It's Real, Stop Staring

Yes, Those Are PJs

Carvin' Pumpkins

The pumpkins we bought nearly a week ago, just kept staring at me. Everyday, those passing glances brought dread, and obligation. There isn't much I like about this ritual, besides the adorable/frightening pumpkin faces, and seeing my kids happy, and the pumpkins seeds to snack on at the end of it all. I don't know what it is. The giant sharp knives around the small kids that they just keep trying to grab. "Can I do that eye?" Yikes! Carving pumpkins is a two adult task, so I made Tom help me out right before he headed back to Las Vegas. I must say, the pumpkin we found was a one in a million one. I just kept laughing and laughing. The best part was the no carving necessary.

Do You Want It?

I am going to post a photo. You know you want it. Ah, now that was a vacation. I know, the picture isn't exciting is it. I was just trying to remember what it felt like to be on vacation. Let me look for something...unflattering. Why didn't anyone tell me? Seriously, where are my friends?

Happy Birthday Tom!

I just wanted to talk to you all a bit about this great man. I have been so lucky to be a part of his life. He is the funniest person I know, and I am pretty sure there are plenty of other people who think that, but perhaps can't say it out loud-so they don't offend.
Tom is just one of those people who is a naturally good speaker. This has come in very handy for me since I am afraid of confrontation and speaking to strangers, or even talking to people I know well. He is the mediator. The one who makes me feel more comfortable. The one who calls up the lawn maintenance crew that just blow out my sprinklers, and broke one of them because they were obviously using to much pressure, and gets them to fix it. I hate going anywhere without him. He is the ice breaker. He puts me and everyone else at ease. This has made him a great business man. His employees love him, but not for the same reason Anthony's love him, because he doesn't let them get away with anything. People just love him, and gravitate to him. He has countless customers that call him just to talk. He has been given gifts. Can any of you think of any worker that came to your house that you were so impressed with that you felt the need to bestow a gift? Me neither.
He is the one who helps me pick out shows to watch. I know I have blogged about it before, but I am seriously lacking that skill. When I was growing up, I watched very little TV because it was always my dad's choice which meant either football or news or boring. I missed out on those critical TV decision making years, and just like developing language-you can't get learn those skills in adulthood.
This is the part where you all are getting really jealous, but there is more. He cooks for me. I know, I am the luckiest girl in the world, and to top it all off, he is a great cook. After years of him cooking for me, I hate eating out because I know I could have had a much tastier meal at home that is healthier and always hot. I am not talking spaghetti every night either. He goes all out with fresh herbs and garnish and fancy spices and flavor injecting. The list goes on and on. I must be honest. I found it offensive at first that he didn't want me to cook (except a few things such as, anything on the table at Thanksgiving), but I got over it really quick. It is like having a personal chef that knows what you like, and loves to please you.
As if all this isn't enough, he is handsome to top it all off. He has the sweetest big brown eyes you ever did see, and his legs. Don't get me started. I married him for his legs. I hope I can find a picture of them so you can all see. He also has great skin that tans instantly.
He is also very smart. He has a genius IQ, and there is no one that could beat him in a debate/fight. I have lost every fight we have every had, and I have always been right. I don't know how he does it. He can fix anything. It all just comes so naturally to him.
So Tom, I love you and thank you for all you do for us.

Last One-Tom's Coming Home

I just thought I would post one more video for Tom. I am pretty sure he won't see it, but I just wanted to make sure I posted something for him every day. I am trying really hard to keep my promise, in spite of everything. I am posting this video without watching it, and I was listening to my music very loud when I took it. I am not sure if I am screaming when I talk or if the kids even said anything. I thought I would be surprised, just like the rest of you.
I love you Tom, and I can't wait to see you.

Photo Friday

I am posting this picture because the one I really wanted to post won't scan (remember, new scanner, don't worry I'll have Tom fix it when he comes.) I will descibe it for you. It is a picture with most of my family circa 1996. My mom had a photographer (Uncle Jim-you know him Sara) come to the house to take a long over due family picture. I was so tired and lazy, I didn't even get dressed. That's right folks. I am in my pajamas in one of our family pictures. I wonder why my mom didn't order a big one to hang on the wall?
This is back in the day. Hazel is 2 and Thomas is about 7 months. Weren't they so cute?

