My Son

Is quite frankly going to kill me! We are STILL trying to potty train, and he is really not making any progress. It is not because he doesn't get it because he does, if he smart enough to put a pull up over his underwear and then pee in them he is smart enough to go in the dang toilet! I just don't know what to do with him and it is time to potty train. He is over three! This is one of my least favorite aspects of parenting, but I don't remember the girls being this difficult. I mean you ask him if he wants to use the potty and he screams! Anyone wanna take a 3 year old for awhile potty train him and then send him back? Cause I got nothin' right now!

Book Review- 1st To Die- James Patterson

I had an online friend who had been trying to get me to read Patterson for forever and I just wouldn't do it. I have a thing about male authors, call me sexist, I don't know. Anyway so I mooched this one from Book Mooch, it is the first in the Women's Murder Club series, and I loved it. It is just the kind of mystery thiller I like. It was a tad predictable, but it had really interesting and enjoyable characters. It did have a sort of bummer of an ending, but I could get past that. I have already mooched the 2nd book in the series and should get it soon. If you are a Mary Higgins Clark or Sue Grafton fan, I think you would really like James Patterson.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas All! I hope your Christmas was blessed! We had a wonderful Christmas. I am always sad when Christmas ends. All the work to prepare for and it is over in a flash! Plus it is just one more reminder that my kids are getting older. I wonder how many more years I will have frantic searches for the perfect toy or how many more years I can get away with buying clothes from the Children's Place or Penney's? Hopefully for awhile longer anyway.

Merry Christmas!

My New Favorite Thing!

I don't know how many of you are award of this site, especially those book worms among you. It is called Book Mooch, and how it works is you list books you want to give away and you get points to request books that you want. You get so many points for listing books, 1 point for each book you give away, and points for providing feedback. You pay the cost to ship the book to the person requesting, which sending it media mail costs abut $2.23. It is a great way to get books for cheap especially ones you don't want to keep! So check it out!

www.bookmooch.com

Book Review- Midwives

I just finished this book by Chris Bohjalian, I wanted to read it since I saw the movie on Lifetime. This book was a really good read, a great courtroom thriller with a significant family dynamic as well. It had believable characters that you really pull for. The book centers around a midwife who endures a horrific home birth, the book is about the repercussions of the decesions she makes during that delivery and how those decesions affect not only her but her whole family. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and plan to check out some of the other books he has written.

Part Time Job? Yeah, not so much!

As of tomorrow I will have worked everyday but Wednesday this week, and while the money is going to be nice (nice because I haven't seen the bulk of it yet and won't until after the 15th) this has turned out to be more of a time commitment than I wanted it to be. I don't mind doing it but my house is a wreck and I have laundry up to my eye balls and I hate having to do it on the weekend when the kids and Bruce are home! Plus I don't have the guts to tell them NO! I am afraid if I start saying no that they won't call me at all anymore! UGH! Plus I am missing my Cooperman! OH well, they can only make me do 75 days total the whole year, so at the rate I am going I should breeze through those pretty quick!

I Saw Twilight!

We went out with some friends last Friday night and saw the Twilight movie. We started the evening with a meal in down town Fort Smith at Rolondo's, which was so yummy and different. It was Latin American food and it was so good. Anyway about the movie. My friend and I loved it the guys not so much! There were a few scenes and characters that weren't exactly like I pictured them. Ones that stand out are the Eric character, and the scene where Edward shows Bella what he looks like in the sun. There were a few more but I can't remember them specifically. I can't wait for them to make more of the movies! I really enjoyed my night out.

Book Review- Multiple Blessings

I begged Bruce for this book the other day at Sam's because I really like the show John and Kate Plus Eight. I don't miss an episode and it is something my kids and I can watch together, because they really like it as well. So, I got the book and I read it and it was a quick read and you know I like a quick read. It is not the book wasn't it good, it gave a lot of background about their family, but really no more than you get from watching the show. It was not really well written and I found it to be both disjointed and rambling in places. It was a fun a read but not really something I think I would recommend unless you are just a die hard fan of the show.

The Things You Will Do For Your Children

One of those things consisted of me hauling my butt out of bed at 4:15 A.M (yes that is am people) on the Friday after Thanksgiving (yes, I said the Friday after Thanksgiving) and heading to the death trap that is know as Wal-Mart! Yes, I did this to purchase a Thomas the Train Roundhouse, which is the only thing the boy has asked for this year for Christmas!

I worked retail for years, so I usually avoid the day after Thanksgiving sales like the plaque! I just find people to generally be a pain in the rear on that day. Yesterday was no different! I couldn't even push my cart through the aisle! It was nuts! Anyway I love my boy, I have the said Thomas set and it only cost me my pride and $15. It will be a Merry Christmas!

I am Blessed!

Tis the season to be thankful so in that light these are the things that I am thankful for this year. I am thankful for my 3 children and all the chaos they bring to me each day. There are some days where they literally have me to the point of pulling my hair out, but my life would be so incomplete without each of them in it. Alex in all her studiousness and seriousness. I am in awe of her tenacity everyday. She works so hard to accomplish the goals she sets forth for herself and tries so hard each day to make us proud of her, which we are EXTREMELY. Alex will go places on shear will alone, she is not afraid to work hard for her accomplishments, and I can see her accomplishing so many things. She is my learning curve and teaching me something new each day, my first baby girl, one of my greatest gifts.

My Meg the life of the party the encourager, but also a terribly hard worker. She has fun with anything she does, and never fails to bring a smile to my face at least once if not several times a day. She is well liked, she is funny, and she can light up a room in an instant. She is fearless nothing phases her. Meg will be one to ride the roller coasters with her eyes wide open and her arms raised high. When I went to her Halloween party the other day the aide for the building stopped me, she said we just love your daughter she keeps us going over here. Meg has figured out her purpose early in life, she just spreads joy where ever she goes. I can't wait to see where that takes her.

Cooper, oh my Cooper, my biggest surprise who has quiet frankly stolen my heart. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank my heavenly father for bringing this little boy into my life, for my life would not be nearly as full without him in it. He is curious, he is loving, he is smart and in a way where I don't think he will ever have to work at things like Alex does it will just come easily to him. He warms my heart daily, he is compassionate and loving. He would be just perfect if he would use the toilet!

My other blessing is Bruce. He is the best husband and I hope he doesn't read this, I don't want all the good things I am saying about him to go to his head! LOL We have know each other since I was a junior in high school, we grew up together. We learned how to be couple. He is such a good provider for our family and he is truly my best friend. I am immensely proud of him and all he has accomplished. He is my soul mate and I am so glad that God had our paths cross those many years ago.

I am extremely thankful for my parents and all that they do to help my family. I couldn't ask for better parents. They have been there for us in so many ways over the years whether it be financial or emotional support. I am truly blessed to have them as parents.

I am thankful for my extended family and all each of them brings to my life.

