My life as a mother, wife and woman!!

Post It Note Tuesday

2009-11-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Another Post It Note Tuesday! YAY!!! Just click on that button up there to join in and/or check out other Post It Note Tuesdays.

Here are today's notes:

Post It Note Tuesday

2009-11-03T15:33:00.003-06:00

Just discovered this little carnival! And it took me all day, but I finally figured out how to get these little posty thingys up. If you want to read more or participate in Post It Note Tuesdays, just click on that button up there!

Without further ado, here are my notes for today:

The law of the land....

2009-10-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

Laws were created for good reasons. They were created to maintain peace and structure in our society.

Most of us know that it is against the law to run a red light or to steal a car or to rob a bank or to kill that bastard who slept with your best friend right after he proposed to you.

But.....

Did you know that in Louisiana “Fake” wrestling matches are prohibited? Now if that's really the case, then why none of the WWE wrestlers have never been arrested? They come to the Cajundome at least once a year! And...."Spectators at a boxing match may not mock one of the contestants." Damn!!! So much for calling that little dude a pansy.

Here's what else I found out about the laws in my home state:

"It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol." But my .45 is okay, right?

...and....

"Biting someone with your natural teeth is “simple assault,” while biting someone with your false teeth is “aggravated assault." So if you want to bite someone, be sure to do it BEFORE you get those dentures.

If ever you're in the fine state of Texas, you should remember that "it is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing." I think this is a great law because if you're going to be drinking THAT much, you really should sit down. Also as is the law of the lone star state, "Up to a felony charge can be levied for promoting the use of, or owning more than six dildos." And in Dallas, "It’s illegal to possess realistic dildos." (Note to self: don't move to Texas.)

The Man has family living in Tennessee. We always talk about making a trip up there one summer. But here is what's been keeping us back for so long. In Tennessee, "You can’t shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile." Ya'll, The Man really had his heart set on whale hunting. Also, "Giving and receiving oral sex is still prohibited by law." As the saying goes, sucks to be you!......or not. But what the real deal breaker is that it's "Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians." And my man don't run, I'm just sayin'!

And since we're touring our fine country, you should know that in sunny California "drinking intoxicating cement is prohibited." Because I hear that stuff can really clog your arteries. And if you happen to go to Hollywood, keep in mind that "it is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time." Just in case you wanted to do that. You might want to leave that extra little black sheep at home.

If you ever pass through Oklahoma City, you should know that "no one may walk backwards downtown while eating a hamburger." Ice cream or nachos is okay, but not a hamburger.

That's just a few simple laws from our fine states. So if you're going to be travelling soon, please go to www.dumblaws.com first to learn the laws of the land. I would hate for you to end up in jail for shooting that humpback from the back of your pickup while driving through Memphis.

Stupid Names

2009-10-28T14:08:00.002-05:00

I think that one of the major problems with today's world is that people just don't think enough. They don't think enough and they don't own enough mirrors.

Side note.....if you haven't already, check out www.peopleofwalmart.com. And brace yourself. One would think that while those people were already shopping at Wal-Mart, they would buy a mirror.

Back to the subject.....unthinking people.

For all you parents-to-be out there, THINK before you name your children. Please! If not for me, then at least for your child. Because they will have to live with that name for the rest of their lives.

Now I can understand different cultures and languages and family names...yadda, blah, etc.

But sometimes.......just sometimes.......people don't think.

For instance, if your last name is Head, Trickle, Ryder or Little............I wouldn't suggest naming your son Richard. I'm just sayin'. And just in case you're wondering and since Google is my BFF, Dick Head is a ReMax agent. I wonder if he's the head agent? hhmmm....

Anyhoo, moving on.

We all know that celebrities can throw some weird ones out there too. But since they're rich and famous, they can do all that.

I'm all about naming your child after a loved one, a hero, idol, etc. Heck, two of my kids are named after loved ones. But naming your child after objects or food? Come on, people! Think how little Apple will feel when her schoolmates start asking her if she has a sister named Orange. And can I just say that I was a little disappointed when Gwyneth Paltrow named her son Moses. Now I like the name Moses. I do. I was just hoping for something along the lines of Banana or Avocado. I was hoping for consistency.

The list goes on and on, my friends.

Constance Payne (who is a veterinarian by the way)
Seymour Balls (No, I've seen enough thank you.)
Dan Singh (ballroom or ballet?)
Formica Dinette (I kid you not. I wonder if she's the sister of Bedroom Sett)
Ben Dover (poor child!)

::sigh::

I think I'm going to call my mother and thank her for giving me a normal name.

Boo-humbug!

2009-10-28T10:15:00.002-05:00

I hate Halloween!

There I've said it. It's out there. Now the entire world knows that I'm a Halloween hater.

