Fun game of cards with my little guy.

My three year old came over and set some cards on my lap. "Let's play." "Sure." What I loved about this game was the complete lack of rules. We both started with an unknown amount of cards. Then he would play a card and I would ask, "Can I play a six?" He always said yes. So, here's an example of the cards played: eight, eight, king, seven, three, (then he chimes in, "Oh, that's a good one!") nine, four, four, four, ten (and he says, "Oh, I can't play on that--I have to pick a card," He picks a five and plays it) ten, seven, ace ("Oh, that's a really good one!") six, six and six at the same time (he says something about doubles...funny because it's about the tenth one, but now we play them together) then three, joker, ("Oh, I can't play on that. That's a really good card." He draws and still can't play, so it's my turn again.) Finally we are out of cards and he says, "Good game."

A Great Birthday Breakfast

I woke up to my seven year old nudging me and saying, "Here, I made this for you." So sweet, my son had fixed me breakfast in bed. He got up by himself, made some instant oatmeal and toast, brought me juice, then returned when I was done to take it all back to the kitchen. I am the luckiest mom. Later, my husband asked, "Didn't you hear his alarm go off at four?" I didn't, and he explained that our son was so worried about not waking up in time that he set his alarm for four. My husband went in, told him he would have plenty of time and sent him back to sleep.

Weeding

I haven't posted any of our summer activities which are long gone or any of the current woes of trying to find a place to live. Instead, today I am going to post what's on my mind and what I couldn't stop thinking about while I was weeding. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that there is a loving God who is aware of all our problems. I am so grateful I have this knowledge. With it, I see my problems differently. Not believing in God would make death and sin and hopeless situations unbearable. We all have problems. I am glad that to help lift the weight of my problems is my belief in God. I know this life is but a short moment. I know death is not a final parting. I know that new life is a miracle, a gift. I know that awful things happen everyday. That does not change my belief. We can be better everyday if we choose, regardless of what circumstances we are in. We can use the unexpected heartbreaks we face to help us be more compassionate. We can use unhealthy choices of others to help us learn patience. With God, all things are bearable. He lifts us when we are down. He strengthens us when we are weak. He lets miracles happen everyday. The world we live in is awe inspiring. There are no words to adequately describe its beauty. A new baby is even more perfect. I can't imagine anyone holding a new baby and declaring there is no God. Because, when you hold a new baby everything inside you says that only a God could send something so perfect, so pure, so beautiful, into your arms. I declare that there is a God, and he loves us. In fact he loves us so much, he lets us make our own choices. He lets us make mistakes. He lets us learn and grow. He gives us direction and help. He teaches us correct principles. I am glad I can tell my kids I know. Most things I can't declare I know, for whatever reason--not experiencing it, not knowing for sure, so many things change...etc. Not this. This doesn't change. And, I have experienced God's love and mercy. I know.

Oh,

And for a summer update...the rest of summer was great. We enjoyed seeing family and friends, as most of you know. Although summer is over, still come visit. We love you all!!

Back to School

Quick question. The list the teacher's send home of "Please send the following to school with your children ie: folder, glue, field trip money..." at the beginning of school is different from teacher to teacher and school to school. I am wondering how much/long/expensive the list is from your teachers. How much do you spend per child in elementary? I know older grades are more expensive--I am curious to where my kids' classes stand compared to the norm.

I needed a place to put this and remember where it was. So, it's here, and by the way, if you know something needing corrections, let me know.

