Rose Daughter

Pictures

2008-04-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Kids watching Daddy play a video game

Crazy Daughter helping Big Guy put together an Indiana Jones Lego's set I got him

Little Man and big Guy watching TV

Okay, I've finally gotten some time to write, we've been busy running around, cleaning, moving furniture, and just being a family. He's fixed his car already, it runs now, so he's able to drive his own car. He's been fixing things around the house, little things that I couldn't get to stay on (like the panel on the bottom of the stove to stay on) and the bathroom shower fixture that was threatening to break. You know stupid things that I was to busy with other things to bother with.

And he's back to work, well half days doing all sorts of family reintegration classes and medical screenings.

Things have been going really well for him and I. Computer time has lessened for the both of us, and he's really being patient with the kids and spending quality time with them. They of course have him wrapped around their finger. We were at T@rget last night and the kids saw a Thom@s the Train bed set and a Princess sheet set, and of course they got all happy. I just turned to walk away, of course I've dealt with their wants before. But he happily went over and got them their new toys. I don't mind though, it brought a smile to his face.

So for now, that's about it, thanks for all the support, things are going really well. We have our vacation to New York City all planned out and I'm sooooo excited about it. :)

He's Home

2008-04-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

He got home 3:30 AM Friday morning, he caught a ride with a friend so we wouldn't have to wake the kids so early.

And today he's started fixing things, things that have been lying undone for awhile now. lol Didn't take him all that long really. But more importantly he got his Jeep running, so now we are no longer relying on just my car.

But tonight we have a military group meeting at church, and Big Guy is taking Crazy Daughter bowling, that's all she can talk about right now.

Thanks for all the good wishes, I'll write more later, when I can.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-09T08:53:00.001-07:00

5 PM on Saturday night, stomach flu. Oh the fun

And on other news, ok, so not wordless wednesday, I'm still waiting for work from Rear-Detachment about news of my husband. I know for a fact he's in Kuawaitt and is/was supposed to flying out today, but I've heard nothing. And I'm a bit frustrated, our frg has told us next to nothing, all the information I've gotten has been from Big Guy. So supposedly I'm supposed to pick him up tomorrow, but couldn't tell you when, he said he'd be okay to walk hom, "It's not that far from the hill to home", and I guess in combat terms, a mile really isn't that far to walk.

But soon, just a bit frustrated and anxious.

No Energy

2008-04-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

Well the day is almost over, it's 9:30 PM, one kid is asleep and I am praying the other will soon be. And I'm sitting here, in front of the computer feeling like a deflated balloon. Parenting my kids this week has been difficult at best and then the times like these, when Crazy Daughter is constantly getting up and out of bed, I feel like I'm going to drive myself to the hospital's psyche ward.

And to top it all off, my vacuum cleaner won't suck anymore. I'm trying to clean the house for Big Guy to come home to, and I can't vacuum up the dirt. At some point you just have to curl up in a ball and laugh. At least dirt is better than sand right. Sigh.

But other than the cleaning, I believe we are ready to have him home, I bought some Mt. Dew (the unofficial drink of the Army), chips, salsa, and a myrraid of other assorted food items that I don't normally eat. In fact, I haven't bought soda since he left, over a year ago.

But I'm trying to stay busy, to keep my mind preoccupied on other things. Tomorrow night our church is having a dinner and singing group. It probably won't be my cup of tea singing wise, but there will be plenty of hands there to hold my kids, and I won't have to cook dinner, that is always a plus.

And so, here's a picture of me and the kids, a friend just got some new camera equipment so I was volunteered to be her test subject. If only my daughter would have cooperated.

Random Things

2008-04-01T13:24:00.001-07:00

Not much happening here this week. And in all honesty, I'm just trying to stay sane and not let the kids get on my nerves. It's an incrediably short time till my husband comes home, Can't say just when, but soon.

