CRAZY FOR KIDS

Being Proactive

2009-12-08T05:13:00.000-08:00

In the last 36 hours we've had two calamities.

#1--Broken Toe

(kitchen stool fell on toe)

#2 --Broken Arm

(fell off loft ladder)

Supposedly, things come in 3's . . .

so I've decided to be proactive.

Here's Patrick on his way to school this morning with some bubblewrap to keep him extra safe:

Here's Paul--bubble wrap AND extra seatbelts

Kim wasn't leaving without some bubble wrap too:

I even got the ATM covered pretty well:

Have you ever had to call your doctor TWICE in the same day for TWO different kids with TWO different broken bones??? If I have CPS knocking on my door tomorrow I'll know why!

I sure hope they have computer access in jail!

Missing Pictures? No problem!

2009-12-06T16:48:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons we moved was to have room for entertaining. We dreamed of having a space where teenagers could hang out, guests could come and spend weekends or even weeks in our guest room, and we could have multiple families over for dinner gatherings--with plenty of room for the adults and kids to hang out.

We have enjoyed all of the above since moving in and the past two weeks have been especially eventful. What a joy it is to have friends and family over to break bread and share laughter.

Unfortunately, I've been very bad about taking pictures.

But no fear folks! I've come up with some solutions so I can share the festivities with all of you!

Here is our gathering of new friends and old at a recent family dinner. We met J and family at our grief support group and we met L through J. It was a fun evening!

And here is a picture of our dinner gathering with our Care Group from church. These are the most awesome people who have prayed for us, encouraged us, and always cheered us on. We love them.

Our next event was the Civil War.

Our dinner included ALL orange and black foods. Imagine cheese pizza, Cheetoes, black licorice, Cheez-its, oreos, and even orange ice cream.

I don't have a picture.

But of course I have a solution!

I can just post pictures of orange and black foods from google images and SAY that is my picture of our food. Right?

Which leads me to a huge solution in the missing pictures area. Perhaps I can just photoshop heads onto pictures like this and then pretend the pic was taken at our party?

I could even go so far as to say I was AT the game and here are some pics to prove it!

But that would be a lie. And my mother told me to never lie. And actually, I'm glad I wasn't there because the Beaver's lost! How sad is that??? And now I have to REALLY come up with something to get Debbie the U of O Ducks fan back--after she mailed us box after box of gifts leading up to the game. We have a little rivalry between our families. This was her best ever! It was based on the 12-Days of Christmas theme but it was the 12 days of the Civil War Season. Funny!

My cousin and her family spent the night Friday. Again, I have no pictures. But I guess I could use a picture from last summer and say it was taken on Saturday.

Which gives me an excellent idea! Instead of using my own pictures, I should just go to other people's blogs and use THEIR pictures! Their pictures are even better than mine!

Take our advent wreath for example. We call it our "ghetto" wreath because we are using candles from last year.

On top of it, two are lavender, one is pink and one is orange!!! (I am DETERMINED to find PURPLE advent candles because they are SUPPOSED to be PURPLE! But alas I cannot find purple candles! Can someone explain to me why there are no purple candles in the stores???)

Ahhh, but with my new plan, I will not need purple candles. I can just say I decided to go with white. Don't they look beautiful?

But then my friend Lisa at a Bushel and a Peck might not like the fact that I am using HER pictures on my blog. Especially if I say they are my pictures. Which they aren't. But her wreath is so much prettier than mine it might be worth a little white lie.

Finally, last night we had a fun gathering of adoptive families. We had twenty kids here and most were under the age of seven. My kind of fun!

I do have one picture from last night. One. It's such a great one, huh? Lots of smiling faces!

I guess since I've been so lame at pictures lately I will just have to count on my memories to remind me of all the good times.

But then, my dementia poses some problems with that!

WARNING: Do Not Shave While Driving

2009-12-01T23:24:00.000-08:00

In honor of No Shave November (it's still November, right? Please tell me it is still November! I need to remain in denial!) . . .

And also in honor of the OSU Beavers who proudly participate in No Shave November (if you don't know who the Beavers are then you are definitely living under a pigskin, and need to watch them beat the Ducks on ESPN on Thursday) . . .

But first. Have you ever wondered about some of those really dumb labels on things. Like the one about coffee being hot? How dumb is that???

Well, I'm beginning to understand those labels better.

So, it's November so I've been practicing the "No Shave" thing. What I won't do for the Beavers! Ya know! The sacrifices I make! I'm such a big fan I sometimes practice the no-shave thing even when it's not November!

