Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Parenting Milestones
Today I have become a true parent. The three C-sections, seven years of breastfeeding, even trips to the ER in no way made me a parent. Today I told my kids to get up and do the dishes. Yep, I have finally made it. I not only told my kids to do the dishes, I did the unforgivable. I told them the "when I was your age" story. I was not only channeling Mom and Dad, I was channeling my Irish heritage and telling a good loooonggg sob story about how much worse it was for me and Chy. The story involved burning hot sudsy water and repeat washings when things weren't up to Randy's standards. And my favorite: Cheyenne. How she always got out of doing the damn dishes with one thing or another and how I was suffering so greatly to have to submerge my delicate hands into water only sadist could stand. I had them staring at me with bug eyes my friends. Then I sent them off to do the job that all people hate. I sat on my well rounded rump and enjoyed finally becoming a parent. I even thought about pouring a glass of wine to celebrate, but I figured that would push them over the edge. I'll save that for when I have to channel Mom and Dad and make the three of them live in the laundry room for fighting. OOh then I will celebrate not only being a parent but being a damn smart one to boot. XOXO
Our Amazing Kids
Some recent quotes and comments from the kids:
MAEGAN---Friday when the movers where bringing in our stuff, there were boxes with "master bedroom" on them. The movers would come into the kitchen with boxes and ask me where to put them. Maegan was sitting watching all the goings on and asked me what master meant. I explained that mine and Alan's bedroom was called the "Master Suite." She in turn told asked me who the master was. I told her that Dad and I were, at which point she looked me dead in the eye and said "No Mom, God the Master."
ADAM--- He was outside playing with all his friends. He came in very upset, and I was trying to figure out what the problem was. Apparently his best friend Elijah was listening to his iPod and wanted to play, but wouldn't take the earphones out and really play. Adam's comment: "Doesn't he understand that you can't be a good friend and have fun if you are always plugged in?"
MADIE--- She has been wanting to watch Bridge to Teribithia for quite some time. It was finally on one day and she had a chance to watch it. Two days later she is curled up on the chair with me and she starts crying. She finally explains that in the movie the best friend dies. After she catches her breath, she says to me:"It really sucked Mom, they make you fall in love with a person and then take them away. What kinda movie people make these shows. They are awful. I want to watch good movies with good endings. Let the dieing happen in real life, I was make believe in the movies."
I have no idea how we have managed to raise such wonderful children. Okay I take that back. It is a constant struggle against the forces of evil I tell you. A parent struggles and struggles to find that balance between crazy over zealous protectiveness and hippie run amok. I whole heartily believe that a village is raising my three. They would never have been as wonderful without the guidance of our families and friends. My village in VaBeach, Joy, Cathryn, Tammie and Peyton helped so much. And now here... God has his plans I tell you. Maegan and I have been inundated with love. Everyone knows she works with me and Friday two different moms came to the shop to get Maegan and take her to the library. And today, a mom came and got her and took her to play group. So I send it out there to the cosmos, thank you. THANK YOU! I thank God, and all you wonderful people who have blessed our lives. Oh and I love you too....
MAEGAN---Friday when the movers where bringing in our stuff, there were boxes with "master bedroom" on them. The movers would come into the kitchen with boxes and ask me where to put them. Maegan was sitting watching all the goings on and asked me what master meant. I explained that mine and Alan's bedroom was called the "Master Suite." She in turn told asked me who the master was. I told her that Dad and I were, at which point she looked me dead in the eye and said "No Mom, God the Master."
ADAM--- He was outside playing with all his friends. He came in very upset, and I was trying to figure out what the problem was. Apparently his best friend Elijah was listening to his iPod and wanted to play, but wouldn't take the earphones out and really play. Adam's comment: "Doesn't he understand that you can't be a good friend and have fun if you are always plugged in?"
MADIE--- She has been wanting to watch Bridge to Teribithia for quite some time. It was finally on one day and she had a chance to watch it. Two days later she is curled up on the chair with me and she starts crying. She finally explains that in the movie the best friend dies. After she catches her breath, she says to me:"It really sucked Mom, they make you fall in love with a person and then take them away. What kinda movie people make these shows. They are awful. I want to watch good movies with good endings. Let the dieing happen in real life, I was make believe in the movies."
