Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Today, the little kids and I are headed out to Gatlinburg to do some shopping and watch the Ball Drop at midnight and the fireworks show. They are so excited!

Eli went ice skating with the youth group and then he is spending the night with some friends from church. Can you believe that he did not want to go shopping with us?

Dave and his dad have went to Atlanta to the Georgiadome to watch UT play in the Chick-Fila Bowl.

See you next year!

Interview with the kids.

I just stole this from this super hilarious blog... I am interested to see what my kids say.

I will do Eli on his own.



Emma is six. Tripp is four.



Here goes.





What is something mom always says to you?

Emma: "Go Brush Your Teeth"



What makes mom happy?

Emma: Cleaning your room.

Tripp: Brushing your teeth



What makes mom sad?

Emma: When your mess up the house and she has to clean it again.
Tripp: Spanking kids.



How does your mom make you laugh?

Emma: When you tell her a joke.
Tripp: Saying funny stuff like "head ball"



What was your mom like as a child?

Emma: a good little girl.
Tripp: being nice to her little brother uncle chris.



How old is your mom?

Emma: 34

Tripp: shruggs shoulders.... 15... 17... 14?



How tall is your mom?

Emma: 25 inches

Tripp: 52



What is her favorite thing to do?

Emma: playing with her kids

Tripp: cuddling her kids


What does your mom do when you're not around?

Emma: clean the house.
Tripp: come in and sit in time out.



If your mom is on TV for something, what will it be for?

Emma: you would talk about stuff and like say what the weather is.
Tripp: seeing your kids and talking to them.



What is your mom really good at?

Emma: type

Tripp: cuddling



What is your mom not very good at?

Emma: "whoa, that is a good one!" washing a dog.
Tripp: not cleaning rooms



What is your mom's favorite food?

Emma: I got to go with Salad.

Tripp: tootie.



What makes you proud of your mom?

Emma: when she is a good mom and she does her best.

Tripp: loving her.



If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Emma: Betty Boop

Tripp: George Lopez. no, boobidie boob.



What do you and your mom do together?

Emma: we go shopping together.
Tripp:Cuddle



How are you and your mom the same?

Emma: our eyes - they are both brown

Tripp: I dont know.



How are you and your mom different?

Emma: um, our hair

Tripp: I don't know.





How do you know your mom loves you?

Emma: help me with my homework.

Tripp: Cause God told me.



Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Emma: Walmart
Tripp: Chuckie Cheese



What does your mom do for a job?

Emma: at the church.

Tripp: uh, she does everything so she can get alot of money.

Bad Mother of The Year!

Lemme share this with you- I am running on little sleep. I need some outside opinions and reassurances, so here goes.



Yesterday, Dave and I went to a funeral. The kids were at home playing. Everyone was jolly.



When I came home, Dave went to work, the kids were still playing, so I thought, "Well, this would be a great time to get a few things done. I have about 1 1/2 hours." So I went.



No biggie.



Nothing unusual.



When I come home, it is 5:15, no one has napped.



No biggie.



They have been taking no naps, or 30 min - 6 p.m. naps.



Following?



Ok, so Tripper was laying in the floor, by the heater, under his blanket.

I figure, he is just sleepy, this is not an unusual occurance.



I get him up, get him dressed for 6 p.m. church, and he tells me, "My eyebrows hurt. I am walking in circles. I can't see good."



Since he watches ICarley, HM, and all those dramatic shows, and he has been playing on the computer, and singing with Rock Band, I did not really think that he may be sick.



Just sleepy.



So we go to church. When I get him outta the van, he is still groggy. I think, "Hmmm, he will sleep through church. I will get to listen."



So we go in.



And he says the same thing about his dizziness, his eyes, his eyebrows.



I show Dave, we put him down, make him walk, Dave holds up fingers. He knows how to do all the stuff. So we go in, set down, and do church services.



About 10 minutes in, he is asleep. About 20 minutes in, I notice he is hot. Really Hot. HOT.



Dave agrees with my conclusion. We only have about a 50 minute service. So we wait. He wakes up about 10 minutes before it is over. He just lays still.



He is really sick. He never gets down to run. or play. and then he throws up.

I did something that I usually do not do. I ask if we can go to the ER.

We went. He was negative for H1N1 and Strep. He was diagnosed as a "virus."

That is OK. We spent the entire night listening to him vomit, talk to Emma about green balls (Emma was at Grandma's) and talk about opening Christmas gifts.

I think that I was so busy that I just did not pay attention to the "signs" - I rationalized that he could not be sick because we had not been around anyone; he likes to lay under his blanket and pretend to be a rock; it is not unusual for him to nap at 6 p.m. for about 30 minutes.

Anyways, my point being is that I got a couple of comments from someone and one look - "how could you NOT KNOW he was sick?

Anyone else ever miss "it"? Not catch that a kid is sick? My mother guilt is eating me alive. And I have a strong dislike for judgemental mommies. Especially one with only one kid :)

Summing up the past month.

I unloaded my camera yesterday and I was surprised to find almost 200 pictures that I (or someone else) had taken in the past month. I thought it would be fun to share what kind of life we have and how much fun we really have.

Me and Emma and Tripp taking self portraits on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

This is the coolest picture of the kids at the Sadler lunch. I got up on T-giving morning and figured out that I had not bought anyone anything new to wear. So we winged it. This was the mood of the day.

Then I got this picture of this sweet little boy. Sometimes, I just want to eat him up.

