my happy life

Paranormal Activity

2011-10-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Our high-tech security system recently caught this blurred image.

Halloween must be near...

Step Right Up to Celebrate!

2011-10-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

What's Been A Happinin'

2011-10-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

It's obvious that this is not the time in my life for blogging.

I'm also not sure that it is the time for showering, eating warm meals, or having any kind of agenda of my own.

My friends with older kids will tell me it gets worse. As my boys grow up and their lives become over scheduled, mine will too. Times 3.

But that's beside the point.

My point is that if I can't keep up with blogging maybe I can attempt infrequent, mass updates on the family.

So here's what's been happinin' around here...

I finally have the accessory that all minivans require - a soccer player. I admit that I put this off as long as I could. I wasn't exactly looking forward to giving up my Saturday mornings and adding more things to our schedule during the week but I'm surprised at how much we have all enjoyed it. It's actually, dare I say, fun to watch your kid running around out there - even if the running is aimless and the goal is to get back to the sideline to finish digging an awesome mud hole. Braden seems to be enjoying it and can be counted on to give his all the first 5 minutes of the game (the rest of the game is questionable). My favorite part was the practices early on in the season. It was always funny to hear the coach yell things like, "Braden, no summersaults on the field!"

Zachy turned 1 at the beginning of October. It was a bittersweet celebration with a few tears shed in private. Turing the big 1 also meant saying bye-bye to the bottle. There were fits and (more) tears but, after Declan had me calmed down, the transition went smoothly.

*************************

Ok, that's all I've managed to write all day. I better post it now or it will never make it into the blogosphere. I promise to try to come back soon and finish up. In the meantime, here's a picture of Ryan because it wouldn't be very nice of me to leave him out of this one:

Happy Birthday, Baby!

2011-10-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

This week from my phone...

2011-09-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Text & picture from Ryan's preschool teacher:

Here's the "class clown" :)

*********

Text from me to various family members:

Braden tells us: "I put my shirt on backwards so when I run to attack they think I'm actually running away." Smart kid.

*********

Text & picture from me to various people:

Trouble...

*********

Picture from Aunt Sheila:

*********

Picture from Dec:

Let the awkward years begin...

2011-09-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Braden lost his first tooth!

The Dad

2011-08-31T16:59:00.000-07:00

Declan - 33 Years Old

I think Declan might just be my favorite kid. He's pretty self-sufficient, doesn't ask for much, and his aim in the bathroom is far superior to the other boys'.

When I went back & read the posts I wrote about Braden, Ryan, & Zach I realized that most of their standout qualities were inherited from their Dad.
Sweet
Thoughtful
Sensitive
Funny
Will eat anything
(it's hard to tell what Zach's standout qualities will be just yet, so I went with this one)

I asked the boys to tell me about their dad and this is what they had to say:

Braden
"My dad is awesome! He lets me stay up late & feeds me yummy desserts! He likes football, hockey, and us. He doesn't like kids gum, skunks, and Zachy's stinky diapers."

Ryan
"My dad plays with me, watches movies & TV with me, and he loves me! He likes hugs and kisses. He doesn't like stinky diapers."

Zach
"dadadadadadada"

It's pretty impressive how well they know their dad - they highlighted most everything I was going to mention....

His favorites:
Football (Broncos)
Hockey (Sharks)
Cooking
Music
Movies
His family

His not-so-much:
Stinky diapers
Sticky things
Dirty-germy things

Speaking of The Baby...

2011-08-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Watch this new trick:

The Baby

2011-08-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Zachary - 10 Months Old

Zachary is as sweet & easy they come. He is a happy baby who loves nothing more than to be entertained by his big brothers who adore him. He's a great sleeper, an even better eater, & will happily go to anyone who will have him.

Zach has inherited his brothers' big blue eyes and long eyelashes, their fat feet, and a tendency to flap his arms when he gets excited. He is the boss of the family & I'm pretty sure he knows it.

His latest tricks are clapping, barking, no-no, bye-bye, & 'How big is Zachy?' (the last is my favorite: he raises his hands & cocks his head to the side while we all say 'so big!' So cute is more like it!)

His favorites:
Eating
Remote controls & iPhones
Dogs
Standing
Rowdy brothers

His not-so-much:
Waiting for food
Dirty Diapers
Having no one to play with

Newborn

3 Months

6 Months

The Middle One

2011-08-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

Ryan - 4 Years Old

Ryan, my aspiring ladybug (that's for another post), is our family funny guy. He is constantly making us laugh while shaking our heads because, really, what does a 4 year old know about funny? But he does. I'm talking really - truly - grown up - funny and not just silly - kid - kind of - funny (although there's plenty of that, too). His sophisticated understanding of sarcasm & remarkable sense of timing leave us speechless more often than not.

Surprisingly, our little comedian is pretty shy outside of our family. He does not like to be the center of attention (unless it's on his own terms) & I often find him off in his own world, even when there are plenty of kids to play with.

He is a determined, focused boy who does not always shower us with affection
but when he does....
there's nothing in the world like a hug from Ryan!

His favorites:
Star Wars
Mario Brothers
Cheesy Noodles
Swimming
His "B"
(the little blankie, not the brother)

His not-so-much:
Ice water
Being ignored
Wearing shoes

The Biggest One

2011-07-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Braden - 6 Years Old

This week my aspiring scientist-hockey player-ninja-rockstar begins 1st grade. Although I like to give him a hard time about growing up, I think we're both ready for this milestone.

'B' is a sweet, thoughtful, & sensitive kid whose emotions are most affected by hunger, sleep, & his younger brother (this one, in case there was any question).

As our resident "Cliff Clavin," he keeps us well informed on a variety of subjects. Need to know about anglerfish, manta rays, or other creatures of the deep? How about the atmosphere on Saturn or the formation of black holes? The mating habits of the praying mantis, anyone? The boy loves all things scientific & has taught us (& anyone he runs into at the museum/zoo/aquarium) more than a thing or two.

His favorites:

Legos

Star Wars

Quiche

Dance Parties

Michael Jackson

His not-so-much:

Homework

Being Sticky

Tomatoes

(at least not in the month of July, maybe in August he will like them)

Ketchup

2011-07-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

You know people who take a good meal & ruin it by dousing it in ketchup?

I'm hoping my blog catch-up will be a bit more palatable.

No need to drown you with a years worth of pictures & stories,

just going to give you a quick run down on each
family member and we'll go from there (or at least try to)...

Here I Go Again

2011-07-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

I always have intentions of blogging, I just don't seem to get around to it.

I don't seem to get around to a lot of things theses days.

Just ask Dec.

He's a good sport about it, though. Rarely does he complain about taking rotting fruit and cheese slices for lunch because I haven't been grocery shopping. At least not to my face.

The trouble with starting to blog again is I don't know where to start...

Do I begin from where I left off? How can I ever keep up & catch up at the same time?

Do I start from this day forward? But what about all the great things I wanted to blog about before?

Plus I've got to make the time to sit down & actually do it.

Lucky for you, I've come up with an easy & almost effortless way to do it. The best part about it is that I don't have to do the work, YOU do! Here's how it goes: you take the pictures, post them on your blog, & then I'll put a link on mine. Viola! Blogging!

I had a cute baby here. A baby who, for a minimal charge, I will lend out to help entertain your own children like here.

I threw a few get togethers here here here and here.

We showed the cousins a good time in CA here and here.

And we've been keeping busy this summer, like the time we went here.

There you have it. And, since your already taking care of my blog, mind updating my facebook status, too?

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T00:55:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours!

Cousin Dec

2010-12-25T00:49:00.000-08:00

Letter to Santa

2010-11-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

As Dec was trying to explain to Braden that Santa can't bring him everything in the Toys R Us catalog, he says:

"Dad, I'll write a letter to Santa and say, 'Santa, this is all the toys I want but if you can't bring them all that's ok. Just take the toys you can't bring to another kid's house.'"

