Getting Back-sided, Surprise Children, and a Late Night

We still exist! We have not disappeared for forever! Just for most of July, but...  Allow me to now begin to catch you up on all that has been going on with us.

Days in the Life...

Monday was the Fourth of July and we didn't do that much...

I had off of work, Chloe and Christian had no class, Gabe did not go to gymnastics.

So I did a full day of studying and chores and ironing (I was sooooooo excited that Dad had stuff that needed ironing) and other stuff that needed doing.

Here I am sporting red, white, and blue. 

I recommend alternate methods for sporting red.

Dad worked and tried to fix our septic system as it was clogged and about to overflow. Of course, no plumbers were answering their phones and Dad could not figure out how to fix it. So we began conserving water. 

We all took turns going next door to beg to be allowed to use Nana and Grandfather's shower. 

In the afternoon Chloe made an apple pie and after a non-typical Fourth of July dinner, Nana and Grandfather snuck in and swiped the pie joined us for ice cream, pie, and "Tammy Tell Me Truly." 

The others stayed up to watch the fireworks again, but I was exhausted and went to bed. Mom and Dad tried valiantly to get to sleep before they started, but it was too late. 

Tuesday was another more laid back day for the most part. The plumber came to fix our septic tank and Chloe and Christian went to class. My car needed some work so Dad and I took it in to the shop in the morning and then went back to get it before dinner. 

In the evening I went to babysit a little girl. 

We played dress up. 

It is actually very hard to see through those glasses. 

Wednesday it was back to work, back to class, back to gym, back to normal. 

Gabe actually spent 7 hours at the gym, though, and after I got home from work we all got to have an adventure. 

Mom had just left to go get Gabe from the gym and I had literally done 30 seconds of my workout when Christian called Dad from Chloe's phone about 5 minutes after they had texted they were on their way home from class.

Right away I could tell something was wrong.

They had just been involved in a hit-and-run accident and Chloe "was in no condition to make the call to Dad."

Dad made sure they were okay and that they were not still on the highway. Christian said they were not hurt other than both their necks being really sore from being jerked. They had pulled into a gas station and the back bumper was still on the highway.

Dad told him to call 911 and then called Mom to reroute her from the gym to go be with Chloe and Christian.

The girls and I then left to go get Gabe after running next door to let Nana and Grandfather know what had happened.

Ava and Mia ended up giving me directions to the gym since I had never been there before. We found it just fine and got to watch the end of Gabe's practice. Then in the car I carefully worded the story of what had happened and why Mom was not picking him up. (Gabe is our worrier and can get very worked up about things. He was okay once he knew they were not hurt and that Mom was with them.)

Gabe lined up with his class. 

(He is the one in navy.) 

Back home I was able to read all the text updates. Grandfather and Dad had left to go get the car and Mom was driving the kids to the chiropractor. 

Christian had made the 911 call just fine and the police officer arrived sans sirens. Once Mom arrived a bit later, they all went in to the gas station to talk. 

Christian was able to tell the officer the make, model, and color of the big pickup truck that had hit them at a red light. The bumper had not fallen off the car and the reason Chloe was not able to call was because she was so angry and was still yelling at the long gone driver. (Christian was yelling too, but he calmed down first. Also, he is a bit dramatic and so the ordeal ended up sounding much worse than it actually was when he first called Dad.)

What happened was they had stopped at a light and were waiting for the cars in front of them to start moving as it had just turned green. The truck that hit them apparently missed that the light had been red .46 seconds before and so never slowed down but rammed right into the kids just as Chloe took her foot off the brake. Christian had been leaning forward when they got hit and so was slammed into his seat which hurt his neck and shoulder. Chloe's neck was also so violently jerked that her sunglasses flew off her face, all the stuff in their laps and on the dashboard got thrown on them and the floor, and the sunroof cover (which is nearly impossible to open) was shoved open a good several inches. 

