105 days and counting..........

Here is my official 6 month pregnant picture. I am actually 6 months 1 week (but who's counting....ME) we never got around to taking a picture last week.

Neely just saw this picture of me on the computer and said "Mama, look it's you and your big lovey Hutch" as she hugged my belly. This would be a good time for her to ask for anything she wants....too darn sweet!!!

Behold The Public Library

When Meme (my Mom) was here over Christmas break she took the kids to the public library. The kids loved it...so a few weeks after Christmas I took that kids up there and we got a "membership". Since Twin Creeks (our neighborhood) is out of district, I had to pay a whopping $35.00 fee for one year! Probably the best $35.00 I've spend this year....maybe ever. The library is amazing! I'm not just talking about the Cedar Park library, but libraries in general (although the CP public library is pretty tight)! It is such an awesome thing to be able to pick a subject, walk to a computer, type in a keyword....and voila...there are all the books on that subject! Not only are there all the books on that subject, in today's computer age there is a list of all the books, if they are currently checked out, if so, when they are do back....and get this....you can even reserve the book and have an email sent to you when the book is returned! $35.00 for a year...and there are 365 days in a year.....it has got to be the best deal around (especially if you are in district which would be free). You can check out as many books as you want and they are yours for 2 weeks! These days you can also check out audio books, DVDs, CDs and access free Internet. So, given the current state of our country and people worrying about budgets and cutting back on luxuries...like entertainment....the public library can be such a GREAT thing for any family! Most libraries have a story time and special activities for children and teens...especially on the weekends. Our library even has family "Rock Band" night...how cool is that? My kids are so darn cute in the library! It is fun to watch your children get so excited about education (and they don't even realize it). It's really fun to see the books that they pick out....they have such a sense of independence when they get to choose! Well, as you can see...I could go on and on about the wonders of the amazing public library...and kind-of did. You get the point. I just hope that you are all enjoying your public libraries as much as we are enjoying ours!!!

Scooter Stereotyping

If you had a line-up of 4 people and 4 vehicles you could probably pick out which one went with what vehicle. Say you have a Harley, VW Bug, a Mercedes and a MiniVan you could probably pick out which person drove what....wouldn't you say? I want to add one more mode of transportation to this...the Scooter! This is the person that has a mean and determined look on their face....a most unhappy aura! I am pretty sure this person could easily be picked out of this line-up of "vehicle drivers".

I just had the meanest patient!! Did she wake up in a bad mood this morning and now she is taking it out on me?? Or....is she always a mean old bitty? I was being sweet as pie to her and nothing I could do or say was right. When I went to the waiting room to get her she says "you're another girl"...I said politely, "yes, I am another girl, my name is Jane". If you are wondering where the Scooter comes in...here ya go...yes, this lady was a "Rascal on her Rascal"!!! So, I ask her if she is able to stand to get on my scanning table. She rolls her eyes and informs the "the other girl could do it with me sitting on this"...."the other girl had no problem"...well, I am NOT the "other girl" and the "other girl" was doing a different exam that did not require lying down. I understand if you are unable to get out of the scooter, but if you are just trying to make my day difficult you can kiss my grits!! So, we get her big red scooter (which by the way she has to back in and has to go back and forth ten times, hitting the wall each time) in my tiny little room...and she informs me that I am doing the wrong exam on her. This is NOT true, but she insists that I do a different exam. She continues to imply that I am totally incompetent...and you got it...that I'm not the "other girl". Anyway, I get through the test with the best fake smile I've got. I could not wait to get this mean old lady out of my presence....she was spreading bad ju-ju all over my room and hallway...it was seething out of her skin! I immediately go to the ordering Doc and I tell him that I am pretty sure that Ms. R will have some not so nice words to say about "that girl" that did her exam. I put in my "patient complaint" to the Doc...and then even make a note on her chart that exam (and I wish I could have mentioned the patient being terribly miserable) was technically difficult! I hope to goodness she asks to be put on the "other girl's" schedule for her follow up exam because "this girl" doesn't want to see her mean spirit in my exam room ever again!!

If I had a million dollars I would........

Yesterday I answered a series of questions on FB. One of the questions was "If I had a million dollars I would.....". The very first thing that popped in my head was I would have one more baby after Hutch (#3 that I am currently prego with) and be a stay at home Mom! I didn't think about getting a better car...I have my dream car. I didn't think about traveling. I didn't think about a bigger or better house....I love my house. I just thought about family!

I remember when I was in my early 20's saying that I would never have kids. What was I thinking? I truly believe and understand that it is not for everybody, and good for those people that are content in their lives without bringing life into this world, but I am not that girl! I am here to populate the earth with sweet boys and a sassy little girl. God made me to be a Mommy...and most of the time I am pretty darn good at it.

Plain & simple, for me, being a Mom is the best job in the world!! I say job because even if you do work outside the home (which I do) you have a full time job at home if you are raising children. It is beautiful, sometimes painful, exhausting, rewarding and wonderful!!

