Billi's Babblings

My thoughts on New Years Resolutions…

2012-01-03T12:32:00.000-06:00

I don’t often make them, because I prefer to think in terms of life style changes; adapting to things that I know will benefit me beyond the current year.

So here are a few of my past New Years Resolutions:
To have a baby when I was 38 weeks pregnant
To complete college as I was beginning the final semester of my final year
To become a wife with the wedding planned in May
…anyway you get the idea.

Happy New Year, May you be richly blessed.

Mom I am

2011-10-09T14:03:00.000-05:00

I am mom
Mom I am

That Mom-I-am!
That Mom-I-am!
I do not like that Mom-I-am!

Do you like a three-year-old?
I do not like them, Mom-I-am.
Now you’ve been told,
I do not like a three-year-old.

Would you take them here or there?
I would not take them here or there.
I would not take them anywhere.
I do not like a three-year-old.
I do not like them, now you’ve been told.

Would you like one in your lap?
Would you like one with nap?

I do not like them in my lap.
I do not like them with a nap.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like one anywhere.
I do not like a three-year-old.
I do not like them, now you’ve been told.

Would you take one on a dare?
Would you take one to the fair?
Not on a dare.
Not to the fair.
Not in my lap.
Not with a nap.
I would not take one here or there.
I would not take one anywhere.
I would not like a three-year-old
I do not like one, now you’ve been told.

Would you? Could you? To the store?
Take one! Take one!
They are sure not to bore!
I would not, could not, to the store.

You may enjoy one.
You will see.
You may enjoy one at the sea.

I would not, could not at the sea.
Not at the store. You let me be.

I do not like one on a dare.
I do not like one at the fair.
I do not like one in my lap.
I do not like one with a nap.
I do not take one here or there.
I do not take one anywhere.
I do not like a three-year-old
I do not like one, now you’ve been told.

A train! A train!
A train! A train!
Could you, would you, on a train?
Not on a train! Not at the sea!
Not to a store! Mom! Let me be!

I would not, could not, on a dare.
I could not, would not, to the fair.
I will not take one in my lap.
I will not take one with a nap.
I will not take one here or there.
I will not take one anywhere.
I do not like a three-year-old
I do not like one, now you’ve been told.

Say! To the park. Here at the park!
Would you, could you, to the park?
I would not, could not, in the park.

Would you, could you, in the rain?

I would not, could not, in the rain.
Not in the park. Not on a train.
Not to the store. Not at the sea.
I do not like one, Mom, you see.
Not in my lap. Not on a dare.
Not with a nap. Not to the fair.
I will not take one here or there.
I will not take one anywhere!

You do not like a three-year-old?
I do not like one, now you’ve been told.

Could you, would you, on a bike?
I would not, could not, on a bike!

Would you, could you, on a hike?

I could not, would not, on a bike.
I will not, will not, on a hike.
I will not take one in the rain.
I will not take one on a train.
Not in the park. Not at the sea!
Not to the store! You let me be!
I will not take one to the fair.
I will not take one on a dare.
I do not like one in my lap.
I do not like one with a nap.
I do like one here or there
I do no like one ANYWHERE!

I do not like a three-year-old!
I do not like one, now you’ve been told.

You do not like them.
So you say.
Take one! Take one!
And you may,
Take one and you may, I say.

Mom!
If you will let me be, I will take one.
You will see.

Say! I like this three-year-old!
I do! I like one, I am sold…
and I would take one on a hike.
And I would take one on a bike.
And I will take one in the rain.
And to the park. And on a train.
And to the store. And to the sea.
She is so good, so good, you see!
So I will take one to the fair.
And I will take one on a dare.
And I will take one in my lap.
And I will take one with a nap.
And I will take one here and there.
Say! I will take one ANYWHERE!
I do so like my three-year-old!
Thank you! Thank you, I am sold.

Thoughts...

2010-06-03T09:11:00.001-05:00

Six little feet that run through these halls.
Six more feet that run on streets of gold.
Six pairs of feet.
Six sets of blessings
and mama loves them all.

Silent mentors

2010-02-08T09:16:00.001-06:00

I have had several individuals that stepped into very important roles in my life. All of whom I am truly grateful for the sacrifices they made; the impact they had on the choices I continue to make is incomprehensible.

But today I want to focus to those individuals that have affected my life and didn’t even know it. The ones I admired from afar, watched with a careful eye, and surprisingly continue to emulate even today. I don’t want to, nor do I think I could call them out individually; although I can distinctly recall most of them some of them I didn’t even “know”. They were the ones whose mere observations made such impressions on my life; mother’s who attended our church, a woman at a train depot, the clerk behind the counter, a couple on the tandem around the lake. I bring this up because I am entering that point in my life…that moment when I begin to shift from the mentee to the mentor…I know people are always watching me and my reactions and I want to make sure that I am putting my best foot forward in every situation. To those individuals who unknowingly impacted my life…thanks. Thanks for making me aware, that I too can and will be a mentor in my every day life.

TMI, could be a very appropriate title.

2010-01-31T22:14:00.004-06:00

Have I mentioned that I LOVE to multitask? This afternoon my husband peered into the bathroom, rolled his eyes and remarked as he walked away: “You could at least put the book down while you are wiping.”

Simply had to laugh

2010-01-30T10:24:00.002-06:00

A new kid joined my daughter’s First grade class after Christmas break. His name is also Jordan. This makes it difficult for the teacher to know whose work is whose. The students were asked to write the first letter of their last name, but in the case both last names happen to begin with M; so each of them are forced to write the first two letters of their last name…now my daughter’s work comes home with Jordan Me in the name slot.

I once worked with a gal whose initials were ME. We often had to initial communications, if I noticed that ME was already written I would write me too! What makes this story even more interesting is that if she were to marry her current boyfriend, and take his last name, her initials would be MY. That is why when my daughter’s work started coming home with Jordan Me on them I simply had to laugh.

This is the way we communicate

2009-12-10T12:03:00.002-06:00

Actual conversation

Josh: Are you coming outside?

Billi Jo: Why?

Josh: Cuz I thought I’d show you how to use the “new” snow blower.

Actual meaning of the conversation

Josh: I have something I want you to learn.

Billi Jo: Why?

Josh: Cuz you are now in charge of snow removal.

I guess after a six year maternity leave I should have expected this…bring on the snow!

Can anyone else relate?

When Modern Technology Messes with My Routine.

2009-12-01T13:05:00.002-06:00

We have an automatic garage door opener and a remote that allows me to remain in the vehicle as I depart from the garage. Lazy. I know. But I do love this tool, because it feeds my desire to multitask (driving away while closing the garage door). However, there are certain periods throughout the year that this much appreciated task becomes a complete, and udder, chore. Times when I am forced to pull my vehicle out of the garage, put it into park, grab the remote, and stand in front of the garage door while it is closing to block the suns rays from interfering with the sensors. So much for multitasking! I suppose I could bring my coffee with me and take a few sips as I stand there to watch my shadow.

I’m Back.

2009-11-30T08:50:00.002-06:00

After a much needed sabbatical, I have returned.

Thanks to all of those who “checked-in” while I was away.

I am not sure where to begin or what to say. But know that all is well and that:

Today marks the day that I will stop putting off until tomorrow!

Caption Challenge and the winner is…

2009-10-08T09:16:00.005-05:00

“at least it’s not in my eyes”

Dillon I simply could not resist taking these photos of you. I just love the scrunched up faces that two-year-olds make when ‘smiling’ for a picture; the hair was merely an added bonus. I was at a loss as to how I should capture this memory, so I put out a Caption Challenge on my blog to get ideas. I clearly had to go with the one Grandma Wilson provided; it brought back so many memories of her telling me to “get that hair out of your eyes”.

Second installment of Caption Challenge...

