Christmas dinner is in the oven and won't be ready for a couple hours yet so I decided to make some appetizers. I thawed out some shrimp and opened a jar of cocktail sauce.
Fancy, I know.
I also pulled out some crackers and whipped up some salmon dip. I had this vision in my mind of how salmony and delectable it would be. I mixed it with a small dallop of mayo, a hefty portion of cream cheese. I splashed in some lemon juice and hot sauce. I chopped up sun dried tomatoes, and added a generous teaspoonful of capers.
I scoop some up on a delicious seasoned Wheat Thin flatbread crackers. And you know what it tastes like?
No, it does not taste like poo.
It tastes exactly like tuna. What the frick, right? All that effort for TUNA flavor. I may as well have just opened a can and added mayo.
I know what kind of sandwich I'll be eating for lunch tomorrow.
Fake tuna.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Grandma Waters
Grandma Waters was my great-grandmother on my dad's side of the family (his mom's mom). When I was about 12-14 my dad would hang this big quilting frame from the ceiling in our garage and Grandma would come over and make patchwork quilts from scraps of fabric. Lovely, warm, hodge-podge quilts. We used to take her fishing, too. She loved to fish.
Anyway, back to quilting in the garage. She used to tell us stories as she sewed the quilt. One day she was talking about her family and she told me she was the last of the Mohicans. I was in awe. Later that night I went and told my mom that Grandma Waters was the last Indian. She scoffed at me. I told her I was serious, Grandma had told me so! She said no, grandma is black, not Indian. I protested. She had TOLD me. Why would she tell me she was the last of the Mohicans if she wasn't an Indian??? (Forget that I hadn't put any thought into how we could be black if she was Indian... maybe she was only part Indian, but I was like 12, I didn't think about the logistics.)
My mother burst my bubble and told me that Grandma had said that because she was the last one in her family still living. She didn't mean she was a real Indian, she just meant that she was the only one of her siblings living.
For one day, though, my great-grandmother was the last living Native American Indian.
Anyway, back to quilting in the garage. She used to tell us stories as she sewed the quilt. One day she was talking about her family and she told me she was the last of the Mohicans. I was in awe. Later that night I went and told my mom that Grandma Waters was the last Indian. She scoffed at me. I told her I was serious, Grandma had told me so! She said no, grandma is black, not Indian. I protested. She had TOLD me. Why would she tell me she was the last of the Mohicans if she wasn't an Indian??? (Forget that I hadn't put any thought into how we could be black if she was Indian... maybe she was only part Indian, but I was like 12, I didn't think about the logistics.)
My mother burst my bubble and told me that Grandma had said that because she was the last one in her family still living. She didn't mean she was a real Indian, she just meant that she was the only one of her siblings living.
For one day, though, my great-grandmother was the last living Native American Indian.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
That's a good word.
Genevieve (at the dinner table): We are teaching Xander some good words. He can say lots of things.
Me: Oh yeah?
Genevieve: He can say "Rawr." Xander, say "RAAAWWWWRRRR!"
(Xander shakes his head no.)
Adrienne: He doesn't want to.
Genevieve: Nope.
Me: Oh yeah?
Genevieve: He can say "Rawr." Xander, say "RAAAWWWWRRRR!"
(Xander shakes his head no.)
Adrienne: He doesn't want to.
Genevieve: Nope.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
We're all half black.
Adrienne: Hey! Guess what, Ava! My mom is HALF black! She's half black because her grandma is half black!
Ava: Wow.
Me: Uh, no Adrienne, my Grandma is ALL black, my dad is half black, so I am a quarter black.
Adrienne: So that makes me half black?
Me: No. That makes you 1/8 black.
Adrienne: Oh. Well. Ava, I'm REALLY dark.
Ava: So am I. My mom says I am really tan.
Adrienne: Yeah. Genevieve has the darkest back.
Ava: Wow.
Me: Uh, no Adrienne, my Grandma is ALL black, my dad is half black, so I am a quarter black.
Adrienne: So that makes me half black?
Me: No. That makes you 1/8 black.
Adrienne: Oh. Well. Ava, I'm REALLY dark.
Ava: So am I. My mom says I am really tan.
Adrienne: Yeah. Genevieve has the darkest back.
My kids need to get on the ball...
...also, people are stupid. And my kids need to take advantage of that. My neighbors' sons got together and were selling mistletoe on the side of the road the other day.
#1 They did this last year, too. Earned a few dollars.
#2 I laughed because they weren't selling mistletoe. They were selling holly.
#3 People were dumb enough to fall for it, not knowing the difference.
#4 My kids need to hop on this train. The boys made 60 bucks this week selling holly to unassuming passersby because the whole lot of them thought it was mistletoe.
#5 It's not deception if my kids think it's mistletoe, too? Right?
#1 They did this last year, too. Earned a few dollars.
#2 I laughed because they weren't selling mistletoe. They were selling holly.
#3 People were dumb enough to fall for it, not knowing the difference.
#4 My kids need to hop on this train. The boys made 60 bucks this week selling holly to unassuming passersby because the whole lot of them thought it was mistletoe.
#5 It's not deception if my kids think it's mistletoe, too? Right?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hanging on.
I feel like all too often I hang on to useless junk that I need to dispose of. Papers I think I might need some day, old clothing, knick knacks that people have given me that have long since ceased to be useful, tasteful, or not broken.
Periodically I manage to convince myself to purge. Today I put away laundry and discarded several articles of clothing that I don't even know why I held onto (some of them even had holes!) I cleaned my kitchen, went through my basket-o-crap and threw away almost everything in it.
Back to the clothing for a moment. It occurred to me that I have lots of articles that several years old, and out of style. But, I continue to hang on to them because I just plain like 'em, and since I spent the money on them I feel like it's a waste to get rid of them even if I barely got to wear them between pregnancies. I also have things which I technically CAN wear, but clearly shouldn't because of my post baby body. And I don't. But, I still keep them in the hopes that eventually I CAN one of these days.
I know I hang onto too much. I just need to up the ante on my periodic purges, because I don't want to end up like my great-grandmother. God love her, she almost qualifies for Hoarders. There is no reason why I need to keep Christmas cards we received last year on the top shelf of my pantry.
Puuuuurge.
Periodically I manage to convince myself to purge. Today I put away laundry and discarded several articles of clothing that I don't even know why I held onto (some of them even had holes!) I cleaned my kitchen, went through my basket-o-crap and threw away almost everything in it.
Back to the clothing for a moment. It occurred to me that I have lots of articles that several years old, and out of style. But, I continue to hang on to them because I just plain like 'em, and since I spent the money on them I feel like it's a waste to get rid of them even if I barely got to wear them between pregnancies. I also have things which I technically CAN wear, but clearly shouldn't because of my post baby body. And I don't. But, I still keep them in the hopes that eventually I CAN one of these days.
I know I hang onto too much. I just need to up the ante on my periodic purges, because I don't want to end up like my great-grandmother. God love her, she almost qualifies for Hoarders. There is no reason why I need to keep Christmas cards we received last year on the top shelf of my pantry.
Puuuuurge.
Friday, December 10, 2010
staying signed in...
I get really annoyed by things that I deliberately click "stay signed in" and every time I turn around it's making me sign back in. Why the hell even offer the "stay" option if they don't actually do it? I think I'm smart enough to sign out if I'm on another computer. But I'm not on another computer. I'm on mine. And no one else uses it. I can afford the luxury of staying signed in. Respect my wishes, dagnabbit! :P
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Having Children
Everywhere I go I bring my 4 kids. On virtually every outing I have someone say something to the effect of "Boy, you've sure got your hands full!" I usually reply with a smile and say something like, "Oh, sometimes, but usually it's not bad!" Every once in awhile someone gives a dirty look, or makes the "You should make your husband get snipped!" type of comments. And every once in awhile I have someone say how great they think it is that I have "so many" children.
Today I had the distinct pleasure of having that happen not once, but twice. I think they were both Vietnam vets, too. One most certainly was, his hat was proof enough. The other had lost a leg, which I know could have been due to anything but around here there are a lot of veterans so it's a 50/50 chance he was. The latter spoke to us on our way out of Church. There were, aside from the 5 of us, literally only 7 other people attending the noon Holy Day Mass. (I am hoping a lot more people attended the evening Mass.) Mine were the only children in attendance, and I was the only person there south of 50. It was kind of hard to miss us. He smiled and said we reminded him of his daughter's family; she has 5 children, the oldest in high school.
The other gentleman encountered us in the McDonalds at WalMart. I was waiting in line and he came up behind us and started chatting up my kids. Then he asked me if we were going to have any more. I told him "Maybe." He smiled and said he liked that, and that it's always God's decision. I agreed and said it wasn't in my immediate plans but we weren't ruling it out. Then he started talking to a woman and her daughter (who had to be around 14). They admitted the girl was spoiled "because she's the only girl." And then they said there would be no more children for them, "because mommy can't have any more children." He started talking about how it's up to God. It was kind of funny to watch and I was glad I was on his side of it all.
This is terribly composed but I have a child kicking my arms and I'm too lazy to go back over everything. I just wanted to put this out there before I forget it. It's nice to have some positive reinforcements out there when so often people are incredulous or give us flack for having "a lot" of kids.
Today I had the distinct pleasure of having that happen not once, but twice. I think they were both Vietnam vets, too. One most certainly was, his hat was proof enough. The other had lost a leg, which I know could have been due to anything but around here there are a lot of veterans so it's a 50/50 chance he was. The latter spoke to us on our way out of Church. There were, aside from the 5 of us, literally only 7 other people attending the noon Holy Day Mass. (I am hoping a lot more people attended the evening Mass.) Mine were the only children in attendance, and I was the only person there south of 50. It was kind of hard to miss us. He smiled and said we reminded him of his daughter's family; she has 5 children, the oldest in high school.
The other gentleman encountered us in the McDonalds at WalMart. I was waiting in line and he came up behind us and started chatting up my kids. Then he asked me if we were going to have any more. I told him "Maybe." He smiled and said he liked that, and that it's always God's decision. I agreed and said it wasn't in my immediate plans but we weren't ruling it out. Then he started talking to a woman and her daughter (who had to be around 14). They admitted the girl was spoiled "because she's the only girl." And then they said there would be no more children for them, "because mommy can't have any more children." He started talking about how it's up to God. It was kind of funny to watch and I was glad I was on his side of it all.
This is terribly composed but I have a child kicking my arms and I'm too lazy to go back over everything. I just wanted to put this out there before I forget it. It's nice to have some positive reinforcements out there when so often people are incredulous or give us flack for having "a lot" of kids.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Netflix is the Shizzz
Recently I restarted my Netflix account. Back in the day we were the first people we knew who got it. Other people signed up because we raved about how totally awesome it was. Then we canceled it when we moved to Korea. And did without when we came back, not really giving it a second thought.
Well, my friend gave me the password to his account but I felt too guilty to use it all the time so I just set mine back up. I had been wanting to for awhile anyway. Best idea EVER. Back in the day there was no online instant queue, or streaming to your PS3 or Wii or Xbox. So, we paid the 17 bucks a month for 3 DVDs at a time. Now I'm paying 9 for 1 at a time, but we can watch unlimited instant movies. And we have been. (I have it set up for the Wii and PS3 so that I don't have to move my laptop and hook it up to the TV every time we want to watch a movie. It's awesome. No wonder Blockbuster is going under. I feel kind of bad for them.)
We have watched nature documentaries to supplement science and geography schoolwork, movies to entertain while Mommy tries to take a shower in peace, and gotten an introduction to classic movies that I never thought about watching with my kids (it's been ages since I've seen them, I never thought about them until I saw the titles). I can watch a movie and relax after putting the kids to bed without having to make the effort to go out and rent something earlier in the day. It's niiiice.
They watched The Black Stallion. At first they didn't want to watch it, halfway through they were intrigued. They asked if they could watch a movie and were disagreeing over what to watch (not arguing, but not agreeing), so I made the executive decision (I often do as I am skimming over titles because I see it and think "Oh, heck YEAH!") to make them watch The Land Before Time. The original one. Not the franchise of crappy sequels (I hate franchises of crappy sequels). About 3 minutes into it they are hooked. (Adrienne immediately recognized Sharp Tooth as a T-rex.) The other day they wanted to watch something so I turned on a documentary about ancient Egypt. Another time I put on one about fish. We've watched Man vs. Wild together.
I. Love. Netflix.
Well, my friend gave me the password to his account but I felt too guilty to use it all the time so I just set mine back up. I had been wanting to for awhile anyway. Best idea EVER. Back in the day there was no online instant queue, or streaming to your PS3 or Wii or Xbox. So, we paid the 17 bucks a month for 3 DVDs at a time. Now I'm paying 9 for 1 at a time, but we can watch unlimited instant movies. And we have been. (I have it set up for the Wii and PS3 so that I don't have to move my laptop and hook it up to the TV every time we want to watch a movie. It's awesome. No wonder Blockbuster is going under. I feel kind of bad for them.)
We have watched nature documentaries to supplement science and geography schoolwork, movies to entertain while Mommy tries to take a shower in peace, and gotten an introduction to classic movies that I never thought about watching with my kids (it's been ages since I've seen them, I never thought about them until I saw the titles). I can watch a movie and relax after putting the kids to bed without having to make the effort to go out and rent something earlier in the day. It's niiiice.
