Popsicles, street lights, and baseball

As summer is supposed to be coming to a close, I keep remembering the popsicles we used to eat after dinner every night on the patio, so if they dripped it didn't matter.

I remember all of us kids playing outside, and the minute the street lights came on we all scampered home.

I remember playing baseball in the front yard with those neighborhood kids until said street lights came on.

I remember my brother, and how much I looked up to him, even when I was getting him in trouble or he was sitting on my head! I miss him!

I remember many of winter nights around the holidays spent just like this.... YES we had a TV, we just didn't watch it, we watched the fire! And check it out, SHAG Carpeting!!!

And I remember the view from our back yard, across the canyon, before they built anything there.

I remember that same view clouded with smoke and flames from the canyon fires we were subject to every year!

And I remember the year that we had so much rain we lost over half our back yard to a mudslide!

I remember my room, it's raggedy ann and andy theme that gave way to pastels when I was too old for Ann and Andy! And I remember how our dog Lady, who my cousin recently reminded me of and how she loved to lay on my bed!

I remember that every night, my dad, until his death when I was 10, tucked me into bed, and once he got to the door he blew me a kiss. I remember how much I love him!

I remember the wall paper on the wall in the kitchen/family room, and the minute I close my eyes I see it in all it's ugliness, err I mean..... no I mean ugliness! Seriously look at it....the cat in the fishbowl takes your eyes away from it, but I swear it was mesmerizing!

This was the only house I lived in for 20 years and I was devestated and excited at the same time when my mom decided to move. My whole life, was in that house, and I remember every Christmas, every party, every wonderful moment, and every awful moment. A part of me still lives in that house!

This has been part of MamaKat's weekly writing assignment, head over to her place to check out the rest of the prompts!

My Little Miracles

Karma....is it real?

No one really knows for sure. A lot of us believe in karma. What comes around goes around and all that. Well the other day the hubs and I walked to the store after dinner. We put Thomas in the wagon and Christopher in the stroller because we were going to be getting some groceries and figured the wagon is a perfect way to transport it and it's off to the store.

And since we are trying to get new stuff for Christopher to eat, I have discovered he loves sweet potatoes....So I found these great sweet potatoes at the store. So I grab a couple more, and off we go shopping. We got the several things that we need and then it was time to check out.

Well you know those little cup holders on the back of the stroller? Perfect place to put your soda, your coffee, your water.....or your two sweet potatoes right? Yeah so we all know where this is heading right? We check out and we get half way home and the hubs said....you know what? And I say what? He says we forgot to pay for the potatoes.

Well how in the world did we not pay for those???? Well they were in the cup holders and they just kind of hung out there as we paid. It's not like the spoke up and said HEY WHAT ABOUT US??? And we certainly didn't see any cops or cop cars coming after us saying "Umm yes, we see you stole those sweet potatoes, we're going to need to take you in....Book em Danno"

So it was really bugging me. I know, I know....they are only sweet potatoes...and they will probably never miss them. And I know all about SHRINK and all that junk, and it's not like they were tagged with those "don't steal me" clothes monitors or anything. But it really did bug me. And we are not in dire straights right now *knock on wood*, so it's not like my baby is starving and I have to have them.

So the next day we went back to the store I told the checker that I didn't pay for two sweet potatoes the day before and could she charge me for them now.

She looked at me like I was nuts....so I repeated my story and said so I just really want to pay for them, since it's bugging me and I believe in Karma. So she charged me for them. But probably thought I was crazy and told all her co-workers so. But I left there feeling better about it.

Think I was wrong? What would you have done? And do YOU believe in Karma?

My Little Miracles

....it's what's for dinner!

Monday's are all about Mommy and her boys night....The hubs goes and bowls, so it's all about mommy and the boys....hmmm what do we want for dinner?

Some mac-n-cheese? Nahhh, too hot in the house to cook. Some spaghettios? Nope, no one likes those here....a frozen meal? uh-uh, NASTY! Some grilled chicken and some green beans? Oh heck no, that would be like *gulp* healthy.

Nope, here in our house on a Monday night.....
GREEN CRAYONS....It's what's for dinner.

