Civil Unrest

Recently I read a blog where commentors wished that the author wasn't so perfect. I think she was wondering why the author didn't air dirty laundry about how difficult daily life can be with a house full of children that homeschool.

In an effort to "keep it real" here I thought I'd voice my latest Mt. Everest (i.e. large discipline problem that I need to surmount and keep on top of).

Each day when the 4 year old in our house is disobedient in any way I ask him to "Please go to your room." The response I receive is truly maddening. A shriek at the top of his lungs, "No, you go to your room!"

Or if I ask him to stop running in the house I receive a, "No!"

Finally, the summit to it all is when he finally does comply with a time out in his room he slams his door as hard as his 4 year old arms can. In an effort to curb this I've followed him into his room and asked him to demonstrate to me how he is to properly shut his do. He complies and does it the right way. Then, the next time out he receives, the slamming is his preferred method to shutting his door as if in a final way to make mommy really sorry she is disciplining him.

As a punishment for slamming his door and screaming at me, I forbid him to use the computer or Nintendo for the remainder of the day. You'd think that would change his behavior but alas, it's been more of the same.

I know something here needs to change I'm just not sure what. Frankly, it takes a lot of effort to change and lately I haven't felt like making that effort. However, for the good of my son (and our family life) I know I need to.

Tomorrow, I will research different ideas that I find and the one that I've settled upon. First stop, Dr. Ray's website...

The Blessing of Good Health

This morning began with a migraine. The kind that I usually get only once-in-a-blue-moon. Then started the nausea and I knew that today would not be a good one. Being sick is one thing. Being sick with three little ones under 5 is NOT GOOD. Especially when I knew in advance that my husband would not be available until 6:30 p.m.

As I ...uh...relieved myself in the bathroom of my stomach contents, Jozef was hovering asking, "What's wrong mommy? Do you feel sick?" Repeatedly.

Kolbe insisted that I get him fully dressed to go outside on three separate occasions. As my head throbbed I walked to the entryway to re-lace his shoes again and again.

Marcel insisted that he needed to be with mommy throughout the day, no matter how she felt.

Throughout it all I just prayed, "Lord, help be to get better fast." There was nothing I could do. I was too weak to clean or prepare a good lunch (does crackers, pepperoni slices and shredded cheese count? No?). I truly thank God for my good health. The ability to make lunch, clean the house, interact with the kids, is something that I know I've taken for granted lately.

Somebody thought I needed a lesson in humility. I just hope that I passed.

Home Again

As we pulled into the driveway late on Saturday night, the odometer registered 2,452 miles. Now that's what I call a journey! =)

As we traveled back from the U.P. we decided to drive across Wisconsin and visit the Mall of America in Minnesota. What a huge place! The boys enjoyed the Lego-land store and play area as well as the indoor theme park. For $15 Nate, Kolbe and Jozef experienced three rides. Next we had lunch at Famous Dave's. They're famous for BBQ and was it good! Finally, we visited The Disney Store as well as a few other toy stores in the mall.

The drive across Wisconsin and into Minnesota as beautiful this time of year. Bright colors adorned the trees and rolling hills kept the scenery alive. We really have missed the beauty of our "home" land. =)

After Minneapolis we traveled south and then west through Minnesota to South Dakota. Boy, is that area flat. Flatter than Nebraska. The Interstate was barren and fast, so that was great.

Finally, we made a final turn south in Yankton, South Dakota and entered Nebraska. As we followed Hwy 81 in Yankton we crossed a rather unique bridge over the Missouri River. It was a single lane, double decker bridge. We were traveling south so we were on the bottom (thankfully). Those traveling north were above us. The top lane must have been 20-25 feet above us. Wowzers! I was truly glad we were going south...

As a side note, the bridge is called the Meridian Highway Bridge and I was able to find a picture of it online (what did we do before Google?).

Finally, we arrived home at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night. We had a truly enjoyable time visiting treasured friends and our beloved family. It made coming back to Nebraska seem not-quite-like home. We love you!

More Money...

Kolbe: I wish that we had a camper. Cabins are no fun.
I should go to work all day long like Dad. Then, I'll have enough money to buy a camper.

Mom: When you're all grown up like Dad, you'll work all day, but not
now.

Kolbe: You know, two Dads would be better in our family so then we
would have more money. Then we could buy whatever we want. When I
grow up, I'm gonna live with you then we'll have two Dads and lots of
money.

How could I argue with that?

Northern Michigan

Kolbe and Jozef really enjoyed themselves on the dance floor last night after the wedding reception (pictures to come soon). And, the wedding was beautiful. =)

After a restful night last night we enjoyed a more relaxed pace today. After brunch with our family, we pressed on, heading further north to visit some dear friends (Kolbe's Godparents). Just before our arrival at their house, our trip meter passed 1,000 miles. How's that for an accomplishment? And, we're only half-way through our vacation.

As Nate and I were driving through northern (lower) Michigan we both commented on how beautiful the area is this time of year. Not that Nebraska doesn't have beauty...

