Distraught Isabella

While Isabella was standing and playing in the shower, I thought I would get a couple things done. Nicholas was playing quietly and Gabby was taking her first nap. I did laundry, cleaned bedrooms, made beds, and started cleaning the kitchen when she started crying and screaming. My thoughts went straight to the temperature of the water changing which would make her unhappy. I raced in there to find her cowering in the corner of the shower (it's glass) and she was clearly distraught. When I asked her what was wrong she said...

"It's raining in the shower!!! The droplets are sprinkling on me!!!"

Call me crazy but I had to hold back every effort to laugh my head off. :-) I then went into the whole purpose of a shower which I thought she already knew. She's only been showering for 2 years mind you. Apparently she needed retaught. She proceeded to get out but was clearly unharmed. She asked to get back in first thing this morning.

Father/Son Jedi Knights

Who knew that Nicholas and Jeff had Jedi powers???

They have been playing X-Box Star Wars for two hours and shouting funny little things along the way.

"Hit the green things, don't hit the holes, follow me, here we go, stay to the right, try not to get shot, go to the left...oh I crashed. We have to start over."

Maybe they are missing their Jedi powers after all. Keep searching boys!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you



Happy Birthday to you



Happy Birthday to Gabriella



Happy Birthday to you!!!!



Where did the time go???

Meeting of the minds

It's all in who you know. Guess who showed up at my Christmas Party for the preschoolers and daycare??? What do you think they are talking about???

Only 5???

Tell us about five accomplishments from this past week. Big or small!


WOW..
1. Got my family packed for vacation...they left this morning and I will meet them tonight. Heading to the beach to ride quads!!
2. Cooked a Thanksgiving feast for my school Thursday. Thirty one people attended and the turkey (one was 25 lbs, the other 22) was delicious. Complete with pumpkin pie which I can't stand!!! YUCKY!!!!
3. Found my laundry room floor. I thought it was linoleum, I just haven't been able to find it for a couple weeks now. All laundry complete!!!
4. Isabella was on time for dance (FU-FU LAND WE CALL IT) and Nicholas was on time for his pizza party/trophy presentation Thursday night.
5. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT you ask??? I have managed to stay relatively healthy while wiping snot from every preschooler who has entered my home. Oh yes, and the one that was sent home with a 103 fever and another who was sent home covered in hives!!!

COUGH COUGH... Oh NO!!! Maybe I spoke too soon!!!!

Sing it with me...

It's the end of the world as we know it...



It's the end of the world as we know it...



It's the end of the world as we know it...



I feel fine!!!

She has mastered crawling and quickly disappears out of rooms. :-)

The book I'm reading right now/just read is teaching me...



I read this book about a year ago and LOVED it...amidst all of the controversy. I couldn't put it down and have let friends borrow it who have said the same thing. It was strictly "for fun" reading. I remember thinking that this man has gone through so much and had the strength to go through so much more because of pure determination. He is recovering and will continue to battle demons every day of his life. What a heavy load. I wish I had that strength.

Secondly, in the book he meets a man who becomes his friend...Leonard. I learned that friends will get you through a LOT in life and mine continuously do. For all of my friends out there, Thank you!!!! May everyone be so lucky to have a friend!!!

I'm looking forward to reading the sequel...My Friend Leonard...over Christmas break!!!

On another note, I've gotten a lot of comments on writing a children's book. You've all inspired me!! Any ideas how I go about that are GREATLY appreciated.

Two memories

Two for Tuesday:

Tell us about two memories from two years ago...2004

WOW...One memory that stands out in my head is Nicholas starting school. He was about to turn three and his first year of preschool was about to get under way. SOOOOO much work to be done. We were potty training and boys are not easy. He did pretty well but we still have issues to this day. See, Nicholas and Isabella were blessed with the gift of small bladders like their mother. I know he tried his best but it took a while. I also remember walking him to school...two miles...and Isabella (15 months) was in the stroller. They LOVED that!




Memory #2...also school related...breaking Nicholas of his addiction....PACIFIERS!! Holy Smokes!!! I had no idea how I was going to do this! I put my thinking cap on and that was the day the Pacifier Fairy was born. (Numerous books have been written about her in my head). We walked around the house the Saturday before school was to start and collected all of the pacifiers in sight. Picture me on my hands and knees helping to look because he hid them in "special spots". Anyway, he went to bed that night with ALL of them...there had to be at least 15. A little boy, growing up, about to start school, sleeping in his big boy bed surrounded by 14 pacifiers, and sucking on the lucky 15th.

NOW THE HARD PART!!!!

