Days with the Dorans

Our church has two campuses and today, (Palm Sunday) Jeff was leading worship at the campus that we don't normally attend and I like when we worship together as a family- but I really wanted to go to the service we usually attend because this 'Chalk Guy' Ben Glenn was going to be giving the message. So I did something crazy- I took all four kids to TWO church services-SOLO. The first one (where Jeff was) was rough. Sean got hungry during the sermon and there really wasn't a private place to nurse so I sat in the lobby next to a great guy I know- and hopefully didn't offend him by feeding Sean. (I am so discreet though I'm sure he didn't mind...) and then Sean had a BLOW OUT diaper- that paired with palms (Z enjoyed hitting his sibs ) made for a long Sunday morning- but I decided to go to the second campus anyway. Jeff had to 'tear down' the music stuff so I again went solo. Thankfully my mom was there (with GREAT-NAN!!!!) but I didn't really ne...

Today was the annual Easter Egg Hunt & Celebration at the L ittle's school/church. It started out hectic as we were running late (I feel like I am having deja vu from last year...) and it was a bit chilly outside- but thankfully we did make it on time and the kids were all dressed appropriately. The eggs are placed where you don't really need to 'hunt' for them but the kids sure had fun gathering them up. They only took five eggs so that there would be enough for the smaller kids and Ali Jane was excited to see that her BF, Holly was there too! Though Zach qualified for the littlest group- he joined the Bigs to make it easier for me. Because it was a bit chilly- Jeff stayed inside with Sean Asher enjoying coffee, donut holes and conversation with some of his buddies from church. Zach did really well and I was happy that the kids all followed directions. They did notice that some kids had way more than five eggs in their baskets- but commented that perhaps they...

When the Bigs were little, we used to give them quarters for things like feeding the dogs, making their beds, helping pick up sticks in the yard... They would give a quarter to chapel each week, and go to the dollar store every so often to pick something out for themselves- and of course at Christmastime find lots of treasures for those they loved most. Now that Joe is in kindergarten, he is amazing us! He's been learning about money the last week or so and while we have talked about money and counted it with him, we certainly haven't 'taught' him the value of the coins - or how to count between the different denominations. Today after school he asked when we could go back to "Build-a-Bear" to get Jack some more clothes. I explained to him that you have to save your money to buy things and we can't just 'go' to the store every time he wants something. And so he asked if he could do some chores around the house for added money. He gathered all th...

Our dog Cobi Jones was barking outside and since the sun was shining, I took Sean Asher with me out on the deck to see what all the commotion was and couldn't believe my eyes... A turkey was in our tree!!! I love where we live and though it is getting more built up everyday, we still see wildlife around us. (I saw three deer on my way to work the other day.) What I have NEVER seen is a turkey in a tree. We live near a great park, which also is the home to horses, pigs, roosters, peacocks and other fun animals. I am wondering if this little guy came from there. After snapping some pictures, (and waking up the entire house as I called Jeff to 'Come quick and see this!') we went back in to put down the littles for naps. I went back out to ask my new friend a question- but he was already gone... though I think I know the answer... Can turkeys really fly that high?

Three years ago, Ali Jane built a bear named "Ruby." Recently she has been playing with Ruby so much more- changing her little outfits and making sure that she and Ruby are dressed alike. She decided her brothers NEEDED bears too- and after some discussion with his sis, Joe said it was time for us make the trek to the mall to create some bears for the boys... And so started our adventure. I was a bit hesitant because after I told the kids- Friday would be the day (Build-a-Bear on a weekend sounds like suicide to me...) I realized that Jeff was leading worship and would be unavailable to come with me to the mall. Four kids solo in a Build-a-Bear is even worse that suicide... My friends suggested telling the kids that there was a flood in Build-a-Bear... that they were closed... but in the end I called Nana and invited her (and her camera) to come with us, and she agreed! Even before we looked at any of the possible animals, Joe had it in his head he would have ...

Today is St. Patrick's Day- and to tell you the truth, I'm not a big "St. Patty's Day" person... Back in college I remember my best friend Jodi and I would always get some lime ice-cream and make green floats- and of course there was the green beer- but really- drinking until you're sick isn't my thing either... but Jeff tells me the ' Dorans ' have Irish in their genes somewhere so this year we decided to do something... The kids all dressed in some green today so they wouldn't get 'pinched' and though no leprechauns came and messed up our house, (we don't need leprechauns when we have four little ones and two dogs who do that just fine...) Joe did have some visit his school and he told me that they made a HUGE mess and left a note that there was some treasure hidden in the room! They found the treasure (gold coins with shamrocks) and a special treat. And then of course we talked about St. Patrick, the history, and the legends. W...

Ever since Jonasen started kindergarten, Ali Jane has been trying to keep up. Like him, she writes in her notebooks, is constantly blending and segmenting words and usually deferring to the main writer in the family (Joe) for correct spellings. She wrote a story about musheens (machines) with her editor (Joe)'s help. With him being under the weather, today she asked me for some help. Surprisingly she was very close in her ideas on how to spell her title, but after pulling out all the sounds she heard she finally said, "Mom... um, just tell me how to spell it o.k?" And so she worked on her own little book in her office (aka the closet) in the comfort of her jammies . Though the book consists mostly of princess stickers and (perhaps a whole roll of) tape rather than an actual 'story', she was quite pleased with herself. I'm sure her number one fan will just love it as soon as he's up to reading books (and writing them) again. Until then, she'll just ha...

