A Song That Moves Me

A dear friend gave me a wonderful gift the other evening: a CD from an artist new to me, Sara Groves. Her album "O Holy Night" was lovely! She has a soothing, airy voice and her take on traditional Christmas carols was very interesting and pleasing to the ear. When I heard the song, "To Be With You," I was moved to tears. We had just celebrated Christmas with my side of the family at my parents' lake house and I had been so emotional that day, thinking what a blessing it was to have my four children, my husband, my parents, my sisters and their husbands, and my grandparents there with me. How many people can say that, and how many more earthly years will I have all I hold dear with me?
Here are the lyrics to "To Be With You" -
We come in from our travels/Lay our gifts beneath the tree/My mother's in the kitchen/The parade is on TV/My father's with his father/They're setting out some toys/The kids all want the train he's had/Since he was a boy
CHORUS: To be with you/To be with you/I love this time of year/It always brings me here/To be with you
(my most teary part): I FALL IN WITH MY SISTERS/JUST LIKE WHEN WE WERE YOUNG/MY GRANDMA HOLDS THE BABY/SHE ROCKS AND SOFTLY HUMS/We gather round the table/We close our eyes and sing/"Praise God from whom all blessings flow"
To be with you/To be with you/I love this time of year/It always brings me here/To be with you
We set out milk and cookies/The kids are quick to bed/They know St. Nick is coming/And nothing need be said/We gather by the fire/Reminiscing by its light/The kids will be up early/But it's hard to say goodnight
To be with you/To be with you/I love this time of year/It always brings me here/To be with you

A Busy and Fun Day

Nothing special, but a nice day in the Hill Household. Two big kids went off to school and the two little ones played so nicely...I cleaned the upstairs, really cleaned (not just dusting and vacuuming)...the walls/door frames were nasty - all those little hands make quite the messes! It felt great to get at least part of the house spic and span.
CAH came home from school and we went over her school work, had lunch and cleaned the basement (WAY too many toys were out at once!) Again, it felt great to tidy up. KBH received a doll bed for Christmas from my parents, so we put it next to her bed today. We also moved CAH's doll crib upstairs next to her bed. The girls had a ball getting everything set up!
This afternoon, to my delight, the contact person from Lakeridge Farms called me back and quoted me a great price for an indoor pool party for KBH (who will turn four in January.) I was SO relieved to have it planned!
When NCH came home, I made the kiddos cocoa and NCH talked about his day. He was eager to get started on a new Star Wars lego set he received for Christmas from my parents. I made spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread for dinner, and for dessert, the kiddos enjoyed the last of the reindeer cookies.
After dinner, hubby helped the kiddos open "day three" of the week-long gift from my parents (on day one, they give a book with a theme; for the next 6 nights, the kiddos open a gift and follow the instructions.) The book this year is called, "What Can I Give Jesus?" by Cheryl Kirking, and so far, the kiddos opened a dog bone for canine cousin Takoda, supplies to make Christmas cards to give away, and tonight - supplies to make cupcakes: keep 6 and give the rest away with the Christmas cards. After NCH and I cleaned up the dinner dishes, the kiddos all helped make the cupcakes. NCH read the directions, CAH got out the bakeware, KBH and NJH got to pour and mix. While NCH and CAH scooped the batter into the cupcake liners, KBH vacuumed. While the cupcakes baked, CAH did the dishes and KBH dried.



Afterwards, we watched The Charlie Brown Christmas special, frosted the cupcakes and got ready for bed.
The kiddos have also been enjoying two Christmas books with CDs...we gather in the boys' bedroom and listen to the bedtime stories.
Tomorrow, I look forward to cleaning the downstairs, going to KBH's preschool Christmas party, and in the evening - getting my hair cut and going out for dinner with two special friends.

Today

- I spent a lot of time watching my kiddos play today.
- KBH is totally into the memory-matching game "I Spy Memory." She had all the cards lined up in her room today, along with several of the I Spy book.
- I watched KBH write her name for the first time today (this has been a huge challenge and a big worry of mine!!)
- CAH got to read with the school principal today. She came home with a special pin/ribbon that said "Star Reader" and the school name.
- The girls have been coloring up a storm! Both girls take pride in staying in the lines and they enjoy coloring for hours on end.
- NJH pooped on the potty before nap time today...he was so proud of himself!
- I love watching the kids take care of one another when they play out back in the snow. The older ones help the younger ones, and they all love to pull NJH in the sled.
- Tonight's math homework for NCH is adding columns of 3 2-digit numbers. Suddenly he's a big kid!
- A friend of the family just stopped by as Santa, to check up on the Herd. CAH answered the door and almost burst into tears! All three older kids stared while NJH ran right up and said, "Hello, Santa! What's in there?" and reached for the gift bags Santa was carrying!!
- Hubby is working a side job tonight so I'm just doing chicken nuggets with honey, raw veggies and dip and some applesauce for dinner. The kids can't wait!
- After dinner, I'll have the kids get jammied while I do the dishes...then we'll gather to watch "Rudolph." KBH has been asking to watch it for over a week now!
- I love days like this, when I am not pressured to get all kinds of things accomplished and I can just keep up the house/meals/laundry and enjoy the kids!

Thoughts Today

I don't know why I wait so long in between my blog updates. So many things happen that I want to share, and the next thing I know, a week has gone by! So rather than write a long update and pressure myself with the need to add pictures and all, here are just a couple of things on my mind today...

- I can't believe NCH is adding double digits, you know like:
33
+17

He likes math a lot and he breezed through his homework last night. I love to see him enjoying school! I am amazed at how much he is growing and in so many ways, day by day. He plays basketball (or "hoops" as the guys call it) every Saturday. He really enjoys it. Although he is just beginning to learn the sport, he doesn't get flustered when the coach tells him to do this or not do that. I can see why I never did sports because I get nervous just listening to all the instructions from the sidelines!

