Big Week in News for Our Family

Aside from Ben's newpaper debut, my sister-in-law, Jen, and niece Sarah, attended President Obama's signing of the Nutrition Bill.  Check it out Jen and Sarah

Jen is sitting right in the back between the President and Michelle.  She has long dark hair and is dressed in black.  Sarah is over on the left, top row and you can't see her until the end, but resembles her mother, tall with dark hair.

Pretty cool.  I guess a benefit to living in Washington DC is being a part of the action.

Ben Maxwell, a Man of Many Words

Our lovely friend Kim interviewed Ben about his recent search for the perfect Christmas tree.  To read about Ben's quest in the local paper.....click here  Christmas Tree Story

Autographs will be provided upon request.

PS  Hope I did the link correctly.  :)

Odds are Against Us

With three kids it seems that the odds are definitely stacked against us.  At least one person is in a bad mood (including mom or dad), someone is feeling like life is unfair and unjust, etc etc.  Just yesterday I was looking at Ben playing and thinking, "Wow everybody is doing pretty well...pretty healthy."  JINX.  Ethan threw up in the night and Ben woke up with a runny nose.  WHY did I let myself even think it????????

The odds were in the children's favor this year for the annual group Christmas photo.  Here are examples from the 40-50 failed attempts.

Needless to say, we opted for the individual shots this year. 

From Rags to Riches??

While trying to discover why the bathroom window wouldn't close (and we were therefore freezing to death in our closet sized bathroom), Kevin discovered two very dirty coins shoved in the window frame. 

What were they?  We speculated that the previous owners, who have secret storage compartments all over the house, had hidden them in the window from any potential thieves.  Furthermore, we speculated...."They must be worth SOMETHING."

Indeed they are.....minted in 2009 they have a face value of $.50 each for a combined total of $1.00.

I wonder WHERE we will spend our new found fortune?

2

cold to blog.  fffrrrreeeezzzzziiiiinnnnnnggggggg.  and winter is just starting.  I better brace myself.

Things That Go Bump (or Growl) in the Night

I have a long list of nocturnal activities.....talking in my sleep, pulling snakes off the beside lampshade, punching my husband in the head to save him from some unknown attacker (sorry dear), leaping from the bed to the middle of my childhood bedroom floor and awaking to feel my chest throbbing from the impact...etc etc.  Not sure when deep sleep sets in.  Probably why I feel tired most of the time. 

The other night as Kevin and I were watching Glee, we hear thump, thump, thump.  It is a benefit of an old house with rickety floors...you know when ANYTHING is moving upstairs.  Kevin runs upstairs to find Ethan aimlessly wandering around the first floor.  "What's going on buddy?", he asks.  Ethan mutters something incoherent and Kevin redirects him upstairs and he instantly falls back asleep in his bed.

Strange occurrences. 

Last night Ethan and Kevin camped out at the zoo with the boy scouts.  I'm wondering, "Are there locks on the lion's cage?"

Just curious.

Urgent Message

Children running in circles.    stop

Husband working late.     stop

Send reinforcements.    stop

Not sure how much longer we can hold on.    stop

SOS

Injury Report Filed....Worker's compensation forthcoming??

Background story: 
A few weeks ago I was cooking pasta, with baby on hip, and needed to drain it.  Not wanting to steam burn baby, I held the large pot with one hand and poured it one handed into the strainer placed in the sink.  I felt a small pop in my wrist and ever since then my left wrist has been a bit tender at times, especialy when I twist it.

Present time: 

While cleaning the bathroom and basically hugging the toilet to get to the urine that seems to mysteriously miss the toilet bowl, I tried to clean the left side of the toilet that sits beside an outside wall.  Well, to sum up, I couldn't work my wrist correctly because requires a twisting motion of the left hand.  Flashback to my "stay at home mom" kraft macaroni and cheese injury.  (Yes Virginia it is a dangerous profession.) 

ANYHOW that is all you need to know to understand the following conversation.

Sally:  I was having a hard time cleaning the behind the toilet because my left wrist seems to be a bit sore.
Kevin:  Maybe we could hire someone to do it.

ha ha.  very funny.  if only.