While the cat is away the mice will play

So, my sweet husband doesn't travel often, thank God!! I love having him at home and I don't look forward to him being gone....ever! Since it is rare for him to have to travel in his job....when he does...we play!! We don't change things up enough to get the kids off schedule, but we also don't completely follow the rules either. Les is well aware of this, by the way, it is not a secret.

I picked the kids up from school yesterday and told them Les will be out of town for a few days. The first thing Cannon asked me is "can we go out to eat". Well, usually I would say YES, but these days I'm trying to watch my (6 month prego) girlish figure, so I've been trying to eat at home...it's much easier for me to eat healthy, and not eat all my food then finish off the kids plates (you Mommys know what I'm talking about)! So, I say not today....but I am sure it is "on" tonight! So, we go home and not too out of the ordinary....homework, dinner and getting ready for school the next day. After they take their baths they hop up in my bed, because they know we have slumber parties when Les is OOT. So, they immediately get the "picnic blanket" and ask for all of their favorite snacks. We get bowls of popcorn, crackers, cookies, cookie dough and frozen grapes....then we settle in for the night. We turn on the TV and have our picnic (I always make sure that Neely is on Les' side of the bed when she devours her cheez-its...and he always thanks me for that when he returns) and pretty much eat and watch cartoons till the first person (Neely last night...highly unusual) passes out. Although one would think this would happen pretty late...we are usually all "passed out" by 9pm...which was definitely the case last night. We were up and at'em by 6:45 this morning and will be ready for more indulgences tonight. I think we will really do it bigger and better tonight though....we behaved like novices last night...we need to step it up a notch tonight. It could be a while before Les is OOT again! I'm thinking dinner out, ice cream, no baths and a movie in bed. Sometimes you just gotta break the rules!!!

Iphone Keyboard Mishap

Yesterday I got an email from my Hubby. He informed me that there will be a golf tourney this weekend and the tee off would be at 9:00a. Well, for those of you who know Les, you know that this is a regular event for my husband to be playing golf on a Saturday morning. So, here are the emails.....

Les "I don't think I've told you that there is a tournament Saturday. Starts at 9am if that's OK"

Me "Is this any different than any other Saturday (besides an hour earlier)?"

Les "You recently said that it would be nice if I asked every once in a while:)"

OK, wait, let me explain! My next email is sent while driving in Austin traffic. I honestly did NOT mean to type this!!!

Me "FU"

Les "That's nice!!!! I was just kidding. You got some poop in those britches?"

So I get the email above and I wonder what he is talking about, all I said was "TY"...that means Thank You! Why would he think I have poop in my pants? I go back to my previous email....and there it is....."FU"!!!!! Did I really type this or is he tricking me? I go back to my "Sent" and yep, sure enough...I typed "FU". Oh my goodness!!! I actually go back to my email and write TY again to see if my Iphone self corrected "TY" to "FU".....nope! It was me...I typed it. The iPhone keypad is exactly like a regular keyboard! Yes, the keys are all close together...but not close enough to make this mistake. Iphones are known for self correcting to some pretty crazy stuff, for instance, we have a friend who goes by his last name, Critch. When I first got my iPhone "Critch" would self correct to "Crotch"! Finally after a while my phone got use to me typing Critch and stopped correcting it...but it took a while. I also had a friend that was writing to a business associate "Cristy"...and it self correctly her "Cristy" to "Crusty"...wonder how "Cristy" liked that email? Anyway, I can not blame my phone this time, so, here is my response to Les.....


Me "TY is what I thought I typed!!!!!!!"

Les "Sounds dubious!!!!!"

We had a good laugh about this whole exchange last night while we were on a walk. I'm still not sure Les 100% believes that I really meant "TY". Granted, I have been known to have somewhat of a potty mouth! It has gotten a lot better since I brought kids into this world...but I still have my moments! His playing in a golf tourney on Saturday and emailing me about it did not require one of "my moments" though. So, be careful while typing in the car....I know I shouldn't do this, but I have made it very clear that I was not looking down at my phone, I was concentrating on driving :).

Royal Blue Lacy Bra and G-String

I emailed a good friend yesterday, who also happens to be pregnant. I asked her if she was having some crazy dreams....what followed were some interesting emails between the two of us sharing some of our most outlandish dreams we've had! Most of mine have been of a violent nature...which is strange because I don't watch violence on TV (don't watch much TV at all) and I don't like violent movies....so where in the world is this coming from? Well, last night's dream was not of a violent nature...but it sure was strange and vivid! So, here it is.....

I was shopping...OK, that's not all that strange...but my "outfit" was. I was wearing a royal blue lacy bra and matching g-string....yep, that's it...that's all I was wearing!! I walked into a boutique and noticed there were lots of strings hanging off of my lacy bra...so I asked the sales associate if she minded cutting them off. The SA happened to be a medical assistant I work with...I told her this morning she was in my dream last night! Anyway, so Keidra gladly cut all the strings off my bra..then I tried on a necklace. Everyone in the store agreed it was too big. I remember thinking that I wanted to go to another boutique across the street, but I didn't want people to see my bum....so I stole a suit!!! I didn't put it on...instead I just carried it behind me and walked right out of the store. I walked across to the next store and sold the suit that had a price tag of $150 for $250. Then I noticed that it was getting late and needed to go pick up the kids at school.....and walked out of the store....end of dream!

