Oh La La! Garlic Pickles!

Have I gone crazy?  These are the best pickles I've ever eaten so I bought five jars of them ... at Bernies of all places.  Bernies is our little bitty grocery store in town every thing cost more there.  I am craving pickles so much that whenever I leave home ... I wrap up a couple in a paper towel and take them with me.

Garlic Pickles.  I can't get enough of them and eat them before I got to bed at night.  I snack on them.  I love them.  I crave them.

No, I'm not pregnant.  I know that for sure ... so surely I'm turning into a Vampire or something, because I have to have gone insane to walk into Bernies and buy all the jars on the shelf and pay $25.00 for Garlic Pickles.  Von just looked at me when I lined them up on the counter top ... and he didn't utter a word, but the raised eyebrows said his every thought. He thinks I'm crazy.

They taste so good that I've kept my empty jars in the fridge to keep the juice good so I can add my own  cucumbers next year.  My plan is to freeze the pickle juice ....  but maybe I'll figure out what happened and why I need these pickles before next year comes!

A Cow Round-Up!

Whilst the boys were out chasing cows on four-wheelers with their Dad and their Uncle Don, "Miss I can't get dirty in the barn" wanted her picture taken.  She was lacking some attention while the other two sides of her triangle was chasing the cows that got out. 

Here she is ... and here's the story:

Like always, a trip to the barn is in order on our way home.  The climax of their day is to hit the barn and check out the happenings while they were gone.  You never know if a new baby has been born, or if they'll be the star of a rodeo when they get there.  Just so happens, the star of the day was a sick cow, and the boys jumped right in to help treat her. 

They were all hands on handing in the pills and syringe that housed a giant sized needle.  The pills weren't anything to ignore either.  They looked liked giant sweet-tarts and they used a medicine tube to get them in her.  The medical aspect of this farm still amazes me.  I've been a people nurse way too long and just can't grasp this end of things.

They also get to ride home with their Dad from the barn to the house ... and that is when it happened.

It was Round Up Time!  One of the pastures of cows had escaped and the boys helped round them up.  Just in the eight years I've been here, times have changed.  Von used to chase them on foot or else drive his old black pickup truck through the pasture.  These days .... it's a race on 4-wheelers and a big whooping it up because the cows don't like the noise.  If I was a cow, I definitely wouldn't want to be playing chicken with a wild man and a loud kid on a four wheeler!  Don and Jay on one ... and Von and Sam on the other. 

So I stood outside to try to get a few pictures of the round up ... and instead had a little mini shoot with the Princess!  She didn't realize it, but while she was standing there posing and complaining, she was surrounded by clumps of cow poop.  You see, we were standing in the gravel right in front of the barn gate, and if you can imagine before Photoshop .... that little brown clump by her left ear was a pretty big chunk of fresh poop!

Gonna Ride a Cow!

As always, yesterday evening we ran by the farm to visit the cows and their babies.  We have a special few that my boys ride every chance they get, and yesterday was no exception. 

It's pretty awesome to watch your little bitty four year babies ride a bucking calf.  It kinda makes your heart stick in your throat, and kind of makes you a little bit sick at your stomach.  Of course, they love it.  There is nothing like a bucking heifer in a small pen that doesn't want you on its back.

When I was growing up, I had never heard of riding a cow.  I thought you only rode horses ... but then again, I'd never lived on a cow farm, and I'd never even seen a cow up close.  I led a sheltered life I guess.  Then I moved here and found out what all I had missed in my life.

There is nothing in the world like walking through a muddy barn lot after a fresh rain.  Nothing like slopping through the run off of cow manure in your new boots!  Nope nothing like it ... just ask my boys!

I think I'll just vest my money in Rural King until these little guys grow up and pay their own way.  Four pairs of boots = $175.00.  Two happy little boys = Priceless!

My Muse

This morning .... I talked Meg into letting me take a few pictures of her.  She let me.  Totally against her will until I bribed her with HM (Hannah Montana) lip gloss in every color.  She is now smart enough to know that she is the only other female here besides me, and I desperately need her.  Not only does she tell me what she wants so that I can use and abuse her, she now tells me how many and what colors.  She has learned, and I don't like it.

