In Capoops

These sisters are in cahoots.

Rather, I should call it "in capoops."

Although CM is mostly potty trained, inevitably she decides to drop a load in her pull-up at nap time.

And so does our usually constipated, JJ.

H and I walked in there on Saturday, and the smell darn near knocked me over.

What's worse than one messy diaper...two!

H and I each took one and set up camp with two changing pads, Kroger bags for trash, and a pack of wipes between us.

J came in and stated, "Now I know why there is a mommy and a daddy in the family.  Because if you have two babies poop in their diaper at the same time, they each can change one."

Well now you know why?

Sunday Funnies: Too Many Puppies

J: Not everyone has to have babies, right?

Me: Right.

J: Because we gave Grady (our dog, fyi) a shot so that she couldn't have puppies, right?

Me: Well, yes.  Sort of.  Why?

J: They should give those dogs in the book one of those shots too.  They have TOO many puppies.  That is why we are not allowed to go the doggie adoption place because we already have one.

Me: Yes, but what book are you talking about?

J: The one Grandma read to me (several days prior).

Me: 101 Dalmations?

J: (With a slight tone of disgust.) Yeah, they have TOO many puppies!

------------------------------------------------------------

First of all, we have read that book to her quite a few times in her 4 year life.  I wonder how long she has been pondering doggy birth control??

Second of all, I wonder if she's noticed that we have quite a few "puppies," also know as children, at our house.  I don't think she'd be a fan of the Duggars.  Who knows?

Sharing Saturday: Community Clean up and Food Pantry

My fearless Wolf Scout son and den leader husband, spent the morning doing a Community Clean up at our local park.  Yard work and trash clean up made for a productive and sweaty morning.  The guys had fun and gave back a little to the park we love.

Also, we got an email with an urgent plea from our church's food pantry for food.  They had many families coming for help and report that the food received from government money was less than normal.  We are delivering some extra groceries to help stock up the pantry once again.

It makes me feel a little silly, when I find myself in front of my fridge or pantry and say, "We have nothing for dinner."

Praying for the many families, struggling to feed their families everyday.

Vision Board

• 
  

Thanks to Oprah, here is my vision board from several years ago.

I came across it when I was filing some papers.  I remember making it after watching a show where a woman wrote her goals on paper and buried it in Africa (I think)...leading to her ultimate and overwhelming success.  The board didn't cause all of that, but it was a tool to be intentional about her future.

Finding mine, although not buried under a rock but rather under 15 pounds of paperwork, made me smile.

Has it worked?  Where am I now? How has my vision changed?

I have listed each of ones I included...