But this really was November but it was a nice day so I was wearing a pair of capris. And Hubby and I were in a really big rush to get across town because his sister just had ankle surgery. So, we're in a rush but we decide to stop at the store to get her a care package. Well, right before we get to the store I realize that I really need to shave my legs. Really. And, like I said, I was wearing capris. And we would be sitting in a hospital waiting room where I was sure everyone would be horrified at the lady with the foot-long leg hair!

What to do? What to do?

Never fear blog readers! You know I am waaay smart! You know this brilliant mind is going to figure something out! (You were thinking that already, weren't you???)

So, when we stop at Target, I buy some razors. Dry shaving can't be so bad, can it? Honestly, I've never tried it before. It just seems like it would hurt and I've heard people complain about razor burn. At this point, I figure it's better than being mortified in the waiting room.

Once we get in the car I pull out the razors. Hubby looks at me strangely. After a long pause he says, "What are you doing?"
Well, duh! What does he think I'm doing?

I inform him that he's going to drive and I'm going to shave.

"IN THE CAR!!! WHILE I'M DRIVING!!! YOU'RE GOING TO SHAVE WHILE I'M DRIVING???"

"I trust you."

"BUT THERE'S STOP LIGHTS! AND I MIGHT NEED TO BRAKE!"

"Just don't hit any red lights and don't brake and it'll be fine."

Knowing any more words will just dissipate into thin air, Hubby begins to drive, shaking his head in disbelief. I begin to shave. I am amazed to find it doesn't hurt at all! What are people talking about when they say dry shaving hurts??

Hubby DOES hit a red light--didn't I tell him not to? I'm so smart I see it coming, stop shaving, then start again. The guy in the car next to us looks over and does a double take when he sees me taking a razor to my legs.

Hubby: "Great! The guy thinks I just picked up a prostitute!"

Me: "Naw, he thinks you're my pimp and you just saw my legs and are making me shave!"

Hubby: Speechless

So, I'm thinking I'm darn smart. Legs look great!

But a closer look reveals legs that look dry. Very dry. Razor dry. I rummage for some lotion. No good. Now I imagine everyone in the hospital waiting room looking at my legs and wondering if I have some kind of contagious H1N1 eczema on my legs or something. I dig deeper into the jockey box. I dig deeper into my purse. The only thing I can find is Carmex lip gloss.

No good.

Then this smart brain of mine starts thinking again. Hmmmm. Lip gloss. Just a thicker form of lotion, right? I try a little. It works great! I'm so smart they should put me on one of those game shows for smart people!

NOW my legs look beautiful, clean-shaven, smooth, and they even smell . . . like mint! Wow!

We go into the hospital and meet up with other family members. We sit in the waiting room. I'm gladder than ever that I came up with my brilliant solution. We sit and sit and sit. It seems my SIL broke her ankle even worse than they thought.

We sit some more. And at some point I begin to realize that razor burn must start to hurt AFTER the fact. Because my legs are really starting to BURN! And it's getting worse and worse!

I finally lean over and whisper to Hubby that my legs really hurt and I'm not sure if it's the razor burn or the Carmex.

He gives me this look of disbelief. Again, he is speechless (rare). Finally he murmurs, "You know, it's a good thing we're in a hospital so we can get you examined!"

"It's not THAT bad!" I retort.

He shakes his head and gives me a wry smile, "Not your legs! Your HEAD!"

Now I was speechless.

I'm happy to report my legs quit hurting. After a week. Or two.

And I think I understand warning labels a lot better now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-28T21:43:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to go to my MIL for Thanksgiving. Packed up all the bags, made the hotel reservation (with pool--the kids were so excited!), made arrangements for dog babysitter, had the van repaired (and found out we need a $1400 repair--OUCH!--but ya know, things have been put into perspective for us and we knew that if that was the worst thing that happened that day, it was still a great day!)

Woke up bright and early Thursday but couldn't go due to a casualty--Hubby was sick!

We were all very disappointed but still pulled together a Thanksgiving meal. Lizzy made pumpkin pies, apple pie AND cheesecake!

I was worried Hubby might have Swine Flu but knew just what to do:

The rest of us enjoyed eating:

Playing Wii:

And Mommy was very glad to get a picture of her perfectly proper, well behaved children:
(Click to enlarge--if you dare!)

