HELP ME!!!!!!

Are your kids getting the H1N1 vaccinations????
Our school is giving them next week and I had to fill out a consent form for it. But not sure if I am going to go through with it. Does anyone have an opinion?? I have heard good and bad things about the vaccination. I am fearful either way. What to do? What to do????

happy fall Y'all

So, did everyone have a fun filled spooky Halloween??
We had a busy weekend, but the kids had a great time.
Our nieghborhood goes all out with spooky front porches, hayrides and bouncy blowup houses in their front yard.
I try not to think of the evil part of halloween, but when I do, I wonder why we even do it. I just try to think of it as a fun get together with neighbors and friends with just a few ghost and goblins added to the mixture. Its all in fun..

Has anyone noticed how sleazy the costumes have gotten?? oh my!
I was really dissapointed when I went into Party city and saw "Dorothy" sleazin it for the pre-teens. I was also amazed at the parents buying it for their 11 year olds. My, My, what has this world come to?? Am i turning into Memaw??

My father in law said that this family came to their neighborhood and the little girls had brightly colored dresses on and high heels and the boy had on a purple suit. They asked them what they were and he said, "I am a pimp and these are my ho's." This is a true story.... so sad!! okay, Just call me MeeMaw, but that is just w.r.o.n.g. Can I just put my family in a commune. Does anyone want to join me?? Geez louise!


Jack was supposed to dress up as a greaser with Brody but he said he felt "lame" so he threw on the $2.99 mask from walmart and got scary.
Sophia said it was okay because we are all skeletons with skin on.



Brody's loot...all good chocolate for momma..


"whatcha talking about Willis!" He was scared to death of this one house with a dancing skeleton..


The energizer Bromiester still ticking at 10:00 pm while everyone else was asleep!

Not real sure about all of this..


ayyyyy...I'm the fonz


Sophia still playing the asian Princess...drama is her game




Greg and I have always patted oursleves on the back because we think that we have trained our children so well as to not get in bed with us. That has just been a major rule in our house, if you are scared in the middle of the night, you go get in bed with lex,Jack, Gretchen or princess, but by all means don't bug the momma and the poppas. Unless, of course you are sick or need to throw up; then get in bed with jack and throw up by his ear (post below). Just kiddin..

In fact, Greg was lecturing some parents Friday night on how that is the biggest mistakein the WORLD to let your kids sleep with you. He was talking about how he changed the doorknob around on Jacks door so we could lock him in from the outside so he would not be able to get out and come down into our room. He of course was exaggerating, so before you call DHS, that is not exactly what happened. That is whole 'nother story for a later post. but anyway, you get the picture. He was blah, blah, blahing about how our kids would NEVER, EVER get in bed with us. People were looking at him like he was the child rearing ghuru. So the next morning i just had to take a picture of this:


"two little monkeys jumping on the bed. The momma called the Doctor and the doctor said.....
Just this once!!!!"

2 AM ain't a good time for cleaning...

Just had to post Brody's school pictures. I took a picture of the picture so its not all that great. They are cheesy cute..




Greg was off last week and I was so excited. I had all these plans for us. We never get to "do lunch" so I was excited about spending the days going to lunch, hanging out, getting some things done around the house, doing fun things with the kids.....
Did I say fun?
Nope, not hardly, it turned out to be a week from H. E. double L.

Lets see, where do I begin.

How bout' Saturday night when in the middle of the night, I hear Brody coughing so loudly the walls were shaking. I go up to his room, open the door, and all I hear is, "Mommy I need wipes."
No crying or anything, just, "I need wipes."
He had red throw up all over his PJ's and bed. Poor guy.
You know how it is, clean up progress at 2 am ain't the best so i just threw everything out in the garage and left it for the next day. terrible, I know. But we have to get sleep around here..

So the next morning I was convinced it was just something he ate. After talking with Lexy, she tells me she gave him a red vitamin before he went to bed and I had already given him a vitamin that day. So... I just knew it was all because he had too many vitamins.
Nothing will mess up my week with the hubs..

Night #2, 2am. I hear Sophia calling my name. .... My vitamin theory just flew out the window..
Sophia comes running down stairs saying she just threw up. I ask her where and she says in Jacks bed. Jack's bed??
I run upstairs and there is a pile of crunchy beef tacos sitting right next to jacks right ear. I yell out, "Jack don't move!"
I guess yelling out,"don't move!", in someones ear in the middle of the night, isn't a good idea because he did move and it got ugly.

2 AM ain't a good time to be cleaning..

Night #3. Mommas not feeling good and either is Jack. Can I just say my room turned into the family infirmary...and then when I saw Greg carrying the sick bowl to empty into the toilet, I thought to myself..."he's going down."

