*fresh strawberries*

fresh picked strawberries.

ready to go.

$3.50/ box.
(walmart's may be cheaper,
but they are not nearly as good,
nor picked by the Amish.  :)   )

i will deliver if you are close by.  :)

so...truth be told.
i am not trying to make money here.
i am simply trying to get out of another bind.
i like to get in these binds when i go to the produce auction.
eeeekkk.

i actually got so excited when i heard the price was one of the lowest on strawberries all morning.
i had been going to the auction for a couple weeks now, in hopes of finding strawberries cheap...
to get to make some jelly.

no such luck.

now i am frustrated...i don't have time to keep driving down here for nothing...
i want strawberries. today.

so there i was...started bidding,
went $2 over "my" price to begin with,
and then won a HUGE lot of strawberries.

i knew it was a lot of strawberries.
but this was rediculous.
it was 16 FLATS of strawberries.
that is 128 green boxes of strawberries.
heart attach.
can you believe it?

in my defense...it is kind of hard to try to pay
attention at an auction, with 3 littles in hand...
no excuse. trying. i know. :)

so, needless to say,
my in-laws graciously offered to help me make some jelly.
after stopping off at the Amish store to
buy a 50 lb. bag of sugar.
can you believe that? :)
we were on our way.

i am beat.
kids were selling strawberries at the end of our
lane tonight, which they love,
and i am always amazed at how much they sell there...be it flowers or strawberries now. :)
my cute parents drove down and took a couple flats for her weekend company.
my in-laws took a bunch too, after i beat them here working all afternoon. :(
thank you. thank you. thank you.

so, now i am freezing some, and
hoping to get rid of the remaining 4 flats tomorrow.
any takers? :)

kids have off school...they will like that for a little while anyway. :)

my feet are sticking to the floor.
i kid you not.
 going to finish freezing, a quick deep floor cleaning, and hit the sack.

sleep well.

update at 12:51 p.m. Friday. SOLD OUT.
thanks friends.

is it summer yet?

what have i learned with a 5th child?

i am ~always~ trying to fit "just one more thing" into my day...

poor karolina.

it was 8 p.m. and i was trying to get the kitchen cleaned up from a late dinner.

she just couldn't hold out any longer. :(

and this is her just yesterday...

i was trying to get the dishwasher loaded before her nap.

her face wasn't even wiped yet. :(

she loves her bed.

i am not kidding.

she napped longer today. than she was awake.

that is not the case ~every~ day, but pretty often.

lucky. for. me. and i still have to push the limits. all she wanted was a nap. :)

it does feel like summer.

we have spent many afternoons by the pond.

poison ivy has hit. hard. poor kaden. :(

mint tea is in the fridge for all my guests who pop by.

have had a lot of them lately. love that.

please. come over.

we'll sit and overlook my torn apart house, and have some icy cold tea. :)

made many new recipes with fresh sugar snap peas and asparagus and broccoli.

y.u.m.m.y.

hoping to get some strawberries ~cheap~ at the auction tomorrow to make some ~jelly~.

ummmm.

garden is weeded. yay. sure that will be a different story til next week. :)

school is not over until next friday.

this friday we don't have school, and next week is peppered with half days.

swim parties at the ymca. graduations. end of year parties.

big screen movie days. field days. beach reading days.

boy. i don't think my last weeks of school were ever that fun.

do ya think???

it didn't go my way.

so. really no surprise there.

but we did get another vote out of the school board.

6-3.
(full day as slated vs. changing full day to furthor the process of one 1/2 day class)

full day kindergarten as slated.

 i am trying to think about what i learned.

it definately re-itterated my distaste for politics.

and definately that it's just better for me to be quiet and keep my mouth shut.

i can't say i have done anything quite like this before...

nor do i need to again.

i feel like it has caused some tension between the teachers and the principal

and myself, which i hate.

i guess it's most disappointing,

because i feel like we might have gotton our way,

had we been aware a month ago...

it was really just too late.

i still cannot believe after listening to the budget crisis Octorara is currently in...

that full day passed at all.

it just doesn't make any sense...

and mrs. mcnamara says, " well it's just another $30,000...what's it matter?"

well...i think it's that kind of attitude that has gotton our district in this mess,

is it not?

just frustrating. that's all.

matt is concerned i am not going to get anything done today,

as my phone has been buzzing all morning,

and my inbox is full...

so...i guess i will go, and get something done. :)

thanks for all of your prayers. and support.

i really sounded like i was going to cry the WHOLE way thru my speech.

for real.

thank Jesus, that that didn't start. :)

this is how i opened "the floor"...

