Life In a Blog Shell

-The Altic house has temporarily been renamed the Babysitter's Club.  The last 3 weeks have been full of tiny people coming and going.  We've had 4 extras most days and I have to admit it's been fun.  I haven't ever really thought of myself as a babysitter but I think it's more I had soo many babies myself.  It's not as difficult now that mine are older.  One day we had 3 one year old's and 2 three year old's and then the boys.  That was the hardest but most enjoyable day.  The babies everywhere was so much fun.  It's been a real blessing to our family both with having playmates and financially.  Several extras hit this month and we were able to just pay the man.  Gotta love that!

-I've been struggling over the last 3 weeks with illness.  First a bronchitis type illness wiped me out for over a week.  Then on Saturday afternoon I had a migraine that ended in the flu.  I finally feel human this morning.  A couple of the tiny people I've kept have been ill with fevers and such.  I can't help but wonder if there's a connection :)

-Ms. Jane and I have been up to the Fort twice this month for early morning runs.  The first was a run for the fallen (5K).  David and Katie R.  and family were all there as well.  That was a tear jerker.  We ran past the cemetery and they gave a flag to a family who had lost a son.  This last Saturday was The Great Escape (4miles).  They had a guy dressed in prison orange run out in front of us and we were to "chase" him.  Let's just say it's a good thing it wasn't real and it wasn't up to me to catch him!  It was raining cats and dogs, but it was still a beautiful run on a beautiful campus.

-We are starting school this week hopefully.  We had postponed due to the babysitting.  It was temporary and I felt too difficult to start with so many extras vying for my attention.  We are waiting impatiently for a shipment from Abeka.  We needed just a few more books, once they come we'll start full force.  Today is a planning day.  I've already organized all the books and the office so now I have to crack them open and pencil out our year.  I'm ready believe it or not.  I'm ready for a schedule and an excuse to be home with just my monkeys.

-As most of you know I have tried just about everything under the sun when it comes to weight loss and fitness.  It's not just an obsession of mine, I really enjoy it and it interests me.  I have decided to try something I haven't ever done before. 

    I'm a pioneer...this is amazing and brand new...are you ready???  I have become a calorie counter!  In all my years I've counted points, counted carbs, cut out sugar, cut out carbs (as low as 30 grams a day) and regardless of my efforts I have done nothing but gain for the last two years.  I have been to the doctor several times insisting there was something wrong with me and she just kept saying, "It's a calories in vs calories out issue."  Angry and frustrated, I left insisting with my running and lifting I was surely burning more than I ate.  I was wrong.  I'll write in more detail in another blog.  Good news is I'm 7lbs down and thrilled to see the scale going down vs up for the first time in 2 years!

Clean Up

Pinterest is slowly but surely changing my life. 

Call me crazy (maybe) but I can't help myself when it comes to all the household tips.

Well here is one of my very favorites.

We have very porous flooring in our kitchen and bathrooms upstairs.  It is difficult to clean and I typically use my Bissell steam mop.  The texture tears up the little fabric covers so I find myself hesitant to mop.  That is gross since we have 5 kids and 2 dogs.

Here is the pin that changed my flooring's life. 

1/4 cup white vinegar 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap 1/4 cup washing soda 2 gallons tap water, very warm Directions: 1 .Place all the ingredients into a bucket and mix well until sudsy. 2 Mop the area with the solution. 3 Not recommended for waxed floors--it may make the wax gunky.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/floor-grease-cutter-cleaner-393210?oc=linkback

 

My floors are shades lighter than they have been since we moved in.  One of the reasons I've been insisting they would be replaced is they are so hard to clean and I feel like they are in a constant state of ewwwww.  Not anymore!

 

They look great and smell great!  Now go, go forth and mop!

Finally Whole

I'm obsessed with this song.  I listened to it on repeat for at least half an hour yesterday.  I just love it.  There has been a lot of brokenness in my life and the line "I'm finally whole" brings tears to my eyes every time she sings it.

Thank you Lord for finding me when you did.  I'm yours forever my love.

Wrap Up

So I had an entire blog that I wrote full of wit and wisdom (I'm sure) and I clicked "close" at the top of the page instead of "preview" and it disappeared into oblivion.  GAH!

Life has been wonderfully chaotic lately.  I have been babysitting and cake decorating like a mad woman.  God always brings jobs just when we need it the most.  I love how He provides as long as we are willing to work for it.

Our sweet neighbors, who have a daughter Anneliese's age, are moving to Germany for 3 years!  Jeremy (the husband) is already gone leaving Vanessa to pack and prepare for the move with a 1 and 3 year old.  We have been helping by babysitting the girls Tues, Wed, and Thursdays.  Anneliese is in hog heaven with two little extra girls in the house.

We also have Grayson R. on M, W, F and sweet Mason on occasion.  It's been busy but fun.  I've been working in my runs believe it or not.  Jane, Katie, and I are headed to the Fort early in the AM for a run in honor of the fallen.  I'm thankful for the friends God has granted!

Gale and Cecil R. celebrated 40 years of marriage on Sunday and their girls requested I make a 4 tiered cake similar to their wedding cake.  I decided to take on making home made fondant and it was quite the experience.  I'm thankful to have it done and I will be less intimidated to do another now that I'm familiar with the process. 