(The following is a copy and paste from somewhere...hope it's accurate.) Not only is Target one of my favorite stores for day-to-day purchases, it is one of my favorite stores in which to look for bargains. Some of my best deals have come from Target... baby clothes to give as gifts for less than $3, a queen-size comforter for $15, and Christmas wrap for 90% off. Here are some strategies to make hunting for bargains in Target just a little bit easier. Shop the endcaps. The endcaps are the shelves at the end of an aisle loaded with clearance merchandise. The endcaps with the most clearance merchandise are usually those farthest away from the main shopping aisles. Always make a trip around the perimeter of the store to find the best deals. Know the markdown schedule. This is a schedule that a typical Target store will use for their markdowns. Your store may vary this schedule, so get to know the employees! It doesn't hurt to ask what your own Target's schedule for markdowns is. Monday - Kids Clothing and Electronics Tuesday - Women's Clothing and Domestics Wednesday - Men's Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty Thursday - Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares Friday - Cosmetics, Housewares, Automotives Target will typically mark down unsold clearance merchandise every two weeks. So, if you are watching an item and see that it has been marked down 30 or 50 percent, come back in another two weeks to see if it has been marked down further. Use the scanner. Sometimes the clearance team misses an item that should have been re-stickered with a lower price. If it is something you want, always check the price with a scanner. Also, scan things that are one of a kind. These things may be returns from previous seasons that have been clearanced out. You may be surprised! Learn to read the orange stickers. Orange stickers appear on all Target's clearance merchandise. The original price appears on the top right corner along with a code such as, "15A, 30A," etc. This is the percentage it has been marked down. Keep your receipts. This year Target adopted a stricter return policy which limits the number of returns you can make without a receipt. However, there is a way around this. The store tracks every credit card purchase. If you can remember which credit card you purchased the item with, the store can look up the transaction by simply swiping your card and scanning the item. If they find the transaction, they will let you return the item without the physical receipt. This option isn't always offered by the team members behind the counter, so you may have to ask for them to look up the item by the credit card number. If you do have your receipt, Target will adjust the prices on items that go on sale (not clearanced) within 14 days of the purchase. Shop online. Some of the best Target bargains I have found have been online through Target's store at Amazon.com. Last spring I found a Mossimo leather jacket for myself for $27. I've also found great deals on fleece throws to give as gifts (under $5) and clothes for the entire family. Click here to get to the Target page on Amazon: http://www.mommysavers.com/deals/target.htm Then click on the clearance tab at the top of the screen. Leave the store! Even though you've left the store, you're not done yet. Check out your local Goodwill store for items from Target. That is where their unsold clearance merchandise ends up. I've found new dresses for my daughter for less than a dollar complete with the tags still on. Happy Shopping!

Quotes on the secret to happiness

I will probably add to this list. I am hoping over the years to pick my favorite five and hang them up. Then I am hoping by reading them over and over maybe some of them will sink in. So, here's the first two. 1. Want what you have, not have what you want. 2. When you see a fault of someone else you'd like to change, change one of your own faults.

Where did June go?

I was just looking at posts and realized June came and went without me doing much about it. Summer is just starting for our family and yet it's half over!! I need to get in gear, especially considering I still have Spring cleaning to do. And, I am peeling from a recent sunburn. This makes me wonder, "Will I ever learn?" Do you feel that way? It bothers me when I should have already learned a lesson and then make the same bad choice. The sunburn especially, because the consequences are so awful. But it applies to staying up late, procrastinating and a variety of other problems as well. Possibly, it takes a bigger catastrophe for me to break bad habits, although, I hope not. I would be wise to use more sunblock and not wait for the world to end before I change my choices.

Why were we in the hospital?