- CAH is "Star of the Week" in her kindergarten class this week. We had such a fun time selecting photos and items to bring in...just remembering her as a super-chunky, super-happy baby makes me smile. She is becoming such a "big girl" - in her interactions and the way she speaks and plays. She is still such a helper to me. Lately, she will come to me in the kitchen and ask, "Can I help you with something, Mama?" Her baby brother absolutely thinks the world of her! They get along very well and he trusts her to care for him and love him. It's precious to watch them. She is busy memorizing the books of the New Testament for AWANA...she has the first 8 books down, now 19 to go!

- KBH, although still a feisty one, is gradually changing. She has earned a number of patches in her AWANA Cubbies class, for saying many different Bible verses. I really wasn't sure she would be able to do this, but she is proving me wrong. In appearance, she looks older to me. Even her preschool teacher said to me today, "Boy, she looks so tall and slender - like a bigger kid now!" She will turn 4 in just a few weeks and would like to have a Little Mermaid/Under the Sea party. I am still in the process of looking for an affordable indoor pool to use for the party. If not, we have pages of game and craft ideas...we shall see! She is LOVING gymnastics! Her confidence is growing and growing, and I actually observed from the window last week (like regular parents do...up until then, I'd been in the gym with her as she absolutely lost it when I tried to leave.) Her coach has been so patient with us! I do love to watch her flip over the bars, learn to do forward rolls on the beam, and add turns to her seat drops on the trampoline.

- NJH "reads" books to me now. At nap time today, we read the "Peekaboo" book and he said, "Oh, the baby has a car. Now the baby is playing hide and seek. See, the baby is eating the apple." I love that he talks so well - it really decreases frustration for everyone. I signed him up for preschool next fall...I don't even want to think about it! He's such a sweetie boy, I just want to keep him home with me forever! But I also want him to learn and grow and get along with his peers. This year, we dropped out of bible study (due to his crying for me the whole time). I have to say, I am loving the time with him. He has such a great sense of humor, and I could watch him play all day!

Well, I guess this turned out longer than I'd planned...and it ended up more of a Hill Herd update than "thoughts today"...so other thoughts -
. I'm really enjoying listening to each of my Christmas CD's.
. I love my "hot bag" (this bag of rice that you heat in the microwave, to keep you warm at night).
. I am reading a fantastic book by Pearl Buck called "The Townsman." I'm about 2/3 through and I look forward to reading a chapter or two every night.
. South Beach is working this time. Not to my "goal" weight yet, but almost there.
. Running felt GREAT last night - it was a warmish night and it was fun to see all the neighborhood decorations lit up
. I am looking forward to Christmas at the lake with my side of the family this Saturday.
. I can't wait to have dinner at my sister's tonight: just the girls getting Japanese take out, catching up and having fun!
. Hubby and I watched "The Office" last night and I laughed harder than I have in a long time!

I Can Have My Salsa and Eat It Too!

That's right...and I can have my coffee and drink it too! Confused? Let me enlighten you: I'm back on South Beach (don't stop reading...I know, I like gimmicks, and I annoy you, but read on)...anyway, the scale recently went past my "scary weight" and into my pregnancy weight. I tried being "sensible" and "eating right" but it wasn't enough. I needed a bandwagon to jump on, just to get myself started. Why this time of year when there are treats and goodies and parties? Because I was already past my scary point and my pants wouldn't zip! If I gobbled my way through December, I would really be getting out of hand. So last Wednesday, I jumped into South Beach, Phase 1 with both feet. It felt great this time...no shakes and nausea from the carb and sugar withdrawal. I am following their plan, but not necessarily the specific "meal plan per day" in the book. I am really enjoying it and the scale is giving me great positive feedback!
Yesterday, I discovered something wonderful: for a snack, I had some of the Price Chopper fresh garlic salsa with a part-skim mozzarella stick and some celery...yummy! I really didn't miss the chips, and the zesty salsa was fantastic!
Today, I made my own coffee combination: decaf coffee, 2 splendas, skim milk, a little pure vanilla, and a little baking cocoa...delicious!!!!
Another recent find: McDonald's coffee is $1 for any size, so I get a large decaf with 2 splendas and skim milk...it lasts me all day and is quite yummy. I found a powdered sugar-free hazelnut nondairy creamer at Price Chopper today...it's actually a nice treat in coffee!
Dinners have included tilapia in ginger sauce with broccoli, ground sirloin (burgers) and veggies, chicken caesar salad (no croutons for me), dilled shrimp salad, even Chinese take out (steamed shrimp with mixed veggies...I just gave my carrots to the kiddos.) Later this week, we'll have two different kinds of chicken dishes and a broiled sirloin...not bad, right?
I am very motivated to stick with this until I am at a happier place on the scale. Then I will move into Phase 2 (allowing some fruit and whole grains), with the goal being to see Phase 2 as a life habit.
I am still trying to run three times a week, but with the winter weather moving in, it looks like the treadmill and I will need to be reacquainted. Last night's date didn't go too well, but there is room for improvement!

I Must Have Written 30 Blog Updates!