I am thankful for friends new and old and all that they bring to my life and my family's life. I have been truly blessed in my life to have some really good friends and I am so thankful for that.

I am thankful for those blessings that are no longer with me namely my Poppa and Granny. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about them and miss them terribly. I was so fortunate to get to live so close to them and fortunate that they played a huge role in my upbringing. I am thankful that as I got older that they were still there for me always encouraging and supporting me and the decisions I made. Those of you fortunate enough to still have grandparents living make sure you don't take them for granted. I am not sure I ever really fully conveyed how much they meant to me and how much I relied on the simple fact that they were always there until one day they weren't. OH how there are days that I wish I could have one more conversation with each of them, if only to tell them how much I loved and appreciated them.

I am thankful to live in American and for all the liberites and freedoms that affords me even typing this completely rambling litany of thoughts. I realize how truly blessed I am, and I am so thankful for all of my blessings even those that I didn't think to mention.

Happy Thanksgiving All, I hope you take time today to count your blessings as well!

Kindergarten Kicked My Butt Today!

And I only did half a day! I am so exhausted and I am headed back tomorrow to do music. I love subbing for the music teacher she always leaves a video! NICE! LOL I have to do high school in the afternoon and I am a bit apprehensive about that so wish me luck!

Other things going on this week are my mom's birthday tomorrow, Alex's birthday Wednesday, I am having a spa party Friday night, and I am so excited that we have all next week off! Bruce has to work Monday but other than that we will be free to do as we please. He and I are owed a date night so I am hopefully going to get dinner and a movie.

Oh and it is 10:30 and I am typing this from bed, I never go to bed before midnight, and I just about ready to hit the hay. I told you kindergarten kicked my butt!

Book Review- Tha Last Lecture

Okay first a warning about this book it is a 5 hankie book, unless you are completely cold hearted and devoid of emotion this book will make you cry. It will also make you reflect, appreciate what you have, take a long look at your life, and laugh out LOUD over and over again.

This book was written by Randy Pausch who was a computer science professor at Carnegie Melon University. They had a lecture series at the university that they called the Last Lecture, which professors were asked what knowledge they would impart to their students if they were giving their LAST lecture. The thing is for Randy Pausch it would be his last lecture as he had recently found out the he had terminal pancreatic cancer. I was so moved by this book. I laughed, I cried, and I laughed some more. The man was a born story teller and you see that in the book. I was moved by his courage, his love for his wife and three small children, plus he was pretty smart guy. I loved reading about all of the childhood dreams he was able to accomplish and even the ones that didn't quite turn out the way he expected.

In one part of the book he wrote about the scene from the Natural, where the ball player battered and wounded steps up to plate and knocks one out of the park. I couldn't help but find a striking similarity between him and Pausch, there he stood a defeated man, he knew what his destination was and that it was quickly approaching, and yet he faced it head on with dignity, heart, selflessness, and most importantly humor. Quite frankly Mr. Pausch you hit one out of the park!

Even if you don't read the book you can watch the lecture www.thelastlecture.com

Book Review-Eclipse

This is the 3rd book in the Twilight series and it was so much better than the last one. I love the whole love triangle going on and find myself wondering who Bella is going to pick. This and the first one are still in a toss up for my fave. It was just suspenseful enough not to be too overwhelming. I should be starting Breaking Dawn soon. I am taking a small break from Twilight to read some other things I had piling up.

I have been a Blog slacker!

I have a good excuse though! I have been BUSY! As most of you know or don't know since I became pregnant with my oldest I have been a stay at home wife and then mom. That was 10 years ago! I had a brief stint as a teacher's aid for an alternative education program, but other than that I have stayed home. That being said with Christmas approaching like most of the US we found ourselves in need of some extra cash, so I have been working. I am substituting at the girls school whenever and wherever they will have me. So far I have done 2nd grade twice 1st grade once (this one was ROUGH!) and Kindergarten (triple loved this!!) Anyway so that is how I have been spending my days and then when I get home or days that I don't have to go in I am frantically trying to stay on top of my house, which let's face it with 3 kids is pretty much a losing battle.

I will update when I can. Oh and thank you Tasha for the blog award, and as soon as I figure out how to put the pretty picture of it up on my computer I will get it put up. I hate being semi computer illiterate. When it comes to computer knowledge I know just enough to be dangerous. Also forthcoming is another book review. I am on a reading roll!!

Anyway I hope you all are doing well, and I will try not to be such a slacker while I am figuring out how to get into a routine!

Don't Forget to Vote Today!

Don't forget to go out and cast your vote today. Bruce and I will got together as soon as he gets home today. I am always a little disheartened voting as democrat in a republican state, but still feel that I should make my voice heard and hope to make it as tight a race as possible!

Book Review- Grace

One of my most favorite authors is Richard Paul Evans, he usually puts out a book every year at Christmas time. This year's book is called Grace. It is a 5 hankie book! It is about a young girl who is a runaway and the relationship she develops with the young boy who agrees to hide her. I really enjoyed this one, but like I said keep the Kleenex handy, it is a tear jerker! It was also a very quick read, I started it this morning and finished it a bit ago.

Book Review- New Moon

Finally finished the 2nd book in the Twilight series New Moon. This one took me forever to finish. It was not nearly as good as the first one, but hang on through the beginning because it does get better at the end. FINALLY! LOL I am trying to get all of them finished before the movie release. Bruce is listening to them on his IPOD, so he said he would take me to the movie as he felt it would be a mutally agreeable choice. We have this ongoing battle of movie choices. LOL I have the third book Eclipse, that I will be starting soon. I hope it doesn't start as slow as this last one did, if it does I don't know if I can hang in there!

Sunday School Discussion

UGH! I hate politics. I rarely talk politics, and I hate when other people do. The topic of discussion today in our Sunday School class turned to the upcoming election. It is hard being a liberal Christian in a room full of conservative ones. I am sick of politicians using people's faith to win their vote. I am sick of being told what I want to hear only to see no action to back it up. Most of the people I go to church will vote on the abortion issue alone if they are pro-choice then forget it. Here's my issue with that, if I really thought that John McCain would go in there guns blazing and take on the abortion issue I might just vote for him. The thing is he is not going to do that nor is any elected official ever going to do that! I don't even know if that is the right thing to do. I mean to me it is a moral issue. For me abortion would never, ever be a choice no matter what the circumstances, but just because that is my belief does that mean I have to force that belief on everyone else. So in that way Obama's beliefs align with mine. He has said publicly that while he does not personally believe in abortion he does not believe it is his right to force that belief on everyone else. Just like you can't say the only religious affiliation you can have is Baptist.

Oh and then they want to look at John McCain as a pillar of morality?!? The man that cheated on his wife and then left her for the new wife? Or the man that has been married to the same woman for 19 years?

