The Story of Us Part 4 ~ the party

How it began ~

We actually 'met' about three times. (really) I'll start with the last one.... just so I can try to have this make some sort of sense for you.

It was around September 1999. All my friends were out of town camping. Except one. I was hanging out with her at her house downtown. We heard about an acquaintance of ours having a house-warming party that night and decided to crash it. What else did we have to do??? Nothing.

That is where it happened. We met at the house-warming party I crashed.

It was actually a very profitable party. I met another life-long friend there, and she met her husband there. Two marriages from one party??? That's a good night! ;)

At one point in the party, I admit it, I was getting bored. There were so many people, and everyone was having a good time, but I was tired of small talk. I just stood on the stairs for a minute surveying the people and the party. Then a mutual acquaintance came over and introduced me to Patrick. But I wouldn't end up remembering him as "Patrick". I remember meeting this 'guy who worked in finance' while I stood on the stairs. The convo did not last too long if I remember correctly.

Sad to say, but the first encounter I really remember wasn't all fireworks and stuff. That's okay. 
A few days later, I met this new group of friends from the party at a Japanese restaurant. Patrick was there. What I didn't know, what that he was trying to sit next to me. That didn't happen. He missed by a few seconds and two chairs. (awww... so close. I could totally see that in some romantic comedy script. Maybe you just had to be there....)
Anyway, I happened to walk to the restaurant - it was so close, and I'm a walker, so I figured why not??? What I didn't expect, was everyone going to an ice-cream shop downtown afterwards. Guess who I rode with?? uh-huh.... yep. He made sure we were in the same car. Then he came and sat at my table during ice-cream. Then, on the way to all our cars for the ride home, the girls jumped on the guys backs for a ride. Guess who I ended up with??? Shocking coincidence mmmm??? Or maybe a very clever young man made sure he was in the right spot at the right time. I was not 'aware' of what was transpiring. I was not yet the smitten kitten, but he was intrigued, and apparently a Liv Tyler impersonation I did on that drive home helped seal the deal! ;)

He 'planned' a seat next to me during church one Sunday. I was the only one in the group that was in the choir, so I was the last one to the seats. After that Sunday he asked for my email. (that's right - not a phone number. I guess email was just 'safer'.) I didn't expect anything for a few days, but he emailed within two hours. I didn't get it until Monday, as it was my work email, and we corresponded for about two days. It was then he asked for my phone number.

I remember running to the offices of my girlfriends down below mine and reading them the emails and saying, "What should I do??" in a high pitched excited voice and completely stumped. They just looked at me and laughed and said... "give him your phone number!!"

And so it began....

Well... sort of.... It still took me a little bit longer to get a clue. We had our first 'date' in Oct of '99. But, I'll save the story of that disaster for later.......

The List - Story of Us Part 3

Now, there is a certain amount of stigma that goes with hearing a girl made a list about what she wants in a husband. Sometimes eye rolling, a sigh of 'oh that kind of girl'... usually not a positive response to finding out a girl made a 'husband list'.

I was one of those list making girls. What is wrong with making a list???? I mean really. 
You make a 'list' when you buy a house: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two car garage, small yard, large yard, AC, close to town...
You make a 'list' when you buy a car: 4 wheel drive, leather seats, 5 passenger, large trunk, 6 CD changer, heated seats.... etc, etc.

So what, I ask, is so wrong about making a list of what you want in a husband?? You have the house and the car for just a small number of years. You are supposed to have a spouse - forever. And you aren't allowed to be specific about this??? Give me a break.

So the list.

I don't remember all of it. A couple of years ago while cleaning out our basement before construction began, I found my diaries - and THE LIST. I really enjoyed reading it. :) It is freaking amazing how many of them are 'answered', and the ones that aren't. I don't know where it is now, but I'll share a few I remember.

• A couple inches taller than me.      This one sticks out the most to me right now because it was answered so literally, and yet... what was I thinking?? Patrick is exactly two inches taller than me. I listed this because in my teen thinking, thought, "well, I sure as heck don't want to be the 'tall' one, and anyone who is like, 6'4" would be hard to kiss". I figured we'd be kissing a lot, so this seemed inconvenient and uncomfortable. However, with him just 2" taller than me, I find I can't wear too many heels...... suddenly I feel very Katie Holmes.
• Plays the piano.       He does! And well too. He plays piano like I sing. It's like this; when he plays (and he plays by ear people!) he plays really, really well. But when other people are around, suddenly he has music amnesia. I understand. I sing a LOT better when it is just us, then I go out in the world and sound like a sick wet cat trapped in a trashcan. I wanted him to be musically inclined. He really is. Patrick has a much better ear than I do when it comes to pitch, tune, and key. So I really like it when he says I'm a really good singer! ;)
• He can sing.      Patrick can sing. He's no Michael Buble, or Josh Groban, but he can and does sing. And unless he's doing his 'goofy exaggerating' voice I enjoy listening to him. I like singing duets with him. I like that part of marriage.
• Went to ORU.     This is by far the STUPIDEST thing to list. I had a fascination with the college and thought marrying a guy who went there sounded cool. What kind of crackhead thinks that?? The college is fine and all... but why didn't I list Yale or Harvard or something??? hahaha PS: Patrick did go there...
• Is kind, gentle.      This sounds obvious, but I knew I'd need to marry a softie and not one of the 'ape' men out there who don't have a clue. I'm emotional and 'delicate' enough to know I needed someone like that for a life-long partner. I got it.
• Romantic.       Patrick sure is. I don't want to make all the ladies out there jealous... so I'll only list one thing here: I got a great back rub or massage about every single night for the first two years of marriage. I still got them after that of course (still do) but not quite as often. He plans romantic things, and scores pretty big on gifts too. I'm a lucky, lucky girl.
• Is from any state in the union except Texas.     Again... another dumb one. This one God has a sense of humor on. I'm sure you can guess why. Out of all of the states in the nation - Patrick is from Texas. Haha God, very funny. That's fine. At least he lost his accent before I met him.
• Has that Southern gentleman-ness.      He does. Maybe being from TX helps that?? Maybe his Southern mama does? I don't know... but after some time spent with 'southern gents' at ORU one trip, I fell 'in love' with they way those boys were different. It then made the list. ;)
• Has good fashion sense.      I love a guy that looks good. I'm sure all women do... but obviously there is a lack of definition on this out there....    Anyway.. Patrick does have a pretty decent sense of fashion. The biggest problem with this is the life/job he's had at any given time (required dress, etc.) and the huge lack of funds to buy the clothes we both really want. But, with those obstacles in play, he still generally looks pretty hot in his clothes.
• Blue eyes, brown hair.      Well, he does have blue eyes, but the hair is barely brown. He used to be a blond kid. But the hair color just wasn't enough to keep me from marrying him! (wink) :)
• And of course, be a lover of God.       He is. :) That is the most important one anyway. Everything else is just gravy.