Live Life

2009-09-28T11:51:00.002-05:00

There is a woman and to blog is her desire

but too many things her attention now requires

Life is good and the things in it are grand

right now to enjoy it will be her new stand

A Tribute to the Grandparents in Our Lives

2009-09-11T09:25:00.004-05:00

Grandparents touch our lives in lots of different ways

Guiding each of us through life’s magnificent maze
Supplying support, making many memories, and offering advice
So that we do not have to rely on the roll of the dice
Grandparents honed their knowledge over the course of their lives
We benefit by listening to their stories in order to grow wise
Understanding their experiences will give us sensitivity
So that we have awareness when we face adversity
Grandparents are necessary, unique and diverse
Each providing an impact us and our universe
I am taking this moment to say
I simply love you a little more each day

Billi Jo

Here are two scrapbook pages I created and actually completed before Grandparents Day.
Now if only I could get the cards in the mail...

Journaling:

Grandma has stories of the things that mommy did,

when mommy was little, she was sure a funny kid.
Grandma supports all the activities that we are in,

and is full of praise, even if we do not win.

Grandma has a bag filled with things for us to do

colors and scissors and of course way too much glue.

Grandma has a heart, that love has over spilled,

which means our hearts, with grandmas love, are completely over filled.

Happy Grandparents Day

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The Customary Sniff

2009-08-27T12:54:00.000-05:00

I just completed the customary sniff. You-know-the-one-where you hold a wash cloth that could contain an unpleasant odor, between your forefinger and thumb, with the remaining three fingers fanned away as to not acquire the possible stench. You exhale, but only slightly, because the likelihood of inhaling an unwanted odor. You draw the suspected stench laden washcloth up to your nose, and sniff briefly, pulling the washcloth away immediately. Then wait for the overwhelming indication that the washcloth needed to be laundered, yesterday. Luckily for me, this ONE time, I actually avoided the toe curling nastiness that normally accompanies the customary sniff. So I ask, is there anyone else, out there, who chooses to stimulate their nose hair by performing this task?

Caption Challenge

2009-08-05T09:54:00.006-05:00

I love to scrapbook and to make my own cards, some even call me “crafty”. If I had a little more confidence I would create hand made home decorations to hang around the house, that is if I were allowed to “poke holes in the walls,” but I digress. When scrap booking I normally have an idea in mind long before I begin a page, but every once in a while I come across a photo or two that I want to scrap, and can’t figure out what to do. So I am soliciting the advice of my faithful few (and possible a few “lurkers”) who I know are full of creativity; to help me come up with captions to some great photos. I get to be the judge and all decisions are final. There may not always be a winner, but if one is chosen, their idea will be scraped and posted here, and the winner will receive a box of handmade cards.

Here is the first installment of Caption Challenge…

Lovely Ladies

2009-07-31T09:01:00.001-05:00

Excuses and challenges.

2009-07-31T08:51:00.002-05:00

And I am really good at both.

I used to have the cute LITTLE blogger log in and password, and then I joined a running challenge in which I had to create a g-mail account (which for some reason automatically changed my blogger account). Now I have this long drawn out, semi complicated log in, that I only get right 50% of the time. Anyone willing to accept that as an accuse for not updating my blog regularly? Lame, I know, but hey it was a starting point, right? My new challenge is to write an update once a week in which I simply sit and write, completely unabridged. It should make for some interesting writing and quite possibly some frustrating reading, but it is something I need to do in order attack my perfectionism; an obstacle I so desire to tear down.

What could possibly make that noise?

2009-07-28T21:56:00.004-05:00

We were camping, just sitting around the campfire talking to our fellow campers, when we began to hear this intense scraping noise. It’s not a noise you'd recognize, nor could you imagine what could possibly make it. And it keeps getting louder and louder, until it is right on top of us. I wasn’t quite sure where my kids were so I stood to make sure that none were in the path of this noise, only to see a grown man pulling a 40 quart sized wheeled cooler along the side of his bike. The source of the noise was finally identified and yet remained unimaginable, and continues to make me giggle even as I recall the event. I still can not imagine where he came from. Talk about “testing” a product; Coleman needs to hire that man.

Update Blog. Check.

2009-07-27T10:11:00.002-05:00

Just wanted everyone to know that I am collecting some great stories to tell…one involving a gravel road, a cooler, a grown man and a peddle bike, and another one about a new scooter, a girl, and a rather large hill. Right now I am just happy to have my computer functioning virus free so that I can once again “creep” around on everyone's blogs.

Existing in real life, not in blogger land.

2009-07-17T09:56:00.004-05:00

I have been thoroughly enjoying the effects of Global Warming (50-70 degrees days in July)…and thus have not had the opportunity to increase my carbon emissions by cranking the air conditioner, running my desk top computer, and updating the masses through my blog… please accept my apologize for not keeping you informed…off to bake some desserts to keep the house warm ;-)

Wednesday Without Words

2009-07-08T08:39:00.002-05:00

Warning: Maniac in Motion. Enter at your own risk.

2009-07-02T10:12:00.002-05:00

This should be a sign posted in my front yard.

I may have taken multi-tasking too far…

a pile of dirt in the laundry room
baby in “big girl” panties and “potty” in the kitchen
window cleaner and towel hanging off the back of the vacuum cleaner
two big girls eating breakfast
towel draped over the bottle of wood polish sitting on the top of the stairs
coffee brewing
wet mop leaning against the counter
emailing a cell phone number to my husband
checking facebook
posting to my blog

Now I need to decide which of these tasks needs my attention first…

I want to measure my ounces too!

2009-07-01T09:35:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I do know how petty this is going to sound. And I do know that my jealousy is completely sinful. I even know that by mentioning this I will still not get what I want, because you see, I too, have a new refrigerator, just like my friend, and my new refrigerator has a water dispenser on the front of it, just like my friends. But what my new refrigerator does not have is a PreciseFill system which “dispenses filtered water in accurate measurements by ounces, cups, pints or liters, making it easier to prepare foods or mix drink.” The feature I covet the most is that you can program the number of ounces you need dispensed, place your container under the spout and WALK AWAY. Imagine, if you will, all the TIME I could save. So every time I push and hold my manual lever to disperse my water, be it into a cup or a line of water bottles, I count and I count and I covet. Even this morning as I filled the coffee pot with approximately two cups of water I wondered how much time I could gain by owning a PreciseFill System…

Grandmas Marathon

2009-06-29T09:23:00.001-05:00

I did it! I did it in less than five hours! I will loose five toenails! And, yes, I would do it all over again.

Have I ever mentioned that I have Claustrophobic Tendencies and that in tight places I go slightly CRAZY? The mass created by 5000+ people was quite overwhelming, and I couldn’t tell you how many times throughout the race I had to talk myself out of a panic attack, whether fighting over the few slivers of shade along the side of the road or grabbing lukewarm cups of water from moving targets. Feeling the need to throw a few elbows and the unseasonably HOT weather made me extra grateful that I was simple able to complete the race in just less than five hours.

I am still on a high and can’t quit comprehend that I actually completed a Marathon. But my infected and brutally sore big toes continually remind me that they were pushed to limit.

Everybody’s favorite question is “Would you do it again?” The answer is, yes! Especially if it means my sister would join me.

Goldie Locks, Pooh Bear, and The Littlest Narrator

2009-06-26T10:10:00.003-05:00

Sorry I don’t have the time to write the entire script, but know this Josh and I were literally hollowing with laughter as the girls performed their “play”. Thankfully they were planning a comedy so our laughter was welcomed.