A few days later, I found this... my sweet boys cuddled up together on the couch.
This is a regular occurrence.

That weekend, we put the Christmas tree up.

Then, later that night, I found Emma and Tripp saying a Christmas prayer to Santa.

And it ended with "Amen."

Tripp went through a stage where he liked to wear Emma's hot pink head band to exercise.

He even slept in it.

And he did Karate in it.

And they battled with marshmellow guns while wearing workout apparel.

One morning, I got up to find Tripp on the couch sleeping.

He was wearing my snuggie and Emma's eye mask.

Someone in the house borrowed my camera.

And took self pictures.

And random pictures.

I guess she wanted to see how her tongue looked on the camera.

And, I guess she wanted show her Daddy's hind quarters.

This was in Tripp's room. I know this because of the green and blue background.

Maybe the flash surprised her?

Then, there was the church Christmas party.

Tripp told us that this was a girl dressed up as Santa.

Emma caught it, too!

Here is the kids on the Right to Life parade float.

And here is a close up of Eli's Christmas Miracle.

See the important message from Santa?

I wanted to share this just so you see that the kids did not only get Santa gifts.

It looks like a toy store threw up in the house.

Here is my favorite picture of the season.

This was straight after Eli opened his phone.

The little kids jumped on him and hugged him.

They were so excited that he got his phone.

Then, they asked for one, too.

Our Christmas Story - In Pictures.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I would like to present to you all our Christmas, in pictures.

Christmas Eve festivities began last night with a little music with Uncle Tommy, Uncle Donnie, and a friend named Anita. We ate, sang and then opened gifts from Grandma and Granddad.

Here is Tripp and Uncle Tommy.

Emma and Mallie loving on each other.

Eli with a dead rat on his hat, Matthew with his hat sideways, and Tyler wishing that

I would not have caught him trying not to be in my picture. Note the teenage angst.


Later on, we made it home. Emma said, "I have two words for you. Good. Night." And she went to bed and went to sleep. Tripp followed after her, so I had to put a Little Debbie snack cake and milk out for Santa. This snack cake is a 100 calorie one.



After preparing for the upcoming breakfast, Santa stopped by and laid out all gifts and stuffed all stockings. This year, he left notes on each gift and encouraged each child to listen to the parents and obey. We will see how that works out.

By 7:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, no children were awake. After making noise to get them stirred, they finally came downstairs. Tripp dug in to the gifts. He got a Cars Laptop.

Here is Emma with a fur vest from Gymboree. I also got her matching hair bows, but she didn't notice them, and I had to dig them out of the trash later on that morning.

Eli received the gift of the year. Here he is opening it.

Notice the expression.

I wrapped his special gift in JC Penney boxes.

Here he is thinking, "Oh, Man. I asked for an IPOD touch.

She got me clothes from JC Penney. Not EVEN American Eagle."

After going thru three different boxes, he finally gets to the center.

Guess what it looks like when he figures out what he really got....

(Oh, and check out Tripp's ratty hair in the picture, too)

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

IT IS A CELL PHONE!!!

Dave got me a bracelet that is a post all in itself.

I have reached a new level and I can't wait to tell everyone all about it...

But right now, I am going to sing with my kids and Dave while we play Rock Band 2.

Christmas Traditions.

I have accomplished so much in the past week... there is still some left to do today.

This is a great holiday season... I am thankful to be off of work and spend time with Dave and the kids.

Yesterday, Eli went with Grandma and Granddad and the other two big boys to Knoxville to watch a UT basketball game and stay in a hotel. This is a yearly tradition. Grandma finds something neat for them to do every year. Not only does it get the boys out of our hair (ha!) it helps them to make such good memories. They have done things like go to Motor cross events, Titans Games, and I don't remember what else.

So last night, Dave and I took the little kids on a surprise date. We skipped church, closed the store at 5:15 and went out to eat. Then, we went and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. They were so excited when we told them! They sat thru the whole movie, only wanting popcorn at the end. It was a special night for us and I realize that they are growing up.

Today, I am going to work with Dave at the store, then I have to get groceries at some point. And then, it is off to Grandma's for our yearly appetizer party and opening gifts.

Tomorrow, we won't get out of the house.

Years ago, we stopped leaving the house on Christmas Day. Everyone opens gifts and stays in pajamas. The kid was getting bigger (we just had Eli at the time) and so one year we said, "If you want to see us, come over to our house. But you better wear pajamas." And guess what? They did. About 15 of them came over. And we fed them breakfast. And hung out in pj's. It is lots of fun.

Tomorrow, we will have biscuits and sausage gravy, french toast casserole, honey baked ham and an egg casserole.

And this is what we will see about 9 a.m.

Countdown to Christmas!

Date: Sunday, December 20th
Time: 10:39 p.m.
Location: Home
Activity: watching kids coloring a velvet picture from the Dollar Store in the livingroom floor.

I am just letting them hang out... you would think I would make them go to bed. But they are being so nice, I am letting them play.

Toy delivery was great today. We went to three houses. I had delivered to two families on my own earlier in the week. There is something so great about taking a family a box of food that is unexpected. One couple that I took supplies to had a five month old baby... it was a very young couple. I gave them my phone number and told them to call me if they ever need anything at all. I doubt they do - it is the people who need it that never ask for the help.

Isn't it neat to realize that everyone has a story? Those people who look "normal" and "perfect" have issues - even when they pretend not to. I think that the issues build character IF you work to overcome those issues. I think we would all work better together if we admitted our flaws and supported each other.

