Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Okay, so now here comes mommy hood!

Sooooooo
We're watching some kind of football thing on Saturday with my in-laws. The kiddos are playing around having a good time. Jon is having a hard time putting a strap on his baseball helmet, gets frustrated and says "DAMMIT!"
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I think this in my mind, I don't think that came out of my mouth)
Now, knowing that he's four and this is a first for him, I (try to) stay calm and say, "Jon, that's an ugly word. You don't need to say that. Now go to time out." Since my in-laws are there, this becomes a huge production. Crocodile tears people. Crocodile tears.

Fast forward to Monday. I pick Jon and rush back to work in order to hold detention. He's having fun coloring and talking to me while I'm Breakfast Clubbing it with a bunch of teenagers. Jon pops up, in as loud a voice he can muster, "Mommy, I can't say Dammit!" Again with the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH.
Now, I realize he wasn't saying it to say it, he was telling me he understood, so I don't get angry.

Me: No Jon, you can't say that word. It's ugly.
Jon: Only Daddy can say Dammit!!!!
Me: (he he he he he to self)
Jon: I can't say Dammit!

Remember, I'm holding detention and half the students are beginning to crack....
Me: Okay honey, don't say it anymore.
Jon: I can't say dammit.
Me: Honey, stop it (giggle)
Jon: Nope can't say..
Me: JON!

By now, all 20 students are eyeing me for my reaction and I"m almost rolling on the floor laughing at this point. It was too funny!
Now, before you think I'm a terrible parent, you have to know Jon. Repetition works for him. He thrives on it. This is how he learns. All he was doing was checking to make sure he had learned correctly. He wasn't doing it to push buttons or anything.

Anddddddd!
Staci is finally becoming a Daddy's girl.
She was sent to time out earlier today and began to drama. All of a sudden I hear, "I wan't Daddy!" Bobby was very thrilled to hear about this.

Fine. He knows the next baby we get will be a boy....just wait honey. Just wait. he he he he

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Just some Tib Bits

Jon:

We're talking after school one day when Jon says, "Mommy, I don't have to go to school tomorrow!"

Me: Yes honey.
Jon: Nuh uh
Me: really?
Jon: my teacher said I don't have to go back tomorrow
Me: I don't think so
Jon: yes she did, I don't have to go to school tomorrow
Me: yes you do
Jon: Nope!

Stinker.

Destiny:

Is doing great!!! She's learning sight words!!! I'm so excited. I bet she can read a really short book soon!!! She had a slight fever today, but went right down with Motrin.

Staci:

Has had a terrible bladder infection! My poor baby. She's getting better though and only has several more days of antibiotic. She's now in her terrible, I mean her wonderful, energetic, light hearted, two's. She has more mood swings than a woman with PMS. I wonder if chocolate will help her....hmmmmm

Me:

Tired. Tired. Tired.


And loving every minute of it.
I love lack of sleep.
I love crying babies
I love dirty kitchens
I love making little lunches
I love that it takes me an hour to pick everyone up after school/work
I love little hugs and kisses at 5:45 am
I love getting up at night and watching them sleep
And I love all many many little things that happen during the day.

And Bobby:

Who else would have sat with me in the ER while Staci cried and cried for hours on end?

Who else would (try to ) clean the kitchen every night for me?

Who else would hold my hand as I go to sleep every night?

Who else can hold Destiny and make her feel that she's his whole world?

Who else can smile at his son and make the whole room light up?

Who else would have actually listened when I mentioned that three children were up for adoption?!

Having children has really changed us and our marriage, but one thing's for sure. It can make things so much better!

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Common Thread Project

This is really cool. I think this is a great idea! How great would it be to see someone wearing one of these and knowing that you are not alone in the world. I'm getting mine today.

http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/08/common-thread-project.html

I made a promise to myself that even when I've started my family (via adoption or giving birth)that I would be there for anyone who was dealing with infertility. It is such a hard journey to be on. I hope this idea gets around, it might give me an opportunity to not only help, but to raise awareness. We, as a community, need to be there for each other, our friends and commrades.

Even if you've never had issues with fertility, if you see someone wearing a pomegranate colored string, say a prayer for them and their families.

Love to all.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Life as a Mom

Okay, so this Mom thing...what a job. I'm so glad I had the summer to get used to SOME of the everyday stuff before I had to go back to work. Now that work and school have started...WOW! I'm up at 5:30 and don't stop until the kiddos go to bed at 8:00. Shower, get dressed, wake kids up, feed kids, make lunches, make food for myself, leave house. Drop off Staci, drop off Destiny, go to work. Get to work just as the first bell rings for school to start. Teach, teach, teach. Pick up Jon from school, pick up Destiny and Staci. Go home. Tutor Destiny on her reading (sight words are key this week!) Cook. Eat. Bath time. Bed time.

