Wednesday, April 27, 2011

It's not just my kids...

My friend Dara shared this story the other day about her witty daughter Dori:
"Yesterday my seven year old and I were standing at the screen door watching my husband trying to pull a cracked limb out of a tree with my truck (using a tow rope). I looked down at her and told her how beautiful she was. She said, "Mom! Really? Right now?". Then followed that up with, "Actually, this is the perfect time to tell me that because we might all die"!!!!"

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tales of work

Stories from working at the newspaper:
Me: "Miss O may I ask why you wish to cancel your services?"

Miss O. "we just don't do things like that"

Me: "things like what may I ask?"

Miss O: "ya know things like read the paper or watch the news, ya know that kind of stuff"

Me: (to myself of course) uh yeah I wouldn't be admitting that kind of stuff OUT LOUD to people!

And we wonder why people are so ignorant!
Mr X "I just recieved a bill from you all and I don't why 'cause I'm not due till May"

Me: "Uh sir...I'm not understanding what the problem is"

Mr X (raising voice) "well this is the 11th and I'm not due till May why are you sending me a bill now"

Me: "sir that's your bill FOR May---most bills are sent a week or two before they are due. Seeing as today is April 11th we've mailed that bill to you now so you can pay it for May"

Mr X: "oh"

Monday, April 11, 2011

Craziness

April 9th 2011
Me: "Caitlynn why did you throw Meaghan's stuffed animal at the wall?"
Caitlynn: "Because I have throwing issues."

April 4th 2011
Meaghan and Charlie and being their typical selves and fighting like two wild banshees! My solution? They each pay me $1! I've never seen such a reaction on their faces...I may be onto something here!

April 1st 2011
Made rice krispie treats with the kids...wasn't exactly the loving moment they show on TV...it was more like this:
 "wash your hands"
"oh, good God don't put your finger in there"
and my favorite..."if you lick the spoon you'll burn your tongue...told ya so"

March 30th 2011
Caitlynn: "mommy I've been practicing my whistling. But I can only do it through my nose."

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dreams of Trolls 2/24/2011

So last night I had a dream that a troll was in my room making funny faces at me at the foot of my bed...so in my dream I was contemplating just yelling at the troll "augh" so I would scare him away....except in real life I shot out of bed and screamed! lol! I then sat there for a few minutes wondering if there had really had been a troll in my room since I actually did sit up in bed and actually did yell. Anyways just thought I would share!


It was so strange...I actually woke myself up screaming. Poor dogs all came running in the room. Then I started wondering had the troll really been a kid coming in cause they had a bad dream? Lol! Thankfully no one said anything in the AM.

Monday, March 22, 2010

With kids VS those without? There IS a middle ground!

A friend of mine made a comment on her facebook today about children who cry in church and the parents of these children who do nothing to remove themselves from the situation…whoa the war of words that quickly ensued on her page had my head spinning! I personally agreed with my friend…and said “right there with ya hun!” The comments that followed mine were from parents who did NOT share my wisdom in this area. Comments like...

"I'm crabby too and I say.....ONLY people with NO kids would feel this way. But I guess that's because we with kids have learned to tune things out. If that's the peak of your bad day then I'd say you're pretty blessed. Someone with no kids should have MANY moments of peace...if not...what the heck is disturbing it?"

And....

"Before kids, you say things like, " I wish that kid would be quiet," or "That kids parents should leave." However...when you have kids of your own, you have nothing but empathy for the parents."

I quickly retorted saying…

"I don't know...me personally...after having kids...I have less patience for things like that...situations like that are completely avoidable (the cry room for instance)...it's not like they were in an airplane with no way out (for that yes I would have empathy)...it’s like answering a cell phone during a movie...there are other options, she chose not to exercise those options. "

This was of course followed up with someone saying…

“This is all assuming the child is perfectly healthy. I understand the "parents are to blame" theory but it doesn't take into consideration emotional, behavioral or psychological disorders. There is alot to be said with showing some compassion for people who have children with problems that are beyond their control. But I agree with Maureen...if is a "way out"...use it! People trapped on planes with kids...please have sympathy. lol It's SO hard to fly with small children. Even though people seem to think so...you can't ALWAYS control every single thing your child does. If YOU can...please...write a book! =-)”

Hmmm…love it that she agrees with me on a certain level here but lets not go thinking we’re on the same team here. (Oh, and I wouldn’t be “me” if I didn’t point out that a lot is 2 words…not one…but I digress)