My most favorite thing about other people is to find out is what a couples' story is... you know, how they met, fell in love, got engaged... I love the fact that everyone has a past whether they acknowlege it or not. I love the story of how Dave and I met, how it all fell into place, how it just worked... I love our past, I love our present and I am anticipating our great future together.

Getting my act together.

Yesterday was a pretty productive day. I managed to clean most of the house, including the kitchen cabinets. There was lots of expired canned food. I guess that I don't cook as much as I should. Or we just don't eat at home that often. My house is starting to look OK, so that makes me happy.

I even wrapped four gifts and now our tree doesn't look so pitiful.

After church today, we are going to do our annual toy delivery for the Jaycees. This is my absolute favorite part of Christmas. I love taking the stuff to the kids. Some people are greatful, some live in places that you really believe that they need the toys, some drive brand new vehicles, some live in nice subdivisions and in new houses... but that is their problem. I am just thinking about the kids.

I am going to have to work tomorrow and Tuesday. I feel like it is Christmas and I really don't want to work at all. I want to bake cookies. I guess I can start that on Tuesday evening.

I need to make a list of my new purchases and get this shopping finished.

I have to go get ready for church.

Catching up....

I guess that since I finished my semester, I should be blogging every day. But I still have to work and I am trying my hardest to get ready for Christmas next week, so maybe I can get my act together.

Here are a few random things that are going on:

1. Dave and I are supposed to go Christmas shopping tomorrow. I hope, hope, hope we get to go. It is supposed to snow 1-3 inches tonight. Wow!
2. I still have lotsa laundry on my bed to fold. Well, it is not on the bed now. It was yesterday. Today, it is on the chair.
3. I am feeling some kind of head cold coming on. And I am not really pleased about that.
4. I haven't mopped in a LONG TIME and that is on my to-do list for the weekend. That, and clean the toilets. And bathtubs. And do more laundry.
5. I have no idea of what to get anyone for Christmas.
6. I am not very happy with my job situation right now. Not so much the job, it is my circumstances. Every day I am reminded that there are mean people in the world. And they work to sabotage special things, well, that makes it hard for me. Especially when they are not what they claim to be.
7. I am looking forward to only working on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
8. My mother in law is taking me and the kids to Gatlinburg for New Years Eve so we can shop till we drop and watch the midnight parade. Isn't that so kind? We will have a blast, I just know it.
9. While I am shopping till I drop, Dave will be in Atlanta watching UT play in some kind of bowl game. That is so neat!
10. I always believe that whatever you are doing at midnight sets the tone for your entire year. So if that is the plan, I will be hanging out with my mother in law ALL YEAR ;) and Dave will be watching football and yelling. Wait - that kinda seems like what we do already. So that is fine with me.

Starting to think about Christmas...

Christmas is in two weeks! Can you believe it? This year has been the fastest year of my life.

Now that some school pressure is off (I still have a project due on Sunday AND another final on Tuesday) I am starting to think about Christmas shopping for the kids. I just have to find the time to do it.

Tomorrow is the busiest day of the season, it seems.

We have five functions tomorrow.

1. Sadler party
2. Christmas parade
3. My Dad's Party
4. City Christmas Party
5. Ornament Swap at church.

On Sunday, Eli is going with my brother and Emma is going to the movies with some friends...
Maybe I can find a sitter for Tripper and we can do some of that shopping....

Finishin' Up the Semester...

OK. One last story about the semester... no more complain' cause Iamthisclose to being done.



Just so you know what I am doing AT ALL TIMES - here is a rundown of what is left.

• Today 4 p.m. - Final on Parental Involvement in Education (you'd think I would have this down, right? Not with a 26 year old CHILDLESS teacher) I don't think I have blogged about her yet. I will double check, wait on my final grade, and then let you have all the info on that one.


• Christmas shopping for the kiddies who don't get a Christmas... this is a yearly tradition - 6 p.m. Tonight. Me. Dave. Some other guys. Their wives and girlfriends. The guy at Big Lots in the Camo pants.


• Tomorrow - 30 Day Lesson Plan for Physical Ed. Class. Yeah, right.


• Study for the final on Tuesday - THE BIG FINAL in Geology. Right this instant, I have a 77. Do I love it? Heck, yeah! I am thrilled. But it won't be a 77 in about, oh, 2 hours or so. I just bombed a couple of tests in that class today. It is OK, though, cause a C is a C whether it is 79 or 71. I willl take either.

Another Day.

Do we ever realize how selfish we are?

Last night, while I was blog browsing, I read my good friend Jenni's blog.

This post made me think about how selfish we are. I am worried about money, Christmas presents and food, yet the link to this lady and her contributions to life is a true wake up call.

Last night, I rocked Emma to sleep. She was snuggled up close to me under her fuzzy pink blanket. I thought about all the children in the world who don't have fuzzy pink blankets, mommies that rock them tight, and toasty beds to snuggle into at night.

We are truly blessed.

Instead, everyone just spends time complaining. Spending money. Complaining.

All these children need is love, food, clothing and shelter... things we take for granted. Everyday.

So while I sit here in the warm, with nice shoes, and worry that my hair color is faded, there are children who are hungry.

If you get a chance, go read this.

Talk about perspective.

Mother Woes.

Years ago, I read about a lady who boycotted her house. And her husband. And her children.

