Mother's Day Gift

My sweet husband, who reads my blog and read it's last post, decided to do just that- publish my blog for me. That's right, I have all 115 posts on hard copy! I now know what the rest of you feel after you've gotten yours done. I realized that I had posted entries on my life and my family life for over a year! I have never permanently stuck with journaling, or anything that kept up on my life, so to have the evidence in my hand of this very thing, well, it was just an extraordinary feeling.

Doug first checked out having it done like a book, but he said they wanted $95 to do that, but to put it in a pdf format was like $2.95. So he did that, then took it and had it spiral bound. Even all the wonderful comments you all have made over the last year are included! Very clever and thrifty on his part I have to say!

I spent the better part of the afternoon reading through the entries that I had wrote. Doug took the kids outside and let me have a moments peace. He wouldn't let me do any housework, and actually told me to put the broom down and sit down. He cooked dinner and did the dishes. I am so lucky!! Thanks babe! You're awesome!!!

I have how many posts?

Okay, SERIOUSLY...I need to publish. I had no idea that I have 114 posts since I started this blog last January. Has it been a year already???

Good grief.

So I started wondering what I wrote in the very first post on this blog, so I tracked through the archives, (like it was that difficult:) and rediscovered a rather funny story I had taken from one of my favorite books. After reading it I thought, "Wow, I really have entered into a new phase of life with the kids. I'm able to LEAVE the oldest two with the youngest two when I have to run to the store, or if Doug and I want to take 2 hours to ourselves...guess what, WE CAN." It's really quite nice!

So here's my first post ever. You'll understand why I mentioned leaving the kids to go to the store BY MYSELF now, and what a treat it truly is. When I first wrote, I wasn't in this next stage of the game, the one where you have older slaves, uuhhhh....I mean..CHILDREN, so it's been fun to see how our family has changed. Thank heaven those days of diapers are over! Loved the kids when they were that young, but when someone asks me if I wish for another baby, Texas can hear it when I say, "NO WAY!!!!"

Saturday's Fun

I wanted to read the book before I went to the show so Amber lent it to me. I ended up liking Elphaba immensely!! I couldn't wait to see how the show would follow the book. And it was somewhat close. I know there are some who read it and thought it was vulgar, and unfortunately, though I was warned to skip one particular paragraph, it happened so fast, it was such a miniscule paragraph that I didn't realize I'd just read the part I was warned about. Duh.

But by midway through, there wasn't anything I thought should be avoided and so I enjoyed the rest of the book. In fact, when we saw the show yesterday and Elphaba entered the stage, I wanted to jump out of my seat and yell, "I'm with you! I know the truth now!!" However, I refrained. Cori thanks me I'm sure as I was sitting next to her.

The show was so amazing!!! I haven't been to something like this in years. And I mean YEARS. There was some great dry humor which was unexpected but added such fun and warmth to the show. Even Doug laughed, and that's hard to do. All in all, it was fabulous!! I would recommend it highly to anyone, and I actually prefer this storyline to the original Wizard of Oz. I just loved Elphaba!!!! Very very very good show!

I just wish that I would have bought the "POPULAR" shirt:) That part in the show was just so darn funny!!!

The Next Victims- BWOOO- HA HA

I took the kids out a week ago to try and get some pictures, as the ones that are on my wall are from a year ago. The boys were a nightmare, Britt was pretty good and would let me shoot her but would pull jokes like putting her fingers behind her sister and other such things. (shake of the head.) But Teaghan let me shoot her and didn't complain. How I love having an older daughter who will do what I say with just a couple MINOR bribes!
These are some I took of her and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I know it's not really in good taste to brag, but she's just so darn cute!







The few my kids did sit through without griping.


Can you see the look on Andon's face? I've taken so many photos that he doesn't take anything serious anymore! I was laughing so hard that the girls turned to see what was so funny. One of the 'joyful accidents' I so love. (note the sarcasm)



I love my Britt! I remember this stage well in childhood. You know, the awkward teeth stage? Yep, you're looking at my mouth as a kid right there. You're welcome Britt.



I finally got around to editing my niece's photos today as well. Check out the AMAZING blue eyes! It's too bad I don't know how to blow up a picture full size on the blog cause these little ones just don't do those eyes justice.