I was worried I would miss the Black Friday sales. With Hubby sick I didn't feel right leaving him home watching all the littles.

What kind of wife would do that???

But, being the wonderful wife I am I headed out at 6 am just so I could get him some Tylenol:

And some Diet Coke. And a few other things as long as I was there--like socks of course! To keep Hubby's feet warm while he is sick! I was only thinking of him when I left him home sick with the wild ones.

Later in the day we went out for more "Tylenol" and hit the fabric store to buy one thing but when we saw flannel on sale for 1.50 a yard couldn't pass it up! Lizzy and I decided to make some quilts for Vu's orphanage.

I am so thankful for so many people in my life. I am thankful for my three cornerstones--family, faith, and friends!

I am enjoying some down time with NO HOMEWORK--not for the kids, not for me--(singing PRAISES at this point in the term it seems impossible!), staying up late, sleeping in, watching movies, sewing, reading ahhhh!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sock Survival--Taming the Sock Monster

2009-11-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

This may seem like strange timing for a post about socks--but it's not!

Black Friday is the day I buy our entire family socks FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR! I budget $150. Everyone gets socks in their stocking!

Yup, I'm one of those crazy folks up at 5 am to get the half price sock sale at Freddy's! If you live in the PNW you know what I'm talking about! If you don't, there are probably still good sales on socks in your area.

Regardless, here is my best advice on taming the sock monster: think universal, unisex and unified.

This translates into easy. Which translates into boring. Which translates into I don't care if socks are boring if they are easy.

For all FOUR of my younger kids:

I buy one brand of socks (Hanes), all the same style (crew length--good for summer or winter), all the same color (white), in just two different sizes (Med. and Lg).

They share socks. Two wear size medium. Two wear size large. But they can also wear the other size in an emergency.

All these socks are kept in a basket in the hall closet so they are right by the front door when the kids need socks--no running upstairs to dig in each child's dresser for socks!

Benefits:

Folding socks is a breeze--even a 3 yo can match a basket of socks when they all have either a green M or a blue L.
If we lose one sock we don't lose the whole pair
Everyone always has socks
Inexpensive
White matches everything. Almost everything. Never allow white socks with black dress pants. Unless you are trying to raise a bunch of nerds. Which I'm not. I do buy black dress socks for this occasion and keep those socks in my own dresser so I can find them when needed. Why do I now keep them in MY dresser? Because I have had nerds with white socks and black pants on too many occasions when they couldn't find their black dress socks.

The universal sock idea doesn't work quite so well with my picky teens. One wants black, one wants footies, one wants Nike, one wants . . .

So . . . I buy each older child three big packs of socks in the brand and style of their choice--all the same color--so again, we can easily match, not lose pairs, and know which socks belong to who.

My teens do not like to share socks.

After watching American Pie, I understand why.

Three cheers for sock survival!!! ~~Hip, Hip~~ Foot, Foot, HORRAY!

Know What's Weird?

2009-11-23T23:55:00.000-08:00

When I meet a stranger and they tell me they read my blog. Not like I'm meeting people on street corners who paparazzi me--it's usually a friend of a friend kind of thing.

But it's weird. It's like, they know almost everything about me . . . but I don't know anything about them, ya know? It's a feeling of an unlevel playing field. Kind of like having someone walk up and laugh about the time I was dancing with the lampshade on my head at the party--but I can't even remember them being at the party!

In the end tho, they are the ones ubber confused because I use blog names to protect the not-so-innocent.

I assure them there is no need to worry because I get my kids names so mixed up they will answer to almost anything--especially "Dinner!"

Nothing like having eight kids, most with two middle names, some with previous before-adoption names, all with nicknames--and blog names on top.

Is it any wonder I can't keep track of who is who?

I'm glad I have strangers to help me sort out their real names sometimes.

(I'd post a picture of one of these strangers but I've now met all of them so they are no longer strangers.)

The Fun-O-Meter Never Stops

2009-11-23T23:36:00.000-08:00

Busy with term papers but making sure I take some special time for myself:

Being over 40 is so much fun!

Then again, reading can be dangerous!

2009-11-20T22:06:00.000-08:00

Perhaps teaching a child to read is not such a good idea at all.

Perhaps I should have gone with the "wait until eight" method of teaching reading.

Hubby brought me a big Nestle's Crunch for a treat.

Unfortuantely, Patrick saw it. He looked at it for a minute with a wistful look. Then his face lit up and he got very excited as he exclaimed, "Look mom! It says, 'Great to share' and you really need to because it's now 'even more scrumptious!"

