For Fun

1.Grab the book nearest you, turn to page 18, line 4? "He caressed her... (just kidding!) "When we first got it my older son, who was five at the time, discovered that if he timed his bounce with mine, he could launch higher than if he was jumping on his own."

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch? The corner of a very beautiful HON desk.

3. What's the last thing you watched on TV? Hmmm. Can't remember.

4. Without looking, what time is it? 9:50 pm

5. What time is it actually? 10:06 pm (ugh...those little people just won't nod off! It's later than I thought!)

6. Except for the computer what can you hear? Lucy laying on her back on the bottom bunk kicking Beth's top bunk mattress. It is a loud thud followed by giggling and then Beth whining for her to stop bouncing her. Moby panting.

7. When did you last step outside and what were you doing? A few minutes ago (which I guess is more like over an hour ago since I've lost track of time!). I ran into Fareway and grabbed milk and juice and Malt-O-Meal...just the essentials until I can go to the store BY MYSELF tomorrow!

8. Before you started this survey what were you doing? Putting kids to bed...turning down bedtime snacks...changing laundry (that's never-ending) and making out a grocery list and meals list for the week.

9. What are you wearing? I'm not telling or it'd have to go on the "seen something weird lately" question.

10. Did you dream last night? I dreamt that Eric was working nights and Beth was laying sideways in my bed kicking me and then somehow Lucy showed up in my bed too and was laying up against me as close as possible like a built-in heater and I was sweating. And then my alarm starting going off...one on both sides of the bed...and I couldn't reach either one. Hmmm...guess that wasn't a dream and I guess I never slept sound enough to dream.

11. When did you last laugh? When Eric got out of bed earlier this evening and was so tired he was slurring his words and he was disoriented.

12. What's on the walls in the room you're in? 2 quilts (one is an old picture of my grandparents my mom made me, the other is made from clothes of Eric's grandparents), A feed sack from the Buller Feedmill (Eric's great grandpa owned in the early 1900's) and the rest of the things that go on the wall are still sitting in the corner in a pile.

13. Seen anything weird? This well endowed woman at school today with a tiny tank top on...and at second glance I noticed a pop can stuck inside the tank right next to her bosom. Her cigarettes were nestling in beside the other bosom. It was a treat. I realized how resourceful some people are and how I wished I was more uninhibited. Maybe I'll just try that tomorrow...

14. What do you think of this quiz? It's OK.

15. Last film or video seen? Some movie about Heaven with Reese Witherspoon.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight what's the first thing you'd do? Fund missionaries, pay off debt, BUY A NEW SUBURBAN!!!, give my sister money so she could re-do her house (and not have any family members help to save money!) and also so she could stay home if she wanted, buy the family farm, hire a cleaning lady

17. Tell me something I don't know about yourself? I was hit by a pick-up the summer before I went into 2nd grade and I made my brother lie to my parents and keep it a secret for a while (he told them I had a little accident on my bike...that was SORT of true). I think I was affected by a concussion or something and wasn't thinking straight...I was enrolled in nursing school before Jake was born and got cold feet because I didn't like science much...Someday I'd like to publish a book, live in another country, have another baby (just checking to see if you're still with me), and the rest I can't reveal because I'm afraid I'll get laughed at. :)

18. If you could change one thing about the world regardless of politics what would it be? Besides the popular "No child go unloved"...rid the world of facades and masks so we could cut to the chase and do what we're here to do.

19. Do you like to dance? It doesn't matter if I like to...it's not a pretty sight!

20. What comment would you like to make to George Bush? Good job with the child tax credit...I scored with that one.

21. Your first child is a girl what do you name her? It was going to be Megan Noel

22. Your first child is a boy what do you name him? Jacob Tobias

23. Would you ever consider living abroad? Yes.

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates? "Well done, good and faithful servant." and they all made it here with you.

25. Five people you want to do this quiz? I tag: Cassie, Heather, Karen, Sara, Amy, Brenda H., Ernie and Mindy, Marsha, ERIC, Alex, Celesta, Voni, Shana, Gail, Amy in Newton...and many many more who need their own blogs so I can keep up with them!

