We're In!

We've been in our new house two weeks now. It's amazing how fast it felt like home. Maybe because we were never surrounded by boxes. This house is only two streets up from our old house, so we didn't "pack" anything; we loaded up extra-large Rubbermaid tubs with stuff, came and unloaded everything, then took the tubs back to be filled again. Talk about an easy move! Maybe it's because, already living in the neighborhood, we never had that "new family on the block" feeling. Whatever the reason, I think we're going to really like it here. We now have a nice, big yard for the kids to play in, and overall I like the set up of this house better. I loved our other house, but this house just seems to be a better fit for our family.

Speaking of the other house...it still has not sold. eek! We have had SO many close calls. So many potential buyers that I just *knew* were going to make an offer...then nothing. I'm still optimistic that it will happen, I just wish it would hurry up already. It sure would be a big load off our backs. As much as we love this house, I don't feel like we can enjoy it until that house sells. It's definitely going to make for a hard year, but we both agreed that ten years down the road (Lord, let's hope sooner), we will look back and know that it was the best decision we could've made. This is where we're meant to be.

Enough of the house drama. The kids. They sure grow fast, don't they?! Let's see....I don't even know where to start. They've grown and changed so much since I wrote of them last. Their speech is definitely improving. They're all three speaking in sentences, though it's not exactly "conversation-style" yet. AR is right where she should be, or at least close. The boys, mainly SA, are very hard for other people to understand. I can understand most of what they say, but other's for the most part have difficulty understanding them. But they are definitely making progress.

Now that we're all settled, I should be more regular again. AND, more importantly, I can finally catch up with everyone else! Whew!

New House

We are now the stressed out, freaked out owners of two houses. Do you feel sick? I do.

We closed on the new house this past Monday.



It's big, beautiful, gorgeous...it's everything I've always wanted - my dream home. BUT...until we sell our current house, I don't feel like we can enjoy it. We would have written a new contract with another contingency on the new house, but there was another couple just waiting for our deal to fall through so they could get the house. So we knew if we really wanted this house, we had to go for it. So now we're carrying not one, but two big mortgages. Now for the task of cutting back.

We had planned on getting a new van next month when the current lease would run out, but have decided to extend the lease on the one we already have. At $288/mo., that can't be beat. We switched over our phone, tv, and Internet service to AT&T. It's amazing what deals you can get when someone REALLY wants your business. And of course just your everyday stuff. So long to my exciting trips up and down the aisles of Target. I think it's best that I just stay away from there for awhile. Until we sell this house, it's back to basics. That place is dangerous for our checkbook.

In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed that we sell SOON!! *sigh*

Been Awhile, eh?

I know I've been gone a long time. I've been under much stress lately and just couldn't find the energy to think of a post to write. Dramatic enough for you?

There is so much to say, but it's late and again, have no energy, but I promise I will be writing again soon.

To give you a snippit, we are getting ready to move. YES, AGAIN. Once all the details are figured out I'll pass them on, but for now...if you're reading this...THANKS FOR COMING BACK!! I'm looking forward to getting caught up with with all of you!

Mind of a Man

RD: My shoulder hurts. I need a blow job.

Me: A blow job would help your shoulder?

RD: You wouldn't understand. sigh

LATER THAT NIGHT...

Me: How's your shoulder now?

RD: Better...but I think I might need a couple weeks of therapy.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I hope all you mommies out there had a wonderful day! I had a pretty good day. The morning started out a bit crazy. We went to my sister-in-law's for brunch this morning, so I was rushing around trying to get the kids (and myself!) up and ready then get dessert made...all on my own because RD worked late lastnight, so I let him sleep in. Just once I'd like to sleep in on Mother's Day. sigh

My friend, P, called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day, and I told him that it's not so much a day for relaxing as it is a day for moms to showcase their true abilities at multi-tasking. That said, I do have a wonderful day of pampering ahead of me - RD...I mean the kids...got me a "Mom's Day Away at the Spa" package. It includes a waterfall massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, hair wash and style, and lunch somewhere in between. Ahhhhh...finally a day just for me! You can bet my cell phone will be OFF! Okay, maybe not off, but on vibrate. I'll let RD know he's only to call in the event of a true emergency. Meaning, what channel is Noggin on and where are the wipes are not true emergencies.

