I Could Go On and On .... and I might

I was not going to say anything about this initially.  Only a few people are currently in the know.  Then I realized who am I kidding...I am a venter.  I need to talk things out and just get it out of my system or say it out loud.  This does not always thrill my family.

I remember coming home from school or work when I lived at home and I would rant and rave about whatever was bothering me for at least 15 minutes and then I was fine, over it and could go on about my day.  I still do this... although I turn to writing more than speaking.  So bear with me while I rant.

I remember the phone call from the first specialist when they said that they though D had Crohn's.... I had just gotten to the grocery store and was getting out of the car when the phone rang.  The doctor said, "it looks like the early stages of Crohn's disease."  The news crushed me and I slid to the ground where I just sat until a friend happened along and helped me up {Thanks Jessica!}  Then I had to get up and pretend like that phone call hadn't just happened because I had kids to pick up and an afternoon to get through before my husband would be home.  Being upset would have to wait.

Of course I cried later.... I cried because I knew all the horrible things this meant.  I knew because I watched Crohn's kill my mom bit by bit.  I have another family member with it & I have watched it re-arrange and scramble their life.  I knew the hard road that was ahead... and for an 8yr old to have to travel it just seemed beyond cruel.
But maybe,  just maybe this doctor was wrong.... so we found another doctor who within 15 minutes of talking to us and examining D said, yep Crohn's.  He wanted to do another colonoscopy to verify.
When discussing the results of the colonoscopy with us I cried again... there was no pretending that there was another possibility anymore.     To have to explain to Dylan why he was sick and what his future involved was so hard.  It is heartbreaking to take him to have his blood drawn constantly, to hold him down while they start his IV each month, to explain that yes he has to take all this medicine and while it makes him temporarily feel better he is not better yet... nor will he ever really be all the way better. Dealing with this disease is his life now.   Crohn's never goes away & you deal with it daily.


Fast forward 5 months.  I wake up one morning in extreme pain and drive myself to the ER.  I suspected a kidney stone or wonky appendix and my 4am web md search seemed to support this.
A cat scan, massive amounts of blood work, X-rays, colonoscopy and 6 days later I had a diagnosis as well.  Crohn's.

When they first told me in the hospital that it was a possibility I laughed out loud because the possibility of it seems so absurd to me.  It was my worst nightmare coming true again.
I said, "No I have an appendicitis and you are going to take that out and I will go home."  Then they laughed.

So once again life has changed greatly..... today I started IV infusion treatment.  Soon D and I will go together to get it done.   My sister said "Wow you are taking helicopter parenting to a whole new level" when I told her of my diagnosis.  That was hilarious....it still is.   We are on heavy duty meds.  I pray that this works for us.... that it gets us into remission with little to no scary side effects.

The new normal is hard for me to accept.  It seems like so much to take on and yet here we are and making the best of it.  I run the gambit of emotions.... angry, sad, resolved, determined and  more.
I realize that medicine has advanced a great deal since the days of my mothers diagnosis.... I know that no 2 cases of Crohn's are alike which is both a blessing and curse.  I know that we will get through this and be okay.  I know that there are people going through things that are far worse.
I also know that I would really really love to have rocky road ice cream again but I can't.  So thank you for listening to me vent, for all the prayers that have been said and help given to our family.  We are truly grateful for it all.

And Down the Rabbit Hole We Went

Alright .... I don't intentionally go months and months without posting .... I have all kinds of plans each day and life tends to show me that it has other plans for me.  But here I am carving out a few minutes to update the blog and hoping that I can string together some coherent sentences since it has been so long since I wrote.

So last time I wrote we were living here: 

(How incredible is it that I lived in a place that a giant crown in the middle of town... it seems so appropriate as I am sure I am long lost royalty ... anyway)

Sadly we had to leave there unexpectedly.

One of the boys got really sick while we were across the pond and we spent over a year trying to find the answer all the while we were watching him deteriorate day by day.  It was extremely difficult... we looked at many options and in the end we decided it was best that we left there as a family rather than split up for a large amount of time.  We applied for a transfer and once we were notified that it was approved and where we were going we were gone in less than 30 days. Sometime called a turn and burn.  It was insanity to leave that quick.



While Yorkshire will always have a giant chunk of our hearts this helped:

We went from cold rainy, dreary weather to HOT.  One of our first stops was Old Navy to essentially buy new wardrobes for everyone because long sleeves and wellies were not going to cut it.  Thank goodness for the pool at the apartment or else we might not have survived June and July.

