Mom's Baggage

Moving...

2012-01-25T16:07:00.000-06:00

I'm jumping ship and heading to WordPress.

See ya!

Silent night

2012-01-23T11:19:00.000-06:00

Coughing child and snoring husband makes for one tired mommy...Of course, there are nights this probably goes on and I'm so tired I sleep right through it...

Like last night, perhaps.

Jacob has the cough and Perry is the snoring one. I heard neither until 5 am this morning...that's great considering the track record of the previous three nights.

I certainly take my sleep for granted, a lot.

I hear peeps talk about being unable to sleep, having sicks kids all the time, insomnia, etc. I really take my sleep for granted. I get to go to bed early and sleep until 6 every morning.

I take many other things for granted too. It's a terribly selfish thing to do.

I take my husband for granted. He works hard to bring home a paycheck, be there for me and the kids, and still have time to unwind.I often ask too much of him. I take his willingness to love me for granted.

I take my kids for granted. I am reminded of this every time I hear some kid smart off, a temper tantrum in the grocery store, or a multitude of other parental struggles. My kids are good kids. They have their moments but all kids do. They are responsible, respectful and make good choices 98% of the time. I take them for granted.

I should stop taking things for granted. I do hereby promise to not take sleep for granted anymore. And I shall no longer boot the freight train to the couch when he snores. I shall be the bigger sleeper and claim the couch...until, at least, I physically recognize that I've been taking my back for granted too.

Wow, who knew???

2012-01-20T07:58:00.000-06:00

Okay, so still no FB on the iPhone. This is TOUGH! I've been getting on the computer in the morning to check-in and there are so many posts from friends that it's driving me up a wall.

But I have noticed a few good things....
The temptation for reinstalling is not as bad as it was in the beginning.
I'm not as glued to my phone during the day as I was.
Half the stuff that is on my Facebook page is really rather dull anyway...who knew.

The thing is FB has reconnected me with lots of old friends and keeps me connected with newer ones without being on the phone all day (as in on the phone the good old-fashioned way) or seeing them in person but I've let it go to so much more than just that. All the groups, pages, etc. that seemed really interesting when I "liked" them that now clutter up the page. The friends from high school that I friended just to see what they are up to, all the posts of pictures and funnies that are nothing more than FB spam in reality. Makes me wonder if my notifications would go from the 96 I had this morning (that's for a 24 hour period) down to 20 if I cleaned all that garbage off my profile....I think it's time for some dis-"likes" to happen.

Will keep you posted....the goal is to fast from games and FB on the phone until after both the Captivating retreat and our own church retreat....we shall see....

Preparing to be captivated.

2012-01-17T20:38:00.003-06:00

So, I'm officially going to the Captivating retreat in Colorado.

I wasn't going to go. I thought about it early last year and dismissed it...too expensive.

It came up again the later last year and I dismissed it again.

Perry brought it up to me last month...I dismissed it.

It again came up from two different friends...and I began pondering.

I pondered out loud. I pondered to my husband. I pondered to my friends.

I was sent an email with a scholarship form that said submit and pray for God's provision. Email us back in 7 days and tell us how God showed His provision.

In seven days I had my plane ticket (with an offer for another one), my shuttle fair, and $200 for the retreat ticket. I emailed Captivating about the provisions God had made on that 7th day and the rest was covered by Captivating.

I guess there's something there I need.

I'm a wee bit nervous...This is big for this small-town girl...I'll have to put my big girl britches on for this...

My first trip on an airplane.
My first big retreat.
My first big, life-changing event to happen without my husband standing next to me.

Gulp!!

What am I doing to prepare?

I bought new jammies...matching fleece on 70% off. Makes me happy.

I bought boots with treads and no heels...it's Colorado in February. 70% off. Makes me happy.

I got my hairs trimmed today...four whole inches!!

I deleted Facebook off my phone.

I....whoa!!!! Back the truck up!!

Didn't I do that once before?? Um, yep. It didn't last.

"Hello, my name is Sheri. I'm addicted to Facebook."

Captivating doesn't allow phone usage. I'm actually going to be using a real paper pages bible!! Wow! What a concept. I'm not sure I'll be able to find the books of the bible fast enough. Not having FB the last couple of days has been eye opening, for sure! I'm addicted to it and I'm addicted to my phone. I started this blog entry on my phone while waiting for an appointment.

No Facebook on the phone?? I feel as though I am missing out on things going on with friends and family and yet I am also getting more done without having a FB fix every little bit.

Who knows, perhaps this will be a permanent change for my phone. We shall see.

I'm praying that all distractions, the phone, worries, and all will find a corner in my brain during Captivating and stay there tucked away because I'm ready to break some soul ties, have a closer relationship with my King, the King of all kings. I feel like He's been calling me closer, to have a deeper understanding of Him and His ways.

So, be praying for me...specifically...that I don't throw up on my first airplane ride! :) And that I won't let fears and distractions take anything away from all that is to be gained from such an awesome opportunity. I am saying prayers of thanks to all those little angels that made God's provisions happen the last couple of weeks!

Holy poodles and pooches Batman!!!

2012-01-16T18:23:00.000-06:00

We have been fostering dogs for a little while now. I have a folder that I write their names on when we get them and keep any papers on them in. Fostering is a great thing...we get to "test drive" all sorts of dogs...some are great and it's hard to not want to keep them and others, well others are a pain in my tush.

Haven was the first. She was a clingy, needy, bossy thing. She was in your face all the time. I felt like Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey..."This is my space and this is your space." She was cute and small but bossy and opinionated...She kept booting Daisey out of her space or stealing her bone.

Next...let's see...I guess next was Meimei. She started off as Kelsey but once the decision to keep her was made she was named "Meimei" which means "little sister". Her ears were as big as satellite dishes and when waiting patiently for a treat, she sticks her tongue in and out of her mouth in anticipation. Yes, she was our foster failure.

Then there was Lili and her puppies (Spot, Otis, Hershey, Tippy, Sara, Maria, Emily and Lucci). We got them when the puppies were just two or three days old. We kept them through about 7 weeks...seven very looooong weeks. They were very cute with their little closed eyes and scooting around to find mom but then they got bigger and made bigger messes that mom couldn't keep up with, especially when all of them, including Lili were sick. Yes, let's just say fostering mom and puppies might be a once in ten year event for me.

Then we had Molly Mae. Molly Mae was Daisey's twin. It was CRAZY how much they looked like each other. But her personality was NOT my Daisey Mae's personality. She was very tempermental and crotchety. She didn't like being handled very much, especially by the kids. She didn't really snap at us but she was not pleased with our loud house, at all.

Lucy and Sugar (it was Ethel but that just sounded unnatural for a dog) came next. Mother daughter combo...If our town didn't have their 3 dog limit I might have had to take both and keep them hidden from my husband. I was especially in love with sweet Sugar. Oh, she was the cuddliest little thing. It's a good thing that two very, very good friends adopted the two of them because I get to see them once in a while now...Lucy is still Lucy (and sometimes Lulu) and Sugar is Ellie Mae.

Ruthie was the next one...she was only the second larger dog we had. She was the sweetest little lady you ever met. She had mange so she had hair loss but friendly and playful. We got her all started on her mange medication and nursed her skinny, bony body back to almost normal weight but alas, it didn't take long before one of the kennel workers from our vet fell in love with her. He took her for a foster to adopt until she was ready for adoption. Perry might have had to keep her.

And finally, it's Sally....Sweetest little girl but very opinionated and bossy. She wants attention like mad and doesn't like it if someone else is getting it. We have been letting her get bossed some by Meimei so she will find her place...she thinks she is alpha but it's that 95 lb. dog personality in the 9 pound dog body thing. She has one blue eye and one brown eye which is adorable. She had a puncture wound on her nose from being bit at the shelter but she didn't let that slow her down. CUTE, CUTE, CUTE! She hasn't been placed yet but then she has only been to one adoption event.

We have one other friend staying with us right now....not really a foster but not our dog. His name is Buddy but I tend to call him Brutus. He is a beautiful square-head black lab who is 110 lbs. and all drooling and slobbering dog. When I'm washing dishes he peaks through the kitchen window at me...standing about 5 feet tall on his back legs. We took him hoping to get him adopted out through our Humane Society for some friends who moved out of state but unfortunately we found out he is heartworm positive and between that and the fact he hasn't been neutered...well, that poses a problem. There were no records of any heartworm treatment or the preventative so the Humane Society can't do much for him as the treatment is VERY, VERY expensive. I don't know what his disposition will be but I'm praying for him to find a place to be happy...we will keep trying for a while to help him.

If you have ever seen the adoption events at Petsmart or Petco on the weekends and wondered if you could help, you can. You can foster cats or dogs. Our humane society provides the crates, food and all the vet care. All we have to do is love them and treat them like our very own, which isn't usually very hard. I write up descriptions for my babies for Petfinder and take pictures of them too. If you can't foster, consider donating to your local humane society or which ever one is there at the pet store when you go. They take monetary donations, food, treats, bedding, leashes, harnesses, collars...if you ask they can usually tell you what is needed. My Daisey Mae, who is the best little friend I've ever had, was less than 24 hours away from being euthanized. She's is the best little dog and I will never regret adopting her.

A fish tale

2012-01-15T16:18:00.000-06:00

My husband loves fish. No, I mean he really loves fish. We had tanks when we first got married and he had tanks as a child but after child number two and then child number three we stopped having fish for a long time until last year when I bought a friend's 55 gallon fish tank for his birthday. He's in heaven....

Then we have another friend who has a dog...an energetic dog (might help to tell you she's a chocolate lab with long, long, long legs that never seem to stop moving). Her energetic dog was seeming a little anti-social and scared of other dogs so we arranged a playdate (would also help to tell you we never seem to have less than two dogs in the house and once we had something like 11 or some Animal Hoarders crazy amount...and it's because we foster not because I like dogs THAT much)...where was I???

Ah, yes, Hershey the lab met Mei-Mei the mutt....

Perry's dog is Mei-Mei. She is about 35 to 40 pounds and very social and playful so we decided it would be good for Hershey, the lab, to meet Mei-Mei, the mutt. The introductions were short-lived and we moved right smack into...well, smack-down time...the fun kind, of course. They ran and played and ran some more. They'd lay down for a couple of minutes (tongues all hanging out the sides, slobber running out the mouth, panting like a woman in labor) and then jump right back and up and start all over again.

Then we brought them in the house....

Oh, back up...the layout of the house is EXTREMELY conducive to chase. You can make a full circle from end to end with all open doors or you can take a detour and make some figure eights. It is an ideal house for playing chase...if you're a person. The poor pooches, well, they grow brakes not to long after visiting us (or, as in Mei-Mei's case, moving in....she was a foster failure...we fostered her and failed by adopting her). See, the only carpet in the entire house is a large throw run in the living room and a couple of small ones in the kitchen/bathroom areas. When you're on four legs and racing it's comical 'cause laminate wood flooring and ceramic tile don't offer much traction....

Okay, back to the story....Then we brought them in.....

Mei-Mei and Hershey are pretty close to the same age....the ungangly, ungraceful age. They hit the floor full force and slippin' and sliding like elephants on an ice rink....Mei-Mei had more grace (if you can call it that) than Hershey but only because she lives here. They quickly began the chase in the circle, round and round they went...running into doorways, sliding into kitchen cabinets, kitchen chairs, bar stools....

One last round....Around the corner of the dining room they came....barrelling through the kitchen and into the living room but when it came time to make that corner in the living room Hershey didn't quite make it and rather than that 90 degree turn she was supposed to make (in her defense her head did make the 90 degree turn, it was just from her shoulders back that didn't) she went smack into...well, not the wall, 'cause there was an object in the way....She smacked the wrought iron stand. That had the fish tank.The 55 gallon fish tank on it.

Now, I'm sure you math whizzes could tell me some great word problem about "If a 55 lb Chocolate Lab is doing 35 miles per house, at what velocity will it impact a fish tank...." but the reality of it is when she hit she leaned the entire stand, fish tank and all what felt like inches one direction and the force of the water leaned it back again, what felt like inches the other way....The three adults watched in stunned silence (and that includes no breathing) as the water level at the top of the tank swooshed to the left and rose two or three inches and then swooshed to the right and rose two or three inches.

As we realized that the tank was not actually coming over, there wasn't going to be 55 gallons of water on fake wood floor (that would probably swell up like a magic towel), and there weren't going to be helpless, precious, beloved fishies crying out in agony, we all heaved a sigh of relief and began nervously laughing at what could have been.

Something to be said.

2012-01-15T00:02:00.002-06:00

There's something to be said about friends. People you really trust. People to be real with.

Life can be very cruel but it can be really good too and the thing is, married or single...children or not, good friends simply make life more fulfilling to share it all with!!

There are life lessons to learn from each other, embarrassing stories to tell that you will NEVER forget and can never share, and shoulders you can cry on.

If you are blessed enough to have good friends you should thank God for them and then make sure they know how valuable they are!!!

Friday Funny

2012-01-13T19:22:00.001-06:00

Driving in the car today Perry was sharing an artist he really likes via his phone over the car stereo. I chose another song to play and after a long silence there was suddenly a loud bass drum in my ears...I jumped....it was almost as if someone snuck up behind me and shouted BOO!!!

Then I muttered "shit!!" before I could stop myself.

With all three kids in the back seat.

Jacob reaches up and pats my arm and says " Remember Mom, we don't curse. "

Don't forget the lemonade

2012-01-12T15:37:00.002-06:00

So, sweet doe-eyed boy asked me yesterday if I would please, please, please ride my bike up to their school so we could ride home together. The middle school is about 1.5 miles away, which isn't that far, but a cold front blew in and the day started out feeling like 21 degrees which is pretty darn cold for Texas. But, alas, I couldn't refuse. I figured he was worth it and I'd get the tag-a-long hooked up and we'd wait around for Emma to get out and take her home too...they all got out early today, boys first and then Em.

I bundle up with my windbreaker, gloves and stocking cap. Earlier I had aired the tag-a-long tire up (what a pain) and hooked it back on my bike (which means my bike that is already about 4" too tall for me is now 6" to tall and I cannot touch the ground). I checked the tires on my bike, tucked my pant legs into my socks (my chain guard is MIA) and took off. I'm parked at the corner closest to the school, freezing my little tootsies and my big tushie off...waiting as patiently as possible...1 minute goes by...(How cold before you get frostbite again?)...5 minutes go by...(I wonder how expensive wind-proof gloves are?)....10 minutes go by...(I wonder if I steal Jacob's ski mask he got for Christmas if he would notice?)....finally, doe-eyed....sweet, loving, 'Please, please, please ride with us" boy texts me and says he and Big Red wanna go to a friend's house, can they please? REALLY?!? Um, seriously? I've been sitting in the cold waiting on your sorry tushie whilst freezing mine off.....

I made them ride their bikes to the corner. Gave them the evil mommy eye (Come on! Y'all all know that look!) and "Gibb's smacked" Doe-eyed boy's bike helmet (whilst still on the noggin', of course) and told them they could go.

Knuckle-head!

What's a mom gonna do...'cept take a nice long bike ride (with an empty tag-a-long attached) for about 5 miles and then went to Emma's school and we rode home.

Lemonade, I tell ya! You gotta make lemonade, even on cold days. JUST MAKE SOME LEMONADE!!!

Pins and needles, needles and pens

2012-01-11T13:28:00.000-06:00

I'm on pins and needles today...in more than one way...

I'm hovering in a waiting game on some things and it drives me CRAZY to wait. Notice I didn't use the phrase "wait patiently"? I know better than to claim to be doing something I'm not good at and I also no better than to pray for patience...God has a sense of humor about the lessons He teaches us and I don't want to tempt Him. :)

I'm also on sewing pins and needles....seems I am destined to add kitties and owls to my plethora of sock critters....so many requests for them so today I'm working on sock kitty test number one (okay, number two but the last one was over a year ago so it no longer counts). I'm fairly pleased with everything but the eyes. The eyes are looking kind of freaky, possessed crazy kitty and definitely require some more toying and tweaking.