We stood out in the middle of our road for that shot .... and she was totally degraded to be out there in broad daylight with only an undershirt on and a little pettiskirt.  I have to admit, I grit my teeth and smile and pretend that I like her when I'm taking her picture or else she's likely to stomp off in the house.  I think I see the writing on the wall ... my little muse is leaving me.  High and dry, and I'm so bummed.  I live one picture at a time with her .... Oh, the perils! 

Then I begged for more.  This one is going to cost me perfume ... and don't think for one minute that I can forget either.  The girl remembers and keeps a running list ... and she never forgets details.

I'll be visiting the Dollar Tree tomorrow for a bag of goodies that I can pull out when I need my muse fix.  I know that someday she'll look back on these and love them ... but for now, Hannah Montana has something more than I have. I don't have lip gloss with my picture on it in fifteen different flavors and colors ... 'sigh'.

The Bed

Okay ... this really isn't funny, but I have to tell someone about this.

Two months ago when we were deciding what to do about Meg's bed when we moved her out of the boys room ... we went bed shopping for her.  This was before we decided to use the antique bed that is a permanent fixture upstairs.

Anyway,  Von and I went to a bed store and we were looking at twin beds ... then moved on up to Queen size so she could grow into it and, well ... you know the story.  The salesman was really good.

We, meaning I ... spotted  the most awesome luxious bed I've ever seen.  The mattress was beautiful.  King size.  Plush.  Soft.  Memory foam.  Expensive.  No flip.  Exquisite.  Tall.  Almost need a ladder, and did I say very expensive.  It was way out of our budget ... plus we weren't shopping for us a bed, because we  do not need a bed, and we were on a mission for the princess.

We have a very nice comfortable Queen size pillow top that is to die for when you're really really tired.  Plus, our bed has sentimental value.  My water broke in that bed ... not only once, but twice in the night before our triplets were born.  Thus, we now have a very big and beautiful starburst stain right in the middle.  How could we possibly give that up?!

So I talked Von into laying on it ... and Von never makes a comotion in public, let alone would he EVER lay down on a bed in a busy store.  But he did.  Boots and all.  Then I laid on it.  Right beside him, and we giggled and he laughed, then he caught himself and got up before anyone saw us.

I have to admit .... I am the most compulsive person I know.  Von, on the other hand, is the most conservative person I've ever met ... and he never makes rash insane decisions, especially one that would involve a bed that is completely out of our league, especially when we don't need one.

So he wrote the check.  Only after I had him convinced that we would have so much more room.  He would never have to hang onto the edge again.  The main selling point to him was, if you can't keep them out ... make room for them.  Them, being the kids.  You see ... every single night they migrate to our bed.  We are totally unaware of it until all five of us are sweating like monkeys in a tin can from body heat and lack of room.  They've learned to get in the middle, after falling out several times, and before we gave in and put kids rails on our bed.  We really did.  .... They kick us and each other ... then they wake up fighting and we have to start all over.

So let's fast forward to now.  Last week, two months later, I had the bed delivered.  Keep in mind that I live in an old farmhouse with straight up narrow stairs.  Five years ago we had to have the bed hoisted up through a window because the queen box springs would not go up the stairs.  So, what made us think that a King deep box memory foam mattress would.  What possessed my rational husband to even remotely think that we could do this?

The bed people store sent two delivery men.  One being about 100 pounds soaking wet and the other being about 400 pounds that snorted when he breathed and whistled for lack of oxygen.  The skinny one gulped and the fat ones eyes bulged and turned red when they saw the narrow stairway.  But I had a plan.

"Hey Delivery Man ...  can you just bend that mattress a bit like a ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ and force it up those stairs ... and leave the plastic on it please, so it doesn't get dirty?"

They weren't thinking straight.  The fat man ended up on top and the little skinny guy was on bottom.  It is not supposed to work that way ... and they couldn't trade places.  The only way down for the fat man was to get the mattress to the top because he couldn't jump over it ... and he couldn't go around it.  So he tugged and pulled and tried to bend it, and he heaved and ho'ed and sweat was pouring off of him ... and I got worried.  The little skinny guy at the bottom of the stairs was pushing with all his might, and we weren't going anywhere, so I called Von to come home to try to figure out how to get the mattress unstuck from the stairwell.

