So today I got to hang out with a very sweet little cutie pie. Her name is Liga (pronounced Lee-GUH) and she is 4 years old. She is from Latvia here on an orphan hosting program (see sidebar for link). Liga's host parents and I are in the same small group at church, and they are totally cool with me getting some of Liga's awesome hugs and kisses. Liga is not 'just' an orphan, she is a special needs orphan, making her situation even worse.
I'm not sure what all is 'wrong' with her....she can walk and talk and is working on potty training. She sang to herself and loved the My Little Pony collection my girls brought out and loved to build with the blocks. Seemed pretty typical. She knew enough to be sneaky and she played many of the same little 'games' with me that my own girls have played with me. Things like crawling in my lap and pretending to be a baby, complete with fake crying, or pretending the pony was a hat or scratching her finger and then letting 'momma' kiss it better. Yup, that works not matter what language you speak!
Know what else is funny no matter where you're from? Passing gas. Yes. And today I learned the Russian word for it: pook-ee-ED (or something along those lines). She is clever enough at some point to remember I had made a sort of big deal about her toots and the announcements of them, come up behind me and make a fake 'toot' with her lips and then crack up laughing saying, "Pook-ee-ed!"
I don't know what her story is, or how long she has been at her orphanage. I watched her wolf down her yogurt and felt a little pang in my heart. Okay, a big pang. Not only for Liga and her plight, but also for her mother who is missing out on these things. Where is she? Does she have any idea what she's missing?
I can't imagine missing all the things Liga's birth mother isn't able to be a part of. And as for Liga, I will start praying in earnest that God will send her a mom and dad to scoop her up, laugh at her toots, and kiss her tiny cheeks.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
My Ridiculous Day
The last couple of days have been the kind of days I think I shouldn't be allowed to DO anything. Everything I do or touch turns into a project I was not anticipating.
School? It's not just school. It's a treasure hunt for pencils that walk away and hide. Oh, and think the ruler will be where it's supposed to be? Nope. Even though I try to keep all the things I need for school in my school area, little artists think otherwise. And apparently the ruler makes a great ramp for the toy cars. Figures.
Breakfast? It's not just breakfast. It's a chance to pick up soggy Cheerios off the floor with a crying, milky three year old.
Errands? Errands with kids are interesting, to say the least. Today's task seemed easy since all I had to do was drive thru the bank. That's it. Just drive through. Of course, it's 19 degrees when we try and go, which means socks, shoes and coats are a must. Times 3. Which means they all have to be located x3 and put on, laced up and zipped. Times three. And my garage door hates the cold as much as I do because it won't come down. Up, yes, but not down. And I can't leave if the stupid door is up. So I struggle with it, finally get it down and get back in the van. I don't think I thawed out til we were on our way back home.
At some point vacuuming seemed like a great idea. Then I vacuumed up a cute little Hello Kitty sock. I told myself I didn't care. It was an old sock and was almost too small for my youngest anyway. I soon realized I had to care, bc the sock had clogged the tube and there was no suction. So I take apart the tube as best I can, but it's stuck smack in the middle and there is nothing in my house long enough and thin enough to poke it loose. Twenty minutes later, I get it out and finish vacuuming.
"Hey kids, it's COLD! Let's have a fire!" Oh, wait, there's no firewood. No big deal, we'll gather all the limbs that have fallen in all this INSANE wind and burn those. Oh, wait, they're too big. No big deal, I'll break them. Oh, they won't break. No big deal, I'll saw them. Oh, I sawed them into pieces that are too big for the fire place? No problem, I can saw them again. On the hearth. Making sawdust. On the floor I just vacuumed.
There's a lesson in here for me. Maybe I just need to learn when to quit. Or maybe I should just learn when not to even start.....But hey! Tomorrow is another day. One with NO fires, errands or vacuuming. I cannot guarantee no Cheerios, though.
School? It's not just school. It's a treasure hunt for pencils that walk away and hide. Oh, and think the ruler will be where it's supposed to be? Nope. Even though I try to keep all the things I need for school in my school area, little artists think otherwise. And apparently the ruler makes a great ramp for the toy cars. Figures.
Breakfast? It's not just breakfast. It's a chance to pick up soggy Cheerios off the floor with a crying, milky three year old.
Errands? Errands with kids are interesting, to say the least. Today's task seemed easy since all I had to do was drive thru the bank. That's it. Just drive through. Of course, it's 19 degrees when we try and go, which means socks, shoes and coats are a must. Times 3. Which means they all have to be located x3 and put on, laced up and zipped. Times three. And my garage door hates the cold as much as I do because it won't come down. Up, yes, but not down. And I can't leave if the stupid door is up. So I struggle with it, finally get it down and get back in the van. I don't think I thawed out til we were on our way back home.
