It's the ninth installment of Find Mom Friday. And, I'd just like to say, that I don't think I've been in as many pictures as I have been lately! ;)
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It's the ninth installment of Find Mom Friday. And, I'd just like to say, that I don't think I've been in as many pictures as I have been lately! ;)
Ever heard that song, "I Hope You Dance", by Lee Ann Womack?
This weekend, at the wedding, I was reminded of this simple phrase in all its genuinity. (yep, real word).
You see, during the reception, God started a freak rainstorm. The sun was shining, and the mercury was still hovering around 30' C, (86' F), but the heavens opened and halted the celebrations for a while.
Weddings and rain never mix.
Unless you're a child like Mimi. And you're boiling hot. And you don't care that your hair will stick to your head, that your dress will be soaked, or that everyone may be watching you. You don't care about your makeup. Or your jewellery. Or a fake reputation you think you have to uphold.
All you care about is making yourself happy. And when a good tune comes on the speakers, and there's an empty dance floor, you remember that it's not about anything other than RIGHT NOW.
You find happiness in the raindrops. You find relief in the stormclouds. You find joy because you can still hear the music over the thunder.
And everyone watches you, and secretly wishes they had the joie de vie you have.
Labels: Love and Marriage, Mimi, Something Worth Celebrating
*during family prayer*
Mimi: Heavenly Father, please bless us. Fank you... a house. Fank you... a fam'ly. Fank you...a temple. Fank you...a dessert and ice cream!
*Getting dressed in the morning, she brings me her dress*
Mimi: But Mom! I can not get dressed out here! People will see my pirates!
Andrew (dayhome kid, 3 years old): There's no such thing as pirates. Pirates are only on TV. Like Dora.
Mimi: Yes there is. Hers has pirates. Hes has a penis.
Andrew: Not pirates. Privates!
Mimi: No. See? (pulls up her dress.) My pirates.
***
***
Being without my kids for the week is taking its toll.
Firstly, it's awesome.
I got to sleep-in yesterday (as sleep-in as 8 am is... and for me, that's 2 hours!), and once the dayhome kids go home, I am FREE to do what I want (any old time?). I don't have to make dinners, my house is staying pretty dang clean (not that anyone's asked for a showing this week, which is both a relief because I don't have to leave and also a pain because that means it's not being sold and just FIGURES since this is the EASIEST time for me to show the place), and there's NO responsibilities to keep me at home at night.
So, last night I went out with Becka.
We went shoe shopping, and AMAZINGLY, found the shoes I was looking for for the wedding! The right colour, the right heel, everything perfect. Nice.
And we headed out for dinner after with Lena to The Olive Garden. Which, by the way, was soooooo yummy!
But, to my surprise, my kids came with me. Oh, every few minutes I'd end up thinking "Oh geez, it's getting late and I have to get back to relieve the babysitter" or "Chris is gonna be mad that I've been out so long, he probably wants to go home" or something along those lines. I'd actually have to TRAIN myself NOT to think about them and enjoy the night out.
We got home fairly late after traffic issues and going downtown to drop off dinner for Becka's working hubby, and it was odd to walk into an empty house that late at night. Not bad. Just... odd. The doors to their bedrooms have remained closed (so they don't get messed up by dayhome kids) and last night it was so hot, I opened every door and window to get some cross-breezes goin' on. Their little beds are still made. Their rooms SMELL like them. (remind me to give those bedrooms a bath! ;) )
And then I chatted with Will on the phone.
And my kids were there.
During the conversation, I had to remind myself that the kids weren't going to be overhearing anything I said. That I could talk 'loudly' and not worry about waking anyone up. Although, it's a relief to be able to have a full-blown conversation with someone and NOT be interrupted at least once with "MAAAHWHHHWMMM, soandso is looking at me!"
It is very odd not having them here. I had them alllll last week by myself, and I'll have them alllll next week to myself too. I'm enjoying my week-off, getting stuff done and relaxing. But it sure is empty, and peaceful quiet and a nice home-cation.