D had an empyema. {An empyema is a collection of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity, such as the lung parenchyma. It must be differentiated from an abscess, which is a collection of pus in a newly formed cavity. Usually an empyema starts with pneumonia, followed by a parapneumonic effusion. This effusion, which starts out sterile, then becomes infected. As the infection progresses, the thickness of the fluid increases, going from a broth type consistency to concrete. When the fluid is still free flowing, it can be treated with a thoracentesis or a chest tube. When it thickens, it can usually be treated with thoracoscopy (Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery; VATS). Once the fluid becomes thick and loculated, a formal thoracic surgical procedure called a thoracotomy with decortication is required. This involves opening the chest, taking out the fluid, peeling the thick rind of infectious material off the lung, and then inserting chest tubes while the infection clears (usually with the help of antibiotics). Chest tubes in the setting of empyema have a tendency to become clogged. Chest tube clogging in the setting of an empyema can lead to re-accumulation of pus and infected material, a worsening clincial picture, organ failure and even death. Thus managing chest tube clogging is particularly important after the treatment of an empyema.} this info. is from a web site In our case the empyema was fluid enough to drain with a chest tube and not the thoracoscopy. The empyema was causing the lungs to push on the heart and the condition was initially very serious. Back a few hours before the hospital. We had only noticed a high fever and lack of appetite for a few days. The doctor's office initially found nothing serious wrong. They suggested a chest x ray as a precautionary measure, "Just to be safe." Right after the x ray, it began to unfold that this would be a hospital trip. The x ray showed all the fluid, and we were told to head directly to the hospital. Both the hospital and the doctor's office agreed he was a lot worse than he sounded. The x ray was critical to show how sick he really was. At the hospital, this condition was the highest priority (the fluid caused his lungs to push on his heart and he had severe shortness of breath) and rushed right through the ER. The chest tube was put in not long after the earlier doctor's appointment. Now the chest tube is out and we are continuing antibiotics for several weeks. From start to finish D was the bravest kid the nurses had seen. After oxygen, feeding tubes, a tube to his stomach in the other side of his nose to release pressure, and a few enemas, not to mention the painful chest tube and numerous x rays and a picc line replacing the initial iv, along with several blood tests, he proved to be extremely brave. Some of the procedures took only minutes instead of an hour because he was so still and cooperative and some they did with him not sedated or pinned down like they were used to. I am put to shame with the degree of courage he showed. In the end I am happy we had a hospital that could take care of his condition. I think it is a miracle our local pediatrician suggested the x ray. I marvel at technology. I am at a loss for words at the thought of a sick or dying child. I feel so thankful to have our sweet little D feeling better. You wouldn't know he recently had so much trauma in his life. Right after a particularly hard day he was given some oreos. He ate them and smiled with tubes coming out all over and said, "I'm all better now." To everyone who helped out with the kids, prayed, and lent your support, thank you. I, one night in particular, felt your prayers and knew they had made a difference, and I again thank you.

Home from the hospital

We are finally home. D is doing well. More details later.

Asleep? I don't think so.

My kids love messing around when they are supposed to be in bed. You might agree if you remember our decorated toilet paper roll. So tonight, long after bedtime, the kids come out to show us what they caught. A giant fly. It was creepy and sitting in the palm of J's hand. They tracked the fly by sound. And when they found it, they cornered it. Previously, they had gotten the water spray bottles out of the bathrooms and were armed and ready. Then the kids sprayed and sprayed. The fly was so saturated with water it couldn't fly anymore. Then, they picked it up and showed it to us. We of course are such proud parents. Who could ask for more creative kids? Who could expect a greater gift than a wet fly? I guess if bedtime is stretched out occasionally, we'll be okay. And, now you know that if you get enough kids with water bottles spraying the same fly, the kids will win the battle.

You can do it

I am passing on a thought that helps me when I have problems. It helps to think, "Someday this challenge might help me help someone else." I was talking to a mom of twins. I asked her what it was like. Even though her twins are now grown, she started crying telling me how difficult it was. She also said one day she was at the store and saw a mother of young twins; she went over and said, "I have twins too (now grown) and I remember how hard this was; can I help you?" She offered a hand to the mom who was struggling to keep the children happy. That young mother then started crying, grateful to this lady who had experienced her trial. As I get ready to move, again, I think, "Man, this bites." I really don't enjoy moving. But, I had an experience to help someone once who was moving. I gave her a few things to help her move day go smoother. She asked, "Thanks, this is perfect, how did you know?" And of course the answer is, "Been there before." So, hopefully whatever you are dealing with now, you can take it better knowing someday you can help someone else and say, "Been there before" when they ask, "How did you know?"

Girls night out

Help me out. I have the hardest time leaving my kids at home with my husband for many reasons. Let me know what you think of all these. One, I feel guilty unless I really have to be somewhere. Two, I hate that the kids only eat junk while I'm gone and I spend a ton of time cleaning up whatever mess was made. Three, I never know who to call. I feel that I don't have a good reason calling someone just to say hey lets go hang out. Four, something else I will think of later I'm sure. So, all poor excuses. Right? Do all of you have friend time, without the kids, or husband? When, how? How often? What do you do?