At some point vacuuming seemed like a great idea. Then I vacuumed up a cute little Hello Kitty sock. I told myself I didn't care. It was an old sock and was almost too small for my youngest anyway. I soon realized I had to care, bc the sock had clogged the tube and there was no suction. So I take apart the tube as best I can, but it's stuck smack in the middle and there is nothing in my house long enough and thin enough to poke it loose. Twenty minutes later, I get it out and finish vacuuming.
"Hey kids, it's COLD! Let's have a fire!" Oh, wait, there's no firewood. No big deal, we'll gather all the limbs that have fallen in all this INSANE wind and burn those. Oh, wait, they're too big. No big deal, I'll break them. Oh, they won't break. No big deal, I'll saw them. Oh, I sawed them into pieces that are too big for the fire place? No problem, I can saw them again. On the hearth. Making sawdust. On the floor I just vacuumed.
There's a lesson in here for me. Maybe I just need to learn when to quit. Or maybe I should just learn when not to even start.....But hey! Tomorrow is another day. One with NO fires, errands or vacuuming. I cannot guarantee no Cheerios, though.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Unless You're in my Shoes
So, I have a child that is a challenge. Not that she isn't wonderful and funny, expressive, smart and insightful and 100 other 'positive' things, but she IS, honestly, very challenging. And I'm going to say it, because no one really wants to admit they have one of those. Or if they do, it's in hushed tones, down played and with piles of guilt.
So enough. She's a challenge. But she's my challenge and if you mess with her, I will bury your body where it will never be found.
She was my easiest pregnancy. No morning sickness, no cravings, and I carried her like a basketball under my shirt until towards the end where I got fat all over. But I digress.....
Then she got here. I tried to nurse her and I thought she was going to suck out my shoulder blade. It never got 'better' and I gave it up at 8 weeks. She was colicky. She wanted to be held all the time. She screamed as soon as she got in the car and cried til she got out. Every trip. For almost 2 yrs. She hated stores. She cried from entering til exiting. Every time. For over 2 yrs. When I took away her bottle she went on a milk strike that went on for almost a year.
Every thing she did made me feel like a failure as a mom. And it didn't help when I tried to talk about what was going on, no one thought it was really that bad. But it was. And everyone said it would pass. And it didn't. It just morphed. From one 'thing' to the next 'thing'. Then her personality got blamed on her red hair or being the second child. I figured that was it bc I had nothing else to go by.
As time went on, there were other things that would stand out to me at random...her physical abilities, her need to smell everything, her obsession with swinging and jumping. She HATED preschool. HATED. I finally let her 'quit' and her upset stomach stopped and she quit grinding her teeth.
Then my sister sent me this link HERE and it was like this mommy-blogger had been raising MY child the last 4 years. It was a little unnerving. I like how she laid it all out in her blog, which is also part of an overview of a book that I ordered Right That Minute, which is why I linked you to her blog. No need for me to reinvent the wheel.
I was excited about this book helping me become the parent my daughter needed, but I was still skeptical. I wasn't sure it would work and what if my child was somehow manipulating me? Was I just giving in to her? Was I catering to a 'faulty' personality? Or what if she acted the way she did because I was a bad mother to her?
This book has helped me see that her brain is literally wired differently. And there are things and strategies that Gabe and I can use (very easy ones, no less!) to make things easier for us and work WITH her instead of setting us all up to fail. The closest example I can thing of is this: If your child is dyslexic, is insisting/yelling/punishing them going to make them NOT reverse their letters and numbers? Can you 'make' them NOT be dyslexic? If you just stick to your guns and refuse to recognize the difference your LD child has, will that somehow make them be able to read? NO. It won't and it can't.
It's the same with a 'spirited' child. And you can believe what you want, and you can think what you want, but you CAN'T tell me that this isn't real. Or that I'm wrong. Or that my child is anything less than awesome. If you don't have a spirited child, you haven't walked in my shoes.
I don't want anyone to think that this blog is a rant or a letter in my defense. I have written this blog so that other frustrated parents can maybe see their own child in mine, or ease their own 'mommy guilt' and find the same resource I have. I am only half way thru the book, and I feel like I have a different outlook. I have better skills and me and my child (and thereby the REST of my family) are flowing better.
I am working on giving my daughter coping skills and self confidence while she learns that I understand her and love her to pieces. And isn't that what being a parent is all about?
Here is a link to the book.
So enough. She's a challenge. But she's my challenge and if you mess with her, I will bury your body where it will never be found.
She was my easiest pregnancy. No morning sickness, no cravings, and I carried her like a basketball under my shirt until towards the end where I got fat all over. But I digress.....