2 AM ain't a good time to be cleaning..

Night #4. Daddy's down and this time with a fever. It was almost like the virus became a beastly super bug by the time it got in his body..He had it baaaad.

Ain't' no cleaning 'round here..

So far Lexy has not been inoculated with the beast.
I think she is just sooo neurotic about washing her hands and using GermX that she just kept clear of everyone.

I guess I need to be a little more neurotic. Like I said,
'2 am ain't the time for cleaning.

Well everything has calmed down and Greg went to work on Sunday. whaaa! whaaa!
So much for his days off. We always seem to catch the stomach virus. Not the flu or bronchitis, or colds it always the stomach virus and its always at 2 am! Whats the deal?? Not that any of the others are better but they are just neater and tidier viruses. Not so much work...sheesh.

Don't those viruses know that I am lazy and I like my sleep!

So when Sophia wanted to go spend the night with GaGa, I let her. It had been 2 days since she was sick and we thought everything was good.
The next morning I get a call from GaGa, "Please come get your baby. I have been up all night sick!"
The beast lives and another one bites the dust...

Jack is eleven

Sniffle sniffle! I can't believe the other man in my life is eleven!!
I have been so terrible at blogging, I forgot to post his birthday. But just because I forgot to post, doesn't mean we didn't celebrate. We celebrated at school and had a party which he shared with his buddy Colin who just turned eleven as well. They invited their whole 5th grade football team and had an awesome football party. We asked the number one High School running back in the country (who just happens to go to our school) to be our special guest and he and some of his buddies came and played football with them. I'll tell you what those kids thought that was really neat!

Waiting to blow out candles


Brody waiting in line to get his football signed..





I say I am sad that he is growin up, but ya know, I may be sad that one day he is going to be a man and not depend on his momma anymore but I am also very excited to see what God has in store for him. You can teach your kids the right way, you can teach them about God etc. but there is no guarantee that it will sink in. But I can tell he lets things sink in.
He has such deep thoughts and questions me about things I don't really understand and kind of gets it before i do.
Just like the other day when the whole family was battling the stomach virus and he and Greg had it longer and more violent than anyone, He told me he thought God put the virus in his life just to make him stronger in his faith and to see if he would stick with God even in the most crummiest of times. Now, in his mind the stomach virus is the crummiest of times and even though he felt really bad he was thinking about why God put this situation in his life. I don't think I thought like that in the 5th grade. In fact, here I am in my forties and when all this virus stuff happened, i was grumbling and acting like a spoiled two year old because I didn't get the week I wanted.
Jack was teaching me something and I didn't even realize it.

Happy Birthday Sweet Jack, and Thanks for teaching me a thing or two.

Nothing here..

Sorry, I just don't have anything to blog about..
If you want to hear all about Sophia's dance lessons or Jack's football practice/games or what I am making for dinner, Well then, I guess I could blog about it. But you would probably think that was boring.
I could fill you all in on what goes on in the texting/teen world and How I sneak and peak at Lexy's texts before they get deleted, but then you would think I was violating her privacy.
I could tell you all about the boy in Sophia's class that calls her "hot" but then you would be disturbed, especially since she is only in the first grade. "Hot? are you kidding me??"
I could tell you all about going on a field trip yesterday and sneaking off (it wasn't my idea) to grab a bite at McDonald's before the teachers or kids noticed but then you would think I was a "bad mom".
I could tell you all about the leash that's disguised as a backpack that I bought for Brody but then you would think I was a REALLY BAD MOM.
Oh well funny stories but I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea about me and think I was not fit for motherhood.
So don't have anything for ya this week but if something comes along worth blogging about I'll try and fill ya in...

Poor Diego..

As I walked into the kitchen today, out of the corner of my eye, It looked like Brody had managed to squeeze himself into the microwave. It scared me to death. Then I saw that it was just Diego. Poor Diego getting nuked! That Brody boy!

my favorite tea party signs...

pictures

On our way to first day of school...
Do you think Jack has enough gel in his hair..





Brody trying to give Jack goodbye kiss on the first day of school....Brody is such a love!


Sophia with her teacher...Brody thinks it is his teacher too..


Lake..

Sophia stood n top of boat for a good 30 minutes crying because she wanted to jump but was afraid.I don't blame her!


Still contemplating...


Yeah....Finally!


Jack the show off!! ha ha




Jack's first football game.....THEY WON!!!


PUPPIES...
For my mom's birthday we gave her money for her to go and get herself one puppy. She came home with two. We call her the dog horder.
Aren't they cuties. Brody looooooves the "Baybees"as he calls them.

Annabelle



Brody loves to HUG the puppies..Check out annies eyes.

