The minutes of 2010 are numbered...

There is that part of me that could reminisce of all that has transpired in the last year.  And it is a lot, and it us unique to our family just as the past 365 days has been unique to all of us.  And yet, on this last day of 2010, I was reminded that the things right in front of us should not be ignored, and just might be more than they appear.

This morning was "supposed" to be the start of a fabulous holiday weekend (since it was a Friday and we are all home together due to New Year's), a chance to sleep in a bit with my husband, cook a big breakfast, and focus on the task of preparing our basement to be finished as a school room and play room.  Two whole days with absolutely no plans...the grocery shopping and errands were done, it was just US and our to-do list with ONE big item on it.

Instead, burning up with a fever, my husband stayed in bed while I got up early with our baby and grabbed a simple breakfast for each of the girls as they made their way downstairs.  The morning proceeded to be a rather typical morning for the ladies' of the house (except that Daddy was a passed out lump on the sofa).  Don't get me wrong, I was glad for his presence and sorry that he had to spend his day off fighting some virus.

Before the day really got going though, I lay on the love seat in the living room, trying to catch a bit more sleep while early riser Mikayla crawled around the living room making good use of each toy she could find.  Hannah, typically the second little girl to wake up each day, joined us with a smile on her face and an obvious love for her baby sister as she sat down to give her hugs of love and play with her.

At some point, Hannah looked out the front door window (since all the blinds were still shut) and asked me,"Why is it not morning?"  The darkness outside still confuses her a bit when we are awake before the sun has risen.  And a short time later, she jumped up to use the bathroom.  As she made her way to the mudroom where our downstairs bathroom is located, I can only imagine her face lighting up as I hear her exclaim, "Mommy, the colors!  They are beautiful!  Mommy do you see?"  I knew very quickly that as she had walked out into the mudroom, where there is a double patio door with no window treatments to hide the morning sunrise, she was surprised with the splashes of bright color painted across the sky.  I opened the blind from the living room to also enjoy the sight she was beholding, and explained to her that she was seeing the sunrise.  Her response again came, "It is so beautiful."

It hit me that I had made a decision, (and I did think that I wasn't ready to let any light in the windows at that point of the morning) to keep the blinds closed because I wasn't ready to begin my day and accept the morning as it was coming.  I wanted to be snuggled in bed and have my day start the way I had imagined it.  But by doing so, I almost missed the beauty of the sunrise.  Thankfully, it won't be the last sunrise that presents an array of dazzling color, but it was the only one today.  And it happened to be the last one of the year.  I pray that I will take notice of something as repetitious as the sunrise, and let it fill my heart with joy just as it did for Hannah.  And I hope that I do not knowingly close the blinds to "another day" just because it doesn't unravel as I have imagined.

Later in the day, I was able to clean one of our upstairs bedrooms, and rearrange it so that our baby could finally move out of our bedroom and in with her big sister.  It took some doing, and not without more than one interruption, but before making lunch it looked clean and put together.  It always gives me peace to walk into a room that is in order.

Well, as proud as I was of the accomplishment, I suggested that my husband be sure to check it out and let me know what he thought.  He did that just before dinner and didn't have a lot to comment about it.  No big deal, it is certainly more satisfying for the one who put the work into something to look at it and feel the accomplishment of the task.  Note that it was in an extreme state of disarray before I began.

So, at some point after dinner, I ventured back into the room, only to realize that it wasn't so put together anymore.  Now, it was not even close to the disaster it had been half a day earlier, but there were more than a few toys out of place and strewn around the room.  Just enough so that it was a bit messy, and NOT tidy.  I continue to realize, that there is something irresistibly inviting about a clean room.  And not just to adults who prefer things tidy and in their place, but also to children.  Whenever there is a room or a table (or a big white side of a cabinet) that has a clean slate, it begs for a child to play there, or add color if need be.  And of course the end result is a slate that is no longer so clean, and eventually they find another place that is more inviting.

I admit that my initial reaction was of disappointment and frustration, that already my masterpiece was askew.  But I very quickly remembered that a "clean slate" isn't really a masterpiece at all.  It is the messiness, the evidence of life and that someone was here that is the beautiful artwork of life. 

Rolling into a New Year is one of those times when I especially long for a clean slate, a chance to restart things and initiate new routines and habits.  New found motivation sets in for many of us as we hit the ground running when the calendar shows a different year.  But the truth is, I am glad for the masterpiece that makes up my life.  It might not be as beautiful as the colorful sunrise that greeted me this morning; in fact, it might be made up of more messes and a lot less order than I would like.  But it is filled with the color of my five little blessings, the princesses that call me "Queen Mommy" as well as my handsome "King Daddy."  And I could not ask for more as we get closer to ringing in 2011.

