Diapers & Trees

So I have to say that I bought a couple cloth diapers. Only 2. So far. I want to use them on Audrey. I need more though since 2 won't get me through the day. I am not doing it for the "environment"(although it is disgusting to think of all those disposables I've put into the landfills) I'm hoping to do it for $$$ savings. I will only buy them if they are on sale or maybe even slightly used because they can be a bit spendy- around $20 or more for new. A couple of my friends have been using them and they seem to really like them. I've only used the 2 on her so far and they seemed really nice and comfortable to her. I'm really excited about getting more so I can do it full time.Ii just wish I would have started with my first instead of my 5th! I would have saved so much more $$!

 I'm probably not going to use them on Owen because I'm hoping he will be potty trained soon. Yesterday I decided that we would try to start on this. He is deathly afraid of the toilet. I've tried to put him on it a few times before and he screams and cries until I take him off. This time was no different. I even had the little potty seat on that goes on top of the regular one so he wouldn't feel like he was falling in. He wouldn't even let his little buns touch the seat! So I got out the little potty chair thinking this would be less scary. He was just as scared! I figured that if I just put him in some underwear he would get it and feel icky if he went. I brought the potty chair downstairs to the entry to use as a substitute bathroom. i went outside for a minute and came back and he was sitting in a chair with his underwear filled with poo and it was like he didn't even care or realize what he'd done. I guess he's not ready yet. I'll have to let him run around outside this summer in the nude in order for him to understand the whole process. You'd think that since he has 3 older brothers he'd learn early.I'm thinking that since we only have one bathroom and he's not up there very much this is contributing to the fear and not knowing what to do factor.

We were up to the cabin last weekend. Ben was able to get about 13 trees cut down for his future Gun Shop. The boys and I were able to hike out to where they were cutting and took some pictures.

.holding hands on our hike.

.a cute little wild flower that was trying to peek out of the dead ground.

.climbing a dear stand.

somehow Blake thinks you have to wear blaze orange anytime you're in the woods whether its hunting season or not

.the kids always love riding in the pick-up with Dad.

(don't worry they aren't on the road- in the wood pulling the trees out)

.pulling the logs out from the woods.

.another pretty little flower.

.The Lumberjacks.

Ben, Jordan, Chris

.Owen wouldn't get out of the pick-up.

.goofy face.

.I love this picture.

They really needed Ethan's muscles to get the job done!

.a few of the logs.

.if you look really close,Ben had just cut it and they were pushing it over.

We couldn't get too close- those trees were so tall, I was a bit scared it would tip my way!

.I didn't take many pictures on this trip up north but had to put one of Audrey so you would know she was there with us.

.The kids mostly played Lego's and games, and they played "war" outside.

(my little "baby" brother went with us- he's the one in red)

Late Night Ramblings

Sorry, if you've been trying to look at my blog this evening you were probably wondering " What is going on??" Well, I was having problems with my template and had to pick a different one. I'm not sure I like this one...but it will have to do for now since I'm exhausted and really need to go to bed at a decent time tonight.

I'll be getting up early tomorrow and packing sleepy children into the van to go to a city wide garage sale. I LOVE to garage sale! I would love it even more if I didn't have to take all the kids with but a mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do. I'm heading to these sales intent on looking for items to fill our camper with. I even have a list {thoughtfully prepared for me by my dear sweet husband}. I'm hoping to find some summer clothes for Audrey too. I really won't be looking for boys clothes- I have enough of them and should actually have a garage sale myself to rid myself of the excess but I won't because its too much work,I'd rather give it to Goodwill or something. Any Who, the kids are excited and have their money all ready in hopes of finding some really cool toys {I hope they don't find anything!! I'm sick of all the junk they consider toys all ready}.

We will be heading to the Cabin tomorrow too. The kids and I are hoping to leave late afternoon because I hate to drive after dark. Ben and I are driving separately- me with all the kids and him with a friend of him that is going up to help him cut the trees down. We are bringing my little brother who's 10 with too. I'm trying to think of all the things I need to do to get packed and ready to get up there. Thinking of what meals to make the hungry lumberjacks while we're up there. I will probably just wait until we are up there to go get the groceries we need because I do not like trying to pack food in an already squished van. Its a four hour trip that will most likely take closer to 5-6 hours with 6 kids that will most definitely need to pee 6 different times :) Pray for me tomorrow, will you? I'm going to need it- yikes!

Must NOT love dogs.

I've never been a big animal lover. It might be because we had so many growing up and I hated all the chores(especially cleaning out the hog barns on Saturdays) But if I had to pick an animal that I dislike the least is dogs. We have three of them. One Chocolate Lab and two Black Labs. Our chocolate, Sophie, we got when Clint was a baby. She's about 8 years old and just at the stage I like, very calm and not excitable. however our other two I have to say I DO NOT LIKE THEM! The dislike I have for Brutis probably stems from the fact that Ben brought him home 2 winters ago when I was 8 months prego and taking care of a puppy that loved to poop in his little kennel was NOT what I wanted to do. I could hardly bend over and with Ben gone on the road all week I was the one who had to clean up after him. Ruby, our newest addition, is here because puppy sales are not very good and we couldn't find a buyer.

