Yes! I do know what causes this!!!

Just in case anyone wants to ask here is the anwser! YES!! I do and we both know what causes this!!!! It's not really rocket science....

Just a little sick and tired (no really, I'm pregnant) of all of the 'you do know what causes this' questions.

It's not like we have kids less than one year apart....or that we are freaking out about the extra financial expenses or that we aren't happy about the suprise. After all said and done Michael and this one will almost be 2 3/4 years apart. Philip will be 4 1/2. It's not that bad of spacing.

We did have other plans....I wanted to lose more weight, let at least one or both boys be in school....let Brent have one more stripe....BUT it's not up to us really. God had his plan and we are ok with it. He has blessed with another little bundle. I know the physical toll it will take on me with having another c-section and the recovery is not the nicest thing I have experienced.

So, just incase you were wondering what causes this....if you don't know I suggest you blame the school systems....and we are considering a TV for our room!! LOL!

Michael turns 2!

My Baby is 2!!! He has grown up sooo fast! Today was so fast I think I got to cuddle him for a little while before the day began! I went one way and Brent took the boys and went another! And before I knew it I was making a cake and the door bell rang.....

He had an Elmo birthday party with lots of friends and presents! And of course loved every minute of it! He also got a hair cut that makes him look so much like a big boy....
Everyone loved the pizza bar. The kids got to make English Muffin Pizza with lots of toppings and I took orders and made 5 pizzas for the adults. Along with fruit salad (yummy yummy)

The party wouldn't have gone as smoothly if I didn't have my partner in crime Melissa! Thank you THANK YOU!! And as always had lots of fun with you making a mess in the kitchen!!

After all the presents were opened, pizzas consumed and punch was gone I sat down and looked at my sleeping 2 year old and measured his foot to my finger and got teary eyed they grow up so fast! How I wish I could slow time a little just to be able to savor every moment.....

Well Happy Birthday Michael!

P.S. I also realized that I have a 3 and a 2 year old for around 2 months!! LOL!

Tonsils Stink!

So, I have been told by many docs that my LARGE tonsils with holes in them are normal....yeah, they don't have them!!

So not to get to gross I get icky things in them almost every day and they sometimes scratch the back of my throat making me cough and choke. (having a VERY low gag reflex at the moment) I was trying to cough up one of the things and it got stuck. So I tried to manually take it out with my finger. And what do you know...I managed to tear my tonsil!! It was horrible! I called my doc knowing that if I went to the ER I would be there all day and night. So they sent me to an urgent care center where I had an appointment. The Doc came in and looked at me like how did you do this. And then proceeded to tell me that he had never seen this before!!! That made me feel soooo much better! HA! He said that he couldn't do anything and I need to see and ENT and the worse they would do is numb it and clip off the part that tore and do a few dissolving stitches!!! AHHHHH!!!

So, now I have to make an appointment and the mean time I feel like I need to swallow something that won't go away!! It's very annoying! And now that I have a bigger hole food gets caught in it!!!

Tonsils Stink!!!

Morning Sickness??

Well it's happened (early I might add) I've been sick! Not just in the morning but last night! And first thing this morning....It's great! NOT!

Ah, here we go again! I wonder why they call it 'morning' sickness? My body doesn't care what time it is!! I told Brent we are going to have to stock up on ginger ale and saltines. (that's my remedy for nausea) I like the little osyter crackers too.

I have my first appointment as well, they said that we will get a picture! That's exciting, I love ultrasounds and the steady train heart beat of a growing baby.

The Christmas Suprise!

Well, we had a great Christmas and got a suprise! I hadn't felt well for a while, I was tired....I actually couldn't eat food the other day! I ignored the body signs....silly me! So I took a test yesterday and brought Brent home some flowers! We are having Poff baby #3!!! It's crazy but a wonderful blessing!

Jingle Bells according to a 3's class

This is great! I love Philp's dancing!

4 Years Ago....

It's been 4 years....since our life changed...the day we landed in England. For some reason it's a major moment of change for me. I was 20 weeks pregnant with Philip and we set off to be in another country for 3 years. Which seemed like FOREVER!! But we landed with high hopes for the future and lots of adventure. Got a whirlwind 'back roads' ride to Alconbury. (NEVER did that again too many roundabouts!!) Arrived at the base, met our sponsor and went to lunch. We were there a day before we found out that a good friend of ours from Scott was stationed there as well!! The 1st night was interesting, found out that there is a magial place called Tesco and KFC isn't worth eating!! But fate there was a McDonald's on the other side of the roundabout. Monday came, and I discovered that I could walk the entire base in 20 minutes!! Where was I?! The Commissary and BX were closed! And that the housing office wouldn't let me look at the house they wanted to give me....so we went off base. We looked at 2 houses, so did another family the exact 2 houses. They took the 1st one and we took the 2nd one we looked at. I think we instantly fell in love with 7! It had a space under the stairs (Like in Harry Potter!) a consevertory, 4 bedrooms (1 was a glorified closet, but it worked for an office and scrapbook room) a garage, a really nice (small) back garden with an apple tree, and the second I saw the room over the garage I saw my nursery!! I think so did Claire (the landlady) and Brent. It was great!! I missed my family everyday. I didn't have a way to get around, Brent worked 12 hour shifts and the fall in England the sun comes up at 8or so and goes down at 6, so not too much sun. That was hard, but when he came home it was just us and that was nice. I did manage to get in on the ESC meeting and meet some great girls!! Most of who are friends on myspace now!! And so, we would go to the Ford's house for football in the middle of the night on Sunday. And Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas, New Years, and then the big day when I woke up with the urge to pee and my water broke...Philip came. Mom was visiting for the birth. He came into our home with love and joy. Months passed, I got to know the neighbors and created a family. Then we got another wild hair and Michael came along. We lived life and didn't realize that time was passing. We went to London, Paris, Rome, all over England, saw wonderful theater! All of the joys babies were enjoyed in true slow motion. Little did I know that time was about to expire in England of us. We packed up and headed to Maryland. The bubble that I had lived in was about to pop. I think that's why I still miss it. It was a safe bubble for me, where my life really changed, I became a mommy there, I got used to the English way of rearing babies!! I miss the lack of choice and having to find something that will work just as well. And realizing that it's better. I missed being near family, but I found one there military and 'native'. Life there is just slower and not so commercial, it's great to not have all of the commercial places that we have here. Sure I missed going to a 'real' mall, but after 3 years of not living at one I don't even miss it. I know it's there but I don't have to go. I think England or the little crappy BX on base cured me of my shopping bug!! Don't get me wrong I still LOVE to get a good deal, I just realized that I don't NEED everything that I think I do. Just to enjoy the little things, like playing with a baby all day and hanging out with friends. So anyways.....we've been here for a year and I still miss it every day...I know that it wouldn't be the same if I went back because it was a moment in time that I cherished and look back on with longing.....and I can't get it back....I do have my 2 gifts from England that remind me every day of the wonderful time that we had there, Philip and Michael! I think it's so hard for me to let it go and move on because in way everything that I ever wanted to be happened there and I can't be there now. That's why I'm in turmoil now, I think. But I need to look at it with a happy heart and be thankful for having that experience. Take it and enjoy the pages that have been made and quit being sad for what was and love what is now. Not worry about what tommrow will be but be happy about today.