And the saddest news of all, on March 29th, when the guys should have been at the FOB packing up, their Comander sent Alpha company out on patrol. Two guys were killed in action and two were critically injured. It makes me incrediably sad and honestly upset that this far into things, our men were killed. Their replacements are there, yet ...

So for now, my emotions are running the gammet, I'm scared, terrified, hopful, longing and just wish this deployment would be over.

And other randomness...

You Are Fairly Normal

You scored 70% normal on this quiz

Like most people you are normal in some ways...
But you aren't a completely normal person. You're a little weird too!

Why You Are Normal:

You eat the frosting first

You prefer a good meal to a good nap

You find the Macarena to be the more embarrassing dance

You prefer fiction to non fiction

You would rather be pale than tan

Why You Aren't Normal:

If given the choice, you would choose to have more time over more money

You would not eat meat from a cloned animal

You rather screw someone over than be screwed over

You are no longer with your first love

You prefer flat potato chips.

What's" Normal About You... And What's Not?

Wordless Wednesday

2008-03-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

When yogurt is used as a hair gel

Spring Break

2008-03-22T08:33:00.001-07:00

Ally with her bear family
Ally taking Little Man's picture

Spring Break is over, well it will be on Monday when all the kids have to head back to their respective schools. Even though my kids are not in school quite yet, we've been affected, all, well most of our activities have been cancelled this week. No play group, no PWOC on Tuesday morning, and no Awana on Wednesday nights, it's been a bit disruptive, our schedule has been off. But come Monday, things will be back to normal.

I remember back when I was younger, Spring Break held such wonder and excitement for me. I always prayed that it would be sunny and warm enough so I could wear shorts and try to tan my pale white legs. But as growing up in Michigan goes, it never did, it was always cool, and no spring.

And I never went to one of those wild spring break places, I'm glad since they seem to be all about drinking and partying. But in college I was always working, never had the time or the money for that matter to enjoy the week off.

So this week we spent quite a bit of our time outdoors, it was sunny, though a bit windy (living on the plains will do that). I've gotten to know some of my neighbors, yes I've lived here two years and don't know my neighbors all that well. I find it difficult to make friends.

But, let me just be honest, there is a whole lot of gossip going on amongst neighbors. And I'm not all that comfortable with it, I don't really want to know who is pregnant while their husband is away or who's having soldiers spend the night while their husband is deployed. So maybe this is why it took me so long to get out.

UPDATE:

Crazy Daughter is sleeping so much better, though she's beginning to notice the crushed up Melatonin, I've told her it's sugar. Smart girl. So I am praying that this keeps up and I won't have to fight with her again.

Little Man is now not wanting my bed, he wakes up in the middle of the night, still not understanding that he can walk to my room and want to lay back down in his own bed. Though I still need to be in there until he falls asleep. But what an improvement two days can make.

Thanks for all your help and your comments.

Hallelujah She's Asleep

2008-03-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

I want to say thank you for all your help with suggestions for my daughter. I wanted to get her up really early this morning, but I was tired. So we went to Wal-Fart and got some melatonin supplament , took out the lamp that was in her room for when she had her fear of the dark and put in three night lights.

We spent most of the day outside, so I don't know if it was the fresh air, allergies, running around or the melatonin I slipped into her milk, but she passed out on the floor at 7:40 PM this evening. I was overjoyed, it was the most wonderful feeling in the world, well almost.

Wether all these things will continue to work remains to be seen, but for now, I'm so excited. And what you ask will I be doing with my free time tonight? Why I'm going to bed, because my allergies have kicked in and I'm exhausted and have a sinus headache.

So goodnight to all, and happy dreams. And one final, Hallelujah, she's asleep.

Sleep, Daughter, Sleep

2008-03-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, I am at my whits end with Crazy Daughter, it's 10:20 PM here, and my daughter is still not asleep. She went down at 8 PM, it's been two hours of her getting up with every request under the sun, countless changes of clothes, wanting her flip flops. I've taken away her privledges of watching Tom and Jerry cartoons (they are her absolute favorite) for tomorrow, and this last time I've threatened to take away the entire day of TV, and I'm so ready to do that.

