Do cover yourself in MICHIGAN tattoos before you leave. It is imperative that you make your uncle who is a huge STATE fan, angry...at least according to my sons who covered themselves in U of M tats. I drew the line at tats on the forehead.
Do pack bug spray.
Don't bother to spray yourself with it because the mutant mosquito's we have this year are immune to it...even the kind with enough DEET to kill an elephant.
Do take the camper with the air conditioning...
Don't let your kids leave the door open all the time.
Do scream incessantly to "SHUT THE DOOR" to the kids while your camping...
Do feel like your parents for repeating the above a dozen and a half times an hour.
Don't let you four year old take himself to the bathroom in your RV...he will use a full roll of regular toilet paper...and that's bad. My nephew experienced this first hand.
Do let your kids go four wheeling with their uncles, daddy and cousins.
Don't be surprised when they come back covered in mud.
Don't be shocked when you have to wash your hair three times before the smell of the camp fire comes out of it.
Do enjoy sitting by a roaring fire with family and friends at night.
Don't leave a half eaten cake in a box on the picnic table...unless you purposely want the raccoons to eat it.
Do let your kids stay up WAY to late eating junk, drinking pop and playing with their cousins.
Don't be surprised when they still wake up early.
Do let your children have a Pepsi and a Popsicle for breakfast.
Don't deny it when they tell other people that you allowed this to take place.
Don't assume your feet will EVER be clean while your camping.
Don't wash egg leftovers down the sink.
Do take a shower in a campground shower...just so you can experience the smell/feel of well water.
Do take your portable DVD player.
Don't pay attention to people who say.."that's really roughing it".
Do pack several extra changes of clothes...not just for you children but for yourself.
Do not be surprised when you get home when you four year old still wants Pepsi and Popsicles for breakfast.
Do not assume when you see what appears to be a lovely campground pool, that it's actually a "lovely" pool. Do be shocked when you step on the ground of the pool and find it's uneven and clearly put over an area of cement that has been uneven, broken, cement.
Do sign up for the "speel", that gives you 14 free days of camping.
Do not be shocked when the 45 minute talk goes for 2.5 hours.
Do NOT buy the package....it's a scam.
Do enjoy yourself and your family.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Eight is enough
Eight. That's old enough. My oldest blessing is eight. The child I begged God for. We prayed and tried and prayed and tried some more! Finally, our little miracle was on his way. I often think back to the DAYS, yes, DAYS of S's labor. Induction was certainly NOT the way to go with him. After all was said and done our, not to little, blessing was born and after a few small issues was in our arms and healthy!
The time has flown by. I blinked and he was walking, I blinked again and he was starting school. I blinked once more and eight years have gone by! I think I'm done blinking for fear that the next time I do he'll be moving out and getting married!
S is such a sensitive boy. There are times when I desperately want to foster this trait in him and times when I want to yell, "SUCK IT UP" or "SPARE ME THE DRAMA SON...Your NOT a girl". I refrain from yelling either of those things...barely.
He is also a passionate boy. Everything is said with passion and drive. He does little half heartedly. He is always incredibly animated. His stories are full of hand motions and facial expressions.
He has developed a love for all things sports. He often will turn off cartoons to watch a game or monster trucks. HE love history and learning about new things. He's been seen watching the history channel or shows about how engines are made.
He is such a bright boy. He reads far above his grade level and does very well in school. He has lots of friends and is a sweet boy to others...except his brothers. All bets are off with them!
S continues to struggle with anxiety. I hate that for him. He tends to obsess about things...weather, money, people...anything. He has to know the plan for each day and wants to know how it will all play out. He needs details. LOTS OF DETAILS.
He's lost four baby teeth and HATES when they fall out. His grown up teeth are typically right behind the ones that fall out. We've not yet had that big toothless grin! I especially love his front tooth...his adult tooth that I affectionately refer to his "Chiclet tooth". It's far too big for his mouth and doesn't match any of his other teeth. It tends too look like he's stuck a piece of "Chiclet gum" right in front!
S has a tender heart and a love for the Lord. He professed Christ last summer...he's actually done this a few times. He's asked a few times about baptism, but we would like to wait until he can also explain it to us a bit more. We continue to pray that he will follow Him and become a man of God.
S is a cuddler. He's always up for a hug. He doesn't think he's too big to sit on my lap or hold my hand. I love that about him. I'm thankful that he's yet to seem embarresed by me!
S LOVES music. He sings along with almost any song he knows...and even a few he doesn't know all the words too! He doesn't know it yet, but his wish for an electric guitar is about to come true...thanks to his grandma!
I am so thankful for this little man. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the Lord for His answered prayer.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Strange Kroger Shopping Lady
While picking up some more overpriced food for our new healthy lifestyle, I heard a voice say: "Do you really?". An audible voice. Not one in my head. A real live voice.
I continue to look at my peanuts, checking carbs (for Max's diabetes), protein and calorie count for Matt and I, and am just about to place them in the cart when I here: "Do you really?", even louder.