Yes, I know I have only 17 followers. Haven't you heard that it's a small world?

I am to Halloween as Scrooge is to Christmas. I guess that makes me Scroogenstein. Or maybe Scroogacula. Boo-humbug!

Anyhoo, I don't like Halloween. I dread it every single year. Especially now that I have children. Yes, I know I'm going to Mommy Hell because I hate having to dress my kids up and drag them to strangers' homes to beg for food. Trust me when I say that I am anxiously counting down the days until my youngest child is too old for Halloween.

You know what I hate most about Halloween? I hate finding a costume. I'm tight with my money and I don't like spending money on anything that is not a necessity. Costumes are not a necessity. And have you seen the prices of costumes these days? They're outrageous! SHEESH!! Rip off, much?

If I'm going to spend $20 on clothes, it's going to be something that my child can wear repeatedly for a long time. I'm not going to spend $20 on red crepe paper sewn together with the word ELMO stamped on it. Ain't happenin'!

But my kids love Halloween. That's right. I may be a bad mommy for hating it by I don't pass on my hatred to my kids. I just procrastinate a whole lot when it comes to costumes.

I prefer to make my kids costumes. Or at least try to. One year, Diva was a bag of leaves, and Red was a dalmatian. The Boy was still a baby so I just stuck a orange pumpkin face onesie on him and he went dressed as a baby wearing an orange pumpkin-faced onesie. Very original I tell you. Found a cheap white sweatsuit and some black shoe polish for Red's dalmatian costume. For Diva, I found some autumn leaves for 75 cents. Stuck her in a black trash bag, stuffed the bag with newspapers, pinned the leaves to her black sweatshirt and there you go! Bag of leaves! It was a hit. That was the Halloween I actually enjoyed myself.

::sigh::

I just don't see the point of Halloween. Other than it's a great time of year for manufacturers and stores to make money.

I hate that my kids get so much candy and I can't even store it on top of the refrigerator anymore since these little weasels can climb a stool to reach it and then I end up having to argue with sugar-withdrawn children that are foaming at the mouth and look like they're ready to jump at my neck if I don't hand over the tootsie rolls and snickers right away.

I hate that I have to split up our time with HIS family and MY family when all I really want to do is stay home.

I hate it when my child wants to wear the same costume as every other kid in America and then I spend all evening calling out my child's name because there are 8 freakin' Tinkerbells with brown hair and I kick myself for being a horrible mother who can't pick her own freakin' kid out of a crowd!

I hate all the scary movies that are always playing the week of Halloween.

But I do enjoy seeing the smiles on my kids' faces. That's enough to keep me going every year.

Menu for the week:

2009-10-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have a few friends who suggested that I give menu planning a shot. I don't know how well this is going to work, since we have a pretty full schedule with catechism and soccer. But I figure if these other gals can do it with their full schedules, then so can I.

I think.

I'm thinking the trick is to find more crock-pot recipes. All I know how to make in my crock-pot is red beans & sausage. I know....very limited.

So here is the menu for the week:

MONDAY---redneck soup; beer bread

TUESDAY---enchilada casserole

WEDNESDAY---hamburger helper (I work late this night, so it's basically whatever the man throws together. This is usually his meal of choice if he has to cook, unless we have steaks already thawed, which we won't....because we don't have any steaks....and I'm not buying any until we eat all the meat that's already in the freezer.)

THURSDAY---chili dog casserole

FRIDAY---baked chicken; bismati pilaf; garlic pull-apart bread

SATURDAY---Halloween; doing chili dogs at a cousin's house

SUNDAY---lazy day; find it yourself

So there you have it, folks. Let's keep our fingers cross that I can actually pull this off.

Digital Scrapbooking

2009-10-12T11:20:00.002-05:00

Hey there, faithful readers! My very good friend, Nicole, has just started a scrap-for-hire business. Scrapbooks are fun to look at, and I am sure they are lots of fun to do as well. Unfortunately, for some of us, we're not that talented or coordinated. But Nicole has some unique talent and passion for this. Seriously, ya'll! Go check out her new site, Green Elephant Scraps.

If you look under her portfolio, you'll see the 4 canvases she did for me last year. I was so surprised and truly touched to tears when she presented me with these gifts. Those 4 canvases are a valued treasure in my home. As a matter of fact, I hired her to do some as gifts for loved ones last Christmas.

She can take your treasured photos and turn them into awesome keepsakes and gifts.

So go check out her work! And give her some business if you can! I promise you won't regret it.

To the man I loved first......

2009-09-24T09:54:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

You loved me first.

You held me first.

You gave me my first hug and my first kiss.

You held me when I was scared, crying or sick.

You made me laugh.

You lit up my world.

You hung the moon and the stars.

