MY BOY.....THE UNITED NATIONS!

So Elijah's teacher has been reading the Indian in the Cupboard series in class and he is OBSESSED.  She says he sits intently waiting with baited breath for each word.  He is now OBSESSED with Indians.  I swear to you we have a conversation over Indians daily now.....in the car, in the house, before bed when we too are reading a book from the series together, at Meme's, on the ride home from basketball....you get the pic....OBSESSED.  The boy has even made two of his very own bow and arrow sets from sticks and dental floss which surprisingly work quite well.  He chops down branches from our trees using a hand shovel so he can then make traps and shelters to trap his meal and rest.  He also makes Indian tacos with dirt and leaves from the magnolia tree and has requested an authentic Indian head dress.....you know.....to just wear around the house......specifically a Chief head dress!  He remembers the days when he was younger and we went to Pow Wows with our Native American friends and wants one of those "outfits you know mom that they dance around in"!!  He is on the verge of an identity crisis and wants to start sleeping outside!!

One day on the way home from school during the whole Indian conversation and the revelation he had when I told him Indians no longer live in teepees, he asked if he was Indian.  I told him that he does have Indian in him from Papa's side of the family as well as French on Papa's side and German on Meme's side but couldn't get through to him that it wasn't very much Indian.  To him it didn't matter "how much" just the idea of being Indian was exciting!!  Sure wish it was enough to get on the roll!!  Anyway the excitement was too much for him and the obsession has only grown since. 

The next week on our way home from basketball practice he asks, "Mom, how much Indian am I?"  I try to explain the process of how through the generations the percentage of Indian blood decreased but couldn't seem to explain it in a way that he could understand.  He then gets very excited and says, "Wow!  So if I am part Indian, am I part Cowboy too?"  I thought that was the cutest thing ever and chuckled at the thought that he had not quite learned the relationship of the original Cowboy and Indian days.  Instead of crushing his excitement I said, "Yes you are part cowboy too!"  He then says, "Sooooo.....how much cowboy am I?"  My answer, "Ask Papa!"  Very excited with his new found heritage he says, "Mom I am like the United Nations.  I am half black, half carcasian (yes I know that is spelled wrong but that is how he said it!), half German, half French, half Indian and half Cowboy!"  Chuckling I said, "Your fractions mean you are three men rolled into one!"  His response, "Yep!" 

I love this kid!

ATWT: MY DATE WITH A MUCH YOUNGER, HOTTER MAN!

Yes, I am married!

Yes, Hubs knew about the date and was ok with it!

No, we are not in an open relationship!

The younger man is taken too!

We invited his girlfriend BUT she was out of town so it was just the two of us at the park on a WONDERFUL fall evening!

Hubs took Elijah to the TU football game along with his football team and their families.  I was footballed out!  Yes 'footballed' is a word!  The team got to go out onto the field and even made it on the 10 o'clock news!  Woohoo!

I decided I needed a night out and I found the perfect young man to join me!

He is a little hottie!

Irresistible in fact!

Yes, he is a little stubborn or headstrong like myself but again the irresistible part took over.

He didn't have money since he is jobless but I offered to pay.

He has a few minor obsessions and I catered to them all!

Here he is the much younger man I dated for one evening

 I know, right!  I am one lucky lady!

Parks are his fun obsession.  We went to "his" park.... just the two of us.  All of his birthday parties have been at this park so he has claimed it as his own.  Not many little boys have their very own park!

He's a real swinger! lol

The next stop is his favorite obsession of all.....ICE CREAM!  We went to Braum's and out of all of those flavors he still picked his trusty favorite - "baniwa" or vanilla as we know it!  This kid loves ice cream.  I hardly ever buy it since welllllll I love it too and I will eat it.  Meme always have "baniwa" ice cream for him but we went to the ice cream store....just the two of us!

After one scoop of ice cream and one for the road.....I know "sucker" right.....we went to Target to check out the Halloween costume aisles which totally sucked by the way.  They normally have like four aisles of just costumes but this new Target just had one aisle.  ONE for kids and adults, seriously Target you are letting me down here!  We walked through ALL the toy aisles where he claimed to want "all the boy toys and no girl toys" for his birthday.  I said, "ok!"  The boys know I don't just buy them toys everytime we go to the store so both of them ask for everything for their birthdays and I say yes!  They won't remember by then and don't realize how far away their birthdays are.....if they only knew how close Christmas is!!  Hey it works with no begging and no tears!  Then we went home and I must admit I still got it.......I totally wear out my dates!

He didn't even make it to his bed and crashed about 5 minutes after we arrived back home!  A perfect ending to a perfect date with my little man!

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....funny, serious, sentimental, to dos, pictures, no pictures ~ anything!

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

Post about it, linking back to me (now you can copy and paste the HTML at the bottom of this post for a button!) 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 why don't they tell you this before you have kids.......

