Thursday, February 25, 2010
Texas Snow Storm
We had a shocking snowfall February 11-12th. I heard Thursday evening that it was the most snowfall since 1979, but it continued snowing late into the night. Later I heard it was a record, but didn't confirm it. It was beautiful and I took lots of photos.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Life goes on....
Hello all. It's been a bit. Life has a way of getting hairy at times. We've been busy. Started painting our bedroom, read 5 novels in about one week (four of which were the Twilight Saga)...which didn't leave much time for other, more pressing but much less fun tasks. We had a nice visit from the in-laws, and a recent visit from Chandra & her boys which was a lot of fun, Brian had Lasik eye surgery...and then there's just life in general.
Here's a sample of some recent moments:
- I'm bathing and I hear this loud banging on my bedroom door. I listen to Caden's "MOM! MOM!" on the other side. I can tell he's not hurt, he's not crying, but it's very desperate. "MOM!" Giggles...followed up with soft, unintelligible words that could only be spoken by Morgan. So I figure it doesn't qualify as me having to wrap up in a towel and drip across my bedroom. Then, "MOM! Morgan has a booger!"
- Our oldest three children playing with a balloon long past bedtime...hitting it back and forth in between their bedroom doors. Like I didn't notice the loud "thunk" every time a hand met with the big hallow beast and the bright blue sphere sailing back and forth in the hallway.
- I'm driving and look in my rearview mirror to see Morgan asleep and a pair of black Mr. Potato Head glasses perched on his nose. A little later I get Caden's rendition of "Hound Dog."
- Grandpa Butch offers to take Morgan to the bathroom and even volunteers to assist in the wiping of the hiney if necessary. Morgan decides he doesn't have to go after all. Grandpa says, "Okay. But you know who to call if you change you mind?"
Little voice replies, "Ghostbusters."
Naturally.
- Nothing like a late night chunky vomit in the top bunk as an utmost, rude awakening to one of the uglier, more odoriferous sides of parenting.
*Note to parents: rinse the sheet carefully in the kitchen sink...the side with the garbage disposal. Much better than cleaning the mess out of the washer later. Then, very thoroughly disinfect the sink & surrounding areas. I mean, I'm pretty sure most parents would know to disinfect...but wonder's never cease.
**p.s.- (To Chandra) As I was rinsing chunks into my sink with a lame attempt to not really "see" what was falling against the stainless steel I couldn't help but think of you. For a moment I panicked my poor disposal wasn't up for the task. I need to remind Caden to chew his food.
Here's a sample of some recent moments:
- I'm bathing and I hear this loud banging on my bedroom door. I listen to Caden's "MOM! MOM!" on the other side. I can tell he's not hurt, he's not crying, but it's very desperate. "MOM!" Giggles...followed up with soft, unintelligible words that could only be spoken by Morgan. So I figure it doesn't qualify as me having to wrap up in a towel and drip across my bedroom. Then, "MOM! Morgan has a booger!"
- Our oldest three children playing with a balloon long past bedtime...hitting it back and forth in between their bedroom doors. Like I didn't notice the loud "thunk" every time a hand met with the big hallow beast and the bright blue sphere sailing back and forth in the hallway.
- I'm driving and look in my rearview mirror to see Morgan asleep and a pair of black Mr. Potato Head glasses perched on his nose. A little later I get Caden's rendition of "Hound Dog."
- Grandpa Butch offers to take Morgan to the bathroom and even volunteers to assist in the wiping of the hiney if necessary. Morgan decides he doesn't have to go after all. Grandpa says, "Okay. But you know who to call if you change you mind?"
Little voice replies, "Ghostbusters."
Naturally.
- Nothing like a late night chunky vomit in the top bunk as an utmost, rude awakening to one of the uglier, more odoriferous sides of parenting.
*Note to parents: rinse the sheet carefully in the kitchen sink...the side with the garbage disposal. Much better than cleaning the mess out of the washer later. Then, very thoroughly disinfect the sink & surrounding areas. I mean, I'm pretty sure most parents would know to disinfect...but wonder's never cease.
**p.s.- (To Chandra) As I was rinsing chunks into my sink with a lame attempt to not really "see" what was falling against the stainless steel I couldn't help but think of you. For a moment I panicked my poor disposal wasn't up for the task. I need to remind Caden to chew his food.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Guess who?
