Gumby World

Wow. Has it been that long since my last post?

2009-12-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

I guess so. Dates don't lie. What a crazy life this year has been. It is ending on a wonderful note. Jeff is done with the 'liquid' chemo part of his treatment. He will move on to taking meds in pill form for the next part. It has been an amazing ride. I know we are not done yet. We will keep on fighting.

I am thinking of doing something different with my blog for this next year. We will see how it goes. I am going to combine my love of reading and activism together and attempt to do the challenges listed in this blog:

I think there is so much we are called to do in this world. We can't take a back seat and think someone else will do the job. We can and need to do our part. I can't wait to see where {and how far I can get, :-)} this takes me.

So How Are You Today?

2009-07-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

Here we are... Jeff has started his long bout of chemo. It should last about 6 weeks. I don't think it will be much fun at all. I know it frustrates him to feel so yucky. He said the last 4-5 days has felt like he is living with the flu constantly. The last time he had this kind of chemo he was in the hospital. Now he has to juggle driving to the Doctor, work and home. I know he is exhausted at the end of the day.

How am I? Tired. There are days I'm great. I know life is so good and filled with laughter (thanks to Jeff). Then there are days where I can't take another person "needing" me. I'm tired. The kids do start school tomorrow and getting back into a routine will be good, maybe come quiet time during the day.

Saturday, at the Pool, on the 4th of July

2009-07-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July was a lot of fun. Jeff's sister, Marion, came out and treated us to a weekend at a local resort. The big draw was the pool but the local wildlife (lizards, rabbits, birds, oh my) and food was a big hit too.

Even the dog, Cocoa, got a vacation... and love it. I think Aunt Marion might just love the dog more than us, ~grins~

Life is pretty good at our house. We are expecting some more visitors to arrive for the week. Jeff starts another long round of chemo (we have to say good-bye to the hair he finally grew). The kids start back to school in a week. I know I'll blog about that. Andrew will be in High School and Catherine in Middle School. I don't know if my nerves can handle so much change. It's been a big year so far.

It will be the year that Jeff and I talk about in our old age (in an old age voice) "remember back in '09 when Obama was elected, you came down with Leukemia, and the kids seemed to grow up so much in just 1 year. Now that was a year. What a year."

Funny Things on a Stressful Day...

2009-06-29T23:46:00.001-07:00

It is Monday. That is probably enough. It is also The Dr Visit day (find out what the next step is and adjust). It is the day my kids wake up poking, arguing, yelling, denying, crying... rinse and repeat. I know I probably added to the fiasco of the day but it is what it is.

So on a trip to get the kids out of the house and off my last nerve this is what we see. A ton of airplanes. We live close to an air base so we see them all the time. Just hearing Silvia's joy as she shouts "I see a Paper Airplane!" just brought a smile to my face. Then Georgia had to say "That's not a paper airplane. Just a plane" to which Silvia has to yell "No! a PAPER AIRPLANE!!!" to which Georgia has to reply "No. Just a plane." to which I have to say "It's a Paper Airplane if she wants it to be even if it isn't!". Aw, to be a mom and say what needs to be said to stop an argument. Life is ok.

Good Times with Good Friends...

2009-06-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky this summer. So many friends and family are coming out here to visit. First my sister Tammy arrived. She brought along Megan and a friend. We had a blast running round Mt. Lemmon and going to the mall.

Then a Mommy friend I met on one of my mommy boards came out for a few days. We had a lot of fun at the pool and the Tucson Children's Museum.

Up next is my Sister in Law. We will have a fun weekend at one of the resorts here in Tucson. Lots of pools, relaxation and great company. (will post pictures of that later).

Also, Jeff and I are legal finally. Today is our 21st anniversary. Wow, 21 years. Through Thick and Thin, I would do it all over again... with him. I do love that man. Get to feeling better soon so we can go out to eat, sweetie!

This Award Goes To....

2009-05-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

Recently I have felt as if I have the world on my shoulders. It felt heavy there for just a short time. It seems the world isn't that heavy when you have so many wonderful people helping you carry it along the way. I would like to give the Atlas Award to the following people or groups of people.....

1. Marion, my Sister in Law.. She was the first to be here. She (and her sister) knew what was coming even though Jeff and I were in denial. I am so thankful for her knowldge (although it was learned the hard way with the fight against Cancer with her Mom). She flew into Tucson knowing I had 5 kids at home and offered to do what needed to be done. AND she is coming back for another visit. I'm glad The Kids didn't scare her off ~grins~.

2. Desert Skies United Methodist Church.. Wow. This church is amazing. I get chocked up just thinking about all that they have done. Food, extra fridge, visits, food, prayers, love, food, babysitting... I especially give this award to Jennifer. This lady is amazing and answered her phone when I called even though she knew I was probably going to ask for some child running favors.

3. The Moms.. I might be the only daughter/daughter-in-law that can say she had her mom and her mother-in-law in the same house for 2 weeks and would have them here again, together. They both jumped in with serving food, doing homework, walks to the park, baths, love, fun and giggles. I don't think my kids even missed me while I was at the hospital with Jeff cause they had it all (and then some... Cocoa, the dog, still misses Memaw and Marion cause she got a few extra scraps that normally don't come her way). I can just imagine how it feels to see your child dealing with such stress (Jeff and me). Thanks Art, Kathy, Q and Izzy for lending Granny out for a spell.

4. Tammy, Sabrina, Allison, Amy, Russell, Silvia, Mary and so many more.. From siblings to friends to cyber friends I've never met in person, your phone calls, cards, facebooking, e-mailing helped me so much. For those that just talked about their lives to take my mind off of mine, I can not thank you enough. I know you wanted to ask what was going on but helping with my mental breaks meant to much to me. The gift package of love that I got from some mom friends had me in tears thinking about how many people we have in our lives that we touch but also touch us.

5. Facebook Family.. I swear, where did I spend my time before this wonderful piece of software cyberspace home? The ability to talk to old friends, keep in touch with family far and near, chatting with new friends... it is amazing. I loved being about to keep all of you informed. Seemed to be for selfish reasons. I loved know so many people were out there cheering Jeff off. We had to have had people sending up prayers from so many states and countries.

I know we still have more to go but Jeff did get the word "remission" from his last bone marrow. Now to keep him there. There is more chemo, more dr appointments, more hospital stays, more stress, more joy... we are not done yet but let me just say that I'm not afraid of the weight. With so many giving a hand to hold that up, I almost think it is filled with air. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Something To Remember If You Come Visit My House...

2009-05-08T21:35:00.001-07:00

if you bring a bottle of shampoo, you know something like this...

Don't leave it in the bathroom (like most people do) because my kids might do this with it....

When I asked why use the WHOLE bottle of shampoo in their bath they told me "We LOVE bubble baths!" Sigh. It's what I get for doing laundy right next door and thinking they were just giggling with sisterly love.

Thank Goodness I Have a Thing For Bald(ish) Men....

2009-05-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

In no particular order....

I think is started with this guy and I don't ever LIKE to clean...

He Is Home and Life Finds a New Normal...

2009-05-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Jeff has been home for a week. Although nice it has caused a little stress. The "what if's" and what the future holds is a little scary. The kids are much happier to have him home and have to check in on him all the time. Jeff has so much more treatment ahead of him. I know we are all anxious to find our family groove again.

We made it to church on Sunday. The girls had on their new dresses but were not in the mood for The Perfect Picture. sigh.

And then a swim party that afternoon.

And since Georgia went swimming in her new bathing suit the other girls had to try theirs out too. They can not wait for the swimming pool to open up down the street.

One week of Chemo down...

2009-04-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

3 more to go. Jeff had Chemo on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then a few days off. He will do another round again this week. He is doing well. very little side effects so far.

Here he is trying to be one of those PJ models in the JC Penney catalogs.

Because he can NOT get sick the younger kids can not go into his hospital room to visit. His bedroom is beside an open court yard so I take the kids up to visit through his window. He calls himself "Boy in the Bubble"

Silvia isn't crying because of Jeff. Catherine had picked her up and she busted her head on the window trying to get to him.

It is Easter....

2009-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

2009 has been an interesting year so far. Here are a few pictures of the kids and a little Easter fun...

My apologies to the kids for so little pictures. I'm usually a camera hog and have to make myself stop and choose. Our Easter this year was just a little different. On Tuesday of this week, Jeff checked in to the hospital. On his Birthday, Friday, we found out he has Leukemia (ALL). He is starting Chemo today. Here are a few pictures of Jeff with his fighting PJ's on and ready to go...

The last picture is Jeff saying goodbye to his beer belly.

He is READY. We are going to win.

The Tooth Fairy Was Active At Our House....

2009-02-12T06:33:00.001-08:00

Charlotte says: "I'm glad the Tooth Fairy Likes Kids Momma!"

Me too, sweetie.

So the bottom 2 teeth came out on their own, like they should. With much excitement and angst. She didn't want to loose her teeth... she didn't want to grow up... "Momma wiggle my teeth, NO, don't touch"... and finally with total shock and glee, they fell out. The tooth fairy showed up (at our friends Amy's house, thank goodness the Tooth fairy knows all things!) and all was well. Fast forward a month. She loves those skates. It just when one falls face first in our garage (you know, with concrete) on the step the battle between teeth and rock is a no brainer. A trip to the dentist and $100 later, the Tooth Fairy shows up again. She received a little more than normal for those last 2 teeth. I call it Guilt money. Like I should have known to stuff her mouth with a mouth guard before a round of skating but whatever. She is now the proud owner of a straw hole and proud to show it off to anyone that will look.

Life Has Been Busy...

2009-02-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas. It was so much fun to have all 4 of us together again. I have such wonderful memories (and some not so wonderful but who thinks about those all the time, LOL) growing up with these people.