The list had like... a ba-gillion things on it I'm sure. These are mostly the things I remember writing and reading about. What is amazing to me, is how God takes care of each of our little wants and hopes and desires. He doesn't have to be so specific with all the chaos going on in the world, but He cares just that much! And obviously even God has a sense of humor about it all. It makes me love Him just that much more!

The Story of Us part 2

So... now my 'first love' Worm Poop is history and I turn...I don't know... 16, 17?? Not sure when it ended exactly. I liked many boys over the years, some were short crushes, and some were long loves. And there were several boys who liked me too. Some I had no idea how much - thanks to my naivety... but my friends filled me in. ...Eventually. (ahem)

Basically, looking back on the teen years, I'm glad I don't have to do them again. I would definitely do some things differently, but I wouldn't volunteer to go back. I'm settled now. In a good way. Day in a day out I have a husband who loves me, adores me, I tick him off, he ticks me off, and we kiss and make up. We are there for each other. It's secure, and fun... and definitely not boring. (mostly because we have four kids! hello!)

But before him, there was Brian. (Unfortunately Brian didn't have a nickname, so we will have to use his actual name. Brenna - is there anything I should know here?? Did he have a nickname I can use in future stories??) heehee

When I was 20, I had this independent streak where I was going to this other church by myself for awhile. But...the irony of it, I was in their choir, but loved my 'family' church, so I was attending two churches every Sunday morning. I would race from one building to another. It was super exhausting. I did this the entire time we dated. (Brian was at the other church)

I have to admit, breaking up with him was really freeing because I could finally just go to one church again. This was 1998. Little did I know that the very next year I would start dating my husband.

As for the break-up, I played the role of "the man afraid of commitment". Brian was talking about marriage, and where we'd live, and holidays and this and that... and we were only dating for about six months. Totally freaked me out. Then one day I realized I was freaked out about a future with this guy. I was in my mom's kitchen putting away dishes with my sister and was dreading the thought of marrying this guy and spending my whole life with him.

That's when I got a clue.

So, not wanting to hurt him, (he was a nice guy) I broke up with him in a way to made him think it was his idea. And it worked too. (really) For months his roommate would come up to me and say, "don't worry, Brian and you will get back together..." like he was trying to console me, the 'broken hearted' one. (!) :0)

That was the most serious relationship I'd had prior to marriage.  But it wasn't even that fun. A few of my crushes were a lot more exciting than this was. ;)

So, moral of the story... don't marry just any 'ol nice guy.  Oh, that, and... be sure to at least look forward to a future with someone!

Now I've been both a rejected and rejectee. Time to move on again - but little did I know how close around the corner new love was!

The Story of Us Part 1

It is the end of the year and I 'should' be writing about our family Christmas or New Years or something seasonal, like my overindulgence in food or whatnot.

But, I have been wanting to write about this for some time, so I'm starting it now.

I want to share and write about how Patrick and I became us. Our story. But first, to really appreciate 'us', I'm going to start with some background.

The story of Worm Poop.

I just love that name. I hated it a long time ago, but I love it now. Fond memories. Thanks sis!

It is the story of my first love. That's right. I said it. I loved other guys than Patrick. My first love is someone my sister referred to as Worm Poop. And I will use that name too, just because I like hearing it. (haha)

It was maybe four... three/four... years of my life that I was totally in love with him. We used to work at church together on Sunday mornings with the kids. We did this for two years together. Man! How did I look forward to Sunday mornings!! :) We worked in the same class and every time he was with a kid and being sweet I thought about how he would make a great dad.

(Yes, I really did think that far ahead...)

We were in youth group together, and I would sit so that I could see him every week. He would run his fingers through his brown hair and I would melt! He smelled sooooo good. A good smelling guy just really gets me, and he smelled good. I know, I know, nobody likes a foul smelling guy. That's not what I mean... I mean whatever product he was using - it was intentional... not like the millions of other guys out there with no smell.
Enough about smell.

He had blue eyes, a great build and I just LOVED him. I remember him driving me home from church some days in his big old car. We were driving down Powers Blvd, which at that time had a speed limit of 45 or 50, and we would be going about 70. I never told that to my mom, sorry mom... now you know... But that was so fun. It felt dangerous and grown up... and fun.

Oh, and by the way, as I'm typing this, I'm reminded I have three daughters and I'm already terrified of the teenage years... oh crap.

Anyway, I was head over heels. We were gonna get married, live happily ever after and my dear sis, she wasn't feeling the love and thus the lovely nickname. You should read the diary I was keeping at the time. Oh man is it ever funny and painful. The teen years are sooo dramatic and emotional. Sheesh.

"He said 'hi' to me. He loves me. I know it. He didn't have to say Hi, so I know it must mean he was thinking of me all day. I bet he said it in front of the mirror practicing all day...." That is not an actual quote people. I'm just basically conveying the idea of how ridiculous the diary is. Especially on the days I was ticked off by him. Or by Brenna calling him Worm Poop.

But, most first loves fall by the wayside, and this one did too. I think of him sometimes, just as a human being of course... like how is he? How did he end up? Married? Does his sister-in-law refer to him as Worm Poop too??? But basically, I just look back and laugh. I was totally completely in love, my heart broke, and would break a few more times.... but that is just what we have to do (most of us) on our journey of finding our mate.

He was mine... but I'm glad it is just funny stories now, and the distant, distant past!

From the hands of babes....

Last year I bought the Little People nativity set. My kids want to touch and feel and move and 'play with' nativity scenes (so it would seem since they do that with mine), so I bought them this. They can touch and play with it all they want. Very user-friendly. (smile)

This is what it looks like:

I walked past the nativity a couple of days ago and saw this:

A lamb was put in the place of Jesus. I wanted to reach over and 'fix' it. But then it struck me.

Whoever did this, though probably accidental, really drove home the Christmas point. There was Mary and Joseph, with the Lamb of God with them in that barn. A Lamb had come to be slaughtered (eventually) for you and for me.

So, when you look at the nativity, see the baby Jesus and the cuteness and wonder that infants bring. But, also look closer and see the Lamb. He didn't stay a baby for long. They never do...

He came as that cute baby - so you would live with him in eternity. That is the wonder and miracle of it all!

No language barrier here

My precious, precious one year old just told me.....'no'.

And so it begins. As of this point I only have had three of the four children telling me no. Now the last one has become an 'official child'... and everyone can officially 'talk back'.  Merry Christmas to me! (haha)

Admittedly, it is cute coming from her... but a sign of life to come.
(Are my kids allowed to talk back to me?? Of course not!! No. No way. But do they sometimes?? You bettcha! All kids do at some point. I don't think there is a child on this planet who hasn't talked back to a parent - even if it was just under their breath...)

