Meet Willow

I know, second blog of the day. Sorry, our laptop bit it so I'm trying to catch up while I can.

I'm SURE you've seen my post about Sunny. Well, this is our new baby, Willow.

We decided we loved Sunny SO much we that wanted another goat. We wanted him to have someone to play with. The dog just isn't really into getting headbutted! So we went to out sourcee who just happen to have two babies. Daddy took our youngest to pick one out and here she is.

There are a few differences between her and Sunny. First of all, she's more of a farm goat. More of what you think of if you think of a goat. Sunny thinks he's a dog. He's even picky about only eating dog food and fresh leaves straight from the tree and/or rose bush. He tries to run in the house just like the dog. He REALLY thinks he's a dog. Willow does not. She is a goat and doesn't want you to hold her. In fact, it would be hard to even touch her if it weren't for her uniqueness (which I'll get to). You see, we got Sunny straight from his Mommy. He was a BABY! We bottle fed him and he thinks my daughter is his Mommy. Willow is a baby, but she's been away from her Mommy for a while.

When we put her in the fence with the dog and goat, naturally the dog wanted to inspect. This FREAKED her out and she seeked shelter with the other goat. What she didn't know is that the other goat thinks he's a dog and SHE was freaking him out! It's been a few weeks now and things have settled. She lets you get a little closer, doesn't so much mind the dog, and Sunny is nice to her unless he gets jealous.

Now I'll explain the uniqueness...

When Willow was first running through the yard she looked funny. We decided rather quickly that she wasn't the same kind of goat as Sunny. We thought they were both "mutt" goats, until the next day. So the next afternoon my daughter was sitting in the chair holding her. When she put her down the dog ran by, freaked her out, and she fainted! I called my husband who said he had seen her do it that morning. We now have a fainting goat! Or stiff leg or myotonic or whatever you want to call her. It's so funny, but also a little sad I think.

If you've never heard of them do a youtube search. One day I'll get video and maybe I'll share.



King Bed

I've decided I need a king bed. My family LOVES to hang out in my bed. In fact it's our favortie place to hang out. We watch TV, play games, listen to music and color, everything in the bed. The problem is that my family of 6(+ at times) hardly fits in the bed. My oldest son rarely gets in the bed anymore. He usually just sits on the floor if we're watching TV or playing a game. It works, but I wish we could all veg in the bed together. Are we wierd or do others hang out in their beds. Where do you like to hang out with your kiddos?



Pool

This year my husband and I splurged on an above ground pool for the kiddos. In years past we've done sprinklers and the little $20 kiddie pool. This year we made a $100 initial investment on a 12' almost 3' pool for the kids. It even has a filter, chlorine dispenser, etc. I know that may not seem like a splurge for some folks but for us it totally was!

So the kids have TOTALLY been loving the pool. And by kids I mean my 4 and my niece and nephew that also happen to be my neighbors. When we first set it up we didn't realize it took chlorine and we didn't have a bucket for the kiddos to step in and we didn't have a cover for it. It only lasted about a week before the water kinda started turning green. YUCK! So we drained it, cleaned it, and set it up again, but this time we did all the fore mentioned things that we had not done the first time. That was about 3 weeks ago and the water is still nice and clear! We also bought a skimmer and do that daily.

Today I FINALLY gave in and put my bathing suit on and joined the kiddos. The 100+ degree weather made watching unbearable. At first it was just refreshing, but then it was SO much fun! We stayed out for hours! I was the "momma piranha"! It was SO SO much fun! I blew up my raft and we had fun all trying to fit on it, swimming under it, dumping each other off of it, etc. I also showed the kids how to make a whirlpool! We would all swim/walk really fast one way and then just stop. The water would pull us down! It was so fun! I will now be sporting my bathing suit on a regular basis. Maybe not in public, but most definitely in my own back yard!

As much as we love our pool we are having a serious issue with it. It requires these "D" filter cartridges. Last time I was at the local store we got all this mess from, I bought all they had, luckily, cause they've not restocked. Not only have they not restocked, but they don't even offer the products on their website! I finally found them on ebay for 8 times what I originally paid for them! Are you kidding me! I'm peeved! How are you going to sell me something that I'm not going to be able to use for more than a month? I've emailed their customer service so we'll see where it goes. We are down to our last filter!

UPDATE:

The store I got the filter/pool from no longer made or had the filters. They told me I could bring the pool back for credit on a new pool. We ran home, drained, and pack up the pool to get back before the person who told me that left. So they gave me my money back on a gift card. Yay! Or so you would think. They didn't have anymore pools. NO ONE DID! So I went home and did an online search. AMAZINGLY there was ONE store that had ONE left and we got it!! I also bought every filter they had so I'm good for the rest of the summer.

The lesson here is buy the filters upfront! That way you don't have to go on the hunt!

Pocket Books

I have these little books I call pocket books. They're about being a mommy. They're by Harry Harrison, Jr. He has a lot of books and I wish I had them all. My favorite one so far is 1001 Things it Means to be a Mommy. I love to share little excerpts from them. Tonight I'm sharing from Mother to Daughter, Shared Wisdom from the Heart. Hope Mr. Harrison doesn't mind. Here are a few of my favorites from the book.