Non stop people. Non stop.

Did I mention that Staci has learned the art of the dirty look? Oh boy. My poor baby has had time out at least once a day for the past week!

Well, get back to ya'll later, the shower beckons me. (My students might appreciate it in the morning!!)

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Unwritten

Bobby and I have been coming up with possible songs for us to use for the kiddos adoption videos. I think we found the perfect one for Destiny. It's called "Unwritten." I'm sure you've heard it. It seems perfect for her. After a yucky start to life, she now has a chance to do whatever it is in the world she wants, and she'll always have her parents right behind her cheering her on.
So here's a bit of the lyrics from the song.

"I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your innovations
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten"

Your life is unwritten baby. Let's make it a good one.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Another New Start

This is my last official weekday as a SAHM. I go back to work Monday. *cry* Later today I'll take enrollment papers to Staci's daycare and she'll start Monday too. So we're off to another new beginning. Jon will be starting school for the first time, Staci will be starting daycare for the first time, Destiny will be starting a new school, and I'll be going back to work. Wow. All in a matter of a week. Hmmm....

I'll no longer be spending the majority of my time cleaning and cooking (although you wouldn't think that's what I do what with all the food stuck to the kitchen floor, dishes in the sink, and toys all over the place!) My feet will be in high heels instead of barefoot with food particles stuck to the bottoms (let me tell you!! Those Kix can really stick!) I'll actually do my hair as opposed to the afro I've been studding around (yes, afro. I have short curly beyond curly hair). I'll be teaching 8th graders all day instead of my little preschool babies. I'll be talking to grown-ups instead of changing pull-ups (Staci still has little accidents.) An alarm clock will wake me up instead of children. I'll have to rush home to get dinner cooking. I'll have to make lunches at 9:00 at night. No more quiet time. And 3:00 will be my favorite time of the day. Another new start, another new kind of life.

I love adventure.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Conversations during (yet another) thunderstorm

Scene: Destiny wakes me up at 1:30 am crying because her knee hurts, I give her some motrin and go back to bed. 10 minutes later, another large storm begins. Jon wakes up, comes into our room, and this is what happens.
Me: What's wrong, honey?
Jon: The storm tried to wake me up!
Me: Tried to wake you up? Yeah, that happens sometimes. Are you okay?
Jon: Yeah. Comes closer to my bed.
Me: Why don't you try to go back to sleep sweetheart.
Jon: *sigh*
Me: It's okay, babe. The rain, thunder, and lightning can't get in the house. We're safe, I promise. Try to go back to sleep.
Jon: But if I go back to sleep, the storm will just wake me up again.(How do you deal with a 4 year old that holds this kind logic?!)
Me: (thinking...thinking...thinking...) Well, it'll get quiet soon. (yes, that's all I could come up with!)
Jon: *sigh*
Me: Go back to bed, hon.
Jon: (moves closer to bed again...)
Me: Let's go back to sleep, okay?
Jon: (silence)
Me: 1....
Jon: (disapears faster than peanut butter during lunch)
That's it. My kids are smarter than me. Oh boy!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Joys in my life.....

Here's a list of some of the joys in my life right now.

1. The last few days of summer vacation
2. The Tinkerbell back pack in my foyer
3. Diaper bags
4. Diapers and Pull-Ups
5. Having a laugh with my honey after the kids go to bed
6. Sleep
7. Tripping on toys
8. Picking up said toys that have been tripped on
9. Wrestling with kids
10. Listening to little baby burps
11. Retail therapy
12. Adoption papers
13. Sleep (did I mention how handy that comes in right now?)
14. Drying tearful eyes
15. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink to watch a movie late at night
16. Listening to the kids hum the Star Trek theme while I'm watching Next Gen. (I'm so proud!)
17. Arguing with Bob over who was a better captain, Kirk or Picard (we all know Picard was the best; though Kirk did get more action with the ladies!)
18. Watching Staci pick up Kix that fell to the floor during breakfast and eating them
19. Hearing Staci say a new word or phrase
20. Waiting for the next adventure of the day (which may include a certain 2 year old climbing a book case to the top, someone slamming into a wall because he couldn't stop running fast enough, or having to mend a cut because someone got to a kitchen knife. Okay that last one was me. Ya'll know I can't handle sharp instruments!)