Boo, boo, kitty

Today is a momentous occasion. (long pause of appreciation) My children are going to their VERY FIRST SPURS GAME EVER!!!!!!!!! Boo, Boo, Kitty! (that's what my daughter says instead of nanny, nanny boo-boo. I don't know why) Don't be sad. You're day will come, too. You see, my wonderful husband promised my amazing offspring that if they would pray for us to sell a house (my husband is a home builder) he would take them to a Spurs game when it sold. Well, with 4 games left in the regular season, we sold a house. (Thank you, thank you very much) Because he is an awesome daddy, he then scrambled to buy the tickets. This was, of course, not easy since all of the games except for one were sold out. He pulled it off, however, and we are now on our way to support our team. You should look for us at the game. We'll probably be the crazy family all dressed in Spurs attire standing on the sidelines with a police officer yelling at their four year old to get off the basketball court. I'm just saying is all.............

Star Wars

I love Star Wars. I think it's awesome. It was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid, and is still one of my favorite movies now that I am grown. I have proudly passed this addiction down to my children. Unfortunately, I am ashamed to admit that my children are doing their best to butcher and destroy all that avid star wars fans hold sacred. While their light saber skills are miles above the norm for children their age, their verbal skills leave something to be desired. Or maybe it's their hearing. Either way, this is the conversation that I stumbled upon the other day.

"Nathanael, you be Darth Vader, and Lili can be Darth Vaders wife(? - that's new)."

"I don't want to be Darth Vader, I want to be Luke Starwalker."

"Okay, fine. I'll be Princess Veronica (Amidala to those of us who actually KNOW what we're talking about)."

"I want to be C-PPO," stated Noah, brandishing his light saber high.

And off they went to fight the bad guys. On Friday, Victoria joined in on the game.

"Vic, I just cut off your arm," informed Noah.

Looking confused she glanced down at her arm and then back up at her assailant.

"Pretend, Vic, pretend I cut off your arm. Fall down."

Annoyed she stared back at him, refusing to fall to the ground.

"Ugh. Vi-ic. Okay fine."

Suddenly, our quiet little Jedi swung her light saber and said, "No-ah, I cut your arm off" and ran away.

I sense a disturbance in the force.

Happy Birthday, Heather Lou-hoo!

Today is my biggest little sisters birthday. She turns the big 30. Amazingly enough, she was a really funny looking kid. Now I guess she's what you'd call pretty, if you like those tall, skinny blondes. She could also be really annoying when we were growing up. She was so close to my age that all the boys I liked usually like her, and she could always tell on me when I did things that I shouldn't do. Middle school was really great, 'cause I was in 8th when she was in 7th. We even had our school pictures taken together. It was always a huge lift for my self-esteem that she would look gorgeous when I was going through my "awkward" stage(s). (I had several - I blame a large majority of it on the fact that she had (has) fashion sense and I had - okay, have - absolutely NONE!!). Amazingly enough, she grew up and married a really great guy (I think my dad payed him off, but I'm not too sure), and had two amazing and beautiful little girls (I really like them!). Even though she's all grown up she's still a big loser, because now that I finally like her (she's past the annoying stage now) she up and moves all the way over to Japan - AND takes my nieces with her. That's okay. I think if she lived any closer she might be a bad influence on my kids. You see, she doesn't believe in dinosaurs......

I don't care what you think

Today my youngest son played "legowii" (Lego Star Wars) on the Wii for three hours straight. And I let him. And I didn't care. And I don't even feel bad. Okay, I feel a little bad, but not bad enough to feel really bad. Why, you ask? What has caused this normally sane and well balanced mom who RARELY allows TV and even more rarely allows video games to go 100% completely off of the deep end? Well, let me tell you.

