The cat in the bag

By the way, in case you have not noticed, I have decided to stop trying all those cute ways to label my kids for you. It seems to take so much more time to try and backtrack and replace names with initials. Now that I am back among the living, I think, I have so many things to do that there is no way that I can mess with the small stuff. Clark has done such a fantastic job keeping people clean and fed and getting to work himself that I cannot complain at all. I just get to do the rest. It will take me a while as I really do not plan on a relapse of any kind!!

So for those who care, the cat is now out of the bag!

Calling in DEAD

As you can see, it has been a while since I have posted anything. I decided to call into the world as dead. Last from my world, Alex was going to the Dr and had strep. Saturday night, I went to a girl's night and m throat was hurting a little at the end of the evening. I thought nothing of it until I woke up Sunday morning. Aaron was also complaining that his throat was hurting, so we had a quiet morning. As the day went on, it became apparent that Aaron and I had been blessed with the same lovely sickness that Alex had. GREAT!!! Clark had our family doctor call in antibiotics for he and I, which we started to take right away.

Lauren and Alex stayed home and my fantastically wonderful mother took Aaron to the doctor and it was confirmed that he had Strep as well. He had a shot which he took like a trooper. Meanwhile, my mom dropped Aaron off and picked up Alex and Lauren to go back to her house. Meanwhile, I was still out. Clark picked them up from her later that night. Tuesday, Clark went into work late to take the littlest to school. My mom picked up Alex and then came back out to get Lauren when she was out. This went on until Wednesday, when I went to the doctor. I was not getting any better and was almost done with my antibiotic. Not a good sign.

Well, not only did I have strep from Alex, I also had Lauren's virus which combined to put me in bed or on the couch for one solid week. I am just now feeling like living again. I have managed two meals today and a load of dishes. I am ready for a nap. I had a nap attack yesterday that I was not aware of taking until I woke up with Alex actually laying on top of me. Kamikaze snuggling at its best.

My mom has been fantastic. I would not have been able to do this without her. I really think that I would be in the hospital trying to recover if she had not been here. My sister has also jumped in where ever needed. Friday, Lauren and Alex were off of school and my sister came out and took therm to her house. Well, actually my mom had to get my sister and then they came out to the house to get the little guys. My sister even brought them back to me that night since Clark had to work late.

My family rocks!!

My greatest friend whose daughter is ill and does not need any more unfriendlies in the house (germs) came by Monday morning and dropped off the best breakfast (McDonald's) for the little guys. Now that may have been helped by Lauren telling her that they were not getting breakfast because I was sick. I often starve my kids when I am not feeling well. Apparently I also employ child labor since Lauren told my mom that she and Aaron were doing the laundry by themselves. I love my children!

Needless to say, I have missed ALL of my sister's cool Blog stuff and I am not planning on catching up. Sorry, Sis.

Off to my nap.

PATCH

PATCH

a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot
a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
a small piece
a piece of cloth sewed on a garment as an ornament or insignia
a small growth of beard under a man's lower lip
Thank you Merriam Webster!
PATCHWORK QUILT
PUMPKIN PATCH
PATCH ADAMS
NICOTINE PATCH
ARGH, ME HEARTIES!
Let’s fit all these together to make a coherent whole
I am not sure that we can.
Oh, my crazy sister and her words.
This one has got me really stumped.

I am behind!!

Well, I missed Fun Friday. Sorry Guys!!!!! I even missed the word of the day. My Friday was more like Frantic Friday not fun. "L" was still at home so I got everyone else off to school. I had a list of 15 or so things to accomplish.

"Oh, by the way,could you empty the freezer and defrost it? All you have to do is get several bags of ice and fill the coolers. Then just get all the ice out of the freezer. I'll be happy to wipe it out when I get home." Yea, right!!

I had to go make a deposit for the Girl Scout troop and then pick up some more Fall Product to give out. I had to pick up a book for the basket for the silent auction for the carnival this Saturday. I then was going to pick up Alex and then go home for lunch and nap. Then off to pick up the afternoon carpool. At 4, I was supposed to meet and pick up the basket to deliver to the school.

Oh the best laid plans.........

I received a call from the school nurse about "a" . It seems he was looking a little green and said his neck hurt. He had said the same thing this morning and I thought he had just slept wrong. I went ahead and picked him up early. By the time we got to my mom's, he was running a fever. I made a Dr. appointment for him for later that afternoon. In the meantime....
I called to reschedule the Girl Scout stuff.
Ran to the store while my mom watched germ ville.
As I was putting "a" into the car, he threw up!! Oh, by the way, his breath was really bad. (STREP!!!) Made it to the Dr.s, threw up again.
May I have the envelope, please. The winning illness is.... Strep Throat!! You win a penicillin shot in the hinny!!! There was definitely some loud noise about that one.
Home in time to pick up "A" and throw them into their rooms.
Walk into the house to a lovely smell. Two bags of Starbucks coffee beans all over my front room. Sumatra and Breakfast Blend for those who care.
Off to the 4pm meeting for the basket and then rush to get more goodies from the Girl Scouts.

