Wishing Everyone A Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

When I Grow Up.

Claire: When I grow up, I want to be a vetrinarian or work at Target.

Someone Should Make A Warning Sign.

Bryan and Claire were standing in line at the grocery store when Claire decided to casually check out the cart of stuff the lady behind them had.

Claire: You dont want to buy this. (Pointing to the mop)

Stranger Lady: What?

Claire: You dont want to buy this mop because it's only going to sing to you. "Baby come back........."

Starnger Lady and Bryan crack up laughing.

Success!

So I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything and for that I am sorry, it seems I go through stages where I want to post every day and then there are times when it seems like a chore. Anyway, just so everyone knows, my surgery was a huge success. They were able to repair both tubes, I healed quickly and am back at work, now we wait for 3 months before we can start trying so that me ending up with a tubal pregnancy is minimal. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Christmas is just around the corner, my how time sure does fly. I ordered personalized Santa letters for the kids because luckily at 7 and 9, they both still believe. Of course there have been questions but so far so good.

Hope everyone else out there in blogging land is ready for a wonderful Christmas!

PS. Houston, we had snow!! ;)

The Singing Bugs

Over the weekend we went to our favorite Chinese buffett and we were talking about Christmas and how the kids really need to get going on their Wish Lists. Taylor mentioned Guitar Hero and I said how I thought we already had that and was quickly reprimanded that we had Rock Band or something like that.

I said someone should ask for a new game for the system we already had, maybe one with country. Claire piped up and said "or maybe the June Bugs!!"

I looked at her with a blank face, trying to figure out who the heck she was talking about when Bryan said, "oh you mean The Beetles?" She said "yeah, that's it!"

Bryan and I both laughed so hard, we had tears on our faces.

Happy Halloween!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!!

Lady Gaga's Cousins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtTtyA572uI

This is the president of my company and her sister that also works at our office, we are a reseller of UPS so I thought Id share their super cute idea of advertising.

October 8th.....

Last Thursday was my pre-op appointment for my tubal reversal, they had basically said they wanted to do an ultrasound to check out my ovaries and uterus, take some blood, and then go over the actual surgery and such.

Everything went well with the exam, I was told my ovaries and uterus looked nice and healthy and was reminded that I have a heart shaped uterus. C'mon people, how cute is that?

When I sat down with Dr. R, who would be the one performing the surgery, he started questioning me on Taylor, the 24 weeker. He brought up the cerclage that had been performed and reminded me that my former doctor had diagnosed me with an incompetent cervix. I felt like my balloon of hope was getting smaller and smaller but then he said how he just wanted to order a special type of ultrasound to really be able to take a look at my pesky cervix and that I would have to have another cerclage. he said he had no doubt I would get pregnant again, he just wanted to do everything he could so that I would carry as close to term as possible. Huge sigh of relief!

So now I am waiting for "special" doctor to give me a call to schedule the "special" ultrasound and Dr. R is requesting the surgery report from my original cerclage, but, he has kept my surgery date the 20Th of November. Please, everyone keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I know if it was meant to be, everything will fall into place.

Who Knew?

We have never bought a toaster for some reason, we have always just made things that needed to be "toasted" in the microwave (waffles), the oven, or the little toaster oven Bryan used mostly for fish sticks.

Saturday we picked one up while shopping at Target so when Taylor requested waffles for breakfast Sunday morning I happily popped some in our spanking new appliance. I smothered them with syrup and sat them in front of him.

He spent the next hour crying into his waffles because didn't I know he didn't like crunchy waffles? The horror!

I told him to eat these and I promised from now on I'd only cook his waffles in the microwave. Bryan piped up from the living room, "maybe you should change your blog to Who Cries over Crunch Waffles?"

Blast From The Past Xmas 1987

Second to left in the blue shirt is my brother Nicholas, then me, and the blonde in the front is my sister Lyndsey. Of course, cousins are around but no need to tell you who they are. :)

Only 3

Yesterday I was reading a blog and was reminded how sweet and innocent a child's mind can be, and how we should all think like that as much as possible. Last night, as Taylor was taking his bath, he also reminded me.

I was telling him how he really needed to start bathing himself better so that way when the baby comes Momma doesnt have to give you, the baby, and your sister a bath.

His response, Momma that's only 3.

I smiled and said you are so right buddy.

Peek A Boo

Taylor came home with another note in his backpack:

Dear Taylor's Mom,
Today Taylor was "peeping" at the other little boys while using the restroom, please speak with him about how this is inappropriate.
Thanks
Taylor's Teacher

Me: "Bryan!!! This is so yours!!"

Oh Where Oh Where Did My Sweet Little Boy Go?

I got a note in Taylor's backpack yesterday from his teacher, it read:

Taylor's Mom,

Today the counselor came to our class and read a book to the children about bullying and immediately afterwards, Taylor asked to go to the restroom. While in the hall, he pushed another child. When I asked him why, he said because he wanted to.

Sincerely,
Taylor's Teacher

What the hell are they teaching in that school?

