Mom Can I?

Dear Jessi

2012-02-15T15:27:00.001-05:00

This is for my blogger friend Jessi, cause I think she needs to hear this…..

Dear Jessi,

I just read your blog post today about Miracle Jack and getting faced with questions, something new that ya’ll are starting to deal with now that life is not about staying isolated.

First, I think the way that you responded to the little one asking questions was really sweet….but I’m not as sweet as you (quiet please, I don’t need an AMEN on that)

I’d have responded like this. “Cause he’s TWO!”

And when the little angel made the comment back about their sibling not acting like that, I’d have said – “oh gosh - there must be something wrong with him/her”…. . OR I’d have said “Because this is what two year olds do. They get frustrated, they get tired, the price of tea goes up in China and they can’t understand why – AND THEY SCREAM, SQUEAL or THROW THEMSELVES in the DING DANG FLOOR. So back off!” (I’ve actually said that to my daughter regarding one of Bubba’s hissy fits.) Either that or I’d have gone all Princess Bride scene on him and said “LIIIIIAAAAAAAR!” I’d recommend saving the the Jack Nicholson “you want the truth, you can’t handle the truth scene”. I’ve found that it gets lost on most little kids but works great on adults.

Bubba can communicate REALLY well. Freakishly so. Sometimes I forget that he’s just two and find myself in a “deep” conversation with him about lord knows what. His case worker – she’s gauged him to have a vocabulary of a 5 year old. Swear. I’m telling you this so you can then appreciate this next part….

THIS MORNING – no lie – my child rolled in the floor screaming his head off and kicking at the wall for the better part of 30 minutes. (I’d put him in his room for trying to PINCH me AGAIN). He was mad as a hatter and pitching a hissy fit because I had told him NO about something and HE’S TWO!!! I told him he could NOT come out until he stopped with the HISSY FIT…..and he had NO intention of stopping until he was ready….That’s what they do until they learn that it doesn’t work and all the other parenting stuff that goes with that.

We go places and Bubba is with other (new) kids close to his age and he is a MIDGET compared to them – and he doesn’t run like they do. Or he tries to run and falls a million times…They can see his braces and you KNOW it’s killing them to ask me why he has them……I can see it in their eyes.” WHY does he need the braces????” And parents are just as bad….I’m not kidding, I swear I think THEY think it’s contagious….like his needing braces might jump over onto their kids like a cootie or something…..”ohhhhh look, he has braces”…

Really????

YOUR Jack is a MIRACLE. He is the cutest dang thing that has managed to capture hearts around the world because he is a fighter and he is going to do everything in his own time……

You are so right – sometimes kids are very cruel…and don’t even get me started on adults! I swear they are worse than kids sometimes!

Don’t feel you need to explain everything – ALL parents worry about things with their kids. Different things – but it’s still worry. Dear lord, please don’t let her say DAMN again at the mommy and me gym class like she did last night because she heard me say it two weeks ago when I dropped that entire bottle of wine. (Swear, that’s a common worry with SOME but not me – I don’t cuss hahahahahah. Ok , stop laughing people) OR Please please don’t let him take his pants and diaper off AGAIN at the playground and run around streaking – like he did at the neighborhood cookout. Please please please don’t let my older THREE precious angels start bickering in the restaurant and make me want to GLUE their million dollar medal months closed (ok that may or may not have happened last night). Pretty please let me get thru Walmart without the baby screaming and trying to throw little powdered donuts at me.

I know it’s tough… I do, but I want you to keep that chin up – you’re going to need to toughen that skin. You’re a MOM for goodness sakes! We need tough skin to survive this craziness!

If ya feel like you need to answer a question, add a dash of humor, it’ll help you in that moment too….And remember that all mommy’s fret about something. (And I swear, those that say they don’t are BIG FAT LIARS!!!!!!)

Hang in the Jessi! Jack really is one tough guy and continues to amaze us all!!!

On vacation….??

2012-02-09T18:16:00.001-05:00

Not hardly – we’ve been sick. As buzzards sick. The STOMACH bug that’s been in the news –

The Bubba woke up Sunday night barfing his little guts up….that went on for a couple of hours…

Then I joined him.

Then we had diarrhea. So we spent all Monday bounding as only mother and child could do. Barfing and pooping. And sleeping.

Then Hubby came home from work and said he didn’t feel good.

So he stayed home from work on Tuesday with aches and fever. (He NEVER stays home sick – EVER.) I thought I felt better.

Then Tuesday night – Hubby started yacking. It was about 11:30pm….and he yacked and yacked. Then me being such a loving wife felt I needed to join him – so about 2:30 I started yacking…and we took turns yacking ALL night long! And in between the Bubba would wake up and say “I have to frow up”. But he didn’t.

So Wednesday Hubby and I took turns sleeping and taking care of the Bubba – who felt like frowing up and did and had diarrhea in between.

Then Pootie got home from school and within an hour or so, he was running to bathroom with both ends in full swing. He stayed home from school today – seems to have faired a tad better than we did…..but we’ll see. I thought I was in the clear and it reared it’s ugly head on me.

HOPEFULLY – Crash and Lola will be ok. She got her braces on today and is climbing the walls miserable right now from that. I don’t think it would be fair to make her yack too.

Life will be back to normal soon…have had lots going on despite the illness…will catch you up later..

Until then – hand sanitize like there is NO tomorrow!!! And to my friends in RSV hibernation – HIBERNATE!!!!!

Brothers and Sisters

2012-02-01T11:59:00.001-05:00

My long time friend (notice I didn’t say OLD) friend, Marybeth, wrote a post for one of her blogs about brothers and sisters. She’s a great one to write about that subject because she has 6 kids.

Of course, her talking about being a mom of six, always makes me think of my Aunt Artie (Margaret) because she too is a momma of 6…..we refer to them as the California Cousins. (Pretty genius name if I do say so myself…lots of thought went into that name, ya know, since they are my cousins and they live in California.)

And as crazy as it was around their house when they were growing up – and trust me when I say it was crazy-look how awesome it is since they are “all growed up”. (Michelle is hiding – goofy) Three girls, then three boys. And yes, they are all as beautiful as they look – it’s somewhat annoying

Doesn’t it look like the most fun?

It was just me and my pain in the butt younger brother. (yes, yes you are. It’s my story, I get to write what I want.)

I think it was 80% of the time pretty darn awesome to have him. While there were times I would have traded him for a stuffed animal, now, I’ll keep him. We could behave like we were 6 and not 2. Laugh, fight, and yes, raise a little hell……

So, in honor of Marybeth’s post about Brothers and Sisters week, I honor my only sibling, my goofy, tall, good looking, twisted, smart, athletic, loving, best uncle, ranger, sweet, tender hearted, fun, stupid , best brother ever.

I love you ya big dumb ass.

Potty, peepee and preemies

2012-01-31T14:46:00.001-05:00

I know, it’s an attention grabber isn’t it?

Bubba is going to be 3 April 21st. Stuns me to think that….I had really decided that I was going to put off potty training until he was 3. But I just could NOT take it anymore.

So we ditched the day time diapers and went straight to big boy underpants and big boy boxers. (on a rare occasion I am putting him in a pull up if we are gong out and I know that I can’t get to a potty super fast….)

And he is doing a great job….but we do have a couple “obstacles” to maneuver.

1- He is so small – if he is not in the mood to use his little potty, we have to put him on the potty. He will attempt to get up on the potty using his little potty as the step stool…but that brings us to hurdle number 2.

2-Because of the muscle tightness in his hips and thighs, it’s a tad hard to get his legs “flung” over the toilet. It’s a workout! (and yes, if he would use his potty we’d not have obstacle #2 when we are home).

He is doing a great job – I’m not complaining. But it’s definitely harder than the two older boys….however, it’s WAAAAAYYYYY easier than trying to get Lola to go on the potty. I have to remind myself that while the doctors and etc are not adjusting his age – I am. He’s still a YOUNG two year getting ready to turn 3.

So, I keep reminding him and even when he tells me “I just went”, I grab him up and put his bootie on the potty. And I remind myself to be patient. Patient with my preemie, peepee’n on the potty.

Warning flags and guerilla warfare…….

2012-01-23T08:12:00.001-05:00

Raising a kid is part joy and part guerilla warfare.

~ Ed Asner

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past 24 hours about consequences. EVERYTHING we do or say has a consequence. I know that. I’m trying to ~~teach~~ remind my almost 13yo son, Crash, that lesson/fact/point. Somehow in the past 6ish months, it’s slipped his mind.

Now let me say- my son is QUITE capable of earning an “A”. So don’t even start on me and the whole “his abilities” thing. Crash is VERY smart. CRASH got VERY lazy this quarter. I saw is coming down the pike. I warned him. About every other day….he didn’t believe me….and he did nothing to stop the tsunami that would become his life under my thumb!

I let him “fail”. It’s not failing, it’s a '”C” in language arts, but it’s WHY he got the “C”.

One of the hardest things that a momma can do. To see it coming and let the consequences happen.

Let me set the stage for you, readers digest version.

Crash has one teacher that allows them to turn in homework at anytime during the quarter without penalty.

REALLY – what the HELL is that teaching them?" Oh here, I’m just kidding, it’s not really due tomorrow but I’m going to tell you it is and you can just do it whenever. Because homework is not supposed to help you review the material we just worked on or anything….YEAH – like that is freaking reality…:No employee, you just do that whenever – we’ll wait”.

It ticks me off if you cannot tell.

I said first quarter “Crash, don’t get in the habit. This is not reality and it’s a BAD habit, and it’s bad habit that is going to trickle over to your other classes. Do the work when it’s assigned”.

He didn’t listen.

Second quarter just closed and he had several missing homework assignments for language arts and guess what..they had penalties for being LATE!

I TOLD YOU SO!

Oh wait, I’m a mom, I should not say that!!!!

So, his lack of doing homework brought his average down …to a C.

So this MEAN Momma, as I SAID I WOULD DO, after warning flags, flares and fireworks, had to start the take-a-ways. (No relation to Cousin Jethro math (the goesinta’s).

I take-a-way his beloved little shark fin hairdo. That went bye bye on Friday after school.

Hanging out with his buddies, or his bro’s as he calls them, I take-a-way that too.

I take-a-way his cell phone.

And TV and Playstation 3 rights. GONE. GONE. GONE.

Because he got a “C” in Language Arts. Because I said I would. Because there are consequences.

Natural and MOMMA’s!

(This Momma law will be in effect for at least 4 weeks. I have been in contact with the LA teacher and I will continue to monitor his work on a daily basis. In 4 weeks, if the same thing is continuing to occur, or not occur in this case, he will NOT be allowed to tryout for middle school soccer. Just the way it has to be.)

What I want you to know

2012-01-19T14:53:00.001-05:00

So this gal, Leslie Welch, posted on facebook 20 things she wanted her middle school and/or high school student to know. (thank you to my friend KL for reposting on her fb page!)

I thought for the most part – these were some pretty good “things” to pass along to my kids. So I’m boot-legging her list and adding some of my own thoughts, twisted as they may be.

1. Yes, your freshman year counts towards your GPA for college entrance. Screw it up and you’ll work for crap wages your whole life. Telling me the teacher is horrible, or everyone’s grades are crap don’t lessen the fact that YOUR grades should NOT be crap. You’ve seen my high school transcript – IT REALLY DOES FOLLOW YOU EVERYWHERE!

2. No means NO. In every possible circumstance. THAT has always been a rule in our house. I don’t have to give you a reason, I won’t give you a reason, and even if I did, you know what the reason is. BECAUSE I SAID SO! And that goes for other people that tell you NO!

3. Join every sport, every club, every after school activity, no matter what the cost. It’s cheaper than bail. You still need more than just what is taught inside the cinderblocks of the classroom. the old adage of being “well rounded” really is true. Plus, you never know when and where you’ll meet a new best friend.

4. Repeat after me: I am never in that much of a hurry… ”I am never in that much of a hurry.” Say that every time you get behind the wheel. It will save your life and that of your best friend in the seat next to you. Remember, I don’t speed. I’ve never had a ticket so YES I can tell you to NOT do it. And when in doubt, reference number 2.

5. Don’t smoke pot. It ruins your short term memory. (Did I already say that?) Don’t eat POT brownies. It’s the same thing. Stupid really doesn’t look good on anyone. And yes, it is a drug. yes, it is dangerous. And everyone is doing it – that excuse has never worked with me.

6. Don’t ever get a credit card. Ever. You earn it or you live without it. Actually working for and saving up for something will make you value it even more.

7. If I yell at you, it’s because I love you. And also, because you pissed me off. To avoid the latter, stop being an idiot. LISTEN to me, stop saying “BUT MOM”, and I might stop yelling.

8. Make a vivid picture inside your head of every great moment of your childhood. You’ll need those to get through adulthood. Remember what our family says “we’re making a memory” (thanks Aunt Artie). Well it’s true.

9. Make snow angels as often as possible. Play in the rain (not thunderstorms). Splash at the beach….put your toes in the sand. Run! Play!

10. Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Stand behind those you believe in. You have a voice – use it when others can’t!

11. Be always benevolent. Yes, that’s a word. Look it up. ( I just love that one)

12. Call me for a ride even if you are so drunk you barely know my number. I’ll ~~probably~~ will be mad for a while BUT I’ll respect you for calling and I won’t kill you. Driving or riding with someone who is drinking, will.

13. Remember the LEMMINGS. Be a leader, not a follower. Unless you are doing stupid things, then follow the kid with the highest GPA.

14. Love your siblings, even when you don’t like them. Some day you will be trying to get them to take care of me in my old age. If they are mad at you, you are stuck with me. Remember I want the hairs on my chin plucked and if ya’ll leave me with whiskers like a cat, I’ll come back to haunt each of you. You know it’s true, I am just that evil.

15. I’ve been there, done that on more things than you can imagine. And if I didn’t do it, HollyBeth did! And she told me about it. I’m not stupid and I know what you are doing. I will bust you’re a**! I was once you (times ten).

16. Work hard at everything you do. Anything worth doing is worth doing your best at. Be proud and take ownership in those things.

17. There is no such thing as safe sex. Your little brother, remember him, yeah, he’s here because birth control pills really are only 99.9% effective.

18. When I tell you to clean your room, do not point at my messy room and raise your eyebrows. I’m trying to raise you to be better than me. And don’t talk to your Ninni and Poppa about what my room looked like as a child. My mom, your Ninni, wrapped all my stuff up in a bed sheet and set it outside for me.

19. Learn to type; to budget; and to pray. All are equally important. Say Thank you, yes ma’am and yes sir. Sit up straight and shake hands when you are greeting someone. SMILE. (and brush your teeth)

20. Never be sedentary. Some day soon you will no longer be able to move like that. Enjoy it. Embrace your youth and the energy that it brings. You’ll be taking afternoon naps soon enough.

AHH the life…..

2012-01-14T12:29:00.001-05:00

It was one of those weeks. If you’re a mom of more than one, you’ll know what I mean….(And don’t get your knickers in a twist, I’m not attacking moms of “ONE'”)…

NOTE: I have NEVER been able to get the big 3 on the same freaking doctors appointment schedule. I think “same” schedule is one of things mom-urban legends are made of….

Here is a glimpse of the shuffle I did this week.

Monday: PTO/Principals meeting at middle school and work. OH and Pootie’s last night of the driving part of drivers ed! UGGG…he can get his permit on his birthday Feb 28!!! the instructor said that our son was very responsible and smart. Everything this momma bear wants to hear!

Tuesday: Worked until 1:30ish in the office. Pootie’s annual NON sick visit….at 4. Doctor said he was in great physical shape and appeared to be one of the best eaters, nutrition wise, of most teens he sees. (That would be because of his soccer habit) Lola finishes drama class at 4. insert conflict here. Have Mom pick up Lola. Crash gets home a little after 4, which is good because my Mom, thank god for her, is there with Lola to let them in so they can get started on homework.

Wednesday: Work soccer club job. Crash’s NON sick visit..at 10 in the morning. Kept him home fro school of the morning, figuring I’d drop him off there after the doctor visit….didn’t end up happening. He was a bit rattled after having his testicles grabbed (aka his “chips” – he calls it his fish and chips) and then hearing there was something questionable there…and he would need to go to a urology specialist. Call hubby to tell him. It’s nothing super serious, it’s called varicocele, but if not checked could cause problems when he is older wanting to start a family. I think that warrants a sick day from school for any male. By office for work, then home. Work for soccer club. Take Crash to indoor game in the pouring rain and 5:00 traffic.