GiGi

The Lady in the Lil Red Truck

My mom offered to babysit so I could run some errands kid free. I literally jumped on that one! yipee!
I decided to go to the Fresh Market. I love to go in there.
It makes me feel all fancy, and I love to look at all the fresh produce and the baked goods etc. I ended up buying all junk. Pound cake, fancy cookies, exotic chips, etc. No fresh fruit like I was supposed to buy.

anyways, as I was walking out of the store I noticed a red truck parked next to my car. There was an older lady leaned up against it with long blond hair and as I walked closer she said, "Dearest lady, I have run out of gas. I am having such a bad day and I just need a couple of dollars to get me home. I am really in a major bind to get home. Would you be sooo kind and give me a break today, so I can run right over to that gas station and get me some gas?"
I really felt sorry for this lady. She was really down on her luck, but I didn't have a single dime, all I had was my credit card and DL. So I told her I was sorry and then she told told me to have a blessed day with a real saaaad look on her face. I felt kind of mean because in my car I probably could of scrounged up some quarters in the ash tray or in between the seats, but oh well....she was already talking to some ladies coming out behind me. Surely these ladies would have some compassion on this poor lady down in the dumps.

Two days later......

I am walking out of Walmart and I am in a huge hurry. I have five minutes to leave Walmart and get to the car pool line to pick up the youngsters. As I am walking into the parking lot, this red truck speeds by and about runs me over. Its flying through the parking lot and it just happens to park right next to my car. hmmmmm...
As I walk around I see this lady, long blond hair,leaned up against her truck and yep you guessed it. Same lady..Same truck. She walks up to me and says, "Dearest lady, I have run out of gas..I am having such a bad day...blah blah blah. Are you kidding me? The same rehearsed spill! I said, "Wow that's funny because you told me the same exact story two days ago at the Fresh Market." I just stood there putting my groceries into the back of my car and then she said, "I did? OOOOPS!"
Well that just irked me.
I try to be one of those compassionate type people. I always tell my kids, "It doesn't matter what they do with the money, its what your heart tells you to do. Are you going to be sympathetic to someone who is down on their luck, or judgemental?"
Well you know what? I just don't like being lied too. Its annoying and makes me mad! Just tell me the truth...okay. I have no problem giving to people who just ask and don't make up some cockamamie story. okay, so maybe I AM being judgemental..

So I get in my car and go to school and I am sitting in car pool line, I had already picked the kids up and was telling them my story and I look to the left of me and there she is speeding through the parking lot at school, in her lil red truck with her long blod hair flapping in the wind. My kids about had a heart attack. They thought she was stalking me. They were like "Hide mom, hide!"
My kids go to a private christian school, so I was wondering why the heck is she cruisin through the school parking lot, But by the time I got out of carpool line she was gone. WEIRD...I'll tell ya

I am going to Walmart tomorrow I'll tell ya if I see her. She needs to disguise herself this time. sheesh!

This story has been a real hit in our house. Its like a bedtime story or some type of urban legend. Sophia keeps asking me to tell her the story of the Lady in the Red Truck and Jack asked me if I could drive through Wal Mart yesterday to see if we could find the lady with the long blond hair. Who knows maybe she ran out of gas again...
Oh My..

Batteries...

Brody boy! I'll tell ya! He keeps this family on our toes.
We had a funny and embarrassing thing happen to us the other day. I had to take Jack for his Physical before his first football game. Of course this entailed bringing Sophia and Brody. and for some strange and dumb reason I did not bring the stroller.

The visit became a complete disaster. All of my sweet pumpkin pies were behaving horribly. So bad, I thought I was going to cry.

We finally were called back to the examination room and I thought "whew", this will be quick and easy and out the door we will be. Well, after we got back to the room we had to wait another 30 minutes to see the Dr and from there on, it went down hill, FAST! Brody kept getting into the Dr's cabinets,grabbing syringes and what nots, Sophia was crying because Jack was giving ugly faces to her. Brody was crying and screaming like a banshee because Jack was getting him out of the drawers. Jack and Sophia would fight and then Brody and Sophia would fight and then Jack and Brody would fight. Then mom would fight.... It was like a three ring circus. Papers were flying, stools spinning, clean hands on dirty floors....

you get the picture.

Finally the doc appears and starts his examination. He totally ignored the other two and the clinching of teeth saying "STOP THAT NOW", with my psycho mommy look.

The thing is my children are usually well behaved... we just all fell apart this day.

So back to the examination.

He proceeds to unbutton Jack's pants to check the, ahem, "batteries" as Jack calls them. I know, that is so gross. but you know, boys will be boys and there are other names I dislike worse..
The doc is sitting there with both hands examing Jack and Brody walks right over to the doc and firmly grabs the doc's own batteries and would not let go.....

Oooowie Kazowie!
Can I just tell you I was mortified!

