I'm At Home

Monkeying Around...

2011-11-02T12:59:00.002-04:00

My house is often a zoo, so while browsing new blog background ideas, I came across this one. I don't know how long it will stick...probably until I want a Christmas background. But for now, it fits. I thought about changing the name of my blog, but it's been I'm At Home for 3 years now, so why mess with a good thing?!

What are you doing today?

I have listened to The Isaacs and to Laura Story while I clean the kitchen; I played a nice round of Break The Ice with Little Man...we each one two games. I am about to put chicken, 2 cans of creamy chicken soup, carrots and some ranch dressing in the crock pot for supper. I'm not sure if we'll eat it over rice or pasta. And I may go buy some peas to put in there too.

I need a new camera. Mine does not like any battery that I put into it, saying the batteries have died. I hope I get one for Christmas! I'm a little sick to my stomach, thinking about how I may not have a camera to take pictures of Little Man's birthday, Girly Girl's birthday, and Christmas. They all fall within 5 days of each other! It can't happen. Time to go camera shopping I guess. I don' have money to be picky, so we shall see....any suggestions?

Happy November!

Face Painting X's 2

2011-10-31T10:28:00.005-04:00

I thought that for a post today I would simply share one of my reflections from one of my classes that I am taking in Early Childhood Education. I have to spend time after each day spent in the preschool classroom, writing my thoughts into a reflection paper. Following is two different experiences, but on the same day, in the same classroom, with the same materials. Tell me what you think!!

Face-painting. Morning Session. Take One.

Circle ends smoothly with no announcements of what will be happening.Today is pajama day and the teacher and the assistant fit right in,in their fun slumber attire. Children are choosing within theclassroom what they want to do for activity time. Some stay at theblock area, some move to Housekeeping. A few decide to do puzzles.The teacher hands me a bucket filled with paint brushes and facepaint. I go wordlessly to one table, and she to another. We don'teven talk about the process. Within a few minutes, we each have 1-2students standing near, asking what we are doing. I tell the firstlittle girl, face-painting! She smiles big and asks if she can gofirst. Her friend quickly says, “I'm after her.” I ask the firstgirl what she would like me to paint on her face and with whatcolor/s. She chooses a star, a heart, and a pumpkin. On each cheek, Ipaint a pink heart, black star and a blue pumpkin. Her friend says,“Wow! Cool! Is it my turn?” The second girl sits down and asks tobe a kitty. She chooses colors, and as I paint, I ask her if she hasany cats. The answer is yes, and we talk about what they look likeand what colors they are. I don't worry when she moves her head around a lot, instead using the “mistakes” as whiskers. Theteacher, at her table, seems to be having the same experiences. Wejoke about who can paint spiders better, and the children join in,judging our attempts. No one is crying, the children are figuring outall on there own where the “line” is for who's next, and theytalk amongst themselves about what has been painted, and what theywant on their face. One little boy tells the assistant when she asks,that he doesn't want to do it. She tells him he doesn't have to, butif he changed his mind, what did he suppose he'd have painted on hisface? She prods him along, asking him if he likes spiders...nope.What about a dog face? Nope. Then she says, “what do you like?”He replies with “alligators”. She then says, “I bet if you askLisa or teacher, they could paint a great alligator.” He smilesreal big, and is soon next to me, quiet. I say, “hi T! Are yougoing to have a turn?” He answers quietly with yes. Without puttinghim on the spot by looking right at him, I ask while I'm stillpainting on a child's face, “did you think about what you wouldlike?” he then says “alligator.” I pause for a second, and thenget real animated with my face, but not directly at him, as I say,“an alligator?! I never would have thought of that!” he continuessmiling, now ready for his turn. As I begin painting his redalligator, I talk about what alligators look like, and ask simplequestions about their teeth, or tail. He gives me one-word answers,and before we know it, I'm done. I tell him quietly, so as not todraw unwanted attention to him, to go look in the mirror. He does,alone. I watch from a distance. His smile grows even bigger. Hisfriends ask him what he has on his face and he says with pride andwith a strong voice, “A Alligator.” We share a special look, andI feel my heart filling with a new bond I have begun with T!!

Face-painting. Afternoon Session. Take Two.

We are all at circle. The teacher puts on Clifford on aspecial-once-in-a-while TV time. The children are told to sitquietly. She gets up and goes to the table. After arranging herpaints and brushes and also telling 3 children that have followed herto see what she's doing to go sit back down quietly, she picks onechild to come with her. The only thing you hear in the room isClifford jumping in a pile of leaves. What I wouldn't give to jump intoo. The child gets to pick one thing to have painted, and on onecheek. It takes 3 minutes. He sits back down, and she takes child #2.One choice, one cheek. 3 minutes. This continues for the next 3children. There is one little girl, H, that wants her turn so badly.She is sitting quiet, craning her neck to see the table, see theteacher, see the painting. She has no desire to watch Clifford who isnow blowing leaves in a pile for Emily Elizabeth to jump into. EvenClifford is in tune to a child's needs. Finally, after all 9classmates are done, the teacher picks H, who without a doubt, is themost into this activity. She is the only girl present today. Duh. Shesits down after 27 minutes of waiting her turn, and she just can'tdecide what she wants. The teacher says, “hurry, we need to bedone.” It is then that I realize face-painting and Clifford aresupposed to end at the very same time. Hmm. You can see the pressureH is feeling, and she finally says, “A princess.” This is not asurprise, as H always picks out Disney princess books at librarytime. The teacher says, “I can't do a princess on your face, but Ican on your hand.” H looks at her hand, not responding. “Quick,”the teacher says, is that what you would like? H just nods, andwatches as a princess takes form on her hand. She is proud, butsatisfied? I doubt it.

Same day, same activity. Two completely different experiences. Iloved the chance to see both, but not at the expense of 10 childrenwho had no opportunity to express creativity!!! I would have loved toallow the children to paint each others' faces as well. Or even myface. I bet the morning teacher would have done this, but it waslunch time, and even then, it was late!

Clone Anybody?

2011-10-20T06:26:00.000-04:00

I think I'm getting old. I keep getting up earlier and earlier. Andy gets up at 4am to get ready for work, and I get up with him to help him make his lunch and just spend a few quiet moments alone with him. I used to go right back to bed when he left, snuggling in on his side, feeling the little bit of warmth left from his body. But lately I have just been staying up! It is dark, and it's easy to forget that it's early morning and not late at night. But I get some quiet time and my first cup of coffee is uninterrupted. Little Man however, woke up this morning at 4:40am, and wasn't so sure about being put back to bed. "Why isn't it sunny?" was his question. He is now cuddled on my pillow in my bed.
I was thinking the other day that I wish there were 4 or 5 of me. I actually pictured myself emptying the dishwasher, another clone folding clothes, clone #3 doing homework, and the original me just spending time with my kids and my husband, not thinking one bit about the other things on the never-ending to-do list. And I'm serious; it's a NEVER ENDING LIST! Do you get frustrated when you start something and people, time, just life in general, don't allow you to finish? Sometimes I just know I won't be finishing what I'm about to start, so I don't start it. Is that a definition of procrastination? I can procrastinate like the best of them. Like now. I should be doing homework. Oh, shouldn't I. I have so so so much due in just 9 weeks, the end of my second-to-last semester. I know what will happen. I will wait until that last week and then go bald with pulling my hair out from being so stressed. My family will want to quietly murder me. I have great intentions, but rarely put them into action. Except for yesterday. You see, I have started my 135 hour practicum in a preschool setting, and it takes me away from home a lot right now. This means that Little Man is bounced around from place to place, and oh, the guilt. You don't even know. Well, maybe some of you do. He is totally fine, spending time with Nanny, or Aunt Kim, or even 2 1/2 hours every Tuesday at preschool at the christian school my older two attend. And on Fridays, he is home all day with Daddy. But I MISS HIM. He is special, his whole "being here" is different from my other two, and I feel so bad leaving him. He's just a little guy, and shouldn't I be with him now, everyday, all day? It's like rubbing salt in the wound too, when I think about the fact that I'm with kids his age all day, but he's missing. I even asked about whether or not he could come with me to my practicum, knowing full well that that wouldn't be allowed. So back to yesterday. After spending 7 hours in my practicum, I booked it the 9 miles to my mom's house to "rescue" my son. When I arrived, he and his cousin (same age) and Nanny were outside playing hide and seek. He saw me and ran with open arms across the yard. Inside I was repeating to myself "don't cry, don't cry...". I still don't know if I was talking to myself or him. He hugged me and then headed for the car. He was ready! The rest of the evening, I did what I had promised myself I would do, and I spent every moment with him. It was 3 blissful hours and I felt energized. I managed to make dinner in there for the family with Andy's help, and Little Man had a very long bath. I know he's fine. Everyone says that, and you may be tempted to comment on this post and tell me that very thing. But he won't be little forever. And I want him to be. One of the hardest things in the world that I am going through right now is the very beginning of "empty nest syndrome" with my oldest. He is still home, but at 17 1/2, he doesn't "need" momma much anymore. And right now, I don't feel so much like he even really likes me! I try and keep my distance, allowing him space to make decisions and also experience the consequences of those decisions. He is a very smart kid, and I am so proud. But it hurts. Like a hurt I have never ever felt. And I hate that I can't stop it, and that I also can't stop it from happening two more times after him. Girly Girl is almost 13. Where has the time gone. And so, I guess if my procrastination is the cause of not getting anything done, then I will embrace it, because getting nothing done seems to be the definition of spending time with my children. The assignments will get done. The laundry won't get up and walk away and leave us naked. The dish washer may stay full or need to be loaded, but what is important, my children, will be fed. And not just food for their bellies, but fed with LOVE from me. I still wouldn't mind those 4 clones though...

2011-10-11T10:24:00.001-04:00

This is bad....I haven't posted in so long, and it looks like blogger has made some changes when posting! I like it! Well, Maine is getting cold. Yep. Old Man Winter is threatening a long visit, and I just wanna say NO!! Go away! I want summer back!
It was busy summer...mostly filled with accomplishing my summer class and all of the student-teaching/practicum hours. I am now in my last year of early childhood education, a degree awaits me in May 2012. I am taking a full load and wow, I think about my classes 24/7. The homework isn't hard really, it's just time consuming and really thought-provoking. I'm taking an online sociology class that has me emotionally spent when I'm done answering the questions! I can feel brain cells growing!
Andy is working!!! That is something I have not been able to say in my last two posts...I know, I know, April and July. I'm going to try to do better. But anyway, he's working with a friend that started up his own carpentry business earlier in the summer. They are on CheBeague Island off of Portland, Maine, building a post and beam home. He is gone 14 hours a day, 4 days a week. He is getting back in shape, feeling his own muscles get hard again in his arms. :) I overheard him tell someone that he and his work buddy are having fun. That did my heart so good, to hear that. My prayer this year for him, is to find peace in his life, to find what it is that God has planned for him. We still aren't sure what that is, but that's okay. God knows.
I have begun a new hobby....thanks to some great friends on Facebook that kept sharing! Have you heard of PINTEREST ? Check it out. It's awesome. It's like bookmarking, but with better organization and pictures! I've been reading a lot more too, actual books. Right now I am about to finish the book "The Help". I wanted to read it before seeing the movie, but now I may just not go see it. If you've read the book and seen the movie, what do you suggest? I don't want to ruin a good thing. And I love the book.
Until next time!

MILK MAGIC!

Not Quite Three Months...

2011-07-06T08:53:00.000-04:00

Because it's been so long, I feel like I need to do a little "splainin'" about my absence! I will make it short: LIFE!! Haha! If you are a Facebook friend (which I love!) then you may know a little more of what has been going on for the last 2 1/2 months. Birthdays, Anniversarys, Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, end of school events, exams, job interviews (Andy...nope, not yet), family gatherings, cheap home renovations, gardens, and everything else in between! I know, it's all blog-worthy stuff, and I do regret when I go back and read past posts, not writing about some of the happenings. But it's not like I disappeared forever! hah!

So in a nutshell, Mr. Smarty Pants will be 17 in a few weeks, and is now officially a Senior. I don't like talking about it. Not my baby! He is working on a farm up the road, and seems to like it. He and Andy are trying to sell one vehicle to buy another more safe first car for him. He is 8 months into a relationship, and as much as I kinda wish he wasn't so serious at this age, he is happy. And I met his dad when I was 17! So who knows. We are 80% done the basement bedroom, enough so that last week he moved down. We ran out of money for a few things, but things that are on the list and will be completed later.

Girly Girl is 12 1/2, and even amidst the whining and the sometimes laziness of a "tween", I am really enjoying her. She has taken a real liking to baking, and can now make things from beginning to end with no help. And that's a BIG help! She paints her toes and fingernails a different color everyday, and is a fish in our pool. A girlfriend or two are usually here, or she is gone to their house. Not boy crazy AT ALL, and that's fine with me! If she does have a crush, she hasn't shared it with her mother! She has been baby-sitting Little Man for me a lot, and I love how motherly she is with him. He really loves his Sissah.

Little Man....not so little anymore! 3 1/2, and full of it. He is riding a big boy bike now, loves the pool, and eats ALL DAY when I let him. His favorite thing to do outside is play in his little "house"...a clearing in the middle of some lilac bushes on the side of our backyard. He and our dog Princess, are best friends. Or so he says. We successfully did something with him a month ago, that I am so glad we rectified. I am ashamed to say he was playing WAY TOO MUCH Playstation games. It just got so easy to just let him sit and play, and not need to be entertained by us, or need something. They weren't bad games at all....racing cars and skateboarding. But I didn't like it. I think God took my side, because the Playstation broke. It sucked in that that's what we used for a blue-ray DVD player too, but I was secretly glad the gaming system was down. We do have a Wii, and just recently, I have let him play a game or two on that, but it takes reading, and he gets bored with it easily. But he's good at the bowling! So now a timer goes on, and when it's done, he does well at turning everything off. We are almost ready to move him into his new room, now that big brother is downstairs. That will be fun.

I am in the middle of my first practicum in early childhood ed. I like it, but sure do hate leaving my family everyday to go do something I don't even get paid for. I have one more year of school, and I will be a college graduate. That feels good! It will be a busy year, but a good one, I predict. Andy is still out of work since January, but keeping busy here and there with odd jobs. He is on a waiting list to enroll in the massage therapy program at the same college I am at. So we may be college buddies this year. :) That would be different. We shall see. It is something he has wanted to do for a really long time, but not able to because of full time jobs. So maybe now is the time. I am just worried that when he is done, Maine will not be able to give him a job. So maybe moving will be in our future. Only God knows. I pray everyday for strength to continue to let God lead.

So to end, I'll add some pictures of LIFE, and I promise to do better Jamie, at keeping up with my blog! Later I may even play around and change my theme/background...if I remember how!! ha!!

Bike, Prom, Swings, Water, Trains, Smiles, Hugs, and a Senior Class!

20 + 20 + 20

2011-04-27T23:09:00.001-04:00

Tonight as I write, I am flooded with so many thoughts. So much is going on in my life, that if I could draw it here for you, I'd be one little lady in the middle of a big page, with arms extending every which way, holding big responsibilities on big plates. I don't necessarily feel pulled in any one way, but some of those plates are getting mighty heavy. I would like to put some of them down. And some I would simply like others to say "hey, I got that one for ya...let it go."
Last week, April 21, marked 20 years of marriage for me and my husband. I don't remember the last time I was so pumped up about a special date or holiday coming up. Not my own 40th birthday, not any of the kids' birthdays, not Christmases, date nights, or vacations away. The road we've been journeying on together for the last 20 years has been very scenic. It started out very scary, taking twists and turns that we felt were out of our control. I was a very young and naive bride. One time, our power was turned off because someone, ahem, forgot to pay the electric bill. What did I do first? I called my mom. She lived four hours away, and couldn't do anything, but it was my first instinct. I called mom first, too many times in those beginning years. She was the one that had to cut the apron strings and say, "you're married now! Talk to your husband!" We lost a baby 6 months into pregnancy in our first year too. I miss that baby....but I can see God's hand in that loss...it really brought Andy and I together for the first time. No one could understand how I felt except him. And no one could understand how he felt except me. As we held each other, tears streaming down our faces, I finally felt connected to the man I had said "I do" with. Five moves, 4 cats, 2 dogs, countless cars, numerous jobs, and 3 kids later, I am still learning how to keep that connection. It has been broken many times, each one of us falling and not holding on tight enough. It is in those times that I know God was the invisible link that held us together. When April 21, 2011 was on my doorstep, knocking, saying "I'm here!" I was scared to open the door. Was I ready? Was I prepared to share this special time, this moment that in my eyes should be perfect, with Andy? I wanted it to be perfect in every way. No regrets, no secrets, nothing hidden, not one thing to even remotely get in my way of being able to say "You are the BEST thing that has ever happened to me, and I want 20 more years, and 20 more after that with YOU, my best friend in the whole world." Taking a big breath, I swung that door open, and celebrated my anniversary with nothing in my way of sweet perfection with the man of my dreams.
My marriage was sadly not always my first priority. For years, I put my kids before my husband. I thought that was what I was supposed to do. He's an adult, he should understand, right? He should be doing the same thing! I would do things, say things, that without even realizing it, was beating him down, not building him up. And as I watched him turn into himself, I got angry. Grow up man! Those were my thoughts. But then God spoke to me, loud and clear. And for the last five months, I have done my absolute BEST to put Andy back where he belongs...second to God. And guess what? My kids are just fine. What they see now is their mom and dad IN LOVE. We go on more dates now, then we have in a really long time. I giggle. We kiss and hug in front of them and they get grossed out. :) I cook and clean for him happily. I wake up each morning, and ask myself, what can I do for Andy today? I pray for him. ALL.OF.THE.TIME. I wonder sometimes if God would just like to say "yeah, you told me that seven times today already!" Does he irritate me from time to time? Oh sure. Just like I know I must irritate him too. Just ask him about the laundry! But you know what? He has put me right up there where I belong too. He holds me when he sees I need it. He kisses that spot on the back of my neck at just the right times. And he does the laundry himself now. :)
All of those plates that feel so full and heavy? Yeah. They still do. College, homework, kids, church, work, friends, sisters, mom and dad, housework, shopping, bills, and lets not forget, taking care of myself. What would I do with empty plates anyway? My life is full. My life is good. I give God the glory. He has blessed me so much.
So Andy and I will continue to journey down the long road named Life together. We will hold hands tightly, and guess what? I've then gained more hands to help hold all of those full plates. :) I think we can do it for 20 more years and 20 more after that, don't you?!

Pick-Me-Up

2011-04-18T16:22:00.001-04:00

I had a really great pick-me-up today. The teacher that I work with each day looked at me when I walked in this morning and said, "Wow! You look great! This fiber thing you're doing is really working!" Yay me. :) Just the boost I needed to keep going! Did you check out the FULL PLATE DIET yet? I bought the book and journal and am enjoying both thoroughly. Thinking I'll go eat some beans for supper!! Cupcakes are gone, and it wasn't ME!!
You should also check out this website: MY FRIDGE FOOD. It takes a few minutes at first, but you can save your work. It's cool....you check off every single thing you have in your fridge and in your cupboards. When you are done, it will generate many many recipes that you can make with exactly what you already have! For those times when I just don't know what to make for supper, thinking I don't have anything, I go here. I am always amazed at what they tell me I can make!!

Life As I know It - Part 2

2011-04-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, so too long went between Part 1 and Part 2. I know, I know already. Sheesh. :) I am so excited! I think that just in the last 3 weeks, I gained like 11 followers! Awesome! Not sure who you are, but Welcome! I am flattered.

So....you ready? Take a deep breath...I am!

Life has been good. I promised birthday pics of my big 4-0, so here we go...
This is me and Girly Girl. She is growing up so fast. Almost 12 1/2 !!!

It was cheaper to get two cakes, and Andy and I are all about being thrifty. :) Sooo, two cakes it was.

He had Happy 20th written on each cake!!! That sure was awesome to see....until he put the candles in. :)

And there he is, party-planner guru. hehe. He did good, for having no idea what he was doing. :)

The boys were playing somewhere, when this picture was taken. And we were all too busy visiting and partying it up to take any pics of the guests!! It was a fun day!!