Anyway I guess you can figure out who I will be voting for?!? Although I hope no one in my Sunday School class reads this they may kick me out! I am just so tired of feeling like I am not a good Christian because I won't vote the Republican ticket, but when the Republicans quit letting rich, pampered, out of touch with middle class society (of which I am a member), white men on ticket then we will talk. When they quit telling me one thing and doing another then we can talk. When they quit making the rich richer and the poor poorer then we will talk. When they find someone who knows exactly what kind of car they drive and how many houses they own then we can talk. When they put someone on their ticket that might actually stand for something other than looking out for their own best interest, then we can talk. Until then, I will be voting democrat, not that it will matter in my state, but whatever, I am over it just completely over it!!

Guess what I got at doctor's office yesterday?

A lovely stomach bug! UGH! I am having the worst luck right now! I woke up early this morning hitting the bathroom. Now there is something you need to know about me, I don't throw up, I will literally make myself miserable to keep from throwing up. So, I hate stomach bugs!! Anyway I have been successful in my attempt not to throw up, but what doesn't come out one end, well you get the picture!

This is the kicker though, today is Meg's birthday, and they had the day off from school and we had all these grand plans about what we were going to do. Bake and decorate a cake, and just have a fun day. So we had all these plans and I couldn't manage to stay ot of the bathroom or get out of the bed! I am feeling a bit better tonight, but my stomach is still a bit unpredictable! I feel like I have ruined Meg's birthday, plus Alex was supposed to have a friend over as well. So they were both none too happy with me!

Anyway, I will have to vent about my doctor's appointment another day! Let's just say I had a 3 hour wait to have my staples removed. Not a happy camper!!

Icing on the Cake!

You know what goes well with just having gall bladder surgery?!? CRAMPS! UGH! One of these years I am going to get better at planning things! Anyway I am doing much better. I get the staples out on Thursday, can't wait for that! Meg's birthday is Friday, I can't believe my baby girl is going to be six!! This is followed by Cooper's birthday next Monday. My baby will be 3! Every other time I have had a 3 year old I have either been pregnant or had a newborn! That won't be happening this time!

SORE!

Oh man I feel like I have done 1000 sit-ups with out the benefit of a tight tummy! Plus my throat is horribly sore, I am assuming from the tube that was shoved down my throat. Anyone have any ideas on how to help that? Anyway other than that I am doing well, moving around albeit a bit slow. I am fixing to go take a nice warm shower finally! YEAH! Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers.

Surgery In the Morning

I have to be there to check in at 8:30. No telling when I will get to come home, but hopefully it won't take all day long, but I am not naive to the way hospitals work. Anyway prayers would be much appreciated!

My House Is Clean!

We finished everything up today, even the girl's room, and my mom came and shampooed my carpets. I didn't tackle Bruce's office. I am hoping he does it next week sometime. But I am okay with it being a mess. I can have my surgery in peace now! LOL

Book Review-Twilight

Yea, so I caved to public opinion and finally read this. I am so glad I did because it was really good. I enjoyed it much more than what I thought I would. I really liked the characters, it had a good plot, and I love that there are sequels! I am already reading the 2nd one. It is geared to young adults and is very much written that way, but still very enjoyable. Plus there is a movie coming out in November,and I am one of those that has to read the book before I see that movie, so I am way ahead of the game on this one. Also the main character Edward is being played by the hottie who was Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter movies, extra points there! Anyway just sharing, it was a fun read not life changing or anything, but a good waste of time!

PICTURES!

We had pictures made last weekend, and the lady that took them got some really good ones. You can take a peek at them at www.mpix.com

email: mom2alexmegcoop@gmail.com
password: photos

I Kicked Butt Today!

I really got a lot accomplished today. YEAH ME! I am going back to a list tomorrow, even though I did better without one, LOL.

Tomorrow's List
Kid's Bathroom
Clean sink, tub, mirror, and toilet-DONE
Mop-DONE

Cooper's Room
Pick up
Organize closet
Vacuum
Wash sheets

Mop Entry Way-DONE

General Clean up of entire house-DONE
Vacuum MB, Living Room, and Dining Room AGAIN!-DONE

Office
General Pickup
Dust stuff in there
Mop, UGH!

Wash the girl's winter coats and mine and Bruce's while my laundry is all caught up!

WHEW!

Okay I am forgoing my list...

I just can't be a list follower today, I am in a rather rebellious mood, so if I have to clean it will not be dictated by a list! So there!

This what I have done today
Laundry is caught up with the exception of what everyone wore today.
picked up what my kids messed up last night
made my bed
cleaned my stove top that was NASTY (I have a ceramic which I love, love, love, because even when it gets nasty it cleans beautifully!)
Lit some candles(Hey my house may be a wreck but by golly it is going to smell nice.)
Unloaded and Loaded the dishwasher twice ( I loathe this and usually make Bruce do it, but he didn't last night and I can't clean on the kitchen with dishes in the sink.)
Cleaned the bar
Cleaned counter tops
Mopped Kitchen
Contemplated hanging pictures, decided to wait because Bruce is more precise than I am. Bruce got those hung for me tonight.
Bruce moved the boxes upstairs, I never went through them. I will later when I am not rushed.
Vacuumed master bed room, living room and dining room. Did living and dining room twice.
Played on the internet a lot.
Blogged several times
Made microwave pancakes for Cooper's breakfast
Microwaved popcorn for his snack (don't get between me and my microwave!)
Made Cooper some soup for lunch. (Opened can, used microwave, what did we do before microwaves?)
Cooked Dinner
Checked 50 million times for an email from the lady that took our pictures this weekend because I am anxious to see them.
Got Cooper to poop on the potty.
Watched him run around the house totally au naterale because I was too exhausted to stop him!

Look at that list and it is only noon! I may have a productive day yet! Updated at 7 o'clock, when I finally sat down!

My Big YEAH for the week!

Okay as I mentioned in an earlier post, I had gotten 2 separate bills for my surgery one from that surgeon and one from the hospital that totaled $800. UGH! I was so upset about this because they made it sound like they would not do the surgery unless this was paid up front! So, while I was doing my blood work yesterday I decided to tackle this issue. I went to the surgeon's office first. They had no clue how much I owed. I was like then why did you send me a bill?!? Anyway I go back into the office of the finance manager. She says I have contacted your insurance and because you are closer to meeting your deductible they are paying more on your services, so if you will just pay me $150 now then we will be square. WTHeck that is half of the original. I was afraid she would change her mind so I quickly wrote her the check and was on my way to deal with the hospital! So, I ask the hospital to do the same thing, which they did and also cut their bill in HALF! I had to pay them $234. Which was a lot better than the $400 and something they originally asked for! I am sure I will still get a bill from the anesthesiologist and such, but I think I am pretty square with them all at this point! WHEW! It is still a lot of money, but not as much at what it was at first. So that was a huge unexpected blessing! Oh and get this, they all looked at me like I was nuts for wanting to pay in adavance! I was like then why the heck did you send me a bill?!?! People are nuts!

Blah, let's not talk about yesterday!