Mike throwing rocks at wasps nests and Russell and I trying to escape, we didn't. Mike abandoning me at the top of a "mountain" behind my grandparents farm. Mike and I setting my Grandfathers hay field on fire. Good times.

Beating Russell in running a race and I was wearing hills (that was the last time I raced him). Use trying out jumps on our bikes after watching Dukes of Hazard. Watching Russell running down the isle of Wal-mart showing me how fast his new shoes were.

Sharing a bed with Tammy at my Grandmothers. She would fall asleep holding my finger. Tammy and I trying out new "dance" steps after watching Dance Fever. Seeing the excitement of getting her first razor.

Makes me wonder what my kids will remember about their childhood growing up with each other.

Cast Iron Skillet Art...

2008-12-15T15:01:00.001-08:00

Things my husband does to make me smile....

I never know what I'll wake up to the next morning if he cleans the kitchen the night before. Do you think he has a calling? I saw a guy that makes life sized Lego portraits and asks big bucks for it and someone else that does those etch-a-sketch drawings. I'm sure he could find a niche.

My Crazy World...

2008-12-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Kids, they always keep us on our toes. Mine are no different. It seems my accident prone daughter, Catherine, has struck again. I thought it was going to be my son, Andrew, that would send me to the Dr/ER/Radiology more than anyone. That is what stereotypes do to you. But no, it is my pink, frilly, princess Catherine that has had a broken collar bone, dislocated elbow (a couple of times), 3rd degree sunburns, illnesses out the wazoo and now.... a drum roll.....

Yep, a broken foot.. complete with cast. Yes that is blue, because pink is passe in her book for now. It seems that a cast iron lid (our 12 inch lid) fell straight down on her foot. A couple of broken metatarsals later, we are here, hobbling around on crutches, enjoying the attention but hating the pain in her arms as well as her foot. I'm thinking I need to up my caffeine intake to keep up with these kids.

I am amazed that Thanksgiving as come and gone...

and we are in the home stretch of Christmas. I think the kids are ready....

But am I????

To All Of You....

2008-11-27T07:25:00.001-08:00

And my kids say "No School Day!"

I Love You Too....

2008-11-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

Charlotte: I love you Mom.

Me: I love you too.

Charlotte: Why do you call me that?

Me: Call you what?

Charlotte: Why do you call me "Too"? My name is Charlotte!

Me: *giggling* I just think it is a nice name. I'll call you Charlotte from now on.

You win some, you lose some....

2008-11-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm still talking a little bit about politics. It is all on the news. You can't get away from it. I thought once the voting was over, a President picked that things would calm down on the news show front. BUT... I swear some are having a hard time with the outcome. This morning I hear some newcaster is patting themselves on the back for being so gracious with the loose. I kept hearing "The Democrat's wouldn't be so gracious". Like we have never been on the loosing side? Come on. I think we have dealt with loosing. In the last 28 years the dems have only had 8 of those years.

Another favorite was a blog I read about THEY (ie republicans) will support Obama and not tear him down like the Dems did to Pres. Bush. Personally I thought Bush did a pretty good job messing things up. I think he had most people in his sphere once 9/11 occured. The ball was dropped.

I hope from both side we just work to get this job done. I have heard from so many people that are suffering from money problems (not sure if getting out there and spending MORE money is the answer to that one), loosing jobs and struggling day to day. I think we need to refocus on what is going on around us. My prayers are with everyone.

Where Are These Kids Hearing This Stuff.....

2008-11-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

So my 5th grader comes home yesterday saying there are rumors flying around school about Obama. She said most of it was silly but her friends were scared. I asked what they were and what did she say to them.

*Rumor 1: Obama will make all the kids go to school on Saturday and Sunday.

*Rumor 2: He will make their school days longer and they won't have any fun.

and my favorite (I kind of blew the other 2 off with a laugh and just said that change is a hard thing and Obama will not make them go to school like that. But we parents might! LOL)... wait for it......

*Rumor 3: Obama likes Black kids more than White kids.

For the love of all that is Holy... Who is telling them this? Remind me what year we are living in?

So I asked Catherine what she said. She told them that was silly. She also told one of her favorite teachers about the rumors saying the kids were scared. Her favorite teacher said "Let me talk to the teachers, sound like we need an education moment."

And we wonder if Race would be a factor. Why people keep saying "It shouldn't matter that he is Black."... fine but obviously it still does matter. It just made me sad.

I Know Where I'll Be Tomorrow....

2008-11-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

I hope to see you there!

And Now She is 8.....

2008-10-20T22:31:00.001-07:00

Look at that 8 year old face... She is full of energy but not. She is so strong but not. She has made me become a better, patient Mother and I needed her. She was born with her volume on LOUD and is still going strong and LOUD. I can't wait to see what she makes of this world and what the world makes of her. She has 2 loose teeth and thinks she should stay home tomorrow. When I asked what she wanted for her birthday supper she said "Mac and Cheese with some Tuna" My easy supper.. how can a Mother not LOVE that. It's her Birthday and I'm so happy. I love you my Georgia Beans. Smooches and hugs and Happy Birthday all day long.

She turned 2... Where did the time go...

2008-10-17T17:43:00.001-07:00

I know. I know. I say with all the kids just different ages but it is so true. I find it amazing how much they learn in 2 years. Physically and mentally they start out so dependent on us for everything and within 2 years become so independent. Having opinions, talking, jumping, yelling, laughing, screaming, giggling, stripping, playing, running, loving, hugging, kissing.... so many wonderful learning moments. I think it is more for me than her, all these moments. I look at her and smile. She makes me laugh. I bless the day Silvia Fiona came into our lives and have loved every day. I can't wait to see what the future brings my way for her. I love you, Silvia!

Teenage Boys... Not Sure I Can Figure Them Out

2008-10-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

Andrew has some friends over. In the span of 10 minutes they were laughing and hitting... Then the plans for a video they are making starts going south. They argue over the direction of the video and whether it makes sense. Then someone got hurt (I'm not sure how that one happened). One was gripping. One asking what was going on. One was going home in a flurry of apologies. Arguing over him not going home. Then they were all going to his home to work on the video they were "discussing" earlier. They just walked out the door arguing, laughing and hitting.

Can I admit that if they happened (which in some ways it has) with the girls it would take 2 days to find out how it all started and they then might call each other to talk if the stars were aligned.

Maybe it is just teenage kids I don't understand.

Kimberly? That's your REAL Name?

2008-09-12T13:36:00.001-07:00

Georgia's way of getting mine or Jeff attention is to call out our names "Kim!" or "Jeff!". In the sea of Mom and Dad, it does stand out and get our attention. So yesterday Andrew told Georgia that my real name was Kimberly. Georgia was quick to respond with "No it's Kim or Mom." Andrew made the push to say that it really was Kimberly. She turns to me with that shocked expression. Looks at me and says "WHAT? Kimberly??" I say yes it is and thought that was the end of it.

5 minutes ago...

Georgia: "Your name is KIMBERLY? REALLY?"

Me: "Yes, really. Memaw named me Kimberly Kay but a lot of people call me Kim."

Georgia: "Yes, i call you Kim. But I think I like your name Mom better."

Me: "I like my name as Mom too sweetie."

She is Going To Be 11...

2008-09-08T08:55:00.001-07:00

Where did the time go? We used to call her our porcelain baby doll. Her skin was so creamy white when she was a baby. I remember when she chased her brother around the house because he had freckles and she didn't... she is still our freckle face.

Totally Stolen But Since I Love Books...

2008-08-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

(Thanks Mary, Alison, Geena) If you have a book that isn't on the list put it in my comments. I'm always looking for a good read. And I actually have about 10 of the books on the list on my shelf. Just haven't read them yet. Some day.

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

The Big Read estimates that the average person has only read 6 of the 100 greatest books ever printed.

Copy and paste to your blog and play along! Bold books you've read, and italics books you love.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 The Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials – Phillip Pullman
10 Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller.
14 The Complete works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
17 Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler's Wife
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies – William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune- Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick – Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 notes from a small island
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince – Antoine de St. Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town like Alice- Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet- William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables – Victor Hugo read the abridged version

Cartoon Network the Death of Saturday Morning Cartoons?

2008-08-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

I LOVED Saturday mornings. The whole morning was set aside for those wonderful, educational cartoons. My favorites were Smurfs, Dungeon and Dragons, Bugs Bunny, Dangermouse, The Flintstones, and the Littles. I loved them all. Most Saturdays I was at my Grandmothers house. She would make me an egg sandwich and turn on the old black and white TV that took forever to warm up. Then my Brother and Sister and I would argue over which show to watch or which show was the best.

It is Saturday morning right now and where are my kids? Andrew is on the computer (right beside me), Catherine is practicing Christmas songs on the piano, Georgia is helping Silvia find her Spider book that she loves and Charlotte is waiting for the water to boil for oatmeal. Are the cartoons on? Are the glued to the TV waiting patiently through the commercials to see what happens next? No. I think Cartoon network and Nick has killed the fun of Saturday morning cartoons.

I know, I know... It's Been Awhile...

2008-07-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

But the kids are back in school and I have time... well, some. I'll be back into the swing of things next week for sure.

Update from our house... as mentioned, kids are in school. Andrew went into the 8th grade. I was talking to a friend and mentioned that our kids would be in High School next year. My heart stopped. When did that happen?

Catherine is in the 5th grade. She is growing up so fast. I laugh a little when I go up to bed and she is in her room reading her book. It seems Twilight has caught her attention. Thankfully the new book (and last in the series) is released tomorrow. Guess where we will be.