So long ole pal

When pregnant with Ethan and attending childbirth classes the teacher said, "Go out and get a body pillow today."  So I did and therein began the love affair.  There was nothing better than to snuggle up to that fuzzy full length pillow and engulf my fatigued pregnant belly in support.  Ahhhhhhh, nothing better. 

Three pregnancies later and no more pregnancy anticipated, finally I am conceding to the fact that the body pillow affectionately known as big blue, sure does take up a lot of room in the bed.  "I hate that pillow." my spouse has teased as he tosses it off the bed.  Strong words for a softspoken man.  In his defense, he feels big blue takes up too much space.  I agree and have gone cold turkey.  Big blue has been banished.  Aufwiedersehen.  So long.  Thanks for the memories and and more importantly the support over the years.  I just need something a bit more compact from now on.  Nothing personal.

Song for the Mundane

Sung to the tune of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy"

Well, life on the street is kind of laid back
I'm bored out of my mind but it's nothing I can't hack
It's early to rise and late to the sack
Thank God I'm a stayathome mom.

Well, the works never done
and the kids like to scream
thinkin' bout a date with my man
is a lonely wife's dream
need some excitement, some streamers
to perk up this scene
Thank God I'm a stayathome mom.

Well I got me a fine van
got a flab middle
when the kids get up
pancakes flippin' on the griddle
knock knock who's there? has
become my favorite riddle.
Thank God I'm a stayathome mom.

FYI:  I have officially lost it.

Public Notice #274a

There will be no cooking on the stove and/or in the oven today as
I have spent way to much time cleaning the grates and stove top. 

(Yes, it is a Thanksgiving miracle!)


Signed,

The Management

PS  If only this could be true. 

The Proud Wife

Last week Kevin and I had a date!  My sister, God love her, watched the three boys as we donned our fancy clothes to attend the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce dinner.  Crazy date you say?   Well, it was a bit unlike any other date, as we sat in a room full of hundreds of business men and women whom we did not know a soul.  Small talk anyone?  The reason were were there is because my man was named the Fayette County Educator of the Year.  Yahoo!  Yippee!  Of course, the greeedy wife wanted a monetary gift, but fame and recognition will have to suffice along with a really cool crystal apple and resume' rights.  We had a lovely meal of breaded porkchop that was not prepared by or planned in advance by myself.  Delicious!  Only flaw......they forgot to serve our table dessert!!!!!  Wha????? 

At any rate, I am very proud of you Kevin!  Hope you aren't mad at me too long for this.

It's nice for you to be recognized and make all those late nights and early mornings of work worthwhile. :)

Bugs n Gobs

In our daily lives we've been a bit buggy-eyed due to the colds passed around. 
Will was kind enough to illustrate this.

We spent the morning icing gobs with my adopted mother, Jean Scott.  They looked beautiful and tasted delicious.  Not that we sampled any!!

Chocolate with peppermint icing.  Wow. 

That's Life

Things I am currently enjoying:

1. being outside in the glorious sunshine
2. knitting projects
3. getting rid of "stuff"
4. Will's cuteness
5. poetry readings

Things that are really boring me:

1. my hair
2. my clothes
3. cleaning house
4. reprimanding children
5. laundry
6. argumentative children

I guess this IS what life is all about.

Progression of A Day in My Recent Life

6:45 am     Child awakens to day 4 of cold.

7:01 am     Child states, "I need a tissue."
                 My response, "Sure sweetheart.  I'm so sorry you're sick."  (Sympathetic smile)

Numerous tissue requests made by child.  Requests always filled in timely fashion.

11:15 am     Child states, "I need a tissue."
                    My response, "Just a minute....here you go."  (Pleasant acknowledgement)

Numerous requests responded to during this time...most of them timely.

1:25 pm   Child states, "I need a tissue." 
                My response, "I know.  Coming." (Eye roll)

Requests too numerous to mention.

4:45 pm   Child states, "I need a tissue." 
                My response, "Yeah, yeah.  Tissue."  (Sigh of irritation)

Requests.