Chloe drove through the light and then tried to move over a lane because they were in the middle of the highway. As she began moving over the truck that hit them swerved around them and almost hit the driver's side, then raced off. Christian missed the license plate, but was able to collect all the other information. 

They pulled into the gas station and then "let it loose." (To quote them both.) Christian calmed down first and tried to comfort Chloe who continued yelling and threw her phone at him saying, "call someone." 

So he called Dad, Dad told them what to do and called Mom, then called them back and made sure they knew they were to just sit tight and wait for the police and Mom to arrive. 

By the time I got home they had reached the doctor's office and Dad and Grandfather were on their way home with the car. (They were driving a 20+ year old Honda Civic so no airbags went off.) 

I was supposed to get dinner with one of the ladies in our church, but I wasn't sure if Mom and Dad would want me to stay home. Mom said I should still go, though, so I rushed to help Ava make dinner and then showered and raced out the door myself, passing Dad on my way out. 

The others arrived home and rested and ate dinner and watched a "Tammy" movie. 

I had a really nice time at dinner and enjoyed finally getting to relax and breathe after such a long, crazy day. (Work had it's "fun" moments too... Like arriving and finding out that in addition to watching the three I usually nanny, I would be caring for their cousins. So, the ages of my charges for the day, 6, 5, 4, and 3 years old, and 18 months. One girl. Four boys. One me, who was not freaking out externally. Six loud hours.) 

Back at home I got to hear the whole story from Chloe and Christian. That's when details like "no we weren't crying, we were yelling" came out. They were both already joking about it and seemed in good spirits. Chloe was excited to write a blog post about the adventure and I highly recommend it! Her post is here. 

Thursday I was already planning to take Mia with me, but adding her to the five I already had was.....interesting. The day actually went relatively well and Mia had fun. 

And yes, that would be Mia reading to them. 

Meanwhile, at home, we finally had concrete poured!!

Chloe got right back on that horse and drove our truck to class. It was her and Christian's last day of their Learning Frameworks class and they both finished with solid As. 

Mom and Dad went to dinner with Aunt Cendei, the kids watching a movie after dinner, and I had an adventure of my own. 

I was planning to finally put up my feet and do something that did not require much brainpower or energy, but I felt like I should at least log onto my college class and make sure I didn't have any emails. 

Well, I had one. 

And it said that, surprise, all the deadlines had been moved from Sunday night to that night and I had less than 5 hours to write three 300 word essays, two 250 word posts, and six comments, do a "dress for success" type assignment thingy, and take the final exam. (I had blocked off all of Friday to finish all those assignments.) 

So I took a few minutes to freak out. 

So I prayed, settled down, and got to it. Trying not to cry. 

I ended up having a few small issues like, "Oh, you no longer have any available space and so we are going to delete your essays," and "We'd rather not convert your pictures to an acceptable format," and "Now we won't allow you to submit your assignment because it's going to take 45 minutes to upload," and "Well, now you have nine minutes to take the final." (That would be my laptop and the class site talking. *wink*) 

But I made it!

I turned everything in and was able to complete 2/3 of the final before midnight. Because I didn't finish the final my grade went down by 2%, but that just meant I finished with a grade that was slightly better than Christian's. I'm not complaining! 

So that's how I finished my first college class! According to all those who have been through college, having that late night meant I am officially in college now. Afterwards I was very glad to have it done and my Friday was way more relaxed, but I was excited about not cutting it that close again. (Pay attention to that key word "was", it's important for reasons revealed in coming posts.) 

Friday I slept in. 

Then spent the day catching up on random little things I needed to do before leaving for Aunt Lauren and Uncle Phil's place. 

Chloe and Christian got to work on their other school and enjoy saying that they now have college credit! 

The rest of the week I'm not entirely sure what everyone else did. I know they went to church on Saturday, but other than that, I have no idea. (Or memory.)

I beat the Dallas traffic and arrived safely for my birthday weekend. Aunt Lauren and I got to visit until Uncle Phil got home. Then we went to dinner and returned to watch the first half of a BBC period drama called "North and South." In case you were wondering, that is not a comedy. At all. You will cry. A lot. 

