Just one Little Lulu?!!

So....after working 5 days straight, not being able to be home with my kids, my Mom takes 3 of them away from me for the next week!

I miss them, and I need some time with my laughing boy!

But, honestly, I will say, it is soooo much more calm around here with only one sweet little Lulu to care for, and play with.

We went to the riverfront festival this eve, shared an elephant ear, and she climbed on a few inflated playthings for a bit. She had fun. It was so easy to deal with just her. I was almost, dare I say? BORED!

I let her eat oatmeal for dinner, and she passed out on the living room floor with a movie in hand that she had just picked moments earlier. It was so cute!

Tomorrow we are headed for the beach!

It's the 4th, but I am 3 kids short, and D will be sleeping for a NOC shift, sooo....me and my sissy are spending the day near the ocean waves, making sand castles, and searching for agates. Ahhh!

I plan to take along the rebel and try to get a few fun shots of Lulu on the beach. I'll share my shots tomorrow night!

Who am I...REALLY?

Lately, I have been pondering many things. Who AM I? I keep coming to this.
At work I am all together, focused, organized, accomodating. My mind is totally absorbed by my work.
At home, I'm more lax, a completely different person I think.
I don't open up to many people. I prefer to be called Victoria by anyone that I work with, or is a mere aquaintance vs. long time friend or family. And, I've found, I really dislike it when someone at work does decide they have the right to call my Vicky. It's a bit too personal.
My husband calls me that, my parents, sister.
I do my best to put forth my best side, and do good toward others.
What blows my mind, is that I continually come across people that are determined to disrupt my calm.
People that have nothing better to do than start sh*t, then sit back and watch as it unfolds. I AM SO SICK OF THOSE PEOPLE!
I want nothing more than to do my best job providing care as a nurse, be the best wife I can be, be the best Mom I can be and raise my children to be amazing people. More and more, I like my husbands ideas about how he wants to live.
Off in a log cabin away from everything and everyone.

Anyway...Leah is here at my feet saying how she has green eyes, and that "You have green eyes too mom, 'cause you ate you dinner!" Gotta go!

A HOT Sunny afternoon & 48 pics later...

My Best were these 6 of the littlest! A bummer, but hey! I am with them most, so they seem to be the most photogenic ones of the 4.

Today...

Drew had a friend stay over last night, making a 2nd sleepover in 2 days. DID NOT GO WELL! She was terribly rude, and very much a brat! I had had it by 10am, and got showered to take her friend home early. I was honestly so embarassed by how she behaved! I even told her to say she was sorry to her friend, she flat out refused.

Now, I know my Drew acts extremely unbecoming when she is over tired. She was just so. HOWEVER...I am not willing any longer to make that excuse for her. Something clicked in me today, and well, I think, she is now 8 years old. She knows right from wrong regardless of whether she's tired or not. So, from now on, I told her that will not be an excuse for any of her behaviours. I will not tolerate it any longer. That she is fully aware of what is right, and will recieve no more chances when she is displaying bad behaviour.

I think I have been a bit soft on that girl. I know I have. My parents tell me, I deny, but I see it now. I just gotta put my foot down quite a bit harder now. Drew is not one that enjoys getting in trouble, in fact, it distrurbs her being greatly. She is very stubborn, and strong willed, but she hates getting in trouble, or being under any form of restriction.

When we got home, she made extra special efforts to reverse my disciplinary decision, to no avail. I will not give in.

I was just simply SO exhausted today, I made her take a nap along with that boy, and Lulu.
Then, I tried to lie down on the couch and rest my eyes for a bit so as to better prepare myself for the busy busy afternoon/evenings that inevitably arrive around here.

HOWEVER...Grace would not turn off the Wii, Lulu kept getting out of her bed and into her toybox. Then after telling Grace to get outside and weed or something, she kept coming in and out the door, waking me to ask me unnecessary questions, the phone rang, Grace started using the can opener, and microwave...AUUGGHHHH!

I truly nodded off so briefly it put me in a worse mood than prior! Why can't I even take a short little nap myself???

I have also been working with Lulu a bit more on potty training. I got some more 'gems' from the $ store, and so far this seems to be the trick for my little princess.

She loves them! She WANTS them! So, she was dry most of the day today, and went potty 2x, as well as wore a pair of pan tees for 1/2 the day with no accidents! YES! She gets 3 gems every time she goes potty, I figure 3 'cause she's 3.
I just hope she will continue cooperating this time.

Something I Found Interesting...

I saw this on the news. Thought it was very important to know, really. Although we need to be careful of our childrens exposure to sunlight, UV rays. Our children do need the exposure to some degree to be healthy. Vitamin D is formed through our skins exposure to sunlight. So, let the kids play bit without sunblock before you slather it on for protection from sunburn. Watch the video!

Wordless Wednesday~Sunny Day at the Park!

Few Frustrations & The Fabulous Four

Today was a very frustrating day. D will not seem to do anything about the pest we have messing around with all of my flower beds. And, it seems to mainly be just MY flower beds. He just shrugs his shoulders, and says, "What am I supposed to do?"

It is so very frustrating!!!
All the beds, and especially my front one, are mounded, cracked soil, like something tunnelling, a gopher? a mole or moleS? WTH? Whatever it is, I want it gone gone gone!!!

