You might live in my house if:

A compilation of random thoughts, on this cold, cold day, about life in my crazy house....  

Inspired by #1.

You might live in my house if:

You find the candle sitting on your bathroom sink filled with water, and don't even bat an eyelash- you just drain the water off and wonder "which kiddo did that" and "WHY?! did they"

You see that there is a toothbrush missing.... AGAIN!, and immediatly look under the bath mat to locate it. (rinse it with bleach and water and it's good to go-right??)

You can sleep through your five year old bouncing on top of you at 2am.  

It's survival of the fittest at my house

Playing 'find the kids' in the morning doesn't fluster you in the least.

Dinner involves physical contact, between young ones,

 (typically in a way that brings exclamations or tears)

 and at LEAST one spilled beverage.... and an adult saying "3 more bites"....

You are aware that 6 people can 'comfortably' fit on my couch.... 

and not so comfortably fit on my chair when necessary =(

Finding toys that DON'T go in the tub in the tub doesn't surprise you.

You never look for the hairbrush in the handy- dandy hairbrush holder on the bathroom counter (and get frustrated because you can't find said brush, because it is actually in the holder where it belongs) - come on, I know some of you have been here

The kids know that before we can go somewhere we MUST play our favorite game 

"FIND MOMMY'S KEYS"

Just a short list of the fun things that go on around here.... wouldn't change it for the world ;)

I made you a hat, Mommy :)

Alright Jennifer Teague, this story is for you.....

Since it was a beautiful fall evening, that was miraculously not overbooked, the kids were playing outside after dinner while I finished a few things up inside.  All of the sudden I hear screeching and screaming "mahhh-oooo-ooommmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Followed by a breathless "Alaina is running around outside naked" (ummm... it's 50 degrees outside-maybe)

"aaaaaaaa-LLLLLLAAAAAAYYYYYY-nahhhh!" ('Cuz that's totally the best way to parent when you are utilizing the 'facilities' and hear THAT statement from your responsible ten year old about your incorrigible five year old.... :) )

Alaina walks into the living room (where I met her), fully clothed, head hanging....

Alaina: Mommy, I'm sorry.
Me: Are you sorry for running around outside naked, or are you sorry that you got caught?
Alaina: I'm very, very sorry that I got caught and you had to get angwee

Me.......... (pregnant pause)....... just go get ready for your shower, you little imp....


It's all good though.... she just came out and told me that she made me a new hat 'cuz I am the 'best mamma evah"  "oh- and it is NOT a subway kids bag either."

I agree.. it is much, much better- because THIS is her apology; HER way of saying thank you for letting me be little without too severe of a punishment...

THIS is what loving memories are made of- and I am forever grateful to have the experiences He has provided me with in this wild ride I call life at home.

Mamma said there would be days like this.....

So, as I am sure everyone in SE Indiana is aware, the weather is having more mood swings lately than a menopausal woman.

And with that- there is no shortage of congestion, sinus pressure, ear aches, coughs and sore throats.

Our home is no exception with four of the five of us (funnily our only male is the only one who hasn't had troubles....hummmmmm) have some side effects of allergy/sinus troubles.

Last night it was poor Alaina who was coughing her head off.  I didn't notice it before she went to sleep, but as I listened to her sleeping, I knew it was not going to be a super restful night.  Since she ALWAYS wakes up at some point, I figured instead of waking her for cough medication I would give her some when she woke up.  I probably should have communicated that with Gary, since I apparently slept through her nightly roaming session- therefore NOT giving her any cough/decongestant medication. (lesson learned)

This morning all of them were not ready to get out of bed- particularly Princess Alaina- who advised me:

"I have decided today is not a school day"

I gave her time to crawl out of bed.

I snuggled with her.

Let's face it... I bribed her. "You can have a popsicle for breakfast if you just get out of bed and go to the table."

2 Popsicles and a bowl of cereal later the negotiations are on.  "Mom, you said get out of bed not go to school. I am staying home I will snuggle quietly all day long"

Ummm... no.  Not gonna happen kiddo.

I carry her back to her room and pull clothes out.

"I am NOT wearing that"

"Yes you are"

"You can't make me!!!"

(Guess what?!  I could :))

After, physically threading her legs into pants, pushing feet into socks and shoes and weaving her little arms through her sweater sleeves for her and then physically pulling her out of the bottom bunk, she decided she was a big girl and brush her own teeth and hair.

Fast forward to time to leave: "No!"
 "Go. Get. In. The. VAN!!!"
 (hear the low growling tone as I am literally nose to nose with my beloved youngest.)

At the school we face the need to physically remove her from the back most seat of the van and carry her to the door.

The entire time I walk, I am seriously wondering if I should MAYBE take pitty on her teachers and just keep her home.  She can be 'slightly' stubborn when she makes up her mind.

As I am attempting give her a pep talk and trying valiantly to hug the others while my little monkey has her arms and legs clamped around my torso (so that I can't POSSIBLY force her into the building) the science teacher, Mrs. Dunfee, who Alaina has adored at morning drop off for years now, says "Good morning, Miss Alaina!"

My tormented five year old drops the the ground....

SMILING!

RUNNING TO THE TEACHER FOR A HUG!!!!

And says, "Hi! I'm ready for school!!"

And then walks calmly into the building without another thought.

Sigh......

Glad she was able to work out all of her frustrations on Mamma this morning.

Hoping she feels much better and has a wonderful day full of fun and learning :)

This is why I love motherhood... never the same day, reaction or action twice.

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get" -Forest Gump

Kryptonite

I love food.

I may have been a chef or food critic in another life.... seriously. LOVE. FOOD.

Sweets are a particular weakness.  I don't have a sweet tooth- I have 22 sweet teeth.