We searched and searched for a house.  Searched some more and were just about at our wits end and we stumbled into a great home and a great neighborhood.  Pictures to come later on that.  Still painting and hanging pictures and sadly unpacking a few remaining boxes.

After debating home schooling versus enrolling we decided to enroll the boys at a fantastic school.  I was incredibly nervous but all three boys have amazing teachers & they have settled in nicely.... although the older two are NOT fans of the uniform.  In fact one day the boys were able to catch a ride in this at school.   Not too shabby huh?

My time has been primarily spent at the hospital or clinic.   We were blessed to find a local pediatric GI specialist who quickly gave us a diagnosis and started a treatment plan.  Unfortunately after being basically untreated (despite our best efforts) for some time, D's illness had progressed to the point where the typical beginning meds were not going to cut it and we had to jump to the much more aggressive ones.  The catch being that there is a possible side effect of getting cancer.... so left untreated he would die, and treated there is a chance we opened the door to cancer.   

 After the first infusion there was almost a night and day difference.... come what may this is the best course of action for him now and it is making a big difference so we will continue on this path for the time being.

So long story short it has been a crazy 7 1/2 months.  As much chaos and heart ache we have endured we also have had so much laughter and joy in visiting family and friends.  We are settling into life here & it is a good place for us.  I was NOT happy about our destination but life is what you make it & I think we are making the best of it and it is pretty good :)  

More to come later y'all.

Many things in life baffle me.... generally what baffles me involves my children.

Here is a list of things that I thought my kids would have down by now.... I have been surprised & baffled by these things for awhile now.

1) Putting the lid back on the toothpaste
2) Rinsing out the sink
3) Flushing..... if nothing else how does your own gag reflex not prompt you?
4) The lack of aim in the loo.... it is astounding to me how many times and how much they miss...
5) Our inability to get out of the door in a quick manner
6) How the genuinely seem stumped as to what they need to do to get ready for school each and every day
7) How going to the grocery store involves at least one battle.... 


Now having ranting about all that here is what else just blows me away about my kids:


1) How amazing of a builder G is.... his mind just creates the coolest things.
2) How generous D is .... he is always so happy to help and to share
3) How funny B is... he can always make me laugh
4) How much just a smile from them can totally alter my life
5) How sweet and rowdy they can be at nearly the same time
6) How much they will defend and help one another
7) How they love to read and imagine and act things out .....


There are days where I am baffled for sure... and days of sighs and frustrations but I would not trade any of them or any of it for a second because what is always there is LOVE.

Hodge Podge and Jewelry

Life has been so full of life that I have not been blogging in some time ...I am grateful to Joyce though who takes most of the work out of it for me when I decide to hop back into it at least on Wednesdays :)  Visit her if you don't already over at From This Side of the Pond.  She is a faithful and talented blogger!

Hop over and join in or just read her answers as well as others and don't forget to check out the Gilt Shop on Facebook - you won't regret it !!

1.  When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean. 

I last faced the ocean .... last summer.  Calm is how I felt facing it.

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?

The panic/pain cry of any of my kids, the phone ringing in the middle of the night & screeching.

3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?

Try on in the store.  If it makes to my house it may never leave.

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?

Not a pistachio fan sorry!

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone?  Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary? 

I would say I am in the midst of a few compromises  and it is never easy ... it is irritating because you both feel right & there is no one to really please anyone.

6.  Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?

I am sure in my youth or Girl Scouts days I did but nothing pops into my mind.  We did use to receive Christmas Cards from the White House years ago when my mom was heavily involved in politics.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?

Guaranteed to make me smile ... hmm... the promise of warmer weather :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have an extremely talented friend who is launching a jewelry business.  She makes incredible pieces and well as scours the world to find unique pieces at a steal.  She is having a sale today that starts at noon EST and you want to check it out!  
I will be interviewing her soon so check back to see pictures of some of her amazing items!
Find her on Facebook and be ready to be wowed! Here is one of her hand crafted designs that she is featuring today.  I have seen it in person and it is wonderful!  I will soon be wearing one - will you grab one ?  

Hodge Podge

Apparently I posted the questions rather than saving them last week and never answered them ... so I will right now since I am on here :)  Who knows when that will happen again and better later than never I guess right?




1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.

