tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71476232420803760272024-03-13T19:36:46.662-07:00Tom and Trix Plus SixA parody of the TV show "Jon and Kate Plus 8", played out on the computer game Sims 2 just for fun. So EXHAUSTING!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-71206152523369512642009-04-03T11:54:00.000-07:002009-04-03T11:58:53.373-07:00The state of the blog<span class="fullpost"><br />I've gotten a few comments in the last months wondering what happened to this blog. I've been going through some personal stuff, and haven't even watched <span style="font-style:italic;">Jon & Kate Plus 8</span> since the start of this year. So I'm sorry to say that this blog is not a priority for me right now. <br /><br />Thank you to everyone for their enthusiastic support - who knows, I may start watching again and feel inspired in the future. But for now, I have no plans to update with new chapters.<br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-50804179050450193032008-12-25T23:33:00.000-08:002008-12-25T23:49:13.343-08:00A Goddard Family Christmas Special!<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/spalshcopy.jpg" /><br /><br />Announcer: We interupt our regular scheduled programming with a live update - Esther Goddard, the mother from "17 Kids and Still Makin' Whoopee", is in labour! We join her at the hospital now!<br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">Get that camera out of my face!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-birth1.jpg" /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Mickey Ben: My wife is feeling a bit anxious. Please excuse her.<br /><br />Announcer: Why don't you tell the audience what has been going on in your family since we saw you last?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Well, we had to undo the girls' makeovers after that "Trading Spouses" show. They didn't want to go back to the same clothes, but I insisted they had to be modest. So I called in my niece, Naomi.<br /><br />Naomi: <span style="font-style: italic;">Don't worry, I'll look after them. No piercings, no tattoos. </span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-naomi1.jpg" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Naomi may wear pants and kiss boys that she isn't married to, but we still love her.<br /><br />Naomi: It was my pleasure to get new clothes for the girls and scrub all that hooker blush off of their faces. I just love my aunt and uncle and all of my cousins and I drop by all the time. I put the fun in fundie!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-naomi2.jpg" /><br /><br />Announcer: There are the girls now, waiting with their father in the birthing room.<br /><br />Mary Miriam: Look at us, we're in the 20th century now! And we're growing our hair long again!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-naomi3.jpg" /><br /><br />Announcer: Mickey Ben, have you decided on a name yet?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Yes, we have, but we won't announce it until the baby is born.<br /><br />Announcer: How did you decide on a name after 17 kids?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: We had a family meeting and voted.<br /><br />Matthew: <span style="font-style: italic;">I think we should name her Mary Tyler Moore! Ha ha!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-name1.jpg" /><br /><br />Micah: <span style="font-style: italic;">I think we should name her Mary Moesha. </span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">That's cute! We celebrate all peoples of the earth, after all. But no.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-name2.jpg" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style: italic;">It's too bad you're due in January - wouldn't it be nice to have a Christmas baby? We could call her the Virgin Mary!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-name3.jpg" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style: italic;">No?</span><br /><br />Announcer: Mickey Ben, how did you get ready for baby # 18?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: We had a refresher birthing class with our favourite doctor. She's the only one that will try to do a VBAC, Vaginal Birth after a Caesarean, at Esther's age.<br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">I don't care what the other doctors say, I know what the risks are, I want a vaginal birth. Our Holy Mother had a vaginal birth and that's good enough for me!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-class1.jpg"><br /><br />Dr Bradley: <span style="font-style: italic;">We'll see what we can do.</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">Remember, my vagina has already birthed lots of babies! I can do it again!</span><br /><br />Dr Bradley: <span style="font-style: italic;">Class, this is Esther and Mickey Ben Goddard. They're having their 18th child.</span><br /><br />Class: <span style="font-style: italic;">Wow!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-class3.jpg"><br /><br />Dr Bradley: <span style="font-style: italic;">Mickey Ben, please explain how the husband helps the wife get her cervix nice and soft before the big event.</span><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style: italic;">Sex! Lots and lots of sex! Boy howdy!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-class2.jpg"><br /><br />Class: <span style="font-style: italic;">Ew!</span><br /><br />Announcer: So when did Esther go into labour?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Right after Christmas Eve supper. The boys were outside playing, the girls were washing all of the dishes, and we were enjoying the decorations.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-eve1.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-eve2.jpg" /><br /><br />Announcer: And how is the labour progressing?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Well, it is going very fast. The baby is in a transverse position so Dr Bradley is going to have to do a C-section after all. They just gave Esther some drugs before they move her into the operating room.<br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh my heck, I love this stuff! I'm going to have a C-section from now on! Look at the colours!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-high-1.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style: italic;">I'll have to ask you to leave the room now. It's time for the C-section.</span><br /><br />Announcer: Now let's take a short commercial break!<br /><br />Tom Googler voiceover: <span style="font-style: italic;">Don't miss the New Year's Day "Tom and Trix Plus Six" marathon! All the tears, love taps, and wacky hairstyles that you love to watch! Plus, we give back by donating $1 for each of our children!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/tomandtrix.jpg" /><br /><br />Mary Miriam: <span style="font-style: italic;">You can come in now, Mamma is here with our new baby sister.</span><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style: italic;">Honey, are you sure you should be standing?</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">What, having a baby is hard? I'm ready for the next one! And some more of those drugs!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-baby1.jpg" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style: italic;">She's a blessed child, born on the Lord's birthday.</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">Is it past midnight? Is it December 25 now?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-baby3.jpg" /><br /><br />Announcer: Yes it is! What did you name the new baby?<br /><br />Esther:<span style="font-style: italic;"> Merry Christmas Moesha!</span><br /><br />Announcer: There you have it folks - the new baby is Merry Christmas Moesha Goddard!<br /><br />Mark: <span style="font-style: italic;">What?!? That's not -</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-baby2.jpg" /><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style: italic;">I love it! Our Christmas baby has a Christmas name!</span><br /><br />Mary Miriam:<span style="font-style: italic;"> Hey, you should have the next one on Martin Luther King Day!</span><br /><br />Mickey Ben: I think we're done having kids now ...<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddards/g-baby4.jpg" /><br /><br />Announcer: We now return you to your regular programming. Merry Christmas!<br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-25779535378453304972008-12-14T21:42:00.000-08:002008-12-14T21:57:56.383-08:00We Love Free Stuff!<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-header.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Hi. It all started with the two of us.<br /><br />Trix: And then we had twins! And quadruplets! Pity us! And if you criticize us, you're just jealous!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-meetus.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: On this episode, our fall getaway leads us to Hawaii and a vow renewal ceremony. That's right; I've married this woman twice.<br /><br />Trix: Aw honey! And you've kissed me four times on camera!<br /><br />Tom: Do you really keep count of that?<br /><br />Trix: No, I asked the production assistants to do that for me.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-4times.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Before we renewed our vows, we decided that I would accept a free hair transplant that had been offered to me.<br /><br />Trix: What a wonderful opportunity! He had lots of hair when I met him; I really missed that hair.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hair2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: You looked pretty different when we were dating too, you know.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-before4.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Whatever. I plead six. I really wanted Tom to have lots of hair for the renewal. Plus going bald is affecting his self-esteem. I went along with him to make sure they did it right!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hair1.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: The kids came down with the flu the day before we flew out.<br /><br />Trix: Family helper Peggy graciously stayed with the kids while we were gone. I mean, everything had been arranged so they could accommodate us for the hair transplant, and the kids weren't dying, just throwing up a lot. <br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vomit1.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Yeah, and the producers hired a maid to help Peggy clean up all the puke while we were gone. No big deal.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vomit2.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: They did a wonderful job with the hair transplant! I love running my fingers through his plugs.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hair3.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Except that not everything has healed and it hurts when you do that.<br /><br />Trix: Aw honey!<br /><br />Tom: Despite all of the pain, I really appreciate the work of Dr Gratis and his staff, in giving me a full head of hair again.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hair4.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: So after all the sutures were out, and the kids stopped vomiting, it was time to leave for Hawaii. The Hotel Haiyouwannafreebie offered us a free stay for our vow renewal!<br /><br />Trix: A lot of people want to know why we're renewing our vows for our ninth anniversary, like we're old or something. It's because we didn't get to have our first wedding in Hawaii like we wanted.<br /><br />Tom: We were really poor when we were younger and got engaged. <br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-before1.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: We really wanted to get married in Hawaii but our families wouldn't pay for it so we had to get married in the backyard. I had to do my own hair and make-up!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-before2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: It was nice that our local family got to see us married, but I have relatives in Hawaii that couldn't come. <br /><br />Trix: Everytime I see our wedding video, I literally want to cry and vomit because we couldn't have our wedding the way we wanted with all of our family there.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-before3.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: So now we'll have our Hawaii wedding with our kids, and the family that I haven't seen them since I was seven years old. <br /><br />Trix: This cute little dress shop offered to supply my dress for the vow renewal. Who am I to say no? I flew to New York to pick out my new dress.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-dress1.jpg"><br /><br />Shop owner: <span style="font-style:italic;">Welcome to our store, Trix! But why are you here alone? It's customary for the bride to bring along her friends and family!</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">They don't know how to help.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">I don't look pregnant and I don't look slutty. I'll take this one.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-dress2.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: We were concerned about jet lag and the time difference, so we arranged for a few stops along the way to Hawaii, to help the kids adjust.<br /><br />Tom: We really appreciate all ten of the zoos and amusement parks that invited us to visit.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-travel.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: They were so accommodating! I can't imagine that they've ever had to deal with a group as large as ours, but they all made it look easy! What memories we made!<br /><br />Tom: We also really appreciate Hotel Haiyouwannafreebie in Hawaii that invited us to stay with them. <br /><br />Trix: Tom and I had our own master suite. The twins and the boys stayed in the suite next door. Since the little girls get up so early, they stayed with Peggy in her room.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hotel1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hotel2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: One we got to Hawaii, we were given the grand treatment by Hotel Haiyouwannafreebie.<br /><br />Trix: And why not? We're on TV! Since Tom went through the pain of the hair transplant for me, I let the producers fly in a world famous hairdresser to turn me blonde again.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-hair5.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Rowr!<br /><br />Trix: We had a great time with all of the tours and activities they planned for us. <br /><br />Tom: The little kids saw the ocean for the first time, and the twins had fun going swimming.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-beach2.