For Today…May 31, 2010

Outside my window…Did I mention I live in Texas? Houston to be exact? Everyone thinks Austin has much nicer weather. I went to school there, I remember, it doesn’t. Humid and Hot is still Humid and Hot no matter where you are. Austin has so much we want to do outdoors that I think it might suck even more than Houston’s humidity. How can you complain about Houston’s weather when you are always inside?

I am wearing…my bathing suit and a Snoopy t-shirt, the one Chelsea gave me years ago! The boys love this shirt.

I am listening to…Matthew Sweet. Brings a smile to my face.

I am thinking…about the great weekend I had in Austin. We had the best time with my cousins and niece and the rest of my extended family. It’s a crazy family I’m a part of, but I love getting together with them. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen everyone. I was more than happy to start my summer off with them.

I am also…still bummed about Squirt missing this past weekend. The older cousins (which used to mean me, do I really have a kid that is a teenager???), are all around his age. It is really cool to watch them all together, catching up, teasing each other and making plans to see each other again. Squirt had JROTC camp that started Sunday morning so he missed our weekend. I am excited about him going to camp, but still sad about him missing family time. Plus, his cousins missed him too.

To be fit and happy…hmmm…Something tells me my workouts aren’t helping these days! Here’s hoping for a change in diet soon.

From the kitchen…smoked chicken, stuffed bell peppers and buffalo burgers at the pool. Lance and I decided that we are eating at the pool at least once a week with the boys. Plus, I want to make cobbler this week. I know I shouldn’t, but I have to before all the good berries are gone.

Around the house…I am ordering my new curtains this week! Can’t wait to finally have curtains in my dining room.

I am trying…to find a reasonable vacation spot for me and the boys, just four or five days to relax and enjoy ourselves this summer. Lance and I are taking a trip by ourselves in August, and I already feel bad that I have nothing planned for the kids beyond Austin and Galveston. Thankfully, the boys love Austin, but still…

I am thankful…for my hosts this weekend. They were so gracious to me and my boys. We couldn’t have felt more welcome. Or had a better time. We can’t wait for them to visit us!

I am praying for…all my babies and for the son of my mom’s good friend.

One of my favorite things…not having to get up and get ready for school anymore. I think we’re going to like this lazy routine. Other than this week for Squirt and basketball camp for the BH and Goose, we’re not doing anything else except getting on each other’s nerves!

A few plans for the rest of the week…

• lunch dates
• visiting a friend’s new house and swimming
• play dates
• dinner for Chris’s birthday
• dinner for Terese’s birthday

A picture thought I am sharing…

He is mine, all mine, for the summer!

The smile on Goose’s face is for one reason: big brother is at his school!

Singing in French and signing at the same time, this is no ordinary kid show!

Proud Parents of their K grad!

Look at my Goose! He is so excited and proud of himself. Today we celebrated his promotion ceremony at school. It was short and to the point. Each child walked across the stage to receive their little diploma. It was so sweet. And he just couldn’t get over big brother being at school with him. I love seeing my boys so happy with each other. This has been such a LONG year for me, and I am more than ready for summer to start (two more days!) so I can spend all day long with all my boys. Do I still wish things were different? Yes, every day of my life. But he’s happy and had a good year, and for that, I am thankful.

He was so excited every. single. time.

The birthday boy

Yes, this is my adorable niece

waiting

The kids loved that Mimi bowled too

Brothers

Surprise!!!!