I gave myself until midnight when I would go in a strip him of his addiction...an intervention of some sort. TALK ABOUT GUILT!!! It was very hard for me to walk into his room and take them. I built up the courage and made myself do it. I walked in and there he was...all of them either on the floor or at the foot of his bed. Not one in his hand or mouth. GEEZ!!! I had guilt for nothing. I collected all of them, put them in a ziploc, and covered him up with a new blanket that I made for him.

After two days he didn't ask anymore where they were. I don't know if he was just ready or the Pacifier Fairy made the transition a little easier. At any rate, he grew up and my little fairy has to make one more trip to our house.

As a side note, I just found the "ziploc o' pacifiers" when my family was in Oregon and I was purging my home. Has it really been that long??? Bye Bye pacifiers!!!

Soccer

Nicholas's soccer season came to an end today. He managed to go an entire season without scoring a goal but we are talking about the importance of team effort...they only lost 2 games...and not necessarily individual effort. It was his first time playing soccer and he loved it so next year he may have better luck. Here are a couple highlights.....

Some of his biggest fans. Mommy, Daddy, Isabella, Grandma Carol, Papa, and Grandma Rose were his cheering section.



Running down field after the ball.



Scoring a goal during warm ups.



My little soccer player ready for Game 1.

TGIF

Yesterday we had the Thursday Thirteen, today let's have Fabulous Friday!!

Tell us about something FABULOUS in your life right now!

Well, I didn't realize that I had today off until a couple of days ago so that in itself is fabulous!! Happy Friday to me!!!! Other than that, my children have been wanting to go to the park and the nights...when I'm able to go... get so dark so early. This morning, Jeffrey let me sleep in, take a shower ALONE, and I took the kids to the park for 2 hours. I let them decide when it was time to go home.

Fabulous day all around!!!!

TGIF everyone!!!!

Thirteen

There are a bunch of bloggers that participate in a meme called the Thursday Thirteen. Today, you're joining them!

You can write about any subject, but you have to think up 13 things.


Examples:
13 things about me.
13 things I like about living where I do
13 things my children say that crack me up
13 things to do this weekend.


Got it? GO!
This could take a minute...

Thirteen things my children are doing...

Nicholas is tying his own shoes.
Isabella zipped her own jacket.
Gabriella got her first tooth Sunday.
Nicholas can swing himself on the swings.
Isabella climbed a high ladder to get to the slide...way high.
Gabriella started crawling yesterday.
Nicholas made dinner for the family last night...fondue.
Isabella "washed" her own hair in the shower.
Nicholas is addicted to K-Nex and wants to build from morning til night.
Isabella swears she is a princess..but refuses to kiss her Dad.
Gabriella is NOT sleeping again but I'm sure it's teeth related.
Nicholas and Isabella are at school and...
Gabriella is waking up from her nap.

WHEW!!! That was exhausting. They are growing too fast!!!

HOT ROD, PINK FLOYD,and HEY 19

MUSIC—What are your early memories of music? What kind did you/do you prefer? Have your tastes changed over the years?

This was WAY fun for me to remember. For some reason, these three memories all include one specific apartment that my parents lived in when I was small.

I have no idea how old I was but it was old enough to appreciate some music...definitely under the age of 10. My father was the one who listened to music in our home. I can clearly remember him calling me to lay across my parent's bed, head on the pillows, at which point he put these HUGE headphones on my ears. These are the 70's version, puffy foam of some sort, and they were WAY bigger than my head. He would make me close my eyes and he wanted me to focus on the different instruments that were playing, isolated and together. No wonder the music sounded so good...it was going through every pore on my head!!! Hot Rod Stewart and Pink Floyd always bring the memory of gigantic foamy headsets to the fore-front of my brain!!!

Another time, could have been the next day for all I know, both Mom and Dad brought back a record (HOLY SMOKES) for me to listen on the record player. I couldn't believe I got my very on 45!! (I am cracking myself up remembering what a huge dork I must have been :-) )Anyway, the title was Hey 19 and I couldn't get over the fact that they bought a record of a song that I didn't even know. They made me play it and I was excited that I did know it...had only been singing the wrong words and didn't know I knew it!!! (YES, CONFIRMED DORK)

The third (apparently dorkish memory) is of my cousins and I. There are three of us and we are fairly close together in age. Our parents must have been together for the day or something but the three of us decided that we were going to make up a dance and put on a show for our parents. (These days, choreograph.) I can still remember some of the motions to Pat Benetar's "Another One Bites the Dust."

My tastes in music have changed as I now listen to country but I can't resist driving in the car or cleaning my house and jamming to the good stuff. Anyone remember The Little River Band???

Here we are..

Here are a couple pictures since we have been home. I'll update the trip, etc another time.

