Sarah Station

Summertime

2010-08-09T13:37:00.003-06:00

I can't believe that summer is almost over!!!! I also can't wait until summer is over! :-) All in all I have to say it's been a great summer. The kids have done much better than last year. We can clearly see the toll that lack of structure takes on Tripp and Paris, but the regression has been much less than last year. So, as we are looking ahead to the start of a new year at a new school I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes from the last few months...............

Not long ago Vivi was throwing a fit about who knows what and I looked at her and asked,"What is your problem today?" She replied in full tantrum mode,"I just need to go to pre-school!!!" Yes, sweet V you do and it's only a few weeks away.

On the way home from picking up the bigs after their summer school Graggie overheard this.....
Vivi and Paris were getting into it about something and Vivi did her very loud disgruntled sqwuak. Graggie then hears quietly from the other side of the car..."Oh no. Vivi's cranky." Yes Tripp, she was and she still is....apparently she needs to go to pre-school.

Me:"Vivi, how do you spell your name?"
V: "V-i-v-i, we're dropping the E!"
( a change we decided on this summer so as not to confuse our Vivi with the "other Vivie" that we hang out with.)

I'm trying to think of something funny that Paris said, but I'm coming up empty at the moment. She's actually been really great this summer. She took some knitting classes and that is now her "thing." It's nice because it's a quiet activity. Oh....here's a quote from P..........

Me: Paris, why must you always be making noise?
Paris: I like to make noise.
Me: Clearly, but why?
Paris: Ask God, He made me this way.

So, there you go.............we've stayed busy, kept our sanity (most days), and are counting down to the beginning of school. Praying for smooth transitions, new friends, and continued growth for everyone. I pray the same for you!

Some Random Thoughts

2010-04-01T11:09:00.002-06:00

#1 - I really don't have time to blog. If I don't have time to blog when am I going to write a book? This is going to take some serious lifestyle change to accomplish.

#2 - I don't like getting up at 5-something in the morning to exercise. But I DO like how I feel the rest of the day when I do it.

#3 - Asperger's comes with gifts - Paris and Tripp are always amazing me with their understanding of God and their ability to let Him be the peace in their life. Most recently Paris explained how encouraging it is to know that God is with her always. She said "I'll have Asperger's my whole life, but I'll have God too so that's ok." Wow, my precious baby girl.

#4 - Spring makes Cowboy act inappropriately.

#5 - May 31 can't come fast enough.

#6 - God is amazingly good at details and prayer seriously work. After agonizing over how P would react to finding out she is going to a different school next year, God paved the perfect way to explain......He prompted HER to ask ME if she could go to school with Tripp. She says she'd be more "comfortable with a family member at her school." Thank you Lord!

#7 - My husband took off Friday so we could have a family day and I think he's going to spend the first half of it doing stuff for my dad. I guess that's family stuff, but not exactly what I had in mind. Sleep late anyone? We won't.

#8 - Vivie will turn 4 this month. How is that possible?

#9 - Vivie is a master manipulator. She conned our sitter into letting her sleep in her panties instead of a pull-up. The next morning she was so proud of herself and actually snickered when I realized she had wet the bed early in the night and it was dry and smelly. Not. Funny.

#10 - God did not create us to be independent beings. We need Him. We need each other. We need to be held accountable for our actions, and even for our thoughts. For those in the world who often feel the "it's none of your business" sentiment all I have to say is this - It's all God's business and sometimes He uses us to assist in His work. Get over it and find some people you can be transparent with. Find people that will help you grow spiritually. Don't want to grow? You are the devil's playground.

(sorry, that last one is a bit harsh - but those are my thoughts today.)

A Letter From Tripp

2009-12-16T15:51:00.000-06:00

My son got a present from his teachers today and included was a notepad and pencil. He brought them to me and said "Help me write a note." I obliged and here is what he dictated:

Dear Mom,

You are cool. I like to play with you. I like to play games. I like to paint. I like games of Crazy Eights and 3D puzzle. And some stickers!
Love,
Tripp
Age 5

Now that's what I call a Merry Christmas!

State Autism Conference

2009-12-08T12:10:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been way too long since I posted. I guess good intentions don't actually get the blog written..........

Easy and I attended the Texas Autism Conference last week in Corpus Christi. Thank you TEA for doing this conference, and thank you CSISD Head Start for helping Easy and me get there! If you've never been to one of these things let me tell you - it's long, and exhausting, and well worth every minute. I wouldn't say that we really learned a lot of NEW things this year, but we definitely were reminded of some important things, and have realized that there are a lot more ways to implement that knowledge than we have been doing.

It was really nice to have Easy there with me this year. Usually I attend these things alone and then have to come back and fill him in. It's nice to avoid that teacher/student dynamic this time. I don't like telling my husband what we need to do anymore than I imagine he likes being told. You can really be a more effective team when you both get the same information. Plus, we get different things out of each session so it's nice to have that extra set of ears and his amazingly complicated brain right there with me.

While we were gone something really cool happened - Tripp had a phone conversation with me!!!! Apparently he heard me on the speaker phone talking to Vivie and he walked up to Mom and told her he "would like to speak to Mommy." Then he got on the phone and we had a converstation. A real converstaion! Complete with give and take, appropriate inflection, questions & answers - it was AMAZING!!!

The girls did well while we were away as well. I wish Paris did as well for me as she does for my mom. The last two mornings have been rough. I know that she used to be capable of getting up, getting dressed, and coming to breakfast. Not so much these days. It's like she is having sensory storms in the morning or something. Either that or she has me completely snowed and is just being a pill. Not sure which - and that's the hardest part of raising Paris. I never know which it is. Is it the autism or the 7 year old? And how exactly do you create and maintain consitent parenting strategies when you have a non-compliant 7 year old Aspie, a compliant 5 year old Aspie, and a totally nuerotypical 3 1/2 year old who is learning behaviors from the other two? If anyone has ideas please let me know. Right now it consists of a lot of prayer, and a tremendous amount of effort to maintain a neutral tone in my voice. Sometimes that works, sometimes not.

Looks like I'm spiraling away from the positive so I'll go for now. Be praying for us. Paris' inital ARD is schedule for Wed. the 16th. Also just found out today that it looks like we are going to have to find a new psychologist and developmental pediatrician for P&T. Please pray God shows us exaclty where we need to go.

Conversations with Paris

2009-10-31T08:31:00.002-06:00

Here are two conversations I had with Paris in the last 24hrs. It really is a wonder that I'm not in the looney bin.

Friday evening on the way home after dropping off the littles at a Halloween party that Paris couldn't attend because she was sick:

P: Mom, do you ever wish that Noggin was never created?
M: No.
P: Well I do, all the time.
M: Paris I know that the shows on Noggin/NickJr are too young for you and that you don't like them, but you don't have to watch them if they irritate you.
P: YES I DO!! Those littles get to watch it every single day so I have to see it.
M: If it bothers you so much you have the choice to leave and do something else. You can always go play in your room.
P: MOMMY! Drawing in my room gets boring. Actually everything in my room gets boring, and I just..........
M: OK, Paris, I'm not going to listen to you whine and complain about this. You can watch their shows or you can leave the room. End of discussion.
P: Mommy, now you are irritating me.

and here comes my fatal misstep - born simply out of exhaustion and weakness after a week of being puny along side P.

M: Paris, sometimes it seems like everything in the whole world irritates you.
P: That's because of my Aspergers.
M: I know. I'm just not sure how to make that better right now.
P: Well you need to figure something out because everything you do just makes my life harder.
M: (involuntarily laughs in disbelief)
P: Well that was rude.
M: I'm sorry Paris. I don't know what to say. Everything I do is to try and make your life better.
P: Well you need to try harder.

And then this morning we had another one - this one I could at least find the humor in...............

Paris is sitting on my bed while I rummage in my closet to find some comfy clothes for the day. Briley our big dog is with P.

P: Ha! Briley is putting her bottom in my face. Why would she do that?
M: (feeling happy, well-rested and a little silly) Maybe she thought you'd like how it smells.
P: Well it doesn't smell good. It smells like a bottom.
(she now follows me into the bathroom where I'm about to get dressed)
M: What does a bottom smell like?
P: Well, I don't exaclty know.

here comes the misstep again...........

M:(as I bend over pointing my bum towards her) Here, smell mine.
P: No! Um, I think this is rude, but...your bottom is (pause) F-A-T.
M: (trying desperately to keep a poker face) Yes, that is rude. Get out.
P: (as she leaves the bathroom) I thought that was rude.

Sigh.........................

Puny

2009-10-28T09:23:00.002-06:00

So, I am at home with a puny Paris today. Tripp was home Monday due to fever on Sunday. Paris came home from school Monday with fever. T went back to school yesterday - on his birthday! How is it possible that my baby boy is 5?!?! Anyway, I thought Paris would go back to school today, but she was up in the middle of the night with about a 100.5ish temp and a headache so I let her stay home again. Is anyone else tired of having sick kids? I am seriously tired of this.

Paris made me laugh yesterday. I had my hair pulled back on the side with a clip. I don't think I've worn it like that in a really long time. When Paris got up and looked at me she kinda stopped, cocked her head, and said,"You look....different. It's like (pause) it's like you have Vivie's face with your hair in that clip." I guess she is just now noticing how much Vivie and I look alike. And sweet Paris, I think Vivie has my face, not the other way around. :-)

Speaking of Sweet V, she's doing great. Apparently her immune system is made of steel - she hasn't had so much as a sniffle in the midst of all this sickness. She's enjoying school though she keeps coming home with bruises. Yesterday she had to little purple-ish spots on her cheek which she insisted were from being pinched by a classmate. Turns out she was painting with purple paint. I suppose someone else could have had paint on their fingers and pinched her - she was very consistent with her story. The marks washed off though so I'm not too worried about it. Her other antics as of late include an increase in her "hiding problem." We've always known that Vivie likes to hide things - she once hid my Nana's room key in her chip cabinet and we couldn't find it for a week. A couple of days ago I was doing the dishes and I hear a faint voice say "You'll never find it." I turn to see what she's up to and she has Tripp's "not fuzzy Elmo" and is stuffing it behind my reading chair. I called her name and she jumped, turned to look at me, and says in her very sweet voice,"You can get it Mommy." Turkey.

And to explain the "not fuzzy Elmo".........Tripp has 2 big Elmo pillows. He got the first one when he was about 18 months old. He had already developed a love of the little red monster so Nana bought him this life-size Elmo pillow. The next Christmas he got another one from her because he loved the first one so much that he had totally flattened it out and it had lost it's soft fuzzy feel. He accepted the new one into his life, but refused to sleep with it insisting on "old Elmo" at bedtime. So, now he's 5 and he still sleeps with both of them in his bed. When he was sick with croup a few weeks ago he starts running around the house looking for Old Elmo. "Mommy, where is my Elmo?" I told him to go look in his bed. He ran in his room, stopped abruptly, pointed at the Elmo in his bed and stated with disgust "THAT Elmo is fuzzy." He left the room and continued searching for Old Elmo. We finally found it, stuffed behind the couch - gee, I wonder who put it there. Turkey.

What a Week!

2009-10-10T07:54:00.003-06:00

I am so glad it's Saturday! Here's our week in review:

Sunday - I wind up in bed witha killer headache and low-grade fever all day

Monday - take a bunch of ibuprofen because I have no time for a fever. Take Paris to be evaluated by Dr. Montogmery. Get her diagnosis - I now have two children with Asperger's Syndrome. No time to process, must pick up everyone else. Make phone calls to let those waiting for the news know. Text Easy - yes, I told him via text, how sad is that?!? Get through homeowork and dinner. Easy walks in as I'm putting V to bed. Get T to bed. Chat with Easy briefly and then we sit down to tell Paris the news. Woof, exhausting day.

Tuesday - "normal" Kids to school, go to work, pick up kids, do homework, fix dinner, take P to gymnastics, leave when Easy gets there for Women's Ministry mtg, come home, crash

Wednesday - open T's door to find out he's been possesed by Darth Vador and is running a low-grade fever. Get Paris off to school, call mom to help get Vivie to school, get T to the doc - croup. Thank Go for good friends so I don't have to pick anyone up at school. Get through homework and dinner and all that the evening requires. Crash

Thursday - have mom come over to watch T so I can take V to school, get stopped talking Sonshine School business, go to Target, go to HEB, go back by Sonshine School to pick up dinner that my sweet friends made for us because when you don't know what else to do you cook!, get back home in time for lunch, go pick up kids, have a typical Thursday evening

Friday - Tripp goes back to school, Darth Vador moves into Paris. Home again with the girls this time.

And now it's Saturday, myhusband just walked in from getting new tires on my van and brought me breakfast and Dr. Pepper. I'm headed in to work for a few hours and then I have a date with my husband. Thank you God for getting me through the week. I couldn't have done it without you!

Random Thoughts

2009-09-28T11:00:00.002-06:00

I nearly ran over what I thought was a little piglet this morning. When I drove past it (very slowly) I realized it wasn't a pig, it was a very fat little dog that loked to be a cross between a chihuahua and a rat terrier. It made me laugh.

Vivian beleives it is acceptable to strip her shoes, socks, and shorts off the minute she enters the house. I can thank Tripp for teaching her this. Not sure yet how to make them stop. Not sure I care that much right now.

At some point I will learn to choose my words more carefully. I should never say to Paris, "Hurry up or your cereal will get soggy" in an effort to get her moving in the morning. No matter how long it takes, or the crunchiness of her cereal, once that statement is made it is a garuantee that when she sits down at the table she will pronounce her cereal too soggy and refuse to eat it. This will then be followed by a minor meltdown when I diagree with her assessment. In the end I will most likely cave in and fix her fresh cereal because having her eat SOMETHING before school is more important than being right about the soggy status of her food.

Under Construction

2009-09-21T18:00:00.003-06:00

This log is currently being revamped. Please be patient as I rebuild. Thanks!

News Flash

2009-09-09T16:51:00.002-06:00

this blog will become active again by the end of September. stay tuned......................

A Note from Paris

2008-12-30T08:17:00.002-06:00

"Dear momy and dady we love you. W love you so mush are hes blo up."

Translation:

Dear Mommy and Daddy, we love you. We love you so much our heads blow up!"

We had to ask for some help with the end - I wasn't getting the "heads" part. Once she translated we felt so honored - exploding love from our children - does it get any better?

A Thanksgiving poem by Paris

2008-11-24T20:15:00.002-06:00

In the car on the way home from gymnastics tonight Paris was practicing for the program she has at school tomorrow. She began reciting the following poem:

"I am thankful for the turkey
I am thankful for the pie
I am thankful for the corn and bread
I am thankful for the squash I'll try

Now Mommy, this is just a poem I'm saying. I'm not really going to try squash because that's gross.

I am thankful for the toys I have.............."

I'm not sure how the poem ended because I was too busy laughing at her disclaimer to hear what she said. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Conferences, Teeth, & Poop

2008-10-14T19:35:00.002-06:00

I know, that's an odd combination of words. But that what my week has been about. Yesterday we had parent-teacher conferences for Paris & Tripp. Easy was able to go to both of them with me - what a blessing! I know that Tripp's teacher in particular was very pleased to get to meet him. I'll try to post over on Monkey Dance about T's stuff so I'll skip it here.

Paris' teacher confirmed what we expected to hear. She's doing very well in school and aside from the periodic need to refocus her attention on her work, Mrs. Ball finds her to be a very pleasant student. What that means for us is simple - she saves all the whining, foolishness, and drama for home. We had a feeling that was the case, but it is now confirmed. At home she seizes up in a crying fit if she can't sound out a word, or shakes her fists at her paper when she has to erase a mistake. She's known to say things like,"I'm no good at writing words" or "I'm not smart enough to..." Baloney. 100% baloney and all saved for the two, well three since she does it to Graggie too, people who love her more than anyone else in the world. I undertand where it comes from - with the Tripp dynamics in the house and all, but it doesn't make it any easier to handle. I mean seriously, what do you do when she creates and entire fit complete with tears and shaking over a word in her reader? or having to erase a B that is backwords? So, I figured since she does so well at school we'll just make homeowrk and reading time more like school. Tonight I made her sit at the breakfast table after the littles went to bed to read her book from school. She did fantastic! Who knows, maybe the structure helps......

Since I'm talking about the Goose I need to report that unlike the whining baby she pretends to be at home, she is quite the big girl! Today at school she pulled a tooth all by herself! Now, in order for you to understand how AMAZING that is you need to know that the last 2 teeth that came out I had to pull. Both of them took about 45 minutes of prayer, and talking, and bribing, and threatening, and phone calls to Graggie. The drama around homeowork is nothing compared to the drama she dishes up over me pulling a tooth. Needless to say I was quite surprised when she came home today and showed me that she had pulled her own tooth at school! They gave her this neat little tooth shaped carrying box on a pink string so she wouldn't loose it. My big girl! Do you think I could convince her to pull all of them at school? By the way, this is the fourth one she's lost and they are all four right in the front. She now has an enormous empty spot dead center, top & botom. It is so cute!!!!

And now for the poop. My sweet little cherub is still refusing to put it in the potty. She has, however, decided that she doesn't want it on her. Result? She poops in her panties or pull-up and then strips. I've had to clean poop out of carpet. One day she stripped and then squatted in her closet and went right on the floor in there. Today she went in her pull-up at school and then proceded to strip. I think they caught it before any hit the floor. And then the best came this afternoon. I hear Paris yell,"Mom! Vivie's got poop!" I look up to see my sweet, beautiful, baby girl walking naked out of Tripp's room with a wad of poop in her hand. Nice. I took her to the bathroom where she promptly threw it in the potty. I took actions that made it very clear that playing with poop is unacceptable and plopped her on the toilet so I could go find the rest of her mess. Turns out, there was no rest. While she sat crying on the potty (apparently the action I took made and impression) she put the rest of her business right where it goes. What I still can't figure out is how there was no poop on the carpet. I mean, did she catch it or what? So I went from mean mommy taking disciplinary action to happy proud mommy handing her candy in under 5 minutes. I know I've asked before, but please - PLEASE, pray that this doesn't last too long. I can't have her stripping with poopy pants in public places. This simply won't do. Oh, and did I mention that she has a nice heat rash across her lower back from her pull-up rubbing when she runs around all day? What's the solution? Poop in the potty Viv, then you won't have to wear a pull-up. Did I mention I HATE POTTY TRAINING??!?!?!!

A Nemo Moment

2008-10-06T07:39:00.002-06:00

This weekend Paris decided to watch Finding Nemo. She's been watching this moving since she was tiny so we thought nothing of it. I little while later we hear squeals of laughter and our precious daughter repeating over and over "Nemo touched the butt!" We couldn't help but laugh. It took her 6 year sof life to discover that "Nemo touched the butt" (which is actually a boat in case you haven't seen the film) was funny. I'm going to go with peer influence in making a previously innocuous (sp?) statement the joke of the century.

I have to also say that this is one area we've done pretty good with as parents. We have a "no buts" rule in our house. Your "butt" is to be referred to with other terms like hiney, caboose, rear end, bottom, and on rare crass occasions - booty. And if a child in our house ever begins a response with "But...." - well, that's a straight to the corner offense. The rule is simple - No Buts.

Sadly the "no whining" rule has not been as effective.

And we're off!!!

2008-08-26T15:06:00.002-06:00

To a really great start too! The first day off school came and went with such little fanfare that it was weird. I walked Paris in to her classroom yesterday and she sat down at her desk and started her work. I had to ask for a sugar before I left. She gave me the sugar along with a look that said, "OK Mom, you can go now." My big girl! First grade seems so much more grown up than Kindergarten did. She has her own desk with her own supplies. They didn't even have desks last year. I go to orientation tonight so I'm sure I'll get more details on what the year will be like. For now I'm just thrilled that she is happy and willing to get out of the car and go in to eat breakfast everyday. Since Tripp will be going to school everyday this year Paris has to eat at school to make our schedule work out right. She loves it and hopped out of the van without even a wave today. Thinking back on the first week of school last year - wow, what a difference!