The other pens of late have been the writing instruments that keep adding more and more to the to-do list every day. This week's list looks like the following:

~~laundry~~
~~ironing~~
~~Sally's spay~~
~~Change my dentist appointment~~
~~Tulle-Craig's list~~
Leaves
Cats
Critter list
Craig's list
Visit Mom and Pop

The first five are completed (Sally is the foster...now that she is spayed she will get to go to her first adoption event). I need to rake the leaves...lots and lots of leaves. Then I need to make cats....several cats. I have a list of critters to make and send off to my aunt as well. I have items to sell on Craig's list for a friend and then we are planning on visiting Mom and Pop on Monday and G'Pa B too. The bottom four will probably make my to-do list for Monday of next week too.

It's all good...being busy is better than being bored...right?

One size fits all.

2012-01-09T21:50:00.000-06:00

In 1990 or '91 I bought a used Honda Civic Hatchback. I loved driving that car...fun to drive. Manual transmission that let you zip right out into traffic and great gas mileage. But that stupid gas pedal was such a stretch for me....I was a little short to drive the one size fits all car...short enough my dad added an extension to the gas pedal so I could reach more comfortably.

When pregnant with Ms. Em I drove a Honda Odessey....I drove it for a little while anyway because after about four or five months I couldn't fit my belly behind the wheel AND reach the gas pedal too.

My headphones/earbuds DRIVE ME CRAZY!! The ones that came with my phone fall out ALL the time because they are too big for my ears. I like to run but headphones that fall out don't work so well so I have a pair with a band across the top and then I put some sort of hat on so they stay in place.

Apparently national statistics would say my size is below average at 5'2" and all my gloves fit like there's room for another inch worth of finger in there so I'm guessing my hands are below average too.

How can something be a one size fits all in a world with such huge diversity?

People aren't a one-size fits all commodity. We are all uniquely created for our unique purpose. What is that purpose? Well, shoot, I don't know, but then I think that's part of life's journey too, finding our purpose.

I'm not a one-size-fits all Mom...
I'm not a one-size-fits all wife...
I'm not a one-size-fits all daughter...

Stasi Eldredge says in the intro to "Captivating" that "There is no "one size fits all" pattern for God's women."

Well, let me first say....I LOVE being called "one of God's women." However, I do feel a little like Lili Tomlin as Edith Ann sitting in that big old chair. I'm so small and He's so big.

And secondly, I'm glad there's not a one size fits all pattern for me to try and make work 'cause, um, my track history with that sort of thing stinks!!!

"How to Talk to Little Girls"

2012-01-05T16:15:00.001-06:00

Lisa Bloom: How to Talk to Little Girls

Okay, so a friend posted this article on her Facebook page and I was surprised at how much agreement there seemed to be with the article.

I might be in the minority but I don't think telling a girl she is cute when she is five is the issue....Girls who experience their mom's poor body image, hear their dad telling them they are fat, watch reality tv covering boob jobs and botox....including on children way too young with their parents in full support...I seriously think that has more to do with girls thinking they aren't what God sees them as...a child of His, perfect in His eyes.

If you tell a little girl "Do you need a shovel with that?" when she is eating in elementary school or middle school don't you think she's going to have a poor body image? Or maybe someone says things like "Maybe you won't be fat like the rest of the women in your family." Telling a five-year-old cherub (thin or thick) that she is cute, well-dressed, or her hair is pretty does not devalue her. The other comments do...they are the ones that stick, hurt to the core and make her think she is nothing if she isn't 110 lbs and 5' 8". To me, that's a Jane-Fonda-women's-lib type of fear and way of thinking...the way of thinking that years ago made men scared to open the door for ladies and ladies afraid a man was stealing her coat if he tried to help her put it on attitude (after all what man would do something so kind?).

I've been entrusted with the care of this sweet, smart, cute little girl and that care includes not allowing that garbage on my TV, being a healthy role model, and allowing age-appropriate "girlie" choices when the time is right. I am responsible for not allowing my girl to be one of the "girls under 12 now wear(ing) mascara, eyeliner and lipstick regularly" I also firmly believe that good role modeling, healthy doses of encouragement, and unconditional love will steer her the opposite direction of "...dieting at age 5 and foundation at age 11 and boob jobs at 17 and Botox at 23."

Don't get me wrong. I am NOT a perfect parent but then there isn't really a perfect parent on this planet either. I am a parent who promises to be diligent, respectful and firm about how my kids will grow up and I truly believe that, with speed bumps in the road here and there, my daughter will grow to be a beautiful (cute) young woman with ample self-esteem, value and love for herself (inside and out).

I will have and always will continue to tell my girl she is ~~cute~~ STINKIN' CUTE, beautiful, and all the other stuff I'm probably not supposed to...If her spunk, courage and self-image now are any indication...she's gonna be just fine.

Mmm, if you hadn't got nothing but whine...

2012-01-04T12:22:00.000-06:00

then don't whine at all....

I've got whining on the brain....

I hadn't got much to report. Nothing to interesting going on here...

Well, 'cept the squirrel I've been trying to scare off my bird feeders. I think I made him pee himself this morning shouting at him.

Back to the grind (laundry, ironing and stuff).

Holiday Recap...

2012-01-03T16:21:00.000-06:00

Never mind...it's not all that interesting. :)

Numbers, numbers and more numbers

2011-12-19T16:13:00.000-06:00

Numbers...as in the scale, the size in my blue jeans, and the calories counted each day. It's been almost six months since Smooch and I decided that we needed to start behaving when it comes to food and exercise. We aren't always "good" but we make an effort everyday towards the calorie and exercise goals we have set up...It's paying off for both of us, tremendously. It's amazing how the number in your waistband can make you feel like a million bucks...forget the jeans were purchased for $3.99 at a local thrift store...it's not that number that makes me feel great....

There's other numbers I've been watching lately...mileage. Someone called me a "runner" the other day and the chiropractor called me "hard core" because I ran in the rain. I like these names and they are oh, so much nicer than some others I'm sure I've been called!!! I like them very much!! I was thinking back and I've always liked to run. Once in middle school one of the coaches called me out after I head to the outfield in softball after a ball. She told me I NEEDED to be on the track team. Felt good to be told that but never really did anything...we weren't a very sports oriented family growing up. When I took phys-ed in college I always wanted to run way more than the requirements. I've been a runner and not a runner two or three times since being out of school....smacking the pavement around the apartment complex I lived at, the old neighborhood in Bryan and now this one here. For one reason or another it didn't stick for more than a few months....I pray I stick it out this time for years to come because I'm loving it!!! When I started back in Bryan I had to overcome the lung capacity issues, having been a smoker for many years but this time it was my lethargic muscles saying "WHOA!!! YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!?" My thighs had a severe case of "OUCH!" after the first real run...I started to call it a long run but, um, heehee, it wasn't a real long run it just felt like it. Anyway, I'm up to about 15 miles a week and many times fighting the urge to run every day because I like it so much. There's issues with cars and traffic but nothing caution on my part can't overcome....So what do I do now with these miles? We did a 5K, Smooch and I, but I'm thinking bigger (longer), much, much longer....like a half or maybe full marathon. Gulp! YIKES! Anyone want to ponder that one with me?

Numbers....as in the calendar...Another calendar year is coming to a close. Christmas is less than a week away. Our plans have changed and we aren't going to get to spend time with our family like we had planned but we'll still have a great Christmas. 2012...what will you hold in store for us? There's been some harsh lessons on life and love this year, some true friends face some hard life challenges and some wonderful happenings of grace and goodness. We've probably never been more blessed in life than we are right now so it will be very interesting to see what 2012 can do to top those blessings!

Haha, fooled you!

2011-12-06T08:10:00.000-06:00

As I greedily poured the cocoa mix into my steaming cup of water, I eagerly anticipated the sweet chocolatey taste, but even more so I anticipated the boost my tired, dragging body would get from that injection of caffeine.

Crap! It's 99.9% caffeine free.

My expectation that my hot chocolate would be like most all other hot chocolate is pretty typical for me. I expect that things will go a certain way, perhaps the way they've always gone in the past (good or bad), the way other people's lives go, or just the way I think they should go. Then, riiiiiiip, there goes that carpet right out from under my feet.

I suspect that someday I will eventually learn that I have very little control over these things in life...yes, I could have read the box of hot chocolate more closely to see it said caffeine free; however, I was too busy focusing on the "diet" contents of the box to note the "caffeine free" part of the box....Distracted, yet again, by the things I want right then and there and not the things that might be more important to me in the long run.

Must go now....I am off to find something that doesn't say caffeine-free.

2011-12-04T19:07:00.001-06:00

This is December.
We all know it's the holiday season because of the barrage of commercials, the lights and trees going up and your social calendar just exploded.

Tonight when you go to bed frustrated by the grumpiness of others, the selfish thoughts, greed-inducing media accosting your children...when the "I wish the holidays were over" thoughts invade you like roaches feeding at a landfill...

STOP!!! Just stop and think.

Don't be drawn in to petty BS that would suck the Christmas spirit right out of you. Remember the blessings and love...not the crap.

Remember that there is a friend going to bed alone tonight without her husband pondering her first Christmas without him.

A son who will never hold the hand of his father again or watch him play Santa at Christmas.

A daughter who will forever gaze in the mirror looking for signs of the man who helped create her.

A woman who's son is no longer a phone call, email, or car ride away.

A man who's identity and plans for life were forever altered because he no longer has a son.

A sister who cries for the brother she'd give anything to bicker with again.

Does the world really revolve around you? Is an unhappy, petty Christmas what you wish to remember this year and plan for next year?

These are the plans you have made to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus?

Really? Seriously!?

Take a deep breath.
Step out of the drama and anger.
Step into the armor of Christ.
Chin up.
Deep breath.

Merry CHRISTmas!

P.s. if you forget...get bogged by stupidity....turn it around. Mas CHRIST. He can and will help.

I double-dog dare you!

2011-11-21T11:41:00.000-06:00

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are gray.

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

I'm in love...I go through serious withdrawals and shakes when you're not around. I'm unable to concentrate or spend a ~~day~~ minute without having you ~~by my side~~ in my hand.

Do you remember life without a cell phone? Life where people didn't worry you'd been struck by lightening if you didn't answer your phone the first time every time because it followed you everywhere you went? Do you buy work out clothes, dresses, pants and skirts based on if your phone will fit in your pocket or not? Do your kids or husband look at you with dismay when they hear your phone asking for (and getting) your attention?

How did we ever survive without our "Precious"?

I have thought a lot recently about how much wasted time I spend with my iPhone glued to my hand...I mean really? This morning I woke up at 2:30 with indigestion (that's what I get for having Arby's for dinner) and what did I do? I picked up my phone at the bedside table, headed to the bathroom for some Tums and a potty break. Yes, you've done it too...admit it.

My phone is very useful to me...I can update Facebook, text my sweet husband, check my email, log my weekly exercise, my daily calories, keep in touch with close friends and, yes, I can even use it as a telephone. However, there is so much more to my day than that silly little box that I seem lost without...

So, I dare you...I DOUBLE-DOG DARE YOU! Put it down. Turn it off. Turn off the notifications that make your pocket buzz like an angry bee when you're trying to do something else. Take it a step further, if you're brave and like a challenge, delete Words with Friends, delete Facebook, delete the other games that suck the hours out of your day.

I DOUBLE-DOG DARE YOU to use your phone as a phone 12 hours a day.

Try it for a week and see how much more you accomplish during the day...that stack of books on your end table? You might actually open one.

That craft you have been wanting to teach your daughter? You might actually teach her.

That closet you need to clean out? You might actually get it cleaned.

Come on! Don't be a chicken!

P.S. I deleted FB from my phone this morning. I deleted Words with Friends a while back. My kids are very sad to report I only have solitaire on my phone now.

Dancing in the minefields

2011-11-11T08:10:00.000-06:00

My dearest,

It's hard to believe it's been 17 years and yet it hardly seems long enough yet. I love you infinitely more than that day 17 years ago when we walked down the isle and I have certainly been blessed more than I ever deserved through you and the three beautiful children we have.

We have had our minefields to walk through...I've heard stories of minefields tearing families apart and yet, ours seemed to pull us closer together. God's love for us and His protection surely is what that is about.

Through miscarriages, autism, financials problems, family problems...there's been one firm and strong wall I have been able to count on leaning on in my life...you. I would be so incredibly lost without you, I am so incredibly blessed by you.

I would gladly dance in the minefields with you for the rest of my life and look forward to finishing this race with you by my side.

I love you!
Sheri

STAR WARS!!!

2011-10-05T11:02:00.000-05:00

We are all mostly better today!! Yay!

Last count I think there were 15 or 16 down with this stomach bug that I knew of...most from our life group but those outside the group as well....Yucky!! Jacob and I have so far been able to stay healthy. The other three sickos in the house are under house arrest until the warden (that's me) gives the clear to share the air with anyone other than me or Jacob. I'm a mean warden.

I declared today a Star Wars Marathon day. They are on Episode 1...I'm not joining until they get to the original set 'cause they are my favorites....May the Force Be With you!!

Well, this is fun

2011-10-04T14:50:00.000-05:00

So, if you have a weak stomach you might need to skip reading this 'cause I'm sharing the down and dirty of motherhood....and fatherhood, in this case.

Last night Brenden was sitting at the computer when he suddenly threw up. I, fortunately for me, was upstairs already asleep so Perry, unfortunately for him, took the clean-up duty. Big Red doesn't get sick often. We have often figured that he has a very healthy immune system as, as part of the Autism "symptoms", he has been known to eat anything and everything, including things that probably couldn't even be identified under microscope. Throwing up in a toilet is not something he has much practice at....Apparently, in the midst of clean up, the words "move" and "ass" were used in reference to what he should do should he feel sick again. We are in need of a new keyboard today and I'm washing his tennis shoes as well as a large load of towels....

And the shower curtain, sheets, blankets...from the other two sickies in the house.

Yup, poor Emma who just started feeling better after last week (turns out she had strep) is also sick and so is her Daddy. I'll be washing lots of laundry today just to cover last night's activities. I've lysoled the entire downstairs and told them NOT to come downstairs...but the barfing saga, unfortunately doesn't end there...

Our life group met Sunday after church....seven families....there are currently 13 people sick today. Since we didn't all eat the same foods for lunch, looks like we got some stinky tummy bug that got lots of our poor families! Ugh!!

So, anyway...here we are...nursing tummies today.

Oodles, smooches and 'tudes....

2011-09-28T09:43:00.000-05:00

Dear friends:

I love you oodles and send you many smooches! You have made my world so much better! Such genuine and real women....they are hard to find indeed! I have been so very very blessed to have all of you in my life! I love you more than my luggage!!

You regularly bring a smile or a giggle to my day while keeping it real. You don't judge me or my motives, you don't mother me, you don't take my insecurities and baggage as a sign of inferiority.

You do build me up, encourage me, listen to me and share with me. It's a give and take that gives friendship a great name!!

Thanks!! Love to you all!!!

Sheri

Facebook, fevers and frustration

2011-09-27T13:11:00.000-05:00

Facebook is tormenting us all these days. I have been trying (in vain) to post pics to Facebook for a few days with no success. If I use my phone no problem but not from my PC....It's so irritating and yet it also makes me think perhaps I'm a tad bit addicted to Facebook as well. I have thought, several times over, that perhaps I should deactivate my FB account but I do use it for more than just usual stuff, like my Just Monkeying Around page. I love how I've reconnected with many friends from high school days and even some from elementary school days. I love how I connect occasionally with family members. Yes, there is some good stuff in there too. I might have to tweak usage though.

Fevers....remember last year when Emma had viral meningitis? Well, she's pulling the fever trick again. I figured last night if she was running fever at any point today then it was off to the doctor for her. She started running fever about 10:30 and was in to the doctor by 11:15. Very glad they squeezed us in. Poor kiddo is now on antibiotic but good news is that the pediatrician said she should be able to return to school on Thursday. My friend "Ess" is a big holistic vitamin type person and I think I may use some of her tips for boosting Em's immune system and see if we can't keep this girl healthier this year than last. She is on her second movie for today...Open Season.

Frustration....my frustration level and whining of the other day is better...so's my 'tude. Yesterday I went for my walk/jog but never really felt the energy boost I get from it so I came home and snuggled with the little sickly pumpkin head and fell asleep....for two and a half hours. I feel much better today!! Extra sleep, sitting on my tushie stuffing monkey butts...yup, it does a body good! My frustrations and whines have dissipated and the 'tude is much better!

Now, for the pics I wanted to post on FB and couldn't ('cause FB is just dumb like that).

