June 16, 2012--Pippi

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.  ~ Roger Caras. 

I, like many people across the globe, am a pet owner.  I own not just any pet though, I have a dog.  Not a cat, not a bird, not a hamster....a dog.  As a matter of fact, I own two dogs...but this post is only about one.

Pippi is my pet...she is my companion. She is one of my friends....as a matter of fact, she is probably my best friend.  She loves me, but I wouldn't say unconditionally though.  She, as most dogs do, expects the basic necessities to survive in return....that I am grateful to give. 

Pippi is Jack Russell mix, who came into my life in November of 2007.  Our neighbors friends had found her when she was only a new pup, wandering the busy streets in Fayetteville.  She was, at first, our neighbors dog.  They would put her outside and let her run around all day.....it was freezing outside.  During the first week they had her, she spent a lot of time in my house.  During the second week, she became my dog.  We took her to the vet, who determined that she was only was born around in September...so that meant when she was found running around, she was only 7-8wks old. Not sure how a pup that small ends up running around a small city...but she had been. There was no one trying to locate her, so either they didn't care, or turned her loose on purpose.

When I chose Pippi's name, I didn't name her my usual list of dog names.  August, at the time, wasn't very verbal.  He could say puppy pretty well, so I thought I'd go with something easy for him... so Pippi it was.  I've always loved Pippi Longstocking, and since this dog had explored so much for a pup her size, and overcame so many obstacles with no fear.... Pippi seemed perfect.  

Pippi is now almost 5 years old.  In dog years that makes her 32-33 years old....she is almost my age.  She is showing her age very well, as she no longer wants to run off through the neighborhood.  Now if she manages to escape, instead of trying to elude you, she rolls over with this "screw that, take me back inside please" look.  lol.  She is still playful, but prefers long walks than playing with a ball.  She will lay by me any chance she gets...if I am in the computer chair, she'll lay in the floor at my feet.  She has become a lap dog I guess you could say.  It's amazing how much love you can have for a dog...... I guess I shouldn't call her a dog...perhaps four-legged human would be better.   

I know there is a day that I will no longer have Pippi.....because dogs have been given short life spans unfairly.  Luckily for me, Pippi has a life span of around 12-15 years...so with that in mind, as long as we keep her healthy and well cared for, I have another 7-10 years.  Which, I guess in the grand scheme, is a good amount of time compared to other breeds who have much shorter spans.   No matter how much time she has left, I will love her and cherish  her always....even when her sands have ran out, she will always be in my heart. 

<3

June 15, 2012--Glutton for Chaos

I try to be a nice person.  I try to not loose it and keep my calm and my wits. However, when one has a house full with seven kids, a calm persona doesn't always happen.  It doesn't happen especially when one of those seven suffer from a severe entitlement complex.


Lets start from the beginning.  I am currently playing emperor to seven kids.  Yes, you read that right....SEVEN kids.  Yes, I lost my mind when I agreed to take on this task.  Now, only six of these kids are mine, the seventh, is my four youngest children's 10 (11 soon) year old uncle, Andrew.   He is here to let his mom have a break and to learn some respect.  


Andrew suffers from "world must revolve around me" syndrome.  To say he thinks he's entitled would be putting it lightly.  He has a superiority complex like no other.  He will talk down to you like you are beneath him and this is one of the reasons he is here.  I, unlike his mom, am not bound by a wheel chair and can get up to put him in his place when he gets mouthy.  I have no problems standing toe to toe with him to let him know that No, little boy, you do NOT speak to me in that manor.

I know what you all are thinking...WHY would I allow that much more chaos in my house.  Well, why not...I am a glutton for chaos...lol.  Now, he's not like this all the time.  When he first arrived, yes, there were constant issues. He has since learned the throne he arrived on has been thrown out into the street, and I am the EIC (empress in charge) with the only throne in this house.  I do deal with petty crap from him all day, no different than my 12yo/going on 25yo daughter. He does have one big screw up a day though. It never fails....at least once a day he has to try to step on my toes......once a dang day.