So, 4 years ago was the start of a journey that hasn't ended but will continue as long as the good Lord will let me! It won't always be in the same place (thank you Air Force) but I will always have the memories and people that I love along with me!

And Now I Have A Boyfriend!

So, with the FIOS (it's awesome) installation I couldn't blog about the latest and greatest in my life!

So Melissa and I went to our favorire haunt to celebrate our fasting ending....ah the sun also sets! We waited, there is always a crowd...So we get seated at a table, not our favorite spot. We like the booth in the corner. So we get some totally awsome queso fundido!! TRY IT!! YUM! And our dinners, and traditional drink. And right in the middle of dinner we decide that we are moving, and ask if we can go to our booth, they even help us move all of our stuff. Now I have been going here with Melissa for about 10 months, they know her (her hubby worked there) and are starting to know get to know my face. So, we are at our booth and the host comes over to bring us something and calls me his love. We laugh and he walks away this proceeds a 'will you be my girlfriend' and a marriage proposal. All with the same anwser, "I'm married (happily) with babies. Thank you but, no" Always with a red face and giggles. I don't know what to think. My self esteem is all but non-existant and this throws me for a loop. He even brings extra large fried ice creams with a smile and a "I don't care you are married" Gotta love the persistance! So here I am to him beautiful! So I have to call my hubby and let him know about my proposal of marriage and he asks how much I've had to drink!! I'm laughing Melissa is cracking up! So, we get ready to leave and he tells Melissa (oh, yeah she is my translator, he speaks only a tiny bit of English) to tell me that he hopes to see me a lot because it will make him happy. With that we get the check and had free fried ice cream and more smiles! I love it! Just when I think that I'm the ugliest thing that walks the world. Someone tells me otherwise.

And YES my husband tells me all the time and reguardless that he has to tell me that or he really believes it are 2 different things. I know he loves me and wants to be with me because he thinks I'm beautiful and all of that. It's just really nice to hear it from another person (ie. male)
So, for now I have a 'admirer' and a free ice cream (every now & then) and the pick booth! And Melissa likes that! (the pick booth and ice cream) :0)
That's the excitement in my life! Ah, gotta love Mexican restaraunts! I was serious about the Queso Fundido! It's cheese dip with chorrizo!!

You Know What Sucks?

Going along and washing your hands and realizing that you have a paper cut in the underneath of your nail!!! OUCH!!! And that's how you find out you have a paper cut! Gotta love secretary work!

The Croc Hunter

Steve, the Croc Hunter has now been gone from us for a year now. And yet he seems still with us, showing us beauty in animals and that they are truly just as much a part of this world as we are. We were checking into our hotel about to leave England when the TV in the lounge reported that Steve had died. I had to sit down, I couldn't believe it....even knowing that he put his life on the line all the time. I guess I thought he was ivincible and that animals loved him as much as he loved them....and I know that what happened was an accident but it's just so sad. His wife and children especially Bindi are doing a wonderful job of carrying the torch. What made it worse was that just a few months prior Philip had discovered 'Steve' and started watching his shows. Since they were showing so much of him being only 2 1/2 he kept clapping and saying 'I love Steve' thinking that it was just another show. He still watches the Croc Hunter shows and now we have a family favorite, Bindi the Jungle Girl. It's really neat, the sad part is they started filming before Steve died and he has been in all the ones we have seen so far. His wife, Terri is so strong and wonderfully faithful to him still and his mission in life. I couldn't be so strong. My heart goes out to her and the young son who will only really get to know his dad from shows. But I guess he will know his father well in a since because you could see the heart and soul of that man and the love he had for animals. I have watched the croc hunter for as long as I can remember, Brent still has the action figure I bought him back from the Christmas of 2000. Funny thing, the action figure has been thru some attacks himself, from teething babies to puppy teething! He is now safely and proudly displayed on the top of the computer desk. Smiling always, smiling...That's why I guess we all love him...we felt like he was a friend, the crazy friend we all love who always smiled!
So, to the world (human and animal) we all lost a great friend. But we will always have the shows and specials that will always be on for us to see. he world will never be the same because of him and it hasn't been the same since we lost him but what a blessing to have had him in our time to know or at least get a peek into the mind of a man who loved all creatures.

Crikey! We miss you mate!!

We survived the 1st Day of School!

Yesterday was Philip's 1st day of school, preschool, but the 1st time someone else will take care of my baby other than Brent or I during the day for an extended period of time. Don't get me wrong he's had babysitters, but these ladies will be helping raise and mold Phil. And for a Christian school I'm grateful! So, we got up, he wanted cereal, Brent was ready to make what ever he wanted for breakfast, and he wanted kix!! Brent took the day off for moral support. So we got ready, and he brushed his teeth. He looked so cute in his new Gap outfit!! Very grown up. He nearly ran to his classroom! I had to hold his hand to keep him from running. Now, for those of you who don't know...in the picture the door to the left of them is the classroom door and the door to the right with the gray box next to it is my office!! So he's not far....but still! I decided to not work during his 1st day but go home. Brent took Michael to the commissary and I took a NAP! I should have cleaned but with not feeling well I rested, it was wonderful! When it was time to get him we went back to pick him up and they checked thier cubbys and got in line to walk to the foyer. As soon as he saw us he smiled so big and ran right to us!

He had a great 1st day. Once he understood that you have to listen....he loves is teachers too!! I have my 1st piece of art from school too! It's an 'all about me book' very cool! And a Scholastic book sales thingy. I had forgotten all about those!! I'm so excited! Books! They are learning about 'me' for now and then about community. Brent and some co-workers may be able to go up in uniform to teach them about military service in the community. That will be really cool and of course there will be pictures! My baby all grown up! Suprisingly I didn't cry, I was a little sad to see him just say 'bye' and run into the room. But the smile he had when he saw us was priceless! We took him to McDonald's for lunch and he told us about his day. He even took a nap that afternoon without a fuss. He's growing so fast!

An Ode to My Camera

Well, since the middle of last month, more like the beginning....my trusty camera had died! I felt like I lost a best friend, more like a baby...that thing caught memories and moments that because of it I will always have. I was behind that thing for the 1st 3 1/2 years of my babies lives. That camera got to see my new born baby hold his daddy's hand before I did. And it got the glimpse of Michael before he was even all the way out. It saw a great grandpa that got to see his grandson who brought his family full circle back to his home land of England before he passed away. I got the joy of a great grandma running to see her baby while her husband proudly held his namesake. And the 1st time an Aunt saw her nephews it caught the smiles and tears. All of the holidays, events, birthdays, weddings, babies....the silly pics and the great pieces of photography, I say thank you old friend.

This thing was bought in England, has gone to Paris, France, Rome Italy, Washington DC, London England and the US all over countless times until it took the last picture of a beautiful evening in London and moved with us to Maryland. All of the landscapes and places that's it documented, thank you old friend.

It's been tried and true. Babied, dropped (only a few times) and went thru tons of batteries. I'm sad that it's gone. But I will always have the images that it took for my family and I and for that I'm thankful. So, today I took my 1st pictures with my new camera, it's a little smaller, has a lot more bells and whistles, and was WAY more cheaper than cameras 4 years ago. But the 1st pic that the new family member took was of the old camera that has done so much for me.