For those of you who might be wondering. I did get a dress for that awards thing with Easy. My Nana insited on giving me $ to buy something new. The really amazing part is that I found a dress that I really loved and man was it a deal! Normally priced $99 - I got it for $23. It took $10 of repair work (it had two popped seams) and it was good to go. I had enough money left to buy a new body shaper thing - my old one was too big! How cool is that?!? I got some new jewelery and a clutch and it was one smashing evening. I got a "wow" from my husband. It was fabulous.

So, this weird thing is happening to me. Typically at this sort of event I would feel like I was playing dress up. I would be intimidated by all the people I met and be nervous the whole time. Instead, it was great and fun and felt pretty natural. Between that and Paris starting 1st grade and all the rest of the things happening in my life I'm starting to actually feel like a......grown up. I've often wondered when this would happen. I've even asked my mom before when she started to feel like a grown up. Up until this summer I kind of felt like I was playing at all of it. I don't know what changed exactly, but I don't feel that way anymore. I'm not playing house anymore. This is my home and my family and I am really comfortable being the grown up (along with my amazing Smooch) in the house. Weird, I know.

Not Dressed Up with Somewhere to Go

2008-08-03T14:40:00.002-06:00

Help! Easy and I have been asked to attend the Apex Awards for Project Excellence (it's a construction awards thing) with his company and I have absolutely nothing to wear! The event is at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts and the invite says it is "Black Tie Optional." Umm..............yeah, I got nothing.

I have a few dresses in my closet that would probably do - if they fit. See, since I started having kids we haven't done anything requiring fancy attire so all my dresses are size pre-pregnant. Well, that's not entirely true. I have the dress that I wore in my brother's wedding. Unfrotunately, it doesn't fit either - it's too big!!!

Not only do I have no dress, I have no budget. As I'm wirting this I'm realizing I might be able to have that dress from Matt's wedding taken in so I could wear it. Anyone have a preferred alteration place? Or, anyone have a suggestion on what qualifies as proper attire for an event like this? I know there's a cocktail reception and then the actual awards ceremony. And of course if you have a dress that you think would be perfect and fit me....anyone up for letting me borrow something?

The event is on the 21st, so if you read this and have any suggestions, please let me know!

Should be Sleeping

2008-07-28T00:10:00.002-06:00

It's 1:00 AM. Easy is gone on a fishing trip. I don't sleep much when he's gone. I'm just about tired enough to turn out the lights and sleep on the couch. I'm weird, I know.

Anyway...things are definitely looking up in the PT department. I would say that about 50% of all output is making it into the potty. Afternap today she wore the same pull-up until bed and she went TT 3 times - once at church, once in the car potty in the HEB parking lot, and again before bed. So....let mes just say thank you to those of you who continued sending positive thoughts. And thank you Graggie for staying positive while you had the Duchess. I feel pratty confident that when the fall semester starts she'll be wearing panties to pre-school. WooHoo!!!

Speaking of the fall semester, things are starting to take shape. I'm working on my schedule and it looks like I'll be just as busy as last year. The biggest difference is that we won't be dealing with the process of getting Tripp's diagnosis. He's going to be in a great program this year and will go to school "all day every day." It feels weird to know he'll be away from me that much, but I know it's what he needs. And if I'm honest I have to say that it will be a much needed break. To know he is well cared for and being pushed to learn and grow in his academics and social skills will be, well sort of a relief. I won't be keeping P&E this semester, but God replaced them with A&O, so it looks like I will have a pretty similar schedule to last year. I'm trying to get geared up for it all, but it just seems like there is SO much to be done and I can't really do any of it yet. Most of requires funds that simply don't exist. A decrease in income (no babysitting or Sonshines school over the summer) and an increase in bills (Childcare and "private sector therapy") has left us strained.

Amidst it all though I am reminded of God's great love. He has always provided and continues to do so. On the way to LBC Wednesday I prayed that he would help me find a way to replace the income I had for watching P&E last year. In a matter of hours he had given me A&O and answered their mom's prayer for a job that would be a better fit for her family. So as I sit here, wishing I could go get in bed and sleep peacfully but knowing that instead I will sleeping restlessly on the couch I really don't care so much. In the morning I will wake up and God will still be providing. I might be tired, but I will do my best to follow His lead. So for now I say good night. I'm sure you are all already sleeping well so enjoy your sweet dreams and don't judge if I need a nap tomorrow.

Progress, What Progress?

2008-07-23T12:09:00.002-06:00

So after that amazing Thursday things have gotten pretty messy with the Sweet V. She had two #2 success on Friday at home plus a handful of nasty accidents. Saturday - no success and she left to go to my folks for the week. Mom has been diligent and kept her in panties, but I think she's about to give up....and I don't blame her. V has had not 1 single success since she left on Saturday. My poor mom has hardly even gotten to enjoy her visit because of all the focus on the potty. We are very confused.

She shows all these signs that she's ready. She stays dry through nap. She sometimes stays dry overnight. When she goes TT in her pull-up she takes it off and puts it in the trash. She tells us she needs to go potty - sometimes before, usually after shes's gone. She doesn't want to wear the pull-ups most of the time. She's had success on the potty. Yet we seem to be getting nowhere.

Here's the thing....I'm not sure she has figured out yet how to make herself pee. The 3 success she's had were late in the day and I think we just timed it right so that it was just coming out at the right time. She'll sit on the potty and try to poop then 5 minutes later pee a lake in the floor.

So now I have a dilemma. Do I persist in this endeavor or do we pack it in and wait until the Christmas break. I realize that I think in my head that we are behind schedule because Paris was in panties before she hit 2. Vivie is clearly not Paris. If we keep trying at this it wil be very burdensome and probably very confusing. Several days in the week she would have to wear a pull-up to attend the various activities she goes to. Tuesdays she has camp from 9:30-1:30, Wednesday is LBC which we could try in panties, but that's risky and then there is Bible class that night where they prefer that they come in pull-ups until they are truly trained. Thursdays she goes to Erika's all day and I promised I wouldn't send her in panties until she had 3 straight accident free days. So, we'd be left with Mondays, Fridays, evenings, and weekends - except church time on Sunday when we'd be back in the pull-up. So the questions remains, is it even worth trying to continue? I don't know the answer.

I keep reminding myself that if we pack it in and wait until Christmas she'll really only be 2 1/2 and probably more ready. I mean, really, it's not like she's heading to kindergarten tomorrow or anything. I just don't want to loose. I want to win this battle now. But at what cost - my sanity? my carpet? endless pairs of cute little panties? Would I really be giving her power by putting it up until Christmas? Would it make it harder in the long run? Or is it that she isn't really ready yet? I DON'T KNOW!!!!!!

Help - advice is officially being requested. Please leave me comments.

Progress, I think

2008-07-17T21:04:00.002-06:00

So here I am, several days in and my spirits are coming back up. After those successes on day 1, Vivie woke up on day 2 and said no. She went into camel-mode and only TT'd twice the whole day. No success at all. Then came Wednesday. I had decided that my only chance of convincing her this is for real was to keep her in the panties no matter what. So, off we went to Ladies' Class in panties. She didn't have a TT accident, but she did go hide in the playhouse and do her other business. Nice.

We got home, she flooded the floor. Later in the afternoon she did the dirty business again so I stood her in the bathtub, turned on the cold water and used a pitcher to rinse her off. She did NOT like that. Somehow she stayed dry all the way through Bible class that night and then final went in the potty when we got home.

Today was similar. She gets the poop thing better than the TT. Here's the really good part though. We left the house this evening about 5:30. While we were out at my parents' lot doing some measurements for their house she TOLD ME she had to go. I got out our trusty little car potty and she put the dirty business in with no problem. After that she lasted through Wal-Mart, Sam's and HEB. While Easy was loading the groceries into the car I had her sit on the car potty again and.....she TT'd!!!!! I'm thinking this is progress. She didn't fuss or complain. She saw me get the potty, she said "go potty", and then she actually went potty!

So, I'm sticking to my guns and she's staying in panties. She leaves on Saturday to go on her first Graggie/Dadoo vacation. Poor them - they'll have to stick to my guns for me! I know Graggie is on board though so it will all be fine.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments both here and in person - you sweet friends are what have helped me stay the course. In a few short months I won't even really remember what it's like to have to change diapers all the time! Hey Sherri - could you do that hip swirl thing for me?!?!

PT, Round 2

2008-07-15T08:43:00.002-06:00

Well, we started potty training with Vivie yesterday. For those of you who read on a regular basis, you may recall that we tried this back over spring break. She wasn't ready. I think we'll get it done this time though.

Day one stats:

#1 - 6 out, 1 in
#2 - 1 out, 5 in

Now, I look at thses numbers and I think - Seriously, who poops 6 times in one day?!?! I'm not going to complain though. Th majority of that went in the potty. If I had to choose between changing/cleaning TT panties or poopy panties, I'm gonna pick TT everytime.

I was very pleased with the 1 TT in the potty. It was after naptime (which she stayed dry through by the way) and it was a serisouly big TT. I swear you could see a light bulb go on over her head while she was doing it too. The weird part is that she didn't pee again at all the rest of the day. Weird little child.

Anywho, please send positive thoughts and if your willing to pray for potty training, please do. Perhaps you could just pray for my sanity. Tomorrow is the only day this week we will be leaving the house so I imagine my mind will start to go about noon on Thursday. Wish us luck.........

In the Back

2008-07-01T17:52:00.002-06:00

My sweet Paris has turned 6 years old. She has 4 (!) loose teeth - the four right in front. Chances are good she will start first grade looking a little silly with no teeth in front. It is very weird to have a 6 year old. Somehow it just sounds so much older than 5.

Anyway, we have had a lot of fetivities surrounding her b-day. We started out the whole process by having her make a guest list. Yikes! There were 25+ names and she wasn't even including some of our close family friends! So, we made a new plan. We decided to have two parties. One for Paris' friends and one for family and "our" friends. There would be kids at both parties so I thought it was a good plan. I had her cut down the "friends" party list to 12. I think 6 made it. That was a good manageable number. That party was the Saturday before her b-day.

On her b-day we had big plans. She was to have an ealry breakfast with her Daddy at Denny's, then MOPO time while her siblings were at school including lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese's, then her butterfly friends were coming over from 3-5 for a fun day, and lastly - her favorite babysitter was coming over and bringing her tiny little dog as a treat. It didn't quite work out like that though. We needed to take Nana to the doctor, and wound up putting her in the hospital that day. The lunch and butterfly stuff got canceled completely. She did have breakfast with her daddy, then got to spend practically all day with some of our family friends - which included lunch out at Chili's, and then Miss Ashley came over and brought Bitsy. It wasn't what we planned, but it was a great birthday!

This past Sunday we had the family/close friends party. We wound up with almost no kids there. The R & J families couldn't make it. I wasn't to worried because I knew that the H family was coming and that's 4 kiddos right there. Then the phone rang. One of the H girls was sick. "Just bring G out and drop him off" I pleaded. I couldn't stand the thought of Paris being the oldest child (by 2 years) for the whole day. So G got to come. Now, Paris and G have an interesting relationship. We carpooled this year and they became fast friends. G is 9, Paris is newly 6. Listening to these two talk is hilarious. They can be having two completely different conversations and somehow they know what's going on. They are brutally honest with each other, but each considers the other a very special friend. When our cat Samson got really sick Paris told G to make a card for her (no, she didn't ask, she told) and he did. They traded little trinket toys on a weekly basis. And when they were both tired they yelled at each other. It was fun watching their friendship grow. All that to explain that it was important to both of them that G get to be at the party.

So................knowing how bluntly they communicate.....................here's the best quote of Paris' entire birthday week extravaganza (this story came to me via my big brother who witnessed the interaction).

Paris & G were playing in Tripp's room (I think). G had a toy home depot drill. You pull this string and then when you push the point in it makes drilling noise. He pulls the string and proceeds to "drill" into Paris back. Paris turns around and says very matter of factly:

"G, I've told you before. I don't like to be screwed in the back."

Well said my precious princess.

Trash Talk

2008-06-18T11:33:00.002-06:00

And I mean the actual trash in the can. As many of you know, I can be very passive agressive when it comes to the trash in my house. I grew up in a house where the Daddy took care of the trash. When Matt and I got old enough it became one of our chores. Trash came twice a week - you gather everything in the house and take to the curb and you also take out the kitchen trash daily. That's how it worked.

Well, now I'm all grown up and married and in my mind the trash is not my job. I do laundry, cleaning, most of the cooking, the majority of the kitchen clean-up.....I don't do trash. I know that sounds a bit rude and my intent is not to say Easy doesn't do his fair share. My man works harder than anyone I know. It has become evident over the course of our marriage, however, that he does not fully embrace trash as his job.

I've been known to stack the trash two foot high above the garbage can. Sometimes I'll grab another trash bag and fill it up and put it on the floor next to the trash can. I used to take it out sometimes and pile it in front of the back door so he'd have to move it to get in the house. We have a cat now (in the garage) so that's not a good idea, but I have put it all in the laundry room so it's still in his way.

I realize this is immature, rude, petty, and oh so very passive agressive. See, I never complain about the trash to my man. I just pile it up and refuse to take it to the trash cans outside. Yes, shame on me - I know.

Just a few nights ago we had this talk about "the little things." I won't delve into the details, but I was commenting that those little things really do make an impact on my willingness to be, um, intimate. Yesterday Easy called and asked me to pick up his laundry at the cleaner's. I did and when I got home it occurred to me that this was a little thing. I usually pick up his cleaning and leave it my car until he gets home and gets it himself. Seriously, I have 3 kids and their stuff and my stuff to get out and in the house. This drives him nuts as his laundry is usually laying flat and not hanging up in the car. So yesterday I brought the laundry in and hung it in his closet. He noticed. He smiled. He then laughed when I told him that I figured if I was going to whine about the little things I probably should be willing to do some of them!

So today - I took out the trash. The kitchen and laundry room trash cans were overflowing. I started stacking around noon yesterday so we had a good 3 bags worth of trash sitting in those two rooms. I suppose God reminded me that trash is a little thing in the grand scope of life - so I took it out.

We all have trash of our own. How blessed we are that even when we've let it pile up and overflow all we need to do is go to our Father and say, "Please, take this from me." Then He loads up all our messy sins and stinky attitudes, and moldy thoughts and takes out our trash. How blessed indeed.

Hmmmm........

2008-05-05T07:45:00.002-06:00

what to post about.........

Perhaps I could tell you that when you lock your keys in the car with your 2 year old inside that Pop-a-Lock calls the fired department and they show up in a big red fire truck to rescue you.

Or maybe you'd like to know that when your 5 year old daughter thinks it would be fun to throw a kiwi-sized stone straight up into the air, luck would have it that it will land on your 2 year old daughters head......at a neighbors house.......where you've never been before......and the entire neighborhood is there for a social thing.

Maybe I should tell you that Easy is SWAMPED at work and that even though job security is a good thing, I'm feeling a bit like a single parent some days.

Or maybe I should tell you that while I'm sitting here sipping my french vanilla coffee my sweet Little Bug is pulling all of my swiffer products out of their boxes beause she thinks they are lovies - and she can easily get to them because after nearly two years in our house we still have no cabinet doors.

Instead of all that - I think I really want to say that life is crazy, but God is good. Happy Monday friends!

Bye Bye Beastie!

2008-04-11T07:33:00.002-06:00

I had pretty much given up. I thought I was gonig to have to drive the big green burb for another year. But yesterday God rocked my world and allowed us to say bye-bye to our Beastie.

It always amazes me when God orchesrates things and it's so clear. He can take what seems like a very bad thing - like Easy's car dying on the side of the road - and turn it into a tremendous blessing. I'll spare you all the details because when I try to explain I get all excited and I'm not terribly coherent so I'll just give you the bottom line.

Easy's car - getting fixed thanks to some serious help from my amazing parents. We should get at least another year out of it with these repairs. I don't have big enough words to express my gratitude for their help.

My burb....traded in on a new-to-us minivan. That's right folks, I've become one of those moms! For those of you who have known me a long time you must realize how big that is. I swore up and down that I would NEVER drive a minivan. Well, life changes your mind sometimes. For the last 4 months I've been praying for a minivan. Yesterday God said yes. I'm now driving a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. It has those cool doors that just open and close with the push of a button and fold-n-go seating so all the seats can disappear into the floor. Not only did God arrange things so we could get a van, He got us THE can Iwas looking for. He is amazing and I am blessed so far beyond what I deserve.

So, on this Friday I hope you will all join in my joy as I embrace my minvan life and say Bye Bye Beastie!!!!!!!!

This is the sick that never ends.........

2008-03-31T10:53:00.002-06:00

Here's a recap of poor Vivie's last 2 weeks:

Tuesday, March 18th - spike fever in late afternoon

Wednesday - more fever in late afternoon

Thursday - more fever in evening

Friday - fever and rash; go to doctor for a "virus" diagnosis - fever should be done today, rash my persist

Saturday - rash remains, snot

Sunday - rash gone, snot

Monday - cranky, Snot

Tuesday - CRANKY, SNOT

Wednesday - CRANKY!!, SNOT

Thursday - CRANKY!!!! and sleepy, Snot w/blood

Friday - weird rash appears, more bloody snot; go to doctor for a Fifth disease diagnosis - no longer contagious but rash may come and go for a month, snot may last another week

Saturday - rashy, snot, 5:30 - puking begins and lasts until 9:30 - call nurse line - not related to Fifth disease, a differnet virus most likely, watch for dehydration

Sunday - rash is fading, tummy seems just fine, more bloody snot

and here we are at Monday again - rash is gone from legs, and faint on arms and now we have liquid poo

I feel sorry for anyone that has been in contact with us in the last two weeks. Sadly, many of these days we were out and about like normal thinking she just had a little cold or was tired or maybe cutting the last of those I-teeth. I apologize to anyone we may have infected with any of the 3 viruses that have run rampant in my baby girls body.

Oh, and for those wondering about the potty training - at the end of Spring Break we opted to put the panties away until summer. It simply isn't a battle I can fight amidst our regular school schedule. So, we're doing pull-ups and giving plenty of oppotunity to use the potty but for the most part just not worrying about it until school is out.

Progress Report

2008-03-12T10:37:00.002-06:00

I suppose a more apt title would be Frustration Report. So, we're working on the pt here. Day one ended with my hopes high and spirits sailing. We managed to get both #1 and #2 in the potty on day one. I thought this was a great accomplishment and looked forward (sort of) to the next day. Ha.

Day two: TT in panties at 8:30. Many attempts on the potty in the following hours. We have screaming of "Boper! TT boper!" while on the potty. Finally at 12:15 (!!!) we had a TT on the potty! That's almost 4 hours. Here's the fun part. While celebrating her success I realize that Tripp has peed a puddle on the floor by the computer. I rush him to the potty so he can finish and start cleaning up his mess. I hear faintly in the background "Powwy." Thinking she couldn't possibly need to go again and is just in it for a candy I continue cleaning up Tripp and his mess. By the time I get that done V has deposited #2 in her panties. Grrrrrrrrrrr. Good news: she tried to tell me. Bad news: I'm starting to think this was a big mistake!

As the day contiued she stayed dry during her nap - that is a good thing. She had another combo accident at 2:20. And that was it for the day. No more action....at all. How do you potty train a camel?

So here we are on day 3. She has TT'd twice in her panties and seems to not care in the least. At least on day 1 she cried when she was wet. And to make it even more fun.....I saw her heading to her bedroom so I chased and asked "Do you need to poopoo?" "Uh-uh" was her reply as I helped out of her room and back to the open living space where I could see her. She took off, ran to the other end of the house and by the time I got to her had made a smelly deposit in her pretty pink panties.

