I love my microwave convection oven.  It was a Christmas present last year, and I firmly believe it to be God's gift to the busy mom.  This amazing appliance is still a microwave, but also an oven.  And best of all, it can combine the two functions and produce food that seems baked but takes half the time.  Hopefully my blog will be like that today... appear well prepared and painstakingly presented but be completed in the three minutes I have before lunch is finished and ready to come out of the oven!

  If you have a four year old little boy with a mischevious sparkle in his eye, you know how interesting they can make life.  Even just the things they say.... Our little boy, Thomas, was asking about our plans for later in the week.  I explained to him again that we're leaving for the dentist's office at 6:15 in the morning (the appt is 7:20 and we live an hour away... yes, I'm a little crazy; did you forget that I have six children?) where all four of the "big kids" are having their teeth cleaned.  Then we'll be heading back to our town for Emma and the babies to have a visit with the pediatrician (don't even get me started on their office!).  Emma is turning six the next day and is due for some shots; the babies just need another weight check.  Thomas was informed that his role was to sit quietly in the little cell of a room that really isn't made for seven people while the doctor checks out his sisters. Afterwards, we're going home to take a well deserved, however unpopular, nap.  Thomas digested this series of events and looked up at me with those big blue eyes and commented that I'm pretty smart because no matter WHAT happens on Thursday (and yes, he emphasized "what") Emma's birthday will seem like a good day after such a "stinky, lousy, horrible day-before Emma's birthday."  

So, you've met Thomas.  If his mouth is open, it's probably not true.  If he's moving, it's either as slow as a snail or as fast as a whirlwind.  If he's awake, he's in trouble or diligently looking for it. He's a sweet child, but he definitely could be used as proof that boys act first and think, maybe, later!  :)  

Come back soon and meet another of our clan.....

A New Day?

I am brand new to this whole blogging thing and am wondering at my sanity as I find myself starting this with eight week old seemingly nocturnal twins.  Please keep my sleeplessness in mind as you notice my... impressive... spelling ability.  When the girls start sleeping through the night we'll blame my fourth grade teacher; I never liked her anyway :)

I guess I should start with some introductions.  This actually might take a few posts since we're a family of eight, and I'm pretty popular at breakfast time (which it almost is).  I am a transplanted southern girl who now lives in the high desert of the Southwestern US.  I miss trees.  And the color green.  But I love the sunrises that turn my mountains purple, coral, gold, and copper.  I love to cook, and I enjoy being one of the very few true southern cooks in this area as this makes all those old fashioned recipes seem truly original.  Reading is another favorite pastime and frequently keeps me up late into the night.  

 My love of reading is actually what first caught my husband's attention.... We share several favorite authors.  My husband is a hardworking fellow and does not much like idle moments.  Knowing this about him makes the trips to the zoo and the living room wrestling matches very 

 special indeed.  He is a very involved and loving dad and a terrific husband.  I am very grateful to have a husband who honors me for staying home.... He works a physically demanding job and quite a bit of overtime to allow me to stay home with our family, and yet he treats me like I am giving him the gift in this arrangement.  I am fortunate indeed.  Did I mention he has the most wonderful, infectious laugh in the world?

Well, the real stars of the show will have to wait for a later curtain call as I am being summoned to the breakfast table.  Thanks for meeting us.... I hope you'll stop by and introduce yourself sometime.