My name is Melissa King, Atglen. I came tonight to ask you to consider implementing a half day kindergarten class for this coming school year. I understand that you have already voted for a full day/everyday program to begin in the fall. I apologize and regret not becoming involved earlier and/or voicing my opinion at that time. Quite honestly, I simply assumed with all the program cuts/budget concerns that have been facing our district, in the past few years, that there would be no way a full day program would be passed. I assumed wrong.

I have 5 children. The oldest is in 2nd grade. I also have a 1st grader, an incoming kindergartner, a 3 year old and my youngest is 10 months old. My husband and I have both graduated from Octorara I have lived in the district most of my entire life. We have a strong bond here. We feel called to send our children here. We believe in the district and have had a great experience with both of our children at the Primary Learning Center thus far. I took pride in our half day kindergarten program and am very thankful that that was in place for 2 of my children.

Mr. McCartney was quoted in the 4/16/12 minutes as saying that “full day kindergarten is priceless, and the best foundation we can get.” And while that is his opinion, and may be true for some students and families in the district, maybe even the majority of families in the district, it is not truth for me or my family. I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with my children. The time I have with them is priceless. My husband and I believe the best foundation for our children starts in our home…the more time there, the more time we have to influence them and their future choices and decisions. The time I have with them is fleeing far too quickly. Childhood is priceless. The time they have to be a child, to run, to play, to learn with no constraints, time that flies by is what I see as priceless. Time that they don’t get back, nor do I. I feel like we are expecting far too much from our children far too early. Harder, Faster, Earlier. That is the name of the game. I have to ask myself when will it stop? Will there be an end to all this pushing? Is it necessary to put my 5 year old on a bus at 8 a.m. and not see her again until 4p.m.? I do not feel that it is. I am more than willing to provide transportation home from her half day experience.

It was recommended to me, that for this even to be considered, I would need to have 23 supportive parents here, willing to do the same. I do not know how many are here, but have had conversations with several. I did the best that I could, in the time that I had. I know there are also supporters here interested in seeing this half day program be implemented for future years as well. Regardless of how many are here, I felt I needed to explain myself after reading thru last week’s meeting minutes. I had expressed my disappointment with your vote via e-mail to Mrs. McNamara, and Dr. Newcome. I did not discuss my feelings at registration. I hope you understand that I am not trying to “undue” anything that you have decided thus far, but rather implement a change to benefit a small portion of incoming kindergartners.

I know this is a sensitive issue. It feels like this turns into a full time working mom vs. stay at home mom debate every time it’s brought up or talked about. That is not my intention. I simply believe a half day kindergarten class would be the best fit for my daughter, and I happen to believe there are others out there who think the same. These children have the next 12 years to go to school for 7 hours a day. I ask you, does it really need to start in kindergarten, especially considering the fact that the state of PA has yet to require kindergarten attendance AT ALL? And just because it would be more convenient to send my child to kindergarten all day, does that make it the right decision, or even the best decision, for my family? I don’t believe full day kindergarten is the best decision for my family. That’s all plain and simple.

Thank you for listening, for giving me the opportunity to share my viewpoint, and most of all for serving our community and district with your service on our school board. I really do appreciate each of you.

it's done.

my presentation. that is.

i spent most of the afternoon writing and re-writing.

i like it.

i am polite and not offensive.

even though a school board member, from my small group no doubt,

 called me a mama grizzly.

what is that all about?

clearly...i should be offended by that, right?  :)

i am speaking from my heart.

and i will never do this again.

ever. :)

the school board meeting is tomorrow night.

at 7:30 p.m.

please pray for me from now until 10:00 p.m. tomorrow night.

whenever.

i come to your mind.

thank you.

good night.



happy belated mother's day...

hApPy beLaTeD MoTheR's Day...

