Happy 11th Anniversary to us!!!!

Off for our anniversary night away. BYE!!!!!!!!

Drop by for a Dot

A few weeks ago I was scoutin' out some new furniture at the local favorite furniture chain. I bribed my cherubs with the Dots (amazing dot things that melt into icecream when you put them into your mouth) that the store offers for free as you walk in. I was telling RLF, K, that I told the cherubs if they were good while I dreamily walked around the air conditioned building looking at furniture they could enjoy that treat on the way out. They held their end of the bargain so I held mine. I told K that if we ever needed a quick mommy retreat or needed a snack for the kids, stop by the furniture chain.

Today she called me hysterically laughing b/c she took her 2 kids and her 3 niece/nephews in 'for a snack'. A little false pretense shopping, alot of Dot devouring. We were peeing our pants laughing. "There are 5 of you, I can't afford to feed you. Let's go to the furniture store. Drop by for a Dot.'

Maybe we are both turning into slummy mummies!

*Just to ensure you, almost all of our furniture has been purchased at the shall be named nameless chain throughout the years. I sometimes buy things. Not just eat.

Finding the pep to put in my step.

So far on the eve of our 11th anniv, the day has been, well, just eh.

A Rocky Start
We had a whopper before breakfast. Not the sandwich, a WHOPPER of a fight between hubby & I. He thinks the house is a mess and I don't act happy to be a homemaker or a mom. Ouch. Their ain't no anti-sting medication that will work for that bite. So I told him off (yup, mature-but come on those were fightin words) and I proceeded to leave with kids in tow to D&D to cool off and get some donuts and coffee. (The kids thought that was awesome and spontaneous of course. I'll take brownie points where I can get them.) Now, before you hate him too much, I don't embrace being a homemaker. (I do however, embrace being a mom so that is why I told him to stick it.) I am moody and roll my eyes and complain about laundry all the time.

The battles I lose-
Let's face it, unless you love housework, picking up after everyone, doing laundry and organizing piles of crap all the time, being a homemaker isn't the apron wearin', garden weedin', food makin, dish washin, simple to scrub tubbin, life it is made out to be. It is boring, annoying (picking up after people) and monotonous. I am talking about homemaking-not being a mom. Let's be clear. (Momhood is never boring-and I do love it.) I have never been the 'wow, I found the perfect cleaning agent' or 'wow, sheet day is so exciting' type of girl. At best, I try to keep up. I try not to let things get (too) out of control, too dirty, or let the laundry pile get too high. But lets face it. I lose those battles alot. Sigh.

He was right (darn)-
To prove hubby right (I hate when that happens), I have been tearing apart our very (dis)organized home to find a missing soccer shinguard that is my nephews. He of course needs it this weekend. We of course lost it. My house is like the black hole all the time. Things just get swallowed up, never to be seen again. Looks like I'll be buying them new guards. Sigh. Needless to say, I have spent the day putting my house back in order to please hubby (who I know is right).

Step in the right direction-
I am trying to put the pride back in my work. Trying to put the pep back to my step. Believe it or not, once upon a time ago, before 3 kids, I had a VERY clean, organized home. Sigh again.

Questioning myself (again)-
So hubby & I have somewhat made up (stayed clear of each other) and he apologized for the mom comment. It doesn't make me a bad person to love being a mom, and only like taking care of my home. Right?

Off to cook dinner. With a smile on my face and some pep to my step. Should I throw on an apron just for show? :o)

A different kind of Consultant

So, we went to see Dr. Edward Scissorhands today-for a consultation. The urologist that is. Just a little snip...it was all explained to us. Hubby acted as if he was under the knife just listening. In pain just asking questions and thinking about it.

So are we ready? That is a good question. 1 girl and 2 boys later. Of course we are ready. So why are we both hesitant? We of course want cherub 1 to have a sister. Since recently, hubby only makes boys-the question has to be asked, can you plan for the sex of your baby?

I googled the Chinese Gender Chart as a joke. You simply look at the age of the mom at conception, the month of conception and check out if it is a boy or girl. I tracked the info back to all three of my kids. It was right! I dared to go one step further.

If we conceived now or next month...we would have a... girl.

Don't be decorating the nursery pink yet friends. I am sure it is a hoax. I am also sure I am way too old to get up in the middle of the night again with a baby. But, boy it is tempting so that cherub 1 could grow old with a sister.

Just thinking about it all makes me feel like I am playing russian roulette. It's a dangerous game.

To snip or not to snip? That is the question.

Check out the chart...is it right for you too?

Red Light Green Light

When is it in life that I became the driver that poeple beep at? I used to be the impatient driver, young, in a rush, to my very important place to go or just because I was young. Beep, beep, out of my way!

Now I am the mom in my losercruiser (mini-van). At a red light. Daydreaming. Until, beep, beep-at me. I shake off my daydream (my upcoming-no doubt REALLY romantic anniversary night away with hubby this weekend) and start slowly driving. The driver behind me, bugged, b/c thanks to me he is now another 10 seconds delayed.

At the next light, I did the same thing, daydream city. Cherub 1 pipes up, "Uh, mom, you can go now, it's green. It is a good thing there was no one behind you this time. They would be beeping again."

Now, the impatient backseat driver. Soon, she'll be the impatient driver. :o)

Giving to those who need to Receive

Today we donated our old changing table and strollers to a local charitable organization. The organization gives to families in need. Just seeing their warehouse filled with mattresses, backpacks, carseats and everything else that a family needs made me want to give back. More than just the few items I was donating.

I want to show my kids that giving can be better than receiving in this 'thing' driven world.

So, faithful readers. You are from all over the world...so I am asking. How do you teach your kids this important lesson? Do you have traditions? Do you volunteer? Leave me a comment...tell me your thoughts.

Today's Blessings

Doc IS a smarty. No broken hand, just a 'crushed' one. No cast!

Sunshine for swimming.

Good behavior in the grocery store (trust me, that is a blessing).

We finally found a trapper keeper for school (didn't they used to be in all stores)?

A good game of capture the flag.

Cherub 1 tried a new food today- turkey burgers. (that is actually a big deal).

Long bike rides to the playground after dinner.

Bathtime splashing.

Clean cherub smells.

Lullaby's.

Peaceful house after cherub's are sleeping.

Bedtime for mama. I am flippin tired!