(Blood Leaf plant above, one of my newest added plants)

On top of it all, I took Drew to a birthday party today, and while driving, I noticed my gas gauge was looking off, in comparison to miles driven. It was below 3/4 tank, yet only 84 miles driven since I filled it on the 17th. I stopped to get gas, to top it off before we head out of town for Gracie's 13th Birthday party tomorrow thinking I'd only need to add another $20 at most, but the bill was over $30!!! I'm sure it had been cyphened somehow, somewhere in the past day. As if gas prices aren't high enough, someone has to go and steal from me!
I got a locking gas cap. Hopefully that will deter any thief.

Took this pic today, of MY FABULOUS FOUR! Turned okay I think. Not the greatest lighting today, but it was nice out.
Grace is officially 13 tomorrow, June 23rd, at 6:47pm I believe. She can party early, but she is not 13 until evening in my book. That girl was my 14 long hours of labor birth, NO EPIDURAL. The most stubborn one. STILL IS!

Just Another Busy Day...

I had these grand plans to drop everything and drive off to the beach for the day with all the kids in tow...but, unfortunately, I just couldn't!
We were all out of basic groceries, like bananas, milk, PB, eggs, etc...I HAD to go get groceries.
Also realized, I was overdue for an oil change, and today was a special price, so I had to get that done. Took advantage of the free car wash afterward, and it broke the arm on my hatch windsheild wiper! Good thing it's summer, right?
Also way overdue on rotating my tires, and checking tire pressure, I never did go back last fall after my new tires were put on to have them check the torque. Uh oH!
Then, I found out I could get a new set of hubcaps for my van, one fell off last fall, for a decent price, so got those on order.
Took Grace to do a bit of birthday shopping with a $30 gift card at the mall...Leah PEE'D on the floor of the store!!!
Grace was looking at flip flops, and I took a walk down to another store, she comes out with platform sandals that a woman would wear! I RETURNED THEM RIGHT AWAY! What was she thinking???
Got some Rose Water cold cream on Bath & Body Works clearance for only $3.75!!!
Got Little Lulu a few new pairs of earrings.
Got everything I needed to get today at Costco, thank the lord for that store!
I could not feed this family if it were not for bulk shopping! Did forget the stinkin' Ziplock baggies AGAIN!!! Augghhh!! Always something.
Off to COOK DINNER, work on figuring out my Camera options some more, and try to play with my new Photoshop Elements program. No classes around here till fall!

Thankyou Donna!

I received this award from Donna, over at Blessings of Love blog.

This button was created by Memoirs of A Mommy Blog to honor the donor who saved her son, Noah's, life with a heart transplant.

Her hopes are that in passing this award, we are creating more awareness of the importance of organ donation.

I will pass it on to Margo, Motherbumper, and Sher!

A Beautiful Day on the Lake!

Yesterday we took the kids to the lake to go fishing in the boat. We have not yet made a full family trip in the boat, but it went way better than I ever could have expected. Little Lulu did not whine one bit! She loved it! She stood right up near D at the steering wheel with the wind blowing through her hair, taking it all in. What a trooper! She even wanted to fish, so D helped her 'hold' a pole and reel one in.

We found a great little spot that seemed to be a frequented camping spot with some logs to sit on so the kids could eat lunch, and small spot for the kids to wade in the water. Tons of trails, which the boy took NO time at all to set of exploring in search of a monster, cougar, and dinosaur! He found a stick to use as his weapon, and began exlaiming, "Whoa! Look at that footprint! That's huge! I think the monster went this way!" D tried to hide and scare him by jumping out when he came along one path.

When we were wading around in the water, I being very weary of something touching me, suddenly SOMETHING was touching my leg, I jumped! Only to turn around to that boy standing there laughing hysterically with a twig in his hand that he was poking me with! THAT BOY!!!

The scenery was beautiful! D let Grace steer the boat while we fished, that had her feeling so so cool! As much as she protested going along, insisting she be allowed to stay home, she got right in on the fun, and ended up wishing she'd brought her swimsuit along too. Typical teen!

I hadn't even planned on going along at first. It was going to be just D and the boy. I was looking forward to elliptical time, mopping, getting caught up with laundry. But, the more I thought about it, we NEEDED to get out, with all of us together. No video games, no bickering kids at home, just one day out.
It truly went so well, I could not believe it.
Not to mention, we all got a little sun :)

What comes around TRULY goes around...

I am so shocked right now! I don't even know what to think.
At work tonight, 2nd med pass, I started on my 1st cart, and here comes the DNS, Administrator, and one RCM.
I was very curious as to why they would be there so late.

Well...
It's been awhile, but we hired a nurse this past year. One that I just simply do not get along with. Nothing too personal, just karma I guess. I knew she just wasn't someone I care to know. I was pleasant, spoke to her as much as I HAD to. When I go to work, I do just that, WORK! I am a nurse, I do not have time for petty S*IT!

One day a month or two ago, I go to work and find out this LN, and a few aides had started some stupid, idiotic rumors including me in them. Saying I had said things about many other workers that I had not EVER said at all! At first I was furious, but after thinking a bit, I knew all would work itself out.

Anway...I have come to realize, if I wait just long enough, that person will end up moving on one way or another.
And, tonight, what happened? Exactly that.
I saw our DNS going to get this LN's belongings to give to her, and she was escorted out of the building by our Admnistrator.
WOO HOO HOO!
I say...None too soon.
I am so ecstatic right now, I want to jump up and down, and scream and yell, and do a little crazy dance! If I were a drinker, this would be the night to par tay!

