Summer Equals Reorganization!

Part of summertime fun at the Mobleys always involves a bit of reorganization and spring cleaning! I had big plans for David to build cubbies in the laundry room for shoes and bags and jackets. When he realized my plan involved removing the door, he exercised his veto power. Instead, we settled on building cubbies for the entryway.  Bye-bye inexpensive do-it-yourself home improvement.  David was concerned that his carpentry skills were not up to par for the highly noticeable entryway, so we hired the cabinet maker who the University had hired to build other cabinetry in our home.

Because we have set back arches in our entryway, it was a bit tricky coming up with the final design. We tossed around so many iterations, played around with different dimensions, and finally settled on what you see in the picture. Everyone is so pleased with the new cubbies, especially me, since shoes and bags are being put away in their proper places with more consistency.

I decided to use the space between the cubbies to display our unique collection of hats, mostly handmade by my mother-in-law. At least this portion of the project was inexpensive, coming in under $15! I bought three pieces of craft board from Lowe's, painted them with clearance paint, and attached them to the wall with screws. (Yes, another excuse to use David's power tools!!)  I first tried screwing Bulldog clips into the boards for hanging the hats.  Right away, I realized this was not going to work out, since I was the only one who could hang the hats.  Add that to the list of things I need to do on a daily basis?  No, thank you!  So, I replaced the Bulldog clips with clothespins.  Now, everyone can retrieve his/her own hat and everyone, except Josiah, is capable of hanging them back up!

Then, of course, coloring had to be involved, so I made everyone a special sign, like this one, marking their territory!

Here Comes the Caboose!

We are thrilled to announce that we are expecting Baby #6 sometime in February! This is all according to God's wonderful plan for our family and we are ready to embrace every part of it, the joys as well as the challenges, knowing that God will use it to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ!!

Frequently Asked Questions:
Are you crazy???
Pretty much!  David got up at 4:30 am to run 13 miles to the beach and back.  I take all five kids shopping with me everywhere.  Craziness abounds in this family!  Adding a bit more with a sixth child will be indistinguishable.

When are you going to stop having kids?
Well, we believe #6 will be the caboose, provided she is a beautiful red-head. No, seriously, our van will be at maximum seating capacity and I will turn 40 two months after the baby's birth, so we do believe there are logical reasons to be more proactive in limiting the growth of our family after this child is born. 

How are you feeling?
Well, I feel pretty nauseous most of the day and have trouble eating much until the evening. I also feel really, really tired. Once, I went to bed right after dinner. Yes, that left clean-up and baths and bedtime in David's hands.  I admit it.  I am a really crummy mom. 

What can't you eat/drink?
Well, I try to avoid the typical no-nos, like soft cheese and sushi. I have no reservations about drinking caffeine while pregnant, but a horrible effect pregnancy has on my body is that I detest the smell of coffee.  My stomach churns even at the thought of my typical espresso style beverage of choice.

What kind of cravings do you get?
Milk tea with boba is my number one craving. Number 2 is udon noodle bowl (yea, I hang out with lots of Asians, ha, ha). Number 3 is popcorn with LOTS of salt!

Are you still nursing Josiah?
Yep, the little guy is still nursing about once a day. I take an extra calcium supplement and plan to continue nursing him until he's ready to be done. I'm guessing that's going to be soon as pregnancy causes the taste of the milk to change, but I'm really in no rush to wean him.

Where is the baby going to sleep?
Initially, with us. Then, in our walk-in closet. Then, wherever he/she belongs.  We have three bedrooms, one for the parents, one for the boys, and one for the girls.

Are you going to find out the gender?
Yes, we are. I hate that we won't be surprised this time, but we've got to be practical, so that we can plan for the future arrangement of rooms before we become really sleep-deprived.  Sometimes practicality trumps all.

Do you have a preference?
Honestly, we just want a healthy baby, but it would be icing on the cake if it was a girl. Then, we'd be symmetrical again, four boys and four girls!