You see, in a rare and unexplainable moment my husband fell under the delusion that he was, in fact, the Incredible Hulk. At least, I'm assuming that's what happened. I really can find no other explanation for why he would lift up a generator and put it into his truck by himself!!!! Because he is now getting older, and due to an old injury (that he had right before we got married, 12 1/2 years ago) his back didn't like this very well. As a matter of fact, his muscles became so angry with him that they rolled into a tight ball and refuse to lie flat. That was Wednesday. Today, 48 hours later, my dear sweet little husband is still COMPLETELY BEDRIDDEN! I really do feel badly for him. You can't look at his back, and the huge muscle spasms that run around his left shoulder blade, (wrapping around to his stomach) and down the lower half of his spinal cord without feeling for the guy.

But he wouldn't go to the emergency room when he did it!!!!! (why - really, why?)

So the next day we went to the doctor's office and waited over 2 and 1/2 hours to see the doctor. When we did see him, they gave him a shot in his hiney and prescribed pain pills and muscle relaxers.

On the way home I proceeded to tell him that if he just would have gone to the emergency room the night before he would already feel as good as he does now. He then told me that he didn't feel any better at all and on top of that he now has a sore rear from where they shot 12 ounces of antifreeze into him. He says they used a Dr. Pepper bottle for the syringe - they did not, I watched. - and he doesn't even know why they gave it to him if it isn't going to take the pain away. (me either - maybe they just wanted to laugh at his face when they told him to drop his drawers)

Noah thinks it's awesome that his daddy got a shot in the butt.

I have to remind Noah not to say butt.

Carlye thinks it's the stuff nightmares are made out of, but is secretly glad that this happened so that she can have a reason to be dramatic.

Nathanael says that he already prayed for daddy and he'll be okay, so he's not worried.

Mommy needs a nap (and a maid - but everyone already knows this).

So, all that to say that today I needed to clean my house, and my car (it smells like a stinky gym), and wash laundry, and bathe the dog, and dust, clean off my dresser that has disappeared under a mountain of stuff that I don't even want, clean out the fridge, etcetera, etcetera and so forth. Sooooooo, Noah got to play the 'legowii' for most of the day. What can I say, I got work done, Carl slept and Noah was happy. AND he was able to hone those fine motor skills of his, which nearly all boys struggle with any way. So really it was a good thing. I'm actually encouraging learning, problem solving skills, and fine motor skills. I'm such a great mom.

Don't worry, one day I'll write a book and then you can ALL be like me. Won't that be fun?

"Mom - this was the bestest day I ever had at school. Today, I fell off of the way high monkey bars and hit my face on the ground and now my tooth is loose. Look, it turns sideways, isn't that awesome!!!!!!!!!!!" Nathanael, 6 yrs old



My "cousin" Elise gave me the "Love Ya" blog award. Thanks so much! Here's what it is...

The LOVE YA award:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

These are the eight bloggers I choose to give this award to (in no particular order):

1) Heather
2) Heidi
3) Pammy
4) Mom
5) Jodi
6) Colleen
7) Aunt Marianne
8) Annemarie

Cleanliness is next to godliness

So, if cleanliness is next to godliness than I am pretty sure (no blasphemy intended) that we are as close to ungodliness as we can get. Let me put it this way, I'm not even sure if my children have floors in their rooms anymore. What completely baffles me, though, is the fact that I can't seem to make it stop. I've gotten rid of so many of my children's toys and clothes that all they have left to play with are rocks and sticks, and they're wearing the same clothes every other day - okay, that may be because I'm on strike with the laundry, but still, it helps prove my point. So what happens? The rocks and sticks infest my their bedrooms. Seriously, lizards would live happily ever after in there. My solution? Close the doors and pretend that I have a one bedroom home. It works pretty well, actually. The only snag is that the boys room is next to the dining room, so occasionally the zoo life escapes and poses a health hazard, but overall we're all doing pretty well. I got lost on the way to their closet the other day, but since I've quit doing laundry that problem has been resolved. When I do wash clothes I simply leave it in a basket in the laundry room or on the couch. Then the little munchkins grab their clothes out as they wear them. In my eyes it's a win-win situation. Kids have clean clothes, I'm not getting lost or maimed trekking through their rooms, AND I don't have to fold laundry. Sadly, my husband isn't an admirer of my new system. He thinks that they should have to clean their rooms, and I should have to put away the laundry. Control freak. So now I have a new solution - hire a maid.

