"Never A Dull Moment"

This too shall pass...

2012-02-12T22:24:00.000-05:00

Last week Jaron was congested and coughing....now we ALL are! Justus is the only one running a fever so after 3 days of alternating tylenol and motrin every 4 hours trying to help his 103 fever~ I gave up. I went to the ER today~desperate to find out "what's wrong with my baby?!?!?" After waiting for ~~eternity~~ the doctor and holding him on my numb shoulder (for 3 days straight) she came in and checked his ears. After confirming my motherly instinct was right, both ears are infected, I decided that a shot of strong antibiotics was in order to kick this nasty infection before I go crazy from lack of sleep. I do not want to wait for 10 days of antibiotics (accompanied by diahrrea) before his ears get better. We both wanted relief and fast!

We got home and the Lord reminded me of the stock of numbing ear drops we have because all our boys have had TONS of ear infections. So I gave Justus some of those drops and some milk in a medicine dropper. He won't suck a bottle because his ears hurt so bad. And too much milk increases the already troublesome mucus. But ibuprofen on an empty stomach makes him puke. But the milk causes phlem and makes him cough which leads to puking. UGH! It's a vicious cycle that I am praying will be better tomorrow. Please pray my baby sleeps tonight and is back to himself soon! (my shoulder can't take anymore~carrying around a 25lbs. baby for 3 days has not been easy but I'm his mother and I will do whatever I have to do to help him feel better)

New Ideas!

2012-02-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

I have been looking online for new games and crafts to do with the boys. This marshmallow launcher was a BIG hit! Made with a small glad cup with the bottom cut out and a balloon stretched around the bottom. Fill with marshmallows or just put one and pull back the balloon to send the "amo" flying.

Then we made a baseball diamond on the carpet with masking tape and they loved that too!

Jacob is so ready to start their baseball season in March.

Despite the rain we had fun inside today.

And I can't forget Jaron dressed up in daddy's suit and said "here comes pastor Jaron". So cute!

Personal Pepperoni Pizza Party!

2012-01-31T23:45:00.003-05:00

We let the boys create their own little pizzas with english muffins, mini pepperonis, pizza sauce and shredded cheese. Then 5 minutes in the oven to melt the cheese, they all gathered around the oven window with the light on, anxiously waiting for their creations, mouths watering. It was fun and we all loved them!

Playtime~all the time!

2012-01-25T15:52:00.001-05:00

When child locks fail...

tigger gets a tail...

and they all check their email...(except Jaron~he's said "where's my laptop?)

The fish are not alone...

And there's two kings on their throne...

then Jonah wrote his numbers on his own.

Letting Go...

2012-01-21T13:45:00.001-05:00

I set high expections for myself and never reach my goals. I have good intentions but when I can't complete my "To Do List" I beat myself up for it. I want my house be perfect, spotless and organized. It sounds so crazy as I type because I know that's impossible with 4 children. I want all the papers on my desk to be filed in the correct place. I want to create and plan crafts for my kids but never do. I read online and get tons of ideas but never follow through with them. Keeping up with the check book and making sure bills get paid is priority over the other paperwork. I want to get on a regular cleaning schedule with sweeping and mopping and vacuuming. Chris washes clothes almost daily and they stay piled up on the couch most of the time until I feel so guilty I make myself fold them.
Most of this sounds like normal things most people probably have under control. I guess it's the lack of sleep that makes me unable to focus. I feel like I'm in a fog. I try to sit down and work on something and just can't muster up the energy. I need to prepare for taxes but haven't started yet. I need to research homeschooling curriculum but haven't done it yet. I drink caffeine to stay awake and feel like I'm in survival mode most days just making sure everyone is fed and bathed.

I need to stop giving Justus milk bottles in the bed but I haven't. It's my fault he's still on the bottle and not fully transitioned to milk in a cup. I have been slacking on that too. If I could just get a good 7 hours of sleep every night I am sure I'd be able to skip napping with the kids and really knock out all of that stuff while they sleep 2 hours each day. So every night I pray for God to make the children stay asleep so I can get some sleep too. I have high hopes that tonight will be better than last night. But Justus is teething and also is croupy today so sleep is not really happening much.

I have to learn to let go of the things that aren't important and focus on what needs to be done. The rest can wait. I shouldn't be so hard on myself and then I wouldn't feel so guilty for the lack of accomplishment. It's a vicious cycle I need to break and I am determined....