My trick or treaters...




The pumpkin patch...

Listen

What can you hear right now, right where you're sitting? See how detailed you can get.

There are 11 children in my house right now and here is what I hear.

Inside...Six are in the living room and all I can hear is quiet breathing. The occasional roll-over, laugh, or chatter of a two year old's dreams are coming but all is quiet there. Three are in another room and I hear silence. One is in the bassinet and I hear him sucking his tiny thumb. Gabriella is trying to fall asleep so she is "singing" and banging the blinds off of her crib. Oh wait...QUIET!!! (Listening closer) She's almost asleep.

Outside...a garbage truck is about two streets over, big diesel engine, shaking the trash out of cans, and dropping them violently against the black top. The rain is flowing down the drain pipes making a clank as it hits the elbow of the drain..need to put a sponge in there..from a rain that started at 4:00 this morning.

My fingers are tapping on the keys as I update my blog and my brain is screaming out the list of things I have to do before I leave in the morning. I should go and try to accomplish some of them...silence the racket in my head!!!!!

Go With this

Happy Birthday to me...tomorrow.

Someone sent this to me and what great timing. Let's go with 26!!!! I'm good with that!!!!!

You Are 26 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

5 minutes

Let go and write whatever!!! But only for five minutes. After that put your pen, errrr, your fingers down and don't go back to fix anything!

It's a timed assignment, but you're on the honor system, no cheating!

My life lately is mostly lists....

Go to the bank before vacation
Call in the school book order
Clean up
Wash preschoolers sheets Thursday night
Dinner with a friend tonight (she's making my chocolate cake)
Dinner with different friends tomorrow night (another chocolate cake)
(Had dinner with my in-laws last night...the first of three chocolate cakes)
HAPPY GIRL...TOO much cake!!!!
Pack for me and Gabriella
Grocery store for food for the school next week
Plan menus for Assistant to follow
Not enough time for picking up Gabriella's birth certificate so I'll take her shot records.
Gas in the car for the drive to the airport
Pack Special treats for the kids
Make last minute instructions for Assistant
Cancel newspaper
Ask Paul to water the front yard...sprinklers are broken
Then...five minutes are up...

Tagged

Back on October 1, I was tagged but am just now getting around to responding. Sorry Elizabeth :-(

Here are the rules:
Make a list of 5 weird/odd things about you, then tag 5 people.

1. I can't stand spiders or snakes.
2. I eat Doritos on my bologna sandwiches. A friend did it in the 8th grade and I have done it since...MANY, MANY years ago!!!
3. I have the ability to crack myself up...almost daily! No one else may see the humor in something but I find it hysterical. I get this from my Mother!!! :-)
4. I love getting in the car and going for a drive. Turn up the music, jam, and find new places and new things.
5. I LOVE my birthday! (It's tomorrow) Sometimes it's the only time I hear from friends who have busy lives. Glad they take the time to think of me!!! Can't wait to see who calls!!! :-)

Spread the love

Today's prompt
Today is my (Meg's) anniversary, so help me spread the love!

Celebrate your relationship with someone in your life. It doesn't have to be a spouse, it could be kids, parents, or even the mail carrier that waves to you everyday!

I choose my husband and my children. This Friday I am flying to Oregon to finally catch up with the rest of my family. Jeffrey is approaching three weeks of Daddy-time with our older two and I have had Mommy-time with Gabriella. All of us will be together Friday night just in time for bath, storytime, and bed. (Something tells me that the children will be up a little later that night.) At any rate, here is the update!!!

Nicholas's bedroom no longer has stripes and is now the same color as my bedroom. Don't ask!!! His new bed is getting delivered today and his room will officially be finished. My bedroom and bathroom are painted and pictures hung on the wall thanks to my neighbor Craig. Just as he was hanging them, the electricity went out due to a storm but he persevered. No one will notice if they are crooked, right??? (Just kidding). Every room has been purged of excess stuff and I am left with three nights of cleaning to make sure everything is in it's place before Jeff and the kids see it. I'll update later with a "They love it/hate it" post.

I am excited to see my family. I haven't spoken to the children in about three days...not even for two minutes.. because they are busy having fun. I barely even speak to Jeff. It will be nice to have conversations with them again. A 14 hour car ride on the way home will take care of that. By the time we get home on Sunday, I'll be talked out, my ears will be ringing, and I'll be asking them to be quiet...for just two minutes!!! :-)

Release

Every Friday night is a release...

