4 KIDS NO DOG and a BABY

4 KIDS NO DOG and a BABY

May 29, 2008

One of those days!

Did you ever have one of those days where you get up and get the kids breakfast after a night of no sleep because of a crying baby and a kicking three year old.

Breakfast isn't good enough.

Then you think oh wouldn't it be fun to decorate Dad's cubicle for an office party. Yeah well blowing up inflatable rafts and balls and 24 balloons with four young kids is not a quick little chore. And it is more fun to blow up a balloon as full as possible and let it go flying around spraying spit all over co workers. At least they pretended to think they were cute.

Then you decide to drive around town dropping off thank you gifts before meeting up for a play date. But to save on gas you drive the compact car, compacting the kids into a tiny bubble. They seem to be much more in your face than when in the Suburban. And your three year old thinks its a great game to climb out of her car seat over and over again. While your seven year old thinks its funny to pull his five year old sisters hair and hit his 11 month old brother on the head with a stick.

After the fun drive you go to the park to have lunch and meet up with a friend. Fun for the kids. Fun for you. Until your 11 month old decides to eat all the dirt and sticks, and spill your diet coke all over himself and you. Then when it is time to go the kids decide to throw a fit because they aren't done yet.

Then you take them home, where they all fall asleep. You think great I will sneak them into the house in their beds and take a nap. Well the garage door doesn't open. And you are staying at your in laws town house, where you have to hike around to the front door, to get into the house and then open the garage. By the time you get back, half are awake, and well the youngest is put in his crib. Then the second youngest is carried in and brought up a flight of stairs to the bed next to the crib because y'all are in one room for the most part, and then starts screaming. In fear of waking the baby you take her down stairs hoping she will fall asleep on the couch.

In the mean while the older kids begin sweeping up all the leaves in the back porch and garage area. A nice gesture but involves you going out in the 100 degree heat and humidity to help them. To miss your only chance of rest but not to worry too much because the baby wakes up in the middle and you can't even finish the cleaning you start.

Everyone is tired. It is 2:30 and you don't know what to do. So you lather them all up in sunscreen and go out to the swimming pool out front. You let the older two swim around and have fun. Until they decide they are done. You are too because its hot and your tired. But then a cousin shows up. And then the kids get dressed. And start throwing things back into the pool, when you asked them not too. No one listens. Out of frustration you throw your clothed daughter back in the pool to retrieve the pool items she threw in.

Then she throws a fit, out of exhaustion and frustration because she wants to go back into the house, where you were banned because their was after school scouts going on. Then she throws a bigger fit because no one will play mother may I with her. Because she is yelling at them.

The wonderful aunt decides to take them for a walk. Seems to possibly divert the tantrum. So you get a chance to shower and get the baby down for a nap. Well almost, you start to nurse the baby to only have the kids come back screaming about how they are starving. Mind you while pool side they had chips and popsicles, so you know they aren't starving. But most likely because they were told by their grandma to stay up stairs they had to throw a fit about something.

Then your grandma invites the son to join the scouts leaving the five year old daughter the chance to throw another fit because she wasn't invited to join either. What do you say? What do you do??

And your husband has been out of town all week and you have not had your own bed to sleep in or own space for over a week? And you are feeling very uncertain about what is going to happen next in your life?? Feeling kind of like between Harry Potter Novels (not that I have read them) but just dying to get the next sequel but you have to wait???

And did I mention you are feeling a little on edge for being in someone elses house and trying to keep your kids from destroying things and making messes and making too much noise and basically afraid to live normally???

May 28, 2008

Zen of Sarcasm or Words of Wisdom

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
17. Duct tape is like 'The Force.' It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

I don't know who wrote these but it totally could have been me :)

May 25, 2008

Homeless but not pennyless

Well it is official, we are HOMELESS! we sold our home on Friday, signed, sealed and delivered. Who would have thought this day would really come. I mentioned to Eric that I was more nervous about going to closing than the day we got married.

Thursday, night before closing and Friday night, we stayed in hotel. Eric didn't arrive into town but a few hours before closing on Friday, need I remind you that all week I packed and cleaned the house, solo. Well not totally because some really amazing people pitched in and helped me. THANKSSS!! you know who you are!! But really thank you!!

Wednesday morning my sister called in the middle of my major moment of panic and lets just say she made a few calls and a few more people were able to come and help out.

But anyway back to the hotel. So Friday night we mentioned to the kids that it was official, we are homeless. G-man reaches into one of our bags to pull out a jar of coins that used to sit above the washing machine, puts it up by his face, eyes all wide and says "well at least we aren't poor!"

