Parenting Ten Kids: Confessions

• I have reverted to Asian hole-in-the-wall-restaurant clean-up: wipe table crumbs to floor and sweep. 
• We have done ZERO family devotions this weekend. OOPs. But I am clinging to prayer and perspective. 
• We may have threatened squats and push-ups for any more bickering? (maybe this is a result of the previous bullet point)
• David took 8 of ten swimming yesterday so I could prep dinner.
• I am loving the 'eat out of the freezer' option. Optimum nutrition is not the game this weekend, survival is the game: frozen hamburger patties, frozen corn dogs, 'bagel bites' are on the menu tonight. I am adding splashes of fruit here and there. 
• of the 36 Keurig coffee pods (didn't know what the heck that was until two years ago), There may be one left by the time the padres return. 
• David took 4 of 10 to Btown for parties, practices, etc. today. Shiloh asked if she could take a nap, Sammy just fell asleep on the couch, and college football + video games is making up our Saturday.
• And while that may not sound too stellar, I did get out on the trampoline with some kiddos and I can still do my flips. I took some on a wagon ride, and during naps I did work out. The steroids for my sinus infection may have helped :). 
• BFF coming at 3 pm to hang and take two oldest to soccer game. 
• drinking a McCafe coffee pod now and just updated my FB photo. Still not too savy on facebook and ongoing debate in our home about how committed to social media we should be (as adults, zero discussion for our kids). 
• I have succumbed to closet envy. 
• hoping to watch my Gators play. 
• David told Anna she could only go with him if she changed out of her Tennessee outfit. :). 
• I love being in a house of Gator fans. Haven't converted them to love NC State yet. A wolfpack is a way better mascot than a blue devil.
• And I am not sure if the kids have homework due Monday. But if they do, they haven't touched it. 
• Fish are still alive, and people are too here at the Williams home.
• still loving it

Parenting Ten Kids...chronicles

This weekend we have the privilege of watching my sister's six children. It really has been a blessing: hectic, fun, exhausting, and sanctifying, but I wouldn't trade it!

David and I have really enjoyed it and are learning a ton.

With help of Heather on the carpool (thanks girl, best bff to both Julie and me), including our kids, we are in charge of kids the following ages: 13, 11, 10, 9, 7, 7, 6, 5, 2, 2. 

Which ones are these?

Tobin, Sammy, Gabrielle.

And then David cleaned off my iphone lens:

(not fuzzy, but still not clear ?!)

Yes, we have fed them. There were vegetables on the plates. Not to say they made it to their bellies.

Other things to note:

-Tobin is absolutely in his element with older brothers.
-Gabrielle and Asa play hilariously together, and though Asa has her on size, she out-manipulates and bulldozes her way. So ladylike, I know.
-in large family dynamics the terms: 'laundry done', 'pantry full', 'garbage out', are complete misnomers and misguided expectations. (we drank all the V8 splash the first day)
-asking a ton of questions of the older boys and the life of a middle-schooler, school bus stories, etc.
-Shiloh's prayer was precious, just keeping God updated on everything: 'thank you that ma and pa are at the beach and Uncle David and Aunt Lorraine are babysitting me....' it was a lot longer.
-I hit the walk-in clinic as soon as five of the kids were off to school today. Day 5 of severe headache and earache. Lots of fluid in my ears. This visit was fast, thankfully, so David and I hit Target with the other 5, to get my prescription and shop a little, we even tried on some clothes! It wasn't without incident, every Coker complained at some point, while Asa just went along for the ride in the BIG HUGE cart that had seats for everyone.
-Fish are still alive, and all the people too.

Real Time: Blessings of 'Big Family'

Having four kids in China is considered a huge family.
However, in most of our ex-pat or foreigner circles we are about on par.
My sister has six kids and together this summer the ten kiddos have had a blast.
This weekend, starting yesterday, David and I have been watching their kiddos while they enjoy a weekend away for their anniversary.

We are maneuvering two fams' soccer practices, games, birthday parties, meals (!!) etc. and at over 24 hours in, things are going just fine.

The Big Family is loads of work, loads of fun. And Miss Heather is helping with the navigation of the two eldest boys' soccer practice and games, that is incredibly helpful.

I told Anna, the ten-year-old of the bunch: "I am in charge of keeping people alive, you are in charge of keeping the fish alive". So far, so good.

USA TidBits

It has been radio silent here for months, but God has been stirring in my heart, wrecking it in some ways and restoring to joy almost daily. Deep breath.

We arrived mid-July and the days go by. Against every grain of my being I will begin to post these memories and tidbits, joys and struggles a bit randomly. In other words, not chronologically and possibly making no sense to you, the reader. Bear with please.

I will come back and blog about our time in Thailand before our USA adventure began, that will come in time. God rocked my world through some amazing high schoolers, through watching Sophia brave the new world of 'camp', and bringing me a kindred spirit in my roommate. It was life-changing and will be unloaded here soon.

But for now lets see the glimpse of Cray-Cray  that has been our time in the USA. 

In random order: 

I love that these girls still LOVE to dress up.

Lots of backyard envy going on. We have an amazing back yard for China, but ours here...wowzers
The girls set up a drive thru or dine in.

Yes, and then there is this....

(went to doc today I am about ten pounds heavier :(, but enjoying every bite)

And this thing....we just had to try the monstrous cart, honestly I almost took out a few people before I gave it up.