Okay, so the books start with 5 keys. I usually don't share these, but I'm going to this time. As I read this book, not only am I thinking of my relationship with my own daughter, I'm reminded of my relationship with my mother. A mother to 5 daughters! I may add some personal notes.

1.Be her mother, not her best friend.
2.Let her live her own dreams. Don't try to make her live yours.
3.Be a strong, confident woman.
4.Be a good wife. You are shaping her future relationships with men.
5.Be aware that your goal is not to be the center of her life forever, but to work your self out of a job.

Get ready for the most intimate, explosive, loving relationship you'll ever had. Except for the one you had with your mom. (AMEN!)

Accept the fact that she is Daddy's little girl. She knows this in the cradle already. (My daughter blinks her eyelashes at her Daddy to get what she wants.)

Keep in mind that all she wants to be doing - for the greatest part of her young life - is to be doing what you're doing.

Know the names of her dolls and stuffed animals. (And which ones she needs on her bed at bedtime.)

Be prepared. Little girls' emotions surprise even their mothers. (Amen!)

Agree to let her brush and style your hair. And Dad's hair. This will pass in a couple of years. (And let her paint your nails. It will really make her day if you wear like that all day)

Remember, the traditions you establish now will be passed on to her daughter.

Watch while she talks to her dolls. You'll learn how you're talking to her. (And how she sees you talk to other people!)

Check little brothers and pets regularly for glued on sequins, stars, glitter, or lipstick. (This one made me giggle. My youngest son has definitely worn his fair share of makeup thanks to his sister.)

Crank up the stereo and show her how to boogie!

Don't think doing everything right will eliminate confrontations, tears, accusations, and emotional outbursts. In fact, these often mean you are doing everything right.

Go on a picnic together, just the two of you, even if it's just in the back yard. (I LOVE my one on one with my girl)

Take her to work with you every once in a while so she can see what you do. (During the summer I take my kids to work with me one at a time. They get excited about their day with Mommy)

Keep in mind that she's always watching you. How you care for your family. How you worship. How you handle life. (Mine is laying in bed with me watching me right now.  :)

When she's about 7 years old she'll start noticing what people have. Teach her to pay more attention to what people are. (Oh, that's a good one!)

Take her shopping for pretty, special occasion outfits. Resist the urge for matching dresses! (LOL, my girl won't have this!)

Encourage her to spend time with her Grandmother. For some strange reason they'll get along just fine.

Understand that with girls, independence usually starts with hair. Ask yourself how important it is really, if it's blue. (Just letting my 6 year old do her own ponytail and not "fixing" it is difficult enough. Blue hair?!)

Make sure she and Dad spend time together. They need each other.

Remember if a TV and computer are not in her bedroom she'll find it easier to study, and sleep. (I think this goes for ALL kids!)

There are advantages to playing chauffeur. Teenage girls talk nonstop in the backseat. About everything.

Keep hugging her!!!!

Insist she take part in family traditions. Happily!

When your clothes start disappearing you'll be pleasantly surprised that they were cool enough to be borrowed.

Make your house the hang out house. (This has always been my goal! I'm currently failing miserably with my 14 year old son.  :(

Teach her that no man is worth betraying another woman. (AMEN!)

Teach her how expect to be treated by a man. So she'll know when she's not being treated well and refuse to tolerate it.

Encourage her to invite he boyfriends over for dinner.

When a boy breaks her heart, curiously, you'll find yours in pieces too.

Don't confuse your dreams with hers. Maybe she doesn't want to be a cheerleader.

It's perfectly normal to lie awake at 1am after she decides not to try out for the high school drill team despite ten years of private dance lessons and wonder, "What did we pay for?" You kept her active, graceful, and in good health.

Teach her to shop the sales. (oh yeah!)

If she says all her friends are carrying a $450 purse and she wants one too,s mile, hug her, and hand her the want ads.

Teach her to find 10 blessings a day. 20 on bad days.

Let her see you give of yourself unselfishly. Not just your money, but your time, your patience, and your love. (Me REALLY likey this one! SO SO true. Children learn by what you do, not by what you say!)

Teach her NEVER to get in a car with a drunk boy or girl. She can always call you to come pick her up. No questions asked!

Teach her to change a tire, use a drill, to mow the lawn. She should never have to depend on some guy to do it for her.

Those problems she's telling you about. The best way to help her is to just listen.

Recognize that for all the pulling away and moods and arguments and words, there will be times when she wants nothing more than to talk to her mother. (This still holds true. Even Mommies need their Mommies.)

Oh I so enjoyed that read. I got lost in it a few times and forgot to share. Guess you'll just have to read it yourself.
My mom came into my life when I was a little older. I was being raised by a single dad of 3 until my parents married when I was 14. That's a tough age for mothers and daughters. I am now a 30something mother and my Mommy is one of my very best friends. I love that we can relate to each other as adults, wives, mothers, daughters. She's a shoulder for me when I need it. The voice of reason when I need it. When appropriate she will side with me, stay out of it, tell me I'm wrong, or tell me to put my big girl panties on! I so hope I can have  such a great relationship with my daughter when she's grown.

