January 2022 - Week 3

The kids' room is now the girls' room. And it seems so much bigger after the boys moved into their new room in the basement.

The dresser and carpet have seen better days. Sunshine squeezed 10 different colors of craft paint onto the floor last week. She also handpainted herself, several walls, the aforementioned dresser, her bedsheet and a big sister's comforter. I plan on repainting the front of the drawers and new knobs. Still working on convincing the Hubby to tear out the carpet and let the wood floors shine. 

The boyos love their new room. Though apparently miss the mural from upstairs. I promised them I was planning on getting a couple poster frames, and a canvas they could paint their dream idea of silver and gold.

Baseboards, trim, and some closet work need done still. I want to get a light fixture instead of bare bulb, but the room is mostly done. 

Bear made me breakfast while I was nursing Jelly Bean. Melted my heart.

Speaking of Jellybean, she has been finally gaining weight. And seems to be getting the signature chubby cheeks like her sisters had. We have a bug going through the house, so I haven't ventured out much. Once we are healed up I will have her weighed again. I'm trying to cut out formula, but need to make sure she continues growing without it.

The girls brought home homework from the day they missed. So I held a crying baby as my two Kindergarteners cozied up in my chair with me and we did worksheets. Bear had some homework too, but the chair was full and my nerves getting fried. We did get through math before she was sent to bed. An early morning awaited us to finish up and I was glad to have cereal for a quick breakfast for the troops.

The beginning of a shower taking form. The school aged girls' won't move into their new basement bedroom until the bathroom is finished. I am more excited about the plumbing being finished that will give me my 2nd laundry room. A household of 9 does a lot of laundry, especially during cold/flu/plague season.

Lucky #7

Jellybean joined our family December 3rd, a bit earlier than her Christmas due date. My rising blood pressure and other signs of pre-eclampsia meant she was served an eviction notice. 

She is such a sweet little baby. Loves to snuggle. A head full of gorgeous thick black hair, the longest fingers and toes. Such a perfect addition to our family.

Though, if you don't mind sparing a prayer. She isn't gaining weight as fast as she is supposed to. And this mama could use some peace of mind while we do all the things to help her grow. 

Love You Grandma

I grew up with strong and amazing women surrounding me. I am glad I was able to say goodbye in person to one of them last week before she passed.

Each new baby I had and brought to met my grandmother, for some reason I was surprised all over again to rediscover she was a bit of a baby hog. And there are oh so many pictures of her holding and smiling down on her grandchildren. Her obituary said she had 117 grandchildren, including the greats. 66 grandchildren and 51 great grandchildren. 

She told me how she loved us. That every day she prayed for her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. That she was thankful and grateful. I honestly can't remember her saying anything bad about anyone. She changed the direction of conversations if they steered towards gossip. She was optimistic even in hard times.

She handmade rosaries from wooden beads she got from taking apart seat covers. The earliest versions held together with baling twine. They are made to last, and I have 7 around my house.

When I was little I was proud to have a pirate Grandmother. I'm not sure how old I was to realize that eye patch does not equate pirate. I loved hearing her stories. I never left her house feeling worse than when I came, always better and more at peace.

She discribed herself as being spoiled and managing to  get her way a lot. She could have also been described as being capable of being stubborn. She did what she set her mind to do. She grew beautiful plants, flowers, and gardens. Her library was filled with stories of the Saints. She giggled and stayed up late laughing and talking with her sister like they were still kids themselves. 

She was devout and had a strong deep faith. Her homes were always so fun to explore. There was generally a puzzle you sit down in front of and help work on. She had a photogenic memory, and could share so many things. And I loved her very much. 

Sugar and Spice...and everything Hair?

Random perk of parenting. Bear lets me play with her hair and practice hairstyles and has the ability to hold still.

My other little girls sometimes want me to do their hair, but holding still is hit and miss.  Maybe by the time school starts in the Fall I will have mastered some cute styles with staying power. The Twinks hair is very fine and straight and nothing stays in. As it grows out I will play with some styling product.  However I except they will come home looking like wild mares by the end of the day.

2021 Calving Season Begins

1st calf has hit the ground. I am down the road on the text chain, so a better picture will hopefully be captured tonight. I have not yet heard if it is a bull or a heifer calf. My source is driving water truck at the moment and doesn't have first hand knowledge. 