I woke her up at 7:30 AM this morning, and yes that is early for her and no she's not a morning person. But what else can I do???? I can understand her being excited about her daddy coming home really soon but this is utterly rediculous and I am quickly loosing my patience.

Any suggestions? I mean, what else can I do?

Green Grass

2008-03-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

The grass is starting to get green. This is a picture of my backyard, well ok, not my backyard, it's the side yard. My backyard is mud, pure churned up mud thanks to my dog runing and barking at the neighborhood kids.

I am looking forward towards spring, I am sick of all the colds and windy blustery days. I want spring.

Well that was one bright sunny spot on my day. Last night was a bit tiring, whatever headway we had made on the bedtime routein, was pretty much gone last night. Crazy Daughter was up countless times with every excuse you could think of, changed her clothes twice, lost her TV privledges for today with the exception of a two hour Tom and Jerry break. She didnt' go to bed until 11 PM, I believe I was frustrated beyond anything.

And despite headway in the not sleeping with mama, I got both the kids in with me about 3 AM. My alarm went off at 6, took my shower and then dried my hair, not really being careful about being quiet. And it worked, woke both the kids up, early for them, but gosh darn it, they are going to be tired for bed tonight.

Happy day to me

2008-03-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

Today is my 7th wedding aniversary, so I thought I would enjoy looking at some photos of my wedding. I really can't believe it's been 7 years already.

Friends, Dragonfly is in the yellow
ok, let me say, we look so young
The girls. My sister is in the other yellow dress 7 months pregnant with her daughter.

And so despite it being St. Patrick's Day and my anniversary, it's really just a regular day for us here on the windy plain's of Kansas. Big Guy is still gone, but due back in a couple of week or so. So really nothing special today.

But on a positive note, Little Man slept in his own bed last night, all night long. Can you bleieve it!!!! The first time since December. Woo hoo.

It's Huge

2008-03-13T20:34:00.001-07:00

Okay, my newest crazy, spurr of the moment craft project is making a quilt for Crazy Daughter for when she gets her new Big Girl bed. She is currently in the futon right now but when we move to Texas (I dread thinking about that move) this summer we are going to get her a real bed. I looked at comforters in the store and they were crazy expensive and cheesy if you ask me. So why not, I've made one before, no big deal.

BTW, the one I made before was a lap quilt, my Mom and I took an Amish Quilt class and everything was done by hand as the Amish would do.

So I found a pattern that said it was super easy, all you needed to get for the front of the quilt was 20 1/4 yard blocks. I found some remnant fabric cheap so yeah, goody I'm on my way. Let me tell you all, I should have looked at the measurements before deciding on the "Twin" quilt.

It fits my bed, well a bit shorter than I would like and I'd be fighting for the covers if my husband were home. But it's huge. This was supposed to be for a twin bed, not anything bigger. Holy cow, now I've got the front part done, but I'm going to get material for the backing so I can start quilting. I guess this can be an heirloom she keeps forever right. lol

Me and my big ideas.
I know this picture doesn't do it justice, but it's hard to get the size and the detail of the fabric. Nothing really coordinates, but I like the crazy quilt style.

Silence

2008-03-11T19:48:00.001-07:00

Perfection... Honestly what could be better to find in your living room couch.

We are finally starting to feel human, it's been a long week of sickness, coughing and going through at least two Kleenex boxes and counting. Crazy Daughter has been staying in her own bed the past couple of nights, but Little Man, we are still working on it.

I had an epiphany this week, I've started putting the kids to bed at the same time. What took me so long really, I don't know. But since Little Man is now in a toddler bed, it just seemed easier than waiting for him to sleep and then putting Crazy Daughter down.

Our routine, Pj's, TV off, reading books, brushing teeth, Potty (and Little Man has been using it sooo much more lately!!!!), collecting assorted blankets and stuffed animals and getting rooms ready for night time. Kids give each other hugs and kisses, Crazy Daughter in her bed, and then I sit in the rocker in Little Man's room with the door open and wait for the quiet.