Brody's Story

Today is my second oldest's birthday. He is 8! I can't believe it! It took us almost 3 years to get him and those years seem like they took FOREVER, but I blinked and now 8 years have passed. I sometimes refer to Brody as my handfull child. He is SO full of energy, but it's one of the things I love about him. He is alwasy such the comedian, even tho his timing can be way off. He's just so full of joy! He brings us so much joy. All my children hold a special place in my heart and have their own special story. Here's Brody's.

My husband and I were married almost 11 years ago. As a matter of fact it will be 11 years on Friday, July 1st! We knew we wanted to add to our family as soon as possible and became pregnant on our honeymoon. Unfortunatley that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. As difficult as that was, we found comfort in the fact that we believed we would one day meet that child. We decided for whatever reason it just wasn't the right time and we would have to wait a while longer. 

The next few years were tough. After some drug therapy, lots of tests, and a minor surgery, we were finally pregnant! It was Oct 27 when we found out. We were 4 days away from our first appointment at the infertility clinic. When you're trying to get pregnant EVERYONE tells you to stop thinking about it. It got to the point where I wanted to punch people in the face when they said that. But I have to admit that I think that's the key. Once my doctor pretty much gave up and sent us to the infertility clinic I think we quit thinking about it. We had decided that we just weren't going to be able to do it on our own. Then voila!

So I was really nervous for a couple of months, but everything seemed to be fine. We were super happy! We were finally going to get to meet the child we'd waited so long for.

Once we found out it was a boy the name game began! My husband was named after Bart Maverick. So we knew we wanted to name him Maverick. We already had an Eric tho so we made that the middle name. Not sure where we got Brody, but it fits him perfect! Brody Maverick.

I was scheduled to be induced on June 27th, but 2 hours before we were to leave for the hospital my water broke. It was time!

A few hours into labor we had a huge scare! The baby was in distress. They kept moving me around and down playing it. My wonderful husband was freaked out but stayed so calm and kept me from freaking out. Turns the baby's cord was around his neck. Luckily everything turned out okay.

I spent EVERY day of his life with him until he started school. EVERY SINGLE DAY! Brody is such a wonderful little boy. He is such his own person and I love all his little quirks. He has become quite the artist and is always trying to be Mr. Funnyman. I just love him so much, as  I do all my kids of course. I've already got one kid that has outgrown cuddling and I know that Brody is getting close, so I squeeze him extra tight when he lets me. 

He's an 8 year old little boy and can definitely play the part. He can get mouthy, bossy with the younger ones, he argues, etc. On the other hand he can be so sweet and helpful, and here lately he's been doing what he's supposed to with no argument. Like brushing his teeth and getting in bed at bedtime. He just does it now. It's quite refreshing!

So today I took off work and we had a special lunch and went bowling. Afterwards it was dinner and shopping with G-Ma and G-Dad. The dinner and shopping is a tradition my parents started a few years ago. Next to the party it is the kid's favorite part about their bday. They start asking weeks in advance when they'er going. They get to pick where to eat and where to shop. It's good times!

So Happy Birthday to my Brody Wody! I love you SO SO much!

Painting My Room

I love, love, love things that my children make! I go beyond hanging it on the fridge. I hang it on kitchen cabinets and frame it and put it in the living room. The problem is that I have 4+ kids and a not so big house. So my solution was to scan their work in and then I could get rid of it but still have it to look at. The problem with that is that I seldom sit at my computer to flip through artwork. So the kids and I have come up with a new way to display their artwork. We are painting my bedroom with it!

It is SO awesome! The kids are helping decide where to hang stuff and we've worked on it when we've had a few minutes here and there. My husband and I lay in bed looking at and talking about their wonderful artwork. I LOVE it! My favorite ones are the drawings they've done of me. I have lots of different looks!

The kids are enjoying it too. They come in and talk about it and compare pictures. One of our favorite places to hang out is Mommy and Daddy's bed. Now it's an even cooler place to hang and chat!

Yard Sale

We had a yard sale on the compound this weekend. I've discovered I have a love/hate relationship with yard sales. Also known as garage sales, tag sales, rummage sales, or whatever.

I love to go to them. I love finding that perfect something that I didn't even know I was looking for. It is a rare occurance now that I even get to go. You know with the kids, and work, and ball schedules and everything. I guess I could go more often if I wanted to have kids in tow, but that would zap all the fun!

After this weekend I've discovered that I hate having one. It's A LOT of work! So much so that when I was asked a few weeks ago if I wanted to do one I said no. But then I found out there was oging to be one anyway, so I got some stuff gathered up and tagged to go in it. We did okay, but I'm SO glad I didn't put that much effort into it, AND I think I've decided I don't want to participate in one again! Okay, I still would, but it sure would be nice if I felt like you got a little pay back for all the work.

Having that said, and not to seem to crabby, but since when do people not like free stuff? We decided after the end to just give it all away. NOT ONE TAKER! We posted on FB even! Lots of good stuff, working tvs, baby clothes, grown up clothes, furniture, all kinds of stuff for FREE!!!

Anyhooo.....that's what's on my mind tonight....

Hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

Feeling Discouraged

Even tho Wed. is my "day off" this time of year because we don't play ball, it was anything but a day off.

It started pretty normal, but then my hubby had a flat, so that was fun. Then he left for work, toting one kiddo to school, and then I finished getting ready and getting the other 3 ready for school. But then I heard the goat alerting that the dog had gotten out of the fence. So I had to figure out where that occurred and fix it before we could leave to pick up my nephew on the way to school.