Hmm... it has been too long since I was literally on a mountain top ... figurative sense... not sure...

2.  Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own? 

We are in the process of revamping our budget... tough but so important.

3.  Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop ofBen and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one. 

Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia is sooooo good!

4.  Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know? 

It can get dicey... I try to avoid it.  Or maybe better if you don't know them so if you both get angry you don't have to deal with each other later :)


5.  When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip? 

Passenger that is asleep ....

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

gray and black

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?

My favorite senior citizen is my Dad ... he deserves a whole post about all the reasons he is so special so I will have to revisit this :)


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It is a beautiful day today which I am grateful for and I am off to enjoy it !

TMI

Is there such a thing as TMI (too much information) among friends?  Strangers?  Does it depend on the content or if you have the possibility of a similar event?  I wonder....

I am a pretty open book which can be good and not so good.  I feel that with my inner circle I can pretty much share everything and do but I think there are times when we should NOT share everything.... I am pretty willing to hear whatever as well.  

The way I look at it is I am older and have seen and heard a lot already. I have three children, a husband and a dog that are all male so I subjected to gross and funny things daily.  Not much gets to me these days.  

I was thinking about this because I have wanted to post a sign in my bathroom for awhile.... it would say:

When you go number two, you know what to do

Pick up the brush and scrub away your poo

Because I don't want to look at it when I come back through!

But two out of three of my kids don't read so I feel like my wit is wasted so I posted it on facebook and I thought hmm.... should I have... then I thought why not... then I thought I know that will come back to haunt me... then I thought oh well.

I was not telling a poop story per say.... although I have to my friends with kids.  But it just got me to thinking... what is TMI to you?

Ringing in the New Year with Hodge Podge

Welcome to the first Hodge Podge of 2013.  It does not seem possible that today is the second of January yet here we are.  On to the questions provided by the fabulous Joyce who blogs at 

From This Side of the Pond.  If you have not checked out her blog yet, go do it!

1.  How did you ring in the new year?

We rang in the New Year by playing laser tag, mini golf and having lunch with friends.  Later on we went over to their house and met up with some other friends where we ate, played board games and laughed and laughed while all the kids played.  It was fun and nice to not be in giant crowds.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

I look forward to many things in this next year but one of the things I am anticipating most is all the visits from friends & family planned for this spring/summer.


3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, 'All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives.' What say you?

I would say he is right... atleast partially.  I think essentially we are the same but we do change and grow.  I am much more mellow then I was 10 years ago, more confident and more patient.  

4.  The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike?  Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?

I have always been a fan of emerald green and I do have a few shirts and sweaters in that color.  I had just tried to purchase a new coat from Old Navy in that color but they were sold out in my size :(

5.  Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?

I am a fan of every gemstone but my heart belongs to diamonds.

6.  Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

I am not great at narrowing down a favorite but the two that popped into my head when I read this was Pitch Perfect and Dark Shadows.  I love the cheesy off beat humor of Dark Shadows and Pitch Perfect is just fun & has some great lines.  Rebel Wilson I think is the name of the girl who plays Fat Amy and she is hilarious!


7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

To relax and not be so hard on myself.... it will all be fine.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

May 2013 bring you loads of joy and laughter.  May you find peace no matter the circumstances you find yourself in... may you grow closer to your family, your friends and God.   May you be healthy & strive to be healthy so you can enjoy time to the fullest.

Holly Jolly Hodge Podge Happenings

Well it is time for the Hodge Podge and I am glad to be actually participating this time.  The last two I have saved and started and then never finished or published.  Life is busy but I enjoy this so I made sure to get done today :)  Thanks Joyce for taking the time and effort to put this together - it is greatly appreciated!!

If you have not already joined in after reading my answers head over to Joyce's great blog, 

From This Side of the Pond and join in.  She is a much more reliable blogger as well :)

1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking. 

Hmm... we don't really have big traditions about our Stocking... we open them when we first wake up and that is about it.  I am interested to hear all of yours.

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough?

Well I don't do sleep great.  I have a hard time shutting off my mind and I am a night person so that works against me.  I get anywhere from 4 to 7 hours.  I have kids that still get up at night sometimes so if I go to bed late and then they are up I am really struggling the next morning.   No it is not enough and I have been working on improving that because it is so important.

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?

Cleaning the bathrooms?  No that is just what I want to give up...lol.  I think I would give up tv.

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals? 