Clearly, she knows what she's doing. If she can ask for (scream for) a "boper" while she's on the potty she knows what we're trying to accomplish. If she will willfully run and hide to poop she knows it's coming. So now it seems the real battle has started. Not the battle of teaching them that the potty is where those things go...no, no she's got that figured out. Now we have the battle of wills. As I'm sure most of you know, once you start a battle of wills with a 2-year-old (almost) you can't afford to loose. The sad part is I didn't even realize we were starting that particuar battle until it was well underway! You'd think by child #3 I would see it coming.

PT

2008-03-10T12:58:00.002-06:00

Nope, not physical training.....we're talking the BIG PT. I'm potty training the youngest. We started this morning. So far she has peed all of 3 times today. Twice in her panties on the kitchen floor and once in her diaper during naptime. She's a camel. And here I'vebeen calling her my little bug all this time! While she was sleeping I went to Paris' room and found Creepy Baby and all her parts. Oh, you're not familiar with Creepy Baby? It's this baby doll that my Nana bought for us when we were preparing to do PT with Paris. She cries and giggles and move her eyes, drink from a bottle and then pees. She was very helpful in training Paris. Despite her usefulness though - she creeps me out!!! But I figure it's worth spending some time with Creepy Baby if it helps speed this process so I found all her parts, gave her some new double A's and she ready to do her thing. Wish me luck friends - I'll be in this house for several days straight as we start moving towards the goal of a diaper free house!!!!

Vivie's Vocab

2008-02-25T09:37:00.002-06:00

Vivie's vocbulary is taking off! I thought I'd take a minute and give you some of her favorites, and some that just make me laugh.

Eat: self explanitory - and constant! She is a bottomless pit!

Cacker: term used to describe anything crunchy, and uttered approximately 105 times a day.

Apool, Kiwi: another phrase used frequently to express hunger - although and apple and kiwi is rarely what she actually wants.

Fuffy: her little soft lovey she got for Christmas

Foowip & Ewy: Philip and Emily - the two kiddos I keep a few days a week

Tya!: Tyla - her best buddy. This is exclaimed anytime we pull up to the church building, in front of Tyla's house, or if she's just feeling lonely and wishes she had a friend to play with.

Duder: Oddly enough, this is our dog Cowboy. My parents have a dog named Dudley (who is often called Duder). She refuses to call Cowboy by his given name.

Ny-Ny: I don't care that it's only 5:50 pm, I'm tired and I'm ready to go to bed.

Shoosa?: Can we please put my shoes on and get in the "cow" and go somewhere?

Powwy: potty, spoken sometimes before, sometimes after she has gone in her "bopers" (diaper)- she's showing a great deal of interest and we plan to give training a shot over spring break

Hup, peese: Help please. This is most often used when she has climbed into a chair and is standing up in it not sure how to get down.

I could go on and on, but I guess that's enough to give you a taste of the cuteness that is Vivie. Oh, one more - my favorite:

Es meem: Yes mam - manners before age two - I think we're doing OK around here!

Funkytown

2008-02-17T10:33:00.003-06:00

I just found myself in the bathroom with a 3 year old (who TOLD me "need go poo poo"!!!) doing his business on the potty, a frighteningly close to 2 year old dressed in a cat suit, Elmo in the form of a backpack, and a dancing turtle singing Funkytown. Does that happen to anyone else?

Bragging

2008-01-17T20:52:00.000-06:00

Today I'm going to brag on my kids.

Vivian is now sleeping in a twin bed and no longer takes a paci. She also says "Poppy? TT poppy?" We will be potty training over spring break!

I heard my son count to 100 (or just over it) in the following increments today: 2's, 5's, 10's, 9's, 7's, & 8's.

When I picked Paris up at school today her teacher, the fabulous Miss Gore, says to me, "She wrote the most amazing story during writing workshop today! I could actually READ it! It was awesome!" (I realize that may sound kind of silly, but we're talking kindergarten here. I'm guessing that a story that is legible and makes since is pretty darn amazing.)

Life has been great and hard the last two weeks. I just wanted to take a minute and share some of the good stuff.

Obligatory Newsletter

2007-12-30T12:04:00.001-06:00

That's right, I feel obligated to do one of those total year sum-up posts. I feel like Indigo in the Princess Bride....Let me explain, no there is too much, let me sum up.

Kids first:

Paris is doing great. In 2007 we escaped stitches, but did have one incident that result in a large Dermabond blob on her forehead. It has healed nicely though and we are all in agreement that dermabond is better than stitches but we'd prefer to not do either in 2008. She finished her last year at Sonshine school in May and was a total ham in the program. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or hide. I opted for laugh. We got several comments from other folks after the program regarding her spunk and all I could think was. "Now do you understand why I say she tests me daily?!?!" The summer was great for our Goose. She turned 5 in June and had a pool party in her brand new swimming pool. We got her (and all of us) one of those blue above ground pools. It's right around 3 foot deep. We only had to drain it and start over once and we have definitely leanred a few things about pool maintenance. Fall brought the start of kindergarten. She is attending Pebble Creek in College Station. She has a fabulous teacher, Miss Gore. The first week was torture and then it got better. I would definitely say she has developed a love of learning and aside from having to get up at 6:45 in the morning as really loving the whole school experience.

Tripp has had a big year as well. I won't cover too many details for him. If you want more info just hop over to Monkey Dance and check it out. His year in review includes Sonshine School two days a week. He finished his year in Mrs. Tiffany's (Tiffy) class in the spring and started this year with Mrs. Shannon. By the end of last school year we were starting to have some concerns. Since then we've been through a long process that led us to our current place. Tripp as an Autism Spectrum Disorder. All the professionals are in agreement that he's on the spectrum, we're just waiting for them to score all his assessments to see which "box" they'll put him in. What does that mean for us? Not much really. We keep on loving him and relating to him they way we know how. We do lots of counting and math and video games and when he's in a total zone running around all crazy on his tip toes we've even been known to join him. He is beautiful inside and out. He loves his family tremendously and he is absolutely brilliant. If you don't beleive just sit down and do some addition or subtraction or even some light multipication with him. Yes, he's only 3 and he does those things. Just don't try to have a regular conversation with him - he hasn't figured out how to do that yet. In the mundane part of his life he has graduated to a full size bed, is mostly potty trained during the day, and has mastered putting his dishes in the sink after meals. 2008 promises to be a new journey for our sweet Monkey as we continue through the assesment process and begin receiving services/therapies to help Tripp be the best he can be, and personally I think his best will turn out quite amazing!

Vivian has had quite a year as well. A year ago our Bug was just a wiggly loving little thing preparing to get tubes put in her ears. Since that surgery she has learned to crawl, stand, walk, run, jump, speak, and demand. Yes, I said demand. Anyone who has heard the cry for "Cacker!" knows what I mean. She has recently graduated from her crib. We decided to skip the toddler bed with her so she's sleeping in a twin bed. Her's and Tripp's are both sitting on the box on the floor to keep them low and so far it's working beautifully! Let's see.........yes, she also has gone from a nursing baby to one who runs around with her sippy cup tucked neatly under her arm. And watch out if it's empty, you may get hit when she throws it. She's still taking a paci in bed, but it has been banished from the rest of her life. Since we just started the big girl bed I've decided to let it ride for now. I do intend to get rid of it before spring break since we want to start potty training then. Yeah, it might seem a little early to some of you but she already tells us when she needs a diaper and can answer honestly as to whether she is stinky or just wet. I'm praying it will be an easy transition for her. Truth is, she may well be out of diapers compeletly long before her big brother is! V started Sonshine School as well this year. She goes two days a week just like her Bubba. One of my best girlfriends is one of her teachers so I had no qualms about it at all. Mrs. Erika and Mrs. Hilary love my baby girl and take good care of her while she's there. It is, indeed, all good. Oh, and this morning I heard her count to 4. I guess big brother is teaching her a few things!

Now for the grown ups:

Easy is, well he's fabulous. But since my opinion might be a little biased I'll actually give you and update on him. He's still working for Durotech in Houston. He is so good at what he does. I'm happy to say that the owners of his company seem to realize what a gem they have on their hands. I guess only time will tell how willing they are to compensate him accordingly. He's been on some interviews and even had an offer or two from other companies, but each time we pray about it and feel like we're supposed to stay put. In addition to work he completed a small construction job turning a garage into a very nice apartment at his Aunt Pat's house. He's also worked hard getting house plans ready for my folks. They bought a lot up here and we will begin construction just as soon as we get the plans back form our architect buddy and get them approved by my parent's development. I know once that kicks off life will get hectic, but it is so worth it when I think that this time next year we will have my folks so close. Though he might not say it himself, I've seen my husband grow a lot this year. He is constantly seeking to improve himself and become more fully the man God designed him to be. Watching him with our kids is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I think all this stuff with Tripp has been hard for him, but it seemed from my perspective that once he got through the initial pain of acceptance he has softened and bonded with all of our kids more than ever. Oh, and he takes pretty darn good care of me too!

That leads us to me. If you read my Temple Remodel blog you know how my year has gone. It's been a tough one, but a great one too. I've lost 30 pounds since March. I have a good 20 more to go to hit my goal, but I already feel better than I have in years. In addition to trying to improve my health, love my husband, and raise my kids, I started working part-time for our church as the Nursery and Childcare Coordinator. I also served as the POPS ministry leader this year. I've actually done that for a couple of years, but I'm handing it over in a few days to some dear friends. I'd say that's one of the lessons I've leanred this year - when to admit I have too much on my plate! I've also been constantly nudged by God to write and teach. He has given me some subtle nudges and some that felt more like being hit by a truck. I am going to listen and obey, so keep checking in on my Temple blog to see how that is developing. I'm sure there's more I could say about my year, but since I keep three blogs I'm going to assume that those who care have been reading and anything else I write will be redundant.

And the animals:

Cowboy is still with us. He just turned 9 in November. He's fatter than ever. I think Vivie feeds him regulary from her tray. He can actually be in another room asleep and hear her say "Uh-Oh" and he comes running to see what scraps she may have thrown on the floor.

Rufus (#1) had kittens early in the year. She didn't know what to do with them. I tried my best, but we lost the whole littler. She found herself with a pregnant belly again in October. I was headed out of town hunting with my Dad and I told Easy he should keep her in the utility room because I thought the kittens were coming in the next day or so. I left EARLY the next morning and Rufus #1 hasn't been seen since. I'm sure she went into labor and didn't make it. The first round was really hard on her. The prettier version, and the one we told Paris, is that she went into labor at someone else house and they kept her so they could take care of her and the kitties.

Santa brought two new additions. We now have Rufus (#2) and Samson. Rufus is a girl once again. Good news is that they have both already been fixed so we won't have any more of that kitty labor stuff happening around here! They are currently living in the laundry room, but are moving to the garage tonight. We plan to keep them in the garage for several week before we open the door and le them do what cats do outside.

We've also had a few fish, but our tank currently houses only some pretty shells and a "grow your own mermaid" who promises to increase her size by 600%. We'll see.

So there you go folks. That's our year in review. Oh, we also moved my Nana here a few weeks ago. She's living at an assisted living facility just a few minutes from us. It was a big transition, but one that was needed. We are all looking forward to a fabulous 2008. I'm not putting any specifice hopes on it - all I want is for my family to continue listening for God's direction and following it. I know He won't lead us astray so as long as we're following Him what else matters? I wish the same for all of you. Happy New Year!

Pacisions

2007-12-03T17:47:00.000-06:00

As opposed to Decisions. Here's the scoop - Vivie is holy cow attached to her paci. She's not our first to be a paci baby. I've been saying that Paris took one until about 15 months, but the more I'm thinking about it, it may have been more like 21. I took hers away because she started biting the tip off and I was afraid she would choke on it. We "oops" forgot them all at Nana's over a weekend trip. For some reason I'm remembering that being in the spring which would have put her at 21-ish, not 15. What can I say, after three kids my brain just ain't what it used to be. Anyway, Tripp spit his out at 4 months. So, it's been a really long while since I had to think about when to take a paci.

We had gotten V down to just nap and bedtime before school started. Then circumstances changed (read: I caved in) and she started getting it in the car while we were in line to pick up Paris, and in the car on the way to drop off Paris. Then she got sick and "needed" it. So now it is just a permanent fixture in her mouth. She actually prefers one in the mouth and one in the hand. I've even seen her put two in the mouth - it's quite a sight. So my plan has been to take the paci away over Christmas break. But I find myself, well, not wanting to.

She screams. I forgot to give her one at naptime once and she was nearly hyperventilating by the time I got to her. She'll lay there for a little while and listen to her music, but it only lasts a few minutes and she wants her paci. She can even say paci. Sometimes she holds her hand out with her palms up and says, " Where's a paci?" If she sees a paci and it does not land in her mouth within 15 seconds she will scream, slap at her mouth/face, and has even writhed on the floor. Ask Stephanie - she saw it.

So, here's the delimma. Am I being silly wanting to take her paci before she's ready? Does she need it or has it become a control issue? Should I wait until she's a bit older and we can use logic in this process instead of just being the mean mommy who throws out all the pacis? If I let her keep them and we potty train over spring break (serisouly, she already tells you when she's gone) and then take the paci will she regress and pee on the carpet? Am I over thinking?

Input people, I need input.

Craziness!

2007-11-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

That's what our life has been lately. We've had a lot of sickness. For about 2 weeks 4 out of 5 members of our household were on antibiotics for something. Right about the time everyone finished their meds the tummy bug hit. Every spend Halloween night in the ER with an 18 month old puking her guts out? I have. I also had the pleasure of hold her down while they put in a catheter (sp?) and putting her in this awful looking contraption that held her still while they took chest x-rays. Fun, lots of fun. Anywho - I just wanted to pop on here and let you all know that we're doing OK. If you don't read my Temple Remodel blog, I suggest you go read the last 4 entries and you'll be caught up on the craziness that has been our life. Then, if you would like to follow the journey we're on with Tripp, hop on over to Monkey Dance and see where we are. If you don't want to do any of that, just keep checking in on us here when you can. I intend to post more frequently as the funny stories, and frustrating ones, seem to be increasing around here. Life at the Foster's is never boring - no doubt about that!

Jigglers Anyone?

2007-10-25T15:53:00.000-06:00

Pumkin shaped jello jigglers to be exact. 48 of them. That's how many I've made for my children's classes. I made them for Vivie's class to have incelebration of orange day. I made them for Tripp's class in celebration of his birthday (it's Saturday). And I made them for Paris' class to enjoy during their pumkin extravaganza tomorrow. I have a large tub of left over jiggler scraps. My fingertips are orange. My children are happy. That makes me happy.

Lunchroom Virgin

2007-09-27T14:16:00.000-06:00

At least I was until today. I volunteered at Paris' school today in the cafeteria. Wow, what an experience. I have never squirted so many ketchup smiley faces in all my life. (it was hamburger/chicken sandwich day w/fries.) The kids were all really sweet and very glad to have help opening their milk cartons and yogurts. I quickly figured out that one little boy never actually needed anything, he just wanted you to come talk to him. And then there were all the raise your hand so you can tattle kids. I think the words "Well, just ignore him." came out of my mouth about 20 times. Those and "walking feet please," "keep your hands to your self," and "eat your lunch."

My favorite part of the day was a conversation I had with a sweet little boy. It went like this:

Sweet Boy: Do you have a baby? Do have a baby in your tummy?

Me: Nope, I don't have a baby in my tummy.

Sweet Boy: Then why does it look like you do?

Nice, huh? And to think, I've been feeling so good about loosing 25 lbs!

Don't Put a Triceratops in Your Pants

2007-09-21T15:43:00.000-06:00

How's that for a strange sentence? I find that as a parent I say the most ridiculous things sometimes. Here's the conversation I had with Paris on the way home from school today. (She got a wind up triceratops toy from the treasure chest for getting a sticker in her chart every day.)

Paris: Mommy, do you know where I put the triceratops that's funny?

Me: Where?

Paris: Under my panties!

Me: I don't think that's a very good place for a triceratops.

Paris: I didn't put him IN my panties where my lady parts are. I put him UNDER my panties. (she was wearing a skirt with built-in shorts)

Me: I still don't think that's a very good place for a triceratops.

Paris: But Mommy, it's like a tunnel!

Me: Paris, don't put a triceratops in your pants.

Paris: OK.

Won't she just die one day if she realizes how many stories of hers I blogged about?

Scouting?

2007-09-10T08:06:00.000-06:00

I'm looking for input today. I've been looking at options for extra curricular stuff for Paris. We considered dance, but she wasn't really sure about that when she found out we would have to pull her hair up every time no matter what (she detests a pony tail). She love to dance, but I know her pretty well and I just wasn't convinced we should commit to the kind of $ and time dance would require. Most of the sports flyers we have gotten so far she isn't old enough to participate with since she just turned 5 in June. We got something that was for Daddys and daughters through the YMCA, but it looked like A LOT of camping and we have no camping equipment. So Friday we got the Girl Scout flyer sent home from school and I think I'm interested in that.

I got on line and looked over the website. They appear to be based in good values and I'm very much in favor of developing leadership skills. I know that Paris has some very natural take-charge genes and I think anything that will help her develop what may be bossiness and sass now into strong leadership abilities is a good thing. I wasn't a Girl Scout, but I was always interested. I even made my dad take me to a meeting in late elementary school to check it out but that's as far as it got - seemed like it was a little late in the game to join. Easy was a Boy Scout, but he claims that the two organizations are completely foreign entities so he has no input on Girl Scouts. So, I'm asking for your input here. If you have scouting experience of any kind and have positive or even not so positive input - please share! And I would love input from both childhood experience and if you have any parent experience I would love that too. Thanks!

My Crazy Fall Schedule

2007-09-03T08:12:00.000-06:00

Just in case any of you are wondering what I'll be doing with my time this fall I thought I'd post my fall schedule. Pray for me friends. I have no doubt I'm doing the things I'm supposed to be doing, I just know that I know that I know that it will take God to give me the energy and peace to be a positive light in the midst of it. Keep in mind that each day starts at 5:00 AM with my morning run, followed by shower, quiet time, and then helping Paris start her day at 6:45. At least 4 hours of my 10 hour work week will be done from home. And, oh yeah, don't forget all the stuff to make the house run - laundry, cooking, cleaning, and of course some PLAY time with my kids!

Sunday - Go to church and make sure the nursery is staffed and running smoothly.

Monday - Paris has school. Keep P&E from 10-1. That will be four children in the house with Tripp being the oldest.

Tuesday - P to school. T&V have Sonshine school from 9:00-1:30. I keep my office hours at church the entire time they are at SSS. We will go straight to pick up P since it would be a waste of gas and time to go home first. Hopefully the littles will sleep in the car and I'll get some reading done while I'm waiting in the pick-up line.

Wednesday - P to school. Ladies' Bible class at 9:30. Church that night at 7:00.

Thursday - P to school. T&V to SSS. Run all errands, have all appointments etc... during this time as it is my only chance to do those things without the kids.

Friday - P to school. T&V to Stephanie's by 9:00 so I can work a few hours at church. I'll pick them up by noon.

Saturday - No alarms. No plans. Praise God.

The Big K - A Week in Review

2007-08-31T15:01:00.000-06:00

Well, it's Friday afternoon and our first week in the public school system is behind us. I thought I'd give a little review, and maybe a few laughs.

Monday
Paris woke to her Hello Kitty alarm and was happy to follow our new morning routine. (10 minutes to rest on the couch, 15 minutes to eat breakfast, 15 minutes to get dressed and out the door) She gladly posed for a few pictures. You can see the sass, I mean sparkle in her eyes. She and I load up and head to school. The closer we get to her classroom the tighter her hand gets on mine. We unload her stuff, find her table, and then she realizes I'm leaving. Yes folks, Paris was the cryer in her classroom. I squatted down and comforted her just a bit but remained firm that she would have a great time. As she really started to crank up (there were real tears folks!) Miss Gore caught on and headed over. I kissed Paris on the head, waved at Miss Gore and exchanged that look that said "I know, I need to just leave and she'll be OK" and I left. I made it all the way to the car before I dialed Easy and shed a few tears - mostly I just choked up, no sobbing or anything.