I really don't know why I haven't done this sooner, but it's really working, even when Crazy Daughter gets up, Little Man doesn't pitch a fit and start crying, he knows I'll be back.

So I'm breathing a sigh of relief, bedtime is becoming a routine, as it should be. I just hope it stays this way when Big Guy gets home.

Not Yet Dead

2008-03-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

Not Yet Dead is the way I'm feeling right about now. And yes I've been singing this song in my head all morning. This cold is really kicking our rear ends this week. Since Tuesday we've not been out of the house but once to get some more cold medicine. And the house looks like it too, the living room is full of toys that haven't been picked up, the dishes are piling up and the laundry, *sigh*, the laundry is becoming ridiculous there is so much to do.

Crazy Daughter has had a fever on and off, off right now, but now she's got a wicked cough and runny nose. Little Mister has been so congested he's been fussy at night. And for the past week, they've both climbed into bed with me and hacked all night long.

And I've been hit the hardest I think, my throat feels so raw, my nose is red from blowing, and I'm almost out of the cold medicine. Not to mention the sinus headache that has been plaguing me this week.

OK, enough of me complaining. This too shall pass, sooner rather than later I hope.

I'm not sure if March is dragging by or moving quickly, but we're expecting Big Guy home the beginning of April. Crazy Daughter has started a list of what she wants her daddy to do when he gets home, take a walk on the trails, get her dolly that's behind the entertainment center, fix a mired of things. It's cute really.

And I have something I'd like to say, if you all could keep Dragonfly in your prayers. She's going through a lot right now, being sick and preparing for The Sgt's deployment soon. It doesn't seem to matter what number deployment it is, it's always difficult each and every time.

And so here's to hoping we can make it to church tomorrow morning, not only do we have to contend with getting ready and out of bed, but the time changes tomorrow too. at least it will be lighter later in the day.

Sickness

2008-03-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

Well, whatever has been going around, we finally got hit with today. Little Man has had a fever on and off, but I just associated it with teething, he has molars coming in. But Crazy Daughter woke up this morning with a burning fever. All day she laid on the couch, and as some of you may have guessed, that is just not normal for her. Any time she's not moving, it's not normal. And I've managed to slip some liquid pain meds into her juice, it's easier than fighting with her to open her mouth. And I've been hit with digestive issues, constantly running to the bathroom (we'll leave it at that).

Big Guy, despite him being across the pond, has been hit with health issues, he has an ulcer in the eye. Sounds gross doesn't it? Basically it's just a hole in the cornea from where something irritated it. At first they told him he was going to have surgery, but now they've given him drops and it's already improved 50%. So for the rest of March till they leave for Kuwait, he'll be sitting his room at the FOB (forward operating base), being bored out of his mind because he's already shipped back everything.

Tuesday is one of our busy days, and instead we just all laid about watching Tom and Jerry cartoons, drinking lots of liquids and sleeping when the need hit.

On the upside, I've switched the rooms around, I've taken the suggestion of putting Little Man into a toddler bed. And currently he's asleep in it, progress, but we'll see once 1 or 2 AM hits. And though he won't go to bed by himself, yet, all I have to do it sit in the rocking chair with my Ipod on and eventually he goes out.

And though I would love to stay up and think of more things to talk about, my headache just won't let me. We'll see how tomorrow goes, we do need to get out, we're out of Tylenol.

Firsts Meme

2008-02-29T12:08:00.000-08:00

This is a meme of Firsts from My Semblance of Sanity . Had fun thinking of my firsts.

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
Well my date, nope didn’t have a date for either of the two. My senior year I went with my three friends. Much better than going with a date.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Nope, don’t see him, don’t talk to him, rather forget he existed. It wasn’t a happy ending for us.

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
Probably something like Mike’s Hard Lemonade. I’m into the fru-fru drinks, not into that hard liquor stuff.