Home for a quick dinner and books and bed. Don't forget medicine and ointment.
Then, Escape..... scrapbook at Starbucks until 11:30 pm with friends who try to keep me sane.

Don't ask about today( Saturday)

I don't want to sound cheesy, but I am so thankful for my husband. He has been so supportive of my decision to quit my job to stay at home even while working a job that he really dislikes. He has been jumping in wherever he is needed without a fuss (or much of one). With the kids being sick and the school Carnival coming up, and don't forget Girl Scout Fall Product sales, things have been getting kind of hairy around here. But he is always right there, helping with homework, dinner, bedtime or whatever needs to be done. I love him and can't imagine my world without him.

Elephant

Existing in the wild.
Looking all gray and wrinkly.
Excellent family values.
Pachyderm pride.
Huge footprints.
Always respected.
Not afraid of mice.
Tusks are teeth.

Why do they call it a white elephant gift? Have you noticed that the females are in control of the herd? Would it be a better picture if it were an elephant in a china shop? Why do people butcher these wonderful creatures just for a few bits and pieces? Hannibal used elephants to cross the Himalayas. India uses elephants for so many things. When are we going to accept that we have to share?

Unemployed

I am so glad that I am no longer working. I have had critters at home every day this week. "A" is now back at school after stomach issues. "L" is still running a fever and we will be making a trip back to the doctor. I could not imagine trying to take care of her while still working. That would not be fair. Even with sick children, I am so glad to be a mom!! Some day I will be able to do those things on my list.

Have you ever played with webdings? Here is the alphabet: Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz 1234567890 These are the coolest..
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PIRATES

My favorite pirates come from the movies. Johnny Depp, Errol Flynn, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Tyrone Power, Carey Elwes. The more a rogue, the more attractive they were. There is just something about a man who can carry you away. The best storylines were the ones where the pirates became good after falling in love with the RIGHT woman. Don’t we all feel like we could be the one to turn the bad boy around? I might go check out a few great, black and white movies. That would make a fantastic girl’s night. We could call it Pirates and Popcorn.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;
5

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,
10

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.
15

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.
20

Time Travel Tuesday

The subject is "My Greatest Adventure"

I have not really done anything that would be considered an adventure other than having children. I know it sound cheesy, but I was going to write about the time I went skiing when I was pregnant with "L". But that wasn't much of an adventure.
Every day my children remind me that life is an adventure. You can either watch it go by like in a movie or you can live it to its fullest. What is the saying? Grab life with both hands. I am always hearing of a situation where someone has it worse than I do and I think " Why am I complaining?" I enjoy watching my kids experience every second wholly and completely. There is no halfway with them, especially "a". I think of what my life would be without them and all I can say is, BORING!! My kids are constantly amazing me with how they think and what they see.

O.K. the word is SCHOOL. Lets see what I can do.

SCHOOL

Learning, growing, interacting socially
Building on the last lesson, building higher and higher
Until one day, reaching the stars and beyond.
Start small, simple joy in accomplishment.
Excitement, pride, also stressing over tests.
Relief, boredom, interesting subjects
Stretching your mind until you think it can’t hold anymore.
Discovering skills that will last a lifetime
Report card, progress reports GRADES, GRADES, GRADES
ACT, SAT, TAKS, IBS, TPRI
How am I doing? How are they doing? How are we doing?
Which books? What’s my combination? What’s the question?
Fourth Grade, Eighth Grade, Senior Year. I’m almost done!
I still have COLLEGE??!!

Mayhem Monday

My sister has started this. It seems like it might be cool to do. I hearby promise to try my best to keep up with it!!

Up before 7, that's right I said 7. No more crosswalk!!!!! Started to get everyone ready for school.

L: still running a fever,no school for her. Medicine, a drink and back to bed.

A: stomach problems that kept him in the bathroom. No school for him.

a: up and running as soon as his eyes were open!! Had breakfast and got dressed and headed in to school, no problem.

Me: Out into the rain to do the trash. Barefoot, of course. I almost got to play Mary Poppins with the umbrella. Dropped off little guy and then picked up carpool. Off to school we went. I was going to go work out, but with two at home sick, I thought that perhaps I should stay.

10am: I met with the wonderful lady who is doing the basket for "a" class for the Carnival this weekend. It is fantastic!! My friend who happens to work at Starbucks is donating several different coffees as well. Thanks, Jody Lynn!!!

11am : picked up "a" and he had a good day!! Whoo Hoo!! We went to the bookstore and bought some fun stuff. Off to Tuesday Morning to see about stuff for "L" class basket for the above mentioned Carnival.

