TAG! You're IT

Here goes...
A- Available or Taken? Taken
B- Best Friend? Lisa
C- Cake or Pie? Cake
D- Drink of Choice? Alcohol~frozen mudslide Non-alcohol~ tea (iced or hot)
E- Essential item you use everyday? toothpaste and deodorant
F- Favorite Color? pink
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? neither
H- Hometown? Braintree
I- Indulgence? sweets; pastries
J- January or February? February
K- Kids and Names? Mary, Quinn, Gabriella, Eli, Nikolas for now until Baby arrives
L- Life is incomplete without? my kids
M- Marriage Date? Nov. 20
N- Number of Siblings: 1
O- Oranges or apples? apples in the fall; oranges anytime
P- Phobias or fears? fire and drowning
Q- Favorite quote? Everything happens for a reason and when the time is right, we'll understand
R- Reason to Smile? my kids and old dear friends who make me laugh
S- Season? Spring; new beginnings
T- Tag 3 or 4 people? Dawn, Steph and BrennaKate
U- Unknown fact about me? I once co-owned a small business making party favors, cakes and candies
V- Vegetable you don't like? onions
W- Worst Habit? biting my lip or my nails when I'm really stressed
X- X-rays? teeth, knees, hip and arm and a CAT scan if you want to include it
Y- Your favorite food? good old fashioned comfort foods; I should have been a farm girl LOL
Z- Zodiac: Virgo 50/50 accuracy

Post-Christmas Post...

It's so hard to believe that another Christmas has passed. Just two days ago, as the kids slept and D. and I played elves assembling toys and such, I couldn't believe that Christmas had come again. Maybe I was just too busy this year to notice,but it sure seemed like it came out of nowhere. Wasn't it just yesterday that we moved into this house? And what about entertaining my visiting nieces who helped plan a baby shower? The oldest child graduated high school and the next two started a new school year. And the biggest surprise came in the form of an announcement that our family is growing yet again. So much has happened in the last few months and now here we are ready to greet the Baby New Year once again. If I take the time to reflect, I know that the year since Christmas 2005 has been filled with trials and blessings and endless memories big and small. Doesn't the old adage say that 'time flies when you're having fun?' Well, I guess the year hasn't been lost afterall. The year ahead will bring us the joy and blessings of a new baby and hopefully additional positive changes as well.
I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas and that your 2007 will be filled with hope, good health, good fortunate and endless blessings, large and small. Just make sure to notice the small ones when they come because one day you may find that they are the biggest blessings of all.

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Fit For A Princess....

Cinderella...the next generation! It's no secret to some of you that I'm just a teensy bit obsessed with things Cinderella. Why? Who knows,but I haven't outgrown the fairytale. And it's no secret that the highlight of my first Disney World trip last year (yes even at my age) was seeing MY "house" and meeting the very nice young lady that I "allow" to portray me for thousands of visitors every day. :::::grin::::: Well, imagine my joy when sorting through a box of saved baby clothes yesterday when I came across this sweater. It had been given to Princess G by her own Fairy Godmother when she was a baby and I saved it all these years. I never knew another princess would get to wear it before her own. Now Princess K will get to wear it. I came across the tiara online. Is it too perfect or what? Hmm...I better call the photographer now to set up her first photo shoot.

Nothing In Life is Free....Or Is It???

A year or so ago I discovered The Freecycle Network(tm) - Changing the world, one gift at a time. For those who aren't in the know, check it out. We're a family of donors be it money, clothing, toys, whatever. Freecyle is the same concept except that instead of giving to an anonymous group (usually for fundraising which has its own merit), you post a message to your local group and folks who are interested will reply. It's up to you who gets your item(s). As little as we have this year in finances or material possessions, our family has gained immeasurably by knowing that we are sharing with others who are in need for whatever the reason. Give a gift to yourself as well as others and sign up! You won't regret it.
P.S. I must say that through Freecycle I've also made a dear friend who I would not likely have met otherwise. And what price can anyone put on friendship? :-) Cheers Dawn!

Look Dawn...I did it!

Look Who's Got Happy Feet!