These are the days I hate living in Iowa

Most of my family is on their way to an old, white, traditional country courthouse in a little town in Kansas to celebrate a gift our family has been given. A gift that only God's hand could have led the path for. My last memory of this courthouse where my brother-in-law spends many of his days as a "good" attorney (as opposed to the man eating money hungry ones) was taking my kids ice skating on the county lawn. Only I never made it ice skating because I rolled my ankle on the WAY to get the skates on...sending me to spend the duration of MY skating time in the ER. Today I wish with everything I am that I could make a new memory at that courthouse. I wish I could be there with my sister. Not that she's alone at all but that these are the times when having your only sister around is important. I feel like I let her down...even though circumstances were out of my control. I couldn't explain to myself how I could justify missing the first day of school for my kids...or the first day ever for my kindergartner. So today I am celebrating here in Iowa with Voni and Rick and Hannah as they take little Carlie, who they have considered their own even before they took her home last Thanksgiving, and legalize the adoption and completion of their family. These are the days I hate living so far away from home.

We love you guys!

This one's for Jody :)

This story is for Jody for all the crap she puts up from all of us teasing her about baking cookies...

First impressions are crucial. I was going to make a good impression on the kindergarten teacher when she came to visit today. We decided on chocolate chip caramel cookies. We ran some errands and got home just in time to bake them before she came. I was hurrying and didn't realize when I stuck them in the oven that one fell off onto the bottom. Within about 6 minutes my whole house was filled with smoke and a nice burnt smell. This was about 3 minutes before the teacher arrived. Not only did the house burn your eyes but also the cookies tasted like smoke. And, of course we didn't get a chance to try them until she left...with a plate full of cookies. So much for a decent reputation of cookie baking. :)

Back to School...for at least 3 out of 4

Jake's still a little miffed at me for sending him to school. He'll get over it. :)


I love this picture...besides the fact that it's my favorite boy in the whole world, Beth is in the mirror off to the side looking at herself.




Alex


Beth

I made it through drop-off without bawling my head off. I will soon have an empty nest at least during the day. The kids love their new school and there were a lot of differences in the way things are ran...which are all positive. Lucy has been beside herself with staying home while everyone else gets to go to school. Hopefully the house will stay in one piece before she gets to go on Friday. It's taking a lot of energy today to keep her busy. But, it's been a great day of Mommy and Lucy time and we're having fun. Almost time to pick up already! I have a feeling I won't have trouble filling my days...

Just another Manic Monday

Woke up to candy wrappers and rain. Worked on some projects, ran errands, finally took Eric's car to get the flat tire fixed (he's been airing it up every other day for about 3 or more weeks), took Jake to guitar (while I stayed in the car with 3 very crazy girls), came home to quickly make supper and pay bills. Left the house 5 minutes late for Kindercamp tonight...Lucy met her teacher and toured her room. I made Eric drive my car home for a diagnostic on why I can barely steer (the Surburban saga continues). The rest of the evening I've been doing things but nothing really to show for it. :) I AM working on my Christmas letter already as I seem to never get it done in time for Christmas and then just forget about sending one out. It's getting late but I love the rain and the crip air so I'm going to take Moby for a midnight walk. Tonight I'm very grateful for this neighborhood and for this life. Day after tomorrow I send my kids to school and as much as I'm ready my heart sends a choking sensation up my throat when I think about it. I wish they'd stop growing up sometimes so I can savor these days...

First Annual Family Competition

Edit video online at onetruemedia.com

Ready

Bring on school!

The Circus Goes to Town

Oh my. What was I thinking? I was tired of being cooped up in this house, with E not making it home before 8 pm most of the week, and kids bouncing off the walls. I was in dire need of school supplies since school starts in a few days and everyone needed shoes. I'd also put off buying clothes for some of the little people long enough. We headed to Davenport yesterday for a refreshing day of circus antics in every store we entered. Lucy and Beth were hiding under clothes racks at Old Navy, Jake took about 45 minutes to try on 6 pair of pants while the girls were done in 10 minutes (he's just like E). While waiting for Jake they started making faces in the mirrors and ended doing loud dance routines. Shoe shopping was maddening. Lucy was pulling any size off the shelf of every shoe she liked and spreading the paper and inserts all over the floor. The picture is after I had cleaned up some of the mess. Notice Lucy isn't in the picture...because she was too busy running up and down the aisles. Trying to fit four kids in shoes all at the same time is insane. I wouldn't recommend trying it. I almost made a grocery bill payment on Jake's shoes...he's grown up into expensive sizes. Thankfully I looked for buy one get one half off deals. Target was out of about 1/2 of the supplies we needed for school. Beth and Lucy wore their new sunglasses into Target and were steering the second cart into every object in their path. I finally stuck them each in a cart and came out with nicely bent folders and notebooks but they were contained. Eric barely beat us home at 10 pm. If I thought the bickering and craziness was wild at home stick them in public while I'm trying to concentrate on a detailed list with a minimal budget. Thankfully it's done.