Dec interrupts to tell him what a great idea that is, to which he responds:

"Dad, I'm not done! Then I'll tell Santa to put a note on the toys he takes to the other kid's that says, 'Please bring these to Braden on his birthday.'"

The Zach Attack...

2010-11-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

...or maybe I should call it 'The Attack of Zach'

Either way, it's his birth story.

I'll try to make it quick (like his birth)

& painless (unlike his birth)

****

October 6, 2010

11:45am:

I'm at my doctor appointment and "things" are looking very promising. So promising, in fact, that she suggests I call Declan and tell him to wrap things up at work - just in case. She also sends me home with a pack of absorbent cloths to put on my car seat and in my bed - just in case. Finally, she makes an appointment for me to be induced the next morning - just in case the "just in case" doesn't happen.

5:30pm:

Nothing is happening and I'm feeling good. There are no signs that I'll be running off to the hospital soon so I suggest we take the boys to Red Robin for a "last meal" of sorts.

6:00pm:

The 1st real contraction happens during dinner - the kind that makes me think "this is probably going to happen tonight."

6:15pm:

2nd contraction

6:30pm:

3rd contraction.

There's no need to panic at this point or rush off to the hospital - my contractions are 15 minutes apart. We leave Red Robin and I suggest to Declan that he put the boys to bed while I hop in the shower.

**Fast forward to now, 4 weeks after Zach's birth, and the above part of the story is still being debated. Declan and my mom will tell you that the following events would have played out differently if I didn't "have to wash my hair" and if I went straight to the hospital. I still defend my actions. As I said, my contractions were 15 minutes apart so there was no need to panic or rush. Besides, who wouldn't want clean and neatly styled hair for all of the pictures that are inevitably to come??**

7:20pm:

Contractions are coming every 5-7 minutes. I finish straightening my hair and gather my stuff while Dec finishes up with the boys.

7:40pm:

We leave the house. About the time we get in Dec's truck the contractions start coming back to back to back. I wish I would have remembered those absorbent cloths the doctor gave me - just in case. At least we are in Dec's truck and not my van - just in case...

7:50pm:

Absorbent cloths not needed. We get to the hospital and bypass triage completely. The nurses quickly shuffle us into a delivery room and proceed to tell me I'm too late for the drugs and, sorry, there is nothing they can do for me at this point.

What do you mean?? This is not part of my birth plan!

In fact, 'drugs' are the only part of my plan!

8:24pm:

Zachary Paul is born.

I am glad that is over with.

And now for a few pictures.

Please note my clean and neatly styled hair.

Hello World....

2010-10-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce myself...

My name is Zachary Paul Madden. I was born on October 6. I weigh a whopping 7 pounds, and I am 20 inches long.

I am beautiful and perfect in every way. Don't believe me? See for yourself-

(photo courtesy of my Uncle Mark and Auntie She)

I allowed my parents just enough time to check into the hospital, and made my entrance 24 minutes later. I was tired of being cooped up and my legs were beginning to cramp. Stretching out felt so good.

I am looking forward to meeting all of my friends and family (Especially my Aunt Amy), but for now, I must take another snooze.

XOXO,

Zach

I Had Plans... Apparently The Baby Didn't

2010-09-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

With these boys gone for 2 full days

(thanks, Aunt Sheila!)

I figured it would be a PERFECT time to have this baby.

I did everything short of jumping on a trampoline (I think that would just make me pee my pants) to get things going. For dinner, Dec & I even went to Skipolini's Pizza for their "Prego Pizza" which claims to have put several women into labor.

It was a 4lb monster of a pizza with

salami

pepperoni

ham

mushrooms

olives

bell peppers

extra onion

sausage

ground beef

linguisa

extra garlic

parmesan

oregano

But no such luck...

Here I sit at my computer

with a baby (& 4lbs of pizza) in my belly.

Me: Pregnant (I'm not a bird, just obsessive-compulsive like that)

2010-09-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

I've always despised the term NESTING:

"Like a mother bird who will not let anything stop her from building as perfect an environment as possible for her soon-to-be-hatched babies, human mothers often feel compelled to get their homes in order."

Whatever.

I battle everyday, pregnant or not, to get my home 'in order.'

It's all too common for me to stop whatever I'm doing to clean the floorboards

or scrub the cabinets

or reorganize an entire room

or...

It's not nesting, it's just me being EASILY DISTRACTED and SLIGHTLY OBSESSIVE about random, unimportant details. Take yesterday, for example. After going to the Dr and being informed that "things" seem to be progressing, I was told I should probably have my hospital bag packed. Just in case.

And this is how my mind processed that information:

If I need to have my bags packed, I will be going to the hospital soon.

I should plan to be gone for a couple nights.

That means someone else will be sleeping at my house.

So I need to wash and change the sheets on the guest beds.

And scrub the guest shower and bathroom.

Now that I think about it, the bulletin board in the guest room needs to be hung a little higher.

And the pictures on it updated.

And it needs a new calendar.

One that can be easily changed and updated.

I better go to Office Depot.

And...

So my hospital bag may still be sitting in the back of a closet, unpacked, but my guest room is ready to go (and the bulletin board is rehung). Think what you may, but I adamantly stand by my claim that I am not nesting. It's just what I do, it's how I work. Pregnant or not.

Now (because this seems like the appropriate post to include them in) here are some pictures of my super cute nursery:

Me: Pregnant (I hope he likes the baby this much after he is born)

2010-09-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Me: Pregnant (the dog & kids will be ok)

2010-09-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

During my 1st pregnancy with Braden

I developed an intolerance for our dog, Guinness

(really it was with any animal, Guinness just had the misfortune to be the only one around).

She drove me nuts.

I was constantly annoyed.

And I had absolutely NO patience with her.

The worst part?

I never really got completely over it.

This time around things aren't much different.

I am constantly annoyed and have

ZERO patience to speak of.

However, unlike the previous times,

it's not the dogs that seem to be driving me nuts.

It's the kids.

The worst part?

I'm afraid I'll never get completely over it...

Fortunately, kids are resilient

so there's really no need to be too hard on

myself. Even though my recent behavior may

be comparable to that of a wicked witch,

I don't think there should be any permanent damage.

The boys should make it through

this pregnancy just fine.

Declan on the other hand....

Me: Pregnant (the proof is in the belly)

2010-09-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Take 1:

February, 2005

36 weeks pregnant

Take 2:

October, 2006

37 weeks pregnant

Take 3:

Yesterday

37 weeks pregnant

Me: Pregnant

2010-09-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

The final countdown has begun.

I'm convinced this baby could come at any time.

I am hoping the baby agrees because

I'm not sure how much longer my

body, sanity & family

can endure my current state of being.

That said, I'm calling this week

Me: Pregnant

My goal is to post something, anything,

about me. Pregnant.

Everyday. Or every few days.

Or even a few times.

This may be an unattainable feat

seeing as I am unable to

accomplish much of anything these days

but I'm going to try.

So here we go...

Conversation with 'B'...

2010-09-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

Braden: "Dad, why were you born?"

Declan (unsure if this is the beginning of a philosophical discussion): "What do you mean, buddy?"

Braden: "You know, like how I was born to be a ninja. Why were you born?"

NORM!

2010-09-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Meet Norman.

He is the latest addition to our family.

The addition before the other addition arrives.

Braden loves him, Ryan has learned to tolerate him.

Fortunately, he is a really good puppy.

And if he wasn't, well...

that wouldn't really concern me.

He's Declan's dog.

As in, "Declan, your dog just ate this..."

"Declan, your dog just peed all over the garage..."

