“the way the ice melted (down the middle)”

The beautiful spring came;
and when nature resumes her loveliness,
the human soul is apt to revive also.
Harriet Ann Jacobs

April hath put
a spirit of youth
in everything.
William Shakespeare

“Grace and David climbing a tree”

Spring’s greatest joy
beyond a doubt
is when it brings
the children out.
Edgar Guest

“going on an adventure”

“looking for the fish”

I’ve been a stay at home mom for 17 years and here in the Northeast, the arrival of blessed spring time is always whole heartedly welcomed by myself and the children.  It’s been a cold spring so far this year but little by little we are spending more time outdoors.  It is almost impossible to keep socks and shoes on the children, and jackets, too.  They are so full of energy and joy in being outside again.  They love the ponds, the stream.  The dog likes to scratch rocks out of the edge of the pond and run off with them.  We haven’t seen a turtle yet, but we’ve seen fish and some bullfrog tadpoles that woke up from their winter sleep.  We are starting to hear the spring peepers and frogs in the distance, too.

As for myself, I am feeling content, even if a little frazzled.  I have no anxiety, just the feeling of needing to take one section of a day at a time.  Ethan has been sick over the weekend and through this week, with *either* bronchitis or pneumonia, we are not exactly sure which.  I took him to a walk in clinic on Sunday and he was put on antibiotics, but as of this morning he was not perking up like he should so I took him to his own pediatrician for more advice.  Good ol’ Doctor P helped him out and reaffirmed my instincts that he wasn’t shaking the illness like he should.  He sent us home with things for breathing treatments and a list of things to do for him like; motrin (for a sore back), vicks (for the cough), probiotics (to use with the antibiotics), lots of fluids (soup and gatorade), saline (for his sinuses), and of course plenty of tissues and motherly TLC.  I have the couch made up with a clean sheet and blankets for him to lay on, and a nice clean pillowcase for his pillow.  He sleeps and rests.  Right now he is watching Duck Dynasty.  I hope and pray he feels better soon, he’s been pretty low for about 2 weeks, but like his Dad does, he has been trying to tough it out, only to have his body crash “enough is enough”.  He won’t be able to go back to school this week, doctor’s orders.

It is sort of fun to have someone to fuss over.  🙂

Every afternoon I have Jacob to pick up from track practice at 4:30 and Grace to pick up from music at 6:30.  David and Caleb also have little league practices, too.

A word of advice for (oftentimes distracted) moms of many:  don’t forget to nurture your children.  I feel bad because Ethan has been complaining of a backache for 2 days and I never even touched his back or looked at it…..at the doctor’s office the doc had me feel his muscles….on one side of his spine the muscles were relaxed and normal, on the other side (lower back) his poor muscles were so tight, it was completely obvious!  If only I had done this simple thing at home, I could have helped him much sooner with a massage.  Just because I have seven children doesn’t mean I can skimp on attention and nurturing each and every one of them.  I have a responsibility to care for them all, not “over the top” spoiling, but simple, practical, loving care and attention.  THEY didn’t ask to be born into a big family, it was my choice, and the sacrifice of time and energy is something I MUST give to them as they grow……..this is something I have been convicted of.  A mom MUST sacrifice and do her best to take care of her children …. and the more children she has the more time it will take.   There is so much satisfaction in doing our very best with our families, caring for them.

I go from one thing to another, yes, but nothing is more important than the children (and husband, too, of course).  The cooking and cleaning can wait.  Today for lunch I gave Seth and Sarah a piece of bread with peanut butter and a glass of milk.  Simplify when in times of sickness or trial.  Give up a clean house, give up the more complex meals, in order to redeem the time for the child who needs extra care.   And even on “normal days” a family of seven children still needs a lot of time to be invested in each child; checking on them, talking to them, clipping the nails, checking the ears, going over clothes to be sure they are fit to be worn to school, NURTURE, NURTURE, NURTURE………….they cannot be left to themselves when they are so young.   They need Mom.   Those little extra things like a massage, or essential oils, or brushing my daughter’s hair for 20 minutes, these things don’t always come to my mind, but it is something I want to improve on in my mothering.  (any tips)

Yesterday I sat next to Caleb, checking him all out (he’s 8) and he finally said, “Are you done checking me like I am an ape?”  LOL

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Seth and Sarah and I went to the thrift store last week and got all this for 2 dollars and fifty cents.  A 5 by 7 frame, two Easter baskets, 3 stuffed bunnies, four books, and a wooden “chicken/egg” decoration.  Sarah also got a plastic snow globe.  It was fun.  We like to walk there after I get my Post Office business done.

 

This is our new boy, Billy-Cat.  We love him.  He is soft and interesting.  When we pick him up we never know if he will nonchalantly bite us.  David made this toy mouse for him by hand.  I just had to tie the knot on his threads.

Snickers is the only one who will tolerate Billy-Cat.  Billy is so new that the other 2 cats run away from him, yowling loudly.

I’m turning into a crazy cat lady!!!!!  We have four now.  🙂

And of course, the chickens.  I sat outside and watched them enjoy the sunshine.  They settle down into the leaves, lift up their wings, roll around, they just love being outside in the sun.  We get about 5 eggs a day, which is a nice amount.  We have just enough so I don’t have to worry about what to bake in order to use up 3 dozen eggs!  LOL

Rich had a business meeting here at our place on Friday and one of the men brought me this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I made a nice lunch for everyone.

1.  Deli platter from grocery store
2. homemade buns (these were a BIG hit)
3. sliced tomato, seasoned with salt and pepper (for sandwiches)
4. mayo, pesto mayo, mustard
5. tossed salad
6. jello salad
7. pretzels
8. boiled baby potatoes, with plenty of butter, salt, and pepper

For dessert I bought 3 dozen baby cupcakes from the bakery.

 

 

And that is all the news from our place.  How are you doing?  I hope you are well and enjoying these early spring days.  xo
“You will show me the path of life.  In your presence is fullness of joy.  In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.”  Psalm 16:11