I have no idea how we have managed to raise such wonderful children. Okay I take that back. It is a constant struggle against the forces of evil I tell you. A parent struggles and struggles to find that balance between crazy over zealous protectiveness and hippie run amok. I whole heartily believe that a village is raising my three. They would never have been as wonderful without the guidance of our families and friends. My village in VaBeach, Joy, Cathryn, Tammie and Peyton helped so much. And now here... God has his plans I tell you. Maegan and I have been inundated with love. Everyone knows she works with me and Friday two different moms came to the shop to get Maegan and take her to the library. And today, a mom came and got her and took her to play group. So I send it out there to the cosmos, thank you. THANK YOU! I thank God, and all you wonderful people who have blessed our lives. Oh and I love you too....
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Holy Cow, has it really been four days? YIKES!! Well we have our stuff. I am beside myself with joy, anxiety, confusion and being overwhelmed. Talk about a huge task. The last time we moved Alan was home when the movers arrived and he had most of the house just about set up. Now sitting here I realize what a phenomenal job he did. It has been four days and we have two beds set up, the kitchen put away and the furniture where we want it. The table still has no legs attached, Adam and Maegan's beds are completely disassembled and the couch is on the floor not on it's feet. I will say we had some major losses this time as well. The move was hard on all our furniture. A leg on our couch was completely ripped off, fixable if we lived where there was a Lowes...our Ikea dresser was in pieces. The movers fixed it to a usable piece, but it will have to be replaced. We lost another chair in this move. A leg and rung were snapped in half, that leaves us three chairs...Just a lot of big damage, so far no broken tchachkis though we have yet to unpack all of them. We did discover that we have way too much. After living without for so long and then being inundated by all this stuff, Lord have mercy. We are getting rid of stuff left and right. For example, we have about thirty cups for the kids. REALLY?? Who in the hell needs 30 freakin' cups for 3 kids? I discovered that when you have less you tend to actually get dishes done EVERYDAY and that you use less. So this family has a new goal. Simplify.....How we are going to accomplish this???
So today is going to be a killer for the family. Adam has soccer, I have lector training, Alan has a school advisory council meeting, I then have cooking club, and we have to be home by 9pm so that Alan and I can see who is voted off Dancing with the Stars...whew. Lots to do, and all of it to be done between 5 and 8pm. Jammed packed. But it promises to be a good day. The whole family is suffering nasal drip, and I am talking drip here, drainage, sore throats and headaches. I think it is all the packed stuff. I am sure there are things on the barges as well as the pollen and allergens we packed from VA. We are all suffering I tell you. The school nurse called me yesterday at work to tell me she gave Adam some benedryl for his itchy eyes and throat. I swear Adam goes to the nurse every other day. So much more than last year. I think he gets a bit overwhelmed at school and she is a good haven to go to.
Speaking of the school, can I just say, amazing. Nothing compared to Thoroughgood, but still more than I imagined. There is something to be said for small schools. The counselor visits the classrooms once a week and has an open door to all at all times, the nurse is available for talking, visiting and sickness at all times, and the principals are so friendly to the kids. The kids can go chat with them as well. It is just such an open campus. I really am glad the kids are attending. I think Adam visits the nurse for a few reasons, 1st grade is so hard, the nurse is his connection to feeling physically better, and he knows her. She goes to mass with us and sits in our pew. She teaches CCD, but not his class, so he sees her everywhere. I really think that helps a bunch. I am so grateful for her that is for sure.
So lets see this weekend the kids started CCD, Sunday school. Madie's teacher is her friend Isiah's mom. Her name is Monique and they live three doors down the road. Adam's teacher is Brianna. Her husband is Alan's tech, the chief actually. So we know them from the pharmacy. And Maegan's teacher is a random lady, but she comes into the shop every few days so she and Maegan are really hitting it off. They all seemed to enjoy the classes. I am not teaching, which is such a blessing. The one kids I was going to teach bowed out, so I called and said, great. I am overextended as it is. So I am off the hook, thank God. Not that I would have minded teaching, but I have way over promised myself to too much, in the hopes of meeting new people and being part of the community here. So I am thankful for the reprieve.
Well I am off to unpack the big computer and get my desk in order, at least that is what I want to do. If it gets done is another matter. Snot is dripping out of my face at a rapid rate and my head is pounding, so we shall see. At the very least, the table needs some legs so we can stop eating on the floor.
I send you all my love...ooh and if I can get the desk unpacked, there is a camera in there, whoo hoo...