Joe told me it was lamb weather. I say it smells like baseball. For years when we were younger my brother and I would be in the yard with my dad, 'having a catch'. Such fond memories I have of those times... It was so much fun to drive home from work the other day and learn that my dad (now known as Papa) had been working with Joe- having a catch- the same way he'd done for years with me and Danny. Though Jonasen hasn't yet started 'formal' ball. He and Ali Jane will start T-ball soon which should be interesting since they much prefer to hit from a pitch, than from a T. They also much prefer batting to fielding. It was fun hearing my dad say, "Step- throw" to my little lefty and "Move to the ball", "Watch it into your glove", "Two hands". I told Joe that I used to practice catching and throwing until my hands bled... ok , so I lied a little. I had to get him to show me what he had been doing with Papa one more t...

It's getting to me... I don't know if it's the sleep deprivation or the crazy schedule of being a full time working mom and having four kids at home... but it's getting to me. I am so tired. Last night I was up at midnight with Sean, then at 2:30 with Joe who was sick and threw up, I got back to bed at 3 and slept for 15 minutes until Sean woke up again. I let him cry for 45 MINUTES until I could take it no more, staggered into his room and nursed him. And then I was up before six to start my day which looks something like this.. Wake up, shower, get ready for work prior to kids waking up... (praying that they don't wake up) then waking the bigs who can dress themselves, and getting Zach changed and dressed, then downstairs to make breakfast for three bigs while putting together pump parts to take to school (that were drying over-night), clean up from breakfast, meds for Zach which now include a breathing treatment (from last Tuesday's doc apt), shoes on a...

It's so hard to believe that five months ago today I was laying my eyes on Sean Asher for the first time. He has developed such a big personality over such a small amount of time. Unlike Zach (who was relatively quiet at this age and let the Bigs do all the talking...), Sean is quite a chatter box. He speaks with such inflection and I just wish for a moment I could take a peak inside that little bald head of his and see what he is thinking (and saying!)! He remains such a happy baby but if he is hungry or wants to be changed he'll let you know! He doesn't like to be on his tummy so will still roll over (as he's been doing since 6 weeks) and now he will roll to his side (while on his back) to see a sib or dog laying next to him or see what is going on around him. He also can sit for a while by himself but he isn't sturdy enough to set him down and walk away... I'm sure by this time next month he'll be sitting on his own and that much further away from bei...

Today I took the bigs and the littlest to see my Nan. (Zach was still sick and so we decided he should stay home.) My Nan is finally home from having her hip replaced and doing great. Because her memory isn't the best, she has signs all over the place reminding her that she just had surgery, she can't walk without a walker, where she is... etc. Jonasen was amazing today. He was reading all of her signs and he was blowing us away with how well he was reading! Then he saw this little plaque that she has that says, "Jesus." He said with a smile, "I know what that says. It says, Jesus. Do you know what Jesus' last name is?" Curious as to what he would say I said, "No. What?" "His last name is Doran !" A smile crept over my face as I asked him why he thought that. He said, "Well, he's part of our family." I told Joe that yes, Jesus was indeed a part of our family but he should also be a part of every one's family and ...

Long before Jeff and I probably needed to, we would preface our rules or beliefs with the words, "In this family..." For example, "In this family we don't say stupid, or hate." "In this family we say I'm sorry." And "In this family we also say, I forgive you." The other day at dinner, the kids were giving us the highlights of their days when Jonasen said, "Well, and then T asked me if I hated him and I told him yes." WHAT??? DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT IN THIS FAMILY WE DON'T SAY HATE? AND YOU DID WHAT??? I looked at Jeff and we didn't know quite what to do so I said, "Joe... in this family we don't say 'hate' remember?" "But I didn't say 'hate' mom, he did. I was just answering his question." (sigh- good point-) How do I explain to a little boy that it is not always necessary to give the whole truth- sometimes it's better to spare someone's feelings. I felt sick in ...

When I picked up Zach from school on Thursday I knew we were in trouble. His runny nose and cough seem to be a constant as of late, but looking at him, I could tell he was run down and his teacher said he wasn't himself. That night he was more clingy than usual and I knew that he would not be going to school the next day. The only problem was my folks had a funeral to attend, and Jeff had meetings which meant I stayed home and because of maternity leave... I didn't get paid and well... to not go to work is a lot more work than going sometimes... I love what I do and who I do it with and thankfully have an amazing team that helped out so that it wasn't too crazy. One thing that has been driving me crazy lately has been people suggesting that teaching is some cake job- well it isn't... Yes I am a teacher... (aka mom, nurse, counselor, doctor, friend, disciplinarian, advisor...) Recently I heard a comment complaining about teachers who 'leave with the bell' ...

I was so excited when my brother called me a few months ago. He was asking me questions- asking me if we had to take classes when we got our children baptised, etc. I asked if they were planning on having their daughter, Maddy, baptised and he said, "You knew that! You're the Godmother!" Well, I didn't know that they wanted me to be the Godmother, but I was so excited I just about burst into tears! Happy ones!! For more than most (I imagine) I pray for unborn babies- especially those I know. I began praying for Maddy (as I wrote on one of her gifts above) long before she took her first breath, and will continue to do so until I take my last. I take the role of Godparent very seriously and look forward to reading stories about God and sharing my faith with my sweet little niece. They asked Steph's brother, Kirk, to be the Godfather and it was great to see him. He made the trek all the way from Texas. Unfortunately his wife and son were unable to make the trip nort...