These dreams are so vivid and detailed...$150 suit (it was cream colored w/jewels on the lapel)....I then sold for $250...cash....still remember the guys face that paid me for the suit! Why Keidra the medical assistant? I know that I have some raging hormones, but these dreams are just downright weird!! I remember having dreams with my other children....but never like this. Anyway, hope you all have a great day...and all your dreams come true....and mine don't!!!

Gimme a Break!

Cannon is finally feeling better!! No fever...no vomit...a small victory in our house!! My sweet dear Mom drove 4 hours on Sunday evening to stay home with Cannon on Monday so Les and I could get back to work. Cannon has been sick since last Wednesday...and a couple weeks before that he had another stomach bug! We have missed as much work as we possibly can! So, like I said, Cannon is better!!! YAY! BUT....

Neely is now sick! She is running 101-102 temperature. Seriously, this is the worst germ/sick season that I have experienced since these two little germ magnets came into this world! The fact that one is a thumb sucker and the other sucks two fingers is not helping matters at all! I am just wondering how many times they will pass this back and forth to one another?? I know that Cannon has to have a weakened immune system...as will Neely after her little body fights off the bugs...right now it seems never-ending. So, Meme (my Mom) has stayed home with Neely today. We will all do the schedule shuffle to make it work...but it won't be easy. I just pray that this won't last the 5 days that Cannon's did! I also pray that we can get these bugs out of our house once and for all....no relapses! Being 6 months pregnant I certainly don't want this nasty fever....I am all about baking Hutch....but I don't want him well done....I like mine medium rare!

Please germs go away!! I am ready for Spring...I am ready for bright sunny days and playing at the park. I am ready for snot free noses and getting up in the middle of the night only to pee....not to check each child's forehead and administer meds. Is that too much to ask?

"OK, let's just get your weight"

Well, I just went to the OB for my monthly check up. All is well....baby Hutch is fine...and I am SO blessed...of course I have to put my two cents worth in about the dreaded "weigh in"!! These visits are such a source of stress for me. I start having anxiety about standing on the scale about a week before the visit even happens! So, the skinny little medical assistant says "OK Ms. Campbell, let's just get your weight".....she makes it sound so easy!! All I have to do is step up there...that's not hard....no big deal! It is a big deal!! Do they have to put the scale right there in the triage area where EVERYONE can see her little finger tap, tap, tap more to the right? I'm in the medical field...I am well aware that the other 3 staff members sitting there are not looking, nor do they care how much I weigh or how much I gained since my last visit!! I know all this....yet I still feel insecure about this whole process.

At my office the triage is right outside my door and I get to hear all of the excuses/humor patients try on the medical assistants when they are asked to step on the scale. "Oh Honey, I wore my heaviest shoes today"... I have literally seen people strip down right there...yep, those sock, shoes and belt were really going to knock your BMI up a point or two!! These poor little medical assistants give each person a little courtesy laugh...and in their head they are probably saying "get up there...I don't care how much you weigh...and your jokes aren't funny..just hurry up". I know that most people dislike having to be weighed at the Dr. It is a fact of life. I need to get over it....but I never do. I will dread it the next time and the next. I will drink lots of water the day before and try to flush out any toxins that are making me bloated. I will eat a healthy dinner the night before as if it will help me. I will step up on the scale and I won't crack a stupid joke, tell her I had company in town so we ate a lot this weekend and I won't take the change out of my pocket or take my heavy shoes off. I will step up there like I don't have a worry in the world....I will watch her little finger keep moving right...and I will promise myself to do a little better in the coming month. I will be over the anxiety until approximately March 17th....a week before my next appointment when I will have to do it all over again.

25 Questions...................

I have done 25 Random things about myself and thought it would be fun and funny to ask my kids 25 Random things. So, I've come up with 25 questions...and I will get 25answers from each of them. I will take their first response....whatever it may be!! They may not make sense and they may be a little embarassing.....but here we go!

Cannon
1. What is your favorite day? Saturday
2. What do you want to be when you grow up? Like, a policeman or something
3. What's your favorite thing at school? fun writing
4. What makes you happy? being at Mommy's
5. What makes you sad? being at Daddy's
6. When does Mommy get mad at you? when I do something bad
7. What makes Mommy happy with you? when I do good stuff
8. If you could be any animal, what would you be? baby Pug
9. Why to #8? because they are cute
10. Where is your favorite place to go? Disneyland (he's been to Disneyworld)
11. What is your favorite food? watermelon
12. Do you like hugs or kisses? hugs
13. Why will you be a good big brother? like take care of Hutch
14. What is your favorite toy? Wii
15. If you get a Guinea Pig what will you name it boy? Jack girl? Kayla
16. What are you good at? taking care of animals
17. What is your favorite song to sing? Miranda Lambert
18. Who is your favorite person? Mommy (I didn't pay him:)
19. Where does Mommy work? Pugsworld
20. What does Mommy do? work
21. What does Les do? stink up the bathroom - (HA...love it)!!!
22. What kind of car does Mommy drive? a GMC
23. What kind of car does Les drive? Mercedes
24. What is your favorite color? Red and Pink
25. What are you afraid of? monsters


