Tearful Thursday

I had a blue day today. Actually I was wearing white but I dripped ice cream on my shirt and it looked like a gorilla nipple so I changed to a green shirt. So I guess I've had a white, brown and green day.

What?

I've been crying off and on all day today. Some good tears (thanks Crys) and others not so good. I am determined to go to bed happy :) tonight.

My morning was nice. Sean and I went to Lowe's and got paint for the bathroom and some Miracle Grow - I'll let you know if it lives up to it's name. Then we went to Pat Catan's where I used my free book coupon to get my mom a knitting book. It had really cute kids sweaters and I made sure to point them out. After that we decided to go get ice cream at the Toft's factory. It was 10:30 in the morning after all. The guy who was working was really silly and felt sorry for me so he gave me 2 extra scoops for free. But all the while was telling Sean that he thinks he feels worse for him! What's that supposed to mean?! It was Caveman Ice cream which was excellent, but did cause the gorilla nipple. We laughed all morning, did silly song and dance numbers in the car together, and made each other giggle. I did an impressive rap music montage (sp?). Okay I thought it was impressive. Sean pretended not to know me.

Everything was fine until Sean left for work and the kid's came home. I feel terrible admitting that, but it's the truth. The trio's teacher told me what a good day they had and they listened so well. As soon as we got home they tore the dining room apart, got into the fridge and spilled things, etc. I just kept crying. NOT a good reaction on my part, but I couldn't stop. I hope this Supernanny pans out. I need the help!

Thanks for the prayers and support. I think you guys are all super! Have a good night and Cheryl - be careful and have an AWESOME time!

gee-my mood swings are really evident in this post! ha ha boo hoo

Supernanny

I got a phone call tonight and didn't recognize the caller ID. I checked e-mail after and had an e-mail from the same name. Turns out it was the Supernanny people! I have a much longer application to fill out and they want pictures and a copy of my drivers license. I am going to put much thought into what I write. I will keep you all posted!

Wednesday

Sean put the window air conditioner in today. I wasn't allowed to help due to last years accident. I misunderstood Sean's directions and dropped the A/C out the window. Oops! It is nice and cool in the living room - I have been thinking of you Charity and hoping you are in cool air now!

It is a down day for me. Father's Day is approaching, my parents anniversary, my dad's birthday and the day my dad died. So many memories pop up this time of year and sometimes it is really hard to deal with them. The zoo trip was bittersweet as my dad loved to take us every summer. I get so angry and so jealous. I have trouble at the stores with the Father's Day displays. I get real testy around my father in law... I just miss my dad.

Fun at the Zoo!

We had a fun at the zoo yesterday with my sister and her family. The kids loved the animals and we got lots of exercise. Look closely at the picture of the kangaroo and you can see the joey peeking out! When we rode the train they had to stop because some kangaroos and wallabys were sitting on the tracks! They were stubborn and took quite a bit of coaxing to move. We went to the Cleveland Zoo which is nothing but hills and the exhibits were very spread out. I like Toledo much better. We also got to see a momma koala with her baby and a chimp with hers. The animals, except for the bears, were in very show offy moods yesterday! I think Sean,the trio and I stayed about 3 1/2 hours and Amy, Scott, Gabe and the girls stayed another 1 1/2 hours.

Gabe and I have done nothing but argue today. I am so tired of it! Everything I say is wrong to him. And he is so full of attitude I could scream! I am trying to be patient and remember that he is at a difficult age...so am I. 32 isn't easy!!! :)

My arms are doing okay. Due to the weight of the casts my left shoulder keeps dislocating. Ugh.

Tonight I am going to work on collage initials for the kids. I hope you all have a good night!

Love you Crystal!!!

Thank you Crystal! I just got my mail and my whole day brightened with the cutest card and bookmark. I have been having a sorry for myself kind of day and now it's better!!!!! Love you Crystal!!!

I had a busy weekend and will post tonight...hopefully with pictures from our trip to the zoo. Have a good day everyone!