I got the kids to school and went to work and everything was pretty normal. A fairly busy day that went by pretty quick. After work I went to pick out some invitations for a baby shower I'm throwing and then went to pick the kids up from school. I cracked the windows on this hot humid day and went in to get my Pre-Ker. While in the school the thunder started and the skies opened up. Therefore my truck got rained in, but it wasn't too bad. So I got my 3 younger kiddos, went home to get the oldest boy and took him for a haircut. Then me and 4 kiddos hit the grocery store and then went home and cooked dinner. By the time my hubby got home it was time for me to leave for a PTO meeting at the school. When I got in the car I took a deep breath and kinda felt like it was the first time I had stopped moving. It was nice!

My children go to the school that I went to. I personally think it is a wonderful school with some wonderful teachers. I am involved in any way I can be. It's a troubled school tho. Not troubled as in it's a bad school, it's troubled because of it's location and circumstances. Mostly I believe it's because there have been a number of new schools built pretty close by that have stolen the students. The numbers are SO low. I believe we are actually in risk of being merged with one of the newer schools. I so don't want that to happen! There are so many reasons why, but I'll spare you all that.

The main problem now is we are having trouble getting parents involved. It's not a lack of trying let me assure you. And it's not that we don't have any involvement. In fact they'll send just about anything to school for a teacher appreciation luncheon, etc. It's getting people to step up and be officers on the PTO board that we are having issues with. Getting parents to be in charge and chair and event, etc. The same few ladies have been handling  everything and they just aren't willing to do it anymore. I am one of those ladies. I will TOTALLY be involved, but I just can't commit to be an officer. I believe it will all work it's self out, but tonight I'm discouraged.

I don't want to end up saying "Okay, I'll be PTO President" because no one else will, knowing that I don't have the time to commit to it 100%. It takes a team and our team has just gotten so small and worn out.

I know some of you reading this will know exactly what/who I'm talking about. I SO appreciate all of our wonderful volunteers and especially those that have stepped up to be officers and chair committees/events, but I just can't do it next year and not ONE person has stepped forward. So maybe I'm discouraged and feeling guilty.

Well, I thought blogging would be therapeutic and help, but I'm not feeling any better yet. So I guess I'll just get to work on the invitations and look forward to a new day tomorrow.

Tornadoes Scare Me

Okay, I admit it, I may freak out a little bit when there is a tornado threat. I have a good reason thought. At least I think it's a good reason.

You see, 14 years ago I was in an F4 tornado. I had NO idea until it was over. Many people lost their lives. I'm sure lots of them knew it was coming and tried to take cover. I had NO idea and was SO lucky to be okay. I guess I'm afraid that was my one freebie.

Let me share the story.
I was extremely preggers with my first child. He was due on Feb 23 and it was March 1. My husband was at work. I was at my in laws house. We were all being lazy and chilling. No tv, no radio. Then the chain of events began.

I was laying down resting and I heard this noise, it sounded like a truck gearing down on the freeway. We were near the freeway so this wasn't that odd. It didn't stop though and actually got louder. I got up and went to the kitchen. While standing at the sink looking out the window I noticed pink stuff falling out of the sky. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what it was. Then the phone rang. It was my husband. He said there was a tornado reported heading down the road we lived on. Then the call dropped. Everything suddenly clicked and we hurried under the house. By this time the tornado had of course already passed. As we were heading under the house you could see pieces of other houses in the yard and shingles had already been ripped off of our house. That strange noise I heard was the tornado! That pink stuff was insulation out of someone's house! It was an F4 tornado!!!

My son was born exactly a week later. I have the paper from the day he was born. The front page, a week later, was still covered in tornado damage. There was a terrible outbreak that day that took many lives.

I like to think my family understands why I get a little paranoid and freaked out. But just in case they don't, this is why.

Negative Baby Fever

Friday night I kept my niece, 2, and nephew, 10 months. My 4  children were home of course, so that makes 6. Crazy? No way. I made a WONDERFUL trade. I traded my sister nights of babysitting children. Now she's going to keep my kids the night before my birthday. This is EXTRA wonderful because my mom has already volunteered to keep them the night of my birthday. If you haven't figured it out, that's AN ENTIRE WEEKEND!!! My mom is going to get the kids from my sister so I won't see them from Friday night to Sunday afternoon! WOW! Unless I'm mistaken that has not happened in almost 8 years! I'm so excited!

As much as I love my nieces and nephews, I was not upset when they left. The baby goes to sleep good, he just doesn't stay asleep good. When you have babies you are more conditioned to the getting up. I was SO tired. Somewhere in my delirious tiredness I then volunteered to also keep my other 1 and  6 year old nephews while my other sister went to the store. That makes 8. Crazy? Well yeah, but the baby was having a nap so it wasn't too bad.

This weekend made me more thankful than ever that I don't have babies anymore. My children will ALWAYS be my babies, but I'm so glad they can wipe their own butts and talk. I officially have negative baby fever!

This weekend also reminded me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful man to share parenting with. He loves our nieces and nephews just as much as I do. They are ALL our babies! He happily helps take care of them when they are here and even gets up with them at night like he did, and does, our own. I'm a lucky girl living a lucky life!