Neely
1. What is your favorite day? Friday
2. What do you want to be when you grow up? Policegirl
3. What's your favorite thing at school? working, cleanup and toys
4. What makes you happy? staying at Mommy's forever
5. What makes you sad? going at Daddy's for a whole week
6. When does Mommy get mad at you? when I spank Lola's bottom
7. What makes Mommy happy with you? when I see Les and I hug him
8. If you could be any animal, what would you be? a wrinkled pug (I've got my kids warped with the puggie love)
9. Why to #8? to say hi to people with my tail
10. Where is your favorite place to go? Fudruckers
11. What is your favorite food? oranges, I like to suck the juice (she doesn't eat oranges)
12. Do you like hugs or kisses? kisses
13. Why will you be a good big sister? to feed Hutch
14. What is your favorite toy? video game
15. If you get a Guinea Pig what will you name it boy? Jake girl? Stella
16. What are you good at? taking care of babies
17. What is your favorite song to sing? Taylor Swift
18. Who is your favorite person? You (meaning me :)
19. Where does Mommy work? Toys R Us
20. What does Mommy do? pick up poop
21. What does Les do? wash the dishes
22. What kind of car does Mommy drive? black car
23. What kind of car does Les drive? Mercede (yes, Mercede, not Mercedes)
24. What is your favorite color? Pink and Purple
25. What are you afraid of? the Grinch

Well, these were pretty straightforward answers. I did get a chuckle a few times, but it was also a little sad too....i.e. #4 and #5. I think I will try to come up with some better questions....that get better anwers! These kids are much more creative and funny than this!!!

Wonderful Weekend Ends

We had a wonderful weekend with my Sister and her family!! Even though Cannon has been sick the entire weekend...we had a great visit! The weather was beautiful on Friday and today....so that let us hang out at the house all day Saturday...kids played...adults visited. Cannon woke up feeling pretty well this morning so we took advantage of that and had a little walk in the woods. We took them down to Cypress Creek and let the kids run around and play a little (think they had a little cabin fever from yesterday). Carrie-Ann and I had a brisk 4-mile walk this morning...which was great after all the good food we've been eating this weekend!

I was sorry to see them go this afternoon, wish we lived closer to some family! Since Cannon is still sick and running fever he will have to stay home from school again tomorrow. I have called my sweet Mom that lives 4 hours away to come stay home with him tomorrow...as I can not miss anymore days of work right now!!! People who have family down the road or even an hour away are so blessed....I'd LOVE to have family closer. I never grew up with my cousin, aunts and uncles being close and I think I really missed out!!

Well, back to work, back to reality tomorrow! I have a OB check up tomorrow afternoon...I am 24 weeks this week!!! Hard to believe I am 6 months along already. Not hard to believe when you look at me though. I have "blossomed" this month....that's my nice way of saying I'm a total fat a#$!!! The medium maternity jeans I wore very comfortably last week are not all that comfortable this week. I know I'll be huge, I always am....I am not blessed with the "I didn't even wear maternity clothes until about the 7th month" genes! I am the girl that looks like I raid the refrigerator every 5 minutes. I am a little worried about standing on that scale at the Dr's. office tomorrow. Oh Well, it is what it is...and being that it is Sunday afternoon there is little I can do about it now. Think I'll have a salad for dinner though :)...it's worth a shot!

So far so good!

So far we are having a great visit with the Taylor family!! Cannon is not 100%, but he has been a trooper!!! The gang arrived yesterday afternoon around 1 o'clock. We went out to the Oasis and enjoyed the view...and the beautiful warm weather....and those who don't are not with child or under age had some delicious margaritas!!! Actually even the one with child knows the margs were delish....because I had a sip (or two) of Les'. Oasis is known for the view and good drinks....but their food is over-priced and mediocre. These Shreveport folks wanted some GOOD Mexican food..... so after got our cursory Oasis pics and checking out the view from several levels of the deck we headed to Jardin Corona...one of our favorite little dives! Chips, queso, salsa, quesadillas, nachos, burritos and enchiladas were enjoyed by all!!

Carrie-Ann and I went through boxes of old family pics last night which was fun and embarrassing. Gosh we had bad hair days for years!!!! The 90's hair styles in East Texas lacked imagination....but not hair spray....we were awful!! I will get brave and scan and post some of those one of these days. It was also great to see pictures of our Grandparents and relatives that are no longer with us. We reminisced about old times and memories of our loved ones. We also came across fun baby pictures, pictures of old friends and pictures of our parents when they were in their 20's...they were so good looking...haven't changed a bit :).

The kids have had a wonderful time playing together! A little bickering here and there.....exactly what I would expect from a 3 (4 next month), 5 and 6 year old!! I've kept Motrin and Triaminic in Cannon's system so he is hanging in there. We've made chocolate dipped strawberries and bananas, we decorated sugar cookies with pink icing and sprinkles and we are cooking a special Valentine's dinner tonight! Let the great weekend continue!!!

Lord, I hope this day (weekend) is good!