5.  They will be active until the absolute last minute to go to bed.  They will never WANT to go to bed.  Once in bed they will continue to chat, tickle, jump, pinch and argue until you yourself want to cry for YOUR Momma!  They will want just one more drink, just one more kiss and they WILL have something vitally important to tell you EVERY. FIVE. MINUTES!!  Can you tell we are having issues at bedtime?!?!

4.  They will have to go to the bathroom as soon as you arrive at your destination even if you MADE them go before leaving the house so this situation would NOT occur!!  Always!!  You will quickly learn the locations of every bathroom in your favorite stores or outings!!

3.  You will go to countless outings JUST for them....well and the pictures!!  Sometimes they will hate the outing and making them stick it out everytime because you spent hard earned money isn't always the best answer!

2.  You will wear clothes with milk stains and spit up marks for quite some time and not even care.  You can go days without showering when they are little and not even realize it OR realize it and cry!  You will change countless dirty diapers and once potty trained still have to wipe their butt to make sure it gets clean!  You will do more loads of laundry than you ever imagined!  At some point, when you know they are about to vomit without a toilet or bowl in arms reach, you will cup your hands to catch it and never even blink!  You will call your Mom once that one happens trust me because you will be SHOCKED, grossed out yet still proud!  You can't wait for them to start school THEN you miss them!  You will have to help them with their homework even when neither one of you feel like doing homework!  You have to spell, read and do math with them in order for them to be successful and confident!  You will have to take them to school daily even when you don't want to get out of bed! You will have to sit in the rain during sports practices and games AND still cheer!  They can eat like bottomless pits during sports seasons but will never gain weight.....oh the jealousy.  They will argue, compete and down right physically fight with siblings then love, play and protect them in a matter of moments. 

#1

You will do all of this willingly without a second thought because they are YOUR children and you will love them more than you ever thought possible!  These little things begin to get the nickname "the joys of motherhood" and you wouldn't trade them for the world!

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AN ONLY CHILD FOR A DAY OR TWO

Tez is at his Mom's now. Long story and when I think I can tell the story without bawling I will.

Zay has been at my Mom's for the past two days. My Dad is out of town and my Mom didn't want to stay alone. Did she ask me to come stay? NO! Did she ask one of my brothers? NO!
She asked for Isaiah to spend the night. Why? I don't know! I know he loves his Meme....no wait scratch that....he is obsessed with his Meme BUT what exactly could he do to protect her....step on the intruders toes or lay out a line of hot wheels for the intruder to step on......wait that isn't a bad idea. With boys, I have stepped on MORE than my fair share of hot wheels and those little boogers hurt! ANYWAY.....he's been gone and will return after school today much to his dismay. She made me look bad with a trip to the park, shopping AND McDonald's all within 48 hrs...ugh.....she needs to come down a peg or twelve in my children's' eyes but hey I love her too so what am I to do!

This has left us with ONE........YEP ONE child since Monday night!

Odd!

So quiet!

No fighting, less food to make, no crying, no whining.....oh just peace and quiet!

Makes you wonder.....when did we decide on more than one?

Just kidding!

I love all my boys!

It was really nice to have some one on one time with Elijah and much easier to do his homework without a certain 4 yr old crying that he wants homework too BUT I can't wait to have that certain 4 yr old home so he can tell me over and over how great I am and how much he loves me! I love my kids and I love being a Mom but this was a well deserved break and good for all of us esp after the week we had last week. Can't wait to pick up Zay....he just makes me laugh!

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....funny, serious, sentimental, to dos, pictures, no pictures ~ anything!

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

Post about it, linking back to me (now you can copy and paste the HTML at the bottom of this post for a button!) 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 FUNNY CONVERSATIONS WITH MY BOYS

5. Hubs is always good for a laugh! Yes I laugh at him but once I explain why then he normally laughs too! He was doing something and although I don't remember quite what it was I do remember him saying, "Is this to your saterfication dear?"

What response comes after that but, "MY WHAT?"

Looking at me like I'm an idiot he sounds it out, "SAT-ER-FI-CA-TION!"

Looking totally bewildered I respond with, "I'm sorry baby but I don't think that is a word."

He says, "Are you SATERFIED?"

Of course, now I realized what he was trying to say and respond with non other than LAUGHTER BUT he laughed too once he realized what he had said and how he thought I was an idiot in the moment!! NOW I use it often and by often I mean daily in conversations with him!!

4. Last week while getting ready for Elijah's meet the teacher he storms into the bathroom while I was showering yelling, "MOM I BROKE MY PANTS!"

I said, "Ok I will look at them in a minute. I can't fix them while I am in the shower."

He responds with, "I'll just stick them in a Wal-mart bag so we can drop them off at Meme's. SHE can fix them."