Daisies, Holes & Endless Energy!

I found this pretty little flower at Freddie's yesterday when I was browsing the garden section. I was looking for lantana, once again, but had no luck. But, when I saw this I had to have it. It is an African Daisy. I now have it in white, yellow, orange, and this beautiful pink color.
I spent some time out weeding random weeds, and watering last night, as well as this morning.

This morning, I found these huge holes in my flower bed! At first, I wanted to blame the kids for digging where they should not be digging. But, the holes are SO strange.


They are cone like. And, very well dug. Some are quite large, while others look like a cat dug it a bit to poo. I found many in the front yard, and many in the back corner of the back yard. Also, some newly surfaced mounds around the playset. D thinks we have a raccoon digging the cone shaped holes, and we are sure we also have a troublesome Gopher.
IT IS A MESS!!!
I'm staking out the yard tonight between 10pm and midnight. I'm gonna find out what is digging these stinkin' holes!

On another note...
I woke this morning at 5:30am to bright light shining through my closed blinds. WTH? Needless to say, my day started way to early for my night owl self! Kids woke with energy abounding. The Sun is affecting them in ways that challenge me. That boy got himself dressed and headed out the door before 8am! NO NO NO.
I was still pre-coffee-work out-shower!
I wish I could bottle up whatever it is that's in thier little tiny bodies, and turn it into pill form for my tired-a**.

So...I sat outside in my PJ's with my camera in one hand, coffee cup in the other while they jumped on the trampoline for a bit.
This IS the life!

I LOVE my Husband!

I truly LOVE my husband. I could not imagine life without him in it. I am so greatful to have been so fortunate to find someone, MY someone so early in life. I met him when I was only 18.

My husband has PAT, Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia. He has had it for years. He first began having issues with it when he was a teen.
He has taken Atenolol for many years to prevent it from getting out of hand.
Of late, he is having increasing incident, even with the medication on board.

My SIL works for an MD that performs a procedure called Ablation. They can cure his abnormal rythm.This procedure is performed often, and has a very high rate of successfully fixing abnormal rythms such as PAT. However....It makes me very very nervous.

First, he has to have 2 strips showing his specific rythm. We were told to take D to the closest fire station whenever a rythm started to get a strip done. He has to do this 2x. They say the fire station can do this, and do it for free, it is very common apparently for people to go to a fire station to have a monitor strip ran. He also has to have a 12 lead EKG, and wear a monitor for 2 days called "THE KING OF HEARTS".

D is extremely apprehensive about doing this. He is a very shy person. I'd have to say, I'd be nervous too. But, he has to get the process going to get to the point that he has enough documentation for the Ablation to be justified.

It is an outpatient procedure, and his sister will be working with the MD performing it.
She has been after him to do this for atleast 2 years. It is in every conversation she has with him.

I would have to say, I have noticed he is having more incidents of tachycardia in the past year, atleast 1-2x per week. He gets very anxious about it, and sometimes it really scares me when he is having it. He gets very quiet and leaves the room. He doesn't want me to see. He has to hold his breath and bear down for many minutes at a time. But, that's not helping it anymore.
The thing is, if he doesn't do this, his heart will start to find ways to compensate, if it hasn't already. The way it decides to compensate may cause more problems for him. It will cause increasing shortness of breath, he will be very weak/tired from his heart working so hard to keep up.
IT REALLY SCARES ME TO THINK ABOUT IT!

I need my husband to be here for me, for our children. I need this man in my life!
My children need to grow up with thier father in thier lives. It is such a very important thing that he is as healthy as he can be.
A heart is not something to play games with. Truly, literally. Not speaking emotions here...

We know our insurance will cover 90% of the bill after a mere $250 deductible. And, it is an absolutely amazing thing that since my SIL works for and with the MD that will be performing the procedure, he has offered to wave a significant amount of his fees, and work with the hospital to do so as well. So, ultimately we may not end up paying a penny!
This is truly a blessing.

Her Idea!

Drew has been pleading with me to cut her hair. It definitely needed a trim, however, she wanted a full blown CUT!
She insisted not longer than her chin/jaw. I had Daddy approve it before I touched it. He did not want me to touch her hair at all, but she really wanted it. And, with summer coming up, I figure, who cares? It'll grow back before school starts again.
She asked for bangs too. I think it looks cute!
That boy was no help. As I was cutting her hair, he kept saying, "Drew, you look wierd! It looks like a helmet! Your hair looks like a helmet!" As he giggled. Stinkin' little brothers.
For Sure, she looks different to me, but I can work with it some more to make it girly.
I think it is great for my little tomboy, hairbrush-hatin' Drew!
Daddy will just have to get used to it.

A Rare Find!

We love to eat asparagus. We saw a cooking show not too long ago, talking about white asparagus. You just can't find it in the regular grocery store. It's very hard to find, we discovered.
But, today as I was running some early morning errands, I stopped at our little Farmer's Market, which I never get to do. What do you know? I found some white asparagus!
I was so surprised!
It is atleast .50 cents pricier than your regular green asaparagus, so I bought only one bunch, $4.50, for D to try out.
Now, we know where to get it.
The lady selling it said it is pricier due to the fact that it is much harder to grow. It must be kept from all sunlight, grown in pure darkness. She started growing it to sell to local restaurants. I wonder how hard it could be. Might be fun to try to grow some!