Today a Secret Santa package arrived for the Pickle from my sweet online friend Shannon. He was SO thrilled to see "MumMum" aka Mumble Happy Feet. For those who don't know, the character of Mumble is hearing impaired; how fitting for our family. Pickle hasn't seen the movie yet,but we've played his bit from the Build-A-Bear website and the sound clips of the soundtrack from Amazon literally dozens of times for him and he's over-joyed every time. Needless to say, Santa knows how much Pickle would love the soundtrack for Christmas and will take care of it. And considering that Pickle doesn't talk, if I had a nickle for every time he said, "MumMum" after opening the package tonight, I could retire! :-)

Lemonade in Holland
We all know that expression, "If life hands you lemons..." And just because we wish for limes instead, we have to take what we're given even if a Margarita does sound more appealing than lemonade sometimes.
Lately, my family and a few of my friends as well have been handed some lemons for our children. Wait, we didn't ask for lemondade. Our kids didn't ask for lemonade. However, as their parents, it's our job to make the best lemonade that we know how to make. My hat is off to all of you, who like us, do your best every day and some day our children will all be wearing blue ribbons!
Like being given a fruit you didn't ask for, you also find that you're taking a trip you didn't plan for. Once you arrive and the shock wears off, hopefully you learn that your destination, like the lemonade is worth everything you gave up.

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by Emily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Good Luck Dawn!

I just want to take a moment to wish you well tomorrow. I know everything will go smoothly for you. Rest up m'dear. Lots of hugs and good wishes coming your way from the Rockies!

School Is In Session...

As some of you know, we've had many problems with the princess's school this year. Yes, I know it's ony been four months. Four months too long if you ask us. She has special needs and IEP; something some of you are familiar with in your own families. In the princess's case, she's what we call our "Hat Trick" and yes, that's said with love given her father's passion for hockey.
The princess you see has what is called,but not always known as a Non-Verbal Learning Disability/Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and she is Hearing Impaired due to a condition called Otosclerosis. Now one or perhaps even two of these "special needs" may be understood and dealt with appropriately by some teachers and school staff. Not here, not now and who knows when. Folks, this school that the princess has been attending for 7th grade "claims" that they've never had a student like her, that they don't understand her disabilities, they she is in G/T classes so she should just know things and deal with things like all the other kids her classes. Sorry, no-go, doesn't work that way. I could sit here until November 2008 trying to explain all the frustrations and humiliations that we and she has experienced these last four months,but I won't. Suffice to say, that after numerous calls (often more an once a week) and meetings with her teachers, principals and school psychologist, we have decided to take the princess out of school and I will teach her at home. Ohhhhhhh how they scoffed at THAT idea when I told them!! Suddenly, they could do SO much more for her, SO much better for her than I can. As I told the staff at the last meeting, I may not have an education beyond my high school diploma,but I have raised my daughter for nearly 13yrs. I have been a mom to her older sister for 15yrs and I'm about to have my 6th child. I don't need a college degree to tell me how to raise my children and teach them in the ways that they need to learn. I have more knowledge of my daughter and her disabilities than that whole room full of college educated staff will ever have and THAT is what she needs right now. I was very polite as is my way,but also to the point. My statement was not met with acceptance I assure you. Instead they talked me into signging a 30 day trial period after which we would review and modify her IEP as necessary. I signed, knowing in my heart that we would not last the 30 days. Kudos to the school psychologist who spoke with me privately after the meeting and told me that she sees what I see and agrees 100% that their school is NOT the best place for my daughter. And she and I agreed that the 30 day trial was bull and would not work. It lasted a week.
As of a week ago last Friday (just before Thanksgiving) we submitted our letter to the district informing them that I will be homeschooling from this point forward. Because of Thanksgiving break, her school has no doubt not been given formal notice as yet so it won't surprise me to hear from them tomorrow. Besides which, we have to go back to return text books and clear out her locker.
Given that it's been Thanksgiving break and my oldest son is out of school for that, I did not begin school yet,but we will start fresh tomorrow and the princess is so excited! She may have difficulties, but she is incredibly bright and loves to learn! It will be a big change for both of us and for her toddler brothers who aren't used to having her here all day. She and I are like oil and water most of the time so we'll be working on that, like it or not. Some days will be smoother sailing than others, I know. Despite my anger towards her some days over her haughty pre-teen attitude (and just barely pre- at that), I know in my heart that I'm doing the right thing for her. I don't plan to homeschool her forever, I don't know that I can challenge her enough,but we'll take it a day at a time and see how things go. Her dad is more than willing to teach where I find my weaknesses and he's got a brilliant mind that she fairly inherited. He assures me that we will succeed in bringing out the best in her, challenging her and showing her the heights she can truly achieve if given the right tools and encouragement. And isn't that what we all want for our children?
Tomorrow morning, the princess will begin school. Unfortunately, I will not be with her due to a medical appointment,but she will go to work with her dad and have plenty of worksheets and review sheets to bring along and keep her busy. I'm looking forward to tomorrow afternoon when they come home and I can read more about her interests, what she's already learned and what she wants to learn together. Looks like it will be school for BOTH of us.
Let the school bells ring!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hello to one and all who come to visit here. I just want to take a moment to wish a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all of you. I know for my family, the past year has brought us many trials and tribulations,but I'm a believer in silver linings so I know it has brought us blessings as well. We will have many things to give thanks for tomorrow as we gather with our loved ones. I hope you will do the same.

