Sunday, August 30, 2009

New Things...

After receiving some "not so nice" criticism regarding my blog, I thought that I would make some changes.

Now I am not one to let things get to me. Opinions are like....well you know the rest.

So, anyways as I was saying, I thought that I would take this chance and re-do a few things on my blog. When I started this blog, I was "green" when it came to blogging. I didn't have a clue what to do. As my blog has evolved, so has my knowledge and my sense of direction.

I am proud of my blog as it is a huge piece of me. I put everything I have into my blog. I want to see it grow by leaps and bounds and reach new heights.

So over the course of the next week, be on the look out for some new things including:

*Picture of the Day: This is to tie in my photography blog
*Not Me Monday's (or Not my Child Mondays)
*Totally Random Thoughts Tuesdays....

and much much more.

I will also be introducing a newsletter that will be available for email every 2 weeks, product reviews, giveaways and more

I thank you all for being such great readers, and hope you enjoy the new changes that are coming to Crayons In My Dryer!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Strawberry Shortcake...and other random musings

So today, we are walking thru Wal-mart when one of their endcaps catch my eye. Is that...Strawberry Shortcake???

I go over and yes, by golly, it is Strawberry Shortcake. I turn to my husband and say "I had these dolls when I was little"

He just rolls his eyes.

Then it happens...

I remember...THEY SMELL!!!! Or at least they used to..

Wonder if they still smell now??

And in case you were wondering...

They do!!

I was that mom at the end of the aisle, reliving my childhood by smelling Strawberry Shortcake and her friends...

Every single package.

My husband, rolling his eyes and pretending I was not his wife.

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My birthday is coming up...in fact its one week from today. I have decided that I am not getting older. Or atleast thats what I say.

Old? Me? Pshaw!!! I refuse to get older...

What comes in the mail today?

A birthday card from my mommy

And an advertisment from Bath and Body works...

Offering me $10 off my next purchase....

Of Anti-Aging products

Happy Birthday to Me!!
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My husband has told me several times, to watch my mouth around the kids.

This after A decided to yell "Damnit Mommy" in the store, drawing looks of disdain from other parents.

What do you mean it isn't normal for a 3 year old to say damnit?

The other day, A was downstairs, supposed to be napping, but instead is beating at his door.

I go to the top of the stairs...

"A!!! Go to sleep..NOW"

"No mommy"

"Quit beating on the door and go to bed or I am going to beat your ass!!"

Did I really just say that outloud.

The beating on the door stops...

Then I hear it...

"No, mommy...I beat YOUR ass"

Never a dull moment in my house...ever

If there was a mother of the year award, I would soooo be a nominee...seriously

True Confessions Of A Stay At Home Mom

A friend asked me the other day, "How do you do it?" I was puzzled. "Do what?" "This" she said. I get confused really easy, so I asked her to explain, exactly what this she was talking about.

" I only have one to take care of, how do you keep it together with four?" OH! She was talking about my four kids. Once the irony of her question hit me, I began laughing, hysterically. I am sure, had she not been on the other side of the computer screen (this conversation was via facebook...I do NOT have an imaginary friend and yes thats my story and Im sticking to it) she would have regretted asking me how I kept it together.

I did have a "proud" moment, because if my virtual friend thought I was keeping it together, then I had to be doing something right.

But, I had to be honest with her. I was not keeping it together all that well...

1.)There have been days, sometimes several in one week, where my toddlers have run around 'sans clothes because I didn't feel like wrestling the clothes back on them...only to have them off in a matter of minutes

2.)Some nights my husband has had to make dinner for himself because I fed the kids frozen waffles and sent them to bed...at 6pm

3.)More often the not, I have had to re-run the washing machine because I forgot to take the wet clothes out...for days

4.)I cry when I have to go downstairs and clean poop up off the floor and the toy box and the window and a toddler...for the 4th time in a week

5.)I lock myself in the bedroom...several times a day

6.)I use the T.V as a babysitter

7.) I use my seven yr old as a babysitter

8.)In a rush, I have forgotten to put the baby in the car...more then once

9.)I bribe my kids with candy...all the time

10.)My house is never clean...ever

11.)I have gone a week without getting dressed out of what I wore to bed the night before (yes, I change after I take a shower)

12.)I ignore the fact that my boys are jumping off the couch...simply because it makes them happy

See, I don't have it all together or even half together. Sometimes I wonder if I know what I am doing..at all.

Many nights, I collapse in bed, tears in my eyes because I need a break DAMNIT!!

But I didn't tell my friend that...why would I give away all my secrets...

Instead I told her this...

You are keeping it together if, at the end of the day, everyone is still alive and you didn't have to make an impromptu trip to the ER....

Again.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Writer's Workshop: Who Is Your Crush?

I have a crush....Well my husband calls it an "obsession". I call it a minor infatuation.

See, it all started when all that hype about Twilight came about. I refused to watch the movie. I am soooo not one to give into media hype. Or so I thought. But everywhere I turned, there he was...Edward Cullen. His steel eyes gazing out from every poster,book and magazine cover. But still I held strong. I was NOT going to fall into the trap that so many others had. Edward Cullen had no power over me.

Then I started to crack. All of my friends were talking about the book. All the girls were drooling over Edward. Vampires were the new "in" thing...but I still held strong. Giving Edward the cold shoulder.

Then I broke. What's the harm? I asked myself...it's just a book. Surely one book does not have that much power over me....