Totally off topic...did any of you watch "Grey's Anatomy" tonight? WOW! I swear that show always has the best last five minutes of any show ever. Love it. LOVE that show!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the finale tomorrow night!

I hope everyone had a great day!!!!

You know you live in Missouri when...

You have the a/c on downstairs and the heat on upstairs.

Damn my kids are cute

AR directing SJ where to put puzzle pieces:

AR: Good! Good! Here...here...ok, ok...here...Good!!! Pats his hand then claps.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Well-Educated

We try as parents to make the best possible decisions for our children. Then once we make the decision, we question ourselves on whether or not it was the right one. In this case, only time will tell.

Pre-School.

Well, it's not so much pre-school, but a Mommy's Day Out program. The kids will be attending two half days a week. After many calls and many referrals, I toured and observed classes at two schools. One is a Methodist church in the area that comes highly recommended by a good handful of neighbors - and might I mention at a modest price. The second is this amazing, impressive, nationally-recognized facility for those who expect the best out of life and don't mind paying the equivalent of three car payments for two HALF days a week. This second place also comes at the recommendation of many neighbors as well.

My mistake was looking at the second school mentioned FIRST. I walked in and breathed in and thought, "Wow." Everything about this place was simply amazing. It definitely gave me that feel-good feeling. The problem was it cost more per month than the monthly mortgage of our last house...for TWO HALF DAYS!! I came home and gushed to RD about this place (he was home watching the kids). He looked slightly sick when I told him the cost, but said if I felt this was the best place for our children, we would make it work.

I did a small victory dance in my head, but knew it would take some serious sacrifices to make this place doable. Are the sacrifices worth the Mercedes-Benz of pre-schools? Is it really THAT much better?

I told RD I had to at least go look at the other school. It was a quarter of the cost and had raving reviews from many of the parents in the neighborhood. Even with this school's praise, I felt guilt as I was driving, thinking, "How sick am I as a parent to try to get a deal on my children's education." I know...I know...you're rolling your eyes saying, "This is pre-school, lady." I agree, but isn't it natural to want what's best for your children?

I let out a sigh and reluctantly walked through the door, already noticing the glitz and fanfare that was missing, what was shouting out at me at the last school. I was immediately greeted by the Director, and within minutes I felt my premature judgment fading away. I spent about two hours there, asking questions, observing classrooms, watching the relaxed parents dropping their happy children off for the day, and we ended our meeting with me registering my precious three for Wednesday and Friday mornings starting in the Fall.

It's a decision that we can't truly appreciate until the kids start their classes, but right now I feel really good about the choice we've made.

Now excuse me while I have a moment.

Kids just grow up way too fast. My babies...

Monday Mash

I was looking forward to Spring and Summer so we could get out of the house, and so far, the season is not disappointing. We've had birthday parties, BBQ's, outings with the kids, and projects in the yard galore. It's been great, but damn I'm tired!

We took the kids to the circus Saturday morning. All in all I would say it went pretty well. We left at intermission, only because it was cutting into lunch and nap time, but I think we stayed for about as much as three two-year olds can take anyway. AR was mesmerized the entire time; pointing out and naming all the animals. SA clapped and (happily) screamed the majority of the time, until he decided he needed to take some laps with dad around the arena because he had his fill of staying in one spot, no matter how exciting the view. SJ...SJ...oh SJ. He didn't care for the whole experience. He was excited up until all the lights went out and the show officially started. Then it didn't help any when people started clapping and cheering. He had enough. He wanted to go home. We kept offering him pretzels and juice in efforts to bribe his compliance, which helped just enough to make staying until intermission worth the occassional meltdown.

I had my second laser-tattoo removal treatment this past week. Kind of glad they didn't mention at the first visit that they would be upping the energy with each treatment. Did I mention there could be up to ten of them? YIKES! Well...the Betty Boop on my shoulder now looks like a monkey tripping on acid, so I don't think I can stop now.