GOOOOOOOOOOO RED SOX!!!!!!!
One more quiz I couldn't resist....

Are You a True Dedicated RED SOX Fan?

TRUE Red Sox Fan, PLAY BALL! Yeah you are a true and dedicated Red Sox fan, ya wicked sweet ma--hole! Kick those Yanks back to New Yawk where they belong! Go Red Sox! Yankees suck, Yankees suck

What American accent do you have?

Geez, after that last one, could it be any MORE obvious where I'm from???

Your Result: Boston
You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't.
Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine

How Massachusetts are you?

A fun quiz especially for us natives! I did get one wrong :::::::gasp::::::::
and they don't tell you which one. Hmmmm.... Must have been about the Quabbin Rez. LOL
Here's my result...

Dude! You're 97% from Massachusetts
Dude! Me and Sully and Fitzie and Sean are gonna hit Landsdowne tonight after the game, hang out at the Beerworks. I'll pick you up at the Coop at 6

Let's Play TriBond

Ok what do these sets of things have in common???

1. Barbie Ballet Barrettes
2. Cinderella Snow White Sleeping Beauty
3. Tea Parties Dress Up Dolls

Answers:
1. things GIRLS like
2. famous GIRLS from Disney movies
3. games that GIRLS like to play

Yes Sirree folks, we're having a ......puppy!! LOL Just kidding. Yes we are pleased as punch to be having a baby girl. Lord only knows how it happened; first a totally shocking pregnancy out of the blue and now a girl after three boys, but we couldn't be happier. Even my sons are thrilled and were so relieved to know this isn't another baby brother! Too funny. This little girl will be such a little princess and will either love or hate having three big brothers looking out for her.
Watch out world, and bring on the PINK!

Anticipation...is making me wait!

I can't believe I've made it this far and I'm still pregnant! LOL I mean I just started actually feeling discernable movements the last couple of days and it's a relief. Funny how something so shocking now has me happy.
Tomorrow is the B-I-G ultrasound to check everything out and make sure all is well and find out just WHO I'm growing in here! I CAN'T WAIT! Hear me world? I wonder if I'll get any sleep tonight. At my last checkup the nurses couldn't find the baby's heartbeat which naturally worried me sick. I've had 4 kids prior to this and it was the first time that's ever happened to me. They sent me right over to ultrasound and instantly the tech (who is wonderful btw) found the baby's heartbeat clear and strong. We took a peek for the gender and she wrote on my chart what she thinks it is; it was my guess as well. I'm told from other people who know her that she's excellent with OB ultrasound since this is all she does. I hope she's right and we'll know for sure tomorrow; that is if this little one isn't shy. Heaven knows this little one's sibs weren't! LOL So tonight I'm saying prayers that this is one happy, healthy baby and eager to buy something in one color tomorrow night to celebrate!
And I'm remembering two other April moms who have lost their precious babies this week. May they rest in peace and may their loving parents find peace knowing that though their sweet angels grew their wings too soon, they watch over them from Heaven's Playground.

Like Mother....Like Daughter?

After braiding the princess's hair before bed tonight, I had an instant flashback to an image of myself at about her age. I pulled out the old photo album (and I do mean O-L-D!) and snapped a quick shot of the photo of myself. It's grainy,but do you see what I see??? So far, 1-4 looks like me (thankfully, the princess is ALOT cuter!!!). Hmm...I wonder who the baby will favor.

What's YOUR Holiday?

It's a bit of a running joke in our family that babies seem to be born either on someone else's birthday or on a holiday. There are few exceptions to this "rule" so they are the ones more easily forgotten. Well, I don't guarantee that this will help any of our less mindful loved ones,but it's fun reading at least. This site a friend shared this morning will tell you what holiday you were born on. Who knew there was a Garlic Day? LOL

Bizarre American Holidays Home Page

How does that song go???