Midnight Mishap & Birdwatchers

The boy is my little cling on. He is joined at my side lately.
Last night, he asked to sleep with Mommy since Daddy was at work. I gave in.
I always make sure he goes potty before bed, and usually, he does not have any accidents. I did buy a vinyl mattress cover for his new twin bed, 'just in case'.
Our bed, however, does not have a vinyl mattress cover, and we should.
I was rudely woken at 3am to hear that boy hollering, "I'M WET! I'M WET! I PEE'D!"
I was at a complete and utter loss of what to do.
D was coming home to go to bed at 7am!!! The pee was all on his side!
I got that boy in his own bed, changed and dry.
And, all I could think to do was flip my mattress. I was so tired, in a daze, and I just wanted to get back to bed ASAP.
I did so, with a struggle. I changed the bottom sheet and called it good.
Today, however, as soon as D was out of bed, I propped the mattress up with my exercise ball and sprayed it all down with lysol and am letting it dry.
I am washing all the bedding in GAIN, and making the bed soon.
Why did I let him sleep in MY bed???

On another note...We did some bird watching tonight. Not sure if it has anything to do with our crazy weather, but we had quite the variety of birds in our backyard tonight! A beautiful, and huge Stellar's Jay was hopping all over the picnic table, and trampoline. (pic I googled to show you on left...I was not fast enough!) The boy kept calling out, "MOM! LOOK, IT'S A CHICKEN!" That's how large it was. A hummingbird hovered and flew right up to our big picture window, and many other birds were grazing the grass for worms.
I had to make sure we refilled the suet feeder to keep 'em coming. The kids love watching the birds from that window!
I also noticed my beautiful begonia blooming like crazy! I had to take a quick upclose pic of one bloom. I just love the color of pink it is.

Attitude will get you NOWHERE!

Apparently I am one terribly strict, totally UN-fun, life ruining Mom.
But, then again...that is only coming from a nearly 13 yo-hormonal-drama queen.

Grace is quickly approaching the age of 13, and she wants to go go GO! I have allowed her to GO GO GO GO GO for many weeks in a row. To friends houses, family, etc. I don't typically say no too much, since she gets amazing grades, and she mostly wants to spend time with my sister, her favorite person at this point in her life.

She is regularly making plans now, starting Monday afternoon for the following weekend. Today, she came home with a request to stay over at a friends house on friday night, a friend I don't really dislike, but who's Mother I have problems with.
Her Mother recently seperated from her Father, after an affair she was found to be having. She now lives in another town, a nasty town, and has had a few other relationships since the seperation. The SAME Mom that has repeatedly tried to talk Grace into getting me to change my rules to fit her parenting style. She just simply rubs me the wrong way!
I do not like her, and I do not like my dtr being around her.

Grace knows that I have no problem with her staying over when she is at her Dad's, but NOT her Mom's. However...ATTITUDE popped right up in my face when I said NO.
Ummmm, sorry? Excuse me...
That sh*t's NOT gonna fly. Not with me. Not now, not at 14, not 15, not EVER!
She tried to give me the deaf ear, rolling the eyes.
Then, she called this friend back, whom she already told yes, to tell her no. She elaborated with so much drama..."Yeah, my Mom says No, even though when I'm home there's NOTHING TO DO, and all I do is SIT ON THE COUCH..."
My blood started to boil. I let her know, one more word, 2 weeks no go ANYWHERE.
She stopped, but I was so mad, I made her get off the phone.

Oh, it's so booooorrrrrring. Let me take the 2 MP3 players, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Boombox, Karaoke player, new digital camera and throw them out the window and see just exactly how bored you will indeed be then!
I said No to one weekend of activity. Summer is nearly here, she has a ton of time to do stuff with friends, IF she backs off on the attitude. I could quite easily make her life a living hell if she thinks she's gonna treat me like I'm invisibile every time I say no to something.
She really has NO idea just how evil I can really be, given the opportunity.
Muuuaaahhhh haa haa haaaaa!

Party Time, Handsome Boys...and a quick trip to Enchanted Forest!

Drew's party was a blast! All but 2 of the girls she invited came. She was so pleased! We had a lot of family here too. I love you all!
I was so happy to have my Aunt Tammy here...we were once thick as thieves...I think we could be again, heehee!

Cupcakes came out so cute! I have a tiered cupcake holder I found at Ross, my favorite place to shop..I made chocolate cupcakes with whipped cream frosting that I piped on with a regular large round tip, sprinkled teal sugar, added a gumdrop, and a cute little umbrella. The kids loved it!!!

Drew's friends were so stinkin' cute! Beautiful girls, lovely behaviour. Just amazing!

It didn't rain, but pool party was still a no go. We set up our ping pong table in the back yard, and a volleyball/badmitton net. D had them spin around with a bat, taking turns, but no one ever really got dizzy enough to get the whole effect of the game.

We opened up her Cosmic Catch ball first, so the kids could get a few turns playing it during the party, since it can be played with up to 6 players. They loved it! It's like a cross between Simon, and Hot Potatoe. The boy wants to keep it to himself!
And, I tell ya...I just cannot get enough of those 4 yo boys. I think we are in for some intense, and unexpected mischief later on in life...HUH MELLYMEL? They are just so handsome, and have so much character.

Drew made out with a treasure trove of new LPS pets...what a party!

Today...BEFORE the rain...I made a competely unplanned, and random trip to the Enchanted Forest with the two little ones. I did not tell them where we were going. I packed thier lunch sacks as I would on a park play day.

