Into My Mind

I don't want to go into the whole story right now, because honestly I'm just exhausted; but Nick got his first 100% in spelling this past Friday. I guess the meds are helping. I'll tell the story soon of Nick and his history and current diagnoses.

People - HE GOT A 100%!!!!!!

Nick was a Soldier
I was a "God knows what"
Aiden was a Skeleton
Moira was a Ballerina

Okay a day late, a dollar short, but at least it's a story.

We're on our way people, on our way. I have purchased a second fish tank (a 10 gallon for $30). It's the whole kit with light and filter. So, I'm happy. Tommy the Goldfish will move into Nick's room probably tomorrow after the tank has sat for a night and once we purchase Aiden's bed and get that set-up, Dora the Goldfish will move in with Moira and Aiden. This is not the story though.

Yesterday afternoon went something like this...

I hear a noise, look over and yell "Oh my gosh Aiden, just a second Mommy's coming. Don't do anything till I get there. I'm coming." By the time I got to the downstairs bathroom, I had to step over a discarded diaper. I turned the light on to find my 23 month old butt naked, stool moved in front of the toilet and him straddling it. People, he has chosen to potty train. I spent the next 30 minutes in the bathroom with him. It was so funny, as I approached he looked at me, hopped down, waved his hand and said "Come on." Then, he proceeded to close the door behind me. We then spent the rest of the time up and down from the toilet with him reaching out upon his ascent and saying "Help."

He never did pee, but he had a blast getting up and down like a big boy. I told J though that we now have to invest in one of those potty seats that sits on top the regular toilet because his butt about fell in three times.

The potty training fascination has continued anytime the door is left open. YEAH!!

Tonight is "Halloween Happenings" at Nick's school. So, we get to dress-up twice this year! We're special!! Anyway, so I was at Walmart (save your condemnations for later) last night getting Aiden's costume and trying to find something for J and I. I found something for me, but J is proving a little difficult. The kids picked out clown make-up, but he really doesn't want to be a clown.

I picked out some items for me, but I had to come home and try them on first (just to make sure they's work). I'll tell you this much, there's nothing like walking down the steps and expecting a cat call and being greeted by hysterical laughter.
Oh well, at least I was funny in a cute way. Maybe next year I'll get a cat call or two.

Pictures will follow but not till either tonight or Monday.

Okay, so not much humor can be found in switching loads of laundry. Thanks to my mother though, here's a gem from the local newspaper. I may be a little odd in my humor, but even my level headed, likes to think she's conservative mother found a laugh in this. Sometimes, you must embrace the sick humor in yourself.

Are the Police Really Here to Help???

I apologize to all for not posting more lately. Life has been so busy and hectic and sore and sick and and and...so tired. Home and work have kept me on my toes as of late. I made the horrible mistake of wearing heels two days in a row and for anyone that knows me, you know I don't wear heels or make-up or skirts, etc. You could actually swear that I was a boy if it weren't for the gigantic breasts I have now been blessed with after three children. Anyway, since I'm not used to wearing heels my calves are so sore right now. I feel as if I walked on my tip toes all day. Huh, I guess I kinda did. Plus, I was on my feet more today then I normally am at work. I may have gotten my breasts from my children, but my ass is compliments of a desk job.

The sick part? Well, I'm not sure if I'm fighting migraines or something sinus related. I'm starting to lean the way of sinuses only because I've never been migraine prone. That and it's rooted in the base of my skull and feels has if a worm (with spikes) is crawling up my brain stem and out my eyes and cheekbones. My cerebellum takes the brunt of the pain most of the time. That's not a part you use a lot, right?

We get to dress up on Monday and I have yet to decide what or who to be. Plus, we have "Halloween" at Nick's school Saturday night for which I need to get/create a costume. My brain's too tired to think about that right now. I told you my brain was getting beat up on a regular basis now, like I have the energy to think about being a redheaded Marilyn Monroe.

I must go switch laundry now. Maybe I'll come back with some laughs.