They watched The Black Stallion. At first they didn't want to watch it, halfway through they were intrigued. They asked if they could watch a movie and were disagreeing over what to watch (not arguing, but not agreeing), so I made the executive decision (I often do as I am skimming over titles because I see it and think "Oh, heck YEAH!") to make them watch The Land Before Time. The original one. Not the franchise of crappy sequels (I hate franchises of crappy sequels). About 3 minutes into it they are hooked. (Adrienne immediately recognized Sharp Tooth as a T-rex.) The other day they wanted to watch something so I turned on a documentary about ancient Egypt. Another time I put on one about fish. We've watched Man vs. Wild together.
I. Love. Netflix.
Monday, November 15, 2010
My kids crack me up
Adrienne said to me a little while ago, "If we go somewhere for Christmas I am going to leave Santa a note."
"Why?" I asked, "To tell him where we're going?"
"Yeah," she said. "I will write 'me and my sisters and my brother and my mom are at my aunt's house' so that he knows where to leave our presents."
I let the kids play with scissors and construction paper. I think this is really the first time I have ever let Charlotte and Genevieve use scissors. They were a little clumsy with them. But, Genevieve successfully made herself a paper dog by cutting out shapes and strips and gluing them together. It was pretty darn cute. She even made it a paper leash so she could "walk" it.
"Why?" I asked, "To tell him where we're going?"
"Yeah," she said. "I will write 'me and my sisters and my brother and my mom are at my aunt's house' so that he knows where to leave our presents."
I let the kids play with scissors and construction paper. I think this is really the first time I have ever let Charlotte and Genevieve use scissors. They were a little clumsy with them. But, Genevieve successfully made herself a paper dog by cutting out shapes and strips and gluing them together. It was pretty darn cute. She even made it a paper leash so she could "walk" it.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
When parents don't see eye to eye.
Not Matt and I. Other parents. And me.
Today I talked to the neighbor's daughter because she made fun of Adrienne and told her she sound like a big fat horse. (A has a cold and her voice is all raspy.) I told her it was unkind and she needed to apologize, and that if it happened again Adrienne wouldn't be allowed to play with her anymore and I'd have to have a talk with her mother. (This is the second incident, before Halloween this same girl told my children that if they went trick or treating the devil was going to come take them away.) (Adrienne and her friends had been upset because these other kids "stole" a pile of sticks they had gathered... the other kids didn't know and I told Adrienne it wasn't a big deal, there is plenty more sticks and wood int he world that she can gather later.)
So Mama comes walking over to have a word with me and "get to the bottom" of the situation. Basically all she can say to me is that my kid keeps bringing up the Halloween incident, which I admit is inappropriate of her, but also note that she's a worrier and she's afraid that the devil will come and take her away now. I told Mama that I don't allow my kids to name call and that they get in trouble for it, and if they can't play nicely together I tell them to walk away. There will only be just so many times my child comes home in tears before I go say something. If they can't play nicely they will be on restriction and not allowed to play with the kids who can't be nice to each other.
At this point Mama's daughter says how one of the other boys had teased Mama's son and Adrienne said "haha." I made Adrienne apologize immediately.
Mama points to other kids in the neighborhood and says how "they all" seem to be able to dish it out but not take it. Sorry bitch, my kids aren't the ones calling names and condemning others to hell. That'd be your children. I may think it's dumb of my kids to beat the dead horse, but mine have not been the ones name calling. Hate to say it, but for all my kids faults, they aren't the bad ones in this scenario. I get so sick of neighborhood brats. I want to smack all of them.
Today I talked to the neighbor's daughter because she made fun of Adrienne and told her she sound like a big fat horse. (A has a cold and her voice is all raspy.) I told her it was unkind and she needed to apologize, and that if it happened again Adrienne wouldn't be allowed to play with her anymore and I'd have to have a talk with her mother. (This is the second incident, before Halloween this same girl told my children that if they went trick or treating the devil was going to come take them away.) (Adrienne and her friends had been upset because these other kids "stole" a pile of sticks they had gathered... the other kids didn't know and I told Adrienne it wasn't a big deal, there is plenty more sticks and wood int he world that she can gather later.)
So Mama comes walking over to have a word with me and "get to the bottom" of the situation. Basically all she can say to me is that my kid keeps bringing up the Halloween incident, which I admit is inappropriate of her, but also note that she's a worrier and she's afraid that the devil will come and take her away now. I told Mama that I don't allow my kids to name call and that they get in trouble for it, and if they can't play nicely together I tell them to walk away. There will only be just so many times my child comes home in tears before I go say something. If they can't play nicely they will be on restriction and not allowed to play with the kids who can't be nice to each other.
At this point Mama's daughter says how one of the other boys had teased Mama's son and Adrienne said "haha." I made Adrienne apologize immediately.
Mama points to other kids in the neighborhood and says how "they all" seem to be able to dish it out but not take it. Sorry bitch, my kids aren't the ones calling names and condemning others to hell. That'd be your children. I may think it's dumb of my kids to beat the dead horse, but mine have not been the ones name calling. Hate to say it, but for all my kids faults, they aren't the bad ones in this scenario. I get so sick of neighborhood brats. I want to smack all of them.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
It has struck me that my life is boring.
I feel like tonight is a good night to blog. I've got music playing, my kids are in bed, I'm drinking vodka. Life is good.
Forget the fact that I flipped out on my 3 year old today, and yesterday she royally pissed me off by jabbing a pen into the arm of my leather sofa repeatedly. Life is still good.
Because even when I flip my shit somehow they still love me. I can hug and say I'm sorry and explain myself calmly and they apologize and say they love me. I dunno why. They totally got the short end of the stick.
I've started some Christmas shopping... still a few things I need to get. Adrienne has grown inches since last year and looks like a total nerd in almost all her pants. Those same pants can't even be passed down to Genevieve because Adrienne beats the hell out of her clothing, so I need to buy new clothing for both of them. It's always something.
I returned Matt's Christmas present that wasn't the right size today and the proper size should be arriving tomorrow. I am really stoked about this gift because I know how much he wants it. He's a hard person to shop for, he never wants anything and if he does he's probably already bought it. This is the first thing I've been able to get for him in a long time that I knew he really wanted and was excited about. He knows what he's getting, but I am still completely thrilled over it.
I've been sitting here waiting for the next words to flow and I just realized that my life sounds totally boring. I feel like I never stop, but when I go to put it down into words there is nothing particularly exciting to relay. Xander has a runny nose, I have been coughing for two days... had errands to run this morning and an FRG meeting this evening, Adrienne has a dentist appointment Thursday... it's not exactly thrilling but I always have something going on. After I sent the girls to bed I wrote a good morning note to them on the dry erase board that hangs over the table. They will see it when they get up for breakfast. Adrienne can read it to them. I am looking forward to hearing the things they say when they see it. It's the little things that make daily life delightful. :)
Forget the fact that I flipped out on my 3 year old today, and yesterday she royally pissed me off by jabbing a pen into the arm of my leather sofa repeatedly. Life is still good.
Because even when I flip my shit somehow they still love me. I can hug and say I'm sorry and explain myself calmly and they apologize and say they love me. I dunno why. They totally got the short end of the stick.
I've started some Christmas shopping... still a few things I need to get. Adrienne has grown inches since last year and looks like a total nerd in almost all her pants. Those same pants can't even be passed down to Genevieve because Adrienne beats the hell out of her clothing, so I need to buy new clothing for both of them. It's always something.
I returned Matt's Christmas present that wasn't the right size today and the proper size should be arriving tomorrow. I am really stoked about this gift because I know how much he wants it. He's a hard person to shop for, he never wants anything and if he does he's probably already bought it. This is the first thing I've been able to get for him in a long time that I knew he really wanted and was excited about. He knows what he's getting, but I am still completely thrilled over it.
I've been sitting here waiting for the next words to flow and I just realized that my life sounds totally boring. I feel like I never stop, but when I go to put it down into words there is nothing particularly exciting to relay. Xander has a runny nose, I have been coughing for two days... had errands to run this morning and an FRG meeting this evening, Adrienne has a dentist appointment Thursday... it's not exactly thrilling but I always have something going on. After I sent the girls to bed I wrote a good morning note to them on the dry erase board that hangs over the table. They will see it when they get up for breakfast. Adrienne can read it to them. I am looking forward to hearing the things they say when they see it. It's the little things that make daily life delightful. :)
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Things that must be dealt with.
Today Adrienne asked me what the pictures of children at the entrance to Walmart are for. I almost started crying in the middle of the store when I tried to explain it to them.
I have told them so many times that they always need to stay close to me so they don't get lost. We have told them that there are bad people in the world who steal children and I never want my children to be stolen; that that is why they MUST listen to us and obey us. We always want them to be safe.
I see that cork board every time I walk through those doors. I wasn't really prepared for Adrienne to notice it today. It kind of broke my heart that, more than just telling them in a vague way that there are bad people in the world, they saw the faces of those innocents who have been the victims of the bad people.
I wonder how many people heard me telling my kids about that board today, how many of them realized that I was struggling not to cry, and how many of them have had these kinds of talks with their kids.
Evil people suck.
I have told them so many times that they always need to stay close to me so they don't get lost. We have told them that there are bad people in the world who steal children and I never want my children to be stolen; that that is why they MUST listen to us and obey us. We always want them to be safe.
I see that cork board every time I walk through those doors. I wasn't really prepared for Adrienne to notice it today. It kind of broke my heart that, more than just telling them in a vague way that there are bad people in the world, they saw the faces of those innocents who have been the victims of the bad people.
I wonder how many people heard me telling my kids about that board today, how many of them realized that I was struggling not to cry, and how many of them have had these kinds of talks with their kids.
Evil people suck.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Conversations over dinner
Genevieve: Adrienne, what if you were 22?
Adrienne: I might get kids.
Genevieve: What if you were 23?
Adrienne: Then I would get kids.
Me: How would you get kids?
Adrienne: I'd get married!
Adrienne: I might get kids.
Genevieve: What if you were 23?
Adrienne: Then I would get kids.
Me: How would you get kids?
Adrienne: I'd get married!
Monday, October 04, 2010
People who make you feel like dirt
My mother in law is one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met. Even when she has gotten frustrated with someone it's always been for their own good/health/safety/etc.
She is aptly named. Candy. Yeah, that's right, my mother in law is named Candy. And she's adorable and sweet.
She makes me feel like a worm.
I try not to compare myself to her because I seriously end up feeling like shit. I never swear around her, barely drink (maybe a small glass of wine here and there). Triple my efforts to be patient with my children. I am sure she's good for me. But I can't help but think of how flawed I am in comparison.
I was thinking about her today. I love her. She's awesome. And I've been a major bitch lately.
Candy = awesome. Me = worm.
Boo.
She is aptly named. Candy. Yeah, that's right, my mother in law is named Candy. And she's adorable and sweet.
She makes me feel like a worm.
I try not to compare myself to her because I seriously end up feeling like shit. I never swear around her, barely drink (maybe a small glass of wine here and there). Triple my efforts to be patient with my children. I am sure she's good for me. But I can't help but think of how flawed I am in comparison.
I was thinking about her today. I love her. She's awesome. And I've been a major bitch lately.
Candy = awesome. Me = worm.
Boo.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
I've been lazy.
Lazy and unmotivated to be exact. I've neglected updating a lot of things online. At least 3 days this week my kids have had me on the verge of pulling a Britney and shaving my head in a fit of psychotic frustration/helplessness. We had an amazing weekend at a beautiful cabin on a lake with friends. Then the following two days back home my little angels tried my patience on every level imaginable. It was a rough couple of days getting back into the swing of things, but I think we are pretty much back to normal now.
It's times like these that I am really grateful for having such a wonderful and loving husband. He will step in and intervene, take charge, and just do what needs to be done. I am so grateful for him. He can make my absolute worst day amazing just by coming home and running interference. He takes charge of the kids, and when everyone has wound down for the night he gives me a nice back massage and pushes all the worries away.
God is one smart Omniscient Being. He sent Matt into my life, and somehow put it in my head that, no matter what, this was the man I was going to end up with, no matter who told us it might be a bad idea. We've proved them wrong. He has made my life better.
It's been the best idea I ever had. We've made four beautiful, if sometimes rotten, children. We've been together 8 (not counting the almost 2 prior to marriage) amazing years. Matt is my rock. The one person in the whole world that, no matter what, I know I can always rely on, always lean on, always trust in every way.
I am sad for all the people in the world who don't have their Matt. I've literally shed tears over the marriage troubles of other people. I wish that they all had someone like Matt. Someone who will show support and share every hardship and joy. Someone that they can trust implicitly. I know that there are always going to be people who get divorced, or never get married... but in a perfect world everyone would have something as amazing as what we have.
I am suppose what I am really getting at here is that I am so, so grateful, and so thankful for what God has seen fit to bless me with. Matt is one of the most exceptional men I have ever met, and I am proud and humbled to call him Mine.
It's times like these that I am really grateful for having such a wonderful and loving husband. He will step in and intervene, take charge, and just do what needs to be done. I am so grateful for him. He can make my absolute worst day amazing just by coming home and running interference. He takes charge of the kids, and when everyone has wound down for the night he gives me a nice back massage and pushes all the worries away.
God is one smart Omniscient Being. He sent Matt into my life, and somehow put it in my head that, no matter what, this was the man I was going to end up with, no matter who told us it might be a bad idea. We've proved them wrong. He has made my life better.
