Sometimes My Kids Drive Me Nuts

Sometimes I have bad days.  Today was not one.  Well, not at work, anyway.  My bad day started when Graham and Jonah started in on each other.  Ugh.  I get so tired of the fighting and the bickering and the being mean to each other, and...AND...AND...

Ugh. 

I know I can't be the only one.  I threatened to make Graham and Jonah sleep in their rooms tonight by themselves.  If you know my kids, you would know the horror of this statement.  My kids all have sleep issues.  If you don't believe me, ask their Auntie Trisha.  She can testify.

I'm always reminded me of the episode of Mad About You about the 2 moms fighting when my kids fight.  And I could tell you why, but I'll probably mess it up somewhere in the middle.  I know, I know...random statement. 

So, I did more stuff that makes me happy today.  I've been needing to clean out our tornado closet.  It was horrific.  We could shut the door ONLY by shoving everything inside at the same time.  I had a process...I pulled everything out, then threw away most of it cleaned all that out, then put things back where they belonged.  I am not Martha Stewart, but I love some organization.  I'd show you a picture, but when I took one, it doesn't look all that impressive.  But it is.  To me, at least.  :)

 Sooooo...what else, what else...oh.  I was a little overwhelmed with Lacrosse stuff today.  It is a LOT of remembering things.  A lot of people are asking me things I don't know, and for some reason, everybody thinks that I am a human calculator and can figure out at the drop of a hat how much money they owe.  Or if they have even paid.  ???  Seriously??  If they knew what it took for me to remember my own name, they would not ask me all these questions.  I'm okay now, though.  The lady helping me is awesome...and patient.  Her son moved to the next team, so I took over her position as team secretary.  Only because nobody else would do it. 

It's not all that bad...I'm just venting here.  The good thing is that it's forcing me to learn how the game is played.  What's really funny is that I'll probably be the time keeper on Saturday.  Should be interesting!!!

Speaking of...their first game is Saturday.  I'm really excited about it!!  I just pray they don't get hurt.  I'm kinda nervous about that.  At least the weather is going to be nice.  And sunny...and somewhat warm.  :)  It makes my heart so happy!!!  I'm still sad about Graham and Drew not playing baseball, though. 

Oh, well.  Well....I hear my name being called.  So, adios.  Love to all. 

Spring is in the Air

For this week, anyway.  I love spring.  It's a time for new life, new beginnings, and it holds lots of promises to come.  The promise of longer nights, warmer weather when we can all enjoy the great outdoors again, greener yards...ahhhh.  I love this time of year.

Yesterday (because Noah was sick and I was bored) I started cleaning up a little bit downstairs.  And then I started moving things around.  I love making things look new and fresh, but my problem is that I'm not always motivated to do just that.  Yesterday, apparently, I was.  I hung about 4 things in my family room, and I moved dust catchers knick knacks around to different areas.  I changed up some lamps, and I de-cluttered. 

My problem is that my home is not a newer big, open floor plan home.  Which I like, don't get me wrong.  I love that each room is its own, and that they're all different...even in color.  My problem with this older, smaller, closed off floor plan is that we are almost always in the same room at the same time.  I love this too..I'm just thinking about clutter when I say this.  So...a room can't just be pretty.  (Even if it could, I'm not sure I would want it to.)  It has to be comfortable...lived in...functional. 

My desk isn't for looks.  It's marred from kids sitting at it and coloring me pictures for me to hang on my fridge.  My fireplace isn't just for fires.  It's for holding treasures that are important to me (from Iceland!!) and the books from the library.  My computer desk isn't clean and neat.  It's for Todd or Graham to sit at and do work or homework, and it's the keeper of school books and folders.  My couch pillows are beautiful, but like they are right this moment, they are all jumbled up in a huge pile because we all vegged out last night and had a family movie night (since we missed church). 

You see?  My dilemmas aren't really dilemmas at all...they are what I love.  And they are the reason my home is usually messy.  And un-decorated.  And cluttered.  However, yesterday did make the latter better.  Things look nice and they're still functional.  Woohoo!!! 

Can you tell I've been reading decorating blogs???  My favorite is The Nester...you can google it.  And I just found her sister, Chatting At The Sky. 

Love!!!  Those gals have it together...they have their priorities straight.  Their homes just also happen to be beautiful, which is probably what inspired me. 

So...just thoughts for another warm Thursday morning.  I have to wake up the remaining 3 brothers.  Love to all. 

Wannabe Hostess with the Mostest and a Full Moon?

I get to play hostess with my job.  I am the greeting committee.  I open the door (with a smile) for parents and usher them in.  I sign them in and smile at their young ones they bring to eat lunch with the older sibling in school, and then...I put up with the craziness of witnessing that parent let their 3 (or 4) year old run around like a chicken with their head cut off. 

Seriously? 

Since when did the school lunchroom take on the characteristics of the playground? 

Yup.  Today, in fact, two parents (from different families) allowed their little ones to run crazy.  I assure you that tomorrow if it happens, I will say something.  I almost trampled the little ones a few times.  AND THEY MAKE THE KIDS NEARBY CRAZY.  Just once, I would love to leave and let them take my place while I watch my other kid act like they don't know any better. 