Wednesday Without Words

2009-06-17T08:54:00.003-05:00

That sinking feeling you get when you know your mind is crumbling…

2009-06-12T10:08:00.001-05:00

I know I’ve lost my mind, but to demonstrate just how far gone it truly is I must first ask a Question: Did you know that today was Friday, June 12? I only ask, because all week it has simply been Friday, the Friday I was meeting some friends at the park…well, it turns out, that Friday, this Friday, the same Friday that I was meeting my friends, is Friday, June 12, the Friday I have Dentist appointments for the girls. Appointments, that I scheduled in October, and knew were on Friday, June 12, but didn’t realize was the same day as this Friday, the one that I was going to the park. Imagine if you can the disappointment when I called the clinic this morning to see if I could reschedule, they said the next available apt was in September. My mind, I tell you, is deteriorating…

Wednesday Without Words (Really)

2009-06-10T13:46:00.002-05:00

Family Chatter

2009-06-07T20:52:00.002-05:00

Andi: “That’s where mommy went in the ditch.” While pointing enthusiastically at almost the precise location where I did indeed go in the ditch.
Josh continues to keep his eyes on the road as a smirk that only a pleased father could wear begins to penetrate his face.
Jordan: “And why dose mommy go in the ditch?” In the most high pitched teacher voice she can muster without losing complete control.
I sit in irritated silence as Josh struggles to stifle the giggles.
Andi: “Because she drinks too much pop!” A connection no one is quite sure where or how she made, but none-the-less always gets included in this scenario.

And then the entire car bursts into a chorus of laughter…

This is the scene in our vehicle almost every time we drive a certain stretch of road from our house to almost any where else we go…Yes, I did go in the ditch a little over a year ago on a very snowy morning. Yes, the girls were in the truck when Josh came to my rescue. And, yes, Josh intentionally drives THIS way just to give the girls the opportunity to remind me.

Confession

2009-06-04T21:05:00.000-05:00

I know I mentioned that I am a perfectionist, but did you really truly understand or consider what that meant? Probably not. Maybe through this confession you will gain an understanding, however I do not think you could ever realize just how obsessed I am with perfectionism. Confessing my use of an editor will not release any of my anxieties, in fact it may do the exact opposite. But it will allow me to blog more freely and timely. My Confession: I have had my posts edited. Now I am releasing her from that duty. So I ask you, in advance, to be gentle with your critiques. I apologize for my postings, re-postings and deleting of posts because of my typos, grammar errors, and downright foolishness in my quest for perfectionism (now free from an editor's eye). I am looking forward to the opportunity to blog more impulsively with the knowledge that I will create and make mistakes along the way, and that you will notice.

P.S. Don’t worry, I am unable to critique others' writings; that is why I used an editor.

Wednesday Without Words (almost)

2009-06-03T08:12:00.006-05:00

Jordan as the Cutest of all Cute Spoons EVER in Beauty and the Beast!

Andi seeking to be the Kung Fu Master!

Dillon proving again that she does not like to be left alone

Setbacks Build Confidence

2009-06-01T10:09:00.000-05:00

I experienced my first true disappointment in my quest for running the Grandmas Marathon yesterday. It was the day marked on my training calendar for 20 miles, a day I had been preparing for. To make sure there was no way to avoid the full 20 miles, I decided to run home from church; the long way. Mistake number one was leaving at noon, making the shade scarce as the unforgiving sun beat directly down; I began to pray for big fluffy clouds to block the hot yellow beast. Mistake number two was underestimating the slight breeze; the unrelenting gusts of 13mph plus crosswinds threatened to push me out of the shoulder and into on coming traffic. The third mistake was skipping lunch, the hunger pains I experienced were probably moderate at best, but coupled with excessive heat and threatening winds it felt much more extreme. These three things served up a well loaded can of Whip A$$ turning my 20 mile run into a grueling 15 mile survival hike complete with a KFC stop for a glass of ice and my Knight in Shinning Armor coming to my rescue...Although I willingly climbed in the truck, I know I could have walked the remaining 5 miles, but I was already mentally defeated and didn’t need to add ruining my average to the list of setbacks. Josh commented on not working hard enough to be soaked in sweat, but I was eager to explain that the wind licked away any moisture before it could be accumulated. All-in-all I remain confident I can complete the 26.2 miles, and that I can do so in less than 5 hours, so apparently not all was lost.

Gifts Are Simply Not Our Gift

2009-05-28T13:52:00.003-05:00

“Did you know it was our anniversary?” That was the question my faithful husband posed to me as we sat down at a family picnic…obviously after someone had just congratulated him on 13 years of marriage. But before you get your undies in a bunch and start throwing insults towards him, let me tell you that I am not without fault. I have allowed "significant" dates and yearly celebrations to fall to the way side, because I perceive them as cop-outs. Take Valentine’s Day for example, one day out of 365 that most people expect something to happen, well pardon me for being high maintenance, but I simple expect more than that. I want to know I am loved more than one day out of every year. I understand the need to celebrate accomplishments within a relationship, but to do something “special” simply because of that one day, I struggle with significance in that. If I do receive a bouquet of flowers, a perennial plant, a card, or even a “date;” it just means more to me that it appears out of the blue and without prompting. Am I wondering if I am in the minority on this issue; so tell me how do you celebrate your Anniversary? What are your expectations for Valentine's Day?

May 2009 Family Photo

2009-05-27T14:33:00.000-05:00

"What’s up?" you ask.

2009-05-27T14:30:00.002-05:00

As my enduring fans I know you are simply dying to know. Well, I am running like a mad woman, literally, training for the Grandma’s Marathon. Andi is kicking and cross jabbing her way into the hearts of the karate studio instructors. Jordan is relishing the fact she can wear dresses without tights, and I believe she has done so faithfully for the past two weeks. Dillon keeps us on our toes; she is so different from the other two, needing much more direct supervision, and constant reprimanding. But all-in-all, her cuteness keeps her out of the slammer. Josh is working, studying, and training for a state-to-state bike ride later this summer. In a nutshell, that’s what is up.

Oh, and I am creating character profiles (which is my blogger time consumer) for the book I am going to publish, someday. Anyone have any good names for a faithful house servant who simply does everything?

Annoyed by the Small Things

2009-04-23T21:29:00.001-05:00

Recently, as I was sorting through a mound of laundry I became increasingly aware of the articles of the clothing I was turning right side out. And with each piece, I became a little more agitated, thinking that some people could be a little more considerate by taking two seconds to right these items before throwing them into the laundry. So I started tossing these items in a pile to prove a point and to allow the guilty party the opportunity to endure the consequences. Right?

Well, life right now allows me to be home during the days and work in the evenings. I use the term 'stay-at-home' loosely, because Josh says I do not actually stay-at-home, which has some truth to it. What this means is that Josh is stripping the girls' clothing and putting them into pajamas almost every evening. In the mornings I am removing their pajamas and putting them into clothes for the day.

Okay, back to JUSTICE…As I am separating the laundry, I am becoming more and more aware of the fact that the clothing I am tossing into the consequences pile, over and over again, are the pajamas and undershirts. Occasionally, I was relieved to see a shirt or a pair of pants, but when I thought about when they were removed it was I that hastily removed the garment and tossed it into the laundry basket. Not Josh. Talk about being annoyed by the small things. Even when it comes to laundry the guy is one step ahead of me. I definitely got a good one.

Public Rudeness

2009-04-17T17:30:00.002-05:00

One my favorite bloggers, The Antics of the three 22nd, posts some great questions and I have included some great responses. Here is one I feel needed to be added to my site: “How do you handle a situation where a stranger passively scolds your children in public?”
This is my response: Although equally as passive, my response has a rudeness value that packs a pretty true punch of reality. BTW this is a true life situation. I completely ignore the old crabby lady, and in my most high pitched school teacher voice ask my girls if they were enjoying their trip to the library, winking at my eldest, thus giving permission to respond with as much enthusiasm as possible. It was very effective, especially considering the librarians know us and see us regularly. I believe one of the volunteers even laughed out loud, as the lady picked up her purse and walked to the other side of the library.
Kids will be kids and I believe in letting them enjoy themselves, even in public. None of this "seen and not heard" malarkey.
This works in other situations too, especially department stores where the diapers and kids soaps are very near the Depends and Metamucil. Like I can avoid turning down this aisle “with rambunctious and ill-behaved children”, who were merely carrying on a conversation at top volume, while lingering behind me though the aisles. I just calmly turned around, winked, and asked the girls if they were having fun. Of course, I rewarded them with McDonalds after that performance; I couldn’t get the smile off my face. I love being a parent.

