SO MANY THINGS.....

I am not one to be speechless....really. I might not have something important to say, but I will talk anyway. If something needs to be said, I can be counted on to say it. If something doesn't need to be said, you can certainly bet that I will be the one to say it. I don't look to be ugly.....just honest....BRUTALLY honest.

Anyway, as I was sitting here about to blog, I honestly couldn't think of anything. HOW SAD IS THAT? I read blogs in which people talk about what happened during the day. I love peeking into their lives. (Makes me feel a bit more normal....somewhat.) But for me to do that...I don't know. I personally don't find satisfaction in my writing to do that. Maybe that's why I blog only once a week....but check daily my friends.....you can find some of them to your right.

I almost turned off the computer. But before I do, I think I'll just talk about what I might talk about in the future. I also need to address just a few things. (I'm sorry for those who are reading and looking for a laugh....I'm not full of many tonight, but my future topics should be interesting to some.)

First off, on a very serious note...I have a mommy friend who just lost her 4 year old daughter. The little girl had health problems, but that does not help the pain that my friend is in. My heart hurts for her. Please remember this family...and many others who have just lost children, siblings and parents to the madness that is this world.

So one thing I might type about is end times. I had a cyber-friend comment on the shootings in Virginia. She said, "I don't know what this world is coming to." Well....I had just found out about my aforementioned friend...I didn't have the fight in me to tell her what the world is coming to. But I will :D

OK.....that being said, I'll just post a few goings on in my life and a few ideas for future blogs....I shan't be long.

I got a call from a DEAR DEAR friend today. He and his wife are finally trying to get preggers. I LOVE IT! I wish them well and quick conception! He called and said that she ovulated and he went through the proper reaction of this news....now we wait. Because of this....I have 8 things to write about...the pregnancy (more specifically finding out and telling of) each of my 4 pregnancies and each of my 4 deliveries.

You see, (this is for you men) mothers LOVE to hear pregnancy and birthing stories. Mothers LOVE to tell their own adventures even more. COOL, HUH? EIGHT MORE STORIES!

I love to write...it's a little known fact that I want to be published.... hmmmmm...we'll see.

Oh, something else exciting that happened today. I bought new tennis shoes. They were on sale for $39.99 from $50. Just thought I would share.

BUT, the BIG news of the day is this. My 3 year old went, BY HIMSELF, and pooped in the potty. This is only the 2nd or 3rd time he has done this. Anyone who has potty trained a boy knows what a big deal this is. You get tired, you know? I mean, you finally get them to tell you when they need to tee-tee. They come tearing through the room squealing "TEE TEEEEEEE." You react as if you just saw a snake. You tear after the child, rip down the britches and make sure that his aim is accurate. You are SO glad that you no longer wash 5-9 pairs of wet undies. HOWEVER, muddy undies are MUCH WORSE! Really....if you haven't done it, just imagine, ok? I mean, dude....MUD? RAIN? What do you choose?

So anyway, the first time he did it he had gone in to tee tee. We are encouraging him to go alone, so I turned on the light and left him to undress (yes, undress....he has to have his britches OFF for some reason.) After awhile (a long while...too long for a quick whiz) I go to check. He is leaning on the back of the toilet looking into the bowl. (I know...the mental picture is a bit much, but it is a very important part of this story.) I was gearing up to scold him for playing in the potty when he looked at me, pointed into the bowl and said, "Would you look at that?"

The pride I felt...and the pride he felt was a bit much, I guess, considering that we soon celebrated a turd....a real turd....not some accidental escapee. We squealed and jumped up and down and soon got candy as a reward. I said, "Did you do that?" DUH, but still, moms do this. He said, "Yesssss."

Well, tonight, he did it again. We may have finally broken the muddy pants pattern.

So I suppose I have reached a new level...I have blogged (again) about poop. Let's just hope my future blogs aren't about the same type of s***....you really thought I would say it, huh?

Later!