A little offended and determined to be the hero I said, "No just set them on the counter for right now." I hoped it was something minor that I could actually fix!
Luckily, the "broke" part of the pants was just a button. I got out my handy dandy sewing box which only sees the light of day......oh.......NEVER! I had to be the hero remember!! Elijah says, "Mom, how are you going to fix them? You don't have a sew driver!" Sew driver.....isn't that too cute!!

They were amazed with all the finds in the sewing box and in awe of my mad button fixing skills! Phew.....good thing it was just a button!!

3. Sunday morning Zay crawled into bed with us and said, "Momma, my leg armpit hurts."

I said, "Your what hurts?"

He said sounding as if I was stupid, "MY LEG ARMPITS. You know the part behind your knee." Hubs tried to correct him to which I promptly said, "Just let him be four!"

2. Last night while getting Zay out of the tub he says, "Momma are you going to work tomorrow when I go to school."

I answered with "No Baby. Momma lost her job."

Looking sad he said, "Where did you put it? I'll help you find it."

I started to tear up then chuckled and gave him a well deserved hug. He continued with, "Why would you lose your job Mommy? Don't we need work to make money? Why do we need money?"

I said, "Welllll we need money to pay for our house, our cars, food, pet food, water......." when he interrupted with, "and McDonald's Mommy! Don't forget McDonald's!"

#1

Then he became concerned about leaving me alone the next day, "Momma what are you going to do tomorrow while I go back to stool? You will be all alone. Maybe Chaitra tan tome over and watch you. Let's tall her!" (Remember he uses the letter T for the "ka" sound.)

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SUPER SPECIAL SHOES AND ROBOT LEGS

Good news all!!

We went to the orthotics appt for Elijah and hold your breath.............

his "special" shoes appear "normal"!

I know, I know!

How vain!

Remember though it is only because I didn't want the special shoes to cause him problems at school with teasing. It was rather interesting and the lady was the sweetest when I approached the "normal" shoe issue. She said, "Well he is so handsome and I know he doesn't probably want to sport the chunky all black Velcro shoe so I am going to get him a normal looking shoe."

Yeah!!

She then proceeded to hand the catalog to Elijah so he could pick out his shoes.

Really?

Not a move I would've made but luckily he picked out the pair I liked too without me saying a thing!! That's my boy! I taught him well! The shoes appear to look like a VANS skater kid type shoe which is way better than I imagined in my head. They are mainly white with a little bit of blue. Hopefully, they will truly resemble the picture once they are made. The shoes will be ready in two or three weeks complete with removable longitudes and arch supports that we can insert into his football cleats.

All was good until she then informed me that although insurance would completely cover the cost of the shoes, the shoes are over a $100 and the inserts are a little over $200!

Are you freaking kidding me?

Wow!

My seven year old boy picked out a $350 pair of WHITE shoes.

Ouch!

After that little bit of info, I promptly said, "How long will these last and how often will they buy him a new pair?" She said to take him back to the orthopaedist in December since the insurance will buy him a new pair of orthotics in January. Phew! Wow!

Needless to say, if the dog eats this pair of shoes it will more than likely die!

Hopefully he will have the shoes late next week and begin his healing process!

Oh and I can't leave out this little tidbit.....

The place we went to get the shoes is a prosthetics and orthotics facility. While leaving our room, a nurse was putting another patient into the next room. The man had a mainly metal prosthetic leg. Isaiah looked straight up at him and said, "Are you a robot?" The man said, "No but are you a robot?" Isaiah never being one to hold his tongue continues with, "Well no I am not a robot but if you aren't a robot then why do you have a robot leg?" He must have sensed my complete embarrassment because he kindly explained his situation to the boys and told me I shouldn't be embarrassed. He would rather kids ask instead of stare in case they encounter a child with a prosthetic leg. He let them touch his leg and told them they shouldn't be scared of people with metal legs. They thanked him and we left. The entire way through the rest of the office and in the parking lot Isaiah was muttering to himself, "He IS a robot! I want a robot leg too! I bet he has robot leg super powers!" Out of the mouths of babes!!

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....funny, serious, sentimental, to dos, pictures, no pictures ~ anything!

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

Post about it, linking back to me (now you can copy and paste the HTML at the bottom of this post for a button!) 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 REASONS I AM SOOOO EXCITED FOOTBALL SEASON HAS STARTED

5. Pictures, pictures and more pictures!!

4. I get to get OUT of the house for about 2 hrs on 3 nights a week for practices!! Generally, last year I didn't enjoy practice but after 4.5months of unemployment and 3 months of summer home with the children MY OUTLOOK HAS SERIOUSLY CHANGED!! SERIOUSLY folks if I am willing to sit in 100 degree heat to watch kids practice football!

3. I missed all my football friends. We got really lucky last year and had a drama free football family. We all get along so well and LIKE to spend time together!!

2. I love watching Elijah do something that he both enjoys and excels at......I love that kid!! It amazes me how dedicated he is at such a young age but he really LOVES playing. He has been talking about football season all summer. I can't even begin to count how many times this boy has watched his DVDs of last season in anticipation!!