So of course I shared it and of course it really did taste even more scrumptious!

Amazing Results in Reading!

2009-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Kim has worked at improving her reading since kindergarten and with a reading tutor every summer. Some summers, she's also had a math tutor. Add to that the fact she went to speech therapy for six years and you can understand how much time this kid has spent in the car and in professionals' offices! (We won't even get into her eight surgeries and all those appointments!!!)

Through it all, she has kept smiling and has a determination that encourages me in everything I do! Her determination has paid off and she now reads at grade level.

Paul, on the other hand, was reading before he even started kindergarten and was the top reader in the entire first grade.

Imagine my shock when his reading level began to fall two years ago. We have always been a family of readers and I have often required ALL the kids to spend the same amount of time with silent reading that Kim had with her tutor time homework--I'm an equal opportunity mom!

When Paul was recommended for a fluency program at school, I knew we really needed to step up our efforts.

Well, we sort of stumbled on something that has had amazing results! For both kids!

Reading aloud!

Of course, I always have my kids read aloud to me when they are young but by the time third grade rolls around they are silent readers. In an effort to help Paul read more fluently, I took the book I had been reading to him at bedtime (A Single Shard) and started alternating pages between us--one page for him to read aloud to me, then vice-versa, back and forth for 30 minutes every night.

The results have been unbelievable! We just finished Hoot and are now reading The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963. Alternating the reading back and forth makes the book go faster and keeps his interest. There is also a reward for him at the end of his page of reading--he gets to take a break and listen, which also helps fluency.

Here's Paul reading the latest:

When Kim saw Paul reading to me, she also wanted to share a book. In her case, she likes to read the whole book to me. Right now, we are reading, The Outsider's. I am also hearing improvements in her reading and she LOVES sharing books with me.

I often have her read to me while I am cooking or doing laundry:

Not only has this improved their reading skills, it has also led to special bonding time. I could probably make a lot of money starting and promoting a read aloud program for older kids/young teens but I'm too lazy. It really does work tho! Try it, you'll like it!

What If You Only Had Six Months . . .

2009-11-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

To be matched with a forever family? What if at the end of those six months you were not matched and would never have a family?

Only three months remain, yet many children still wait.

If you are considering adoption your child might be waiting in China!

Click on Holt's Journey of Hope main page for more information. You can request the password to access videos and more pictures of each child and there is no fee to review their file.

There is also a general photolisting and moving video of all the kids singing.

Adopting an older child was one of the most challenging adventures of my life--but the joys have been 1000 times greater. One zillion times!

Please pray that each of these kids will find the love of a forever family--and that families will welcome them with open arms so they can experience joy--to the zillionth power!

Freedom Isn't Free

2009-11-11T12:53:00.000-08:00

Thank you to my wonderful husband for 22 years of service to our country!

Here he is, out in the field, tired of MREs and BBQing on the back of a truck.

Receiving an award after he retired.

He was very loved by his troops and the feeling was definitely mutual:

Thank you to my nephews who proudly wear the uniform. Thank you to so many of our friends who put their lives at risk. Thank you to my best blog commenter Stacey who combines motherhood with military service.

Thank you to all those soldiers who I will never meet and never know.

We truly are the land of the free because of the brave.

I chose this video because the clips portray military life so well.

To Love An Orphan

2009-11-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Facing The Fears Of Adoption

2009-11-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

"Nearly 40 percent of American adults, or 81.5 million people, have considered adopting a child, according to the National Adoption Attitudes Survey. If just one in 500 of these adults adopted, every waiting child in foster care would have a permanent family." The Dave Thomas Foundation

Why don't more families adopt? The number one reason is fear--fear of the cost, fear of a "broken" child, fear of the unknown.

Read His Hands His Feet for excellent thoughts regarding the risks of adoption.

Every child deserves a family.

Two years ago we were in Vietnam picking up Vu:

Now he is home forever!

Thank you God for Your precious gift! He is truly a joy to behold!

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."

Isaiah 43:5

BOO!

2009-11-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

Our Halloween spooks:

The Rabid Beaver Fan:

The Princess:

Shirley Temple:

The Black Knight:

A Green Power Ranger:

CANDY, CANDY, CANDY!

The Dip Stick

2009-10-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed how different each child is. And yet, they also have many personality traits in common. All of my kids have a great sense of humor. That's a good thing because, in our family, it would definitely be detrimental not to.