Oh yes he really did! As I was making a plate full of food for Christopher, Thomas, my Angel, is sitting at the table....waiting patiently. And he says "Mommy, I color please". Sure Baby, you are being so calm and polite and because you said please and you aren't complaining that mommy has the foot ball game on while she is making dinner, you can color. Here are your crayons, and your paper. I look over several times and he is coloring so nicely. I am in the fridge and I hear a "crunch, crunch, crunch". Hmmm....now what could he be eating? I didn't get him an appetizer....Yeah, well this is what he would rather have for dinner! NICE! Way to go Mom!!!

Ahh well....green crayon....the other white meat?

My Little Miracles

Weekend in Review

Again...love our weekends. I don't have as many pics this weekend because I am beginning to think people think I am strange when I am taking pics of my boys at the farmer's market!

So Saturday we went to the farmer's market to load up on all those good wholesome fruits and veggies. So glad that I did because almost all the stuff I bought, none of the boys are going to eat it...The Hubs included! =)

Once we left there is was off to visit my aunt, they get to run around and do almost anything they want there. So of course they love it. Then it was home for lunch and naps.

THEN....after the household had a nap....we bought our HALLOWEEN costumes!!!

So excited....I can't wait to post pics of them in their costumes! Although I will be going back again and again to check to see if the one I wanted for Thomas comes in! Christopher will be a spider and Thomas, if I have my way will be a lion!!

Sunday was spent at home enjoying the laughter of the boys! And the crying too! We did a little shopping, a little football watching, a little mowing of the lawn and a little playing in the pool.

And I am working on a new blankie....It's still missing the name and date and the binding but gimmie a break I've been BUSY! =)

The back side will be the pink with the bunny and the name and date....the front is that adorable pattern with moons and clouds....sleepy time coziness!

For Shannon, At the bottom of THIS post, is where I spoke of her. So I am thrilled to report that her little baby girl, Autumn, was born healthy on 8-31-09, she is still in the NICU, but doing well and we are hoping she will bring her home soon!

My Little Miracles

Woggle Boy - Revisited

This week I decided to participate in Give me your best shot,

And the theme for the week was super heros...

Well everyone remembers Woggle boy right? If not...step on over HERE

Okay so he may not have this great wondeful costume and cape to go with it....
But he sure does wear those "woggles" well doesn't he?

And the fact that you can say "WOGGLE BOY" and he will say "DUN DUN DUNNNNN" is classic!
And even if his little brother tries to unmask him.....

He will always be a superhero in my heart!

My Little Miracles

Moxie....a name I wear proudly

We interrupt this blog to bring you a writer's workshop, head over to MamaKat's to see all the prompts!

Moxie is defined as the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage; bold energy. Describe a time when you showed moxie.

Let's see, I am going to try to make a really long story....well...shortER....
I made the hugest mistake of my life but of course at the time you couldn't tell me that. I married a man....let's call him "Himself" mmmkay? Mmmkay, so I married Himself after everything in my body told me not to. It was one of those "not to be" instead of "meant to be" relationships. We couldn't go very long without a fight. The first time "himself" ever got physical was the 1st time I was leaving him, he physically picked me up and threw me onto the couch and tweaked my back. LOVERLY! Leave I did, but like an idiot, I went back.

Don't ask me why...probably because I was determined to make it work. Well it didn't last long and life took a turn....and himself changed, the alcohol abuse with the Jack Daniels (which to this day I still can't stand the smell of) the physical abuse in every way started, I won't go into detail on that since a lot of my family reads this blog and it's kind of an uncomfy thing to discuss. I was so terrified that I stayed. Does that make sense? I was more afraid to leave then I was to stay.

It got worse, he would take my car keys when I got home from work, he took my cell phone and checked my recent calls, sometimes he would even drive me to work, pick me up at lunch and pick me up after work, as if I were some school girl. At one point he demanded I quit my job, and when I refused he got angry. I think the only time I was alone was in the bathroom, and at that point all I could think about was how to GET OUT.