I finished Twilight in 2 days, and the next book in a single sitting. I found myself wishing someone would talk to me like Edward talked to Bella. When I read and re-read the words he said to her, my heart skipped a beat.
I swore that I would not be one of "those Twilight" people...but truth is...Edward had me at hello.
And the sad truth is...I have a crush.
On a Vampire.
At least my husband is safe.....


Thanks to MamaKat for sponsoring the Writers Workshop


Being a Parent Means...

1.) Having to clean up poop. On a daily basis. Sometimes off of the walls. Sometimes off the floors. But always off a toddler

2.)Having to pick up toys that were thrown out the window after they pushed the screen out.

3.)Having to go downstairs a million and one times before they understand what "NO THROWING TOYS" really means

4.)Having to mop up toliet water because they think the toilet is their own personal water park

5.) Having to watch the same movie...again and again

6.)Having to explain to your toddler that it is NOT ok to say bad words, while trying not to snicker..to loud

But it also means:

7.)Hugs and Kisses every night

8.)Unconditional love

9.)Forgiveness for your flaws

10.) Laughter

11.) Afternoons in the park

12.)Rocking a baby to sleep

13.) Hearing the words.."Your the best mommy ever"

14.) Feeling blessed...

Every single day

Wordless Wednsday


Abandon Ship!!!!

Rainy Days and Toddlers


So, it is of course another rainy day. It seems like lately our weather here is all out of whack. Maybe Mother Nature is P.M.Sing, maybe she is menopausal, who knows.

Anyhow, if you have read any of my blogs you know that I have 4 kids. 2 of them toddlers. Rainy days are NOT fun for them. It was during on especially rainy stretch that the walls in my ENTIRE house seemed to get colored on, (that was last summer, and I STILL haven't repainted)

During the summer, D was home from school. So he kept the little ones occupied, or atleast notified me when the colored on the wall.

Now, D is back in school. So that leaves me, all alone, to deal with the 3 little ones...I am seriously outnumbered.

I knew that I needed to find a way to keep them occupied AND keep my sanity at the same time. Because mopping up toilet water...NOT my idea of fun.

So, I decided that while D was in school, school would be in "session" here so to speak.

I put together all sorts of learning games and activites, printed off coloring sheets (which work great...I got to enjoy TWO hot cups of coffee this morning)

Today we are making "No cook Play-dough" Tomorrow, Kid friendly (and mom friendly) fingerpaint...Outside.

Hopefully this will keep the natives occupied for a while, because as we speak, A is, again, hurling himself off of the couch...

While watching The Labryinth

While wishing The Goblin King would come and take N away...

RIGHT NOW

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

"Goblin King, Goblin King, Wherever you may be..."


Ok, so this is SO not my finest parenting moment. Years ago, when I first introduced D to "The Labryinth" it scared tha beejeezus outta him. I mean come on, David Bowie. In tights.

I, being the wonderful,loving, kind, and sensitive mom I am decided one afternoon to tell him that Jareth was real. And if he didn't listen, I was going to call the Goblin King to come and take him away. See, told ya, so not my finest moment.

He decided to call my bluff. "There is no goblin king mommy" he said, daring me to summon this guy from the Goblin City.

I smelled a challenge.

"I wish, I wish..." I started.

His eyes grew wide.

"the goblin king would...."

"NOOOOOOOO MOMMMYYYYY"

He ran off to clean his room or whatever mundane task I had assigned and I snickered. That kid is so gullible.

Fast forward to now. My 2 year old daughter has this fascination with David Bowie. He starts singing and she is in some trance. She LOVES it. Her favorite? "Magic Dance" You know...

"You remind me of the babe. What babe? The babe with the power. What power? The power of Voodoo. Who do? You do? Do what? Remind me of the babe."

Anyways, my 3 year old like watching the "goblin movie mommy" Every. Freaking. Day. Sometimes several times a day.

I have tried to tell HIM that the goblin king is going to take him away (while D snickers in the background) but A isn't buying what I am selling.

A short time ago, I had what i am deeming my Best. Parenting. Moment. Ever. I am such a positive role model.

Baby N is fussy today...as he is EVERY day. I think A has had enough of Baby N.

You wanna know how I know...

I am in the kitchen getting juice and froot loops when I here this from the other room...

"I wish the goblin king would take you away..right NOW!!!" He roars over his wailing brother.

Yep, proud mommy here.

He is now standing at the back door waiting....

For who...

The Goblin King of course

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Letting go...sorta...


Tomorrow at 7:59am, I will be putting D on the bus for his first day in a new school. This is the first time he has ever ridden a bus to and from school. I am nervous.

D has always been my sensitive child. For as long as I can remember. He doesn't adapt well to change and is hesitant to try new things. He is shy and while friendly, doesn't make friends all to easily. Going to a new school for 2nd grade is, in and of itself, a huge deal in a 7 year old boys mind. Add to that a new school, new friends, new teacher and riding a bus and he is libel to have a meltdown that would put a nucular reactor to shame.

I was so torn on putting D on the bus, that I called my dad. I am 28 (going on 29) married with 4 kids and I still call my dad to help me with things. I asked my dad what to do. He hemmed and hawed. Gee thanks dad..this is so why I called you... and we were getting nowhere until my stepmom took over...