They were so excited when we got there!

Leah has hit the dreaded age of costing me an additional 8.50 for admission...so, I fibbed a bit, said she was 2, afterall, she was sitting in the stroller...

I got enough tickets for them to ride 2 rides once, and dig for treasure once. They had a ton of fun! No meltdowns at all. Although Beau did leave his treasure in the bathroom when we went potty, and was devastated once he realized this. But, we were already buckled in the van...so it goes!

Mind you...I made a trip to the Enchanted Forest, with time to spare to return movies, get more, AND go to Target to get a vinyl mattress cover for that boys bed, getting home BEFORE the girl's got off the bus. I just find that to be a huge deal, since just a trip to EF absorbs a whole day typically!

I am ever so terribly impressed with the quality of my shots today! I took along my Rebel for the EF trip, and it took amazing pictures! I am now officially more in love with my camera than my husband...HA!

Big Boy Bed Finally...'sigh'...

The boy is now officially in a 'big boy bed'. We got the twin mattresses this morning.

I have long awaited putting the pirate bedding on his pirate bed, but as I took that crib apart this morning I felt some unexpected tears welling up.

TRULY UNEXPECTED!

I started thinking about how many years that crib has been up, ofcourse it has been in the toddler version for some of that time, but that crib has indeed been up in that boys room for nearly 5 years.

I whimpered a bit.

5 YEARS!

I have NO MORE BABIES!

It crushes me.

It breaks my heart.

I love these kids with all I have in me.

I just can't stand to think that they are all growing so fast.
Especially, my boy, my BEAUtiful Boy. My only son. I just want to hold that new baby boy one more time.
I sure miss that.
He is my treasure. My blessing. My GIFT FROM GOD.
It's all too much for me!

THE PREP IS INSANE!...OR AM I?

Drew's Party is approaching fast!
I am just not as ready as I thought I was.
I truly feel my yard looks like crap. I still have many weeds to deal with, and it is making me so crazy! I just spent over an hour the other night on one small area. I now have our gravel drive in the back, and the front near our ditch left.
I am so anal, I will give you my list of things that I feel necessary to ensure get done BEFORE Sunday at 2pm.

(Keep in mind, I am also working 2 shifts between today and Sunday....and I have 2 tots under my toes demanding this and that inbetween time!)

*Wash Windows~ inside and out!
*Scrub/clean gutters
*Scrub/spray siding clean in specific areas
*Clean porches, hose down driveway
*Wash Van
*Mow/Trim Hedges/Finish pulling weeds (D will be helping with this)
*Take a TON of cans to store for return...we haven't done this in forever!
*Clean, move picnic table to yard
*Finish shopping for party....icecream, drinks, balloons, etc.
*Get Beau's twin bed cleaned, set up...break down crib and store where?
*Vaccume/Swiffer/Mop
*Clean bathrooms
*Try to Finish Laundry... A NEVER-ENDING CHORE!
*Set up volleyball net for party (D will do this probably too!)
*Ensure all camera batteries are charged and ready to go!!!
*Trim Drew's hair
*Bake/decorate cupcakes

It is so overwhelming to look at this, and I have even left out a few 'indoor' prep things that I plan to get done, which are post-pone-able, if need be.
However, I just hate to have families dropping of thier children, and have anything that looks to me like it is not clean, or neat, etc. You never know who will want to step inside.
Although, we do keep up our yard, things still get out of hand, and one can never fully prevent weeds from popping up on 1/2 acre of property. Especially if you yourself are the sole gardener/landscaper/housekeeper...we don't hire out!
Thank the good Lord it's not warm enough for a pool party, as was previously planned. I would be freaking out on a whole 'nother level!

Wordless Wednesday~My Breathtaking Delphinium

She may be disappointed...

Drew's 8th birthday is quickly coming up this Sunday.

She had planned on having a big pool party, and honestly, I have no idea who she invited, but I think the numbers came to 10 or 11, 8yo girls!

We won't be putting up the pool due to the poor weather we have had. It's just not warm at all.

So, I am trying to pull it all together minus the pool.

We do have a huge trampoline, and playset. A large back yard.

I think we will do the limbo, as well as some other games that don't include water.

My sister in law suggested some games I may use.

As for the cake...She wanted a hula girl. THIS hula girl...

Not gonna happen. ( Melly Mel, do YOU remember the Mermaid mess????)

For one, I cannot find all the stuff to decorate it, and I refuse to run all over town looking for it. So...

I think I will make something a little more like these cupcakes. I think I will lace them with crushed pineapple, and all I have to do is top them with a cute little tropical cake pic, and umbrella, which can all be found at a dollar store!

I do also have a cupcake stand, so it will work out perfectly!

Whatever happens, the party WILL NOT be inside. Not with that many kids!

She is also under the assumption that she will not be getting any presents from Mom and Dad. You see, with our crazy weather, it was HOT a couple weeks ago. She wanted to go out a skate with a nieghbor girl, but her skates were too small. I had stashed away a pair of roller blades she has been wanting, which I purchased on clearance after christmas for only $18. I let her have them. So, she thinks they were her ONLY present. But in reality, I got her a game called COSMIC CATCH, and a few Littlest Pet Shop animals that she doesn't have. It is THE thing right now for her age group to collect these little pets, and then eventually trade between eachother, like trading cards. She will be very surprised!