I have a busy few days ahead of me. Tomorrow morning I am touring and observing classrooms at a daycare/pre-school in my neighborhood. They're not ready for pre-school, but I'm wanting to enroll them in some sort of "Mommy's Day Out" program. I think it would help them with their speech and interaction with other kids, as well as give me a much-needed breather. It's only two days a week, 9-1, but still quite pricey. I'm still not sure I can sell RD on the idea, but I'm going to see what they have to offer anyway.

Speaking of money - and spending it faster than it comes in - we're getting two bids from irrigation companies this week. RD spends an unbelievable amount of time in the yard watering - a job I have to do when he's working long hours (which is quite often), and we've decided it's worth the chunk of change to have a sprinkler system put in. I CAN NOT WAIT.

Wednesday I'm getting my oil changed and while I'm there I'm going to test drive a 2006 Honda Odyssey. My lease is up soon (2004 Odyssey), and I need to decide between the Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. I've been really happy with my Honda, but the Toyota has several options I'm wanting that the Honda doesn't (moonroof, rear passenger windows that go up and down, etc.).

Okay...it's starting to storm pretty bad here, so I better get off the computer before I get zapped, or even worse, lose power and lose everything I've typed! eek!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Home Improvements

We've been touched by Spring Fever and we've been making additions and changing things up around the house. Here are some pics...


New tables, lamps, and framed print in living room


New chair in living room


New lamp and art in family room


New swingset


New fence

We've done some landscaping and got more furniture...but my camera battery pooped out on me. I'll get the battery recharged and load some more pictures.

I had a garage sale this past Saturday and made $346.00!! WOO HOO!! Quite exciting considering the last garage sale I had only four people showed up. Not kidding! I'm putting it towards some new furniture for our bonus room. We have this huge entertainment center that I can't stand, so we're replacing it with a small t.v. stand, and our huge, ugly desk is falling apart, so we'll be getting a new desk as well. I'm going to Garden Ridge this afternoon to see if I can find some art to put above the couch. Once I've started...I can't stop!

Easter Recap

This is a little late, but who cares, right? We had a great - and VERY busy - Easter. We had RD's family over Sunday morning for brunch, and everything turned out wonderful. The preparations were a bit chaotic to say the least because RD had to work late the night before, but I somehow managed to get everything done.

Saturday night, I was pretty miserable. I had a buttload of cleaning to do, a casserole to make (Sausage and Egg Casserole...had to sit overnight....YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was downright amazing. Let me know if you want the recipe!), and eggs to color. All this had to be done while I limped around with fat-old-man's disease. Gout. I had gout on my left big toe. It's still sore, but has healed up quite a bit. The pain was excruciating. By the time I got everything finished, it was past midnight. I was beginning to question why I get so excited at hosting parties, but in the end, it's all worth it.

I got up at 7:00 a.m. and ran to Walgreen's to pick up a bag of shredded cheddar cheese. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS forget SOMETHING. Thank heavens for Walgreen's being open on holidays! Whew! I got home, took a shower, then ran downstairs and popped the casserole in the oven. Then 8:30-ish, I got RD and the kids up and dressed. I dressed the kids, RD dressed himself. ;) Then while RD made the kids breakfast, I made company potatoes and monkey bread (Whoa! Another YUMMY YUMMY recipe! I could've eaten the whole thing!).

Everyone got there around 10 a.m. and we chowed down right away. Everything was wonderful. I got a Honeybaked Ham, Petit-Fours from Susie G's Bakery, RD's sister brought fruit salad and his mom brought croissants. We were stuffed silly.

Then it was time for the egg hunt. It was so much fun. The kids had a great time. We really didn't think the kids would get the whole egg-hunting thing, but they picked up on it immediately. They would get so excited with each egg. They'd gently put it in their basket and run off for the next one. So sweet.

So even thought it was a lot of work, I'm glad we did it. It's always a plus having it at your own house, because as soon as naptime hits, we just take them upstairs. There's not the usual rushing home to beat clock.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter...or weekend if you don't celebrate Easter. Off to break up a fight! These toddlers can be vicious!

What's the rush?

