I have been a bit obsessed with getting Tristan potty trained. We have big discussions about being a big boy, using the toilet like everyone else, etc. The other day was no exception and I was even more zealous in my attempts because Tristan had once again pooped in his pull-up. I had him get the wipes and a clean pull-up and proceeded to tell him again how, when, & where he should poop. He turned to me just as calm and clear as could be.... "Mom, you worry way too much about my poop!"
I have used the phrase to all of them "You worry way too much about ___ (each other, etc.)" It was quite the twist to have it thrown back at me about his bodily functions! In the midst of this exchange Alexa piped in with "Nasty Baby Boy" because Tristan had pooped in his pants. I have told him it is nasty to do that and I have told him babies do that. Alexa decided to make a combo out of it all and tossed it in for good measure! He got so mad. He told her "I am not Nasty Baby Boy.. I am TRIS TAN!" And now you can't call him sweetie, big boy, sugar, or anything other than his name. If you do, you get the same response.. I am TRIS TAN.. all drawn out and loud.
We do tend to take a stand around here and stick to our guns on things.. I guess it is just his turn!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine's Day..
as one of Brianne's friends call it.. Single's Awareness Day! I wish so much pressure/emphasis wasn't put into this one day. The stores are crazy and the restaurants are overbooked. It is such a huge Taboo for a person not to acknowledge this day with their significant other. People's feelings get really hurt when they are overlooked. But why just today? Is it okay to be overlooked the rest of the year? Or do we hold out hope that this one day will be important enough for us to be shown how much we are loved. Sure.. material things don't matter.. it's the thought that counts.. yeah right. I am fortunate that Brian thought of me, he even got cards for the kids to give me. He took today off. (That is HUGE!) We ran errands and had an okay, quick lunch at a local eatery. We tried to get into Olive Garden for lunch.. it was a madhouse. We remembered a Valentine's Day when we went out to dinner with friends. We spent 4 hours at Red Lobster and the meal was awful! We don't have that kind of time to waste anymore. So we are home with the kids. No big bucks spent, no pressure to do something spectacular, we've done all that before. We enjoyed spending time together today even if it was just another day in our busy lives. Doing the things we needed to get done. After 25 years I guess it is about time we are comfortable enough with each other that the cards mean alot, but the gift of time means more. I hope you all had a good one in whatever way you celebrated it, if you were able to celebrate it at all.
Men are From Mars...
their own special planet... with their own special language... I've never been there... and I don't speak their language!
And that is all I am going to say about that!
And that is all I am going to say about that!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Let them eat cake!
We took them to Dave & Buster's after pictures on their actual birthday, then last Saturday we had their party at Ollie Koala's. Click on the pic to view more photos in the gallery. They had a blast. The only casualty was Alexa's crown hair clips. They disappeared in the giant play house area. No telling where they ended up or who took them home. She told me I would have to get her more.
There's always more isn't there??
There's always more isn't there??
The parts that make a whole..
I have mentioned before how diverse and extended our family is. It has always been that way. No matter how you slice it, there are different parts that make a whole. If you remove a part, the whole is not the same. We are who we are because of who conceived us, even if they didn't raise us. I am proof of that. Kierra was too. And as history repeats itself, so will the twins be whoever they are meant to be. That isn't a negative thing. There have been many times throughout Kierra's life I tried to dismiss who her biological father was. I had very good reasons for that. My mother's reasons for keeping me from my biological father weren't so good. I have had issues with the twin's father in the past. But he is an integral part of who they are. He is as much a part of them as Kierra was. They lived the first half of their lives not knowing him. Now they spend their lives not remembering Kierra. I have to make choices for them based on what I believe to be best for them. I have to seperate my feelings at times from what I feel is good for them. We all have the ability to grow and change. I do not know what tomorrow will bring. I have learned the hard way that life can change in the flash of a second, beyond our control. I watched Alex & his Dad with the kids this weekend. I thought of the picture we must have made all together with them at the zoo on Sunday. And I realized it was a picture of a family trying to make a whole with an important part missing. A picture of a family, diverse and different. All of us trying to find our place in the picture. Knowing it takes many parts to make a whole...
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Feb 9 2008
Isn't this the coolest pic?! That is Alex's leg they are hanging on. He & his Dad came down for the twin's birthday party. They are such happy kids!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Feb 4 2008 All Three
Okay, the scanner is up & working. (Thank You Hubby!) I have posted the better pix, so enjoy!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Pictures of Pictures
Click on this photo and see the most recent pix we had done on the twin's birthday, Monday. These are pix of pix because my scanner isn't cooperating. I will post better pix later that you can save and print.
Just couldn't wait to share them!
Just couldn't wait to share them!
Hate Being the Bad Guy!
All three kids had Dr. appts today for their yearly check-ups. The Pediatrician they have always had recently moved offices and is just a few miles up the road from us now. I did not realize Tristan & Alexa would be due for shots. Four of them! So needless to say, we tried to seperate them and reduce the amount of drama, but they have very keen ears. Tristan went first and was mad, and cried a little. Alexa saw the needles and the screaming began before the first one! She is our little Drama Diva. She cried longer and harder, and she wanted her Papa RIGHT NOW. We called him when we were all done and she immediately got all pouty and told him all about it. Tristan told him "I got shots and I got a lollipop." No drama, no pouty whine. It has been a couple hours now and she is still throwing me dirty looks. Oh well, I am used to it!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Chaser 8.10.95-2.5.08
Chaser had heart failure or some type of stroke today. Brianne called me from the Vet. Doing the right thing is so often the hardest thing to do. He will be greatly missed.
We got Chaser when I worked for a Veterinarian when we first moved to Jacksonville. He started out as a bet that you couldn't raise a good dog from bad breeding. I obviously won the bet, because although Chaser's parent's were mean, unsociable chows, he was a sweetheart. He was great with the kids too. He moved out with Brianne just before she got married. Today was a very hard day for her & Justin. For us too. Many people don't consider their pets part of the family. Ours are. I told Hunter.. Chaser is running around with Sasha & Ami and still trying to catch Cadbury!
We got Chaser when I worked for a Veterinarian when we first moved to Jacksonville. He started out as a bet that you couldn't raise a good dog from bad breeding. I obviously won the bet, because although Chaser's parent's were mean, unsociable chows, he was a sweetheart. He was great with the kids too. He moved out with Brianne just before she got married. Today was a very hard day for her & Justin. For us too. Many people don't consider their pets part of the family. Ours are. I told Hunter.. Chaser is running around with Sasha & Ami and still trying to catch Cadbury!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Feb 3 2008 Alexa
Just a quick preview of her outfit for their birthday pictures tomorrow. We were trying to decide on white tights or blue.. I am still undecided. I think the blue looks better.. but they are just a shade off which drives me crazy!
Tristan
This is Tristan straightening his gear for the umpteenth time. It has come in quite handy with his scooter.. he falls alot! He tries to go too fast and takes the turns way too sharp. I have flashbacks of driving with his Mother!
Anise in the sandbox!
Okay, we did the whole sandbox thing for Hunter's birthday and thought the kids would enjoy it so we left it set up. Anise is our "special" dog. She had spinal menengitis when she was about 6 months old, so she will always be the size and mental state of a 6 month old dog. Which means she will always chew and get into things! She is 6 years old now.
The top got left off the sandbox so she took full advantage of digging around and sampling any plastic toys they left inside. She now checks it out everytime she goes outside. The kids think it is cute.. I honestly do too until she tracks the sand inside!
The top got left off the sandbox so she took full advantage of digging around and sampling any plastic toys they left inside. She now checks it out everytime she goes outside. The kids think it is cute.. I honestly do too until she tracks the sand inside!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The sound of his voice..
How strange it is for me to be a parent, a grandparent, yet still feel like such a child when I talk to my Dad. There is something about his voice. We talked for close to an hour on the phone last week. What makes that a big deal is that my Dad doesn't usually like to talk on the phone. We were talking about trips out west he took with my Mom and about making copies of the video they took. So it wasn't really a "serious" conversation. The timber of his words reminded me of when I was a child and he would try to teach me about something, explaining it in detail so I would understand. It was just the sound of his voice.
One of the first times I ever heard him say the words "I Love You" to me was on the phone. I was in England January 1991, Brian had just left in the middle of the night and was headed for Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War. I was in a foreign country by myself with my children and I was scared and alone. I called my Mom & Dad. As we were saying our goodbyes I said my usual I love you, his usual reply my whole life was "me too". This time he said "I Love You Too". I was speechless and tears sprang to my eyes. My fear was forgotten in that precious moment. It was just the sound of his voice.
His voice was barely audible when I first saw him after Kierra's death. He held me so tight as I heard his voice in my ear saying "I Love You". I couldn't even speak. My Mother had so wanted to be the one to comfort me while I cried and I couldn't do it. I couldn't release that part of myself for her. I didn't intend to release that part of myself for anyone. But as my Dad held me and said those words in my ear I could not hold it back. It was just the sound of his voice.
So never underestimate what it means for someone to hear.. the sound of your voice.
One of the first times I ever heard him say the words "I Love You" to me was on the phone. I was in England January 1991, Brian had just left in the middle of the night and was headed for Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War. I was in a foreign country by myself with my children and I was scared and alone. I called my Mom & Dad. As we were saying our goodbyes I said my usual I love you, his usual reply my whole life was "me too". This time he said "I Love You Too". I was speechless and tears sprang to my eyes. My fear was forgotten in that precious moment. It was just the sound of his voice.
His voice was barely audible when I first saw him after Kierra's death. He held me so tight as I heard his voice in my ear saying "I Love You". I couldn't even speak. My Mother had so wanted to be the one to comfort me while I cried and I couldn't do it. I couldn't release that part of myself for her. I didn't intend to release that part of myself for anyone. But as my Dad held me and said those words in my ear I could not hold it back. It was just the sound of his voice.
So never underestimate what it means for someone to hear.. the sound of your voice.
Talking up a storm..
Tristan & Alexa had speech evaluations today and Tristan no longer needs speech therapy! He tested at the 4- 4 1/2 year old range. He just has to be reminded to slow down sometimes when he talks. Alexa still needs therapy, she tested at about the 3 year old level. Her former speech therapist said it may be an ongoing issue with her, so we shall see. So even though Tristan doesn't need to go anymore, we still have Alexa's appointments twice a week. They both are making progress, Tristan has been in speech therapy a year longer than Alexa because initially she talked more than he did and did the talking for him. I am sure with a little more time she will catch up too. They have come a long way from talking their own gibberish to each other and no one could understand anything they said!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Growing & Knowing..
