Memo to me

Ryah does NOT do well with the heat.

Everyone is more cranky and quick to get angry in the hot weather. But Ryah holds the award for crankiness above and beyond the call of duty.

It has been hot here. Let me rephrase that... it has been HOT here. Ok, so, for much of the country this is normal or at least not unusual, but for us who see the sun only 25 days out of the year (ok that part I'm making up, I don't know the stat on that, only that they do count it), those who count the consecutive days of no sun, those for whom 80 degree weather is hot, 102 degree weather is miserable.

And arguably Ryah is the most miserable. Yesterday was the hottest day in recorded history here. Hottest. day. ever. And Ryah began the morning fine, but it went downhill quickly. At playground pals she threw a fit (about what is anyone's best guess) and wouldn't move in the line to get her food. She stood in the way of everyone else, so, after several attempts at encouraging her to go, trying to convince her to get her food. I picked her up and moved her over to the table where all the others kids were sitting. The fit, of course, escalated and she ran over to the wall ("I no sit down," "I big angry.") I've learned from experience that when she gets this way it is best just to acknowlege her feelings, say something to the affect of "I'm sorry you aren't happy," and otherwise be non-commital while I wait for her to get control of herself. She won't let you hold her or do any of the other comfort techniques you would use with other kids.
Well, she stood there the whole time we were eating and then finally decided that she was hungry enough to cooperate and came over to our table. But by this time the ladies had stopped serving food. I offered her Elijah's uneaten food but she would have none of that. Another fit ensued but it was short as she realized (at least I hope that she realized) that her actions were the direct cause of her not eating.
Then those who didn't want to stay at playground pals went to WalMart to get some chemicals to make the pool habitable (as well as some other things). Well, while I was trying to figure out what chemicals we needed for the pool, she started throwing another fit. Once again, I have no idea why. This one lasted for most of the hour we were at WalMart. Now normally I would just pick up and go home and not finish. However, with Keith gone I have to take advantage of not having ALL 8 kids to go shopping and other errands. Anyway, she screamed at the top of her lungs for much of this time. Screamed harder, louder and longer than 99% of her previous fits. It was about this time that Jonas called complaining about his eye, he couldn't open it ect (I think we figured out that he got sunscreen in it) and wanted us to pick him up. I instructed him to rinse it out as best he could and we would be there as soon as we could. So because I'm trying to hurry to get through the store and back to help him, I just grab Ryah's hand and pull (luckily not drag) her through the store screaming. Finally, when we were headed to the canning section to get some pectin she threw herself on the floor, "I no go."
Ok.
Now what?
I let her sit there while I picked out pectin.
Still screaming she changed her tune "I go." Ok Ryah if you calm down and stop screaming you can come with us. "I go," still screaming. After about 23 of those she finally calmed down enough to let me hold her and rub her back for a minute and let me put her in the basket (She is a brick, and hasn't learned how to "help" being held so I can't hold her for very long). Then she said "I water." She needs water, the poor girl. I have been trying to keep everyone hydrated, but apparently not been doing a good job of it.
Ok, fast forward to the evening. I have treated and tested the pool and found it safe for human habitation and we are all raring to go swimming. Ryah gets her swimming suit and asked me to help her put it on. Ok, let me get mine on and grab Elijah's and I'll help both of you at the same time. Apparently, that was offensive. She went ballistic. I had had enough (and I don't deal well with heat either) so I marched her off to bed and told her she could come out when she stopped screaming. (I think I'm going deaf!!!)
Well, in record time she realized that if she didn't calm down she wouldn't get to go swimming. Hey, we are getting somewhere. She's starting to realize the consequences of her actions (I hope). She used to just throw a fit until she was exhausted enough to fall asleep and then wake up normal but having missed all the fun. Feeling self-regulation, something I don't take for granted anymore.
Anyway, she came down, somewhat calm and said she wanted to go swimming. I helped her into her swimming suit and we all went out.
Well, the day wasn't over, there were still fits to be thrown, apparently.
I got in. Elijah got in. I held him. Ryah climbed the ladder and for some as yet to be determined reason started throwing another fit. So, I finally convince her to stop screaming and (one handed) helped her down the ladder. I held both her and Elijah and let them play. Then she started crying again, I think this time she got splashed on so maybe she was "justified"?!?!?! I tried, and tried to get her calmed down to no avail. Well, I'm not going to hold her anymore and hear that right in my ear (did I mention that I think I'm going deaf?!?!?), so I set her back on the ladder and told her she could get back in when she stopped screaming. It took her about 20 minutes to finally calm down enough. Then she played and had lots of fun.
Wow, we haven't had that many fits from her in a day since the first month we were home. I hope it is the heat and not regression.