*I did speak with Taylor and reminded him how sad it made him when kids picked on him or put their hands on him and he has promised to keep his hands to himself. I have my fingers crossed.*

10 Years Younger I Tell Ya!

So do you like the new look? I know I do and it was way over due for a face lift, get rid of some of those double chins. If you're interested in revamping feel free to contact that amazingly talented lady!! http://www.mommybrained.com/

Hugs and kisses to all!

Nicole

What Else Would You Call It?

Last night was a pick your own dinner night and Taylor being the picky eater he is can be the hardest to please.

He finally chose macaroni and cheese but was still a little hungry after eating his bowl so Bryan asked him if there was something else he'd like.

Taylor: Ummm, I think I'd like to have a taco bun.

Bryan: A what?

T: A taco bun.

B: *Thinking for a moment* Oh! You mean a tortilla??

T: Yeah!!!

143

I think about the first time I saw you, the first thing I noticed with my blue eyes was your smile but the second was your ass as you walked away after taking our order. I knew I wanted you then.

Our first date was at "The Falls" and you made me feel like the prettiest girl in the whole wide world. You had no problem with taking the little mermaid test. I knew I wanted you then.

You were the first boy that made love to me and I made love to you back. I knwe I waanted you then.

You sang the cute song as you looked me in the eyes on your bed. You laid with me and we looked together into the prism. I knew wanted you then.

You let me wear your cap, THE Abercrombie & Fitch hat that you adored, sat upon my head, and hung on my bedpost. I knew I wanted you then.

You spent your hard earned money on things I wanted at the mall and frappachinos at Starbucks. You sat there at the coffee shop and talked to me. I knew I wantd you then.

My own mother said some things about me that would scare anyone away. But not you. I knew I wanted you then.

We hung out with some of your friends and I didn't really fit in, but you tried to make me fit. I knew I wanted you then.

I went through some tough times with family and you were there for me. I knew I wanted you then.

We played house at your new apartment, you took me grocery shopping and gave me a safe, warm bed to come home to. I knew I wanted you then.

You accepted my friends, no matter what yours said. I knew I wanted you then.

You gave me a beautiful daughter, you sang Bryan Adam's "Everything I do, I do for you". I knew I wanted you then.

You are the daddy to my son that he never had. I knew I wanted you then.

You asked me to marry you. I knew I wanted you then.

Love

Nicole

It's Just A Bunny Ma.

Last night I had on a pair of old boxers that have Bugs Bunny on them. I was washing Claire's hair and I noticed her checking them out.

Claire: You have a bunny on your PJ's, why?

Me: That's not just a bunny, that is Bugs Bunny.

Claire: Who?

I thought about drowning her right then. Just kidding. It just goes to show how old I am I guess.

So, How High Can You Pee?

We have been having some difficulties with getting Taylor to pee in just the toilet and not on the floor, back of the toilet seat, walls....... One thing that seems to be helping is to have him help clean the toilet, but it is still a work in progress.

Today at lunch we were enjoying a delightful conversation with the kids when somehow the subject changed to restroom etiquette. Taylor mentions how he can now use the grownup restrooms (urinals) and we said how awesome that is, how he is getting so big. He responded with "yeah and I can pee real high too!"

Bryan and I both cracked up laughing and Bryan said how we know oh too well, just look at the kids bathroom.

Drink One For Me!

So Happy Labor Day everyone! I hope everyone has a safe and fun time. Me, I will be doing laundry and getting for the week since yesterday was our party. Works out better for us since no one has to go to bed at a certain time plus we invited some friends over so Bryan could cook a tasty feast for us all.

If you're wondering about the big news I had the other day, we are still in wait mode. The report has been requested and am waiting for the new doctor to receive it and let me know my options. *Grinning with delight*

Big News!

So it's official, the wheels have started turning in regards to Baby #3! We decided we did want to have another baby, I have made the calls to get evaluated for the tubal reversal, and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Keep us in your prayers and of course I will keep yall updated! :)

Happy 1st Day of School!

That's Gonna Leave A Mark.

Yesterday was Taylor's first real "accident", we have had our fair share of scrapes or bruises but never the real bloody ones. He was out riding his bike with some kids on our street when he face planted into the concrete, hitting chin first.

There was lots of blood and tears but after getting it cleaned out, he ended up with some nasty road rash and some chunks of skin missing where it seems gravel had been. Taylor's only question?

"Am I gonna have to wear one of those cones like the dogs do so I don't mess with it?"

You Want Mani/Pedi?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o

OMG, What makes this so damn funny is because it is true!!

What's Not To Love?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/celebrities/6569671.html

If you haven't seen this yet, go check it out ~ I totally have my copy reserved!

Oliver the Terror

We adopted a baby boy kitten a few weeks ago, his name is Oliver and he has gotten bigger and braver since the day I brought him home. His favorite place to wreak havoc? Claire's room. This was the conversation I heard last night coming from her room, I thought of Turner & Hootch the whole time. :)

Claire: Oliver, what are you doing> Why are you tearing up my things? What do you think this is, your playroom or something? Well it isn't, this is my room and it upsets me very much that you chew and scratch up my stuff. If you don't stop, I'm going to have to put a diaper on you.