They are too smart and growing up too fast! Alexa caught me with tears in my eyes and asked why I was crying. I told her I was sad. That didn't satisfy her. She wanted to know why I was sad. I tried to change the subject. She took hold of my face with her tiny hands and looked straight into my eyes. "Tell me why you sad?.. right now!" (I wonder where she gets that determination from??) I told her I was sad because I missed Mommy-Kierra. (That is what we call her with the twins so they will have that connection with her. They get upset and confused when I say she is their Mommy because they don't understand. For the same reason they call Alex "Daddy-Alex", so they will have that connection and know there is a difference. Until they are old enough to understand.) She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the fireplace mantel and pointed to the picture we have there of Kierra with Alexa. "You no miss her.. she right there!" And to Alexa that makes perfect sense. She only remembers her from pictures. She does not know her any other way. I have worked very hard to keep my tears from them. But every once in a while it happens, and they are not as easy to distract as they used to be, especially Alexa. She sees more and is more perceptive than Tristan. But don't let him fool you. He is just as quick to catch things you say or do that you may think he missed. He has also become quite the mimic lately. He noticed the exchange between Alexa & I. He watched from a distance, playing with his cars, and when Alexa & I returned to the living room he climbed on my lap and offered me his favorite car to play with. Already dealing with his emotions in an indirect way.. already a little man. They are almost 4 years old. How can that be?
I wonder at fate sometimes. That I was there while their mother carried them. That I was there for all the Dr. appointments and ultrasounds. That I know her cravings and all the funny things she said & did. That I was there as they entered the world so that I can share with them the miracle of that moment. That I was there as she talked about her hopes and dreams for them. I would trade being there then with her being here now, but since I can't, I will tell them for her. I will share her with them in so many ways no one else can. They will know more than in pictures, they will know so much more..
I wonder at fate sometimes. That I was there while their mother carried them. That I was there for all the Dr. appointments and ultrasounds. That I know her cravings and all the funny things she said & did. That I was there as they entered the world so that I can share with them the miracle of that moment. That I was there as she talked about her hopes and dreams for them. I would trade being there then with her being here now, but since I can't, I will tell them for her. I will share her with them in so many ways no one else can. They will know more than in pictures, they will know so much more..
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Aqua Aerobics..I feel like Garfield!
My sister & I have recently started Aqua Cardio Classes at the YMCA. It is a much harder workout than I thought it would be! We have even signed up for a Zumba class!
SOLD!!
We finally closed on the Beckley house! It was a long wait and we spent alot of money and time on it, but it is finally done. As relieved as I am, it is bittersweet to no longer own that home. We have alot of memories there. It is the last place I saw Kierra. But as much as that house held some of the best days of our lives, it also held the worst day of our lives as well. Life moves forward, no matter how slowly we follow along.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Did I tell you.. I saw Snow?!
Not here at home.. but last Saturday I was up in Madison at the horse ranch.. it was a very cold wet morning, then in the afternoon.. it snowed! Pretty big, whites tufts of snow fluttering through the air. It didn't stick, but was beautiful to watch. I could not remember the last time that I got to watch snow fall down around me. It was awesome. I went to the ranch alone this time, so I didn't have anyone to share it with, but maybe that was the point. It was something I wouldn't have slowed down to really enjoy and appreciate if I hadn't been by myself. There was such beauty and solace in those moments.
It was a crazy weekend other than that, but I enjoyed the break. I spilled a full cup of coffee on a beautiful ,big, victorian comforter..spent the snowy afternoon at the local laundromat because I felt so bad and didn't want it to stain! I lost my horse, I found my horse.. Trekked through the woods in freezing cold weather to find him. Finally rode Lenny out to find him and he took me straight to where Barney was hung up in some tree branches and vines.. not hurt, so we let him run loose to eat and calm down. He must have gone in to get out of the bad weather the day before. I lost him again that afternoon, but found him shortly after.. without his halter. It's a good thing I love that horse! He had been out to pasture because Tortuga has an abcess in her foot and has been inside the barn in his stall recuperating. He has been out to pasture before, many times, with no problems. Let's hope he is smart enough not to get stuck again. They will keep a close eye on him.
The kids had a blast with Terry, Dwight, & Savannah as always. Alexa likes to play the piano while Tristan plays Terri's guitar like a cello on it's stand. They jam out then bow and say thank you! Terri said they wished they could have gotten it on video.. it was so cute! Hunter told me he "chilled out" in the hot tub by himself to get a break from the twins and he gets to ride on Uncle Dwight's motorcycle with him and even got to sleep in the RV. (Dwight said he won't do that again.. Hunter was all over the place, he hardly got any sleep!) It is great that the kids feel so at home there and I know they are well cared for and loved. They are my lifesavers!
It was a crazy weekend other than that, but I enjoyed the break. I spilled a full cup of coffee on a beautiful ,big, victorian comforter..spent the snowy afternoon at the local laundromat because I felt so bad and didn't want it to stain! I lost my horse, I found my horse.. Trekked through the woods in freezing cold weather to find him. Finally rode Lenny out to find him and he took me straight to where Barney was hung up in some tree branches and vines.. not hurt, so we let him run loose to eat and calm down. He must have gone in to get out of the bad weather the day before. I lost him again that afternoon, but found him shortly after.. without his halter. It's a good thing I love that horse! He had been out to pasture because Tortuga has an abcess in her foot and has been inside the barn in his stall recuperating. He has been out to pasture before, many times, with no problems. Let's hope he is smart enough not to get stuck again. They will keep a close eye on him.
The kids had a blast with Terry, Dwight, & Savannah as always. Alexa likes to play the piano while Tristan plays Terri's guitar like a cello on it's stand. They jam out then bow and say thank you! Terri said they wished they could have gotten it on video.. it was so cute! Hunter told me he "chilled out" in the hot tub by himself to get a break from the twins and he gets to ride on Uncle Dwight's motorcycle with him and even got to sleep in the RV. (Dwight said he won't do that again.. Hunter was all over the place, he hardly got any sleep!) It is great that the kids feel so at home there and I know they are well cared for and loved. They are my lifesavers!
The Tortoise and The Hare
In our world of Potty Training Twins.. Alexa takes the lead and is totally in regular big girl panties now! She even stays dry when we go out...
Tristan is the tortoise in this tale, but I fear he won't be out smarting the hare! He has very little interest or inclination to wear big boy underwear and can't be bothered when he is playing. We are going to try something new over the weekend and we will see if that inspires him..I hope so!
Tristan is the tortoise in this tale, but I fear he won't be out smarting the hare! He has very little interest or inclination to wear big boy underwear and can't be bothered when he is playing. We are going to try something new over the weekend and we will see if that inspires him..I hope so!
Update on earlier post.. FYI
This is my "journal" of sorts. There are times I ramble, and times I make sense to myself, but not to anyone else. Please let me know if something confuses you or worries you. Usually it is just a miscommunication. I didn't realize the way I worded "IN A HEARTBEAT", that it could be misunderstood the way a few people took it. As I updated in the post.. I did not make the comment about "unloading the kids".. someone else made the comment and it made it's way back to me. You would be amazed at how often that happens. Even when someone says, "please don't say anything to anyone else"... someone, somewhere, will tell someone else and so on and so on. That is human nature I guess. I have been guilty of it myself. It is often not even intentional when someone tells you something hurtful. I imagine sometimes it is, but let's give each other the benefit of the doubt! I have been appalled at some of the things people felt the need to share with me about Kierra. 99% of it I already knew.. but why the need to share things that would shed a hurtful or negative light on someone who isn't around to defend themselves? And to tell things that wouldn't bring peace, but pain?? Anywho.. that is a whole other book! Sorry if I confused or concerned you guys.. all is well in our world, hope you are well in yours..
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Finding the Alphabet..
The twins & I just got back from the grocery store. I just needed to pick up a few things so I hadn't planned on it taking very long. It took almost an hour! It all started when we were walking in and Tristan pointed out a letter on a sign. I told him he was so smart and such a big boy! Not to be outdone, Alexa picked out a letter from another sign. So of course I praised her as well.
So that is how we ended up playing "Find The Alphabet" in the grocery store for almost an hour! I almost forgot what I was shopping for, good thing I had my list! I am sure a few people thought we were odd, but the kids had a blast. it turned a hectic, rushed shopping trip into a fun, educational adventure. Maybe next time we'll do colors and numbers!
So that is how we ended up playing "Find The Alphabet" in the grocery store for almost an hour! I almost forgot what I was shopping for, good thing I had my list! I am sure a few people thought we were odd, but the kids had a blast. it turned a hectic, rushed shopping trip into a fun, educational adventure. Maybe next time we'll do colors and numbers!
In a Heartbeat...
You know how a comment can go from one person to another to another? Very often that comment gets back to the person you probably would have preferred it never get to. That has happened to me a couple times lately. A couple comments were made about me and have gotten back to me. One that I have really thought alot about & tried to honestly evaluate I would like to share.. and clarify. (To clarify further..I did not make the comment, someone else said it about me and it was repeated back to me.) The comment was to the effect that I would "unload the kids in a heartbeat". I am not sure if that applied to all 3 or just the twins, but it doesn't matter.
They are alot of work, alot of hard work. Some days I don't know how I will do it. And I take full advantage of opportunities to get away and recharge. Most days I am worn out at the end of the day. But it's not just from the kids, it's from life in general too. I could not imagine our life without them. I would not be able to function without them to care for. It keeps me going and keeps my heart in tact. It is easier financially than when my older three were small, but so much harder emotionally. Did I/would I have "unloaded" my other children?? Of course not.. Did they drive me just as crazy? Of course they did! Would I do it all again? In a hearbeat!
Some people think they know how I feel.. I assure you, no matter who you are to me, you don't. You may have a vague notion, but you do not know how my heart feels. That is mine, and mine alone. Comments like this make me gaurd my heart even more.
