In cleaning out my desk today I found some fabric I had purchased to make doll clothes.

It didn't happen, and wasn't going to happen.

I bought it for all of twenty-five cents so I handed it to the girls.  They love to play with fabric.  Dress-up, forts, house, etc.

This evening Rob had an impromptu camp-fire to burn my old desk.  It made a beautiful blaze, and we all ended up outside enjoying it.  Rainee and Zeria brought the material they were playing in, and used it as coats etc.

I turned my flash off and held very very still and took this.

Its soooooooooooooooo beautiful IMHO.

I suspect it will be one of my entrys at the fair this year...though who knows.

This one just cracks me up.  I could see it out my window while I was at the computer, and it was the reason I went outside.  Doesn't he look like he belongs in the deep dark jungle somewhere??

And this one is fodor for the story boards I used to right on.  It just has inspiration written ALLL over it!

And one more picture for good measure.   My bitty bug.  Rainee Grace.

Hers isn't nearly as exotic as Zeria's, but I still thought it was fun.   

And I can't stop beaming over the one I took of Zeria's--even in spite of feeling like crap.  We have a second flu bug in our house, this one is a sore throat, cough, etc.

It's that time of the year I guess. 

My computer area is starting to take shape.  I've been offline the last two days as Rob built it.  Its rather umm ugly right now as it desperately needs to be painted.  But that will come in time.  

I still have my old computer desk in the middle of my living room, as I don't have drawers or shelves to put anything in yet.   But at least I got my computer set up.   

My dad was out this morning as per usual.  He has managed to sell the eagle tree that fell down.  I don't believe it will bring us any money, but at least we got the ugly monstrosity off our property. 

I quadded over to watch them for a bit, and spotted our temporary pond that arrives in the winter time.  It was so calm and pretty that I decided to trek through the mud and take a picture or two.  It was worth it.  Its fun to find beauty out of mud ya know.

Speaking of mud wanta see my feet after I got done quadding?  Probably not, but your  gonna anyhow. 

Yup its muddy around here right now!  The walk to our van is not bad due to the river walk we hauled in.  But you go anywhere else and yucky yucky yuck!

In regards to the eagle tree.  There's the nasty old critter.  He is dying hard.   Murder on my dad's saw all that wet rotten wood.  About 3 seconds after I snapped that he had to stop and sharpen his saw again, because that tree was NOT like cutting butter, more like cutting rock.   And Rob got another lesson in sharpening saws.  He's a city boy.  He didn't even know how to start a chain saw until AFTER we were married.  Dad is very patient teaching him.  He's always been a fantastic teacher when it comes to his beloved woods.

And what I just played with on the computer...

Without going into a lot of details my 20 year old brother could use a lot of prayer.  He doesn't cope with winter time well, and on top of that his girlfriend broke up with him, and I think he thinks he's probably gonna loose contact with his 6 month old daughter who he worships.  He needs to remember all of the things he was taught as a child, and turn his life to God, because right now he is in a very dark and scarey place. 

The house is quiet.  Its rather novel

Last night was bizaare.  I woke up slightly to roll over and realized Jeremiah was nursing.  I did NOT remember him coming in the room.  He doesn't night nurse anymore.  I fidgeted a tiny bit, and he said "I'm done now, can I go back to my room."

I rolled over and bumped Rob--that's his job.  A division of labor and all ya know. 

He got up and took him back to the room.

I fell asleep hard.  And in the morning I wasn't entirely sure if it had been a dream or not...until Rob said.  "How did Jeremiah get in our room I didn't get him."

Jeremiah over heard the conversation and said.  'Rainee brought me."

Rainee by the way is the "brave" member of the family.  If any of the kids are scared to cross the living room in the dark, and we don't here them, she escorts them.  She's NOT afraid of the dark.    She even brings Zeria to the bedroom.  Remember Zeria's 10--Rainee's 5.

Anyhow Rainee pipes in.  "I don't remember doing that...."

So the mystery.  How DID Jeremiah get in our bedroom?

Up until now he hasn't been able to open the bedroom door...but maybe he did, and just scooted into bed and helped himself?  *scratches head* 

Ahh the joys of parenting. 

I guess if he reappears tonight we'll know he's mastered the art of door opening.  And then we'll lock it.    *snicker*

Each child goes through the phase of learning to knock on the door.  We have everyone mostly trained.  Rainee forget's about 20% of the time.  And Jeremiah believes we have an open door policy.   We don't.  *snicker* 

And that vagueness is kind of the haze I walked around in today.  Its the time of the month where I function, but on half mast. LOL  I wasn't going to do school, but somehow half way through it I realized I must of changed my mind.  *snicker*    

Rainee worked herself through 3/4's of the uppercase alphabet between baton and basketball practice today in her handwriting book.  Rainee LOVES writing.  Its art in her mind.