(For those who already know....shhhh.)
As most of you know, all of my kids are very creative & imaginative. Caden is no exception. He was THRILLED about getting a bow-tie from Grandma Karen (it had been on his wish list for a while.) One day he asked to use one of my little red glasses. It was an unusual request, but I granted him permission. He was dressed up, which isn't an unusual thing in our household. There was no talking, I just happened to be sitting across the table from him and my camera was handy. All of the sudden he just started acting.
The following is a re-enactment of what character, from what movie:
As most of you know, all of my kids are very creative & imaginative. Caden is no exception. He was THRILLED about getting a bow-tie from Grandma Karen (it had been on his wish list for a while.) One day he asked to use one of my little red glasses. It was an unusual request, but I granted him permission. He was dressed up, which isn't an unusual thing in our household. There was no talking, I just happened to be sitting across the table from him and my camera was handy. All of the sudden he just started acting.
The following is a re-enactment of what character, from what movie:
Thursday, February 4, 2010
"Does whatever a spider can"
Morgan's challenge to sleep in his own bed seems to be progressing fairly well. Although, Dad climbs in bed with him periodically....so it's a little hard to tell. I'm not sure if this is Dad's way of coping with the withdrawal or if it's just easier than listening to the crying. We've had to shut the door and endure the "DA DA! DA DA! Pease DA DA, I scarwed!" We've also had several talks about turning the big "3" and being a big boy. This has actually been quite effective. For example, shortly after Brian leaves Morgan's bed early this morning for the comfort of his own bed, Morgan comes storming out, screaming at the top of his lungs and throws himself on the kitchen floor. I tell him to go to bed or I'll shut him in. Silence. For a few seconds. Then more high pitched screams that makes you feel bad for the neighbors. I come out and scoop him up off the cold tile. He gets calm and as we near the hallway I tell him in a quiet voice how rude he's being to his siblings who are sleeping. Three grumpy voices chime in to say they, in fact, are not sleeping. As I'm laying him in bed I ask Morgan if he's going to be a big boy. He looks so adorable and there are tears streaming down his cheeks and his bottom lip quivers and he says, "Birtday cake n' ice ceam." We have a short chat on being a big boy and sleeping in his own bed. His eyes are so heavy they flutter as he tries to keep them open. I tell him he's doing good and kiss him goodnight. That was it.
First thing this morning he says at the side of my bed in his cute, excited voice, quite matter-of-factly, "Birtday powdee. Birtday powdee." Yes, a birthday party coming up soon. And I pull back the covers to let him climb in and I catch an awful stench hitting my nostrils and quickly add that the potty training is still part of the deal to turning three.
So we put on, lets see, today he's wearing WALL-E undies, and we go through the routine of not peeing on _________. He seems to be getting it because I've noticed just the last few days he'll walk around the house and I'll hear his small voice chanting this to himself. And yesterday in the truck as we're driving to Jiu Jitsi he says, what sounded like, "Mom, I not be cowboy." I'm driving, paying partial attention..."uh-huh." But then it occurred to me this didn't make any sense, he loves cowboys. They're right up there with Jones, Batman & Superman. Then he repeats himself of course and I realize it's, "I not pee on Kedible." (Yesterday was Mr. Incredible undies) And no, Morgan did not pee on him.
Here's a pair of undies in action as they play their dual roll: mask. I asked Morgan if he was Superman, also known as "Supemaan," and he said, "No. I Spidowmaan." Here he is, in his favorite hiding place.
(clicking on the picture gives you a better view)
"Spins a web, any size"
First thing this morning he says at the side of my bed in his cute, excited voice, quite matter-of-factly, "Birtday powdee. Birtday powdee." Yes, a birthday party coming up soon. And I pull back the covers to let him climb in and I catch an awful stench hitting my nostrils and quickly add that the potty training is still part of the deal to turning three.
So we put on, lets see, today he's wearing WALL-E undies, and we go through the routine of not peeing on _________. He seems to be getting it because I've noticed just the last few days he'll walk around the house and I'll hear his small voice chanting this to himself. And yesterday in the truck as we're driving to Jiu Jitsi he says, what sounded like, "Mom, I not be cowboy." I'm driving, paying partial attention..."uh-huh." But then it occurred to me this didn't make any sense, he loves cowboys. They're right up there with Jones, Batman & Superman. Then he repeats himself of course and I realize it's, "I not pee on Kedible." (Yesterday was Mr. Incredible undies) And no, Morgan did not pee on him.