Movie Quiz

This is so cool that I had to do it, too! Everyone in my family has done it, and I didn't know any of Heather's or Andy's, only one on my mom's, and missed out on answering Heidi's (I would have gotten Sydney White!).

If you want to play this is what you do:

1. Pick 15 of your favorite movies
.2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie (one-liners are best).
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie. (I don't know how to strike through. So, I underlined them. Help me out someone?)
5. NO cheating. If you don't know any of them, that's just too bad.


These are 15 of my favorite movies:

1) "Talk about it now, he can't kill you in church" While you Were Sleeping; Mom

2) "Sometimes all it takes is a voice, one voice that becomes a hundred, then a thousand, unless it's silenced" Newsies; Mom

3)"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" Star Wars; Mom

4) "This is the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me." Anne of Green Gables; Heidi

5) "I don't know whether there is anything particularly exciting about the air in this particular part of Hertfordshire, but the number of engagements that go on seem to me to be considerably above the proper average that statistics have laid down for our guidance." The Importance of Being Earnest; Pammy and Andy

6) "I'm just saying is all." Sweet Home Alabama; Heidi

7) "I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales." Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers; Andy

8) "She'd be more like me, only her ma won't let her." Summer Magic; Heidi

9) "'Wave it at anything that slithers.' 'The whole place is slithering!'" Raiders of the Lost Ark; Mom

10) "We're not hit! We're not hit! Stop side-seat driving!" Independence Day; Heidi

11) "It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable." Pride and Prejudice; Annemarie

12) "Albequerque. See? I can do it, too. Snorkel." National Treasure; Heidi and Andy

13) "I make mistake, the British not scientific enough to know how to use chopsticks" The King and I; Aunt Marianne

14)"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire won't come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." Fireproof; Heidi

15) "Not to seem rude, but I wasn't actually talking to you." The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Heidi

TAG

My li'l sis tagged me to put up the fourth picture in my fourth folder and explain it. Well, my fourth folder only had three pictures in it, so I'm doing the fifth picture in my fifth folder. Here it is:



This picture is from last year during Spring Break when we took the kids fishing at Lake Buchanan. We caught one fish. By the way, we're leaving today to go fishing at Lake Buchanan, and it is Spring Break again. Let's hope we catch more fish this time!

I tag Mom, Jodi, Colleen, Heather, and Pam ('cause you can't ever get enough pics of Dutch!)

A story

A Story
by: Carlye
Once upon a time there was a Leparchan. She had green hats, shoes, shirts, socks. But she didn't have gold. And her name was Carlye. So off she went. Until she came to trouble. A big band of elves. And when they saw her they started to run at her. So she said magic magic turn them into littile bugs. Woosh! And they were turned into little bugs. So she grabbed them and put them in her bug jar. And walked tell dark. And the moon was shining bright. And then she saw a handsome Leperchane named Sam. And Sam said, would you let me come with you. I can fly and I am very strong. And will save you from anything. Oh well come along, said Carlye. So off they went tell they got to a cave. It was dark to dark. Hey the tresure might be in her, said Carlye. I don't know I'm scared. Scared? said Carlye. I thought you wern't. Oh I mean I'm tired, said Sam. And then out came some roode fairies. That's a clue, said Carlye. That must mean there's treasure. Come on let's go, said Carlye. So they went in and there it was. Scaredy cat said Carlye. I thout you were brave. But your skared of littile faires. So they all went home and lived Happily ever after.
The End

Happy Birthday, Bella!

I wanted to use one of my pictures, but all of the ones that I have are on my husbands computer, not my lap top.