Labels: Bear, life a la Debbi, LL, Mimi
(My google is wierd and won't let me read all your posts from my weekend away. So, lemme know if anything monumental happened. :P )
My Easter Weekend was fantastic.
It was a great time to spend with my wonderful in-laws.
*Out making a fire:
*Easter Sunday in their new Easter Dresses and Bear's new suit. (technically, it was Saturday, as we did our big dinner that day because we had to travel on Sunday)
I know, I haven't blogged a whole lotta anything lately.
So here it is. A long one. Be warned. And it's also slightly venting- so, skip ahead to the comments and leave some non-related lovely thoughts because I'm in a blahghgh mood and wouldn't want to ruin your otherwise happy day should you read this horrible monologue.
I had bad-mom night. I kinda had bad-day yesterday in general.
First off, it started off perfectly fine. In truth, it was AWESOME. I took three kids to the passport office, highly anticipating a long couple-hour wait in a line of decrepits. (no clue why I think only scary, dirty people go to passport offices-- just some stupid ignorant thought I have. Don't tell me I'm ignorant. I know)
Lucky for me, I walked right into the office, the ONLY person there. I was in and out of that government building within 5 minutes. Which is sweet, because as I walked out, 5 different people walked in. Of course, they were all regular people decrepits. And I'm sure I was minutes away from catching West Nile or something airborne. (It's my story. I'm gonna go with it my way.)
But, that was the end of my daily allotment for good things.
I did not find a specific item I was looking for to give to Will for his birthday next week. Looked in three different stores. Have bought it before. Annoyed that it is now 'MIA'. So, I'm taking suggestions for gifts for the most awesome dude ever, whom I've dated for a little over 2 months, and whom I plan to date for a long time. Let's add sentimental, not too cheap, but not ridiculous either. You know. That type of gift. Let the ideas flow.
And I miss Will. He's gone on vacation until next week... and going from talking EVERY DAY FOR 2 MONTHS TO NOTHING IS SUPER SUCKY STUPID SAD HARD, (albeit healthy- I don't want to hear that) TO DO!
I got the kids lunch, and then a phone call came from Sin. She's sick lately, and it worries me a lot. So, I packed up the monkeys and headed downtown, and tried to navigate downtown with construction and one-way traffic. I'm not good at that. Although, I found humour as I turned the wrong-way up a one-way street, where the construction lady looked sideways at me, like I was some person in line at the Passport office on crack! (I was safely behind a barrier, waiting for Sin, it's not like I inadvertently turned that way! I'm not THAT bad of a driver, seriously) But I get a little flustered driving downtown, rush hour or not. Not to mention the downed power line that had a 4-lane road down to ONE LANE! Fetcher who hit the power line is lucky the cops were there-- I woulda busted a cap in his butt. Let's imagine the power line didn't fall on it's own (there were no other cars or people there to blame).
The kids didn't nap, so once I was back home, they were all ready to gash out their eyeballs. And one had thrown up on herself in the car. Funtimes.
Then, a new baby arrived (just for the day) and screamed his head off. THREE HOURS OF SCREAMING!! THREE BLINKING HOURS!! I tried feeding him, I tried distracting him, I tried holding him. I tried everything. It got to my breaking point, where I simply put him in a playpen just so I could close the door for a few minutes before I tried again. Serenity Now.
LL called from the school, wanting to come home 1/2 hour earlier because of a headache. AS IF. Suck it out, buttercup. She loses her temper with me on the phone, and I explain that I dont' have enough seat belts for the 8 kids I have at the house to come get her anyways.
She gets home and immediately starts complaining about how I shoulda picked her up, griping and talking incredibly rudely to me. I suggest taking a nap to see if she feels better. She decides to play outside.
I had an 'evening out' planned. But my hair appointment cancelled. Instead, I was gonna go for a run or something.
I made dinner.
Chris arrived. He informs me that he forgot his volleyball stuff, and will be taking the kids shopping for shorts instead of bathing them and doing their homework.
So, when he returned, they were barely bathed (thank goodness for that) but it was 10 minutes to bedtime. And LL had a letter from her teacher about her homework. And it was yet to be done. And Bear didn't get his done either.