So today is going to be a killer for the family. Adam has soccer, I have lector training, Alan has a school advisory council meeting, I then have cooking club, and we have to be home by 9pm so that Alan and I can see who is voted off Dancing with the Stars...whew. Lots to do, and all of it to be done between 5 and 8pm. Jammed packed. But it promises to be a good day. The whole family is suffering nasal drip, and I am talking drip here, drainage, sore throats and headaches. I think it is all the packed stuff. I am sure there are things on the barges as well as the pollen and allergens we packed from VA. We are all suffering I tell you. The school nurse called me yesterday at work to tell me she gave Adam some benedryl for his itchy eyes and throat. I swear Adam goes to the nurse every other day. So much more than last year. I think he gets a bit overwhelmed at school and she is a good haven to go to.
Speaking of the school, can I just say, amazing. Nothing compared to Thoroughgood, but still more than I imagined. There is something to be said for small schools. The counselor visits the classrooms once a week and has an open door to all at all times, the nurse is available for talking, visiting and sickness at all times, and the principals are so friendly to the kids. The kids can go chat with them as well. It is just such an open campus. I really am glad the kids are attending. I think Adam visits the nurse for a few reasons, 1st grade is so hard, the nurse is his connection to feeling physically better, and he knows her. She goes to mass with us and sits in our pew. She teaches CCD, but not his class, so he sees her everywhere. I really think that helps a bunch. I am so grateful for her that is for sure.
So lets see this weekend the kids started CCD, Sunday school. Madie's teacher is her friend Isiah's mom. Her name is Monique and they live three doors down the road. Adam's teacher is Brianna. Her husband is Alan's tech, the chief actually. So we know them from the pharmacy. And Maegan's teacher is a random lady, but she comes into the shop every few days so she and Maegan are really hitting it off. They all seemed to enjoy the classes. I am not teaching, which is such a blessing. The one kids I was going to teach bowed out, so I called and said, great. I am overextended as it is. So I am off the hook, thank God. Not that I would have minded teaching, but I have way over promised myself to too much, in the hopes of meeting new people and being part of the community here. So I am thankful for the reprieve.
Well I am off to unpack the big computer and get my desk in order, at least that is what I want to do. If it gets done is another matter. Snot is dripping out of my face at a rapid rate and my head is pounding, so we shall see. At the very least, the table needs some legs so we can stop eating on the floor.
I send you all my love...ooh and if I can get the desk unpacked, there is a camera in there, whoo hoo...
Friday, September 25, 2009
Birthday
To my sisiters. So sorry about the short calls last night. You see, I should be able to stop watching TV long enough to chat to two of the most important people in my life. BUT, we don't have tivo, not allowed on base. Which means that I can't stop a show, can't record it, well blah blah. And honestly I only ever watch two shows. Grey's and Army Wives. You happened to call during the season premier, and all I can say is GEORGE! I was crying and having a hard time letting go. So again, sorry I was too caught up in a make-believe man and his death. Freakin' TV. It sucks you in my dears...
So today is the day. I am writing way early today so as to get a blog in before the guys come. Alan, my ever multitasking husband, forgot to call the other guys to come take away our loaner furniture. So we may have a bit a hard time getting things in and moving the loaners out. Of course if I were in charge I would have called them the second I got the movers call, but that is just me.
So now I am chilling waiting for the guys. Then tonight after everyone is gone and our house is a mess we are taking the kids to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." Tonight is the first night it is showing and we had so much fun last Friday going to the show we figured we go again tonight. Not like our stuff in boxes won't still be here. Then while Alan unpacks I am taking Adam to soccer tomorrow morning. Lots of stuff going on. The good thing, Alan gets to take off today to help out, THANK GOD!! I know I could check furniture in, but it will be so much nicer having help.
So until I get a chance to blog more, I love you all and will talk to you soon.....
So today is the day. I am writing way early today so as to get a blog in before the guys come. Alan, my ever multitasking husband, forgot to call the other guys to come take away our loaner furniture. So we may have a bit a hard time getting things in and moving the loaners out. Of course if I were in charge I would have called them the second I got the movers call, but that is just me.