In my head, that is...while running. There's just something about the fresh air and the peace and quiet that gets me "head-blogging"...writing blogs in my head as I run. It's wonderful, except that when I get home, I get busy with so many other things (and people) that I rarely get the chance to write down all those thoughts rumbling around in my mind!
Oh well, here's the latest Hill happenings:
1) NCH is finally healthy, after missing 5 days of school. He was tested for flu and the results were negative. The urgent care MD did put him on zithromax and an inhaler, and he's back to normal, thankfully. It had been tough week for him when he returned to school...his teacher was away at a 3-day conference, and a classmate had died. The community has been devastated, and NCH and I attended the very sad funeral together. He has been such a sweetheart...letting me have extra hugs and snuggles, being extremely helpful. I think losing a friend has made him appreciate the time he has with his family. His teacher conference was delightful! He has a very enthusiastic, encouraging teacher this year, and NCH is very positive about second grade. It's a pleasure to see him doing so well.
2) CAH is changing before my very eyes. She has always been the snuggler, the hugger and the pleaser. Lately, she's become very busy...she loves playing with her Barbies, Ariel and Ponies. She spends hours coloring and creating all kinds of things. She seeks out hugs much less often, but is always happy to snuggle when I ask her. She is especially kind to her little brother, and the admiration is mutual. Her teacher conference went fine, but her teacher is very reserved and I wonder how well she really has gotten to know my little girl. In other settings, like Sunday School and AWANA, her teachers have really enjoyed having her in class. I know I can't protect her from everything, but I want school to be a great experience for her.
3) KBH is an enigma. I started reading "Parenting the Strong-Willed Child" for some new items to put in my bag of tricks. Well, week one is called "Attending": you find 10 minutes twice a day, sit down with your child and basically narrate what she is doing, kind of like a sports commentator. You don't put demands on your child, nor do you ask any questions during that time. The first "attending" session ended abruptly after a minute or so when KBH shoved me and said, "Stop saying that to me!" One of yesterday's sessions ended nine minutes into it, when KBH bit her little brother on the back!!!!!!!!!! I hope to find the author's email address because I have a few questions for him! Yes, KBH is our girl with the curl...sometimes, she is a joy. She LOVES gymnastics, preschool, computer time and movies (the movies she selects.) But then there are moments when she is just plain difficult! I know God is trying to teach me something...I hope I learn quickly!!
4) NJH is doing well over all. He is the only child I've had who has turned two without a new baby in the house! It's so strange for me, but I am loving the time with him. I worried that I would baby him or spoil him, but he insists on doing so many things "all by myself" that I don't have to worry about babying him! Now the spoiling thing...I have stopped going to bible study because he cries the whole time. I go to Sunday School with him for the same reason. He does stay in nursery when his friend, Mr. Eli, is there, but for anyone else, he cries and cries. I am hoping this is a short-lived stage!! Besides the crying episodes, he is a love and a doll. He talks in longer and longer sentences, he loves to sing, he plays on his own beautifully! His favorite toys are Thomas the Train, Bob the Builder and Mater from Cars. Here's a dialogue he had going last week, between toys (a mommy, a daddy and a baby):
"Hi Mommy!"
"How was school today?"
"Great!"
"Take care now."
"I love you very very very much!"
"Oh, Daddy's home. How was work today?"
"Come on, up you go."
"Here's my Daddy."
"Get my baby."
"Where are we going?"
"Let's take a ride in the car."
"Come on, Daddy. Let's play!"
5) Hubby and I had a most relaxing get-away over the weekend! My parents house-swapped with us: we went to the lake and enjoyed total peace and quiet while my parents came to our house and watch the herd for us! It was wonderful to be able to talk without being interrupted, to sleep in, to be responsibility-free for a little while.
6) I am getting so frustrated with myself...I've done all kinds of fad diets and health kicks. I thought I would try eating just at mealtime, drinking more water, etc. but my will power is terrible and I ate TONS of Halloween candy! A friend told me about Spark People online...a free fitness group online. It can track your food and exercise, help you with goals, etc. I decided to give it a try...I am definitely eating much better, but I am not losing weight! Very annoying, especially since all of my winter pants are very tight...I can wear jeans for about 2 hours and then I just want sweats on!!! I will try the healthy eating thing for another few weeks, but if I don't see results, I think I'll need a new "kick" to get myself back in gear!
7) We've been loving watching movies together as a family...last week, we watched the 1937 version of "Heidi" and we all loved it! This week, we watched "Mary Poppins" and my favorite part was watching my children watching the movie...their eyes were wide open, sometimes with mouths open, other times smiling...they all want to be able to snap their fingers and have their rooms cleaned! We've been singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Chimchimeree" all day.

Rough Week, Keeping Things in Perspective

Yes, it's been a bit of a bumpy week in the Hill Household. Monday, I was gone all day at the annual CASHA (Capital Area Speech Language Hearing Association) Fall Workshop. I had fun wearing my "treasurer" and "continuing education administrator" hats while hubby was at the helm at home. Monday night, we had three extra kiddos here and it ended up going quite smoothly! Unfortunately, all the coffee I guzzled all day kept me up past 2 am, so I was more than a little tired on Tuesday morning! I was looking forward to getting back into my routine of cleaning/laundry/etc. Before I even got started, however, the school nurse called to tell me NCH had a fever! So after dropping KBH to preschool, I picked up my sickie kiddie, hurried to my flu shot appointment, stopped home to switch over the laundry, dashed back across town to get KBH, hustled home to meet CAH's kindergarten bus, fed everyone lunch and put them all to bed for naps! Phew!

(Photo of NCH, laying on the treadmill...too tired to move!)

Wednesday, NCH's fever continued. We watched "Beethoven" parts one and two...it was actually nice to just snuggle four kiddos on the couch. The rained poured down outside all day, but we stayed warm and enjoyed a jammies day. I was quite ticked when I realized I had to RIP OUT SEVEN HOURS worth of knitting I had done over the past two nights...I had started a new project and made a major mistake...it was just that kind of a week.
Thursday, NCH was STILL sick! No fever, but he looked pale and was quite tired. Hubby stayed home with the two boys so I could take KBH to her preschool Halloween parade. Later, we watched "Beethoven" part three, organized the basement and collected two large bags of toys to give to Operation Christmas Child.

(Photo of KBH in her Tinkerbell-Princess-Fairy costume)

Today, NCH didn't seem healthy or strong enough to send to school. He didn't even seem to mind missing his Halloween party (so I know he's not all better yet.) CAH headed off to school in her Laura Ingalls costume,

(costume made by my mom...a very talented seamstress!!)

and KBH asked all morning, "When can I go to gym-mattresses?" (That's how she says "gymnastics.") We finally got to gymnastics and suddenly she became lethargic and listless, sucking her fingers and asking to go home! I am hoping she's not sick, but it seems quite likely at the moment (although she doesn't have a fever yet.)

(KBH getting her achievement ribbon award from Coach Craig)

Tomorrow is Saturday...usually some of the kids get to go to the dump with Dad. They love going to Stewart's for a treat afterwards...the highlight of the week! But tomorrow, hubby is working a side job all day...so mommy will do her best to keep the day fun.
So yes, it's been a bummer of a week. I haven't done anything except wait on people, do laundry, make lame dinners and think of all the things I'm not getting done. But if I keep things in perspective, I remember:
1) I get to hug my kids and watch movies with them as we snuggle on the couch.
2) Mucinex and motrin are easy, quick remedies...my kids are home with me, not in the hospital. They are not hooked up to oxygen and IVs.
3) Just this week, I have been praying for
- a terminally ill baby,
- a very premature baby,
- a single mom healing from a horrible car accident,
- a friend who just lost her brother,
- families who continue to grieve for children they lost to cancer,
and the list goes on.
I guess I didn't have such a tough week after all.