It's been the best idea I ever had. We've made four beautiful, if sometimes rotten, children. We've been together 8 (not counting the almost 2 prior to marriage) amazing years. Matt is my rock. The one person in the whole world that, no matter what, I know I can always rely on, always lean on, always trust in every way.
I am sad for all the people in the world who don't have their Matt. I've literally shed tears over the marriage troubles of other people. I wish that they all had someone like Matt. Someone who will show support and share every hardship and joy. Someone that they can trust implicitly. I know that there are always going to be people who get divorced, or never get married... but in a perfect world everyone would have something as amazing as what we have.
I am suppose what I am really getting at here is that I am so, so grateful, and so thankful for what God has seen fit to bless me with. Matt is one of the most exceptional men I have ever met, and I am proud and humbled to call him Mine.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Daily Diatribes
A blog from a friend of mine. I'm lazy so I'm not going to write extensively about how awesome she is, I'm just going to throw the link out there and let her work speak for itself. I hope you enjoy her musings. She's an amazing woman, single mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She's welcoming all sorts of feedback, if you hate what she says and the way she writes go ahead and tell her. If you like it, all the better, tell her that, too.
http://mydailydiatribes.blogspot.com/
http://mydailydiatribes.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 30, 2010
teabaggery
I have teabags glued to my fingernails. Well, not whole teabags. Pieces of them. The other day I was looking at youtube and I found a video of this gal showing how to repair broken fingernails with teabags and superglue. Cynic that I am I thought it was total BS.
Then two days ago I sliced halfway through my thumbnail with a large santoku knife. When I weighed the options between having a stumpy fingernail or trying out a teabag I opted to try and save it. It really works. I've since applied it to two more nails that got banged around and were breaking for various reasons.
I own you an apology, youtube girl.
Then two days ago I sliced halfway through my thumbnail with a large santoku knife. When I weighed the options between having a stumpy fingernail or trying out a teabag I opted to try and save it. It really works. I've since applied it to two more nails that got banged around and were breaking for various reasons.
I own you an apology, youtube girl.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
That's my job.
This morning when I went into the kitchen Adrienne didn't hear me and she jumped when she turned around and saw me.
"You scared me, Mom!" She said.
I told her, "Yeah, that's my job."
She smiled and said, "Yeah, and my job is to be your helper!"
I have no idea how the related those two things in her mind, but it was so darn cute. haha It may have been because she had started to help get oatmeal ready for her sisters and herself.
"You scared me, Mom!" She said.
I told her, "Yeah, that's my job."
She smiled and said, "Yeah, and my job is to be your helper!"
I have no idea how the related those two things in her mind, but it was so darn cute. haha It may have been because she had started to help get oatmeal ready for her sisters and herself.
Various and Sundry
I haven't been very motivated lately, since coming back from visiting family. Things have been a little busy getting back into the swing of things. I have started school with the girls again.
Genevieve is really just starting, I have gone over a few letters and numbers with her. She is learning to write her name. She still holds her pencil wrong, but I don't want to force the issue. I figure she will do whatever is most comfortable and I will just encourage her to try holding it properly. She was excited to do school today, which is a positive sign. She has been very determined with her coloring, too. I have noticed that she tries desperately to keep her colors in the lines when she uses a coloring book. She does really well with it, too. I think she's going to be a lot easier to teach this year than Adrienne was when she was 5. And if she isn't I'll just wait a little longer. I think she wants to learn to read, though. When I tell her a letter and the sound it makes she repeats it, whereas Adrienne would shut down on me. When A was ready she was ready and soaked it right up, though. I am not certain Genevieve will be the same way, but I think she is ready to start and is more open to it now than when A was this age. It's not really fair to compare them, I guess, I'm more just reflecting on the differences between them. Genevieve has always been a little more independent.
I went over the Dolch word list with Adrienne. I took her from the pre-primer words straight through the third grade words, and all the nouns. She only got 5 wrong. I was really proud of her. To test her spelling and handwriting I had her write out the pre-primer words (38 words). She got 5 wrong and wrote two letters backwards. Again, very proud of her. Her reading skills have taken great leaps and bounds over the summer. Then we did math... and I knew I should have had her do a little here and there over the summer and didn't. I practically had to start back at square one explaining her addition and subtraction again. We're going to need to work at math a lot this year. I don't have any worries about her reading. She loves it; often I catch her reading a book when she's supposed to be doing something else, like cleaning up a mess. I have threatened to take the book away if she doesn't obey, and the chore gets done mighty quick. She loves her books. She loves reading to her sisters and brother, which I love.
Charlotte didn't do any schooling, but she's only 3 so I don't feel like it's necessary to push her into it yet. She was good and played with Xander while we did our work. While we were working my friend Liz called and invited us to go watch Nanny McPhee Returns with them this afternoon. So when the girls were all done I rewarded them with the movie. They really enjoyed it. Xander even sat still through most of it. Charlotte was very attentive to the movie, except for about 5 minutes where she was up and moving around. We mostly had the theater to ourselves so I wasn't worried about her moving along the row in front of us. She has been drawing a lot more lately. I can see how she's mostly progressed from scribbles to trying to draw people and things. She doesn't seem to have a strong desire to draw people, though, she usually wants someone else to draw it for her. Sometimes she still scribbles and sometimes I can see a distinct face in what she's colored.
Xander is rapidly becoming a rotten little monkey. He has been climbing on everything. Onto chairs and tables. Onto footstools. Onto the paper shredder (I keep it unplugged so he can't get hurt on it). Problem of course is the little koosner can't climb back down off anything. I have to keep my chair pulled away from the computer desk because he will climb on top of it if I don't. I am going to go ahead and blame my sister's house for this. I don't think it would have occurred to him if he hadn't discovered stairs there. He also is a total poop machine. Every time I get his diaper off him he runs away and shats somewhere. I feel like he pooped 5 times today (only once on the floor, thank God). How in the world does he manage to create so much? He doesn't even eat that much! Aside from poop and climbing, though, he is an angel. He has become very generous with kisses. Oh! Little stinker that he is, he climbed up on my toilet and began throwing everything I had on the back of it onto the floor. When I scolded him for it he kissed me. Like that's going to make it all better! HA! WTH? He's too young for those tricks! Yes, an angel. I love hearing him play with the girls and run back and forth with them. He cackles and laughs so hard.
Genevieve is really just starting, I have gone over a few letters and numbers with her. She is learning to write her name. She still holds her pencil wrong, but I don't want to force the issue. I figure she will do whatever is most comfortable and I will just encourage her to try holding it properly. She was excited to do school today, which is a positive sign. She has been very determined with her coloring, too. I have noticed that she tries desperately to keep her colors in the lines when she uses a coloring book. She does really well with it, too. I think she's going to be a lot easier to teach this year than Adrienne was when she was 5. And if she isn't I'll just wait a little longer. I think she wants to learn to read, though. When I tell her a letter and the sound it makes she repeats it, whereas Adrienne would shut down on me. When A was ready she was ready and soaked it right up, though. I am not certain Genevieve will be the same way, but I think she is ready to start and is more open to it now than when A was this age. It's not really fair to compare them, I guess, I'm more just reflecting on the differences between them. Genevieve has always been a little more independent.
I went over the Dolch word list with Adrienne. I took her from the pre-primer words straight through the third grade words, and all the nouns. She only got 5 wrong. I was really proud of her. To test her spelling and handwriting I had her write out the pre-primer words (38 words). She got 5 wrong and wrote two letters backwards. Again, very proud of her. Her reading skills have taken great leaps and bounds over the summer. Then we did math... and I knew I should have had her do a little here and there over the summer and didn't. I practically had to start back at square one explaining her addition and subtraction again. We're going to need to work at math a lot this year. I don't have any worries about her reading. She loves it; often I catch her reading a book when she's supposed to be doing something else, like cleaning up a mess. I have threatened to take the book away if she doesn't obey, and the chore gets done mighty quick. She loves her books. She loves reading to her sisters and brother, which I love.
Charlotte didn't do any schooling, but she's only 3 so I don't feel like it's necessary to push her into it yet. She was good and played with Xander while we did our work. While we were working my friend Liz called and invited us to go watch Nanny McPhee Returns with them this afternoon. So when the girls were all done I rewarded them with the movie. They really enjoyed it. Xander even sat still through most of it. Charlotte was very attentive to the movie, except for about 5 minutes where she was up and moving around. We mostly had the theater to ourselves so I wasn't worried about her moving along the row in front of us. She has been drawing a lot more lately. I can see how she's mostly progressed from scribbles to trying to draw people and things. She doesn't seem to have a strong desire to draw people, though, she usually wants someone else to draw it for her. Sometimes she still scribbles and sometimes I can see a distinct face in what she's colored.
Xander is rapidly becoming a rotten little monkey. He has been climbing on everything. Onto chairs and tables. Onto footstools. Onto the paper shredder (I keep it unplugged so he can't get hurt on it). Problem of course is the little koosner can't climb back down off anything. I have to keep my chair pulled away from the computer desk because he will climb on top of it if I don't. I am going to go ahead and blame my sister's house for this. I don't think it would have occurred to him if he hadn't discovered stairs there. He also is a total poop machine. Every time I get his diaper off him he runs away and shats somewhere. I feel like he pooped 5 times today (only once on the floor, thank God). How in the world does he manage to create so much? He doesn't even eat that much! Aside from poop and climbing, though, he is an angel. He has become very generous with kisses. Oh! Little stinker that he is, he climbed up on my toilet and began throwing everything I had on the back of it onto the floor. When I scolded him for it he kissed me. Like that's going to make it all better! HA! WTH? He's too young for those tricks! Yes, an angel. I love hearing him play with the girls and run back and forth with them. He cackles and laughs so hard.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Great WalMart Adventure
So today we went to Wal Mart. I stuck my son in the cart, plopped my Charlotte in the basket and made the other two trot alongside. Went in, rounded the corner, grabbed some contact solution (Opti Free Replenish, fyi), turned to go seek out the next item on my list when I am hailed from the child in the basket of the cart.
"I have to peeeee!"
So I turned back to the front of the store and made all three girls go in and do their business. Even though Genevieve said she didn't have to go she did. I know their tricks. As soon as I'm halfway through the store they start in with the "I have to go to the bathroom"-ing.
They finish, we proceed. I toss a few more items into my cart and am accosted by two women (each one had one child with them). One was a sweet black girl, and the other was a white chick with hair that almost brush the floor. I am not shitting you. She probably could sweep her kitchen with it. They were dressed very modestly, skirts to their ankles and layered shirts. I knew as soon as they opened their mouths what they were about. I listened politely and chatted for a few minutes.
Then they invited me to their church. Their Baptist church. And their weekday prayer meetings. And their old fashioned big tent revival. Even after I told them I am a regular Church goer and I attend Mass on post. I thanked them for the invitation and noted how Xander was getting restless and I needed to get moving.
Thank you Xander for getting restless. Bless those women, I just am not really comfortable with being cornered like that. And it happens ALL the time. I feel this is unique to the South. That never, ever happened to me up North.
So I finish the majority of my shopping and Charlotte tells me that she's got to pee again. I grab my last two things, go pay (because I knew she could hold it since she went less than 45 minutes before that). I waited outside the bathroom again with Xander and my carload of merchandise, sent Adrienne in with Charlotte, and Genevieve followed along, apparently just for the hell of it.
I'm waiting, talking to Xander, watching people walk by. When I hear a horrible wailing coming from the bathroom. It only took me a second to recognize that as MY child. I snatched up my purse and Xander and rushed in. Adrienne and Genevieve were hanging out by the sink, Charlotte was locked in her stall. I called in to her and asked if she was ok, if she was hurt. She opened the door wailing and gesturing to the john. I asked if she fell. She said yes. When I asked if she fell IN or OFF she said no. So I asked again what was wrong.
"My dolly in the toilet!"
When I had walked to her door the toilet was flushing.
"You flushed your dolly down the toilet?"
"Yeeesssss!!!" More crying.
It was SO hard not to laugh. I mean, it was only a Polly Pocket, easily replaced. But she was heartbroken over it. The whole scenario was HILARIOUS. I told her not to worry, we had more at home and we could always buy another one. She calmed down and we left the store. Apparently she dropped it when she flushed. I'm still not sure on the details exactly.
But, seriously, who else's kid flushes a doll down the toilet in Wal Mart?
"I have to peeeee!"
So I turned back to the front of the store and made all three girls go in and do their business. Even though Genevieve said she didn't have to go she did. I know their tricks. As soon as I'm halfway through the store they start in with the "I have to go to the bathroom"-ing.
They finish, we proceed. I toss a few more items into my cart and am accosted by two women (each one had one child with them). One was a sweet black girl, and the other was a white chick with hair that almost brush the floor. I am not shitting you. She probably could sweep her kitchen with it. They were dressed very modestly, skirts to their ankles and layered shirts. I knew as soon as they opened their mouths what they were about. I listened politely and chatted for a few minutes.
Then they invited me to their church. Their Baptist church. And their weekday prayer meetings. And their old fashioned big tent revival. Even after I told them I am a regular Church goer and I attend Mass on post. I thanked them for the invitation and noted how Xander was getting restless and I needed to get moving.
Thank you Xander for getting restless. Bless those women, I just am not really comfortable with being cornered like that. And it happens ALL the time. I feel this is unique to the South. That never, ever happened to me up North.
So I finish the majority of my shopping and Charlotte tells me that she's got to pee again. I grab my last two things, go pay (because I knew she could hold it since she went less than 45 minutes before that). I waited outside the bathroom again with Xander and my carload of merchandise, sent Adrienne in with Charlotte, and Genevieve followed along, apparently just for the hell of it.