Now why the diaper you may ask? She recently found out she could buy real baby diapers from the store with her own money and slap them on every doll and bear she can find. I think she actually tried to put one on Oliver before but came back missing a finger.

Life With Claire

The other day Claire was playing on the computer, one of her new favorite things is to watch silly songs and videos from High school Musical on YouTube and yes we supervise her completely. All of a sudden she says, "Hey Momma did you do this?" so I walk over and look at what she is pointing at.

It was one of those ads for going back to school and it read Obama wants mothers to go back to school, or something to this nature.

Me: No honey I am not going back to school.

C: But President Obama says you have to.

Me: No sweetie, its an ad ~ like a commercial.

C: OOhhkkaayyyy, but don't say I didn't let you know if you get in trouble from the President.

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

We were watching High school Musical 2 last night and one verse in the song they were singing was about how it was time for summer and you can do whatever you want. Claire turns to me and says......

C: That isn't true.

Me: What?

C: That during the summer you can do whatever you want.

Me: It isn't?

C: No because you still tell us when to go to bed and sometimes when to get up and sometimes even where we are going. So, no it isn't true.

*Sigh* She's growing up so fast........

I Think The Toilet Bit Her.

Claire is getting older and has started coming to me or Bryan with questions about her body, and every time I cant help but hold my breath each time I hear "Momma can I ask you something?"

Yesterday she was using the restroom and the amount of time she was in there plus the singing (yes my daughter sings on the toilet, doesn't yours?) made me think she was "dropping the kids of at the pool", a term my lovely husband likes to use.

She came into the living room where I was folding some laundry and spoke the dreaded words.

C: Momma, can I ask you something?

Me: Sure sweetie, what is it?

C: For some reason my butt has this red line on it.

Me: Well, you must not be cleaning very well. Does it hurt?

C: No, not like in my butt, like on it. Here, let me just show you.

She pulls her little shorts and undies down and point to this red mark.

Me: Hon, that is from the toilet seat from you sitting there for so long.

C: *Grinning sheepishly* Ohhhhhhhhh.

Drive-in Anyone?

Looking for something to do tonight with the kids? Check it out! :)

http://www.theshowboatdrivein.com/welcome.html

You're welcome.

Them Some Mighty Hot Peppers!

Not too long ago we had a few friends over and I had asked Bryan to make some jalapeno poppers that are to die for, it is from a recipe that I got from a gal I work with. Let me know if anyone wants it?

Anyway, she mentioned to me that she wears gloves when she makes them so I told Bryan this but being the He-Man that he is, he didn't. An hour or so later I hear noises from the kitchen that made me nervous so I went to check it out. There was Bryan slathering butter and mayonnaise on his manhood. Turns out shortly after he finished making the poppers, he went and used the restroom. Yeah, he used his hands to umm, you know, aim...........

Betcha he uses gloves the next time.

Responsibility

We're trying to help teach the kids about responsibility, we started with a chore list that they were responsible for doing small things around the house on the weekdays and then a more thorough cleaning on Sunday, like cleaning your room, dusting, sorting your laundry ~ everything a parent dreams of their child doing when they reach a certain age. :)

Now Claire got her first pet when she turned 5, it was a hamster that she named Elvis whom she adored and I have to admit, turned out to be the best dang hamster ever. He never once tried to bite any of the kids and allowed them to dress him up in tiny doll clothes and ran through out the dollhouse they'd stick him in. Elvis lived longer than any hamster I had ever known and we were sad when the little guy died.

Now everyone knows that I am a huge animal lover, the more the merrier I say but it can get a little over whelming at times. We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and now 2 fish named Goldie and Sparkles. You see, Taylor really wanted a pet for his room and we felt it was time for him to be responsible for his very own living & breathing friend. He actually wanted a lizard but Bryan put his foot down saying they were smelly and I think he also knew he'd be stuck cleaning out the tank and such seeing as how I am scared of them.

They came to an agreement for Taylor to have his very own mini aquarium with the two calico goldfish mentioned above, the names I will have you know he picked out all on his own. We got them home from the pet store and Bryan went about putting the tank together with Taylor watching his every move and while he did all of it, he told Taylor how to care for his fish and gave him strict directions to only feed the fish once a day, and how much.

Two days later I noticed the fish food open next to the tank, lid off, so I went to chastise Bryan about not putting things back and he said he and Taylor had fed the fish that morning and he knew he had put the lid back on. We called Taylor into his room to ask about the opened fish food and he bursts into tears.

Bryan: "Calm down son, you're not in trouble we're just asking about the food. Did you feed the fish again?"

Taylor: *Tears streaming down his face* "Yes, because they were looking at me with their mouths open so I knew they must still be hungry."

Is Three A Crowd?