These are my twinkies...one is my dog, Daisey Mae and the other is the foster, Molly Mae. I must confess...I cannot tell them apart when they are side by side unless I check the collar or study them closely...I cannot believe how much they look like each other. Molly Mae was just listed on Petfinder and she ALREADY has an application for adoption! I pray it works out well for her!

And here is Sweet Ms. Ella....I would turn the pic and not give you whip flash but I ALREADY DID!!! Sorry, was I yelling? It's saved with the correct orientation but it will not load with the correct orientation. I have malfunctioning "stuff" everywhere the last few days! She is "Ess's" little girl and was over for a bit of dress up time with Ms. Em a few weeks back. Movie stardom is on the horizon!!

Darn it, I knew I was missing someone!!

2011-09-25T11:38:00.002-05:00

Forgot to mention...my brother, sister-in-law and niece also came to the craft show!!! Thanks for the brain help this morning mom!!

So much whine you might get drunk reading this....

2011-09-25T09:44:00.000-05:00

Okay, I must admit that this last week or so has been crummy, stinky, and just plain crappy!

Let's see...first there was this misunderstanding at church that got blown way out of proportion that had me totally and completely emotional, stressed and consumed. By the time it was over (finished thanks in huge part to my friend the "Sheriff"), I had managed to stave off one migraine on Monday (Thanks in part to recommendations from "Ess" to take Advil and guzzle caffeine) and had a stiff neck and sore shoulders settle and take residence...where they still reside.

I was stressing over being ready for a HUGE craft show and festival during that week too while being mommy and wife to my sweet Mr. Clean, Big Red, Doe-eyed Boy and Little Red and alternating between three different fosters with my friends "JLo" and "Aye", as well as all three of them being spayed last week and Daisey Mae getting her vaccines. Add to that I got six inches cut off my hair and layers for the first time in a long, long time, plus a little girl with a tummy ache....

Then the craft show Friday and Saturday which was indeed HUGE and packed with peoples but not very many peoples with money to spend...along with another headache and tight, bound up stressed shoulders....to come home to Emma with a fever and sounding like a man and wake up to Perry with a headache and congestion (I'd say he sounded like a man too but that would be rather redundant, wouldn't it).

I just feel SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Whiney today!!! We are staying home from church and bible class today in case our whiney, congested selves are contagious....

BUT...like the big ol' BUTT of yesterdays.....

I did manage to find some silver linings because ~~I am~~ I AM A FIRM BELIEVER in silver linings....

The huge misunderstanding at church showed me some true colors, true friends and true strength in myself to turn the other cheek. It may have also allowed another to find some strength she never exercised before.

The fosters rotating around allowed for one foster to go to the "right" home and another to keep looking for the best place.

Emma's tummy ache? Well, since she had to leave school a whopping ten minutes early I got to my hair appointment on time!

The craft show? I got to spend the day with my parents. I saw my grandfather, my uncle, my cousin and his wife and two of their children, my aunt (ex-aunt? Divorces always confuse me) that I haven't seen since I was Doe-eyed boy's age and my kids and Mr. Clean all got to come and peruse the festival.

And the sickos in the house? Well, them being sick means we get a day to stay home, all five of us (eight if you count Meimei, Daisey Mae and our foster, Molly Mae) and destress, relax and start the week anew.

God is good, even if He plans things differently than I do....

Oh! And did I mention, that despite selling little to nothing...I saw 44.2 mpg show up on my little car....my "silver" little car...."silver" linings are JUST EVERY WHERE!!!

Anyone got some cheese?

2011-09-16T10:39:00.000-05:00

'Cause I got some whine that needs an accompaniment.

Nothing's really wrong 'cept I might be a little bit tired...okay, I'm alot tired. It's okay..it's a good tired, a busy with life tired.

I'm gonna be pumped up and excited next week, I promise.

I'm just pooped. But I have good reason to be tired, I think.

Let's see, I got to be surrogate church secretary for a day and a half this week. I got to go thrift store shopping with two EXCELLENT friends this week. I got Smooches' clothes ironed this week. (Yea!!! No having to do two weeks worth at one time!!) I've signed up for four (yes, four) craft shows... GULP! If I run out of monkey's will you bring me your spare socks so I can sew up some more! :) And, I've finally gotten my rear in gear and started walking and jogging again, which squeezing that in this particular week has been very challenging.

So, today, I'm just gonna whine...I'm tiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrred.

I am not sitting on my duff all day, though it's tempting but I am going to allow myself the luxury of whining.

And, if you're in the neighborhood, I prefer pepper jack cheese.

Dis-com-bob-u-lated

2011-09-13T09:09:00.000-05:00

By the syllables....I'm dis-com-bob-u-lated today.

Today I am Sheri...the other Sheri.

The one who fills the huge need in our church as the church lady. She organizes us all in so many different ways.

They are on retreat.

I am sitting in her desk. It's kind of an odd sort of thing to be sitting in this desk.

I found Pandora on her computer and I'm listening to tunes.

I brought sewing to do.

It is still weird.

It's been so long since I sat at an office desk and yet memories of my last office keep popping in my head.....almost 14 years since I worked in an office.

Wow!!!

Me running out of the bathroom with my skirt hiked in my hose 'cause the phone was ringing off the wall.

One of the office occupants sitting in the office chair directly acoss the lobby from my desk...

In his exercise shorts.

With nothing under them.

And they didn't fit well.

Ah, yes, great memories...

Anyway, I'm trying to get comfortable enough to sew and leave little bits of sock fuzz on her desk and floor but I haven't been able to get past where to set my cup of tea without worrying about leaving rings on her pretty desk.....

Mommy, why is the dog wearing a onsie?

2011-09-01T22:11:00.001-05:00

So, after a break from fostering, we got another foster dog yesterday. I was a bit picky and wanted an older little girl and when they finally found one I was told she looked a lot like my own sweet Daisey Mae.

Proof is in the pudding. They could have been litter mates!! Crazy! Watch for pics later. (added pics at the end)

As with most fosters, she needs TLC. She has the sniffles and needs her shots, tests and to be spayed. We are still waiting on the heartworm test results.

That brings us to this afternoon...our the health lesson my kids got.

GULP!

Molly is in heat. Having never had a dog in heat, this should be fun. How to explain to a six-year-old???!

Mom:"Remember how we get the foster dogs "fixed" so they can't have puppies?"
Em: "Yes."
Mom: "Well, Molly hasn't been fixed yet."
Em:"You mean she's gonna have puppies??!?!"
Mom:"No, her body is just getting her ready in case she wanted to so she has a little bit of blood coming out."
Em: Shocked and horrified look here (just you wait little girl) .

Mom:"It's okay. She's not hurt and she is perfectly okay. She will have this for a little bit and she when she is done we will get her spayed so she doesn't have puppies. "
Em:"Why don't we want her to have puppies?"
Mom:"Because there are enough dogs out there without a home without bringing more puppies into the world."
Em: "What if we run out of puppies?"
Mom:"I don't think that's ever going to happen."

The boys return from school.

Brenden:"Aw, you got Molly some
clothes!"
Mom:"No, she's in heat."
Jacob:"Whats that mean?"
Mom:"Do you remember your health class?"
Jacob:"We don't have a health class."
Mom:"Do you remember your sex class in fifth grade where the boys went to one room and the girls..."
Jacob:"YOU MEAN SHE'S LEAKING BLOOD!?!???"
Brenden:deep sigh, red face. Leaves the room.

Yes, fostering is teaching my children a great many things!!!

Pooped, tired!

2011-08-31T21:14:00.000-05:00

School is exhausting and I'm not even going. The kids are halfway through week two and holding their own. Big Red has had the smoothest transition that I've ever seen. I pray there's no surprise waiting to sneak up on us.

Jacob breezed right in without any problems. He is still excited about school and is up and ready early every day... In fact, they both are.

Emma, well, she is doing good but has some slow days. Then there seems to always be clothing issues, hair issues, shoe issues. Ugh!! She just has issues.

We, however, have done very well accepting mom's ultimatum that she WILL have her hair up and braided EVERY day. No arguments, no complaining. I wish it was all so smooth!!

2011-08-30T14:56:00.002-05:00

Mmmm, I hadn't got alot of nice to say.
It's not that it's been a bad day
But things around here have made me grumpy
My mirror makes me look frumpy
Our summer, well it's never going to end
The heat is crazy and I'd love some rain and wind.
Too many lights are hurting my eyes
Almost as bad as the car line I so despise!!
I'd fill this angst with ice-cream
But, alas, I'm trying to get lean
So, if this blog post isn't my best.
Just be GLAD I didn't tell you the rest.

You've been validated!

2011-08-28T16:27:00.002-05:00

"Watch me Daddy! Watch me!" "Mom!! Look at me!" Our kids start very young...seeking validation from us and grandparents. Then they begin seeking validation from their friends.

We seek approval because we are insecure and worried that we don't have it just right. Sitting in a room full of people, I have often felt very alone. I need their acknowledgment to validate my right to be there.

Why do I choose to live this way? What is it about my fragile ego that seeks out the "atta girl" from all those around me when I should really only be concerned with the "atta girl" from God?

At forty I am finally beginning to learn that my validation does not come from my parents, my family nor even my very best peeps...my validation comes from God and God alone.

If it pleases Him...if it's in His definition of acceptable, loving, helpful, and fruitful, then it's AWWWWL good.

And if it's one of those things in life as tiny as a grain of sand and long-lasting as a child's ice-cream cone (which is very short-lived in our house), then why are we worried about it in the first place?? And what makes us think others will even notice.

The minute you said 'yes' to Christ you received all the validation you ever needed.

Freedom

2011-08-27T22:53:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about freedom and independence today and my kids. Many times I have felt I hovered or smothered but as they get older I worry about not being there for them enough.

I know, I know. I AM my own worst critic. My kids do get freedom and independence. The boys much more so than Little Red, of course.

They ride their bikes to school. We have let them ride to the dollar store and go the library. We have given them freedom and independence but there are restrictions too.

We always require that they stay together. They must have a phone on them at all times. They must stay in contact or be available by phone at all times.

I've worried that as a SAHM I should do more for them. Take them to school everyday, make their lunches, etc, etc, but teaching them independence also allows me to give them freedom.

They prove to me they can handle each level of independence and freedom and we give a bit more freedom to them. I pray a day never comes when they make serious mistakes with their freedom but I know that giving them tastes of freedom now rather than coddling until they are older allows them to make mistakes and learn in much more controlled situations than if, say, they were 16 and handed the keys to the car and their very first real freedom at the same time.

Yup, my husband pointed that out to me...coddle them, limit them and don't allow them to make choices...how does that prepare them for responsibility...wait to teach them that after they have keys to go anywhere.

We also decided I would NOT be the one giving the boys driving lessons.

So, I guess I'm not that much of a mean old mom....not giving them a ride to school everyday. Besides, they need "I walked two miles to school in the snow, uphill both ways" stories to tell their kids some day.

Sew, sew, sew

2011-08-26T19:09:00.000-05:00

It's been a sewing sort of day. I was assembling critters when I decided to make a new one...a baby frog! I like making baby monkeys...monkeys who's arms/legs double as handles for little ones to hold on to. As I was sewing I realized that I could make the monkeys into frogs too and have baby frogs!! YEA! I love new ideas!! See, the kids being in school has already returned some creativity!! :)

I have a few more finished for the day..monkeys and such. Kind of scary to think about having a craft show next month...worrying about not having enough stuff for my own booth. Well, and the fact that this will be only the second one I have ever had. GULP!!

My mom posted on her blog a link for a free book giveaway....a quilt book!! Neat looking little book. You should go check it out at MeeMaw Loves to Quilt. I love giveaways!! I was thinking about having one too just cause it's fun!! We'll see...have to ponder on that for a bit.

Okay, off to see a monkey about some eyeballs....

Naptime?

2011-08-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

I'm just sitting here trying to figure out a good blog topic for the day. I even went to some of the blog prompt sites and nothing, nada. At first I thought maybe there was just nothing to blog about but there is plenty to blog about...kids, dogs, parents, foster puppies, heat, shopping, praise night, Wednesday Night Bite, dieting, exercise, chores, poop in the trash can, sock animals, craft shows, friends, bible studies, reading, backpacks, ipads, glasses, dead grass, lily bulbs, garages, cigarette smoke, curtains, Walmart, puppet rooms, workrooms, office politics, sandals, varicose veins, bubbles, pimples, pony tails, fish tails, car lines, hang tags, names, flowers, decorating, lunch, dinner, Ihop.....

Yes, there is ample material on my mind, random, useless, worthless, fascinating, boring material. It floats around up there like dandelion debris on a windy day and yet today it's simply not landing anywhere and taking root...the tumble of seeds are continue to float around in the wind.

Perhaps I am tired and in need of a nap? It won't happen. Alas, kids and puppy dogs tend to negate every attempt...although, I have been known to fall asleep sitting up in my chair watching the news.....Yes, yes, let's go find the big blue chair and park my ample booty in it and see what news drama will knock me out...maybe my dandelion seeds will have the energy to grow.

The Green Bag Lady is at it again....

2011-08-24T09:50:00.000-05:00

She has the most fabulous fabric freebies! Now it's Birch Organic fabric. I love the patterns. The whale pattern, stroll and wildflowers are some of my favorites but I like the wildflowers the best. Enter to win by going to her site....

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-08-24T08:38:00.002-05:00

Today is my mom's birthday. I won't tell you her age because she might hurt me and because I'm hoping she leaves me her sewing stash in her will!

Last year for her birthday she had knee surgery and this year she is having an MRI for back pain. Poor mom doesn't always get the best presents!!

Once, when I was little I remember walking around a five and dime type store...I think it was called TG&Y....in Odessa. I was looking for a present for my mom and didn't have much money. I found the perfect little glass and brass house and found someone to ask the price. He asked me how much I had and said it was exactly that price. I think he might have been the manager of that little corner of the world.

Mom, the manager of my little corner of the world reminds me how incredibly blessed I am to have you in my life. He has reminded me that others are not as fortunate as I am to not only have their mother with them but to have such a loving mother. Thank you!

Under the category of 'didja know?'

2011-08-23T08:59:00.002-05:00

Didja know if your leg gets sweaty enough you can apparently unlock, dial, and connect to your husband with your phone....

Didja know that, despite having Doe-eyed boy riding with him, Big-red still days 'Hey Mom. It's me, Brenden. I'm there, safe and sound.' verbatim, every single time he calls...

Didja know every time I type 'Didja' my phone corrects it to 'disharmony'...

Didja know I can find it someone deep inside myself to be sweet to Little-red in the morning when she is exhausted and hardly moving.

Didja know we are getting ready for another foster dog....

Didja know tomorrow is my mom's birthday!!!!!!

And didja know I need to say goodbye for now....

Blog? Blog! I got your stinkin' blog!

2011-08-22T21:47:00.002-05:00

Blogging challenge to blog daily is challenging when you don't know what to blog about!

I could blog about the first day of school but other than saying it went well, there isn't much to report.

I could blog about my day but laundry and cleaning out the fridge hardly seems blog worthy.

I could blog about Daisey growling at the fish...funny but hardly worth a long blog.

Nope, there's not much to blog about today.

And so it begins...again.

2011-08-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

No prompts this week, but I've assured my blog-challenging friend that my kids are crazy enough to find something to write about.

Sure enough...

My crazy kids start school tomorrow. I have found myself saying over and over "I can't believe Brenden will be in eighth grade!" It's true, I can't. He is 5' 9.5" and 135 lbs. He put on a xl boys' shirt the other day and it was too small. He is officially in men's sizes on shirts (small and medium...for now). His shoe size has been larger than his dad's for a while now. I had to make him sit on the toilet so I could reach a trouble spot with his hair the other day. I don't feel old enough to have a child this size/age. I remember the sweet chubby cheeks and "It's a NEW CAR!" I remember him saying "Let's go shopping!" My baby is growing up.