I don't have to nag

Conversation between Jake and Eric. Eric is looking for a cup in the dishwasher at the same time as Jake.

Jake: (picking up a cup and turning it over to check if it's clean) You have to check the cups before you use them Dad. They're usually dirty. Because the dishwasher is broken.

Eric: Ok Jake.

Jake: Yeah, the dishwasher is broken. (pause, silence) And the car is broken too.

Eric: I know Jake.

Jake: And the dryer is broken too.

Eric: Ok, Jake.

Jake: Dad, seems like everything around here is broken.

Eric: I know Jake. As soon as I'm done with school we'll start fixing things again.

Seems like I don't have to nag. Jake is doing it for me. And NO I didn't put him up to it. I've actually tried to be very silent and hold my tongue. But this conversation did give me a good laugh.

The Chicken Song

Eric recorded this last week to send to the grandparents...

Edit video online at onetruemedia.com

I think blogging it is better! Thanks Heather and Jody! :)

Learning to Fly in the Kitchen

Tomorrow is grocery day and we're out of Crystal Light (easy 1 step process to make). Jake found koolaid in the cupboard instead to make to serve some friends who stopped in after swimming...

There's more sugar on the counter than he put in the koolaid...

And the drawer apparently needed re-arranging since he couldn't find the right measuring cup.

Here's what the drawer is supposed to look like. :) Doesn't he realize I like the measuring cups all stacked nicely and everything put in it's place????

I hope my anal drawers and cupboards survive this teaching stage... and I hope I remember the smile on his face when he served my friend a glass of pink lemonade he made himself...and the pride I felt in my heart seeing how hospitable he was on his own accord.

YIPPEE!!

My dryer parts just came! I almost hugged the delivery man! :)

WAHOO!!!!

Wake up Call

I'll need a wake-up call next week when the kids start school. Pathetically, it's 11:00 am and all I've accomplished this morning is checking blogs and greeting a neighbor who stopped by. I am off to exercise (after the ibuprofen kicks in...changed the routine a bit and now I can't hardly move...I'm getting old!) right after I have some coffee. Jake is out of books to read, which can lead to some severe issues if we don't get to the library soon. The girls are in a hurry to get to the school to see who their teachers are and who will be in their class. A new school, a new year, a mommy ready. I'm trying not to wish away these last few days before school starts. My throat chokes up just thinking about them all growing up so quickly. Another day in Buller land begins.

Every Family Needs a Comedian

Ours likes to dress herself and do her own hair.

One Down

Hopefully none to follow

We Grow 'em Big Here...

Wild Mushrooms...

Impromtu Family Night

Eric got home tonight relatively early (6:30 pm). We ate supper as a family for a change. Eric mowed while the kids and I hung out outside and at dark we headed to the swimming pool for a night swim. We got ice cream in our wet suits and shivered all the way home. It is a beautiful night out so we ended the evening cuddling by a fire in the chiminea. I love these people and love being with them. I needed to be reminded how much I love them. These are nights I hope they remember forever.

654 Minutes

How long really is 654 minutes? I'm too tired to do the math. HON family picnic day. Free food, free carnival, free entertainment. Much to appreciate about E's job. But, 654 minutes is how long our phone has been off the hook...hope you didn't try to call. :) (most of my friends know I am phone-a-phobic and don't talk much on the phone because I email but maybe my family still loves me and tried to call?) So now the phone is ringing...

It's gotta stop

Eric and I are having some catch up time and he informed me he had a High School Musical song about "Get Your Head in the Game" in his head all day at work. He says it's gotta stop. It probably has something to do with the two hours of sleep he got last night and the cd player in the next room being on repeat. Needless to say, he's not a High School Muscial fan. I'm feelin' for the guy in this house full of crazy girls. Luckily he and Jake have their own music. In fact, I never thought I'd hear my 5 year old (Lucy) say "Smoke on the Water"...Jake's newest song on his guitar.

Lucy picked a Tomato

She thinks it looks like a nose...
I, on the other hand, wasn't so sure...

My Prayer

A mentor of mine gave me a bookmark with this prayer on it. I keep it in my bible and pray it often...

My Life is Yours
A prayer by Elisabeth Elliot

"Loving Lord and heavenly Father, I offer up today all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer, to be Yours today and Yours forever. Give me grace, Lord, to do all that I know of Your holy will. Purify my heart, sanctify my thinking, correct my desires. Teach me, in all of today's work and trouble and joy, to respond with honest praise, simple trust, and instant obedience, that my life may be in truth a living sacrafice, by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, my Master and my all. Amen."