Weekly duties:
keeping up with the children, getting them through their day of school, pick-ups, etc,
keeping up with the housework,
laundry,
paperwork,
running my business,
cleaning the house every night to get ready for the next day,

Release:
Friday nights when all of the other children leave and I am left with my three, all weekly duties vanish. I release all responsibilities and attend to the needs or (mostly) wants of My Brood. Movies and popcorn, stay up late, no bath, camp out on the living room floor, ice cream, extra books...AAAAHHHH

gift

What gift do you wish you could give (if reality was not a factor) to the most important person in your life?

I thought this one would be very easy and I came up with an answer right away. I couldn't post immediately so I was left to think about it all day. Well, the more I thought, the more complicated this became for me. SO...

First, My Mother came into mind as the most important person in my life. Then, of course, my husband and children popped into my head. While all parties are equally important, they all have different levels of importance. For todays blog prompt, I chose to concentrate on my Mother because she has been around me the longest.

Step one complete....Step two..the gift.
For selfish reasons, I chose to give my Mother the gift of being here in CA with me and my family. She could watch her Grandchildren grow and see them whenever she wanted. See, Mom lives in Ohio and only sees the children once (maybe twice) a year. Then I thought, well, if she were here, she would miss the other grand children and that's not real cool just because I'm being selfish. But, I would buy her a house, then furnish it, then get her whatever she needed while she was here, purchase airline tickets if she wanted to go home for visits, etc. Then...

About 2 - 3 months ago, Mom sent a newspaper clipping telling me about this trip that she was interested in. Three days, sight seeing in New York, a bus load of people and she was excited and wanted to go with a friend. Mom had never been to New York, Dad didn't want to go, so (behind her back) I arranged for her to go on this trip. I called and paid for her trip because I wanted her to do something that she had never done, see other places, and have a great weekend away. I live so far away from her and I don't get to do a lot of nice (daily) things for her. After she threatened me with bodily harm (kicking my you-know-what), she thanked me, went on her trip and had a fabulous time!!!

So it occurred to me. The gift I would give my Mother...Absolutely anything she wanted. If I was able and it made her happy, I would give her anything she asked for...simple as that.

Designer???

If you could have a designer come into a room of your house and redecorate it for you, which room would it be and what would you ask them for?


Let's see....this question is pretty unfair for me since I am ALMOST FINISHED!!!! Let me explain....

In May, I started a construction project with turning my two car garage into my classroom. After a couple months, lots of banging, yellow paint, hardwood floors, french doors, and workers in and out, it is finished. A lot of children (here and in the future) will benefit from the headaches that Jeff and I went through.

Now, I am almost complete with all of my little projects that were planned for Sept. Nicholas's room is painted...just have to straighten a couple stripes..., my bathroom is painted and put back together, and my bedroom is painted and ready to be lived in again...just have to hang pictures. I have waited so long to have these things done and the opportunity presented itself when Jeff and the kids left. I suppose I didn't need anyone to come in, I needed three people to get out!!! (Those of you who know me, I just cracked myself up)!!!!

My classroom needed to be hired out but I had the fortunate experience of having a friend help me paint. Thanks Meg K...if you are reading this. I know now that I never have to hire out again. I won't have to paint for quite some time!!! :-)

My house for now is finished but if you want to talk lawns, Landscape Design would be at the top of my list.

Magnet???

Your Power Color Is Magenta

At Your Highest: You energize yourself and push others to suceed. At Your Lowest: You feel frustrated and totally overwhelmed. In Love: You are suprised by who you attract. You're a love magnet. How You're Attractive: Open and free spirited, people want to explore the world with you. Your Eternal Question: "What is my next source of inspiration?"

What's Your Power Color?

Morning person or night owl???

Definitely a morning person. When did I notice this about myself??? Not sure.

Growing up, I do remember waking up at the crack of dawn to the sound of my Father whistling as he walked down the hallway and I would think...Is he crazy??? Then it turned into me getting up with him for breakfast or picking berries on the weekends. Had to get out early before the heat.

My college years are full of memories of my classes being at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 and being finished with my day before some of the girls on the hallway even started theirs.

After college I always started working at 7:00...again, early.

Now that I am "all grown up", I still get up early. During the week, I sometimes rise before the sun to meet the other eleven children that come to my home for the day. On the weekends, my children rise early and I am the one who gets up with them. Something about that groggy look, warm skin, asking for milk, and snuggling while they drink it before they fully arise and turn into crazy people that I like.

Is it circumstantial??? Well, I would love to have a morning to sleep in and I sometimes do but most of the time, I am the early one and my husband the night one. I do like it, wouldn't change it, and it is a satisfying feeling to get so much done before noon. I would love to be more "nightly" but I pay the price the next morning when I have two big blue eyes (sometimes four when they double-team me) staring at me asking for their milk and a snuggle. Gotta get up early for that!!!!!