I learned about the car rider line that afternoon. I'm amazed how early I need to be there to be waiting in the actual parking lot and not in the line on the street. Paris hopped in with a smile. She told us (my mom was still here) about her new friend Sarah - who has the "very same" shoes she does! She did say that she did not have fun. Later that evening she explained that she didn't have fun because she "didn't even get to waste any time!" Welcome to life sweet girl.

Tuesday
I got to walk her in to school again because Mom was still here. I took her to the gym where they will meet everyday for assembly to start the day. We found her class, she sat down and never looked back. She looked really tired when I picked her up. She didn't have much to say about school that day...at least not to me. Later that night she told her daddy that she had to "pull her pin." They each start on blue every day and then have to pull their clothes pin and put it on another color should they make a poor choice and not follow the rules. She had to put her pin on yellow because she was hiding under a table and didn't come out when Miss Gore asked her to. She explained that it was because she was supposed to work with a boy that she didn't know and she didn't want to. I think Easy thought she made a good choice to hide from the boy.

Wednesday
This one was tough. My mom left on Tuesday and Tripp had an 8:30 appointment with his speech therapist so I had to start dropping her off at the front of the school. She did a good job and got out of the burb. She gave me a look that was something like "I'm really not sure about this, but you told me I could be a big girl so I'm not going to tell you I'm scared." I saw her look back once to see if I was still there, but I had already moved up through the line of cars. When she didn't see me she just kept going. When I picked her up she announced that she stayed on blue all day. Yea! That night on the way home from church we have this conversation:

Paris: What are we doing tomorrow?
Me: Well, babe, you're going to school.
Paris: But Mommy, I can't go to school on every single day!
Me: You don't have to. There is no school on Saturday or Sunday.
Paris: What about stay-home day? ( a favorite around here!)
Me: Saturday will have to be stay home day for you.
Paris: Is tomorrow Saturday?
Me: No.
Paris: Is the day after that Saturday?
Me: No.
Paris: Is the day after THAT Saturday?
Me: Yes.
Paris: OK. Two days then fun.

Thursday
If Wednesday was tough, Thursday was super tough. She didn't want to get out of the burb. Her eyes clouded up and her bottom lip quivered. She did manage to get out and shut the door, but then the line of cars began to move and she literally had to walk along side the burb as I was driving through. She kept looking in the window at me waving with this look on her face that absolutely ripped my heart to shreds. When we got close enough a Mommy Volunteer saw what was going on and gave me the "It's OK, I'll get her" wave and put her arm around my daughter and walked her in. This was the day that it hit me. IT WAS AWFUL. I missed her. I wanted to be the one making it all better. I called my friend Kara that afternoon and had a good cry. Many other things made this day hard...but that's for another entry.

When she got in the car she told me that she had to pull her pin to orange. That means she made two poor choices. She couldn't "melimber" what the first one was, but the second was talking in line. I know, not a shocker that it involved talking. Here's the story I got:

Paris: My friends kept making me talk in line.
Me: Did they have to pull their pins too?
Paris: No.
Me: Were they talking in line?
Paris: No, they just made me.

I wasn't sure what to say to that so we moved on to another subject. Later that evening she told her daddy that she didn't want her friends to have to pull their pins so she talked so they wouldn't have to. I did explain that starting next week when she has to pull her pin to orange she will loose her computer time for the day.

Friday
Much smoother morning. We were at the front of the line when she had to get out so there was a helper there to open her door and encourage her with a smile. She bounded into the car this afternoon and Miss Gore helped her with a "See you Monday stinker!" I like Miss Gore. Paris stayed on blue all day. When I opened her daily folder I discovered that she was "Queen of the Day" yesterday and all her classmates had drawn pictures of her. They each had written (or at least tried to write) Paris at the top of the page and their own name at the bottom. We had fun looking through it and I got to find out more about the kids in her class while we talked. Did I say I like Miss Gore? I like Miss Gore.

I am shocked at the end of the week at how strong the joy is that wells up inside me when I catch sight of her in the pick up line each day. It's like I'm all of the sudden whole again. I don't really feel incomplete all day while she's gone or anything. But I certainly feel like everything is the way it should be once she's back in the burb with me! We are looking forward to setting no alarms tomorrow and having a "stay home day!"

Guard Cat

2007-08-20T06:27:00.001-06:00

As some of you may know, I've been getting up very early in the morning to go jogging before Easy leaves for work. I've had a few friends caution me to "be safe" while I'm out alone. To all of you concerend, I want to put you at ease. Not only do I carry my pepper spray when I jog, I have the ultimate in defense systems.........Rufus. (If you know Rufus, you may now laugh.)

Rufus is our "garage cat." She was a total stray. She is tiny. She's maybe a year old. This is the same Rufus who didn't know what to do with her kittens when she had them. The same Rufus who is a slayer of junebugs, frongs, lizards, and mice. The very same Rufus who allows Paris to lug her around like a ragdoll, purring the whole time. And yes, the same Rufus that was so sly last night and snuck in the house while Easy and the kids were coming in from the pool. (I found her in Paris' room, sleeping on the floor.)

This amazing, talented little cat feels it is her duty to guard me as I jog. She does have some rules though. She will only protect me on Freestone Drive. When I leave that street she will sit and wait patiently as I run around the cul-de-sac or out to the end of the neighborhood and back and then picks right back up with me when I get back to Freestone. So, all of you with concerns, rest easy. Rufus is on the job.

A request........

2007-08-16T06:45:00.000-06:00

I'm not sue who all reads this blog or if thsoe of you who read it ever read my other blog. Today I posted some thoughts on my other blog that I would love to share with anyone who takes the time to read about me and my family. So, if you're reading this and you never click over to read my Temple Remodel.......click the link in the sidebar and you'll know what thoughts have been in my head as of late.......

Vocabulary Lesson

2007-08-10T13:37:00.000-06:00

Vivian asked me to post some of her latest vocab acquisitions so that in the event you are nearby you will be able to understand and grant her every wish and desire. Here you go......

"Muh Muh" = More when accompanied by the sign for more. Occasionally it also means milk - which she will sign as well.

"Mama" = me of course!

"Cah-bu" = Cowboy our sweet little dog

"Dog dog" (prounounced without a distinct "g" sound) = any other dog and sometimes Cowboy

"Sna!" = give me my snack now (usually reserved for the church nursery)

"Nigh nigh" = usually in response to "are you ready for night night?" and clearly means yes, please take me to bed

"Bye bye" = self explanitory

"Dada" = that's my Smooch of course!

"Dadoh" = that would be my dad commonly known as Dadoo around here

"Dahpuh" = diaper, as in thank you for my clean one

"Bubba" or sometimes "Dibbuh" = her brother Tripper

"Tay too" = thank you (one of her favorites)

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" (visualize arm flapping and feet clapping with it) = Clearly I am not full so you need to find something else to feed me. I don't care if you are out of food. Just find something and put it in my mouth. Now!

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" (when not in high chair) = Paris, I know you love me. But serisouly, you are gonna have to BACK OFF!!!!

"Hah" (think hat with a silent t) = her version of Hi, this is a new greeting for her

and my personal favorite...............

"Ah Stidi" = Excuse me. Yes, you there. I have pooped in my diaper and it smells. You need to change it now or I will begin screaming and crying.

I love my daughter!

2007-08-06T06:20:00.000-06:00

I especially love it when she loves things that I love! If creating a shoe store for her Barbies wasn't enough - last night she really stole my heart.

Tripp & Viv were both down for the night. It was almost 8:00 and Easy was done with the yard. We decided we would look and see what nature shows we could find on TV and spend some time with our Princess. As we're getting things settled we have this converstaion:

Paris: What are we going to watch?

Mommy: I don't know, let's see if we can find a show about nature or animals or something.

Paris: Can we watch that show where the guy gets bit by the A. C. R. S.?

Mommy: The R.O.U.S.?

Paris: Yeah.

Daddy: You want to watch The Princess Bride?

Paris: YEAH!!!!!!!

What joy, what joy!! We snuggled into the couch and watched the movie as a family. Everytime Easy or I would quote with the movie Paris would say "I can hear you!" I told her that I couldn't help it. Quoting The Princess Bride is completely involuntary and totally required when watch the show! It was fabulous!

And just in case there are any of you out there that are not familiar with this classic - an ROUS is a Rodent of Unusual Size. I'm not sure what and ACRS would be - any ideas?

Seriously Silly

2007-08-03T05:02:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a funny day around here. Great things happened and some just plain silly things happened. Paris' friend Hannah (who is moving on Saturday) spent the whole day (and night!)with us. V went to hang out with "Ms. Stephie" for a while and Paris, Hannah, Tripp and I went to the movies to see Charlotte's Web. Tripp had to make 3 potty runs during the movie, but he told me every time. I was proud. After that we picked up V and headed home for lunch and playtime. Tripp had a haircut appt. at 4:15 - we went and took all 4 kids! I apologized to both our stylist and her mom that runs the shop. It really wasn't all that bad, but I'm sure they would have preferred to not have two 5 year olds having a flip flop flipping contest in their waiting area.

Anyway, the fun started after we got home from there. Tripp came running through the room and shouted in has amazingly cute Tripp voice, "Hallo Hala Balala!" (we call Hannah "Hannah Banana" around here) I didn't even know he actually knew who she was! It was precious. Then my sweet V decided to make a milestone day out of it. She cut another tooth. I saw her bend down from a free standing postion, pick up a toy, and stand back up without ever sitting down. And then she really blew the top off the day by taking steps!!!!!!! For those of you unaware, we've been waiting patiently for this day. She's over 15 months old and was refusing to walk unless she had hold of at least your finger. Well, it seems she finally relalized she could move without a pinky grip. It was the cutest most amazing thing to watch. She then proceded to "walk" to me several times, twice for Paris, and once for her Daddy. Awesome!

My favorite stories for the day come from the late evening grocery store trip the big girls and I took. Paris has a Video Now Jr. that she watches shows on when we travel. She calls it a Nick Jr. because all the shows she watches are Nick Jr. shows. I hadn't taken it out the car yet from her Graggie-Dadoo vacation so she and Hannah were "sharing" it. On the way to the store Hannah starts watching a Dora video. This is what I heard:

Dora: We need to save the prince! Will you help me save the prince?

Hannah: I will! I'll help save the prince too!

Paris: No you won't.

*pause*

Hannah: Yes I will.

Paris: (with attitude and indredulity) Are you in the Nick Jr?

Funny!!! Then as we approached the grocery store I hear this:

Paris: Hannah, look it's the store. I see the sign. Look! It says "A" "Chee" "B"!!! (I start laughing as I realize my daughter just invented a new letter in the alphabet)

Hannah: Paris it says "H" "E" "B".

Paris: That's what I said Hannah! We're going to "HEB" (all run together this time) - that means the grocery store!

Kids crack me up! I don't know what time they went to sleep. At 11:00 I told them to close their peepers because mommy/Ms. Sarah was going to bed. No one got up after that so hopefully they didn't stay up much later chatting! Enjoy your Friday!!

An Alarming Sight

2007-08-01T05:28:00.001-06:00

Yesterday when I went out to get the mail my little dog Cowboy went out with me. As I was coming back towards the house I see my dog showing inappropriate affection to our cat. And the cat, Rufus, was letting him. No hissing, no paw batting. It was quite alarming. I'm guessing that Rufus has been really lonely since we were all gone for a 4-day weekend.

Unintended Break

2007-07-16T13:57:00.000-06:00

Well, that was quite a lengthy break from blogging and I assure you it was unintended. Our internet went down Saturday before last and it just got repaired today. Talk about frustrating!!!

I really have nothing fabulous to say about the happenings around here during my blog absence. We've been living life and it's been pretty good. I will brag on my hubby. We have had an unprecidented (sp?) two weekends in a row at home with no big plans and WOW how productive he (we) have been. The pressed tin backsplash is up in my kitchen. My microwave has been lowered to a normal height (it was previously installed for use by Goliath). All the touch up painting with our main wall color has been done. The last few thresholds have been installed. My Duet W&D are now sitting a top some platforms crafted by my Smooch so that I no longer must bend over at the wasit to load and unload them. The door going from our utility room to the garage has been reset so that it lets much less ac out and doesn't shut itself when your bringing in the groceries. And our utility room is clean and organized. I'm amazed at what can be accomplished if we just stay home!

Shoe Stores, Girl Shorts, and Real Underwear

2007-07-02T17:04:00.000-06:00

Just a few tidbits from life as of late...............

I popped in to check on Paris during rest time last week and she says,"Look Mommy, I made a shoe store!" And indeed she had. Thanks to my good friend Dasha, Paris now has a few Barbies and all there attire/accessories - including many pairs of shoes. (These were all Dasha's as a kid and she now has two boys so she's giving Paris her Barbies) Well, my sweet daughter (after my own worldly heart) had taken all the shoes and arranged them in varying levels inside two of her big Petshop toys. Her Barbies were there, visiting a most creative shoe store. Needless to say, Paris received much praise for her creativity!

Girl shorts rock. OK, this is probably more info than you want but since I got married I've gained a lot of weight. (see my other blog for part of my journey back down!) As I got bigger I gave up on cute panties and adopted mommy panties. Now, I'm not talking granny panties that cover everything from your belly button to your knees, but definitely mommy panties. You know, all cotton, no sexy. Well, on a recent whim (prompted by reading Sheet Music) I solicited some input from my better half and I wound up buying some Hanes "girl shorts." Can we say comfortable? And amazingly my husband says they are up a bit on the sexy scale. Who knew sexy and comfy could reside in one pair of panties? (and they're still all cotton!!!)

And since we're speaking of undies - my son is wearing real underwear out in public. Yeasterday morning I got up and thought," It's July first. You're wearing underwear." We've been sort of in process with him since Christmas. The car is the last frontier. He does a good job of telling you he needs to go everywhere except the car. In the car he just pees. Even if he just went minutes before we pull out of the driveway, he pees. So, I started lining his carseat with little lap pads I still have from the very newborn stage (like I've had them since I had Paris and never used them!) and they are helping a great deal. Today he learned "No tt in cah seat." He did go to church & lunch out yesterday with NO accidents. Yea Tripp!! (and yea me!)

My daughter is 5.

2007-06-24T20:44:00.000-06:00

I don't understand how that happened exactly. I mean, I know I've been around for the last five years watching her grow up, but somehow it jsut doesn't seem possible that she's 5 and about to start kindergarten.

5 years ago I was one exhausted woman right about now. If memory serves me correctly, we were probably rubbing a cold wash cloth on a beautiful newborn trying to get her to wake up enough to attempt nursing. I have to say, she was stubborn even a few hours after entering the world. (I suppose some things don't really change.) Now it's all I can do to get her to go to sleep at night.

It amazes me to know how much she has grown and developed in the last five years. From being so totally dependent on me (and her daddy and her Graggie) to care for her to this amazingly beuatiful girl that loves fiercly and takes challenge on with zeal. Don't get me wrong, she still has her moments when "I can't" is all she says and she really wants me to do things for her that she is totally capable of herself. But she is just so brave and friendly and flamboyant. (Not sure if I spelled that right, but anyone who hangs out with us knows the word fits!) And soon she's going to the "Big K" where she'll have new friends and new adventures and all new challenges. (Like being quiet and being away from me and her siblings "ALL day")

I guess as I sit here thinking of the last 5 years I realize how blessed I am. I have an amazing family. God has brought us through some major challenges in the last five years. Knowing that and looking out in my backyard this evening watching my hunky hubby push 2 of our three kids on the swingset and hearing our 3rd babble quietly through the baby monitor gives me such tremendous peace. God has brought us to this place. I know we will face all sorts of things in the next 5 years, but I'm not worried. God got us here and I know He has a plan for where we will be in five years. I know He will see us through every trial we face. I know He will be sitting there with Paris on her first day of kindergarten and that He will amazingly be sitting with me at the same moment as I'm sure I will have a "big cry" when I get home from dropping her off. His constant presence is what gets me through my everday and I know He won't ever let me down.

Father, thank you for the last five years. I have no idea what the next 5 will be like, but as long as you're steering the ship, I'm up for the ride. Let's set sail.

Danger Girl Strikes Again!

2007-06-14T10:38:00.000-06:00

She's cute. She's tan. She has great hair. She's adventurous and brave...........and she gets hurt.........a lot. Never heard of Danger Girl? Here's her track record:

Age 7 months - attempting to walk a little prematurely and falls, hitting head on a window sill. Results in 3 stitches in the left eyebrow. Mother is left with a major migraine.

Age 12 months - falls down a full flight of stairs head over feet (over head over feet) and escapes unscathed. Her mother had a breakdown as she witnessed the whole thing.

Age 2 1/2 years - in her excitement over her first Christmas at home she flies out of the bathroom and runs into the corner of the wall. Results in another 3 stitches in left eyebrow. Mother and Father and left exhausted, but no migraine ensues. Several days later she hits her stitches at a good friends house and busts the wound open again. Several days after that while letting a cousin's dog literally drag her around the yard by a rope, she busts it open a second time.

Age 4 1/2 - bounding over the ottoman, she takes a little tumble and bounces her head off a wooden chest. Mother, now used to the sight of a bleeding head scoops her up and tells Father to get off the potty so he can take us to the ER. Fearing stitches are in the near future, Danger Girl show a rare moment of fear as she totally FREAKS OUT at the idea of the ER. A quick change in approach calms her as she is convinced they are only going to Scott & White, not the ER. One very large blob of dermabond later she's all better. Mother and Father are a little tired.

And most recently, a mere week and a half from her 5th birthday she attempts scaling the local mall treehouse from the outside. Result? A nasty little scrape and a bruised, possibly hairline fractured, rib. Mother and Father, now used to injuries and somewhat doubtful of her whines and complaints (did I mention she also maquerades as Drama Girl?) let it be over night and take her to the doctor nearly 24 hours after the injury. No real course of treatment other than a few days of Motrin. Mother thinks briefly of feeling guilty for not taking her in sooner, then banishes the thought as she gets lunch ready for Danger/Drama Girl and her little brother Number Man and baby sister The Cuteness.

So, if you spend time with this family..................Keep your eyes open, and your hand on the phone, Danger Girl may strike near you!

Quite a Surprise!

2007-06-06T14:25:00.000-06:00

If you've been following my Temple Remodel (link is in the sidebar) you know that I purchased some workout videos to use on Wednesday afternoons to get another cardio day in my schedule. So, today is Wednesday and I got started. The video I used today I bought at Half Price Books. (actually, I sold them enough books that I didn't have to spend any money out of pocket!) I looked it over in the store. It's call Jazzthetics I think. I thought it was a good buy because it's a 2-sided DVD with 2 workouts on side A and 3 on side B. So, I got the little ones off to rest time and Paris was excited to watch me "dance" in the living room. Trying to decide where to start I thoroughly read the back of the case and see that side A is 2 35 minute jazz workouts hosted by.........Traci Lords?!?!?!? uh-oh. So, I thought to myself that maybe this, um, person actually made a workout video. Afterall, she must have a fabulous body to make her money in that industry she's so famous for. I plug it in and see a few of the pics on the main menu and decide it's probably not the video I'll be using while my almost 5 year old is watching me dance! Good thing there was a side B. It was hokey, but it made me sweat and there were even a few parts I couldn't do so I'm guessing it will do what I need it to do - at least for a while. I find myself very releived that I bought another video brand new at Target - it does NOT have Traci Lords in it.

