From one turkey to another... :/

The smell of cooking turkey danced a ballet around the kitchen. I stood at the stove, stirring the gravy when Tires came running through the entrance and skidded across the floor on his knees. With both hands grasped in begging formation he cried out in his most dispirit and longing voice "I'm hungry mom!" I took notice of the chocolate cake batter splattered on his shirt and face and chuckled at my little 'Oliver Twist'. "It's almost ready" I tried to reassured him. "I'm hungry mom!" He continued to beg. At long last the potatoes were mashed and the table was set. Above the constant dull roar of children learning the art of reverence we prayed and, much to his great joy, began dishing up. I took hold of the leg and jerked to free the drumstick. Much of the thigh came with it. Tire's gasped and awed at its glorious sight. I asked him if he wanted it. he nodded enthusiastically, like a starved rugby player, "Uh-huh!" He replied. "Can you eat it all?" I asked. Again, he replied "Uh-huh!" I shrugged and set the meat on his plate. His face, mixed with emotion, reflected hunger of a thousand wolves and the awe of a new father. The wild animal in him dominated and eagerly he tore into his prize. Piece by piece and bite by bite, the heap slowly dwindled to the bone. Satisfied, he sighed and leaned back in his chair. I stared at his plate, suddenly fearing his teen years and my requirement to keep him fed.

Butterfly hugs

I stood at the grill flipping pancakes and rotating waffles in the waffle maker, it was that kind of an evening. Music blared through my buds, right into my ears, with the intention of drowning out the chaos of seven wound up children. The lyrics from my favorite German pop/rock song tossed me onto the breeze of nostalgia and carried me back 16 years to my time in Germany with my Oma. I hardly took notice of the batter seeping from the over filled waffle maker as I remembered the beautiful sights and the tempting smells. I groaned, agitated that I had spent so much time dreaming of a future filled with small children instead of living in the present, never once did those fantasies resemble the evening I currently lived. The word WHY mulled around in my thoughts as I continued my mundane task. All though my body language shouted 'stay back' my sweet Butterfly put her arms around my middle, rested her head against my ribs and looked up at me with the same sweet blue-green eyes I had known and loved for almost 7 years. My heart thawed as my arms returned the hug. Remembering why I desired this life so much and how much I truly did love it, I turned off the music, determined to live in the present and make the most of its sweet gift.

Getting to know us.

As I've already posted, I am a mother of 7 - the oldest is 12 and the baby is not yet 1 1/2. My babies are (by nickname); Mother, Cowgirl, Doctor, Butterfly, Tires, Buddy and Belle. -- 4 girls and 3 boys! What a blessings they each are too me! Mother, Cowgirl and Doctor are homeschooled while, for this year, Butterfly and Tires are in public school (they have speech delays and can gain extra help there...yaddy, yadda, ya) and Buddy and Belle keep me running between fragment sentences and math equations. Each day is a joy and a prayer answered. At the present moment, I have nothing of great interest to say and since I've been informed that the chicken coop is ready, our little 6 week old house guests (Shelly and Yokeahontis) are ready to move out of our schoolroom and into their own private quarters. I must get them moved before Doctor gets home, as Shelly has become his little 'lap-dog' during class time and I know he won't be pleased with this change. --> for the record, when I began this homeschooling adventure, I didn't have the slightest clue that the kids would become so attached to incubated chicks.