Conversations

Here are two conversations that each of my children had with their Grandmothers...

Nicholas...Talked to Grandma Cheyann on Tuesday, his FIFTH birthday...
GC..Happy Birthday Nicholas!!
N.. (screaming) I'm 5!!!
GC..Holy Moly!! When did you turn five???
N..Just right now!!!

Isabella...talked to Grandma (Carol) the same night...
I..Grandma, where are you?
G..I'm at home. Where are you?
I..I don't know.
G..Isabella, you are in Oregon.
I..OH
Isabella hands the phone to Daddy and Carol tells Jeff the conversation. Daddy,apparently in disbelief asks..
J..Isabella, where are you?
I..I'm right here Daddy!!!
(which I'm sure included a look implying that Jeff was the crazy one).

Very cute

Guilty pleasures???

I have found an interesting group of ladies on the web that are part of a digital scrapbooking group. My friend Meg, who is phenomenal at digital scrapbooking, was gracious enough to let me into their group and participate in the daily prompts. These are questions that give you something to think about as you go through your day. When you have your answer, you share by posting on your blog and you are privledged to read the other answers as well. VERY FUN!!!

Todays prompt...Guilty pleasures.

I could think of a couple right off the top of my head and chocolate is at the very top of that list. Lately though I find myself eating it with the children, quickly and unsavoringly, and it doesn't have the same effect.

Something I enjoy when no one else is around, the kids are asleep and the house is quiet??? As The World Turns. I tape it every single day and watch it on Friday nights when the housework doesn't need to be done for the next morning. I LOVE IT!!! Jack and Carly, Gwen and Will, Jade has GOT TO GO!! I love those people!! Their lives are interesting, as is mine, but it's nice to escape mine in a quiet sort of way and catch up on life in a (fake)small farming town in Missouri.

My Pirate name

Your Pirate Name Is...

Black Fanny La Bouche

What's Your Pirate Name?

Five minus three...

I haven't been keeping up with my blog lately but it isn't because my family is keeping me busy. You see, Jeffrey went to Oregon. He left last Thursday and won't be back until October 15. We usually go for an entire month and catch crab, can tuna, and go clamming. The children love it and we have a great vacation.
This year I couldn't go because of my business. I will go for the last week of the trip but I couldn't go the entire time. WELL, Jeff took Nicholas and Isabella with him. Yes, you read right. Three of the five people who live in the house are gone. The fourth one is still stationary and then there's me. Now, you may ask how I am getting along. To answer your question, JUST FINE!!! Friends have called to check up on me and I am doing very well thank you!!!!! I am taking this opportunity, which may never come my way again, and I am getting a lot done. SO FAR....
1..purged the kitchen. I got rid of extra dishes and appliances that we never use.
2..dusted...not just surface dusting. Wash the wine bottles and unhook the television equipment dusting.
3..replaced the area rug in the family room that was three years old and stained.
4..painted stripes on Nicholas's walls in his bedroom.
5..completely painted my bathroom with a color. (gasp)
6..tonight I start painting the master bedroom..again with color (gasp)
Now...while all of this is happening, keep one thing in mind. Jeff has NO IDEA about anything that is going on. According to him, he is working really hard right now with the two older ones and I am here thanking God that I bought that stock in Bon-Bons!! Who eats those things anyway???
Well, he's been gone one week and I have two weeks to go. As I look around I see lots of projects in my future. Should I continue my quest or take some time off and relax??? Anyone care to join me for a bon-bon?

A preschool bonus

I have discovered a bonus to having two children at the same school. Normally, driving in a car was pretty annoying when Nicholas wanted to sing the Alphabet song and Isabella wanted to belt out her version of Twinkle Twinkle Lemon Star (this is NOT a type-o). Repeatedly I monitored whose turn it was and when the other could start. WELL...with both of them learning songs together, they sing together and help the other when one forgets the words. What peaceful rides our car trips have turned out to be. Baby steps!!! :-)

My civil duties

Today was the first time in my life that I have ever been called to Jury duty. Everyone else seems to dread it but I was looking forward to it. Jeff talks about court all the time and I wanted to at least experience it one time for myself.

I go, get squeezed into a room not near enough to fit all of us, and sit for over an hour. One group of names called, not mine, and they get dismissed. Another hour goes by and we get escorted to another building like a group of cattle and we listen for our juror number. I'm excited because I have never been in a courtroom, let alone see the judge and defendant (who by the way is in jail clothes, handcuffs, and shakled). As time goes by, I realize that I needed to be careful what I wished for. The defendant kept being escorted out of the courtroom for having outbursts about his need for another attorney and four doctors declaring him competent. OH BOY!!!! I listen for my number and right before lunch I am called. I AM SITTING IN THE JURY BOX...pretty exciting for me but now I'M SCARED.

