I'll Be Back Soon...

Schools out, morning sickness has commenced, and my parents are coming to visit. My plate is full. I'll be back when I'm able.

Waiting.....

For almost the past week I have been waiting for just one of my children to do something to merit a fun evening baking together. I've literally been searching for any excuse to reward them this way, thinking that it would be a fun bonding activity. I swear, it had nothing to do with a craving for brownies!

Every single day that I've had this fun surprise in mind for them, we have had worse and worse behavior. I don't understand it. Today was horrendous. I'm beginning to believe that Bug likes being grounded. Monkey-boy is trying to prove to me that he can be more defiant at almost two than his sibs were at four- and that's saying something. Kat can't finish a meal to save her life. Birds exist on more nourishment than she takes in. Maybe this week will be better than last.

What to do?

Bug was very upset when he came home yesterday. After some trying, he finally confessed to me that someone at the bus stop told him that I drink lots of alcohol. After some more trying he told me the little girl's name, and I went to ask her mother about it. The little girl overheard, and clarified that she heard it from one of Bug's friends and was just asking Bug if it were true. So I talked to Bug's friend's mom, who told me that he heard this from another boy at the bus stop who claimed that we are always throwing beer bottles into their yard. I was dumbfounded. I don't drink. My husband might have a beer with dinner, but the bottle usually makes it into the trash, unless he's having a bad day and then I'll find it in the sink. But someone else's yard? Who lives an entire block away from us? I don't know what to do from this point. I was comfortable talking to the first two kids and their mothers because I already sort of knew them. I don't know these other parents at all, so I'm not sure that it would be the best idea to knock on their door and ask them about this, or if I should let it go. I don't like having my charachter maligned, and I don't like that Bug is having to deal with this for absolutely no reason at all.

WFMW: Early Christmas Shopping

It's that time of year again..... time to start shopping for Christmas presents! Yes, I know, I sound completely insane. There is no way that I will know my kids' sizes seven months ahead of time, but fortunately for me, they are fairly predictable in their tastes.

What really works for me is buying books. Lots and lots of books. On ebay in "lot sales", at garage sales, on clearance, from scholastic. Whenever the price is right for books in good condition, I snap them up. Then I stash them in my closet. Over the year I will give the kids a book here, another book there, for various occasions. As a reward for good behavior, to keep them entertained on a long car ride, or as a distraction during a doctor appointment are all fantastic reasons to give a kid a book in my opinion. And I'll still have lots left for Christmas presents! (Lucky for me, my kids love reading as much as I do!)

Happy Mother's Day!

They whispered and giggled and planned all week long. They roped Daddy into their plans. They were all set to make breakfast in bed for me on Mother's Day.

It didn't happen.

Instead they got to watch me coax the cat into keeping herself in one relatively small area to give birth to six kittens, while Daddy made a pancake breakfast.

This takes the prize as my most memorable Mother's Day. How about you?

Big News!

I can't believe it has been a whole week since I posted! I had my appointment with the specialist, and my breasts are just fine. Woo Hoo!

As if that didn't make my week good enough, I found out today that we're pregnant again! Very funny, really. I complained to Hubs all week about how huuuungry I was, then today, food was making me sick. I'd crave something, eat it, and then wonder what possessed me to think that eating was such a great idea, what with the heartburn and nausea and all. And I've been so tired, it was really annoying. So I told Hubs today that I wanted to pick up an ept, because this really felt severe for pms. And he called shortly after I took it, wondering. So, the phone is ringing, all three kids are screaming, and I'm trying to pee on a stick. I answered the phone, glanced down, said "I guess we'll have to try again next month", and went about my evening. The next time I went to the bathroom, I glared at the offending peice of plastic in the trash can next to me, and it had changed to positive! I immediately called Hubs back, and told him the good news. He said, "I don't how it happened.... I've been working so much! Congratulations!" Pretty neat, huh?

WFMW- Birthdays

Birthdays in our family are not convenient. My husband and I are on the 18th and 19th of one month, Keeghan is one month after Christmas, and Kathryn is one week before Collin-who happens to be on the 4th of July. With all the madness, we've noticed that it's pretty pointless to have big, blowout birthday parties, especially when the inconvenient timing means that attendance will almost surely dissapoint the honoree.

My solution: The birthday boy or girl gets the birthday dinner of their choice (within reason, of course), one present from each family member, and one birthday wish (again, within reason). For example, Keeghan wanted me to make chicken marsala for dinner, and wanted to go see a movie in the theater with just me. Grandma and Grandpa babysat the others for me, and it was a very low stress day, but Keeghan really felt special and celebrated. That's what works for me!

Ten Years

There's nothing like a high school reunion announcement to inspire feelings of inadequacy in a person. What have I been up to for the past ten years?

