Wednesday, September 30, 2009

What I Can Learn From My 14 Year Old

This morning started out great, then went downhill fast. I feel like we are always rushing in the morning. I'm not the timeliest person, but I do get my kids to school on time. (On time, but NOT EARLY.) I don't want that to change so every second in the morning counts. I was feeling so good about things this morning until Goose and Baby Hulk started fighting over who got to take out the toothbrushes. It ended with both kids crying after Goose slammed Hulk's fingers in the drawer. After these two calmed down, they started again because Hulk wouldn't help Goose carry his lunch box. During this time, the baby was screaming because he doesn't want to use a sippy cup. Frustrated with the others, I decided to get mad at Squirt too for something really small. As I stewed all the way to drop off Goose, Squirt kept quiet. I kept thinking about how he must think I'm such a bitch. If it had been me, I would have jumped out of the car as soon as I got to school. But not Squirt. He doesn't hold a grudge. When I dropped him off, he turned to me and said "I love you, I hope your day gets better, Mom." Then he got out and waited for our morning ritual of me rolling down the window and shouting "I love you" in front of all his friends. He still lets me do that despite the fact that it is so not cool to have Mom shouting at you from her car.

I'm calm now and am so thankful for a son who is loving and forgiving to me when I am so imperfect. He is such an example of how I should be with him.

Friday, September 25, 2009

First Words

I know people won't believe me, but it's true. Sebastian's first clear word is Squirt. Okay, really it's Squirt's name. It is clear as day to me and Squirt! What I love about this is that one of Goose's first words was the same thing. It was said with less clarity than Kobra's, but still distinguishable. Squirt LOVES this.

These little snippets of love between my boys make hard days so worth it!

BTW, Baby Hulk's first word: cookie.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

One Day at a Time

Joan asked how my new attitude is going so far. I can honestly admit that yesterday was the first "good" day. What can I say, I'm a work in progress! I don't mean that to sound flip because I understand how my behavior has adversely affected our family. BUT, I don't take responsibility for Lance's behavior on air earlier this week. He was pissed all on his own about the Astros.

I admit that I started to get really upset inside because once again Goose was missing his reading time, but I pretty much held it in and decided that he will have to read every day as soon as he comes home from school. That is just the way it is until someone makes more hours in the day. I won't give up reading with him and don't feel like I should have to, esp. since he STILL hasn't started reading at school yet. I know, I know, that was a bit negative, but really how many weeks have to pass by before he gets into a reading group???

Sunday, September 20, 2009

My Daybook- A Fresh Start

For Today~ September 22, 2009

Outside my window...It is raining so hard. This morning, my umbrella almost flew over when I had to walk Goose into school. I always walk him into school, but this morning, I admit that I tried to just drop him off in the carpool line. He would have none of that! Makes me very happy! Thankfully, it stopped raining when I dropped off Squirt for his short little walk into school, but by the time we made it to Mass, it was pouring again. We were soaked getting into the church even with an umbrella. Extra Grace for us, right?

I am thinking...about how funny my three year old boy is. Yesterday, when he received his blessing during Communion, he asked the priest if he wanted to see his tattoo.

I thankful for...the opportunity to start over each day, the forgiveness of our Lord, the chance to get it right and make up for all my failings.

I am wearing...a green shirt and black shorts, (yes, workout clothes!)

To be fit and happy...I am really enjoying my new cardio classes. Now if I could stop the daily sweets, but they do make me happy!

From the kitchen...meatball subs and salad tonight, mustard coated chicken, asparagus and mashed potatoes tomorrow, then brats and burgers, Chinese fried rice and steaks. All set until Friday, then Saturday we'll go to a friend's house for lunch and a tailgate for dinner. I love having my meals planned for the week.

I am creating...plans for Super Saints and a fun alphabet study for Baby Hulk.

I am listening to...Baby Hulk slyly try to avoid nap time. He has now "snuck" out of his crib twice. He is acting oh so innocent while playing his recorder, thereby keeping the baby from sleeping.

One of my favorite things...reading with my boys. I love how much my boys love to read. Even Squirt likes it, although he doesn't like to be told when to read! Just yesterday, he gave me a short story to read that he read in class. He doesn't do that with his father. This is something we share together, and I love it. Baby Hulk just got a reprieve on nap time by asking for a story.

On keeping home...It's time to go through and change out clothes. I really don't like this chore, but with so many boys, there are a ton of hand me downs. Although Kobra being at the bottom will get new clothes this year as I am so sick of certain outfits.