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: And for once, I remembered to put on sunscreen, so I only got a tan and not a burn. I am famous for burning, famous!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-beach1.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: I was very happy when my relatives appeared. They were happy to see us in person and not on TV.<br /><br />Trix: Great-Auntie Esther is so cute, I could eat her up! They love us!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-family.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: The day of the wedding, I helped by taking the boys to the golf course.<br /><br />Trix: I got mani/pedis for myself and the girls. Naturally, one of the twins just had to have a low blood sugar meltdown on my special day.<br /><br />Tricia: <span style="font-style:italic;">Nooooo! The little girls can't have curls! I'm the only one who is supposed to have curls!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-meltdown.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Did Tammy have a meltdown too?<br /><br />Trix: Tammy hid from the camera all day. Whatever.<br /><br />Tom: The vow renewal was really beautiful. They had a Circle of Love!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vow1.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Only the kids were unruly, so ill-behaved, not paying attention. I don't know where they get it from.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vow2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: So we told them to leave the Circle of Love and sit down.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vow3.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Go! Except you, Tara. Sit! Good boy! Peggy, fetch them some snacks. But no gum!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vow4.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">I, Tom, promise that I will always love and obey you, and when you get that giant pulsating vein in your forehead, I will ask you how I can help you.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vow5.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">I, Trix, promise that I will try very hard to allow for the possibility that I might remember to have patience with all of your faults, Tom. Even when you have so, so many faults, but what can you expect, you're just a man. But at least you have terrific hair.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-vow6.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Hotel Haiyouwannafreebie gave us a great meal afterwards.<br /><br />Trix: The cake was organic and very delicious, but the little boys didn't get any because they didn't eat their supper.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-party2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: We had a bitchin' party afterwards. I don't know how we can ever top this vacation.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%2010/10-party.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: You know, before you met me, you had the experience of backpacking through Europe and going to Korea, but the rest of us have never left North America...<br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-4294512828825126052008-10-19T18:57:00.000-07:002008-10-19T21:58:27.849-07:00Girls Girls Girls<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-intro.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: Hi I'm Tom Googler.<br /><br />Trix: And I'm Trix! We have six kids! And I'm home!<br /><br />Tom: You certainly are. Welcome home Trixie!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-home1.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: I told you, don't call me that on camera!<br /><br />Tom: Sorry. But I am happy you're home and things are back to normal.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-home2.jpg" /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Trix: So I came back home from that awful "Trading Spouses" experience, and the house was a disaster!<br /><br />Tom: It wasn't that bad. Lots of people have dusty baseboards in the basement.<br /><br />Trix: Not me!<br /><br />Tom: We did make one change in our household based on our experiences. Some of our regular helpers decided that we didn't need them any more -<br /><br />Trix: Did they ask me how they could continue helping me? Nooooo!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-home3.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: - so we got a family helper now. Peggy is going to help us around the house with a few small chores.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-peggy1.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: The kids love her, she's just like family. Except that she's still speaking with us.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/peggy_preview.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: Our actual family members have decided that they don't want to be involved with the show.<br /><br />Trix: And since the show is our lives, and our lives are the show, there you go. You can stop emailing us to ask where the grandparents are, thank you. They don't know how to help. Peggy does.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/peggy_preview2.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: Anyways, Trix was unhappy with a lot of things when she came back.<br /><br />Trix: Tom gained 40 pounds! Apparently all they ate was tater tot casserole and orange ice cream. Just like a man.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-fat.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: So I've joined a gym.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-gym.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: And I never realized how quickly Tom was losing his hair until I came back. You can see what a baldy he's becoming. It's really impacting his self-esteem.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-bald.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: Thanks Trix. And thanks for the hat to cover my emasculating baldness.<br /><br />Trix: Aw honey!<br /><br />Tom: The kids were happy to see their mother again.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-home4.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: The producers had an idea of something for us girls to do. They set up an appointment for us to go to a pottery studio. Imagine, me driving with FOUR girls at the same time! I never thought it was possible to handle FOUR children at the same time by myself! I was amazed that I could drive somewhere with FOUR children!<br /><br />Tom: Imagine!<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom, hurry up and put the little girls in the van for me. Quit ironing your shirt and help me!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-chair.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">Yes dear.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-garage1.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Do you have to do that instead of helping me? I have to drive to a strange town with FOUR children!</span><br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style: italic;"> My friend Kristy's mom drives with more girls than that all the time, with her soccer team.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-garage3.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Does Kristy's mom have TWO sets of multiples? I don't think so. It's not the same. I have six kids, SIX! Seven if you count your father.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-garage2.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: I don't like messy activities at all, not me. I wasn't looking forward to painting pottery at all. But when we got to the studio and I seen all that there was to paint, I had a brilliant idea!<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">You can paint things for me! Won't that be fun, girls?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-pot1.jpg" /><br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style: italic;">I wanted to paint a cat.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">You can paint a cat on a platter! And Tricia can paint something on this sugar bowl! And Tara can paint these tea cups and Tracey can paint this bowl! And I can use these things that you painted for me!</span><br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style: italic;">How about I paint a tea pot -</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Great!</span><br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style: italic;">- for Daddy? An Asian tea pot because we're the most Korean</span>.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-pot2.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;"> ... well, I'm sure daddy will share with Mommy.</span><br /><br />Tammy: We had a lot of fun at the pottery studio.<br /><br />Tricia: We wore free aprons and were allowed to be messy!<br /><br />Trix: I know that I like things a certain way and it bothers the children. so I totally ignored them and focussed on painting my vase, so that they could make a mess.<br /><br />Tom: How is that doing something with your daughters?<br /><br />Trix: Hello, they were painting stuff for me! Only Tracey wasn't doing a very good job of painting something I could use.<br /><br />Tricia: <span style="font-style: italic;">Look, she put her handprints all over the bowl</span>.<span style="font-style: italic;"> That's cute!</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh Tracey. Oh my heck. Um, you paint the bottom of the bowl, and I'll help you with the rest, okay?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-pot3.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: So I, um, distracted her, and I painted all over her handprints so that that bowl would be something I could display in my home.<br /><br />Tom: Did you help the other girls?<br /><br />Trix: No, I did not. Even though Tara painted a purple horse. How dumb is that? But Tricia painted somethng that looked like real art. I was so surprised!<br /><br />Tom: After the boys and I got back from the gym, we helped set up a surprise.<br /><br />Trix: Okay we've been getting a lot of emails about this. At the end of every Trading Spouses switch, the wives are supposed to get money to spend to improve the other family, only we didn't get anything because that dumbass Mickey Ben made me leave early.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-nomoney.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: And we didn't find that acceptable, at all.<br /><br />Trix: I did not dress like a dork for free!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-dork.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: So to make it up to us, the network sent over a surprise gift.<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">We're home! I drove somewhere with FOUR kids, FOUR! I only got lost once but the camera crew helped me out.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-lostcopy.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">Come on out back. The network sent over a surprise to make up for that Trading Spouses fiasco.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Did they give us a POOL?</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">No.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-surprise1.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">A SAUNA?</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">No.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Camping gear? Are you pestering the network for that again?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-surprise2.jpg" /><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">No.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">What did they give us?</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">Playground equipment!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-surprise3.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">WHAT!?!</span><br /><br />Twins: <span style="font-style: italic;">Yay!</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">Its so cool! Look, there are swings and a merry-go-round and a slide and monkey bars! For our six little monkeys!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-surprise4.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh my god, look at the mess they made. Did you let them wear boots on my grass?</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style: italic;">Don't you like our new personal playground? Our FREE playground?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-surprise5.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh! Yes, we really appreciate it. I just – I just thought they would give us something that the whole family could use.</span><br /><br />Tricia: <span style="font-style: italic;">Push me on the swing Mommy!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%209/9-surprise6.jpg" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">Ask Peggy to do that. I'm exhausted.</span><br /><br />Tom: Some things never change.<br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-13401911142257912042008-09-28T17:46:00.000-07:002008-10-01T06:05:02.923-07:00Public Service AnnouncementMy friends over at Gosselins Without Pity are experiencing technical difficulties. They've set up a back-up blog at <a href="http://gosselinwithoutpity.blogspot.com">gosselinwithoutpity.blogspot.com</a> that is working.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Edited to add:</span> GWoP is back up!<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />And I should have a new episode within a week - I swear I do not have enough cats to be a crazy cat lady, but I've spent the last week learning how to give subcutaneous fluids to my senior kitty and his failing kidneys. Not. Fun. But the crisis has passed and I have found my sense of humour again.</span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-28714602389467054482008-08-24T18:03:00.000-07:002008-08-25T07:53:05.529-07:00Girls Gone Wild (Part Three of Trading Spouses)<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-titlecopy.jpg"><br /><br />Previously, on “Trading Spouses”: Trix Googler, a strongminded mother of two sets of multiples, traded places with Esther Goddard, a submissive mother of 17 children.<br /><br /><a href="http://tomandtrix.blogspot.com/2008/06/lets-trade-spouses.html">Part One</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://tomandtrix.blogspot.com/2008/07/part-two-of-trading-spouses.html">Part Two</a>.<br /><br />Announcer: <span style="font-style:italic;">This week, the wives have the opportunity to introduce their own rules to their new families.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House:</span><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Kids, settle down, Mother Trix is going to introduce her rules now.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Micah: Father, she's wearing trousers and that funny hair again.