So Bryan and I have been throwing around the idea of another kidlet lately, me of course more than him. Claire is 9 and Taylor 7 and I sure do miss those baby days and would love to be able to experience the pregnancy and such together, something some of you know did not happen the first two times.

But, Bryan does make some good points too that make me join him on the fence, you see, as much as he'd love to have another baby there are some things to look at such as....... *Bryan thinks my clock is just ticking and in a year or so I will have changed my mind.*

We just bought our home which is only 3 bedroom/2 baths and although the baby would be in our room for at least the first year, I am sure Claire nor Taylor would be too thrilled to have a much younger sibling crammed into their already packed rooms.

There's also the money issue because Bryan and I have finally reached a point in our lives where we can afford to pay all of our bills and still go out to eat or purchase that video game the kids had their sights set on. Another baby is full of expenses and I am sure, put us right back where we were if not worse considering we've never had three children before.

The kids are pretty much self sufficient and it is nice to be able to go to places and not worry about temper tantrums, dirty diapers, etc.

Lastly, I had my tubes tied 7 years ago so would need to shell out 6000.00 bucks to have the reversal surgery which means that would be our entire income tax return and even after spending all of that money, it is not a 100% guarantee I would get pregnant.

I am sure you are thinking my this seems like a lot of cons but we're trying to be realistic. We have a lot of pros too, well, maybe not A LOT but bringing a baby into our home to love and care for and to have another Claire or Taylor, well that just tips the scales right there. :)

We have decided for now to give it a couple of years because the return we receive in 2010 we want to use to do maintenance around the house, build a shed and patio, etc so the goal is to use 2011 return for the surgery. All of this of course is just a plan, just words thrown out loud between Bryan and I but the good thing is we are discussing it and I guess we'll see what happens.

Toddlers & Tiaras & Crappy Mommies

So last night I was watching the season premiere of Toddlers & Tiaras on TLC, the actual premier was Wednesday night in case anyone is interested in watching but I had dvr'd it so i could watch it at my leisure. I am the first to admit, I am a sucker for most reality TV and this is defiantly one of my favs. Watching these pageant moms go above and beyond to have their daughter/son win amazes me. Usually I just laugh or shake my head at the ridiculous amounts of money being spent, amount of makeup or hairspray, or even the spray tans on these tiny bodies but last night I was just in tears.

There was a family on there with 5 little girls, and the two oldest were twins, fraternal twins. Now, both of these little girls were cuties I thought but the Mom goes on to say how the one who looks more like her is prettier, has a better personality, and just out shines the other twin. She goes on to say how the "lesser" twin has a larger nose and is quiet, timid, and basically just not pageant material, like her sister.

The show went on with the girls practicing and she starts with A, the "non favorite" twin and pretty much tells her she is doing everything wrong and then proceeds to say let your sister show you, and then grins ear to ear as B, clearly the favorite, does the routine and you see A slink off into the shadows.

I was thrilled when A won the directors choice award and if I remember correctly won 4th runner up, something her Mom says to the camera she never imagined would happen. Now earlier during the pageant B was behaving so badly the Father who I had hoped when he made his appearance would lavish A with love but was sadly disappointed when he also seemed to gravitate to B, took her out of the rest of the show.

Somehow B still won 3rd runner up but Mom and Dad made it seem like B would not get the trophy etc because she behaved badly and Dad didn't want to reward her. I was grinning from ear to ear with tears in my eyes when A won her two awards but my heart broke for her at the end of the show when she tells her sister how she won and the B tells her I actually won and A argues no you didn't, you were asleep. And very nastily, B says how Mommy told her though that she actually won.

I know it is just a show and I cant do anything about it, but, my heart brakes for A because she is a real little girl out there having to live in her twin sisters shadow. I hope TLC gets a flood of letters and emails that they forward on to that Mother because someone really needs to open her eyes. A real Mother loves all of her kids the same and even if there is that favorite then by God you do everything in your power not to show it.

*Rant Over*

Happy Belated 4th of July!

Death & Children

Monday morning the kids came rushing into the bedroom where Bryan is staying at his mom and step dad's house. Both kids were going ninety to nothing as usual and Bryan groggily tried to open his eyes. Claire asked why he was so tired and acting so sad and he asked the both of them to crawl into bed with him so he could talk to them about something.

Even though both of the kids had been at the hospital on Sunday, all they knew was Pop (Bryan's dad) was sick, but they did not know that he had passed away. Bryan went on to tell them that Pop had died yesterday and gone to Heaven. Taylor piped up "oh like Uncle Greg?" because he was with me a couple of years ago when my Uncle died and we went to the funeral. Taylor was only 4 so I really didn't know how much he remembered but it seemed to help him understand a little better what was going on.

Claire on the other hand had been in GA at the time with Bryan so she was not familiar with it and honestly, neither of the kids have really had to deal with losing a loved one they are close to. Claire just wanted her Daddy to be happy again, she isn't used to seeing him so down and out so she told him that Pop died yesterday so he didn't have to be sad today.

Bryan explained to her that Pop was his Dad and it was going to take longer than a few days to not be sad anymore. He asked them if they had any questions which Claire responded with a no but Taylor asked, "Why do they put them in those cartons?" Bryan said he couldn't help but laugh and told him that the cartons were actually called coffins or caskets. I am glad that they were able to get him to laugh, just a little.

I know death is a part of life, but I don't feel the need to rush into it if we don't have to. My son is more just curious but my daughter tends to be the dramatic one and I just don't feel she is ready to see a dead body, especially a person she saw alive just 3 days ago. I was happy to hear that Bryan had decided not to take the kids to the wake, only the funeral where the casket will be closed. He too remembered as a child having to go to wakes and what a horrible and scary time it was to a child. For now, I think the dead fish or pet turtle is enough for them.

Another Sad Post ~ R I P FIL

Tomorrow is my honey's birthday, tomorrow is also his Dad's wake. Bryan and the kids are in GA visiting with Bryan's family and they all enjoyed a fun time at the lake with Bryan's dad and siblings. Bryan's dad is a workaholic, so, like normal he woke up early Sunday morning this past weekend to leave the lake house and head into town to his office. Miraculously, Bryan heard his dad's voice saying goodbye to his step mom out on the driveway so he hopped up because he wanted to say goodbye. Claire happened to already be awake as well so she followed her Dad downstairs.

His dad was already in the car so Bryan and Claire, in their pajamas, ran to the car and thanked Bryan's dad for a wonderful weekend and told him how much they loved him. Bryan's dad told them he appreciated their gratitude, that he loved them too, and told Bryan he wanted to take him out to dinner one night that week for his birthday. Bryan said that would be great.

Just a few hours later they received a call telling the family that Bryan's dad had had a stroke and he was being rushed to the E.R. The whole family, all 7 brothers and sisters, Bryan's step mom, and all of the grand kids hurried to the hospital. They were told after arriving that they we rent going to bring him back this time.

Bryan called his Mom to come and get Claire and Taylor, after they left Bryan went into the hospital room with all of the others and they all gathered around and said their goodbyes. The nurse took him off of the life support and they all bowed their heads, tears streaming down their faces as they waited for their dad/husband to take his last breath.

My heart is with you Bryan and I love you so much and wish I could take this hurt away.

*I did offer to come up there but Bryan adamantly said he wanted me to stay with the house and the dogs ~ but it kills me every time he calls and I hear the hurt in his voice.*

R.I.P. MJ!

I think this picture says it all ~ he will be missed!

See Ya In a Month Ma!

Why Do I Love Thee?

You know how I know that Bryan is the one for me? Saturday he was putting up a ceiling fan in our kitchen but while he was sitting on the floor assembling it, he was also Grey's Anatomy season finale that I had recorded. Then, at the end he yells at me for watching stupid shows that make him cry. Yes, ladies and gentleman ~ he cried.

How Do You Like To Read?

Me: Taylor, stop looking at the TV and read your book please.

*He has to read a book 10-15 minutes a day for school and though I normally have the TV off, Claire was laying on the couch with vinegar soaking in her ear for a swimmers ear infection, and the TV was calming her.*

Me: Taylor, hon please read your book. I don't hear you reading.

Taylor: Momma, I am reading in my brain!

*He meant he was reading to himself instead of out loud.*

The Sharpie Artist

Just look at that face! As you can see, it can be terribly hard to get mad and stay mad at such a doll.

Damn Those Sharpies!

Let me start of by saying that Taylor's teacher has something called a treasure chest in their classroom, basically it is a reward system where the kids are able to choose things out of the box when they have done something good.

Seems that one of the newest items she added was the tiny Sharpie permanent markers in different colors. My son was drawn to the little beauties like a magnet. The first one brought home was green and somehow ended up in my daughter's hands. Thinking Bryan may have brought it home from work, I took it away from her because I feared what may result from her having the marker unsupervised.

Yesterday I see in Taylor's hand another lighter green one and immediately snatched it away, chastising him for retrieving it only to find the one from the precious night still in it's place. I went back to Taylor and asked him if he was stealing these from school (he went through a stealing stage a while back so sometimes you just have to check) and he responded with the treasure chest answer. I found it odd that an adult would think these PERMANENT markers appropriate for a bunch of 7 year olds but wanted to give Taylor the benefit of the doubt. So, I returned the two green ones and he showed me how he had a black on as well in his room.

Confident with my decision in returning the treats and showing him I put them in his art holder on his dresser, I continued with our evening. Around 10 that night I was reading a book, both of the kids having been in bed since 8:30. I am startled with a loud noise that sounds like the Tasmanian Devil may be in Taylor's room, I go to check it out.

Taylor is in his bed, looking wide eyed at the wall at the blank space his poster was. His nightstand that is usually by his bedside is over on its side, this is the loud noise I heard. I ask him what happens and he tells me that he doesn't know, he was asleep even though I could clearly see by his face he hadn't been to sleep yet. I remove the poster from his bed, clean up the mess from the bedside table, tell him to go to sleep and do not get up again, and then take myself back to bed. I put the whole incident out of my mind until this morning.

Bryan works nights now so he usually gets in around 2:30 - 3:00 in the morning and does a quick round of the house, just to check on everyone. He notices the poster I had left on the floor but he also notices what I didn't. The name Taylor written neatly in permanent black marker on the wall where the poster should have been. Mystery solved. All of that noise was from Taylor trying to graffiti his own bedroom wall under his poster so Mom and Dad wouldn't see.

Clearly he knew what he was doing was wrong because he was trying to hide it from the beginning but what made me the angriest was that he flat out lied to me last night. I know kids lie, we have over fair share from both of the kids. It's just, this one was so bold, so in my face.

Bryan asked me what we should do about it so I asked him to make sure Taylor understood he was in trouble for writing on my wall but he was most in trouble for lying to Mommy. His consequences is no Wii for a week which is a huge deal for him. Kids.

My Crazy Sister

My sister is always dieting so I had to share this little conversation because she friggin cracks me up!


Lyndsey : i took this shit to clean out my collan and needless to say the shit backed me

Lyndsey : up

Lyndsey : i had the worst night of my life last night.

Nicole : Yikes

Lyndsey : instead of pooping i was in pain all night long

Nicole : is there a reason why u were doing a colon cleanser?

Lyndsey : i had to take two ex-lax to help this process along, and now i'm suffering the conisquences

Nicole : Dude - that sux

Lyndsey : nah...someone said you hold 10 pounds of poo in your collan, so i decided to lose 10 pounds

Lyndsey : shit didn't work

Nicole : lol

Nicole : I thought u were past all of that silly girl. One of my fav memories is still u needing to go at the dang Kmart

Nicole : ur not fat anyways

Lyndsey : lol!!! i am passed that, but still....i thought it was would be quick and painless

Lyndsey : i was a pro at the whole ex-lax thing, but this shit is horrible and doesn't work

Lyndsey : never again will i take herbal laxitives

Nicole : lol

Nicole : good grief

OB Makes Earplugs Too.

This morning Claire was rifling through our bathroom drawer, one of her new favorite hobbies that drive me insane.

She holds up a box of OB tampons that someone had given me and I had never used because they freak me out. But, I saved them just in case of an emergency.

"What are these Momma?"

Now Claire is only 8 and a very young 8 at that, so I have not had the discussion with her about periods, the facts of life, nada. And I wasn't about to then either. Luckily I was brushing my teeth when she asked the question so I had a few minutes to try to think of an answer but before I could even spit, she replied.

"Oh I KNOW, they're giant earplugs!!!"

Yup. Now move along please.

Heimlich Manoeuvre

Last night the kids and I had to go and shop at the dreaded Hobby Lobby for things for the next Girl Scout meeting. If you know me, you know I do not like anything crafty only because I am horrible at it. Plus, all of the fake flowers always remind me of funerals. Anyway, afterwards we decided to eat a Mexican food restaurant that is located right across the street.

Towards the middle of the meal I am chasing a piece of enchilada around my plate when I look up and see Claire all over Taylor and squeezing him to death saying something about performing the "hylick" like the sign at the Chinese restaurant says to do.

Taylor had gotten a chip stuck in his throat and began to choke on it when my daughter realized what was going on and attempted to save his life. I told Taylor to drink some damn water which he did and the chip went down and all was good.

It is nice to know that my daughter really does love her brother enough to try and save him right?

Hello Jackson!

So I was pretty torn up about Charlie, my fondest memory was the night before when he and I watched Walk The Line together and I swear his little tail was keeping beat to the songs! Bryan was devastated that I was sad and decided he was going to give me something for Valentines to bring that smile back to my face.

And boy, did he do a WONDERFUL job!

Everybody, meet Jackson!!

PS. No more bad dog in the neighbor's yard, we're still not sure where he went but we are happy he is gone.

R.I.P. Charlie

Things have been a little hectic around here so sadly, I hadn't even had the chance to introduce our newest family member before he was brutally ripped out of our lives. We adopted Charlie just two weeks ago and fell in love him the moment we laid our eyes on him. He was perfect for us in so many ways.

Yesterday I received a call from Bryan hysterically telling me that Charlie was dead. I was honestly lost for words, he hadn't been sick, what could have possibly happened. He went on to tell me that our neighbor's behind us who have a pit bull and a chow, that their dog broke through the fence and murdered our Charlie. Flailed him around by his neck like a rag doll and bit him more than once.

Bryan freaked when he saw what that pit bull was doing to our little guy and went screaming into the back yard, waving his hands like a maniac to try and get the dog to drop him. His actions actually frightened the two dogs and they went back into the hole they came from.

Sadly it was too late for Charlie but here we are now faced with a dilemma. We called the police and animal control and were told by both that since it was a dog on dog attack, nothing will happen to this dog. The owners were notified, they fixed the hole, and we're being told what's done is done.

We argued the fact that we have two small children, what if it had been one of them? Their response? It wasn't, and dogs will be dogs. Wow.

Jealous

I know pretty much EVERYONE reads Dooce, but just in case there is that sole person who hasnt heard of this amazing family, go here http://www.dooce.com/. Her most recent post to her daughter turning 5? The entire clip I was smiling like a retard and thinking to myself how wonderful it would be to do something like this for my two. Isnt it amazing?

Claire's Joke

Normally when the kids tell us they have a joke for us it is usually something like Knock, Knock and then maybe something about a banana. I was shocked when Claire told us this joke and I grinned from ear to ear, pleased with how big she is getting.

Claire: Hey, I have a joke for you guys.

Me: Oh yeah? Well lets hear it.

Claire: There was a baker, a maid, a lawyer, and a doctor in a round house. Someone killed the doctor and they were trying to figure out who killed him. The baker said I was busy baking things so I didn't do it and the lawyer said I was busy reading books so I didn't do it and then the maid said I was busy cleaning the corners so I didn't do it so do you know who did it?

Bryan and I just looked at each other and told her no.

Claire: *Giggling* It is the maid sillies because the house is round, there are no corners!!

Taylor's New Do

Claire's New 'Do

Alien Children

Last night while I was walking past my son's room, he let out a fart that sounded like a pissed off monkey. Maybe it is all of the cough medicine.............

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was cooking dinner, helping Claire with her homework, getting a snack for Taylor, you know ~ doing the juggling Mommy thing when Claire finished and asked if I would put a certain movie on in her room. I told her yes, but to give me a few minutes. I got busy again and forgot about the movie until she brought it up to me again.

Claire: Mom, are you going to put my movie on?

Me: Oh hon, I'm sorry I forgot about it. I will go and do it right now, I am so sorry.

Claire: Oh it's okay Mom, I know with two kids and everything you're going to forget things and we need to remind you sometimes.

I swear I looked at her like she had 4 eyes and an arm coming out of the side of her head. Who are you and what did you do with my child??

My Goal For '09 Is My Family Before Work

Yesterday was day 4 of Taylor having a fever that we just couldn't seem to break. Tuesday night around 2:30 in the morning it had reached 103.5 and we had to place him in a cool bath, which he hated, but it did do it's job.

I know that sickness effects Taylor a little different than it does his sister, his immune system is like the puny little weakling playing on the playground as opposed to my daughter's immune system which manages to bully its illness out of her body within 24 hours. But, Taylor being a preemie and all is usually down for the count for a few days before he starts to show some improvement. But as you can imagine with any child, I started to get worried yesterday when Bryan called me at work at 1:30 and said his temperature was back up to 102.8. I called the pediatrician and they agreed they should see him and worked him into their full schedule.

Because it was later in the day, I told Bryan I would take Taylor because I knew it was going to be a long wait, it typically is when we actually have an appointment so being "worked in" meant they would see us sometime around 5pm. Someone had to be available to get Claire from tutoring and since I am Taylor's rock, I said I would take him.

I know that my place of work is not too thrilled when I leave but luckily with MLK day and the President's Inaugural, the phones had been pretty peaceful so I rushed to pick my son up and get him to the doctor in the 30 minutes the nurse had asked of me.

They checked Taylor head to toe and I sat there with tears in my eyes watching my son quiver with fear and fever because he still remembers last year when he ran a fever for a week and they ended up giving him some sort of shot in his upper thighs to bring the fever down, and how much it hurt, and how I had to hold him down and watch him scream in pain. The kind nurse asked Taylor to follow her to the scale in the hall so she could weigh him and I started to sit in the chair in our room like I usually do but before I could, I hear the nurse calling Taylor's name. I stepped into the hall to see my son running down the hall towards me just as fast as his toes could carry him. His mouth was open in a silent wail and he wasn't breathing, he was in mid sob. I picked him up and held him close to me, my eyes filled with tears for my little man. I begged him to tell me what was wrong and he finally sobbed about that he was just so scared she was going to stick him with that needle. It broke my heart that this little miracle was terrified, so scared that he didn't want to step on the scale thinking if he turned his head for a moment, they'd get him.

Last night I called one of my supervisors to let him know that I would be in tomorrow but if Taylor was still running a fever the next day, I would need to take him back so they could do more tests, how they thought he might even have something called silent pneumonia. I was pissed and a little hurt that his only response was oh, okay. He nor my big boss bothered to call or ask if he was okay, if he was still alive?!?! Sometimes, like they like to tell me, I wish they would step out of the box and see that it isn't all about work.

*UPDATE* As of 7:10 am Taylor seems to be fever free ~ please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.

Damaged Jeans & Elbows

I know there comes a time in every parent's lives where they want to beat another little kids ass for doing something to your child. These past few days I feel like the good Lord is testing my patience with putting me in these situations.