What is it about being ''the mommy'' that always has us in a hurry? It seems everything I do is rushed. Gone are the days when I can do whatever the hell I want at my leisure.

I rush through grocery shopping so that I can make it home and get all the groceries put away before the kids get up from their naps. I do this when RD is home, so you think I could take my time, but I can always count on two to three calls at a minimum while I'm out, "Are you almost done? The kids will be up soon." The same goes for any other errands to Target or wherever.

Let's not even get started on trips out with the kids. Just getting out the door is a big production. There's diaper checks, loading of the diaper bag, socks, shoes, sippies, snacks, and depending on the weather, jackets. During this entire process there is usually one, if not two, of them forcing me to play a game of hide and seek. As soon as we get in the van, the requests for Elmo start. I usually *treat* them with a video on the way home if they've been good, but that doesn't stop them from chanting for it the second they get in the van. Then the ERRAND. Running errands with the kids...HELL. What happened to my well-behaved children? They used to be so great when we went out. I would see moms with screaming kids and think how lucky I was to have these awesome kids that never fussed...HA! Those days are long gone.

Even cleaning is rushed. If the kids are up, I'm rushing so that I can get back to them, or at least sneak peeks at them to make sure they're not starting fires. If they're sleeping, I'm rushing through so that I can get to the "me time." Thoughts of, "I WANT TO SIT DOWN. I WANT TO SIT DOWN. I WANT TO SIT DOWN." are rushing through my head, urging me to get through the task at hand as fast as humanly possible.

Want to hear something really awful? I tell RD if he has any hopes of getting some action, he better move fast, because any hesitation on his part and he can forget it - I'm out. Give me too much time in bed to unwind, and it's snooze-time for me, baby.

And things are just getting started. I can't even imagine what it will be like with three kids in school...all the sports, projects......and so on...and so on.

*Deep breath*

Hey...isn't Mother's Day coming up? Hmmm....a day to put my feet up! Oh wait...no. That's not right. We get to get together with the family and wait on "OUR" mothers. Aw geez.

Okay, I'll stop bitching now.

I am such a dork

I have been trying UNSUCCESSFULLY to post for days now. I've been searching the "help" articles with no luck whatsoever. Why? Because they don't have any articles titled, "Click here if you are a dumbass and are entering an invalid username and password."

I thought I was having technical difficulties, but no, I was just totally clueless to my own stupidity.

Anyway...here's the post I was trying to enter.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Don't Feed the Animals

We've had quite the day so far. Our plan was to go to Grant's Farm to let the kids pet the animals, but once there we discovered they don't start their season until TOMORROW. ugh. Oh well. We got back on the road and headed for the zoo.

Due to our re-routing and already-late start, we didn't have much time, so we headed right to the Children's area of the zoo and let the kids pet the animals. THEY LOVED IT!!!!! SJ went from goat to goat, making sure he pet each one; AR went from goat to goat shouting, "GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAT-ah!"; and SA jumped up and down squealing with delight, and even took time to kiss one surprised goat right on his rump! I got a lot of fun pictures. It was a great time. I love that the kids are getting older and we're getting to go out and do a lot more activities. They're finally able to participate, as opposed to sitting in their strollers watching from a distance.

Maybe we'll try to hit Grant's Farm next week. SA's got a lot of kisses left!

Absentee Blogger

I know I've been a bad blogger lately. We've just been so busy - and I imagine it's going to stay busy for awhile. I don't even know where to start.

Things are going well. I'm...dare I say...happy right now. The weather has been wonderful, so we've been spending a lot of time outside with the kids. I've made such wonderful friends in the neighborhood, so I'm keeping busy. It seems someone's always here or I'm there. Though the kids are included, having a social life in any way outside of the kids had been missing for awhile. On the downside, now RD's feeling left out. He likes my new friends...but has yet to meet the husband's. He's going through a bit of what I was going through before - yearning for a life outside of (work and) the kids. I keep urging him to call some of his friends to get together, but guys are just wired different than we are. It seems he'd rather just sit around and mope, waiting for the phone to ring. Men.