And you still do.

You gave me everything I ever wanted.

Even when you were angry, even when we fought, I knew you loved me.

You have always made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. You make me feel like a princess.

You have always made me feel safe, especially in your arms.

You are strong, generous, kind, smart and loving.

I am so proud and honored to call you Daddy.

Thank you so much for being the perfect father to me. Thank you for loving me and taking care of me. But most importantly, thank you for teaching me what to look for in a husband and father to my children.

No matter how old you are and no matter how old I am......near or far.....dead or alive.....I will always be your little girl.

I love you, Daddy!!!!!!!

To the best something-something-year-old mom.....

2009-09-23T08:19:00.003-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Today is my mom's birthday. I already called to wish her a happy birthday. And I already posted it on my Facebook. But Mama doesn't have a Facebook. She just learned how to google. One step at a time, my friends.

But my mom does read this blog, which is why I'm not posting her age as of today. You didn't think I would reveal something like that, did you? HECK NO!! I love my mother, and I love the relationship I have with my mother. And I'm spending the weekend with her this weekend. So I'm not saying a word. Because some people are a little sensitive about their age. Not that my own mother is like that, but I'm still not saying anything just to be on the safe side.

But years ago, she was born. Because that's how birthdays get started. She was 7th of 9 kids. Talk about a house full of kids--literally.

My mom is amazing! Now if you would have asked me that 15 years ago, I would have given you a completely different answer. Because it wasn't pretty then. My mom and I fought a lot when I was a teenager. Frequently. I like to think that we fought to have the relationship that we have now.

You see, we're exactly alike. We are both very stubborn. We both have bad tempers. We have big hearts and are generous with our love. We both put others before ourselves. We both have a certain way of doing things, and we both believe that our way is the right way. And that if everyone did our way, the world would be a better place.

Needless to say, we butted heads a lot.

To make a very long story much shorter, all of that began to change. I grew older. I matured. With great effort on both our parts, we learned how to have a civilized conversation.

When I got married and when I had children, I saw my mother in a whole new light. Finally, I began to understand her and why she did certain things and why she said certain things. Because once upon a time, she had been my age. She had been through most of the things that I was going through.

I can honestly tell you today that my mother is my best friend. I can tell her anything. We have amazing, open conversations. We don't agree on everything, but we have a lot of respect and admiration for each other.

So, Mama......thank you for being the awesome woman that you are. Thank you for being an excellent role model. For always taking care of me and wanting the best for me, even though I couldn't see it then. Thank you for your strength and confidence and your belief in me. I hope and pray that I can be at least half the woman you are, and that one day my own children will look at me the way that I look at you.

I love you, Mama!!!!!

And....

2009-09-03T07:56:00.002-05:00

....I'm angry at myself.

I'm angry because I've made so many mistakes and I can't go back and change anything.

And I'm angry because no matter how hard I try to make things better, things just keep getting worse.

I'm mad because just when I think I'm doing okay and depression is all behind me, I realize that I've been fooling myself.

I'm pissed because I feel like I don't have anyone to talk to. And I don't want to talk to anyone. So I am left with all this gunk built up inside me, churning.

I'm angry because I can't afford to give my children everything they want or take them to nice places. And I get pissed because when I say something like, "Well we can't afford to do that." then somebody pipes up with "See that's why we decided to have only 1 child." That pisses me off!!! I don't regret having 3 children. I've always wanted more than one. But I'm not going to sit here and pretend that it's not hard.

I'm angry at myself because when I thought I was doing something right, I just screwed everything up.

I'm mad because I didn't finish college.

I'm mad because I lose my temper so easily with my children.

I'm angry because I'm not attracted to my husband like I was all those years ago.

I'm pissed because I just want to be left the fuck alone!!!!!

I'm mad because I feel so trapped.

And I can't say any of that out loud.

2009-09-02T23:50:00.002-05:00

Certain conversations today (which I will not go into detail about) have revived old feelings. They have made me think...about things I did not want to think about. And they have caused me to realize something.

I'm angry.

I'm pissed.......

....at God.

Faith!

HA!! You would think that since it was my name I would actually have some, huh? Ha, yea! Well.......

I know that God exists.

I've heard and read all the stories/scriptures.

I memorized all the prayers 20 years ago.

"You need to have faith.".......I know that.

"You just need to pray about it."...........Yeah, got that too.

And I swear...if one more person tells me I just need to let it all go and let God deal with it, I'll scream!!!

Because don't you think I did all of that?!

What do you think happens to a person's FAITH when they believe and they trust and they pray?

And then they wait.......and pray........and believe.......and pray.....and wait.

And they are on their knees praying and begging and crying and pleading with Him for His help.

His divine intervention.

They do all these things for so long........and nothing!!