So, I say goodbye to an old friend and welcome a new friend and can't wait for what this one will see and take for our family.

Thank you old friend. That'll do camera, That'll do.

I Got Tagged

Here's how you play:
Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment (you're it) and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag me back, let me know when you've posted your blog so I can see your answers.
Okay, here goes. If you REALLY know me some of these things are obvious but for the rest of you here it is...
1. I once played Snoopy, and had the time of my life

2. I had to take voice lessons when I was little because I had to scream to be heard at the nursery school I was at, It nearly ruined my voice

3. I thought I wanted only girls, until I had boys

4. I am the Queen of Useless Knowledge

5. I actually think I take a good picture

6. I never beat Super Mario Brothers (the orginal one)

7. I honestly can't tell you what 8x7 is with out adding 7+7 is 14 and 14+14=28 and 28+28 is (8+8=16 carry the one) 56

8. I would love to be a professional scrapbooker, that gets to design things and make albums for people, on a grander scale than what I do now.

9. I truly love all of my friends and when I say, "If you ever need anything" or "anytime" I REALLY mean it!! I'm there.

10. I don't think I'll ever get my degree, and really didn't think I would ever not get one, and that's ok. My success isn't going to be measured by a piece of paper but by the Men my boys turn out to be.

I am tagging Melissa A, Ruth, Ashley, Mia, Melissa K, Tina, Bri, Angie, Janie, Daina

Thoughts on Owen Wilson

I was so sad to hear the other day that Owen Wilson called 911 (or someone did) on a sucide attempt. I guess now he is out of the hospital and is doing well, but I was truly sad to hear that he hit the bottom of the pit, that he saw no way of getting out of. He brings so much happiness into lives that he will never know. And the fact that he wanted to end that, I can't believe the pressure he is under being a movie star. He is so funny and charasmatic, something that is hard to find in a true star now a days. And I for one was so glad to read that the movie he is working on with Jack Black and Ben Stiller will still go on. I didn't think that Ben Stiller would ever recast him, unless he asked him to.

So, I know that Owen Wilson will never read this but, my heart goes out to him and I'm praying for him and his family for recovery, peace and ability to go on from this stronger. I for one will always go to the movie if he is in it, so I hope that he keeps doing what he does best! And keep up the good work, you always have a fan in me!

Just another page in my crazy life!!

So far in this life I have been thru what I consider a great deal of CRAP....from my parents, from school, from my parents, from different friends I have had over the years, from my parents, from nature, did I mention my parents??

Well it all came to a head yesterday....and I'm DONE! I'm tired of being the parent and the responsible one, the mature one, the voice of reason. I can't do it anymore...I have my own kids to teach right from wrong. Because of this at 9 I lost my childhood, the right to be a kid and carefree. I can't do it for my mom anymore. I joke that I am in my own personal war with Iraq, (no offense to the good people of Iraq) but it's true. I'm concerned for her and love her very much (I have this understanding that there is an unconditional love with a mother and child and child and parent) but I just can't fight with her anymore. I can't go along with what she says as being truth and what reality is. I work VERY hard every day to not be a nutcase because of my childhood, teenage years and just the day to day life of a mother of 2 toddlers. Unlike my mother I have decided to not let my past control who I am right now. I understand that I can get up every morning and know it's a new day, a gift of a clean slate if you will, and do it again the same or different. And not let yesterday control what will happen today. Now with this being said I don't forget the lessons I learned from the mistakes or sucesses that I have had. That's the problem with humans and why history repeats itself. I still make mistakes sometimes the same ones but I don't blame anyone but ME.

And I hope that I have never let anyone feel that I wasn't totaly appreciative for anything anyone has ever done for me and because of that and those people I have felt blessed and loved and couldn't want anything more. To make a statement that one has been appreciative of what others have done for them BUT in the same breath say they have never gotten what they wanted is the ramblings of a ungrateful spoiled little brat! Yes, harsh words. But would you believe that they came from a 50+ year old!! I have to use this and take it to make sense to me....it would be like me telling Brent thank you for buying something for me from Tiffany's but it's not what I wanted.....What the HECK!!! I would sound like a brat! and people would want to hit me in the head!! Well that's where I am right now.

The outcome of this is that I was hung up on and she isn't coming to see me anymore. Now I know that more than likely isn't happening but that's the emotional lashings I have been given since I was 9. But you know this time I just may let her be and not call her and want her to know that I really want her in my life. And my boys. But the fact that a mother wanted to walk away from me is her choice and frankly I'm tired and can't fight the war anymore so I choose to take my army and go home. If she wants to continue to destroy herself and life there is nothing I can do or say to make her stop. She has the choice just like I do. This is all very hard for me to wrap my head around and I've come to the realization that I don't want to or need to. I just need to be the best mother, wife, daughter, friend, and christian that I can be but only with the help of the man upstairs. I guess He is the only parent I have that has been there all the time no matter what. Kinda nice huh, knowing that I have always had someone that has been there even when my own weren't or couldn't be. I also have an entire aresnal of 'parents' that will always be there for me and have always been there. It just hurts that I don't have the one who was given the job.

Ok, I have to stop for now. Thanks for reading.

Elmo!

Well, after stressing about what to do for Michael's birthday party he revealed a favorite!! ELMO!! He adores him! Everytime he sees Elmo he lights up and gets happy! So a natural choice. It will be lots of fun too! I did a little research and discovered that Elmo loves Pizza and bananas soooo there's the food!! I think I'll let the kids make a pizza and we'll have bananas with peanut butter and chocolate with banana shakes to drink....and of course Cake!! Trying to find some Elmo games more than likely I'll get the help of other Sesame Street characters for that. Like a paper clip game for the older kids...thanks Bert!

And it wouldn't be an Elmo party with out Dorothy!! So We'll have to adopt a goldfish. Don't think Brent would mind too much And lots of crayons!! I'm already excited about it!! And it's not until December!! but anyways! if any one has any ideas about Elmo parties let me know!!

Magical Me!

Well, I'm fighting the urge to wrestle Brent for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book that we are sharing!! I'm really using my kindergarden skills and sharing really nice!! He is like 3 chapters ahead of me only because he stole it from me this morning!! And he's hogging the TV!! I think I'll have to put in the 1st movie and watch it while he reads the latest intallment. I did at one point remind him that I stayed up till 1:30am to get the book that he is reading!!! But so far what I have read it's GREAT!! and holy cow!! She didn't waste a single letter messing about! It's a ride from the beginning! But I just wanted to vent about having to share the Harry Potter book!! nox

6 Months till Christmas!

Well I just noticed that we have 6 months till Christmas today!! And it's all going by so fast! I started shopping earlier this year....I know I'm wierd. But living over seas I learned that if you see it just get it because it may not be there the next time!! But it also spreads out the cost as well. Spending $10 here and $20 there instead of $1000 all at once.... And with Christmas coming it also brings Michael's 2nd birthday!! Then mine and Philip's 4th birthday!! I can't belive it!!

I'm still stuck on what to do for Michael's birthday party. He really doesn't have a favorite character, other than Lola of Charlie and Lola. And they really don't have party things for them. He does like Mickey Mouse and Little Einsteins. I could do a Baby Einstein party like we did with Philip's 2nd but would that be fair? Do you think he would care or should I do something different all together?? Philip is having a pirate party, and we are going to take 8 kids to the new Veggie Tales movie the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything and after we will have cake and a treasure hunt for the 'loot' bags. It's horrible I have Philip's party all planned and I don't have a clue what to do for Michael's. Well...I'll figure it all out. I do have 5 months to figure it all out....