Creative Minds

2012-01-16T12:12:00.001-05:00

Jaron and Jonah wanted to be pirates this morning so we got out the laundry baskets, papertowel rolls and used a golf club to make a flag.

It's amazing how they can entertain themselves just by using a little imagination.

Sundays...

2012-01-16T10:18:00.001-05:00

This was the second sunday in a row Chris made me bacon, eggs and toast for breakfast. And for years he's ironed everyone's clothes for church. He really is a good daddy and husband.

This is our typical routine.

I get up and eat breakfast. (He usually lets me sleep and feeds the boys breakfast.)

Then I pick out what I want them to wear for church and he irons while I shower.

I dry my hair and the 2 youngest usually join me in the bathroom for that.

I clean out my bag and put only the necessities for church (diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, paper, crayons, pipe cleaners with ABC beads, bottle of milk, one thermos of water and smarties for good behavoir.)

The boys go into our room and get dressed where they find all their clothes lined up on the bed in age order and ironed thanks to daddy. :-D

Then they all need a snack because they ate breakfast at 6:30am and it's 9 now and we're about to leave for church so they usually all have a yogurt.

Sometimes we go through a drivethru on the way home and yesterday was one of those days.

Justus got a taste of Mcdonalds fries and wasn't happy when the box was empty.

He flipped it and flopped it....

and waved it around....

and after realizing they were definately all gone he enjoyed a warm bottle of milk followed by an afternoon nap.

Thoughtful Thursday

2012-01-12T22:58:00.001-05:00

We watched Ratatoullie today and the boys love to get the fake food out. They pretended to cook and after the food was all cleaned up and we were getting ready for bed, I looked up to find this one soup spoon hanging with the keys. Because we never know when we're gonna eat some soup. I forgot to ask who put it there but someone was being thoughtful.

I love these boys...

(Oh and if you don't follow me on facebook)

After stepping out of the bath Jonah held up his hands "Look mommy uncles!" He was talking about his wrinkled hands because he was in the bath for a while.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

2012-01-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

Note to self: stop trying to quit caffeine while raising 4 boys. It's impossible to keep up without it.

Wobbly Walker

2012-01-09T11:14:00.001-05:00

Good Deals at the Goodwill

2012-01-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

I took the boys the goodwill yesterday and we found some really expensive toys for REALLY cheap!
We got a VTECH kidzoom camera that takes pictures and records video for $1.91 not knowing if it worked until we got home it was worth a try because I already knew it was $80 brand new and guess what it WORKS! They love it. We already have one that takes pictures only but they always fight over it. They play for hours recording each other and then I decided to record Jacob while he was recording his brothers. (yes that's a mountain of laundry on the couch) :-D

And Justus was too cute tonight in his flannel pjs

(and yes the dishwasher is covered in fingerprints)

I have learned that having fun with the kids is more important that a clean house. I do the housework after they go to bed.

Random Stuff

2012-01-07T09:53:00.000-05:00

Found this cute picture from the summer and don't think I ever posted it.

Here's how the boys earn money by helping fold laundry

And last night we made a for with a sheet tacked to the ceiling but it only lasted about 20 minutes because Justus pulled it down.

Learning to Walk

2012-01-05T23:25:00.001-05:00

New Year~New Beginnings!

2012-01-03T16:01:00.002-05:00

Justus started taking steps on our anniversary (Dec. 26th) while we were on a date and my mother was babysitting. And each day that passes he is taking more steps alone without holding anything. He'll step out when no one is looking and just go so I guess we can say its official~He's WALKING! I have a little video of him walking down the hall but I cannot get it to upload. So for now this will have to do.

Our desktop computer had a virus and we had to take it to the geek squad for the cure. Then we got a stomach virus and there is no cure for it. We all suffered the wrath of the 4 days virus with vomiting, diarhea and severe gas in that order. I think we are all over it and the boys are ready to go back to school tomorrow after this long christmas break they had.

Jaron keeps asking "when's the snow coming?" and Jonah prays for snow every night. Justus is experimenting with baby snacks and cheerios but he still gags. So he's till on baby food. Jacob has developed a passion for baseball and got a real bat a glove for christmas. He desperately wants to play on a team next season. Jaron is excited about homeschooling and Jacob is not. We are going to make the best of it. Jacob doesn't like waking up in the morning for the bus so that will be one of the many positive things about homeschooling next year.

After months of being without a neighbor because our previous neighbors had to foreclose we finally have some new ones. They have 2 boys and 2 girls and Jaron is already in love with the little girl his age. They played outside together one day.