WE are staying at my in laws right now and will be here until we figure out when we are leaving for Hawaii, hopefully next week, we just need our own place to call home so my kids can continue to run around and yell and fight and scream and not disturb anyone. I think that is why we are looking at renting a house and not an apartment...

Did I tell you someone called and complained a few minutes after we were in the hotel?? I told the front desk lady there is really nothing I can do about a crying baby besides maybe shove a sock in his mouth, well I didn't say that but wasn't sure what I was suppose to do...but we didn't get kicked out, and he stopped crying. Though he is crying now and Eric is napping....we are all so tired...

OH and yesterday Eric surprised me with a 60 minute massage and a pedicure and manicure. I felt so relaxed and just so pampered it was wonderful!! Thanks so much sweetie!!!

May 22, 2008

Breathing

Why is that the minute I finally breathe a sigh of relief a little pesky fly swoops into my mouth lodging itself in the back of my throat causing me to choke?

May 20, 2008

No I'm not on the Sandy beaches yet...

Eric and I decided to pack the computer later....when not sure but for right now its still up. But I just had to share something because I must be the luckiest gal in the whole world. People, random people just want to give me money. And I'll I have to do is give them my bank account number and they will deposit it, ISN"T that nice!!!

Before you start screaming at me not to do it, because I know not too, but I just think it is crazy how many I get a day. And so today my dear friends I will share with you my letter of great opportunity. Notice he write my dear Friend instead of using my name! And the whole "honest" thing gives me a little chuckle because he is asking me to represent myself as his next of kin...anyway just wonder where people come up with these things...but I guess it only takes a few naive people to get some money.

By the way I still have lots of packing to do so I better get off the computer and stop reading my totally spam filled email!

Here's the letter for your enjoyment in case you have never received one.

Dear Friend

I am highly delighted to be in contact with you and sorry for the
Embarrassment this mail might be to you as we have not met or known
each other before.

My name is Attorney Kevin Williams, I was the Personal Attorney to
Late Mr. Roy Hall a national of your country, who was a contractor and
spent most of his life in my country England UK.

He and his Family were involved in a car accident along Manchester
Stretch and unfortunately lost their lives on the 27th day of
September 2003 in London. Since then I have made several inquiries to
your country's embassy to locate any of my Client's extended relatives
but this has proved unsuccessful hence, he has no next-of-kin at the
time of his death.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you
since all my effort to trace or locate any member of his family failed
me so that you as a foreigner will assist me as my late Client's
next-of-kin in repatriating the assets and Capital valued at ₤5.6
Million British Pounds Sterling left behind by my late Client before
it gets confiscated by the bank where this huge deposit was lodged.
The said Bank in London has issued me a notice to provide the Next of
Kin or have the deposit confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in
locating any of my Client's relatives for over four years and some
months now, I seek your consent to present you as the Next-of-kin to
the deceased, so that the deposit can be paid to you therefore, on
receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing
ratio and modalities for claim. I have all the necessary information
and legal documents needed to back you up for the claim.

All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
Transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law both in the UK, your Country and internationally. I will be very
happy to hear from you, 1 have agreed to part with 50% percentage of
the total amount as your own share of the money for assisting me in
this deal. We shall also map out percentage of this money to take care
of incidental expenses that may arise in the course of this
transaction. Immediately this fund is being remitted into your
account, note that high degree of trust is required from you. Thank
you in anticipation of your co-operation awaiting your response
urgently.

Best regards,
Mr. Kevin Williams
Email.kevinwilliamsprivate@hotmail.com

May 19, 2008

Monday Mumblings: boxes boxes and more boxes

Life has been crazy around here! To say the least. We sold our house, well in the middle of negotiating I flew to Utah for my Grandmother's funeral. Got the house under contract. Yeah for us. Had the inspection and the appraisal. All passed. Opt out period was Friday night, like yeah three days ago. And have to be out this Friday. Eric well lets just say "he is leaving on a jet plane" and may not be back in time to sign the closing papers on Friday. Me I am home with four kids left to much packing. Though to my husband's wonderful credit, he high tailed it this weekend and much of everything is packed, but you know the last of the last stuff is always more than what you think. I am trying to be calm. I am trying to not fear that for some reason the family will back out last minute. I am trying to be calm with the fact that we don't really know where we will be come Friday. Yes we will be staying with my in laws but Eric's company is still sort of in a negotiating thing with the state of Hawaii. So though our house is sold, which is a huge major relief and will be a bigger one on Friday when all is signed, there is still a lot of uncertainty. We are still a little worrisome about how the heck we are going to come up with the cash we need for closing since all our equity is going towards paying their closing costs and the realtors fees and other misc. costs...leaving us in the end paying to sell our house, but it is sold.

