Oh, the joys of parenthood...

Today is the Friday after Thanksgiving. I am not a Black Friday shopper. I guess for some it is tradition and some really enjoy it but, for me, I am not going to fight that crowd. I am not a big shopper anyway. I like to go get what I need and be done. So, since I will not have any shopping stories to share I will tell you about Thanksgiving. We had decided to go to Bill's brothers house. His sister was in town from California and she only comes to visit about twice and year. His brother had just got married and bought a new house and wanted everyone to be there for their first Thanksgiving together. We could kill a lot of birds with one stone, right? Well, it is a two hour trip and we didn't have to be there until 2:3o so we had a lazy morning and got ready at our own pace. Finally, at about 12 noon, we decided to get things packed up, throw some snacks in the bag, diapers, pajamas, drinks, the cheesecake, and most important give the kids their Dramamine. We printed up a map of the shortest route and off we went. We did not realize that the shortest route was also the hilliest and the windiest. Once we got off the expressway, about 45 minutes into the trip, it was a continuous roller coaster ride. Hopefully, the kids would sleep until we got there. Nope, my life couldn't be that simple. Jacob, who has been our biggest puker woke up and told us he was sick. I grabbed a bag because that was all I had. He hasn't got sick in a while so I was not prepared (the medicine has worked since we have been using it). Well, long story short, he missed the bag, completely. So, we pull over and clean him up with what we had...baby wipes. I take all his clothes off except for his underwear and shirt. Bill called his brother and told him our dilemma and we were off again. We didn't realize this but we were less than a mile from our exit (if only he could have held off 3 minutes). So, of course, we make a grand appearance. Bill got Jacob in the house, wrapped in a towel, showered him, put on his PJ's, and threw his clothes in the washing machine. Then, it was off to make introductions to his brothers new in laws...what a great first impression. We are already known as the ones with the "monster" kids...might as well live up to it. Anyway, the rest of the day went okay. The kids were actually pretty good considering the circumstances. Their youngest is 13 and there was not much for my little ones to do. We left about 7. We took a different route and arrived back home without any messes. I am sure we gave the family something to talk about though.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This is a picture of me, Bill, Jon and Mandy in Mexico. I am putting this picture up for two reasons. First, I do not like winter and being cold. In Mexico, there is no winter and it's not cold. Winter is pretty in pictures, I will admit that, but I can look at pictures on a beach, sipping a tasty beverage, enjoying the warm sunshine, and working on a tan. Every winter I go through this, I want to go somewhere warm. The second reason I posted this picture is because I miss my sister. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am really having a hard time. We spent alot of time together. The holidays will never be the same and I don't know how I am going to get through them. Today I was making pumpkin cheesecake for tomorrow and I started crying and Joshua (who is my tenderhearted one) knew why I was crying and said "Mom don't be sad, it won't be a long time and we will be in heaven and we will see Aunt Mandy again. It will be at Christmas time and that is only a few weeks." If only he understood, only if we all could understand. I know someday I will see my sister again because she is waiting for me and she won't be waiting a "long time." She will run to me and give me that hug I so long for. I won't ever have to say good-bye again. Then, there will be no more tears and we will never spend a holiday apart.

TIME FOR HOMEWORK...

Bill decided that he was going to be the one to help Jacob with his homework. Every Sunday, they sit down to do it and this is the scene at our dining room table. Joshua and Isaiah want to do homework, too. I don't think Bill realized what he was getting himself into but I do hope my kids are always this excited to do homework. What are the chances?

The last place you look...Part 2

Yesterday morning we getting the kids ready for school and the time came to put shoes on. Jacob puts his shoes on and Joshua can not find his anywhere. So, starts the search, upstairs, downstairs, in the closets, through the trash, in the cupboards, and, yes, the dishwasher (at this house stranger things have happened). Finally, time is up they have to get to school so Joshua puts on his brothers shoes, they are a size too big but they will do. I gave up the search I figured they would turn up before morning and besides I had laundry to do. I go upstairs to grab the dirty clothes, especially the blankets (if you have read older posts you will recall they are the missing items from the last search). Anyway, down to the basement I go, basket in hand, open the the washer, and what do I see...you guessed it...the shoes. I have no idea how they got there. It seems as though "not me" did it. I used to love the Family Circus cartoons as a kid with the "not me" character little did I know someday my life was going to be like that cartoon.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY ISAIAH!!