Today my beautiful niece is turning 6 yrs old. If I have her birthday right, and since I'm the crazy aunt I might not, but either way her birthday is this month, so there. And, IF I have her birthday right she's already had it because she lives in Japan, so today is yesterday there. She is such an amazing young lady, and I am so sad that she is so far away. I am very blessed, however, because we have had wonderful times together when we do see each other. I miss her (and the rest of the family) so much that my heart aches at times, but I know that I am blessed to have them in my life. And very jealous of her bowling ability! She's going to have to give me some pointers when I see her next. I hope that her birthday is the best she's ever had, and I pray the she knows how much all of her Texas family love her and how proud we are of the amazing person she is becoming. We love you, beautiful Bella - Happy Birthday!!

Saltwater flush

So, in a feeble attempt at regaining the knock out body that I had before the birth of my youngest child (picture posted above) I decided to try a salwater flush. You know, to jump start my metabolism. All you do is drink an herbal tea with senna in it at night before bed, then you drink 1 quart of water with 2 tbsp of salt in it in the morning as soon as you wake up. After you drink it you lie on your right side for 30 minutes, and then you go about your day. Or so it said. I drank the herbal tea before bed, it tasted yummy and all was fine. Then, in the morning I messed up and drank 2 quarts of saltwater instead of 1 quart. Apparently I was a little dehydrated. 10 minutes after drinking it and lying on my side I began to throw up. The uncontrollable as soon as the urge hits you you throw up everywhere and don't have time to get to the bathroom kind of throwing up. It was horrible. And, Noah was lying next to me when it happened so it thoroughly traumatized him. He's been asking me constantly since then if I'm going to drink saltwater again. Of course, I'm not. Then, yesterday afternoon I got the worst migraine that I've ever had, threw up all last night, and even begged Carl to bring me to the emergency room (he said no). I still have it, although the vomiting has stopped, I couldn't sleep anymore, so I turned the brightness on my computer down to nothing and decided to blog. To top things off, instead of just telling people I have a migraine and preserving some sense of my self worth my dearest is telling EVERYONE what I did. He says this way I'll never even think of doing it again. Like I would anyway. I mean, I almost DIED! Seriously, I think that my brain was just moments away from exploding. Guess my kids will have to be content with their larger then life mama this summer as we swim at Nani's pool - I know my husband loves me just the way that I am, so I'm not worried about him. I must confess, I really should have checked out his family better before I married him. You try hanging out at the pool with 3 super models (two who have had children, evil women) - even in my wetsuit you can see my tummy rolls. I wonder if they make a spanx that can get wet. Ah, well. After all, "Beauty is fleeting, and charm is deceptive, but a women who fears the Lord shall be praised." So, farewell, little bird of beauty. Fly away and be free. I guess I shall just have to be content to have "a real sweet spirit in my own special way."

Carl did go to the store for me, to pick up chicken noodle soup and hot pockets (for him and the kids for dinner). As he and Noey were waiting in line to check out Carl grabbed a bottle of water. He'd been working all afternoon and was really thirsty. Apparently, one person away from the register he started dying of dehydration and had no choice but to open the bottle of water and take a sip. This, of course, shocked my little son Noah, who has been taught that until you PAY for it it belongs to Wal-Mart, and if you eat it while it's theirs that's STEALING. He looked up at his daddy and in a very disappointed tone told him, "Daddy, you're littering."