I need these written prayers sometimes to refocus because here's what MY real prayer was today:

Dear God - Please help me not to be bitter that the bunk beds are still not finished and my two little ones are still sleeping on the couch. And please help me to keep my patience when the kids are beating on each other and fighting bitterly. And if you could, Lord, please do something about this car that keeps breaking down and the dryer that doesn't work and the husband that works too hard. Help me not to be ungrateful. PS: Thanks.

Ok, so I could use the prayer direction...not exactly the exemplary ACTS prayer...sounds more like a letter from camp than a prayer to God. :) But, my heart does desire to be "right" with God and follow His will. I'm just not as graceful and elegant as Elisabeth Elliot!

Got Milk Guilt

Jake just came into the office (seemingly a little disgruntled that I'm blogging) and stated very kindly but firmly, "Mom, did anyone inform you YESTERDAY MORNING that we are out of milk?" I could see his lips tighten and his eyes grew larger with contempt.

I'm feeling a little guilty. Cassie even said that they might get osteoperosis! "You know, all of your bone strength is built up in the first 25 years of your life. Milk is very important at this stage of life!" (she was offering to go buy milk on her lunch hour)

Ok, I'm taking the $2 in my wallet and scraping some change out of the basket on the dresser and going to the store for milk!!

Only happens here

I had this fabulous idea to clean out the refrigerator and use up a bunch of stuff for lunch. I made this awesome quiche pie with spinach, eggs, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, ham and a bunch of things I won't reveal. I opened a few containers and "thought" they couldn't be too old and after all it would be thoroughly baked. WRONG. I gave my family the runs (but the quiche was yummy)...

In other news...still no dryer. E and I are on our last pair of underwear and who knows how many times the kids have worn theirs. I think I've worn these pants I have on 4 times. This is real life. No doubt about it. Considering hitting Wal-mart to buy new underwear for everyone. It beats the laundry mat. :)

Bad Mommy #999938765432124567890

The tooth fairy forgot to visit Beth last night!!! UGH!!

Got Milk?

I bought 4 gallons of milk on Saturday morning. We still had about 1/2 a gallon in the fridge from a trip to the store a couple days earlier. We were very low on milk yesterday and by this morning we've got zilch. It's only Tuesday!!! Two more days until pay day! We have a milk bandit...

GUILTY

"But make sure you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God."

Romans 12:11, The Message

Life is good...

My car broke down today with 7 sweaty kids in it.
My sewing machine is spitting needles not allowing me to finish projects.
My dryer won't dry anymore.

But my kids had a fun day and they are TIRED, it's movie night so they're vegging out, the bunkbeds are almost up, and everyone cleaned their rooms. Life is good.

A few gliches in the day remind me to be thankful...

Supper

High School Musical songs are blarring on the computer behind me so I'll try to concentrate here...too many little girls...

Jake choked on a chip during supper tonight. He was very dramatic about it so Eric said, "You know how mama birds solve that problem, don't you? The mama chews up the food for the baby and then spits it into their mouths. Pam, grab some chips and chew them up for Jake." Of course all the kids are whaling with laughter and delight...except for Jake who was laughing but giving dad the "whatever" look. I make yummy homemade salsa, homemade hamburger buns, and a fresh homemade strawberry pie and Eric steals the show with a stupid synopsis like that. AND, they noted that the salsa didn't look like Wal-marts, the buns were wheat instead of white, but no complaints on the pie. Mealtime around here is never dull.

A Box isn't JUST a Box

They promised they'd clean up the mess they made with all the stuff from inside the box when they were done. At least they left me to my projects for a while. When I was taking the picture of them inside the box Lucy said, "Hurry up, my underwear is starting to show." I don't think she realized that all I could see was her head! It's amazing what messes are made just to buy us a little time to get other things done! UGH!

Finishing Projects

I have taken matters into my own hands. After waiting two months for this bunk bed to move from Jake's room to the garage and painted I have completed the project myself. Lucy will not be sleeping on the floor after tonight (as long as I can convince E to put it together again) and Jake will no longer have the disassembled bunk bed leaning in front of his closet. Eric came up with all kinds of excuses last night why he couldn't install the transformed chandelier I painted also. He is in denial that I refuse to have the deer antler chandelier over our dining room table another day.

I THINK I MISSED MY CALLING...