Here's what happened. We just had breakfast an hour ago. I'm at the base of the stairs, and Talia comes over and yells down, "Mooooommmmmmmmm!" (this is a new way to call me) "apple. apple. apple. apple" jumps of glee at the very tip top of a stair case, "apple. apple."

Me, "do you want an apple??" She actually wants a tangerine, but other than "mananas", all fruit are "apples".
More jumps of glee and huge smiles all teetering on the edge of the stairs. I dash upwards. "Not right now Talia. We just had breakfast. You have to wait til snack."

And then it came. "Nnnooooo!" She ran to the kitchen telling me 'no' over and over.

One year olds..... :)

She is just the cutest! Goofy. Crazy. But cute.

Come again????

You know that Taylor Swift song Love Story??

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone,
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run,
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby just say yes

Weelllllll... that's fine and all.... but when my four and five year old girls sing it the last two lines come out:

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess,
It's a long story, baby just say yes

That is funny to me on many levels. Hope you enjoy - and some of you married-longer-than-newlyweds just might 'get it' too. :)

PS: I've told them the correct lyrics, but they just laugh and say something akin to "yeah right mommy!" haha

I got to wear it!!

We went to the Rock Ledge Ranch Christmas celebration this last weekend. They are a historic site in town which has three houses from an 1860's homestead cabin, to an actual farm house from 1880, and a house from 1907 that one of the founders of our city built.

They have 'docents' that dress up in period clothing in each house and show you what Christmastime was like back then. I love this event. I think it is really good for the children. I love them seeing the un-elaborate Christmases of years gone by. The simple trees and decorations. The very few packages under the tree wrapped in just simple brown paper and tied with string.

At the homes they also make the food that would have been eaten. The cabin had popcorn. The farmhouse had Christmas sausage (it smelled a-mazing!) and something else... and the Edwardian home had scalloped potatoes among other things.

In a November post called Here's me being crazy, I talked about my love of full skirts. Well... what better event to wear it to???  I really don't have something to cover the slip - yet - so I used a Victoria Secret terrycloth swimsuit cover up. The slip was peeking out, but I think it worked okay.

First of all, I was warm. Score. Second of all, I didn't have to walk around out there in my snow pants to accomplish that warmth. Score again. And... lastly - I have to say, it just looked good. ;)

One of my favorite parts of the evening by far (personally) was when we were walking out towards the parking lot, and some family coming in (it was way dark) said, "Hey look kids, there's someone dressed up! Say hi!"

Of course I smiled and said hi. Loved it. haha... it's the simple things that make your day. :)

Not sure why Avalon looks pouty in these pictures, she had a great time. Really.

our Christmas tree

Usually I'm very "Monica Geller" about our Christmas tree.  ...this ornament here and this ornament there... big ones on the bottom, no two same ones together, small ones on top.

We have a simple tree. It is filled with special ornaments of Patrick and mine, special kid ornaments - and then the usual 'crappy' kid ornaments made from pipe cleaners, foam, stickers, glitter glue, popsicle sticks and what-not. We don't have elaborate themes, or big ribbon garland (this year), or all of the other 'model tree' stuff. But it's our tree, and here in person, it looks amazing.

This year... I had the BEST time decorating. I just let the kids do all the work. I mean, every single stitch of it. And this is what it turned out like:

Oh, I'm sorry, can you not really see it??? Just to be clear here.... the ornaments.... all of them... are on the bottom two feet of the tree. Cute. But not that cute.

I could only take this so long people. I had to change it.

This is what it looks like now.

Merry Christmas to me!

(I like to think there's a little bit of Monica Geller in all of us. And that's okay.)

Me? Supergirl??

Well... maybe. I seriously think I just might have the ears of Superman.

Here's the thing. I can hear my daughter coughing in her room. I can hear my husband calling me from the basement bathroom for toilet paper. I can hear my husband calling me from any bathroom in the house for a towel. (apparently he goes into that room rather unprepared...)

I can hear my son telling his sister not to tell on him for whatever he just did to her. I can hear everyone of them calling me all the time. I can hear them if I am in the kitchen with the dishwasher running. I can hear them when I am in our walk-in closet. I can (usually) hear them from our laundry room.

Can they hear me??? Oh no. Heaven's to betsy no. Can they hear me in the freakin' middle of the house screaming my brains out?? Is our house just too big??

I dare to offer two potential situations.
1. All of them - all five of them - must have some type of hearing deficiency.  But that can't be possible. What are the chances??? I mean... if it was just one of them, I'd wonder. But all five??? Not possible.

2. I have the ears of Superman. That is the only reasonable solution or plausible reason why I can always hear them, even in soft voices, while they seem to be deaf to my calls and needs.

Well folks, that's all. Obviously I have super powers. Just thought I'd share. I mean... it's not everyday you realize you are part human, part Supergirl.

Have a good night...
What?? What was that??? I heard that!!

Here's me being crazy

Yes, this is admittedly a ridiculous post. It can be compared to saying I want to go to Neverland.

But here's the thing....I would really really like to see full skirted dresses and skirts for women come back into style. I wish that I could single-handedly accomplish this. I just LOVE the rustle of skirts. I love the warm they provide when it is cold outside, and I love the 'lady-ness' of them. You just look pretty - even if you have a few too many pounds here or there, if you have a tummy roll or a flat butt. Or a big butt. Or chunky thighs. Or chicken legs.

The biggest problem with full skirts.... you really can't even attempt to bring them back. Because if you go out in public wearing one of these things, people will think you are either crazy, or in some kind of theater production. Actually.... that may be my perfect excuse... this being the holiday time and all.... maybe I could start wearing one and just let everyone think I'm some local actress in the holiday play who just happens to be out and about in costume to pick up some milk..... hmmmmm.....

See, I got two full skirts yesterday. Like the kind you wear under a wedding gown. So, actually they are two full slips. If I.... say... made a skirt for them out of calico... that would be weird. Like I was trying to be on Little House on the Prairie or something. BUT! What if you took the skirt and covered it in a really modern gorgeous print, or updated material or design and then wore it with a tee.... something to ponder.

Actually.... since my very hip sister got me a subscription to InStyle (which I have been reading since it's first year) - I know that full skirts actually hit the runways this fall. That's right... full skirts are back baby!! The main problem, is that I like the longer rustling kind, and they highlight the calf or knee length ones.

Maybe it is just a matter of time...... ;)Full skirts - Fall trend

Regardless... I'm hearing my church choir may be doing this caroling thing... maybe I'll make a 'Christmas-y' one and wear it to that. Carolers do traditionally have full rustling skirts!!! haha!

I bet you've been wondering...

if we're 'pregnant'.... (no, not really silly...read the last post....)

Well... I don't know yet. Turns out we might be 'ovulating' but, the word on a baby is still out.