"Put him on the bus. If you don't he will never ride the bus"

I knew she spoke from experience as not to long ago she put her 1st grader on a bus for the first time in a new school, with new friends and new teachers. But my heart still struggled.

Am I really ready to let my "baby" go?

Granted he's going to school the next town over, but it might as well be the next state over. I am as emotional as a mom watching her baby go off to college.

For the last 2 years, I have been minutes from his school. Making myself available to drop everything and pick him up or cater to his needs at a moments notice (and that I did...many many times). I was close enough that I could walk with him to and from school in Kindergarten. I was close enough that I could be there each and everyday to drop him off and pick him up. In rain, sleet or snow...

Now, I am not so close. His new school is roughly 15 minutes away, down a back road. I was not anticipating the drive in the winter. Not to mention, because it was farther, I would have to get the 3 little ones up earlier in the morning and up earlier from nap...

Putting him on the bus was the logical choice.

But still my heart struggles.

So, I decided to get the one person's opinion who truly mattered in this deal. The one person who, come Monday morning, was going to have to actually get on the bus and ride it...D's.

"What are you afraid of?" I asked him.

He hesitated. " I never rode a bus and I don't know anyone and what if I cannot remember where my teacher is or my class is?"

I looked at him. These were genuine fears. But never once did he say " I don't want to ride the bus"

"What if we can figure out a way to make this less scary?" I asked (secretly thinking....for both of us)

He willingly obliged.

We decided he would ride in the front of the bus for comfort. I would wait both before and after school at the bus stop for him (hey maybe I will make some friends in this deal ;) ) I would write his teachers name and bus number on a slip of paper and put in his backpack. He would get to know the kids in the neighborhood.

He was still nervous though. I told him that there will be teachers everywhere tomorrow, just ask. It's ok.

He shook his head and said "ok mom" I got teary eyed.

For him, accepting that he has to ride the bus and then actually doing it, this is a huge deal. This was a huge step developmentally for him. Emotionally for me.

Now, D is going to be "forced" to grow up. Take responsibilty for his actions and himself. Mom isn't going to be there when he looks back over his shoulder before going into the school. He is going to be doing this on his own. No mommy to coax him.

I still remember back to kindergarten. Each day, I had to wait until his class had gone into the building before I could leave.

So tomorrow, he will dress in his best, grab his new John Cena backpack, get on that big yellow bus and walk into a new school...without me.

I am letting go...slowly. He can do this. I can do this. Together we make a heck of a team.

Tomorrow starts a new journey for D....

And also a new chapter in his life.


Beer Bottles and Babies


I have the luck (insert massive sarcassam here) of living in a college town. Which in and of itself wouldn't be so intolerable, if I didn't live blocks from Campus (Seriously, I can see the football stadium from my porch).

And since I live in a college town, near campus, law dictates that my neigboors to the north,south east and west be none other then...college kids. Drunk college kids. Drunk college kids who like to party. Everynight. Drunk college kids who scream for their runaway dogs at 4 am (you can read that story here).

Last school year, it wasn't too bad. The only drunks I had to deal with were the guys whose dog ran away. They had parties, but only on the weekends and not anywhere near what happened last night. Granted, their cars blocked our driveways on numerous occasions. But at least they kept their parties and drunkeness indoors. And off my property. (Insert a yelling Mr. Nevercracker from Monster house here...get.off.my.LAWN!!!)

Noah, my 2 month old son, has been fussy lately. Well, that is putting it mildly. Let's just say he is making sure no one in the tri-county area is getting any sleep,unless his needs have been met. Have you ever tried to please a 2 month old. You can't. Ever.

Last night was a particularly rough night. We had spent the afternoon wandering a local carnival with my brother and his girlfriend. Schlepping the kids from one ride to another. A good time was definately had. However, I think the sheer massiveness of the carnival and the noise and the people and the smells just caused poor Noah's sensory system to go into overload. Once we were home he cried and screamed until his little face turned a pecuilar shade of red. All nigh. For hours. Before falling asleep in my arms while the adult people played Mario Party on the Wii.

By 10pm my guests had dispersed, the baby was snuggled in his swing, blissfully sleeping. I sunk into bed, hoping to grab a little bit of sleep before the baby woke to be changed and fed.

Crash!

"Did you hear that?" my husband asked

"Yeah, what the heck was it"

The baby is begining to stir at this point

"The girls in the townhome next to us and the guys in the one across the driveway are throwing beer bottles at eachothers houses"

"What? Should I call the police?"

I am looking out the window at this time and my eyes are greeted by no fewer then 15 college kids roaming between the houses, and throwing beer cans and bottles at their houses. Thinking of the fact that my car is parked in the driveway and the fact that any broken glass would end up embedded in my car tires or worse my child's feet, I called the non-emergency number for our local police.

Now, I am not one to run and call the police at the first sign of drunken debuachery. But this happens. All the time. They are loud. They park 2-3 deep in the common drive, making it impossible to get out. They run between the townhomes yelling and screaming at all hours of the night. I bit my tounge, but last night was just going to far.

By this time, they had gotten louder as their "game" continued. Noah is awake. Again. You wake the baby and you have hell to pay, thats all I am saying.

The police arrive, the neighboors pretend they aren't home. Luckily our law enforcement aren't that stupid and wait for someone to come out. I am watching in the windows, talking to my sister in law on the phone, waiting...I wanna see someone get arrested.