Finally, it took everything in me....I had to put all my fear aside, and I even had to leave my two most precious "possessions" behind, my kitties! And trust me, he was just that kind of person who would not feed them, leave them locked outside in a blizzard...so I worried about them, but didn't want my mom to have to come pick me up in a pine box and that is how it was going. So finally, I left. I stayed with friends for a little bit, and I will forever be grateful for the friendship Kim gave me and still does to this day! That family gave to me unconditionally and I am truly grateful for that! I heart you Kim!

I eventually got an apartment of my own, and he haunted me there as well. I had to get a restraining order, a new phone number, I had friends come to my apartment just to follow me to work which was only 5 miles away to ensure himself wouldn't try anything on my way there! I lived in terror for close to a year. At the time I did leave, my nickname among some of my friends was Mox....short for Moxie Girl.

I couldn't have done it without the Moxie inside, my family's support, and my friends. And it just proves that you have to go through some of the worst and ugliest things in life to find the best....my 3 boys!! Okay 2 boys and a man? Nahhh 3 boys sounds better! The love of my life, the hubs, he is my everything, and my ab-so-slutely adorable baby boys, I couldn't ask for anything more!


A superhero can save you from what ails you....what is your request?

The request is not for me actually, but for all of those who have cancer, can't we find a cure? Instead of having a "guardian Angel" or a "Fairy Godmother" can I have a superhero that can save all those suffering? Especially one in my family, and she knows who she is, she is kicking cancer's butt all over the place as we speak! And I'm a proud member of the Chemo Club 2009! I still need to send my pics to my cousin! I really don't ask for much, I'm kind of simple, and I've been given so much already and I couldn't be more grateful.....But....this is the one thing I would request!

And now back to our regularly scheduled blogging!

My Little Miracles

To Lie or not to Lie....

So I just read this article about lying to your kids. I had to post about it.

Now I have yet to come across this, because let's face it, my oldest is just over 2...how much can he possible ask me about my past? Or even the past in general?

I mean I have had my oldest ask for his stuffed monkey or his bankie and we don't have it with us or it's somewhere else and we tell him that they are napping or already in bed or something along that nature, and he says "Oh okay", and he goes about his business or he will have a major melt down....is that lying?

Well according the this article, it's just "filtering the truth". Now can you imagine your child getting in trouble for lying and then you ask "why did you lie" and then say "I didn't lie Mommy, I just filtered the truth". Hmmmm....

Now I don't know how I am going to deal with this when the time comes...that is when my psychology degree will come in some serious handiness. And when your parenting side of the brain kicks in....do you be a hypocrit and play the whole "don't do as I do, do as I say" side? Or do you take the time to explain to your child, why you lied....as in this article, you should say the tooth fairy is made up because a lot of kids are afraid to lose their teeth, but I can see now you are a big boy and can handle it.

This article covers everything from lying about Santa Claus all the way down to lying about such incidences as 9-11. It's an interesting article it was in Good Housekeeping June 2009. I tried to pull it up online but can't seem to. But if you are interested in getting the whole article I will scan it, just leave a comment or send me an email.

Now I will do whatever it takes to make sure my boys are safe, and to make sure they feel safe, which is most important and if I have to tell a "white lie" I will. But I also think that if you tell a whole lot of white lies to your kids you lose your credibility and your trustworthiness. And even though you think you are helping your kids in the long run you are showing them that it's okay to lie.

Let's face it, kids are kids and a lot of time their brains aren't able to comprehend the truth, and it's good to nuture their creative or imaginary or fantasy side....to an extent. But there is going to be a time when they are ready to hear the truth and if you keep insisting on a lie....how can they trust you?

Is it okay to lie to your kids? Or what about a time when you did lie? I think for now I will stick with my "filtrations" of the truth when it comes to Santa and the tooth fairy, and I'll make them feel safe when it comes to questions about things like 9-11 and school shootings. And when the time comes, and I think their brain can comprehend my past mistakes, I might just share those too!

My Little Miracles

NO DOGS ALLOWED

Don't get me wrong, I Love dogs.

Dogs are great....they bark when they hear something strange...unless they are at my house and then they get hollered at because she will wake the kids.

They wag their tails and get so excited when you come home after a long day....unless they are at my house and then she gets hollered at for jumping and knocking the kids over.