How are you going to do it all?
With God's grace! Practically speaking, we are working on teaching the girls to take over more of the cleaning, so that some of their chores can be passed off to the twins. Many hands make light work. The girls have plans to make dinner for six weeks post-partum, too. Mac n cheese and brownies -- the meal of champions.

Where are you going to have the baby? 
We are again planning to birth the baby in the comfort of our own home assisted by the wonderful team at South Coast Midwifery.

Hopefully, that covers it for now!

I Can Use a Power Drill!!!

This is how our Saturday began...
Me: Do you think you'll be able to work on the laundry room today?"
David: (looking very skeptical) "Well, I'm going to take the kids to running club and stop at the Farmer's Market. Then, I was hoping to spend my time with Jonathan and then work on my Sunday School lesson.
David: (quizzical) "Wasn't there something else you wanted me to do today anyways?"
Me: "No."
David: "Well, if that's the case, then I'll make the laundry room a priority."
Me: (There's really noooo way it's gonna get done today.) "OK."

 Now, you can see why I taught myself how to use a power drill today!!! I've watched David do this stuff so much that I wasn't completely clueless, but I was a little worried that I would screw something up and David would come home disappointed! The first step was to find the tools I needed. Power drill. Got it. Drill bits. Searching...searching...still searching...who would imagine they would be in this red walletish-looking thing??? Wall anchors. Got 'em. All supplies in hand, I got out the ironing board hanger and was ready to proceed with gusto until I realized I didn't even know how to put an anchor into the wall. So, I watched a quick YouTube video and then proceeded. My first mistake was to drill the hole too big. So, I tried again a bit higher, repeated three times for the other three holes, screwed the holder into the wall, and, much to my surprise, it didn't fall down. It even stayed up when I set the ironing board and iron in place.

Motivated by this initial success, I proceeded to drill and screw and drill and screw. When it was all done, I really wanted to take a picture and submit it to Better Homes and Gardens because I was just so surprised that I actually did it all myself.  Okay, I know it's not impressive at all really, certainly not the quality of work that is featured in magazines.  David probably would have completed this project in less than an hour.  Me?  Well, it took me the better part of the day. Still, I am thrilled that I have acquired a new skill, and I can't wait to have another opportunity to use it!  I'm also delighted to have my cleaning tools and supplies organized!

Happy Summer!

By God's grace, we made it through another year of school in the Mobley home. Life continues as normal for the three boys, but the girls really look forward to the summer. For some reason, they think having a break from schoolwork is the best thing ever.  Much to their dismay, I know that too much unstructured time is a recipe for disaster in our home, so this summer is not a free for all.  Instead, we are learning about composers and famous works of art. The girls are keeping up with their math skills by using Ten Marks.  Mary is continuing to develop her coding skills in Java Script with Code Academy. Maggie is continuing to work on phonograms, copywork, and reading aloud over the summer.  And now you probably think I am some kind of super-intense crazed homeschooling mom who never allows her kids a break!  Since I already have all of our books for the fall, the girls, who so look forward to summer and a break from school, who were so dismayed to learn on the first day of summer break that we were actually going to continue learning over the summer, by their own will, started working on their geography and critical thinking workbooks!  Ha, I guess oodles of free time isn't all that great after all!

Nevertheless, I knew that without a plan, the summer would just pass us by, so we sat down and brainstormed all the fun things we want to do this summer.  Hopefully, we'll really be able to do it all!!