Have I completely lost you??? You see, I'm just comparing this 'thing' going on in our life to a pregnancy. They are the same kind of idea... you wait for some big change to arrive in your lap. I little work, a little labor - then presto!

So we have this thing... and the bank (see last post) - they said yes. But.... there is still much more to come if this 'baby' is to be born.

Are you tired of my riddles?? I don't blame you. I'm sorry. I just have to give you the whole story when I find out if and when this baby is coming - or not.

Until then, I will blog about whatever I can, and of course, other random facts and tidbits of my life....
and have a Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!

Here we go again....

I failed to tell you this... but on October 10th we took our house of the market.

We're content here. I mean.... really. How many people get to live in just the house they dream of??? Right??

So we'll stay. It is a gorgeous house... wish we had land... but honestly we are sooo blessed. Okay, God... we have content hearts, we will stay here... life is good.

and now......
Life is still good..... but... on Sunday we decided to put our house back on the market. By Sunday night it was relisted on the MLS (multiple listing service).
We had our first showing today!! Yea! I hope they want to buy it! (wink)

The last time we were selling our house it was pretty casual. You know... rates are low, prices of homes are low... let's do this and see what happens.       ....well.... nothing happened.

This time, it is different. There is a chance that nothing will happen this time either...but we are going into this with a different heart,  a different plan this time, and a different motivation. And... also... this time came from out of the blue! It happened very fast without a lot of time dwelling it.

I'm am excited to see what will come of it. We are waiting on word from a bank today. Actually... they are deciding something today and we should hear from them by tomorrow. It feels a little bit like taking a pregnancy test (I have a lot of experience in this area). I peed on the stick and now I'm just waiting anxiously (yet calmly) for the results..... will we be having a 'baby'.... or not???  :)

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
That's what I hear anyway!!

handwriting on the wall

This is a small snapshot of some of my feelings about children and school:

• I love the idea of school - as in a small break during the day that I don't have EVERYONE needing something from me.
• I do believe, whatever you do for schooling, you should be an involved parent.
• Homeschooling. I was for a few years. Liked it. Isn't for everyone. Me do it now?? Heck no. See the first comment above.
• I like the break school gives me (have I mentioned this yet?)
• Schools should do a really good job teaching my children. Not only the core subjects, but morals, values... you know... reinforce the things we the parents are teaching at home.

I have always been the one to say, "God would have to have 'handwriting on the wall' in order for me to homeschool my kids!"

Weeellllll...... (deep breath and sigh)
I am happy to say that I get the opportunity to really know and educate and mold my son. We are taking him out of his current school after the Christmas break to homeschool him. (I'm guessing the handwriting ended up on my heart - not the wall.)

It will be temporary. Just the spring semester if he gets into the charter school his sister will be going to.... or for a year and a half max. Then back to 'regular' (the charter) school.

I am excited. But.... what if it is the excited that you get when you are pregnant dreaming about the sweet bundle you will bring home - and then you bring home this crying, poopy, spitting up bundle??
There are many many choices for education and so many books and opportunities that I can share with and teach Alex. I would say with a fair amount of confidence that I can't do any worse than the school he is in now...

This is the reason why we are doing this (in an itty bitty nutshell):
He was supposed to be in this said charter school, but.... there was a little complication due to birthdates. They accepted him last year, but we didn't want him to repeat kindergarten, but they couldn't put him in first grade. So we kept him in his current school for another year even though it wasn't meant to be a long-term place. He is still there, and frankly, I am a little less than pleased. I feel some knowledge and basic subjects are lacking, and they are kind of dumbing him down. So to speak. He is learning. But not all the stuff I'd like.

During our time together at home, I get to catch him up to 'where he should be', watch two little kids, still manage the house - and now school planning. This should be interesting people!! :) It is not an exaggeration to say I'm not the best at managing my home right now. I really don't HAVE to add to my list of duties.... but somethimgs are just worth doing.... for the long run.

I love you

You know that voice, the one that young children have, that is cheerful, but awfully loud sometimes??
It is cute, because they aren't always 'aware' of their surroundings, sometimes funny.... sometimes not. Depending where you are.

This morning I was walking my two youngest through Wal-Mart when the 3 year old turned to me and said, "Jesus said, 'I love you'." (she was talking about herself)
She has been saying that a lot lately. That she hears Jesus telling her He loves her. (awww...! )

So there she is in the cart, and before I even get out an affirmation to her, she tilts her head skywards, and with loving eyes looking toward heaven, she announces quite loudly, "I love you too, Jesus!!"

My heart swelled and melted at the same time. I had just a nano-second of understanding just a tiny bit of how God must feel when little children (and even us big kids) say that to Him. Amazing! It just made my morning!

my therapy

I am using this blog as my therapy outlet this morning. If you don't want to read it - I don't blame you! :)

If a tree falls in the forest and no one sees it, does it make a sound??
If your child is driving you crazy but your spouse isn't witness to it, can you actually end up in a straight jacket??

I have a (nameless) child who is driving me NUTS.

This makes me do a few things:

• Cry a few tears (for several reasons)

• Wonder if my parenting skills are non-existent

• Wonder where in the heck did I 'go wrong' with our parenting so far

• Get super frustrated at where I am

• Think maybe- it was just a bad morning/day/week - we all have those and maybe it is just a short phase/ bad day for said child

• Write on a blog  to the whole cyber world that I am questioning my child's behavior and my skills as parent, just so I can release some pent up frustration and anger....

And actually - I am feeling a bit better. I know (deep, deep inside) that I'm not alone. Not only to I have my Lord to turn to, but I am literally not alone, because other mothers are fighting sanity issues of their own.

My lookouts -

Now, this may only be funny to you if you believe the same things I do.
Such as, some day Jesus, the King of all Kings will come (in the sky) to gather all the Christians to live with Him forever.

I believe that. I look forward to hopefully living to see that day. And I tell my children about what the Bible says about Jesus returning to earth.

Weeeeeeellllllll!
Of all the things I say  and how many thousands of times I repeat myself... this is one of the stories that has stuck.
Have you ever been out at night in the complete darkness and saw an airplane flying exactly your direction?? Their yellow lights are SUPER bright - even at that altitude.

Two times now, in the last month, our kids have seen it and started jumping and shouting - "Jesus is coming back - Look! There He is!!!"

Then we have to break the news to them that it is not actually Jesus, but just an airplane planning to land.... but that Jesus can't wait to meet them in person and good job keeping a 'look-out'.  :)

If that doesn't make you smile... I don't know what will!

Things I love

My 17 month old daughter Talia knows and recognizes Ariel (Disney's mermaid) - thanks to her 3 year old sister. What I love, is that she calls her "ya-ya".... and usually with great passion too! Whether we are in a store and she sees her on a cup or a sheet set, or sees our Ariel barbie, or the movie case, she nails it every time.  Sooo adorable!