I am at my end.
It is past bedtime.
It is an HOUR PAST BEDTIME!
LL is screaming at me that I won't do her homework for her. That I don't love her to help her... Bear is taking his piddly time getting his own stuff done.
I call the homework to cease, and we have family prayer. LL doesn't join in. She pouts instead. We start without her, and she pouts harder. FINE. JOIN THEN! She joins, and gets into bed, SCREAMING! I give kisses, and walk out the bedroom door. No song tonight-- I'm definitely not in the mood for a lullaby over top of a screamfest.
SHE SCREAMED FOR 15 MINUTES!! like, scream, banshee-esque.
I had enough. I went into her room, told her to stop. She screamed at me. I yelled back. *hear the snap, yet?* I tell her I don't like the way she's treated me tonight. Don't like the way that, when I tried to help her, she got angry and refused to let me help. Told her I didn't like her very much right now.
her little heart broke audibly, as she reiterated between huge sobs, "You don't like me?"
GRRR. Bad mom moment.
"no, I don't. You're not a nice girl right now. you've hurt my feelings all day, and I'm a regular person. Sometimes I'm a mom. And I always love you. But after a whole day of you treating me poorly, and having my feelings hurt all day, I stop being a mom and just become a "Debbi". And right now, Debbi wants to go in her room and be alone."
Ensue tears on both sides.
"you don't love me, Mom?"
my heart breaks as I realize that THIS moment will be one she will likely hold tight to, the way I held tight to certain things my mother said to me in her own 'non-mom' moments when I was a child.
"I'll always love you. You are my pride and joy. I would die for you. I would do anything you asked. I love you with everything I am."
"Then why won't you sing for me?"
"Because singing to you is a gift. And I don't want to give you that gift right now. I'm too sad to give anything else to anyone today. I need to be alone now."
....
I walk away. Took a shower. Cried.
Started missing having a Dad in the home. Not Chris. But a Dad in general-- someone who could take over when Mom is tired. When Mom is losing it, they come in and let Mom hide out in the shower. They would have interfered before I got to the whole "you don't love me, mom?" moment!
In fact, I was angry at Chris, so it wasn't like I was missing him. Because of his stupidity and forgetfulness, the kids' routine was ruined that night. And angry, that because he gets to walk in and out of their day as he pleases, and I'm left with the tornado aftermath. He doesn't 'do' homework. He doesn't get the letters from the teacher. He doesn't deal with the kids being overtired because they didn't get it done earlier. He doesn't have to wake them early to finish it, and still make sure they're on the bus on time, pulling teeth the entire morning. He doesn't deal with their attitudes. Daddy's time is always rainbows and unicorns and all that crap.
Went to go double check the locks on the doors downstairs, where a little voice, cracking, called out my name as I shut the bedroom doors. "Mom?"
"yes, huney."
"My eyes hurt. I am not happy."
"I know sweetheart. Go to sleep. We are tired. I love you"
I hate bad days.
Labels: Bear, Chris, dayhome, life a la Debbi, LL, Mimi, sob stories, Will
1. What is something Mom always says to you?
LL: Not to be mean to everyone
Mimi: Jesus Makes our bodies nice
Bear: Do your homework
2. What makes Mom happy?
LL: listening to what she has to say
Mimi: Laugh
Bear: Cleaning my room
3. What makes Mom sad?
LL: hurting other people's feelings
Mimi: When make blood
Bear: that she lost Daddy
4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
LL: pulling her pants down a little bit, and pulling up her underwear
Mimi: Tickle Me
Bear: Being silly
5. What was your Mom like as a child?
LL: sucked her thumb
Mimi: cry like a baby (*insert crying fists on eyes here)