Have I mentioned Jonah has started writing his name and other letters and numbers too. I know he will love "homeschooling" next year too even though he'll only be in pre K.

God knows my heart and my strong desire to make this work so I believe He will provide a way to make it happen.

Granna & Pappa's House

2011-12-30T22:25:00.002-05:00

Jaron & Justus riding the rocking horse.

Jacob built this "latter to heaven" a few months ago at their house. He wrote on it "we can follow his footprints to heaven".

God blessed us with a wonderful Christmas and we are so thankful for all our family.

Christmas~Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

2011-12-26T08:02:00.002-05:00

Pangeo Coffee

2011-12-16T16:02:00.002-05:00

CHECK THIS OUT! You get $2 off per bag if you use my discount code "CoteFamily". I think it would make a great christmas present.

The Pangeo Coffee Story

www.pangeocoffee.com

Pangeo Coffee began with almost being arrested in the Addis Ababa airport with contraband coffee.

Not exactly. But there’s a story…We’re dedicated humanitarian aid workers, helping some of the poorest villages of Africa, Asia and the Middle East with sustainable development. We’re also coffee nerds. We help villages learn how to transform themselves out of severe poverty. We help them learn and apply proven development principles and techniques. That way, they can get for themselves things like clean water, enough food to grow and eat, dramatically reduced disease and death, small businesses they dream up and launch, schools they help build with their own hands, and so on. It’s exciting work.

www.pangeocoffee.com

Now, to the story…

Just like the villages, we need to be sustainable. We each secure our own various means of funding to do this work. As we prepared to head to Ethiopian villages again in February 2011, a friend and supporter of our work gave us an idea. “You guys will be in the world’s most amazing coffee country,” he said. “Let people pre-order bags of the famous Harrar coffee to fund your airfare, then get the coffee when you’re in Harrar and bring it back.” In fact, he decided to come with us on the volunteer trip.

Being eager to fund our airfare, and not too bright, we jumped on the idea. We put out a quick email, and in record time 200 bags of coffee were spoken for by supporters, friends & family.

So we went to Ethiopia and took our volunteers to help work in our villages near Harrar for the week. We saw great progress and enthusiasm in the villages. Then we went to one of the reputable local coffee dealers we know, bought 200 bags of roasted Harrar beans, and loaded them into our truck. But then the thought fully hit us, “We have to get 200 bags of coffee HOME!” (That’s TWO HUNDRED half-kilo bags… we looked like drug dealers.) So we filled SIX massive duffle bags with the coffee, split them between several of us, and said the famous airport-kindness-please prayer. Amazingly we checked-in trouble-free. Until just before the airplane boarded.

www.pangeocoffee.com

Over the departure lounge speaker came an official-sounding voice calling one of us: “Mr. Jeff Power, Mr. Jeff Power, please come to the counter.” Who, me? An airport security official then grimly walked me (Jeff) down several floors, through multiple security doors, into the bowels of the airport. Luggage was being whisked by conveyors at high speed in every direction. He marched me over to a screening station where one of my duffles had been pulled aside. A scowling Baggage-Screening-Woman-Official awaited me. I thought fast on my feet… I know a little Amharic (the Ethiopian language) so I greeted her in the feminine evening singular. She cracked a tiny smile. “What’s in the bag?” she demanded. “Coffee,” I said. “A lot of coffee.” OK, that was stupid. “It’s for the friends and family who support us in our work with poor villages.” OK, yeah, I played the “humanitarian aid worker” card.

“Open it,” she said. So I did. Yep, there was A LOT OF COFFEE inside. Basically I had put one pair of jeans on top of 40 bags of coffee. Smart. She scowled again (I think she also grinned a bit) then sent me away with a wave of her hand. Mr Security Man led me back upstairs. “She must like you,” he said. “Why do you say so?” I asked. “Because you’re only allowed to take four bags out of the country,” he replied.

www.pangeocoffee.com

OK, I knew we were probably pushing the limit, but… OH. MY. WORD. We had no idea!

Our flight home was filled with excitement, we cleared US customs fine because we were under the price limit, and we delivered the coffee to the gracious supporters, friends and family who had basically paid for our trip by drinking it. And the idea for Pangeo Coffee was hatched on the spot.

Oh, and the name? Pan=across, geo=the world. We’re working to help villages across the world.

