And in the back of my mind..

I've been thinking about Friday. Zachy has his yearly cardiology appointment. I hate them. Truly. It makes me all a ball of nerves. I just wish we could blink and Zachy's heart would never have been sick. What I wouldn't give to take that all away. Unless it meant giving up my Zachy, then forget it.
Last year, our old card had mentioned do a 24 halter monitor on Zach this year. We'll see what the new card says. He has quite a significant murmur, and it is what they focus on when they do his echo. It is caused by the placement of his suture line, and they stare at that white line for what seems like ages, before declaring it fine.
Anyway, just keep us in your thoughts, and pray that his heart is just as healthy as it was last year!

PARTY TIME

Monday night, our neighborhood had a pool party. It is hard to say neighborhood, because it was only the officers. We live in the same neighborhood with enlisted folks, but it was just the officers there. We had the pool from 7-10 and we had a barbecue. It was great fun.
Zachy was so funny. He repeatedly jumped in yelling, "cannonball!!"
We'll buy our pool passes tomorrow...and I see us spending a LOT of time over there this summer. It is right behind our houses, so quite convenient. Hooray for summer! And hooray for swimming pools!

Houston....we have a problem...

The W******* are approaching!
That's all I could think of on our way to Houston last weekend.
We made the trip and saw my dad and his wife. They actually live in Oregon, but had a layover there last weekend. So we went to see them. And they got us a room in the hotel. We had to get adjoining rooms, and Matthew and Dillon stayed in their room, because the 6 of us exceed the maximum capacity rules. Matthew and Dillon thought it was so great.
My dad and Michele gave my boys all shirts. They had been in Roatan, Honduras. The shirts said, Bad Boys Club...Roatan. Matthew took one look and exclaimed, "Bad boys club...ROTTEN!" It was priceless.
Anyway, we had a great time and were glad we went. But I have to say that Houston really didn't do anything for my feeling of Texas. I was actually really glad to be home. I wouldn't want to live there.

Wit and Grease

My in laws are quite witty. Well, my mother in law and sister in law and hubby are. My father in law...not so much...which is why we get along so well, I'm sure of it. Everyone likes to pick on us! Brother in law falls in the middle. He could really care less if he is witty or not.
But, for the fourteen years that I have been a part of these people's lives, they have ridden me about my lack of wit. In the recent years, my mother in law and sister in law have told me I'm getting a bit better.
I try. I really do. Mostly, I embarass Matt. I feel for him, but obviously not too badly because I'm about to knowingly embarass him right now. He never really finds me funny, he just pokes fun at my attempts to be funny. And if it is public, he just buries his head thinking, "she is sooo not funny, no one will think this is funny" But nevertheless, I persevere! Which leads me to my greatest wit accomplishment.
It happened this weekend. We were in Houston seeing my dad and step mom. We were at a restaurant. Michele (step mom) had ordered a petite steak. When they brought it out, it was TINY! I mean..TINY!! We all joked about it being so small, and without missing a beat, I said, "if it were any smaller, it'd be a bacon bit" . Everyone but Matt, thought it was pretty funny, and I was feeling really proud of myself until I saw the look on Matt's face that said, "she is just embarassing herself".
Oh well. I still find it funny. And I do think it was the best I've come up with. Sorry to embarass you honey, but I'll never be the witty girl. I'll forever be the girl that the witty people poke fun at.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I found the greatest find at Wally World the other day. In a totally unexpected place. We were looking at bike tire pumps when I glanced to the right. And what did my eyes behold?? A DVD of GREASE 2!!! For...drumroll please....$5.50!!! You know I wasn't passing that up. Well, if you know me, you know I wasn't passing it up.
I have come to think that maybe Matt wants a motorcycle because of the movie. Because I love to sing:
If you really wanna know
what I want in a guy
well I'm looking for a dream
on a mean machine
with hell in his eyes.....
Only when I sing it, I picture myself looking as beautiful and sexy as Michelle Pfeifer, which is the furthest thing from the truth. But maybe Matt thinks I really want a cool rider. I always was attracted to those bad boys. It's how I first was attracted to him, but he tricked me good! He was so far from bad.
Anyway, my love...I don't really want a cool rider. I really just want you. So there is really no need for you to desire a motorcycle so much. Can we just lay that to rest?? :-)