MORE ABOUT ME

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I was named after the siren on the Rhine River in Germany (you think I'm joking, huh?)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I really couldn't tell ya.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not particularly

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? right now it's pastrami

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 4 boys ages 7, 6, 4 and 1

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I would be now, but back in the day....nope

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Ya think? ;)

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yeppers

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO! Too many uncontrolled variables....however, I have gone rappelling many times and I have sky....would it be "dove" or "dived?" I mean, the past tense of "dive" is "dove," but it doesn't really sound right to say that I "skydove." Hmmmm...OK...I have jumped out of a plane (while it was flying.)

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruity Pebbles, Vanilla Almond Granola, and Toasted Honey Crunch

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? who does?

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? physically? I think I am for a girl. Mentally? Well, I guess I kind of hafta be, considering my life.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? From Marble Slab: Sweet Cream with raspberries and chocolate chips in a chocolate dipped waffle cone. From the store: Blue Bell Chocolate Chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their ankles. (Fat ankles are both annoying and very grotesque.) Now...as you go to inspect your own ankles, let me tell you what I look for....I look for the gradual down-sizing of the leg as it tapers into a nice, slender ankle. I'm not looking for a tree stump with a foot on the end.

15. RED OR PINK? RED!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Oh...I could go on and on....probably procrastination, shyness and a bit of insecurity. (STOP LAUGHING!)

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friend Miss K in New Mexico

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Ummmm...aren't you assuming too much?

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? a piece of lemon cake at a baby shower

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? my 4 year-old snoring

21. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? red and probably broken or stubby with the paper torn off

22. FAVORITE SMELLS? (ask me my least favorite smells and I refer to my cardinal rule to NOT smell something) BUT, I do have faves....Drakkar on my man, (mixed with Big Red Gum and beer....but that goes WAY back to my party days.....and those of you who know me...well, you know what a party-er I was. LOL!!!) coffee, Baby Magic baby lotion

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my dad

24. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? she's a peach! (I stole your idea, Mommy Spice!)

25. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? college and pro football and basketball. GO MAVS!!!!

26. HAIR COLOR? blonde

27. EYE COLOR? hazel

28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I have for the last 23 years

29. FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican Food with a chocolate chaser

30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy...as long as it's not mushy....I really don't like when people kiss and all that. BLECH! GET A ROOM!

31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Illusionist, right after Facing the Giants...both very good flicks.

32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT/BLOUSE ARE YOU WEARING? one of DH's undershirts. (it's bedtime and that's what I sleep in)

33. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

34. HUGS OR KISSES? Who's offering?I like both....especially the kind wrapped in foil with a Hershey's tag stickin' out the top :D

35. FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Kingdom Come (and several others that are "pick-up-every-now-and-then-read-a-chapter-at-a-time" books)

37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? my mouse

38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? ER

39. FAVORITE SOUNDS? rain, wind, my children laughing, my baby singing, classical music, worship music

40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? must you ask? BEATLES!!!

41. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Puerto Vallarte, Mexico...."It's this whole other country." (OK...if you've never seen Forrest Gump, that means absolutely nothing to you.)

42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes, I do....I can play the piano. I can play the flute. I can sing. And I'm a DARN GOOD FRIEND!

Ressurection Sunday

We color eggs. We hide, then hunt, the eggs. We eat chocolate bunnies (ears first, of course.) We buy new clothes.

We bake cookies and enjoy all bunny, egg, and chick treats. And most importantly, we remember the true meaning of the day.

This Sunday is the most important Sunday to my family.

My children are just starting to learn what this season means. We talk about it every year (and even throughout the year.) What is so hard is getting them to really KNOW and UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE that all the things Jesus did for the world He did for me, for my children, for YOU!

As I grow, I am hit with this reality more and more. I grew up believing, but it's only in my older years that I'm understanding the sacrifice; the things that Jesus went through for YOU!

Isaiah refers to stripes on His back.....39 stripes, to be exact. These stripes were for healing. Healing is just one of the many things that I am secure in...all because Jesus died on the cross for me and YOU!

Please remember the true "REASON FOR THE SEASON!"