Jamari did two alphabet letters.  He wanted me to help him while Zeria was playing.  Rainee was smarter and waited until Zeria was on the bench.  *snicker*

Kaylin cried at the end of the game because she hadn't made a basket.  She was broken hearted.  She *is* finally making them in practice, and her closest friend on the team made one tonight, and she's only been on the team one year...whereas Kaylin's been on two.  I think that was what set her off.  I hugged her, and told her we still loved her.  She's a great defense player, and she'll get it.

Zeria was a wee-bit frustrated with the boys on her team, and they were BALL-HOGS!  The coach finally got after them, and about 30 seconds after they passed the ball to Zeria and she made a basket.  I reminded her that she has become a TERRIFIC guard, and its not just about making baskets, its about stopping them as well.  And trust me on this the other team HATES it when Zeria is appointed to guard one of them.  She does it religiously.  I was glad however the coach reminded the boys to share.

Anyhow I made a point of talking to both of the girls who were discouraged.

And apparently forgot to tell Samuel what a good job he did.  He's the "star" on his team.  He makes 75% of the baskets, and just looks fantastic out on the court.  I somehow assumed he could read my mind.  After the kids were in bed he came out with a sad face.  "I'm never told how I do."  He observed.  "Huh?"  "You never tell me how I do."

*sigh*

We hugged, apologized, and praised him.  What can you tell the star.  You are STAR.  Parenting is hard work!!!!!! 

In regards to star.  Samuel LOVES basketball.  And today he had to make a sacrifice and honor his commitment to baton.  If it had been Zeria she would not have been a happy camper.  I took Samuel into the bedroom and explained what was going on.  He had an amazing attitude about it.  "Its fine mom."  He said.  And at baton he participated well, and did great.  He never bugged about getting going so we could get to the bit of a game we were going to get to etc.  The roads were gnarly on the way home, (1/2 inch of snow)  and I told him I wasn't sure if we were gonna get there at half-time like I hoped.  He just nodded his head, and said.  "Its okay."  And it was in the voice that actually meant it, not that sullen "Its okay" voice Zeria gives when you know its anything but okay.  So I was proud of him.  Cause he does baton cause we all do it, but he LOVES basketball.  And he willing honored his first commitment. 

Jamari and basketball?  We praised him as he came off the court.  He *is* finally tracking the ball, and even getting in and grabbing it some times.  He's coming along quite nicely...although the coaches wife said she missed the skipping and the cartwheels.     

I don't.  *snicker*

Its the time of the month where mommy goes and hides in the master bathroom somewhat frequently taking deep breathes and reminding myself that I really do love my children.

*snickers*

I have had fun playing with the new photo softwares, but I don't see that they do much more then what I already have.  And mine was paid for about six years ago.  ROFL

So I think when the trials are up I will say adios.

I was told to pick out a Valentines gift. 

In regards to my organization blog the desk I put a picture up I actually bought about 4 years ago.  Its served its purpose well, but I am homeschooling more kids these days, and in a different house with different space needs.

This weekend Rob built a bunk bed and had a LOT of fun.  He said he wanted something else to build.  I drew him a plan of what I wanted for a desk "now" 

And with about $150 in wood he's gonna do it.  Now that is a wee bit more then the software, but the desk will be used MUCH more.  Its gonna be a huge corner desk that has room for me to scrapbook as well as computerize.   With a ton of verticle shelves for all of my scrapbook paper etc.  Rob has now got the tools to do everything that needs to do, and it will be a  GREAT Valentines day gift for both of us. 

And in regards to bunk beds.   This is the one Rob built this weekend via some plans he found on the internet.  My boys have killed TWO used sets.  *sigh*   The plan he chose was a man who built his for sons, and showed pictures of it still being used five years later.  LOL  Rob said that was the plan for him.  It turned very well and is VERY sturdy.  It *is* going to have one more rail on the top bunk, but Rob mis-cut the last 2x4 he had, and there were none in Neah Bay, so we'll do it this weekend.

You can tell since Rob is laying on it that it is very strong.

So now I'm dreaming of my desk, and what should go where.  its fun to dream...

Actually I have NO idea what this beach is named.  When we first moved here their was a HUGE rock on which someone had painted Shadrach.  So we dubbed it Shadrach beach.  Its one of our top five favorite beaches. 

Yesterday was so beautiful in the afternoon, and after a two hour nap Kaylin had perked up so we decided to drive to Neah Bay to get a piece of wood to finish Rob's project.  They didn't have the piece of wood, but it was such a gorgeous drive we didn't care.  On the way back we stopped and played at Shadrach.  The kids played hide and seek in the big rocks, and we barely saw them.  Mommy and Daddy just stared at the beginnings of a sunset, and the gorgeous waves, and the snow on Vancouver Island.  It was just marvelous.