So… we invite you to deliciously join with us in our village work (and help keep us out of jail) by purchasing Pangeo Coffee through this website. We import (legally) the truly finest coffee beans in the world from where we work in Africa and Asia. Those beautiful beans are fresh-roasted by our premier roaster here in Denver, and instantly shipped to you for your uninterrupted coffee pleasure (every month, if you’d like). And when you drink it, you’ll know you’re directly supporting our village-transformation work in some of the poorest places on earth.

www.pangeocoffee.com

Overruled: Government Invasion of your Parental Rights (Official Movie)

2011-12-15T12:42:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits

2011-12-15T08:10:00.003-05:00

Surrounded by my handsome men!

Me and the boys

Daddy and the boys

Just the boys

Justus 1 year old

Jonah 3 years old

Jaron 6 years old

Jacob 9 years old

Sheltered from the Storm

2011-12-09T09:12:00.001-05:00

I have always heard about Christian families with children that were "sheltered" or homeschooled and never let out in the world. Stories of how they grew up and got away from God made me think "I'll never shelter my kids".

But then I got married and had children of my own. My fears for them and motherly instincts to protect them took over. I don't want our boys to be ignorant of all the "bad stuff" that happens every day. As they get older we tell them age appropriate things to warn them. They are all aware of the harmful things this world has to offer and how it's not pleasing to the Lord. We do not hide things from them. They understand that we strive to be different. We want the world to know we are christians and we want to follow the directions in the Bible that God gave us to live by.

My hearts desire was always to homeschool and I actually did that for a few months with Jacob. But I was always nursing Jonah and Jaron was having therapists come into our home twice a week too. It just wasn't good timing and Jacob was begging to get on the bus that went by our house every day. So I decided to let him go to the local elementary school for kindergarten and he loved it!

That way I could focus on Jaron and his speech and feeding needs and continue nursing Jonah. There were a few things that we were not pleased with during Jacob's first year. He was bullied on the bus before they started having assigned seats. His kindergarten teacher yelled all the time. And the school celebrates halloween and santa is everywhere at christmas time. Two things we DO NOT celebrate in our home.

So we let those things go and hoped for the best. Jaron turned 5 and was ready for kindergarten. My fears for him were 100 times greater because he was born with a cleft lip and I didn't want anyone to pick on him. But I overcame my fears and let him go. I worried everyday if he would eat his lunch and hoped he would behave. Jaron is most likely ADD and he has trouble focusing on anything. He did have to move his (behavoir) clip everyday in kindergarten.

He also was bullied on the bus. And I think it was during 1st grade a kid on the bus told Jacob to stick his middle finger at his teacher. Then in 2nd grade he asked me how to spell the "F" word. I wanted to crawl under my bed. I cannot imagine little kids 7 years old talking about that. Then this year Jacob said that the kids at school told him if he puts (bunny ears) 2 fingers behind a girls head that means he wants to meet her in the bed at 2am. OMGOSH! I asked him why would he want to get in the bed with a girl and he said "that means you have to kiss". WAY TOO MUCH INFO for a my 9 year old.

With Jaron's required one on one attention and all the garbage Jacob is coming home telling us. We have decided I should homeschool our boys next year. I am done nursing Justus and as he gets older I'll be getting more sleep too. I think about it every day and wish I could keep them home. We believe we can shelter our children from the world but we can still warn them about the sin that's out there.

God gave us our children to raise in His will and all we can do is our best while we have them at home. I want to do my best and sending them to a school not knowing all the info their being told doesn't feel right. I don't want them to feel peer pressure at this young age or be misinformed about relationships before we are ready for them to know. As their parents its our job to teach them about a man and a woman not the school.

So say what you will about us "don't shelter them". We are doing what we feel is pleasing the God. Keeping them safe as long as possible. They will not be ignorant when it comes time to move out into the world. They will be prepared and armed with God's word to overcome anything they are tempted with.

I know homeschooling will not be easy and some days I might want to quit but it will be so worth it.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy 1st Birthday to Justus!

2011-12-03T13:01:00.001-05:00

This picture tells all their personalities so perfect. Jacob on the left is blowing the candles for him (always helping) Jaron is watching Justus because he loves him so much (drinking a kids boost because he will not eat cake) Jonah is staring at the cake because he CANNOT wait to get his hands on it. Oh and that's Pappa in the middle. :-D

Well our baby is one ALREADY!?!?!? I feel like I just had him last month. He is done nursing and taking whole milk fine. He is eating more baby food but still gags some so he's not ready for table food.

He is pulling up on everything and then he lets go with his hands to "balance" so I'm sure he'll be walking soon.