Saturday we all slept in. Then Uncle Phil prepared a yummy brunch meal for us. Aunt Lauren made chai tea lattes and we had our quiet times until she and I could leave to go get pedicures. 

Upon our return, we had orange smoothies and sweet maui onion potato chips. Then we all went to a thrift shop. 

We felt like crying some more (not, but we were anxious to see what happened) and finished "North and South" with popcorn. 

After dinner and deep conversations we voted (unanimously) for a comedy and selected "The Glass Bottom Boat". 

Sunday Uncle Phil left early to go practice with the worship team and Aunt Lauren and I went to Starbucks until it was time for church.

After church we got burgers and returned to their place to read for an hour or so and then watch "Sweet Home Alabama."

We thought the pool was going to be finished by that afternoon so Aunt Lauren and Uncle Phil could come swim with us, but it was not. I returned home late afternoon and got to catch up with everyone and watch more Olympic trials.



The Herd: Quoted 

"They got back-sided?!" -Gabe

"I feel like this is the week of year of accidents." -Gabe 

"For the record, being rear-ended is not a pleasant experience." -Chloe 

"Last I checked, I am still an animal-loving bookworm." -Chloe

"Story of my life: 'No, I wasn't slowing down so you could turn, I was anticipating your foolish decision to turn in front of me at the last possible moment.'" -Chloe 

Note- Chloe was wondering why she wasn't being quoted as much. So I stalked her records to find some quotes because I can't remember any other quotes from four weeks ago. Hope y'all enjoyed! She is a very cleaver one that quiet girl. *Smiles with sisterly pride* I did not teach her everything, y'all know... 

"That's not my mom, that's my sister!" -Mia to the kids I nanny.

"I am made of frenchies and frost-eyes." -Me trying to say frosties and french fries. (That's what Mom craved when she was pregnant with me. I have only actually eaten that myself a couple of times.)


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Perfect Water

Last year in Maui one night the kids asked me to tell them a story during dinner. (That never happens.) And they wanted it to be one I made up. So I started with no idea where it would go and they liked the finished story so much they told Mom and Dad they had to hear it and then everyone said I needed to write it down. Obviously me writing it down forced me to refine and polish it and the finished product was pretty nice according to all who read it. 

The other night they asked me to tell it again and I thought why not put it on here as well! 

I hope y'all enjoy it! 

(Disclaimer: I don't usually write things very similar to this, it's a pretty different type of story from what I typically compose.)

“There is no stopping now! Besides, why would I want to stop, I’ve worked so hard to get to this place, to become the savior of the world.” 

Neil looked up above him, past the rocky wall of the side of the active volcano, up to the wide open blue sky. Then below him, checking the 75 pound pack on his back and his progress. 

“Hmm, I’d say, in my expert opinion, that I am 83% of the way there.” 

Content with his progress, Neil continued his climb, letting his perfect memory carry him back to a time when he was only 7 years on this suffering earth....

“Mommy, why do people die?” 

“Neil! What makes you ask such a question like that one?”

“Well, mother, I thought if I knew why they died, I could find what would make them live, and then no one would ever die again and I would be the savior of the whole world!” 

“What a smart child I was and at that young age too!” Neil mentally patted himself on the back, all those years of eating his broccoli without complaint sure made for a strong brain. 

“Yes! A+ I deserved nothing less and I now I know for sure that studying does nothing. I knew 6th grade would be easy. Mom, I’m headed to continue researching my project.” 

“Neil, come back in here. I need your help moving this shelf.”

“Sorry, no time to help. Get someone else. Besides, if I moved it I wouldn’t need your help, I would just do it myself. I guess I am stronger than you.” 

“Yup! I was a strong young man, and still am.” Neil smiled down at his ripped arms that were steadily pulling him and his gear up the volcano. 