What do you think happens to their faith?

So........

I'm pissed!

And I'm scared!

I'm on empty. The needle is shaking at the bottom and that red light is lighting up a storm. I have the medal to the pedal and I'm going no where.

I'm PISSED!!!!!!!!!

I'm pissed because I did all those things and He didn't answer me.

Haven't I always thanked Him for everything He has done for me? Everything He has given me?!?! Haven't I been grateful!!!!!!

I'M MAD!!!!!!!!

Ask anyone who knows me what happens when I get mad.

I stop talking. Because if I'm pissed and I start talking, then I'll say something I will regret.

So I just keep my mouth shut.

Except now my children are getting older and I am meeting new people. And these conversations keep popping up and my kids are asking questions and it's all making me think. It's making me confront the fact that I am angry at God.

I hate confrontations.

And it all just ticks me off!!!

A book or two....or three or four

2009-08-26T13:54:00.002-05:00

I love to read. Always have. Just ask my mother or virtually anyone that knows me. My nose is always in a book. I will read virtually anything I can get my hands on.

Except for most sci-fi and those trashy little romance novels. Reading a Harlequin is like watching a Lifetime movie: the same thing always happens. (However, I have noticed lately that Lifetime has improved on their movie making.) Also, I don't like to waste time on a book. If I can't get into it by the third or fourth chapter, then I just toss it to the side.

I've been busy over the summer. The local librarians know me by name now.

This is mainly because over half of my favorite shows do not play during the summer. There was no "Dancing With The Stars", "Grey's Anatomy" or "Brothers & Sisters". I had to keep myself occupied somehow.

So here's what I've been reading.....and what I tried to read:

4 by Jodi Picoult---Mercy; Vanishing Acts; My Sister's Keeper; and Harvesting The Heart.
I loved "Vanishing Acts" and "My Sister's Keeper". Loved them!!! I sobbed (like shoulder shaking, gasping for air sobs) through the last 2 chapters of MSK. And I'm not going to give anything away but I will say this--it DOES NOT end like you think it will. I'm just sayin'. Now if it's one thing I've noticed about Jodi's books, it's that she changes point of view quite often. While this can oftentimes be annoying, I've enjoyed enough of her books to learn to deal with it. As for "Mercy" and "Harvesting The Heart", I didn't really care for those. There were many scenarios written in HTH that I simply did not see the relevance to the plot. And "Mercy", it kept me interested, but then the book just...ended. And THAT is something that really ticks me off. You have all these issues going on and then everything just comes to a screeching halt and nothing is resolved. But that's just me.

I also read The Shack, as some of you may recall me talking about this a while back. There was a particular part of the book that I had a very difficult time getting through. It just hit me right down to the core and bothered me. But I got through it--as others who have read it suggested to me--and I must say that this book was an excellent read. If anyone has recently suffered the loss of a loved one, this is the perfect book for them. Two thumbs up.

Anyone ever heard of Wicked by Gregory Maguire? I had heard of the book, and I also heard rave reviews about the play. Naturally, I'm thinking that the book is as good as the play, which is something I have longed to see. Well....talk about a disappointment. By the time I got to the end of chapter three, I had no idea what was going on and I couldn't understand what any of the characters were saying. My brain told me the book was written in English, but it might as well have been Mandarin for all I knew. Couldn't understand a word.

Recently, I finished reading In The Company Of Angels by Nicole Kelby. It was definitely interesting. Enough for me anyway. And I'm not going to say that it was bad. It was just.....well, there were many things that happened that I wasn't quite sure what was going on and the author didn't exactly explain anything. I finished the book still unsure about the fate of the main characters.

Right now I am reading Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea!. And I am LOVING it!!!!! After the past few tear-jerkers I read, I really needed something that wasn't so serious. And let me warn you....if you do not have a light sense of humor, then this isn't the book for you. If you want some great laughs, then pick up this book. It's hilarious!!!!! After sobbing through other books and now laughing through this one, The Man has officially diagnosed me as "touched". What does he know anyway? His idea of literature is the satellite channel guide and Guns & Ammo magazine.

And there you have it, folks. My reviews. Take 'em or leave 'em. Just my thoughts. If you loved one of these books and I didn't, then kudos to you. Please share your thoughts, especially if you've read something interesting or something I should stay away from. I'm always looking for something else to read.

An update....of sorts

2009-08-24T13:29:00.003-05:00

There are lots of legitimate excuses for my lack of interesting blog posts lately. (HA! Like I ever gave you an interesting one to start off with, huh?)

School has started.

Soccer has started and both my girls are playing again.

Catechism will begin in a few weeks and I've been registering the kids for that.

Work has kept me busy.....as work is wont to do.

