My Evangelist

Every couple of days, we have to do a major book sweep in the kids rooms. I keep most of their books upstairs, and for some reason they always find their way under the kids beds. Well, I have tried before to climb under there to get them, and have gotten stuck (although it could have been because I was 9 months pregnant at the time, and a little horizontally challenged), so I now send them under the beds to retrieve all the books that have been swept under. Today we did the sweep.

As Thys was under his bed grabbing all the books and whipping them out at me to put back in the bookshelf, all of a sudden he shouted: "MOM!!! I FOUND GOD!!"

.....and out he whipped a kids Bible.

Grown Up Boogies

Elli: (said to mom while driving in the car) "Mom, do grown ups have boogies too?" (aka: boogers, snot...)

Mom: "Umm... (taken back) yeah, why?"

Elli: "Because why don't I ever see you picking yours?"

Whewww...so glad I haven't gotten caught yet.

Love Affair

These two have a complete love affair with eachother--at least this week--who knows what next week will bring.


This last picture is almost creepy to me. I feel like she looks exactly like I do. Anyone else?

Have a good weekend

This little girl is legitimately sick, the others are just sick in the head! Have a good weekend!

Learning and Munching

A few weekends ago, I went to a photography workshop hosted by Elite Photography & Design.

I learned a ton, and felt like I have a better grasp of using my camera now. Here is a picture I took of one of the models they let us practice on. Too cute!! I want that couch by the way!

And these have been a killer for me. This is the outcome of a boring afternoon, turned into a trip to Costco, turned into purchasing a HUGE bag of M & M's, turned into munching on these all day long, turned into many fights with the kids stealing them out of the cupboard.

Meet Thys

And finally, lets hear it for the boy!! I am finding this a bit mondane, so I reasked Thys some new questions to help with your boredom as well. If your still totally bored, then its your fault for continuing to read them. Again, click on "Thys' Song" for a little background music while you read:

1. What is your big, big name: Thys Daniel Vink

2. When is your birthday? Sept. 5 (same thing his twin sister said--hmmm)

3. What year were you born in? Aug. (now why do you get the month you were born right here, but not in the one above?)

4. What pet would you like to have someday when you are really old and you can take care of it and pay for it and mommy doesn't have to do a thing with it? sea turtle

5. What is your favorite food? pickles (makes me pick them off his McDonalds hamburger everytime he has one--)

6. What is your job going to be when you get older? house builder

7. How much money will you make doing that? 8

8. Where would you like to go on your honeymoon for a vacation? Great Wolf Lodge (ladies, line up at the door, b/c this stud is going to show you the honeymoon of your life)

9. Who is your favorite sister? all of them (they are all sitting next to him listening, and he knows he will get the crap beat out of him if he didn't say that answer)

10. What is one thing daddy has, that you want when you are a daddy? pennies (just wait till you read the next question and answer)

11. What is on thing mommy has, that you want someday? dollars (ha, ha, I win!!)

12. What are your favorite clothes? This (pointing to his red jogging suit that is really a girls that I bought at a garage sale last summer. I took home a bunch of clothes for the girls that day, and none for Thys. He broke down in a fit that i didn't get him anything, so I threw the first thing I could haul out of the bag at him, and from then on he wears it and thinks it is his--I will not let him out of the house in it--total fairy looking)

13. Do you like Barbies or Pretty Ponies better? I'm not going to do that one. Why? I want to answer boy things.

14. Do you like army men or Transformers better? Transformers

15. What is your favorite restaurant? Monkey Rest. (there is this podunk restaurant down the road from us, that we go to b/c it is always completely empty, so the kids can be---"them"--there is a rockin' dance floor and stage there, that the kids dance on. One time Dean told the kids that there were monkeys behind the curtain on the stage--they freaked out--we had to leave. From then on, it is now referred to as the Monkey Rest.)