The doctor is just staring at me..gets up and walks over to the desk, fills the physical form out and starts to walk out the door. He looks back at me and says, "You need to put that boy in a Cage and put him in your back yard!", with a chuckle. I was like...."ummmm.... okay...he's in therapy..if that helps any"..as the doc shut the door.
That Brody boy, God love him

Where have I been?

What in the world would I be busy with that I am not updating my blog?
well, we've been doing some of this..


a lot of this...

some of this too..

bunches and bunches of this..

We like to sit on our potty seat with clothes on



Passport to purity with Lex..

If you have a preteen or a teen, this was the best thing I have ever done. I highly recommend it. "Passport to Purity" by Dennis Rainey.
School starts tomorrow. Don't tell my kids, but I am kind of excited....

Favorite Friday Foto..

having a great time at the BEACH!
Just finished the book "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. This book had me from the first chapter. I could not put it down. The book is centered around two black maids in Jackson Mississippi in the early 60's, and the white women they worked for. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will get mad. Read this book, you will not regret it. The characters become so real to you. Wonderfully written......I LOVED it! (better than Sarah's key)

Wordless Wednesday......

Shower

Brody loves to take showers.

He throws screaming fits when its time to get out.

so the other day

when I needed some quiet time to myself

I decided Brody needs a shower

So in he went

and I painted my toenails

he played and played

I am pretty sure the water was cold

he didn't seem to mind

but you know....anything to help make the day go by faster

right?

Did mention that I just bought a $30.00 botttle of conditioner?

You see I have an afro

the only thing thats calms it down is $30.oo conditioner and about an hour on a CHI

everything was quiet and I thought to myself

I need to do this more often

he's safe, he loves showers..

He can't possibly get into any trouble in there...

right?

the smell of the most expensive conditioner i ever bought, permeated the bathroom

"Bromeister!........"

So my idea of getting some quiet time ended up costing me $30.00

So, was it worth it?.....

Like I said..... anything to help make the day go by faster...

Sarah's key..

My eyes are all swelled up again this morning. Not because I didn't sleep again. or because we had another three ring circus last night, but because of this book, Sarah's Key.

Do you ever go to bed at night and while reading a book and the tears just start flowing. You start sniffling and your husband turns around and just stares at you like you need some Prozac? My hubby is used to this because I do it all the time. He just rolls over and says, "You do know that there are feel good books out there, right?.."

I just can't help myself. Sometimes I just need to get a good cry out. and even if its happy, you can still get a good cry in as well.

so anyway I finished the book and it was just heartbreaking.

It is about the French roundup of Jews in 1942. They eventually are all sent to the death camps in Auschwitz. The story centers around a little girl whose family is being round up and she hides her little brother in a cupboard hoping to come back and save him.

I just boo hooed on this one. I just don't understand how this could happen. It just breaks my heart. This book is not easily forgotten..

pillows..

I was crackin up this morning making up my bed. I just had to take a picture and most of you won't think this is funny at all. You just have to know my husband. He is not foo-foo at all. He's a manly man. He could fall asleep on a rock in mid sentence. No sleep problems there... Oh it makes me so jealous!

That being said; He got so mad, I guess I shouldn't say mad maybe perturbed, at me the other day when I bought a $75 pillow. You see I have been thinking about this pillow for a loooong time and when I got my 20% off coupon, I know sad, I dream about pillows, I ran straight to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought that puppy.

I have neck issues and this pillow was supposed to solve it and help me get my beauty rest. Well guess what? It did work (not the beauty part) and I was actually sleeping quite well with it. Dearest hubby thinks its ridiculous that I have so many nesting pillows and says he can't even see me from all the pillows. He has made fun of me for years because of my PILLOWS! Well, doesn't everyone need snuggle pillows. Is it just me? Can I have a witness??

So one morning I got up before him; he was sleeping in late. I came back in the room after an hour or so, and the nerve of him; he was sleeping on my $75 dollar pillow and had a couple of my snuggly pillows around him. Uhhhh huh...... I thought.
After a while he gets up and he says, "Wow, I really like that pillow" and a couple of hours later he says.. "I reaaaallly like that pillow. We just have to get that pillow for me..... Today. Now."
"Now?", I said.
"Can't we wait until we get another 20% off coupon?" guess not....
So we run up to BBB and get a new pillow for him and he has bragged about it ever since.
We even got in little pillow battle in the middle of the night because someone (no names) had my perfect snuggly pillow and swore that he didn't. I tore that snuggly pillow right out of his "fightin in his sleep" arms.
It could get ugly...

So this morning when I was making the bed, I just had to laugh because we had four sleeping pillows on our bed and only two of them were mine.
He would never admit to this, so I know you won't tell anyone....


for those that wanted to know what the pillow is called: Isotonic memory foam contour pillow. It may be worded differently but I threw away all the packaging...