I have married the wrong man. I have divorced him. I have dropped out of college. I have been an exotic dancer. I have had a falling out with my mother. I have moved eight times.

I have given birth to three beautiful children. I have married the right man. He and I have bought a home together. I have found Jesus. I have found joy in faith, wife-hood, and motherhood. I have learned who I am.

None of this sounds very impressive next to someone who has x number of degrees and a salary with six zeros. But I've sure done some living, and I've found peace within. I don't know yet if I'll go to that reunion. But I will send some emails to old friends to say hi. I hope they're doing as well as I am.

Good news!

Answering phone calls and checking mail are two things that have always made me feel slightly nervous. These are the ways that bad news gets communicated, and usually when least expected. Lately, however, I've been pleasantly surprised.

First there was the phone call from my mother. This bears repeating; my mother called me! When I looked at the caller id before answering, my heart skipped a beat and my stomach jumped into my throat. I was so sure that the only reason she would willingly call me was if someone had died. I'm so happy that I was wrong. It seems she has made a little progress toward forgiving me, as she was calling to get my address for graduation announcements from my baby brother.

Then the phone call from my midwife. I wasn't really expecting bad news but it's strange to me to have finally found a health care provider who cares enough to call with test results, even late at night if it'll ease my mind. ( I ok'd the late night phone call, actually prefer them to when the kids are clamoring for my attention.) The ovarian cancer screen came back negative. We also talked about PCOS, and possibly checking for it if I don't "normalize" in the next three months.

And last, when I checked the mail yesterday, there was a big, fat envelope from the government. That can definitely go either good or bad, now, can't it? But, once again, good news. The state of Colorado sent paperwork for me to sign, if it's all right with me if they almost double (!) the child support that they take out of my ex's checks when they add Kat to the order. Hmmm, let me think about that one.... Heck yeah!

What kind of news have you gotten lately?

Contest

If you go here you might win a digital photo frame. Pretty cool, huh?

Drink more water....

My husband is insanely healthy. I'm not sure if it's because he's got such a great immune system, which he does, or if it's because his stubborn streak is such that even germs just give up and pick on someone else.

Like me. Now I don't get sick very often, and then just the occasional cold. However, it never fails that when I do fall ill, I can count on my caring and oh-so-helpful husband to dispense this doctorly advice: "Have you tried drinking more water?" So I knew it was serious when he told me that he was worried and would I please see a doctor?

At first I resisted, feeling very much like I had taken up too much screen time in a Twilight Zone episode involving doctor's offices that are impossible to escape. But I went, and wound up with a not so confident diagnosis of Bronchitis.

At least he didn't tell me to drink more water this time....

A Pint Sized Rebellion

I have a mutiny on my hands. If I serve leftovers again anytime soon the kids are going to tie me to the swingset with their jumpropes and leave me there. I'm a total loss for my meal planning this week. I need to make meals that are quick and easy, and small enough for no leftovers. Any ideas?

Real Moms Meme

I love this one, and found it over at It Coulda' Been Worse. So, in my own experience....

1. Real Moms are the ones who smile nostalgically when they see a first time pregnant woman. Real Moms can tell, by the way.

2. Real Moms will be sympathetic when your toddler has a meltdown in the checkout isle.

3. Real Moms usually have more items belonging to others than themselves in their purses.

4. Real Moms know the value of a well timed bribe.

5. Real Moms also know the value of a well timed nap. (For the kids, or themself)

6. Real Moms can sprint like an Olympic medalist even when pregnant or injured if they believe their child to be in danger.

7. Real Moms get more excited about sales on fruit snacks than new clothes for themselves.

8. Real Moms never stop trying to be a better parent each day.

9. Real Moms grieve and hug their own little ones a bit tighter whenever another mother loses her child- whatever the reason, it's heartbreaking.

mysteries....

Well, I thought I was done being poked and prodded by medical types. I was wrong. After about a week of playing phone tag with the midwife (who I really like by the way) finally got a hold of me while I was getting the kids ready for bed. She wants me to go get blood drawn to check for ovarian cancer, just in case- because of my family history. That what if was scarier to me than being told I definitely had precancerous cells on my cervix years ago. My Oma had ovarian cancer, skin cancer, and a cancerous tumor in her stomach. I'm not sure which was the cause of her death, but she was in a lot of pain for a long time fighting it.

I also have to have my cysts monitored, and go see a specialist about the lump in my left breast- again, just in case. I'm glad they care so much, I just wish it wasn't so scary.

So.... How bout them Yankees?

Hmmm. I really feel the need to write something, but I doubt it will be anything all that clever. Life is back to normal- dagnabit!

Hubs had to travel for work again. It was so nice having him home for so long this time, but we knew it couldn't last forever. At least he took down the hornet's nest from the tree in the front yard. And safely, too, I should add.