Well I have always been interested but especially living in England you follow it.  I am very excited for them and I hope that she feels better soon and they are given space to enjoy this experience.

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is__________________.

Jets flying.

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?

Boo.  Fruit pizza is probably my favorite dessert made with fruit.


7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?

I would like to get my Christmas cards out this year as compared to last year.  Lofty goal I know.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I hope that the magic of the Season gets everyone excited and that Christmas can be enjoyed with peace and joy for each of you.   That you don't get stuck in the hustle and bustle and chaos that it can contain.
Oh and if you have an extra 30 seconds my last post has two humorous pictures brought to you by my wacky kids.

Mom vs Dinosaur

Has it really been over a months since I posted?  Wow.... I wish I had a great story or excuse as to why that it.  I don't.  We have been busy & life has been quiet in a sense.  Much going on yet not a lot to talk about.  I am working on that - we need to liven things up around here :)

Some things we have been up to:

We had Halloween and I think I took zero pictures... way to go mom.  We had a Halloween Bash with a few friends over to eat a rushed dinner & then we went out to the chaos of trick or treating.  It was freezing so we made record time.... I was sorely disappointed in the lack of chocolate items in G's Halloween bag.  Sadly for him he cannot eat chocolate so I am usually extremely blessed with his spare treats.  Not this year.  We gave out over 500 pieces of candy.
For dinner I made a new chili recipe that had sweet potatoes... it was unusual but good.  I made a second pot of vegan chili... it was suppose to be the same minus the meat... for some reason it was not... it was terrible.  Apologies again Kelly and family.  Luckily they had brought something they could eat since I failed.
We also had great friends over who stayed here and handed out candy so we could go out as a family to trick or treat.  Thank you to Becky and Eric (not their real names but the names Mr. B likes to call them)

November is a blur.  We had Thanksgiving.  I ended up cooking a tiny 8lb turkey because it was all that would fit in our oven... there was barely enough meat to feed us 5.  Sorely disappointed and made my long for a giant American oven.  Maybe next year we will invest in a fryer.  Luckily for us the base had several other Thanksgiving potlucks, etc so we were able to have about three turkey meals prior to our sad one.

In other news my son drew this picture:

Here is the conversation that followed that:  (between my 6yr old who drew it and my three year old)

B:  Is that mom?
D: No it is a dinosaur...
B:  Well it sure looks like mom

My husband could barely contain himself long enough to get out of the room before he collapsed in laughter. Punks every single last one of them.


We put up our tree and then remembered we had accidentally stored 90% of our ornaments prior to moving. So we have two gallon bags full of bulbs that we put up, a set of 6 star wars ornaments and 6 mickey mouse ones... no topper.  It is a little sad but okay.  I have big plans as soon as all the stuff goes on sale.  Also the kids keep rearranging the ornaments although they are not allowed so we end up with this:

We frequent the library here a lot.  We kids always find the best books that I am so proud to check out.  Like this:

Yes those are buttons on the right so you can have sound effects as well as the amazing text.

Dying in testosterone land here so I often check out story books about Princess's and make the boys read those also.  Yep.

Just in case it is another month before I blog I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may you find joy and peace in the season... not chaos and crazy :)

Hodge Podge Happenings

So life has been nuts and if I don't have time to at least get my Hodge Podge post up then I have to much going on in my life :)  So here is to simpler times and doing less and maybe if I say it enough times it will happen - judging by my entire family not likely.

1.  So, do you like beer? 

No.  Once upon a time long long ago I did but I no longer drink.

2.  What's your least favorite repetitive task? 

Cleaning bathrooms.  If you are new to reading my blog no worries I am sure I will rant about it soon - in my defense I have three boys to clean up after... I think that entitles me to a few rants every now and then.

3.  When was the last time you rode a bus?  Where was it headed? 

The last time I rode a bus was to swimming lessons with my son's class at school.

4.  What song from your childhood or from your own children's childhood could make a parent's nerves stand on end? 

I think there is one something about a song that never ends which is annoying but what really irritates me these days are my kids running around screaming Braundo commercials that they saw on you tube...

5.  The US Presidential election cycle is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN??), and the third and final debate was held last night...what was the last thing you 'debated about'?

Hmmm....well I don't know that we 'debated it' but conversations were held about where to hold my son's upcoming birthday party.