You'll be happy to note, Melissa, that I airbrushed out the owie between the eyes, and all bugars:)

New Pictures of a new baby!

So my friend Kim asked me to take photos of her new baby, Lyla Rose. (Love that name!!) I wanted to share a couple of my favorites. Keep in mind that I am really not a photographer, just wish I was one. Kim's put a bug in my ear about starting my own business, which I'm not sure if I'll ever do, but thanks be to her for the vote of confidence! Granted I would love to take some classes, but I'm not sure how great I would be even if I had said classes:) But there's something to be said for putting your name on something. As I was just contemplating how great it would be to actually be AWESOME at something, such as photography, and what I would name my business if I ever had one, it really got me thinking: What would I name it?
I was watching a movie the other day, and bodda bing- there was my answer! Right from the lips of John Cusack. I think I would call it, SERENDIPITY, meaning (to me that is) a Joyful Accident. So much of the time I take photos on purpose, but it's when I stop posing and just take them, the 'accidents' turn out so much better! I suppose that's why I love taking photos of kids and families, because some of the greatest moments have not been on purpose, or posed. Those moments have just been caught, or, if you will, a Joyful Accident. I love when that happens!

Thus, Serendipity it would be, and I couldn't resist putting those words on EVERY picture! LOL Seriously, there's something to be said for putting one's name on one's creativity. It's been such fun!

Here's Kim's beautiful children!















Tomorrow, on to editing photos of my niece. Hopefully. If I have a couple of hours:)
(visualize me prostrate on the chair.)

The Chatty Cathy's

Yesterday was a really long day. We were at T-ball's opening ceremonies that started at the bright hour of 7:30, and as much as I had been 'catching some rays' the day before, that day had the promise of being seriously cold. And it was. Andon's game was at 10am so in the interim of the parade of flags and game time, we got some breakfast. Then onto the game, a birthday party, and the endless shopping for track shoes. Gosh Teaghan is picky! And seriously, I won't pay $50 bucks for shoes that she's going to wear through these next couple of months. I don't even pay $50 for shoes for myself! (I always hit the sales.) Needless to say, we didn't get back until late afternoon. I was exhausted from my previous insane week, and so were the kids, so everybody went to bed early last night. I tell you this so that you can fully appreciate what's coming.

At about midnight, I wake up to a dog barking, and as I continue to listen, I hear people talking. I thought, "oh great, there's a responsible pet owner who is shutting their dog up." HA....NO. And NO. They just keep talking. And what's worse, you can hear every word. It's like listening to cranky cowboys who've been on their horse a TAD bit too long.
I walk outside because I realize the other part of the bed is empty. I walk out back and I see him silhouetted against the light from the neighbor's yard. He's just standing there. We talk about why he's outside, when he's coming in, that sort of stupid midnight conversation. I then say, "really, if you're not going to say anything just come in and go to bed. It's pointless to just aim invisible daggers through the fence." (shake of the head)

So he finally says something, really nicely about it being midnight and some people are trying to sleep. THEY COMPLETELY IGNORE HIM. They are talking so loud that I think they just didn't hear him. So he says it again. And a third time. A THIRD TIME!!! Finally, they say ok, and then start talking again. Suddenly we hear a guy yell, and I mean YELL, SHUT YOUR MOUTHS! But in Spanish. They sort of heard that cause they dropped it a bit. So we commiserated with the neighbor for a few seconds about the idiocy of some 'other' neighbors, told each other to have a good night, and went inside. Luckily they stopped talking 5 minutes after that cause I don't know what Doug would've done. The neighbor who was annoyed just as much as we were suggested to call the cops, but really... one must live peacefully with one's neighbors.

I miss the people who used to live in that house. It was much quieter then.

T-Ball

Doug and I have always wanted to put Andon in Little League, just to see how he would do. I mean, shouldn't every kid try their hand at this all-american sport? I think for me though, it was just seeing him in uniform. The kid is too darn cute!!!

Seriously, look at that face!!



Here they are huddling up. Andon is at the back, not really sure what's going on.



This one I love! Hand over the face...I know he's thinking, "What have my parents gotten me into this time."



Running the bases. I think he's cute just running the bases! And he's not even into full uniform. (sigh)





Here's a fun chronology of events. This is our T-Ball money at work right here people. Andon's supposed to be 'fielding' in the outfield.



In Andon's Mind.....

"Dad bought me some really cool baseball shoes. They did really well in the grass. I wonder how far apart I can spread my feet."



"Wow, my shoes are super cool! I can spread my legs SOOO wide and I don't fall over...."



And lastly, when there is no action, as there rarely is in T-Ball, at least as far as distance is concerned, this is what happens. The other parents and I had a good laugh over this last picture.



Here's Andon throwing the ball. The coach is trying to get the kids to step left and throw right, if you're right handed that is. Andon is still stepping right and throwing right. But look at the energy he gave that throw. Not bad. He just needs to aim now.




The coach played in the minor leagues at one point, and as I was watching him work with the kids, he really does know what he's doing. He's just one of those guys who have the look of a baseball player. He could be standing in a crowd of people and you would say, 'I bet that guy was a professional baseball player.' And you would be right. Or maybe, you're just like me and used to be wildly attracted to baseball players. Perhaps that's why I married Doug. He was pretty darn muscular when he was younger. Boy oh boy I had the hots for that boy!







By the end of practice I was amazed at the fact that the coach didn't get whacked in the head with the bat. After all, we are dealing with 5 year olds here. I kept thinking that he was really brave or just really trusting. I would've put that baseball on there and ran away at least 10 feet.
We do need to work on Andon's hitting technique.



Once they hit the last ball, they have to run to first base.





Is this the look of sheer joy?! He's loving this! There is such an amazing feeling when you see your child happy. There are only a few things better than that! Gosh I love my camera! I can sit 20 feet away so he doesn't even realize I'm taking pictures of him, and still get great shots.



Dearest Nikkon, you allow me to get some great shots of my son. I can never repay you. Even though you were frightfully expensive, I will love you always. I pledge my right arm and leg if you should ever 'stray,'(aka get lost), for that is what my husband will demand of me.
Love always,
your devoted owner

Teaghan Comes Of Age

Just kidding, I don't know what the REAL "Coming of Age" is, but somehow I don't think it's 11 years old. However, I am posting about Tea. Some of you have inquired as to when Doug and I are allowing Tea to babysit, and we finally allowed it last weekend. She had such a blast babysitting for the Paynes (Thanks Jessica for askin!) Granted, she is only 11 so watching children late into the evening is still something we'd like her to wait to do until she gets a little older, but she is a great little sitter. Doug and I have used her quite a bit lately:)
ANYWAY, I figured I would use this bit of technology called blogging to make mention of it. So there you have it. Use it as may. Teaghan will be so proud that I didn't forget.

My Week as Godzilla

I think it's really true what they say- that if you act a certain way you can turn into something else entirely. Well, in this case, my kids have turned me.

Turned me into GODZILLA. GODZILLA!!! Or maybe Atilla the Hun. Certainly nothing princessy and rosy. Heaven forbid, that would be actually something nice for mom.

I don't know if it's the fact that it's tax season and all the ugly gets blamed on tax season. My kids being monsters I blame on tax season. The fact that I'm a single parent is the result of tax season. Global warming could even be blamed on tax season.

When Doug calls me in the middle of the day to see how I'm doing, I say Fine. Cause usually I am. AT THAT MOMENT. (sigh) Unfortunately he doesn't see the total breakdown I had with our second child, the fact that I was almost in tears and haven't yelled that loud since I was in labor with said child. (I went natural with her, so there was actual yelling, verses the epidural with the other three.) So by the time he asks me, I'm just don't want to rehash it all. I'm woman, see me roar? Well, you probably don't want to see that. But when he's asking me, I really am just...fine. The worst was over, the problem has been solved, the beating has been forthcoming. (Just kidding. I don't actually beat them. I just knock their heads together :) However, I think that he really does know what FINE means. At least now he does cause he reads my blog.

So this is what prompted me writing this post. I was hanging out with Andon on the couch. We were playing "What are you going to be for Halloween," played by each person taking turns telling the other person they're going to be a toilet or some such silliness, and he pulls his face close to mine, raises his one eyebrow (he gets this from me. It's sheer talent is what it is) and says,

"Mom, you need hair dot com."

Huh? And what?