I get stressed, I get tired. Show me a parent of 3 small children, even without our extenuating circumstances, and you will see them stressed and tired as well. I am blessed to have support from family & friends whom we hold very dear. We could not do this without them. It is not the way I thought my life at this stage would be, but there is no way for me to bring Kierra back, and that is the only way I could/ or would change where my life is today. So in case you were wondering.. my heart beats almost a hundred times a minute and no one is going anywhere.
They are alot of work, alot of hard work. Some days I don't know how I will do it. And I take full advantage of opportunities to get away and recharge. Most days I am worn out at the end of the day. But it's not just from the kids, it's from life in general too. I could not imagine our life without them. I would not be able to function without them to care for. It keeps me going and keeps my heart in tact. It is easier financially than when my older three were small, but so much harder emotionally. Did I/would I have "unloaded" my other children?? Of course not.. Did they drive me just as crazy? Of course they did! Would I do it all again? In a hearbeat!
Some people think they know how I feel.. I assure you, no matter who you are to me, you don't. You may have a vague notion, but you do not know how my heart feels. That is mine, and mine alone. Comments like this make me gaurd my heart even more.
I get stressed, I get tired. Show me a parent of 3 small children, even without our extenuating circumstances, and you will see them stressed and tired as well. I am blessed to have support from family & friends whom we hold very dear. We could not do this without them. It is not the way I thought my life at this stage would be, but there is no way for me to bring Kierra back, and that is the only way I could/ or would change where my life is today. So in case you were wondering.. my heart beats almost a hundred times a minute and no one is going anywhere.
One on One..
It is a rare opportunity that I get to spend one on one time with the kids. I get to have a few minnutes with Hunter when I drop him off or pick him up from school. I can't really count when I volunteer in his classroom because he shares me with 17 other kids! I guess he has gotten the most one on one time because he has gone to the ranch a few times. Once my hand is healed I want to start doing that with the twins too. The other night Alexa just wouldn't settle down and finally I let her come out to the couch long after the boys had fallen asleep. She insisted she was waiting for Papa to come home. We snuggled on the couch and she drew on her Dora Doodlepad. Now she very often will climb into our bed during the night and tends to get a bit extra TLC that way. Hunter does that once in a great while. Tristan will not climb into our bed to sleep. He only climbs up if we are awake and playing around. He will go out to the living room during the night or in the wee hours of the morning, but that is as close as he gets.
Well, last night Tristan got sent to his room at about 6:30 for telling me "No". He was sound asleep in less than 5 minutes. I figured that was no big deal since they go to bed anytime from 7:30 on.. sometimes 7:00 if they are really tired and cranky! Well at about 9:30pm he woke up, wide awake. He started to say "good morning" which he does every morning, but then he looked out the window and realized it was still night. I let him stay up thinking he would tire again in a short time and go back to bed. We had to force him to go to bed at around midnight so we could go to bed! But I did enjoy the time with just him. He played with his cars, drew on his Diego Doodlepad, and scrounged off Brian's dinner plate after he got home from work and finally had the chance to eat something. There were even a couple snuggles too!
Now were you thinking this adventure might have led to Tristan sleeping in later today? You would be mistaken! He was on the couch wrapped in his blanket and ready for the day before my alarm had the chance to go off this morning!
I don't plan on making all our individual time happen late at night, but I do plan on making sure it happens more often!
Well, last night Tristan got sent to his room at about 6:30 for telling me "No". He was sound asleep in less than 5 minutes. I figured that was no big deal since they go to bed anytime from 7:30 on.. sometimes 7:00 if they are really tired and cranky! Well at about 9:30pm he woke up, wide awake. He started to say "good morning" which he does every morning, but then he looked out the window and realized it was still night. I let him stay up thinking he would tire again in a short time and go back to bed. We had to force him to go to bed at around midnight so we could go to bed! But I did enjoy the time with just him. He played with his cars, drew on his Diego Doodlepad, and scrounged off Brian's dinner plate after he got home from work and finally had the chance to eat something. There were even a couple snuggles too!
Now were you thinking this adventure might have led to Tristan sleeping in later today? You would be mistaken! He was on the couch wrapped in his blanket and ready for the day before my alarm had the chance to go off this morning!
I don't plan on making all our individual time happen late at night, but I do plan on making sure it happens more often!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Not a Day Goes By
by Lonestar
Got a picture of you I carry in my heart
Close my eyes to see it when the world gets dark
Got a memory of you I carry in my soul
I wrap it close around me when the nights get cold
If you asked me how Im doin Id say just fine
But the truth is baby, if you could read my mind
Not a day goes by that I dont think of you
After all this time youre still with me its true
Somehow you remain locked so deep inside
Baby, baby, oh baby, not a day goes by
I still wait for the phone in the middle of the night
Thinkin you might call me if your dreams dont turn out right
And it still amazes me that I lie here in the dark
Wishin you were next to me, your head against my heart
If you asked me how Im doing Id say just fine
But the truth is baby, if you could read my mind
Not a day goes by that I dont think of you
After all this time youre still with me its true
Somehow you remain locked so deep inside
Baby, baby, oh baby, not a day goes by
Minutes turn to hours, and the hours to days
Seems its been forever that Ive felt this way
Not a day goes by that I dont think of you
After all this time youre still with me its true
Somehow you remain locked so deep inside
Baby, baby, oh baby, not a day goes by
Got a picture of you I carry in my heart
Close my eyes to see it when the world gets dark
Got a memory of you I carry in my soul
I wrap it close around me when the nights get cold
If you asked me how Im doin Id say just fine
But the truth is baby, if you could read my mind
Not a day goes by that I dont think of you
After all this time youre still with me its true
Somehow you remain locked so deep inside
Baby, baby, oh baby, not a day goes by
I still wait for the phone in the middle of the night
Thinkin you might call me if your dreams dont turn out right
And it still amazes me that I lie here in the dark
Wishin you were next to me, your head against my heart
If you asked me how Im doing Id say just fine
But the truth is baby, if you could read my mind
Not a day goes by that I dont think of you
After all this time youre still with me its true
Somehow you remain locked so deep inside
Baby, baby, oh baby, not a day goes by
Minutes turn to hours, and the hours to days
Seems its been forever that Ive felt this way
Not a day goes by that I dont think of you
After all this time youre still with me its true
Somehow you remain locked so deep inside
Baby, baby, oh baby, not a day goes by
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Still not closed..
NO, we have not closed on the Beckley house yet! Our absolute deadline is end of business tomorrow. Wish us Luck, say a Prayer.. whatever works!!
little people.. big mess!
I am always amazed at how big a mess the littlest people in the house can make! Brian & I spent the better part of today cleaning & fixing things and we aren't done yet! I completely cleaned and organized both of the boys rooms and steam cleaned Tristan's carpet. Alexa's room will have to wait until tomorrow. I downsized and sorted out their toys and Brian stripped, cleaned and remade their beds. Resolve makes the most awesome spot magic stain remover.. it works on chocolate, candy of various colors, and poop! Can't tell you how much fun cleaning all that was! Our steam cleaner is one of the best investments we ever made. On to cleaning the hall and the area between the kitchen and the back door!
H. Pylori
Helicobacter pylori is a helical shaped Gram-negative bacterium that infects various areas of the stomach and duodenum. Many cases of peptic ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, and perhaps cancer are caused by H. pylori infection. However, many who are infected do not show any symptoms of disease. Helicobacter spp. are the only known microorganisms that can thrive in the highly acidic environment of the stomach. Its helical shape (from which the genus name is derived) is thought to have evolved to penetrate and favor its motility in the mucus gel layer.
This is the latest thing my doctors have found me to have. I have some minor symptoms, but nothing major. So I am on Nexium and mega doses of antibiotics. I am supposed to avoid ongoing stress & coffee. (LOL) Always something! I see my hand doc tomorrow, I will let you know what they say..
This is the latest thing my doctors have found me to have. I have some minor symptoms, but nothing major. So I am on Nexium and mega doses of antibiotics. I am supposed to avoid ongoing stress & coffee. (LOL) Always something! I see my hand doc tomorrow, I will let you know what they say..
Sunday, January 06, 2008
3 Little Elves..
Have you looked under your couch lately?? I am fortunate that ours is situated away from the walls. I can just tip it back and have access to underneath. I do it about every two weeks. It is quite the adventure even in such a short amount of time. Today I found pieces of puzzles, toys, hair barrettes, lots of dust bunnies, crumbs from assorted snacks, pieces of paper, wrappings from Capri Sun straws, & unknown bits & pieces. There are a couple toys down inside one of the pieces to the couch. They are unreachable, forever destined to live in the dark crevices of our couch until we someday get a new couch. I refuse to cut the underside to get them out. It is another mystery how they came to be there in the first place. The infamous elf, "I Don't Know" must have done it. He seems to get around alot these days! He hides in the house somewhere with his pals.. "Not Me" & "I Didn't Do It".. If you notice there are 3 of them.. quite a coincidence that we have 3 elves of our own living here too!
Christmas is over!
The kids keep telling each other "Christmas is over!" while they watch me pack up and put away all the Christmas decorations. Why does it take 3 times as long to put stuff away than it did to get it out? My house looks bare! ( At least the walls and shelves/tables do.. toys cover most of the floor!) I still have some things to pack up, but it is all narrowed down to my formal dining room area. I will be glad when it is all gone! I hate putting it away more than I couldn't stand getting it all out. Hopefully today will finish it up. I still have to get plywood and get it up in the attic so I can get stuff stored and out of the garage. The kids keep asking me why I am putting everything away.. and that is where they learned their new phrase... Christmas is over!
Getting back on track..
The past few weeks have been crazy for everyone. It really shows in the kids and how they behave. I thought things were hectic before the Holidays, but even a crazy routine/schedule is better than none at all! By the way.. I didn't pick out the carpet color.. it came with the house!
*We finally got Alexa's toilet unplugged.. it had doll brushes stuck in it.
*Hunter ate ALL the icing off about 3/4 of a whole red velvet cake Rick brought for Christmas dinner. He demolished the cake, leaving a trail of it all over the floor to his room... mostly on the cream colored carpet!
*You would think that was enough cake.. but he did the same thing to the remainder of Terry's birthday cake as well! He does this in the wee hours of the morning before anyone wakes up.
*Tristan sneaks candy into his room.. spits out what he doesn't like.. again on the cream colored carpet! Can't figure out where the candy keeps coming from!