6.  Can a person make too much money?  How much is too much?

Is there something like too much money?  It seems like we and the world always need more.  Seriously though yes, I think that a lot of celebrities and athletes make way to much and often have little to show for it.  I know lots of people donate to charity and all which is great but if you have ever watched an episode of Cribs on MTV you know that someone has too much $$ and time on his hands after you see a few of those houses.  How many gold plated sinks do you need?  How about a few normal high end sinks and buy groceries for some peeps?  Just sayin


7.  Pop-soda-coke-something else...what's it called where you live?

Joyce could probably answer this questions better than me as she speaks fluid England Speak :)  Where I grew up though we always said drink or coke....so you might say, "hey want to go get a coke?" but you might get chocolate milk or ice tea.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am full of random thoughts today.  I am slightly overwhelmed at attempting to do this B Day party when I seriously just did a blow out Mario party for my other son about a week ago.  Two B Days in October is sometimes rough.
My niece is in the hospital delivering my new great niece tonight and I cannot wait to see pictures and really wish I could be there in person.
After two years of working on a medical problem of my son's with a variety of Dr.'s I feel like we are finally making some progress.  Prayers are being answered and I am beyond grateful and feel very blessed.
Lastly, it is super foggy again today and I would rather curl up on my couch and read and/or sleep all day but out into it I go.  This is not one of my favorite things about being here.

Hot glue = no more pockets for children in my house!

So, last night as I was moving the 100th load of laundry out of the dryer (well it felt like the 100th but was probably more like the 15th...) there was a sock that did not come tumbling out when I pulled everything else out and it was stuck.  For about 2 seconds I was puzzled over what would make a sock stick in the dryer, until I noticed the bubble gum wrapper sticking up out of the lint filter. Upon further investigation discovered the melted gum in the back of the dryer.  The brand new dryer.
I find stuff allllllll the time in the washer and dryer from the boys.  Legos, rocks, more rocks, more Legos, crayons. It makes me crazy and I constantly request they do not use their pockets and that they empty them prior to taking off their pants and putting them into the dirty laundry.  Still  I do check their pockets but apparently not thoroughly enough.
 So I have decided that little boys pants should not have pockets at all in them.  I will be hot gluing my kids shut today... yes hot glue because they have a lot of pants and i don't have time or ambition to sew all those.
Seriously why should they have pockets?  They do not have wallets to carry... they don't put toys in their pockets they either carry them, throw them in a backpack or most commonly trick their mothers into schlepping them around.  Boys are gross and pick up gross things... I say down with pockets until they are doing their own laundry.

Finally back at Hodge Podge

I am so happy to be back to posting and happy to be participating in Hodge Podge again!  Thank you Joyce for easing me back into blogging again with great questions :)  Check her out over at:

From This Side of The Pond.

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge this week falls on John Chapman's birth date.  He's more famously known as Johnny Appleseed...what's your favorite variety of apple? 

I really like Grapples. (Apples that taste slightly like grapes)  You can check it out more here

.

2.   When did you last say 'ick'? 

Yesterday when I cleaned my kids bathroom - no dry heaving this time though so I was happy about that.

3.   Do you think there's a generation gap?  Explain. 

This question requires too much thought right now :)  I didn't use to think there was but as I get older and see teenagers I think there must be.

4.  What's on your computer screen saver?  Do you leave it alone or change it often? 

A family picture and I like to change it periodically.  I am to lazy and busy to do it often but I like change.

5.  If you had the attention of the entire world for two minutes, what would you say? 

I would say stop, be grateful and be kind.

6.  Four fashion trends to try this fall are-brocade/jacquard (fancy printed fabrics), peplum, lace, and printed pants...which of these four would you be most likely to wear? 

Well I did purchase a peplum dress which I really like & I think out of the others I would most go for lace.  I just don't know if I can pull of the printed pants.

7.  What can make your bad day better?

A hug from my kids and chocolate.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Well, it has been ages since I posted on my blog, let alone to the Hodge Podge.  August was an insanity filled month and September has been a little nuts also.  I really am hoping that life has slowed down and that we are finally getting back into routine around these parts and yay for finally having internet so I can rejoin you!!!

Hodge Podge & Moving Madness

Well I am taking a QUICK break from packing to join in on the great Hodge Podge questions.  Please stop by Joyce's blog after reading and commenting here to find other great blogs and join in!  

1. I'm joining my daughter1 in the 101 in 1001 challenge. Essentially you create a list of 101 things you hope to do or accomplish in the next 1001 days. What's one thing you'd put on your list?