Thursday: Bubba has PT at 8:15, that goes until 9:15. Run over to office to fix something for the boss. Pick up Lola at 1:15 for a 1:30 orthodontist appointment (she had one last week, will have one in two weeks, then one a week after that to but the braces on…). Get home. Run to high school to pick up Pootie who stayed for tutoring for his world history exam. (Exams started Friday, World History exam is Tuesday morning and he thinks that is the toughest exam). Get him home. He says his braces are bugging him, there’s a wire out of whack. He calls orthodontist, yes he calls, not my mouth, he needs to learn to do things like that. They can see him at 4:40. Crash gets home at 4:10, take Pootie. Get home. Thursday nights I’m a single mom until midnight because Hubby goes to Robb’s house to help out. (Robb is our dear friend with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease)

Friday: Not one single doctors appointment! Yeah!! But I did have a PTO meeting (which was fun) and then pick up Pootie after his exams. Bring him home, he packed to leave for Florida for 3v3 Nationals , drop him off with his coach at 3:15. Go home and wait for hubby to bring his butt home to take us out for MEXICAN!

Add into all this, still working on potty training. There is an added twist with the Bubba and his tight hips and his braces. It’s a little harder for him to get his pants pulled down, so we are leaving him in just underpants while we’re home. Which then means that if he has an accident it really goes on his braces, which then means they have to be cleaned. So, do I bother to put them on him or just wait until we’re more potty trained. (Here are his super cute buns helping put a cinnamon roll on his plate…and yes, he’s at the stove but nothing was on or hot! AND that is HIS step stool. He uses it all day – it’s GREAT physical therapy!!!)

The funny was the other day I was working and all of a sudden smelled a FOUL smell….I asked Bubba if he had poopied in his pants. He assured me he had not. But the smell…YUCK! So I looked under my desk…Guess what I found!! YEP! POOP! He had pooped in the floor! I said BUBBA! That is so gross! He said “I didn’t poop in my pants MOM!”

Ahhhh the life…..

Nothing like a Japanese Steakhouse

2012-01-08T11:54:00.001-05:00

When hubby was in college (Appalachian State), they had this little tradition of going to the local Japanese steakhouse (Mykotos). He would, and still does, drowned his food in the white/cream “shrimp sauce”. I can’t remember why they went there on a regular basis, so don’t even ask me. Maybe a long night of partying, maybe after class on a certain day – it’s irrelevant to the story, which is why I’m not asking him.

Growing up, my favorite thing to do on my birthday was to go to the Japanese steakhouse. Around here it was Nakatos. (Ya’ll remember the one that was Independence Blvd? That as a LONG time ago!) There is also a good place up in Huntersville, Kobe.

So, it only seems fitting that Hubby and I LOVE to take the kids there – to celebrate birthdays, of course!

Ya know when ya go to these type of joints, they take a picture right? Well, I’ve held onto almost all of our souvenir snapshots. while I can’t find all of them at a moments notice, they are here. I’m sure if I go over to mom and dad's, there are even more from when I was “growing up”….

Here is our Japanese Steakhouse history.

This is actually at the place in Greensboro, on my birthday in 1994. Which explains why we look like babies – we were!

Fast forward MANY years (the photo gap is somewhere in my attic) and we have 3 kids…..this is sometime in the fall of 2001. And YEP, I had super short hair! I loved it!!!

This is sometime in the fall of 2002..I’m guessing by how old Lola looks -

And this is from the spring of 2002, even though it says Feb on it..I know I would not have put Lola in a little short sleeve dress in February. Plus the rest of us are in short sleeve shirts….

this is from February 2003 – I’m sure we were celebrating Pootie’s birthday

And then it was April, and we were celebrating Crash and Hubby’s birthday (Crash was born on Hubby’s birthday)

And this is 2006 – My mom, dad and brother finally joined in the festivities.

Early 2007 – celebrating birthdays of course…

May 2007

And 2008….yes my brother and father are making goofy faces…

and then this is early 2010. I KNOW FOR SURE of this one, cause (1) the bubba is in the picture and (2) my boobs are still gi-nourmous from nursing the Bubba.

Now, here is where it gets sad –

the 2010 was the last time we were there together. 2011’s schedule was CRAZY and we just never made it there!

But we will for 2012.

Big Boy Steps

2012-01-04T13:41:00.001-05:00

No.

Seriously.

Big boy steps! We’ve been practicing! Ms. Christie, our PT, would be so proud!

Bubba can come down the stairs on his own!!! NOT sliding on his belly – he’s been able to do that forever.

But walking down the steps. Without me hyperventilating.

It’s a HUGE milestone for him!!!! ( I didn’t think to video him until he was halfway down – but he went the entire way himself! oh and he’s waiting on the dog, Shelby to come down too)

the bubba on the stairs

2012

2012-01-02T17:47:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year…just a tad late.

We spent our NYE as we do each year, with our friends in the ‘hood. It’s always so much fun, lots of great food and laughter. And none of us have to drive anywhere.

Hubby was off of work today – which was really nice. Kids were back at school today – which was really stupid and annoying. CMS – you make my arse tired. It was a federal holiday after all. City, county and state offices – ALL C-L-O-S-E-D! I’m really tempted to call down to the central offices and ask who all was there at work….figure if the kids HAD to be there – so should the ~~idiots~~ powers that be.

Our year ended in Orlando, Florida, (again, remember we were just there at Thanksgiving with Crash) with Pootie at a soccer tournament. He played 3 great games, and I think overall had fun.

Hubby and I went down with the Bubba and surprised him. Which meant that hubby and I had a lot of time with just Bubba….and we did things with him that we probably wouldn’t have done with the big 3.

We went to GatorLand.

We looked at gators of all shapes, sizes and colors.

We got to pet goats.

We got to feed birds (not his favorite thing at all)

and walk with the birds

Bubba got to play putt putt for the first time – LOVED it!

We went to the Fun Spot – which is the most cost effective, age appropriate place to take a two year old. (Hubby and I didn’t have to pay to go in, just $13 for the Bubba and at the time of day we went – he was the ONLY kid on the ride most of the time.)

He was the only babe on the tea cup ride – and yep , he figured out how to spin the little thingy in the middle and turn it round and round!

And the only babe on this ride too! LOVED this ride – think he did this one 10 times!

And he got to hang out with his big brother

and hug his big brother – he was telling him how much he (Bubba) missed him (Pootie)..We were at a different hotel and really only saw Pootie for his games and them when we took him to breakfast one day (above) and then dinner one night (below). and one of my favorite pictures

We are starting off the new year with Pootie doing the actual driving part of his drivers education. (get me a drink NOW). For this week and the Monday of next week, from 6:30-8:30, if you live in the south area of town, stay off the roads. Teen learning to drive!!!! UGGG….I could vomit!

Reality.

It hits scare in the face, boobs is more accurate, tomorrow - annual boob crunching is tomorrow. Always a good way to start things off….schedule yours if you’ve yet to do it. My mom is laughing at me, this is my first mammogram…and she said “just wait – it hurts!” I of course countered with “it can’t hurt anymore than when the baby bit me so hard that I cold have used a couple of stitches in my nipple!” After that pain, I can take a little squishing.

And after ten days together, hubby goes back to work tomorrow. I will miss him. Honestly…and that’s a big statement from me….usually after a couple of days I’m ready for him to go back to work – he starts to get under my feet. What are you doing? What are we eating? Questions like that….I love him, but there is a reason that he leaves the house in the morning ..haha

So, here’s to a great 2012. No resolutions from me, no promises, just the hope for a great year for all of us!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T09:12:00.001-05:00

May your Christmas holiday be filled with the LOVE and JOY of the season……FAMILY, FRIENDS and your FAITH……

It’s really what matters.

I’ll be back in 2012!!!

Words for a Wednesday

2011-12-21T15:34:00.001-05:00

Bubba: Momma can you fix me a “little Neil”.

Me: WHAATTTT are you talking about?

Bubba: Like Pootie (he actually said his real name, first and middle, of course)…I want a “little Neil”.

Pootie walks into den and sits down with a bowl of SOMETHING, of which I can only guess is the “little Neil”.

Me: Pootie – what the heck are you eating?

Pootie: Oatmeal…..why?

Bubba: See mom? I want some too.

**********************************************************

Hubby went for his favorite work day of the year this morning. The Salvation Army toy distribution center. The last couple of years Pootie has gone with him – and they’ve worked in the bike department. Pootie couldn’t go this year. He’s had a head cold…so he was still in bed…(have to get him healthy before Monday) this year hubby was a “car packer”. He got to see each and every family that left, with toys, and help them get the stuff in their cars. He said that there were several that looked like the actually LIVED in their cars.

Makes me sad.

Makes me not stress over the “did I do enough” that I do each year.

Makes me thankful for myour home, that is always needing something cleaned, repainted or fixed….

Makes me thankful for my husband, who is an awesome, husband, father and provider for our family.

Makes me thankful for my kids – who are all healthy and happy (well except when I ask them to do chores )

Puts everything in perspective.

Not the Christmas Card….Take Two

2011-12-17T18:07:00.001-05:00

So, I’m STILL waiting on the dang cards to show up…but that’s a post for another day.

I got a wild hair and NEEDED the kids pictures done the other day…no comments from you PHOTO GIRL.

I am not a super everyone smile and look right at the camera type of girl….most of the pictures in my house are more candid, more “my kids” and not so perfectly posed. I am trying, ONCE a year to get them all together and do a couple of shots, just “them” still being them – but looking at the camera so I can see their beautiful faces that I love so much.

The young lady that took the pictures deserves a gold medal – because it was at the end of a long day for Bubba and he warned her….he didn’t want to have his picture “tooken”…and he did his best to make her work!

So here are a couple of my favorites..

I threatened to take away his Monsters Inc DVD. I did! I promise! Bubba was being WRETCHED! All the props were sending him into a goldilocks type fit – running from little chair to little chair…..drove me nuts!

This is from Summer 2010……standard kid shot number one for our family….

and December 2011…

I love these – again – 2010 and now……

This is our “standard shot” two….here it is from Summer 2010..

And here they are December 2011…

I just love this – because this is a picture of MY kids….it was their idea last year…..the baby was always on top of Pootie’s shoulders, Crash always does the arms cross pose and Lola – well, if you know me, she’s the same….hip-cocked-out-hands-planted-perfectly-on-the-hips kinda girl….

So, none of these are the card picture. At the rate the company I ordered from is going, ya’ll might be getti’n the card sometime in the New Year.

So for now….Merry Christmas to all of ya!

NOT the Christmas Card

2011-12-11T18:58:00.001-05:00

This is NOT the Christmas card…..first off because, Lola is not in this….she is actually the one the suggested that the boys needed a picture “just boys”….aren’t they the cutest things ever?

And this is NOT the Christmas card – but we NEVER take pictures with all six of us in the frame. We think these are cute – Crash keeps saying “gosh mom , how do you get my shirts so white”…I think the bird on Lola’s shirt looks like an eraser mark….oh well

and this is NOT the Christmas card – although I thought it was cute ….the Bubba INSISTED that Santa be in the picture!

You’ll have to wait for the card!!!!

Little shout out to the boys from UNC Charlotte Men’s Soccer Team – ya’ll are awesome! So very proud of you!!!

It’s not what you say….

2011-12-09T15:36:00.001-05:00

It’s never what you say – it’s HOW you say it. A couple of my fellow blogging friends (LIFE IS ART being one) are really good about saving tidbits of things that their kids say….I’m going to attempt to do the same…especially with Bubba. He is saying some of the funniest things these days.

This morning while we were getting dressed for the day he brought me his soccer cleats and said….

“Hey mom (and he lowers his voice too which is hysterical) can you get me a toothbrush so I can clean my cleats?’

Yeah sure honey I’ll get right on that…you’re spending too much time with your older brothers and your daddy!

The other day over at my parents house my mom was cleaning. (little note for the story – Bubbas HATES the vacuum and goes into absolute freak mode if he sees one)

Ninny (that’s my mom): Bubba, do you want to go upstairs with Nin, I’m going to go vacuum upstairs?

Bubba: Ain’t happen’n.

Yesterday Bubba and I went thru the drive thru at his favorite fast food joint TACO BELL. (Kid loves him some taco bell and he’ll eat anything from there…his favorite is a mexi melt and a crunchy taco AND a mexican pizza)

So I ordered, went got our food and headed to circle out of the drive thru and Bubba says

Hey MOMMMM – you forgot your diet pepsi!

He was right – I’d driven off and forgotten to get my diet pepsi from the girl in the window. Glad someone was paying attention!

And here is our favorite. Let me give my disclaimer – HE DID NOT HEAR THIS FROM ME. I’m really NOT sure where he DID hear it, because none of the big 3 will fess up!

Pootie (the 15 yr old) is juggling the soccer ball (a common occurrence in this house) and Bubba is watching and sorta kicking it back to him…the ball bounces and hits Bubba in the belly (not hard, relax)

Bubba: Heeeeyyyyy we don’t hit in the stomach with the soccer balls …

Pootie: Oh really? And he bounces ball into Bubba’s belly again…

Bubba charges at him and says …(get ready for it)

I’m going to kick your ass.

Nice huh? Pootie then falls overtop of himself laughing in great hysteria and then looks at me and says “Hey mom, he’s going to NEVER be allowed to go to preschool!” Really Pootie , thanks for the 4-1-1 on that.

Jus don’t make no sense…

2011-12-07T18:45:00.001-05:00

No sense ATTTTTT’ TALLLL…

I used to like Rosie. I did. Then something happened. I’m not sure if it was the bagel accident and the fact that it DRIVES me crazy how she holds her hand now.

Or the fact that she used to look like this –

and now looks like THAT….

and I know, I know, the top one was a long time ago, from the horrible movie something Eden…aanywho. As I was was saying. I used to like her, then I think she dropped her basket. I’m not sure what happened….but she got weird.

But seriously –how can SHE get a cute girlfriend and NOW fiance that looks like this?

she kind of reminds me of Taylor from Beverly Hills…….

But then I remember she’s got lots of

And it all starts to make sense…

Thoughts for THURSDAY

2011-12-01T17:23:00.001-05:00

I was trying to get some work done this morning – when I’m working from home (which is most of the time) the Bubba is in my office with me….he has his own desk and “set up” and we play music or turn a video (if needed)….mostly we talk.

Well today he was sorta near me, but I was a million miles away. He told me he was coloring….

And he was….

And then he told me when he was done….

And he was…..

Crayola marker all over his legs, between his toes, it’s on his face and YEP – he even got some in his hair. Oh well –

This is Bubba and his 5th or 6th cousin. ….that’s a whole family debate…what do you think? It’s my dad’s cousin, Jimmy, granddaughter. So if Jimmy is my 2nd cousin, his son is my 3rd cousin – well this is Aubry. She and Bubba had their own table for dinner and were sooooo good!

And this is Jimmy and his son, Derrick. If you can’t tell. Derrick looks and acts JUST like his dad! Freaks me out.

And Jimmy’s wife Cindy…I think she is just delightful – and that is Courtney next to her, who is Derrick’s wife.

And Hubby and his momma – Itsy as the kids call her…..again, if you can’t tell – they are related.

And this is my Aunt Millie (Gram Mabel’s younger sister). And my Daddy. Mille moved her, and then so did Jimmy and Cindy. So happy to have them close by…Millie cracks me up!

Mother and Father in law – Dave and Patsy….poor things. Dave was on call and then Patsy came down with P-nuemonia!

And yep, my Daddy and Crash. Disgusting! – but so them

Pootie and Lola…..

And all the kids with the Biggest kid of them all – my brother…..

From the mouths of babes

2011-11-30T17:23:00.001-05:00

My mom has this lovely nativity scene. Last year, mom would hold Bubba and point out all the “characters”….and Bubba learned everyone’s name.

Yo-sef

MaryNeil…(this one cracks us up…poor guy – sister’s name is MaryNeil after all)…..

and Baby Ye-sus.

Mom has been decorating the past couple of days. And Bubba and I were over at the house this morning so I could work. Mom showed Bubba that the nativity was back out and on display.

Bubba just loves looking at it…so as he and mom were standing there….he hollers

“Hey Poppa, come here, Baby Ye-sus is back!”

ChaChaCha Changes

2011-11-23T06:25:00.000-05:00

December 2009

November 2011

(it’s not the best picture of the oldest one, but he kept blinking and I got quite tired of trying to get another one……)

It was a PERFECT Fit!

2011-11-22T17:33:00.001-05:00

This is the right leg getting it’s AFO brace……..

And the left foot getting it’s SMO…..

See, the left brace you can hardly see with the shoe on…

Made a couple of adjustments to the AFO’s….

And off he goes!

he was fascinated with the parallel bars and there was a little walker there..he thought that was nifty….(That’s his PT Christy’s head in the corner)

Nothing like a man in uniform

2011-11-22T06:45:00.000-05:00

I love a man in uniform. Always have. Big joke with my hubby. He does NOT wear a uniform. He looks hot in his business suits. But DANG – I LOVE ME SOME………

FIREMEN

ATF

YEAH – I know I know, that is NOT the ATF uniform – but it’s hot huh?