4. What was your FIRST job?
Well probably babysitting, but my first real job was working at Studio 28 working the concessions stand. What was really great was I got two free tickets to any movie I wanted to see and 1$ popcorn combo each time. My friends also loved me too, I went to so many movies that year.

5. What was your FIRST car?
Well the first real one I bought was a red 1995 Chevy Corsica, I got this my first year in college after the exhaust system fell off my old blue Junker, while I was driving on the highway. Man that was a lousy car, it had a sunroof and I had to duct tape it shut, it leaked. That red car was great, had it for nearly 7 years before we sold it.

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
The only person who would isn’t here, and that would be my husband.

7. Who was the FIRST person I thought of this morning?
Probably my kids, praying that they would stay asleep.

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Mrs. McKeller, I don't remember much, but I remember thinking on the first day, when I was told I was going to be there all day long, I literally thought, we're eating dinner here too?

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
I was two years old, flying from Florida to Michigan with my grandma after my mom gave birth to my sister. We were moving back home.

10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them?
Dragonfly, we’ve known each other since kindergarten, and lived less than a mile away from each other. And we’re more like sisters than friends now, kept close through college and now through military moves.

11. What was your FIRST sport played?
Gymnastics, my parents have pictures of me, I believe I was 3, walking on the balance beam. Long hair in ponytails, concentrating so hard on not falling. Only did that for a couple of years, not very athletically inclined.

12. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
Probably my cousins house in Port Huron, we were always driving the three hours to visit my mom’s family. My sister and I were in awe of them, A & D were older, dressed nicer, and were able to watch things we weren’t allowed to watch. Though we were never as close as we could have been, I guess that’s what living three hours away does to you.

13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
Well do you have to move your lips? I got up before the kids so I talked to my hubby online this morning.

14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
My high school friend’s in 1997, we had these horrid satin pink dresses with dye able pink heeled shoes to match. Oh yeah, it also had a butt bow. That was one ugly dress.

15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Push the button on the coffee pot to make coffee. Then turned on the computer.

16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
Okay, the first one I have memory of, DC Talk & Michael W Smith. I went with Dragonfly and a couple of other friends. Her mom, Crazy Grandma J drove us all in a large van with blankets in the back. Come to think of it, that’s probably illegal now. We had an awesome time, of course we were in the nose bleed seats.

17. FIRST tattoo or piercing?
Got my ears pierced when I was 8, second hole when I was in high school. My first tattoo when I was, well in my 20’s March of 2006. Second Tattoo one year later.

18. FIRST foreign country you went to?
Yes, this is sooo exciting, (scarcasm). Canada. My Grandma B took my sister and I and our other cousin Bradly when we were 10 or so. The Blue Water Bridge is in Port Huron, so just a stones throw across the river. But honestly there’s not much to do over there.

19. What was your FIRST run in with the law?
May 2005 when we were driving from Tennessee back home to Texas. We had been driving all night long It was about 3AM and at night in Texas the speed limit drops from 70 to 65, I guess I had “forgotten” to drop my speed. Got pulled over and was given a warning. I believe I pulled the we were coming home from block leave after my hubby returned from his 1st tour in Iraq.

20. When was your FIRST detention?
Never had detention, I was a good girl.

21. What was the FIRST state you lived in?
Michigan, cold boring Michigan.

22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart?
That would be the same guy who was my first love, Jonathan. We dated in college for two and a half years.

23. Who was your FIRST roommate?
I lived in the dorms for one whole semester, had a roommate, Amy. She was a slob, I thought I was messy, I hold nothing on this girl. Left dirty dishes EVERYWHERE. Her closet, which she had two by the way, was literally overflowing with clothes and other stuff she was hiding. After that semester, I moved home and became a commuter student. Amy failed out of that semester of college and didn’t come back.

24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride?
Ok, this may be sad, but my first limo ride was last July at a Stampin Up convention (I’m a demonstrator). It was raining HARD, and we had to travel to a hotel with our projects, they had to stay dry. So the bellhop got us a cab for a two minute drive to the neighboring hotel. He didn’t even charge us for the ride, but we tipped him anyways.