So now I am chilling waiting for the guys. Then tonight after everyone is gone and our house is a mess we are taking the kids to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." Tonight is the first night it is showing and we had so much fun last Friday going to the show we figured we go again tonight. Not like our stuff in boxes won't still be here. Then while Alan unpacks I am taking Adam to soccer tomorrow morning. Lots of stuff going on. The good thing, Alan gets to take off today to help out, THANK GOD!! I know I could check furniture in, but it will be so much nicer having help.
So until I get a chance to blog more, I love you all and will talk to you soon.....
Thursday, September 24, 2009
First and foremost thank you all for the birthday love. I have gotten so many birthday wishes from you all. It is so freakin' nice and has made my day. I was laying in bed last night giving thanks to God for another year when I started thinking. My Asian friends tell me that in the orient they begin a child's life at 1 year, they don't start counting by weeks, or months. A child is born it is a year. So for instance if I were in the orient I would be 34 now, not 33. So I have celebrated being alive for 33 years and am embarking on 34th. Which really got me all worked up because I just aged myself another year. At this rate I'll be forty way too soon. So after fretting about how old I was for a good five minutes, I got hold of myself and decided that I really am 33, not 34 and life was good enough for me to sleep. Whew.
Now on to the really good news. OUR STUFF IS HERE. Yeppers. We got a call yesterday from the "men" and they said they would be here sometime tomorrow to drop all our crap off. 14 crates full of stuff. 14. Can you believe that? What is worse, the average house down here is 11 to 13. Yeah we have too much stuff. And can I tell after living first in Peyton's house and now here with the bare essentials, I can't wait to get my stuff. I don't need it, that is for sure. But by golly I can't wait to have it. It is more exciting than Christmas my friends. We get to sleep in our own bed tomorrow. I am rolling up the egg crates and packing them away. I already packed up the small box of kitchen stuff they let us borrow and cleaned out our clothes and the kids toys from the borrowed dressers and nightstands. All of our borrowed stuff will be moved out at 7:30 am tomorrow morning. I am hoping to get some pictures of the loaner furniture before they come and get it tomorrow. Lord knows how that will go. The only depressing thing about this is that in a short 28 months we will be back in this same position with the loaner stuff. I am keeping a list of all the things we really needed this go round and that way I know what to not let the movers pack for our trip out. I am also keeping all the egg crates, damn foam...
On top of that, I did get to change the hours to the store so I am only working M,W and F. So nice, as I have thousands of things going on.
So tonight for my birthday we are going to eat at the Bayview, the nice restaurant. They have Mongolian Barbeque on Thursdays. My first Asian food since being here. Hey if any of you have good chinese food, or schezuan type recipes send them on. We have no "ethnic" places here. Just run of the mill restaurants. I am hoping that I kept my Italian cook book as well as my Tex Mex one. I am dying for the taste of "American" food. Of course, I make food which ends up being a ton, I eat my whole 1/2 to 1 cup helping of it and then Alan eats the rest. Well whatever the girls don't eat. Needless to say my man is getting bigger. He keeps telling me at this rate he will get kicked out of the Navy for being too fat. Ah the dilemma
So tomorrow I will be off line as I work to get the house in order, again YIPPEE. And then this weekend will be full with Adam's soccer game, a date for the birthday with Alan, a membership drive I have to go to on Sunday and I teach my first CCD class on Sunday as well. How in the hell did I get so busy so quickly???
I send you all love and I will talk to you all soon
Now on to the really good news. OUR STUFF IS HERE. Yeppers. We got a call yesterday from the "men" and they said they would be here sometime tomorrow to drop all our crap off. 14 crates full of stuff. 14. Can you believe that? What is worse, the average house down here is 11 to 13. Yeah we have too much stuff. And can I tell after living first in Peyton's house and now here with the bare essentials, I can't wait to get my stuff. I don't need it, that is for sure. But by golly I can't wait to have it. It is more exciting than Christmas my friends. We get to sleep in our own bed tomorrow. I am rolling up the egg crates and packing them away. I already packed up the small box of kitchen stuff they let us borrow and cleaned out our clothes and the kids toys from the borrowed dressers and nightstands. All of our borrowed stuff will be moved out at 7:30 am tomorrow morning. I am hoping to get some pictures of the loaner furniture before they come and get it tomorrow. Lord knows how that will go. The only depressing thing about this is that in a short 28 months we will be back in this same position with the loaner stuff. I am keeping a list of all the things we really needed this go round and that way I know what to not let the movers pack for our trip out. I am also keeping all the egg crates, damn foam...
