oy va

411 has a cd with the dumbest song on it, it keeps repeating 'oy va,oy va how ya doin bernie?' So guess what is stuck like fly paper in my head? Love my kids! Had to get a lecture from Munchkins doctor this morning cuz she gained 3 ounces instead of 6 this week. So, next week I get to take her for a weight check, eye exam, and RSV shot. I have come to the conclusion I am doing a lot of running for her.
Mr and I had a nice quiet afternoon. Which translates to I got to take a nap while he watched Cars. Amazing how much my mood improved after a 1/2 hour of rest. On a side note, his favorite new phrase is "you are a meaner". It is hard to not giggle when he looks at you with those big brown eyes and in all seriousness accuses you of being a meaner.
Chick is having a hard time with the kids in her class. I so remember being the butt of the jokes and the teasing and the sheer cruelty of being in Jr high but it seems so much worse for her. Maybe because she is my baby and nobody is supposed to be a meaner to her, sends up all those protective juices. I am hoping that the whole lot of them get past this nasty 12/13 stage soon. Just think, I get to go through this 3 more times at least.

My giggle for today :)

I found this "quiz" on www.blogthings.com and it made me smile so I thought I would share the results.

Dark Purple

To others, you seem a bit dark, mysterious, and moody.In truth, you are just a very unique person who doesn't care what others think.And you really enjoy your offbeat interests and friends.You've decided that life is about living for yourself - simple as that.

What'>http://blogthings.com/whatcolorpurpleareyouquiz/">What Color Purple Are You?

I have a new motto for life. wanna see it? here it goes...


Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

I got 5 hours all together last night, so I am feeling Goo-oood this morning. ;) The doctor's visit went much nicer this time. I was prepared to get redneck with her if she would have given me any more grief. Not that that would have solved anyting, and, kids, don't do that at home, but I was in that mood. Munchkin is finally starting to fit into all the adorable outfits that everyone got for her. She was in purple from head to toe yesterday, it is so her color. Her mom favors pink but you know, 36 outfits of nothing but pink is enough. I am so glad they are making dinky outfits in other colors. Variety is a good thing. Of course, now it is really hard to resist shopping for her. Her mom does send a lot of clothes with her when she visits. I am going to be a snob here and say that most of them are butt ugly but she is making sure the baby has clothes.

Speaking of shopping, I think I am going to plan a day out to myself to just go shop or whatever. I happen to know a lady or two that might be interested in joining me; gotta love the P.O.B. !
It is quiet here so I think I am going to sneak a nap in.....

SHH!!

Can you hear that? It is the silence of a not crying baby and it is BEAUTIFUL!! Poor Munchikin has been constipated all weekend and Cranky (with the capitol C). She had a doctors appt today and the doc said she could come off this new formula since she is now 8 lbs 4 oz and go back to the stuff she likes. I am so happy.
On the other hand, Bubba has come down with the nasty stomache bug that has been terrorizing this part of the planet. I always feel so bad for him, he is so thin and seems to get everything so much worse then anyone else. I just keep handing him icy water as he calls it and bubble gum candy (tylonel for people that don't live with a three year old that refuses his medicine).
Ok, on a note that is not kid related, I have been officially commissioned to make 2 rag quilts. I am so jazzed!! It is for a family member for a special occasion but I still think it counts!!
Mikey interviewed for a job at the state school, so we are waiting patiently(wink wink) to see if they call. He really wants it, it would be like 30 miles closer for him to drive everyday. On top of all the other reasons, but that is a big one.
My niece recently blogged on her site on what must have been a very stressful day: http://supermomto2.blogspot.com . I was very impressed with how articulately she expressed what every mom feels at some point or another. I know I have those moments when I think, I could be thin and sane. I could have a great career and have people respect my choice of profession. I could get all the sleep I want and never have to give up a good time out for someone else. Yeah, I could but I wouldn't. As stressed and incompetent as I feel sometimes, I am so happy with the choices that have lead me to this point. I just have to tell myself on those days that just seem to be a black pit, take a look at the great kids in the other room. They love you, so you must be doing something right.
And on a completely irrelevant topic, Lost is coming back on TV soon. Oh, I am so looking forward to that. I was looking forward to American Idol too ( yep I admit it, I watch the car accident of reality tv) but I think they are showing way too much of the sucky ones and how mean the judges are so I will just wait to watch till the audition shows are over.
So, that about covers everything in my head at this point. yep, totally empty now. NAPTIME!!