Oh, and just so you know, once Paris went to rest I plugged in Side A just to see what it was. I suppose you could call it an exercise video, but I won't be using it. All I saw was Traci Lords in a tiny bikini bottom, sports bra, and ballet flats (all in canary yellow) making a kind of serious, stare intently at the camera while pouting a little face while stretching. I watched just long enough to hear the instructor (a voice over) start the work out with.....hip rolls. Than I hear from behind me in Paris' sweet little voice, "Wow Mommy, she's really pretty." That was the end of the video. And to Ms. Traci Lords I say this,"My daughter thinks you are beautiful and that is exactly how God made you. I pray for you today that you allow God to make your entire life as beautiful as He wants it to be. And no mam, I will not be using your video."

Relaxing in to Summer

2007-06-05T06:34:00.000-06:00

Not much going on around here. I'm settling into our new routine for the summer. We're playing with friends and getting some exercise. You can see a more accurate look at what's going on if your read my other blog. The link is in my sidebar.

Kids are doing well. Paris is having a hard time adjusting to an increase in physical activity. She keep saying she's tired and her legs are sore. When it's time to run in the splash pad or play on the playground however, her body feel sjust fine. She resists structure. Kindergarten will be interesting. I did get her registered for that yesterday so we're good to go come the end of August. Tripp is doing well. He's talking more and more. The potty thing is getting better ins ome areas and staying slow in others. I'm just doing my best to stay patient and not push him too much. He's a sensitive little dude so we just keep praising all the good stuff and being as non-reactive as possible when he has an accident. Vivie is growing and babbling all the time. She is cruising furniture well now. I even saw her stand all by her self for a few seconds the other day. Again, I'm not rushing this process. She'll walk when she's good and ready.

I guess that 's about it. We're just finding our groove for the summer months and really enjoying all the time we're spending with friends. I hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Snuggle Up!

2007-05-30T11:40:00.000-06:00

I've found a new favorite thing. They're called Snuggles. I'm sure your think this is some sort of comfy shoe or blanket or pillow....but it's a food. Snuggles are a whole wheat bread product. Think hot dog bun, but without all the puffy air. They're great for housing sausage or hot dogs. Today I had chicken salad in them. he back of the package suggests trying some cream cheese on your favorite lunchmeat wrapped around a pickle inside. I haven't tried that yet, but it sounds good. Anyway, I'm just excited becasue they taste so good! When I was pregers with Tripp I developed an aversion to wheat bread. Since then I have wanted to replace the white sammie bread I usually use with a healthier option, but had yet to find one that tasted good to me. Snuggles fit the bill! They actually add good flavor to my food. Good and good for you (or at least better for you than white bread). I guess the down side is that like any other specialty item they aren't terribly cost effective. I'm use to paying less than a buck for a whole loaf of bread and Snuggles are $2 for 8. I think I'll keep the Snuggles for Mommy and let the kids eat the "cheap" bread!

No Baptizing

2007-05-25T06:45:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I watched a friend's boys for about 5 hours. One of them is Paris' age and if you've been around her much you have surely heard about him. She is, afterall, planning to marry this young man. He and his older brother were here yesterday. The kids were having a blast. I got our little pool set up so they could splash around. Right about the time I got everything set up and they really started having fun, Vivian decided she wanted to go inside and have lunch. So, I opened the back windows and gave the big kids a warning that I would be just inside and that I would be able to see them and hear them while I fed Vivie and got Tripp into some dry clothes. (He was cold so he wanted to go in too.) As I'm getting things ready in the house the big kids start to get a little rambunctious. I listen closing and hear the following:

Young D: No, D----!

Paris: Me either, that's scary!

Young D: D----! I said no!

Older D: Who wants to be baptized!?! (as he tries to shove his little brothers head in the water)

Paris: Let him go!

Older D: Who wants to be baptized!?!

And before I know it I hear myself saying..........

"No baptizing in my pool!!"

I'm not sure if that was appropriate or not. It's definitely one of those sentences that made me laught the minute it came out of my mouth. No one grows up thinking "When I grow up one of my rules will be 'No baptizing in my pool.'" I suppose if my little pool was needed for a baptism I would gladly oblige. It would be important, however, that all participants in the process were willing. Yesterday that was clearly not the case.

3F Summer

2007-05-23T14:16:00.001-06:00

That's what I'm having this year. It going to be filled with Friendship, Fitness, and Fun! I have 3 girlfriends (Stephanie, Erika, & Kara) who are working with me to create a healthier lifestlye for ourselves and our kids. Our goal is to stay sane, loose a few ( a more than a few) pounds, and have a lot of fun with our children. We will be walking several days a week, having a pool day each week, and going to the movies some. (There's a Summer Movie Clubhouse that show kid movies at 9:30 am for cheap!) More than anything we will hold each other accountable, let each other vent, encourage one another and above all those, love each other as the sisters in Christ we are. I am grateful today for my 3F girlfriends and the plans we have made for the coming months. What ar you doing with your summer?

Update

2007-05-17T14:07:00.000-06:00

Just thought I should update. None of the kittens survived. Rufus wouldn't step up and be a mommy and by the time got them to our favorite cousin Karla (the vet) it was really too late. They got to cold and the process of cleaning and warming and feeding them was more than their little systems could handle. Now we're just trying to take care of Rufus - having babies was hard on her body even though it didn't seem to phase her in any other way. Paris says that Driveway, Stroller, Quilt, and Last are all in heaven and God is taking care of them. She also wants to get another cat so it can have kittens and "maybe be a better mommy then Rufus." That's a NO from me and Easy - no more kittens.

Lesson learned - even though I think in principle that it was Easy's job to arrange the surgery to fix the cat (it is, afterall, his cousin that's the vet and he originally told me that Karla was going to come get the cat and take her in for the surgery), in the end my stubbornes cost me, not him. I was the one involved in birthing kittens and tube feeding kittens and making kittens go potty. In hindsight I should have just found a way to handle it myself and get her fixed. I know I will now.

Our Furry Family

2007-05-15T09:38:00.000-06:00

Well, things in our "furry family" have been changing quite a bit. About a week and a half ago my good friend Stephanie helped me do a very difficult thing. We took our big dog, Posum, and let her go to sleep. Easy had Posum before we started dating. I always joked and said that she was "just part of the package." And even thought she drove me bonkers with her barking and digging and her "oh-my-goodness" stinky smell, it was really hard. The plan was to just drop her off at our vet clinic and not stay. That's not what happened though. One our Easy's cousins is a vet and Karla saw on the log that I was bringing Posum in. She called and told me to bring her out to Aunt Pat's and that she would do it herself. In some ways this is good because it saved us some $, but it feels wrong to think about $. Anyway, I wound up sitting in the back of Stephanie's truck holding her as she got her sleepy shot. I lost it. The good new is though, she doesn't hurt any more. Paris took the news as well as could be expected. We're still praying for Posum at night, but last night was the first time she acknowledge in prayer that Posum was dead. Easy has been OK. He had one cry. I think he was just releived that he didn't have to do any of it himself. She was, afterall, his dog. And there is something special between men and their dogs.

On another furry note, I am becoming an expert at birthing kittens! Our garage cat Rufus went into labor. This morning when I went to load the kids in the burb I found what I thought was a kitten that didn't make it in the middle of our driveway! I went and checked on Rufus - she was obviously still in labor so I just loaded up the kids and took them to school. I came back home ready to get Rufus some clean water and food, a box with a towel in it and to "take care" of the kitten in the driveway. When I got home she was having #2 in one of our old strollers. Thank goodnes it's one we don't use and weren't planning to pass on because it's so worn out! I got started preparing things for her and when she heard me get the food she just got up and came looking for me - with a kitten hanging out! As she was walking around she finished birthing it and it just fell on the floor and she walked away. She never even looked at it! So, I grabbed another towel, picked up the poor little thing, rubbed it down with the towel, put it in the box and put Rufus in their with it trying to get her to be a mommy. She would stay until I walked off and then she just got up and left it. I got her back in the box and went out to the driveway to tend to the other kitten only to discover that it was mewing and crawling around! So, I sccoped it up and rubbed it off and brought it in to the box - which Rufus had abandoned again. I put her back in and made her lay down and tried to get the kittens close enought they could latch on and ran for the phone. Yea! Cousin Karla was available at the clinic and told me what I needed to do. I have now removed the placenta from both kittens (that's right folks - I REMOVED THE PLACENTAS!) and brought them all into the utility room. I had to sit there and make Rufus stay in the box until they latched on. I took a while, but she is now staying in the box by herself and letting them nurse. Praise God! I was not interested in tube feeding kittens! I have no idea if there are any more coming or not. She's a very young cat so she just may have the two. I'm currently calling them driveway and stroller. We'll see how the rest of the day goes.....................

A quick update, Rufus had #3 a little while ago, I'm calling it Quilt because she got out of the box and on my quilt that was waiting to be washed to have it. She did better with this one, washing the kitten itself, but I still had to do the removal of the placenta. She wouldn't stay in the box with the kittens until I had done that. I guess she thinks it's gross....I know I do!

Let's add one more, I'm calling it Last. Let's pray that it is.

Irritation

2007-05-09T06:40:00.000-06:00

Gas prices are going up. That stinks, but I don't really care. I try to be efficient in my gas use anyway, so I just don't look when I fill up and then focus on making my trips around town as efficient as possible. Bottom line is that it takes gas to make my burb move so no matter how much it costs, I'm gonna have to put gas in the car. Here's the irritation. I drive a big vehicle. It has a big gas tank. Gas prices are rising. The last two times I filled up the gas pump cut off at $100. Please note, the pump cut off on it's own - my tank was not full. I realize that is a shocking amount of $ on gas to some of you, but the burb has a 40 gallon tank. It takes a lot of gas. The closer gas prices get to $3/gallon, the less likely I am to be able to fill up my car if all the pumps are set to cut off at $100. I guess I'll just have to start filling up when it gets down to 1/4 tank or something. I'm just thinking that if youre going to raise gas prices, you need to adjust your pump govenors to let people with BIG cars and BIG tanks actually fill them up!

Titles, Shoes, and Scorpions

2007-05-02T19:35:00.000-06:00

Titles.........I'm getting a new one. As I type this my big brother and his wife are in labor. I'll be Aunt Sarah tonight. Technically I'm already Aunt Sarah, but that's by marriage only. This time it's blood and I'm excited! Henry David will be making his appearance soon. I can't wait to see him and get to know him. He's blessed with some amazing parents, grandparents, cousins, and I hope a pretty good Aunt as well. I'm thinking I want a cool name though. Aunt Sarah sounds old and stuffy to me. I think I want to be Tia. I think that's Spanish for Aunt. Any other suggestions that are cute and make sense in some way are welcome.

Shoes........the ugly shoes have won. Let me explain, no, let me sum up. (movie reference there.....whoe can name it?) Crocs and croc-like shoes are ugly. I don't care how many people wear them out in public, they are still ugly. Everyone says, just try them on and you'll understand. So I did. And then I bought them and swore they would be only for the house and the yard. (By the way, I bought Airwalks at Payless because I'm WAY to cheap to spend money on the name itself!) Then this weird thing happened. I forgot I had them on.....and I went to the gorcery store. And then I forgot I had them on and I went over to a friends house, and then to church, and then to another friends house, and then to the ER (that story is next). Then this morning when I got out of my burb at the church building to work the nursery for Ladies' Class there they were, like they've just grown on at the end of my legs. That's when I gave up. It really wasn't intentional at any point. I'm sure Stacy and Clinton would really be disappointed in me, but I surrender. It's true. They're so stinking comfortable that at this point, I don't care that they're ugly. Besides, mine are pink and everything is cuter when it's pink.

Scorpions.........grrrrrrrr. As some of you may recall, not too long after moving into our new home I had to kill a scorpion in my house. Since then my bravery has increased. I've killed several others on our property, two in the house the rest outside. I had to kill another one yesterday. It was the biggest one I've killed so far. Guess how I found it........IT STUNG MY BABY!!!! Poor, sweet little Vivie was minding her own business crawling around and got a nice sting thanks to a rude and uninvited arachnid. No one asked him to come crawl around on my carpet (which happens to be the same collor he is). Certainly no one told him it would be fine for him to take his nasty little tail and sink into my baby's skin. Yet, he did it anyway. How rude. So, I freaked out. Vivie let out this blood curdling scream and when I came around the corner she was just sitting there screaming and the little ---beeep--- was crawling away from her. I picked her up and smashed him with my shoe several times. I told Paris to go in the bathroom and stay with Tripp (he was on the potty). I must have looked like a crazy woman because she didn't ask any questions. She just went in the bathroom, shut the door, and stayed there for like 20 minutes while I called the nurse-line and started trying to find where V got stung. In the end the nurse told me to bag the bug and head to the ER just to be safe. Easy got home during the phone call, so I was off to the ER. $100, and a Benedryl-Motrin cocktail later Vivie was fine. Apparently unless you have an allergic reaction to them, the scorpions in Texas aren't too toxic - they just hurt like heck. Needless to say I called the Fabulous Don Hancock this morning and he was here at 2:00 pm to treat our house. Death to arachnids everywhere. That't my motto and I'm sticking to it.

Hey Mom!

2007-04-16T09:33:00.000-06:00

This post is for my mother.

Mom,

We had a conversation in the car the other day and I feel compelled to comment further. It was regarding your career in education. You said something about listening to your gut. I'm sure you're with me now. So, here's what I have to say after thinking about that conversation.

You may not have listened to your gut, but I fully believe you listened to God. Had you followed your gut instinct, you could still be "happily" working away in education. Clearly, God had other plans for you. Because you listened to Him and yielded to pressure that may have felt like pushing, you made an impact in MANY children's lives. You started a process that has cleaned up a personnel issue (or two, or three) so that you left education a better place for children. You took care of your mom when she needed you. You took care of me when I needed you. You will take care of Matt & Kara when they need you. And more important than anything, you've started a new part of your journey with God that is amazing. It has impacted me in ways I can not begin to explain. I am so grateful.

So, your gut may have a regret or two, but my prayer for you is that your heart does not. You are an amazing mom, teacher, leader, Graggie, and friend. I am blessed by you every minute of the day. I love you. Now, post something on your blog!!!

Bye Bye Fishie!

2007-04-11T07:06:00.000-06:00

We are one less pet today in our house! Paris has had the pretty male beta fish for some time. She was bored with it. I was bored with it. Paris wanted to get some new guppies (go-bees in her language), but you can't do that with a beta. We had willfully been trying to "let Fishie go." Easy told me I couldn't just flush it. Paris thought maybe her Daddy could shoot it, but he said that wasn't a good idea. (can you tell she lives in a hunting family?) So, Paris and I decided we would just not feed it or clean it's tank. He wouldn't die. Seriously, we hadn't fed the guy in two weeks and he was happily swimming around in a very murky tank like nothing was wrong.

So, last night I had my monthly babysitting co-op meeting at my house. My wonderful friend Stephanie was in the kitchen with some of the other ladies and when I walked in she told me that she's given Fishie to Erin! Joy! Glee! Really? You want the fish? Let me me get him out, and here's his food. Oh, I'm so glad he's going to a good home. Bye bye Fishie!

Turns out Fishie will be the first pet at their house. I think he'll make a good one - he certainly is hardy! I did tell her that he hadn't been fed in quite some time so he will probably be hungry. I hope they enjoy the little guy. Now Paris and I just need to clean out the tank and get it set up to put 2 guppies in. (and an o-cat a little later) Wish us luck. We've tried guppies before and lost I think a total of 5. I think we were trying to put too many in our little tank. We did three plus the feeder fish and I think that was too much. Plus I think we overfed them. So, we're going to do just 2 this time and see how it goes. I better go - I need to get everyone dressed and out the door. Have a great day!

Conversation with Paris

2007-04-09T12:21:00.000-06:00

Paris: Mom! Come look at my mess!

Mom: (walking towards the hall tentatively with a bit of fear in her step, sees a large pile of stuffed animals surrounded by Little People toys.) Wow, that's some mess!

Paris: neh-ssssssssss-TTTTTTT!

Mom: Oh, I misunderstood. That's a nice nest.

Paris: Why would I show you a mess?

Mom: (not sure how to respond without dripping in sarcasm remains silent and lets the conversation end)

Blessings

2007-04-06T06:14:00.000-06:00

It's been a rough week. So, I thought today I would focus on blessings. Here are 5 people that have serisouly blessed my life this week.

1. My mommy. She let Paris (and me) call her as many as 4 times a day during this stuck at home illness. It cheered up Paris and it kept me sane.

2. Irene Campbell. If you want to know how Irene has been such a blessing, go read my other blog. The link is in the column on the side.

3. Kelly Garrett. Kelly gave me a big stash of XS Sports Drink that I am absolutely convinced helped stop the fever in my house. Thank you Kelly for the tip and the supply!

4. Stephanie Ray. Stephanie not only handled Ladies' Class for me (along with Erika - also a blessing!), she kept Vivian for me yesterday for a few hours and then let me sit at her table to eat my lunch so I didn't have to drive all the way home before picking up Tripp from school.

5. Sheila Walsh. I'm reading her newest book and this week it has really made me have some revelations about myself and how I stand before God. I can't wait to keep reading. The title, if you're interested, is God has a Dream for your Life.

And the Fever Goes On

2007-04-04T08:58:00.000-06:00

Vivie has been fever free for 24 hours!!! And her spots are fading!! There's hope, there's light, there is an end to this virus. I ran less fever yesterday. Today I'm good so far, but it didn't go up until after lunch yesterday so we will wait and see. Tripp got it yesterday. Paris still has it. They both had nearly 103 yesterday and woke up with 102 this morning. No school. No Easter parties. I have some very sad children. Maybe we'll hide eggs in the house since they can't go to school tomorrow. I did tell Paris that if she is fever free with no medicine from noon today until noon tomorrow that we MIGHT let her go to her party. Not sure how I'll pull that off since Tripp won't be able to go up to school at all. Who knows. All I know right now is that Vivian is better and she is the light at the end of the virus tunnel of doom.

The Saga Continues

2007-04-02T16:01:00.000-06:00

So, I thought we were getting better. Vivie got a clean bill of health from the pneumonia, Paris forehead wound is healing up nicely. Life looked great for about 4 days. Friday Vivie spiked a fever and broke out in a weird looking rash. The nurse said it was viral and not to bring her in unless the fever lasted more than 3 days or the red spots turned purple. Sunday, after getting to go to church all by myself, I came home to find Vivie running 102.2 on Motrin and her rash spreading to engulf every inch of skin imaginable. So, off to Urgent Care we went. I'm glad we're going to Nana's next weekend so I'll be able to avoid Scott & White for a whole weekend! The pedi there said it definitely looked like a virus and that her lungs, throat, ears, and nose were perfectly clear. If she's still running a fever on Tuesday we're supposed to call back. Oh, and he said that the spots will probably outlast the fever by several days. It's going to be a beautiful first Easter for her!

And of course, she has learned how to share. Normally sharing is a good thing in our house. It is something to be applauded and praised. Sharing a virus is not to be praised. Paris spiked a fever last night and is still running one. No school for her tomorrow. And then my sweet, sweet daughters shared the virus with me. 101 temp anyone? I'd gladly give mine away. Fortunately, Paris and I don't have the spots so at least we are spared something.

So, today, more than anything I've thought how nice it will be when my Dad retires and my folks move up here. Then at least my mom could come get the one healthy child left and take him to her house. How many days left, Dad?

A New Blog

2007-03-31T14:50:00.000-06:00

I started a new blog today. I will be keeping this one too. There's a link to the new one in my side bar under "My New Blog." Original, huh? If you'll recall, in Jauary I posted about this year and my goals. Part of that included a desire to do some temple remodeling. The new blog will be totally dedicated to that journey. I've realized that the remodel could never be purely external. There are lots on interior rooms that need to be re-done as well. Join me there and see how it's going. I'm sure I'll need your support along the way.