The trial is for a sexual offender who refused to register for the last 2 years and was being accused of molesting a child. HELLO....COUNT ME OUT!!! I made it this far and I can't go any further. My sole purpose in life is to protect my children and being the owner and operator of a preschool/daycare, I protect other people's children as well. SORRY...can't be partial on this one.

There is always hope for another trial next year. Glad I witnessed it though.

The first official day..

Today was the first day of preschool for the kids. Nicholas is entering his third year and Isabella is entering her first. Both went out the door with kisses and "love you's" and never looked back. Hope they have a GREAT day!!!!

Two out of three

One...Everyone is sitting in the same place at the same time. :-)
Two...Everyone is happy and smiling. :-)
Three...No one wanted to get dressed!!! :-(
It made for a cute picture anyway!!! :-)

My Samantha

Here is my Sammy Girl just relaxing and being herself. She was the runt of a flea-infested litter from a stray that wandered into Marnie's parent's house, my roommate from college. I took her from her mother early, what seems like forever ago, but only 1993. We drove 6 hours to Baltimore in my VW beetle and 7 years later, we drove for three days to CA in my VW jetta. Quite the traveler for a feline....Ohio, PA, MD, VA, DC, TN, AR, OK, TX, NM, AZ, and finally CA. For the last 3 years she has been living with her best friend, Abagail, at Jeff's parents.
Well, after 13 years together, we all had to say goodbye to Sammy Wednesday night. We all loved her dearly and we know she loved us back. July 17, Sammy's birthday, has been declared "Samantha's Day' and we'll all have a tuna sandwich in her honor. We'll miss you, Samantha!!!!

OK....You're about to discover a little known fact about me that you may or may not know. Tim McGraw is my most favorite Male performer of ALL TIME!!! I go crazy when I see that man and it is an impulse that I have ALSOLUTELY no control over. My husband indulges me and apologizes, in advance, to everyone around us for whatever behavior may come over me during Tim's performance. YES, it's that bad!!!
Well, last night, with some friends, I got to see "My Tim" for the 6th time and the craziness is still there. It lives deep inside and apparently shows no signs of going away. It will lay dormant for a couple years or so but it still exists. A friend had to remind Jeffrey that my children's step-father was about to take the stage. I know...pathetic.
But...WHAT A NIGHT!!! Great show, great company, great night, and most of all, Tim looked great. I take nothing away from Faith Hill's performance...she was phenomenal...but here is what I know. Without her, I would have gotten 90 more minutes of Tim. It's tough being the girlfriend!!! :-)

Murphy's Law??? Anyone??? Bueller??? For a cliff note explanation, here you go.
Jeff threw his back out last Wednesday afternoon and things around here have not been the same. After visiting the Doctor, he started to feel a little better but it took 4 days. In the meantime, I finally got Gabriella to sleep through the night. :-) (I decided not to even try while we were switching time zones and having company.) Well, it finally happened and for three nights in a row!!!!!!! YIPEEEE!!! THANK THE LORD!!!! Well, before you get excited for me, here is where Mr. Murphy comes in. Jeff woke up in the middle of the night...EVERY NIGHT...because his back was sore and/or stiff. Can I buy a good night sleep anywhere?? I'll pay good money at this point! Last night I informed Jeff that it has been a week and he needs to sleep all night. Well, little girl decided that she was hungry at 2:00 am and 4:00 am. I'm sensing a conspiracy theory! I'm left with the IDEA of what a full night's sleep is all about. I can't wait until Mr. Murphy moves out!!!

There is something about the last couple days of summer. The children are sleeping in, going to bed late, swimming, and hanging out. On our street, we hold an annual block party where everyone can get together for one last time before school starts up again. We spend all year driving by and waving to neighbors and not really getting a chance to chat. The week before school starts, everyone brings a dish, the kids ride bikes, we hang a big white sheet on our garage and play a children's movie on a projector, put the kids to bed and then play an adult movie. The entire night lasts about 6 hours and it is a great chance for all of us to catch up on each other's lives. All of us moved in here 3 years ago and the original group still stands. Three years ago, however, Nicholas was the only child playing outside. This year he is the oldest of 14 and 1 more on the way. Where does the time go???
Here is to one more week of lazy days, late nights, BBQ'S, the smell of sunscreen, and nights at the park before schedules, bed time, and arguing about being late for school starts.