Easing into Fitness

Yes, I just blogged this morning about not being motivated to exercise, count points, etc. Tonight, however, I went for a nice run...5K, in the dark, on a new route...and it felt great! Here's the new "plan" I came up with as I was running (bear in mind, I'm usually a "band-wagon" fitness person - I'm trying to avoid fads and quick fixes this time):
1) try to get back to running 30 minutes or 3 miles, 3 times a week
2) eat breakfast, lunch and dinner (often I skip meals, but graze on crackers or junk all day)
3) drink more water
4) do NOT eat after dinner (chew mint gum or brush teeth, but no more TV snacks!)
5) I may try to reduce my coffee (only because I LOVE to add flavored cream.) I won't eliminate this entirely.
Hopefully I will see some results after a few weeks of following this plan (which is really just common sense and healthy!!!) It would feel great to get back to my weight watchers lifetime goal weight and stay there.

Recent Thoughts

I haven't had time to write a "real update" so here are some of the thoughts that have been swirling around in my mind...
- Did anyone notice that the price of instant hand sanitizer has doubled (and, in some cases, tripled) in the last six months?!!
- The most peaceful, blissful moment I had in the last week was immediately after sipping a tall decaf nonfat peppermint mocha no whip from Starbucks...yes, it was truly amazing!!!!!!
- Price Chopper is totally OUT of peppermint mocha coffemate cream! I have tried 3 stores and I found plenty of the pumpkin and the caramel flavors, but a giant empty spot on the shelf where the peppermint mocha belongs! I even asked a manager and he said, "Yeah, I guess we're all out." I hinted that this might be a popular flavor and perhaps they could order more!
- When trying a new recipe (and you're trying to stay on a tight budget), it would be wise to scan the list of ingredients and be sure there is not a key item that is a high-priced item! I am trying "Emeril's Chowder of Love" (Emeril "Bam" Lagasse, 2000) and I had get 4 cups of clam juice...sadly, I could only find it in small bottles, each costing nearly $3. Let's hope this is a yummy soup! I also am trying a Navy Bean soup next week and it requires a ham hock...I had no idea what this was, and I didn't have any ham bones lying around. I still have to talk to the butcher about it. (Buying a $20 ham just to make the soup isn't practical for us!)
- Last night was "Crazy Hair Night" at AWANA. The three older kids had a BLAST getting their hair styled in crazy ways and then sprayed with blue hair spray! NCH sported a Mohawk, CAH had 4 pig tails and won a giant Hershey bar for best girl hair in the Sparks class, and KBH thought she wanted her hair just like her sister's, but when she saw herself in the mirror, she burst into tears! In the end, she was happy with it.



- I am obsessed with Pancho's salsa. Seriously. I love it! We got take out Saturday night (hubby had been away for 2 nights and I was just not up to cooking)...some got Chinese and some got Mexican...I ordered the large salsa and medium chips. It made a meal for me for dinner Saturday night, lunch and dinner on Sunday! Yum, yum, yum...I can't get enough of that salsa!
- I thought about counting Weight Watchers points today. I didn't weigh in last month (I knew I was over my lifetime goal weight.) I was hoping to get back on track this month, but I am not motivated AT ALL! I have only been running once every two weeks, my clothes are tight (I am loathing jeans...if I wear them in the morning, I can't wait to change into sweats later in the day!) A friend once talked about "shedding her winter coat" during the spring. Fall must be my time to "put on my winter coat"! Oh well...
- I still haven't gotten a flu shot yet. I'm not sure about the H1N1 vaccine, but I've never had a problem with the regular flu shot. The kids have all had the regular flu shot, too. I am waiting to see what to do about the H1N1 for them as well.
- The Precept Bible Study class on Revelation that I was really looking forward to is turning out to be frustrating, as NJH cried for me the last two times. He's also been crying through nursery and Sunday School at church. I feel badly for him, but I just wish he would go in happily and play! I know, this too shall pass.
- I've been having a ball decluttering and organizing. The storage room and office look SO much better! I still have lots of shredding to do (old receipts and bills), but the majority of the work is done. I just wonder WHY do I keep so much stuff??!

Ten Years of Wedded Bliss

Ok, so maybe it hasn't been "bliss" every moment of the last ten years. We certainly have been busy building a life together though!
To think we met at Diamond's Night Club in Rochester, New York, on August 23, 1995. It was Ladies Night and I had an audiology exam the next morning. I was three months into my graduate program at Geneseo and my friend, Kathryn, and I had decided we just couldn't study one more minute. We were on the dance floor and suddenly I saw him: Mister Tall, Dark and Handsome! He and I hit it off and before we knew it, we were wearing out a path from LeMoyne to Geneseo...over time, we chipped away at one another's tough protective shells and fell in love. By the time Frank asked me to marry him, on December 11, 1998, we had moved from Auburn, New York to Niskayuna, New York. My engagement ring was hanging on our Christmas tree at 1060 Baker Avenue in the upstairs apartment. What a romantic time!