I'm waiting, talking to Xander, watching people walk by. When I hear a horrible wailing coming from the bathroom. It only took me a second to recognize that as MY child. I snatched up my purse and Xander and rushed in. Adrienne and Genevieve were hanging out by the sink, Charlotte was locked in her stall. I called in to her and asked if she was ok, if she was hurt. She opened the door wailing and gesturing to the john. I asked if she fell. She said yes. When I asked if she fell IN or OFF she said no. So I asked again what was wrong.
"My dolly in the toilet!"
When I had walked to her door the toilet was flushing.
"You flushed your dolly down the toilet?"
"Yeeesssss!!!" More crying.
It was SO hard not to laugh. I mean, it was only a Polly Pocket, easily replaced. But she was heartbroken over it. The whole scenario was HILARIOUS. I told her not to worry, we had more at home and we could always buy another one. She calmed down and we left the store. Apparently she dropped it when she flushed. I'm still not sure on the details exactly.
But, seriously, who else's kid flushes a doll down the toilet in Wal Mart?
Monday, August 16, 2010
Light
I want my house to look like a Pottery Barn catalog. Everything just looks so light and fresh. And would be such amazing back drops for photography. Such amazing light for photography. I know, it's all tricks of lights and lamps and crap, but I can dream. I mean, if my hospital room had such great natural light (a year ago when Xander was born) a house should be able to have light sources equally amazing to that. That's what I want. And I always end up in houses and apartments with windows facing the wrong direction. I can't even grow a freaking potted plant on my kitchen windowsill.
Life is so unfair.
Not that my gardening adventures this year were successful by any measure. My potted flowers out front shriveled up and died. My seeds never sprouted. Even after several attempts. All I wanted were a couple of freaking nasturtium seeds to sprout. And maybe some basil. As a gardener I fail. I will never, ever be able to make my way just living off the land. I'd starve to death. I'd probably have to start eating grass.
That's no goal of mine, though. That's Matt's pipe dream. Livin' off the land and self-sufficiency. I'll take my Targets and Wal Marts and Krogers, than you very much. All I really want in a future home are some big windows so I have have nice lighting to take an indoor picture. All my other wants in life can be pretty easily met, eventually. That dang light thing, though, always escapes me.
Oh, and a walk-in pantry. Because we have one now and I never want to be without one again. That pantry is my favorite part of this house. I don't even like the kitchen. Just the pantry.
Walk-in pantries and big windows to fill my home with light. That's my pipe-dream.
For now at any rate.
Life is so unfair.
Not that my gardening adventures this year were successful by any measure. My potted flowers out front shriveled up and died. My seeds never sprouted. Even after several attempts. All I wanted were a couple of freaking nasturtium seeds to sprout. And maybe some basil. As a gardener I fail. I will never, ever be able to make my way just living off the land. I'd starve to death. I'd probably have to start eating grass.
That's no goal of mine, though. That's Matt's pipe dream. Livin' off the land and self-sufficiency. I'll take my Targets and Wal Marts and Krogers, than you very much. All I really want in a future home are some big windows so I have have nice lighting to take an indoor picture. All my other wants in life can be pretty easily met, eventually. That dang light thing, though, always escapes me.
Oh, and a walk-in pantry. Because we have one now and I never want to be without one again. That pantry is my favorite part of this house. I don't even like the kitchen. Just the pantry.
Walk-in pantries and big windows to fill my home with light. That's my pipe-dream.
For now at any rate.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Pure Logic
Frequently at meal times when my kids start asking what we will be eating I tell them that I am going to roast, grill, boil, or broil them and eat them for dinner. They usually squeal and yell "Noooo!"
Tonight, however, I was met with a different response. A bit of genius from my own dear Genevieve.
"You cannot eat us! We are dirty! See? Look at our feet!"
I laughed. Can't argue with that logic.
Tonight, however, I was met with a different response. A bit of genius from my own dear Genevieve.
"You cannot eat us! We are dirty! See? Look at our feet!"
I laughed. Can't argue with that logic.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I like things the way they are.
OK, so back home again. I need to buckle back down and compose, lets those inner thoughts fly free. I will be getting my new computer in the next few weeks so that's a huge plus. Matt approved my choice, which makes me feel good because I had my sister purchase the same computer for herself. And I'd have felt like shit for making a 19 year old college student buy a POS machine. I also didn't let the sales girl strong arm Mary into buying a bunch of crap she doesn't need. Why pay $40 for anti-virus software when there are really good programs out there for free? So now that I have the decision making part out of the way all I have to do is wait till some more money comes through the bank and either run out and buy it or order it online.
I have decided that my husband might just be a total sucker for me. At least it's mutual. The other day he said that he hadn't gotten me anything for my birthday and he'd have to do something special for me later. Now, I'm never one to say no to presents from him. I like that he loves me so much that he'll do just about anything to make me happy. But I kinda had thought that the computer would be my birthday present. I know I said it to him at least twice. I'm going to go ahead and say that it does not make me a bad person that I will most likely let that one slip under the radar and let him get or do whatever he wants for me. I mean, if he wants to do something special for me who am I to tell him no?
It's really the little things that are my favorites, though. Don't get me wrong, I love that I can convince him to buy me a new camera or that he's totally agreeable to buying me a new computer when mine dies. Love that he is that generous with me. But, there are little things throughout the day that I cherish. I love that he always kisses me hello and goodbye, he usually says I love you multiple times a day. He rubs my back and feet without me ever having to ask. He just does these things because he likes being near me. I don't owe him any favors for doing it, there's never a "my turn" or "your turn", he just does things for me. I think he might be getting the short end of the stick, actually. I rarely rub his back and I never rub his feet.
Because let's be honest here, feet are kinda gross.
I have decided that my husband might just be a total sucker for me. At least it's mutual. The other day he said that he hadn't gotten me anything for my birthday and he'd have to do something special for me later. Now, I'm never one to say no to presents from him. I like that he loves me so much that he'll do just about anything to make me happy. But I kinda had thought that the computer would be my birthday present. I know I said it to him at least twice. I'm going to go ahead and say that it does not make me a bad person that I will most likely let that one slip under the radar and let him get or do whatever he wants for me. I mean, if he wants to do something special for me who am I to tell him no?
It's really the little things that are my favorites, though. Don't get me wrong, I love that I can convince him to buy me a new camera or that he's totally agreeable to buying me a new computer when mine dies. Love that he is that generous with me. But, there are little things throughout the day that I cherish. I love that he always kisses me hello and goodbye, he usually says I love you multiple times a day. He rubs my back and feet without me ever having to ask. He just does these things because he likes being near me. I don't owe him any favors for doing it, there's never a "my turn" or "your turn", he just does things for me. I think he might be getting the short end of the stick, actually. I rarely rub his back and I never rub his feet.
Because let's be honest here, feet are kinda gross.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Vanity
Personalized license plates crack me up. I mean, seriously, I don't know how people come up with this crap. While driving around the city these last few days I have been making note of exceptionally odd plates. Nonna V is sweet, proud little grandma. Mom of 1 I found humorously strange. RJStark was nothing new, people put their names on their plate all the time. These are typical vanity plates, I think. Pretty standard. I know a family that has some variation of their last name for their license plates. Both parents, and 4 of their grown children (their 5th may have it as well, but I don't think I've seen her car). But then you have your weird ones.
When I saw qute bug I was really confused as to what the heck they were trying to get across. They were driving an SUV. gsorry made me chuckle but also speculate all the random things "g" could stand for. Like gangsta. That would be cool.
Two of my favorites were awa fada and blvdat. When I saw the first one I half wondered if it was some Arabic saying, but halfway through that thought the lights came on and I got it. And loved it.
bihater made my eyes bug out. I really can't think of anything it could possibly mean aside from the obvious. On the other hand runnaked had me laughing out loud. Until I passed them and saw the people in the car. And it's not that they were ugly or anything, but once you know what someone looks like you don't often want a mental image of them running naked. twylighter pretty much had me wanting to run that grown woman off the road. Not a teenybopper, but a grown ass woman at least as old as I am. I don't really have the patience for fangirls.
At the end of the day I'm still not sure if I love vanity plates or if I think they are ridiculous. The one thing I know for sure is that they very frequently make me laugh. So I guess that's a point in their favor.
When I saw qute bug I was really confused as to what the heck they were trying to get across. They were driving an SUV. gsorry made me chuckle but also speculate all the random things "g" could stand for. Like gangsta. That would be cool.
Two of my favorites were awa fada and blvdat. When I saw the first one I half wondered if it was some Arabic saying, but halfway through that thought the lights came on and I got it. And loved it.
bihater made my eyes bug out. I really can't think of anything it could possibly mean aside from the obvious. On the other hand runnaked had me laughing out loud. Until I passed them and saw the people in the car. And it's not that they were ugly or anything, but once you know what someone looks like you don't often want a mental image of them running naked. twylighter pretty much had me wanting to run that grown woman off the road. Not a teenybopper, but a grown ass woman at least as old as I am. I don't really have the patience for fangirls.
At the end of the day I'm still not sure if I love vanity plates or if I think they are ridiculous. The one thing I know for sure is that they very frequently make me laugh. So I guess that's a point in their favor.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Things I miss
Right this moment I miss April and May. Not because I'm melting in the heat of the southern summer. I've got no complaints on that front except that I wish I had a pool in my backyard.
What I miss is awesome photographic opportunities like this. When I walk across the yard to check my mail the brown grass crunches under my feet. This doesn't bother me so much except that I really wish, when I look around, that there were a few more trees blossoming. I wish that the pathetic flower pots on my porch weren't filled with shriveled up brown plants. I suppose I could remedy that situation, but there's nothing I can do to replace the blooms that don't require any effort on my part, and those are the ones I miss the most. Not because they don't take any effort, but because they are far more beautiful and bountiful than my sad little planters. I miss the opportunities to capture the intricacies of God's creation. The crusty brown height of summer lacks that special something that comes with spring.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Ch-ch--ch-changes
I know the face of my blog keeps changing. You're going to have to bear with me until I find something that makes me happy and doesn't annoy my critics. Jim didn't like the white space around my headers. Laura didn't like the liquid effect when changing window sizes. And I just thought the dogwood header was too friggin' big. I'd gotten sick of the old gray background and thought it was time for a change. If I'm going to renew my efforts here then I want to be looking at something I will enjoy, too.
Funny I used the word "effort." Since I started up again it's actually been pretty easy. I actually had a conversation with L about this earlier, I don't feel like blogging should be an effort. I think it should flow naturally. What I post are my thoughts, regurgitated back in whatever jumble they occur to me. I'm not a planner when it comes to blogging, although occasionally I might write something and find it unsatisfactory and save the draft for another time. I'm just going to keep throwing out whatever occurs to me in the heat of the moment. I think it works well for me.
Feedback is always welcome buy it doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to change anything. HA!
Funny I used the word "effort." Since I started up again it's actually been pretty easy. I actually had a conversation with L about this earlier, I don't feel like blogging should be an effort. I think it should flow naturally. What I post are my thoughts, regurgitated back in whatever jumble they occur to me. I'm not a planner when it comes to blogging, although occasionally I might write something and find it unsatisfactory and save the draft for another time. I'm just going to keep throwing out whatever occurs to me in the heat of the moment. I think it works well for me.
Feedback is always welcome buy it doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to change anything. HA!
Bite it.
When I was a kid I used to bite my fingernails. I made a conscious decision to stop when I was around eleven years old. My aunt Laney always had pretty long nails and always, always had them painted. I wanted fingernails like Laney. With the force of sheer willpower I made myself stop biting my nails. I distinctly remember how proud I was when I accomplished that feat. I could actually see white at the tips of my nails.
Adrienne could grow her nails 3 feet long without a second thought about how long they were getting. No nail biting, just chips and breaks from digging in the dirt like a normal 7 year old.
Genevieve and Charlotte both bite their nails. It's a bad habit, one which I've fought and conquered, and have always hoped they'd do the same on their own. But, with the even of Charlotte's finger infection this past weekend I decided to be a little more proactive about it.
I don't know if it's going to work. You hear success stories and others who say that it never stopped them. But I went ahead and spent the five bucks on this:
Today as I was applying the second coat (of a twice per week regimen) my curiosity got the better of me. I carefully slid some across my left index finger and allowed it to dry while I finished up the girls hands.
Bolstering myself for what I knew must be disgusting (it would have to be gross to actually work) I gingerly licked the tip of my fingernail. Holy. Shit. That was the most disgusting bitter thing I have ever tasted. I'd rather chew aspirin.
"The easy way to stop nail biting." If I hadn't already quit 20 years ago I'd sure as heck quit now. Blech.
Adrienne could grow her nails 3 feet long without a second thought about how long they were getting. No nail biting, just chips and breaks from digging in the dirt like a normal 7 year old.
Genevieve and Charlotte both bite their nails. It's a bad habit, one which I've fought and conquered, and have always hoped they'd do the same on their own. But, with the even of Charlotte's finger infection this past weekend I decided to be a little more proactive about it.
I don't know if it's going to work. You hear success stories and others who say that it never stopped them. But I went ahead and spent the five bucks on this:
Today as I was applying the second coat (of a twice per week regimen) my curiosity got the better of me. I carefully slid some across my left index finger and allowed it to dry while I finished up the girls hands.