Goose’s present…buddy bucks from HEB

Our Family

There are things that I don’t have to try, and I know I don’t like them. We all have certain perceptions that we aren’t going to change. One thing I always knew was that I didn’t ever want a Family Bed. EVER. I don’t even want a bassinet in my room, much less a baby sleeping in my bed. It works out great for tons of people, but I knew before I ever thought of getting married that co-sleeping wasn’t for me. AND NOW….I can positively say that co-sleeping isn’t for me. In fact, I think it pretty much sucks. Kobra has become such a little fuss at night to the point that he screams at the top of his lungs and refuses to go back down in his crib. Then he starts pointing to my room. The second he lays down in MY bed, he closes his eyes and falls fast asleep. It is so hard for me to let him win this battle…I can’t sleep because he moves around too much, he doesn’t like covers and makes fussing noises and what about intimacy. I mean, how do people who co-sleep have sex with a baby in their bed? I’m sorry, but that grosses me out. I am more likely to move to another room than to sleep with this little kid. Of course, then I lose being near Lance, but Kobra has already ruined that with his presence because he has to be in the middle of us. I am guessing that he spends at least one to two nights a week in my bed. This kid is pretty stubborn, but has no clue how stubborn I am. I promise to win this fight, no matter how many other kids lose sleep in the process.

Today I had the pleasure of attending my beautiful Goddaughter’s dance recital. Can I just give my parents a huge THANK YOU for sitting through years and years of both piano and ballet recitals. (I wasn’t great at either, so I’m not sure it was worth sitting through these recitals every year.)

I am one of those people that love kids, but hate things that most people find cute. And one of the things that I don’t find cute are kid programs. And honestly, that includes watching my own kids. I just have to no desire to watch kids sort of sing or dance for two minutes in a program. It’s not cute to me. AT. ALL. To have to watch over an hour of kids I don’t know at all “dance” was like torture. Of course, my precious Goddaughter was nothing less than perfect. While watching these kids, I wondered how my parents continued putting me in dance classes year after year because all I kept thinking was that most of these parents could be saving a fortune if they just dropped the dance classes.

I used to get offended because my brother never invited me to my niece’s piano recitals. Now I think he must be watching out for me. I promise to do the same.

A friend invited my family over for the weekend, and Lance is already stressed about it. He is worried about the kids in someone else’s house. Keep in mind, my kids are really neat. Goose is the one who walked into somebody’s house and said he couldn’t play because it was too messy. All of my kids pick up after themselves. Are they perfect, far from it, but I’m not that worried about the boys messing up someone’s house.

I feel like I have created this monster that is so stressed about things being out of place and people coming over and messing up our house. It’s fine when I was the one who hated people coming over, but now it’s Lance too. I finally told him that I wanted to start living. The people who we are staying with are as neat and clean as me. They have social gatherings ALL. THE. TIME. Now I’m not going to start having people over all the time, but I do want to start living and not worry if something breaks or if the house gets messy. I can always pick it up.

So yesterday at Super Saints, there was a little boy who was running around without his diaper. And he peed on the carpet in the playroom. And guess what? The mom didn’t care. She knows I’m a stress case about kids running around my house, but she wasn’t going to get stressed because shit happens.

Lance wanted to know if I was still sure about my new stance on living.

Last week a friend from the swim club told me about this book. It’s basically about being intimate with your husband, why you should and the benefits to you and your spouse. I told Lance about it and he was all, “ORDER IT IMMEDIATELY”. With four kids that we lovingly refer to as cock blocks, we’re searching for any ideas to keep up our energy and not just pass out the first free second we have. So I ordered the book tonight. Anything for my hubby, right? Except I also ordered seven other books for the kids’ library. My 15 dollar purchase just turned into a 92 dollar purchase. I am so dead. This book better be ALL that.

Another birthday down for Squirt. I can’t believe you’re fifteen and becoming a young man. You are becoming your own person, and I’m so proud of who you are. Your passion for the Army has grown even more than I could imagine this past year. And while I’m terrified at the thought of you one day entering the military, I couldn’t be happier that you seem to have found your niche. JROTC has been great for you this year, and they are lucky to have you on their team.