Maybe old age is tightening it's grip on my memory or perhaps the little fetus is draining my brain cells,but either way I'm so glad to have found this site. As anyone who knows me well can tell you, I *love* Disney. What could be more fun for me than to find a listing of all Disney songs and their lyrics? Even I don't know many of them,but would love to know more. Besides, as any 3am infomercial can tell you, learing these will be a great way to put a smile on your face and embarrass your kids at the busstop when you belt them out at the top of your voice! Ok maybe not quite,but it's worth the looks on their faces to try it dontcha think?
Because you know, There's a Rumor In St. Petersburg that I Love to Laugh and After Today maybe you too will Bring Honor To Us All. Don't forget...You've Got a Friend in Me!
Disney LYRICS

'Tis the Season......

for Christmas carols????? Did I really just say that? Well, yes and no. I know you're thinking that retailers are already jumping the gun on merchandising; we haven't even celebrated Halloween yet. Apparently, the old standard for merchandising 8wks before a holiday is now 8 MONTHS. Ok not really, but doesn't it feel like that sometimes?
A dear friend of mine who is a musician is producing a cd of Christmas songs and in an effort to help him narrow down his track listings, I came across a great website. How many of us hear a holiday tune and can't come up with all the words? Or have heard the title can't place the song? Or want to teach our children some of the fun holiday songs we enjoyed in our own childhood days? Well, this site will give you D-O-Z-E-N-S of songs to choose from, some old and some new with the lyrics for all of them! How cool is that? No more "Frosty the red nosed Christmas Tree"
Here is the link and don't be surprised if you find your own personal favorites among those listed. Enjoy! Caroling Corner

Our Sircus is Growing!!!

That's right folks, step right up to see the incredible growing family. Just like the good ole fashioned clown cars you love to watch, as soon as you think no more can possible fit (including us!!), we pull a fast one! S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E!!!

Stay tuned for news and announcments. In the meantime, rest assured that the Sircus Mom is as busy and sleepless as ever and the clowns are just as zany. What was the Ring Master thinking when he threw us THIS curve?? LOL Ah well, it's not a sircus without a few suprising twists now is it? Gotta get your money's worth ::::grin::::

*S-C-H-O-O-L*

Or...How One Mommy Spells Relief!

I just to have to make a disclaimer here. I LOVE MY CHILDREN! I really do. They're very smart, funny, loving, beautiful kids. I'm not just saying that so they'll give me five minutes of silence either. I am Mom. I chose it, I became it. I don't know that I have any other identity anymore. If I raise my kids to be kind, honest, upstanding people in the world, I'll have done my job well and it will be worth every pay raise, benefit and vacation day I gave up lo those many years ago when I went into labor at work never to return again.

Now, almost 13yrs later I don't mind saying that there are definately times when I wish I was working again. I miss communicating with adults on a regular basis (thank goodness for email which helps keep me sane! LOL), I miss coffee breaks, lunch dates and cocktails after work. I miss my independance and the ability to go, do and see who I want, when I want, where I want and not have to answer for it. Oh and buying what I want with my own money, never to include things for the under 18 set was a sweet perk too. LOL Believe it or not, I miss deadlines, projects and the feeling that what I did actually meant something to people. Oh sure, don't get me wrong, my kids NOTICE if I don't have a meal ready in time or if their favorite tshirt isn't clean to wear 5mins after they tear their rooms apart looking for it. (laundry doesn't clean itself Kids).

So when school vacation comes it should be the prime opportunity for me to show my value to these chosen ones under my roof right? Express in umpteen-hundred ways how valuable I am to this "company" we call a family. Right? :::::::::HONK:::::::::: WRONG ANSWER!! No winkie button, no booby prize (that's reserved for the baby). For 8 long weeks I get the daily grind of listening to bickering, sighs of boredom and whines of "how long till school starts?". Ahhhh what a trade off! We could fly to Disney World and all the planets and I still think they'd find a reason to be bored and file a complaint.

Well, finally today the Complaint Dept. is closed for the season. School is back in session! Back to never being bored as teachers keep them busy and I get MY vacation of sorts. Back to enjoying leisurely breakfasts and Sesame Street with my toddlers and more snuggles, giggles and fun than I could find in any "real" job. Yes, I did make the right career choice.

Pretty In Pink....Giving Back

I've been married. I've birthed 4 children. I've had 4 showers. All hosted by one wonderful woman. The one I call my best friend,but she's really more like a sister to me. As her mother says, for as long as she can remember we think alike, act alike sometimes and finish eachother's sentences. About 26yrs ago, two shy pre-teens met at a mutual friend's summer pool party and as they say, the rest is history. Lucy & Ethel, Betty & Wilma, Lisa & Paige, we have made our mark. LOL
This weekend, I had the privilege of co-hosting a baby shower for Lisa. This has been a loonnnggg time coming and I was so happy to finally have HER day. She's having a little girl and what a lucky little girl she will be. Lisa will be a wonderful mother, everyone says so. Call it practice (with her sister's kids and mine), call it instinct,but whatever it is, she has the magic touch. God finally said, "yes" and made her wish come true. Here's a photo from the shower and as you can see, without any knowledge of it, we even managed to dress in the same color. Some things never change.