On a not-so-happy note, the kids Ped and Parents as Teacher lady have both recommended the kids make an appointment with a speech therapist. Not totally unexpected - speech delays are fairly common in multiples. Now we're going through the endless paperwork, trying to figure out what all is covered by our insurance and figuring out how far we want to go. They're only mildly behind. They're not at the point of being eligible for any of the state-funded programs. They know an endless number of words, but almost all are not understandable to anyone but me, and they're not putting words together to make sentences. They make some progress almost every day, so who knows, maybe by the time we get all the logistics worked out they'll be talking.

As many of my blogs end...I smell poop, so I'm off to change a diaper. Hope all is well and I'll try not to be such a stranger!

We've got to talk

That's what I told RD when I called him this afternoon.

For the past several days I thought I was pregnant. REALLY thought I was pregnant. I told RD, "This would be horrible." I had been urging him for months to consider taking on the responsibility of putting an end to the growth of our family - you guessed it - SNIP SNIP.

So why was I so sad when I started my period this afternoon? Not the relief I was looking for, but truly sad.

Oh RD...we need to talk.

Plug this

I'm always falling in love with different products...AND FOOD...so I thought I'd share! It's been awhile.

Weight Watcher's Snack Cakes - These are so good AND if you're counting, they're only 1 POINT each! My favorite is the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. DELICIOUS!! They come six in a box and I usually end up eating a box at a time...so even though they're only 1 point each, it's usually a 6-point snack for me. eek!

Healthy Choice Zesty Gumbo and Fiesta Chicken Soups - Again with the WW points, they're great tasting soups and they're each only 2 points a can!

South Beach Diet Peanut Butter Cereal Bar - No, I'm not on the South Beach Diet, but I have tried several of their food products, and I've liked all of them so far. My favorite is the Peanut Butter Cereal Bar (WW = 3 pts.). It comes in chocolate as well - also yummy!

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage - Very pricey ($150 for 1.7 oz. bottle), but well worth it if you can afford it. I started taking care of my skin way too late in life, but better late than never. I've been using this product a little over three weeks and have already noticed considerable changes in my skin. I started using it after I saw my MIL's results. We had her over for dinner awhile back and I noticed how great her skin looked. She honestly looked ten years younger. I asked her if she'd been doing anything different and she mentioned this product. I'm so glad because I love it!

Method Products - I couldn't find a link to any of their products. I think they're a Target-brand, but I'm not sure. That's the only place I remember seeing their products. Two of my faves are their leather-cleaning wipes and their stainless steel wipes. Whether it's cleaning everyday messes off the couch or getting little finger prints off the fridge, their wipes work wonders. And it's so easy! I also like their marble-cleaner for the shower. It's the only all-natural cleaner I could find that I knew for certain wouldn't harm our marble. I just bought a lavender plug-in air freshener for our masterbath and am loving it so far.

Half.com - I read one or two books a week and it sure can get expensive. One of my friends directed me to this website. It's affiliated with Ebay, but it's not run as an auction. You can buy USEDUSED books for as low as 25 cents or books like new for just a few dollars. I've bought many books from them and have had all positive experiences.

Family Fun Magazine - I just recently subscribed to this magazine. I've kind of grown tired of Parents magazine, only because about only a third applies to me right now. Most of it is baby stuff, then the rest older kid stuff. What I do like in Parents is the craft and game ideas. That's what this Family Fun Magazine is all about. Front to back it's all fun craft, game, and recipe ideas for all ages. I would say I have about 80% of each issue dog-eared so far. Great mag for parents!

That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I'll think of many other things while lying in bed tonight. If I do, I'll post them tomorrow.

Have a great night! Remember...chant with me now...SNOW SNOW GO AWAY! (okay...the snow is gone, but it's still damn cold)

Winter Blues

It's the first day of Spring and wouldn't you know this morning we were greeted with three inches of SNOW. blech.ugh.glach. I'm itching for Spring like you wouldn't believe.

Now I know I shouldn't complain. We had quite an easy winter. A few snows - just enough to get my snow-fix. Only one snowfall did I have to shovel the driveway...and I probably could've gotten away with not doing it at all. I was just that bored. Hard to imagine, isn't it? There were many days this winter that we took the kids for a walk, ate out on the deck, played outside. Maybe that's why I'm yearning so bad for the Spring. So many little teasers.