1. Pretend City--All of my kids love this fun museum. I can't wait to go again!
2. Superstructs--We scored two sets of these awesome toys at a community garage sale.  It's fun to just play with them and make your own inventions, but I hope to sit down with the instructions and build with Matthew and Jonathan.  
3. Cat's Cradle--I have fond memories of these string games when I was a little girl.  Mary was gifted a book, string, and instructional DVD for her birthday.  I hope to watch the DVD with her and refresh my memory!
4. Park--Well, this is just self explanatory.  We plan to spend lots of time just playing at the park, enjoying the beautiful Orange County weather.
5. Bowling--We signed up for the Kids Bowl Free summer program and have already gone a few times. 
6. BCC VBS--Our church is hosting its second Vacation Bible School in August.  As a mom, I was so blessed by the event last year.  My kids had a great time and learned so much about the Lord.
7. OC Zoo--I still have lots of free passes for the zoo.  I plan to take all the kids to observe the animals we studied in science this past year.
8. Squirt Gun Fight--Self Explanatory.
9. Pads for India--Our church is sewing sanitary pads, which will meet a great need for impoverished women in India.  I hope to use this as an opportunity to teach the girls some sewing skills.
10. Drawstring Bags--I offered to help a friend in sewing drawstring bags that will be used to hold toiletries for impoverished families in Appalachia.
11. Spring Cleaning--I'm really going to try to control myself this summer, but there is some deep cleaning that needs to be done.
12. Missionary Stories--I love the Miller Family series.  We've already read several and are planning to read this one over the summer.
13. Visit Nana & Papa--Yep, we're going to be headed north with all five kids in the car to visit family in Redding.  (I plan to bring lots of duct tape along.) We can't wait to see relatives visiting from Australia: JD, Marisa, and Elodie.
14. Boys' Day--ummm...I'm not really sure about this yet, but the girls wanted Girls' Day, so I thought the boys deserved Boys' Day, too.  Maybe we'll make popsicles and destroy things.
15. Girls' Day--The girls are the masterminds behind this.  They want to dress up in their fanciest clothes and have a tea party without tea.  I'm down with it as long as I don't have to dress up.
16. Reading Programs--My kids love to read.  It's an extra bonus if they can get prizes for it!  We plan to participate in programs with our local library, Pottery Barn, and Barnes and Noble.
17. Potty Time--Matthew and Jonathan are learning how to be big like Daddy!!
18. Color--Self Explanatory.
19. Family Bike Ride--Although it's a logistical nightmare, it's worth the effort!  Josiah goes in the seat; Matthew and Jonathan go in the trailer; Mary or Maggie can go on the tag along; the other can ride independently.  
20. Picnic--I'm thinking it would be really fun to have a picnic at William R. Mason Regional Park and walk around and watch the ducks and turtles.
21. World Cup Soccer--Thank God for Spanish television and ESPN replays!!
22. Beach Day--When Gramps and Grams were here, we went to Dana Point Baby Beach.  It was SOOOO much fun.  Everyone wants to go back!
23. Make Friendship Bracelets--I am seriously addicted to Target clearance.  Again, nostalgia kicked in when I saw these friendship bracelet kits.  I used to make these and trade these in elementary school!
24. Paint--Self Explanatory.
25. Chalkboard Paint--I have visions of using chalkboard paint to make a surface for the three boys to write on.
26. Splash Pad--Park plus water.  What could be better?  I think we're gonna try out Heritage Park.
27. Swimming Lessons--Both girls will be taking swimming lessons again this summer through UCI at a local park/pool area.  Matthew and Jonathan will get their first lessons next summer.

And now I think I need a nap:)

We're Here to Stay!!

In more recent news from the Mobleys, David has been awarded tenure at UCI!  We are so thankful to God for providing David with a position here at UCI.  We had thought that God had closed this door six years ago when David was not the candidate chosen for his current position, but then God opened the door again almost two years ago and here we are...PERMANENTLY!  

Many of David's colleagues at UCI have phenomenal credentials: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Berkeley.  David's are not quite as impressive.  He transferred to UC Davis from a junior college and completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at UC Davis.  He then went on to work as a post-doctoral researcher at UC San Francisco and as an assistant professor at the University of New Orleans. So, why are we here?  God has blessed David abundantly as David sought to glorify God in his work. 