<br /><br />Michael: uh oh!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Rule 1 – the mother is the boss and what <span style="font-style:italic;">I</span> say, <span style="font-style:italic;">you</span> do.<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Um -<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules3.jpg" width="400"><br /><br />Trix: Don't interrupt. Rule 2 – the kids go to school, none of this homeschooling stuff. I've arranged for all of you to attend an exclusive private school for one week, where you will learn some proper grammar and interact with other children your own age.<br /><br />Mary Miriam: Yay, boys!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style:italic;">Mary Miriam!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules4.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Don't interrupt. Rule 3 – none of this boy-girl buddy system is going to happen on my watch. Girls will have girl buddies and boys will have boy buddies. And you will stay out of each others' rooms and bathrooms.<br /><br />Mary Lydia: Does this mean we can stop cleaning the boys' bathrooms?<br /><br />Trix: It certainly does. Speaking of cleaning, I've drawn up new chore charts. You boys have no idea of how to help your future wives. I'll learn you good.<br /><br />Boys: WHAT?!?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules5.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: I will explain any of the cleaning procedures you may be unfamiliar with, like cleaning a barbecue organically. <br /><br />This next rule is very important – you must clean to my satisfaction, and if I am not satisfied and get a little emotional, DO NOT stand around uselessly. Ask <span style="font-style:italic;">me</span> how <span style="font-style:italic;">you</span> can help <span style="font-style:italic;">me</span>.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules9.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Martha: Mother Trix, what do you want us girls to do?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules7.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Learn to cook organically, for one. Right now – we're going to the mall! We need some shopping therapy!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: My girls are not allowed - <br /><br />Trix: Stuff a sock in it, Mickey Ben.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trules8.jpg"><br /><br />All: <span style="font-style:italic;">gasp!</span><br /><br />Trix: And stop gasping!<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House:</span><br /><br />Esther: First, I want to thank you for welcoming me into your home. You have been very gracious with your hospitality.<br /><br />Tammy: We've liked having you here, Mother Esther!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-erules1.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Now here my rules – I have a few teensy-weensy little changes I would like to make:<br /><br />Rule 1 – Tom, you are the father and therefore the leader and the role model of this family. I think you are great at being hands on with the children but you could be a better example for your children.<br /><br />Tom: Okay...<br /><br />Esther: So I've arranged for you to work outside of the home for the next week. <br /><br />Tom: WHAT?!?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-erules2.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Rule 2 – this family seems to be rather dependent on outside helpers coming into the house. The children will never learn how to keep house this way. So I've called all the helpers and told them to take the week off. <br /><br />Tammy: Okay...<br /><br />Esther: So the girls will stay home from school this week – I'll homeschool you and teach you how to manage the household. <br /><br />Twins: WHAT?!?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-erules3.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Your future husbands will thank me. And the first job is to teach you how to sew. We'll be making you some nice, modest dresses. The network sent over a FREE sewing machine!<br /><br />Tom: We do appreciate <span style="font-style:italic;">free</span> stuff!<br /><br />Tammy: Daddy!<br /><br />Tricia: Great, Mommy will be expecting us to sew stuff for her from now on.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-erules4.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Ahem! I will also be introducing you to my buddy system. Tricia, you will be Tara and Tim's buddy. Tammy, you will by Tracey and Travis' buddy.<br /><br />Tricia: What do we do?<br /><br />Esther: You'll dress and feed your buddies, and you will have scheduled play time with them.<br /><br />Tammy: We have to FEED them?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-erules5.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Yes! It will be such good practice for you!<br /><br />Tricia: I'm never getting married!<br /><br />Esther Don't be silly, Tricia. Now, lets talk about your jurisdictions which you may know as 'chores'...<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-erules6.jpg"><br /><br />Twins: Oh we're used to chores!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House:</span><br /><br />Michael: Father, I don't get any of these rules. I don't recall the girls ever having to bleach the gutters before.<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Better change your clothes before you do that, son. That woman is sure fussy on stains.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-boys1.jpg"><br /><br />Mark: I see the van! They're back from the mall!<br /><br />Malchus: Good, I'm hungry.<br /><br />Malachi: Matthew is making supper tonight, its in the rules.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-mcooks.jpg"><br /><br />Matthew: I think we should order in pizza.<br /><br />Trix: Hello, we're back!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: You were certainly gone a long time, Mother Trix.<br /><br />Trix: It takes time to get a facial and a mani-pedi and makeovers! But what would you know, you're just a man!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-make1.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: What did you say about makeovers?<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Hello?!?</span> It's the twenty-first century! And your daughters have joined it!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-make2.jpg"><br /><br />Girls: Hi Daddy!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-boys3.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-make4.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-make5.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: I need to ... I need to go somewhere and pray about this.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-boys2.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: You do that. And then get back to work building the hydroponic farm, so your kids can eat organic. I'm surprised they don't have scurvy, frankly.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Before & After</span> - Mary Martha<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/beforeafter2.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Before & After</span> - Mary Bethel & Mary Miriam<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/beforeafter3.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Before & After</span> - Mary Mariah & Mary Lydia<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/beforeafter1.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House:</span><br /><br />Esther: Don't you feel better now that your limbs are covered?<br /><br />Tammy: We look like dorks.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-dorks1.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Now now, Tammy, I know this is a big change, but I really think it's for your own good.<br /><br />Tricia: I don't want to stay home. I want to go to school and be with my friends. I just got on the tennis team!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-dorks3.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: You can call your friends after they get home from school.<br /><br />Tammy: Wait - we're allowed to use the telephone?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-dorks2.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Yes!<br /><br />Tricia: Can our friends come over to play?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-dorks4.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Of course! As long as they are girls. You could even have a sleepover Friday night if you like!<br /><br />Tricia: I guess we can live with the dorky clothes.<br /><br />Tom: Good morning.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-work1.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: My, you look handsome! Your coffee is ready for you and the girls and I have just finished making your breakfast.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-work2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: I guess I can live with this going to work and having to shave thing.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-work3.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House:</span><br /><br />Trix: How was your first day of school?<br /><br />Mary Miriam: Well, the other kids made fun of our names!<br /><br />Trix: Of course they did!<br /><br />Mark: I don't know, some of the girls were really cute. I made a couple of new friends.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-school1.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Miriam: Mother Trix, will you buy us iPods? All of the girls at school have them. You <span style="font-style:italic;">do</span> want us to fit in, <span style="font-style:italic;">don't</span> you?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-school2.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Silly girl, I don't <span style="font-style:italic;">pay</span> for anything any more! I'll talk to the network and get back to you.<br /><br />Mary Martha: Mother Trix, I've decided what I want to do when I turn 18 soon. And you are my inspiration!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby1.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: What's that?<br /><br />Mary Martha: I'm going to have a baby!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style:italic;">What?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby3.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: What? <br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby2.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Martha: Mother Trix has opened my eyes to how gross and dirty and yucky boys are, so I'm not going to marry a boy. I’ll just use fertility treatments like Mother Trix did.<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Trix?!?<br /><br />Trix: But - but – well, most boys are gross and dirty, but they're also good for some things. And having a baby is <span style="font-style:italic;">so</span> much easier with someone to help you.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby4.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Martha: I could marry a girl, the kids at school told me I can. <br /><br />Mickey Ben: Lord, give me strength!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby5.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Goodness gracious. Do what I did - catch a nice mama's boy when he’s young and teach him how to be clean and to do your bidding and you'll have a happy marriage.<br /><br />Mary Martha: You can do that?<br /><br />Mickey Ben: We can certainly find nice, suitable, clean young men among our friends if that's what you want.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby6copy.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Oh and check out his family for any history of male pattern baldness. That's where I went wrong.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-baby7.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House</span><br /><br />Tammy: I do not like being a buddy. I do not like having to feed the babies.<br /><br />Tricia: At least it's okay if they get food on their clothes this week.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-buddy2.jpg"><br /><br />Tammy: Speak for yourself, you don't have the laundry jurisdiction.<br /><br />Tricia: Yeah, but I have to cook supper! <br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-buddy1.jpg"><br /><br />Tammy: Every spoonful of baby food on their clothes means an hour in the laundry room!<br /><br />Tricia: You sound like Mommy!<br /><br />Tammy: You take that back!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-buddy3.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: Now girls, I can hear you from down here. Little ladies don't fight. My daughters certainly don't.<br /><br />Tricia: Let's hug it out.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-buddy4.jpg"><br /><br />Tammy: And then let's call our friends while we can!<br /><br />Tom: Esther, what are we going to do tonight after supper?<br /><br />Esther: Whatever you want, Tom.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-play1.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: No seriously, what's on the schedule?<br /><br />Esther: Whatever you want! You are the husband and the father, I do not tell you what to do with your spare time.<br /><br />Tom: Sweet! I'm going to go into the closet and surf the Internet!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-play2.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House</span><br /><br />Trix: Girls, what is going on? I could hear squabbling.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight1.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Lydia: I think Mary Mariah was way too <span style="font-style:italic;">sociable</span> with the boys at school today. She talked with them without an adult present!<br /><br />Mary Mariah: Judas!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight4.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Lydia: Stuff a sock in it, Mary Mariah!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight3.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight2.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: GIRLS!!!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight5.jpg"><br /><br />Methusaleh: Daaaaddy!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Good Lord! Are they fighting?<br /><br />Trix: Mary Mariah has a wicked upper cut!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight7.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Don't encourage them! STOP THAT FIGHTING!!!<br /><br />Mary Lydia: FINE!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight11.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Trix, they never acted like this before you came. You take care of this.<br /><br />Trix: Oh, it's just low blood sugar. Right?