Bug is grounded until I'm not mad/hurt/disappointed anymore. He took my calendar to school for a school project without asking permission, and never returned it. I missed Monkey-boy's checkup and immunizations and don't have a clue what else is coming up because of that. To top it off, Bug can't find the calendar, and doesn't seem the least bit remorseful about the whole thing. I'd welcome any and all suggestions on how to handle this one.

Kat thinks cleaning her room means getting everything off the floor. I think it's time for extreme measures. All three kids have TOO. MUCH. STUFF. I'll be going through their rooms one at a time with a trash bag and a donate box sometime in the next week.

Monkey-boy has learned how to pair the word "MINE" with a temper tantrum worthy of my first stepmother- that's one impressive headache, lemme tell ya! Oh, and he has also started to, very clearly, with hands on hips, say "no." At least that one comes clearly enunciated and calmly, if defiantly.

And I've got to say, for the record, using an IUD was one of the worst decisions I've ever made regarding my health. Possibly the worst. The mystery illness was a ruptured cyst, in addition to (as the kind dr.'s put it) my body attempting to normalize after the removal. No hint as to how long this should last, but I was told to add 2-3 extra servings of protein to my diet the week before my period is due in order to control the P.M.D.D. symptoms. That would be fine and dandy- if I knew when my freaking period is due! I also was told that until I have my next kid, pms will definitely be replaced by pmdd, and the periods themselves should be inordinately painful- physically and emotionally. My poor husband has no idea how lucky he is to be away from home right now. :) Here's to hoping that this gets better soon.

Easter Exclamations!

"Wow, Thanks Mom!" (followed by, "What're you thanking me for? The Easter Bunny left that for you!)

"OH! THE CHOCOLATE!!!" (are we surprised that it was the girl that uttered that one?)

"Mama? Mama!"

(whispered)"Oh, crap, the Easter Bunny forgot to hide the eggs we dyed!"

All in all, it's been a good Easter morning. It would've been better if Hubs and I hadn't had to have our own hunt for puppy presents before letting the kids up for the festivities. Yeeeuck!

The kids look so cute in their Easter clothes, too! Hubs helped dress them for church before leaving for work. He's working in town this week! Yay! He's a driller for an exploratory drilling company, so he has to go wherever the next site is assigned. Last job they put him on was in California, and we didn't get to see him much, so it's nice to have him working near home.

Happy Easter, everyone, we're off to church, and more egg hunts!

Jeans

The hunt for jeans is over, in a most unexpected way. Apparently, Hubs accidentally grabbed three pairs of jeans that are the wrong size- for him, anyway. He suggested that I try them on, and they fit. They aren't very stylish, but they're durable, they fit, and they cost about $2 each if I remember correctly. And I'm really beginning to appreciate function over form lately, anyway.

Like Mother, Like Son, and Son and Daughter....

Our PTA decided that the parent-teacher conferences would be a perfect time to set up the book fair. They were probably right. Who wants to look like a bad mom in front of their kids' teacher by not encouraging a love of reading?

I, personally, have been an avid reader since the day my mom managed to force me to learn how. Yes, she had to force this skill upon me. Just as I pretty much had to force it into Bug, and it looks like the same will be happening with Kat. But once it clicked, I never willingly put down the books. And, Bug is doing the same. I love it!

So you can imagine just how proud I felt when we left the book fair with three kids running into walls and doors because their noses were buried in their new books. Hubs laughed, said, "You can sure tell whose kids they are!", and we each grabbed a kid or two to steer them while they walked and read. It was priceless.

The Mystery- Part 2

I had my long awaited dr's appointment today. I think it went well, in that the nurse and the midwife who I saw both actually listened to my concerns. That has been very difficult for me to find in the past.

I half expected to be told that everything I've been experiencing is just a normal part of being a woman. Instead, I was sent to the lab to test for problems with my kidney and bladder. And I was told to make an appointment for a pelvic ultrasound and an ultrasound on both breasts. One has a growing lump, and the other has "thickening of the tissue". The midwife told me not to let them do a mammogram unless I'm on my period, since we're trying to get pregnant.

My mother in law is full of advice, since she just went through this herself, a few weeks ago. I'll even be seeing the same specialist as her. Hubs doesn't quite know how to react right now, so he's concentrating on things he feels more in control of, like replacing one of the windows. I'm relieved to be taken seriously, but kind of scared of where this might be heading.

Daddy's Home!

My husband returned Sunday afternoon after driving for what seemed like forever. The kids were overjoyed, of course, but also a little stressed, I think. Monkey-boy had some separation anxiety on Sunday; Bug got a really bad stress headache last night; Kat decided it was time to go on a hunger strike. That child is too thin to begin with. So we had to help them each work through their issues with Daddy's work schedule, and will probably have to continue to do so for awhile. I think we're all improving some, as time goes by and he's not gone again.