Andrew is never happy.  If you think this is my fault, you'd be so wrong.  I do everything I can to keep him happy AND to keep things fair.  However, it always ends up being a Damned if I do, damned if I don't situation.  I'm almost to the point of saying screw being fair to everyone, even him, because he's going to whine no matter what anyways.   I know this is because he thinks he'll get to go home if he's whiny enough...haha..yeah, sorry, that'd be rewarding his behavior...NOT HAPPENING.

Now, my calm persona.....well, its on vacation till Andrew leaves.  I have an autistic 11yo child, a drama queen 12yo, a 5yo drama queen, then 4yo, 2yo, and 1yo boys.....so you would think that playing warden to a ADHD kid wouldn't be too far of a stretch.   Yeah, well, hahahahhhaha... my patience is getting a work out like no other.  I am doing well though....I haven't duct taped him to a ceiling...yet. ;)   Now, normally when I'm having a stressful day with my kids, I tell myself "I wanted this many, and its illegal to sell them"......  well that saying doesn't quite work when one isn't yours...lol.   Now, my saying is "Breathe".  Just breathe...  I got through today and I will get through tomorrow...and I may end up in a white straight jacket before its all over.   BUT I will mold this kid into a respectable hoodlum if its the last thing I do!!  


For some reason, I feel like I should sign off here with saying CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hahaha.  However, I will end with this.  We take on challenges in life to not only strengthen ourselves, but to help strengthen others.  These challenges are not easy, they are not a walk through a park, heck, they may even been worse than taking a walk through hell.  We MUST finish...you may end up at the finish line worn, tattered, and exhausted..but will finish in better shape than we started out.   

May 7, 2012. Socks

May 7th, 2012

One day, someone is going to ask how my morning went.....and the flood gates of everything is going to open.  The stress of every morning for the past school year is going to come out in one big, run on blurt....and the one who initially asked, is going to run away screaming.

Every morning it has been the same thing..... a search party for socks.  If you have kids, you can understand how something as simple as socks can almost put you in a straight jacket, in a padded room.  Now of course, the school year didn't start out like this.  There was about 3 weeks of instant sock availability, you know, the new socks that had been purchased and stuck in their sock drawers.   Once those ran out, the morning chaos began.   You see, thats when the start of "where the heck is this socks mate?!?!?!?" began.   Yes, for some reason, finding the mate to socks is a near impossible feat.

I, at first, was blaming my washer and dryer for the missing sock...that perhaps there is a sock gremlin living somewhere in either one.  Maybe even one of the lil  green men from the secret world of O.G. was in there stealing the socks.  However, I think I've come to the conclusion that both the kids socks are not even making it to the laundry basket.  I do believe the kids are taking their socks off, throwing one in the trash and putting the other in the laundry basket.....just to screw with my head.  Yes, I think the kids are getting their thrills this way...this way they can claim innocence, but still be guilty as sin.  I do imagine my panic search at 6:30 every morning must be quite entertaining for them to keep up this game of "make mom go insane" to continue on for this long.  Now, I know what you are thinking..."Hey, why don't you find socks the night before"...and my answer, well, because I'm an idiot and never remember at night..lol.

I only have to suffer through this for two more weeks till school is out.....thankfully.  Lets all cross our fingers that next school year, the kids find another game to play, because this one, is about to make me say screw the socks, and just forcing them to wear a box for a sock.

Socks, socks, where are the socks.
They are not in the toys, not hiding under the blocks.

Socks, Socks, where are the socks.
 I've looked every where, even outside under the rocks.

I've looked by the lake and checked all the docks,
I've looked in the woods and even checked under a fox.
I've looked in the swamp and even a family of crocs.

Socks, socks, where are the socks.
I can't find a single one, I even checked in our clocks.
I think we have a thief, perhaps its time to change the locks.

~Tonya Smyth~

January 16, 2012 -- Movie Day

January 16, 2012 (although it is now officially past midnight and now the 17th..lol)

Today was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and amazingly, the kids had the day off from school.  So, since there was no school, I decided to take the girls to see Beauty and the Beast 3D.  This is a movie I have loved since I was a kid.  To watch it again as an adult in the theatre, in 3D even, was truly a great experience.  I even found myself shedding a few tears during the sad scenes...yes, I am a big sap.   My oldest had seen it before, but I'm not sure if my youngest had.  Either way, they both really enjoyed watching it with me, and I was so happy to experience it with both of them in 3d.