Bear: funny
6. How old is your Mom?
LL: 28
Mimi: 4
Bear: 28
7. How tall is your Mom?
LL: 2.5 feet
Mimi: Big big big
Bear: I don't know
8. What is Mom's favorite thing to do?
LL: talking on the phone
Mimi: go to work
Bear: clean the house
9. What does your Mom do when you're not around?
LL: Watch over dayhome kids
Mimi: walk away
Bear: watch dayhome kids
10. If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
LL: because she's a good singer
Mimi: for walking far away, far away
Bear: I don't know
11. What is your Mom really good at?
LL: wiping Mimi's butt
Mimi: going happy
Bear: cleaning the house
12. What is your Mom not very good at?
LL: fixing the washer
Mimi: Peoples
Bear: wiping Mimi's butt (har har)
13. What does your Mom do for a job?
LL: Watching Dayhome kids
Mimi: go to work
Bear: Watches Dayhome kids
14. What is your Mom's favorite food?
LL: Pizza
Mimi: Cheese Balls
Bear: Pineapple
15.What makes you proud of your Mom?
LL: how she helps me
Mimi: Happy
Bear: I don't know
16. If your Mom was a cartoon character who would she be?
LL: Beauty (and the beast)
Mimi: a person
Bear: Cinderella
17. What do you and your Mom do together?
LL: laugh a lot
Mimi: family prayers
Bear: play
18. How are you and your Mom the same?
LL: our hair
Mimi: we're both big
Bear: I don't know
19. How are you and your Mom different?
LL: I don't have pierced ears
Mimi: nose and hair
Bear: I don't have glasses
20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
LL: gives me hugs
Mimi: outside in the temple (yah, no clue, but that was her answer)
Bear: kissing me
Me: Don't throw your toy snake in the tree.
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because it wrecks the tree.
Mimi: Why?
Me: when you pull it out, it pulls on the branches and bends them
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because you're pulling on them!
Mimi: Why?Me: Meems, we don't bite!!!
Mimi: Why?
Me: because it's mean! It hurts Nina!
Mimi: Why?
Me: Look at her arm! Look at her tears! It hurts her because teeth aren't meant for eating bodies-- they're meant for eating food!
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because God made us that way! Should I bite YOU!?
Mimi: WHY?!Me: Mimi, you have to put on panties before we leave.
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because everyone will see your bum if you don't!
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because you're wearing a dress.
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because you made me put it on you with your silly temper tantrum this morning!
Mimi: Why?
Me: Because you're three. And a princess. And a goof. And a diva. And annoying.
Mimi: Why?
Labels: Mimi
I feel like I've been 'away' for a long time-- no blogging in my life is CRAZY!
Thankfully, I have a quiet house now, as spring break is over and I'm back to routine. Whatever that is in my world! We only have 4 kids today-- *relief* So blogging resumes.
Yay for yesterday.
The papers got sent to the judge for our divorce. Which is scary, because if they don't like something, they send it back and it could take a long time getting everything 'perfect' for them. Or, he could reject our claim and enforce us to be separated for a year instead of the infidelity clause. Instead, we had stated a time on one page and had a half-hour difference on the other, so we have to fix that. And other than that, the judge says we're good to go. The clerks say they're running at about 6 weeks right now, so it's possible that within that period our divorce could be done. That'll be good to have it behind us.
Although there's so much other drama associated with yesterday, (money, Chris, friends) I'm gonna keep the gratitude attitude foremost instead.
I nearly finished laundry again-- a few loads today and I'm good for a bit. I LOVE that feeling.
Crockpot dinners are SOOOo underrated. When the last dayhome child had been picked up, having dinner already waiting was AWESOME! And tasty.
I finally took advantage of the +6 degrees and got outside. Putting LL and Bear on their bikes for the first time this year (and yes, that included a few pumps to a few wheels), I strapped Mimi into the jogging stroller and we went for a short (maybe 3 mile) run. Unfortunately, the sun was down and so all that melted snow had turned into black ice along the pathways. Bear only fell once while LL fell three times. It nearly caught ME on my butt once or twice too!! There was NO escaping it!! ahhhhh! But, I'll take it. Having the fresh air go in one ear and out the other (ha, thanks Auntie!) was just what I needed.
Home, homework done, bedtimes. They were so exhausted from the bike ride and fresh air, they fell asleep in record time. YAY.