Thomas's New Car

Thomas was so excited about his happy meal toy he got on Tuesday that he wanted me to make a post about it. I blew him off several times before he told me he would help me clean the whole house so I would have time to do it before bed. He totally followed though. So, here you go Thomas, this is for your dedication. He wanted you to see every angle. Of coarse I obliged.

Video And Post-Unrelated. Topic-Worst Day EVER!

The video is for Tom. You know to let him know how much we love him, and miss him, but I just have to vent about the day I have had. Ugh...
It all started about 4:00 am. Violet came into my room, or rather, bathroom, and I heard her mumbling something about pooping her pants. She seemed distressed and in disbelief. I ignored it hoping it was all a bad dream, but seconds later she was right ext to me, asking for some help. I got her all cleaned up and was heading for her room to take her to bed. Just before we entered the room she asked, "Aren't you going to clean my bed too?" It wasn't until that point that I had even considered the possibility of a mess in the bed. I open the door and the overpowering smell of vomit. Then it all becomes clear. I have a situation on my hands. I clean up the mess, and make my way to bed, I can't sleep because I am thinking about containment and future messes. Thomas, Hazel, and Atticus appear fine. I hope maybe Violet just ate something bad. She is still obviously sick. I let her soak in the bath, and she seems a bit better. We go out running errands, which include picking Thomas up from school. He wasn't going to be riding the bus because he was staying for chess club, or so I thought. As I am driving to pick him up, I get a call from the school saying the bus brought him back to the school because no one was home. I race to the school to pick him up after I explain about the note that I PINNED TO HIS SHIRT said he was not to take the bus home, but he was going to stay for chess club. I get him and on the way home, Violet thew up in the car. I get home and hurry to get the car seat and all the blankets washed. (Thank goodness my new washer has a sanitary cycle.) Then I am suddenly over come with the most terrible stomach cramps. They travel all over my whole body. I can't move my neck or stand up straight. I feel really sorry for Violet all the sudden. (She had told me she couldn't move earlier, and now I know why.) I sit on the couch wondering how am I going to fix dinner give baths and get the kids to bed in this condition. Tom suggests calling my in laws to help, but after about an hour, I feel sightly better. Better enough to do my duties-minus the bath. I check the messages and there is a message from Thomas's teacher, nearly in tears, apologizing. She said she only read the first half of my note which was about him missing folder (that she had taken yesterday because his homework was finished, that I was unaware of.) Only after Thomas showed back up at the school did she read the note in its entirety. I feel bad for her. I am sure she is stressed out about it more than I am. I relax, and watch a movie, and as I go to check on the kids, I open the boys room and to my horror-Thomas has puked all over himself and his bed. I get him new cloths and new sheets and gently wake him to get him cleaned up. He is pissed! He didn't wake up when he thew up and thought I had done that to him. He was so grossed out. I am putting on the sheets when I hear a terrible coughing, choking, puking sound behind me. I grab Thomas and aim him in the direction of the dirty blankets pile. Thankfully, he makes it to the pile, and realizes that filth came from him. He brushes his teeth, and after a conversation about making it to the bathroom to thow up, he is back in bed. I came in here to do this video for Tom, and I hear that terrible sound again. Thomas comes running down the hall with his hands over his mouth, vomit dripping through his fingers. He says he caught it in his hands. Thank goodness because I am out of clean sheets. I get him cleaned up again, and I am praying that is the end of it. I hadn't thought about trying to take care of sick kids, when you feel like crap, all by yourself. I just hope tomorrow is a better day.

Publish Post

This One's A Winner

I know it is a bit long, but as far as crappy video's go, this on is the best so far. It has a few twists and turns.