It seems that she just got fed up with doing all the work and stopped. Not only did she stop, she took her pillow and blanket and went and lived in the tree house.

It got the family's attention.

I only had one child at the time, and I remember thinking, "Wow. How bad could it be?"

Well, I am there.

It seems to me that no one else cares how the floor needs mopping or how trashcans work. People, please. When you finish eating the honeybun, the wrapper goes INTO the trashcan.

Every Saturday, I spend my time putting away the laundry that I spend my Friday night washing. I dust. I vacuum. I get clothes ready for Sunday morning. Nails are clipped. Floors swept. Dusting is done. (I hate dusting). Countertops are bleached. I go grocery shopping.

By Sunday afternoon, you can't tell I have even been around.

This morning, I go upstairs and I get Emma up. And I look around. It seems that within the last 24 hours, a tornado attacked my children's bedrooms.

As I walk down the steps, it seems that the tornado left a path of distruction thru David's room, living room, kitchen and my room as well. (Tripp and Emma took naps in MY bed yesterday - with a sippy of red juice).

I know everyone says that I will miss this mess. Yet, I don't think so.
I just wish they would pick up their stuff and not rely on me to do it.

I am sitting here at work, thinking about what I have to go home to.
I am going to have to clean (again) and pick toys up (again).
The same stuff I did on Saturday. And last Friday. And Thursday.... get the picture?

The playhouse is looking more and more attractive.

End of semester. A Bullet List.

Because I have random thoughts and I don't have the time or energy to find and create transition thoughts to get it all together, today's post will be in bullet format.

Here goes.

• I did a paper yesterday over an observation of a child. It ended up being about 8,000 words and 17 pages. Not kidding.
• I was only on page 4 at 12 p.m. I finished at 5:30 p.m.
• See why my mind hurts.
• Emma is singing to Tripp "Jingle Bells, Tripper smells." Tripp is crying.
• On Thursday, I have a Geology Lab Quiz at 10, a lecture test at 11, an education final at Tech at 4 and Christmas for Kids shopping at 6.
• It snowed today.
• Today is my nephew Ethan's birthday. He is three. Happy Birthday Ethan!
• I have mounds of laundry on my bed that needs to be folded. I am thankful that it is in a central location and it is clean.
• My last test of the semester is at 10:30 on December 15.
• Only ten days to go.
• I keep buying random Christmas presents for my children. I have no idea what is in the closet. It stems from mother guilt. I don't even own wrapping paper yet.
• I have to go study now so that I can list the Geologic Times Scale on Thursday.

Happy Birthday Super Dave.

Happy Birthday David.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

You are my most favorite.

And you are the oldest guy I have ever dated.

Funnies.

Last night, after everyone was bathed and teeth were brushed and clean p.j.'s were put on, my little Emma and Tripp went to the Christmas tree and got down on their hands and knees.

My children got down and prayed.

I asked them what they were doing. Tripp says, "We are saying our Christmas prayers." I asked him, "Well, who are you praying to?" And Tripp says, "We are praying to Santa. Emma wants a puppy and for her family to have a good Christmas. I just want a kitty."

Mixed up, much?

Winding Down.

Today is November 29th - the end of the semester is in sight! Unfortunately for me, I am a wee bit behind on a couple of projects. Nah, let me start that over. One teacher just gave me a project, so it is not really that I am behind, I just had no idea it existed. I am behind on the other project. It is a six hour observation of a child ages 3-6 years old. I started a little late, ended up with sick kids, and then school was closed for illness. So, all in all, it knocked me out of three weeks.

I would lie a little for this project, but the mother of the child that I am observing wants to read my paper. So, my mother sympathy will not allow me to fib to another mother who is interested in having a peek into her child's day while she is at work.

Needless to say, I am going to spend alot of time at Pre-K tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Other than that, lotsa nothing else is really going on. I have tons of homework due over the next two weeks. I am at the point of the semester where I say, "Hey. I hate school. I want out." I know that I will have about a four week break, I will be refreshed soon and be ready to go... just so very tired now and I can't wait for this mess to be over.

Next semester, I only have two classes. Two classes that equal 12 hours. Now, that doesn't seem so bad, really. My books are about 400 for these classes. One is a nine hour class, the other is a three hour class. I will go to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 11 for the first 7 weeks. After that, I will be placed in a school to work Monday thru Thursday from 8 to 11 and on Friday, I will go to class to discuss my feelings (!) from 8 to 11.

Wondering how the workplace will take my absence....

Wondering what all kinda feelings I can talk about.... does it just have to be about school, or my life in general?

Just kidding.

My other class, the three hour class, is on Wednesday night from 6 -9 p.m. This was the only class I could take that would not interfere with my workday. Instead, I am going to miss church.

This should be interesting.

Getting Ready for T-Day.

This year has passed by SO fast. It just seems like yesterday, it was Christmas. We were in the other house, preparing to move. Boxes were everywhere. Now here we are, in our newer house (since Februrary 1) and boxes are everywhere. We still haven't unpacked it all. It is a slow process.

______________________________

So, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. We will go to The Sadler Family Shindig tomorrow afternoon, where I am sure that one of my kids (guessing...um, Tripp) will grab, touch or throw something he is not supposed to.

_____________________________

I guess we are lucky -or maybe not - that we only have one family to visit. I think that we will have dinner with my in-laws on Saturday night. But other than that, my main objective is to go to have one afternoon dinner tomorrow.