Last week we had the kids out in the yard playing on the new swingset. I made excuses to run to Lowe's just so I could check out all the new plants and flowers they're setting out. RD and I have been circling the yard, exchanging ideas for what we'll plant where. It hit me - that rush of excitement I get every year at this time. I was cleaning out drawers and closets. Doing something with all the crap (mostly pitching) I had stashed away when we moved in, not knowing what else to do with it. I started cleaning out the basement, making way for the play-area we're going to set up for the kids so they can run in and out during nice days. I painted the laundry room a nice sunshine-color and RD put up cabinets - making it feel like an actual room now. And while doing all this, I had the windows open, breathing in the fresh air, listening to all the kids in the neighborhood playing outside. I'm ready. Loving the projects. Taking in the energy a new season brings.

Then snow. NO!NO!NO! Snow, snow go away! How quickly I fall back into my winter slump. I tell ya I'm getting cabin fever being cooped up in here like this. I want to feel the warm sun on my skin (gooped up with sunscreen of course because I'm a walking Melanoma waiting to happen). I want to run with the kids. I want to go to the park. Have a picnic.

I'd like to come on here and talk about how wonderful everything is instead of bitching. Oh wait. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. sigh. Patience never was my strongsuit. Spring will come. Until then, I think I'll kick back with some hot chocolate and sit by the fire. Might as well make the best of it.

Stay in the game

Going to parties just isn't the same when you have three two-year olds in tow. It's so much work we sometimes find ourselves asking each other why we bother going out in the first place.

We went to a birthday party Saturday (first of two that day - joyjoy) and of course the kids wanted to play outside with all the other kids. The other kids ranged in age from three to ten. Our little toddlers thought they could do everything the big kids did - this kept RD and I on our toes intercepting one fiasco to the next.

As we're taking turns minding the madness, sweat beading up on our brows, it's hard not to wish we were back in the comforts of home. It's always easier on the hometurf, right? But that's what you do. Stay in the game I guess. Reach out to all friends for that small chance of adult interaction. Throwing out reminders that we're still among the living. Don't forget us, we hint! Yes, our kids can be terrors, but we're still fun!

Of course other parents are more than eager to point out that three is harder. "Just wait," they say, "You think it's bad now, wait until they're three and talking back." "Bring it on," I say. It's not the attitude that challenges me when out at parties, it's the constant supervision that a two-year old requires. Correction - the constant supervision that THREE two-year olds require - three two-year olds going in three different directions. I know the supervision never really STOPS, but you can let a three year old play in the backyard and watch from the deck. You have to physically be IN the yard when the two-year old is out playing. You have to be ready, always ready, always ready. I just want to relax. I can't wait until I can let them out to play and be able to turn my back for even a minute. Sigh. I can't wait to go to a party and actually eat an entire plate of food while the food's still warm. Okay, that might be years off maybe, but it's got to get a wee-bit easier, right?

But there will always be challenges. Once you get over one hurdle, there's a new one to face. Ah...the joys of parenting.

Spanx Me

If you like my body and you think I'm sexy, c'mon baby let me know. dadadadadadada. If you really need me just reach out and touch me...

Okay, I'll stop now.

What am I singing about now? Spanx. Yes, Spanx. What is Spanx? Glad you asked! I could get into all the details on how it's made, what it's made out of, who made it, but let me just sum it up for you real easy - it's something that makes you look SUPER SKINNY! Lovin' it!

At my girls' trip to the lake last October (or was it November?) my cousins were going on and on about this new girdle that doesn't feel like a girdle and works wonders and hides your love handles and conceals your cellulite and pantyline and makes you look all svelte and beautiful and...and I forgot all about it once I got home. Then watching The Ellen Show, she was raving about it all week. Glad to have the reminder, I went right to the computer before the invention called Spanx once again escaped me. I bought the "Higher Power" panties - one in nude and one in black.

My package arrived today and I rushed to the bathroom to try one on. Lookin' goooood, girlfriend!

So if I'm looking extra svelte, sshhhhhhhhhhh, it's our little secret! ;)