Bolstering myself for what I knew must be disgusting (it would have to be gross to actually work) I gingerly licked the tip of my fingernail. Holy. Shit. That was the most disgusting bitter thing I have ever tasted. I'd rather chew aspirin.
"The easy way to stop nail biting." If I hadn't already quit 20 years ago I'd sure as heck quit now. Blech.
whelmed
I don't know how I got to be the most important person in Matt's world. I am constantly befuddled by the thought, and yet it brings me endless pleasure. There is something terribly special about a man who works his ass off so you can have a comfortable life with all your needs met. A man who comes home from long hours at work, often more than a regular 9 to 5, and proceeds to help take care of kids, change dirty diapers, clear tables and take out trash, and even help with dishes after dinner. Maybe he doesn't do every one of those tasks every day, but he always does them without complaint.
Just thinking about him overwhelms me sometimes. Sometimes when he's at work I miss him, I feel it as an ache deep within my heart and soul. And then he walks in the door and he's amazing and goofy and perfect. He calls our three year old Bob and wrestles with the five year old. He writes books with our seven year old. He cuddles with the baby and puts him down for a nap. This life couldn't possibly get any better. He is such a good father. I am so thankful that I found such a good man to raise a family with. He told me the other day he likes having kids with me. I asked him, incredulously, "you like having kids with me, or making kids with me?" He said both. I'm still not sure what he meant by "having." But he's definitely pulling his weight on the parenting thing so I guess whatever he meant it works.
I love watching him with the kids and listening to their conversations. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I see him teach them funny little tricks, or invents new games with them. They have such big imaginations. Father and children so much alike. They love it when he composes songs and stories about them on the fly. I try but I am a poor substitute. Daddy's stories rule, and his songs are longer and funnier than Mom's. Sometimes I think the only thing I really have going for me is that I can cook better than he can.
Just thinking about him overwhelms me sometimes. Sometimes when he's at work I miss him, I feel it as an ache deep within my heart and soul. And then he walks in the door and he's amazing and goofy and perfect. He calls our three year old Bob and wrestles with the five year old. He writes books with our seven year old. He cuddles with the baby and puts him down for a nap. This life couldn't possibly get any better. He is such a good father. I am so thankful that I found such a good man to raise a family with. He told me the other day he likes having kids with me. I asked him, incredulously, "you like having kids with me, or making kids with me?" He said both. I'm still not sure what he meant by "having." But he's definitely pulling his weight on the parenting thing so I guess whatever he meant it works.
I love watching him with the kids and listening to their conversations. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I see him teach them funny little tricks, or invents new games with them. They have such big imaginations. Father and children so much alike. They love it when he composes songs and stories about them on the fly. I try but I am a poor substitute. Daddy's stories rule, and his songs are longer and funnier than Mom's. Sometimes I think the only thing I really have going for me is that I can cook better than he can.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
i need to do this more often
I just went back and read my very first entry on this blog. And as I was reading I thought "dang, I am good!" Why the heck don't I write like that anymore? I don't know if it's because I lack time or if I am too lazy... maybe it's the stinker kids who won't stay in bed. Or the sink full of dishes that needs to be loaded in the dishwasher. It may yet be the toys and books on the living room floor. Or the load of laundry I left in the dryer.
Right now, right this second, I am going to say screw all that stuff that needs to be done. I am going to take 15 minutes and waste it on something for myself. I'm not washing cars or edging patio sidewalks. I'm sitting and letting words flow from my fingers. I don't have a specific thought or contemplation tonight and I think that's ok. I'm going to take this time to just BE.
Xander is pretty well determined to break this up for me. Little turd.
I think I am at a point in my life where I am pretty much content. I mean, there are things I want or need materially, but when I think about things I want to do or places I want to see I really don't have any particular goals lined up. I am happy doing what I'm doing right where I am. Eventually the where will change, but I don't believe the what will be altered all that much. The reason why I have such contentment in my life can really be attributed to one thing. One person.
Matthew.
Everything he does, everything he has worked for and become, has been for us. He works so hard to make our lives better. I take that for granted far too often. I have to remind myself not to. Not everyone out there is lucky enough to have an ideal marriage. I know some people think I sound naive but they don't know Matthew. If they did they would understand why, underneath all the minor irritations, my life is pretty much awesome.
A few months ago we went to a ball and I had a long talk with a guy Matthew works with. He and his wife were having some problems and it broke my heart. They have babies and I just thought how awful for those innocent little ones to be stuck in the middle of this. When Matthew and I got back to our hotel room I wept for that family. He told me "Honey, you can't fix everyone."
He was right, of course. I know not all marriages last (my parents divorced after 25 years). I can't change anyone, I can't make them treat their spouse better, or make them work harder to have a happy home life. But what I can do is work together with my husband to make our home life as happy and healthy as we possibly can. For us and for our children. I pray that each one of them finds the same happiness in their vocation that I have. I pray that my son grows up to be as good a man as his father is, and that my daughters surpass me (because I know my flaws, but I don't know any men better than my husband). I pray that I don't fail them.
Right now, right this second, I am going to say screw all that stuff that needs to be done. I am going to take 15 minutes and waste it on something for myself. I'm not washing cars or edging patio sidewalks. I'm sitting and letting words flow from my fingers. I don't have a specific thought or contemplation tonight and I think that's ok. I'm going to take this time to just BE.
Xander is pretty well determined to break this up for me. Little turd.
I think I am at a point in my life where I am pretty much content. I mean, there are things I want or need materially, but when I think about things I want to do or places I want to see I really don't have any particular goals lined up. I am happy doing what I'm doing right where I am. Eventually the where will change, but I don't believe the what will be altered all that much. The reason why I have such contentment in my life can really be attributed to one thing. One person.
Matthew.
Everything he does, everything he has worked for and become, has been for us. He works so hard to make our lives better. I take that for granted far too often. I have to remind myself not to. Not everyone out there is lucky enough to have an ideal marriage. I know some people think I sound naive but they don't know Matthew. If they did they would understand why, underneath all the minor irritations, my life is pretty much awesome.
A few months ago we went to a ball and I had a long talk with a guy Matthew works with. He and his wife were having some problems and it broke my heart. They have babies and I just thought how awful for those innocent little ones to be stuck in the middle of this. When Matthew and I got back to our hotel room I wept for that family. He told me "Honey, you can't fix everyone."
He was right, of course. I know not all marriages last (my parents divorced after 25 years). I can't change anyone, I can't make them treat their spouse better, or make them work harder to have a happy home life. But what I can do is work together with my husband to make our home life as happy and healthy as we possibly can. For us and for our children. I pray that each one of them finds the same happiness in their vocation that I have. I pray that my son grows up to be as good a man as his father is, and that my daughters surpass me (because I know my flaws, but I don't know any men better than my husband). I pray that I don't fail them.
Like father, like daughter
Adrienne so so her father's daughter.
Matt has this bad habit of ripping (literally) the tags off the inside of his shirts because he doesn't like the way it feels. This usually leaves a hole in the back at the collar. He doesn't like to cut the tag because it leaves a tiny bit there and he can still feel it.
He is weird. And so is his daughter.
Adrienne came up to me tonight, as she occasionally does, and told me that the tag on her shirt was rubbing her neck and it didn't feel good. I cut it off for her. At least she can still be appeased without ripping holes into her clothing. haha
Matt has this bad habit of ripping (literally) the tags off the inside of his shirts because he doesn't like the way it feels. This usually leaves a hole in the back at the collar. He doesn't like to cut the tag because it leaves a tiny bit there and he can still feel it.
He is weird. And so is his daughter.
Adrienne came up to me tonight, as she occasionally does, and told me that the tag on her shirt was rubbing her neck and it didn't feel good. I cut it off for her. At least she can still be appeased without ripping holes into her clothing. haha
Nail biters. Argh.
Today I had to run Charlotte up to the ER urgent care clinic. Nothing serious. She has a paronychia infection on her finger (probably from biting her fingernails). Thursday I noticed it was a little red. Friday it was a tiny bit swollen and I discovered the evidence of infection so I cleaned it and put on some Neosporin. This morning when we woke up her finger was pretty swollen at the tip and redder than yesterday. Since I'd already cleaned it out and had been topically treating it and it looked worse they put her on oral antibiotics. It's a pretty common infection but when I saw it was swollen I didn't want to risk it getting really bad. Charlotte doesn't seem to notice the difference. She's a pretty tough girl. The hardest part of her recovery is going to be keeping her dang fingers out of her mouth and nose. I already bought that nail biter funky polish and applied it to both Charlotte and Genevieve's nails. I hope it works.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Red books.
True story:
"Genevieve, pick up this red cup and put it out in the kitchen."
. . .
Five minutes later.
"GENEVIEVE! I told you to pick up this red book and put it out in the kitchen. You moved from one side of the room to the other and didn't pick it up! And by 'book' I mean 'cup'!"
She picked up the cup and put it in the sink.
"Genevieve, pick up this red cup and put it out in the kitchen."
. . .
Five minutes later.
"GENEVIEVE! I told you to pick up this red book and put it out in the kitchen. You moved from one side of the room to the other and didn't pick it up! And by 'book' I mean 'cup'!"
She picked up the cup and put it in the sink.
S-m-r-t
My son is a doll. I am enjoying watching him grow, seeing all the funny little things he does.
When Xander wants a drink he likes to drop his pacifier inside the cup before he drinks up. It's a very deliberate action. Pulls the paci out, looks at it, drops it in the cup, looks in the cup, takes a drink.
He also has been helping me get diapers when it's time for a change. Unfortunately if the dirty diaper is handy he seems to think this is a viable option when I say "Go get a diaper!"
When Xander wants a drink he likes to drop his pacifier inside the cup before he drinks up. It's a very deliberate action. Pulls the paci out, looks at it, drops it in the cup, looks in the cup, takes a drink.
He also has been helping me get diapers when it's time for a change. Unfortunately if the dirty diaper is handy he seems to think this is a viable option when I say "Go get a diaper!"
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I'm lazy
So in the last several months my blogging has taken a major nosedive. I also started up a twitter account because my friend asked me to so she'd have more followers. She fell off the tweet wagon and I'm still lounging around. Not super prolifically, I have been told that I leave people hanging.
But, in order to try and get back into the swing of blogging I intend to start off using my blog along the same lines I use twitter. I can elaborate a little more. And hopefully this blog will be slightly less neglected.
But, in order to try and get back into the swing of blogging I intend to start off using my blog along the same lines I use twitter. I can elaborate a little more. And hopefully this blog will be slightly less neglected.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Laundry was never so fun
As I was unloading the dryer this evening and sorting out the clothing Charlotte decided to help me. After tossing out a few shirts she leaned into the open door and called in "Hello! Are you in there!? Is there a party in here?!"
She slays me.
She slays me.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Ridin'
Adrienne learned to ride her bike today, training wheel free, in the space of about 5 minutes.
Back story, she will be 7 this summer and has been actively riding bike for about 3-4 weeks (tops). In 2007 we were in Korea and there was nowhere for her to ride so we didn't even bother buying her a bike. In 2008 we moved back to the US, I got preg with Xander (read: sick all the time), and Matt was in school so teaching her to ride was really not feasible for us. On top of that there was no area that was really adequate for her to ride on. In 2009 Xander was born and we moved. Again, no feasible time to learn how to ride (and for awhile we didn't have a decent place, then it was winter and too cold to be out riding).
This year we finally have a good area for her to ride around and a decent bike for her to use. She's been riding with training wheels for the last couple weeks and today she declared that she wanted to take them off and try to ride without them like her friends.
I had Matt take them off and she tried to have a go a couple times on her own before Matt began to guide her around. In less than 5 minutes that girl was riding on her own zipping up and down our little street with her friends. I am so proud of her.
Let it be known, she is a beautiful, funny little girl who is in love with everything beautiful and shiny. She is NOT the most graceful child in the world. She loves to dance and all that girly stuff, but she's all elbows and knees. Thank God she doesn't know the difference. I love her for it. I told her how proud I was of her for being so brave and riding all by herself.
Matt went and got the camera so I could get a picture of her riding on her own for the first time. Then he asked me to get a shot of him "pretending" to help her so we'd have it for posterity. (I think he was really happy that he had been able to be the one to teach her and that he didn't miss the moment.) As he was trotting along with her she kept yelling at him "I'VE GOT IT! I'VE GOT IT!" Were she a sassy little thing she'd probably have said something like "Let me the hell go! I can ride by myself!"
Back story, she will be 7 this summer and has been actively riding bike for about 3-4 weeks (tops). In 2007 we were in Korea and there was nowhere for her to ride so we didn't even bother buying her a bike. In 2008 we moved back to the US, I got preg with Xander (read: sick all the time), and Matt was in school so teaching her to ride was really not feasible for us. On top of that there was no area that was really adequate for her to ride on. In 2009 Xander was born and we moved. Again, no feasible time to learn how to ride (and for awhile we didn't have a decent place, then it was winter and too cold to be out riding).
This year we finally have a good area for her to ride around and a decent bike for her to use. She's been riding with training wheels for the last couple weeks and today she declared that she wanted to take them off and try to ride without them like her friends.
I had Matt take them off and she tried to have a go a couple times on her own before Matt began to guide her around. In less than 5 minutes that girl was riding on her own zipping up and down our little street with her friends. I am so proud of her.