My Calling

I truly love my work.
I could not have chosen a better path for myself.
I enjoy helping people, caring for them...immensely!
There are times when it will be passed on to me how difficult a pt. may have been, or seem be.
But, somehow, I almost never seem to experience the negative side of these people.
One night, I was working, and a pt. that is a very elder man, and had been very rude toward many female staff, began grabbing my hand as I was helping him to drink from a cup, as if he were trying to bite me. This would not be a surpise, due to his previous behaviours toward Nurse/CNA's.
I was quite startled, and quickly became very ashamed for having even thought such a thing, since this man simply began to kiss my hand over and over and over. Stating how thankful he was for our care, kindness, and patience.
He even began to say how sorry he was for how he had been behaving, and explain why. He had lost his independence, he was very depressed about this. As is with many pt.'s when they fall, and break a bone. They become, sometimes, completely dependent.
I was able to experience this man's apology. No one else has.
Now, this man is near passing.
He has not shown that side of himself to any other Nurse, or CNA.
I am greatful to have been the one he chose to speak to, and I did indeed pass on his statements of appreciation for our care.
I don't know what it is, or what I may exude, that makes pt.'s different for me than others.
Maybe it is my genuine caring, my effortless kindness. I am not bragging here, but I do perform my work to the best of my ability. I take it very seriously.
I think of my work as holy. I take care of people. Sometimes, very very sick people.
I risk my health at times to do this. But, I LOVE IT. And, I would have it NO other way.

A Funk.

I am in a funk.
A deep dark funk.
My kids are walking stomachs, begging to eat something every 10 minutes or less.
I hate going to the grocery store. I hate seeing the prices of everything. I won't even buy grapes since they never seem to go below $3.00/lb. Today, they were 3.34/lb.
I was terribly exited to find milk on super low pricing today of $1.69/gallon vs. $2.69, all due to it's shelf date being 5/28, exp. 6/2. I grabbed 2, with how my kids go through it, it will be gone LONG before it can even expire in my house!
ALSO...
Gas is rising insanely, and frequently.
Every time I fill, I want to scream!
In just about 3 weeks time, I have paid, $3.50, $3.60, and just recently $3.74/gallon. That is with my .10 fuel discount at Fred Meyer. Otherwise, each fill would have been .10 higher per gallon.
I have no choice but to drive a minivan. Good thing I do not have a payment on it.
If I lived close enough to work, I would ride my bike, or walk.
With summer coming up so fast, I want to plan fun things for the family. We won't be able to camp soon, but I want to stay at the coast, visit the zoo...etc.
I see us spending long days in the our back yard just to avoid the ever-increasing gas prices.
I have to say, I THINK THIS WHOLE OIL ISSUE IS B**SH*T!

Aviation Museum

My cousin came to visit yesterday, we had planned a trip to the park, but since the weather was none too pleasant, we decided to take the kids to an Aviation Museum that is about an hour away. Under 5 were free, and our girls were all at school, so we only had to pay $13 admission each of us!
They did great on the drive. Leah slept most of the way, while the boys took turns with a gameboy. No whining...it was so nice! We did get lost a bit, but quickly found our way...
BTW, mapquest sucks!
We did not tell the 3 where we were going, made it a surprise.
They were so excited when we pulled up and they saw airplanes everywhere!
It was amazing!
I took tons of pics, and a volunteer offered to take our pic with the kids.
Definitely an awsome day! Long day, but awsome!
I created a slideshow with some of the best, view it below!
Gotta fall in love with those handsome 'pilots' at the end...we did!

Broken Robin Egg

D found this little robin egg this morning in our bark, in the flower bed. It was down the drive, nearest the road area, so I have no idea what happened. But, this little egg is obviously broken, and you can see the little robin's beak, but it is dead. So sad. But, at the same time, very interesting to me. I wonder where the nest was, since it was found lying so far from a tree. I think I'll box it up and let Drew take it to school for a little show and tell. It's just not something you find everyday.

IT BLOOMED!

I received this beautiful azalea from my daughters for Mother's Day about 3 years ago, maybe 4. I didn't plant it soon enough, and I thought it would die. I have never seen it in bloom, well, until now! I love it! Isn't it pretty how it fades to pale pink/white in the center? Funny, I was just about to dig it up and call it quits a week ago...

MY gold at the end of the rainbow...

I have got to get my b u t t on that elliptical every day from now until the New Year, and even further...
Why?

Because D is seriously wanting to plan a trip for our next anniversary to THIS AMAZING PLACE!

I want to be in super sexy swimsuit shape!

Hmmmm....I wonder if thats even possible when you've birthed 4 babies, 2 via cesarian, and have laparoscopic scars left over from gallbladder removal?
It's worth a try!

A Sunkissed Day...and then some...

Today was absolutely beautiful!

So warm, HOT! It was sweltering almost.

I finally gave in and made an appointment to see the doctor. Being that the weekend is upcoming, and I work both days, I wanted to be sure that is I did indeed have a sinus infection or pneumonia that I got some ABO on board. Luckily, lungs are clear, sats are fine.

As a child, I had some asthma, terrible allergies. I was the kid sitting on the bleacher with the wad of tissue, inhaler in one hand, nasal spray in the other, wheezing, red eyes, leaking snot everywhere.

My doctor said, it's probably a good idea to start packing an inhaler around again. So, I gave myself 2 puffs once in the car, and it made me shake terrible. One neg side effect of albuterol.

I also got some Zyrtec at the drug store. So far, it's working. I feel a ton better.