I got nothing done cleaning wise. Yesterday took way longer than expected, then I indulged in a little retail therapy! I got Meg some cute shirts at Kohls on clearance! YEA ME! Okay so we are just going to pretend that today is is Day Three of cleaning. I will update what I get done today.

Cleaning Day Three

Okay I was a little optimistic today, I did manage to get almost all the things on my list done, and even some things that weren't on the the list. Like painting some spots in the living room that we had spackled over and never painted. And as a bonus I only have two loads of laundry and I am caught up.

Okay tomorrow I have to go and have blood work done for the surgery next week, and fight with the billing department because they want $800 up front! UP FRONT and I have insurance just imagine what it would be if I didn't! UGH! Anyway the point of that is that it is going to be a short day.

The list
Finish what was left over on yesterday's list
Finish what is left of laundry
Hang the family photos on the wall that have been hidden in a drawer for the last 6 mos!
Clean kid's bathrooom

Cleaning Day Two!

Okay here is tomorrow's list, since I did so well today! LOL

Living Room-
Go through the boxes and see what can go in attic and what need to be thrown away.
Dust TV Stand, TV, Buffet, and things on wall-DONE
Clean the spots my lovely son put on my curtains-DONE
General Pickup-DONE
Cob webs
Clean Fan
Vacuum-DONE

Dining Room
General Pick Up-DONE but then we ate dinner and it was pretty much for naught!
Clean Table-See ABOVE
Clean Bar-DONE
Cob Webs
Clean light fixture
Dust things on Wall and corner shelf

Misc
At least 4 loads of laundry I have done way more the four in fact I am just about caught up. Good way to procrastinate my other cleaning.
I also need to go grocery shopping, YUCK!

Remember the Be Kool Patch!

Yea well, the boy loves them too. He loves them so much that he found the package that I had hidden from him and proceeded to open everyone of them! Rendering them utterly useless! Thank goodness they weren't horribly expensive, but it was still 3 bucks flushed down the toilet, well not literally but you know what I mean. He told me but mommy I had a feber! UGH!

Help a girl out!

Okay I have a little over a week to get my house in order before I have my gall bladder surgery. So what I am going to do each day is post a list of things to get done for that day, and then I will blog about what I finished each night. Your mission should you choose to accept is to keep me on task and make sure I am getting my list done especially if I don't blog about it, LOL!

Monday
Master Bath
Clean tub, toilet, sink,and mirror-DONE
Move dirty clothes to laundry room and sort.-DONE
Mop bathroom floor-DONE

Master Bedroom
Wash sheets-DONE
General pick up-DONE
Dust nightstands, wipe off things hanging on wall-DONE
Knock down cob webs and such-DONE
Vacuum-DONE

Misc
Fold the MOUNTAIN of clean Laundry!(No really it was literally a mountain!) -DONE
Because I have worked so hard today go out to dinner with my friend Melody and leave Bruce home with the kids! - Taking shower now! LOL

Bruce's List (Hey you didn't think I would do all this on my own did you?!?)
Take suitcases to attic storage
Load Dishwasher
Check Vacuum to make sure it is working properly (I am pretty sure I have something stuck in there)

New Favorite Song!!

This is my new favorite song right now. It is from the movie Fireproof! (Why haven't you gone to see this movie yet?!?) It is just an awesome song! So listen to it!!


BONUS-Trailer for the movie Fireproof!!

Be Kool, Meg!!

Meg has had some type of bug for the past two days. She started running fever again tonight, so I went to Wal-Mart and found these Be Kool Patches. They have this cooling gel on them and then they stick to the forehead and helps cool them down. Here is a link. Anyway, she loved the thing. She loved the thing so much she won't take it off! Thing is I am hoping she is not running fever tomorrow so that A. she can go back to school and B. I can get my hair done and c. I don't have to take her to the dr and have her pick up gosh only knows what other germs!! YUCK! I am afraid I am going to have to pry it off her head so she can go back to school. She actually looks pretty cute, but really not the fashion statement I would want her to make. So here's hoping Meg is better tomorrow and her love of the Be Kool patch has ended. If you have a kiddo that is sick and running fever I would highly recommend these, they were pretty dang awesome! They make them in adult sizes too! They really should have to pay me for this endorsement as I know millions of my adoring fans will run out and buy soley on my recommendation! LOL

Fireproof

We went to see this tonight with our church, and it was wonderful. Here is the website www.fireproofthemovie.com. You can check out the trailer there. It is made by the same people who did Facing the Giants. It stars Kirk Cameron, who was my biggest crush when I was younger. My wall was plastered with Kirk Cameron posters. I even wrote him a letter and was devastated when he never wrote me back, LOL! Anyway the movie is about a firefighter and he and his wife are having maritial issues.They decide to get divorced but before he does his dad asks he to take 40 days and do the Love Dare. You guys it is so good, it made me laugh and cry. Just a really really good movie. I would urge anyone who is married to see it with their spouse!!

The Shack-William P. Young

I bought this one back in the summer, and it was one of those books that I kept putting off in favor of something or another. I finally picked it back up a couple of weeks ago, and I am so glad I did. This book is a wonderful portrait of how a relationship with God would be without the interruptions of the world.

The premise of the book is this, Mack who has lost his youngest daughter Missy in a horrific event, think every parent's worst nightmare, and is now dealing with all the repercussions an event like this will bring. One snowy afternoon receives a noet in his mailbox presumably from God. Telling him that he will be at the shack (the place of Missy's death) this weekend if he would like to join him. Mack decides to take the chance to return to the Shack and what results is story of relationships, forgiveness, and resolution. It is to me a very allegorical tale, but the relationship that it portrays between Mack and God, Mack and Jesus, and Mack and the Holy Spirit will really cause you to take pause and look at your own relationship with them. It is a different perspective on what that relationship would be like.

Now, while there were things that theologically I did not agree with, the message is still a beautiful one. This book is a work of fiction it is not meant to be read as doctrine, it is just one man's perspective on what a relationship with God could look like. There were many parts of this book that I had to go back and reread, many parts that caused me tears, and many parts that made me say I never looked at or considered it in that way. I think this a book that everyone should read. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book.

"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you. Mack, pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly. And if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." -PAPA

New Book Review Coming Soon!!

As soon as I finish it that is! LOL

Meg, the Spitter!

So Meg busts in from school the day before yesterday just bawling. I am like what is wrong, and she says I had to pull my stick today. (This is their behavior system at school.) So, I asked her why she had to pull her stick, thinking it would be for talking, and she said because I spit at C. I said you what, trying not to totally lose my temper. Then I precede to try to get the story from her, why would she do that blah, blah, what exactly happened, etc. So she said it was an accident she was just talking and accidentally spit while doing that. So I told her we don't do that blah blah, grounded her from the computer for the night, and then called my mom to see if her teacher said anything to her when she picked her up. Mom said no but she would ask about it. Yesterday Meg comes home and mom tells me what her teacher said happened which is a totally different story than I got from Meg. She spit at 2 girls and she did it because she was mad they were playing together and then when one of the girls laughed at her for getting her stick pulled she hit her. UGH! So, she lied to me which in my house is an infraction of the worst kind. I mean they know punishment is going to be way worse if they lie about it. So I grounded her from the computer for the rest of the week and she also got a spanking. She also has to apologize to her teacher, as well as the 2 girls. Which she has today to do on her own or I am going up there tomorrow. I was just floored that she would do that, and feeling like a failure as a parent. She knows better than that! What the heck was she thinking?!?