1.

ADULT CONVERSATION!

Most of my day consists of me saying, "don't hit, stop running in the house, quit teasing the dog, stop fighting, Isaiah quit whining, I'll get you a drink in a minute, Isaiah quit crying, take a shower, stop running in the house, Isaiah quit whining, stop fighting, I am fixing dinner, stop fighting, you are not going to starve, Elijah for the final time GET IN the shower, quit running, quit fighting, quit yelling, don't touch each other, look at each other in fact let's just all go in different rooms for a little while" in between being a referee, doing the dishes, cooking the next meal or starting the next load of laundry. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY I HEAR: boys fighting, boys jumping on beds, boys running through the house along with "MOM, Isaiah did ......(insert one of the many things he does in a fit of rage)......OR Mommy, E-why-jah did.......(insert one of the many things Elijah does to torture Isaiah)......Mom I am hungry, Mom I am thirsty, I am bored, can I go outside, can I ride my bike, why don't you work anymore........" Oh the misery!!

SOOOOOOO......was I excited to start football to spend 2 hrs. with my girls?

YES!!

Beyond yes!!

I ♥ my group of football moms. We all get along. We laugh and talk and

I. LOVE. IT!!

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AT WHAT AGE DO KIDS REMEMBER TO BRUSH THEIR TEETH?

I constantly have to remind Elijah to brush his teeth.

This drives me nuts. You know what makes me even more nuts......having to remind Tez who is 15!! Where was I?

I know, I know Elijah is only seven but to me brushing his teeth should already be an everyday routine!

The other night after getting out of the tub and me slatheringly with his pet peeve dodododo.......lotion........I got a big smile from my handsome little love to which I said, "You really need to brush your teeth! They look nasty!"

He quickly says, "Let me see!" and smiles into the mirror. "They don't look nasty to me!"

I respond with, "Your teeth are supposed to be white NOT yellow!"

His great comeback, "OOOH!"

I guess this is yet another reminder of the "joys of motherhood"!!

SO ANNOYED

Do you know what today is?

Monday

Do you know what time it is?

9:23pm HERE

Do you know what time the orthopedist was supposed to call me for Elijah's foot?

first thing Monday morning

Did the ortho call yet?

BIG FAT NO!

Do I know the name of the ortho so I can call and make the appt?

NO

Did the pediatrician's office call me with a name in response to my voicemail?

NO

Am I a little peeved right now?

YES!!

Well I guessed I should not have waited 9 mos so my kid freaks out about maybe not being able to play football!!

JUST WONDERING.....AN ADVENTURE IN PARENTING

Do you know how many times a day I say,

"QUIT RUNNING IN THE HOUSE?"

TOO MANY!

Do they stop?

ONLY for the immediate 2 seconds they are in my line of sight!!

Soooooo........

Do you think they would stop running if I chop their legs off or do you think those new spring like prosthetics would only make it worse?

MOTHER OF THE YEAR IS DEFINITELY OUT!!

Man do I feel like total crap!

I feel horrible but I can't help but laugh at myself!

I am THAT Mom!!

Here's the story:

Since Sept or Oct back in football season Elijah kept complaining about his foot hurting. Nothing too bad since it didn't seem to stop him from playing hard enough on the championship team! I wanted to take him to the doctor but every time I would get ready to take him it would no longer be bothering him.

Fast forward a couple of months to basketball season. Mostly his foot would bother him while playing a game but never during practice or any other time. It would hurt then not hurt so again I passed on the doctor. After one game he was in tears at the mere thought of taking his shoe off. I said that is IT you are going to the doctor. I took him home gave him ibuprofen and an ice pack which helped and planned on taking him in Monday morning. He was fine by then so again we passed.

After sports were all over, he didn't complain much about his foot at all. Occasionally he will complain but just wants ibuprofen then he is fine. The plan was once summer started to take him in to get it checked out. Plan averted when Hubs switched jobs and the insurance was gone for awhile plus me losing my job made us pinch our pennies BUT he hadn't complained in awhile.

This week he complained a few times. I made a Sat appt for both of the boys. Isaiah had to get 4 shots and Elijah needed his football physical. SO yesterday I took both the boys to the doctor where I spent 2 hours and 20 minutes. She applied pressure to the area he always says hurts and well it hurt him but movement of the foot did not. She made him walk around then turned his foot in all different directions and NOTHING! She says, "Well I am not too worried about it but I'll go ahead and take Xrays to be on the safe side."

While Elijah went to get xrays, Isaiah got his four shots. He sat up on the table being his strong self saying, "Shots don't hurt. My Daddy takes a shot everyday and he doesn't even cry (Insulin needles are a LOT smaller!) so I am not going to cry either. I wike shots!" At this point the nurse placed FOUR needles on the bed and I thought, "Lord, help me now!" Needless to say he was SCREAMING and saying, "Otay it hurts! It hurts!! IT HURTS! STOPPPPPP!" He continued to cry or scream for 20 minutes!"