Potty Talk

The day started out okay. I slapped on the Wal Mart bags and shaved my legs and then my wonderful husband washed my hair for me! My 4 minute showers w/ kids adjusting the water temp. are a thing of the past.
Then I went to Lura's mom's to be a hinderance at their garage sale. I learned that I am a great bag holder! I was only able to stay about an hour, but traffic was pretty steady. Hopefully we made decent money.
I managed to do a bit of grocery shopping by myself. We were out of Diet Coke...it was an emergency!!!
Things kind of went downhill after Sean left for work. Jonathan went to the bathroom (#2) and didn't tell me. He came up to me with brown fingers and said "Mommy it's #2" It was all over him, his legs and feet, the carpet... I scrubbed him as best as I could and then the carpet. As I am doing that Luke went upstairs, took off his underwear and tinkled into the basket of clean laundry that I worked so hard on yesterday. WHY????? When I asked him that he told me that he cleaned it up - with Daddy's underwear. At this point I called Lura and sobbed.
After we hung up and the kids were done in time out Luke went out to the kitchen, got an egg out of the fridge and smashed it on the counter and dishwasher.

I have 2 casts on and limited finger use - None on my left hand!!! Don't they understand it?

After I cleaned it up I got online and downloaded SuperNanny's application. I am seriously doing it girls. I don't think there are any options left.

Now they are all sleepingf and I am watching Law & Order.
Have a good night!!!!

Love and hugs to you all.

You guys are the greatest!

Thank you so much for all the love, support and encouragement you have shown to me.
This is not a situation I would ever choose to be in, but it is one God felt I could handle so I am going to make the best of it and learn something of somethings new from it.

You'll all be pleased to know that I asked my mother-in-law if she could make a few freezer meals for me. I can turn on the oven and microwave. I asked for help...that should get me a sticker!

I have done 3 loads of laundry today and got 3 more boxes of garage sale stuff ready for Lura's tomorrow. I am going to go and be either a help or hinderance. (I told Lura she could choose which she wanted me to be!)

I was eating a sandwich for lunch and I think a sesame seed fell down my right cast. I giggled when I pictured the dr. cutting off the cast and a plant popping out. It's warm and moist in there. Perfect growing conditions!

Sean is going to have quite a bruise on his arm. I slug-bugged him and forgot about my cast!
It's not all bad!! ha ha

Frustration

I am having such a frustrating day. I need to complain.
I can't bathe my kids, I hurt them when I hug them, I can't cook them dinner - right now I can't spread pb & j on the bread, I can't color with them, going to the bathroom involves a great deal of flexibility and Sean has had to pull up my pants for me. It is so incredibly aggravating.
I am tired of people asking me what happened. I have been called dumb and an idiot. Three people have basically accused Sean of beating me. It is very humbling. I don't know how my left wrist was hurt. All I know is lifting the basket snapped it. It hurts a lot! Both hands, arms and wrists throb non stop.

I could just scream.

I need to look at the positives and remind myself of the good things. I can still snuggle, I can kiss and praise my kids - and husband. I can read books, kick a ball, walk with them. Gabe is thrilled to write his name on another cast, so are my nieces! I can still fold laundry - it just takes a bit longer. It's not all bad. I need to stop feeling so sorry for myself.

Thanks for listening. I needed to whine a bit.

I am going to learn a big lesson from this.

Who would believe...

Well I got back from getting cast #2 on. It is barney purple and my left hand is completely immobilized.
Turns out I did break my wrist. It is fractured through the joint. uGH!
The good news is that I did not cause this due to my tantrum, they aren't sure why it broke and in such a weird spot.
I m not out of the woods for surgery - we'll see when the cast comes off. I have 2 weeks in the right one and 4 in the left.

Yippee.
So expect short posts...

Looking for ideas...

After reading Crystal's latest "parenting post" I got to thinking. I really want to make dinner time less stressful, for me and the kids. It will be nice in 11 days because Sean switches hours and he will be home by 3 pm so he'll get to join us.

I always stress out majorly when it comes to eating times at our house. There are always messes, spills, eating w/o utensils... I don't enjoy it and I'm sure the kids aren't either. Does anyone have suggestions as to ways I can make dinner time fun and something we look forward to?

A Quickie...

Hi Friends-

I am unable to type well so this will be short. I went and got xrays today. My hand was throbbing quite bad so I couldn't put it off. The dr. came in and said that she found something disturbing on the xray, but it wasn't on the side that was hurting really bad so she was wrapping my hand/wrist and wanted me to follow up w/ my dr. The radiologist will read the xrays tomorrow a.m. so I don't know when I'll know what is so disturbing! The good news is that my left hand is not broken it is internally bruised.
I had to laugh when the dr. said to keep my hands iced and elevated for the next few days! How?!