No one gets arrested. The cops leave. The drunken party ensues. Until 3am. During which no fewer then 20 drunk college kids come and go. Noisily, I might add.

The baby starts fussing.

Again.

And, like many nights before this,

I am kept awake by a fussy baby and the coming and goings of the neighboors.

And, like many nights before this,

My husband sleeps...blissfully unaware that as he snoozes I am wondering how much it would cost to hire a hit man....

Friday, August 21, 2009

In The Begining




The year is 1998. June 6th to be exact. It is raining. I am standing in line to get my highschool diploma. I am graduating. This is going to be the start of a brand new life for me. College. A career....

Scratch that. 2002, just 4 years after graduating highschool and dropping out of college I am in the maternity ward of a local hospital about to be whisked away to the OR for a c-section and delivery of my first child. A boy. A ten pound boy to be exact. In the blink of an eye I am now a mom.

What? Wait!! How did this happen? Ok, well I know HOW it happened. Seriously though, how did I go from carefree college student to a mom? It was like *poof*. I don't even remember the past 4 years save for one bad relationship and my very first apartment.

It's not like I didn't expect it. I mean I had 9 months to prepare, and my mother always warned me what would happen if I had unprotected sex. Really, mom, sex makes babies...damnit!

Fast forward 7 years. In that time frame I again attempted and failed at many relationships, moved like a bazillion times. Whoever told my dad that at 18 they move out and never come back was LYING. They come back. They ALWAYS come back...sometimes multiple times and sometimes with a little person in tow. But they.always.come.back.

During that 7 year time frame, I met my husband. See, I knew someone, somewhere could tolerate me. Within days, I am talking like less then a week here, of meeting him for the first time I got pregnant.

Are you sure sex makes babies???

My dad, anticipating another little person toddling thru his home, kicked me out. Seriously, after 2 years of me living there and bestowing upon him a grubby little 3 year old, he was giving me the heave-ho. Never mind that I was 26, and it was time to go. My dad sent me packing. I am sure he secretly thought I would be back.They ALWAYS come back.

So it was time to "head west young man" and on a snowy afternoon we loaded up his truck and headed....well west!

45 minutes later we arrived at our destination. Home. Well, my soon to be husbands home. But home none the less. I am sure somewhere my dad was thanking the gods above that his 26 yr old daughter was gone...don't worry dad, they come back. They ALWAYS come back.

In April of 2006, we got this silly idea that we should get married. Who does that anymore? Of course I wanted a big ol' wedding complete with a white dress and lots of flowers. Instead, I got married in the courthouse with a stodgy old judge who didnt even smile, my parents, my new in laws, who I am sure, where thrilled to be meeting me for the first time at our wedding, my grandma and some tulips growing in front of the courthouse.I did have a white dress. It was a maternity dress, but still I had my white dress. I cried. My makeup ran. It was a good day.

Our "reception" was hot dogs cooked on the grill in our backyard. Did I mention my husband is somewhat..."countryfied"?

Anyhow that was the start of our lives...and what a start it was



WebSavyMom.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Let's Go Ride A Bike...(A Blog In Pictures)

On a recent sunny afternoon, my husband decided that it was way past
high time for D to learn how to ride a bike. Without training wheels. With a little
coaxing D was on his way.
As my husband prepared to let go, even the smallest of our brood, knew to head for the hills
as fast as they could or.....
Something like this might happen. As soon as he let go, D made a hard right and headed straight for the porch railing. (Gotta love the look of terror on D's face and the look of "oh crap" on husbands)

Eventually though, he got the hang of it, and was riding off into the sunset...

Or atleast into the nearest tree.
Posted by Picasa

Writer's Workshop; If These Walls Could Talk...

If these walls could talk, they would speak not of countless hours spent vaccuming the floors. Not of the unsurmountable amount of laundry washed daily. Not of the dishes left in the sink.

If these walls could talk, they would not speak of countless arguments my husband and i had, only to make up hours later. Not of the times I yelled at the kids because I had had enough for the day. Not of tears cried in solitude of a mother who is stressed.

Instead these walls would speak of laughter. Of Sunday mornings spent lounging in bed watching cartoons. Of water fights with the hose. Of fresh baked (from scratch) chocolate chip cookies.

They would speak of family time spent 'round the dinner table. Talking about our days. Of trips to the park or the zoo. Of time spent building lego houses and cars. Of nights spent rocking the newest of the brood to sleep.

If these walls could talk , they would remember the good, forget the bad. Recall warm memories, cast away negative thoughts.

If these walls could talk, they would speak of love. life.laughter

They would speak of a happy home.

Thanks mamakat for this weeks prompts

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Wordless Wednsday 8-19-2009


"I't's my party and I'll cry if I want to..."

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Totally Random Thoughts Tuesday



Today's topic...laundry. Seriously. It is a huge problem in my house...maybe I should call the CDC and they will make it a pandemic. Because in a matter of days it has spread to every surface in my home. It doesn't matter how many times a day I wash it...and while I am at it, why am I washing the SAME pieces of clothing every.single.day.? It is a conspiracy.