( "pause" my music at the bottom of the screen before you watch this)

to all of us out there, doing the best we can...

out of my comfort zone.

that is what i am right now.

out of my comfort zone.

i just got done telling someone today, that i am not a leader.

or if i do exhibit some leadership qualities

 (like being a good note taker, and being organized) ha.ha.ha.

that i prefer to be behind the scenes.

i take orders well...

most of the time. :)

i have shared on my blog before about my feelings of disappointment

over the way

our school board voted the other week...

to go all day/everyday, starting this fall,

which is when my third child will go to kindergarten.

people also tell you you become more like your spouse, with time, right? :)

i e-mailed both the primary learning center principal

and the superintendent of our school.

i never heard back from the principal, who i do like and respect,

but did hear back from the superintendent within an hour of my e-mail...

he whom i also like and respect.

may i also add that this subject matter gets heated a lot of the time you talk about it.

people get defensive.

it kind of turns into a working mom versus stay at home mom judgement call.

that is unfortunately just what happens...

to make a long story short,

our superintendent has given me exactly one week to gather

19 additional moms, who are in support of a half day kindergarten program,

and who are willing to provide transportation home for their child AND

show up at the school board meeting next monday night, the 21st,
and the board will listen to us.
consider it.
there are no promises. no guarantees.

i was floored.

this is after he has closed the door to some other e-mails he's gotton on the same subject.

i was happy.

then...i was overwhelmed. totally and completely.

so...i am taking a step of faith.

and pleading with all of you.

if you know anyone who would rather their child go to OPLC for

just half a day, to please get in contact with me. :)

i stood up in front of a small group of parents tonight.

i am talking small. 10.

and asked if anyone was interested in half day,

and got 2 responses.

that's good odds, right? :)

and then a small disagreement ensued right before my eyes...

told you...it gets heated, every time.

so...now just 17 more to go.

i am sure the Lord is chuckling right now.

it's not even about whether i "win" or lose...

it's all about taking a step of faith and following my heart.

the things we do for our children...

(or so i say...i am sure campbell would LOVE to go full day). :)

all this to say...

i am getting the word out.

i am on a timeline.

i may have to speak at the school board meeting next week.

eeeeeekkkkkk.

please pray for me.

i would love to floor the whole place and walk in there with way more than 20 people.

but that is the selfish part of me.

i know there are more than 20 people who would chose this option,

however, it's finding them now...
it's a little late. a lot have chosen to go private or homeschool...

oh. and i finished the kisses from katie book i mentioned last week.
by katie davis.

it totally rocks. it's inspiring. and just plain awesome.

you should read it.

all of you. :)
or at least check out her blog: http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/.

today.

 

 

til next time...

projects and stuff.

so...since the kitchen is getting finished up...

i am making some time to fit in some "quick" projects.  :)

yesterday i worked on spray painting picture frames.
in the rain i know. not real smart.


(my spray painting cloth...cool, kinda...)

and today. i finished, and re-hung the pictures in my stairway going upstairs

to the second floor.

 i love it.





so now...kaden's navy, kaycee is red, campbell is turqoise, calli is pink and karolina is yellow.

nice, right?  :)

i always had the newborn pictures hanging here with the brown canvas...

(although they were black frames)

and thought my newer white canvas was too special to only hide in karolina's room,

so...this is what i came up with...

this also frees some space in my living room

(on a wall where their "recent" pics were hanging)

to hang a peg rack,

that got moved out of the "new kitchen"...