Lessons Learned

2007-03-30T09:56:00.000-06:00

Today's Friday Five is five things I've learned in the last month.

1. Gluing a wound back together, although much less painful, is not any prettier than having stitches done.

2. Posum is, well, I don't know the right word. Posum is our big dog. Due to her incessant barking at the old house, we had to bring her here a little sooner than we were ready. (the friends that bought the old place were keeping her for us) That meant we had to get our fence built in a hurry. Now she's in the back yard. She barks quite a bit, she eats A LOT, she digs, she smells, she has hearing challenges, she digs, she stares in the back windows at me at night and it creeps me out, did I mention that she digs?, and she makes my husband and my children smile. I wish she mad me smile. She does not make me smile. So, the lesson here is.....absence did not make the heart grow fonder.

3. Apparently painting with poop and then getting a pop on the rear end for it is sufficient lesson learning to get my two year old to go in the potty. He has only had 1 #2 in a pull-up since the artistic episode. Woo Hoo!!!

4. You can travel too much. Being gone as much as I have been in the last month leads to many negative things. Laundry gets backed up, cleaning gets behind, grocery shopping/meal planning don't get done properly, clutter accumulates EVERYWHERE. I've also learned that a cluttered house leads to a cluttered mind which leads to less sleep which leads to a mommy walking around everyday trying to keep her head out of the water and feeling a constant sense that she my drown at any moment. We're staying home this weekend.

5. Having chest x-rays done of a 10 1/2 month old baby is unpleasant. Even more unpleasant is having said baby diagnosed with pneumonia and then having to hold her while a nurse (who Vivie smiled and waved at when she came in the room) sticks her in the leg with a big honkin' shot of antibiotic that will make her leg hurt for several days. However, x-rays are MUCH easier to go through than stitches on a 7 month old (or again on a 2 1/2 year old, or even having the same 4 year old glued back together).

Health Update

2007-03-26T06:36:00.000-06:00

So........since the last time I wrote things have been pretty crazy around here. I've made two out of town trips. One to the Women of Faith National conference in San Antonio and one quick trip to Baytown so I could go to my sister-in-law's baby shower. Take those into account with the health issues we've had in our house and that leaves you with one pooped mommy! Here's the scoop:

Vivie is all better. She got a clean bill of health at her check-up last Wednesday. Thursday was the first day she was really back to her normal self. If you go back and count the days, that was almost 12 days from when she got sick. That's a long time to have a sick baby! But she's all better now and has even decided that not nursing and having real milk in her cup is OK. I don't think she LOVES it, but she's drinking it so I'm satisfied.

As for Tripp - other than his perpetual snot (which we've just about decided is allergies) he's doing well. We did get a "health alert" (as though we should be alarmed by health in general?) from his school. Apparently someone(s) at school that he comes in contact with has had Pin worms. Don't know what those are? They are little teeny tiny white thread like worms that live in the anus. Yes, I said anus. They are transmitted in a "rectal - oral" fashion. Can we say EEEEWWW! Symptom? Rump scratching, especially at night? How to you confirm them? You get a flashlight and go on a worm hunt at night. As our pedi put it so nicely (imagine hand motions along with this) "Get a flashlight and then spread the (pause) buttock and look for white thread like wigglies." I told Easy that after all the diapers I've changed over the years that clearly worm hunting is a job for Daddy. Fortunately, we've had no rump scratching so that hasn't had to happen. In truth, I was afraid we were perhaps the source. After all, we did have that whole poo painting thing a few weeks back and who know if any of that made it to the mouth......GROSS!!!!!

And then there's my sweet goose. Paris has been doing great. We've been having fun. We've had a few tough days. Apparently mommy being gone two weekend in a row didn't sit well with her so we went through that whole test the limits thing in the midst of Vivie having pneumonia. She redeemed herself this weekend though and went shopping with Graggie and me and even went to the shower with us. She won't call it a shower though. That's just "silly" according to her so we called it a party for Aunt Kara's baby that hasn't come out of her tummy yet. Quite a mouthful, huh? Anyway, she pulled a Sarah. (for those of you unaware, I have an extremely clumsy history!) We brought this little wooden trunk home from my moms house for her to use in her room. It was mine as a kid. I stored all my baby doll clothes in it. We need to clean Paris' room in a bad way so the trunk was just sort of sitting in the entry. Paris, in her typical exuberance, went to sort of roll over one of our ottomans and went a bit too fast. As she went off the other side (the ottoman is being used as a barricade to keep Vivie in the living room) she literally bounced her head off the edge of the trunk! Lots of blood. Not cool. I bundled her up with a damp towel pressed on it. Told Easy to get off the toilet because we needed to go to the ER "now!" We took her to urgent care at Scott & White and thank goodness they were able to glue her back together. It wasn't painless and and it certainly isn't pretty, but it was WAY better than stitches. We've done stitches with her twice already and she remembers the second set. She didn't want to go tot he doctor because she was so freaked that she might have stitches again. In the end she is left with one heck of a headache and a big blob of steri-strips and Dermabond that will flake off on it own. We don't even have to go back to the doctor unless there's a problem. I'm left with a migraine and an extremely sore right bicep. See, once my mom handed her to me I didn't really put her down until we were in the room getting seen by the doctor. I had no idea 39 lbs. was so heavy!

So, there you go - all caught up. Today I'm staying home all day and trying to put my house back in order. There is a TON of laundry to be done and more cleaning than I could possibly do in one day. So I guess I'll just eat the elephant one bite at a time and hope I get through it all before it gets crazy around here again! Have a great day!

Home and Helpless

2007-03-13T16:23:00.000-06:00

So, we got back to my folks house at about 1:30 AM Monday morning. Our conference was AMAZING!! The kids were all happy to see us. Little Miss Viv did NOT drink any milk while I was away. Mom used the milk I had expressed to mix with cereal each day so we knew she was getting some. I don't know how I'm going to get her to drink milk from a cup, but I'm not worried about that at the moment.

Instead, I'm worried about getting her healthy. Mom said she started coughing and had a little runny nose Sunday morning. By the time we got home she sounded pretty bad and then she spiked a 102 temp Monday afternoon - on Tylenol! So, off we went to the doctor this morning to find out that she has pneumonia! Not cool. I feel so helpless. She's so tired, but she feels so bad she can't just go to sleep. She doesn't have the energy to play, but she doesn't really want to be held. They gave her a big shot of antibiotic this morning and told me that her leg would hurt for several days. I just want to make it all better and all I can do is hold her and rock her and pray that the medicine kicks in quick and that we beat this thing fast. I do think we caught it early enough that it won't take too long for her to start feeling better. I found myself actually gasping with her breaths this afternoon. My chest actually hurt. I've never experienced such real "sympathy pain" before. She's resting now though and the big kids are playing their Little Leaps video game so all is well for the moment. I better go get dinner ready. Tripp didn't nap so he'll be off to bed about 7:00 tonight. I think on a day like today that's a good thing. I'm looking forward to the quiet once I get at least two of them in bed this evening.

Father, heal my daughter. Help me to be patient with Paris. When I am worried about Vivie I seem to not have much left over and I get very snappy with Paris. Help me to not be that way. Thank you for making Tripp such a laid back little dude. Thank you for giving me parents that can keep my children when I'm away. I am so blessed with family. Help us to all rest tonight. In Jesus' name - amen.

Friday Five: I Miss My Kids

2007-03-08T23:02:00.000-06:00

Easy and I are off to St. Louis in a few hours for a business conference (yes we're leaving at 3 in the morning) so I dropped off the kids at my folks today. It was really hard to leave them. I told them each that I would be there when they wake up Monday morning. Paris promised to help take care of Vivie. Vivie flapped her arms at me. Tripp (after I gave him a million hugs and kisses and kept saying I love you) just waved and said "bye bye." I know they will be fine, but here are five things I miss already...........

1. Vivie's cheeks - they are so full and I just love kissing on them.
2. Tripp's chatter - he is getting to be quite the talkative one these days.
3. Paris' exclamations - particularly the "I love you Mommy" ones!
4. Watching them play with each other - Tripp had Viv in stitches on the way to Baytown today. It was so sweet to hear her laughing at her bubba!
5. Being able to just go look at them because I want to!!

Father, keep my children safe while I am away from them. Help them to be good for Graggie & Dadoo. Help Vivie drink milk out of a cup. Help Tripp put his business in the potty. Let them all sleep well so Graggie & Dadoo aren't TOTALLY exhausted when I get back. Please help me to not worry too much. I know that you are watching over them and me and that you will keep us all safe. Thank you for loving my children. Amen.

A Story and a Lesson

2007-03-01T21:47:00.000-06:00

My children teach me a lot. Sometimes I get a rather profound lesson from events that seem silly to others or sometimes even gross - like the time I blogged about sin and snot. I had another of these experiences recently so I thought I should share..........

The Story

Sunday afternoon I had the kids all down for rest. Tripp was unusually quiet so I figured he must have actually gone to sleep. I was tired so I vegged on the couch instead of getting up to check in on him. When Paris got up she started a movie. Viv was still asleep so I told Paris she could open Tripp's door so he would start waking up. She did as I asked and then exclaimed "Oh Bubba, why are you naked?" I got up and headed to his room to find him naked from the waist down. Then I was hit buy a foul, foul smell. Then I saw it. True to form, Tripp had waited until rest time when he would have on a pull-up to do his "business." Once done he had removed the soiled undergarment. Instead of following his normal routine of crying until I get him a clean one however, he decided that his poop did indeed look remarkably like brown play dough. I can only imagine that he first touched it and flung it off his hand thinking it as yucky as it truly is. Then after looking at it a while, maybe he decided it wasn't all that yucky and playing a little would be fun. I'm sure once he started playing it just became so much fun he couldn't stop. He proceeded to "paint" his toy shelves a lovely color of brown. He smooshed and smeared his new found plaything into his toy piano and left pieces of it all over the carpet. When I realized what I was starring at I was in shock. So, I took him by the hand over to the bulk of the devastation (the toy shelves) and said "Tripper, No no. We do not play with poo poo." I spanked his little naked rear with my hand and told him to sit on his bed. I made him stay there as I cleaned up the colossal mess he had made. When he saw the toy shelf shining white again he sat up and proclaimed, "Ah keen! Good job Mommy!"

The lesson:

This one is really pretty simple. Isn't this how we are with sin in our lives? At first it's easy to say no. But the more time we spend around that thing or person or situation, the more we start to think it's not so bad. We begin to understand the "other" point of view on a topic or we start to feel entitled to a little bit of "fun." It doesn't matter what the sin is, at some point we decide it's OK and we start to play with it a little. It is so easy from there to just get so involved that we don't have any sense at all how big a mess we are making. And then we find ourselves standing before our Father, naked, in the middle of a big, stinky mess. With all the love and gentleness in the world he tells us no no. Sometimes he even spanks those of us that are a bit thick in the skull. And we always find ourselves sitting by, watching him do the work of cleaning up our mess because we are so totally incapable of repairing the damage on our own.

I suppose the good news is this: since Tripp had his "artistic outburst" he has put his poo in the potty everyday. If only I learned so quickly the lessons God is trying to teach me.

Father, thank you for cleaning up my messes. Thank you for sending your precious son to wash all the brown play dough from my life. Help me Lord to stay as clean as I can. And when I start to play in something that smells of Satan, stop me, tell me no, spank my naked rear end if you have to. Put me in time out and help me look at the reality of what I have done. Forgive me Lord and wash me clean again, and again, and again..............and when you have brought me through yet another of my stumbles Lord, let me give you all the credit with a resounding, "Good job Daddy! I couldn't possibly have done that on my own. The credit is all yours. Thank you for your patience and love and meticulous cleansing of my soul." Amen.

Ol' Army, Teeth, Blessed Cough Syrup and a Quandry

2007-02-15T14:55:00.000-06:00

Ol' Army has invaded my house. Sweet Vivian who we thought would just NEVER crawl has mastered forward movement. Between the good ol' army crawl, an occaisional inch worm, and lots of log rolls she can move faster than I can keep up. So, she got introduced to the playpen a few days ago. She didn't particularly care for it, but she's learning to tolerate it in small doses. She is very intent on getting a hold of things that aren't hers and eating them. Things like Tripp's v-day card from Nana, leaves off of my one live plant, dust bunnies, and any other small thing she can get her chubby little hands on.

On another note, Paris has been sick. I thought we had avoided that illness that has been plauging her classroom at school. I thought wrong. She has one nasty cough and a low grade fever. After consulting several other mommies I decided it was worth the $30 co-pay to verify that she didn't need any antibiotics and get the blessed cough syrup. Indeed, all it takes is one dose and the cough quiets down as my sweet baby girl drift off to dream land. Don't get me wrong, I'm not normally one of those moms who enjoys medicating a child, but this stuff is amazing. She's actually napping.

And now the quandry.........what to do, what to do. Here's the situation: Vivian still nurses. I've nursed her longer than either of the other babies. I really decided at about 4 months that it was going so well and it is so, um, FREE that I would just nurse her to a year and then go to milk and skip the whole formula thing we did with the other kids. So, I've got about 2.5 months to go and I think I'm done. See, I'm going to be out of town for two weekends in a row in the middle of March. The pedi said I couldn't put her on milk yet since she's on the little end of all those growth charts so I started trying to pump after not pumping since before Thanksgiving and I got nothin'. (that was a really long sentence) I'm taking theses herbal supplements now and they are helping some, but there is NO WAY I will have enough milk for her for two weekends in a row. In addition to this problem, she will not drink my milk out of anything but me. No bottle, no cup, no nothin', Add all this to the fact that she has taken to turning over on her belly while she nurses and sort of arching her little back so she's nursing and looking at me at the same time. She does this catch and release thing that makes me feel more like a water fountain than a mom and in truth when she does that it just feels WEIRD. And lastly, after 9.5 months she has finally cut a tooth (that would be the teeth from the title). This explains why the nibbling she does on occasion while nursing has suddenly started hurting more. All of this has me thinking that two month's worth of formula isn't that big of an expense. And I would sure love to spend an evening alone with my hubby that doesn't end with me getting back out of bed to go nurse the baby one last time before we go to sleep. ( I apologize if that's too much info, but it's all part of the issue at hand.)

So, - that's what the bulk of me is saying and feeling. Then there's this small part going "But you got this far, why give up now?" I think part of me feels like I might be failing if I quit. Like I just didn't have what it took to do the best thing for my kiddo. So I keep getting up every day and continuing on while wondering if it's really worth it and exactly how we're going to get through those two weekends in March.

OK, that's enough for today. I'm going to rest while all the kids are resting. Hope your Thursdays are going well!

A Quiet Morning

2007-02-09T07:49:00.000-06:00

Vivie got up "early" this morning to eat and go back to bed. I used the time while the kids were still in bed to take a shower in peace. I even fixed my hair! So, it's been pretty quiet around here. Quiet, but not silent. Here are five things I've already said on my very quiet morning (note, it is not yet 8:00 AM):

1. Hello my sweet. (to Vivie as I picked her up out of bed)
2. Morning Goose. (to Paris when she got up and came into my bathroom)
3. Paris, that's too loud. (as she was making a VERY obnoxious noise VERY loudly)
4. Paris, don't speak to your brother that way. (as she was screaming at him to move out of her way to see the TV)
5. Well, let me know when you're hungry. (To Paris after she explained that she was NOT going to try the stuffing from the chicken dish I made for dinner last night. She was reminded about how she got sick last time she tried to not eat what we made. She is still standing firm that she will not try the stuffing "for breakfast or lunch or dinner or breakfast or lunch or dinner." Wish me luck.)

And just so you know, I did speak to Tripp when he got up. We had our usual morning greeting of "Hey bubba. Let's go potty."

I wish you a happy, peacful, and quiet Friday.

Just for those wondering, she ate the stuffing at lunch. Her will isn't lasting as long as it used to!

Stay-Home Mom?

2007-01-31T16:28:00.000-06:00

So, I've been thinking today about the phrase stay-home mom. I'm not sure what that means exaclty. It's something that in parts of todays society is looked down on and in other parts is very respected. I've frequently heard "just a mom" be the descriptor of a mom who is not going to a job outside of her home on a daily basis. For those of you who are moms you know that "just a" doesn't even begin to cover what you do.

What has really struck me lately though is this. I'm around a lot of "stay-home moms" in my life. At church, in MOMS club, and even in some of the business arenas in my life. What I'm finding to be the truth is that none of them actually stay home. A rather large majority of them do in fact work in some fashion. Many have home-based businesses (like me), and many work part-time (like me), and many spend lots of their time working for service organizations or organizing activities for their church or civic group. I honestly don't know a single stay-home mom who stays home.

So how does the mom of today define herself? I was recently asked in some paperwork if I considered myself to be part of the workforce. I said no. When people ask me if I work, I usually answer "I've got three kids at home. or I'm home with the kids." The truth is, however, that I collect a paycheck every month. It's not much, but it pays for most of the kids clothes and most of my clothes, and those little things like mulch, and flowers, and the Women of Faith conference I'm going to in March. It helps when a car breaks and when Easy and I want to do more than just eat dinner on date night. But, I'm not a working mom by most standards. I'm also not a stay-home mom.

I think instead I'm a mom actively seeking to improve my children's life. If that means putting in some hours so they can have a birthday party or some new shoes when they need it, so be it. If that means saying "no, I can't help with that" because I know it would take too much time from my kids, so be it. If that means putting together activities at church so that I can be around other parents and have my kids around other Godly families, so be it. Whatever it takes to improve my kids' life and teach them the values and character of Christ - so be it.

So, to all of you out there finding your own way to be a mom I say keep up the good work. I'll pray for you today that you are listening for and hearing His voice as He directs your path. I've learned that the path isn't always what we are most comfotable with, but His path always end in a better place than I would've gotten to on my own. So I guess what I've concluded is this - I'm not just a mom, or a working mom, or a stay-home mom, or a domestic engineer..................I'm a Seeking Mom. I hope you are too.

Challenges

2007-01-25T18:44:00.000-06:00

I know it's not Friday yet, but I plan to leave by 10:00 in the morning for a weekend trip to Baytown to hang with my folks and brother & sister-in-law. So here you go..........

Five things it's challenging to do with your dominant hand in a wrist brace:

1. Put on or take off your bra. I suppose Easy is always willing to help with the latter, but getting that blasted thing on in the mornings is tough.

2. Open baby food jars, medicine bottles, or anything else the needs a push and turn approach.

3. Feed the baby. Who know you needed your wrist to turn so much to shovel sweet potatoes in a mouth?

4. Cut things with a knife - like cheese, meat, anything that requires actual pressur to slice.

5. Wipe. I'll leave that to your imagination.

Weird Food Confession

2007-01-24T17:02:00.000-06:00

I have to eat candies in 2's. Most particularly I have to eat M&M's, Reese's Pieces, Smarties, etc... (anything small and round) in 2's. If I get to the end of a package and there is only one left I will give it away or throw it away. I will not eat it.

Also, I made cookies the other day and I melted some chocolate chips to make little snadwiches out of them. I wound up with way more chocolate to spread than I actually needed. Once the cookies were done I looked at the leftover chocolate and couldn't throw it out. I considered my options and........I ate it.

Thinking Back

2007-01-19T07:35:00.000-06:00

I recently attended the funeral for my sister-in-law's mom. Kara and I grew up at church together and she started dating my bubba when we were in high school, so I have many memories of her family. I also recently found out that one of my best friends from youth group years has cancer. Things like that make you stop and think and remember. So today's Friday Five is a look at five of my favorite things from youth group years...............

5. Summer. It was during the summer that youth group really played the big role. We always did things with our sister congregation so it was like during the summer you got this extended set of good friends. With no school you got to do stuff together pretty much any time you wanted. When people talked about year-round-school I can remember thinking, but what about summer friends?