They follow you around and are always at your heals, unless they are at my house then she gets hollered at because she is in the way and almost trips us while we are carrying Christopher.

They lay at your feet and show that they are man's best friend, unless they are at my house and then she gets hollered at...get off my feet!!!

Their name is Hoover because anything and everything that falls on the floor is cleaned up, licked up, "Hoovered" up....and then she gets hollered at because OMG she stinks...I mean peel the paint off the wall stink!

And I mean look at her....she's got the sweetest face, no?

Meet Tawney, aka destructo, aka hoover. She is my mom's dog who is staying with us while my mom is on vacation. Let's see, so far she has chewed up a bottle...we are missing the plastic ring that holds the nipple on and screws on to the top of the bottle...I am sure at some point we will find it regurgitated in some form on the lawn. Can we say OUCH?

She chewed up a kitchen towel...apparently it had food on it or something....so we will find that on the lawn as well I am sure!!

Then today, I went to a follow up appt over at UCLA....that's another post in and of itself...don't even ask at this point...needless to say I am NOT happy. Anyway....I decided well I'll run home real quick and I walk in the house....the dog of course does NOT bark...and I said what kind of watch dog are you??? Then I find out WHY she didn't bark or move for that matter.

A box of wipes...not just a container....no this one was from Costco....900 wipes!!! There are like 8 little bag/container thingies of wipes....all of the opened....EVERY. SINGLE. BAG. Opened in some way. The corner chewed off, the plastic top eaten off and the wipes, left on the carpet. Full of hair and dog spit and you want me to wipe my baby's butt with that??

And all I keep thinking is....9 more days....just a mere 9 days until she goes home. Let's hope she doesn't eat or tear up anything else!!! She's already been banned to the tile entryway in the living room while we are not here!

My Little Miracles

Just Ducky....

Aren't weekends just the best. We seem to have the best family times. So Saturday we pulled out the boys' new pool! We were going to wait until next summer to break this bad boy out, but with talk of 100 degree temps we thought we better pull it out, and it was the perfect weekend, with temps no where near 100! But Thomas still went swimming anyway!

Tell me what a ham he is? He cracks me up! And I don't know what it is with this child and his tongue, but he's always got it doing strange things....aside from sticking out!

Christopher didn't get to go in this time, it's a little bit more pool than he can handle, but it didn't stop him from hangin with his bro and splashing around from the side!

Then we went down to the local outdoor mall, they have all this stuff for the kids to do, movies and crafts and music and stuff. So we went for dinner and then of course Thomas HAD to ride this little ice cream machine thing that he didn't get to ride the weekend before because we didn't have enough change. He rode the race car, the train and the fire engine but this ice cream truck was his flavorite!
So then we got home and we decided to talk Halloween....Thomas is unsure if he wants to be Thomas the train, a Baseball player, or if he just wants to walk around in mommy's nylon socks and his sandals! No just playin...isn't it fun when they learn to dress themselves? He picked that whole outfit! Is he ready for what not to wear or what?

I couldn't resist this pic...looks as if he is saying HEY, Did you take a pic of me in this goofy getup? DELETE IT!!

Then on Sunday it was off to the park! Although we couldn't get Thomas to look at the camera, it's like he KNOWS we want some cute pics of him.

And they have this HUGE duck pond, and he loves him some Quack Quack.....just wait until he finds out that Daddy likes to shoot them, and I don't mean with a camera! I think I saw him twitching while taking this photos!

But they are fun to watch, they have some silly antics! The ducks not the boys!

We didn't get to many pics of Christopher at the park, he is the people watcher in the stroller....and the eater....you put him in the stroller in the park, give him some Cheerios and it's like watching a movie for him!

It's always fun to find stuff that is close to home for the boys to do over the weekend to tire them out! And Swimming and the park are always ideal! Pretty soon we'll have to find something to replace swimming!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

My Little Miracles

I can't believe I forgot....

How could I have forgotten this piece of beautifulness...Cyndy over at Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional passed this award on to me. You really need to toddle on over to her place, she has some fanwonderfully funny and witty posts! (don't you just love my made up words? The call them Erinisms at work) Okay so on with the show....