Thanks Mom

I have been getting the kids stuff together for camp. And labeling all of their clothes. This isn't sissy stuff, I'll tell ya! LOL There is a lot more work involved in sending kids to camp than I ever knew! Doesn't help that I'm trying to get two kids ready at the same time!
So thanks mom, for all the years that you labeled my clothes and made sure I had just the right amount of toiletries for camp.

Good Grief

Matthew stapled his finger today. Crazy kid. Well, I guess he isn't crazy, he didn't do it on purpose, but still!
We are going to Houston this weekend. My dad is coming home from being out of the country and has a layover in Houston, so we will drive down there and see them for the night.
Today is my sister's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIMEE!!! I tried to tell her she is getting old, but she isn't buying it! HEHEHE
I think I need to explain something about the last post. We are teaching our kids that it isn't ok to hit anyone. The problem is coming with the neighbors telling their kids that they are not allowed to hit girls, but not reprimanding the girls for doing anything. I have talked to C's mom, in fact SHE talked to me. Said that she had seen M and C pushing and it was not ok for M to be pushing C. This has taken place several times, and we had already addressed it. But in her mind, it doesn't matter what C does to Matthew, she's a girl, he's a boy, end of story. I just really don't think it is ok.
I know in my comments Leslie said she feels there is a big difference between girls hitting boys and boys hitting girls, and I'm sorry, I have to disagree. Boys are NOT always stronger than girls, and just because one is a boy and one is a girl, does not make it ok for the girl to hit the boy. Does any of that make sense? I know plenty of women who have beat up their husbands. And because the man was taught never to hit a woman, he has taken it. That is so wrong. I certainly don't want my kids to think they can't defend themselves because they are boys.
And then, it is probably just my skewed thinking because I don't have any girls to worry about, and as they say...boys are easier. *rolling eyes*

Raising Boys

You know, people often tell me that boys are much easier than girls to raise. That there are less worries.
I obviously don't have any girls to compare it with, but there are definitely things that pop up that make boys tough. Things that I haven't quite figured out how to deal with.
We have a neighbor girl, C, who is way too much like Matthew. They both like to be in charge. And they both don't like to budge if they can't be in charge. Because of this, they butt heads....a lot.
Lately, it seems to be turning physical. No hitting, but pushing certainly takes place.
Of course, they both always say the other started it.
After the first episode, we informed Matthew that it was NOT ok to lay his hands on a girl. And as the words were falling out of my mouth, I realized just how off it seems.
Yes, boys tend to be stronger, but does that mean that boys have to take a beating from a girl, just because she is a girl? That doesn't seem right to me.
I am pretty traditional when it comes to the roles of boys and girls. I absolutely believe the man should be the bread winner, and the woman should be home taking care of that home. And I am not a feminist. Far from it.
I just don't know how to handle this. Seriously. We all know of people who have relationships where the woman DOES beat up man. And is that ok, just because he was unfortunate enough to be born with a penis?? I don't think so.
I will continue to tell Matthew that he can't lay his hands on C, ever, but I'm so not sure that is the right answer. I don't understand why it is ok for her to lay her hands on him though.
*sigh*
See, people don't think of these things when they make comments about boys being easy. It certainly isn't easy!

We're DONE!

My boys finished up their books today.
They are officially done with school for the year! WOOHOO!!
Matthew spent a long time yesterday and last night finishing his up. Dill finished today.
Now to get started ordering their new stuff for next year. And next year I'll be throwing Collin in to the mix! FUN!