Ten months later, we were married - October 9, 1999, at Niskayuna Reformed Church. Family and friends came to join in the festivities before my hubby and I headed off on a week-long cruise - Tampa, Grand Caymen, Cozumel and New Orleans...
Next came a series of mostly highs and a couple of lows:
May 2000, we bought our home in Clifton Park,
February 2001, we were thrilled to be pregnant!
March 2001, we were overwhelmed see two babies on the ultrasound!!!
April 23, 2001, sadly, we lost our twins,
July 2001, we discovered we were pregnant again,
September 11, 2001, we lived through the darkest day in our history,
October 2001, we had a romantic get-away in Cape Cod at a gorgeous bed and breakfast,
November 2001, we saw on an ultrasound that our baby was a boy!
March 25, 2002, we became the proud parents of a sweet baby boy!! Life has not been the same since! Of course we were delighted to become parents, however our couple-ness had changed and the weight of responsibility will remain.
February 2003, hubby threw me a surprise 30th birthday party!
January 2004, we discovered we were pregnant again. But suddenly there were complications and I was on bed rest off and on for the remainder of the pregnancy.
August 9, 2004, we became the parents of a precious little girl!
June 3, 2005, Frank turned 31 and we were quite surprised to discover we were pregnant again!! (I told Frank while we were having dinner at Garcia's restaurant...he promptly ordered himself the biggest margarita on the menu!!!!)
January 3, 2006, we became the parents of another baby girl!!
A few weeks later, we started couples counseling...the sudden addition of so many children in such a short time, on one income, left us feeling stressed out, overwhelmed and without much time to be together, just the two of us. We began to look forward to the weekly counseling sessions (thankfully my parents watched the "herd" for us)...we began to add dinner out to the agenda and soon fell in love all over again.
January 2007, we "graduated" from counseling...and a few weeks later, we discovered another little Hill was on the way!
September 26, 2007, the last Little Hill was born, a boy this time! Frank had decided that "this was it" and our herd was complete.

The above timeline only includes the human changes to our household...Frank (along with his dad and a few friends) has completely transformed our house in every way possible...retaining wall, new roof, new siding, new windows, new floors, finished the basement, remodeled bathrooms, new deck, new patio, and the list goes on and on. While I admit to whining and complaining about every new idea (the cost - financial and time, were great), I have to say it all turned out beautifully.
Frank and I may be night and day opposites sometimes (and we may drive one another a little crazy), but I am confident that God knew what He was doing when He put us together: when we take the time to communicate, we really balance one another out. Hopefully we can be the team God wants us to be to raise our four children, our treasures from the Lord.

Happy 10th Anniversary, Beloved!!!

Much to do on a Monday!

Yes, it's been a busy day, many tasks to be done. Besides the usual (stripping beds, laundry, etc), I decided to switch around bathing suits and beach towels with coats/boots/winter gear. The kids have had a ball trying on hats and mittens and snow pants! I am reminded again of the blessings - healthy, growing children and oodles of winter gear to choose from, thanks to thoughtful friends sharing hand-me-downs with us. Sometimes the trying-on process gets overwhelming with 4 little ones, but I am so glad I do not have to spend time and money in a store with my herd!

Good stuff:
1) Last night, KBH learned her bible verses for AWANA and earned her vest and handbook!
2) In the van, we were listening to a bible songs CD. CAH was singing "I Cast All My Cares Upon You...I lay all of my bird-hens..." and she stopped and asked, "Mama, is it bird-hens or bird eggs?" (The word is actually "burdens", so we had a wonderful discussion about burdens and what it means to cast your cares on the Lord.) I didn't dare laugh, as she was so sincere, but how cute is that?!!
3) After kindergarten, CAH organized her own craft time...she set up play-doh for herself and her younger siblings. It was quiet and they sat at their little play table for 45 minutes! I think I need CAH to "run groups" more often!
4) After school, NCH asked if he could get NJH up from his nap. I found the boys snuggled together on NCH's bed, as NCH read a stack of books to his little brother. These are the moments I am treasuring in my heart!

Super Soups

Fall is definitely upon us. It's time for apple picking, lighting autumn candles and making hearty soups. Here are two soup recipes we tried this week:

Sara's Taco Soup
8 Slices Chopped Bacon (I had turkey bacon - might be better w/regular bacon)
1 Chopped Sweet/Vidalia Onion (I used 1/2 an onion)
1 Chopped Red Pepper
7 Cups Prepared Chicken Broth (I think I used a little more than 7...4 cans)
2-4 Chopped Chicken Breasts (I used 2 HUGE ones)
2 Cans Kernel Corn, Drained
2 7.5oz/215mL Jars Taco Sauce (I used the smooth Ortega mild)

Grated CHEESE FOR GARNISH!!! (I used sharp cheddar)

Directions:

Cook bacon. Do not drain! When cooked,
Add chicken, onion and pepper. When chicken is cooked on outside,
Add broth, taco sauce, and corn.
Boil, reduce heat to med-low, and cover.
Simmer 20 mins.

I served with tortilla chips and shredded cheese...would have been fabulous with fresh cilantro! Even a little sour cream.

Thank you to my 2nd cousin in Canada, Sara, for this very yummy recipe!

And sorry to my friend Linda, who likes photos with her recipes...I forgot to take a picture!

Another delicious soup recipe is the Copy Cat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli. This can be found at:
http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/17274/olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-copycat.html

Happy Birthday, to My Little 2 Year Old!

It doesn't seem possible that my last baby just turned two! So cliche to say, but the time has flown by! After a very "normal" pregnancy, my due date of September 24th came and went...I was nervous about having a super huge baby (the 3rd baby came 5 days late and was almost 9 pounds), so my OB agreed to induce me on September 26th. Most of the labor and delivery was without incident (just a minor mistake by an anesthesiology resident...turned UP my pitocin rather than turn it DOWN, just as I was about to get my epidural)...which prolonged my labor by almost 2 hours!! Oh well, little NJH was born at 8:22pm and weighed a whopping 9 pounds. One of the nurses exclaimed, "Wow, he's a porkchop!" as I pushed him out!! Little N was welcomed by his older brother and sisters and I don't think a baby could be more loved, kissed, hugged and snuggled!
Here are some of my favorite photos of the little guy:

Thanksgiving at the Lake 2007




Christmas 2007 - special time with Beam and Pop


little flirt (December 2007)


Easter 2008




sitting on Nona's lap on Baby Dedication Day (May 2008)


eating an oatmeal cookie (August 2008)


happy first birthday (September 2008)


"reading"...he really loves books (November 2008)


enjoying a rare winter ice cream cone! (January 2009)


he helped himself to the peanut butter and fluff sandwiches we had made for the kids for lunch...we just hadn't called them to the table yet! (February 2009)


yummy pesto pasta dinner (March 2009)


wishing big brother a happy 7th birthday...thankful for some of the chocolate pudding cake (March 2009)


playing princess ("printheth") August 2009


loving the lake (August 2009)


Happy 2nd Birthday! (September 2009)


James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above."