*Both Tristan & Alexa hide "dirty" pull-ups & underpants in various places in their room.. adds quite the "odor" to their room & carpet, not to mention a few stains as well. I have been spot cleaning.. time to shampoo all the carpets!
*They all have every toy they own pulled out and scattered everywhere!
*Alexa has become even more of a drama queen. She scratched a scab on her foot, asked for a band-aid, then proceeded to limp and asked to be carried because her foot hurt and she couldn't walk!
*Tristan has become our professional whiner.. he whines when he first wakes up, he whines whenever he wants a drink, snack, etc.. he whines when he is told to go potty, he whines when he is tired. That pretty much covers whenever he is awake!
*Soap crayons may wash off bathrooom walls, but not room walls.. Tristan's room still has streaks of red that even my magic eraser can't get off! The other colors came off with major scrubbing, but not the red!
*One night while Terry was here we tried to take them all to a movie, we got as far as McDonald's and decided to do movie night at home they were so out of control.. they even made that difficult! Alexa cried about wanting popcorn until Brian told her (via phone) that we had popcorn at home.. only to discover at movie time that we had no popcorn! I got them to settle for potato sticks instead.
*Alexa's new thing whenever she is mad.. she has to talk to Papa/Daddy (depending on how upset she is decides what she calls him).. she cries and cries, then boo hoos to him on the phone.. giving me the evil eye the whole time. And magically the tears disappear!
Now that I have complained about them.. let me tell you about the best part of the past few weeks. Yesterday morning Brian & I were in bed. Alexa had crawled into our bed during the night. The boys came in to wake us up and we spent over an hour playing and sharing hugs and tickles before we all got up. Brian didn't have to go to work and we had no where we had to go. It doesn't happen often, so we really enjoyed it. We have movie times like that too. Brian usually misses those, but he got to share in one last night. Those times make it easier to deal with the normal chaos they produce on a daily basis. It doesn't balance out, but life very rarely does.
Hunter returns to school tomorrow. The twins start back with speech therapy this week. I am putting away all the remnants of Christmas. Hopefully we can all get back on track!
*We finally got Alexa's toilet unplugged.. it had doll brushes stuck in it.
*Hunter ate ALL the icing off about 3/4 of a whole red velvet cake Rick brought for Christmas dinner. He demolished the cake, leaving a trail of it all over the floor to his room... mostly on the cream colored carpet!
*You would think that was enough cake.. but he did the same thing to the remainder of Terry's birthday cake as well! He does this in the wee hours of the morning before anyone wakes up.
*Tristan sneaks candy into his room.. spits out what he doesn't like.. again on the cream colored carpet! Can't figure out where the candy keeps coming from!
*Both Tristan & Alexa hide "dirty" pull-ups & underpants in various places in their room.. adds quite the "odor" to their room & carpet, not to mention a few stains as well. I have been spot cleaning.. time to shampoo all the carpets!
*They all have every toy they own pulled out and scattered everywhere!
*Alexa has become even more of a drama queen. She scratched a scab on her foot, asked for a band-aid, then proceeded to limp and asked to be carried because her foot hurt and she couldn't walk!
*Tristan has become our professional whiner.. he whines when he first wakes up, he whines whenever he wants a drink, snack, etc.. he whines when he is told to go potty, he whines when he is tired. That pretty much covers whenever he is awake!
*Soap crayons may wash off bathrooom walls, but not room walls.. Tristan's room still has streaks of red that even my magic eraser can't get off! The other colors came off with major scrubbing, but not the red!
*One night while Terry was here we tried to take them all to a movie, we got as far as McDonald's and decided to do movie night at home they were so out of control.. they even made that difficult! Alexa cried about wanting popcorn until Brian told her (via phone) that we had popcorn at home.. only to discover at movie time that we had no popcorn! I got them to settle for potato sticks instead.
*Alexa's new thing whenever she is mad.. she has to talk to Papa/Daddy (depending on how upset she is decides what she calls him).. she cries and cries, then boo hoos to him on the phone.. giving me the evil eye the whole time. And magically the tears disappear!
Now that I have complained about them.. let me tell you about the best part of the past few weeks. Yesterday morning Brian & I were in bed. Alexa had crawled into our bed during the night. The boys came in to wake us up and we spent over an hour playing and sharing hugs and tickles before we all got up. Brian didn't have to go to work and we had no where we had to go. It doesn't happen often, so we really enjoyed it. We have movie times like that too. Brian usually misses those, but he got to share in one last night. Those times make it easier to deal with the normal chaos they produce on a daily basis. It doesn't balance out, but life very rarely does.
Hunter returns to school tomorrow. The twins start back with speech therapy this week. I am putting away all the remnants of Christmas. Hopefully we can all get back on track!
Friday, January 04, 2008
Mistakes and Moments..
Here we are, just one month away from the twin's 4th birthday. I am constantly amazed at how they change and grow every day. I can honestly say that on most days they wear me out! They have boundless energy and very little fear. They see everything as bright and new and theirs.. even when it isn't! I wonder some days what they would be like if Kierra were here to raise them. I wonder if they would be different. I have known people not raised anywhere near their parents, yet they are alot like them. Both in mannerisms and habits. I wonder how much is from who raises you, or who gives birth to you. I am sure it is a mixture of both. I am not as carefree as Kierra. She was such a free spirit. I try to do the things she liked to do with them. I try to show them the things she wanted them to see.
Every parent wants the best for their children. We all second guess how we do things and what is best for them. I think I have learned from my years of parenting, yet no 2 children are alike, and each experience is new. So I will learn along with them, and we will teach each other along the way. I know I will make mistakes, and they will too, as did their mother before them, and as all my children have. A mistake is an unexpected opportunity.. to learn, to change, to grow. (I should be 10 feet tall by now!)
So on the days when I doubt I will survive this, I will try to remember that I have been here before. I will remember another blond haired little girl who tried my patience more than once. I will remember another pair of hazel eyes that looked at me with mischief brewing in them. I will remember the time that flew by too fast and I will treasure the moments I have, good and otherwise.
Every parent wants the best for their children. We all second guess how we do things and what is best for them. I think I have learned from my years of parenting, yet no 2 children are alike, and each experience is new. So I will learn along with them, and we will teach each other along the way. I know I will make mistakes, and they will too, as did their mother before them, and as all my children have. A mistake is an unexpected opportunity.. to learn, to change, to grow. (I should be 10 feet tall by now!)
So on the days when I doubt I will survive this, I will try to remember that I have been here before. I will remember another blond haired little girl who tried my patience more than once. I will remember another pair of hazel eyes that looked at me with mischief brewing in them. I will remember the time that flew by too fast and I will treasure the moments I have, good and otherwise.
Greta- Family Pix 12-30-07
Cody, Katie, Joshua, Jonathan, Hunter,Alexa, Randy, (holding his Great grandson!), Greta & Tristan.
Greta wanted a picture with all the kids. I thought getting just 3 to stand still was tough.. it wouldn't be them if they weren't hamming it up!
Greta wanted a picture with all the kids. I thought getting just 3 to stand still was tough.. it wouldn't be them if they weren't hamming it up!
Jan 1 2008
Got them to stand still for a split second.. it is amazing how quick they move! I have dozens of blurry pictures! I thought it was cute that Tristan put his arms around Hunter & Alexa. Sometimes they actually like each other!
Chad & Bri 12-24-07
My big kids who still act like little kids! Here Bri grabbed Chad for a pic, which he avoids having taken all the time!
Terry & the munchkins 1-1-08
We've been pretty busy since Christmas. Terry came to visit from down south for almost a week. I have known her for more than 30 years! It was great to have her here, even for a quick visit. We got to get away for the weekend to celebrate her birthday which is New Year's Eve. Click on the pic to view more pix. Happy Birthday Terry!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
You know the drill..
There are pix of the kids all geared up with their new scooters, go to the photo gallery to see them.. just click on any of the photos I've posted. Will post more later..
Alexa's Tea Party!
Alexa insisted everyone have a tea party with her.. Bri & Chad were showing her the "proper" way to drink your tea!
Brian's big present... Hunter
Brian told Hunter he didn't want anything for Christmas. When Hunter told him he had to open something, Brian told him to wrap himself up because that would be the best present ever... So this was Hunter's Idea!
on Hold..
We are still in a holding pattern on the closing for the Beckley house. I will post Christmas pix, etc. later..
Monday, December 24, 2007
Just Listen...
The lights are bright on our Christmas tree,
decorations are draped all around.
When all is quiet in the dark of night
I listen yet don't hear a sound.
My mind can hear the laughter
of Christmas's gone by.
My mind can recall the visions
I barely have to try.
Most memories come unheeded
of Christmas around a tree.
With all my children with me
gathered at my knee.
This Christmas we have a different tree
and are making traditions anew.
With your children gathered at my knee
sharing memories of you.
My heart can feel your laughter
from Christmas's gone by.
My heart can feel your presence
I barely have to try.
The lights are bright on our Christmas tree,
decorations are draped all around.
You are with me in the dark of night
I just listen with my heart and you are found.
mjs 12-24-07
decorations are draped all around.
When all is quiet in the dark of night
I listen yet don't hear a sound.
My mind can hear the laughter
of Christmas's gone by.
My mind can recall the visions
I barely have to try.
Most memories come unheeded
of Christmas around a tree.
With all my children with me
gathered at my knee.
This Christmas we have a different tree
and are making traditions anew.
With your children gathered at my knee
sharing memories of you.
My heart can feel your laughter
from Christmas's gone by.
My heart can feel your presence
I barely have to try.
The lights are bright on our Christmas tree,
decorations are draped all around.
You are with me in the dark of night
I just listen with my heart and you are found.
mjs 12-24-07
Hope vs. Caution
Update on the Beckley house.. it is still ours. We didn't close last week because the appraisal report didn't get done in time. That is the responsibility of the buyer's side of things. We are scheduled to close this Wed. the 26th.. the day after Christmas, "Boxing Day" in England. We are hopeful, yet cautious.. let's hope that "Hope" wins out and all goes well!
Dancing with a Dervish..