"Declan, your dog slept in a pile of his poo all night..."

any of the other "or's" Norm comes up with.

Just like the pets before him, I claim no responsibility.

And why should I? I have these animals to tend to & clean up after...

Free To A Good Home...

2010-09-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

Almost 4 year old boy with big blue eyes

& deceptively sweet smile (smile not pictured).

Has knack for seeking out trouble & causing mischief.

Housebroken & current on all shots.

Pedigree chart available upon request.

Another 1st Day

2010-08-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

I shipped Ryan off to his first day of preschool yesterday.

He was more than ready & excited for it.

I was more than ready & excited for it.

Both boys in school=2 1/2 hours to myself

I plan to make the most of this time

because, come October, we start all over.

From the very beginning....

Summertime and the Livin's Easy

2010-08-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

You're Gonna Be Beautiful, Mom!

2010-08-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

There's no question that I'm the odd (wo)man out in our house with 3 boys & another on the way. Even our new puppy is chock-full of testosterone & thinks poo is funny. As a result my days are filled with endless potty jokes, wrestling, & weapons but my boys have proved to me that I don't have to miss out on a thing. Who needs a little girl anyway? My boys can hang with the best of them...

Hair, make-up, nails, wardrobe, & accessories courtesy of Braden & Ryan

Kindergarten, Baby!

2010-07-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

What more is there to say?? We made it to Kindergarten, baby!

Blogging: Take 2

2010-07-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Let's try this again.

No promises that I can keep it up.

No guarantees that it will be creative, thought provoking or even interesting for that matter.

But at least there should be some cute pictures of my kids. And that's all you really want anyway, right?

Here it goes....

Coming This Fall...

2010-04-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

BABY BOY #3

Blah, Blah, Blah

2009-11-18T22:28:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to keep up with my blog these days. I'm not really sure what it is I'm doing but whatever it is, it's keeping me away from the computer. So here's a November recap. It will probably read a lot like this:

Blah.

So don't feel bad if you just want to skip this post completely & wait for the next one. But, really, who knows when that will be??

Week 1: My Birthday

31 snuck up on me this year & no one was about to let it go unnoticed (I did try). My boys planned a "Princess Party" complete with a tiara, lip gloss, ice cream cake & In-N-Out (because what princess wouldn't want a #2, animal style, on her birthday??) I was made a wonderful lunch to enjoy that day & then taken out by friends the following week for a dinner to celebrate. A few people gave me the most perfect gifts that I couldn't even be mad at them for ignoring my request for no presents. Thanks everyone!

Week 2: Sick

There's nothing quite like being locked up & held hostage in your own house for a week while everyone is sick. Braden & I got the worst of it but survived (both the sickness & each other). The worst part? My laundry room. I couldn't get the hang of checking pockets &, inevitably, wound up with boxes worth of Kleenex being washed every time I did a load. This is what my laundry room looked like by the end of the week:

It sucked.

Week 2.5: Christmas Meat

My dad has spent the majority of 2009 raising 3 cows...

T. Bone, Barbie Q & Sir Loin went to meet their maker this week. By "maker" I mean butcher (the one who will 'make' them into meat. Meat which will be our Christmas present this year). I was proud of how well Dad was able to let go of the cows he had grown so fond of. I knew he was going to be OK when he started using analogies of cows & naked women...

Braden & Ryan met the cows this past summer & were fully aware of their eventual purpose. There was a lot of talk of meat & eating the cows as Dad & Declan determined how the cows should be fed & cared for to yield the best flavor. Ryan took this all in and one afternoon marched right over to the fence. When Dec called after him, Ryan said, "I'm gonna go eat those cows!" It was pretty funny.

This week: Vampires & Werewolves

New Moon opens in movie theaters tomorrow (11:59pm tonight, to be exact). Don't worry. I'm not one of those crazies who will be lining up in costume to see it at midnight. I fully plan on leaving my Bella wig at home...

Happy Hauntings & Everything Else

2009-11-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

(click for a better view)

Halloween Bites This Year

2009-10-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

AND THAT'S NOT A BAD THING...

A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

* WE TOOK 1ST PLACE IN THE 'BEST COUPLE' CATEGORY AT THE HALLOWEEN PARTY.

* EDWARD (AKA DECLAN, IN CASE YOU CONFUSED HIM WITH RPATZ) WAS SUCH A GOOD SPORT ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. I'M TEMPTED TO TELL YOU HE ENJOYED IT, BUT THAT'S BETWEEN THE TWO OF US...

* I WAS TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES I SHOULD GROW MY HAIR OUT. AND DYE IT.

* MY EDWARD LOOKS PRETTY HOT IN SKINNY JEANS, JUST LIKE THE REAL ONE.

This Can Only Mean One Thing...

2009-10-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

ANY GUESSES??

Birthday Etiquette & Tips

2009-10-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Birthday Etiquette & Tips

By Ryan

Proper attire is essential. You do not want to look back at the pictures of your celebration & wonder "what was I thinking?!"

Don't let the candles ruin your shining moment. It is sometimes necessary to use means other than air to put them out.

It is always important to display the proper amount of enthusiasm when opening gifts.

And finally, remember to keep things lively & fun. If the party is in need of a pick-me-up, try a poop joke. You'll be surprised at how well it will work!

Good luck & happy partying!

Three

2009-10-20T21:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Ry!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

2009-10-13T13:35:00.001-07:00

First Day of Fall

2009-09-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

and it is 100 degrees outside...

FYI

2009-09-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

I have unintentionally become selfish in my blogging & have made it mostly about me. Not that there's anything wrong with this, it just defies the original intent of it all (which was to keep all our friends & family, who are hundreds of miles away, in the loop with our growing boys). Truth of it is, I've been lazy & haven't found the time to upload the pictures from my camera since June. And when it comes to my boys, pictures say a lot more than words.

ANYWAY, I have all intentions of resuming my "mommy blogging" soon, complete with anecdotes of my children's (mis-) adventures & pictures (from my real camera & not my camera phone). As soon as I get around to uploading them, that is.

Until then, here's one more picture from the phone...

My Story Behind the Story

2009-09-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

For my most recent reading exploit, I decided to tackle 'one of the most enduring love stories in all of literature'...

"Why?!" you ask.

"It's simple," I answer.

I have always questioned my first reaction to this story & decided that I need to know, once and for all, how I really feel about it.

I take you back to my freshman year of high school...

I am 15 years old & in English class. We are being forced to read Romeo & Juliet from our textbooks. Line by line we go around the room taking our turn. Torture, right? No, I love it. Even worse, I cry.

What?!

Seriously?!

I am not a 'wear my emotions on my sleeve' kind of person. More of a 'shove them down deep & fake it' kind of person. And here I am in my freshman English class trying to pass my wet eyes off as residue from the Shakespeare-induced yawning.

It turns out that my reaction 15 years ago was genuine and not just the effect of my erratic teenage hormones. I love Romeo & Juliet. And although I did not cry this time around, it was so inexplicably moving to me. Not to mention that it made me feel smart :)

This one will go in my small pile of books to read again and again and again.

So Long, Farewell

2009-09-12T11:58:00.001-07:00

Meet Goldfish:

Goldfish was gift given to Braden by his Grandpa over 2 1/2 years ago.

You can tell what a beloved pet he was by the time we took to name him.

I have always questioned Grandpa's generosity with this gift and am convinced his intentions were two-fold:

1) He wanted to make his young grandson happy

2) He wanted to make me responsible for the fish,

both in life & death

We all know a 2 year old isn't capable of ensuring the livelihood of his own existence let alone that of another. It would be my responsibility to keep the fish alive and if I were to fail, I alone would be accountable for his death. I was motivated by the knowledge that when Goldfish passed on, there would be a never ending stream of guilt trips placed on my shoulders (all part of Grandpa's scheming, no doubt).