____________________________

On Friday, I am venturing out with my sister in law Shana at 4 a.m. and Black Friday Shopping. The only things I want are $2 DVD's and $3 pajamas from Walmart. So Dave asks me why I would get up at 3 a.m., drive 30 minutes, wait in line and the pushing and shoving over $5 worth of merchandise and get the total savings of $5?

____________________________

It is all about the thrill of the hunt.

____________________________

Hey Dave, why do you get up at 4 a.m. and put on those stiff, smelly green clothes and go out in the rain, carry a heavy pack after driving for 30 minutes, walk thru the woods then CLIMB A TREE, in the cold, cold environment, hoping that maybe, just maybe, an animal will come into your sights and you can kill it? And why, when there is just a viewing of a animal, that your day is still deemed successful?

____________________________

See what I mean?

It is all about the thrill of the hunt.

Where Have I Been?

Whew.

In a mad rush to get all of my homework done last week so that I could have a little relax time with Dave, I neglected my blogging.

Something has to give.

Regardless, I am back. And I am tired. I am always so exhausted by the end of the semester. I always feel lazy, but I just got an email from one of my AWESOME education teachers wishing me a Happy Turkey Day, and she also said that she is experiencing "end of semester exhaustion." And it hit me that this aggravation that I feel IS NORMAL. Just hanging on until about the 5th of December. After that, when my two major projects are done, I will be just fine.

Oh, about were I have been since Sunday.

The Beta Convention.

With 6000 Students.

At the Opryland Hotel.

Eli played the lead singer of Guns and Roses in a campaign skit.

See how he looks with eyeliner (and no sleep)?

Doesn't Dave look proud?

Overly Sensitive.

First, I will tell myself, "Get over it." My mother in law is quick to tell me, and sometimes I say it to myself just so she doesn't have to.

***********************

Oh, I remembered what I was thinking about today.

**********************

So, we ALL know that Tripper has had The H1N1. His fever went away on Sunday - and promptly came back on Monday. He had a temp of 101. I had a hair appointment. It was Monday. I knew there would not be anyone there. So I took him with me.

______________________

So, Tripper and I stopped at McDonalds on the way - I figured that chicken nuggets would make him better. And he would get a new toy to play with. So, with Happy Meal in hand, we went to my hair place.

______________________

There is a girl that works there who is kinda snooty. (Who am I kidding - everyone there is snooty). This girl happened to be there yesterday. Tripp and I go in. Tripp is carrying the Kids Meal in the bag. I had his drink in my hand. When we walked in, she looked me up and down. And she stared at me, like I was somewhere I didn't belong.

______________________

I thought that maybe she was offended by the Happy Meal. There was not one other person in there. So I told her I was there for Cindy. And she says, "Well, Cindy is not here yet." And she continues to stare at me like I live over by Food Lion or something. And so I said, "Do you care if he eats in here? He is hungry." And she says, "Yes, he can eat in here. But we use coasters under the drinks on the table. If you don't, it will leave circles on the wood."

_______________________

I analyzed this all afternoon. I did have a hoodie on. And jeans. I did have some makeup on. And it had only been three weeks since my last haircut - so I didn't look that trashy.

______________________

In my head, I thought, "Doesn't she know who I am? I could eat her breakfast and her lunch."

_____________________

Wouldn't you just know that the magic of chicken nuggets caused Tripp to come out of his fever induced quietness.... and he spent the hour walking around and exploring. He knocked an unlit candle over. I was unable to discipline properly because I had a wet head of hair with clippies in it and I am against spanking kids who are sick.

______________________

At the end of the appointment, Cindy waxed my eyebrows.

Then, Tripp spilled his drink. All. over. the. floor.

I had a topic - now it is gone.

Several times throughout the day, I will think to myself, "Hey! I know what I can blog about!" Then it dissapears. If I find the good one I was thinking about today, I will be back.

Conversations.

More Emma Conversations -

Last night, I was studying and Emma comes up and says, "Mommy, when I am a Mom and I am in school, will I like it?" Before I had a chance to reply she says (to herself),"No, I won't. Because I won't be in school when I am a Mommy. I already know how hard it is."

Ouch.

Earlier in the day, she and Tripp were playing house. Her converstation to him (he was the kid and she was the parent) goes like this: "Tripp, you have to hurry up. We have to get home because I have lots of homework to do and I have tests to take."

Ouch X 2

Prayers.

Emma has the best prayers EVER. I love how thoughtful she is.

Here is her prayer from bedtime tonight.

Dear Lord, Thank you for this wonderful, beautiful day. Thank you for all you have blessed us with. Please watch over Momma, Daddy, Eli and Tripp. Please be with those who have the H1N1. Please watch over Mr. Thomas. Please watch over those with cancer. Please be with those who have diarrhea. In Jesus Name, Ah-men.

H1N1 Update - Day 3.

Lotsa crying today. Crying. Crying. Fighting between the two kids and crying. Fighting.



Tripp's fever is low. I think it is about 100 most of the time. I have only taken it a couple of times today. He is very sensitive. He cries because I ask him to brush his teeth. He cries becuase he is mad. He is mad because his blanket is not right.

Whew. Long day.

Dave and Eli went to a buyers show is Gatlinburg. I have been in the house - pretty much - for the past 2 1/2 days.

I am gonna do one more. Well, maybe Monday, too.

I think I posted earlier in the week of missing Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer and lunchtime and naptime.