<br /><br />Mary Lydia: <span style="font-style:italic;">Stop blaming everything on low blood sugar!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight10.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Now, now. Go hug your sister and tell her you're sorry. My rules.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight8.jpg"><br /><br />Mary Mariah: What kind of stupid rule is this?!?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-fight9.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House</span><br /><br />Tom: Girls, I'm sorry to tell you this, but the network just called, there's some sort of emergency. Mother Esther is leaving early, tomorrow morning. She's packing her bags right now.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trio1.jpg"><br /><br />Tammy: Esther is really, really nice, but I am sick of eating tater tot casserole and orange stuff. I'm turning orange!<br /><br />Tricia: I want to go back to school and I want to stop having buddies.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-trio2.jpg"><br /><br />Tom: It has been really strange to have a woman waiting on me hand and foot. I like a woman with fire in her eyes, like my Trixie. I don't want my daughters to grow up submissive.<br /><br />Tammy: Don't worry Daddy, we won't.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House:</span><br /><br />Trix: You! You MAN! It's your fault I'm going home early! <span style="font-style:italic;">AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-final1.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: I won't have my kids fighting -<br /><br />Trix: It was just a scuffle! <span style="font-style:italic;">This better not get leaked to the Internet!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-final2.jpg"><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Okay, the cab is here now. Don't make a scene in front of my children.<br /><br />Trix: Bye kids! Don't cry because I'm leaving!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-getlost2.jpg"><br /><br />Matthew: We won't.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-getlost1.jpg"><br /><br />Trix: Don't you DARE say another word to me! I better not hear you breathe!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House:</span><br /><br />Tammy: We're really going to miss you Mother Esther! We'll write to you!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-goodbye1.jpg"><br /><br />Tricia: Will you name the next baby Mary Tricia or Mary Tammy?<br /><br />Tammy: Name it Mary Tommy! Oh wait...<br /><br />Tom: Esther, I sincerely thank you for taking such good care of all of us.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-hug.jpg"><br /><br />Esther: It was my pleasure! Your family is so wonderful.<br /><br />...<br /><br />You should probably let go of me now, Tom.<br /><br />Tom: I guess.<br /><br />Esther: I'm really going to miss all of you! And I'll be praying for Mrs Googler to get well, so she isn't exhausted all the time!<br /><br />Tom: Prayers would be nice.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode8/8-goodbye2.jpg"><br /><br />Tricia: And now things will be back to normal.<br /><br />Tammy: Can I go change my clothes now?<br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-340841965993917012008-07-20T19:47:00.000-07:002008-08-25T07:53:45.660-07:00Part Two of Trading Spouses<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-openingcopy.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><a href="http://tomandtrix.blogspot.com/2008/06/lets-trade-spouses.html">Previously, on “Trading Spouses”</a>: Trix Googler, a strongminded mother of two sets of multiples, traded places with Esther Goddard, a submissive mother of 17 children.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House</span><br /><br />Trix: Hi, I'm Trix Googler, and this is my temporary “husband”, Mickey Ben Goddard.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-couch1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: I thought I was supposed to start the introduction.<br /><br />Trix: I don't remember the producer saying that.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-couch2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Anyways, this is our first week of the swap. Trix has to live by the rules set forth by my wife, Esther -<br /><br />Trix: Who says 'set forth' these days? I think it would be better to say 'laid down'. Your grammar is so old-fashioned, like out of a book.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-couch3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: And next week, we have to live by Trix's rules. Not <span style="font-style:italic;">this</span> week, <span style="font-style:italic;">next</span> week.<br /><br />Trix: I can't wait!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House</span><br /><br />Tom: Hi, I'm Tom Googler, and this is my wife this week, Esther.<br /><br />Esther: Hi!<br /><br />Tom: Hey, you didn't interupt me!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-couch4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: Was I supposed to? I don't remember it being in Trix's rule books, but there are a lot of rules in there. I am sorry that I missed that.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-couch6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Don't worry Esther, I like your style very much. I think interrupting me is one of Trix's unwritten rules.<br /><br />Esther: Whatever you say Tom, you're the husband.<br /><br />Tom: That's definitely not one of Trix's rules.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-couch5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House, Day 2</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Kids: Mother Trix! Mother Trix! Wake up?<br /><br />Trix: Mmm – wha? Is there a fire?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Martha: No, it's time for all of us to get up! Mary Miriam has made breakfast, and we all eat together as a family!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: But it's seven o'clock! And you're homeschooled, you don't have to catch a bus. Let me sleep in!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Lydia: Mama doesn't sleep in.<br /><br />Trix: Fine! I'm up! Is the coffee ready?<br /><br />Mary Bethel: Mama doesn't drink coffee - <br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />(sound of crickets chirping)<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Bethel: - but we do have it in the kitchen for when the church people visit. I'll tell Mary Mariah to brew you a fresh cup!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Make sure to use organic cream and sugar!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-coffee9.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House, Day 2:</span><br /><br />Esther: I don't understand. Why do I have to stay in bed until 9?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-morning1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: It's one of Trix's rules. I go to the gym, I get the girls off to school, then start brewing her coffee, get the quadruplets up, dressed and fed, and then Trix gets up when the coffee is ready.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-morning2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: Why does she sleep in so late and why do you do all the work in the morning?<br /><br />Tom: She's always exhausted.<br /><br />Esther: You should have her thyroid checked.<br /><br />Tom: I'll let her know.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-morning3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: I have some free time in the afternoon schedule while you prune the bushes and the neighbour cleans out the garage. It's not in the rules, but do you think it would be okay if I played with the children when they get up from their three hour nap? They are so cute!<br /><br />Tom: Well, okay, as long as you only play with the girls, that's what Trix does.<br /><br />Esther: Huh.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-morning4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House, Day 2</span><br /><br />Trix: Okay. Homeschooling time. Does everyone have their workbooks?<br /><br />Kids: Yes, Mother Trix!<br /><br />Trix: Okay. Let me check the lesson plan – today we are studying requirements for tax exemption under IRC section 501(c)(3) – huh?<br /><br />Mark: We have our own church in our house so we can get tax exemptions.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-homeschool1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Reeeeeally? But aren't all those identical little boys too young to be studying tax laws?<br /><br />Mark: We're being raised to be debt-free and we study everything together.<br /><br />Trix: Seriously, were you all born in alien pods or something?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-homeschool2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House, Day 2</span><br /><br />Esther: My girls cook supper so much that I almost forgot how! Fortunately, the recipe for Tator Tot Casserole was on our website.<br /><br />Tricia: That doesn't sound org-<br /><br />Tammy: Orange! That doesn't sound orange at all. The Tator Tot Casserole smells very yummy, Mother Esther. I can't wait to eat it.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-orange1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tricia: YES! It does smell very good. We've never eaten anything like it but I bet it is great. We are <span style="font-style:italic;">very</span> happy to try something new!<br /><br />Tammy: Do you know how to cook Korean food?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-orange2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: Orange?<br /><br />Tom: What the girls mean, is that Trix tries to include something orange with each supper. For the vitamins. Like sweet potatoes or squash or carrots.<br /><br />Tricia: We eat a lot of carrots! Boiled, mushy, org – er, orange carrots!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-orange3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: Is that what your wife meant by eating organic all the time? Huh. Well, how about I make you some orange Jell-o for dessert?<br /><br />Tammy: We only eat Jell-o at Clarice's house. Mommy thinks it's too messy.<br /><br />Esther: Oh my.<br /><br />Tammy: This is <span style="font-style:italic;">so</span> good, Mother Esther!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-orange5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I could go to the store and get orange ice cream pops for dessert!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-orange4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Twins: Yay!<br /><br />Tom: I remember eating dessert. Way back before I got married.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-orange6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House, Day 3</span><br /><br />Trix: Okay, time to meet with one of the children. Let me check the schedule - it's Malchus' turn. Hey you – are you Malchus?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-malchus1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Malchus: He's Mordecai, I'm Malchus.<br /><br />Trix: I should get you matching t-shirts with your names so I can tell you apart. I know someone that will do it for free. You'll look so nice!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-malchus2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Malchus: We don't wear t-shirts, Mother Trix.<br /><br />Trix: Oh for heaven's sake.<br /><br />Malchus: <span style="font-style:italic;">Gasp!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-malchus3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: What?<br /><br />Malchus: We don't talk dirty about heaven like that.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-malchus4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Is this week over yet?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House, Day 3</span><br /><br />Esther: Hi girls, welcome home from school!<br /><br />Tricia: Don't look at me!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-gum1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: What's wrong, dear?<br /><br />Tammy: A mean kid on the bus stuck gum in her hair and she thinks she's ruined.<br /><br />Tricia: I told you not to tell her! Snitch! Tattletale!<br /><br />Esther: Why Tricia, gum is so easy to get out! Tammy, please go get the peanut butter so I can help Tricia.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-gum2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tammy: I <span style="font-style:italic;">told</span> you she wouldn't be mad.<br /><br />Esther: My children get gum in their hair too, and the girls' hair is much longer than yours. I'm not mad at you, sweetie. We'll get it out and then I'll wash your hair.<br /><br />Tricia: Thank you, Mother Esther.<br /><br />Esther: Now dear, little ladies don't use words like “snitch” or “tattletale”. The correct term is “Judas”.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-gum3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House Day 4:</span><br /><br />Trix: So what do you girls normally do with your mother on Wednesday evenings?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Miriam: We bake! <br /><br />Trix: Oh, I don't bake.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Miriam: We'll show you, Mother Trix. We have many great recipes.<br /><br />Trix: Good cooks don't use recipes.<br /><br />Mary Martha: What?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Miriam: We looked in our recipe book and found an organic recipe just for you! A cupcake recipe!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Bethel: I made some already if you'd like to help me decorate them!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Oh <span style="font-style:italic;">God</span>, the mess ...<br /><br />All: <span style="font-style:italic;">Gasp!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: For heaven's sake!<br /><br />All: <span style="font-style:italic;">Gasp!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Why - I'll just clean up here while you bake. Next week I'll show you how to really clean.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-bake9.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House day 6</span><br /><br />Producer: What do you think of Esther as your mother this week?<br /><br />Tammy: She's super nice!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-twins1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tricia: We love tater tot casserole. <br /><br />Tammy: She doesn't pretend that everything is <span style="font-style:italic;">organic</span>.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-twins2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tricia: The boys were sick and throwing up yesterday, and she didn't make them sleep on the back porch.