What do you think?

Is it okay for a man to get into his wife's purse? I have had this discussion with my husband and he thinks it is okay. At first it drove me crazy but I have learned to live with it. My dad, on the other hand, has been married to my mom for 37 years and has never been in her purse. He brings it to her and she gets gets whatever he needs out. I was driving home today and they asked this question on the radio and I didn't get a chance to hear any responses so I was curious to see if this comes up at your house?

I LOVE MY HUSBAND

My husband has a bumper sticker on the back of his truck that says "I LOVE MY WIFE" He has gotten a lot of dirty looks because of it. He has had people flag him down just to say not so nice things to him. He has looked out his rear view mirror and saw wives pointing (and we can only imagine what they are saying to their husbands). As a matter of fact, when he got his new truck, I didn't think he was going to put a new bumper sticker on it. But it was the first thing he did. I have to admit it makes me feel special to know he loves me that much that he wants everyone to know. Not only that, he is willing to put up with the grief people have given him. I just want to take the time today to say that I appreciate him and all he has done for me and our family. We have always been his priority and he has always made sure we have what we need. And if there was a bumper sticker that says "I LOVE MY HUSBAND" I might put it on my car.

I wonder...

...if there will ever be a day when everything in my house isn't locked up. We have locks on the inside and outside of our bathroom and dining room doors. Locks on the refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, and even our TV stand doors.

...if I will ever be able to put a nice centerpiece on my dining room table.

...if the clothes in my son's closet could stay on the rod, on hangers, and hung up instead of on the floor in a big pile.

...if I will ever be able to have a plant that isn't destroyed.

...if the pillows will ever stay on the couch.

...if my husband could come home and the first words out of my mouth aren't "You need to fix the..."

...if my walls will ever be crayon free.

...if my boys will ever pee in the toilet.

...if Isaiah will ever be potty trained.

...if I will ever go on vacation again.

...if vacation is asking to much, how about a date?

...if I will be able to talk on the phone and actually hear the other person. I know you are really my friend if we have talked on the phone more than once.

...if there will ever be a day that belchs and farts aren't funny.

...if I will ever just except that life has been forever changed because of kids.

It's gonna be okay...

We had a parent teacher conference for Jacob on Tuesday. We were a little nervous about what his teacher was going to say. For those who don't know Jacob he is a "busy" child. I remember the day I had him, I was afraid to sit down in the car because I didn't think he was going to wait until we got to the hospital. He almost didn't, we got to the hospital at 6am and he was here at 6:20am. That should have been my first clue. He started walking at 9 months and has not stopped. He just goes from one thing to the next without a break in between. It's almost as if before he does one thing he already knows the next thing he's going to do.

So anyway, we had no idea what his teacher was going to tell us. I can honestly say I was shocked by what she said. First, she said she has had bigger challenges. Jacob may need reminders but he does respect authority. He likes to talk alot but we already knew that. She said she thinks that we are doing a great job with him. I think that part of me needed to hear that because so many times, especially lately, I feel like I am failing at this mom thing. To hear someone on the outside say that they think you are a good parent was the boost I needed.

But then, who knew being a parent was so hard until you are one and your heart breaks when they do wrong or they hurt and you can't fix it. But somehow every hurt they may bring seems to disappear when they crawl up on your lap and tell you how special you are, that they think you are beautiful and that they love you. My kids are far from perfect but there is one thing I know, they are loved and are loving so maybe instead of looking for someone else to tell me I am doing fine maybe I should just remember that I am the mom God chose just for my kids and if He believes in me maybe I should believe in myself.

Things we do for our kids

This is Hunter...

I have mentioned her before. She was my sister's dog. I really have to be honest I am not too crazy about her but when Mandy passed away I kept her because I didn't have it in me to get rid of her.

But this is Joshua...

He is my next to youngest son. He on the other hand loves Hunter. Every morning he will come into our room just to hug her and kiss her. When she growls at him he says, "Don't you know, it's me, I love you."

Now, I guess we are really stuck with a dog because I can not get rid of her and break my son's heart.