“I’ve found it! I know what will save mankind! I know how I can save everyone! Pure water, the purest of pure water in the entire world is what will cure all people. It says here that once this water, in the center of the largest volcano in the world, is found and made accessible to all people, it will cure every illness and injury. All the person has to do it drink one mouthful.”

“Yes, I certainly have done it. I have worked hard for 20 years. I have built my physic, I have researched how to enter an active volcano, I know how to get to the very center, I know where the water is, I know how to set up pipes to get the water to all people, I know everything I need to know to be the savior of the world. Today I will do it.” 

Neil pulled himself up the last 2 feet and peered over the edge, taking in the smell of smoke and the swirling scorching red lava. Swinging his muscular legs over the edge, he made ready, took a deep breath, and hurled himself as far as he could to fall straight into the very center of the volcano. Neil knew that if he fell directly into the center, the hot lava would be penetrated and fall away, a solid rock base would appear, and a key hole would be visible. 

Everything happened exactly as he knew it would. 

Squatting down next to the key hole he examined it carefully. Really that wasn’t necessary though, he knew what it would look like already. The hole would be the exact size and shape as his right pinky finger. He was the savior of the world and only the savior of the world could open the door to get to the pure, perfect water. 

Clenching his jaw and squeezing his eyes tight shut, Neil inserted his pinky and felt it leave his hand. Ignoring the blood he stood quickly to fall into the water in an upright position. The water engulfed him with a delightfully refreshing feel and washed away the blood from his missing finger. All the rock that had been the firm foundation underneath him, separating him and the world from the pure water, had fallen away and all around he was surrounded by the most beautiful water. The sun was shining down through the opening of the volcano and made everything sparkle. “Just like all the diamonds I will be given when I give the world this water.” 

Neil, feeling very pleased with himself, used swift arm strokes to reach a ledge in the rock off to the side. He threw his pack up onto it, then climbed up himself. He was afraid to look at his right hand, he could feel the moisture increasing rapidly and phantom throbbing pains ensued. 

“Ha! But I already had that part figured into my plan as well. I thought of everything. How could the savior and hero of the world not? As soon as I take one sip of this perfect water, my finger will be restored and I will be whole and completely perfect as I was a few minutes before.” Neil smiled at his reflection in the water. He had always thought of himself as good-looking. 

The pain in his hand brought him back to the reason he needed this water himself. Leaning over, Neil cupped his hand and brought it to his lips. He expected the water to be cool, sweet, and refreshing, this was, after all, the most pure, perfect water on earth. But is was not. 

The liquid burned his lips, it scorched his teeth, rushing down his throat it gave him internal knife like pains, finally it hit his stomach and felt like an explosion inside of him. Neil let out a scream and crumpled dead on the rock. 

The perfect, purest of pure water had killed him, because being an imperfect man, he could not drink perfect water and live. 

Down Day: 80's music videos and a tooting potato

If you read the title and studies show that 87% of people don't, you should have a pretty good idea of how our day went. We slept in and all wore pajamas all day Chloe and I wore pajamas all day. These are the highlights of the day:

Christian was bored so he spent a good deal of time

  tormenting the girls standing in our doorway talking… 

Chloe in her typical spot writing famous romance novels doing "stuff". 

Mom and Dad planning the drive home for later this week. (Aren't they cute?!) 

This is Christian eating meat for those of you who were 

very concerned that he wasn't getting "properly" fed wondering if he liked it. 

My lunch. I eat meat too. Every so often. 

Mia drew "her buddy" Alex Blair. 

She also created this dragon. 

The talented Emma did my nails for me today!

While I got my nails done, Mom, Dad, and Mrs Erin began discussing 80's music. Then Dad started pulling music videos up on YouTube! And they sang along!! I'm not allowed to say if they danced or not, but it was super fun to watch. I love when my parents act like super young people. The following songs were among those played:

"Step by Step"

"Living on a Prayer"

Mrs Erin made us a "Trim Healthy Mama Fat-Stripping Frappa". 

Dad loved it!!! decided to pass. I'm not sure why I drank it...but it was very yummy!!