We are getting serious about potty training The Boy. (Because you know we were only joking before.....but now we're serious.)

The a/c in my truck only works when it wants to, which makes it difficult for me to decide whether or not I want to fix it. But then I balance the check book and realize that I can't anyway.

Our lawn mower may be on its last leg....or wheel. First it was the blades and then it was a rotor-something-or-other and then the floater had to be replaced and now I think it has clogged arteries and a very good possibility of congenital heart failure. But I'm no mechanic so don't go off of my theories.

One of the burners on my stove doesn't work at all and the other one works when it wants to. (I'm beginning to think that everything and everyone around here only works when they want to. I may have to start trying that.)

Then--over the weekend and because you know the gods hate me--the bottom thingy that holds the blades at the bottom of my dishwasher broke. Quite frankly this is a real emergency and trumps everything else. I'm trying to convince The Man to put this at the very top of his priority list. I mean, he can't actually expect me to WASH the dishes by hand now can he?! That's just absurd and unnatural. UGH!

To be quite honest, I've gotten online several times the past couple of weeks to write a good post. But nothing came to mind. Mostly because I've lost my mind, but that's not the point. At least I haven't lost a child, and that's what is most important. I may have to go searching for one every so often, but I haven't lost one yet! I do a headcount every night. Still got 3!

Plusalsotoo, I'm not in a good mood today and haven't been for the past few days. PMS. 'Nough said.

And I've been reading a lot. But I'll create a different post about what I've read. What I liked and didn't like.

The girls are loving school. Red--a little too much since she's been getting a less-than-good conduct grade for talking in class. According to her, her brain is just so excited about school that her mouth just opens up and the words come out. Right......anyway. I think this may be her last season of soccer, since she doesn't seem very enthused by it. Diva, however, is loving every second of it. Of course, she's the more active of the two.

Speaking of Diva, she's learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. It was thrilling to see her get the hang of it. And this girl has been riding her bike every second she gets. But last week, we had to forbid her from riding for several days. (All that rain helped us out!) See not only is Diva very clumsy, but she also bruises easily. The Man and I were worried that CPS would be knocking on our door at any minute. And I was afraid that she would get sick and then I would have to take her to the doctor and they would arrest me on the spot once they saw all the bruises on her legs and elbows. And that one under her chin from when she fell onto the corner of the coffee table. Or the bruise on her forehead from sliding head first into another kid on a water slide. Seriously, my girl could hurt herself in a padded room while wearing a straight jacket.

I mentioned potty training The Boy earlier. It's going very well. And that's all I'm going to say because I don't want to jinx anything.

So BIL said the lawn mower was fixed and I desperately wanted to mow my yard. I started to do just that yesterday once The Man got home. But then my mower must have a black lung because it kept coughing and wheezing and black smoke came out and then it died. Or at least fell unconscious. BIL took out his defibrillators and brought it back to life a couple of times but it kept going out again. He seems to think it may need some sort of transplant. But again....I'm no mechanic. All I know is that sucker better start working because we can't afford a new one and I would really hate to have to PUSH MOW my 1 acre of yard.

And that, my bloggy friends, has been life in my little part of the world. Until next time.....

Thank you, Lord...

2009-08-12T17:40:00.002-05:00

....for the bus drive who finally called me back.

....for the little boy in Red's class who rode the same bus as her and was able to show her and Diva which way to go.

....for the bus aide, who made it her priority to keep close to her these two new bus riders.

....for my smart little girl who was able to tell the bus aide her phone number when the driver couldn't find our address.

....for settling the hiccups of this school year quickly and smoothly.

....for taking this burden from me.

Now about this "other" situation........

PLEASE!

To Do List---For Today

2009-08-11T07:51:00.000-05:00

Not that any of you care, but just in case you were wondering why I'm crazy, here's a list of things I need to do today:

*Get the girls up and ready for school. (After I've gotten ready for work.)

*Get breakfast prepared and served.

*Check backpacks for all necessary items.

*If all goes well and according to plan, I can bring the girls to school on time.

*After dropping off the girls, I go to work.

*I could list everything I do at work, but that list is REALLY, REALLY long.

*But there are some things that I have to take care of while at work. (Thank God for an understanding boss.) For instance, I have to call the bus driver and the principal of the school and the superintendent and fight with all of them about the drop off location for my children. (I don't like where it's at, but that's an entirely different story for another post.)

*Go to city hall and pay a utility bill.

*Pick up the girls from school.

*Drop off the girls at home and quickly check their agenda books and folders for assignments.

*Somewhere in that general timeline, I have to find some lunch and inhale it in 5.4 seconds.

*Go back to work to finish up there.

*Rush home and pray that God will serve manna because I don't have time to cook and even though we have a refrigerator full of leftovers and a 9' x 12' pantry stocked with food, The Man swears on every holy book that we don't have anything to eat.