Georgia is in the 2nd grade. I swear the child has shot up 3 inches over the summer. She is so intent in figuring things out. Once she gets it she will NEVER let you forget. She is my new computer guru. She loves her computer games. Poor kid is always begging for a computer spot.

Charlotte started Kindergarten this year. Wow. She is loving her freedom as long as I'm there to watch. That bike could be glued to her bottom and she would be happy. Her new fav thing is to ride like the wind and ramp it up over our sloped curb with a nice POP. Then she looks at me and says "Do I scare your Heart Momma?" Yes, child, you do.

Silvia is 21 months. she is a walking, running, jumping, screaming, laughing, squealing, eating, talking, barking, playing bundle of joy. Boy does she know how to get her sister screaming too. It is never quiet ...

except right now. Silvia is napping. The dog is napping. The older kids are in school. And here I am. sweet, blessed silence. sigh. Time to go wake up Silvia and go pick up kids. My mom says I'll miss all the noise at one point... I'm trying to figure out when that would be.

The 5 Wild Ones

2008-06-25T08:38:00.001-07:00

Charlotte Decided She could Ride....

2008-05-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

without training wheels. Life is good on 2 wheels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzhvxRweGWc

For the Birds...

2008-05-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

The Early Bird Gets the Worm......

Birds of a Feather Flock Together....

A Little Birdie Told me....

Don't count your chickens before they hatched....

So many wonderful sayings about birds. It seems Arizona is full of birds. Tons of singing chirruping birds. I love to listen to the birds sing. I love Spring because of the chirruping of the little baby birds. I love to watch birds fly. Just the thought of soaring so high, feeling the wind all around. I love it all........

EXCEPT for the birds that are outside my window at 5 AM in the morning singing their little hearts out! EXCUSE me but I would like to sleep for 1 more hour before getting all the kids up but no.... they must sing. And wake me. And make me hate them. There are more than 100 of those precious creatures in my neighborhood. I like to have my window open because it is Arizona and the breeze is cool at night. And then THE BIRDS......

Killing two birds with one stone........

Georgia's Joy

2008-04-15T09:44:00.001-07:00

"You know I LOVE you Momma?"

2008-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

Was the question Georgia put to me just the other day.

Me: "Of course I know you love me. I LOVE you too."
Georgia: "I just wanted you to know. Cause I REALLY love my bike. I really do love my bike."
Me: "Yes, I know you do."
Georgia: "But that doesn't mean I don't love you too. It's just different."

This is why we had this conversation.... Video is above...

She Is In The KNOW....

2008-03-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ah, growing up is harder on the parents than the kids at times. Andrew has KNOWN about Santa and the Easter Bunny for a few years now. I knew Catherine should be getting to that point soon. It finally happened.

She is 10 1/2 years old now. Easter was a little crazy this year. We had company for a week. Andrew was part of the sunrise service at church which means that he, Jeff and company were gone at 5 am! I kept meaning to set the baskets out but Silvia woke up. Got her back to sleep and then Charlotte woke up (only 5:30 am at this time) and I finally got her back to sleep. I was about to get up and...... Georgia walked in all sad. Seems the Easter bunny hadn't shown up yet... Yes, that would be me falling down on the job again (search for the tooth fairy stories). I told her to go back to bed. That Daddy and Andrew had to leave early so the Easter bunny was probably waiting to come back. I did the baskets and tossing of the eggs. Went to check on Georgia and she was covered up to her chin with HUGE eyes trying to hear that Bunny. Ah, the things we do to our kids. I laid down with her and then said, "Maybe he has come finally. Go check." She gets up and starts out the room. Turns around and grabs her baby doll and a stuffed animal... you know, just incase that Easter Bunny turns on her. Next comes the screams of joy with the pounding of feet up the stairs and the waking of Charlotte and Silvia. Catherine? Where is she you ask? In bed, sleeping. I was jealous.

She finally woke up a couple of hours later. Was excited since she got a Alvin and the Chipmunks CD (which is another post for later and how my brain doesn't handle the chipmunks singing with kids talking). After church we all came home. I was sitting here at the computer and Catherine was at the other computer right beside me. She turns and says....

Catherine: Mom, You HAVE to tell me the truth!

Me (knowing what is coming): Sweetie, I always try to tell you the truth.

Catherine: IS the Easter bunny real? The TRUTH...

Me (doing the same reply everytime this start asking this): What do you think?

Catherine: Ahhhhh.... That's how you don't lie to us. Tell me. Is he real?

Me: No, Catherine. There is not a REAL Easter bunny like you think. Daddy and I are the Easter bunny cause we love to make our kids smile. We loved getting baskets on Easter too.

Catherine: Sooooo. if the bunny isn't real then that means what about Santa?

Me: Your Dad and I do all the Christmas gifts too. We get to play Santa and try to make your wishes come true.

Catherine (a response that I was NOT expecting): Thank goodness you told me NOW. What would have happened when I had kids and waited for Santa to bring them all their gifts. They would be so mad!

I swear. It is never a dull moment with kids. I'm still giggling over that one. Also, I was told that she and her friend had been talking about this a long time but her friend didn't want to ask her parents cause it might upset them. I got lucky. ~grins~

Happy Easter To All....

2008-03-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

It is my favorite holiday. Not because of the chocolate or the Easter baskets... the meaning, the joy of Easter morning is so much more. I wish everyone a wonder filled, joyful Easter morning tomorrow.

Knock Yourself Out, Darling...

2008-03-04T12:24:00.001-08:00

I just love my kids. They are so good for the soul. They can make you walk on clouds or pop any notion that you are doing everything perfect.... Case in point....

Meet my 10 year old daughter. She is a bright, fun filled child. She is also just like her father. When she wakes up, she is cheerful. Only the night owls out here will know how annoying that can be. She also loves to talk in the morning. Um, I don't. Let's look at this morning...

Catherine wakes up at 6 am. She likes to have all her clothes, backpack, and jackets ready the night before. She will get up, get dressed and do her hair (she is 10 and "doing" her hair). She will then go into my room to make sure I'm awake. Because I hate mornings. I really do. I could stay up til 3 AM reading, talking, cleaning but because I have 5 kids and 3 of them go to school I had to change. I go to bed like a good adult should but still hate mornings.

Silvia and I finally stumble down the stairs. Catherine is ready and at the computer. I knock on Andrew's door for his wake up call. I then head straight to the coffee maker. I am now, at the ripe old age of 39, addicted to a morning cup of coffee. As I get my jolt brewing Catherine skips into the kitchen (or chicken if you are my 4 year old daughter, I like to make her say "chicken" all the time). And the conversation goes:

Catherine: Can I make some french toast for Andrew and me? I'll make you some if you want.

Me: (mumbling) That's fine.

Catherine: Why do I like to cook?

Me: I have no idea.

Catherine: I like to eat breakfast in the morning.

Me: mummm....

Catherine: You know what mom?

Me: (now drinking the coffee and leaning against the wall watching my 10 old make french toast while chattering like a magpie) What darling?

Catherine: When I grow up and have kids, I WILL wake up in the morning, smiling and make them breakfast.... every morning!

Me: (not even insulted) Knock yourself out Darling. (take another drink of coffee and watch her plate the cooked French toast... patting self on the back for helping her "learn" how to cook).

He is 13.....

2008-02-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

I went to wake him up this morning and just looked at him. I remember bringing him home, all 7 lbs 11 oz of him. I remember being terrified of cutting his finger nails. I remember being so exhausted and so in love. I remember having nightmares of him growing razor sharp teeth and still wanting to nurse. I remember watching him sleep all curled up. And then I woke up my now 13 year old son and saw him stretch. His feet are about to hang off his mattress. He is excited about going to Washington D. C. on a class trip. He is talking about going to his Valentine's Day dance. He is almost as tall as me. He has a humor that makes me laugh out loud. He has a laugh that makes me smile. It seems like he was a baby not so long ago. And yet, here he is all grown up and looking like a teenager. Happy Birthday my Juju. I Love You.

(written on his birthday 2/13)

Things that make me go HMMMMMM.....

2008-02-15T08:17:00.000-08:00

Why is it that when I'm in a rush to get out the door that Silvia figures out how to explode a diaper?

Why do I feel like I'm "doing" something when I have the washer, dryer and dishwasher running?

How is it I can step in the only puddle of water in the kitchen when I'm wearing socks?

I will always wonder how my kids can sleep in so late on school mornings but wake up at 6 am on the only day I get to sleep in...

The one time I am at a teacher meeting on time everyone else is running late... BUT if I was the one running late they would have all been sitting at the table waiting on me.....

That the one day I blow off my child when she says she doesn't feel well I get a call from the school that she is running a temperature and I need to pick her up.

My kids that LOVE to play in the rain, jump in water puddles, actually ask me to let them out and want me to drive thru the water to splash them ... They look at me like I should be called in for child abuse when I suggest they walk to school in the rain since they have umbrellas.

Forgot one... I can disprove evolution by just saying that if evolution was true then moms would have 4 extra retractable arms. How do we do it all without at least 4 extra arms?

The Wind Blowing Through My Hair...

2008-02-13T12:40:00.001-08:00

I had a moment. A blissful 30 minutes. A quiet, peaceful period of time. I dropped Andrew off at his youth meeting at church and then I was in the car, alone. It had been a while. I usually have at least 1 child with me at all times. There were a few times when I lived in Arkansas after I dropped off all the kids at school and daycare and I headed to work that I had this ME moment. When I was with just my thoughts, could listen to my radio or read a page without being called. This time I wasn't heading to work. I wasn't worried about being somewhere on time. It was just me. I rolled the windows down. For the first time my hair was not pulled back in a pony tail or scarf. My hair started flying. I cranked up Bonnie Raitt on the CD player and bluesed it out with one of the best. I'm smiling just thinking about this lady singing outloud, alone in the car with her hair flying. I know she gets buried under kids and home a lot but when she shines through I just smile.