So that's the party stuff. I love my birthday. Andy always does a pretty great job of making me feel special, and that is the reason I love my birthday so much. :)

For about 26 days now, I have been working on my diet. I'm not ON a diet, just changing the one that already exists. It needed work. And bad. So I am simply working on adding more fiber to my diet. I aim for 40 grams a day. The trick is, to eat fiber first, in each meal. Fiber feels you up, so chances are, that after you eat the veggies, fruit, and whole grains, you won't be hungry for the fats, sweets, and dairy. I eat 1-2 apples a day, at least 1 banana a day, and I really try to get in blueberries and/or blackberries. Blackberries have 8 grams of fiber in 1 cup! I put that on a cup of Fiber One cereal in the morning, and there's 21 grams of fiber alone. Avocados are high in fiber, and a are a great natural "good" fat. Sweet potatoes replace white, brown rice replaces white. I eat only WHOLE wheat bread, mostly pita pockets. I make oatmeal from scratch, adding applesauce, peanut butter, and almonds for a HUGE bowl of fiber. No more instant packets of oatmeal. I haven't eaten too much for sweets, although I have to be really careful, because if it's in the house, Lisa.will.eat. No question. Girly Girl made cupcakes on her own yesterday, and when it was time to make the frosting, I had to step in. I LOVE making frosting with my Kitchen Aid. And I love frosting. So, yesterday and today I a cupcake, and I wish I hadn't. As of last Thursday, I was down 7.8 pounds!!! I have a ways to go, and am so thankful for my sisters and mom. We are doing this together, meeting every 9-10 days to discuss where we are at, what do we eat, and if we want, what do we weigh. My weigh day is Thursday mornings. I hope I am down another 1 1/2 pounds to 2 pounds this week. But I need to stop eating cupcakes!! I sent 5 of them to Mr. Smarty Pants girlfriends' house with him. :) THEY can eat them. The "plan" I am following is from the FULL PLATE DIET if you are interested. It is very easy, and no restrictions. Eat what you want, just focus focus focus on the FIBER first!! And portion control. I am going to try and use flaxseed in recipes this week.

Mr. Smarty Pants, Girly Girl and Little Man are doing well. Mr. SP is taking his SAT's in a few weeks. I must admit, I do hate all the talk about college. Not yet!! Slow down, please!! It is exciting though. He is doing so well. He is on the lookout for a summer job. GG is just living the life, having fun as a 6th grader, being a great help at home, and just being so easy to raise. She is a daddy's girl, through and through. They bicker, tease, fool around all the time, and then the next minute they are snuggling, watching Sponge Bob together. There's something awesome about watching Daddy and Daughter hang out. :) LM is growing too fast too. He's all potty-trained, YAY. I may have written about that already in a earlier post. Don't remember. He says the funniest things. He doesn't like to go Number 2 by himself, likes me to sit on the tub beside him. He says "it's dangerous by myself!!" He doesn't like the toilet drain. :) He also tells me when he accidentally does something, ie, spilled his juice this morning, "Mama!! I'm sorry! I did it on purpose!!" Um, okay?! Got things mixed up a little there, Buddy. :)

This week will be busy, but I can't wait for the weekend. Andy and I are taking off for one night to a nice little romantic bed and breakfast in Camden, ME. Google the town. It's so pretty. Kids are going to Andy's brother's. I thought that 20 years deserved something special, so we booked a room that has a two-person jacuzzi tub. :) It comes with a huge gourmet breakfast the next day, so to get the most of the room, we have already decided to just get take-out for supper, so we don't have to leave the room. :) Maybe I'll even eat my take-out IN the hot tub!! Soooo crazy!!!! hehe!

Andy is still unemployed, but has been able to pick up, here and there, odd jobs for people, building this, fixing that. It's not a full-time job though. We have some good friends that are moving to Arizona, because they just can't do it here anymore. Thoughts of moving are always on our minds. But God just hasn't shown us that open door just yet. We are still waiting. I have about 4 more weeks or so, of school for this semester, then a few off before my summer class. This time next year, I will be a college graduate. :) Wow. Can't wait.

Well, the kitchen won't clean itself, now will it? And I have lots of Blogs to catch up on!!! Keep reading, I will post pics of the bed and breakfast next week!!

Life As I know It - Part 1

2011-03-27T09:48:00.000-04:00

Okay. I'll admit it, I've been procrastinating BIG time on posting lately. Well, that and I am soooo busy, I feel like if I try and tackle one more thing, my head will spin off completely. I could easily use at least four more of me. One to go to school for me, one to go to work for me, one to be JUST mom for me, and one to do the sleeping. That would leave ME to just do what I want right now, and that's nurture my marriage. I never would have imagined 20 years ago that right before my 20th wedding anniversary, I would be feeling like I JUST got married. And by that I mean I feel so new at this. For about five months now, Andy and I have really REALLY been taking a long hard look at US. We've stopped taking each other for granted, have taken great strides to put each other on the top of our own priority lists, and have made the promise that no matter what, we will communicate about ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. We go on weekly dates now. And I don't feel like I am taking advantage of my two older kids to babysit when we do that. I actually feel like it was all part of God's plan, us having older kids to watch the little one at this time in our lives, so that we can give our marriage the proper attention it deserves. We usually go see a movie, which I know some might think "how do you visit" but we have sooo much fun. The theater we go to is 25 minutes away. So that's 50 minutes of blissfully uninterrupted talk-time! We pick movies that the kids wouldn't like or that are "grown-up" (aka R-rated) movies. We people watch. And we sit close, feel young, and pig out on popcorn. With no interruptions. I truly do feel like a teenager in love! I have always LOVED Andy, but I know there have been times that I have not felt IN love. And I vow now to always do what I need to do to keep that feeling. Marriage takes 3, that's for sure. We pray together a lot, and have accepted that God needs to be our VERY first priority and then our marriage will be complete.
So....with that said, will it bore you to hear more about what's been going on while "I'm At Home" ?!
School is kicking my butt. It's not hard, just extremely time consuming. And it's only the beginning. I have so many projects to do. I have to complete a research paper in a month. I haven't written a paper in over 20 years. Ugh. I have chosen the topic of Household Safety. It's for my Health/Safety/Nutrition class. Remember, my major is Early Childhood Education. The awesome thing is, my teacher is so flexible, and is more about the content of the paper rather than the logistics of how it's written. I have many personal experiences that I can put in my paper, and she said that's fine. I also have to complete lesson plans, menus, whole curriculum's, and a floor plan for a child center. All that along with weekly small assignments, lots of reading, and 6 hours of in class time. And, I'm taking an online math class. I need to register tomorrow, for summer and fall classes. And that's so hard to think about when I have sooo much to do in this semester still!!
And then there's work. It's three very stressful, intense hours, four mornings a week. Working in a multi-grade classroom with the 2nd grade class only, is hard work. The actual teacher is working with the 3rd and 4th graders in the back of hte room. I also have the one first grader with me. It's the social aspect of these little people that is so stressful. I can teach math; I can teach spelling, phonics and reading. But dealing with tattling, bullying, crying, anger, teasing, silliness, defiance, hitting, and the list goes on, is such a pain! I know it's completely normal, and that the social aspect of school-age kids is so crucial, and at most times domineering, but when I have limited time and am expected to do my job in a certain time period, I have to dig deep for patience, patience, and more patience.
I have decided that this post will be Part 1 of two, because guess what? I have a bazillion things I have to do, NOW! :) The kids and I are off to a maple farm in a bit. Here in Maine, today is, statewide, Maine Maple Sunday. We hop from farm to farm, sampling free treats of maple sugar candy, and other goodies. I will take pics. So Part 2 will be about Maple Farm Hopping, anything new with Little Man, life with a teenage boy and his new girlfriend, Girly Girl and how I want to hit her over the head with a hammer to stop her from growing up (had you saying "what?" for a second there, didn't I), and then I'm thinking a Part 3 for my new Fiber Diet!!! Wow. And, I'll throw some pics of me on my 40th birthday in there too. Yeah. I hit the big 4-0 last week.
So stay tuned my faithful followers!! Do know that I HAVE been reading your posts, and keeping up. :) Until next time....!

In the Dark...

2011-03-07T21:40:00.000-05:00

The lights went out today. I should say the electricity went out. Growing up, my parents always referred to the electricity bill as the light bill. I never really understood why they did that when I was young, because when I finally had to pay my own "light" bill, it definitely wasn't only a bill just for the lights. Anyway, today was a no lights day here in Central Maine. Lots of rain, snow, sleet, and wind took it away from us not once, but twice. It went out at 9am and came back on at 3:30pm. Then went out at 5pm and came back on at 7:15pm. It is on now, but who knows. My two oldest, Mr. Smarty Pants and Girly Girl, went crazy. Mr. SP wrote on Facebook when the electricity came back on, that now he could resume life. Really??! At supper time, my hubby got the wood stove going good, and I put a package of hotdogs in a pan, and we pulled the ketchup and mustard from the dark frig, and ate at the semi-dark table lit with a few candles. I was really enjoying it! No noise except Little Man talking to the dog. Girly Girl was laughing and joking with her daddy, and Mr. SP got his guitar out and played a few songs, including Amazing Grace. The house smelled of slightly charred hotdogs and mandarin scented candles. I sat there at the table, eating my hotdog, while watching out the window, a sliver of the moon peek in and out behind a cloud. I loaded the dishwasher, enjoying not having to see the grimy dishes as I did so. I was getting ready to settle in for a bit, talking, maybe some singing with the guitar, and possibly a game of hide 'n' seek in the dark, when it happened. The lights came on. So did the frig, and soon to follow were the computers and stereos. Little Man played one game of Just Dance on the Wii (his new favorite thing to do with Sissah) and then I took him to bed. I told him a story (The Many Adventures of a Texas Roadhouse Puppy...if you are a FB friend, you know what that's about!) in the dark, and enjoyed the lack of lights for a few minutes more. I'm seriously thinking of making one night a week (okay, maybe one night a month) a no lights night. Cooking on the wood stove was fun! I'd take listening to the guitar, laughter between children and their dad, and watching the moon from the kitchen table any day!

A Good Day

2011-02-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

Snowed in today.
Kids home one more day after a week of vacation.
I'm happy.
Our BFF's call.
What are we doing today?
Nothing.
We clean house frantically.
BFF's come over and bring pizza.
Yum.
We play a little Just Dance with the girls.
I make Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting.
I also make coffee.
Little boys play.
Hubby goes outside to snow blow so the BFF's can get out of the driveway.
BFF's leave, well wishes said.
Little Man goes to bed.
Now watching TV with the hubby.
A good day.

Snip Snip

2011-02-25T21:36:00.000-05:00

Today was Get Your Hair Cut Day for my boys....Mr. Smarty Pants was long overdue. I don't have a "before " picture of him, but trust me, it was LONGGGGG. He looks so much better! Little Man needed one too, and his was overdue as well, but that is because I just HATE facing anything that makes him grow up! Although I am happy he is potty-trained now, it happened so fast, that I wasn't as happy as most are. All of a sudden, no more diapers, and no more baby curly locks! He said yesterday when his big "sissah" came into the bathroom while we were in there, that she needed to go out, because he needed "pirates". It took a second for me to realize he meant "privacy". So now of course, when I go into the bathroom, I automatically think of Johnny Depp. :) BIG GRIN there. He also says when he sits on the potty and nothing happens right away, "it's not workin'". So I am not surprised if a big person goes in to use the bathroom, and I hear "it's workin'!" Potty-training is so much fun for the WHOLE family. Little Man's favorite phrase with me the last few days has been "Yesssss Motherrrrrr" when I ask him to do something. He grins a little grin, and thinks he is so funny. He is.

So that's the latest here At Home.....oh, and it freakin' snowed again today. Come on. Really? A snowstorm in February in Maine? Oh yeah. I'm in Maine. Almost forgot. Not. I can't WAIT for spring. March 20. But that's the only reason I want March 20 to come. I will not divulge here and now why I DON'T look forward to that date. Birthdays Smirthdays. Baa Humbug.

He doesn't usually pose like this, but his little brother was taking the picture, so you do what you have to do to make the little guy happy!

The "before" picture! He was way over due, but I absolutely HATED taking him. I don't want to lose my baby!

Here he is, all eyes!!! Such a precious Little Man.

My Girly Girl. She was making a funny face at me, but all I had to say was "Facebook!" and the big fake smile came out!! She's so silly.

It was a great day!!

Twix at Home...yum!

2011-02-23T14:27:00.001-05:00

~~UPDATE~~ After making these, I was going to post my own picture, but they looked exactly like these, and tasted sooooo good!! And yes, they do taste just like a real Twix Bar!! Enjoy!

I stumbled upon a great website this morning, saw this recipe, called Andy right up because I knew he was going to Walmart after helping a friend, and said to him, "get these ingredients, 'cause when you get home, you are going to make HOMEMADE TWIX BARS!!" So he did, he will, and I will enjoy.

Go visit HOOSIER HOMEMADE to get the recipe for yourself!

I promise I will try to remember to come tell you how they were...I hope he gets home soon, my mouth is watering!!!!

Talking With His Heart

2011-02-20T10:03:00.000-05:00

How well does your husband express his feelings to you? Are you 100% happy and satisfied with the way he verbalizes his love for you? If you are anything like me, then the answer is a feeble little "no". I will admit, I am not 100% happy with how Andy TELLS me he loves me! I could always be happier. I am a very mushy lovey wordy type, and I get all gushy and happy-weepy when I watch movies and "see" how easy it is for the man to just say how he feels!! Yeah right. Andy could do that too if he memorized a movie script! When I do hear words that I dream of hearing, I melt. And Andy knows it. I'm probably a little pathetic. So I try really hard to pull up my big-girl panties and just smile sweetly and say "thank you" in a soft way that won't make him wish he hadn't said anything at all!

While sifting through my inbox in my email this morning, I realized that Andy expresses his love for me in more ways than I was paying attention to. And then that got me thinking about all the ways he shows his love in our daily life right here in our home. And then THAT got me thinking of the ways he shows his love for me outside of our home too!

Have you ever heard of "stumbleupon" on the internet? Andy "stumbled upon" it a few years ago, and when he is just sitting and vegging on the computer, he will "stumble" the web. It's just a website that you start out by hitting a button called "stumble". It takes you to random websites that coincide with a list of your interests that you picked before you began. It is easy to get caught up in, and you read and see all kinds of really interesting stuff! If you want to share something with someone, you hit the "share" button, and then enter an email, and that person will be able to see what you found. Andy sends me about 3-4 stumbles a day. And it is in these stumbles that I stumbled upon yet another way that he expresses his love for me. He sent me the following picture:

My favorite flowers are roses. He sends me virtual roses all the time! I save them in my pictures and use them as desktop backgrounds. Everyday I can see the flowers he has sent me. Some may say that's the easy way out from the real thing, but I love these pictures!

And on Valentine's Day, this virtual card was waiting in my inbox:

I love how this particular picture and phrase interested him enough to send it to me!

He also stumbles upon a lot of inspirational sites with great stories. When I read these stories and then look for the deeper meaning from Andy, it is never hard to find. Read this story and I bet you'll find the story hidden with the story too:

Don't Hope Friend....Decide

By Michael D. Hargrove

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life changing experiences that you hear other people talk about, the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly.

This one occurred a mere two feet away from me. Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!" His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, "Me, too, Dad!"

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!" They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, "Hi, baby girl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last," and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, "I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't possibly be.

I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married?"

"Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those," he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face.

"Well, then, how long have you been away?" I asked.

The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile.

"Two whole days!"

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least several weeks, if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!"

The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, "Don't hope, friend...decide!"

Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!" With that, he and his family turned and strode away together. I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What'cha looking at?"

Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"

Did you like it?! When I read it and just stopped at the story, I thought, "yeah, that was nice". But as I was about to delete it from my inbox, I stopped and thought about why he sent it to me. He knows that I absolutely love it when he takes more than just a second to look into my eyes. He knows that I love it when he gives the kids attention but then turns to me like I'm really what he's been waiting for. He knows I love that kind of tenderness. And so that story made him think about me. When I have those days when I feel like he just doesn't pay attention to me or really hear me, I try and remind myself of the way HE shows me he does, not the ways I WISH he did. I am not wrong, he is not wrong, we are both just DIFFERENT. And that's good!

Today Andy went to Portland to meet with a friend of his brother's that wants some misc. carpentry work done on his home. I was soo glad to see him leave...but not because I was sick of him being home since being unemployed! haha! No, not at all. You know how it is when your man is not busy doing something? He helps me out here at home A LOT, but does things differently than me, and I have this horrible way of getting a little grouchy about that. Yep, I admit it. I get grouchy. :) I also hate watching him day by day, not have something to do. A man needs something to do. He goes places in his head that I don't like when he's out of work and has "nothing" to do. We have been here too many times before and I know it doesn't take much for self-esteem and self-worth to plummet. So today, I was very happy to watch him get up, and get ready to go do "man-stuff". But before he left, he did these things while I slumbered in bed for just a minute more: got up with Little Man and got him his much-~~needed~~ wanted milk sippy cup; let the dog out, started up the coffee and got the wood stove up and running to warm up the house; when his shower was done and the coffee was ready, he made his to-go cup and my stay-home cup. He made sure I was all set for the day before leaving. I have been sitting here on the computer ever since he left. :) It is in the little things that he shows and expresses his love for me.

And then there are the times he shows me how much he loves me when he's not even in my sight. The other day when I went to work at the small christian school my kids attend, I slipped and fell in the driveway. I was fine, just a bruised up knee. But I was really worried about my back. It has been one year since my surgery, and a simple fall could really mess me up. So I tried to fall "rag-doll" style, all relaxed. It worked, because my back is fine. After work, I came home and told Andy about it. Within the hour, he was putting on his boots and told me he would be back soon. After almost 2 hours, he returned, looking like he had been doing some manual labor. I asked him where he had been and what had he been doing? He had gone to the town gravel garage, filled his truckbed with sand, and then spent the rest of that time over at the school, throwing sand with a shovel on the whole driveway! It is a huge driveway, and he did the whole thing. The school relies a lot on parent and family volunteers, and our friend/principal was very thankful! Andy had "recruited" Mr. Smarty Pants and another 11th grader to come help. That act of kindness was just like Andy to do. He is so thoughtful and generous all of the time. When he told me about it, he said, "now my baby won't slip and fall when she goes to work anymore." For me! All for me.

So today I am thankful. Thankful for a man that doesn't always know how to tell me with words, how much he loves me. That would get boring after a while!! It has been said that when we feel down, feel lost, afraid, and sad, that we should then Serve Others. Helping others when we are feeling so bad, can only help you feel better! Andy does this everyday for me, and doesn't even realize it. Thank you LORD, for the man of my dreams.

Simply Simplifying

2011-02-16T22:34:00.000-05:00

One month and two days have passed since Andy lost his job. A lot has happened, each day something new, sometimes bad, sometimes good, other days were a little of both. One of, if not THE best thing that has happened is how strong our faith has become, and how close we have grown to each other. We talk a lot, there is lots of time for it. :) Andy and Little Man have been spending lots of time together too. In the last week, Little Man has become completely 100% daytime potty trained. No accidents, not even one! He has had such confidence about it, and I just know it is because he has both mommy and daddy working equally with him. Oh, and his big sister. :) It takes a village, right? We are learning to live simpler than we ever have before, which I didn't think was possible. I am so thankful that we own both vehicles outright, do not use credit cards, and only pay about $700 total for heat in the winter, and that is always taken care of the summer before. We are one week into our one month shopping trip. Although we did go yesterday for coffee and a gallon of OJ. When the month is up, I am thinking that we will have spent a total of $350 on groceries, for a family of five...one being a 16 year old boy. :) Andy bakes bread, and it is so yummy!
We took a trip to VT 2 weeks ago, to help sponsor a bunch of school kids to an Art Clinic. It was fun. We figured out that we are flatlanders though, because the mountains made us feel claustrophobic! But wow, the White Mountains were beautiful. It was nice to get away, leave our troubles at home for a few days.
Valentines Day was nice. I love having two older kids who are so great with Little Man. He had no problem being left with big brother and big sister, even going to bed good for them. Andy and I went to a great Mexican restaurant and then shopped around a bit, in the PEACE and QUIET. We then went home and watched a Redbox movie. My flowers came the next day, and that was okay. :) I love them.
Next week is school vacation and I can't wait. I just want to do nothing but scrapbooking which I haven't done in over 2 years. I have everything, just need to sit down and do it. I think that Little Man is finally at the age where he'll leave me alone long enough to do a page or two while he plays Play Dough or something!