This evening our 25 year old looking mothers who are actually a little older than that but you'd never know it the mamas went out for girl's night. Meanwhile the Dads ordered pizza and we had another "split screen" movie night. Yes, we do eat pizza. Occasionally. But only from Papa John's. 

Our drop dead gorgeous moms.

…And their dessert. 

Another lazy day activity was writing a group story. The following tale had roughly 7 authors and just now received the title "Dick and Jane". The regular writing is the story, everything in bold is comments from the authors. Enjoy! 

“That’s a terrible, horrible, incredibly foolish idea. Let’s do it and see what happens.” And that’s how their day began, Dick and Jane were scheming...again. The twins were just five years old, but they decided that playing with knives would be fun. And then Dick did it, he cut Jane’s ear off. No that’s not how the story is going to go. Actually Dick and Jane were 10 years old and they had a mystery to solve. Jane said they were playing with knives! No they weren’t! Lydia don’t put that in! “Let’s spilt up.” And then Dick went into the forest and Jane went into the desert of certain death the scary basement. And then Dick died, the end. Lydia no, you can’t do that. Lydia stop. What is she doing? She’s writing everything we say inbetween.  In the basement were nothing but clothes and things, or so she thought. And then she discovered the mummy of Akmenrah. It needs to be a little more quiet in here. It’s my turn! Dick died. Dick happened across a quick sand pit. And he died. And he died. He can’t breathe. You just went! No, I didn’t. Every time Dick dies, Dick dies. Okay, Dick is dead. Well you are saying gibberish. Okay he went to quicksand! Back to Jane, she found a box No, she already found it! She found the tablet of The tablet of Toot’n Tater. King Toot’n Tater. That’s my nickname. Basically I’m a tooting potato. Meanwhile, Dick shot out of the quicksand and died. But He lived! “Did you die?” “Sadly yes.” “But I lived.” While they were in their traps they found out they had special powers. Jane had ice powers and Dick had fire powers. How about poison powers? Who’s turn is it? Alright, stop. They used their powers to defeat the enemy. Back to Jane in the basement with the Tablet of Toot’n Tater, it was moonlight. And they didn’t notice how time flew. It was darkness and the table began to glow. And then she heard, AHHHHHHHHH *Chokes* And then she walked over to the tomb of that person. She absently opened the tomb. And died from the poison filled gases. And then she screamed because the body sat up, unwrapped itself and said “You have no idea how stuffy it is in here.” Was it Dick? Shhh she’s going to write that down! “That is because you’ve been in there for 3000 years.” Yeah, I hate it when it is stuffy. “And it is summer.” Hmm I get a turn, too? Dick died. Just then Dick walked in. He scream at the sight and died again. Can Dick live, please? He died and then he lived. He then walked up and asked about the tablet. “That belongs to Toot’n Tater. No the king Toot’n Tater. I think that is right, right?” Make him say that. Christian your turn. The End. Gabe, stop! Alright let’s conclude the story. No, you have to edit it! They all died. This thing is going to be really funny. Say, The End. The End. You messed everything up. Oh shoot. She said that. Ugh! What now? She is still typing. No we are done. 

The Herd: Quoted

"Ava, you have yellow eyes." -Mia. (She actually has blue eyes, like all the rest of us, so don't freak out.) 

"Pepper I very much disgust." -Gabe

"Ava, can you use the chair so I can have the stool?" -Gabe

"By all means!" -Ava

"Pickles?!" -Ava

"Wait! I have to take a picture of you eating meat!" -Me

"And those are all guys?" -Me talking about the band above in "Living on a Prayer." 

"They are from The Beautiful Man Store." -Mom

"No, Jamie is the owner of The Beautiful Man Store." -Mom

"Great an old creepy guy with graying hair!" -Dad laughing.

"We're not allowed to choke on Tuesdays." -Dad

"Well, it's supposed to sound yucky so you don't want any." -Mom to Ava about the Frappa.