• Listen (with the picture of the Caucasian woman talking to the African American boy):  I have tried to be better with giving my kids eye contact when they talk.  Still need to work on actively listening instead of forming a response in my head too quickly.  I believe at the time of creating this board, we were planning to adopt a son from Ethiopia.  Funny how things change...now we have 2 African American daughters added to our bunch!
• Lend a Helping Hand: Definite progress here.  We are trying to be more involved physically and financially with others in need and we have tried to bring the children along with us.  Ther is always more we hope to do.
• Rise to the Challenge: I am in the throws of this now.  I am praying that I can meet the challenge of raising these 5 children and be woman I am meant to be.  We will see where I am in a few years.
• 4: This one cracks me up.  It is funny, each time H and I have a plan...God changes our mind.  If I were to redo my board, it would say something like, 5...no more!
• Flexibility: This is hard for me in certain settings and in other situations, a piece of cake.  I have told others that I am a type-A at heart yet God gave me these kids, and now I am a C- at best.  Sometimes we bend so we won't break.
• In Praise: Always needs more focus in my life.  This will always be a goal of mine.  I try to tell myself that I am not overwhelmed but over-blessed.  (Sometimes it works.)
• Worry-Free: Never gonna happen my friends.  I however am trying to let go of more things and give it to God to resolve.
• Vacations: Oh yeah! I love to go on vacation and we have done okay with this.  I am already looking up large beach houses for next year with H's whole family. Now, to spend a little time with just my husband...
• Be brave. Be smart. Be you.: Hard to say since my children have sucked out several of my IQ points :)  Still corny. Still welcoming chaos. Still dramatic.  Still a little forgetful.  Still hopeful.
• Sweet Dreams: Don't know where I was going with this one...maybe I was sleep deprived at the time.  Oh well, yes I need to be better about getting to bed and getting up a better time.  My poor hubby needs this too from me.
• Comfort: Since losing my mom 3 years ago, comfort and relief have been things I have longed for.  Not a day goes by without a feeling of loss yet I now am comforted by memories of a our very close relationship.  I could not have done this without the love of others.  Thank you all!
• Mother: Continues to be my proudest title.
• ADOPT: Still an goal that we are desperately chasing...Come on aleady!
• Fun Activities: We definitely try to do this with the kids.  I should probable plan more fun activities more myself, with the hubby and friends.
• Pick Up a Friend: I try to keep in touch with friends via phone, Facebook, blogs, etc.  I could be better at remembering what they are going through and be more thoughtful.
• No Back Talk: Witty comebacks...okay.  Rude...not.  This goes for me or my kids.  We'll need to keep up on this for the next...well forever really.
• Change Habits:  Still lacking in the healthy habits department as well as with reading the Bible.  This vision board is a good reminder.
• Get Free Stuff: I must have been having a foreshadow of episodes of Extreme Couponing or something.  Don't know, but I am not rolling in the free stuff.  I don't even like sending in rebate forms.
• Afford It: Maybe I thought that I could afford things if I "get free stuff."  No seriously, we are doing fine and goals are in place.  Now to find a new job to keep it going.  I believe, at the time, we were fretting over how to finance the international adoption that we were planning.
• Each Day She Prays: I usually pray as I wake up.  It sort of sets my focus for the day and starts me off in the praise department.  Otherwise, I am praying whenever I need to.  I must work on praying more often for guidance...as a first line of defense (so to speak) vs. after I have complained to my husband or friends.
• Dinner? Done.: I was talking about this with H.  Now that school has started, I want to do more meal planning.
• You can make a difference. We will continue to try to use our time and skills to help in small ways.  Sharing Saturdays (see posts) have helped us as well.  As foster parents, we feel as though the difference is being made in us as well.
• Dare to Explore: Maybe I should actually take the cake decorating class H got me for a gift.  Otherwise, blogging was a new area for me.  It has been about 6 months and I still enjoy it!  We are choosing more and more that activities with 4-5 small kids can be done.  After all, if we wait until they are all more independent, the two oldest will be approaching more difficult tween/teen years.  Now or never, right?
• Faith: Growing everyday.
• GOD: At the center of the vision board and will continue to be. 
• A Table for Everyone: We finally got one at Ikea when we remodel.  See the picture here!! Plus it has 2 more leaves.  Come on over for dinner.  I'll call for pizza, of course.

As for the future, most of these words represent my intention for our family and our future.  I may get out a magazine and add a few things. If nothing else, I have to change the 4 to a 5!

What would your vision board say??

BLAH-ger

I am in a mood.

I was just taking a quick break to catch up on some reading (of blogs) before I clean up for tomorrow's early morning therapy session and visit from J's preschool teacher.

Then, I just needed to stop, which is weird because I love to do this.

Just for tonight, I can't look at any more beautiful and artistic photography, read eloquent and clever posts, or admire/envy the creative projects that others are or have created.  

This usually totally inspires me, but tonight, not so much.

Why?

I am tired, have a few mundane things ahead of me tonight, and I feel a bit crotchety.  I don't seem to have time for the creative projects that I used to do.  I can't post a picture of my kids for a simple, quick and enjoyable post.  My photography is nothing special, although my little models usually are.  Although, I have thought of adding or changing things on the blog, I haven't had the energy to research the how-to's. 

I am not sure where my corny jokes and late night energy has gone tonight.  I am sure it will pass.  

Sorry to be such a BLAHger.  (Get it?  BLAH-ger...the corny is coming back!)

So, just for tonight, I am not going to look for inspiration.  