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-twins3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tammy: She's teaching us how to play our musical instruments.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-twins4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-twins5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tricia: We want her to stay forever!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House Day 6:</span><br /><br />Producer: What has it been like with Trix?<br /><br />Michael: We don't think she has been very happy here.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-boys2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Malachi: She keeps saying we expect her to do too much.<br /><br />Matthew: And we really don't understand, because the girls do most of the work anyways!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Episode%207/7-boys1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><br />TO BE CONTINUED...</span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-35209203593709543732008-07-20T19:44:00.000-07:002008-08-31T12:44:45.322-07:00Frequently Asked Questions<span style="font-weight:bold;">Why did you create this blog?</span><br />I've seen other Sims 2 stories based on TV shows, and as an avid watcher, I thought Jon & Kate Plus 8 was ripe for parody. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Have Jon & Kate seen it?</span><br />I don't know. I did post links to a couple of online forums known to be frequented by Jon. I'm sure it was just coincidence that I was quickly banned without explanation from one of them. :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why don't the Googlers have eight children?</span><br />In the Sims 2 game, you can have a maximum of eight people per house. So I had to choose between having twins and quadruplets, or having sextuplets. I could have downloaded a hack to get around that, but ultimately decided against that while planning this blog. I do try to keep this a parody, not a documentary. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Is this all that you do with your life?</span><br />No. I know how and when to turn my computer off.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why don't you update more often?</span><br />I do have a life and I don't want this blog to eat up my free time. That's why I update once a month. I work on it one week out of four.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What Sims 2 expansion packs are you using?</span> <br />All of them. I have all of the stuff packs except for the Christmas one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where did you get the activity table and the violin?</span><br />The children's activity table and violin came with the Free Time expansion pack.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-14010012411791044652008-06-23T16:22:00.000-07:002008-08-25T07:54:45.409-07:00Let's Trade Spouses!<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-splash.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Twins: On this episode of Tom and Trix Plus Six<br /><br />Tom: We have a talent show – and a new mommy!<br /><br />Trix: Don't sound so happy about that.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-couch1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Hi I'm Tom Googler and -<br /><br />Trix: - and I'm Trix Googler! We have twins and quadruplets! Six kids!<br /><br />Tom: This is our crazy, crazy life.<br /><br />Trix: And it's EXHAUSTING!<br /><br />Tom: So the twins decided to hold a talent show.<br /><br />Trix: But nobody has any talent. Ha! Ha!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: If they practised the violin and the piano, they would have had something to do.<br /><br />Trix: It's too exhausting to make sure they practise.<br /><br />Tom: Anyways, they set up a fashion show -<br /><br />Trix: - not knowing how much work it takes to dress up toddlers. I had to dress Taraand Tim and find Tammy's mermaid costume. Our neighbour Zelda hadn't folded all the laundry yet that week, so it was a lot of work!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Hey, you made me iron all of the costumes, I dressed Tracey and Travis, and I got dressed up too!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent10.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent9.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I was still more exhausted than you.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: We noticed, Jabba.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent11.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Nobody understands me. I'd been cooped up all winter with six kids. SIX.<br /><br />Tom: You mean, besides the ski trip and the individual trips we took with Tara and Tracey?<br /><br />Trix: Like I said, nobody understands me.<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Just – just go to bed, everyone! Take off those costumes and GO! TO! BED!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent12.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-talent13.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom I decided Trix needed a break. Our producer gave me the number of the "Trading Spouses" producer. Funny how she had that contact info right away.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-swap2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I was very excited to go on "Trading Spouses". I know the premise – two mothers from different families trade families. Since they try to go for opposites, I was sure they'd place me with a family with just one child. That's all I have ever wanted – to know what it's like to have just one child.<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Hi, I'm Mickey Ben Goddard and this is my wife, Esther.<br /><br />Esther: Hi!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goddardparents.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: We've been wanting to do "Trading Spouses" for a while, but it took the producers a while to find someone who could handle 17 children.<br /><br />Esther: That's right – 17 children, with one more on the way, praise the Lord!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: Let's meet them all!<br /><br />Esther: Here are Matthew and our first set of twins - Mary Martha and Mark, then Mary Miriam, Mary Lydia and Mary Esther!"<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/goddard1copy.gif" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Then we had Michael, Malachi, Mary Bethel, Mordecai, and our second set of twins, Methusael and Methuselah!"<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddard2copy.gif" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: And finally we had Micah, Malchus, Moses, Mary Rachel and Mary Rhoda! Until the next one! Watch for our next special!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/Goddard3copy.gif" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: We wanted to share our story of how we can accommodate all of the children that the Good Lord has blessed us with.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-couch2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: And we've only had two sets of twins! We've been blessed. Really, really blessed. Over and over and over! One at a time! Over and over and over again!<br /><br />Mickey Ben: We have no idea of who we will be switching with. We look forward to spreading the glory of the good Lord's word.<br /><br />Esther: God bless them!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-couch3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: So I packed up and went off on my adventure. Tara was so upset that she projectile vomited.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-taxi.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: She does that a lot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House, Day One</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">What a huge house! I wonder why they have so much space if they just have a small number of children?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Tsk tsk tsk – you call this clean? There is dust behind these books!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Wait – is this a boarding school or something? Am I in the wrong house?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Let me check the house rules book that the other mother left me. "Hello New Me, and God bless! You may be intimidated by our 17 children – <span style="font-weight:bold;">17 children</span>?!?"</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I was not amused.<br /><br />Tom: I bet.<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">"You may be intimidated by our 17 children, but don't worry! We've set up a buddy system where the older children help out with running the household and helping to take care of the littler ones. I've written out all of our rules, and if you have any questions, please ask my husband, Mickey Ben, as he is the head of our household, like any good Christian man. God Bless!"</span><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style:italic;">Hello there, new Esther! I'm Mickey Ben! And these are our children!</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">You – you must have had all multiples, like me. They all look alike. And there are so many!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse10.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style:italic;">We had two sets of twins! The rest all came one by one!</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">How do you tell them apart? I mean seriously. They all look alike! It's like Children of the Corn!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mickey Ben: <span style="font-style:italic;">Ha ha ha! Kids, line up and introduce yourselves to your new mother!</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Oh my.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-ghouse9.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Googler House, Day One</span><br /><br />Tom: Esther had an easier time adjusting to our house.<br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">Look at all the toys! There must be young children here. How precious!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">I don't understand why there are potties everywhere though. Let's look at the rule book ... rule books.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">Volume One ... Six kids with just two pregnancies! How easy!</span><br /><br />Tom: Tell that to my wife.<br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">My, there are a lot of rules about cleaning. And they only eat organic food? Well, what other kinds of food are there? Nobody eats plastic food!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">Volume Two of the rules ... my, she sure has a lot of people who come in and do her laundry and housecleaning for her! And she left a list of people to call if I need help. 10, 15, 25 names! I wonder why she doesn't have family listed?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: My heart just swelled when I saw the four little ones sleeping in their cribs. So adorable!<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">Hi, I'm Tom. I see you found our four youngest.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">SO precious! I'm going to enjoy staying here!</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">The twins are at their school right now, but they'll be home very soon. Did you find the rule books Trix left for you?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">My, there are a lot of rules!</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">95% of them have to do with cleaning. But I don't work outside of the home any more, so I do most of the work.</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">But you're the husband! You're supposed to work outside of the home!</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">Could you tell that to my wife?</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">Oh, the little ones are waking up. Hi there! I'm your new mommy!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">You don't have to help. It's my job to get them up from their naps.</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">I want to help! I love little ones!</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">I hear the school bus outside. Why don't you go meet the twins?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse9.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style:italic;">What do you think she's like, Tricia?</span><br /><br />Tricia: <span style="font-style:italic;">I hope she lets us practise our musical instruments.</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">HI! I'm Mother Esther! You must be Tricia and Tammy! You are SO pretty!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse10.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Twins: <span style="font-style:italic;">Hi.</span><br /><br />Esther: <span style="font-style:italic;">I can't help myself! I must hug you both!</span><br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style:italic;">Why? Nobody hit anybody.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-goohouse11.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goddard House, Day One</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Do you have your names tattooed somewhere on all of you? I just don't understand how you tell each other apart and remember all your names.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-godhouse1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Mariah: <span style="font-style:italic;">Mother Trix, don't worry about supper tonight. It's Mary Lydia's turn to make the Tator Tot Casserole.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">I hope it's organic Tater Tot casserole</span>.<br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">What do you mean by organic? You're not talking about – evolution, are you?</span><br /><br />Mark: <span style="font-style:italic;">We don't talk about that in our house!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-godhouse2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">No, no, no, science is only good for helping you have babies. And then society has to help you raise them. I meant, did the potatoes come from an organic farm?</span><br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">No, they come from a bag.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Good thing I packed my vitamins.</span><br /><br />Mickey Ben: Trix had some difficulty at first adjusting to our rules.<br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">Mother Trix, Papa asked me to go over some of Mommy's rules with you.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Like what?</span><br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">"All females must dress modestly, in order to draw attention to their countenance."