"You killed his fish!"

"How could you?"

"How dare you?"

So for 2 1/2 years I did the bare minimum to make sure he kept swimming. I fed him enough to make sure he lived but not enough to dirty the bowl too quick, I changed the water when necessary, & lifted the boys to his level when they remembered they had a fish in the first place & wanted to stare.

But it couldn't go on forever & 2 1/2 years is a good run for a fish.

So so long, Goldfish. Farewell.

**A few notes regarding the above picture**

1) Goldfish was still alive (barely) at the time this picture was taken.

I am not morbid & did not take a picture of our dead fish.

2) This was the most attention the boys ever paid to the fish

aside from the day Grandpa brought him home from the store.

3) If you look closely at the background you can see my new green walls.

I think I'm going to love them!

Forget Bed

2009-09-09T22:02:00.001-07:00

Some nights it's all you can do to make

it to the top of the stairs...

Am I Crazy?!

2009-09-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

What are we getting ourselves into?!?!

(I'm scared. Will post pictures later. Maybe. Assuming it turns out okay. Am I crazy??)

Number 3

2009-09-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

Things I Rediscovered About Myself Over The Summer

And

My Excuse(s) For Ignoring My Blog

Number 3:

I love to swim laps

Looking back at my summer timeline, I noticed the desertion of my blog coincidentally coincided with our new membership at the fancy gym that opened near us. To those who know me well this is shocking because:

a. I don't like to work out

and

b. I don't like to work out

HOWEVER, working out at the fancy gym is not so bad because:

a. There are 3 pools

where we, needless to say, spent hours this summer. It's where Braden taught himself how to swim as Ryan pretended to, Dec attempted to rid himself of his farmer's tan & I rediscovered how much I love to swim. I'm not talking about swimming in the sense of playing in the water & splashing around (I'd much rather lay out by the pool during these kinds of shenanigans) but swimming laps. I can so easily get into a zone with the repetition of the back & forth and it just feels so good. Relaxing even.

and

b. There is childcare

which, on certain days, can make working out totally worth it!

It is also Excuse #3 For Ignoring My Blog.

Disclaimer

2009-08-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

In the past few days I have had several people make comments to me regarding this post. And while I appreciate that my audience feels I may be a credible literary source, it seems they have mistaken my personal summer reading for a list of recommendations. This concerns me because I do not like the responsibility of your reading pleasure to be on my shoulders. Just because I read it doesn't mean you should. Just because I read it doesn't mean I liked it. Just because I liked it doesn't mean you should judge me for it. Therefore, a disclaimer is in order:

The information contained herein is made available to the public for the sole purpose of letting you know what I read during the month of July. Reference to these books does not constitute or imply my endorsement, recommendation or favoring. I assume no liability or responsibility for your enjoyment and/or liking should you choose to read them. Unless you really do like them. Then full responsibility (as well as thanks, praise and gifts) will be accepted. Recommendations can be given, by request, and will be based on how well I know you. Or rather how well I want you to know me.

Number 2

2009-08-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

Things I Rediscovered About Myself Over The Summer

And

My Excuse(s) For Ignoring My Blog

Number 2:

I am capable of keeping up with technology

(at least technology that is fun)

For years I have been in denial about my need for a music storing &/or listening device. There was really no need since my fancy new minivan (& all its predecessors) came with a stereo. One that you can listen to radio stations on. And put multiple CDs in, too. We even have a sound system of some sort in our house. And I'm sure, if I look really hard, I could find a portable CD player somewhere. Maybe one like this:

So, really, there was no need to have a music storing &/or listening device of my own when there were already so many surrounding me.

But apparently the boys in my house thought otherwise & I was given this for Mother's Day:

It's an iPod Touch.

It's exactly like an iPhone minus the phone & speaker.

The best part is on the back where the boys had 'Mom You Rock' engraved.

Surprisingly enough, I have loved it! It didn't take too long for me to navigate my way around iTunes & I am now downloading all my favorite songs, movies, audiobooks & apps (I have more to say about those in a later post). Rarely do I leave home without it.

THEN...

almost 2 months later while visiting friends & family in Colorado, Declan's mom gave me this:

It's an iPhone.

It's exactly like my iPod Touch but with a phone & a speaker.

The best part is I didn't have to pay for it.

I did have to decide if it was excessive to have both but quickly made up my mind that it was not. I justify it by using them for (almost) completely different things. I am constantly on them listening to music, checking e-mail, looking up useful (& useless) information & just generally keeping up with technology.

It is also Excuse #2 for Ignoring My Blog.

Number 1

2009-08-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

Things I Rediscovered About Myself Over the Summer

And

My Excuse(s) For Ignoring My Blog.

Number 1:

I love to read.

The demise of my reading began roughly 4 years, 5 months and 2 days ago. Before that time I could easily blow through 3 books in a [work] week. But somehow, between then & now, I just stopped reading.

This summer I started again. And I love it.

And it is also Excuse #1 for Ignoring My Blog.

Here's what I read during July (the 1st week of Aug, too):

I also listened to this on my iPod (does that count?):

Please note that most of these fall under the category of easy summer reading. To me that means sit at the pool/beach/parents' house/backyard/car/or bed with a diet coke & a book you can read in a day. It may be advisable (as was suggest to me at one point) to remove the book jacket so other people at the pool/beach/parents' house/backyard/car/or bed will not know what you are really reading.

Maybe this fall I will shoot for some more thought provoking novels. But maybe not.

Love, B & Ry

2009-06-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Dad,

You make me laugh when you do silly faces.

I love when you read me stories at night in my bed.

You are the best because you have the strongest muscles.

I love you because you are my buddy.

Love,

Braden

Daddy play Star Wars.

Daddy make me laugh.

Daddy do's loving.

Daddy gives chocolate milk.
I loves Daddy!

Love,

Ryan

Heaven In My Own Backyard

2009-06-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Three summers ago Braden was just 15 months old

& I was 6 months pregnant

(it was planned this way & seemed like a good idea at the time...)

Our mornings were spent at the swimming pool in the company of other mommies (& a daddy or 2) who were trying to tire their toddlers to ensure that a long & peaceful nap would follow.

It was there that I would watch a young mom & her 2 daughters.

It was like spying on myself.

Only a few years later.

And with boys.

I soon learned that the girls were 19 months apart - the same age difference that my boys would be. The mom & I chatted about my pregnancy, about her girls & the things I could expect out of my near future. Although a friendship never developed out of those few weeks at the pool, she left me with one sentiment that has stuck with me.

One that I think about often (if not daily).

One that I have passed on more than a few times myself.

"They are the best of friends

the worst of enemies"

My boys are now the age that her girls were & it often seems that the latter part of her lesson is winning out in our home. There seem to be few brotherly interactions that don't include cries of...

"You're not my friend anymore!"

"You can't catch me!"

"I'm not playing with you!"

"Na-Na-Na-Na!"

"MOMMY!!"

And this is just while I write.

Which is why I was shocked when I sent them outside the other day & was able to do laundry, clean the house & prepare dinner (yes. despite my previous post, I do cook for my family). For nearly 2 hours they played blissfully without a single incident to speak of.

It was heaven.

On Earth.

In my own backyard.

Dinner 101 - Cooking with Lorie

2009-06-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law, Amy, recently did THIS post on preparing dinner at her house.

It was insightful.
It was funny.

It was creative.

And now, because my insights, humor & creativity have all but dried up, I'm going to copy her.

So here you have it...

Cooking with Lorie

A Photo Journal

******

Hear husband coming in the door after a long day at work and shoo children off to greet him.

Glance at clock and realize you don't have a hot meal waiting for him on the table. You forgot to put out his slippers and favorite reading, too.