Velcro

My oldest son has some very interesting clothing issues, which - hilariously enough - drive his Daddy crazy (even though that's where they came from to begin with!). He ALWAYS buttons his top button, tucks in ALL of his shirts, won't wear clothes that 'wiggle' (still not sure what that means, but his daddy does!), and pulls his pants up outrageously high. Think Urkle from the 80's and you've got it. He is also very opinionated about his clothing. You know the whole "choose your battles" parenting advice? Well, I learned early on that this was not a battle that I wanted to choose. There were so many other important things, such as 'be nice to your sister', and 'tackling your friends and knocking them to the ground to say hello is not appropriate' and 'Star Wars is the best movie of all time,' etc, that I did not feel the clothing battle to be necessary. I've actually had to battle it out with him over his 'shopping underwear' and the fact that they couldn't be worn for anything other then shopping. SInce then, my son has basically been allowed to wear whatever he likes, as long as it's clean and decent. He's even worn his batman costume out to a nice restaurant, and embarrassed my husband to no end. My dearest believed that all of the people in the restaurant were wondering why we were such bad parents. I believe that they were all wishing that they could be as cool as us and not care about what their children wear. And I know that all of the kids wanted to go home with us. But I digress.

My husband and I firmly disagree on this clothing issue, and we always have. We have a peaceful understanding about it. He gets his way when he dresses him and I get my way when I dress him. I believe that it's not a battle that needs to be fought, and he should be allowed to be himself. He believes that it's our job to tell him he looks ridiculous before all of the mean kids do at school and he has to hide in the bathroom to keep from being beaten up. Valid point, but I think I still win. However, my bestest hubby has made a critical mistake.

He gave in.

It started out innocently enough. My son's shoes (the cheap ones that we bought at the beginning of the year instead of the quality ones that I wanted, but that's another story) had completely fallen apart. We're talking huge holes, no more velcro, wouldn't even stay on his feet anymore. Soooo, we go to buy some new shoes.

We try on every shoe in the store in his size.

My son has big feet.

And they're wide.

He didn't like ANY of these shoes. Why?

Because they don't velcro.

"Tying your shoes is important. You need to know how to tie knots for survival and hunting and fishing and all kinds of important things." I informed him sternly.

"I KNOW how to tie my shoes, it's just a waste of my time." He responded.

Being the weaker parent, I walked away with the other children while my strong husband dealt with the situation.

We left with the only pair of velcro shoes in the entire store in a size 1 1/2.

They are not pretty. And my husband was defeated.

Disrespeckles

Yesterday my husband and I were dining at Culvers with our three children and our 2 yr old niece. While we were eating my beautiful daughter chose to act very inappropriately and had to be taken to the car. She's 8 - she should not have to be taken to the car anymore, but that's besides the point. After I left a very interesting conversation took place.

2 yr old niece: "Where Carlye (prounounced Ca-yee) go?"

4 yr old son: "She was being disrespeckles and has to go the car."

Solemn silence

2 yr old niece: "When I'm disrespeckles my mommy 'panks my hiney."

Silent, thoughtful nodding by all children at the table

***

This morning when I was getting dressed my 4 yr old came in. He hugged me.

He patted my tummy.

He then said this -

"Mommy, you have a BIG tummy. My tummies not as big as yours. Look, even when I blow it out all big it's not as big as yours. Wow. You do, mommy. You have a BIG tummy."

Afterwards, I did what all self-respecting women would do in this situation. I bought a bag of Jelly Belly's.

And ate all of them.

***

On the way to school the other morning my youngest child was trying to blow (it makes me gag to even type it) snot bubbles out of his nose. Needless to say, it took me about .02 seconds to inform him that he would stop immediately.

In his most injured tone he then stated, "Mommy, I am TRYING to be a super hero like on Zoom, he could blow giant snot bubbles."

"Super heros aren't real," stated my dream crushing middle child, "Nobody could really do any of that stuff."

"Yes they can," argues my first born star debater, "Jesus walked on water, and knocked down walls (???Jericho maybe - I think Veggie Tales has them confused) and so we can to, so there ARE super heros." Of course, it was said in a super snotty voice, which added to the effect.

Youngest son nodding emphatically and saying uh-huh.

Not to be out done the dream crusher announced, very loudly and on the verge of hysteria at having been challenged, "JESUS DID NOT BLOW SNOT BUBBLES!!!!!!"