6:30 pm  Child states, "I need a tissue." 
                My response is silent while I point to the tissue box sitting next to child and then remove tissue
                for nose wipe.  (Silent muttering in head)

Requests. 

8:01 pm  Child states, "I need a tissue." 
               My response, "Really?  What are you going to do when I'm not around to get your tissues??
               Lecture.  Lecture.  Blah.  Blah."  (I'm just plain all tapped out at this point)

Tomorrow I will get up and do it all again. 

Halloween Costume Photo Posted-CHECK

Binging on leftover Halloween Candy-WORK IN PROGRESS.

First there's Firefighter Will, rushing to save the day.

Next Buzz Lightyear Ben ready to take you to infinity (and beyond).

And last, an irritated zookeeper name Ethan is READY TO GO trick or treating

(and not wait around any longer)!!!!!

TOP TEN Halloween candies collected this year, according to me.

10. Skittles

9.  Kit Kat

8.  Swedish Fish

7.  Tootsie Roll

6.  Hershey

5.  Three Musketeers

4.  Milky Way

3.  Reese's

2.  M & M's

1.  Twix 



I know you Snickers Lovers out there are going to be up in arms.  I, however, am not a big fan of the peanut.  Just to get it out there.



Smile for the Day

As I strode down the aisles of Giant Eagle doing the weekly grocery shopping, I laughed out loud when I reached the item my husband wrote on the shopping list in the pharmacy section.

It simply stated, "manpoo". 

Any laughs while doing grocery shopping are greatly appreciated. 

Happiest of Birthdays

Happy (1 Day Belated) Birthday to one of my favorite people who just happens to also be my mother-in-law.  Lucky me!  I hope your birthday was filled with all of your favorite things....good books, challenging crossword puzzles, supper prepared by someone else, peppermint patties, pumpkin pie (I think that's your favorite??) and getting to the mailbox first.  :)

She's a keeper....that one!  Hope you know how much we love you. 

FYI

Cleaning house is for the birds.

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree

Cleaning pictures off the camera and I was reminded of a glorious apple picking day this fall. 

I thought I'd share some them. 



In my next life, I'll live in an apple orchard.



The Father of my Children....the Milkman??

If you are in the grocery store and happen to be browsing the dairy aisle, check out the product shown below.

Next turn the carton around and take a close look at the man fondly stroking the bovine. 

Does he look familiar? 

 I believe he does.  The only difference is that my husband has never been that close to a cow.  I do believe Horizon Milk employs my spouse's doppelganger. 

Strange occurrences so close to All Hallows Eve.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Calling All Parents....

Seeking parental advice for the best way to respond to 7 year old screams of "you don't care about me" and the zinger, "you hate me."

Gheez.  They really know how to get to you, don't they?

Any input appreciated.

Say Click...Take a Pic (Diego Reference- fyi)

As for standing in direct line of the college photographer at Homecoming.....in the words of my nieces' friend, Eowyn, "Well played."  Check us out here.

What in the world??

Apparently Will thinks that Toy Story Woody's hat should serve another purpose. 

How do they come up with these things?? 

Get Your Tissues Ready

Below is a drawing that Ethan did of his Mom and Dad. 

Here's the kicker....wait for it.....he glued our hands together.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Hot Blooded

One of the hardest parts of being a parent is recognizing the traits of yourself that you dislike the most in your child.  I was reminded of this the other day as Ethan, affected by his lack of lunch, was very angry and yelled at his brother, friends and mother. 

"Go away I want to be alone," I was told when I tried to talk to him afterwards.  He eventually came around and we did talk about it discussing the positive ways to relieve the anger inside.  Seems we just can't remember those in the moment! 

I come from a long list of hot heads from my father to my father's father.  My dad would get so frustrated with things that he had a long list of recurrent cuss words to voice his agitation.  I feel like I struggle to keep my temper in tow.  I wish I was more even tempered, like my husband. 

I am still learning how to constructively voice my anger.  Unfortunately my oldest son will have to figure this out as well. 