Dervish :as bodily movements leading to a trance
:one that whirls or dances with or as if with the abandonment of a dervish
Last Wednesday I got my cast off. My finger was pretty much healed, he just wanted to be sure it was set before I had full use of it enough to do some therapy for my hand. The rules were to keep it taped for 3 weeks until I saw the doc again Jan. 14th. I did pretty good until after Hunter's party. The tape got wet & yucky, so I took it off in the kitchen and headed to the bathroom for more tape. Alexa came dancing by me, grabbed my hand to twirl herself and when she lost her balance she grabbed my finger and twisted to catch herself... snapping and twisting my almost healed finger and rebreaking it! I didn't think it could be broken worse than the first time, or be more painful..but IT IS! They said it was a spiral break this time and was more difficult to heal. The first time it hurt, but I was able to use the hand to support or carry things and I could use the available fingers to open things, etc. Not this time. To use it at all is very painful. I am even typing one handed! I broke down and filled a script for some pain meds. I haven't taken any yet although after running errands yesterday I said I was going to. It is even worse this morning. So I will take half of one and see how that goes. Of course my ortho doc is off til Wed, so I have a temporary hard cast on until I see him. I am sure he will be thrilled. I know I am! The new rules from the ER doc.. no more dancing!
:one that whirls or dances with or as if with the abandonment of a dervish
Last Wednesday I got my cast off. My finger was pretty much healed, he just wanted to be sure it was set before I had full use of it enough to do some therapy for my hand. The rules were to keep it taped for 3 weeks until I saw the doc again Jan. 14th. I did pretty good until after Hunter's party. The tape got wet & yucky, so I took it off in the kitchen and headed to the bathroom for more tape. Alexa came dancing by me, grabbed my hand to twirl herself and when she lost her balance she grabbed my finger and twisted to catch herself... snapping and twisting my almost healed finger and rebreaking it! I didn't think it could be broken worse than the first time, or be more painful..but IT IS! They said it was a spiral break this time and was more difficult to heal. The first time it hurt, but I was able to use the hand to support or carry things and I could use the available fingers to open things, etc. Not this time. To use it at all is very painful. I am even typing one handed! I broke down and filled a script for some pain meds. I haven't taken any yet although after running errands yesterday I said I was going to. It is even worse this morning. So I will take half of one and see how that goes. Of course my ortho doc is off til Wed, so I have a temporary hard cast on until I see him. I am sure he will be thrilled. I know I am! The new rules from the ER doc.. no more dancing!
Birthday Boy!
He is 7 now.. despite my requests for him to stop growing! He had a great day, and an awesome party. I have been spoiled by the availability of places to have parties.. Chuck E. Cheese, Ollie Koala's, Dave & Buster's. Hunter has asked for a costume party for 2 years now. He wanted it to have nothing to do with Christmas. So this year we had a costume party. He invited his classmates and his friends. Out of 20 kids invited, he had 6 show up. They had a blast! We set up our bouncy castle. We set up the sand box so they could dig for buried pirate coins to claim a treasure prize. We rented a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine too. I fed them Chick-fil-a, lots of sugar and sent them home with more! Hunter said it was the best birthday ever.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Jack 12-17-07 9 lbs 1 oz
I am an Auntie again.. Cricket keeps me loaded with nephews and a neice! This is #6 for her. Isn't he beautiful?!
Hunter, Tristan, Santa & Alexa 12-1-07
This was at a party our Realtor's office had, just got the pix back.. individual pix in the gallery, click on this one to get there as usual.
Is it just me.. or does this Santa look mean?? I didn't notice that at the time!
Tristan looks so short because he was scrunching down to be next to Hunter.
Is it just me.. or does this Santa look mean?? I didn't notice that at the time!
Tristan looks so short because he was scrunching down to be next to Hunter.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Let it snow!
Caught this website from another blog... too cute! Add a little fun to your day, go make a snowflake!
http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/
http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/
Jackpott Santa & Hunter 12-8-07
We went to the Jacksonville Parents Of Twins & Triplets Christmas party yesterday. The kids had fun. I am waiting for some other Santa pix, but these will do for now. They were taken with my cell phone and everyone was moving, so excuse that they are a little blurry! You can click on any of the Santa pix and go view the photo gallery.
Silent Night!
(I loaded these through the blog, so you can't click on them to get to the photo gallery. I won't do that again! Sorry!)
This was the end result to watching Christmas shows after playing outside. They didn't want pillows & blankets because they weren't tired! Did I wake them up? NO. Did I put them into their beds right away (raising the odds that they would wake up)? NO. I took full advantage of the peace & quiet. I left them there for a while and when I was ready to shut things down and go into my room, then I moved them and they stayed asleep!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Christmas Tree Training!
We have a beautiful Christmas tree. It is full and tall, and right now waiting to have ornaments put on it. The lights and topper are on, but it may be a while before I dare to put anything else on it. I may even take it down and get a tiny bright red metallic tree instead. Maybe then Tristan would stop trying to climb it! He trys to climb it, he hides his toys among the branches, & he flings socks to see how high they go before they stick to it. Alexa watches, cheers him on, and when she thinks no one is watching she joins in. Her favorite thing is to change the light pattern... Papa's little princess for sure! So we are going through Christmas Tree Training here at the Shore house.. what NOT to do to the tree! It is uncertain wether the recruits will pass or fail, and the tree's survival is in question, but I won't give up without a fight!
Along for the ride..
You might be suprised to learn that Princess Alexa has quite a temper, is stubborn, and likes to stick out her tongue... remind you of anyone?.. besides me!? That is also when she looks the most like Kierra. It is hard to maintain your composure when she is in the middle of a fit and you see Kierra in her loud and clear. Sometimes it makes us want to laugh, and other times it is hard not to cry. But we stick to our guns and get through it. It is amazing at almost 4 years old that they have such developed personalities. They always have, but now it is more vocal, more defined. Most of the time it is Tristan getting into mischief, usually with Hunter right along with him. Both boys are so active and so loud! Alexa tends to play more on her own, and although she will play with them, she will veer toward playing by herself. She is generally quieter and easier to entertain if I want to get things done and need them to settle in one place. Tristan can't seem to sit still. Now don't be fooled, Alexa can keep up with the boys and do her own share of mayhem. Just yesterday she coated all her little play people with powder. Thank God for Vaccum cleaners! At least she kept it in one place.
When Kierra was about Lexie's age she & Brianne were supposedly taking a nap. Kierra let Bri, who was about a year or so old, "help" her spray a full bottle of baby powder into the air in the bedroom. It was everywhere! In the speaker holes of the bedside radio, coated all over the hardwood floors, blankets, beds, etc. It took days to clean it all up. Trust me, a little powder goes a long way.. a lot of powder is endless! I think the clock radio still had powder in it when we got rid of it years later!
So some things are destined to be repeated. There are some things they will do just like she did. But they are not her, they are their own person, and they will make their own way in this world.. we are just along for the ride!
When Kierra was about Lexie's age she & Brianne were supposedly taking a nap. Kierra let Bri, who was about a year or so old, "help" her spray a full bottle of baby powder into the air in the bedroom. It was everywhere! In the speaker holes of the bedside radio, coated all over the hardwood floors, blankets, beds, etc. It took days to clean it all up. Trust me, a little powder goes a long way.. a lot of powder is endless! I think the clock radio still had powder in it when we got rid of it years later!
So some things are destined to be repeated. There are some things they will do just like she did. But they are not her, they are their own person, and they will make their own way in this world.. we are just along for the ride!
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
NOEL
My other project I was determined to finish today. I found these decorations on sale at Home Depot because they are discontinued. They are made from grapevines so the brown blends with the landscaping during the day. We aren't messing with all the icicle lights this year.. too much work. The deer's heads move, the kid's want them to stay all year! I am sure the neighbors would love that!
Tristan thinks he should be able to ride them.. good thing they don't go out front unsupervised. I will have to keep an extra keen ear on the door alarm, I am sure he will try it at least once!
Tristan thinks he should be able to ride them.. good thing they don't go out front unsupervised. I will have to keep an extra keen ear on the door alarm, I am sure he will try it at least once!
My "new" laundry room
Well, clean and organized makes it new for me.. it only took me 7 months! Actually I reorganized all the cabinets today to keep all the cleaning stuff out of the kids reach. Then I put up the shelf to hang clothes on and set up the bins to sort the laundry as it goes in there. I even labeled the bins. (Thank you Terri for that idea!) We'll see if it helps keep the laundry under control! I still need to put up the window blind, but since it faces the dog run and the preserve full of trees we haven't worried about it. This was hard enough with only one good hand! The kids are excited about using the signs to put their clothes in the bins.. we'll see how long that lasts!
Let the games begin..
Brian got a Brookstone catalog in the mail the other day and debated getting new LED lights for our tree. We decided to wait and maybe get some on sale after Christmas for next year. I had lunch with my friend Vicky on Sunday and explained the Christmas Tree Light Game we play every year. We have 2 sets of lights that can be set for over a dozen different patterns. It can be quite a chore to get them synchronized, but they look great when they are all done. I like them on constant, or on a slow, calm wave. Brian likes to set them to trick me. There is a pattern that starts out on constant, then goes completely out, then flashes one color at a time until all are flashing, then starts the constant, out, etc, all over again. My least favorite pattern I have nicknamed "prelude to a seizure." It starts out in a nice, calm wave throughout the tree. Then it speeds up gradually until it is frenetically flashing like a disco strobe light gone awry. Brian likes to mess with the patterns, I like to leave it alone, once it is set where I want it! Another Shore tradition, twisted as it may be.. let the games begin!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Where are you Christmas?
I was diligently filling out Christmas cards tonight, not really feeling in the Christmas mood, which is the norm lately, when this song came on my kitchen radio.. quite fitting..
"Where Are You Christmas"
Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean
Christmas changes too
Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go
Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh
If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time
(I'm still working on this part!)
I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love
Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love
Just "fine"..
I started my day with a broken stocking holder, a very red ear, and flourescent yellow crayon melted all inside my dryer and all over Alexa's new jeans! Tristan learned the hard way not to pull on the stockings on the mantel. The Mickey stocking holder hit his ear on the way to the floor and is quite heavy. No cuts, but it will probably bruise. I hope Alexa learned by example. I repaired the broken stocking holder, (Thank You super glue!) and on to the next disaster..
