I HEART FACES! ~ POUTING

I could not resist entering my little "pouter" in this weeks I ♥ faces kids category. The theme this week is "pouting". The trouble here was decided which pouting picture of Isaiah I liked most since I have so many of him pouting!!

Hop on over here to see all the other pouting children!!

OUR ST. PATTY'S SNOW MAN ON MARCH 28TH?!!?

Oklahoma weather is very unpredictable!

We had a couple of weeks with 70s and 80s ~ nice!

We had the hottest St. Patrick's Day in five years!

Then it got chilly.

Then it rained and stormed for days.

Then it rained some more ~ so much so that our front yard was full of small pools of water that could not be absorbed since the ground was already soaked.

The meteorologists were predicting snow for today. Hubs said, "Oh it won't happen!" It is normal for Oklahomans not to always believe their weathermen. Yesterday, it rained ALL DAY LONG!

This morning we wake up to Isaiah jumping on us saying,

"IT'S SNOWING, IT'S SNOWING!"

He has been waiting for a good snow for quite some time!

He has never built a REAL snowman!

I checked and it was snowing!

March 28th, 2009 and it is snowing in Oklahoma!

Now Oklahoma snowman-making snow is rare. We get snow, lots of sleet and tons of ice every winter but the fluffy wet snowman-making snow is rare especially enough of it! Originally our town was supposed to only get 1-3 inches and the towns north of us would get up to 10inches. By 12:30pm today, we had 6 inches of the GOOD snow in our backyard. The front yard was mainly slush since it was melting into the pools around the yard before it accumulated BUT the backyard was a big field of white.

Now I hate winter!

I hate snow!

I hate cold!

SO the plan was to bundle the boys up then go out and take pictures. This plan failed when I noticed the boys didn't have a clue what to do and that made me sad. When I was little I think we had snow more often since I remember making snowmen but nowadays we mostly get ice. SO I became the "good" Mom and joined in the fun.

WE HAD A BLAST!

Samson loved it and it made me really miss Daisy. She would have LOVED this snow. We had LOTS of snow a couple of years ago in November and she was in love with it.

The odd thing was the thunder. While we were making our snowman, it was thundering and still snowing pretty hard and fast. Don't know if I ever remember thunder during a snowstorm but this is Oklahoma! It is still snowing as I type this and I have serious cabin fever. I feel like going somewhere ~ anywhere but I don't want to get cold and wet so alas I am resorting to playing around on Picnik with my snow pics from this afternoon and blogging. I hate it when the bottom of my jeans get wet ~ weird pet peeve of mine ~ so I am staying in!

I did manage to take pictures here and there but it was hard since the snow was coming down so hard and I didn't want the camera to get too wet. This first one is my favorite!

I really liked this one too!

Every time I turned around the boys were eating snow!

I love this picture because of Zay's tongue! I think he picked up and ate more snow than he actually helped with the snowman. He was more worried about sweeping off his "cars" that he leaves outside and sweeping the porch. At one point he got very excited stating he had found a shovel. I turned to see him packing snow into the dog pooper scooper THEN I made SURE he didn't eat any of THAT snow!

We had to improvise a little. I had carrots for the nose but we couldn't find sticks for arms so he also has carrots for arms. We used quarters for his eyes and pennies for his mouth and buttons. I thought we were done when Zay said, "Momma he has to have a hat!" In the house I went to search for a hat when I found their St. Patrick's Day hats which they thought was hilarious!

Here he is in all of his glory ~ Frosty O' Cullom

Tez informed me this was his first time to ever make a snowman. From the looks of it, I totally believed him. I tried explaining a few things then gave up and just let him have fun doing it his own way.

It was funny when Isaiah said,

"Oh Tez you made a weally big Twismas tree!"

It did look like a tree.....

.....with a carrot on top but he was proud until it fell moments later!

It started to snow harder so we went inside. It is amazing how it takes forever to get them all layered and bundled then mere seconds there are wet clothes scattered everywhere after coming inside.

I JUST LOVE BABIES!

My childhood friend Heather had her second son on Monday. Friday is my day off as I have mentioned many times but unlike all the other times I was happy this Friday. I planned to go over to her house so maybe her husband could run errands and she could rest while I held the baby and of course took countless pics. However, we ended up chatting the entire time. I am not sure why I expected any less since that is what happens when we are with each other. Maddox was born on Monday. He was 8lbs. and he is a mini version of his big brother Tucker. So cute and irrestible!

Can you tell I've been playing around with Picnik?!!

Isn't he a cutie!

Congrats Heather, Paul and Tucker!

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR?

Becca at Made with Love gave me an award this week!

She is a little cutie patootie with a high school sweetheart husband, a little girl who loves to paint (ha!) and another baby girl on the way!

I think I might offer her a certain sleeping-through-the-night-potty-trained 3 yr old boy in trade for the new baby girl since Hubs obviously doesn't understand how to "make" a girl!

I think she will be more likely to take the trade once I erase all posts referring to his stubborn, strong willed, ornery little self. This could take quite some time so don't worry if I am gone for awhile! ha!

If you know me, then you know - I LOVE AWARDS!

Does this make me an award winning author since I am the author of this blog?

Hmm.....one of those "things that make you go hmm" moments!

For this moment, let's go with

"YES!"

(hooting, hollering, cheering and endless applause insues)

Here it is folks ~ my third award!

(angelic choir heard in the background)

Thank you, Becca!

Award Rules: List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won. You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sideboard letting the whole world know... you are Kreativ!

1. ♥Kathy at Happy at Home
2. Jen at Tutu's Bliss
3. The Mom Jen at Cheaper than Therapy
4. Heather at Adventures of Aidanpod
5. Kristen at La Dolce Vita
6. Mama Kat at Mama's Losin' It
7. Blueviolet at A Nut in a Nutshell

Oops updating! Since reading Kathy's post I realized I forgot to list the seven things I love. So here they are:

1. Wally World Strawberry Kiwi Water
2. Spring and fall weather
3. photographs and scrapbooking ~ I ♥ my Cricut!
4. blogging
5. my family and friends
6. traveling
7. King Size Snickers

SMALL TALK SIX!

