy but the kids enjoyed the nature center and play ground.

This is Chilli Bean saying the sound a snake makes...

Well, I guess there is one other item of note from this week, but let's play a little game... just to make things a bit interactive.

One of the following statements is FALSE. Can you guess which one?

1. I have ridden a camel in front of the Giza Pyramids in Egypt.
2. I went backpacking in high school with my friends for a week and those organizing the trip only allowed us each one pair of underwear. I complied with their evil rule.
3. I have permed my hair in a decade besides the '80s... in fact, in this millennium.
4. I am pregnant and we are having a boy.
5. In grades 1-12 I lived in 6 different states.
6. I watched an episode of America's Next Top Model today while my kids napped. Sadly, I can assure you this one is true.
7. I once ate 18 Reese's cups in one sitting. (That's 9 packs).

Okay... which one is the lie?!

Maranda