My kids are in on it. My 3 year old changes clothes atleast 4 times a day. He gets one itty bitty drop of water on his shirt and off it goes because heaven forbid he should wear a wet shirt. Never mind that I am walking around with a spit-up stained shirt. He cannot have wet clothing on. Ever. The baby, he is in on it too. I kid you not, he goes through like 5-6 shirts a day. Because like his brother, he can't have a wet shirt on. Even if it is just a dribble of formula. Ain't happening. My daughter, she's a streaker. Put clothes on her and they *poof* dissappear. She enjoys being naked. I wouldn't mind so much, but heres the thing. She finds it necessary to take the clothes out of the drawer, and then pees on them or poops on them...that part I don't like so much. She does this every.single. time. Nap or bed. Or just because.

I swear, laundry breeds indiscrimnately in my house. It never ends. Ever. I hate doing laundry. Seriously, I hate it so much that I will wash it and fold it, but I will be damned if I put it away. I have 6 laundry baskets full of clean clothes...but no one puts them away. Apparently that is mom's job.

And while I am on the topic of rapidly breeding household chores...what is up with the dishes? Holy canoli batman!! I have a dishwasher, that gets used every day. How is that no sooner then I empty the sink and put away the dishes that are cleaned, that the sink is full again.

I have come to the conclusion that somewhere, in the darkest depths of my home, resides a little gnome. This little gnome snickers evily as he makes more chores for me to do. He comes out at night and dirtys the laundry and fills up the sink. He is the one that steals the socks and uses them as mittens.

Damn Gnome

Monday, August 17, 2009

Not Me Monday



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


While attempting to fold the 100th load of laundry for the day I did not tell my kids that the goblin king from the movie they are watching was real. I did not then recite "Goblin King Goblin King where ever you may be, take this child of mine far away from me"

I did not laugh hysterically when I yelled "Damnit" for not being able to find my sunglasses and my 3 year then went on a "damnit" rampage...damning everything he came in contact with. Including some guy he seen out side.."Damnit guy"

I have not fed my kids toast and pb and j for the last 2 days because i am out of cereal and grocery day is just a few days away.

I did not let my kids watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the 5th time just so they would be quiet. I also did not let them pull out the freshly laundered blankets and roll around on the floor with them simply for the sake of sanity.

I did not hit my husband to wake him up to get the baby who was fussing, again. Then I did not pretend to still be sleeping so he would think it was an accident.

I am not sitting here at the computer blogging and Twittering while there is housework to be done.

And while I am at it..

I am not folding all that darned laundry

Don't Make Me Call Supernanny...



Having 4 children, 2 of them toddlers, one a newborn makes life, a bit....interesting. Usually my days start being woke by either the baby fussing (although as of late, his normal pattern is to sleep interminitly until 4am then fuss non stop until 930am). If it isn't the baby, then it is the sound of Nucular Warfare being unleashed the floor below me in the boys room.

That just starts the day. Once they are up stairs, the chaos continues, one needs a diaper change, one is hungry, one is playing in the toliet and one is jumping off the arm of the couch...again.

I seriously need SuperNanny...and stat.

I watch the show occasionally. Some of the familes are...well...out there. But most of them reflect my family life in some form or another. Scary, I know.

Do I really want SuperNanny in my house though? I mean is she going to lecture me on setting boundries when she sees the massive amount of crayon marks on the boys wall? (Listen lady, if it keeps them from coloring on my things or themselves, so be it..walls can be painted) I can hear her critiquing my parenting skills when my 3 year old yells "Damnit Mommy" from the other room and I snicker because..well because it is so damn cute. (And I might have taught him that one too). And I am sure she will sigh in disgust when she sees that my house is anything BUT clean. Its chaotic, there is clutter that I haven't gotten rid of in ages, dishes in the sink..maybe I need FlyLady not Supernanny...you think?

But my children are alive...for now. And my house while chaotic is still a home. I think...maybe it is just a dumping ground for unused, unplayed with toys, clothes that are too big or too small and paper...I haven't decided yet.

Seriously though, I want to call SuperNanny...I am looking for the number online as we speak. I tell my 7 year old, remember that mean Nanny you don't like on Tv? I am calling her. Pick up your toys or I will call supernanny!!

He looks at me with a look that says "yea, right"

I am serious!! Don't make me call Supernanny

"Do it mom...its always the parents that get in trouble anyways..."

Yea, I created this monster and when I try to tame it...doesn't go so well does it.

Supernanny I need your help

And if you can't come.....

Could you atleast send Jose Cuervo?

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Back To School, Back To School


The flyer's in the Sunday paper. The throngs of frustrated mothers with tired kids in tow. The arguments with sibilings over which backpack is better, Hannah Montana or The Jonas Brothers.

Yep, its that time of year. A mother's who has been couped up with restless children all summer favorite time of year. The time of year retailers sing with joy because school supplies just get more expensive each year (8 bucks for 2 pkgs of dry erase markers...seriously??)

Back To School!!! Summer has come to an end, and while we will miss the lazy summer days at the beach, quiet picnics in the park, mornings of sleeping in....wait a minute, I don't know about you, but in MY house, that didn't happen.
For most of us, our summers were spent schlepping kids from one activity to the next, trying to apply sunscreen to a screaming toddler,swatting mosquitos, endless bbqing,refereeing fights between summers, keeping one eye on the calendar and silently (or not so silently) counting down the days.

"2 more weeks..then I don't have to deal with you all day" I said to my son, just this morning, eliciting a stream of tears...."I dont want to go to school...why dont you want me here anymore mommy?" Simply put dear child of mine...3 months of confiment with you and your brothers and sister has made mommy insane.