Well, I got it. And even though Tripper is sick, I am liking this time in the house. Emma and I made a cheesecake awhile ago. I think we are going to bake cookies.
AND MY LAUNDRY IS CAUGHT UP!

Conversations.

Setting: Emma and I are lying in the floor talking.
Tripp is sleeping.
We need to wake him up.
We both don't want to.

Emma: Momma, What time is Tripp gonna get up?

Me: Well, Emma, we probably need to go get him up now.

Emma: Why, Momma? It is just gonna start all over again.

Me: What, the crying?

Emma: (nods, looks sad)

Me: Emma, to tell you the truth, you kinda pick at him and make him cry. And he doesn't feel good. You are being mean to him.

Emma: I was mean to him BEFORE he had the flu.

At least she is honest.

Friday Night.

Ok. - Day 2 of the H1N1 outbreak in our home.

This is what it looks like when a baby with the flu naps. He was like this for a while, then I felt sorry for him and put him back on the couch.

And, how about those pink socks? The doctor ended up taking them off to look at his feet.

In my defense, they are clean. That is all that matters.

Here is a picture of a healthy Emma. This was Wednesday (I think). I loved all the leaves outside. So I made her go sit in them. And she posed. And posed. And posed.

We are supposed to get our 2009 pictures back tomorrow. I can't wait.

I will have plenty to show.

Oh, I almost forgot. For everyone who is interested, Eli wears a size 4 in juniors. :)

I am happy to announce that I purchased my son his first pair of girls skinny jeans.

OK, it is not as bad as it sounds.

He is "playing" that lead singer of Guns and Roses in the Beta Convention

at Opryland Hotel next week. And he needed "the look." Boy, did he ever get the look.

I will have pictures of that next TUESDAY. You do not want to miss it!

Sickness.

My little Tripp has the flu.

Just this Wednesday night, he got up and he was crying - It was somewhere around 1 a.m. I was tired and I vaguely remember. I let Dave "handle it." So, I was dozing, Tripp was crying, Dave was talking him down and the next thing I knew was there was a hot little body in between us. And Dave says, "Hey Mel. He just threw up. What can I give him? Pepto?"

No, silly goose. No Pepto for small children. It has aspirin-like stuff in it and that causes other diseases. No aspirin for kids.

So, to save Tripp from other diseases, I got up.

Crying, crying, crying. It was pitiful. When I asked him questions, he replied with "yes, please" and "no, thank you" and "yes, m'am."

I knew right then we had to get him to the doctor. Because if Tripp is using manners, there is something terribly wrong.

We finally got him calmed down. His temp was about 102. When the sun came up, and it was time to start our real day, he was still hot - following doses of Motrin and Tylenol. I made the decision not to send him to school. :) It was time to see Dr. Mark. So, we got ready.

Tripp told me he didn't feel like walking, putting clothes on, or buckling his car seat.

After an hour-long wait at the doctors office (which he slept through) we got in a room. They took his tempature and it was 104.5. Now, I will tell you, I am not panicked at this. I reserve my angst for temperatures over 105. For some reason, both Emma and Tripp run fevers that are high for simple things like ear infections.

They swabbed him for the flu and it came back positive.

Needless to say, it was a stressful day. He has slept on and off. We have started Tamiflu, and it is washed down with Motrin. All the other kids are on flu medicine also.

He slept with us last night. He is so sweet when he is sick. And although I love the fact that he cuddles me, holds my hand to his little chest, and uses such politeness....I want my mean boy back.

A Secret.

During the 8th grade year, students take a practice ACT test... I forget the name of it exactly. It tells what "direction" students should go in high school. It tells whether they are college bound. It gives a projected ACT score.

Eli took this test a couple of weeks ago. He didn't even tell me he was taking it - I found out on Wednesday night at church services from another mother. So I asked him the day after the test and he said it was "fine" and "easy" and that it was "no problem."

The test is somewhat different than a regular ACT - scores range from 1 -25, with 25 being the highest score possible.

Today, I got an email from a guidance counselor at his school.

It seems that Eli got a 25. There has never been a 25 at LMS before. Out of the whole test, he missed three math problems.

So, Eli runs in the house this afternoon. He is ecstatic. He is bursting open with possibility. He is talking Harvard. :)

We are so proud of him.

Right Now.

1. Right now, I am supposed to be in class.
2. Right now, my teacher is lecturing on septic tank systems and contamination of such things.
3. Right now, I would rather be at home doing laundry, washing the dirty dinner dishes in the sink, and listening to Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer go off.
4. Right now, I would rather be getting my kids lunch ready. Lunch time was always at 12 p.m. followed by 12:30 naps.
5. Right now, I am blessed beyond anything even if I am not getting to do what I want to.
6. Right now, I am the mother to three healthy children who are all at school.
7. Right now, I am the wife to a husband who makes me laugh. He is so entertaining and cute.
8. Right now, my mind is on the bulletin I have to finish by tomorrow morning and the clothes I need to get Eli to wear so he can be the lead singer of Guns and Roses next week at the Beta Convention. I am also thinking about the tests I have later in the week and my scheduled appointment to register for Spring 2010 classes at 6 p.m. tonight SHARP.
9. Right now, I am wishing it was Saturday morning, so I could be at home with my kids and be in my jammies, instead of getting ready to go back to a job that does not make me happy and rejoining a class that is teaching me about water contamination.
10. Right now, I am going back to class.

Goodbye :)

Date Night.