She chews up everything.

Yes, I know. Puppies do chew alot. All of our dogs have went through this stage. I just don't like it. I was hoping to never have to deal with it again. I can't have any flower beds because they chew and dig them up. I've even tried to just use potted flowers hanging on shepherds hooks but somehow they can even get to those. All of the bird feeders I've had have been chewed to bits. So many shoes and toys have gone the way of a chewed up doggy bone that I can't even count that high. Last week one of my favorite pairs of Audrey's little sandles somehow fell out of the van and was chewed up.

About an hour ago I somehow had the two youngest taking naps and I though "YEA!!! Sometime to go sit in the sun and read a good book". But of course that lasted all of 10 minutes before Owen woke up and then Audrey about 2 minutes later. When I went to get Audrey I stupidly left my blanket, pillow and new book outside. I wasn't even in the house 5 minutes, when I go out and see all 3 dogs laying on my blanket. I run out there yelling (so loudly the closet town 6 miles away probably heard me).By the time I get over there Ruby was ripping up my book. I mean come on!

So I'm asking you! Who wants a dog? You can have her for FREE! We usually sell our dogs for  about $600-700. Its a good deal, but you have to come and get her today!

.Ten on Tuesday.

1. Sand. Sand. More sand. Don't get me wrong I love having a big sandbox, the kids spend lots of time in it, but what I don't like about it is the constant dragging it throughout the house and dumping of shoes filled with it onto my floors and furniture.

2.Laundry. It. Never. Ends.
I don't think I've ever been truly "caught up" on this task. I've been close many times but then right away someone will wet their pants and the piles begin again.

3.I guess I shouldn't be doing this 10 on Tuesday sonce in about 4 minutes it will be Wednesday....oops.

4. I stay up WAY TOO late every night. Why? I'm not sure but I think I get a burst of energy after the kids are put to bed and its quiet.{ or maybe its that diet mt. dew that I've been drinking after I put them to sleep?} Anyways, I need to stop this because I'll worthless in the A.M because of my night owl habits!

5. Owen has been really a funny little man lately. He is constantly making us laugh with his silly ways. And I just about melt everytime he says "i love you mommy". That boy with his dark, chocolatey eyes turns me to mush with every look!

6. We have been really enjoying our camper. We all slept in it the night that Ben brought it home. It was a bit very chilly since we didn't have it hooked up to the electrical yet but the kids thought it was the coolest! It's almost like we added on to our house because the kids have been playing and hanging out in there. They have all their legos out there too.They were telling me all day yesterday that they were going to be sleeping out here every night. But then when I went to go tuck them in and pray for them, they got really scared and ended up lugging all their bedding back in the house.

7.Now its Wednesday...do I stop here?? Nope going to keep chugging along.

8.We are headed to the cabin this weekend. Ben is going to be cutting down trees to use in buidling his gun shop. Its going to look like a little log cabin and he's very extremely excited about this venture. Ben definately has a visionary spirit. Always coming up with a BIG plan. I get very frustrated with this sometimes and end up getting angry when he doesn't finish the things he's set out to accomplish.I know that God gave him this personality for His purpose, even if I can't see why sometimes! It was probably one of the reasons I was attracted to him in the first place. He had big dreams I wanted to be a part of them.Over the last 8(almost nine) years of marriage I've learned not to say "I told you so"{at least not as much!} and just encourage his adventurous spirit.

9. Blake learned how to ride his bike last week. He is thrilled at this accomplishment. He and Ethan have been going on lots of rides down our long driveway. He does seem to wipe out quite a bit but he's a tough little bugger and just get right back on again for another try. Blake has really been growing up latley. I was reading through some of my first post on here the other day and realized he isn't getting into nearly as much mischief as he used to! He has become alot more loving and caring. He loves to draw pictures for Audrey and myself. And is always ready to give me a hug or kiss.

10. I think thats enough. I need to go to bed so I can get up to care for my children when they decide that I don't need anymore sleep{ and because they are starving.} Tomorrow will be another day that I will teach them, love them, kiss their owies, break up lots of arguments, encourage them, and realize that I am the luckiest most blessed woman in the world because I get to be their Mother!

Audrey

I've been having a blast with my "new" camera. I know that I'm probably not very good yet but it's been really fun trying to figure out all the settings and I"m amazed at how awesome the pictures turn out compared to my point and shoot camera. Here are a few pictures I took of Audrey today.

Our first Picnic and Park Day of the year

Little Audrey snackin on a piggy cookie {that

s what my kids call 'em anyways-not sure why??}

Little Man Zander chillin'

Cutie Patooti Gianna

Just a swingin'

Pretty Lady Ava

Zander's little feet

kissin'

Sweet Melina

Owen