Wicked

I FINALLY finished reading Wicked!! Around the 7th or so!! It was a great read and I enjoyed it a lot!! I have 'Son of a Witch' the sequel to Wicked. Will start reading that more than likely after I get thru 'The Devil Wears Prada' only been reading that one off and on since we moved. Brent and Philip bought it for me at Heathrow Airport in London....so I have a lot of reading to do but it's good.
Summer tends to be a good reading time! Hopefully I can get it all in!! Happy Reading!

Children & War

So I got an email from a friend the other day...one of the many forwards everyone sends!! But this one really go to me! I have deleted it because it upset me so much but I'll give you an overview of what it said. Basicly it was a mothers account of her husband explaining to thier 9 year old son, NINE year old SON....why we are at war. It was very graphic describing his neighbor dragging his wife outside and killing her infront of the neighborhood- the man is Saddam, the wife is Iraq, the neighborhood is the world. Then asked his son what he would do if he saw that, the CHILD said that he would call the police, so the police is the UN and they 'Don't care' Then the man goes around and kills others and the little boy is overwhelmed and decides to close the blinds so he can't see. But the his dad says open them because he's at our door and wants to kill your mom, sibilings....and that innocent CHILD gets so much rage that he starts to cry and shake and yell at his father that he's 'gonna kill him! he hates him, he'll protect his family'
Now.....I may not make any friends by this posting but I don't care! We all have our different opinions.
First of all....WHAT was that Mother doing letting her husband give thier CHILD nightmares like that!! I would have STOPPED that description dead in it's tracks!! People don't realize how quickly children lose thier innocence these days! They (kids) want to grow up so fast and these Parents have just done that for thier baby!! YES, we are at war and our children have to live in these times. I don't know what I would say to my (almost) 3 year old if he asked me why we are at war. I would have to discuss it with my husband first. Something I don't think this family did. But the best thing for us to say would be 'the only way the bad people win is for good men to do nothing!' How could a NINE year old grasp the concept of a man killing his wife infront of him!! We are a blessed people that live in the greatest country in the world and don't have to see such things in our front yards!! I know there are places that this happens but we aren't there!! Why would we expose our CHILDREN to things like this!!? Yes they will be curious at some point but to push a CHILD so far to the point that it fills him with RAGE and HATE is terrible!! We should teach our children LOVE, Patience, Charity, PEACE! There is a whole world out there that will try to undo the good that the family instills in a child why would a parent do that!! How confusing for the little boy. Hopefully someday we will all be at peace and we won't have to tell our children that we are at war and babies will not have to lose thier mommies and daddies who defend and protect our country, but for now let the children be children. Innocence is something that is almost a lost concept to us, why not hold on to it for as long as we can!
Ok, I'm done.

3s

I was looking at my profile on Myspace...and noticed that on Philip's ticker there was a really cool thing that will never happen again!!!

TODAY: Philip is 3 years 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days old!!!!!!!!!

Just a golly gee wiz!

I did it and I want my medal!

Well after almost a week of constant conversations and annoying questions I have quiet!!! I felt like I had 3 extra kids that are 5 times more demanding than Philip and he's NOT that demanding. I had Michael to field and Philip to corral. And all the while keeping them to a dull roar because Brent was sleeping. The worse was I didn't get a 'break' because by the time Brent would get up I was in such a mood that I didn't want to talk or be nice. And he would be here long enough that we didn't have time to do all that much. I didn't have a menu for the week so we would just make whatever...by the end of the day I didn't even feel like cooking. I went to bed at midnight or later every night just to lay in bed because Brent wasn't there. If I stayed up he would just keep talking!! I acutally tried to do some of my bible study and put a movie on for background noise and he kept talking like I wasn't doing anything and got annoyed that I wasn't anwsering him and all of the questions. And the topics that he picked I really feel strongly about...ie his failed marriage and his alcholism (sp?). I just don't understand the whole concept of trading one dependency for another. You never over come it. But then like he said "you 'normals' can't understand us drunks" All I really wanted to say to that was "NO duh, your speech is impared!!" But I fought the urge.

AND I really got SUPER angry when he would correct Philip after I would!!! OHHH!!!! And then constantly get on to him over and over and he actually told him that he was acting like a "brat"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to launch an all out war on him!! But I calmly (as I could) told him that we don't call the boys negative names and WE DON'T TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE BAD!!!!!!!!!! What kind of psychological damage did he do to his own kids??? I really don't want mine to doubt thier self worth. The worst that we'll say is that they have really hurt our feelings and that they are acting naughty (naughty being temporary) When you label a child a 'brat' or bad they actually think that they are. Think about it...a long time ago when I was a teenager someone called me 'fat' (I was like 130) Boy was I SO NOT FAT!! but after a while I really thought I was!! And guess what now I really am....is there a connection? (I thought I was so why not really be) Plus for every negative comment you give a child (or even adult) you have to say 100 positive ones to cancel out the negative one. I have a lot of 'good' talk to do. To cancel out the visit. I won't even go there about the 4 letter words that came out of his mouth every 5th word or so.....But mark my words if Philip or Michael says just one........

Yesterday Brent got like 4 hours of sleep and I got 6 but I was the one competely drained and exausted!!! And being the sweet hubby he is he let me take the nap. I wanted to cry I was so tired. It was just so demanding and yes I want a spa break complete with massage and target practice (lol) and then I want a medal!!!!! A big shiny one!!! Because dang it! I did it! And I am the best wife there is!! I endured an excersize where Brent worked nights, the boys and our day to day lives and his father and constant talking and gas!!!! So if any of you want to send me letters of congratulations please feel free!! And if any of you know of a good resort let Brent know!!! :0)

I'm Tired

Well, it's the unoffical kick off of the summer. It's a nice weekend the sun is shining...no rain is in sight...the boys are wanting to play...Brent's Dad is here...more family is coming today...and my husband is asleep because he got home at 5am this morning....And there is the rub.
They are doing an excersize and he trying to be thoughtful volunteered for the night shift. So we could have a vehicle during the day....but again he isn't here but he is here. And the boys are about to drive me crazy...there is something new in the house and they have to test the limits at all times. So that's fun. Rocky is being crazy. And I'm tired. I have to make breakfast and I really don't want to! I just want to go to sleep. With Brent at work at night I don't find sleep as fast as I want to. With all that's happened this week I haven't made it to the gym as much as I wanted. I should really just go and do but there is a parade today along the road the gym is on so I don't even know if I can get to the gym. So well, I'm stuck in another 'discussion' with Brent's Dad that's so much fun you'll hear all about that later!! YEAH!!

Hope all have a better Memorial Day than I will!!