********************

i also saw on pinterest somewhere to spray paint a cookie sheet
and make it a magnetic board.
so. that's what i did.

i love this too. :)
a great addition to our office desk, to look at cute pictures people send us. :)

***************************

donuts anyone?

karolina grace is almost 10 months old.
she had a  hotdog and strawberries for lunch today.
and has her first 2 teeth.
she thinks she's big stuff.

our new floor is too slippy for her to stay up on her knees to crawl...
(well...and now she is just plain faster her own way)
so she just flies across the floor on her belly,
doing this army crawl shuffle thing.
it's very funny to watch, especially when she is cracking up and excited.

she is the first one of my girls to not tolerate a headband anymore.
and unfortunately is the one who needs it most.  :)

now...to find a place to set this turtle free.
hmmmmm.
figure out what to make for dinner.
and try to love the president despite him backing gay marriage.

full circle.

my man.

he has come full circle.

he was driving home from the office yesterday.

and this turtle was crossing the road in front of his car.

he did not try to hit the turtle. :)

my man stopped his car.

got out. picked UP the turtle. put it INTO his car.

and brought it home for us.

what? you say. i know. i know.

full circle...right?



we are keeping the turtle in our mud room.

so if you stop by, and see his home in the corner.

say hi.   

(don't be alarmed. the wet is water from his water dish. i spilled it. ooops.)

does anyone know what turtles eat?

the poor guy must be terrified.

we barely see him out of his shell.

but today, i did see his legs out...that is progress. i think?

kaycee's MRI...

is DONE.

and she did SO GREAT.

we opted for NO SEDATION...and i am so thankful we did that.

she was a total rockstar.

it was not traumatic in the least.

since we opted for no sedation, we got to watch a movie until they were ready for us.

which also meant they wheeled a lot of sedated adults past our room.

sedated adults. from their completed MRI's.

so...that made for perfect conversation with my girl,

about why we are opting out of sedation. :)

people. seriously.

if my 7 year old can do it. so can you!!!!
i know you can!!
(incase any of you out there are having doubts. ha.ha.ha.)

a closed mri...

encapsulated her tiny body...but she laid so still for the entire time...

listening to my ipod of worship music and Bible school songs.

with her mama sitting outside the machine,

praying the whole entire time.

before we both knew it,

45 minutes had passed,

and we were good to go.

the lab tech wondered if kaycee could go tell some tatooed 16 year old guy

to get himself together and suck it up. :)

he could sit still for his tattoos, but not an mri.

i found that ironic as well.

DuPont is totally awesome.

everyone we had contact with was fabulous.

we got a free meal ticket.

followed our written directions to the cafe.

and chowed down.

i followed the same eating instructions as my daugther

to show some support, and it's "no big deal thinkin'"

so...we were both happy to sit down and eat.

we are home. and happy.

thank you. thank you. thank you.

i know so many people were praying for her and me.

and i am soooo thankful for that.

God is so good.  ~mk.

and...it's now 6:17 p.m. and i just got off the phone with Kaycee's Dupont doctor.
her name is Dr. Louise Nichols, and she totally rocks.
our MRI was done at 2:45 p.m. and she just called me with the results.
(God even showed favor...and we got to get started earlier than our appointment time).


a diagnosis of: toxic synovitis.
it looks like back in february and march when our whole household
was rocked with illness,
that some of that crossed Kaycee's growth plate,
and got lodged in her joint...
causing her pain. the only real symptom.
the MRI is showing that that is much better already...
so we pray for continued healing,
and that the pain would dissipate and she would be good to go.

it was so scary because her growth plate was "involved" more or less,
which caused the doctors to think it could have been much more serious than it was.

i praise the Lord for good news.
for walking thru this with us. leading the way.
for dedicated doctors and nurses.
and now i know. for sure. that nothing "really" is wrong.
amen. :)

and i welcomed...

my newest neice into the world today.

 she loves me already. ha.ha. :)

all photo credits: mark buckwalter (jeremy hess photography)

(i love this picture...i am kind of cracking up. eden is not sure she likes auntie mis yet, and heather is happy.)

Eden Grace Buckwalter squeaked her way into the world last night a little before midnight.

she weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz.

she is gorgeous.
a tiny peanut with a head of dark black hair.

congratulations mark and heather.

have fun adjusting to the fun chaos five children bring to a family.

wouldn't trade it for the world...

most days anyway. :)

p.s.   and...kaycee's mri was moved up to tomorrow at 1 pm...

table time of 2:30 p.m.

you can pray for us if you think of it. :)