Out for a Drive a/k/a sanity run

     After an action packed morning of the boys' antics:  Ethan shattering a light bulb with a broom and teaching the baby how to put a marble in his mouth, Ben reciting "I need a tissue." 25 times per hour, and a runny nose Will refusing to leave my hip, I buckled all three in the van and drove around the countryside for an hour searching for my sanity.  I was unable to locate it.  It's gone, gone, really gone.

Tea Drinkers....Unite

Saw this Chinese Proverb in the paper:

"Better to be deprived of food for there days, than tea for one."
                                              
It really rings true for me.  I roll out of bed in the morning and the first thing I do is turn on the teakettle.  I love that morning tea.  One of the ways I knew my husband and I were destined to be together is that his Grandma was a die hard Red Rose tea fan, as am I.

My current requirements for the morning brew are Red Rose, of course, Sugar in the Raw (seems that white sugar has no taste anymore), organic milk (preferably the carton with K's picture on it- that is another story) and a hefty mug.  My favorite right now is the mug purchased at Deep Creek this summer due in part to the puny size of the mugs in our vacation house.  I didn't think I could make it through the week with the shot glass size cups provided.

So here's to tea and drinking it plentifully.  Cheers!

Weekend Travels

We had a lovely weekend in Ohio  We reunited with dear friends and stomped around Wooster for the day.  The weather was gorgeous!  We watched women's soccer, but decided not to attend the cricket match (game?).  It was very fun, although also exhausting to run around our college campus with little ones.  Luckily, my niece and nephew entertained them for awhile as K and I actually got to visit with people.  Wow!  W. looked especially dapper sporting his McLeod Tartan hat that Dianne/Mom purchased him in Scotland this summer.  I tried to stick him in eye shot of the college photographer but am not sure if I was successful.  We were fortunate to visit with K's brother/sister-in-law/mom/dad in Dover. I really lucked out in the in-law department.  Just a group of funny and exceptionally nice people who are great to be with.  

Standards Signifcantly Lowered

Sometimes I feel like I accomplish NOTHING throughout the day....paint still peeling off ceiling in bedrooms and bathroom, paint still chipping of baseboards, clothes still in need of sorting, etc. etc.  It seems as if just muddling through the day to day dinner, laundry and in general care for the children should provide me with some sort of satisfaction, but for some reason my inner checklist needs other large ticket items checked off as completed.

I try to trick myself to get this feeling of completion of a major project by acknowledging the completion of the mundane.....dishes emptied from dishwasher and put away - CHECK, lunch prepared, served and cleaned up after - CHECK, baby kept from leaping off of ottoman - CHECK.  Doesn't always work.

Today I celebrate what may seem to some to be a small feat, yet it has been four months in the works.  All the parts of space shuttle, rocket, launcher, and boosters are assembled together and sitting on the dresser.  They are reunited - CHECK. 

Prepare for blast off....baby is crying. 

I Salute You!

It seemed like your typical Wednesday at our household.  We awoke to the baby crying, plowed through showers, breakfast, packing lunches, dressing boys and donning raincoats to enter the outside world.  I entered the bathroom for the normal reason and saw the following, referred to as Exhibit "A".

My eyes rolled in irritation as I instantly assumed the responsibility to replace it would be mine.  But then, out of the doom and gloom of yet another gray, rainy day....a glimmer of light....a ray of hope....a promise of what was to come....also known as Exhibit "B".

There she was in all her glory...waiting patiently on the back of the toilet to do her work NOT hiding away in the hall closet... placed there by some unknown hero in a selfless, thoughtful act of mercy. 

I would like to thank all those people who helped to make today possible.  I implore you to continue down your path. 

You, my friend, are a mensch.

Insight into my Kitchen

Sally's Mom:  "Are you cleaning out your cupboards?"

Sally:  "No, that's just all the stuff I need to put away."

Sleep....please Sleep

After many nights of being awakened by the crying baby numerous times, I am trying to train him to go to sleep by himself.  Therefore I am hiding downstairs on the computer with the fan up high and HOPING that he will stop crying soon and nod off.

I hate this part.

It's hard.

Please go to sleep my little baby. 