Somewhat of a rant

So unless you have lived under a rock for the past few days you know that a 4 year old girl was 'abducted' from her hotel in Portugal while her parents went out for dinner.....oh, there were 2 Two year olds left with the 4 year old as well.....Can somebody tell me what is wrong with people!!!!????? And why these 'parents' aren't sitting in a Portugeese jail with the 2 left over children in a loving enviroment (family, foster...) Apparently they were with in view of the door but not the other points of exit and she or somebody let her out. Loads of celebrities are offering lots and lots of money for her safe return. Last count 5.1 million pounds (British pounds) And I do pray that she is safe and that she comes out of this. But not back to her parents! When dinner is more important to you than the saftey of your children...I don't care if you are in a hotel and you have the only key. Haven't they ever heard of room service. And most nice resorts offer babysitting services. And now this just turned 4 year old girl could be going thru hell. And still no one is wondering why they left thier children unattended? And why are they allowed to walk the streets with thier other 2 children? People are giving them balloons and presents and flowers and they are smiling....It's nice that they show support but it all seems so wrong to me. She was 3 when she went missing because her parents went to dinner. I just don't get it. I do pray for her and her sibilings. And her parents so they are forgiven for leaving such young children alone.

Also, Brent told me of a news story that he heard on the radio yesterday morning, it didn't make the national news and I'm wondering why....A white couple was out and they were car jacked by 5 black men...The men raped the husband while the wife watched and dismembered various parts of his body and shot him 3 times...the wife got to live for 3 days and I can only imagine what she went thru before they cut off her breasts and died. As far as I know the 5 men are in custody and we don't know if they had children but they were someone's kids too, they had a family. Now.....why didn't this get pasted all over the papers this was just a complete and total act of evil, I doubt that it was a hate crime it was just thoughtless and evil to see what they could do and get away with. 2 People lost thier lives and one of them had to witness it. Competely helpless. Why didn't this appear on Fox News or CNN and get as much coverage as the comment that Don Imus (who was a SHOCK JOCK by the way) made???? They (the team) were effected by that for how long.....and now a family is dead because of hate and evil. It's amazing of what the media considers news worthy isn't it? Why aren't we being warned about these men?? There is all kinds of hate and evil in this world and frankly it scares me everyday that I live. When it's more important to tell the world about a comment made by a SHOCK JOCK towards a mostly black women's basketball team as a joke, yes it was a slur but have you listened to rap lately??? And the 'upset' that one word caused them and for a SHOCK JOCK to lose his job because he was just doing his job than to tell the world about a couple that was brutally murdered by a group of men.... there is something seriously wrong... I pray for that couple and the horrible death they faced. And just pray for the world to wake up and realize what we are doing to eachother.

Michael is a Wheel Watcher!

So, my almost 16 month old (this Sunday) is a Wheel Watcher!! He will sit and contently watch it until a commercial comes on!!!!!!!!!! He yells "EEEE" and claps with Vanna. There is something about the spinning wheel I guess. But if we want him to be content we wait for 7pm. Silly boy!! At least at some point he will learn the alphabet!! and hopefully be a better speller than me! My funny little monkey!

I'm also getting ready for my 1st all day crop!!! Tommrow!! I hope that it all turns out well!! I know that no matter what we will have fun!!!!!!!!!!! So wish me luck!

What We did this weekend!

Well, after living 3 years in England and then getting stationed to Maryland...there are still a few things that I haven't had that I had been wanting for nearly 4 years!! It was actually the only thing that I could voice that I wanted when I was preggo both times....SONIC!!! The burgers, onion rings, the shakes, the tots, slushes, and last but not least ICE!!! What is it about the Sonic ice that is magical!!! Oh, and cheddar peppers, cheese sticks....-drool-
So in the great state of Maryland they have the commercials and every time they showed one I would look for one where ever we went but there were none to be found!!! Early February they were advertizing a new shake or something (WOW this really shows the power of advertizing!!) and I announced that I wanted Sonic! Brent actually went on the web and did a search for the closest one and that was either in Delaware or Virginina more than 50 miles away!!! So after talking about it with Melssa we set a date and it was this past Saturday! So, Melissa, Ruth, Brent, Philip, Michael and I took a road trip!!
Yes, we drove 1 1/2 hours for Sonic!! and it was worth it!!!! They even had a really neat playground that Philip and Michael played on...we all did too! But it was worth the drive!! It was a really nice day, actually got warm!! And there was even a CD made just for the trip! I can't wait to go back again soon! All the way to Delaware!!

Secret I Love You

I was reading on the wondertime website (it's a great mag and a neat website!)www.wondertime.com

They had a section on how different families say 'I Love You'. I was thinking about how we say I love you in our family. Mostly we just say it. Or we have a meal that we know they will enjoy. Or a glance, smile, wink (I love that Philip and Michael try to wink at us.) We kiss, Michael just started giving kisses with the smooch sound and all!! And I love that both of my babies learned that sound from us and our displays of affections. Michael will see us kissing and start making the kissing sound. They both kiss thier favorite stuffed animals. And enjoy eskimo kisses and butterfly kisses (always with giggles). But the thing that Brent and I have done for a long time is squeeze hands. 3 times for who ever starts it (I Love You) and 4 times for the other (I Love You Too!). Simple and quite. No one knows when we do it, it's just for us. Well, this has been happening for a long time in my family, apparently my parents had this same ritual when they were dating and relationship. They even have pendants (hey it was the 70s) that have this engraved on the back. I started it with Brent when we were dating and have continued to do it when ever we hold hands. The other day Philip did it to me, not thinking I squeezed his hand back 4 times. He looked at me and said "you love me too!!!" That warmed my heart and made me a little teary eyed. But it just made me feel loved above all!

Do you have a secret way of saying I Love You????

In Honor of National Siblings Day

Well, according to the Great Oprah the other day was National Siblings Day!! So in honor of that I have a few pics to post and a few memories to share.....

This is for: Samantha, Mia, Bethany, and Chris....my sisters and brotherAnd for the new additions: Patrick, Evan and Bryan

There is a picture I keep close to my heart of all of the ones I call sister and brother. The 1st Christmas we akwardly became a family. The year of trick or treating and the homemade costumes. All 5 of us in the bed and the little one said....PEEP!! And we got shamed by the beating of a paper back book! Not even a thick one only to hear them laugh as they closed the door...we kept laughing too! Waiting for Christmas morning and trying to catch a peek. "The sky is falling!!" Thanksgiving glamour shots! The 'lob a peach' over the house game we invented due to boredom. Cutting wood in the freezing cold to feel warm. And going outside in 110 heat to appreciate the "cool" house. The trips to Chuck E Cheese with the teenagers (Mia and Chris) and having as much fun as the other kids. The food fights, the real fights...the hugs, tears, all through the years...

The years have flown...I remember by chance I had this great friend and we wished to be sisters and lo and behold we actually became sisters! What a wonderful blessing. The Story is long and messy (adults tend to mess things up) but the outcome was I got 2 sisters and a little brother! I loved having a big family. The holidays were always full and lots of fun. Summertime was full of games, orchard work, ice cream. In a small house it was sometimes cramped and we longed for privacy but the fact we had a confidant and a playmate out weighed the lack of space. We grew up and the visits slowly were trumped by school activities, boyfriends, a bad fight...but I hope that you know that I missed you and the times we spent together. We became adults and have moved on to our own lives...don't get to see much of eachother any more due to one reason or another. But just for one day if not more I do wish we could all be together and be like it was so long ago. Put aside the hurt and the ugly words, forgive and just be our big family...