Then she got here. I tried to nurse her and I thought she was going to suck out my shoulder blade. It never got 'better' and I gave it up at 8 weeks. She was colicky. She wanted to be held all the time. She screamed as soon as she got in the car and cried til she got out. Every trip. For almost 2 yrs. She hated stores. She cried from entering til exiting. Every time. For over 2 yrs. When I took away her bottle she went on a milk strike that went on for almost a year.
Every thing she did made me feel like a failure as a mom. And it didn't help when I tried to talk about what was going on, no one thought it was really that bad. But it was. And everyone said it would pass. And it didn't. It just morphed. From one 'thing' to the next 'thing'. Then her personality got blamed on her red hair or being the second child. I figured that was it bc I had nothing else to go by.
As time went on, there were other things that would stand out to me at random...her physical abilities, her need to smell everything, her obsession with swinging and jumping. She HATED preschool. HATED. I finally let her 'quit' and her upset stomach stopped and she quit grinding her teeth.
Then my sister sent me this link HERE and it was like this mommy-blogger had been raising MY child the last 4 years. It was a little unnerving. I like how she laid it all out in her blog, which is also part of an overview of a book that I ordered Right That Minute, which is why I linked you to her blog. No need for me to reinvent the wheel.
I was excited about this book helping me become the parent my daughter needed, but I was still skeptical. I wasn't sure it would work and what if my child was somehow manipulating me? Was I just giving in to her? Was I catering to a 'faulty' personality? Or what if she acted the way she did because I was a bad mother to her?
This book has helped me see that her brain is literally wired differently. And there are things and strategies that Gabe and I can use (very easy ones, no less!) to make things easier for us and work WITH her instead of setting us all up to fail. The closest example I can thing of is this: If your child is dyslexic, is insisting/yelling/punishing them going to make them NOT reverse their letters and numbers? Can you 'make' them NOT be dyslexic? If you just stick to your guns and refuse to recognize the difference your LD child has, will that somehow make them be able to read? NO. It won't and it can't.
It's the same with a 'spirited' child. And you can believe what you want, and you can think what you want, but you CAN'T tell me that this isn't real. Or that I'm wrong. Or that my child is anything less than awesome. If you don't have a spirited child, you haven't walked in my shoes.
I don't want anyone to think that this blog is a rant or a letter in my defense. I have written this blog so that other frustrated parents can maybe see their own child in mine, or ease their own 'mommy guilt' and find the same resource I have. I am only half way thru the book, and I feel like I have a different outlook. I have better skills and me and my child (and thereby the REST of my family) are flowing better.
I am working on giving my daughter coping skills and self confidence while she learns that I understand her and love her to pieces. And isn't that what being a parent is all about?
Here is a link to the book.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Go, Kimmy, it's your birthday....
You know you are old and boring when you take your birthday money and then make the following purchases:
*new underwear
*pajamas
*actual NAME BRAND lotion
*socks
*kitchen towels
And because you are old and boring, you buy these things at WalMart, NOT the mall. And you make a 'night of it'. By this I mean, after dinner is cooked, cleaned up, kids are bathed and in their pjs, you leave your poor hubby to actually GET them into bed while you head to The Store. Also? No one asks you for anything they see, and there is quiet. The kind of quiet where you can sort of string together thoughts and/or eavesdrop on other people.
Because you are old and boring, you totally appreciate every minute. Hmmm. Maybe old and boring just means you have learned to enjoy the little things along the way. Just don't tell the 20 year old version of myself. She scares easy.
*new underwear
*pajamas
*actual NAME BRAND lotion
*socks
*kitchen towels
And because you are old and boring, you buy these things at WalMart, NOT the mall. And you make a 'night of it'. By this I mean, after dinner is cooked, cleaned up, kids are bathed and in their pjs, you leave your poor hubby to actually GET them into bed while you head to The Store. Also? No one asks you for anything they see, and there is quiet. The kind of quiet where you can sort of string together thoughts and/or eavesdrop on other people.
Because you are old and boring, you totally appreciate every minute. Hmmm. Maybe old and boring just means you have learned to enjoy the little things along the way. Just don't tell the 20 year old version of myself. She scares easy.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Memo Boards
This month I am donating the money from the sale of any and all memo boards/cork boards to the Long and the Davis family. They are 2 of the several families I know that are adopting and they both happen to be adopting from the Congo. This means that when you buy a $12 board, $10 of that goes right to their adoptions. When you buy a $20 board, $17 of that goes to their adoptions. I am only keeping out enough to buy more supplies. These make GREAT Christmas gifts, baby shower gifts, and birthday gifts! We have one that the girls share and they love it- it's a great way to show off their art work and ribbons without poking 900 holes in the wall!