Here's a pair of undies in action as they play their dual roll: mask. I asked Morgan if he was Superman, also known as "Supemaan," and he said, "No. I Spidowmaan." Here he is, in his favorite hiding place.
(clicking on the picture gives you a better view)
"Spins a web, any size"
Monday, February 1, 2010
A Sample of My Life:
A miserable night of sleep for Mom & Dad leave Morgan on the "it List"....as in, "This is IT! I've had it." (It is also synonymous with the 'other' list that may come to some of your minds.) I do think it was the straw that broke the camel's back - finally! It was one of those nights where you were awake more than asleep. So Morgan is being sentenced to sleeping all night in his own bed. Hopefully after a handful of nights of temper tantrums he'll succumb to growing up & will realize his nights in Mom & Dad's bed have come to an end. Wish him luck, it'll be a rough week for the guy....and I think it'll be pretty hard for Morgan too.
Brian is sitting at the table while Tristen, Bryson & Halle work on their homework and I hear hearty laughter and jokes about uni-brows. Hal's in particular...poor girl. She is still wishing very hard for a sister, as Keely can attest to.
Speaking of Keel, last week her & Uncle Brian were here for a visit which was really enjoyable. We had a fun time - lots of laughs. They got in late Friday night and we sat at the table and chit-chatted for a while before turning in. Saturday morning they went with the kids to Jui Jitsu, and we hung out in the afternoon, playing games. Sunday was a nice day and we decided to go on a hike. Keely & Brian watched the chaos of seven people around them scurrying around to do the work entailed to get five kids ready for a hike. I mean it seems simple enough, but just imagine:
"Caden, get your shoes on." "Hats! You guys need hats." "I don't want to wear a hat." "Do you guys have your water bottles?" "Where's the Ergo carrier for Morgan." "Mom, will you tie my boots?" "Caden, get your shoes on." "Why do I have to wear a hat." "Get a sweatshirt for Morgan." "But Mom it's not that cold out." "CADEN! Get your shoes on!" "Amber, Amber! Where's Mom?" as I'm upstairs getting hats. "Go to the bathroom." "Tristen's not wearing a hat." It's a small sample, but ugh...it's tiring just typing it...I can't imagine having to be an innocent bystander on the sidelines witnessing this craziness.
Keely did lots of dishes (Brian helped) and they got to see how big the kids have gotten...all except Morgan who will be three in about 4 weeks but is still wearing 18 month pants and 24 month tops. She laughed hard at Caden & Morgan's obnoxious, rowdy behavior. The way they nit-pick and pester each other constantly and the unique dynamics of their relationship... perhaps on some level it was so familiar to her. That sort of bond where you are wound so tight nothing is uncalled for, there's no "out of bounds"...(think Keely, Chandra, Sam here....) The type of bond where once one them started laughing there was nothing you could do to stop it...the sick, twisted sense of humor was just ALWAYS there! The laughing so hard the potato soup comes right back up...right back in the soup bowl. Some things are just the way are - not to be messed with or questioned because who but the wisest of men would ever know the true answer. So I usually watch from a distance with a puzzled look on my face and shake my head because I tire of yelling and I'm exasperated.
WEDNESDAY
So Wednesday was a sort of a quiet yet typical day. The kids were being really good and all the sudden around 2 pm the electricity goes out. I'm so annoyed. The last time this happened (which was for no apparent reason, the electrical surge blew 2 of our thermostats) and during a wicked storm last summer some lighting knocked out a compressor on one of our A/C units. So I call my friend (who happens to be a neighbor) to see if their electricity is out. Interestingly enough it is not. You know how you have that nagging feeling that goes from psst... to "HELLO!" I find myself scrambling out to my desk. Low and behold...there on top on my photo printer is my electric bill. Check written, postage on envelope...all ready to be mailed. I wonder to myself how the heck this never made it out with all the other bills that I had paid several weeks ago...and I remember. There was a coloring contest. I was waiting for Bryson to finish coloring the picture. So I grab my checkbook and a new bill that had come the day before and I suck it up. Talk about embarrassing. I mean good grief! So I drive there and walk in to pay my bill. Hand her a sealed, stamped envelope that contains the already paid, but never sent bill. She smiled sympathetically and said, "I'm so sorry!" It was my own darn fault. They were very nice and with in a couple of hours our electricity was restored. Lesson learned.