To my little sister:

I remember the day I first saw you...I had prayed for you, a best friend a playmate. I had been thru a class about babies and how to handle them. They scrubbed me up and I washed my hands with the soap that docs used (I thought that was really cool) and sat in a chair. Daddy handed you to me and you were all bundled up and asleep. I remember thinking that you were the most beautiful baby ever. After a while they put you in my room and I would lull you to sleep when you would wake up, find your binkie and help feed you. I thought you were my doll. The years went by and time changes things (again Adults messing things up) we were always sisters but not always nice. I do know that no matter where you went you always wanted to bring one back for me too. I don't ever know if I ever thanked you...I'll do it now...Thank you for all of the peppermints, dum dums, pieces of gum and every thing else. I moved away and kinda forgot that you still were small. I always wanted to protect you but couldn't some times. But now you are a beautiful lady, I think the most beautiful lady ever...some things don't change. You are a wonderful sister and friend. Thank you!

To the new additions: Patrick, Evan and Bryan Welcome to the family!! If you haven't guessed our family motto is: "We put the 'fun' in disfunctional!!! I do hope you get the chance to really experience the joy of this wonderful family. Even though Patrick has no choice because of me being married to his brother!! Some day we will all have one of the fabled Christmases complete with a retarded star!! I do feel very blessed to be apart of this family and I love you all soooo much!!

It's a BOY!

Well, Michael isn't the baby of the family any more!! He's been trumped by new little one.....

Boy you all thought that I was having another baby didn't you!!! Well we did it! We got a puppy, a beagle named "Rocky Balboa" Philip picked out the name because I got 'Rocky' for Brent for Easter. He's 8 weeks old and so cuddly. He's doing really good being in a house and 'going' outside. The boys like him. Until he starts to chase them thinking they are playing. We are all adjusting well, he was going to sleep in a kennel but I couldn't let him cry all night. So he sleeps with us until he is housebroke. But just wanted to post a cute pic of the newest little Poff.

12 Hours later....

So I wrote about the dark horrible things that I was going through yesterday, I still feel crapy but that's normal. And half the time I was typing Philip was in time out for waking up his brother. But he came in a helped me with dinner and had lots of fun. He hugged me and told me that I was his best friend. I think I almost cut my pinkie from the tears. Then during dinner he grabbed my hand I was almost yanked it away because it was a jerk reaction but I didn't and he looked at me and told me that I was his best girl and that he loved me. Well that set off a melt down. I kissed his little hand and he told me where his face was. So I kissed his face and cried. I think that some times God channels through kids. I don't know how else he would have known that I needed to hear that. We talked about what happened that day at the party. He told me that he had taken the toy away and then the kid hit him in the face. He says he closed his fist and hit in the face. He apologized to me about that, I told him that he didn't need to and that I was sorry I wasn't there to help. He said that it's ok he's still his friend and it was an accident. I can't belive how fast he forgives. Good for me. All I can say is that thank God for children. I always knew they were a blessing even if the blessing is abundant at times. But that's never bad.

Word Vomit

Ok, so don't call the social services on me yet....:0) But I'm about to go off my rocker. I really don't know how much more I can take. This morning I went to take Michael to his 15 month appointment (Happy 15 months Michael!) And I went and got my cholesterol test done then too. (I fasted for 12 hours) Doesn't seem like a long time but making breakfast and feeding it to a kid and not having any for your self and preping a dish and still not eating isn't any fun. So, I'm in the lab with Michael (holding him) and only when he head butts me in the chest does the tech ask if she can take him before I get poked in the arm. FUN!! So that went ok. Went to Michael's appt and ran into someone I met at the ESC meeting and had some one to talk to. That was nice, what wasn't was the fact I was 20 minutes early and they didn't call me back until 10:55 soooo....my appt time was 10:30. Nice. So they weigh Michael, thinking that if he was 19 lbs that we would finally be able to get him a big boy seat BUT NOOOO he only gained 1 1/4 lb since his 1 year making him a whopping 17.8 pounds. So....he's little, we already knew that. I just don't know why. It bothers me, it really does. I love him and I know that he is little. It just bothers me....I feed him, he drinks more milk than I have ever seen a kid drink. I don't get it!! And I'm getting soooo tired of people saying he's sooo little, I know that!!! I look at him every day and worry that I'm doing something wrong. Worry why he isn't on the national "scale of normal weight" All of the tests that we can do at this point we have done. The doctor is giving him till his 18 month to try to get up at least on the bottom of the chart for weight. SO that's that. Then poor little guy had to get a shot, I didn't know that he was getting one. But he did ok. So we get home in time to pick up Philip for an Easter party. We actually have been involved in a group of kids (finally) only for Philip to get whacked in the face the 1st 5 minutes we are there. So his cheeks are redder than when he's having an allergic reaction. I don't know who and I don't know why I just know my little boy was running to me crying and saying "I just want friends" So I have Michael in a booster seat and try to make Philip eat. But all the other kids are running around. So, he wants to too. The middle of the party was ok, except when I tried to make Philip listen and sit still. I know I sounded like a mad woman yelling at him to sit and come here. He actually ran from me I nearly fell down holding Philip. That warranted a spanking. He just laughed and ran off. I'm at my wits end with him. And don't know what I did so wrong. I'm stern, I'm loving, I do what I think is right by him. He still doesn't get that I'm the Parent (wow, I'm my mom) But it's getting crazy, and so am I. Michael is caught in the middle of it. I really don't have time to really focus on him with Philip always wanting my total attention even if it's negative. Then there is the house work and all the things that need to be done to keep the house from falling into a crap hole. Brent helps. Not to say that I don't have an active Father and Husband but sometimes I feel like I should just do it myself instead of asking for help. I'm home all day all by myself with 2 boys and no car, no friends that I can call to have just come over and talk to. I spend most of my time on the phone talking to people hundreds of miles away. I just want to run away and not be here at all. I know that sounds so horrible but what am I supposed to do when I go off the deep end. I really don't want to. I feel like I'm a horrible mother, wife, friend....what ever label you want to put on me I really suck at it. I wear a mask 90% of the time. I'm not a happy person, I'm really crying inside and a rage of anger and frustration...I don't think that it's fair for my kids to have to have me as a mother the way I am. And I don't know how to fix me. I gave up on fixing things along time ago and I know that I can't fix me. To get religious, I've called out for help I don't know that He wants to say yes. I feel like I'm just floating along...I get up I yell, I make food, I change diapers, I yell, I pick up, I yell for them to help, I put them down for naps, I yell, I have a short fuse, I have to put Philip in other rooms and count to 10 before I can deal with him sometimes, I forget that he's 3, but I still yell. I really don't start the day yelling I actually work my way up. My voice hurts I yell so much. I don't know what I can do at this point other than call it what it is and admit that I'm failing at something that I have always wanted. Boy do I suck! So yeah, this is the most terrible I have ever felt, even 18 hours of labor with no drugs and pitocin didn't hurt this bad. I hurt. And I don't know what I can do to not hurt any more.

Philip's Allergies

Well, after wondering about the red bumpy cheeks that Philip has had since he was about 1, he went and had allergy testing done today. The Doc was great and all of the techs too! After I went thru a list of things he eats at least 3-4 times a week they wound up doing about 40 scratch tests on his little back! He thought the marker tickled! But the first 2 tests he told the tech that 'that's not nice!' We just laughed!! He did cry and got up set but suffered thru all of them!! And got a lolli pop after and during. We waited the 10 minutes and the doc read the places where they tested. Sooo drum roll please......