16. What is your favorite movie? Spirit (has watched it at least 50 times)

17. If you had to choose, would you rather have to lose a leg or an arm? Mommmm....what? ok, an arm, b/c then I could still walk. Brilliantly thought out son.

18. Would you rather walk down the sidewalk with a dog or an old lady? a dog, b/c it would lick me. (an old lady might too)

19. If mommy and daddy didn't name you Thys, what do you wish your name would have been? Derek (ha, that makes me laugh)

20. What is your favorite thing about your teacher? she hands out the snack (again, paying $2,000 for this folks)

21. What is your favorite thing about being a boy? playing football

Meet Josie

Wow, this whole interview your child thing has really taken off. I didn't know I came up with such a great idea!! I love reading all about your kids, and I hope you aren't finding mine too boring. I am glad I have given you SAHM's something to do for 1/2 hour of your day!! So with all do respect, I introduce my wild child, maniac, too funny, off the wall, spitting image of her father......Josie Leigh: (oh yeah, new song in the upper right corner, for a new child...hit it!!)

1. Favorite color: black (wohhh...gothic?)

2. Favorite food: granola bar (and a tree hugger too yet)

3. Favorite thing to do with mommy: go to the park

4. Favorite thing to do with daddy: take a walk to the sand dunes (ok, b/c we live about 1/2 hour from any sand dunes.)

5. Favorite thing to play: bike (schwins or Harleys...according to #1, I question if she means Harleys)

6. Favorite think to do in school: play with blocks (I pay $2,000 a year in tuition to do something at school that you call "boring" at home?)

7. Favorite clothes: pink heart sweatsuit (yes, she wears this until it can stand up on its own)

8. Birthday: Sept. 5 (beep...Aug. 5---I will give it to you though, since at least you had the number correct)

9. Age: 4

10. Which sibling do you like the best and why?: Thys, because he's cool

11. What do you want to be when you grow up: a painter (a painter?)

12. If you could drive anything, what would you drive? motorcycle (see, she has Harley Babe written all over her)

13. Would you rather have a kitty or a lion for a pet: lion (guarentee she is the only girl that would choose a lion over a cute little kitty)

14. Favorite tv show: WonderPets

15. Favorite song: Every Move I Make (on my Harley...)

16. Favorite thing to do in the summer: ride my bike (oh, and can she ever ride it...we cringe when we see her come flying down the hill on the sidewalk no handed--yikes!)

17. How much money are you going to make when you grow up: $15 (won't buy you a Harley honey)

18. How many kids are you going to have: 1 (she is concerned with population growth--nice nuclear family.)

19. How many bedrooms will your house have then: 7 ( not on $15 a year honey)

20. Who are you going to marry?:I'm not doing that one...(ok then)

21. Who will you live by when you grow up: myself (yup, can't argue with that one)

Meet Tessa

First things first---I did not dress her in this outfit--it was all her. After I saw her, I immediatly thought of the song to your right. You must push play at the top right hand column( "Tessa's Song") and listen to this oldie while you read up on Tessa!!

1. Favorite color: ummm...pink (only color she even knows the word to--but cannot distinguish between pink or any other color out there--so, of course this would be her answer).

2. Favorite food: ummm...french fries (never has liked them since she was born).

3. Favorite thing to do with mommy: ummm...glove (glove what??? )

4. Favorite thing to do with daddy: walk (first one she hasn't lied about yet)

5. Favorite thing to play: colors (if you consider eating them play, then ok)

6. Favorite think to do in school: play (beeeep...wrong answer, your only 2)

7. Favorite clothes: this (said pointing to the stained, 3 hand me downs later, white onsie that is now gray).

8. Birthday: one (one what?)

9. Age: 2 (hallalujeah...my child is gifted, just as I thought).

10. Which sibling do you like the best and why?: Thys (only said this, b/c Thys is sitting right next to her and mommy encouraged her to say this so that mommy didn't have to listen to Thys cry for the next 10 hours about how Tessa loves so and so more than him)