6 things you would do naked if you lived alone

1. Sleep ~ wait NO because for some queer reason I can't sleep naked!

SO NOW I NEED A NEW #1

1. Get ready ~ straight from the shower and get dressed last
2. Watch TV ~ wait NO because I like PJs and a blanket

SO NOW I NEED A NEW #2

New #2. Sunbathe in my backyard with about a 10 ft privacy fence!!

3. Laundry ~ take off what I am wearing put it in the washer with no fear of running into small children on my way back to my room

4. Blog

5. Eat and lose tons of weight ~ Oh my goodness this is THE perfect diet plan. Eat naked then while passing the mirror on the "after meal" bathroom trip see myself naked which would make me throw up everything I just ate out of pure disgust!!

6. Hmm.....I haven't a clue....iron clothes....wait no I have tried that and burned my belly from pressing the steam too close to myself! I don't have a sixth!

UH-OH ISAIAH NEEDS ANATOMY 101 TOO!

Just a little bit ago Isaiah got into trouble by jumping on his bed.

He is a repeat offender!

It doesn't matter how many times he falls and hurts himself ~ he is an addict!

After this session he came running into my room saying, "Mommy feel my heart! It is beating weally fast!"

He makes this statement with his hand firmly planted on his belly-button!!

I laughed hysterically just thinking about my Anatomy 101 post!!

If you haven't read it yet, you really should!

NATIONAL "JOE" DAY

Again I took a gander over at Holiday Insights for more March Unique and Bizarre Holidays to find out today is National "Joe" Day. Now according to them, it is for people to go by the name "Joe" for a day. Why? I haven't a clue! So instead of going with that.......I am going to talk about a "cup of joe". Coffee ~ you either love it or hate it! I do not like coffee! I do not drink coffee! I don't like the smell of coffee but I KNOW MANY of YOU DO! The closest I have ever got to a "coffee" drink is a Mocha Madness of Java Daves. Since it is mostly milk with chocolate syrup topped with whip cream and chocolate shavings I am not even sure if that counts!!

BUT

since many of you are coffee addicts I am going to refer you to Curt and Karen over at Leisure Coffee. Leisure Coffee lets you have the best cup of coffee delivered right to your door! They have many flavors of coffee, decaf and regular or espresso and they also sell tea. You will save time and money now that you can enjoy a great cup of fresh roasted coffee in your home at your leisure without having to go to the local coffee shop. Imagine all the money you will save NOT running to starbucks plus all those paper cups hurting our environment! They are trustworthy, loving, and honest ~ I KNOW this since "they" are my brother and sister-in-law! So hop on over and try it......come on you know you want to!

THOMAS THE TRAIN GIVEAWAY AT MOMDOT

Isaiah loves cars, trains and planes!

His newest obsession is the Thomas the Train track sets he got from Santa.

Personally, I like the "carry along" sets so he can take them when we travel and stay in hotels, go to Meme's or to Elijah's sporting events. Hey anything that will keep him occupied is GREAT for me!!

MomDot and Thomas the Train makers are giving away 6 of the Thomas the Train at Action Canyon playsets. So of course I am willing to post about the contest. Hop on over and take a looksie!!

PHOTOSTORY FRIDAY

I haven't done Photostory Friday in awhile even with my best intentions so this week I AM DOING IT! While I had this post planned because spring is on the way, our forecast for tomorrow is snow! Seriously! Ugh.....I hate winter! Where is that stupid groundhog? Has he ever predicted an early spring? Just when the 70s and 80s were settling in, I began to wear flip flops and the boys sported their shorts....

BAM

.....days of wind, rain, cold temps and NOW snow!

Gotta love Oklahoma weather!

Welllll I was anticipating spring and getting ready to clean up the yard and prepare it for flowers in the next few weeks but now I will be behind closed doors until all remnants of winter have dissolved!!

The boys love to help with the flowers.

Isaiah has loved to water the flowers since he learned to walk.

I don't know if he justs likes getting wet......

....or drinking from the hose!!

He makes sure to get each flower!

He just loves to take care of the flowers!

Come join in on the Friday High Five fun too!

For more Photostory Friday posts, click below

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

FRIDAY HIGH FIVE

Time for Friday High Five!

Come join in the fun....please!

Make a list of 5 things ~ ANY five things you want! 5 favorite things, Top 5 Vacation spots, 5 most embarrassing moments, 5 favorite pics, 5 reasons to not pick your nose......A LIST OF ANYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE!

To see my Friday High Five posts for examples, click here!

Post about it, linking back to me then sign Mr. Linky!Please use the Friday High Five URL post in Mr. Linky's URL section instead of your blog URL and here is how: write the post, publish the post, go to edit posts, VIEW the High Five post, copy the URL in the address portion at the top of the screen then paste it in the URL section of Mr.Linky!!

Sounds complicated but it isn't too bad! If you need help, let me know in the comment section!

Go view all the other High Five posts and comment away!

Have fun!

I had this post done and planned on reading through it again this morning before posting (since I was typing into the wee hours) when low and behold the internet would NOT WORK! Why? Only Cox knows and they aren't even sure!! Hopefully by the time I make it home after going to see my friend's new baby, my internet will be working again. I had to stop by my work to get this published ~ not an addict at all! If I do not comment today, then just know it is only because the internet is still not working!

5 REALIZATIONS FROM THIS WEEK

5. I am unsure if anyone in the house can read besides me! I wrote a note ON the lid to the hot dog container in the refrigerator saying:

If you can NOT shut the lid, then you can NOT eat the hot dogs!

Literally, I grabbed a sharpie and wrote it ON the lid!

Pretty straightforward if you ask me but are they shutting the lid ~ NO!

I will remedy this problem by no longer buying the nasty things!

4. For some reason I think I failed to read the entire contract when we bought the house. THIS house is not self cleaning!! Hmmm...I really should have researched that aspect a little more. I totally should have researched self cleaning hardwoods like I would a stove! Self-mopping hardwoods would rock!!