For Paul's birthday, he said he wanted a "Rip Stick" which is a new type of skateboard with a twisty joint in the middle. Several of his friends had them and being the sports enthusiast that he is, he couldn't wait to claim ownership of one himself.

When his dad asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he got the "Rip Stick" answer, to which Eric assured him that he could MAKE him one.

Paul's smile suddenly turned to a frown. Make one? Uh, no dad. That's just not possible.

Over the course of a couple weeks the topic came up again and again wherein Paul would be talking about the cool board and Eric would assure him he could just make one--for a lot cheaper, ya know?? He even tried to convince Paul the other kids would be JEALOUS because his would be so cool and he could call his a DIP STICK!

Let me tell you, Paul didn't seem too impressed with the idea of a Dip Stick.

So, the day of his birthday comes and there is no package shaped like The Stick but Eric is out in the garage hammering and banging and making all sorts of noise.

I took Paul aside and told him that his dad was out there making him something and that even if it didn't turn out quite how he imagined to just pretend he was really happy so he wouldn't hurt his dad's feelings.

Paul laughed, thinking it was a joke. I kept a straight face. Then, Paul got really sober thinking maybe it wasn't a joke. He vacillated between the what-ifs, all the while hearing the hammering and banging out in the garage. He definitely looked worried--between hopeful laughs!

Finally, Eric had his proud moment of coming in with the dad manufactured "DIP STICK"!

It is a board duct taped to two roller blades! It even has a broom stick handle taped onto the board so it looks more like the twisty thing on a real Rip Stick.

We were laughing so hysterically Paul was pretty sure it was all a joke.

Still, he was one happy guy when we pulled out a real Rip Stick!

He had a great time with friends at the Bowling Alley:

Here's a cute pic of Kim teaching Vu to bowl:

Happy Birthday Paul! Never stop laughing! WE LOVE YOU!

Are You Rich?

2009-10-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

Watched this with our small group tonight. Thought it was profound and wanted to share.

To see the end onnect to the Rob Bell-13-part 2/2 (at the end of the first clip)

Interview With The Mother Of Twenty

2009-10-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

A friend e-mailed me this interview with the mother of 20. That's 20 CHILDREN.

Makes 8 seem like nothing!

Here's one of my favorite pics of the day Patrick came home from the hospital.

INTERVIEW WITH LUCILLE DIPPOLITO

"The more children, the more love."

Mrs. Lucille Dippolito is a nurse and the mother of 20 children. The youngest is 22 and the oldest is 43. One child died a few months after birth. She has about 30 grandchildren, though she said she has to update the count. Three more are currently in the womb. Her husband died in1993. She currently lives in St. Marys, Kansas.

Of her children, Mrs. Dippolito says, "They have things that money can’t buy." And of parents, she remarks, "Your children you take with you into eternity"

The following interview was conducted on February 20, 2002 by Scott Johnston, Research department, Priests for Life:

Q. Did you always want to have a large family?

"Yes I did. I wanted to have six boys. God gave me the baker’s dozen—13 boys! After the first little girl came, I wanted more girls."

"Eight children were born at home. I knew what I could do and what I couldn’t do."

"I come from a family of four. I lived next door to a family of 10 children, and those children were always happy! They were happy within themselves. My mother comes from a family of twelve. [Children in large families] seem to have things that money can’t buy."

Q. What do you say to people who say they can’t afford to have more kids?

"For every little mouth that God sends, He sends the little bit that is needed. I had faith in God that if He sent me a child, He was going to feed that child. I lived better than some families with two or three kids. My kids started doing things! It’s not how many kids you have; it’s your faith in God."

Q. How were you able to manage with so many children?

"I said to people [after having a certain number], ‘I’m retired.’ I got one to do the laundry, one the baking; they rotate their duties."

"We had chickens, pigs. . . . Each child had a responsibility. We butchered our meat; we had a dairy cow. It was a mini-farm on ten acres. A priest friend used to ask us: ‘Is there anything in this house that is not homemade?’ [Some things they made included their own butter, and altar candles.] Some of the talents they have they learned from their grandparents. I sew, but now my kids make my clothes for me. I gave to them, but look what I got back!"

Q. Today’s cultural attitudes about parenting seem to suggest that good parenting means providing many material things for your children. Do kids need a lot of material things in order to be happy in their family and to grow up as well-adjusted adults?