As of tomorrow I'll have two (TWO) middle-schoolers. Jacob starts sixth grade tomorrow at that big school down the road. I think he is mostly excited as we have banished all negative, scary the bejeebers out of him talk from the house. Why set your kids up to fail with talk of how hard EVERYTHING is going to be? Different? Yes, definitely. But can you really label it hard on their behalf? They've never done it before so you don't know that it will be hard. He's going to do great. Brenden and Jacob have made their arrangements to meet after school to bike home. Jacob has his beginning band stuff all lined out. He has his student ID and flash drive (we had to take Dad's two 2 gig flashdrives to have one for B (who's drive from last year looks like it was hit by a truck) and for Jacob (who's little 256MB one was just too small) but Dad will get another one soon.) Anyway, my cute little doe-eyed boy who used to have superman flying arms and would scream just to hear himself scream is in sixth grade. A schedule, changing classrooms, locking locker and cell phone. My baby is growing up.

There is only one sweet Baby D left at the little school but fortunately she'll be there for a few more years. She is entering the big wide world of first grade tomorrow. She's not scared one bit! The only thing as exciting for her as school starting back is the neighbor boy having a birthday party (that I actually let her go to with her Daddy as her chaperone--but he still isn't invited in to play in her room). She will probably have all her clothes laid out shortly. Her lunch is made and her pink and leopard print backpack is ready to go. I do expect some issues tomorrow...after all, she can't wear her flowered flip flops to school. She is raring to go. She wanted to ride her scooter to school but doesn't quite get that when they are that size it's actually more work than it looks. First grade! HERE WE COME! My baby is growing up!!

Rules! Rules! Rules!!

2011-08-20T21:35:00.002-05:00

So many rules to life! If there were just one rule I could change what would it be? And, even more important, would I change it just for me or for my family or for everyone?

Take the rule about driving the speed limit...change the rule just for me...well, now we're talking fun!!! Flying down the road...let my family speed? No!!! Everyone else?!?!? No way!!! Why? I trust my driving but not everyone else's. And I would not want my family to speed and be at risk!

Makes sense to know who the rule change would apply to in that case.

If the rule change were about, say, welfare...well, across the board...everyone follows the SAME rules. Need based on the same rules for everyone.

Ah, who am I kidding...I like rules. I was probably a huge tattle-tail as a child. Everything has a place, I colored within the lines, I liked my room clean, I like my house clean, and I make my kids follow all sorts of rules....

My only exemption is that darn speed limit rule...

Repetitive Routines

2011-08-19T21:38:00.000-05:00

What is one thing you do in the same day each week at about the same time? What a question!

How can a mom pick one particular thing? Honestly, I could record phrases and set them up on a timer in this house!!

6:30 am "Get up Honey! You're gonna be late!"
7:00 am "Did the dogs get fed?"
7:06 am "Yes, you can get on the computer after breakfast and chores and yes, you need a timer."
8:00 am "Emma put your dishes in the sink."
9:15 am "Jacob, you forgot the trash last night...it's over-flowing."
10:00 am "No, you may not have candy for snack."
10:16 am "Somebody left the light on...again."
12:06 pm "No, we aren't going out for lunch."
1:15 pm "Jacob!!!! Stop pestering your sister!!"
2:15 pm "ALL THREE OF YOU, GO TO YOUR ROOMS!!!!"
2:16 pm "Honey, who's idea was it to have children?"
3:00 pm "No, you may not have candy for snack."
3:30 pm "No, you may not get back on the computer.
5:00 pm (after Brenden's daily verbatim question of 'What is for and when is dinner?') "I don't know and when dad gets home."
5:20 pm "Honey, I'm done they're all yours."
9:20 pm "I'm going upstairs. Come on Daisey. "

Times five to seven days a week all summer long. School starts Monday...happy and sad to break this "fun" routine. I love them so very much; however, absence makes the heart grow fonder and it's time for my heart to grow fonder again!!!

The changing picture

2011-08-18T22:41:00.001-05:00

So as not to blow the blogging challenge by skipping a prompt and so as to make a friend happy ('cause she's my friend and I like making them happy)....

Writing from a picture prompt is completely different than writing from a word prompt. What do I see when I look at the picture?? You can only see the picture for the day this post is made. Tomorrow is a new picture.

It's kind of funny, when I think about it really. While the picture will quite literally change each day, the same is true figuratively.

I could describe the darkness of the coming rain clouds and the almost resigned look of fatigue she has carrying the burden she has to keep from falling down into the lives of those who she stands over... I could tell you how the observant might note the almost polluted quality of that land below...the clouds hanging over making it dreary...the only tender sign of light being in the pureness of her white wings, wings which have not yet matured enough to spring open and allow her to fly...

But then tomorrow the picture will change and as will the beauty of this woman being beckoned to daily love and care for her charges...the small clearing of the clouds by her simple presence, the grace of flight provided to her if ever need be...the light that seems to shine behind her and the beauty of what she holds in her hand.

Today the picture I saw was cloudy and tired, but tomorrow is always a new picture.

Genre? One genre?

2011-08-17T16:43:00.000-05:00

Today's blogger challenge is to state what genre of music would you be if you were one... Wow, that's hard! I would be so many but if I had to narrow it down to one I guess it would be ROCK-N-ROLL BABY!!

I've always liked loud, fast music. ALWAYS!! When I was in high school my first car was a 1974 Mazda 808. Sports car in the hayday. I would drive down the highway from Odessa to Gardendale flying with the music cranked up loud. I could make the car vibrate and the antenna bend backwards. Mmmm, some good memories.

I didn't joy ride with my friends...this was "flyin'" solo. Sometimes I hear a song and it brings the feel of that car flooding back to me.

I can't name just one band...it's a lot of bands. The beat, the stompin' drums...it's like freedom, rebellion, passion, love all rolled up in a song. I know, I know. Some speak to some seriously wrong frames of mind. They imply really bad habits that I would never want my children to partake in (Aerosmith, Love in an Elevator anyone?) but they are so, so....they move me....No, really, they move me.

When I was younger they moved me in my car, when I was older they moved me emotionally into better states of mind (ever listen to a slow country song that leaves you wanting to cry or slit your wrists because it's so sad?), and now they literally move me...each morning as I walk my 45 minutes or so. I have Pandora on my iPhone and my "radio station" of choice is Aerosmith, which means, of course, I get the gambit of Aerosmith, White Lion, Queen, Def Leppard, and more. (I tried Metallic one time because I love them but some of the other bands it played where too far out for me.)

I walk in that back door after 45 minutes of passionate, rebellious singing accompanied by thumpin', moving, screaming music. My heart is pumping, my legs have been moving, and my brain is awake and on fire for the day. Do that with country....

Haiku prompt

2011-08-16T06:53:00.002-05:00

Boredom Cure

Children arguing
I think boredom is to blame
Chores should end that shame

Mmmm, prompt number two...My favorite month.

2011-08-15T18:42:00.000-05:00

I'm in a blogging challenge right now in case you've wondered about the sudden increase in blogging. However, I am also using my sweet husband's computer which is like shopping at a Walmart that is situated opposite of what you are used to...weird.

Anyway, today's prompt is all about your favorite month...what is it and why? December use to be my favorite month...I used to be a Christmas freak! I couldn't wait for the tree to go up and the decor to be laid out. I had boxes and boxes of Christmas stuff. My first anniversary present was a huge artificial tree and tons of ornaments. I am not gaga over December anymore. I donated most of my stash of holiday decor to a nursing home.

Somewhere along the way November became my favorite month. Close second might be June. November is that time of the year when we get to celebrate the boys birthdays, our anniversary, both of our dad's birthdays (who were conveniently born on the same day), my grandfather's birthday and Thanksgiving. It's a busy, crazy, fun sort of month. The weather is cooling off. We have our homemade scarecrow man (Mr. Stinky Feet) to put out. I love the site of the kids playing in the leaves, crisper air in the mornings and, yes, even the crazy Christmas music that is everywhere.

I think November is now my favorite month.

Discontinued....

2011-08-14T18:25:00.000-05:00

When people think of discontinued things they often think of things they can no longer buy. Things that went the way of leg warmers and the model T. I have a hard time thinking of things like that....things I use to buy that would be so missed I would take note of them; however.....

There are many other things in my life that have been discontinued over the years that I wouldn't mind buying if it were available.

I would buy silence. A peaceful, without the brain going 100 mph silence. No kids fighting, woofing loudly at each other (such as just now), no dogs barking, no cell phone dinging the last text message, no rumbling motorcycle going down the street....just plain old silence. I would sell it in 30 minutes increments and boy, would it be expensive...but so worth it. You could open your package of silence anytime you wanted, anywhere you wanted. I remember sitting on the balcony of my apartment, my long ivies hanging behind me just thinking about things. I use to go out there to smoke once upon a time. I would sit and reflect and puff....silence. I remember driving my car to work each day, day in and day out, with the windows up and the radio off...silence. Silence is a discontinued item that would be nice to buy.

Innocence. Innocence is a discontinued item that we often don't even realize has been discontinued until one day we wake and find that the tacky humor of that misguided uncle almost slipped by you, that offensive billboard posted for the most sightings on the Interstate didn't even make you give a second glance, and movies and television showing skin and loaded with foul language is neither shocking nor devaluing. Innocence is often a discontinued item.

Appreciation. Appreciation is my last discontinued item but I've saved it for last because it is one that is more easily regained than the other two....I appreciated my charming Little Red for a very long time. It was so hard to have her...so painful to lose babies...then we had her and she was so appreciated. The boys were even more appreciated. Now, they are growing, healthy, and smart but loud, underfoot and expensive. Sometimes many days go by without me having appreciation for them. Babies are appreciated, cherished and revered but as kids get older....well, they sorta lose that cuteness. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kids but sometimes I forget to appreciate them like I should. For the things they do, for they love they have, for the kids they are...Appreciation is often a discontinued item that can be returned...it needs to be remembered and reflected upon as they grow and lose their innocence, as they move away and all you are left with is the silence.

Discontinued....

Girls, boys, and the other little ones.

2011-08-13T21:48:00.000-05:00

Girls...Little Red and I had a girls night out Friday night. We were going on a road trip with grandma to Amarillo Friday morning but Grandma wasn't feeling well. Postponement. We had to have some fun. Off to Red Robin at her choice. We then headed to Sally's Beauty Supply were we decided boys weren't allowed (unless they're paying, of course). She is so her mommy's daughter...she found three items she had to have and proudly showed me they were all on clearance!! All 6-year-olds should recognize the word "clearance"!!! She then put two back...in the event we went to another store, she didn't want to have already used up all the mom favors...one sparkly purple headband...she didn't want to be greedy.

Boys...while we had a GNO, Big Red went to a friend's house for a sleepover and Smooch and Doe-eyed boy went to see Captain America. I'm assuming, by Jacob's grin, they had a good time. He was looking forward to some alone time with Smooch all week...this was planned since it was going to only be him and Smooch Friday night. No reason to cancel just because the roadtrip didn't follow plans. He loves alone time with his parents. Someday that might not be the case so we will enjoy it while we can!!

The other little ones...Perry got a fishtank for his birthday the other day. He is like a small child about this tank. He loves it!! He added some more fish to it today. They are all little fish that give him great joy and relieve the stress of the day by just watching them. Ain't it amazing how the little things in life can give such peace and joy??

Great schedule, great freebie, great break

2011-08-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

Great Schedule....Big Red got his schedule today!! I have less dread than I have ever had about the start of the new school year. Kids with Asperger's have a reputation of not transitioning well from one activity to another. We have had less of this than others we know but the start of the school year has always presented challenges to the entire family. He usually takes about six weeks to adjust to the new routine, schedule, etc.Middle school has been no different and a lot had to do with the homework. In elementary school he never had homework...he either did it all at school or it didn't get finished a lot of the time. Most was done at school. Middle school has been a whole different ball of wax...Add in Pre-Ap classes to the mix and well, you just can't get away with not doing homework. New routines, extra homework, and the hustle and bustle of school makes for a stressed out Aspie. This year, however, he has a class called study skills first semester. He will have an entire class period to do homework in. At first I was not pleased 'cause it seemed a waste of time...then slowly it began to sink in what a blessing it will be for him to have that extra time at school to work on homework and hopefully lower his reactive stress levels. YEA!! Even he seemed excited and recognized the benefit.

Great Freebie...I won, I won. The Green Bag Lady had another freebie giveaway. If you haven't visited her blog, you soooo should. She has made ~~over~~ AND given away over 17,000 reusable shopping bags and shipped them all over the world. I won a cute little bag two years ago ( I think). Today I won a $20 gift certificate to Sew Momma Sew's shop! I'm so excited. I rarely buy new fabric, choosing instead to find fabric at thrift stores and garage sales...I'm gonna choose wisely and make something just for me. :) Selfish? Probably but I'm over it!

Great Break....there was a literal cold front moving through yesterday. I love God's sense of humor sometimes. Everyone was so convinced that we would break the 1980's record of a 41 day heat streak of over 100 degrees. The weatherman was so confident we would exceed it by several days he was practically flowing with pride. Me, I didn't want to break it....I would rather lose the streak for some cooler weather than hold the new record....but that's just me. Anywhooo, we are all secluded in our little cocoon of shaded windows and over-worked ac yesteday when I spotted Little Red looking out the back window. I went over to see what was so interesting and found wind and clouds...Not just any clouds...DARK CLOUDS! RAIN CLOUDS!! The temperature dropped minimum 10 degrees if not more and the wind was sure gusting up a storm. We didn't get actual rain at our house...just a few sprinkles but the lower temp along was FABULOUS! Thank you God for proving that the weatherman is not YOU. Now, if we pray a little harder will you please send us a smidge of rain?

No TV Thursday

2011-08-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, we are off to a fair start. I did my walk, got Big Red to mow the yard (I will not look for missed patches, I will not look for missed patches, I will not look for missed patches), dishes are going, laundry is going....there is only one dilemma...I really need to iron today. :( I ALWAYS watch TV when ironing....it's like peanut butter and jelly...they just go together.

I think the radio is in order..maybe I can find some super interesting talk radio show to enlighten me about the world's woes...No, that's no fun.

Maybe some good old rock music...no, I'd be ironing to the beat and there'd still be tons of wrinkles.

How about country? Um, nope. I don't care if your momma's in jail, your dog got run over and the juke box doesn't have your favorite tune.

Rap? Um, no. Nuff said.

This is quite the challenge. I wonder if listening to the TV from the other room counts? Nick Jr. is currently playing in the living room where Little Red and Doe-eyed boy have parked their couch cushion-shaped booties. Surely Bubble Guppies will help me along. I think that might be cheating though...

Alas, I think I'll just stick with some Aerosmith...surely "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" will produce some decent ironing.

If you see my husband in the next few days wearing some badly ironed clothing, just remember, I'm trying to break some bad habits and someone besides me might suffer for it.

TV

2011-08-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

We have three TVs. We have one in the living room, one in the office and one in our room. It's sad, really. We seem to always have at least one and sometimes two and even three before. If the show we normally like to watch isn't on we will just keep flipping the channel until a substitute comes along.

I have a huge collection of books to read, HUGE! We have board games out the wazzoo. We have music to listen to. We have lots of options and yet we always come back to the TV. Why?

The kids were trying to decide if our Friday Night Family Time would be a game or a movie and, like the awesome mother and role model I am, I said we should watch a movie "because I'm tired and need some brainless activity." Oh wow! Did I really say that? Yes. Yes I did.

There are times when a tv is handy...sick kiddo, watching the news, doing the ironing but think how much more I could do if I didn't turn it on. I know some friends who's old tv is on the fritz and getting ready to go away...their only tv. We have three???? Where is the logic in that? Why? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Shame on us for spending too much time letting our butts grow into the shape of couch cushions.

I hereby proclaim, in front of all two of my readers, that I will pick one day a week where I will not watch any tv. At all. Even at night when I crawl in bed. I pick Thursday.

Eeeee, yikes!

I just committed to being disciplined, again, and you all can begin praying now!

Having a Saturday sort of Tuesday

2011-08-09T21:52:00.000-05:00

Perry is home today and we spent the day running around, watching tv and general worthlessness of the like. All day I was thinking about church tomorrow, life group, etc. I caught myself thinking that the weekend is never long enough.

Only one problem...

This is Tuesday.

Perry's mom and step-dad came in town for a visit for the day so he took a day off. My brain gets confused by these mid-week Saturdays. I have been reminding myself all day "It's Tuesday!!!! Not Saturday!!"

I'm so confused!!

But that's okay...tomorrow Perry will go to work and I'll think it's Monday all day!!

The syrup on my vanilla ice-cream...