These are made from ceiling tiles. They have been primed and then painted. Each one is different and very much a hand made labor of love. The sides are also painted and I will attach a matching ribbon or hook to the back for you to hang yours up with....your choice. That way you can personalize it just a bit more depending on taste and space.
I cannot ship these bc of size and they are fragile-ish, but I can meet you and get these to you, no problem.
If you want a certain color or style, please ask and I will do what I can.
Lots more to come!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Is there a fourth option?
Here seem to be my three choices for restroom use.
I can wear adult diapers and never actually GO to the bathroom, shut the door and do my thing. And that's not really an option, and I hope isn't an option til I'm about 95. So let's move on.
Option Two: I go, but a kid declares their need for me through a shut door. And by 'need', I mean they tell me their show is over, that they need to potty, that they are done with their juice, that someone did something to them or their things. Once I was told through a shut door that they had ''stopped sucking on their candy and were now chewing it''. It took everything in me not to scream "I DON'T CARE!" I'm petty sure I said it, but I managed not to yell. That time.
Option Three: I go, and have peace. I think I am in the clear and I am possibly at the point where my sitting on the toilet doesn't trigger an alarm in my kids heads announcing to them that they should drop what they are doing and come tell me whatever thought is in their head at that second. However, as soon as I come out of my room, I see why they didn't notice I was gone: they are beating the crap out of each other or are united together in sneakiness.
Today I came out and 2 out of 3 of my little angels were kicking and hitting each other. Over peanut butter. Yes, peanut butter. Luckily, no one was really hurt and it blew over pretty fast.
I'm estimating that I have maybe 4 more years of not being able to peacefully use the toilet. If my friends with older kids have the great news that it's probably LESS than 4 years, they are welcome to comment. If you have older kids and you are laughing at me because you know I'm in for MORE than 4 years, just keep it to yourself. Sometimes mommies tell themselves things to see an end in sight. Remove that hope at your own risk.
Just send chocolate.
I can wear adult diapers and never actually GO to the bathroom, shut the door and do my thing. And that's not really an option, and I hope isn't an option til I'm about 95. So let's move on.
Option Two: I go, but a kid declares their need for me through a shut door. And by 'need', I mean they tell me their show is over, that they need to potty, that they are done with their juice, that someone did something to them or their things. Once I was told through a shut door that they had ''stopped sucking on their candy and were now chewing it''. It took everything in me not to scream "I DON'T CARE!" I'm petty sure I said it, but I managed not to yell. That time.
Option Three: I go, and have peace. I think I am in the clear and I am possibly at the point where my sitting on the toilet doesn't trigger an alarm in my kids heads announcing to them that they should drop what they are doing and come tell me whatever thought is in their head at that second. However, as soon as I come out of my room, I see why they didn't notice I was gone: they are beating the crap out of each other or are united together in sneakiness.
Today I came out and 2 out of 3 of my little angels were kicking and hitting each other. Over peanut butter. Yes, peanut butter. Luckily, no one was really hurt and it blew over pretty fast.
I'm estimating that I have maybe 4 more years of not being able to peacefully use the toilet. If my friends with older kids have the great news that it's probably LESS than 4 years, they are welcome to comment. If you have older kids and you are laughing at me because you know I'm in for MORE than 4 years, just keep it to yourself. Sometimes mommies tell themselves things to see an end in sight. Remove that hope at your own risk.
Just send chocolate.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Is God Scratchy???
I homeschool my kids, which is all fine and dandy...I don't mind doing it and for US, it is the right decision- at least for right now. I am glad and thankful I get to spend so much time with them. But sometimes, they ask me a zillion questions, one right after another, and it just makes my brain hurt.
I just got back from taking them to the post office. Most of the way there and back, they decided to ask me questions about two of their favorite topics: God and Heaven. Here is a sample of what I had to deal with in rapid fire succession.....
Where is Heaven? Is the sun there? Are there snakes there? Will they bite? Will the bites make us sick? What about mosquitos? Will they suck our blood there? How 'bout spiders? Will they bite? Do they have mouths in Heaven? Will we have mouths in Heaven? What will we eat? Will we have legs? Can we walk? Can we run? Can we breathe under water? God can breathe under water? Can we sit down there, bc all the walking will make us tired? Why won't we get tired? You mean no more naps? YAY! Can I take my stuffed monkey with me? Why not? Why won't I miss him? Does God have really cool toys there? Can God really see us everywhere? Even in the dark? Even under water? Even when we're taking a bath?! Can He hear my thinking? What if I just move my mouth...will He still know what I am saying? Will I get in trouble in Heaven? Will God put me in time out? Hey, in Heaven, Hadley won't pinch, and if she DOES, God will wack her with the spanking spoon, right, Mommy? Is God really REALLY everywhere? Is God scratchy? Hey, in Heaven, we won't have to pee, will we, Mommy? That will be the BEST part.