So life is good. We are praying everyday that the job for Andy will come along real soon. I used to say God knows the plan He has for us, and soon we will find out. I focused too much on the second part of that thought. Now I am trying everyday to stop at the first part. He knows the plan He has for us. Period. He will take care of us. He always has.

Caleb's Valentine

2011-01-29T19:19:00.001-05:00

Triple Love Valentine's Day Card

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Is It February Yet??

2011-01-25T22:58:00.000-05:00

If I haven't mentioned it before, I will now: I.Hate.January. We have only had a few good moments this month, and I had to really dig deep to find it within myself to enjoy those times. Andy was laid off on the 13th. Just like that. We are back to square one, and seriously, at the moment, we are income-less. We are part of that statistic. Unemployed. Scared. Panicking. Grasping at straws.

I am still in school, and my classes are on Wednesdays. I am in school for eight hours after spending three with second graders in the morning. It is a long day. I am also taking a math class online. I am enjoying it all, but right now it seems like I will be in school forever, when where I really need to be is done, with a degree, so I can get a job.

The kids are all good, which I am very thankful for. The week before Christmas, I got sick, and it stuck with me for over three weeks. Thankfully, Little Man and Girly Girl did not get sick, and Mr. Smarty Pants got over his sick days fast. Andy did not get sick either. I am thinking that for me, it was the fact that I was done my semester, and the relief of the stress let my immune system down. It is very cold here in Central Maine, bitter cold.

Only a few more days left of this wretched month.

I know that God has a plan. I've said that a lot before, haven't I? I am reading the book The Power of a Praying Wife, and it is really helping me with my own prayer life as well. I talk to God all day long, sometimes just asking Him "please God...hold my hand right now."

We had a Realtor come in and look at our house last Friday, and now we are waiting for his appraisal. We just want to be completely aware of our options, and selling before foreclosure would be our preference! I don't know, it's all a blur, and I some days I feel like I am barely above water.

Lucky for me, time with Andy is something I absolutely love. We are together a lot right now, as he is looking for another job. We pray together daily, and are making sure that we put each other at the top of our priority lists' each and every day. He makes me so happy. Just three more months, and we we will be Mr. and Mrs. for 20 years! He is my life.

So that's it for now, sorry I sound so depressing! Keep my family in your prayers!

Out.

2011-01-05T16:23:00.000-05:00

Don't feel like cooking.
Husband is home.
Wednesday nights kids eat for free at one of our favorite family restaurants.
Good food.
Sister with three kids willing to meet us for some good food and fun.
Yeah.
We're going out to supper now.
Yum.

Fun in the Snow with Buzz

2011-01-02T19:48:00.000-05:00

Little Man and I had fun outside the other day....building his first ever Snowman. :) He watched me roll the three big snowballs, and the whole time reminded me we needed a carrot for the nose. When I finally went inside to retrieve the carrot, I remembered we had none! So, I grabbed a red gumdrop, stuck a stick into it, and wala, Mr. Snowman had a nose. :) After adding a hat and scarf, two arms, two eyes, and a twig mouth, he was done!

Little Man took a break for a while and Buzz Lightyear came to the Rescue!

It was a fun afternoon, and a memory I will forever have!

1/1/11

2011-01-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

From Delightful December to Just January

2010-12-30T23:01:00.000-05:00

Wow, one more day of my favorite month left. And then January. I really don't like January. It always feels twice as long as December! And it's soo cold.
This past week has been great. Andy worked Sunday-Tuesday. He took my van to work, so I was house bound for 3 1/2 days. But I didn't mind one bit. We had food, and each other, and that's all I needed! I didn't do a whole lot of anything, which felt good. I played a lot. Kept up on laundry, and fed my kids good! Yesterday and today Andy has been home, and tomorrow as well. The Christmas tree is out, and the decorations are put away. The grocery shopping is done for a week, and my laundry is still all caught up. Tomorrow we are going to go 4-wheeling and sledding with some friends, and then most likely just call it an early evening even though its New Year's Eve. Our church is holding an all night prayer vigil for the youth, and I think Mr. Smarty Pants is going to go for a while at least. They include activities and food, but the main focus is on praying throughout the night for different things/people, and in different ways such as group prayers and individual. I think it's a great thing, and am so happy it is the way my 16 year old son would like to start his new year. Girly Girl wants to stay up here at home and watch the Ball drop. I'll try to stay awake with her! Little Man has been under the weather the last two days, and I'm praying he'll be better tomorrow. I don't know if a trip to his doctor will be needed or not. I am so thankful he is at the age where he can tell me if and where something hurts.
I am gearing up for classes to begin again on the 12th. This semester two of the three classes I am taking are both on Wednesdays, so that will be nice. I will only have to travel to school one day a week. The third class is online. I dread that one...it is elements of math. Yuck. I told Andy that he can just do that class for me! The other two classes are Safety and Nutrition with young children, and then Infants and Toddlers. I am excited about both. Today, Little Man and I sat on the floor and played with some wooden chunky beads that come with laces. There are four colors, and four different shapes. He knows all the colors and the shapes. I did all kinds of different "games" with him, and he does really great! I was really impressed when we first put all of the beads in the same-color piles, and then the same-shape piles. At first, he wanted to continue putting colors together when it was supposed to be by shape, but he caught on fast. I then tried sequencing, like square-circle-square, what comes next? He thought I was asking him which one did he want to put next, so he kept picking star or yellow, etc! We will keep working on that. It was fun!
We will be having Christmas with Andy's side of the family on Saturday night. He only has to work from 9-3 that day. It will be fun to get together with my silly brother-in-law and his family. We had our Christmas with my side on Christmas Eve. The family is getting so big!
I am going to begin reading the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" on January 1st as well. I have read excerpts of it, and I really like it. Have you read it? Tell me what you think.
Happy New Year my friends! I am going to revamp my blog soon as well. What fun things do you hope to blog about in 2011?

Party 2 and Curls

2010-12-23T22:16:00.000-05:00

So Girly Girl turned 12 yesterday, and I finished my 2nd party of the week! Now I've just got Christmas Eve with my whole family, then my little family can relax for the rest of vacation!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here is Girly Girl and her PEACE cake!

See all the boys?!! Those are all cousins. Little Man was right beside me, and Mr. Smarty Pants was, well, not at THIS party. He was at a friends'. Girly Girl did not mind.

My favorite picture of the day. :)

One of her aunts is teaching her to knit with needles, and the other is introducing her to loom knitting!

Little Man had just taken his bath, and wanted the camera to see his warm jammies.

And the following picture is why I have NOT cut his hair in a long time. Can't do it. Just can't do it!! LOOK at those curls!!

It will be a while. :)

beTWEEN the lines

2010-12-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Can you tell I'm on break between semesters?! I love it....

Tomorrow Girly Girl turns 12. Her last year as a tween. Tween? Who came up with that word? When I was 12, I was a kid, and when I turned 13, I was a teen! Anyway, she is so excited. I bought her some warm fleece fuzzy pj's, some toe socks (you know, the ones that have a place for each toe) and some hair color. Yep, hair color. She is a blonde, but a dirty blonde, and really wants it to be more blonde! So it's the 28 washes out kind, organic something. She is going to love it. We are also going to paint our nails Christmas glitter red in the afternoon, and I will decorate her Peace cake. She is going out to lunch with her Daddy to her favorite place (at least right now), Pizza Hut. Andy has a mandatory meeting in the morning, and then he is coming home to go out to lunch with her before his shift starts at 2pm-10pm. I want to go, but even more, I want them to have this father/daughter experience.
Well, I have about a bazillion Christmas cards to write and get out tomorrow, so they (hopefully) get to their destinations by the 24th! I also have not wrapped one single Christmas present! Are YOURS all wrapped?! What is Santa bringing YOU this year? Have you been naughty or nice? J, that means you and your texting!! haha!!!!!!! I'm so bad.....Santa may just skip me this year!!! :)

Little Man is 3

2010-12-20T19:43:00.000-05:00

Today the little guy in my life turned 3. Three whole years old. I would cry except I have a really bad sinus head cold, and crying would not be pretty. Here are some pictures!

The gift he is opening in the first bunch is a much begged for Leapster2 ! He was sooo excited. It was just mommy and daddy and Little Man, the older two were still in bed. :) It was a very special time. Yesterday was his party, and the house was FULL. Lots of cousins and special friends. So many people have been at our side over the last three years, remembering how Christmas '07 was for our family. My little preemie miracle has forever changed what Christmas means to me.
I decorated the doggy cake. It's nothing special, just some piping. But he loves loves loves dogs, and so this was his request! And of course, it isn't a complete Happy Birthday To You moment if the birthday boy doesn't get to lick the candles!!

Christmas card spoiler...

2010-12-17T15:26:00.000-05:00

So I finally ordered my Christmas cards. I hope they get here in time for me to sit down, fill them out and send them to you! Send me your address in an email message, and I'd love to send you one!!!

Frosted Frame Christmas Card

Personalize your Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Making Life a Little Easier with Shutterfly

2010-12-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

Ahhh!!! I can breathe. All of my huge projects for school are done. The Christmas program for the kids is done. Now it is time to do the other 60,000 things I need to do before the 25th! I still have to work each day (I poo poo on working), but at least when I am done, I can come home and clean my house (which has been poorly neglected), plan two birthday parties, finish Christmas shopping, wrap everything, and just enjoy this season! We don't even have our Christmas tree up yet...my daughter is not happy about that. But there has just not been any time. We are supposed to get it today, but it is so wet outside, I don't know! I don't want to bring in a wet Christmas tree. So I know she is praying that at 3pm, the trees all magically dry. :)
I am now going to share some information with you about Shutterfly Christmas cards. I have not done my Christmas cards yet, believe it or not, but who says that receiving a Christmas card as late as December 24 is a bad thing?! I may not be first, but getting mine last means my card will leave the last impression! ha! I'll say anything to make myself feel better. :) Anyway, today is the deadline date to blog about a few of my favorite options available with Shutterfly, in order to receive my free cards. I like free things.
On my agenda today is doing this post, and then working on my Christmas card over at Shutterfly. I have used Shutterfly for a long time, getting prints, creating photo books, and doing other special things. Calendars are something I love too and have done for grandparents. I used Thank You Cards after Little Man was born, and loved the personal touch. But I am most excited to create my Holiday Cards with Shutterfly.
I took my kids outside a few weeks ago and made them pose for my card! I can't wait to see how it turns out. When I am done, I will share it here!
Now I am off to clean the bathroom, do the dishes, tackle the mountain of laundry....................see you soon!

Dedicated to T and J

2010-12-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

Oh, looky looky! What came in the mail today?!

Christmas Cards!!

But wait....

What's this?? I received them on December 6??

WOW!!

The Postal Service stepped up!

Mail delivery here in Central Maine doesn't usually make it for, I don't know, 30 days or so after sent date! We are soooo far North, that this is amazing!!!

Mmmwwwwaaaaaa!!

So yeah, the above is an inside joke. :) I have some silly blogger friends out there that deserve it. :) I love them though. And they know it!

So it's a GREAT day in the world of Lisa today. Beautiful Christmas cards are beginning to arrive in the mail now, and I even save envelopes when there is little girl signatures on them! I crammed last night for a big project that was due tonight in class, but it SNOWED here in Almost North Poleville, and class was canceled!! Can I get a big WOOT?! Oh yeah! School was canceled for the kiddos too, which is a double awesome thing because that is where I work 3 hours each morning! So work was canceled too. My hubby is working on an extra side carpentry job right now, making some Christmas money I think. He will be home tonight, so I am going to make a nice big family supper. We don't get the whole family around the supper table that often anymore, with his work schedule, my class schedule, Mr. Smarty Pant's life of friends', and so on. So when I know we will all be home, I try and make sure we get that family time around the table. After that, it will soon be Little Man's bedtime, and then I'm thinking Andy and I will do some Christmas shopping at Amazon from the comfort of our couch. :) We also have a movie to watch, because Netflix was awesome and got our next pick here in record time. So it's a great day!

December...my favorite

2010-12-04T10:52:00.000-05:00

It's December!!! Yay!! It means many things for me. I think it is my favorite month. Let's see...back in 1993, I found out in December that I was pregnant with my first born, Mr. Smarty Pants. In 1998, I had Girly Girl, the one and only girl still, between me and my two sisters. She is the only grand-daughter out of 8! In 2007, Little Man came along, and turned my world all topsy-turvy, but in a good way. Baby number 3 has put so many things into prospective for me. Life is precious. Life is short. People are important, not things. With his birth, came the introduction of the Ronald McDonald House. It was and is our Home Away from Home. Next weekend marks our 3rd year of going for our annual December weekend as House volunteer managers. When I am there, I go through many different emotions. Each year as Little Man gets older, I experience the House in a different way. I cannot wait to show him this year, the pictures on the wall of all the children the House has been there for. He is at the beginning age of understanding things, and so little by little I will show him how really special the "fun house", as he calls it, is!
Along with all of the memories of December's Past, I love all of the happenings in December too. Tomorrow night is the Community Christmas Program here in town, and once again, I am singing in the choir and playing the bell chimes. This year is special because Girly Girl has joined me. Standing beside my girl, singing Christmas songs is such a joy. There is, like I mentioned, our RMH visit, and then two birthdays, two days apart, three days before Christmas! There are school plays, Christmas dinners and Secret Santa's galore. There is the fun of picking out our Christmas tree, digging through the ornaments and talking about where each one came from. Opening the mailbox each day brings great surprises too. Don't get me wrong, I love blogging and I love Facebook but I am so thankful for the Christmas card I can hold in my hands, put up for all to see in the living room, and save to look at in future years. Send them early to me though, because I am only 30 minutes from the North Pole! wink wink. :) So now I sit, picking out my Christmas cards. And thanks to some wonderful blogger friends, I have been made aware of a great deal for bloggers at SHUTTERFLY! Click here to go see what I am talking about. Hurry, because the deal ends on December 10.
I hope you are enjoying your December 2010 as well. I know I am. Even with big projects due in just a few days for school, I am feeling a peace about my life, and all that are in it and that I love so much! So Merry Early Christmas!

Trying To Catch UP!!!

2010-11-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

Life has been so crazy lately. I wonder how many posts I have started like that?! And am I searching for an excuse as to why I haven't blogged in two weeks? Do I feel guilty? Do I get wrapped up in reading blogs, and then when it's my turn to post, I'm blogged out? yes, yes, and yes!! But here I am now, so that's what counts, right?!

Day after Thanksgiving. You are either busy today, shopping 'til you drop, and maybe like me, doing a little internet shopping and staying in ALL day. We woke up to see beautiful snow falling, and I had warm holiday fuzzies about it until Andy discovered when he took the dog out, that it was freezing rain. And he was about to get in his truck and go to work. Yuck. He made it though...sweet man called me when he got there, not because I asked him to, but because he knew I would be wondering. Love that man. Thanksgiving was ehh. It wasn't anyone's fault, I just did not enjoy spending my first Thanksgiving in 19 years, separated from Andy. He worked for 14 hours on the holiday, and is doing the same today and tomorrow. He said the day was uneventful, which in a house with boys that are there for some of the worst reasons in the world, "uneventful" is a good thing! The kids and I spent the afternoon at my mom and dad's. It was a great meal. I was in charge of the stuffing, squash, and a pie. This year I roasted butternut squash with three granny smith apples, and then with just a touch of brown sugar, I mashed them. Oh My Goodness. YUMMY! The pie I made is a Very Cherry Berry Pie. My favorite. I brought home the left overs! We watched the Patriots win, and that definitely left a feel-good feeling at the end of the day. It was a good day, but again, just not the same. I am soo thankful that Andy has both Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day off.

I am doing well in school. I am very busy, but doing well. I have some major projects coming up, and really, right now, that's what I should be working on. One is to put together a complete Thematic Unit Study for children. I have to pick the age group, between infants and 8 year-olds, and then pick my theme. I have a few ideas, but still have not picked my theme. It's due in 2 1/2 weeks! My other project is a portfolio of observation reports that I have been doing all semester. I have to create a fake child, and include in that child's portfolio all observations I did while he/she was in class. Shouldn't be too hard, just need to do it! My big project in my Communications class was last week, and I am so glad it is over! I am taking the class online, and had a required meeting where I had to give a conversation-style speech on an issue that is dear to my heart. I picked VASA PREVIA and along with talking about what it is, I also told LITTLE MAN'S MIRACLE STORY . For three years, I have prayed and searched for ways to share my story and also get the word out about this condition and how it can be prevented. (I hope you will take the time to click on my two links that I just included if you haven't before.) I was very nervous, but as I kept talking, it flowed from me, and at one point I looked around the room at the 15 strangers, and realized they were really listening to me! I left that class with such a new energized spring in my step. I can't wait for new ways to talk about it.

My "new" job is going well. It is still a challenge to get used to being gone each day, even if it is only for three hours. It is a very emotionally and mentally draining three hours with 7 second graders! I come home, eat lunch, and try to regroup while spending time with Little Man, and two nights a week I also have to go to class. I am excited about next semester...although I am still taking three classes, one is online, and the other are Wednesday afternoon and evening. So just one day. Yay.

So are you ready for Christmas?! I am getting there. I have just about finished Little Man. He is easy. We also are just about done with Mr. Smarty Pants. Speaking of Mr. SP, did I tell you he got his license?! I can't remember. We are very proud. Girly Girl is my hard one to shop for this year. Not sure why! She is so in between the little girl stuff and the pre-teen stuff! I can't tell you what I bought Andy, because from time to time, he reads my blog. :) The only thing I wanted for Christmas is for Mr. SP's room to be completed downstairs, and by golly, I think it's actually happening! Walls are up, sheet rock on. Next is taping and mudding and then the ceiling. We may have to wait until spring to paint, because of money. But he can still move down. I am excited. I have had the paint for Little Man's room for 2 years. :)

Well, I think I have updated you now. I can't believe I am up to 45 followers!!! So exciting!!! Thank you to the newcomers! Welcome!! I think sometime over the weekend I am going to change to a Christmas theme on my blog. Something RED. Maybe full of Santas!

Have a great weekend, eat all your left overs, shop 'til you can't shop no more, and please.....COME AGAIN!!!

Carry Me Lord...

2010-11-12T10:03:00.000-05:00

I need God today. I need Him everyday, but today I really need Him to be present in my every word, action, and thought. I'm reorganizing and cleaning out. My head and heart that is. I feel so many things right now. Some good things, some not so good things. I am praying for understanding and peace. I am praying that He will help me be the best person I can be. The best friend, mother, daughter, sister, wife. And wife is not last, by all means. I feel betrayed, I have betrayed. I feel alone, I have shunned others. I don't feel worthy. Life is hard. It's not all a bed of roses.

I am so thankful for my God. When I hurt, I know He hurts ten times worse. When I cry tears of pain, I know He cries with me. When I want someone to realize how much I love them and want them to love me back, I can't fathom it, but I know He loves me that way, and wants me to love Him back like that, but millions times more!! When I desire obedience, honesty, and faithfulness, I think about how He does too...

I want to live my life with God visible in every action I take, every word I say, every thought I think. I want to feel that through life's trials, He is walking beside me, holding my hand. He will never leave me, no matter how awful I am. He loves me no matter how mean-spirited I can be. He will comfort me when I simply cry out His Name.

I need God today. And I have Him.

Progress Makes Me Giddy (and bad...hehe)

2010-11-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

There is a carpenter in my basement. He whistles while he works. And he's free. But the best part? He's reeeaallly good eye candy. :) I think I'll ask him to stay for supper, and maybe even see if he wants to stay with the kids while I go to class. I might even get bold and ask him to spend the night!! My residential-counselor husband by night still wears his hammer-swingin', wood-sawing, nail-poundin' hard hat during the day, and I just love it when he does! Manual labor is just so manly. :) Can you tell I'm in love?!

Okay, enough with the sillies. For now.