3. No one in my house can load a dishwasher correctly except for me. After a few years of complaining about Hubs dishwasher loading skills, I ceased. I decided at least he was putting them in there and trying although a very sad attempt. Instead of complaining, I resorted to a quick 30 second loading overhaul before starting. I just don't get it! I used to say, "Why aren't these in the dishwasher too?" while pointing to dishes in the sink. He would reply with, "because it is full!" I then would open the dishwasher to see the ever so full top rack aka FOUR CEREAL BOWLS SPREAD APART AS IF CARRYING DISEASES then begin to rearrange. UGH! Four bowls ~ are you freaking kidding me?!?! After Tez came to live with us, he acquired a chore list that I strongly believe every child should have. One of his regular chores is to load and unload the dishwasher. I've discovered the dishwasher skills must be genetic. Tez puts things in the oddest places when he unloads. It has been about a year and a half and he still puts things in random cabinets. Then IF he reloads the washer he'll only do plates, utensils and bowls. Forget it if there are pots, pans, mixing bowls or measuring cups!! So the other day after seeing his genetic case of the four-bowl-full-top-rack-disease I said to him, "Since the day you came to live here you have been unloading the dishwasher, correct?" Tez, "Yes!" I respond with, "Then if you see the way it is loaded EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. you unload it, why can't you load it that very same way!?!?! And don't just load the dishes you want ~ load them ALL!" Seriously people it drives me nuts!! If you unload the dishwasher almost daily, then you should see how the dishes are placed and be able to load them in that same manner!

2. I think I might need to be studied. For some queer reason, I believe I can gain weight JUST by looking or even thinking about food! Hey some call it denial, some call it an excuse but I think I might just be a freak of nature. I just seem to be getting bigger and NO I am NOT pregnant!!

#1

While over at Jenners reading her post on Men, I laughed because it is just a man thing. For years, I have called this inability to look "MAN EYES". Most, not all, men I know don't know how to look. I don't mean open a cabinet or drawer and look in that direction. I mean LOOK! Looking may involve moving objects or bending down. I laughed really hard while reading her post and finding the bread myself in .2seconds and said, "Oh Jenners man has a bad case of man eyes today!" I did not laugh so hard when I thought to myself that maybe Man Eyes is universal and {insert scary music} genetic! {insert bad actress in a scary movie screaming while running through the woods chased by a mass murderer ~ why do they do that?} While getting ready the next morning, Isaiah was.....well let's go with "not motivated"......SO I tried to motivate him by saying, "WE are leaving! Good bye! Don't go outside while you are home alone today!" I tiptoe into his room where he is crying "I can't find my other shoe!" He has one shoe on and tears streaming down his cute little face when I see his shoe about three inches from his foot. I said, "It is right there baby!" He turns around kneels down beginning to look under the bed. "No baby it is right by your foot!" He begins to circle himself starring at the floor. "It is right there Zay!", while pointing to the floor by his foot. I then decide to pick it up and show it to him when he says, "Oh thank you Mommy I thought I yost (lost) it!" OK! The whole "Man Eyes" problem is not so funny when you realize it must be genetic and you live in a house with four related males!

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY

May 2008 @ Elijah's end of season soccer league party

THIS......

.....is truly Isaiah.....

confident enough to wait in line by himself with the big kids!!


THIS......

.....is truly Isaiah......

strong, determined and stubborn enough NOT to give up when climbing those stairs with his short legs and long shorts. It may have taken FOREVER but he would NOT give up!

THIS........

.....is truly Isaiah......

....happy, proud and full of fun!

I love this boy!

Hop on over and join in the fun

TWO CENTS: PROPER ENGLISH

Time for Two Cents Tuesday with Jen over at Tutu's Bliss

Boy am I giving my two cents today!

Although off topic, I definitely have an opinion.

I was talking about this very topic on the phone last night with Shan when I thought "this" could be my two cent topic!!

Proper English

Now I know I do not always speak or type proper English and may to some have a southern drawl with various Okie phrases like "ya'll" thrown in. However, for the most part I speak properly and do NOT butcher the English language.

It drives me nuts!

I correct people all of the time.

I especially hate it when people say, "These ones or those ones"! It is like nails on a chalkboard!! It is "this one, these or those"! Tez says things like "you is, I'm is, mines, yous, I is...". This is not due to his special needs but rather it is due to his Mother and her fluent Ebonics. One of the girls at work TOTALLY butchers English to the point of speaking fluent Redneck. It just irritates the crap out of me! I don't understand why people don't even attempt to speak properly.

Why?

It is not that hard!

I constantly correct people like Tez, the girl at work, Hubs and the boys. I don't want people to think I am psychotic about it. I also don't want people to think my children are less intelligent because they can't form a freaking sentence properly (note: "freaking" is proper).

This brings me to what started my ranting ~ a simple text message!

NOW

I know there is abbreviating involved in texting. I am not an avid "texter"; however, I do abbreviate from time to time even though I must admit it bothers me to do so! I know ~ I'm weird!

This is the text message I received last night from my SIL under a picture of her little girl:

"What it dew? Mi party is diz sat at 3p! C ya there! Holla if yous need directions! Love u!"

SERIOUSLY!

ARE YOU KIDDING?

SHE IS INTELLIGENT ~ SO WHY?

CAN WE SAY GHETTO!!

Let me translate:

"What it dew?" = What's up? How's it going? What are you doing? (Would it have been so hard to type What's up?)

"Mi party is diz sat at 3p!" = My party is this Saturday at 3pm! (Mi and My have the same amount of letters so why don't you just spell it correctly?!?!? And "diz"....really!)

"C ya there" = See you there! (Not bothersome)

"Holla if yous need directions." = Call if you need directions. (Holla and YOUS..good grief)

Now what is so hard about typing "What's up? My party is this sat at 3pm. call for directions"

I used to see annoying things all the time when on his various family members My space pages so I just quit going to them.

"Da" for the. "Dat" for that. "Diz" for this. "Mii" for me. "Mi" for my.

Is it just me or is "ME" actually correct and shorter to type than "mii"?

I just don't get it!

There are people who just don't know and understand.

The ones that annoy me the most are those who have learned proper English but do not care or even attempt to use it!