Really? Really?? The BEST part of heaven is never having to stop to go to the bathroom?! I think the best part will be RESTING MY POOR BRAIN......if I have any left by then, that is. ;-)
I just got back from taking them to the post office. Most of the way there and back, they decided to ask me questions about two of their favorite topics: God and Heaven. Here is a sample of what I had to deal with in rapid fire succession.....
Where is Heaven? Is the sun there? Are there snakes there? Will they bite? Will the bites make us sick? What about mosquitos? Will they suck our blood there? How 'bout spiders? Will they bite? Do they have mouths in Heaven? Will we have mouths in Heaven? What will we eat? Will we have legs? Can we walk? Can we run? Can we breathe under water? God can breathe under water? Can we sit down there, bc all the walking will make us tired? Why won't we get tired? You mean no more naps? YAY! Can I take my stuffed monkey with me? Why not? Why won't I miss him? Does God have really cool toys there? Can God really see us everywhere? Even in the dark? Even under water? Even when we're taking a bath?! Can He hear my thinking? What if I just move my mouth...will He still know what I am saying? Will I get in trouble in Heaven? Will God put me in time out? Hey, in Heaven, Hadley won't pinch, and if she DOES, God will wack her with the spanking spoon, right, Mommy? Is God really REALLY everywhere? Is God scratchy? Hey, in Heaven, we won't have to pee, will we, Mommy? That will be the BEST part.
Really? Really?? The BEST part of heaven is never having to stop to go to the bathroom?! I think the best part will be RESTING MY POOR BRAIN......if I have any left by then, that is. ;-)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
NF....and it doesn't stand for "Not Fair"
When I took Super H in for her 2 year well check this June (which I know was 7 mos late, but track with me), our totally awesome doctor suspected that she might have neurofibromatosis. At that point she recommended blood work that has to be done by a genetics doctor. There is a 5 mo waiting period just to make the appointment, and then there is a several week wait to get the results.
We are still waiting for our appt to even get into the doctor. I have had a couple of people ask me lately what was going on, so I thought I'd blog the update. We're waiting to wait, lol. Meantime I'm trying NOT to think about the 2 people featured on TLC's "My New Face" who had horrible forms of this disease. I got sucked into the show before I knew what they had. Then I walked away from it.
Here is a good link on neurofibromatosis if you want to know more......http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/nf.html
We are still waiting for our appt to even get into the doctor. I have had a couple of people ask me lately what was going on, so I thought I'd blog the update. We're waiting to wait, lol. Meantime I'm trying NOT to think about the 2 people featured on TLC's "My New Face" who had horrible forms of this disease. I got sucked into the show before I knew what they had. Then I walked away from it.
Here is a good link on neurofibromatosis if you want to know more......http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/nf.html
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Caution: will BRAKE for doughnuts
Yesterday, I had a long time to think about will power. Usually, I just have the passing thought, "I need more will power." Or even, "Tomorrow I will have more will power and I will do better at (fill in the blank)." Mostly, it's about eating. And what kicked it off yesterday was I had done pretty well all day at cutting out most carbs, and then Gabe "someone" came home from work with a dozen Krispie Kreme doughnuts.
Let me just say right here that I freaking LOVE Krispie Kreme doughnuts. It's genetic, and I blame my dad for that. (Once we stopped in Knoxville, TN at a KK shop that had the HOT DOUGHNUT sign lit. Which was fine except we were trying to get back to our hotel driving thru pouring rain and a tornado warning. Yes, warning. As in, there IS a tornado, get somewhere safe. I guess Dad thought if he was going to go, he was going to leave with a belly full of sugary goodness.) And even if my dad hated them, I am a carb-a-holic, so I would love them on my own.
Most of the time they are not a real problem. I don't live near one of their stores, so unless someone brings them into my house, I'm safe. I have been known to eat 4 at a sitting and lick the sugar out of the box when no one was watching. So the fact that I 'only' ate 2 yesterday was kind of a miracle.
Then the guilt for being a pig sank in, and I went on a brisk walk around the neighborhood for a while and then came in and did crunches. While I was walking, I had actual quiet to think. And I mostly thought about will power.
What is "will power" exactly? Why can I have the will power to spend my whole afternoon wanting a Coke, and drinking sugar free grape Kool Aid instead. Or to NOT put a bun on my hamburger, and then turn around and eat 2 raspberry jelly filled white sugar coated doughnuts?! Why will power for one and not the other? Why can I work out every day for months at a time, but I can't make my self stop watching Hoarders long enough to go to bed at a decent time? It's like WP only sticks to certain things. And not always the things I WANT them to stick to.