Progress is being made on the new basement room for Mr. Smarty Pants. I told Andy that ALL I want for Christmas is for Mr. SP to be downstairs so that we can get busy on Little Man's new room, Mr. SP's old room. For those that don't know, Little Man has been in our bed/room every night since February of this year. He had been really sick, and I was trying to go to class, do all the home stuff, and be up all night, night after night, with a sick baby. One night I plunked him into our king-size, desperate for more than 15 minutes of zzzz's at a time. We have never looked back. Well, not really true, but you get what I mean. In April, we turned what WAS LM's room into a laundry room. Yes Tara, I know, still haven't posted pics. I'll get on it, I promise! :) Since then, all of LM's toys are in the living room and in boxes stored away. The plan was to get the downstairs room built quickly and get LM into Mr. SP's room. But no paycheck for 5 months put a damper on that plan for a bit. Things have picked up, and thankfully we are back on track. The stud walls are up and today the electrical work is being done. Next is insulating and then dry wall. Slap on some paint after that, and we are good to go! The room is going to be H.U.G.E. The dimensions are 14' X 17'. Lucky Mr. SP! (I have NOT forgotten that in a matter of 3 years or so, the room will be MINE! hahaahaahaa)

After Mr. Smarty Pants is downstairs, I am going to paint LM's room, make new curtains and get him moved in. ALL of his toys will be put away for once. The laundry room closet, which still holds his clothes, will finally be empty so I can use it for towels, linens, etc. The now linen/towel closet will be for dvd's, my ever-growing pile of books, and video game stuff. I can't WAIT for things to be better organized in this little tiny small mini house that I live in. Ever since LM has been born, nothing has been like I want it. Just no room. Until now. Well, almost now.

So please pray with me that the carpenter that is hammering away downstairs right now, stays a while!!! Should I offer him some "extra services" on the side?! Ooo lala!!! I never said I was a "good" girl. :)

License To Drive

2010-11-04T20:19:00.000-04:00

Well, he did it. He took the test a second time, and this time he PASSED! My Mr. Smarty Pants is now a licensed driver of the state of Maine. Watching him pull back into the parking lot after waiting 22 long excruciating minutes, my heart was pounding a mile a minute. He took forever to get out of the car! And then he did. And I got out of the van and stood there trying to read his face. When he looked my way, I did thumbs up and thumbs down, and held my breath as he responded...with a big nod and an even bigger grin! I half walked, half ran to him and gave him a big hug. He sighed a big happy sigh of relief as he took the driver's seat in the van. It's been a good day!!

Just A Few Pics....

2010-10-30T15:32:00.001-04:00

My Little Man, all dressed up for church. His Papa, my dad, is always there and is the greeter most Sabbath mornings. Little Man looked at himself in the mirror and said "I look like Papa!" He was very proud of his tie.

This is Girly Girl on her first day of sixth grade, going back to school after 2 months of homeschool with mom. She wasn't too thrilled with me when I got the camera out. Too bad Girly Girl, first day of school pictures are a must!

Little Man loves looking at pictures of himself and these handprints and foot prints just fascinated him! He looks at them almost daily now, and wants to hear about when he was a tiny baby.

When I shared with Little Man that he used to be in Mommy's tummy, he didn't believe me at first. Noooo!! He said, with a smile on his face, as if to say, you're so silly Mommy! He then wanted to "get back in" , and pushes on my stomach trying to! In this picture he held the "baby's foot" on his own tummy and said, "see? now the baby is in MY tummy."

Little Man loves to draw....He draws with markers, pencils, pens, white board markers, and on his Magna Doodle a lot. On this particular day, he was at the kitchen table for a very long time. When he was finished, he proclaimed, "it's Daddy!" and wow, he did so good! Andy looks just like that! Just take a look at him in the sidebar and see for yourself!!

Sleepy.......ZZzzzz

2010-10-29T22:15:00.000-04:00

Oh man. It's been 9 days. And I can't believe how fast those days have passed! I am falling asleep while I type, but I'm waiting for Andy to get home from work, and don't want to fall asleep on the couch while waiting, so I thought "hmmm...I should blog." So here I am.

This week, I started my part-time job. I work solely with 2nd graders from 9am-12pm Monday-Thursday. It is THE most mentally draining thing I have done in so long! These kids are great, but so busy. I teach them math, spelling, hand-writing, language/phonics mainly. This is a multi-grade classroom and the teacher uses thematic unit studies which is neat, but soo much more work for the teachers. Gone are the days where you just hand out math workbooks, spelling workbooks, phonics workbooks....you get the picture. Instead, the teacher has one book, like a library book, that is grade appropriate, and then one teacher's manual with some reproduceable pages in it. It is up to me to figure out what exactly we will do each day, to stay focused on that one book. Each child has a copy. Spelling words are taken from it, and thankfully, the manual has many ideas of how to "teach". This is very new to me!! But I am loving it. I am very tired, but it is a good tired. As long as things are going smoothly at home! Three of the days, Andy is home with Little Man. One day a week, for 2 hours, a good friend comes and stays with him. Girly Girl is not homeschooled anymore, but she is loving school, and thriving. I can definitely see that a more structured day is what suits her best. I am glad we tried the homeschool thing to find this out.

My own classes are another story.....I did homework ALL afternoon/evening Thursday. And Saturday night and Sunday I have dates with my textbooks. I am feeling a lot of pressure there. But I know if I just stay on top of it and not get behind, I'll be okay.

It was very mild here in Central Maine for 4 days. No need for the wood stove at all. I opened the windows, and let the fresh air in! I know the cold weather and the snow are not far away though.

He should be home soon. :) So I'll say good night, and ask you not to give up on me! When I am busy, I will think of the greatest post ideas, or think of things I want to share with my blog family. I need a special notebook to write those things down. I'll do that. :) Goodnight!

happy wednesday...

2010-10-20T14:10:00.000-04:00

A New Job and No We Don't Eat Mr. Potato Head!

2010-10-19T14:06:00.000-04:00

Life is so crazy right now! But I'm actually loving all of the excitement. Guess what?? I just got a new job! Yeah, like I just have so much time for that in my life, ha! Well, it's perfect actually. The school that my 16 year-old goes to called me and asked me if I would be interested in a part-time job as a teacher's aid in the multi-grade classroom, grades 1-4. There are 20 students and the teacher needs help! So for two weeks, I scrambled, prayed, and talked to lots of people, and after finding childcare for Little Man on Wednesdays only (Andy will be home with him the other mornings), I accepted. :) The school board meets tomorrow night to approve the new position, because as a small christian school, we pay our selves for all teachers and subs, aids, etc. No state help! I am sure they will approve it though. So I will start next Monday! This means enrolling Girly Girl in school, and she is totally with it. She was the first one I went to and talked to when I was first offered the job. The last thing I want to do is make her feel like she is not my first priority. I still can't help but feel a little bit of guilt and failure though, because I am not following through with homeschooling. But when you pray, and you give it all to God and ask Him "according to Your will", I guess that was my answer.

I can't wait!

I will have lots to blog about, I'm sure. I love to share stories about kids. :) Speaking of a cute kid story...

I told Little Man today that we were having broccoli with cheese and potatoes for lunch. He said "playdough??" "No Little Man, potatoes." And then he said, "Mr. Potato Head?!" It was very funny!

Favorite Foto Friday

2010-10-15T15:58:00.000-04:00

Hop on over to HANNAH'S and grab her button to join in on Favorite Foto Friday. It's U-Pick. I have lots of them, but today, right now, this is my fave:

Who doesn't love a great picture of their Man?!! I love me this man something fierce......

a-MAZE-ing Day!

2010-10-13T21:31:00.000-04:00

Monday was a holiday, but Andy had to work. Being a residential counselor at a boys' home means more work when the boys are not in school. So I was left with a day off with kids and did NOT want it to be just another day. Then my sister called! "Whatcha doin'?" She asked. "Nothing. What are you doing?" Her husband was also working, but not at his paid job. They are in the middle of renovating their home, and he was wearing his hammer that day, and was "working". So my sister and I decided to take our kids to a local corn maze! I have never been to a corn maze, and thought it would be fun. So off we went, me and my two (Girly Girl and Little Man) and her and her two little ones, "E" and "C". LM and C are the same age. E is seven. It was a beautiful day and the corn maze was not crowded at all. It felt good to be out in the October air. Little Man was a little too mischievous though, and wanted to run through the maze, taking turns left and right, and even getting out of sight a few times. Thank goodness Girly Girl could run fast and catch him! He had to spend a few time out's in his cousin's stroller. It was a great day, and I can't wait for next year so that Daddy can go too! (Mr. Smarty Pants was gone to a friend's house for the day).

CORN!!

I did not touch the color in the sky of this picture!

Riding in the Cow Barrel Train!

Little Man LOVED this ride!

This was the corn box!

I buried my legs Mama!

Petting the calves.

The Maze.

Having fun running through the maze!

Me and my babies.

Words to Live By...

2010-10-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

"In about the same degree as you are helpful, you WILL be happy." ~ Karl Reiland.

I am posting this quote everywhere I look today....here, on my Facebook, and even on a piece of paper taped to a kitchen cupboard. Whenever my Little Man "helps" me, he looks so happy. When I am sad, lonely, feeling sorry for myself, I will try to remember this quote, and remember I am here on this earth to SERVE OTHERS, just as JESUS did, so that HE will COME and TAKE US HOME WITH HIM! I want to leave this earth....for my Heavenly Home that He is preparing for each and everyone of us. When I feel depressed, sick, tired, too busy, taken for granted, not so loved, used, and washed up, I will do my best to remember BE HELPFUL! Do something for someone else, and you cannot help but be HAPPY. I will pray prayers of THANKFULNESS for what I DO have, and not beg, plead and cry for what I do not. JESUS takes care of me and mine each and everyday, so why am I wasting time worrying about tomorrow or the next day or next month, or even next year? So today, I invite you to write this quote somewhere...blog about it, share my blog, put it in your Facebook status too, whatever you want! Just be HELPFUL and be HAPPY!!!

Lighter Heart and Happenings of My Kids

2010-10-08T21:49:00.000-04:00

I got rid of something for good this week. It was something I have needed to do for a long long time. My heart feels lighter. My mind is not so clogged. I can see my future a little easier. I know how to ask God to show me what to do and then give it to Him and stop holding on. He showed me how to do this this week, and I am smiling because of it.

I am however, having a really hard time letting my oldest child grow up. He turned 16 in August, and as much as I am proud of him and all of his accomplishments and his choices in life, my heart aches that he does not "need" me like he used to. Today I stripped his bed of his sheets to add them to the laundry, and as I did, memories of him as a little 6 year old boy flooded my mind and heart. I don't do his laundry anymore, even his sheets, so today was out of the ordinary. It hit me like I had just run into a brick wall, that there really isn't much I have to do for him anymore! He is so self-sufficient and grown up. Of course I am extremely proud of him, and secretly I pat myself on the back for the good job I have done. He still hugs me good night most nights, and even though he towers over me, I still feel like I am hugging that 6 year old.

I asked Little Man to please put his shoes in their spot today and he said, "a-course I can" very matter-of-fact, and walked away. :) Tonight while tucking him in to bed, he asked me to sing the "special song Daddy sings". I told him I did not know that song but I could sing a different song. He said "you don't sing Mama, goodnight, I love you too." Daddy will love that. :)

Girly Girl and I have been doing great with home-schooling, but we both may have some big changes coming up very soon. When I know for sure what I am doing, I will share. Right now too much is all jumbled up in my mind and it is late. I think I'll watch a National Geographic special on Netflix and call it a night. :)

Ring Around....My Finger

2010-10-04T10:15:00.000-04:00

Do you own a Mother's Ring? If so, do you wear it all the time? Does it mean a lot to you? I don't have one....yet. I have wanted one for a long time, but now, having Little Man and knowing I am done, I really want one. I have three kids, but I want my ring to have four stones. Before Mr. Smarty Pants, back in 1991, the year I got married, I became pregnant with a honeymoon baby. I carried him for 24 weeks. I went to a regular scheduled dr's. appointment at approx. six months along, only to be told there was no heartbeat. Twelve hours later, I delivered my first child, a stillborn little boy. Even though to everyone else, it looks like I have three kids, I know that I am the mom of four. He will have a gem on my mother's ring as well. I don't want my husband to spend lots of money on me for Christmas, so I think I'll just tell him I'd love a ring for Christmas, my birthday (March), anniversary (April) and Mother's Day! I have a real issue with lots of money being spent on just me. So I played around this morning on a website that allows you to "build" your ring. I have two December babies, one August, and one October. Here is what I came up with:

What do you think?!

Out of the Mouth of My Little Babe

2010-10-01T22:17:00.000-04:00

Little Man has been full of such cute little sayings lately. And I absolutely love to engage him in conversations, and listen to his stories! Here are a few of my favorites this week:

**I told Little Man he couldn't play with his toys while eating supper. It has always been a rule of mine. Leave your toys in a special spot, and after dinner, you may have them again. The other night, Little Man says, "I have these toys!" I said, "no, go put them down" and did not look to see what toys he had. It was quiet a second, and then he said, "they are my finger toys!" I then looked, and he was holding up his "peace" fingers!! I laughed and asked him how does he play with his "finger toys". He then made them walk around and talk in a small, high little voice! He told me "they" were both named Bob! Remember the Bob the Butterfly story? Read it here! I wonder what it is with the name Bob?!

**Little Man loves to play with Daddy's Ipod. I am not the one that lets him, it's Daddy. But Little Man is not allowed to play with it when he doesn't have help. The other day he asked me if he could play with it. I told him that Daddy had taken it to work with him. Little Man then told me this: "I am going to ride my firetruck (a small riding toy he rides in the house) to daddy's work, get the Ipod and then come back!" He went and found his firetruck, went to the door and asked me to open it for him! I told him it was a very long way, and it was going to be dark soon and what would he do in the dark? He said, "I will be lost!"

**Each night when I lay down with Little Man and wait for him to fall asleep while I hold his hand and pray for him, we have a little ritual of night time sayings. First I say Good-night, and then he says good-night. I then say Sleep tight, and then he says Sleep tight. And then I would say I Love You, and he would say I Love You Too. Recently, he switched things up. He now says "good night tight mama" and so I say "good night sweet boy". And the next thing he says is "I love you too". It's so cute, because I haven't said "I love you" yet!!

Those are three of my favorites!!

SICK and tired.

2010-09-21T09:10:00.000-04:00

I have been MIA for 11 days. Man, don't blog for a day or two, and before you know it, it's half a month! I hab a code. Did you get that? "I have a cold." The horrible germy bug hit our house almost two weeks ago. Hmmm...maybe now I am seeing the reason why I have not blogged. Wiping noses, rocking a baby all night that cannot breathe, out shopping stocking up on cough drops, tissues and OJ, have all kept me quite busy. I don't think all three kids have ever been sick at the same time, and this time, they were. Mr. Smarty Pants takes care of himself, but I'll never stop being concerned and try and make him go to bed early, don't eat sugar, and take tissues in your pocket! Girly Girl....man, I love her, but she's my complainer/whiner. And when she's sick?? Watch out. She can't STAND having a sore throat, and when she does, it's all I hear about. She did a home-remedy on herself that she learned in school once: honey and lemon juice. She was fine for a day with that. Little Man has been the worst. He will not and cannot blow his nose. I have been trying to teach him how for over a week. When I say "blow out your nose" he snuffs it all up instead. I told him to breathe through his nose...he blows out his mouth, but then breathes UP his nose. His nose has not been that runny because he is ALWAYS snuffing it back up. I did some research online, trying to find out if it was a bad thing to not blow your nose. To my relief, I read many articles that said blowing your nose is sometimes more dangerous than not. Little Man must've read those articles too or something, because he was an expert at not letting any snot out of his nose. I held him down one night, got out the old booger-sucker, and made him scream while I tried to unplug him for a bit. Of course, all the crying just made him more stuffed up. Last night was the first night since last Wednesday that he went to sleep easily, being able to breathe. There are still some boogers in his nose that I think are there for life. He won't even pick his nose! When I went to class the other night, I told Andy if Little Man picked his nose, it was OKAY. Just let him, and then offer him a tissue when he's done. Never thought I'd say "go ahead, pick your nose!" Anyway, all three kids are definitely on the top of the upside of this wretched cold. Which is good, because now that I feel like crap, at least I don't have to lose sleep over being too concerned for them. No, I'll just lose sleep because I CAN'T sleep. My head throbs. My throat has a little fire going on in there. And my nose is only 50% working. The right side is taking a long nap.
On a more cheerful note, everyday life is pretty good! Mr. Smarty Pants is going on a three-day History class trip tomorrow. They will be packing a lot in in just three days, so I am glad he is over being sick. He won't get much sleep. They will be stopping at a few attractions in Southern Maine, and then one in New Hampshire, then on to Boston and then to Newport, RI where they will tour one Newport Mansion. I am so jealous. But very happy for him! Girly Girl is doing great as well. Home school is a little more challenging than I bargained for, and she and I are learning different ways to do things, and always coming up with new ideas of what to study. She begins piano lessons in a few weeks, and is SO excited. I am so happy for her. School for myself is going good. I am taking three classes, and each one has a lot of homework, so I have to make myself leave Facebook alone and hit the books! Andy is doing well too. Not much new with him.
I must go for now, Cat In The Hat is over, and the tv is going OFF. Too much time in front of the boob tube lately, with Little Man being sick and all. He's beginning to be a little tv junkie. Not good.
I hope you all are doing well as we enter into fall, and get ready for another winter! This will be my 3rd winter as a blogger, and I sure do enjoy reading about how all of you are doing with your families! Drop me a comment, let me know if I bore you to death!!

A Pumpkin Poem

2010-09-10T21:33:00.000-04:00

My Little Man is such a Pumpkin...

So cute as can be.

I love my little Pumpkin....

So HAPPY he makes me!

And The Burritos Win

2010-09-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

Last night, Andy and the two younger kiddos and I went to our local wholesale, buy in bulk store, Sam's Club.

I like Sam's Club. We buy a lot of bulk stuff there so that I don't have to think about those items for at least a month! It's mostly food items, because, well, we love food. :) So the spaghetti sauce is stocked, there's a freezer full of DiGiorno's four cheese pizza, and the salsa won't run out for a while! I joked last night about wanting to go out to eat, and NO, eating samples at Sam's Club would NOT count! After we finished shopping and putting everything in the van, we began to talk about where to go for supper. It was 6pm already, and Little Man was very hungry. Girly Girl was too. Olive Garden was right there, but there is ALWAYS a wait. Plus, I like to save the never-ending pasta bowl deal, all you can eat salad and bread sticks for date night. :) I then mentioned the Chinese restaurant that has all-you-can-buffet. Now folks, don't get me wrong. I don't stuff my face full of food all the time! I'm just all about getting the most out of my money! The Chinese place would serve Little Man for free, and GG would be cheaper too, being under 12. On our way there, Little Man began to cry that he wanted to go to Taco Bell!

I mean, he REALLY began to cry! Um yeah, we go to Taco Bell a lot. Why? Because it's good and because it's cheap! Taco Bell is one of the very first places that Andy and I went when we were dating and in college. We could afford 79cent bean burritos! We kept trying to console Little Man, telling him that the Chinese restaurant would be fun and he could eat french fries, pizza and lots of fruit! Nope. He would not budge. Well, I don't like giving in just because. So we drove to the Chinese place and I ran in to see how much it was. When I saw that it was $11 for me, Andy AND Girly Girl, and $5 for Little Man, I decided, no, we aren't out tonight to spend $40 on supper. Not tonight. When I returned to the van, I told Little Man that we would indeed be going to Taco Bell. His smile grew huge and he wiped away the tears that were perched on his cheeks. Luckily Taco Bell was just down the road. He laughed like it was Christmas morning. Silly boy. And so we had supper for $15 total, and thoroughly enjoyed our bean and cheese burritos and taco supremes!

Brother, Sister

2010-09-05T22:03:00.000-04:00

Blog Makeover

2010-09-04T14:42:00.000-04:00

How often is too often to play around with your blog background, images, text, etc? I get bored easily! So personally, I don't think there is a "too often". I used to worry that change would mean people would get confused with whether or not it was me. But as long as everyone stays familiar with my blog title, then everyone should know me! I'm going to add more pages about each family member, so for now, the only page there is HOME, and that is this page...
I love fall, or autumn, however you say it! The trees are beginning their color changes now, and some leaves are beginning to drop. It was a great summer, although it seemed so short!

Cupcakes for Good People

2010-09-03T15:02:00.003-04:00

It has been a GOOOOOOD week peoples! Minus one Little Man having a tummy upset Tuesday night. It has been soooo hot here in Central Maine, and humid, let me tell you! I can't breathe. I can't move. I am Grouchy with a capital "B". :) On Tuesday, the heat had just done Little Man in, and after drinking a sippy cup of water, his "tongue went out all over the place" (his words!) and he threw up all over the couch, ottoman and Daddy. Yeah, needless to say, after all was said and done, and knowing he was okay (I got a text while in class) I was secretly glad I wasn't here. Shhh. Don't tell the DiSH that. He did good though, washing all the couch cushion covers, changing LM, and getting him to sleep.

