The Kelsey's

Grandmother came to our house for Thanksgiving this year.  I took Friday off to be home as much as possible.  I was the only one in my department to do so – is the world just becoming less thankful these days?

As is traditional, Laura made more food than we could possibly eat.  The new twist this year was to augment our failing fridge … Laura will tell you that it is literally being held together by duct tape, but it’s actually a combination of duct tape and electrical tape … we used a box out in the sun room as an ad hoc fridge.  We just set extra dishes out there and let the 40 or so degree weather act as a chiller.

I did my best to supplement all my meals for days with the pies, dishes, and sides from the outdoor chiller and the fridge.  I think I’ve been binge eating for 5 days now.

Nathan has made a big change in that he now can face Grandma Gee Gee and not roll his eyes or try to get away.  She’s now an accepted part of his world.

With our thankfulness complete, it’s now time for Christmas plans – decorations and “stuffs.”

Another rarity was that we took advantage of an in-home Grandma babysitter to head out and watch “The Little House on The Prairie” play at the Fox.  I was drowsy in the dim lights before the curtain went up – but I didn’t snooze a wink.  That was Laura’s criteria for my success, so woo hoo!

We’ll have some end of the year thoughts in the next few weeks!

It was a long time coming…

There were threats, counter threats, and promises made.  But it came down to this…

There would be a water gun showdown.  Dr. Eddie not only took all comers, but he also mixed it up personally.  It was a cloudy and rainy afternoon on July 12th when all sides gathered together.  After a “last meal,” everyone headed outside and commenced to fightin’.  Usually things were pretty spread out.  There was one instance where the wrestling got knotted up when Joshua challenged Eddie.

As you can see – there was only one slide at the beginning.  Here is some video from my phone – the quality is not too bad, but it’s not going to be shown at any film festivals this fall… (Umm, note – your sound is not broken – there was nothing to hear until the very end where Nathan comes inside. Although a few shouts and shrieks can be heard through the glass.)

If you watched the video to the end, you know that Nathan came in freezing (did you see how my camera made his little penguin walk just that much funnier? The camera got weirded out there at the end.). But I dried him off and we watched from inside for a while. I took more video, but I am only posting the best of the best so as not to bore y’all.

These shenanigans went on for quite some time. I was tired of standing and went off to sit down. During that time, Nathan could no longer stand it and headed back out in his dry clothes. He had been quietly watching, so I didn’t hear him slip out. In the mean time the fight had been reduced to trying out a “bigger, better” slip-N-slide.

And here is some final video of sliding folks. You can also see Nathan rolling his “bowling ball” all along the way. He does get a little peeved when “Kay Kay” jams up the traffic.

Thus ends our tale of Hydrogen Hydroxide induced destruction, for now.

There were many more fun and exciting happenings this summer, including VBS, the kids going to Tim Hawkins, and stuff like that. I’ll get to them soon (maybe post one more tonight when I get home from work ).

I know you’re starving for more scoop on the happenings around here – blame it on the chronicler. (Oh, and happy birthday, Mom! Hope to catch you some time today!)

Say it ain’t so!

After dad being adamant about not wanting the mess or the expense (for upkeep and additional home repairs…) of having a pet, mommy caved when she say the dwarf hamster owned by her work out buddy. So about a week ago (I guess I should be more accurate since we have a 14 day return policy that is running out fast!!), Laura took the kids to PetSmart and purchased a vermin with a cage to put it in.

I would show you a picture, but I don’t think anyone has thought to take one yet, and at this time of the morning “Helio” is still buried in the shavings at the bottom of the cage. I do have a picture of a rodent that looks very similar – only this one was in a trap… remember?
(I have pictures of that one, but as we said before – they probably aren’t for public viewing)

As you have probably guessed, I’m not enthusiastic about this turn of events.  My view of pets is that they are a great oportunity to teach children the life object lesson of what death means.  Pets die, and we get to tell our children about that reality.  And that’s a valuable lesson to learn, especially as they become teen-agers and think they are imortal. ( Bible quote )

Caleb comes down first thing in the morning and checks on Helio.  Joshua likes to let him run up and down his arms.  He and Laura enjoy sticking it under my nose while I’m working at the computer – there must be some enjoyment out of that.  I get none.