I look up to see a woman standing next to me and looking right at me. I politely asked her, "Are you talking to me?" and the following conversation takes place:
Lady: "Yes, I'm talking to you. Do you really"?
**I look at her, at my jar of peanuts, back at her and dumbfoundedly answer:
"Do I really what....need these peanuts....yeah I kind of do."
Lady: "No, love your husband" "Do you really love your husband"?
WHAT?!?! I look down to realize I'm wearing my shirt that says I LOVE MY HUSBAND across the front.
I quickly answered that yes, I do in fact love my husband very much and that he's a great guy. She looked at me, turned and walked towards the wine aisle saying nothing else.
Alrighty then strange Kroger shopping lady.
I continue to look at my peanuts, checking carbs (for Max's diabetes), protein and calorie count for Matt and I, and am just about to place them in the cart when I here: "Do you really?", even louder.
I look up to see a woman standing next to me and looking right at me. I politely asked her, "Are you talking to me?" and the following conversation takes place:
Lady: "Yes, I'm talking to you. Do you really"?
**I look at her, at my jar of peanuts, back at her and dumbfoundedly answer:
"Do I really what....need these peanuts....yeah I kind of do."
Lady: "No, love your husband" "Do you really love your husband"?
WHAT?!?! I look down to realize I'm wearing my shirt that says I LOVE MY HUSBAND across the front.
I quickly answered that yes, I do in fact love my husband very much and that he's a great guy. She looked at me, turned and walked towards the wine aisle saying nothing else.
Alrighty then strange Kroger shopping lady.
Friday, June 25, 2010
It's Summer
I know because:
*My bathtub is regularly coated in dirt and sand now.
*I have counted swimming and playing in the hose as a "shower" on more than one occasion.
*Their is always a grass trail from the backdoor to the refrigerator and the bathroom.
*I have found wet underwear on my porch on more than one occasion...I've actually had to ask "Whose underwear are these and who isn't wearing any?", more than once.
*My children have had freeze pops before 10am more than once.
*I've found cups in the fort of the swing set"
*We are ALL covered in more mosquito bites than we have skin.
*I regularly brush dirt and sand off my kids sheets.
*Our boys now ask why they have to go to bed when it's still light out.
*I hear "CAN WE PLAY IN THE WATER", before my eyes even open in the morning.
*There is constantly a pile of wet swimsuits in my bathtub and no towels in my closet.
*My children have gone outside in their jammies to play.
*We have had to search more than once for shoes in the yard.
*I've had many instances of shrieking children because bees are chasing them...yes, I have boys...don't ask.
*My bathtub is regularly coated in dirt and sand now.
*I have counted swimming and playing in the hose as a "shower" on more than one occasion.
*Their is always a grass trail from the backdoor to the refrigerator and the bathroom.
*I have found wet underwear on my porch on more than one occasion...I've actually had to ask "Whose underwear are these and who isn't wearing any?", more than once.
*My children have had freeze pops before 10am more than once.
*I've found cups in the fort of the swing set"
*We are ALL covered in more mosquito bites than we have skin.
*I regularly brush dirt and sand off my kids sheets.
*Our boys now ask why they have to go to bed when it's still light out.
*I hear "CAN WE PLAY IN THE WATER", before my eyes even open in the morning.
*There is constantly a pile of wet swimsuits in my bathtub and no towels in my closet.
*My children have gone outside in their jammies to play.
*We have had to search more than once for shoes in the yard.
*I've had many instances of shrieking children because bees are chasing them...yes, I have boys...don't ask.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ten Years
I've been married for 10 years. TEN...YEARS. Ten years is a long time. Matt and I have been together for 13 years. I barely feel old enough to be with the same man for that long. Am I really old enough to have been with someone for 13 years...and married for 10 of them!?!? Where does the time go? I'm almost afraid to blink for fear that the next 10 will go by even faster!
In ten years I feel like I've learned some things about marriage. I by NO means have it all figured out. In fact, we had a nice arguement just the other day...about something that I continue to do that really bothers him...but I digress. Since I love making lists, let me begin:
*Marriage is work. HARD work.
*Laughter really is the best medicine. If you can't laugh with each other and at yourselves than you are in trouble.
*Communication is key.
*He can't hear me when he's watching sports.
*I can't hear him when I'm reading a blog...well, I can hear him, but I can't respond.
*Children add a lot of stress to a marriage.
*Children bring immense joy to your marriage.
*Your love will change...in it's scope and it's definition.
*Money will always be a source of tension.
*A kind answer is always best.
*Honesty is ALMOST always the best policy. There are a few areas where a slight "fib" are in your husbands best interest..."yes, dear, your dinner tastes wonderful...even though it's burnt to a crisp"...or "no, your butt doesn't look big".
*The word "boobs" will always get your husbands attention. Yes, I said it.
*We may NEVER like the same movies.
*Life will be full of trials and tribulation, but a faithful partner will make the walk easier to bear!
*There will be some issues where you will NEVER see eye to eye and that's ok.