At this point the doctor and her scrub dressed skeleton friend come in the room to tell me he BROKE A BONE IN HIS FOOT!! I felt like a heel....pun entirely intended!! I just kept say, "You are kidding, right? Surely he hasn't had a broke bone in his foot for NINE MONTHS! He rides his bike for HOURS EVERYday, climbs trees and never stops being active until it is time to go to bed!!" She did say that the bone that was broke is on the the top and mainly an impact bone meaning he would only feel pain upon impact such as running or jumping on a trampoline. Funny how he never had pain jumping on my brother's trampoline! She said it has healed but there is still a crack and then a bump. She also said the ibuprofen and ice packs probably took the pain away enough for him to continue to be SO ACTIVE and the constant running involved with sports made it more painful versus the movement required for bike riding would not hurt it at all! She referred him to an orthopedist who should call Monday morning. She wants to see if it just healed wrong or if he has a cyst on his bone. SERIOUSLY! She said they might have him wear a cast for a few weeks but she was unsure. This being said she then cleared him for football and just wants him to see the orthopedist! What? Okay!?!?

SO ALL Mother of the year nods should now be forwarded to someone who puts off a doctor appt for their child's hurt foot FOR NINE MONTHS!!!!! Who knew ibuprofen and ice could cure BROKEN BONE PAIN!! NOT ME OBVIOUSLY!

TORN ~ THE BATTLE BETWEEN ME, MYSELF AND I

I have been battling something for quite some time. My parents closed their business April 2 and I have been unemployed ever since. I was excited for a bit at the thought of maybe getting to stay home with the boys for the summer. I looked up all kinds of local activities and free things for us to do together. The original plan was to stay home for the summer then return to work when school started. Chances are I would be taking a pay cut and with the boys being out of school, the all day daycare for two boys would probably eat up anything I would have been making. The original plan has changed for two reasons. The first is financially the unemployment benefits just aren't cutting it. The second is I am losing my mind.

I don't which is worse.

Being a stay at home mom and going nuts

OR

the guilt I have for not wanting to be a stay at home mom.

I NEVER had this guilt while working so why do I have it now.

I don't love my kids ANY less than a happy SAHM does and that I can guarantee!

Many times I have posted that I am not the stay at home mom type unless I had access to unlimited funds to shop and do whatever we wanted. I have got tons of needed cleaning and organizing done but there is still plenty more I can do. We do activities but in an effort to save money we don't really go anywhere. I am doing my part by staying home to save money but I just feel trapped then I feel guilty for feeling that way.



I just keep thinking to myself...."Self, do you know how many working Moms in America would die to be able to have the opportunity to be a stay at home Mom? You have it so enjoy it!"

I try to look at being unemployed as a positive for right now and cherish the time I have with my beautiful boys but it is getting harder and harder as the summer rolls on. I am literally counting the days until they go back to school and hoping I find a job away from home VERY VERY SOON! I know in my mind the guilt is just the devil playing mind games but I can't help but think I am a bad mom for not wanting to stay home. I NEVER felt guilty for being a working Mother because I didn't really have much of a choice. However, my job afforded me the ability to still take the kids to school every morning, volunteer at their schools, attend class trips and parties and to see them right after they got out of school. It was like I had the best of both worlds....just call me Hannah Montana! I cherished my time with the boys more when our time was more limited although at the time I don't think I realized it. I am there from the time they open their eyes in the morning until they close them at night. I know that is my job as a mother but I truly believe working to pay for the house they live in and the food they eat is my responsibility too. They are driving me nuts. They are bored. I am bored. We have friends' over SEVERAL days a week which just adds to the commotion. I hate commotion! I hate excessive noise! Wow I am losing it folks! It comes down to this........when I don't spend 24/7 with my children, I value my time with them more and I honestly believe I am a better mother. I am not saying being a working Mom was easy and yes things were hectic but I feel like I am drowning. I feel trapped! I feel like a horrible Mother for even thinking it let alone blogging about it but I need to vent and you are my victims. I am in no way looking for pity, sympathy or "No you are a great Mom!" nods ~ I am just venting! I know in my mind that I am a great Mother and have done a great job of raising my children but my heart aches for not loving this opportunity to spend every waking moment with them. Yes we have done fun things. We've gone to the "whyberry" as Zay says it. We've been on play dates. We've gone swimming and to the splash pad. I was able to take them to swimming lessons this year. We've done crafts, watched movies, played outside when it isn't 150 degrees in the shade. The boys play outside every morning and every evening.......I am telling you....IF allowed they would live outside......NOTE TO SELF: find a CHEAP tent!! I think the fact that we are no longer "financially comfortable" plays a huge role too. While talking to my friend the other day, I said I think it is easier to be broke for a long time than to be comfortable for so long then be broke. We are used to doing things. We are used to eating out a couple of times a week. BUT I've come to realization ~ that is why we are where we are today! We did not SAVE as much as we SHOULD have and enjoyed what we had a little too much! We saved, just not enough! LESSON LEARNED!