Isis had her very first theatre experience today.  After we gave our stubs to the ticket guy and started heading down the hallway toward the movie, she started to panic.  She really had no clue what was going on, and was very scared about the unknown.  We got there early (and lucked out on great seats..woot!), so nothing was on the screen and the theatre room was pretty dark.  She kept whining about wanting to go home, but after about 10 mins when other kids started to pour in, she calmed a bit.  The surround sound during previews she did NOT like at all.  She doesn't like loud volume and that was way above her comfort level.  She cried and whined about wanting the sound to be turned down, and there for a bit, i honestly thought we may have to go home.  However, once the mini movie for Tangled 2 came on....she was in awe.  She sat still and was laughing while watching.  YES!  Of course, the credits started playing for that and she thought it was time to go home..haha.  She LOVED watching Beauty and the Beast.  She didn't keep her glasses on the entire time...I think they bothered her some (small head, not so small glasses..lol), but she did better than what I thought she would. 

Patrick got to spend some alone time with the boys today while we were at the theatre.  HAHAHAHA!!!  Yeah, that didn't go over too well.  He was ready for me to get back home and quick.  He really lost his patience with Justice and Wyatt.  Now he maybe he'll be more knowing of what I have to go with them.  He lucked out that Brenden was asleep the entire time I was gone..and August stayed in his room on his laptop the entire time.  Next time its supposed to be him taking the boys to the movies, but I'm just not seeing that happening.

Movies!! OMG...at the end of March will be the first movie Justice will see.  Its called THE PIRATES..and well, about pirates.  It looks cute as heck and its also in 3d.  I think Justice will LOVE it.  This summer Brave and Finding Nemo 3D also come out and I will be sooo in line for both of those...especially Nemo.  Is it sad that I think I get more excited over cartoons than the kids? 

Anyways, there was part of my day...the rest was spent relaxing and making vegetable/beefy stew/soup stuff.  It was yummy.    Now I'm sitting here watching Nick Jr. with Wyatt..hoping he falls to sleep soon.  I'm ready to curl up under my dinosaur quilt (don't laugh, but its the only quilt that I have that isnt too heavy or too light...and big enough to share with Wyatt as Patrick sleeps with his own comforter...lol) and head off to snoozeville.  I hope you all have a wonderful day/night/afternoon...whenever you're reading this.  *hug*

December 2011

I'm discovering that each time I promise myself that I'll blog more, less I remember to do it.  The months keep flying by and I'm hanging on by a thread.  It seems crazy.

Its December, and well, December is almost over already.  2011 is almost coming to an end and the year 2012 will be here.  

First, December.  This is always a month full of mixed emotions.  Its a time of family togetherness, but also a reminiscence of those who are gone.  Whether they left us recently, or years ago, they hang out in our hearts and mind heavily this month.  We try to keep up our smiles, our laughter, our joy to not damper the spirit of the holidays, even if inside we are breaking apart like a dropped glass ball ornament.

This month symbolizes so many things to so many people.  Some people use it for the celebration of the birth of Christ, some use it to celebrate the spirit of giving with Santa, and others use it to trash others beliefs.  I've never understood the whole "Christmas" issue.   Who cares what someone else believes in...really.  No matter what you believe about the day, it should be a celebration of family.  Sure, some will say that family should be celebrated every day of the year.  Yes, that is true, however, due to everyone having such chaotic schedules, celebrating with family is difficult.  Plus, if you bought gifts for your family all the time, do you REALLY think they would be as appreciative?  I know most children wouldn't...  It is truly nice to have ONE day a year to celebrate with those you love....whether you spend it with your immediate family or extended family, or even friends.  (Thanksgiving is a celebration of giving thanks to what we have.....Christmas is a celebration of family/friends and just life...at least, in my opinion.)