The rules are as follows:

“No one really likes rules, do they? I shall make mine simple. Make a cocktail, pick out some of your favorite bloggers. Send this award to 4 of them. Tell them why you think they give good blog. There are SO many fascinating, witty, and fantastic bloggers; let’s invite them all to the party.
Or you can just put it on your mantle and watch it sparkle. And if you think it sassy that I created my own Award, just consider it a grown up and virtual version of a friendship bracelet.”

Okay so one of my flavorite cocktails is called a Malibu Breeze. Since I am just that kind of girl who can drink liquor all night long, if I so choose and catch a mild buzz, but you give me 3 beers and I am a hysterically laughing drunken fool!

Remind me to tell you, or have the hubs tell you about my going away party in MI....heck ask anyone who was there.... 22 shots, yes I said 22 shots that is not a typo, of Tequila later and still walking, talking and having a great time! I did NOT drive home, I may be blond but I'm not stupid...but I walked right up my apartment stairs, did my night time routine and went to bed! Good times!! Okay so by the end of the night I couldn't text worth much...but I tried real hard! HA!

Anyway...now back to my drink...Malibu Breeze...
I don't know exact measurements...it depends on your glass or your taste....

A shot or more of Malibu Rum
Some pineapple juice
And a splash of cranberry juice

Stir it up and ENJOY!

Okay now to pass along to some of my flavorites, I adore them, they crack me up!

Amy and Lady Di at Daily Dose of Mama Drama And trust me if you love drama, they always have some!
Alicia over at It Ain't Easy Being Cheesy def head over there for some hilarity! Between her dogs, her man meat, her precious babies and her IBS you will find something for you!
Blue Violet over at A Nut in a Nutshell She is the place to go for great giveaways and she has some fantastic posts
And last but certainly not the least...
Jenners at Life with a Little One and More She will have you in tears with comicalness...I'm not even kidding you...priceless!

Now off you go...don't pass go, don't collect $200, go check them out and tell them Erin sent you!

My Little Miracles

If the Cats could talk...

So I've talked about this little sketch of a kittie before...remember...his paw licking?

Yeah...well meet Petey...

Now what I want to know is WHY?

Why do you eat your paw?

Did you not get enough to eat?

Why do you insist on licking my hair in the middle of the night?

Why do you find it necessary to barf UNDER the bed where it is almost impossible to clean?

Why are you so sketchy??

Why do you slink into a room and if I move my foot ever so slightly you jump SKY HIGH and go tearing off into the other room and hide for hours on end?

Do you not know that you are a CAT?

Why, oh why....please tell me....are you afraid of A FISH????

And if I could...Please...get an answer from this beautiful kittie....

This is Tigger and as much as I would have loved to ask him a million questions, right now I only have one.....WHERE ARE YOU? And I want to tell him one thing too....that he was my first born furry, I had him for 16 years and I miss him still!

This has been brought to you by MamaKat,
head over to hear place to see what others want to know from their pets and all the other prompts!

My Little Miracles

It's My BIRTHDAY!!!!!

PARRRR-TAY! It's my birthday, it's my birthday ::::Doin' the happy birthday dance::::: (at least I can dance today, Sunday I was down for the count with a wicked migraine...HATE those)



Okay so back to my birthday!!! Can you tell I LOVE my birthday....even if I am getting older....Hey I waited a long dang time to be this old! How old am I? Well I'm 29...AGAIN! HA!



So aside from the fact that I have to work, I will be spending my birthday with this little Ham...




And this little cutie....



The Hubs was supposed to start his new bowling league tomorrow night but he decided to come home and cook for moi! Oh wait...he cooks for me almost every night....tell me I'm not the luckiest? And he doesn't just make like frozen junk...he really cooks! =) and No he's not for rent! Besides you couldn't afford him! =) So instead of enjoying "chickie tacos" with Thomas and some carrots and apples and whatever else I can come up with for Christopher...I'll be having my wonderful Family dinner! LOVE IT!



Now you would think that I would check my mail like daily when it comes to my birthday...and I didn't. But take a look at this little gem that was sitting in my mail box since SATURDAY!



I can't say it any better....nothing parties like a new bracelet! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!