Yep. I used to write songs. Who'd have thought...and I used to like cats too. I used to like them so much I wrote songs about them and their tender vittles.

I need some sleep. I'm finding way too many funny things. I can't stop laughing about this.

Sleepless Nights

It's another one of those sleepless nights. I've been laying in bed thinking so I thought I'd come up here and blog what crazy things are going through my mind...

I wonder if that sound is the "burglar" that is frequenting homes in town.

Maybe being remembered for just cinnamon rolls isn't so bad. It could be worse.

The kids are much easier to take care of when they are asleep.

I wonder if I'll be able to function tomorrow.

I'm contemplating what the tile should look like in the kitchen.

I'm picturing myself with Barbie's body.

I wonder if my mom would notice if I use the mother's day present I forgot to send her before I actually send it to her.

I forgot to buy paper at Wal-mart today.

Did I answer Beth's question right when she asked me in the middle of the tool section at Wal-mart if she wrote a letter to God and mailed it if he would get it? (I'm not blogging my answer just in case it's wrong)

Why does Eric snore so loud?

I forgot to run the dishwasher before I laid down but now I don't feel like it. I think the boogy man will get me if I walk into the kitchen.

Why do I run down the stairs when it's dark behind me?

Moby needs to quit moving around in his kennel because he sounds like the burglar.

I wonder if my dad's awake.

Ok, I feel better now. Maybe I can sleep...

It's official!

Here's the official announcement...

QUALITY MANAGER

Effective July 31, 2006, Eric Buller, assumes the responsibilities of Quality Manager for the Oak Laminate Plant of The HON Company reporting to the General Manager.

In this position Eric will be responsible for driving quality improvement through; designing and implementing quality control process, procedures, and statistical techniques; recommending revision of specifications when indicated; formulating quality policies; and developing quality programs.

Eric joined The HON Company in 2003 as a Quality Engineer at the Oak Laminate Plant. In his most recent position, Eric was a Quality Process Engineer in the HON Company Quality group.

Eric has a BA in Business Quality Management from Southwestern College and is nearing completion on obtaining an MBA from Capella University. He is also a Six Sigma Black Belt and a senior member of the American Society for Quality, holding numerous professional certifications.

Please join us in welcoming Eric to our team.

My Eulogy

A while back a friend emailed me an exert from someone's blog where she wrote her own eulogy (you know, a more HONEST one). As I read it I cracked up thinking I could probably write a similar rendition of my own frightful being. It's given me many thoughts to nibble on in the last few months. More importantly in recent weeks I've been contemplating things like 'we won't be asked what we've read but what we've put into action' (I butchered that quote from my friend but you get the jest of it). And just this weekend, who will cry tears at my funeral? Have I impacted friends who don't know Jesus or is it just the comfortable Christians in my little circle of life that I've invested in? Or even closer to home, have I even invested my heart into people or will they just cry at my funeral because there's no more cinnamon rolls or jam? In a conversation about one of my girls a friend noted to me that my daughter may get her fear of intimacy from her mother. I have a lot of acquaintances, but I seem to have a wall of protection around me and only let people in so far. So, along with my eulogy I've decided to work on my exit strategy (don't worry all you psychology freaks, I'm not going to do away with myself). I need to focus on what's on the OTHER side of this life instead of what's inside THIS life. I need to start investing in things that really matter, not what matters to this world.

More 'Maginary Friends Stories

Eric sat on the couch listening into this conversation:

The girls were exercising with double counted jumping jacks. Lucy got tired after 20 (which in actuality was about 10) and moped from the exercise area to the family room to rest.

She said, "I need a massage, Beth."

Beth said, "Get your 'maginary friend to do it."

What sisterly love. Just hope Eric doesn't use that line on me later...

The Weekend's A Blurrrrrr

I spent the last 48 hours with a massive headache/migraine. I was able to take enough drugs to sedate the beast through my weekend on projection and made it home after church just in time to lose my stomach. I was in and out of some sort of blurry sleep all afternoon until our Sunday night prayer gig. Took some drugs to get me by and made it through the evening. Seems like it's survival when these hit. Got the kids in bed after the meeting and went straight to bed myself...