The DiSH has been working his cute little butt off this week. You know what I just decided? I'm tired of calling him the DiSH. And, it's annoying trying to type the capital letters with the little "i" in there. So, if you don't already know his name, it's Andy. There. I named the DiSH. Anyway.....besides his regular job, he's been sooo busy here. He and my best friend in the whole world (I'll get to her in a minute, she deserves her own paragraph) cleaned out the WHOLE basement this week. It was filled with 15 years worth of stuff, junk, trash, other people's stuff (stored stuff for a brother-in-law), and just crap!! Six, yes I said 6 truckloads of trash went to the landfill. I started to feel a bit embarrassed, but then realized it was all stuff that had been water damaged last winter and was no good. Old stuff. Stuff we had even tried to sell in lawn sales over the years. It looks sooo good down there now. Well, today Andy and Sandy (my BFF!) are down there along with Mr. Smarty Pants, chucking and stacking wood from outside, before Hurricane Earl sends a few drops of rain our way tonight. We are expecting 4 more cord of wood in the next 2 weeks, so we are getting ready. Winter heat will all be here and paid for in just a few weeks! Anyway, I am not down there for 3 big reasons. 1) my allergies cannot take it. The dust, dampness, mildewy smell would kill me. 2) I can't bend, lift, twist, all that, that is necessary when taking care of split wood. I would hurt myself for sure. Don't I just sound like a picture of health?!! To be fair, my back has been doing really really good since my surgery 8 months ago. I've been doing the Wii Fit with Girly Girl, and feel good! Note to self: do Wii Fit today. Oh yeah. Reason number )3 He is 2 1/2 feet tall, has two fast feet, and two very busy hands. I must keep Little Man out of the way!

So.....about my BFF. Her name is Sandy. I've known her since 2nd grade I believe. We went to the same small school that now her son and my son go to, and were really good friends. After school years, we went our separate ways, and years and years went by. Well, I am so happy and blessed to have her back in my life. Back in my family's life. Back in my church family's life. She lives 30 seconds from my house, and I see her all the time, and we text/talk all the time too. The night that I went into premature labor with Little Man, she didn't hesitate to come over at 11pm and stay with my older two. She takes care of Princess, our Golden Retriever, when we need her to, and Little Man really does think she is HIS playmate! She has the biggest heart. I love her so much!!!

Now I must go make the promised Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes for the gang!!

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend, and stay safe from Earl! Tara and Jamie, I'm thinkin' of ya!!

Busy Bobbing Butterflies

2010-08-30T14:29:00.000-04:00

Busy Busy Busy Bee, I am!
* First day of home school for Girly Girl. We started with PE. We are using the Wii Fit, and I had her design a 30 minute plan. She did good! And I am finally using the Wii Fit like I promised my husband I would, a year and a half ago. Oops. GG also did math, spelling and reading from a big 6-subject curriculum book I bought. Then we went grocery shopping, and called it Nutrition class. Seriously! She did good looking at all of the nutrition labels, looking for high fiber foods! She is right now, at school for choir. On Monday afternoons she is going to go over for choir and art. And on Thursdays, she will go to be in the chimes (little handbells) choir. We are going to do Bible class when she gets home at 2pm. That's a full day!

*Mr. Smarty Pants begins his 11th year tomorrow. For the last 2 days, he has done nothing but play video games. He never does that. I think he is getting it all in before school starts! He is a kid that takes school work very seriously, and won't play video/computer games until he has his school work under control. He told me he is going to go to bed at 9pm. Good! Big first day tomorrow!

*I start school tonight. I am sooo super-duper excited. I will be gone Monday and Tuesday nights from 5pm to 9pm. The two classes are Teaching Young Children and Week by Week, Plans for Documenting Children's Development. I'm also taking an online class, Communications. I can't wait! More on all that later, I'm sure I'll write a whole post about it. :)

*The DiSH just got home. :) He worked three 13 hour days, and five hours today. He is now home for the rest of today, and two full days after that!! Yay. :) I know I'll be gone to class, but it worked out great that he is here to put Little Man to bed. On nights when he is working, Mr. Smarty Pants will have to step up.

That's it for now!! Oh yeah....a cute story about Little Man:

We were outside last night, picking the last of the blueberries, and he saw a butterfly. He got close, marveling over it, when it flew away. He proceeded to chase it, calling out "Come back butterfly, come back!" He ran over to me and said "Mommy, the butterfly won't come back!" Half thinking as I was picking away, I said "Maybe the butterfly has a name. You should call it by it's name." All was quiet for a few seconds, and then he called out "Bob!! Bob!! Come back Bob!!" Needless to say, I almost dropped my bowl of blueberries, I was laughing so hard! I have no idea where then name Bob came from!

All I Need Right Now

2010-08-27T19:31:00.000-04:00

I know I have shared this song before, but tonight when I heard it, I was also getting ready to blog. All thoughts of my week and up-coming weekend left me, and I found myself searching on Google for the lyrics so I could not only listen to the words, but see them, sing them. I need this song. Here are the lyrics, and I also posted the video again. Enjoy your weekend. I wish you inspired moments between you and your Jesus! Love to you all.....

Selah

One Thing I Know

Something in your eyes I see

reminds me of what used to be,

when I was still uncertain of the truth.

Sleepless nights I've turned to days,

alone inside an endless space,

Counted on someone to see me thru.

And if there's one thing I know

you were never left alone,

'cause you can always call on Jesus' name.

And if there's one thing I pray

is Jesus helps you find a way

to make a change and listen to your heart.

God will take away your pain,

if you'll choose to let it go,

if there's one thing I know.

How can I convince your heart,

His light can find you in the dark,

and only He can make your blind eyes see?

For if we speak of lost things found,

or lives that have been turned around,

then tell me who knows better, child, than me?

And if there's one thing I know

you were never left alone,

'cause you can always call on Jesus' name.

And if there's one thing I pray

is Jesus helps you find a way

to make a change and listen to your heart.

God will take away your pain,

if you'll choose to let it go,

if there's one thing I know.

I would never stake my life on any lesser thing

than the Cross of Christ, where He gave His life,

to ease my suffering.

And if there's one thing I know

you were never left alone,

'cause you can always call on Jesus' name.

And if there's one thing I pray

is Jesus helps you find a way

to make a change and listen to your heart.

God will take away your pain,

if you'll choose to let it go,

if there's one thing I know.

He Passed the Test that Counts

2010-08-25T16:13:00.000-04:00

Original Post:
"On more in-the-moment news, today is Mr. Smarty Pants road test for his license! I must scream....AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am sooo nervous for him. I can't help it. I just want 1:00 to come quick and be over. He is going to do just fine, I'm sure. My sister and I agree that if he doesn't pass, it will be because the instructor is having a bad day, and isn't a people person! Pray for my baby. This is a big day!"

Update:
Well, unfortunately Mr. Smarty Pants did not get his license today. It was the worst feeling for this mother, to have to get over my feelings of wanting to go tear some eyeballs out of the middle-aged grumpy man that decided Mr. SP wasn't ready, and put a smile on my face and share encouraging words with him. I am so proud. I thought that the feeling of pride over your children came when they succeeded, accomplished something, got a reward for their hard work. But Mr. SP has never ceased to amaze me with his spirit about life. Sure, he was disappointed. And a little angry. Yes, he felt like he didn't deserve not passing. But within a few minutes of our talk, and feeling bad, he was busy entertaining his little brother, and munching down on the cookies I had prepared for him. We talked about how it is now up to us to uphold our part of the prayer we shared before he left, the part about how we will accept God's plan and not question what happens. God is in control. He knows why it wasn't time for Mr. SP to pass. We don't understand, but it isn't always meant for us to. Just the other day, over a completely different subject, I used those words with one of my children when they said "I don't understand why you are saying that." I told them, "You don't have to understand, you have to obey." So it is with God. Someday He will reveal to us why everything has happened the way it has, and then and only then will we understand. So yeah, no big celebration over a newly licensed sixteen year old in this house tonight....But I would rather celebrate his ability to trust his God and leave it in His hands any day. Tomorrow we will send for another test date, and now he has a feel for what it will be like then. I am sure he will pass, and then we will celebrate again! For now, I truly feel he passed the test that counts.

Time To Learn and Take Tests

2010-08-25T10:14:00.001-04:00

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own

...understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5 – 6

I have decided that however long it takes, I am going to teach Little Man this Bible verse. It is one of my very favorite Bible verses, and one that I desire my 2 1/2 year old to learn early, so throughout life, a promise from God is forever in his heart, and always quick on his lips.

School starts next week for three of us in this house. I've decided to make that four, by teaching Little Man Bible verses, along with colors and shapes, which he pretty much knows already!! While shopping in the Dollar Tree Store the other day, I was at first amazed at how he knew all of the character's names from Winnie The Pooh, a few from Toy Story, and of course all of Elmo's friends. But what has he learned from the Bible? He does know many Sabbath School songs, with which I am so filled with peace while he sings them. And lately, when he just sings, not any song in particular, he is always singing the words "Lord" and "Alleluia". His songs make no sense to me, as his made-up lyrics are something like "and thennn....the Looorrrdddd.....did beeee...." or something like that! I know Jesus understands the song though! It is my job as his Mama, the one he is with 24/7, to make sure a personal relationship with Jesus takes hold in his heart now. And what better way than to teach him God's Word? He learns quick too. His memory verse a few months ago was "Let us come to the house of the Lord". He would walk around the house saying "Let us Come........To the House.......of the LORDDD!!!"

On more in-the-moment news, today is Mr. Smarty Pants road test for his license! I must scream....AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am sooo nervous for him. I can't help it. I just want 1:00 to come quick and be over. He is going to do just fine, I'm sure. My sister and I agree that if he doesn't pass, it will be because the instructor is having a bad day, and isn't a people person! Pray for my baby. This is a big day!

#40!

2010-08-17T13:51:00.000-04:00

Okay! Who did it??? I wanna know...

Who is my 40th Follower?!!

Someone made my day today by choosing to follow me!

Who are You, oh great and wonderful Number 4-0?!!!

Tennis anyone? Not me!

2010-08-17T09:25:00.000-04:00

I'm on a mission today, to get some new sneakers. Or as you southern belles call them, tennis shoes. :) See, I don't play tennis, so to me, they aren't tennis shoes. I SHOULD call them "walking shoes". As in, I should walk in them, outside, far, everyday. New Balance shoes are made here in Maine.

One of the few factories is actually right here in my little 'ole town. Another is in the next town over. Every year during the State Fair, New Balance has a huge tent sale. It's huge. We went the other day, because Mr. Smarty Pants needed basketball shoes. He was successful, finding a pair that at one time, cost $105, but his deal, after another 20% off the sale price, was $40!!! He buys his own clothes and shoes now, so he was pretty happy. I am glad he has been able to earn money this summer, allowing him to buy school clothes and shoes, and still have some spending money left over. As I watch him make big purchases, I am so pleased that he appreciates the almighty dollar, remembering what it took to earn it. He takes great care of his shoes, and keeps his laundry clean (yes, does his own laundry, has since he was, oh, 12 I think). Anyway, I didn't end up getting any that day. Either did Girly Girl or Little Man. They need new sneakers too. The DiSH even needs them. But I wasn't sure of the budget, so I waited for today, when the DiSH can go too, and we can cut this shoe shopping trip in 1/2. I want some very light-weight sneakers for walking. I have not bought a new pair for almost four years now. It's time. Maybe I'll find the pair that comes along with a free magical power that makes you jump up, run out the door, and walk walk walk every time you put them on! Do you have a pair of "tennis shoes" like that?!!!

Summer Fun

2010-08-15T15:48:00.000-04:00

Little Man, having lots of water fun at the water park!

Say CHEESE! This is Mr. SP, his BFF and his Uncle Jeff, clowning around!

Lounge chairs for loungin'. That's my family in the back!

Water on my head!

He played here forever. :)

This is the Stealth. Or as we all called it, The TACO!

There goes Girly Girl!!

How was it?!! (she loved it.)

Another fun one for Girly Girl....you climb the rope, and then jump and slide!

There she goes!

It's taken me a week to post these, but last Sunday we spent the day at our favorite water park in Saco, ME. We do this every summer. So much fun was had by all. Little Man was much easier this year than last, he loved the water! The kiddie pool area is always sooo cold, but it doesn't phase him one bit! I didn't do slides this year, because my doctor told me I needed to give my back a full year (Feb. '11) before I do anything too extreme. So I behaved. I had just as much fun watching the others, and playing with Little Man. I already can't wait for next year! If we lived closer, we would have season passes for sure. Next year, we may just have to do that. Two visits would take care of the cost, so if we went just three times, we'd be getting our moneys worth!
I hate that summer is coming to a close. Hate it, hate it. I love Maine autumns, but I am not ready. School starts on Aug. 30 for Mr. Smarty Pants....my big junior. I also start that day. I'm taking 3 classes this semester. I will also begin Girly Girl's homeschooled 6th grade year that day. And Little Man seems very interested in learning colors, shapes, opposites and numbers! So let the learning commence. :)
But for now, we will do our best to enjoy lazy dazy summer days! How is YOUR summer ending?!

Music Monday

2010-08-09T14:15:00.000-04:00

Its MUSIC MONDAY WITH TARA!

Today's Music Monday theme is to share the song that was the number 1 song on the day you were born.

For me, that day would be:

March 20, 1971.

My song is
"Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin.

Not a bad song! I have never listened to it before. I also listened to this version by one of my favorite singers, Pink:

I like Pink's song!!
You can link up with Tara if you would like. Just click on her name above! What's YOUR birthday, and what is YOUR song?

just sharin'...

2010-08-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

if my name was Sharon, my post title would be "Sharon Sharin'" ha!!

Okaaayyy.......

ahhh....Friday night.

It's cold here. really. but it's perfect sleeping weather! I love it when it gets up in the 70's and 80's during the day, but down in the 60's at night. It's 61 outside right now!

today I worked with a friend. she cleans houses, offices and churches and her mom usually works with her. but her mom wants to retire. so she asked me if i'd like to earn a few bucks a week helping out with two bigger houses she can't do alone. although it was cleaning house, it was away, not in MY house, and I was earning some money. money I need to purchase my textbooks for the fall. :)

my nephew is spending the night tonight. he's 7 and has never spent the night away from home! his mom told him that if he didn't want to take a shower here, she was fine with him jumping in my pool. :) so of course that's what he did. he thought that was pretty cool of mom to let him do that. I think my sister was having a harder time letting him go for the night than he was. :)

Little Man....oh my little man. Today Girly Girl fell down the steps on the porch. She is at that gawky clumsy stage that most 11-12 year old girls go through, anyone remember that? I do. after she fell, Little Man said, "Sissah, you okay? you okay from falling down the steps?" and as she answered yes she was fine, he hugged her and his little arms wrapped around her body and rubbed her back. Even GG was feeling emotional over that one! we then talked about how much Jesus loves it when we hug people when they get hurt, and he said, "I'll hug Jesus too." Love that Little Man I do.

Mr. SP was great help in town today. So many people ask me how I can just be so comfortable with him driving now, but I say, bring it on! I love it. he takes me to the bank, the P.O., and just anywhere I need to go, keeps the van running with the AC on, and entertains Little Man. Errands go so much faster!

The DiSH came home a wee bit early tonight. Yay. I love him. He is so cute. He has to work tomorrow, but then Sunday we are going to our most favorite water park in our state for the day! Can't wait. I'm going to try and take tons of pictures. Most times I have the camera with me, but I forget to get it out.

Here's to hoping you all have a great weekend, and from me here in Maine: Stay Warm at night!! ha! Now on to dig out my flannel jammies....

Music Monday Mugs

2010-08-02T08:51:00.000-04:00

Two things today for ya:
First, over at OSWALD CUTIES it's Monday Mugs. I've never done this one, but decided to today!

Are you in need of a mindless Monday Blog post? Are you struggling to deal with the weekend being over and can't muster the strength to type a single word? Well, Monday Mugs is for YOU!

Today's theme for Monday Mugs is: Sunglasses

I see me in there!!

These pictures were taken at Old Orchard Beach last week. It was a fun day, but the beach was sooo packed. There was barely any breathing room, and even less because of the lovely couple behind us that decided it was ay-okay to smoke their nasty sticks 2 feet behind us. That didn't last long, because my awesome husband voiced his opinion on that, and the next thing we knew, they moved. Little Man was a bit scared of the water....it was deep and verrrry COLD. He preferred playing in the sand, and being cooled off with the occasional dunking from a water bottle!

It's also......

Music Monday today with MY GOOD FRIEND TARA.
She picked her song today because she really likes it, so I shall do the same.

"If There's One Thing I Know" by Selah.
I absolutely LOVE this song. I'm hoping to sing it in church soon.....I listen to it all the time. Thank You JESUS for loving me!!!!!
Happy Monday all you precious bloggy friends!!

Sweet 16 and I've never been more proud!

2010-08-01T16:59:00.000-04:00

It's MR. SMARTY PANTS birthday! We got up this morning, and I made him a MAN'S breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and juice! I told him he was 16 and so if he wanted to have a cup of coffee with me, he could. :) I said this only because I knew what he'd say: No thanks!! He is forever telling me how my addiction to caffeine is so bad for me. I told you he was a smarty pants. :)

His tongue looks funny here! ha! He had requested pancake-fried bacon. Okaaaayyy...

Little Man loved his Mickey Pancake!

Girly Girl is not a morning person, but she didn't want to miss breakfast!

After breakfast, his friend Roger showed up. The plan was for them to just "hang" today. Hang out my laundry? Okay! Oh....H.A.N.G!! I get it.

We went to Walmart, which is where Mr. SP prefers to get his haircut, and he needed one....BAD. I bought my nephew his birthday present while there. Four years ago, my sister "copied" me, and had her third little boy on Mr. SP's birthday!

After Walmart, we hit GameStop for the PS3 game that Mr. SP wanted. Easy present. I checked out shoe sales at Payless, but didn't buy anything. The sales lady was trying hard to make a sale, but I wasn't buyin'. She said that on August 10, there's going to be a huge blowout sale. I'll see you then Saleslady.

Mr. SP wanted to go to Taco Bell for lunch. Easy enough. So we headed there for bean burritos and tacos. Yummm. Then it was on to home to wrap little nephew's present. He was having a Go Diego Go! party. When we arrived there, my sister gave me the job of frosting the cake. For the last four years we have put both boys' names on the cake and taken a picture of the two of them each year. They are too cute! Mr. SP still teases his aunt about how she missed his birthday party four years ago, because she was too busy having a baby!!

We then came home, and he and his friend, who had been happily going everywhere with us, then took a long bike ride. They are now on computers and crankin' music down the hall.

Tomorrow night we will have the official birthday cake here at home, because today the DiSH is working. Boo hoo. I am going to make a 3-tiered strawberry and vanilla swirl birthday cake with butter cream frosting per request of Mr. Smarty Pants. Yum.

I am so happy to be Mr. SP's mom. He never disappoints, and is forever causing me to marvel at his wisdom about life, at such a young age. I cannot wait to watch him grow more, each and everyday standing up for Jesus and what he believes in. He's going places people!! My baby-boy is growing up......Love you JT. :)

Show me the Money!!!

2010-07-29T17:34:00.000-04:00

Money and teens go hand-n-hand, whether I'm ready for it or not. The desire for it, the "need" for it, the joy in having it. I remember being 14 and working at camp for a summer, and feeling so empowered at the end of my six weeks, spending my hard-earned money on school clothes. Well, the desire-need-joy for money has hit my two oldest, square in the face.

Mr. Smarty Pants is almost five years older than Girly Girl. He holds a job at the ice cream shop down the street. He also has been helping his uncle do demolition at their house, and he has been helping the DiSH with garage doors and roofs too. So he's becoming more and more wealthy as each week passes. Dreams of computers and computer parts are becoming a reachable reality!

Girly Girl has had a case of the "that's-not-fair!" every time big brother makes a buck. As I type, they are sitting here in the living room, unaware that I am blogging about their money woes, comparing how much they each have. It's beginning to get really old.