I don’t understand…what is with people like this? I’m assuming these are the same moronic people who feel the need to post in details when JR passes his first poop too. Save it…I’ve seen it, I’ve done it…I’m not impressed! But which motherhood/parenthood book were you reading that said common sense and good manners goes out the window when your water breaks? Of course almost every parent in history has had or will have to go through the tantrum throwing fit at the grocery store just as your entire cart is full, as you are trying to check out…and yes for those people I do feel sorry for them…it sucks, it blows and sometimes that’s just life. And if someone honestly has a problem with my child throwing a fit while I’m checking out they are more than welcome to come over and help me get things on the checkout belt so that I can get to my car faster so that I can have MY meltdown! I’m talking about the parents who take their little rugrat out to a rated R movie on a Saturday night at 9pm and let them run around the isles or let them sit there and cry during the movie. I tell you right now, I will be the person who trips JR or yells from behind to shut the hell up! Let’s be honest here folks…if you were sitting in church, the movies, or the opera….and if an adult were to sit there and in a normal speaking voice carry on a conversation with the person next to them you would more than likely be slightly annoyed. So why is it OK for the parent to allow the crying to infant to remain? Let me point
out at this point if I may…the exit doors at the rear of the church and the two located off to front side of the church. Oh and here’s the real kicker here….the “crying room” that is in the church for just such an occasion! I rest my case!
And two more things…1- for those of you who do bring little JR to the rated R movie (when I’ve paid for a babysitter so that I CAN watch MY overly priced movie in quiet)….I pray that someday you find yourself wiping "JR"’s poopy diaper and that the wet wipe gives way at the most inopportune moment. And 2-My book will be out next June. I will be sure to place some people on the “ship to first” list.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Hmmm....what's in a name?

What's in the name mommy?

I've been struggling for months now with a decision I made years ago not to have any more children. It's not easy to say, but I believe I made a mistake. At the time I honestly felt I could be a better mommy to 3 children then I could be to 4.


At this moment right now I want to have another baby. Wes and I have talked about it, and while no firm decisions have been made we are still leaning towards the "no" part of the conversation.

You see, to have another baby I would need to have my tubes "un-tied". It doesn't come cheap, and it is NOT covered by my insurance.


When I mention to people that I am thinking about having another baby, they look at me like I am crazy, (I don't necessarily disagree) after all I have three wonderful and healthy kids. But...somewhere, not so deep inside me I am feeling the gentle tug on my heart strings...and it's saying "momma". I've tried to put into words to friends as to why I would invite more chaos into my already crowded household. It was my husband who actually made sense of it for me. For weeks now we have been discussing it, and he has been trying to make me see that I just want the baby part of the child...and that they grow up and are only little sweet babies for a few months. I was actually thinking he was right. So, he was reminding me of midnight feedings, teething, tantrums, diapers, and of course child birth. Please understand I am in no way disillusioned about this! I, after all am the one who got up EVERY single time with all three children for EVERY single feeding and middle of the night diaper changes. I am the one who went through the actual pain of child birth and the joy of my "milk coming in". I'm not really sure how he thinks I have forgotten any of this?! Trust me, my mind and body remember well. Wes then turns to me and says to me, "you like the chaos don't ya? You like the mess and the crying and the dirty diapers don't you?" I laughed when he said it, but he hit the nail on the head! Sure I remember the moments (vividly) of not showering until 8pm at night because I just didn't get a moment to myself, and lugging children to pediatrician appointments and then screaming at them the entire ride home because they had acted up. I do, I really do. I remember the smell of spit up knotted in my hair, and looking for a binky on the floor under the crib in the middle of the night because the baby had once again for the 10th time that hour dropped it and was crying again. And trust me there are moments still now where if you were to knock on my door and give me the right offer I may give you one of my children so I can remember what silence sounds like...but at the end of the day, I wouldn't have it any other way. Sure, I like my "me time" my time with my friends. It doesn't make me a bad mom or any less of a mom by getting away from it for a few moments here and there. Even those who love their jobs don't spend EVERY moment there.


I've been really watching my kids these past few weeks and trying to understand why and where this feeling to have another child has gotten so strong in me. It's not just because my kids are no longer babies. I like the crazy life! For as many times that I look into the rearview mirror of the minivan and yell at the kids to start behaving, there are other times when I look in the rear view mirror and see one more tiny head back there acting up with his/her brother and sisters. I love the big family dinners and the wild trips as a family to the store. I love the giggling on a Saturday morning when the kids are all playing together.