And of course, HAPPY EASTER! I hope everyone had a wonderful time with their families today celebrating, or not celebrating, in your own special way. 

I'm back!!

Things over the last month or so have been hectic to say the least!

Ball season has started. Baseball that is, and that means LOTS of running for us. All 3 of my boys play on a multi-park league. Some of these parks are an hour away from each other! Some nights we have 3 games at the exact same time at 3 different parks! WE LOVE IT! Every year as spring approaches I can't wait for baseball to start. As summer approaches I can't wait for it to end!!!

There have been all kinds of things occupying my time but the one that stuck out the most occurred 2 weeks ago. 16 days to be exact. My baby turned 5! A WHOLE hand! Never again will I have a baby that is less than a hand old! I shed lots of tears over this one! I BEGGED him to stay 4! He refused!

We had an awesome party at the park and the weather was PERFECT! Warm, but not too hot. We got a pavilion with it's own little playground right by the bathrooms and it was too much fun! The best part, I think, was mine and Daddy's gift. We got the ice cream truck to come! We don't have ice cream trucks out where I live so the kids didn't know what was going on at first! The guy pulled up playing his music and the kids just kinda stopped and stared. Once they figured it out it was on! It was great!

My kids are now 5, 6, 7, & 14. How did that happen? My 14 year old is studying to get his driver's permit. WHAT?! I don't think I'll be able to handle riding with him so I've designated Daddy to be in charge of that. I can't even handle riding with my husband. If we go somewhere as a family I drive. I think I would flip out if my son was driving!

We also got our garden all the way in this past week. We have a pretty big garden so it takes a few days/weeks to get it all in from breaking ground to seed. This year we have white and red onions, bell peppers, burpless and pickling cucumbers, straight neck squash, tomatoes, and okra! I can't wait to start pickling and making salsa! YUMMY!

New Picture

When I started my blog I decided I wasn't going to show my children's faces or say their names. I know, I know, it's not that hard to figure it out, especially since I have family that follow and say their names in comments, but it makes me feel better.

Anywho, when I started my blog I put a picture under the title of them walking away from the camera. I LOVE that picture. So since it's been a while I decided I needed to update.

When I took the first pic it was just a spur of the moment thought. I told them to turn and walk the other way and snapped a pic. Turned out great. So this time I didn't think it would be a problem, especially since it was planned.

We went to a local daffodil field. A great annual photo opp! I think I took a billion pictures. I cannot believe how hard it was to get all 4 of them to do the same thing at the same time. Either someone was walking in front of someone else, someone was turning to see if I was actually taking pictures, someone had their hands in the air, jumping in the air, bending over, you name it! I finally just gave up. We got LOADS of wonderful pictures, but the one now below the title was the best "walking away" pic.

High School?! What?!

Yesterday my oldest turned 14! OMG! 14! Where has the time gone?! I CANNOT believe he is 14 and I CANNOT believe he's going to be in high school! High school!? Yes, high school! In 5 short months he will be in high school!

I'm so utterly proud of him and so utterly scared for him all at the same time! As much of a pain in the butt as he can be, he is REALLY a GREAT kid! I know he thinks I can be a pain in the butt too, but I know, or hope, that one day he will appreciate it!

I'm the parent that has ALL the passwords and reads all the texts and all that great stuff. Some people call it an invasion of privacy, but I call it PARENTING! I often wonder where some of these kid's parents are. There are SO many things today's kids have to worry about that we never would have thought of. I can only hope that I'm doing enough and teaching him enough.

I'm SO SO SO proud of him! He has been through so much in his short life. He lost his father, my first husband, and I just can't imagine. I know how awful it was for me, but I just can't imagine losing a parent. Mine are still here. Even as an adult I just can't imagine how awful it would be. As awful as that is I've not allowed him to use it as an excuse. Life sucks. Period. You have do the best you can with what you're dealt. I think he gets that, most of the time.

For those of you that don't know, his father and I were married in high school. I actually married my high school sweet heart while IN high school, and had a baby. Now our baby is going to be in high school. Lord please help me if he does HALF the stuff I did!!

So anyway, I took him his favorite lunch and cupcakes to school for him and his friends. I just delivered them and didn't stay to deliver any embarrassment. I had LOTS of ideas, but he begged me to please not embarrass him in from of his friends and more specifically his girlfriend. That's right, he has a girl friend. Our first official "love". I try not to give him a hard time about that tho cause I still remember how real it felt.

So all and all I think he's had a wonderful bday. He went to a Razorback baseball game over the weekend and got to spend some extra time with the girl friend at play practice. Mommy had a pretty good birthing day. I thought about his age all day and how old it made me feel. I also thought about his Daddy a lot. His birthday always makes me think of his Daddy and how I wish he were here to share it, but I know he's watching.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY baby! You are turning into such a wonderful young man! I'm so luck yo to have such a wonderful son. I LOVE YOU!!

Now to start working on that Learner's Permit.....eeekkkk!

I'm Sleepy!

I have never been so tired in my life and I can't sleep! The kids keep me busy and I'm WORN out by the end of the day, but I can't sleep. I tend to stress about stuff and it keeps me up, or wakes me up. I can't remember the last time I slept more than a couple of hours at a time. I would pay money to be able to get a solid 6 hours of sleep! Every night it's either my mind, kids, the hubby snoring, or even rain waking me up! I'm probably the only person in the world that hates it when it rains at night cause it wakes me up! I just don't understand why I can't sleep!