FBI

UMMMM – YES he is – he’s CRIMINAL MY MIND hottie Shemar I wish there was Moore of him to go around.

US MARSHALLS

That would be one of my favorite bad boys – RDJ. (he has the most incredible voice in case you didn’t know….)

which I then have to counter with my favorite older man US Marshall

I really really like the whole “rip” pants and boots thing. Ya know, those very navy colored cargo pants that “they” wear…

Yep – LOVE them….

Add a nice fitting t-shirt with their affiliation on the back -

Yep, I’m set.

Are you waiting for me to get to the point. There is none really – except I got to see the HOTTEST CUTEST MOST INCREDIBLE SAAAWWWEEEETTTTT Fireman on Sunday…

He even kissed me!!!! My heart went all a flutter – and my hubby just stood there shaking his head…as this did NOT surprise him what-so-eva!!!!

How adorable is that?

(disclaimer – all the other stuff is true…can’t help it….it’s the pants….)

If the shoe fits

2011-11-21T16:33:00.001-05:00

Got the call today – THE shoes were here, FINALLY. (Remember, we had to order them….and there was a whole ‘nother part to that saga that I just “let go” because it stressed me out so bad…)

But they are HERE. As in “IN MY HANDS”.

And the appointment for the braces – that’s tomorrow morning at 8:30 am.

Please Please Please say a prayer that Bubba does NOT pitch a fit over these things.

It’s going to be a HUGE adjustment for him….

He knows that he’s getting them – he just doesn’t really “get” what the whole gist of them just yet..

I’ll take pictures….

The Sweetest Thing

2011-11-17T16:33:00.001-05:00

I told you about my sweet friend Libba and her precious baby Glory a couple of weeks ago. Well, Libba is now 26 weeks along with the little Miss…and I am so honored to be walking by and with my friend and her family through this journey. Their strength and resolve continue to make me love them even more.

I want to celebrate the life that Glory has right now – and if you don’t believe me that there is a life there – inside her mommy’s warm belly – look at this wonderfully amazing picture of OUR GLORY! (And yes, I’m saying OUR because I love her already, just like I love her sissy and brother!)

Girl is sucking her THUMB! Is that not the sweetest thing ever?

And here is the most beautiful Bible verse that Glory’s mommy posted along with her portrait on her website today….

Body and soul, she is marvelously made!

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; You formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration - what a creation!

You know me inside and out, You know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, How I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; All the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared Before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:13-16

I think it’s just beautiful.

Pray for my friend and for sweet Glory. They are not asking or praying for miracles – because I believe, they know that she already is. They are praying for love; that they get to love her however GOD plans for them. Whether in life or death.

The Sweetest Thing.

First you make the grass….

2011-11-14T19:05:00.001-05:00

I worked in a daycare during my second year in college. I had young 4 year olds in the afternoon from 2 until 6.

I taught them to TIE THEIR SHOES. First you make the grass, then you make the tree, the rabbit runs around the tree, jumps through the hole, and comes out with his two ears.

I am sure there are lots of versions or little stories to help the kids learn to TIE THEIR SHOES.

And that WAS 20 plus years ago….

because let me tell you – NO ONE CARES if kids today EVER learn to tie their shoes.

I KNOW this because I went shoe shopping with Bubba today. He has to have new tennis shoes, that LACE, not velcro, close for his braces that should be in by the beginning of next week.

Ask me how easy it was to find a pair….

Payless – the very nice guy there told me they no longer make lace up tennis shoes in the “little sizes”.

Stride Rite – NOPE. They had a pair of cute shoes that look more “hiking” than tennis shoe. I bought them in case I didn’t’ find anything else but they were RIDICOUSLY expensive.

Walmart – Oh HELLLLLL NO. That would have been to easy.

TARGET – not a single pair, not ONE without velcro.

So we went to SHOE IN. The rumor is the guy that works there is a mastermind in finding shoes AFO’s and SMO’s – well it’s true. I told him what I needed – he said I have the perfect shoe.

And it wasn’t a terribly ugly tennis shoe. No Spiderman or StarWars CRAP all over it..

Just a nice BLUE running shoe type SHOE.

AND IT HAS LACES!!!

But they didn’t have his size.

That would have been too easy.

So we ordered them.

And they cost way less than the ones from Stride Right, that I’ll be taking back‘

Not too bad, huh?

And back to the thing about velcro? REALLY – don’t cha think it might be a good idea for a kid to learn to tie his/her shoes BEFORE they go to 4th grade!

GESSHHHHH.

A thin line….

2011-11-11T13:06:00.001-05:00

Here is what my den floor looks like….

I have blue painters tape down on the carpet – and it’s going to be there for a while...(And YES, I know, toys are IN the floor)

No, the carpet is NOT torn, dirty and stained but NOT torn.

No, I am NOT going to paint the very old nasty carpet in my den that I refuse to replace now that I have a toddler again.

So Why? Why would any sane person put TAPE on the carpet?

It’s physical therapy!

The Bubba needs it to

JUMP OVER!!!!

That would be because he can JUMP! It’s a little jump – but for him – it’s the equivalent of jumping over a huge ravine. (Ok, slight exaggeration, but I’m entitled.)

Bubba can FINALLY get both feet off the ground with a tiny little hop that gets him up and over the blue tape.

PLUS – we use it for side stepping….he side steps back and forth – stretching the muscles in his legs…GREAT exercise for him.

Bubba’s PT, Christie, told me in the beginning that ANYTHING can be PT – and that I would get the hang of making ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that he does be beneficial to his body.

She was right.

Morning Baths - great time to stretch those legs in warm water.

Eating lunch - he stands at the coffee table in the den and keeps both feet flat on the ground as he reaches

Up and Downstairs. GREAT exercise for him - no more zooming down the stairs on his belly for him!

Playground at brothers’ soccer practice – EASY = it’s PT just screaming to be done!

Sitting with me ON my desk while I work – Yep, great PT, working on core strength. Playing with pennies, playdough and cutting paper. Passing ball with brothers…and sissy can even get some good stretches out of him while they’re watching a movie.

Men -

2011-11-06T20:41:00.001-05:00

I’ve never had a difficult time saying what is on my mind. (Stop laughing) Over time, I’ve learned to use my edit button, sometimes. (I said sometimes – give me a break)

When Bubba was born, I was all about putting things down “on paper” (actually here, on my blog and in emails to the masses). It was my emotional dump. Plus, like many, I wanted a way to remember.

I’ve never really considered what my hubby did. He is not one to sit down and write. Not his favorite thing to do. So how did he do the emotional dump? I feel bad, because I don’t know how he let go of some of his thoughts and feelings about what we were going thru when Bubba came along.

One of my favorite Blogger mommies, Jesse, her hubby did the writing and the blogging….and low and behold – it’s now going to be a BOOK! Isn’t that cool?

I love that he was able to keep the memory for them….and what a neat thing for their Jack to have!

I think that it’s going to be good for many daddies and hubbies to read – and mommies – to see this preemie thing from a daddy’s point of view. I can’t wait. I am so excited for them!!1

Read an excerpt of YOU DON'T KNOW JACK here

Sometimes I forget..

2011-11-06T12:55:00.001-05:00

The Bubba has a cold of sorts – he’s had it for the better part of a week. On and off fevers and a stuffy head…and a runny nose. Nothing major right now, just a cold

But when he has the moments that it’s kicking his butt. And during those moments, he wants to be held. And he wants my arm.

I swear it’s from the kangaroo time we had when he was baby. So as I am holding him right now and he’s sticking his hand up at the top of my shirt to get at my arm – I told him when he was little, he used to fit inside my shirt and in my bra ('I’m wearing a sports bra right now).

It’s funny to think of how gi-normous my boobs were and then stuffing him inside my bra – AND HE FIT!!! Here was the first time holding him and he was literally inside my bra – he loved being held skin to skin. And I sometimes foget now how far we’ve come and how much he’s grown!

Flash forward 2+ years – he still likes to be touching my skin (or Neil’s, although he does prefer me hehe)

He gets picky too about my jammies at night if he cannot get to my arm when he is trying to fall asleep…..and forget it if he’s not feeling good. I should just walk around in a tank top – he’s be happy…..I’d freeze.

Oh well -

Cinder-ellie Cinder-ellie

2011-11-05T11:37:00.001-04:00

Hubby is at the park – more like a soccer complex, but it’s AT a park. He’s the only one with soccer on the agenda today.

~~And I~~ The kids will be cleaning.

They are thrilled.

Today is CINDERALLA SATURDAY for this crew.

As in, I’m the wicked ~~stepmother~~ mother. And ya’ll aren’t going to any damn ~~ball~~ party or renaissance festival until this house is spic and span.

Call the mice, the birds and the old dogs and get them to come help yo sorry butts ..

Their names are Jaq, Gus and Bruno, in case you are wondering.

Because today.

You.

Are.

Mine.

Period.

(FYI, I tried to find a clipart picture of a mom relaxing while her kids cleaned around. NO SUCH PICTURE EXISTS! Can you believe it, yeah, me either.)

Memory Lane

2011-11-02T16:14:00.001-04:00

It’s really weird looking at old photos of the kids – partly because there are so many years without the Bubba. I feel guilty sometimes putting old pictures out – because he’s missing- but then I remind myself – of two things….

1- that’s what happens when you have an 8 year gap between kids

and 2- the Bubba has more pictures of him than all 3 combined….technology made that happen.

So I cleaned out a drawer in the family room coffee table and came across a stack of totally random (but mostly holiday) pictures…

Like this one…

They were all dressed up for Christmas pictures – we went to the shopping center up the road…Crash and Lola ended up sick as buzzards the next day. A total coincidence….but still.

Or this one….I think they look so sweet here….

Now, this one is really old….this is out at Aunt Mary and Uncle Ervin’s farm…..that’s my Daddy holding the horse….then from left to right ON the horse, that would be my cousin Jon, my cousin Holly (HollyBeth), me, and my brother. Not sure why Chris didn’t look at the camera….

And then this is at the farm – but this is Crash and Lola several years ago….

This is Halloween a long long time ago too. Lola lived in this costume. Seriously. She wore that AND the wig EVERYWHERE.

and this one….at the beach…..

AFO’s, SMO’s and UFO’s

2011-11-01T16:01:00.001-04:00

Bubba and I went to go get him fitted for his braces this morning…….He was NOT happy about it. I think it was really because he still doesn’t feel great. Little guy ran a fever all yesterday – and we still icky this morning.

His PT, Christie, met us there – and all he wanted to do was go to Chic-fil-a and he told her MULTIPLE times that he was going to Chic-fil-a and she was NOT going. She totally knows how to handle him – she tells him like I do – to be nice!

Jimmy is his orthotic specialist and he did a great job dealing with a little guy who really just whimpered and asked me to hold him.

We picked out a blue background that has (shockers) soccer balls and cleats on it…..

Now we sit and wait to see what insurance says….they’ve said YES, but they want all the codes.

This could take another couple of weeks.

RIDICULOUS – you realize that, right?

As for the UFO- got a letter today from THE INSURANCE company – they said that based on the doctor’s letters that they will approve the orthotics……I have NO idea if they still want the codes they asked for this past week….who knows – they’re all NUTS

Trick or Treat!!!!

2011-10-31T20:07:00.001-04:00

So my Sassy girl is the UPS box (she did the costume by herself), the cute UPS delivery gal is her buddy Cassie, Bethany is in the back as the Greek goddess (Pandora to be exact), a doctor (cutest one ever) and the best ding dang COW ever…….

FYI – the cow costume is the same costume that Pootie, Crash and Lola wore….I made it – it’s the best dang costume ever…

Not Permanent

2011-10-27T16:56:00.001-04:00

Please ignore this blog background…

I’m trying to come up with a new one – ya know me, I get bored bored bored with the same old same old.

Blogspot is having some issues and I keep getting an error code …so until they get it fixed – this is what I am stuck with..

So frustrating…..

2011-10-25T16:56:00.001-04:00

So you know that the baby Bubba has gross motor delays. They are minor minor minor – but he still has them…which is why we are doing physical therapy. (Yes, this is from his grade 3 brain bleed)….

Bubba has met every gross motor mile stone (crawling, walking and running) that has come his way….he just doesn’t necessarily do some of the things well. He still runs – and he’ll tell you he runs fast. But he falls. He falls if he gets distracted walking. (We call it ADOS- as in attention deficit OH SHINY!)

So – PT Christie thinks he really needs orthotics on his sweet little feet. This will help him not drag his toes or tip toe walk and run which will in turn – increase his balance and make him walk right.

She wants to put him in what is called an AFO or an SMO. An AFO is an ankle foot orthoses and and SMO is a supramalleolar othoses and it’s the smallest of the AFO’s.

I called the insurance company….known as an ugly word here in my house because I swear I feel like Matt Damon in the Rainmaker every time I call them…..

They said “ NOPE”, they wouldn’t pay for it…because those are used for hold wait for it….wait for it…

FLAT FEET!!!!

Like I have time to worry if one of my kids, much less the Bubba, has FLAT FEET!?

So here is the conversation with insurance girl after she tells me No…….

ME: Pardon!?!? – are you looking at my son’s history?

IG: Yes ma’am (so perky I could have smacked her thru the phone BTW)

ME: So you see that ya’ll’ve already paid like a ba-zillion dollars for him?

IG: Yes Ma’am…..I can see his history.

ME: He was a preemie, born at 28 weeks, weighed 2 lbs 12 oz and had a grade 3 brain bleed…do you see that?

IG: Yes ma’am. (she has such a way with the english language you know)

ME: and you see that he just had an MRI and saw a neurologist and he has PT once a week.

IG: Yes ma’am.

ME: AND YOU THINK THAT I’M CONCERNED THAT HE HAS FLAT FEET? REALLY? (YES, I was raising my voice at this point)

IG: I know, it’s frustrating.

ME: So…..what are we going to do about this?

IG: You’ll need letters of determination from his provider for us to reconsider anything.

ME: ya’ll are going to make this hard aren’t you?

IG: I’m sorry ma’am.

ME: Yeah right……– you’ll get them.

That was 2 weeks ago. So PT gets the letters from the neuro doc AND the pediatrician and SHE writes one. Total of 3 medical professionals putting in writing that Bubba NEEDS them and its’ not for flat feet!! Faxes it over last week, they’ve received it. But it can take 10-15 days for them to make their decision.

And, meanwhile, there's the client...

They're getting all these letters, some from Claims, some from Underwriting.

Most people give up.

And this, of course, is intended.

So I call again today

Me: Have ya’ll made a decision?

IG: (again, another overly peppy and perky girl) No ma’am. It can sometimes take them 20 days to make a decision.

ME: Y'a’ll told me 10-15 days last time.

IG: Welllllllllll

ME: So what now. You realize ya’ll are holding up a 2 year olds ability to walk correctly – right?

IG: Im sorry ma’am. ’I’ll check into ma’am and can call you back. (enough with the ma’am beaacchhhhes)

So then overly peppy insurance girls calls back and leaves this message:

IG: We need to know what KIINNNNNDDDDD of AFO he is going to get.

So I call them back.

ME: What do you mean what KIINNNNDDD? Like the brand?

IG: I’m not sure, let me check (puts me on hold). We need to CPT code.

ME: Why didn’t you tell us that to begin with?

IG: I’m not sure – let me check.

ME: No, don’t. Ya’ll are making this very difficult. You have NO IDEA HOW MANY TIMES I’VE WATCHED the Rainmaker….You’ll get the code. BUT – if there is anything else that you are going to ask me for next week – can’t we pretend it’s next week and just ask me for it now?

IG: No ma’am. It’s this week.

Let's talk about this mysterious section U. Let's explain it to the jury.

Just read paragraph three.

"Claim handlers are directed to deny all claims within three days."

It’s so infuriating. But, I’m not giving in on this one. I waited for 25 months to get one thing straight with this sweet boy of mine….I’ll fight another 25 months if I need to!!!

Every lawyer, in every case, crosses a line he didn't mean to cross.
It just happens. And if you cross it enough times, it disappears forever.
Then you're nothing but a lawyer joke.

Just another shark in the dirty water.

Same thing about the dang insurance companies…

Oh and by the way…I’ve scheduled my boob squishing for November 28th…have you scheduled yours?

I am so……All over the place…..

2011-10-18T17:41:00.001-04:00

THE INDY RACE

I am so horrified by the accident that happened in Las Vegas at that Indy Race. It totally scares me…..and his wife was there…..I feel so bad for her and her two sweet boys. I hope that some type of change is implemented to protect the drivers. (I know they know that there is HUGE immeasurable risk involved when you “sign up” to be a race car driver….)

SISTERWIVES

I am so fascinated by the show Sisterwives on TLC. I’m not all about sharing my hubby – heck I don’t really share my diet dr. peppers very well – but I kind of get it. (Let me also add that I believe that the Bible tells us what is right and wrong…but in the old testament those guys had multiple wives I’m not really wanting to debate doctrine here I’m just saying I get it…).