"No. That’s the worse thing that you could do! Just providing everything their heart desires -- that’s absolutely wrong. They need to develop their talents. Doing is learning. They have to be doers.. . . This was the law of the family: by doing they were learning. By working for something they respect it. The more you give, there’s your happiness; that’s what you have to teach your children. You receive your happiness by seeing how they are developing. When I stand before the judgement seat of God, I’m going to tell Him I did everything for them."

"We were never poor, but we didn’t have lots of things. My boy had a natural talent for fixing cars. If we had been able to buy things, that talent would not have been able to come out."

"We have an engineer, a nurse. . . . These are things they did because they realized they are not going to get things handed to them. Parents are not here forever."

Q. In considering the prospect of having many children, our society seems to dwell only on the difficulties and hardships involved. What would you say in response to this consistently negative attitude about having many children?

"They are much in the dark. This is utterly false. Everybody is going to have a dark side; we’re not here to have heaven on earth. What are people afraid of today? People that don’t have kids have worse crosses than those who do! People need to start reading books on the joys of children. They are going to miss out on a lifetime of happiness. A baby is joy! Young people are very much scandalized; they are being lied to. They are being deprived of a lot of happiness. Having children makes you healthy. After each child I got stronger; couldn’t wait for the next one to get here! God gives you these things."

"You never have a dull moment…always something that you can look forward to."

"If you are always around young children, you will always be young at heart."

Q. Today there is a big emphasis on the idea that responsible parents must plan for every child they have. Did you deliberately plan each child ahead of time?

"Wrong! I’d rather take it in God’s time. I would have had a lot more kids if I could have! They don’t all have to go to college. Some of my kids are not meant for college. I took these children just as God wanted me to have them. I’m glad they’re here. I’d do it all over again. These are your greatest treasures. You can’t take a car into eternity! You will not see your boat in eternity! If you love children, every moment is a moment of happiness. This ‘I’m going to have them when I want to,’ that’s very selfish. Faith in God is the prime ingredient in having a family. God gives you talent; you have to do the work. These people are not getting joy from the right things. The hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world."

Q. Another idea that society seems to suggest to parents today is that if they have many children, they will not be able to love all of them with the same depth that they could if they had a small family. What would you say to this?

"When number nineteen came, the family gives him love. He got so much love from the family. If he was an only child, he would never have gotten so much love! The mother can only give so much love. When you have a large family, the children are getting all kinds of love from all their brothers and sisters. There’s nothing more joyful than a baby."

Q. What for you are the greatest blessings of having a large family?

"Watching them grow, seeing their talents, the things that they give back. The love that they have for their father. They go to the gravesite and have masses said for him. Seeing them become good citizens. They are helping their country. These are great joys! My daughter who is a nurse and has helped bring people back to life. Look at the great joys! You watch them take their first step, say their first word—these are things that money can’t buy! The blessings far outweigh the hardships. The world dwells on the hardships. Everything has pain and joy with it. You have to take the bitter with the sweet. We aren’t in heaven yet!"

End of interview

* * *

Reflections

Mrs. Dippolito is a very inspiring woman! She does not sound her age at all, but much younger and full of life. If you were talking for the first time with her, you would be amazed to learn she is a mother of 20 and grandmother of more than that.

She is a Catholic of very deep faith and tremendous trust in God. She is full of gratitude for all of the children God has given her. She has total trust in God for all things, and understands that in this life crosses always occur along with happiness. This is integral to her attitude toward family life. She has the realistic and hope-filled approach that since everyone will have crosses, why not multiply the joy as much as possible? To her, the more children, the more joy!

Mrs. Dippolito is also very disturbed by the lies that society tells young people today, especially the idea that fulfillment can be found in self-absorption.

Talking with Mrs. Dippolito reveals several key themes.

The large family is a great source of happiness. Mrs. Dippolito’s initial reason for wanting many kids was her experience that the most joy-filled homes were the homes with many kids. She wanted a home with much joy, and that to her meant a home with many children. She learned this in her own family. Each child is another unique face of love that is brought into the family and multiplies the joy by adding a new love. The blessings far outweigh the pains. Parents receive back many times over what they give.

A large family does not mean that the parents have twenty times more work if they have twenty kids. It is a community of mutual love and sacrifice—a learning place of care for one’s neighbor. The kids all pitch in and so as the family grows, many of the daily burdens are taken care of by the children themselves, as they are able, including much of the care for the youngest. They learn to do this work joyfully, especially by helping to care for their sibling babies. Mrs. Dippolito said her youngest child never cried because he was always being held by one of his brothers and sisters; they all eagerly give love to the younger ones. This youngest one can’t wait to have his first baby so he can have someone to toss in the air since he didn’t get to do this as his siblings did with him. This is a tremendous blessing both for the younger children who receive this abundance of love, and for the older ones who give it.