I love Charlie for the way he tries to act all tough when really inside he's still so young. He has such a fragile heart, and I have to remember to tread lightly with him because as much as he wants to be the "big guy" he is still just a momma’s boy at heart, and deep inside he wants to know that's ok.



I love Meaghan for her moody pouts and for her love of life. Meaghan is wise beyond her years. Her wisdom is my proof that there is more to this life after death. A soul like Meaghan's could never cease to exist. She is so tender hearted and has such a beautiful nature she makes me want to be a better person. She's the oldest 6 years old I know!



Caitlynn...I love Caitlynn for being my shadow. She's my mini me, out of all 3 kids I would have to say she is the most like me. She is my reason for wanting another baby. Our time together at home just the two of us has made me see how much of Meaghan and Charlie's life was a blur to me. She is my reason for slowing down and taking time to smell the roses. She ironically has been the one to show me that I am a wonderful mom to three and could do it just as well with 4.


My three kids came so quickly into our lives; I think I missed some of the fun moments. I was so caught up in the day to day events I forgot to take a look around and see how blessed I really was. I complained too much of the noise and the mess and didn’t realize that in the blink of an eye it would be gone. Whatever decisions we come to I know it will work itself out. I am grateful that I can look at my kids and hear the whining and fighting and still understand that I need to appreciate it before it's gone in the blink of an eye.


So as I tucked my kiddos into bed tonight I narrated a bed time story to them with such passion it would have left Katharine Hepburn speechless, I cuddled them close smelling their freshly washed hair and told them just how much mommy loves them. And with matched enthusiasm they told me how much they loved me, and in the end that's all that really matters to me.

Friday, December 11, 2009

My friends

So after reading a friends blog-in which I laughed and cried, I decided to take a time out and pay homage to the wonderful people I call my "girlz".

I've been so blessed to have met an incredible group of ladies this past year. We were thrown together by chance and we have shared so many wonderful memories with each other. I truly can not imagine my life without them.

Let me introduce you to my "G girlz"

Tina-We call her "momma G", not because she's the oldest (like she first thought when graced with the nickname) but because of the way she cares for us. She's kind of like the mother duck and she keeps all of us ducklings in a row. She is the person you go to when you need someone to talk to,to offer you up some objective advice.

Ryann-Just saying her name makes me smile! Ryann is one of those people that when she is in the room she becomes the center of attention. She has this knack for turning everyday events into a humorous anecdote and she tells it with the animation of a Disney character! Ryann is my own personal sunshine. (she will appreciate the Twilight reference)

Heather-Even though she has moved away she is still in our hearts. Heather was a surprise for me. She's quiet at first...but when she opens up she is really easy to be with. She is always up for anything. And is without a doubt the most laid back person I have ever met. If you have high blood pressure or are feeling stressed-Heather is the best medicine!

Alisiana-LOL! I laugh because in some ways she reminds me of me. I think a lot of people when first introduced to her think she is a bitch. (hmmm? Sound like anyone else?) She has a hard exterior...but don't let it fool ya! Once you break through her tough girl facade you will find a very loyal caring person! And she will cross swords with anyone who messes with her friends! :-) (won't ya A?)

Shoshanna-The baby of our group! Sho (as we call her)is just easy to be around. I can't imagine any one NOT liking Shoshanna. I can't even put it into words.She is the kind of person that you can sit on the couch with in your jammies, watching a movie and just feel at ease like you've known her your entire life.

Amy-I saved her for last. She was my inspiration for the post. Amy stands tall in her tiny frame!When you need hospitality go to Amy. (that's hospital-ITY folks...not hospi-TAL!)She always has a kind word and a compliment, that makes you feel like the most important person in the room. If I could shrink Amy, I would carry her around in my pocket! Everyone should have a pocket Amy in their lives.


My girlz are my sanity pills. They keep me in check with reality, and aren't afraid to tell me when I've lost my grasp on it.


My girlz will hold your hand while you're in labor, and pick up the phone in the middle of the night telling you it will all be alright.

My girlz will kick up their heels and bring the party anywhere they go...even if it's just for a dinner out or a simple movie.

My girlz will pick you up off the proverbial floor.

My girlz will make you laugh 'till your sides ache and your face hurts from smiling.

My girlz are fiercely loyal....don't EVER tap your foot or speak down to one of their friends! LOL!

If someone had put all of us in a room 2 years ago and told me, "these women will forever change your life and make you a better person" I would have rolled my eyes and told them they were crazy. How could a group of women with such diverse backgrounds and different personalities possibly be friends? I'm not sure how it works...I just know it does, and for that I am VERY thankful for "My Girlz"