Some of you may think it is an ethnic or geographical problem BUT I feel it is just pure laziness.

They take the same English classes I took but then they learn their language usage at home. As adults we can choose to speak better at least if we are out in public.

Everyone can!

Back when I used to watch Oprah daily, she had an amazing show with Bill Cosby and Dr. Poussaint. In this show, a Caucasian woman stood to ask about the frequent use of the "n" word and how to explain to her children that it is not a term to be used by "white" people but accepted throughout the African-American youth, the music and film industries. Dr. Poussaint said she needs to be forceful in telling her children what she thinks. "You tell them that it's a vicious, awful, demeaning word that has led to the killing, lynching and the demoralization and feelings of inferiority in black people—and that you can't make that word positive," he says. "It really damages our children. It's damaging all the way through. You should never justify it." Bill Cosby also said, "The same people who preach about Dr. King and his teachings are throwing the word around in normal discussions not realizing the man they hold so high, Martin Luther King, Jr., is probably rolling over in his grave at the disgrace of the black community using the word so freely and making it a cool nickname. That word stands for everything he was fighting against!" I really liked that show but don't know how I went off on that tangent. Probably get some crazy anonymous remarks now ~ oh well! Anyway what I was trying to say about that show is this.....It was brought up how people in the African-American or other minority communities are viewed by their peers as trying to act "white" if they speak correctly. Oprah said something like, "No I am not acting white. I am proud to be African-American. I am just speaking proper English and maybe YOU should try it!" I loved that moment!!

No one speaks correctly ALL OF THE TIME

but an effort would be nice instead of butchering our language without a care!

"HER" ~ OUR NEIGHBOR

Today has been quite a windy day here in Oklahoma and it is just getting windier. Today was also our trash pickup day. Needless to say we came home and zigzagged through the array of trash cans roaming the street due to the wind. No biggie since everyone was at work and could not help that their trash cans had blown into the street.

BUT

You know what is annoying....

.....what I have been listening to for hours.....

....ugh!

One neighbor who I cannot stand owns a metal trash can.

Who uses metal trash cans anymore?

HER!

The Grandmother raising three of her "perfect" Grandchildren. The ones that rush to our house to play the second we pull onto the street. The ones that dash into the middle of the street without a glance. The ones I screamed at three times today to stop throwing objects onto our roof. The ones who if ANYTHING happens to they run to their Grandmother who instantly races to our door to rant and rave about her "perfect" Grandchildren getting hurt. Seriously, I feel it is a major liability issue just having them at our house. In her eyes, there are NO accidents. In her eyes, every time one of "hers" gets hurt it was intentional. I HATE that they constantly want to be here. I feel like I have to watch their EVERY move instead of letting them just be kids. In her eyes, they are never at fault and they never lie. HELLO WAKE UP WOMAN!! They are bragging, mean brats. I am so sick of her it is ridiculous.

So what am I listening to right now?

Her metal trash can clanging all over the street as the wind blows.

Some of you are thinking.."just go pick it up". Hubs picked it up with all of the others when he came home from work. The other neighbors thanked him but not HER! He then took it to her THREE MORE TIMES without even a thank you. Now I would put the trash can in the garage out of common courtesy since it is empty and so windy but not HER!

So what am I thinking right now?

I am thinking of grabbing the trash can at 11pm and slamming it into the front of the house.....maybe she will think the wind did it!! BUT of course, I would probably get another visit to blame it on my sleeping children. UGH....I can NOT stand her!! She thinks every other child on the block is bad except hers. Awfully funny to me that the block NEVER had problems between the children until THEY moved in!

Coincidence ~

I DON'T THINK SO!!

SMALL TALK SIX!

6 things you love or hate about springtime

1. I love Daylight Savings time because I love having more daylight in the evening.
2. Planting flowers and tending to them ~ Ok I actually don't like the act of planting but I do enjoy caring for them once they are planted and watching them grow
3. I love the smell of the clean crisp air and the feeling that everything is fresh and new.
4. I love spring cleaning ~ ok wait I don't actually like the cleaning but I do enjoy the feeling once it is all done
5. I love taking the boys to the park and playing outside! They will play outside until the absolute last minute. I think they would live outside if they were allowed; therefore, I am seriously thinking about buying a large tent, putting them in then locking them out! Kidding ~ put your phone down!
6. I love opening the windows and letting the fresh air in! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the weather is just right ~ not too hot and not too cold! There is nothing like a spring breeze!

FRIDAY HIGH FIVE

Time for Friday High Five!

Come join in the fun....please!

Make a list of 5 things ~ ANY five things you want! 5 favorite things, Top 5 Vacation spots, 5 most embarrassing moments, 5 favorite pics, 5 reasons to not pick your nose......A LIST OF ANYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE!

To see my Friday High Five posts for examples, click here!

Post about it, linking back to me then sign Mr. Linky!
Please use the Friday High Five URL post in Mr. Linky's URL section instead of your blog URL and here is how: write the post, publish the post, go to edit posts, VIEW the High Five post, copy the URL in the address portion at the top of the screen then paste it in the URL section of Mr.Linky!!

Sounds complicated but it isn't too bad! If you need help, let me know in the comment section! Go view all the other High Five posts and comment away!

Have fun!

5 things I learned in Diabetes Education

5. Insulin is not bad. Insulin is Hubs best friend for now.

4. Diabetes is not the end of the world but a learning experience in self-control

and moderation. Counting carbs is not hard even though you wouldn't know that by the zillion questions the others asked. We've become carb counting fools around here!

3. Sugar-free does not mean carb free. In fact, many "sugar-free" products have more carbs since the manufacturers add other stuff for flavor.

2. Sitting in three hour diabetes education classes after working all day is easier said than done and going three times for three hours is even harder.

#1

Never ending thirst and frequent urination are signs of diabetes. There are many others and Hubs had every single sign. When blood sugar is high, the kidneys try to get rid of the extra sugar through the urine. In olden days, they would taste test urine samples. If the urine was sweet, then the patient was said to have diabetes.

YUCK!

This totally ruins my habit of calling people

SWEET PEE!