I mean think about. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN VILLAGE…I’d want the whole share the house set up like they had back in Utah…Cause that system worked….Three of them worked, (the hubby and two of the wives) and then the other two stayed home with the kids….

Again, I’m NOT saying I want to share Hubby. (I’m having too much fun with him these days – now that we are getting up there in our age…) maybe its more of the shared responsibilities that are there? I’m just thinking it’s kind of fascinating…..weird but fascinating…

POOTIE

I am so proud and nervous and excited for my oldest son. He has been asked (again) to go to this soccer training day and workout with the national trainers. It’s a big deal in the youth soccer world. I’ll keep you posted on what all is going on there as things progress. I just want him to do his best and have fun doing it….and to be safe

WEATHER and CLOTHES

I am so over this weather changing all the dang time. Yesterday we had the hottest day on record for October or something like. We’re supposed to have rain tonight and tomorrow and something the weather folk keep calling “THE BIG COOL DOWN” later this week (they are SOOOOOO dramatic and annoying).

Friday….FINALLY!!

2011-10-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

TGIF – thank goodness. I mean really, I felt like the days were dragging this week!!!

Hubby took the day off on Wednesday. He is losing hours at work. ….as in – his vacation bank is full and he cannot accrue anymore so they will be lost. So he’s going to start taking random days off…which is great when he checks with me first on the day. I had to go to PTO meetings at the middle school in the morning. so instead of us getting to go out to breakfast, we had to go to lunch. But that ended up being fun because one of my best friends, KERRRRIIIEEEEE, got to come with us. We had hoped her hubby, MARCCCCC, could come too, but he had to go out of town. Which stinks because we all have a great time together.

So- I have these things that the PT has me do with Bubba as part of his therapy. Hubby did them…and it's really nothing more than playing certain games (and Bubba does most by himself) but I was texting Hubby from the meeting reminding him of the rules…make him use his right foot. Make him reach. Don’t let him crawl up the stairs…stuff like that.

We also got to take a nap..which is just the most glorious thing in the middle of the day when you have 4 kids.

Tomorrow, (which is now today since it’s taken me forever to finish this post) Hubby and I are going to the races. Don’t ask me which one – the one at the Lowes Motor Speedway that starts at & something tonight. I AM a race snob and I am not ashamed to admit it. Only way I’ll go is when we are so fortunate to have SWEET SUITE tickets, so we do and we’re going. PLUS we have VIP parking…

I’m really looking forward to this event with my Hubby – seriously I am. It’s not to often we get the time or the opportunity to go off like this just us. Don’t get me wrong – we love getting family time and love being with the kids…but this is fun and exciting FREE ADULT TIME! (Free food free drink and I’m not having to pay for a babysitter either – my in laws, bless them, are coming over….)

This was the little invite that came with the tickets and parking pass How cute – huh?

Granny Panties

2011-10-13T09:45:00.001-04:00

One of the FUNNIEST posts I've ever read..

And it’s true….

I have to tell you. I don’t get WHY women wear pants that show a panty line! GRANNY Panties are for

1-Granny

2-bad period

Period.

They make thongs for a reason….

Random-ness of the day

2011-10-11T17:39:00.001-04:00

It’s raining here. I really do hate the rain. I know. I post that all the time. But I do.

Today consisted of taking Pootie to see the Orthopedic doctor about his knee. This weekend he went to the mountains with his buddies and they ran around like hillbillies. Paintball guns. Fishing. Being boys. He had a blast. But he did step into a hole and mess his knee up a bit. I got multiple text messages from him on Saturday night and Sunday morning telling me how bad his knee hurt. For my boy to text me as much as he was texting me….I was concerned.

Fast forward. X-ray – lots of twisting him this way and that and he’s fine. A strain on the knee ligaments…continuing icing, keep it elevated when he can, and he put him in a compression sleeve. Light practicing and then he can play his butt off this weekend.

His team goes to Raleigh on Saturday for a game. Big deal, but not as big as the next Saturday….the 22nd. Pootie has been asked to come to a national market training session. He will train and scrimmage for a couple hours in front of the national trainers and coaches…with other kids around the region who have also been asked…It’s a big deal….and he is very excited….and now we know that his knee is ok….

What else…..my new favorite thing is to sit and work (at either of my part time jobs) and do the split screen and watch tv on my laptop. So much easier than trying to watch it on the actual tv. Plus – I’m saving time. I DVR most things but even then I have to stop and hit FF…..this way – there’s like one commercial every so often so the actual time it takes is less…for example. I love The Good Wife. But for the past 2 Sunday’s the DVR hasn’t gotten it recorded because the time is messed up because of football. So, I watch it on my ‘puter while I’m working. Without all the commercials the show is only 43 minutes and 15 seconds. I’m capturing more of my day by watching tv on the ‘puter

Hubby is taking the day off tomorrow. I’m trying to figure out what we could do with the baby after my pto meetings at the middle school and before the Big 3 get home from school. Is there still putt putt around here? I think the Bubba would LOVE it…he wants to go play golf so bad he can hardly stand it…

Now I’m watching Revenge – another really good show that started this season….OH – and my friend Marybeth had mentioned how much she liked CASTLE – watched the season openers last week….LOVED it…

Glory Glory Glory

2011-10-04T20:44:00.001-04:00

Be patient with me – this is a tough one to write.

I have the sweetest friend. Seriously ya’ll. She really is. She has the sweetest heart and I just love her….and her family – love them too. Her hubby – he’s one of those guys I can’t help but pick on. He has an accent. He knows I make fun of him. My favorite thing that he says is the word VERSION….sends me over the edge laughing. No really.

Cause he says it like Ricky Ricardo… “es many dif-rent ber-shons”.

They have have two of the cutest kids. They are the Bubba’s buddies. We spend lots of time together “in the hood”.

So my sweet friend…..She’s a young mom. I’m an old mom. She does organic…I do “whatever”. She puts her kids in their jammies at nap time…Bubba sleeps at my feet while I work at my desk. We are POLAR OPPOSITES…and I love her dearly. She is my much younger “soul sister”. I know she is…..

They are pregnant with their 3rd babe….they went this past Thursday to find out if they were going to have a boy or a girl……THIS time they were going to actually find out. HUGE deal for them. THEY didn’t find out with the first 2.

Bless them – this was the email that they sent out to everyone after…….

Please forgive the email delivery of our news. We wish we had the emotional energy to have this conversation with each of you personally. Yesterday at our routine 19 week ultrasound they discovered a problem with our precious third baby. The baby looked perfect, face to toe, but appeared to have no skull and no brain, a condition called anencephaly. The doctor cried as she told us the news. We were in shock, and instantly devastated. After a sleepless night and many hours of tears, we saw a maternal-fetal specialist at the hospital today who performed another ultrasound and confirmed this diagnosis. This condition is fatal and our little baby is considered "incompatible with life."

Before I go any further I want you to know that this tiny angel is another GIRL and we have named her Glory Adela. We believe her very existence - her small beating heart - is glorious, worshipful praise to God. Adela comes from (my husband’s) grandmother and it means "noble." Because of our faith in Jesus, we believe this tiny princess will live a life of royalty in heaven as a daughter of our King. For eternity! A few hours after we decided to call her Glory I heard “R” joyfully shouting this verse from Isaiah from her chair at the kitchen table, "Holy, holy, holy is our God! His bright GLORY fills the whole earth." We hadn't even told “R” about her name yet, which made this a sweet confirmation!

Other than her missing skull and brain, Glory is perfect. Her heart beats strong and she measures right on target. However, because she has no brain she cannot see, hear, feel pain or move spontaneously. It is unlikely that she will pass away inside of me, and it is also unlikely that I will go into labor on my own, even if I were to carry past my due date. She will likely pass away during delivery or very soon after. We will most likely have to induce labor for her to be born and this is where we need your support and prayers.

Many of you know I have a condition called Protein C deficiency. It is a hereditary blood disorder that puts me at extremely high risk for blood clots. You may remember the Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism I survived in 2004. I am at highest risk for these potentially fatal complications during pregnancy, and I take injections twice a day to offer some protection. Our medical team of obstetricians, midwives, the maternal-fetal specialist and genetic counselor have advised us to induce labor at this point in time. They believe that the risks to my life are far too great for me to continue this pregnancy.

We believe that Glory's life has great purpose. We desire to know her, love her, carry her as long as possible to enjoy our time with her on earth. Our hearts tell us to carry her in my belly as long as we can. However, we recognize the risks the doctors have discussed with us and will keep these in mind as we pray through this difficult decision. Please pray alongside us this weekend as we try to reconcile our great affection for our angel daughter with the desire to preserve my health and life.

We need to give an answer by Monday and plan to meet with both our pastor and my hematologist (blood specialist) Monday morning.

An amazing friend prayed these things for us last night and I want to ask you to pray them also:

-that we would feel God's presence and hear his voice
-healing for our broken hearts
-that we would remain free from isolation, fear, guilt and shame
-that we would have visions of our sweet Glory in heaven
-that we would stay open in the midst of this journey
-that we would be surrounded by a tight circle of community
-that we would experience miracles during a hard season
-that we would experience God's lavish love and the way it changes everything

Thank you for walking with us. We feel your prayers and cherish your support.

I know. I sobbed for most of the weekend. I am still so amazed by this mother’s strength. My special friend was heartbroken and there was nothing anyone of us could do, except to tell her, them, that we loved them, and we were praying and thinking about them……

Today marks the 5 days that this sweet family has had to digest the news of their little girl, Glory. I cannot tell you the roller coaster and bureaucratic, political, law, MESS they have had to go through the past 2 days. As of right now, my friend will be able to carry her sweet Glory until closer to term. They will be able to love, safe and sound in her mommy’s belly, as she should be. …….

Pray for my friend. Pray for her hubby, a good man. Pray for their 2 other bebe’s. Pray for the doctors and other medical people that are and will be playing a roll in Glory’s life….because that what it is….a life.

They will have a chance to rejoice in the Glory of her life.

Seventeen……..

2011-09-25T14:07:00.001-04:00

Saturday was our anniversary. The big 1-7!!! Seventeen years of marriage to the neatest guy ever. (we’ve been together for 19 years)…..

Here is a glimpse back, seventeen years, to one of the best days of my life.

Our wedding invitations – I loved them. They were so simple yet elegant. At least I thought so.

My future hubby – before the wedding. Sporting some very stylish glasses….it was 1994 for goodness sakes! And for those of you that know him now, can you believe how long he used to keep his hair! Crazy right….

And me, I was so HOT in that dress. I mean temperature. I was miserably hot!!! And that was over in the other part of the college (we got married at Queen’s College.) It ended up that the AC was not working that day – and it wasn’t working in the chapel during the ceremony. I could have melted!

And during the ceremony. I think it’s funny how this picture and the picture below are taken at the same place, almost same time – and look how different the coloring is!!! Whacked – all the ceremony pictures had this low lighting look to them……

And after…my mommy and daddy and Hubby’s mommy and daddy.

And a great group shot. It is very us. Yes, that is my brother on the far right with the long hair. Nice huh?

And our cake. I still have flowers off of the top in my freezer.

And us being silly again.

One of my favorite memories of the whole evening was getting to see my grandparents dance together. It was the best. My grandmother had broken her hip about 3 months before the wedding…didn’t stop her a bit! She danced all night long!

Hubby and his buddies… they are all crazy crazy crazy. And my friend Sher right in the mix of things!

Daddy and all his brothers……

And us leaving…that dang bird seed was EVERYWHERE. I was picking it out of my ears and hair….so gross!!!!!

Best 17 years of my life!!!! I have such an amazing hubby and we have the most amazing family. I am blessed in immeasurable amounts….

UGGGG

2011-09-22T14:43:00.001-04:00

I DO NOT LIKE THE RAIN.

I guess it’s not really so much that I dislike the actual molecules that are “water”..I don’t like the gray, gloom, dreariness that seems to come with it.

Especially in the Fall.

I like sunshine.

I think I need the sunshine.

Maybe I need to go back to the tanning bed?

Sweatshirts

2011-09-16T06:56:00.001-04:00

So rarely do I have “deep” thoughts. Stop laughing…but I just have to say…

people come and go from our lives so much “these days”…it’s part of what society is today, people move, change jobs, etc.

But some people step out of our lives for other reasons, and it’s kinda cool, if you get a chance for them to come back…like an old comfy sweatshirt.

that’s my deep thought

I don’t mean to whine…

2011-09-15T17:25:00.001-04:00

But this is how I feel……….

Busy Bee

2011-09-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

Been super busy.

Always am when school first starts.

Cause I volunteer to do, well, lots.

Currently this is my “resume” of things I’m doing…obviously these are not in the order of importance…..

1-PTA Community Coordinator at elementary school

2-PTSO Volunteer Coordinator at high school

3-PTO President Elect at middle school (means I’m president next school year)

4-Interim Athletic Boosters President at middle school (very benign position until we can get someone else to step up and in here soon)

5-Work part time for Kapital Accumulation Concepts (I’ve been doing this for 12 years now….)

6-Entertain and hang with my very chatty 2 year old Bubba

7-Supervise at a distance 3 older kids schoolwork and homework

8-Carpool and keep up with soccer schedule for older kids and hubby – cause he is a referee in the evenings and on weekends.

9-Work part time for Mecklenburg Union Futbol Club as administrative assistant to Executive Director and President of club. (PAYING gig- just started on August 25th – so far, I love it. works with my schedule)

10-Cook, clean (or not) and try to keep the house running.

11-Be a mommy to the sweetest and busiest little 2 1/2 year old boy. Keep up with his pt needs….which is a full time job….it’s not just about what we do when the therapist is here – it’s about what we reinforce the rest of the time.

12-Be a mommy to a high schooler with a social life, a middle schooler trying to have a social life, and a 5th grader who wants a social life.

13-Be a wife.

I’m exhausted just putting it down in a list.

Kinda makes this whole stay at home momma thing sound funny…..So if my notes are few and far between right now, you know why now.

A question

2011-08-29T17:04:00.001-04:00

So, I’m in a slightly different situation than some of my preemie moms…

Bubba was not my first.

He was my 4th! (Surprise surprise surprise.)

While he was definitely in God’s plan, he was not in ours….ahhh such a delightful sense of humor our lord has to give me one more bundle of love and joy at FORTY years old……

I often wonder if the “mom’s I know” (via the internet counts now)are scared to have another precious babe. Can they have another babe? Do the doctors say that you would have a very high percentage of risk of giving birth prematurely “again”.

I KNOW what it was like to have a full term baby and get to bring the chubby bundle home after TWO days in the hospital. I had THREE big chunka chunkas (all of whom had to be induced, just to add humor to the QUESTION. And oh yeah, the smallest of the big three was Pootie, (the oldest) he weighed 8 lbs 7.5 oz. Crash was induced a couple of weeks early and he was 8 lbs 10 oz. Lola, she came on her due date, and she was one poop under 9 lbs. Did I mention I am NOT a tall person, nor did I get gestational diabetes, and I never gained more than 35 pounds. I was a walking PUMPKIN at 4 feet 11.5 inches tall I was as wide as I was tall. Seriously.)

Nicole, a preemie mom I met soon after Bubba was born, her 1st, Carolyn (28wks) will be it for them. They are a little sad about that. But the doctors have told them that there is a crazy high chance that she’d go early again if not EARLIER.

So, preemie mommies…..what is your story….MORE? First? Third? Last? Doctors say YES? Doctors say NO?

It’s just something I think about.

Been gone too long…

2011-08-25T17:26:00.001-04:00

first we went to the store…..

then we went to the beach ……..again

And then it was the first day of school…..

first the high schooler left…….

then the 5th grader left

and it’s an all girl bus stop…….

and then the middle schooler left…..

and then there was just one………

Rainy day–what to do? what to do?

2011-08-05T17:09:00.001-04:00

Bubba decided to crawl into his big brother’s bed for his nap…..funny thing was Pootie was sitting next to him on the PS3…which the babe tried to break yesterday by sticking 3 CD’s into the game slot…yeah, not a good idea.

Lola decided to bake a cake…she got the idea from an old cook book that was mine when I was little. Betty Crocker watch out.

(Yes, there is a stack of laundry on the kitchen table)

I used to love looking at this book. Don’t remember EVER making anything out of it…but it had the best pictures and ideas.

Doesn’t that look fun? I think she did a fabulous job, considering she is NOT a professional cake decorator – plus, you know that for photos in cookbooks they ALWAYS doctor things up with non food items. Plus she added lettuce to her burger…..

Other than that – we’ve been torrential downpours for most of the day. It’s been very dark, almost eerily so, all day too.

I love old photos..

2011-07-23T12:58:00.001-04:00

This is Mom and Daddy with me and our dog Patty, she was a Scottish Terrier. Aren’t we all so young and cute?