So we had a gathering at my parent's last night to celebrate the fourth.  I now have cheesy potato soup, homemade mac-n-cheese, steak, burgers, dogs and chops, homemade sweet pickles (YUM!), and TWO cakes in my kitchen..... I am sure I am forgetting something.

None of those are particularly stressing me out, though.

It is the Kryptonite sitting to the right of my stove that has me breaking out in a cold sweat.

Potato chips are my kryptonite.  I love, Love, LOVE them!!  

They are salty.
You can eat them with fat infused, ranch flavored dips.
They CRUNCH! as you eat them.

And there is no better excuse to lick your fingers clean than a tater chip-face stuffing fest.

What's not to love about potato chips?!?!

So my parents just came over to drop off more leftovers "for the kids."

There are now SIX bags of chips on my kitchen counter....

I can feel my derrière expanding just writing about them....

Now... if you will excuse me I have some chips to gorge myself on before the minions beat me to it :)

CRUNCH!

But how do you get it all done? It's simple really....

I am a singe mom to four children- four children within a five year age span (10, 7 (and a half!), just turned 6 and not quite 5).

I work full time as a registered nurse in the local Emergency Department.

I also go to school full time.

I constantly hear people say to me: But how do you get it all done?

It is simple really...... I DON'T.

It just isn't possible.  

I survive.  

I love my children, they love me.  

          We are a family unit... 

we fight fiercely

 and we love even more fiercely.

I would never survive without a few things: My parents and my boyfriend.  They constantly love, encourage and support me. They babysit endlessly, sweep floors, put away laundry (ok that is all pretty much my mom there- she is totally my hero), fix leaky commodes, drippy faucets, fans that won't turn, haul furniture, and help plant gardens.  They also help me get kids to where they need to go, listen to them read and do flash cards and snuggle babies when Mommy just can't do it. They help me celebrate life's wonders and joys.  They comfort me when I need to rage or cry. And they aren't afraid to call me on it when I need taken to task.

But a vast majority of the time it is me and my kiddies.  We get through each day the best we can.  There is a lot of yelling, screaming and tears.  A lot more hugs, jokes and giggles fly around here, too.  I have learned to be ok with dirty dishes.. they will be there in the morning.  The kids help.  Laundry may not be where I want it, plates may be stacked on top of a pot.. but we work together and roll with it :)  It seems to work.  I have only gone to work wearing two different shoes once.... that I remember.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2014

Wow...  this was Mother's Day #10 for me.

I feel old.  Well, old-ISH.

As in I feel like I need a cane-- but not a wheelchair.  

YET.

And I was actually off work for about the first time in as many years to celebrate :)

These goof balls make my world complete!

They also know how to make me feel super special.

I found flowers on my porch

We had an awesome road trip dance party

I was given priceless jewelry (including a handmade rubber-band bracelet)

Beautiful pieces of art

Notes from the heart that made me grin, pictures and poems.

Hugs and Kisses.

We even had quality time... purchasing flowers, making gifts for Grandma, seeing Shrek the Musical (compliments of the high school music department) and making boats for the Cub Scouts Rain Gutter Regatta.

And then--- the icing on the cake....

They PLANTED the annuals in my front flower bed for me :)

I can't wait to see them spread and bloom!!

After this... well, the honeymoon was over.  We returned to the normal bathing, hitting, screaming, crying, I'm overtired and don't wanna go to bed routine.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

I hope all you other fabulous Mamas had a super special day as well :)

I think I am going to sit here and contemplate how blessed I am to have four such vibrant, healthy, happy blessings in my life.

Thanks for breakfast Danny....

I know this statement will surprise a lot of the people who know me best.....

I HATE MORNINGS!!!!

It seriously takes me an hour and some caffeine before I can walk, talk or see straight.  I set two alarms 15 minutes apart and hit snooze on them both multiple times before I am even conscious.

I'm amazed my boyfriend hasn't thrown me out the window at 5 AM yet :) He is a saint some days....

My kids have even been known to approach me with this question: "Mommy, is it safe to talk to you yet???"  Although my youngest thinks it is HILARIOUS to blow raspberries on my belly when I won't wake up.  Little imp.

The only other thing that I pretty much always dislike as much as waking up in the morning is eating breakfast.

Growing up my parents could NEVER convince me to eat at home in the mornings... never fear though.  I would go to school and buy two fresh out of the oven cookies and some chocolate milk :) (humm... wonder where the kids get their sweet tooth from.....)

I don't mind COOKING breakfast per say.. I just don't like to eat it, and I don't like to wake up.. therefore my poor kids are relegated to pop tarts and cereal in the morning. (yes, I am aware that I am contributing to their obesity and being an all round horrid mother by serving pop tarts)

So I promised to make them biscuits, bacon and eggs this morning.

They were STOKED!!!

They started asking for it at 6AM.

Grrrrr....  

I'm going back to bed.  LOL.

Anyway about 9 AM, after they have all already had apple sauce and bananas, I start to function and to the stove I go.... because I actually LOVE to cook- even if it does have to be breakfast.

SO.. two cans of biscuits baked in the oven (yes I cheated there), two pounds of bacon and a little more than a dozen eggs later I am actually feeling the urge to eat a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit for myself... YUM!

And my sweet little Emma helper set a beautiful table, complete with mood lighting ....

As the kids start to chow down they exclaim, "This is the best bacon ever, Mom! Where did you get it?"

"Its bacon from one of Danny's hogs."

"Danny Geisler?"

"yes"

"DANNY, makes the best bacon in the world!!!!"

WHAT!?!?  I get none of the credit????  sigh.....

So, Danny, thanks for breakfast---