I literally gagged in class when they told us!

Just for your information I believe ALL new diabetes patients should take Diabetes Education courses if they are available in your area. Highly informative and helpful information.

A THOUSAND WORDS THURSDAY

This week has been crazy and I haven't been able to post much so it feels so good to be back!

We are not Irish but being a photographed obsessed scrapbooker Mom means I never pass an opportunity to dress the boys up EVERY holiday for a photo shoot. I took these Monday so I could play around with editing to put them in my I ♥ faces post but alas it did not get done. SO here you go......

He is just so cute!

Funny too! I didn't even tell him to do this! He is such a ham!

Too handsome!

He's "Lucky and Charming"!

I am one LUCKY Mom!

Hop on over to Jen's to read more

WRITER'S WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY

It's time again for Writers' Workshop Wednesday so hop on over to join in the fun with Mama Kat or read the other posts!

I used to think......

~being a Mother would be so easy since it comes natural and all!

I love kids! Taking care of kids was always so easy for me before I was a parent so I just assumed I would have all the answers and would always be able to calm a crying baby. I was crushed when I was told I would not be able to bear children. I had accepted that fact and then four years later ~ SURPRISE ~ I was pregnant. Of course, I was so excited since I had always known I wanted children of my own. I must admit the first one WAS easy. In fact, many people would say to me, "he is so good it is almost creepy". I took it as a compliment of sorts. He was easy, laid back, fun, smart and then Isaiah was born and the monster inside broke free. He was so excited to have a brother UNTIL he was born. Although he was always good and caring with Isaiah, he turned all his anger of having to share attention out on me! Ugh! Isaiah.....well......he was NOT easy and that is putting it lightly. He still is not easy. He was good until he turned two weeks old and then the colic started. Colic is awful! It makes you feel inadequate as a Mother and hard to bond with your child who is always screaming. My views of being the perfect Mother came to a crashing halt. I had a baby with colic and a 4 yr old struggling with not getting enough attention. It is amazing how fast you realize you DON'T know everything. I used to think being a Mom would be easy BUT boy was I wrong.

MY kids would NOT hide in clothes racks at stores.

MY kids would NEVER talk back.

MY kids would NOT throw fits at stores.

MY kids would sleep in their OWN bed without argument.

MY kids would make it to the toilet before vomiting.

MY kids would not constantly argue.

My boys are good for the most part and I think I am doing a good job, but they are NOT the perfect children I envisioned before becoming a Mother. Maybe God gave me my boys to make sure I understand I DON'T know everything and be the only man to prove me wrong.....lololol!!!

Being a Mother is one the most important jobs on Earth.

These boys are my (I know I keep saying "my" but just know I totally include Hubs) responsibility. I have to make sure they becoming thriving adults and respectable, devoted men.

Wow, what a weight!

I love being a Mom and I don't take my job lightly. I will be their Mother until the day I die and my job will never end. It may become easier when they are grown but they will always be a part of me. It is amazing to me how much we take our Mother's and all they do for granted UNTIL we are Mothers ourselves! You never truly appreciate your parents until you ARE a parent!

WORLD'S DEADLIEST SPIDER MAKES ME BANANAS

Recently while entering to win many and by many I actually mean TOO many giveaways during the SITS Spring Fling, I came across an Eco-friendly item I really wanted. Through research I found out I could buy it at Whole Foods here in Tulsa. That was the plan since I never win anything....ooo wait I did actually win one of the giveaways but I'll get to that later. Originally I wanted to go the other evening and it is a good thing I did not!!! I decided to wait until Friday when I do most of my errands.

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!

I am so so so so so so so glad I did not go!

I can't even imagine my reaction!

Later that evening while Martez went walking, I decided to watch the news. I watch the news occasionally but mostly just for the weather since all the other crap is just depressing.

Chills ran up my spine as the top story appeared and a local TU professor proceeds to let his ENORMOUS

HUGE

HAIRY

LEGS AS BIG AROUND AS FINGERS

TARANTULA

UGH

GAG

out of its cage to crawl up his arm!

WHY?

Then I couldn't believe my ears as he says TO THE SPIDER,

"Comere (as in come here) Cuddles!"

CUDDLES?

SERIOUSLY?!?!

The spider then crawls up his arm as he is talking about the World's Deadliest Spider ~ the Brazilian Wandering Spider aka the Banana Spider ~ that was found AT the Whole Foods I was supposed to be buying my Eco-friendly products I so wanted.

So I think I will live without the products or order online!

I will not be visiting Whole Foods anytime soon!

And as far as I am concerned I will not be buying bananas!

Isaiah LOVES bananas and will eat many during the day

SO

Hubs will have to be the banana-buyer-extraordinaire since I don't know if grocery stores would allow me to enter in full body armor!

Some of you may think I am going overboard but if you know me at all you know

I HATE SPIDERS!

You can read my funny encounters with the demon spawn here!

In my mind the story would have gone a little like this if I would have been there:

Our top story tonight is about the near death of a woman at a local grocery store. The lady was seen walking the store when she stopped to pick up some bananas. She screamed at the top of her lungs while running, jumping and flailing her arms about yelling for someone to get "it" off of her. Thinking the woman was having a mental breakdown the crowd stood still. Suddenly the woman was gasping for air and holding her throat. EMSA arrived to find the woman having a panic attack with a spider lying next to her. The evil spawn limped over to the woman, bit her on the arm then died. Turns out the spider was harmless but scared and as the saying goes, "Sometimes they are more scared of you then you are of them!"

In this case, she SCARED the spider to death!

So SEE sometimes overreacting is GOOD!!

Needless to say I was rather excited to see the news the following evening when they aired this update.

Take that you nasty demon spawn you!!!!

MY WORLD IN MY KIDS' MINDS!

I stole this meme from Jiggity Jigg who stole it from Dawn's Diversions but due to the cuteness and funny factor I am willing to risk their wrath. Just kidding but you should go read their answers too! I was definitely curious to see what my boys would say. I changed a couple of their questions and added a few. I interviewed Elijah (my 7 yr old son), Tez (my 15 yr old stepson) and Isaiah (My 3 yr old son who says he is 5!)