Horrid Night of Sleep

2008-02-29T05:27:00.000-08:00

I had a horrible night last night, and I’m sitting here typing this, I just feel really down and depressed and would just like to cry really.

Little Man had a fever from teething, so he just wouldn’t go down in his own bed, frustrating and I’m just at the end of my rope dealing with this not sleeping in bed thing. So I just lay him down in Mommy’s bed and he goes to sleep on his own. Which brings up another issue, do we take him out of his crib now or wait until after we move to Texas? Would he sleep in his own room just in a big bed?

But go out to Crazy Daughter, we read some books and then we brush our teeth, we can’t go into my bathroom because of Little Man, so we use the other bathroom, and of course Crazy Daughter notices Little Man is in Mommy’s bed. Crazy Daughter just doesn’t go to bed; I lay down with her, on her tiny toddler bed and still no falling asleep. So I tell her (I’m such a pushover) if she goes into mommy’s bed to sleep mommy is going to sleep in the living room on the couch. Honestly I just can’t sleep with the two of them.

Jump to 11:30 PM, after countless times of getting up she finally wakes up Little Man. I’m of course, beyond upset now, I’m tired, and I am beginning to understand what those mothers feel when they want to hurt their children. I lay down at the end of the bed and after much moving around, they fall back asleep. And I sleep at the tiny edge of the bed, being kicked by my daughter. Not a good night of sleep at all.

My alarm goes off at 6 AM and I just want to get out of bed and have my coffee and spend some time praying, to get my attitude set for the day. But honestly I just want to crawl back into bed, my own bed, with no kids, and cry myself to sleep.

Big Guy is online but he’s preparing to go on a mission tonight, so he’s in that “mode” not really talking, just there online. And honestly would I want him any other way right now? He does need to be prepared to go out on the streets of Iraq, where bad guys want to hurt him. So I’ve told him what happened last night, but I haven’t related how I’m feeling.

It’s funny, after nearly a year on being on antidepressants; you would think my depression would be gone. I’ve been in counseling, life actually has been better, it’s just we are nearing the end of the deployment. I am so done being the single parent, dealing with these kids every day, day in and day out. I want him home, I want him to be the dad and take some responsibility and help with the kids, help with the housework. And I guess I’m frightened that when he does come home, he won’t. I mean let’s face it, he is going to be dealing with a lot, being gone a year and coming back to a house that has changed, kids have grown up, and a wife who has changed and won’t deal with the same crap as she would have before he left. It’s got to be difficult on them too.

So maybe I’m stressing over the whole process, dealing with living together again. Not to mention working on the whole pain, crap, that has become our marriage. Learning to trust again and him learning to be trustworthy again. It’s a lot of pressure, on both of us.
So that’s what is going through my head this morning. I’m drinking lots of coffee, trying to deal with the major lack of sleep from last night. Praying and getting back in line with God so this day will be better than last night.

Music and Memmories

2008-02-26T12:09:00.000-08:00

I was listening to the radio yesterday and a song came on that I hadn’t heard in years. Go West Young Man, by Michael W. Smith, it brought me back to my thirteenth birthday party where I received the tape as a present. For some reason, that song will forever be linked to that period in my life; sleeping outdoors in a tent with 5 or so other girls, playing poker with candy and then the candy wrappers. It got me thinking, what other songs have a vivid memory. So here’s my list.

Go West Young Man, Michael W. Smith. 13th birthday party.

Love Shack, B 52’s. I know that sometimes this song is overplayed, but this clearly brings back senior prom, 1996. I went with my friends Dragonfly, and two others (I can’t come up with any cute aliases right now, and I don't remember who Happy, Sleepy and everyone was. Help me out dragonfly). We drew names to see who would buy who a corsage. And we danced all night long, caffeinated up on Squirt. When I hear that song, it brings me back to that night.