The doughnuts are still in my house. I didn't eat one today. Today, I have will power. Tomorrow I may be licking the inside of the box while the kids are watching TV and then chasing it with a can of Coke.
Is will power a myth? Is it real? How do you get more? Is it another name for strength or determination? Or do they all overlap each other somewhat? And where do prayer and God come in the picture?
I found myself wishing there was a store where I could stock up on it. Or at least a vitamin supplement.
So as you can see, I got nowhere with my thinking. Maybe if I had more will power, I could figure something out......
Let me just say right here that I freaking LOVE Krispie Kreme doughnuts. It's genetic, and I blame my dad for that. (Once we stopped in Knoxville, TN at a KK shop that had the HOT DOUGHNUT sign lit. Which was fine except we were trying to get back to our hotel driving thru pouring rain and a tornado warning. Yes, warning. As in, there IS a tornado, get somewhere safe. I guess Dad thought if he was going to go, he was going to leave with a belly full of sugary goodness.) And even if my dad hated them, I am a carb-a-holic, so I would love them on my own.
Most of the time they are not a real problem. I don't live near one of their stores, so unless someone brings them into my house, I'm safe. I have been known to eat 4 at a sitting and lick the sugar out of the box when no one was watching. So the fact that I 'only' ate 2 yesterday was kind of a miracle.
Then the guilt for being a pig sank in, and I went on a brisk walk around the neighborhood for a while and then came in and did crunches. While I was walking, I had actual quiet to think. And I mostly thought about will power.
What is "will power" exactly? Why can I have the will power to spend my whole afternoon wanting a Coke, and drinking sugar free grape Kool Aid instead. Or to NOT put a bun on my hamburger, and then turn around and eat 2 raspberry jelly filled white sugar coated doughnuts?! Why will power for one and not the other? Why can I work out every day for months at a time, but I can't make my self stop watching Hoarders long enough to go to bed at a decent time? It's like WP only sticks to certain things. And not always the things I WANT them to stick to.
The doughnuts are still in my house. I didn't eat one today. Today, I have will power. Tomorrow I may be licking the inside of the box while the kids are watching TV and then chasing it with a can of Coke.
Is will power a myth? Is it real? How do you get more? Is it another name for strength or determination? Or do they all overlap each other somewhat? And where do prayer and God come in the picture?
I found myself wishing there was a store where I could stock up on it. Or at least a vitamin supplement.
So as you can see, I got nowhere with my thinking. Maybe if I had more will power, I could figure something out......
Thursday, October 7, 2010
OMGOSH PANTS!
I have a daughter who has issues with pants. Well, waist bands in general. And she's not a big fan of long sleeved shirts. But those are less of a fight than pants. And forget about a 3/4 sleeve shirt. It will make her insane. That I understand.
So back to pants.....
I have no idea what her standard for pants are. Last winter it seemed to be that as long as it didn't zip or button, we were fine. Then suddenly, the rules changed, but no one told me. I was just left with a 4 year old who would scream about her pants not fitting, and then would throw out random words like tight and loose, but about the same pair. I don't think she knew what she was saying, only hoping in her hysteria that those words would some how get me to agree to nakedness from the waist down. It didn't. (BTW, her undies are never an issue. I'm not sure why, but I am grateful.)
So last March and April she mostly wore a pair of 'yoga' pants. Then summer came, and we had the same problem with shorts. I was at least able to get a few pairs of shorts that she liked and didn't have a problem with, and then since it was summer, we had the whole sundress option.
Now we are back to fall, and heaven help me. There are no jeans she likes. I have 2 pairs of capris that she seems OK with. But pretty soon it's going to be cold, and she will have to suck it up and wear the jeans. Or maybe, the heavens will open and there will appear in my home a pair of pants...pants that she likes and meet whatever random criteria she has for pants. I can only hope. Meantime, I dread picking out her clothes with her (or for her) because I know there will be an issue if one of the Magic Pants aren't clean.
Oh, and the kicker on the pants is that this fall, she HATES the yoga pants. What. The. Heck. Seriously? Am I on Candid Camera or what ever the equivalent is now?!?!?
The need for Magic Pants also extends to pajama bottoms. She can only sleep in the shirt part. The pants end up on the floor. This is not a battle I am willing to fight. It's night and hopefully she will stay under the covers. Night gowns are good. I got 2 at a rummage sale JUST in the nick of time. Footie pajamas are hit or miss. As in, one night the pink ones will be OK and the next night the pink ones are "wicked". (In her words "wicked" is the worst thing a person or thing can be called. Today I got a triple (!) wicked after not letting her eat M&Ms before lunch.)