What Kind of Mom Are You???

Here's a fun little quiz. Disclaimer: I did not make up the quiz OR the results and can't attest to its accuracy (grin).

www.areyouaslackermom.com


My own results:

Your quiz results make you a Pretty in the City Mom

You might have a subscription to both Parenting Magazine and Vogue. While picking up a darling Easter outfit for your tyke at Bloomingdale's you're tempted to grab a pair of Manolo Blahniks for your own tootsies. You are a fabulous mom, and you take care of yourself fabulously, too.


Good, glad they think so! Now, can I have Carrie Bradshaw's income to make it all possible???????

Where Oh Where Has My Little Girl Gone??

Wasn't it yesterday I shopped for tiny little dresses and party shoes that seemed would never fit her? Now she's my size in the blink of an eye and isn't she just too cute? :::::grin:::::: Pardon me while I call Louisville Slugger, middle school starts in a couple of weeks and I think I need to have my stash by the door.

HAPPY CAMPERS

You've heard of fun in a box? Well, here's fun in a TENT! The kids have been pleading with Daddy to buy them a tent so they can "camp out" on the deck. Both Daddy and I have our own memories of childhood camping nights (though I strongly suspect that his campground memories beat my dark, woodsy backyard memories hands down). Well, Daddy had a gift certificate to spend at a particular store and while his own desires were for a new food processor, the kids' own lucky charm must have been working his magic because they were sold out,but they had....you guessed it TENTS. Fast forward three days. Take one UPS truck, 2 little boys and 5 minutes of Daddy's time, mix well and you get....


some very happy campers! I will say that due all the rain we've been having, they've not really had a chance to use their new hideout,but it's not for lack of trying or asking. Darn midwestern T & L storms are just not worth the risk. I'm sure it will get use in the coming weeks though.

A Yogurt Facial...What the Experts Won't Tell You!

Some beauty pros will recommend yogurt as part of a routine beauty regime to help keep your skin looking healthy and refreshed. Allow my lovely son to demonstrate the technique...

A sign is a sign is a...sign OR What is H-O-M-E?

We've been in Colorado for 10 mos and 1 day. In our new house for let's see....3mos and 17days, but who's counting? Ok besides the landlady and the utility companies. The house is fine. Fine...reminds me of an old George Carlin skit. Dining is fine. Crystal is fine. One cannot BE fine. One can be WELL or unwell,but not FINE. Ok so what does that make a house? The house is suiting our needs. Sound better? Good. It's almost midnight and it's the best I've got.
But I digress....
So those close to me are more than aware I'm sure (and you know who you are) that I'm homesick. Sick of home? Hardly. Missing my home? You betcha! For as much as I thought this grand move to the midwest would be a good thing, a fun thing, an adventure, I find that it isn't. It's beautiful here in the mountains. It's kind of neat being able to stand on the deck and look at the mountains to know what the weather will be. I can't tell you the last time I watched a weather forecast. It's great not having lots of precipitation that never seems to end or harsh temperatures. The air is clean; no smog. I live a 5minute walk from a major road (comparable to a "route" back East) and can't even hear the cars when I'm in the yard. It's quiet here.
The house is big enough for us to live comfortably. It has it's ups and downs; things that need to be fixed,but also "comes with" items that we never had before (like aforementioned deck). I have a bedtime routine with the kids much like I used to. Some things don't change.
But this isn't HOME. I live here, I breathe here, but it is still a house. Home is where the heart is? I think I dropped my heart somewhere back in the 021 zip code range. Anyone see it?
My friends, my family (ok not ALL my family) are back there. I don't miss the angst and chaos. I miss the familiarity. I miss the cameradery. I miss the flexibility to go and do and see what I liked and not think twice about it.
So lately I've been dropping hints like lead bricks....stop that, reverse it...I've been TELLING everyone that I want to go back East. Of course I'd miss folks here,but it's just not the same. I guess you can take the girl out of the city,but you can't take the city out of the girl. Or as my brother puts it, the concrete jungle.
What should I do? Should I stay or should I go now? (sorry I was momentarily possessed by The Clash)