Anyway before Eric leaves in a few minutes, off goes the computer because I have no idea how to pack it! Yeah I know I probably should seeing I use it all the time, but I don't. So if you don't hear from me in a while, its because my computer is crying from storage and I am still homeless.

Maybe the next time you hear from me will be from the sandy beaches in Hawaii!!

May 18, 2008

Oh Where, Oh Where has my play list gone???

I know besides coming to my blog to read my amazing stories that are seasoned with belly aching humor, you come for the sweet sounds of the 80s and 90s music with the little bit of scattering of music from today. You showed up today to listen...and it's gone! Before you start getting all weired out that the 80's called and wanted their music back, or that the big bad black hole of the internet sucked it in, I deleted it. Why you ask? Especially since I would just come to my blog to listen to it? Well, besides it sometimes going off very loudly when reading at the wee hours of the morning, I have a friend, a blog friend who is blind. I know what does blind have to do with music? Lets just say that when you have your computer reading you the text and then the blog is singing out loud, it is most likely like driving the carpool van with six screaming six year olds. Well I did it for her. If you'd like to read more check out Angela's blog. Her story is an amazing one, and modern technology rocks.

Good Bye, Thank You and Birthday Party Invite

Well after everything is said and done, barring no back outs (the option period is over but there is one little loop hole they can jump out through if they wish), our house is sold. Eric and I have been packing like crazy this weekend and will be homeless this Friday the 23rd. Well not totally homeless since his parents have so graciously offered to let us stay in their home until we leave for Hawaii, which is still up in the air--the date when we leave that is. I 'd go into the details but then there is not enough time, and this email isn't about that anyway. You can always check out my blog for more fun family updates www.4kidsnodog.blogspot.com. Great place to visit too if this "we're moving" thing comes as a shock.

We want to invite you, and I know its kind of short notice-not as short as some of my invites- and it is still kind of tentative about the location--waiting to hear if the clubhouse is available, but regardless May 26 is Memorial Day as well as Two's 3rd birthday as well as most likely the last week we will be in Texas for a long while, and we want you to come to a little farewell, thank you for your help and friendship and a little happy birthday to "Two" (no gifts unless you really feel the urge to) party.

We'll provide the meat if y'all don't mind bringing a side, it would help a ton. We will have some drinks too, and whats a birthday party with out cake, so yeah that too.

This whole shin-dig will start at 3, (see its Two's 3rd, the month of MAY 3 letters, and the 26th which if you divide six by 2 you get 3, and I think I am a little sleep deprived). And it will be at my in laws clubhouse in Northwest Hills, off of xxxxx and xxxxx, I don't have the exact address, but when you RSVP back to me, I will get it to you :). And if it isn't available we'll let you know of the change of location. Also there is a swimming pool so bring your swimsuits and towels.

You can respond to the email, or call me or even text me. I am not sure when I will be packing up the phones, but my cell number won't change.

Ok I think I need some sleep, and really hope y'all can make it to our party because we'd love to say good bye and thank you to y'all one last time before we start saying Aloha. And if you have happened to have already moved, which many of our dear friends are moving as well, we are sorry we missed you and please keep in touch!

Corrine

May 15, 2008

TeeHeeHee Thursday


Life has been so crazy that I could use a little laugh. Well I got one this morning. Eric woke up around 4:45 am, which I had been awake since 2:30 when G-man and B were fighting over floor space in our room, after kicking them out of my bed. Yeah I know that isn't very funny especially since T-rex "slept through the night" (well he woke up at 4 am which he hasn't slept straight from 8-4 for a long time). But anyway so Eric decides to just shower and leave for work.

Sometime between Eric going down stairs and him leaving G-man ended up in my bed. I finally started to fall back to sleep. Until I hear the door alarm and front door shut, when I realize Eric just left, G-man springs up in bed. He says in a panic, "MOM someone just broke into our house." I could hear the panic in his voice, and being that it still was dark, I could understand his concern. But it made me giggle. I reached over put my hand on his chest and with my most calming mom voice said "G its just Dad leaving for work. Go back to sleep." He did, I did, and then we were almost late for school, leaving the house with only a minute to spare.


Ok G-man has been saying some pretty random things. Not sure what is going through his head. But I was getting ready for our date on Saturday night and trying on different outfits. I came out and asked Eric if I looked nice. Notice I had to ask. :) G-man popped in "you look Gay."