The large family is a natural school wherein the talents of each child can flower. Because of the sacrifices and cooperation required in a large family, the children by a kind of necessity have opportunities to discover and nurture talents and abilities that would not be discovered or practiced in a small family. Because the family could not afford to buy everything, the kids know how to garden, care for farm animals, cook, sew, can vegetables, do basic home repair work, etc. They develop from this a strong "can-do" attitude. They are versatile and flexible, because they learned it by doing things in the daily care of their family. Also, they learn to love with more effectiveness in serving others. This is because the more children there are, the more likely each child is to have counterpart siblings whose strengths complement their particular weaknesses. The sibling better at schoolwork helps the one who is less so. The mechanically gifted one fixes another’s bike (and the family car, and tractor, etc.). They learn to help and give personally to each other according to their individual weaknesses and gifts. In a large family, there is abundant opportunity for practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and for the discovery and growth of natural gifts which can all work together harmoniously.

A lack of material riches is not to be feared in raising a family. Everyone must work hard and sacrifice for each other—parents and children. But, if this is done, and most of all, if the family has complete trust in God as the ultimate provider and asks Him for all they need, they will be able to live a very happy life together. Many of the material luxuries so common today cannot bring anything approaching the joy that can be experienced in a close, large, family.

Faith. Great faith in God is absolutely vital to a full family life. A family simply cannot live the life meant by God without loving Him, trusting Him, and praying to Him. If these things are done, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Expect the cross. It is folly to try always to run from it. No one can avoid it, and society is harmed terribly by the increasing number of people who pattern their life after attempts to maximize their own comfort and self-interest. They are turning from the very thing that will help them to have the deepest joy in this life. Shunning the possibility of a large family because of potential crosses is a tragic delusion. Hardship is always a part of this life. A large family helps each member to bear each other’s burdens in mutual love—a school of embracing the cross together with others.

Family life ought to be lived with eternity always in mind. This means, among other things, knowing that children are gifts from God, that He wants them all to come to heaven, and He intends for parents to help them embrace the gifts He has for them to get there. God’s grace is available every step of the way. It is essential for parents to have the perspective that they are called to be with their children not just here in this world, but forever in the eternal life of heaven.

-- Scott Johnston

Why?

2009-10-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

It is impossible to have a child die from cancer and not be filled with the lingering question of "Why?" Why God? Why did he have to die? Why did you take a child with so many gifts? My child! Joe was one of the most intelligent, handsome, athletic, loving, funny, HEALTHY people ever! He was never sick!

Why him? Why us?

Why God?

And the "whys" often lead to even harder questions: Why didn't I know he had cancer? Why couldn't I see the signs? Why didn't we take him to a different doctor? Why couldn't I protect him? Why couldn't he be healed of a cancer that is supposedly so curable?

Why God? Why? Why? Why?

Why us? Why HIM? Why?

I know it doesn't do any good to ask the questions. And yet . . . the questions haunt.

But even tho I'll never know the answers to my questions, I do know--

MY REDEEMER LIVES:

Prayers Answered

2009-10-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who lifted prayers for Danette to come home. It is with great joy I tell you she is now in the loving arms of her forever family!

Thank you God!

What Will Be In Your Box?

2009-10-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

"These boxes all have names on them," Mr. Jones muses. Turning to Peter he asks, "Do I have one?"

Some of you remember the story of Mr. Jones in Bruce Wilkinson's popular book, The Prayer of Jabez. It's a story that's affected me profoundly; I often wonder what will be in my "box" when I get to heaven.

For those who haven't read the book, it's about asking for God's blessings. Near the beginning, Wilkinson shares the story of Mr. Jones who has just entered the gates of heaven and is on a tour with Peter. They come to a large warehouse and Mr. Jones wants to go inside but Peter assures him he does not. Mr. Jones finds this strange, especially after his tour of heaven is complete and he has seen everything . . . except the warehouse.

Mr. Jones convinces Peter to show him the building and when they walk in they see stacks and stacks of beautiful white boxes wrapped in red ribbons. The boxes are stored alphabetically. Peter tries to stop him but Mr. Jones is intent on finding the box with his name on it. Mr. Jones eagerly grabs his box to unwrap it.