GG has worked for two days, selling blueberries on the front lawn. My blueberries. But I digress. She has made, in two days, $22! I am proud of her hard work, setting up, making signs, sitting out there, patiently waiting for customers. One lady up the road even had her husband drop off empty quart containers, and asked us to deliver them. So we did, and she paid GG a delivery fee. In 10 minutes, she had made $12. Not bad!

I decided to walk down to the Whippy Dairy Freeze (not what it's really called, but Dad likes to tease Mr. SP---sorry SP!) to buy an ice cream cone from our favorite ice cream man. When I mentioned it to GG, she said, "do I have to buy my own?" WHAT? Seriously? I was, needless to say, a little disappointed. She raced on to explain that she was trying to save for a used ipod from a friend. Oh. I caved, and I bought her a small $1 soft cone. But on our walk, we talked about tithing.

Mr. SP has always, since being a little boy, been faithful with tithing, never wishing he didn't have to give God back His share. Once, when he was about 7, he didn't want to pick up a penny he saw on the sidewalk because he didn't know how to pay tithe on 1cent. Amazing. I am so proud.

GG is like I was though. I don't want to make her sound bad, but she hasn't always loved the idea of giving "her" money away. We talked about how it isn't our money, that 10%. I told her to look at the odd jobs she has been blessed with so far this summer: Kitty-sitting for some friends at $5 a day; selling blueberries; babysitting her cousins for my sister. She has been able to buy clothes and other things that she has wanted. After some time, she told me she hadn't thought about it that way, and knew in her heart that tithing was something she should do, with a thankful heart. Again, I am so proud. :)

I know the odd jobs quest isn't over for GG, and that Mr. SP will continue to roll in the dough too. :) So now I am trying to make sure we have conversations about debt, saving, deals, tithing, all that good stuff. GG wanted to buy her friend's ipod on credit, paying her as she earned it. I wanted to say really fast, 'NO!" don't start the credit thing! But I know with her, I have to tread softly, and explain things, ultimately giving her a choice, while holding my breath she makes the one I know is right for her. Thankfully, she decided to keep saving and buy one online "with dad's help." I smile.

The almighty dollar. And the everyday-parenting of the almighty mother!!!
Life while I'm At Home!

My True Love Story

2010-07-27T08:48:00.000-04:00

Before the DiSH, I only dated one other guy. Only kissed one other guy. Only loved one other guy. I was 14, he was 12. We dated for three years. At 17, I knew I wanted to marry him. He was funny, confident, had the deepest, darkest brown eyes ever, and the nicest smile. When he talked to me, he LOOKED at me. When I first started dating him, I was a nervous, shy wreck all.of.the.time. I couldn't eat around him. I laughed at everything he said, even when it wasn't really funny. Everyone liked him. In the small school we attended, he was pretty popular. Me, not so much. Not at first. But as the three years went by, I became more confident in myself, became more popular, and liked who I was. I was so happy. I had my life all planned out, even with the two year difference between Boy and me.

The Plan: I would graduate, go to college, and continue to date Boy while he finished high school. He would start college, and we'd keep growing closer. I would never wonder if I was making the wrong decision, and he would never look at or drool over another girl. I'd graduate college. Get a job. He'd graduate. He'd get a job. Then we'd get married, buy a nice house, and have a little girl, and her name would be Samantha. She'd have my blue eyes, and his dark skin. She'd be a daddy's girl, and everyone in our lives would be jealous of the perfect life we had. That was the plan. Er, MY plan.

My senior year of high school, I went to a boarding academy, 12 hours away from Boy. I missed him immensely. I hated the school and everything about it. It was a move I had to make though, with circumstances that make complete sense to me now, having to do with going to a christian school. I wrote to Boy everyday, dreamed about him, stared at his picture, cried into my pillow every night, wondering how he was making it too. And then the unthinkable began to happen. I heard bits and pieces from family and friends back home that Boy was flirting with other girls. How dare he? How dare he be 15, and act his age?? These are things I know now, not then, of course. Then, I was incredibly hurt. Scared. Confused. Alone. Mad. Sad.

After the first six weeks of school, I went home for a long leave. I was so excited to see Boy and put all worries aside, and say "see? he loves me! we have a Plan!" Things were great the first two days of seeing each other again. He looked at me, held my hand, touched my face and said "I missed you soooo much. It's boring here without you." I beamed. I wanted to shout Told-ya-so's to all of the nay-sayers in my life. Hah Ha, you're wrong, I'm right. But then the weekend went down hill. I still heard talk about my Boy hanging out a lot with another girl while I was gone. So I confronted him. And he couldn't deny it any longer. "Babe!" he'd say, yes, even at 15 he called me Babe. "Babe! When I'm with you, all I want is you. When I'm with her, I want her!" He actually expected me to understand.

I didn't.

We broke up, almost three years to the day. I went back to school, heart-broken. It was awful. To this day, I remember too clearly the feeling of emptiness inside. At almost 18, I know I had truly loved him. And now, just like that, it was over. My Plan was no longer.

The days and months went on, and over time, I began to smile again. It was still hard, seeing him at home on break, but I did it. I still loved him, and my heart was still hurting, but I was moving on anyway. What choice did I have. Enter, the DiSH. Nine months OLDER than me. Tall. Light hair, green eyes. And boy'o'boy, I thought I had known what great kissing was! He was so different. And that confused me at first. He's not my type! I need to still hold out for Boy! But I was drawn in, and before I knew it, was laughing again. And it felt so good.

More months passed, and I will admit, I was still having a hard time letting go of Boy. He was my first love. I was his. Even as friends, I felt like we had something special. No one can take the place of your first. Friends and family thought they were helping by saying things like "much better choice" or "I knew you could do better". What does that mean? That my first love wasn't a good choice? But I had grown so much because of him. I was the way I was due in part to that very relationship. It hurt to hear people say those things.

The DiSH (stands for Dear Sweet Husband in case you're new and wondering.) and I were inseparable. We went to college together. He had a car. We went on real dates. He spoiled me with gifts. He protected me. He stuck by me, even through my confusion over Boy. He didn't truly get it, but he was steady and consistent. He confirmed his love for me by showing me his maturity while I was struggling.

He asked me to marry him after we had been together for a year and a half. I did not hesitate with my answer: Yes of course! I didn't have a Plan this time, I just knew it was me and him. Forever. Six months later, I came up the basement stairs of the church on my wedding day, preparing to walk down the isle to my Love. I was briefly startled by who I saw standing in the doorway....Boy. He had arrived late, and now had to wait to be seated, because the bride was about to enter the church. He looked at me, those big brown eyes never leaving my face, and I could see love there. But not the kind of love we had experienced together. No. It was a love that you feel for a good friend. Someone you will always care about for the rest of your life. It wasn't until later, when I allowed myself to relive that moment that I figured this out. That's when I smiled and knew he had given me a gift two and a half years earlier.

My first love had paved the way for me and my True Love.

THAT, was the real Plan.

And now, 19 and half years later, I am soooo in love with my man. :) He loves me unconditionally. He accepts my flaws, and when I say "I'm not perfect" he says "no, but you're perfect for me". Life is not easy, parenting three kids, living on one income so I can be home with those kids, most weeks, living paycheck to paycheck.

(yes, I know he has wings! that was the point of the picture.) :)

But I rest easy at night knowing that no matter what, I am safe. I am loved. I am wanted.

Life is short. So the DiSH and I will kiss slowly.
We will laugh insanely.
We will forgive quickly.

His arms hold me at my weakest, his eyes take me in when I am at my ugliest, and his heart loves me when I am at my worst.

This is True Love.

And He is why I smile...
We are planning a special 20th anniversary trip to New York City for next April! Yay!!

Favorite Foto Friday - U Pick

2010-07-23T10:03:00.001-04:00

Favorite Foto Friday here.... along with HANNAH.

Her post is absolutely adorable! I love pictures of sweet little girls.

So, I went through my archives, searching for one of my hundreds of favorites of My sweet girl... Girly Girl.

These were taken two summers ago. She has changed so much. But her sweet smile is an ever-present blessing! These pictures make me want to go the beach....I think I may have just planned our Saturday! Enjoy your weekend!!

Wordless Wednedsay

2010-07-21T09:29:00.002-04:00

Waiting for Daddy....

Music Monday - Movie soundtrack style

2010-07-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

Today is Music Monday with TARA. I don't think there is a theme, so I picked my own. :)

The DiSH and I watched the movie "Invictus" the other night, and I loved it. I love real-life stories, stories about great people doing great things. And this was one of those movies. So I ventured over to YouTube and picked one of the songs from the movie. It's called "Shosholoza". As far as I can tell, it is simply just voices that create the music. I love that. Acapella. So raw.

So enjoy, and if you haven't seen the movie yet, I hope you get to soon!

Just Stuff

2010-07-18T11:56:00.000-04:00

Girly Girl and I are getting really excited about homeschooling. I've been surfing the web A LOT, trying not to get too overwhelmed with all of the information! I bought a planner that is really cool. It has big spread out pages with monthly calendars for assignments/daily plans. And then each day has a journal section so I can record what she accomplished that day. I also bought a big binder to create her 6th grade portfolio in. Any other ideas??

I held a 2 1/2 month old beautiful baby girl the other day! Her name is Caimbree and she is so precious.

She sat so calmly for the longest time, looking around, giving the occasional smile and coo. But then something happened. She made a little squawk and then turned her face inwards, at my boobs. The mouth came open, and I thought uh-oh! Yep, for probably 2 seconds, I felt that old familiar feeling, the tingling sensation you get when nursing! It didn't last long, but long enough to make me smile, remembering when my babies were just babies. I passed her over to her momma, a happy feeling filling me, from my toes to my ears. :)

The DiSH is crazy about buying things in big quantities. And I'm going crazy trying to find storage room for his purchases. Find the biggest container of Mayonnaise that you can....that's what's in my frig. And the biggest pickle container. A 25 lb. bag of flour, and huge boxes of popcorn. Grrr.

Little Man wants to know lately, where everyone lives. As in, what town? Nanny lives in Madison. He can say that one. The town that we frequent almost daily, but not quite, to shop, is Skowhegan. He calls it "hou-see-gan". We live in Norridgewock. He says "norridge-in-rock". Too cute. Say Mississippi Little Man... "iss-iss-miss-ippi". Close enough!

Mr. Smarty Pants needs a haircut. His sister is having a blast calling him Justin. As in Justin Bieber. No offense JB, but she's just not that into you. She'd rather use you as her joke of the day while making fun of Mr SP's do!

Before 8:30am today, I had swept/mopped my kitchen floor. Yes! I HATE humidity. Those of you in the South are probably playing me a little whiny tune, huh?! Well, do you have air-conditioning? I do NOT! So when it's sticky out, it's sticky IN. Today is a D.R.Y. day. So the floor is glide-across-with-bare-feet clean, instead of walking-on-maple-syrup-covered floor!

Now I'm going to go read and comment on MR. SMARTY PANT'S BLOG.
Have a Wonderful Sunday!!

A Boy After My Own Heart

2010-07-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

I love it when my kids do things I do. Like when Little Man wants to wear my shoes. Or when Girly Girl wants to wear matching toenail polish. Mr. Smarty Pants may not want to dress up like me (thank goodness!), but he started something yesterday that I like to do too. Blog. So cool! He's a terrific writer, and I've always told him he should start a blog, it's sooo much fun! "yeah sure mom, okay." That was the response! So yesterday I was a little giddy when he told me he had started one! I asked him if it would be okay if I shared it with my bloggy friends. He said sure, will they follow me? I told him no promises, but maybe! He then said, are they all old?? ha!! Wait a minute, is he implying that I am old?

So today I give you Mr. Smarty Pants (no, he wouldn't use that name...darn, wonder why not?!) and his Blog:

CATCHY TITLE HERE. Don'tcha love his blog name? He took a loooonnnngg time choosing it, and says he's not sure it will stick. I love his complete confidence in himself, and how at such a young age, he's proud of who he is, what he wants and doesn't want. I am so excited about reading my son's thoughts, whether they be random, deep, silly, short or long. He's forever showing me things he finds on the web, and I think you'll get a kick out of some of those things too!
So if you're interested in a blog different from any you may be following, try out Mr. Smarty Pant's page! Become a follower, drop him a line, tell him he has a great mom. :) Go see why I am so proud!

Music Monday!

2010-07-12T09:43:00.002-04:00

It's Music Monday! I haven't participated with TARA in a while, but I always read her Music Monday posts and listen to the song she has chosen. Today's theme is to pick a song that has your favorite number in it. My favorite number has always been 7, and I don't really have a good reason! It's just the perfect number. So on with the mission: find a song with that number in it. Google here I come, because I don't know any off of the top of my head! A few weird songs came up, and one by the Fall Out Boys.....bleck. It was nasty. Next down the list was "7 Things" by Miley Cyrus. I watched the YouTube video and listened. My 11 year old would be so proud of me. So that's my song......in honor of my daughter, a big Miley fan. I do believe she knows all the lyrics....to all of her songs, I swear!

It's very catchy, don'tcha think?!! If I were a tweenager, I'd be rockin' out with Miley, dancin' around singing into wooden spoons while I do the dishes and make lunch for Little Man.....oops, I mean IF I was young again! Ha!! LINK UP HERE, join Tara and the rest of us and dance your Monday away!!

Reading My Mind

2010-07-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

Little Man LOVES to read. Or I should say, loves to be read to! I remember this very same thing happening with my older children, right at this age. Book after book was picked up and put into my lap with the words "read this to me Mommy" on their lips as they too put themselves in my lap.
Not long ago, Little Man seemed to understand that letters meant something to read. Not only does he bring me his books from his book bin, but also cookbooks from the kitchen shelf, magazines he sees on the table, and mail that has only been out of the mailbox for a little while!
Last night was no different. He picked one of my absolute favorite books. A photo album all about himself. The only words to read were "baby" on the front cover. But what he also has cleverly learned is that Mommy seems to "see" words in a book that he cannot! So picture by picture, I told him his story. I thought after a bit he might get bored. A lot of the pictures are very repetitive. On we went though, page after page.

He wanted to know what everything was too. The wires attached to his little three pound body, the "box" he was in, why is Mommy wearing "Jama's" , and the questions went on and on.

He talked about the little red and white hat that now fits perfectly on a tennis ball. "Christmas hat Mommy!" Yes Little Man, you were our perfect Christmas present, 2 1/2 years ago!

He also noticed that in most pictures, Mommy and Daddy were holding the "little baby" a lot. We talked about how he couldn't talk yet, sit up, walk or run and play. "Why Mommy? Is he seepin'??"

As we talked and looked, smells and sounds came back to me. Beep beep beep beep.........Little Man's monitor created a monotonous song with other monitor's belonging to the many Miracles in the room. Since then, they now have a new NICU, and each family has a private room. I used to think that I would've loved that....privacy. But now when I think back, I remember how I made friends with other parents as they sat only a few feet away with their little one, I remember the prayers I said over other incubators as I walked past, making my way to Little Man. I am glad my experience is what it is!

I'm sure today we will read many books, and I won't have to actually read the words from The Pokey Little Puppy, or Arthur's New Puppy or I Love You This Much......nope, I know them by heart! Our favorite book sits back on the shelf, waiting for another day when we will talk about "the baby" that Mommy loves so much!

A Procrastination Post

2010-07-09T09:59:00.000-04:00

Lots to do today. And I can't seem to get going! I've had a really good week, felt the balance between housework, paperwork, playtime, meals and sleep. And today, the day I really want to get a lot done, I am being a dud. Haven't moved from the couch since the DiSH left for work at 8:30am. I need to hit the grocery store, do the one load of laundry I have, take turns mowing the lawn with Mr. Smarty Pants, and then go work on my cradleroll room at church. The theme is about Going To Church, so will do activities that are about getting ready for church, walking/driving to church, giving offering, praying, being reverent in the sanctuary, etc. I think the kids will really like it. That will take me a few hours! I love teaching the little ones, even if it is just one hour each week. Hard to believe that Little Man will soon be entering the next step up division, Kindergarten. Well, in January, but that's only 6 months away! Mr. Smarty Pants turns 16 in a couple of weeks, and Girly Girl will be 12 in December, 2 days after Little Man turns 3. I'm actually excited about birthdays coming up. I found myself looking at decorations and invitations not long ago. Between the 22nd of December and the first of August, that's a long time to not have to plan a party! For my kids anyway. :) We bought tickets yesterday, to our favorite waterpark. It's an annual thing, and we usually do it for Mr. S.P.'s birthday. There was a sweet deal on the radio, buy one super ticket, get the other free. One ticket is $30. So we bought 4 for the price of 2! I'm happy. I love saving a buck.
Hope you all have a great weekend! It's beautiful here today, no humidity! It's supposed to return on Saturday though. Oh well. Just glad it's summer!!

Summertime Fun

2010-07-08T15:52:00.001-04:00

We have been busy here At Home! And having so much fun along the way. We've been to the beach, but mostly we have just been getting great use out of our pool! We don't have to plan ahead, pack bags, use gas and drive, take food, none of that. Little Man is just loving the "big" pool this year, and feels very comfortable floating around and around with the whirlpool jet, in his little floaty. He sings "Hallelujah" over and over again, no special tune, just the word, sweet off of his lips, as he does slow lazy circles! I've been in first thing in the morning, so that I can do my housework in my damp bathing suit and stay cool. I've been in all afternoon, day after day, playing Marco Polo, motorboat, and any other game the kids want to play. And I've been in for night swims with the DiSH (it's kosher, because of all the neihgbors!)! Our friends and family know that they are welcome anytime, and I love it when they come on over, and enjoy getting cooled off. We don't have really long summers in Maine, but when it gets hot, it's HOT! It has been very humid too. We do not have AC, so I am thankful that the nights still cool off for the most part, and the fans do their job of circulating air.

I really want to get an underwater camera! That would be fun. I'll add it to my Christmas list!! Can you believe Christmas is just a little over 5 months out?! AAHH!! NO! I can't think about that. Not snow, not yet!!
I have successfully changed programs at school, and in the fall I will be continuing my education in Early Childhood Education. I am sooo excited, it's not even funny. I just wasn't sure of what to do, and in turmoil one evening, I lay in bed and just prayed and prayed and prayed. Before I was done praying, I knew what I was going to do. I know that God kept putting thoughts of working with Children into my head, and I just had this peaceful feeling about it. That day, my husband and I talked about it, and I was very close to just not enrolling at all, because I was so unsure of what program to pursue. He has been so helpful through the last year and a half! So next week, I will go and talk to my new adviser, and go from there. One thing that I thought was really neat, was that two prerequisite classes that I need to take, I also needed for the other program I was in, so I am already registered in those classes. I don't need to drop them!
The DiSH has been working so much. yay!!! He continues to love his job, and the side carpentry jobs just keep rolling in. He secured another one yesterday, building a garage for a co-worker. I have taken it on as my job to make sure he takes some down time for us, and doesn't get caught up in working all the time. We have always been a family that is used to Dad working Mon-Fri, with every weekend with us. But now he is most times working, and for a bit, I found that the kids and I were lost with no end to a work week! So this week for example, He had Tuesday all day, and Wednesday afternoon, and this morning off. Today he did get some things done around the house that I have been politely asking him to do (I DON'T nag!) but Tuesday and yesterday were complete play time with the kids, BBQ-ing, watching movies, and of course, playing Matchbox cars with Little Man. We are beginning to create a routine! He has Saturday and Sunday off, and this is the first time in 9 weeks....So I'm not sure what we will do!
Well, Little Man's nap is about over, and I don't get on the computer when he is up, because he really gets distraught over it. Rather than argue with him, and send him on his way with his toys, I have been trying harder to do things with him on a more regular basis. He LOVES to help me with laundry, waits patiently to shut the dish washer door after I'm done loading/unloading it, and he loves to vacuum too!

wonderful words of wisdom

2010-06-30T08:55:00.000-04:00

I will admit, after posting my last POST I sat impatiently for about 20 minutes, checking and rechecking to see if anybody was going to comment. I really needed to hear some feedback, of any kind. I was not disappointed. I had to wait until the next morning, but my comment box was filled with comforting words from great people like YOU. I kept thinking "oh, I need to share what SHE said with HER" and so on. So today I decided to do that! I figured your comments were made public to begin with, so maybe you wouldn't mind if I reposted them so you guys can see how great you each are!