Spiritual truth #1 - No one is good. All are sinners

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God -Romans 3:23

Spiritual Truth #2 - The payment for sin is death. If you sin, you have been sentenced to the death penalty, and an eternity away from God.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. -Romans 6:23

Spiritual truth #3 - Jesus paid the death penalty for us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. -John 3:16-17

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -John 14:6

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. -John 10:10

Spiritual truth #4 - To accept the free gift of salvation, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and saviour.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. -2 Corinthians5:17

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. -Romans 10:9-11

The above scripture says you need to do three things:

Confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth

Believe in your heart

Don't be ashamed

If you want to be saved and born again, and you are ready to become a new creature in Christ, then pray the following prayer. You can do this right now...right where you are. God will hear you:

Dear Lord, Thank You so much for sending Your Son to pay for my sins, by dying in my place. I accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and I believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead. Thank You for Your free gift of salvation, I gladly accept it. Amen~

If you did this, please let me know in the comment section. I will pray for you.

God bless you as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday.

THE COUCH

What you are about to read is absolutely true. It is unbelievable in that it should not happen....EVER. Not to my worst enemy....well, maybe my worst, but not to my friends anyway. In fact, when I have told people to their face, they have a whole "sucks to be you" look. When I tell the the result, they show a bit of relief. Relief and doubt that it turned out as well as it did.

So we bought this couch, see. OK...I really need to back up. The story is MUCH better when you realize WHY we got the couch in the first place.

Do you remember the rota virus episode that we enjoyed a few weeks ago? Remember? A whole lot of puke and poop? Well, the bodily fluids didn't stay contained like we would want. There were many times when it just oozed or flew to other locations of the room.

One such location was our couch. The poor baby, limp with fever and lack of nutrition, lay on the couch, on a blanket, watching Blue's Clues....anything to give that sweet baby some joy. As I walked past, I smelled the evidence of another blow-out. I picked him up and discovered that he had been lying in it. (guilt)

We cleaned the furniture and the child and put him to bed. All was well until 2 days later. The baby, seemingly much better, decided to show me that, in fact, he was NOT better as he puked once, twice, THREE TIMES on the previously pooped on cushion. So again, soap and water hit both child and cushion.

Baby feeling better, my attention turned to the cushion. Soap and water didn't touch the stench...the smell that had a life of its own. If you ever watched Jerry Seinfeld...think of the BBO in his car. THAT is what we were dealing with. It was BAD! SO....talking to friends and reading hints I went to tackle this beast, this unearthly smell; a smell SO LARGE that only a baby could bring it on.

I used soap and water. I used a vinegar solution. I used baking soda. I used so much febreeze that I couldn't even smell it out of the bottle anymore. As my number 1 rule is to not smell anything to test for the blech factor, I would use my boys. Each sniff resulted in "EWWWWW GROSS!!!!"

I determined to make the best of it. My hubby, who had been gone throughout the entire episode, came home on a Tuesday. I told him of my problem. "It's nasty!" I told him this. It is a little known fact that my DH's sniffer just doesn't work normally....in fact, the anti-smelling rule does not apply to him because...well, his schnoz is jacked when it comes to the duty beyond holding sunglasses up.

Well, on Wednesday night, he happened to be sitting in the exact spot that saw so much action. After about 10 minutes, he jumped up, yelled, "THIS SUCKS!" and left to buy me a couch. I never got something so easily. Shoot....there are a lot of things I could have kids puke on...if only I had known.

BUT I digress!

He bought the new couch and it was to be delivered Friday week. We were so excited. Despite the fact that we had to buy a steam cleaner to rid the couch of whatever odor we could...regardless of the fact that our new van is in need of a new transmission...and forgetting the fact that we have to eat...we were VERY thrilled to have a brand new....and might I add, GORGEOUS couch.

So the thing gets delivered. It JUST fit. And when I mean JUST fit....if any dimension of our living room (except height) were just an inch shorter...well, it wouldn't work.

We are so proud. It is gorgeous! I haven't had any furniture quite that nice. Having 4 boys, we immediately went into CLDM..."couch lock-down mode."

NO FOOD!

NO DRINK!
NO PETS!

NO SHOES!

NO GUM!