God has been there leading David each step of the way in his career. When he was trying to decide on graduate program (before we were dating), he had a dream that he should read about Zerubbabel.  As he searched the Scriptures for passages about Zerubbabel, he read in Haggai 1, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?"  David was a fairly new Christian at the time, and he understood from this, that God wanted him to study at UC Davis so that he could continue to grow as a Christian in the place where he first heard the gospel.  Many may have thought that he was out of his mind to choose UC Davis over his other options, but God has blessed his obedience.  Secretly, I'd like to think that he also was really attracted to a cute, peppy, intelligent blonde, but I know I had nothing to do with his decision.

When David first applied for faculty positions, he had his heart set on the position at UCI (the position he currently holds).  We were disappointed when he did not get the job offer and even more so when the first-choice candidate accepted the offer.  We thought it meant he would work one more year as a postdoc, but then his boss told him about the opening at the University of New Orleans.  My first reaction: "You're NOT going to apply for that job, are you???"  Then, we went to live in New Orleans for four years.  

The plan was to stay there until he went up for tenure and apply for other positions simultaneously.  Again, God gave David wisdom and one day he told me he wanted to "test out the waters".  Next thing I knew, he had gone on three interviews and had been offered three positions!  Interestingly, the position at UCI was the exact same position that he had applied for and interviewed for four years earlier!  And here we are permanently!  

Although David's job has both positive and negative aspects, he is, in one sense, living out his dream.  After becoming a Christian, he has really wanted to be a Christian professor in a research university.  One of his points of contention before turning to Christ was thinking that Christianity and science were at odds.  Meeting and talking with an engineering professor at UC Davis who was also a Christian was incredibly influential in his decision to follow Christ.  We pray that God will also use him to help many others who come to UCI with a similar mindset!        

Back Into the Running World

I know it's been a REALLY long time since I posted anything to this blog. I thought I was about to disappear from the blogosphere entirely until a fellow blogging friend, Sharon, stirred up that competitive spirit in me. She issued a 30-post challenge. I love the thrill of the competition, so I'll be posting more frequently again.

One of my goals for 2014 was to run a 5K. Thanks to the couch25k plan and a really supportive husband, I did it on January 18...almost four months ago!  Since it's been hard for me to get back into running since the birth of Matthew and Jonathan in 2011, my goal was really just to run the whole race.   But, in the back of my mind, I thought it would be really awesome if I could run 9 minute miles.  I tried not to tell anyone that part, though, to avoid bringing shame to the Mobley name.  I was really, really nervous about the race because I was recovering from a cold and was still congested. Plus, it was the first race I was ever in without David by my side.  I even tried to back out of the race the night before, but my running coach insisted I go even if I had to walk the entire way.

I am so glad that I went through with it.  It was definitely a positive experience.  There was no pushing or pulling.  The other runners seemed to be normal runners like me, not the super-fit, super-fast type. The course, although not scenic at all, was perfectly flat. I definitely won the prize for the best cheering squad with David and five kids encouraging me to the finish. Mary even ran the last little way on the sidelines with me! Crossing the finish line, I felt such an incredible satisfaction that I met my goal: I ran the entire race.  Later on, I learned that I even beat my goal of nine-minute miles with a time of 26:20.

So, now what's next? Well, although I'm competitive, I'm not really a race-lover, so I don't have another race scheduled. I would really like to work towards running a half marathon some day.  Realistically, that probably wouldn't happen for another five years, but I'm still trying to stick with a training plan that I found online, which includes two shorter runs, two cross-train workouts, and one distance run.  If I can ever find a triple jogging stroller for a decent price, I also want to help Mary and Maggie train to run a 5K.

Goals For 2014

It's that time of year again--new year, new goals.  Here's my list for 2014:

Run a 5K.  

Sound familiar?  Yep, one of my goals from 2013 that I failed to complete!  I hope to accomplish this goal by running in the New Year's Hustle on January 18.  After seeing David and Mary's amazing performances in their races this past December, I fear that people may accuse me of being fast by association or something. Nope, I am the slowpoke of the family. I just hope to run the entire race and still be breathing after I cross the finish line.