THURSDAY
Decide to run to TARGET for a few groceries and misc. items. Give Tristen, Bryson and Halle instructions on what to read while I'm gone and take Caden & Morgan with me, under the delusion it'll be an easy trip because I only have two kids instead of five. Chandra found this particularly fascinating and wondered why I thought having even two would make a trip easy..."especially those two?" she wondered aloud over the other end of my cell phone as I expressed my careless thoughts with her. I hang up and continue to push the cart. I watch them. Morgan has a Buzz Lightyear, Caden has a Buzz, and Woody is dangling upside down by the spurs of his cowboy boots. I hear "AHHH!!" and swooshing sounds as Buzz flies through the air along with the sound effects of punches being thrown, filled in with laughs and giggles and Morgan's "Buzz!" "Woody!" It's not that they're being bad so much that they are lost in their world of make believe and are oblivious to that fact we are in public and there are people all around us. Then Morgan's decides to announce, "I farrted. Mom I farrted." A lady just a few feet away politely pretends she doesn't hear. "Just say excuse me Morgan." "Scuse me Mom." We finally finish and head to the check out. They both have tired of playing with Buzz & Woody by the time we entered the check out lane. This leaves them to tease and taunt each other. Caden was very helpful and loaded everything he could onto the checkout belt but when that task was complete he joined Morgan in horseplay. We're almost done and most of our purchases are loaded in the cart when likely half the store hears something between a squeal and a yell. Of course it's my kids - I look down at the end of the lane to see Caden standing there squirming with one of his fingers clenched in Morgan's teeth. I rush down. Caden is panting and Morgan is laughing. Caden has wicked purple teeth marks on his finger and he's gasping for little breaths. My scolding runs off Morgan's back as he sits there and grins. It's like he know's I can't spank him in public or something. I go back to pay after telling Caden to keep all finger's away from Morgan's teeth. Yes, this is another strange game these two play. Caden likes to see how close he can get his finger's to Morgan's mouth without getting bit. Don't ask...I don't know...I'm only their mother and I rarely see any of my DNA in either of them. So as I pay the nice girl behind the counter I hear Caden's laughter and look down to see Morgan's little body laying out in the front of the cart like someone basking in a hammock. I'm so glad that we are finished. By time we reach the parking lot both boys are laughing hysterically and I don't even know why. But it's funny, and I laugh.
Brian is sitting at the table while Tristen, Bryson & Halle work on their homework and I hear hearty laughter and jokes about uni-brows. Hal's in particular...poor girl. She is still wishing very hard for a sister, as Keely can attest to.
Speaking of Keel, last week her & Uncle Brian were here for a visit which was really enjoyable. We had a fun time - lots of laughs. They got in late Friday night and we sat at the table and chit-chatted for a while before turning in. Saturday morning they went with the kids to Jui Jitsu, and we hung out in the afternoon, playing games. Sunday was a nice day and we decided to go on a hike. Keely & Brian watched the chaos of seven people around them scurrying around to do the work entailed to get five kids ready for a hike. I mean it seems simple enough, but just imagine:
"Caden, get your shoes on." "Hats! You guys need hats." "I don't want to wear a hat." "Do you guys have your water bottles?" "Where's the Ergo carrier for Morgan." "Mom, will you tie my boots?" "Caden, get your shoes on." "Why do I have to wear a hat." "Get a sweatshirt for Morgan." "But Mom it's not that cold out." "CADEN! Get your shoes on!" "Amber, Amber! Where's Mom?" as I'm upstairs getting hats. "Go to the bathroom." "Tristen's not wearing a hat." It's a small sample, but ugh...it's tiring just typing it...I can't imagine having to be an innocent bystander on the sidelines witnessing this craziness.