And not only did I get this rockin' HK one....Thanks Maile, Niels and Nalani, you guys are THE BEST!!! XOXOXOX I absolutely adore it!



But I also got a new Pandora bracelet from my mom! She got one for her birthday last year and I just loved it! So she got the bracelet and I am sure The Hubs will supply the charms over the years!


And this wasn't really a birthday present, more of a "cheer you up because you are feeling ugly after your surgery" gift from my cousin! She's awesome! So Thanks K.A. and fam! I absolutely love my neck necklace...

She got this from the Art of Silver a fab little Etsy shop....and if you can't see...it's got 4 charms, one is slightly larger, has hearts all over it, and the other 3 have the loves of my life names on them. Thomas and a green stone for his May birthday, Chris and a blue stone for his September birthday and then Steven! I'm going to be taking this down to the local engraving shop to see if I can have bday's put on the back!

So I am feeling wiser...no, not really....but I still love my birthday! So Happy Birthday to Me!
Oh yeah and Demetra....you SUCK for not being there to celebrate my birthday at work! =)

My Little Miracles

Remember When....

Remember when we had a view in our mind that no matter what we were safe?

Remember when that was destroyed?

Remember when America bonded together as one as we were amazed, we were angered, we hated, we bonded together as one nation under God, and we swore to never forget.....

Let's not.....

Let's remember when....

I was working in the legal department of Dow Corning in Midland, Michigan and we gathered around any and all TVs in the building as we watched in horror, we held each other, and we cried. I looked around at all these people I work with, some strangers and we all bonded at that very moment....as Americans! I will never forget that moment....

Do you remember?

My Little Miracles

Doctor, Doctor gimmie the news....

Now tell me that song isn't stuck in your head after reading the title?

mmmkay so anyway...Christopher had his one year doctor's appointment, and along with that 1 year appointment comes the dreaded MMR shot! I hate getting my boys shots, I have graduated to at least being IN the room, but I still can't hold them down or help. I couldn't even look when they gave Christopher a TB test. I am one of those moms who steps outside the room while they give all the shots and I come bursting into the room and say "UNHAND MY BABY" and take them into my arms and whisper in their ears and pet their heads and sing their respective songs into their ears or at least hum it so they can feel the vibration and takes their mind off of the shot.

Okay so...the good news, he is 22 lbs and 30 1/4 inches tall, he is average for his height and weight, his iron is perfect, he has 5 teeth, one that just popped through the gum today....won't that look nice in his baby book....too bad it wasn't his 9th tooth, on 09-09-09.

The bad news....He still has a hernia, which appears to be getting bigger but the Doc is still going to watch it....I hope he doesn't watch it right into the operating room!

More good news....NO SHOTS! I just have a bad feeling for this MMR shot for Christopher....I have researched A LOT about it in the past few months, and of course immunizations are a huge debate and I am not here to say what is right or wrong....you have to do what is right for your child. I don't think it's right for Christopher right now. Christopher has been on steroids several times since he was born for his breathing issues and as recently as 2 months ago, and those steroids can interfer with the MMR shot. So I brought it up to the doc and he said "Okay, we'll talk about it at 15 months". So let's hope that by the time he is 15 months I will feel a little more comfy about it!

He is starting to pull himself up and standing for long periods of time, on his tippy toes of course, I'll have to post a pic of that, because it's so dang cute! And he will even actually attempt to move his feet in the way of a step. Even though I want him walking, I am dreading this time in his life, it means a lot of bumps and bruises and falling down and crying and along with all that comes the mommy guilt in a HUGE way, because every time he falls is most likely a time I should have been watching him!

Next month....the flu shot....grrr, I so don't want to get those but the doc says it is imperative because if Christopher gets the flu he's in trouble! And after the flu shot, the swine flu shot, then maybe his MMR shot. Next appointment we will see if Christopher will need to go back to see his specialist!

Did you know that like 30 years ago there were only like 5 required immunizations....now there are like 3 times that??? We can come up with all these vaccines, some of which are pointless in my opinion, but we can't cure cancer....go figure! Maybe if the people who came up with all these vaccines can now go and work on a cure for cancer we'll be golden!

My Little Miracles