I am Back! School year comes to an end!

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After a long stint away I am back and anxious to get writing again!  I feel like the last few months have been the busiest ones that I have ever experienced.  I cannot imagine what I will do when there are three kids all wrapping up their school year!  I think that it will be nuts!  Either way I am anxious to catch up with all of you.  I have so much planned for the summer that I am hoping that I am able to get to it all.  I will be back later this evening to let you in on some summer plans!  Ta Ta For Now!

Becca

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Stomach Bug

011 baby vomit
Image by justindula via Flickr

Let me start out by saying that I completely do not understand why it is called a stomach bug.  Is it because it bugs you?  Is it because it comes and flies away quickly?  Is it because someone thought bugs were gross and disgusting and therefore so was a stomach “bug”?   just do not understand how it could have gotten such a name!  Either way I hate it!

Last night (some would call 1am morning) as I was finally off to bed I went in to check on Emma and Analiese before I was to head down the hall to check on Abigail.  When I opened the door Analiese sprang up out of bed as if I scared her.  I laid her back down sang a song and was ready to move on down the hall.  All of a sudden, as I was kissing Emma, Analiese sounded like she was choking.  It was then that I realized what was happening.  I called for Rob who actually came right away.  She was l throwing up now and all I could do was tell her it was alright.  All of this as it hit the floor, her crib sheet her blanket and the stuffed toys on the floor waiting to be put away.

She then started again and thought that it was a great idea to catch it in her hands.  As I was pulling her hand out of the way I was slimmed!  I have to say that I hate throw up.  Did I forget to mention that part.  I am not sure that I have ever met anyone who likes it but let it be known that I HATE it!  I asked Rob to start the bath and he was confused.  He did not think that she needed a bath?  It was everywhere why would I not give her a bath?  Either way he was nice enough to finish cleaning up her bed, the floor and all of the animals.  I was so happy to be the one giving the bath although that was no picnic either.

So now I am sitting here thinking if I get sick I will be so mad.  Every time I get a stomach “bug” as we call it I flash back.  Not to my fun college years but to my many pregnant years.  Throwing up was what I did.  With the first two girls I had to go into the hospital and be re hydrated.  The flash back of the memories is sometimes just too much.  I am not quite over it.

So now I am just praying that I do not catch this bug.  I want to squash it.  I want to fight it and win.  I so do not want to be sick.  As a side note I would like to thank my sister in law for bring  the stomach bug into our house.  If I find the bug I am going to pack it up and send it right back to your house!

Becca

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Spring Family Fun

Flowers and family
Image by Dan Phiffer via Flickr

Spring is a time to awaken again.  Just as the trees are budding and the flowers are sprouting it is a time for us to be active again.  I tend to stay home in the Winter and am very under motivated.  Now that it is Spring I have been thinking a lot about all of the fun things we do as a family in the Spring months.

  • Hiking:  Typically we start hiking in the Spring.  It is a great time to go out and hit the trails with the kids.  I love showing them all of the new life sprouting all around us.  The kids love hiking as well.  It is so fun and exciting and it is good for them.
  • Letterboxing: Letterboxing is a fun adventure that the entire family can enjoy.  We went a few times last Summer and the kids LOVED it.  It was like a treasure hunt.  I know that there are many different letterboxes all over the world.  We visit letterboxing.org for box locations.
  • Gardening:  Last spring was the first time that we had a garden and the kids were really into it.  They loved watching all of our plants grow into veggies.  It was something that we could spend about 15 minutes an evening.  It was a nice time that we had with the kids weeding and watering the garden.  The kids each had a basket to place their ripe treasures.
  • Spring Clean Up:  This is the best.  It is when we rake all of the dead grass away, much the garden and prepare for the summer months.  We get all of our Spring out.  It should be fun!

I would love to hear all of the fun things that you do with your families in the Spring.  I think that this year it is important that our family keep Spring family fun lo in cost.  I know that with the economy we have tightened our belts some.  I also know that we are not alone!

Becca

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T -1 Day and Counting

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Tomorrow is the big move.  I feel like it has come so much quicker then I wanted.  I have to agree that I have seriously procrastinated these past three weeks and now that the time has come I am STRESSED.  I have packed a lot but I am sorry to admit that there is still a lot to do today!  I am over motivated today and just hoping that I can get it done in time.

If I cannot get it done by tomorrow I just have to remember that we have both houses until the third.  Here are a few things that I have discovered the past three weeks…

  1. While I love my husband and children they are utterly useless int he moving process.  The worst one is Analiese who has unpacked most things that I pack.  As I turn around she is right there removing things.  It all makes me want to scream.
  2. We own too much stuff!  I knew this before but now that I have had to pack I really know it.  My garbage bag count is up to 10 and still counting.  This does not include the things that were too big for a garbage bag.
  3. Moving companies ROCK.  Yes I said something rocks and I mean it.  The last two times we moved someone else came to our home, packed up all of our things, carried them to the truck, carried them off of the truck, placed them in the rooms they were to be placed in, set up our beds and moved it all around until I was happy.  Oh and they didn’t break anything either!
  4. I am not moving again until I have to.  I will be in this house for as long as I can.  I do not want to move again until all of the kids are old enough to pack up their own stuff!!!