Today I slept until 10 am, then laid back down just before lunch until it was time to take Jake to guitar. I think I've finally kicked the migraine but now I have a hangover from all the meds I've pumped down myself...and I think some sort of hurricane ripped through the Buller household while I was in my blurry state and destroyed all the laundry and dishes in it's path. There's just no mercy for the mom when she's down. :)

Miss Personality

Tonight we attempted to dine out with a missionary from church. Our track record for eating out with friends hasn't been so good so this was tempting all kinds of fate. We made it through 90% of the meal just fine. Lucy disappeared after Eric to get dessert off the buffet. A slight twinge of doubt ran through my body as she slipped around the corner. But I knew she was sort of "with" Eric so I blew off the thought. About 10 seconds later I heard a loud whaling from the buffet line. I knew...

I quickly approached the scene. Eric was standing next to an empty dessert tray consoling Lucy. Apparently she had ran up to the counter and just before she took the last piece of pizza another gentleman snagged the piece and never looked back. She was heartbroken. It doesn't end here.

The nice teenage boys behind the cash register messing around as the night wound down saw Lucy's turmoil and took pity on her. "We'll throw another dessert pizza in and bring it out! Don't worry," they reassured her. I took this as: it will be at least 10 minutes so go back to your seats. Lucy, on the other hand, was hell bent on staying right there by the cash registers until that pizza came out.

After realizing there was no little person following me back to my seat I took a swig of diet coke and returned to Lucy's waiting post. I found her with 4 teenage boys surrounding her playing a toothpick game (don't worry, I think most of them were Calvary kids). She had them all entertained. A short time went by and they brought out the pizza. Aware I was ready to leave they had made a small pizza just for her and boxed it up to go. She took the pizza and said something like, "It's about time boys!" Then she smiled at them and said thank you. I had to laugh to myself as they called her by name and gave her high fives when we left.

Empty Kitchen Syndrome

Everyone's eating cake and cookies for breakfast!!! I need to get to the store. E is at work and I have to fill the kitchen magically before I leave for the afternoon. So, I am preparing to bribe my kids so we can have a peaceful trip to the dreaded grocery store! I think this goes against all the rules in Parenting 101. But when you have four all the rules seem to head out the back door sometimes! :)

I figured it out!

My brother-in-law (yes, Eric's brother!) sent us this email today and it cracked me up. I think I'll forward this to Eric so we can fix all our marital disputes and he can figure out how to make me happy...

How to Make a Woman Happy

It's not difficult to make a woman happy.

A man only needs to be:
1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organizer
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
7. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate
44. compassionate

WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:
45. give her compliments regularly
46. love shopping
47. be honest
48. be very rich
49. not stress her out
50. not look at other girls

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:
51. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
52. give her lots of time, especially time for herself
53. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:
54. Never to forget
*birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes

HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY
1. Show up naked
2. Bring food and beer

Should have seen this one coming...

Lucy has been playing computer next to me...Naked. She is quite comfortable in her birthday suit. Beth wanted to play computer and tried to take over when Lucy wasn't paying attention. What I didn't see coming was Lucy's next comment, retorting to her sister in a very snotty voice and referring to the chair Beth was stealing from her, "I put my naked butt on it so THERE!" Some days I just shake my head at these little people.

MY GIRLS ARE PREGNANT

Role playing is not uncommonly heard in the background of my world. But the last few days it has added new flavor after spending a couple of days with friends whose mommy is pregnant. Beth and Lucy have been pregnant this week with "'maginary babies." Thank God they are 'maginary.

Jake the Snake and Alexandria Faith

Jake and Alex are spending their last night at camp warding off the bugs and sleeping in a rustic cabin in the Iowa heat. I miss both of them terribly today. Beth and Lucy chatter more when the big kids are gone (or maybe I notice it more?). When they're home, Jake spends most of his time tucked away in his room or lying on the red comfy couch in our living room soaking up books. We don't get much conversation out of him (although probably more than the normal boy due to all these girls!). Alex, on the other hand, is more like my shadow. When I bake she's in the midst of it "helping". When I sew, she's matching squares of her own ready to use the sewing machine the minute I stand up for something. When I read she's usually not too far away making a craft or something special for someone. Beth has taken on more of the "shadow" role this week wanting to sew when I'm trying to finish projects and wanting to help bake at midnight. It just reminds me how much I miss Alex. And it reminds me how much Beth misses out when Alex is around. I'm grateful my heart grows fonder when they are away and learning who takes the backburner when they are home. Praying I can be aware of the times when one is left out. Wanting so desperately to be all I can to each one of them.

Shy

Lucy told us at supper tonight that she can't go to Kindergarten. I looked at her with a very dumbfounded face and she said, "Well you know, 'cause I'm shy."

Anyone else laughing? I about fell off my chair. :) Not sure there's a shy Buller kid in the crowd.