2011-08-08T14:23:00.000-05:00

I was visiting with my "crew" the other night when we all started telling one of the "girls" how much she meant to our little group via text messages. It occurs to me, though, she really isn't the syrup on my vanilla ice-cream, the thing that makes life sweeter...Nope, they all are.

We've been here six years now, in this "little" community of DFW and it's in the last year that Perry has finally felt "plugged" in to the community. What did it? Church. Plain and simple, church. We feel like a part of the church, we feel like we contribute to our church community. That's the vanilla ice-cream for us...

The chocolate syrup comes in the form of a handful of ladies who make my life so much better than it was. They are not perfect, bible thumpin', bun wearin' church ladies set to save the soul of everyone out there...they are human. They are you and me. They lead messy lives, figuratively and literally. They have problems in their finances, with their children, and their families. They don't make me feel inferior. They accept me for the person that I am, and truthfully, up until now, Perry was the only person I felt confident in saying that about.

You know how it is, there is always the "I'm fine." We all say to others because, let's face it, there are a lot of folks who ask but really don't care. They are ready to move on to how they are before the "I'm fine" even leaves your mouth. Having a group of connections that do care, who know you and love you just the way you are...well, that's the chocolate syrup.

Now, I know, I know, you can find relationships like this outside a church building, I get that. And trust me, I spend my fair share of time wondering if I'm there for a spiritual relationship with God or just for the friendships and bonds I have made....I think both and there is always room for improvement in either.

My friends are like my safety rails...they are there to grab on to if I start to fall. We visited a lot of churches from the weeks after moving here until last year about this time and never too long at any one church because they never felt like home. The funny thing is is the church we are at now is the first church we visited after moving here...then we spent the next several years floating from church to church. When we left this church in search of the perfect church "home" one lady told me rather sternly "home" is where you make it. It seethed slightly in my mind for a long time but I now believe her to be right about that....we are involved, plugged in, and contributing and we are at home.

I have my ice-cream and it's smothered in chocolate syrup.

Cold front blew in....

2011-08-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

Today was only 108 instead of 110.

I'm going to have to stop watching the news because the heat is starting to make me grumpy. It's a bit like having a bad case of cabin fever in some ways. Too hot to play on this hot, hot day. To hot to play, to hot to play outside!!

The weatherman might possibly boo-hoo in his wheaties if we don't actually break the 100 degree temps streak of 42 days. I can't believe someone is actually hoping we will go another ten days like this. Yuck!

Okay, okay. Enough whining. Must. Find. Positive. Attitude. Positive attitude? Where did you go?? It's safe now. You can come back. Ah, heck. Maybe some bubbles will helpe find my positivity.

Dear weatherman: you stink and you're momma dresses you funny.

Hot, hot, hot

2011-08-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

I know, you might think this is all about me and thanks, but actually it is all about the weather. Yesterday was 110 and today is probably much the same. My back porch thermometer read 113 yesterday. I'm growing weary of the 100+ temps...and we are over a month of them now, I think.

My yard is dying, the water bill is high and the electric bill is higher. Ugggggh, id' love for some cooler days, but....

Yes, my big 'ol butt again...

There is always, always a silver lining somewhere you just have to look for it.

I have taken my kids to the .75 cent movie twice in the last two weeks. We saw Thor and Kung Foo Panda 2. Nice to enjoy other people's AC! I even did like the news recommended and set the ac at 85 when we were gone.

I'm getting a bit of sewing done 'cause it's too hot to go outside. We made pillow case dresses at church in the S.O.S class (Servants of the Savior) to send to Africa through the Dresses for Africa program. Letting those kiddoes (I think it's third through 5th) use my sewing machine was stepping out on a limb for sure. We have 30+ dresses we are going to send off but I need to finish the arm holes first.

My boys are super bonding over their own made up games of D&D and even letting there little sister have a role. Yesterday they rolled out some craft paper I had and drew grids on it. They want me to laminate it so they'll have a game board and they even drew pictures of different game buildings and characters. I love seeing them work together!

Yesterday was Kung Foo Panda and the dollar store where we shopped for the resident birthday boy...Perry. We also bought some duck bread to feed the ducks....it was stinkin' hot but we went this morning to feed them. They were a might disinterested but I can't blame them...if I had to be out in that heat....

So, see, despite hibernating like it's wintertime, we are finding fun things to do that don't involve heat and sun and misery and it's not just the computer and tv.

Yea for us! I still think school should be in the summer and summer break should be winter break 'cause my kids can't go outside in this heat to play anyway so they might as well be gettin' in a little learnin'.

Summer stuff

2011-07-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

So, I was gonna blog the other day but my computer locked up and that just ticked me off and I never came back to it...Time for a kiddo update....

Brenden....well, he's so Brenden. His toe is still healing which means he has not swum hardly at all this summer. :( Poor kiddo. It's looking better and he might be released from the daily foot soakings and bandages in another couple of weeks. He has been so responsible lately. Helping without being asked. Cleaning up after himself. he even brought me a bottle of tea the other day when I was working outside...out of the blue 'cause he wanted to. He's doing chores mostly without being asked. No talking back, no attitude...I'm loving this age 13 but it does occur to me that he will have his usual "return to school" stress when school starts and we will probably not have this same happy, responsible kiddo...I'm enjoying it now, while it lasts. He reminded me the other day that, while he is maturing into a responsible kiddo, he still has his Asperger's moments. During life group he and his buddies, who usually hang out in the youth room, decided to play hide and seek upstairs....the adults were all upstairs in a classroom and the younger kids were upstairs in another classroom. At some point his two buddies couldn't find him during this game of hide and seek...they looked and looked but to no avail. Our life group ended and I quickly realized he was no where in sight. The buddies thought it was funny...little did they know....See, if you are playing that game with him he simply doesn't get the idea of coming out after a while...he will just keep hiding. So, I began to look as well as our life group. He still hid. The pastor and youth minister's wife began to look...he still hid. More people joined us from the wedding shower happening downstairs....he still hid. We scoured the building...I began to panic. I felt like I was going to be sick...He had never been that hard to find or been "missing" for that long and I was terrified he had left the building. He eventually came down stairs laughing it up with his buddy....he had been in the elevator....the entire time....he spent something like 45 minutes in that stinkin' elevator. I was so...so... angry, happy, relieved, ticked off...I burst into tears when I saw him. No more hide and seek for him! EVER!!!! Scared the daylights out of me. Yep, he still has his moments.

Jacob...Jacob is Jacob. He is somewhat bored this summer...I mean B can't swim right now, it's hot, hot, hot outside, really a bit bored. He has been playing DDO (Dungeons and Dragons Online) still with B and he found an old school D&D book at the thrift store so they have been making up their own D&D games to play with their legos. He went on a retreat with Perry for the weekend where they went to several different locations to meet and greet and pray. He got to go to DFW airport and greet the incoming troops who were returning for leave. That made a big impression on him. He is a little nervous about middle school but the big time nerves haven't kicked in yet. He is going to play the Euphonium ( a small tuba) in the band and I think he is excited about that. I just hope he will practice...we'll have to work on that with him because he isn't as easy to get into the routine of things as B is.

Emma....she's Em. What can I say? She has pretty much healed from her two surgeries. She has some lumpiness where the scar is still healing but that's not too bad. Now that VBS is over she is ready and waiting for school to start. She did some reading practice at Star Fall.com and did pretty good. First grade will be fun for her. She wants to know who her teacher will be and if she will be "sweet" or not. "Afterall, Mrs. Wertz just LOVED one of my outfits last year." Oh my, how did I get a girlie girl? She wants her nail polish done, often comes downstairs with tons of "lipstick" (aka chapstick) ringing her mouth, and likes to change clothes a couple of times a day. She's so prissy sometimes but then other times she is such the tomboy. Today we were planting flowers and the dirty hands and stuff did not phase her a bit. As she gets older I can't help but wonder if she will continue to be the girlie girl or if she will turn more tomboy....only time will tell...

Then there are the pooches....Meimei is about 20 lbs now. I don't think she will get much bigger. She plays constantly but then she is a puppy. She loves playing with Daisey who is loving the playtime right back. They are both sleeping off their morning play session. It's so hot outside so they save all their running in circles for the house which can lead to some challenging moments if you would like to walk through the house.

And, well, I guess that is about it for now....we have been running with doctor appointments, dentist appointments, VBS's, church activities...I'm pooped. Sewing is on the back burner...Can't remember the last sock critter I actually finished. It's awlll good...those kiddoes are so worth it.

Best laid plans

2011-07-12T09:04:00.000-05:00

So, this week was going to be an easy week, at least according to the calendar. Unfortunately God never sees my calendar and even if He did He wouldn't follow it.

The kids have been attending VBS at the church by their school since we moved to DFW. They love it. Yesterday was day one and I was stoked....Brenden is too old and since we don't attend church there I didn't really think him volunteering would work well so he and I would have four hours at home do to whatever while Jacob and Emma were there....

Best laid plans...Brenden had another appointment for his tootsy toe that we've been dealing with since May. He had the surgery on it to cauterize the root but now has another infection...we are on antibiotics again. Boooo.... Good news (all things in life have a silver lining) is that the urologist wanted him on Miralax to counter effect some medication side effects....the newest antibiotic can cause diarrhea...got my basis covered. :) Just have to hunt for a bright side, I'm tellin' ya...there is ALWAYS one.

After the appointment I came home and cleaned more puppy messes, UGHG!! My hands are so dry and peeling from the constant washing....anyhooo, then there was a run to the postoffice and more. I did slip in a moment or two to finish the last couple of chapters in my book...had to find out if they caught the kidnapper and found the kidnappee alive or not.

All and all, I got alot done and enjoyed the one child and 11 dogs instead of the 3 children and 11 dogs. But, big, big, bit ol' butt....best laid plans.....

When I picked up Emma from her class at VBS my plans for the rest of the week to be as prosperous as Monday was fell to pieces. My bleary-eyed girl was escorted from the room by a caring young woman who said Emma didn't feel good. As soon as I picked her up I felt her fever. I believe she has the flu...fever, body aches, headache, tired....Poor kiddo.....

More best laid plans...not only will we be missing VBS probably for the rest of the week we were supposed to go to my brother's military ceremony...HE"S BACK FROM Afghanistan!!!! YEA!! Perry had taken the day off and everything so we could go but with Emma feeling so crummy that's all up in the air. I'm still trying to see a silver lining in that one but haven't found one yet that makes it worthwhile.

So, here we are on Tuesday...Emma started the day in our room with tears, complaining of a headache and tummy ache. We snuggled while her fever reducer kicked in and she's working on a big water bottled filled with juice and some dry cereal....My best laid plans for this morning were to work in the church workroom and tonight to go to a bible study....And yes, Perry could watch her tonight but, well, this is a big ol' butt for me.....I don't leave my kids when they are sick...I'm not good at that...Just ask Perry...so, even thought I know he is perfectly capable I won't do it.

Anyway, enough rambling for now. I have puppies to clean, house to deodorize, sickly child to tend to, and more. Hope you are having a great week.

Two down, seven to go

2011-07-11T08:23:00.001-05:00

I've enjoyed having the puppies here. They have been fun for me and the kids. Perry has enjoyed them too. To watch them go from closed eyes and crawling the playing, wrestling little balls of fur has been a great deal of fun....

but....and a big ol' butt.....

I'm so done. I'm so ready for them to be scooted off to their next foster location. While I'm so glad the kids have had this experience (and me too), I'm pooped. Cleaning, mopping, feeding, wiping, caring for 8 puppies and 1 momma along with our two dogs has certainly been a chore but then add in a dash of worms....

Then you have 8 puppies and 1 momma with diarrhea, bad diarrhea. After these puppies are gone I will be cleaning like a fiend cause it's so stinky, smelly and just plain gross. I thought the smell of canned food was bad enough, boy, was I wrong.

We've been cleaning and washing, wiping and mopping for 4 or 5 days straight. They are finally doing a little better but still not 100%. Since the pups are moving on to new foster homes (separate foster homes) soon, momma has to wean them which means she is being kept separate most of the time....which means the puppies are crying for their momma.

I think this has been, all and all, a great experience for all of us but I'm ready for this experience to be done!

No pics this time....the topic was deamed inappropriate for photos by yours truly...however, if you feel the need for photographic evidence, I do have some poopie puppy pads in my driveway waiting to be cleaned off. Just let me know if you wanna see..... :)

Oh, and the title, well, two puppies left yesterday for new foster homes. The hope is to place them in new foster homes two by two. So far, all but two are expected to be placed by Wednesday of this week. I am hoping and praying the other two do as well so we can attend my brother's return home ceremony from Afghanistan without worrying about the smallest pooches.

Puppy update

2011-07-07T10:42:00.000-05:00

Okay, so we are on week three of puppy-dom....They are four weeks old and getting more and more active. The kids are still loving on them and enjoying having them but I'm beginning to grow tired of the extensive work that is going in to them. Which, since they will be separated in a couple of weeks to other fosters, the timing isn't to bad.

They are on canned puppy food for now and once that supply is gone we'll start with some smooshie dry food. They are sure messy eaters! After they eat I usually let mom in to clean up any food they missed on them or the floor!

Today I've had them outside quite a bit. It's supposed to get very hot today so they won't stay out there too long but it gives them some fresh air and sunshine and mom a big yard to roam around. Emma is out there babysitting them for me and that's really good 'cause it gives her something to do as well.

Here are some puppies pics I took for their four week pictures...now that they are on canned food I suspect they will really plump up into rollie poly fellas....And no, we aren't keeping any of them.

2011-07-05T10:01:00.001-05:00

Yes, it does feel like a Monday! How does a 20 minute car ride feel like an hour? When you have a sniffles in the back seat!!!

2011-07-02T22:24:00.001-05:00

So maybe this mobile blogging isn't so awesome... Testing again.

I am woman, hear me blog!

2011-07-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I have the urge to repeat over and over again "I love my children, I love my children, I love my children." Emma is making me have many of those times right now.

Her ears must be plugged with wax 'cause she surely is having issues with hearing me. This morning she asked if she could help wash Lili. I told her that it was a one person job. Rather than going to find something else to occupy her time she hovered and about every sixty seconds we had one of the following: "Mom, can I hold the hose?" "Is this her shampoo?" "How do you open this bottle?"

"Can I put some of it on?" "Do we clean her legs too?" "Can I fill up my pool?" "When can we go swimming at Ms. Jennifer's house?"

I am often surprised that I'm not crazy by now! 11 dogs and three kids with one mommy all day long...ALL DAY LONG!!! A-L-L D-A-Y L-O-N-G!!!!!

Most of the time I'm happy to be fostering Lili and her eight babies but when Emma is bored, Jacob is energetic and Brenden is impatient, Meimei is wild and Daisey is clingy.....well.....I don't get paid enough. Last week I chased Meimei out the dog door...she had a pair of pink striped undies in her mouth.

I've yelled at the kids and the dogs the last couple days (Interruption of thought here...I just heard hurling...apparently Jacob was running his mouth so much he threw up his sandwich he was supposed to be eating and in the last 60 seconds I've had conversation with all three children of some sort ( Can I get on the computer? Can I watch TV?) while trying to figure out where I was going with the yelling at the kids vein of this blog....) Let's see...Yelling at the dogs...Yes, yes, at Lili in particular. Seems after her bath a good dig in the dirt under the utility trailer was called for...before she was dry...like still dripping....running away from me...she was covered with mud! I believe I called her "Stupid dog" as I broke out the hose to spray her off. She's not really a stupid dog but my frustration was on overdrive....Yes, I did apologize to her and she forgave me.

Anywhoooo, I'm off to finish vacuuming, mopping, dusting, ironing, laundering, bathing, feeding, wiping, cleaning, screaming, ranting, raving and eventually collapsing. If you don't hear from me in a few days, well, don't worry. Perry is supposed to be home around 5ish...he'll either find me in a dark corner behind some furniture rocking and humming and will go in search of some little yellow pills for me or I'll be propped in my blue chair drinking pina colodas and giggling wildly.

Happy Fourth weekend!!!

2011-06-30T09:59:00.001-05:00

Testing mobile blogging. Welcome to high tech!!