Just as Von walked in and looked up at me looking over the wall .... the mattress gave, and the fat man fell back against the wall and gasped for air.  Yes, I'm a nurse ... but no way was I going to give that guy mouth to mouth if he needed it.  No way.

Now we have a new King sized bed in our room ... and it's total glory.  I'm on the hunt for the perfect comforter now ... and would you believe that the kids suddenly stopped getting in our bed at night. 

How'd we get our Queen bed down you ask ... we didn't.  We ended up giving it to Meg and did away with the antique bed in her room.  She sunk in the middle of the feather mattresses and they swallowed her up and she didn't like it.  So now, it's standing up again in the corner of her room.

As soon as I find that perfect comforter, I'll take some pictures to show you!

Over at the Farm

The other evening I stopped over at the farm on our way home so Sam could ride a cow.   He does this every chance he gets ... he thinks he's a cowboy.  Jay wouldn't do it.  It's not his cup of tea.  He has though in the past ... but not that night.  Meg?  Well, it's completely out of the question you know ... she's not getting dirty.  Not stepping in cow poop and not about to take any chances in the cow pen.

This is their Uncle Don.  I love the way the sun is shining down on them as they walk off towards the barn.  I love how pictures tell a story.

Jesus and God

First of all .... what do you think?  I took this a couple of days ago, and I just love it.  She is so pretty .... and so smart.

Yesterday was Kelcies birthday party (more about that later and great pictures to come).  As we were driving through Carmi, IL ...

Meg says, "Oh my.  There are so many people.  Jesus and God made so many people.  There are cars and people everywhere.  I have never seen this many people."  (and she was so into her hand movements and expressions)

She then said, "I bet Jesus and God are just soooooo tired."  (totally exhausted look on her face)

Isn't that about the sweetest thing you've every heard?  Meg is always thinking!!!!

Because I'm the Mom

This is a vent.  Only a vent.  Nothing I say here can or will be used against me!  You promise???

This Monkey has reached the end of her rope.  They got the best of me, and it only took four and a half years to do it.  I truly thought I had the patience of a Saint and was the best Woman for this job.  The Saint business went right out the window this morning ... and I can't abandon the ship or give up the job, because I'm the Mom, and when you're the Mom ... it's for better or worse.

Some days it's a toss up which is better and which is worse. Here's my day, and you can sing it to any tune you'd like.

No No No No ... it's five AM, the sun's not up, lay down and go to sleep.  Go to sleep, Go to sleep, Go to sleep! Be quiet in there ... don't wake up Sam ... I can't deal with that right now.  He's "one on one" and I'm too tired, too pooped to pop ... to pop, to pop, to pop!  You what?  Go pee?  Are you ser-eee-ous?  Just sneak down stairs ... quietly, don't talk to loud, don't run, don't play ... just pee and come back here.

All is quiet, I did my job, pillow here I come.  I can sneak a few more minutes in before my day begins.  What?!  You need a drink?  You want to eat?  You need your boots?  You want to play?  You don't like that shirt?  You need your Dad?  You don't like me?  You want that toy?  Don't cry ... don't cry .... don't cry.  Don't wake up Sam ... he's "one on one" and I'm too tired right now.

Let's lay on the couch and sneak some hugs before the day begins.  You watch TV... I'll close my eyes.  We'll take a nap and catch some ZZZZZZZ's.   Sushhhhhhh right now, don't wail that loud, there's room for both of you.  One on each side, I still can sleep.  Just don't wake up Sam ... he's "one on one" and I'm still tired, just thinking about our day.

The sun is up ... and so is Sam.  He's "one on one" and makes me play things I don't want to do.  Out to the sandbox?  Right now you say?  Blue jeans?  Gray shirt?  No food?  Just play?  Drink you Milk!  Eat your Food!  Wash your face!  Let's Go! 