Publish an e-book

2. How many remote controls do you have in your house? What's one item in your home you wish could be operated by remote control?

Four remotes & I wish I could control.....my oven turning on by remote.

3. What does having it all mean to you? Is it attainable?

I don't know if truly having it all is attainable because there is never enough time, or money, etc.  BUT, depending on your personal definition of having it all you might.   I have a home, food, a car and an amazing family who is all pretty healthy.  My husband has a secure job and we live in an amazing place.  I think we pretty much do have it all.

4. What's your favorite movie soundtrack?

There are numerous amazing soundtracks & I love music.  Not sure if I can narrow it to one.  Growing up we use to listen to The Jazz Singer all the time so I really like that.  Jurassic Park has some amazing music on and it and I like some of the Twilight music as well.

5. Describe the best view you've seen from a rooftop.

When we lived in Japan our first apartment had a rooptop area that we could go and watch the sunrise and sunset.  It was amazing to sit there and look out over the Ocean etc.    No idea where on the computer those picture are and I don't have time to look as I am suppose to be packing my heart out.  Sorry!

6. What's your least favorite thing about summer?

Mosquitos and snakes.

7. Our weekly Hodgepodge falls on the first day of August. In ten words or less sum up your July.

Wet, funny, chaotic, laughter, tears, new.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Found out last night that we are moving in 7 days and the only thing packed up so far is my husband's dresser and nightstand.  So the next few days might be a bit frantic. We are doing it all ourselves in the midst of summer camp, the dog's surgery (which we travel 3 hours each way for starting at 4am) and all the other things life has to throw at you.  I know this is the best thing for my family but I am not excited about it and feeling a bit panicky.  So, if you are a prayer, pray that I don't lose my schmidt in the next three weeks.   
For something lighter here is a hilarious picture of my husband and dog swinging at the park.  Yes my dog loves to swing.  Who knew?  I am so glad I had my camera so I could capture this because it will make me laugh for forever :)

Music Monday published on Tuesday

So because I am lazy but still want to post more than I do I decided to do Music Monday.  Super original right?  I also LOVE music so there is that :)  My tastes are super super varied.  I listen to just about all of it.  Country, pop, classical, rock, and even some rap.

I stumbled upon this song and I really love it and play it over and over.  My kids want to listen to Alvin & the Chipmunks but there are only so many times I can hear that before I want to throw it out the window.  It almost took flight last week.  So I have been declaring large portions of time these days
as "mommy music time".

I love the song because it is just upbeat and happy.  I smile every time I hear it.  I also love the lyrics.

Make You Smile by Catherine Papworth

We know nobody's perfect

We all gotta work at it

No one can see you, show us the real you

Oh and I just want to see you smile,

So hang with me awhile and soon you'll be laughing out loud

Stand up child because better things are coming your way

Sing it out loud no matter what they all say

Those are part of the lyrics.  I like it because I am really trying to teach my kids right now some of those very things.  No one is perfect and we are all trying to do better.  Stand up, be yourself no matter what.  I think being confident in being you is one of the key things a child needs to learn, feel and do.  I am in my thirties and I still work at being comfortable in my own skins sometimes or in new situation.  I struggle and I don't want them to do it so if a song can help that is fabulous.

Here are two links to the song.  It is much better if you can hear it rather than just read about it but I had a hard time finding a really good link so here is two.  One is a live recording. 

website

 If you have a song that you are loving right now leave the title and artist in the comments so I can check it out.  Hope your week brings you lots of smiles!  

Back to our regularly scheduled whining... I mean venting

So when summer rolled around I was ready to do nothing for a week or two because I was exhausted from the end of the year running.  We did that well.

I then read several great blogs about summer schedules and thought it was genius... we don't do well here left to our own devices at times. 

 So I made a plan, at least in my head & we did not do it in June.  I blame this partly on my husband's business trip (I am very good at rationalizing my lazy & poor behavior/parenting).