I feel bad by saying I am not the "stay-at-home Mom type" but I am not. I know I will probably get many comments for that statement. I know there are Mothers out there who would have it no other way and there are Mothers who just wish they could but ME.......I NEED A JOB FOR MY SANITY and the boys' agree. Just the other night we were at my brother's house for my niece's 15th birthday party and the boys were so happy to see people other than me it was ridiculous!! They ask EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. MANY. TIMES. A. DAY. to go to Meme and Papa's, Uncle Rob's or "Turt" and Karen's house. When my Mom and Dad showed up they were so excited. Zay sat in my Mom's lap for awhile and when she asked, "Do you like Mommy staying home with you for the summer?" Zay answered with a confident, "No!" However, when asked if he loved me he answered with a confident, "Yes!" So there you have it folks ~ yes, my kids love me but they no longer like being around me!! How freaking sad is that!! I must say though the feeling is becoming mutual and we need many many days apart to "miss" each other again! I am not enjoying it like I should I know. I love my kids and would do anything in the world for them but I now know I AM A BETTER MOM WHEN I AM WORKING AND HAVE TIME FOR ME! Wow does that sound too selfish? THE SOLUTION: a long retail therapy session by myself with unlimited funds (I LOVE RETAIL THERAPY!), a manicure, pedicure, massage, a trip away with my girls AND A NICE LONG FAMILY VACATION!! This is the first time we've stayed home for this long! Ok ok I am done repeating myself over and over and since we have no money for any of the above......I am off to read "whyberry" books to the boys.......it's ok you all know I'll be back in a bit!

END OF SCHOOL PICNIC

I went to a picnic with over 500 children!!

Just the idea made me think what you are probably thinking.....

HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND??

I took Isaiah along for Elijah's end of school all school picnic. We took McD's to Elijah. Elijah didn't seem too interested in sitting with me at the picnic so I actually ate with some of the other abandoned Mothers!! I took Zay knowing some of his little friends were going to be there also. Zay ran off and when I went to find him I found this:

Elijah was leading Isaiah around the playground.

I thought I was going to cry!

I know they are VERY close but I also know that they have been fighting like crazy lately so this image warmed my heart. This is the best shot that I got since they were moving and I was trying to get closer. The picture I wanted didn't turn out but they were walking with Elijah's arm around Zay's shoulder and Zay's arm around Elijah's waist. It would've been an awesome pic but alas most of them were not in focus! ugh! I told Elijah I would keep an eye on Zay since this was the last time he would see some of his friends for a few months. He would run off and play then always come back to play with Zay who was happy as a clam! Aw they really do love each other!!

We were there for about two hours. It was cloudy but a very nice day ~ not too hot, good gusts of wind and yet sunny enough for ME TO GET SUNBURNT!! Ah the joys of being caucasian!!

It was really hard to get pics of Elijah with his friends' since they were among the over 500 children running wild but I did manage to get ONE..

I really had a great time but of course that could be b/c I had actual adult conversation!! I love talking with the other Moms!! Since they weren't doing any actual learning this day I checked Elijah and Avani out of school when I left then took the three of them to the park to play until it was time to pick Tez up from school. They loved this idea!

Avani and Elijah with their "The Thinker" fire power impression from Night at the Museum 2!




Elijah, Avani and Isaiah ~ aren't they a cute bunch!!

Avani ended up spending the night that night.....

.....how do I get myself into these things!!

MY DEAREST ISAIAH,

To my dearest Isaiah the son who keeps me on my toes,

Today to your dismay you turned four years old. You planned on going straight from three to five ever since you turned three. I have had quite the time explaining that this won't work and I thought maybe you understood me finally this morning. We'll see! I still think tomorrow you will be back to being five!

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I will probably say this with each birthday letter I write you since I am told the birth of children is something I will never forget. I say that so much and it sounds cliche but it is very true. I went in for a scheduled c-section EARLY in the morning but other emergencies arose and we didn't get to see you until that afternoon. THE second I saw you I said, "Wow you look just like your Daddy!" We were all excited to see you. Elijah was a little upset since he wanted you to be green but he loved you regardless of your unmartian like looks.

I remember everything about you!

I remember.......