Second, the end of 2011.  Wow, Already...  I'm a little in shock about it really.  Its getting harder and harder to keep the years separate as they seem to fly by as I get older.  This year, I'll remember a little more than others as this year was met with so many heartaches.   So many angels grew their wings this year.  Two in particular meant a whole lot to me and my family.   I believe Heaven grew 3x wide this year...  What I wouldn't give to just have this year start all over from the beginning....to get back things lost, even if just for a short period of time. 

I look back and reflect....to never forget those I love, and pull the memory of them into the new year.  2012, here I come. 

September 20, 2011--September 11, 2011

I'm a lil behind on publishing blogs.

September 11th, 2011.

Heaven turned 12 years old.  TWELVE!!!!!!  Where did the time go?  It doesn't feel like its been twelve years ago since she was born, but time doesn't lie nor can it be cheated.  Her attitude speaks volumes too for her age.  She has that whole "I'm almost a teenager and know everything" attitude about her..lol.

We were living in Alaska at the time she was born.  I am pretty sure the snow hadn't started to fall yet, but did not too long after.  I remember it being freaking cold there as we hadn't lived there but only for a few months and had not acclimatized yet. 

Her birth, such a pain...literally..haha.  I would start having extremely painful contractions, they'd give me meds for pain and the contractions would stop.  I'd then be sent home, only to go back a few hours later when the contractions would start back up.  This went on for two days before they stopped giving me stuff for the pain and made me wait it out for a few hours before giving me something again.  I pretty sure they finally gave me my epidural when I grew three heads and started to sound like satan.     You'd be bitchy too if you had them shoving their hands up in you to put some sort of electrode monitor on your baby's head.  Have I mentioned that pain and I do not get along?

My epidural, the wonder drug, was only half miraculous.  I ended up only being completely numb on one side of my body, the other side, while not completely able to feel, was still able to feel. So when it came time to push...yeah, no, I wasn't the least bit happy.  Then of course, she had to be stubborn and get stuck on my pelvic bone.  They used a freaking vacuum to get her out..and OMG!!! it would "pop" off I guess and every time it did, the pain was excruciating.  I was pretty upset.   FINALLY (after 2hrs of pushing) she was out and things were hunky dory.

We lived in Alaska for the first 2 years of her life. We were living there when her 2nd birthday came around and the towers fell.  I was told I was a horrible person for celebrating her birthday that day when people were loosing their lives.  I was told for the following years that celebrating her birthday on that day made me a bitch.  Yeah, I told many people to F-off.  While 9-11 was a tragic event, the celebration of my childs life was something I was not going to postpone.

Heaven has seen so much already in her 12 years of life.  She's seen more of the US (granted she doesn't remember half of it..lol) than most people see in their entire life.  She's not done yet either as I have some pretty big moves for her coming up.  She's such a smart kid....her test scores are always through the roof.  It is because of this, I'll never deny her an opportunity to better herself.

Its hard to imagine that within a few more years she'll be out of my home and on her own.  *sigh* Time passes too quick.

July 13, 2011--Random thought...I love you.

To all those I've lost, will lose, and will lose me...I cherish you, I love you. My love for you is bigger than the universe is wide, brighter than the sun shines, and stronger than anything on earth. Just remember that.

June 1, 2011--Gas Math

I keep hearing about why isn't our economy improving. Why are more people not spending money like they were a few years ago. It doesn't take a genius to figure a part of the problem out. Could it be....gasoline?

We are now spending at least 1$ more per gallon of gas. Lets say the average household spends an extra 30$ a week on gas. Now lets take One million households x 30$=$30,000,000 A WEEK going toward gas. 30mil x 4 weeks in a month = $120 mil. 120mil x 12mths=$1,440,000,000 A YEAR is now going toward going to gas and NOT our stores. You and I both know that know that there are more driving households than that AND some households are spending MORE than an extra $30 a week on gas.

So, you tell me....why is our economy not crawling out of the hole its in?

May 29, 2011--blogness

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. ~Robert C. Gallagher

I decided to change up my blog. My original plan was to make this more of a picture blog...to post pictures with my thoughts added in. Now, its going to be more of a thought blog with a picture added if I have one relevant. I think this way I may be able to write more often when I have a chance.

I am a female, so who knows how long this will last till I change my mind and take it into another direction again. Tomorrow I could turn it into a political debate blog.....yeah, you know me too well...lol.