I am going to clean, have a beer, and go to bed.  In the morning, I am going to leave Pissy Krista behind...

and get my blogger-fix tomorrow.

So here's to anyone who has had a momentary funk and here's to a better day tomorrow. 

Good night all!

They Are Trying to KILL Me!

Today is the first day of school for L and PT.  J doesn't start her preschool program for a few more weeks. Everyone had breakfast, clean clothes, new backpacks, a good night sleep (minus the extra sleep), and each made it to the bus on time.  No tears.  A good start to the day, I might add.

Many parents can't wait for this day...not me!

The school has taken from me the two kids that I can rationalize with, some of the time at least.

It has left me with 3 children, all girls, who are all born within 2.5 years (4, 2, and 1 year old).

Today, these children whom I love with all my heart are mere SAVAGES.

The scene has included a toddler who is navigating a colossal transition, following me around so closely while repeating "Mommy" and "Why" so many times that my head is spinning.  Now JJ, loves CM so much that she follows her around, thus follows me around too.  Not to mention, my heart fills with guilt for not having just a little more patience with this.  I carry her, hug and kiss her, smile, read books with 3 on my lap, answer a million questions, and constantly break up squabbles.  Did I mention that we have had some trouble using our words vs. our hands or feet when we are frustrated?  Was I expecting my 2 year old to skip this lovely stage?  Unrealistic I know.  Insert, more guilt.

I eventually sent my hubby a text saying the following... 

"Is this parenting or am I watching a cock fight?"

He called and I relayed to him that the kids are essentially trying to kill me.  I complained...

I am trying to find multiple time-out spots at the same time while trying to keep JJ safe.  I made sure everyone was entertained and asked J (yes I know she's only 4) to help me by making sure no one opened the basement door while I grabbed the laundry.  After all, she is the only one who can open it.  She agreed, and I literally ran downstairs.  Within 2-3 minutes, J and CM came downstairs tattling on each other.  Something about spitting!  I freak out because I don't want JJ to fall down the steps.  I climb over the stack of laundry and make it up the steps.  NO JJ!  Where is the baby??  I run to the stairs going up to the bedrooms that is blocked by a gate for safety.  The gate is moved and JJ sits at the very top of the stairs with her sisters up in their rooms.  AHHHH!

We all survive this incident, I got out the crayons, the music toys, turned on Sesame Street, gave more hugs, and intervened to prevent or breakup more silly squabbles.  As I was reading another book, J snuck up behind me and put her ice pack down my shirt to be funny. AHHHH!

When they were playing quietly, I folded a little laundry and the girls' "Mommy is accomplishing something radar" went off.  The older two climbed onto the couch, onto the folded laundry while JJ grabbed what she could reach and pulled it onto the floor.  AHHHH!

H interrupts my tirade to tell me, by the way, "I am being sent out of town for a day or so in a few weeks."  I did not have a supportive response.  Poor guy. It isn't his fault but at the moment, I didn't care.

Good thing he is forgiving. (Right honey?)

Now my dear readers, doesn't that sound like they all are really trying to kill me??

I got off the phone.  Within minutes, I got a message to confirm what we had suspected.  My current job no longer needs me to work my one day during the week because of over staffing.

Add to to-do list...find new job.

I went on to make lunch, give more hugs, and count the minutes until glorious NAPTIME!!!

My friends, I know that there are moms out there having real problems today.  I am just a bit dramatic, and my troubles this morning were just funny when I added them all up and a bit overwhelming.  I wanted to write about them before I became rational.  I am feeling much better already.  Thank you left-over pizza for joining me in my brief pity party. I need to run before blissful naptime ends!!

Sunday Funnies- more J'isms

Here's a couple quick J'isms, because she is at that fun

age where what she says constantly challenges us to keep a straight face.

Enjoy...

1) On vacation, after a previous day of long hikes and swimming, J proclaimed, "I spent all day outside yesterday and I am NOT doing that again!"

2) H and I were talking in the car when we overheard J telling her siblings a story about something.  We heard her say, "Then they take their wienies and ...."  She looks up at me as I turn around to find out what the heck she is talking about and reassures us all, "The food not the body part!"