Note: when my girls are disobedient or disruptive, we leave. I have shed many a tear in the car on the way home from a disastrous trip, knowing I will have to go back all too SOON.

We've been framed

2009-04-09T11:47:00.003-05:00

Celebrating 4 Years!

2009-03-24T23:20:00.002-05:00

Family Chatter

2009-03-02T08:25:00.002-06:00

Jordan: "Well, then I won't clean the toys in the living room until you turn on Arthur."
Mom: "I will not turn on Arthur until you clean up the toys in the living room."
Jordan: "Well, then I won't watch TV."
Mom: "Right!"

Andi: "If I were a worm, would you squish me because you loved me or just to see what would happen?"
Mom: "I'd squish you because I loved you." (Of course!)
Andi: "Well, I was trying to love it, but I squished too hard. Look what happened." (Poor worm, I hope you had a chance to tell your buddies to run!)

Dillon: Signing every sign she had learned in a two week period. And still throwing herself on the floor.
Mom: "Would you just tell me what you want."
Dillon: Stands up, grabs my legs, pulls me to her room and points to the crib, still repeating signs that make no sense.
Mom: "Do you want to go nighnight?"
Dillon: SIGH

Josh: "Did you lock the car door?"
Billi Jo: "Well, I think I did."
Josh: "You thought you did last night, too."
Billi Jo: "Well, did I?"
Josh: "No."
Billi Jo: "Oh."

The Slaughter House

2009-02-23T11:28:00.003-06:00

Consider this a warning to the squeamish: this post contains images involved with processing meat.

Hunting season always brings the fear of, "What if...he really does shoot a deer?"

Unfortunately, Josh brought home two deer this season! So our garage once again turned into a slaughter house. Josh worked a couple of seasons processing deer and has slowly accumulated the tools ~~deemed~~ necessary to accomplish this task at home. For the two or three husbands that were forced into reading this post, now is the time to be jealous, very jealous. This year he got to pull out the over-powered motor to hook up to the way-too-big-grinder: power tools to process venison. A man will do anything to increase speed.

But let me tell you, I was beyond impressed. We accomplished in one night what has previously taken us an entire week. Josh was able to grind over 90lbs of venison in less than an hour while I struggled to keep up with wrapping and labeling. The sounds of the power tools, the hum of the bullet-heater as it increased the temperature in the garage to a comfortable 70 degrees, the whine of the motor as it spun the over-sized fly wheel on the way-too-big grinder, all helped to drown out the sucking noise as the venison entered the grinding shaft. Josh still will not confess the true per-pound-cost of the venison that fills our freezer, which should include the hotel, shooting range, and power tools, etc., but I am non-the-less pleased at the opportunity for us to bond, and I am certain James Dobson would agree: A couple who process deer together will stay together.

Barely an A

2009-02-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

The other night I got the privilege of having only one kiddo, so I took advantage of the opportunity to go bra shopping. First of all, let me just say that I am in no way envious of any sales associate who works in the lingerie department. The fitting room was littered with bras and empty hangers before I even began my experience. And after I was done the room was significantly trashed. Anyway, did you know there is a manufacturer that offers a Nearly Size, like "Nearly a B"? How optimistic of them! However, what I need, at this point, is "Barely an A" that appears to be somewhat more than nothing at all. LOL.

Blogging can be downright painful

2009-02-08T19:11:00.001-06:00

It even makes me cry, and crying, in my world, is completely unacceptable. I hate the sting of tears as they are being produced and the way they well up on the bottom of my eyelids, although sometimes at this point, I am able to halt the production before they spill out and run down my cheeks. But other times I am not. It is at these moments I feel helpless, out of control, and downright relieved that this release of true emotion can be so comforting.

Crying, whether from joy or sadness, is not one of my specialties. It ruins my mascara.

Why tell you all this? Well, the other night it all came crashing down on me when I sat down to reflect on and blog about the overwhelming sense of frustration I was feeling. I couldn't put my finger on why, so I allowed the psychologist in me to ask a few simple questions like: When did you first discover this sense of frustration? Who are you thinking about lately? Why do you think they are on your mind? And then it hit me like a physical punch to the gut: my sister is actually being deployed. The reality. The possibilities.

And all I could think about was how stupid I was to argue with her. Then I realized if my emotions were this far out of whack, I must truly love her. Just for the record, I always have loved her, the problem is the only way I know to show this love is to "question" her. Why did you do it that way? How come you didn't try this? Why on earth are you going to do that? When will you learn to do it my way? Part of the reason for the questioning is that I honestly want to know. Most of the reason for the questioning is not knowing how to tell her I love her AND the way she does things. (Stupid tears make it hard to see what I am typing).

So now I have reduced myself to using my blog as a way to tell my sister that I do indeed love her, I will miss her and I am so proud of her. These are the tears of joy, appreciation and downright respect for the one I will continue to question, as my way to show her my love, simply because I look up to her and have admired her for so long.

To this sister of mine…I love you…please be safe. And why do you have to be so stinking stubborn?

Locks of Love

2009-02-06T12:34:00.002-06:00

How much time could a mom use, if a mom had all the time to use it?

2009-02-02T12:47:00.002-06:00

I do not fit into the stereotype of woman that enjoys a two-hour bath. I even regard showering as a mere necessity for practicing proper hygiene. It is on a very rare occasion that I will take a "long" shower. On one such occasion, prior to jumping into the shower, I selected a pound of meat to thaw in the microwave at 10% power for 30 minutes. I grabbed the baby, a few toys and headed into the bathroom, turned on the shower to warm while I selected clothing to put on afterward. I got into the shower and literally took as much time as I wanted to wash, rinse, condition, and rinse my hair; I even scrubbed with some of that fancy sea salt oil. Seriously I stood in the shower for a decade. I even decided to shave my legs. All smooth and clean I got out, smothered myself in smelly lotion, got dressed, read a board book to the baby, and slathered in some hair product. Then I walked into the kitchen only to hear the microwave still working away at the pound of meat. There was seven minutes left.

Being Creative or Borderline Cheating…

2009-01-27T17:35:00.003-06:00

I agreed to be apart of Julie's 500 Mile Club and I have developed a plan in which I am certain to come out victorious and one that will hopefully encourage the rest of you into joining My idea of a 500 Mile Club. I have converted everyday situations into miles…

Dusting for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Washing the windows for 30 minutes equals half a mile
Filling/emptying the dishwasher or doing the dishes for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Vacuuming for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Sweeping for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Moping with a mop for 30 minutes equals half a mile
Shoveling for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Mowing the grass for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Raking for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Gardening for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Hoeing for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Wrestling with children (putting on winter apparel constitutes wrestling) for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Sledding for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Folding/putting away laundry for 30 minutes equals a half a mile

Because it is necessary to count for something…

Scrapbooking for 30 minutes equals one tenth of one mile

And last but not least…

Blogging for 30 minutes equals one tenth of one mile

I am convinced that if you calculate all of these events and the number of times they are actually performed everyone could complete 500 miles worth of activities in a reasonable amount of time, all of which would count towards gaining the bodily figures we so desire. Creativity is the only way I can successfully accomplish this task.

Please feel free to add other suggestions into my comments. Now get moving and start tracking your 500 miles.

Good Riddance Tannenbaum

2009-01-14T11:37:00.001-06:00

Now that the season has passed ~~and the misery is behind me~~ I can reflect on the wonderful joys of the Hunt for our Christmas tree. Pretend you just heard the needle scratch across a record and we are warping back in time about five weeks…

Oh, don't remind me that Christmas Tree season is almost here. I despise the things and, try as I may to sabotage the whole event, I somehow always cave in and find myself snapping photos of my over-bundled children as they desperately try to keep up with their daddy. He plows his way through the knee-deep snow (keep in mind that knee-deep on my husband is about 10" of snow and waist-deep on the baby), through row upon row of sap-producing, needle-tossing, water sucking, spray painted, trimmed-to-perfection bushes. It pains me to decide which of the perfectly manicured shrubs to select, remove from its current location and bring into my home. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is just the beginning.