*Get Diva dressed and ready for soccer practice.

*Check completed homework and fight with the girls to correct any errors.

*Bring Diva to soccer practice and watch her practice for an hour.

*Race back home and see that God didn't serve manna after all.

*Serve the kids a suitable meal that does not include potato chips or cheerios.

*Make sure each of the kids takes a bath.

*Get uniforms and shoes and backpacks ready for the next day.

*Tuck the kids into bed. (3 kids.....3 tucks....3 lullabies.)

*Sit down at the desk to pay the bills.

*Pray that God miraculously deposited thousands or even hundreds of dollars into my account to cover the bills.

*Realize that didn't happen and prioritize which bills will be paid.

*Wash the dishes.

*Pick up in the living room, kitchen and dining room. Put everything back in its place. (Because apparently I'm the only one who knows where that place is.)

*Argue with the man about not helping me.

*Eventually give up and lock myself in the bathroom with a hot bubble bath, candles, a good book, and a glass of wine.

*By this time it is usually after 10pm. I lay down in bed and try to watch any shows I have recorded on the DVR....because that's the only time I watch tv.

*Make a mental list of everything that didn't get done and needs to get done the next day.

*Pray for God to give me the strength to do it all over again tomorrow.

(Just a typical day. Throw in another soccer practice, having to work late one night, catechism and a few nervous breakdowns....it's all the same.)

Happy 6th Birthday, Diva!

2009-07-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

My sweet little girl. My girly girl. It has already been six years. Six years that pass by much too quickly for this mama. To think, six years ago, I thought I would never sleep again. And I mean that quite literally.

You were difficult from the moment of the unexpected conception. I was constantly sick. "Morning sickness"......HA! I had 24-hour sickness......for the entire. nine. months. I barely kept anything down. It's a miracle I put on any weight at all.

You weren't a happy baby. And no one else could comfort you except me. Which made for a very stressed and a very exhausted mama. Because you didn't sleep through the night until you were 18 months old. Even in the womb, you were up at night. Always moving while I was trying to get some sleep. Looking back......I can see that as a warning sign to what kind of child you would be. :)

You are definitely active. I like to call you my high-spirited child. You are full of energy, exuberance and life. You've cheered up; thank God for that! haha. Most people in the family call you a drama queen. You don't have a happy medium. You're either in a great mood, or it's the end of the world. And you can switch between the two in a matter of seconds.

You are so sweet and kind. You dance to the beat of your own drum and it doesn't bother you one bit that you're not like your siblings or cousins or friends. You embrace your individuality and that makes me so happy to see. I would often worry about you because not only are you the middle child....but you don't look a thing like your siblings. While Red and The Boy have red hair, you have my brown hair. While they have pale skin, you are dark complected. And even though your brother and sister look just alike except for their eye color, you are a stark contrast by not resembling either one of them. So many people say that you look just like me, but I think you look just like your granny. And I have pictures to prove it. :)

You truly are a gorgeous little girl. You are artistic, compassionate, generous, and loving. You will always hold a special place in my heart. My very special little girl. I hope that you continue to be yourself. Unique. High-spirited. Not caring what anyone else thinks.

I love you, baby girl! More than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

If they are like this now......

2009-07-24T09:15:00.002-05:00

.....then God help me when they are teenagers!

Red is 7. She's very tomboy. She prefers boy stuff and most of her friends in school are boys. (I'm hoping she will grow out of it and at least be a little girly when she grows up.) She likes to wear baggy shorts and always has on a cap, which is usually backwards.....until her father gets home.

We love music in our house. At least a couple of nights a week, we turn the TV off and the radio on full blast. And we dance. And have a great time.

Red likes to jump around and play air guitar.

Diva has some questionable dance moves that are seriously inappropriate for a child of her age. (She'll be 6 on Sunday.) I blame television....and school friends.

Nevertheless, The Man and I always correct her and tell her that's not how girls should dance. So, last night, we had one of our regular rock-n-roll sessions. I jumped around a bit and did some toe-tapping and a few groovy steps. I tried to get Diva to do as I did. To which she replied, "no, Mama, that's lame."

WTF?!

I am NOT lame!! I'm a cool mom! I rock with my kids. We listen to loud music and we jam. I'm cool! I'm the epitome of cool!!!!

**sigh**

This is also the child who greeted me yesterday afternoon with two peace signs and a "'sup playa!".

God help me........

Why do I do this to myself?

2009-07-15T09:29:00.002-05:00

There are lots of things about being a mother that no one ever tells you about. One of those things is worrying. Granted, yes, other mothers told me I would worry about my children.

BUT.........

No one ever told me about the depth at which I would worry.