Got a bit of sun today, enjoyed the kids.

I started a 'listening cup' for the little ones. I took some tiny colored wood craft blocks, labeled two cups with thier names, and explained to both of them how to earn 'blocks'. And, that once they filled thier cups, they could pick a prize.
All this to give a bit more incentive to stick by my side in the store.

So, I reminded them today, on our way in to the store that they needed to be extra good, try very hard to earn 5 blocks.
Beau was all about getting those blocks. He listened so well. He was an angel. They needed to potty, and he was being so concience of his behaviour that as we walked toward the potty room, I was saying, "Wow! You are doing a really good job!" He said, "I know. But, can I fart?"
OMHH. I darn near busted up laughing. I held it in well. And, said, "Not until we get to the bathroom." Good enough.
Then, Leah also wanted to try to go potty, and that boy was trying to tell her how to go, she sat there as he stood there saying, "You have to push your tummy like me!" So, next thing I know, she's standing, pushing her belly forward, and grunting...SHE WAS TRYING TO PEE STANDING UP! I told that boy, "She can't pee like you, girls can't stand up. Sissy doesn't have a ding a ling!"
Ding a ling, btw, a term my dear husband uses, and has since that boy was a baby. I just don't think I'm ready to hear my 4yo son say P e n i s. And furthermore, the following 3yo parrot, also saying it.

Then tonight we were out back, kids wanted to play in the sprinkler. It was crazy!


We were out late. Till 7:30.
I just fed them finger food. A huge peanut butter spoon, baby carrots, grapes, and pretzels. Then they had a frozen go-gurt, and some popcorn later on.
Leah pooped in her swimsuit, go figure. All day NO POOP, once swimsuit is on, POOP!
I made her strip down outside, and used the hose to spray her down. It was just nasty!

The boy kept smearing his peanut butter on me, and so I finally took his spoon, and said, "Come here!" He did, like the naive little thing he is, and I smeared a huge glop on his nose. He was confused, and really didn't like it, but hey, it'll teach him to do it to me!

Grace tried pulling me in to her little water balloon fight with her neighbor friend. She started by calling Drew and the little ones over to the fence and sneakily telling them to throw the balloons on me. I heard it, and I said, "If a single balloon touches me, it's GAME ON!"

She stopped, a little while later she and her friend come running with about 5-6 balloons each, and I did the first thing I could, grabbed the kids' sprinkler and started aiming. I still got soaked and mostly from my own self. Ha. I will get her. Mark my word, I WILL GET HER. When she least expects it, I will sneak up on her, and....BAM! Soak her good.


Got atleast a few more projected days of rays. I've got time to plot.

Parent Mag Photo Contest...GO VOTE 4 HER!

I entered Leah's pic into the PARENTS' mag cover photo contest.
I may be biased, but I just think that girl has something about her.
She has SO much personality.
I labeled the pic, 'A pensive Leah...'

Soooooo...take a few and go vote for her HERE !

I don't expect her to win, but I would love it if she did!
What Mom wouldn't???

Learning to use the Rebel

I am trying to sit and read, and practice playing with my camera atleast once a day. I love it! I want to be sure that I get all the benefits of using it. I don't want to miss out on a single option that it has.

I found I can take B/W photos, and I need to learn how to change aperatures. I am thinking, eventually, I do want to buy another zoom lens, one that will get much closer. But, for now, the one that came with my camera is perfect.

I had gotten a case for under $5 before I got my camera. Yesterday, I got another one that I can just slide my camera into with lens still attached, which is great for quick access, and I found it for only $9.95, at a discount store.

I also went and got a lens cleaning cloth, and some clear plastic covers for the LCD screen. I looked at case prices there, one similar to the one I got ran upwards of $30 there! Not the same brand, but same idea completely. So, that made me happy.

D thinks it's pretty cool too. We've never had such a nice camera before, and so it's a big deal. He said, and I quote, "Man, that's awsome!" I plan to use it ALOT. No more photo studios for me!

Off to enjoy the rest of our HOT & SUNNY day. Great day for soccer practice...

I'm still a bit under the weather, feels like it might have gone into my lungs, but I'm functioning, and for now, I'll postpone seeing the doctor. It barely touched the kids, and so far D hasn't gotten it, dare I say...

Why I lose it sometimes....

Today was a seemingly promising day.
A wonderful, happy, joyful day.
I woke up early, made the kids pancakes and scrambled eggs. Woke them up one by one, starting with Drew. She had to be to school early for a field trip, by 8:15 exactly, having me out of the house by 8ish.
I was fine with this. I woke up feeling much better today, than I have in 3 days. I was raring to go! No mishaps delayed us, not even Little Lulu...what a wonderous thing that was!

I dropped Drew off at school, she forget her backpack...the panic attack started in...she started tearing up, near hyperventilating...I had to tell her to calm down, it was a field trip day anyway, and it was NOT a big deal, teacher would understand for today! She literally had to make herself take a few DEEP breathes before she would get out of the van. OMHH, that girl can get so worked up over so little a thing.

Then, being that I had to drop her off early, I decided to go ahead into town for a few much needed groceries. I also had to exchange a sundress I had bought Leah, it was missing a button, and the strap tie was all messed up. I also had to go to Target to get a few sale items such as laundry detergent, kids mouthwash, kids vitamins...you get the jist.