HUH????

So now my son thinks I need a hair do. Well, said hair do costs money. Said hair-do pays for your jeans boyo!

Sheesh! Everyone's a critic. I'm now going to have to check out hair dot com. Where in the world does he get this stuff??!!!

And Kim, if you're reading this, I need you to go back to work by the tail end of April so that I can get my hair done, highlights and all to get ready for my cruise in May. PLEEEZE say you're going to be off maternity by then? I don't want my son to be embarrassed of his mother.

Have I really turned into that? The mom who's 5 year old thinks I need a new do? A FIVE YEAR OLD! My gosh, what am I in for when he turns 15???

I'm only 33 for pity sake!

How much flogging can a mother take? I have no pride, no youthful cheeks, and no perky boobs either.

WAAAAAHHHHH! (Imagine I love Lucy saying this.)

Andon Turns 5. IN JANUARY!

Yes, I truly suck. I am just barely getting around to posting MY SON'S birthday. I was reading Elizabeth's blog about Nathan and I realized that Andon turned 5. ONE MONTH AGO! Sheesh.

He turned five on January 6, and it's so amazing the difference between 5 and 4. I even remember thinking to myself one day that he went to sleep one way, and woke up a different kid. Seriously! He's got this funny little personality with a knack for stating the obvious, along with what I think will be some fine dry wit later in life. Hmmm, wonder where he gets that?

He wanted a transformer birthday party, so that's what we did. And we're STILL doing. Transformers is still being played up at our house. For the party, I divided the group up into Decepticons and Autobots and had them find their team playing cards that Teaghan had pinned up all over the walls. They wore red armbands cause I realized the vinyl transformer logo didn't show up very well on the blue. We watched a quick transformer cartoon, had cupcakes with transformer rings in them, put our Optimus Prime masks on, and played find the Allspark. When they found it we opened it up to discover the goody bags aka "treasure" hidden inside. All in all, a very fun time we had!

So here are just a couple of pics. I have to say that the ones of Andon trying to blow out the candle on his cupcake, (I don't do big cakes anymore. Cupcakes are more my speed) were quite funny. The concentration on his face, and the kids anticipating him blowing it out was really funny. But he couldn't do it. Doug must have taken 20 pictures of him just trying to blow out the candle! What kid can't blow out a candle? (shake of the head) At least he's coordinated. Doug kept taking pictures thinking that the next one he took would be the one that finally worked. I think I ended up "helping" him. It's my hand you see in the pictures.

Isn't that funny though? He couldn't blow it out! I actually started thinking if I'd bought trick candles. I think I even went to check on the package just to make sure. But they weren't. So weird.



Here he is, getting ready to blow. Notice how happy he is.



He's poised and ready. The lips are starting to pucker.



The lungs are opening up getting ready for air to be expelled onto the flame, with perhaps a little spit mingled in. (Reason #4 to not have a big birthday cake.)





A slight look of puzzlement. The flame is still there. Huh. That's weird.

Well, let's try again. Mom and dad and everyone are cheering me on. I certainly can't give up. It would be a blight on male-kind everywhere.


Awww, guys, I was just playing! Ya'll don't think I can't REALLY blow out the candle, do ya?


Okay, here we go again. For real this time!


Now it's getting painful.







Out comes the hand, cause you know, proper placement of a hand on another's head helps with blowing.


Finding proper placement of "the Hand."



YESSS!!! Success! Whew, I'm exhausted just blogging this!

Here's just a couple photos of the kids. Okay, more than a couple. I can't NOT take less than 100 photos at one sitting. It's just not something I can do. And I'm okay with it. I believe there may be something like Photographer's Anonymous.




I think it's so funny at this age that there's still a certain amount of ownership involved with gifting a present. The giver gets to help the 'getter' unwrap said gift. It's just unspoken rules for 5 year olds.





This is the smile you get towards the end of said party. I was making him pose for multiple shots with his friend and the gift. It became more of the vaseline smile- all teeth, cramping facial muscles.




All in all, a great birthday!!!! Andon was so excited to have his 'friend' party. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to the picture of the kids in their cool Optimus Prime masks. They really were cool. They came in two parts, per mask, and took three adults to assemble them. And yet, no picture. (sigh) Good grief.