Puppies, puppies, and, did I mention, Puppies

2011-06-30T09:52:00.000-05:00

Haven

We are on our third foster dog now. The first was Haven. She was at least two years old and had just recently had puppies before we got her. She was sweet, sticky, smothering, "Go AWAY!" sweet. Her favorite place was right in your face, nose to nose (she could have counted my nose hairs she was so close) and breathing your air. She was pushy too...she kept my little Daisey bossed around like crazy. Stealing her pillow, her bone, her food...so, that was when we learned we could tell the Humane Society we "don't like our foster" and they'd come and take her away.

Meimei

Next was Meimei. Ah, little Meimei. Such a pill, such a puppy. Ears bigger than an 80's satellite dish and personality like that playful little energizer bunny that never quits....Well, that was when we learned what "foster failure" meant. We adopted her into our little family. She is Perry's baby and has really done wonders for healing his broken heart over Sophie. She is an odd little mix...maybe Basinji? Maybe collie? Who knows. She doesn't bark much, she has a stout little snout and a slight curl to her tail. She's the bane of Daisey's existence and the light of Perry's eyes.

Meimei

A boy and his dog.

Lili

And now, well now we have Lili....and all eight of her little babies. We got them when they were about 5 days old and now they are about 3 weeks old. We wanted to foster an expectant momma so the kids would have an experience they'd never forget (and I would too!). Lili couldn't wait to have those babies so we got momma and babies instead of expectant momma but it has made the experience no less exciting for all of us! Sooooo cute!!! We have watched them go from wriggly little hamster looking things with closed eyes and crawling on their tummies to eyes open, wobbly walking and funny little growls and howls. They are entertainment all by themselves, not to mention a lot of work. They reside in the dining room where they can be contained, monitored and easily cleaned up after....lemme tellya....my mop has gotten the most exercise it has ever (EVER!!) seen in it's lifetime and I've learned my stomach is much stronger than I ever (EVER!!!) imagined possible. After they are weaned and off to their new fosters and/or homes, we will probably wait a few weeks before getting another foster but we are really enjoying the entire foster experience! So much joy helping those little four legged critters out and so much fun for the kids.

Tippy

Lucci

Otis, Hershey, Maria, Emily, Spot and Maria

Ugh!! I swear!

2011-06-07T14:24:00.001-05:00

Or at least I wanted too!

Brenden accidentally kicked the metal bleachers last month at school. A couple of days later he went to a water park with the band...apparently a broken toenail + water park = infected ingrown toenail. In my defense, he didn't tell me about the broken toenail until after the water park but I don't know if that would have made a difference or not...especially since I don't have any idea what it looked like before he (HE) tried to doctor it.

We've been cleaning it, trying to get cotton under the edge and putting antibiotic ointment on it but still couldn't keep it from getting infected. After checking it Sunday evening I made an appointment on Monday for him to be seen at the doctor's office. Little did I know....

Perry tells stories of having his done in a Minor Emergency Clinic as a kid...his brother could hear him screaming in the parking lot. Apparently numbing, pain control, etc. isn't a priority in a place like that.

We went to a podiatrist. Worrying about Brenden and the excitability and temper that can come when he's in pain or angry, I brought gum to chew the heck out of and two magazines he could read/distract and hide behind....he's still very uncomfortable with emotion so hiding seemed important. He laid back with a magazine in hand and they squirted the cold stuff on while injecting his toe with numbing stuff.....OUCH!! He got loud and a bit upset and angry but kept incredible control for him. I was sooooooo proud of how well he handled it.

After he was numb, they cut half his toe nail off from the top of the toe down to the nail bed. Once he is cleared of the infection he'll have to go back in to have surgery to cauterize it and keep it from happening again when the nail grows back. I'm mildly worried he'll freak with that needle/numbing again but I sure ain't sayin' that to him...

WAY to GO BIG RED!!!

Oh, and he told me as we were leaving that there were lots of swear words "running through my head" while they were squirting that cold stuff on his toe...aka giving him the shot.

Processing...again

2011-05-25T08:46:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been blogging much lately, sorry. I have been very busy of late and most of the time it's a very good kind of busy, except this week.

This week has been rough, good, bad, and rough.

One of the families in our life group has faced what no young family should ever have to face. Yet they have faced it with grace and courage. Nathan suffered with cancer for four long years. He was diagnosed the day after his baby daughter was born. His cancer was head and neck, specifically in the sinuses. His wife, my friend Sara, is such a strong and sweet woman. She has the best and most contagious laugh of anyone I've ever met and is unafraid of laughter even in times such as these.

Nathan's condition worsened and essentially became untreatable earlier this year. After surgery to attempt to stop the spread into his brain his mental status began to change along with his physical. Sara certainly had some challenges with two small children and a husband who sometimes just wasn't the man she married.

Hospice was called in a few weeks back and this past week he became to deteroriate fairly quickly. Sunday I dropped the kids off at church and a friend watched over them from class to service while I joined many from our life group to sit with Sara and Nathan. I wish you could have been a fly on the wall...Nathan had his hospital bed in their room. He had been unresponsive since sometime Friday night but Sara, on the cot with a blow up mattress next to him, continued to talk to him and laugh with him as we all surrounded her. When one person would leave that poor blow up mattress with pop another person up in the air...it had to be aired up again since there was up to five people sitting/laying on it at a time. We laid hands on her, hugged her and held her while she held his hand. We shared stories, laughed and sometimes just got plain silly. Nathan's vitals improved some and what seemed like the inevitable in a short time began to look questionable...he seemed to be rebounding. Sara called him a turkey. She wanted him to let go...she didn't want him to starve, didn't want him to suffer, didn't want him to be in pain anymore. But she also said that was just like Nathan...stubborn man.

After everyone left, about 9:30 or so, Sara went to shower and another friend and I started cleaning up...dishes, laundry and things while the hospice nurse sat with Nathan. I went into Sara's daughter's room to clean and before I knew it my friend was in there telling me he was gone. Just like that. He was gone. He just simply stopped breathing.It was as though he was really there enjoying the stories, the laughter, the joy at loving one another as a second family and once we were gone and he knew Sara and the kids would be taken care of he could let go. Sara sat and watched as his pulse in his neck stopped and then we all gave her her time to let all her emotions flow like the tears that ran down our faces. Her pain, her laying next to her husband, it is a memory, a pain and a sound I will never ever forget...and yet....

There is so much more....to witness the love she had for her husband and the courage she had to let him go. The knowledge she had that God was there with Nathan, loving him and surrounding him. Taking his broken body and throwing it away. Giving him a new heart and a place beside Jesus. The faith that Sara has knowing she will see him again in heaven. Nathan knowing that his family is taken care of through the brothers and sisters in christ, through the life group and the church family.

When my aunt died I remember thinking that she was so incredibly blessed to have such a huge family to love her and take care of her, wondering how those who didn't have that blessing handled such tragic times. Witnessing the love of Sara's family, church and worldly, I am almost speechless in wonder of how His plans for us really work out. Serving God by serving her was so evident and continues to be so evident in all the loving care she is receiving from all the women she has been lovingly calling her "mothers" the last few days. Making her sleep, making her eat, caring for her children. The days aren't over...the visitation is tonight and the service is tomorrow. Once these events are over and her extended family returns to their lives, she will still be without her Nathan. She will still be in her home without her husband and we will still be there for her. We will love on her, care for her, and watch over her because, as children of God, it is what we are here for.

Easter time!!

2011-04-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

Easter 2011 has come and gone and it's been a busy one around here. We had Bunny Breakfast's, LTC conventions and visits from Grandma and Grandpa. It was so much fun!

LTC was the perfect opportunity for the boys to stuff themselves silly! Jacob did puppets and sign language.

Brenden did really well there, despite how crowded and loud it was but he had the forethought to bring two books and headphones. G'ma and G'pa gave him an MP3 player at Christmas and he gets lots of use out of it times like this!

Ms. Em attended the bunny breakfast at church. She had a great time! I wasn't able to go but her Daddy took lots (and lots) of pictures of her having fun!

Grumpy Gramps and Grandma came for lunch after church on Sunday. Ms. Em loves her grandpa!

And I think he might be fond of her too.

Emma slept in rollers Saturday night...her hair looked so pretty all curled up!

Emma was enjoying having little Daisy in the house too.

Happy, happy fevers....

2011-04-05T13:04:00.000-05:00

Sweet Ms. Em is home with me today. She has a "happy" fever. How is it a child can run 101 point something or other and feel great??? Okay, so she has a bit of a runny nose and is sneezing more than usual but she's perky, bouncy and happy. Me, I'd milk the fever....Perry would cook, the boys would clean and Ms. Em could do my nails. I'd have a remote in one hand and cup of tea in the other. But, then, she's only five...she will learn.

Feelin' the love....

2011-04-02T13:44:00.000-05:00

So apparently there are few readers out there...somewhere.... who would be sad to see me go off grid from the blog-o-sphere. I'm feelin' the love. :) I have decided to make it private on April 15th...since we already did our taxes, I needed some other deadline for that day or the day just would have not felt right! I look forward to a day without spam via the blog. So, if you haven't already said so, you need to let me know to add you to the "okay" list.

All and all we're all percolating pretty good around here. The boys are gaga over DDO which, setting aside cult'ish mommy fears of the 80's, has been EXCELLENT for them. We got a computer off Freecycle...it's a "big clunky one" (according to Doe-eye boy...okay style monitor is the translation) so they are all set up to play side by side and they are GETTING ALONG WHILE PLAYING! Sorry, I know, I know I should use my inside voice but, seriously, when your 11-year-old and 13-year-old get along for extended periods of time and find common ground, well, it's worth shouting about. Now, to address the cult'ish part....We are a "common-space" type technology family. No computers, tv's, cable lines or phones in the children's bedrooms. Whine, beg, plead, whatever you wanna do...it ain't happenin'. If it something you want to watch behind closed doors, say behind closed doors, read behind closed doors or play behind closed doors then it's most likely something you probably shouldn't be doin' in the first place. (And here I feel I should remind you you don't have to agree with me, like me, or think my parenting skills are stellar but try to remember YOU CHOSE TO READ MY BLOG so deal with it! Oh, and if ya hadn't noticed, I'm having a spunky sorta day so I'm liable to talk back to you even more so if you're already offended you might need to leave now.)

Anyhoo, off the soap box....let's see...ah, yes. Sara, Ms. Sara....

My friend Sara is so on my brain. All the thoughts have taken so many paths that my brain has threatened to shut down. My friend Sara has a lovely daughter Ella and a handsome son Jacob, 3 and 5. She has a beautiful spirit and a laugh and smile that would make the most maudlin person smile. Sara's husband is dying. He has cancer and it's spread and there's just nothing left to do but make him comfortable. The sadness for her family, the amazement for her strength and faith, the honesty she has shared with her kids, the love in their little family, her faith that God will use this and if one person is touched there is purpose....so many little paths going so many directions. She's a warrior for sure. Nathan was already sick when we met them so we have been denied the opportunity to get to know him very well but I know that Sara will make him live on with her children. I'm trying to wrap my head around her strength, figure out what I can do to be a help, and watch in amazement as her church family tightens their loving arms around their family. I am learning so much about compassion, patience, empathy, and more but I wish that it didn't take this event to teach so many people so many different lessons.

And last but not least, a subject of avoidance, difficult decisions, yadayada....Sophie. Sophie, our German Shepperd, is no longer with us. We had some real issues with her aggression, her over-protectiveness, etc. We took her to a trainer and after six months of exhaustive training, including two weeks of boot camp she was still struggling mightily with her food aggression. She had nipped at Jacob and Emma and growled at us all when eating. I was worried but didn't want to be the bad guy, putting my foot down to my sweet husband who loved her so but after a camping trip where she nipped at a friend's child (left red whelps and scratches without breaking the skin), I knew things were not going to get better. After praying, visiting with our fabulous vet, discussing our very limited choices Perry took Sophie to the vet and had her put down. He had her put down for the safety of our three children and for the safety of other children visiting our home. She could not be adopted out due to the danger of someone getting hurt so this was the best thing for her. It's been sad but freeing at the same time. Sad for her loss and because we miss her but freeing because that stress and anxiety is no longer there. We've been thinking of maybe fostering some dogs for the local Humane Society Chapter (small dogs) to help fill that void without actually getting another furever dog for our family. That's still being discussed.

And I guess that is all I have on my brain for now. I'm off to make 24 chair covers for the kindergarten class before heading over the Sprouts to replace my apply stash...apparently the bunches of apples I bought on Wednesday wasn't nearly enough 'cause three days later I only have three left. Go figure....My kids are weirdos and bypassed the chips and popsicles for apples. I'm tellin' ya WEIRDOS!!

Not deleting for now....

2011-03-30T17:26:00.000-05:00

For now I'm keeping my blog but making it private. If you are still reading, despite the infrequent posts of late, comment here and let me know what email address you want me to add. I won't publish the comments with actual email addresses in them so if you need to be snarky and want to share your snarkiness with the world don't include your email address in the snarkiness. I will only add your email address if you ask me too...no reader solicitation.

Bye bye blog??

2011-03-29T08:19:00.002-05:00

Well, I haven't been blogging much....It's not that life isn't interesting around here. It's always interesting... I have just been finding that either what I have on my mind is so short that if I want to share I share with a friend or on FB or what I have on my mind is not blog appropriate. I think Emma going to school has changed the dynamics considerably for me...where I used to spend most of my time at home I find more time to get out and do things like help at church. My "idle" time is spent with other hobbies...mmm, it almost sounds like maybe I got me a bonafide life!

Anyway, in the last few days I've been deluged with spam via my blog so I'm thinking in a few days I might just decide to download/backup a copy so I'll have all those crazy things that happened the last five years saved somewhere and then remove my blog.

Senor'...Oh Senor'.....

2011-03-09T11:58:00.005-06:00

Okay, so I've been playing with a puppet the last couple of days. The church is short a few for LTC. I doubt I'll be able to make enough between now and then to cover the gap but since I don't know what the gap is yet, I'm reserving judgment.

Meet Senor' Jorge. He's my new buddy. He wasn't too hard to make but his mouth assembly was a challenge. I only had to buy the foam for his mouth and had the rest of the fabric and supplies on hand. I am pretty pleased with how he turned out with the exception of his mouth (the one thing I had the most problems with). He was fun to make.

After finishing him and attaching some hair and eyebrows, today I decided he needed some Latin-American-inspired clothing to top it off so I found some Southwestern fabric in my stash and made him the vest, adding some jeans. Now, if I just had some cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, he'd be a stylin' vaquero!

Weeeeell crap!

2011-03-04T17:53:00.002-06:00

So, Em made it through the entire day. She said "I've been trying not to cry" when I picked her up from school. She made it through the whole day but, yes there's a big ol but (larger than my own rather fluffy derie er) she only did it through shear determination and moxie that my sweet cherub has....

The pain in her head/teeth and general upper extremities of the last few days...

Viral meninghitis.

When I realized she was again in tears and knowing she's a tough cookie I called her doctor and we got to see her almost right away. Seems the strange fever and the headache this week, along with the physical exam which showed her shoulders also hurt, her eyes were light sensative and the pain was mostly only when moving all pointed to meningitis.

Scary crap.

The doctor reassured me not to stress. She's a great doctor! She told me what to watch for, dosed her with some ibuprofen and assured me viral is not nearly as serious as bacterial.

Crap again...let the mommy guilt begin. I knew it was out of Em's character to behave this way. Somehow we mommies seem to think we should know everything... She went to school with meningitis. Ugh!!

No G.T. for Ms. Em

2011-03-04T12:44:00.003-06:00

We got the letter from the school about G.T. for Ms. Em and she did not qualify. She scored in the "advanced" ranges in all but one area. You have to score superior in at least four....she had one.

Initially I was a typical mom, "What?!? That child is brilliant!! What? They don't know what they are talking about!" But then the logical part of me kicked in and realized what a blessing it is for us. Jacob didn't need his little sister to be "better" than him...that's in his mind, not mine.

I'm still convinced my little cherub is a brilliant child, of course, but maybe not in all the areas that academia requires.

And I'm okay with that.

Okay, on to other things....Ms. Em missed an entire week of school last week due to an unshakeable fever. She returned to school on Monday. Tuesday the school nurse called saying she was almost in hysterics in her office complaining her tooth hurts. I knew she was showing signs of her six-year molars but I was worried because 1.) she's a pretty tough cookie (remember, she went back to bed after breaking her collar-bone) and 2.) the boys never reacted that way with new teeth. I went up and picked her up. I called the dentist and they squeezed us in. Her x-rays were fine and her teeth were fine and she was feeling much better after ibuprofen. It was puzzling.