New Routine

Sorry, this is kind of a last minute video. (You won't notice anything different.) I am really trying to get the kids on a better sleep schedule. It is 7:11 right now and if everything goes as planned the kids will be asleep by 7:30. Fingers crossed. I am the one who usually puts the kids to bed, but since Tom has been gone the kids think they can come down over and over again. I guess he was better than I am at making bedtime stick. I wrote out a new bedtime schedule that the kids seem excited about. I am looking forward to an extra hour at night to myself. An hour of watching scary shows, and calling Tom for comfort. Thankfully the sun is cooperating with me now. I love winter for that reason.
Can you call it a new routine? Isn't that an oxymoron. Something to think about.

Two More Days...

As you all know my sisters stayed with me this last week. They got me some milk. Lots of milk. I had 5 gallons in my fridge to be exact. I am one full gallon down and two halves so really two gallons down, but the first one will expire in two days. We aren't really milk drinkers, except for Thomas who is actually lactose intolerant, and he has drunken most of what is gone. I can get Atticus to drink milk from a bottle so of course he is back on the bottle until the milk is gone, but I am out of ideas. How do you use that much milk? I am looking for a creative solution. Thank you! And a special thanks to my sisters for all the milk. I won't waste a drop.

Sumpen Differnt

I thought I would mix things up a bit. You never know what you are going to get. Man, I should have put my sweater back on. I know what you are thinking. Are those ruffles on the sleeves? Yes, they are, and I am loving them. I feel like I am wearing a fancy apron. Don't worry, I didn't go to church like that. Hope you all enjoy our night with Max and his music.
Oh, this is taking forever. It isn't even that long of a video. This better be the best video you have ever seen, and you better leave a comment Tom. You owe me big time for this one. This is my second try posting it. I thought something might be wrong after trying for 30 minutes.

Just A Little Crazy, I Hope.

I thought I was doing so good. I am sure all of you know that my mom died in August. I have missed her and found myself thinking about her more than ever, but over all, I feel like I have been keeping it together pretty well. I have been relying heavily on candy. Pounds of it. Eating so much everyday that I am pretty sure I have diabetes from all of it. I had been feeling physically terrible, as I am sure you could imagine. My stomach is begging for something better so I decided I wasn't going to buy any more candy. I thought I was ready. I ran out yesterday, and I have been a wreck ever since. I don't know how much of it is detox and how much of it is out of control emotion that hasn't ever been dealt with properly. I had gotten some Jelly Bellies yesterday that I was saving for Tom (they are the only candy he really enjoys.) I ate some, too many, but thinking about how I had let myself down made it unfulfilling. I am not going to eat anymore today. Instead, I am going to post this super depressing post. A catharsis of pent up emotion, to save myself a bazillion calories and an upset stomach.
I don't want you to take me so seriously. I am not posting this for pity. I hope you all put something funny to break the tension. It can be cruel and insensitive too. I think that would make me feel better. I know you all feel sorry for me.
Fruit snacks don't count as candy...right?
This is a picture of my mom full of life.

I Couldn't Leave This One Out

Oh, you'll see..

Look How Much They've Grown Today!

Here is your requested video, Tom. You let me know if you get sick of these. I am sure you didn't think I would actually post a video everyday, but I have. Do you really want more? Maybe every other day? Let me know. I can keep going...
Today, we went to get coats. We haven't ever needed coats before. It was fun and expensive. Thank goodness they only need one. I actually only got two today. That means I have to venture out in the cold again with two kids that are under dressed. You would think I was from Las Vegas or something.

Kids These Days-This Day To Be Exact

I took some pictures of the kids today. Sadly Hazel was at school so she missed this one, but I promise that she is cute as ever.
Thomas was being so cute. He was really relishing all the attention from this particular photo session. This is one of 70+ pictures of him. He is obsessed with what dad's do. Everything he eats, he asks if dads eat that. He told me he knew how to build a wall, "You need rocks and mud, that's all." Ok, not a direct quote. He told me how you do it step by step.
Atticus was mad. I thought it was a bit strange that he had collected all yellow cars today. It is normal for him to have his hands full all the time, and cars are a normal fixture in them, but all yellow? You tell me, coincidence or not?