Have children find their shoes. When they assert their independence, allow them to attempt to put them on "BY MYSELFS, MOM!"

Threaten to leave grumpy boys at home. Tell them they can eat with you or have dinner with the dog.

Make sure everyone is in their assigned seats and properly buckled.

Navigate for husband. Curiously (& loudly) ponder why he still can't find his way out of the neighborhood. When he argues, scowl at him and tell him to get out of your kitchen.

Cart grumpy boy into restaurant on your back and wait. Patiently. For door to be opened by the other one.

Order. Notice husband's strong neck muscles as he skillfully holds grumpy child up without arms. Wonder if he has been using the Iron Gym?

Get scolded by husband for letting children run wild so that you can take pictures for your blog.

Ask oldest child to set the table (I believe that children should be given responsibilities at a young age. And the earlier they learn to put a lemon in my Diet Coke, the better).

Dig in.

Catch youngest child sneaking out of his seat.

Put him back.

Watch him do it again. Be glad you chose to sit by other child so your husband has to deal with it.

Threaten to take away his dinner.

Hide chuckle from husband as child makes another escape.

Threaten to take him to the car (minivan. whatever.)

Notice dramatic change in grumpy boy's attitude.

Leave with cheerful faces on everyone.

Get rewarded by husband for yet another fantastic meal with hand holding on the car ride home. Happy yourself, you don't even correct him when he misses the turn.

Singing the Big Boy Blues

2009-05-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I still think of Ryan as a baby.

And it's no lie that I want him to stay that way.

He's met most of his baby milestones with my

enthusiasm but not necessarily my encouragement.

And this week was no different.

It began with him climbing out of the bath & into his "big boy bed" where he demanded to sleep.

And so he did.

And so he has every night (& nap) since.

The next morning I was met with more demands.

This time it was "big boy underwears". . .

(he was so proud that he refused to wear pants over them)

My baby wants to be a big boy

and it seems his will is stronger than my wishes.

(sigh)

Couldn't Say It Better Myself

2009-05-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

"There's something about the fresh morning air that...just really makes me sick."

-Ryan Howard, 'The Office'

Flashback Friday

2009-05-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

It seems like an appropriate day to look back.

To appreciate the simpler times.

To remember the good 'ole days.

We would feed ducks (& geese & seagulls & pigeons) at the lake...

and count turtles on a log...

slide down concrete & swing from slides...

eat popsicles...

and enjoy each other's company.

Yes, last Friday was a much simpler time.

Simpler for me, at least, because Aunt Sheila did most of the work.

Every kid (& mom) should have an Aunt Sheila!

Me From His Point of View

2009-05-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

Countless times everyday I wonder what my kids are thinking.

And not just in the 'WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?' context, although that certainly applies. More in the way of how they view the things going on around them. Why they do the quirky things they do.

And, mostly, I am left wondering with the exception of a profound & out of place statement that will make it's way into a random conversation (like this for example).

Today I got a glimpse of myself from Braden's point of view. His preschool had a Mother's Day luncheon & each place setting included a questionnaire answered by our children. Here are Braden's answers:

What is you Mom's name? Lorie

What does your Dad call your Mom? Sweetie

What does your Mom do? She cleans up my room when I'm not playing

How old is your Mom? 69

What is your Mom's favorite color? purple, pink & red

What is your Mom's favorite thing to eat? purple grapes

What is your Mom's favorite movie? Wall-E

How many brother's & sister's does your mom have? 1 brother

Where does your Mom like to go for fun? To the wobbly ladder park

What special message do you have for your Mom? I love you!

I laugh at how so many of his answers are truly about himself. It makes me feel good, however, that I can 'fake it' good enough that he believes they would be my answers, too!

I love you, B!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-04-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

HOME DECORATING EDITION

My mom flew in for the weekend to help me accomplish some of my home decorating projects that have been put on the back burner for months. Although there's still a lot to do, it's nice to have these things (almost) done. Thanks for your help, Mom!

RYAN'S BIG BOY ROOM. . .

NOTE: Just because his 'Big Boy Room' is ready doesn't mean he's (I'm) ready for him to move in. For the time being (& until he's 12) he'll be staying in his crib in the nursery.

ALSO: Check out how well the room matches Braden's here

DINING ROOM TABLE. . .

(New chandelier, reupholstered seats with matching table runner, & flowers)

AND DINING ROOM WALL. . .

(I covered the mats in some great paper I found & put the boys' silhouettes in new frames)

Easter

2009-04-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Easter 2009

Never mind that most of these pictures are blurry, poorly taken & in bad light. I chose Easter weekend to bust out my new & slightly intimidating camera (maybe next time I should bust out the instruction booklet, too??). Apparently it didn't slow me down from taking a hundred pictures &, as a result, you're being forced to look at them...

Say Cheese (again & again & again)

2009-04-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

I'm slightly compulsive about getting professional pictures of my kids.
I do it every 3 months their first year.
Every 4 months the second year.

And every 6 months thereafter.

(And sometimes in between).

I love to have that physical proof of how much they are growing & changing.

And I want it done better than I can do in a snapshot because

I want them posed perfectly.

And I want them to be wearing their cute clothes.

And I want their hair (or hat) just right.

And their smiles genuine.

And the picture to capture their unique personalities.

And their pants completely covering their socks.

And...

So I turn to the professionals.

(because I can be a little picky)

My favorite professional is my friend Denae (she took these awesome family pics back in November) who met me in Downtown Brentwood this week to take new pictures of 'B' & Ry (they were due for their 4 year / 2 1/2 year pics). Here are some of my favorites:

My Lot in Life/My Big Brother

2009-04-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

I can't complain about the lot I was dealt in life.

The youngest.

The baby.

(and at times) The favorite.

I came into this world 10 years after my sister, 71/2 years after my brother. My mom always called it a "blessing" and I've always defended that. I was not an oops or a mistake or a surprise. I was (I am) a blessing.

It would be a lie to say I never craved the companionship of a larger family, after all, I was essentially an only child from the 5th grade on. But with little effort I was able to get myself "adopted" into a larger family where I could experience all the love & drama that comes with it. And then I would go home to my place. My lot.

The youngest.

The baby.

The favorite.

And I was happy there.

To this day my sister wants to cook for me & my brother calls me his "little baby sister." They worry about me, they want to protect me, they want to care for me. It's my lot.

The youngest.

The baby.

The favorite.

And I love it.

Today is my big brother's birthday. I'm not sure he knows it, but he is a big part of the reason I am so happy with my lot in life. I am grateful for the brother he has been & for the example he has set. I look up to him & admire the person that he is. There's so much that I appreciate about him (more than I can put on this measly list) . . .

*He instructed me in the basics of a good belch & how to enhance it with warm coke.

*He introduced me to Tom Petty & U2.

*He confided in me about his first dates with Kristin (who he would marry a few months later).

*He taught me that I would always be shorter than him. That even if I appeared taller, I wasn't. He is the big brother so he will always be bigger. And taller. Even if he isn't.

*He did a magic show for me & my friends on my 10th birthday. With disappearing smoke & everything.

*He danced with my on my wedding day. And I'm pretty sure he got teary.

*We share the same love of In-N-Out.

So I had a party in his honor today. I celebrated at In-N-Out with a #1, animal style.

This one's for you, Ryan!

Holy Moley

2009-04-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago I had an appointment with the dermatologist.

I needed to have 2 mole-ish growths on my chin checked out.

He agreed that they were, indeed, mole-ish although maybe not moles at all.

So he cut one off for a biopsy.

The nurse patched me up with some polysporin & a bandaid & advised me to keep doing the same until the area was healed.

"Roughly how long?" I asked. "A few days, maybe?"

"Probably a couple of weeks" was the reply.