So Much To Say...

Yes, I have so much to say and so little time to get it all written down! Here's what's been happening with the Hill Herd:
- back to school (already blogged about NCH's first day); CAH started kindergarten, thankfully just half-day...I miss her like crazy when she's gone. KBH was very out of sorts all week without her motherly big sister, and poor little NJH is a bit fearful of KBH and some of her antics! He's been THRILLED to see CAH get off the bus at noon. They are quite sweet together. Here's a picture of CAH heading off to school:
And here are the two little ones left at home:
My caption for that photo on facebook is: And then there were 2...is it just me, or does Little N look a bit worried that his very nurturing biggest sister has left for school? And Miss K says, "Don't worry, I'm in charge now!"

CAH seems to be loving school. She tells many details about her day, and she wants to play school as soon as she gets home! She is eager to do her homework and asks me for more to do - may this always be the case! NCH has been happy to do his homework and has been acing the spelling quizzes I've been giving him.
One more note about CAH and school: The first day, she told me about her new friend: "I helped my friend today, Mama. She doesn't have fingers on one hand, so I asked if she needed help putting her papers in her folder." Although it doesn't surprise me that CAH would be helpful, I teared up as she told me this story!

KBH also started school. Here she is getting out of the van, heading to preschool:

- KBH started gymnastics last week. Remember, she is the wild and crazy one - the one who does back hip circles and skin the cat on the treadmill handles...the one who jumps off diving boards and bookcases and ok, you get the picture. Well, she refused to participate in gymnastics class last week! Evidently she is going through a little stranger anxiety with men, and her coach is a very tall man. She cried and screamed for a lollipop on the way out last week, so I told her if she goes into class, obeys her coach and participates the whole time, she will earn a lollipop. I am really hoping she does better tomorrow...last week, I did get her to do some tuck jumps on the long trampoline and she was fabulous (until the coach looked at her and told her "good job"...she stopped instantly and yelled at him "I'm never doing it again ever!!!") RASCAL! Some of her other recent antics: wearing these very worn-out hand-me-down through 3 kids pink sparkle shoes. I let her wear them to preschool rather than have another battle...yes, for the first time in 7 1/2 parenting years, I am picking my battles! Here's a photo of Miss Stylin' Girl:
She loves to pick out her own clothes and change her clothes, often. I think she'd do a wardrobe change every hour if I let her! "Nap time" has become "rummage in the closets and dresser time" and it is SO frustrating to keep folding and hanging all these clothes! When she does settle down and sleep, she's usually wearing a pair of fancy shoes or boots, and often has several layers of clothing on. I know, I know: this too shall pass!


- NCH is turning 2 next week! I will have plenty more to say about his birthday in another post, but here's what he's been up to: went big poop on potty (even told me "poop" while he was playing, so we ran to the potty and he did it!) He has new cups with straws (Munchkin brand, supposedly spill-proof, but they leak a little.) I'm not ready to give him free reign with open-top cups yet, and regular sippy cups can cause a little lisp (which he already has), so I'm hoping the oral positioning with the straw will help. He loves the cups (which have Backyardigans characters on them.) The cutest thing he's doing lately is saying "thank you, Mama" and "bless you, Mama" (when I sneeze) without any modeling or prompting. He sounds so grown up and polite!

- The other night, Frank was doing some side work and he brought NCH along to help. As I was getting dinner ready, I overheard the younger 3, sitting at the table, asking one another "how was your day?" and "what did you do today?" After each one would answer, the others would say "wow, that's great!" I melted right then and there! Just precious!

Saying Good-bye a Little More Every Day

Excited. Nervous. Happy. Sad. New beginnings. Beginning of the end of something else. Letting go a little more.
NCH hopped on the bus less than an hour ago. Off to 2nd grade with a teacher he was really hoping for. He was smiling and SO excited...the most confident I've ever seen him heading to school. May he have this enthusiasm all year long!
But I have a giant gaping hole in my heart! I know, I know, I have 3 other little kiddos here, and I'm plenty busy, but that big boy has his own place. It's not the same without him. Of course he'd likely be pestering his siblings by now if he were home. He'd be asking me for something to do. Asking for a big plate of scrambled eggs with cheese. I know it's a normal part of growing up to head out to school, but I'm sad I don't know every detail of what he's doing. I'm sad that I can't see his face light up when he learns something new. I will have a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach all day until he bounds off the bus. This feeling will fade over time. I will "get used to" him being gone all day. The question is, do I want to get used to this? Still wrestling with the homeschooling option...

Sunday, A Mom, and 2 Kiddos

Today's Happenings (after hubby took the older 2 kiddos up to the lake...we'll join them tomorrow):
1) church - NJH screamed so much in the upstairs nursery during Sunday School time that he was "ejected" (LOL - not really; my pager went off after the workers spent a lot of time trying to calm him down...he wanted no part of it today!); during 2nd service, he did a lot better in the downstairs nursery (this may have had something to do with the man in the nursery juggling plastic fruit...very impressive!); Pastor Matt gave another powerful message - The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13)...a new twist - rather than "go be good soil," ask God to "prepare the soil - soften us, ready us...we can't make ourselves better - we need to cry out to the One who can!" Great point, Pastor Matt!
2) cookout - after church, there was a cookout (lots of food purchased for, but not used, at the church camping trip, due to rain)...a very large turnout and tons of yummy chicken; I loved the time I spent with my church family!
3) nap time - what was supposed to be afternoon nap time for 2 kiddos...I tried to knit on the deck in the lovely sunshine, but kids didn't want to nap, which prompted the question: why do I give naps the power to influence my mood? Good nap time, I am happy and refreshed. Bad nap time, I am annoyed and cranky. Keep in mind, I don't take the naps! Interesting...
4) dancing - After non-nap time, I spent almost an hour dancing to a Veggie Tales CD upstairs with KBH and NJH. We had a ball!
5) pre-potty training - I put a pair of Thomas the Train undies on NJH, just to see what would happen. He thought he was hot stuff, and stayed dry for over an hour! I'm not ready to really go nuts with the potty training yet, but he will go on the potty from time to time.
6) snuggling - KBH, NJH and I watched an old Barney video together, all snuggled up on the couch. These are precious moments!