The Dutch Are Coming....Maybe

I haven't blogged in FOREVER, I've just had too much stuff going on. Tonight though I'm sitting here patiently waiting on my Dutch Dudes and thought I'd drop a line or two.

The Dutch Dudes are stuck in Chicago due to a cancelled flight due to a snow storm. We are patiently waiting to see if they can get on an 8pm tonight. If not, the next one won't be til 5pm tomorrow! *fingers crossed*

Who are the Dutch Dudes? Let me introduce.

Robert is my dear friend I met MANY years ago while in DC. We had an immediate connection and although we lost touch for many years we reunited a few years ago and our families have become so close. I've spent time in Holland with his family and he has spent time in the US with mine. While in Holland a couple of years ago I met his younger brother Jordy. He has been to the States to visit twice and my daughter is in love! Granted she's only 6, but she refers to him as her boyfriend.

So Robert and Jordy are coming for a week visit. I don't know who is more excited, me or the kids! At this point I'm not sure if I should drink coffee in preparation for the late night or plan on going to work tomorrow. Right now I'm just hoping they get here. I've never been stuck at an airport but I can't imagine it's ANY fun.

The Dutch Dudes

While in Holland we spent an evening out go cart racing. It's WAY different than go cart racing in the States in case you couldn't tell from the fire suits and helmets!

Snow Snow GO AWAY!!

For those of us in central AR the thought of snow is usually exciting! Some years all we get is a light dusting, and most years it would usually involve ice. So as long as it's not ice it's pretty and usually gone in a day or so and life resumes. Not this year!

We are now on our I don't even know how many snow day. We just experienced our 4th snow this year, I believe, and it was the second "storm", and this one was a record breaker! Last time I measured yesterday it was 6 inches! For us that's A LOT! Schools are closed, businesses are closed, we are shut down and it's not even going to get above freezing today!

The kids love it! It's not that I don't like staying home, I just like to get paid too! If we don't work we don't make money. We are not working, for the umpteenth time this winter!

I AM SO TIRED OF THIS WHITE STUFF!!! BUT, I do love getting to spend all this extra time with my babies!

Dreams

I started really paying attention to my dreams about 11 years ago. I was having this reoccurring dream where I was in my car, always in a different place, but the breaks didn't work. I've describe that time of my life ,like being in a soap opera with out being able to see the script! So one day I was waiting to check out at the store and saw this little hand held dream interpretation book. While I was waiting I looked up the reoccuring dream I had been having. It said that dreaming your breaks didn't work meant you felt like your life was out of control. Boy did I ever. I couldn't believe how accurate the interpretation fit my life. Every since then I've been interested in what my dreams mean. I've learned thru the years that most of the time it doesn't mean anything and just watching something before I go to bed can effect my dreams. I've also learned that you can make almost any interpretation fit if you try hard enough!

I don't keep a dream journal, although I should, but I can almost always remember the best one I have each night. At least long enough to share it with my hubby. Last night I dreamed that my husband destroyed the shower in our bathroom. He broke it all to pieces and just kind of piled all the pieces together when I needed to take a shower. The water was coming out everywhere and I was just trying to find a strong enough stream to get my hair wet. I couldn't understand why he tore the shower all up!

I'm not recently having them, but over the past few years I've had 2  reoccurring dreams. Alligators and tornadoes! Always a different scenario, but either stuck in a tornado or being attacked by alligators. The tornado never hurts me tho and the alligators never get me. The neatest thing about these dreams is that I have a sister who has the same reoccurring dreams! She never gets hurt either!

Here lately I've just been having the crazy dreams! They say pregnant woman have crazy dreams. I'm sure not pregnant, so maybe I just never recovered from the last time I was.

What do you dream about?

Cold Blanket

My mother-in-law made my husband a blanket many years ago. It has donkeys on it. The kids call it the "cold blanket." I lovingly refer to it as the "ass blanket." The kids love it because of the cold feeling it has. I'm told it was made from sheets. My husband told his mom about how the kids fight over it a couple of years ago and she decided to make them all their own cold blanket. She even made us one for our bed as a 10 year anniversary present.

Growing up I didn't really have any grandparently grandparents, if that makes sense? My husband did tho and one of his grandmothers made him a blanket. He still has it and cherishes it dearly. I think it's older than I am! Seeing how my husband loves this blanket makes me think our kids will always cherish theirs. It gave me such a warm fuzzy when my MIL made them. I also know how rough doing projects like that are on her now. I know she made them out of love and they're just so super special.

I had to put the blanket away that my husband's grandmother made. It was just getting too tattered. He would still sleep with it if he could.

I forgot to mention that the kid's blankets even have their names on them. Also, they still fight over Daddy's cold blanket!

I'm so out of shape!

I started a new job this week. My first non office job.

About 2 years ago I went back to work part time after being a stay at home mom for many years. Bookkeeping is my thing and that means sitting at a desk. For hours. Instead of chasing babies all day and cleaning house, etc. I sat. And sat. And there were definitely physical changes to my body as a result. Since I'm no longer 20something I have to pay more attention now anyway, but the sitting was making it way worse.