Philip is allergic to: Carrots, White Potatoes, Vanilla, Sesame Seeds, and Peanuts. I really understand the peanut thing, but the others are a mystery. I didn't even know you could be allergic to potatoes!!! But he still can have sweet potatoes!! But he has zyrtec and a cream for his face now and an epi pen!! So hopefully his cheeks will get better in time. And we can be more mindful of what he's eating. I was amazed that with in minutes even during the testing his cheeks got VERY red like fever red. So that was the 1st clue that he had an allergy somewhere on one of the places. But for doing so well he was treated to a happy meal with no sesame seed bun and no fries! But he loves apples (and not allergic to them) Sigh..... We get to go back in 6 months for re-testing and he could be allergic to different things then!! At least he's not allergic to cows milk, which is something that I thought he was for a while.
My poor kid! It's not too bad though, could always be worse!

It's so nice outside!

Well the sun is shining...birds are chirping and the bulbs we planted this fall are sprouting!! It's actually a great day!! Michael is feeling better, still has toxic poos.... But it's a better day, and thanks to all of you who didn't want me to play in traffic! It's very stressful sometimes as some of you know. But all is better! And hey tommrow is another day!


P.S. Happy Birthday Daddy!

Update on Michael

Well, Michael has gone 48 hours without getting sick....he still has runny poos but they will take a little while. He has a slight fever, but back to 'good ole Michael' This morning Philip woke up at 6!! And Michael woke up a little after 7. I let him hang out in his room for a little while.....BIG mistake!! He was very quite, I thought he was resting....when I went to get him, there was poo everywhere!!!!!!!!! Including on his hands, feet, face and Mouth!!!!!!! ARRRGH!!!!! So I brought him down stripped him and gave him a bath in the sink. And rinsed his mouth as much as he would let me.....Ploped him in the pack n play and called the nurse line. Really didn't know what to do, but with him being sick and eating poo I didn't think it was a good thing. All the nurses were busy but they had me call poison control. GREAT!! They tell me that it's not the worst thing that he could do just watch him and push fluids. OK!! Then the nurse calls me back as I'm stripping the bed and scrubbing the bedding (we would run out of spray&wash today!!!!!!!!!) So not only am I cleaning up poo I'm scrubbing it with my hands!! I don't think I'll ever have enough Lysol to clean this up!!! So I get all the bedding scrubbed and there are clothes in the washer!!!!!!! Well.....as you can tell the day only gets better! And it's only 10:30am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To include Philip being in the corner and peeing on the hard wood floor!!!!! WHY!!!! Because the world hates me and it's just the way it is!!!!!!!! So, after thinking about throwing myself into traffic (wouldn't really get hurt we live across from a school speed limit is 25) Brent came home and I just really want to run away. Am I really wrong for wanting a break after 3 solid years of care taking??? I don't know....Sorry for the mental breakdown....

My Poor sick Baby!

Well, Michael woke up from his nap yesterday and had gotten sick all over his bed....we still fed him lunch and he lost all of that which resulted in a bath, but he was so not feeling well that I had to get in the tub with him and hold him. Dinner came and went and he only ate rice and bread, but after proceeded to go thru 5 outfits. Called the nurse line and they said to spoon feed him water only after he hadn't thrown up in 2 hours!! Well at that point it was 8:30 and he fell asleep on me (for the 1st time in a long time). But he woke up at 11 and acted thirsty so I dropped water in his little mouth and on the way up stairs he got sick so much that there was nothing left!!! Dry heaving baby not fun to watch!! So, we cleaned him up again and he did go to sleep only to wake up 3 times with a dirty diaper. I had to put him in the pack n play to feed Philip so he wouldn't see food. He's barely drinking. But did ask for a 'nanana' so I gave him half, and so far it's stayed down......And now he's back asleep in the den. Poor little baby!! He is keeping his spirits up even though he looks and feels like crap!! And the best part....what ever is attacking my baby is beginning to attack me!!! ARRRGH!!!

The MOST unROMANTIC Valentine's Day EVER!

We went to bed knowing that there was going to be a 'storm' over night....Brent woke up at 4 to call to see if he had to go to work, nope! So he went back to sleep! We woke up at 6am to no power! And ice on our bedroom windows! This is what our front yard looks like!

Not to much fun!!! But we cam down stairs and tried to keep warm. Brent decided to go to Safeway to get some food. He also got us cards

And Hot Chocolate from Starbucks! Philip thought it was very cool!

After sitting in a really cold house we decided to go out! Target was closed, But Wal-Mart was open! Along the way we took some really neat pics!

After we walked around Wal-Mart and rediscovered that we liked white cloud diapers and they are soooo much cheaper we went to lunch at Chili's
After Chili's we went to check out Target again. It was open with minimal lighting, but the cash registers worked!! We went back home. It was still warm upstairs and we were all dressed in layers so Michael went and took a nap and Brent shoveled the walk while me and Philip played in the ice!

The wind was really harsh and the ice was falling so we didn't stay out there very long! Later that afternoon we decided to try our fireplace to get some heat in the den. NO LUCK! It's just for looks, it actually got colder than anything. As the sun went down it got a lot colder in the house. We decided to leave and go to a hotel! (It was Valentine's Day) So we checked all the local hotels....booked....went to the fort....booked...they gave us a list of 10 hotels....45 minutes later....the cheapest hotel was $200 a night....finally we found one!! Funny it was in the BWI district minutes away from Brent's office!!! So Brent knew I had been wanting KFC for a few days so that was our dinner! But we kept our heads up and only hollered a little at eachother!
The bed was horrible and we found out the next morning that the window had been cracked the whole time!! We couldn't get the room really warm!! But it was a warm place for the boys!! Of course we have been yelled at by a few people that we should have called! (Another reason we NEED A CELL PHONE!!) But we made it home and by noon the next day we had power! And will never forget our Most unRomantic Valentine's Day ever!!! The Boys all warm and knocked out in thier favorite room!! They are so easy! And we are blessed to have them!! And I'm blessed to have my wonderful husband! I love you, Brent!! Can't wait for next Valentine's Day!

My Baby is 3!

Well we have a 3 year old!! I can't belive that he is 3!! Where is time going??! He is in big boy pants and pretty much tells us that he needs to 'go'. It's a really neat thing!! And little gap under ware are so cute!! And Brent couldn't be happier about not having to buy diapers for 2 babies any more! He talks like crazy! And all of that! He talks about starting school. He knows his ABCs, can count to 15 in english and 8 in spanish (thanks Dora and Handy Manny). He knows colors and shapes. Currently he wants to go to Venice to ride a gondola. And China to see the big wall. Hopefully we can do that for him someday. Well I'll quit bragging on my baby! He's just great! And we love him so much, even if he drives us crazy!!
Happy Birthday Philip!!

Michael is A OK!

Well after the incident with Michael holding his breath, the trip to the hospital in an ambulance (yippie!), the over night stay in the hospital (on his birthday), the C/T scan of his brain, the labs, the EKG, the lung x-rays, the observation NOT to mention the 'failure to thrive status' he's been on since he was 8 months old and all the labs they did on him at Lakenheath 5 days before we left the UK and the EEG the poor little guy suffered thru this morning.....