Once the tree is home the fun can truly begin, as I pull out and untangle the lights that I hope still work (at least for one more year), then proceed to walk in circles trying to hang the lights I hope will work once I get them up on the now dying and soon to be dead tree. Then I get to open the boxes upon boxes of "ornaments" and remove them from their mounds of tissue paper to place them on the tree, pretending not to know I will be removing, rewrapping and re-boxing them ALL in just a few short weeks. All this while warning my children to "JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!"

I truly, on so many different levels, do appreciate and desire a Charlie Brown Tree. It is simple, it is NATURAL, and it is unique. This year I simply gave up. I untangled and hung the lights that happened to only function part of the season; I hung two strands of beads and two strands of metal hearts; I allowed the girls to hang candy canes and that was ALL. As close to simple as I could get my family to accept. And even still I overheard Josh comment that it was the most boring Christmas tree he'd ever seen.

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, because I thought, and still think it was BEAUTIFUL. Yet another example of how minimalist I truly am. Maybe one year as a gift to me, we could just scratch the whole real tree thing and simply decorate the front window like one of Anthropologie's window displays, which, by the way, I spent half of one free afternoon simply admiring. Sounds pretty cynical I know, I just do not understand what joy there is pulling things out only to put them away…not for a tree. Someone please provide a worthwhile reason for enduring this ritual.

2008 in Review

2008-12-23T09:48:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This is what Dillon does…

2008-12-16T21:17:00.001-06:00

I have finally come to the conclusions that if I don't post this it will be a never ending cycle, so…

As of December 2008 (16 Months old)

Signs (in her own way of course) the words: please, more, banana, milk, eat, thank you, and all done. It gives her a way to communicate and us an idea of what she wants.

Says: Mama, bye, bow, arf arf, dada, Geor (for Jordan), An (for Andi). This isn't much for a fifteen month old, but we are not concerned and know she will talk when she is ready. Besides the two older sisters interpret what we can not decipher.

Eats with a spoon, surprisingly less messy than her five-year-old sister.

Wears any shoe she can get on her foot around the main level of our house. Clop, clop, clop.

Says "Bye," to anyone or thing that is leaving or going by the front of the house.

Waves goodbye to guests leaving from the front window of our house, yelling "bye-bye" until they are out of sight.

Calls everything a "bow", as in wow with a b. When she plays hide-and-seek: "Bow!" Or throwing a ball: "Bow!" Or reading a book: "Bow!" She just realized things and people have names and wants to know what to call everything. She points and tilts her head quizzically, listens intently, then tries desperately to repeat the sound, which typically sounds like "mama" or "bow".

Loves to flip through pages in books, magazines or newspapers.

Knows that clothes are meant to be worn and tries to put everything on, usually ending up with mound of clothes around her neck.

Will attempt to sit her naked bottom in a clean diaper if placed open on the floor.

Blows kisses.

Is fascinated by water, in the toilet, in the tub or in the sink. If she hears a faucet or a toilet she will come running.

When chased, she runs away and then turns into your open arms.

Laughs, even giggles when something funny happens. Will attempt a "ha ha" if she hears someone else laughing.

Follows behind her sisters, intently observing and desperately trying to mimic their every move.

Babbles incessantly, convinced she will be successfully interpreted. Nods her head in approval, a simple double pump.

Amazingly, she lies down for a nap without performing umpteen number of obsessive compulsive acts (babies, blankets, stories, songs, lights on, lights off, etc.).

There are plenty of others things not mentioned, some of which are too precious for words. Maybe someday I will get brave enough to record a video.

Having watched three children grow through 15-18 months of age I am even more convinced that it is my absolute favorite age.

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

2008-12-03T21:02:00.002-06:00

Jordan lost her first tooth on Wednesday, December 2, 2008. Just weeks shy of her sixth birthday. As Josh and I ponder what we want to set as our standard for losing a tooth, we laugh at yet another milestone in our lives and joke we are one step closer to being "empty nesters," at least one milestone closer.

I Blinked

2008-11-20T09:36:00.002-06:00

I remember being a newlywed, working at one job, exercising six days a week, renting movies on weeknights, playing table games until the wee house of the morning and wanting to have a family. The other day I looked around and had three, count them, three little girls running around calling me "mommy!" When did that happen? Now my occupation is wearing many different hats. I get to exercise maybe six minutes a day; I enjoy Disney movies only because I know I will get to sit for an hour, and table games contain pictures instead of words. I have the family I always wanted, but I still don't know when it happened. Someone asked how long I had been married and I answered, "Twelve years." Wooo! Did I just say twelve years? When Josh answers that question he'll say "Doesn't seem like twelve years, but sometimes it feels like twelve years." Although laden with sarcasm it is somewhat incomprehensible. I have a hard time grasping what has happened and how much has changed for the better, and I am so thankful.

I used to do laundry in one day. I mean wash, dry, fold, iron, hang, put away, everything! Now, I do a load of laundry every day just to make sure there are enough pairs of clean socks and underwear, but rarely does it all make it to the closet or dresser drawers, let alone to the iron.

I used to strive to climb the corporate ladder. Now, I hope to be the best volunteer in my daughter's Kindergarten class.

I used to envy another woman thinking, "Man she has it all…a great husband, two wonderful daughters, and she's able to make it look so easy!" Now, I have kids saying they want to be just like me when they have families…

I love what I do and I am embracing this chapter of my life, I just don't remember turning the page. It is just me?

The Intended versus The Practical

2008-11-15T14:33:00.008-06:00

Responding to the first comment I received in helping me sort out my dilemma….

This topic will definitely have to be revisited… and yes, there is a trend that most of it involves laundry.

Our king sized bed was intended to be a resting place to collect much needed zzz's, allowing our minds to rest. Instead as the largest flattest surface in the house, it has become the collecting place for clean laundry, which actually forces me to get it sorted in order to go to bed each night.

A full sized couch in the master bedroom was meant to be a relaxing location to escape from the toils of the day and curl up with warm blanket and a good book. But instead, it has become an overflow location for the never ending laundry sorting quandary.

A corner whirlpool tub should be used for soaking, relaxing, and catching a few moments of hydrotherapy, but instead it is used to separate the 'worn' but acceptable to 'wear again' clothes from the too dirty and must be washed clothes.

Any couch or cushion covered furniture should be a place to sit comfortably if the cushions were actually on it. However, in our house, these cushions are often found as the building blocks for forts, thus making the cushion less a piece of furniture, and more an indoor trampoline.

And no fort would be complete with out a roof, so sheets and blankets of all sizes are often found hanging randomly throughout the house.

Our guest bedroom, intended to house a bed, that is currently being used elsewhere, has become a play room for toys, toys and more toys (all girl stuff of course).

Okay, so the only really cool item that I actually found a creative use for is going to make every Pampered Chef Consultant vomit a little in their mouth. It is the little brown square scraper that comes with a stoneware purchase. It is a great tool for scraping the food or other unidentifiable substances off your kitchen/dining room floors and/or walls. I have one with my mopping supplies and it helps remove some of the most stubborn globs of caked on who-knows-what off my floor.

Requesting Your Assistance

2008-11-10T14:11:00.001-06:00

Obviously I am not motivated to blog every day (my apologies to those who check every few minutes), but I do confess I have fallen way off my intended once a week blogging. One of my reasons for not posting lately is that I simply have too many projects started (not to mention the strict revision system I apply to each post), meaning each time I sit down to inform you (my most loyal fans) of my latest adventure, I am distracted by what I have previously started. So I am requesting your assistance in sorting out my dilemma. Please comment on what you'd like to hear about most. These are some of the tabled projects I have in the works, but any idea would be fun.

The intended versus practical uses for the items in my house

The patch is on the AWANA vest

What my kids have taught me

I blinked and now and I'm living someone else's life

Who, pray tell, was the Halloween candy actually for?