So long story short, I no longer have an office job. I am now working part time at a bicycle shop. I know right?! I don't know anything about bicycles!

There may be a little bookkeeping in the future, but for now it's inventory and on my feet and the day just flies by. It's only 3 days in,  but I for sure know 2 things already. I'm REALLY going to like it, and I'm REALLY out of shape. I am exhausted! It's not like I'm doing a lot of heavy labor or anything, I'm just walking a lot more than I usually do. I'm not sore, I'm just more tired than usual by the end of the day! I can't believe how out of shape I am! It's a good thing riding a bike isn't a requirement!

I'm really excited about this change. Even tho it was a pay cut I'm much happier already. It's so much closer to my children's school too. And even tho I haven't learned everyone's name yet, I really like the people I'm working with.

Sitting at a desk involved some kind of readily available snack to munch on ALL day, that is no more. That is a good thing. I'm gonna wear my "butt" shoes and work it. Maybe I will be able to wear a bikini again next year afterall...

Scanning

I just saw a commercial for a scanner. It's to make you life paper free blah blah blah. Seriously? I wonder how much it is. How much more than a normal scanner I mean. Okay, so it has some pretty nifty software that may be nice, but we've been rocking the scanner in my house for years! It's just a normal one tho.

So anywho, I thought I would share some of the things we use the scanner for...

The main things is the children's work. I have a bag under the desk that says "SCAN" on it and I drop stuff in there I want to keep forever and scan it when I get a chance. You see with 4 children the mound of paper is outrageous. So a few years ago I started scanning their stuff in to the computer and putting it in their own folder. I've also gotten much better at just chunking stuff after I've seen it.

I love hand prints, ESPECIALLY my own children's. I like to stick their hands on it an hit print! I write the date on the peace of paper and file it away. Occasionally we come across them and the kids LOVE to compare their current hand size to the old one.

And pictures of course!!

 Happy scanning!

I'm not a soccer mom.

I've never been a soccer mom, but that's only because I'm a baseball mom and the seasons are basically at the same time. This will be my 9th season as a baseball mom. When my oldest was younger he wanted to play soccer until he realized he wouldn't be able to play baseball. So he passed. All of my children play, or have played, baseball. My daughter played softball for about half a season and decided she didn't like it. She wanted to play baseball with the boys. So the next season that's what we did. I'm not sure if she even lasted half way through that season. Baseball just wasn't her thing, but the boys love it. Some more so than others of course.

My daughter started taking gymnastics a little over a year ago and REALLY loves it. My little boys showed interest in it too, so they now also take gymnastics. My second son plays baseball, but isn't "passionate" about it. I think he just does it cause his big brother does. He has however become passionate about gymnastics. And he's SO good at it. He has the perfect little skinny body for it too! The 4 year old more has the body of a line backer, but he's loving the little Tiny Tumblers class he's in.

My oldest son now plays middle school basketball too. It's his second favorite sport and weather permitting he will be outside shooting hoops. I'm having a major issue with his coach though and am wondering if I just haven't been around the sport enough to know how it works.

You see I am not one of those parents that screams and yells at their kids, and refs, and the coach or whatever. I will holler at my 5 year old to pay attention if he is playing in the dirt, but for the most part I let the coach do the yelling of instructions. If you've ever played sports you know the last thing you want to listen to is your parents yelling instructions at you. And if you've ever sat in the stands with these parents you know how hard it is to not tell them to shut up! My husband coached for the first time last year (undefeated!) and there was rare occasion when a parent thought they new better than him. You have to let the coach coach!

So here's my issue. My son hasn't played basketball on a team his whole life. Middle school is his first experience on a team. Now granted I haven't made it to ALL of his games, but his last game of the season is tonight and I STILL have not seen him play! He told me he did get to play for about 40 seconds at an away game one time, but I wasn't there. It seems to me that this coach plays the same 5 boys almost the ENTIRE game. You can tell these boys are just exhausted by the end of the game. There are 12 boys on the team. They had tryouts and these 12 boys made the team. My son was one of them. I understand he may not be as good as some of these boys who have played their whole lives, especially when playing against another team, but how is he supposed to improve if he never gets and opportunity to play!? There is a big difference between practicing with your teammates and playing against another team!

If my son has ever complained I've told him to just be there when he is called up and be ready to do your best. Don't whine to coach. Just do your best and play hard in practice and be there when it is your turn to play. I just don't agree with the way this coach works. The kids are always nervous when they first start playing real games, but they can't shake that unless they get some experience. 

Anywho, next year he will be in high school, OH WOW, and hopefully he will have a different coach and get to actually play. 

Sign ups for baseball are this weekend. I'm SO ready! AND I'm SO glad my husband won't be coaching this year! He really loved it, but missed so many of the kid's games that he wasn't the coach for. ALSO, him being a coach means a bit of work for me, and I'll pass thank you. He's going to be coordinating the instructional league this year, we'll see how much work that entails from me.

While I've got your ear, or eyes, I would like to make a request. If your child plays a sport and you are asked to volunteer at the concession stand or something, PLEASE do it! 

I smell like a man!

Why do I keep getting a wiff of my husband? That would be because I'm wearing his deodorant! Hey, it's better than no deodorant. Why am I wearing my husband's deodorant? Because I'm out and no one makes sure I have some.