1. What is something Mom always says to you?

Elijah ~ "No!"

Tez ~ "Don't say your the king!" (Good answer! I hate it when he says that!)

Isaiah ~ "uh....stop..."(SO TRUE!)

2. What makes Mom happy?

Elijah ~ "What? I don't know! Are you going to give this to people? I don't know ~ presents! Wait what does that say? What are you typing? How do you type without looking at letters?"

Tez ~ "Daddy" (Aww, how sweet is that! At least he can tell we love each other and I am proud of that!)

Isaiah ~ "the heartwing" (Needless to say he was very frustrated since I had no clue what he was saying! He had to go get the ring he gave me for Valentine's......Yes baby this makes me very happy!!)

3. What makes Mom sad?

Elijah ~ "when I get in trouble"


Tez ~ "when I lie" (he lied constantly when he first came to live with us and I hated it ~ needless to say he had Irish Spring breath for some time!)

Isaiah ~ "when I don't stop running" (YES IT DRIVES ME NUTS! He has two speeds - asleep and running!)

4. How does your Mom make you laugh?


Elijah ~ "funny things and tickling me"

Tez ~ "umm.....scaring me" (I laugh just thinking about it! I hide sometimes when I know he is about to walk by then I jump out to scare him. It cracks me up! You would think he would catch on by now but no and until then I will keep on doing it! I wish you could see his face each time!)


Isaiah ~ "tickling"



5. What was your Mom like as a child?


Elijah ~ "uh, uh, ..........." **several minutes of silence**........"you were....why are typing that when I didn't say anything...........you were.....uh.....a farmer" (Well sort of for awhile)

Tez ~ "a smart intelligent girl" (True very very true! Wait what is he sucking up for?)

Isaiah ~ "like Addison" (Since he is totally in love with her and she is beautiful, I will proudly accept this answer!)

6. How old is your Mom?


Elijah ~ "33" (he's a genius!)


Tez ~ "32....oops well I was close"

Isaiah ~ "65....I don't know " (He is beginning to get nervous and not wanting to play along like a wrong answer will send him to bed! It's okay baby boy!)

7. How tall is your Mom?

Elijah ~ "I don't know! 100 feet"

Me ~ "Well if YOU are 4 feet now how tall am I?"

Elijah ~ thinking ensues....."wait if I'm 4 feet tall then you are just 20 feet tall"


Tez ~ "umm.....6'2"......wait nooo....." (me laughing hysterically)......"5' 20" wait no 5'9""


Isaiah ~ "uh this big" {insert arms stretched out about a foot}

8. What is her favorite thing to do?


Elijah ~ "sleep....."(me: besides that)......."getting on the computer" (This kind of annoyed me since YES I love to sleep but I never do it so it made me seem lazy which I am not!)

Tez ~ "make a scrapbook"

Isaiah ~ "doing homework " (Um....NO!)

9. What does your Mom do when you're not around?


Elijah ~ "you work"

Tez ~ "scrapbook, work"

Isaiah ~ "go to bed" (I wish!)

10. If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for?


Elijah ~ "a mom aaaannnnndddd rich and wait that's not it......"**then nothing but silence**

Tez ~ "scrapbooking"

Isaiah ~ "going to work"

11. What is your Mom really good at?


Elijah ~ "working, really good at working, taking care of your kids"

Tez ~ "scrapbooking" {Insert me bopping him on the back of the head in hopes of getting a different answer since his last four answers have been scrapbooking!)

Isaiah ~ "good at racing" (I do love to drive!)

12. What is your Mom not very good at?

Elijah ~ "this one is kinda hard......don't write what I say....hmm....."(silence probably b/c I am good at everything ~ love it!)


Tez ~ "skateboarding" (See it worked! And I definitely can't skateboard!)

Isaiah ~ "uh..uh...uh...I don't know" (He looks like these are life and death questions and he is sad!)

13.What is your Mom's favorite food?

I totally thought they would nail this question! Boy was I wrong!

Elijah ~ "Subway" (No!)
Tez interrupts~ "don't say chicken"
Elijah ~ ".....i don't know.....taquitos, salads" (NO and NO)

Tez ~ "vegetables.....have you ever tasted quesadillas.....salads" (NO, yes and NO!)

I can't believe they don't know this!

Isaiah ~ "uh..uh...rolls"

14.What makes you proud of your Mom?


Elijah ~ "being my Mom" (This almost made me cry!)


Tez ~ "that you love me and care for me" (Wow! He does see it!)

Isaiah ~ "uh....uh....uh.....uh...uh.....I don't know!"


15. If your Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?


Elijah ~ "Cat woman"

Tez ~ "Tweetie"

Elijah ~ "Why would you say Tweetie? Do you really think she can fly?"

True but I can't fit into Cat Woman's costume either Elijah!

Isaiah ~ "Spongebob"

16. What do you and your Mom do together?

Elijah ~ "errands, go shopping, cooking"


Tez ~ "spend time"

Isaiah ~ "pink the dinosaurs" (In Isaiah's world, pink is paint! We painted dinos the other night ~ thanks Shan!)

17. How are you and your Mom the same?


Elijah ~"were both humans"

Tez ~ "we both cheer Elijah on when he plays sports"

Isaiah ~ "uh....I love you "

18. How are you and your Mom different?

Elijah ~ " I'm not white!" (OHHHH SHAN! You know this hit a nerve! BOY you are half white! Just because your outer appearance is brown does not give you the right to deny that your Momma carried you for nine months!! Ugh! Ok so I did not say all this to him but it urks me.....don't even get me started because then I will have to talk about Obama!!)

Tez ~ "I'm not white!" (True!)

Isaiah ~ almost in tears but he will not quit no matter how many times I tell him he doesn't have to finish says, "I don't know Momma! I just so tired!"

19. How do you know your Mom loves you?

Elijah ~ "you care about me and you do fun things with me and you mostly say yes"

Tez ~ "what Elijah said"


Isaiah ~ "uh...uh spank you butt.....tuz it's hard, it's hard, it's so hard, hard to say....I just don't know!"