No No No!  No sand in the house.  Drive that truck outside.  Water?  Where did you get that Water?  Shoes off the couch.  Take that out!  No bugs in the house!  Put that down.  Put that back.  Close that door, I'm chasing flies.  Sam, you're "one on one."

You need a bath.  You have sand in your hair.  What's on your hands?  Ewwwwww ... take off your clothes.  One at a time.  Stay out.  Close that door.  No bubbles.  Don't dump that shampoo in there ... in there ... in there.  Don't pee in the tub.  Don't pee in the sink ... Just don't Ppppeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Sam did what?  Trash can in the tub?  Oh no ... oh no ... oh no!  The floor is wet.  Don't slip ... don't fall ... get out in the hall.  Stay there.  Sit down.  Wait your turn.  Don't fight.  Sam is "one and one" and I'm so tired.  It's only noon,

I need a drink ... I need a break.  I need to sleep.  I need to eat ... but I'm the Mom, and it's my job and it is only noon.  Clean up the mess.  Make some lunch.  Take a nap.  Take a break.  You're wearing me out ...  but I'm the Mom, and it's my job .... and I love you so much!

It's quiet now.  They're all asleep ... I get to go pee.  By myself, with only the dog for company.  Who threw the washcloths in the tub?  They're all wet.  They all were clean.  I'd wake up those kids and make them pay ... but I'm the Mom, and it's my job.  I'm so tired ... So here I sit and fingerpeck so I don't wake them up.  This is my break, and it still is only noon!   

It's all in a days work ... because, I'm the Mom!

Married Bliss and the Couch

Today was a busy day. The Mission: Buy Joey and Mariah a Sofa. It was my gift to them.

The Honeymoon is over, they made it home yesterday ... so we started out early this morning searching for the perfect Love Seat. They both have less than one year before they are out of college and back home. Their apartment is going to be very tiny .... like college married students cracker box tiny. So we started out "Love Seat" ... but I soon talked them both right into "Sofa" mode.

Anyone can do anything for 9 short months ... such as trip over each other and live cramped up. But when they come back home, they'll need a Sofa for their house. So they might as well get what they want and get something that is going to be more useful. So a few minutes into the search, they were transformed into looking for the perfect Sofa.

As you can see, we had lots of help ... and the help acclimated very quickly in a very large furniture store with hundreds of Sofa's and such. Very quickly. In fact, like little ducks in a row ... they tried out almost every seat in the house. We couldn't have done it without them!

Rich Chocolate Brown. They found the perfect one. Happy Wedding Gift Joey and Mariah. I love you both very much ... and I hope you love the new Sofa! Maybe for Christmas, we'll shop for the Chair!

Joey and Mariah {The Wedding}

Joey and Mariah got married Saturday ... and it was a good day for a wedding.  Mariah was a beautiful Bride and of course my son Joey was just as beautiful.  The look on his face as she walked towards him was priceless.  I'm surprised, knowing Joey, that he didn't stop the wedding and do "this" before anything even got started.

A Mom can't take more than one wedding a year you know.  This makes three in a row for my older kiddo's and most likely, I pray, the end of weddings for about twenty years ... until the Littles start getting hitched.

He loves her.  She loves him.  It made my heart feel so good for these two to get married.

Yes, I took their pictures ... and yes, I had help.  It wouldn't have been so cool to have a big camera bracket and flash hanging around my neck as I was escourted in, now would it?  Thank you Dana Shroeder for lending your expertise.

More to follow ....   I promise!

The Ride

Night before last .... I loaded up their bikes and took the kids out to the high school for some serious riding.  As I stood back and watched my babies "GO" ... I thought about how much they have grown over the past four years, and I thought about just how lucky I am to have them.

This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life ... raising triplets.  It's not the same as raising stair-steps.  This is incredible because they're all the same age, and they've each got each other's back when they do something wrong.

I also thought about how much I love them and how I always want them to look back and know they are miracles, and they are very blessed to have  us as their parents.  I love that we live way out here ... and life is really here on our farm.  I hope that they want to stay here instead of venturing off someday.  

It would be an understatement to say that I have already chosen each of their homesteads and have already planned their front yard,  .... and of course, all three are right here on our very own road.  Okay, just call me crazy ... but call me in love with my kids. 