WE'RE BACK!!!! We have finally settled back in to the West Coast and are currently back on West Coast time. After 3 weeks of travel beginning with Ohio to see my family and friends and ending with a trip to Sacramento for a family reunion on Jeff's side, we are slowly getting back in the swing of things. Lots of fun was had by all!! I will be slow at first but I'll document our trip asap. STAY TUNED!!!!

Happy July 4th...a day late!!! Yesterday was a day filled with friends, swimming, picnics, etc. Ours started out with a parade that featured LOTS of cars, a couple high school bands, and some childrens groups riding floats but what struck me the most was that every 20th entry or so was an American flag being carried by Disabled Vets, American Legion, and various military groups. A lady seated behind us on the curb made her group stand and clap every time the Flag was carried by and proceeded to let everyone know that we live in a free country and that we should be proud.
Exactly 2 months ago yesterday, I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing my husband's heart being broken and having to break the hearts of Nicholas and Isabella when Poppy Cecil passed away. He was a Vet and proud of it. Three years ago, for his 80th birthday, Jeff and his 2 sisters (and spouses) replaced all of Grandpa's medals from his military days that were lost in a fire decades ago. They are proudly displayed on "Grandpa's Wall."
This picture was drawn by Nicholas the day after the funeral and is now on display in our home, Jeff's parents' home, and Grandma's home. We thank you Grandpa for your service and for all the others out there that don't get the Thank you that is well deserved!!! Be Proud!!!!

Our new pets...by default...have moved in. For the last three years, a dove has lived in my gutter in the front of my house. I can't stand this bird and I beg for it to be removed every year to which Jeff reminds me that it isn't hurting anyone by being there. This morning, while the children went out to water, they discovered two baby doves living and eating the bugs in the garden. I find myself being protective of them...the birds... and not wanting anything to happen to them. Needless to say, I've had a change of heart.
FYI...Jeff even crushed crackers thinking they might need a little something extra to eat.

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Here are a couple pictures of my girls... Nicholas wouldn't get out of the pool long enough to pose. :-)

It happened....it finally happened!!!!!! I fell asleep with the children at 8:30 pm and I woke up about midnight to move to my own bed. The next thing I knew, Gabriella was crying and it was 5:00 am. No one woke me.....no child with growing pains, no child complaining of being cold, no child needing to be fed, NO ONE!!! Thank You GOD!!!!
I now have to clean my kitchen and finish laundry because everything sat last night. Quite alright though!! I had a full night sleep and can take on the world!!!
Two nights in a row??? Probably too much to ask!!!

These pictures are supposed to be in reverse order but Oh Well!!! I'm still learning!!!
Our entire summer so far has been spent in the pool...either the little blow up one in our yard or the real one at Grandma and Papa's house. I actually think that any body of water would do when it's in the triple digits!!! :-)
So my children and I are enjoying a summer full of splashing, complaining that you are being splashed, jumping, constantly being wet, dripping water through the house, slipping on the tile floor, Mommy yelling to close the door because the AC is on, and loads and loads of towels!!!!!
I'm off to do laundry!!!!

We have a rule in our house. As long as one of our children is an infant, no one is allowed to ask me if I'm tired. The answer is YES, will always be YES and at the risk of me answering scarcastically, don't ask. In a perfect world, I could fall asleep with the children and wake up as refreshed as they are but I forgot to request the "Magic Fairy" when I became a Mother. Apparently she will come into my home and clean, pay bills, return phone calls, and get everything ready for the next day. How come no one told me about her sooner???? Lately Gabriella shows no signs of sleeping through the night so YES, I'm tired.
Jeffrey is in his second month of graveyard shift. Combine that with overtime, court, and three children, he too is tired. So far, no one has broken the rule because we are too tired to spend unnecessary energy on asking silly questions.
As you can see, our children are lucky enough to sleep peacefully all night, nap during the day...3 naps for Gabriella..., and get plenty of rest. As long as that happens, Jeff and I don't stand a chance. We need one good night to even the playing field. I'll keep you posted...Nite Nite!!!

Here is my little All-Star!!! The season was a success and my little slugger received his first ever trophy and certificate for being picked for the All-Stars. Quite the happy boy!!! Congratulations Nicholas!!!