20. What does your Mom like most about your Dad?

Elijah ~ "he cares about you and loves you so much...he loves you more than you can count the stars"

Tez ~ "his looks and he's charming and he's funny....sometimes....well maybe but you are definitely funnier" (love it!)

Isaiah ~ "that you fight"

Me ~ "We don't fight!"

Isaiah ~ "Yes you do! You fight all the time!"

Me ~ "No we do not....tell Mommy what you are talking about" (I'm thinking what in the world is he talking about b/c honestly we hardly EVER argue and I don't want him telling people this!"

Isaiah ~ "well then why does Daddy spank your butt all the time Mommy. He is always spanking your butt!"

Me ~ LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY!! Trying to come up with a proper explanation for why Hubs always smacks me on the butt......not coming.....

Tez ~ Smirking, laughing and embarrassed

Me ~ "Dear, you need to come explain to your son that you smacking me on the butt is not fighting!"

Hubs ~ "oops but at least he realizes you like it about me!"

21. Where is your Mom's favorite place to go?

Elijah ~ "to the mall and shop and Wal-mart and come home"

Tez ~ "I think Target. I don't know maybe"

Elijah ~ "she doesn't go to Target any more so you are talking about the old days and you are going to upset her" (he knows I miss Target!)

Tez ~ "What are we doing? What is this? Is this a will?" (AGAIN ME LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

Isaiah ~ "uh....uh....uh....let's do something else PLEASE!"


22. What is Mommy's TV show?

picture them rattling these of in 10 seconds

Elijah ~ "Oooo I know! All My Children and One Life to Live"

Tez ~ "Dang he took my answer wait I'll add General Hospital"

Elijah ~ "Survivor" (I don't even watch that!)

Tez ~ "American Idol and Lost" (I definitely don't watch Lost or understand the craze b/c that show does nothing but get me Lost everytime I've tried to watch it!)

Tez ~ "WAIT...Amazing Race!" (FINALLY!)


Isaiah ~ "uh....uh.... Jon and Tate pwus 8" (Jon and Kate plus 8 ~ he LOVES that show! It is a cure all for him! He is tired, grouchy, hurt......turn on a DVR'd Jon and Kate and he is content! Thank you Jon and Kate!)

23. What is Mommy's shoe size?

Elijah ~ "go on to Tez while I look at one of your shoes!"

Tez ~ "I think it is 9 and a half"

Elijah ~ "no I looked it is 90!" {insert me laughing since he actually looked in a shoe and still said 90!} ".....wait I didn't say 90 I said 9D!" {me still laughing because that is still wrong!}

Isaiah ~ "flip flops!" (Well although this is not my shoe size it is my favorite footwear)

24. Am I a good cook?

Warning: A wrong answer to this question could lead to severe prolonged hunger!

Elijah ~ "yeah I like pizza and let me think man why do you...ugh...don't write anymore...chicken"

Tez ~ "I just keep thinking this is really a will! Yeah, I like chicken, pizza, corn and the biscuits and mashed potatoes"

Elijah ~ "ooo I LOVE YOUR mashed potatoes" (My mashed potatoes are the BOMB!)

Isaiah ~ "yes"


25. Am I fun?

Warning: A wrong answer to this question could lead to severe and prolonged periods of boredom and seclusion!

All three ~ "yes"

Since I had so much fun questioning my boys and kids in general crack me up, I have decided to add a Mr. Linky to all of you that participate! I would love to read your answers. So ask away and link up! You can change or add questions if you like because there are no rules or tags!!

AND THE WINNER IS......DRUMROLL PLEASE....

Sorry folks I had this "scheduled" to post Sunday afternoon; however, I did NOT realize until I read an email asking if I had chosen a winner that I had scheduled it with the wrong date....OOPS....sorry about that so I changed the date and although late.......HERE IT IS!!!

First of all thank you to all of you who entered!

We enjoyed every one of the photos and it was really hard to pick a favorite!

For 1st place, we chose A Family Completed!

Congrats!

We loved Owen's expression and the mid-air bubbles!

For 2nd place, we chose Sarah and her girls at I Blame Mom

Congrats!

Now for the personal picks and trust me getting them to decide was a whole lot easier than all of us agreeing on 1st and 2nd place!

Elijah's pick was the fastest and most predictable! He is a nature and animal lover to the point of being obsessive. So Kathy wins with her turtle and fish pics! To all you rumblers ~ she was told she could enter these pics even though they were not "human" children

Isaiah's pick was well.....a lot of umm.....ummmm......go back Momma I need to see the other "dwirl adin" (girl again ~ in his world) Isaiah picked Jen and her girls at Tutu's Bliss. Now Jen I had to tell you what he said, "Hers so toot! (cute) But hers Momma shouldn't let her eat the bobbles!" Aw he cracks me up! I think I see speech therapy in the not so distant future and no I didn't misspell bubbles. He calls them bobbles!

Deciding he wanted his own pick, Hubs added another winner but I did NOT argue because I loved this picture too and well who doesn't love more prizes! Hubs and Tez picked Lindsay's post over at The Ernst Family blog. They thought the big bubble was cool and it had some action. I know his expression is cute and the big bubble is great but personally I loved his chubby little feet the most!

The other winner for not having a photo but promoting the contest is Anne!

Thank you all for entering!

Ladies, please email me your mailing info!

(email located on my profile page)

SMALL TALK SIX!

6 things you love that are green

1. Money ~ need more and I would love more ~ donations accepted! Kidding! Wait...maybe not!


2. Grass ~ I love the look of a well manicured yard. Hubs does the mowing and I do all of the edging because I am very particular about the edge. A good groove along the edge makes a world of difference.

3. My bathroom ~ After moving in and tearing down the hideous wallpaper, I painted the bathroom a deep green. Not a dark green and not sage but in between the two and it is so pretty.

4. Recycling ~ Although it is not the color green but it is "going green" and saving our Earth one plastic bottle, metal can and glass jar at a time. I thought it would be a giant pain in the butt; however, it is easy and everyone can do it! Just try!