I just bought Alexa a couple pairs of jeans because she has less pants than the boys do. I washed them with a load of jeans and then threw a couple pair along with a pair of Hunter's jeans into the dryer so they could get dressed and we could go to a Santa party. When I opened the dryer everything, including the inside of my dryer, was flourescent yellow! Thank goodness I turned Lexie's new jeans inside out.. just the cuff and waistband show bright yellow, but the other jeans weren't so lucky. No one knows where the crayon came from or whose pocket it was in. I check most pockets, but for over a dozen pair of puny jeans there is bound to be a missed one.. obviously!
I cleaned out my dryer somewhat and will finish it later. We went to the Santa party, will post pix when I get them. I then dropped them at daycare for a couple hours so I could run some errands in relative peace & quiet. The time flew by too fast and here we are back home. In the past half hour Alexa has gotten soap bubbles in her eye, Hunter and Tristan bumped heads, and I am about to throw every little toy & whistle they got at that party straight into the trash so they will quit arguing who got what color, etc!
Other than that we're just fine!
I just bought Alexa a couple pairs of jeans because she has less pants than the boys do. I washed them with a load of jeans and then threw a couple pair along with a pair of Hunter's jeans into the dryer so they could get dressed and we could go to a Santa party. When I opened the dryer everything, including the inside of my dryer, was flourescent yellow! Thank goodness I turned Lexie's new jeans inside out.. just the cuff and waistband show bright yellow, but the other jeans weren't so lucky. No one knows where the crayon came from or whose pocket it was in. I check most pockets, but for over a dozen pair of puny jeans there is bound to be a missed one.. obviously!
I cleaned out my dryer somewhat and will finish it later. We went to the Santa party, will post pix when I get them. I then dropped them at daycare for a couple hours so I could run some errands in relative peace & quiet. The time flew by too fast and here we are back home. In the past half hour Alexa has gotten soap bubbles in her eye, Hunter and Tristan bumped heads, and I am about to throw every little toy & whistle they got at that party straight into the trash so they will quit arguing who got what color, etc!
Other than that we're just fine!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Channeling Martha Stewart!
A sure sign I am feeling better.. I channeled Martha Stewart today! I had gotten some plain wooden cut out Christmas trees at Hobby Lobby to use on my mantel. I decided not to use them so back in the bag they went to be returned. I bought 5 sprigs of holly berries for the same purpose and only used 4. I have a thing about empty spaces. I have to fill them. With all the deocrating I did in my entry way there was a definite void on the ledge over my front door. I put some snow fluff up there, then decided to use the wooden trees. But they were too plain. Then it happened.. Martha popped into my head. I snipped all the red berries off the spare sprig and hot glued them to the trees. I had just enough. Then I hung some fake mistletoe in the center of the arched window. Under the mistletoe I put the 2 kissing bears Brian's mom gave us years ago with little ribbons on them saying Gramma & Grampa. It is all Martha's fault, and looks really cute! The kids love it, they go from one thing to another.. it's Mismas! HoHoHo!
The Prodigal Son Returns!
Chad went to visit a friend in Texas before Thanksgiving and finally got home this morning. He actually flew into JAX late last night after missing his flight. Thank you to his Auntie Greta for picking him up! It will be nice to be able to run to the store to get something and have it only take 10 minutes to go by myself rather than the 30 minutes or more it took when I had to take the kids with me! And as much as he drives me crazy sometimes, as do all my children(!), I did miss him and it is good to have him home!
By The Way..
.. I have just about gotten all the Christmas decorations up and done other than the tree, which we will work on this weekend. It looks like a Christmas store puked in here!
A fear of hope..
It has been such a rough week I just am not sure I can take much more emotionally. Maybe that is why I have this fear of hope. We have a good offer on the Beckley house. It all sounds good, and I don't have the uneasy feeling I had with the last offer. Yet I have a serious fear of hope. I am afraid to hope that this will all go smoothly. They want to close before Christmas. This would be such a huge weight off our shoulders. Maybe the fear is because we don't just want this, we need this. And I think it would shatter me for this to fall through. It is strange for me to feel "fragile." To feel so vulnerable. And yes, to admit it! So wish us luck, say a prayer, whatever works! And I will work on getting my emotional strength and confidence back!
NO,NO,NO!
There, I practiced!
I had quite the converstaion with my therapist today.. yes I am seeing one.. don't get your hopes up, I have been seeing her for years now and am still an emotional mess!.. Imagine if I wasn't seeing her!!
Anywho, she said that my being morose and miserable wasn't really such a bad thing. I tend to tuck it all away and keep it controlled most of the time and right now my emotions are on overload and want out! So for those around when I spew... sorry! She also gave me homework.. to practice saying NO. I tend to agree to do whatever is asked of me and then I am overwhelmed. I think I will get a failing grade on that one, I have done it for years.
I did get alot of the Christmas stuff out and have done some decorating. I finished the mantel tonight. I will post a pic in the next day or so. A pearl of wisdom from the movie "What about Bob"... baby steps.. baby steps.
I had quite the converstaion with my therapist today.. yes I am seeing one.. don't get your hopes up, I have been seeing her for years now and am still an emotional mess!.. Imagine if I wasn't seeing her!!
Anywho, she said that my being morose and miserable wasn't really such a bad thing. I tend to tuck it all away and keep it controlled most of the time and right now my emotions are on overload and want out! So for those around when I spew... sorry! She also gave me homework.. to practice saying NO. I tend to agree to do whatever is asked of me and then I am overwhelmed. I think I will get a failing grade on that one, I have done it for years.
I did get alot of the Christmas stuff out and have done some decorating. I finished the mantel tonight. I will post a pic in the next day or so. A pearl of wisdom from the movie "What about Bob"... baby steps.. baby steps.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Today sucks some more..
I damaged, and pretty much lost, a very important relationship today. We sometimes use an attorney we have known for years. She has been instrumental in some very important events in our lives. She handled Kierra's name change for us, she handled Hunter's, (and Katie & Cody's) adoption for us. We met her in another legal situation before all that. She is why Kierra chose the name Alexa. She has been handling some paperwork for us and more than once her assistant has made mistakes and given me misinformation. The most recent incident caused some major problems with my credibility with Alex. (the twin's biological father). From a legal standpoint it is within the norm, but from a moral standpoint, I consider the wording used in a document she filed to be misrepresenting and wrong. And, unfortunately, so does Alex. It also makes it look like I lied to him, when I went by information her assistant gave me. She is going to write Alex a letter explaining the miscommunication, which will hopefully fix that issue between he and I. The document can't be canceled and refiled without legal cause. Technically there isn't any. She feels if I don't trust her asistant, I don't trust her. That really isn't true. I tried to explain to her that I trust and respect her completely. I just don't know that I could trust her assistant anymore due to this and past issues. I understand how she feels, but cannot change how I feel. I cannot afford to have Alex upset with me. I feel so heartbroken over this. I feel like I had to sacrifice her to keep things on an even keel with Alex. She does not feel comfortable continuing to be our attorney. And I can't stop crying...
And so it begins..
I decided to steer clear of the tree decorations and older boxes of Christmas stuff for now and got out the decorations for around the house and any newer stuff from the past few years. That was a good idea in theory. I thought that would help me avoid any major nostalgia or emotional thunderstorms. The first box I opened had smaller boxes I didn't recall, so I opened them. Only to discover the Carebear tabletop decoration and Carebear ornaments I got for Kierra & the twins for their 2005 Christmas. She never saw them. I never had the chance to give them to her. No matter how hard I try, the thoughts still come that there was still so much I wanted to give her, a whole lifetime I wanted to share with her and her children. This really sucks!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Mantel decorated for Thanksgiving
This was an easy transition from Halloween, but now I have to pack it all away and get the Christmas stuff out. Closer pix on the gallery. It is odd, decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, although some memories were bittersweet. I really dread doing the Christmas thing, but I will. The twins have been saying "mismas hohoho" when they see any Christmas decorations or videos. So I guess I need to keep up with their Christmas spirit!
Twins on the bull 11-24-07
Brianne & I took the kids to the ranch for the weekend. I only got to ride once in the wee hours, but the kids had a blast! This is a fake roping bull the kids love to play on at the ranch, the twins are no exception! They were waiting their turn to ride. Click on the pic to view them on horseback and enjoy other photos in the gallery. There is even a suprise photo with a mystery guest.. check it out!
Family Gatherings..
This was an internet article a friend sent to me. I found it quite interesting and somewhat helpful. Not just for dealing with family for the Holidays, but for dealing with the past, expectations, and being true to yourself. Take what you can from it, and toss the rest!
Built Upon the Past.....Family Holidays
As the holidays approach, you may be preparing yourself to gather with family members you don’t usually spend time visiting. You may even feel that you are choosing to meet more from a sense of obligation than celebration. But when we trust that the universe always places us exactly where we need to be, we know that we have been placed in our families for some higher purpose. Your spirit may have chosen that particular group of souls to help you learn certain lessons, or to give you the experiences necessary to overcome specific challenges. And when we feel we’ve moved away from situations that don’t resemble us or the life we choose to live, it can seem frustrating to put ourselves back into an old scenario. But even a sense of obligation is a sign that you are still connected to the energy of your family, and for that alone it is worth investing yourself into making the most of any gathering.
Once surrounded by people from your past, you may find that you are feeling challenged by a sort of identity crisis. There is likely to be a gap between the person you know yourself to be now and how you are seen by those who knew you before. But you can call upon your inner strength to stand in your truth and simply be who you are without needing their approval or heeding any criticism. Then, you can offer them the gift you’d like to receive when you also allow them to be themselves. Being in situations that we might not choose for ourselves allows us to see ourselves in a new light. The contrast helps us to see our own strengths and weaknesses, and to learn to accept others for theirs.
Part of the magic of family is the way in which it bonds diverse people together, allowing them to function as a complete unit. Who we are today has been built upon our past. If nothing else, rejoining with the family and friends who knew us in our earlier days allows us to recall where we came from so that we can appreciate all that we’ve been given.
Built Upon the Past.....Family Holidays
As the holidays approach, you may be preparing yourself to gather with family members you don’t usually spend time visiting. You may even feel that you are choosing to meet more from a sense of obligation than celebration. But when we trust that the universe always places us exactly where we need to be, we know that we have been placed in our families for some higher purpose. Your spirit may have chosen that particular group of souls to help you learn certain lessons, or to give you the experiences necessary to overcome specific challenges. And when we feel we’ve moved away from situations that don’t resemble us or the life we choose to live, it can seem frustrating to put ourselves back into an old scenario. But even a sense of obligation is a sign that you are still connected to the energy of your family, and for that alone it is worth investing yourself into making the most of any gathering.