It might be the way there are trees dotted everywhere. Along the Interstate. Throughout the neighborhood. It would be hard to imagine a yard that didn't have at least one mature tree here.

It might be the lingering lakes. The knowledge that in Michigan, you're never too far to an even larger, majestic lake (take your pick, there are five of 'em).

It might be the people that are kind and smile at our children as we pass by. The familiar small-town feel that we felt even while in Lansing. =)

It might be that we know we're on home-turf. We were both raised our entire lives in Michigan only to depart from it in our years together as a married couple. And, when we did move away, it was only a short distance.

So, we're both feeling nostalgic and hoping to have a meandering day tomorrow as we head further north into Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Greetings from Michigan!

This weekend we are in Lansing, Michigan for Nate's brother Steve's wedding to Nicole!

Today marked day two of our 5-state tour: Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

For those of you who wonder what it's like traveling ~12 hours with three children under five, here's a synopsis:

Thursday

12 Noon - Depart from Home
12:07 p.m. - Kolbe: "So, Mom, what town are we in now?"
12:50 p.m. - Pick up Dad from work and begin our journey.
1:30 p.m. - Engage the portable DVD player for a some quiet time.
2:30 p.m. - Mom - "Is this Heaven" Dad - "No, it's Iowa." (Shameless Field of Dreams reference)
3 p.m. - Two Curious George stories and Eric Carle picture books.
4 p.m - Stop off in Des Moines so Mom can have her Target fix. And a quick stop at Walker Johnston park for some dinner and play time.
6 p.m. - On the road again!
8 p.m. - Two babies sleeping!!
8:15 p.m. - Kolbe, Dad and Mom enjoy juice boxes and tortilla chips over conversations about "which blue line" we're driving on on the map...
9 p.m. - Pass the world's largest truck stop on I-80
9:15 p.m. - Welcome to Illinois
10:30 p.m. - Arrive in Ottawa, Il - our destination for the first night!

Friday
Dad - "Let's try to get on the road by 8 AM, okay, hon?"
8:56 a.m. - On the road (oops!)
10:15 a.m. - Pass the Indiana border! (after enjoying the entire Backyardigans Super Spy DVD)
11 a.m. - Find nearest McDonalds with a PlayPlace for the boys to "release some energy".
11:35a.m. - After chicken nuggets and fries, go outside to enjoy said PlayPlace only to discover it's all soaking wet! Decide to just get back in the car and watch another movie...
1:00 p.m. - Much restlessness and sibbling quibbling in the back. Mom goes back to investigate. Comes back up front with a headache.
1:35 p.m. - Mom - "Honey, tell me we're almost there..." Dad - "Just another 30 minutes."
2:05 p.m. - Arrive at Uncle Steve's house. Large sigh. Unload van. Collapse.

Then, we realized that we need to change to Eastern Time so, it's really 3:05 p.m. =)

Total Granola Bars Consumed = 5

(one sadly lost, inbetween seats)

Total Movies Watched = 6

Total Bagels Consumed = 8

Hours Travleing = 12

Total Time to Destination = 26 hours

Total Miles Traveled = 756

The View from Here

On Saturday, we were all excited to arrive home from running errands and discover this large piece of machinery in our backyard:

It was a combine harvesting the corn field behind our house. Large machinery = delight for young boys.

This was something we just didn't see much of in Michigan. =)

Fashionable Family

The boys enjoyed trying on some of the new clothes they'll be sporting at their uncles' wedding this coming weekend.

Kolbe and Marcel model their new duds:

And here's Jozef (not to be out-done). =)

Since he's in the wedding, he'll be sporting a tuxedo mom found on eBay for a great deal. There will be many, many pictures of that to come.

A Mountain of an Idea

Her: You want to drive for 12 hours and just look up at a mountain?
Him: Not 12. Eight.

That's how the conversation went the other night in response to my husband's request that we visit Mt. Rushmore in November. Often, my husband gets an idea and I am the one being practical (read: unreasonable) with regards to it.

The issue here is that when I get an impromptu idea (read: just as crazy as his Mt. Rushmore idea) he is usually very supportive and we end up going.

After taking a day to think and pray about it I've decided that I should work to make the trip happen. He's so supportive of my ideas that I owe him the same. On with the trip planning!

So, faithful readers, I turn to you. Have you been to Mt Rushmore? What are some great sights to see along the way? Any inspiration will do here. =)

Boy Train

It's so great to see that the boys quickly want Marcel to participate in some of their favorite activities.

After Jozef received these two bikes for Christmas in 2005, Kolbe claimed one and figured out he could hook them together and pull Jozef through the house. They loved to zoom around from room to room together!

Photo from August of 2006

This weekend I dug out the bikes from the basement for the first time since we moved here in July. After just one day, Kolbe figured out a way to "hook" Marcel on, too!

Today

Yep. That's Marcel in the diaper box. I think maybe it's time to add another bike to our collection. =)