Let it be known, she is a beautiful, funny little girl who is in love with everything beautiful and shiny. She is NOT the most graceful child in the world. She loves to dance and all that girly stuff, but she's all elbows and knees. Thank God she doesn't know the difference. I love her for it. I told her how proud I was of her for being so brave and riding all by herself.
Matt went and got the camera so I could get a picture of her riding on her own for the first time. Then he asked me to get a shot of him "pretending" to help her so we'd have it for posterity. (I think he was really happy that he had been able to be the one to teach her and that he didn't miss the moment.) As he was trotting along with her she kept yelling at him "I'VE GOT IT! I'VE GOT IT!" Were she a sassy little thing she'd probably have said something like "Let me the hell go! I can ride by myself!"
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Failbook
It's the little things in life that make it wonderful.
I am laughing my ass off.
He missed the point.
I am laughing my ass off.
He missed the point.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Slacker? Who? Me?
My name is Kate. I am a total slacker when it comes to blogging.
Ok, seriously these last couple weeks have just been busy. Between teaching Adrienne, trips to the library, and Genevieve's birthday this past Sunday (not to mention piles of laundry and dishes that I need to do every day) there just hasn't been as much time for blogging as I would like. But my mood always suffers from the lack of it.
When I write out my witticisms and frustrations it just makes me happier, I think. Not happy as in joyful, but it helps relieve the stresses of the day. And lemme tell ya, this past week in particular has been rather stressful.
Xander is teething, he has a runny nose, and a mild diaper rash. Adrienne has a runny nose. I have had some serious congestion, too. Luckily the worst of it struck after Genevieve's birthday. (Which Charlotte fought valiantly to claim as her own. She lost, but accepted defeat graciously... mostly...)
I re-created my Valentine's Day cake with a few alterations. (It was amazing.) We had the neighborhood kids over for cake and ice cream out in the yard. It was super windy so we wound up moving everything around the corner of the house. As soon as cake was eaten and presents were open Genevieve decided she was cold and wanted to go back inside. Really she just wanted to play with her loot.
I really don't have anything funny or exciting to report. I just felt neglectful and needed to write something.
I bought a new blender at WallyWorld last week. It's just a cheapie Osterizer (25 bucks FTW) but it actually crushes the ice down to a smooth snowiness. I am pretty much in love. Margaritas all summer! I also told Matt that I want to buy a rug steam cleaner of some sort. Our rugs are getting gross and I think it'd be cheaper in the long run rather than hiring someone to come in and clean them for us.
I'm bored.
Ok, seriously these last couple weeks have just been busy. Between teaching Adrienne, trips to the library, and Genevieve's birthday this past Sunday (not to mention piles of laundry and dishes that I need to do every day) there just hasn't been as much time for blogging as I would like. But my mood always suffers from the lack of it.
When I write out my witticisms and frustrations it just makes me happier, I think. Not happy as in joyful, but it helps relieve the stresses of the day. And lemme tell ya, this past week in particular has been rather stressful.
Xander is teething, he has a runny nose, and a mild diaper rash. Adrienne has a runny nose. I have had some serious congestion, too. Luckily the worst of it struck after Genevieve's birthday. (Which Charlotte fought valiantly to claim as her own. She lost, but accepted defeat graciously... mostly...)
I re-created my Valentine's Day cake with a few alterations. (It was amazing.) We had the neighborhood kids over for cake and ice cream out in the yard. It was super windy so we wound up moving everything around the corner of the house. As soon as cake was eaten and presents were open Genevieve decided she was cold and wanted to go back inside. Really she just wanted to play with her loot.
I really don't have anything funny or exciting to report. I just felt neglectful and needed to write something.
I bought a new blender at WallyWorld last week. It's just a cheapie Osterizer (25 bucks FTW) but it actually crushes the ice down to a smooth snowiness. I am pretty much in love. Margaritas all summer! I also told Matt that I want to buy a rug steam cleaner of some sort. Our rugs are getting gross and I think it'd be cheaper in the long run rather than hiring someone to come in and clean them for us.
I'm bored.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
do people really know me?
So I keep getting these "Your Friend Answered a Question About YOU!" notifications on facebook. I added the application to see what they were saying and deleted it because I'm just not that interested in having that crap fill my notifications with garbage. The questions were kind of funny, though. So I copied them to share here. The real answers are in bold.
Do you think that Kate knows what a fist pound is? Yes Yes. Who doesn't?
Do you think that Kate has ever failed a class? No Yes. Guess they don't know my academic history very well.
Do you think that Kate would turn you in to the FBI if they asked? Yes Yes (although this might depend on the crime...)
Do you think that Kate could key a car for revenge? No No, I'd come up with something more creative.
Do you think that Kate is superficial? No I might be but I like to think the answer is no.
Do you think that Kate has ever slapped anyone? Yes Guilty as charged.
Do you think that Kate brushes their teeth regularly? Yes Of course I do. People who don't are gross, and I am not gross.
Do you think that Kate has ugly teeth? No After nearly 4000 in orthodontic bills they damn well better not be.
Do you think that Kate has ever played beer pong? Yes I have not. I have, however, beer bonged. I bonged a word? I don't think so, but whatever.
Would you travel the world with Kate? Yes Yes, I would travel the world with myself. I am loved.
Do you think that Kate would lie for you? No This is true. I hate liars and lying.
Does Kate have a nice body? Yes I disagree most of the time, but I love whoever said yes.
Do you think that Kate puts 'hoes' before 'bros'? No This one doesn't even make sense in my life.
Do you think that Kate can do 20 pushups? Yes That would be a negative. I don't think I can even do one.
Do you think that Kate is materialistic? No I'm going to go with no... but I probably actually kind of am.
Do you think that Kate is cute? Yes My ego is happy.
Do you think that Kate has ever been in a fist fight? Yes When I was 11 I punched a snotty boy in the gut and boxed his ears. Does that count?
Would you hook up with Kate? No Thank God for that. Someone random probably answered that one.
Do you think that Kate would look good in a bikini? Yes No. Baby fat and stretchmarks. Nuff said.
Do you think that Kate has good credit? Yes I think I do, actually.
Do you think that Kate can keep a secret? Yes I'm a pretty awesome secret keeper.
Do you think that Kate is tone deaf? No I am.
Is Kate fun to be around? Yes Clearly.
Do you think that Kate can throw a football with a spiral? Yes Maybe? I don't know. That would actually require that I throw a football.
Do you think that Kate has ever lied in an interview? No Correct.
Do you think that Kate should have more self-confidence? No Actually, I could use some every now and then. I have some self-consciousness issues.
Does Kate have a nice body? Yes Whoever said yes is a liar.
Do you think that Kate can dance? Yes Absolutely.
Have you ever had a crush on Kate? No That's good because this could be awkward.
Do you think that Kate has ever fantasized about you? No Knowing the people on my friends list I'm going to go with True.
Do you think that Kate has ever stolen money from their friends? No True. If I had ever needed money that badly they'd have spotted me if I asked.
Do you think that Kate knows what a fist pound is? Yes Yes. Who doesn't?
Do you think that Kate has ever failed a class? No Yes. Guess they don't know my academic history very well.
Do you think that Kate would turn you in to the FBI if they asked? Yes Yes (although this might depend on the crime...)
Do you think that Kate could key a car for revenge? No No, I'd come up with something more creative.
Do you think that Kate is superficial? No I might be but I like to think the answer is no.
Do you think that Kate has ever slapped anyone? Yes Guilty as charged.
Do you think that Kate brushes their teeth regularly? Yes Of course I do. People who don't are gross, and I am not gross.
Do you think that Kate has ugly teeth? No After nearly 4000 in orthodontic bills they damn well better not be.
Do you think that Kate has ever played beer pong? Yes I have not. I have, however, beer bonged. I bonged a word? I don't think so, but whatever.
Would you travel the world with Kate? Yes Yes, I would travel the world with myself. I am loved.
Do you think that Kate would lie for you? No This is true. I hate liars and lying.
Does Kate have a nice body? Yes I disagree most of the time, but I love whoever said yes.
Do you think that Kate puts 'hoes' before 'bros'? No This one doesn't even make sense in my life.
Do you think that Kate can do 20 pushups? Yes That would be a negative. I don't think I can even do one.
Do you think that Kate is materialistic? No I'm going to go with no... but I probably actually kind of am.
Do you think that Kate is cute? Yes My ego is happy.
Do you think that Kate has ever been in a fist fight? Yes When I was 11 I punched a snotty boy in the gut and boxed his ears. Does that count?
Would you hook up with Kate? No Thank God for that. Someone random probably answered that one.
Do you think that Kate would look good in a bikini? Yes No. Baby fat and stretchmarks. Nuff said.
Do you think that Kate has good credit? Yes I think I do, actually.
Do you think that Kate can keep a secret? Yes I'm a pretty awesome secret keeper.
Do you think that Kate is tone deaf? No I am.
Is Kate fun to be around? Yes Clearly.
Do you think that Kate can throw a football with a spiral? Yes Maybe? I don't know. That would actually require that I throw a football.
Do you think that Kate has ever lied in an interview? No Correct.
Do you think that Kate should have more self-confidence? No Actually, I could use some every now and then. I have some self-consciousness issues.
Does Kate have a nice body? Yes Whoever said yes is a liar.
Do you think that Kate can dance? Yes Absolutely.
Have you ever had a crush on Kate? No That's good because this could be awkward.
Do you think that Kate has ever fantasized about you? No Knowing the people on my friends list I'm going to go with True.
Do you think that Kate has ever stolen money from their friends? No True. If I had ever needed money that badly they'd have spotted me if I asked.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Words matter.
I love that time when little kids begin to read and spell on their own. It's an awesome world to them and you find papers littering the house with phrases like "budirfli grten" (butterfly garden) and "gwocumlley" (guacamole) and still others that you have no idea what they mean because there are no spaces between the words.
This is the world I am in right now. And I love it. It brings me oodles of pleasure to see the things Adrienne tries to write. I came home from a little coffee social this evening to find a sheet of printer paper on my table with the letters "gwocumlley" written across the middle (landscape view). Matt had served them leftover enchiladas for dinner.
I was tickled that she had tried to sound it out and write it by herself. That's my big thing these days. I am trying to teach her to read (she's doing really well) but it frustrates me to no end when she gives up and whines because she is afraid of getting it wrong. All I want is for her to try. I don't care if she gets it wrong because at least I'd know she had tried her best.
She does the same thing with math. Today I made her do her minuses first. She got all but 2 right. If I let her do her pluses first she will get half the minuses wrong because she gets distracted and wants to quit. And they are a little harder. So, she does the minuses first and gets them mostly right. Then she does the pluses, which are easier, she enjoys it and they are all correct. She's such a smart girl and she is learning so fast, I hate when she gives up and doesn't try. I know she can do it even if she doesn't.
So, it makes my heart happy to see big words (which are technically in a different language) and numbers (1-60something last I saw the page) scattered around my house.
This is the world I am in right now. And I love it. It brings me oodles of pleasure to see the things Adrienne tries to write. I came home from a little coffee social this evening to find a sheet of printer paper on my table with the letters "gwocumlley" written across the middle (landscape view). Matt had served them leftover enchiladas for dinner.
I was tickled that she had tried to sound it out and write it by herself. That's my big thing these days. I am trying to teach her to read (she's doing really well) but it frustrates me to no end when she gives up and whines because she is afraid of getting it wrong. All I want is for her to try. I don't care if she gets it wrong because at least I'd know she had tried her best.
She does the same thing with math. Today I made her do her minuses first. She got all but 2 right. If I let her do her pluses first she will get half the minuses wrong because she gets distracted and wants to quit. And they are a little harder. So, she does the minuses first and gets them mostly right. Then she does the pluses, which are easier, she enjoys it and they are all correct. She's such a smart girl and she is learning so fast, I hate when she gives up and doesn't try. I know she can do it even if she doesn't.
So, it makes my heart happy to see big words (which are technically in a different language) and numbers (1-60something last I saw the page) scattered around my house.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
I heart Faces
It's been quite a while since I posted an entry in an i♥faces (http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/) weekly challenge. Usually I just gaze at all of the awesome entries and enjoy everyone elses photography. This week, though, not only do I have an awesome photo to share, but a very sweet story that goes along with it. Sometimes I think the story behind the photo makes it even better.
One day late in the summer of 2008 I got a call from my sister telling me she was pregnant with her second baby. I was happy for her. A few weeks later she got a phone call from me telling her that I was pregnant with my fourth baby. We commiserated together about how tough pregnancy can be. Face it, morning (ALL DAY) sickness sucks.
A few weeks into our pregnancies Sis called me to tell me that they had found out they were having a boy, but that they had also gotten some rough news. It looked like their baby had something wrong with his heart. After some testing and visits with a pediatric cardiologist they learned that Brodie has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. https://health.google.com/health/ref/Hypoplastic+left+heart+syndrome
Basically, the left half of his heart didn't develop and his body is functioning supported by half a heart.
Brodie was born May 1 via c-section with a whole team of doctors and nurses there to attend to any possible medical issue that might arise. 20 days later his cousin Xander was born, shocking us all with the revelation that he, too, was a boy (we thought he was girl #4 for us). So far Brodie, such a sweet little love, has had two open heart surgeries; one just days after his birth, and one when he was five months old. About a month before that second surgery was when this photo was taken.