Because there will never be too many songs

I changed my song...again. This one fits my blog a bit better. While I love the last song, it was a bit too rockish for my blog.
This is my song for my beloved. It has been for years now. There are few songs that fit us better than this one.
If you happen to be new to our life, we got married at 18 and everyone said we wouldn't make it. No one wanted us to get married, but we did anyway. It was the best decision I've ever made, and I wouldn't have done it any other way. Yes, it's been hard, but it's only made us stronger.
So my dear Matt, you're still the one. I love you more than anything. Thank you for being my everything.

Matthew's wish list

The other day, Matthew came to me and said...
"I know what I want for my birthday. Three things.
1. A bicycle, of course
2. a lifetime supply of bread, but I'm kidding about that.
and 3. an ipod"
OK, first of all, how funny is it that my kid says he wants a lifetime supply of bread, then follows it with an I'm just kidding?
And secondly, how is it that he is old enough to want an ipod? And he doesn't even go to school!!

It's tough to realize you aren't what you thought you'd be

When I use to picture myself as a mom(you know way back before I was a mom), I didn't picture myself like this.
I always thought I'd be the mom that everyone loved. The neighbor kids would love to come over because I was the cool mom. I would bake warm chocolate chip cookies for them. I would cook good home cooked meals that everyone would love. My house would always be nice and neat and clean. I would have the patience of a saint, and I would certainly never lose my temper with my kids, heaven forbid!
But what I am, is completely opposite what I thought I'd be.
I cook nice, home-cooked, healthy meals for my wee ones, and they all complain and turn up their noses. Matt will at least eat my cooking, but I've been married to him long enough to know when he doesn't like the cooking either.
Really, the neighbor kids don't like me all that much, because I'm much too hard on my kids, and it isn't all that fun to come over here. I'm certainly not the cool mom, so far from it, as a matter of fact. I rarely bake cookies. My house is always a pig sty, which Matthew informed me today was like a trash can. He said there are flies and it's always messy. Nice observation! I certainly don't have much patience, and I certainly lose my temper.
I'm not sure I like this mom I am. I'm not sure my kids even like the mom I am.
Although, I have to say, when I pictured the mom I'd be, I never pictured me homeschooling. And I never pictured me sleeping with my kids, or nursing for an extended amount of time. And forget cloth diapers. I was the typical mainstream mom in my dreams. I know for sure I don't want to be a mainstream mom, and am so glad I didn't go that route. I just wish I were a better mom.
And I wonder if maybe the mom thing doesn't really come naturally to me at all. I see mew moms doing a far better job than me, and I think they really have it all together. Here I've been doing this a long time, and I don't have it together.
I pictured myself June Clever. I turned into Roseanne Connor. Why can't there be a happy medium??

Health fair

I took the kids to a health fair today. It was at a private school and the kids put it on. It was all about your body. There were real kidneys, eyes, brain, heart, and a rabbit that was all opened up.
Matthew thought it was quite gross, while Dill thought it was pretty cool, and he touched everything.
I don't think that Collin got that it was real stuff from inside your body. Zach slept the whole time.
As for me, I got sick to my stomach because of the strong fermaldahyde (sp?) smell. Oh man, I could never be a science teacher. Ick.
It's hot here today, so we've hung out inside all day long.
The kids are almost done with their books for the year. By the end of next week they'll be done. YAY! I'm so ready for school to be done for the year.