I love that Talia loves socks and shoes. (it is practical with cold weather coming - but that's not my favorite part)
She gets dressed each morning on the floor and then she starts toddling away until I say, 'time for socks!'.
Then she races back across the floor and plops her butt down in front of me, shoving her tiny little toes in my face saying, 'gock. gock.' LOVE it. Then she promptly says, "shoes. shoes", immediately following that. Then she smiles in wonder at her newly adorned feet and toddles out of the room.

Our three year old, Avalon, is still talking 'cute'. You may call it baby talk... but by my third child and now realizing how fast this is all going, I let her do it. It is not on purpose, not that whiny baby talk you may be thinking of, but just a failure to speak correct English. haha.... her brother and sister correct her all the time.. so I really don't have to!

Gi-Show = Giselle (Disney's princess from Enchanted) This is especially cute in a sentence, and it drives her older brother nuts. "I want to watch Gi-Show when we get home."
Frustrated brother... "yeah, I know Avi, but WHAT show????"

I wicked it off wif my tum. = I licked it off with my tongue.
As in... what she just did to the cream cheese fluff on her finger.

Dear Barney,

We watched your show today Barney. It was great. You made a wind chime out of an old tin can, spoons, blocks of trash and metal scraps and stuff. Wow! It makes music on it's own when the wind blows. So fascinating.

"We can make that!" my daughter says. "We have that stuff!"

Oh yeah... great. We have that stuff alright. It is in my trash can, my silverware drawer, and corners of the garage.

I definitely want to hang all that crap from the eaves of my house dangling from string like a proud display of trash for all the neighborhood to see. That would be fantastic. There's nothing that says, 'hey, we aren't white trash yet, but we're headed there quickly', like a bunch of junk hanging in your yard banging around and making noise.

Thanks so much for giving this idea to my three year old. The same child that hangs on to ideas for months. We just love your show - it is soo educational and helpful! Next week, can we learn something creative?? Like, I don't know, fingerpainting with food coloring? or new uses for used tissues?

I did it for their own good...

Wow, I haven't been on here for two weeks. Haven't felt very 'bloggy'... but now I have a short story for you....

I currently, as I type, have a seven year old in the room next to me, fake crying his eyes out. Loudly. I mean, BIG 'ol crocodile tears. Moans. Groans. Sobs.

And do you want to know why?? I took his afternoon friend play date privilege away. Why, you ask?? Well.. it was a million little things really. He was disobedient, disrespectful, and not a very 'nice' little boy all morning. He didn't really commit the same crime twice or more, but he did commit about a thousand different and varying crimes... so to speak.

I kept warning him and warning him. "I'll take away your friend privilege this afternoon if you keep this up!" I would say.
"If you can't be nice to family, you can't be nice to friends" I said. I warned him and I warned him. I warned him some more.

I was breaking my heart. He is off from school today and should be having a fun play day. It wasn't turning out that way though and I had to do something about it.
So I did. I took away the play date.

You can only push mama's buttons for so long....

I did it for his own good. A tantrum by a seven year old isn't pretty. It ain't pretty people!! But it is better than a full out tantrum by a fourteen year old! Dat be da truth!

So, as my header says... it is difficult to be a perfect parent when you actually have children. Before you have kids you say things like... well, I would never do that...or... my kids will never talk to me like that.... etc, etc... but then you actually HAVE kids and it's like... hello!

Anyway... that's what I'm doing today... how's your week going????
What??
I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sobs in the next room.....

Deep thoughts...by Tara

Do you remember those early 90's SNL segments of Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy that usually didn't make much sense. This is sure to rival that.

That being said, I am feeling rather bi-polar about moving.

I guess sometimes I look around and love our house so much I can't imagine moving. The inside of the house anyway. I am not in love with our lot size, the neighbors looking down on us from 5 feet away, or the whole claustrophobic-ness of a cookie cutter neighborhood.


On the other hand, I also like having neighbors around, with neighborhood streets to walk and ride bikes. To borrow sugar from your friend as you run out of ingredients while cooking. Standing in your driveways while the kids run around together, catching up with the folks next door.

On the other hand, I want to live in the country, 'away from it all'. I want acreage, I want mountain views, I want well water, and a wood burning fireplace. But... then you don't have the neighborhood feel. No riding bikes on sidewalks. No group of neighborhood kids going from house to house....

Our house hasn't sold. But what if it does?? Where do we go? Do I want another neighborhood, not for me, but for my kids? Or do I want the country house and lifestyle, not just for me, but because I think it will be so good for my kids!! You know???

And don't even get me started on the 'country lifestyle'. I have problems. I think (I say I am sure) that I want chickens, rabbits, and a duck if we move to the country. And I also want a large garden, and homemade bread... and I want my girls in cute country dresses, and my boy having a ball just running the land outdoors, and shoot! maybe while I'm at it, I'll home school.

See what I mean... I run off on tangents. This coming from the woman who knows the value of living close to shopping malls..... I may be bi-polar indeed.

It doesn't help that I'm reading Little House in the Big Woods to the kids. It makes me want to be Ma and make the kids corn husk dolls. Then I have to think about real life and how we don't eat bears caught from Pa's traps. I live in the 21st century, and somehow, I have to find a way to blend all that I love from the simple and uncomplicated life, into this modern and not completely escapable life.

Ahh... that's my therapy for the day. If anyone is still reading.... you may know what I mean, when I say that sometimes... you just have to blurt out your thoughts.... even if they may sound crazy to others.

Update on the house

I wrote about six weeks ago to say that the house is on the market. Well.... for the last three of the six weeks, no one has come to see the house. A very quiet three weeks. And we grew lazy. Lazy! Twenty-four hours ago the house was not looking good. So much so, that we joked about how horrible it would be to have a call for a showing.

Then, as I was cleaning the dishes yesterday morning, the phone rang.

It was our realtor's office.

They wanted to know if we could have a showing.... in 45 minutes.

I said yes. (!!!)

And thus began the crazy running around the house. It didn't get perfect, but decent enough for people to walk in the door. I still had dishes in the sink, the garage was a disaster, and the laundry room isn't near 'staged', but it was doable. Especially since I had been under the weather with a virus since last Wed. night. It felt excusable. And I even left the realtor a note saying so.
Then, while I was out for that showing, we got two more calls for showings! I have two more today (so I really need to get off this and do some final cleaning touches)

Three weeks of silence and then three showings in 24 hours!
One thing is for sure: If you aren't showing your house to people, whether they be strangers or friends, it is really easy to let it go. And once you start slipping.... it seems it happens sooo fast, it is not so easy to recover!

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty...

There's nothing like a little 'lift' from your kids to make you feel great about yourself.

My oldest daughter (who is 5) has recently discovered that she has the fullest lips in the family - and inadvertently likes to rub it in.