Full moon?  I don't know if we're having one tonight or not, but a coworker friend of mine strongly believes in the behavioral changes of kids on days when there's going to be a full moon. 

Even Todd believes it.  I don't know if I'm sold on that one or not, but for whatever reason (aside from the terrible toddlers) I thought today was a great day.  Sure, some annoying things happen.  Kids repeatedly ask for things they forget.  (Heck, they are kids.)  It's never quiet in the cafeteria.  Which is not wonderful if you have a head that feels like it's shoved in a drawer.

But at least the weather is beeee-eautiful outside.  I am loving this 67 degrees in February.  I just might don a pair of capri's before the week's over.  Is that legal yet?  I'm not sure...

Well.  I need to go think of dinner now.  Since I'm unprepared for it and all. 

Love to all. 

ummmm?

I don't have a title.  Whatever.  I feel like I only got 2 hours sleep!  I couldn't stop coughing last night, and I felt like my head was going to explode.  :(  It's not even a "real" cough...I'm taking medicine to make it that way, though.  When I finally went to sleep, Noah came into my room crying.  He couldn't breathe out of his nose, and I think the fan was making his throat hurt.  Poor baby.  We're a pitiful bunch around this house, that is for sure.

We'll manage.  I just had to get all that off my chest.  On the bright side, it is beautiful here in The Ville!!!  We got up to 60* yesterday and today it's a high of 65*!!  I love this weather...my boys all wore shorts to school yesterday.  Apparently, it was a great decision for Drew, b/c it was hotter than Haidi's upstairs yesterday.  I almost broke out the sandals, but my ankles would scream at me if I did that...so I didn't.  (I have to wear my tennis shoes almost everyday b/c of the tendinitis I have in both ankles.) 

We had a nice, lovely romantic Valentine's dinner for six.  Lol...I put together stuff we had that was quick, because of lacrosse practice.  The kids liked it.  At one point, I said that I was sorry for not fixing something "fancy" b/c it was Valentine's day.  Drew looked at me and said, "What are you talking about?!?!  This IS fancy!!"  Have I mentioned that I love him??? 

So.  On the agenda for today is....I have no idea.  I pray that I feel start feeling better soon.  I am not supposed to get sick.  I certainly don't have time for it!  I pray that today will be just as good as yesterday...my favorite time in the whole school/work week is Monday morning when I meet with my Moms In Touch group.  I have become so much closer to these women that I pray with every week.  Yesterday was my fifth week, and it's the best hour and a half I spend every week.  I know that the women in that room are the ones that I can count on.  Regardless of what comes my way...I feel like we are an army standing united.  It's pretty awesome. 

I wish I could stress to you how awesome this time is...if you're reading this and are local to me and have a kid at CMS, CES, or Tara Oaks and would like to come join us, please do!  Next week we'll be meeting on Tuesday b/c of President's day on Monday.  I say this, but I also know there are some of you that read this that work and cannot come.  It's ok!!!  We cover every kid, teacher and staff person in all 3 of those schools, and we have got your child covered.  Trust me. 

To those of you who are interested in this and are NOT local to me or don't have kids in those particular schools, there is a Moms In Touch website you can get on to see if there is a group for your area or for your kids' school.  And if there's not...then I encourage you to start one!  My friend Sharon started ours, and anyone can do it.  There are guidelines to pray by that we follow every week, and I think there is a video you can watch to show you how we do it.  We spend time in prayer, and we end by writing short 5 sentence notes of encouragement to the teachers we prayed for that day.  We take 5 or 6 every week and pray for them...so that we eventually pray for every teacher and staff person in the school.  We also cover all the kids...not by name, but God knows their names.  The fact is...we are praying for them. 

Anyway, I know I've gone on and on, but this is something I am passionate about.  Prayer is very powerful.  It presents a united front for us to be able to stand against trials and temptations in today's world.  And I know that God is honored when we spend quality, regular time with Him.  Carving out that time each week has become one of my lifelines. 

Well...I need to get off of here and get a jump start on my day.  Just a heads' up...if you're doing SSMT with me, today is the 15th!!!  Time for our fourth verse of the year.  I'll send out a reminder email/text later with what I'm doing.  Let's try to stick with it!!!  Love to all!

The Rules of Being A Good Southern Girl

Know how to properly spell y'all.  As in "you all"...y'all.

When cooking dinner, it's always better to have too much than not enough.

The more truly is merrier.

Don't ever let anyone see your 'naked' toenails...even if you're letting them 'breathe', keep them to yourself.

Always keep a Bible nearby.

Teach your kids to 'say grace'.

Teach your kids good, old fashioned manners.  There is nothing sweeter than hearing 'yes ma'am' come out of a child's mouth.

Watch the words that come out of your mouth.

Never talk about the family's 'black sheep' in public.

Never disagree in public, and even if you are spitting mad at your significant other, don't ever let anyone else in on the fact.  Always treat one another with utmost respect and kindness.  You can always hash it out later, in private.  (My dear sweet Daddy enlightened me on this one.)

ALWAYS THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.  And watch what you say and how you say it!  Nobody wants unwanted attention upon themselves. 