I guess all I can do is pray WalMart puts out their children's collection of sweatsuits. Soon. And that the weather cools off. Soon. And then pray that spring doesn't arrive until my daughter is 20 and on her own and can buy her own pairs of Magic Pants to wear in her Magic House where she can eat M&Ms before lunch if she wants to! Because by then I will be either in a loony bin or on a beach somewhere and I won't care.
But then, Wicked Mommies always care.......
So back to pants.....
I have no idea what her standard for pants are. Last winter it seemed to be that as long as it didn't zip or button, we were fine. Then suddenly, the rules changed, but no one told me. I was just left with a 4 year old who would scream about her pants not fitting, and then would throw out random words like tight and loose, but about the same pair. I don't think she knew what she was saying, only hoping in her hysteria that those words would some how get me to agree to nakedness from the waist down. It didn't. (BTW, her undies are never an issue. I'm not sure why, but I am grateful.)
So last March and April she mostly wore a pair of 'yoga' pants. Then summer came, and we had the same problem with shorts. I was at least able to get a few pairs of shorts that she liked and didn't have a problem with, and then since it was summer, we had the whole sundress option.
Now we are back to fall, and heaven help me. There are no jeans she likes. I have 2 pairs of capris that she seems OK with. But pretty soon it's going to be cold, and she will have to suck it up and wear the jeans. Or maybe, the heavens will open and there will appear in my home a pair of pants...pants that she likes and meet whatever random criteria she has for pants. I can only hope. Meantime, I dread picking out her clothes with her (or for her) because I know there will be an issue if one of the Magic Pants aren't clean.
Oh, and the kicker on the pants is that this fall, she HATES the yoga pants. What. The. Heck. Seriously? Am I on Candid Camera or what ever the equivalent is now?!?!?
The need for Magic Pants also extends to pajama bottoms. She can only sleep in the shirt part. The pants end up on the floor. This is not a battle I am willing to fight. It's night and hopefully she will stay under the covers. Night gowns are good. I got 2 at a rummage sale JUST in the nick of time. Footie pajamas are hit or miss. As in, one night the pink ones will be OK and the next night the pink ones are "wicked". (In her words "wicked" is the worst thing a person or thing can be called. Today I got a triple (!) wicked after not letting her eat M&Ms before lunch.)
I guess all I can do is pray WalMart puts out their children's collection of sweatsuits. Soon. And that the weather cools off. Soon. And then pray that spring doesn't arrive until my daughter is 20 and on her own and can buy her own pairs of Magic Pants to wear in her Magic House where she can eat M&Ms before lunch if she wants to! Because by then I will be either in a loony bin or on a beach somewhere and I won't care.
But then, Wicked Mommies always care.......
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Maybe 'one day' is here
So last night we had a couple over for dinner and a bonfire. As I was cleaning the house and cursing every hair clip and silly band picked up off the floor, a thought hit me. Other than family, no one as been to our house for a meal in about 4 years.
When we first started going to the church we are members of now, we met a couple that had kids almost the exact same age as the two we had at the time. Our girls we 18 mos apart, and I was lonely and constantly stressed out. This other couple was so nice, and their kids were both girls, too. So we had them over. It went well. The kids played, we talked.
Then I found out I was preggers again.
Then I had girl #3.
Then I spent the last 2.5 years surviving.
Not that I don't love my kids, but for me anyway, it was a lot to handle. It was all I could do to occasionally have people over for a playdate, forget about having people over for a meal. Every so often, we would have our families over for dinner, and it would go OK, but I still wouldn't even think about having friends over. The thought would come and go, and I would think, "one day it will be nice, but not now" and move on.
Last night we broke a four year trend. We had friends over. Friends and their super cute little girl. And it went great. And I can't wait to do it again.
Even though I will still probably curse every hairclip and silly band I have to pick up off the floor....
When we first started going to the church we are members of now, we met a couple that had kids almost the exact same age as the two we had at the time. Our girls we 18 mos apart, and I was lonely and constantly stressed out. This other couple was so nice, and their kids were both girls, too. So we had them over. It went well. The kids played, we talked.
Then I found out I was preggers again.
Then I had girl #3.
Then I spent the last 2.5 years surviving.
Not that I don't love my kids, but for me anyway, it was a lot to handle. It was all I could do to occasionally have people over for a playdate, forget about having people over for a meal. Every so often, we would have our families over for dinner, and it would go OK, but I still wouldn't even think about having friends over. The thought would come and go, and I would think, "one day it will be nice, but not now" and move on.
Last night we broke a four year trend. We had friends over. Friends and their super cute little girl. And it went great. And I can't wait to do it again.
Even though I will still probably curse every hairclip and silly band I have to pick up off the floor....
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Because they DO say the darndest things......