It’s hard to think of you without thinking of your brothers and that may seem a bit unfair since you are your own person, but the brother you are shows just what kind of person you are. You are so proud of your brothers, constantly bragging on them. When I make a comment about one of them being your favorite you get upset, never wanting to hurt anybody’s feelings. Sure you can get upset with them, really upset, but your love for them never changes. I can still see your face as you met each one of them for the first time: wonder upon meeting Goose, fear and worry about BH, and annoyance because St. Luke’s didn’t bring Kobra to the room. Remember not letting Mimi hold Kobra? Do you realize that every time you leave the house the first thing you ask upon return is if the boys did anything cute while you were gone? You are interested in them. You’re not too cool for your family. I hope the little ones act the same way.

No matter how annoyed I am in the morning and that is my problem, unfortunately becoming yours at times, you always turn and wave good bye to us. Always. You have no idea what this does for me. Last week, you had to wait for several cars to go before we passed you, but still you waited and waved. It makes my day and is a constant reminder of just how sweet you are.

Your musical talent and ability to do push-ups nonstop amazes me. Although really, I think I should get credit for your push-ups! You can do anything you want, Squirt, if only you apply yourself and use the talents God gave you.

14 went by so fast, I still remember the first day of high school when you had the saddest look on your face until I went over the speed bump from hell at top speed. You finally relaxed! I am proud to call you my first son and wish only the best for you. I promise you that I will always have your back. I pray everyday for your well being and happiness and am so thankful God gave you to me. Happy Birthday, my son.

For Today…May 16, 2010

Outside my window…it’s barely light, warm and humid-Houston weather.

I am listening to…Ben Folds

I am wearing…black longhorn shorts and a tie-dyed longhorn t-shirt.

I am thinking…that I am about to have a fifteen year old! YIKES! We celebrated his birthday today with my family. Lance and I made the cake-not bad, right?!

To be fit and happy…see the above cake? Last week, I made cookies to prove to Goose that I do indeed cook more than pre-made kolaches. I ate tons of cookie dough, tons of cake, plus we stopped and had cookies this weekend at my favorite cookie shop. And we had an amazing meal last night and pizza today and and and and. Food is never ending for me. I love it. Thankfully, I love to workout. Because BATHING SUIT SEASON HAS STARTED. (see below). If that doesn’t scare me into eating better and working out, nothing will. So, hard workouts all week and sensible eating.

From the kitchen…Since tomorrow is Squirt’s birthday, he gets to pick what we eat. He picked Double Dave’s buffet. Sensible eating starts on Tuesday. We are having grilled veggies and chicken bones as the boys call them on Tuesday. Then more vegetables the rest of the week. Here is what Lance and I had last night. Lamb Ragu…it was to die for! And we had time to ourselves for FIVE. WHOLE. MINUTES. before one of the kids that was supposed to be asleep came running in for a taste.

Around the house…the new beds are up, and I have chosen the bedding. Actually, Lance chose. The boys and I wanted simple, but very bright blue bedding. I suppose these are more boyish and will grow with the boys. They love the beds, and I can’t wait to start on the playroom. AND…I finally (after three years) found curtains for my dining room. I am ordering them asap…meaning when I have money.

I am creating…memories for my children. I know all kids love birthdays, but I think and hope we make these days special for our children. I love that the younger boys are so excited about their brother’s birthday tomorrow and that Squirt is still excited about his cake. (He wouldn’t look until it was done!)

I am thankful for…my family who came and celebrated Squirt’s birthday with us today.

I am praying for…two very specific test results. I can’t be any clearer with God for what I want. Here’s hoping my intentions match His plans.

One of my favorite things…the boys at church. We certainly don’t have the most kids around, but we do turn a few heads. Sometimes, we’ll sit down and people get a worried look on their face. Today, we sat next to the nicest lady who within five minutes whispered to me how great my boys were. I couldn’t agree more.

A few plans for the rest of the week…so many

• Squirt’s birthday
• Super Saints- Pentecost
• lunch with Chelsea
• doctor’s appointments
• three haircuts
• park dates for the BH
• swim lessons
• dinner with Clint and Shea
• the theatre
• birthday party for the boys

Signs of summer…today

Could they be having more fun?