NO NOSE-PICKING! (that includes any adults)

NO....you get the picture

That first night saw a family movie night in which we all ate pizza....on the floor!

The boys were so excited and kept reminding us of the rules....GOOD JOB, BOYS!

Saturday, we awaken to the smell of new furniture. We smile and go sit - our bare legs on the cream colored micro-fiber. The smell of the faux-leather intoxicating as we lean the seat back and bask in the plush embrace of our real-life adult purchase.

Pretending we have money, we decided to go shopping and to take our blue bonnet pictures. As we are about to leave, it happens.

"MOM! LOOK AT THE BABY!"

THIS is not something you want to hear...especially coming from the proximity of the new furniture that you hold ALMOST as dear as your children.

A cream colored cushion is a tempting canvas for a black marker toting toddler. (Try saying THAT 3-times fast.)

You don't believe me, dear reader. I went into a dreamlike state as I looked down at my beautiful new couch...the cream colored couch with black lines on it...at least a dozen lines and scribbles...a masterpiece...a work of art.

I can talk about this calmly because my baby is not even 2. I could not beat him the way I could have had it been my 4 year old, my 6 year old, or my 7 year old. I truly thank God it was my baby that did this.

Ivory dish soap, a warm wet cloth and elbow grease....well, I have a new couch again. It came out! It really did. Thank goodness. I thought I was going to have to puke on it to get another new one.

FOR MY FRIEND

"I'm praying for you."

I know that this is a common statement. It is one of the easiest things to do. It is one of the more comforting things to say when you don't know what to say.

A lot of people say the words and don't understand the power of the statement. They have heard it said "when two or three agree...." They have said the words countless number of times...yet they don't truly believe.

They think if their desired answer is not realized and obvious within a short time that it didn't work.

They struggle with finding the right words....don't want to be cliche...don't want to be callous...don't want to be fake. "I'll be praying for you," they say.

What do they pray? Do they know that God really does answer prayer? Do they understand that Jesus died on the cross and took EVERY sickness upon His back? Do they understand that we were promised healing? Do they even know?

They can't manage to go to church, to read their Bible, to really pray when there is a problem with their family or friends. "I'll remember you in prayer," they state in a concerned voice.

Do they truly believe? When we are called to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us....what does that mean to the unbeliever? They hear my concern for you, my friend. They have all said they would agree with me.

It is hard to imagine going through what you are going through. Although the outlook is positive, I hear it in your voice. I hear it in your hubby's voice. I feel it in my imagination. You are scared. That is okay.

I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen it TOO MANY TIMES! I have to believe in it.

It is the P.C. thing to say. It is comforting to say. It is soothing to hear. The words roll easily off the tongue. But not many understand. Not many know that they know that they know.

I promise you this, my dear friend: I am praying for you! I will continue to do so.

All my love to you and your family~

BLUEBONNETS

"It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat. The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." This statement was made by historian Jack Maguire.

They are blooming!

Few statements make me feel the way this one does. For most, it is simply an observance. For me, it is cause to celebrate Texas pride and drive my family crazy.

I am Texas born and Texas bred. I have known all my life that the state flower of the Great State of Texas is the bluebonnet. What I didn't know, was why. With my immature reasoning and understanding I thought that the state flower should be one that is found a lot in the state....like the tumbleweed, or the cactus. (The cactus, by the way, was on the short list of state flowers WAY back in the day.)

When I was in my early 20s, my husband and I moved to Austin. Moving to the Hill Country in July...well, we still didn't notice anything...until early spring. OH MY GOODNESS! NOW I UNDERSTAND! I cannot describe to you the breathtaking beauty that is a field of bluebonnets.

Living in North Texas, I still get to enjoy the beauty of the bluebonnet - thanks to the highway department's beautification project. They have spread TONS of wildflower seeds along Texas highways; and a lot of these seeds are bluebonnets.

The minute I see the deep purplish-blue that covers the fields and sides of the roads in quilted patchwork, I start planning the annual photos of these flowers and my children.