• the colic that began when you were two weeks old which the mere thought of makes my stomach turn and wonder how I made it through!
• praying I could find a pacifier that you would take for those hours of crying
• you NEVER EVER taking a pacifier (a nightmare for a mother of a baby with colic)
• you sleeping in your bouncer until you were four months old because it was the only place you would actually SLEEP!
• the joy when you finally slept through the night at just a little past four months
• you being such a happy baby after the colic was finally over
• the turmoil when you stopped breathing at the pediatrician's office and they had to do CPR
• RSV at nine months which TOTALLY RUINED YOU SLEEPING through the night for A VERY LONG TIME!
• you getting teeth at 4 months then biting the pediatrician when he didn't believe me and stuck his finger in your mouth
• telling people I didn't think you could hear then listening to them rationalize my fears
• your first word being uh-oh not mommy :(
• 10 ear infections in eleven months
• 3 surgeries in two years that you were a little trooper for
• your frustration when trying to fit in a cake pan even though I insisted you wouldn't fit.
• grabbing the camera to capture your face when you finally sat inside the cake pan then wondered why
• you hiding in the refrigerator
• the first time you REALLY heard things
• you pooping on your closet floor because you didn't want to poop in the big potty
• pneumonia when I was told you weren't sick but persisted until I got my answer THREE MONTHS later
• each and every birthday and each and every pivotal moment

I am so proud of you! I started tearing up the other day when we were outside and you heard the train choo choo from MILES AWAY! You thought I was sad and wanted to see the train. It is odd that those tiny moments still get to me! You were playing and said, "I hear a choo choo train Mommy!" All I could say to you was "Me too baby!" while I was screaming inside "THANK YOU GOD THAT HE CAN HEAR!" quietly amazed at how much you have changed through the years. I was so glad you could hear something so far away when just a little over two years prior I stood a foot behind you and you couldn't hear me scream your name. You handled your ear infections, medications, then finally ENT appts, surgeries and hearing tests like a champ! YOU probably won't remember any of that drama but I WILL!

I joke about you being Daddy's twin b/c you two are alike in every way possible. So much so that sometimes it freaks me out! I say you are ornery and bullheaded and you are BUT you are also the one to run in from playing outside JUST to give me a "tiss" (kiss). You are the one to say "I wuv you Mommy don't let the bugs in the bed!" (his version of don't let the bed bugs bite) You are the one who thinks I am your "best mommy ever"! You are the one who constantly has to be reassured that you are a good boy and a big helper! You are the one who always says, "Daddy I am glad you came home" when all he did was walk in the door from work. You are the one who says, "I wuv you buncha bunches!" You are the one who makes me smile and tear up at the same time thinking you are the last baby so I need to savor every moment!

I love you from your curly hair to your signature Zay crooked smile to those chubby little feet with Daddy's toes!

I LOVE YOU BABY BOY WITH ALL MY HEART!

I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY!

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE AND THEN SOME!

With all my love,

Mommy

TOP SECRET AGENTS

At the beginning of last week, I walked into the kitchen to see Hubs, Elijah and Avani rummaging through the kitchen cabinet. When asked what they were looking for, I got a quick "NOTHING!" Elijah then said, "Mom whatever we are looking for has absolutely nothing to do with Mother's Day if that is what you are thinking!" I responded with, "Ok secret agent man!"

A little while later Avani comes to me asking how to make a cake. I said with all my Betty Crocker skills, "You buy a cake mix and read the directions!"

Later I found a list written by Avani and Elijah which read:

Buy cake mix

Follow directions

probably need eggs

maybe some milk

some kind of oil ~ Mommy said so

Other stuff listed on box

decorations

I thought it was adorable!

A few days later I would catch them in their top secret moments to which again I would be told, "Whatever we are talking about has nothing to do with Mother's Day but we can't talk to YOU about it!" Sure!! Then Chai calls saying Avani has been acting weird and saying that her and Elijah are on a top secret mission as a surprise for her and I.

Friday after school Hubs took the boys to get the flowers which at the time I did not know about other than they had been on a separate "mission" and it was TOP SECRET. Isaiah thought this was so cool!

Saturday evening Avani called to talk to Elijah and plans were made. Once everyone was home that evening I reminded Martez about the "cake" mission. He called Avani and detailed the mission. He took them to Wally World where they picked out a cake for each of us then bought us both the same card since "we are so much alike".

Yes I knew they were getting a cake for us!

Yes I had to remind Hubs!

BUT

I don't care because seeing the joy on their faces was worth every bit!

Letting them think we were totally shocked at their ability to complete the "top secret mission" including hiding the cakes and cards until the early morning when they could no longer contain themselves and woke us up even though we both wanted to sleep in was WORTH EVERY SECOND. Isaiah reacted with tears and didn't want me to have the flowers b/c they were a secret! He didn't totally get the whole "she can know now" part and was so upset! He quickly changed emotions since he got to eat in my bed for breakfast!

I love these top secret agents and I love that they are all so close!

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 (now you can copy and paste the HTML at the bottom of this post for a button!) 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!

This week in honor of Mother's Day I am doing:

5 signs you are a Mother

5. There are children, teens or adults who call you Mom, Mother, Momma and/or Mommy who even on the worst of days you would lay your life on the line to protect them from harm.