I could not get Violet to hold still, which explains the blurriness. This was one of the better ones. She is such a sweet girl, and she asks about her daddy everyday.


This video is what the kids are going on their Friday night. Since we decided not to have any friends over, I still thought they would have a good time with each other.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Today is my baby sister's birthday. I just wanted her to know that I love her, and I am thinking of her. I am going to see if i can find a picture of her to post...hold on...
I found this one. That is her, front and center in the lace-necked teal number at my grandparents 50th about 20 years ago.


Let me see if I got something more current. Hold on... Got one. I stole it from her blog, but it fits her. She is always taking car of random old ladies. She is a great sister and a great friend. Love ya!

Foto Friday

I had a gem that I desperately wanted to post, but I got a new scanner that I just can't seem to figure out. Let's just say mullet. I know, I am disappointed too, but I found this one. I don't know if you have all seen it before, but I am sure is you look hard enough you might find a mullet or at least Bailey's short lived Faucet do.

I just had to add this one. It isn't a dance picture, just one of me looking fancy. In my defense it was a theme dinner for YW I was attending. Circa 1995ish?

Today's Video Of The Kids

I am sorry to all the people that don't really care about this video. You are under no obligation to watch it. I know it is making you all insanely jealous because my kids are so darn cute. Don't hate!
Just a funny side note. I had forgotten to put the memory card in and put a video on the internal memory. I went to delete it, and found about 4 pictures of my cleavage. I think they are pictures I accidentally took when I first got the camera. I am not going to post them for 2 reasons. There might be perves out there who are checking my blog regularly to see if I have posted pictures of my cleavage and I didn't have the required hardware to make the connection. Lucky for you, you all have great imaginations. I am sure the visual in your head is better anyway.

Jackpot!

So, I had this family BBQ. You know, the kind where everyone brings there own meat and a side dish. Well, I was running late, cleaning my house so I didn't make it to the store to buy any meat or a fresh side dish. I dug a package of cheese hot dogs out of the freezer and three previously opened bags of chips and laid them out. -my contribution- So things wrap up. One day turns into three, you see my sister Mindy stayed with me, and we were busy sitting on the couch, so I wasn't really worried about doing any deep cleaning while she was here. So today, I was finally getting to that massive pile of papers that was cluttering my counter (see video below), and I found these...They make me feel like Brittany Spears. This post is to all my sisters that were at my party on Monday night. I have your sunglasses and if you ever want to see them again you must give me something. This is a negotiation, and I will consider all offers. Until then, I am going to wear them so act fast. I have four kids, you know.

Post Not For Pedophiles

Here is your video Tom. I hope you like this one better. Not to spoil the plot, but it is a chronic-what-cle of today's events, minus the yelling and beatings. Maybe a little yelling. Enjoy!

Wrong Video!

I am so embarrassed. I didn't know I had posted the wrong one until I saw all the strange comments. I was like, "what is wrong with these weirdos." Then I realized I was the weirdo that published the dumbest ever video. So this is a formal withdrawal of a crappy video. Not an actual withdrawal, but I remove my name from that post. Not taking credit for that snafu. A new video is coming for you, Tom. But not now, I am busy.

Message For A Far Away Father

This one is for you Tom. I feel a bit sorry for everyone else who looked at it and didn't see anything funny or exceptionally cute. That's right, it isn't all funny comments and freshly brushed hair at my house.

As Requested...

I forgot who requested this one, but I think it is universally enjoyable. Do you think he is gonna need therapy?
Don't worry, all those who wanted pictures of fancy pants Atticus. I am in talks with my sister to get the coveted photos. Hopefully this will tide you over, since I lack motivation.

Happy Birthday Hazel!

And there it is...the reason for my unexplained absence. I have been busy with birthday "stuff" and making this beaut.
Tom is leaving tomorrow. Which is Hazel's actual birthday. That is the bad news. The good news is I am going to have a lot more free time to blog.
Hazel has been a joy to have. She is always kind and thoughtful. She tries so hard to always please and do right. She is very intelligent, and to top it off, beautiful. I am so proud of her. Well anyways, happy birthday Hazel. I love you!