</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-godhouse3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">So? I'm not wearing a mini skirt and go-go boots! Ha! Ha!</span><br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">But you are wearing – trousers.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">What? I am not dressing up in those sacks you girls are wearing. And I am too EXHAUSTED by the plane ride here to go shopping. And HELL-O? Why are you dressed like Laura Ingalls? Don't you read Seventeen magazine? Ever hear of bling-bling?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-godhouse4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">We don't read feminist magazines. The network people sent over some modest clothes - </span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">I won't wear them.</span><br /><br />Mary Martha: <span style="font-style:italic;">They said to tell you that they are free and you may keep them after you go home.</span><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">Why didn't you say they were free? Hand them over.</span><br /><br />Trix: I didn't recognize myself, after putting on my modest clothes and fixing my "worldly" hair. But at least I wasn't home listening to loud breathing and crappy piano playing and four shrieking toddlers.<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-godhouse5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">So, how do I look?</span><br /><br />Mary Miriam: <span style="font-style:italic;">You look very modest, Mother Trix. Now let's go get some Tater Tot Casserole!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/6-godhouse6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />TO BE CONTINUED...</span></span></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-35619751302463622672008-05-20T21:08:00.000-07:002008-08-31T12:46:11.437-07:00Episode 5 - Got Gum?<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum2copy.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Hi.<br /><br />Trix: Aren't you going to introduce us?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-intro1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: You always interrupt me, so why bother?<br /><br />Trix: Aw honey, why are you so blue?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-intro2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: My teeth aren't as white as they used to be.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-intro3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And your hair is really thinning these days too.<br /><br />Tom: -<br /><br />Trix: Have you always breathed that loud?<br /><br />Tom: Anyways, we're the Googlers, we have twins and -<br /><br />Trix: AND QUADRUPLETS! We have SIX KIDS! SIX! I carried them all in my womb!<br /><br />Tom: It's a crazy life.<br /><br />Trix: And it's exhausting!<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Tom: Our older girls, Tammy and Tricia, wanted to try musical instruments.<br /><br />Trix: We don't want to deprive them just because we have SIX KIDS. I grew up with nothing, no luxuries, nothing at all. I don't want that for my kids. All SIX of them. Even though it's EXHAUSTING to -<br /><br />Trix: So Pianos'R'Us donated a piano for Tricia to use!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-music1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: We really appreciate that!<br /><br />Trix: Even though it attracts dust. And my cousin Clarice has a <span style="font-style: italic;">grand</span> piano.<br /><br />Tom: But we really appreciate what Pianos'R'Us did for us, don't we honey?<br /><br />Trix: Who am I to say no?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-music2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: And we found Trix's old violin in the basement for Tammy to use.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-music3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And some nice people from our church gave lessons to the girls.<br /><br />Tom: They really enjoyed the first few lessons.<br /><br />Trix: But we are not going to make them practise. I was made to practise when I was a little girl, and my brother and sisters got to play outside. Nosirree, not gonna make them practise.<br /><br />Tom: I hope they practise.<br /><br />Trix: I hope someone donates ear plugs! Ha! Ha!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-music4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Producer: Tammy, why do you practise playing your violin in the greenhouse?<br /><br />Tammy: It's the <span style="font-style: italic;">quietest</span> place!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-music5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: When we first found out that Trix was pregnant with quadruplets, we had some concerns, of course.<br /><br />Trix: I was EXHAUSTED just being pregnant!<br /><br />Tom: We were worried about how we would be able to find individual time with our kids.<br /><br />Trix: So we are going to have one special day with each of our children. It is <span style="font-style: italic;">very important</span>, it is <span style="font-style: italic;">crucial</span>, that we give each of our children our undivided attention.<br /><br />Tom: We set up the trips so that we could do this. I work for myself now, so I was able to clear my schedule.<br /><br />Trix: Have I said that we consider it <span style="font-style: italic;">essential</span> to each child's happiness that we do this? Spend one day with one child and just one child?<br /><br />Tom: I think they get the point, honey.<br /><br />Trix: Only I won't be going on the boys' trips because I don't have the time to drive hither, thither, and yon. I'm writing a book! And it's EXHAUSTING!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-intro4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: On the first trip, I took Tim to a local toy shop. Olde Thyme Toys makes beautiful, one-of-a-kind handcrafted toys and we really appreciate that they let us visit.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tim1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tim2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And what they did give us?<br /><br />Tom: They gave us a huge discount on the toy of Tim's choice. We had a lot of fun playing with all of the toys, but he ended up taking Bunny Bear home.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tim3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And he wouldn't let go of it for a week.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tim4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: On our next trip, both of us took Tracey to a local antique shop.<br /><br />Trix: My idea! They had beautiful antique dollhouses. What memories she will have!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tracey1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: We should have taken her somewhere where she was allowed to touch stuff.<br /><br />Trix: Well! It was a lot of fun and the three of us had a great time together. It was very special to get to know Tracey away from the other kids. Did you know she has blue eyes?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tracey2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Travis really likes science, so I took him to a local planetarium. It was a BLAST!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-travis1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: *yawn*. Science is <span style="font-style: italic;">boys'</span> stuff.<br /><br />Tom: They had the coolest toy boxes and Travis played with all these gadgets for hours.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-travis2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And what did you do?<br /><br />Tom: The staff let me use one of their telescopes. I spent the whole night looking at the stars. I got lost in them. To live out there, without any responsibilities ...<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-travis3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: *ahem*<br /><br />Tom: Where was I?<br /><br />Producer: Tom and Trix, who looks after the other kids when you go on your special trips?<br /><br />Tom: We have lots of helpers and we really appreciate their help. We haven't had to fold laundry in four years!<br /><br />Trix: My cousin Clarice really loves us and she takes the kids quite a lot, even though she has two of her own.<br /><br />Tom: Clarice and her husband help us quite a lot. We are truly grateful to have them in our life.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-patsy3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And they have the most wonderful house and property. She decorated it herself! They have so much room, and we don't. <span style="font-style: italic;">*sigh*</span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-patsy1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I don't know how Clarice does it, looking after up to 8 children. I can't imagine that.<br /><br />Trix: What a nightmare! But she's always so calm and she plans these activities. The kids even say she gives them one-on-one time but that's impossible.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-patsy2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Anyways, all the kids went to Pete and Clarice's while we took Tara out for her day.<br /><br />Trix: Tara's always playing with her toy dog, so we took her to a neighbour's farm where they have dogs.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tara2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: We were going to go to Trix's Uncle Olaf's place to see his puppies, but the Humane Society got there first. Ha ha!<br /><br />Trix: We weren't going to talk about the uppypay illmay, remember?<br /><br />Tom: Tara really enjoyed playing with the dogs. She cuddled them and brushed them.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tara1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: After I made Tom give them all flea baths, of course. They were nice dogs and didn't bite at all.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-tara3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Producer: And what happened at Clarice's house?<br /><br />Tom: Oh boy.<br /><br />Trix: Her youngest daughter shared GUM with everyone. GUM!<br /><br />Tom: Sharing is caring!<br /><br />Trix: We do not chew gum. Except when on airplanes. Hey, I hear Hawaii is lovely this time of year. I've never been there and -<br /><br />Producer: What happened when the kids got home?<br /><br />Trix: I inspected their hands as always - and they were sticky! WITH GUM!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Gum can be washed off -<br /><br />Trix: And there was gum on Tim's stupid Bunny Bear!<br /><br />Tom: I volunteered to go on the internet and find out how to remove it -<br /><br />Trix: - you can remove it with peanut butter! And all we have is expensive ORGANIC peanut butter! I told Tim I wasn't going to waste that when he was dumb enough to get gum on his bear. I will not waste ORGANIC food!<br /><br />Tom: He's just a kid! You made him cry!<br /><br />Trix: He cried because I'm sure he was very sorry that he made his bear messy and it would have to be thrown into the garbage. I'm sure he was very sad that he made a mistake and that the money we spent on the bear would be wasted.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum4copy.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Tammy is sometimes rough with the younger kids, so it was nice to see her beg Trix not to throw the bear out.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm telling you, I will not waste money and time trying to clean that bear!"</span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Producer: And then what happened?<br /><br />Tom: Tammy snuck onto the computer and found out that you can freeze gum off if you stick it in the freezer.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: So Tammy saved the bear and now all the kids think she is a hero. Until she punches and kicks them again, thanks to her low blood sugar.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-gum9.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Coming soon:</span></span><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-swap1copy.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: "Hello? Is this the producer of <span style="font-style: italic;">"Trading Spouses"</span>? This is Tom Googler. Can we talk?<br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/5-swap2.jpg" width="400" /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-18768362484579331012008-04-07T20:08:00.000-07:002008-08-31T12:46:39.614-07:00Trix Needs a Chill Pill<img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/newopeningcopy.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Hi, I'm Tom.<br /><br />Trix: And I'm Trix Googler! We're the famous parents of twins and quadruplets! Six kids! SIX! <br /><br />Tom: This is our life.<br /><br />Trix: And it's exhausting!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-couch1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Tom: So there's been a change in our lives.<br /><br />Trix: Tom is always saying how he likes me with blonde hair, so I got a makeover! <br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-hair.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I didn't mean all stripey like that.<br /><br />Trix: It's called highlights, honey.<br /><br />Tom: We had a rough week. All of the quadruplets had stomach flu.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-soup2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I was EXHAUSTED making organic soup for them.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-soup.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Thank goodness our friend Patsy, who loves us, came over to do the laundry and watch the kids so I could get some quality time.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-bath.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Producer: Can you explain how Tim ended up sleeping on the back porch?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-timoutside.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: He puked all over the new blankets in his crib, so I put him where he could easily be hosed off. The cool night air helped bring his fever down. Why are you looking at me like that?<br /><br />Tom: After the kids were better, we decided they needed a special trip. We live really close to the Marks-A-Lot factory, where quality crayons, washable markers and paints are made. Marks-A-Lot - all the colours of the rainbow!<br /><br />Trix: So we took the kids there to see how crayons are made.<br /><br />Tom: And then we went to their activity centre. The kids loved it, and started playing as soon as they entered the room.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: It was awful! The Marks-A-Lot people should have just entered them into a paintball tournament. Messy stuff EVERYWHERE!