Once surrounded by people from your past, you may find that you are feeling challenged by a sort of identity crisis. There is likely to be a gap between the person you know yourself to be now and how you are seen by those who knew you before. But you can call upon your inner strength to stand in your truth and simply be who you are without needing their approval or heeding any criticism. Then, you can offer them the gift you’d like to receive when you also allow them to be themselves. Being in situations that we might not choose for ourselves allows us to see ourselves in a new light. The contrast helps us to see our own strengths and weaknesses, and to learn to accept others for theirs.
Part of the magic of family is the way in which it bonds diverse people together, allowing them to function as a complete unit. Who we are today has been built upon our past. If nothing else, rejoining with the family and friends who knew us in our earlier days allows us to recall where we came from so that we can appreciate all that we’ve been given.
11-22-07 Cruisin in the Hummer
Cousin Samantha, Tristan, Alexa, & Hunter taking an after dinner drive!
11-22-07 The Kiddie Table
We finally used our dining room and tables for a sit down dinner. We have 2 square tables, so we can use them seperately or put them together to make one huge table. Remember sitting at the kiddie table when you were young? I do, at my grandmother's house. Even when I wasn't a "kid" anymore! We used the kid's picnic table. Brian's Mom, his younger brother & his family, joined us for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of cleaning, and a lot of cooking. It was a hard day without Kie. We did our best to remember all we have to be thankful for. Hope you & yours did the same.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Time change..
It has been a busy few days. Thursday night I was up til 4:30 am cooking for a Teacher appreciation lunch at Hunter's school on Friday. So I only got a couple hours sleep. I volunteered at the school a couple hours yesterday and got through most of the day. It gets dark so early now it is hard to gauge time. I thought for sure it had to be late. I felt absolutely exhausted. I could barely keep my eyes open. So I decided to get the kids ready for bed and turn in early. When I checked the time it was..... only 6pm! The kids thought it was so cool that we ate pizza in our pajamas. We watched transformers and they fell asleep on the couch. I put them to bed, put away some laundry, dozed on the couch about an hour, cleaned the kitchen, spent a few minutes with Brian when he got home around midnight, and went to bed about 12:30-1am. My head hit the pillow..and Alexa woke up crying. I got her a drink, and tucked her back in. (They used to take a sippy cup to bed so they would have a drink if they woke up, but we got rid of almost all sippy cups this week!) I got back to my bed, just started to fall asleep, and Tristan woke me up for a drink. He walked right past Brian.. my drinks must taste better! Finally I got back to bed and crashed. Brian tried to let me sleep in this morning before he went to work, but in this house that is next to impossible. So far today I have fixed the kids breakfast.. mini muffins, bananas, scrambled eggs, bacon, & toast. Completely emptied and cleaned out the fridge, read and answered 20 emails, caught up on the blogs I like to read, and now I am going to sweep and mop the kitchen floor. It just hit 11 am! I wish I could convince them to take naps!
I say I will get to bed early, but I know I won't. I am tired often, but this kind of tired is different. Chad says it is because when you break a bone it wears out your body to heal it. I don't remember being this exhausted when I broke my foot. My therapist said it could be depression. But I am often depressed and it isn't the same. So who knows, I figure I'll blame it on the time change!
I say I will get to bed early, but I know I won't. I am tired often, but this kind of tired is different. Chad says it is because when you break a bone it wears out your body to heal it. I don't remember being this exhausted when I broke my foot. My therapist said it could be depression. But I am often depressed and it isn't the same. So who knows, I figure I'll blame it on the time change!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Our Fall Foliage
Doesn't look like much does it? I do not even know what type of tree this is. We have one out front, and a couple more in the back yard. It is losing it's leaves quickly, but for a short time I have just a touch of north around me. I'll take what I can get! I love the northern colors of fall, the natural display that signifies change of season. Florida tends to go from green to gray/beige with little to no fanfare. I will enjoy this little tree now before it grows up and I have back breaking raking to do!
Feeling Froggy
I spy.. a little green tree frog. They are everywhere. They are the size of your thumbnail. The brave ones show themselves all over my front windows and the window sills. The more bashful hide among the plants and bushes in the front yard.
Alexa sees them and responds in the miniature maternal way girls talk to their dolls and babies of any kind.. "awwww baby froggy, you cute!" Tristan responds in the timeless language of boys.." Hah, froggy, cool, I want one!" I tell him he has hundreds, and they live outside. Although I have rescued numerous ones from inside the house, disposing quickly of the ones I find that didn't get rescued quick enough!
I am not up to the great Shore tadpole rescue we had a few years ago. Adding 30-40 tadpoles/frogs to the house is just too much to even consider! We will enjoy them while we have them around us and then we will remember them in pictures. As it is with all things precious to us..
Alexa sees them and responds in the miniature maternal way girls talk to their dolls and babies of any kind.. "awwww baby froggy, you cute!" Tristan responds in the timeless language of boys.." Hah, froggy, cool, I want one!" I tell him he has hundreds, and they live outside. Although I have rescued numerous ones from inside the house, disposing quickly of the ones I find that didn't get rescued quick enough!
I am not up to the great Shore tadpole rescue we had a few years ago. Adding 30-40 tadpoles/frogs to the house is just too much to even consider! We will enjoy them while we have them around us and then we will remember them in pictures. As it is with all things precious to us..
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
One More Time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crQ7Y2alDxI
I meant to post this link instead of one of the other ones yesterday, but they are all funny. I think laughter is one of the best medicines! So take a break and laugh a little!
I meant to post this link instead of one of the other ones yesterday, but they are all funny. I think laughter is one of the best medicines! So take a break and laugh a little!
Monday, November 12, 2007
You gotta laugh a little..
If you have read the previous blog you will understand how I was feeling after I read it and posted it this morning. I was thinking how tired I am. How tired of the way grief drains your soul. How I miss her laughter, her full out, from the gut laughter. As I thought that I came accross a video clip on another blog. I don't normally bother with them, but clicked on it anyway. I laughed out loud! It struck me so unexpectedly, and I laughed some more. Then I saw another clip and checked it out. It was hilarious. I do not normally laugh out loud when I think something is funny. And humor is selective, you may not find it as funny as I did. But you know what? It was a Kierra kind of humor, she would have laughed the loudest. I think she was right there with me, showing me I needed to laugh a little, maybe even alot.. so here are my chuckles for today, go laugh a little!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IR5HWr9IIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MdVx6UYpHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWUf7_CB644
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IR5HWr9IIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MdVx6UYpHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWUf7_CB644
A Father's Love..
Brian posted this on the website Brenda created in memory of Kierra. I wanted to share it with you. (Her site is www.myspace.com/kie_ker )
Nov 10 2007 3:18 PM
To My Grouch,
Not a day goes by without thinking about you and missing you so much. The last time I would ever see you was two years ago today. I had worked the night before and was up because I had to go to a driver’s license hearing on a drunk driving arrest. You came by the house to borrow the vacuum to do some cleaning at your new apartment. You said one of the kids’ toys was stuck in your vacuum so it wasn’t working. I told you to go ahead. As you left, you said, “I love you Daddy!”. That was the last words I would ever hear you say and I cherish the sound of them as I replay that moment over and over in my mind.Lately I’ve had the last lines running through my mind from one country song you liked. It’s from “Don’t Take the Girl” by Tim Mcgraw. I’m sure you’d remember it, it goes: “Take the very breath you gave me. Take the heart from my chest. I’ll gladly take her place if you’ll let me. Make this my last request. Take me out of this world. God please don’t take the girl!” I wish over and over I could take your place so you could be here with your babies, Mom, Brianne, Chad, Hunter and everyone else that misses you as much as I do. All My Love and Hugs and Kisses, Daddy
Nov 10 2007 3:18 PM
To My Grouch,
Not a day goes by without thinking about you and missing you so much. The last time I would ever see you was two years ago today. I had worked the night before and was up because I had to go to a driver’s license hearing on a drunk driving arrest. You came by the house to borrow the vacuum to do some cleaning at your new apartment. You said one of the kids’ toys was stuck in your vacuum so it wasn’t working. I told you to go ahead. As you left, you said, “I love you Daddy!”. That was the last words I would ever hear you say and I cherish the sound of them as I replay that moment over and over in my mind.Lately I’ve had the last lines running through my mind from one country song you liked. It’s from “Don’t Take the Girl” by Tim Mcgraw. I’m sure you’d remember it, it goes: “Take the very breath you gave me. Take the heart from my chest. I’ll gladly take her place if you’ll let me. Make this my last request. Take me out of this world. God please don’t take the girl!” I wish over and over I could take your place so you could be here with your babies, Mom, Brianne, Chad, Hunter and everyone else that misses you as much as I do. All My Love and Hugs and Kisses, Daddy
Every Day..
I have been asked why I am not having any type of memorial service for Kierra tomorrow. I know some people need that sort of thing, or think they do. But I don't. I don't want to make more of the day she died than I do of all the days she lived. I miss her every day. I try to celebrate her life. Not commemorate her death. Her friends & family should get together to spend time with her children, celebrate the life she had, the lives she created and had to leave behind, not to mourn her. And not just on the day she died.
Yes, I will mourn her tomorrow. I will mourn her and everything we lost on that day 2 years ago. But I will do it by taking a walk on the beach, maybe take her kids to the park. Maybe I will go see a movie..of course a scary one, those were her favorite! Because that is what I do often when I miss her, on all the days I am reminded that she was taken from me. So do what you want/need to do. Remember her however you feel will honor her in your memory and your heart. That is what I do every day.
Yes, I will mourn her tomorrow. I will mourn her and everything we lost on that day 2 years ago. But I will do it by taking a walk on the beach, maybe take her kids to the park. Maybe I will go see a movie..of course a scary one, those were her favorite! Because that is what I do often when I miss her, on all the days I am reminded that she was taken from me. So do what you want/need to do. Remember her however you feel will honor her in your memory and your heart. That is what I do every day.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
A day full of Births..