No one told me I would worry about everything.

No one ever said I would worry about things that haven't happened yet.

And even about things that may never happen.

I used to read just about every article in the newspaper. Now I scan the headlines quickly. I check for words such as child or infant. If any of these words are joined with death or assault or abuse, I skip the article.

I don't like to hear about children dying or hurt.

A couple of days ago, I started reading The Shack. I read and heard great reviews about it. So many people loved it. So many of my friends told me, "You have to read this book!"

I looked at the book. I read the summary in the back. If you want to see for yourself, just click on the book name above.

I am at the part where the father has discovered his daughter missing and the police have found a ladybug pin at the campsite.

Here's the thing for me: I didn't know that the little girl would be the same age as my own daughter. And I'm still hoping that maybe she's wandered into the woods and they are going to find her. Even though I pretty much know this isn't how the book is going to go.

Needless to say, all kinds of horrific images were floating through my head last night as I was trying to fall asleep.

When I hear or read of things like this--because even though I avoid these kinds of stories, I do stumble upon them unintentionally--I cannot help but to think of my own children. It's frustrating what the imagination can do. All kinds of what-ifs start rolling through my head.

What if the house alarm fails and someone manages to crawl into the kids' bedroom windows and steal them? And we don't hear a thing?

What if someone takes them while we are at a soccer game, and I let the kids play a few feet away from me while I watched the game?

What if it's hunting season and The Man is gone for the weekend and someone breaks in and hurts me and then the kids are left without anyone to protect them?

What if someone goes to their school and starts shooting?

What if one of them gets sick with an incurable disease? And I have to watch my baby suffer and die?

All sorts of horrible things. It's not like I have a sick imagination. I can't help but to think of these things sometimes. Believe me when I say that many times I wish I had an on/off switch for my brain.

Each night, I pray faithfully and fervently. "Please God, protect us. Please protect my babies. Let no harm come to us."

Then I start to think.....

I'm sure I'm not the only parent in the world who prays every single day and night for the safety and health of their children.

But bad things still happen.....

....to the parents who pray for their children.

So what if.....

....we're next?

Sometimes I can't help but wonder that we're in some sort of cruel bingo ball machine. And I'm just standing there watching, helplessly, waiting for our number to be called.

Panic and worry.

No one ever told me I would do these things incessantly.

No one ever told me it would keep me up at night.

I can't be the only mother out there that does this.........right?

I Gots Nothin'

2009-07-08T11:19:00.002-05:00

Other than some random songs that are on my iPod and blare through my ears quite frequently.

'Cause I love me some music.

And I like it loud.

"A Case of You" by Joni Mitchell

"Kitty" by The Presidents of the USA

"We Are Family" by The Pointer Sisters

"Rollin'" by Big & Rich

"Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Guns N Roses

"I Let Her Lie" by Keith Whitley

"Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback

"My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson

"Nothing Better To Do" by Leanne Rhimes

"Second Chance" by Shinedown

"Silver Car" by Chris Robinson

Just a few.

What are you listening to?

Tropical Disturbance

2009-06-26T18:52:00.002-05:00

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/topstories/todayinweather.html?from=hp_news1#tropicaldisturbance0626

I don't think I've ever been so glad to see a tropical disturbance entering the Gulf of Mexico.

Yes, I know. I may live to eat those words.

But right now. I'm glad.

I live in South Louisiana, people.

You probably haven't heard anything about us on the weather channel because the weather people don't give a crap about us unless a hurricane is looking to wipe us out.

But......

.....it's hot here.....

....and DRY....

My thermometer read 102 degrees at 5:00pm today.

I live on a gravel road. Which means that I create a dust storm by just walking across the little road to check my mailbox.

This little disturbance might give us some rain, which we desperately need.

So come on, little TD!!

Rain on my parade!!!

please...........

Is it just me........

2009-06-23T07:47:00.001-05:00

........or is my 7-year-old just a bit obsessive compulsive?

Seriously!

It can't be a good sign if my 7-year-old daughter organized and color-coordinated her own mother's sock drawer.

Daddies

2009-06-21T14:49:00.001-05:00

Daddies are special people. Especially to little girls.

Daddies let their little girls dress them up and do their hair. They let them put bows on their heads, even when they don't have any hair to attach them to.

Daddies always have the first dance. They let their little girls stand on their feet and swing them around the room. They let their little girls put her little head on their shoulders and the rest of the world disappears.

And daddies always let their little girls decorate the Christmas trees. These mighty men lift their little princesses on their shoulders so that she can put the star at the very top. Year after year, daddies do this until their little girls are tall enough to reach the top themselves.

Daddies are special. They are treasures. I am so blessed and grateful to have my daddy. And I am equally grateful and blessed that God put The Man in my life because he is an awesome daddy, just like the one I have.