WE HAVE A NORMAL HEALTHY BABY/TODDLER!!! Medically speaking! LOL!

His brain waves are perfect, his heart, lungs and brain all look perfect. ALL the labs have come back normal (no metabolic diseases). He's just 17 pounds of perfect baby boy!!!!! He does keep gaining weight that makes us happy! He's hit all of his developmental milestones on time or early. Soooo, the conclusion....Michael is a little ball of fire!! The perfect JACK JACK!!!! Never under estimate the power of little things in small packages!!!

7 Wierd Things!

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 7 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 7 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog. COPY AND PASTE THIS: Hey You've Been Tagged So GO Read my blog titled 7 weird things and find out the RULES!

1. I can roll my tounge both ways.

2. I had to take voice lessons when I was little because of the daycare I was at I had to scream to be heard and was ruining my voice. (No comments!) :0)

3. I really can't do math! Multiplication tables....NOPE!!

4. My water broke naturally on my due date with my 1st baby...26 hours later I had a c-section due to lack of progress!!

5. I have the brain for useless knowledge

6. I have really bad dreams still.

7. With all the weight I have gained I still have small ankles and skinny fingers!!

I am tagging Angie, Samantha, Mia, Melissa, Brent, Justin, Bobbie

My 27th Birthday!

The morning started out normal, kiss from Brent and he left for work. Around 6:30 I heard some noise downstairs and after 10 minutes of telling myself it's not a burglar they don't put away dishes I came down stairs to find this....... Brent suprised me with taking the day off! And gave me his time! He did leave to get breakfast and these. The noise I heard was him making this

Philip helped him decorate it later on! So we had breakfast and I retired upstairs to read for the morning.

It was a really nice day of rest. We went to lunch and Philip went down for his nap so I kinda combined #1 and #3. Me and Michael went to get Mommy and Michael pictures and shopped. Mostly got things for Philip. Then we came back and went to Outback for dinner. The boys were really good during dinner and it was good....mmm Alice Springs Chicken! All in all it was a great day and a wonderful suprise that Brent took the day off for me! The boys were extra sweet and it was one of the best birthdays ever!

My body is FINALLY MINE!!

Well it's official, Michael quit breastfeeding! I'm a little torn about it...it's the end of babyhood and the 'need for me' but that means I have my body back!! I sat down to think about it and for the past 4 years I haven't had my body to myself!! I have either been pregnant or nursing for 4 years!!! I can't belive it!! I don't know what to do with myself. I have watched what I ate to not upset 'the baby' or give the baby gas, not taken certain drugs (pescription and over the counter), only had a one drink limit (during nursing) and a sip to 1/2 a drink while preggo (only on occasion). I always stayed away from smoking (allergic and it just stinks!!) But now....I can take pepto again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And share a bottle of wine or HECK drink the whole bottle!! Don't think I would but now I can!!!!!!!!!! Whoo Hoo!! I can drink caffeine and not worry about being up all night with a wired baby, just me!! And the biggest! I can go on a serious diet and bring SEXY back!! (LOL!!) So I'm liberated and am my own person now! It's kinda cool! And NO plans for another baby for at least 3 years!!!!!!! So don't ask! :0) But start thinking pink now we need all the help we can get!!

Watch this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn6xm4sY33Y

Check this out!! I think it's the best thing on youtube!!! Not biased! or anything!! Love ya!!

What 5 words Describe your Marriage or Relationships?

Well I love Oprah and she's done it again!! And I'm having a record day! 2 blogs!! Wooo Hoo!!! So she asked us- the viewers to write down 5 words that describe your marriage and have your spouse do the same and share. Luckily Brent was home so we did it at the same time.
Here's what we came up with:

Miranda:
1. Loving
2. Friend
3. Challenging
4. Passionate
5. Communication/Trust

Brent:
1. Passionate
2. Trusting
3. Honest
4. Fun
5. Best Friend


Not bad! I thought compared to the guests on the show. It really didn't suprise me what our anwsers were. They were in no particular order but most of them are the same. It's comforting to know in this day and age that we are on the same page. That's the common goal right??

Ok, for those that have a significant other go give them a hug and tell them you love them!! Even if you already have today!! And try this exercize!!! And get communicating!!!

Why do people do things like this???

This is What's wrong with the world...

I watched this today, I really miss Sky and BBC!! But I vividly remember when this happened. I really thought that the UK was under attack!! I mean 9-11 happened and they were stopped after that and have been on US soil. But in the UK the bombings of 7-7 happened and then this is on the news not too long after. I really thought they weren't going to stop and got very worried for my family. The military didn't allow us to go to London for a long time after this all happened. And thank God for the man in the tubes who stood up against this horrible person who was going to detonate his bomb next to a mother with her young baby!! A MOTHER AND HER BABY!!! Let me say that again a MOTHER WITH A YOUNG BABY!!! That could be me, and LOTS of my friends not just on my space but everywhere!!! These people don't care who they kill. This is proof!!!

Thank God that these people failed on this day!!! And that the world has sat up and reconized that there is a force out there that wants to hurt us. Not just Americans but all free people. The bombings of July 7th really hit home hard for me. I was forever changed by 9-11 I think all Americans were but I have never been to New York and until now I hadn't been to the Pentagon. But I rode the tubes so much and was at those places that were attacked. And to me that was too close. And to top it all off we were flying home that morning and we were taking the tubes to Kings Cross on the same line and the train home. And for a higher reason got delayed one day and weren't there and had to stay a day late. And came home to a country attacked and recovering from terriosim.

I can't imagine wanting to hurt and kill anybody just because...And the fact that this guy saw the mother and her young baby and still decided to do that deed there and not even move! Not that it would make it better, but other than the person blowing himself up they would have been the 1st victims!! Why!!?? It makes me so sad and angry. This is why our men and women are over there doing what they are to get rid of people that will do this to the world. To get rid of the idea of hate that these people have had to live with. Hopefully someday the next generation will be happy free people just wanting to live thier lives the best way they can.

Extra! Extra! Michael Walks!!

Hi all!

Oh, MYGOSH!! Yes he finally did it!! He's taken 5 steps to me!!!! We were at church last night and I was in the nursery with Sharon and Beth we were sitting in a triangle and Michael was walking along with a walker. Got down and crawled to me. I had even just said 'he just won't take that step!!' And he stood up (he's been doing that a while) and took like 5 steps toward Beth!! Then she turned him around and he walked to me!! And stood up and walked to Sharon!!! Marathon walker!!!!!!! I was so happy I got teary eyed!! It's soooo cool!! He just started walking like no thing not unsteady at all!!!

On the other hand I am now the proud mother of a 1 year old and a 2 year old!!!!!!!!!!!! ARRRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But not for long! Philip will be 3 soon! We are having a Super hero party for him!! We were just going to do Justice Leauge but.... Philip loves Spiderman. I assumed that we couldn't mix DC with Marvel- one of the comic books 10 commandments but Brent being an elder of the church of all things comics said that it would be permissable to bend the rules for a toddler who doesn't know better but just has a innocent love for comics!! I LOVE BRENT!!! So all super heros will be allowed to be at the party!! Now my only question: What does one cook for Super Heros!!