I have already finished my school shopping this year. I learned last year, after a physical confrontation over a package of markers, just how hazardous to my health waiting until the last moment can be. Already stressed out moms are pushed to the brink as they sift thru piles of folders trying to find "the one" that their child has to have. The moms find themselves in the trenches of the school supply aisle,while their husbands wait on the outside...they are smart enough to know to not get in the way of a mom who is trying to find the last neon pink crayon box...not that color pink mommy...for their daughter.

Is it just me or is the whole school supply industry out to turn us against eachother? I have seen even the nicest and quietest moms turn into medusa over a crayon box...its a 64 cent crayon box, surely there are worse things to deal with?

Ahh, its my favorite time of year, really. School supply shopping ranks right up there with black friday shopping, you dont want to do it, but you just HAVE to...who knows what kinda deals you will miss.

My advice: Shop early. Buy in bulk. Wal-mart has great prices on all of the basics that your kid will need for school. I bought notebooks for 15 cents. I think I spent less then $50.00 for all the school supplies including the John Cena backpack he just "HAD to have mom". The only thing left on my list are gym shoes. I was done shopping back at the begining of the month or the end of last month.

Waiting to the last minute to get that pack of markers you forgot earlier...

Not the best of ideas, but hey if you are looking for some amusement, be my guest...just remember I warned you about the frazzled mother with 3 kids in tow hell bent on getting those markers before you.

Happy BTS shopping


Writer's Workshop: God Moment

Over the years, my faith has been tested. Well, more then tested. It's been twisted,torn and turned upside down. Up until recently I didn't know if there really was a God. I mean, I prayed, but only when things got bad and even then I wasn't really sure if God was listening.

Then I got pregnant with Noah. My baby. My 4th and final baby. I knew from the very begining that this pregnancy would be a difficult one. I had high blood pressure with my 3 previous pregnancies, 2 of my children were emergency c-sections.

As my pregnancy progressed, the complications that I had expected set in. Then things went from just kinda bad to to really bad.

Each week I had non-stress tests. Each week I had ultra-sounds. Each week I was told that I would be lucky to make it to 34 weeks.

At around 34 weeks I was admitted to the hospital. My blood pressure was through the roof, little Noah was not reactive during the tests. Of course, once I got to the hospital, he was more active. I breathed a sigh of relief. But then I got news that i wasn't expecting...

Noah had stopped growing. He was suffering from IUGR. I panicked. Noah couldn't be born now, he was too small. I was sent home that night on strict bed rest.

Again at 36 weeks, I found myself on another stay, this one overnight, at the hospital. My doctor called the night of my release and told me he preferred me to stay until 37 weeks. But would let me go home again on bed rest. Noah was going to be early.

At this point I realized that I needed God. There were complications with Noah that could have been devasting. I didn't know what was going to happen to me or my baby.

The following week, I recieved more bad news...I was developing Pre-ecclampsia. I was ordered to have a stress test that day. Noah wasn't moving. His heart rate was low.

Just 2 hours after that dreadful appointment, Noah was thrust into this world via emergency c-section. He weighed just 5pds 15 oz. He was 3 weeks early. Thankfully, no complications ensued and he is now at a healthy 7pds 13 oz 6 weeks later.

I realized that if Noah hadn't been delivered that day, he would not be here today. My pre-ecclapmsia wasn't as bad as I thought. The night before my hands had swollen up a little bit. If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have called the doctor, who wouldnt have ordered the tests and Noah wouldnt be here right now...

God, even though through the years I doubted the exsistance of Him, watched over me and Noah that day. While in the OR I felt a calm that was absence during my other children's births. I had none of the other complications that plauged me after surgery in the past. I was able to enjoy my son within 30 minutes of leaving the OR.

That day was my God moment. The moment that I realized that even though life hadn't always been fair or "right", that there was a reason for the things that went on. I realized that God was there, watching out for me and my baby.

6 weeks later, my faith is a little stronger. I would love to say that I am a God-fearing christian, but that would be a lie. But I do believe that God is there now...

thanks to Mama Kat for this inspirational and thought provoking prompt this week

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

One Lovely Blog Award...


I haven't been blogging for long, and often look with envy at other blogs, wishing I could make mine like theirs. I wanted my blog to stand out amongst others....

Imagine my suprise then, while reading a newly posted comment on my Not Me Monday post, I discovered that Amy from Everyday Mama Drama had nominated me for a "One Lovely Blog" Award! Thank you Amy for my very first blog award!!!


The rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award" are:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

1.) A Simple Kinda Life
2.) Be Different, Act Normal
3.)Caring For Carleigh
4.) Challenges of being a single mom
5.) J. leigh designz
6.) Mama's Losin' It
7.)Mommygaga
8.)My Charming Kids
9.)Ashley's Antics
10.)Butter Bean and Peanut
11.)Lovin Every Minute of it
12.) The Rudy Family Ruckus
13.)My Life With 4 brothers and one sister
14..) Peg City Momma
15.) Deshawn Marie Handcrafted Soap

Monday, August 10, 2009

Not Me Monday

As a mom, who would load up the kids, the diaper bag, the stroller but forget to put the baby in the car before starting the engine, leaving him sitting on the stoop like yesterday's paper? Not Me. (Not me never even put the car in gear before grabbing baby)

Who would attempt to bake cookies in an oven that had a grease spill a few days prior without cleaning the grease up, therefore causing a fire in said oven? Not Me.