My Sis (Carrie-Ann) and I have been looking forward to this weekend for months! We try to see each other as often as we can....but 5 hours, kids (she has a 3 yr old and one in college at LSU), spouses, jobs....you get the point....it is very difficult to nail down a weekend that works for everyone (except the LSU guy)! So, we picked Valentine's weekend for them to visit us! We have a beautiful forecast here in Austin, a trip to the Oasis planned, a cook out tomorrow night and 3 cousins that are extremely excited about playing together....and wouldn't you know it......I have a sick child again! There have been so many bugs crawling around Cypress Elementary this year that I am now on first name basis with Barbara the school nurse! She now calls me and says "Hey Girl, it's Barb...I've got your boy here in my office....AGAIN". I really like her...she's super nice....and I would love to visit with her sometime....but frankly...these calls are getting old. I don't want anymore puke, poop, snot, fever, coughing, sneezing or calls from Barb!! The Campbell house could use some good ju-ju!!!

So, Kiki (what the kids call Carrie-Ann) and her family are on the road....they should arrive in about 4 hours. Neely and I woke up at 7:00....at 7:42 Neely had already asked me 42 times when they would be here!! Cannon woke up and I loaded him up with Oscillococcinum, Motrin and Triaminic....and he's seems to be doing pretty well so far. I am not going to let a little illness ruin our fab weekend....I just hope it doesn't ruin Cannon's! I also hope that Kiki's family does not take any of the Cypress Elementary bugs home with them to Louisiana.

I'll have mine without hair please......

I love me some bald babies!! Cannon & Neely had slick little heads with the slightest bit of peach fuzz and I LOVED it! I loved putting my lips on their heads and grabbing that little bit of fuzz between my lips and breathing in their sweet baby smell!! Oh what a sweet time that was! Unless you are a Mother...you probably think this sounds weird, but you Moms know what I am talking about! There are special things about a new born that are so palpable in your memory whether it has been 2 years or 20 years since you had that moment...you still remember it! So, being that Hutch will probably be my last....I pray for him to have that sweet little peach fuzz head!

Cannon and Neely have listened to me talk about sweet bald babies so much that Neely went up to a lady in McDonald's a couple of weeks ago and informed her that her baby was bald. I would assume it went something like this "Awwwwee Meme...look at that bald baby". Meme to the Mommy of the precious bald baby "her Mommy is pregnant and loves bald babies". New Mommy...irritated! It was actually meant as a compliment to this Mommy...although I am quite sure it was taken as one. Oh well! I think this baby was a girl...and new Mommys can be a little huffy about this! Meme grabbed Neely's hand and exited stage left. I hope that that Mommy can discover the yummy lip thing to the peach fuzz while breathing it ALL in....maybe then she'll appreciate it!!

God bless the bald little babies and the ones that come out looking like Elvis! They are all sweet and precious. If God gives me a little Elvis headed baby I will love that one too! I'll be a little cliche here....OK, a lot cliche...I really want a healthy & happy baby!! Preferably a healthy & happy one that is bald and sleeps through the night at 3 weeks :).....a girl can dream!!

The Serenity Prayer

I love the Serenity Prayer. I say the words and it makes sense to me and always makes me realize that I have to be at peace with the things I can not change. I have to be the best person that I can be and change the things that I am able to change...and leave the others to God in prayer. I found out today that there is a little more to the prayer and wanted to share it with everybody or perhaps anybody that might read my blog. It is beautiful and simple, yet it speaks volumes!! I don't know who Reinhold Niebuhr was, but he was a very smart and perceptive man. I only hope that his wise words helped him through his difficult times like they have me in mine.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

Write it down! Put it on a post it note on your desk,in your car or on your bathroom mirror. I promise it will help....it's the prayer that keeps on giving!!!

I Spoil My Kids!

Yes, I do! I work hard and always have worked hard...not only for myself, but so that I could give my kids a good life. My parents probably spoiled me too, but they taught me that you have to work hard to get what you want in this life. I am so fortunate that I have a husband that works very hard too and provides very well for us. Should I be looked down on for this? Should I not take my kids out to eat or to the movies because other people can't afford it? Should I feel bad about this? Yes and No. I always feel bad for anyone less fortunate than I am. I was born with a very big and sensitive heart! I NEVER get use to seeing a stray person or animal. I hate to see people begging for money. I often give...although I have learned first hand that some of these people are not honest! The animals....well, they are always honest and can not help that they are in the terrible situation they are in! I still get tears in my eyes when I see a skinny little pup scrounging for food..it kills me!

Cannon came home from school last year telling me there are people that "wear rags". He knows that there are children that go to bed with hungry tummies every night. Is he too young? I don't think it is ever too young to start these life lessons...but it can't be done in one day. These lessons have to be shown to them by example over and over. As a parent of 2 children (almost 3) that wish for everything and need nothing it is tough to balance these things! You just hope that the way you live your life will be a positive example for them to emulate as they grow into young adults. In today's uncertain economy these things are also very tough. I don't want them to worry about my job and whether I will be layed off, or whether or not we will have enough money to pay our mortgage. These are responsibilities that I took on as a responsible adult that brought children into this world...not for them to worry about! I agree that they need to know that we have to work hard to pay for these things...but do they really need to know every little detail? I don't think so. Children learn by example!! If I work hard and we keep our house and cars and get to go on vacations, to restaurants and to movies I hope they will know that we didn't pick money from a never ending money tree in our back yard for those things! I hope instead that they will remember having to be woken up at 6am and rushed around to get ready because we all had to be at work and school at a certain time because there were rules and people depending on us to be there. Again, learning by example. I will continue to "spoil my children" and I will also continue to teach them that we are very blessed to have the things we have AND to have had parents that instilled a good work ethic in us....so that these good habits could be passed on to them.

I consider the "spoiling" I do to be very normal! I like for them to have a nice room, nice clothes and toys to play with. They do not get every thing they want by any stretch of the imagination! If they did we would have a few ponies in the back yard and a house full of flat faced dogs (now we only have 2). I am the ultimate deal finder and do not like to buy extravagant things. I love for my children to be happy...sometimes it is 2 happy meals...$7.47 price tag....and sometimes it is some "Mommy love"...free....a trip to the park...free....a trip to the library $35 per year...a trip to Fuddruckers last night $16.76! This is why I work!! My kids are great and have great big hearts. I will continue to "spoil" and teach them!! That is what I signed up for when I brought them into this world....and I am just fulfilling my duties as a parent in every way I know how!

T.G.I.M.

Yes, Thank God it's Monday!! We just got through a 5th and 1st weekend....for those of you who don't know what this means....I didn't have the kids for two weekends in a row!! I'm not gonna sugar coat it....1st, 3rd and 5th weekend bite the big one (whatever that means...I have a feeling it's not very nice though). When my kids are gone on the weekend I am not in my element. Sure, I love spending time with my wonderful husband...but not having those two rugrats telling me what they want every 2 seconds...it's pretty quiet around our big empty house.

I am also happy it is Monday because we got some much needed rain this morning....and as Les always says (making fun of "old" people that just sit around talking about the weather) "sure is nice, sure do need it". It was wonderful to wake up to rain hitting our window this morning. Sure is nice, sure do need it!

It's Monday, which means in 4 days my sister, Carrie-Ann, and her family will be here for a wonderful weekend visit!! I am actually glad that I have 4 days because I have cleaning, shopping and cooking to do. That means I am once again happy it's Monday!

I went to bed at 8pm last night and told Les that if I went to sleep it would make Monday come faster...and I would get to see the kids! He feels bad when I say this, not because it hurts his feelings...he knows I love him! It makes him sad that I have to miss my children so badly all the time. I did miss them terribly, Thank God it's Monday!!

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

February 5, 2004 at 11:15am was the second best moment of my life (my first best was the day Cannon was born). A beautiful pink princess came into the world and now mine will never be the same! She was 6 lbs 15 oz. I remember saying out loud..."My Daughter" it sounded so amazing!! I still love those words. Neely is so many things....she is funny, cute, vivacious, dramatic, loving, caring, silly, emotional and giving. She makes us laugh all the time! I can't believe she has already graced us with her presence for 5 years...it seems impossible. I look forward to each day, month and year as I watch my little girl...my daughter grow into a young lady.
All she has to do is cock her head and give me that smile and I melt....this is how she gets away with so much!! She climbs up in my lap and wraps her arms around my neck and says "I love you Mama"....and again, I melt. I love this child with such a passion that words can not describe....my cup runneth over! I am so thankful of ALL the women out there that God could have given Neely to that he chose me! Boy, he must think I'm good...because this is not going to be easy :). I will give it 100% though...all my heart and all my soul will go into raising these beautiful gifts that have been intrusted to me.

Uggghhhhh!!!

I should be writing a happy little blog today about Neely's wonderful Chuck E Cheese birthday, but if I had to pick one word to describe the evening Uggghhhhh!!! is it!
First of all, Neely and her friends had a wonderful time and as Les reminded me (during a rant before bed) that that is what counts...and at the end of the day he is right! Les has an awesome way of bringing me back down from my high horse...I love you honey! BUT....this is MY forum and now I am going to rant!

I always try to do the "right thing" by inviting the Ex and HIS family to the birthday parties for the kids. Last night was a party for the kids...let me remind everyone! Neely's birthday is Thursday night...this is the night that Les and I will give her the present that we got for her. Ex has the kids tonight...in which I would expect him to do the same! In fact Ex had the kids this past weekend from Thursday through Monday morning...he will have them tonight and again this coming weekend from Friday to Monday morning. You (I) would think in these 8 days that they could come up with a time to have a family get together where they could give Neely her gifts and celebrate her birthday...YOU WOULD THINK. So, a month or so ago I email Ex and tell him that we are going to bring a few kids from the neighborhood to CEC and let the kids have a little party. He agrees and says he and wife will be there. I plan the party, buy the cake, buy the party favors, plates and candles. They show up! This is what they always do....they show up! I happened to text Ex yesterday to see who would be coming...this is when he chooses to inform me that he has invited EVERYONE! My list of people that I have invited is this: Me, Les, My Mom (only b/c she is in town to keep the kids for teacher in-service days), and we have brought 2 kids from the hood and a couple from our hood have brought their two kids! I also have to include Neely's Aunt Sheri and Uncle Seth on my list because they are wonderful and appreciative...and I know that they are there for the kids! This is who Ex invited...Himself, his Mother, his wife, his wife's sister, his wife's sister's daughter, his wife's mother, his wife's father, his wife's daughter and his wife's son. Could this not have been a family (her family) event at their house tonight for Neely? You know...let me stop here and say....if they were even remotely friendly to me or asked to bring one thing I may be a little more receptive...but it looked like a 7th grade boy girl dance! They stayed in their little huddle chatting while I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to do everything! Les ordered pizza and drinks, enough for EVERYONE...and EVERYONE partook. The only person or people to thank us (besides the kids, the couple from our neighborhood, and my Mom...were of course, Seth and Sheri...this being why they are always included on my list! You would think that Ex's wife's sister would have thanked me considering her daughter was inhaling tokens and pizza...and I made sure that she got a party favor...even though I didn't know she was invited...but no thank you...nothing...nada!! One little side note...Les and I had gotten a salad...one from the huddle came over and asked if they could have a salad as well...I said sure...go up there and buy it! Huddle member wanted to know how much they were...waiting for me to say...here let me get that for you!! Are you freaking kidding me?? As if we had an open tab at a bar or something....again...this was FOR THE KIDS!!! If you want a salad go get it and pay for because we have already dropped hunny tonight!! We let the kids play, eat and then rushed around to do cake. As I was trying to clean up one mess after another without a single bit of help from the huddle...I was asked 3 times by members of the huddle when Neely could open THEIR presents!!! I said as soon as I can get this cleaned up and ready....immediately they had Neely at the table throwing her presents in the cake that I still had not had time to clean up!! The nerve! I stayed there and helped Neely open her presents and read her the cards....as I was instructed to do by Ex's Wife...couldn't have done it without her instruction...thank God she was there! Then the huddle proceeded to snag every single gift that was brought by them to take home with them! One they couldn't pry out of Neely's hands...so I had to assure them that it would be returned to their house promptly tomorrow. Were these gifts for Neely or them? We inadvertently made it home with Seth and Sheri's present to Neely...which by the way was ripped open and dispersed throughout the house last night. I reminded my Mom to keep up with the pieces...because I am pretty sure that the huddle members will ask for this to be returned to them! OK...I need some feedback here! Am I just a total B or is this stuff totally out of line? If I'm wrong I'm wrong! There were no Thank Yous at the end of the night, there was no Ex telling us he appreciated us taking care of everything (as we always do). The huddle has made it clear that they think Les and I are rich- HA! So, I guess they think it is no big deal for us to put something together like this. It is not that expensive, but a lot of thought goes into putting together any party. This is the last time I will do this for a VERY long time. I know I can't say forever, but I refuse to keep doing these while I work my butt off and the only thing I get is a glare from across the room! That's it....I'm done!!!


***After writing this blog entry I did get a note from Mark this morning thanking us for hosting the party. It was nice of him....but a little late! Thanking me just seemed like the thing to do....it would have been nicer to act appreciative last night!!!

***Also, I of course got an email from my sweet Sheri Cohen....even apologizing for Seth eating a piece of pizza since they had not RSVP'd....see why I love her :)??? I do!!!

Chuck E Cheese or Bust.....

I would rather "bust", but this is where Neely has chosen to celebrate #5.....so C.E.C it is!!! I remember last year the week of her 4th birthday very well. She was constantly calling herself the "Birthday Girl" and talking about her birthday party! At one point I remember Cannon saying "Neely, it's not all about you"....well, she is not convinced. We are back in the "Neely's Birthday Week" again this year....and it is very reminiscent of last year! She had Cannon write "BIRTHDAY GIRL" on a piece of paper last night...then pulled a chair in the middle of the floor while she held the sign in front of her for the "Mamarazzi" to take her picture! This was all orchestrated by Neely....what a little DIVA! So, tonight we are taking Neely and some of her neighborhood friends to the Chuck E Cheese (AKA by many "Birth Control"...to late for me). We will feast on sucky pizza and Barbie cake while we watch children pick their noses and eat their boogers (hopefully not my beautiful birthday girl)....I can hardly contain my enthusiasm. Tonight won't be the end of the Birthday Girl's reign...oh no...we will have a family birthday dinner on Thursday the 5th (which is actually her birthday) where we will let Neely pick the restaurant (no C.E.C.). I (as I am sure Les is too) am hoping for the best...maybe Texas Roadhouse or Jardin Corona! Please Neely..no "Pink Place" or "Chopsticks"!

On a much lighter note.......

After yesterday's posting I have to have something a little lighter to be my lead blog! I have said what I wanted to say and now I want to have a happy/fun blog...I have to move on. So, I have decided to do 25 Random Things About Myself! This has been flying around on Facebook and so I decided it would be a fun to do here. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the people's 25 things...it is an interesting way to find out things about people you don't know well and also about people that you thought you really did know well....but you didn't know THAT!

Here we go! 25 Random Things about Me.....