Cups of Water

Horton Hears A Who! has become one of my all time favorite movies inspired by literature.  Dr. Seuss already is one of my favorite authors due to his creativity...the guy must have been the funnest (I know, not a word) people to be with, seriously!  And the producers did a fantastic job with this one.  Keep in mind for the youngest audiences, or even those that just can't handle a lot of suspense and intensity, there is a bit of that within this feature.  But it is also packed with so much teachable content.  I may just have to do a post fully on the movie.

This is not that; however, I will need to give you some background information before I can go further with this post.  I would love to also post a link to the clip on YouTube, but I couldn't find it.  So much for being able to find everything on YouTube.  You can find almost anything there.

In the story of Horton Hears A Who!, the mayor of Who-ville, Ned McDodd, has many children.   In fact, he has 96 daughters (Yeah, and you thought 5 was a lot)!  And one teenage son.  Imagine that.  "Anywho," when tucking in his children, and yes, he tucks in everyone, one of the little girls asks for a drink of water.  Well, you can just imagine what happens next.  96 cups of water later, every daughter is finally tucked in and sleeping (or at least on their way).  And Mayor McDodd plops down on his bed, exhausted from the demands of his 96 daughters within the simple process of saying goodnight.

And here is where I found some connection.  I do have to admit that comparing myself to a man who is father to 97 children I hardly have room for complaint.  But, he is a fictitious character and 5 daughters is reality for me.  So, when tucked in my children tonight, I made an effort to take some extra time with all of them really, each in a way that seemed to need.  Little Woman K had been struggling all evening after taking a very late nap since we were in Mechanicsburg with some college friends for a large part of the day.  Usually she gets one song as I am dumping lying her in the crib and of course kisses and "I love yous."  So, seeing her emotional need, I decided to rock her in my room and sing to her.  Though I would do it again in a heart beat, she still cried as I laid her down and closed her door (maybe it would have been worse???).  The eldest Little Woman saw me rocking her younger sister, and requested the same thing, as well as for me to rub her back This is requested every night, and most nights I do just that.  Since my own mother rubbed my back faithfully when she tucked me in, I cannot help but doing the same thing for my own...if they request it.  And so I rocked, and rubbed her back, and sang to her as well.  And then of course, Little Woman T saw that Little Woman A was being rocked and she too wanted this extra cuddle time with Mommy before bed.  And so, after her teeth were brushed and she was ready for bed (and had actually been in bed because she tends to get distracted during tasks and they can take much longer than necessary and we both had forgotten her request for being rocked and she was already in bed when she remembered), she then reminded me that she too was to be rocked.  And so, I rocked the third daughter.  And lo and behold, as I'm rocking away, a fourth little woman wanders over to my room and with longing in her eyes makes a silent request to be rocked as well.  So, after rocking 4 out of 5 Little Women to bed,  I thought that it would be an easy lights out night.

But it wasn't.  The three eldest Little Women all needed to tell me something, and then another thing, and another.  And though I wanted to just tell them that they couldn't tell me anything more and they had to wait until morning, that little voice kept whispering, "Listen to them.  Talk with them."  And so I did.  I admit that it wasn't with the most grace and patience, but I let them ask questions and tell me things that didn't even make sense none-the-less.  And again, I thought that they had all they needed and there would be 5 sleeping beauties in short order.  

But there weren't.  One of them was still thirsty and needed a drink.  Which meant that 3 of them were thirsty and needed a drink.  And so, I brought them a cup of water (unlike Mayor McDodd, I made them all take a drink out of the same cup).  

And then, there were 5 sleeping Little Women.  And there was one exhausted, and somewhat definitely grumpy and annoyed Mommy.  And I had to think.  God doesn't mind in the least when we constantly "need" Him in numerous ways...a gentle rocking and snuggling, time to talk, a cup of Living water.  In fact, He longs for us to seek Him in that way all the time!  And, He welcomes us with joy, patience, and understanding.  So weather it is 3, or 5, or 96 cups of water or snuggles, or questions and conversations, may we tend to our children with the same joy, patience and understanding that our Savior ALWAYS gives to us.