SHANA is a great lady that I connected with initially, because she too has a little one named Caleb. :) We have become great friends, and not only do we keep in touch through our blogs, but Facebook too. Thank you Shana for your words of comfort and wisdom:
"No. You are not being a big baby. I could have written your post mostly. I am so there with you right now. there is so much going on in my life with my sister and now I am watching baby Jacob 12 hours a day (who may become ours if things don't turn around for his Mom...shhh) and I have Blaze who I love with my whole heart and soul but sometimes i want peace. I want to get my nails done or read a book or sew something pretty or do nothing or take a nap. But like you I am being followed 24/7 and Chris and I hardly ever have time together and I try to explain to him and he doesn't get it. He leaves for work at 7:30 am and gets home around 5:30 pm then has to feed the horses and water them so he doesn't get in the house until 7 or so and I am so frazzled by that time and trying to cook with Blaze running under my feet and the dog needs to pee and the cats haven't been fed yet and the laundry just finished and I need to load the dishwasher. Man it never ends and he says....but you don't have to go to work. Man, I think an 8 hr job woul dbe a break sometimes haha. I have just started telling Chris I need me time and we need us time so I think you should just tell your hubby, hey instead of finishing the ceiling today can we just go for a walk? I am sure he would say yes." ~Shana

LAVANDER has eased my worrying mind more than once with words of wisdom as well. She has two teen boys, and because I too have a teen boy, we talk about raising them and the ups and downs! I appreciate the advice she gives as well:

"Lisa, girrrrrl, everytime I visit you we seem to be going through similar matters of life. My hubby has been working a lot of overtime and although the money is much needed, I miss him! I had a pity party this weekend, but no one showed up. LOL

We're women traveling a challenging journey and I actually speak of this in the book God blessed me to write. Women go through so many emotions, yet we don't share the valley moments, which makes us feel we're alone in our emotions.

Thank you for sharing yourself and PLEASE know, you are not alone and you are definitely not a baby. Little Man is the ONLY baby in your house (smile).

Have a JOYFUL holiday weekend!" ~Momsweb 
LaVender replied to me again with the following:

(2nd reply from Momsweb)~"I don't know about your husband, but mine doesn't get it. lol  (OH HOW I AGREE LAVENDER!!)

He truly feels that providing for the family is his main priority and I soooo appreciate that. Working is everything to a man and when that's done - they're done.

It took me a while to accept this, but when hubby is at home, he is doing what he is supposed to do - be there. It doesn't matter if I'm getting quality time from him or not - he's at home - whether sleep, watching t.v., working in the yard, etc.... He feels i have nothing to complain about if he's at home.

If I told MY hubby that I wanted more time, I think I would stress him a little because he feels like he's already going above and beyond the manly call of duty. They can only do so much and are unable to meet individual needs like a woman does.

You know your hubby better than anyone else, so let the Spirit lead you.

As for me, I'm on my way to work - Mom's Taxi. LOL

It's time for some ME time also - ME as in ALONE!"

The Mommy and I have a great connection that I share with only one other mom. We both have Vasa Previa miracles. We found each other through a Yahoo Group for VP, and have stayed close since then. I love talking to her, strengthening our bond more and more each day:

"You sound needy like me! When Mike works long hours I feel bad for wanting him to spend time with me instead of mowing the yard or taking Maggie to the gym with him. I think it's hard when they're always away from us and then there's the whole Mommy needs some "me" time thing too. It's hard, but you'll get through it." ~The Mommy

TARA has a baby boy named Andrew, that amazingly was born on Little Man's actual due date! We talk a lot about our 2 year old's, our husbands, reality tv, life as stay-at-home mom's, and many other things too! I love her take on things, her knack for thinking outside the box. She's a smart cookie:
"You are def. not alone! We are blessed in so many ways. One of those ways is to be able to stay home but we are also human. We all need a break and we all need to nurture relationships other than with our children. I sometimes have the same feelings but when I am away from Andrew, I miss him like crazy!!"~Tara

So there you have it, YOUR words of wisdom. I have not talked to the DiSH about my feelings, probably something I should do, I know. I have been focusing on not taking it personally, trying instead to realize it's the way God wired him. He's not choosing to hurt me, and would be concerned if he knew he had. He worked more last night on the bathroom ceiling, and it is coming together. Tonight and tomorrow night when he gets home from work, he is going to "mud" it. It goes fast from here, and before I know it, we will be putting on new paint, and new bathroom accessories will be a must!!
So anyway, thanks again guys, for being so great. Now on to cleaning, playing, and planning a great supper for the man of my dreams, even though sometimes he gives me nightmares!

Wishy Washy Feelings

2010-06-28T22:41:00.000-04:00

I have been concentrating, more or less, on my other BLOG , and so I haven't been here in almost a week! Speaking of my other blog, I need to post there too.
Right now I am watching The Bachelorette. I'm addicted, I must say. I know who I want to win. Roberto. But ABC is doing a really good job at making it look like she picks Frank. We shall see!
I am tired tonight, but not real anxious to go to bed. The DiSH just left for work. Yeah. At 9:30pm. He was called this afternoon, wondering if he would come in to cover a night shift. He said yes, and then soon after, went to bed for a few hours.
He is working at a home for troubled boys as a residential counselor. I am so proud of his accomplishments over the last month. He has really found his niche'. Finally. After doing so many different jobs in the 22 years of working, I can SEE that he is in the field that I hope he stays in forever and continues to grow in. He deals daily with boys that have been dealt a hard life. Without going into anything and breaking confidences, I can say that he can relate to these boys and some of life's hardships. I think that when people can relate personally to what is going on around them, and to the people they are working with, everyone, including that person, benefits 100%. He comes home after a 13 hour shift, and he feels peace.
As most of you know, we struggled through the winter financially. And our spirits began to break. We had to make big sacrifices, and live very simply. We learned to not take things for granted, a steady paycheck especially. Our kids made us so happy, and throughout the difficult time, our eyes were opened to the fact that we are doing a good job at this thing called parenting! When Christmas came, and the gifts were a lot less in quantity than in past years, they never complained, not once. We realized that the most important thing to all of us was EACH OTHER. We have done good at carrying that lesson with us each day.
I needed to put all of this out there, into words, because lately I have been having a bit of a pity party for myself lately. I see my husband loving his job so much, and that has never really happened before. Not like this. He's not "married" to his job, but in a weird way, it feels like a betrayal, right before my eyes. Something else besides the life we live inside these four walls, is making him happy! Of course my head knows that that is SO awesome. But some days, my heart says, "hey, remember me?"
He is considered part-time right now, and even though the hours are plenty right now, we just don't know how long that will last. On top of 40+ hours at the House, carpentry work has also been picking up. Garage doors, porches, roofs, small indoor jobs.....they have all been falling into place, giving him things to do on the days he's not working his regular job. This too is wonderful, because working with his hands and creating things has always been something he enjoys as well. It was the uncertainty of when/if there would be a next job that was the stressful part, and ultimately the reason he began to look elsewhere for something permanent.
So there you have the latest on my DiSH. So what's my problem you might be asking. I ask myself that all the time. I MISS HIM. I miss us. I do the motions as best as I can here, trying hard to make our home a clean, safe and happy one. I am 24/7 with Little Man. I hate to talk about this, because I don't want to sound like I am complaining about being with my LITTLE PREEMIE MIRACLE everyday, but I really hardly get any time to myself, and that really starts to play mind games with me after a while! I lose my patience, and as soon as I do, I feel so.......BAD. Not bad as in Aww, but bad like a really bad person. Someone that doesn't deserve to be Little Man's mommy. He loves me so much, and just wants to play with me, do what I'm doing, go where I'm going. And because I can't even pee alone, get dressed alone, or go to the mailbox without a little voice calling me, I tend to sometimes hear his voice like it's fingernails on a chalkboard. Isn't that awful?! I hate admitting it. I'm so tempted to hit Backspace right now.
I have not finished my financial aid forms yet for next semester, and they are supposed to be in by July 1. Yeah. In two days. I can't seem to find the interest in doing it. I don't know how I'll do schoolwork on top of homeschooling my 11 year old, and taking care of a 2 1/2 year old, while my husband works. I'm on the fence about that one. The only ME time I want right now, is actually shared ME time with my hubby. I want to feel like a first priority and lately I have not. What's frustrating to me though, is that it isn't even anything that he is doing wrong. It's just that he's Doing at all. And it's stuff I'm not part of. I ask him and then genuinely listen to him tell me about his day, and then that's it. He asks me what I did today, and I know he wants to know. But it sounds and seems so irrelevant after listening to him.
Tomorrow he will be home at 8:30am. He will sleep, and then when he wakes up, he plans on working more on the bathroom ceiling that he tore apart today before he had to go take a nap. He said he would work on it as long as he could, which I'm guessing means into the evening. I think he thinks that's what I want him to do. Of course it needs to be finished, but if only first he would say "When I wake up tomorrow, lets go for a walk, just me and you." Ahhh!! That would be so great. We have two older children that can watch Little Man for us, so walks are a possibility! But instead, my bathroom ceiling will get finished, he will be happy it's done, ask me what I think, and I will be once again, amazed at what he can do. Then bedtime will come, and then five straight days of work at the Boys' House follows, right into Monday the 5th. A friend called him today to see if he could help him with some light indoor carpentry work, and I heard the DiSH say, "yeah, maybe Monday." Sigh.
So my quandary is that I am feeling selfish when I should be feeling nothing but grateful. Grateful to God for always being with us, never leaving us, never causing us to have to leave our home, or suffer greatly. Grateful for a able-bodied husband that doesn't mind hard work and long hours. Grateful for three kids that are so strong and healthy, helpful and happy.
So what do you think? Am I being a big baby?! I feel like one. And I don't know what to do about it.......

Blog Debut

2010-06-23T15:35:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I said three months ago I was going to begin a new blog to journal about my weight loss during my last year before turning 40. I have put it off long enough, don'tcha think? So now I'm down to nine months. And here she is,

MY JOURNEY...READY, SET, GO!!

tell me what you think! (if you want, wink wink!)

Not-so-Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-23T10:28:00.000-04:00

Here is my beautiful peony that I told you about HERE. I ended up cutting it and putting it in a vase with other flowers that had been growing around the yard, because it was going to rain hard, and I knew the rain would pummel the poor flower to pieces! So we enjoyed it for a few more days on the kitchen table. I am going to get a cut from another Peony that is at my mom's house. I gave it to her 16 years ago, when I was pregnant with Mr. Smarty Pants. It is a darker pink. I think I am obsessed with peonies. Even thinking of redoing my blog look to incorporate the pics!

The above pictures are of the DiSH on his 40th birthday. He and I took the day and went ALONE to a small town not far from here. We shopped, ate, and then relaxed together next to the river. The "self-portrait" of the two of us isn't the greatest, but the point is, we had fun trying to get a good shot! His brother bought him a nice hammock from L.L. Bean, and Girly Girl sure does love it! The "40" hat is making it's rounds in the family...last year it was worn by the DiSH's brother, now the DiSH. Next March, my sister-in-law and myself will turn 40, but we have vowed to make sure the hat "disappears"! ha! Little Man loved it, and ran around the house wearing it for a day or two.
Thanks for all of your kind words after yesterday's POST. I am trying to do and feel better about food choices. It is such a struggle. ALL day long. But through Him, I can do all things. This included. :)

a failure??

2010-06-22T08:26:00.000-04:00

Embarrassed... I admit to you all that for the last few days I have been out of control. I binged one or two times and chose really junky food that left me feeling toxic and demoralized and strangely enough like eating more of it. Sometimes I get to feeling so badly, that I eat badly, and feel worse, so I eat worse... It's really hard to dig out or even have the desire to dig out. I usually resign myself to failing.
It starts with feeling… feeling badly, so I eat.... Even if I started with eating something I was ashamed of, it was the feeling of shame that kept me going. In other words, an event happened, triggered me to eat, shame followed, which turned into an event itself, so I ate more, have more shame… That’s the spiral.
I also notice that when I’m in a spiral I won’t exercise, eat my vegetables, fruits, or drink my milk. It's like I have a total disregard for my body because I think “Why bother, I'm such a failure.” Then I look over at some piece of tempting food and think “I ate that extra helping of ____. I may as well…”
Here's the change.
Here is where I try and tell myself "If I can say 'I may as well,' I can say 'I may as well not.' "
One slice of pizza is always going to have fewer calories than two. So I try to get a grip and feel a bit of strength coming on, as I remind myself “If I got a traffic ticket I wouldn’t break every traffic law the rest of the day. So why toss the whole day over a slice of pizza or some cookies?"
So here's to a new day. Here's to me, fail or no fail.

Proud and Busy

2010-06-17T18:28:00.000-04:00

I have the smartest sister in the world. Don't tell my other sister. She's pretty smart too. But my baby baby sister (the other sister is my baby sister) had a rough few days, and today it ended delightfully. She PASSED her Maine state boards, and is now officially, a Registered Nurse.

As we say here in Maine, "She's so wicked smaht". Okay, I don't talk like that, but those that are not from here may think I sound like that!
In other news, Mr. Smarty Pants (I just have such a smart family) is working his second night at his job finally. He got the job in April, but they wanted to wait until school was out before he began. He loves it! He said that the owner gave him a box of cones, and a bucket and stood him in front of the soft serve ice cream, showed him a few times how to get the perfect cone, and then left him to practice. "Mom! It's harder than it looks!" I am so proud.
Girly Girl is at a friend's house tonight, her BFF. Tomorrow they are going to a water park with the other girl's family. She was soooo excited. I hope she doesn't get burnt!
Little Man is soo into yogurt lately, it's all he wants to eat. So, I have been adding his fruit into it, and letting him go for it. I pretend it's dessert, and first he has to eat some of his meal as well. I think he thinks he's special, getting dessert after all three meals.
Tomorrow the DiSH turns 40, and I've got quite the day planned. Mr. Smarty Pants is going to babysit, and the DiSH and I are going to go shopping in a quaint little town, eat at the Liberal Cup restaurant that he has been to before, and has mentioned I would love, and THEN, my favorite thing planned: throwing a quilt on the grass in the park next to the river, and just laying there. No chasing a baby, no watching the watch (to an extent) no nothing! We can even nap if we want! I can't wait. And then tomorrow night, I have invited friends and family to come for a campfire, s'mores and a s'mores pie. yum! Of course, I won't have any. Maybe just one marshmallow.
The sun is out, after most of the day being rainy. We are going to have summer-like temps for the rest of the week/end, and that's awesome. Father's Day may include mini-golfing, since Dad golfs for free.
Now I must go, Little Man has drawn all over his arm with a pen. Is it bedtime yet?!

Wednesday, my 13th

2010-06-16T09:41:00.000-04:00

Day 13.
I ate cheesecake last night.
Ugh.
But it was good!
It was the first dessert I have eaten in 13 days.
I forgive myself.
I will start today, fresh.
I will eat my fruits and veggies.
I will go for a walk.
Or maybe even a bike ride.
I drank one can of soda on Sunday, my first taste of something besides water, milk or coffee in 13 days.
I didn't like it.
Too sweet.
I don't eat after 7pm anymore.
I sleep better.
I don't feel so bloated all the time.
I am doing it.
Day 13.

This Too Shall Pass......right??

2010-06-14T08:47:00.000-04:00

How can it be the middle of June already? Do you realize how close Christmas is?! The time is flying by, and I hate it. We have been so busy here and I NEED it to slow down. Thankfully, it's about to!
School is out for the summer for Mr. Smarty Pants and Girly Girl. They are both still in bed sleeping. :) GG is especially glad, because at 11 years old, she has no responsibilities (besides chores!), and has been "busy" planning things to do. She is excited about a day at a water park in New Hampshire, coming up this Friday with her best friend and her family. She wants to go camping with her Nanny and Papa, wants to have a lawn sale to sell her "stuff", then wants to go clothes shopping, and she wants to learn to cook. I am proud of her for having goals. We are still talking about home-schooling her next year. I'd really like to. I wish I could get past the obligatory feeling I have towards the small school my kids have been attending all these years. I want to be supportive, keep enrollment up, but I know I want/need to do what's best for GG first. I need to stop worrying about what other people will think or say. That's a price you pay I guess, when your kids go javascript:void(0)to such a small school, and we also go to church with all of those same people, and see them all on a regular basis! Everybody knows or thinks they need to know everyone else's business. It's really a financial thing as far as choosing home-school. Mostly. There may be another reason or two as well. :)
I have been going a little nuts lately with Little Man. That's putting in mildly actually. I don't know what's going on with him. He is 2 1/2, and I know that alone explains a lot. Right now, for example, as I type, he is watching George. George just ate popcorn. So Little Man starts whining, "I want pah-corn! pah-corn! pah-corn!" Well, first of all, it's breakfast time. Second of all, even if I decided it would be fine to have "pa-corn", I don't have any! So I am trying to explain this to him. And he doesn't get it. Finally, after a few minutes of repeating myself, trying to stay calm, and engage him in conversation over other foods he can have, he has settled for a piece of toast and a bowl of dry Kix... for now. But this sort of thing goes on ALLLLLLLLL day. No joke. I can't seem to make him happy. I don't jump fast enough. I talk in such a silly sing-song voice to him, that I make myself sick, but it's because I'm trying to anticipate his reaction. I try to stay one step ahead of him all the time, but I can't always do that. I try to plan things we will do through out the day, but if I talk about anything, he thinks I mean right then, and the crying begins again. He rides awful. He hates crowds. He can open AND unlock the door and goes outside ALL the time when I don't want him to. He goes behind me all day, making new messes of the mess I just cleaned up. He climbs, jumps, throws, you name it. I have to add that of course, he plays, laughs, snuggles, eats well, and makes ME laugh a lot. But the balance is all off. I spend more time saying No please, get down, don't throw that, be careful, come back here, put that back, listen to me, I'm going to take that from you, give that back, do you hear me? what did I say?????!!!!!!!
I'm pulling out my hair. Screaming on the inside. Biting my tongue. Forcing the smiles. ALL DAY.
The DiSH is working now, and I am soo happy about that, and we definitely feel blessed. But the hours are so different from anything we've ever done, and I'm the one that can't seem to adjust. He works three 13-hour shifts, 9am-10pm. It's a half hour away, so that means 14 hours gone. He has worked the last 4 Saturdays, and that is new too. All my days seem to melt into each other. The other four days, he has been keeping busy with putting on new roofs for people, working on porches, putting in new garage doors, and building sheds. He's home for supper and for the evenings, but is exhausted. I have never wished more than now, that I had an outside job, even if for only a few hours a week. I NEVER get away. B.Y. M.Y.S.E.L.F. NEVER. And it's beginning to really wear me down. I am thankful my older two are home, but I also feel guilty "pawning" LM off on them.
So anyway, I'm whining, I know. But it's my ~~party~~ Blog, and I'll ~~cry~~ whine if I want to! Time now to share a Happy moment of Little Man......then take a deep breath, and dive into the rest of the day!

Day Seven

2010-06-08T10:16:00.000-04:00

Today is Day 7.
I haven't shared before this why I am counting days, because quite honestly, I'm afraid of failure, and then having to share that failure with those I have told.
Day 7.
Of eating right.
No soda.
No desserts.
More fiber.
All of my fruits and veggies.
Less carbs.
Less fat.
Natural Peanut Butter.
Hummus.
Spinach and Strawberry salad.
No pasta.
No scales.
More water.
One cup of coffee vs. two.
No chips.
Planning meals.
Shopping healthfully.
Day 7.

oh my bloomin' heart

2010-06-03T20:48:00.000-04:00

This is my Peony plant.
I have had it for 6-7 years.
The DiSH's father gave it to me, from his own plants.
I have moved it 3 times in those years, trying to find the right spot for it.
It has never ever bloomed.
Look close.
Do you see the blossom??!

I am very happy!