"mom, my lips are big. Yours are not. Yours are tiny and small."

"yes, thanks Vivianne, I know. My lips are not as full as yours."
Now repeat the above conversation five or so times.

Seriously, even though she is just five, that conversation grew really old this past weekend. I think I am half human, and part bird. I have chicken legs, chicken lips, and crow's feet. Ha!

THEN! We were driving (me and the four kids) in the van on Saturday and everyone was silent. Ahhhh... It was a gorgeous sunny and warm day. Peace filled the van. Then suddenly...
"AGH!!!" a high-pitched scream from my daughter in the rear of the vehicle, "I thought I saw a old ugly witch's hand coming through the window!" she tells her brother..."But it is not a witch's hand...." (she giggles)"It is just a reflection of mom's hand in the window! phew."

Don't I just feel so pretty now?? Growing older is fun. I have grey roots to cover this week before they get any longer, and now I know I have tiny bird lips and old witch's hands... fabulous.

Living it out~

We recently rented the movie Kit Kitridge, an American Girl. I am so impressed! The movie is a high-quality movie, that I definitely recommend, and hope to own myself someday!

Good cast, great writing, good plot - unpredictable ending - even for me. I just loved it.

It is about friends growing up in the 1930's depression. They sell eggs for money, wear 'feed sack' dresses, some lose their houses... (I promise it is child appropriate!) ... and eat at a soup kitchen.

Now, my two oldest girls like to play 'Friends'. It is what I called "playing house" when I was a child. They take on roles of these friends that get together for teas, and church.. you have it.

However....... we were in public today. Just so you don't miss that - we were in PUBLIC today.... when they were playing 'friends' again, but the public didn't know that.

All the public heard was, "And we don't have any food."
"Right. That's why we eat at the soup kitchen".

Ahhh. The joys of motherhood! As much as I want our kids to have imaginary play, I just did not see this scenario coming! haha

Dear Diary,

I am calling this dear diary, because I'm feeling rather personal today. Here's the truth and brunt of it:

I need a little space and air. Not space from my family or life per-se, just ... space and time in the day. I need to stop barely 'coming up for air' but to take a minute to have downtime and breathe.

But let's face it - we don't really get to hit the pause button on life.

I'm just a little bit overwhelmed lately.

The house is on the market.
I can not keep it clean.
I can not keep it clean.
I can not keep it clean. ergh.
I feel I barely have time to pay bills and some of them are 'behind'. Not so behind that I'm like, yikes, we are gonna lose the house, but more like, 'crap, this was due yesterday' (or last week)...etc.
I have not had time to work on some picture books (from March) that I thought would be done by now.
I'm basically 5 years behind in my hobbies (scrapbooking specifically)
We barely have enough clean underwear and socks to get all six of us through the next day in clothes. ... and I'm behind on changing sheets - which really puts the laundry behind!
I am behind on the family budget.
I have felt like I barely even have enough time to whip up a meal here and there....


So... ugh. Tired of "barely" and "hardly" keeping up on my life, and here I am announcing that to the world! Calgon! Take me away!! :)

Today I decided to take a minute for 'me' and exercise - I figure if anything it will give me more energy to work. But maybe, just maybe, it took up 30 minutes I didn't have to spare! haha!

Have a great day y'all! Hope you are getting done more than me!!!

Home sweet home

This is how we 'camp'. It is quite comfortable and quaint.

Here's the drill, we drive up to our campsite (because we sure as heck don't hike to our site with all this stuff!) Then mommy and daddy (and now Alex because he is finally old enough) get out of the van and pitch the tent. The girls wait in the car until it is finished and then they are in the tent with me as I set up 'house'.
This year they kept asking me over and over again why I said, "set up house". I thought that was cute, but it is really true. Even for just two days, we have all the beds to make up, a kitchen to set up, a clothes line for towels (or a tarp in bad weather).
I enjoy it, although the weather and the temperament of the family can make it fun or really challenging. Though even the more challenging years (like setting up in the rain as night fell) are still looked upon as fond memories! :)


This year we set up the tent in the midst of 40mph wind gusts. Alex and I were holding on to what esentially was a 12x15ft kite for dear life!! That was fun, and will probably rank right up there with the rain set up! ")

More of our camping trip ~

Animals abound!
We went on a hike around BEAR lake Tuesday afternoon.
The kids were super fascinated with all the chipmunks and took to feeding a couple of them. That is, until we ran out of granola bars and the kids just let the chipmunks sniff their empty hands.

The chipmunks didn't like that so much and let Avalon know it by just barely nipping at her fingertip. (It didn't hurt her)


We got 'home' that night (to the tent) and as night was falling Patrick spun around while at the table to a noise behind him. Four feet behind him was this deer. So weird. It just stood there. I got a few shots before it slowly meandered off. (Don't deers usually jump and scamper at the nearness of humans??)


That night, in the wee early hours before dawn, the wind picked up high in the trees. But.... I also heard some rattling of our pots and pans and stove on the table. Not the whole time the wind blew, but just for a brief moment when I thought... that maybe I heard someone in our camp. I thought I heard someone walking near/around the tent.
I woke Patrick "up", and we both listened more intently. Maybe it was the wind. Maybe it was the deer back to explore. Maybe it was a bear. I had to pee, but didn't want to make a single noise. I wanted to peek out and see if I could see anything - but I know myself. I would have been frozen stiff and completely panic-stricken if I saw a bear. So I decided to just lay there and wait for morning.

That next morning, when we packed up for home and checked out we learned that there was indeed a bear in the camp last night! Whew. I'm glad I didn't see it. I wouldn't have been able to sleep a wink. He may not have been at our table... but I'm so glad all food, candy and mints were in the car and that whatever was out there did us no harm. Tell you what though - always exciting... always exciting....

I totally forgot this one!

This is a good one - yesterday was picture day at school. Kindergarten pictures are a big deal for me, and thus for the family. So, this is what happened yesterday before I realized kindergarten pictures were yesterday:

We weren't late, but we didn't have 'extra' time yesterday morning. We got to school on time, but we were lucky to get there. You know those kinds of mornings right??? Not crazy, but you are glad to have lunches made and kids not going to school in their pj's.

Well, I picked out my daughters clothes. I usually do. They were cute. Most her clothes are, I think...but they were just average 'play' clothes. I did however let her do her own hair. Not a good idea most of the time, but I thought... what the heck - it doesn't matter. No one cares. Just let loose and be care free.... Anyway, picture day isn't until Wednesday and we can do her hair up cute then...

I also noticed that she had two barretts in her hair. A teal blue on one side of her head... and one lime green on the other. The blue wasn't soooo bad. Her outfit was navy, but the green.... lighten up I tell myself. She is in kindergarten. No big deal.

