A few WORDS of advice

When you're playing scrabble over the internet on your ipod with someone....doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose if you're using a word generator? As some of you already know, I love a good word game, specifically scrabble. So, you can imagine how excited I was when I found out I could play as many scrabble games at once as I wanted on my new ipod touch that I got for Christmas. Anyway, you can play random opponents who also have this app...which I do. Now, I consider myself a reasonably good scrabble player, but there's one random person I play who always beats me. Okay, I beat this person once, but barely. Anyway, you can request a rematch which I usually do if I lose because I thought maybe this person would help me sharpen my scrabble playing skills. So, I've played this person again and again ...and again and again I'm put to shame. I recently asked this person if they've been to the scrabble olympics...or nationals...and they said in a very serious way that no they had not been to such events. Anyway, we kept playing and I kept losing. So, today I finally asked if they use a word generator. You have to be a real scrabble nerd to know what this is...and I only have a vague idea. I think it's some sort of program where you say you have these letters and this many spaces and it will tell you a word...probably something you've never heard of if you have to use such a program. Anyway, it's CHEATING! So here I was thinking man this person is good and I'm just not that good....when all along they were using a word generator. Who does that?! How can you feel good about a win when you CHEAT like that. That's like going hunting and bringing a dead dear and planting it in the woods and then after a while going out to collect it and bragging to your friends that you always get one. It's worse than corking your bat or using steroids in professional sports...because this is SCRABBLE and who cares if you win or lose. So the moral of the story is, if you're going to play scrabble, do not use a word generator unless you want to win.

so much to say...so much to say

I have a lot weighing on my mind so I feel like I have a lot to say. Sometimes...oddly those two things don't coincide. First I have made a couple of cute Valentine's things....though I'm wondering now if they were worth the time I put in....sure they were...they brighten things up and that's always a good thing. Here are a couple of pictures of my copied crafts....as in not my original idea...but someone else's. I'm thankful for crafty people who share their ideas on the internet...saves me a lot of time and embarrassment.





I'm assuming in both of these you can tell what I've made and then what was in all likelihood made in China and not by me. It's theraputic....making things....and feeling like it was worthwhile....a net benefit.

That brings me to what's really weighing on my mind...whether or not to have more kids. Tomorrow?....next week?....next year?....in 5 years? Daniel and I of course currently have 5 kids all under the age of 7...the oldest is 6.5. So, I think I have the answer for tomorrow and next week. And random people I meet while I'm out also seem to have the answers to those questions once they see how full my hands are. More than once I've said to a stranger who looks at me pityingly.."I think we're done having kids"....and they've replied "Ya think?" Interesting how we have it all figured out for other people. But I digress. So back to the question...do I have more kids? Since the twins were born the answer for Daniel and I has mostly been No. We've been in over our heads for some time and will probably continue to be for a while. And wouldn't it be nice to have a "light at the end of the tunnel"....to dream of a time when we could get more sleep and change fewer diapers. But...more importantly would our current children suffer because of a decision to add more to our clan? If I was doing a pros a cons list it'd look something like this...

cons
1. our family is so large we can't go out to eat or anywhere without causing a scene

2. Daniel and I would be signing up for 18+ more years of work/worry

3. less attention for each current child

4. kids cost money


pros

1. we are already so big that we don't go anywhere anyway so why not make the party at our house

2. isn't life about doing things that are worth while and what could be more worth while than raising a happy healthy human being

3. more siblings to play/talk/be friends with

4. great tax deduction and credit and oh yeah can you put a price on the joy of watching your son or daughter's first step....or first smile...or all
the memories

Those are just a few of the things that come to mind and may seem way too simple. Anyway, I just can't get this question out of my mind and don't feel like I have a clear answer. Of course I don't have to know today....but wouldn't it be nice if our lives were all mapped out for us and everything went according to plan? I wouldn't want to not have kids so that I could nap, shop, or go out to eat more.....none of those things bring me great happiness....sure maybe temporarily but when I'm on my deathbed I know I won't be saying thank goodness I had those 10 years to nap whenever I wanted and wasn't bothered by anyone.....or my favorite memory is when I spent all day shopping and going out to eat.......no it'll be a collage of things from my family life that'll bring me the most joy.....the thing I'll be the most proud of. Well there're my deep thoughts for tonight....now maybe I can sleep.

each and every day

The handsomest firefighter you'll ever meet. Who wouldn't want to be pulled out of a burning building by THIS guy right here?!...maybe someone who wanted to live....but I digress.