The gall bladder it be coming out!

October 15th is the day! Oh, and my surgeon is so not twelve! Much to my relief. Anyway he says it is no big deal in and out there you go. Of course he is the one doing the surgery not the one having it! I really liked him, so that was good. You know the really brainy dr types sometimes don't have the best personalities, but he did so that is good. I am still not thrilled about having to be put under, but someone told me to look at it like a really good sleep, and we all know I could use a really good sleep. I feel better about it now that I have met the dr. So, I will soon be gall bladderless let's hope they don't make a mistake and take out my appendix or a kidney or ovary, but heck I really don't need the ovaries anymore anyway, unless by some miracle of God the vacestomy didn't take, and then well honestly I would have bigger problems. Like a padded cell, cause one more kid would do me in! LOL

I love...

all these people that get to my blog via the Daddy has a big penis entry! Boy aren't they disappointed! Ya perves! LOL

Surgeon Tomorrow

I have an appointment in the morning with the surgeon. I am pretty sure he is going to tell me that my gall bladder has to come out. I am not looking forward to that, but in the grand scheme of surgeries I hear this one is not too bad.

My gyno, whose office diagnosed my gall stones, called the other night to talk to me and I wasn't home. He proceeded to tell Bruce to make sure I make it to my appointment and not to let me cancel it, and take me himself if need be. So, I guess I should go, huh, LOL!

Anyway prayers would be appreciated! Thanks!

Jesus Be Mad at Chew!

Okay so, we are sitting in the living room tonight, and I was trying to watch the Big Brother finale and my kids were being WILD! I had asked them to please be quiet no less than 500 times. When finally I lost it!

I told them if they were going to stay in here with me then they were going to have to keep their mouths shut!

To which the boy replies OMMMM Jesus be mad at chew!

I said what? He said you be mean and Jesus be mad at chew!

See I have used this on him a number of times, not that Jesus would be mad at him but that Jesus would be sad or cry or whatever. I hate when they use my own reprimands against me. It really isn't fair. LOL Especially when it works!

Carried to the Table

Which is exactly what I got to do this weekend. I and 9 other lovely ladies from my church headed to the women's fall retreat this weekend. It was awesome and something that I totally needed. I got to hear some wonderful speakers, some awesome music, spend time was some wonderful ladies and most of all spend time with God. I had several ah ha moments this weekend that I pray will result in an renewed commitment to God for me. I mean I am devoted to my church, involved in several different ministries within the church. We go as a family Wednesday morning, Sunday morning and Sunday night, but God revealed to me that while I may be devoted to my church I am not devoting myself to my personal relationship to God with the same fervor. I hope to remedy that. I go about life with all these that keep me busy all these things that I think I have to do, but what I realized while many of those things are good and many even important they aren't the most important thing. I mean I have the I got tos and the I have tos and the I need tos and the I want tos like no one's business, but the thing I realized I was neglecting the one thing that I HAVE to do, the one the thing that is going to make the only type of eternally lasting impact on my life and that is letting my relationship with God have its rightful priority in my life. He so desires to have me make him a priority in my life, and I have so let Him down, but what is so awesome to me is that that no longer matters anymore, he is going to meet me right where I am right now with all my blemishes and imperfections, and he welcomes me back with open arms with a sigh and a I missed you, it has been way to long. Praise God that is so wonderfully forgiving, even when I make mistakes, and Praise God that he still wants a personal relationship with little old insignificant me, because to him I am not insignificant I am LOVED and DESIRED and IMPORTANT. So Lord here I am and I am opening myself up to be used by you in whatever you desire to use me for. I pray that you can use my imperfections to glorify you!

I wanted to share this song that just really sums up my gratefulness for my salvation and for my God. See I am wretch forgiven by grace and nothing that I could do in my own strength can save me, but praise the Lord he carried me to table!

Book Review- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I will admit I was totally prepared to not like this book. The topic really didn't interest me, or so I thought, but this book is wonderful and I will would recommend it to anyone! Okay back to the topic this story was centered around a depression era traveling circus. They traveled by train which was a pretty neat plot line as well, and it was a love story, and I LOVE a love story, especially a good love story. I say it was a love story but not in the traditional sense, I mean it was in the traditional sense, but there is also other love stories that shine through in this book. (That sentence doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I hope you get the gist, hence the reason I am not an author!) This author really did her homework and the historic details and antedotes she added to the story especially those that were somewhat factual really added to her telling of the story. The thing that I loved most is that I thought that I had it figured out and I was wrong, and in this case I loved that I was wrong! It has a really neat twist, that I didn't see coming. Anyway great book, great writing, fairly quick read, and it made me cry, and in my estimation that is is a sign of a great book!

You Say It's Your Birthday!!!

Why, yes it is! I turned 31 day. I celebrated by having a day out with my friend Melody. She took me to lunch and we did a little shopping. She is fab company so that alone made it a pretty spectacular day, except for the craptastic service we got at Applebee's but I am not going to complain on my birthday! I might complain tomorrow, I will let you know.

My dear hubby brought me roses and a Whitman's Sampler, LOL, plus some IOUS for when we have some more cash. My mom got me a new comforter set and a gown, and some cash. I am going on a women's retreat this weekend so I am going to go get some new shirts or maybe some new tennis shoes.

It still surprises me as I get older how much a non event my birthday is anymore. I just remember waiting for them when I was younger and now it is just kinda like EH, although I certainly prefer having birthdays than to the alternative! Oh well, I am now 31, and seems like just a bit ago I was turning 16! Now I have 3 kids, my life still kinda startles me at times, I am kinda like when did this happen, LOL!

Anyway it has been a pretty great birthday, and my dad will make me a birthday dinner Sunday my choice, which was chicken and dumplings! Yum I can't wait!

I wanted to end with the sweet email my darling hubby sent me for my birthday today.

Thirty one years ago you were born.

Fourteen years ago you met me.

Ten years ago you married me.

Eight years ago Alexa was born.

Five years ago Meg was born.

Three years ago cooper was born.

Last year you turned thirty.

This year...

Is another year Alexa, Megan, Cooper, and myself get to spend with you.

Somehow it seems like we are the ones getting the presents.

We love you "oodles",

Alexa, Megan, Cooper, and Bruce

Procrastination, It's an Art.