Conversations With a 7 Year Old...

2008-02-05T15:17:00.000-08:00

can, at times, be confusing. With Georgia it is most of the time. She still gets a lot of her words wrong. Her pronouns are iffy. Just saying certain words, well you just have to know but it is getting so much better. Here are 2 short conversations that let me know she is growing up way to fast....

Conversation #1

Georgia: I wish I could be Memaw's (this is my Mom) kid.

Me: Why do you want to me Memaw's kid?

Georgia: Cause Memaw doesn't have any kids. She needs some kids.

Andrew: (laughing) Um, Georgia, Memaw has 4 kids. Mom is one of her kids.

Georgia: No, she needs a kid like me! Not a big one like Mom. Memaw will be lonely with no kids like me.

Me: Everyone needs a kid like you Georgia Beans!

Conversation #2

With Valentine's around the corner that mean love is in the air. Or is it love??

Georgia: I don't think Robert likes me.

Me: Why do you think he doesn't like you?

Georgia: He won't play with me or let me hug him. (Georgia is a HUGE HUGGER).

Me: Maybe he only likes to play with other boys and not girls yet. Some boys are like that.

Georgia: Weeelllll, I don't think Robert will get me a valentine.

Me: I'm sure he will. I think you have to give one to everyone.

Georgia: Are you sure about that?

Me: I'm pretty sure. Why do you like Robert??

Georgia: No. He just won't hug me. Probably won't give me a valentine.

PAUSE....

Georgia: I just have a very bad feeling about that..... (sigh)

My Year of Numbers...

2008-01-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

I've discovered that this is going to be an interesting year with numbers. Some are sad number, others are WOW numbers and one is an AMAZING number.

It's been 5 years since my Dad died. It is so hard to think of what I miss most about him. He had such a wonderful laugh and smile. I know that is one of the major things I miss. His crooked smile was beautiful. I miss his hands. He was a hard worker. He fixed cars like my husband programs computers. His hands were always covered in oil clean or not. You could tell he was a hard worker by just looking at his hands. I just miss him. Everything that he was and the sad part of who he never got to be. He missed seeing his great granddaughter and 5 of his grandkids. We miss you Dad!

The number 13... My oldest will be 13 on the 13th of February. I am amazed that he is going to be a teenager. I'm also amazed that I'll be a mom of a teenager. Where have the years gone. I can still see him when we brought him home. He had a head full of hair and an amazing LOUD voice. He started us on this road of parenthood and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have 5 kids turning my hair Grey. He has grown into such an amazing young man. I'm so excited (and yet sad to see that "child" phase of his slipping by) to see who he will be in another 13 years.

Look at that number. That is the number of years Jeff and I have been married this June. It does not seem like we have lived together, laughed together, shared together 20 years of our life. To this day that man can make me laugh. I know when we celebrate our 50th anniversary he will still be making me laugh. I'm glad I didn't let him get away.

Then there is this one. The number 40. That is me. Or will be me on May 2nd. 40 years old. Sometimes it has felt like a blink of an eye since I graduated High School and not 22 years ago. I still see myself with long blond hair racing my bike with my brother. Or I see myself dressed in blue heading off to my job at Tastee Freeze. Or I see myself in a long BRIGHT yellow sweater walking across campus with my best friend Lisa. Or I see myself standing in front of a judge with the man that makes me laugh. I have so many pictures of who I am that I find that each year I love more and more of who I have become. So for right now I'm loving 40 (just ask me again on my birthday when I REALLY turn 40 if I'm still smiling).

There Are Some Days.....

2008-01-23T12:37:00.001-08:00

when a mom needs a pause button. Ok, I could use it every hour at times and this week has been one of those weeks. Silvia has been sick and whiny (which is enough to send one over the edge) but add a sick momma and a 4 year old that has a very strong mind of her own.... well, lets just say I'm not pretty right now. You also have a mom that pushed the remote (and we have one just like the one in the picture and we STILL loose it!) pause button just to see what would happen. It didn't work but it did make me giggle.

Sometimes The Joy Just Leaps Off The Picture...

2008-01-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to have 1 day of snow in Arkansas. The day after Christmas a few flurries started and kept coming for almost all the day. The kids were ecstatic and could not wait to run out in it. They were barely dressed before dashing out into the weather....

And to watch them play and laugh together was a joy for me. I could feel their joy and peace (for the most part)....

It was a perfect end to a beautiful Christmas with family and friends. And best of all, it was gone the next day. Sweet!

Just a few things I miss from Arkansas....

2008-01-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”

Don't You Just Love Watching Them...

2007-12-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

go and grow? I've been kind of sad recently. It seems my kids have all outgrown their old clothes and have had to move up a size. Andrew will be 13 in 6 weeks. The girls are doing so much that it is hard to keep up with them. My baby isn't much of a baby any more. She walking, climbing, yelling at the dog. I think it is funny that as a Mom there are times you pray they grow out of a phase quickly and then you hold on for dear life because you want them to stop growing.

It's Silly I know, But It Makes Me Happy....

2007-12-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

To think my old van may see a new family. We donated our old van to a church a couple of weeks ago(yes, it has been sitting in my garage since its untimely death). They picked it up on Friday. The church it goes to accepts around 200 applications a year for people that need cars. They accept cars they can fix up or use for parts and get them running. Then the cars get a new family. A new life. It makes me happy. I'm a sap. I'm also in love with the idea that someone in need will have a tool that can help them get a job, transport their family, enjoy life with a little more ease. So I'm crossing my fingers I'll see that old van around somewhere, sometime.

As much as I "miss" my old van... having a car that has air conditioner that works without you slamming doors and doors that open without breaking a nail in the process and a trunk that will pop without someone jiggling the lock button... it has it's perks.

You Know You Aren't in Arkansas Anymore When...

2007-11-18T20:10:00.001-08:00

Moving to Arizona has been eye opening, an adjustment, lots of fun and many more things. There are things they agree on like they both start with A, they both have bad drivers around, and they both have wonderful Churches. BUT there are a few things will clue us in to the fact that we aren't in Arkansas any more....

It is November and you can still wear shorts, halter tops and flip flops out side. It was kind of scary to go to the Mall last weekend and see all the Christmas stuff up and everyone in shorts.
When you get a drivers licenses in Arizona the renewal date says that they will see me again in 2033.
We left our lawn mower in Arkansas and we don't miss it. The "lawns" are mainly rocks out here.
The cactus out here are as tall as the Pine Trees that were in our front yard in Arkansas.

And the most amazing thing that I have seen since I've moved out here and I never saw when I lived in Arkansas was....

.....Someone vacuuming their driveway. I kid you not. I told Jeff that I understand the need to be clean and I do try my best to follow the "rule" in the housing association we live in but I will draw the line at plugging in our shopvac and sucking up dirt and rocks that are in the cracks in our driveway. Just am NOT going to do it.

My Head in the Sand and then my Heart...

2007-11-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

We did it. We had the MRI on Georgia done. I know most of my "Not Needing To" feelings were from "Not Wanting to Know". Ignorance is Bliss. The MRI came back as "normal" for someone with NF-1. She does have a benign tumor on her optic nerve but it is not interfering with anything. The image of her brain did show bright spots that just confirms that she has NF but nothing else. We knew she had a mild form (for now) and this just helped confirm it. She will have another one in a year to make sure that there are no changes and then we wait. We wait and see. I guess that is the hardest thing as a parent to hear. There is nothing we can do, we just wait. Granted we do that with all our kids.. wait and pray that all we do is the right thing and they grow up to be happy and healthy adults. But here we also wait and see how this will affect her when she is 13, 18, 21, and so on.

My heart was so sad on Friday. I went to pick up my girls from school. Normally Georgia is running and trying to "win" getting to the car before Catherine. That wasn't the case on Friday. On Friday I pull up and she is dragging her backpack behind her. She is sad. She opens the door and she is crying. I ask why and she says she did get to go to the Popcorn party her class had. She "didn't do good". I now am livid yet trying to cheer up my poor sad 1st grader. Why? Because her teacher sent home a homework packet during their Vacation. It had about 20 pages of math (with at least 15+ math problems on each page), around 35 pages of language/writing pages and 15 pages of writing (she had to write 3 sentences using the proper punctuation for each page). We had not finished the packet correctly the teacher said and Georgia needed to finish. We did. We sent it back. The teacher never got the packet. Georgia and 3 other kids missed the fun because of this. I tried to remain calm but have to admit I'm seeing red. It is amazing how a normally laid back mother is ready to go confront a teacher. My heart is sad (and just a little bit angry). What would you do?

I LOVE PINK....

2007-11-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

so says my daughter Charlotte. Here is our conversation about Pink (with a capital P) last night when she was in the bathtub.

C: I want a PINK scooter.

M: Do you now...

C: Yes. Cause I love pink.

M: What else do you want that is pink?

C: A house, all pink. Cause I love it.

M: What else?

C: My car. Oh, my stomach and legs, I want those to be pink.

M: That would be silly.

C: But you would love it cause I LOVE pink.

M: I Love you. Who do you love?

C: I LOVE PINK.

M: But WHO do you love?

C: Well, PINK and God. I Love pink and God. I want to take a pink bath. You know why momma?

M: Why Sweetie?

C: Cause I LOVE PINK!

I'm beginning to think she loves pink. What do you think? AND if you scroll down to the Halloween pictures you will see she is a Pink Princess with Pink cowboy boots on. Cause you know, she loves pink!

The Sugar High Holiday...