She is also wearing every necklace and bracelet this side of the Mississippi. I tell her to only choose one of each and that is what she can wear to school.
So my daughter goes to school in a nice outfit, but I could have done much much better if I had only known. She is with 'half done' hair with two different color barretts, a shiny plastic gold necklace wrapped twice around her neck over a navy ghingham ruffly shirt, and a glow in the dark yellow plastic bracelet on her wrist.

Now my *favorite* part of the day.... she comes running out after school with a friend by her side and the other mother says to her daughter...."How was picture day honey??"

And I yell.... "NOOOOOO!"

Oh well... guess I can take Kindergarten pics myself this year....

Just another manic Monday..

oh, oh... wish it was Sunday...whoa-oh-oh...

So it was a Monday in it's truest form. We woke up this morning to my husband's car battery being dead.


The 'baby' is suspected of getting a cold/teething... something that is making her a-mighty fussy.

And... (as another story altogether..) our refrigerator died last Friday. The new one was supposed to be delivered today, but.... can you believe it, the warehouse had no information on the purchase or delivery.

ugh.

It all worked out. The car got jumped lickity-split. (Although I was blamed for leaving a light on in his car when I drove it last Friday. But, bo-yah baby... I didn't drive your car last Friday, or for the last two weeks actually - so there. Then he blamed it on our 7 year old son - yeah right. Alex was out there just driving around with the lights on....)
Anyway.

The baby - well.... she never really 'fixed' herself, but I don't really see a 'cold', and we all survived the day. She is safe, I am still sane. (just go with me on that one...)

The fridge - my husband summed it up the best with this statement: The dog that barks the loudest gets the attention. I called thrice. (like that usage of our language???)My husband called the manager. Long story short - we got a fridge today. And a really cool one too. It is a 'top-of-the-line' floor model that was on crazy sale in order to rearrange the sales floor. Sweet. Works for me. In fact... that's how we ended up with our bed, and our theater sound system. (I know we are sounding spoiled, but we're not. Well, not that much.... but we are really really good shoppers.)

We've been camping

Things I have learned camping:

1: You can never bring the correct amount of clothes. Last year we had a two month old. How dirty can she get camping right?? Well, she had two blow-outs in the first few hours and dirtied almost all the clothes I brought for her.

This year I was sure I could keep that from happening. We all had two each of pants, shorts, tees, and long sleeves. Unfortunately, for three year old - she fell twice in the first 20 minutes of being at the campsite. Fell all the way forward and also back on her bottom. One entire outfit was dirt from head to toe. Oh.. and I forgot to pack her any PJ's. So.. the one clean outfit was what she slept in, and she had to wear the dirty clothes each day. Under packed again.

My son purposely chose to wear one outfit the whole time. We brought back several clean clothes for him.

The moral is, you can never get it right no matter what you pack for any child.


2: I love the outdoors. Even though we were cold (first night), dirty, dusty, too cold for a shower, and didn't have a 'good' night sleep; we all still had a LOT of fun. My kids are incredible campers. They are seriously good - well behaved, know the 'drills' of camp life, good attitudes, etc. I love making fires in the fire pit. (I made a one match fire!) I love the forest floor. I love the smells. I love that we camp by a place with real toilets too.

3: Marshmellows should only be given to a child (girl) who is wearing a ponytail. My three year old brushed her hair out of her face while eating a gooey marshmellow.
She had gooey marshmellow in her hair. Until we got here to the house. Eww.

4: There is nothing like a family trip to the mountains. Romantic, fun, adventurous.... I mean, our trip to Disney early this year was amazing too, but for like... 1,000 dollars less, this family trip rocked too. So you can do amazing things with very little money.
Obviously, the kids loved it -

got it!

No sooner did I finish the last posting, than my little girl announced she had to go potty. The kind I was on the hunt for!

The afternoon on Wednesday was full of driving to labs, getting blood tests and handing over my daughter's poop in a little jar to someone in scrubs. (got to be the least favorite part of their job!)


Now we are just waiting for test results. I don't know what is going on, but I do know this: we have had to keep a food diary of all she puts in her mouth since Monday. We mark down every food, and every time she says her tummy hurts. We also started the Zantac on Monday. Since then, and maybe it is coincidence, but she hasn't had too many tummy aches, and one of the ones she did have, was because I had just asked her to clean up her shoes. hmmmm... good timing.


Have a great weekend! Go out and enjoy nature - before it all freezes over this winter!

Number 2 for Number 3

So, we took Avalon to the doctor's on Monday. They ran a urine test there - and found clumps of white blood cells in it. Hmmmm... I asked if this alone is alarming, and they said no, but were gonna send it out to the lab for further testing.

As for further testing.....

uhhhh.... how do I say this.... I have to.... get.... poop.

I know, I know.. the official term is a 'stool sample'. Phrase it any which way you want people, but I still have to gather and seal off a portion of some other human's poop.

Yes, yes, I change diapers every single day. But somehow this is totally different and certainly disgusting. But no worries, because apparently I have scared her 'poopless' with all my asking "Avalon, do you have to poop now??", "Are you going poo-poo???", "Tell me if you have to poop!!".

I think I missed one yesterday. Other than that I'm still on the hunt. Did I mention that she is three and this is tricky??

Once we have that piece of *&%$ bagged and bottled, we take it to the lab and also have to get blood tests on the poor dear. ugh. I'm not looking forward to that at all. But, it will only take a minute and once it's done, it's done.

Her extended urine test came back and it is negative. yea! I don't know what exactly they were looking for - but they didn't find it. Good enough for this mom.

She is also on Zantac. This whole thing could be as simple as an inflammation in her digestive system. She was on Zantac as a baby, so you never know. Anyway... off to give her the dose of medicine and hoping my number 3 child produces a number 2 really soon!

Update on the house

I will update you on Avalon later as I have very little info as of yet.

The house however is keeping me on my feet. We have been on the market for two weeks and a day. Yesterday was our two week mark and we had our first real showing. (the open house doesn't count right now)

We had asked upon listing our house that Realtors give us at least one hour - or to make that more clear - a whole 60 minutes of warning before seeing our house. Easy enough right? I mean, if they drive by, just go to grab a bite to eat and come back and see it....

...but NOOOOO.... yesterday we had... a whole 10 minutes of warning. And I said yes. I said yes because it was our first showing and I didn't want to say no and go back to zero showings. And you know what... I mean, I practically sweated through my shirt cleaning, but I did it. I had the house ready in 10 minutes even with three kids here.

I made it through. I figured that was the worst that could happen.

I was wrong.

I woke up almost a half hour late this morning. Had to get the kids to school and run errands. NO ONE was helping out mommy. EERRRRR. I get home finally and decide after a month of ignoring it I should pay some bills and work on the budget. The ransacked house from the crazy morning stayed as it was. I didn't care, we wouldn't be having a showing this morning. The baby napped, the pre-schooler watched a movie and I made phone calls and crunched numbers.