Just another day in paradise

Dear Diary,
Had Chili for dinner, watched "Gridiron Gang" which was a pretty good movie, oh and Bubba had to make an emergent trip to the doctor. Apparently he had an allergic reaction to something and we have no idea what. He complained of a stomach cramp and that he was itchy. I told him to go change his shirt and get something comfy on for bedtime, I happened to look when he had his shirt off and he was beet red from hips to hairline. Weirdest thing I ever saw. Mikey loaded him up and off they went. Thank goodness Glenwood had a clinic open @ 7pm. So now comes solving the mystery of what made him break out. I am just happy it wasn't as drastic as Mr.'s. Tommorrow I get to take Chick to get her a check up. I swear it feels like we are living at the doctor's offices this year. It is nuts, and I am thankful for insurance. :)

Sunday, snowy Sunday

It snowed 6 inches here last night. Of course, it felt like 6 feet when I was shoveling it. Mr is all healthy again, back to his rotten self :) So good in fact, he is outside playing in all the snow. He is such an outdoorsy kid. Even Bubba, who is the least outdoorsy kid I have ever seen is out there. He is making bunkers and shooting Russian troops, but he is outside. 411 went out and rolled in it for like an hour. Where she gets her energy from is beyond me. I am supposed to be going to a birthday party this afternoon, yeah, don't see that one happening. Didn't get my date because of this latest storm either. Got to watch a couple of good movies though:)

So, what's new in your world?

It is more of the same here although I am happy to report that Mr.'s fever finally broke last night. He is still really sloth like and taking a lot of naps but at least I figured out a way to get him to take his medicine. Munchkin had to get a RSV shot today, it was the quickest doctors visit EVER. I wish they all could be so quick, seriously, I was in and out in like 7 minutes. It took longer to get her undressed and redressed then the whole visit.
I am a movie freak, love love love watching them. I got to a pawn shop up in the city and buy dvds 4-5 at a time. I got Shindler's List and Finding Neverland for $3.00 a piece, it makes me happy. I figure, I don't smoke, drink, gamble, or do drugs. Dvd's can be my vice :)
Mikey and I are supposed to have a date Saturday night. I can not remember the last time just he and I went out alone (other then for the foster classes) so I am looking forward to it. A couple of hours of adult time with no one yelling MOM! He's breathing on/looking at/touching me! or She's picking on/teasing/pinching/hitting/ kissing me!! and yes, I have gotten the tehir looking at me!! complaint. I thought it was just an exaggeration but I was soo wrong. It is amazing what kids can complain about. Although, I must be honest, I think 411 and Bubba have a lot of their father in them and that is what makes them delight in being ornery to each other. I have heard the story of how Mikey and his twin would gleefully wait at the top of the basement stairs for the other and then shut the lights off and shut the door on them. We don't have a basement for them to do that to each other but I am impressed at the number of ways they find to scare each other silly.

The doctors visits, oh the joy

I had to take Munchkin to the doctors yesterday. That was so fun, apparently she thinks I am a total idiot and is concerned with my ability to take care of the baby. She was very condescending. I have never experienced such rudeness; I have dealt with doctors all over the world and have not been treated like that. I was really offended, and I do not want to go back to her but I need to keep it consistant for her records sake. I guess this is my first test to see if I can handle it.
I need to make and appointment for Mr to go see the Doctor again too (garuntee it won't be with that doctor) because he is refusing to take his medicine. To the point of spitting it all over me.
I am counting the blessing that at least the other kids are healthy even if the are totally ornery.
I sound just like I feel today: stressed, tired, cranky. I am going to end with a happy thought.



ok, here goes.........



