First and foremost; thank you! We obtained one of our goals! It's #7 on our list of goals for our 38th year of life!
We really do wish though that if you didn't understand some of our ramblings that you honestly just ask instead of a throw it in our face in a giant negative e-mail. For we will both be more than happy to explain anything you don't understand. That being said; Thank you Nanette and Mikayla for reading our blog!
Now on with explaining your unfounded concerns:
On March 19, 2010 we made a blog entry titled #2 and #4 This post was about our children #2 and #4. We wanted to refrain from posting their names on the Internet but it seems we have caused some confusion for y'all so let's make it simple.
#1 is Jessica (she is the oldest) and so it goes by age, #2 Jeffrey, #3 Matthew, #4 Mikayla, #5 Marie.
So as you can see we posted photos of #2 and #4 on that post saying we missed you both because you both had made some questionable choices at that time in your speech either written or verbal to shut us out and not communicate. We wanted you both to know that no matter what we missed you and wanted you to know that. But we also wanted to let you both know that you have to follow the house rules as all 5 kids have been given the same and it is the adults decision to set them and ask that you follow them. They are be respectful to all adults, be a part of the family, communicate, understand, sympathizes with all, but mostly do your part to make our family be the best it can. There is not a day that goes by that we do not do something for you all to live happily. That being said, not once on this blog has there been a post of wanting even numbers. In fact the sentence, "We miss you both more than you realize. I guess it must be something to do with the even numbers." simply means that children #2 & #4 are our most rebellious kids and it must have some something to do with the fact that you are both #2 and #4 kind of middle child syndrome of feeling that you are jilted all the time. Neither one of you are unless you bring it on yourselves and force it to be that way. There is enough love in this house for you all; maybe you should try it.
Moving along, "So, here it is, "Am I mad?" "Yes, you're purely mad. You're bonkers. But I have a secret; all of the best people are." (<3 this movie, probably because it was date night with my man)"
The previous quote is from the movie Alice in Wonderland; we went to see it in 3D on one of our date nights. It is our favorite quote from the movie. It's a conversation between Alice and The Mad Hatter. It was endearing and filled with love and even made us feel as though Alice were talking to her Father. It is not about me being mad at Stacie and wanting her to get a job. Does she need to have 2? She currently has one that suffices until our real goal is obtained. Although it was a great misinterpretation and one we both had a belly laugh about.
Moving on to Stacie's goal list:
1. We have compiled nearly 40 recipes that we have made side by side in our kitchen to put into our cookbook. We are doing quite well and nearing our goal.
2. Not yet; need to finish #1 first.
3. Stace has written two chapters of this book and it is quite good. It focuses on the life of a child.
4.Nope, waiting for rain for the machine but Stacie and Matthew spent a day and the mending pile is complete: buttons sewn back on clothes, straps mended, and BDU's cut down to make shorts.
5. Not 15 but it has had items added. And there have been sales!!
6. Doing it right now.
7. We do; wish they were more positive but they are there!
8, 9, & 10. We have been eating our own vegetables for two months and have our own eggs daily. We are cold framing and canning and living very healthy!
11. This has been researched and is an expensive hobby to start so it may be a goal for next year. Knowledge is power.
12. Marie fulfilled this by finding the cherished morel mushrooms we had and then were able to find more and dehydrate them. We were very proud that our youngest knew on her own what a prized find she had. We found 28 mushrooms and they are delicious! We also went sweet and tart cherry picking, and red and black raspberry picking; it was fun even though the kids fought a bit.
13. Working on it. A slow process as the sunny days draw us outdoors but 140 pages have been put together and one huge basket has been used! Very excited about that!
14. Still need to finish the floor and trim but all in due time. The kitchen had been in renovation process since 2004 so to have just finishing touches left is a significant change. We love the progress so far and can't wait for the finished product!
15. For Mother's Day Stace got a storm door and we installed one! The new front door and storm door will come in time.
16. This will probably be done when the kids are grown! LOL We know what we like but want to make do with what we have until people appreciate what we have first.
17. Not Yet.
18. When then kids go back to school.
19. Likely not this year as that went along with #21.
20. We left it under the maple tree in the shade and lines it with rocks instead. It has a more natural feel to it.
21. All plans for our addition have been halted. We are frustrated, angry, and hurt by this. Our addition was to be 3 rooms on the first floor. We were to add a bedroom with a half bath for Mikayla. We wanted her to have her own space and were hoping to have it in place before her summer visit so she could pick her own furnishing and wall color. This is why we asked for confirmation 138 days in advance so we could kick start this project. Along with that was to be a sun room with plenty of light for plants and drawing and crafting; a place for the girls to hang out. The third room was to be a family game room. We were going to get a home equity loan and do this work. The loan would have paid for it; no one had to work harder than they are now. Both of our current jobs are time consuming enough. Thanks. The cease and desist for this addition was decided when Mikayla wrote in April that she would never come here and her Mom said she didn't have to. All in all a hard blow on a dream to make something really cool for Mikayla; another dream smashed in our faces.
22-25. These were going to happen with the addition as well.
26-28. Working on these too!
29. Going to happen when the kids go back to school.
30. It is organized; need to weed it.
31. It is designed. Maybe next spring.
32. Not yet.
33. This has been changed to a Harley Fund. Stacie and Jess found a jar and everyone has been saving their pennies. All the kids even donated. It was a great day to know that my family cares deeply for me by such a small act as this.
34. Not yet.
35. Accomplished! Each night when we get home is like a mini vacation as we love spending time together.
36. 7 down. Although I think she is beautiful as she is!
37. We've been doing this for two years now and we love it!
38. Everyday in my lunch! I've saved them all.
Finally, one last thing. Stace made a post about wanting to go on vacation. We have put this all on hold so far hoping that all 5 kids would be here. We realize that since some people do not have the affinity to heal and move on and try and set a good example as an adult that this won't happen for any child living with them either. We will be taking our two vacations in August. One to the Cape and one to Lake George. We will not let one child ruin it for the other four. We will miss our daughter not being with us again but as she and her Mom keep choosing to not let her visit; we can do nothing to change it for her. We do hope she had fun on her 3 week vacation with her Mom though. Maybe someday she'll give us a chance.
Instead of sending our reply in an e-mail directly to you; we decided to put it here so that anyone you may have directed here also be corrected from your assumptions and misinterpretations. Have a great day. We will!
Joe and Stace
