Honesty and unplesant Words

All of my children look "related" but we have not produced any cookie cutter kids yet, YET?I mean at all, (yes, we're finished) I would have to say that the closest have been Ellie and Jacob







Similar and yet...not quite. They're dang cute though


I have to be honest and say that every once in a while I lose one of my seven children. In the chaos of being dragged in 8 different directions (I always include my own direction)at the same time someone will inevitably be miss placed(it's usually me) . Tonight before dinner while some of the children were up playing and fighting, Spencer was at scouts, I was feeding the baby, I noticed that I hadn't heard from Joey in a while. When I actually notice that someone hasn't been under foot or heard in while I am compelled to go look. and this is what I found at the top of the stairs...Poor JoJo...

If you have said "Don't...bite, hit, pinch, throw that, yell, say that, look at me like that, don't you dare, you better not, have you seen your brother?" and or "do you understand me?" today...you might be a Mommy of Many.

If you have heard the "f" word about a hundred and fifty times in the last 3 days because your 3yr-old can't figure out the verbal difference between "tr" and "f" and sometimes"fr" and his new potty pants have monster trucks all over them...you might be a MoM.

good day to ya.

Birhtday Season

It's a nice dry 70 degree day here in Houston and we are joining you today from the Durrant Family Racetrack at the beginning of "Birthday Season." They're all stomping impatiently in anticipation of the start of this 2008 season. February hits and the countdown begins...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,...10. AND THERE OFF!!! It looks like Gabriel is in the lead, turning 7 on Sunday the 10th, Then followed shortly behind is Jacob hitting 3 hard on March 18th, Not far behind it's a close race with, oh my gosh, 4, did you hear me FOUR birthdays in April. Starting on the 15th, with Caleb and going through the 26th with Joey, including Dad and Mom on the 21st and 24th, they're getting a little old to keep racing don't you think? Coming in around the corner in May is Spencer, officially jumping into teenage-hood turning 13. Oh and don't count Sariah out, here she comes in June. And bringing up the rear in October is that sweet little filly, Elizabeth. Now wait is she at the end of Birthday Season or the beginning of the Holiday season, which now goes right into Birthday Season. What the heck.


We celebrated Gabriel's birthday on Saturday with a nice little Star Wars themed party. He originally said that he wanted a Spiderman/ Star Wars party... and that he wanted Transformers as presents. Can we say that the marketing department is doing its job?


Spencer told us about this pizza he had at a Scouting activity. He said the slices sent from his fingertips to his elbow. We didn't believe him...until we went there. He was right. Sorry Spen. Oh, and they deliver.
When Gabe and I started to plan the party I joked about what games to play. Pin the web on Spidey or Pin the light saber on Luke. Went to Party City and guess what...It was pin the buttons on Darth Vader.
Here is Gabe's way cool friend Isaac. They all ended up sticking it to Yoda. Thanks for the use of your tie Dad.Knot of Children anyone?

Caleb, Isaac and Sariah in a dead heat.Now it's down to Caleb and Sariah

Sariah is the TWISTER champ! Isn't she pretty in her Twister glory. Present time. Gabe got some very good presents
a cool Hot Wheels set from Gracie

Sweet Pokemon stuff from Issac.(look at his face)

He also got two gift cards from Joseph and Joshua and their Grandma(who is Gabe's Sunday School teacher)
He got "Green" cards from Nana and Grandma
a cool new Hawaiian shirt(to perpetuate his fashion sense, see earlier blog 'Tourist Season') from Dawn.
And from Grandma Denny and Aunt Michelle he got the coolest retro present.

MICRO Machines. He had played with his dad's old toys when we visited last year. He loved them and asked Grandma Denny if he could have them. She sent him 5 from his dad's collection and Michelle found another 35 and a van town. Gabe was super happy and all of his little friends were intrigued. One little boy asked me why they stopped making them. All I could think was that little kids like to eat strange things, I'm sure during the late 80's and early 90's Micro Machines were on the top of the list. Thank you everyone!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIEL




Yesterday was Sunday. Spencer spoke in Sacrament meeting with the other Young Men for Scout Sunday. The night before, when he told me he was speaking, he said he could never be President because he was afraid to speak in public. I reassured him that speaking was not one of his weaker points. Those of you who know him are probably laughing now. And I also told him, as I was writing his talk, that the President had writers so he could do it he wanted to. He did a really good job.
The rest of Sunday was OK. We actually sat in the chapel. I had a little help, and Gabe sat in the front by himself. I didn't get to Relief Society because Caleb decided that his class was yucky and he would rather be with me, whatever.


If you called the Poison Control number because you think your 2 year old may have drunk 1/4 of a bottle of facial astringent, and the lady who answers tells you to give him some milk with a tablespoon of sugar in it, and to not be surprised if he vomits(like I'm ever surprised when someone vomits) and to call them back if he starts acting drunk...You might be a Mommy of Many(MoM)

He didn't actually drink it...just poured it in his sister's room and on himself.


I would love for you fellow mom's out there to join me in the ...you might be a MoM, by commenting your funny. I'll post them. I would like to get a collection. Maybe when we get enough we can make a book.

good day to ya.