2007-11-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, Halloween. I have such fond memories of this holiday. My mom was so artistic and we lived in a house that could have come off the pages of Haunted Halloween Houses that it was a perfect holiday for us. Living in Arkansas meant that we didn't get to do too much with this day. Schools started having "Harvest Parties", parents complained if you did anything related to bats or witches during this month, most houses never even turned their lights on. To my wonderful surprise it is almost a weeklong holiday here. We had Trunk or treat at our church last week. Then we did Boo at the Zoo with Catheirne's Girl Scout troop on Friday. Next was the Halloween at the Park down the street from us on Saturday. Finally it was last night. We had so many kids. Andrew's school let the kids dress up as long as they didn't wear a mask over the face. Adults and kids alike were all decked out for the fun. It was nice. It was fun. I can't wait for next year... I say as I shove all the decorations in a box because I'm tired of black and orange. ~grins~ We all have our limits.

She is 7! Hear Her ROAR....

2007-10-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Georgia-Beans!

You are so amazing. 7 years ago today I had a beautiful 10 lb 2 oz baby girl laying in my arms. You were born at home in Arkansas in the living room. I knew you would have a strong voice since you came out screaming and continued for 3 weeks. I know I say to use a quiet voice a lot but I really want you to be loud. Use your voice to change the world. You have changed mine. You have made me really look at what is important. You are so patient in so many areas (except when you sister is bugging to you get off the computer). You look at things and figure them out. You take the time to plan and go after what you want. Whether that is to get the back off of something to put new batteries in or get something off the top of the fridge. Go for your dreams. Be strong. Say it loud. And always know I love you.

Love,
Mom

P.S. Chuck E. Cheeses isn't my first choice for a birthday party but you had this planned for months. I loved watching you enjoy your day.

Silvia VS. FIle Cabinet.....

2007-10-18T10:17:00.001-07:00

Just click on the picture, it should play. I swear I still laugh watching it. Let's just say she has learned to open all the other stuff in this house and this is her last battle. She is still fighting the battle.....

So The Mom Van Died...

2007-10-11T08:02:00.001-07:00

My van has seen 4 out of my 5 children as babies. It has been enjoyed in so many ways. The love to opening the doors, hanging out the windows, shoving M&M's in the tape player, sticking stickers on the windows, taking the middle seat out and making it a "Dance Floor" (I can still see my son at 2 yrs old shaking his thang on that dance floor), hiding from mom, sitting on top, riding to and from school and so much more. We have been in a love hate relationship these last 2 years. It has slowly been loosing it will to haul us around. Last year the transmission was diagnosed as being shot. We moved. The final sad ailment was that it would not go into park. It just rolled. I had to have rocks to make sure it didn't leave without me. ~grins~ Without a major overhaul it would not pass inspection. So off car shopping we went.

We discovered this summer that we need at least one extra seat so we looked for an 8 passenger vehicle. Enter the Saturn Outlook. Jeff went to the Saturn place (his car is a Saturn, my Dad used to be a Saturn mechanic, We love Saturn's). And there is was.....

Our new family car. The car that will haul us around to school, church, band, choir, Brownies, friends' houses, family outings and so much more. We are forbidden to drink, stick stickers or breath in the car for a while. Ah, that new car smell. Sigh, that new car payment book.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl....

2007-10-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

It has been 1 year since you joined our family. It has been such an eventful year. From being induced to your dad leaving for his new job to me having 5 kids alone to moving to Arizona. We have done so much and it would not have been as much fun if you hadn't been along for the ride. You have brought so much laughter and joy into our lives. I love watching Andrew bring on belly laughs that don't stop. I love watching Catherine carry you around with so much love. I love watching Georgia try to cheer you up when you are sad. I love watching Charlotte walk you around the house. I love watching you. Thank you for such a joy filled year. I can't wait to see what you have in store for the next.

A Thought To Make You Think...

2007-10-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron. ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower.

We increase the spending for the war but we can't increase the funding for a program that insures children have health care? This hits home. I did not have health insurance until I was 24 years old. My parents worked hard. We had the basics. There was always that cloud of fear that someone would get very sick. We were luckier than most. My Great Uncle was a Doctor and we did have basic health care. The running theme in the house was to not get any sicker than needing to see the Doctor.

More and more children (and adults) are not able to access the health care they need. It is not because they are not working. Most families that do not have insurance work more than one job. It is a sad state that our country is pumping more and more money into one area but can't help our children. I think someone needs a time-out to spend a day with families that are busting their tail to provide for their children/family but that one thing is just out of reach. Oh, and I think a certain someone needs to read a certain section in the Bible again.

When It Rains, It Pours....

2007-10-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Especially here in the desert. When the rain starts falling the kids have to play. I'll admit to being a rain chaser. I love the feel of the rain. I love the sound of the rain. I love the smell of the rain. So much joy in drops of water.

P. S. The umbrellas are more for play than actually keeping the rain off. They were soaked to the skin once all was said and done.

Ah, The Last Days Of Summer...

2007-09-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

We went on a company picnic and the kids had a blast swimming for the last time.

My Piano player...

Here she is in all her glory. The song is called "Gobbly-gook".

I Swear I Would Laugh If It Wasn't So Sad...

2007-09-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about Bill O'Reilly's praise of a restaurant owned by African-Americans? If you haven't just click HERE and read all about it. If you are up to reading the whole transcript of the show and his comments then just click HERE. Either way it just shows that there are still dinosaurs still walking this Earth. Sigh.

P. S. It seems he didn't say anything wrong and it is the media's fault.

P. S. S. Yes, I have heard worse comments from others. I do not think Bill is "the worst" but he voices sentiments that are still floating around out there. He went into a place with the impression that it would somehow be "bad" because of who ran it. That makes me sad. I would lump Bill in the same category as my doctor I had when Andrew was born that told me to "Not worry your little head about stuff like that, let me take care of it" when expressing my wants for a birth with no interventions. He, the same as Bill, seems to think some of us can not "think" without help. It still makes me sad.

On A Lighter Note...

2007-09-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

My freckle face turned 10 over the weekend. How does the time go by so fast? I remember when she was born and Andrew was singing "We are going to have a baby" song. I remember when she was sad she would go lay down in the hall and bury her face in the carpet. I remember her dressing up as a princess and twirling around. I remember her not talking to anyone at school for the longest time but then made a fast friend in Madison. I remember her writing letters to our Pastor over a problem with them scheduling some things while she was in dance and wanted it changed. I remember her laughter and giggles with her first ever make-over sleep over. I remember all these things and still wonder where the time went.

Here are a few shots of her memorable 10th birthday weekend:

Skating rink with friends...

We had a small cake on her actual birthday with family:

Our present to her were horse riding lessons. She has been asking for over a year. I asked her what was going through her head while on the horse:

Catherine: I was thinking "I'm on a horse, how to hold the reigns, where to put my feet, I"M on a Horse, how to pull on the reigns, where to look, I'M ON A HORSE!"

Yes, The Charges Have Been Dropped for One But....

2007-09-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

I am still angry that we have not heard more. Some one has said that it was just a noose that started it all. Just a prank. That the anger that has occurred because of that is not appropriate. HELLO?? Do you know our history? Why is it ok to get angry when someone cuts us off on the road but not when someone insults a race, threatens a race with a very cruel past? It wasn't a cute display of Us versus Them. It was hatred. It was "putting someone in their place". It was uncalled for. If my child had done this I would have marched him all over town apologizing to every person that it affected.

We can't have it be "fine" for one group and not another. We can't say "Boys will be Boys" when a noose is hung from a tree but have the DA threaten all blacks students so the won't step out of line. We can't say "Boys will be Boys" when they hit another black student with a glass bottle with the intent to harm and charge Black students with attempted murder. We should not have one set of rules for one group but then change them for another. I know it has been the American way for years even decades. We can do better. We better do better... for our boys that will be men.

Don't stop BEING better. Don't stop DOING better. They need us better.

The Thrill of Family Outings....

2007-09-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

We have been on a couple of family trips recently. We went to a state park that have cave 2 weeks ago and the kids had so much fun. We took a picnic and went on the tour. We thought we would tempt fate one more time and went on a trip last weekend. We only go about an hour away from home (just about right with 5 kids and only 1 Nintendo DS to share).

Since we went below the earth last time we went up into the mountains this time. The kids had so much fun. They discovered the thrill of water....

And the thrill of climbing rocks....

The thrill of running through the woods searching to rescue imaginary princesses from horrible dragons....

The thrill of relaxing and enjoying one another....

Jeff's and My biggest thrill? We loved watching the kids have fun. We loved spending time together as a family. We loved the cool air in the mountains. But the biggest love.... watching the car that was tailgating us, that we had to pull over and let them pass us, get pulled over right around the next bend. I'll admit it. We laughed and I would have snapped a shot if the cop wasn't just walking up to her car and watching us. Our thrills are cheap. Which is a good thing with 5 kids to raise and launch.

How was my day yesterday....

2007-09-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

You ask? Don't get stressed but this is an actual day in my life. It was a little more hectic in that I had a teacher visit scheduled for Tuesday. Georgia and Catherine's school has their teachers visit the kids in their home. Kind of a bonding moment there. I like the idea but it didn't play out well yesterday. So here goes, enjoy.....

6:00 am -- Wake up and get a little alone time.

6:15 am -- first wake up call to Andrew

6:30 am -- all kids are awake now

6:35 am -- the next hour is spent getting lunches made, breakfast made, mad dash to find all things that were not found the night before.

7:18 am -- Out the door to drop of Catherine and Georgia at Cat's friends Laurens house because they wanted to go to school together.

7:30 am -- get Andrew to school but he doesn't like to get there this early but I don't care. Say I Love You and drive off.