And here is Daddy (far right) with his older brother, Uncle Ervin and his younger sister, Margaret (but we call Artie – not a clue HOW that name came up except that I guess my cousin, her niece HollyBeth couldn’t say Margaret – she’s the oldest so we can blame it all on her.)

And here is Dad, (far bottom right) with his Dad, My Poppa, GramMabel, Uncle Ervin and his wife, my Aunt Mary (tp right) and Aunt Artie. My guess is that this is at one of the oh so exciting FAMILY REUNIONS….all I can say is Uncle Windell and Brunswick stew – oh and WHOOOOWHOOOOWHOOOOOO.

Marriage Advice….

2011-07-22T17:08:00.001-04:00

Over on Kelly’s blog she does this “show us your life” stuff each week…show us your dining room, your bedroom, your kitchen, your whatever.

This week it’s share your marriage advice. Now, bless her heart, she gives her disclaimer and says she is not one to offer advice…what-eva!

I have to tell you – I think all the sentiments are sweet and all – but I really got the point I wanted to PUKE at all the sappiness.

I’m sorry. Just being honest.

I wanted to GAG. Totally GAG. I had to stop reading…..

Marriage is HARD WORK. Period. It’s totally worth it. I love my husband dearly. I do. And lord help him – he seems to love me…which I’ll admit cannot be an easy task. We’ve been married for almost 17 years. And we’ve been together for 19 years.

Here’s my advice…

Yep, that’s how we’ve made it this far!

The NICU scars……

2011-07-21T18:17:00.001-04:00

Jessi, a mom over at Life with Jack, wrote about the NICU and the mark that it leaves…..I’ve been thinking about it so much since I read it.

Being a NICU mom is something that never leaves you. You might let the memories slip far into the corners of your mind… but anything can trigger “that feeling”. A sight, a sound (especially beeping sounds, I’ll have to tell you when Pootie was in the ER following his diving accident and they had him hooked up to those damn monitors – his heart rate would drop as he would doze off and the alarm would sound and I was a nervous mess.). News that someone else has had a preemie/micro preemie is REALLY hard. To think there is yet another wee baby going thru so much is heart breaking. You realize, that part of what you lived thru will never go away.

Fade? Yes, but slightly.

Being “there”. Watching your baby. Praying for you baby. Waiting to hold your baby. Waiting to touch your baby. Crying. Thinking. Wishing. Promising. Dreaming.

We were so fortunate to have a family that we “knew” from soccer reach out to us. They were NICU parents with their son, Luc, who was born at 32 weeks (3 lbs 11 oz). Luc was 7 when Bubba was born. He had a TON of health issues. He had horrible lungs. (The doctors waned to remove one of his lungs! His mom and dad knew better and actually had him moved to a different hospital.) He had a brain bleed. He almost died. So when Ryan came along – they were there. Both Kerri and Marc reached out to us and listened. And understood. They shared their road traveled with Luc. We were so lucky, we could see that it is possible to survive the NICU rollercoaster. Luc is just the cutest little guy running around the soccer field, hugging and kissing on his parents…watching him gave us hope. All the speed bumps we’ve had recently, they have been right there with us. They are some of our best friends and I am so thankful for them.

The December after Bubba was born, Kerri’s cousin-in-law, Nicole, gave birth to a 28+ week baby girl here in town and Kerri put me in touch with them. I was more than happy to “pay it forward”. Carolyn was 6 months younger than Bubba and they were walking down the same road we had just walked. Nicole and I still talk, not often because we are both busy moms. But when something comes up, great milestones or small hurdles, we are there for each other.

Thru the different blogs I read I stumbled across a prayer request for a family that had just had a micro preemie. I read their blog and I just cried. Those emotions just raced back in. Even though their little guy arrived even earlier that Bubba – I knew.

I know what it’s like to be told your babies brain has (had) a bleed, a bad one. To wait every week for that head scan. To be told it’s ok. To look everyday to see if your baby has gained a % of an ounce. Anything. The nerves, the anxiety. And again, the crying, thinking, wishing……My heart just breaks knowing that they are going thru what we went thru, plus some. Oddly enough this family lives around the corner from me! Their sweet baby is in the same hospital that Bubba graduated from! I had to reach out to them and let them know that I KNOW ! I GET IT! I’m HERE!

I know our scars are very mild compared to what other families have gone and will go thru. I know Bubba is doing great. He’s the most talkative 2 year old, EVER. He is so smart and so strong and so determined. Be he still has hurdles…..

Jessi is right….the NICU does leave scars….

But the NICU connects you to people who you would otherwise not be connected. We’re the only ones that really understand what (not all) of what another NICU family is going through.

We can all compare our scars and help each other band-aid the wounds

UGGGG

2011-07-19T18:34:00.001-04:00

UGG- I’m trying out some new blog settings – so hang in there – I’m changing some things….or not, if it goes BLAH – I’ll go back to what I know.

very frustrating…and it’s about time I find a new design ;0) that’s my favorite part…

Happiness is….

2011-07-13T16:22:00.001-04:00

your Sissy letting you help make brownies. (He’ll be mad as he gets older and realizes that she put him in that pink apron of hers…)

NOTE: The apron that Lola is wearing was GramMabel’s. Lola loves wearing aprons while she cooks – which something that only grandmothers do. Cracks me up. I love that we have it and she wears it. It would make GramMabel happy.

Bubba Update…

2011-07-12T21:18:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to give you a bullet point update on how the Bubba is doing now that we’ve had 4 visits with Ms. Christie, his physical therapist.

1-She is amazing. We knew that on the first visit. She didn’t force herself onto him. Christie came in, took her shoes off, and sat down on the floor and let Bubba come to her. Smart woman.

2-He loves her. How do I know? Yesterday as she was leaving, he was crying “paweeze don go home Ms. Chwistie”.

3-She brought cool toys for him to play with yesterday. Might have added to the crying yesterday, but still. He didn’t want her to leave.

4-She brought FISHING toys. Bubba loves fishing. Bubba and Poppa sit in the boat and talk fishing all the time. One day soon, they will sit on the boat IN THE WATER. Baby steps. For me.

5- Once she figured out he liked fishing – she went with it. The rings he needed to step in and out of, she called them ponds. That’s a smart woman.

So it works like this, Christie comes, they play, she watches, we talk, she points out things for me (us) to work on, and then we schedule the next weeks appointment. Sounds simple huh? REALLY! Cause when was the last time YOU tried to get a 2 year old to do what you want when you want it done? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

During the week between visits we are working on:

1- sitting – he’s not W sitting all the time. His regular criss cross sitting is getting better. we tell him to fix his legs and he does.

2- stepping – the stair step that I never use for my fat butt – perfect for him to practice up down, up down on.

3-using his right leg more….he favors his left leg..

4-not keeping his hands in a fist when at rest. it’s so funny because he knows he’s doing it and will say “fix ya hands” to himself. silly boy.

5-squatting….keeping his knees over his feet instead of letting his knees fold inward….letting his knees fall inward is cheating – it’s not using his muscles……

6-stairs – like a big boy

That’s some of what we do…and he gets to play games to learn how to modify the “cheating” that he has been doing…..

He’s very smart so he is catching on quickly!

I can’t help it

2011-07-07T18:26:00.001-04:00

I can’t. There a couple of TV shows that I watch, I admit that I watch them. And I LIKE watching them. I think it’s cause I am so freaking normal in comparison.

Toddlers and Tiaras'

Really? They say soccer mom’s are NUTS? AHHHH no. Not next to these crazy a pageant moms! Even nutty are…the PAGEANT dads!!!!! HELLO – do you think that they are gay? And the new season that just started is proving to be just as NUTTY as the past seasons.

I don’t get it. WHY and HOW do these people think that spray tanning, acrylic nails, fake teeth (aka FLIPPERS) and some goofy dang clothes is NORMAL? REALLY? Tammy Faye Baker must be their idol – all I’ve got to say about it…

There is one girl, Macakenzie, (that’s to her facebook page) that is truly deserving of her won show. Cause there ain’t another kid around that controls her parents and every other adult around her like this kid….go ahead, check her out, she’s a HOOT! And the country twang on her sends even my manly boys in to the floor laughing their butts off!

How much of WUSS her momma is is a totally different story for another day.

And yeah, I know, I’m not helping because I keep watching!

TRAIN. WRECK.

My Strange Addiction

Did ya watch any of those shows?

Nutty nutty nutty. WHO EATS LAUNDRY DETERGENT? There have been a couple of them. Some idiot fool man ate glass – like it was dang chips and salsa. (Obviously the crunchy kind – let’s just take a moment to think about this….does the glass come out and does that hurt??) The lady that had the puppet? The girl that was addicted to tanning? KOOKOOVILLE is calling you home honey!

and my all time favorite

Hoarders or Buried Alive

Same show, two different networks. Makes me feel like my house is a very clean organized homestead! haha. No really – this is probably the saddest of all shows because these people are just sick. Plain and simple. SICK.

This is someone’s bedroom. THEIR BEDROOM.

And this is someone’s kitchen.

It’s just so sad. These people’s hearts are hurting so bad from SOMETHING.

And dang it makes for some good TV….and can also motivate the hell out of me to clean out some closets!

Nags Head 2011.

2011-07-06T14:53:00.001-04:00

So – we were at the beach. If you are a buddy on Facebook, I know, your saying DUH right now.

Here are all the pictures….before you watch the movie, scroll down to the bottom of my blog and turn that music off so you can hear this summer’s theme songs.

Nags Head 2011

Happy Birthday Lola!

2011-07-04T20:28:00.001-04:00

Today my sweet girl is TEN! Amazing. She is such a neat young lady. I am so blessed to have her as my daughter. She knows no stranger. She is independent. She is smart. She has a kind heart (ok, for everyone besides her brothers haha). She loves being around people. She loves her dogs and takes such great care of them. She is a pack rat and it drives me crazy – but she is the best person to organize a pantry! She is super sassy, super girlie, and part tomboy all rolled into one big ole hug! I love her very much.

Life Lessons

2011-06-22T16:25:00.001-04:00

Sounds poetic doesn’t it?

Life is full of lessons.

Some hit us square in the face -

Others like to sneak in on us.

Bubba’s update

2011-06-17T17:39:00.001-04:00

Family and friends,

To get you up to speed….over the past 4 weeks we have been trying to identify and address the issue of Bubba’s ‘wobbly’ walking…since I am such a patient person (stop laughing) we’ve been on a whirlwind of me pushing to get pt started, MRI’s scheduled and in with a neurologist….

First off a BIG Thank you to all who have said prayers and sent positive thoughts our way since day one with our little guy. While I’m not ready to have any major conversation – I am ok writing. I am still trying to process some stuff and read some stuff to understand some of the big words used.

Today was the visit with the neuro doc…

Let me first say that the neurologist, Dr. Amy Harper, is amazing. She was gentle and soft spoken. AND she carries a bag with her full of attention getters (toys) like it’s a dang barney bag. We are very fortunate to now have her “on his team”.

The mri showed damage to the white brain matter from the grade 3 brain bleed that you might recall he had when he was born….the technical name is “chronic periventricular leukomalacia and his is more prominent posteriorly”. (When the swelling in his occipital horns occurred, it put pressure on the white brain matter around the horns, thereby damaging the area). It is very common in babies born under 32 weeks (remember, he was 28 weeks 3 days).

So what does that mean for Bubba – nothing really different that the path we were already on….PHYSICAL THERAPY. PHYSICAL THERAPY. PHYSICAL THERAPY.

We go back to Dr. Harper in 6 months for her to see how the pt is progressing. She said that fine motor and speech are a-ok and she said the issue is gross motor skills, and even that is MILD MILD (she said it twice). Dr Harper was very impressed by his vocabulary and he told her “thank you very much” as we were leaving.

For us? It means we need to pay closer attention to when and what he is doing as far as meeting mile stones….in other words pretend he is the 1^st babe instead of 4^th and write everything down! (talk about a challenge for me). Obviously, we will be diligently working with him on the pt side….

So, that’s where we are – another little curve ball – but that’s what he’s been about since the day he arrived. He likes to do things in his own little way…..

Again, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Family and friends continue to be such a support to us all and we are so fortunate to have you.

Boys of the Summer

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here they are – the BOYS OF THE SUMMER! Isn’t it just the cutest thing ever?

That is my brother – “all swolled up like he got stung by somthin’ 0all over his body” …that’s ARMYYYYYY TRAINNNNNN SIRRRR!

And my Crash and Bubba.

Mom and Dad’s pool is getting ready to be REDONE because of all the storms (trees ended up IN the pool, everything a mess, etc….)

So this is the extent of the pool right now.

What I wasn’t able to capture was Bubba, who can still be somewhat unsure of Uncle Chris, telling saying “come get in my pool Unca Kiss”…..

Disclaimer – the baby being standoffish with my brother has broken my brother’s heart….he was with the big kids ALL the time when they were babies. With Bubba, he hardly gets to see him. It’s very sad because you can see that it breaks Chris’s heart that the baby won’t hang all over him like the big kids did.

Time flies and we’re having fun!

2011-06-06T15:21:00.001-04:00

Just a disclaimer (cause you know I LOVE me some disclaimers..) I meant to post this on the 4th and somehow messed up my auto time thingy…..so it’s a few days late…the actual anniversary of Bubba coming home was August 4th)

So, two years ago at this time, we had just gotten home with the wee one, who was then known ad the Peanut, now known as BUBBA…

In two years what all has changed?

EVERYTHING!

This was the first time that Crash got to see his baby brother…doesn’t he look happy?

This was about a week after Bubba got home – it was the first picture of all my babies TOGETHER! Aren’t they cute and don’t the big kids look so proud?

First trip to the beach – July 2009 and YES he went on the beach – he loved it! (what did he know? haha)

First time in the Bumpo- and looking like a chunker chunker!

First time sitting in the high chair and not falling over – smart mommy propped Bubba up with a towel…

First Christmas picture of all four of the babies

First Birthday – loved that cake!

And now here he is…buck wild and home for 2 years…..my how time flies…isn’t he just the cutest thing?

Breakfast at the Q Manor

2011-06-02T16:48:00.001-04:00

It’s not really a MANOR, it’s our friends across the street. This is what went on before the DIVING incident. I originally thought I had THE Squirrel Dive on my camera, but I didn’t. Mr. Q says he got a still photo of the dive, so as soon as I get that from him, I’ll post it.

We had made to order omelets,(I believe the final count was 18!) with bagels, fresh fruit and a bloody mary bar. SUPER YUMMY!

Our fabulous neighborhood

Use-tas is dead

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

I’ve had a couple of folks say they are not sure how I get things done.

Truth is, I don’t.

I USE-TA but now, I don’t AND I don’t sweat it. I USE-TA worry about the house being spic and span all the time…..now? Not so much. On most days I’m “straight” as long as you don’t go in my bedroom and see the PILES of clean clothes that need to be put away.

I use-ta worry about making sure I helped and volunteered for everything. Can’t do that so much anymore and I don’t feel horrible about it. I’ve done my time on a lot of different fronts and it is time for some other folk to STEP UP….

I use-ta worry that we ate dinner at the same time, and while I like having dinner PLANNED – eat it when ya want to. I’m not going to fall apart if it’s all at different times.

USE-TAS is DEAD!

That’s what my Aunt Artie always says…

And now to my next point.

I’ve told you about my friend Marybeth Mayhew, author extraordinaire. She wrote that book that I told you about last summer, The Mailbox, well, her newest novel, She Makes it Look Easy, goes on sale today. I am so very excited for her. (And how cool is it that I can say “my friend is a writer!”)

Here is a snippet about She Makes it Look Easy

Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood playdates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.

Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.

A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman’s life and said, “I want what she has,” She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.

I cannot wait to get my hands on it! I LOVED The Mailbox! It was so very cool because I knew reading it that the setting of the story was such a special place for Marybeth in real life. And the song in the story (yes there was a song) is one of my FAVORITE songs and reminds me of summers with my cousin…..

Like I needed something else to worry about

2011-05-30T14:34:00.001-04:00

Here is a recap of our Sunday.

Pootie jumped head first into the deep end (6 feet) of our neighbors pool on Sunday morning. The kids had a Belly Flop contest (which he won) and a Squirrel diving contest (which he won by default) and on his fabulous Squirrel dive slammed his head on the bottom of the pool. He did not lose consciousness and was able to get himself over to the steps of the pool. I knew that he was hurt – the look on his face was horrible.

I took him home put him in the car and we headed to the Ortho Carolina Urgent Care in Matthews. (see my footnote)

They got him right into the doctor, who did an x ray and saw what appeared to be a fracture on his C-3 vertebrae. (that’s in the neck). They called CMC downtown and downtown wanted him there….so because it was his neck…he had to go in an ambulance…..MEDIC quickly arrived.

