Pictures of my surrogate kids, before I turned them over last night!

This is such a cute picture of Ben!

The girls...

Kristen wanted to play and so I had to try and get a good picture, fast! Luckily, the first one turned out great! Katya looks so cute in this picture, especially with the sun reflecting off the lake!

Ben has the cutest smile in this picture! (Taken at our cousins house.)
Ben was walking in front of me to go to the barn at our cousin's house and it was just too cute, not to take a picture of him holding his hands like this!
They were just standing there! I didn't even have them pose for that one!
I did, however, have them turn around to look at me in this one, though!
(Didn't realize Ben's eyes were closed until later that night! What a bummer!!!)
The boys...
The boys were so cooperative for pictures!

I told the kids that we would go to the beach and they could play, but that I would take pictures of them so we could all make "welcome home" cards for their parents with pictures of them!

Ha-ha! I'm so sneaky! What a way to get great pictures!!!

What's in a name?

My name is Franciska. I go by Francie. Some may call me Fray, Auntie Fray-Fray, France, and other similar names...

I work in a department where I use the phone constantly throughout the entire day. And I get called an array of names.

Since my 2nd or 3rd week, I've been keeping track of these names and love it when I get called a new name!

Here are names I think are the closest to my real name:
Fran
Frany
Francis
Francine
Frankey
Frazy

Here are names that sound a little similar:
Nancy
Tracy
Randy
Brandy
Antsy
Tranzy
Clansey
Zancey
Cassie
Lindsay
Mandy
Sandy
Reesy

And they have gotten even more interesting:
Ramsey
Lacy
Springstie
Rantsey
Debbie
Brandsey
Louisa
Betty
Jose

And the most interesting one, I got yesterday:

MONTEL!

It's interesting to hear new names, but let me tell you... it's not fun being called Brandy and Nancy all the time! I just want to correct them, but that would take too long, so when they say, "Did you say your name is Tracy?" I just say, "Yes!" *

Thanks, Mom, for naming me such a unique, interesting name, even though it is just so much trouble!

*(Sometimes someone will ask me if whatever name they think it is, is my name: "Springstie?" "Is that your name" "Sure!" Then they'll catch me with this... "Will you spell that for me?" So, then I'm in a bind! Do I make up a spelling for Springstie? Or spell my own name???)

Moments with Ben II

This morning, Auntie Lori came over to take Kristen to school early and even though the kids had scrambled eggs, links, patties, and a slice of cherry coffee cake, she brought a box of donuts to add to their breakfast menu (which they loved and ate just about everything on their plate!).
When the kids were done, I sent them up to brush their teeth and get dressed, but told Ben that I needed to wash him off first so he didn't get his clothes dirty when he put them on. I sat him on the cabinet and proceeded to wash his hands and arms where there was sticky random breakfast stuff. When I was almost done with his hands, he looked at me and said, "don't forget to wash my face, Fray!" Yeah, Ben... as if I didn't notice all the chocolate donut leftovers on your face!

Yet another funny Ben comment!

Moments with Ben

Ben cracks me up sometimes... this morning, after dropping the kids off at school, Ben and I headed to our cousins house. On the way, he asked if I would unlock the window lock, "not the door lock... the window lock"! (Yeah, that cracked me up that he would clarify that for me!) So, either way, I figured, why not? It was just me and him and I didn't mind, so I unlocked the windows to the back seat. He then proceeded to roll down the window. I then heard him sigh. And I looked in the rear view mirror to see him with his eyes closed and a huge grin on his face as he leaned back in his car seat letting the wind blow his hair all over! He acted like he was in kid heaven! Then he said, "Fray, I just love it when the cars pass by and blows all the wind inside the car!"

PRICELESS!

*Don't worry, the picture was NOT taken on the road, but while we were in DeAnn's driveway. Parked!

Goodbye sleep, relaxation, TV programs I used to watch...

(A picture of the cutest four kids in the morning, eating yummy oatmeal with brown sugar for Kristen, Jack, and Ben and home-made strawberry jelly for Katie!)