7:35 am -- get home and start planning my cleaning. I clean and clean until I think Silvia needs to go down for a nap. She won't nap. I'm sad she won't nap. It is now

10:30 am -- time to get Charlotte ready for her school with her backpack, make her lunch, get her cleaned up and get her hair done.

11:25 am -- Drop Charlotte off at school.

11:30 am -- Meet Jeff for Lunch at the local Thai place. Enjoy a nice visit and food but Silvia isn't happy since SHE DIDN'T TAKE A NAP.

12:30 pm -- Head to the grocery store because I need diapers, toothpaste, soap, and other items to make it through the week.

1:00 pm -- Pull into the garage to discover that Silvia had fallen asleep. Lay her down on the couch so I can clean upstairs. I then remember I have a meeting with Georgia's speech teacher at 2:30 when I pick up the kids... remind myself for the next hour and a half.

2:25 pm -- late getting out the door cause Silvia was sleeping so well but had to wake her up. sigh. Rush out to get Charlotte (they charge extra if you are a minute late!).

2:30 pm -- pick up Charlotte but miss Georgia. Her teacher said Catherine has her. Find Catherine. Catherine is needing to go to a meeting (reading and writing club) but doesn't want to go by self. I have to walk her there.

2:35 pm -- make it to Speech meeting. It was good.

3:01 pm -- Done with speech but late to pick up Andrew. What is the use of cell phones if mine doesn't work in certain areas and he never turns his on.

3:05 pm -- make it to Andrew's school. Marshall wants to come over. I'm good with that.

3:10 pm -- Settle kids in with a snack, Get last minute things picked up.

3:40 pm -- Tell Andrew I'm leaving to pick up Catherine at her school. Georgia and Charlotte want to stay home. That is fine but WATCH THEM. Andrew informs me that Mason needs to be picked up so he can come over. Fine. I'll pick up Catherine first, then Mason, then go to drop Catherine off at Girl Scout meeting. (all the while trying to make it back for the Teacher visit at 4:30).

4:05 pm -- Catherine and Mason picked up. Drop Mason off at house. Take Catherine to her Girl scout meeting at the local High school. Miss the troop that was supposed to be at the flag pole. Have to get Silvia out of the car with NO SHIRT on cause I wasn't going to get out. Had to find Catherine's room she is meeting in.

4:15 pm -- After much hand ringing and griping at other drivers I pull around the corner and see my garage. With a strange car parked in front. whisper to my self (Please don't let it be the teacher).

4:16 pm -- Go inside my house and spot Georgia's teacher at the head of my stair case. Seems Andrew didn't hear the door bell but Georgia did and invited her teacher in to help CLEAN HER ROOM!!!

4:17 pm -- Know I'm getting the neglectful mom award since Georgia opened the door when she wasn't supposed too. Show pictures of my oldest son who is no where to be seen so the Teacher doesn't think I just left kids at home with no one.

4:18 pm -- notice smell in living room, seems Charlotte found some chest rub that Andrew is using and proceeded to decorate a side table with it. They also found a box of plastic ware I didn't know we had and played in the living room with it.

4:20 pm -- Marshall's mom picks up Marshall. She is the nurse at the same school that my girls go to. I wonder if she will hear about Georgia just opening the door.

4:45 pm -- Teacher leaves and I think I covered well and look ok to be a mom of 5 kids.

5:30 pm -- Have to take Mason home. I make all the kids go with me this time. I'm 1 minute late dropping him off and his cell is ringing with his parents asking where he is.

5:40 pm -- Get home. Fall on the chair to rest and Jeff walks in.

5:49 pm -- Tell Jeff I should really leave so I can pick up Catherine on time from Girl Scouts.

5:57 pm -- I leave but am running late as always.

6:04 pm -- pick up Catherine. She was the last to get there but NOT THE LAST TO LEAVE. I feel proud.

6:18 pm -- Get home. Kids ask what is for supper. My response "I don't care. It is fend for yourself night."

That was my day. I have 5 kids. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.........

At Times My Nation Shocks Me....

2007-08-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

I won't go on about politics. I may roll my eyes and shout at the TV but it is getting bad when your Government steps over the line and you just think "Again?".

No, it is when we charge students with attempted murder over a fight that occurred when they felt helpless, hopeless, angry and beaten. I can not believe our country is still turning a blind eye to the racism that still exists. I have heard people say that others are just "too sensitive" that in our day and age these things do not happen. That these black students had to be imagining those nooses hanging from the tree. That the black student that wrestled the GUN away from the white student was the aggressor and couldn't take a joke. This makes me angry. This makes me sad. I wonder how these kids thought it would be ok to make a NOOSE much less hang it for all to see. I wonder how these kids thought it was ok to PULL a gun on another individual. I wonder how these kids learned that it was important to BRAG to people that another student was "whipped by a white man". Parents be careful what you say. Be careful what you do. Be careful what you think. Our kids are watching. We need to change this now. Don't think it isn't happening in your town. Beware. Be kind. Let's change.

Advertisement: Friends Wanted....

2007-08-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

You must be over the age of 20 (any word with -ager is still a kid and I already have 5). Having kids will give you insight to my day. Some qualities I'll be looking for....

You can not argue with me over what song to sing like:

C: Sing me a song!
Me: You want ME to sing a song?
C: NO! SING me a song!
Me: Do you want me to sing ABC song?
C: NO!NO! Just sing me a song Momma!
Me: Fine. Sing Old McDonalds then!
C: Ooo, ok. "Old mcdonalds has a farm..." Ok, I don't like that song I'll sing the ABC...

If you do argue like that my face turns purple and it isn't my best color.

When you visit and say you are hungry that MUST mean you want something to eat and you do not tell me NO on everything I suggest and then finally tell me what you want is MILKY. Because that means you are THIRSTY not hungry.

When you are here you must always comment on how nice my house looks even though there is laundry on the couches, dishes not washed in the kitchen and laundry in the hall. You can NEVER ask to go see the upstairs room except for the first visit. After that they are off limits, trust me.

You must be able to accept the fact that I will ask you if you need to go potty at odd times. It is just a habit and not meant to harm anyone.

You have to be able to smile at all my kids (there are 5) during all their talking about what they like, dislike, showing you they can stand on their head, while they show you all their stuffed animals and tell you their eating habits. It is what it is. I will probably be smiling proudly (or I'm taking that 20 minute power nap I keep hearing about).

Don't ask to ride in my van. Always volunteer to drive your own extremely clean van on the occasion we go "grab lunch". It's another "trust me" issue.

Thank you for your time. I now have to go pick up 4 of the 5 kids from school. My quiet time has ended.

It's Only 100 Plus Degrees Outside But...

2007-08-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

"Momma, my friends and I are cold. So very cold. Beary says we need a blanket."

And a "Look what I can do" moment. She will add to the "Momma Watch THIS" when she gets those words in working order. For now it is just "GA!"

You Know The World Is Different From When You Were a Kid....

2007-08-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

when you have to look up a word on the 1st grade homework sheet. Sigh. I remember Kindergarten and First Grade as a time of play, learning to fill in bubbles, learning to tie my shoes, play, picking up my first book, play. My 6 year old daughters homework instructions for the week are:

Create an ABBC patterne adn an AABB pattern with any item you have at home.
Go onto the internet and find a picture of the President of the USA and the Governor of Arizona. Under each picture please write their name.
Draw three sets of shapes (6 total) that are congruent to one another
Write 2 sentences about what you would do if you were the President
Make sure you have earned a total of 50 points for the get 50 activity
Write 1 sentence about what yiou want to be when you grow up
Write 2 sentences about something you can't do now that you want to do when you are an adult
On construction paper cut out 2 triangles, squares and rectangles. Glue and label them onto your paper turned different directions. Do the names of the shapes change?
Dictate the following sentence to your child: I went up and down the hall. After make sure they remembered to capitalize the first letter in teh sentence, finger spacing and an end mark.
Have an adult give you a pre-spelling test. Write each misspelled word 3 x's.

Thank goodness I married a math minor AND have the internet since I had to go and look up what congruent meant!

You Know You Are A Mom With Young Children When...

2007-08-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

You count the day that 3 kids were in school, 1 was playing a game and 1 was taking her nap as a good day because that was the day you got to use the bathroom with no crying, crawling, checking in on me, asking me a question, hearing the phone ring, saying someone needed to use the bathroom (even though there are 2 MORE bathrooms in this house!) and they liked the bathroom I was in. Ah, the joys of parenting.

During the fun bantering moments of when Jeff and I argue over who had the hardest day, I can usually win with "Did you get to go to the bathroom by yourself today?" Nothing can trump that.

On a side note, the picture of the outhouse up there is so nostalgic because I grew up going to a church that the only bathroom to be had was an outhouse. We had 2 of them in fact. One for the men and one for the women. The poor boys outhouse was the worst and the door was almost gone but it did face the cow pasture so there was some privacy. I became a master at holding it for the 2 1/2 hours on Sunday morning. Ah, small country churches, gotta love them.

Thump, Thump... I Knew It Was Coming....

2007-08-10T12:06:00.001-07:00

My mom has heart disease. She has had a triple by-pass, angioplasty, stints, medication. She has had it all and her ticker is still going. She suspects that HER mom had the same problems but not diagnosed. Even my mom was told her symptoms were all in her head, nothing to worry about until she had to be taken for a triple. This all leads up to my Doctors appointment and finding out my bad cholesterol was very bad. I don't just have to drop it a few points, I have to cut it in half plus some. They have also found that you can get a heart imaging for calcium deposits. If deposits show up then that is a high indicator that your heart isn't doing well or won't in the future. I'll update you on that as I go. Off to research heart healthy choices and kiss my bad foods goodbye.

God Blesses Us With Friends....