We left to get the kindergartner from school. I left the house with the kitchen in shambles, underwear on the master bedroom floor (from both of us, eek!), just messy a little everywhere. We were at the school and I get a call that there is an agent standing outside my house and they want to see it.

I didn't even have a chance to pick up the underwear or shut the dishwasher - I wasn't there!!! So anyway, they came.

It's just a wild guess... but I'm thinking that they won't be making an offer.

now what???

Avalon is our three year old. For the last few months she has had a tummy-ache. Yes, I said months.

but it is hard to take her seriously. Sometimes she says, "I mean... never mind. I don't." Other times she says "actually, I'm just hungry". or thirsty, or... once she complained and complained and then told my husband she was just joking. She's three, so the self diagnostic descriptions are lacking something.....

Anyway, The "my tummy hurts" and the "I'm huuunnngry" comments are coming so frequently at this point I figure we better see a doctor sometime soon. Only two things come to mind. Either the child has a food intolerance or she has a tape worm. I'm not actually kidding.

So... fast forward to this weekend and she woke up in the middle of the night for the past two nights complaining of her tummy ache. Uh-oh. This is new. And not good. Calling the doctor this morning.

So here I am about an hour away from going to the doctor and .... I'm a little nervous. I mean... now what??? My parenting life is already soo full of ..."adventure". I don't need any more. I'm hoping it is nothing... but I know it is something. I guess I just hope it is something tiny, easy, inexpensive, and painless (for all of us). Here's hoping!

Seven - I'm in heaven!

Seven years ago today I had my baby boy. My only boy. :)

It was after a very intense 36 hours and 19 minutes of labor. It started on a Saturday and didn't end until Monday. (Hey, don't I as the mom get to drag you through a labor story just once more??)

The first year we had a sick baby. He was constantly throwing up. After many tests and mommy-heartache, we realized that he was VERY allergic to some very common foods. I mean, off the medical charts allergic. And the praying for his healing began.


I knew I had a very amazing kid in my hands to raise though. He clearly spoke and correctly used over 100 words by the time he was 18 months. I have them recorded somewhere.... I know this is unusual because my other three kids haven't had anywhere near that kind of vocabulary at that age!

Year two and three and four and.... have been very transportation and vehicle obsessed. He LOVES, adores and reads about all things man-made that move. Tractors and dump trucks were one of the first loves. Currently trains are the attraction. By the time he was two he taught me what a skid-loader was and the difference between a front-loader and a back-hoe.


He tested in the middle of first grade while he was still in kindergarten - and we started him in school 'early' instead of holding him back. He was more than ready. I know even though he is one of the younger ones in the class, he is tall physically and quite sharp mentally. He will have no problem keeping up with his classmates.

The last seven years have been a joy raising my boy. I'm so glad I have one! I like having someone in the house make 'vrooming' noises as they drive semi-trucks on the floor. I like giving Lego's and Geo Trax as gifts. I like having a blue kid's bedroom. I like having my 'little man' around. God has a very special calling on this kid's life. Alex will (and already is) become a mighty man of God.

I look forward to the next year, the next seven years, the next seventeen and so many more years to come!! I love you Alex! Happy birthday!

First Day of School

Sometimes I feel like maybe I am the most cold-hearted person.

I mean, I'm not. But ... what's wrong with me??

My oldest girl started kindergarten today. I was soooo excited for her! Yea! Kindergarten... do you remember it? It is called 'school', but it is three hours a day of fun. Painting, coloring, library books, recess - all this for the very first time. Then you come home for lunch. It doesn't get better than that folks.

There were moms crying at school today. Snapping sad, teary photos. Then there's me. I'm smiling and waving her off with a joyous goodbye.

It's not summer camp people. It is just for the morning. 2.5 hours. I mean really.

The tough gal suddenly becomes not so tough. One of the moms there has nose piercings, bleachy white hair (all spiked), body tattoos all over and 'tough lady' clothes. She was freaking out about her kid going to school. Seriously?? Lady - I beg you dress the part. Or act the part. Pick one. Seeing you dressed like that and freaking about a 3 hour separation from your kid is scaring me. You will see her again at lunch. Lunch. It is coming really soon!

Now, if you are one of those (as I'm sure at this point I am sounding cold-hearted) that have teared up, I admit, leaving Alex last year for all day school felt really long. But you'll make it through. And seeing their new excitement and joy and wonder really makes the separation worth it.

It's like the second Father of the Bride movie when Steve Martin lets his daughter move across country even though he hated the thought of that. He said it "was one of those things that fell under the category of 'I did it for their own good'." Just look at school like that too. It makes it just a little easier. Sorta. :)

Anyway, to sum up. I'm excited for her. Not excited for all the 'stuff' that school sends home my way. I'm sad to see summer go, but since I don't have a choice in the matter, I'm hoping for the best this year. We've got two really great teachers, so we're off to a good start!

Now go get yourself a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils and a brand new eraser to get in the spirit of school!

Bye Bye Birdie

Patrick (my DH) was on stay-cation last week as we prepped our house for sale. One day, as we were tearing through all the rooms - we kept the front door open for air. We have no screen door.

Before you know it, two adults, four kids and a bird were in the living room! A bird flew into the house!! AAAGH!

My thoughts:
Holy cow!
Hope it doesn't die flying into something. (kids are watching)
Hope we don't kill it trying to get it out of here. (kids are still watching)
Holy crap - there's a bird in my living room!

Let me tell you this. I love the movie Cinderella. She wakes up to birds coming in her window, singing to her sweetly to wake up, they chirp, they are cute, they are calm.

Now, real life. The bird acts CRAZY due to feeling trapped. It doesn't help when you are chasing them with a broom. No it does not. Needless to say, the bird left quickly, and all was well... except for a little bit of bird poopie (from fright I'm sure) left on one of our windowsills.

I bet Cinderella never had bird poop in her house!

more pics from the house

These wouldn't upload the other day. Not sure why.

This is my office, the family room downstairs, the kids crafting/school corner and the baby's room.





I am loving this nursery. Makes it hard to think of moving when your house is all sparkling clean! ;)

So Far, So Good...

Well, I know I haven't written in a week, but that is because my husband has been working me to the bone. Seriously. (Still love you though dear...) :)

We have been slaving over our house to get it ready to sell. As of yesterday it went on the MLS. We are live people! (tiny little panicky screams...) eek

The pics for the house (on the website) showed up this morning. Now we are what I consider 'fully listed'. Five hours in, and so far, so good. Ask me five days or five weeks from now, and we will see. Keeping the house immaculately clean with four kids 6 and under and still keeping up on food and dishes and laundry is already interesting. (but I knew it would be...)

Here are a few pics of the house that are on the website: