Attention Area Moms...

I just found out about this:

Divine Consign Plano - twice a year consignment sale --
of course after I dropped some major money on new clothes for the kids this week. Man I wish I knew what the baby is - It would make the trip even more worth it!

Hodge Podge...

"I am a Cub Scout, And a very happy boy. With a uniform of blue and gold. And a den that gives me joy. "

Benjamin at this Saturday's Blue and Gold Breakfast. They introduced the boys that will be joining this year. They also played a slideshow of the past year's activities. Benjamin's eyes got as big as saucers when they showed pictures of the BB gun range, and archery. He kept saying "I am soooo excited!!!" and Kyle said "I have may have to take off work and be there on that day of camp"
Here are pictures of my expensive Ouidad haircut and style done by the exceptional Karen at Styling Hutch. Meg and I both went and were very impressed. If you have curly hair I highly recommend this place. I can't quite duplicate the styling myself yet, but I'm working on it. Oh and I have no idea why I look like I am in the process of being abducted by aliens in this picture.

So on picture day... Lots of parents really dress up their kids, like Sunday best, I personally think its a school picture and want them to look like they do most days, minus dirt and stains.

Ella may be a true Texan - she wanted her hair "poufy" for picture day, I did the best I could:

Benjamin got a new haircut, and he looks so handsome if I do say so myself:

Artwork installation by Ella and Maiya, medium is sidewalk chalk mixed with water applied to glass:

I splurged on something I wanted for a long time - an overhead garage organizer. And Kyle being the good Dad he is decided he would store the kids up there. He only managed to grab Ella before the rest ran away. And true to her scaredy cat nature (possibly acquired genetically from me) it took ten minutes to coax her down.

What the?

This "secret" is currently up on Postsecret - kind of made my jaw drop, but I loved the response someone left. I bet there will be more resonses - poor Frank will have his email filled.

Response: "Our children are our lives and we're in your classroom because we know how little some of you really care about them and about us. Our little secret? We don't trust you with our children unless we're keeping an eye on you."

I think this might be my favorite milestone!

One of my big fears for my kids besides the obvious (you know illness, jail, teenage pregnancy, etc.) was would they like to read? I am not even that concerned that they be honor roll students. I mean that would be gravy. But I just want them to enjoy reading. I think you can learn just as much from reading for enjoyment as when you are told what to read via school. Well Benjamin has always liked books, easily demonstrated by at least ten being scattered in, around, and on his bed at any given time. But I suspected what he really liked were the pictures. So, hmmm, I'd say a year ago we started pushing chapter books. At first they have just been for me to read to them, until Kyle got Benjamin this book. I'll never know why some books grab you instead of others but this one grabbed Benjamin. The first night he picked it up he read two chapters. Without even a teaser chapter read by me. And then sadly that night ... I have always hesitated to blog about this to not embarrass him, but it fits in the story, anyway - his demon (intermittent bed-wetting) reared its ugly head. The accident destroyed the book which had imbedded itself in between the sheets. He was devastated - I was sad. I was afraid this might break his interest in the book. But not so! A few days later he said "you don't have to buy me a new book - they put it on the internet" He had googled the title on his own and found the sample pages on amazon. - ADORABLE -- well Daddy saved the day and got him a new copy. Last night when I went to put them in bed Benjamin says "I should read to you - the book is getting really good" And lo and behold he is eight chapters into the book - I couldn't believe it - 60 pages completely on his own. Before he started reading he says "oh yeah I should tell you what has already happened" - once again ADORABLE! And I got to see that he is not just reading - he is comprehending it all too. As he read to me I was truly beaming. He struggles through even the hard words for him: accompaniment, lured, melodies, the main character's name "Wolfgang Amadeus" - I remember words I didn't know right away really frustrating me at that age. He just kept plugging right along. I feel like I just got a set of keys to a whole new planet with him. so exciting


ABOUT THIS BOOK: Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse ("Wolf," for short) has a big name for such a little mouse. But the name fits. His favorite pastime is listening to Mrs. Honeybee, the lady of the house, play the piano. If only he could sing along to the music! One day, Wolf decides to try -- and to his surprise, out of his mouth comes a perfect melody.It's not long before Wolf is singing everything from "Three Blind Mice" to Chopin to the Beatles, all to Mrs. Honeybee's accompaniment. Then an accident leaves Mrs. Honeybee in danger, and it's up to Wolf to save her... the only way he knows how.

Two big, yet random thoughts...

1. Beware - cool chicks procreating. My first pregnancy was a dead heat with my best friend Ingrid. But the next two were mostly flown solo. Now I'm working overtime at the baby factory with some pretty cool company. Breeding roll call: Me, Sarah, Ryann, and Practically Perfect. Am I forgetting anyone? This is officially my last shift at said factory, so its cool to be there with friends. Meg and I always wanted to do the preggo thing simultaneously but decided that in case she gets as sick as me, there would be no sense in doing that together. So when that day comes I'll be the cool Aunt-to-be holding her hair back when she pukes. Anyone ever wished they'd be pregnant at the same time as their best friend or sister?
   
   
2. Change gears. As a previous poll suggested we are in the process of planning our first ever family vacation to Disneyworld. And I have to admit it has become quite soul consuming. I know nothing is easy to plan - but add four kids to the mix (yes four since we are planning this vacation for the fall.) It has been on my mind all the time.
   So far we want to go in September (value season) and stay at the All-star family suite (value hotel) see a pattern here - I LIKE THE WORD VALUE. The rumor mill via our travel agent (who specializes in getting you the best value) is saying that Disney is going to possibly offer free dining packages in September - which would save us $900. So I remain obsessed. Anyone have Disney experience? Mind if I pick your brain? give me a shout!!
   
   I WANT SPELL CHECK BACK, AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW SOME OF YOU ARE KEEPING SPACES IN YOUR POSTS - ALL MY STUFF KEEPS GETTING SMUSHED!

More...

My Valentine gift - I love my man!!!!!!

More musical performances!

Hodge Podge...

"Is it that painful to take a picture together?"
I just had to post this - how sweet, this dad brought his second grader flowers for her performance

Valentine Parties at school

For you Mom!

100 Day Celebration at school - You had to attach 100 things to your shirt - So Ella went as "Peppermint Patty" She came back with 100 empty safety pins - She said the teachers took the most!

Hey - there is a baby in there - I have even felt a couple of flutters. The big ultrasound will be on March 10th - so stay tuned to see if Gummy bear is a boy or girl.

Benjamin's 'overly enthusiastic' performance - he said after he saved the concert because twice people around him stopped singing and he sang louder to save everything! - gotta love it

I thought I had made that really easy...

Answers:

1. Independence Day


2. E.T.


3. Princess Bride


4. The Sixth Sense


5. Sleepless in Seattle


6. Napoleon Dynamite


7. Poltergiest


8. Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Bored?

Play our made up movie game - go to http://www.imdb.com/ search random fav movies of your husband - see if he can guess the movie from the "Tagline" - sometimes they are so bizarre you can't even tell that its talking about your favorite movie.
Here's a few for ya:

1. We've always believed we weren't alone. Pretty soon, we'll wish we were.
2. He is afraid. He is totally alone. He is 3 million light years from home.
3. Scaling the Cliffs of Insanity, Battling Rodents of Unusual Size, Facing torture in the Pit of Despair. - True love has never been a snap.
4. Not every gift is a blessing.
5. What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew was the only someone for you?
6. He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove.
7. They're here
8. Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.

answers later...good luck

Where have all the Girl Scouts gone?

So I hear this rumor that it is cookie season but I have had no order forms thrust upon me. Kyle got hit at work, but he figured Meg and I had already placed orders somewhere too so he only ordered two boxes. This will not stand - so I plead to my audience - send me your little ones with order forms or better yet with boxes of Thin mints and Samoas - I will be an easy sell.
I am pregnant, I won't even pretend to have self control.

Don't get too excited...

The "rebate/refund" checks we are all hearing about and some are getting excited about - well - its actually an advance. According to Dave Ramsey's show today - the checks which will start going out in May are only advances on next year's tax return. So this may make some people even pay some taxes next year if their deductions are not adjusted accordingly. Classic government. Get us excited and think we can thank them for something - TOTAL CRAP - Kyle woudn't ask for an advance on his pay. This is like his company doing it anyway and punishing you later. People need to stop blaming the government for the stock market being down - and stop praising the government for "giving" us money back. The stock market is the way it is because of tons and tons of people making bad decisions and getting into more debt than they can handle. - Lets call this what it is. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

The newswire is recalling that info currently - but we'll see...

Happy Birthday Aunt Beth!!!!!

The Meaning of American Pie

When I am sick and bummed out I you tube my favorite songs for me and the kids - found this and thought it was really neat if you are into the meaning of songs and bizarre facts

Getting better enough to be depressed about it - two weeks ago I was just praying for the days to pass or death to come. Now I am better, I can sit up, Maiya and I chill watching cartoons and eating in the living room. But I am still nauseas and I am well aware how messy the house is - and I get more frustrated everyday that I can't/don't do anything about it.

I am tired of this pregnancy making me into Eeyore

Eeyore, the old grey Donkey, stood by the side of the stream, and looked at himself in the water. "Pathetic," he said. "That's what it is. Pathetic." He turned and walked slowly down the stream for twenty yards, splashed across it, and walked slowly back on the other side. Then he looked at himself in the water again. "As I thought," he said. "No better from this side. But nobody minds. Nobody cares. Pathetic, that's what it is."

I know it will get better soon. I am excited that I am starting to show a bit - I mean skinny girls wouldn't notice. But my fat belly beats out my boobs a little, and none of my jeans button. Anything that makes me feel pregnant instead of just sick is encouraging. I can't wait to feel gummy move and I really can't wait to find out if gummy is a boy or a girl.

I was sick until 18 weeks with Maiya - so if this follows protocol I have three more weeks. Hopefully I can kick out Eeyore before then and Janie can move back in.

I am having a temper tantrum:

I want to vote today!
One of my biggest pet peeve's in life is people who are completely apathetic to politics - and if you regularly don't vote, PLEASE don't tell me - it would greatly affect my opinion of you. - Gosh I am a jerk, huh? Anyway, I have largely left out my opinions about this election out of laziness and surprise, surprise, to avoid controversy - see I am very opinionated like that. Then I got to thinking will everyone think I am like one of those people who do not participate at all in the political process? So here goes my concise opinion. I did have a long blog in my head that was fun and informative but I am too tired so here goes: GO MITT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - And not because he is Mormon, but because he is a true Republican. And I only voted democrat once and regretted it for quite a long time, but I would like Obama to win the primary. And in case you are wondering McCain is not even a close backup wish for me - he is a democrat as far as I am concerned, and I worked on his campaign in 2000 - and was very displeased with some of his tactics. If Huckabee wins - I may vote democrat twice in my life!

A blog for me

So I have often thought about how my blog is my backup journal and I am a little sad that it only started after Maiya was born. I would love to look back at my blogs of Benjamin and Ella as a babies but those memories are not digitized yet - those photos remain in shoeboxes and memories in actual journals. So I have been thinking that toward the end of this pregnancy I would blog about Benjamin, Ella, and Maiya's birth stories so that when I add number four's everyone's story will be there. I don't know if your kids are like mine but they LOVE me telling them about "the day/night they were born" and I remember loving to hear my story when I was younger. This post today is inspired by Ryann who is going through the initial shock and then excitement that follows a big fat positive pregnancy test. I thought I would write about how we found out the same thing four times. From this point on feel free to be bored, move on to a more exciting blog or go surf the web - like I said this is a post for me, and maybe one day the kids would like to read it. Here is how we found out about our babies - Story number one: Halfway through our first year of marriage and still living with my mom - not an ideal time to start a family but the desire was strong nonetheless, I had a feeling we might be pregnant. The idea was a little scary but terribly exciting as well. I heard somewhere you should test first thing in the morning, so without planning well, I woke up, skipped the bathroom, and went straight to the store. The pee-pee dance started as I went into the store and by time I got to checkout it was a painful dance - I knew there was no way I would make it back home so I took the test right there in the Ukrops bathroom. I put it on top of the paper towel dispenser washed my hands and then reached up and picked up two pink lines - I rushed home rereading the directions at every light. I woke up Kyle who had worked the night shift, was exhausted, and told him we were pregnant. To which he replied "wow" and fell right back asleep, dozed for a few seconds then sat up and said, "what did you say?” The following May we had an adorable fat baby boy!

Pregnant with Benjamin - about 35 weeks Lots of love to go round!
Welcome to the world little man!

Story two: When Benjamin was eight months old I got my first real job as an OT, we moved to Va Beach, I started working full time and made plans to go on birth control as soon as my health insurance kicked in. One month later, I wondered when I would be regular again since I was still intermittently breastfeeding. I decided it had been long enough and I took a test - only one line - HUGE sigh of relief! The next morning Kyle had already left for work, and I was taking out the trash and lo and behold in the trash can lay two pink lines - I called Kyle in a panic, "I have to take another test" to which he rationally responded we don't have the money. And we didn't, there was like 30 cents left in our checking account. By noon that day, I couldn't stand it. I left on my lunch. headed to CVS wrote a hot check for two tests and went back to work and straight to the employee bathroom - now this part is familiar, I took the test, set it on the paper towel dispenser, washed my hands, and proceeded to pick up a test with two bright pink lines. Disbelief and fear set in - how could I handle this: brand new job, one baby already and two in day-care? But like life happens I had a calmness wash over me by mid-afternoon and I got home in time to make "I am a big brother" onesies for Benjamin and he met Kyle at the door wearing one. Eighteen months after welcoming Benjamin we welcomed a beautiful baby girl.

A few days before we found out about Ella

Pregnant with Ella - 41 weeks

Meeting the little lady - and finding out Benjamin is a wonderful big Brother!

Two babies!

Makes one tired mom.


Story three: Feeling especially fertile after Ella, we took more drastic measures to slow things down and I got the Mirena IUD - I highly recommend it! It was exactly what we needed until Hurricane Isabel hit and changed my life for the better. The week before the hurricane was becoming very, very stressed at work they wanted us to see as many patients as possible - hopefully even double our normal load so that they would not lose too much money if the hurricane knocked us out of commission for a while. Well the next day, three days before the hurricane I woke up to two kids with pink eye, couldn't take them to Ms. Margaret's and couldn't take them to work. So I called in and got CHEWED out by my boss. She thought I was lying so we could leave town early. Which is what we did actually. On the long drive to Danville, I fumed about my job and made plans to quit no matter the costs. I worked my last day the following month. And despite major financial problems and other fears, we removed the IUD shortly. I was ready for a baby. Despite previous fertility records it took a while for number three and by time I suspected my period was late we were in escrow on our first home - a fixer upper for that matter. This time I had gone through many negative tests - very discouraging. So I was forcing myself to be nonchalant. On a weekend away to housesit for Aunt Beth I did a little math in my head and decided to test - the pink washed over and I only saw one line. I left it on the counter and went back to bed. Meg woke me up a half hour later screaming in the bathroom. Yep two pink lines, and if you are keeping track Kyle has not been present for a single one so far. We moved to the new, messy, in need of major work, house and struggled through a particularly difficult pregnancy and welcomed an adorable tiny baby girl on the summer equinox.

One year before I became a stay at home mom.

Pregnant with Maiya - 37 weeks

And then there were three - Welcome to the world Maiya

Worst pregnancy = calmest baby

Story Four: Maiya was followed by debates about having more, a move to Texas, and several different methods of birth control, which made me grumpy and gain weight. Finally, we decided on the groundbreaking "let nature take its course" plan. By time Maiya had her second birthday I was a little annoyed nature was taking so long. By September I did something I had never done before - took a set of ovulation tests - all were heart wrenching and very negative. I was sure nature had decided for me so I set about the task of being emotionally ok with that. Very busy with planning for the Nativity exhibit I was a little late noticing I was late. I realized and got a dollar store test. Understandably, Kyle insisted on being present for every single test taken. This time as the test sat on the counter I was quite over the rejection - months of negative tests and a week of negative ovulation tests I walked away. I sat on the side of the tub and Kyle continued to stare, after what seemed like a lifetime he says barely above a whisper, "I see two lines" Before he could finish his sentence I had already sent Meg for another test - three tests later, all with double lines, we celebrated. Kyle was very happy to be present for this one.
Now for the weird confession - I have recapped, washed the outside and saved at least one pregnancy test for each - Yes, under my bed in a plastic box are four positive pregnancy tests. I never really intended to keep them, I just saved the first one for quite a while because I just didn't feel pregnant and it was fun to slide out the box and look at it - eventually I couldn't throw it away and by the second one I couldn't keep Benjamin's and not the rest - so there they are and now you know the rest of the story. If you are still reading.

Super Bowl forty snooze

So we prepped the kids for the super bowl, psyching them up about how big the game is - moments later seated with potato chips - Ella says "So you mean this is only football?" eyes roll and she goes to play - I soon had the same sentiment. Boring game, lame commercials - It only warmed up at the end when I was stressed out for the Giants, but they pulled through and beat the undefeated! So two thumbs up for the last five minutes...

What an awesome man!!

"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain.” - Gordon B. Hinckley

Hey Sarah we are Bert and Ernie LOL

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you life your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz