Have you all seen the news about the Duggar family, that she just gave birth to her 17th child? And I thought I had a lot with my 5! I don't know how it is even possible to run one household with that many participants. I know they place a lot of responsibility on the older children and that they help out with cooking and laundry and younger siblings and what not, but still, think about that for a minute. Dinner every night for 19 people. Well okay 18 because the youngest is just born and obviously not eating solid foods yet. Ever cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for that many? I have. It wasn't fun. Clean up especially wasn't fun.

The simple logistics of caring for that many people simply boggle my mind. Perhaps because I'm doing it for 7 and don't ask mine to help all that much? Perhaps it would be a lot different if dad actually did chores, and teenagers had assignments that they actually did, if older siblings cared for younger siblings freeing mom up for... whatever? They homeschool as well, and really I just don't know how they have time in their day for everything. More power to them. She apparently said they'll have more, Lord willing.



See, I'm not so crazy after all!

It's my middler's birthday party today, so we're all going to a local Chuck E. Cheese type place with all the kidlets, cousins, aunties, grandmas... you get the picture, they'll love us! It'll be like a hillbilly reuninion! His actual birthday was in July, but I was in the hospital at the time and it kind of got skipped so we're doing it a bit late. Better late than never, right? At any rate, it's a rainy, dreary day today, so a good day for hanging out inside somewhere and letting them run amok.

I have withdrawn from nursing school for this year. I have mixed feelings; I'm a little relieved to not have to worry about it (for now) and a little sad to not have something to focus on.

My little guy is doing okay, he didn't have to get stitches as they were able to use that dermabond super glue stuff and some butterfly tape. How about that? He said he was never going to take a bath again (awwwww) but he did manage to get in the tub again last night so I guess he wasn't too traumatized. I hate to see what this one puts me through before he hits his teenage years.

I've got to go tonight and pick up the kiddies from their dad, he took them to the fair this weekend so they're all off having a good ole time. Of course, you know that means I'm getting fair food this week sometime, right? Actually, hubby screwed up his schedule so he will be gone from 6 a.m until 10 p.m all week long. At least I won't have to cook for him 3 meals/day . But I also won't have a car (my sister is borrowing my old junker so we only have one right now) nor will I have any reprieve from the kidlets. Then again, I'll have my daughter and my teenager, who will both help temporarily with the younger ones so I think we'll be just fine.

And did I mention the spider bites? I don't think so, but it's worth saying. I got attacked by a giant, mean spider! That sucker bit me at least 5 times! I guess it was revenge for all his family members I've squashed this summer? At any rate, 2 of them got really infected and looked super nasty for a few days, but they're starting to clear up now finally.

And now mr. Baby is tired and ready for his morning nap, so I'm off for now!

My little guy is at the ER now, giving this lovely establishment some more of our business. I'm speaking of my 3 year old, who fell in the bathtub tonight and cut his forehead wide open right on his eyebrow. There's no way he's getting by without stitches. Poor little fella, he was so upset and scared because of MY recent hospital experiences and he really didn't want to go. He always called my IV a "noodle" (I have no idea why!) and he said, "Mommy, I don't want the doctor to give me a noodle." Awwwwwww.

At any rate, I'd had my share of that place and even though I hated to I sent hubby to the ER with him and I stayed here with the other 3. My 7 year old thought the blood was really cool, and really wanted to go watch his little brother get sewn up. However, it was already 9:30 when they left and I figured he'd be out in half an hour max (which he was) so I made him stay home and bored with mom. Bummer.

I've got five kiddoes, and this is my first set of stitches believe it or not! One broken bone over the years, and that was my daughter just last year. Knock wood. This little guy is rambunctious, however, and I suspect I'll see more out of him than his older siblings ever dreamed. He's fearless.

Think they're home, I hear the car so I'm off for tonight. Longing for drama-free-ness again...

Well, my mom apologized for not handling the situation last week very well and hey she's only human and *was* dealing with a whole bunch of kids... so I guess we'll forvgive, forget, and move on. Family drama resolved, yay!

As you can probably tell, I haven't had much time for getting online with taking care of the four of them! I'm actually doing quite well in the healing department, however, and my daughter has been a big help in making sure that I don't overwork myself. She carries the baby a lot when I need to go outside, inside, upstairs, whatever. She's been great. Hubby made a mistake in his schedule which means I have him home this week but next week he will be gone from 6 a.m until around 10 p.m. Yuck! Of course, I realize that having him here is really not that helpful, as he expects me to cook him breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and do his laundry, etc... Not so restful if you ask me!

At any rate, we might head back to the zoo sometime this week since hubby is off to help. Otherwise, there's just not much exciting going on here and for the moment I'm liking it that way!