Fair!!

Tonight when putting the kids to bed, one of them was a little over tired and kept going on and on about how it's not fair. I then remembered that same child, when just learning words, used to say, "It's fair!" in an upset voice, not understanding they should say, "Not fair" when upset. I would always laugh to myself because it sounded so awkward, and usually I laughed enough I wouldn't get irritated. It's too bad they figured out how to complain more effectively. Saying, "It's not fair" gets old really fast. I get frustrated explaining why they are futile in their shouting, but does that work? No. So, tonight I reminisce and miss the good ole days where life was "So Fair!" even if it was said in an upset voice.

Santa is in our bathroom

Today the kids decided to set up shop and play in the bathroom. They are playing house and having a great time. You'll see Santa (our monkey) over in the corner. I love that D affectionately named the monkey Santa. It makes it fun all year to yell things like, "Where's Santa?"

Breakfast

This morning I noticed at breakfast O was mimicking all my moves- every time I took a bite, turned, smiled, etc. It's been awhile since I have noticed one of my kids following my every move. I forgot I am being constantly watched. No pressure. It makes me wonder what exactly my kids are learning from me. I guess it's a good reminder to be on my best behavior. I will need a little... a lot of help with that. Um, well, I'll just try not to hold my expectations of my self too high. Ya, maybe I'll figure a few bad habits will help them be well rounded. jk

Prediction for fun

American Idol is about to start. I thought I'd take a guess at which two are getting kicked off. I am going to guess Anoop and Lil. I still think Matt will be in the bottom three. So, there it is.

What makes you smile?

My husband and I were both doing our own thing on the computer when he started to tell me about something he just read in the news. I stopped him mid sentence and finished the news story, knowing he'd be surprised I new it. He was surprised. He said, "You already new that? You knew that before me? I am totally impressed. In fact, I am totally turned on." Ha, I knew he would be. Can't wipe the smile off my face. I love the simple things that impress my man. Anyway, gotta go.

Prepared, what?

Sometimes I feel I am very prepared. Other times I think to myself, "Did someone say prepared...oh, ya I've heard of that before." So when we had a power outage that lasted for several hours the other night I was reminded of how much distance I have let come between me and the word prepared. No electricity hit me hard. I had laundry and dishes to do, not to mention no food and no way to cook all my unprepared foods. Really, that didn't put me over the edge of pushing me past my laziness and false security enough to get back on the preparedmobile. I pulled out the flashlights, and all the batteries were dead. The new flashlights I had purchased in my quest to be more prepared were still unopened in the package and of course without batteries. So, with only the light left of dying flashlights, no food and no clean clothes, I realized I better face the reality I am not prepared. And, as a mother for some reason or another this hit particularly hard as I wondered what I would feed my family. I felt I was not being responsible. In the past, when reminded of my not so great preparedness skills, I just pushed aside my guilty feelings and figured if I got in a tough spot I knew better and deserved it. This particular night I didn't feel this callousness, I felt extreme guilt. I knew I was responsible to care for my kids and not being prepared was not only affecting me, but my family as well, which is just not right. After feeling guilty for awhile. I made a new shopping list to get our home back on track. Hopefully slowly but surely we will get a home of order that can withstand the expected storms. Then my mind wandered and I thought, would I have done anything if I had never experienced this storm? Probably not. So, I am grateful for the small storms that prepare me for the greater storms. And, as you have probably guessed, I feel that way about life as well. I am glad we have a kind God who teaches us a small storm at a time, so we will be well prepared for the big storms of life.

Spring mating at the zoo

Our family loved the trip we just took to the zoo. All the kids had favorite moments and animals. One moment I'd like to share is a funny moment at the zebras. We walked up to see them when not long after one zebra from behind jumped up on the zebra in front of him and started to ride him around their area. Then one of the kids yelled out, "Look, the zebra is giving a piggyback ride!"

Hubby shout out!