He can say "ball" and "dada" and "mama"

He loved the bow on his gift more than the gift.

I am thankful...

2011-11-28T23:02:00.001-05:00

...for my family.

We are all so different but I love them all. My siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and parents. Our lifestyles and beliefs are not all similar but that's ok because if everyone was like me the world would be a boring place. God created us all different and as I get older I am learning to appreciate people's differences.

We decided kinda last minute to take a trip to Florida and spend Thanksgiving with my dad and his side of the family down there. Because there are 6 of us now we didn't want to bombard their house with all our stuff. So we chose to get a hotel room right down the road even though he REALLY wanted us to stay with them.

We like our bedtime routine with the boys and they need that structure even when we aren't at home. So we spent most of our days with the family and went back to the hotel at night to get them bathed and in the bed by 8pm. Being in one room with everyone sleeping can be difficult for me.

When I became a mother those nights of deep sleep and never hearing a noise were over. I hear everything now! So every time one of the boys coughed (and there was a lot of this going on) I got woke up. I was worried Jaron was going to fall off the bed so I jumped every time he moved around in his sleep. Jonah was against the wall in the bed with Jaron because I pushed the bed over to the wall for him. And I seriously considered pushing our bed against theirs so Jaron wouldn't hit the floor. Jacob slept on the couch and he did hit the floor twice in one night. Justus was in a crib provided by the hotel right beside our bed. We got the efficiency so we had a fridge, microwave, sink, and stove. It was just the right size for what we needed.

Driving 500 miles with 4 boys was something I dreaded but after lots of research online for travel games I was actually excited for all the things I had planned. I made travel journals for each one of them. They included a map of our trip and all the cities we would drive through. A map of the US so they could color in states as we passed cars with that states tag on it. Coloring pages, blank pages, black paper (for white chalk), travel bingo, homework pages, and their own pack of crayons taped to the inside pocket. So there would be no fighting over crayons. I made a treasure bottle full of rice with little things hidden inside. (the lid glued on tightly of course) And I had a new pack of pipe cleaners. We told knock jokes, played virtual hide and seek, listened to music, watched movies, took naps, ate snacks and lunch and let them spend some of their hard earned money in the stores we stopped at to fill up.

It was fun and we didn't have a whole lot of melt downs but the ride home was more dvds and less games. I tried to keep things going but we were all exhausted. Ready to get home to our house and our beds.

So we had a good Thanksgiving and it was nice to get away and see some family....

but as Dorothy says "There's no place like home"

What A Weekend!

2011-11-19T23:48:00.001-05:00

It all started when I thought someone stoled my WIC envelope with vouchers for free baby formula inside. I couldn't find it anywhere and I panicked! I called Walmart cause that's where I always shop and they said it was not in lost and found. So since it was after 5 and WIC was closed for the weekend I had to put that in the back of my mind and wait until Monday to call them and report it.

Then today I went to Walmart and stopped to get gas on the way home and after filling up the van would not crank! I had Justus with me and just one cold item (frozen stauffers lasagna) so I called Chris and he had to put the other 3 boys in his truck ( one without his required car seat) and come help me. So after he hooked it up to the jumper cables and gave me a charge it was fine.

I got home and stuck the lasagna in the oven and with just 20 minutes left the power went off!!! OMGOSH! So after a phone call to the power company and no luck relighting the pilot light on our new ELECTRIC start oven we decided to take the core temperature of the lasagna and it was 130 so I think it was pretty done.

After lighting every candle in the house because Jonah was panicing and Justus was about to panic, we sat down at the table as a family and had our lasagna in the beautiful candle light.

Then we noticed the power company out there diligently working so as it got dark we got the flashlights out and tried to make the best of it. Daddy hung a flashlight from the ceiling fan so they could play Disney Wheel of Fortune.

I boiled water to make a warm bottle of formula for Justus because he is finished nursing. Oh yeah I didn't tell you. Yeah he's done. My supply got really low so I gradually weened him and pumped less and less throughout the last 2 weeks. He is doing great on the formula too by the way. Something I was worried about.

After the games it was time for every ones nightly milk and then we brushed teeth in the candle light. The house was starting to get cold so they all put on their "zipper pj's" and we read the Bible and said our prayers and the boys got in the bed. Then after 3 1/2 hours without power every light in the house came on simultaneously!

All this while Me, Justus, Jaron and Jonah are sick with cough, runny noses and congestion. I hope we get some sleep tonight.