Words from Ellie and "You Might be a MoM"

"Holy Cow, I've found my toes...
And my brother's hair."

"My Mommy feeds me chocolate milk, hence the rolls and Buddha belly...

"And what's this thing in my hair?"

"Ahh much better."



If you have pulled half a roll of toilet paper out of the toilet today and didn't have the heart to yell at the 3 year-old because he was so proud he "did it" and you don't want to deter him from ever using the potty again...you might be a MoM.

If you have uttered the words "You are not Superman and I am not your cape," as the 3yr-old pulled your p.j. strings around his neck, while you were wearing them, as he walked in front of you repeating "I'm Superman, I'm Superman."...you might be a MoM.

If you have tried to teach the lesson that TV remotes and electronic remote controlled buses are NOT bath toys, while attempting to remove the batteries and as much water as possible in hopes to salvage them...you might be a MoM.

If you have said today or any day "Highlighters are NOT make-up. And you're a boy so you shouldn't be doing that anyway..." you might be a MoM.looks a little like he's telling me off, huh. He was...
It's been a day :| ... I may be back later.
good day to ya

If we only knew...

If we knew then what we know now, the conversations behind these pictures might have gone a little like this...


"What if I told you we are gonna have 7 kids in the next 10 years?"



"Seven ?" "Seven.""In 10 years?" "10 years."



"Oh say it isn't so."


"It'll be lots of fun... and noise."

"7 kids. That could get pretty expensive." "Thppbbssts"



"We may need to pawn your ring." "What makes you think that after 7 kids it will still fit?"



"Are they cute kids?" "They're beautiful."



"Whose dog is that?" "I don't know just smile and look at the camera." (actual conversation)

"So what do you think? Will you still marry me?


"Yeah, I will." "Good, me too"

Enjoy your spouses on Valentine's Day. Mine won't be home yet.
All right. Everybody's done it. Niki asked to see it. So here goes

What is his name? Garvin Jason Durrant (which like Christin's hubby, Garvin is a family name, and no, none of my kids have it.)

How long have you been together? Our 10th Anniversary is May 14th

How long did you date? 2 1/2 months. Not kidding

How old is he? My baby is turning 30 this April

Who eats more? The children. If there is enough food left over for us I guess it might be me?

Who said I love you first? I don't remember...isn't that terrible? But I bet he doesn't remember either. We have always loved each other, more now than ever.

Who is taller? Jason is. I'm 5'5 he's 6'0

Who can sing better? Do we need to ask? Just kidding. I do. Jason won't let me teach him. He could sing well, he has a nice tone, but it's a frosty day in TX when he'll let out a peep.

Who is smarter? Jason is 100% smarter. (Physics degree anyone?) I think I have an advantage with things of the Spirit. But he has, on occasion, floored me with his insight.

Who does the laundry? It depends on if he's home. I do, naturally, when he's at work. When he's home I go on vacation, so he does.(he's nodding in agreement as he reads this)

Who pays the bills? I do because the bills come when he goes to work.

Who sleeps in the right side?Jacob or Ellie, sometimes Caleb. I've actually pushed them to the floor lately. When Jason and I get to sleep by ourselves I sleep on the right, it's closer to the baby. Right now I sleep diagonally through the whole bed.

Who mows the lawn? Jason and Spencer do. It's nice when the kids get older.

Who cooks dinner? I do. Jason can, usually out of necessity.

Who drives? When he's home, he does.

Who is more stubborn?Probably me.(again the nodding) I've softened quite a bit though. (now he's shaking his head in disagreement, but I really have)

Who kissed who first? I'll give him that one

Who asked who out first?I asked him out first. But he was thinking about it way before I did

Who has more friends? I do. He says he has "all the friend he needs" in me. Sweet, but I say melarchy.

Who has more siblings? tied for a sister each. How we ended up with 7 kids, I'll never know, but thank the Shumway family for making a stink load of kids look like fun.

Who wears the pants? Jason. I couldn't get him in a skirt if I tried. I let him wear them ;)

People who should fill this out:All my blogger friends should.