Other than that things are going well. I laughed harder than I have in a long time this past weekend and it felt so good! Thank you Sean and Lura-Honey!!!!

When I can type better I'll post more!
Love you guys!

Why do I bother?

I planned such a nice dinner for my family tonight. Even with a broken hand I cut, stirred, whisked...nothing fancy, but all homemade and all made one-handed. We sang the kids favorite grace and things looked promising. Not for long. I looked to my right to see that Luke had totally forgotten his silverware. Food was in his hair, his ears, hanging from his eyelid. He had shoved the food not on his face into his milk glass and made a gooey wad of his enviornmentally friendly cloth napkin. On my left Jonathan had mixed everything on his plate together and was shoveling it in faster than he could swallow. Caitlin decided that she wanted nothing to eat and stood next to me howling. Gabe gave me grief because his food was touching. I tried the magazine recommended conversation starters with a bit of success. That was the highlight of dinner - besides the prayer. Sean came home as we were finishing (the kids were too hungry to wait until 6:30) he managed to eat a few bites before Johnny walked out into the kitchen and threw up everywhere! My wonderful husband cleaned that up while I put a Wal-Mart bag over my cast and threw the kids into the tub. I scrubbed them clean head to toe in record time and got them dried with the ONE clean towel I could find. Sean had to go back to work, so I got them in pj's and sat down to answer the phone. In the mess of the throwing up, I didn't get the table cleared off so ALL 4 kids went out and started eating what was left. I had made a delicious ice cream torte for dessert and they all got chocolate in their clean hair and on their faces and pj's. I got the dishes cleared and came back in to find that Sean had left the salt and pepper out. The triplets dumped both shakers on the table, the floor and apparently into my Diet Coke!!! (that is a sin in my family!) So I get that semi-cleaned up. I needed a minute to collect myself so I sat on the couch and called my mom. They snuck out to the kitchen. Luke climbed up onto the counter, got Caitlin's tylenol w/ codiene off the window sill, got the child proof cap off and dumped it in the middle of the kitchen floor. Luke now had medicine in his freshly washed semi clean hair, plastering his bangs to his forehead. The trio were fingerpainting in it and Luke was licking his fingers. I washed them up again, put them on the couch and mopped the kitchen floor. I am now waiting for them to fall asleep so I can go sweep the salt off the dining room floor and scrub out the trash can that caught 1/2 the throw up. Thankfully my mom did show up to drop me off a Lg. Diet Coke from Burger King.

Have a peaceful night my friends!

Another Day

I just opened the printer to print something for Sean and a green, ogre-sized Shrek peanut butter m&m rolled out. That could explain a lot of the problems we were having.

This morning after Gabe got on the bus I took the kids to B.King to meet my mom for breakfast. As we were sitting there, I looked over at Johnny and saw red spots all over his eyelids, forehead and nose. Oh no. The daycare refused to take him despite all my tempting bribes and we ended up at the dr.s office instead. Mind you I was there just yesterday with Gabe and Caitlin and I eacch had appt.s earlier this week too! Turns out he has Hand, Foot and Mouth. Oh - while we were in the exam room waiting to see Dr. T, he broke out on his hand! So now Jonathan is home with me at least until next week. The rash has to be completely cleared up before he can go back. It is highly contagious in kids so I will most likely have 2 or 3 others with it!!

I am still putting off x rays on my other hand. We think my left wrist may be fractured also and there is a bruise creeping up my thumb and it hurts like heck. This was the result of a laundry accident. I figure if the pain gets bad enough I'll go. F.Y.I. - even if your arm is in a cast it doesn't protect it from pain when you shut it in a car door. I found that out this morning.

Sean got his midterm grades back. He had a B+ on his English and a B in Sociology. It just stinks that he has to quit. He just left to turn in a resume for a job that would pay twice as much. PLEASE PRAY!!!!!

Jonathan just got super quiet, I need to go and see why. Yesterday it was because he emptied the vacuum canister on the carpet. Thankfully I had dumped out the glass already...this was still baby powder.

Have a good day!

It Was So Much Easier Then...