I'm thinking.....




ummmm........




Oh, it is not -9 degree's today. It will be a blistery 25, that is something.


wait, I have a better one, me great niece that just had double cochlear implants is doing great and hearing her mommy and daddy. That is a wonderful thing to remember when I really get grumpy, like a minor miracle.

Another trip to the ER

I swear Mr is trying to turn me completely white headed. He woke up again with the spasmodic croup, Mikey had to take him to the ER. For those of you that don't know what I am talking about, Mr woke up and was struggling to breath, chest caving in with each breath, and no cough. That is what threw me the first time it happened, it was like he was having a severe allergic reaction with only part of the symptoms. I always thought croup was just a nasty sounding,relatively harmless barking cough. You put them in steam for awhile, you are good to go. Oh hell no, couldn;t be that simple.

Moderate to severe croup: In the most serious cases, a child may have so much difficulty breathing that he/she is not getting enough oxygen into the blood. In this situation, the child will need to go to the hospital. Signs that a child with croup needs immediate medical attention include:
Stridor that is getting louder with each breath
Inability to speak because of lack of breath
Labored and or rapid breathing
Pale or bluish mouth or fingernails
Stridor at rest
Drooling
Inability to eat or drink enough
Although there are no specific medications for croup, steroid injections and adrenaline-like inhaled preparations are used to help children with moderate to severe croup. These medications act to decrease the swelling of the upper airway. Some recent studies have suggested that administration of inhaled steroids by mask may also help, but this is still controversial.

and my favorite part,

spasmodic croup may begin suddenly without any preceding cold symptoms. Unlike viral croup, spasmodic croup usually recurs

Yep, I am holding on to the nebulizer they sent home the first time, a month ago, for as long as I can. Thank God I still had all the treatment packets and stuff. I feel bad for Mikey, he has been up since 1:30 and is going to work as soon as he gets home from the ER. I'll keep ya posted.

Bad Mommy!

My 8 year old is in the bucket with a blanket,pillow, and folding chair as his "gun" for his tank which his 3 year old brother is pushing around. They got stuck and wanted my help, of course I had to shake, tilt, and try to dump them out. Mr went totally ballistic, telling me I was naughty. When he came back into the room he points his finger at me and says BAD MOMMY!! I tried to keep from laughing at his serious little face. These kids are making me giggle so much today. I sent them out to play in the snow, that lasted all of 8.5 minutes before they were coming back in stripping and demanding hot cocoa. I miss those days when all of the problems went away with a cup of hot cocoa with marshmellows. Because as we all know, you can not have hot cocoa without marshmellows. :)

Double shot carmel frappacino with extra whip cream asap!

Good morning ya'll. It is the morning after my 7 year olds slumber party with 5 other girls. Thank God I could send my other kids to spend the night. Mr even when to Dudette's house, which Mikey was not liking but I so was! It wouldn't have been so bad but I forgot to take into consideration that Munchkin would be up literally every hour. At about 4 this morning I was begging her to eat more then an ounce so she would sleep longer then 45 minutes. Yeah, now that the rest of the girls are wide awake and ready to continue the party, she is sound asleep. brat. It was a good time for 411 though, they got to make their own pizza's (frozen dinner rolls thawed and flatened make the perfect size crust), played with all her loot, had cake, watched movies and ate pocorn and mini chocolate bars. There were only 2 that pushed it till one am, they got the I am going to sleep and so are you talk. Amazingly, they were both crashed 5 minutes later.