If I could save time in a bottle

My mother asked me the yesterday if I was alright because I hadn't updated. LOL Who knew she checked on me every day?
I have been thinking alot lately, about how I wish I could ingrain memories into my head so I never ever forget them. My kids are growing so quickly, and this time will be done before we know it.
Some things I want to remember~
~the day we were at the zoo, we were in the reptile house, and I got the pleasure of taking my Collin around with me. Matt had Zachy and the older boys, and Collin and I just took our time. He was so fascinated. I had to lift him up to see in each cubicle. He would hollar, "YIKE!" at the sight of the snakes. One time I lifted him up to look in a tank, and we couldn't see anything. Except there were several flatish, round, smooth stones. He got SO excited and said, "LOOK MOMMY!! It's TURTLES!!" It was so cute. I had to tell him that nope, it wasn't turtles, just rocks! How I love his enthusiasm and innocence.
~Monday evening, I was sitting outside. My boys were playing with the neighbor kids. You have to understand that we live in town house type houses and our particular building is in the shape of an 'L'. We are back in a corner, and there are 4 families that live in them, but there are 8 units. We live at the end of the long side of the L and the other three families live right down at the corner of the L. They were all down there and I was just watching them. Dillon and his friend C, were on her stoop playing UNO. Collin and Zachy were riding bikes with the other two 4 year olds, and Matthew was chasing them. Everything was perfect. The breeze was blowing, and everyone was happy. Eventually, as usually happens, the hoses came out. And the water guns. And what ensued was a huge water fight. That included Matt and I on opposite teams, each with our kid teammates. I was abandoned by my teammates as they realized that they were on the losing team! LOL It was so fun to be the fun parents. The kids LOVED drenching us. And we LOVED drenching them! Lots of laughter. It is a moment I never want to forget.
~the same day at the zoo, we were walking along and Dillon hollared, "MY COUSINS!" We weren't sure what in the world he was talking about, but he took us to the warthog exhibit! He thinks since he has warts, surely they must be his cousins! Goof ball
~yesterday, we were in the car, and Dillon was wearing his visor upside down and sideways. I told him he couldn't wear it like that because everyone would think he was a punk. I had to explain to him what a punk was, and he said, "oh no, I am NOT a punk" But, Collin caught on and immediately said, 'Dillon's name is punkin, and I'm going to EAT him!' LOL So once we got out of the van there was lots of chomping of the teeth! It was funny.
~and last but not least, last night, Collin and Zachy were supposed to be upstairs in their beds going to sleep. It didn't take long for them to be downstairs with us. And they both promptly went and snuggled up in Matt's arms. I wish I had a camera, it was priceless.
That's it for now. Gotta go be with the boys.

It is a very good feeling

When you realize your child can read. And that YOU taught them. Dillon is reading much better at this age than Matthew was. Which is strange because Matthew started out way more advanced. Before this year started, Dillon couldn't even recognize his letters. If you'll recall, I was certain he must have some learning disability, because no matter how hard I tried, he just wasn't getting it. And now...he's a reader!!! How awesome!
Now to get to work on Collin!

Multi-tasking has never been my strong point

I just realized that I have way too much stuff going on in this head of mine!
While I'm not actually physically doing a lot of stuff I am constantly thinking about the following things
~what curriculum we are using for the kids next year (this is a huge issue for me every year)
~VBS!!! Everything about it, will we have enough money? enough helpers? am I doing enough? Will it all get done in time? What do I need to be doing today?
~being a slacker family member....must get to the post office
~finishing this years school work
~what do I need to get before my kids head to camp? will Dillon wet the bed at camp? if so, will he be teased? Will Matthew be ok with out Dillon? (he originally said he didn't want to be with him, but once I sent the stuff in, he panicked a little when he realized he won't be able to be with Dillon, at all)
~I have to schedule Zachy's cardiologist appt, but they aren't scheduling in June yet...must remember to call back next week.
~how am I going to get back on the weight loss track?
~how am I going to afford a new camera?
~how are we going to swing starting Adventurers AND Pathfinders? Is it possible? If not, which do we do?
Those are just some thoughts I have going on right now. And I know, much of it is trivial, and it isn't like I'm worrying about it(like the camp thing, totally not worried about it, they will be fine) it is just a thought floating in my head.
I am so ready for this school year to be over. And VBS. It is so much more stressful than it would be if we had some money in the budget for it! This will be the first time this church has had VBS in this building. It is across the street from a huge housing complex. We will blanket it with flyers. Which adds more stress, how many kids to plan for?? Next year will be easier, we will have VBS in the budget, and we will have an idea of how many people will show up. Although, I could screw this up royally and they could easily say that there is no way they will ever let me lead VBS again. Matt noted last night, that I am not leading any of the classes. I personally, don't think that is my job. I have to take care of making sure everyone knows HOW to lead their classes, and I have to recruit all the workers, and I have to do all the behind the scenes stuff, like getting it on the radio, and getting these flyers out, etc. I think that is fair. I have to make sure things run smoothly whilst VBS is actually happening. Am I wrong? Should I be teaching a class? There are enough leaders to do them, but did I do bad? *Sigh*
What was I thinking when I agreed to do this??? UGH!!!! OK, just this one time, then I will feel empowered, and I'll be able to do it next year. It's just this first time is a killer!!!