Wouldn’t have just been easier to just adopt the squirrels already in our attic?   Everybody else is happy with the decision, so there it stands.  Even Hannah has purchased some garden gloves so she can hold Helio and not be concerned about rodent defecation touching her delicate skin.  You can never be too careful.

It took us a while to get some audio together, but it’s here now.  This episode features the debut of Laura – she’s on the last segment, so you’ll have to listen all the way through.  This episode is a little longer than the others (17 minutes).

Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment.  Remember, it takes a while to have comments approved – so if they don’t show up right away, don’t sweat it … they will.

After the attention that the tea parties around the nation, the FairTax is starting to rise in the consciousness of many as well.  In fact, last week the Missouri house actually brought the state version of the FairTax out to the floor of the House and passed it!  It have support from Democrats and Republicans.  This week it is being considered in the state Senate where it’s passage will be more difficult, but nobody thought it would ever get this far – so stay tuned…

For those of you who might not be able to see our local news, you may want to see the first 30 seconds of the Kelsey’s 15 minutes of fame – check it. (It actually starts automatically – and that can be VERY annoying )

[Edited: I changed this to just a link so it wouldn't play and annoy people...]

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=immersiveplayer&maven_referralObject=1098466368

Why don’t you comment about this below. If you don’t want to get into the politics part, just talk about how great I looked on TV!

It seems like this is the way things have always been.  Monday nights are always hectic.  After work it’s the rush home (love that commute), just in time to participate in burrito night – that’s Monday night at our house.

But no sooner are the dishes cleared from the table than it’s time to grab my videos and such and head out the door to Financial Peace University.  And then get home just as the kids are being tucked into bed.  That’s Monday – or at least it has been in 2009.

Now that’s all over.  Another class of FPU graduates have been released into the wild.  They will now be responsible for conversations in the work place over whether there is such a good thing as good debt and bad debt.  Hmm, if debt is slavery (according to Proverbs 22:7) then is there such a thing as good slavery and bad slavery?  That kind of puts a different slant on things.  They will also be there to encourage people that you don’t “always have to have a car payment” and you don’t “always have to owe somebody.”  They will be an example that you can dig your way out of the mess you’ve gotten into.

It’s tough to reorient your time and not to just let it fall into that mess called “free time”.  But we’ll see how that turns out.

Oh, you want to see the graduating class?  Take a gander.

Here are a couple of shots of our last night

And our official graduation finishing photo…

And there you have it! It was a real blast!

Do you want to be a part of a Financial Peace University class?  Comment on the blog here to get in touch.

P.S. Dave Ramsey’s having a Town Hall of Hope event for Free on April 23, 2009 at a church or location near you.  Check it out at http://www.townhallforhope.com
(Free advertising for Dave…)

Well, it’s finally arrived.  The first inklings of a sign of the end of an era.  Last night, with evidently no prodding on any family member’s part.  Nathan decided to take a stab at pooping on the potty.

He came downstairs with no pants on, holding out his hands saying that he needed a new pull-up.  It was getting dark in the room so I couldn’t see anything unusual, so I replied just a minute… (I was looking something up, how unusual).

Next I heard Caleb call down that he needed help cleaning up the poop.  What?!? As I came upstairs he explained that Nathan had tried (an ‘A’ for effort at least) to use the toilet.  He mostly got it all in there.  Just a little on the lid, some on his leg, and little portions helping to keep his fingers stuck together.

We got the little guy some relief.  He wasn’t sure whether to cry or cheer.  We left the toilet in its somewhat soiled condition as mommie would be home in a few minutes and it would be good for her to see the evidence.  Plus I had done the fingers, the leg, and the unwiped bottom – well, frankly, I was pooped.  (wah-wah!)

My father-in-law called right as we were running down stairs as we heard the garage door opening.  We took Laura up to the scene of the crime.  She couldn’t believe it.  We all cheered for such a great accomplishment.  Nathan exclaimed one of his all time favorite sayings: “I so happy!”

When he gets a handle on the idea of proper body waste disposal, it will be the end of a decade plus of childhood incontinence.  I’m not saying it won’t be a welcomed change, but it’s just another signpost in life saying the time marches on.

Aside:
On another note, we went and signed our taxes at the end of the night. My dad just started doing taxes for H & R Block; he asked us to help him out, so we did. He found way more money than our normal tax guy had. It was quite a good deal. Way to go dad! I don’t like getting refunds because it says that the government has been playing around all year with money that could’ve helped my family. But we’ll take it back happily.