Saturday my daughter comes in half laughing as she points to her jeans which are sporting two black letters on one of the legs. After seeing my face, the smile completely disappears and is replaced with large eyes shimmering with fear.

Me: What is that?

Claire: Oh, well see I was over at that house where they were having a garage sale and my friends held me down and wrote on me.

Me: Your friends held you to the ground and wrote on your jeans??

Claire: Well, I mean..uhhh..they didn't like hold me down they just wrote on me and I couldn't get up.

Me: What the hell Claire? Those are brand new jeans! Did you think I would find this funny??

Claire: "Crying"

So I stripped her and washed the pants 3 times, soaked them, tried spot treating, but nothing was bringing out the permanent ink. I informed her to let her "friends" know that if this didn't come out, I expected for their parents to buy her another pair of jeans.

When Bryan got up (he works nights these days) I explained to him what happened. He asked that I call Claire inside so he could speak with her. When she came in he immediately pretended like he was worried, asking her if he was alright and did she have any ouchies? I saw her looking at him while those little wheels turned in her head, confused because she expected him to be reprimanding her, not coddling. She let a small smile show and told her Dad that no she was fine. He continued with how he just knew she must be hurt in some way if her friends were holding her down and writing on her. Busted. She immediately started crab walking with that whole story, especially when Bryan and she went to the neighbors home and saw these 2 little girls who were maybe 2 and 3?

The big issue with all of that is the way their mother behaved. She didn't speak English so although Bryan never raised his voice, she acted as though he had, flailing her arms around and continually lurching the wet jeans at my daughter. We had to ask another little neighbor girl to be a go between and though she changed her story many times, "let me wash them, I will get it out" to "we will just buy new jeans" before Bryan politely told her that he really just wanted her to know that her daughter was writing on people and that we also believed our daughter was just as much as fault seeing as how she could have gotten up or told these two no. I did my best to stay calm but when she is pointing fingers and rudely speaking to my daughter, I wanted to slap her with those wet jeans.

Then yesterday Claire comes running inside holding her arm with blood dripping off of her elbow. Long story short, a little boy that she plays with quite often pushed her ass to the ground because he didn't want her on his driveway. Again, the Momma Bear gene in my raised it's ugly head and I was about to storm out the door and show him how to get off of MY drive way. But of course I didn't, I stayed and cleaned her up while Bryan went and dealt with the hoodlum. I know kids are going to fight but my goodness, for a boy to shove a girl THAT hard. He is also the one on our street who finds it amusing to throw rocks at other kids and animals. Grrrrr.

Garage Sale

Yesterday was our house cleaning day, throughout the week we pickup the living room or maybe run the vacuum but we really save it all for Sunday which for our family is known as "Chore Day". Bryan said that since the weather was warming up he was going to tackle the task of cleaning out the garage and asked Claire if she would like to help him. To my surprise she said yes but then realized that she had a plan all along. She hoped that we would say yes to her having a garage sale with things we no longer used or had outgrown. I didn't have a problem with it and after some begging Bryan finally broke down and said yes as well.

Most of the things being sold I advised her to sell for around a buck but the scooter and the bike she was too big for we thought 10 dollars a piece was a reasonable price. As I was getting a load of wash out of the dryer Claire came running to me, jumping up and down because she had just had her first sell. A neighbor had purchased the scooter and a couple of other things for 3 dollars.

Me: You only sold the scooter for 1 dollar?

Claire: Yes, I didn't want to ask for more because I was afraid it would be too much and then he wouldn't buy it.

Me: Well, whatever ~ I mean we were not using it so I suppose you got something for it.

So she runs inside to tell Bryan and of course he wasn't too thrilled. She comes back out to me saying that Daddy is upset with her for selling it for a dollar. I told her not to worry and she said that the neighbor had to go and get some cash to pay her. Claire goes back to her garage sale and Bryan comes to me to ask if I knew she only sold that scooter for a dollar??? I told him the same thing I told her, it isn't a big deal.

A few minutes later Claire comes inside proudly waving a ten dollar bill.

Me: Where'd you get the from?

Claire: The guy came back to pay me for the scooter and stuff and he said do you have change and I said no, I don't do change because that would be too hard for me. So he just told me to keep it.

I smiled at Bryan. That girl knows what she is doing after all.

I Still Have A Dream....

It bothers me that there are still people out there that see in color. But it makes me smile that my children do not.

Almost a Whole Year?

Egads! To think that it has been almost an entire year since I have posted, that my friends is very dissapointing. Things had just gotten really crazy for me at work and I think I got a little burned out on the whole blogging thing. With the economy being what it is, things have slowed down a bit at work so I started catching up on some of my favorite bloggers. And of course, the more I read and the more I got caught up in their loves, the more I missed MY blog.

So who knows how this will turn out, if I will post every day or if it will be a sporadic thing. I DO know that there have been many times the kids have done or said something and I thought hmmmm, I wish I could blog about this ~ because that is friggin hilarious!

On that note, I leave you with a pretty recent picture of the kids, my how we have grown right?