Two for Today

1. I spent the majority of the day trying clothes on my girls today. I feel so blessed to have been given bins of hand-me-downs from friends. I cannot fathom what it would cost to buy these items brand new! It's quite the process: CAH tries on the items in her dresser and closet. Anything she has outgrown goes to KBH. (These items could just go in her drawers, but she likes to try everything on too!) KBH also has to try on everything in her closet/dresser and anything she outgrows goes in a bag to pass on to a friend. The part that cracks me up every time is how excited all the kids get when they see pajamas!!!! (Especially winter "sleepers" or "feety-pajamas"!!) It's adorable!! Something interesting I noticed about my girls today: KBH is so independent in trying on her clothes. She puts the clothes on by herself, takes them off, folds them and really doesn't want help. Her head is on the small side, and she easily pulls turtlenecks over her head. On the other hand, CAH (who is almost 17 months older than KBH) struggles to get the clothes on and off, likes to lay on the floor and have me help her. Her head is a bit larger and it takes effort for me to tug those turtlenecks on and off her!! So close in age, yet so different in personality and even body type. I love their differences!
2. After hours of the try-on/change over process, we headed over to a friend's house for a cookout/get together. We haven't done this in awhile, and it was SO nice to let the kids play while the adults chatted. I've missed my girlfriends and tonight reminded me to keep in touch more often.

Book Review: Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours, by Kevin Leman

Although the last book I read by the same author ("Have a New Kid by Friday") did not receive rave reviews from me, "Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours" (MCMWLY) was actually quite a helpful book. Perhaps my attitude was different going into it: we had just spent three days having my in-laws visit, and our little darling children were anything but darlings!! It was a very humbling, stressful weekend, with outbursts, tantrums, and sassiness left and right! So when I cracked open MCMWLY, I was REALLY ready for help!!
"Reality Discipline" is the name of the technique or system of discipline: you want your children to learn to think for themselves and learn to become more responsible through guidance and action-oriented techniques. Five components of reality discipline:
"1) Parents never seek to punish; they always seek to discipline, train, and teach.
2) If 'punishment,' pain, or some kind of consequence is involved, the parent is not doing it or causing it - reality is.
3) Reality discipline is the best system I know to avoid inconsistent meandering between authoritarianism and permissiveness.
4) Reality discipline is the best system for teaching accountability and responsibility in a way that will stick.
5) Above all, reality discipline is your best bet for avoiding Super Parent Syndrome."
As Leman went on to name four pitfalls of "Super Parent Syndrome," I realized he had me pegged:
"1) I own my children.
2) I am judge and jury.
3) My children can't fail.
4) I am boss - what I say goes."
Wait, you mean that isn't right? I know, I know, our children are "on loan" from God, I get that. But I don't want my children to fail!! And I'm parenting Biblically when I tell my children I'm in charge, right? Well, not really...you see, in all of my good-intentioned, controlling ways, I have been teaching my children to be 100% dependent on me. I have not taught them to think for themselves. I have, instead, made all their decisions for them, granted them little freedom (in the name of order, control and safety), and made myself crazy trying to run and control every aspect of our household!
Leman cited an example of a "Super Parent" named Michelle, "a perfectionist thirty-four year old mother who had three daughters...their color-coordinated outfits could be seen from more than a block away. Michelle even ironed the bacon for breakfast to be sure it was flat and 'neat-looking'...she was a thoroughly exhausted woman - physically and emotionally...the idiocy went on day in and day out and finally Michelle started to crack. Her family was a circus and she was trying to be ringmaster." This could be me!!! "While Michelle believed that she was giving her family love...she was not achieving her goals at all. By making so many decisions for her children and by constantly 'doing for them,' she actually hampered their development into responsible persons who could make their own decisions and learn accountability to others and ultimately to God." Wow - I don't want to be like that!
This book really helped me to stop and think. I saw myself, and my parenting style, in a new light - one that didn't look very helpful. I have already made several changes in how I speak to my children and have been quite pleased with the results. Although I won't be able to change overnight, I am thankful for some new ideas to implement as I seek to train my children, guide them, and then set them free.

Meal-Planning from the Shelves and Freezer

When I finally entered the enormous pile of receipts (for the entire month of August) into Quicken, I was shocked and horrified to realized we had already spent the next 15 days' worth of grocery money!! My heart pounded, I felt nauseous, and I began to sweat. [Now, on a side note, we incorporate diapers/wipes/pullups as well as "dining" receipts (including Stewarts runs and Dunkin Donuts) into the large "grocery" category. Our grocery store receipts are usually kept within the budget; it's the little stops here and there that add up, ($200 extra one time!!)]
Anyway, when I realized we now have $0 to spend on groceries until September 15th, I ran to the freezer and cupboards and was relieved to find I could pull a few meals together. Next, I took out my trusty meal-planning calendar and started listing my meals. Guess what? I did it! I was able to come up with enough off-the-shelf meals to get us to next pay day! It's true, we may need to stop for milk and a little bit of fresh fruit (but no mint cookie crumble spooner pints from Stewarts!) Here's what I've planned:
Chicken Nuggets/Raw Veggies Slices/Dipping Sauce
Grilled Chicken Salad
Stuffed Peppers
Pancakes/Fruit/Sausage
Tilapia in Ginger Sauce/Rice/Veggies
Spaghetti & Sauce
Turkey Meatloaf/Potatoes/Veggies
Oven Stuffer Chicken/Rice or Potatoes/Veggies
Hot Chicken Sandwiches/Stuffing/Veggies
Homemade Pizza
Waffles/Fruit/Sausage
Chicken Noodle Soup/Biscuits
Egg/Broccoli/Bacon Casserole/Applesauce