He was put in a neck brace, strapped down on a board, and head taped down and loaded into the ambulance. We got to CMC ER after a slow ride (they didn’t want to bobble him around) and he was quickly taken into the ER and checked out.

This is Pootie after we arrived at the hospital and they met us at the door and started “assessing” him. You can see the strap going across his chest and the little bit of yellow on the left hand side is the back board. They had already taken the blankets and stuff off of him.

It was crazy being met at the door by 2 doctors and a several nurses.

All his neuro functions seemed intact - which was good. The ER docs called the Neuro surgeons and we had to wait on them to show up. They checked him out and also felt like he was ok but the x ray still concerned them.

Once they got him situated in the ER and had him all unraveled, they put him in a hard neck brace…..

The only way to rule out a break/fracture was a CT Scan so off he went.

We were very fortunate – the CT Scan showed no break or fracture and he was cleared to go home. He is in a soft neck brace for a while – no activity – no carrying Bubba around on his shoulders for while – and definitely no headers for a bit! (We were also lucky because one of the neuro docs that saw Pootie was on Bubba’s “team” when he was born..imagine, he recognized the name)

He was VERY lucky and everyone in the ER told him that. It was very scary (especially for me)but he is fine, just sore. He said he is never jumping head first into anything again.

Here is my happy boy waiting on the nurse to take out his IV – that thing drove him crazy (which is so me it’s not even funny). The nurse taking off the tape – CLASSIC – wish I had my flip camera to video that one.

So, that was my Sunday, how was yours?

Also today, don’t forget about those that serve and protect out country. My brother is military and I love him so much and I am so proud of him.

Enjoy your Memorial Day.

FOOTNOTE: I did get in trouble with the medic folks for putting him the car, I know better, I should have laid him down beside the pool and called 911…..could have really hurt him – so parents, that’s your lesson that I got to learn…

Another punch in the gut

2011-05-28T07:18:00.001-04:00

The shock of finding out “we” were pregnant was a shocker. Ending up in preterm labor and giving birth to a 2 lb, 12 oz, 28 weeker, even more of a shock. Where am I going with this…..most everything with the Bubba was, has been a HUGE shock.

He just couldn’t stop at being EARLY and LITTLE he had to throw us another Whammy! (yeah I know, he had no control over this either, I’m taking creative license here)

The biggest shock, or punch in the gut, was April 28, 2009, when we found out Bubba had a grade 3 brain bleed (you can read it at The Punch in the Gut April 2009.)

While the babe was in the hospital he had regular scans on his head and spinal taps to drain the fluid that was backing up in his head. The taps worked and we were so happy. After the 44 days in the NICU, there were scans and neuro doc check ups every 4-6 weeks until November 18, 2009 when we got the “free and clear”.

And we thought we were in the that free and clear for good.

WRONG!

We are still feeling that punch.

As I mentioned in my last post, we noticed the walking funny thing. We had his pediatric PT evaluation Thursday (for 2 hours). She noticed several things that he was or was not doing that he should or should not be doing……I can deal with that. Physical therapy is definitely in his immediate future.

But she also said that she thinks we should see a Neurologist. And she said the letters CP. SMACK. WHAM. BANG. Right in the kisser.

Now, here are a couple of things.

1-she has to tell us any and everything that could possibly come into play.

2-might not be CP could just be that he was a preterm baby who has some muscle tightness and we need PT to get his body working right.

3-even if it is, it’s VERY mild and he’s totally fine and we’ll get thru this.

But I’m a mom and you know how us moms are.

I’ve beaten myself up.

I should have seen the signs sooner.

I should have reacted. Faster. (yeah, I know in one weeks time I’ve gotten all this done, don’t beat myself up, blah blah blah)

But he’s my baby and I’m with him all the time. I don’t think I made excuses or turned a blink eye to what was/wasn’t happening. I think that I just (a ) didn’t know that (example) a baby shouldn’t be sitting like that and (b ) still wrote some of it off to the fact that he was 3 months early.

So, where are we now.

Tuesday I head down to the early intervention office to sign some papers and they will “issue” the order for the PT to start. Friday we are going to see the Nurse Practioner of the Neuro-Surgeon that took care of him through out the brain bleed stuff. Not that he needs a neuro-surgeon, but Bubba is already a patient there so it’s easier to get in, see what they think and if they want another MRI or what…..plus they can get us into a Neurologist faster. Apparently it can take weeks to get in to see one.

From there – we’ll figure out what the heck we need to do, or not do, or whatever.

Big breath, our little wild man is still keeping us hopping.

NOTES:

I can only speak to what I know about where I live but having a preemie baby here in our county we were offered the county services of Early Childhood Intervention. We were told by the gals in the hospital to “take the service” and let them dump us when it was done, which is sometime between the age of 2 or 3. We were told that being part of the program would help us if we needed services – they could get things faster….boy was that true. I am so glad we stayed a part of the program. Our case worker has been fabulous.

Baby Steps

2011-05-25T15:54:00.001-04:00

The Bubba Baby has always done things in his own sweet time and he usually does those things with his own style and determination.

Last week Hubby and I noticed that he was walking funny. He’s always walked fast and dragged one foot, and moved his hips funny…...

So back to the walking funny….he was turning his left foot in and then walking like a pirate with a peg leg. And yes that is the only way I know how to describe it.

Then Saturday night our good friends noticed it and TOMTOM (that’s what Bubba calls him) said “what the heck is wrong with his leg"?' And then Sunday I could tell my Daddy was watching him and not liking what he was seeing…

I called my friend who is a pediatric PT and told her something was not right. I love her, she is such a good woman. She let me bring him over first thing on Monday morning and she got in the floor with him and played with him for about 45 minutes.

There is a problem. What we thought was him being silly is not. he has tight/stiff hips and is pronating (rolling in) both his feet. That in turn is making his right foot drag and his left foot pigeon toe in.

So, phone call here phone call there and we are headed in for a evaluation with a pediatric physical therapy group. He got new anti pronating shoes (they look like regular running shoes) on Monday to force his foot out of the rolling position and he will then have regular physical therapy.

All things considered, it’s not that big of a deal. It really isn’t. and whether or not this has anything to do with the fact that he was a preemie, we can’t answer that one either. It is what it is.

soccer moms………

2011-05-20T14:44:00.001-04:00

Almost 2 years ago this fall we were at a soccer tourney (shocking, I know) in Greenville, SC for Crash’s team. I was sitting in the middle row of the blue goose (my suburban) nursing the babe, Pootie was in the front passenger seat and Lola was in the middle with me….. (go with me on this for a minute please)

We noticed these two ladies standing at the back of my car “checking out” my magnets…..I have a few on the back of my car from various soccer clubs. And I have one that I had made that states “SOCCER -it’s not about THE CLUB, it’s about THE KIDS”. I got tired a few years back when the boys were at different clubs of explaining myself to a few folks. So I had the slightly obnoxious magnet made….

Anywho, it caught the eye of these two moms…they didn’t know that we were in the car. We could hear them chatting and it really was funny. At the time, there was major turmoil going on in their club…so, they walk away and then, all of a sudden, one of the mom’s is back – and she is TAKING a picture of my rear end…the car people. The rear end of the car. So I opened the door and said something funny to her about stealing my magnets and scared to mess out of her.

And we struck up a conversation. She’s a soccer mom, tired of all the drama that goes with <insert any activity that involves parents>. She and her family live in Tennessee and I think she is just a really neat gal and almost 2 years after the fact we still touch base with each other. Little notes or snippets here and there on facebook – not too bad for meeting in a parking lot at a soccer tourney….

So, right now, I would like add her little girl, Anna to any and all prayer lists.

Anna was an active and perfectly healthy 10 year old girl right up to the day she was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. We went to the doctor due to off and on fevers and were sure that she had lingering infections from a cut in her toe or possibly strep throat. On May 6, 2011 her life took a huge detour and she is now fighting to win the battle over this horrible disease. Anna has such a kind heart and is referred to as "sweet Anna" by everyone she knows.

Anna is living in the hospital right now, undergoing treatment, away from her “life as she knows it”, away from her friends, her school, all her stuff……and she is fighting a good fight.

Soccer moms……we rally behind each other when we need to ya know!!!

still alive……just swamped!

2011-05-17T16:40:00.001-04:00

I’m still alive and kicking – just seriously swamped with STUFF…work stuff, soccer stuff, kid stuff, pto and pta stuff….STUFF STUFF STUFF.

Really quick – Pootie’s middle school soccer banquet was last week…it was really neat. Somewhat sad to see such a neat time gather one last night…..

Pootie got MVP. Which was very special. He and his co-captain and friend Nozie (nickname of course) each were awarded the distinction. What the coach said about Pootie was pretty cool.

Pootie getting his award

Toddlers, Tiara’s and Train Wrecks

2011-04-18T20:41:00.001-04:00

Hello my name is Amy and I’m addicted to Toddler’s and Tiaras. IT’S my TRAIN WRECK.

I can’t stop watching it. I am fascinated by how absolutely RIDICULOUS these MOM’S act!!! And I can’t get over how RIDICULOUS the mom’s look.

I get it, they want their daughters all GLAMMED up and being told they are pretty because they are absolute LARGE DOGS!!! (Did I say that out loud?) Have you noticed that too? There might be 1 out of 10 mom’s that are shown on the TV show that don’t look like they ate their way thru a McDonald’s once or twice.

Even weirder…a 3 year old getting a spray tan AND fake finger nails….REALLY? I’m all for a little dress up and fun but come on – spray tanning a 3 year old!!! HELLLOOO…makes no sense at all.

And they think it’s normal……gives them a nice sunshiny ~~orange~~ glow. (So does a nuclear power plant)

And the money that is spent on the dresses and costumes for their “talents”. (Nothing like a 2 or 3 year old performing their talents)

Like when a bad storm hits a small town and the news reporters always find the guy with the least amount of teeth and clothes…Toddles and Tiara’s manages to find every BUBBA momma from a small town that sounds like she fell off the turnip truck - I don’t get it – I swear I don’t. But I can’t stop watching.

I. JUST. CANNOT. STOP!

Inspector Gadget

2011-04-18T17:47:00.001-04:00

My boys, 14yo and almost 12 yo, have cell phones. And they text. The only person they actually talk to on their phone is me or their daddy. TEXTING is it.

So one of my girlfriends called me yesterday, her oldest is almost 12 as well. And she just got a phone.

Girlfriend wanted to know if I checked my boys texts. What do I do about auto delete? Do I monitor all of that.

Answer – YEAH I do.

I know, I’m Inspector of the Gadgets! But I have to. I do random phone checks all the time. I let them see me checking their phone. I also let their friends KNOW that I check the phones. Some nights I’ll take their phones and keep them. Watching the texts just roll in. And when little Lucy texts and says “why aren’t you texting back?” I say, “hey little Lucy” it’s Crash/Pootie’s mommy and they are in bed. Sorry. And then little Lucy says “oh I’m sorry Crash/Pootie’s mommy…Goodnight”.

We’re all on the same page.

And when the friends say dirty words on Pooties facebook page I say “Hey friend, LANGUAGE please”. (stop laughing, I know that you know I can drop a dirty word, or twenty, everyone thought Bubba’s first word was going to be SH*T) and then friend says “sorry Mrs. W” and we move on.

Point is, I love my children, and as long as I am paying for the ding dang phone – I’m checking what is being said/text.

I’m on a break

2011-04-06T15:40:00.001-04:00

I’m on a blogging break, still reading all my favorites, just no writing.

What am I doing?

I’m on my political soap box about the pay for performance testing here in CMS.

Bawk Bawk

2011-04-01T08:43:00.001-04:00

The big kids are home from school today…it’s a teacher workday. It’s April Fools Day. Not a holiday but a “workday”.

So it’s 8 am, Bubba and I are downstairs, he’s playing with his toys, pitching a fit because he wants to go wake them up……it is just making him madder and madder! He keeps asking me to call them. “Momma call dem”. “Momma go get dem”. “I go get dem”. “I go upstairs”. Poor kid.

I am sitting here wanting to watch Grey’s Anatomy from last. I’m too afraid to watch it. Is that weird? I know that it will be an emotional roller coaster ride with Callie, the baby, the car accident, McSteamy (aka Mark, hunkahunka)

I think I’m going to be mad.. I want Callie to have the baby!

Miracle Monday

2011-03-28T16:00:00.001-04:00

Miracles do happen. If you don’t believe me, go read these incredible stories

A bout Grace – sweet baby girl. Oh how her mommy and daddy love her. I just know that God IS when I think of this sweet girl. Grace was diagnosed with occipital encephalocele at 20 weeks gestation. there is TONS of stuff to read on her “condition” but let me say – is she not the cutest little thing ever? I think her mommy is now on my list of heroes. What strength she has!!!!

And then there’s Sloan and Lane, these little babies who have fought so hard to grow to be big 6 pound babies. This amazing family had triplets and lost one of the boys soon after he was born. I am sure they will forever mourn the loss of their little boy but they are so happy in love with their little boy Sloan, and little girlie, Lane. Of course I have followed their story – makes me think of my little Bubba…who will be TWO soon! ugg!

And my last little Miracle Monday comment is this”

I think that “us moms” are pretty much the neatest club to be a member of. As crazy as mine can make me sometimes (Bubba keeps waking at 4ish in the morning screaming for MOMMA, MOMMA’S ARMS! HOLD JHEW MOMMA!) they are really Miracles.

I keep reminding myself

“A child is a handful sometimes, a heart full all the time”.

My head is going to spin off

2011-03-24T15:57:00.001-04:00

Literally, right now, my head is going to spin right off my shoulders!!

I am so irritated. WHY…….well let me tell ya.

The schmuck Peter Gorman, Charlotte Mecklenburg School System Superintendent, has plucked my LAST. GOOD. NERVE.

My kids will tell you that is a BAAAADDDDDDD thing to happen.

He is working hard to institute a pay for performance program for our teachers based on student TEST scores… to the tune of 21 million dollars over a couple of years. (That’s local, state and federal funds by the way.)

It’s a DUMB idea. Tried in New York City, Chicago, Texas, California, and Florida, to name a few.

Didn’t work in ANY of those states for what it’s worth.

Ain’t going to work here.

I’ve spent the better part of the day doing research on it and putting together information for other parents so we can be informed.

I’d be happy if he resigned and LEFT CHARLOTTE. I’d help him pack too.

and his wife and her stupid Parent University mess.

Our kids do not need yet another multiple choice test.

And you want to know who started all this mess…

OBAMA.

Are you for real?

2011-03-16T15:11:00.001-04:00

Anyone that knows me knows that I’m pretty much a straight shooter. Just kind of is what it is with me.

I don’t wear rose colored glasses. Never have. I’ve tried on a pair, but they are JUST NOT ME at all.

I like my for real world.

I will tell you that I had a horrible day if it’s applicable.

I don’t always have a clean house.

I always have piles of laundry in my room that needs to be put away.

Just. is. that. way.

I also try to write the way I am.

Not everything is hunky doory all the time. That’s just not real.

There’s a blog I read and I swear sometimes I think this woman has to be on some serious happy juice because honest to goodness…she is always happy. Things are always great – house is always clean – child (or children) are always dressed like they are going to have pictures taken.

It really plucks my nerves. Because I don’t believe her anymore. Not that I don’t think her love for her hubby and or kids is fake it’s all the other stuff. Why does it have to be that when your child kept you up all night long you had to design monogrammed something or others to give out and some luncheon for wayward spiders? Or since you were up decided to re-wallpaper the dining room? REALLY? You can’t just say you are dog arse tired and don’t really want to do anything but sit and watch HOUSE reruns? REAALLLLLY!!!!???

I’ve always said this about women lying to each other and not telling the truth.

It’s like lying to other woman about childbirth. Tell them it was wonderful and this story of what you think it was like – fine but they are going to find out the truth and then they’ll be mad at you. Childbirth hurts like hell. Yes, you get over it. It’s amazing what the body can do but it is also the most disgusting thing after. Your butt hurts, your tutu hurts, ya boobs hurt. It just does.

It’s the truth. Tell me you had a bad day and DID NOTHING. Tell me you want to bury your husbands golf clubs somewhere in the back yard. Tell me you want to run and hide from your kids. And dear lord, please quit monogramming everything. Especially the freaking cookies.

On.my.nerves.

REALLY.

Stuck in the middle…

2011-03-08T13:29:00.001-05:00

I’m just really starting to realize that I am stuck right in the middle – being a mom of a teen and a mom of a tot – and of course the two in between. My life is somewhat all over the board.

Pootie is such a teenager. Over scheduled, overly tired and always hungry. Bubba is well, a toddler now and just a busy boy. Into everything and NOT wanting to be held or contained (stroller, shopping cart, etc.)