They are only a week old! Too young to climb, break things, rip important papers up, give each other 7-up shampoos (that was yesterday)... I miss this age! But then I think that at this age they are too young to run and jump into my arms, give kisses, say I Love You, sing sweet songs...

As much as I whine about all 4 of my kiddos, I would not give them up or away for anything! I couldn't scan the picture of Gabe that I wanted to, he looked like a heavier version of the triplets combined!!!!

Way Back Wednesday

This is a picture taken on my wedding day of Rhonda, Lura and I. I love this picture because I look thinner than what I was! Although I had really bad hair. It was a small, basically shot-gun wedding so these were my only two friends present. We always planned to renew our vows on our 10th anniversary and have a large ceremony and reception, which would be next year, but now with my dad gone I don't really want to.

Fun with Tanis

Okay so this should really be called fun with Tanis' toys. If you look really close Tanis is in the yellow shirt. I was a bad picture taker that day. Kellie and I took one of ourselves and we looked a little too scary to post. I don't know why we think it is a good idea to try and take our own picture!

The kids had a ball playing together and this was the day Kellie and I showed our amazing athletic abilities with a netless badminton game. I know the neighbors were jealous of our talent!
Yesterday there was an article in the paper about a mom who has 2 year old twins and an older child. It was entitled "Mrs. Brown's Bad Day." I read it and all I could think was I would love to have a day like that. If that's bad...she is lucky! But everyone is different and what is bad to me may not seem like it's that bad to others.

Last night the triplets disappeared upstairs and I found them in the bathroom brushing their teeth. (Oh shoot, I just realized that Gabe brushed his with his electric Spongebob toothbrush. That would be the same one that I caught Luke scrubbing the stairwell walls with! I didn't have a chance to clean it!!! At least it is the wall I repainted not to long ago so its no longer the green flat paint that would have come off and given Gabe green teeth!) Anyways, they had each put their own toothpaste on. Jonathan looked rabid with a ton of pink foam on his face. I am assuming they didn't injest too much as the tube was still fairy full. So after I cleaned them up and got the toothbrushes put away I sent them back downstairs. I caught Gabe kicking Luke in the bottom to push him down the steps! I immediately sent him to his room. It scared me half to death! Well Gabe appeared a bit later carrying a large piece of cardboard from the recycling box. He had written "I only tapped him" and drew a picture of Gabe "tapping" Luke with his shoe on the bottom and then an arrow pointing down the stairs with Luke laying at the bottom. He meant well.

I gave the triplets roast beef sandwiches last night and we piciniced on the living room floor. I looked over to find that Luke had shredded his beef all over himself and the floor! He was a mess! Does anyone have any suggestions for better eating habits? Caitlin and Jonathan crumbled a rice krispy treat into a bowl of maccaroni and ate that instead of their sandwiches.

I have a question regarding kids hygeine. Last night Gabe was lying in the floor and said "Can you give me soom of Dad's cologne?" When I asked why he said it ws because his armpits smell. I asked if it was a sweaty smell, he sniffed them and said "No, they smell like garbage." He showers everyday, or bathes, sometimes 2 times. Isn't it too young for him to be getting smelly armpits? He's only 8 and I thought that was a puberty issue. I had him wear Old Spice deoderant to school today, it made him happy. Is this the onset of puberty or is it me being weird?

Okay, I have to go take the kids to Caitlin's follow up appt. Yippee!
Have a good day.

One Big Mess!!!

This is what awaited me when I went into the living room 2 weeks ago! Apparently I should take the recycables outside immediately after shredding. The bag was tagged and tied, but Caitlin ripped it open. What a mess. I realize it looks like they are picking up...NO! The triplets swept it into a pile and then jumped in it. Gabe tried his best to pick it up. He was my favorite that night!

Caitlin is asleep on the couch and the boys ahould be home from daycare in about 15 minutes. It has been a rough few days here, Jonathan has thrown up every night since Thursday. We are wondering if his reflux medicine isn't working. Caitlin's throat is really hurting her and she is usually a tough girl about pain. I've had the flu or something since yesterday, Sean pulled a bunch of muscles in his back and neck, Luke doesn't remember to use the potty, Gabe was up all night screaming with night terrors... But we are dealing ok. I just needed to complain.