I really love all the funny things my kids say. Even if it's just a mispronounciation. (Holy Cow! I think I just spelled that right!) Super H has several. Like instead of 'sunburn' it's 'sun bite' and it's not the 'post office' it's the 'poke office'. She also likes to eat 'hag-u-bers' and sing about being a 'scall-u-wab' and sit in my 'laps'. That's right. If you have two legs, you must have two laps.
The older two are at the point where they just say funny stuff without trying to be funny. Like the other night, they were out front and saw a HUGE group of birds fly over. So one says to the other, "Look! It's a school of birds." and the other says "Well, which one is the teacher?" "I guess that one flying by herself. They must take turns being the teacher." Or they'll ask me if there are sharks in the lake. Or octopusses. Or jellyfish. As if one wouldn't live in the lake, but some how the others could.
Hands down the funniest thing that they have come up with was the day my sister was over for a visit with her then less-than-a-year old son. She changed his diaper in the living room and my middle daughter stared out right at his 'weiner'. Then asked in the most confused voice ever, "Why does hims butt have a thing like you milk a cow with???"
The older two are at the point where they just say funny stuff without trying to be funny. Like the other night, they were out front and saw a HUGE group of birds fly over. So one says to the other, "Look! It's a school of birds." and the other says "Well, which one is the teacher?" "I guess that one flying by herself. They must take turns being the teacher." Or they'll ask me if there are sharks in the lake. Or octopusses. Or jellyfish. As if one wouldn't live in the lake, but some how the others could.
Hands down the funniest thing that they have come up with was the day my sister was over for a visit with her then less-than-a-year old son. She changed his diaper in the living room and my middle daughter stared out right at his 'weiner'. Then asked in the most confused voice ever, "Why does hims butt have a thing like you milk a cow with???"
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Two homeschooling Resourses
First, I don't claim to be any kind of expert on homeschooling, but I DO know what I like and what works (at least for my kids). And sometimes I am annoyed sad that no one asks my opinion. Which may mean I have an ego issue, but it would be nicer if we just thought of it as me trying to be helpful, but not wanting to be pushy.
Second, since I don't want to be one of "those" people that walks around saying, "Hey, use this and try it my way" I am kicking off my blog with 2 tidbits for mothers of preschoolers. Then I am not forcing my opinion on you, since I am not making you read this blog. (See howsneaky clever I am?)
My mom found a great workbook for my preschooler. It's called "BRAIN QUEST PRE-K WORKBOOK". It boasts of a whole years worth of activities for your child. It is divided in sections that range from colors and shapes to writing to numbers and counting. They even include opposites and street signs. She got it at BJ's Warehouse and it cost about $9. I love it. So does my 4 yr old, which is the true test. Some of it is easy for her and some of it is spot on. I haven't gotten to anything she can't do, but she does have an older sister to observe and learn from. She's also an 'older' 4.
The second item I love for preschool is a DVD that is from LeapFrog. It teaches all the letters and their sounds in a cute little song. My 2 y/o totally knows her ABCs and their sounds already. Plus, while I am doing school with my older two, it keeps her entertained AND she's learning. Actually learning. Unlike lots of other things she can watch (Barney, anyone? Gag. Nope!) she is getting something out of it and then I don't feel like a horrible mom for turning on the TV as a babysitter. So we all win. It's LEAP FROG LETTER FACTORY and it's about 30 min long.
So, there ya have it. Some of my thoughts. I don't exactly know how to end this. But I am painfully awarethat my M&M Blizzard is melting while I type that it is getting really late...
Second, since I don't want to be one of "those" people that walks around saying, "Hey, use this and try it my way" I am kicking off my blog with 2 tidbits for mothers of preschoolers. Then I am not forcing my opinion on you, since I am not making you read this blog. (See how
My mom found a great workbook for my preschooler. It's called "BRAIN QUEST PRE-K WORKBOOK". It boasts of a whole years worth of activities for your child. It is divided in sections that range from colors and shapes to writing to numbers and counting. They even include opposites and street signs. She got it at BJ's Warehouse and it cost about $9. I love it. So does my 4 yr old, which is the true test. Some of it is easy for her and some of it is spot on. I haven't gotten to anything she can't do, but she does have an older sister to observe and learn from. She's also an 'older' 4.
The second item I love for preschool is a DVD that is from LeapFrog. It teaches all the letters and their sounds in a cute little song. My 2 y/o totally knows her ABCs and their sounds already. Plus, while I am doing school with my older two, it keeps her entertained AND she's learning. Actually learning. Unlike lots of other things she can watch (Barney, anyone? Gag. Nope!) she is getting something out of it and then I don't feel like a horrible mom for turning on the TV as a babysitter. So we all win. It's LEAP FROG LETTER FACTORY and it's about 30 min long.
So, there ya have it. Some of my thoughts. I don't exactly know how to end this. But I am painfully aware
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