5. Hmm....I am at a loss for something else green so hold on while I think....ok veggies. I like green beans and MY green bean casserole. I like broccoli but the mere sight of canned spinach can make me gag! I LOVE pickles. I like cucumbers, zucchini but don't even try to make me eat peas!

6. I LOVE Granny Smith apples! Nothing like 'em! Give me a granny smith apple and some crunchy peanut butter to dip it in and I am in heaven.

THE ME INTERVIEW!

1. Write your own eulogy or obituary.

Ok Elizabeth, this is a hard one! What do I want people to say when I am gone? I don't know. I didn't realize this interview would mean I would actually have to think about my own death! ha!

Angela died today at the young age of 101. She has seen it all from bikes to flying cars, massive computers to handheld purse size laptops and home phones to handsfree, brain activated ear phones. An amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, friend, sister and daughter who never knew a stranger. Funny and full of sarcasm, Angela believed laughter was truly the best medicine. Always willing to listen to other's problems and never afraid to speak her mind. Caring and generous to a fault but it never stopped her from lending a helping hand to those in need. Devoted, loving and strong in her faith. Stubborn to the point of being bullheaded but head strong enough to accomplish her goals. Educated and determined to be herself throughout her life. Constant procrastinator but an awe inspiring multi tasker. Services to be held Saturday at 1pm but since you know she is ALWAYS late you can be there by 2pm!


2. What are 3 things you’d like to do before you die?

Watch my boys grow up to be amazing men, devoted husbands and fun-loving supportive fathers who get paid back for everything they put me through by their own children...hehe! I want to travel more. I want to photograph the world through my eyes. Last but not least I would like to independently wealthy, do charity work and never have to worry about paying another bill!


3. What is your theme song? Not just your favorite song, but a song that you would consider the theme of your life. Maybe something like “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, “Hands” by Jewel, an old hymn, or a power ballad like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Or maybe it’s just a song that you like to crank up in the car and sing loudly to. Why is it your theme song?

My theme song....hmmm....let me think. I like "I Hope You Dance" and "We Shall Be Free" and many many others. There are SO many songs I turn up and sing to without a care in the world (well if I am alone and can sing my heart out!) Theme song ~ this is probably going to sound weird but I love "Life is a Highway"! If you really listen to the words, it is actually a great song. It is one of those songs that I can sing loudly and for some reason I drive a little faster every time it comes on. I used to have it on a mixed CD and I would listen to it every time I drove home from college. In fact, I think I got a few speeding tickets listening, singing and driving to this song! It cracks me up that Elijah and Isaiah think it is a "new" song since Rascal Flatts remade it for the movie "Cars". You can read the lyrics here but I like this part the best..

There's no load I can't hold

Road so rough this I know

I'll be there when the light comes in

Just tell 'em we're survivors

4. When do you feel most alive?

Hmmm... this is a hard one. I feel alive when I am having fun with the family but honestly I feel most alive when I am driving alone in my car singing at the top of my lungs TOTALLY stress free! It doesn't matter if I am happy, sad or mad at the time because it will always make me feel better.


5. How do you know God exists?

I have children! I was told at 21 I would NEVER have children. Those doctors were wrong because God gave me two beautiful boys.

I also know God exists because I have seen firsthand the miracles he can do. Every time the Doctors told Tammi and Manny only a miracle would save Maddox ~ a miracle occurred. For almost 2 yrs God worked miracle after miracle in Maddox's life and he overcame overwhelming odds time after time. Although Maddox now lives in Heaven, I saw many many many miracles happen in his life and I was amazed each and every time!

If you would like to participate in the ME interview, here are the rules.

1. If you want to be interviewed, leave me a comment that says "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you 5 questions. (I get to choose the questions.)
3. Update your blog with the answers to the questions and let me know when you have posted it.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment on your blog asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

FRIDAY HIGH FIVE

Time for Friday High Five!

Come join in the fun....please!

Make a list of 5 things ~ ANY five things you want! 5 favorite things, Top 5 Vacation spots, 5 most embarrassing moments, 5 favorite pics, 5 reasons to not pick your nose......A LIST OF ANYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE!

To see my Friday High Five posts for examples, click here!

Post about it, linking back to me then sign Mr. Linky!
Please use the Friday High Five URL post in Mr. Linky's URL section instead of your blog URL and here is how: write the post, publish the post, go to edit posts, VIEW the High Five post, copy the URL in the address portion at the top of the screen then paste it in the URL section of Mr.Linky!!

Sounds complicated but it isn't too bad!

If you need help, let me know in the comment section!

Go view all the other High Five posts (IF anyone joins!) and comment away!

Have fun!

5 Reasons you should READ

the papers your child brings home

5. To see if they did anything that you want to keep whether for them or you! There could be some creative masterpiece you want to hold onto until you die at which point they will wonder why you kept that weird art project of a purple turtle in a tree from kindergarten for so long!

4. To keep track of their grades, help them with homework and make sure they are not struggling without your knowledge

3. To make sure they did not get into trouble and are hiding the note at the bottom of the backpack

2. To sign and return necessary forms ~ permission slips, chaperone slips, volunteer slips, progress reports, etc.....

# 1

Because if you don't completely read the form you signed about a parent/teacher conference at 6:30pm on Thursday, then you can look like a complete idiot when you show up WITHOUT your child that you were SUPPOSED to bring with you!! Oops! Conference rescheduled for Friday morning!! I was wondering why she had requested a conference. I totally thought he must be behind in a certain area and I would leave the conference feeling like a bad Mom. Well, I did but for a different reason! You see apparently she requests this last conference every year so the students can show their parents around four seperate stations to show them new things they have learned this year! Oops! I TOTALLY missed that part on the form!! I thought parent/teacher conferences were merely for parents and teachers and this is where actually READING the form I signed would have come in really handy. Elijah telling me he was supposed to go to show me these stations they had practiced ALL WEEK would have been extremely nice before I left in a rush this evening instead of before bed tonight. UGH! READ WHAT YOU SIGN!

Note to self: Do not lie and say he must not have received that note because she will come back with "you signed it!" OUCH!

Don't forget to enter the contest before noon on Saturday Mar. 14th!