Monday giggles

what I see...

Right after an evening run, and during the January Texas weather.

How's that for motivation? Anyone wanna come next time?

sure.. why not.

Hey guys...

Isn't it exciting that even folks who don't know or care to pay their taxes can now have backing from a Senate panel for the nomination of Treasury Secretary.

Hey, I've got a great idea... Why don't we look into the ranks of our average everyday felon for those who want to run for our local judicial positions?

Please... Where is the freakin' sense of responsibility or even common sense.

That is all.

A Poem if you will.

The wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does blaw;
Or the stormy north sends driving forth
The blinding sleet and snaw:
While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,
And roars frae bank to brae;
And bird and beast in covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.“
The sweeping blast, the sky o’ercast,”
The joyless winter day
Let others fear, to me more dear
Than all the pride of May:
The tempest’s howl,
it soothes my soul,
My griefs it seems to join;
The leafless trees my fancy please,
Their fate resembles mine!
Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme
These woes of mine fulfil,
Here firm I rest; they must be best,
Because they are Thy will!
Then all I want—O do Thou grant This one request of mine!
—Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,
Assist me to resign.

Robert Burns


Now class, who can tell me what the author of this poem meant?

To me, it says, I hate winter, but I'll endure it because I have to.
That speaks volumes to me right now. 3 kids, 2 sick, 1 to go.

whoa, nelly

Here's a tidbit about me that many of you don't know (but many of you do). I hate confrontation. The thought of having to have an uncomfortable discussion with someone makes my skin crawl.

Why? Why is it so hard for me to get up the nerve to say what I feel when it's called for? I'm a pushover, there I said it. Only in extreme situations have I ever really said what I feel (when I know the other person is not going to agree with me at least a little bit). Baxter is, of course, excluded from this discussion because he usually knows what I feel whether I tell him or not.

I hate the feeling of knowing that someone is upset with me and,when I know that resolution has to happen. Why am I such a wimp?

There isn't really anything in particular that's bugging me right now, and I'm not having issues with anyone, it's just something that bothers me about myself that I've noticed in the small seemingly non important moments where you should pay attention the most.

There. whew.

The Nanny State

I grew up in a teeny tiny house. It had just enough room for my family to live in, and barely enough for us to survive without being at each other's throats all the time as we got older. I think it added to my sister and I being close, but we got close in spite of a lot of bickering.. As and adult, I realize my parent's pain.
As our family keeps growing (in size, not in number!)I realize that we are outgrowing our little house. I have decided to try to chip in and add some money to the pot to rennovate it, so we can move into a serious upgrade. I am now nannying.

I have learned a few things about myself in the past few weeks. It's been challenging, but not overwhelming (yet). I am pretty patient, and pretty creative with them.

Here's what my day now looks like, when I have all 4 here during the day (no preschool)

6:30-wake Kayleigh up for school
7:15-send Kayleigh out the door with a kiss
7:15-8:00-get myself showered and dressed and tidy up the house before the kids come
8:00-kids arrive
8:15-feed 4 kids breakfast
8:45-clean up from breakfast
9:00-morning dance party
9:30-bubbles or storytime
10:00-prepare first snack
10:15-snack time!
10:45-watch wiggles, or some other t.v.
11:ish-get everybody prepped for nap
11:15-naps for toddlers
11:30-Taylor and I do puzzles or she has computer time
12:15-Taylor lunch, mommy lunch and rest
1:30-wake up/lunch
2:15-pack all kids up to get Kayleigh from school
2:45-get everyone in house/snack for Kayleigh
3:00-games
3:30-Mommy's here!!!

And then I collapse for about an hour before I have to get dinner ready, go to the gym, church, or other activity for the evening.
I finally wind down about 8:00 every night and I sleep welllllll. That's why my blogging has been less than intense since before Christmas. I have a lot to say, but just no energy to blog. I'm going to keep plugging away since I do enjoy it so much. But you might have to bear with me until I get a handle on my new schedule. I have found something in myself that I didn't know I really had, it's called organization. When I have to, I can schedule and coordinate really well. The past 3 years of survivng in what seemed to be total chaos (when Ella blessed us with herself, life became absolutely crazy) has paid off. I can handle anything. Just call me, Supermom.

Where do I start?

You ever have that moment when you haven't seen somebody for so long, and you have so much catching up to do that you're kind of intimidated about hanging out with them because you don't want to overload them with information? Okay.... maybe not. But that's how I'm feeling about blogging to you guys right now. I have had a seriously busy few weeks.



I guess I could start with Christmas. My sister and brother'n law came in for 4 days. We had a blast. There were groin injuries from cheerleading that should have been left in the past, there were lots and lots of barbies (er.. um.. for the girls of course), there were flat tires, endangered male egos, and monkey like efforts trying to work garage doors (my sister and I are not what you would call mechanically inclined, and left on our own, it's pretty comical). All in all, I can say it was a full 4 days of hilarity. It's always guaranteed to be a laugh or a twin-like cackle when she and I get together.

We then scooted to Branson for a week to hang out with Baxter's family. We, of course did the obligatory Silver Dollar City (which we all really enjoyed!), the IMAX, and you know, everything else is kind of a blur. The reason: We stayed in a double sided condo with the other half of the family, and let me just say, the fact that it was what you might call "tight quarters" and that my children were hopped up on adrenaline and sugar, you can imagine how we all felt by the end of the week. Add to that, the place was stocked up on every kind of dessert you can imagine (thank you mother n' law), and as many of you know sweets are my "happy place" that I go to when I get stressed out. So, now that my double chin is back firmly in place, I am home and glad to be here. We did have a great time being gone, and getting to hang out as a family, though!

I'm now nannying 5 days a week for a friend, and it's going well. 4 kids including my own (3 under 2)will be in my care every day, needless to say, Blogging is going to come a little harder for me because I have to be one step ahead in scheduling my time. I am not used to having to plan things out during the day according to a schedule, and it's going to be an adjustment. I just want you all to stay with me and keep reading.

More to come. I have to go get ready for my day, and for all the children that are going to be in my kitchen in aout 30 minutes!

I am not missing.

I've been out of town, here and there, near and far. I hope to update everyone soon with a longer post. We are using a defunct computer that randomly shuts off, so I don't want to post anything longer than to say, Hang in there, and keep checkin' in!

I can't wait to share things with everyone about our holiday fun and travels. Until then...

"Live life to the end"
My and Baxter's favorite new quote.
:)