1. My first car was a 1980 Cutlass Supreme, white w/dark red interior. A Cutlass was also Les' first car :).
2. I love Texas! I don't think I would ever want to live in another state.
3. My Mom wanted to name me Jill Suzanne and my Dad agreed until the day I was born and changed it to Jane Elizabeth. I am glad he did. I love my name.
4. I have a fear of flying. Every time I get on a plane I am nervous, but I don't act like I am....I try to be stoic about it.
5. I love my kids and husband so much it hurts.
6. I had Grand Mal seizures (which are the worst ones) when I was three and the doctors told my parents I had a brain tumor. I did not have a tumor and have not had another seizure since then. My parents went around for several days thinking I had a tumor though. How awful for them!
7. My Dad has Grade IV brain cancer. He was given 8-12 months to live and that was almost 4 years ago! I am so glad he is still here and 3 more Grandchildren have gotten the chance to know him. I am hopeful Hutch will get to know him too!
8. I didn't eat red meat or pork for 7 years. I could easily be a vegetarian. I hate the thought of animals dying so I can eat.
9. I constantly worry about my weight and being fat.
10. I think my husband is the smartest person I know.
11. I love my Mother in Law (not a lot of people can say this). She raised a wonderful Son and I am so thankful for her. (I think she is very smart too)
12. I love to run!!!
13. I love chips, salsa and queso...I could eat them everyday!
14. I was a Special Education major before I went to Ultrasound School. I love mentally retarded and handicapped people....they are my heroes and I believe we have a lot to learn from them!
15. My dream job would be a stay at home Mom.
16. I drive my dream car. A black Yukon XL with a sunroof (I don't think people take enough advantage of sunroofs...I love them).
17. I love Margaritas!!
18. I hate massages.
19. I always have to hold back tears when someone sings the National Anthem (if they do a good job).
20. When I am going to sleep I always rub my feet together.
21. I love the beach and being outdoors.
22. I am very much a family person. I love my parents and siblings with a passion!
23. A dog bit my earlobe off when I was spending the night with a friend in the 2nd grade. I was in surgery for 6 hours and the amazing Dr. (which happened to be my pediatrician) saved my earlobe! I am very thankful for him all the time.
24. I miss my Granny.
25. I wish kids weren't so expensive. I would love to have 4 or 5. Being a Mom is the best thing I have ever done in my life.

I could really keep going...and going. Maybe I will do another 25 sometime. I don't feel this is narcissistic, it's actually cathartic. I have even gotten big tears in my eyes twice while doing this. I guess hormones are getting the best of me today.....ask my sweet husband. He said he wanted some instant oatmeal from the store this morning and I flew off the handle. Jeez...poor guy...he just wanted a little breakfast...not too much to ask. What can I say, it's Monday! Welcome to the week!

I'm Very Disappointed

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an accident as an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance.

First of all of want to preface this blog entry by saying that I love Les' family! They have been wonderful and welcoming to me since day one. I wouldn't ever want to hurt their feelings. When I married Les I became a part of this sweet family and thus I feel it is my right to say my peace.

If we could see into the future there would not be any such thing as accidents because we could take precautions to prevent them! With this being said, if something happens (such as an accident) and we realize that we were so fortunate that no one was hurt then we assess the situation and see if there is something that we can do to prevent this from happening again. Since we can't see into the future this is the next best thing!

Our family had an accident this past year and we were SO fortunate that no one was hurt. Les' Grandmother acccidently drove through the brick wall of her church and her car ended up in the sanctuary. Thank God no one was injured!! She got confused and pushed the gas instead of the brake and drove straight through the building. She does not know the damage that she did not and still doesn't really remember what happened. OK, this is where I say we were so blessed that no one was hurt and what can we do to prevent this from happening again!! Do we get her another car and hope for the best? Well, I say no...but now she has another car and this could easily happen again. Her mind and her reflexes are not getting better with age. I truly hope that everyone has thought this situation through because when the decision was made to get her another car we put the lives of other drivers, people in buildings and children and/or adults walking or riding bikes at risk. I would hope that if there were an elderly person living down the road from me that had had an accident like the one that Granny had that that family would not let that person behind a wheel again. It could be Cannon or Neely that is playing chalk on the sidewalk or riding their bike as this elderly person gets confused and hits the gas instead of the brakes and runs over my child. Or my child walking in front of Granny as she parks!! What if a family had been walking in front of Granny when she hit the gas instead of the brakes? What if someone had been in the back of the sanctuary? I have seen the pictures of the damage....it would not have been good.

I say this all because I know someone this happened to! She was going to her Dr. and got confused did exactly what Granny did, except she ran over a little 4 year girl! The little girl is now in a wheel chair. She has no function in her body from her neck down. She is fed with a feeding tube. Her life is ruined because of a terrible accident. This lady got rid of her car and will never drive again! She didn't have a second chance to make things right! With Granny we have had a warning sign....we know what could happen. I am seriously disturbed by this. There is absolutely nothing I can do but say how I feel. I know I am probably stepping on toes and hurting feelings, but I feel very strongly about this and could not sit back and say nothing.