4. Bowling Lock-ins. Once a year towards the end of the summer we had an area-wide bowling lock-in. Sounds silly I'm sure, but man was it fun. Nothing better than staying up all night with your buddies.

3. Skating. Once a month we had an area wide roller skating devo. It was always on Sunday evening and was a chance year-round to see those friends that you got so close to during the summer. It gave you a way to stay connected.

2. CAMP!!!!!!!!!!! We always went to GCCYC for a week with s few other area congregations. There are no words to describe summer camp. If you never went, I am truly sorry for you. The spiritual re-charge was amazing. The friendships forged there last a lifetime.

1. My Buddy Matt. Those of you who know me well know just how much I love my big brother. Over the last few weeks as I've thought back over so many memories Matt is a part of nearly every one. The day he was baptized stands out as on of my favorite memories. It was not long after we had come home from the above mentioned camp. I had my leg in a cast because I broke my ankle as we were leaving camp. He carried me to the car. Actually he and my friend Brad fought over who would carry me to the car. Matt won. We didn't always get along perfectly, but I always knew that Matt loved me and was there if I needed him. We won best camper of the year together one year. I went to camp Blue Haven one year and he didn't go. I cried on the way to New Mexico because it was the first time I was away from him like that. I love my Matt. I guess he hasn't really been "my" Matt for many years. He's Kara's Matt now and has been for a long time. But you know what, he is always going t be my big brother. Today as I think about all we've shared and all we have in the future (they're providing me with a nephew soon!) I just get excited. I don't see Matt as much as I'd like and we hardly ever talk on the phone. We email on occasion and we stay updated through our mom. It's nothing like the relationship we used to have, but I still cherish every memory we make together.

OK, so that turned into the I love my brother blog. Didn't know that was coming, but I guess sad news makes you cherish those you love even more.

Father, please continue to comfort Kara and her family as they learn to live life without Ruth. Let them all lean on you for strength and peace. Please also be with Brad. Help Jenny's delivery to go smoothly and Brad's current recovery from surgery to go well. Decrease his pain Lord. Lift his spirits and remind him that you have a plan. Lord, please, just fixt it. Take away the cancer and fix it. Please.

Rejoice With Us!!!!!!!!

2007-01-17T18:40:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited I can hardly sit still. I have amazing news. No, I'm not pregnant. No, Easy didn't get a new job. No, Vivian is not crawling. But.....................

Tripper poo-poo'd in the potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!! There was dancing and singing and double the usual candy reward. I think he was proud. He of course had to get down and turn around and inspect his production. Once he was satisfied that indeed, that poo-poo came out of him and into that potty he was happy to flush and tell it "Bye bye poo poo!"

OK, now that the celebrating has subsided I have to admit that I really haven't a clue if he did it on purpose or not. He was getting very still and serious at the table while we were having a bit of family crafting time. (Yes, Easy was crafting too.) We asked if he needed to go and after thinking about it he said "Poppy." Off we went. There was a very lengthy TT period and then it stopped but he didn't sit up. (He leans forward on the potty so as not to shower himself or his assitant.) I was just about to ask if he was all done and I heard the most wonderful sound I've heard in quite a while. Who knew ploppity-plop could sounds so great?!?!?! In an effort not to terrify him with sqeauls and shouts of delight I simply said very calmly and queitly "Tripper, you poo-poo'd in the potty! Good job Buddy!" Once we were all done the above mentioned celebration began.

So, I'm going to go with yes, he knew what he was doing. I feel better about that than we just happened to catch it at the right time. Either way, I finally beleive we are truly on the way to a potty trained Tripp! Feel free to rejoice and do a happy dance - once he's trained I'll probably stop blogging about poop!

New Book Tag

2007-01-14T20:23:00.000-06:00

I've been tagged by Mrs. Jenny!

Here are the directions:
1)Grab the book closest to you
2)Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3)Post the text of the following 3 sentences on your blog
4)Name the author and book title
5)Tag three people to do the same

To hear the voice of the Lord God must be very difficult; otherwise, it's hard to account for the hundreds of verses in Scripture which exhort us to hear. Most notable of these is the Shema (Hebrew for "hear"), which lies at the heart of Jewish worship: "Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone"(Deuteronomy 6:4). A capacity to hear God is a longed for spiritual gift in the Jewish (and Christian) traditions.

Pilgrim Heart
Darryl Tippens

I know I long for that gift myself. I've decided it does indeed take quiet time alone with Him to be able to hear Him. So, I've started by making quiet time for Him alone each morning. Those who know me well know this is a challenge for me, but when God call me to something - it's my job to say "Yes Sir!"

I tag: Stephanie, Sheri, & Angela R.

Another Five for Five

2007-01-12T09:50:00.000-06:00

Five things I love about the five people in my house:

Paris
1. The way she fiercly loves her family. Those of you who have received one of her running hugs understand why I chose the word fierce!
2. The way she cares for animals. They rank a seriously close second to the people in her family.
3. When I'm not in the room with her and she screams at the top of her lungs "Mommy!" I usually cringe, epecting something bad or at the least complaintive to come from her mouth. Instead, on occasion what I her, still at the top of her lungs, is "I love you!" That's the best.
4. Her helping spirit. She always wants to help me no matter what I'm doing. From laundry to dishes to cleaning the bathroom she's ready to lend a hand.
5. How she never forgets anything. I don't mean, "I forgot Badges go get him" because that happens a lot. I mean that she doesn't forget experiences. She asks all the time if we remember when...........most of the time we do and we all share the memory together. Last night she stumped us though - she was recalling the last time we were at Mimi's house and we didn't have a clue about the story she told us. Granted, the last time we were actually at Mimi's house Tripp was a nursing baby. But she remembers!

Tripp
1. The way he loves Elmo. He showers Elmo with sugars and hugs. He has such affection in his voice when he sees Elmo and says "Dis Ehmo." And his insistance that you too love Elmo.
2. "Hi Mommy."
3. That grin. Oh my, that grin. It slays me every time.
4. The way he calls his sister Digaduh with an evil smile even though he is totally capable of saying Puh-is.
5. The way he gets very upset and calls for "Vifi" if you put him in his carseat before you put the baby in hers.

Vivi
1. That she only cries when something is really bugging her, like being tired, in pain, hungry, or poopy.
2. The way she is starting to help dress herself by pushing her arms through her sleeves and switching her little blue Elephant named Peanut from one hand to the other while getting dressed.
3. The way she shakes her head no when you try to feed her another bite of food and she hasn't finished the one in her mouth.
4. The way she smiles and laughs for her big sister.
5. The way she flaps her arms at her daddy when he gets home every day.

Easy
1. Those eyes - they can still melt me in a second.
2. His sense of humor. After 10 years I now catch about 90% of his jokes. Maybe in another 10 I'll catch all of them.
3. They way he is absolutely compelled to open the box and play with his newest device, tool, whatever. He thinks this bugs me, and I suppose it does when there are more pressing things to be done - like changing diapers and feeding the kids - but it's really kind of cute to see him NEED to play with his new toy like a little kid.
4. His vivsion - he is always stretching my brain to see a bigger picture of life - what it is and what it can be.
5. His patience with me. I'm not always the easiest person to live with. I get behind on cleaning and laundry. I'm not always chipper. And sometimes I get in a funk that is just sort of unpleasant for everyone to be araound. But he has this amazing sense that the "real" me is still there and waits patiently until she is ready to come out again.

Cowboy
(Yes, I know he's not a person, but he counts in my book!)
1. The way he is ALWAYS happy when I come home.
2. The feel of his little body curled up behind my knees on the rare occasion we get to take a nap.
3. The way he MUST lick the children in the face after they have gotten up from a nap.
4. The way he knows when the kids are in bed for the night and when I sit down, instead of sleeping at the other end of the couch he comes and sits next to me - at least for a little while.
5. His hugs - yes, my dog gives hugs. Just ask anyone in my family.

Belated Five

2007-01-06T08:45:00.000-06:00

Well, it's not Friday but I thought I'd put up my five late just because I want to. For those of you who don't appreciate scattelogical (sp?) humor you may want to look away. For those of you yet to have kids - just know that these things are true and that when you do have kids they will actually matter.

Five Kinds of Poop created in our House

1. Baby Poop - this is what the nursing baby makes before solids/baby food is introduced. It has an odor but is not offensive. It is not a mass. Wipes off easily.

2. The Wedge - shaped remarkably like a wedge of iceberg lettuce, and aptly named by my friend Lara, this begins to appear after rice cereal and other baby solids hit the diet and sticks around until the child is potty trained. Stink, but fairly easy to clean.

3. The Turd - also known at times as a turdlet or grown-up poop. This is self explanatory and begins appearing around the same time as the wedge. It's always suprising, and some how cute the first time you see it - after that it's just poop. Stinks, but clean up is a cinch.

4. Yucky Poo Poo - this is what results from a stomach bug, teething, or sometimes antibiotics. Aptly named by Paris, it is yucky whether it is in a diaper or the potty. This can begin at any age, and I personally still experience it so apparently there is no end. Odor and clean-up is, well, yucky.

And lastly.......my least favorite.........

5. Saucer Poop - this is what results when baby poops while playing in the exersaucer. The continual bouncing around causes the poop (regardless of what form it took to start) to leave the top of the diaper and crawl up the back - sometimes all the way to the neck. This same thing happens to newborns in a carseat. And, as we discovered last night at Denny's, this unfortunate phenomenon happens when the baby is sitting in the Bumbo as well. What a pleasant dinning experience it was. Odor may vary in severity, but clean-up is always, always difficult!

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T07:08:00.000-06:00

It's 2007. I'm up early today. I got up this morning before everyone in the house to have some quiet time with my God. I wanted to start the year right. Mom gave me a Quiet Time Bible Guide for Christmas that will guide me through the New Testament and Psalms this year. Today I started with Luke 1. I was surprised how many little n uggets I found in that one chapter. When I completed the devotional time I spent some time in prayer. The sound of my new little coffee pot (again a gift from Mom) brewing a fresh cup for me made me smile as I transitioned from prayer to preparing for my day. So, I thought I'd take just a minute this morning to hop on my blog and say to you all - happy new year. I hope that 2007 brings joy a blessing to each of you. More than anything, my hope for you is that in this year you will intentionally walk closer to God. That you will take a step every day to walk as Jesus did. Resolutions fly around each year like Grackles (those awful black birds - not sure on the spelling) on campus at A&M. I decided that instead of a big flock of birds I would just created a few commitments - prompted by our Bible class teacher - that are a bird of a different bread. In 2007 I will daily, intentionally walk closer with God. I will take care of my body. I will be a good wife and mother.

Father, thank you for giving me a mom who can help lead me to your path for my life. I am so blessed to have her as an example. I ask for your help this year as my children continue to grow up. Help me to be the mom they need most and not the tired stressed out version they have seen so much lately. Help me each day to rise before they do so I can spend some time with you. Help me to be a good wife to Easy and to communicate with him in a prdouctive way that builds him up each day, even when I'm asking for his help. Help me to truly remember that my body is your temple. I'd like to do some remodeling for you this year. Please help me to make good choices so that I can glorify you in all I do this year. Without you I am nothing and can accomplish nothing. Be with me Lord, as you have promised, and guide my actions. Take over my thoughts. All praise is yours Father, my beautiful creator. Thank you for life. Help me this year to give that life back to you as I have never done before so that the people you have placed around me can see you and know that all good things come from you. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Retraction & Apology

2006-12-30T09:39:00.000-06:00

This is an apology to my Dad. His name is not Earnest. His name is Edwin. His father's name was Earnest. He went by Cowboy though. It's easy to get confused. Earnest is Cowboy, Edwin is Skip, Sanford is Easy, and Sanford is Tripp. I hope when my children grow up, get married, and have their own kids that they break this cycle of nicknames.

So - Daddy, I'm sorry I posted your name incorrectly. I would tell everyone how easy it is to remember your given name, but that would require teasing you publicly so I won't do it. I hope you accept my apologies - if you read my blog.

Five for Five

2006-12-29T08:08:00.000-06:00

Five important people, five nicknames a piece:

1. Nell Hartleib = Mom, Graggie (invented by Paris), Mama Nell, Sweet Nell (only my Dad calls her that), and Grago ( a version of Graggie)

2. Sanford Foster Jr. = Easy, Smooch, Daddy, Baby (as in "Hey Baby"), Honey

3. Paris = Goose, Princess, Digadum (this is what Tripp calls her even though she hates it and he's capable of saying Paris - the sibling bickering/irritation has already begun!), Baby, Sweet Girl

4. Sanford Foster, III = Tripp, Tripper, Monkey, Tipey Toe, Prince

5. Vivian = Vivie, Little V, Bug, Duchess, Vivoo (that would be Paris' nickname for her)

and so he doen't feel left out.............a bonus

6. Earnest Hartleib = Skip, Dad, Dadoo(inventd by Paris), Skipper(usually by my folks good friend Brenda), Old Man (usually used by me when he hasn't heard anything else I've said!)

The House is Quiet

2006-12-23T20:32:00.000-06:00

Well, it's Saturday night and my house is quiet. Mom & Dad left from here (they came in on Wednesday) to go get my Nana and bring her back here tomorrow for Christmas. Kids are all in bed. It's eerily quiet. So, I thought I'd take a minute and give a synopsis on my week.

Saturday I went on a date with my hubby to celebrate our anniversary. We've been married 8 years. We drove down to the Woodlands mall, did some shopping, and then ate at Papadeaux using a $50 gift certificate that Easy got from work. Yea free food!

Sunday we had friends over for our annual Christmas party for our internet business. We had 13 children here - the oldest was 8. Thank goodness it was warm enought to send them outside! Sadly that meant it was hot inside because our heater AND air conditioner weren't working properly.

Monday we spent the day working on the potty thing with Tripp.

Tuesday (our actual anniversary) We spent the day working on potty training with Tripp. My hubby came in briefly after work before he had to attend a meeting. We made plans for a romantic rendevouz later that night. Sadly, while Easy was gone Viv's spiked 103 fever. No romance.

Wednesday I took Viv to the doctor where they switched the antibiotic she was taking to something else that would "hold us over" until we go see the ENT next Tuesday. Graggie & Dadoo (that's my folks) arrive for Christmas vacation at the Foster's. Took the kids to see Santa's Wonderland (an amazing lights display that is ALMOST worth the $20 a car the charge to drive through). Went out to eat at Sodalak's to celebrate my husband turning 30. Finally he can stop poking fun at me for being 30 because he is too!

Thursday:
Finished all Christmas shopping and wrapping.

Finished Viv's stocking. Well, mostly. It has a Teddy Bear that gets stitched into the big snowman's arms and I didn't finish that. The instructions even tell you to put the whole thing together and then do the teddy bear. It's almost as though they know that mommies everywhere will frantically being trying to finish the stocking in time so they just give you an out. The bear will be done after Christmas. The important part is that she has a stocking - already full of stuffers - for Christmas morning.

Did the big grocery shop with my Mom. Last time we had Christmas at my house was two years ago and it was a MUCH smaller house with a MUCH MUCH smaller kitchen. I think this year will be a more pleasant cooking experience.

Friday we had Mimi & Papa & Christopher (Easy's mom, stepdad, and we'll call him a step-nephew - it's really complicated) up for our little Christmas with them. We all went out to lunch and had a blast. Then we did the present thing. Fun all around. That night after the two little ones went to bed, Mom and I played a rousing game of Pretty Pretty Princess with our princess Paris followed by a game of Go Fish that Easy and my Dad joined. It was a wonderful day.

That brings us to today - the first true family day we've had in I don't know when. After my folks left we lounged around a while and then went to Petco and the mall. We came home and had naptime - everyone napped except Tripp. He played in his room. Then we loaded back up and went out to see the lights at Central Park. We were hoping to get out and walked the park, but it was raining so we stayed in the warm suburban.

Amidst all the activity this week we were able to make MAJOR progress with Tripp's potty training. He now goes over to his potty when he needs to go TT. He even went twice today in the little potty we keep in the car. He has demonstrated that he can feel it coming, and he has also learned to let it go. It's not always easy or fun but we are definitely getting there! I'm gonna go - Easy and I are going to watch Click now that the kids are all in bed. Hope you all have a great Christmas - ours is has already been fantastic and it's just getting started!

New Frontiers

2006-12-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

Friday Five this week is dedicated to the new frontier my son is conquering:

Five places Tripp Peed yesterday:

5. On the carpet sitting in front of the TV watching Elmo's Potty Time - this actually happened twice.

4. In his cute little undies (boxer briefs!) standing in front of the TV watching Elmo's Potty Time.

3. On the carpet sitting next to his Little People toys playing in his room - again this one happened twice.

2. In his diaper approximately 30 seconds after I put it on him for nap time - seriously, I think he was holding it until then!

and the #1 place Tripp put his TT yesterday..............................................

In the Potty!!!!!!!!!

We had two success - one in the morning and one in the evening. I've already figured out that when sitting on the potty he can feel it coming and tries to hold it. I suppose after two years peeing in the very confined space of a diaper it is a little weird to let it go when your just hanging out there on the potty. But he did - twice! I'm proud and I'm convinced he is ready to learn how to do it for real. Day two begins when we get back from picking up my suburban from the shop. With dilligent effort and a few prayers my hope is to have him trained (excluding sleep time) by the time he goes back to school in January. Wish me luck!!!!!

Brrrrrrrrrr..........

2006-12-03T13:23:00.000-06:00

It's cold outside AND in my house! OK, so I'm glad we're actually having cold weather because I love cold weather....when my heater works - which it doesn't. Thursday night Easy commented that he didn't think it was working right. Having been chasing kids and cooking I didn't hink the house was all that cold. Friday morning I conceded that he was right. Poor Viv slept in little spurts of 2-3 hours because she got cold enough it woke her up. So, a very nice tech came out and "fixed" the problem late Friday. He said it was a temporary fix and he would find out how to permanently fix it and be back next week. Silly me, I thought the temp fix would actually last until he came back. No such luck. We had heat until sometime early this morning. Now it's cold. Viv's still fighting a cold, Tripp's coming down with one and its cold in my house. I think I'll be sleeping on the couch tonight so I can snuggle Viv close and keep her warm. I'm unhappy. My babies are cold and there is nothing I can do until tomorrow. Grrrrrrrrrr, oh I mean Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

On a happier note - I want to give Josh Jones a shout out for what he did with our POPS class this morning. Last week Josh asked all the men to stay after for a moment. I'll admit, some of us wives talked this week trying to figure out what they were up to. Well, this morning we found out. Our entire class time was spent listening to our hubbies tell us "3 reasons" why the love us. The cool part I thought was that no one really had 3 things. It was either way more than that, or was a continuous thought on how amazing their wife is, or they got choked up and couldn't really talk. I've never seen more men cry. It was a beautiful outpouring of love. We are so loved and cherished by our husbands. Thank you God for prompting Josh to plan such an activity. And thank you Josh for listening. And thank you men for being so honest. And thank you Smooch for loving me. I love you too.

Friday Five

2006-12-01T08:46:00.000-06:00

Five Reasons I haven't blogged in two weeks:

1. I sprained the fool out of my ankle the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Did you know a sprained ankle can make your brain top functioning properly? It can.

2. I left town (and my computer) for 5 days to spend Thanksgiving with family in New Braunfels.

3. The amount of food I ingested while in New Braunfels slowed my reflexes so that it took until today to be able to think and type.

4. I got a cortisone shot in my wrist and had to start wearing a brace to hopefully releive the tendonitis I have there. (Be looking for a Friday Five of things it's difficult to do when your dominant wrist AND ankle are immobilized!)

5. I've been too busy putting up Christmas decorations in my house to stop and play on the computer!!!!!!!!! WooHoo!!!! It's December!!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Friday Five

2006-11-17T08:55:00.000-06:00

Five Things I LOVE About Cold Weather

1. Warm Drinks - most particularly Spiced Tea, recipe from Helen's Tea Room in Highlands, TX. Hot Chocolate is pretty good too.