Sean and I had a long talk this morning about finances. He is dropping our of school this week and pcking up a second job. As soon as my cast comes off I need to find something too. Just when we think things are at the lowest point I swear we drop another level! I HATE for Sean to leave school, but he laid it out as he stays in school and basically we lose the house and all our credit. This really stinks! I know that God has His plans and reasons, but sometimes I wish I could get a glimpse of our family's itinerary so we could better prepare. I just worry about the physical and emotional toll it's going to be on Sean.

On to happier things...I am happy Victoria finally got the Yahoo mess straightened out so now she can make comments and let us all know what is going on in her head, Isaiah is feeling better and he and his brothers entertained me on the phone, my kids are coming home soon and I am greeting them with hugs, kisses and a positive attitude for a great night together.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Thanks for reading my complaining. And Melodie, I hope yesterday was okay for you. I thought about you a lot!

Isaiah's Dedication

Last Sunday Isaiah was dedicated in a really nice service at Tim and Lura's church. He was a very well - behaved boy, as were Ethan, Tyler and Tim. Sean and I were very proud Auntie and Unky!

After the dedication Gabe went with No fussing to the Children's church and had a ball. Isaiah went to the nursery, but the 5 three year olds refused to cooperate and stop screaming. So we took them to the "crying room" where some brilliant person had put out blue filled Oreos. (Not the same brilliant one who gave all the kids rootbeer at lunch...sorry Lura)

We let the kids run free while we tried to watch the remainder of the service on t.v. After church we went back to T & L's for a lunch buffet. Lura and I showed our always impressive eating habits - Lura with a deviled egg in her mouth and me with a strawberry.

It was such a special day and Sean and I were so happy to be a part of it.

Barney nails and Smurf arm...

Here is the promised picture for Crystal. Would you believe I forgot to take one of my toes?

I think I am the envy of the neighborhood. Besides having a stunning color combo on my right arm/hand, when I go outside they all think I am waving. They probably are like "Man, she waves at everyone, she must have so many friends, and look at her style!"

I live in a dreamworld, don't I???

Why I am not a bank robber and other obvious things...

Here is an odd Flashback Friday. My roommate Annie and I wondered what we'd look like if we were to become bank robbers. As you can see, we wouldn't have been very successful. I chose this to post after seeing the news report about the man who tried to rob a gas station wearing women's panties on his head and using a gun styled cigarette lighter!

Anyways, Isaiah is home and doing much better. He was being a goofball when I spoke with Lura last. It was good to hear him laughing and being silly.

My inlaws are on the way over so I can have a little help with the crew. I am going to run to rITE aID AND GET MY FILM DEVELOPED....DARN CAPS LOCK so look later for purple nails and blue arm.

Caitlin is doing so-so today. She is really uncomfortable thugh and hates taking her meds.

My mom in law is here so I am going to run....

Update on Isaiah

Isaiah was admitted to the hospital overnight for croup. This morning his breathing is better, but he still sounds seal-like. He is restless and bored and ready to come home! Lura thinks he'll be home at noon or so.

Isaiah's Crummy Night

Lura called last night to say that she was taking Isaiah to the ER because he was having trouble breathing. Around 11:00 she gave me an update. They think he has croup. He was given 3 doses of medicine and he didn't sound much better. They were keeping him awhile longer for observation. While we were on the phone I could hear him in the background sounding like a barking seal. It was awful! But he was being quite active and keeping a very tired Lura very busy!
Please say prayers for cutie-pie Zay-Zay and his family.

Hi Ya!

Things went really well yesterday. Here is a picture of Caitlin in the pre-op room. They gave her a Strawberry Shortcake hat and a stuffed Ladybug which we named Spotty Dotty. She was such a good girl and was happy to come home this morning. She had to be poked 5 times for the 2nd IV (the first fell out in recovery) and she did amazing. I am so proud of my little angel.

I have bright purple fingernails and toenails. They go beautifully with my bright blue cast. I took a picture for you Crystal, but it was on a disposable so I have to get it developed.

I got a postcard from Cheryl today!!! I was so excited, as she guessed I would be. Thanks!!!!

I hope you are having fun in Cincinnati. :)

I'll type more later. I hope the day is wonderful for everyone of you!

Humpty Dumpty, Tonsils and more...