Here's what happens next . . .

"Looking inside, Jones has a moment of instant recognition, and he lets out a deep sigh like the ones Peter has heard so many times before. Because there in Mr. Jones's white box are all the blessings that God wanted to give him while he was on earth . . . but Mr. Jones had never asked."

I often find myself wondering what will be in my box when I get to heaven. An awesome family vacation? A friendship that was never nurtured?

A child?

What will be in your box?

"And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luke 11:9

And The Winner Is . . .

2009-10-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Asymmetrical!

Which is funny because it is the first dress I tried on. It was also the cheapest! And the favorite of my girls. You can't beat Ross for prices! I liked the "True Lies" dress but my kids all detested the sleeves. I kept it anyway because it was marked down to $22. Oh, and the most expensive was the granny in a gunnysack at $129 on sale at Nordstrom's.

We had a wonderful evening out with our daughters at a fundraiser for Holt.

Thanks for the votes and the laughs everyone!

Sometimes, Life Just Isn't Fair

2009-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Patrick has informed me that I am simply not fair!

Granted, I've been accused of this before, but this time will be especially memorable.

Paul had oral surgery to bring down a trapped tooth. Being the unfair mom that I am, I allowed him to play video games for the rest of the day and I even rented a new one. I also bought him ice cream, Trix yogurt, drinkable yogurt and Gatorade.

Even tho I made sure the other kids got some of the bootie apparently the fact that he got more is just unfair!

I asked Patrick if he wanted me to set up an appointment with the oral surgeon where he could get a shot, an IV, and a scalpel on his gum and he said, "YES! Then I can play video games all day! That would be FAIR!"

Sorry to break it to you Patrick. But sometimes, life just isn't fair!

I'm happy to report that Paul is recovering despite being treated like a king--which is so unfair.

Thanks for all the comments on my dresses. I'll let you kow the final choice soon! I'll also tell you which was the cheapest and most expensive.

Vote Some Dresses Off The Island

2009-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

I did it. I went shopping. It was horrid. I Kid. It was actually quite fun because I had my two personal shoppers and they enticed me with Starbucks.

I tried on about 142 dresses. They ranged in price from $11.99 to $129.99.

See if you can guess which one was the highest/lowest.

It's time to vote some dresses off the island.

The Tarzan Look:

The Ruffles Have Ridges Look:

The Stuffed Socks Look:

The Granny In A Gunnysack Look:

The Check Out Those She-man Muscles Look:

The Real Possibilities Asymmetrical Look:

The True-Lies Sleeves Look (hard to see but the dress has diagonal tiers down the front):

Cast Your Vote.

Welcome To The Vietnamese Cooking Channel!

2009-10-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about having kids is getting to relive my own childhood. When I was little I liked to pretend I was on TV. I would be cleaning the bathroom pretending I was showing my "audience" the proper way to clean a mirror.

Well, we finally made our Vietnamese Spring Rolls! They were very yummy! Vu suggested we pretend we were on the cooking channel while we made them. What a blast!

The chief chefs--Paul wetting the wrappers and Vu putting on mint leaves:

The final result. Would you like crab or veggie?

A satisfied customer--he still loves Vietnamese food the most!

Homecoming Court

2009-10-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

Just in the last few weeks it has really hit me that my sweet little Lizzy is growing up. And growing up means she will be moving out. She will go to college in less than two years. How did time fly by so quickly?

How will I ever let this dear, funny, creative, energetic child go? She has been attached to my hip since the day she was born. This is the stage of parenting I dislike the most.

And yet, I know. She will be the next one to spread her wings and fly away and I pray we are giving her strong wings to carry on. We are very proud of the woman she is becoming. She is beautiful on the outside, but more importantly, she is beautiful on the inside.

Here she is with her escort for Homecoming Court:

Proud Daddy:

And here she is all dressed up for the Homecoming dance:

Here's her date and yes, she and G4 are still together. I think she likes him for his brains.

Or maybe his mom's cool car?

Or maybe his sense of humor? Lizzy was re-enacting the scene from Titanic. Maybe G4 hasn't seen the movie?

Or maybe, just maybe, she loves him for his face?

I tried re-enacting the scene from Titanic. G4 just looked at me like I was a cougar. I don't get it.

Hey, I have to find ways to laugh or I'll just end up crying over my little girl growing up!

I love you Lizzy! You'll always be my sweet baby girl!