2. Snuggly jammies ( I am a jammie-a-holic)

3. Snuggling with Smooch! (of course that's available year round, but it's just not as much fun to snuggle when you've both been sweaty in the Texas heat all day.)

4. The feel of crisp air on my face when the rest of me is toasty warm in winter clothes. (my fondest memories of this feeling are from high school when I'd wait outside the band hall with my letter jacket on - it alway struck my as strange that I could be so cozy and warm when the air on my face was COLD)

5. My cute winter house shoes from Old Navy. Pink with cream faux fur trim and cute little silver heart bangles that make noise when I walk.

Hooray for a little bit of cold weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

2006-11-15T17:04:00.000-06:00

I know it's a bit early, but MAN am I fired up for Christmas!!! I was at Hobby Lobby yesterday getting some stuffing for the stocking I'm making Viv (side note: if you make a handmade stocking for your first child you are obligated to make one for all subsequent children. If you haven't started a family yet, just file that nugget away and pull it out when you see that stocking kit that looks so cute when you are expecting your first. With each child you have less time for sewing crafts.) and I find that they have a sale on Christmas stuff! Many things are 50% off! I walk around a bit and then I see it. It's beautiful. It's big. It's full. It's pre-lit. It's on sale!!!!!!!! I think my heart literally skipped a beat. I got an amazing 9-foot tree (we have 12 foot ceilings!) at 30% off - I saved over a hundred bucks!!! For those of you who crunch numbers you will soon figure out that if 30% is a little over $100 it was still more than anyone really wants to spend on a tree. I'm considering this an investment though. We will be using this tree every year as my children grow up.

I remember the tree we had growing up. Every year we would get all itchy and scratchy as we shoved each of those limbs into the centerpole. Then we'd plug in this weird silver ball that made a sing-songy bird type noise. We'd ehang up all my snowflakes and all of Matt's silver ball ornaments. ( I started to say "hang up Matt's balls" but that sounded not quite right!) We'd check the lights and fix the bad ones until it was lit up and then - only then - did it really feel like the spirit of Christmas was in our house. Then Dad would say something like "Bah Humbug" and we'd laugh and enjoy the month of December. We'd put stockings on the big bookcase (no mantel in that house) and then check every day with a quick feel to see if there was anything inside. It was a fun time with lots of family time. December was always full of smiles as far as I can remember. Thanks Mom (and Mr. Bah Humbug) for helping us focus on love every December.

People talk about Christmas traditions. My hope is that when we put up our tree this year and set out all of my snowmen (I LOVE snowmen!!) that I can begin passing on not a tradition of how it should be done, but rather the heritage of love that is ours in Christ.

Friday Five

2006-11-10T08:34:00.000-06:00

I have several friends that do Thursday Thirteen on their blogs. I don't think I can come up with thirteen things every week so I decided I'd do Firday Five instead. So, here's the first installment:

Five thing I love about my new house:

1. The kitchen - four people can be in my kitchen working on something and not touching each other. This is phenomenal!

2. The laundry room - it has a door, but it is in the conditioned space - does it get any better? Oh, and the Duet W/D!

3. My bathroom - corner whirlpool tub for two anyone?

4. The pantry - it's actually in the kitchen as opposed to our last home where we actually built a pantry in the dining room because there wasn't one anywhere else!

5. My husband - OK, he's not actually part of the house, but the house is a gift from him. He worked (and still works) his rear end off getting it ready for us to move in and so that we can pay the mortgage each month and so many of the thing in this house were his idea (like the wood floors, and the use of the upstairs space, and the shower in our bathroom that our whole family will fit in - not that we've done that). Every time I turn into the neighborhood, after I think "How is that possibly my house?," I think "Wow, my husband loves me and our family more than I can put into words." Thanks Smooch!!!

Testing, Testing

2006-10-30T07:21:00.000-06:00

OK, it's been a major long time since I blogged. Things have been a bit rough in th etime management department for me lately. I'm working on it.

Since I don't have much time, I just want to put these few new flashes out there:

Tripp had his second b-day on Friday. How is that possible? We're going to start potty training soon. Pray for us.

Vivian is 6 months old now - constant babble and drool is what her world consists of.

And the big news..........I'm gonna be an Aunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you hear the angels singing? Matt and Kara are pregnant!!!!! Due May 5, 2007.

Well, the baby is crying - time for that morning feeding..........I promise to write again soon. I've had many things on my mind as of late and I need to post them to make room for my brain to function!

Hmmmmmmmm

2006-09-13T14:26:00.000-06:00

Easy and I will be traveling via airplane soon so I was checking out the new restrictions. One product that is allowed struck me as funny. For the most part you are not allowed liquids or gells of any kind. There are a few exceptions...baby formula/food, small amounts of breastmilk, up to 4oz of saline solution, prescription meds, and.........drumroll please..........up to 4oz of KY Jelly? Hmmmmmmmmmm

In other news, school has started. The kids are loving it and so am I. Both P & T have great classes with friends in them. T picked up his first tummy bug of the school year. I've been told it lasts about three days. I hope no one else gets it.

And one last tid bit. We've been talking a lot about whether or not we are done having babies. We're probably 90% sure were done. We got a little affirmation on that. Last week some friends of ours had a baby boy and named him Brody. That happens to be the name we would have used had V been a boy! So, the last name we had in our little name bank has been used! So, I'm thinking if the name bank is empty, perhaps the baby oven better stay that way.

Schedule, What Schedule?

2006-08-17T07:40:00.000-06:00

OK, I know this title was on the list I put out a few posts ago, but this is a completely different topic than I had in mind then. The title just seemed to fit so I'm using it.

It's been an interesting week sind my children came home from there week long vacation with my folks. Viv and I got used to the slow pace we kept while the "big kids" were away. I'm a little tired from the return of full-on parenting of three. I did, however, do something that has made life eaiser.

While the kids were off playing and having fun I made a schedule. Now, I know there are some out there that would say this was way to anal-retentive of me. Anyone who knows me should know that my AR tendencies are random and have diminished since giving birth to my firstborn. The schedule is one of the few things I've done in the recent past that would even fall into that category. It does indeed start at 6:00 am and end at 11:00 pm, broken into half hour increments. Some things that made the schedule are times for food (meals and snacks), times for sleep, times when TV is allowed or not, crafting time, family time, bath time, etc... There is even a list under the schedule of "Mommy's Chores" that sort of splits things up into a managable system for keeping up with the cleaning and laundry. It's a great backbone for my days. It has even helped with Paris' whining issues because now I can say "Let's look at the schedule and see. No, it's not TV time you'll have to wait."

So, how has the week gone since they got back? Monday - great! Tuesday - started great. Tuesday afternoon Paris spiked a 103 fever. She does this on occasion so I wasn't to worried, but an hour after Motrin it had gone up, not down. We still managed to keep some semblance of routine/schedule that day. Vivian also decided that she was not really interested in eating a decent amount - I was a little concerned since it was the second day she was only "snacking" but I figured she was maybe just tired. And then Wednesday came....

Paris starts the day at 103 with a little cough. I call and get her an appointment at 1:20. I take the little ones to my friend Stephanie so I can go see my OB/GYN. It is SO pleasant to go to the lady doctor with a feverish four year old. Vivie was still not eating well, hadn't pooped in a week, and seemed to be messing with an ear a lot so I called and got her in at the same time as Paris' appointment. Had lunch at my friends and waited around there until it was time to take them in. Take all three children into Scott & White (Tripp was just along for the ride). The doc says everything looks OK. Paris most likely just has a virus and is doing that Mystery Fever thing she does and Vivie might have a touch of a tummy bug making her not hungry, but nothing he could find was actually wrong. We come and put everyone down for rest and feed the baby. Vivie ate like a champ and filled her diaper with poop. She now owes me $30 for the wasted co-pay. By the time Easy got home it was just nuts around here. I didn't even start dinner until he got home. No chores got done and I thought to myself, "Schedule, what schedule?"

God - thank you so much for teaching me that just because I have a schedule doesn't meant I HAVE to stick to it. Thank you for growing in me a tolerance for chaos, patience for sick kids, and the ability to laugh at my AR tendencies. Help me today to play "catch up" around my house and to maintain my desire to stop and have crafting time with my kids. It really is fun.

A New Test

2006-08-08T17:22:00.000-06:00

First, let me apologize to those of you who cast a vote a few posts back. I will soon post the Life with Teenager topic for you. The rest of the subjects on the list have sort of faded from my mind so if you voted for another you'll have to just use your imagination.

Today's topic is related to one of those options I listed though! Send the Mortgage to the Arachnids was on the list but got only one vote. For those of you who know me very well at all you know I have issues with spiders. Truth be told I am a full fledged arachniphobe. In reaction to seeing spiders in the past I have screamed, run, thrown up, had uncontrollable shivers and goosebumps, had my hands go numb, and of course simply been frozen in fear. I acknowledge that these reactions are irrational. They have been in my experience also uncontrollable.

Well, our new house is a bit out in the country. We have an acre lot so there is room to breathe between us and our potential neighbors. It's beuatiful out here. Except for the spiders. We have Garden Spiders. Garden Spiders get BIG. The also weave beautiful webs. During the final weeks of construction my efforts to come out and get some painting done by myself were thwarted by Garden Spiders that seriously seemed to be garding every entrance to my house. It took me 45 minutes to get in the house that night.

So, God and I had a little chat. He's come through in a big way since then. We had our bug guy, the fabulous Don Hancock, come spray the week before we moved in. We haven't had much trouble with the larger spiders (larger to me being anything larger than a quarter) since then. However, after living in the house about three weeks we seemed to be overrun by smaller solid black spiders. Every night they would start running around not long after we put the kids to bed. One evening we saw and/or killed over ten of the little suckers. They ranged in size from pea to penny and I had no irrational reactions. As a matter of fact, God as given quite a dose of courage to me. Since moving in I've gone from irrational reactions to being able to kill them without flinching. I've even killed a few with a bare hand or foot. I've been quite proud. After today I'm guessing I was a little too proud because I got a new test.

I'm headed to the utility room to get Easy's whites out and I see it on the top of the door frame. A large spider you ask? No, no. It was much worse. It was an arachnid with an exoskeleton. Yep, that's right. A scorpion was in my house. How did I react? Frozen in fear with waves of goosepimples washing over my skin. I know enough about scorpions to know you don't want one stinging you. Once my initial panic subsided I had to come up with a plan. I got one of Easy's shoes and began the stalking. I'm not dumb enough to take a swing at it when it's over my head. Seriously, who wants a not quite dead scorpion landing on them? So I waited and watched. The creepy little thing ran up and down the door frame and all over the baby gate. Every time it vanished to the other side of the baby gate and then came back a new wave of goosepimples washed over my skin. The way it moves is almost pretty. I mean if it wasn't a creepy arachnid that can cause intense pain you could almost see the beauty of the way it seems to glide around as it waves its pedipalps (those are the pincher things at the front) around and sticks his tail up like a flag. To me though, it was just plain creepy. It was tough. It took about an hour, but I finally got it. A few smacks with one of Easy's big shoes would hurt anybody and it dfefinitely did the job on the scorpion.

So, tomorrow I will call the fabulous Don Hancock again and have him come spray for every pest imaginable. And tonight I am reminded that no matter how good I get at smacking spiders, there will always be things in the world that scare me. I am thankful that I will always have God to give me strength and courage and comfort. Oh, and in case you are wondering, the big kids are at my folks' house for the week so no one had to witness the crazy lady stalking a scorpion.

I'm tired off.....

2006-08-01T07:59:00.000-06:00

dead fish, dirty dishes, not having drawers, 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 am pacifier runs, taking the dog out with no fence, spiders, boxes, headaches, dust, laundry, gibberish, and weeds.

But I'm thankful for a daughter that loves her fish tank and doesn't mind flushing her dead fish down the toilet, my dishwasher, a kitchen big enough that utensils can sit on the counter and I still have room to cook, a healthy, happy baby girl, a sweet dog and an enormous yard for him to play in, the stuff that's still in boxes, Tylenol, the stuff that dust settles on, a son that communicates well even though he doesn't speak english yet, having flower beds, and the 4 million other blessings I see in my life every day. Thank you Lord for filling my life with so many wonderful things. And forgive me for not having a positive flip side for spiders - I really am just tired of them.

Still Wakin' Up Everyday

2006-07-21T15:41:00.000-06:00

OK, so it's been a long while since I posted. Yes, we are all still alive and well. I've been experiencing a lot of things lately that made me think "I should blog about that." Getting that done has proven to be much more difficult than you might think. Below you will find a list of things I've had rolling around in my mind - go ahead and cast your vote and whichever wins will be my next post.

Barefoot at Wal-Mart
Send the Mortgage to the Arachnids
Life with a Teenager
Visiting Campus (Creating a new Ag)
Where is My Husband?
Three weeks, no shower.
Who needs Cabinet Doors or Drawers?
Schedule, What Schedule?

Movin', Movin', Movin'.........

2006-06-13T19:33:00.000-06:00

Quick update - we are moving to the new house this weekend. We have gotten it to the "functional" point so we're ready to go. I think for at least a week we will all be having to share the one functional bath tub (which happens to be my amazing corner garden tub for two!) and one functional sink (in the kitchen). That should be interesting. I'm really glad we have a sprayer on the garden tub so we can at least squirt ourselves off. I must say though - it's hard to imagine Easy getting up at 5 something in the morning to get ready for work in the garden tub! He's such a shower man. I know he sleeps standing in the shower so I'm going to make him set an extra alarm just in case he falls asleep in the tub! I better run - lots to get done between now and then!!

Time Flies

2006-05-30T12:52:00.000-06:00

It's hard to beleive little Viv is alread 51/2 weeks old. It's been pretty crazy around here, but we're holding our own. Here's the latest update on things: (and I promise to go back to writing witty and sometimes thought provoking posts after we get moved and settled in the new house)

Vivian: Growing like a weed. We've been battling a pretty bad case of eczema. It is finally getting better, but it took a while. She had it all over her little face, ears, neck and shoulders. Her face is cleared up but now we're fighting it in other areas. She also had to go see an ENT today. Viv failed her hearing test in the hospital and again at 4 weeks. After our visit this morning we discovered she has an ear infection in one ear - and may have even had one in both last week when she failed the test. So, we're doing antibiotics and have appoitnments to follow up and retest her hearing toward the end of June. We know she hears loud noises - you should see her jump when Easy sneezes! She also seems to quiet down to singing and responds to Paris' voice so we aren't too concerned at this point.

Tripp - teething like crazy. If those bottom molars don't break through soon I think I might go nuts. He is cranky and cries a lot. He's also adding words to his vocabulary. His most recent additions are bubble and car. He has also begun to push back when Paris is holding on to him or trying to wrestle with him. I think she has a rude awakening in her near future when he realizes he can fight back.

Paris - doing great. She misses school already and she really wants to move to the new house. We go from having wonderful fun together to her being a total pill and back to fun several times a day. She would love to be the one in charge of either Tripp or Vivian and doesn't seem to fully understand why that's not such a good idea. I keep telling her she doesn't have any milk to feed the baby and she just looks at me and says "You do that part silly!" We are planning to get her a fish for her birthday so maybe the concept of responsibility will start to sink in after that. As of now, all she knows she is responsible for is keeping up with Badges (her little stuffed dog) and he gets lost...A LOT!

Easy - working like a dog trying to get the house done.

Me - hanging in and smiling most days. Thank goodness for a good mom that lets me call and talk to her every day if I need to hear a grown-up voice or have someone give me a bit of perspective.

House - coming along. The cabinets should be here tomorrow. The floors are almost all done - just need to grout one bathroom. Easy says moving on the 17th is still a go. Keep praying.

In other news - I'm planning to attend a summer study on Psalms on Wednesday mornings at church. I've missed the structured study time I used to have before I started working childcare during Ladies' Class so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also planning to attend a knitting class at church on Wednesday nights. It's called Threads of Love - we learn to knit, study scriptures, and in the end we donate a blanket we have made to Hope Pregnancy Center (I think). Well, Viv is stirring so I better wrap this up. I'll try to post again soon.

Quick Update

2006-05-09T14:26:00.000-06:00

I don't know how much time I have so this will be quick........

Vivian Faith was born on April 21st. She was and is beautiful. Good eater, fairly good sleeper. Weird thing she does....snarfs breast milk out of her nose. I'll be asking the pediatrician about that next time I'm in there.

The siblings are adjusting well. Paris is in love. Tripp is just now acknowledging that she exists. Most of my time is spent trying to stay a step ahead of our "routine" so that nobody gets TOO hungry or TOO thirsty and TOO stinky. That's when the melt downs happen and we like to avoid melt downs.

The house is coming along. I think we'll move the weekend of June 17th. We finally got a shipping date on our cabinets that have been holding us up so I am very encouraged. Everything else is falling right into place so I marked my calendar and am planning to move one weekend and have Paris' b-day party the next. Am I nuts?

And lastly....You know your boobs are too big when..........You're getting dressed in the morning and as your remove your sleep bra (if you don't know what that is then your boobs are NOT too big) a potato chip falls and hits your foot. You then think briefly about when you ate potato ships last and realize that it was the night before. Indeed you realize you slept "all" night and nursed a baby 2 or 3 times without ever knowing there was a potato chip hiding under your boob.

Clearly I am no princess for I would NEVER know there was a pea under the mattress!

To Everything Turn turn turn...

2006-04-06T16:58:00.000-06:00

I find myself with mixed emotions today. There truly is a season, and purpose, to everything under heaven. I don't think they are clear cut seasons though. I think they overlap so much sometimes that we don't really know where we are or exactly how we feel. Either way, I love the scripture (and song) that addresses this topic.

I have a plaque in my home with the scripture printed on it that was given to me by some very special friends. Technically it's already packed up for the move, but I can picture it clearly in my mind. It has been special to me since the day I received it. Those special friends are part of my mixed emotions today. Over the last year they have come under attack by Satan himself. Their marriage has gone from bumpy to shaky to court dates. These are people that I love. They helped raise me as part of my extended Christian family. They truly shaped parts of who I am. My heart is breaking for them and there is nothing I can do but cry for them and pray with faith that God will see them through this - together or not.

Another good friend lost her father in a car accident last night. I don't even know what to say to her. I think if I were in her shoes I would be in a useless heap on my living room floor. As part of me grieves with her, we rejoice together. Her father was baptized Sunday morning. Praise God! He so clearly has a plan for his children. Talk about mixed emotions. The spirit part of us is doing flip-flops of joy over his decision to accept Christ as his personal savior and the human part of us grieves his departure from this world.

And then there is the stuff happening in my own house! I am getting so very excited to meet Sweet Vivian!! Her arrival is so soon. Within two weeks I would say. I can't wait to see what she looks like and introduce her to her sister and brother. To see that look of total and complete adoration on Easy's face when he looks at her. I'm not sure if Easy realizes that's what shows when he looks at his children, but that's what I see. And at the same time I am very anxious about her arrival. Exactly how will she get her? I'm schedule to have the procedure done on Monday where my doctor will try to turn her. Will it work? If it doesn't, what will a c-section be like? If it does, when will I actually go into labor and have her?

So, my seasons are overlapping a great deal at the moment. In our cradle roll classes we teach the babies about warm clouds and cold clouds meeting and making thunder and lightening. That ties in well with the storm analogy from my last post. Amidst the thunder and lightening and increasing winds however is a very quiet voice. "Sarah, be still. I've got it covered. Afterall, I am God and I love my children more than you can fathom."

Father God, thank you for loving us so very much. Let your peace and comfort be on all those who need it. I think that includes all of us here on earth. You know specifically who is on my heart right now. I know this next request is a bit selfish, but if you don't mind Lord, could you tell Vivian to turn, turn turn........