Okay here is the dealio (did I just use that word?), my house is a wreck! Since I haven't felt well, it has just totally piled up. Bruce is usually pretty good about helping me keep things straight, but with three kids it is really a never ending battle! Plus the 2 older ones were home an extra day this week and this does not help organizational matters especially when the 2 older ones are BORED! Which they told me they were about 500 times on Monday, to which I replied I guess I should have just sent you to school, to which the middle one replied Well, you should have, there is just no arguing with that one, it is a lost cause.

So, my point and I do have one, I need to be cleaning, and what am I doing? Writing about procrastination to procrastinate having to clean my house. See this where the art comes in, now when my husband comes home and looks at what I have accomplished to day, which at the rate I am going won't be much, and he goes honey what exactly did you do today, I can say I had a pressing matter to blog about! That is where the art part comes in, see this writing thing kinda keeps me sane, keeps me zen, keeps me from being a big old witch, he will not argue with the power of the blog. See I will have successfully procrastinated my cleaning until he is home on Saturday and has to help me. It is an evil plan, and mean since the house is kinda supposed to be my job, since I don't have an actual outside of the house kinda job, but see this is my view on things. I am a stay at home mom, not a stay at home housekeeper, so for me a good job performance entails the young one being fed, clothed, bathed, and happy, if I can do those things and maybe play a little train or watch Cars for the 2,00oth time, or sneak a little nap together, I count it a successful day. Although at the moment he is only wearing a pull up, dancing madly on my couch screaming I want Nick JR, hasn't been bathed, he refused to eat anything but a tube of yogurt for breakfast, oh and he is a potty training drop out! Maybe I am not as successful as I thought I was, but he sure is happy!

I am a Gall Stone Machine!

Yep, you know it is bad when the ultrasound tech puts the wand on and immediately goes "Oh girl!" I was diagnosed with gall stones today. I have no idea how many, the nurse just said several so I am assuming that could be 2 or 200. I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 18th, and my surgeon seriously looks like he is 12, I am hoping the picture is from a while ago! LOL I guess that means he will be really up to date on all the latest trends! Right?!?

I have only been put under one other time and that was to have my wisdom teeth removed, and I was young and dumb then! I am a bit terrified of the prospect of even having to have surgery, even though if they have to do it they will do it laproscopically. Still though I don't know that I want someone poking around in my guts! I mean would you want someone checking out your guts?!? And really I would like to lose about 30lbs before the surgery, think that is a valid excuse for putting it off!?! I just pray I don't have another attack before they decide what they are going to do, which most likely will involve them seeing my guts!

Oh GEESH!

Remember that dr's appointment I posted about earlier today, well yeah, its Thursday! I felt so stupid when I went to check in and they were like yea, ummm you can come back Thursday. No more pain meds for me, LOL! I can't take it! So prayers Thursday please. Thanks!

Doctor Today

I am headed off to my OB/GYN and he is going to do an ultrasound on my gall bladder to see if there are any stones, or what may be going on. Maybe then I can figure out why I feel like crap all the time! Anyway prayers would be appreciated! MWAH!

I am a Slave to the Whims of a Two Year Old!

I sit here trying to type with said two year old crawling all over me, cause heaven forbid he be still for 5 seconds. We have just finished a battle over the TV, because I had it on a taped (DVR actually but I am a child of the 80's) movie of Cars, and because of all the said moving around, he punched the remote and changed the channel. Which met with a chewing from him because he thought I did it, "Hey dude it is all your fault!" I scramble to change it back to just to shut him up, in the meantime he has become engrossed in an episode of Calliou. I get it back on Cars, only to be met with vicious protests of wanting Calliou back! I like Calliou, I want Calliou, put it back on Calliou! UGH See this is how I spend my days now! Tens years ago if you would have asked me what I would be doing in ten years, I would have said shaping young minds as a high school English teacher! Now, I am shaping the mind of my own 2 year old. Well, you know really now that I think about is not too bad a gig, but the pay SUCKS! What did you think you would be doing now 10 years ago?

Could someone please tell me?

How if I got a shot in one side of my butt, why the other side hurts too? My other butt cheek is having sympathy pains! Either that or I have just been sitting on my butt too long! Who knows, but I am sore, that is for sure!

ER Visit, and Just Another Reason I Hate Living in a Small Town

Okay, very rarely will you hear me complain about small towns and living in them, because for the most part I love it. I love not having to worry about my kids playing outside or being snatched outside the Wal-Mart. Today though I hate living in a small town! I had to go to the ER last night, I was having some horrible upper abdominal pain, that just would not go away. I took several Tums, a warm bath, tried to sleep in the chair, on the couch, paced the floor, made Bruce rub my back when I could get him to stay awake, nothing was helping! I suffered for 3 hrs before I said I couldn't take it anymore. We call mom she comes down to watch the kids and Bruce and I head to the ER. Now, mind you there is a much bigger town about 30 mins away with 2 larger hospitals. (These aren't booming metropolises but are bigger than our town!) But I didn't think I could stand riding in the car for 30 mins because I was hurting so bad in my upper abdomen and my back.

We get there and there is no one there (benefit of a small hospital), they take down all my info and tell me to take a sit in the waiting room. I sit and was there for like 5 mins (another benefit)and they call me back. They ask my weight, bp, and ask what is going on and I tell the nurse, she takes me to room. Now ya'll I am not kidding I was in there like maybe 5 mins and in comes the dr. I was so impressed, it must have been a slow morning in the ER. He comes in pushes on my stomach a bit, that did not help! He says he thinks it could be an early onset of gall stones, so they were going to do some blood work, and give me shot for pain. Again maybe 5 mins pass, and the nurse comes in gives me a shot and takes blood. Now in between time this guy comes in with chest pain. I mean this guy was carrying on something awful! So I began to doze cause when it comes to pain meds evidently I can hold those like I hold my liquor, not at all! I am in and out dozing hoping someone comes back soon. I wait, and doze, and wait, and doze, you see the pattern. Finally he comes back says the blood work was fine, so they are sending me home with a prescription of Nexium and some pain meds, and that I should follow up with my family physician. I told him I didn't have a family physician, and he just kinda looks at me and goes okay. So, I figure he will go ahead and run the tests, ummmm nope! They finally discharge me about 9, we got there at 6! I have no idea what is wrong with me, and I am still loopy from that shot! LOL I go to get my prescription filled at the Wal-Mart and the dag gum nexium is $156 bucks, that about sent me back to the ER! UGH!

Anyway I have an appt with my OB/Gyn for an ultrasound of my gall bladder. Thank goodness he could do it. So, the moral of my story is heart attack trumps gall bladder. Remember it people, especially in a small town, with only one freakin dr in the ER!!!

Pink Blog

Pretty cool and very girly, dontcha think?!?

Book Reviews!