I grabbed my "New Moon" book, started a hot bath, and made this:
Baked brie. It's my TOTAL indulgence ever since I made it at Christmas for the first time. Dangerous stuff, I tell you. THANKFULLY, when I run, I eat less. So I didn't eat the whole thing! ;) THIS time. :P
Read the book, took some time to read scriptures and spend a bit of MUCH NEEDED time on my knees, and hopped into a comfy bed. BEFORE 11 pm-- which hasn't happened much lately.
And it's Thousand Word Thursday. Here's my Thousand Word Picture:
So, today, I am having an "off" day. No TV (dayhome kids aside), no COMPUTER. No Music. No 'random' friendly phone calls. Because I have stuff I want to get done, and meditation to do. I need to work on me. I am looking forward to my off day. See ya'll tomorrow.
Labels: A Thousand Words, Bear, Fit or Fat, life a la Debbi, LL, Mimi
Mimi comes around the corner, pantless as usual, playing a game with her siblings.
Mimi: Na na na na na,, you can't catch me. ha ha haha ha, I the biggest!
Bear: No, you're not the biggest.
Mimi: Ha hahaha ha, I'n the boy!
Bear: You're not a boy, Mimi.
Mimi: no! I'n the boy! See my penis!?
Bear: you don't have a penis, Mimi. You're too little for a penis.
!!!!
How old are you when you grow your penis!!??
Um, Bear's a little confused apparently. Time for a biology lesson.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
EVERYWHERE you go;
I've got kids ages one through ten not listening once again
and candycanes make sticky fingers so!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Toys on all the floors.
But the prettiest sight to see is the shovelling, complete, up my own front door!
A pair of thighs that don't rub and a soak in the tub
is the wish of mommy today.
Walls with no smudge and a fistfull of fudge
may just melt the crabbies away.
And "dayhome Mom" can hardly wait for naps to come today!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
There's a tree in the living room,
that's sure to be dying soon.
And once it does, we'll burn it in the snow!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
soon the fights will air.
And the things that will make me laugh is the doll that's torn in half
when the tempers flare.
Okay, so that doesn't REALLY count as a post. But I have limited time today. With 11 dayhome kids, a few fights and snotty noses to clean up, and snacks and lunch on the way... I can't spend much time online.
I went out yesterday to finish the grocery shopping. Turns out I ordered Mimi's cake at the wrong grocery store, and had to drive half-way around town to go to the right store. My 1/2 hour trip took me THREE FRIGGEN HOURS!!! The roads were packed with ice and snow, and everybody and their dogs were out getting Christmas shopping done (no kidding-- I saw some person's dog left in a non-running car IN MINUS 35... I was a bit angry at that). It was not a fun way to spend the afternoon! But she loved her cake, so whatdya do!?
Mimi's third birthday last night was so cute... she was adorable. We got our family photos (and her birthday photos) done too. Kinda sucked that the camera broke AGAIN in the middle of our shoot, and we lost some of the better family shots. :( It always works that way, hey?
As I'm paying for the pictures, Meems tells me she has to pee. She then takes her pants off RIGHT there in the studio!!! Needless to say, we darted up the THREE STOREYS of the department store to find the 'closest' bathroom!!!! And made it. Phewsh.
I did my run. Watched Prison Break. Talked with friends. Ate a plate of cheesy nachos to offset my 'health' (haha), and got a phone call from a BC correctional institution. All in all, a busy, good night.
Last night we de-gunktified the five punkins that were sitting on our doorstep for the past three weeks. (We picked them up at Thanksgiving in Creston). Amazingly they weren't rotten, but even more amazingly, we haven't had much bad weather to rot them with.
Pre-pumpkin:
Mid (de-gunktified) Pumpkin: End result Pumpkin:
I think this is the first year I've lived in Calgary that we haven't had a big snowfall by Hallowe'en. And this post better not jinx that. Seriously, one year, we were trick-or-treating in FREEZING weather and sliding on the icechunks on the sidewalks. It sucked. There were people in their homes handing out hot chocolate to the parents with the kids!!!