Living the liturgical year at home...I love that Super Saints has encouraged me to really look at the Church calendar and see what feast day we are celebrating. Although we focus on one Saint in Super Saints each week, at home, we try to read about a new Saint daily. We don't always accomplish this, but we are getting there. If nothing else, I catch the boys reading about the Saints they have learned about and that shows me that something is sinking in about the Saints. Our focus this week is on the Arch Angels and Guardian Angels- this way we'll be ready to celebrate their feast days next week.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
  • swim lessons
  • waiting for our new china cabinet to arrive on Thursday!!!
  • confession, boy do I need it
  • Bible study with the mom's group

A picture thought I am sharing...

Living Nightmare

My husband just reminded me that I haven't posted in a week and then informed me that I should be posting at least three times a week. He sounds like his editor at the Chronicle.

When someone says that you are a "living nightmare", do you take that as a compliment? Yes, that comment was directed at me tonight. Have I forgiven my husband yet? I'm playing nice, I suppose. He says I am now being scary nice.

In Lance's defense, I have been a bit difficult to live with lately. I have been so upset about Goose being in school, I have become a different person. I've always yelled, but I will admit I am out of control these days. Even Squirt is giving his opinion about homeschooling versus regular school. I think he hopes I'll shut up if Goose comes home. (Plus, he always loved hearing about what we did in school last year.)

I have been so manic that I skipped daily Mass twice last week because I decided that I would gain nothing from it. Really? Who thinks like that? Who refuses the one place they know they can be healed? Disgusted with myself, I went to my former spiritual guide for help. She is such a wise person and listened to all my negativity about school. She was kind and gentle, but gave me good counsel that I hope to implement. The problem with me is that I have good intentions then something small happens and I lose it.

Today was a perfect example of my human nature. It was a great day, then all of a sudden I started to feel the day slipping by and I hadn't read with Goose yet. I started feeling frantic and then just freaked out. Squirt couldn't get out the door fast enough for CCE. The others were begging to go too.

I finally calmed down and read four chapters with Goose just like we used to do together every day: he reads two chapters, I read two chapters. I was happy, I calmed down and apologized and am fine. Until next time.

My goal for this week is to not give my husband a reason to say I am a nightmare! Although one hopes that he keeps it to himself if he feels that way again...

I promise to be positive about school and work with my children so that they get the most out of their educational environments. I owe it to my children and most of all, Lance to give this a try. I know that Lance wants the best for our children. I trust his judgement and hate that I am making him feel like I don't trust him or that I know best. He loves and cares for our children as much as I do. I have to stop acting like he doesn't. I will fail, but I am praying nonstop that my failures become smaller each day.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Daybook- I Have a Three Year Old

For Today- September 13, 2009

Outside My Window...It's dark and it isn't raining. Yesterday was Baby Hulk's party, and it didn't rain!!! I can't explain how nervous I was about the rain. Despite the fact that I like things in perfect order ALL THE TIME, (and yes, with five boys in this house, I manage to keep things in order all the time.) I decided to throw a birthday party at my house instead of say, Pump It Up. I was freaking out on Friday, trying to come up with indoor games, but it was all for nothing. It stopped raining by noon and we were able to have the bouncy castle and pinata!

I am thinking...about my beautiful boy who is turning three years old tomorrow. I can't believe how fast time flies. More on him later! I think he deserves his own post, right?

I am thankful for...my beautiful children and the husband who gave them to me. Never in a million years did I think I would be a mom to four boys. What a blessing.

I am wearing...my church clothes, still. A black top and black and white skirt. I have this bad habit that I didn't notice until blogging about my failure to change clothes in a timely manner.

To be fit and happy...I bought new shoes today! I am so excited about that. Maybe this will be the miracle that will help me shed four pounds!

From the kitchen...chicken bones (drumsticks) for Baby Hulk's birthday dinner. Still in the planning stages for the rest of the week.

I am creating...memories and traditions for my family. One of those is celebrating your birthday for several days.

One of my favorite things...COLLEGE FOOTBALL. I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before now. I even paid for the first UT game since we couldn't go to Austin for the game. Next week we've been invited to a friend's house for dinner during the UT game. The kids are invited, but we are the only couple leaving them behind. The reason- I don't want to be distracted during the game. Mom, can you babysit?

I am also thinking...how lucky I am that my husband brings me flowers all the time just because. I love that! He just walked in with roses.

I am listening to...my husband try to keep his cool while going over Geometry with Squirt. I made the mistake of saying how easy Geometry was while I was in school. Lance thought he was going to get off easy this year, but there is no way in hell that I can help Squirt. We would kill each other.

On keeping home...The house is in perfect order already. Who didn't guess that one? Now, back to making a real home that is loving at all times, even when we don't like each other!