It took a while, but it’s finally happened.  Caleb has both of his big teeth.  When he was three or so (ok, it’s 4 am, I’m not capable of doing year math – that’s why it’s not exact), we were in Atlanta for our first Peacemaker conference and Caleb smashed his face on a stone step at the hotel.  His lips and gums were swollen and black.

Eventually that left front tooth discolored, and thanks to his rambunctious brother, it came (was knocked) out.  He went a long time with just the one front tooth.  I was worried that he might have damaged the root of the permanent tooth.

But just a few weeks ago it showed up and started to come in.  And then the other one started to make an appearance.  In fact his remaining front tooth had become rather stubborn.  Look.

It was hanging in there even as the bigger tooth came up behind and started pushing it out.  In fact, as it pushed that baby tooth forward we started to see our families best ever “Larry the Cucumber” impression.  It was even in 3-D.

It’s all over now, and I am so very thankful.  Whether it’s Christmas or not.  All I wanted was his two front teeth.  I don’t foresee Caleb as a hockey star, but either way – I think I’m going to invest in a mouthguard for him that he can just take with him everywhere he goes.

Oh, keep your teeth in…

The last week or two around the house have been interesting.  One of my least favorite sounds is that of “munch, munch, munch” on the frame inside the walls or up in the attic.  This sound is followed closely on my no-no list with the sound of little clawed feet scurrying about in those same spaces.

We have been hearing these things recently.  A couple of weeks ago we had actual combat taking place.  I am sure it was on the roof as it went across the whole house, even our bedroom which has a vaulted ceiling – so there is no attic space above us.  We heard the battle right over head.  Some foe was vanquished – we heard their pitiful cries for mercy.  None was given.  We got to hear some poor creature meet it’s untimely end right above our heads that morning.

It wasn’t long after that when we started seeing a little gray flash out of the corner of our collective eyes.  I thought I saw something in the basement, but decided it was just a shadow of a little car hanging from the light string…

Then Laura said she thought she saw something while Facebooking one night.  Then a few nights later the kids saw it – the mouse!  It scurried behind the couch.  There was much screaming and running about.

We decided something draconian must be done.  So at the beginning of the month I did a bunch of Googly research and bought some Victory traps, some glue paper, and some smelly concoction from a web site (that hasn’t arrived yet in the mail).  We set the traps and waited – nothing.

Late last week Laura saw it again.  Only this time the creature was so bold to stop and give her a stare back before scrambling away.  We decided that these traps were not actually self baiting as they claimed.  So late Saturday night, I added a dab of peanut butter to one trap.

About 30 minutes later… <!”SNAP”!> and it was over.  I looked and saw a wiggly tale and a shaky arm.  Looking a little close I could see that a spine had been broken.  It was about as quick, painless, and efficient as such things could possibly be.

I woke Laura up to inform her, secretly hoping she would get up and help with the aftermath.  But I guess grossness only pertains the the kids’ issues.  She just said, “That’s great dear” and rolled over.

So I went down and wrapped my hand in a plastic bag and grabbed the corner of the trap.  I was afraid that it’s friends would come out to defend their compatriot against me.  But Reepacheep was evidently occupied elsewhere.  I picked up the corner of the trap with the limp body dangling off the other side.  I managed to take it out and put it on the garage floor.

I then got a freezer bag and placed the trap and all inside.  I also stuffed in the grocery bag that I used as a glove.  So all the biohazard material was contained.  I left it in the garage to show the family that the deed was indeed done.  I also replaced the trap with a new one with peanut butter – nothing has happened since.  Did we actually have just a solo act?

When everyone got up the kids were facinated.  Hannah couldn’t bear to look, but she was willing to have Joshua take a picture for her on her camera so she could gross out her friends.  We do have pictures, but I haven’t posted them because we do want this to be a family friendly web site.

What do you think?  Should pictures of vaquished vermin be placed on The Kelsey’s family blog?  Or is that just T.M.I. (too much information).  Share your feedback with us by commenting on this post.

Here is another, our second, episode of The Kelsey’s Podcast.  This episode introduces little Nathan.  I actually used some interesting software to try to even out the sound levels.  It worked pretty good.  Let us know what you think:

Stay tuned to our blog – we are going to pull something together for the New Year.  We’ll see if we can pull it off.