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Typically, NOBODY understood me. Don't they know that one mark on a piece of clothing equals one hour in the laundry room! I was really upset and my dumb husband was ENCOURAGING the children to use that messy stuff!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I just wanted our children to have fun.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: They aren't allowed to have fun. Not my kids.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Trix got a little weird at Marks-A-Lot.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I merely suggested that everyone put down all those messy things and we could go home and have some really delicious organic fruit juice, from Juice-a-licious.<br /><br />Tom: The kids preferred the paints and markers. Which everyone knows are washable.<br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">"This is YOUR fault! No markers! No paints! No wire hangers!" </span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Tricia got upset because she wasn't allowed to use the paints.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: She has low blood sugar. <br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">"Trix, you have got to calm down. We won't get a FREE activity table with WASHABLE markers if you freak out like this!"</span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-free1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH - did you say 'free'?"</span><br /><br />Tom: <span style="font-style:italic;">"Yes, yes I did. And I promise that if the markers don't wash out, I will personally find a store to replace the clothes for free."</span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-free2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: <span style="font-style:italic;">"Oh honey!"</span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-free3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tara: <span style="font-style:italic;">"Free!"</span><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-freetable.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Her first word!<br /><br />Tom: The twins were upset about what happened at Marks-A-Lot. Tammy wouldn't speak to us for days.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour10.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-colour12.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: So we enrolled them in a cooking class, where they could make all the mess they want.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-class3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tammy: We really liked cooking class. <br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-class1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tricia: We got to play with girls our own age, instead of the babies.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-class2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tammy: We made muffins at home for Mommy & Daddy, but not the babies!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-class6.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: They were really yummy!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-class8.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: But not organic, so I threw mine out.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/4-class7.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: On our next show, the twins get music lessons!<br /><br />Trix: And I get earplugs!</span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-89941717818246760492008-03-16T20:25:00.000-07:002008-08-31T12:47:02.859-07:00We go on a trip!Tom: Hi, I'm Tom Goo-<br /><br />Trix: - and I'm Trix! We're the Googlers! We have SIX children! Two twins! Four quadruplets! Yikes!<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Tom: So the quads are learning how to walk, and that's very exciting.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-intro1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: But what is really exciting that a lodge in Utah gave us a free trip! I hoped I would get a massage! I'm EXHAUSTED!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-intro2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Our friends Stephen and Zelda -<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-stephen.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: - who LOVE us -<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-zelda.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: - agreed to come along and help with the quadruplets.<br /><br />Trix: We REALLY appreciate their help!<br /><br />Tom: We had to leave at 4 am, which was a little crazy.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-departure.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Tom, I told you why, so the babies would sleep on the plane!<br /><br />Tom: We didn't count on a layover in Sioux City. It was snowing really bad so they put us in the VIP lounge at the airport to wait it out.<br /><br />Trix: VIP lounge, my ass. It was a horrible plain little room and we were stuck there with SIX KIDS.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-layover1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Well, we had toys for the kids and some books and magazines.<br /><br />Trix: Not good enough! They should have given us a room with a TV! Or some free Ipods!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-layover2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Okay, it was a challenge trying to keep the kids happy.<br /><br />Trix: Tammy picked the wrong time to try and hug Mommy. I was EXHAUSTED!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-layover3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I may have gone a little crazy in there. I was so EXHAUSTED! I decided to take everyone's misery onto myself! I cried for everyone!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-layover4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I don't think it helped, honey.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-layover5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Finally we got to Utah and the lodge.<br /><br />Trix: It was all right. I replaced all the carpets and bedding so that we wouldn't come into contact with anyone's germs.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-lodge1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: The kids and I liked it. It was hard to get the twins to bed, they were so excited to see all the snow.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-lodge2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I had no problems getting to sleep. I was EXHAUSTED!<br /><br />Tom: The next morning, Stephen and Zelda took care of the quadruplets and I took the twins out for skating lessons.<br /><br />Trix: I had woken up with the worst headache of my entire life, so I slept in while everyone else got ready. A massage made me feel all better!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-lodge3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: Skating didn't go well at first. <br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-skating1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: But we had lots of fun. It was really great to spend time with just the twins. I made sure to spend some alone time with each of my girls.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-skating2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-skating3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I was really surprised by how quickly Tricia picked up skating. She was able to do some twirls!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-skating4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I made organic hot cocoa for everyone. And cleaned to my heart's content.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-lodge4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-lodge5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: That night, Stephen and Zelda watched the kids while Trix and I had a romantic supper.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-supper.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Because we REALLY appreciate their help, we gave them the mints off of our pillows!<br /><br />Tom: The next morning, Stephen and Zelda took the twins skiing. I took the quadruplets outside so they could play in the snow.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-quads3.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Just think of the memories they will have!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-quads4.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I had so much fun with them. I don't know why Trix can't handle all four at once at home.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-quads1.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-quads2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Because I'm always EXHAUSTED! But I wasn't exhausted after my morning massage!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-anothermassage.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: You even came outside!<br /><br />Trix: I did! I loathe snow, I despise winter, I hate everything outdoors, actually. Germs are everywhere! But we got free winter jackets so I thought I ought to wear mine at least once.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-quads5.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: And we REALLY appreciate the free winter coats and skates from Mountain Lodge Gear!<br /><br />Trix: The lodge was just beautiful. Tammy really had fun in the pool, after I disinfected it.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-swimming.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: And Tricia learned how to play "Chopsticks" on the piano in the lobby. If only we had a piano at home.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-piano.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: And a violin! Wouldn't it be great if we had a piano and a violin?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-violin.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: When we found out I was pregnant with the quadruplets, we thought we would never be able to afford trips, but now we can!<br /><br />Tom: Technically, we can't afford trips, this one was free.<br /><br />Trix: Shut up, Tom.<br /><br />Tom: It was a great vacation. I found a secret map to a secret location, and I met Bigfoot! It turns out he likes to play hacky-sack.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-bigfoot.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: I had so many great massages. And I enjoyed the sauna too!<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-sauna.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: I got to spend lots of time with the twins and we had a lot of fun, just the three of us.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-twins.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Trix: Did the lodge people ever explain how a penguin was running loose? Talking about architecture?<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-penguin.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: They said it escaped from a zoo.<br /><br />Trix: We couldn't have a vacation without Tammy doing something to screw it up. She's into bug collecting now, and she got stung by a bunch of bees.<br /><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/angelamermaid/3-bees.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />Tom: So we went home on a low note. But we REALLY appreciated the trip!<br /><br />Trix: And for once - I wasn't exhausted!</span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-80767476825031316512008-02-28T17:10:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:07:32.805-08:00Potty training!Tom: Hi, I'm Tom Googler and -<br /><br />Trix: - and I'm Trix Googler! We have SIX children. SIX! One set of twins, and one set of quadruplets! How will we ever afford the basic necessities? <br /><br />Tom: Like food!<br /><br />Trix: And ski trips to Utah!<br /><br />Tom: I finished building the greenhouse, so we can save money by growing our own organic food.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8de9gp6P2I/AAAAAAAAAEM/pjp35-V_9ag/s1600-h/gardening1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8de9gp6P2I/AAAAAAAAAEM/pjp35-V_9ag/s400/gardening1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172207107889053538" /></a><br /><br />Trix: Our Tricia is turning into quite the little gardener! She won't go to bed until she's done pulling the weeds!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dwlwJc_iI/AAAAAAAAAHY/28VnnYJRuqA/s1600-h/gardening3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dwlwJc_iI/AAAAAAAAAHY/28VnnYJRuqA/s400/gardening3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172226490940325410" /></a><br /><br />Tricia: Mommy said we'd starve unless I took good care of the plants.<br /><br />Tom: Kids say the darndest things!<br /><br />Tammy: <span style="font-style:italic;">I'm</span> not doing any stupid gardening. Daddy said I could eat supper with the rest of the family if I raked leaves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dgCgp6P4I/AAAAAAAAAEc/zcRf_ChnCq8/s1600-h/raking.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dgCgp6P4I/AAAAAAAAAEc/zcRf_ChnCq8/s400/raking.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172208293300027266" /></a><br /><br />Trix: We have been blessed by someone that loves our family! Big Ed from Big Ed's Audio & TV gave us a new TV! So we can watch educational programs! We really appreciate Big Ed's Audio & TV, home of satellite TV!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8di9Ap6P6I/AAAAAAAAAEo/UVUqDB656RU/s1600-h/newtv.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8di9Ap6P6I/AAAAAAAAAEo/UVUqDB656RU/s400/newtv.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172211497345630114" /></a><br /><br />Tom: It helped to take the stress out of potty training four toddlers -<br /><br />Trix: Four toddlers! Potty training quadruplets! It's so exhausting! But it had to be done!<br /><br />Tammy: Tracey pooped in her underwears!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8djUQp6P7I/AAAAAAAAAEw/K-S6rLSyZLU/s1600-h/potty1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8djUQp6P7I/AAAAAAAAAEw/K-S6rLSyZLU/s400/potty1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172211896777588658" /></a><br /><br />Trix: I was tired of walking into the nursery and smelling poop! I'm exhausted!