Tonight we found the local library...in a strip mall. Who puts a library in a strip mall?!?!? Ok there's a sign coming so pay attention, there'll be a pop quiz later.
We go to the desk to ask for library cards. My lovely daughter immediately says, "Mom, look at her (librarian) ladybug pins!" Nice librarian tells us that she LOVES ladybugs and asks if she does too? We tell her that my stepmom (Judy) did and when we see them we think of her. Nice librarian asks for ID from us and sees we're from Boston. She's from Boston too! She tells us that she cried for a year after coming here because she wanted to go back home. (hey, that was another sign, did you catch it??) Hubby tells her that I'm going through the same thing now. Her husband is military though so they had to stay. I quickly point out that we aren't and I want to turn around and go back. We chatted a little about the two states and their differences. She said she's been here 20yrs and I told her I have no intention of staying that long. She was very nice and wished us well with whatever we decide.
We return from our library trip and what is in my email but a lovely letter from my dad. He's trying to give me the positive light to what seems like a dark situation to me. And as is natural, he whips out a "Judy-ism" to help. Apparently, she told Dad one time that where his feet are standing is where he is meant to be in that moment... You caught that one right?

So now let's count....
1) ladybug pins
2) librarian from Boston and still missing it
3) Judy-ism about being where you're meant to be

Now, is it 3 strikes you're out or 3 times the charm?
Let me know if you figure out the answer. I'll give you a cookie.

An Ode to Java....GOOD java that is

So, I'm sitting here on an unusually chilly mountain morning. Typically, I would reach for the tea kettle,but not today. Today, I'm wishing for a steaming hot cup of (as hubby would call it) "Tooty Frooty" coffee from my favorite shop. So, do I slip on my sneakers and pack up my boys to go fulfuill this desire?? Not unless the handsome pool boy comes back with my personal lear jet PDQ. See, my favorite coffee shop is half way across the country! Yes, I'm having Marylou's Coffee withdrawals. Actually, I'm not the only one. That's when I decided to write Ms Marylou a little letter. Not sure that was wise considering the quirky mood I'm in today,but hey, if nothing else maybe she'll get a chuckle out of it and maybe you will too.
Now to go make some lunch. PB & J is such a sad substitute. :-)



Dear Marylou, My best friend, my husband and I were regulars of your shops for years. In September 2005, we moved to Colorado and we are still having withdrawals!! While it's great to order online, it's not the same as walking into one of your shops and smelling the fresh brews or better yet, just saying "I want a Funky!" You want to talk withdrawals? My best friend needed a 12 step group for Funky Fanablas! She's now out here, 5+ mos pregnant and trying to figure out how we can get you to mail them to her. She promises not to bring it to a lab and have it analyzed for ingredient content. :-) And yesterday she told me that we should find out if you'll allow us to open a franchise here in Colorado Springs. Honestly, people here have NO CLUE what REAL COFFEE is!! Starbucks rules supreme in this area and we H-A-T-E it,but it's all there is. So....short of having my 18yr old daughter back there buy FF's and pour them into thermoses to send out to us, do you have any suggestions? Unfortunately, moving back to Boston right now isn't possible. Boo Hiss. The ideal situation would be if you could get together with the operators of Christmas Tree Shops and open a kiosk within one of their stores out here. We'll be happy to run it. :-)

All the best,

Loyal & displaced 40yr old fans

What the heart wants....

Hmm...sometimes I have to wonder, what DOES my heart want?
For 7mos we've lived here; a huge jump from the only home and town we've ever known (well the kids and I at least). Then in one week we found a home to rent/own finally and at the same time, I get interviewed for a job I would love to have....in Florida! Not having worked outside of the home in about 12yrs, (save for a couple of short term temp assignments along the way), I have faced much difficulty re-entering the work force. Afterall, what do I know how to do besides raise children? LOL Moms understand how foolish THAT is! We ONLY manage a household, organize, schedule, transport and every other thing that the family needs. Oh I forgot, that's not WORK. Riiiiiiggghhhhtt. Whatever.

Anyway, for the first time in all these years I was actually ASKED to interview for a job as recreation director for an exclusive membership only rv park. I would love to have the job and I know that I could do it well. It would put my family closer to my dad who we all miss so much. As well as his fiancee who they are looking forward to meeting, their cat and dog who they keep seeing photos of and the POOL! If I hear one more time that they want to swim in Papa's pool..... LOL And it would be near Disney which my children long to see. My family has no issues with moving down there. Daddy would stay home during the day with the kids; something he's wanted for so long. He would work nights while I work days; no sitters needed.