I don’t have any friends really in this same situation. (with honestly the exception of one…..) I’m very scattered. For instance, today (because Bubba is starting to feel better amen and halleluiah) I will be at the school sorting apparel orders for the spring sports teams…..and chasing my toddler. Luckily Crash has agreed to help me keep up with the toddler.

The toddler who, by the way, has taken to watching Dora. I never thought I would have to hear that stupid song again.

We did it! (We did it!) We did it! Hooray. I hate Boots by the way. And it drives me NUTS how she asks questions, like “what was your favorite part” and then pauses like she can hear your answer.

Oh, I’m off track.

Point is, I feel like I’ve got one foot firmly planted in mid air in both worlds. The big three and Bubba.

What is it in your life that leaves you stuck in the middle….is it a working mom situation? Is it a teen child and an adult “child”? (That will be me too on down the road.)

Looonnngggg Weekend

2011-03-06T20:17:00.001-05:00

It was a LONG weekend around here. Not the good kind of long weekend either. Whether was YUCK – which really makes me yearn (love that word) for summer to get here fast. Just rainy and cold-ish.

And Bubba got sick. Really sick. He’s had a little snuffle here and there, probably due to teething more than anything. But this time, he got SICK. Has been feeling yucko since Thursday. How sick is he? I held him all day on Friday with the exception of about 2 hours, and that’s cause he was in his car seat while I ran an errand with my Daddy. I have not held this child since well, he was a bitty baby in the NICU. Honest. Saturday, held him most all day and night. Saturday night he slept with us and I held him. And today, held him for the better part of 6 hours.

Took him to the doctor on Friday late afternoon because he was having such trouble breathing. Negative on the flu test, Negative on the rapid strep which shocked the heck out of his doc because she said his tonsils looked really nasty.

He’s miserable and I feel so bad for him. So, I sit and hold him, just like he asks….

Bubba:    Hold you Mommy.

Me:    Yes, Mommy is holding you.

Bubba: Mommy’s arms. Mommy’s arms.

Me: Yes, Mommy’s arms are around you.

Bubba:   My love Mommy

Me: And I love you Bubba.

Bubba: Hold you Mommy.

Me: Yes, Mommy is holding you Bubba.

We repeat this over and over again until he falls asleep. And he sleeps until he coughs so hard and gags himself that he wakes up screaming again.

Needless to say – we are going back to the doctor in the morning. Hubby is downstairs with him right now, asleep on the couch. It’s the cutest thing.

Plus it’s rained all day. YUCK! I’m over it! I want spring.

Out of pocket

2011-03-01T18:33:00.001-05:00

I’ve been gone for over a week. Mentally gone that is. Busy with I’m not sure what…but I guess it was important. So let me update you on what all has gone on.

Pootie turned 14 yesterday. I swear it just seems like seconds ago he was the toddler that I was chasing around. Time has just gone by so fast. He is such a neat kid and we are just so proud of him. He is goofy, sarcastic, serious, silly, uptight, lazy, moody, loving, sensitive, sleepy and hungry all in the same hour. I love him so much and want him to continue to grow to be a good man.
We all went out of town this past weekend to Georgia for a soccer tourney for Crash. Probably one of the last times that we all get to go together. It was nice. The kids argued like they normally do, but in between normalcy, they were so much fun and we laughed a lot. I love being with my family when it’s like “that”. Oh yeah, the soccer was good and the weather was great.
Middle School soccer started again for Pootie. He didn’t need anything else added into his schedule right now. HOWEVER, he loves playing with his school friends and he really likes the coaches. They are super neat men, that don’t get paid a hill of beans to do this. I offered to be the team mom again. I like doing that kind of thing.
Lola got her hair cut – above her shoulders. It’s super cute and if she keeps it brushed, she doesn’t look like a rag-muffin. She is not into dressing up – at least that’s what she tells. me. All. The. Time.
Oh and I agreed to be the President Elect at the Middle School PTO this fall. Which means Fall 2012 I’ll be President.

Don’t want any smart comments about totally losing my mind on this one either. I know I have. You don’t agree to do this stuff without being somewhat crazy!

Do we care?

2011-02-09T20:53:00.001-05:00

Lindsay Lohan formally charged with grand theft

At issue is a $2,500 necklace allegedly taken from Los Angeles jewelry store

Ya’ll know that any story about this girl just sends me over the edge! How can one who had so much talent end up to be so, so, so, I don’t know, what the word is except to say ICK!

Hollywood seems to just be full of these tragic good gone bad stories. The sad ones are the River Pheonix’s (died at age 23) of Hollywood, they end up dead. I loved River.

So really, what is the deal with young Hollywood? Can they get thru it unharmed? Unscathed? Live? Anne Hathaway seems to be ok, as does Mandy Moore.

Corey Haim, dead at age 38, still relatively young, but he led a horrible life full of drugs and alcohol prior to his death. (He starred with River in the classic movie Stand by Me). Heath Ledger died at the age of 28. Way too young. And it’s not just a NOW generation thing. Natalie Wood, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe – all dead. Brittney Murphy (Clueless, Don’t Say A Word, Uptown Girls to name a few.)

What is it? Can someone please figure out why this happens? If you are a young movie star, can you get out of Hollywood sane, sober and alive?

Not sure what is going to happen to Lindsey. She plucks my nerves to the nth degree. I want to smack her – hard – to get her attention.

Wake up girl and quit smelling “whatever” you are smelling!

Bullet Point Monday

2011-02-07T17:11:00.001-05:00

Don’t want to talk football anymore until the fall. Steelers lost so the conversation is OVER

I will discuss that I loved the Black Eyed Peas. I know there were sound issues, but that was not their fault. It was live people, one of the things that can happen. Loved hearing Fergie sing Guns ‘n Roses. Too cool.

I am over the cold weather. I feel so sorry for all the folks that keep getting more and more snow! I would be absolutely out of my mind by now.

I had to take Baby Bubba to the doctor on Friday for the first time for anything other than a regular check up. He fell backwards and hit her head on the tile floor REALLY hard – wouldn’t have bothered me except that he fell asleep about 15 minutes later. Scared the crap out of me to be blunt. He was fine –

Big boys had soccer this past weekend. (It was so cold). Neither of their teams made it to the finals, but in the end, we weren’t that disappointed. It was nice to get home in the early afternoon and then get ready for the super bowl festivities.

I am continually amazed at how stupid people in charge can be. (Government talk for a second). Our school system is making HUGE cuts to the budget. Around here, we have this thing called Bright Beginnings. It’s basically a tax payer funded preschool program. But it’s only for a select few. The “few” would be are those that are supposedly at risk. To me, this is not the job of the school system. Our school system is for Kindergarten through 12th grade. The program costs roughly 21 million, MILLION, dollars for 3,200 students. That’s it, only 3,200. And sadder, there is NO evidence to report that there are any long term positive effects of these kids going to BB. The first groups to go through BB are now at the age where they should be graduating high school. No evidence shows that they are performing at current grade level. Why? BECAUSE THEIR FAMILIES DO NOT CARE. There is no family support, education is not a priority, and why would it be? You can live off of government dollars just fine. No accountability whatsoever.

I have to stop talking about it now or honestly, my blood pressure goes through the roof!!!

Had a horrible headache today – had to call my mom to come over and help me with the baby so I could sleep. I thank the good Lord that my mom and dad are so close to us. They are always there when we need them.

Today….

2011-02-01T08:06:00.001-05:00

Sixteen years ago today, My Granddaddy died. His death was very unexpected and really rocked our world.

His name was Curtis and he was a neat man. My mom used to say….”that man that is your Grandfather is not the same man that was my father”. While my mom was growing up, he was a stern man, not to inclined to plop down in the floor with her and color in coloring books….MY Grandfather would color, ride bikes, take us for Slurpies, take us to Roses and buy us every single Star Wars action figure we wanted. We went fishing, crabbing and to the beach. He was so much fun.

He was a great Grandfather. Pootie is named after him- and while none of my kids met him, they all know who he is and what a neat man he was.

Added to the sadness of today, today is my brother’s deployment day. I’m not sure what time, or where he is going, or anything. I just know it’s today, and it’s his third time being deployed. As a Ranger, they are not allowed to give too many details. Actually the only detail we get is, well, that they are gone. We have guesses to where, but nothing for sure.

So today, if you will, pray for my Mom and Dad. While my heart is sad because my brother is deployed, their heart is filled with worry because it is THEIR son. Pray that my brother and his unit will be kept safe until their return.

Baby Bubba and the Boobie

2011-01-27T15:54:00.001-05:00

Bubba is going to be 2 at the end of April. (the 21st). Take off the 3 months that he was premature- but for the most part, he’s going to be 2.

And Bubba is a Boobie baby. The folks in the NICU were so sweet to me when he was there and I was pumping the milk maids (that would be the boobs and I pumped every 2 stinking hours by the way).

Starting off, Bubba was feed thru a tube in his nose. From there, he was fed thru his nose and he had to learn to take a bottle. And I pumped. And I pumped. And I pumped. (And hubby forgot to close the freezer, but that’s another story.)

Bubba mastered the bottle, and from there he got to meet the milk maids. I still remember that day I was able to make the introductions. Bubba was still so tiny…I think he was on the big 3 pound size. And at that time, my boobs were HUGE. (Let me paint a picture for you. His head, size of an apple, my boob, size of a honeydew melon. I thought, there is NO way, this is going to work)

Those sweet NICU folks said, don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t take to the milk maids. It’s not unusual for babies to not want to nurse, because they’ve mastered the bottle, and well, they just don’t.

Well, Bubba didn’t get the memo. Matter fact I don’t even think he heard what they said at all, much less read a memo.

We got home after 44 days in the NICU, and he and I were able to just “HANG OUT”, me on the couch and him on the boobs. Well he mastered the boobs. Boy did he ever.

And he never touched another bottle.

Fast forward to now. I had him down to just nursing in the morning and bed time, and an occasional after nap snuggle time. My deadline was April 22nd (wasn’t going to upset him on his birthday). Mentally I have been done, but didn’t want to fight or hear him cry for me. it would make my heart hurt – not to mention my boobs.

But as I always try to state the truth, here it goes, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET HIM OFF OF THE MILK MAIDS!!! So I emailed my go to girl on all things Bubba related, and she sent me to her go to girl. Go to girl number 2 gave me some good thoughts and said GOOD LUCK.

That was last week.

This week, we have gone 3 THREE, THREE nights without him saying “Boobie. I neeeeeeeeeed Boobie.” (He went from saying “i-aunt-boobie” to I neeeeeeed boobie)

On his own, he has laid down in the floor and gone to sleep 2 nights, and the other night Hubby held him and bounced him.

BUT NO BOOBIE!!!!

YESSSSSSSS!!!

I had NO idea it would be this tough getting him to stop. Still has his morning Boobie, but I think that will too be gone soon, hopefully as easy as he did away with his nights.

REGARDLESS, deadline is April 22 and I’m dang sure he got that memo! And even if he didn’t

I’M DONE!!!!!!

Hairspray

2011-01-26T16:32:00.001-05:00

Ya know that line in the movie Hairspray (the recent one with John Travolta as the momma)…when she/he says “I have to do my I-ron-nin.

Well that was me today – I got to do my I-ron-nin. I was so happy.

I washed a big load of Hubby’s dress shirts. There is something about the dry cleaning of dress shirts that after a while, to me, they just aren’t clean. So into the wash they went, and then I needed to i-ron them.

I love to i-ron. I can’t help it. I think it started with my Gram. I guess she liked to i-ron too because she i-ron-ed everything. for a long time, my mom i-ronned everything too. And up until I had 4 kids and no time, I i-ron-ed everything. Even our sheets. I love freshly starched sheets – so nice to get into the bed!

My therapy begins tomorrow.

Oh – the menu has been a hit – EXCEPT the hash brown casserole, the kids didn’t like it. not sure why because it looks to me to be kid friendly. My only guess was the salsa on top of it. Hubby and I like it.

In a food mood….

2011-01-23T20:42:00.001-05:00

That’s what Marybeth calls it. I think it sums up how I’m feeling. I was not able to sleep in this morning – long story – baby and husband did not want to cooperate with me….Oh, THEY slept in until 9. NINE!!!

So I came downstairs and started on the menu planning. It’s that time of year again that I need to take control of the menu again.

Soccer practice starts full force this week.

So, I hit my favorite website. It used to be www.recipezaar.com, but they merged or something and now they are www.food.com. It still works for me. I can sift thru recipes based on certain specifics. Main dish, poultry, casserole, crock pot, easy, cheap (two of my favorite descriptive words, haha)

So, in no particular order, here are the dinner options for the next 12 nights.

Lasagna (we actually had that tonight)
King Ranch Chicken (tons of different recipes out there for this, it’s so easy, but so good. everyone LOVES it)
Chicken and Dumplings (I use flour tortillas instead of dumplings..another big hit around here.)
Spaghetti
Tuna Casserole (but Bubba doesn’t get this – he has a seafood allergy NO SEAFOOD OR SHELLFISH AT ALL FOR HIM)
HollyBeth’s Goulash
Taco Casserole
HBC (it’s a casserole with Hash Browns)
Ranch Chicken thighs
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Black Bean Chicken
Coney Island Casserole (this is a new one for us, but the reviews on it were 5 stars and it’s a family pleaser…we’ll see!)

That’s 12 nights of dinners. I also have breakfast for dinner if I decide to deviate from these. I don’t have the nights planned out, but rather I’ll pick the night before what we are going to have.

How did I come up with this and prepare for it? Well first off, it has to be something that everyone is going to eat – tastes good, simple, and that I can cook ahead of time. (I start cooking dinner by 2 in the afternoon), so if it’s a casserole or something that can go in the Crock Pot..I’m all about it.

I went to my website ( www.food.com), picked things out using the recipe sifter. FYI…….I did set up an account and if I find something I like I save it to my online cookbook..then when I need some ideas – there they all are!

I list out ingredients that I need for each meal, then I go to the cabinet and cross off what I have, then I go to the store. My list says like “green beans 2” which is 2 cans of green beans. Or chicken bag 3. Yeah, you guessed it, 3 bags of the frozen chicken breasts.

Each night gets some sort of side or sides, fruit and/or veggie. I had to get breakfast and lunch stuff…..OF COURSE, I went to Aldi, got everything but FOUR items, then went to Bi-lo. (the only things Aldi didn’t have that I needed were, cans of diced green chili’s, green onions, black olives and diced FROZEN hash browns. they do have the refrigerated kind, and they are super yummy, but the casserole does better with frozen.

I spent $137 at Aldi and $38 at Bi-Lo. (I picked up more than 4 items at Bi-Lo because they had some things on special).

So, for $175 all of our meals are set!!!

I LOVE that feeling.

Lola went with me. She likes being my assistant. She helped me make the lasagna for tonight….My family will tell you it’s good. and it is, but it’s not as good as Ninni’s or our dear friend, Mrs. B’s. (Mrs. B makes her own homemade sauce and it is so good. thank goodness she knows we love it and she is so good to bring us some when she makes it…but that’s another story.)

What is your food mood? Do you plan ahead? What does our family like to eat? Do you love your crock pot or hate it?

Congrats to my awesome cousin, JOSH COX

2011-01-17T13:02:00.001-05:00

This is the article from ESPN.com (how many people are YOU related to that have been interviewed and on ESPN??) And if you are wondering, he is my cousin, his mom is my Daddy’s sister. This is not a cousin 4 times removed.

PHOENIX -- Josh Cox won the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on Sunday, then kept on going to smash his American record for 50 kilometers by 3½ minutes, missing the world mark by just 7 seconds.

Cox completed the 31.2 miles in 2 hours, 43 minutes, 45 seconds after finishing the marathon in 2:17:32 to beat Solomon Kandie of Kenya by 1:08.

"Seven seconds is hard to swallow," Cox said. "But I'm happy. The American record is nothing to hang your head about."

Thompson Magwana of South Africa set the world record in 1988.

Cox, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., set the American record of 2:47:17 in 2009 at this same venue -- running the marathon through the streets of Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa, before completing the final five miles on the Arizona State University track.

"I did everything I could to click off those final miles," he said. "We put so much into this ... months and months [of training]. I thought I'd be able to rally on the track. But my legs were tired. They start barking at you.

"Still, it was a great day. I felt good out there. You have to be happy with a [personal record]."

Cox had envisioned finishing the marathon in 2:17 or less and couldn't quite make up the deficit, even though he reeled off a 71-second final lap after running the other laps at approximately 80 seconds apiece.

"I was hurting, I was in a lot of pain," he said. "You just have to fight and fight and fight. The record is something you shoot for. ...

"I'll be back. I would like to run the world record here in two years. I'd like to give it another shot ... that ever-elusive world record."

Next year, Cox will be occupied with competing in the U.S. Olympic trials for the marathon in Houston, which will be run about the same time as the Arizona race.