My father-in-law passed away 5 summers ago.
Every time I look for new shoots in the spring, every time I protect it from dogs and 2 year old's, every picture I take of it, makes me think of him.
This plant lives on in his honor!
I can't wait for that flower to bloom.
You know I'll post many pictures when it does!!

a song for today

2010-06-02T15:41:00.000-04:00

I know it's not Music Monday with Tara but this song is just speaking to me today and I have to share.
First, this is why I was listening to it to begin with.
This week I popped my head in my 15 year old's room just to see what was up.
On his bed was his Bible, open. I asked him if he was doing homework.
He replied, "no, just lookin' up Bible verses and listening to music."
"oh, what music?" I asked.
"Selah."
He then proceeded to tell me that he had just spent some time removing music from his computer that he felt wasn't right to listen to. We talked a bit longer about that, and when I realized tears were welling up inside, I nonchalantly made my way to the bathroom, where I let a few fall, in the midst of a "thank you Lord" prayer! When your teenage son makes this kind of decision all on his own, it's so rewarding. I guess we are doing something right!
I had told him I liked the song that was playing during our talk, and the next morning a copy of the Selah songs he liked was on the kitchen table for me.
I was listening to it this morning while taking care of laundry, and that is when I heard this song for the first time.

I hope it speaks to you in some way today.

A Happy Weekend

2010-06-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

Had some fun this weekend! We spent Saturday afternoon at the park with friends. Little Man had fun playing with his cousin's magnifying glass! It's a "must have" gift for Christmas. He looked at EVERYTHING and EVERYONE through it for the longest time! On Sunday, we joined a multi-family lawnsale and LM had fun with my tag stickers!! He loves to play with a big piece of tape....he puts it on his mouth, his eyes, nose, legs, and so on. Again, for the longest time! He tired out one night, and fell asleep in his seat. :)

Girly Girl enjoys taking pictures of herself, and I had some fun in Picasa editing it! She loves the pink. That's me and Little Man sitting on the curb waiting for the Memorial Day Parade. We live in a small town, so it consisted of two state troopers, a bunch of Veterans, 4 fire trucks, a high school band and an old classic car! That was it. But it was fine. Our Labor Day Parade is much bigger! Those sunglasses do belong to Little Man, he REALLY wanted his own pair of "lasses". He wore them A LOT over the long weekend. It was a great weekend. I can't wait for my kids to be out of school for the summer, on June 11. We love lazy mornings around here, and LM loves having them home to play with too. I'm not normally one of those moms that looks forward to school beginning again. The DiSH has a job. :) He is working at a House for Boys. He is a resident counselor there. It is a perfect fit. Right now he is part time/per diem, but they are pretty sure that he can get 40 hours a week. We are adjusting to him working on the weekends. But it's fine, we will still have plenty of time as a family. He is also a few carpentry jobs on the side. I hope that continues, because he is so good at it. The summer looks promising! My sister and I are thinking of planning a trip to either PA or NH to either Sesame Place or Storyland with the kiddos. That will be fun! For now, I am enjoying the warm weather, and watching my flowers grow!!

It's summer time in Maine! (and a doggie update)

2010-05-26T09:24:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my Summer Look. :) I still need to research other fonts besides what Blogger offers (wish they had a lot more!) but for now, I'm happy with my summer look. I also will update the pictures on the sidebars soon...need to take some new family photos!
It's hot here again, another great pool day! Little Man freaked me out yesterday when I took him out to the pool for the first time. Our pool is a 4 1/2 feet deep, big above ground pool that a lady from church graciously GAVE us 2 summers ago. The DiSH built some great stairs that you climb to the ladder. As we headed out, LM climbed right up the stairs, and was so excited to finally be allowed to do so, and seeing his brother and sister already in the pool, that he didn't pause for one second, and when he reached the top stair, he just JUMPED in! No hesitation whatsoever. I think I aged about 10 years in that split second. Thankfully, Girly Girl was right there, and when she heard me screech, she turned and skillfully and with a look of surprise on her face, she caught him! The shock of the cold water had him crying fast though, and he wanted out! It was scary, but funny at the same time. We do NOT have a gate of any kind on the steps....YET. That is something I am requiring of the DiSH to do today. We are also going to my mom's to retrieve a small kiddie pool that she never uses, so that LM can swim and get wet as he likes. He wanted to just sit on the edge of the big pool with his feet in the water, but I didn't want him to get used to doing that, plus I didn't feel like sitting there with him! No, I didn't swim, it wasn't quite warm enough for me! Maybe today...
**UPDATE ON MY DOG**
Princess is doing much better today. The last I wrote was that she was limping and not using her right front leg at all. Yesterday she laid around all day, but we kept putting ice on it. I called the vet and the soonest they could see her would be today at 1:45pm. We have been praying about her, and what to do, because money is very VERY tight. I am thinking that it is a good thing the appt. wasn't until today, because I just may cancel it. She is doing so much better. Walking on it, without much of a limp at all. And the swelling has gone way down. Thank you for your prayers for my doggie!

Little Man's Visitor

2010-05-24T20:14:00.001-04:00

Little Man saw his Nanny today. He loves it when family comes to visit. Nanny was in town to pick up Little Man's cousin Jakie after school. Tomorrow Jakie is turning seven. A special day is even better when Nanny takes you out to let you pick out your own birthday present, and also get an ice cream cone! She was early, and because we live right around the corner from the school, she stopped in. Little Man showed her his Legos, and shared his Bear. He crawled on Mama and turned my face with his little boy hands as I was talking to Nanny..."Mommy, where's Sissah?" "She's at school, Baby. She will be home soon." After the visit, Little Man went to the open kitchen window to say not one, not two, but at least 10 good-byes to his Nanny.
LM: "Good bye Nanny"
Nanny: "Good bye Little Man!"
LM: "I love you Nanny"
Nanny: "I love you too Little Man!"
LM: "Don't worry."
Nanny: "Um, okay!"
After the visit we were on to take care of Princess some more....we think she sprained her paw, and today she has been limping and not moving a lot. Daddy is home now though, and he is icing her leg, and giving her plenty of TLC. If she is not better in the morning, we will take her to the vet and pray that they understand we cannot pay for a lot all in one day. So please pray tonight for Princess. Little Man did. :)

S, S, M Tu and a Plan

2010-05-18T21:08:00.000-04:00

My week since my last post, day by day...

Saturday ~ went to church, but left early because Little Man was a little terror, and after chasing him through the sanctuary during the offering, carrying him out screaming, I decided I would never get anything out of the sermon anyway, so let's go! After his nap, we went to the DiSH's brother's house for his birthday party. There were 4 couples, and 9 kids. One of those kids was Girly Girl, she's 11. The rest were all 5 and under. AHH! It was crazy. But fun!

Sunday ~ Pine Car Derby at my kids' school. Girly Girl raced, and did really well! This is a yearly fund raiser, still raising money for a new playground. The kids get sponsors to race. We raised over $2000! GG won 3rd for Best In Show with her car. After the derby, we headed to some of our best friends' to celebrate their 3 year old's birthday. It was just our two families and lots of fun. They too have three kids, all the same ages as mine. I call them our perfect fit family. :) After that, GG and I went to another friend of mine, where my mom and sisters were too, for the Survivor Finale! It was so much fun. We ate haystacks, brownie bites and cherry Pepsi. I was happy that Sandra won. ;)

Monday ~ wow....I'm drawing a blank on the day before today. That's bad. I'm going to keep typing until I remember what I did yesterday. Hmmmmmmmmm......okay, I think I just stayed home all day! Yeah, that's what I did. The DiSH went to work on my mom's porch for a while, and I caught up on some laundry. My sister was subbing at school, so I went over there with Little Man to visit for a bit, at recess time. LM didn't take a nap yesterday, so at 7pm he went to bed so fast. Watched the CBS line up last night, and laughed at Rules Of Engagement!

Today ~ I babysat two of my nephews while my sister is taking a review class this week for her state board nursing exam in June. "J" is 3 and "I" is 9. Little Man loved having playmates all day. Just before supper, sister number 2 calls and says "what's for supper?" She was too ~~lazy~~ tired to cook at her house. ;) So she came over with her two boys (hubby was working late) and brought more tortilla shells and cheese and we made cheese quesadilla's for the kids, and then we ate burritos stuffed with mexican rice, beans, cheese, sourcream, fried zuchinni and salsa. Yummo. Little Man went to bed fast again, and now I am on one end of the couch blogging, while the DiSH is watching show number 2, NCIS Los Angeles, and then we will watch The Good Wife together. My sister and I think that show should be called The Good Wife, Mother, Friend, Lawyer, etc!!

Tomorrow is a new day, and it's supposed to be rainy. I think I will finish my laundry, teach Little Man a few more numbers (he can count to 12 so well!) dance and sing to Disney's Silly Songs cd, make some new pot holders, make cream cheese balls for supper, and do some Wii Fit. Sounds like a good plan!

The Sun is Setting...

2010-05-14T18:46:00.000-04:00

It is Friday night.....ahhhhh. This week was a good one, but busy. And that's withOUT classes. I am just so thankful for this night. I have wonderful plans for the weekend with lots of family on Saturday, and then a big school fund raiser at my kids' school on Sunday, a birthday party for one of my best friend's little boy, and then a Survivor party that night with my sisters and friends and Girly Girl. :) But for now, I am just thankful that the sun is about to set, Little Man will soon be fast asleep, and I can curl up in the recliner and finish the book I have been dying to get back to all week: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks! I also have been reading the Bible like it I just discovered it. And in a way, that's true. My hubby bought me a Bible for our anniversary, and the version is The Clear Word. It's a paraphrase Bible, not meant so much for study, but for reading passionately, like I would a novel, or, a Nicholas Sparks book. :)

But back to sunsets....I love them. I love how never once, will you see the same sunset twice. I love to paint, and I can just imagine God with His paintbrush, dreaming up His next masterpiece.

And to think, that's what He did when He created each one of us. We are all different, each a product of His hand.

I cannot wait until His return, so someday I can sit and talk to Him about what He was thinking when He formed me, when I was created, and when I was born. For He knows the exact number of hairs on our head, right?
I hope you have a great Friday night and weekend. Remember to stop and look at the sunset, and and reflect on His amazing ways. Nite!

By George, Three Winners!

2010-05-11T14:09:00.001-04:00

So, I do believe I owe someone a little gift for guessing correctly where I went for my Mother's Day weekend! But guess what? Three of you commented, all three of you guessed right, and so I have three little gifts for all three of you! TARA, CHRISTY, and JAMIE all guessed right, that I went to the Ronald McDonald House in Portland, ME! And you guys were all so close in the times you guessed, that that just gave me warm fuzzies, and although Tara was officially the first, I just know she won't mind at all that I'm just pickin' all three of ya! So, please email me your addresses, and I'll send you your prize! Mind you, I don't have a lot right now, so this seriously is a little gift, but I think you'll still smile when you open it.

I had a terrific weekend. It never ceases to amaze me how the RMH can refresh me, energize me, open my eyes to the world around me, and make me realize how precious my Little Man is. On Friday night, a couple arrived that had just spent the whole day next to their 5 month old's bed in the ICU, due to an almost fatal case of SIDS. The dad had peeked in on his sleeping baby, only to find him blue and not breathing. He gave the baby CPR until the EMT's arrived, and then he was rushed to the hospital. By the end of the night, the baby was breathing on his own again, and was showing no signs of brain damage. This couple were only visiting from out of state. There stay at the RMH was the absolute last thing they expected to be doing. I gave them a tour of the house, and the mom was just crying with first exhaustion, and second, with wonder at all that the House would do for them in their time of need. They had a two year old at Grandma and Grandpa's, so they loved watching Little Man run around! Talking to them, sharing our story, hearing theirs, is all I needed for Mother's Day. A Connection. A way to help, and make a difference. Paying it forward never felt so good. I was tired when we arrived home on Sunday evening (the beds there are awful, unfortunately! What do YOU think of Number Beds?!), but filled with a sense of peace that I only ever really receive after being there. We are going to go back in August. I already can't wait.

While down in Portland, we had a chance to take Little Man to see Curious George Live! The RMH had tickets, and after asking all families if they wanted the tickets, and seeing that no one did, the head director told us to use them ourselves. That was an unexpected treat! I must say, 2 years old is a little young to sit that still that long, so we didn't stay through the whole show. But he did pretty good, considering! He REALLY REALLY wanted to go on stage with George!! "I go down there? I go see George?" It was fun. I was thankful for my two older kids, being willing to help me out, and go sit and watch George.

I am sad Mother's Day is over, and I am trying to pretend that every day is Mother's Day. :) It truly is actually. I love my life, and what each and every new day brings!

A Mother, lovin' Mother's Day

2010-05-06T14:06:00.001-04:00

So, it's Mother's Day Weekend, just about! I love this holiday. I love that there is a day that my kids are reminded to show their appreciation for me! They are reminded by more than just the calendar too. Oh yeah, I lay it on thick. :) My daughter never ceases to amaze and surprise me with homemade cards, and little gifts. My oldest will say, "mom, I don't have a gift, so what do you want?" I used to let that bother me, thinking, come on kid, you don't ask me what I want! You should know! But seriously, why would a 15 year old boy know what I want as a present?! So, I take full advantage of that, and say, "oh I don't know! How about a shoulder rub, then an hour or so of you watching Little Man, followed by picking up all of the toys that are on the floor, and then just sit by me and talk. Kay?" I love it!! haha! And then of course there is Little Man, and how looking at him everyday for the last 2+ years has just made everyday Mother's Day in a whole new way. We are not going to be home for the weekend, going away somewhere special. Do you know where?? Where do I just love to go for a weekend? Hmm? If you are the first to guess right, then I'll...um...send you a little gift! Yeah! I really will! I don't know what it will be, because I just thought of that idea. I'm in a gifty mood. Today I made cupcakes, and then because I didn't want 2 dozen beautiful cupcakes staring me in the face saying Eat me, Eat me, I took them over to my kids' school and gave them to the students in each of my kids' class. Fun! So anyway, I hope you have a great weekend, enjoy the weather, enjoy your kids, your friend's kids, your mom, your mom's mom! Happy Mother's Day!

High in the Sky and Fun in a Fort

2010-05-03T09:50:00.001-04:00

Saturday was a beautiful day! The DiSH, Mr. Smarty Pants, Little Man and myself went on a little road trip to Prospect, Maine.

We went to a childhood favorite spot of mine, Fort Knox.

There is also a bridge there, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge with Observatory. It is an observatory in one of the towers of the bridge, that is 420 feet in the air!

This is from the ground, looking up. You can see the bridge where traffic rides, and then the tower continues into the sky.

Little Man was not at all phased with the height at which we were! He kept talking about the water he could see.

We then went over to the Fort. This Fort took over 20 years to complete, and was never used in battle, so it is in great condition! It is a very fun place to run and play.

Little Man tried very hard to pick up a canon ball!

My hair looks a little crazy due to the wind, but we had such a great day. Girly Girl was camping, so she missed out on the fun, having fun of her own! We will make the trip again this summer, gathering friends to go with us!!

Learning and Loving

2010-04-30T10:11:00.000-04:00

Last night was my last lecture class in Anatomy and Physiology. I have one last exam to take on Tuesday night. I can remember times in the past, hearing people talk about that class, and how intense it is, and how much time it takes to study, and to get a good grade is a very hard thing to do. I was extremely scared going into this class. I know now that God knew that, and He made sure I signed up with a GREAT teacher, who not only made things easy to understand, but also made things fun. She was a very entertaining instructor! I enjoyed her a lot. And I can't believe that two semesters of A&P are done! Our last chapter to discuss was about pregnancy and human development. This was my very favorite lecture class of them all! And not because it was the last one. ;) I just really love learning about how my babies were made and how they grew inside of me. It is all so absolutely amazing, and I'll just be bold here and say, I just can't believe that there are people in this world that don't believe we are created from our amazing Creator's hand! He thought of everything. I was in awe, as my teacher discussed how our lungs are not in use while in the womb. I knew that, but to know all of the why's, in's and out's is just awesome. Our God is an Awesome God. As we were studying the placenta and umbilical cord, I started to breathe heavier, and my heart started beating way fast. As many of you know, Little Man was born premature due to a condition called VASA PREVIA. You can read about it here. Caleb's story is here too, under Share With Us, Personal Stories and then find his name Caleb W. Chase. Blood vessels were mistaken for the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck, resulting in an emergency c-section. It wasn't until he was born, and the placenta was delivered too, that my doctor and midwife realized it was VP. There is no medical explanation for his existence. He is a survivor of this deadly condition. For the rest of the evening, Vasa Previa haunted me. I went to bed with Little Man, snuggling him close. And now as I write, he sits beside me, watching Sesame Street and munching on his favorite snack, a plain tortilla shell! God is good. Oh, so good.

Little Man, 1 month and 9 days old. In this picture, he had been in the hospital for 9 days, due to bronchiolitis. He had been home from the NICU from January 11 until the 20th, when he got sick. He didn't go home until Feb. 4.

He was one sick little boy! But time and special care healed him to perfection. :)

This was Mother's Day, 2008. Two years ago already!!

And now look at my Miracle Boy...

There.

I feel better now!

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your weekend......

I Can See Clearly Now...

2010-04-29T16:47:00.000-04:00

What is clear to me today:
My back has been hurting this week. Sort of scary. It's not my leg or the sciatica that I feel, but instead pain in my back, right to the left of my incision. My husband says that while looking at my backside (which I guess he does a lot..wink wink) that my left butt cheek is a good 3 inches higher than my right! Ahh! I ~~think~~ know my hip is out of alignment. But what to do about it, I don't know! When I was still in PT, she would line my ankles up while I was laying down, see that my right leg was longer, and then she would do some simple stretches, pulls and wala, my hip was in alignment again. But for the life of me, I can't remember the different things she would do. So I've been trying to stay on top of stretching and walking, and taking Advil! I hope it fixes it's self soon!
That picture was taken while my sister and I were visiting my Grandfather at the nursing home last week. It's a paper weight that the kids have fun with! My nephew said "here Auntie, let me take your picture while you hold this!" Anything to keep kids quiet in a nursing home!!
I'm off to my second-to-last class until Fall now! "SEE" ya!!

Happenings and Hair Cuts

2010-04-28T22:59:00.000-04:00

I've been a little MIA again, and it bugs me! I have this problem with always thinking that when I blog next, I need to fill in all the blanks in between posts. I hate starting things in the middle. For instance, I also have been procrastinating for a LONG time with scrapbooking because I have this insane need to start from the beginning, with photos that started this family, not just scrapbooking that I feel like doing just because! So anyway, I feel like I'm skipping over a lot, but to catch up on all that has been going on in the last 9 days would just be boring!

I only have 2 more classes in A & P! YESSS!! Thursday night and then my final exam is on Tuesday night. I am sooo happy. Bigger news on the school front though, is that I'm switching majors. I started out 3 semesters ago, with Health Information Technology as my interest. But after taking two classes in the program (the rest have been prerequisites) I have decided its just not my cup of tea. Instead, I am going to enroll in the Early Childhood Education program. It's still a 2 year program, and all of the classes I have taken so far have not been a complete waste. I look at like, if I hadn't taken the HIT classes, I would never know if that was something I was interested in or not. And the pre-req's, most of them will actually count towards the ECE program. I'm excited! Working with kids has always been my passion. Whether it's babysitting them, subbing in schools, working in vacation Bible schools, Sabbath School (sunday school), all that, I love working with kids! Next week I will talk to whomever I need to, to get the ball rolling.

The DiSH still isn't working.....we are now living off of tax return money, which is slowly diminishing. BUT, a wonderful surprise/answer to prayer came in the mail the other day...a check for $500 from some very very special people. And the next day, my parents hired the DiSH to finish their porch, and the pay would be the equivalent of one month's mortgage payment. He as still been watching the job openings and applying for whatever he can. But, the latest is that it is a very good possibility that he is going to upgrade his class B license to a class A, and drive truck for a while. I have very mixed feelings about that, but we also know that whatever it takes to keep our home and provide for our kids is what we will do. I grew up as a truck drivers' daughter, and so I know how I want things here at home, and how I want things when the DiSH is home. Thankfully, I have a very smart, responsible almost 16 year old to help me at home. So we shall see...

The kids are all great...Little Man got his first official haircut last week. See? Before....

All those precious baby curls!!! sniff sniff.

Not so sure of what's happening!

Not a very happy looking little BOY!

The Lolly Pop made it all better!

Girly Girl and Mr. Smarty Pants are looking forward to only 7 more weeks of school before summer vacation! Mr. SP starts his first job next week, and he's excited. GG is going camping in NH this weekend with the Pathfinder group she is in. It's a program through our church. She is very excited, but I hope she stays warm!!
I have a new laundry room, and I LOVE IT!! I'll post pics soon. I must go to bed now. It's late, and this Momma is tired. Just a few more days of studying, and then I don't know what I'll do!! Fun fun fun, that's what I need. Nite Nite!