Here's a little early birthday shout out to my sweet hubby!
Here are just ten out of the many many things I love about you...
10. You are right all the time, just like me. :)
9. You don't mind sandwiches or cereal as a back up meal in case the first plan-my experiment- went wrong.
8. You take care of the wrinkles in your clothes and have never made me feel guilty for not ironing.
7. You do a great job cutting the boys' hair.
6. You sometimes let me watch food network iron chef with you instead of a show of your choice.
5. You take charge of returning the movies and keeping enough milk in the fridge.
4. You give the last good bite to the kids or me even when you really want it.
3. You willingly hop up out of the rocking chair, so I can sit there with the baby, even when you were all settled in.
2. You get up to get me water, even after you have already sat down (I forgot to ask sooner). ps (I really try to remember before you sit down)
1. You are the best husband and father.
I love you! Happy Birthday!!

Better food question

Do you know a good website for healthy recipes? When I know what food is on sale I like food network, because I can type in ingredients and pull up recipes. It works great, but the recipes are not necessarily healthy. So, do you know a similar site that can do an ingredient search but focuses on healthier foods?

Monkeys don't talk

Today one of the kids came up to me and had a tennis shoe on one foot and a water shoe on the other. He said, "Look Mom, I have on two different shoes!" I said, "Oh, are you a crazy monkey?" To that he replied, "No Mom, I'm a boy not a monkey." Then he must have thought I needed more explanation and said, "Monkeys don't talk." ... I'm glad he cleared that up for me. :)

Just when we thought they were asleep...we find...

...more toilet paper helps. If you can't read kid it says, "Follow this line."

The start is here!

Do you need help finding the beginning of the toilet paper roll? Let us send our kids to your house and they can label the start for you!

Camera on the loose

I left the camera sitting around, and when I was browsing through my pictures I came across this one. When I inquired as to why this picture was on my camera, I found out the kids took the picture. They said, "the room was so clean!" So, because of their amazement, the clean room has now been documented.

Serious for a second

Why it's great to be a mother.... I feel like holding a new baby is like holding heaven in my arms. I find I have a difficult time putting my baby down. Instead, I find reasons to hold my baby all day long. The creation of new life is challenging to say the least. I, however, think the spirit of a newborn is like a tangible intangible. This is because the feeling when holding one is so intense, one can not help but feel their radiant goodness. Many times I wish the goodness I felt was tangible; I would bottle it. So, my sweet little one who fills the air with completing joy is one of many reasons it's great to be a mother.

It's time to get TiVo

In the past I have not had a "must see" show, so not having TiVo has been no big deal. And for the amount of tv I like to view, commercials are no big deal. But, now I've changed. The other night we were watching a program as a family. The show was completely appropriate for my children. Then a commercial came on to watch a show about the man who had a baby. Argggh. My kids were so confused. "Mom," they asked, "can a man have a baby?" I spent some time explaining no. Of course no wasn't good enough. Further I explained that he was really a girl who decided to be a man. There is no way a man could have a baby--one major reason is because they don't have a uterus. My kids seemed satisfied. That alone was not enough to have me banning all commercials and running out and getting TiVo. But, it appears as if the idea from that commercial stayed in my children's heads, because after it mulled around awhile they came up with a new question. "So, if he's not really a man, then can two girls get married?" My kids are too smart sometimes...so I guess we need TiVo.

A quote I read off of someone's bulletin board

I liked this quote, "I don't mind going to work each day...it's the eight hours sitting around waiting to go home that drives me crazy."

It's half full today

Lately I wonder if I am happy with the little weight I have lost since my baby, or discouraged with the large amount of weight left to lose. J was so excited to tell me, "Mom, I can reach my arms all around you when I hug you now...you are so small." Not long after, O stated, "Mom, you look pregnant." Ughh. I guess both are true. Kids are pretty frank and pretty honest, for the most part. Realizing I am both small and big is a comforting realization for me. If I am both, I can choose which view I would like to adopt as my vision. In addition, I can stop the habit of quickly discarding the kind compliments of others, understanding that I should not be presumptuous as to how they view me. With this in mind, I choose today's glass to be half full...cuz I'm hungry (and thirsty ha ha). And, hunger and frustration don't mix.