Make Danish pastries.

I love, love, love to bake.  Recently, we made croissants for the first time for a history project.  (I love it when education and food intersect!) They were a lot of work but so worth it.  To make Danish pastries, you start with croissant dough (yum) but add a filling in the middle (double yum).  Maybe a special treat for Valentine's Day?

Complete the chronological Bible reading plan.

I have always been one to read through the books of the Bible in order, but I feel like it's sometimes hard for me to put together the order of events from start to finish.  As I was praying about what to read during my devotional time, I came across this reading plan, which, ideally, I would finish in March. But, seriously, I'm a mom, so I am hoping to finish by the end of April.

Put together a 2013 photo book.

I know this one sounds familiar, too, right?  If I don't include it on my goals list, it won't get done.

Potty train Matthew and Jonathan.

I know I've really been dragging my feet on this one.  I have had the underwear in the drawer for at least six months but have not even let either twin put it on yet.  Not only have I never potty trained a boy, but I have never potty trained twins!  I have visions of two little boys running around the house squirting each other for fun. Gross. On top of that there are three other siblings to use as targets. Double gross. Alas, I know I can't avoid the issue much longer, so I will at least try to potty train these little guys this summer.  

Get caught up on my periodical backlog.

I have pretty much a year's worth of BHG, LHJ, Costco, and AAA magazines to read.  I really enjoy reading them, so I don't know why I haven't.  I hope to get caught up in 2014!

Open our home to someone from church at least once per month.

It is really, really difficult for me to invite people over to our home.  I'm a crummy hostess.  My house is usually messy.  To say my cooking is sub-par is being extremely generous. My kids aren't used to having people over, so they get over-excited and really, really loud and act like they have never heard of "manners" before! Nonetheless, David and I have been convicted that God wants us to fellowship more with the other members of our church family, so no more excuses! 

Learn how to crochet.

I really enjoy doing crafts with my kids.  Mary especially is interested in different crafts she can do with her hands, like weaving potholders, knitting hats, and embroidering towels.  I would like to teach her to crochet, but first I have to learn!  I think I'm just going to get some supplies at the craft store and follow this tutorial.

Build a unit for the laundry room to organize jackets, shoes, and bags.

That was pretty funny, right?  Me, build something?  When David told me how long it would take for him to get to this project, I told him that I could just build it myself.  Suddenly, it moved up in the list of priorities, ha, ha.  Well, I have a design, but I can't figure out how to paste it here, so you'll have to take my word for it that it's an ingenious use of space:)

Learn computer programming in JavaScript faster than Mary.

In December, the Khan Academy had a greeting card project to encourage kids to code during the Hour of Code. Mary really enjoyed learning to code and is eager to learn more.  I signed up for an account at the Khan Academy and am just hoping to keep one step ahead. 

       
Read Life Skills for Kids.
I came across this book when browsing through the Rainbow Resource curriculum catalog this past summer and am really looking forward to reading it, but I have to finish two other books first.

Find out David's answers to Pastor Peter's 39 questions.

Recently, our church had a Christmas party for the couples/families affinity group.  At this party, we teamed up with another couple to find out how much we knew about our spouses.  Each individual chose 15 numbers between 1 and 39 and then answered those specific questions (of a list of 39) on a piece of paper.  Then, we traded papers with the spouse of the opposite sex and tried to answer the way our spouse did. Point values were assigned to each question and awarded for each correct answer. Although David and I have a wonderful marriage, I'm pretty sure we were in the running for the lowest scoring couple with a combined score of 23.  From my calculations, the highest possible score was 65. I plan to find out the answers to all 39 questions in 2014!

Of course, all of this is secondary to keeping my kids alive, fed, and cleansed enough to be socially acceptable! Happy New Year!