Holly had a stomach bug the day before her birthday party. As a result we had her blow out a scented candle from bath and body works instead of blowing all her germs on her cake. Maybe a little too cautious....but for anyone who remembers what the throwup flu is like.....can you ever be TOO cautious?

Does this look like the face of a little girl who is about to get a piece of icecream cake? I wish I looked that gorgeous when I'm pouting.

It's never too cold or too snowy to jump on the trampoline! Good thing Daniel and I were too lazy to take it down this winter.

Rahrrrrrrrrrrrrr! That's what I think of when I see this picture of Hank. Really is there any better thought for this. He's gonna be a heartbreaker.

With the Nelson's at our house for Christmas, the kids were having a blast together! Fighting...playing...playing....fighting....what are cousins for?! :)

Christmas morning was awesome with Nathan, Jessica, Greta and Elise to join in the celebration!

I think Max was trying to give me a talking to. Word to the wise...take out the binky when you're trying to look stern. ps...doesn't he look handsome in his sweater pullover?!

We made all the grandkids pose for a picture. I'm impressed by the number of kids looking at the camera...or forward for that matter. It really was a Christmas miracle!

The house that Max built!

Happy Birthday

Today is Daniel's birthday! So, how did we celebrate?!.....I took a nap...I went to a baby shower...I went to Wal-mart. Who's birthday was it?!...I know. What a nice guy huh?! In my defense I tried to offer a few fun options....or at least offered to make him breakfast...and I got him a cool sony e-reader from a doorbuster deal at wal-mart. Anyway, Daniel's a great husband and father...if there were awards for that sort of thing...he'd get many. I always tell him it's not fair the twins like him better than me...it MAY have something to do with the fact that he can and will hold both of them when they want him to. They love their dad!

The above picture does a good job of emphasizing the different face shapes of the boys. Henry is on the left...and Max is on the right....the guy in pink is of course Daniel.

Have you ever been asked, "If you could live anywhere, where would you live?" I'm almost positive if Max in particular was asked this question he would answer, "that's easy...the dishwasher". Whenever I open the dishwasher he comes running like a zombie(that's really how he runs...arms out in front...teetering from side to side). He and Henry truly believe there are treasures in there...or something....anyway here's proof. Also, I don't want any flack for the pink binky...he's secure...and he likes pink....as do I.

In other news Andrew has become a really good reader. He likes to read to me and Daniel. I don't always appreciate the books...or the repetition but I appreciate that he enjoys reading and is getting so much better. Tonight I told him how impressed I was with his reading. He asked "What does impressed mean?...does that mean you're really sad about it?" I immediately told him no...it meant that I was proud of him and thought he was doing exceptionally well. What kind of parent would say, "I'm really depressed with the way you've been reading." ?...not me. Anyway glad we cleared that up and that he asked instead of thinking that.

I am thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches I remember just how much I have to be grateful for. To start, I have a wonderful and healthy family to be thankful for. They mean the world to me. Each member of my family makes me smile several times a week. Let's start with the twins. They ARE crazy. They keep us going a million miles a minute. Henry and Maxwell remind me so much of Andrew. To make a long story short...they are needy needy babies....but have such sweet michevious smiles. They often break into our pantry when I'm not looking and the other day for the SECOND time managed to open a bag of cereal and proceeded to help themselves. Hank was the leader in this instance. He means nothing but business when it comes to eating cereal off the floor. Ohh and Max gives high fives now...I've worked on this with him. I tried with Henry but accidently hit him instead of his hand and since then he looks at me suspiciously any time I try to give him a high five.

Ashley cracks me up. The other day when getting ready for bed she said, "I'm very pleased with our property mom". I was a little puzzled but assumed she meant that she was starting to really like and enjoy our home here. I told Daniel about it later and then we both asked her what she meant by "our property". She then told us, "A property is a community of waste". In other words she is very pleased with our community of waste. It made me think a little bit(just a little mind you) about my efforts as a housekeeper.