10 things that annoy me and Memories

10 things that annoy me

1) People who chew with their mouth open. I don't want to see your food, and I REALLY don't want to hear it!!!

2) When the restaurant gives you the wrong food in your to go order and you don't notice until you get home

3) Sitting down and realizing there is not toilet paper

4) When a football, basketball or baseball game is on and it runs late and my show that I DVR'd doesn't have the end on it because of this

5) Parents who allow their kids to call them names (even joking), yell at them or be disrespectful and don't do anything about it

6) People who yell at kids (theirs or others)

7) Liars

8) Rude people - especially in line at the grocery store, at the restaurant, or while driving

9) Being hungry - when my stomach is empty EVERYTHING stinks

10) Losing my keys (and yes, this happens more then I like to admit - oh, and Noah's key fetish doesn't help!)

Now, on a completely different note - Leave your favorite memory of me (or my munchkins) on my comments. Then, go to your blog and ask people to do the same for you. My friend, Jodi, did this and I think that it's pretty cool.

Things I've learned this weekend

This weekend I took 29 girls and 10 other leaders camping at Wind Song at the HEB foundation. (Our Princess Academy girls from church 6 yrs to 11 yrs) Here is what I have learned:

1) When someone is named Mr. & Mrs. Butt, it doesn't matter how hard the little girls try or how upset you get with them, they WILL giggle
2) Someone ALWAYS forgets their sleeping bag
3) 29 girls - 29 opinions
4) Hiking is always a lot of fun until you actually do it
5) When you are 6, 7 or 8 yrs old being tired is the equivelant of being lost
6) When you are 6, 7, or 8 yrs old and have come to the aforementioned decision it is very difficult to persuade you that no, the camp officials do not need to come rescue you on their 4 wheelers
7) If your hike lasts longer than an hour half of the group will fall on the ground and give up (including some of your leaders!)
8) When the 8, 9, 10 and 11 yr olds continue on (after the other ones gave up), and they actually DO get lost they will then come to the immediate conclusion that they are going to DIE!!!!
9) When you think you are going to die you become very resourceful. A few of the girls (including my "niece" Grace) began to fashion knives out of rocks so they could kill deer to live off of
10) One of the girls (okay, it was Grace) informed everyone that if they would just find a telephone pole they would have electricity
11) 8, 9, 10 and 11 yr old girls are NOT above threatening each others lives over a banana - I believe that this could be exacerbated by the previously stated fear
12) After the lost girls have been rescued they will NOT appreciate being told there is another starlite hike that evening
13) Tired girls that have been lost and feel they looked death in the face can be very persuasive - stronger leaders have been defeated by such as these (code for I cancelled the evening hike)
14) When the steering on your paddle boat comes unbolted the girls will blame the leader in the boat 100%(so glad Michelle was driving and not me - haha!)
15) It's always cool to be rescued by the lifeguard - even if it's just because the steering went out in your paddle boat
16) Strawberry flavored marshmallows make s'mores that taste like choc covered strawberries
17) Orphaned dirty socks breed at camp and infest the bathrooms and floors like smelly roaches
18) If you make the hot chocolate too watery the girls will not be kind (what? As I have loved you what?)
19) I am too old to hike (go ahead Wii fit, mock me all you want - I can take it!)
20) Lepers and leprechauns are the same thing when you're 8 yrs old
21) When you find lambs ear and tell the girls that it can be used for toilet paper everyone will immediately need to go to the bathroom
22) Little girls who do not know how to go to the bathroom outside make a big mess when they try to
23) A disconcerting amount of girls can fit 8 marshmallows into their mouth and still say "chubby bunny"
24) When this happens it's a pretty good bet they're going to spit on you (right, Rachel?)
25) Songs about Bigfoot eating you are hilarious when you are delirious from sleep deprivation
26) If you start to worry that the extra physical activity may have actually caused you to lose weight you can fix it by eating a LOT of s'mores in the evening