2007-08-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

They come from close at home and at times from far away places. I wanted to show what a far away friend sent me and brought me joy and smiles on a day that smiles were missing (thanks to Silvia learning to pull up and not wanting to sleep ALL DAY LONG... but that is another post).

Thank you Mary. You are wonderful and made my day.

My Most Favorite Time of the Year...

2007-07-26T13:41:00.001-07:00

The First Day of School. I loved it as a kid. I loved the new clothes (one of the few times we got new clothes and shoes), new crayons, the smell of new books, seeing my old friends, reading new words... Every thing seemed so new. A new beginning. I loved it. I am happy to announce that my kids love school too.

The traditional "who wants to be asleep right now" picture:

AND I'm happy to announce that Charlotte is going to school 2 afternoons a week at her sisters school. She is happy too...

So I guess it is just you and me baby!

Questions I Get in My House....

2007-07-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Catherine: Why does the Leprecon get the cereal but the Rabbit can't?

Me: Who knows but the Lucky Charms do have magical powers. They are Magically delicious!

Did anyone warn you of the questions you would get when you had kids?

Can Not Read Fast Enough...

2007-07-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Before kids: 1 day

After kids: Started in earnest 24 hrs after I bought it
Am still reading it and only half way through 72 hours after I bought it
Will finish tonight if it is the last thing I do.

Things change when kids come along. I'm afraid that when I do have time to indulge in my love of books I will be blind. Off to send kids to school and read.

The cost of a Lemonade Stand?

2007-07-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

Poster board and new markers? $4.50

The making of lemonade and snicker doodle cookies? $3.75
(I'm not counting the cost of clean up after the little "mishap" with the flour)

Seed money and cost of miscellaneous? $12.00

Making a dream come true and a memory of a life time? PRICELESS

~~Best Friends Forever~~

"Momma, Do You Know Why I'm Drawing Zig-Zags?"

2007-07-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

"Why are you drawing zig-zags, Georgia?"

"Because my Best Friend left and zig zags mean I have a broken heart and I miss her. Zig Zags make me sad, Momma."

"They make me sad too, Georgia."

We zig-zag you, friends from Arkansas!

Friends Make This World So Much Better...

2007-07-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

We have been so blessed to have our friends come to visit. I can't imagine a better time. Here is our first wave....

Charlotte and Will....

Silvia and Sophie....

Catherine and Ryane .....

Saying Goodbye Bites!

The week held everything from hugging, crying, eating, swimming, fighting, tattooing, eating, reading, shopping, eating, drinking, Wiiing, eating, training (ie Thomas!) and so much more.

Stay tuned for the next wave.....

Jennifer, I've Been Waiting To See ...

2007-07-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

if you have any words of wisdom over the latest move by our President. I knew that before the end of his term he would help Mr. Libby out but did not know he would move so fast. I think of other people who served their time for things we might brush off as trite. Martha Stewart was grace when it came to doing her time that came with the crime. Some how HER "crime" was worse than betrayal of a country? My man Keith Olbermann has said it perfectly... resign.

We Had Her Birthday When Memaw Was In Town...

2007-06-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

She loves her Memaw.

And she loved her birthday party. She wanted a penguin cake and presents. Not much to go on but we worked with it. (and I swear I brush her hair and then it just does what does)

We also celebrated her cousins birthday.
And because we love to torment our child we bought her a game that terrifies her. She and Georgia LOVE the movie Zathura. It is the next movie similar to Jumanji (the movie with Robin Williams and all the animals). In Zathura the brothers play a game that sends them to outer space. The Zorgons visit them. Massive destruction ensues. I saw the game at Target when we went shopping. I asked Georgia and Charlotte if I should buy the game. Their response was dead silence and then "NO!" "That's a BAD game" "Bad things happen" "NO MOMMA!" were just a few of the phrases they yelled as they scrambled away from the game isle. Needless to say after I told Jeff about it he went and bought it for Charlotte. The look on her face after all the joy of the other presents was priceless...

Oh, and the rubber snake she is holding was from her dad too. She loves that snake. What am I going to do. She also loves the game. She and Georgia will run through the house after moving their pieces screaming "The ZORGONS are coming!". Priceless I say.

She is Almost 4 Years Old....

2007-06-25T18:15:00.001-07:00

On Friday she will be 4. My beautiful Char-baby. She can be the girlyist girl one minute to pulling out her pretty bows and yelling "I SUCK YOURS BLOOD" cause she is Charlotte the Spider from Charlotte's Web. I'll blog a little more about her birthday party later this week. We celebrated it on Sunday while my Mom was in town. I wanted to thank Kellie for my beautiful picture montage. It just melts my heart. I wish they would not grow up so fast!

All is Well.....

2007-06-20T17:24:00.001-07:00

When Doctors say "Huh"....

2007-06-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

I don't think there is anything more terrifying to a parent than hearing that one short sound come from a Doctor. Almost 4 years ago we heard our first "huh". I had taken Georgia in for a check up. I thought she had a UTI (which she did) and while the Doctor was examining her she goes "huh". I asked "What". She asked if G had any more of the large cafe au lait spots on her. I said "Yes, I was going to ask at her well child check up next month". I saw this friendly, all smiles Doctor change and go into DOCTOR mode. There is a difference between being "Doctor" and "DOCTOR".

I got a second "huh" today. I took G in for her well child appointment today and the Doctor did that "huh" while listening to her heart. He asked me if there were in changes in G's activity level. Needless to say my heart skipped a beat. I have had concerns. She has stopped wanting to ride her bike (which is HUGE), stopped wanting to walk much, started having me "feel" her heart that was racing, telling me no certain activities because she was "too tired right now". This has all happened within the last 6 mths or so. Just little things that now seem so huge with that small sound that Doctors make...."huh". The Doctor said is was a small sound. Just something that we needed to look at. G goes in for her heart check tomorrow. I so wish I could wave a wand and the spots would disappear, that there would be no speech problems, or eye problems, or teeth problems, and now heart problems.

Send a few prayers (ok, a lot of prayers) our way for tomorrow.

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-16T23:24:00.000-07:00

My Dad died over 4 years ago. I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad. Looking back I have come to appreciate the wisdom he had and passed on to us. I was lucky enough to recognize what a wonderful man he was and told him so many times during the last years I had with him. He was a great man and a wonderful Father. I miss you, Dad.

My kids are lucky enough to have a great Father also. I love watching him with the kids. He will play the piano with the baby....

And "swim" (so called swim because as soon as he gets in the water they all dog pile the poor man) with the older ones.

Happy Father's Day Sweetie! You are the best!

Sisters, Nothing Like Having a Sister...

2007-06-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

They are Sisters

They are sisters
some for many years,

They have laughed together
And have cried many tears.

They have had harsh words,
That they may have regret

But they will stick together
a force the world has not yet met!

And I miss mine a lot!

Woo-Hoo I've been tagged.....

2007-06-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

The challenge is to use ONE WORD for each answer (no explanations).

Yourself: Loving

Your Partner: Fun

Your Hair: Colored

Your Mother: Giving

Your Father: Fighter

Your Favorite Item: Camera

Your Dream Last Night: Book

Your Favorite Drink: Dietcoke

Your Dream Car: Bug

Your Dream Home: Roomy

The Room You Are In: Living

Your Fear: Heart

Where You Want To Be In Ten Years: Laughing

Who You Hung Out With Last Night: Silvia

You're Not: Bored

One of Your Wish List Items: Bookstore

The Last Thing You Did: Nurse

You Are Wearing: Shorts

Your Favorite Weather: Thunder

Your Favorite Book: Current

Last Thing You Ate: Toast

Your Life: Chaotic

Your Mood: Sleepy

Your Best Friend: Many

What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Reading

Your Car: Junky

What Are You Doing At The Moment: Relaxing

Relationship Status: Married

What Is On Your TV: Mermaid

What Is The Weather Like: Hot

When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Dream

I'm tagging Jeanne, Mary, Amy (will she do it??) and anyone else that would like to join the fun (especially my October peeps!). Sorry no links this time, baby just woke up!

Just a Grillin' and a Chillin'....

2007-06-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest things I've missed about being in Arkansas is grilling and having fun with friends. At least once a month during the summer, sometimes twice, we would have everyone over to grill, hang out and have fun with friends. I really, really miss that. The good news is that we rescued a grill from destruction (our neighbor bought a new one and he set is old out on the curb for trash pick up, LOL) and have started grilling again. Have Grill and the friends will come.

The kids are in the midst of summer break. It will be a short one this year compared to previous ones. We have moved to a school that does year round school year so their summer is only 6 weeks long (did you hear the hallelujah chorus just then??). They love to laze around and watch movies....

One of the nice things we discovered here is that their swimming pools cost the kids .25. Twenty-Five Cents! Who knew you could still do something fun on a quarter. AND because I wasn't swimming (Silvia was cutting a tooth and the water was still too cool for her) they didn't charge me a thing. Go figure on that one.

That is her "Nope, you are NOT going to check my gums 1 more time!" look.

The water was still pretty cold. Charlotte was the only one that didn't seems fazed by it at all. Georgia was out shivering about half way through the swimming experience.

Sometimes It's All About The Daddy....

2007-05-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

Especially when there are goodies hiding in his pocket....

When there are big life moments like graduating Kindergarten....

When the son needs saving from the dinosaurs of life....

When a strong shoulder is needed....

Sometimes it's all about the Daddy....

I HEART Keith Olbermann....

2007-05-23T22:34:00.001-07:00

Do you know what is going on with this government? The war? I think most of us do know what is going on but no one seems to listen. In Olbermann's Special Comment he hit the nail on the head. He has a way with words.

Totally snagged this from Alien....

2007-05-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Happy Mother's Day....

2007-05-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's day to all of you.