11. What do you want to be when you grow up: Tessa (aww..my daughter is so comfortable

with who she is and so sure of herself at 2 yrs old)

12. If you could drive anything, what would you drive? horse (not a bad answer, since we do live in Dorr)

13. Would you rather have a kitty or a lion for a pet: kitty

14. Favorite tv show: Tubbles (I think that was meant to be Tubbies, as in Teletubbies, which I despise, so why would I even put it on for her--she maybe has watched it once)

15. Favorite song: Loves Me ("Jesus Loves Me"---my good CRC girl)

16. Favorite thing to do in the summer: slide (we own 2 swings, but no slide)

17. How much money are you going to make when you grow up: 2 ( oh boy)

18. How many kids are you going to have: 2 (I have a feeling she is not hearing my questio

ns and things I keep asking her how old she is)

19. How many bedrooms will your house have then: 2 (see what I mean??)

20. Who are you going to marry: mommy (who wants to explain this to her??)

21. Who will you live by when you grow up: Harry (she is looking out the window and saw the neighbor, Harry, pull in his driveway).

Meet Elli

Yesterday, we were bored again....so, we decided to interview eachother. And, since you guys are my outlet for that half hour everyday, you are the lucky recipients of the outcomes of these interviews. Who knows, you may find that you have a lot of things in common with one of my children, and you'll want to come and pick them up from me one day and spend an ENTIRE day with them, away from me!! I really won't mind--anytime. So, since we are on an Elli kick here lately, I will begin with her:

1. Favorite color: blue

2. Favorite food: lasagna, because we had it when my teacher was here for dinner.

3. Favorite thing to do with mommy: going to McDonald's (hmm..mommy just sits there and drinks a mocha latte while you play on the playland...quality time)

4. Favorite thing to do with daddy: going out for breakfast on Saturdays (do I scence a trend with food here)

5. Favorite thing to play: American Girl Doll (yeah right, you just got it yesterday)

6. Favorite think to do in school: Math (come on child, your only in kindergarten--what happened to the recess answer.)

7. Favorite clothes: butterfly shirt (I don't even think she owns one--never seen it before).

8. Birthday: Feb. 6 (shares this with Ronald Reagan)

9. Age: 6 (going on 16)

10. Which sibling do you like the best and why?: Tessa, because she is cute (and maybe because she can't talk, or play with your toys, or boss you around, or beat you up, or blah blah blah--although I feel the same way about her at times!!)

11. What do you want to be when you grow up: teacher, because I like kids (awww...what kid doesn't want to be a teacher at the ripe old age of 6)

12. If you could drive anything, what would it be: a racecar (holy smokes--ok)

13. Would you rather have a kitty or a lion for a pet: a lion

14. Favorite tv show: iCarly (I honestly don't think she has ever watched it--maybe saw a commercial for it, but she is lying here)

15. Favorite song: High School Musical--"Start Of Something New" (come on...as a mom, I was hoping for Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children...but High School Musical--gag)

16. Favorite thing to do in the summer: ride my bike

17. How much money are you going to make when you grow up: $15.00 in pennies (remind me to never come asking you for money when my social security runs out)

18. How many kids are you going to have: 9 (double holy smokes!! This grandma is going to escape to Florida for sure)

19. How many bedrooms will your house have then: 11

20. So why 11 bedrooms if you only have 9 kids: me and my husband are going to sleep in different bedrooms, so mine can be pink (LOL--all I have is a big laugh on that one)

21. Who are you going to marry: George (totally random, unless you consider her Opa's name is George, but that would be a little creepy.)

22. Who will you live by when you grow up: my grandma (good, b/c this grandma will be in Florida trying to get away from your 9 kids)

All American Dream

Elli recieved her most treasured birthday gift last night. She has been gazing for months and months at the American Girl Doll magazine that randomly found itself in our mailbox months ago. One night, Dean heard Elli talking to Josie on the couch while browsing through the catalog.