Even when the going gets tough and some days it's tougher than others .... the ride is worth it!

The Boys

My boys are growing up so cute. When I look at them, I can't hardly stand it. For so long, all I wanted was for them to be the very best of friends ... and now they are.

Now days I need a break, a nap and some time-out when they're in full gear!

Anyone up for a few hours with these boys?  It's a guarantee that you'll sleep good at night after a day with these two!

Me ... and my Babies

I rarely like photo's of me ... but I love this one. My very good friend Peggy took this, and sent it to me. Even though the kids weren't smiling, we're all together.

I'm coming to realized that I need to be in pictures too. I want my babies to look back someday and see me with them. I've also come to realize that I am not just the person on the other end of the camera.

Memories in the mind fade over time ... but when you have pictures to look at, it jars the mind and brings home the moment. For when that day comes, that I'm only a memory ... I want my kids to look through all these pictures and see the "Me", .... their Mother. So from here on out, I'll be sticking my face on here ... a lot!

Peggy will send me more ... and I too will get a chance to edit them. I'll post a few more when they come my way.

Jump Baby Jump!

Playing Possum!  Joey and Mariah came over yesterday evening to see the kids, and to gather up all my canning equipment.  They're going to can green beans this week and do Tomatoes.

In the meantime the kids had to show them their bedrooms and all the work we've done.  Of course, one thing led to another and before we knew it .... I had a bunch of kids in their beds having a bunch of fun.

The big kids were having way too much fun tickling the little kids.

Not only did they play in and mess up Meg's bed .... they moved on to the boys beds as well and let the kids jump back and forth between them.  I didn't have the heart to stop them since they were having so much fun; plus the fact that they won't get to see Joey and Mariah as much since they'll be living in St. Louis for another year, after they get married in two weeks.

But the main thing is .... they had fun!  All of them!

Meg - A Princess Shoot

This evening we had an incident. Jay Pee'd on the Princess and it did not go over well. Actually, he Pee'd in a cup outside and threw it on her. Sam laughed to see such a sight and the dog ran away with the spoon .... not really, but it sounded good didn't it? The first part is true. Jay did throw Pee on her, and Sam did laugh, but not until she came crying into the house.

We do not like those stinking boys tonight. Words spoke straight from the heart we say!

So after a long hot bubble bath, we went up to Meg's room, dressed up in wedding clothes and had a little photo shoot, all by ourselves. We're practicing how to look beautiful, and how to be good for Joey and Mariah's wedding coming up in two weeks. We practiced smiling .... A LOT!

Here's an artsy fartsy vintage version. I think I love this one.

... and here's just Meg, while she relived the story telling of how she got Pee all over her, and how much she does not like those boys right now.

I don't blame her. I'm willing to trade them in for new models this evening ... but I'm the Mom, and I'm stuck with them!

Houston! We have Cavities ...

This morning .... early, and that's hard to do with these kids, we had a Dentist appointment with a new Dentist.  One that is more equipped and modern ... and one that Lurrvvvv's the chaos that triplets and kids bring.  One that can handle and keep on ticking and clicking, and one with office staff that is 100% more friendly.  Instead of a frown when we walked in the door .... the best part was that we got big smiles.

BUT, we also walked out with eight cavities!  Ouch! Triple Ouch I should say ....

Unfortunately, if we'd followed our gut instinct all along instead of believing that our Dentist was prepared for our kids, we might not be in this boat right now.  Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he's a good Dentist, but he just wasn't the best Dentist for us.  Times changes, but he didn't change and update, and his frame of mind didn't either. 

Knowledge and technology have come along way, and for us .... we wanted more for our kids.  Like flouride treatments, and better exams and cleanings.  Kind of like ... more for your money, or at least get what you pay for.  Yes, I'm dogging him.  No I shouldn't ... but our mistake in choosing a Dentist is only costing us $2,019.00 in the next month.

So we have eight cavities.  Very small cavities.  Teeny Weeny.  Except one of Jays.  I was totally thrown off my high horse with this news.  Now what?!  Better brushing.  Better flossing. No candy.  No pop.  No gum.  Zilch ... Zero ... Zip!  None at home, and none at the Neighbors.