So I've been walking around for the past week or so with a bandaid on my face. Really, it's not that big of a deal. What makes me uncomfortable is when it's not acknowledged. Seriously. For me it's like an elephant in the room. Only it's a mole (-ish).

If you're looking at me, you can see it.

If we're having a conversation, you can't miss it.

And if you don't acknowledge it, I'm left wondering what you're wondering.

The reactions I have appreciated the most were the friend who exclaimed, "What happened to your face?!" and the friend who actually laughed in mine. At least that gave me an opportunity to justify my blemish. Which is what I want. Otherwise I'm left thinking that you're thinking it must have been a really big zit to cover it up with a bandaid. . .

And it's not a zit. It's a mole (-ish).

Luke Skywalker Got Ripped

2009-03-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

By no means am I a know-it-all when it comes to Star Wars.

But I know enough.

I know who the good guys are.
And I know the bad ones, too.

I know the story (minus too many details).
And I know why Dec always wants my hair in buns on the side of my head.

I know I could maybe put all 6 movies in order.

From memory.

But probably not.

What I am sure of is this:

1) Luke Skywalker, although a good guy, is a whiny baby.

2) When the movie first came out he did not look like this:

My conclusion:

Luke Skywalker has been busy these past 32 years.
Luke Skywalker has been using the Iron Gym.

Luke Skywalker got ripped.

Luke Skywalker Got Ripped - Preface

2009-03-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

Braden loves a good infomercial.
Some of his favorites include the Snuggie. . .

And Shoes Under. . .

But his favorite, by far, is the Iron Gym.

He tells us,

"You can do pull ups & special push ups!"

"It hangs in the door. No screws required!"

and my personal favorite,

"You'll get ripped!"

He loves it so much that he insisted Declan needed it for his birthday. . .

After seeing the guy on the box 'B' said, "Look, Dad! You can even do it in your underwears!" (for the record, they didn't. Maybe after they get ripped the shirts will come off...)

What does all this have to do with Luke Skywalker?

Stay tuned. . .

Discovery

2009-03-24T16:23:00.000-07:00

Week 2, Day 11 of spring break.

I'm counting & I only have one kid in school.

And it's preschool at that.

To pass the day my friend Jodie & I took the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum

in San Jose.

The boys discovered water & balls . . .

And more balls & water . . .

And tunnels . . .

And tree houses . . .

And bubbles.

I discovered that, when it comes down to it, Braden will actually use a public bathroom (as long as he can flush "with his feet")

that even if you're split up the whole time, it's much more fun to go on adventures with a friend. Thanks, Jodie!

Keeper of Time

2009-03-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Among my gigs as a wife & a mother, a cook & a cleaner, a chauffeur & an entertainer, I am also a keeper of time. I watch the hours to make sure the kiddos are fed & rested, that schedules are kept & we are to places on time. I keep track of the minutes until their daddy comes home & until it's time to wash away the grime from the day in a bath. Sometimes in the evening I count the seconds until we can snuggle up with a book & a good night kiss.

What I have realized is this role is more than just watching the clock - this task can give me powers. Powers, which when used wisely, can allow me to actually manipulate time. I can shape our day any which way I like, mostly because the boys are too young to know any better.

In my house it is the microwave timer that facilitates this negotiation of time.

"When the timer beeps, it's time to come inside"

"When the timer beeps, it's time to take a bath"

"When the timer beeps, it's time to go to bed"

Rarely do the kids argue with the timer. And, really, how could they?

The best part is that hours & minutes & seconds are still abstract concepts to them. It doesn't matter if the timer is set for 30 minutes or 5. All they need to know is that the timer has beeped.

Take nap time today, for example. After 20 minutes or so Braden came downstairs and this is the conversation we had. . .

Me: Hey, B! Whatcha doin? It's not quite time to get up yet.

Braden: Mom, I have a deal.

Me: Oh yeah? What's your deal?

Braden: Set the timer for 5 minutes. When the timer beeps, it will be time to get up.

Me: Good deal, buddy. Get upstairs & I'll tell you when the timer beeps.

That was 1 1/2 hours ago. Braden went back upstairs & fell asleep, probably before 5 minutes had even passed.

This is how I anticipate our conversation will go when he wakes up. . .

Braden: Mom, did the timer beep yet? Has is been 5 minutes?

Me: Yup, it sure has!

Sad is the day when time becomes real & this power fades. . .

What's For Dinner?

2009-03-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

If you know me, and know me well, you know I love a good hot dog. And funnel cakes. And nachos. And churros. And most any kind of food you can find at a stadium or an amusement park. In fact, I can be lured to about any location with the promise of any of the fare mentioned. I will gladly cooperate & even pretend to enjoy all 8 hours of a baseball game as long as there's food in my hand & a Diet Coke in my drink holder. Declan learned this early in our relationship (due to his family's season tickets to both the Rockies & the Broncos) and I'd like to think it's one of the reasons he fell for me. I mean who wouldn't love a girl who can eat twice her weight in fried foods - especially on a date?!

(no judgement on the huge mess. I mean, really, I'd like to see your lap after eating a funnel cake. . .)

I'm not sure if it's a learned behavior or just heredity but there's no doubt that in my family I'm not alone in my lust. Just take a look at my sister at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk . . .

and Braden, too . . .

You'll notice in this picture from the hockey game he has a churro in one hand & a hot dog in the other . . .

That's my boy!

No exaggeration here. This is what we ate while at the boardwalk:

corn dogs

french fries

fried cheese

icees

fried cheesecake

funnel cake

fried twinkee

and

fried oreros

For dinner that night we had a salad. You know, to balance it all out.

P.S. Lynne, you cannot be mad at me for posting this picture on my blog. We both know there are far worse places I could have put it!

P.P.S. We ate cotton candy, too.

2009-03-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Party On, Braden - Part 3

2009-03-16T08:56:00.001-07:00

Because 2 celebrations just weren't enough, we had to have one more.

There were more gifts to be opened . . .

More cakes to be made . . .

More candles to blow out . . .

And more messes for brother to make.

Party On, Braden - Part 2

2009-03-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

After rescheduling (twice), Braden finally felt well enough to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory for his big 4 birthday dinner. All was set for a perfect evening - a table in the trolley, spaghetti on our plates & the promise of spumoni for dessert. But shortly after our meals arrived, 'B' said he was sick. He wanted to go home. So we shoveled our food in, paid the bill & went home.

Poor guy.

When Grandpa asked 'B' about his not-quite-so-perfect-evening, he told him,

"We had to sit outside,

they were all out of spaghetti,

and we had to eat waffles."

Tomorrow's agenda: 9am doctors appointment & 1 more birthday celebration . . .

Party On, Braden - Part 1

2009-03-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

We began celebrating Braden's Big 4 the night before by making sugar cookies with "yellow sparkles" for him to share with his friends at preschool. Lucky for me, Grandma was here to take charge . . .

When the big day arrived Braden woke up with a fever, so the cookies were set aside & the reservations at the Old Spaghetti Factory were rescheduled & a comfy bed was made on the couch.

Not all was lost, however. By evening he had regained some of his spunk & a little appetite. We ended up celebrating his Happy Day with In-n-Out for dinner . . .

a cake with "rainbow colors" for dessert . . .

and gifts, of course!

un4gettable

2009-03-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Braden John

March 11, 2005

Dear Braden,

First and 4most, we love you. You make us so happy! These past 4 years have been truly un4gettable. I remember your first days so clearly - how you would snuggle up tightly on our chests, your perfect little hands (always up by your face) and your easygoing demeanor right from the start. You were our little blessing. We had been hoping and wishing and praying for a baby for so long and here you were. I don't think we could have ever 4seen the joy and love and laughter you would bring into our lives. We love you. 4ever and ever and ever.