Sorry...

to those who were trying to leave comments and couldn't. I didn't know I had to change my settings...now you can comment away!!!

A little fall fun

READY...

SET...

GO...

FIGHT!?!?

The next LeBron???

This is Tyler, my oldest son and he just made the first string for the basketball team at his school and I am so proud of him!!

Oh, that Isaiah...

Since the weather has been nice Isaiah and I have been walking to the school to pick up Jacob. He is so funny because he remembers every little thing. He knows which house has the wishing well, the big rock, the water fountain and even the black cat. Yesterday, there was a piece of a Halloween costume that must have been lost while trick or treating and someone clothespinned it to a guard rail in a parking lot. It was a orange and red checkered shirt and for some reason Isaiah thought it was underwear. Today, while we were walking, by the costume was gone and he says "Where did Beema's underwear go?" I had to laugh but now I have to find out why my mom would buy such ugly underwear but more important what were they doing on the guard rail????

And the answer is...

A PEN!!

I found it in the bottom of my toaster. A few days ago Tyler was making a toaster strudel and I asked him if he had burnt it. He said no. I didn't think anything of it. I just thought the edge of his strudel was black until Jacob caught Isaiah put a hot wheel in the toaster yesterday and when I got it out I noticed what used to be a pen. Add that to the scooby snack and I can't believe my house is still standing. You can not turn your back for a minute around here. Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be a day that our house will be normal? But I am afraid I already know that answer.

Can you guess what this is?

CAUTION...FLAMMABLE

Okay, so I used the last post as a filler because nothing really eventful had happened. Then I must have jinxed myself. Tonight, I was making dinner and I turned on the oven to finish cooking my chicken cordon bleu when it started smoking and I opened the oven door to notice a "scooby snack" (a bone shaped graham cracker) under the panel by the heating element. Isaiah obviously had thrown a few in the oven when I wasn't looking. You could not get to it without taking the botttom panel off. I figured I would just deal with the smoke and continue to preheat my oven when the snack catches on fire!!! There are flames shooting out the bottom of the oven. We shut the oven off and Bill took it apart to retrieve them. Not only were they black but they had shrunk to half their size. Do you think that could be enough excitement for the night? Not quite...I think Isaiah took a lesson from Avery...he pooped in the bathtub and his brother picked it up and handed it to me. Needless to say, bedtime couldn't come fast enough.

Scattergories...

A friend of mine sent me this email and I thought I would answer it here.

It's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things! Nothing made up! You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. And you can not use the same word twice.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Sherry
BOY'S NAME: Sam
4 LETTER WORD: Sock (that wasn't my first thought)
GIRL'S NAME: Stephanie
OCCUPATION: Salesman
COLOR: Silver
SONG: Stand up for Jesus (one of my youngest son's favorites)
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Scarf
BEVERAGE: Screwdriver
FOOD: Salsa
ANIMAL: Sloth
MOVIE STAR: Sylvester Stallone
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Sink
A PLACE: San Francisco
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Sleeping
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Shi# ! (Yes, that was my first thought!)

In case of an emergency...

Yesterday while at my parents house I noticed the phone was off the hook and as soon as my mom put it back on the hook, it rang. It was the 911 dispatcher. Someone had called and they wanted to make sure everything was okay. My mom explained that it was probably one of her grandkids, everything was fine, sorry to bother you. I called Jacob from the bedroom and asked him if he had called. He said he did but he didn't press "talk." I told him that on grandma's phone there is no "talk" button and that he had called the police. He immediately thought he was going to go to jail and started crying. I told him he wasn't but he can not call 911 unless it in an emergency. He said he understood and went back to playing. A few minutes later the police show up at the house. Jacob saw them out the window and is panicked thinking they are there to pick him up and take him away. My mom answered the door and the policeman asked if everything was okay and Jacob runs to the door yelling "Are you going to take me to jail, don't take me away" crying and carrying on. Of course, the policeman wanted to know why he was crying. We explained what had happened. He asked Jacob if he had learned about 911 in preschool and Jacob told him he learned about it in safety town. He then told us that it is routine to come out even if you say everything is okay on the phone because they need to make sure for themselves. Jacob finally calmed down, hopefully, this was a good lesson for him.