Be prepared!!  For lots of things...boo-boos, uninvited drop-in's at home, running into everyone you know AND their brother at Walmart...you get my drift.  You should all know by now that anytime you go anywhere without make-up is the day you will see everyone you know.  Be ready for it.  (If you care about make-up, that is...if you don't, then more power to you!  I, personally am on the fence on this one.  I do like to appear put together, but I also have days that I don't wear a stitch of make-up.  Whatever you are...be confident in who you are!!!)

Always make sure you're wearing 'good' underwear.  I have been warned that people in hospitals (and ambulances) WILL talk about your underthings.  And they will laugh at your unpainted toe nails.  Or worse...you're CHIPPED toe nail polish.  GASP.  Oh, the horror. 

Know and act out the Golden Rule...do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  If everyone in this world acted out this one simple rule...most of our problems would be solved.  Seriously...but nobody asks my opinion. 

Discipline your children, please.  Nobody wants to be around undisciplined children.  Don't let them run around all crazy-like in restaurants, either.  I am aware that you have children, yes, I have 4 of my own.  And mine are all sitting down nicely and quietly, remembering their manners.  And for goodness' sake, teach them about personal space...as in, 'don't be all up in mine'!!

Well, that's all for now...this might be continued at a later date...but then again, it might not. 

*Disclaimer: all of what is written above are my thoughts and my opinions.  If anything similar has ever been written, it is purely coincidental. 

My Hubby

...is a great guy.  He truly is.  I wonder if other people see it...but if they don't, then I'm thankful that I do.  The thing that attracted me to him the most was his personality.  It still is.  He can take my bad day and turn it around in 2 minutes flat.   He makes me laugh the most and the hardest...at our life, but also at each other.  Case in point...this week we both fell.  You all know the graceful fall I took in my driveway.  He did the exact same thing working for the sheriff's department that night.  I told him that it was nice of him to make sure I didn't feel like I was getting all the attention.

The other thing that attracted me to him was the way he helps other people.  The man truly amazes me.  I've never seen something stump him...he can fix anything and everything.  Not only does he do it for us...he does it for others.  He's very generous with his time, and I love him for it.  Maybe this is the reason why we're selfish with our time.  We don't have lots of 'date' nights.  He works a lot of nights and on days when we're all home, he is usually doing something to help someone else.  We just genuinely enjoy being around each other, and we love it most when we're all together.  And we love to hang out with our kids. And we love when they have friends over, especially when they're ones that we can tease and laugh with.

We also happen to think the same.  Just now, we were sitting here watching The Godfather, and when I heard the actual godfather speak, I snickered to myself (or so I thought).  He joined me in laughing and said, "Those people did a great job with Jackson."  I know, you're wondering, "huh???".  But he knew I was laughing at this man's voice because of the impersonation Jackson from Hannah Montana did of him.  I told him I didn't know what I loved more...him knowing what I was laughing at, or him knowing Jackson's name. 

I am so thankful for my marriage to him...it hasn't always been like this, but the older we get, the more I love him.  His face is more familiar to me than my own.  I love every thing about him, and am thankful that God brought us together all those years ago.  This is my Valentine's day tribute to my sweet, wonderful and amazing Superman of a husband.  :)

the things in my head

I went to bed at 9:00.  For some crazy reason, I feel worse today than I did a week ago.  :( 

I woke up at least 12 times to blow my nose.  (I accidentally just wrote 'blog' instead of 'blow'.  Not once, but twice.)

I dreamed about weird things.  Multiple times.  One of which was a strange show we watched ten seconds of last night, and then I dream about the weirdest part?  Seriously???  I would much rather dream about Steven Tyler and all the amazing voices we heard on American Idol.

I woke up at 6 (then 7, and finally got out of bed at 8).

The first thing I did when I came downstairs was discover that though I did make the coffee, I failed to turn it on.  :(

Then I was bombarded with kids wanting me to look up lyrics to songs on the internet so I could tell them
'yes' or 'no' to them downloading them.

I proceeded to go through half a box of tissues. 

I got on my email, then facebook, and now here I am on the blog. 

I read a couple of my friends' blogs and got caught up on their lives.  (I could spend a whole day doing nothing but this!)

I talked to my hubby's best friend since Todd is still snoozing away upstairs.  I don't see how, either, with all the noises coming from up there!

Andy and I are just hanging out, listening to the faint, faraway (Kidz Bop versions) of Boom Boom Pow and some other dance mix songs that I am too old to recognize.

Which is apparently making him nervous, because now he's pacing.

I'm thinking about what we're going to get the kids for Valentine's day...we don't do a lot, but we do a little something.  Graham and Drew are into iTunes right now, so we might get them a gift card.  Or we might get a new game for us all to enjoy.

Right now I'm going to concentrate on being able to fully breathe out of both nostrils.  I know...exciting, right?  I might make a library run while I'm out, too.  Jonah is reading through every book in our house almost, and he's requesting some more Flat Stanley books.  I will probably take him with me this time instead of picking them out for him. 

Well, that's about it for now.  Enjoy your Saturday with your loved ones!  Love to all.