I'm glad it's a mild one this year, as Mimi's costume is slightly thin and won't fit a large coat underneath. She wanted to be a witch this year, so thankfully my mother lives near a clearance store and got her a really, really cute witch costume for a few bucks. Score! I don't know where Meems has even SEEN a witch, but she knows what they sound like!
And it may entirely be possible that she learned it from the way I sound when I'm angry that she's up past her bedtime, but it could just as likely NOT be. muahaha.
So, here's our prep for Hallowe'en.
Costumes: CHECK
Pumpkins: CHECK
Decorations: CHECK
Pumpkin Seeds (washed, dried, seasoned and ready) to Be Cooked Today: CHECK
Too much candy that will NEVER get all handed out.. and will HAVE to be eaten, shamelessly, by yours truly: CHECK CHECK CHECK
One Night Of 8 Gothic WITCHES carving more pumpkins in their traditional GV Hallowe'en shirts: CHECK
(Can you believe I made this shirt years ago? A bit of foreshadowing, much?? :P Other shirts included ones saying, "Witch", "Hallowe'en Apples", "Boo-B", "Meow" and, my personal fave, "Tricks For Treats". hahaha Us 8GVs are gonna rock out with our... frocks out??)
I think that's it, right? What else could a witch want?!
Labels: 8 Gothic Vaginas, Holidays, Mimi
Who: The dayhome
What: will be empty
Where: oh where have my children gone!?
When: T minus three days!
Why: Aside from losing that one little girl, the two full-timers I have are moving to Edmonton and Friday is their last day. (One of them being Angel. How sad! She's too cute) So, I'll have two part-timers (one drop-in, one twice a week). And I still haven't gotten a hold of EF to tell her that I'm not taking her kids afterall. I left a message for her to call me, but she hasn't. note to self: call her again today. Seeing as things with Chris are still so positive, it could well go into January if not longer. Of course, it could finish tomorrow. But so far, so good. So, I need her not to be here. Anyways. I'm actually kinda excited for a bit of time off, although, I need the money. It'll be nice to have days of just Mimi and I, since she's never really had any one-on-one attention. I've had the dayhome for nearly her whole life. It'll be nice to take her to the zoo, to have naps. LOL And I'll probably find less time to blog seeing as she'll be bored by herself once in a while after ALWAYS having someone to play with and I'll be busy playing barbies and dressup. I printed up more 'ads' for mailboxes and grocery-store bulletin boards, but I hate that part. Let the interviews commence. Blah.
Who: Fatty McBubberson
What: Wants to remind you
When: Today, of course
Where: Wherever you are. Whatever you're doing. Drop everything and commence
Why: Let us remember THIS post. Yes, you read it correctly, today is Chocolate Wednesday. And, for your sharing satisfaction, I have ONLY had four of these. (who cares that it's only 9:30 am... there's no time restrictions for Chocolate Wednesday! lol) I bought our Hallowe'en candy last night, and opened it up first thing this morning! hahaha. Okay, in defence of my lack of control, I opened it to give a peice to the school-kids on their way to school. I was being giving. Yah, that's it. Clearly I would NEVER have alternative, more selfish motives! Geez, what do you take me for!!? :P tee hee. (don't answer that!)
Who: Pessy McPessimistersons
What: should be happy
Where: uh...
When: once hearing this
Why: because I have nothing exciting to blog. So, my life is officially "boring". Boring is good, one anonymous said. So, there you have it. BOw-ring! As requested. :) (by the way, I love this store! And, yes, I recognize that it's not pronounced "BO-ring", but, in my ignorant defence, a bow-tie is pronounced "bo", so I say bow-ring! Don't ask for further explanation. It makes sense to me and my sista, Keeks. And sisters don't have to explain what's funny to them. Clearly. )
Hola! So, Thanksgiving dinner has made its way into the ever-common, always-feared air-poohs (ROFL-- MC, the Sophster's word for fart makes me laugh EVERY TIME!!) and I'm back at home amidst the mounds of laundry and piles of dishes. And yet, here I sit, wasting time and blogging.
Labels: Holidays, life a la Debbi, Mimi, X-weighted