Alright here I am procrastinating again!  I am off to accomplish the impossible.  Wish me luck and pray for me.  I will let you all know how the move is going tomorrow.

Becca

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My Emma is Sick!!

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So after all of the flu hype around here recently, Emma is sick.  I just cannot believe it.  She developed a fever last night.  I am just so worried about it!  I know in my head that I am being silly but really I am worried.  I wanted to sit in bed with her all night and make sure that she was OK.  I wanted to tell her I loved her 1000000000 times just in case something terrible happened.

Emma has had a flu shot and I am sure that it is something else like an ear infection.  All I know is when her temperature read 102.4 I was worried.  I was scared.  I prayed.  Yes I know that it seems silly but I guess that I am still shaken a little by the entire thing!  I just want my baby to be alright.  When ever Emma gets sick she does it right.  She gets a high fever and cannot function.  I think that in part this is due to the cerbral palsy.  Her muscles just do not seem to be able to do anything.

I still pray that my baby Emma will be alright with this whole thing.  I cannot bring her to the doctor because it is Sunday.  Poor Emma is missing her first Saint Patrick’s Day parade today.  She was suposed to march in honor of the young girl who died.  Some Girl Scouts have chosen to march in memory of her but I guess we will miss it and stay home sick!

Becca

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The Funny Things That Kids Say

No WAY!!!

There are so many things that this term can be used for.  As an adult I do not think that I use it all that often but something is making me think differently.  Baby Analiese keeps saying NO WAY.  The trouble is that I just keep laughing at it.  As a seasoned mother I know better then to laugh at something like this.  The ramifications can be life long.

I do not know where Analiese has acquired this two word phrase but she  uses it flawlessly.  Here are a few examples!

Mommy:  Analiese, time for night night

Analiese:  NO WAY

Mommy:  Analiese time for Dinner

Analiese: NO WAY

Mommy:  Analiese say bye bye Barney

Analiese: NO WAY

Mommy:  Analiese Jammies on

Analiese:  NO WAY

Mommy:  Analiese we sit in chairs

Analiese:  NO WAY

Now I know that by this age No is about the coolest word ever.  I just do not know why or how my daughter figured out to add the simple yet complex word way to it.  It is a puzzle that I intend on figuring out!  I just look at her and laugh but really it is quite snotty and I am so determined not to mess the third kid up also.  For now I am working on saying, “YES WAY” to things in hope that it rubs off.  For now I will most likely keep on laughing that the funny things that kids say!  Here is an old Art Linkletter episode of “Kids say the Darndest things.”  What funny things do your kids say?

Becca

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Focus on America

United States Flag

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I was reading an article on http://deidrepannu.wordpress.com/ today and am feeling quite impassioned.  This article is about focusing money and people in the Congo.  I understand that we are a nation that has always aided other nations.  I get that and I think that it is important.  I just think that we could focus on us for a while.

I look at our nation as a mother.  We are frequently trying to better other nations, other women and make the world a better place.  We are often being a mother to the world and some parts of the world are greatful.  The trouble is that just as a mother it has impacted the mother in a negative way.  I know that you know what I am talking about.  I am talking about the mother who takes care of her kids and forgets herself.  The mother who has not had her hair cut in years.  The mother who is wearing rags so that her children can be dressed to the nines!  The mother who has given up everything for her children.  This is America!

I just think that for a while we need to come back and think about America.  We need to help the women right here in America.  We need to assure that all of the people of this great nation are fed!  There are so many issues here in America that need attention!  I think that with our current economic state the we need to worry about our mother America!  I know that there are a lot of issues in the world that need addressing.  The trouble is that noone is going to come to this mothers aid.  We need to assure that this mother starts to take care of itself.  If this mother does not take care of itself it will fail just as any other mothers.

I am hoping that I am making my point clear.  It is not that I do not think that we should help other nations.  I just do not feel that that help should come at the expence of the people of this great nation.  There are so many people out of a job right now, there are so many people who have no extra money for food right now, there are so many people who are loosing their homes!  Come on mother America and take care of yourself!

Becca

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Google honors Dr. Seuss

Google Cat In The Hat Doodle
Image by Casey Florig via Flickr

Dr. Seuss Celebrates his 105th Birthday and Lives on as an American Icon:

I just have to say really quickly that Google made me smile today.  Their tribute to the late Dr. Seuss was so cute!  The kids were very interested in it and excited to know more.  School was canceled today due to snow and we learned a little bit about Dr. Seuss.  Did you know that he was born on this day in 1904.   We even found some coloring pages and fun stuff to do with our day!  Emma is worried that tomorrow will not be Dr. Seuss day in school.  I assured her that it will be.  Who would forget to celebrate Dr. Seuss?