[N]o party is any fun unless seasoned with folly. ~Desiderius Erasmus

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

I forgot to add this last time, it is a funny little thing I found and got a kick out of doing. Kinda tells a story when it is all over with :)

Here's how you play:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
Opening Credits:Doncha - Pussycat Dolls
Waking Up: Rollout - Ludacris
First Day At School:Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
Falling In Love:Amazing - Aerosmith
Fight Song:American Soldier - Toby Keith
Breaking Up:Beautiful Stranger - Madonna
Prom:B double E double R UN- Garth Brooks/George Jones
Life's OK:Beer for my Horses - Toby Keith/Willie Nelson
Mental Breakdown:Believe - Cher
Driving:Straight Tequila Night - John Anderson
Flashback:Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne
Getting Back Together:Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
Wedding:Seminole Wind - John Anderson
Birth of Child:Wonderwall -Oasis
Final Battle:Copperhead Road - Steve Earle
Death Scene:That Summer - Garth Brooks
Funeral Song:Courtesy of the Red White and Blue - Toby Keith
End Credits:Thoia Thoing- R. Kelly
So....share yours!

Your Power Color Is Gold

At Your Highest: You are engrossed in passions that mentally stimulate you. At Your Lowest: You seek thrills and neglect what's important in your life. In Love: You see dating as adventure and approach it with an open attitude. How You're Attractive: You passion for life makes others passionate about you. Your Eternal Question: "Am I Having Fun?"

What's" Your Power Color?

ammendment

It has been brought to my attention that I have not mentioned some important people. Included in the list of people I know and love should have been the 3 other sister in laws that I claim (not really self proclaimed bitches kind) and two that I flat out refuse to claim. And the brother in laws, eight of them. I do still claim most of my first husbands family as the main reason they aren't technically family is he was killed. I am a firm believer in making your own family out of whoever you want. Then there is the nieces and nephews... 35 (one is deceased so I guess 34 is more accurate) and great nieces and nephews...19. My grandmother and mother are still living but not my father or grandfather. I cannot count cousins because I simply can't count that high and I have not met most of them. I am hoping that my kids will not be able to make that claim as they are being raised around and with most of theirs. So, I think that sums it up if you add in all the previously mentioned peeps.

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts. ~Author Unknown

A Woman Should Have

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A set of screwdrivers
a cordless drill,
anda black lace bra..
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
One friend who Always makes her Laugh...
And one Who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by Anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
Eight matching plates,
Wine glasses with stems,
And a recipe for a meal that will Make her guests feel honored.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A feeling of control over Her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to fall in love Without losing herself...
How to quit a Job...
Break up with a lover
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
When to try harder...
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
That she can't change The length of her calves,
The width of her hips,
or The nature of her parents...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
That her childhood May not have been Perfect..
but; Its over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she would and Wouldn't Do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to live alone...
even if She doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
Whom she can trust,
Whom she can't,
And why she shouldn't Take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
Where to go...
Be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
Or a charming inn in the woods...
When her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish In a day..
A month..And a year...



This was sent to me in an email from a friend of mine that is male. I was pretty impressed with not only the message, which I hope to instill in my daughters someday but that he passed it along. So now I am sharing it here because often emails get ignored or deleted and I believe this is a message that needs sharing.

shoot, shots

I had to take atrip to the doctors yesterday for a weight check and surprise, she needed 4 shots. I now have one really cranky button on my hands. Thank God Chick and 411 are all healthy again. Mr. is home, no preschool, so he is doing his best to 'help'. It could be worse, he could go into total jealousy. Mikey took yesterday off to "help" since I got about an hours worth of sleep the night before. He got up to get ready for work, took one look at me and said, I am taking today off, go lay down. If I hadn't been so damn tired I might have been wondering how bad I had to have looked. :) So I went back to sleep for an hour and a half at which time it was time to get the kids up for school. Munchkin needed a diaper change and Mr wouldn't get out of bed so I had to get up and help with that. My intention was to take a nap at some point yesterday. But we all know how good intentions go by the wayside. We had to go shopping for groceries and a couple of other errands, have lunch, Mr came home, and by then I went to laydown and Mikey decided it was a good time to tear up carpet because he was bored. So I had to help with that and before I knew it, it was time for the doctors. 2 1/2 hours later, I got to come home to the kids wanting me to make dinner. Thank God for Spaghetti-o's, I was walking asleep I swear. Last night was marginally better, I think I got a total of 4 hours. Course, when thats broken in 45 minute chunks, it sure don';t seem like a lot. I am going to try to sneak in a N-A-P but don't tell Munchkin; she seems to be offended by my resting. Or eating hot food. But, when she cuddles up to my chest or flashes her dimple, I forget all the rest of it.