Yesterday, Dave and I travelled to Knoxville to watch UT play..

My sisters-in law (Terri and Jamie) graciously kept my children because my in-laws are 3700 miles away.

We had a blast! The only negative thing about going away from the kids is that you have to come back. I know that sounds bad, but when we do get away, it is hard to come back to reality. We usually have such a good time talking and listening to music and just being together, well, it is difficult when you jump back into temper tantrums, fighting, baths, teeth brushing.....

When we come back, it takes me a couple of hours not to be sad and wish for just a couple more hours alone with Dave.

So, anyways - last night. We had such a good time. We left at 2'ish, drove to knoxville and then we stopped and ate. Then he "let" me go to Target. You know when Dave stops for Target, he is feeling extra special :)

We went to the game, and started back home around 9 p.m. I seriously coulda rode around all night. We sung songs, we talked and laughed.

We are going to the Beta Convention with Eli and LMS Beta Club in TWO WEEKS. My in-laws are watching the small kids. I am looking forward to more alone time.

Lane Kiffin - hottie!

Forming the Power T!

The Band.

Me and Dave.

Updates.

Today, Dave and I are leaving aound 1 p.m. to go to the UT game in Knoxville. I am excited to get some alone time.

I think I will do a confession this morning, it will help me feel better for the game if I purge all my crazy thoughts in my head.

Here goes....

SATURDAY MORNING CONFESSION TIME

1. I have lots of homework to do. Lots.
2. I made a 61 on a test. For the first time. In Geology.
3. Mallie fell asleep on the couch last night. And I left her there.
4. There is someone that I don't like at all, and when I look at them, all I think is - you are a big. fat. liar.
5. I am getting kinda excited about Christmas this year. I am ready to start shopping. Except that my kids don't need anything.

To Be Continued...

Kid stories.

#1.
I was driving the kids to school this morning... and for some reason, I felt the need to express my excitement about my kids lives - to them.

So, I look at Eli and I said, "Eli, aren't you just excited about your life? You have so many great things that is going to happen!"

And Eli replied, "I guess."

So then I said, "No, really, Eli. Wonderful things are in your future. For example, I know that next year you are going to high school. And you are going to do great! Then, you will get a scholarship to college and you will go out and study and make friends. Then, you will graduate college and just fall into a wonderful job. THEN, one night, you will be out with a group of guys, and you will meet a girl and you will know that she is the ONE. You will fall in love, and you will be so excited to spend the rest of your life with her. You will get married to her, and travel, and do things. And one day, you both will decide it is time to have children. Then, you will become a Daddy, and it will be the greatest thing in your life. EVER."

And Eli looked at me and said, "Am I a pick up today?"

#2
Tripp learned to make fart noises with his mouth. And it makes him laugh. Alot.

#3
At dinner tonight, Emma snapped her fingers and said, "Oh no, you did-unt."

Oh yes, she did.

Hoping for a better November.

I am loving the colors outside.

Yesterday, I had to go to the big school and talk to my advisor about my schedule for next semester. I got to choose which block of classes I want to take.I am going to do my Reading/Literacy block. It is exciting because I get to do a practicum for five weeks - Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

I think it is exciting until I remember that I also work full time and that I can't be two places at once.

How is this going to work out? Who knows?

I am also going to do an Intersession. I will start another semester on May 10th and it will last for two weeks, with a start time of 8 a.m. in a classroom until 12:30. Then, at 2:30 I will be at Tech in class from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. If I do this for two weeks and four additional Saturday's - I will finish ONE WHOLE SEMESTER. Just like that.

Except I work full time.

Anyways, I learned years ago not to base my life on my job. We are all disposable. I have to get outta school. I need to start teaching and get a schedule that is regualar while Emma and Tripp are still small. I also want to graduate college before Eli. That is my main objective :)

I will say that the past four weeks (give or take a couple of days) has SUCKED. My mother in law tells me that God is allowing me to be tested. It is not really the amount of school work that I have, or the kids, or Dave - I have a GREAT balance with homework, housework, playtime and Davetime. It is other factors that happen when you deal with the public.

I wish some people had shut off valves like gas pumps - when their mouths start to lie or spew unkindness, a switch kicks in and they are instantly no longer able to speak.

Anyways, please pray for me and Dave and our little family - I know that God has a solution for me. Usually, when I have situations that I am faced with, I learn a great lesson from them.

I am waiting on my lesson.

Stress.

Ugh.
People are crazy.

We love you Half-Pint!

In only 48 hours I will be travelling with my sweet husband and young teen son on a magical ride to the big city.

Yep, you got it right. We are off to see

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - THE MUSICAL!

Don't tell me you are not thrilled for me! I am estatic. Have been for months. Can't really say that for my boys, though. Dave is trying to find somebody, anybody, to have dinner with him in Nashville or Knoxville, or Tennessee for that matter, where he won't have to go into TPAC.

Eli is sad, cause, well, he is going on 14 and his mom signed him up to see

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - THE MUSICAL!

The best part is that Melissa Gilbert is starring as Ma Ingalls. Whoa! Isn't that awesome!

I loved the show SO VERY, VERY much when I was small.

My teddy bear's name was ... you guessed right.... Pa INGALLS!

I will keep everyone up to date on what a fab time that we have going on such a special date!

WOOO HOO!

silent night. oh, what a night.

Finally, the little kids are down. Every night, it is such a chore to get bathtime, teeths brushed, jammies on and get them in bed with no drama. It is exhausting, so tiring sometimes, that I wish I could just let them fall over and sleep where they land.