When the Hubby gets off work, we will all go with him to the farm for evening chores. And to ooh and ahhh over the new baby.  Much to his annoyance I will have the kids name him/her. Its a tradition he doesn't appreciate, but the first calf needs a name. 2020 saw a bull calf named Haywire. Maybe this will be the year we branch out from Hay related names? But calves are also dubbed with a moniker. (Boo, Thumb, Haybale, Haystack, Haystack II, and I think there was a Haystick)

Sunday we went to check out baby goats. March brings calves! Night time checking routines will begin, the kids will stake out watching the calving camera. Its beginning to feel like Spring! 

Six Siblings Share a Room

Six kids in a room? How do you do it? 2021 Verision.

Yesterday we added a triple bunk bed to the mix. The room has gone over multiple arrangements and changes over the years. In its current form, all 6 kids have a twin bed and 3-4ish have their clothes in the room.

The twinks share a 3 drawer dresser/entertainment console in the living room. Their dresses and other hanging clothes are in the kids' bedroom closet.  Sunshine has a Plastic 3 drawer dresser like thing, that doubles as an end table in the living room. Basically a place for Mom to put her coffee.

My oldest 3 share this 10 drawer dresser. With hanging clothes in the closet.

The boys have the wooden bunk bed. Bear and the Twinks get the new bunk. They ALL got the bed they wanted. A miracle really. 

The closest generally is bit tidier. When the kids put their hampers away 4 fit perfectly. Then I wash all clothes, one hamper at a time and eliminate the need to sort. For the most part all the kids but the 2 year old can put their own clothes away. Winning!

Next on my agenda is a fresh coat of paint for the walls. I have scrubbed a lot of crayon, marker and pen off the walls over the last decade and at this point more paint comes off the toddler artistic expression. I would also like to take up the carpet and refinish the hardwood floors (which are in marvelous condition) and put a nice big rug (that is also washable). I am also playing with the idea of removable wallpaper. 

We have been reading the Chronicles of Narnia Books 📚. There are 7. We staryed the 4th in the series this week.. Anyway, with that in mind I have been dying to put  wallpaper similar to below inside the closet.

The idea of removable wallpaper also has me considering an accent wall or maybe all the walls! The Hubby isn't convinced, though the closet is still doable.

The bottom left I would actually love to do in dining room, with the chair rail. Now the floral might be a bit too feminine for a room with boys, but they will be getting their own room in the basement. What do you think? Would you give wallpaper a go?

Twas' the Day Before Thanksgiving

Twas the day before Thanksgiving and all through the house, 

Children were lounging with nary a care. 

Most hadn't even brushed or combed out the snarls from their hair.

School work was canceled, 

Mom's pleas to pick up ignored. 

Would someone please at least let the dog out the door?

The kitchen was gearing up for pies, rolls, and dough. 

Parents were thankful for mild weather with no snow.

Outside trailed the kidlets, 

woof barked the dog, 

Ma flour'd the table, rolling out pastries with her mind in a fog.

The prime rib was thawing, a reminder set to season.

Mom going through her menu, much larger than reason.

No Turkey here, we ranchers in Montana prefer beef!

What can I make today? How long to reheat? 

If I cook enough now maybe I won't need to do it again 'til next week!

2020 marked the first year I cooked everything for Thanksgiving. As a college student I was known to make a turkey sandwich, or benefited from a friend dropping a plate off at my work. As a single working woman, I came home for the big extended family Thanksgiving. Gradually bringing more than napkins and bags of chips.

Since being married and raising a family I have only missed one Thanksgiving, due to some sort of plague, and my little fam brought me home a plate of fixings. Because my MIL made them.

This year the decision was made to stay home. So I got to cook for the 8 of us. The menu was supposed to include my Grandma's rolls, but I didn't get them made. I was also supposed to have roasted brussel sprouts, but the Hubby vetoed them.

I tried my hand at pie dough with a new recipe. Roughly 8-10 years ago I gave up and just bought premade. I haven't decided what I will do going forward. The pie crusts turned out flaky and delicious...I don't like rolling it out and struggle getting a remotely round shape.

Prime Rib

Mashed potatoes (I think this recipe is why the Hubby proposed) 

Pine Nut cous cous

Grape Broccoli salad (a recipe I have tweaked to perfection) 

7 layer salad with hard boiled eggs added

Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Pioneer Woman Recipe)

Beehive rolls (local grocery store)

Relish tray: sweet peppers, carrots, celery, dill pickles, okra pickles, olive, grape tomatoes w/french onion dip

Crackers & Chips 

Pecan Pie

Mini pumpkin pies

Mini cherry pies

Sparkling Grape Juice

Barefoot Riesling 

The littles and I enjoyed leftover mini pies for breakfast. No soggy bottoms!