Fun little conversation

A sweet lady asked my husband, "Is this your oldest?" He replied, "Yes." She then asked, "How many children do you have...two?" He countered, "No, four actually." Surprised, she then taunted, "Don't you know you can watch tv, or read books, or play games?"

Candy anyone?

Dazed and confused is what J looked like when checking Valentines after school. "Mom, where is the candy with this card?" I remember when getting a candy with the card was a special Valentine. That brings me to my latest question. Everyone is keeping up with the Jones' such as candy at Valentine's, more treats at class parties, businesses offering candy at every turn, and most of all enough candy at Halloween to last a lifetime. Even our dentist offers suckers! First I'll admit, guilty as charged. So, should any of this change? Is it my responsibility to help make a change? Am I contributing to the problem of obesity? Is it really no big deal? Should schools and businesses be at all accountable? J comes home from school with candy/treats all the time. I try hard not to buy sweets, but it seems like candy is offered all the time, making it almost impossible to avoid or at least only consume sweets in appropriate portions. Thanks to the mom who sent pencils this year for Valentines. Hmmm, maybe I am just cheap. Candy is such an inexpensive way to make a valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing you the best Valentine's Day. Here's some flowers. Enjoy. And, for all the fam., I've got a big hug for you next time I see you.

Confessions of a late night shopper

I just realized I missed my chance to run to the store tonight. I was informed of a really good sale at Kohls, and I would go now except they're closed. I really love late night shopping trips while the kids are asleep, and watching the kids is just a little bit not as hectic for my love. But, I really shouldn't be surprised I forgot. After running a quick errand, barely making it to the school for after school pick up, feeding the baby, loading up the kids, going to the grocery store with all of them (yes, all of them), and realizing I had no time to make the dinner with all of the groceries I planned on using, picking up pizza, feeding the baby, throwing in the pizza, eating, cleaning up, and then having kids who fought tooth and nail to not go to bed, it's actually amazing I even remembered I had more I wanted to do today. Usually, I don't remember for days, weeks maybe, if ever. And, besides the amazing skills I show shopping on my own such as getting to the front door of the store from my car in under a minute (no kids you see), I have to confess what I probably love the most...even more than not taking the whole entourage into the dressing room...is the drive. I turn up the radio loud to whatever I am in the mood for and car dance. The dancing is not just a little crazy, it's a lot crazy. It makes me smile, and sometimes I notice it makes other drivers smile, which makes me smile just a little bit more.

This blog is making me happy

Yesterday, my hubby called right as I had hung up on the phone. I had been talking with someone about my blog. While I was saying bye to that person, D fell and started screaming. I didn't even hear the goodbye, but I knew it was there. I smiled as I hung up and laughed to myself--just another reason why I love my new blog. No one hears my kids while they read my stories. Right then my hubby called. I guess he could hear my smile through the phone because after only a hello he asked, why are you so happy?

Too close for comfort

Walking by the kids' room I glanced inside only to find D in the corner with pants completely down. I was in save the carpet mode for a second until D saw me and abruptly turned. There was no evidence of pee anywhere, luckily. So, I began the questioning. O, who was standing nearby and looked like the mastermind of this operation was questioned first. I asked what is going on. O calmly replied, "Mom, we were just playing house and that was the bathroom." When I continued and said you only go to the bathroom in the real bathroom O again replied, "Mom, we were only pretending." I tell you what, I didn't think I would ever have to put a cramp in my kids pretending, but I did. No more pretend bathrooms with realistic pants pulled down.

Choosing a blog address

Here it goes, I am all ready to start a blog. So, what's first...pick a blog title and address. I started typing in the first things that came to my mind. Of course, all of those addresses were taken. Then I got creative--I thought. Still they were all taken. Out of frustration I thought, I am too tired to think of anything else, how about (and I typed the first thing that came to mind) crunchy taco. It was taken! Are you kidding?! I wasn't serious. So then I started typing anything I could think of like "free loader" and "wet dog". You guessed it...taken. Seriously, I was already losing my mind a little today and this topped it off. Then I thought, someone, please pass the brain. And there you have it.