I wish I had more time to write, but I'm not upset over the fact that I don't. My kids are more important and so is my sleep. Right now its 12:30am....4 out of 6 kids are up. Isis is currently with Patrick over at Jimmy/Brandys house and Augi, Jman, & Heaven are watching Netflix. I am actually surprised no one is bothering me so I can at least write for a few....wait, spoke too soon, Justice is now demanding my time...so away bloggy you go.

May 28, 2011--Randomness "My huge family".

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.

The above describes my family more than you will ever know. Some of you may think that is horrible to think while others are standing in ovation because they too have a family like mine.

My mother, Norma, had a ton of siblings. There were 15 that survived and one that died in infancy. (Yeah, I know what ya'll are thinking "Holy wow, that multiplying like rabbits runs in the family".) Needless to say on my moms side of the family, I have an abundance of cousins. Don't ask me to name those off because I have never met about 50% of them.

Now my father, Tony, is one of six. I also know all my cousins from that side as they all lived in the same area as we did. It is because of that I am closer to my dad's side of the family. I grew up spending almost every holiday with that side, along with a lot of weekends and just random get togethers. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't miss it. I miss getting together with all of them more than I could ever explain.

My parents, amazingly, only had three kids. My brothers, Rodney and Tracy, each have three children of their own. I have four nieces and two nephews... that gives my dad (mom passed away five years ago) a total of 12 grandchildren (six boys, six girls). I have one niece and nephew that I've never met. I don't go to Illinois and my brother doesn't bring them to Arkansas.

So, now you see that I have a huge family....not just a big family, but a HUGE family. Of course, for the analogy I started with...if you were to pour us out into a fudge pan, there would only be enough nuts for one or two slices....which is such a good thing..lol.

May 17, 2011...Priorities

No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished? Lee Iaccoca

When I decided to start my blog back up, I started with the determination of at least writing a blog post twice a week to once a day. I said if I didn't do it, I was being lazy. However, since then, I've come to realize I have better priorities. This blog is and will always be last in the order of things. So if I get a few minutes to write, then so be it, if not, oh well. I'm sure that there are not people out there who's life depends on whether or not I write every week. If there is, please tell me, then I'll try to make time for you too..lol.

My first priority is always to my kids. Now, each of those kids currently has a place in in being first. IE...Brenden's needs come before Heaven's since she is old enough to do a lot of things on her own. The only thing that will disrupt the order is if one child is sick/injured.
If Augi is pouring blood out of his head, I'm not going to tell him to wait to change a diaper...lol.

The rest of the order will include family, my pets (sorry folks, but she is like a 4-legged family member), then my friends, and then everything else in life. I would have to rank myself interchangeable with 2nd and 3rd. If I'm not making sure I'm alright, then there is no point in everything else.

Prioritize folks!
Family+Friends > everything else, including blogs.

Rain Rain Rain--May 2, 2011

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.
---John Updike


Rain, you know, its what happens when droplets of water falls from the sky. Sometimes they fall light, sometimes heavy. In big droplets, in small droplets.....its rain all the same.

Don't ask me how much of the wet stuff we have received as I wouldn't be able to give an exact number nor an estimate. I just know that it just keeps falling out of the sky, drenching everything there is outside, and flooding the land. I do know that we are lucky where I am at. We are currently not experiencing the mass flooding problems my hometown area is on the east side of Arkansas. Images of the flooding may be viewed here Kait8.com and here at Star Herald. Its amazing that one small droplet of water combined with millions of its friends can cause such devastation in the form of flooding.

I, only once, have been involved in flooding on a large scale. I want to say it was back in 1982 when we had to be evacuated in boats from my grandfathers house. I remember going from boat to boat to eventually where there was no more water. I then had to wait in my Aunt Lesa's car with her lassie dog for what seemed like an eternity. Its amazing what you can remember when something like that happens. If I am correct on the year, then I was only 4yo at the time, and everything that happened seems as if it was recent.

I guess in the grand scale of things though, even with all the chaos with the flood waters, everyone should still be thankful, especially with the influx of tornadic weather that has consumed the south recently. Loosing ones home can be devastating, but loosing a life/a loved one would be far greater of a tragedy. Material things can be replace, a life can not.