Keely did lots of dishes (Brian helped) and they got to see how big the kids have gotten...all except Morgan who will be three in about 4 weeks but is still wearing 18 month pants and 24 month tops. She laughed hard at Caden & Morgan's obnoxious, rowdy behavior. The way they nit-pick and pester each other constantly and the unique dynamics of their relationship... perhaps on some level it was so familiar to her. That sort of bond where you are wound so tight nothing is uncalled for, there's no "out of bounds"...(think Keely, Chandra, Sam here....) The type of bond where once one them started laughing there was nothing you could do to stop it...the sick, twisted sense of humor was just ALWAYS there! The laughing so hard the potato soup comes right back up...right back in the soup bowl. Some things are just the way are - not to be messed with or questioned because who but the wisest of men would ever know the true answer. So I usually watch from a distance with a puzzled look on my face and shake my head because I tire of yelling and I'm exasperated.
WEDNESDAY
So Wednesday was a sort of a quiet yet typical day. The kids were being really good and all the sudden around 2 pm the electricity goes out. I'm so annoyed. The last time this happened (which was for no apparent reason, the electrical surge blew 2 of our thermostats) and during a wicked storm last summer some lighting knocked out a compressor on one of our A/C units. So I call my friend (who happens to be a neighbor) to see if their electricity is out. Interestingly enough it is not. You know how you have that nagging feeling that goes from psst... to "HELLO!" I find myself scrambling out to my desk. Low and behold...there on top on my photo printer is my electric bill. Check written, postage on envelope...all ready to be mailed. I wonder to myself how the heck this never made it out with all the other bills that I had paid several weeks ago...and I remember. There was a coloring contest. I was waiting for Bryson to finish coloring the picture. So I grab my checkbook and a new bill that had come the day before and I suck it up. Talk about embarrassing. I mean good grief! So I drive there and walk in to pay my bill. Hand her a sealed, stamped envelope that contains the already paid, but never sent bill. She smiled sympathetically and said, "I'm so sorry!" It was my own darn fault. They were very nice and with in a couple of hours our electricity was restored. Lesson learned.
THURSDAY
Decide to run to TARGET for a few groceries and misc. items. Give Tristen, Bryson and Halle instructions on what to read while I'm gone and take Caden & Morgan with me, under the delusion it'll be an easy trip because I only have two kids instead of five. Chandra found this particularly fascinating and wondered why I thought having even two would make a trip easy..."especially those two?" she wondered aloud over the other end of my cell phone as I expressed my careless thoughts with her. I hang up and continue to push the cart. I watch them. Morgan has a Buzz Lightyear, Caden has a Buzz, and Woody is dangling upside down by the spurs of his cowboy boots. I hear "AHHH!!" and swooshing sounds as Buzz flies through the air along with the sound effects of punches being thrown, filled in with laughs and giggles and Morgan's "Buzz!" "Woody!" It's not that they're being bad so much that they are lost in their world of make believe and are oblivious to that fact we are in public and there are people all around us. Then Morgan's decides to announce, "I farrted. Mom I farrted." A lady just a few feet away politely pretends she doesn't hear. "Just say excuse me Morgan." "Scuse me Mom." We finally finish and head to the check out. They both have tired of playing with Buzz & Woody by the time we entered the check out lane. This leaves them to tease and taunt each other. Caden was very helpful and loaded everything he could onto the checkout belt but when that task was complete he joined Morgan in horseplay. We're almost done and most of our purchases are loaded in the cart when likely half the store hears something between a squeal and a yell. Of course it's my kids - I look down at the end of the lane to see Caden standing there squirming with one of his fingers clenched in Morgan's teeth. I rush down. Caden is panting and Morgan is laughing. Caden has wicked purple teeth marks on his finger and he's gasping for little breaths. My scolding runs off Morgan's back as he sits there and grins. It's like he know's I can't spank him in public or something. I go back to pay after telling Caden to keep all finger's away from Morgan's teeth. Yes, this is another strange game these two play. Caden likes to see how close he can get his finger's to Morgan's mouth without getting bit. Don't ask...I don't know...I'm only their mother and I rarely see any of my DNA in either of them. So as I pay the nice girl behind the counter I hear Caden's laughter and look down to see Morgan's little body laying out in the front of the cart like someone basking in a hammock. I'm so glad that we are finished. By time we reach the parking lot both boys are laughing hysterically and I don't even know why. But it's funny, and I laugh.
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