For July I had big plans.  Well it is now the 26th and well we have not done so well this month either.  The boys are playing a lot and well together more times than expected which is great.  But, we have not tried a new recipe each week with them helping me cook nor done an art day each week or the other things we had planned.  But I still have time people and I will make some of this stuff happen even if it kills us all :)

In other failure news here is this tidbit.  Last night at about 11:30 when I was checking my email and getting ready to blog (the hubs was super excited about that by the way) I said, " I need to pick when I am doing book club ... I could do it this day before school starts but then we have only been in the new house like a week so I probably won't be ready or I could do it the week school starts but will that be okay with people?" And Bill said, "What?"  So I explained it all again and he was looking at me like I was insane so I said, "What?  What do you think?"  He said well I would go with the second since the first one is my birthday.  Then he walked/stalked away... and I was yelling, " I would have remembered soon ya know"

In my defense it was late, I was tired and had only had 2 cokes that day.  In his defense he has every right to be super irritated because he always wants to go to bed early and I never do, I often forget important dates like our anniversary, his birthday and lastly I am not great at birthdays.  I would be irritated too.  In fact if he mistakenly was thinking of planning something on my birthday I would probably flip out...he just looked at me like I was nuts.  Because I am.

So honey when/if you read this I am sorry that you are married to such a flaky night owl.  Much love!

Big plans for August people ... BIG plans :)

Oh and since I am so good at making plans and sticking to them I am going to do a list of 101 things in 1001 days.  I discovered the idea via Joyce who found it via her daughter Shannon.  Who wants to join in and see if we can accomplish something?  Or 101 things :)

Olympic Hodge Podge

I am super excited for the Olympics to start.  I love watching the opening and closing ceremonies and seeing the athletes do amazing things.  Wasn't it amazing what Michael Phelps did?  I think we all become a bit entranced by various aspects of it.   I look forward to sharing parts of it with my kids this year who are getting older and starting to be interested in sports & things besides Nick Jr.   If you are new & are unfamiliar with the drill, read my answers, leave me a comment, then head over to Joyce's great blog where you can link in or find other great blogs to check out.  

1. The Summer Olympics officially begin this Friday...will you be watching? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?


Just one huh?  Well.....I think Gymnastics because I use to do gymnastics and I am fascinated by the strength they have & how they flip around.  We have a friend who got tickets for synchronized swimming and is not super excited but I think that would also be pretty cool.


2. Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?


Well I am lazy so many days are lazy days...lol.  But, I really only like planned lazy days and it being an actual lazy day where you get to read all day or have a movie marathon.  If you can't do that and really enjoy it and unwind that I feel unproductive.

3. July 25 is 'officially' Threading the Needle day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?


I can sew barely.  I can do straight lines well :)  I wish I had really stuck with sewing lessons as a child and I am working on picking it back up.  I would rate my skill as a 4.

4. Threading the Needle can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?


Well, the one that sticks out the most in my mind is the following tale.  I was getting ready to go to a work dinner with my husband & when I was getting dressed he said, "that ribbon belt makes your dress weird" but I wore it anyway.  Then after the dinner his boss, (who had been gone for a few months in his defense) said, "So when is this happening" and pointed to my stomach.  I had no idea what he was talking about initially.  He said, "oh come on you know these things do have a time limit" and I still was clueless.  So I was looking really confused and I said, "what Sir?"  and he said,  "the baby".  I replied, "he is three months old"  In the meantime my good friend who had quickly caught on had walked away laughing hysterically while I stood there with no idea what was happening.  The guy once he realized what had happened was more embarrassed then me I think and apologized and left very quickly.  In the moment I was just embarrassed that I still looked so pregnant which I had not realized I guess in that dress & now it is just something to laugh about.

5. Kidney, pinto, black, or navy-your favorite bean?

Black beans.


6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?


Yes I have.  I have had success and bust ones.  I think if you can do it with another person it can be good because then you have a variety of items and help.  Plus it just depends on location & weather.  I think the best ones I have been to have been community sales where there are a lot of people.


7. What makes you roll your eyes?

Currently my husband who is giving me lip about finishing this at 11:30pm rather than go to bed. 

8. Random Thought....

I am losing the battle of the soda war again.  My husband and I were talking last night about if we just don't buy it then we don't drink it.  He said he would not buy anymore and I looked at him like he was crazy I am sure.  I was thinking I don't think you want me off my meds like that when we are getting ready to move.  Yes I refer to soda as my meds, my kids refer to it as "mommy juice".
  So today of course I was out so I went and bought more and found myself thinking well when we move I will quit.  Then I think well once we get all unpacked and settled I will quit and then after that I am sure I will find another excuse and another deadline.  It is just so hard to stop drinking it and I don't want to be that person who gives in and just keeps doing it.  Sigh.  We shall see.  Soda won the battle today but it will not win the war :)