4 Fun Things

After yesterday's very dreary rainy day (complete with naughty children!!), it was wonderful to see the sun shining today! Here are some fun things that happened today:
1) NJH moved into a booster seat at dinner time. He loved it and ate his left-over taco salad (with extra salsa) like a champ!
2) When dinner was over, I was clearing off the plates. Suddenly I heard the sweetest little voice say, "May I get down please, Mama?" It was my little sweetheart, not even two years old yet, with such nice manners!! I melted, of course.
3) NCH and I went to the library this afternoon to get him a new stack of books to read. I'm thrilled that he is reading so much! This was the most interested I've seen him in selecting his own books. We have quite the variety - from the Box Car Children to the Bailey School Kids to Magic Tree House and Magic School Bus, even our first Hardy Boys book!
4) Hubby and I were relaxing on the deck. Hubby was trying different ring tones for his iPhone. One of the tunes was the Chicken Dance...next thing you know, CAH, KBH and NJH were flapping their "wings" and dancing all over the deck! It was so adorable. During a "fairy" ring tone, CAH put a towel on her shoulders and pretended they were wings so she could fly around like Tinkerbell. I love these moments!!!

What The Herd is Up To (8/13/09)

I just found this file in "My Documents"...I can't believe I never posted it when I wrote it!! Chances are, I was interrupted (as usual!) It's a few weeks delayed, but here's what the herd was up to on August 13th:

NCH - helping with chores; will vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms; 1 minute of cleaning = 1 minute of computer/video game time (new incentive...working great so far...3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms are tidy!!); reading skills have improved dramatically; still isn't happy when I ask him to do a book report (written) but doesn't mind answering the questions verbally; anger issues have improved, but we still see outbursts from time to time; hoping 2nd grade is a great year!!
CAH - really into building houses for her stuffed animals; creatively using shoeboxes, diaper boxes, etc. with doors and windows, even writing to label "puppies"; also enjoying new birthday toys (color change Ariel, puppy with carrier); plays very well independently and with her sister; wants to be with older brother and at times, they do well together, but only when he is open to the idea; she has a "pleaser" personality but sadly that has led to lying/dishonesty...we're working on this; can't believe she's off to kindergarten in a month!
KBH - still requests "movies" often; favorites right now include Wiggles, Barney, Caillou, Blue's Clues (thankful we can borrow them from the library for free!); enjoys playing with her sister; yesterday and today, I came upon her singing in the sweetest voice "Under the Sea" while playing with Ariel doll; still likes a schedule, wants to know if it's bath night, wants her clothes laid out (would prefer to select them herself, but she does not have that freedom yet!); runs hot and cold - can be such a little doll, but can turn around and say "mommy is a poopie head" and stick her tongue out; definitely can be trying! Hopefully preschool will be a good thing for her. She is also signed up for gymnastics once a week.
NJH - coming into the 2's...starting to say "no" and run the opposite direction when called; especially detests sitting in high chair/climbs out no matter how tight the straps are; also can get arms out of car seat straps; loves cars, trucks and motorcycles; tries to copy the big kids; loves to sing; enjoys Blue's Clues and Miss Pattycake videos; wants to be in the pool area but is reluctant to be in the water; has a piercingly shrill cry, but gets over it quickly; can count from 1-11; knows to fold his hands and bow his head when we say "pray" (also says "amen" at the end); has a cute lisp (pleathe for please); using manners regularly; many 3-4 word sentences; will attempt to copy any word/phrase; has the greatest laugh!

Slacking

Yes, I've really been slacking when it comes to the whole blogging thing! But I have excuses:
1) It's been a busy summer - the kids just finished swim lessons. I'm so proud of them! NCH had to swim 500m of various consecutive strokes, using the proper flip turns, etc. CAH has mastered her dive and swims a beautiful backstroke. KBH held her own, taking lessons with 5 and 6 year olds (and we later realized she was put one level above where she should have been! Ooops!) She does a lovely kneeling dive and just today, she mastered front and back somersaults underwater! I keep reminding myself "she's only 3!" NCH also just finished swim team and he received a trophy, a t-shirt and swim bag for his efforts. His final meet was very exciting and he was really getting "into it."
Here are photos of NCH at his last meet:



Photos of KBH drying off and about to jump off the diving board:



2) I've been busy knitting - 2 projects. The first was a sweater for NJH, hopefully it will fit him this fall/winter. It used a cool variegated yarn that knit into a fair isle pattern. The second is a long cabled cardigan for me. I've finished the back and I'm about half way through with the left side. This is quite an extensive undertaking, as there are tons of cables, but I'm enjoying it (except on boiling hot days when I'm knitting on the deck!) Poor NJH really didn't like trying on his new sweater!!


3) I've been busy reading - I'm (still) on Book 10 of Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" series. Just two books left of this fantastic prophecy/end times-themed series. My Tuesday Bible study will be going through the book of Revelation this fall...I can't wait!
4) I've been busy planning meals, running 5K's and trying to follow a healthier lifestyle. With all of the recent parties, picnics and celebrations, I decided it was time for a new round of South Beach. So far, so cranky, but that will fade when I see results! I am also revisiting Couch to 5K and kicking it up a notch, sprinting where it tells you to jog and jogging where it tells you to walk. I REALLY want to improve my 5K time!
5) We just celebrated CAH's 5th birthday. I can't believe my little sweetheart is already 5 and heading off to kindergarten next month! I have already blogged about her birth story, so I'll just mention that her party this year was just for "big girls" and was a Tinkerbell theme. We used glitter glue on coloring pages, strung fruit loops and gummy life savers to make necklaces, made glittery stars for "Pin the Star on the Wand", made fruit kabobs with watermelon, pineapple, green grapes, red grapes and strawberries, ate "fairy horns" (Bugles snacks), had punch, played pass the fairy wand, played follow the fairy leader, and had cupcakes and ice cream. At the end, some children stayed to swim. Although we had to move the party indoors last minute, it was a lot of fun, the girls were well-behaved and seemed to love the activities, and the weather cleared enough for them to swim at the end.



6) Hubby and the older two enjoyed a trip out to see hubby's parents, so I enjoyed having just two little ones underfoot...we had lots of fun, and here's a photo of KBH and NJH getting ready to go to church:

7) There's plenty more to say, but I'd better get to bed or I'll be one tired and grumpy mama in the morning...