Jordanisms

Andiisms

This is what Dillon does

The Best of the Halloween Photos

2008-11-05T14:41:00.005-06:00

Josh for President!

2008-10-29T11:53:00.003-05:00

Vote November 4

Disclaimer: if you can not handle laughing at political issues please avoid this post. As it may increase your blood pressure and cause uncontrollable hyperventilating both of which have been known to cause spontaneous urination.
.

My husband has decided to become a write-in candidate.
HERE IS HIS PLATFORM
(1) "Press 1 for English" will be immediately banned. English is the official language; speak it or wait at the border until you can.
(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports. We will use Wal-Mart's policy, 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.'
(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on them.
(4) All retired military personnel will be required to serve a six month tour, to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. They will be under strict orders not to fire on any SOUTHBOUND aliens.
(5) The Social Security Fund will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nothin' in, you ain't gettin' nothin' out. Neither the President nor any other Politician will be able to touch it.
(6) Welfare Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of a 40 hour school week with the successful completion of urinalysis test and proof of a passing grade.
(7) Professional Athletes -- The FIRST time you test positive for steroids you're banned from professional sports for life.
(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There will be no more life sentences. If convicted of a murder, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim, i.e. gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
(9) The United States will export one resource: wheat. The world does need to eat, after all. A bushel of wheat will be traded for the asking price of a barrel of oil.
(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will cease immediately. The moneys saved will first pay off the national debt. Once this is accomplished taxes will be immediately decreased.
(11) When a disaster occurs around the world, we'll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund. Each citizen can make the decision whether it's a worthy cause.
(12) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day in every school in America and every day in the Congress, Senate and House of Representative.
(13) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.

No Apologies. A vote for my husband will get you better than what you have and better than what you'd get. Thanks for listening, and remember to write in my husband on the ballot on November 4th.

God Bless America!
Josh for President!!!!!!!

This message was sponsored by the candidate and his Trophy Wife and we both approve this message.

Thanks Bill Cosby for allowing us all to laugh.

Thirty-something Already

2008-10-27T08:27:00.001-05:00

And enjoying it.
Yep. I am thirty-something. Not because I refused to say my age; I simply do not remember my age. I feel young, I still run for the fun of it, and exercise not because I have to but because I want to, I am a mom, and a wife, I work part-time, and learn something new every day.

I made it to my thirties only to find out I am blissfully flawed.

I am married.
A mother of three…girls.

Sometimes I think about what I thought I'd accomplish before I turned 30 and can't help but laugh. The 180 degree turn I've taken is so refreshing. I could be pounding my head against the 'glass ceiling' on some corporate ladder, but instead I am banging my foot on the toys scattered throughout the house. That's me, thirty-something and enjoying it.

A to Z and how we got there

2008-10-12T13:19:00.001-05:00

Did I mention before that I cannot do nothing? Oh, and that I am super competitive? Well, here is a perfect example of both. You know the game where one person begins with the letter A and adds an item to a list with that particular letter? People go back and forth or around and around, adding items for each subsequent letter, until they've reached the end of the alphabet. Well, my part-time job has become fairly routine, meaning I feel as though I am doing nothing, so my co-worker and I recently played this game with an added twist: we had to have two words for each letter. I do have to admit that, in my super competitive state, I was slightly dejected that my co-worker was not interested in completing the game. Gasp! Not finish the game? But we started it, how can we not finish it?! Reluctantly, I agreed to add W,X,Y, and Z as one final letter, a disappointing compromise, but at least I got to finish the game.

Here is our list….

We are going on a picnic and we are taking a...

Zealous zoologist and
Yodeling Yolanda who
X-ray xylophones and
Wipe watermelons while they
Vex vampires and
Unexpectedly urinate. Then
Trim their toenails and
Slowly Salsa with
Red rhinoceroses who
Quietly quilt and
Pay people who are
Overly optimistic and
Nod naughtily. After they
Move mountains they
Lay lazily. Then
Knife kites and
Juggle jacks and
Ice igloos while they
Hinder Hippos that
Guard Gorillas who
Find Flowers and
Eat eggplants then
Dip doughnuts and
Cut cucumbers and
Bake banana bread and
Add almonds.

It's great fun.

Give it a try.

Adorable & Mine (part2)

2008-10-07T21:20:00.007-05:00

OK. Now for what was really happening:

Yes, this is a 'Mock Studio' set up in any location where the sun is shining into my house, but not directly on my subjects. This particular day was in my dining room with the sun entering through the deck doors. I typically use dark fabrics right off the bolts, with maybe a stitch or two, but this backdrop happens to be a set of sheets and was a clearance buy (to use for this photo shoot). I clip the backdrop with the oversized office paper clips to (Shhh...don't tell Josh!) the oversized screens that I take out of the front room windows. I use the sunlight, because the girls and I have such intense red eye that I avoid using the flash. OK, now the fun begins. The girls know what I want, will they cooperate? And who to 'torture' first? Jordan and Andi caught me before I had the chance to put their clothes on, so they willingly posed for these….

Commence wardrobe change, followed by a gentle hair pulling, tying, and face washing rite-of-passage, all of which are presumed forms of torture in our house, at least by the amount and volume screaming and wailing. Why is it that I picture Wesley trapped in the Pit of Despair with an albino rat-man that clears his throat while saying, "Don't even think about escaping."? Strange correlation I know, but sometimes I feel like they know it will end and if they would just sit still, there would be less "torture."

Dillon First

Who is completely oblivious to the camera and more intrigued by the chair. So I introduce bubbles and now I can't hold the camera still enough to focus. UGGGHH! To any gift givers listening, Mama needs a 6' tripod.

Then Andi Who is more interested in popping the bubbles than just watching them.

Then Jordan

Who wants nothing more than to please me and is so ridged that I am convinced her muscles will be sore for next three days.

Then all Three
This is when I begin asking myself if I am of sound mind.

Forget it.

We move outside to the deck, 'mock studio' and all. It is an overcast day and almost perfect for picture taking. If only my subjects were willing.

Tears.

Bribery.

Silliness.

All while, I am holding the camera and blowing bubbles, or making wired noises to attract the baby's attention. It sounds something like this: "Jordan sit still. Andi please stop reaching for the bubbles. Dillon pllllleeeeassse look at mommy. Don't smile, do smile. Don't look at me, okay now look at me. Laugh. No don't laugh. Look this way, now look that way. Jordan please just sit still. Andi I don't want your hand in front of Dillon. Or Jordan. Dillon, look this way. AAACCHHHOO. AAABUGGGGAAABUGGGAAABUGGGA. Jordan SIT STILL. Andi PUT your hands DOWN. Dillon. DILLON. DILLON."

I do use the rapid shutter feature on my camera so I can take a multitude of sequential pictures and then pick the best.

I am typically pleased with the pictures when I look at the end result, but why do I torture myself? To save a buck. I find it truly difficult to pay someone to get almost the same results. I study magazine pictures and look at photography books in the library to get new ideas on how to pose the girls. I also steal idea from the pictures my friends bring home from the studio.

Please join me in praying for peace, understanding, comfort and healing as a dear friend grieves the unthinkable of loses; a baby born into God’s arms. This post is in memory of those who have gone before us, especially those little who we wish wouldn’t have.

Adroable & Mine

2008-10-02T21:27:00.002-05:00

What is going on around here?

2008-09-29T15:18:00.006-05:00

Random/Interesting/Quirky Facts about ~~Little ol'~~ Me

I am the youngest of five girls. I am the baby and proud of it!

I have a germ-a-phobia about things lurking on vertical flat surfaces (windows, doors, walls and cabinetry) and feel the need to remove them with spraying/wiping or painting on a regular basis. No, I will not use my phobia to your advantage, so don't even think about asking. I have a hard enough time keeping the unwanted vermin off my own walls.

I was a 'college football wife' and never missed a game. I say this purely as bragging rights: my husband loves me enough to listen me yell and scream at grown men in spandex (something he still hears every Sunday in the fall).