As a side note, it is interesting to see her in the pool. I think watching her in the pool you see the indicator of her progress in attaching. But maybe that is fodder for another post.

For the beauty of the earth

Our garden is coming along really well. It needs to be weeded horribly but with hurting my back I can only do it sporadically. And I really can't complain, the watering is pretty easy (even if Keith doesn't think so). Especially since we haven't had too many days with hot weather.
Rather than taking too many landscape pictures of it all I figured it was nicer to see the individual "fruits," because that is the exciting part.

These are the spaghetti squash. They are very happy plants (see how they are trying to climb the fence in the back), but no flowers yet. hmmmmm.
This is a hubbard squash. It is about 5 inches long.

This is a test watermelon. It is about 2 inches long. We have about 3 of these so far and lots of flowers, yet.

This is the totermelons and cantelope. There are a couple cantelope or should I say swellings behind the flowers. I just didn't get pictures of them. If you look carefully in the middle bottom you can see the above watermelon.

This is our corn with Alina and Elijah standing by it for reference.

Here is a better picture of the corn.

This is the potato patch. We finally hilled them up. These plants are past my knees. Hopefully there is as much under the ground as there is on top.

This is an eggplant flower. I've grown eggplants before but never really gotten anything from it.

These are our beets. They need to be thinned but see previous comment about my back.

This is the first time I have planted broccoli or cauliflower and LOOK! there is actually broccoli.

And cauliflower. Wahoooo

These are our beans and peas (with the beets in the distance). The deer really LOVE these. Can you see all the stick-y things standing up? That is where bean leaves were once.

This is the zucchini we picked today. Now of course it we didn't pick any for 2 days. This is probably 15 pounds of zucchini.

Here is my cute helpers with the stash (or should I say cache)

This is Alina with her cucumber telephone.

Today's cucumbers. Again, we didn't harvest any for 2 days. Anyone know any good dill or sweet pickle recipes.

Ryah carrying our tomatoes for today. We haven't gotten many tomatoes and they have all been these cherry tomatoes. hopefully we'll get more. The plants are nice and healthy.

This is all the zucchini that I need to cut up or shred to freeze or make zucchini bread and muffins. Looks like....... a lot of work, huh. Guess what I'm doing today.

Anastasia is SEVEN!!!!

Today is Anastasia's birthday.

Since Keith left on friday to go back to Israel for 2 more weeks (on two day notice) we got our presents for the girls on thursday. We got them both bikes and helmets. I don't have pictures because they were on the camera that Keith took to Israel. I'll post them when he sends them to me. Each bike had a little bag/ backpack that straps to the handle bars. Anastasia is wearing hers in the pictures.

Grandma Nielson sent her a doll that drinks and wets. She LOVES it, Mom!!!

Well, they all do.

They all had to help her have the doll pee in the little potty chair.

I did a rush job on her cake. Anastasia kept saying that it looked like Cinderella. I guess it does... with the dress that she and her animal friends helped to make. All the little bands that screw the icing tips on up and walked away so I had to do it all with one tip.