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dj8Ap6P8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/vABa513WjL0/s1600-h/potty2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dj8Ap6P8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/vABa513WjL0/s400/potty2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172212579677388738" /></a><br /><br />Trix: Tom wants to get a promotion and a better salary, but he couldn't study and learn new skills when he had to keep changing diapers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8do-gJc_TI/AAAAAAAAAFo/rJxVD0ytGms/s1600-h/potty4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8do-gJc_TI/AAAAAAAAAFo/rJxVD0ytGms/s400/potty4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172218120049065266" /></a><br /><br />Tom: We were blessed to have my great-great-aunt Jenny come over and do the housecleaning while we were doing potty training.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dlJgp6P9I/AAAAAAAAAFA/aanvVQl2mpI/s1600-h/nanny1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dlJgp6P9I/AAAAAAAAAFA/aanvVQl2mpI/s400/nanny1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172213911117250514" /></a><br /><br />Trix: She loves us so much! With her helping around the house, I was able to get some R&R. Because I'm SO EXHAUSTED looking after six kids! SIX!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dlqQp6P-I/AAAAAAAAAFI/pa61af1MBGA/s1600-h/bath1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dlqQp6P-I/AAAAAAAAAFI/pa61af1MBGA/s400/bath1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172214473757966306" /></a><br /><br />Trix: Potty training wasn't going very well. Would they ever learn? I was EXHAUSTED!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dmLwp6P_I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/WdBVgf28V2w/s1600-h/potty3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dmLwp6P_I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/WdBVgf28V2w/s400/potty3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172215049283583986" /></a><br /><br />Tom: And I was trying to teach the babies to speak at the same time.<br /><br />Tom: Can you say "Thanks for the free high chairs, Frank's Family Furniture, located downtown on 7th Avenue with free parking?"<br />Travis: Ahbugpfffst!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dnZAp6QAI/AAAAAAAAAFY/AU1dvYeFnkA/s1600-h/talking1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dnZAp6QAI/AAAAAAAAAFY/AU1dvYeFnkA/s400/talking1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172216376428478466" /></a><br /><br />Trix: We really appreciate the free high chairs! I use them all the time when feeding the quadruplets organic mush! It's EXHAUSTING making organic mush, but the high chairs clean up so quickly!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8doCQp6QBI/AAAAAAAAAFg/IG0RgjNSSws/s1600-h/highchairs.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8doCQp6QBI/AAAAAAAAAFg/IG0RgjNSSws/s400/highchairs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172217085098082322" /></a><br /><br />Tammy: Thank great-great-great Auntie Jenny for the <span style="font-style:italic;">clean</span> high chairs!<br /><br />Tom: Finally, Tracey figured out how to use a potty! We had a toddler out of diapers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqZgJc_UI/AAAAAAAAAFw/IYyeytqdN_c/s1600-h/potty5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqZgJc_UI/AAAAAAAAAFw/IYyeytqdN_c/s400/potty5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172219683417161026" /></a><br /><br />Trix: Tim pooped in the potty right after Tracey! Yay Tim!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqnAJc_VI/AAAAAAAAAF4/xUB5T5HXkpA/s1600-h/potty6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqnAJc_VI/AAAAAAAAAF4/xUB5T5HXkpA/s400/potty6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172219915345395026" /></a><br /><br />Tom: While Travis was a little slower to get out of diapers...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqnQJc_WI/AAAAAAAAAGA/urkOtIr434Q/s1600-h/potty7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqnQJc_WI/AAAAAAAAAGA/urkOtIr434Q/s400/potty7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172219919640362338" /></a><br /><br />Trix: ... he got potty trained soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqngJc_XI/AAAAAAAAAGI/RyBiMm5SE7E/s1600-h/potty8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dqngJc_XI/AAAAAAAAAGI/RyBiMm5SE7E/s400/potty8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172219923935329650" /></a><br /><br />Tom: During all of this training -<br /><br />Trix: - this EXHAUSTING training -<br /><br />Tom: - one of our toilets got clogged. For some reason, our toilets clog a lot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8druQJc_YI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/iAt87vulrsg/s1600-h/toilet1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8druQJc_YI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/iAt87vulrsg/s400/toilet1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172221139411074434" /></a><br /><br />Trix: I couldn't BELIEVE the plumber! We told her we were the FAMOUS Googler family with SIX kids - and she charged us full price!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8druwJc_ZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/6Tqd04eMY_c/s1600-h/toilet2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8druwJc_ZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/6Tqd04eMY_c/s400/toilet2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172221148001009042" /></a><br /><br />Trix: I mean, we are living on ONE salary and I am SO EXHAUSTED from picking up after the kids - wait - why is an upstairs toy in the downstairs toy box?!? I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY MORE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dsRwJc_aI/AAAAAAAAAGg/KVnGjBe2Ba0/s1600-h/toybox.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dsRwJc_aI/AAAAAAAAAGg/KVnGjBe2Ba0/s400/toybox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172221749296430498" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8ds8AJc_bI/AAAAAAAAAGo/TeVaxcsPzRM/s1600-h/crazy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8ds8AJc_bI/AAAAAAAAAGo/TeVaxcsPzRM/s400/crazy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172222475145903538" /></a><br /><br />Tom: I made supper for everyone that night while Trix rested and watched some TV.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dt6gJc_cI/AAAAAAAAAGw/R2FZphwt37c/s1600-h/crazy2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dt6gJc_cI/AAAAAAAAAGw/R2FZphwt37c/s400/crazy2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172223548887727554" /></a><br /><br />Trix: I'm FINE, I'm just - hey, old woman! You're blocking my view of <span style="font-style:italic;">All My Children</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dt7AJc_dI/AAAAAAAAAG4/wUc6uLVCz2s/s1600-h/crazy3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dt7AJc_dI/AAAAAAAAAG4/wUc6uLVCz2s/s400/crazy3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172223557477662162" /></a><br /><br />Tricia: Great-great-great Auntie Jennie doesn't babysit for us now.<br /><br />Tammy: Mommy says she doesn't love us any more.<br /><br />Tom: Finally, our potty training nightmare ended, when Tara figured it all out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dvowJc_eI/AAAAAAAAAHA/w-K6gy3GPFE/s1600-h/potty9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dvowJc_eI/AAAAAAAAAHA/w-K6gy3GPFE/s400/potty9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172225442968305122" /></a><br /><br />Trix: We all slept very well that night!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dvpgJc_fI/AAAAAAAAAHI/p1ePA92rm1I/s1600-h/sleeping.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dvpgJc_fI/AAAAAAAAAHI/p1ePA92rm1I/s400/sleeping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172225455853207026" /></a><br /><br />Tammy: 'Cept for Tricia. She had to spray the plants for bugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dfEgp6P3I/AAAAAAAAAEU/csjua4h3dQ8/s1600-h/gardening2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R8dfEgp6P3I/AAAAAAAAAEU/csjua4h3dQ8/s400/gardening2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172207228148137842" /></a><br /><br />Next episode - the family goes on a trip!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7147623242080376027.post-13391391121939612012008-02-20T21:43:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:07:37.067-08:00Meet us!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70RRAp6PmI/AAAAAAAAABs/Fh2HWk4gybY/s1600-h/family_main.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70RRAp6PmI/AAAAAAAAABs/Fh2HWk4gybY/s400/family_main.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169306931222429282" /></a><br /><br />Hi! We're Tom and Trix! We needed fertility treatments to have our set of twins, and we wanted just one more baby, so we underwent more treatments. But instead of one more baby, we got FOUR! That's TWO sets of MULTIPLES! We have SIX CHILDREN!<br /><br />Tom: I work as an IT professional.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70SYAp6PnI/AAAAAAAAAB0/iMhVJd7x8bM/s1600-h/meet_tom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70SYAp6PnI/AAAAAAAAAB0/iMhVJd7x8bM/s400/meet_tom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169308150993141362" /></a><br /><br />Tom: When I get home from work, I take care of the children while Trix rests.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70TuAp6PoI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Hpuf34_dDPo/s1600-h/tom_tim.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70TuAp6PoI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Hpuf34_dDPo/s400/tom_tim.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169309628461891202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70TuQp6PpI/AAAAAAAAACE/JY3izNjek2E/s1600-h/tom_travis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70TuQp6PpI/AAAAAAAAACE/JY3izNjek2E/s400/tom_travis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169309632756858514" /></a><br /><br />Tom: I'm also building a greenhouse so we can feed organic food to our children. Trix keeps me very busy but I've trained myself to survive on three hours of sleep.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Tuwp6PqI/AAAAAAAAACM/i_xnvBhe_eo/s1600-h/greenhouse1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Tuwp6PqI/AAAAAAAAACM/i_xnvBhe_eo/s400/greenhouse1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169309641346793122" /></a><br /><br />Tom: I might sleep better if I weren't so worried about paying our bills.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70UHQp6PrI/AAAAAAAAACU/BjSW95vSIns/s1600-h/paying_bills.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70UHQp6PrI/AAAAAAAAACU/BjSW95vSIns/s400/paying_bills.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169310062253588146" /></a><br /><br />Trix: I quit my job to become a stay-at-home mom. I <span style="font-style:italic;">love</span> being a mommy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70UZQp6PsI/AAAAAAAAACc/tCcZPHRCvdg/s1600-h/meet_trix.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70UZQp6PsI/AAAAAAAAACc/tCcZPHRCvdg/s400/meet_trix.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169310371491233474" /></a><br /><br />Trix: I am always EXHAUSTED looking after our children, and cleaning everything in the house at least three times a day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70VDQp6PtI/AAAAAAAAACk/HPNhCEOgliQ/s1600-h/trix_cleaning.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70VDQp6PtI/AAAAAAAAACk/HPNhCEOgliQ/s400/trix_cleaning.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169311093045739218" /></a><br /><br />Trix: Fortunately, we have lots of friends who love us and who help us out a lot. They play with the children, they babysit every Friday, why, they even fold our laundry!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Vrgp6PuI/AAAAAAAAACs/Qz-LWrCAqOI/s1600-h/neighbours.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Vrgp6PuI/AAAAAAAAACs/Qz-LWrCAqOI/s400/neighbours.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169311784535473890" /></a><br /><br />Tom: Tricia is Mommy's helper. She loves to make beds and to play with the babies!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70WSAp6PvI/AAAAAAAAAC0/oYBl4UL_BU4/s1600-h/tricia1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70WSAp6PvI/AAAAAAAAAC0/oYBl4UL_BU4/s400/tricia1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169312445960437490" /></a><br /><br />Trix: Tammy is our free spirit. Every day, we pray that she stops playing so much, and helps out around the house. Honestly, those carpets aren't going to vacuum themselves! Would it kill her to cook supper and change diapers and do all the ironing?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Wnwp6PwI/AAAAAAAAAC8/I4SaRyyMKL4/s1600-h/tammy1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Wnwp6PwI/AAAAAAAAAC8/I4SaRyyMKL4/s400/tammy1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169312819622592258" /></a><br /><br />Tom: You may remember that in our first TV special, we were driving a used vehicle because that's all we could afford.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Y2Qp6PxI/AAAAAAAAADE/qBC1qhmcJ5s/s1600-h/car1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Y2Qp6PxI/AAAAAAAAADE/qBC1qhmcJ5s/s400/car1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169315267753950994" /></a><br /><br />Tom: Jim Bob's Cars & Trucks saw how small our car was, and gave us a mini-van! We really appreciate Jim Bob's Cars & Trucks!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Y2gp6PyI/AAAAAAAAADM/7RtruEm4Cqs/s1600-h/car2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70Y2gp6PyI/AAAAAAAAADM/7RtruEm4Cqs/s400/car2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169315272048918306" /></a><br /><br />Trix: And we were in a teeny-tiny house in the last special. I really love this picture of our family with our old house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70bSgp6PzI/AAAAAAAAADU/eOjVosypAbs/s1600-h/house1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70bSgp6PzI/AAAAAAAAADU/eOjVosypAbs/s400/house1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169317952108511026" /></a><br /><br />Trix: But House Depot built us this new house. We really appreciate House Depot! Although I wish the house was bigger.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70bSwp6P0I/AAAAAAAAADc/SeBKRDSh7s4/s1600-h/house2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70bSwp6P0I/AAAAAAAAADc/SeBKRDSh7s4/s400/house2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169317956403478338" /></a><br /><br />Tom: This is all we have time for right now. Join us for next week, when we try to potty train FOUR toddlers at the same time!<br />Trix: Tracey poops in her underwears!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70c3gp6P1I/AAAAAAAAADk/CPdeZmIjpR4/s1600-h/tracey_poops.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5BNGKzkrRE/R70c3gp6P1I/AAAAAAAAADk/CPdeZmIjpR4/s400/tracey_poops.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169319687275298642" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00562717740471408760noreply@blogger.com5