Who would allow their children to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the 100th time just so they could fold the laundry that has been in the basket for 3 days? Not Me

Who laugh uncontrolably when their 3 year old little boy looked at their father and said "Damnit Daddy!" which then encourages the child to swear in the most unappropiate of places? Not Me

Who would be so overwhelmed and stressed from a day of chasing toddlers, dealing with a defiant seven year old, cleaning house and changing diapers that she'd put said toddlers to bed with their clothes they wore that day on, after feeding them a dinner of PB and J? Not Me

Who is going to fold the laundry that is sitting in the basket and put it away, then throw another load in and repeat while I sit here and sip my gigantic cup of coffee and play..er I mean work...on the internet...certainly....

Not Me!!!


Not Me Monday Courtesy of My Charming Kids


Sunday, August 9, 2009

Want a chance to have your blog made over?

Once Upon A Blog {Design Shoppe} is having a grand-re-opening/birthday celebration!!

Head on over to Once Upon A Blog to see how you can win and how to get $10.00 off your purchase

She does wonderful work and this is a great chance to give your blog a makeover!!!

Little Pirates Gift Set Give-A-Way


Little Pirates Gift Set

Ahoy Matey!

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Ages 3 to 7 years


Entering this Giveaway is simple!!

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*Follow my blog

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*Earn an additional 5 enteries for every $30 dollar purchase you make by clicking the banner below

*Earn 10 additional enteries by signing up to be come a Barefoot Book Ambassador by clicking the banner below (It's totally FREE)


This contest runs until August 17th 2009 at which point a winner will be chosen by using random.org or another similar method



Friday, August 7, 2009

Ok, so I am NOT the domestic diva I thought I was...

It is a rainy Friday afternoon...the kids are restless as all heck. I cannot keep up with the mess. Then I get a brillant idea...

Let's bake cookies from scratch!!

That will surely earn me mother of the year.

So I set off for the kitchen.

Preheat the oven? Check!

I am mixing the final ingredients together, with 3 salavating kids awaiting fresh cookies when it happens...

A little smoke...

Then a HUGE fire

Well not that huge, but it was in the oven .

My 7 yr old runs for the hills yelling FIRE...

(I am surprised the fire dept didnt arrive)

The smoke detector starts shreiking, waking the sleeping baby and frightening the toddlers.

SHIT!!! I am to short to reach them, anyways how do you turn them damn things off.

I grab the box of baking powder and pour it all in the oven and shut the door, praying it goes out.

While this is happening, I call...wait for it...

my husband.

Who is at work...

I get put on hold for 5 minutes.

In the meantime I drag a kitchen chair into the hall and try to shut of the yelling alarm. "Why did I pick today to make cookies?"

By the time he answers, I have the fire out, a smoke filled house, 3 laughing kids, one crying baby and the alarms silenced...

When I tell him, he laughs at me.

"Oh yea, I forgot to tell you, I didn't clean the grease that spilled in the oven the other night..."

Geez...thanks honey. Love you too!

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My Weightloss Journey: A week later

It's been a week since I made the commitment to myself and my family to get fit, loose weight and eat better. What a week it has been...

As I wrote earlier in the week, I am emotional eater. Issues on the homefront have made it difficult to stick to my plan. Factor in that I discovered yesterday that I eat when I am bored as well, and that just makes a recipe for disaster.

But I made it. I pushed myself beyond my limits this past week. Eating better. Working harder.

And you want to know something...I feel it.

I feel different. I feel more energized during the day. While my body is somewhat sore, it isnt the same constant nearly crippling pain that plagued me for so long.

I have lost 2 pounds this week. So I am not much off my goal of 3 pounds a week.

I realize that my weightloss plan may be a bit ambitious...44 pounds in 4 months. But I think that I can do it...if i do it smart.

I also know that if I don't reach my goal, that is ok. Because it is quality not quantity in this case.

I am determined to work hard.

Ever since I became a mother, I felt like I had lost part of who i was. My identity was my kids. This weightloss journey is my chance to get back a piece of me. The me I was before kids. :-)


Thursday, August 6, 2009

Irrational Fear or Not? Writers Workshop 8/6/09

Ok, so for as long as I can remember, I have been terrified to death of spiders. For some reason, they scare the living piss out of me, even little ones.

But, I love the movie Arachnaphobia, go figure. Anyways, so for years, this "irrational fear" of spiders has made me prime target for jokes and pranks. I am constantly made fun of. I admit, it is a stupid thing to be scared of, but come on..they are NASTY.

So the other day, I am going to go down stairs to check on the napping kiddos, when what am I greeted by..A SPIDER!! And not just your typical daddy long leg, no this sucker had a body the size of a quarter, legs that where just as long and was black and yellow.

I panic,of course, who is going to kill this thing. I look at the dog, who looks at me. "Surely you dont expect ME to kill it?" I ask the dog, as this nasty thing creeps along my wall. It makes its way to a pile of clothes and settles. "So now what?" I cant just leave it. So I do the next best thing...

I race to my hall closet and grab the bottle of woolite carpet cleaner. Yes carpet cleaner. I spray the damn thing and it hides in the clothes. Damnit. Then I start stomping on the clothes as if they were on fire. I hoping that is is dead. Then I realize if its not, then its still in the clothes and is free to roam about my house, so I do what any girl in this situation would do...I grab a pair of tongs and pick the clothes up (why are you laughing? I wasnt going to touch the clothes after that) and pile them into the laundry basket. Still no spider, so logical conclusion, it is still in the laundry basket. So now the laundry basket is sitting at the top of my stairs waiting to be taken down to wash....this will kill the spider sending him to spider heaven.