Tanner helped me make all the roses by hand.  He loved the creative aspect of it and I loved his help.

Saturday night I started the process of putting all the pieces together.  All in all Jared and I figured the cake (and a sheet cake) took about 30 hours (this includes baking all the pieces and making all the icing).  I really think the more I do fondant the less time intensive it will be. 

Here was the final product and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  The big cake was gone.  Every last bite. 

Please forgive the debris in the background. I took a pic as soon as I finished to show my mom :)

We plan to start school soon.  We have some books we need to get still and as soon as they arrive we start in full swing.  I'm actually eager to get started so we have our schedule back.  I think my kids have had more than their fair share of video games over this very hot summer.

As soon as things simmer down a bit I plan to get back to the discipline of blogging regularly.  I pray your summer has been full and blessed!

Times of Refreshing

I have been going through a transition of sorts.  God is working some things out in my heart and mind.  He speaks to me through just about everything. 

This morning Ms. Jane and I went for a bike ride.  Just shy of 9 miles through the sprinkling rain, we rode to 7 highway and back and through some neighborhoods.  The overcast sky was a welcome changed from the sun beating down in 100 plus degree temps. 

As we rode I took in the scenery.  Beautiful homes, horse farm, cattle farm, farm land, and other people running, walking and the like.  I was listening to worship music and peddling to the beat. 

There was just something about that ride.  God reminded me that there is a bigger picture and regardless of the circumstances He is good. 

I was asked Sunday by my mentor and friend, "What is your goal?"  I could think of all kinds of little things that really do not matter.  While I pondered the petty like, weight loss, better health, etc.  She stepped in with, "Be dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ."  What is our goal?  Ultimately why are we here?

My goal is to love Him more.  To be dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ.  This morning's ride was a precious time of refreshing with a precious friend God granted just when I needed her most.

God is good.

 

Well Hello There

-If you have an iPod touch, iPhone or iPad I highly recommend you go into settings, then general, then scan down to restrictions, and turn OFF In-App purchases.  Especially if your children are allowed to play games on the device.  Our innocent little Graham-a-lama who barely reads ok'd $37 worth of upgrades on a free game.  It didn't ask for an iTunes password.  He just had to okay whether or not he wanted to race with this rad new bike!  And what 6 year old wouldn't want to race with a rad new bike??  We found out when we got the iTunes bill.  Literally the next day, Anneliese was playing Cut The Rope, and just kept clicking away as it asked her if she wanted a $1.99 upgrade.  Luckily I caught her at the "are you sure" prompt.  This has been an issue for many an iTunes user to the tune of hundreds of dollars.  I'm so thankful our first and only issue was only a $37 stupid tax verses so much more.

-I've been Facebook free for a couple weeks now.  I've only gotten on a handful of times (less than 5).  I have to say it's very freeing.  I've been listening to Joyce Meyers podcasts on my phone while I work out.  She has a sermon series on Peace.  I got so tickled when she said, "You want to keep your peace??  MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!"  How much of your stress and worry are because you have information you shouldn't have??  Information you seek out?  Facebook has created a busy body in me and it's time I put her to bed. 

-Will it ever rain again?  My yard sounds like I'm walking on potato chips.

-I have every intention of running the 1/2 in October.  Problem is, my intentions haven't been running as often as they should in order not to die during said run.  I'm looking for my motivation, let me know if you find it.

-I'm coming to terms with the fact my summer is 2/3's over.  I'm trying to gear up for the upcoming school season.  It's time to take inventory of what books we need, what we already have (Thank you Jane D.!) and how exactly I want to go about this new year with my 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th graders.  Can you believe it?  I figure by the time I graduate Anneliese I will have this down to a science.  I wonder if private schools can hire homeschool mom's who've educated their children?  Talk about experience in the field!

-I'm actually excited about schooling older kids.  Letting them explore and read to supplement is exciting simply because it requires less of me, not to mention seeing their individuality really come out.  My eldest has peach fuzz on his upper lip.  My babies are growing rapidly and will be deciding what it is they want to do with their lives.  It's such a blessing to be able to see their giftedness and encourage them in that direction.

Ball and Chain

Have you ever heard of umbilical cord training???

That black spot on my floor is Gus.  He is 5 months old today.  He is doing much better with his house training but we are still having the occasional accidents.  With plans to switch out our flooring with the refinancing of the house, training him has become top priority.

Frustrated, I searched the internet for help.  Apparently small dogs are particularly difficult to house train because they can so easily sneak off and create bad habits.  We started out limiting his access to the house and even put a baby gate at the top of the stairs.  Well, he's tiny enough he just walks through the balusters and heads on down. 

From my research I found this type of training they call "umbilical training."  Meaning basically, the dog is hitched to my hip by his leash.  No sneaky sneaky to go potty creating bad habits.  If he needs to go it's obvious and I take him outside. 

While this is slightly obnoxious, and he rebelled something fierce (tiny but mighty) at first, he's taken to it and doesn't seem to mind going with me about my daily chores.

We will break his tiny will.  Resistance is futile....