Anyway...Target went fine. I found a few great clearance items! So excited, an airsoft bat, ball, mitt w/ ball, and a few balls for $3 each, got a set for the cousin too! I also found a pair of soccer cleats for Drew for next year for only $4.98!!! I scored, kids were great, that was making the day seem even better...
Then, it all started to crash!

Leah started balling, kept saying, over and over she had an owie on her b u t t. I stripped her to see what she was talking about, and changed her diaper thinking it was bugging her, bunching up or something. Nope, not it. So, she kept patting the front, saying her b u t t hurts. I finally figured out, she needed to pee. She had been dry all night, and still was.

Easy enough, I took her to the dollar store I had stopped at to get some little baseball bases I had seen, only they said, 'No Public Restroom', so I had to carry her all awkward to the grocery store down the way, which had a bathroom, and sat her on it. She REFUSED to go! I knew that was what the problem was, but she threw this helacious tantrum that I'm sure echoed throughout the entire store, and REFUSED TO PEE! How she could hold it in, I do not know!

What the ???

I carried her back to the dollar store, we got our stuff. As I was carrying her out to the van, she stopped crying, but...I quicky realized she pee'd, only, ALL OVER ME!!!! It overflowed to the max down MY SHIRT, and through her entire diaper, pants, and dress, down her legs! I was speechless...
We live out of town, I was NOT driving home to change, and come back to get the rest of what I needed to get at Costco. So, I drove to my parents and got a change of shirt for me, luckily I had gotten Leah a shirt on clearance at Target for $2, which at that point totally 'fit' her. I mean, 'fit', her like, it said, TROUBLE MAKER across the front. I was so sour at this point...
I honestly had so many emotions running through me, I was a wreck.
Why Why Why ME??? Why TODAY?

This has me so upset about how hard it has been to potty train that girl. It makes me want to deny her any more diapers, and make her run around naked till she figures out how gross it is to pee all over HERSELF!

But, I won't do that, I can't do that in this house with the new flooring we have put in. I refuse. So, I guess, in part, this is my doing.

I will take responsibility for it to some degree. But, it truly tells me that she knows. She obviously has some control, or why, how could she hold it in to the point of being painful, and then continue on holding it through sitting on a potty, an me running water to help her go? I just don't understand how she is able to do so.

Anyway...from there, it ALL started to crumble, slowly, but surely.

My bubble of tolerance burst!
They started fighting with eachother, and Leah kept whining, "I just wanna go home Moooooom!"
NO NO NO, I HAD TO MAKE THIS AN 'ALL IN ONE DAY' TRIP! With gas prices going up daily, I cannot make double trips to get what I need when they start acting up!

I took them to the park. I had packed thier little munchlers lunch packs, which they LOVE, they ate very well, and played.
I started to feel yucky, and get tired, they were tired...naps from 2-4pm!

The girls got home, and I went out to weed, I hate it, but it had rained last night, and so it's much easier to pull them when the ground is mostly wet.
I hollered the girls out to help, and they did. Drew loves helping, and the boy ran to get his little wheel barrel, and rake too.

To end on a nice note...As Drew and I finished, we heard a funny noise, and looked up to see a beautiful hummingbird hovering above my new hummingbird feeder D got me for Mother's Day. It saw us, and hovered a bit more, but then quickly darted off. Drew was very intrigued. She said she had never seen one before so close. She smiled so big. It humbled me. The GOOD Lord knew I needed it today!
Now, at nearly 11pm, I have just finished baking the much requested oatmeal/granola bars for the kids, and am off to finish 2 more loads of laundry...
Oh, the life of a Mom!

Guitar Hero anyone?

Honestly, this whole Guitar Hero thing baffles me. I simply cannot do it. I truly suck!

My girls, however, are completely and utterly infatuated with it. They are OBSESSED! D even has a thing for it. He loves the music I guess.

Last night Grace was playing against my sister. They just kept on, kept on...FOR WHAT SEEMED ETERNITY!

I was getting so tired, and so antsy at the same time. I grabbed the girls' blow up plastic guitar, and started rockin' out behind them as they played guitar hero, BARRACUDA by Heart. I love Heart, and that song just rocks!

I was just goin' for it, all crazy, trying to mess them up some with some distraction.

Little did I realize, I had Drew over in the corner busting up so hysterically she was bending over, nearly falling over the couch and peein'g in her pants!!! At that, I had to stop...

But, I think, I just might be inclined to start trying a bit harder to master this game. I mean, I have to figure it out before I go insane. I just don't get, or see the hoop-la all around it....

I'll have to get good, and duel with D, and WIN...oh, wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake!

Hmmm???

We have been seeing these beautiful birds in our backyard. Our picture window in the living room gives the kids tons of time to watch the birds in the trees and ivy all day. They keep hollering, "Momma! I see the parrot!" It is this bright yellow bird, with a reddish orange crown, some of them have it covering thier entire head. The wings have black streaks through them, and they are small finch-like.
I have tried, mind you, so many time this week to get a picture of this mystery bird. Finally, I googled it.
I found this great picture of a Saffron Finch on flickr. I am still on a mission to get my pic.
Seems that it is mostly seen in Hawaii or the tropical areas, so what is it doing here???

*Browsing through my new cam, I found I had gotten a decent pic last night. I cropped it, but you can definitely see the color in the bird!

Also, 3 more reasons why I love my new camera:

Above: Newly blooming Lilac at dusk

Below: My vibrant purple "mexican rose?"

Above: Dark purple columbine at dusk