FYI

If your child, left unattended, wrote in black pen all over the backseat of your leather van.....NO WORRIES.  It came off with a little elbow grease and some rubbing alcohol.  Who knew??

Now you do.

No Future in Acrobatics

I have spent most of the last 2 days carrying Will on my hip.  He, apparently, feels he should be able to do what the big boys do and tried to do so by leaping off of the ottoman.  However, in the course of the fall he injured his right knee.  He cried and held his knee tenderly the rest of the afternoon when we decided, after consulting our doctor's office, to take him to the ER for an x-ray.  No broken bones they said, but still isn't putting weight on it tomorrow follow up with your pediatrician.

SO today we saw the good doctor and after numerous twists, turns and pulls of the knee, he declared it to be a sprain for Will to take it easy for awhile. Or at least as much as a 19 month old can take it easy.

Not much improvement has occurred yet.  I am reminded of how helpless we are as parents as we watch our children feel pain that we cannot erase.

I try to tuck my worries away in a box and place them at God's feet, but every once in awhile they creep in and my anxiety gets the best of me.  I vow from this moment on to carry my son and remain hopeful for a quick recovery. 

Today's Stats

Current laundry baskets in rotation: 7 either in need of folding, sorting or putting away
Number of times kitchen floor was swept:  3
Cups of tea to get me going in morning:  2
Number of times found baby with kitchen knife: 1 (and that's one too many)

Doggone Days in September

Two dog related events occurred today. 
First, Ben told me that during outside time at preschool he and his buddies were playing 'Ring around the Doggie'.  When I asked further questions, I found out they were walking around one of Father Rick's beautiful golden retrievers, specifically the one with the red collar. 

Will and I  are often greeted by Kelty or Frodo as we wait for pick up time.  They are the nicest, most loving dogs I have ever met.  Will likes to come at them from behind with a big bear hug.  Even when they are in the parish house there are signs that there are animals close by...partially chewed bones and pig ears.  I am assuming the preschool isn't serving that for snack. 

Second, as Will and I were admiring butterflies on a bush up the street, the woman of the house came bounding out followed by her black pug.  He proceeded to run circles around her and then ended peering into Will's stroller and sniffing/licking his face.  Luckily, unlike his two older brothers, Will LOVES dogs and has no fear of them whatsoever.  The embarrassed dog owner grabbed him by the collar and stated, "I need to control him better so that he listens to me."  My reply, "That's the same thing I say about my children."

Toys Mysteriously Disappearing

E. has been begging me for days to look for a cetain Bob the Builder toy that I know has left the building concealed in a dark hefty sack.  Not sure whether to come clean and admit to my actions OR continue evading the question with generic commentary such as "I don't know where it could be."  and "It sure is a mystery." 

I don't mean to throw out their favorite toys.  Usually I aim for the items that haven't been played with for an extensive period of time OR the items that I have tripped over one too many times when walking through the house.

I am enjoying living in a house full of mystery.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Today is a happy day for my father-in-law and our family.  The results of his lymph node test came back negative!!!  For this news I am thrilled and grateful. A tribute is in store for a wonderful man whom I have loved longer than I knew my own father...a man who is kind, gracious and loving....a man more generous than anyone I have ever known....a man I am so thankful to call "Dad". 

Happy Negative Nodes Day Dad!  I love you. 

Extra Extra Read all about it!

"How's your blog coming?"  I have heard this question for the past year or so and my answer has always been, "There's no time!"  BUT here she be!!  Not sure what I am doing or what I am planning to post, but, by cracky, it is up and running.  (Or at least I think it is.)  Look at me go!!  Call me crazy!  Call me tech savvy!  Call me whatever you want...just provide me with some adult conversation.

The 3 boys and I played outside for most of the day.  E, the eldest and I have had our share of quarrels lately and it is beginning to take a toll.  Again today I vowed, "NO MORE!"  I am hoping to stick with it this time. 
Motherhood proves to be the most challenging part of my life sending me into much self-reflection.  Scary when you see the part of yourself you least like in your child.

Wondering if I will tell anyone about this blog, or just keep it all hush-hush.  Takes a lot of courage for me to put myself out there sometimes.