Sending big birthday wishes to my sister, and one of my closest friends, Greta. Also sharing this auspicious day is my Puerto Rican Baby, Jezell up in the Bronx, NY, and my nephew Eddie in Tennessee. Quite a productive day, and what special people it produced! Hope you all have a great day!!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
"Camping In" 11-10-07
This is the option when you promised to go camping, but it is a Holiday weekend and you messed up your hand. Then you can't camp out in the back yard because it is going to be 48 degrees outside tonight. So we are camping in. Brian bought these for the kids last Christmas, this is the first time they've been out of the box. They came with their own sleeping bag, flashlight, & compass. Now it's time for hot chocolate & Marshmallows!
Click on pic for close ups of each one!
The Claw!
Or hook, whatever the kids decide to call it at any given time! Note the color, purple was the only color they had at the ortho office yesterday. I have to wear this for at least 4 weeks. They think the break will heal enough by then for me to start physical therapy on the tendons and muscles I messed up when the finger seperated from my hand. I am getting used to doing things one handed! I can't use the salt & pepper grinders very well, and I have to be careful not to drop anything breakable when I am getting things in and out of the fridge. In the light of day at the doc's office I decided I really didn't need any drugs. In the dark of night I cursed myself. I will manage with my tylenol since they said I have to take that, not my Advil that I prefer.
A bonus is that the hard cast will protect my hand when I go horse back riding.. did you actually think I wouldn't still do that?! The downside is.. I can't kayak, and it is a bear trying to wash dishes or shower! Everything is a trade off!
A bonus is that the hard cast will protect my hand when I go horse back riding.. did you actually think I wouldn't still do that?! The downside is.. I can't kayak, and it is a bear trying to wash dishes or shower! Everything is a trade off!
Brian helping with the kids! 11-10-07
I couldn't resist sharing the view I saw when I came out of the kitchen this morning. I had been cleaning up after breakfast and thought it seemed a little too quiet. The twins are engrossed in Mickey's playhouse and must have decided to be quiet so Papa could sleep. He doesn't get home and into bed until after 1 am when he works the evening shift like he did last night, and we wake him up pretty early with all the noise and kid chaos in the morning. Hunter was off playing in his room. Let's see how long this lasts and how much I can get done!
What would you do?
I posted the following comment on another blog I read and thought it was worth sharing here. The post was about seeing someone with a rear facing carseat in the front seat. Should she have said something? She also commented about seeing someone excessively discipline their child in public, or a friend over indulging in alcohol when she was pregnant. I know I recently mentioned my new mantra "Not my ___, not my problem." But I must admit in similar situations I would have to try to help, here are my reasons why, what would you do?
I used to be the one who kept quiet and worried about it all day, sometimes longer. After dealing with a sad situation that could have been prevented I decided not to be the quiet one anymore. I have addressed similar situations numerous times. Most are not pleasant conversations, yet suprisingly, some are. Either way, if I make that person stop and think even for a moment, or make them look up the dateline article on how dangerous the carseat issue is, then maybe it was worth a few minutes of uncomfortable conversation in a parking lot or store. Maybe it will make enough difference to change or save a life. I don't aproach them in anger, I aproach them like a friend I am worried about. I aproach them like the young, scared, uninformed mother I once was. You never know if they just needed someone to tell them where to go for help, or just needed to hear a friendly voice when everything else in their life is going terribly wrong. We tend to feel it isn't our place or our problem. I used to feel that way, and I missed out on the feeling of doing good, of making a difference, of touching just a little bit more of this earthly world I am living in. It far outweighs the nasty response you sometimes get and it far outweighs saying nothing at all. Another bonus, my 6 year old son notices others more and often points out someone in need, whether it is an elderly person who needs help or someone struggling to deal with their child. It isn't in a nosy way. It is with concern and compassion. What better way to teach than by example.
I used to be the one who kept quiet and worried about it all day, sometimes longer. After dealing with a sad situation that could have been prevented I decided not to be the quiet one anymore. I have addressed similar situations numerous times. Most are not pleasant conversations, yet suprisingly, some are. Either way, if I make that person stop and think even for a moment, or make them look up the dateline article on how dangerous the carseat issue is, then maybe it was worth a few minutes of uncomfortable conversation in a parking lot or store. Maybe it will make enough difference to change or save a life. I don't aproach them in anger, I aproach them like a friend I am worried about. I aproach them like the young, scared, uninformed mother I once was. You never know if they just needed someone to tell them where to go for help, or just needed to hear a friendly voice when everything else in their life is going terribly wrong. We tend to feel it isn't our place or our problem. I used to feel that way, and I missed out on the feeling of doing good, of making a difference, of touching just a little bit more of this earthly world I am living in. It far outweighs the nasty response you sometimes get and it far outweighs saying nothing at all. Another bonus, my 6 year old son notices others more and often points out someone in need, whether it is an elderly person who needs help or someone struggling to deal with their child. It isn't in a nosy way. It is with concern and compassion. What better way to teach than by example.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Give Me A Break!! Really!
Today was a busy day, so after I picked Hunter up from school we went home and got the twins, their sand toys, and Cali. We took the long walk around our block and ended it at the playground. They dug in the sand and played for almost an hour. They filled in their holes and slid down the slides a few more times. Just as we were about to go a big dump truck drove by. Something on it made a very loud metal BANG and the twins covered their ears and yelled, "Too Loud!" which is what they do when something is too loud. Cali tried to jump and run, but got caught up in her leash, which then freaked her out more so she started howling. I didn't want her to hurt herself or scare the kids so I reached for her harness. There is a metal loop where you attach the leash. My left pinky slid into that loop just as Cali twisted away. I felt and heard the snap, grabbed the harness and her with my right hand, and got my finger out. It was sticking out from my hand at an odd angle. I didn't even hesitate, I pulled and pushed it back in place. Of course I screamed and the kids came running. I told them I was fixing my boo boo and we needed to go home. I got them all home, grabbed a towel and some ice and drove myself to the ER. I went to where Brianne works so I could hopefully get through quicker. I dislocated that finger and broke it from the lower knuckle diagonally across up to the middle knuckle. they said it was a good thing I set it back in place so it didn't shift or break through the skin. If I keep it immobile it should heal without having to put pins in it. I have to get to an ortho doc tomorrow to get a set cast. I can't do anything halfway can I?! I turned down pain meds because I just don't take them and figured it couldn't hurt worse than when I set it, right? Okay, wrong! I am calling my doc as soon as they open and I want drugs! So I am off to search my medicine cabinet for some relief. It's all uphill from here, right??
The rollercoaster continues..
Well, I had been putting off blogging because I didn't really have much good stuff to talk about. It has been a frustrating week. I fired my realtor on Monday, hired a new one today. I have been dealing with some people this week who either don't know their job, or they just don't care, either way they are useless to me! My Neurologist says they found another ruptured and herniated disc (or 2!.. need to see the actual films, not the computer CD) on my thorasic spine, between my shoulder blades. As if that isn't good enough news.. they feel I have reached maximum medical improvement without surgery. So we will wait to see if the spinal injections help. I got injection #3 yesterday and have had spasms across my back and rib cage all last night and this morning.
Emotions are high anyway, so this all just adds to the roller coaster. I have been walking the kids and Cali around our 1.1 mile block every day and letting them play at the playground to let off steam and get us all some fresh air. And that leads us to another adventure.. and another blog.......
Emotions are high anyway, so this all just adds to the roller coaster. I have been walking the kids and Cali around our 1.1 mile block every day and letting them play at the playground to let off steam and get us all some fresh air. And that leads us to another adventure.. and another blog.......
Monday, November 05, 2007
Counting on my fingers & toes..
I got to do two things I really like to do this weekend.. wait actually more than that, so help me count: (not listed in order, but how they pop into my head)
1.) Got away with my daughter & my friend for the weekend ( a 2 for 1!).
2.) Stopped at the ranch on the way up (& back) and went horse back riding! (another 2 for 1!)
3.) Went to the mountains and saw fall foliage and felt cool, crisp air..very crisp, there was frost on the ground Sunday morning & our bathing suits froze!
4.) (explanation of the frozen suits..) Went into a hot tub outdoors in very cold weather, warmed up with the hot water and Asti!
5.) Got to go to the top of a mountain and see awesome beauty during my favorite time of year.
6.) Went shopping in a quaint little town, Helen...well duh! We were in the mountains, not Siberia!
7.) Got to stay in a rustic cabin complete with stone fireplace.
It was different to spend time in close qaurters with people I don't really know. The Jax Kayak group gets together locally, but not often for weekend trips. There are some I wish I had more time with and some, I wish not to! I am sooo spoiled by those I know & love! Thank you all!! As usual Terri, Bri, & I made our own fun and had a great time. I would like to visit there again. It would have been cool to kayak, maybe another time. They are having an awful drought and the water levels are too low. Oh!, & I learned a new Mantra.. you fill in the blank.. "Not my ____, Not my problem!" (ie; kid, family, credit card, husband, house, etc.) It works!
1.) Got away with my daughter & my friend for the weekend ( a 2 for 1!).
2.) Stopped at the ranch on the way up (& back) and went horse back riding! (another 2 for 1!)
3.) Went to the mountains and saw fall foliage and felt cool, crisp air..very crisp, there was frost on the ground Sunday morning & our bathing suits froze!
4.) (explanation of the frozen suits..) Went into a hot tub outdoors in very cold weather, warmed up with the hot water and Asti!
5.) Got to go to the top of a mountain and see awesome beauty during my favorite time of year.
6.) Went shopping in a quaint little town, Helen...well duh! We were in the mountains, not Siberia!
7.) Got to stay in a rustic cabin complete with stone fireplace.
It was different to spend time in close qaurters with people I don't really know. The Jax Kayak group gets together locally, but not often for weekend trips. There are some I wish I had more time with and some, I wish not to! I am sooo spoiled by those I know & love! Thank you all!! As usual Terri, Bri, & I made our own fun and had a great time. I would like to visit there again. It would have been cool to kayak, maybe another time. They are having an awful drought and the water levels are too low. Oh!, & I learned a new Mantra.. you fill in the blank.. "Not my ____, Not my problem!" (ie; kid, family, credit card, husband, house, etc.) It works!
On a Mountain Hike 11-3-07
The three of us went to North Georgia with a Jax Kayak group. The water levels were too low to kayak so we went exploring the mountains. Very cool! (literally!) More pix in the photo gallery, click on pic to view!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
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