Holly is often finding herself in trouble these days. She's very familiar with the counting to 10 system we have and then the follow through of sending her to her room when she deliberately disobeys(pretty much every time...somebody help us :) ). She's such a kind hearted girl that she likes to pay it forward with her brother. Lately she's been counting to 10 and then trying to shove Andrew to his room. She usually only does this when we are already threatening him....always trying to help us out.

Ahh and then there's Andrew. He's mostly our most obedient child....but he has his moments. He's growing up so fast. I got to eat lunch with him today at school and I listened as he and his friends made a schedule for what they will play every day at recess this week. They all decided on a star wars harry potter rotation. He is learning so much in school. Last week he came home with this beautiful piece of ....well art I guess. When I first saw it I started to tell him how not cool it was to draw something like that....but he stopped me mid-sentence with something about how his teacher had explained that that's where the pilgrims went to the bathroom. I guess she had it coming then. Anyway not one of his classiest drawings but still amusing to those with immature senses of humor(me and Daniel).

tag I'm it

My SIL Jessica tagged me and I don't really like doing these but I like her so I will give it my best effort.
1. What's your favorite food to eat? to prepare? same or different and why?
My favorite food to eat is bread...any kind of bread: garlic, cinnamon, bruchetta, wheat, white..I love bread. To prepare....hmm cookies. The difference is I'm confident that I can make cookies well and so it's worth making.
2. If you could have one talent what would it be?
I wish I could sing....so that I would want to hear it....like Ariel. Man was I dissapointed as a kid when I found out I did NOT sing like Ariel.
3. What is your favorite thing about being married?
Having someone to talk to about whatever...whenever. He IS obligated to talk to me at any time...and he doesn't seem to mind. :)
4. Best childhood Christmas gift?
A cabbage patch doll. It was close to all I got that year and I loved it. She had blonde hair and purple clothes. I loved that doll. If only it were so easy.
5. Favorite thing to do in the autumn?
My favorite thing to do in autumn is probably go to a pumpkin patch with the kiddos. That sort of has it all....Cider...pumpkin donuts....pumpkins...hayrides. I love autumn.
6. Most awkward moment with someone you didn't know?
I'm sure I've had many but as a kid one time in the gym I dropped some money at lunch time and I raised my hand and told the person who came over "ummm that was mine"...and they were like "ummm what are you even talking about". I felt pretty dumb and it was quite awkward.
7. What would you name your own grocery store?
Foodios. Probably not but it's the first thing that came to mind so I figured just go with it. :)
8. Wooden versus mechanical pencils? pros and cons?
I'm going to go with wooden. They're reliable....and that's so much more important that cool or impressive. You can always resharpen wooden whereas the lead always falls out of the mechanical and the eraser does too. I had many annoying experiences as a kid with mechanical...I'm so sorry wooden pencil that I ever took you forgranted.

Get Carded

Ever since the year our first son Andrew was born our family has tried to send out Christmas cards to each of our family members and friends. This would be one way to let everyone know...where we are...what we now look like(good or bad)...and(although I'm guessing noone realizes this) a glimpse of what our style is through the card's design. At first I tried relentlessly to get a "good" family photo that would represent the Ames family at Christmas time. Then I would select some mediocre card template to put our awesome picture on and be satisfied but not thrilled with the results. Last year I got a Christmas card from a family that shall remain nameless and noticed they got their card from http://www.shutterfly.com and it was awesome. I can't say their picture was perfect...though it was good...but the design from the card made all the difference. They have such cute designs and really have good options that represent our family's style. I seriously can't believe how many options there are. For once...that will be the hard part about our Christmas cards....trying to narrow down all of the adorable options that fit our family to a T....instead of worrying about who is making a face or whether or not our outfits coordinate the way I want. Just look at all the amazing options here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary/holiday-cards Anyway, one of my favorites is the Seasonal Chic 2010 design. It just looks...well...chic...is the best way to describe it and I'll probably be putting our family photo on there and mailing em out to everyone this Christmas. If I don't do that one then I'll go here
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary/christmas-photo-cards which has more specific Merry Christmas cards instead of just Happy Holidays. How important is it to you to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays? I'm glad they give you the option. I love merry memories blue and sooo many more. I guess now the only surprise will be which card I pick to send. So look for yours in the mail! :)