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen. For two summers I worked up at our Church camp, cooking and cleaning. I really enjoyed the friends I made, though cleaning toilets during juniors week, boys should really learn to aim better. But when the guys and we girls went out in the church van, for whatever activity we had that night, we listened to a mix tape someone put together. And this song was one on there. When I hear it I’m instantly back in the van, driving down the bumpy dirt road, watching the guys go completely crazy with singing and air guitars.

Zombie, the Cranberries. This is a Princess Leia song, I believe we were in high school at the time (that would be about 94’ or so) driving in the car, singing our little hearts out. I had such a wonderful time in high school with my friends, such freedom, and looking back, such a short time it was.

Bullet with Butterfly Wings, the Smashing Pumpkins. It was my sophomore year of college in my American Literature class (modern literature I think) that my professor Dr. Stevens gave us a list of songs and the lyrics, to write a short paper on. He had U2 (his favorite band and always incorporated the lyrics into his lectures) Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, and a couple of others. This is the song I choose based solely on the lyrics. I hadn’t heard the song before, but the words were quite interesting to me.

I know there could be more, but can’t think of many right now. So please give me yours. I would love to hear all your stories.

Crazy Daughter's World

2008-02-26T04:54:00.000-08:00

Self portriate
Mommy's Making me a dress
My brother
my mommy
Okay, this one I took, but isn't my little man precious.

Life is busy this week, it's always the begning of the week that is crazy. But time goes by quickly when your busy, right? So I only have to make it through march and a bit of April before Big Guy comes home.

How is your week been going?

Normal

2008-02-22T06:01:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about this for the past couple of weeks now. I am sitting here in my living room with my son on my lap, watching cartoons and blogging. And what do I hear outside, artillery booms from the range somewhere nearby. And this is normal for us. Sometimes the blasts are so powerful they shake the windows.

Is is strange that I pay no mind to gun blasts anymore, lol.

So what is normal for you? Love to hear your comments.

Sooo Tired

2008-02-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

It seems that this entire week, I have just been dragging, exhausted, tired and whatever other adjective you can use. I don't remember if I have been saying anything about getting my kids to sleep in their own beds. The past couple of weeks, they have been waking up and climbing into bed with me. Little Man of course, still being in his crib, just won't go back to sleep in his own bed. I sit and cuddle with him, he seems to relax and I go to lay him down, and he wakes up. As many as four times in one night.

So last night we got back from Awana, get the kids ready for bed, and lay ean down, supposdely sleeping, and five minutes later he starts crying. Okay no problem right, just let him cry for a bit and he'll eventually calm down. 45 minutes later he's still going at it, it's nearing 10:30 and Crazy Daughter hasn't gone down yet. I'm near tears, so I just bring them all into my bed.

I think I got the worse night of sleep in my life. They don't do well sleeping together, laughed and talked till nearly 11:30. Around 2, I've finally had it with the kicking, the cuddling up to me that I head into the living room to sleep on the couch.

And the result of that wonderful night of restless sleep, I'm cranky, I'm exhausted, and it seems I am being a bad mother today. The kids are as tired as me, Crazy Daughter has had at least 3 episodes of temper tantrums. And it's only 2 PM.

Is there anyone out there who has dealt with this kid issue of wanting to sleep with you. Big Guy comes home mid April and sleeping in our bed isn't going to be an option. And it seems the less sleep I get at night, the more cranky I get during the day, which makes the next night even more stressful to get them to sleep. Any suggestions.

Fun, Fablous, Fantastic, Freaking Fantablous Friday

2008-02-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

I'm in an extremely silly mood today, it has to do with the lack of sleep I am expierencing this week. I am trying to reteach my kids that they have to sleep in their own beds. We've all gotten into the bad habbit of coming in with mama in the middle of the night. I'm so over that.

But... Back to the fun Friday. You know you are going to have a fun, fablous, fantastic, friday when you hear this.

"Mama, Little Man made a poopy in the bathtub"

Oh the fun of finding a brown turd floating in the bathtub mixing in with the kids and all their bath toys. Yep, a wonderful day today.

