crazy train

yah, hilarious that I would put Black sabbath on the title, huh? Except every time we got in the car (thanks to that dumb commercial) my kids sang that song... funny part: I'm pretty sure we were on the crazy train.
we left the last day of VBX to go to the grand canyon. None of the kids at church believed me because we went as part of vbs to 5 of the 7 wonders of the world, including the grand canyon. I kept saying, " I'll be gone friday because I'm going to the grand canyon"
"yah, right miss Ali. What will you be doing in AZ?"

"I'll be flying in a hot air balloon" This was another reason that none of them believed me. See, I only do 1 decoration in my room for VBX and this years was: a hot air balloon. yah, hilarious.
But Friday came and I was off by 8 in the morning... my husband and I swore that we would never got to AZ again with 3 kids: well, we were right. we went with 4 kids!
we missed most everything planned including hot air balloon (lost reservation), horseback riding (my 3 yo nephew jumped out of a moving car: don't ask), helicopter ride (too windy), volcano (darn active volcanos), montazuma's castle (who wanted his revenge anyway), carretta candy factory (only doing tours on weekdays: poo) and shamrock milk factory (only during the school year: bah), but that didn't stop the family reunion fun.
we smooth water rafted with all the girls, went to the observatory, pink jeep tour, sliding rock,  ran into some elk, butterflies, leeches (eeek), deer, condors, oh and about 50 of our long lost relatives from everywhere from puerto rico to AZ itself. It's always an adventure being with my family through good times and bad, and I'll do my darndest to keep us all together. All I can hope for before the next 4 years are some good memories to share, maybe a book (I mean, if aunt Diane can make a couple , so can I right?), kids who are self sufficient (Nyla will be 5, that's a good age to go on your own) a national monument, or atleast natives like the navajos we hung out with, a coca-cola to keep me awake, and my family.

 yes, I fell into the 45 degree water... super fun!

 note for next time: they HIGHLY discourage you use flash photography when taking a picture of the telescope!

 Met the man who helped discover the rings around uranus: stop laughing Johnny!

 Every family should reach out to nature when they offer you a kiss: love you Aunt Gail!

 Water rafting with Ada is always a trip! and we saw long horned sheep!

 pretty bad view huh!

Here's a couple pictures to laugh with me... enjoy!

Lazy is in the eye of the beholder

"Mom, why do you have to be so lazy?"
Yah, not many things offend me, but when my 9 year old said this to me today, I was completely hurt.
Keep in mind this started after I spent all yesterday driving to and from ballet, cooking for guests, cleaning up, getting up early and preparing school for 3... not to mention I have 4 kids. And then Ella asked me to get her folder and sign it. I didn't know where her folder was and she had YET to put her lunchbox into her backpack, but when I told her that SHE could bring me her folder to sign since it was her responsibility, she came out with this honest and completely serious statement.
After my husband coming to my defense and a hurt angry look, she gave me the reasons she thought I was lazy. And that is my child, logical to the end.
I know, you're wondering- how could anyone think I was lazy, but her main argument was that she finds me on the couch resting about 3pm after I've been running around all day.... she thinks I should be upstairs playing. From a kids point of view this actually made perfect sense to me. hmmmmm
Well, until I figure this out and actually come up with words to give my child, I'll just clean my house, change diapers, wash and fold clothes, cook dinner, drive around, plan vbx, find an apartment, pack, shop for groceries and clothes, and maybe find time to play with the kids, take em to the park, find summer camps, treat them, help them with homework, take them to the library..... and sit on the couch for a few minutes.

doing the Cha-cha

what's the saying: 2 steps forward and 1 step back... or was that Paula Abdul?
But even with that saying I would be making progress forward. I feel like I'm doing the cha-cha, which looks good on the outside, but frankly doesn't get me anywhere.
I clean and clean, but it still looks dirty.
I'm purging, but things pile up.
OR I teach the girls not to antagonize (yes we learned the definition) but then they just whine please stop all day!!!
Maybe what would be unexpected is to dance whenever they make me angry... and then I'll point to their room.
Maybe I'll dance when the house is dirty, and rub the counter at the same time...
Hey, I think I'm a pretty good dancer, just you wait and see.

technologically illiterate (probably part II)