We were able to go to visit them and officially meet Brodie for the first time last September. My sister and I laughed that our boys were going to be bestest friends. When it was their nap time we laid them down next to one another in the bassinet. They would coo together, drool together, and look curiously at each other. Basically they played together as much as a couple of 4 month old babies (who can't even roll over yet) could. Sweetest thing ever. And then one afternoon during their nap I went over to check on them and our boys were holding hands.
I snatched up my camera and took the shot. These boys are seriously going to be pals for life.
One day late in the summer of 2008 I got a call from my sister telling me she was pregnant with her second baby. I was happy for her. A few weeks later she got a phone call from me telling her that I was pregnant with my fourth baby. We commiserated together about how tough pregnancy can be. Face it, morning (ALL DAY) sickness sucks.
A few weeks into our pregnancies Sis called me to tell me that they had found out they were having a boy, but that they had also gotten some rough news. It looked like their baby had something wrong with his heart. After some testing and visits with a pediatric cardiologist they learned that Brodie has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. https://health.google.com/health/ref/Hypoplastic+left+heart+syndrome
Basically, the left half of his heart didn't develop and his body is functioning supported by half a heart.
Brodie was born May 1 via c-section with a whole team of doctors and nurses there to attend to any possible medical issue that might arise. 20 days later his cousin Xander was born, shocking us all with the revelation that he, too, was a boy (we thought he was girl #4 for us). So far Brodie, such a sweet little love, has had two open heart surgeries; one just days after his birth, and one when he was five months old. About a month before that second surgery was when this photo was taken.
We were able to go to visit them and officially meet Brodie for the first time last September. My sister and I laughed that our boys were going to be bestest friends. When it was their nap time we laid them down next to one another in the bassinet. They would coo together, drool together, and look curiously at each other. Basically they played together as much as a couple of 4 month old babies (who can't even roll over yet) could. Sweetest thing ever. And then one afternoon during their nap I went over to check on them and our boys were holding hands.
I snatched up my camera and took the shot. These boys are seriously going to be pals for life.
Monday, February 22, 2010
the wants of a little princess
Last night we were discussing what to do for Genevieve's 5th birthday. I asked what Matt wanted to get her and he asked me "What does she want?"
Well hells bells, I don't know! Adrienne has gotten to that age where she will say for MONTHS what she wants for birthday, Christmas, etc. Genevieve doesn't ask for much, and doesn't usually ask unless you ask her what she wants. So, I promptly called her out and asked what she wanted.
"Uuuuhhhhmmmmmm.... a unicorn?"
"You already have a unicorn, you got one for Christmas, remember?" She should, it was the ONLY thing she asked for. Not that I'm opposed to getting her another one, I just thought she might like a little variety.
"Oh yeah!" She taps her chin thoughtfully for a moment and says, "How about a Barbie?"
Ugh. I was raised playing with Barbies and I turned out just fine, but really, for my little girls I am not fond of them. Basically I just don't think my children need to be playing with a boobiferous woman doll. I buy them Polly Pockets, which do have a little bit of the womanly shape, but they are tiny and don't have porn boobies like ol' Barb. I'm not a total weirdo, there are just some things I think they could be spared from for a few more years. Maintain a little innocence for awhile and let them believe in fairies and live in dress up clothing.
Anyway, I said to her, "But what if you don't get a Barbie, what else would you like?"
"Maybe a fairy doll with brown hair?"
Ok, I can deal with that.
When I related the conversation to Matt as soon as I said the word "Barbie" he said "Oh hell no!" Glad we're on the same page here.
Genevieve is such a sweet little girl, and she sees beauty in everything. Even stuff that makes me think "That is uglier than shiiiit!" I hope she's not too disappointed that she doesn't get that dang Barbie. lol
This afternoon Charlotte was running around in her undies (she'd gotten her clothing wet and stripped, she believes clothing is optional) so Genevieve went and got her new duds. Charlotte was a turd so Genevieve walked around holding that clothing for nearly 20 minutes before I scolded Charlotte to hurry up and get her dadgum clothing on.
So Charlotte is whining, hurts herself (which I don't feel sorry about because she was naughty) and comes and tells me, "Booger!" I am trying not to laugh at her because I know having a snotty nose sucks and feels gross, but she's pointing to her nose, teary eyed, and whining, "Booooger!" She knows where the kleenexes are, she could get them. I guess she just finds some sort of comfort in telling us; she does the same thing pretty much every time she has to pee, too.
Genevieve jumps up and says "I will get her a kleenex!" I continue feeding Xander. (Adrienne, meanwhile, was being a super-helper and getting him another container of babyfood because he was inhaling it. My big girl even opened it and peeled the foil off for me.)
I hear Genevieve say to Charlotte, "You still have some boogers in your hair...."
Grooooooosssss.
My arms full of a wriggling Xander and baby food slime I do what only a desperate mother would do to a sweet, loving, almost 5 year old girl.
"Genevieve, honey, will you just help her wipe it off her hair?"
And she happily obliged.
She is SUCH a good girl.
Well hells bells, I don't know! Adrienne has gotten to that age where she will say for MONTHS what she wants for birthday, Christmas, etc. Genevieve doesn't ask for much, and doesn't usually ask unless you ask her what she wants. So, I promptly called her out and asked what she wanted.
"Uuuuhhhhmmmmmm.... a unicorn?"
"You already have a unicorn, you got one for Christmas, remember?" She should, it was the ONLY thing she asked for. Not that I'm opposed to getting her another one, I just thought she might like a little variety.
"Oh yeah!" She taps her chin thoughtfully for a moment and says, "How about a Barbie?"
Ugh. I was raised playing with Barbies and I turned out just fine, but really, for my little girls I am not fond of them. Basically I just don't think my children need to be playing with a boobiferous woman doll. I buy them Polly Pockets, which do have a little bit of the womanly shape, but they are tiny and don't have porn boobies like ol' Barb. I'm not a total weirdo, there are just some things I think they could be spared from for a few more years. Maintain a little innocence for awhile and let them believe in fairies and live in dress up clothing.
Anyway, I said to her, "But what if you don't get a Barbie, what else would you like?"
"Maybe a fairy doll with brown hair?"
Ok, I can deal with that.
When I related the conversation to Matt as soon as I said the word "Barbie" he said "Oh hell no!" Glad we're on the same page here.
Genevieve is such a sweet little girl, and she sees beauty in everything. Even stuff that makes me think "That is uglier than shiiiit!" I hope she's not too disappointed that she doesn't get that dang Barbie. lol
This afternoon Charlotte was running around in her undies (she'd gotten her clothing wet and stripped, she believes clothing is optional) so Genevieve went and got her new duds. Charlotte was a turd so Genevieve walked around holding that clothing for nearly 20 minutes before I scolded Charlotte to hurry up and get her dadgum clothing on.
So Charlotte is whining, hurts herself (which I don't feel sorry about because she was naughty) and comes and tells me, "Booger!" I am trying not to laugh at her because I know having a snotty nose sucks and feels gross, but she's pointing to her nose, teary eyed, and whining, "Booooger!" She knows where the kleenexes are, she could get them. I guess she just finds some sort of comfort in telling us; she does the same thing pretty much every time she has to pee, too.
Genevieve jumps up and says "I will get her a kleenex!" I continue feeding Xander. (Adrienne, meanwhile, was being a super-helper and getting him another container of babyfood because he was inhaling it. My big girl even opened it and peeled the foil off for me.)
I hear Genevieve say to Charlotte, "You still have some boogers in your hair...."
Grooooooosssss.
My arms full of a wriggling Xander and baby food slime I do what only a desperate mother would do to a sweet, loving, almost 5 year old girl.
"Genevieve, honey, will you just help her wipe it off her hair?"
And she happily obliged.
She is SUCH a good girl.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Super chocolate.
Last night I made a decadent chocolate cake (which I believe needs some improvements, actually) for a special Valentine's treat (I knew it wasn't going to remain untouched until today, but I figured better to get it made a day ahead of time rather than not get it done at all on Val-day). We ate dinner before Mass and headed out the door, promises of cake for all the good girls when we got back home.
After we got home the sort of good girls got sent to their bedroom to clean up all the toy-mess (lest they be grounded again) before they could partake in the chocolatey goodness. Matt dished himself up a Large Daddy Sized Piece of Cake. As he took his first bite he closed his eyes and said, "I think I've died and gone to chocolate heaven."
I know this man so well. See, instead of making some fru-fru cupcakes or other corny Val-day cutesie treats I thought about the kind of man I married. I decided if I was going to make him something special it was going to be a treat that he'd absolutely love. When we buy ice cream I'm the kind of girl who wants cookies and cream, or maybe some vanilla with hot fudge or caramel sauce. HE is the kind of man who wants double chocolate-chocolate-chocolate, with fudge ripples, and chocolate chunks, and hot fudge poured over the top. When I saw the recipe for the chocolate cake that claimed to have fudgy frosting I knew this was the cake for us. I love fudgy frosting, too. Well, the end result wasn't as fudgy as I expected but I have some ideas on how to improve that. Or just find another recipe for the frosting part. Or even just the filling part.
Late this morning, just before noon, I prepared some lunch foodies for Xander-mander. I've been working on introducing some new foods and textures to his diet. He really loves finger foods and I decided that he cannot live off Zesty Tomato Puffies and Yogurt Meltaways. Well, those things and breastmilk. I felt that his solid foods should have more variety (he does eat some babyfood but usually only about a tub a day). So I brought out the baby mac and cheese. He doesn't seem to like it but I'm going to keep pushing it because John Tesh said on the radio yesterday that you have to introduce new foods upwards of a dozen times before a child will actually take it (on average most parents give up after 3-5 times). Sometimes I think the man is a dork and I don't care to listen to his tips, but other times I am grateful to have caught the particular insight he is sharing. I guess I only really care if I think it applies to me.
Anyway, Xander acts like he hates the baby mac and cheese. I also fed him some peas, which he has eaten before and seriously loved. Today he was rejecting them as well. So, I took a piece of the cake I had served up for myself (post lunch, thank you) and gave him a tiny taste.
He is a boy after his father's own heart. He was on cloud 9. I gave him another small taste. Happy as could be. Then I gave him a bite of his peas.
I kid you not, he CRIED.
I fed him more cake and he was happy again.
More peas. Tears.
More cake. Joy.
Peas. Sadness.
Cake. Love.
So finally I quit and decided he must not be that hungry because Matt walked past the kitchen door and Xander tried climbing out of his seat because he wanted Daddy. I think we got through about half a tub of peas.
The girls, by the way, are in love with the cake as well.
Chocolate Cake.
I think next time I need to add half cream cheese and half sour cream. The frosting isn't as fudgy as I wanted and it's a little sour still, I'm hoping that by cutting it with cream cheese it might thicken it up and add some more creamy and less sour. It's good, but I don't know how into the twang I am. I might just be disappointed because I wanted more fudge than the recipe wound up giving me.
After we got home the sort of good girls got sent to their bedroom to clean up all the toy-mess (lest they be grounded again) before they could partake in the chocolatey goodness. Matt dished himself up a Large Daddy Sized Piece of Cake. As he took his first bite he closed his eyes and said, "I think I've died and gone to chocolate heaven."
I know this man so well. See, instead of making some fru-fru cupcakes or other corny Val-day cutesie treats I thought about the kind of man I married. I decided if I was going to make him something special it was going to be a treat that he'd absolutely love. When we buy ice cream I'm the kind of girl who wants cookies and cream, or maybe some vanilla with hot fudge or caramel sauce. HE is the kind of man who wants double chocolate-chocolate-chocolate, with fudge ripples, and chocolate chunks, and hot fudge poured over the top. When I saw the recipe for the chocolate cake that claimed to have fudgy frosting I knew this was the cake for us. I love fudgy frosting, too. Well, the end result wasn't as fudgy as I expected but I have some ideas on how to improve that. Or just find another recipe for the frosting part. Or even just the filling part.
Late this morning, just before noon, I prepared some lunch foodies for Xander-mander. I've been working on introducing some new foods and textures to his diet. He really loves finger foods and I decided that he cannot live off Zesty Tomato Puffies and Yogurt Meltaways. Well, those things and breastmilk. I felt that his solid foods should have more variety (he does eat some babyfood but usually only about a tub a day). So I brought out the baby mac and cheese. He doesn't seem to like it but I'm going to keep pushing it because John Tesh said on the radio yesterday that you have to introduce new foods upwards of a dozen times before a child will actually take it (on average most parents give up after 3-5 times). Sometimes I think the man is a dork and I don't care to listen to his tips, but other times I am grateful to have caught the particular insight he is sharing. I guess I only really care if I think it applies to me.
Anyway, Xander acts like he hates the baby mac and cheese. I also fed him some peas, which he has eaten before and seriously loved. Today he was rejecting them as well. So, I took a piece of the cake I had served up for myself (post lunch, thank you) and gave him a tiny taste.
He is a boy after his father's own heart. He was on cloud 9. I gave him another small taste. Happy as could be. Then I gave him a bite of his peas.
I kid you not, he CRIED.
I fed him more cake and he was happy again.
More peas. Tears.
More cake. Joy.
Peas. Sadness.
Cake. Love.
So finally I quit and decided he must not be that hungry because Matt walked past the kitchen door and Xander tried climbing out of his seat because he wanted Daddy. I think we got through about half a tub of peas.
The girls, by the way, are in love with the cake as well.
Chocolate Cake.
I think next time I need to add half cream cheese and half sour cream. The frosting isn't as fudgy as I wanted and it's a little sour still, I'm hoping that by cutting it with cream cheese it might thicken it up and add some more creamy and less sour. It's good, but I don't know how into the twang I am. I might just be disappointed because I wanted more fudge than the recipe wound up giving me.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Coolest kids on the planet.