"that isn't very nice."

B asked "What does Gay mean?"

G-man tells her "it means you like girls."

B replies "Oh Dad you are so Gay."


Then he has been going on this whole "i'm dying and my body is falling apart and you have to take me to the doctors right now." I am so not sure why he is feeling like he is falling apart and dying. He is a healthy little boy other than the few little accidents he has had lately. But Saturday and then Sunday night he threw this teary eyed fit swearing he was dying and we had to take him to the doctor. We tried to figure out what was wrong but he just said he was falling apart- probably heard me saying that one too many times. But he then looked at me, who at this point was laughing because it was so random, he said "I can't yawn." We assured him that he didn't need to yawn to survive. I tried yawning for him to provoke a yawn and it didn't work. The poor child couldn't yawn, and he was so frustrated, he just passed out and went to sleep.

May 14, 2008

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

I am tired of being sucked into my vacuum of self-centerness! I feel as though my world as been consumed by self-centered thoughts and acts!!

May 13, 2008

Time Out Tuesday!

I officially declare it time out from life Tuesday! I am not complaining, ok so I am. I never thought of myself as a pessimistic person but I think I am becoming one. Well probably not pessimistic but more realistic. Or rather I just like to assume the worse and hope for the best kind of person. I am just tired from life right now and want to take a long vacation--6 months in Hawaii might do it :) though right now that is the top of my stressing me out list. So I am taking a time out because I am just tired, emotionally and physically.

In the last week I have:

1. Buried a loved one
2. Flown on an airplane
3. Signed papers on our house.
4. Went with out AC in the house for 5 days.
5. Lost the AC in my car. (those of you not in Texas, it is HOT and HUMID right now)
6. Had an inspector come to the home, and AC not working.
7. Have to pay the inspector to come back after the AC guy fixed and certified the AC unit as working and in great condition.
8. Got word that our home value has gone down 30,000 the last three years.
9. Realized, after a friend told me she was moving out of the neighborhood and I told her she couldn't leave me, that I am MOVING!
10. Discovered that I really do love my home and neighborhood and am so sad to be leaving.
11. Packed more boxes with tears streaming down my face.
12. Decided that having Mother's Day a few days after losing your Grandmother is hard.
13. Read a CareBear book and cried when the little girl was finally nice to her old neighbor and wished her happy birthday.
14. Weeded my yard, which in a few weeks won't be mine, as long as everything goes well...
15. Found out my Grandmother had serious heart problems starting at a young age (not much older than me) and have freaked out about the fact that I need to take better care of mine, though she did live to be 91.5
16. I paid way too much money for my second crown and still am in some pain from the work a few days ago.
17. Eaten a jar of really gross cheap chocolate waste of calories can of store bought frosting in a sitting.
18. Discovered that family relations are so important and so tender and very temperamental.
19. Realized that not all people are honest.
20. Decided I make my husband overly responsible for the finances and I have no ability to make good and reliable financial decisions, nor confront others about them.
21. didn't sleep enough this week to be of a sound mind to make any decisions.
22. Grocery shopped, spent too much money and don't have a thing to eat in my kitchen.
23. Want to go and eat out for dinner tonight but because of the market and selling this house and paying for other inspections on top of already paid inspections there is no wiggle room in our budget to go eat some greasy fries and hamburger.
24. Stressing out my young kids to the point that G-man thinks his body is failing him and that he is going to die and that we need to take him to the hospital right away because he can't yawn....ok this situation was so funny I couldn't stop laughing and the poor guy cried as I laughed at him because he was so irrational.
25. Spent way too much time on this boring, nonsense blog.
26. Yelled at my kids way too much.
27. Realized how much I love my kids and enjoy having hem around.
28. Went on a much needed date, and spent too much money on food but it was worth it.
29. Enjoy listening to my playlist and need to add more music.
30. Sat in the foyer at church for all my meetings because T-rex was fussy but more so, I was just too sad to sit and listen to the talks, lessons and such.

Alright I need to go and clean up the spray of captain crunch all over the game room...how did T-rex get the cereal up here and all over the floor....see this is why I don't take time outs!

PS I FORGOT TO MENTION MY WASHING MACHINE FLOODED MY LAUNDRY ROOM THE OTHER DAY! good thing I was about to do sheets and they soaked up most of the water...and did you know behind the washing machine is very dirty if you never clean there in ummmm lets just say years.

I love this song!

May 12, 2008

So who is this?

Eric was cleaning out the garage on Saturday and found this picture of his mother.