The difficult thing is finding a large patch that is safe to get out with 4 kids (all 7 and under) and go crazy with the digital camera. But every year, I recruit my hubby to help me find the perfect place. I watch the blooms to determine their peak beauty. I then dress the kids, schlepp them to the field, plop them down and snap away. If I'm lucky, nobody gets an ant bite. If I am REALLY lucky, I get some smiles out of the children.

My oldest told me this year that he didn't want to take pictures in the bonnets...that they were prickly and there were bugs on them. Bugs? I know. Prickly? I don't know. I haven't sat in them. That is only for my youngin's. :-)

I brushed his statement off as a little kid that didn't want to go out into the hot sun and say, "CHEESE!" as crazy mom snaps dozens of pics. UNTIL my hubby told me, "My mom used to do stupid stuff like that....I hated it."

Well, honey, I love you. This will just be a memory that my kids will share with you.

GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!!

I'M TIRED!

First off, this post is not for the reader with a weak stomach. So, if you tend to get puny reading about bodily fluids, you should leave now.

Secondly, I'm not throwing a pity party. I do not want your sympathy...wait, that's a lie. I want people to feel sorry for me. And the more I think about it, the more I think this IS a pity party. Anyway, I'm here to vent, so if you don't want to hear it, click the "x" at the top of your screen.

Thirdly, this post MIGHT be offensive to some. I'm cranky and tired and I really don't care if someone is offended at the words I might use. (No...I'm not going to cuss like a sailor, but certain slang or actual descriptions might come out that are less than ladylike. Frankly my dear, I don't give a rat's butt....just warnin' ya. Verstehen?)

OK....I'm tired of puke and poop. I'M TIRED OF IT!!! My youngest child, not even 2, has the rota virus. It is a nasty bug. I don't really care about bodily fluids...I mean, who does? But I don't generally get sick over the stuff. However, being a human who likes to maintain a certain amount of cleanliness...well, it is getting hard.

I'm tired of laundry. Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows that laundry is my arch-nemesis. I have done no fewer than fifteen loads of laundry since Wednesday. Every time I turn around, there is a leaky diaper or vomit all over the place. Dadgum...how much can a kid hold? In the words of Jeff Foxworthy...."When they say 8-10 pounds, they ain't kiddin'.That is all
them diapers will hold!"

Tuesday, on our way back from a family visit, my youngest puked in his car seat. There are few things worse than cleaning up puke from a car seat....having to do it 3 times ON THE ROAD is one of them. My sweet hubby cleaned out the FTU and the car seat...we had to strip it down and launder the other stuff.

Wednesday saw diarrhea...LOTS of poop...well, not really poop, but...well, you know. The vomiting seemed to subside, but the other end needed an insane amount of attention. Fortunately, a trip to Costco was not that far in the past...I have a case of diapers and wipies....I'm on my last section of diapers.

My issue (no the poop and puke is not really the issue here) is my 3 other children. My older 2, though they understand my need to be constantly tending to my youngest, do not understand how to facilitate the event. Every time I turn around, they are fighting or something. (It would be spring break...all 4 are home and I'm up to my armpits in puke and poop.)

My 3rd has not napped for the past 2 days. That is both good and bad. It is bad because for 2 hours when I NEED him to sleep, he is a whiney-heiney! The good thing is that in about 30 minutes, I can put in a movie and expect him to sack out for the night. Thank you, God.

My youngest, as we speak, is so tired that I put him in bed. See, we went for a drive because we are all going a bit goofy in the head. Well, either from movement or milk or whatever, the youngest puked FOUR TIMES in the FTU...AGAIN! *sigh*

We got home and I threw him in the tub. He is clean...I think. He is in his bed because I was convinced he was about to fall asleep. My dilemma is that when I go check on him, he is usually covered in either puke or poop and has to be tended to. Either way, he wakes and doesn't go back to sleep easily. I'm tired of washing sheets. I'm tired of washing pj's. I'm tired of smelling like puke. I'm tired of the house smelling like poop.

Are you tired of reading the words "puke and poop?" Try cleaning it up........

Mommy Spice and Daddy Spice...I don't think I'll be in church on Sunday.