Last night was yet another eventful night with the kids... it was bath night! I got home around 7:15 p.m., took the trash to the curb, threw a few mouthfuls of food in my mouth while I waited for the kids to come in from playing with their grandpa. Once they came in, it was about 7:30 and time to hit the tub! Kristen started on her piano, the boys got in the tub, and Katie headed for the shower. After a few minutes, I decided I should check on them all. The boys were playing in the tub, so I had them get their hair wet and wash their hair, then went down to check on Katie, who wasn't in the shower, but had gotten side-tracked with something or other and needed help turning on the shower. I got the shower going and let her do her thing, then went back upstairs and made sure the boys got all clean and get their pj's on. Then I headed back downstairs to grab another quick bite, then checked on Katie and she was still in the shower! After about 15 minutes! So, I had to have her get out. And of course, she didn't want to, because she was having a "part-y"!
I finally got her in her pj's, then gathered the kids together to read a book before bed. We got the book done, prayed to Jesus, got their clothes picked out for the next day, AND got them to bed by 8:05 p.m.! WOW!!!
I reminded them that if they got up after I put them to bed, then they'd have to go to bed 15 min. earlier the next night. And you know what? They didn't get up the whole night! It was great!
I finally was able to eat the rest of dinner and when Kristen was done practicing her piano, she fed the animals, then started on her homework. I asked if she needed any help and she said no. So, I tried to tidy things up and tried to set up the Internet on my computer, but it kept losing the connection. Finally, Kristen was done her math, and it was around 9:30-ish. I was tired and just figured we'd read a little Pippi Long Stocking and then go to bed, but she then told me that she had a science test the next day. AND SHE HADN'T STUDIED YET!
Why? Why didn't she study that before I got home? Or at least study it sooner???
Either way, she needed to study, so we opened the book and we went over the entire chapter of Phylum and the way scientists classify animals and then we went over the vocabulary. Finally, we were done and I was really tired by that time! She went to bed and then I went to bed (told her we'd read Pippi another night).
I usually get around 8 or more hours of sleep but I definitely didn't get that much last night! Stella kept waking me up when barking at shadows or when she had to go potty. I finally got up around 6:30 in the morning and turned on the TV to watch some news while I made the requested oatmeal for breakfast. After about 10 minutes, I finally got the satellite TV to work and started on breakfast.
Jack and Ben woke up on their own and came down to help, then Jack went upstairs and woke up the girls. I told all the kids the morning before that if I have to wake them up a second time in the morning then they'd have to go to bed 15 minutes earlier! I didn't realize it would work so good! But it did! (A tip from the Internet research I did on how to be a mother!) About five minutes after Jack woke them up, I went to go wake them up (the first time for me) and they were both up already! I was so proud of them! Then I had all the kids (except for Ben) get their clothes on and brush their hair before we ate breakfast.
I packed lunches, while they brushed their teeth and we all headed to school.
Yet another 8:04 a.m. arrival! Rachael! You should be so proud of your kids!!!
Just before the kids got out I said a little prayer for the kids to be good and patient and for Kristen to do really good on her test and remember all the information. We all said "AMEN!" Then they piled out and me and Ben headed home.
Ben helped me pack a lunch for myself, then when Ms. T and Betty arrived, I got ready for work, headed to my house, checked the cats food and water, cleaned their litter box and rushed to work.

Whew! Two nights down... five more to go!

Motherhood

I just called "home" to check on things and Kristen answered the phone. "Hey, are you getting your piano playing done, so we can play a game when I get home?" "Yes!" "Good! Oh, and hey, what's on the menu for dinner?" "Some kind of noodle and mushroom thing..." "Oh, yummy! Make sure you save me some! Do you have homework tonight?" "Yessssssss!" (Said in her "You should know this already!" tone.) "Okay, well, get your piano done now and then when I get home I'll help you with your homework!" (Said in my super positive voice!) "Okay!" (Said in her "I know what to do already!" tone.)

Then, I get off the phone and say to my co-workers....

Motherhood!

(Can't wait to get "home"!)