Mommy always looks out for everyone else and makes sure they have deodorant, toilet paper, underwear, etc. Well, at least she tries. But who looks out for Mommy?

I ran out of deodorant this weekend. I found a little travel size woman's deodorant that I have apparently used as backup before cause the plastic bottom was exposed. So after a few days of removing skin with this plastic, barely covered scraper, I threw it away. So there I am this morning trying to figure out what to do. Well, the hubby has more than one deodorant, so the choice was obvious. Now I'm sporty fresh!

Don't get me wrong, my husband definitley takes care of me in many, many ways. There are just a lot of things, like the above mentioned. that would never enter his mind as something to do. When he runs out of deoderant he usually just goes looking in the cabinet for the almost always located replacement. If it's not there he lets me know and I replace it promptly. For some reason I just haven't been able to make it to the store to replace my own.

Okay, so I'll go this afternoon after I get off work and pick the kids up from school. Nope, nope. That would require taking 5 kids to the store and I'm just not feeling that today. Besides I've got to get home and get some dinner rounded up cause I've got a meeting to go to as soon as the hubby get home. So maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll be smelling like a man! At least it's a good smelling man!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

On this day 6 years ago I was finally blessed with a daughter! My only daughter. My girl! I often tell people I am so happy to have a daughter, but I am so happy it's just A daughter. I don't know if I'd be able to handle more than one. I don't know how my parents did it!

So today the kids were out of school. Daddy and I still had to work tho. The boys went to work with Daddy and Sis came with me. I only work part-time so that gave us plenty of time to do birthday stuff!

She got a jewelry box at her party yesterday. She's just in love with it and decided she needed to fill it up with stuff, including earrings. She doesn't have her ears pierced tho so we had to do some research. That led us to the mall. I can't remember the last time I was at the mall! We got lucky because there was someone getting their ears pierced and we got to watch. Afterwards she decided that she would wait til she was 10 and then maybe get them done!

As we were leaving I got talked into a manicure. SO CUTE!!

We ended up at an accessory store and bought lots of goodies to fill her jewelry box. Then we came home and had some dinner with the boys. Now me and Missy are sitting in my bed watching the tube. That's one of our favorite things to do. She doesn't really care to play on the computer or play video games. She just wants Mommy to come get in bed with her and watch tv! So that's what I do, cause she's the boss!

Happy Birthday pretty princess! I love you more than any other girl in the world!

To my favorite child.

To my oldest, my first born. You are my favorite child. I can't believe that you are already a teenager and so close to driving. You will always be my little baby no matter how big you get. I remember every night I spent up with you crying for hours because you were colicky. You have helped me learn how to be a mommy. I'm still learning from you every day.
You are such a wonderful, helpful big brother. I know younger siblings can be testing, but watching you mature in your emotions and learn better how to handle them makes me so proud. You make me so proud.
Since you were just a little fellow in daycare I've had other parents tell me how impressive you are. From your helpfulness, to you compassion.  Even now as a teenager, you don't compromise who you are to please others. You do what's right, even if it's not popular. I love how independent, brave, and confident you are.
You are my absolute favorite child and I love you.

To my second son. You are my favorite child. Daddy and I waited 3 years for you. After our miscarriage we decided God had decided it just wasn't time to meet that baby. We took comfort in knowing that we would one day meet you.
I love your energy, although sometimes challenging, it makes you you. Always making people laugh, you are a constant comedian. You are stubborn like me but have such a huge heart. You are the sweetest kid I know.
I'm so glad that you've found a passion in drawing and gymnastics. You continuously impress me in both areas.
I love listening to you read. Especially when it's to your younger siblings. You do such a wonderful job teaching them things. You are my absolute favorite child and I love you.

To my daughter. You are my favorite child. You are my girl and I love hanging out with you and doing girl stuff. You are my little mommy. Be it with your animals or your little brother, you are always such a good little mommy.
I love the way you still want to be held when you get up. I love the way you have your daddy wrapped around your finger and bat your eyelashes at him to get your way.
I love watching you flip your hair and the way you prance is a riot. You are a princess. Even tho you are a girly girl, you are at the same time a tough cookie.
You are my absolute favorite child and I love you.

To my last born, my baby. You are my favorite child. There is not a hug in the world that is so completely encompassing as yours. You get that from your dad.
I love that your not yet too old to cuddle and that you still make me feel like your favorite person. I love that cute, sometimes mischievous, little grin you have. It truly lights up a room.
You always seem to be running 3 steps behind your siblings, but you never let it deter you. I am amazed at how quickly you pick things up.
You are the most patient, sneakiest, cutest kid I know. You are my absolute favorite child and I love you.

To my favorite children. I could go on endlessly listing all the things I love about you. Just know that I do love all the things about you! You are my reason. You complete me. I love you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

If you went out to celebrate last night I hope you had a wonderful, safe time. If you stayed in like we did, I hope you were able to stay awake til midnight. My hubby and I usually don't even make it to midnight, but this year we did! 

Not sharing any resolutions this year, just a new project. The kids and I are starting a new blog today.

http://winterspictureproject.blogspot.com/

Hope you'll take a minute to check it out.

Happy New Year! 2011 is going to be GREAT!!!