Yes, plural reviews because since my last one I have read count them 2 more books. I read the next two books that I had in the Love Comes Softly series, called Love's Enduring Promise, and Love's Long Journey. Both were really good, not a hard read in fact neither of them took me more than 2 days give or take. Both made me cry so if you don't like a book that makes you cry these aren't for you. I love the message of faith that both had and they were really uplifting. Think Little House on the Prairie for adult women. Anyway if you would like to read a good Christian series of books give these a peep! I will be picking up the next ones as soon as I can.

Why are weekends so short?!?!

It is the start of another week! UGH! LOL Mondays are not my favorite day of the week! We had a good weekend. We took the our kids and some of the kids from church bowling and out for pizza for a back to school bash. We had a good time. Megan even got a strike and a spare on the last frame. She was quite proud of herself. Cooper got tired of it toward the end, but it was way past nap time at that point. Alex enjoyed it as well. They had never been bowling before, so it was quite the event for them.

My friend Kyla and her husband Bryan came over Saturday night. We whipped the boys in a game of spades, big time! LOL So we played some Trivial Pursuit after that so they could redeem their manhood. We had sworn off playing Trivial with them a long time ago because they always kick the crap out of us! They did win, but Kyla and I had a good showing, we had more than just one piece of the pie, LOL. While playing we realized how horribly out of date our game is, but if I remember correctly Bruce got that for me the first year we were married for Christmas, and that was 10 years ago. So, yes it may be time to update, LOL.

Sunday was church, and then I went to help Bruce move into his new office at the school. So all in all a fun but fairly uneventful weekend. I am looking forward to the long weekend this week! YAY!

Another Book Review

I told you I was a fast reader when I want to be, LOL! Anyway after finally finishing A Million Little Pieces, I started my next book. I read Love Comes Softly by Jeanette Oke, it is the first in a series of hers about the Davis family. There is also a series of movies on the Hallmark channel. I loved this book, it is a beautiful story of love, adversity, family, pioneer life, and faith. It was just heartwarming especially after my last reading choice. I have wanted to read the series for awhile because I love the movies, but the book was so much better than the movie and the movie is wonderful. The book had some plot differences that really added to the story. Anyway wonderful read, there is a Christian message but not an overtly preachy one. I have already started the 2nd book in the series, so I will let you know how it is!

It is FINISHED!!

I finally finished A Million Little Pieces today! I am glad I plugged through, although the epilogues at the very end were a bit of a downer! You know where they tell how everyone ended up and where they are now, of course with James Fray who knows if he was telling the truth or not. Which brings me to my next point, I have a bone to pick with Oprah! I mean we are talking about a highly, highly intelligent and educated woman. I mean girl has been around the block a few times, and I find it so hard to believe that she didn't throw up her BS flag on that whole book! Even I was sitting in some parts going "there is no way that that happened",and I am not nearly as intelligent or educated as she is.

That being said, I do think for the most part that he was truthful. I do believe he embellished some parts of the story, but who in telling a story doesn't do that to make it more entertaining? I certainly don't think he deserved the public flogging he received at the hands of the Big O! Of course he could have cleared all it up with a little tag line that said BASED on actual events! Anyway count me on team Fray though, because he really laid himself out there in the book and gave a horrifying glimpse at the life of an addict, and a hard core addict at that.

I am disappointed that I took so long to read it, but I am so glad that I did because I did end up enjoying it, and when I can I will be picking up his other book My Friend Leonard. ( But I will do it when I don't have 2o other books I would rather be reading!)

In case you didn't notice...

I am a little ADD when it comes to my Blog lay out. I get tired of things really quickly and think I have to change it up. This new one ain't lasting long, I am itching to change it already!! Anyone else a little on the ADD side?!?

A Million Little Pieces

That is the title of the book I am reading right now. A Million Little Pieces by James Fray, and it is taking me a million years to finish it, and I can't figure out why. I am too emotionally involved to quit, that is how I get totally co-dependent on the lives of others. I have to know how his stint in rehab turns out, and it is driving me nuts that is taking so long to finish. I have about 10 other books patiently waiting to be read that I can't read until I finish this book! UGH!

I am really normally a fast reader, I mean I can read a Janet Evanovich book in about a day and half, so it isn't that I am a slow reader. Anyway I am plugging on and I will get finished. IF it kills me! Which it very well might! Anyway I will let you know how it goes. I honestly don't have too terribly much left! Wish me luck!

Another Small Victory!

Cooper finally peed on the potty last night! He has already pooped in his pants this morning, but I had company and wasn't watching him like I should have been. Thank goodness he had a pull up on! Baby steps!!

First Day of School

It is official, I am the mom of a Kindergartener and and Third grader. Geesh where did the time go? Heck for that matter where did the summer go? It is a blur of t-ball, bible school, fights, annoying cartoons, and houseful of kids, all of which somehow are mine! It is just me and Cooper here today, and it is really quiet! I miss my girls already. I was so proud of them this morning Alex looked so grown up and I can't believe she has been on this earth for 9 years and yet I can't remember my life before she was in it. She was my learning curve child, the one you overprotect and make mistakes on, but I have to say she is a pretty awesome kid. She is smart, witty, beautiful, and she has such a good heart, and is so focused on doing the right thing that even though it annoys me at times makes me immensely proud. Academically she does well, and for the most part it comes easy to her, except math she takes after her mom there. I am mathematically challenged just ask any of my former math teachers!

Meg my independent child! Oh gosh she looked so cute in her new little glasses with her backpack! She was so excited to start kindergarten and see all her friends. The social aspect of school Meg has down pat, she is friendly and funny and kids really like to be around her. She stuggles a bit with the academic part, it just doesn't come as easily to her as it does to Alex, and I pray that part of that is because she couldn't see well. Now that we have her glasses I hope that part of school improves for her. Oh Meggy she is gonna be a cracker jack I tell you. She is so funny and at least once a day makes me laugh and not just a giggle but full fledged laugh out loud and then I think where does she come up with this stuff. She is also insightful and intuitive and she adds so much to our family. I am extremely proud of her as well.

So it is just me and Cooper here, working on the potty training, counting down the time until the girls get home, so I can see how the first day went. Trying to remember ever bit of it, because just like summer their school years will be over all too fast, and my house will be empty and I will be sitting here thinking where did the time go, seems like only yesterday they were in kindergarten. SIGH

A Small Success

I had a small victory last night on the potty training front! He pooped a small bit in the potty. We all got excited and clapped for him and he got a sticker on his card and a Hershey's kiss. I thought alright we may be turning a corner here, Cooper promptly smashed that dream about 3o minutes later when he pooped in his pants. One step forward three steps back! UGH!

Potty Training

As I mentioned in my last post I am going to start trying to potty train Cooper. I must say this is one of my least favorite jobs as a parent. I really think someone could become very rich if they started a potty training school. You know you take your kid daily for a week and them BAM they are potty trained, and you as a parent are much happier, and the potty trainer is 1000 bucks richer. I would pay it I tell you, because I abhor potty training.