I was a Bible Quizzer. And beat the pants off the best of them. (Does Romans 6:10 ring a bell to anyone?)

My husband and I are high school sweethearts. And we haven't been on a date since.

I cannot do nothing (multitasking is my element). Like right now, I am instant messaging with a friend, responding to my email, creating this 'tag' assignment, and heading to bed. /li>

I still don't know in what "style" to decorate my house, even though I've toured countless Parade of Homes for the last six years.

I want to participate in the Iron Man. Someday, I'll be crawling across the finish line a mere 24 hours after the true racers are done, and that's only if I don't drown first.

I procrastinate because I know if I went through with my original idea I would miss something truly brilliant.

Because I was bombarded from all sides by this ~~attack~~ assignment, and because most chain letters end with me (the infamous black hole) and because I know most of the blogger world has already been tagged and because all good things must come to an end I took the liberty to change the rules. I am totally blog-lifting this idea from The Antics of the Three 22nds, for those lurkers out there who love to watch from a distance I challenge you to write your own Random/Interesting/Quirky Facts in my comments section. I know there are some things about each of you that I do not know. So get typing.

If, by a long shot, you are a blogger who hasn't been tagged, consider a post containing 7-10 Random/Interesting/Quirky Facts about yourself.

These are the ladies I ~~used to~~ admire: Joolee with your sopha full of girlies, Rachel and the boys on her range, the mom of those Three 22nd, Super because she's a Mom Annette, Everything just EO with Heather, Shea's fascinating indeed, and Mrs. Jo and her Kingdom.

Football or Bust

2008-09-26T11:50:00.003-05:00

Bethel Homecoming Game

How, you ask, does one accomplish watching a college football game with three girls? Well, hopefully you go to a Homecoming game and there are kids' activities to entertain the older two. And hopefully, because it is Homecoming, lots of other family members will be there to help with the baby. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a comfortable position where you are visible to those who are managing your children, yet able to keep both eyes on the field. Hopefully, you'll be able to sit and watch all of the game. Hopefully, you only have to make one trip to the restroom. Hopefully, the baby will fall asleep peacefully in someone's arms, too exhausted to stay awake.

Probably, though, you'll get to stand for the whole first quarter, making sure everyone is taken care of. Probably the trip to the bathroom will be with someone else's child. Probably when do get to sit it will be on a soaking wet blanket (because the field had been faithfully watered for the entire week and is drenched), thus giving you two-toned jeans. Probably you'll yell and scream yourself hoarse, too competitive to be a simply a spectator. Probably the baby, who's completely over stimulated and on the verge of a meltdown, will only want mama and will have a stinky, dirty diaper, which you will change with the only dry space left on the blanket, never missing a beat of the game. Then proceed to rock the fussing child while patiently praying for the end of the game to come. Probably you'll have to rely on someone else's photos, because you forgot your camera. At the end of the game you'll probably collect your two sugar-high, received-everything-I-ask-for girls, and attempt to say your goodbyes to friends and family before complete hysteria breaks loose.

That is how you enjoy three hours of college football with three girls. Was it worth it, you ask? Well, to quote one of my idols, "It may be a crazy life, but it is our life." (Kate Gosselin)

We were there to watch 'Big Andy' play Defensive End. Thanks for a great show, Andy. Too bad the offensive didn't have your intensity. The series of downs you had on the goal line were magnificent.

Can you believe I made this happen?

2008-09-22T15:33:00.006-05:00

This post contains the most awe-inspiring photos so brace yourself for…

The blades of our labor...

The first set of pictures were taken on Setember 11, ten days after we seeded. The second set of pictures were wtaken on September 22. Amazing, I know and I saw it with my own eyes.

Once again, growing grass has proven to be obtainable. My countless minutes of watering were not in vain.

The deck was our Spring/Summer project. And we love it. The girls ate breakfast and lunch outside almost every day.

I can't wait for this to happen

2008-09-18T21:46:00.001-05:00

And my list of favorites...

I am still waiting for my life to become significantly more interesting, but in the meantime, Jordan likes kindergarten. Notice I said "likes." On several occasions, she's asked why they are only learning letters. I wish I had the stamina to home school her, but I know I’d go mad trying to entertain her all day. Andi and I are stumbling through preschool at home. Time management still remains the biggest obstacle. It's hard to do preschool in the morning when Dillon is awake. And Andi still needs a nap on a regular basis, which makes afternoons difficult. But we have done at least one lesson every day that Jordan has been in school (which is practical, but still below my expectations). Dillon is perfecting the role of a being a toddler. I keep trying to get a picture of her peeking over the counter, desk, around the couch, etc., but it's a hard moment to capture.

Our outside "honey-do" list is rapidly reaching an end. And if we could keep everything on the inside from breaking down, we may actually have a "nothing-to-do-winter", effectively attaining couch potato status, which I would embrace more passionately if the Vikings could win. Another heartbreaking season could send me straight into a chocolate-induced coma, making entering and running the Grandma's Marathon impractical (not that it's practical now, but I am still going to do it). The season kickoff to my favorite shows will make cuddling on the couch in front of the tube a welcomed break to managing every moment of my day. And my favorites are (only achievable due to DVR - thank you, Dish Network):

Vikings Football (Of course, I couldn't allow Josh to sit mindlessly for three hours all by himself.)

Amazing Race (Thanks to my sister-in-law.)

Survivor (Josh and I watch this one together.)

Jon & Kate plus Eight (Can you imagine six kids the same age?)

TLC's What not to wear (There is something to be said about dressing for success in any situation.)

When love happens

2008-09-16T07:37:00.003-05:00

Why I Y my mom

Recently, I took credit for rolling with the punches. Please know that is due in part to a wonderful example: my mom.

I don't know if I will find the right words or even give justice to what my mom means to me, but this is my attempt.

There is a song by Sarah Groves called Generations. Part of the chorus talks about how future generations will reap what I sow, that I can pass on a curse or a blessing to those I will never know. This is so true of my mom. When faced with hard times she didn't mumble or complain but instead chose to plow ahead, focused on the next generation, and knowing her life would impact those who came after her. She created an example that would benefit them, one that impacts me and will impact my children, and will in turn impact their children. Her example created a cycle of blessings that began from one person and will continue to affect those who come behind. I am eternally grateful that my mom provided this example, instead of leaving me to try to find it on my own. I don't know for sure if I would have been as blissful in my flawed state if she hadn't so faithfully provided the example.

All this to say that, because of my flawedness, I desperately want to follow in my mother's footsteps and continue to pass on a blessing to my children and to those I may never know.

Thanks mom. I Y you!

No, I didn't take the time to download the song to my blog and increase your reading enjoyment, but hear is a link to hear a sample http://www.saragroves.com/store/conversations/lyrics/generations/

When does this happen?

2008-09-13T05:32:00.004-05:00

Caution content of this posting may cause drowsiness. No hurt feelings if you skip to the last paragraph.

I used to be able to accomplish a whole list of activities during one day. Now, I often wonder if I even ate, because I feel like I didn't even get one task accomplished. So I decided to keep a daily time line to see what's happening.

7:00 The alarm startles me from my beauty rest…meaning I'm still in debt and will never acquire enough beauty sleep to undo the damage. It truly is a never-ending battle.

7:08 Actually get out of bed, after listening to a few comments by the broadcasters.

7:10 After going to the bathroom and finding something clean enough to put on I finally gain enough courage to wake the sleeping bears (a kindergartener and a three-year-old). A treacherous task because the bears' attitude is never predictable. Screeching, moaning, and even outright roaring are not unheard of.

7:17 The awakening wasn't as bad as expected. I actually have all my extremities and I haven't even reached for the bottle of acetaminophen.

7:18 Potty and hand washing.

7:28 Breakfast for the bears, and it is good thing it only took 10 minutes to decide what to eat. It is a school morning, after all.

7:30 A chance to check emails, facebook, and the blogs I follow.

7:40 Read and sign the papers from school and put them in the backpack, add icepack to the lunch bag, and verify the snack bag made it into the backpack.