The many sides of mom

So we took a vote today. The three older children did anyway. Do we like the "little bit cranky mom," or the "doesn't care to get out of bed mom" better. It was decided that the "little bit cranky mom" is better. Spencer said on behalf of the kids (with pleading in their eyes) "By all means Mom, drink some caffeine." And so I have jumped off the caffeine sober wagon into the functioning world again, but only for a little while. I figure this way I don't have to go the anti-depressant route which is in more ways than one, a real bummer. I have actually accomplished some things today. Most of the downstairs is clean, went to the store, took Spencer and the four little ones to the dentist(pre-caffeine. The kids were unbelievably fabulous)and Spencer even got to scouts. This last one may not seem to be a big accomplishment unless you get the whole picture.
When Jason is gone, Spencer usually gets a ride with another scout so that things are a little easier for me. Sometimes I have to take the boys, and most of the time when Jason is home we swap taking and picking up. Simple enough. Tonight the typical carpooler called and said he wasn't going. So this meant Spencer needed a ride if he was going to go. He made mention of this and then we all lost track of time while cleaning and eating dinner. Then at 6:45 he said in a panic "It's time to go to scouts!" We live 20 min.s from the chapel. It takes AT LEAST 10 min.s to get all 7 kids in the car to go. The activity only lasts an hour, and the baby was hungry right then. I said "no, not tonight," twice I think. But then my "good" side reminded my "overwhelmed have too many children" side that the individual is important. Sariah has her Achievement Days activity tomorrow and we'll be going to that because they meet at a place that is only a minute away. The "make it fair" side of me said that Spencer must go. So we made a mad dash to the door, hungry baby in hand and we sped our way to get Spencer to his thing. He was fortunate to get a ride home because if you do the math 6:45 +10+20+10+20=to darn much time trying to get to and from scouts. He went, made a movie about being steadfast and immovable, had a good time and enjoyed watching his scout leaders get a written warning from the police because "you aren't supposed to set off fireworks inside Katy city limits." The fireworks were for the finale, I guess. I'm glad the "good and responsible" side of mom won and that the "doesn't care to get out of bed" side will be on vacation for as long as we can thwart her off.


This picture of Spen was taken a few weeks ago, notice my husband (not home) was putting groceries away in the fridge.
good day to ya.

Freakin' HORMONES

Having Technical Difficulty due to Postpartum Depression. (I've done this before. I'll be fine.) Tune in next time for "Postpartum Depression 101." My poor husband calls and doesn't know which "me" he's speaking to...

I'm feeling a little ADD, and a little like this stray cat on my neighbors roof.
signing out

good day to ya.

Headless action figures and a Moment Peace

A moment of peace. They still actually exist. Unbelievable.
I have been rather reclusive lately. I don't think I have gone anywhere since last Monday when I went to buy milk. It never really occurs to me that when I stay home so do the 4 youngest. Today Joey(the quiet one) brought me his shoes and pointed at the front door. I got the hint. As soon as big brother came home to watch the 3 others, who were sleeping, Joey and I went for a walk. He slipped his half sticky hand into mine and we walked. We first made a stop at the mailbox and then continued around the block. The breeze was perfectly crisp and the sun warmed the cool spots. It was nice to feel the sun. Usually the heat here is overpowering, more like walking into an oven where you can't really tell where the heat source is. Not today, today was nice. It reminded me of home.
So we walked. Hand in hand in silence. Just looking at things. Occasionally Joey would slow down to look at a neighbor or a car, but he never stopped or got distracted. The only real sound was the pat, pat ,pat of his little size fives hitting the sidewalk. We both understood that we were there to walk. We walked really slowly, his legs are still short, and it was so nice because we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere. I wasn't distracted by trying to teach him anything, no words for now, no this is this and that is that. It was quiet and probably the most peaceful I have felt in years. I believe fully that he enjoyed the silence as much as I did.
We stopped back at the house and checked to see if it was time for Sariah and Gabe's bus to arrive. We had fifteen minutes. So we decided to walk to their bus stop and wait. So once again hand in semi-sticky hand we walked slowly and silently to the bus stop. It wasn't quite as peaceful this time. There were more people this way, but it was still nice. We went to the wooden park bench and I sat, half expecting Joey to demand that we continue walking or climbing around on the bench or big rock next to us. But he didn't. That little boy climbed up on the bench next to me and sat... silently. He watched the cars go by. I watched him watching the cars go by. When there wasn't a car he would look up in the sky and occasionally point and say "B." "Yes, Joey, that's a bird," I would reply. Then he would smile at me and go back to watching the cars. And that's what we did...until the school bus showed up. Then it was loud and chaotic and Sariah and Gabe got off the bus. Life was back to normal.
I learned some thing about my almost 2 year old son, he has a peaceful soul. He can throw down with the best of them, but he has a spot of peace inside. There was something so soothing about being with him today. It was like being with a little peaceful part of myself that I miss placed a while back. I needed that. He's going to be the comforter in our family, I think.
After we got home, Joey was playing around, and I noticed he had something in his mouth. So I asked if he would give it to me, as if. If they go through the trouble of putting it in their mouth they aren't gonna give it up that easy. Taking something out of a child's mouth is like trying to take something shiny from a barracuda,(I'll explain that one in a minute.) So I pried his teeth apart expecting to find a magnetic(I know they're dangerous...anti-MoftheYaward...but it's funny when you use another magnet to suck the metal balls out of a somebody's mouth, mainly to avoid finger damage, it's like a vacuum) BUT it wasn't a magnetic. It took me a little off guard when out of Joey's mouth popped Spiderman's head. That was odd.
OK the barracuda thing ... Jason works on an oil rig in the middle of the Gulf. For this job everybody wears hunter safety orange with shiny reflectors all over their uniforms. Now they tell these people that are living and working about 50 to 80 feet above the ocean surface that if they survive a fall off the rig that they better keep their steel toed boots on to fight off the barracudas because they like shiny things. Shiny things like the shiny reflectors all over their clothes. That's funny.

Good day to ya.