Here is the pic. of Gabe as Humpty Dumpty. I couldn't find the standing up one. He really loved this costume. Unfortunately he had chocolate milk at school and spilled it down the front of him so it was ruined.

Caitlin has to be at the hospital at 7 in the am. She is scheduled for surgery at 9 and we will be spending the night there. We bought her a care bear puzzle and disney princess color wonder marker set, so she should be entertained for awhile. I am nervous, but know that God will keep her safe. I just hate the whole general anesthesia thing.

I get my cast put on at 7 tomorrow also. A reminder of my stupidity. I think I will get blue.

The boys are leaving for my mom's for the next 3 days. After the afternoon we have had I am ready to ship them off! I have got to mop my floors and wash the furniture. We had another baby powder disaster. I thought putting it on the fridge out of sight was a good enough idea. Johnny climbed up and found it and shot it all over the dining room....again. I have pitched the powder.

I hope to try and paint my toenails purple tonight. I think the color will cheer me up. Thank you Crystal!!!!!

I won't be blogging again until after we get home from the hospital, so everyone have a super week.

Update

I went to the dr. this morning. He said that if I didn't have stress, didn't cry and yell, didn't get frustrated it would mean I didn't care. I liked that because now I can tell people I broke my hand because I care!
So Wednesday a.m. I get a cast put on. Caitlin has her surgery that morning also so I will be at the hospital all of Wednesday and Thursday with her. My Mom is keeping the boys Tuesday and Wednesday night.
I will post more later...I need to clean!

Confessions

I hit a door out of frustration.
I am paying for my stupidity. I am embarrassed and I am in PAIN!!!
I go to the dr. Monday morning and I will have an update then.

my big blunder

This will be real quick-
Today i was an idiot and ended up with a fractured right hand. i am in a splint and bandage and go to the doc on monday. don't feel too sorry for me girls....i was really dumb!
i'll post more later.
love to you all....

Such a proud Aunt am I !!!!

This is my nephew Cory. He is a senior in high school and graduates next month. He is a third degree black belt and won first place in Kata and 4th in Olympic Tae Kwan Do Sparring at the Disney Martial Arts Festival. He is such a neat kid and has gone through a lot. His parents divorced and a year later his mom died unexpectedly (my sis in law, Angie). This July he leaves for boot camp and is scheduled to join the Marine Special Forces. Another of my nephews leaves for the army in July also.

I just wanted to share this neat-o kid with you all. We are so proud of him.

Flashback Friday

These are pictures of my best girlfriends from college. I miss these girls dearly. We were inseperable. Annie, in the tip middle, was my roommate.

What a Traumatic Night!

I was on the phone with Kellie when all of a sudden I heard Gabe screaming in the dining room. I ran in and dropped the phone (sorry Kellie). The picture window that has a broken lock had fallen and Gabe's fingers were smashed in it. I couldn't budge the window so I yelled for our neighbor, Chuck, to help. We were able to pry the window apart and get his fingers out. They were in there for about 5 minutes and were flat! They are bruised and still swelling but not broken. Thank the Lord for that. He is on the couch with ice and watching tv. The tears subsided after about a half hour. It looks very painful. I had told the kids several times to stay away from the window because it was broken. Sean is going to lock it shut with screws tonight.

Cranky

I don't have much to post about today. I am in a stinky mood. I know that part of it is my kid's behavior and my inability to manage my frustration. I guess a part of it is that Father's Day is coming and the stores are starting to display cards and gifts. I always get a bit depressed and angry around this time. I get so jealous of all the people who have a dad still. Oh crud...I don't want to cry about this. One of the bright spots today was finishing something for Crystal. I smiled about it until my jaw hurt (or that might have been sympathy pains for Sonya.) I am mailing it tomorrow and can't wait for Crys. to get it!!! You have to let me know when you do, unless you think it's stupid, then don't! :)
I am going to go and try and get the kids settled for bed. Wish me luck.

Feel Better Sonya!!!!

While going through photos, I found this one of Sonya holding Jonathan. I think he was about 2 1/2 months old. I thought it might make Sonya smile, unless smiling hurts. Then I hope you don't. Feel Better Soon!!!!

A Quickie for Jamie...

I've been thinking about cutting eyeholes in my Alan Alda poster and making Sean wear it as a mask when he takes me to Chile's. Good Idea??!!