Roughin' It

OK, truth be told, it was far from roughin' it.  Though the guys did set up and sleep in a tent, they used air mattresses and the rest of us were quite comfortable. Two large, air conditioned campers with beds, full bathrooms, and kitchens makes camping not too much different from going to a cabin.  Especially when you go with Paw-Paw and Grammy who are quite experienced in the preparation, set-up, and whatever else goes into a smooth weekend in the great outdoors.

Before we left on our excursion several people gave me looks and comments that inferred "You must be insane!  Taking 5 little children camping?"  As I spent the entire day Thursday cleaning the camper and packing us up, I started to wonder if I was in fact a little nuts.  What were we getting ourselves in for?  I was either being exceptionally brave (at least in the eyes of others), or ridiculously naive.

What is camping without a campfire?  In the foreground, the girls were working on their own rock pile/fire ring.

As it turns out, I didn't need to be brave, and looking back can't really be called naive either.  Did we sit for longer than a 5 minutes at a shot?  Not before the kids were in bed!  But, it was a wonderful weekend (actually more than wonderful since we were able to go with my sister's family...since their youngest daughter had a transplant in March of '07 our time with them has been limited and sporadic at best) of being mostly out of doors.  The girls spent hours exploring the woods surrounding our camp sites.  We spent 2 afternoons at the pool cooling off (even thought it was one of the less humid and more comfortable weekends of the summer) and enjoyed walks and the playground as well.  Though we almost had a few casualties on the rocket slide.  I think the maintenance crew waxed it a few days before we came.

The adults spent time talking and laughing around the campfire late at night (too late) as well as playing multiple rounds (and I might at highly competitive rounds) of Ticket to Ride, our new favorite game.  The most difficult part of the trip was getting the girls (along with their cousins Mariah and Aliyah) to stop giggling long enough to eat a meal and keep them half decently clean.  The gray dust from the gravelly (this might be a new word, not sure) camp site made that quite a challenge.  The pool along with sink baths in Grammy's camper kitchen helped.  Thanks to Grammy, the Mommies even got to sleep in a bit with the youngest ones since 4 of the 7 girls slept in her camper.  Talk about extreme grandparenting!  Lucky for her, the big girls were only up early one morning.

So, would I go camping again with 5 Little Women?  Sure, but not without a camper or two and extra hands.  Did you know that many, maybe most, campgrounds now have cable hook-up?  Though we didn't take a TV and indulge in that modern convenience (note:  we've also come to discover that watching television doesn't fit in our day real well, nor is it extremely fulfilling), I have to admit that we did let 6 of the 7 mini campers (Sweet baby M was sleeping peacefully) watch a movie on Saturday night.  After 2 1/2 days of outdoor adventure they needed a bit of down time (and admittedly, so did we).

Over the last couple of years, I've come to accept that "vacation" as I knew it will not be the same for quite some time.  It is no longer about lying on the beach or lounging inside the cabin, napping and reading at my pleasure.  That happens occasionally.  And am I grateful when it does.  Now it is an opportunity to make memories for our children, memories they'll talk about when they are older.  Already the oldest Little Women are referring to "Camp" in their conversations and dreaming of when we can go back.  And so, we probably will.  My only regret from the weekend is that I failed to capture more images of our fantastic weekend at Eagles' Peak.

Love Overflowing

Queen of random, this child of mine is always brimming over with love that she cannot help expressing. As I was working on another post, she came trotting on her tippy toes (always) out to the kitchen, got right in my face (always) and said, "Excuse me Mommy, could I kiss your cheek?" Only the wicked step mother would say no, so I responded with, "Of course!" After matter-of-factly planting a perfect 5 year old kiss square on my cheek she trotted back to the living room just as quickly as she had come announcing, "I love You Mommy!" Now my cup overflows with love. Some would call it impulsive. We big people could learn a lot from our little ones about expressing our love impulsively. Why not? The next time I am brimming over with love for someone else, I will think of my eldest Little Woman, and express my love freely - maybe not in the form of a kiss, but with a hug, in words, or a loving touch.

Beauty "after" Ashes

 So, this phrase is a bit strong in describing our week.  But, at the same time, when sickness hits a family of 7, it can feel like ashes by the time it runs through over each member.  This is something I've come to expect be prepared for, and pray against at the same time.

This time around it was a high fever with a sore throat - nothing horrendous, but enough to make you feel like you were hit by a truck, had a couple throat closing rocks you couldn't swallow, and zap the energy.  It started with the 4th Little Woman two Thursdays ago, and now 10 days later, we have all suffered through it...with the exception of Daddy.  He seems to display a sickness different than the rest of us, and other than "not feeling quite right" and taking a now over 2 hour nap today, we are praying he evades the worst of it.