What's the flip side? If the job is offered to me, do I really want to move my family AGAIN? And so soon? Is it better to make due where we are? Can we really leave my best friend after trekking all this way out here with her? She only returned here on the condition that we agreed to come too and that took us years. How would this change things? Or would it?

Tonight we are to get the keys to our new house. Today I'm also supposed to find out if the job is being offered to me. In theory, I should know about the job first given that it's a 2hr time difference.

So....what DOES the heart want?

Another week begins...

What a weekend. Busy busy busy and yet it doesn't feel like I got much done.

Let's see...on Saturday, I was up early and helped paint a bedroom. Visions of Decorating Cents danced through our heads LOL While the first coat dried, we kept all the kids busy playing inside and out. We wanted to get yard work done,but it wasn't really the weather for it; kind of windy. Plus there is weeding and such to be done first so it has to wait a few more days.
Saturday night, Daddy and I brought the kids to Golden Corral for the Princess's belated birthday dinner; her request. We knew that there was a carnival going on in the adjacent parking lot,but didn't tell the kids. Of course they were BEYOND excited when they saw it and begged to skip dinner in favor of corn dogs and rides,but we didn't take give in. Sadly for them, Baby was much too tired and too young to partake in such festivities and Daddy was "bezausted" from working both jobs all week so we went home after dinner with the promise of returning today.
This morning, Daddy worked very early and took a nap when he got home; at least he tried. Auntie and I brought Baby Boy for a walk to Lowes for paint and gardening things. Lovely day, sunny and very warm,but terribly windy. Sand whipping at your legs does NOT feel good. We got what we needed though and ran into most of Auntie's family while we were there LOL Funny how in 13yrs in the same house and neighborhood I rarely saw anyone we knew in the market and here you see the ones you know EVERYWHERE! I guess it really is a small town in its own way.

After the "three hour tour" of Lowes (literally!) we went home for lunch and to continue painting bedroom one. It came out nice and we had fun. Pssst..don't tell the kids but we painted tic tac toe and Hi and smileys on the wall before we painted over them LOL Who says grown-ups can't be silly too?? I should say that Daddy DID take the big kids to the carnival as promised and they all had fun even if the Princess DID get too confident about riding the thrill rides and make herself sick. Needless to say she was pretty quiet the rest of the evening.

Then after dinner, Daddy and the 3 boys & I went to see a house that is rent-to-own. It's cute; smaller than we'd like,but bigger than what we're used to. It's got the potential to add on which helps, it's at the end of a cul de sac, and in walking distance to both the middle and elementary schools which happen to be across the road from eachother (not the road the house is on); very convenient for them and for me. The house certainly isn't big enough for us to stay in for more than a couple of years or so unless we were to add on and even that's pushing it,but it would certainly work for now. We'll probably know tomorrow if we'll be getting it. There's still a *possibility* of my getting a job in Florida though in which case we'd be making a swift (and I mean SWIFT) move south very soon. In the meantime, we don't want to give this up so we'll see what happens.

Today I was very sad as I watched my friends shop for items for their respective homes and wanting so much a home for my own family. After all the obstacles we've faced these last 3yrs, we continue to hope and pray that the light at the end of the tunnel is nearer than we think and that it's NOT an oncoming train. :-)

Happy Monday !

Where did the week go?