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

monday monday

I have 25 minutes until my demon spawn I call MR is home. Chick stayed home pukey today and Munchkin isn't too terribly co-operative. She has found a new habit of taking a nap only when it is not feasible for me to as well. I swear kids are born with these inner timers. Like not allowing hot dinners either. Or crying when you REALLY have to go to the bathroom/ are trying to take a shower. I did, however, finish the last Suzanne Brockmann book I was reading. Loved it!!
I am always amazed at where people end up in their lives. What is really freakin me out is these girls that I changed diapers of are having their own babies. I know, circle of life blah blah blah, but my nephew who I have clearly stamped in my mind as 7 informed me that his girlfriend was 8 monthes pregnant and he is now turning 21. Now I was two monthes shy of 20 when I had my oldest daughter and was appalled when my realtives were like NO WAY! Now I am one of those old aunts and you know what? I don't think I like it on this side of the fence. What is going to be really hard is when my daughter(s) tell me they are pregnant. THank God Chick isn't allowed to date for another 20 years and 411 still has 30 to go :)


How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? ~Satchel Paige

Aww it is the end of the weekend already. I have a couple of hours alone with my kids, and all they want to do is play video games. I could take this time to finish the latest Suzanne Brockmann (thank you so much Whimp!), or clean the kitchen, or vacuum, or do some laundry, or start my next cross stitch project, or work on the rag quilt pattern, or catch up on sleep, or call someone to catch up but no, here I sit in front of the computer. We had some snow the other day, Mikey and the kids are all kinds of dissappointed that it didn't stick around. Personally, it could stay away all winter and not hurt my feelers. I have always hated snow, even when I was little. It might make me a freak especially in Iowa but there it is. I much prefer milder weather all year long. I lost the living arrangements arguement though so here I am. The kids just got much needed haircuts the other day, here are some before and after shots.

yee haw

In order to fully share what is going on in my life, I am changing over to this site. I have a myspace account but apparently not enough people could share in my life so I am opening it up here. To recap, I have four kids and a foster daughter, a husband, five sister inlaws that will occasionally be referred to as the pakobitches, a sister, three brothers, my mom and friends all over the country. I complain. A lot, it is what I do. I am working on that for the new year. As well as getting a more comfortable stash for Christmas next year. Let's see, I also want to work on being more tactful. When Chelle asks me if I like this top I really don't have to go Hell to the no!, a simple not the right look will suffice. I love being a mom, especially when my three year old, MR. climbs on my lap and says " me not a little boy, me a big boy". When my twelve year old,Chick, rolls her eyes and gives me that " I can't believe how lame you are" look, not so much. I also have a seven year old, 411, that is my social butterfly. She is the one that wants to join everything and see and do it all. Now my eight year old, Bubba, is only interested in Army stuff. And video games as long as they relate to Army stuff. He is the one that moas and complains about having to go camping, spends the entire time setting up battles, and is the first one in the car to come home. Mikey is one of a kind. He is a good, solid, loving man. However he does get on my last nerve from time to time and I have a habit of oversharing. His sisters may not appreciate that but it is my blog. Ok, well I think that is a good intro and now I am off to tweek the page :)

Don't cook. Don't clean. No man will ever make love to a woman because she waxed the linoleum - "My God, the floor's immaculate. Lie down, you hot bitch." ~Joan Rivers