7:48 Done eating. Now off to teeth brushing, getting dressed, and hair combing.

8:00 Head to the bus stop. Pause to watch the deer cross the road - a mother and two fawns. Put hair into pony tails. Yes, at the bus stop. Give final directions to be good, listen well, and learn her classmates' names.

8:10 The bus is running behind, but we are back in the house to round up the piles of laundry. Sort whites, lights, darks, and brights (with three girls I often call this my Pepto Bismol load). Begin wash cycle number one.

8:20 Throw on workout clothes.

8:21 Cut an apple for the three-year-old and baby, fill a water bottle, and head for the basement.

8:22 Search house for the workout DVD I borrowed from the library.

8:28 Begin workout.

9:13 Complete enough of the workout to call it accomplished.

9:15 Turn sprinklers on. We are trying to grow a lawn. The final step of our landscaping.

9:28 If only I could spray the front yard in the five minutes I am told it should take.

9:29 Put towels in the dryer and a white shirt (that is not so white) to soak in the washer.

9:30 Just realized I haven't feed the baby breakfast. No wonder she won't let me put her down.

9:35 Time to turn the sprinklers off. Thanks goodness I set the timer to remind me or the seeds would be swimming.

9:43 Wipe a stinky three-year-old-bottom.

9:45 Sit down to eat my breakfast.

9:46 Begin preschool lesson of colors, Q for Quilt, and how many is this?

10:15 Add a load of white clothes and bed sheets to the not so white shirt to run wash cycle number two.

10:18 Pull the dry clothes out of dryer, bring them up to the folding station (a king sized bed).

10:20 Read Pooh's Snapshot Surprise to the three-year-old (way more enjoyable without the batteries:).

10:30 Find and print lesson plans for later. Hey, mark that down as planning ahead.

10:37 Quick search of office for missing credit card.

10:40 Open a yogurt for three-year-olds am snack and pour OJ to go with it.

10:41 Change a stinky baby diaper.

10:42 Shower.

10:47 Clean bathroom after baby had five, count them, five minutes of unattended freedom in the bathroom.

10:54 Put baby down for morning nap.

10:55 Wipe stinky three-year-old bottom. Yes, again.

11:06 Empty dishwasher and put clean dishes away. Listening to Rush Limbaugh in the background.

11:12 Wipe yogurt off the table and chair legs after hearing, "Oops mommy, I spilled."

11:20 Fill dishwasher with dirty dishes and run.

11:22 Wash large dishes in sink.

11:25 Rotate laundry and begin wash cycle number three.

11:30 Outside to turn on the sprinklers and jump on the trampoline with three-year-old. So much more fun the cool fall weather when you don't feel like you have to shower afterwards.

12:10 Ten minutes late for lunch. Any ideas?

12:15 Leftovers. Begin preparing a supper meal. Still listening to Rush.

12:25 Check emails, facebook, and the blogs I follow.

12:26 Delete all the junk emails. What did I do to the people from Viagra and eHarmony that they insist on sending me so much information?

12:30 Eat lunch. 1:00 Laundry continues now with the folding and putting away. Yuck.

1:06 Just multitasking, turned on the straightener to straighten my hair. Something I try to accomplish every three of four days.

1:10 Complete the supper meal.

1:11 Rotate laundry and begin wash cycle number four.

1:15 Back upstairs to fold laundry and do my hair.

1:16 Baby awake, skip laundry and hair to feed baby.

1:30 Hair and makeup. 1:40 Fold laundry. I'll have to put it away another day.

2:00 Turn computer on for three-year-old preschool lesson.

2:01 Change a baby diaper.

2:05 Provide fruit snacks for an "I'm so hungry" three-year-old.

2:30 Turn on sprinklers and play outside.

2:45 Again wondering how I am supposed to wet the front yard in five minutes.

2:46 A walk around the pond, while reading the mail and pushing the stroller, so the three-year-old can ride her bike.

3:00 Final glance at the local paper, advertisements, and coupons on the front step before heading inside.

3:10 Change into work clothes and pull back my hair.

3:20 Check emails, facebook, and the blogs I follow.

3:30 Wait for hubby and kindergartener to arrive.

3:45 Leave for work.

That's all folks. My eight hour day! And what did I accomplish? A couple of meals, watering the lawn, laundry, preschool, miscellaneous cleaning, and a whole lot of mothering, which is why I do it. One long day, written in one short sentence, meaning only one thing: I love what I do and I am thankful I get to do it again tomorrow.

Singing in the Rain

2008-09-11T12:10:00.009-05:00

Living vicariously through my children…
Oh, how I miss puddle jumping and mud pie making.

I know that didn’t just happen!

2008-09-04T22:22:00.007-05:00

The words I utter after a stubbed toe. (Don't worry, it's clean).

One recent night, like most nights, I had a child awake. While wandering the house in the dark, my "this little piggy that stayed home" came in forced contact with a Pack n Play that was lying in the hallway. And the first words of my mouth were, "Well, I guess I didn't need that toe!" It made me giggle enough to want to keep track of other utterances in the heat of a moment.

"No use crying over spilled (fill in the blank)." In this case yogurt, not just spilled, but splattered on the chair and table legs, up the wall and on the screen to our patio door.

"No way, that just happened!" When the mixer poofed flour all over the counter and my children as we were making cookies.

"Snap." Moaned, after the baby smacked me in the upper lip with a metal spoon, which gave me a fat lip.

"Oh, sugar!" When I noticed how late we were leaving to get to an appointment.

"WOW." As I watched my three-year-old fall off the play set.

"Oh, well." Listening to my five-year-old explain a broken tail light on the boat trailer.

"Oh no, you didn't!" Mumbled in discomfort after putting the wrong contact solution directly in my eye.

"Can you believe it!" To dumping the garbage all over the floor I just swept and moped.

"Ouch. Ouch. And one more ouch." To pinching the flesh between my thumb and pointer in the sprayer on a garden hose.

"OK." To my three-year-old stepping on my bare foot with her shoes on.

"Mommy." To my five year old hitting my shin with the break on her rollerblades.

So this collection sounded like a good idea, but now just looks like a list by someone who's overly accident prone. Yet my point remains. It is not foul language, profanities or aggression that come to mind in the heat of the moment. And when I reflect on this list, a sense of pride emerges. Although I am human and mistakes do happen, my attitude toward them is in my control. I can choose to be aggravated, upset, or angry. Or I can choose to accept what happened and move on. I am overjoyed to know that I usually roll with the punches.

What just happened?

2008-09-01T19:23:00.002-05:00

To blog or not to blog, that is the question. I was just asking myself if I have what it takes to provide a blog. According to Wikipedia, a blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a web site usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

What I learned after reading this brief description is that 'blog' is a contraction of the term Web log. But still I wondered, should I do it?

Can I …

… "maintain a web site?" Ha. Ha. And triple Ha. I can barely keep up with the updates in Facebook (I keep referring back to old facebook) let alone actually maintain a web site.
..provide "regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events or other material such as graphics or video." If by starting a blog, my life will become significantly more interesting, as to be able to provide regular entries and descriptions of events or other material, than I think it is a must do.
…"provide graphics and videos." Don't hold your breath.

Well, so far starting a blog sounds and feel manageable, but also seems one-sided. Where is that give and take? Not to be selfish, but I want to gain something for my time and effort.

I will gain…

…balance to my scrapbooking, creating a space to express myself for the moments not captured on film.

…a way to provide updates to my friends and family (and feature bloggers and blog readers).
…criticism. But that is nothing new.
…a venue for sharing my ever expanding knowledge and wisdom.

OK already, enough with the babbling. Here's my point!

I created a blog. That's what just happened.

Welcome to Billi's Babblings where I hope you'll enjoy the babblings of a blissfully flawed perfectionist.

Future babbling will include, but won't be limited to …

The purposes versus practical uses for the items in my house.
Why I Y my mom.
Donating my hair. Again.
Joradnisms
Justifications that rule my life.