Fancy That

2009-03-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

My sister, Lynne, & sweet nephew #5, Cole, arrived today. It was a nice afternoon for watching smelly sea lions & riding the merry-go-round.

I bet Braden can't wait to go through her suitcase. Last time he found a lacy black bra & told us we should put on the fancy clothes & go to church.

Lynne wants to know what kind of church I take my kids to...

Bliss

2009-03-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

Declan practically shoved me out the door after dinner, insisting that I go shopping & leave him to do the dishes & put the boys to bed.

While I was out, my sister called & we talked about her trip out to see me this weekend. She, along with nephew #5, will be flying our way Thursday morning. The boys are bound to have a fabulous time and us girls, well, we'll be laughing pee-your-pants hard in no time!

And now for the bliss...

My favorite candy, which only makes an appearance in the stores at Christmas & Easter, was waiting for me on the shelf of our local grocery store. So I bought 4 bags. And I plan to buy 4 more the next time I go back. And the next time & the next & the next. And if you happen to be at the store, will you pick me up a few bags too??

Bliss I tell you.

Miscommunication

2009-02-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

To me this means it's time to pack our bags & leave Idaho...

To my parents (aka Grandma & Grandpa) it means we'll have to stay.

I win. We'll come back when the sun is shining & the snow has melted.

Ready or Not, Here We Come!

2009-02-22T18:28:00.000-08:00

5 KIDS

1 ROCKIN' MINIVAN

900+ MILES

16 HOURS

6+ MOVIES

1 PUKEY CARSICK KIDDO

JODIE

CRAZY

BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN FRIDAY. . .

Happy Birthday, Dec!

2009-02-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

Check him out here:

http://amer-gangofseven.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-birthday-dec.html

Love Week - Day 6

2009-02-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Declan.
I LOVE that so much of our history is a shared history.

I LOVE that when we went to the Sweetheart Dance (12 years ago) he didn't tie his shoes.

I LOVE that it doesn't surprise me.

I LOVE that he took me to his Senior Prom.

And to my Senior Prom, too.

I LOVE the incredible friendship we shared before we realized there was LOVE.

I LOVE that on the back of his senior picture he wrote,

"You will always be my best friend."

I LOVE that he has been mine.

I LOVE that I know the moment he realized he loved me & wanted to marry me.

I LOVE that it took him 6 more months to actually say it.

I LOVE that this picture is as much a photo of our relationship as it is a photo of us.

I LOVE that he knows just how to LOVE me.

But most of all, I LOVE him because he's him.

Love Week - Day 5

2009-02-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

I LOVE my 'B'.
I LOVE the way he loves his B.

I LOVE that to show his LOVE, he shares his B.

And I LOVE that even though he tries really hard to not take a nap, he falls asleep in his beanbag anyway.

I LOVE Pink Lady Apples.

For an extra special treat, I LOVE to sprinkle them with salt.

And I LOVE the things my dad will do to make his grandkids smile.

(Dad - you can thank Ryan for requesting this video in his 'fan mail'. Ryan said...
I think the video of Grandpa dancing would make a great blog topic.)

Love Week - Day 4

2009-02-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Gerbera Daisies. I LOVE their vibrant colors. I LOVE that they symbolize beauty & innocence & cheerfulness.

I LOVE that my boys are becoming great friends. I LOVE that they are starting to play so well together. I LOVE that they can occupy one another for hours when they so choose. And I LOVE that they LOVE each other.

Love Week - Day 3

2009-02-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the way Ryan makes me laugh. I LOVE his trouble. I LOVE his stubborn streak & his focus. I LOVE how once he gets something in his mind nothing is gonna stop him, not even his pants falling down.

I LOVE Softlips Pure Honeydew. I LOVE how soft it makes my lips feel. I LOVE that the flavor is so, well, me.

I LOVE knowing that before he leaves for work in the wee hours of the morning, Declan kisses me goodbye while I sleep. And I LOVE that he can do it without waking me.

Love Week - Day 2

2009-02-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Cheesecake Factory's White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake.

I LOVE that I can buy it at my local grocery store.

I LOVE sneaking into my boys' rooms before I go to bed at night to steal one last kiss.
I LOVE that this ritual makes the best days even better and the
not-so-good-days forgotten.

And I LOVE to check the mail on Thursdays because that's when I can expect my 'trash' to arrive.

Love Week - Day 1

2009-02-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

I LOVE that we live in a place where hats & gloves are as
much a dress-up prop as they are a necessity.

I LOVE when winter begins to turn to spring.

And I LOVE my Diet Coke with Lime. Especially first thing in the AM.

(Thanks, D-dawg. I LOVE love week!)

The Little Stinker

2009-02-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

Both of these pictures have been featured on my blog recently.

The 1st one to show off his cuteness as Ryan admired himself in Daddy's hat.

The 2nd one to capture proof that Ryan is very deliberate in the trouble he causes.

It wasn't until I placed the 2 next to each other that I noticed his expression.

The very same expression.

The one that says "I'm proud to be like my daddy" is also saying "I'm proud of the artwork I did on my mommy's couch"

The little stinker.

Daddy's Hat

2009-02-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

Jail Birds

2009-02-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

A slightly less conventional way to discipline

but far more effective than "time out". . .

Great Pick

2009-01-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another installment of 'Fan Mail' for your reading enjoyment....

Kristin said...
How about those great pics from Christmas - come on, those are really blog-worthy even a month later!

Thanks for your request, Kristin. When you say "great pics" I can only assume you are talking about this one:

And I'm sure Braden would agree - it was, indeed, a great pick. Look for this picture to adorn our Christmas card next year...

Orange You Glad

2009-01-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

me: knock knock
you: who's there?
me: banana
you: banana who?
me: knock knock
you: who's there?
me: banana
you: banana who?
me: knock knock
you: who's there?
me: orange
you: orange who?
me: orange you glad I didn't say banana?
you: ha ha ha

Technically they're clementines (& there's 19lbs of them), but that would just ruin the funny joke.

I Do'd It!

2009-01-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

At first sight, the drawings were kind of funny. I was actually fighting off the laughter as I tired to discipline him for drawing on the cabinets. It was easy to see the humor in it because
a) it's never happened before
b) he was very deliberate about it - they weren't scribbles, he was actually trying to draw pictures
c) it's just something Ryan would do

d) it was easy enough to clean up.

I'm not laughing so hard today 'cuz I just found one of his "drawings" on the back of my Pottery Barn couch. His response??

I do'd it!

Me thinks he's not all that remorseful...

Any suggestions on how to get it off??

Tagged

2009-01-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

16 RANDOM THINGS

1. I married my high school sweetheart

2. I broke my leg playing softball & had to have a rod & 4 screws put in it (& later taken out)

3. I have 9 nephews & only 1 niece

4. My dad once bought me a car because I kissed him & told him I loved him

5. For a short period in my life I played the flute

6. And, for a slightly longer period, I played the piano

7. I really suck at doing the whole potty training thing

8. And I don't sing very well, either

9. I can read a good book in a day

10. I can fit my whole fist in my mouth

11. My nickname when I was little was Poosta-Nana-Kaka

(poosta for short)

12. I was a sorority girl in college (Gamma Phi Beta)

13. I hate being cold

14. My favorite job was teaching swimming lessons

15. I like to have my feet tickled

16. I'd love to go back to school one day for no reason other than I loved going to school

I tag Amy. You're it!

Take Backs

2009-01-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

There have been so many days (I can't even count) that I've wished for peace. And quiet. And cooperation. All so that I could accomplish my daily tasks in a single day. Or so that I could accomplish nothing at all and do anything I want.

Today I wish to take back that wish. I have peace. I have quiet. I have cooperation. I'm nearly done with all I need to do and I may even score some free time to do what I want. But it comes at a cost...