I guess my frustration is that our old Dentist wasted two years of my time ... and the tooth that Jay needs a crown on next week might not have gotten this far down the road if it had been caught at previous exams. 

Just to set the record straight .... I do not believe that you have to take your kids to a "Pediatric Dentist", but I do believe that the Dentist that you choose should be "Kid Friendly", not only in atmosphere and technology, but in attitude as well.

Water Fun ... Again!

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far, and we had no choice but to cool down again at yet another "Splash Park!"  Thank goodness they are plentiful around here and we love them!  Click the picture for a better view ... and enjoy!

Meg's Bed

Meg has a new bed! Well ... actually it's a very old bed. In fact, it's so old that it's considered a very valuable antique ... worth more than Von paid for this old farmhouse fifteen years ago.

Last week we decided that it was time to separate Meg from the boys, and we knew that we had to make it really good and enticing to pull her away from her womb mates. So we (me) decided to use this bed that was already in the room that we were making pink and girly. Our dilemma was whether to use the bed or not.

First of all, I had visions of white wicker twins beds ... one for Meg and one for Kelcie. Then we decided to give her our queen bed after Von and I went shopping for her bed and ended up buying us the most awesome King Tempur-Pedic bed (which has not been delivered yet). I visioned having a canopy made that attached and came down from the ceiling, and had already shown the woodworker my plan. Then we changed our minds.

This old handmade bed has stood in this house for many many years .... more years than any of our living relatives know. It looks like a wonderful old wardrobe, but it pulls down and rests on wrought iron legs. Many years ago it was placed upstairs, long before the stairway was changed and "modernized", and now the bed has a permanent home. Our choices were to either attempt to remove a window from our house and have the bed hoisted down and hope that it stayed intact, then try to find a climate controlled place to store it .... or destroy it to get it down the stairs. I can't tear that bed up. Some of our ancestors were most likely created in that bed.

So Meg has a new bed .... one with three very old feather mattresses. (yes, they were cleaned). Along with the bed, she has new pink walls, beautiful new vintage looking rose bedding, her Great-Grandmother's rocking chair, her Father's old trunk, her Great-Grandmother's dresser with crystal knobs with a gold framed mirror hanging above it, and a big new pink rug on the floor.

We still yet have to decorate the walls, but I'm working on that. Oh, and the words on the bed .... I photoshopped that on there to see what it will look like when I put the quote from "Upper Case Living" on that tall old headboard.

But I'll leave you with two little boys that loved the bed even more than Meg ....

On Meg's first night in her new bed, she said to the boys, "Since I won't be living with you anymore, do you want to give me a hug?" Simutaneously .... both boys said, "Uhhhh, NO!" So much for being womb mates don't you think?!

Puddle Jumpers

This evening we took the kids over to the neighbor's to go swimming.  This past weekend, I took them to Josh's (oldest son) and they swam like little fish.  Tonight was no different.  Jay and Sam both loved the water .... Meg, not so keen on it without ripping my clothes off.

They love it so much that we've talked about getting a pool.  Not a big permanent one .... but one that we can take down in the winter, and one that is big enough for the kids to have fun in.  It's hitting close to 100 degrees here and it's still June.

Jay was jumping in .... Meg was jumping back and away from the edge. 

She was more into prancing around and showing off than she was swimming.  I have to admit ... she is cute, and her tricks and poses are better than her clawing my neck in the water ... and her new life jacket makes her even cuter.  Thanks Juli for buying them for the kids!  I love them and they are wonderful!

Sam too was getting in and out by himself and paddling all over the pool.  He thinks he's a puddle jumper and can do everything by himself. 

Any ideas on how to get Meg to have fun in the water?  I can only take so many pictures of her looking this cute!

Splish Splash

Yesterday evening it was hot outside baby!  Juli and I took the kids to a splash park for a big cool down.  They didn't have any problem finding the water!

We splished.

We splashed.

We posed.

We got drenched.

We waited for the water.

We hammed it up.

But we had fun!