Any man can be a father. But it takes a special kind of man to be a daddy.

Happy Father's Day to all those special daddies!!!

Vacation...all I ever wanted....

2009-06-18T18:12:00.002-05:00

So, this week I've been on vacation. And oh how I needed a vacation!!

Except now, I need to go back to work.

So I can rest. :)

But don't get me wrong. I've bee lovin' the vacation.

On Monday, the kids and I went visiting. We started off at my aunt's house, where my mom and her sisters congregate every other Monday. It was great seeing all of them. Chatting and visiting. The kids even got to see a few of their cousins. Then after that we went to the nursing home to visit my grandmother. Ma-Mom was sleeping when we got there. We woke her up to let her know we were there, but then she went right back to sleep. It was really good to see her. And she was really glad to see us too. THEN......after THAT, we went to my nannie's house--another of my mother's sisters. Nannie was babysitting her granddaughters. So there were more cousins for the kids to play with. My poor boy. The only poor among 6 girls. But he managed. My nannie loves to talk, which is only one reason why I love visiting with her. Because I'm not much of a talker. However, with my nannie....you have to be rude sometimes if you want to say what you have to say. By that, I mean that you have to interrupt her. That woman talks a mile a minute, especially when she's upset about something. And she looks exactly like my grandmother....another reason why I love her so much. And she's the most like my mother. What can I say? I love my nannie!

And after visiting my nannie, the kids and I headed to my mom's house. Where my girls proceeded to have temper tantrums until Granny agreed to let them spend the night. The tantrums weren't even full blown. UGH! That woman is so weak! She can't ever tell those kids no. She surely didn't have trouble telling me no! But that's a different story......

Wait! Where was I?

Oh, yes! So the first day of vacation was full of visiting.

On Tuesday, I took the kids and my brother to the movies. We went to see "Night At The Museum: Battle of The Smithsonian". What a great movie!!!!! I was so worried that The Boy was going to freak. But he didn't. He got scared at some points, but that was only because it was so loud. Other than that, he really enjoyed it. We all loved the movie.

Wednesday, I had plans of having lunch with some special people, but that all changed when we woke up that morning. Diva was sick. High fever. Nasty cough. Lethargic. No appetite. So off to the doctor we go. Taking all the kids with me because no babysitter could be found. It wouldn't have been too bad if we wouldn't have had to wait 2 HOURS!!!!!!!! And that was once we got into an exam room. I won't even get started on that. Needless to say, Diva has a very mild case of strep throat. So we got the Rx filled, came home and we ALL crashed. All that traveling around for 3 days really poops a person out.

Here we are on Thursday. I busted booty today trying to clean up the house. Although it doesn't really show because the children are still home. Lots of laundry....that still needs to be folded. I hate folding laundry. But I did manage to clean out the girls' closet and clean their room. Boy was that something! Four bags of clothes going to Goodwill tomorrow. And I threw out 1 bag of shoes. Gosh!!!! The junk they had in there!!! It was unreal!

And that has been my vacation thus far.

Tomorrow is errand day. And yard day. And dropping the kids off at my mom's house because Saturday.....

...I'm going canoeing!!!!!!!

WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Baby no longer

2009-06-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

It wasn't all that long ago--OK 3 years--that a beautiful, blue-eyed, red-haired baby boy entered my world. I remember being so afraid and so thrilled at the same time. I only had experience with girls. I knew what to do with girls. While I adored my girls and after hoping and praying and two horrible pregnancies......here was my baby boy. Finally........~~I could stop being pregnant~~ I had my son.

It wasn't that long ago that I would rock my sweet little boy to sleep for naps and bedtimes. It wasn't that long ago that he wanted only Mommy.

Gradually he grew into a fat, roly-poly happy baby. He laughed often and was laid back. He was an easy baby.

Much too quickly, he moved from baby to boy. From crawling to walking. From wanting me to carry him and feed him to wanting to do it all himself.

And in the blink of an eye, he has grown into a little man. The spitting image of his father with my grandfather's eyes. He's sweet and funny and tough. Because with two older sisters, a boy has to be able to hold his own. He's talking much more clearly and doesn't want Mommy to rock him anymore. He has started using the potty. He doesn't look like a baby anymore. I know that in the next blink he will be bigger than me. I suppose, at 3 years old, he's not considered a baby anymore. But he's my baby. And he always will be.

Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet BABY boy!!!!!!!!!

He really follows the rules.

2009-06-11T19:45:00.003-05:00

There's a new rule in our house. If you want to tattle, then you have to pay up.

Both Red and Diva came to me just now. Each with a quarter in their little hands, wanting to tattle on the other.

The Boy........he had his entire bank.

Apparently, he's had enough of his sisters.