I suppose if I were more diligent in our hand washing, or utilizing Purel, along with keeping any sick Little Women a bit more "isolated" from the others, we may be able to keep more healthy ones when a virus does invade our home.  At the same time, it is sometimes reassuring to just share drinks and food immediately, get sick, endure it for a few days (or 10!) and get it over with knowing we are done with it and it won't pop up unexpectedly.

I think I've resorted to a happy medium - not intentionally trying to infect everyone, but not practicing the highest level of sanitation either.  Covering it all with prayer for strength to handle the sickness we do have trusting God that we will come out OK on the other side.

So, six sick people (say that 5 times fast!  I can't even do it twice without floundering.) and 10 days later we are feeling like beauties!  And, though Mommy wasn't quite up to par, she couldn't help but snap some photos of the 5 Little Beauties after we emerged from our den of sickness.  Please ignore some of the hair styles...we have an "appointment" with my dear friend and stylist Heather TOMORROW to take care of some of these hair-do no-no's.  For now, they make great shots to show up in those wedding and birthday party slide shows some day.

With their 15 cent personal "journals" in tow, they couldn't be happier.

Wandering among our garden...1/2 organized in crafty boxes thanks to my brother's generosity and Ryan's hard work, 1/2 running wild with rocks not yet placed, last year's plants resurrected, an unintentional compost pile, and a stray basketball hoop?

My dear sweet Princess H...forgive me for not combing your hair today (again!) and catching your fall off of the porch this morning (again).  In her 2 1/2 year of life, this Little Woman has had too many head bumps to count.  She's my rough and tumble keep coming at you personality.

Princess K had no problem posing for the camera...
thanks to modern digital photography I could catch
the split second she actually looked at me and sat on this rock!

Since the smallest Little Woman was out of the house (our neighbors are convinced
we lock our kids away until they are 2 because we are always outside when the youngest is napping!) I had to include her in this post.  Usually she is only utilizing her 2 middle fingers but here I caught her jamming 3 in at once.

 I couldn't help but snap this picture of our latest bloom in my flower gardens...not sure what it is (I'll have to get back to you on that one) but its brilliant color at the end of July is a welcome sight after most of my flowers have said goodbye until next season.  Another reminder of God's beauty, rising out of the dirt and ashes of our fallen world.

Flip Flop Frenzy

So, I intended for this first entry of my latest blog to be some ultra creative writing on why I was beginning another venture in the world of blogging.  But, the truth is, I don't always have time to begin things just so (largely in part to those recognized in the title of this blog - and I mean that with absolutely no trace of cynicism toward my 5 Little Women), and so that it does begin, this will have to do as my inaugural post.

I also hoped that I would have my editing software and know just a little bit how to use it so as to make some of these pictures look a bit better than they do (ok, a lot better!), but instead you get my raw amateur work - done in low lights at night none the less.  It is what it is (this, by the way, has become one of my favorite sayings of late).   But it works for the moment.

I am making a vow of sorts, to take at least one picture a day.  Shucks, I didn't spend this much money on a camera to not put it to good and frequent use!  So, since I had not done so today, I set off around the house in search of something worthy of a photograph.  And, low and behold, what did I find, but poor lost soles, lying all throughout and all around outside (even on the floor of our impeccably clean Suburban).  And to whom might they belong?  You've guessed it.  My 5 Little Women.  Now I know why we "need" more than 5 pairs of flip flops/sandals for these miniature feet.  Because they are often left alone, desperate for a partner so they can become a pair and be worn!

And you queens of organization say, well, if you had a place for your girls to put those flip flops, and trained them to put them there, you would always know where they are.  I can honestly say I have tried that, and continue to try.  And as much as I would love to see them in their basket at the end of each day, and as much as I sometimes grumble about always picking up flip flops or asking them to be picked up, I can speak in truth when I say I am glad for those flip flops lying around the house.  They are evidence of the 5 Little Women living under this roof.  5 Little women who bring joy, laughter, sorrow, frustration, fear, peace, comfort, blessing and so much more to our lives.  And for these 5 Little Women, and their 10+ little flip flops, I praise God.

I don't see dirt and Cheerios here, do you?  Not on my car floor, no way.
I would never let the 5 Little Women eat a snack in the car, make a mess, and not clean it up.
It is actually a miracle that I can see the flip flop!

Though not a flip flop, Crocs are definitely part of the family.

I couldn't help but throw this one in:  A few of the 5 Little Women with
one of the important Men in their life.  In flip flops of course.