On the way to Neah Bay we counted 38 eagles.  Yes 38.  Here's a youngling that I found and captured on film.  The lighting isn't great, but its still a okay picture.

Another picture of Seal Rock--but this one has a tug boat coming around it.    The tide was super low, and the day so clear.  Just perfect.

Vancouver Island and one of the many ships that go through the strait taken while enjoying the beach at Shadrach.    Note the duck in the front.

Looking down the coast towards Sekiu.  The headland in the far distance is actually Sekiu.  I love the many layers in this picture. 

Me.    Enough said there.  LOL

And a long distance picture of Jeremiah and daddy.  I don't know what he's telling Rob, but its VERY important apparently. 

Such a nice nice gorgeous day.  Very rare in February.  Very Very appreciated!!!!

Trying a new meal that was shared here.  I even had french bread in my freezer. 

My substitions are llama meat instead of hamburger meat.  And a wee bit of soy in the llama meat while cooking.  Its just a bit bland without it.  I'll tell you how it turns out.  It loooooooooooooks marvelous.    And very easy.

Kaylin was kinda punky this morning and I asked her if she was feeling okay.  She said she was "just" tired.  I felt her head, etc.  And still "just" tired.  So we headed to church.  When we got there I looked at her again, and she just looked miserable.  Rob drove us both back home, and now I have this very quiet house to putter in.

Its okay I'm kinda punky myself.  But that's cause Aunt Flo showed up.  She's been arriving early and on time for months.  And she was five days late.  Rob and I were both getting a wee bit...concerned.  I had decided if she didn't show by Tuesday I would pick up a test.  Rob is so funny.  We are so maxed out with kids these days.  We love them, but its a full time gig.  And I thought he might be a bit bummed if for some reason his operation didn't "take" so to speak.  But he had this big dumb grin on his face when he heard it *might* be an issue.  We are quite content with the number of kids we have.  But I have to admit...a newborn *almost* tempts me. 

I like the fact I have kids almost totally out of diapers.  (several still in pull-ups at night)  But ya know the "novelty" of newborn makes me wonder for a second.  And then I smack my forehead on a wall or something and move on. 

We attempted to take my dad for a drive yesterday, but the roads/snow was just a bit too much for where we wanted to go.  So instead we headed up the Hoko and hung out on the bridge for a bit.  My kids were MAJORLY bummed cause they love throwing rocks over said bridge, but there were about 6 fishermen down there and we KNEW they wouldn't love it.  So we had to kibash it.  It kinda spoiled their adventure.  *shrugs* can't have everything.   It sure was pretty though.

Other then that just really hoping we're not into round two of sick kids.

In other very exciting news.  Our local Rummage store reopened.  My kids were all ectstatic.  The ladies in there are so funny.  They just can't add.

Rainee bought all of this stuff.  And they charged her a dollar.  There's a very nice working Leap Pad in there.  As well as at least 3 purses, a

bandana, and a lot of JUNK.  

Kids paradise man. 

It was Jamari's birthday Wednesday, and we celebrated yesterday--although he actually got his main birthday present last Friday.  LOL  He went grocery shopping with me, and there was just NO way we could smuggle a bike into the van without him noticing.  So instead we blindfolded him and let him pick it out.

And then it promptly snowed and froze so he's gotten very little riding time, and I haven't managed to snag a picture of him with it. 

Bikes on this property are ridden into the ground.  So the powers that be.  (Rob and I)  have decided each kid is getting a new bike for their birthday this year.   Goodwill bikes have lasted quite awhile, but require constant maintenance.   And since our kids practically live on them it seemed it a really good gift. 

As well as that I made Jamari a polar fleece blanket.  His last one bit the dust.

Have I mentioned how hard my boys are on bedding/blankets?  Of course if they'd quit haulting them outside to make forts it might help....*snicker*

Maybe I'm just not mean enough?  I don't know.  Anyhow I made him a new horse blanket, and he of course loved it.  I also made him the necklace in the first picture that he's wearing.  The girls have been beading, and he made one as well.  Unfortunately the beads I had were quite girly.  VERY girly.  And Rob and I had to tell him that it wasn't appropriate to wear in public.  He started sobbing.  So I promised him I'd buy him some "boy" beads and he could make it.  But I one upped him and made him one with some of my more spensive beads.  It hasn't come off since...I think he approves.

What a long way this child has come.  I can't even recognize him as the child we had even two years ago.  He rarely whines.  He rarely cries.  Who is he?  He's growing up.  He's a baton star.  He's most of the time the first to hug me these days.  And will just come lean on me some times.  There are STILL some minor attatchment issues even though we've had him since he was 11 months old...but oh my have we come a long way from this baby who very rarely looked that happy.  LOL

So here's for a good year, with more progress.