We've got some big fish. Our $0.12 gold fish have to be at least worth $2.oo each now. Tommy is a good 5, maybe 6 inches long and Dora is at least 4.5 if not 5". Our problem, they're still in a 10 gallon tank. We need at least a 20 gallon and can split them up or a size bigger than that to keep them together. Tanks are freaking expensive, people. A square box of glass or acrylic is at least $150 for the size we need and then when you start buying those sizes, you need a stand too. Dang Petco, do you think I'm made of money. I'm not, my kids already suck of penny out of me. Not to mention the husband.

Kids Helping Out
The Final Result

We've done it! We've carved our first pumpkin this season as a family. I say first, because it won't last until Halloween. BUT, what a doozie of a start. The kids had a blast until they got hollered at to put the knives down and let me actually carve the thing. I can't wait for them to see it lit up. They're asleep right now. So, I'll probably take it in the bathroom (the only dark room) and light it tomorrow.

I just wanted to give a quick congrats to the Astros. At this time, I do know quite a few people in Houston and since their team has never made it this far, I congratulate you. I hate to tell you though, that you will get your butts kicked by the White Sox.

I think that right now I am being a very upstanding Cardinals fan, congratulating the enemy and all. It's just I think I'm more upset at seeing the stadium go then the Cards not going all the way this year. I guess it's time to modernize and you know they say "change is good." I just haven't figured out who they are yet.

The first pumpkin carving of the season. This was not for my home, but I did get to gut it and was in-charge of the eyes and nose. I've chosen a bat for our home pumpkin. I'm not going to buy that just yet though because it would rot by the time Halloween came. Now, I still have to decorate. I don't have any decorations and just haven't gone out to buy any. I suck!

Just writing about bedtime triggered what happened earlier in the evening. When we did put the kids down at 9:00pm, I rocked Aiden and J was in charge of the older two. He tucked them in, kissed them, and then went back downstairs. Suddenly, he hears Moira calling for him. He trots back upstairs only to have this conversation...
*side note - we currently have our windows open instead of running the air or heat

J: "Moira, what's wrong?"

Moira: "I heard the police outside." (she heard the police sirens, probably from the highway)

J: "Yeah, so what do you need?"

Moira: "I'm scared."

J: "Why are you scared?"

Moira: "The police are coming to get me."

J: "Why would the police being coming to get you?"

Moira: "They're coming to get me to arrest me."

J: "Why would they arrest you? Why would they be coming to get you?"

Moira: "Because I got out of my bed."


--Don't worry, J did tell her that people don't get arrested for getting out of bed. But then we did have one hell of a laugh at her expense. Parents can be so cruel!

Nick's still awake and this is just pure torture. Typically, bed time is 8:00pm at our house, but tonight the kids were allowed to stay up until 9:00pm because we were all watching the Disney movie "Twitches" together. The other two fell asleep rather quickly, but Nick is still awake.

So far we've had to administer cough medicine, a breathing treatment, the silent treatment, and just overall badass-ness. This drives me insane. I did the nice mommy thing, the mean mommy thing, and then daddy had to pull the mean daddy thing. That just sucks because daddy's always just seem to be firmer and at times meaner.

I think he may slowly be going to sleep. The sobbing is ceasing, the cries about being scared are ceasing, the funny thing is though; he's just tired. He only gets this way when he's tired. He only cries "Mommy I want you. Mommy I need you." in that I'm such an injured puppy way when he's tired. Yet, he won't go to sleep.

Sometimes, the only sane thing to do as a parent is walk away.

Conversation on the drive home from baseball between Grandma Walker, Nick, Moira, and me.

Me: "I think I'm going to price a trip to Branson for a family vacation. If I price it now, J and I will have an estimate on what to save. I remember a family vacation to Branson when I got to drive a Duck."

Nick: "What's a Duck?"

Me: "It's kinda a mix between a boat and a truck. It rides on both land and in the water. I was about your age when I got to drive it."

Grandma Walker: "Your dad and Uncle Chuck both drove the Ducks."

Nick: "I couldn't drive it, because I don't have a driver's license."