Did you ever notice how sometimes time just passes too quickly? Amazing how much we can miss. Well, these last 2 weeks have been busy for us what with baby's 1st birthday, then Easter and then the princess's birthday. And of course the planets must be in alignment too because it was all topped off with Daddy having to work both jobs every day. Here it is midnight and he's just leaving work. This will continue throughout the weekend. He did manage to stop home for an hour between jobs today. The way the kids reacted upon seeing him, you'd think it had been months! Which makes me realize how much we can take for granted....
Three years ago, we were sitting comfortable financially, Daddy worked one job, I was home raising kids, we took vacation each year, we occasionally went out for dinner, Daddy would take the kids out for a Saturday matinee at least a couple of times a month and to the arcade nearly every week. We'd purchased a new home and there was talk of adding another baby to our family. Life was good and we were happy.
Then one day your world it turned upside-down. The comforts you took for granted suddenly and without warning, vanish from your daily life. One job becomes 3, no more outings for the kids, no more vacations, suddenly McDs once a month is a big to-do and you lose the new home.
There is stress, worry and fear. You do all you can to make things work, to keep the status-quo and you pray. Funny, for though we are not church-going folks, we do keep our faith. Even on shaky ground. Some days, that's really not easy,but God moves in mysterious ways. You learn pretty quickly who your friends really are. The children somehow adjust to disappointment without much fuss and by some illogical twist of fate, a child is born. A beautiful, wonderful child who brings hope to a seemingly hopeless situation. Is he the open window to a closed door?
After making a momentus decision to try to start life over somewhere new, we find it difficult and emotionally stressful to leave our old life behind. We miss our friends and family dearly and sometimes pine for what was. We cry, oh how we cry and then there are days when we want to,but the tears won't come. Through it all, we hope and we pray. Still holding on to the belief that God isn't trying to punish us with our great misfortune,but to teach us. Teach us what? Perhaps to appreciate more what we do have and what we didn't lose.
Today I was told bad news about our financial situation which brought me to crying to the stranger on the other end of the phone who shared the news with me. I couldn't help myself; the dam had burst. She was kind and shared with me her spiritual views and wished blessings upon us. She reminded me to keep the faith and that our God is a loving and benevolent God. He will open a window for us.
Shortly after that call, I was informed through another that there is a glimmer of hope for us where Daddy's career is concerned. Just a glimmer,but the first we've had in 3yrs. I'm one of those people who feels guilty asking anyone for anything so if you know me, you know that I rarely do it. Well, this includes asking God for his blessings and help. I did ask though. I just hope beyond hope that he answers in our favor.
Beyond everything, these last few years having been very trying on our spirits as a family. We've seen sadness and struggle in various manifestations and one ray of sunlight in the birth of our baby boy last year. We try to appreciate every little thing these days no matter how minor or how stressed we may feel. Some days that's pretty difficult,but there is always something to be grateful for. Maybe just as simple as waking up breathing.

Now as I sit here after midnight, I'm thankful that my family made it through another day. And may today be a better one, for us and for all of you.

My Baby is 12...

How did this happen? Wasn't it only yesterday that I received a call from my dr's office saying that I was expecting my first baby? Oh how vividly I remember! I was so nervous, excited, scared,but mostly overjoyed.
In some ways these 12yrs have been long; we've had our lion's share of challenges it seems. And yet, it seems like in many ways the years have been fleeting. One day you're potty training and the next your thinking about colleges. If anyone invents a way to bottle these precious moments, I'll happily be a customer!
I wouldn't trade these years with my girl; they've made us both who we are today.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl, I love you. And yes, you will ALWAYS be my Baby Girl.

A Rocky Mountain Easter

Let's see.....baskets, goodies, food. Ok that was our day. Just teasing.
The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm.
After Mommy & Auntie stayed up quite late the night before Easter getting everything ready, the kids woke early to find out if Mr.Bunny really did eat the carrots left for him (he did and left jelly beans with a thank you note!) and see if he left any treats. Of course he did! Did you know that he brings folding chairs, canteens and bike helmets? Oh and the tradtional jelly beans and chocolates as well; fear not. No doubt, my troops ate more than I was aware of. That's their job right?
Auntie even made special buckets o' fun for each child which was a wonderful surprise for them. And my baby boy had his first chocolate, and rest assured he IS his mommy's boy!
After checking out all the goodies, there was an Easter egg hunt. All had fun and what a great job Auntie did hiding eggs in a backyard that has no grass! Kudos to Auntie!
After an unconventional dinner of steak and chicken, the day drew to a close. Happy children, happy grown-ups. A nice way to begin another blessed year.

Well, here it is....my first ever blog. And what better day to begin than Easter. 'Tis the season of new beginnings is it not?

This evening, I sit listening to 3 of my 5 blessings chatter sweetly amongst themselves waiting for peaceful slumber and sweet dreams of jelly beans and chocolate bunnies to overtake them. Ahhhh the loveliest sound....

Ok back to reality. The TRUTH is that I'm sitting here shushing them every few minutes with the threat of "the Easter Bunny won't come if you're not asleep" as I sit fighting to stay awake so I can go create this year's Easter baskets. Don't get me wrong, I honestly LOVE making them and spoiling the kids like this,but hearing them quarrel and tattle on one another doesn't make me feel all that cheerful or like spoiling them. But who can resist a big blue-eyed 3 yr old coming in to tell you, "Mommy, Gabbie won't be quiet. Are you going to write to the Easter Bunny and tell him not to come bring her treats too?"

Hmm...maybe eating the delicious carrots that Eli left for Mr. Easter Bunny will help. Must remember to hide the note too and have Mr.Easter Bunny leave a thank you for the carrots.

Sending Easter Blessings to you all. May this be the beginning of a very special year.