More Dillon funnies

We taught the kids how to play Clue this weekend. It is really great reading practice for Dillon and they really have to think.
Anyway, at one point, Dillon was looking at something on his pad, and it was taking him forever. We asked what was wrong and if he needed help. He said, "I just can't find Mrs Cluck" We all laughed and told him her name was Mrs Peacock, not Mrs Cluck.
He also can never remeber Miss Scarlet's name. He calls her Miss Garlic. And you have to picture him saying it in a totally snobbish voice, he'll go, "I'd like to make a discussion(that's funny too,cause it is supposed to be suggestion), I think it is Miss Garlic, in the conservatory...with the POISON!!" He is so dramatic when he says it all, and he sounds so funny. I wish you could hear it, but alas, that's the internet.

Phooey

We went to Sea World today(and boy was it HOT). Had a good time. But as we were loading the car, our camera got dropped. Now it isn't working. :-( I am so so sad.
It is our digital. We have a regular one, but that one doesn't work either, so we've been relying on our digital. Now, we have no working camera. Which, isn't a good thing in this family. We have some big expenses coming up too, so it isn't like I can just go buy a new one. Start clicking those ads up top, help my get a camera!! LOL

These things must only happen in my house

or not....
the other day I opened my sock drawer...to find 5 cheetos. I don't know when the last time we had cheetos in the house was. Which tells you how long it's been since I wore socks.
~*~*~*~*
Yesterday, I worked my tail off, and cleaned my house, top to bottom, I even mopped. I hate mopping.
Shortly after I was done, Zach got in the fridge and broke all the eggs on the floor. Guess it wasn't clean enough!
~*~*~*~*~
We also had an entire Icee dumped over in the freezer today, while it was being put in by little hands. Such fun to clean up!

Dillon, my boy, cracks me up

Conversation between Dill and me
Dill~I wish I didn't have freckles
Me~Why is that? I love your freckles.
Him~Because all of the girls like me, because of my freckles. (SO SERIOUSLY)
Me~yep, some day you will like that
Dill~well, I don't, and I wish I didn't have them so that they didn't like me. ALL the girls like me!
Me~trust me on this, someday you'll be glad
Dill~ (grumbling)no I won't, I hate my freckles!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Learning the books of the Bible, he cannot figure out that Lamentations is LAMEN-tations, and not Lemon-tations

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the car, the boys have taken to reading their Bibles. They say, "tell me a verse, and I'll read it to you"

So, John 3:16 it was. Dill says, "I know that one! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only FORGOTTEN son....."

I'm stuck in the 90s

I started scrapbooking in 1998.
Back then, you were quite limited to stickers. There weren't all the fun embellishments there are today.
I want to scrap our Disney trip...badly. Yet, I'm so stuck. I want to do these new techniques, but I don't know how.
There's all sorts of fun stuff these days, and yet I'm stuck with STICKERS! So sad. For one thing, all the new stuff is $$$$$...but still, I like it.
My best friend is coming here in June. She started scrapping when she came to visit me after Z was born. She had never scrapped before. Now she teaches classes. She does absolutely awesome work, and I'm a bit envious.
She knows when she comes, that she must bring all her scrapping supplies so she can teach me...and yank me out of the 90s!!