*Your intimacy level will change from your honeymoon to year 10. It doesn't mean it should...but it will.
*When you see your husband hold your child for the first time, you'll never love him more.
*Life goes by at a whirlwind pace.
*Don't yell
*Nice matters.
*Make time for dates.
Just a bit of my profound thoughts.
In ten years I feel like I've learned some things about marriage. I by NO means have it all figured out. In fact, we had a nice arguement just the other day...about something that I continue to do that really bothers him...but I digress. Since I love making lists, let me begin:
*Marriage is work. HARD work.
*Laughter really is the best medicine. If you can't laugh with each other and at yourselves than you are in trouble.
*Communication is key.
*He can't hear me when he's watching sports.
*I can't hear him when I'm reading a blog...well, I can hear him, but I can't respond.
*Children add a lot of stress to a marriage.
*Children bring immense joy to your marriage.
*Your love will change...in it's scope and it's definition.
*Money will always be a source of tension.
*A kind answer is always best.
*Honesty is ALMOST always the best policy. There are a few areas where a slight "fib" are in your husbands best interest..."yes, dear, your dinner tastes wonderful...even though it's burnt to a crisp"...or "no, your butt doesn't look big".
*The word "boobs" will always get your husbands attention. Yes, I said it.
*We may NEVER like the same movies.
*Life will be full of trials and tribulation, but a faithful partner will make the walk easier to bear!
*There will be some issues where you will NEVER see eye to eye and that's ok.
*Your intimacy level will change from your honeymoon to year 10. It doesn't mean it should...but it will.
*When you see your husband hold your child for the first time, you'll never love him more.
*Life goes by at a whirlwind pace.
*Don't yell
*Nice matters.
*Make time for dates.
Just a bit of my profound thoughts.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
What's that Smell?!?!
I bent down yesterday to pick something up off the floor. No biggie, until I stood up. On my way up I got a whiff of some SERIOUS "body odor". I took a moment, to "sniff", my armpit. We had just gotten back from a party and I HAD to be sure that it wasn't me. I can just see me, walking around all night, visiting, serving food, chatting...all while stinkin like a boys locker room!
The "sniff" determined, I was in fact safe. Who was the culprint? My son. My oldest son. The boy is 7. He won't be 8 until July....was it possible the smell was coming from him!?!? I asked him to let me smell his armpit. He found this hysterical and gladly shoved his "pit" into my nose.
The odor was in fact eminating from his little pit. WHAT?!?! I thought I caught a glimpse of this same smell from him just a few days earlier, but chalked it up to playing outside, boy "funk" and being overdue for a shower. There was no denying it this time. The child stank!
I sent him to see his dad. I told him to tell his dad to smell his armpit...he ran giggling to his dad. I heard my husband tell him "NO WAY" and S explain that mommy said you HAVE TOO!! It was quickly decided the boy had some serious "funk" and that we needed to take care of it!
Matt took a moment to show S how to use deodorant. I told him I'd get him some special kid kind. I walked away, chocked up and teary eyed. S wanted to know why on earth I was sad he had to wear deodorant. Matt explained it was because it meant he was growing up. S thought this was ridiculous! He thought this was one of the coolest moments in his life!!
He then announced I needed to measure him (we have done this on the inside of our linen closet door since S was a year and a half). He was certain since he was wearing "big man" deodorant that he'd most likely grown! I told him we'd do that tomorrow and that he needed to get to bed.
This morning, before he got dressed, he walked into the bathroom, excitedly opened the deodorant and applied a small amount...again, my eyes teared up. I'm not ready for this!!
The "sniff" determined, I was in fact safe. Who was the culprint? My son. My oldest son. The boy is 7. He won't be 8 until July....was it possible the smell was coming from him!?!? I asked him to let me smell his armpit. He found this hysterical and gladly shoved his "pit" into my nose.
The odor was in fact eminating from his little pit. WHAT?!?! I thought I caught a glimpse of this same smell from him just a few days earlier, but chalked it up to playing outside, boy "funk" and being overdue for a shower. There was no denying it this time. The child stank!
I sent him to see his dad. I told him to tell his dad to smell his armpit...he ran giggling to his dad. I heard my husband tell him "NO WAY" and S explain that mommy said you HAVE TOO!! It was quickly decided the boy had some serious "funk" and that we needed to take care of it!
Matt took a moment to show S how to use deodorant. I told him I'd get him some special kid kind. I walked away, chocked up and teary eyed. S wanted to know why on earth I was sad he had to wear deodorant. Matt explained it was because it meant he was growing up. S thought this was ridiculous! He thought this was one of the coolest moments in his life!!
He then announced I needed to measure him (we have done this on the inside of our linen closet door since S was a year and a half). He was certain since he was wearing "big man" deodorant that he'd most likely grown! I told him we'd do that tomorrow and that he needed to get to bed.
This morning, before he got dressed, he walked into the bathroom, excitedly opened the deodorant and applied a small amount...again, my eyes teared up. I'm not ready for this!!
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