Living the Liturgical Year at home...I start religion this week with Goose. I hate to say start because we live our faith on a daily basis, but I have lessons planned for Goose starting this week. Is that better? Squirt started CCE tonight, I haven't heard his thoughts yet. I tried to be really positive and tell him to make the best of class, then went off and reminded him that he has four more years of it, like it or not. I have to remember that I HATED CCE, and in fact, skipped my entire senior year. But often my failings escape me so instead, I just get annoyed that he isn't jumping for joy at the prospect of going to CCE. As for Super Saints, we're going over the Exaltation of the Cross. I can't wait until Thursday.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

  • celebrate Baby Hulk's birthday
  • spend the day with my best friend
  • mom's group at church

A picture thought I am sharing...

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Smiling Jack

The one thing I wanted when we went on summer vacation was a family picture. I had the perfect outfits planned for the picture and the perfect person to take the picture. My friend Sarah was willing to take hundreds of pictures if that is what it took to make me happy. Well, we didn't get one family shot this summer. The one time we tried, Squirt refused to smile. It might be a cross between being a teen and thinking family shots are dorky, but it is mostly the fact that he hates his teeth. He needs braces and is getting them this year, but until then I just want a smile and not a smirk for family shots. I was so annoyed and totally jealous that Sarah's family seemed to take perfect photos every time someone snapped a camera.

The way family pictures go is for me to get everyone stressed and uptight for the photo and for dad to threaten everyone to smile so that mom is happy. Really makes for a Kodak moment. Two weeks ago we used the timer and took several great shots with everyone looking at the camera. It was not without fussing or eye rolling, but I was still happy that we were making progress. All but one child was looking and smiling at the camera.

Today at Baby Hulk's birthday party, I had my sister-in-law take some shots of us. I said one thing to Squirt beforehand about smiling, and God must have been smiling down on my family. I have five shots to choose from and Squirt is smiling as big as he can in each shot. FINALLY! (And yes, I told him how happy I was with his smiles today!)

We only have five of six looking at the camera, but with three of four kids five and under, I think we're doing pretty good! CHEESE!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Throwing Fits

It seems the golden one was so upset about not having Lucky Charms that he broke the window in his room. I kept hearing a tapping sound while I was working. Finally, he called and told me that he was ready to come out. When I went into his room, he told me that there had been an accident involving his golf club and the window. The accident being that he got mad and broke it.

Who out there thinks this kid will get Lucky Charms ever again?

My Daybook~ September 8, 2009

For Today: September 8, 2009



Outside my window...It is raining. It is still hot though and will be until November.



I am thinking...that I need to be a better wife and mom.



I am thankful...for the long weekend. I loved relaxing with my family and getting extra time with the school kids.



From the kitchen...this should be a good week. We have a menu planned and have stocked the refrigerator with the necessary items for a great week of meals. NO eating out until Saturday.



Living the Liturgical Year at home...Today is the Nativity of our Lady. We'll be celebrating this on Thursday with a Super Saints birthday party for Our Lady. A friend and I went over the church calendar and have some great ideas for the next month. The kids were happy to hear that Super Saints was starting this week. CCE starts for Squirt this week. I am praying for a great teacher for him so he can learn both at home and with his peers at church.



I am creating...more plans for Super Saints. There are so many awesome Saints celebrating their feast days this Fall. What I want more than anything is for my children to realize that they can become Saints and that these Saints are their friends and watching over them.



I am listening to...Goose throw a fit because I won't let him have Lucky Charms for a snack. He already had a huge piece of pumpkin bread and is pissy over my refusal to give in to his whims.



To be fit and happy... I have finally changed up my workout routine. I love bodypump, but I am loving my new cardio even more: bodystep and body combat. Now if I can just see some results!



I am wearing... my workout clothes. I don't know how the day escapes from me. It seems we run from one place to another before I have a chance to change.



I am hoping...that is doesn't rain this Saturday for Baby Hulk's party.



One of my favorite things... Anvil. I love this place and could spend quite a bit of money here!



A few plans for the week...
  • last night, we went to Warehouse Live and saw the Dandy Warhols.
  • swim lessons every day for Baby Hulk. He is doing such a great job!
  • Super Saints
  • Baby Hulk's birthday party
  • haircuts for the boys..all four of them!
On keeping home... Lots of cleaning this week-before and after. We have kids coming over on Saturday so I don't want to clean too much! Sunday will be the real cleaning day for me.


A picture thought I am sharing...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Baby Hulk

This kid cracks me up. Today we were driving, and he asked me to roll down the window so that he could throw away his lollipop stick. I explained that that would be littering and how we don't litter because we want to keep the Earth clean. He told me, "No, we don't. Please roll down the window." At least he said please.

Last week he told me that his babysitter, not Jessica, couldn't come over anymore because he didn't like her. This was after he told her "it's time to leave." He also told me that she needed to go to the Principal's office.

But the best quote was after Goose started school. He told Lance that he was never leaving home because he didn't want to make me sad.

I love this kid!