Well, she liked it anyway and it was only a matter of a couple minutes after I finished that it was devoured. So, while it won't win any awards (or the prince's heart) it made a little girl happy.

We tried to go to the store on Saturday to buy some ice cream, powdered sugar and some things for Caleb's scout camp but with the way everyone was acting I couldn't imagine actually going through the store. We cause enough of a scene as it is, no need to make it negative. So, we got back in the car and went home. Luckily, I had just enough powdered sugar to eke enough icing to cover the naked barbie. :)

She said it was the best birthday she ever had. Don't know about that but I am glad she liked it!

The kids got to talking about their first birthday cakes and it made me really sad that I have no idea about the girls' younger years. I can't tell them the cute little things they said or did, or how difficult it was to potty train them or what color hair they had when they were born, like I do the other kids. I can't tell them about any of their "firsts" in this life. I guess that is something I'll have to get used to.

Now we have a 2 year old, 5 year old, 7x2 (for another week, then two 8s for another month, then two nines--- how do I keep this all straight?), 8, 9, 10, and 12 year old. What is it going to be like when we have 9, 12, 14, 14 , 15, 16, 17, and a 19. Makes me dizzy just thinking about all the hormones running rampant here. 'Course we can have some fun parties here too. It never ceases to amaze me how well and smoothly the girls fit into our family. We got blessed doubly.

Are you having a birthday party???

Was said to me while I was waiting for five girls and one little boy to wash their hands after going to the bathroom.

(As a side note, "waiting" doesn't mean waiting, in the normal sense. Here it implies: lifting up the little ones to reach the sink, stopping Ryah from getting a pound of soap, turning 3 waters so they weren't so hot, stopping someone from splashing on someone else, telling Ryah to rinse more bubbles off... several times, nodding at or otherwise acknowleging at least 12 owies in various stages of healing, preventing the waste of trees by dispensing the towels myself, and keeping the ones who are done busy while the others finish)

It took me a minute to figure out what she meant. Chuckling, "No, they are all ours." Which is always followed by a speachless stare and then "How many do you have?"

It is kind of fun to see their reaction when I say 8.

And shopping at Costco by myself when Keith was gone (I don't get as many when Keith is there), it took me twice as long to go through the store than normal for all the comments.

"Wow, quite the brood."
"Oh, you have your hands full." (You should see my heart).
"You have lots of helpers."
"Busy mom."

Well, and picture this...

The shopping cart is full (it always is at Costco, never fails, sigh). Two kids sitting in the front either fighting or laughing uproariously. (Gotta LOVE Costco carts, with their places for two kids... saves LOTS of fights) Two kids on each side holding onto the cart. And one either wandering around, hanging onto the front or riding between me pushing (and trying to maneuver) and the two kids sitting in the front.

I can see why people comment. I would too.

But the nice comments are fun (usually, unless I'm in a hurry to get out of the store).
It is the not so nice ones that are harder to answer.

"Are they all yours?"
"Are they all from one father??" (No, and different mothers too).
"They know what causes that now."
"Control your kids!" (Ha, control is a myth at best)

Or worse, yet, the stares of pity. I chose this life and while we do have our hard times, we love it. Don't feel sorry for me. Rejoice that these kids weren't aborted and given a chance for life, however busy and full and noisy it is. Or save your pity for the single child who grows up not knowing how to fight and make up. Who doesn't learn how to compromise. Who doesn't know how to play Barbies or something else, when they don't want to, just to make someone else happy. Who doesn't know what it is like to ALWAYS have someone to play with. Who has someone to talk to late at night when the lights are out. Who doesn't know the value of alone-time with mom or dad.
I love my family. And maybe we'll have (or adopt) a couple more. Or maybe not. But either way, I don't regret any one of them.

See you at the movies

We took the girls out to their first movie in the theater. Intel often buys out a showing and then offers it to their employees complete with a gift card for concessions. As you can imagine it is always packed. Well this time we heard last minute that there was a cancellation and we were allowed to go. The movie was Ice Age 3 the Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

It was pretty funny.