4. You have physical Mommy signs such as breasts that have the sad "rock in the sock" syndrome as they lay completely deflated on your stomach, stretch marks that cover your hips, stomach and breasts and you may or may not have the beautiful c-section incision scar where they sliced you hip to hip to yank the baby out! Just file this number under "joys of motherhood" and move on or get plastic surgery!!

3. You no longer possess the ability to use the restroom, take a shower or have sex without curious little ones knocking at the door or just barging in!

2. You no longer are able to have an uninterrupted phone conversation. They can not say one single word to you for hours then as soon as you get on the phone WHAM there they are with THE most important thing in the world to tell you or ask you. Even if you go into a separate room or outside like I do somehow their radar tells them you are on the phone and WHAM thy appear!

#1

You are a..........

spit-up-wearing, diaper-changing, not-showering-for-days, clothes-washing, clothes-ironing, meal-preparing, team-mom, butt-wiping, bath-giving, picture-taking, carpool-driving, shoe-tying, homework-helping, hairstyling, boo boo-fixing, medicine-giving, appointment-scheduling, teeth-brushing, doctor-taking, grocery-shopping, schedule-juggling, PTA meeting-going, school-volunteering, sports-activity-cheering, activity-planning, zoo-going, zit-picking, nose-picking, clothes-buying, Santa/Easter Bunny-impersonating, personality-forming, disciplining, chauffeuring, parent/teacher conference-going, supporting, loving, face-washing, stain-fighting, adult-conversation-craving, worrying, loud-toy-battery-removing, protecting, cartoon-watching, Disney-radio-listening, diaper-bag-carrying, sleep-deprived, weird- objects-in-the-ears/nose-removing.........

FOOL

BUT you wouldn't change it for the world

well 75% of the time!
Have a great Mother's Day!

Don't forget to grab my button for your post!

<center><a href="http://angeleyesadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/Friday%20High%20Five"><img alt="Angela's Adventures" src="http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/gigibryan/HighFive-1.jpg" /></a></center>

HE LIKES TO MOVE IT MOVE IT!!

Last week......wait.....maybe it was the week before......they are all running together nowadays.....anywhoochie(See Shan I could use it daily!)......Isaiah's class did their spring program at school. They do the program for two days in a row since some children don't go everyday. The first day I completely forgot was unable to attend but trust me I heard ALL about it! Apparently, Isaiah and Nick had quite the conversation that was the laugh of the hour. It went a little something like this: Nick said something to which Isaiah said, "Are you talking to me?" said with a Different Strokes type accent then they both kept saying it back and forth since all the parents thought it was hilarious! So glad sad I wasn't there!!

The second day had its moments but much better! Every time Zay has a program it just reminds me of all the differences between him and Elijah. When Elijah went there, he would either just sit there OR do the motions but yawn instead of sing! Nice! So proud! I swear people thought he never went to bed. Isaiah on the other hand is quite the ham ~ imagine that! He loves to be the center of attention and he LOVES music, dancing and playing instruments! Every thing started out good......

He performed his Michael Jackson impression!

Just kidding!

The glove was for some ladybug song which he sang and did all the motions to.....woohoo!

He showed the crowd that he has some "hops" during the bunny song!

THEN......

.........see the little boy sitting next to him? This is his fellow troublemaker Nick. They have a love/hate relationship. They love playing with each other but hate when the other gets more attention. They are great friends and they crack us parents and teacher up. Right before this photo the class was singing a song and smashing plastic plates together which was extremely loud and scared the crap out of a bunch of adults to the beat of the music. They were supposed to walk in a circle one behind the other.

Really?

Did they really expect Nick and Zay to do this without some trouble? I am a true believer that the entire program should be a sit and sing occasion! They were running around in and out of line of children walking in the circle then ran around in the middle of the circle. My reaction, "Whose kid is that?" and hid. The teacher finally stood and put them in line then proceeded to stand in the middle to make sure it didn't start again. They went back to sit on the taped line where Nick and Zay ended up sitting by each other.

BIG MISTAKE!

I thought, "oh this isn't good!"

Isaiah fell to the ground and said, "Oh Nick pushed me!"

Nick replied with, "No I didn't! You pushed me!"

They went back and forth as I am gave him THE LOOK and mouthed for him to zip it!

Then Nick said, "You have no self control Zay!"

His Mom gave him the look and then we had to smile!

It was another POT MEET KETTLE moment!!

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY ~ NOTE TO SELF

Before handing Isaiah a container of chalk, remember to specify you are handing him SIDEWALK chalk to play with!!!

Our front door:

The side of our house:

The rocks on the outside of the house:

And I didn't even take pictures of the line down the entire hallway wall after he got caught and was on his way to his room!

Oh the joys of motherhood!

For more Wordful Wednesday posts click the image below!

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!

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!