So to start the process we went to Wal-Mart and got some brand new big boy underwear for Cooper. (I have to correct myself from calling them panties, give me a break I have successfully potty trained 2 girls and am a panty wearer myself)He picked them out he was so excited, they had all different Disney characters on them. He was so excited I thought this is going to be so easy, he is going to want to wear those so much, this potty training thing will be a breeze. We get home and he is still stoked about the underwear he has taken them out of the package and told me who was on each pair, and then he asks to put them on! I was so excited, I told him to pick out his favorite, I want lightening mcqueen car, no wall-e, no nemo, no lightening mcqueen car, just pick a pair son, okay nemo. He puts the nemo ones on, he is so proud, he models them around the room, I explain how we have to keep them dry, so you can't pee pee in the. With my penis he asks? Yes with your winkie I reply! Oh wow did he love those underwear, he loved them so much that he showed his love for them by promptly peeing in them! It is going to be a long year people, a long year!

My Girls!

Oh my girls, how I love my two girls, but quiet frankly they are going to send me to the loony bin! We are in the final countdown of summer break, and really they have been pretty good all summer as far as playing together and getting along and not driving their mother insane. That has all ended. They do not wish to get along they do not want to play with one another, and I have never seen two kids who were more competitive with one another. Sibling rivalry to the max these two.

Anyway this morning they got up insanely early, so I sent them to the living room to watch t.v., so I catch about 30 more minutes of sleep. Big mistake!! From my groggy state I hear screaming and yelling, then rustling, then Meg (who is the younger by the way) I am going to punch you in the eye! Then I hear crying! Evidently Meg follows through on a threat. UGH! The eye was okay, and after another 15 minute lecture for the 400th time about how we never hit anyone in our family ever for any reason, I am officially ready for them to go back to school. Yes, I will miss them terribly, but I will remain sane. They get along much better when they aren't spending as much time together. That leaves just me and the boy here, and we are tackling potty training this year, oh Lord help me, can't I send him to school for that?

I Have Been Tagged

Tag and I am it! FUN! LOL Anyway my friend Amber at me plus three tagged me! Anyway since I have been tagged I have to share some things about myself, and well what better topic is there, I ask?!?

On to the rules:
1. Link the person that tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

Okay here we go six unspectacular quirks of mine.

1. I love fall it is my favorite time of year, I get all giddy and happy, thinking about cool night shorter days, pumpkins, and falling leaves. It is hands down when I am the happiest with mother nature, unless it rains and then she and I have issues. (I am not sure that is quirky but I am making up my own rules here! LOL)

2. I am a planner! I love to have things planned out. I love to make list of my plans, and write things down and research options and such. A two day trip, I start planning at least 6 months in advance. I research, hotels, restaurants, I know exactly what we are going to do each day. I read reviews of hotels, I look at pictures (which isn't always a reliable method!). I am a planner, but I don't freak if my plans get alter, I just like to have a general knowledge of my final destination!

3. I love the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 and secretly afraid that I am sort of like her. Which isn't all bad except on one of her bad days, and then I look at Bruce and ask am I anything like that?!? He assures me I am not but I think he lies! LOL

4. I am addicted to using the comma and exclamation point. I can't type a blog post, board post, MySpace comment, email, or write a letter without a gross use and misuse of both the comma and the exclamation point! See there I go, it is a sickness I tell you. Crap I used a comma! OH MY GOSH someone make me stop! It is hopeless.

5. I am very messy! I can't help it, my house on most days is a total disaster and I did not get the gene from my mother of anal retentiveness and I can sleep just fine if there are dishes in the sink and laundry to be done! Sorry!

6. I married my high school sweetheart, and I know it is lame and all that sappy stuff, but he still truly one of my best friends. I could have never imagined how wonderful it would be to marry him and have my 3 wonderful kiddos! Even when they all drive me slightly nuts which happens often! I still can't imagine my life without any of them.

Okay now I have to tag six people, but maybe I only feel like tagging 2 or 5 or 1. I am not sure I know six, but here it goes.

1. Laci
2. Mary
3. Tina
4. Tasha
5. Christi

Okay 5 is all I can do. I am laughing in the face of conformity! HA! HA! HA!

My Best Friend Had a Baby!

My friend Sara, who has been my friend since those awkward years of high school you know when you are a freshman, anyway I have known her a long time. She had a baby boy this week! Oh gosh, I had forgotten how much I love the lovely tininess of a new baby. I took her and her family dinner Friday night because as any mom knows the last thing you want to do after birthing a human is cook dinner. Again I digress, but I got to hold him and snuggle him and smell him and talk to him and he stared and me and yeah I know he can't see me yet but I really think we bonded. He was so cute and tiny and cuddly and for a minute there I began to think oh man I want one of these, no I need one of these, I must have one of these!!! I mean seriously people I was one millisecond away from sneaking out the front door with him, and leaving her my 2 year old. I mean that would be a pretty even swap right?!? Then he began to cry and I began to bounce, then he began to cry louder, and I bounced more and tried to soothe him, and he cried louder and then I began to panic, and I bounced more, and he cried louder, and then he spit up, and then I gave him back to his mother. Then I remembered exactly why I am not so keen on going back to those sleepless nights of crying for no reason. I mean in my house only I get to do that! Anyway he was lovely and I will love getting to hold him some more, but I love even more that I get to go home and have a peaceful nights sleep, that is if I can keep my two year out of my bed for the night!

My Daddy Has a Big Penis!

Oh geesh am I ever sorry that I taught my 2 year the correct vernacular for that particular body part! I was trying to be progressive and unprudish in my thinking so when he asked what it was I told him it was his penis, thinking there would be no way that he could say it for one thing. To which with glee he replied penis, penis, penis about a hundred times!! As if that all was not bad enough, the other day he begins to tell me that he has a wittle penis but daddy has a big penis! OH my word I about bust a gut at that one! I was gonna just keep that our little secret, because although I was mortified at what he was saying I was pretty stoked that at 2 he got the concept of big and little. Anyway I digress, about 2 days after this incident he went on all to tell his daddy his newfound concept, "Daddy I have a wittle penis but daddy has a big penis!" Bruce smiled for days after that! LOL It was a total that's my boy moment for him! LOL They bonded for sure. Anyway going back now I wish I would have just called it a winkie because penis isn't gonna sound all that forward thinking when he yells it out during Sunday school or the middle of Wal-Mart! Yep, winkie it is.

Giving the Blog Thing a Whril

As a member of the world wide web for sometime now, I finally decided to jump into the world of blogging. I doubt that I will have anything earth shattering or all that important to blog about, as the title suggests my life is pretty boring and pretty much revolves around my husband and kids. I figure this can just be a creative outlet for me and will allow me to record some of the day to day events in my life and the life of my family. Along with being a mommy I am an avid reader and would love to blog about the things that I have read here as well. Anyway, it really just boils down to another place where I can maybe get some more adult interaction in my life or at least carry on a conversation with myself.