Yesterday, again the nurse calls. Now she is in her office saying her "forehead" hurts. She is hiccuping and crying again. :( So not the way Ms. Em usually acts. Now, I'm really concerned.

Putting aside those little mommy fears that are always so way out there (of brain tumors, head injuries and other ridiculous journeys our brain can take us), I went up to the school with a plan of attack: get her to settle down, make sure she was okay, and remind her that school is her "job" now. She can't just leave because she is tired. She has to stay all day and finish her work. She can't get mom to come up whenever she wants to take her home. Did it work?

Well, so far there's been no call today....keep your fingers crossed.

2011-02-25T11:35:00.000-06:00

Peices and parts of me

2011-02-25T10:56:00.002-06:00

Lately I've wondered what my purpose is...I know I'm a mom and wife but as a stay at home mom it's easy to lose you, I think. Who am I? I am pretty sure Emma being in school has exasperated this feeling lost thing...no kids at home, why am I still at home?

I was thinking last week I should get a "real" job so I'd feel like I had a purpose. It's funny how having an income makes one feel like they have purpose. It's like making money makes me real somehow.

Ahhh, then there's the mommy guilt. Watching Smooch walk out the door while I'm still in my pj's and moving too slow to even be called moving. Having independent children who can, yes, even the five-year-old, make their lunches, breakfasts, and get out the door with brushed teeth and clean clothes each morning does not help the "lack of purpose" feeling. Maybe I made them a tad too independent.

I like making monkeys, elephants and frogs but when there hasn't been a sale in a week or more I begin thinking of other things other than being excited about making things.

I'm also terrible about watching TV too much during the day! TERRIBLE!!! I brought the Ipod jam box thingy I found at the thrift store from the kitchen into the office so I could listen to music and work on crushing that need to have the tv on all the time. My iphone works in it but not as well as it should...I suppose I should bite the bullet and get an actual ipod for it but then there's the money thing....It doesn't tune in my favorite radio station, unfortunately. Having music on and not the TV has helped me be more "productive" (are washing dishes, ironing, and sewing items of productivity?)

I miss working sometimes. I miss seeing other people. Of course, this is all made worse this week by a sickly little girl who has been running fever since Sunday morning. Monday was a holiday and she has not been to school this entire week....which means mom's only social contact is via Facebook, email, texting and the good old TV. Sucks to be me sometimes...ugh, here come the voices again "You're so spoiled! There are those who are so much worse than you! Suck it up. Quit whining!" Having bipolar emotions are such a pain...the whiners and the judgers are now yelling at each other in my head.

So, anyway, there are some bits and pieces of me. I'm off to list a monkey on Etsy and run a load of laundry. I hope your day is mostly sunny and not partly cloudy like mine is today.

Well, darn it!

2011-02-22T14:23:00.002-06:00

Wellness did not last in this house of yuck. Jacob is still coughing his head off and Brenden began to cough as well late last week. The decision was made Saturday evening to leave the coughing boys at home lest their respective bible classes give us the boot Sunday. After bible class we get situated in our little spot, Ms. Em sits in my lap and the mommy alarms went off. She's like a little heater...turns out she was running 101. :( ALL THREE SICK AT ONCE. You know, I think that might have been a first.

At one point or another all three of my kids had a fever on Sunday. We drugged them with children's NyQuil, fever meds, allergy/cold meds, cough syrup, vicks, cough drops....the humidifier was running. I sent them all upstairs and made them stay in their respective rooms for a good portion of the afternoon hoping they'd rest (ya, good luck with that one).

I was sad to have missed church, I was sad that I spent what part of church I was there in the workroom learning all the ins and outs so I can take over. However, I'm glad that they were all sick at once too because then it won't drag out quite as long. I won't be cutting class again for work room or any other "important" thing. I look forward to church all week and missing it sure frustrates me.

Okay, whining over...for now. Emma is home from school today. She had a slight fever last night but she seems great today. Her cute little stuffed up nose, nasally-sounding voice makes me laugh. She's mildly bored but not too bad. She put Allison Kraus on the cd player to listen too. She commented "Is that a cowgirl singer?" She then informed me that she "Only puts on music I like." Funny since she can't read their names.

The boys were sent to school with notes that asked that they have no recess or P.E. for the rest of the week. Jacob has (had) a pocket full of coughdrops so I'm making a mental note to be sure and check pockets so I don't have a dryer full of wrappers (again).

Brenden has a super deep voice and I am pretty sure it's the congestion. Can't believe it, but that boy weighs 132 lbs. We put them on the scale over the weekend to make sure we were dosing correctly. Crazy to think that I, me, all 5'2" of me have a son who is 132 lbs and 5'8". Where did the time go when I was pregnant with him, 9 months or so, telling Perry I had changed my mind, I didn't want to be a mom after all. Now I have a boy-man I am so proud of.

And Jacob, my high-flying, arms in the air, screeching child...he started off challenging and continues to push the limits whenever he can but his heart is good, his motives are good and he tries.

Oh well, I guess I'll quite babbling for now, put the melancholy thoughts of kids growing up too fast and too independent aside and go put some faces on some frogs.

Yea!!!

2011-02-16T09:08:00.002-06:00

So, there's nothing much to complain about here. I thought I'd share some "yea" stuff with you....

Let's see....
Doe-eyed boy is fever free today after two days of fever! Yea!
I had a date with my husband last night WITHOUT CHITLINS! Yea!
All doggies are healed and there are no cone-head dogs in the house! Yea!
It's nice and warm outside! Yea!
There's been no missing or late papers for Big Red in a while! Yea!
I sold two things on Etsy this week! Yea!
My brother is moving back in just a few more months! Yea!
My other brother is coming for a visit! Yea!
My husband is sexy! Yea! Oops! Did I share that one out loud? Sorry about that.

From the Psycho Mommy Down the Street

2011-02-15T14:19:00.014-06:00

Warning: Disturbing sequences of violence portrayed.

Not recommended for age 5 & under.

Dear little boy down the street,

I think you are adorable (and quite possibly the most dangerous thing in my daughter's world...NO BOYS ALLOWED). With your big dimples and bright eyes (just more evidence of your evil weapons, of course), how can anyone possibly refuse your charms?(Except me, who knows you're just after my sweet innocent cherub) I was so delighted when you came to the door yesterday (I'm going to hell for lying) with your sweet Valentine gift (it was an accident, I don't know how that knife got stuck in there) for my five-year-old daughter (who does not and never will need a boyfriend and may not be allowed any boy "friends" if you keep it up) and hope she can spend some time playing with you some time soon (soon as in forty years, in case you were wondering). Perhaps the next time you invite her to a movie she will be able to go (she'll be busy each and every time until she turns 80) and I know she has spoken often of having you over to play in her room (over my dead body!).

Please tell your mother "hello" from me (I think she should quit letting you come ring my doorbell...you know gun ownership is legal in TEXAS!)

Many hugs,
The Psycho Mommy Down the Street

Note: No stuffed animals were actually dismembered in this dream segment; however, serious consideration towards injury was contemplated.

The Green Bag Lady is at it again!

2011-02-14T13:29:00.003-06:00

I love this lady!!! She's giving away more fabric goodies....

This time up to ten can win. Don't forget to select your favorite Harmony Art fabric. My favorite, I blame it on Ms. Em's love of pink, is the Pink Fields of Honey. I could see matching Spring dresses for mommy and daughter in this beautiful fabric...if mom wore dresses, that is.

Princess Tagalong

2011-02-14T10:00:00.005-06:00

Ms. Emma has really been enjoying our bike rides home from school...I do most of the time...there was one day last week that I thought I was not going to make it.....

I put a "wanted" on Freecycle to see if anyone had a bike flag they didn't need and got very lucky. The flag was a bit tattered but Grandma rescued me with some durable yellow fabric. A little snip here and there and a turn on the sewing machine, her flag was as good as new. I just put the new pieces around the old pieces since the new fabric was a much lighter weight. Wanted the flag to actually fly! But, once we got started, we thought a bit more sprucing up would be fun so.....

We took the princess basket and bell off her bike with training wheels and put it on the tagalong. The little basket isn't even big enough for her helmet but she likes it. I'll have to teach her to ring her bell when there are kiddoes on the sidewalk on our path home. Just seems cuter for her to ring her bell at them then me to holler "MOVE IT!"

Freezin' my patooty off...

2011-02-10T14:20:00.003-06:00

I think some how, some way I wound up in some New England state that has a snow fall once a week beginning in November and ending in April...average winter temp 10 degrees....Someone teleported me there. That's all I can figure out 'cause there is no way this is Texas!!

Today's high is 34, maybe!! And it's stinkin' cold!!

You know when your hands get overly cold and you put them in warm water...the water feels ultra super hot to your hands? Last night I took a hot bath and that's the way the water felt on my feet...it burned....but my feet had been in my shoes and socks ALL DAY LONG!! They were so cold, even in my shoes, even in the house....CRAZY!

I'm watching the icicles melt on the back porch and I'm finally seeing concrete on the back porch. It's no longer an ice rink to get to the garage...progress is being made for sure and maybe tomorrow I'll wake up in Texas again.

I like seeing the sun today but it's so VERY deceiving....

Which leads me to my next problem....

I'm riding my bike to get the kids from school. Ewwww, I'm allergic to cold...Dear God, can you crank up the heat so it will be warm for my ride?

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this....

If you pass a shorted legged mom frozen to a bicycle seat in our neighborhood, you might call Perry and tell him to go get Emma from school.....

And to bring the blow dryer to defrost my patooty from the seat.

Snow Day, take 5

2011-02-09T14:31:00.007-06:00

So, here we are again. Snow day number five for us in just over a week. Good news is what was stuck to the ground has already started melting off. We didn't actually get much snow but we got sleet and something that reminded me a lot of a west Texas sandstorm, except for the fact it was frozen. It was like little granules of sand pelting your face but it was little granules of ice.

The district is applying for a waiver so hopefully the kiddoes won't have to attend school into July to make up all these snow days.

The boys played on the computer for a while this morning and Emma watched some "chick" flicks for her age (think D ora here). I made a couple of batches of muffins. The house just feels warmer smelling some fresh blueberry muffins. Smooch had to go to work but he made it just fine. The roads were slick and icy but not nearly as treacherous as last week.

I found a recipe for Zuppa Toscana so that's what we're having for dinner tonight. YUM!

Makes: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ of a bunch of kale

Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
Add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
Stir in the sausage and the kale, let all heat through and serve. Delicious!

It's My Heart

2011-02-08T13:16:00.007-06:00

Cut and trim, trim and cut....

Yesterday I sorted through my piles of fabric scraps...I have an incredibly hard time throwing things out so I keep the scraps too...I have found the BEST way to use them.....

It's My Heart is an organization that is for families of kids with congenital heart and acquired heart defects. Upon request they will send masks to families who are affected by compromised immune systems. They are looking for volunteers to sew different sizes from infant to adult. The smallest only takes a 6 1/2 x 6 1/4" scrap of fabric. Simple directions are available here.

10 things I learned about a ladies retreat

2011-02-07T12:35:00.002-06:00

1. Take Tums, you're gonna need it.
2. Others wear sweatpants...take sweats with you.
3. A stinky body is better than a cold shower.
4. There is NEVER enough chocolate.
5. Pack house shoes.
6. Be prepared for VERY late nights.
7. Take the lotioned Kleenex with you, your gonna need them.
8. Be prepared to laugh your head off!
9. Know that TMI will be taken to an entirely new level.
10. Have no doubt that you will go next year too.

I'm famous....

2011-02-04T10:14:00.002-06:00

Sort of....I am the featured crafter in a new crafter's blog for our area called Craft Spotter. Go check it out!

Cabin Fever is setting in....

2011-02-03T10:09:00.003-06:00

Gosh, I can hardly remember what day it is....

So, Tuesday morning around 3 am I could hear the pelting on the window....When we got up we could see snow on the ground but under that snow is ice, very thick ice. Mmm, perhaps the drama of the weather man was actually required this time.

We are on our third "snow" day in this house with no school and not going anywhere. They should changed it to "ice" day. The roads are covered in sheets of ice and, while we haven't received anymore precipitation since Tuesday early morning, it's not warming up much at all during the day so it's not melting off. The area "borrowed" snow plows from Amarillo (thanks Amarillo peeps!!) and scraped a few roads to clear some ice but it would take many more to clear enough roads for kids to return to school safely.

Jacob is out on the back porch trying to break ice off the concrete...it's thick ice!

I keep thinking about the person who lives under the overpass by our previous church. You could see they had a mattress wedged between the concrete rafters and books set along the next set like his own personal library. I pray he's found a temporary place to keep warm.

It's just flat cold out there...bone chillin', stay inside, cold.

Add to the cold that most people are running the fire out of their heaters...we had a day of rolling black outs yesterday. The grid was close to going down so they began the rolling blackouts to prevent a serious, several day outage.

(Side note, Emma and Jacob just came inside from ice breaking and her pant legs are frozen STIFF around the bottom.)

Back to the blackouts...we personally never had one but the news said 15 minutes...that's how long they were supposed to be but instead people were going hours without electricity in temperatures hovering around 15 degrees (feels like 5). I'm so glad we didn't have one because I am certain those poor folks got very cold before the lights came back on.

I'm guessing the kids will be out of school tomorrow because if it doesn't warm up the ice doesn't melt and school won't return to normal. I'm thinking of breaking out the blow dryer and melting a path to the school....

We are breaking out the "bored" games today to prevent boredom overload again today. Boredom overload leads to fights, arguments, and more. Then I have to send them to their rooms....wait, maybe we'll let the fights commence so I can have some peace. :) Just kidding.

So, anyway, there's my "uplifting, inspiring" post for the day...I'm going to finish a sewing project and then go break out the Uno games. Hope you're warm where you are.

Let the mass crazy begin.

2011-01-31T18:02:00.002-06:00

So, we are expecting "THE FIRST ARCTIC BLAST OF 2011" (loud echoing booming voice of the newscasters here).
Yes, it's supposed to be cold.
Yes, it might snow.
Yes, it might ice.
But really? Is it this earth shattering? Hasn't God been bringing us this stuff since life began? The local news is just pitiful these days. If you are not a football fan and not terrified of snow, you'd better change the channel 'cause that's all they are talking about (it doesn't help that the superbowl is being played mere minutes from here).

Don't get me wrong, I know Texans aren't the best driving on snow but it's not like we are getting three feet like some other parts of the country.

We, ya know-the non-football, non-scared of an actual season change in Texas people, are not buying in to the hype. If the weather hits, we'll do what we need to do...stay home and warm. :) If the school district holds to "tradition", school will be canceled in a heartbeat. So, bring it on....

And
please
change
the
channel....
the drama is simply too much for me.

2011-01-30T22:14:00.002-06:00

The Green Bag Lady has another freebie going on. Quick! Go check it out! Like her on Facebook so you can keep up to date on her giveaways. She's my hero!!

Happy sewing!!

The dancing furniture....

2011-01-26T11:12:00.003-06:00

So, after moving Doe-Eyed boy's bed and shelves around, seems the rest of the furniture in the house is itching to dance too...Little Red came to me yesterday and asked if we could please rearrange her room. The bookshelf I have been painting for Big Red's room might now be relegated to the office 'cause it's a good lookin' shelf and a smidgen bigger which means there's gonna be some furniture dancing in the office too...I feel a chiropractic appointment coming on for Smooch.

Ah, life in a never still house! Even the furniture wiggles.

Ah, Tuesday...would you were a Friday...

2011-01-25T13:48:00.002-06:00

Is this only Tuesday? Man, I wish it was Friday already!

Jacob napped Saturday...when your 11-year-old child takes a nap you know he isn't feeling well. Sure enough, that afternoon he ran fever and complained of being nauseous. Nothing but Sprite, saltines and meds for 24 hours and he was fine after that. Given the school's desire to not having your kids back until they have been fever free for 24 hours, he stayed home on Monday. When I went in in the morning to check on him I could tell by his very perky "Good morning" that he was 110%.

He and I hung out and watched VH1 80's classics for a bit....lemme tellya, he might like the music but seeing the performers is a totally different thing...The expression on his face when he saw the big hair, men with eyeliner, etc....hahaha, it was funny.