Moira: "I want to go. I want to drive a Duck!"

Me: "You don't need a driver's license to drive a Duck."

Nick: "Well I still couldn't drive it, because I don't have a duck license either."

I laughed so hard. He is so bright and that was probably one of the best things I've heard in awhile.

I've been reading a lot of posts lately where people are celebrating their "blog" anniversary. That got me to thinking... when did I start this thing? Not quite a year yet. I did get a good laugh at myself though. When I first started, I was so afraid of using my kids names so I referenced the Simpsons, then I just started using initials. You know what, most of my readers are family, so screw it.

I am 25 years old, been married for almost 7 years, and have three children; Nick, Moira, and Aiden. Nick is a complete goof who can excel at almost any sport he tries. Moira is a drama queen who can act her way into anything she wants and Aiden well he's my baby. He's a clown who at this point will typically do anything for a laugh as long as he's not too busy beating the crap out of his siblings.

I did it. I have freed myself from the silliness of paranoia. What's really funny is that I posted pictures, but still insisted on using initials. Good Lord, my children's gooberness sure does come naturally!

Well I'm posting a little late, but the vacation has ended. Day six was a fun day filled with fast food, swing-sets, and the Magic House. All the kids had a blast and I'm glad we ended on a great and fun day. Here are some pics.

Baby Must Cry
My Big Kids
Here are some pictures from the pool.

So after the disaster of trying to get children to take naps, J comes home for a late lunch. After discussing things a bit, we decided that I will return to work for him and he will spend the afternoon with the kids. As I'm driving to work, I start to feel guilty and the following conversation ensues...

Me: "Mom, I'm a shitty mom."

Mom: "I know."

Me: "What?"

Mom: "Well, while reading the paper this morning I found your name in the "Shitty Moms" column. It's right next to the obituaries and I was just perusing when I came across your name."

Me: "Mom, you suck."

The glorious vacation is half-way through. Days four and five were spent at a hotel with indoor pool and eating food prepared by others.

We checked into the hotel at "check-in time" and once everyone set their items in the room it was off to the pool. We swam for just over a hour before deciding to stop for dinner. We had dinner at a local restaurant that my niece works at. I say restaurant because it is not a "workaurant". The food was good, but I think I may have to try again another night. You would have sworn it was a Friday night and not a Sunday by the huge crowd that was there. People were coming in and after trying to find a place to sit, they left. It was a very hectic atmosphere. I've never had the desire to be a waitress and that just reinforced it.

After returning to the hotel, Grandma took the two oldest swimming again while I tried to get the baby to bed. Big A was going to have nothing to do with sleeping. There was too much to touch and pull and generally drive your mother crazy with. Needless to say, some of the kids didn't go to sleep until well past 9:30pm and their bedtime is typically 8:00pm.

Yesterday, the morning began with more swimming after breakfast and before check-out. Upon leaving the hotel, we went to lunch at the big McD's and then the kids and I got dropped off at home. The goal was for everyone to take a nap. That worked about as well as trying to sit still while you're prairie dogging it. Oh well, day five to come.

Vacation day number 3 consisted of going to the $2 show and seeing "Herbie Fully Loaded." It took the kids a little while to get into it, but then again it took me a little while to get into it. It was a cute movie and I think our favorite parts involved Herbie and not necessarily the rest of the cast. The kids loved the parts where Herbie would wink or drive over another car or open his door and hit someone in the butt. Gotta love that car.

After the movie everyone met at my house for burgers. We grilled up some hamburgers, ate some slaw, macaroni salad, and chips. All in all, it was a good day.

My favorite part of the day I think would have been getting up at 6am, dealing with the kids, making breakfast and then going upstairs at about 7:30am waking J and saying "This is my vacation, you have two waffles waiting for you downstairs. I'm going back to sleep." I slept until 9:30am, it was heavenly!

Day Two of the famous vacation consisted of Tumble Drum and the Park, again.
Here you can see pictures of us at the park, but I forgot my digital camera when we went to Tumble Drum. Click on the photo to see all of our pictures.