As for us this evening I think that we will be reading a few of my all time favorites.  Emma has requested “Green Eggs and Ham” and Abigail has requested “The Cat in the Hat” and “The Cat Comes Back”.  Either way I am off to read.  I think we will all snuggle in Abigail’s bed and enjoy our reading!  Thanks to Dr. Seuss for providing a whole new holiday!

Becca

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Moving

house-3Last week we found the perfect house.  It is a typical old house with hardwood floors, a large livingroom and 4 bedrooms.  Right away we took it.  It was a no brainer.  For the same amount of money that we pay now we are getting so much more.

The first thing that made it a huge no brainer is that there are four… yes I said four bedrooms!  Right now we have two and for the 5 of us it is a tight squeeze.  The girls are so excited that they were able to go to the house today and pick their rooms.  Abigail picked the room leading to the attic.  Rob was against it at first but has given in.  He had thought that she would be scared but she is more then excited.  She wants to have a spot in the attic to write.  She is a lot like her mom in that she loves to write, tell tales and imagine.  She is super excited that she has gotten the room she wanted.

Emma is excited also.  She and Analiese may still share a room although Emma is unsure.  She hates when Analiese cries and wakes her up in the morning.  I think that them sharing still will be the way it turns out.  This will allow a play room.  I am siked about this.  A play room will mean that the toys have a home other then their rooms where they get messed up!

house-2

I am super excited about a bunch of things.   Rob and I will have a door again!  I did not think that it would be bad not having a door but I am really excited to be getting one again.  I also have a small area to make an office, a dining room and a fireplace.  Oh and the best part is that we have a huge front porch.

I led a tour to all of our family members today.  They all really loved it.  I think that it is going to be so great!  The kids already had  a blast in our new backyard and Abigail even mentioned that she found the perfect tree (she like to climb trees).  I think we are going to be VERY happy in our new home!

Becca

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BFF Best Friends Forever???

broken heart series
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Growing up I had my BFF.  Not only was she my BFF but she was my only true friend.  I was not hated by all but she was the one.  She was the person that I visited after school, slept over all weekend and had a blast with.  We were not the most popular girls in school nor did we want to be.  We were fine with that.  We were ourselves.  We played Barbies until we were older then I am willing to admit.  We were two peas in a pod.  We went for walks around the neighborhood and stayed up all night watching movies such as Dirty Dancing!  She was my escape from everything else and the ONLY person who really knew me.  This was all fine until one day it changed.

One Summer afternoon my BFF told me that she was moving.  I was all of a sudden broken.  As I think back on it now I wonder why it was so untactful.  Either way it was the worst moment of my life and one I carry with me.  I felt abandoned and alone.  She was my friend, she was my BFF she was part of me.  I remember thinking that this could not be happening.  My mind raced with ways around it.  Could I go too… Perhaps she could stay… perhaps it was a dream and I would wake up soon… QUICK some one pinch me!

It was no dream.  She was off to start a new life and I was left here alone.  We had plans that in the summer I would come and visit.  I looked forward to it for the rest of the school year.  I could not wait.  I missed my other pea.  I needed to have my BFF back!  While waiting to go and see my BFF something happened.  I met a new friend.  A boyfriend!  I was so anxious to have someone to tell all of my secrets to.  Someone to love me no matter what.  Someone to share me with.  And so it was.  By the time I went out to visit my BFF I had a BFF (boy friend forever!).  This made things tough that summer.  My BFF who had moved had changed as had I.  We spent three very hard weeks together and it ended us forever!

Over the years I have been sad about this loss of a BFF.  Can someone really be a BFF or is it childhood dream.  I remember having the heart necklaces together.  You know the ones where one person had the “best” and the other had the “friends”.  At what point is all of that lost?  I think that we grow and even in that short amount of time in 9th grade that we were apart we each changed.  The change was not a bad thing.  It was just something that neither of us expected.  As teens I think that we were not able to share that knowledge that perhaps we were growing apart.  We abruptly stopped talking to one another and have lived our lives for the past 17 years without one another.  The weird part is that she is always there in my head.

Recently I reconnected with this BFF of the past.  I so want to be 14 again and try again but it is just too late for all of that.  I have to live in the now.  I am a mother of three now.  I have new BFF’s (I think I am too old to call them that), I have changed so much as a person over time.  In my head she is still the same person she used to be.  I know in my heart that this is silly to think but I want it to be true.

So I am beinging a new journey with my BFF of the past.  I am not sure how it will go.  Perhaps we will have nothing in common.  Perhaps she has not thought about me at all in the past 17 years.  Perhaps I am just trying to cling on to a past that I have not resolved.  Either way I am thrilled to have found her.  To be able to tell her how much I think about her.  To be able to show her the new me.  Perhaps the journey will be a great growing experience!

Becca

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