Now, if you really want to see GRACE, CLASS, STYLE and a guy who is so filled with the LORD and the gift the LORD has given him, watch his after the race video interview. (the the link doesn’t work, here is the web address http://bcove.me/1yax6ggq )

I watched it 3 times last night, balled my eyes out. It was awesome. I could see my aunt (his mom) cheering him on the last bit – made me sob. I saw his wife, who is prego with their first baby, at the finish line. I was just a balling freak. I’m so proud of him. I’m amazed by his ability to RUN distances I don’t drive in a weeks time!

GO JOSH!!!! Don’t forget, next year’s goal is “OLPYMIC BOUND”!

Only when you’re a baby

2011-01-15T18:48:00.001-05:00

You can only get away with running nekked when you are this young, and this cute. Try this when you’re an adult and the po=po are going to get cha!!!

Our boy loves to run nekked when he’s getting a diaper change…of course, the hardware fascinates him.

He’s a male for goodness sakes.

Bubba and his diaper run

Back to life, back to reality.

2011-01-13T16:04:00.001-05:00

Do you remember that song. If, like me, you grew up in the 80’s you might. Can’t’ remember who sang it, I’ll look that up later.

Here is proof that we have 4 kids. Crash finally made an appearance when I had my camera out and ready. He just got out of the bed – so the hair is a little ICK.

Here’s what happens when Mommy is NOT paying attention (but quickly runs to grab the camera…)

It’s just diaper cream for Pete’s sake….

He was happy.

Snowing, Again.

2011-01-10T16:14:00.001-05:00

Today’s disclaimer is this……I DO have 4 kids, there’s a blond that is missing , again, from the snow pictures because he takes off running to catch up with his friends. Not too much a mom can do to try to keep him around and let me take pictures of him playing in the snow.

Pootie waking up and getting his cup of coffee….

Trying to put his GLUBS on…

and then the jacket

So happy

Going for a walk…..

An intersection on our walk – it was snowing it’s butt off!!!!

he fell asleep, so to keep all the snow that was falling off of him, I put my scarf over him…he slept for about an hour while we walked….

Awake and ready to play – nose is all red!

His new boots – Ninni bought them for him last week. I never would have thought that we would need the dang things again…

Yes, this is the back of the Blue Goose…isn’t it wonderful….do you know that someone actually stole one of my favorite magnets off my car…so I’m working on replacing it.

Pootie and his buddy Sweetie -

Trying to build an igloo….yeah right.

Playdate

2011-01-09T13:40:00.001-05:00

Saturday we “babysat” for our friend Suzanne. She has a 3rd grade boy, Andrew, and a 2 1/2 year old, Ethan.

Andrew and Crash played upstairs on the playstation, and the little boys played downstairs…Little Bubba had a blast!!!

Here they are playing with, ummm, everything? Some of it is actually left over toys from when Pootie and Crash were this age. I had given to my friend Angie, never thinking it would ever make it’s way back here!!!!

And the mailbox…it plays music and this crazy little voice squawk’s “you’ve got a letttt-tttter”

And sitting by the front door on a little bench (it actually belonged to GramMabel) – Bubba was saying Cheeeeeessseeee

and both of them with their MoMo’s (that’s Ethan speak for Monkey)

Now, these next pictures get two disclaimers attached to them

1- I do not want to end up on Good Morning America being accused of dressing my son up like a girl.

2-I did not do this, although I did find it funny is all get out. this is what happens when your daughter says “I’ll play with him mom?!”

The funniest part was when Pootie saw it…..it was almost like the scene from ET when Elliott and his brother Greg walk in on Gertie having just ET up like a girl….”AWWWWW GAWDDDDDDD”

Nothing like a pink tutu to make you feel rough and tough huh?

Undeniable adult truths

2011-01-08T12:30:00.000-05:00

The first 24 are from my cousin, Lea. I’ve italicized my favorite ones…

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. Another part of their job is to make sure you’re not buried in something you would never wear. Me? Ya’ll better make sure my toe nails are painted FIRE ENGINE RED, I’m in my jeans, have on heels (my red ones will do) and a comfy bra. Oh, and I have chapstick in my pocket.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. I’d use it A LOT!

5. How the *&#% are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories. Some of those bad decisions fall under the category of VEGAS!

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. Amen. I forgot to save this one crazy person's number in my phone and they called and I answered and DAMN, I was stuck on the phone. Hate that.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters! I find nothing more infuriating than someone thinking they can cut in line. Wait like the rest of us!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey -but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important. Men, what are ya gonna do?

Laughter is the best medicine

2011-01-08T09:50:00.001-05:00

This lady, a resident of a retirement community, was asked to give the invocation at a dinner/convention of retirement community managers. She does so, but then decides to add a few words of her own as a part of the invocation. Enjoy! This is sooo funny!!!!! click here on best video ever

I want to be just like her when I grow up!!!

I wake up….

2011-01-07T14:03:00.000-05:00

and go through the routine of being a mom to 4 great kids and the wife of a terrific man. Our life is pretty amazing.

We are healthy, the kids are healthy and for 99.9% of the time, they are good kids (0.1% of the time they are trifling, as kids are supposed to be).

Hubby has a great job, works hard, but it’s a great job. I’m able to stay home with the kids. I work part time for Daddy, and I enjoy that job and the folks I know through work.

Our home is not clean all the time, it’s not huge, we don’t have a cleaning lady or a yard service.

We drive 2 cars that are high mileage cars. The Blue Goose squeaks (that would be my car) but they are paid for.

I think we forget sometimes that generally speaking, LIFE IS GOOD.

And then I wake up one day and I am reminded of that fact.
A family that we know lost their husband, father, son and brother the other day. Suddenly. The initial report is he had a heart attack and died during the night. My heart breaks for the wife, Amy, and the kids, Natalie (sophomore in college) and Michael (senior in high school). I cry and think about what they must be feeling.

I think about my friends that have lost their husbands and then I marvel in their strength. You are each such pillars of strength and I am so blessed to know each of you.

I read about a family that have triplet preemie babies and loses one as the other two fight a hard fight to live. And my heart breaks for them.

I know what our lives were like to watch Little Bubba fight, I cannot fathom what multiple babies would be like.

So, as I go about in my daily routine of getting up, getting my Diet Dr. Pepper, getting the 3 big kids off for their day and Hubby out the door, and yes, Bubba still getting BOOBIE in the morning…I need to remember to stop and be thankful for my daily humdrum routine.

As you go about your day, please take a moment to pray for these families. And hugs yours and be thankful.

It’s almost 2011

2010-12-28T13:39:00.001-05:00

I’m still trying to get used to writing 2010 and now I have to train my brain to write 2011. Not cool.

But as you know, time flies when you are having fun – or not, cause it’s flying with or without you.

Have you started to think yet about goals or dreams for 2011 yet? I have. Not going to call them resolutions because I think then you are just doomed to fail.

Goals is a better word…Dreams is catchy.

1- I want to work at getting organized around the house again. I used to keep a very organized and clean house. Somewhere towards the end of 2008 that went to hell in a hand basket.

2- I want to clean out all the riff raff in the closets and etc. Doesn’t that always need to be done?

3- I want to stick to my cooking and planning meals. I truly think that my family is happier and more functional when I know what we are eating each day before dinner time. Ok, I’m happier and more functional.

4- I want to stay on an exercise routine. I was doing really well for the fall. Started to feel good, clothes were fitting that hadn’t fit since oh, somewhere around the end of 2008 (sounds like I blame a lot on the end of 2008 huh, I don’t, it’s just that’s when my life took a 180) The cold weather has really thrown a wrench in the walking everyday first thing in the morning….which is a lame excuse since I have an elliptical INSIDE.

5- I want to continue to make time for me and my hubby. I enjoy hanging out with him. There are only a few times that I want to smack him upside his head :-) Just kidding (Not really) Love ya honey.

6- I want to have more fun with the kids. These are such neat ages for all of them…and Pootie is growing up right before my eyes. In a couple of years, he’ll be off at college. God Help Me!!!

So that’s my list so far……

Happy Almost 2011!!!!

SNOW…….

2010-12-26T14:09:00.001-05:00

So for those of you that have been living in a cave without TV or internet access, North Carolina got snow. Some new record for this day or something like that.

For those of you who don’t know, I hate snow. Truly, I do. And please don’t do the whole “but it’s so pretty deal with me”. I remain true to my “I hate snow” status.

But, as I always do, I sucked it up and went outside for some pictures, it was after all, the babes first time “in the snow”. (Last winter it was more ice and he was so little, so it doesn’t count)

I want sunshine and 80 degrees if anyone cares!!!!

On a side not, the big kids are not in the pictures because 1- the biggest of the bigs didn’t want to go outside. 2- Crash took off to be with his buddies and 3- Lola stuck around for 2.4 seconds before she took off….leaving the babe to be the “lone” subject.

Headed out the door with Daddy’s help – we kept waiting for him to say he couldn’t put his arms down…

Lola’s little snowman

and Lola making bunny ears on her snowman. (I still don’t get why kids do that…)

Sissy helping….yep he calls her Sissy…

No, the pictures is not upside down, he fell over..and couldn’t get up!

Ok, so my brother did get to come home from Fort Benning for Christmas. He will be home until January 9th ish, I believe. The guys in charge gave them extended time off because they will not have leave again before they are deployed sometime by the end of January. As always, we are not sure where he is going or exactly when…but please continue to pray for him. As you can see, he needs it. This is from “Army Training sir”. That’s our story and we are sticking to it.

last night at Ninni and Poppa’s house…

Sitting in Poppa’s (or as he calls him, BOAT) lap trying to help them play Ace-y Duece-y.

Two Ace-y Duece-y games going at the same time….we’re serious.

Cutest thing is that the Babe now says Ace-y Duece-y and calls for six’s and double’s. So funny. Twisted but funny.

BRING ON THE SUNSHINE!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-25T09:37:00.001-05:00

Or as my Gram’Mabel, god rest her soul, would have said……

Mer’ Cri’ma Chil’ren.

We went to Itsty and Poppa Dave’s last night (Neil’s mom and stepdad) and then this afternoon we will go over to Ninni and Poppa’s house…that’s my mom and dad….

But for now, all the presents are opened here at the house.

All the kids are happy. Lola got a gorgeous antique desk for her room and lots of desk-y type things…just as she wanted.

And here they all are in their new jammies. Pooite got Batman, Crash got Spiderman, Lola got Hello Kitty, and Little Bubba got Superman. And of course the big boys humored me by putting them on for a picture. (The jammie pants are super soft so they will actually wear them.)

with a child size snugglie – the big boys each got one too.

looking a the little things Santa left….big boys got exactly what they wanted…clothes…..new sheets (they each want their rooms re-done)

My favorite pictures are from Thursday. We took the kids to the mall to see Santa. Again, the big boys humored us….

The babe was so NOT afraid of Santa….

Big Brother finally had to pick up the babe so others could have their turn….he didn’t want to leave AT ALL.

And the culprits are….

2010-12-20T15:29:00.000-05:00

Every year Hubby makes about 100 little 3 inch Chocolate Chip Bundt cakes to give to his employees as gifts. It is a tradition now, he’s been doing it for 10+ years (or something like that.) It typically takes him a couple of days to get all his baking done – but he always gets it done.

I DO NOT HELP until the very end when he ALWAYS ends up asking me to help him do the wrapping and tying. That’s a story for another day….

So this year, he started last Sunday night, got 1/4 of the cakes baked, wrapped in their 1st layer of plastic wrap and he placed them in a big container on the kitchen sink.

Baked another batch on Monday night before he headed out to referee 2 soccer games…wrapped in plastic wrap, and he put this batch on the dining room buffet.

Tuesday morning after the kids and Hubby leave for work and school, I’m sitting in the dining room and I notice 1 small piece of plastic wrap on the floor. Didn’t think anything of it. Bent down and picked it up. It was then that I noticed that there were 9, NINE, little Bundt cakes sitting on the buffet.

So I called Hubby to ask where are the cakes were….here’s a VERBATIM (haha) account of our conversation

ME: Hubby, where did you put all the cakes you made last night?

HUBBY: The dining room my beautiful, gorgeous wife, why ever do you ask?

ME: Oh no reason my darling. I’ll have your slippers and dinner waiting for you, my love, when you get home from a long, stressful day at work.

HUBBY: Did the dogs eat one of the cakes?

ME: Nope. By the way, how many did you make last night?

HUBBY: 23, I think. Did the dogs eat one of the cakes (a tad more forceful with me this time)

ME: NOPE (thinking to myself, heck no they didn’t eat ONE, they ate 14!!!! FOURTEEN freaking CHOCOLATE CHIP cakes with PLASTIC WRAP!!!!!!)

ME: Ok, gotta go, I love you oh sexy Hubby.

HUBBY: Goodbye my love. I’ll think of you and your long beautiful legs all day until I walk thru the door and see you again.

And we got off the phone and I had to reschedule my day to NOW have to re-bake the damn cakes!!!!!

Stupid stupid stupid DOGS.

I love my dogs. I really do. I ought to, I brought both of them home. (Technically, I convinced Hubby to “let” me have them. Stop laughing. I swear if he had said NO, I wouldn’t have gotten them. Yet. I just would have worked harder to convince him to say yes)

I told the kids that if they got sick and flipped over on their backs (the dogs, not the kids) I was NOT taking them to the ding dang vet. They could choke on the cake and plastic wrap for all I cared. I was so mad!!!!

I didn’t stay mad long and they didn’t die or anything. And Hubby didn’t kill them so all is well.

Except for the backyard. The big kids are NOT going to like having pooper scooper duty this week at all.

Every stinkin’ year….

2010-12-19T18:42:00.001-05:00

I really am going to start just skipping December.

Every December something breaks.

Two years ago, the furnace.

Last year, the water heater.

Today, the washing machine.

I want to throw myself down the stairs.

I might look for a new one on Craigslist….will figure it all out tomorrow. I’ve called the repair guy, will see what they say tomorrow morning.

Cutts gets married, take 2!

2010-12-10T14:56:00.001-05:00

So remember back in April when my friend, Cutts, got married? Well she wasn’t super thrilled with the wedding photographer’s pictures. Lots of people are in that boat. She just decided to do something about it! How cool is that.

So over Thanksgiving, she and Grimmer and Justine (her step daughter) got dressed up in their wedding day finest and went back to the hotel, with an incredible DIFFERENT photographer…and did it again!!!

The pictures are amazing…

here are some of my favorites. Cutts had written (like she did back in high school) on the bottom of her shoes

This one is my absolute favorite…

and this one….gorgeous…

this one is so Cutts it just makes me smile….

So, Courtney – KUKOS to you for capturing an incredible moment, that yes, was re-created, but they look as happy and in love in these pictures as they did in real life on that day back in April!!!

Make sure you check our her website!!!!!

http://www.courtneyaliahblog.com/

Way to go Joshy

2010-12-08T17:29:00.001-05:00

This is my cousin, Josh…(you can check him out at www.joshcox.com he’s pretty amazing.)

Josh Cox, 35, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., shows off the winner's tape like a boxer's title belt while crossing the finish line to win the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday.

How cool is he? How cool is it that he is my cousin and I cannot run a lick…… I’m just saying…

For the complete article click HERE.

Let’s recap how much our lives have changed…

2010-12-08T16:08:00.001-05:00

This is what i had to say 2 years ago at the time…

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Careful what ya say.

As you can read below in my post dated December 4, you, ok , well, I, need to be very careful what I say. See that last line, look down, where I said and I quote " When I say I am maxed out, I really mean it. Can't. Take. Anymore."
God has a sense of humor folks. Why do i say that you ask...How about this for a laugh..
I am 9 weeks and 2 days pregnant!!!
Now let me tell you why this means God has a sense of humor. I was on those nifty little things called pills. And no, I didn't forget to take one, thank you. I was like of those dumb little teenagers who goes into the doctor for one reason or the other and finds out she is knocked up. I went in for an ultrasound to check for female plumbing problems, which I don't have. And while doing the ultrasound, Oh look, there's a baby, in a bar.
Hubby and bebe's have taken it quite well. I am still a little stunned. Getting used to the idea of the fact that I will never be done at the elementary school (which thank goodness I love it there) but still, I'm going to be the old lady that gives tours and says "I remember way back when this school opened all those years ago".)
Seriously. I am truly maxed out now.

Chips and dip and dip and dip

2010-12-07T13:46:00.000-05:00

Even if I didn't know that the baby was mine, I would know he was mine because he LOVES chips and dip.

Ok, it's really just the dip that he likes. He thinks the chips are a goofy fork or spoon. Whatever works I guess. Here he is on Sunday night licking the dip off the chips. We give him his own dip bowl - double dipping lessons will come when he is 2........oh - he also plays peeky-boo..yes, peeky-boo....bit camera shy.....you might need to turn the Christmas music (on left sidebar) off to hear him......too cute!