Afterwards we had a rooming cleaning session. His room looks fab. We moved his bed and room rug and shifted his shelves. He was so pleased. When we cleaned out he got rid of two garbage bags of toys and books and one garbage bag of trash. I was impressed with his discernment of the keep or not keep. He still has a little teddy bear that Sonshine School sent him when he was 2 after he had two surgeries. He kept it too. He's so sentimental.

He did get upset when he realized I had striped him of all his rubber bands he had carefully tied around his bedposts. Huh??? Kids!

He got a rain gauge for Christmas and knocked it off his chair at some point....and broke it....and left it where it lay. I found shards of glass on the floor between his chair and the wall. I am EVER so grateful it was not in a place bare feet go!

There were pictures galore that he had sketched and drawn, little books he made, "want" lists of lego items, and lego and erector set parts all over....all picked up and put away.

His room almost sparkles now but he definitely sparkled with pride seeing everything put in it's place....

I used to do this sort of thing all the time with the kid's rooms but I haven't been lately. I think it's important to do it. How can we expect our kids to be born with the knowledge of organization? We have to teach them how to let go of the clutter, the broken, the unimportant things in life. It's hard to put those things you have been hanging on to in the trash but if that's the best place for them, that is where they belong.....think about this. I don't know about you but for me that applies to more than just my clutter.

Yea for Saturday!

2011-01-21T08:41:00.002-06:00

Today is Saturday in my world!! Yeah for Saturday! Smooch took the day off. Why? 'Cause he could, that's why. He has dentist appointment this morning but other than that there's nothin' we HAVE to do. And did I mention YEAH!! So this week we get two Saturdays.

So, here's a little updating for our little realm of the world....

Daisy Mae (Yup, I'm starting with my pooch) is doing pretty good. It's week three of the third week of her third cherry eye surgery. My poor sweet adopted pooch has spent more time in her cone in the three months since we got her than out. She's only supposed to have to be in it for two weeks after the surgery but given that the last two surgeries didn't work right...well, we're being cautious. Sophie (smooch's pooch) has been graciously helping her by licking her face for her....so of course Daisy had green goopies in her eye and we started back with the antibiotic ointment. I hope and pray this poor four-legged chitlin of mine can be lampshade free very soon!

So, if I update about my pooch I can't not update about smooch's pooch....Sophie is doing great. She is still recovering from that abscess on her head. It's disgustingly nasty and I won't go into more details than that, except to say the golf ball sized knot on her head is getting progressively smaller and she is LOVING her antibiotics...No, seriously! Since it involves cheese to get it to go down, she loves it. I am trying to teach "back" but we are at a sort of spin and back type thing right now. I'm also trying to teach her "up" but she's kinda big for that. Lampshade, on the other hand, is quite good at this command...but then she is only 10 pounds.

And on to the two-legged chitlin's that run rampant..Ms. Em, oh, Ms. Em. Seems the little boy down the street is not to be deterred in his efforts to "court" my sweet cherub. BACK AWAY CHILD! In the name of MOMMIES EVERYWHERE, BACK AWAY I SAY! Sorry, I was momentarily possessed by the land of FEAR there. Really, really struggling with this. He is nice and sweet but he brings her little trinkets, notes inviting her to movies, and is always asking if she can ride her scooter with him. HE'S FIVE!! I'm so ill-prepared for this....Is it wrong for me to NOT want my daughter to be besties with the little boy down the street?

Jacob is Jacob. He is sweet, charming and a pill all in one. He's taken to saying "I love you" every time you say 'yes' to something. It's in a sing song voice that really says "I'm a ham" but I'll take it. He is having a bit more "teen-wannabe" angst with mouthing off and talking back but with mom and dad on the same team, he is pretty quickly backing off each time 'cause he knows it isn't gonna fly around here. He is a typical 11-year-old, and in a lot of ways, like our first teen. He's very embarrassed by affection ( I made him kiss my cheek the other day as a way of apology for nailing me with Sophie's soccer ball...it was hilarious to see his face and hear his giggles). The thought of girls makes his face turn red. I'm both frightened and excited to see what sort of man this kiddo will be.

Brenden is Brenden. He's so funny sometimes and so serious at others. He is no longer under the special ed umbrella at school and is doing pretty good academically. He wants so badly to get straight A's but his organizational skills and pre-schoolish handwriting hold him back. His favorite class is "tech ed" (it has another name but, as B puts it, it's entirely too long). This semester is all about building machines...um, anyone who knows Brenden knows HE'S GONNA LOVE THIS SEMESTER! I still can't believe how big he is...at 5'8" he is one of the taller kids for his age but, fortunately, his obedient spirit keeps me from worrying too much about discipline. We asked him the other day about baptism to see what he thought...his response was a concern that he couldn't be best friends with his buddy anymore 'cause his buddy is a Jew. Yes, we have some work yet to do. :)

So, that's all that's going on in this neck of the woods right now. Smooch is off to get his teeth fixed and then we'll have to see what trouble we can stir up....I got an email that the local thrift store is having 75% off...wink, wink.

Etsy'ing

2011-01-18T10:41:00.002-06:00

Just some recent additions to my Etsy Shop:

Striped Zebra...very soft and fuzzy.

Sweet Heart Sock Monkey Lady

Dinosaur Bone Sock Monkey

Purple and Yellow Mitten Fish

Blue Sock Horse/Unicorn

"Milk" Day

2011-01-18T09:06:00.003-06:00

So, Thursday afternoon, after an early release from school and knowing there was no school Friday or Monday (teacher workday and MLK Day), Jacob and I were watching the upcoming weather forecast when he pipes up and says "What's Milk day?" Ya know, I find those itty bitty letters on the weather cast difficult to read too. I used to think it was age creeping up on my eyes, but now I know there's nothing wrong with my eyesight...if my 11-year-old can't read it then it's all on them, not us!

We sort just hung out Friday...Poor B, he just picked a wrong time to have one late paper and one paper he promises he did but no one can find...one week's grounding for each late or missing paper = two weeks grounding...a four day weekend is a pretty stinky time to be grounded from the TV and computer. On the other hand he got lots of reading in and even read a couple I suggested....I think we've finished Moby Dick (after reading half and losing interest) and Fahrenheit 451. Gonna have to find some more "Classics" if he turns in more late work!

Jacob and Emma and I watched movies...between cleaning. We'd watch a movie (and I'd work on Sock Monkeys) and then when it was over we'd clean for 30 minutes. After that we'd put another movie on...B helped clean during our cleaning spurts. Got a nice clean house out of the arrangement. Might have to try that with Smooch. :)

Sunday was busy, busy, busy...but then I posted on that already. The four-legged critter had a training appointment after LTC...Sophie is doing fantastic with her training. In today's society of immediate gratification, I know that both Perry and I have wondered at the logic of putting as much money into her training as we have, as much time, etc., especially when she does still have her moments of misbehavior. Her worst times are still with the doorbell ringing and some food aggression. I'm still not trusting her 100% and she is leashed and closely supervised anytime someone is over (except maybe Grumpy Gramps and Grandma because she's fairly well behaved with them). However, she went to the vet yesterday and did GREAT! She had some low growling but the vet and the vet tech were very pleased with her behavior. YEA! She has an abscess on the back of her head so after some antibiotics she will have to go back to so they can see if they can figure out what's causing it. Considering what they needed to do with her head yesterday, well, I am really proud of her 'cause I'd have been tempted to bite someone cutting on my head too.

And finally, last but not least...definitely not least....my parents came over Monday and had lunch with us and I got one of my favorite pictures of late of my dad and Ms. Em. It's one of those pics I'd "store off site" because I'd be sad to not be able to look back at it in the future. There's so much that I could say about what this picture represents to me...a picture represents a 1000 words holds true to me with this picture. Ya, ya, I'm sappy...GET OVER IT!!

L. T. What????

2011-01-16T15:20:00.003-06:00

Well, we've gone and done it. There's this little thing called LTC at our church and many other churches around. It stands for "Leadership Training for Christ." Brenden and Jacob have both signed up to participate in the puppet shows and Perry is helping to teach/instruct the puppet show group Brenden is in. Lord, help us...we've become not only involved but committed. How scary is that?

Brenden also said he was interested in doing a graphic arts presentation for LTC and Jacob is doing the sign language group as well. Our Sundays have become very busy until April. Easter weekend there is a BIG convention where these things are presented and awards given, etc, etc. It should be a LOT of fun for the kids and both the boys are VERY excited. I guess you could say moving to the local church has been VERY good for our family. I'm hopeful that grandma and grandpa and maybe even Great Grandpa could come see the kids in their shows but I haven't a clue how it's all set up and if that is okay...still have a lot to learn about LTC.

So, while the "boys" are still at church with practices, etc. Emma is having a dose of Nick Jr. and I have been cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast and throwing in laundry but it's awllllll good 'cause, well, it really is all good.

The Green Bag Lady

2011-01-15T14:16:00.001-06:00

This site is so cool that I had to share! You must check it out!

Leaves, SATs, Emma

2011-01-10T08:42:00.003-06:00

We will start with the fun stuff...Leaves, lots and lots of leaves. All the leaves have finally fallen from our three trees out front and the kids and I spent the better part of Saturday raking up all these leaves and dumping them into the garden spot. Wow! It didn't look like that many leaves when we started...when they were spread nice and evenly over the yard. The neighbor next door, the one who had the "pro's" come do her yard (I was GREEN with envy), loaned us her "leaf blower"....it's in quotes because I don't actually think that's what that pitiful little motor was...blow the dust off the side walk, maybe, but not leaves. I think she just needed a good laugh seeing me trying it out on all those leaves. We sorta finished...this is where Dad's saying of "If a job's worth doin' than it's worth doin' right" sorta got dropped to the wayside 'cause we were flat tired after several hours of raking up leaves. I did most of the raking as the kids just aren't there yet and they did the scooping into the trash cans and Brenden dumped them over the side fence into the garden area...the two littles...Jacob and Em...spent the last two hours asking, no begging....no pleading to play in the leaves when we were done. You can see the delightful time they had in the pics...I'm glad the leaves are done.

SAT's. Brenden got his SAT scores in. When he first got invited to take the SAT as a seventh grader I was both excited and fearful at the same time. I am so proud of my boy and his braininess but, always on the lookout for the negative, worried that this would be a challenge he wasn't ready for. After the test I waited and waited and waited and he was probably one of the last kiddoes to come out. After seeing so many kids coming out looking like they'd bit hit by a train, I began to worry that my kiddo was somewhere inside that building, in mid-breakdown, hiding under a desk, etc., etc. (Have I told you I worry too much?) Finally, I see that favorite green hoodie come around the corner and he is...get ready....he is SMILING? "How'd it go?" "I did great!" This kid! He's something else. He was very confident and exceedingly proud of himself. We got his scores Saturday...I think he did great... He got a 590 on verbal and 530 on Math. His writing scores were low at 410 but the ranking based on college bound seniors show him at 77%, 54%, and 22% respectively...not to shabby for the 13-year-old. :) Have I mentioned lately how much I love this braniac of mine?

Emma....My sweet, tiny Ms. Em...Friday I went with a couple of friends to sit in the waiting room with a friend who's husband was undergoing surgery. The surgery took longer than planned so Perry took off early to pick up the kiddoes. He got there a couple of minutes late to find there were no children outside the building, no teachers and no sign of Jacob or Emma. He found Emma a block from the school....Jacob didn't know she was out there because he is not responsible for her so he started walking home. Poor Emma didn't know what to do so she started walking behind a group of kids and that's where Perry found her, walking as fast as she could to try and find Jacob and get home. She was, of course, scared. I didn't find out until later that evening what happened and I was (forgive if you are easily offended) PISSED OFF! It was probably a good thing that I didn't find out until late in the evening because I don't think I would have made good choices of words had the staff still been at the school. This morning I talked with the assistant principal and we have things very clear on our expectations for Emma's pick-up routine and the teachers will to when she finishes with them. I was impressed with her apologies (which she doled out generously) as well as her understanding of how seriously we took this incident. Things like that make me give brief pause to the logic of trusting someone else with my kiddoes.

Well, it's happened...

2011-01-06T15:12:00.002-06:00

Emma got a Leap letter today. She has been selected to be tested for Leap for school...the G.T. program. I am excited and happy for her that she might be selected in this program to challenge and direct her, but I have been wondering for a while if this happened how I would handle Jacob with this....He expressed worries in the past that she would also be in Leap, leaving him the only child in the house not in it. Time to reinforce some of his God-Given gifts again. Pray it goes well and he gets it.

Christmas recap

2011-01-04T11:48:00.002-06:00

Ah, so the new year is upon us. No, no resolutions here. Everything I would resolve to do I should be doing anyway.

We did, however, have a fabulous Christmas! It was shy two really important segments of our family. My brother, Mike, and his family could not get out of Europe with all the crazy snowy weather. Imagine this...they had no desire to get stuck in an airport with tens of thousands of other people and their nine-month-old baby with a slim chance of departure. My other brother, Jay, is still in Afghanistan and not expecting leave for a while longer. His wife and their son went to be with their other son and family. We had a small but nice Christmas at our house before the 25th at our house with my parents and a couple of new friends. It was small but fun.

Afterwards, off to Grandma's house we went...sort of. We actually went to my aunt's house and stayed with her for the next few days. We got to visit with many, had a fright when my grandmother had a fall (she's okay), and spent Christmas Eve with 53 (!!) of our closest relatives. My mom has a large family so this was actually about 20 less than last year...I think. I was worried about B getting overwhelmed but pointed out several hiding spots for him in case it was a bit much. It was a good thing..he spent much of the evening away from the crowd, which is a good thing for him. He did, however, miss out on the Christmas ornament stocking that his Uncle Fred passed out to all the kiddoes since he was back in hiding when they were distributed.

I felt the need to hide by the time it was over. It was fun but loud, chaotic and crowded but tremendously good fun to see all my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I had to have help with several faces as I couldn't name them but I doubt I was alone in that. My Aunt Barbara makes a tremendous hostess with the mostess! She's so generous and welcoming with EVERY soul that walks in a room. She commented about my Aunt Faith being a gift quilter and that she hadn't figure out her gift yet....I'm thinking her genuinely beautiful way of caring for all around her...people, animals, etc. is her gift. Anyway...I digress....

We headed home with BEAUTIFUL clear weather and smooch went back to work the next day. The kids, however, had the ENTIRE next week off.

Be forewarned...Bipolar ranting on the horizon.

Don't get me wrong...I love my kiddoes to pieces. I am SO blessed to be a SAHM who gets to care for them, fix them grilled cheese sandwiches ( or quesadillas if I'm being "nice" according to them) and watch them run up and down the slide forwards and backwards but.....this 'but' is a big ol' butt...almost as big as my post Christmas party-out-the-wazzoo butt (but not quite)....

THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY!!!

Ms. Em was so booooooored! What do you get when a five-year-old is bored? Whining, lots of whining. She was easy to tears and unhappy with suggestions of things to do. As much as I wish I was on "Christmas break" too, laundry, ironing, housework...yadayada...it all still went on but Ms. Em wanted someone, anyone to supply her with attention, oodles and boodles of attention.

Where were the boys? Glad you asked.

They were playing TOGETHER!!! I can't recall even one minor skirmish between these two boys, the Aspie and the Middle-Child. I'm sure there were some but obviously either nothing major or my mommy-heimer's worsened over the holidays. They were totally UN-available to Ms. Em in their "Empire of Ages", Wii playing, Lego building vacation. Poor girl...never knew there'd be a downside to my boys getting along. (And can I saw to all those other mom's trying to get their sons to get along...Autism or not...be consistent 'cause I'm here to tell ya, there's hope on the horizon!

They did head back to school on Monday but there was no time for any pathetic hip swirling (aka "the happy dance")....but alas, don't be sad for me....there was a great reason...SMOOCH HAD THE DAY OFF!!! YEA!! We got to spend the entire day together, speaking without interruption, no input from the peanut gallery, finishing thoughts, conversations. It was S-W-E-E-T!!!

Now, remember, I love my children but a break for them is not a break for me.

Anyhoo...there are pics to prove the existence of the for-said occurrences; however, I'm such the lazy blogger these days...use your imagination for now. :)