I have a sick boy.

I want take backs.

Fan Mail

2009-01-22T09:08:00.000-08:00

I really had no intentions of responding to my "fan mail" so quickly but I find myself void of any other ideas. When will this January funk pass?? Or worse, what if it doesn't??

So here goes it...

Declan said...
how about you blog about yourself? Just vent or brag or whatever you want. Everybody deserves a selfish blog now and then.

Amy said...
I agree with Dec. You're due for a selfish, venting blog. Let's hear it!! Miss you!

Sounds easy enough, right??

Wrong.

Isn't that what my blog is about in the first place? So why do I have to think so hard about this?

As I sit here deciding what belongs in this "selfish" post, I keep getting distracted by my kids. Not in a physical way (although they do keep calling my attention away from the task at hand), but in my mind. I start to think about myself and I inadvertently think of them. It seems that you could give me any topic & I could make it about my boys. I'm sure it's no different for any other mother - that's just part of the job. My world tends to revolve around them & even when I try to step away for the briefest (and sometimes selfish) moments, I gravitate right back.

Now if I just drown out the background noise - the screaming, the laughing, the teasing & the gobbling (that's another post in itself) I can hopefully pound this one out...

Me.

Here's something: I'm afraid of my new hair dryer. It has one of those retractable cords (one of the reasons I bought it in the first place) & I'm terrified of it. Every time I clean it up I'm afraid that it will fly up too quickly and snap my hand. Maybe I'll get over it. If not, the brilliant pink color (the main reason I bought it) still makes it worth the purchase. Plus, I swear it makes my hair more shiny & smooth (due to the pink color, I think).

Here's another: I recently had a good friend (you know who you are...) confide in me about a life altering decision she made. Alright, maybe I'm being overly dramatic here. Life altering isn't quite the way to describe it, but nonetheless... I'm not too sure how happy I am about it. Not because I'm not happy for her and her decision (in actuality, I'm quite excited about the possibilities) but because of what it has done to me (it doesn't get much more selfish than that, does it??). Similar things have been festering in my unconscious mind and now my conscious self is all too aware of them. I don't like it. I want to shove the thoughts back where they belong. Back to that place where I don't have to think about it - where the decisions don't have to be made.

One last thing: I'm doing this again. Not nearly as obsessive this time around but (if it's possible) I may be enjoying it even more. I can't even begin to tell you the wonderful dreams I had last night...

I'm Back

2009-01-19T12:30:00.000-08:00

Not that I was ever gone, really.

I still lurked around YOUR blog everyday, just never got around to doin' it myself. Hardly seems fair, does it??

Thanks for all of your rallying support (14 comments!? That almost doubles my record! Maybe Amy should hack in more often...) & ideas, which I'm sure I will use, but was not really the cause of my brief disappearance from the blogosphere... No, what I really need is a bit of motivation. Not just here, but in all aspects of my life.

Ugh. January.

New year? Goals? Resolutions? Really?!

It just doesn't work for me.

In the La La Land of Lorie, September is the New Year. That's when there's change! That's when there's motivation! That's the time to resolute!! By the time January rolls around my year is nearly halfway over, resolutions have long been abandoned & (especially after the holidays) my drive to do much more than get out of my jammies has all but disappeared.

So, again, ugh.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go get dressed. No need for Declan to see me like this when he gets home or he may make me get a job outside of our house...

Be back soon. Promise.

-L

Do You Miss Lorie???

2009-01-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

I'm hackin' in.

It's been almost two weeks since Lorie's last post, and I (her sister-in-law, Amy) miss her. It seems she's stuck in a bit of a blogging funk, and we (her many, many followers and fans) need to rally for her return.

Here's our mission:

Leave a comment for Lorie telling her how much you miss her. While you're at it, give her a topic to jump start her writing. The person whose topic she chooses, will be deemed the ultimate winner.

Prizes to be determined.

Ready? Set. GO!!!

Celebrating

2009-01-06T17:48:00.001-08:00

8 YEARS

Happy Anniversary, Dec!

I love you!

(editor's note: YES that is my real hair. I did NOT wear a hairpiece on my wedding day)

2008

2008-12-31T17:47:00.000-08:00

7th anniversary in VEGAS
Weekend getaway in Monterey

DEC turned the BIG 3-0

House FOR SALE

SEA WORLD

Potty TRAINING

Dec started a new JOB

SOLD the house

DISNEYLAND
Moved into the HOLIDAY INN

Bought a house

PAINTED, PAINTED, PAINTED

BRADEN went to preschool

PaJohn got MARRIED

My BABY turned 2

I turned the BIG 3-0
VEGAS with my sister
ROAD TRIP to CO for the holidays

Messy Home Sweet Home

2008-12-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

It's getting HARDER & harder to travel for Christmas as the boys get older. Even in these days of internet shopping, there's still bound to be a few gifts to DISCRETLY pack & hide in the minivan. LUCKILY, they're not old enough to totally "get it". When the box of packages was discovered this trip, BRADEN declared that they must be presents for Dee & Papa . . .

Coming home is another FEAT. We no longer have to hide the gifts BUT have to try & fit them BACK in. Not an easy task when the all the boxes have been DISMANTLED & the toys are no longer tightly packaged. Lucky for me, this is Declan's responsibility . . .

I have found 1 perk to all this

PACKING & UNPACKING & REPACKING . . .

THE RE-UNPACKING!

It's like Christmas all over when you're finally home & get to unpack the gifts for the LAST time! The PLAYROOM is a disaster, the BOYS are happy, & I can do my own trip recovery in peace!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

2008-12-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

A little concert for your Christmas Eve enjoyment!

A Few of THEIR Favorite Things

2008-12-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

Every year I buy the boys a new ornament. I try really hard to find one that they will not only love, but one that will remind us of the past year.

This is what I found for 2008. . .

Braden:

Who was BUZZ LIGHTYEAR as much or more than he was 'B' this year . . .

Ryan:

Who, after our trip to Disneyland, was OBSESSED with pirates. I'm not sure what, exactly, he thinks a pirate is - sometimes a pirate is a pirate, Santa is a pirate, that guy on the street is a pirate, even Jesus is a pirate . . .

Ain't That Sweet?!

2008-12-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

It seems like weeks since I've seen my HUSBAND for more than a hug & kiss in passing. He WORKS all day, drives home all afternoon (at least it seems that way) & gets here just in time to see me off to run errands of one kind OR another.

Last night when I pulled into the garage at 11:00pm (which is really super late for me), all prepared to start wrapping the LAST of the gifts, I noticed a SWEET note on the door. He loves me, he MISSES me, can't wait for the craziness to be over & to spend time with me etc, etc, etc.

It made me smile!

Then I WALKED (hands full of bags) in the door to this:

PICTURES of him plastered all over the house!

(21 in this part of the kitchen alone)

It made me LAUGH.

Out loud.

Then I went upstairs to give him a KISS.

I'm STILL finding pictures in random places & they're STILL making me smile.

And laugh.

Out loud.

Here are SOME of my favorites...

In the EMPTY dryer, where he had REMOVED, folded & PUT AWAY the clothes:

Notice the look on his face in this picture. I think it, along with the folded arms, is saying something like, "YA. I rock. I'm the BEST husband in the world. You're so LUCKY. Put this in your blog so everyone will wish I was their husband, TOO."

And in the fridge:

Where he proudly displays his BIG muscles. I think Braden is right - his daddy MUST have the biggest muscles in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

THANKS for making my night!

And the next day, TOO!

You DO rock!

You ARE the best husband in the world!

I AM so lucky!

Everyone REALLY should wish they could be married to you!

And you really do have the BIGGEST muscles!

I love you, Dec!