Even so, I do hope the rain stops soon. It seems that we are going to need the second coming of Noah if it doesn't. Of course, maybe this time more people would listen and be willing to board the ship.

April 17, 2011-A minute gone

A minute gone, you have been
never to come back to me again.
True love came, the moment you were born
my life you changed, my life you did adorn.
I held your hand and you held my heart
now your gone and im falling apart.
How am I supposed to be strong
when everything now feels wrong.
What am I supposed to do, how am I supposed to go on
when every minute that passes, you've been another minute gone.

-TSG-

Brooklynn Shay, everyone thought the world of you. You love will live on, in all our hearts. Your momma and daddy will love you forever and a day. Uncle Patrick and I miss you even though we never got to meet you. We hope you and Logan are flying high, spreading your wings and soaring.

April 4, 2011--Forever Angels

Children should never grow wings. They should be free to play and run on their legs and never have to learn to fly so early.

I have a hard time understanding child death. It doesn't make any sense to me why children have to leave the earth. I have experienced a few child deaths of children that knew, but only once have I had to go through it for a child that I cared for and I'm dealing with it right now.

There should be no reason my brother in law and his girlfriend has to go through this. NO REASON! Why should the hateful old bitty down the road, who hates everyone in the world live to a ripe old age, but yet a beautiful, innocent, sweet, precious child have her life snubbed from her way too early. IT MAKES NO SENSE!

People will try to rationalize child death and say "God needed them back with him, they were never ours to keep as he only let us borrow them" or pretty much a varied version of it. You know what though, that saying really ticks me off. I think anyone who says that really needs their head examined. You don't give someone a gift, a gift that brings great joy and love like no other. A gift that gives you every reason for being...and then rip that gift away from them. Thats called being an Asshole. Yes, I said it, God is an asshole. He has let all the power he possesses go to his head. God is nothing but a kid with a magnifying glass and we are all ants. When you have a beautiful child taken away soo early, but yet the asshole who has been allowed to live out all their lives making everyone miserable around them....you realize, that God has no plan. His plan is to go "Eeny Meenie Minie Mo, this one is going to go" and then shines his magnifying glass on us.

Some might say that God is using this experience in life to "test our faith". I'm sorry, but there are a million other ways to "test my faith" than cause sickness in a child or take their life. Honestly, if that is the type of God we have, then WHY would I want to worship that. People who don't believe in God I understand now. If God was a just god, the innocent wouldn't have to suffer or die so young.

I'm tired of being a fish in a barrel, with a man standing above it, just pointing away and shooting. I don't care what others think of me after this..as it is my opinion.

Poor baby girl Brooklynn. I never got to meet you, but I loved you all the same. Rest in peace baby girl. 8/09-4/11 :(

(no pictures as this is a public blog and I don't know how they would feel of me putting up a picture of their daughter here)

April 2, 2011--Wyatt

I thought I had published this already last week, but it was still in draft form.

Wyatt is a true "Daddy's Boy" and he will follow Patrick around like a little puppy. If he gets hurt, he'll go to Patrick first. I'm not sure how this happened as I am the one who held him the most during his baby months, but yet, I am the one who is pushed to the side if his dad is around.

Wyatt is known as the "little guy" of the house. He's been the smallest of them all in growth, but is as every bit as feisty as the others. I have a hard time realizing that he is getting bigger, that is, until I pick him up. He doesn't quite fit in my arms as well as he used to, but that doesn't stop me from holding him as much as I can.

He LOVES Brenden. I mean he absolutely loves Brenden. He'll kiss on him and try to hug him all the time. Its really, really sweet how much he loves him. I was initially afraid that Wyatt would be extremely jealous of Brenden, but that fear went away as soon as we brought B home. Once B gets bigger, I'm sure they'll end up being best friends.

There really isn't too much more to say about my lil' guy. I guess the only thing you truly need to know about is how much I love him...which is more than I can ever express into words.

April 1, 2011--You know what causes that don't you?

The dreaded phrase that a mom of many hates to hear. In the beginning, I held my tongue and usually responded with something polite. However, after awhile of hearing this repeatedly, my responses have changed to snarky.