My Date

2008-02-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

Today was Monday (just in case you've forgotten what day it is) and Crazy Daughter had playgroup. So Little Man and I had a date. We normally go to W@l-m@rt, and get some groceries, but I'm sick of that store and so we went to T@rget.

My little boy is so different when he isn't with his sister, so inquistative, quiet, full of wonder as we walked down the toy isle. We were looking for a present for Big Guy, he'll be home sooner than I know it and I want to have something for him to do that first night. Because of the time change, I know he'll be awake late into the evening. I had been seeing commercials (thanks to all the kid shows we watch) for the new Indiana Jones Legos, Big Guy loves Indi and is super excited abou the new movie coming out. So we got the new Legos Indi set. Hope he likes it.

But we took our time meandering through the isles, he got all excited when we walked by the movie isle and he saw a Tom @ Jerry cartoon video. Not able to pry it from his tight little fists, I bought the 5.50$ movie.

The next stop on our date was a short drive over to P@ner@ Bread, I got all excited getting out of the car, walked over to the bakery case and started pointing to all the muffins and cookies. He picked out a rather large chocolate chip cookie, and I got my coffee and spinach and bacon souflee. We sat down and he started making eyes with an older couple the next table over. He makes people smile so easily, it just warms my heart.

But as all things have to end, so too did our date. We got back in the car and headed back to town to pick up Crazy Daughter and life began normal again.

Domestication

2008-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

Yes that is bread rising in my oven, six loafs and some rolls. I can't believe it myself, but I've started baking my own bread, this one is whole wheat and oatmeal. I'll start the oven in a couple of minutes so in about an hour I'll have fresh warm homemade bread. Who knew I could actually cook. lol

I've kind of got on this health kick, you know in that ever present battle to loose weight. So I've been watching my sugar contents and trying to eat more fresh things. Though I was thwarted by cookie dough.... Sunday at church they were having a fundraiser by selling cookie dough, so I bought two tubs, sugar cookie and chocolate chunk. And I broke down and made the sugar cookies on Sunday. Oh sooo good. Such weak will power.

It snowed last night, oh, about a foot of the cold white stuff on the ground. You know when we were kids, snow had such a different feel. I mean this, we didn't have any of the responsibilites as we do now, as adults. I shovelled, I am grateful I actually bought one this year. For 30 minutes I heaved the cold white stuff, such a not fun expierence. Cursing the driveway and it's slope and it's legenth. Why did we have to get such a long driveway? I guess that is one thing about Texas I will be grateful for, no snow.

Okay, I'm off to bake my bread, yumm, fresh warm bread and strawberry jelly. I'm in heaven right now.

6 AM

2008-02-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, so my alarm went off at 6 am this morning, and I actually got up. Okay well I hit the snooze button only once. But I am actually enjoying getting up before the flurry of kids and activities in the morning.

And let me point out right here, I am not a morning person, not by any stretch of the imagination. I enjoy sleeping in, I was a great sleeper in college, sleeping till nearly 10 or eleven on the weekends. I aparently get grumpy (so friends and family tell me) when I get tired, so intrupting my beauty sleep to get things done in the morning is shocking my friends and family.

So here's a list of the things accomplished between 6 (okay 6:10) and 7 this morning.

Started a load of laundry
made coffee
Wrote 3 cards to various family that I have been putting off for awhile now
Got a box to mail out to Dragonfly, complete with the customs form
Balanced checkbook
Went through a stack of papers on my desk and sorted them. Filled the bills.
Enjoyed my coffee and cereal
Wrote out grocery list for trip to grocery store
Listened to Evanescence without the sound of cartoons or running kids in the background.

Pretty darn good, huh. So I guess my sacrifice of sleep is paying off in being more organized and maybe a bit more sane throughout the day. I'm not sure about getting up at 5, which was my origional goal, so I could exercise. But I'll stick with this 6 thing. I do so love the quiet.