To McDonald's for lunch and Braum's for dessert for everyone.

1pm Nap time for all sick people.

2:45- started afternoon carpool run, home by 3:15. That's right! No crosswalk!!!

The rest of the night consisted of: laundry, dishes, dinner, laundry, showers, books,laundry, teacher notes, laundry, and then some Mommy time.

I am part a political forum that meets each Monday night in October online. It is really interesting. This evening, we talked about whether or not public service (military as well as volunteering) should be mandatory. It was rather heated at times to say the least. I love being a part of this kind of thing. Not only do I feel that my voice is heard, but it does my children good to see that Mommy is active in more than just the house. It also, I hope, teaches them that they should be active in their world as well.

It is now 11:40 pm and I am waiting for a last load of laundry to finish and then I am off to bed to get ready for a day of school, doctors and Girl Scouts.

Counting Down

I have 8 more days to go before I am done with work. Well, getting paid for working. Well, getting paid in dollars for working. I have so many plans for when I get to stay home. I don't know what to pick first: organize the pantry, organize the freezer, organize my scrapbooking stuff, organize, organize, organize!! I might just sit and breathe for a few days. O.K. maybe just one day! My boss asked me if I could stay until December. He is on crack!!!! NO NO NO NO NO NO !


Halloween is coming up and two off my three have decided what they are going to be. Sort of. "a" is going to be a bat like Quincy from Little Einstein's. "L" is going to be a fairy, just not in the costume that I have already bought. It had fiber optics that flash in the dark. But it itches. Next she will complain that there is a pea in her bed!!

"A" has no idea what he will be. I think that this might be his last year with the family. I am going to ask my friend Hellen if he can hang with her older two. They have a good time together. I am sort of glad that he is growing up. He is the one that told me that he would never move out and will be with me always. I am glad that he is branching out, but he is still not embarrassed to show his affection. "a" and I went to "A" s school to drop off some money for lunch. We decided to eat there with "A". While we were in line, one of the boys in line looked at "A" and "a" and said, " They look exactly alike!" "A" just laughed and gave "a" a hug. He made sure that "a" was right there in line and o.k. the whole way. When lunch was over, "A" gave both of us a hug and a kiss and went off with his friends. He is still such a sweetie-pie.

My sister and her husband have birthdays in October and we have always gone over there for chili and fixings to celebrate. We missed last year because she was in Georgia :(

I really need to get on the ball with the decorating. I can't wait until I am done with work!!

The Jonas Brothers

For those of you who do not have tweens, today was the free concert at the State Fair of Texas. Yes, free. Well, it was 11.00 to get in and don't forget the cost of food. So sort of free.

It was also a million degrees out there with 3 four year olds, 1 six yr. old, 1 twelve yr. old, and three very hot adults. I would not have missed it for the world!! The Jonas Brothers are a very popular Disney group that our guys sing along with and have arguments about who their biggest fan is. "A" was an incredible help with the little guys who had about enough approx. 30 minutes into the concert.

I think I sweated off about 5 pounds and my voice is, well, lets just say it is in the alto range now.

It was an experience that I am glad we had, but I think I would do it a whole lot differently next time. Next time?!! What am I, crazy??!!

There were a whole lot of parents there who had the same look... I am doing this for my kids, but I sure don't remember any concerts like this when I was younger!!

what we wouldn't do for our little loves!
Now I have to get the CD and a poster for each of them. What was that about a free concert??

Snuggle Bunnies

I wish I could take a picture and show you what I see. Picture this: a small boy in the middle of a big bed with two cats around him. "a" and I took a nap together this afternoon in my bed. It was very sweet. I did not mean to fall asleep, but he puts off these "sleep vibes" as my husband calls them and sucked me into nap time. I know he is growing up and I should not treat him like a baby. "I'm a bigger boy" There is nothing like a small arm around your neck and sweet breath in your face. I do not understand these celebrity mothers who put the raising of their children into the hands of others. I could not imagine not being there to hear a sleepy little voice call out for me.

Those little "up up"s too quickly change into "watch me, momma!" and then into "Can I go over to my friends?" Every now and then I still get the extra trip back to the car from "A" to quietly say "I love you, Mom" that keeps me going. I cannot imagine being without that. I know that I am blessed for all that I have.

My children are an adventure every day and to have that taken away must be horrible. I hope that this is a wake-up call for a certain nameless young lady that there is more to life than parties. Maybe, someday, she can get her kids back, but she would have to straighten up a whole heck of a lot.

Now I am off to get my little princess who was up at 4am doing homework. She did go to bed at 4:30 the previous afternoon. She was one tired little princess.
I know they make me angry sometimes, but the good so outweighs the bad that I would not give any of it up.