Nosy Person: "You do know what causes that don't you?"

Me: "Yes, I do know and I happen to enjoy it. I also think I am quite good at it and apparently so does my husband. You should only be surprised I don't have a lot more children than I do."

Nosy Idiot: "You know they have birth control for that don't you?"

Me: "Holy Crap! Really!! You mean all this time I could have avoided having these kids?! Why didn't someone tell me there is a thing called birth control! WHY GOD WHY!!!"

Nosy Moron: "Are they ALL yours? You need to develop a hobby"

Me: "I have a hobby. I make great bank off of it. However, as you can see, sometimes accidents happen from it. Now if I only knew who the father was of each. Wait, you look familiar...you're husband isn't named John is he?"

They usually shut up and leave me alone after that. I actually have a few replies I use. It just depends on who is asking on what reply I use. Some people are genuinely nice about it, others are down right rude. So, rude people get a rude response.

I think what REALLY ticks me off is when they bring up me getting "fixed". WHAT?!?!?! Why in the world would a stranger tell another stranger something as personal as that. If I want to have 21 kids, than by george I will have that many. I mean, damn, my reproductive choices are not anyones business. Honestly, were some people not born with that filter that goes between the brain and the mouth?

I think I'm going to have a shirt made that says "On the search for the father of my next child. Apply in front."

March 27, 2011--Spring Break

Today was officially the last day of spring break. Thank Goodness!! I love my kids and love spending time with them, but when its time for them to go back to school, I get really happy.

The kids were out of school from the 21st to the 25th. Now if you add in the weekends, that would be no school from 19th-27th. Do I even need to explain the joyous amounts of fun that can be held in that many days? However, we spent the entire time here at home...thrills. True insanity and chaos reigned and I was not the queen in control of it all, but a mere jester on the side being laughed at. *face palm*

There is one thing to be said about having six kids in the same house....CABIN FEVER!!!! Luckily the weather did allow us to go outside some and if the wind had not been blowing like crazy, it would have been great. Its hard to take the younger ones out when it feels like the wind is going to literally rip them out of your arms and carrying them off. Brenden HATES wind blowing on him, so it was a no-go on getting him outside any. We kept taking out outside breaks while he slept, but it almost never failed that the dang sun would hide behind the clouds, not giving us the full warming effect that we wanted. No direct sun+wind="brrrrrrrrr".

I would like to note that we DID get the garage looking pretty good. I still have toys out there to go through, but at least everything is not everywhere. Plus Augi's drum set has a nice big area to itself. Once the weather warms back up, it should only take a good weekend to get it all cleared out so we can get the car in there too.

My blog writing had to take a back burner when they were home. It should be noticed that I haven't written in the past few days. This would be due to the fact that the temp dropped once again, keeping them all in the house, giving me not anytime to myself. I am lucky right now because I sent them to bed....oh and the fact that Patrick is sleeping.

Now that school starts back tomorrow, we will not have anymore long breaks from school again until Summer. Summer will be nice as the baby will not be so immobile, it'll be warm outside, and we'll be able to take walks to the park. At least, this is what I hope, but knowing my luck, what probably won't happen..lol.

(pictures added later)

March 24, 2011--Heaven

Blonde jokes can't be serious can they?

Let me introduce you to my oldest child, my first born, my introduction into motherhood, Heaven. Heaven is a very book smart kid. She can write some of the most amazing stories, passes her tests with high flying colors, and is just a lil brainiac. She is also in our G/T program at this school. However, she is also one of the dumbest smart kids I know. I don't mean that in a bad way, I just mean she can be the TRUE definition of a blonde girl sometimes. She can be extremely ditsy some days, so much, you think the blonde jokes were written just for her. I will never understand how someone so intelligent can be so "blonde". I do say that with love.

I am very proud of this kid though and do not ever doubt it. She has been a great gift and a joy to have in my life. She has so much eagerness to learn, to improve, to just be the best at all she can. She gives me hope for the next generation.