Except that they would be up until 2 a.m.

The earlier they go to bed, the better they act in the morning. Ah, what a difference a 8 p.m. bedtime makes! My mornings run SO smooth when they are in bed early.

This is a busy week. I have five tests this week, two on the same day - in Geology - back to back.

So, I guess I need to be studying.

Tomorrow, Emma has her first field trip. I can't go, I missed a day of work a couple of weeks ago to take my test. I am really bummed about missing her pumpkin patch trip. This is the first time that I am gonna miss something cause I stayed at home with Eli. We did not let her go last year, partly because she was only four, but mostly cause I had surgery the day before. She is excited. I am hoping someone takes some pictures. It is supposed to be a beautiful day.

Only six more weeks in the semester. Woo-Hoo!

When is it O.K. to voice your opinion?

Many times, I find myself having improper thoughts about things.

For example, if I see someone with an abnormally large head, I think, "Man, she has a big head." Or, if I see someone with whacked out fingers, I think, "Man, she has whacked out fingers."

The majority of the time, I never say this out loud. I think it, but I don't say it. And I sure never write it down for others to read.

Imagine my surprise, when recently, someone wrote something to me DIRECTED AT ONE OF MY KIDS.

Talk about kicking ass. Or dreaming of it, at least.

For the past week, I have been rehashing this over and over. Most of the time, this is in my head. A few times, oh several times, I have went over and over this with Dave. Finally, my mother in law told me to get over it.

I guess this story is not so much as to rehash it again. I think I am sick of thinking about it - today, anyways.

What it is about is how hard parents love their children.

I remember feeling this way when Eli was smaller. I remember the anger I would feel when he was wronged. I remember the stuff we went thru, how I wanted to kill people because they were affecting quality of life. I have disliked people immensely just because they hurt his feelings, excluded him or made snide comments.

I think that as time has went on, he has grown up, I have learned to let go a little bit. His problems are different now. I know that when that girl breaks his heart, I will feel like kicking some butt then.

My protective cycle has started with Emma. I can't stand people who direct their insecurities toward small children.

I passed my test!

So, I took the test on Friday....

AND I PASSED!!

I am thrilled!

An Abortion Mill Story.

Yesterday, I went to Nashville with my super sweet kind husband. After a mixed up 9 a.m. advising appointment, I realized that I had a little time on my hands. So, being the multitasker that I am, I wanted to utilize my day off to my advantage.... and Dave was kind enough to go outta the way and take me here so I could pray and think for just a few minutes.

The Women's Center

Abortion Mill

40 Days for Life is a wonderful campaign that is held in the spring and in the fall. It is going on right now - through the first of November. Volunteers gather at abortion mills accross the US and pray to end abortion, pray for the people inside contemplating whether to follow thru, pray for the workers to not work there anymore. This is the first time that Nashville has participated.

And this is the first time I had ever been to a clinic.

I know that the statistics on abortion are high - I have several friends that have had them, so I have been directly affected by them and in other ways.

The most important thing that I do know is that if people don't go here, you end up with this:

My newborn Emma - just a few hours old.

So much to do....

Tomorrow, I am going to take a test. A big test. A four and one-half hour test.
An expensive test at a testing center in Nashville.

I am feeling kinda stupid. What if I don't pass? I have lotsa test anxiety. Some days, I am confident in my school work. I know that I can pass classes. At the end of this semester, I will have 73 hours.

I sit in classes with all these young kids. One of my teachers at Tech is 25. She is 25!
When Eli was born, she was 12. I was a mother already when she was twelve years old!

That is depressing.

Anyways, I think my brain may explode. I have been studying all night. I am trying to review everything I have ever learned. Well, at this point, I hope I retain some of it. I am so tired, I can't even figure percentages. What is a noun? What is a verb? What if I fail the essay part of the quiz?

I am going to be so, so, so happy when tomorrow night rolls around. I am ready to go to bed.

I was trying to study and I yelled at my kids to go to bed. You know it is sad when the six year old has to read the four year old a bedtime story cause Mommy is too busy.

Flexible Men. A Picture Story.

On Sunday Night, we left the comforts of our home

and the company of three small children to cross this river......

And go here... LP Field. We were going to watch the Titans

play my favorite man - and team - THE COLTS.

I like to get there a little early - about 2 hours or so before kickoff -

cause I get to see things like this.

This dude - I have no idea who he is - stretched, and stretched, and stretched.

So very, very flexible.

And then, this dude did this. He gave me cramps in my legs.

Fat doesn't bend like that.

Then I noticed his cleats. I hope his momma didn't have to pay for those.

I would cry if my kids asked for cleats like that.

Then, this guy dude propelled his body in mid-air.

And he held it that way, for like, 30 minutes.

Not really. But it seemed that long.

Then, this snapper guy came out and practiced snapping.

Again, who else can bend like this?

(Just to let you know, I also have a picture

from the other side. But I didn't wanna

disturb anyone. So I kept it for me :) )

This glorious specimen of a man (#18) came out and stretched his big body parts.

That was glorious in itself.

Then, he went back into the long tunnel and he returned about an hour later.


And when he came back out, it looked like this.

He impatiently waited for everyone else to get their acts together.

And while waiting, he had this kind of attitude.

Finally, things started happening.

Boy, did they happen. We now know that they can move AND bend.

Go Colts!!!