Josie: Elli, do you want one for your birthday?"

Elli: Oh, I won't ever get an American Girl Doll, mommy and daddy aren't rich enough to get me one."

That was the clencher. Dean had to show her that her daddy was RICH!! Oh how great it feels to be the richest family in the world in your daughters eyes.

Birthday Wishes

Elli started her day out this morning crying, because she could "never in my entire life" be 5 again. The older I get, the more I want to cry and use that same excuse!

Happy Birthday Elli!! You are such a joy to have in our family. Who would have ever thought you would have turned into such a laid back, go with the flow 6 year old, when as a baby you were anything but....You have turned into such a "grown up" girl. You amaze daddy and I with your ability to recall things from years ago--very good memory. And, you are one of the kindest kids I know--although I compare you to the 3 other monkeys around, who can be very psycotic. You love your brother and sisters so much and show it so often. You are such a pleaser, and love to help me do almost anything your little hands allow--I LOVE IT!! I praise God that he has allowed us to be your parents for 6 whole years. I praise God for your caring, gentle spririt that he has instilled into your cutie self. Your amazing!!

Love,

Mommy

Again....

We'll just say this post if for the grandma's, and anyone else who likes to see my kids ALL the time. I apologize for those of you who log onto my blog to read some whitty horror story of what my life is like with 4 kids, only to find pictures of my children post after post. And half naked kids at that--can you start to see the trend here with Tessa's pictures? I told you she would prefer to be naked than clothed--a little something I think she inherited from her daddy!! (just kidding honey--actually, no I'm not--I don't lie). You see, my life is now what I consider--boring--. I am bored, my kids are bored--doesn't make for a good combo. We literally sat around all day today just looking at eachother. I guess boring is a good thing right--no major catastrophies, no running around with our heads cut off, no drama. Our days consist of driving to school and back, with kids music playing in the background, and mommy still contimplating running the car off the road while I hear the shrieking sounds of pre-pubecent voices cracking and wonder how these kids ever got a music deal. Mommy stopping at Starbuck's WAY to often, to reward myself for......umm....just reward myself--who needs a reason, right!!! Making lunches--which seem to rotate between only 3 different items now since the kids have totally eliminated anything that doesn't have processed meat in it, or doesn't crunch like a potato chip. Yes, we believe in healthy eating around here! Ha! This leaves us with hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and chips, maybe cheese curls. Then we start to stare at eachother again, until I finally take out the camera. You see, I need to take these pictures day after day, just so that my kids don't stare too long at my face and start to point out every blemish and wrinkle that I have acquired since their birth. And then, I need to share these pictures with all of you, because well it takes some time to post and edit them, which gives me something to do for about half hour. You see, you are allowing me to spice up my day a bit by taking time to share these with you. And of couse, I believe they are the cutest darn things ever, even though you think yours are cuter--you do, don't you--don't lie!! So, just flatter me--let me post picture after picture, let me take that half hour out of my day, away from having staring contests with the kids. You'll be doing me a huge favor!!

What is going on....

Is anyone else sick of getting explicit emails in their "trash" file? I am getting close to 50 a day-- Am I the only one??

The Big Brown Truck--Our Friend

So the big brown truck came by today, and dropped off this little

outfit for us. I found it on ebay at this store.

Very cute boutique clothing, for very cheap!! Right up

my dutch heritage alley!

I told her to turn around so we could see the back---apparently

she wanted the focal point of your viewing to be..ummm..

the booty!

And, my phsyco-maniac child.

Grant Me Patience

Ok---these snow days can end like NOW!!! God has only blessed me with so much patience. That patience meter is almost in the **DANGER** zone.

"Mother Nature, please think of my children's safety from their mother when you consider sending us more snow. Rethink the fact that you may be sending us more this way."
Thank you,
A desperate SAHM