And oh, so typical.

Ryah, after finishing up the chips and a good chunk of the cheese on the nachos she and I were supposed to share (she was pleased to share with me "you share Ryah chips" was said tooooo many times to count), spent most of the time playing with the chair, getting caught in it, standing up and letting it fold back up. I need a button that plays a recording "shhhh, whisper, Ryah." It doesn't matter what is happening as long as there are toys with which to play.

Anastasia asked many times when it was time to eat... we had bought each one of them a nachos and she was the only one who finished her cheese... (Elijah got close). She eats at least as much as Keith does. How can she be sooooo scrawny??? It doesn't matter what is happening, as long as there is food. I guess that isn't fair, she isn't really obsessed with food.

Alina got frustrated because she couldn't see any of her friends there, but that didn't stop her from looking every 15 minutes. It doesn't matter what is happening, just who is there.... or who isn't, as the case may be.

And Kristina was the only one that actually kept interest until the end of the movie. It doesn't matter what is happening as long as I'm in the middle of it.

Jonas and Miriam watched well. They know what a treat it is to go to a movie at the theatre. I think this is probably only their 4th or 5th time going. Sad.

Elijah was ok until the last 20 minutes then he needed a drink. So Keith stood in the aisle with him (after getting him a drink, of course).

It is always fun to see their "firsts!"

It is always fun to see the reaction we get from other people when we herd our brood places. But maybe that is fodder for another post.

Green thumb (or brown, as the case may be)

I have had people ask for an update on the strawberries and garden. All of the strawberries are planted (I finished them when Keith was gone... each morning I planted about 150-200 plants) All the garden is planted-- at least all that is going to get done this year.

These are the tomatoes, eggplants, broccoli, and cauliflower

This is the strawberry patch. The light brown is the sections with 7 rows each. It is light brown because we added genuine, homegrown, back-shovelled, "sweet" smelling, rabbit manure. I say manure because it is a nicer word. :) I know it doesn't look like it but there really ARE strawberry plants there and growing.


One of the corn plants we got from the high school already has two ears on it.

Our potato patch. Need to have one 10 times the size... that isn't going to happen for lack of room.

The corn is as high as a grasshopper's eye, but it looks like it is climbing way up to the sky, or at least the top of the weeds that are behind them.

The watermelon and cantelope are in front of the corn. Never grown them before. Test watermelons, totermelons??

The spaghetti squash. Our family LOVES spaghetti squash. They eat it like spaghetti with sauce and parmesan cheese; the whole works. Shhhhhhh. No one tell them it is a vegetable. We had a spaghetti squash left over from last year that was getting a little bit.... shall we say, HAPPY. So we figured that we weren't out anything if they didn't grow and if they did, great! Keith planted a handful of seeds in each mound AND THEY ALL GREW!!! I had to go and thin them out. Yeah!! Spaghetti squash once a week, come fall!!!!

Oh, here is our corn again.

Top left is the spaghetti squash, then acorn squash, then zucchini. Growing up we lived in a place that grew zucchini so well you had to lock your car doors at church. We hope to have lots to share... and looks like we may succeed if the flowers are any indication.

This is everything else. I know it is hard to tell what we have here from the pictures. The tomatoes are in front of the weeds, to the right of them are the eggplants, then onions, then red and green cabbage. In front of the tomatoes are the peppers then cauliflower and broccoli. In front of all that is the rows of peas, beans, carrots, and beets. Sorry we have some many buckets, the kids like to water with them.

You can't see it becasue it isn't there yet, but we put up a rabbit fence to keep them critters out. Now we need to find a way to keep the birds and this guy out. This is the mom of a family of 4 that seems to graze through our garden twice a day. Jonas has designated himself the Deer Chaser and is kept busy.