Monday, October 20, 2008

Hansen Family Zoo

I asked James the other day, as were were surrounded by our 4 children, and the 4 other kids that we baby sit if when he was a young man thinking about what his life would be at 30 did he ever imagine this? He kinda laughed and said "No." Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my life! I have been blessed with 4 wonderful kids and an even better husband, but sometimes I have to laugh when I look at my life right now. I have to laugh so I don't cry...

Let me give you a brief rundown on my week, I promise it will be brief so I don't confuse and/or bore you.

Monday-Thursday Lyndon(9) and Lois(5) come at 6 am and fall asleep on our couch, then Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Ashton and Savannah come at 7:30 am and stay all day. I take the 4 older kids to school and then I pick up Lydon and Lois from school along with my kids. So from 3:00-4:00 I have 8 kids running around my house. Sounds crazy, right...well you are right. I go to the school 3 times a day (drop off, kindergarten pick up, older girls pick up). Thank goodness for Fridays when we have no extra kids!!!

Why? You may ask, do I torture my self so...well, James and I are desperately trying to get out of debt and this is the best way we can, so that I can stay home with my kids. The money is great and if it wasn't for James being there during the day I couldn't do it.

So each of these lovely Zoo animals represent an different aspect of my life, because I often get confused if I am at the zoo or in my living room. Here we go.


1. The growling lion- Be very sure you do not position yourself in my path when my alarm goes off at 5:55am. I do bite!

2. The elephant-the amount of poo I deliver each day to the garbage can, tucked neatly away in a diaper, is equivalent to this large animal. (Malia and Ashton are in diapers.)

3. The tiger, behind bars- When I have an unsuspecting friend drop in this is how I look, I am sure...desperately wanting to be released from my cage of insanity!

4. The monkey- Did you not here me say EIGHT children!!! I know you have been to the zoo and seen a cage full of monkeys. Need I say more?

5. The Ostrich-Some days I wish I could slap on a pair-o-ostrich legs and run far far away.

6.The Zebra-Here's a little song I learned when I was little...feel free to sing along if you know it..."The zebra, the zebra, I never could decided if he was white wearing black stripes or black with stripes of white, oh please, mister zebra, tell me which is right!" I, like the Zebra, am often in a state of confusion... such as, "What's for lunch?" "Why are you writing on the wall?" "Where did you find that?" "What is in your mouth?" "Do we put noodles in our nose?" "Are you a little girl or a monkey?" "Your teacher wants you to do what by tomorrow?" "Can't mommy just use the potty for one minute alone?"
I am so confused.

7. The duck- I have noticed a little more waddle to my walk. There is this funny thing about too many calories going into the mouth and not enough being burned...I forget exactly how it goes...

8. The camel- Ya know how Camels can store large amounts of water in their humps...well I feel like I have to store up that much patients to get through one day.

9. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming! Try to keep my head above water!!!

Feel free to make your own. It is actually quite therapeutic!

7 comments:

David said...

did I think I'd be in my current situation? that's quite a perspective!
how about what we think now of how we'll be some years distant from now? do we even think of that?
certainly quite a zoo of thoughts and feelings :)

Kari said...

I can't even take my own kids for too long, and be sane. I don't know how you still have hair. How do you sleep. How do you do anything for you? I think you need to be selfish, and do something for you and you alone. We need a weekend. Lets do it. We can be creative and not spend any money. Just get a really cheap hotel, paid by Dixi Direct card (which would be free) for 2 days, and have a packed cooler with our favorite foods and dinks out of our pantries, and then bring the best McClure books and sit and read for 2 days... sounds good don't it.

Charlotte said...

That was too creative. I can definitely relate to how you feel!

Connie Robinson said...

I feel for you, I had 8 kids when only 2 of them where mine. It's hard, that's awesome that you are working so hard to do what you need to, to stay home. Don't let people tell you that you are crazy or you just might believe it. Think more fun crazy, and remember to take time for you! Anyway you are an inspiration. I am starting to babysit again but just 1.
You are so cute, I love how you have the animal pictures. You always have been so creative!

Unknown said...

You are so hillarious! Oh my goodness I laughed so hard!! I have to say though that you make it look easy and I admire you so much. Keep your chin up girlfriend :)

Unknown said...

This is horrible, but I'm glad to hear when other mom's are going crazy, and realizing that it's really not just me!
You are amazing! Keep up the good work. You're kids are adorable. And good for you for wanting to get out of debt but still staying at home with your family! You are an inspiration.

Tami said...

I am sorry to laugh at your hardships but that was funny! You are amazing! I love you!