He asked B "Do you know who this is?"


Her reply was "Oh Dad That is the guy from the ice skating movie!"

We had watched Blades of Glory the night before. :)


May 11, 2008

Wordless Wednesday (well didn't post it on Wed.)




I took these pictures at my grandmother's funeral I think words can't express the feelings shown in these pictures last Wednesday.

May 08, 2008

Some Great Ideas...

1. Great idea, automatic soap dispensers in public restrooms. Brilliant idea. Unless you are trying to wash a child's hand while wearing a long sleeve shirt and reach across to rinse the child's hands and get squirted by soap, not so great.

2. Opening up windows on a nice spring night. But if you are in Texas and its 88 degrees and high humidity, and your are forced to open them because your AC goes out the day before the future home owner's scheduled inspection.

3. Family and Special Needs get to the front of the airport security line LINE. Nice to get to the front and not wait in the airport security line, but if they close the line just in front of you and then let two flight crews ahead of you, what is the point?

4. Dental insurance. Why pay dental insurance when they don't pay for your crowns on your teeth because it's cosmetic??

5. Middle seats in an airplane? Is that a good idea? I mean really who really wants to sit between two men as you hold a baby and tempt to nurse him. Not me, its not fun.

6. Arm rests on a airplane. I love having armrests but really which one is yours and how do you fight for it with a stranger?

7. Self cleaning ovens. You got to love them, but why do you have to take the racks out and then wipe it down after it's done, that's as selfing cleaning, about as much as a potty trained toddler needing you to put them on the pot, then going potty and still needing a wipe.

May 04, 2008

Bitter Sweet Moments

I am currently in Utah. I got a call Friday morning that my Grandmother wasn't doing well at all. So I got on the next flight I could. After spending Saturday with her, rubbing her feet, holding her hands, trying what we could to make her comfortable. I kissed her hugged her and told her good bye. She passed away around 3 this morning, while sitting and chatting with my mom. She will be missed!! We love her so dearly. I am just glad she lived a wonderful life and is now with my Granddad who she has missed!

We love you Grandmother!!

May 02, 2008

At the store yesterday

I know I shouldn't be furniture shopping but Rooms to Go is having a big huge spring sale on furniture. I figured if they ship anywhere, they might as well ship it to my new living quarters in Hawaii. You won't believe the deal I got.

So I walk in, and am quickly approached by the sales agent. I tell him that I am just browsing but really want a new living room set. As I walk through the store, browsing and stopping to sit occasionally, my eyes find the set that I have always wanted! I can't handle that I let this set go. Even if we are moving I have to have it.



I sit down with the sales man and we talk numbers. I tell him first I have no money to buy it but would like to finance it. He says, "Sure, we have great financing, though there are a few fees involved." I bat my eyes and ask him to please wave those. I could see his mind thinking through the idea. Then he says, "Sure why not." I also asked him to take a thousand off the sales price. He has to ask the manager since it is already a great sale price. After he was gone for awhile he returned with his thumbs up. A deal it was.

So I got the financing on my knocked down price and him to pay or wave the fees involved in getting the furniture. Then he mentions delivery and set up is an additional $100 to any continental US state. Then I looked at him and said "well I need it delivered to Hawaii."

"There is $500 shipping fee." he replies.

"Come on, you probably already have some stuff shipping out to other stores there, why don't you just throw my stuff on and I can pick it up in Hawaii?"

"Sure."

This Livingroom Includes:
13 Pc Sectional $2,177.00
13 Pc Table Set $389.97



Sold Separately$2,566.97

Sale Price$2477

You Save$89.97

So in and all I got this couch for $1400, free shipping, free delievery and set up and no out of pocket expense to me. Did I tell you the financing was 0% interest for 3 years!









OK so this didn't really happen and would most likely never happen. Why is it that house buying rules don't apply to other sales? I mean it isn't ok for me to haggle with a furniture store this much and expect them to practically buy it for me but for some reason when buying a house it is OK, why is that??

Flash Back Friday- to a simpler time

I am wondering as I sit here at the computer at the lovely wee hour of 3 am, did I already post this picture? Then I thought well if I can't remember I can't expect that anyone else remember it.

In case you can't find me, I am the one in the light pink smack dab in the middle.

Tonight I wish my worries were boys, grades, tests and what I 'm going to do for summer break.
Nothing profound, I am tired.

May 01, 2008

Summer Apron Swap


Thanks to my friend Jeannie, I found an awesome summer getting ready project, apron swap! Check out this site for more information. If I was all cool I would have copied the image and posted it, but I am not cool like that right now.

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