I found that when I became a Mother that my appreciation of my own Mom increased a lot. So thanks Mom for everything you have done for us (I'm including my family and Mike, Russell and Tammy in that). I think the hardest thing about being a Mother (apart from the worry that started the minute we find out we are pregnant and my Mom assures me it won't stop even when they all move out of the house) is always wondering if you are doing the right thing. Mom, you did a wonderful thing. Every time I see a rainbow, I think of you. Every time someone needs help and they seem to look right at me for it, I think of you. Every time I hear laughter, I think of you. Every time we use the toilet plunger (long story), I think of you. Every time I walk into Church, I think of you. Every time I watch a black and white movie, I think of you. Every time I read a book and want to share it, I think of you. Every time I need a shoulder to cry on, I think of you. Thanks Mom for everything. You helped make me the wonderful (or so my kids told me today!) Mom I try to be.

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

On a Charlotte note. I swear I have no idea where this child comes up with this bloodthirsty need but here is the conversation in the van on the way to church this morning:

Kids in the back seat: Mine, let me, my turn, HEY... (all at once).

Jeff: Everyone needs to calm down back there! Now!

Kids in the back seat: What, stop that, give that to me, HEY!

Jeff: Did you hear me?

Charlotte: You better stop GUYS or I'll break your ARM!

Charlotte: I'll break you LEG too! AND you neck! So stop it.

Pause. Mom snickering. Dad asking what did she say. Quiet in the back seat.

Stike Up The Band....

2007-05-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

This is the instrument that Andrew plays. Dad calls it a Tuba to tick Andrew off. I call it a Baritone. The official term is a Euphonium. Um, K. All I know is that Andrew's concert was awesome. It was a group of 6th, 7th and 8th graders. They had steel drums, electric guitar, cellos, violin and all the other instruments. I'm sure that between Andrew, Catherine and the other 3 kids we will make it to Carnegie Hall at some point.

The Next Liberace?

2007-05-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Catherine started piano lessons this year. She had her first recital. She rocked Chocolate Cake and The Bike Ride. I remember my first recital and I think she did much better at hers than I did at mine.

Silvia Wants to Send You a Hug and a Kiss....

2007-05-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's a little drooly but still so sweet.

Gathering my Thoughts....

2007-04-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Monday was horrific. My mind went into overload thinking about those kids at class. The only thing on their mind was deadlines, staying awake and making it those last few weeks before the semester ended. Those that are graduating are looking forward to a new life. Some were just trying to make it through this one class, get those credits and move on. They didn't know. I heard a news person say about some of the students at the school not having family there to help them. My heart broke. For those kids that ceased to physically exist in that horrific moment, for the kids that had to deal with this mind boggling, you can't make sense of it day, to the parents so far away and waiting to know. My mom always tells me that being a mom doesn't end when we walk out of the house at 18. She still wants to fix things for us, put band-aids on our sorrow, wipe our tears away. But a lot of times she can't. This week I've thought about when I'll be kissing my kids good-bye as they go to start their life without me by their side. My mind is still in overload. My sorrow for these kids overwhelmed me today as they read their names. My heart broke for all the moms out there that had to hear their baby's name.

A Swallow Carrying a Coconut....

2007-04-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

Does everyone know who Monty Python is and do you know about his search for the Holy Grail? I didn't. It was one of the many new things my husband introduced me to when we met (along with Chinese foods... ok any food that wasn't steak and potato). I think I can quote more phrases from that movie than any other. Why am I blogging about it now? Because I got him the movie for Christmas (because he loves it so). He and Andrew have sat and watched it. Now my son is having all 3 TV watching aged girls sit and watch said movie. AND he is quoting parts. Next thing you know he will be saying "Dungeon Masters don't have levels, DORK!" (ok, my husband said that when I told him about us watching Monty Python and I thought it was funny so I stole it). We watch way too much TV.

Happy Birthday to My Man....

2007-04-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe he is 41 (that means I'm a year closer to 40!). Here is to the man that has made me laugh, sigh, giggle, cry (remember the teddy bear!), melt and laugh again. I've known him for over 20 years, been married to him for almost 19 years and hope to keep him around for many more years.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

I Hope You Had A Glorious Easter....

2007-04-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

We did and have pictures to prove it.

C A N C E R ....

2007-04-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

My 3 yo is driving me insane.

My laundry is everywhere.

My kitchen is a mess.

My van is a few steps away from us walking.

My living room had a hurricane pass through.

My Baby won't let me put her down.

My dog is chewing everything in sight.

My friend has a sister dying from CANCER. Makes you stop and think. I hope that one day my kids or grandkids will ask me what Cancer was all about. I will tell them it is having to say goodbye way too early, before you are ready. Before they are ready. It's having a Dad ask you permission to stop fighting. You want to say "No, keep fighting" but you can't because you know he can't. Hug your loved ones tight. You never know when you have to say goodbye. And it sucks.

I love you Dad!

(My Dad in 1950)

I'm Being Interviewed....

2007-03-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

Makes me sound so important! ~grins~ I had to beg Allison of Plant Alien to let me play and here is what she came up with. I hope you enjoy.

1. Name your very favorite characteristic of each of your children (physical and/or non-physical... your choice).

Sit back, this may take a while with 5 kiddo's running around. Andrew is my type A personality child. I find it amazing that he is so comfortable in doing things that I found terrifying. He has participated in Taekwondo tournaments (won a few too!), sang solo's in church, had roles in school plays and LIKED it.

Catherine, child #2, is a type A also. (where they got that I don't know). Her enthusiasm and dreams are amazing. She always has a smile on her face and wants to do everything... learn to play piano, live on a farm, raise animals, learn to ride horses, garden, ice skate... if she could take lessons on everything she wanted to do she wouldn't have any free time and would love it.

Georgia, #3, has amazing patience. Out of all my kids she will sit down and work a 100 piece puzzle... over and over and over again. If something needs fixed she will find the tools and work on it herself. She reminds me a lot of my Dad.

Charlotte, #4, is filled with wonder. She will have to stop at everything and look. She finds "treasures" everywhere. She loves to ride her tricycle fast and furious while singing about everything she sees.

Silvia is my baby. She is full of Sunshine. It is hard to have a bad day when she is sitting there looking at you with full smiles. Who wouldn't love that.

2. Are you going to go back to teaching again or rock the SAHM thing for awhile?

Although I love being home I miss having my "own" money. I never thought it would bother me no making money. I have worked (reported to the government) since I was 16 (always had jobs since I was 14). I like that freedom I guess. I wouldn't mind working from home (a possible textbook gig). I would miss the teaching (again, something I NEVER thought I would love doing that but I did... I hope I passed on some of my love of Sociology).

3. What do you miss most about your old house (at least one thing material... like that screen door I LOVED, and one thing generally speaking... not necessarily a tangible thing)?

I did love that screen door, snort. It would be a toss up between the hardwood floors (I LOVED those things, we have carpet now) and the built in book cases. I had so many books stuffed on those things. Now, not so much room. A lot of my books are still in boxes. It makes me sad.

4. What author (living or dead) would you love to meet in person? (This assumes that if it's one that is dead already, they would be alive for the meeting. LOL!)

These types of questions always make me draw a blank, I'll write something and then tomorrow I'll think of 5 others that I would like to add. ~grins~ I guess right now I would say James Michener. His book The Source was the first HUGE novel I read and fell in real love of grown up books. Dang, now I thought of Laura Ingalls Wilder... I loved the Little House books. Ah, so many more....

5. Name your top 5 favorite movies of all time.

They may not be profound but will have meaning as to why...

The Little Mermaid -- Jeff and I went to see this when we were poor college students and laughed that someday we will have kids and have a reason to see cartoons.
The Sound of Music -- Before VHS or DVD's this would come one once a year and I would spend the evenings (always took 2 nights) with my Grandmother. I loved watching that with her.
Singing in the Rain -- I'd like to thank my Mom for my love of "older" movies. This one is tops. Makes me want to sing and dance for no reason whatsoever.
It's a Wonderful Life -- I have to watch it every Christmas. Who wouldn't want to find out how much you mean to others. Plus, I just LOVE Jimmy Stewart.
Cheating alert... Anything by Tom Hanks. I LOVE Tom Hanks. People say my hubby has a passing resemblance to him. Sweet.

And The Family Shot I TRIED To Take....

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instead of just letting them happen. This is what normally happens in my family shots. Laugh if you need too.

Ok, I admit it. I'm a camera ham and any pictures with all of my kids in them give me warm fuzzies but I will say the picture perfect ones, although nice and makes momma proud, really do not showcase my kids' talents. Top of their talent list is "Drive Momma Crazy". They do a great job of that. My mom says "What went around comes back around". I think she is alluding to the picture she tried to take of us with Grandpa Erickson and I stuck my foot in front of everyone. "I" thought it was funny. I'll take my lumps gracefully and blog about it.

Guess What Happened Yesterday.....

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I did it. It was amazing. I saw smiles. First, Georgia wanted her picture with Silvia so I took this.....

Then Charlotte wanted to get in on it so this happened.....

My brain went into overdrive because they all looked so happy that I added Catherine to the mix and got this.....

Dare I do it? Could it be done? I called Andrew into the room and ..... drum roll.....

Pretty In Blue...

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(Thanks for the outfit Amy! I love it.) Looking at her sweet face you wouldn't know that I just spent the last week carrying around a baby that leaked profusely from the mouth and nose. To the point that we changed outfits a couple of times a day. We have battled this cold (and possible teething) and now the light at the end of the tunnel is that I can see her sweet smiling face again. She wasn't so smiley these last few days and I missed her. Now if we can catch up on all the missed sleep life will be sweet again... until the next illness, teething, skinned knee, tummy bug, growing pains hits the household.