On top of that, I did get to change the hours to the store so I am only working M,W and F. So nice, as I have thousands of things going on.
So tonight for my birthday we are going to eat at the Bayview, the nice restaurant. They have Mongolian Barbeque on Thursdays. My first Asian food since being here. Hey if any of you have good chinese food, or schezuan type recipes send them on. We have no "ethnic" places here. Just run of the mill restaurants. I am hoping that I kept my Italian cook book as well as my Tex Mex one. I am dying for the taste of "American" food. Of course, I make food which ends up being a ton, I eat my whole 1/2 to 1 cup helping of it and then Alan eats the rest. Well whatever the girls don't eat. Needless to say my man is getting bigger. He keeps telling me at this rate he will get kicked out of the Navy for being too fat. Ah the dilemma
So tomorrow I will be off line as I work to get the house in order, again YIPPEE. And then this weekend will be full with Adam's soccer game, a date for the birthday with Alan, a membership drive I have to go to on Sunday and I teach my first CCD class on Sunday as well. How in the hell did I get so busy so quickly???
I send you all love and I will talk to you all soon
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
So yesterday was so crazy that I didn't even get but a few minutes to check email. Sorry about not blogging. Now I have a good 13 minutes before I have to leave for work. News on our end. I have worked it out with the powers that be to only work M,W and F from 8:30 to 1:30. That way I can still take Adam to soccer practices and be a part of the both the cooking club and book club. The only two things I am doing only for me. Of course the clubs only meet once a month, but at least it is something at this point. Alan has been at work from the early morning until 8 or 9pm each night. So much for family time huh. Na, it should change soon. The Joint Commission is coming, so big wig group that accredits hospitals or something. So he has been having to clean up the pharmacy and make changes, all of which should have been going on for years of course. So I see him for little snippets each day. The kids seem to be content, of course they are busy with their very involved lives. Adam is now part of the "character counts" club. I have no idea what they are doing, something about building core character traits, and Madie is hoping that she will be selected to participate as well. I am betting on Madie being a part of the club. She was student of the week the first week and Mrs.F is always telling the class to follow what Madie does because she always does it right. Needless to say Madie is so happy she is finally the star. All the kids tell me that Madie rights the nicest and she is Mrs.F's favorite. My kid is in hog heaven.
So I am off to work another day. This job would be fine if I wasn't doing everything else in the world at our house. I told Alan last night that being a single working mom is NOT what I had in mind when we moved. He made some sort of comment that got him into an ass load of trouble and well lets just say frigid is how the house seems today. Well it thawed a bit last night after we talked about his inappropriate comment and all that. Good times in Cuba my friends, good times.
Tonight is another packed night. Maegan and I work til 1:30 and then Adam has the character thing at school until 3. Then homework, and off to Girl Scouts for a meeting at 6. Then back home for dinner and bed. Yikes long day....Love you all
So I am off to work another day. This job would be fine if I wasn't doing everything else in the world at our house. I told Alan last night that being a single working mom is NOT what I had in mind when we moved. He made some sort of comment that got him into an ass load of trouble and well lets just say frigid is how the house seems today. Well it thawed a bit last night after we talked about his inappropriate comment and all that. Good times in Cuba my friends, good times.
Tonight is another packed night. Maegan and I work til 1:30 and then Adam has the character thing at school until 3. Then homework, and off to Girl Scouts for a meeting at 6. Then back home for dinner and bed. Yikes long day....Love you all
Monday, September 21, 2009
Being a working mom sucks!!
Holy Cow. How in the hell do women everywhere do this? This whole working mom thing? It sucks, and I have older kids now and I can take my youngest with me, and I have a great husband that does tons of crap around the house, and I only work four hours a day. BUT oh my. My brain hurts, I am tired and good Lord I don't remember having to be nice to so many people at one time in a long, long ass time. I am so tired.
Okay are done listening to me complain. Can I just say to all you moms out there who work real jobs day in and day out and manage the house and well are super woman. There is a special place in heaven for you my friends. There really is. God bless each and everyone of you.
That's it, I am tired and the kids are home. I love you all...
Okay are done listening to me complain. Can I just say to all you moms out there who work real jobs day in and day out and manage the house and well are super woman. There is a special place in heaven for you my friends. There really is. God bless each and everyone of you.
That's it, I am tired and the kids are home. I love you all...
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