Is This What We Have To Look Forward To?

The following is an excerpt from an honest to goodness...no lie...conversation I had recently. These are the exact words that were written...nothing has been changed. BEWARE: It will make you sit in disbelief for a few minutes so, make sure you have some time before proceeding.

"why is it soem like at me as a failure cause i din';rt go to college."

Direct quote...seriously....Hmmm not really sure what to say about that one.

AND, AND...ready for this?

"nearly everything i know was self taught "

Now THAT I believe.

Things I Learned 8 Years Ago Today

This date for me is always so nostalgic and sentimental. I wake up and think back 8 years ago today and remember where I was at every single moment and how my life changed on this day. THIS is the day that my first daughter was born and I became a mom. Now, we all hear all the little tidbits of information that people give you like "sleep when she sleeps" and "Get an epidural!!" While I listened to all those things, I really just listened to myself since I seem to know me the best....you know?

So, in no particular order...this is what I learned 8 years ago today:

1. An epidural is NOT necessary...Ya, that's right...no epidural and by choice!!! I wanted to see if I could do it and truly it was the most amazing experience of my life...crazy? Maybe...but all you readers that run marathons....now THAT is crazy!!!! I honestly believe that I single handedly scared my best friend Schmiggy to death and she will never have kids...true story!

2. The moment that they lay those sweet little cherub babes on your chest...your life is forever changed. FOR.EVER. My daughters bring me the most joy and the most stress all at the same time. Seeing a child sick or hurt is, by far, the hardest thing EVER!!!

3. As she exits each stage and enters a new one, I am excited and sad all at the same time. I loved watching her walk but, at the same time I knew that her giant diaper bottom wouldn't be bustling around on the floor anymore picking up the Cheerios from breakfast and I was going to actually have to sweep the floor..GASP!!!

4. I become very "mama bear"ish if I need to and I truly believe I could kick anyone's ass if they tried to do anything to my kids. I don't even like it when her friends are mean to her...now, I wouldn't kick her friends ass just yet (that just wouldn't be a fair fight) but, I do have some thoughts about those mean girls on the play ground...I'm just sayin'.

5. I love trying to trick them into holding my hand...I will say things like "Can you hold my hand...I think I may get lost walking into the store" I am needing to get a bit more creative as they get older and wise up to my tactics. I hope that they never grow out of wanting to hold my hand or kiss and hug me...I know they will but, I can hope...right?

6. There is nothing sweeter then when she, without prompting, says..."Mommy I really love you." or "I think you are the best mom ever." She has said both of those things and really I almost cry.

7. I love it when people tell me how beautiful my kids are...I always add something else to them being beautiful like..."Thanks...they are so funny too." or "Ya...you should see how strong they are too." I want them to know there is more to them then their looks.

8. I drink A LOT more now that I have kids then ever before...would it be bad if I think everyone is happier if I drink? WAIT...don't answer that...I think I know the answer. HELL NO that isn't bad...right? OK...good..moving on.

9. I am proud of my little "baby pouch"....ok proud is a little strong but, I guess it doesn't bother me that much. When it does...I just see her pretty little smile or the sparkle in her eye and realize that the little muffin top is so worth it so who cares. Well, I am NOT proud of it when I run into an ex boyfriend or at my high school reunion where no one had them..how is that possible? I have no idea but, I sucked my stomach in that entire night...is that a work out? I think it is..

10. I love cheese and cannot live without it. Now, this tidbit has nothing to do with having kids, I just thought you would like to know...

"What I meant to say" Wednesdays

Oh how I love Wednesdays now...thanks Chief for giving me the liberty to jump up on my soap box and spew things that I don't normally say out loud. Usually I am able to rant in my head for a very long time but, NOW...I can do it to all of you..my 41 readers?? How lovely is that?

Situation: Teacher at my school who clearly does not respect counselors or what a counselor might do sent an email to the ENTIRE staff including administration saying...and I quote..."Please don’t waste your time telling me I’m crazy, ill-informed or that I don’t know what I’m talking about, I’ve heard that from admin and counseling before and I’m done buying it." (This is just a portion of the e-mail...but, I think you get the idea)

My Response: Hmmm, well, nothing really since I would NEVER send an email like that to the ENTIRE staff so, I was pretty much speechless....I KNOW...how can that be?

WIMTS: Holy Crap!!! If you don't want people to think you are crazy maybe..just MAYBE, you should refrain from stating that in your e-mail? Just sayin'. Oh ya...maybe you should be a bit reflective and figure out why people are telling you that you may in fact be a bit looney? Just sayin' AND please, for the love of hoodies and converse tennis shoes, please take your meds!!!

The Accident

We had a big accident in our house last week. It was really sad and quite traumatic to say the least. You all remember the dolls that we have that cost more then most people spend on their heart medication..right? Well, both of my girls have one and they LOVE them....OK, I love them. I really want Kit Kittridge if anyone is interested in an early birthday present or just a present for me being all wonderful and great..no? Always worth a shot.

Anyway, these dolls go with us to lots of places...they are almost always in the car with us and they are in constant need of a wardrobe change. Weird but, they are always changing clothes. My youngest is very consistent with her doll and she rarely matches and NEVER has her hair brushed..much like everyday life in my house. They have gone to lunch with us and my friend Sunshine and were totally discriminated against. Not sure if it was the fact that they were little people or the waitress did not believe they were real? At any rate, they were NOT given a menu and they were not allowed to order. GASP!!! I know...hard to believe that people like that still exist in the good ol' USA but, sadly, they do.

Yes, we have a very unhealthy love for the American Girl dolls that reside in our house and I am still keeping my fingers crossed that I will be adopting Kit in the future but, if we don't love them...who will? Imagine my heart ache when Julie (my oldest daughter's doll) had an unfortunate run in with the curly slide at the park. She was playing nicely on top of the slide (so not safe and if I was there I would not have allowed such radical behavior) when she slipped and fell from the top. She was injured and injured badly. She has a broken leg, sprained ankle, broken arm, broken thumb and various scrapes and bruises that have required an obscene amount of band-aids. She has been confined to a wheelchair since the accident and she is making little progress. Her broken thumb has since healed (only because the thumb splint has fallen off and may have been eaten by the cat) but, her legs are still broken or sprained and due to the broken arm she is not able to use the crutches. She is in bad shape so, please keep her in your thoughts this week as we are all hoping for a speedy recovery.

PS...Poor Julie spends her day longing to go outside. FYI - Yes, all of the items have been purchased for American Girl Dolls at a ridiculously high rate. Looks like someone will be going without their heart medication again.