If I've said it  once, I'll say it... one more time: I am technologically illiterate. Yes! I have a trak phone, I do not twitter, this blog is HARD for me. You notice pictures are far and few.
But is it wrong that I give a little victory dance to the fact that my kids can do ANYTHING without technology? When I can go to the dr. without my kindle, or take a car ride without a movie player. When my kids ask me to play outside rather than computer time... these things are the things that make me happy.
I'm not saying I don't appreciate those things... I wouldn't have a kindle or a portable dvd player if I didn't like them, but sometimes I just want my kids to show a little more than "boredom".
I mean, Darn society teaching us to say, "well when I was a kid we didn't have that... isn't it great!" and then giving our kids e readers, mp3 players, ipod touches, gameboys (oh I'm sure that's outdated), a dvd player, tv in their room, personal computer and whatever else we could give that requires electricity.
Yesterday, besides the fact we watched WAY too much tv, my girls painted! and they loved it.
we read a book and enjoyed it! we played tag outside! and those are the things they remember... I'm going to do the unexpected and force my kids to do more activities away from the sound waves: beach, library, games, and dare I say: nature!
viva la revolution!

Ali, you're funny.

Whenever my kids say, "mommy, you're funny." I always say, " I feel funny."
The other day a friend was over here and she said, "Ali, you need to sit down, you're gonna think I'm crazy."
But I didn't FEEL crazy.
She sat me down and told me her story. Then she broke the news down.
"I prayed a couple days ago"
After she told me what she prayed about for a couple days- she looked at me all "mind blown"
"Ali, God might actually answer prayers!"
If crazy is a mixed drink, I'm getting crazy wasted!
I LOVE hearing how prayers are answered, ESPECIALLY when he involves me but it has NOTHING to do with me. Makes me want to pray ALL THE TIME.

My house is a volcano of clutter

I keep hearing people talk about his book 7. Everyone says how it changed their lives and made them want to downsize.
Well, I don't need this book. I just have to open a door. I open the door to Z/A closet: 9 years worth of baby clothes. I open the closet under the stairs: 9 years worth of baby shoes! So I'm not doing spring cleaning. I'm doing spring scraping!
Johnny is like, "yay!" till he saw the 6 black trashbags of clothes last night that I was getting rid of. He's like, "surely, we'll need some of these" nope! I already boxed up the ones we'll need.
Tonight, I'm clearing out the office of books, crafties, plastic food, etc... he'll be so mad when he sees STACKS of books to purge etc, but time to do it before I change my mind and I'm not under stress.
I used to laugh while I read fly lady. She teaches you to clean your house to clean your life... I hated the things she did - and loved cleaning my stainless steel sink :which I don't even have anymore! but now I find that I naturally do that.
Johnny wondered why I was on a kick last night and then he had his AHA! moment "oh , you're stressed over your mom's situation. Well, atleast I get something out of this!"
So, if you're a sadeo masacist (yah, butchered that word) go ahead and ask me to volunteer for something you're doing, but I warn you, back up , or you might get steel wool and the magic eraser in your face!!!
like this year has in store: the unexpected

Is it ok to lick Jesus?

Psalm 34:8-- Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.

You wanna see God working and the body of Christ: look at the past couple days. My mom took a vaca to Peru, brazil and Argentina, but she fell at the waterfall and broke her leg in multiple places. Travel insurance paid to medivac her to Brazil to an awesome hospital. BUT my mom is on Medicare and can't afford the surgery. Travel insurance won't pay to medivac her home and it costs too much to do it ourselves... so we were stuck
"Do SOMETHING" my sister said. I suck at this. My brain can come up with 100 different ways to teach children, but things that involve politics and logistics are a no go for me. After a discussion, I told my sister that all I could do was post it on facebook.
My friends were AMAZING. I had people researching travel insurance. People looking at plane flights, calling every missionary, pilot, agency, embassy, and more .
God uses christians and non christians to accomplish His purpose. everyone can do something, even if it's google.
Now, I have missionaries coming to translate for my mom and find her a place to stay. I have the embassy working on a flight home. I have a doctor in the hospital where she's at that speaks Portuguese coming in to help her. My aunt is in the hospital with her. and if worse comes to worse, we have the money.
Thank you for ALL everyone's help. (it's not a double negative, it's a double positive).

I read Psalm 20 today

1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary

and grant you support from Zion.

3 May he remember all your sacrifices

and accept your burnt offerings.

Selah

4 May he give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.

5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious

and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the LORD grant all your requests.

6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8 They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm.

9 O LORD, save the king!

Answer [fn1] us when we call!

AMEN!