Except for this..WHO is going to wash those clothes?


Thanks to Mama Kat for the prompts

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Barefoot Books Fundraiser

Barefoot Books can help you bring the gift of reading to any child. Now you can help as well. From now until August 20th, I am having a Barefoot Books Fundraiser.

The proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network

Also, for every $20.00 in orders placed, one book will be donated to a local Ronald Mcdonald House.

Please visit my site at http://maustin.barefootbooks.com today to place your order and help children in need.

Thank you!!

Melissa Austin

Monday, August 3, 2009

Motivation Monday...

Or lack thereof...

It is almost 2pm and I am just now sitting down to write my first blog of the day. When the month of August rolled around, I promised myself that I would be more productive during my day. Meaning more online networking and blogging, and being more productive around the house as well.

I have been struggling with some issues that have made this a bit difficult. The main one being...me.

I am my own worst enemy when it comes to anything. I tend to sabatoge myself. I start out with the best of intentions, I set the bar high, perhaps to high. And thus when I don't reach my goals, I feel like I have failed.

My motivation has gone out the window it seems. Especially since the birth of Noah. Between his sleepless nights and my busy days, my energy to do anything other then sit on the couch has gone away.

That has created a snowball effect in my house. My lack of motivation has led to my diminished moods, which has led to me not taking care of the things that need to be taken care of which has led to complete chaos in my house. Which leads to more stress for me.

Did I mention that young children seem to thrive on chaos? Chaos breeds Chaos I suppose.

Each day I tell myself that "today will be different" but by the time my head hits the pillow, I realize that the day was no different then the one before it and the one before that.

I have been forced to take a hard look at myself. And I realize that "garbage in=garbage out"

My frame of mind sets me up for failure, so no matter how hard I try to succeed, I am not going to because that is what is already in my head.

So today will be THE day I do something different. I will celebrate my accomplishments no matter how small. I will forget about what I didn't do and instead focus on what I did do.

I can do this, and I know that if i should stumble along the way...its ok....

more then likely it was a kids toy that tripped me up

Melissa :-)

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Misadventures in Potty Training

Brace yourself. Are you ready?

3 out of my 4 children....

are in...

diapers.

Yep that's right, nearly 80% of my day is consumed with wiping poopy butts and occasionally wrangling the naked run-a-way child.

A huge chunk of my grocery bill every 2 weeks goes towards wipes,diapers and pull-ups.

My 3 year old was ready to be trained at one point.

But then the complications with my pregnancy and the birth of Noah kinda put that on the back burner.

He has a potty chair. Granted he uses the bowl as a hat...but atleast he acknowledges its existance.

Back when we first started potty training him, we bought his some Thomas The Train undies. He loves Thomas, so brilliant me thought it would be a grand idea to get him some and tell him to not pee on Thomas, he won't like being wet.

Ya, that did not work so well. 24 hours after purchasing the underwear, I found my 3 year old standing at the top of the stairs butt naked. Peeing. Down. The. Stairs! "Where's your underwear?" "Me not pee on Thomas, he dont want to get wet..."

Well atleast I didn't have to wash dirty underwear.

Potty training is a bit of an adventure in my house. My 2 year old always wants to follow her brother in the bathroom, which wouldn't be so bad if she wasn't so damn curious!

"Bubba whats that.."

I am not ready to explain the logistics of the human body to my daughter just yet

I watched a Dr. Phil episode on Potty Training. He recommends using a doll that pees to show your child how to go potty.

I think that would just lead to feelings of inadequacy. I mean how would you feel if a $20 doll could pee in the potty and you couldn't...hmmm???

People tell me not to push him, he will go when he's ready.

Yea, he will go when he's ready...on the floor, in the mop bucket, on his brother, everywhere but where he supposed to.

Ahhh...the joys of potty training.

He will get it...eventually


Weight Loss Journey Day 2: A bump in the road

I started out this morning with the best of intentions. Or at least I intended to.

An early morning argument with my husband left me feeling more depressed then usual and my motivation was lacking to say the least.

With a heavy heart I pulled out my Wii Fit Balance Board and started my activities for the day.

I was only able to get thru 4 short exercises before I shut the Wii off and decided to seek my solace elsewhere...

In food.

I am an emotional eater. Always have been. I eat like I haven't eaten in weeks when I am stressed or depressed or angry or sad.

It has been a constant battle.

An uphill one at that.

I seek out food for comfort. Maybe because I don't get it anywhere else?

Ok enough of the psyc0-analytical crud.

Seriously though, this is a weakness that I cannot seem to over come. It is a viscous cycle that I cannot seem to break. I get upset, I eat, I then feel bad that I caved therefore leading to more stress and sadness which leads to more eating...

Catch my drift here?

One of my many goals in self improvement is to learn that food is not an acceptable way to relieve stress. Well it could be, if I ate right. But lets face it, when we are seeking out comfort through food, health is the last thing on our minds

So today was a wash. I did end up drowning my sadness in ice cream and pizza.

Tomorrow I promise I will work twice as hard...

I swear on my dish of Cookies and Cream Ice Cream


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