I think one of my favorite things about her is that she has a voracious hunger for reading. She'll devour book after book in such a short time period and come out wanting more. It warms my heart to know that she loves reading as much as I do. She also has the same interest in storylines, which is great so that I can read what I buy her. I believe that we could "forget" her at a library overnight and she'd be as happy as a lark....well, as long as we left her a snack too. Its great that kids today can still enjoy immersing themselves into books and forgetting the world of electronics around them.

Heaven is also a great sister to her siblings. She helps me a great portion of the time with them. There are times she will whine when I ask her to do something, but she'll do it. They all seem to love her and the younger ones call her "Hiya". The only bad problem about them wanting to be around her is that they do tend to annoy her to death...lol.

The one thing about Heaven that ticks me off is her "11 going on 21" attitude. She knows it all as most kids do. She likes to roll her eyes a lot at me, like I am the dumb one. One day, she'll roll her eyes at me, and I'm going to knock those things out to watch them roll across the floor..lmao. Remember, I've said everything here with love..hehe.

March 23, 2011--Brenden

"Ties that have been severed can never be healed." HAHAHA. I find humor in that for some reason. Perhaps its because my tubes were severed, parts were cut out, and yet, they still healed themselves. Thanks to my body's super healing powers, I now have Brenden.

Brenden, so far, there isn't a lot to tell about him. He spends his days eating, sleeping, and pooping. Oh, with the occasional crying because no one bowing to his allmightyness. Haha. I try to be up his butt as much as I can, but with six kids, I do have to spread myself out among them. He seems to disagree with having to share me, but will just have to deal with it.

I am currently trying to sleep train the lil' guy to sleep on his own at night. Its working, but its also back firing on me. He is getting where he'll only cry for a little bit when you put him to bed and then he will sleep for hours. The only issue is if he gets woke up, its hard as heck to get him to sleep next to me. It especially sucks because I can't put him back in the crib since Patrick is in bed by then. So then I have to get up and pray the he falls asleep in my arms so I can get the pleasure of going back to bed myself.

He is awake right now, chewing on his shirt, trying to carry on a conversation with his hand. Its apparently not responding with the right answers because he's getting pretty ticked at it. Wait, now he's yelling at me, as I am once again, not up his butt. I think he's saying how dare I be on the computer when he is right there wanting to be held..lol. He can fuss all he wants right now, I just put him down before I started this, it won't kill him to entertain himself for another minute. Now if he puckers out that bottom lip into a sad face, well then, it'll all be over and I'll have to pick him up. His pucker is one of the saddest things I've ever seen.

You know, even though this little guy wasn't supposed to be in my life, I am glad he's here. He brings so much extra joy to our lives and makes it impossible to think of a life without him.

March 22, 2011--Six Kids

Children, they bring laughter, joy, love and worry to a mothers heart.

I am often asked "How do you do it?" in regard to having six kids. Often=multiple times daily. I've been referred to as "super mom" and "super woman" more times than I can count. It seems that everyone is curious/envious on how I handle it all and still manage to have my sanity. I usually reply with joking answers like "Two words--Jack Daniels" or "Duct Tape", but the truth is, its not as hard as people seem to think.

First time parents with their first child are often more stressed than a parent with many kids. When a parent has their first, their life all of a sudden changes. Their life routine takes a sudden 180 degree turn and they have to learn how to compensate for that change. They are trying to figure everything out from feedings to sleeping. Now lets throw a second child into the mix, now they've got to figure out how to manage their time as a parent with two kids, who often, have two very different schedules in the beginning. Add a third child, things are different, but you have a great understanding of how to adjust your life to function with having another baby around. It is at this point, adding more children really doesn't upset the balance of your life too much.

I think the hardest part about it all right now is the sleep issue. I tough it out because I know that they do EVENTUALLY start sleeping at normal times. The other issue is making sure they each have their own space to isolate themselves into they need it. It can be difficult to convince a 2yo to leave their 10yo brother alone because he just wants some silence. Now, there can be other challenges to figure out, but nothing to really stress over too much.

Things around here are chaotic from day to day, but the words "organized chaos" applies. I am lucky that while I do have a lot of kids, that my two oldest are 6 and 7 years older than my younger four. They come in handy to help keep things in motion...definitely two saving graces.