I thought I was the one that was ready!!!!!!!!!
For over 2 years, I have been waiting for the day that Isabella goes to school. Friday afternoon, Papa picked her up after nap so she could go play and without thinking about it, she kissed me goodbye and walked out the door....OK OK....she ran! You could see the excitement on her face as she flashed by!!! We have been working so hard towards potty training and talking like a big girl with the goal of going to school with Nicholas. A month ago it seemed so far away.
Monday morning she woke up ready to go. Papa came to get Nicholas...and now her...and she had a wonderful day. Swam twice, napped well, no accidents, made friends...all of the things she was supposed to do. I was even one of those parents that called twice to see how she was doing. I KNOW.....PATHETIC!!!!!! This morning, she got herself dressed and wanted to call Papa so he could come get her...Nicholas made the call. He showed up and I had to call her back for a kiss.
Apparently she was more ready than I was!!! SAD!!!! :-(

So much happening yet I feel the need to make a toast. HERE'S TO THE SUMMER!!!!
Nicholas just finished up his second year of pre-school and did quite well. This year saw some challenges for me with bringing home behaviors from school. Language, being physical with other children...mainly his sister...just trying stuff out that didn't quite go over well. Maybe he needs a little time off from school...Hello summer!!!
Isabella is about to start going to school for the summer. She is so ready to venture out and find another part of herself. We'll start slowly and have her start her school career on the right note. Swimming, playing, making friends, and having fun will be a great introduction. Getting out from underneath my wing will benefit her. Hello summer!!!!
Gabriella is growing like a weed. Her 5 month appt went well and my little Heffalump weighs a hefty 16 lbs, 10 oz. I recently got her ears pierced and she is really turning into a little girl. I'm looking forward to having some alone time with her...Hello summer!!!
My garage is under construction and my preschool will be completed by July!!! I'll have to decorate, furnish, organize, and get ready for my first class which starts Aug 7...Hello summer!!
Most of all, in exactly 41 days, I get to go home. My friends and family are all arranging their schedules to fit in a visit with us and I can't wait to see all of you.
Won't you raise your glasses and toast with me... Here's to a GREAT summer!!!! (tink)

Mother's Day came a little late for me this year. An overview of our day looked like this. We packed up the children and the trailer to head home after a weekend at Pismo Beach, drove for 5 and 1/2 hours, unpacked, dinner, dove into our nighttime routine, and got ready for Monday morning. Definitely not the Let-Mom-Get-Some-Rest Day that we Mom's envision. At any rate, it was quick, almost painless, but gone in a flash. Fast forward a week.
With Gabriella now in her crib, Nicholas and Isabella are sharing a room for a while. I put everyone down for bed on Monday night and before going to bed myself, I went to check on them. Nicholas and Isabella were sound asleep but holding hands....aaaww, sweet!!!! Tuesday, after getting himself ready for school, eating, and running out to the car, Nicholas ran back into the house. I asked what he forgot this time and he said he needed a kiss and loves from Isabella. She ran to the door, they kissed and hugged, and he told her that he loved her and she reciprocated. "I'll see you after school" she yelled.
I know this really has nothing to do with me but I will take this moment on any given day over a table full of cards and flowers, and yes, even over a couple extra hours sleep. Happy Mother's Day to me!!!! :-)

I do feel like I am bragging somewhat but Nicholas was just named to the All-Star team for Tee-ball. This is his first season, he loves the game, and we are so very proud. The game is June 10th and I'll keep you posted on how he does.

Isabella came up with her own drink today. A hot day today, playing outside in the sprinklers, she comes in the house and asked me for a glass of Lema-lade. What is it with my children and their drinks? Maybe the future of bartenders.

Gabriella is spending the first night in her crib. Isabella and Nicholas are together in his room, Gabriella is in Isabella's room, so we'll see how this works out for me. So far so good...it is only 11:20 and they have been asleep for 2 hours. Baby steps!!!!

Nicholas has discovered a new Starbucks drink but I doubt the rest of the nation will catch on. While I was bathing 3 children, attempting to get them ready for bed, and trying to get Jeffrey off to work...back on graveyard shift..., my very pregnant bedridden (did I mention childless-so-far so really doesn't know what 9:00 pm looks like at my house) neighbor called and wanted Starbucks. At 9:30 I had 2 of the three in bed and Nicholas dressed again so we called Sarah and said we were ready for our late night snack. Craig...the husband...sat with my girls while Nicholas, Sarah and myself made a 1/2 mile trip to what Nicholas calls "The Coffee shop."
While placing our orders, Nicholas asked me if he could have his own drink. Silly me, I asked what he would like to which he replied..........CRAP-A-GINA. I made him place his order with the cashier just as Sarah and I had done. When the young lady looked at me with a funny look on her face, I said, "That's a frappuccino to you and I." I got your back Nicholas!!!!

Well, this is my first attempt at this whole Blog Phenomenon. Partly this is done to keep track of the activities and sayings of my children but mostly to keep friends and family in touch with our lives since we are so far away. Our days are full and some days are crazier than others but I will write every chance I get. Join me on this journey and enjoy the ride.