Substitute Mommy

Last night started a week of being a substitute mommy to Rachael and Derrick's four adorable children. Rachael and Derrick went on a vacation, I mean, they went to sunny California for a dreadfully long week of conventions... (if I could only remember how to cross out words like Rachael does all the time...!)
Either way, I headed to their house after work last night (the grandparents were watching the kids until I got home) and they even saved me some yummy dinner! Sam's chicken and twice baked potatoes! I think I could DEFINITELY get used to that!
After they left, I gave all the kids a list of things they needed (or should) do before going to bed, including things like getting their pj's on, brushing their teeth, and praying to Jesus.
I didn't have too much trouble last night, but Katya had a funny story to tell me... something along the lines of her being so good in school that the teacher was going to e-mail her dad and that she should be able to stay up later... huh? I don't think so! Ha-ha!
After reading a book, we prayed to Jesus and then they went to bed. Then Kristen and I just chilled out for a while and we read a chapter out of Pippi Long-Stocking, then we went to bed. I can't remember the last time I went to bed before 10 p.m. but I was so tired and I knew if I had to get up around 7 a.m. then I would have to have A LOT of sleep!
This morning also went well. We had waffles and scrambled eggs for breakfast and they put in their request for oatmeal in the morning for breakfast tomorrow! Can you believe it? They ASKED for oatmeal??? Either way, I think things are going well! But I'll keep y'all posted!

Natalie in the Sumo Tube

Here's the video of Nat on the Sumo Tube... it may be a little bouncy 'cause I was on the boat at the time... but it's pretty entertaining!

Kristen's show and tell

After hours of work, Kristen finally opened her room to the public for a first view of her very own Gondola!

More weekend events!

Natalie showed me how to use her pottery wheel and I made this!
I had so much fun... it did take a few tries, and it is a little thick, but I love it!
We had to pull the heavy thing inside the garage so we wouldn't have to do it in the rain.
Here you can see Sarah making a bowl... it took her many, many, many numerous tries! Ha-ha... I don't think I told her it took me about the same times, myself!

This is one of Sarah's bowls... but I think she messed this one up and had to do another one... either way, it was really fun! Nat's a great teacher too! Then when they are all dry, she'll fire them in the Kiln and then we can paint them! I can't wait!

Natalie's birthday weekend events!

The day after Natalie's birthday, we went out on the boat with a whole bunch of people... You can see Natalie's favorite sunglasses. They are so sexy! Here's walter, chillin' on the boat...
Here's Leah and Sarah!
Here you see David showing off the Sumo Tube (Walter was just freakin' out!) It was hilarious!

When I get a chance, I'll add a video of Nat's Sumo Ride!

My little sister's birthday!

I was able to go visit my little sister this weekend for her birthday and we had so much fun! Her MIL made this awesome Strawberry Cake for her birthday!Although it rained almost the entire weekend, we still had a lot of fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!!!

Ben's packback pics

The other day I was at Rachael's house and Ben was showing me his super cool backpack. Actually, me and Rachael were doing something on the computer and Ben was playing his harmonica right in my ear and wanted me to listen to song after song after song, so I suggested he go get his school supplies and show me everything that he had! You know, so he wouldn't play his harmonica, right?
Well, he went and got this backpack and put it on and I took some pictures, and I asked him where all the other supplies were and he said that he only had one school supply and that was his backpack! So much for taking up time...

Oh, and yes. When he was done showing me his backpack and I was done taking pictures, he went back to playing songs on his harmonica, again...

But he's so cute!

Tony playing with Patrick (or is it Patrick playing with Tony?)

Last Sunday, Natalie, Lori, Todd, Tony and I were all over at Aunt Kate's house to hang out with her for a little bit and their dog, Patrick, was so sweet! He was just so interested in Tony and wanted to be right next to him the whole time! They were so cute!

It's been awhile

For some reason, I feel like I've been so busy... starting a new job at Whirlpool, canning all kinds of fruit and sauces, hanging out with the kids (nieces and nephews), and celebrating two years with Jason, just this last weekend! Pretty soon, I'll get you all caught up with the stories. Oh, and just a short little shout out to Ben, on his first day of school today, EVER! Hope you like it!
I was over at Rachael's house last night and Ben went and got his backpack on to show me. Then commented on it, "She's a beauty, isn't she?!!!!" IT WAS SO FUNNY!
Good luck, Ben!