Ni Hao Y'all

Sunday, March 14, 2010

last call

Last month we released our newest tee, HOPE, in an effort to support those suffering in Haiti. 100% of the proceeds from every HOPE tee sold will go to that end... through March 15th.

That's tomorrow.

So if you were thinking you'd like to be a part of what Eyes Wide Open International is doing in Haiti to help, support and minister to those affected by the earthquake, this is your last call.

Additionally we're offering a chance to grab a HOPE 'bundle': a tee for yourself and a tee to send down to Haiti. Both tees for $40. And EWOI's next team, who will be traveling to Haiti very soon, will hand deliver every Wild Olive tee purchased.

Just think how cool it would be to know, because of you, someone in Haiti is wearing a shirt with God's word on it.

"And His Name will be the hope of all the world."
~ Matthew 12:21

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {Saturdays}

Saturdays at our house used to be lazy days. A day for hanging out. A day for putting our feet up and watching the clouds go by.

Or watching clouds go by on TV. We were easy like that.

But those days are looong gone.

Our Saturdays now, or at least a few hours of each Saturday, are devoted to cleaning up this wretched place.

Even the littlest pitch in.

For us, this is a relatively new phenomena.

No, not the cleaning part. The having all the kids pitch in part.

And I gotta say. It is really workin' for me.

We've managed to find chores that suit every individual.

And some times they tag team.

Occasionally they pout.

Sometimes they are even busted, chores incomplete, sitting in front of Sports Center.

And some, even having dusted every doorknob in the house, are busted trying to clean the potty.

Some aren't quite sure they actually want to help just yet.

So they spend their time trying to look cute enough to escape.

You'll be relieved to know we do allow breaks for good behavior.

It keeps morale up.

At least, it keeps kiddie morale up.

For this one... not so much.

Now this is what keeps my morale up.

Just kidding.

Although there is nothing sexier than a man carrying a vacuum canister, on his way to scrub down a dirty bathroom.

This little man is attempting to work the wink instead of pulling his weight around here.

Sorry buddy. Not going for it.

And this one...

Honestly, I have no idea what he's doing. Much less what he's thinking.

Alas, one more fallen victim to the allure of Sports Center.

And the consequences of their weak constitutions.

More chores.

This one, claiming he can't help because someone bit his finger.

Likely story, punk.

And this one... what can I say. One of the hardest workers in this place.

Worked out some serious Mongolian Beef.

Once the work is done, time to play.

On the new area rug for Vivi's room.

Figure we should break it in with a serious people-pile session.

And work out some of those cleaning kinks.

Saturdays sure stink around here.

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picture day. again.

Yesterday was school picture day for the kids.

Again.

Anyone else remember having your picture taken multiple times in one school year?

Not me. I remember one official day, where everyone wore their very best duds. And the picture people handed out combs to everyone in line.

I remember really needing one.

Truthfully, other than the confusion it brings when trying to determine which pictures were taken during what school year, I actually kinda like the twice a year thing. It gives my kids one more chance to actually look normal in a school picture.

Which a few of them seem to have a hard time doing.

This time, I asked the girls what they wanted to wear for their pictures, since I had no exciting options in mind. And, since it's spring pictures but they can't wear spring clothes for at least another month, I figured they might have some brilliant solution.

And they actually did. They asked to wear their Chinese silks.

Since I was running late yesterday, like I am every day, I didn't have much time to get some good, well thought out pictures of the girls before they left for school.

In fact, I barely had time to brush their teeth and comb their hair.

But at least I got some pictures.

And I think their sweet smiles make up for my ineptness.

And my propensity for running late.

And pretty much everything else.

Friday, March 12, 2010

vivi cakes

Hard to believe it's been two months since Vivi officially joined our family.

I think she's found her niche in our family.

And, probably against her better judgment, she is beginning to feel "at home" here. With us.

I can hear it in her laugh.

I can feel it in her hugs.

And I can see it in her smile.

Attachment, bonding... it's all a journey.

But I think we're on our way.

Happy two months with your lovin' forever family, Vivi Cakes.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

looks are deceiving

I have a 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 year old.

And some older kids. But at 8, 10, 15 and 20, not quite as mathematically interesting.

This stair-step age phenomenon only lasts from February to June, when Isabelle has another birthday and throws it all askew until the next February.

And I have to think a bit harder when curious folks ask my how old my kids are.

Yesterday, as I was checking out at Target, the cashier and I got to talking about the kids, their ages and my heavily laden shopping cart.

And she commented that I was remarkably serene, considering all the craziness that all my littles must generate. I smiled and thanked her, and said something aww-shucks like. Target, with a shopping cart full of children, makes me feel anything but serene.

But as I pushed my big ol' cart away from the check out, I thought, "Wow! Maybe, just maybe, I really am getting it together! That Target lady thought I looked serene!"

Then she called out, as I was making my way to the sliding exit doors...

"Ma'am?"

I stopped and turned around. Serenely, of course.

"You forgot your groceries."

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

another Lenten update

Today marks three weeks gone between myself and Ash Wednesday. And three weeks closer to Easter.

One blessing borne of giving up something I love for Lent is that I am, in an whole new way, looking forward to Easter. And I don't mean that as just, "I get to eat sweets again! Bring on the Peeps!"

Even though I do think of that often.

I mean that Lent has given me a chance to count forward to something very, very special.

Without the Resurrection, there is no hope. No relationship with God. A one way ticket to h-e-double hockey sticks for every man, woman and child.

And the fact that Jesus did conquer death, and on that third day He rose, and in so doing, covered all our sins now and forever...

that's something to really, truly celebrate.

"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
1 Corinthians 15:21-22

P.S. In case you're wondering if giving up sugar and snacking has resulted in any extra room in my jeans, let me tell you... my muffin top has never looked happier. Or more fulfilled.

At least I'm feeling it on the inside.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

thoughts of spring

It's most definitely not spring.

I'm not so naive to think that just because the thermometer reads 60, that spring has sprung.

This is New England, for goodness sakes.

But I can't keep my mind from wandering towards the warmer days ahead.

And I got an email with a shoe store coupon.

When I came across these, I made the fatal mistake of calling one child in to have a look.

Soon all five littles were gathered around my computer chair, laughing uproariously with every new little animal shoe that came up on the screen.

Waterproof, washable and under $20?

Available in pink and purple?

And make you laugh just to look at them?

We're expecting four pair of these to arrive on our doorstep on March 11th.