I am so completely blessed. I have the four awesomest kids in the whole world. You could try to convince me that yours are cuter, funnier, smarter, etc., but I'd pretty much know you're a liar. I live with these kids 24-7. I know they're the best.
My sweet son, Xander B, has gotten to that stage where crawling babes begin to stand up, pulling themselves up on every object they can get a decent grip on. Including Mommy's legs. Which usually temporarily immobilizes Mommy when she has armloads of stuff. He stands there holding on crying to be picked up and I sway as I try to put up whatever items I have in my hands (food, sharp knives, baskets of laundry)... and as much as it interrupts my plans for getting crap around the house done I love it because he wants me. He loves me and he wants Mama's cuddles. That's pretty darn sweet. I can't wait till he gets bigger and starts saying all the hilarious things his sisters say.
This evening during dinner Genevieve said to me, "We are playing Chronicles of Narnia. I am Lucy!" I asked why she wanted to be Lucy and she replied, "Because I think she is pretty."
Now, you have to realize something. They haven't been watching the new Hollywood version of the Chronicles. Oh no. They got a set of audio CDs as a Christmas present from their uncles and have been listening to it every night before bed. In addition to that their friend next door lent them the old BBC Chronicles of Narnia movies. Which, if you haven't seen, Lucy is not particularly adorable. My siblings and I used to laugh about it (especially after the new movies came out) because you read the books and have this image in your head of what they look like... and here comes the BBC, God love them, with Buck-tooth-Lucy. My kids are SO much nicer than I am. haha
But I digress. Adrienne says, following Genevieve's "I am Lucy!" comments, "I wish Peter and Susan and Lucy and Edmund were real. That would be so cool!" How frikkin adorable is that?
Then while I gave them their bath Charlotte (who is just turned 3 a couple weeks ago) says to me, "I am Susan!" It was dang cute. They played in the bath for awhile and I turned around to grab their towels and, as I turned back, I see Genevieve has bubbles on her face and Adrienne has them on top of her head. Genevieve declares, "I am Santa and Adrienne is Mrs. Santa!"
I kick them out of the tub and send them to get jammies on. Take prune-toed Xander in to get a clean dry diaper and jammies on and next thing I know Charlotte is in my bedroom doorway wearing, not panties or jammies, but a pair of Adrienne's socks. Black socks, which, since they are Adrienne's come up to her knees. Butt nekkid except for knee socks. She's such a beautiful little twit.
The girls are in bed and my little drooling, leg grabbing, glasses stealer wants some Mommy time. Pulling on my leg and saying "Bub-bub-bub!"
My sweet son, Xander B, has gotten to that stage where crawling babes begin to stand up, pulling themselves up on every object they can get a decent grip on. Including Mommy's legs. Which usually temporarily immobilizes Mommy when she has armloads of stuff. He stands there holding on crying to be picked up and I sway as I try to put up whatever items I have in my hands (food, sharp knives, baskets of laundry)... and as much as it interrupts my plans for getting crap around the house done I love it because he wants me. He loves me and he wants Mama's cuddles. That's pretty darn sweet. I can't wait till he gets bigger and starts saying all the hilarious things his sisters say.
This evening during dinner Genevieve said to me, "We are playing Chronicles of Narnia. I am Lucy!" I asked why she wanted to be Lucy and she replied, "Because I think she is pretty."
Now, you have to realize something. They haven't been watching the new Hollywood version of the Chronicles. Oh no. They got a set of audio CDs as a Christmas present from their uncles and have been listening to it every night before bed. In addition to that their friend next door lent them the old BBC Chronicles of Narnia movies. Which, if you haven't seen, Lucy is not particularly adorable. My siblings and I used to laugh about it (especially after the new movies came out) because you read the books and have this image in your head of what they look like... and here comes the BBC, God love them, with Buck-tooth-Lucy. My kids are SO much nicer than I am. haha
But I digress. Adrienne says, following Genevieve's "I am Lucy!" comments, "I wish Peter and Susan and Lucy and Edmund were real. That would be so cool!" How frikkin adorable is that?
Then while I gave them their bath Charlotte (who is just turned 3 a couple weeks ago) says to me, "I am Susan!" It was dang cute. They played in the bath for awhile and I turned around to grab their towels and, as I turned back, I see Genevieve has bubbles on her face and Adrienne has them on top of her head. Genevieve declares, "I am Santa and Adrienne is Mrs. Santa!"
I kick them out of the tub and send them to get jammies on. Take prune-toed Xander in to get a clean dry diaper and jammies on and next thing I know Charlotte is in my bedroom doorway wearing, not panties or jammies, but a pair of Adrienne's socks. Black socks, which, since they are Adrienne's come up to her knees. Butt nekkid except for knee socks. She's such a beautiful little twit.
The girls are in bed and my little drooling, leg grabbing, glasses stealer wants some Mommy time. Pulling on my leg and saying "Bub-bub-bub!"
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Radiology ftw
So, a few days ago a girl I knew in college had a baby. ("Girl" might not be quite the right term since she's like 28, but I digress.) She and her husband were told at their 22 week ultrasound that they were having a girl. They were happy that their daughter would have a sister to play with, even though I get the distinct impression that she thinks her 2 boys are much easier to deal with.
They planned for the past 19 weeks for a girl.
When the beautiful little darling was born, with a head full of super thick dark hair, the doctor announced:
"She's a BOY!"
I am very happy for them, they are loving their newest addition even if he wasn't exactly what they expected. But, I still couldn't help but laugh at the whole scenario. I am sure they were in total shock for a few minutes. I know we were when we had our boy (we didn't find out but we totally expected another girl). I really think it's pretty hilarious.
Also, how the heck did the u/s tech MISS that? I thought it was supposed to be really obvious.
I thought this was going to be a really funny blog but it's kind of flopping. Maybe if I posted more I'd get back into the swing of being humorous. haha
They planned for the past 19 weeks for a girl.
When the beautiful little darling was born, with a head full of super thick dark hair, the doctor announced:
"She's a BOY!"
I am very happy for them, they are loving their newest addition even if he wasn't exactly what they expected. But, I still couldn't help but laugh at the whole scenario. I am sure they were in total shock for a few minutes. I know we were when we had our boy (we didn't find out but we totally expected another girl). I really think it's pretty hilarious.
Also, how the heck did the u/s tech MISS that? I thought it was supposed to be really obvious.
I thought this was going to be a really funny blog but it's kind of flopping. Maybe if I posted more I'd get back into the swing of being humorous. haha
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Chicken little. That'd be me.
I have been attempting lately to get the kids in bed an hour earlier than their old bedtime. I am pretending this gives me an extra hour of quiet time and that I can also go to bed earlier (and thus wake up earlier)... so far I'm not entirely certain it's working but I'm going to pretend it is.
Yesterday I went and fed my friend A's dog because she went to the hospital to have her baby. When we went into the house he started barking like crazy and when I went in to get him out of his cage to feed him and let him go to the bathroom he bared his teeth at me... friend L told me that maybe he was just smiling but I'm not convinced. he was barking and when he bared his teeth like that he looked like Satan's dog.
When I went back to let him out at noon he jumped up and knocked me into the wall (I was secretly terrified he'd bite me and I'd be alone, mauled by a large dog... I left my kids with a friend the second time I went over because he scared the poo out of them). I managed to arrange to not have to go back over at all. L was originally supposed to go over but she had to go a couple hours away for her dad's birthday and then wound up needing emergency dental work done so I agreed to fill in for her.
Then I chickened out. But, it worked out in the end because A's parents were going to be coming into town and were taking care of the dog after that. And, I will forever have the story of Satan's dog to tell. Of course, I never want A to know I said that about their dog, but that encounter seriously freaked me out. I plied the dog with treats and tossed them ahead of me on the ground so he'd go after them and not jump at me.
I'm such a chicken shit. lol
Yesterday I went and fed my friend A's dog because she went to the hospital to have her baby. When we went into the house he started barking like crazy and when I went in to get him out of his cage to feed him and let him go to the bathroom he bared his teeth at me... friend L told me that maybe he was just smiling but I'm not convinced. he was barking and when he bared his teeth like that he looked like Satan's dog.
When I went back to let him out at noon he jumped up and knocked me into the wall (I was secretly terrified he'd bite me and I'd be alone, mauled by a large dog... I left my kids with a friend the second time I went over because he scared the poo out of them). I managed to arrange to not have to go back over at all. L was originally supposed to go over but she had to go a couple hours away for her dad's birthday and then wound up needing emergency dental work done so I agreed to fill in for her.
Then I chickened out. But, it worked out in the end because A's parents were going to be coming into town and were taking care of the dog after that. And, I will forever have the story of Satan's dog to tell. Of course, I never want A to know I said that about their dog, but that encounter seriously freaked me out. I plied the dog with treats and tossed them ahead of me on the ground so he'd go after them and not jump at me.
I'm such a chicken shit. lol
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Peaceful moments.
I love walking around my house after my family has fallen asleep. I love looking in on them and seeing them all resting safe and peaceful in their beds. I love them in all sorts of moments and times and ways, but I think there is a special sort of pride-love-my-heart-is-about-to-burst feeling when I look at them while they sleep. They are mine and they are all so sweet and beautiful. Even when they lay there, mouths agape, and I chuckle a little, it moves me. I just want to squeeze them tight and never let them go.
I cherish the moments when out of the blue they come up to me for hugs. I love the way they make me feel special and important. No matter how tiring all the day to day junk is, even if they don't realize all the stuff I do for them, somewhere along the way they still end up thinking I am pretty great. It moves me; I know that I am terribly flawed and that I should be doing so much more for them, and they still think that I'm the best mother ever. They tell me so. They make me want to try harder and do better so I can prove them right. I hope they always love me this much and never see the ways in which I fail. Or if they see them I hope that they at least forgive me for it and still appreciate all the good things I have tried to do for them. I'm going to vote yes. haha
I cherish the moments when out of the blue they come up to me for hugs. I love the way they make me feel special and important. No matter how tiring all the day to day junk is, even if they don't realize all the stuff I do for them, somewhere along the way they still end up thinking I am pretty great. It moves me; I know that I am terribly flawed and that I should be doing so much more for them, and they still think that I'm the best mother ever. They tell me so. They make me want to try harder and do better so I can prove them right. I hope they always love me this much and never see the ways in which I fail. Or if they see them I hope that they at least forgive me for it and still appreciate all the good things I have tried to do for them. I'm going to vote yes. haha
Thursday, January 07, 2010
So big.
That's really big.
behorgous
bignormous
e-monge-ous
These are just a few of the words I have heard Genevieve use to describe something that she thought was very large recently. I love the things little kids come up with.
behorgous
bignormous
e-monge-ous
These are just a few of the words I have heard Genevieve use to describe something that she thought was very large recently. I love the things little kids come up with.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Deprived little things.
This Christmas I realized my children, the oldest of whom is 6 years old, have NEVER EATEN JELLO. Ever. (At least I'm fairly certain of this fact.) I came to this realization on Christmas day when a family friend brought jigglers in holiday shapes (Santa included) to Matt's parent's home for Christmas dinner and my kids pretty much went nuts.
"What IS this stuff?"
"Mom, I REALLY like Jello!"
"Can I have some more JELLO!?"
Well shit. I didn't realize how deprived they were. I mean, I hate the stuff. The consistency is gross. My mom always made us eat it when we were sick. I always hated it when it wasn't fully dissolved and there was that nasty grainy layer on the bottom. Pure disgusting. Anywho. I hate it and I don't buy it and I don't make it. Hell, I rarely even make pudding. But today, because I love my children, I bought jello Snack Packs. They pretty much think I'm the most amazing mother EVER. And that's alright by me.
After feeding them each a cup and realizing that they won't eat a whole Snack Pack I got the brilliant idea of making mini jigglers out of them. What little girl could resist butterfly and flower shaped jello, right? So I shook out a cupful of the stuff, sliced it out, and let them cut out shapes with the mini cookie cutters. They had a blast. They refused to eat the edges, so a fair amount was wasted. And Genevieve wanted to save hers because they were so pretty. Adrienne and Charlotte pretty much cut and scarfed. Xander crawled around and got his clothing dirty.
I need to mop my kitchen floor.
"What IS this stuff?"
"Mom, I REALLY like Jello!"
"Can I have some more JELLO!?"
Well shit. I didn't realize how deprived they were. I mean, I hate the stuff. The consistency is gross. My mom always made us eat it when we were sick. I always hated it when it wasn't fully dissolved and there was that nasty grainy layer on the bottom. Pure disgusting. Anywho. I hate it and I don't buy it and I don't make it. Hell, I rarely even make pudding. But today, because I love my children, I bought jello Snack Packs. They pretty much think I'm the most amazing mother EVER. And that's alright by me.
After feeding them each a cup and realizing that they won't eat a whole Snack Pack I got the brilliant idea of making mini jigglers out of them. What little girl could resist butterfly and flower shaped jello, right? So I shook out a cupful of the stuff, sliced it out, and let them cut out shapes with the mini cookie cutters. They had a blast. They refused to eat the edges, so a fair amount was wasted. And Genevieve wanted to save hers because they were so pretty. Adrienne and Charlotte pretty much cut and scarfed. Xander crawled around and got his clothing dirty.
I need to mop my kitchen floor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)